South Africa: Pres Ramaphosa regrets load shedding  Presidential Spokesperson

Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says President Cyril Ramaphosa deeply regrets the current energy situation which has plunged the country into Stage 6 load shedding.

Magwenya was updating the public on the Presidents public programme and topical issues of public and media interest.

The President acknowledges the frustration of households, parents and learners who have commenced the school calendar year facing power shortages. The devastation to small businesses and the adverse impact to the economy remains severe for South Africas recovering economy, Magwenya said during a hybrid media briefing on Thursday.

Giving an update on the National Energy Plan, Magwenya said that President Ramaphosa convened a National Energy Crisis Committee comprising of Ministers and various technical work stream leaders on 15 December.

Whilst the President acknowledged some of the progress made in the executing elements of the National Energy Plan, he further demanded more urgency and speed in the implementation of all priority areas and actions laid out in the plan.

To date President Ramaphosa remains seized with finding a sustainable solution to the current energy crisis. The President has been regularly briefed on the situation at Eskom and on the roll out of the National Energy Plan.

More engagements are scheduled for today and tomorrow for a review of the situation and direction on urgent measures that must be undertaken in order to mitigate against the impact of load shedding, said the Presidential Spokesperson.

Despite the current gloomy state of load shedding, the National Energy Crisis Committee work streams continue to make progress on several areas aimed at ensuring the stability of the grid and finding additional megawatts.

World Economic Forum



On 17 January 2023, President Ramaphosa will lead a delegation of Ministers and South African captains of industry to Davos, Switzerland, where he will participate at the World Economic Forum (WEF) events, in which he will lead the promotion of South Africa as an investment destination of choice.

The theme for this years WEF is "Cooperation in a fragmented world.

Ministers Naledi Pandor, Enoch Gondongwana, Ebrahim Patel, and Mamoloko Kubayi will form part of the delegation accompanying the President.

The South African delegation to WEF will add the countrys voice to discussions about global issues, with the overall aim to position South Africa as a competitive business destination.

President Ramaphosa will participate in the Dialogue on Economics of Womens Health, the Annual Welcome Dinner hosted Prof Klaus and Hilde Schwab. The dinner brings together Heads of State, government and international organisations as well as members of the Board of Trustees, the International Business Council and Strategic Partners, Magwenya said.

The President will also form part of the Annual Breakfast Meeting of the African Heads of State/Government entitled Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA is the largest free trade area in the world, by area and number of participating countries.

Once fully implemented, it will be the fifth-largest economy in the world, with the potential to have a combined GDP of more than $3.4 trillion.

Magwenya added that the engagement at WEF will explore how public-private partnerships can support the implementation of the AfCFTA.

The President will also attend the annual meeting on Investing on Infrastructure for Resilience.

The Presidency will provide details on bilateral meetings in due course. SAnews.gov.za



This story has been published on: 2023-01-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
US permanent representative to UN Human Rights Council visits Vietnam

Vietnam hopes the United States will support Vietnams initiatives and priorities at the UN Human Rights Council during its 2023-2025 membership tenure.









Ambassador Michele Taylor, US permanent representative to the UN Human Rights Council.





Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet made the request at a reception in Hanoi on January 13 for Ambassador Michele Taylor, US permanent representative to the UN Human Rights Council.



Vietnam pays special attention to vulnerable groups, anti-discrimination, gender equality, human rights, climate change, digital transformation, rights to health, education, and employment among other things, he said.



Viet affirmed Vietnam is willing to actively consider cooperation proposals from countries, including the United States, in the spirit of mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation, as well as ensuring human rights for all.



The diplomat highly appreciated the results of cooperation between Vietnam and the US over recent years, and suggested that the two countries continue to strengthen cooperation in 2023 to mark 10 years of their Comprehensive Partnership on the basis of mutual benefit and respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions of each other.



Ambassador Michele Taylor for her part agreed the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership is developing very well and affirmed Vietnam is always one of the important partners for the US. She expressed her wish to contribute to promoting bilateral cooperation in the coming time, including at multilateral forums such as the United Nations Human Rights Council.



She acknowledged Vietnams priority areas during its 2023-2025 term, considering them an important basis for exchanges and cooperation between the two countries at the UN Human Rights Council.


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A Belleville man is facing multiple felony charges in connection with the death of a Freeburg woman on Thursday, the St. Clair County States Attorney said.

In addition to a single count of first-degree murder, Scottie R. Lambert, 33, has been charged with felony counts of home invasion, armed robbery and possession of a stolen motor vehicle. He is being held at the St. Clair County Jail on $1 million bond.

Lambert already was on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections on a 2013 armed robbery conviction, according to St. Clair County court records.

The death of Linda Waller, 55, remains under investigation, however, according to a release from Belleville Police.

Lamberts arrest and the subsequent discovery of Wallers body at her Freeburg home was initiated by Belleville officers following a routine traffic stop Thursday.

According to Belleville Assistant Chief of Police Mark Heffernan, officers pulled over a Ford F-150 pick-up truck for making an improper turn from West Washington Street onto 2nd Street. He said the driver, Lambert, appeared nervous, but granted officers consent to search the vehicle.

The officers discovered that the truck was registered to Waller and also found evidence that led them to believe the driver may have been involved in a violent crime, Heffernan said.

A call to Freeburg Police initiated a wellness check to Wallers Deerfield Trailer Court home, where officers found her body. She was pronounced dead at the scene, said St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

The homicide is the first in Freeburg since the 1970s, authorities have said.

The case is being investigated by detectives from both Freeburg and Belleville who jointly provided information to county prosecutors that led to charges Friday.

This case is yet another illustration of the dangers police officers face everyday, Heffernan said Thursday. What appeared to be a simple traffic stop quickly escalated to a suspect in a violent murder. The officers who stopped the vehicle should be commended for their pro activity and their diligence in investigating further.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Freeburg Police at 618-539-3132 or Belleville Police at 618-234-1212. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crimestoppers at 866-371-8477.

Police are not currently seeking any other suspects in the case, according to a release.
COTONOU (Reuters) - Benin's constitutional court on Friday affirmed the ruling coalition's win in last weekend's legislative election and the return to parliament of an opposition after boycotts and exclusions in previous elections.

The final tally showed the two parties already in power - Union Progressiste le Renouveau and Bloc Republicain - came first and second with 37.56% and 29.23% of votes respectively.

The party of former President Thomas Boni Yayi, Les Democrates, came third with 24.16%.

Yayi's supporters led demonstrations in 2019 after opposition parties were blocked from the legislative vote for failing to meet strict new eligibility criteria.

None of the remaining four parties competing for the 109 seats gathered enough votes to meet the 10% threshold for parliamentary representation.

Voter turnout was just 37.79%, the court said, marginally lower than the 38.66% recorded by the electoral commission.

The court's distribution of seats remained unchanged from the electoral commission's count, giving UP le Renouveau 53 seats and Les Democrates and Bloc Republicain 28 each.

Benin's image as a bastion of democracy and stability in West Africa has been dented under President Patrice Talon, who went back on a pledge not to run for a second term and oversaw an opposition crackdown since coming to power in 2016.

Talon, who does not belong to any party but is supported by the Bloc Republicain and UP le Renouveau, denies targeting political opponents or violating human rights in the nation of 13 million people.

(Reporting by Pulcherie Adjoha; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Best Valentine's Day Gift Baskets: Chocolates, savory treats and more.

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What's better than one Valentine's Day gift? A basket full of Valentine's Day gifts of course. Along with Easter and Christmas, Valentine's Day is one of the few holidays perfect for giving gift baskets to your special person whether it's mom, dad, girlfriend, boyfriend or spouse.

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It's not just chocolates and roses. There are plenty of gift baskets filled with all manner of goodies including candy, cured meats, cheeses, baked goods and even wine. There's nothing that matches the thrill of getting a basket full of tasty treats to show someone just how much you care. February 14 is right around the corner so make sure you order now if you want your gift to arrive in time for the holiday. Here are the best Valentine's Day gift baskets available right now.

Looking for more special Valentine's Day gifts? Here are the best Valentine's Day gift ideas for all of your loved ones

25 Valentine's Day gifts for her: Clothing, accessories and treats she'll actually love

Best Valentine's Day gift baskets

The following are some of the best buckets, baskets and tins chocked to the brim with delicious treats.

1. For a memorable smash: Breakable chocolate heart

Best Valentine's Day gift baskets: Breakable chocolate heart

Heartbreak isn't always painful. This gorgeous hollow Belgian chocolate heart comes with a mallet to smash open. If that wasn't worth the price of admission the inside of this heart is filled with even more Valentine's Day chocolates and candies.

$60 at 1-800-Flowers

2. For sweet and savory treats: Harry and David Deluxe Valentine's Day basket

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Harry and David Deluxe Valentine's Day basket

Like in love, sometimes it's hard to commit. This Harry and David Deluxe Valentine's Day basket offers savory snacks and sweet treats to satisfy all flavor cravings. Along with an assortment of dried fruit and nuts, this basket contains Moose Munch popcorn, gummy peach hearts, sharp white cheddar with heart-shaped crackers, a charming heart cookie and a few other sweet and savory treats.

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$80 at Harry and David

3. For snacking cinephiles: The Popcorn Factory Tins with Pop XOXO

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: The Popcorn Factory Tins with Pop XOXO

Remember when popcorn buckets were universally good? Now, indulging in one is like a game of roulette only with worse odds. Popcorn Factory Tins with Pop XOXO capture the quality of popcorn tins past in three classic flavors including cheese, caramel and classic butter. It's a perfect treat to share with your special someone during a romantic movie date.

$30 at The Popcorn Factory

4. For a taste of the good life: Gift Tree The Royal Treatment Basket

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Gift Tree The Royal Treatment Basket

Nothing pairs with good wine like good snacks and The Royal Treatment Basket will make your loved one feel like a fancy aristocrat if only for a day. Choose between a California chardonnay or a delicious red blend to pair with treats including churro almonds, toffee popcorn, everything bagel cashews, old-fashioned lemon drops and more.

$90+ at The Gift Tree

5. For cookie monsters: Cheryls Cookies Valentine's gift basket

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Cheryls Cookies Valentine's Gift Basket

Has anyone in history ever turned down a cookie? It's an almost universally loved treat and this Valentine's gift basket from Cheryl's Cookies is hard to beat. It's packed with treats including 15 snack shortbread hearts, six foil-wrapped chocolates, two buttercream-frosted sprinkle cutouts, two buttercream-frosted red heart cutouts, two butter shortbread heart cookies, two fudge brownies, a red velvet cake cookie and a buttercream-frosted cookies and cream cookie.

$40 at Cheryl's Cookies

6. For those with a sweet tooth: Best of Dylans Candy Bar

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Best of Dylans Candy Bar

Boutique candy shop Dylan's Candy Bar has curated a perfect gift basket for the loved one in your life with a secret candy stash. This gift basket includes some of Dylan's best offerings including malt balls, peanut butter cups, sour candies and even a couple candy bars.

$75 at Dylan's Candy Bar

7. For chocoholics: Godiva Chocolatier gift basket

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Godiva Chocolatier Gift Basket

Chocolate and Valentine's Day go together like peanut butter and jelly as long as it's chocolate actually worth eating. Checkout aisle impulse-buy chocolate boxes will only end in tears. This Godiva Chocolatier gift basket is chocked full of gourmet chocolate goodies including bars, truffles, caramels and even coffee.

$90 at Amazon

8. For perfect picnics: Select Charcuterie and Gourmet Cheese Hamper

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Gift Tree Select Charcuterie and Gourmet Cheese Hamper

There are almost countless meat and cheese boxes available online and off, but the Select Charcuterie and Gourmet Cheese Hamper stands apart from the rest. The fine Spanish charcuterie, artisan cheeses, and fixings that comprise this box all come lovingly packaged in a charming hamper that you can use for picnics in perpetuity.

$200 at Gift Tree

9. For coffee fans: Coffee Beanery Indulgent Coffee Selection gift basket

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Coffee Beanery Indulgent Coffee Selection Gift Basket

Serious coffee fans won't settle for anything but the best. This aptly named Indulgent Coffee Selection gift basket from Coffee Beanery contains 12 sample bags of the roasters' finest and tastiest roasts with flavors including chocolate raspberry and English toffee.

$41 at Amazon

Best Valentine's Day Gift Boxes

Boxes are another fantastic gift delivery system for Valentine's Day, especially because they ship a little easier than baskets.

10. For romance that scrapes the sky: Valentine's Day Tower of Love

Best Valentine's Day gift baskets: Valentine's Day Tower of Love

Unboxing gifts is what makes holidays like Christmas so captivating. This Tower of Love gift box brings some of that holiday magic to Valentine's Day. This multi-tiered gift box set contains all manner of treats including Godiva, Lindt, and Ghiradelli chocolates, gourmet popcorn and holiday-appropriate strawberry jam shortbread cookies.

From $40 at 1-800-Flowers

11. For kawaii treats: Bokksu Snack Box

Best Valentine's Day gift baskets: Bokksu

A snack box from Bokksu isn't just a great gift it's an experience. Bokksu curates sweet and savory treats from family-run businesses in Japan and mails them to your door every month. Each box comes with 20 or more authentic snacks, a companion culture guide that details every snack and even suggested tea pairings. This limited edition Cherry Blossom box featuring seasonal sakura snacks is only available for the month of February so order now while you still can.

From $40 at Bokksu

12. For toast-worthy treats: With Love La Marca gift box

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: With Love La Maria Champagne Gift Box

Plenty of treat boxes pair excellently with a tall glass of bubbly but this Valentine's day gift box saves you a trip to the booze aisle. Along with S'more Grahams cookies, cheese and crackers, this box contains a bottle of La Marca Prosecco. There's even a bottle of raspberry mule mixer if you'd prefer a sweet and satisfying cocktail. You're loved one will likely get much use out of the charming magnetic keepsake box it comes in once the treats have been consumed.

$90 at Gourmet Gift Boxes

13. For a romantic brunch: Wolferman's Bakery Eggs Benedict Box

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Wolferman's Bakery Eggs Benedict Box

The marriage of poached eggs, English muffins, Canadian bacon and buttery hollandaise sauce makes waking up early on special weekends a little easier. This box contains everything you need to make a perfect brunch including thick English muffins, sliced Canadian bacon and even Hollandaise sauce mix. All you have to do is add eggsand a tasty morning cocktail, of course.

$50 at Wolferman's Bakery

14. For carnivores: Man Crates Jerky Heart

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Man Crates Jerky Heart

Not everyone has a sweet tooth. For those that eschew chocolate, candy and baked goods there's the satisfyingly salty and meaty Man Crates Jerky Heart. It contains 10 single-serving packs for friends and loved ones looking to tap into their inner cavemen. Along with the charming heart box your favorite carnivore can enjoy flavors like root beer habanero and whisky maple.

$40 at Man Crates

15. For bougie snackers: Kayla's Cake Premium French Macarons

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Kayla's Cake Premium French Macarons

Macarons are easily one of the fanciest (and priciest) baked goods out there and add a smack of fancy to any tea party. the Kayla's Cake Premium French Macarons box contains 12 different macarons that are a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds with flavors like galaxy caramel and affogato. They're almost too cute to eat...almost.

$41 at Amazon

16. For the whimsical one: Valentine's Day Gift Box

Best Valentine's Day gift boxes

Share your love this Valentine's Day with a gorgeous gift box full of treats from Williams Sonoma. Inside this Valentine's Day Gift Box they'll find a delightful assortment of chocolates including heart-shaped pops, heart-shaped chocolates filled with creamy caramel, white chocolate hearts featuring sweet messages on them, plus a bar of premium Zoe's dark chocolate.

$50 at Williams Sonoma

17. For tea fans: Harney and Sons Silken Sachets Tea gift set

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Harney and Sons Silken Sachets Tea gift set

Drinking good tea can be just as revelatory as good coffee or even good wine. Harney and Sons Silken Sachets Tea gift set contains 32 premium-quality tea bags curated by fine tea purveyors. Like any great gift box, it serves as a practical storage solution for tea in the future.

$33 at Amazon

18. For otakus: Sakura Box Snacks and Candy

Best Valentines Day Gift Baskets: Sakura Box Snacks and Candy

Japanese treats both sweet and savory are unique in the best possible ways. For the Japan-obsessed loved ones, opening up a Sakura Box Snacks and Candy is almost as fun as a day in an Akihabara arcade. This box contains an assortment of 30 treats including gummies, gum, candy bars and even chips.

$24 at Amazon

Best healthy gifts

You don't have to clog someone's arteries to show them you care. Here are some healthier gift basket options for all the health-conscious heartthrobs out there.

19. For a beautiful bounty: Edible Arrangements Valentine's Day fruit bouquet

Best Valentine's Day Gift Baskets: Edible Arrangements Valentine's Day fruit bouquet

An Edible Arrangement is one of the most universally appreciated gift baskets, even if you're not counting calories. Its Valentine's Day bouquet comprises pineapple daisies, chocolate-covered strawberries and XO Belgian chocolate pops in a simple bouquet that doesn't waste your time with filler fruit like canteloupe.

$100 at Edible Arrangements

20. For keto dieters: Bunny James Keto Valentine's Day gift bag

Best Valentine's Day Gift Baskets: Bunny James Keto Valentine's Day gift bag

Keto diets are popular but make enjoying treats harder than usual. This gift bag contains plenty of keto-friendly goodies including jerky, nuts and even keto-friendly chocolate. All of these treats come in a charming red drawstring bag covered in hearts.

$15 at Amazon

21. For morning people: Heart Healthy Hydration gift basket

Best Valentine's Day Gift Baskets: Heart Healthy Hydration gift basket

There are those among us that are up at the crack of dawn ready to face the day head-on and this basket is for them. It contains tasty and healthier snack options including gluten-free snacks, sparkling San Pellegrino drinks, three citrus fruits and a strawberry lemonade mixer. Add a few egg white omelets and some whole-grain toast and you have the makings of a healthy brunch.

$80 at Gourmet Gift Baskets

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(Reuters) - David Kessler, who led the COVID-19 vaccine distribution efforts for the United States, is stepping down from President Joe Biden's administration, the Department of Health and Human Services confirmed on Friday.

Kessler, a pediatrician and lawyer who headed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration under presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, will return to teaching at the University of California, San Francisco, the New York Times reported earlier.

Kessler could not be immediately reached for comment.

The 71-year-old's departure reflects the changing strategy of the Biden administration to shift COVID-19 vaccines to the commercial market from a government-run effort. The former FDA commissioner was chosen to help lead the U.S. COVID-19 vaccine program Operation Warp Speed in January 2021.

As head of the FDA, Kessler cut the time needed to approve drugs to treat AIDS and moved to try to regulate the tobacco industry. He also served as a co-chair of Biden's advisory board on the pandemic.

(Reporting by Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
President Biden takes questions from reporters on classified documents at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on Thursday in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

When President Biden was asked on 60 Minutes last September about the classified documents found at former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence, he expressed shock that anyone could be that irresponsible.

But just six weeks later, on Nov. 2, White House lawyers found 10 top-secret classified documents in a storage room at an office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C., which was used by Biden after he left government as vice president in the Obama administration. That discovery  which was only made public this week  was followed by the disclosure that even more classified material was found in Biden's garage and at his home in Delaware.

On Thursday, Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the appointment of a special counsel, Robert Hur, to oversee the Justice Departments investigation into the discoveries. As Hurs probe gets underway, heres what we know  and dont know  about the Biden investigation and what impact, if any, it could have on the separate probe being conducted by special counsel Jack Smith involving Trump.

Whats in the documents, and how did they get to Bidens private office?

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland announces at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on Thursday that he is appointing former U.S. Attorney Robert Hur as a special counsel to investigate President Biden's handling of classified documents. (Reuters/Leah Millis)

The initial statement released by White House counsel Richard Sauber said a small number of classified documents were found by White House lawyers last Nov. 2 in a locked closet at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, an office Biden used after ending his term as vice president.

Media reports have said these documents include top-secret classified briefings on Ukraine, Iran and the United Kingdom, and that the material was mixed in with Biden's personal papers, including some relating to the funeral for Bidens son, Beau Biden.

There has been no description so far of the material found in Bidens home in Delaware, nor has there been any explanation as to who removed the documents or how they ended up at the Biden office and home. But it will likely be of interest to investigators that, while Biden left office in January 2017, the Penn Biden Center didnt open until February 2018. In a statement Thursday, Sauber said White House lawyers are confident that the investigation will find the documents were inadvertently misplaced.

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Why did the White House take so long to disclose?

According to the timeline laid out by Garland on Thursday, after the documents were found at the Penn Biden Center and turned over to the National Archives on Nov. 2, a prosecutor at the Justice Department was alerted to the discovery two days later by the National Archives' inspector general, an indication that it was judged to be evidence of a potential crime.

On Dec. 20, Bidens personal attorney informed the Justice Department about the additional material found in Bidens garage. That means that while there have been constant headlines for the past two months about the legal battle over Trumps removal of classified documents from the White House  and his failure to return them in response to a subpoena  the Biden White House didnt reveal that it had its own legal troubles over classified documents until this week.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a press briefing at the White House on Thursday. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters Thursday that the White House had stayed silent about the matter because the lawyers looking for additional classified documents didnt complete their search until Thursday.

Why the need for a special counsel now?

On Nov. 14, Garland asked the U.S. attorney in Chicago, John Lausch, to conduct an initial review of the Biden documents to determine if a special counsel was needed. On Jan. 5, Lausch briefed Garland on his findings and recommended the naming of a special counsel. Mary McCord, the former acting chief of the Justice Departments national security division, said that given Lausch's recommendation, I dont think the attorney general had much choice but to name a special counsel.

What criminal offenses are implicated?

Based on the facts so far, McCord says the most relevant statute appears to be 18 U.S. Code 1924, which makes it a federal crime to knowingly remove classified documents with the intent to retain them at an unauthorized location. That statue was a misdemeanor until it was upgraded to a felony during the Trump administration, with a prison sentence of up to five years.

An aerial view of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla., on Sept. 14, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

What impact, if any, will this have on the separate investigation into Trumps documents at Mar-a-Lago?

Legally, there is no reason at this point to believe it will have an impact on the most serious potential charges facing Trump. The thrust of the Trump investigation is obstruction: He was subpoenaed to return all the documents he had taken from the White House, and when prosecutors learned that he may have failed to do so, a court ordered a search of his residence, where more material was found, including in Trumps private office.

By contrast, Bidens lawyers say they immediately turned over the material to the National Archives. Michael Zeldin, a former Justice Department prosecutor and independent counsel, said the two cases are not factually equivalent and that the investigation into Bidens documents will have no bearing on the Trump probe.

Other legal observers believe, however, that, at a minimum, the discovery of classified documents in Bidens office and home could make it harder for prosecutors to charge Trump with mishandling classified documents unless Biden or someone who was responsible for removing the documents is also charged.
(AP)

President Joe Biden will deliver his second official State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on 7 February, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has said.

Ms Jean-Pierre told reporters at the daily White House press briefing that Mr Biden had recieved a kind invitation extended by the California Republican in a letter earlier on Friday.

The President has accepted it and looks forward to delivering the State of the Union address on Tuesday February 7, she said.

In his letter, Mr McCarthy said the American people had sent him and the new House GOP majority to Washington  to deliver a new direction for the country, to find common ground, and to debate their priorities.

In that spirit, it is my solemn obligation to invite you to speak before a Joint Session of Congress on Tuesday, February 7, 2023 so that you may fulfill your duty under the Constitution to report on the state of the union, he wrote, adding that Mr Bidens remarks will inform our efforts to address the priorities of the American people.

Mr Bidens speech to Congress will be the first time he speaks to a joint session not presided over by Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Speaker Emerita whose Democratic Caucus held the majority in the lower chamber from 2019 until this year.

It will be the presidents third appearance before a joint session in the House chamber. His first came on 28 April 2021, the eve of his 100th day in office.

Traditionally, a presidents speech during his first year in the White House is not officially considered a state of the union address. Mr Bidens first such speech was delivered on 1 March 2022.

The term state of the union comes from Article Two, Section 3 of the US Constitution, which states that the president shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.

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The first president to speak to a joint session was the first US President, George Washington. The third, Thomas Jefferson, considered the practice too evocative of the Speech from the Throne delivered by the British monarch during the State Opening of Parliament, and instead chose to sent a written message that was read aloud by a clerk.

The practice of an in-person address was resumed in 1913 by the 28th president, Woodrow Wilson and each subsequent president has at last once delivered the annual message in the form of a speech to a joint session, with just one exception, the 31st President, Herbert Hoover. The last president to send a written message in lieu of a speech was the 39th president, Jimmy Carter, who sent one to Capitol Hill just days before his term ended in 1981.

His successor, 40th President Ronald Reagan, began the tradition of a new president delivering a speech to a joint session in his first year, though Reagan chose not to refer to it as a state of the union speech.
By Andrew Goudsward and Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden is turning to a longtime Democratic problem-solver, lawyer Bob Bauer, to manage his response to a U.S. special counsel's investigation into his handling of classified material after the discovery of documents at his private office and home.

Bauer will serve as Biden's personal lawyer during a probe by U.S. Special Counsel Robert Hur, a former U.S. attorney in Maryland who was tapped by Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday to examine whether classified documents had been improperly removed or retained.

A spokesperson for Bauer confirmed that he is representing Biden but declined further comment. The White House has said the documents were "inadvertently misplaced" and that it is cooperating fully but has declined to respond to detailed questions on the investigation.

The pick shows Biden circling the wagons, relying on a trusted inner circle that has guided much of his recent political career to beat back political and legal fallout from the investigation, which comes as he weighs running for re-election in 2024.

Republicans, who now control the House of Representatives, are eager to paint Biden's administration as scandal-plagued as former President Donald Trump, who has announced his 2024 candidacy, faces investigations and lawsuits over classified documents, election fraud and tax payment.

Biden had turned to Bauer, now a law professor at New York University, for help in deciding whether to seek the presidency in 2020. Bauer subsequently served as a senior adviser to Biden's campaign, leading an army of lawyers who monitored voting access and fought off legal challenges from Trump, Biden's Republican opponent. Bauer also played the role of Trump in Biden's debate preparation.

Bauer won praise for managing the rocky period from the election to the announcement of a victor four days later and then through the presidential transition, when Trump refused to concede defeat and pursued novel and unsuccessful legal challenges to prevent Biden from taking office.

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Bauer has long been a fixture in Democratic legal circles, representing both of President Barack Obama's presidential campaigns and serving as Obama's White House counsel from 2009 to 2011. While working as the Obama campaign's general counsel in 2008, Bauer helped vet Biden as Obama's pick for vice president.

In those years, he also became close with Biden and supported his efforts to consider a 2016 bid for the presidency even as others in the administration favored former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the eventual Democratic nominee.

Biden, grieving the 2015 death of his son Beau, ultimately declined to run in 2016 after consultation with a small group including Bauer. Clinton lost to Trump, and Biden mounted a bid four years later.

Gray-bearded and scholarly in mien, Bauer spent nearly his entire career at the law firm Perkins Coie, starting the firm's influential political law practice. Firms like Perkins collect millions of dollars in billable hours from the warring U.S. political parties during election season.

"He looks and has the temperament of the college professor and he's a hard-as-nails litigator and strategist," NYU law professor Samuel Issacharoff, who worked under Bauer on both Obama campaigns, told Reuters in 2020.

Bauer retired from Perkins Coie in 2018 to focus on his teaching, but continued representing some clients in an individual capacity.

He is married to Anita Dunn, another Biden confidant and senior White House adviser. Dunn is a key architect of Biden's communications strategy who has helped with personnel decisions and crafting a message to counter Republican opponents.

Bauer will now work with White House lawyers as Biden responds to the special counsel's investigation. Documents with classified markings were found both at Biden's personal office at a Washington think tank and in a garage at his Delaware home in recent months.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Editing by Will Dunham, David Bario and Heather Timmons)
Bill Libby had two intentions in life, Bob Monk said.

One was to help others in their lives, be it a student-athlete at McMurry University, a veteran who felt disconnected or someone he might not know.

"The reality, as far as I'm concerned, is you look at Bill and see him as finding his life in helping others in their lives," Monk said. Particularly as a mentor to young me - on the battlefield in Vietnam or on the college campus.

The other was more practical. What could he do to make something, such as easier access to a building, happen?

"What I saw was that over the years, whatever McMurry might need that other people maybe didn't recognize, he was simply able to say to McMurry, What's going on? What else can I help with?" Monk said. "That is a major aspect of how he was generous.

"He was generous to the core."

Below artwork by Nic Noblique on the west side of McMurry's C.E. Maedgen administration building is a tribute to Bill Libby. Flowers were replaced there this week after his death Jan. 7 at 85.

Monk will speak to these character traits and others will add their own remembrances of Libby at Saturday afternoon's funeral service at St. Paul United Methodist Church. Libby, 85, died Jan. 7 at his Abilene home.

Monk and St. Paul pastor Benji Van Fleet will officiate.

Libby, a Vietnam War veteran, will be buried later this year at Arlington National Cemetery. His late wife, Amy, is interred there.

"Bill Libby is really the embodiment of the core values of McMurry University," said University President Dr. Sandra Harper. "One of his major characteristics was he was a problem-solver. He would see something that he felt would enhance the university, and he then would figure out if he could fix it or provide support for it or garner some other kind of group that would be able to support it.

"He was the penultimate problem-solver.

Coming to Abilene

Monk met Libby at Texas A&M University in 1964. Monk was assistant campus minister when Libby was a "fish."

"Our lives were intertwined" since then, Monk said Thursday. Libby later would attend seminary not far from where Monk was going to graduate school

They reunited when Libby came to Abilene in 1991 to take an assistant pastor's role at St. Paul. Monk already was here, at McMurry, where he taught for 31 years in the religious life department. In 1996, that Methodist connection and Monk's push landed Libby as a faculty member there.

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His Old Testament and History classes were student favorites.

Libby was religious, too, about running, and seeing a need, launched a cross country program in 1995. It became a school athletic program the next year. For five years, he personally funded the program. He won two conference titles before stepping down in 2002 to return to teaching. Before doing so, he established an endowment to continue to fund the sport.

"His most important aspect at McMurry was to be appointed so that he had the opportunity to work with the athletes," Monk said. Libby was a marathoner, who run courses in Europe and in the U.S. - wherever he was stationed in the military.

Libby served as athletic director from 2006-08 and headed a life skills program called CHAMPS.

Monk said Libby was tasked to help athletes in academics "but also in the variety of how the college could serve through athletes," Monk said.

Bill loved McMurry, and that love was reciprocated, Sam Ferguson, vice president for student Affairs and intercollegiate athletics, said in a university statement. He was the guy who would go out of his way to add value to others, and we were lucky to call him a friend."

His third and fourth callings in life were leading biblical and archaeological trips to Jordan and teaming with McMurry political science professor Paul Fabrizio as hosts of the radio talk show "The Professors," from 2005-17.

Earlier life

Libby was born in Barnsdall, Okla., and graduated from high school as a Dumas Demon. He traveled 600 miles southeast to College Station to attend Texas A&M to play the French horn in the band. But the calling for the pastoral ministry began there, leading him to also become chaplain of the band and the then-all-male Corps of Cadets.

"I think he knew every person in the band ... and the Corps," Monk said, laughing. "Bill was concerned about people. You already saw him as a pastor. That became his major focus, really."

Libby's education included attaining his Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological School, a Methodist campus in Madison, New Jersey.

He married Amelia Ann Dunkle on Sept. 9, 1961, in Wilmington, Delaware.

Libby served for 30 years in the Army. His service included duty in Vietnam, where he earned a Bronze Star for his ministry. He retired as a colonel.

"Vietnam was very important to him. It defined a lot of aspects of his life," Monk said.

Members of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division mourn their buddies killed in battle near Hue, Vietnam, May 31, 1968. Helmets of the fallen soldiers rest atop M-16 rifles sticking from ground on bayonets. The Rev. Bill Libby, then an Army chaplain, is the right-most person standing behind the row of guns and helmets. The photo was used in a documentary airing on PBS about the war.

He was photographed in Hue, Vietnam, in 1968, as soldiers mourned the fallen. It was included in Ken Burns' documentary on the war

Have need, will fund it

Monk said Libby didn't look for list of people in need, he found that person or that need on his own.

"Which is a pastor," Monk said. "That was part of who he was. There would be no way to account for how many students he personally helped, not only in terms of their spiritual life and academic world but also simply helping them financially."

Or giving them a ride.

His friend, Monk said, lived a simple life so he could pour his time and resources into others and into projects.

Bill Libby speaks at the May 1992 commencement at McMurry University.

"When I also think about the core values," Harper said, "what stands out to me, we have a core value about relationships being the catalyst for life. With the students, the student-athletes, student artists and thespians and musicians, he would really garner those relationships. He would be the ultimate fan or the ultimate audience member and then would come back and talk about how great a production it was or how great a game it was. Be sure to support the students.

"When I think about our core values, his relationships will stand out to me and it will be his lasting legacy at McMurry."

As he recognized the needs of young athletes, Libby in later years saw needs for those growing older, as he was.

If became a challenge for him to navigate the stairs in the McMurry administration building.

"He said, 'OK, we need an elevator in this place," Monk said. "So he funded it."

A space outside the building honors Libby for his gift.

A similar thing happened at St. Paul, where Libby led an effort to install a ramp to make back-door entry to the kitchen easier for seniors.

"Can't get up there very easy, so let's put in a ramp," Monk recalled Libby's suggestion. "Which he paid for."

"In other words, Bill, in his practicality, looked for a need and then fulfilled it."

Bill Libby casts soil to both sides of the podium during the invocation portion of the dedication of the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene on, May 25, 2009. Libby served in the military for 30 years.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Bill Libby, 85, lived a pastor's life, served others, solved problems
Bill Ackman said he wasn't defending Sam Bankman-Fried, but that the FTX co-founder deserves a presumption of innocence. Brian Snyder/Reuters

Bill Ackman, known for his lucrative bet on COVID-19 crashing the market, extolled due process for SBF.

Ackman was cleared after his own past brush with the law over allegations of market manipulation.

He said defendants like Sam Bankman-Fried deserve the presumption of innocence at this stage.

The billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who heads the hedge fund Pershing Square Capital, can relate to the public pile on against Sam Bankman-Fried.

Ackman, known for his $2.6 billion bet that the COVID-19 crisis would hurt the stock market, tweeted on Thursday that defendants like Bankman-Fried should be considered "innocent unless and until proven guilty," citing his own past run-in with regulators over allegations against him in the early 2000s of market manipulation.

He was cleared in that investigation by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer.

Although that outcome vindicated him, he said the process gave him the sense that "some attorneys" at the New York Attorney General's office at the time "were interested in finding me guilty regardless of the facts."

"I remember the other parents pulling their children away from me and my daughter at nursery school drop off when the Spitzer news about me dropped," he tweeted. "I will never forget. And I was lucky as I had the resources to hire good lawyers and defend myself."

"Let's not sacrifice our core values in a rush to convict @SBF_FTX as it does no one any good," he wrote.

Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty this month in the US government's criminal case against him and his right-hand people Caroline Ellison and Gary Wang, both of whom flipped and took plea deals.

Painting Bankman-Fried as the mastermind, government enforcers accused all three of executing a scheme to leverage FTX customer funds for unrelated investments for Bankman-Fried's separate company, Alameda Research, and borrowing and spending huge sums of money with no boundaries or guardrails protecting customer deposits.

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Ackman said that the plea deals of Bankman-Fried's associates don't change Bankman-Fried's right to be presumed innocent at this stage, suggesting that government agents could have their own career goals in mind in felling a major defendant.

"An SBF conviction means a partnership at the best white collar defense firm for an aspiring prosecutor," he tweeted, referring to Bankman-Fried by a frequently used abbreviation of his name. "SBF's two associates would gladly see him convicted in exchange for dramatically reduced sentences for themselves so we can't rely on their words as proof that he is guilty."

After FTX's bankruptcy filing in November, Ackman tweeted in support of cryptocurrency, saying it could still "enable the formation of useful businesses and technologies."

In his own Substack post this week, former FTX CEO Bankman-Fried insisted that he "didn't steal" from the company.

Read the original article on Business Insider
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  After tidal surges and high winds from the remnants of a rare typhoon caused extensive damage to homes along Alaskas western coast in September, the U.S. government stepped in to help residents  largely Alaska Natives  repair property damage.

Residents who opened Federal Emergency Management Agency paperwork expecting to find instructions on how to file for aid in Alaska Native languages like Yupik or Inupiaq instead were reading bizarre phrases.

Tomorrow he will go hunting very early, and will (bring) nothing, read one passage. The translator randomly added the word Alaska in the middle of the sentence.

Your husband is a polar bear, skinny, another said.

Yet another was written entirely in Inuktitut, an Indigenous language spoken in northern Canada, far from Alaska.

FEMA fired the California company hired to translate the documents once the errors became known, but the incident was an ugly reminder for Alaska Natives of the suppression of their culture and languages from decades past.

FEMA immediately took responsibility for the translation errors and corrected them, and the agency is working to make sure it doesnt happen again, spokesperson Jaclyn Rothenberg said. No one was denied aid because of the errors.

Thats not good enough for one Alaska Native leader.

For Tara Sweeney, an Inupiaq who served as an assistant secretary of Indian Affairs in the U.S. Interior Department during the Trump administration, this was another painful reminder of steps taken to prevent Alaska Native children from speaking Indigenous languages.

When my mother was beaten for speaking her language in school, like so many hundreds, thousands of Alaska Natives, to then have the federal government distributing literature representing that it is an Alaska Native language, I cant even describe the emotion behind that sort of symbolism, Sweeney said.

Sweeney called for a congressional oversight hearing to uncover how long and widespread the practice has been used throughout government.

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These government contracting translators have certainly taken advantage of the system, and they have had a profound impact, in my opinion, on vulnerable communities, said Sweeney, whose great-grandfather, Roy Ahmaogak, invented the Inupiaq alphabet more than a half-century ago.

She said his intention was to create the characters so our people would learn to read and write to transition from an oral history to a more tangible written history.

U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, who is Yupik and last year became the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, said it was disappointing FEMA missed the mark with these translations but didnt call for hearings.

I am confident FEMA will continue to make the necessary changes to be ready the next time they are called to serve our citizens, the Democrat said.

About 1,300 people have been approved for FEMA assistance after the remnants of Typhoon Merbok created havoc as it traveled about 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) north through the Bering Strait, potentially affecting 21,000 residents. FEMA has paid out about $6.5 million, Rothenberg said.

Preliminary estimates put overall damage at just over $28 million, but the total is likely to rise after more assessment work is done after the spring thaw, said Jeremy Zidek, a spokesperson for the Alaska Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

The poorly translated documents, which did not create delays or problems, were a small part of efforts to help people register for FEMA assistance in person, online and by phone, Zidek said.

Another factor is that while English may not be the preferred language for some residents, many are bilingual and can struggle through an English version, said Gary Holton, a University of Hawaii at Manoa linguistics professor and a former director of the Alaska Native Language Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Central Alaskan Yupik is the largest of the Alaska Native languages, with about 10,000 speakers in 68 villages across southwest Alaska. Children learn Yupik as their first language in 17 of those villages. There are about 3,000 Inupiaq speakers across northern Alaska, according to the language center.

It appears the words and phrases used in the translated documents were taken from Nikolai Vakhtins 2011 edition of Yupik Eskimo Texts from the 1940s, said John DiCandeloro, the language center's archivist.

The book is the written record of field notes collected on Russias Chukotka Peninsula across the Bering Strait from Alaska in the 1940s by Ekaterina Rubtsova, who interviewed residents about their daily life and culture for a historical account.

The works were later translated and made available on the language centers website, which Holton used to investigate the origin of the mistranslated texts.

Many of the languages from the area are related but with differences, just as English is related to French or German but is not the same language, Holton said.

Holton, who has about three decades experience in Alaska Native language documentation and revitalization, searched the online archive and found hit after hit, words pulled right out of the Russian work and randomly placed into FEMA documents.

They clearly just grabbed the words from the document and then just put them in some random order and gave something that looked like Yupik but made no sense, he said, calling the final product a word salad.

He said it was offensive that an outside company appropriated the words people 80 years ago used to memorialize their lives.

These are peoples grandparents and great-grandparents that are knowledge-keepers, are elders, and their words which they put down, expecting people to learn from, expecting people to appreciate, have just been bastardized, Holton said.

KYUK Public Media in Bethel first reported the mistranslations.

We make no excuses for erroneous translations, and we deeply regret any inconvenience this has caused to the local community, Caroline Lee, the CEO of Accent on Languages, the Berkeley, California-based company that produced the mistranslated documents, said in a statement.

She said the company will refund FEMA the $5,116 it received for the work and conduct an internal review to ensure it doesnt happen again.

Lee did not respond to follow-up questions, including how the mistaken translations occurred.
Its been nearly 24 years since Project Pats debut album Ghetty Green, but Black Gen Z TikTokers are making sure his legacy lives on.

Project Pat hails from Memphis, Tennessee, and he rose to prominence during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He is the older brother to Juicy J, the founder of the legendary rap group Three 6 Mafia. His voice influenced the aesthetic and growth of Southern hip-hop and has remained an important part of the culture.

In 2018, Cardi B sampled Pats Chickenhead to make Bickenhead for her debut album, Invasion of Privacy. Pat was also featured and credited with a sample on Drakes 2021 song Knife Talk, which featured 21 Savage and Project Pat.

According to whosampled.com, Project Pat has been sampled over 500 times.

Recently, TikTokers began to bring Pats music back to prominence by dancing to Take Da Charge, a song from Project Pats 2002 album Layin da Smack Down.

The TikTok dance is called jookin. Its specific to the city of Memphis and synonymous with the music that comes from the city. The dance features pristine footwork, balance and smooth transitions. The dance has several names  such as G-Walk, buckin and tickin.

Memphis and the surrounding areas are known for crunk music, and jookin is the way you dance to it.

Since 2019, crunk music  and Memphis music overall  has made its way back into the mainstream. Artists like Key Glock and the late Young Dolph were around before 2019, but Duke Deuces Crunk Aint Dead played a massive role in Memphis and its music making its way up the charts.

Today, artists like Glorilla, Moneybagg Yo and NLE Choppa all contribute to making Memphis music a nationwide staple. Glorilla currently has the No. 10 song on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart for her song Tomorrow 2 featuring Cardi B.

Memphis music is having a moment, and Black TikTokers are celebrating it by revisiting the roots of the style.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News  follow us here!

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The post Black Gen Z is reviving Project Pat and Memphis jookin appeared first on In The Know.

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Video footage released by the Los Angeles Police Department shows officers using force to restrain Keenan Anderson, 31, who died later in the hospital. Screenshot via Los Angeles Police Department

An LAPD officer stopped Keenan Anderson after a possible traffic collision on January 3.

Bodycam footage shows officers used force and tased Anderson after he attempted to flee the scene.

Anderson's family's lawyer claims the police were wrong to tase Anderson seven separate times.

Keenan Anderson, a 31-year-old English teacher and cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, died on January 3 after he was tased seven times in the back and later went into cardiac arrest, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The encounter between Anderson and LAPD officers occurred on January 3, around 3:38 p.m. local time in Venice, California, according to a police news release that was posted three days after the incident.

LAPD also released, on Wednesday, about 13 minutes of bodycam footage from multiple officer perspectives and one witness video. A narration of the "critical incident" is provided by Captain Kelly Muniz.

The footage appeared to show a traffic stop gone awry during which multiple officers subdued Anderson and employed the use of force before he was transported to a hospital.

Muniz narrated that Anderson experienced a "medical emergency" about four and a half hours after the use-of-force incident and died after hospital staff employed "lifesaving efforts."

According to the LAPD's preliminary toxicology report, Anderson tested positive for cocaine and cannabis. The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office is conducting an independent test.

Sarah Ardalani, a public information officer for the coroner's office, said in an email to Insider that a cause of death was not determined after the autopsy.

"A medical examiner is requesting more investigation into the death, including additional studies," she said. "Once the tests/studies come back, the doctor evaluates the case again and makes the cause of death determination."

In the footage, Anderson is first seen running in the middle of a street near a busy Los Angeles intersection, asking a responding officer for aid. He is heard repeating, "Somebody's trying to kill me" and pointing to a nearby scene where multiple cars are stopped.

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When Anderson pauses at a corner, the officer notes to his radio that he is responding to a traffic collision and a possible DUI incident.

"Several citizens involved in the traffic collision motioned to Anderson, indicating that he caused the accident," the police news release said.

Throughout the initial stop, Anderson can be heard telling a story about losing his car keys and people trying to "kill him" or "put stuff" in his BMW. He also says that he had a "stunt today" before trailing off in his explanation.

An attorney for Anderson's family, Carl Douglas, claimed in an interview with Insider that Anderson was in a state of mental crisis.

"Mr. Anderson was clearly in the midst of an emotional, mental crisis," he said. "He was paranoid. He was talking in nonsequiturs. It was clear to a layperson, and it should've been clear to a trained officer, that he was in the midst of a crisis."

The LAPD news release noted that Anderson was "exhibiting erratic behavior."

Anderson is then seen leaving the corner of the street about seven minutes later, according to police.

Multiple officers soon arrived to subdue Anderson onto the ground in the middle of the street. One officer warned that he would use a taser if Anderson did not comply with orders.

Captain Kelly Muniz narrated in the video that Anderson "became increasingly agitated, uncooperative, and resisted the officers."

One officer proceeded to tase Anderson multiple times on his back. Douglas said Anderson was tased "seven separate times" around the "back of the heart."

In a press conference on Wednesday, LAPD Chief Michel Moore said his department has no "pre-set limit" on how many times a TASER can be used but that officers should "generally avoid repeated" use so as to not injure a suspect. He added that his preliminary understanding of the situation was that the officer believed repeated use of the TASER was resulting in compliance from Anderson.

As Anderson was pinned to the ground, he can be heard in the video saying, "They're trying to George Floyd me." He also yelled that the police are "actors" and that they were "trying to sedate" him because he "know too much."

In a separate witness video, one bystander who identified himself as an Uber driver is heard in the background claiming that Anderson caused an accident and attempted to steal his car. KNBC reported that the police department said Anderson attempted to carjack someone before causing a crash.

Bodycam footage from another officer who was responding to a possible collision showed three cars stopped in the middle of a street, including a gray BMW that Anderson claimed to be the owner of. An LAPD spokesperson said that the department cannot provide further details on the collision.

Anderson was restrained and transported to a hospital in Santa Monica where he died.

Douglas told Insider that he believes Anderson would be alive if he had not been tased multiple times and that the officer "wrongly" activated the TASER. The lawyer said his firm will be filing a wrongful death complaint against the city on behalf of Anderson's family.

An LAPD spokesperson said the department does not comment on pending litigation.

"Is there any real wonder that he then went into cardiac arrest, and that efforts to revive him were futile," Douglas said. "If he had not been tasered seven separate times, then he would still be alive today."

Chief Moore said during the press conference that Anderson's death was the third critical incident in the span of two days where a person died following a police encounter.

On January 2, Takar Smith, 45, was fatally shot by officers after his wife called the police because he had violated his restraining order, The Los Angeles Times reported. On the day of Anderson's police encounter, Oscar Sanchez, 35, was also shot and later died in the hospital, according to Fox 11.

Moore said that he expedited the release of the bodycam footage for the three fatal incidents due to public interest.

Patrisse Cullors, Anderson's cousin and Black Lives Matter co-founder, wrote in an Instagram post that she believes the LAPD "killed" Anderson.

Cullors did not respond to Insider's request for comment.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Cullors said that Anderson was "stolen from us. He was killed."

"The video footage was clear. He was scared, he was asking for help, he was begging for help. That's not what he received on January 3rd," she told The Post.

Douglas echoed Cullors's sentiment and told Insider that he's dealt with similar cases.

"It's another reflection of the challenges that law enforcement departments nationwide confront when there is a warrior mentality that is so pervasive in modern-day law enforcement instead of a guardian mentality," Douglas said.

An LAPD spokesperson declined to respond to Douglas's statement.

Anderson was a high-school English teacher, according to Cullors's Instagram post. Douglas said that Anderson leaves behind a five-year-old son.

Read the original article on Insider
By Sophie Yu and Jamie Freed

BEIJING/SYDNEY (Reuters) -A Boeing Co 737 MAX made its first passenger flight in China in nearly four years on Friday, marking a major milestone in the U.S. planemaker's attempt to rebuild its business in the world's second-largest aviation market.

The China Southern Airlines Co Ltd domestic flight from Guangzhou to Zhengzhou departed at 0445 GMT using a MAX plane, according to flight tracking website FlightRadar24.

The best-selling Boeing model was grounded in March 2019 after fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, but returned to service around the world starting in late 2020 after modifications to the aircraft and pilot training.

"Boeing continues to work with global regulators and customers to safely return the 737 MAX to service worldwide," the planemaker said. The company's shares were down about 0.5% in U.S. premarket trading.

China is the last major market to resume flying the MAX amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States, and the return comes as domestic travel demand rebounds after China abandoned zero-COVID policies.

Foreign airlines began flying the MAX to China in October 2022, in a sign the first country to ground the model after the crashes was loosening its policies.

China Southern scheduled a return to commercial service for the 737 MAX in October 2022, but did not use it on the planned flights.

The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

TOP CHINESE CUSTOMER

Chinese airlines had 97 of the narrowbody planes before the grounding, according to Cirium data in 2019. China Southern is the biggest Chinese customer for the model, with 50 on order, of which 34 have been delivered.

Boeing in October said it had another 138 planes manufactured for Chinese carriers that were in the United States waiting to be delivered. It said it had begun remarketing the jets to other carriers given there were no concrete signs that Chinese airlines would accept the planes in the near term.

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China's domestic aviation market had been depressed in 2022 because of sporadic lockdowns designed to quash COVID-19, but demand is rising now that COVID controls have been abandoned.

Citi analyst Jason Gursky said the return of the MAX was the first step for Boeing in normalising its China operations, and may open the door to deliveries of new planes.

"Boeing suggested at its November 2022 investor day that its long-term financial targets do not contemplate deliveries of new aircraft into China," he said in a note to clients on Wednesday, adding that a change in that situation would make its targets significantly less risky.

Boeing has been lagging far behind Airbus SE in deliveries into the world's biggest aircraft market, in large part because of the MAX grounding.

In 2022, Boeing delivered eight airplanes to China while Airbus delivered more than 100.

Boeing has been virtually frozen out of new orders from China since 2017, whereas state-owned airlines last year placed a mega-order for nearly 300 Airbus planes.

Both Western manufacturers also face a fresh challenge in the market from the Chinese-made C919 narrowbody jet that was certified last year, though it will take time to ramp up production.

(Reporting by Sophie Yu in Beijing, Jamie Freed in Sydney; Additional reporting by Abhijith Ganapavaram in Bengaluru; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Gerry Doyle and Shounak Dasgupta)
Thousands of well-preserved, ancient bodies have been discovered in Europes peat bogs, leading many to wonder how these early humans met their fate. Now, the first-ever comprehensive study of the remains has revealed long-awaited answers.

Over 1,000 bodies were analyzed from sites across the U.K., Ireland, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and the Baltic States, according to the study published in the journal Antiquity on Jan. 10.

The remains, which date from as far back as 9000 B.C., were found in varying degrees of decomposition. Some are remarkably undamaged, containing soft tissue and clumps of hair, while others are only skeletons, the study said. The bogs, acidic and oxygen-deprived wetlands, are ideal environments for preserving organic material.

Given the passage of time, a cause of death could not be determined for many of the bodies, but experts managed to establish an explanation for 57 cases.

Of these cases, violence was involved nearly 80% of the time, researchers wrote, adding that the vast majority of bodies were intentionally deposited into the bogs.

However, researchers dont know whether the violence was a result of armed conflicts, such as raids, or if it was associated with pagan rituals. Some exceptions were made for bodies subject to overkill, or excessive violence, which were definitively categorized by researchers as ritualistic offerings.

Other causes of death were far less common. Six of the deaths resulted from suicides while accidents, including drownings, claimed the lives of four others.

The vast majority of bodies were found alone, according to researchers, with the exception of a site in Denmark where 380 people were killed in a violent conflict.

In addition, adults between age 18 and 25 were overly represented among the bodies, though older adults and children of various ages were also present.

While further questions remain, the study confirms that Europeans were intentionally depositing their dead in bogs between the Early Neolithic and early modern times and that many of the bodies placed there came to a violent end.

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A Boot Barn is moving into a former Toys R Us building along Interstate 30 on the west side of Fort Worth.

The company, which is the largest western and work wear retailer in the U.S., plans to start renovating the building at 7606 West Freeway in White Settlement around mid-March and complete the $250,000 in renovations by September. The 15,000-square-foot store is near the interchange of I-30 and State Highway 183.

The publicly traded company has grown rapidly in recent years and is aggressively expanding its footprint nationwide. Boot Barn added 44 stores in the past 12 months, to a total of 333 in 41 states (including more than a dozen in Dallas-Fort Worth).

A decade ago, Boot Barn had only 88 stores, none of them east of the Rockies. Boot Barn now aims to have 900 stores by 2031.

The new store in White Settlement will be the closest to the center of Fort Worth. Other stores are in Alliance to the north, in Weatherford to the west, and in Burleson to the south.

Boot Barns total sales from its retail and e-commerce operations have risen from $233 million in fiscal 2013 to $1.6 billion for the first three quarters of its current fiscal year. Its brands serve the iconic American cowboy, from the ranch to the rodeo, as well as the oil and gas industry, agriculture, hunters and outdoorsmen and mainstream western-style women shoppers.
Washington  U.S. border officials on Thursday began allowing some asylum-seekers to use a free mobile application to request an opportunity to be processed at an official port of entry. It is part of a strategy the Biden administration hopes will dissuade migrants from entering the U.S. illegally.

Eligible migrants in Mexico who use the app will be granted an appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection at a port of entry, where officials will determine whether they should be allowed into the country under humanitarian exemptions to a pandemic-era rule known as Title 42 that has limited asylum claims.

The expansion of the mobile app, called CBP One, was first previewed by President Biden last week, when he unveiled a new border strategy that paired increased expulsions for those who cross the southern border illegally, with expanded opportunities for migrants with U.S.-based sponsors to enter the country legally.

Immigrants wait overnight next to the U.S.-Mexico border fence to seek asylum in the U.S. on Jan. 7, 2023, as viewed from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. / Credit: Getty Images

The port of entry appointment process is separate from another Biden administration program that will allow up to 30,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans to fly into the U.S. each month if American citizens, or other individuals in the U.S. with legal status, agree to sponsor them.

Migrants in central or northern Mexico who hope to be processed at a port of entry will need to prove they have a vulnerability identified by the government to merit an exemption to Title 42, which allows U.S. border officials to quickly expel migrants on public health grounds, without allowing them to request asylum.

The vulnerabilities DHS will consider include a physical or mental illness, a disability, pregnancy and the lack of safe housing or shelter in Mexico, according to guidelines in the app. Migrants under the age of 21 or over the age of 70, and those who have been victimized in Mexico, will also be considered for the process.

In a statement Thursday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called the port of entry program "an innovative solution."

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"When Title 42 eventually lifts, this new feature will join one of the many tools and processes this Administration is providing for individuals to seek protection in a safe, orderly, and humane manner and to strengthen the security of our borders," Mayorkas said.

In addition to attesting to their vulnerability, the CBP One app will require migrants to submit biographical information about themselves and their families, as well as a photo of their face. They will then be given an appointment up to 14 days in advance to show up at one of eight ports of entry in Arizona, California or Texas.

Those selected for an appointment will not be guaranteed entry into the U.S., DHS officials said, noting CBP officers have broad discretion to grant or deny migrants permission to enter the country during inspections at a port of entry.

The application process will be free, and questions on the CBP One app are available in English and Spanish. The process will also mean that migrants seeking a humanitarian exemption to Title 42 will no longer need a referral from non-governmental organizations, which have been sending lists of vulnerable migrants to the U.S. government over the past few months.

Under that program, the Biden administration had been processing thousands of asylum-seekers at port of entry each month. In November, the last month with available data, officials at ports of entry processed 20,696 migrants under humanitarian exemptions to Title 42, government statistics filed in federal court show.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents check the passports of Ukrainian refugees looking to cross into the U.S. at the San Ysidro Port of Entry border crossing bridge in Tijuana, Mexico, on Sunday, March 20, 2022. / Credit: Bloomberg

While crossing into the U.S. between ports of entry is illegal, U.S. asylum law allows migrants on American soil to request asylum, regardless of how they entered the country. But the government has used Title 42 to partially suspend asylum law, expelling hundreds of thousands of migrants without a court hearing or an interview. Migrants have also been generally blocked from seeking asylum at ports of entry under Title 42.

After defending it as a key public health measure for over a year, the Biden administration tried to end Title 42 in the spring of 2022, but Republican-led states convinced a judge to block the termination.

Then, in November, another federal judge declared Title 42 unlawful. His order, however, was suspended by the Supreme Court, which kept Title 42 in place at the request of the group of Republican-controlled states that have argued the policy's end will fuel an even greater increase in border arrivals.

While the Biden administration's recently announced strategy includes an expansion of Title 42 to expel migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua and Haiti who were previously not subject to the policy, the expansion of the CBP One app could open the U.S. asylum system to significant numbers of migrants stranded in Mexico.

Andrea Flores, a former National Security Council official who worked on border issues during the first year of the Biden administration, called the new port of entry process "long overdue," saying it "advances President Biden's original promise to reopen access to the asylum system."

"Allowing migrants to register for an exemption to Title 42 is a more humane alternative than leaving them vulnerable to misinformation from smugglers," Flores told CBS News. "This type of innovation in border processing is the future of orderly migration at the southern border."

Still, some advocates for asylum-seekers expressed concern about the new process, saying it will exclude destitute migrants who don't have access to Wi-Fi or phones, as well as those who don't speak English or Spanish, or who face imminent danger in Mexico and can't wait for an appointment.

"This will exclude the most vulnerable of migrants," said Erika Pinheiro, the executive director of Al Otro Lado, a California group that offers legal counsel to asylum-seekers in Mexico.

Priscilla Orta, an attorney based in south Texas who represents migrants for the group Project Corazon, criticized the vulnerability guidelines in the CBP One app, saying they don't explicitly consider LGBTQ migrants as vulnerable.

"The world knows that some of the most persecuted people on this planet are those who are members of the LGBTQ+ community," Orta said, saying some of her clients face victimization in Mexico because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The ports of entry participating in the Title 42 exemption process are located in Nogales, Arizona; the Texas cities of Brownsville, Eagle Pass, Hidalgo, Laredo and El Paso; and the California cities of Calexico and San Diego. The first appointments under the expanded process are set to occur on Jan. 18. DHS officials said they would make additional days available every morning.

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UPDATE -- Jan. 13, 2023: Thirteen-year-old Able Ebbi has been safely located, according to Boston police.

CANCEL BPD Missing Person Alert: 13-Year-Old Able Ebbi has been safely located https://t.co/LipJ3YKJEY  Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) January 13, 2023

PREVIOUS REPORT

Boston police are seeking help locating a missing 13-year-old girl.

Able Ebbi was last seen at Boston Latin School around 5 p.m. on Thursday.

Ebbi is described as a Black with a thin build, black medium length hair, and dark brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing blue pants, a purple shirt with a circle design on the front, a black Mark NY jacket, and white Air Jordan sneakers.

Ebbi usually takes the bus home from school and sometimes gets off at Kerr Way.

Anyone with information regarding this individual is advised to please contact D-4 Detectives at 617-343-5619.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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Just a few years ago, the conceptual artist Hank Willis Thomas had no idea he would be instrumental in commemorating the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. But when his application was selected out of 125 artists and architects to design a new monument in Boston dedicated to the civil rights icons, he was shocked.

When I submitted the proposal, I didnt even think that we really had a chance, Thomas, 46, told NBC News. By the time it was approved, I guess Ive just been on autopilot like, OK  how do I just not get in the way of history? It really has been my mission over the past several years.

Workers stand beneath

Aiming to both inspire visitors and honor the Kings legacy, Thomas work will be revealed Friday at Boston Common, Americas oldest city park, in downtown Boston. The bronze structure, which is 20 feet long and 26 feet wide and titled The Embrace, depicts the arms, shoulders and hands of the Kings hugging after Martin received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, the moment immortalized in a famous photo.

Those scheduled to attend the ceremony include the Kings son, Martin Luther King III  also a civil rights activist  and his 14-year-old daughter, Yolanda Renee King, who gave a speech on racial equality at the Lincoln Memorial in 2020.

Five years in the making, the monument represents the love, heart and spirit of the couple, Thomas said, while also highlighting the power of an iconic moment.

In that picture, you can see the weight of him on her shoulders as they embrace, he said. And I realized that this was really a metaphor for his legacy  that she carried his legacy on her shoulders for several decades after he was assassinated.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. hugs his wife Coretta during a news conference following the announcement that he had been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Oct. 14, 1964. (Bettmann Archive)

King dedicated his life to the civil rights movement, fighting for racial equality and economic justice. After his assassination in 1968, Coretta continued his legacy by promoting peace and equality along with advocating for marginalized communities, including LGBTQ people, women, children and the poor. She even led more than 40,000 people as part of the Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike, in a protest for better living wages shortly after her husbands death. And despite being Kings wife, Corettas gender, Thomas said, marginalized her role in the civil rights movement.

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I believe that the way in which she performed her role opened doors for people all over the world of every gender, Thomas said. And I feel like were living in that, in kind of, the ripple effects, of her creativity, of her diligence, of her strength, her courage and her daringness today.

Origin of a larger-than-life sculpture

Thomas work has appeared in over a dozen exhibitions, and aside from The Embrace he has 13 other public sculptures and artistic pieces. Among them is the Unity sculpture in downtown Brooklyn, which portrays an arm of an athlete pointing toward the sky, and Raise Up in Montgomery, Alabama, reflecting South African miners with lifted arms and undergoing a humiliating physical examination. Thomas said that this particular project is special because the Kings are two of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, and that in the 21st century, Im able to be a part of continuing their story and honor them, he said. Thats pretty, pretty awesome.

The process for creating the sculpture was not easy. Once Thomas proposal for the project was accepted, the sculpture required several levels of approval from multiple organizations, including the Boston Art Commission and Boston Landmarks Commission. Once the Boston Arts Council voted to approve the sculptures design in March 2021, the city excavated the land where the sculpture is placed, digging into it to ensure human bones or ancient artifacts were not misplaced.

In forming the massive bronze sculpture, Thomas also said he worked with the Walla Walla Foundry, a contemporary art fabricator based in Washington state, which rendered a 3D-printed model of the sculpture and molded it with bronze. Once the sculpture was complete last spring, the company disassembled it into six pieces and shipped it to Boston.

A man reaches to touch a detail of the 20-foot-high bronze sculpture

MLKs Boston connection

The sculpture sits in the same spot where in 1965 King led 20,000 people in the northeasts first march of the civil rights era to protest segregation in schools.

King was familiar with Boston, earning his Ph.D. in theology from Boston University in 1955. He lived in an apartment building on Massachusetts Avenue, which is now historically marked to acknowledge his dwelling. Boston is also where King met his future wife, then a music education student at the New England Conservatory of Music.

The idea was that the Kings met in Boston, Thomas said And a lot of people dont understand the legacy of civil rights in Boston and that this was a great opportunity to celebrate that and bring awareness.

In recent years, several civil rights monuments and statues have been vandalized, including a George Floyd statue in New York City last October and a memorial dedicated to Emmett Till in Mississippi, which was replaced with a bulletproof version in 2019 after being repeatedly vandalized for years. Thomas said while vandalism happens all the time to public art, he has not thought about someone possibly damaging this sculpture. So maybe Im being naive, but I kind of hope that the spirit of it, which is pretty much universal, is something that will keep people from wanting to harm it, he said.

Taking in the sculpture, he said, is meant to be interactive, as visitors can walk inside it and be in the heart of their embrace, he said. Viewers can also look up and see the sky where the heavens will be looking down on them, he added, which he calls a really powerful and holy experience. He also hopes visitors feel the very same spirit of love and unity that the Kings embodied as they celebrate MLK Day.

If you reach out to another person, share your love and actually do something that you believe creates opportunity for those who dont have the same ones that you do, he said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Photo: Astronomy

Quite a few years ago now, an ionospheric physicist and I were a long way up a dirt, logging road in Algonquin Park, in Ontario.

The idea was to get a long way from civilization and especially power lines. Finally we found a place where we could safely pull off the road, just in the unlikely case a vehicle happened to come along.

We were out there in the woods to conduct an interesting experiment, to listen to and record the solar wind rubbing on the Earth's magnetic field.

We first deployed the antenna. This was about 35 metres of 10-core electric cable (a cable consisting of 10 individually insulated wires). This we laid down on the ground by the road in the form of a more-or-less circular loop. The wires were connected so the cable formed a large, 10-turn coil. This was to be the antenna.

The receiver used in this experiment was not a radio receiver, it was a simple audio amplifier, similar to what we would use with a microphone and speaker at a concert or public event.

However, this one was battery powered and only produced a strong enough output to listen to by using a pair of headphones, or to connect to a battery-powered tape recorder (remember, this was years ago).

While recording, we could listen to the signals using the speaker in the tape recorder.

By the time we were up and running it was dark. The sky was clear, with countless stars. It is interesting that when we are under a really dark, clear sky, the sky looks grey.

The tall trees on either side of the road were black against the sky. It was a fascinating and magical experience, and would have been more so if we were not most of the time confined to the car because of the mosquitoes.

Unlike most signals studied in radio astronomy, the sounds we were recording were definitely worth listening to. There were long, warbling whistles, rising and falling in pitch. Occasionally there were strange hissing sounds, and lots of clicks.

Under all this was a faint hum, coming from a power line around 60 kilometres away. That's why, to do this experiment, we had to get as far as feasible from people, our appliances and power lines.

If it were left undisturbed, the Earth's magnetic field would be a sort of thick doughnut shape, with lines of magnetic force passing high over the equator and then diving down to the northern and southern magnetic poles. However, the solar wind, a blast of particles and magnetic fields hits the Earth's magnetic field and blows it out into a long teardrop shape, with the pointed end facing away from the Sun.

The place where the solar wind and our magnetosphere meet is known as the magnetopause. Inside it, we are in the Earth's magnetic domain, and on the outside the Sun is in control.

The Earth's magnetic field plays an important role in protecting astronauts in low earth orbit from the effects of the Sun's bad behaviour.

Where the solar wind rubs the magnetopause, it acts on the lines of magnetic force in a similar way to what the bow does to a violin string, or a finger rubbing on glass. It excites waves. These waves move along the magnetic field lines, following them downward into the magnetic polar regions, which include Canada.

Some of those lines of magnetic force passed through our coil of wire, exciting electric currents, which we amplified and recorded. Those waves were at low frequencies, which were audible to the human ear, so all we had to do was capture, amplify and record them.

It is intriguing that some of the most weird and obscure physical processes in astronomy are happening just a few thousand kilometres above the Earth. The same sorts of waves have been detected in Jupiter's magnetosphere by space probes.



 After sunset, Saturn lies low in the southwest, a bit higher than Venus.

 Jupiter is high in the south and Mars even higher in the southeast.

 The Moon will be new on Jan. 21.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
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Codecraft gets National Science Foundation small-business grant

Codecraft Works, an educational technology developer and training partner based in Melbourne, recently was selected to receive a Phase II-B award from the National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research Program.

The award is intended to help Codecraft Works scale its innovative online curriculum, courses and data-driven web tools to meet the growing demand for high-tech education and industry-focused training.

With the money from this award, it will be able to further refine its online tools and expand its curriculum to include new, advanced topics and rapid production of best-in-class custom industry training.

Shannon Landin

Built on top of Codecraft Works existing cloud-hosted, browser-based edTech, this research-and-development effort will allow the company to reach a wider audience; provide more people with access to in-demand skills and knowledge; and provide businesses with competitive tools to recruit and train the workforce.

We are thrilled to have been chosen to receive this award, said Shannon Landin, founder and chief executive officer of Codecraft. We are committed to providing our partners with the tools they need to succeed in the rapidly changing world of software and information technology. We believe this innovation will have a significant positive impact on education and training for employers competing to fill technical roles and for students or job-seekers looking to build solid, middle-class careers.

Landin launched Codecraft Works in July 2011 after experiencing the lack of required computer science, software- and cyber-industry focused training in K-12 education.

Today, the company provides science, technology, engineering and math education and high-tech training tools and curriculum development to industry and education partners, including BAC, Brevard Public Schools, Aspiration Academy, Eastern Florida State College, and FieldCore - a GE Company, among others.

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The Small Business Innovation Research program funds a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological innovation, meet federal research and development needs, and increase commercialization to transition into impact.

Codecraft Works is headquartered at Groundswell, a Brevard County community of digital nomads, innovators and entrepreneurs. It joined Cenfluence, the Central Florida Cluster Initiative, as a member of the Learning Sciences & Human Performance Cluster in July 2021, and received invaluable business and proposal support.

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Cenfluence identified several promising faculty member partners, and made a connection between Codecraft Works and Michelle Taub, an assistant professor and core faculty at the University of Central Floridas Learning Sciences & Educational Research.

For this project, Taub will direct study design, data collection and preliminary coding of participants interactions with the software to assess their performance and will coordinate these activities with the Codecraft Works development team to ensure data analytics capture all behaviors needed to answer study research questions.

Investment deal made between Luke & Associates, Boston firm

Luke & Associates, a Rockledge-based provider of health care and professional services, recently announced that it secured an investment from M33 Growth, a Bostonbased venture and growthstage investment firm.

Jim Barfield

Luke will work in partnership with a M33 Growth portfolio company, Dependable Health Services, a provider of medical and nonmedical staffing services.

M33 Growth announced an investment in Dependable earlier this year, and appointed John Sanders as chief executive officer. Sanders will take on the role of CEO of the combined businesses.

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The cofounder of Luke, Jim Barfield, will move into the role of executive chairman.

Rich Hall, cofounder and president of Luke, will remain in the role of president.

Rich Hall

We love what we do, and are proud of the care we have been able to provide over the past 18 years, especially in support of our military and their families, Barfield said. This growth funding will allow us to expand our reach to provide more care to more people in more places. This has always been at the heart of Lukes mission. M33 Growth and Dependable share our passion of providing care which is why we said yes to this strategic investment.

Luke & Associates provides healthcare services to the federal government and commercial entities, including the military and their families, and veterans.

Law firm GrayRobinson adds Eprem to team

GrayRobinson recently announced that Nathan Eprem joined the Litigation Section in the firms Melbourne office.

Nathan Eprem

Eprem will focus his practice on commercial litigation, probate and trust, and employment litigation.

Eprem, fluent in English and Spanish, recently received his juris doctor from the Southwestern Law School. He holds a bachelors degree in communications from California Lutheran University, where he was on the Deans List.

GrayRobinson is a multidimensional team of attorneys, advisers and consultants recognized as one of the most influential firms in Florida.

Its nearly 300 professionals serve clients nationally from 15 offices across Florida and Washington, D.C.

Its website is https://www.gray-robinson.com/

If you have a Business Newsmakers item you'd like to publish, please email details to Wayne T. Price at wtpkansas@yahoo.com or contact him at 321-223-0230.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: National Science Foundation small-business grant goes to Codecraft
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta during a press conference in Santa Monica on July 22, 2022. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The California Department of Justice is suing three of the nation's largest insulin makers over the high cost of the drug, which diabetics need to survive.

At a news conference Thursday announcing the lawsuit against Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said the companies are finding ways to aggressively hike the price of insulin at the expense of many patients.

The lawsuit, which was filed under the state's unfair-competition law, also includes pharmacy benefit managers CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx as defendants. The companies serve as intermediaries between insurance and pharmaceutical companies.

No company is too big to skirt the law or too large to be held accountable, Bonta said. Big Pharma might negotiate drug prices, but as your attorney general, let me be unequivocally clear. On my watch, the health and the well-being of Californians is nonnegotiable.

Arkansas, Kansas and Mississippi have filed similar lawsuits against the three insulin makers and some pharmacy benefit managers. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last year that the state planned to manufacture its own insulin and offer it at below-market prices.

In its lawsuit, the state is seeking remedies that include barring the companies from overcharging patients and restitution for Californians who overpaid for insulin.

Bonta said he hopes the lawsuit will help push the price of insulin "much closer to the cost for production."

A 2020 Rand Corp. report found that the average manufacturer list price for a standard unit of insulin in the U.S. was $98.70. In Canada the manufacturer price was an average of $12, and in the United Kingdom it was an average of $7.52.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for Eli Lilly said that the company "is disappointed by the California Attorney Generals false accusations."

Patients can purchase a monthly supply of insulin from Eli Lilly for $35 or less, even if they are uninsured, said the spokesperson, Daphne Dorsey. She added that "the average monthly out-of-pocket cost for Lilly insulin is $21.80, a 44 percent decrease over the last five years."

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Anyone paying more than $35 a month can call the company's Diabetes Solution Center or go to insulinaffordability.com, Dorsey said.

Phil Blando, a spokesperson from CVS Caremark, said in an emailed statement that pharmaceutical companies alone set the list price for their products."

"Allegations that we play any role in determining the prices charged by manufacturers are false," Blando said. "We plan to vigorously defend against this complaint.

Isaac Sorensen, a spokesperson for Optum Rx, said in an emailed statement that pharmacy benefit managers work to reduce drug costs and that the company "welcomes the opportunity to show the California Office of the Attorney General, just as it has with other [states'] Attorneys General, how we work every day to provide people with access to affordable drugs, including insulin."

Nationwide, about 34 million people have diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5 to 10% have type 1 diabetes and need insulin to manage their blood sugar levels.

The CDC's advice to patients includes asking a doctor for a generic version of insulin and contacting the drug companies about patient assistance programs.

Some people who can't afford insulin take smaller doses than prescribed or buy it on the black market.

Kevin Wren, the outreach lead of the California chapter of #Insulin4All, said he often helps people find insulin so they do not have to ration.

I've had ketoacidosis, I've been hospitalized, have had complications, all because I ration my insulin," Wren said. "This shouldn't happen.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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.
Jack Draper lost to Kwon Soon-woo in Adelaide (Kelly Barnes/AP) (AP)

Cameron Norrie defeated Jenson Brooksby to reach his 12th ATP Tour final in Auckland but Jack Draper will head to Melbourne to prepare for Mondays Australian Open clash with Rafael Nadal after losing in Adelaide.

The 21-year-old was bidding to made a first ATP Tour final and was the favourite against South Koreas Kwon Soon-woo, who he beat comfortably at the same venue last week.

But this was a different story, with Draper falling to a 6-7 (6) 7-6 (2) 6-3 loss in a gruelling contest lasting two hours and 45 minutes.

Switched 



Soonwoo Kwon defeats Jack Draper 7-6 6-7 6-3 to become the first Lucky Loser to ever play the final at #AdelaideTennis. pic.twitter.com/z9S8sGshVP  Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 13, 2023

Given Draper has less than 48 hours until he plays probably the biggest match of his career so far against defending champion Nadal on Rod Laver Arena, it may be a blessing in disguise that he has a day off on Saturday.

With Nadal having lost six of his last seven matches, it appears as good a time as any to draw the 22-time grand slam champion, and there are plenty of pundits who believe Draper has a good chance of pulling off the upset.

Former British number one Tim Henman was courtside in Sydney last week for Cameron Norries victory over Nadal at the United Cup.

Henman, who will be part of Eurosports coverage of the Australian Open, said: I think its fair to say that Nadal is a little bit vulnerable. He hasnt won a lot of matches recently. He lost both his matches at the United Cup.

Im sure hes been working incredibly hard in practice but you want the confirmation on the match court and Jack is obviously playing well.

I think if youre going to come up against one of the worlds very best players, the first round is the time to play (them) so I definitely think its a case that Jack has nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

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Norrie will have to make a late dash from Auckland to Melbourne for his match on Monday against Luca Van Assche after continuing his unbeaten start to the year.

The British number one, who grew up in the New Zealand city, reached his first final at the ASB Classic four years ago and will try to go one better on Saturday against Richard Gasquet.

Having needed three sets to beat Jiri Lehecka and Marcos Giron, Norrie made it past American Jenson Brooksby in two, winning 6-3 6-4.

He lost only one point on serve in the first set and quickly recovered from a blip at the start of the second when he was broken to claim victory in an hour and 38 minutes.

Norrie has won four of his previous 11 finals, claiming titles in Los Cabos and Indian Wells in 2021 and Delray Beach and Lyon last year.

Gasquet reached the final without having to take to the court after countryman Constant Lestienne withdrew ahead of their clash.

Norrie said: Jensons a young up-and-coming player. Hes played a few big matches but Ive played a few more than him.

I feel like my game, Im just a little bit better at everything than him so I just wanted to back my legs today and I was able to serve a bit better and hold my service games a lot easier than he did. I was able to save my legs and I was feeling really good physically towards the end.

(Gasquet) is an absolute veteran of the tour and hes a really solid player and Im going to have to run a lot to beat him.

:: Watch every match from the Australian Open live and exclusive on discovery+ and Eurosport
By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Australian Cardinal George Pell was lying in state on Friday, with funeral preparations overshadowed by revelations that he was the author of an anonymous memo that branded Pope Francis' pontificate a catastrophe.

Pell's closed dark brown wooden coffin was placed on the floor of the small church of St. Stephen of the Abyssinians, inside the Vatican walls just yards away from the Santa Marta residence where Francis lives.

Early on Friday, a reporter saw about 20 people kneeling in prayer in the church when it opened for 10 hours of lying in state.

Pell, 81, who spent more than a year in jail before being acquitted of sexual abuse allegations in his native Australia, died on Tuesday night in a Rome hospital of heart failure.

The small church, which is normally used for baptisms and weddings, is one of the oldest in the Vatican. Parts of it date back to the fifth century and it is one of the few structures not demolished to make way for the building of the current St. Peter's Basilica, which began in the early 16th century.

His funeral is due to take place on Saturday just across the road in St. Peter's.

In keeping with tradition for deceased cardinals, the Mass will be said by the dean of the College of Cardinals, currently Italian Giovanni Battista Re, and the pope will give the final blessing and commendation.

His surprise death of cardiac arrest during what was expected to be routine hip replacement surgery was followed by another shock the next day.

Last year, respected Italian journalist Sandro Magister, who has a long track record of receiving leaked Vatican documents, published an anonymous memo circulating in the Vatican condemning Pope Francis' papacy as a "catastrophe".

Magister disclosed on his widely read blog Settimo Cielo (Seventh Heaven) that it was Pell who wrote the memo and gave him permission to publish it under the pseudonym "Demos" - Greek for populace. It included what the author said should be the qualities of the next pope.

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"Everyone here is talking about it," said one Vatican official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The official said he did not doubt that Pell was the author but said the revelation should have been held back until after his funeral "out of respect for the dead".

Father Joseph Hamilton, Pell's personal secretary, declined to comment on Magister's report and Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni said he had no comment.

Pell will be buried in the crypt at St. Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, where he served as archbishop, the Australian Church has announced.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Nick Macfie)
A Carmel teen was stabbed in the head because of her Asian nationality while riding a bus in Bloomington, according to police.

Bloomington police say a 56-year-old woman stabbed a fellow bus passenger Wednesday afternoon as the victim waited to disembark at the B-Line Trail downtown.

A folding pocket knife was used in the attack, after which the 18-year-old Carmel woman had "blood flowing from her head," a Bloomington Police Department summary said.

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Investigators initially thought the injuries were from the suspect hitting the woman with her fists, but discovered at the hospital Carmel woman was stabbed multiple times in the head, according to a news release from Bloomington Police Department Capt. Ryan Pedigo.

She was alert and able to tell police what happened when they questioned her at the hospital; her condition wasn't available Thursday.

Police reviewed video camera footage from the bus and said there was no interaction between the two women before the sudden attack, which happened at 4:43 p.m. as the bus stopped on West Fourth Street at the B-Line pedestrian trail.

A witness who was on the bus at the time followed the suspect and called 911, providing updates on her whereabouts until officers arrived and detained the woman near the intersection of Kirkwood Avenue and South Washington Street.

The woman who was attacked "said that as she was standing and waiting for the bus doors to open, another passenger on the bus began to strike her repeatedly in the head, which resulted in immediate pain," the news release said. "The suspect also exited the bus and began to walk towards Kirkwood Avenue."

Billie R. Davis was booked into the Monroe County Jail on charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery and battery by means of a deadly weapon. She was jailed without bond on Thursday.

A probable cause affidavit in the case reveals Davis said she targeted the the teen because she was Chinese and said "race was a factor in why she stabbed her. Davis made a statement that it would be one less person to blow up our country."

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The affidavit says those words and the force of the attack indicate Davis knew what she was doing and intended to kill the woman she stabbed. The video shows Davis unfolding and grasping the knife, then stabbing the victim seven times on the top of her head.

Davis then folded the blade back into the knife, sat down in her seat, stepped off the bus when the door opened and walked away, the affidavit said. She told police she discarded the knife before officers located and arrested her.

Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington bus stabbing: Carmel teen attacked because she Asian, BPD says
LAS VEGAS (AP)  Vegas Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy makes it a habit to start his fourth line because he likes how those three players set the tone.

They did more than set that Thursday.

The fourth line produced two goals, including William Carrier's winner with 2:36 left, and two assists in the Knights' 4-2 victory over the Florida Panthers.

The Panthers challenged Carrier's goal for goaltender interference. Officials ruled he was pushed into Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky by the Panthers' Brandon Montour, allowing the goal to stand.

Fourth-liner Keegan Kolesar's pass found Carrier in the crease, causing the scrum. It was Kolesar's second assist of the game. The other fourth-line goal came from Nicolas Roy.

It would be crucial if that line can continue to bring us offense, Cassidy said. Earlier in the year, it made up for some of our trials on the third line, so to speak, trying to get guys up to speed. So we were able to survive games where youre not getting secondary scoring from that other line. It's a line we can rely on.

William Karlsson added an empty-net goal for the final margin.

The victory put the Knights  who have won four of five games  alone in first in the Pacific Division with 58 points, two ahead of Los Angeles and four in front of Seattle.

Vegas bounced back from Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Kings, which Cassidy called probably the most disappointing game of the year.

Saturday, we didnt have our best performance, said Knights goalie Adin Hill, who made 37 saves. Its huge. We had a little bit of a break, a little reset. We came out here and I thought our guys were full of energy and we played a great game.

The Panthers scored just 2:02 into the game on an unusual sequence. Florida's Aaron Ekblad had a breakaway in which he deked Hill, but he hit the right post. Nick Cousins then scored off the rebound even though the goal came off its moorings.

Officials in consultation with the NHL office ruled Vegas' Ben Hutton rammed Ekblad into the netting.

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Knights forward Mark Stone went into the locker room late in the first period and didn't return. He entered the game second on the team in goals with 17 and points with 38. Cassidy said he didn't have an update on Stone's injury.

It's tough to see your captain go down in the first period, Knights center Jack Eichel said. "I think everyone here knows what it means to our group, both on and off the ice. But other guys stepped up.

The teams traded goals in the second period  Roy for the Knights, and Sam Reinhart for the Panthers. Reinhart scored a power-play goal against a Vegas team had allowed just one goal on the penalty kill in the previous 20 attempts.

Florida nearly extended its lead when Anton Lundell scored from a sharp angle with 4:37 left in the period, but Knights coach Bruce Cassidy challenged the play for offsides. The challenge was upheld and the score remained 2-1.

The Panthers had another chance to go up two goals early in the third, but failed to score on a 5-on-3 power play. They had only one shot on goal during the 1:43 of the two-man advantage.

We got an opportunity to a 5-on-3, Reinhart said. Dont capitalize. You dont win when when when they kill it off. It also gives them some momentum.

Vegas made the Panthers pay when Kaedan Korczak found Eichel with an outlet pass for a breakaway opportunity. Eichel did the rest, tying the game 8:37 into the third.

WORTH NOTING

Florida's Matthew Tkachuk extended his point streak to five games. He has five goals and four assists over that span. He has nine goals and nine assists in 13 games against Vegas.

UP NEXT

Panthers: At home against Vancouver on Saturday.

Golden Knights: At home against Edmonton on Saturday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
The CDC and FDA announced on Friday that their surveillance system flagged a possible link between the new Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent Covid-19 vaccine and strokes in people aged 65 and over, but said they were continuing to recommend the shots.

The surveillance raised a question of whether stroke risk was elevated in the 21-day period post-vaccination versus 22 to 44 days post-vaccination, according to a statement on the CDC website.

The agencies said other data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Veterans Affairs and other sources havent shown an elevated risk of stroke.

Although the totality of the data currently suggests that it is very unlikely that the signal  represents a true clinical risk, we believe it is important to share this information with the public, as we have in the past, when one of our safety monitoring systems detects a signal, the statement said.

The real-time surveillance system, CDCs Vaccine Safety Datalink, met criteria warranting further investigation into whether the bivalent Pfizer vaccine led to a higher risk of ischemic stroke, which occurs when arteries pumping blood to the brain are blocked by a blood clot.

Pfizer and BioNTech said in a statement that there is there is no evidence to conclude that ischemic stroke is associated with the use of the companies COVID-19 vaccines.

The announcement prompted a response from House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), who said CDC and FDA will testify before her committee.

These agencies must rapidly investigate, in an open and transparent manner, whether or not the vaccine may have contributed to the reported strokes, McMorris Rodgers said in a statement. If theres one lesson that the CDC and FDA should have taken away from the pandemic, its the importance of providing honest, clear, precise, and timely information to the American people about the potential risks and benefits of COVID-19 interventions, including vaccination.

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The announcement comes as the Biden administration has aggressively promoted the updated vaccine to older Americans.

Individuals over 65 are most at risk for serious illness from Covid, including hospitalization and death, and CDC data shows that 70 percent of average new daily hospital admissions of patients with confirmed Covid-19 over the last week were 60 and older.

Less than 40 percent of people over 65 have gotten the booster shot that became available in the fall, according to the CDC, despite the administrations six-week push to increase vaccination in that age group ahead of the holidays. Ninety-four percent of seniors have gotten the two primary series messenger-RNA shots.

Millions of doses of the messenger-RNA Covid vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna  the agencies said the Moderna shot was not flagged by its surveillance  have been administered in the U.S., and federal health officials have repeatedly deemed them safe and effective for use in anyone 6 months of age and older.

Still, rare but serious side effects  which can occur with any pharmaceutical product  have arisen since the vaccines debut.

Data has shown an elevated risk of myocarditis and pericarditis  inflammation of the heart muscle and membrane, respectively  after the second mRNA vaccine dose among males ages 12 to 39, with those in their late teens and 20s most affected. The condition can also occur after infection with Covid and other ailments and tends to be more severe in those cases, and the FDA and the CDC say the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.

Federal officials paused use of the Johnson & Johnson single-dose Covid vaccine for 10 days in April 2021, just weeks after its debut, after vaccine adverse event surveillance systems detected a possible link between a serious blood-clotting condition and the shots.

The FDA later found that about 15 percent of the cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, known as TTS, were fatal, with the highest reporting rate among women ages 30 to 49. That vaccine, made with a different technology, has largely fallen out of favor in the U.S. in favor of the mRNA shots, with the FDA limiting the J&J vaccines use in May 2022 to adults who are unable or unwilling to get the Pfizer or Moderna products.
Arthur Pollock/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images

Hollywood stars, music icons and everyday admirers flooded social media Thursday night to remember Lisa Marie Presley, the only child of Elvis and a celebrated musician in her own right, who died earlier in the day following a cardiac arrest. She was 54.

Among the notable names to pay their respects were Bette Midler, Leah Remini, Leann Rimes and Billy Idol.

John Travolta led the tributes with a heartfelt post on Instagram, writing: Lisa baby girl, Im so sorry. Ill miss you but I know Ill see you again. My love and heart goes out to Riley, Priscilla, Harper and Finley.

Rita Wilson also paid homage to Presley, who she met and became close with while her husband, Tom Hanks, was working on Baz Luhrmanns eponymous Elvis biopic. Wilson fondly remembered a private tour Presley gave the couple at Graceland, her late fathers estate.

She spoke so eloquently about her father, what the movie meant to her, that it was a celebration of her dad, Wilson wrote. She had her gorgeous daughters Finley and Harper with her who made us all laugh.

Wilson also lauded her music, which she implored fans to seek out in the coming days.

If you havent heard her music please go listen, Wilson wrote on Instagram. She had a sultry voice, a power and tenderness, that I have always loved. Our hearts and our prayers go out to Riley, Harper, Finley , Danny and Priscilla. A mother should never have to lose a child.

LaToya Jackson, whose brother Michael was once married to Presley, remembered their love in her memorial post.

Presley was reportedly found unresponsive Thursday by a housekeeper in a bedroom of her home in Calabasas, California. Her ex-husband, the actor and musician Danny Keough, was at the scene and performed CPR until paramedics arrived, according to TMZ.

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She was quickly rushed to the hospital and placed in an induced coma, the outlet reported, but despite the intervention she passed a few hours later. Both Keough and her mother, Priscilla Presley, were at her bedside as she passed away.

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.

-Priscilla Presley pic.twitter.com/j5oNfNMYJx  Priscilla Presley (@Cilla_Presley) January 12, 2023

A number of musicians also paid tribute to Presley Thursday, including onetime collaborator Pink. Oh, this one hurts my heart, she began the emotional post.

Lisa Marie, you were one of a kind. Funny as shit, smart as a whip, sensitive, talented, witty, mean, loving, generous, judgmental but always right, loyal, and you adored your children, she continued. My heart breaks for you and your beautiful family and your children. The world lost a rare gem today.

The remembrances spanned genres and generations, including stars like Billy Idol, Bret Michaels and even Questlove.

Sad news 2 hear of #LisaMariePresley passing .. she was very loving 2 me, in Memphis in the 90s she gave me a viewing of the private sections of Graceland which was very special. She was very lovely & we performed together at NYFW early 2000s. RIP pic.twitter.com/pdJOKpe1Rd  Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) January 13, 2023

Elvis and Lisa Marie Presley Graceland 1968. 

Home Photo pic.twitter.com/N8WcfoC0YJ  Wynn Westmoreland (@WynnWs) January 13, 2023

lisa marie presley how heartbreaking. i hope she is at peace in her dads arms. my heart goes out to her family. too much grief in just a couple of years. #riplisamarie #LisaMariePresley  leann rimes cibrian (@leannrimes) January 13, 2023

My deepest thoughts & condolences go out to the family / friends on the loss of @LisaPresley. #LisaMariePresley  Bret Michaels (@bretmichaels) January 13, 2023

Im heartbroken over the passing of Lisa Marie Presley.



Lisa did not have an easy life, as some might think.



May she be at peace, resting with her son and father now.



Her mom Priscilla and her three daughters, Riley, Finley, and Harper, are in my prayers. pic.twitter.com/7Sb0DFjbZH  Leah Remini (@LeahRemini) January 13, 2023

Dear God, #LisaMariePresley has died; Im in shock. So beautiful and only 54 years old; I cant actually comprehend it.  bettemidler (@BetteMidler) January 13, 2023

ANOTHER PERSON I SHARED DEEP EMOTION WITH HAS PASSED AWAY! THIS IS SO SAD & SHOCKING! LISA & I SPENT HRS ON THE PHONE AS SHE WAS DIVORCING MJ, HER SON BEN WAS LIKE A LITTLE BROTHER 2 ME, SO MUCH LOSS, SO MUCH TRAGEDY N THEIR FAMILY, MY IS W THE PRESLEYS! https://t.co/bWsiJ33lGX  Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) January 13, 2023

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Photo: pixabay

B.C.s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered a woman to pay her Courtenay employer $2,603 for time theft and a pay advance.

Time theft in the employment context is viewed as a very serious form of misconduct, tribunal member Megan Stewart said in a Jan. 11 decision.

Reach CPA Inc. employed Karlee Besse as an accountant from Oct. 12, 2021 to March 29, 2022, Stewart said.

Besse claimed Reach terminated her employment without just cause, that she was entitled to $1,371 for unpaid wages and $4,166.67 for one months severance pay in lieu of notice.

However, Reach said it terminated Besses employment for time theft. The company told the tribunal it terminated Besse for cause with no entitlement to severance pay. The company counterclaimed, asserting Besse owed it $1,506 for the paid wages it said amounted to time theft.

Further, Reach said, at the time it terminated Besses employment, she owed $2,903 as the unforgiven part of an advance Reach made when she began working.

After deducting the time issue amount from her final paycheck, Reach claimed Besse still owed $1,096 for the advance. Reachs claim totalled $2,603.07.

Time-tracking program installed on computer

The tribunal said Besse and the company reached an agreement Sept. 20, 2021 for her to work remotely from home.

On Oct. 12, 2021, the parties signed another agreement. That document set out terms under which Reach would forgive an advance it made Besse to purchase home office equipment and pay her chartered professional accountant professional education program fees.

In February 2022, Besse began having weekly meetings with her manager to help her better manage her files. She said she initiated the meetings to improve her productivity and performance.

On Feb. 21, 2022, Reach installed a time-tracking program called TimeCamp on Besses work laptop. Soon, the parties met to discuss some of Besses files Reach said were over-budget and behind schedule, and they created a performance improvement plan.

After the meeting, Reach became concerned about a timesheet entry Besse had made for a file she had not worked on.

The firms principal analyzed Besses TimeCamp data between Feb. 22 and March 25, 2022 and found 50.76 unaccounted hours Besse reported on her timesheets but did not appear to have spent on work-related tasks.

On March 29, 2022, the parties met to discuss the unaccounted-for hours. The principal offered her time to consider the situation but she declined, Stewart said.

Besses employment was ended later that day.

She claimed she found TimeCamp difficult to use. Still, the company submitted videos to the tribunal showing how it said Besse had engaged in time theft.

The videos show where an employee opens a document or accesses a client file, TimeCamp records when and for how long they had the document open or were in the file," the tribunal's ruling said.

TimeCamp captured the detail of each of Besses activities that Reach could then use to distinguish between work and non-work activities.

For example, if Miss Besse had a streaming service like Disney Plus open, TimeCamp recorded its electronic pathway and how long the service was accessed. As this was not activity associated with client work, Reach would classify it as personal, Stewart said. Similarly, if she accessed a client file, used software associated with client work, or printed client documents, TimeCamp recorded those electronic pathways and the time spent on each task, and Reach classified this as work activity.

Besse did not dispute the video evidence or Reachs classification of her activities.

Stewart accepted the TimeCamp evidence as showing Besse did not work on files she recorded time for in her timesheets, leading to the unaccounted hours.

However, Besse said she spent time working on paper files that would not be recorded, activity she did not tell Reach about.

In the end, the tribunal accepted Reachs argument that Besses printing volume did not add up and that she did not upload work she did in hard copy. As such, Stewart dismissed the woman's claim.

Stewart found Reach was entitled to compensation for the unworked hours as well as the advance amount.
ChatGPT is trained on a massive data set, and has been described as one of the most powerful language processing models ever created. Photo: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/Getty

ChatGPT has been headline news across mass media outlets since the beginning of the year, with users of the artificial intelligence tool showcasing the diverse ways it can replicate human tasks, from producing sophisticated computer code to writing academic papers.

Since its inception the application has racked up over a million users, a lightning-fast leap into mass adoption that took social media platform Facebook (META) 10 months and streaming platform Netflix (NFLX) three years to match.

Recent reports claim that Microsoft (MSFT) has placed $10bn (8.2bn) into OpenAI, the firm behind ChatGPT, a deal that has been touted as a game changer for the future of artificial intelligence and internet search engines.

Read more: 2022, the year NFTs fell to earth

OpenAI is now valued at $29bn and the recent Microsoft investment would give the tech company 75% of OpenAI profits until it recoups $10bn.

Watch: Web3: 'Venture capital still pouring into crypto' | The Crypto Mile

Under the deal Microsoft will receive a 49% stake in OpenAI when they have fully recouped the $10bn from its profits.

But what is ChatGPT and what is its connection to Microsoft and OpenAI?

What is ChatGPT?

ChatGPT is trained on a massive data set, and has been described as one of the most powerful language processing models ever created.

It is a highly articulate artificial intelligence application which can write computer code as well as different types of text from haiku to jokes, corporate emails, business plans, academic essays and even piece of original fiction in the style of any writer you want, from Joyce and Dostoyevsky, to Shakespeare.

What sets it apart from previous AI chat tools, is how it can respond to user prompts in natural-sounding language, responses that could easily be mistaken for a chat with a real human.

ChatGPT uses a combination of natural language processing, machine learning, and graph theory to measure a chatbot's ability to understand and respond accurately to customer inquiries.

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The application was launched by the San Francisco-based artificial intelligence research laboratory OpenAI in November 2022.

What is OpenAI?

OpenAI is a non-profit artificial intelligence research company founded in 2015 by Tesla (TSLA) and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and former Y Combinator president Sam Altman.

Silicon Valley tech experts like Peter Thiel and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman are also behind the innovative research company.

The company's website said that its mission is to develop friendly artificial general intelligence (AGI) and ensure that it is used safely and beneficially.

The OpenAI blog states that, OpenAI is a non-profit artificial intelligence research company.

Its mission is to ensure artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity."

OpenAI works on projects related to natural language processing, reinforcement learning, unsupervised learning, generative models, and robotics.

Microsoft's Bing search engine already utilises an older version of GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) to provide automatic search suggestions for users.

GPT was integrated with Bing in the wake of a $1bn investment in the California startup in 2019.

Microsoft's 2019 investment in OpenAI

The deal between Microsoft and OpenAI was a multi-year partnership in which Microsoft invested $1bn in OpenAI.

The partnership aims to advance artificial intelligence capabilities, democratise AI, and create artificial general intelligence (AGI).

AGI is the name given to an artificial intelligence system that can perform any task that a human being is capable of, and not just focused specific tasks.

OpenAI and Microsoft plan to work together to develop new Azure AI supercomputing technologies and will create a "Microsoft + OpenAI" Azure AI platform for developers and businesses.

Threat to Google's search business

The New York Times reported that Google is so alarmed by ChatGPTs capabilities that it issued a code red to ensure the survival of the companys search business.

Israeli cyber-security company Checkpoint says the technology can create phishing emails capable of carrying a malicious payload.

Researchers at Checkpoint used the AI technology, which boasts that it can generate anything from wedding speeches to academic essays, to create a sophisticated phishing email.

The said that ChatGPT "lowers the bar for code generation" which means it can help less-skilled wouldbe hackers launch cyber-attacks.
Are you finding it hard to beat your essay writing deadline? Find out which of the cheap essay writing services reviewed here best helps you beat the deadline.

Santa Clara, CA --News Direct-- Agile Hatch LLC

Writing an essay is a challenging assignment every student must complete. Some of them need help organizing their thoughts and ideas. There are instances when there needs to be more time between tasks for in-depth study.

Because of this, people seek the assistance of essay writing services. After extensive research and putting several services to the test to determine the most effective cheap writing service, we found that GradeMiners was the most cost-effective overall. Continue reading for information about GradeMiners and other affordable essay writing services online.

Best Cheap Essay Writing Service

GradeMiners - Best cheap essay writing service overall

99Papers - Best value for money essay writing service

Essay Box - Best cheap essay writing service for quality

Essay Factory - Best UK cheap essay writing service

Essay Company - Best cheap essay writing service for complex topics

ProEssayWriting - Best cheap essay writing service for close deadlines

A-Writer - Most intuitive interface cheap essay writing service

Essay Writers World - Best cheap essay writing service for quality assurance checks

Essays Master - Essay cheap essay writing service website with most free features

Essay Expert - Best cheap essay writing service for higher education papers

Students will often turn to inexpensive essay writing services for assistance when they have a short amount of time to complete high-quality academic papers.

The top cheap writing service offers individual help and has teams of seasoned writers on staff.

We've compiled a list of the best affordable essay writing services, ranked on their overall quality, turnaround time, and price per page.

Our assessments of services that write essays for colleges at low prices focused on finding businesses that provide high-quality college papers within the allotted period while maintaining reasonable prices.

>>Check the best essay prices on GradeMiners

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1. GradeMiners - Best Cheap Essay Writing Service Overall - Ranking 4.9/5

Pros:

Quick and easy turnaround time.

High-quality, plagiarism-free college papers.

Easily accessible and reasonably priced essay services.

Budget-friendly options.

Promotional offer for first-time purchasers.

Cons:

An additional fee is incurred for a plagiarism report.

Some clients have expressed frustration with the support staff's lack of responsiveness.

What We Liked

Regarding cheap essay writing services, we recommend GradeMiners above all others. The academic writing firm offers access to a large pool of exceptionally skilled and experienced professional writers with spectacular track records. The prices are reasonable, and the turnaround time is far less than that of many of its rivals.

What We Didnt Like

You can choose unrealistic periods for the jobs that take the most time to complete when using their order calculator, which is one of the service's potential drawbacks. This doesn't affect their job quality.

GradeMiners Ranking: 4.9/5

Quality - 4.9/5

GradeMiners provides students with reasonably priced, high-quality college essay writing services. GradeMiners is regarded as one of the most reliable essay writing services since each assignment is subjected to a stringent proofreading process by seasoned editors who check for quality and originality.

Turnaround Time - 4.9/5

The shortest amount of time to complete an order on GradeMiners is one hour, while the most time it takes is 30 days.

Cost - 4.9/5

High school essays are $15.41 per page within 30 days.

Summary

Because of its relatively quick response time, GradeMiners is our top pick for the most exemplary cheap writing service. It is also an ideal choice for last-minute tasks. They have the top essay writers that can handle any academic writing task, ranging from straightforward essays for high school to difficult research papers for universities.

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2. 99Papers - Best Value for Money: Cheap Essay Writing Service - Ranking 4.8/5

Pros:

15% discount on all purchases.

Free of charge alterations.

Outstanding work with the clientele.

Assistance with writing done by professionals.

Affordable and honest essay writing services.

Cons:

Plagiarism report comes with an additional fee.

No phone-based customer service is provided at this time.

What We Liked

College students seeking a cheap writing service with a quick response time might choose 99Papers. You are entitled to an infinite number of changes on each essay until it is perfected to your specifications.

What We Didnt Like

While they no longer provide phone assistance, their helpful agents are available 24/7 through email, Facebook Messenger, and live chat.

99Papers Ranking: 4.8/5

Quality - 4.9/5

99Papers will only engage highly qualified individuals capable of providing professional academic aid. You also have the option to have direct conversations with the writer working on your assignment to monitor progress.

Turnaround Time - 4.6/5

The turnaround time for orders placed via 99Papers might vary anywhere from three hours to 15 days or even more, depending on the number of pages or words in the assignment.

Cost - 4.9/5

A research paper for a Ph.D. level might cost as much as $27.20 per page, while an essay for a high school student is $9.95 per page for the fastest return time.

Summary

Unlike the other organizations we looked at to evaluate the finest inexpensive writing services, 99Papers provides the most outstanding value. The essay writing service includes free features like revisions, a title page, a bibliography, and editing and proofreading services at no additional cost to the customer.

>>Check the best essay prices on 99Papers

3. Essay Box - Best Cheap Essay Writing Service for Quality - Ranking 4.7/5

Pros:

Excellent team of support personnel.

Tons of free stuff.

Expert authors.

A company that provides high-quality writing services for essays.

Optional writer level.

Cons:

More costly than the alternatives available.

There is an additional fee of $9.99 for a plagiarism report.

What We Liked

Essay Box is the greatest option for you if you are searching for the best cheap writing service that provides superior and original papers as well as helpful support staff.

What We Didnt Like

Customers who want a cheap writing service may be scared off by high prices. Essay Box, on the other hand, employs talented writers who constantly provide work of high quality.

Essay Box Ranking: 4.7/5

Quality - 4.8/5

Essay Box can consistently provide high-quality essays because of its team of highly qualified professional writers. They also give helpful extras for free, such as an opportunity to create a bibliography and limitless revisions.

Turnaround Time - 4.6/5

Similar to 99Papers, turnaround time spans from three to 15 days, depending on the number of words or pages.

Cost - 4.7/5

You may have an essay written by an experienced writer at high school level for $12.00 per page. For professional help from a native speaker of either the United States or the United Kingdom who is an accomplished essay writer, the price per page rises to $20.99.

Summary

If you're looking for a cheap writing service that doesn't sacrifice quality, go no further than Essay Box. For an additional fee, they also provide a selection of supplementary services that clients may find helpful, such as a bibliography, a one-page summary, and a plagiarism report.

>>Check the best essay prices on Essay Box

4. Essay Factory - Best UK Cheap Essay Writing Service - Ranking 4.7/5

Pros:

UK-based.

Get a discount of up to 25% on all of your purchases.

Free report from Turnitin.

Professional essay writing service of the highest quality.

All authors are indigenous English speakers.

Cons:

High prices.

No real-time cost estimating tool.

What We Liked

Students in the UK who want papers of the highest quality and free of plagiarism may opt for Essay Factory as its among the best cheap writing services. In addition to providing various college essay services, their experienced writers are also educated in multiple academic citation styles.

What We Didnt Like

You can check a comprehensive pricing breakdown for each service before making an order, despite the overall rates being somewhat more than average.

Essay Factory Ranking: 4.7/5

Quality - 4.8/5

Having your essay written by a skilled native English speaker from Essay Factory ensures that it will be well-researched and complete.

Turnaround Time - 4.7/5

Depending on the complexity of your essay, the turnaround time at Essay Factory might be anything from three hours to 15 days.

Cost - 4.6/5

When the turnaround time is pushed to its absolute limit, one page of an essay written for high school-level students costs $15. A complimentary Turnitin report is included with each plan.

Summary

Students in the UK who need to buy term papers may benefit greatly from using Essay Factory, a leading essay writing service. Because of where they are located, they are your best option if you want a writer familiar with British English.

>>Check the best essay prices on Essay Factory

5. Essay Company - Best Cheap Essay Writing Service for Complex Topics - Ranking 4.7/5

Pros:

Easy to use website.

A variety of services beyond essay writing.

Exceptional writing service for academic research papers.

UK-based.

Price transparency.

Cons:

Higher costs overall.

Complex calculator for making purchases.

What We Liked

If you're looking for a high-quality, cheap writing service, go no further than Essay Company. On top of that, they assist with more than just college papers; they also create PowerPoint presentations, craft resumes, and offer dissertation writing services.

What We Didnt Like

Though their charges are greater than those of other essay writing services, they offer a range of payment plans depending on when you want to get your paper.

Essay Company Ranking: 4.7/5

Quality - 4.8/5

To provide a trustworthy essay writing service, Essay Company adheres to a comprehensive set of internal quality assurance guidelines. They prioritize a stringent quality check on each job before delivering it to the clients.

Turnaround Time - 4.8/5

The delivery times provided by Essay Company are quite versatile and might range from four hours to four weeks.

Cost - 4.5/5

The price per page for a DBA research report and an essay for high school graduation with a grade of C ranges from $16 to $37.

Summary

According to our research on the finest essay writing services, Essay Company is the most reliable choice for demanding and involved subject matter. They provide dependable essay writing services by experts who comprehend your requirements.

>>Check the best essay prices on Essay Company

6. ProEssayWriting - Best Cheap Essay Writing Service for Close Deadlines - Ranking 4.7/5

Pros:

There are many free features.

Authors of native English who have experience.

Amazing efficiency in such a short amount of time.

Customer support around the clock.

Calculator for orders that is easy to use.

Cons:

The website may be easier to navigate.

Costly option for single spaces.

What We Liked

ProEssayWriting is the greatest cheap writing service that you should employ if you have a short amount of time to produce an essay or if you are under a time constraint.

What We Didnt Like

If a student is on a limited budget, the option of using single spacing may not be the best choice for them, but the option of using standard double spacing is priced at a level comparable to other options.

ProEssayWriting Ranking: 4.7/5

Quality - 4.4/5

You may order essays on a wide variety of topics from ProEssayWriting, where all writers have had extensive training and create original and plagiarism-free work.

Turnaround Time - 4.9/5

The delivery time begins at six hours and may go as long as two months, based on your purchase requirements.

Cost - 4.8/5

You will be charged $10.8 per page for a high school essay with double spacing.

Summary

The fast delivery of high-quality papers that ProEssayWriting provides may assist customers in meeting even the most stringent of deadlines. You can get in contact with the writer who has been assigned to you, and you will get rapid replies 24/7.

>>Check the best essay prices on ProEssayWriting

7. A-Writer - Most Intuitive Interface Cheap Essay Writing Service - Ranking 4.6/5

Pros:

Plagiarism Detection Systems.

Direct interaction with the writer of your choice.

Adjustable delivery date.

Web interface and cost estimator is simple to use.

A no-cost one-page overview.

Cons:

When you spend more than $50, get a discount.

High-priced alternative to single spacing.

What We Liked

People seeking a reliable essay writing service with an easy-to-use website will find A-Writer the best alternative. They use different anti-plagiarism tools to examine your work for any instances of the same material and to guarantee that it is 100% unique.

What We Didnt Like

Although their prices are higher than those of their rivals, the premium quality of the professional writing service they provide may convince some clients that the extra expense is justified.

A-Writer Ranking: 4.6/5

Quality - 4.9/5

Because A-Writer only works with highly trained, experienced authors, you can be confident that the essay you get will be of the highest quality.

Turnaround Time - 4.6/5

When compared to its rivals, A-Writer offers a more limited selection of delivery date options, which vary from three hours to 10 days.

Cost - 4.3/5

It will cost you $22.99 per page to get an essay written at the high school level with double spacing.

Summary

The most costly choice among the top cheap essay writing services is A-Writer. It has a user-friendly website and a cost estimator to help determine whether the services are affordable before you commit to buying.

>>Check the best essay prices on A-Writer

8. Essay Writers World - Best Cheap Essay Writing Service for Quality Assurance Checks - Ranking 4.5/5

Pros:

Quick turnaround time.

Price calculator that is simple to use.

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Controls for ensuring quality at several stages.

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For the lowest possible price, Essay Writers World manages to produce high-quality papers and provide exceptional PhD dissertation help.

What We Didnt Like

Essay Writers World is a relatively new company, and as a result, their costs are more than those of their more established rivals; however, they provide reliable quality control assurance and excellent writing services.

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Essay Writers World employs a tried-and-true, multi-stage quality assurance approach to ensure that your papers are of the greatest quality and include no instances of plagiarism.

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High school papers are $20.95/page with a deadline.

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9. Essays Master - Cheap Essay Writing Service Website with Most Free Features - Ranking 4.4/5

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Get a discount of 15% on your first buy.

Easy-to-understand prices.

Calculator of costs that is simple to use.

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Costs are a little above average.

What We Liked

Essay Master provides a broad range of formatting options, limitless revisions, bibliographies, title pages, and various useful extras at no additional cost.

What We Didnt Like

Although the typical student may find the price of Essays Master to be too pricey, the company's papers are of remarkable quality and value.

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10. Essay Expert - Best Cheap Essay Writing Service for Higher Education Papers - Ranking 4.4/5

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Services that are of the highest quality.

Consultancy for MBA programs and services related to LinkedIn.

Useful for admissions essays and resumes.

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There is no calculator available for this.

What We Liked

For CEOs, college applicants, and job applicants who wish to generate high-impact written material and ensure unequaled performance in their jobs, the most exemplary cheap essay writing service is Essay Expert.

What We Didnt Like

If you're a college student looking for a low-cost, user-friendly essay writing service, they may not be the greatest option. Despite this, they provide high-quality professional products.

Essay Expert Ranking: 4.4/5

Quality - 4.7/5

Essay Expert matches each customer with a writer with expertise in the needed topic. This allows them to provide high-quality research paper writing services and customize each essay to the customer's writing style.

Turnaround Time - 4.2/5

When you contact them and come to an arrangement, you are given a delivery date.

Cost - 4/5

You won't find any price information on the site. Get in touch with the firm to get a price estimate.

Summary

Essay Expert is a wonderful resource since it offers services beyond academic writing, such as resume and LinkedIn services and admission essay writing service.

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Cheap Essay Writing Services Pros and Cons

You may achieve your educational objectives with the assistance of several academic writing services. The benefits and drawbacks of having them are discussed below.

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Steep price tags: The price of hiring a professional essay writer may change depending on your chosen service. Companies that focus on academic papers often collaborate with big teams to generate high-quality articles. However, you should anticipate paying a higher price given the product's superior level of quality.

Plagiarism: Although any writing service may claim that they never plagiarize, the reality is that they all make mistakes sometimes. Before submitting your work, you may want to proofread and revise it to verify that it is unique and satisfies all of your standards.

Improper grammar use: You risk receiving a poorly written paper rife with grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors if you employ an essay writing service. Some writing agencies screen applicants for staff writer positions quite thoroughly, while others don't even examine their authors' qualifications.

Is Paying Someone to Write My Essay Illegal?

Numerous students use authors or pay someone to write my paper services to produce relevant papers, original and of high quality.

There are several reliable essay writing services, but finding the right one might take time if you have never used one before.

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Common FAQs About Cheap Essay Writing Services

The following are responses to frequently asked queries about affordable essay writing services.

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You may get a head start finding the most affordable essay writing services by reviewing client evaluations on reputable sites such as Trustpilot and Sitejabber. Pay attention to both the bad and the favorable evaluations regarding:

Policy on refunds

The experience of the writer

The excellence of the papers they produce

Timing of the delivery

In the previous section, you can see a list of the 10 most affordable essay writing services that we recommend, starting with GradeMiners.

Cheap Essay Writing Services: Which Ones Are Legit?

The following is a list of very reputable and competent cheap essay writing services:

What Is the Best Program to Write an Essay?

Our top recommendation for the best cheap essay writing service is GradeMiners.

It provides reasonable prices, papers of excellent quality that are free of plagiarism, and quick response times.

Where Do Cheap Essay Writing Service Providers Find Writers?

Most businesses use freelancers in different time zones to produce college essays for their clients around the clock. Other firms have an in-house writing staff that edits and proofreads the papers prepared by their freelancers.

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Essay Writing Service Reviews: How We Ranked Them

In our reviews of the best cheap essay writing services, we ranked the companies based on the following criteria.

Quality

The best cheap essay writing service will have a team of experts in their field who can deliver high-quality, relevant, and plagiarism-free papers. The companies we highlighted in our essay writing service reviews only hire highly competent writers with advanced degrees.

Turnaround Time

The majority of the companies that we reviewed for essay writing services had the quickest turnaround times, anything from one to six hours. However, we strongly suggest you submit your assignment request in advance.

Cost

Depending on your precise criteria and the time frame, the cost per page might be anywhere from $10 to $40.

The good news is that GradeMiners, the company highly regarded as the best overall cheap writing service, has price alternatives that are not too expensive.

Best Cheap Essay Writing Services: In a Nutshell

Students who fear the process of writing essays may discover the right firm to assist them in meeting deadlines and submitting high-quality papers with the assistance of inexpensive essay writing services. These services provide current articles of high quality and completely original, all at reasonable prices.

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Last but not least, when ordering from one of these services, be as specific as possible about the requirements of your project. A professional writer may use this information to develop high-quality articles that are tailored to fit the specifications you provide.

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Contact Details

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A visit by China's most senior diplomat in Western Australia to the world's largest exporter of Australian rock lobsters this week has raised hopes that Beijing will also lift its unofficial ban on seafood imports after coal was seemingly the first to benefit from the easing of political and trade tensions with Canberra.

Long Dingbin, China's envoy at its consulate in Perth, visited the Geraldton Fishermen's Cooperative on Tuesday, just days after it was reported China had lifted its unofficial ban on imports of Australia thermal and coking coal that had been in place since 2020.

The visit took place on the same day Chinese ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, said that China and Australia will "come back to a normal kind of relationship", while it could also pave the way for Australian trade minister Don Farrell to visit Beijing later this year.

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.

"I believe that there will be further development between the two countries with efforts being made by both sides, and the Geraldton Fishermen's Cooperative will play a bigger role for the fishery industry of both nations," Long said, according to the consulates official WeChat account.

Long added that he hoped the cooperative would cement its confidence on working with China through utilising platforms including the international import and export expos.

Expectations that Beijing will soon lift its unofficial restrictions on Australia rock lobsters further demonstrate the resumption of trade ties between China and Australia, according to analysts.

Last week, it was reported that China's state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, had held talks with four state-owned importers over a partial lifting of the verbal ban on Australian coal.

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"Removing disruptions to coal and lobster would provide a positive backdrop for an expected visit to Beijing by the Australia trade minister in the coming months," said James Laurenceson, the director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at the University of Technology Sydney.

"That would also provide an obvious occasion where the two countries could announce bilateral progress on their [World Trade Organization] disputes."

Xiao confirmed on Tuesday that Australia and China were already discussing whether Australia could drop complaints at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Chinese tariffs on wine and barley.

The Australia China Business Council (ACBC) welcomed Long's visit, saying that rock lobsters are an important export and cargo revenue source for direct air routes between Perth and China.

"Long-standing ACBC member Geraldton Fisherman's Cooperative pioneered export options that facilitated fresh Western Australian rock lobster being boxed and couriered live to customers in multiple Chinese cities," said Australia China Business Council national president David Olsson.

CEO Matt Rutter said that Geraldton Fisherman's Cooperative had exported 97 per cent of its rock lobsters to China in 2020 by building a "close and deep friendship" with its Chinese partners, according to the official WeChat post on Tuesday.

Andrew Ferguson, managing director at seafood provider Ferguson Australia, said that his company has been trying to diversify to markets like South Korea, Taiwan and the United States since the start of the unofficial ban, but that he "hopes to deal with the Chinese market again".

"There are rumours about lifting the ban, but nothing is confirmed. It's not clear that everything is going to happen," he said, adding that Chinese consumers will not have forgotten the better quality of Australian lobsters even if they have not been able to officially buy the product for almost three years.

Andrew Ferguson, managing director at seafood provider Ferguson Australia. Photo: Facebook alt=Andrew Ferguson, managing director at seafood provider Ferguson Australia. Photo: Facebook>

In 2019, more than 90 per cent of Australian rock lobsters were exported to China, where the market was worth about A$750 million (US$518 million) a year, according to the Australian agriculture department.

But by November 2020, China's imports of live Australia rock lobsters had fallen to virtually zero, although some are reported to have still bypassed the unofficial ban by being smuggled from Hong Kong.

"Resuming the lobster trade would be a straightforward next step," added Laurenceson.

"The original ban referenced quarantine issues, and this could easily be tweaked by allowing a few shipments to clear customs and Chinese agencies saying they will remain diligent in their quality monitoring."

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that he would keep engaging with Beijing after Xiao suggested dropping the formal complaints at the WTO over the official Chinese imports tariffs on barley and wine that have been in place since May 2020 and March 2021, respectively.

The Australia China Business Council said that the removal of trade barriers between Australia and China is "in the interest of both countries".

"The recent resumption of ministerial dialogue provides a much better foundation upon which trade can resume," added Olsson. "We maintain that so much is possible when the dialogue takes place."

Penny Wong became the first Australian foreign minister to visit China since 2018 when she met counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing in mid-December following the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Bali in November.

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.
By Bernard Orr and Ellen Zhang

BEIJING (Reuters) -The peak of China's COVID-19 wave is expected to last two to three months, and will soon swell over the vast countryside where medical resources are relatively scarce, a top Chinese epidemiologist has said.

Infections are expected to surge in rural areas as hundreds of millions travel to their home towns for the Lunar New Year holidays, which officially start from Jan. 21, known before the pandemic as the world's largest annual migration of people.

China last month abruptly abandoned the strict anti-virus regime of mass lockdowns that fuelled historic protests across the country in late November, and finally reopened its borders this past Sunday.

The abrupt dismantling of restrictions has unleashed the virus onto China's 1.4 billion people, more than a third of whom live in regions where infections are already past their peak, according to state media.

But the worst of the outbreak was not yet over, warned Zeng Guang, the former chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a report published in local media outlet Caixin on Thursday.

"Our priority focus has been on the large cities. It is time to focus on rural areas," Zeng was quoted as saying.

He said a large number of people in the countryside, where medical facilities are relatively poor, are being left behind, including the elderly, the sick and the disabled.

The World Health Organization this week also warned of the risks stemming from holiday travelling.

The UN agency said China was heavily under-reporting deaths from COVID, although it is now providing more information on its outbreak.

"Since the outbreak of the epidemic, China has shared relevant information and data with the international community in an open, transparent and responsible manner," foreign ministry official Wu Xi told reporters.

Chinese virologists said on Friday they have discovered one infection with the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, which has been described by WHO scientists as the most transmissible sub-variant so far after its rapid spread in the United States in December. There is no evidence yet that it is more severe.

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Health authorities have been reporting five or fewer deaths a day over the past month, numbers which are inconsistent with the long queues seen at funeral homes and the body bags seen coming out of crowded hospitals.

China has not reported COVID fatalities data since Monday. Officials said in December they planned monthly, rather than daily updates, going forward.

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, one of the lowest death rates in the world.

DIPLOMATIC TENSIONS

Concerns over data transparency were among the factors that prompted more than a dozen countries to demand pre-departure COVID tests from travellers arriving from China.

Beijing, which had shut its borders from the rest of the world for three years and still demands all visitors get tested before their trip, objects to the curbs.

Wu said accusations by individual countries were "unreasonable, unscientific and unfounded."

Tensions escalated this week with South Korea and Japan, with China retaliating by suspending short-term visas for their nationals. The two countries also limit flights, test travellers from China on arrival, and quarantine the positive ones.

Parts of China were returning to normal life.

In the bigger cities in particular, residents are increasingly on the move, pointing to a gradual, though so far slow, rebound in consumption and economic activity.

An immigration official said on Friday 490,000 daily trips on average were made in and out of China since it reopened on Jan. 8, only 26% of the pre-pandemic levels.

Singapore-based Chu Wenhong was among those who finally got reunited with their parents for the first time in three years.

"They both got COVID, and are quite old. I feel quite lucky actually, as it wasnt too serious for them, but their health is not very good," she said.

CAUTION

While China's reopening has given a boost to financial assets globally, policymakers around the world worry it may revive inflationary pressures.

However, December's trade data released on Friday provided reasons to be cautious about China's recovery pace.

Jin Chaofeng, whose company exports outdoor rattan furniture, said he has no expansion or hiring plans for 2023.

"With the lifting of COVID curbs, domestic demand is expected to improve but not exports," he said.

Data next week is expected to show China's economy grew 2.8% in 2022, its second-slowest since 1976, the final year of Mao Zedong's decade-long Cultural Revolution, according to a Reuters poll.

Some analysts say last year's lockdowns will leave permanent scars on China, including by worsening its already bleak demographic outlook.

Growth is then seen rebounding to 4.9% this year, still well below the pre-pandemic trend.

(Additional reporting by the Beijing and Shanghai newsrooms; Writing by Marius Zaharia; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
BEIJING (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong urged the British government to stop its "so-called half-yearly report on Hong Kong", state media reported on Friday.

A spokesperson at the ministry branch said Britain's report "grossly interfered with Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and seriously trampled on international law".

Britain criticised what it said was the systematic erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong by the Chinese government and a crackdown on free speech by authorities, in its latest report on the former British colony, announced in a written statement to parliament on Thursday. The reports are issued every six months.

In a separate statement, the Hong Kong government said late on Thursday that it refuted the "slandering remarks and ill-intentioned political attacks" made in Britain's report.

"The Hong Kong special administrative region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China," the statement said, adding that the government urged Britain to "respect the basic norms governing international relations and stop interfering" in the city's affairs.

(Reporting by Liz Lee in Beijing and Farah Master in Hong Kong; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Gerry Doyle)
The City of Griffin sustained significant damage due to Thursday afternoons storms and possible tornados.

The city issued a curfew for residents that expired Friday morning. The statement reads as follows:

Local State of Emergency- A curfew is imposed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. effective immediately. Residents, unless exempt individuals as defined herein, shall remain in their homes or on their property during the curfew period. Please see the detailed resolution at cityofgriffin.com for a list of exempt individuals. #griffinstrong.

Channel 2s Tom Jones went to Griffin after the storms passed Thursday to assess the damage.

He first came upon a tree down at a BP gas station at W. Taylor and 10th. The tree knocked down a light pole.

Not far away, another large tree was down.

A couple of blocks away on 11th Street at W. Taylor, a Channel 2 Action News photographer shot a massive tree that fell, knocking down power and utility lines. The tree blocked the road.

Channel 2 Action News then shot another massive tree on W. Poplar Street. It blocked the road and knocked down power lines.

Photos from viewers show damages at a Griffin Walmart at 1941 Tara Blvd., the Hobby Lobby, and damages done near Griffin high school.

Video from another viewer also shows an overturned tractor-trailer on McDonough Road.

A resident in the Westminster Hills community off of GA-16 said a tornado hit their neighborhood, destroying many homes.

(A) tornado hit our neighborhood. Many homes destroyed and the neighborhood is blocked by large lines. (We) cant get out. Have a school bus with children stuck here too. We have no service or power. Hoping this message gets out. Westminster Hills off GA-16 in Griffin GA, said Dein Vatti Bergerminerstaffler in a Facebook post.

The Spalding County Sheriffs Office posted a message in response to the recent damages caused by the severe weather on Thursday.

As you are well aware, we have had what appears to be tornado damage on both the east and west sides of Spalding County and the City of Griffin. There are widespread reports of trees and power lines down, businesses and homes damaged, and we along with all public safety agencies in the county, public works and others are attempting to get into some areas. If you do not have a good reason to be out, stay home. With trees and lines down and darkness here, its not a good night to get out. Keep public safety, and all those out working in your prayers. Be patient, everyone is working as fast and as hard as they can to clear roads, restore power, check on folks, and get you home or to work. Thanks!

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Griffin-Spalding County Schools announced schools will be closed Friday, Jan. 13. and all school activities are canceled.

Channel 2s Justin Wilfon will be LIVE in Griffin on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News App for alerts as news breaks]

IN OTHER NEWS:








Club Q in Colorado

(CNN) -- The suspected gunman accused of killing five people in a mass shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, last November is facing an additional 12 counts, raising the total to 317.

Anderson Lee Aldrich appeared in court in person Friday, where Colorado's Fourth Judicial District Attorney Michael Allen announced the new charges, including four attempted murder charges and two hate crimes.

Aldrich, 22, was initially charged in December with 305 counts, including charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, assault and bias-motivated crimes causing bodily injury.

Aldrich -- whose attorneys say identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns -- faces up to life in prison without parole if convicted on the first-degree murder charges.

The suspect allegedly entered Club Q late November 19 with an AR-style weapon and a handgun and opened fire, killing Daniel Aston, Raymond Green Vance, Kelly Loving, Ashley Paugh, and Derrick Rump. At least 19 others were injured, police have said, most of whom suffered gunshot wounds.

The attack was halted by two patrons who took down and contained the suspect until police arrived at the club, which was seen as a safe space for the LGBTQ community in Colorado Springs.

Ahead of an earlier hearing, Aldrich's attorneys said the suspect identified as nonbinary and would be addressed as Mx. Aldrich -- a distinction Allen said would have "no impact" on his office's prosecution of the case.

A neighbor of the accused shooter who said he sometimes played video games with Aldrich told CNN the suspect never mentioned they were nonbinary.

The-CNN-Wire

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Related: Club Q: New Charges Sought Against Suspected Gunman
Albert Kligman, who worked for Johnson & Johnson, compared the effects of the baby powder ingredient, talc, with those of the carcinogen, asbestos.

Americas oldest medical society apologized Wednesday for honoring a dermatologist who experimented on mostly Black prisoners during a 23-year period, infecting them with LSD and an Agent Orange component called dioxin.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the College of Physicians of Philadelphia apologized for its affiliation with Albert Kligman, who exposed prisoners at the citys Holmesburg Prison to viruses and fungi when he performed tests on them between 1951 and 1974.

The organization said it also rescinded Kligmans Distinguished Achievement Award.

The College of Physicians of Philadelphia has apologized for its affiliation with Albert Kligman, a doctor who experimented on and infected mostly Black prisoners at Philadelphias Holmesburg Prison (pictured) between 1951 and 1974. (Photo Credit: Screenshot/YouTube/NBC10 Philadelphia)

The College of Physicians offers its deepest sympathies for those who suffered, including their families, and it apologizes for its silence in not expressing these sentiments sooner, the organization said in a statement, The Inquirer reported. Though this apology is long overdue, it is no less heartfelt for the delay.

Julia Haller, board president of the College of Physicians, said the organization decided to apologize publicly after meeting with Philadelphia Inmate Justice Coalition members.

Kligman had been a College of Physicians fellow since 1954. In 2003, he received the societys Distinguished Achievement Award long after there were press stories of the tests, legal actions and a book describing the magnitude of his harm.

Haller stated that she and her colleagues have been analyzing records to understand more about the debate around the decision to honor Kligman. However, she has yet to determine what took place.

In the 1960s, Johnson & Johnson recruited Kligman to compare the effects of the baby powder ingredient talc with those of the carcinogenic asbestos. He injected about a dozen inmates at Holmesburg. He also worked with Dow Chemicals and the Pentagon.

Leodus Jones, who had endured Kligmans experiments while a prisoner in Holmesburg in the 1960s, was one of several who protested the 2003 award presentation.

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Jones recalled being injected with a rare disease from India for $10, which would increase to $15 if he developed an abscess. At the time, he believed that the paltry sum that Kligman paid would help him buy items in the commissary and ease the financial load on his family.

Before Jones death in 2018, he claimed in a media interview that the skin on his torso appeared like a pinto pony, but he didnt care because he needed the money.

According to Allen Hornblum, who wrote the 1998 book, Acres of Skin, detailing the scope of the experiments, Kligman boasted about his access to prisons and acres of skin in pitches to potential doctors for his practice or to entice clients for pharmaceutical research.

Hornblum said the colleges apology is especially significant because it shows the medical community acknowledging its sins of omission, which included honoring Kligman during his lifetime while disregarding the vulnerable people he hurt.

Kligman, who died in 2010, spent more than 50 years working at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and created the well-known acne drug, Retin-A. In 2021, however, Penn Medicine apologized for Kligmans practices and discontinued a lecture named for him, renaming it instead for Bernett L. Johnson Jr., a prominent Black dermatologist who began working at Penn in the 1980s

The City of Philadelphia also apologized for Kligmans transgressions in a statement released in October.

Without excuse, we formally and officially extend a sincere apology to those who were subjected to this inhumane and horrific abuse, Mayor Jim Kenney said, The Inquirer reported. We are also sorry it took far too long to hear these words.

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The post College apologizes for honoring doctor who infected Black prisoners with LSD, Agent Orange component appeared first on TheGrio.
Photo: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Afghan refugees arriving at the Vancouver International Airport.

Immigration drove population growth in British Columbias urban centres while rural communities and cities got a little bit older and experienced more deaths than births over the course of the pandemics first two years, census data shows.

Between July 2020 and July 2022, Metro Vancouvers population spiked five per cent, up about 139,000 to 2.84 million, largely due to new immigrant arrivals offsetting an exodus of nearly 27,400 existing residents to other parts of the province, namely the Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island.

You can see the dynamic thats emerging. So, in metropolitan Vancouver, its not necessarily people coming from Alberta or Ontario coming in over the past two years. What it is, is people coming from outside the country  growth is dominated, absolutely dominated by international migration, said urban planner Andy Yan.

Metro Vancouvers population growth represented 85 per cent of the provinces total of 163,829 new net residents, in these two years. That's a three per cent increase, which is more than the countrys two per cent increase of 922,736 (bringing Canada's total population to 38.93 million Canadians).

The vast majority of Metro Vancouvers growth occurred outside of the City of Vancouver proper, which only saw an uptick of 6,741 people  a one per cent growth rate. This indicates people either moved out of the big city to neighbouring municipalities, such as Surrey (five per cent growth rate) or chose the latter options as their preferred landing spot.

This raises questions about the infrastructure, supports and employment opportunities for these new populations outside of the City of Vancouver, said Yan.

And the data from Statistics Canada, Yan said, especially raises questions about housing needs; just last week, B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon called on the federal government to tie affordable housing funding to immigration.

Metro Vancouvers pandemic population growth has been buoyed by precisely 93,973 immigrants plus over 13,200 folks from other provinces and nearly 21,000 non-permanent residents, i.e. international students, in this two-year window. The provinces chief urban core  including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Surrey and the North Shore  had over 46,200 babies born to more than offset the 37,200 deaths, for a net gain in natural growth of 9,061 people.

The Fraser Valley, consisting of the Abbotsford and Mission areas, also saw a small bump in natural population growth (662), as did Squamish (334) and many northern communities, such as Fort St. John (580), Prince George (173) and Terrace (135).

Rural and small B.C. towns experiencing more deaths than births

The same could not be said about the rest of the province, with all regions or municipalities of the Okanagan, Southern Interior and Vancouver Island experiencing more deaths than births. Nevertheless, their populations still grew thanks largely to people moving in from outside the province and from within the province (namely Metro Vancouver), as well as smaller boosts from immigrants.

For example, the Victoria region saw 2,411 more deaths than births but gained 5,267 immigrants, 7,484 people from other provinces and 2,481 people from within B.C. It also gained 1,742 new non-permanent residents.

In the Okanagan, the Kelowna region saw 1,026 more deaths than births but gained 2,707 immigrants, 5,825 people from other provinces and 3,528 people from within B.C. It also gained 962 new non-permanent residents.

Similarly, Kamloops alone saw 344 more deaths than births but gained 966 immigrants, 631 people from other provinces and 966 people from within B.C. It also gained 597 new non-permanent residents.

These areas were particularly popular among people moving from another province. Despite Metro Vancouver representing about 56 per cent of the provinces population, it only took in about 30 per cent of interprovincial migration. (B.C. gained 41,245 people from other provinces.)

Big city attracts working-age people, sheds seniors

And nearly all of the 13,222 people moving into Metro Vancouver from other provinces were below age 65. In fact, Metro Vancouver lost 275 seniors to other provinces in these two years. It also lost 3,425 seniors to other parts of the province.

Metro Vancouvers average age went up, from 41.3 years to 41.5, during this time whereas in rural areas and small cities  falling outside of the major urban cores of the Lower Mainland, Kelowna and Victoria  the average age jumped from 45.6 to 46.

The total population of working-age people (age 15 to 64) in these rural areas actually declined, from 352,200 in 2020 to 351,058, while those age 65 and older jumped from 142,181 to 152,709.

It goes back to the kind of supports and infrastructure thats out there for them. The grey flow in and the grey flow out, said Yan.

Affordable housing, economic opportunity and lifestyle all may be factors for why people are moving, Yan said, although until theres broad surveys of movers the data only provides speculation.

Young people tend to come to the bright lights and big cities, but you also have the open skies and open spaces of outside Metro Vancouver to contend with, said Yan.
Jan. 12Comcast officials reassured Colorado Springs residents on Thursday that their network is secure after tens of thousands of customers across the city lost services for more than 12 hours Wednesday following vandalism to the Comcast fiber line west of Memorial Park.

"Comcast has thousands of employees in Colorado and thousands more nationwide focused on keeping the network secure, fast and reliable. Our team of security experts uses sophisticated technology and intelligence to monitor our network 24/7," said Leslie Oliver, a spokeswoman for Comcast's Mountain West region.

"Comcast sincerely apologizes for this service disruption," she said.

About 21,000 residential and business internet subscribers lost Comcast services early Wednesday morning, Oliver said, primarily in the areas west of downtown and Interstate 25, including Manitou Springs, Garden of the Gods and south toward the Broadmoor area.

Outage reports stretched from Fountain to Manitou, with Manitou Springs District 14 canceling classes due to internet and phone outages.

Repair teams had service fully restored by 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Video footage shared by Gazette news partner KKTV showed at least one person using a tool to cut existing fiber line in an alleyway between Colorado Avenue and East Cucharras Street near downtown.

The cuts damaged several cables, Oliver said, each of which contains a multitude of thin fiber strands that connect customers to the internet.

"Repairing cable cuts is time-consuming work as it requires several steps including locating all of the cables that contain the fiber, cleaning out each damaged cable and individual fiber, polishing and cleaning each fiber again before ... (fusing) the individual fiber strands back together," Oliver said. "Once this precision work is done, then the fiber needs to be replaced into its protective coat and cable, and then repositioned back into the holding case."

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The time it takes to repair damaged lines depends on several factors, such as the location of the damage and the scope of damage done to the line, Oliver said, regardless of whether it is fiber or coaxial, a type of copper cable.

Oliver said Comcast security teams "are working closely" with Colorado Springs police to investigate the vandalism.

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In August, Comcast announced it was expanding and upgrading its local network to provide "multi-gigabit" download and upload speeds. The upgrades will also transform the company's existing local "fiber-rich" infrastructure into a "virtualized cloud-based network, which includes a robust security team that will be supported across the network," Oliver said.

"With this network evolution our Comcast engineers can reliably and in real time identify, troubleshoot and resolve problems faster," she said.

The push for fiber optic services in Colorado Springs gained traction over the last year or so, with providers Underline Infrastructure, MetroNet and Colorado Springs Utilities announcing plans to build fiber optic networks across the city to provide high-speed internet.

Like Comcast, Lumen Technologies' CenturyLink unit, another local provider, is expanding and upgrading its local networks to provide high-speed internet services.

Colorado Springs Utilities spokesman Steve Berry said Thursday the utility's future fiber optic customers will not need to worry about the reliability of service because of robust security measures it is taking as it builds the system infrastructure.

The utility is building the 2,000-mile-long fiber network to serve its own internal needs but also said it will serve every neighborhood in town through a contract with Ting, an internet services provider that has signed a 25-year contract to lease the fiber.

"We can't say 100% that we would not have an incident like this," Berry said, referring to the Comcast outage. "But we have an in-house cybersecurity staff who are well-equipped and are walking step-by-step with project managers."

Because Utilities also provides electric, natural gas, water and wastewater services for more than 600,000 customers across the Pikes Peak region, "we have no choice but to be up to speed to the ... threats that we may face," Berry said. "The security of this network is a priority."

Residents can also report suspicious activity to their internet or phone service providers, Berry said.

"Sometimes it also takes our customers to be our eyes and ears," he said. "I think it's a good example of of why it's so important to be diligent and observing of behavior that may not look right. Don't hesitate to let us know," he said.
The cousin of a Black Lives Matter co-founder has died after being repeatedly tased by Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers.

Keenan Anderson, a 31-year-old English teacher from Washington, D.C., was visiting family in California over the schools winter break. On Jan. 3, he was reportedly seen running in the middle of the street and exhibiting erratic behavior after a car accident, according to the LAPD.

According to the LAPD, Anderson initially complied with the officer on the scene until additional units were called for a DUI investigation. Then, officers state, Anderson stopped complying and was tased multiple times as they attempted to handcuff and place ankle hobbles on him.

As additional units arrived at scene, Anderson suddenly attempted to flee the location, the LAPD said. Officers gave chase as Anderson ran eastbound in the middle of the street on Venice Boulevard. As officers contacted Anderson, he began to resist, resulting in a use of force. Officers struggled with Anderson for several minutes, utilizing a TASER, bodyweight, firm grips, and joint locks to overcome his resistance.

According to LAPD Chief Michael Moore, Anderson was tased six times in 42 seconds.

Though Anderson was given medical attention on the scene and taken to a local hospital to be treated for the effects of the Taser, the LAPD said, he went into cardiac arrest and died on Jan. 3.

In police-edited body camera footage of the incident, Anderson can be heard saying, Theyre trying to George Floyd me, and telling officers he was not resisting arrest. He can be heard calling for help and screaming that officers were trying to kill him.

Please dont do this, Anderson can be heard saying.

The LAPDs Force Investigation Division is investigating the officers use of force.

The video of Anderson was released after pressure from family, according to Moore.

This is not, again, to do anything other than to demonstrate our commitment to full transparency and to judge this on the merits of what the investigation shows us and to ask for the publics patience as we go about this engagement, Moore said at a news conference Wednesday, according to CNN.

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Anderson is the third person to die in an LAPD-involved incident this year. He taught English at Digital Pioneers Academy in Washington, D.C., according to a statement from the school.

Mashea Ashton, the schools founder, said in a statement that they are deeply saddened by Andersons tragic and disturbing death.

Our community is grieving. But were also angry, she said. Angry that, once again, a known, loved, and respected member of our community is no longer with us. Angry that another talented, beautiful black soul is gone too soon.

Keenan was a deeply committed educator and father of a six-year-old son, Ashton continued. He had over eight years of experience as a teacher and leader. In less than six months at Digital Pioneers Academy, he established strong relationships with scholars and staff. He was beloved by all.

In an Instagram post honoring her cousin, Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors shared photos of Anderson, including one of him with his son, and said her cousin was killed by LAPD.

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 our loved ones impacted by state violence. I love you

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A New Haven man with an extensive arrest history was charged Thursday in connection with an October bank robbery in Fairfield, police said.

Following a Fairfield Police Department investigation into the robbery at the TD Bank at 1643 Post Road on Oct. 10, 2022, the suspect was identified as Vincent Jones, 54, of New Haven. Jones was apprehended by the Fairfield Police Detective Bureaus Quality of Life Unit on Thursday without incident at an apartment in New Haven, police said.

Jones is charged with second-degree robbery and fifth-degree larceny and was being held in lieu of $150,000 bail . He is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

Jones is a convicted felon and has an extensive criminal history which includes 47 previous arrests for robbery, burglary, larceny and drug charges, according to Fairfield police.

This is a great example of police work at its finest and could not be done without the help from the public, the Fairfield police said in a statement on Thursday. For that, we thank everyone who played a part in helping the police apprehend the suspect in this case.
HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's Central Bank on Friday lashed out against a "vulture fund" seeking to cash in on unpaid government debt lingering from the era of former leader Fidel Castro, calling illegitimate its claims against the Communist-run island in a London court.

CRF I Ltd, an investor in defaulted Cuban sovereign debt since 2009, filed the case in Britain's High Court after Havana refused a debt relief offer made by CRF and some other bond holders back in 2018.

Such firms, described as "vulture funds" by the Cuban Central Bank, typically purchase distressed or defaulted debt then sue in international courts to get paid in full.

Cuba's Central Bank (BNC) said in a statement on Friday it does not recognize CRF as a creditor.

"CRF is not a creditor of the BNC or of Cuba and never has been," the Central Bank superintendent said.

CRF could not immediately be reached for comment on Friday.

The firm claims Cuba owes it 72 million euros in debt in proceedings currently under way in the London court, according to the Central Bank statement.

The case will be closely watched by Cuba's creditors, some of whom have struggled to recoup loans as the country wrestles with a dire economic crisis made worse by the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions put in place by former U.S. president President Donald Trump.

"The BNC and Cuba have never ignored their debts and have always maintained their interest in negotiating with their legitimate creditors," the bank said in its statement.

Other Latin American nations, most notably Argentina, have fought prolonged court and political battles for years to settle with so-called vulture funds.

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Thousands of customers have been frustrated with their Samsung refrigerators. Many say the ice makers dont work, leak or over-freeze.

Over time, it started having some water leaking inside the refrigerator from the ice maker, and then, eventually, the ice maker started freezing up and it wouldnt make ice, Judy Barnes told Action 9s Jason Stoogenke. So, our remedy was to get an ice pick and shop with the ice or even the old hair dryer and melt the ice away.

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She says it would work for a few days and then freeze again.

We thought we were alone in this matter and then we saw a show that you had put on about it. And we thought, Oh, this is a very widespread issue and were not alone in this anymore, Barnes said.

Nearly 60 people have complained to Action 9 about their ice makers.

Samsung sent an email to Stoogenke that read, Customer satisfaction is a top priority. Our continued focus is on providing our customers with innovative, reliable, and efficient home appliances.

We would like them to address the issue and be responsible, held accountable, for not just us, but everybody else thats having the issues, Barnes said.

Consumers filed a class action lawsuit in 2017. Many have been asking Action 9 for updates hoping they will get some money back in the case.

In October, lawyers in the case sent the judge a letter saying they were close to a settlement. They were supposed to report back to the court this week, and they did. However, they didnt reveal much publicly.

VIDEO: Both sides may be close to deal on Samsung ice maker lawsuit

The judge set a new court date. He wants to hear from them by March 3 about their efforts to finalize the settlement.

Stoogenke will continue to keep you posted so, if theres a way to get money, youll know how.

Stoogenke offers this advice to anyone who owns a Samsung refrigerator and is having problems with it:

VIDEO: Customers complain about Samsung ice makers
The Dallas Zoo was closed on Friday after a clouded leopard got out of its habitat and went missing for much of the day before being found in the zoo.

The zoo tweeted at 11:21 a.m. Eastern Time that it had issued a Code Blue, signaling that a nondangerous animal was out of its habitat. It said the leopard was not there when the zoos team arrived in the morning, and the Dallas Police Department was on site to assist with the search efforts.

The Zoo is closed today as our teams work to find and recover the animal. Given the nature of these animals, we believe the animal is still on grounds and hiding, the zoo said, adding that their focus is to find the leopard.

It said in another tweet later in the day that the leopard is an adult and weighs 25 pounds. The Dallas Morning News reported that the leopard is a 4-year-old female named Nova.

The Morning News reported that the zoos executive vice president for animal care and conservation, Harrison Edell, said at a news conference that the zoos staff members found a tear in the mesh that surrounds Novas enclosure and were looking for her in trees with binoculars.

Edell said Nova would most likely climb trees and hunt squirrels and birds but stay out of peoples way.

The zoo tweeted that Nova was found near her habitat around 4:40 p.m. Central Time, and staff were able to secure her just before 5:15. It said she appeared to not be injured, but staff were evaluating her.

The zoo tweeted that Novas habitat is a dense forest, and the leopard often spends time in the treetops.

To set some minds at ease, if she has made her way off-grounds, this animal isnt a greater risk for pets than animals native to North Texas that roam our neighborhoods, but if you feel more comfortable bringing pets inside, please do, the zoo said.

The Morning News reported that the zoo debuted Nova and her sister, Luna, as its first two clouded leopards in September 2021. An assistant zoo manager for the Dallas Zoo told the outlet that the animal is named for its large, cloudlike spots all over its body.

 Updated 9:51 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Photo: . Andrew Kim Jack, 51, is wanted province-wide after failing to appear in court.

Andrew Kim Jack, 51, is wanted province-wide after failing to attend court in connection with a series of incidents that occurred outside the Vancouver Public Library last summer.

Jack was charged with an indecent act and assault with a weapon after allegedly flashing one woman, grabbing the leg of another, and charging at a third, all in the 300 block of West Georgia on August 29, 2022.

He was released on bail and his whereabouts are currently unknown to police.

VPD is asking for the public's help to locate Jack and anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts is asked to contact their local police agency.
A missing clouded leopard was found safe Friday afternoon after she escaped from her Dallas Zoo enclosure hours earlier, zoo officials announced.

The clouded leopard, named Nova, was located very near the original habitat, and teams were able to safely secure her just before 5:15 p.m., the zoo tweeted.

Dallas police launched a criminal investigation Friday after it was determined the fence in Novas enclosure was intentionally cut, police and the zoo said.

On Saturday, police said a cutting tool was used to create an opening in the fencing of the leopards habitat. A similar cut was also found at the habitat for a breed of monkey called a langur, police said.

All the langurs were accounted for and did not appear to be harmed, or in any danger, police said. They said it wasnt clear if the two incidents were related.

The zoo shut down for the day Friday as it dealt with the clouded leopard's escape, which it described as a serious incident. Officials had said the animal was not dangerous.

We have an ongoing situation at the zoo right now with a Code Blue  that is a non-dangerous animal that is out of its habitat, the zoo tweeted Friday morning.

Nova likely escaped through what zoo officials initially described as a tear in the mesh of the enclosure she shares with her sibling, Luna.

Zoo officials didn't think Nova would venture far because shes tight-knit with Luna, who is still in the habitat. They were correct: She was found on zoo property.

Nova likely hid in a treetop after escaping, said Harrison Edell, executive vice president of animal care and conservation at the Dallas Zoo.

Police initially sent a SWAT team to the zoo because they were unsure about the cat's size, Mitchell said.

The zoo said Saturday that an overly vocal squirrel tipped staff them off to an area to search for Nova, who, at that point, was starting to emerge from her hiding spot.

She was secured and returned to her habitat about 30 minutes later, the zoo said.

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Nova was evaluated by vet and animal care teams and returned to her habitat, where she perched on a high branch Saturday, according to the zoo.

Nova and Luna arrive in Dallas

Nova was born in November 2019, alongside Luna, at the Houston Zoo. On her first birthday, before the leopards went to Dallas, the Houston institution described Luna as outgoing and Nova as reserved.

"Nova is a little more cautious, keeping an eye on her surroundings," it said in a blog entry.

Both cubs were being trained to obey handlers' commands to return, the Houston Zoo said in 2020. "They have learned to voluntarily enter a crate, so that they can be safely transported if necessary," it said at the time.

Jessica Reyes, spokesperson for the Houston Zoo, said Nova and Luna were sent to the Dallas Zoo in July 2021 based on Association of Zoos & Aquariums recommendations to ensure genetically diverse populations of animals at zoos and aquariums.

Smallest of the 'big cats'

Edell said clouded leopards weigh between 20 and 25 pounds and pose no danger to people. They're among the smallest of the world's wild "big cats" (tigers, lions, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs and cougars).

The animals dwell in the cloud forests of Southeast Asia and are one of the most ancient cat species, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. Clouded leopards are described as a vulnerable species, the institute said, adding it is estimated that less than 10,000 mature individuals remain in the wild.

Edell said Nova was likely hunting squirrels and birds Friday.

2004 gorilla escape

On March 18, 2004, a 350-pound gorilla escaped from his enclosure at the 106-acre Dallas Zoo's Wilds of Africa exhibit, injuring four before it was fatally shot by police.

Two teenage boys standing on a trail overlooking the gorilla exhibit hurled either ice or stones at Jabari, according to zoo records obtained by the Dallas Morning News in the days afterward.

The 13-year-old gorilla escaped his walled compound and went on a rampage, snatching up a toddler with his teeth and attacking three others before officers stopped him.

A tranquilizer gun used by zoo staff had jammed, according to the records, and police opened fire when Jabari was within 15 feet of officers with a pair of children's sandals in his hands, the newspaper reported, citing those records.

An injured child was treated at the scene and released. A woman thrown against a wall by the gorilla was hospitalized with arm injuries.

Rivers Herd, 3 at the time, was critically injured when he was bitten and scratched by the gorilla. His mother, Keisha Herd, 26, was hospitalized with minor injuries.

The child told his mother after the attack Jabari "tried to eat his head," his father told NBC News at the time.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
TikTok food creator Waymond Wesley, known under his alias Chef Way, is catching heat for old tweets.

Twitter sleuths found triggering tweets from Wesley dating back to 2015. The content of several posts was colorist, misogynistic and fatphobic. The Houston-based influencer often targeted darker-skinned Black women. According to BuzzFeed News, Wesley cropped a dark-skinned model out of a photo with a light-skinned one and captioned the image, complaining that the dark-skinned model messed up the pic.

The off-putting tweets came from Wesleys now-deleted account @WaymoTheGod. One of the most heinous ones shared was, Black b*****s make for good punching bags.

His old tweets became a topic of discussion after he posted a recipe for oxtail pasta. Followers quickly remembered Wesleys previous persona, calling out his rebrand, and began serving screenshots.

One user posted a screenshot of a tweet where Wesley referenced Sandra Bland, who was found dead in her jail cell three days after being arrested during a traffic stop in 2015. Her death, which was ruled a suicide, sparked the influencer to tweet: If black lives mattered to Sandra Bland, she wouldnt have taken her own life. Im serious too.

Youre super gross and if your fiance stays with you shes a bum too pic.twitter.com/vhl4Xh2Az5  JennySook (@JennySook) January 9, 2023

Users even dug up old tweets where Wesleys mother openly disapproved of her sons hatred toward Black women.

You were out here embarrassing your mother. I hope you apologized to her. pic.twitter.com/qk2q4Ea7WN  BlackPanther (@Pantha2661) January 9, 2023

Wesley has since amassed over 250,000 followers on his TikTok page sharing food content. In 2021, he became a Harris County, Texas, district attorneys office prosecutor.

Story continues

Harris County District Attorney Kim Oggs reaction to the tweets left a bad taste in peoples mouths.

She released a statement to BuzzFeed News, describing herself as a believer in second chances.

Ogg added, These posts were inappropriate and offensive and do not reflect my values or those of the Harris County district attorneys office. Mr. Wesley has explained that these posts came during a period in which he was struggling with serious personal issues, including alcohol addiction.

The cooking attorney also issued a statement via Twitter, apologizing for his past actions.

To those Ive hurt with my past tweets that have resurfaced, I am deeply sorry. That was a moment in my life where I was sick in more ways than one. Cooking saved me. You have watched a flawed man heal. I will continue to heal and learn. Thanks for being along for the journey.  Chef Way (@ChefWay__) January 9, 2023

To those Ive hurt with my past tweets that have resurfaced, I am deeply sorry. That was a moment in my life where I was sick in more ways than one. Cooking saved me. You have watched a flawed man heal. I will continue to heal and learn. Thanks for being along for the journey, he tweeted.

A significant consequence that Wesley faces for his past online activity is losing major endorsements and partnership deals with food industry giants.

Appliance maker Anova Culinary quickly distanced itself after users flooded the companys mentions, drawing attention to the scandal.

Thank you to those who let us know. pic.twitter.com/Pxpp1DkOtV  Anova (@AnovaCulinary) January 9, 2023

The brands CEO, Stephen Svajian, released an accompanying statement, saying, We want to partner with individuals that reflect our own values.

I believe that brands are about values. We want to partner with individuals that reflect our own values. Chef way clearly does not represent the values that we hold dear. Thanks to those that called this out. We need to do a better job vetting people that represent our brand.  Stephen Svajian (@ssvajian) January 9, 2023

Food and travel network Tastemade also confirmed its distance from the chef.

Were shocked and disappointed to see this past behavior coming from a partner creator; behavior that we do not condone and certainly does not align with our values. He has been removed from our platform, and we do not plan to collaborate in the future, the brand wrote on Twitter.
With limited battlefield wins and its status as a global pariah firmly in place, Russia is struggling to find leverage to wear down Western resolve to aid Ukraine as its war in the country nears the end of its first year.

Well share what experts are saying about Russian President Vladimir Putin and his options left in the war, plus how Ukrainian officials are pushing the West to send tanks.

Also: Details on the Navy veteran recently released from Russian detainment and President Bidens words of praise at the service for the late former Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

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. A friend forward this newsletter to you?

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Putin exhausting options to wear down aid to Ukraine

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.

Only getting worse: 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.

Early roadblocks: 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.

Failed attempts: 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.

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.

Limited bandwidth: 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.

Other losses: 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.

Read the full story here

Ukraine focuses on Western tanks to rout Russia

Ukrainian defense officials are zeroing in on tank deliveries from the U.S. and European partners, saying the firepower and security provided by the armored artillery vehicles will keep up the momentum in its efforts to rout invading Russian forces.

The Biden administration has increased the heavy artillery it is providing Ukraine, but has done so slowly and incrementally to protect against perceptions that Washington is provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Pushing for tanks: Ukrainian officials have welcomed the Biden administrations recent announcement to supply armored vehicles with machine guns  Bradley fighting vehicles  but are pushing for Washington to commit to sending Abrams tanks.

Bradleys are like a sandwich, it is good when youre hungry. But an Abrams is like a full meal, it will really leave you satisfied, Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukraines minister of defense, told The Hill.

An important signal: Ukrainian officials say an announcement by the Biden administration that it would supply tanks would send an important political signal to Putin and Russia that the U.S. and its allies are united in their support.

And it would also push back against concerns that a new Republican House majority threatens bipartisan backing for Kyiv, or that Europes solidarity is fracturing in the face of Moscows havoc, they say.

Whats needed: Valerii Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraines armed forces, told The Economist last month that Kyiv needs 300 tanks to achieve a decisive victory on the battlefield against Russia, along with 700 infantry fighting vehicles and 500 howitzers.

I know that I can beat this enemy. But I need resources, Zaluzhnyi told the Economist.

Read more here

Biden: Ex-Defense chief Carter a force of nature

President Biden on Thursday eulogized former Defense Secretary Ash Carter as an innovative public servant who advanced the militarys strength and diversity through his work.

Biden spoke at a memorial service at the Washington National Cathedral for Carter, who died in October after a sudden heart attack. He was 68.

Paying tribute: This is beyond my capacity to accurately assess what an incredible man Ash was, Biden said. Ash was a force. He was a force of nature. His genius was evident, his integrity unfailing and his commitment to service before self was literally inspiring.

A storied legacy: Carter started his career as a physicist and spent decades serving in the Pentagon, ultimately leading the Defense Department from 2015 to 2017 while Biden was vice president. During that time, Carter oversaw efforts to increase nuclear deterrence, manage emerging technologies and strategize the fight against ISIS and al Qaeda.

Carter also tackled numerous personnel matters during his tenure, including ending a ban on transgender officers in the military and opening all military positions to women in 2016  the first time in U.S. history that women could enter certain combat roles previously only open to men.

A military made stronger: Biden on Thursday argued the military had been made stronger and more inclusive by Ashs principles and convictions.

I stand today as commander in chief of, as Ash always said, the finest fighting force the world has ever known, and that is not hyperbole, Biden said.

Read the rest here

RUSSIA RELEASES US NAVY VETERAN AFTER NEARLY A YEAR

Russia on Thursday released a U.S. Navy veteran after nearly a year of detention in a Russian province between Poland and Lithuania.

Today, the Russian govt released my client, Taylor Dudley, a Navy vet, cross the Polish border, Jonathan Franks, a spokesperson for the family, tweeted Thursday morning, saying he and the family were en route to Washington, D.C.

What we know: Dudley, 35, of Michigan, was detained in April after crossing into Kaliningrad, a Russian province on the Baltic Sea bordered to the north and east by Lithuania and to the south by Poland.

His detention was not widely publicized because his family wanted to keep the negotiations private, according to CNN.

Securing the release: The Richardson Center for Global Engagement, a nonprofit founded by former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), led negotiations for his release.

The Steve Menzies Global Foundation, the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and the James Foley Foundation also helped secure the release of Dudley, according to a statement Franks issued to CNN.

Read that story here

ON TAP FOR TOMORROW

President Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for meetings at the White House

Georgetown Universitys Walsh School of Foreign Service will host a discussion on Displacement and Disabilities in Ukraine Whats Happened to Children with Disabilities in the Conflict? at 12 p.m.

WHAT WERE READING

OPINIONS IN THE HILL

The world has entered the fifth wave of anti-government terrorism

House China committees mission: Military imbalance is foremost among many challenges

Thats it for today! Check out The Hills Defense and National Security pages for the latest coverage. See you tomorrow!

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The man charged with the 2017 Delphi murders was spotted mouthing I love you to two women in court as he lost his bid to move his double homicide trial out of the local area where he has allegedly spent the past six years hiding in plain sight, evading justice for the brutal killings.

Richard Allen, a 50-year-old local CVS worker, was led into Carroll Circuit Court in shackles on Friday morning  his first court appearance in two months on charges of murdering teenage best friends Libby German and Abby Williams in 2017.

Dressed in a yellow jumpsuit and protective vest, Mr Allen entered the courtroom after the defence table had been swept for security reasons given the high-profile nature of the case, according to Fox59.

When two unidentified women arrived in court, Mr Allen  a married man with an adult daughter  was seen mouthing I love you to them. His wife and daughter have remained silent publicly since his arrest.

At the brief hearing, Judge Fran Gull made a series of key decisions about his upcoming trial after hearing arguments on four issues: a gag order on the case, a change of venue, a discovery request from Mr Allens attorneys and additional funding for investigators.

Much of the arguments took place behind closed doors, with the defence and prosecution speaking to the judge in her chambers for some time before the 10-minute hearing got under way.

The judge denied a request from Mr Allens attorneys asking for the trial to be moved out of Carroll County, ruling that it would stay in the area but that a jury would be brought in from another county.

In court filings, Mr Allens legal team had asked for a change of venue to move the trial out of the small close-knit town of Delphi where the victims and the suspect lived.

The defence had argued that the extensive media attention surrounding the high-profile case meant it would be difficult for him to get a fair trial in Carroll County. Instead they wanted it to be moved at least 150 miles away.

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Judge Gull agreed that it would be difficult if not impossible to find jurors in Carroll County who were not involved in the case to some extent, but she said it would cost too much to hold the trial elsewhere.

While ruling that the trial must stay put, she did give the prosecution and the defence one week to decide together which county the jury will be bused in from and sequestered for the duration of the trial.

In the hearing, the judge also ruled that a gag order should be upheld banning anyone associated with the case from speaking out about it.

The gag applies to anyone linked to the case, including Mr Allen, his defence attorneys, prosecutors, family members of both the suspect and the victims, as well as court staff and law enforcement, barring them speaking about the high-profile case to the public.

The prosecution had requested the gag order in early-December after Mr Allens attorneys released a three-page press release, claiming the 50-year-olds arrest was driven by the political motives of prosecutors. At the time, the gag order was only preliminary but it has now been upheld throughout the case.

Officers escort Richard Matthew Allen out of the Carroll County courthouse following a hearing in November (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Judge Gull also ordered the prosecution and the defence to keep cooperating over the discovery of evidence, after the two sides clashed over what should be shared in the case.

In a motion filed in late-December, the defence asked the judge to order the prosecution to hand over a vast trove of information about the case, including names and addresses of all witnesses involved  as well as of individuals who may have knowledge of the case but are not being called as prosecution witnesses. Prosecutors had argued that they had already made clear what they would be happy to share.

A fourth and final ruling was made by the judge behind closed doors, around the defences request for additional funding to pay for investigators in the case.

Mr Allen cannot afford to pay for legal representation and the associated expenses without this additional support, his attorneys say.

Mr Allens attorneys have also requested a bail hearing but that did not take place on Friday. The suspect will instead return to court on 17 February where the judge will weigh that decision.

He has been held without bond ever since he was arrested and charged with murder in late October.

His trial has been scheduled for 23 March but Judge Gull indicated that this is likely to be moved back due to the thousands upon thousands of pages of extraordinary, voluminous evidence in the case.

Fridays court appearance comes almost six years on from the brutal murders of Libby, 14, and Abby, 13, who went out one day together and never returned.

On 13 February 2017, the two best friends set off on a hike along the Monon High Bridge Trail in their hometown of Delphi.

During the walk, Libby posted a photo of her best friend on Snapchat as they walked along the Monon High Bridge.

Minutes later, Libby captured a video of a man  known as bridge guy  dressed in blue jeans, a blue jacket and a cap walking along the abandoned railroad bridge. In the footage, the man tells the two girls: Guys, down the hill.

Later that day, the teenagers were reported missing when they failed to return to a spot where a family member was picking them up.

The next day  Valentines Day 2017  their bodies were discovered in a wooded area less than half a mile off the trail along the side of Deer Creek. Their cause of death has never been released with a previously-released search warrant application only detailing that they were killed with some type of weapon and lost a lot of blood.

For more than five years, the girls devastated families waited for answers in the case.

Then, in late October 2022, Mr Allen  a local man who served the victims families in his job at the Delphi CVS store  was arrested and charged with their murders.

According to investigators, Mr Allen is the so-called bridge guy captured on camera by the victims.

The suspect forced the two victims down the hill and led them to the location where they were murdered, according to his probable cause affidavit.

The affidavit, which was partly-redacted and released in November, reveals that he was tied to the brutal murders through a bullet found at the bloody crime scene.

Libby German (left) and Abby Williams (right) pictured together (Facebook)

Ballistics confirmed that an unspent .40 caliber round found close to the bodies of the teenage victims came from Mr Allens Sig Sauer Model P226.

The firearm  which he owned since 2011  was found during a search of his home and both he and his wife Kathy told police he was the only person with access to it.

The bombshell document reveals that, in Libbys cellphone footage, one of the victims mentions the word gun  suggesting that their attacker was armed with a firearm and was using it to coerce the victims.

In a police interview on 13 October, Mr Allen told investigators he had no explanation as to how the spent bullet ended up near the bodies of the two teenage victims, the document states.

The accused killer said he had not been on the property where the unspent round was found, that he did not know the property owner, and that he had no explanation as to why a round cycled through his firearm would be at that location, it says. The property owner  Ron Logan  was also previously tied to the case. He died in 2020.

Mr Allen was also tied to the killings after his vehicle was spotted parked close to the trail in an odd manner as if to conceal the license plate, the documents state.

Several witnesses also reported seeing a creepy man matching the description of bridge guy around the time of the murders while one person said they saw a muddy and bloody man leaving the trail around two hours after Libby and Abby were last seen alive. The witnesses did not see anyone other than bridge guy on the trail at the time, the affidavit reads.

The married father to a daughter had been on law enforcements radar back in 2017 after he admitted to being on the trail the day the girls were killed.

During a 2017 interview with police, Mr Allen confessed to being on the Monon High Bridge Trail that afternoon but denied any involvement in the murders and insisted he had never seen the two girls that day.

Despite placing himself at the scene of the crime at the time of the murders, he slipped through the net due to a clerical error.

The sudden arrest of the local man almost six years on from the murders marked a major break in the case.

But the investigation is far from over with officials saying that they believe Mr Allen may not be the sole person involved in the killings.

Prior to Mr Allens arrest, investigators had been searching for information about a catfishing account which was in contact with Libby on the day she was killed.

The man behind the account  Kegan Anthony Kline  was tied to the 2017 murders in December 2021 when investigators urged the public to come forward with information about a bogus online profile named @anthony_shots.

#DelphiMurders suspect Richard Allen arrives at the Carroll County courthouse for a hearing on change of venue request, gag order, public money for expert witnesses, & evidence requests by the defense. Im covering the 10 am hearing. Updates after and at noon @WTHRcom #13News pic.twitter.com/cSzk6SuHN0  Rich Nye (@RichNye13) January 13, 2023

Kline, 28, allegedly confessed to using the fake profile to groom underage girls, get them to send him nude photos and their addresses, and try to get them to meet him in person.

In a 2020 police interview, a transcript of which has been seen by The Independent, Kline admitted that he had communicated with 14-year-old Libby on Instagram and Snapchat through the catfishing profile before she died.

The transcript revealed that he had exchanged photos with the teenage girl and that Libby had communicated with the fake profile on the very day that she and Abby were murdered.

On 25 February 2017 - less than two weeks after the two girls were brutally killed  police carried out a search of Klines home in Peru. Kline has never been charged in connection to the murders.

In 2020, he was arrested and charged with 30 child sexual abuse and child exploitation felonies over the @anthony_shots account. He has been held behind bars ever since.

While the affidavit made no mention of the catfishing account, investigators urged the public to continue submitting tips about the case following Mr Allens arrest and have said that they are not ruling out the possibility that other individuals may also have been involved in the teenagers brutal murders.
GLOUCESTER TWP.  A Deptford man is accused of setting fires and vandalizing property during a 30-minute spree at three Catholic churches on Friday morning.

Peter Sirolli, 40, allegedly set fire to a 10-foot cross on the lawn of St. Patricks Church in Woodbury around 7:10 a.m., according to the Camden County Prosecutors Office.

Sirolli next tried to throw a rock through a window at St. Theresas Church in Runnemede about 20 minutes later, the prosecutor's office alleged in a statement.

A witness at the Evesham Road church saw the rock-throwing and updated police while following the suspect's pickup truck to the third church, St. Agnes in Gloucester Township

The witness then saw the suspect "exit his vehicle and threw a brick through a large window above the main door causing extensive damage," according to an account from Gloucester Township police.

The suspect then drove across a parking lot to a parish center, where he poured gasoline to ignite a flag pole, burning the American flag in the process.

A parish employee saw the 7:40 a.m. incident "and yelled at the suspect to stop," the police account said.

Sirolli fled, but the original witness continued to follow him and provided more updates to police.

A Gloucester Township police officer saw the pick-up truck, with bricks and gas cans in its open bed, on the Black Horse Pike near Church Street.

Sirolli did not stop after emergency lights and sirens were activated, the account said.

Instead, he drove away "at a very slow speed" and pulled into the parking lot of the Laurelwood 7th Day Adventist Church parking lot in Deptford around 7:45 a.m.

"It is not believed that the suspect is affiliated in any way with the Laurelwood 7th Day Adventist Church," the police account said.

Sirolli was arressted without incident at the Deptford site.

Bishop Dennis Sullivan, who leads the Diocese of Camden, praised the speedy response of law enforcement officers.

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"At a time when houses of worship often seem to be the target of individual angst, it is reassuring to know our local police departments take incidents like this seriously and act quickly," he said.

"While we do not yet know the motivation of the person currently in custody, I ask the Catholic faithful of South Jersey to offer prayer that he may find peace," the bishop added.

Sirolli is charged with bias intimidation, arson, criminal mischief, eluding and weapons offenses.

Hes also accused of desecration of a sacred object, a disorderly persons offense.

The charges against Sirolli are only allegations. He has not been convicted in the case.

An investigation is ongoing, the prosecutors office noted.

Anyone with information is asked to call Prosecutors Detective Cody Skinner at 856-580-6053 and Gloucester Township Police Detective Dennis Richards at 856- 374- 5706.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Peter Sirolli charged with bias intimidation for vandalism at churches
Two big derby clashes in Manchester and north London headline this weekends Premier League action.

Manchester United take on Manchester City at Old Trafford and top-flight leaders Arsenal play at Tottenham, while two more games at the other end of the table could prove significant in the relegation battle.

Here we look at the main talking points.

United poised for City ambush

Manchester United could climb to within a point of second-placed City by extending their winning run under Erik ten Hag to nine games in all competitions on Saturday and Red Devils fans will be far more confident than they were heading into the previous encounter when they were thrashed 6-3 at the Etihad in October.

Pep Guardiolas side have yet to fire on all cylinders since the World Cup break and Ten Hag will be keen to gauge his sides progress against the reigning champions.

Spurs in Gunners sights

Arsenal are bidding to extend their five-point lead at the top of the table, while Tottenham can ill afford a sixth league defeat of the season in their pursuit of a top-four finish.

The Gunners, 3-1 winners in the reverse fixture in October, would move 14 points clear of their London rivals with victory on Sunday and the pressure is mounting on Tottenham boss Antonio Conte, who is hoping Richarlison, Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur can all return to action after injury.

Potter pressure reaching boiling point

Chelseas 2-1 defeat to Fulham on Thursday left them 10 points adrift of the top four in mid-table and was a fifth loss in seven league games under Graham Potter.

The former Brighton boss is under growing pressure to salvage the clubs season and keep his job and no less than a win on Sunday in another all-London affair will be demanded by nonplussed Blues fans.

Patrick Vieiras Palace, thumped 4-0 at home by Tottenham in their last league match, are smelling blood.

Lampard feeling the heat

Frank Lampard is another Premier League manager who is fighting for his job.

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Everton, third from bottom after seven defeats in their last nine league matches, take on bottom club Southampton, who have been buoyed by successive FA Cup and Carabao Cup wins over Palace and Manchester City.

Also on Saturday, second-bottom Wolves face David Moyes 17th-placed West Ham, who are winless in six league games. Both fixtures could prove pivotal in this seasons relegation battle.

Joelinton arrest miffs Magpies

Newcastles top-four challenge has been dealt an unwelcome distraction as boss Eddie Howe is undecided over whether to name Joelinton in his side for Sundays home game against Fulham after the Brazilian was charged with drink-driving in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The Magpies sit third in the table, above Manchester United on goal difference, while Fulham, one of the surprise packages this season under Marco Silva following promotion, could leapfrog Tottenham into fifth place with a fifth straight league win.
Photo: Glacier Media

A seven-year-old child is in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a driver in West Vancouvers West Bay neighbourhood, Wednesday evening.

According to police, the girl and her family were crossing the street on the 3300 block of Marine Drive around 6:54 p.m. when she was struck by a driver who was headed westbound.

This is a very serious incident that resulted in significant injuries, said Const. Nicole Braithwaite, West Vancouver Police Department spokeperson. We are thinking about the child and her family, and we wish her a speedy recovery.

Because of the serious nature of the crash, West Vancouver police have called in the RCMPs Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service. They had Marine Drive shut for several hours to gather evidence from the scene.

West Vancouver Police Victim Services will be providing support to the family. Anyone who may have witnessed the incident and requires support may call 604-925-7468.

The collision remains under investigation and the driver has been co-operating with police. However, anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact West Vancouver Police at 604-925-7300 and reference file #23-417.
A photo of Coco Puff when she was discovered.

A photo of Coco Puff when she was discovered.

A Rottweiler named Coco Puff is receiving some much needed TLC after being discovered abandoned in cruel conditions in a New Jersey backyard.

Ross Licitra, executive director of the Monmouth County SPCA  which is currently caring for Coco Puff  told HuffPost over the phone that the 3-year-old dog was found sleeping on a concrete slab and was attached to a railing with a very short chain leash.

She had no food or water, and was presumably freezing.

She was exposed to literally the absolute coldest, coldest day of the year, Licitra emphasized to HuffPost. It was brutal.

Licitra says Coco Puffs owners left her on Dec. 24, which was one of the coldest Christmas Eves in the states history. She sat there for three days before someone called the Neptune Township Police and she was rescued.

[Her owners] wouldve been better off if they just let Coco run, which of course we never want to say, Licitra said. But at least Coco would have been able to find shelter or run up to somebody because she is an incredibly lovely, beautiful dog that is so friendly.

A better look at the conditions Coco Puff was left in for three days.

A better look at the conditions Coco Puff was left in for three days.

Licitra told HuffPost that after speaking to the dogs owners  Iquan Carson and Shonquel Lindsey  and their landlord, he learned the couple had to leave their home on Christmas Eve because their pipes froze over, and stayed in a nearby hotel. He noted that although the couple stayed nearby, they never once left to check in on their pet.

They made absolutely no effort whatsoever to find any type of shelter or any type of nutrition or anything for Coco, Licitra said. They just basically chained her to the railing and walked away. Thats all they did.

He said Coco Puff was scared and confused when she finally came into their care, but they determined after medical examinations that she didnt suffer from hypothermia. Bloodwork showed she may have kidney stones, as well as a genetic eye condition that affects her vision, according to a Monmouth County SPCA Facebook post. Licitra noted that they initially thought Coco Puff was a 10-year-old dog, but discovered after examining her teeth that she was actually much younger.

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Coco Puff, who is described by the rescue as gentle, loyal, and loving, will continue to receive care at Monmouth County SPCA, but will eventually be available for adoption.

Licitra told HuffPost that her owners, Carson and Lindsey, have both been charged with two counts of animal cruelty  one for cruel restraint, and another for failure to provide necessary care.

Related...
On January 12, the Department of Justice announced a settlement with City National Bank of Los Angeles for refusing to underwrite mortgages in predominantly Black and Latino communities.

The $31 million dollar settlement requires the bank to:

Invest at least $29.5 million in a loan subsidy fund for residents of majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Los Angeles County. (We note our work on an investment vehicle that deals with homelessness and another that deals with HIV/AIDS. See: https://www.impactinvesting.online/2018/11/william-michael-cunningham-on-impact.html and The opening of Brenda House Womens Shelter https://www.prlog.org/12708015-william-michael-cunningham-to-speak-at-the-opening-of-brenda-house-womens-shelter.html);

Spend at least $500,000 for advertising and outreach targeted toward the residents of these neighborhoods;

Spend at least $500,000 for a consumer financial education program to help increase access to credit for residents;

Spend at least $750,000 for the development of community partnerships to provide services that increase access to residential mortgage credit.

Open one new branch in a majority-Black and Hispanic neighborhood; Conduct a Community Credit Needs Assessment.

Given the needs in the community and the number of regulations and laws that ostensibly prohibit this type of behavior, $31 million dollars is far lower than it should be.

(The settlement may actually increase gentrification since you dont have to be Black to get a mortgage loan subsidy, just apply for a mortgage loan in a Black neighborhood.)

We noted in our Amicus Brief in CITY OF OAKLAND, v. WELLS FARGO & COMPANY, et. al., No. 19-15169, damages totaled $12.5 billion.

(To review our Amicus Brief, see: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18e9hzYxJ9PnN2FFCk8f0MvBm7h_2TtI8/view?usp=sharing

While City National is much smaller than Wells, fines at both banks confirm that the ratio of penalties to damage caused is consistently lower than appropriate.

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Still, Justice has been aggressively investigating and fining discriminatory financial institutions as part of the Departments nationwide Combating Redlining Initiative that Attorney General Merrick B. Garland launched in October 2021, a very good sign. They have found this a target-rich environment.

While the fine represents the largest redlining settlement in DOJ history. $31 million may not be the final number. We expect other financial regulators like the Federal Reserve, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, to penalize the institution.

We encourage anyone affected by this institution to contact the US Department of Justice. Additional information about the sections fair lending enforcement can be found at www.justice.gov/fairhousing. Individuals may report lending discrimination by calling the Justice Departments housing discrimination tip line at 1-833-591-0291, or submitting a report online.
A man who is accused of leading police from multiple agencies on a pursuit through Monroe County on Jan. 6, ending in a crash in downtown Dundee that claimed his passenger's life, has been charged with murder and other offenses.

Kim Lynn Fitch Jr., 31, of Napoleon, Ohio, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree fleeing police, and reckless driving causing death, Monroe County Prosecuting Attorney Michael G. Roehrig announced. He was arraigned Thursday in Monroe County District Court before Judge Michael C. Brown. A probable cause conference is scheduled for Jan. 25, and a preliminary examination is set for Feb. 1, both before Brown.

Lesley Rosales, 46, of Leipsic, Ohio, died from injuries sustained in the crash that ended the pursuit, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office reported.

More:Passenger dies after police pursuit ends with crash in Dundee

The incident began in Toledo when members of the Toledo Police Department attempted to conduct a traffic stop of a car Fitch was driving, Roehrig said in a news release. When that attempt failed, a high-speed pursuit ensued into Michigan. The pursuit traveled north from the state line into Monroe, then west into Dundee.

Numerous law enforcement agencies were involved, including the Washington Township, Ohio, Police Department, the Monroe Police Department, the Dundee Police Department and the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, the release said. Once in downtown Dundee, Fitchs four-door sedan came to rest and caught fire after he failed to negotiate a turn from West Monroe Street onto Tecumseh Street and struck a utility pole, the sheriff's office reported. Deputies removed Fitch and Rosales from the car. Neither were wearing seat belts, and the car's air bags did not deploy. Rosales was pronounced dead at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital.

The second-degree murder charge carries a maximum penalty of up to life in prison with the possibility of parole. The first-degree fleeing charge is based on the pursuit ending in Rosales' death and is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Reckless driving causing death has a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $2,500 to $10,000.

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Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jahn Landis is the lead prosecutor on the case, Roehrig said.

Online district court records did not list an attorney for Fitch. He is being held in the Monroe County Jail without bond, according to online jail records.

The case remains under investigation by Deputy Jon Cregar of the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, Roehrig's relase said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Monroe County Sheriffs Office at 734-240-7756.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Driver charged with murder in passenger's death after pursuit
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The Netherlands is not feeling pressured by Washington to adopt new U.S. rules further restricting semiconductor technology exports to China, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Friday.

The Hague has denied licenses for its largest company, ASML Holding NV, to export its most advanced machines to China since 2019, following lobbying by the Trump administration, raising concerns it is under pressure again to adopt further restrictions.

U.S. officials have said they expect the Netherlands to implement similar rules to those imposed on U.S. companies by Washington in October 2022, which are aimed at hobbling China's ability to make its own chips.

Rutte is travelling to Washington next week to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss security and trade issues, including chip-making tool exports.

"This is a terrain where we're a world player and we can conduct discussions about it without immediately talking in terms ... of being 'put under pressure'. I don't experience it like that at all," Rutte said at his weekly press conference.

"When you're talking about vital technologies ... it can be important to talk to others about that, so that's what we are doing, but from a position of sovereignty, self-confidence."

ASML, which dominates the market for lithography systems used to create the circuitry of chips, sold around 2 billion euros ($2.17 billion) of its older equipment, which is not currently restricted, to China, in 2021.

It has said new U.S. rules could affect a third of that.

"We are talking about how you prevent - without naming any specific third country - modern chips being used for weapons systems. Or that you make yourself dependent" on other countries for technology, Rutte said at his weekly press briefing.

"That kind of conversation is happening intensively in the European Union...and also in the United States," he said, adding that Ukraine will likely be the top issue in talks with Biden.

($1 = 0.9235 euros)

(Reporting by Toby Sterling; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
An East Hanover mother of two is facing decades behind bars after admitting she lied to police and helped her boyfriend escape after he purportedly beat her 3-year-old son to death at a township hotel in 2021.

Krystal Straw, 29, appeared nervous and dazed on Thursday as she pleaded guilty to seven charges a grand jury levied against her in a November 2021 indictment that also included charges of murder against her live-in partner, Edwin Urbina, 29, of Morristown. Urbina, who is expected to head to trial next month, is accused of using a slipper or sandal to beat the child in the early morning hours between Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 while Straw was working an overnight shift at QuickChek.

Krystal Straw briefly takes off her face mask to use a tissue during her plea hearing in state Superior Court in Morris County on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

Straw pleaded guilty to charges including endangering the welfare of a child, witness and evidence tampering and hindering, accepting what is commonly referred to as an "open plea." Under such an agreement, prosecutors will not recommend a sentence for Straw to serve and will leave it at the discretion of state Superior Court Judge Stephen Taylor to impose a term he thinks is just. She faces up to a maximum 41  years in state prison, although that term is highly unlikely because there are limits on the number of sentences a person can serve consecutively, Taylor said.

While Straw's attorney Tracy Denholtz said after the hearing she would not disclose the reason behind the risky move  Straw agreed to a plea offer of 13 years in February 2022, but it hinged on an Urbina failed guilty plea  several published reports state that attorneys resort to open pleas when prosecutors and defense attorneys are at such an impasse, that the decision is either go to trial or plead open and fall on the mercy of the court. Denholtz declined to say what sentence she will argue.

Straw admitted Thursday she knew Urbina had physically assaulted her 3-year-old son in the weeks prior to the toddler's death, but had left him and her 5-year-old daughter in his care on the evening of Aug. 12, 2021 while she went to work. Straw said she knew her son was at substantial risk of serious injury or death that evening since she had observed her son complain of pain and discomfort on his body and had been limping due to prior injuries she said Urbina had caused.

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Krystal Straw speaks to her attorney Tracy Denholtz during her plea hearing in state Superior Court in Morris County on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

Straw, who left the children with Urbina in a room at the OYO Hotel in East Hanover, returned home around 2:15 a.m. on Aug. 13, 2021 after Urbina called and told her the boy was not conscious. Straw, who could not say whether or not her son had already died, was ordered by Urbina not to call 911 or get help and instead forced to clean the room, she said. Urbina told Straw not to tell anyone he was in the hotel room or involved in any way since he had a criminal history, Straw said. Straw would not get in trouble because she did not have a prior criminal record, she said Urbina told her.

After cleaning the room for nearly 2  hours while her daughter watched, admitting she changed her son's clothes in the process, Straw said she helped pack her car with Urbina's personal belongings, and with both children in the car, drove Urbina to his last known residence in Morristown.

Straw admitted she then brought her unconscious and badly bruised child to Morristown Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. Knowing a police investigation was underway, Straw admitted she told her daughter "no talking" to avoid implicating Urbina. She also said she deleted Urbina's contact information on her phone and text message conversations between them at Urbina's instruction.

In a hospital waiting room, Straw admitted while speaking to a Morristown police officer, she lied and said she was home alone with the children and woke up to find her son "sick and throwing up." She said her son "fell" and was bruised when she was trying to give him CPR before she rushed him to the hospital, but said Thursday none of it was true.

Krystal Straw listens during her plea hearing in state Superior Court in Morris County on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

Straw will be sentenced in March after Urbina's trial is expected to conclude. It is unclear if she will serve as a witness at his trial.

Police had searched for Urbina for several days and requested help from the public before Urbina turned himself in on Aug. 16, 2021. He is facing eight counts in an indictment, including an added aggravating factor to the murder charge due to the child being under the age of 14. If convicted on the charge alone, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.

A judge set a Feb. 21 trial date during Urbina's last hearing on Jan. 10, with jurors expected to sit five days a week. Urbina, who is represented by attorney Joel Harris who observed the hearing Thursday, declined a plea offer for 50 years in prison in November 2021.

Lori Comstock can be reached on Twitter: @LoriComstockNJH, on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/LoriComstockNJH or by phone: 973-383-1194.

This article originally appeared on New Jersey Herald: East Hanover NJ toddler death: Mother admits she lied
Musk's lawyers had argued he wouldn't be able to get a fair trial in San Francisco because too many potential jurors there would be biased against him after he took over Twitter, which is based there, and promptly laid off half of its staff. Win McNamee/Getty Images

A judge denied Elon Musk's request to move his securities fraud trial from San Francisco to Texas.

Musk's lawyers had claimed too many potential jurors would be biased against him after he took over San Francisco-based Twitter and promptly laid off half of its staff.

In a hearing Friday, the presiding judge disagreed, saying Musk "does have a lot of fans out there."

Elon Musk has lost his bid to move his upcoming securities fraud trial to Texas from San Francisco over concerns of a potentially biased jury.

Musk's legal team recently asked to move the trial out of San Francisco, arguing that too many potential jurors would be biased against Musk after he recently took over Twitter and laid off half of its staff.

In a motion filed last Friday, Musk's attorney, Alex Spiro, argued that a "substantial portion of the jury pool in this District is likely to hold a personal and material bias against Mr. Musk as a result of recent layoffs at one of his companies as individual prospective jurors  or their friends and relatives  may have been personally impacted.

Spiro claimed such bias was compounded by "negative and inflammatory local publicity" around Musk's management of Twitter and that it would have made it impossible for Musk to get a fair trial in the city. He petitioned for the trial to take place in Texas instead; Musk moved Tesla's headquarters from Palo Alto, California to Austin, Texas in 2021.

In a hearing Friday, US District Judge Edward Chen rejected the relocation request.

"The proof is in the pudding," Chen said, according to Bloomberg. "Mr. Musk does have a lot of fans out there."

After Musk's legal team asked to move the trial, lawyers for the Tesla shareholders in the case responded by poking fun at Musk.

"What they refer to as 'biased' coverage is, in fact, factual reporting about his management of Twitter, Inc., and has no bearing on the jury's ability to render a fair verdict," attorneys Adam Apton and Adam McCall wrote. "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."

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The shareholder's attorneys added that out of roughly 200 prospective jurors, only two or three said they knew someone who worked for Twitter.

The shareholders' class-action lawsuit concerns a 2018 tweet from Musk in which he said he was considering taking Tesla private at $420 per share and had "funding secured" to do so. When no such deal happened, Musk paid a $20 million fine and settled fraud charges with the SEC, which accused him of making "false and misleading statements." As part of the settlement, he neither admitted nor denied the allegations, but he resigned as chairman of the electric car company.

The upcoming trial will determine if Musk's tweets affected Tesla's stock, if the company or its board of directors should be held liable, and if investors are entitled to damages.

Musk, his legal team, and Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A federal judge on Friday rejected Tesla CEO Elon Musk's bid to move or delay a trial over a misleading tweet about a potential buyout of the electric automaker, setting the stage for the mercurial billionaire to be thrust into a legal drama amid the turmoil of his Twitter takeover.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen came during a hearing held in San Francisco federal court to go over the final details of a trial scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection.

Musk's attorneys last week asked Chen to transfer the trial to a federal court in Texas, where Tesla moves its headquarters in 2021, arguing that negative coverage of Musk since his $44 billion purchase of Twitter in October had poisoned the jury pool in the San Francisco Bay Area.

But Chen brushed aside those concerns Friday, and expressed confidence that a panel of impartial jurors could be drawn from a region populated by millions of people. He also noted that a jury was pulled together for trial in the highly publicized criminal trial of former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, whose transformation from a Silicon Valley star to accused swindler was the subject of an HBO documentary and book before those proceedings began in nearby San Jose, California.

Holmes, 38, is now facing more than 11 years in federal prison of being convicted of investor fraud and conspiracy.

Musk's upcoming trial revolves around a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of Tesla shareholders who allege they were duped by a n Aug. 7, 2018 tweet in which he 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.

Chen already has determined that Musks 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, Teslas shares are now worth nearly six times more than at the time of Musks tweets about the bogus buyout.

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Tesla's stock was even worth even more before Musk decided to buy Twitter for a price that even he conceded was far more than the company was worth. Tesla's shares, currently hovering around $120, have lost nearly half their value since Musk took control of Twitter, partially affecting investor concerns that he is spending too much time running privately held Twitter instead of focusing at the automaker responsible for most of his fame and wealth at a time it's facing tougher competition.

Musk, 51, has said he will step down as Twitter's CEO as soon as he can find a replacement, but has not set a timetable for handing off the reins. To help reduce Twitter's losses and reduce the massive debt stemming from the purchase, Musk has laid off about half of that company's staff and is facing allegations of refusing to pay the rent at some offices.

Media coverage of mass layoffs and other cutbacks at Twitter were one of the main reasons that Musk's lawyer, Alex Spiro, argued for the trial to be moved or at least delayed until the backlash to the harsh measures died down.

But the lawyers representing Tesla shareholders in the case 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.

After sifting through about 200 juror questionnaires submitted earlier this week, Spiro argued many of them were peppered with derogatory remarks about Musk that underscored how difficult it will be for him to get a fair trial.

Some of those unflattering remarks surfaced during Friday's hearing as Chen pored through the questionnaires in preparation for Tuesday's jury selection. The judge disqualified jurors who he said had variously described Musk as an idiot" and a buffoon."
The House passed a bill that would restrict sales of the countrys reserve oil to entities with Chinese ownership or influence.

Meanwhile, a new analysis has found ExxonMobil had fairly accurate predictions on climate change in the past decades, and federal agencies are saying that last year was either the the fifth or sixth-hottest year on record.

This is Energy & Environment, your source for the latest news focused on energy, the environment and beyond. For The Hill, were Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk. Subscribe here.

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SPR-China bill passes House in bipartisan vote

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.

Expert skepticism: 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 went.

Some of the companies that were able to buy oil from the release are U.S. subsidiaries of foreign companies.

Story continues

What each side has to say:

Republicans argued 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 (R-Wash.), according to a copy of her floor remarks.



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, read a copy of his remarks.

Read more about the legislation here.





Exxon predicted current climate change in 70s: study

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 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 published Thursday in Environmental Research Letters.

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.



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 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.

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.

Read more about the new analysis here, from The Hills Saul Elbein.





2022 IS FIFTH OR SIXTH WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD: NASA AND NOAA

The average surface temperature for Earth during 2022 tied with 2015 as the fifth-warmest on record, NASA found in an analysis.

The agency said in a press release on Thursday that global temperatures during last year were 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit above its average for its baseline period of 1951 to 1980.



The past nine years have also been the warmest since modern recording of temperatures began in 1880.

This warming trend is alarming, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in the release. 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.

Earth in 2022 was about 2 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the average temperature of the late 1800s.

Meanwhile, a separate independent analysis from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that the global average temperature during 2022 was the sixth-highest since 1880.

NOAA uses most of the same data as NASA but uses a baseline period of 1901 to 2000 and a different methodology.

Read more here, from The Hills Jared Gans.





WHAT WERE READING

Nevada outlines framework for Colorado River cuts as states show their cards (The Nevada Independent)

How the Hummer is fueling a backlash against electric trucks (E&E News)

To get off fossil fuels, America is going to need a lot more electricians (Grist)

How India Became the Most Important Country in the Climate Fight (Time)





MORE FROM THE HILL

 Lighter click: Combining nature and pop culture



Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Energy & Environment page for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
[Source]

Chinese authorities have detained Li Hejun, the billionaire founder of thin-film solar panel firm Hanergy, local media reported on Wednesday.

Li, once dubbed China's richest man, has reportedly not been seen since his arrest by Liaoning police in the Chinese city of Jinzhou on Dec. 17, 2022.

While some news sites reported that the reason for his detention was unclear, Chinese news outlet Jiemian News attributed Li's arrest to his companys links to the Bank of Jinzhou.

According to reports, Lis company borrowed close to 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.5 billion) from the bank when its subsidiary, Hanergy Thin Film, launched its initial public offering on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The company raised 6 billion Hong Kong dollars (approximately $768 million) at the exchange.

More from NextShark: Pakistani-Chinese Boy Bullied in Canada By Kids 'Testing Him for Coronavirus

By April 2015, Hanergy was worth over $45 billion, with shares surging 625 percent over the past year. This made Li Chinas wealthiest man with a net worth of $26 billion, according to the research group Hurun Report.

However, his company's rapid growth fueled speculations from regulators, analysts and investors about whether it was engaged in market manipulation.

In May 2015, a sudden sell-off saw the companys value drop by 47 percent, with $18.6 billion wiped off its market value in less than an hour.

More from NextShark: Man with gun 'arsenal' is arrested for 'random' fatal shooting of Indian student outside Toronto subway

The company was later delisted after being investigated and eventually banned from the Hong Kong stock exchange in 2019.

The Bank of Jinzhou, which later announced that it had lost over $740 million in 2018 and 2019, was bailed out by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

The news of Li's arrest comes amid a continued clampdown against tech billionaires and just days following reports that billionaire Jack Ma had given up control of leading Chinese financial technology provider Ant Group.

More from NextShark: Teen Who Pushed Elderly Thai Man to His Death Pleads Not Guilty to Murder

Media pundits have attributed Lis wealth to his connections as well as the available government subsidies offered freely to the sustainable energy industry.

Story continues

"A lot of people have gotten rich and powerful in today's China thanks to key state policies, with the help of various personal connections," current affairs commentator Zong Tao was quoted by Radio Free Asia as saying. "This kind of company is very common. They typically have no core technology and rely entirely on trading off government policies [and subsidies]."

Related stories:

More from NextShark: NJ Teen Gets $2,500 'Police Overtime' Bill for Leading Peaceful BLM Protest, Mayor Steps In
Photo: The Canadian Press

Apple CEO Tim Cook will take a more than 40% pay cut this year from a year earlier as the company adjusts how it calculates his compensation partly based on a recommendation from Cook himself.

Apple Inc. said in a regulatory filing late Thursday that Cook's target total compensation is $49 million for 2023, with a $3 million salary, $6 million cash incentive and $40 million in equity awards.

Last March the Cupertino, California, company conducted an advisory shareholder vote on executive pay with 6.21 billion shares voting in favor of the executive pay package and 3.44 billion against. There were also abstentions and broker non-votes.

Apple said its compensation committee took into account shareholder feedback, the company's performance and a recommendation from Cook, who was promoted to CEO in 2011, to adjust his compensation in light of the feedback received.

Apple said last year it sought feedback from shareholders about compensation and it received overwhelming support for Mr. Cooks exceptional leadership and the unprecedented value he has delivered for shareholders....Those shareholders we spoke with that did not support our 2022 Say on Pay proposal consistently cited the size and structure of the 2021 and 2022 equity awards granted to Mr. Cook as the primary reason for their voting decision, the company said.

Cook has received a $3 million base salary for the past three years, but his total compensation  which includes the restricted awards  jumped from $14.8 million in 2020 to $98.7 million in 2021 and $99.4 million in 2022.

Apple said Cook supported the changes to his compensation.

The company plans to position Cooks annual target compensation between the 80th and 90th percentiles relative to its primary peer group for future years, according to the filing.

The company will hold its annual meeting March 10.

In midday trading, Apple shares edged down to $133. The stock has declined about 23% in the past year.
(Reuters) -The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Friday it plans to issue advice for physicians using Novartis AG's Zolgensma, calling on them to monitor patients for any liver injury after treatment.

The statement follows two deaths due to liver failure after treatment with the gene therapy against spinal muscular atrophy, reported by Novartis in August.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a group of rare genetic disorders which affect the nerve cells and cause muscle wasting and weakness.

The advice for healthcare professionals has yet to be approved by further expert panels at EMA, which typically takes a few weeks.

Novartis said it had notified health authorities of the deaths and sent letters to update healthcare providers on liver safety in markets including the United States in August.

In Europe, however, such letters had been the subject of discussions with EMA, but Novartis would soon be cleared to send them in EU member states, it added.

The EMA said that if patients do not respond adequately to treatment with corticosteroids, treating physicians should consult specialists and consider adjusting the corticosteroid regimen.

Infusion drug Zolgensma competes with Roche's oral drug Evrysdi and Biogen's spinal injection Spinraza.

It won conditional EU approval during early 2020 and it costs more than $2 million per patient.

(Reporting by Raghav Mahobe, Manas Mishra in Bengaluru and Ludwig Burger in Frankfurt; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta, Shailesh Kuber, Kirsten Donovan)
A recent view of Milan. (Mairo Cinquetti/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

BARCELONA, Spain  A report released Friday morning by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) found that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on the continent was improving compared with the spikes of new cases and hospitalizations experienced in December.

But experts who spoke with Yahoo News painted a much less encouraging picture, saying the ECDC Country Overview Report is based on incomplete, inexact data from 30 European countries.

[D]ue to changes in testing strategies," which continue, "and the end-of-year holidays, these numbers are a vast underestimate of the true picture, a spokesperson from the World Health Organization told Yahoo News in an email. The WHO works with the ECDC in helping to compile its assessments.

Former WHO crisis manager Daniel Lopez Acuna, who now resides in Spain, agrees that the new ECDC report assessing the state of the pandemic is not providing an accurate appraisal.

The report tries to give an optimistic perspective on the state of COVID-19 transmission in Europe, but it contradicts itself when it admits that delays in reporting, not enough diagnostic tests and [holiday behavior] may be hiding the real magnitude of the problem, Lopez Acuna told Yahoo News. He believes that part of the underreporting, however, is due to a collective denial that has set in across Europe. All governments want to close this book and go to the next issue.

A research assistant at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in England prepares a sample for genomic sequencing, a practice that is no longer being pursued by some European countries. (Frank Augstein/AP)

Over the past year, many European health ministries have simply stopped reporting important COVID information. Spain, for example, now tracks cases only of citizens over age 60. Germany, Portugal and Poland are among eight countries not reporting hospitalizations; Sweden, which saw the highest number of COVID patients requiring medical care since early 2021, declared in April that COVID was no longer a health emergency and stopped reporting numbers.

Lopez Acuna points out that thanks to important data consistently missing from recent ECDC reports, Europes true COVID landscape is blurred and underestimated. Other health experts concur.

Story continues

Were only getting half the picture, Salvador Macip, director of health sciences at the Open University of Catalonia, told Yahoo News.

Since most health ministries stopped routinely testing citizens and many countries dropped genomic sequencing, were flying blind, said Martin McKee, professor of public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Those reporting issues came despite assurances from Germanys top virologist, who announced in December that the pandemic was finally over. Days later, reports broke about a new and more infectious variant, XBB.1.5, gaining ground in the U.S., and China experienced a surge of new cases after dropping strict zero-COVID policies.

Airport workers wearing protective masks and suits help a Chinese traveler at an airport near Rome. (Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images)

Protests in December prompted Chinas government to reopen the country, allowing citizens to freely travel  and cases promptly spiked. Earlier this month, some scientists estimated that China was experiencing a million new cases of COVID a day; on Dec. 25, the Financial Times reported that some 250 million people in China had contracted COVID in the first three weeks of December.

On Dec. 28, Italy became the first European country to demand testing of passengers landing from China, a demand met largely with disapproval, including from the ECDC, which issued a statement saying the agency considered screenings and travel measures on travelers from China unjustified.

When Italys initial tests of passengers from China showed that almost half of them tested positive for the virus, criticism quickly died down, and France (which was finding that about one-third of passengers arriving from China were testing positive), Spain, the U.K. and other European countries followed suit with their own testing requirements.

On Jan. 4, the European Union recommended that all 27 member states adopt a temporary requirement that passengers on flights originating in China show proof of a recent negative PCR test prior to flying and be required to wear a high-quality mask on board. It also recommended random testing of arriving passengers and surveying airport wastewater, with positive results of both to be sequenced.

Thus far, 10 of the EUs 27 countries have adopted the recommended measures, though they remain controversial, with some experts urging that all airplane passengers be required to take preflight tests and that a masking requirement be reinstated across the board. With the measures applying only to flights from China, and with only some countries putting them in place, its like putting up a gate in a wide-open field, Macip said.

A passenger gives his passport to a worker at Malpensa Airport in Milan on Dec. 29, after Italy ordered COVID antigen swabs and virus sequencing for all travelers coming from China. (Jennifer Lorenzini/Reuters)

Its not a panacea, Lopez Acuna said of the policies singling out China, but its going to help deter incoming cases into Europe.

With incomplete COVID data coming from China, "It is not unreasonable for countries to take precautionary measures to protect their populations, while we are awaiting more detailed information," Dr. Hans Kluge, regional director of WHO Europe, said at a press conference on Tuesday, adding that WHO is urging measures "to be rooted in science, to be proportionate and non-discriminatory."

While the initial concern was that passengers from China would introduce new variants into Europe, none have yet been detected.

In a Jan. 3 advisory, the ECDC sought to allay fears about new COVID variants from China.

The variants circulating in China are already circulating in the EU, and as such are not challenging for the immune response of EU/EEA citizens, the agency wrote. In addition, EU/EEA citizens have relatively high immunization and vaccination levels, [thus] a surge in cases in China is not expected to impact the COVID-19 epidemiological situation in the EU/EEA.

Lopez Acuna challenges that assertion, pointing out that immunity in Europe is weakening, as a mere 13% of the European population has received the second, more potent bivalent booster that addresses Omicron variants as well.

It is possible that new increases in cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 will be observed in the coming weeks, an ECDC spokesperson said in an email to Yahoo News, however, it will be very difficult to attribute this to travelers as overall increases in COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations have already been detected in November and December.

People arrive to receive COVID-19 vaccine boosters at a vaccination center in Turin, Italy, on Dec. 30. (Jessica Pasqualon/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Lopez Acuna is also extremely concerned that XBB.1.5, the so-called Kraken variant, which appears to be more severe than prior strains, is showing resistance to monoclonal antibody treatments and is causing a considerable increase in hospitalization and mortality on the East Coast of the US.

The ECDCs advisory on XBB.1.5 earlier this week struck him as wishy-washy. In its Jan. 9 advisory bulletin, the agency wrote that the new variant has already been found in 16 European countries, but that the rapid growth in the U.S. does not necessarily mean that the variant will become dominant in the EU/EEA, since major differences in variant circulation between North America and Europe have been observed several times during the pandemic. The notice conceded, however, that there is a risk that the variant could become problematic for Europe, but not within the coming month.

Lopez Acuna bristles at that messaging. Its serious, but not very serious, and we dont have to worry, he said sardonically. He added that its unclear exactly how much Kraken is already circulating in the EU, since most countries arent sequencing positive test results. Overall, he believes the ECDC has been acting very naively at a critical juncture.

We are facing two real emergencies of different natures  one of a variant that is much more serious, Kraken, Lopez Acuna added. And in the second case, you have a pandemic dynamic that is creating a huge number of contagions and hospitalizations and deaths. So its not just Kraken thats the threat or China thats the threat. Its the sum of both that threatens the delicate balance we were attaining with respect to the pandemic. And that is why the fight must continue.

A streetcar in Erfurt, Germany, requires customers to have "mouth-nose protection." (Martin Schutt/picture alliance via Getty Images)

As a result, COVID cases in Europe are likely to shoot higher, according to both Lopez Acuna and Macip. With more virus circulating, were going to have more cases in Europe, Macip said, adding that hes worried about the effects on already overwhelmed hospitals. Whether its a tsunami or a small wave, he said, depends on a variety of factors, including whether Europeans take precautions, including masking  a recommendation that the WHO reinforced on Friday.

On Friday afternoon, as if on cue, the ECDC released an updated threat assessment. According to the current ECDC assessment, it said, there is moderate probability of XBB.1.5 becoming dominant in the EU/EEA and causing a substantial increase in the number of COVID-19 cases within the next one to two months. In an accompanying press release the agency wrote, In light of this, ECDC recommends carrying out appropriate testing and sequencing, increasing COVID-19 vaccination uptake, and reinforcing infection prevention and control measures. Non-pharmaceutical interventions such as staying home when ill, teleworking, good ventilation of indoor spaces and appropriate use of face masks should also be considered.
Read also: President of the European Parliament calls for Leopards tanks to be sent to Ukraine

The European Parliament group Alliance 90/The Greens submitted an amendment to the report on the foreign and security policy of the EU, which calls on Scholz without further delay to take the initiative in creating a consortium of European states to send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.

The report will be submitted for a vote by the parliament next week.

Indicating a softening posture, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht no longer rules out that Berlin will make Leopards available to Kyiv.

Read also: No credible rationale for Berlin to refuse to give tanks to Ukraine, FM Kuleba says

In the current times we are advised to adapt to the respective situation, Lambrecht said on Jan. 12, responding to a question about sending modern tanks to Ukraine.

On Jan. 7, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola welcomed Germany's decision to supply Ukraine with Marder IFVs and also spoke in favor of supplying Leopard tanks.

Read also: German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visits Kharkiv

On Jan. 10, when commenting on supplies of Leopard tanks to Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany considers that it is necessary to coordinate arms supplies to Ukraine with its allies, rather than act independently.

On Jan. 7, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak confirmed that Ukraine is negotiating with its international partners about the transfer of heavy tanks, specifically  the German-made Leopard-2s. According to him, the discussions are already at the finish line.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Jeremy Allen White as Carmen

Jeremy Allen White as Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto on FX's "The Bear."

PASADENA, Calif.  Last summer, the FX series The Bear became a surprise hit and cultural phenomenon. According to the network, the small, scrappy show about a high-end chef taking over his late brothers Italian beef restaurant in Chicago was its most watched comedy series ever. In addition, the series spawned everything from essays appreciating its accuracy in portraying the high-octane stress of working in restaurants and depicting a toxic workplace, to thirsty memes about star Jeremy Allen White.

But as they head into Season 2, the shows cast and co-showrunners Chris Storer and Joanna Calo are trying not to let all of the attention get to their heads. Instead, theyre leaning into the attention to detail they established in Season 1, they told reporters Thursday at the Television Critics Associations winter press tour.

The main thing I feel that we picked up on was the different kinds of chemistry that people had together, Calo told HuffPost, when asked about what details in Season 1 they noticed from the actors during filming and then wanted to incorporate more when writing Season 2. I think thats one of the things I love the most about their performances, is how I think they all like each other as humans, but each relationship is different and has its own quality. And I think we picked up on those special moments and tried to write to that.

Storer added that they also tried to write more for actors who were underutilized in Season 1, like Liza Colon-Zayas as Tina and Edwin Lee Gibson as Ebraheim. Writing, now that weve gotten to know them closely, its so fun, because Jos right. You see sort of the chemistry in certain pairs, Storer said. But you also sort of see, like, Oh, man, we should really let Liza do this or Edwin do this. We can really see how we can bring them into the fold more.

Storer said he and White thought of the shows first season as Lets catch up, whereas Season 2 is sort of like where the show properly begins, once we sort of have met everyone and seen the backstory totally.

Story continues

The Bear will return in early summer with 10 episodes, two more than the first seasons eight, FX announced Thursday. Calo and Storer said the episodes have been written, but production has not begun yet. So naturally, they were pretty tight-lipped about revealing any plot points and details about Season 2.

"The Bear" co-showrunners Christopher Storer and Joanna Calo at the FX Networks Winter TCA 2023 Press Tour panel for "The Bear" at the Langham Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California, on Thursday.

Season 1 ends with Whites character Carmy deciding to revamp The Beef into a more upscale restaurant of his own. Storer said to expect the second season to explore the growing pains of building a new restaurant, and the disagreements among the characters.

Part of the reason why I even wanted to make the show in the first place was I probably became unhealthily obsessed with time in a lot of instances, and it can create anxiety, and theres no better setting than a restaurant for the pressures of that, Storer said. Ostensibly, they think theyre starting from a healthy place. But a restaurant, like a lot of other businesses, just creates the same amount of problems and the same amount of headaches every day. So we see them have to step up in different ways  and in some ways, regress  and ultimately hopefully come back together to open this thing by a very specific date.

Storer and Calo also said theyve had a lot of discussions about the pandemics effects on the restaurant industry, and how the last few years led to a reckoning in terms of working conditions at restaurants: more attention to mental and physical health, better hours and higher wages. Calo said that in Season 2, Sydney, played by Ayo Edebiri, would be the kind of person who would be trying to bring the new ideas. How are we going to take care of each other? How are we going to do business in 2023?

Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Courtney Storer, Abby Elliott and Edwin Lee Gibson attend the FX Networks Winter TCA 2023 Press Tour panel for

Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Courtney Storer, Abby Elliott and Edwin Lee Gibson attend the FX Networks Winter TCA 2023 Press Tour panel for "The Bear" on Thursday.

And while the shows breakneck pace will likely continue, Storer said Season 2 will build out the characters more slowly, compared to Season 1.

We all kind of decided early on that were just going to throw people into this. Were going to trust that youre going to either be on the ride or not, he said. I think by parceling it out, it allowed us to sort of just really put people that are really good at their jobs or messing up their jobs, and letting the sort of pressures of that world create cracks between them. And I think on Season 2, its almost like an opportunity to maybe slow down a little bit and learn some things that we sort of skipped over in Season 1.

As production on Season 2 begins next month, the cast and producers are all hoping not to let the pressure and high expectations from the shows fans get to them.

Im confident we can get back in our bubble, and there will be some muscle memory to it, White said. But I do remember I was texting Joanna in the summer, just kind of checking in: How are you feeling with all of this craziness? And she asked me the same. And I was like, its good, but theres a lot of opinions and a lot of ideas being thrown at us that arent necessarily our own. And, I mean, thats a beautiful thing, because people take away what they take away from something, and thats television and film. They get what they get. But it was nerve-wracking. It is a little nerve-wracking, just having other peoples ideas and opinions about the show that arent our own. Were standing here right now and trying to make something as true and pure as we did the first time around.

The cast, showrunners and producers of

The cast, showrunners and producers of "The Bear."

I told him, Stop looking at that, Calo added. That was my kind advice.

The shows two resident restaurant experts  chef Matty Matheson, who plays Carmys friend Neil Fak and also serves as an executive producer, and Courtney Storer, the shows culinary producer and sister of Chris Storer  said its similar to the pressure of sustaining a critically acclaimed restaurant.

When you have a restaurant that has success, that starts getting the reviews, the thing is, you dont want to listen to all the good, you dont want to listen to all the bad. You want to keep doing what you were doing. You dont want to lose sight, and you dont want to believe everything that everyones saying, Matheson said. You want to be like: What am I doing? What is my vision? It got me here.

Courtney Storer  who described her job as consulting on everything from the accuracy of the food styling to the way the actors move as chefs in a restaurant  compared making The Bear to opening a new restaurant. You have so much pressure, but you cant pay attention, she said. You just have to execute, right?

Calo joked shes trying to lower expectations by telling everyone its going to be bad, she said. Ive been telling a lot of people this, and Im hoping the message will get out. Because then maybe youll be surprised if its not so bad.

Its trash, White quipped.

Its trash, baby, Calo said.

Season 2 of The Bear will premiere this summer on Hulu.

Related...
By Julie Zhu, Kevin Huang and Jing Xu

(Reuters) -Chinese authorities are set to allow Didi Global's ride-hailing and other apps back on domestic app stores as soon as next week, five sources told Reuters, in yet another signal that their two-year regulatory crackdown on the technology sector is ending.

Didi has been awaiting authorities' approval to resume new user registrations and downloads of its 25 banned apps in China as a key step to resume normal business since its regulatory troubles started in mid-2021.

The lifting of the new user ban and app resumption for its flagship ride-hailing services and other business could take place before the Lunar New Year which begins on Jan. 22, said four of the sources.

The one-week-long holiday period in China would help Didi start to attract new clients for the business and work towards bringing it back to normal, added two of the sources.

A lifting of the ban on Didi apps would come as Chinese policymakers seek to restore private sector confidence and count on the technology industry to help spur economic activity that has been ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.

China's central bank will step up support for private firms as part of steps to shore up the economy, while easing a crackdown on tech companies, Guo Shuqing, Communist party chief of the People's Bank of China, told state-owned CCTV on Sunday.

A restoration of apps would also signal Didi's completion of its one year and a half-long regulatory-driven revamp, and will come after the powerful cyber watchdog Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) imposed in July a $1.2 billion fine on the company.

Didi already last year paid the fine, the largest regulatory penalty imposed on a Chinese tech firm since Alibaba Group and Meituan were fined $2.75 billion and $527 million, respectively, in 2021 by the antitrust regulator State Administration for Market Regulation, said two of the sources.

Didi did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

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CAC and the State Council Information Office, which handles media queries for the government, did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

The penalty on Didi was part of Beijing's sweeping and unprecedented crackdown on the country's technology titans over the past two years that has sliced hundreds of billions of dollars off their values and shrunk revenues and profits.

Chinese regulators, led by the CAC, have in recent weeks restarted to push forward with Didi's app resumption approval process, said two of the sources and another source with knowledge of the matter.

The regulators, which last week submitted a report on the matter to the top party leaders, look to formally get the latter's nod in the next few days, two of them added.

REGULATORY WOES

Didi, launched in Beijing in 2012 and backed by prominent investors including Alibaba, Tencent and SoftBank Group, ran afoul of the CAC when in 2021 it pressed ahead with its U.S. stock listing against the regulator's will, sources previously told Reuters.

That move triggered regulatory woes for Didi, with its 25 mobile apps ordered to be taken down from app stores, registration of new users suspended, and it getting slapped with the fine over data-security breaches.

Didi was also forced to end its 11-month-long journey as a New York Stock Exchange-traded company in June last year, turning it from a poster child of China's internet boom to one of the biggest casualties of Beijing's regulatory crackdown.

The firm previously hoped the U.S. delisting and a hefty penalty would put to rest its regulatory woes and had expected to relaunch the apps in September after updating them to ensure they are compliant, two sources have said.

However, the return of Didi's banned apps had been delayed amid China's ruling Communist Party's twice-a-decade congress and central leadership reshuffle in November and COVID-19 outbreaks in many cities across the country after Beijing abruptly lifted tough virus curbs late last year.

The delay in the return of the apps had cast a shadow over Didi's business plans.

Reuters reported in June Didi was in advanced talks with state-backed Sinomach Automobile to buy a third of its electric-vehicle unit in a bid to help cushion the impact of the pandemic on its core ride-hailing business.

That deal is primarily subject to the apps' resumption for official announcement, said the two sources.

Didi has also been hit badly by the regulatory woes which chipped away at its dominance and allowed rival ride-hailing services operated by automakers Geely and SAIC Motor to gain market share across the country.

(Reporting by Julie Zhu, Kevin Huang and Xu Jing; Editing by Sumeet Chatterjee and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Labuan, Malaysia - (NewMediaWire) - January 13, 2023 - Exfor, an LFSA-regulated and recognized trading platform combining cutting-edge technology and deep-level knowledge to revolutionize the forex market, has launched a new business model. According to the team, this model will allow Exfor to eliminate a few challenges facing the fx market, opening up opportunities for potential growth and expansion. Today's market is a minefield for retail investorsthey pay the most, receive information at the slowest pace, and are not regulated. Exfor's business model will allow the average trader to execute trades on the same level as the top dogs from Wall Street. Exfor's newfangled financial model is a subscription-based one. Clients would need to subscribe either monthly, quarterly, or annually to receive raw spreads and exclusive entry into the forex market. As one of the novel products of this company, Exfor is focused on challenging the status quo of the financial market, leading the movement to dispel incumbent problems and espousing progressive, innovative ideas. The first-of-its-kind in the forex market, the subscription format aligns perfectly with Exfor's goal to continuously and diligently ameliorate how users enter financial markets. Exfor further integrates a separate bank account where clients' funds are securely stored. The Unique Financial Model Exfor's newly launched subscription model will see clients pay a monthly fee of $25 and receive first-grade spreads and unlimited access to over eighty financial instruments, as stated on the website. The subscription-based model rids any form of company-client conflicts that may arise, offering clients transparent, secure, and innovative access to the forex market. Exfor's subscription model eliminates commissions. Subscribed members will receive raw spreads and will not need to pay a commission for each transaction. The Exfor team understands the market condition and users and aims to cater to their needs through this subscription-based approach. Exfor, unlike its competitors, strives to create a genuinely transparent and commission-free platform where users not only have financial freedom but are free to take as many trading actions as they see fit. Clients will get full and unrestricted access to spreads at a zero commission rate for monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription plans. Exfor's newfangled business model will allow traders to get away from the enslaving and unprotected systems of payment platforms. Users only need to make a minimum payment as a monthly subscription package instead of paying huge percentages as commission from their successful trades. This business model is the first in the market; no other competitor offers such a lucrative offer to private investors. "Usually, a trader pays a lot of commissions for his transactions, which is ten times more than a trader on stocks. We, for $25 a month, give such an excellent opportunity as the lowest spread on the market and full transparency of all our transactions," the Exfor team states. The Exfor Team The Exfor team comprises experts and professionals in the forex and tech development industries. Ivan Marchena's decade of experience in financial technology is a testament to Exfor's mission to employ only the best minds in the field. Another brilliant mind on the Exfor team is Khaled Alkheder, a renowned financial consultant with a Ph.D. in International Economics. Khaled's over half of a decade's experience in the financial and banking sector as Regional Head for many brokerage firms comes in handy at Exfor. Roadmap, Incumbent, and Potential Partnerships Exfor is committed to delivering a veritable, secure, and technologically advanced trading platform for clients. The company has partnered with various technical development support firms like FxBackOffice, Brokeree Solutions, Metaquotes, Your Bourse, etc. The team hopes to keep collaborating with more tech-based firms, and currently, negotiations are underway with renowned representatives in the fx market. Exfor plans to expand the company, entering new markets in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. While offices are scattered in most parts, Exfor plans to enter fresh markets like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Jordan, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, etc. Additionally, the team is working to build an investment bank within the next two years. About Exfor Exfor is a recognized and regulated trading service provider constantly seeking to improve existing trading products and conditions. Through this novel and unprecedented subscription-based financial model, Exfor will eliminate some of the obstacles hindering the growth of the fx market. Exfor Limited, in addition to safeguarding of client funds, offers a Client Fund Protection Policy via Insurance Policy Number: AMK/0908345/908680/2022 issued by the Africa Merchant Assurance Co.ltd. Sum insured: up to USD 1,000,000 per claimant. Media Contact Company Name: Exfor Company Contact Person: Ivan Marchena, Head of Business Development Company Website: https://www.exfor.com/about-us Email: info@exfor.com
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

Despite sowing uncertainty about the existence and cause of global climate change, Exxon privately projected global warming with frightening accuracy for decades, a new study reveals.

By digitizing and analyzing internal documents produced by ExxonMobil scientists between 1977 and 2002, a team of Harvard and University of Potsdam researchers put numbers behind recent rallying cries and hashtags that Exxon Knew that burning fossil fuels would contribute to an increase in the global average temperature.

Our findings demonstrate that ExxonMobil didnt just know something about global warming decades agothey knew as much as academic and government scientists knew, the authors wrote in the study, which was published in Science on Jan. 12. The oil and gas multinationals data outright paralleled the state-of-the-art work other research institutions around the world were pursuing. But instead of being made available to help support the alarms raised about climate change, the company chose instead to dissemble its findings and publicly call for skepticism on climate change and its causes.

Exxon Cleared of Misleading Investors in Climate Change Trial

This analysis shows the importance of interdisciplinary archival work to bring scientific data to light, Shaina Sadai, the Hitz Fellow for Litigation-Relevant Science at the Union of Concerned Scientists, told The Daily Beast. Sadai, who was not involved in the research, said that the internal climate projects betray a level of scientific sophistication and understanding from ExxonMobil scientists about the impact of the companys actions.

I think this connects a lot of the dots, she said.

In a statement, ExxonMobil spokesperson Todd Spitler told The Daily Beast, 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. On a webpage dedicated to Understanding the #ExxonKnew controversy, the company takes aim at media investigations by the Columbia School of Journalism and Inside Climate News, the latter of which was named a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for its stories on the cover-up. Those stories, ExxonMobil argues, were bought and paid for by foundations including the Rockefeller Family Fund.

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But this company line no longer holds up, according to the authors of the new study. This is the nail-in-the-coffin of ExxonMobils claims that it has been falsely accused of climate malfeasance, study lead author Geoffrey Supran, a Harvard University research associate now affiliated with the University of Miami, said in a press release. Our analysis shows that ExxonMobils own data contradicted its public statements, which included exaggerating uncertainties; criticizing climate models; mythologizing global cooling; and feigning ignorance about whenor ifhuman-caused global warming would be measurable, all while staying silent on the threat of stranded fossil fuel assets.

How Charles Koch Successfully Peddled the Snake Oil of Climate Change Denial

Supran and his colleagues analyzed 32 internal documents and 72 scientific papers published by ExxonMobil scientists, charting climate projections made from the 70s to the aughts along with observed temperature changes and carbon dioxide concentrations. They found that most projectionsbetween 63 and 83 percent, depending on the metric usedwere statistically consistent with subsequently observed temperatures.

All told, ExxonMobil was aware of contemporary climate science, contributed to that science, and predicted future global warming correctly, the researchers wrote.

But successive CEOs repeatedly played down the consensus over climate science. The study details how Lee Raymond and Rex Tillerson (who would later become Donald Trumps first secretary of state) made statements while heading ExxonMobil that contradicted their own scientists projections. In 2000, for instance, Raymond said that the science of climate change is uncertain. Thirteen years later, Tillerson repeated the company line about man-made global warming, saying in part the facts remain there are uncertainties around the climate including what the principal drivers of climate change are.

In recent years, however, the company has changed its tune and adopted a stance that critics and researchers alike have described as greenwashing. Our scientists have been involved in the forefront of climate research, understanding and working with the worlds leading experts on climate, Exxon Mobils webpage on climate change reads in part. We are committed to providing affordable energy to support human progress while advancing effective solutions to address climate change.

Had it relayed internal findings accurately to the public and not actively tried to deny its own scientists conclusions, we might think of ExxonMobil along with other scientific powerhouses of the 20th century. In a legal context, its enormously significant to consider how our climate trajectory might have been altered had ExxonMobil been honest about what they knew, Kathy Mulvey, the Union of Concerned Scientists climate accountability campaign director, told The Daily Beast.

Where would we be now if ExxonMobil had joined with others in communicating to the public what ExxonMobil scientists and leadership knew at the time, instead of exploiting it and misusing the notion of scientific uncertainty to mislead people? Mulvey said.

The House Oversight and Reform Committee has repeatedly looked into climate disinformation promulgated by major energy companies including ExxonMobilexecutives unwillingness to denounce past lies in the wake of this research undermines the companies credibility to this day, Mulvey said.

This absolutely puts the onus on the major oil and gas companies to regain credibility with society and policymakers, she added.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Ezra Miller has avoided a jail sentence as they pleaded guilty to trespassing on a neighbours property.

Last year, the actor  who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns  found themselves facing a string of arrests and reports of erratic behaviour stretching from Hawaii to Vermont.

The trespassing incident involving Miller took place on 1 May 2022, when Vermont State Police responded to a burglary complaint in Stamford after several bottles of alcohol had reportedly been taken from a residence while the homeowner was away.

The homeowner said he had been friends with Miller for about 18 years and bought the home a year and half ago in the town, where Miller had also purchased a home.

Miller was charged after police consulted surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses. In October, they pleaded not guilty to stealing the alcohol.

On Friday (13 January), the 30-year-old appeared in court, where they entered a guilty plea for a misdemeanor charge of unlawful trespass.

They received a $500 (410) fine along with court fee charges, a year of probation and conditions including continued mental health treatment.

They avoided a three-month jail sentence for this charge, while two further charges were dropped, including a felony burglary count which could have carried a sentence of 25 years in prison.

Miller, pictured in 2018, accepted a plea deal (Getty Images)

However, Vermont Superior Court judge Kerry Ann McDonald-Cady told Miller that the felony charge could be refiled if they failed to abide by the conditions of probation.

During the nearly 30-minute hearing in Bennington, Miller answered the judge's questions but declined to make a statement.

After the hearing, Miller's attorney Lisa Shelkrot sent a statement on the actors behalf, reading: 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.

Miller was arrested twice last year in Hawaii, including for disorderly conduct and harassment at a karaoke bar.
Re. Ralph Behrens letter End vaxx mandate (Castanet, Jan 12)

It was so refreshing to read Ralph Behrens letter.

I only wish that more practicing nurses and doctors were able to freely express their opinions about COVID, the vaccines and the mandates.

I have spoken to a couple of doctors who are very much on the front line of the current problems that are putting a severe burden on our health care system, and to many nurses. The opinion of the latter has changed significantly over time as they are now seeing the effect of losing many highly qualified medical professionals and hospital managers and administrators.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of professional experience and knowledge has been lost in B.C. I know of nurses who have relocated to (or back to) Alberta and some have left the country for other opportunities. None of them seem particularly impressed with the B.C. system and are happy to have moved on. Many have a very poor opinion of Health Minister Adrian Dix and B.C.s Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.

The number Ralph Behrens refers to (2,500) is significantly higher because of early retirements and people quitting or relocating. Nurses I spoke to said you could easily triple that number. This is a catastrophe for B.C. residents, especially the elderly and vulnerable. They are fearful and most likely to believe (what is) coming from the provincial government.

If "the science is settled, then why does the science change once we cross the border into Alberta? Nobody can explain this paradox, and it indicates (to me) a personal stubbornness and an allegiance to ideology.

My personal impression of the B.C. system is that it has been dismantled by budget and operational decisions over many years. None of this "crisis" is new. We have had hospital overloads almost every winter for 20 years and RSV is not a new disease. Also, budgets and operational decisions have been heavily skewed towards funding hospital administrators and make-work projects.

I have made it my business to avoid having to engage in the B.C. medical system.

Thank you Ralph Behrens for speaking up. The public needs to hear this alternative opinion.

Ricky Daytona, West Kelowna
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP)  A couple dozen fans scored autographs from Jair Bolsonaro on Friday, but the controversial former Brazilian president didnt emerge to greet them after a stint in the hospital earlier this week.

The right-wing populist has been quietly staying with a supporter in an Orlando suburb since leaving Brazil in late December and skipping the Jan. 1 swearing-in of his leftist successor. On Sunday, supporters back home who refused to accept his defeat brazenly attacked the Brazilian capital, prompting some lawmakers there and in the U.S. to demand the Biden administration to expel him.

Eduardo Carvalho, 47, a Brazilian-born realtor and pastor from Kissimmee, Fla., was among those outside the home of mixed martial arts fighter Jose Aldo on Friday. He said the former president hadnt fomented the capital attack and should be left alone.

He came here legally, he didnt do anything wrong and why -- if this is a free country -- would we treat a former president like that? This is a shame, he said.

The supporters handed a security guard outside the residence things like Brazilian-themed T-shirts, hats, banners and pieces of paper to be autographed. One women sent in her shoe.

The man went in three times and each time returned minutes later with Bolsonaros autographs on the items.

Carvalho, who said he supported Bolsonaro because he had promoted family values and home schooling free from indoctrination, said he sent a small gift, a letter and an invitation to a religious gathering.

Bolsonaro was hospitalized Monday with an abdominal adhesion stemming from a 2018 stabbing attack, he wrote on Instagram along with a photo of himself on a bed.

He hasnt posted about his health developments since, but he told a Brazilian media outlet on Tuesday that he would be returning to Brazil before the late-January departure he originally planned.

He entered the U.S. while still president and would likely have held a visa reserved for sitting heads of state, which would grant him at least 30 days following the end of his term before either having to leave or apply for a change of visa.

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A group of 46 Democratic lawmakers wrote to President Joe Biden on Thursday to demand Bolsonaros visa be canceled in the wake of Sundays rampage, in which his supporters trashed Congress, the Supreme Court and presidential palace. The letter said the U.S. should not shelter a leader who has inspired such violence against democratic institutions.

_____

John Raoux in Kissimmee, Fla, contributed to this report.
Jan. 12A federal judge will allow a lawsuit challenging New Hampshire's "banned concepts" law to proceed.

The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Barbadoro means the consolidated case, consisting of two lawsuits challenging the state's divisive concepts law  one filed by educators Andres Mejia and Tina Kim Philibotte, and the National Education Association  New Hampshire, and one from the American Federation of Teachers  moves into a discovery phase and further along towards a trial.

The two lawsuits were consolidated into a single case in March 2022.

The lawsuit focuses on concerns that the law discourages public school teachers from teaching and talking about race, sex, sexual orientation, disability and gender identity in the classroom.

In his ruling, Judge Barbadoro writes, "In sum, the amendments' vague terminology, their lack of a scienter (culpable state of mind) requirement, and the possibility that teachers could be found liable for teaching a banned concept by implication, leave both teachers and enforcers to guess at what speech the amendments prohibit. Given the severe consequences that teachers face if they are found to have taught or advocated a banned concept, plaintiffs have pleaded a plausible claim that the amendments are unconstitutionally vague."

The Republican-led Legislature attached what it called a Right to Freedom from Discrimination and Public Workplaces and Education to the two-year state budget trailer bill that Gov. Chris Sununu signed last June.

It bans teaching in elementary and high schools that any individual, by virtue of his or her race and sex, is "inherently racist" or the teaching that one race or sex is "inherently superior" to another.

Supporters maintain the aim is to prevent the teaching of discrimination. They also said it doesn't ban discussing "as part of a larger course of academic instruction, the historical existence of ideas and subjects" such as racism in public schools.

Philibotte, the chief equity officer for the Manchester School District, and Mejia, the Exeter Region Cooperative School District director of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice, are among the plaintiffs in the case represented by ACLU-NH, and argue that the vague law is an unconstitutional chill on educators' voices that prevents students from having an open and complete dialogue about the perspectives of historically marginalized communities.

"We have dedicated our careers to creating an education community where every student including Black, Brown, and students of color, students from the LGBTQAI+ community, students with disabilities, and students from other historically marginalized identities  feel like they belong," said Philibotte and Mejia in a joint statement. "This law chills the very type of diversity, equity, and inclusion work that is absolutely necessary to ensure that each student is seen, heard, and connected, especially as New Hampshire becomes more diverse. We are relieved that the court recognized that this should proceed, and we will continue to challenge this law."
Washington  The first group of migrants allowed to come to the U.S. legally under an expanded private sponsorship immigration process arrived earlier this week, just days after it was launched by the Biden administration to discourage illegal border crossings, government figures obtained by CBS News show.

Ten migrants have entered the U.S. under the program, which will allow up to 30,000 Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans with American-based financial sponsors to fly into the U.S. each month. The first arrivals occurred Tuesday, five days after the U.S. began accepting applications for the program.

More than 600 additional migrants from these four crisis-stricken countries had been vetted and approved to come to the U.S. as of Friday, according to the unpublished government data. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has also received thousands of applications from prospective sponsors.

Those processed under the sponsorship initiative will be granted parole, a quasi-immigration status that allows them to legally enter, live and work in the U.S. on humanitarian or public interest grounds. The Biden administration has used the same authority to resettle tens of thousands of Ukrainian and Afghan refugees.

The data on arrivals and approved cases show the Biden administration has moved quickly to operationalize an unprecedented program it believes will be key to managing migration along the U.S.-Mexico border amid record levels of migrant apprehensions there.

First unveiled by President Biden last week, the expanded sponsorship program is part of a new strategy his administration hopes will significantly reduce illegal border crossings by pairing expanded lawful migration channels with tougher enforcement measures for those who enter the country without legal permission.

Illegal border crossings have dropped sharply since the measures were announced, a senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told CBS News, requesting anonymity to describe internal data. U.S. border agents are averaging 4,000 daily migrant apprehensions, down from a 7,000 daily average in November, the official said.

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A similar dynamic occurred last fall, when the Biden administration started expelling some Venezuelans to Mexico and allowing others to enter legally if they had financial sponsors. Officials have said the expanded sponsorship program is designed to replicate the perceived success of the policies for Venezuelans.

A Nicaraguan family crosses the Rio Grande river from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua state, Mexico to El Paso, Texas, US to ask for political asylum on December 27, 2022. / Credit: HERIKA MARTINEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Mr. Biden announced last week that migrants from Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua would face immediate expulsion to Mexico if they crossed the southern border unlawfully, an expansion of the Title 42 public health law that was first invoked by the Trump administration at the outset of the pandemic.

The Biden administration also announced it would increase expedited deportations of migrants who can't be processed under Title 42, as well as a proposed regulation that would render migrants ineligible for asylum if they entered the U.S. illegally after failing to ask for protection in third countries like Mexico.

Officials simultaneously unveiled a new process that will allow asylum-seekers to use a mobile app to apply for an appointment to show up at a port of entry to request permission to enter the U.S. The process launched Thursday and the first port of entry appointments are scheduled for Jan 18.

"We can't stop people from making the journey, but we can require that they come here in an orderly way under U.S. law," Mr. Biden said in his White House speech last week.

While the new measures appear to have led to an immediate reduction in illegal border crossings, their long-term impact is unclear. Mr. Biden's revamped border strategy has also garnered criticism from the right and left.

Immigration hardliners have condemned the large-scale use of the parole authority, which they believe should only be invoked in extraordinary cases.

While Biden allies have applauded the expanded sponsorship process, some Democratic lawmakers and progressive advocates have criticized the new measures for relying, at least in part, on Trump-era policies, such as the Title 42 expulsions, which are currently at the center of a case before the Supreme Court.

In a private briefing with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas last week, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus expressed several concerns about the border enforcement policies, particularly the proposal to disqualify some migrants from asylum. The proposal, they noted, resembles a Trump administration asylum restriction that was blocked in federal court.

Human rights activists have also voiced concerns that the sponsorship and port of entry programs will exclude the most destitute and desperate migrants, who may not have access to Wi-Fi, mobile phones, financial means or family members in the U.S. who can sponsor them.

Under the private sponsorship programs that preceded the expanded initiative announced last week, the U.S. has allowed roughly 102,000 Ukrainians and more than 11,000 Venezuelans to enter the country under the parole authority, according to government statistics.

Officials have said those arriving under the sponsorship programs underwent background checks and security screenings.

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A Leon County circuit judge Friday rejected a request by Gov. Ron DeSantis administration to dismiss a lawsuit filed after the state flew about 50 migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in September.

Judge John Coopers ruling set the stage for a full hearing in the constitutional challenge filed by state Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-North Miami Beach. The flights to Marthas Vineyard drew national attention and came as DeSantis, a potential 2024 Republican presidential candidate, frequently criticizes federal immigration policies.

The lawsuit deals with the interplay of the state budget and substantive laws. It contends that part of this years budget used to pay for the flights violated the Florida Constitution because it created a new program and changed laws about issues such as contracting.

I deny the defendants motion to dismiss on the grounds that I think we need to just hear out these issues, Cooper said after a roughly two-hour hearing.

RELATED: DeSantis administration calls lawsuit over Marthas Vineyard migrant flights political theater

Lawmakers included $12 million in the budget for the Department of Transportation to carry out a program to facilitate the transport of unauthorized aliens from this state. The DeSantis administration used $615,000 of that money to pay Vertol Systems Company, Inc. to transport two planeloads of migrants on Sept. 14 from San Antonio, Texas, to Marthas Vineyard, with a stop in the Northwest Florida community of Crestview.

The budget fine print included additional details, such as saying the Department of Transportation, may, upon the receipt of at least two quotes, negotiate and enter into contracts with private parties The lawsuit contends the section of the budget created a program and dealt with other issues that, under the Constitution, would need to be handled through substantive laws.

But Nicholas Meros, a deputy general counsel for DeSantis, disputed during Fridays hearing that the budget created a new program or changed state laws.

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Meros said an immigration-enforcement law (SB 1808) passed last year allowed such flights and the budget details were simply, heres how you spend the money.

Its not creating a new program, Meros said. Its not adding things onto a program.

The lawsuit was named defendants DeSantis, the Department of Transportation and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. While Cooper allowed it to move forward against DeSantis and the department, he dismissed Patronis from the case, saying the CFO only cut the check.

Cooper has scheduled a Jan. 30 final hearing in the case.

RELATED: DeSantis tested on immigration as he weighs 2024 candidacy

While the state spent $615,000 on the September flights, three additional Vertol purchase orders of $950,000 each are listed on a state contracting website for relocation services.

Mark Herron, an attorney for Pizzo, pointed Friday to the possibility of more flights as the case continues.

The governor has said, I intend to spend the entire $12 million, and the CFO has recently just said, I am going to sign these checks because we are going to stick it to the federal government, Herron told reporters after Fridays hearing.

Meros declined to comment as he left the courtroom.

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Leaders of Floridas main education lobbying agency say the latest results of an annual survey they perform should renew concerns about Floridas teacher and support staff vacancy rates, but state officials are calling the claims misleading.

On Thursday, Florida Education Association officials said a survey of all 67 school district websites showed vacancies were up 21% year-over-year. The totals included 5,294 teaching vacancies and 4,631 support staff positions.

In a follow-up interview, FEA President Andrew Spar said Orange County accounted for 300 of the openings, Osceola County has 236 and Brevard has 155.

That means kids who dont have fully trained professional teachers in the classroom right now teaching them in every district in the state of Florida, Spar said. I think they have about 20 vacancies in Flagler County. And thats a county that typically doesnt have very many vacancies in the Central Florida area.

READ: Brevard County set to open its first medical school

Spar said some of the main drivers of this trend were a lack of respect for teachers and public education as well as salary compression. While Florida has taken strides to raise starting salaries for teachers to $47,000 per year, Spar said the average teacher makes $52,000. Veteran teachers, he said, were being forced to retire and find a higher-paying career.

Spar called for the state to use some of its budget surpluses to make a major investment in public education, which he said would take care of the gap.

A $2.5 billion investment each year for the next seven to eight years would go a long way to moving Florida from the bottom of the barrel in funding for public schools to one of the leaders in the nation, he said.

READ: U.S. Dept. of Education proposes student loan safety net to cap payments, cut interest

However, state education officials said Spar was inflating his numbers by using inaccurate ways of counting vacancies. As of September 1, the state had 4,442 teaching vacancies, officials reported, approximately 2.4% of positions or a little more than one per school, while some other states had rates as high as three per school.

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A Department of Education staff member said FEA looked at job postings at a time when districts begin to list positions for the fall. Additionally, they said some vacancies were left open online to create a pool of potential candidates.

School districts frequently advertise positions for a variety of reasons, Department of Education spokesman Alex Lanfranconi said. Rather than spending time and resources perusing the websites of school districts looking for a mythical teacher shortage that does not exist, the union should be supporting our continued efforts to recruit and retain high-quality educators.

READ: Stop WOKE Act puts pressure on Florida universities to cut critical race theory from curriculum

A 2022 analysis of vacancy rates by Brown University researchers found while states in the southeast, chiefly Florida, had the highest number of raw vacancies, Florida had a much lower rate when analyzed per pupil.

The researchers said schools with chronic teacher shortages underperformed on tests compared to their peers.

READ: Natural disasters costing the U.S. billions every year

FEA officials said each district was handling its shortfall differently. Spar said he didnt see Floridas issues as insurmountable, but he wanted more dramatic action to reverse a longstanding trend of declining interest in teaching.

This is about the future of our state. This is about the future of our country. This is about the future of our communities, he said. We need to invest in our schools.

READ: Son of Osceola High football coach killed in shooting

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.
Multnomah County Sheriff

A former personal injury lawyer was sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison on Monday after embezzling millions of dollars from more than a hundred clients to fund her luxurious lifestyle.

The Department of Justice announced on Monday that Lori E. Deveny, 57, defrauded at least 135 clients out of more than $3.8 million in insurance proceeds between April 2011 and May 2019.

The cruelest thing of all is knowingly providing false hope, IRS Special Agent in Charge Bret Kressin said in a statement. Having already suffered losses, Ms. Devenys clients deserved an attorney who represented their best interests. What they got instead was someone who inflicted more loss.

According to the DOJ, Deveny took advantage of her vulnerable clients by forging insurance checks, depositing client funds into her personal bank accounts, and convincing them they would receive compensation for their injuries.

Deveny used the millions of dollars she made from her clients to pay for expensive trips, which included more than $173,000 on an African safari and big game hunting trips, $35,000 on taxidermy expenses for her kills, and $60,000 on multiple stays at a luxury nudist resort in Palm Springs, California.

Deveny was indicted on 24 counts of fraud in 2019 and was charged with mail, bank, and wire fraud, as well as aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and filing a false tax return.

She pleaded guilty in June 2022 to one count each of mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, and filing a false income tax return, as well as two counts of aggravated identity theft. As part of her deal with prosecutors, she agreed to also pay restitution.

Devenys attorneys had argued that she deserved a sentence of five years in prison and said she hoped to take responsibility for her actions. They added she had been in an abusive relationship with her husband, whose compulsive spending habits left the couple unable to pay their bills at the time of the crimes.

Meanwhile, one of Devenys victims, who lost more than $300,000 over the course of 13 years, described the huge impact the crimes had in a letter to the court.

After the paltry compensation from the victims fund, it does not even begin to calculate the actual cost of our lives after this terrible situation, the victim wrote. Our medical bills continue to grow. We experience a higher cost for daily lives because we have had to build special accommodations into every single living situation.
A former bridge tender pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced Tuesday to eight years of probation after a 79-year-old woman fell from a drawbridge  plummeting 60 feet to her death last year in Palm Beach County.

Artissua Lafay Paulk, 44, lifted the Royal Park Bridge on Feb. 6, resulting in the death of Carol Wright, according to West Palm Beach police detectives. Paulk had worked for Florida Drawbridge Inc., a company that manages the bridge, for about a year at the time of Wrights death, according to the Sun Sentinel, which was the first to report Paulks sentencing.

Investigators say Paulk told police she made two separate announcements through the loudspeaker to notify people the bridge was going to open, turned on the red drawbridge traffic lights, waited for a man who was running to get off the bridge, and lowered the traffic and pedestrian gates. She also said she went on the control towers balcony three times to check that there were no cars or pedestrians on the bridge before opening it, according to her arrest report.

However, surveillance cameras  which recorded someone coming out to the balcony and walking around during three earlier bridge openings on Feb. 6  never show Paulk or anyone else on the balcony prior to the 1 p.m. bridge opening (when Wright fell), detectives said.

READ MORE: Bridge tender arrested following death of woman on rising West Palm Beach drawbridge

Her supervisor informed detectives that bridge tenders are required to turn the traffic lights red, and close the traffic and pedestrian gates in addition to walking onto the balcony three different times to ensure there are no vehicles or pedestrians on the bridge before opening it, the report states. If the tender sees someone on the bridge, they are required to open the gates to let them out and check that there is no one else there before allowing the bridge to open.

READ MORE: Tender, supervisor fired following death of woman on rising West Palm Beach drawbridge

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After retrieving a search warrant for Paulks phone, investigators determined she wasnt using her cellphone at the time of the accident. Police did reveal they found deleted text messages between Paulk and her supervisor, sent after Wright fell, discussing what to do.

The supervisor told Paulk to let police know that she walked outside on the control towers balcony three times before raising the bridge. The supervisor also instructed Paulk to delete the text messages.

Paulk, and her supervisor, whom the Herald isnt naming because she wasnt charged, were fired after the former bridge tenders arrest on March 17. In July, Florida Drawbridge Inc. reached an $8.3 million settlement with Wrights family.

Miami Herald staff writer Michelle Marchante contributed to this report.
Police are asking for the publics help to find a man they suspect in a string of violent armed robberies in Fort Worth and Saginaw.

Donavin Copeland, 18, is suspected of robbing convenience stores and a game room and firing a gun at each robbery, Fort Worth police said at a news conference Friday.

Detective Brian Raynsford, who has been investigating robberies for 12 years with the Fort Worth Police Department, said he hasnt seen anyone like this suspect before.

He is one of the most dangerous and violent individuals Ive seen, Raynsford said.

Raynsford said that if anybody sees Copeland they should not approach him, not follow him and not try to interact with him. If you see him, call 911 and avoid him, police urged.

Copeland is suspected of four aggravated armed robberies from Dec. 7, 2022, to Jan. 11, 2023. In three of the robberies, Copeland is suspected of acting alone. In all three, police said he fired a gun.

Police are asking for the publics help in locating Donavin Copeland, the 18-year-old suspected of carrying out four violent armed robberies in Fort Worth and Saginaw since December 2022.

The first robbery police Copeland carried out was Dec. 7, according to the FWPD. Police said Copeland went into a store at 501 North Saginaw Blvd. in Saginaw and fired a gun at the clerk, missing. He then took cash and stole the clerks vehicle, which was recovered the next day in west Fort Worth, according to Raynsford.

On Dec. 27, Raynsford said, Copeland and another man went into a game room at 117 Longhorn Road. There, police said one of the men was armed with a knife and the other with a gun. A witness was pistol-whipped and the robbers took cash and the clerks vehicle, which was recovered the next day in west Fort Worth.

Ryansford said Copeland struck again on Jan. 2, when he opened fire at a convenience store at 6001 N. Main St. and killed a small dog before stealing the clerks car. The car was again recovered the next day in west Fort Worth.

The most recent robbery police have attributed to Copeland was Wednesday, when Raynsford said Copeland went into a convenience store at 101 Longhorn Road in Fort Worth and fired shots into the ceiling. The clerks car was stolen and recovered Thursday, again in west Fort Worth.

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Police believe the man in this surveillance video still image to be Donavin Copeland, 18. Police are asking the public to help them locate Copeland by calling 911 if they see him, but not to follow or confront him as he is extremely dangerous and a clear and present danger to the public and law enforcement.

Police said Copeland does not cover his face when committing robberies and does not seem to care if witnesses see him. All the robberies happened in daylight, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Copeland was identified after police received anonymous tips about who he was based on surveillance images they published showing his face.

On Thursday, Fort Worth SWAT executed a search warrant on Copelands apartment in Saginaw with the help of local police, Raynsford said. In the search, police located multiple firearms and physical evidence they believe connects Copeland to the string of offenses.

Other suspected crimes

Police said that while they are not able to comment on specifics, Copeland had run-ins with police as a minor.

More recently, Copeland was arrested in Denton County for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, unlawful carry of a weapon and tapering with evidence on Sept. 9, 2022, according to Fort Worth police.

On Oct. 30, 2022, police said Copeland was stopped by the Parker County Sheriffs Office for a traffic violation. Copeland fled on foot and escaped, but sheriffs officers searched the vehicle and located a handgun reported stolen in a vehicle burglary in Saginaw along with drugs believed to be fentanyl and marijuana.

Most recent before the robberies started, Raynsford said Copeland was a motel in White Settlement with a girl when he assaulted her, destroyed some property and stole the girls car, which was later discovered in Parker County.

Because of those, Copeland is wanted in Parker County for theft of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance and in White Settlement for assault causing bodily injury, criminal mischief and autho theft.

Police emphasized multiple times that if anybody sees Copeland they should avoid him and immediately call 911 from a safe place.

Im most worried that the public will try to detain Mr. Copeland and get hurt, Raynsford said. He is extremely dangerous and a clear and present danger to both the public and law enforcement.
Photo: The Canadian Press Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and Unifor have reached a tentative collective agreement for 1,200 workers who are responsible for maintaining rail cars and locomotives. A Canadian Pacific Railway employee walks along the side of a locomotive in a marshalling yard in Calgary, Wednesday, May 16, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. and Unifor have reached a tentative collective agreement for 1,200 workers who are responsible for maintaining rail cars and locomotives.

The company and the union say details of the tentative contract will not be released publicly until the agreement has been ratified.

Unifor says it will provide members with information in the coming days on ratification meetings, which will be held at multiple locations across the country.

The contract covers workers at 18 locations from British Columbia to Quebec.

The union says negotiations with the railway had been ongoing since September.

The previous collective agreement expired on Dec. 31.
Jared Leisek on an Adventures With Purpose dive. youtube.com/@adventureswithpurpose

Jared Leisek is the founder of 'Adventures With Purpose,' a widely-lauded true crime YouTube channel.

Leisek was arrested on January 5 in Utah on suspicion of child rape charges, according to jail records.

Leisek is accused of raping his cousin in 1992 when she was 10 and he was a teenager.

Content note: This story mentions some details about the alleged rape.

Jared Leisek, the founder of a widely-lauded YouTube collective dedicated to solving cold cases by conducting search and recovery dives, was booked in a Utah jail last week for the rape of a child in the early '90s, according to jail records for the Sanpete County Sheriff's Department.

According to an indictment obtained by Insider dated January 10, the alleged rape occurred in 1992, when the victim was 10 years old and Leisek was either 16 or 17. Utah does not have a statute of limitations on rape.

"The defendant and the victim are cousins," reads the probable cause statement, alleging that the incident occurred in Ephraim, Utah, in the victim's bedroom, after Leisek pinned her to the ground and pulled her underwear down.

Leisek's booking follows a criminal complaint filed by prosecutors in November 2022, according to People. Though Leisek was initially charged with two counts of child rape against the same victim, the second charge  that allegedly occurred the same year at a grandparent's house  has been dropped, per People.

The status and future of the "Adventures With Purpose," or AWP, channel, which has 2.8 million subscribers, is unclear. Two weeks ago, in a Community post, the channel announced that "Jared is stepping back in as Team Leader with a new crew."

Lead diver Doug Bishop, who has appeared in recent videos on the channel, addressed the situation on his personal channel in early November. "What happened 30 years ago has come to light and is affecting everybody involved with this," he said, noting that there were "contracts in place" that impacted his ability to speak on the situation.

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According to its website, AWP has solved 26 missing person cold cases to date by harnessing sonar technology to dredge up sunken vehicles and drowning victims.

Its services are provided free to families, it says, and are funded by viewer donations, merch sales, and revenue it makes from YouTube traffic.

The group most recently garnered headlines for finding Kiely Rodni  a 16-year-old who went missing in August after attending a campground party, and whose body was recovered in a nearby reservoir.

When reached, a legal assistant for Leisek's attorney, Randall Richards, declined to comment. Insider has reached back out to the Sanpete County Sheriff's Department for more information about Leisek's arrest and bail.

Read the original article on Insider
SAYREVILLE - Four New York City men have been charged in connection with an assault of a Sayreville War Memorial High School student in front of the school along Washington Road Thursday afternoon.

Christopher Edward Torres, 24, of Staten Island, was charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit assault; Christopher Anthony Forlenza, 25, of Brooklyn, and Jeremiah Jason Dimedici, 19, of Staten Island, were charged with assault and conspiracy to commit assault; and David Martinez, 27, of Staten Island, was charged with possession of metal knuckles, according to the Sayreville Police Department's Facebook page.

The chain of events began when two male students at the high school, whose names were not released, became involved in a dispute, police said.

After school dismissal on Thursday, adult-age relatives and friends of one of those students involved themselves in the dispute, police said.

More:Sayreville man arrested in Old Bridge parking lot homicide

Video captured by bystanders show an adult appeared to brandish a knife or and unknown object and assault one of the students, police said.

After the assault, the men fled the scene.

The student sustained minor injuries in the incident, police said.

In addition to police officers and detectives, school resource officers from the high school and middle school, as well as school security, administration and the Middlesex County K9 unit responded.

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Sayreville NJ: Four charged in assault of high school student
French Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu has said he expects to supply Ukraine with AMX-10 RC heavy armoured personnel carriers, also classified as wheeled tanks, within two months.

Source: French Defence Ministry in a statement following a conversation between the Minister and his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov, as reported by European Pravda.

Quote: "The ministers agreed that the supply of French-made AMX-10 RC light tanks to Ukraine, as agreed in principle by President Macron in a conversation with President Zelenskyy on 4 January, would take place within two months," the statement said.

Details: The ministers also discussed the organisation of rapid training for Ukrainian vehicle operators.

Oleksii Reznikov reportedly thanked his colleague for the Crotale air defence systems that helped save lives during the recent bombing of Kyiv.

Background: Last week, a number of partners announced new assistance packages for Ukraine. For instance, on 6 January, the United States announced the largest of all the provided packages, which will include M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, self-propelled artillery systems, missiles and hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds.

Germany promised to provide Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and, following the United States, an additional battery of the Patriot missile defence system.

The President of France announced the provision of AMX-10 RC French wheeled tanks.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Charlie Javice. Charlie Javice

JP Morgan Chase has accused the student loan platform Frank and its founder Charlie Javice of inventing millions of fake customers to juice its value.

Frank has previously encountered government scrutiny for making misleading statements.

In 2020, the Federal Trade Commission warned Frank that it "may be unlawfully misleading consumers" about student COVID relief.

Just one year before it was acquired by JP Morgan Chase for $175 million, the Federal Trade Commission warned student aid platform Frank that it "may be unlawfully misleading consumers" about student COVID relief.

The warning letter is at least the second time Frank and its founder, Charlie Javice, have faced accusations of misrepresentation prior to the JPMorgan acquisition. These incidents now appear as potentially more serious red flags about operations at the company, after JPMorgan accused the startup in a lawsuit last month of inventing millions of fake customers to boost its value.

Frank also settled with the federal government in 2018 over accusations that the startup was misrepresenting its ties to the Department of Education, Insider previously reported.

Javice and her attorney, Alex Spiro, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At the time, Frank was a growing name in student loan services, promising to radically simplify the process of applying for financial aid  and, for a fee, to get students more money than they could obtain on their own. JPMorgan's 2021 acquisition of Frank further boosted the profile of Javice, who had been framing herself as part of a new generation of financial leaders.

The FTC's inquiry was preceded by a July 2020 article written by then-New America Foundation advisor Wesley Whistle that accused Frank of collecting students' data to sell to third parties without offering students meaningful assistance in return.

Frank was misleading students about how much financial aid was available under the March 2020 CARES Act, which had allocated about $7 billion for emergency grant aid to students due to the coronavirus pandemic, and how easy it was to access it, Whistle wrote. The company promised students help accessing the grant money, but all Frank was doing was generating a form letter students could send to university administrators. (Whistle is now a Department of Education appointee.)

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The article prompted four members of Congress to request the FTC investigate Frank.

"We are concerned that Frank is creating false hope and confusion for students while contributing to unnecessary extra work for financial aid administrators," the representatives wrote. "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."

Four months later, in November 2020, the FTC issued its warning letter to Frank.

The company's website "makes some potentially misleading claims," the agency concluded, including that the process of applying for an emergency grant was simple and fast and that the eligibility criteria were the same for all schools.

Frank also advertised $5,000 cash advances to students waiting for their emergency grants. The advance wouldn't need to be paid back until "your aid comes in," the company wrote on its website.

But the reality was that a close read of Frank's terms revealed students would need to pay back the advances within two months, the FTC wrote.

In a countersuit filed last month against JPMorgan, Javice maintained that the bank tanked Frank's value by "mining the personal information of Frank's legacy customers."

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
The chorus of prominent Republicans calling on freshman Rep. George Santos to resign keeps rising with former House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., joining the list.

"This isn't an embellished candidacy. It's a fraudulent candidacy. He hoaxed his voters. So, of course he should step down," Ryan told CNN's Jake Tapper Thursday. "He doesn't strike me as an honorable person, though."

Ryan is the latest Republican calling for Santos' resignation, adding his name to a list which includes, U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy, who chairs the New York State Republican Committee, and a group of Republican leaders from Nassau County which Santos partly represents.

GOP Rep. George Santos says he'll respond to allegations about his background 'soon'

Which House GOP members have called for Santos to step down?

At least seven other GOP House members besides Langworthy have also called for Santos to step down.

They are: Ohio Rep. Max Miller, South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace and New York Reps. Marcus Molinaro, Nick LaLota, Rep. Michael Lawler, Brandon WIlliams and Anthony D'Esposito.

New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kasser also called for Santos to resign in a statement released Wednesday, stating that the freshman's lies "morally disqualifies" him from serving in office.

Santos adamant he will serve his term

Santos has faced mounting pressure to resign in recent weeks, following revelations uncovered by The New York Times in December that he lied about his background and resume while running for office. However, the freshman has vowed to serve out his two-year term.

More: Rep. George Santos' finances are raising questions. Here's what public records show.

"I came here to serve the people, not politicians and party leaders and I'm going to do just that," Santos told Florida GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz Thursday on Steve Bannon's War Room podcast. Gaetz was filling in for Bannon, a former Trump White House strategist.

FILE - Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of Calif., left, accompanied by House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., meets with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington Feb. 4, 2016.

What's Speaker Kevin McCarthy saying about Santos amid the rising pressure?

Despite the growing numbers of Republicans calling for the New York lawmaker to step down, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has remained unswayed as he still plans to allow Santos to serve on House committees.

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"The voters have elected George Santos. If there is a concern, he will go through ethics (committee)," McCarthy said during a press conference Thursday. "If there is something that is found, he will be dealt with in that manner but they have a voice in this process.

More: Defiant George Santos vows to serve out term; McCarthy declines to act amid GOP pressure

The removal of Santos might further erode the GOP's razor-thin majority in the House as Democrats could flip the competitive New York district, which spans northeastern Queens and part of Long Island's North Shore in a special election.

Over the tumultuous House Speaker election spanning four-days earlier this month, Santos remained steadfast in his support for McCarthy. He voted for the California Republican on each of the 15 ballots, helping him win the speakership by a razor-thin margin.

Go deeper

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Santos faces mounting pressure to step down by GOP leaders
Rep. Ruben Gallegos (D-Ariz.) wife burned the congressman on Thursday over a sarcastic tweet about gas stoves, as tensions simmered in Washington this week over potential action against the appliances, which have been linked to health problems.

Hot take: Keep the gas stove and get rid of the air fryer. Only urban elitist use air fryers, Gallego joked in a tweet.

The Arizona Democrat kept the humor going in the comments, calling one user who said they loved their air fryer elitist and telling another who asked about cast-iron skillets that they were good as long as it has thick layer of carbon on it.

Gallegos wife, Sydney Gallego, however, responded with a tweet roasting him.

@RubenGallego you know we have an air fryer? she asked, adding, Tells you who does the cooking.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently faced intense backlash from Republicans and moderate Democrats in Congress after one of its commissioners suggested that a ban on new gas stoves could be on the table.

Both the White House and CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric walked back the commissioners statements this week, saying they are not considering a ban. Instead, Hoehn-Saric suggested that the commission is looking for ways to reduce related indoor air quality hazards.

A recent study showed a link between gas stoves and childhood asthma, finding that 12.7 percent of childhood asthma in America was attributable to the appliances.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A gas station employee was arrested after a camera was found hidden in the womens bathroom, according to Missouri authorities.

Police officers received a report of a possible hidden camera in the womens bathroom of Caseys General Store in Cabool on Jan. 3, the Cabool Police Department said in a Thursday, Jan. 12, news release.

Searching the bathroom, officers found a camera in a ceiling vent, the release said.

The camera contained about 150 videos of women and girls using the bathroom, KY3 reported, citing police. One video, however, showed a gas station employee using a phone app to adjust the camera angle, the Houston Herald reported.

The employee was identified as Patrick R. Pitcher, 32, of Hartville, officers said.

Pitcher was arrested on Jan. 12 and faces five felony charges: sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography, invasion of privacy, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon, per the release.

Officers said Pitcher is being held at the Texas County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

An investigation is ongoing. Cabool police asked anyone with information or anyone who used the womens bathroom on Jan. 3 to contact their department at (417) 962-3993.

Cabool is about 235 miles southeast of Kansas City.

Bystanders tackle tech CEO accused of peeping in Panera bathroom, California cops say

Woman finds camera in bathroom USB charger, California cops say. Roommate arrested

Cameras found taped under sinks in student center restrooms, Utah university says
China marks 80th anniversary of movement for military-civilian unity

Xinhua) 08:42, January 13, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Jeff Brooks as Billy Flynn, and company of the musical "Chicago," in the Loop at CIBC Theatre. (Jeremy Daniel / HANDOUT)

Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Chicago History Museum: This family-friendly event invites visitors to reflect on Kings life through various activities and performances. Activities include a group meditation led by Rita J., a singalong with Lenny Marsh and friends, music from DJ Sadie Woods, an art-making station and a screening of the 2008 documentary King in Chicago. The community fair will also feature organizations like Open Books Chicago, The North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society and Poems While You Wait. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 N. Clark St. Chicago; free, more information at 312-642-4600 and chicagohistory.org

Chicago: The musical by John Kander and Fred Ebb, styled by Bob Fosse and based on a story by a one-time Tribune court reporter named Maurine Dallas Watkins is back on stage on its namesake town  Roxie Hart, Razzle Dazzle and all. Jan. 17-29 at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe St.; tickets $30-$95 at 800-775-2000 and www.broadwayinchicago.com

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Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: In Evanston, the Music Institute of Chicago and the Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre present a free musical tribute in Kings memory, including the world premiere of a A Stone of Hope (Martins Song) by Ephraim Champion, a work by Evanston Dance Ensemble, remarks by Mayor Daniel Biss and more. 3 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Avenue, Evanston; free (reservations required, livestream also available), more at www.musicinst.org/nch

Deeply Rooted Dance Theater: The Chicago dance company performs an excerpt of Madonna Anno Domini, choreographed by artistic director Nicole Clarke-Springer to music by Culoe De Song and Aretha Franklin. Itll be part of the Day of Giving  Unity in Our Community event in Highland Park to mark the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. From 10 a.m. Jan. 16 with Deeply Rooted performing at noon at the Recreation Center of Highland Park, 1207 Park Avenue W in Highland Park; free, more at www.deeplyrooteddancetheater.org

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The Washington, D.C., company Step Afrika! is coming soon to the Auditorium Theatre. (Sekou Luke / HANDOUT)

Step Afrika!: This Washington, D.C., company has honed a theatrical style of stepping  a genre born in the fraternities and sororities of historically Black colleges and universities. Making their Auditorium Theatre debut, Step Afrika! blends stepping with its Indigenous roots across the Atlantic, culling this uniquely American form through decadeslong collaboration with artists in Johannesburg, South Africa. Jan. 14 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive; tickets $37-$83 at 312-341-2300 and auditoriumtheatre.org

Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival: Puppets will take over Chicago for 12 days this month, with more than 100 performances and events at multiple venues. In the festivals fifth edition, the puppets and their presenters come from Chicago (including Frankenstein by Manual Cinema in the Studebaker Theater at the Fine Arts Building) and as far away as Japan and Brazil. Jan. 18-29, tickets and more information at chicagopuppetfest.org

Chicago Boat Show: If youre a boat enthusiast, this show is the place to be to learn from the pros. There will also be hands-on activities like a surfing simulator, a stand-up paddleboarding pool and sandcastle sculpting workshops. Kids can build boats out of aluminum foil and fish in a trout pond. Through Sunday at McCormick Place South, 2301 S. King Drive; tickets are $15 and children are free when accompanied by an adult; chicagoboatshow.com
A Gastonia man accused of killing his stepfather told a judge on Friday that his stepfather abused him.

Christopher Lee Hill, 23, is accused of killing his stepfather, Braxton Devin Farquhar. He made his first court appearance on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, before a judge in Gaston County District Court.

Christopher Lee Hill, 23, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 34-year-old Braxton Devin Farquhar.

Police went to Farquhar's home on the 100 block of West Sixth Avenue just before 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, and found Farquhar dead, with multiple gunshot wounds, including some in his back, according to prosecutor Stephanie Hamlin.

Neighbors told police that there had been a verbal disagreement and that they heard a shot, came out, and saw Hill shoot Farquhar multiple times.

In total, Farquhar had 17 gunshot wounds, Hamlin said.

Hamlin asked District Court Judge Donald Rice to order that Hill be held without bond.

Hill told Rice that he has a lawyer he's been trying to hire, but he hasn't been allowed to make phone calls from the jail.

"I'm no murderer, man," he said to the judge. "That man abused me, verbally and physically."

Christopher Lee Hill, 23, is accused of killing his stepfather, Braxton Devin Farquhar. He made his first court appearance on a first-degree murder charge on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at the Gaston County Courthouse.

Crystal Lambert, a friend of Hill, said in an interview afterward that Hill is a quiet, reserved man who is like one of her own children.

"I'm in utter shock. Everybody's in shock. This is not Chris at all," she said. "He don't have a mean bone in his body."

She said that Hill avoids confrontation and often spent time with her own children.

"He was like my son," she said, adding that the news of the shooting has been difficult to process.

Crystal Lambert described Christopher Lambert, who is accused of killing his stepfather, as a gentle giant.

"It's just kind of hard. This is so out of character," she said. "Murder is a big charge, and he's so young."

"Chris is not a bad guy. He's not. Not at all," she added.

Rice ordered that Hill be held without bond and that he be appointed an attorney.

Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 704-869-1850 or at kfohner@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia man charged with murder faces judge
New York Congressman-Elect George Santos speaks during the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) annual leadership meeting. David Becker for the Washington Post/via Getty Images

George Santos told Matt Gaetz that he has lived an "honest life."

Santos added that he had "never been accused of any bad doing" and has worked his "whole life."

Santos has admitted to falsifying a litany of information about his work experience and education.

Embattled Long Island Rep. George Santos  who has admitted to falsifying key information in his CV  said on Thursday that he's lived "an honest life."

Santos appeared on the podcast "War Room: Pandemic" with Florida congressman Rep. Matt Gaetz on Thursday. During the podcast, Santos told Gaetz he has "lived an honest life" and has "never been accused of any bad doing." Santos said as well that the money and resources he has are "the equity" of his hard work.

"I'm going to outwork any of the pundits and talking heads that are out there saying that I should resign, that I'm unfit for office," Santos said. "The reality is, and the case in point here being is: I'm a workhorse, I've worked my whole life. I'm the kid who came from a basic apartment."

Gaetz told Santos that some members of the GOP have asked for the Long Island Republican to not be seated on congressional committees, but asked Santos what panels he'd like to serve on anyway.

Santos responded that he came to Washington, D.C., without "really any preconceived notions of what committees to serve" but said he would "deliver 110%" to his work.

An investigative report from The New York Times published on December 19 said that companies Santos claimed to have worked with had no record of him. Many other points of doubt have since been raised about Santos' life, work history, and education.

The Forward, a Jewish publication, reported in December that they could not find any evidence that the Long Island Republican's grandparents are Jewish. Santos also claimed to have been "openly gay" for a decade, but The Daily Beast reported that he divorced a woman named Uadla Santos in 2019, two weeks before launching a failed 2020 campaign against Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi.

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Santos in late December then admitted to lying about working at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. The congressman also attempted to defend himself against accusations that he lied about being Jewish, saying: "I never claimed to be Jewish, I said I was 'Jew-ish." However, in a memo to pro-Israel groups distributed during his campaign, he claimed to be a "proud American Jew."

Apart from the red flags on his CV, Santos was also accused by Nassau GOP chairman Joseph Cairo of lying about being a 'star' college volleyball player at Baruch College. The CV provided to the Nassau GOP also included the claim that Santos graduated from Baruch College with a high 3.89 GPA. Santos admitted to the New York Post in December that he never graduated from any institute of higher learning.

Prosecutors in Long Island said on December 28 that they opened an investigation into Santos. Long Island Republicans and the New York State GOP in January called on Santos to resign, but he has refused to do so.

A representative for Santos did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
At least its brief?

Rep. George Santos, the New York Republican facing calls to resign after admitting he fabricated much of his background during his campaign, has only a three-line entry in Congress official biographical directory.

Basically, it says hes in Congress now and was born in 1988.

SANTOS, George, a Representative from New York; born on July 22, 1988; unsuccessful candidate for election to the One Hundred Seventeenth Congress in 2020; elected as a Republican to the One Hundred Eighteenth Congress (January 3, 2023-present).

Entries for House members on the congressional site are compiled by the historian of the House of Representatives. The site, officially called Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, is based on a print version of the guide, which dates back to 1859.

Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) leaves a meeting of House Republicans in the basement of Capitol Hill Tuesday.

Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) leaves a meeting of House Republicans in the basement of Capitol Hill Tuesday.

Its not uncommon for freshmen in Congress to have very short biographies, but they usually at least mention where the member was born and their educational and occupational backgrounds, no matter their age.

For example, 25-year-old Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), the first member of Gen Z to be elected to Congress, also has a three-line entry, which lists his jobs before Congress as campaign staff; organizer; rideshare driver.

Fellow Florida freshman Rep. Anna Luna, a Republican, has only a four-line entry, but it includes her National Guard service and prior jobs as an executive at a non-profit group and political commentator.

Santos, who is 34 (according to his directory entry), admitted to fabricating much of the background he touted in the campaign, but only after several media outlets looked into it post-election.

He claimed to have graduated from Baruch College but later admitted he had never graduated from any college. Similarly, his claims that he had worked at financial giants Citigroup and Goldman Sachs were not backed up by the companies. He even had to clear up questions about whether he was Jewish. I am Catholic. Because I learned my maternal family had a Jewish background I said I was Jew-ish, he told the New York Post.

Santos reportedly is under investigation by federal prosecutors and the Nassau County district attorneys office. The questions about his background and how he financed his House race have led to calls, most recently by some of his fellow party members in New York, to step down, something he has vowed not to do.
George Santos

New York's embattled gay fabulist Congressman, Rep. George Santos, indicated to reporters that he would resign if 142,000 people asked him to.

Santos remarked while aides attempted to shield him from the press assembled outside his office and ushered him into an elevator, NBC News reports.

Reporters were shouting questions at Santos, who ignored most of them as he took the short walk to the elevators.

"If the voters ask for you to resign, will you?" one of the reporters asked.

Santos, seemingly exasperated and smug, replied as the elevator doors were closing. "If 142 people ask for me to resign, I'll resign," Santos said.

Joined by Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida on Steve Bannons War Room, Santos clarified that he meant 142,000 voters who elected him in November. In his words, Santos said he would be in Congress until those same 142,000 people tell me they dont want me.

Santos earned 142,017 votes in the midterm election

Robert Zimmerman, the Democratic opponent in that race, lost, having earned 120,060 votes.

Later, as Santos returned to his office, he said, "I will not resign. I will be continuing to hold my office elected by the people," Reuters reports.

The number of Republicans upset with the developments surrounding Santos has been increasing over a few days.

On Wednesday, members of the Nassau County Republican Committee rejected him as their representative and declared him unwelcome at the local Republican party headquarters. The chairman led several local elected representatives in calling on Santos to resign.

Thursday morning, Democratic leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York challenged Republicans to "Clean up your house" during his weekly press conference when asked about Santos.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy has said he stands by Santos and would not call for his resignation.

"I try to stick by the Constitution," McCarthy said this week. "The voters elected him to serve. If there is a concern, he has to go through the Ethics [Committee]; let him move through that.

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The Republican speaker continued, "Right now, the voters have a voice in the decision. It's not where people pick and choose based upon what somebody's press has. So he will continue to serve."

McCarthy needed Santos's support to be elected to the speakership; support Santos gave the California congressman 15 times until he won the job.

Santos's office did not respond to The Advocate's request for comment.
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty

On his first day in Congress, Rep. George Santos (R-NY) sat in a back corner of the House chamberalone and glumlike a new kid in school who couldnt find anyone to sit with him at lunch.

But the very next day, Santos seemed determined to find his friend group. Instead of sitting in the back, Santos threw himself right into the mix; he found a spot in the middle of the House chamber, where the most controversial conservatives usually sit. He found a spotas one GOP member called itin sinners row, next to members like Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and Lauren Boebert (R-CO).

As the week went on, Santos seemed to be hitting it off on the island of misfit Republicans. One day during the speaker votes, Santos and Greene were spotted exchanging jokes, letting out loud guffaws, occasionally leaning over to whisper to each other. It was a regular occurrence throughout the week to see Santos and Gaetz huddled with each other during votes.

The freshly elected Long Island Republican didnt exactly campaign as a fire-breathing, Donald Trump-loving, hard-right conservative. But since hes come to Congress, Santos seems to have found his allies. Hes found a group of Republicans who are quite comfortable, and quite familiar, with being ostracized by the GOP rank and file. In short, Santos has found a new costumeand it seems to be fitting quite well.

Santos Awkwardly Dodges Gaetzs Question on His Dubious Campaign Finances

On Thursday, with fellow GOP lawmakers increasingly calling on him to resign, Santos was in the center ring of the hard-rights hell: on Steve Bannons WarRoom podcast. Bannon was busy in court, so Gaetz guest-hosted. And Santos was right at home, claiming he had lived an honest life and will survive his growing list of scandals.

I will deliver 110 percent because thats what I know how to do, Santos told Gaetz. Im going to outwork any of the pundits and talking heads that are out there saying that I should resign, that Im unfit for office. The reality of it is, and the case and point here being is, Im a workhorse. Ive worked my whole life.

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With that sort of talk, its no surprise conservative lawmakers are proving to be his staunchest defenders.

I really dont stand in judgment of anybody, said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), a regular in that middle section of conservatives. Were all sinners. I dont know whats in his heart. Hes been nice to me.

Nothings been proven as far as I can tell, said Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), a lead instigator of the Kevin McCarthy revolt, after going into a lengthy tangent on President Joe Biden fabricating his own resume back in the day. The American people elected, apparently, apparently, Joe Biden with all his foibles and flaws.

Theres some political logic behind Santos latest alignment with the far right. That crew, at least in the House, is no stranger to controversy. Members like Greene and Boebert have taken heat from their fellow Republicans in the past, dubbed at times as distractions and headaches.

In 2021, Democrats booted Greene from her committees after reporters uncovered threatening statements she had previously made against Democrats. Eleven Republicans joined Democrats in voting to oust her. Boebert was almost censured after making an Islamophobic remark to Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN).

But such scandals only seemed to further endear those Republicans to the far right, where being castigated by Democrats and establishment Republicans is the ultimate badge of honor.

The modern GOPparticularly the far rightrevels in subverting traditional rules and norms of politics. Not being accountable to hypocrisy or controversy is its own form of owning the libs. And refusing to bow to the woke mob, refusing to resign even in the face of clear violations of the publics trust, is a certain act of MAGA bravery.

George Santos Took Donation From Migrant-Smuggler

In crisis mode, Santos team seems to be brazenly ripping from that playbook. On social media, his staffers have advanced the idea that the Republican is under attack from all sides not because of his resume fabrications, compulsive lies, and alleged campaign finance violationsbut because he is a brave anti-establishment truth-teller.

Vish Burra, a conservative operative who has produced Bannons WarRoom program, is listed as Santos operations director on the congressional directory Legistorm. With his boss under fire, Burra has amplified numerous tweets that made Santos seem like a MAGA martyr.

George Santos is a National Treasure, Burra tweeted on Wednesday. This is why the corporate press is trying to silence him. (That tweet was no longer visible by Thursday night.) Burra also spent Wednesday retweeting messages that called Santos based, online slang used to praise politicians, like Gaetz, who candidly and directly appeal to their supporters regardless of political correctness.

At another point, Burra shared a tweet from an InfoWars host saying that the far-right conspiracy outlet stands behind our official endorsement of Santos. The host added that if InfoWars was not under federal indictment for J6, it would be there with George Santos.

Santos other staff hires have turned some heads, creating a sort of safe haven for GOP castaways within the congressmans office. As many internet sleuths noticed, Santos also hired Rafaello Carone, a former staffer for Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC), as his legislative aide. Compared to other members, Santos hiring has been behind the typical pace, presumably because he could tarnish resumes.

Other members of his staff apparently see it as a bit of a fixer-upper situation. Naysa Woomer, Santos communications director, liked a tweet suggesting [communications] people dont have to have the same morals and ethics as their employers. This decent, ethical woman did not join to perpetuate a fraud. If she makes the situation better, it will be a public service.

Thanks for having my back! Woomer replied.

It is somewhat fitting that Santos is attempting a rebrand as a hard-right firebrand. Just as he has tried on seemingly every ethnic or religious identity, Santos has also frequently shifted his political positioning from his first congressional campaign in 2020 to today.

The key pattern is less that Santos is a flip-flopperand more that he appears to compulsively tell an audience what he believes they want to hear.

In February 2021, for example, Santos was interviewed by Lara Trump, the former presidents daughter-in-law, where he gushed about his presence at Donald Trumps speech outside the White House on Jan. 6.

George Santos Told Local GOP Chair He Was a College Volleyball Champ

That was the most amazing crowd, and the president was at his full awesomeness that day, Santos said. It was a front-row spectacle for me. Santos said he did not follow the mob to the Capitol and condemned the violence, but his rhetoric led The New York Times to label him as a far right Republican after he won in November.

But leading up to that victory, Santos positioned himself as a mainstream Republican. His campaigns Facebook ads hit the sweet spot of the GOPs messaging playbook in New York, focusing on crime, high gas prices, inflation, and the occasional complaint about wokeness in schools.

In July 2022, Santos proudly announced that McCarthy was endorsing him. I look forward to working with Leader McCarthy to take America back, Santos announcement said. In taking the House back from Nancy Pelosi, Republicans will lead the charge against inflation and for safer communities all across the nation.

In other interviews, Santos sounded desperate to portray himself as a different kind of Republican, perhaps in hopes of appealing to voters in a historically Democratic district that Joe Biden easily carried in 2020.

Im a next-generation Republican and Im in this fight to bring common-sense solutions to Washington, Santos told the Long Island Press in October 2022. The main issue he emphasized was, in fact, a core Democratic concern: I will fight, he said, to make sure the people of New Yorks Third Congressional District have quality health care.

Amid all this scattershot positioning, Santos left little impression as to how hed actually legislate while in office. The Long Island newspaper Newsday wrote in an editorial after the election that he provided little detail during his recent campaign about his focus and ideas.

While Santos is trying to win over conservatives inside and outside Congress, it remains the case that very few major players on Capitol Hill want anything to do with him.

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), chairman of the influential Republican Study Committee, didnt say Santos should resign. Instead, he said GOP leadership would have to consider what to do if New York Republicans continue to call for his resignation.

New York Republicans Turn on Serial Liar George Santos: He Is a Stain

But Hern indicated that Santos would find little traction if he remains in office. I would have a hard time working with him on anything, Hern said. Asked if Santos had expressed interest in joining the RSCthe GOP conferences biggest internal group, with 156 membersHern chuckled and said he wasnt aware if he had.

Some GOP members suggested there is room for Santos to recover at least some faith among his colleagues and constituents. Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) faced his own scandal throughout the 2010s, as he was found guilty of violating 11 House rules, including misuse of campaign funds, misuse of staff, improper spending and more. He was eventually fined $50,000.

But Schweikert has continued to win re-election, including a tight race in a battleground district in 2022. He told The Daily Beast that he appeared constantly in front of constituents to address their concerns.

I had to go around to every Kiwanis Club and sort of bring my little slide saying OK, you know, heres where I screwed up, I didnt watch carefully enough, he said.

Schweikert said that such humility went a long way. But he stopped short of saying he was giving Santos advice, arguing that it was up to his constituents to decide whether to keep him or not.

My personal philosophy is, get off your ass, go talk to your people. And it is shocking how forgiving the American people are, Schweikert said. That doesnt mean theyre not going to vote you out but at some point, its their choice. And if they rise up, you gotta respect it.

Santos has already reportedly told local GOP leaders he wont run again in 2024. But hes also been adamantrepeatedlythat he will not resign, unless all 142,000 people that voted for him ask him to.

Such a scenario appears far-fetched at the momentas does the prospect of GOP leadership pushing for his ouster, at least until Santos suffers more damaging developments.

Despite promises of a red wave this November, McCarthy was left with an uncomfortably small majorityone in which he can only lose four Republican votes before losing altogether. The limitations of that margin were made crystal-clear as McCarthy struggled to gain a majority of votes for speaker earlier this month. Republican leadership surely wouldnt want those margins to shrink even more.

All of the Many, Many Lies George Santos Has Told

Santos, in that essence, plays a critical role in the Republican conference. Even if he were to resign, thatd tee up a special election in his swing district, potentially opening the door for a Democratic win.

And, after all, some still believe Santos is just the story of the hour. Over the past two years, House Republicans, even in the minority, had a particular proclivity for chaos.

In the majority, thats not likely to change.

Therell be another distraction the next day, Schweikert said. I mean, seriously, someone between now and tomorrow will do something stupid.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Takei

Iconic gay actor George Takei revealed that he came out publicly because he was livid with then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The 85-year-old Star Trek star told the British theatre publication The Stage that he came out in 2005 because Schwarzenegger, who served as Californias Republican governor from 2003-2011, had vetoed legislation that would have allowed same-sex marriages in the state.

At the time, he and his now-husband Brad Altman had been together for more than 18 years.

Takei explained that he hadnt come out sooner because he wanted to continue receiving roles, The Stage reports.

I learned at a young age that you couldnt be an openly gay actor and hope to be employed, Takei said. And I was already an Asian-American actor, so I was already limited a lot.

Takei spoke candidly of regrets he had for holding onto the secret for so long.

I was silent during the AIDS crisis, which fills me with guilt, although I did write checks and checks to AIDS organizations, the actor said.

Schwarzenegger, he said, displayed a hypocrisy that Takei could not stomach.

Why did I come out when I did? Because Schwarzenegger presented himself as a movie star who had worked and was friends with gays and lesbians, many of whom voted for him, but then vetoed that bill, he said. I was so angry that I spoke to the press for the first time as a gay man at the age of 68.

He has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and Asian-American actors since then, and he's become a fixture on social media. The octogenarian has more than 13 million followers across Facebook and Twitter.

Takei is currently acting in a London production of Allegiance, a musical based on his life experiences, including his time imprisoned in a Japanese internment camp in the U.S. as a child during World War II.

The show is at Charing Cross Theatre.
Editors note: The previous headline and story said that a student stabbed another classmate. The student was not stabbed and had a superficial wound. This has been corrected.

A high school student pulled a knife on a classmate Thursday morning during a fight.

Duluth High School Principal Eric Davidson wrote on Facebook that two students got into a fight outside the cafeteria.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news break]

During the fight, Davidson wrote that one of the students pulled out a knife and caused a superficial wound on the other student.

I want to be clear, what happened today is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, Davidson said. Both students will face appropriate disciplinary consequences for fighting, and the student who used the knife will face criminal charges.

TRENDING STORIES:

It is unclear how the altercation began. Officials confirmed neither student suffered severe injuries from the fight.

The identities of the students have not been released.

I addressed our students and staff this morning and reminded them of how blessed we are to be in a place that has a thriving school culture where we benefit from our strong our sense of community. We will continue to work alongside you to help our young people understand the value of maintaining positive relationships and utilizing the wonderful staff that we have here to help them work through any challenges and concerns that they have, Davidson wrote. We love our school and students and will move forward with a focus on the positive.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

The incident is the latest in a series of violence and threats in Gwinnett County Schools.

A student at Shiloh High school opened fire just minutes after dismissal after a fight on campus on Oct. 21.

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A Norcross High School student was shot and killed just steps from campus during school hours on Oct. 26.

A student was sliced with a box cutter at Grayson High School on Oct. 31.

A teacher was left bloodied after a student attacked him inside a classroom at Discovery High School in November.

IN OTHER NEWS:
BERLIN (Reuters) - Russian authorities should provide "urgent medical assistance" to Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, whose condition is critical in view of inhumane prison conditions and solitary confinement, a German government spokesperson said on Friday.

The spokesperson added that the German government was trying to help Navalny, but that this was currently difficult in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

(Reporting by Alexander Ratz and Miranda Murray, editing by Rachel More)
BERLIN (AP)  Germany will soon drop a mask mandate on long-distance trains and buses, one of the country's last remaining COVID-19 restrictions, the health minister said Friday.

The mandate will be dropped on Feb. 2, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach announced in Berlin.

Other European countries already have scrapped mask mandates in public transport, and Lauterbach faced increasing pressure to follow suit in recent weeks. Masks remain mandatory in doctors practices, while masks and negative tests are still required to enter hospitals and nursing homes.

Rules for local transportation are a matter for Germanys 16 state governments, and an increasing number have dropped or are dropping their mask mandates. Some also have scrapped rules requiring infected people to isolate at home.

The long-distance transportation rules were scheduled to end on April 7, though legislation allows for them to be suspended earlier if the situation is better than expected.

After one of Germany's top virologists said shortly after Christmas that the pandemic is over, Lauterbach  who has long taken a cautious stance  faced mounting calls from inside and outside the governing coalition to do away with them.

The pandemic situation has stabilized, the minister said Friday, with the number of known or suspected infections stagnating or falling, and the number of people hospitalized continuing to decline.

The population has built up high immunity, and the experts who advise us no longer believe there will be another big, serious winter wave, he added. At this point, we also don't foresee particularly dangerous variants reaching us in the coming weeks and months.

Lauterbach appealed to people who want to continue protecting themselves and others to continue wearing masks voluntarily when indoors and on trains.
IPO Edge and the Palm Beach Hedge Fund Association will host a fireside chat with X-energy on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 2pm ET to discuss X-energys Small Modular Nuclear Reactor, the market opportunity and going public. The live event will feature J. Clay Sell, Chief Executive Officer of X-energy and David Kaplan, Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ares Acquisition Corporation (NYSE: AAC), moderated by IPO Edge Editor-in-Chief John Jannarone and Editor-at-Large Jarrett Banks in a moderated video session lasting approximately 60 minutes including a Q&A with the audience.

To register, CLICK HERE

Messrs. Sell and Kaplan will Discuss:

What differentiates X-energys Small Modular Nuclear Reactor (SMR), the Xe-100, and its proprietary fuel, TRISO-X

Market opportunity

Why is now the right time to take X-energy public

Partnership with Ares Acquisition Corp. (AAC)

Customers and strategic partners

Role of SMRs in energy security

About X-Energy Reactor Company, LLC

X-energy is a leading developer of small modular nuclear reactor and fuel technology for clean energy generation that is redefining the nuclear energy industry through its development of safer and more efficient advanced small modular nuclear reactors and proprietary fuel to deliver reliable, zero-carbon and affordable energy to people around the world. X-energys simplified, modular and intrinsically safe SMR design expands applications and markets for deployment of nuclear technology and drives enhanced safety, lower cost and faster construction timelines when compared with other SMRs and conventional nuclear. For more information, visit X-energy.com or connect with us on Twitter or LinkedIn.

About Ares Acquisition Corporation

AAC is a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) affiliated with Ares Management Corporation, formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination. AAC is seeking to pursue an initial business combination target in any industry or sector in North America, Europe or Asia. For more information about AAC, please visit www.aresacquisitioncorporation.com.

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About the Speakers

Clay Sell

Mr. Sell is CEO of X-energy. He has deep professional expertise across many sectors of the international and U.S. energy industry developed through his service in senior level positions in the private sector and government.

From 2008-2018, Clay was the president of Hunt Energy Horizons, LLC, the renewable energy subsidiary of Hunt Consolidated, Inc., a multinational energy, real estate, and investment corporation controlled by the Ray L. Hunt family of Dallas.

Previously, Clay held positions for 14 years in the U.S. government, most recently as Deputy Secretary of Energy in the George W. Bush Administration from 2005-2008  and the youngest person to hold that position. In that role, Clay served as Chief Operating Officer of the Department and emerged as one of the leading advocates for the Administrations nuclear energy policies. From 2003-2005, Clay served in the White House as a Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and a Special Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs.

From 1999-2003, he served as the Clerk for the Senate Energy & Water Subcommittee of Appropriations under the legendary Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico. Clay began his career in Washington on the staff of future House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry of Texas from 1995-1999.

David Kaplan

Mr. Kaplan is a Co-Founder, Director and Partner of Ares Management Corporation and Co-Chairman of the Ares Private Equity Group. He is a member of the Ares Executive Management Committee and on the Ares Private Equity Groups Corporate Opportunities, Asia Private Equity and Special Opportunities Investment Committees. Additionally, Mr. Kaplan is the Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ares Acquisition Corporation (AAC). Mr. Kaplan joined Ares in 2003 from Shelter Capital Partners, LLC, where he was a Senior Principal from June 2000 to April 2003.

From 1991 through 2000, Mr. Kaplan was a Senior Partner of Apollo Management, L.P. and its affiliates, during which time he completed multiple private equity investments from origination through exit. Prior to Apollo Management, L.P., Mr. Kaplan was a member of the Investment Banking Department at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corp.

Mr. Kaplan currently serves on the supervisory board of directors of MYT Netherlands Parent B.V., the parent entity of Mytheresa GmbH. Mr. Kaplan also serves as a member of the boards of directors of Guitar Center Holdings, Inc. and Number Holdings, Inc. and as the Chairman of the board of directors of the parent entity of Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurants.

Mr. Kaplans previous public company board experience includes Floor and Decor Holdings, Inc., Maidenform Brands, Inc., where he served as the companys Chairman, GNC Holdings, Inc., Dominicks Supermarkets, Inc., Stream Global Services, Inc., Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation, Smart & Final, Inc. and Allied Waste Industries Inc.

Mr. Kaplan also currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a non-profit hospital, and on the Presidents Advisory Group of the University of Michigan.

Contact:

IPO-Edge.com

Editor@IPO-Edge.com

Twitter: @IPOEdge

Instagram: @IPOEdge


Theres a new sound making its way through TikTok. Dont feel out of touch if you havent heard it yet  itll wraparound to your page soon enough.

This sound is perfect for doubling back on your favorite drink, repeating a certain activity or even giving out hairstyle tips. Just know that by taking an extra step and doing the action again, youre doing the sound justice.

Where does the I think Ill do a wraparound now TikTok sound come from?

The original audio is a clip from the hit Canadian show The Trailer Park Boys. It ran for seven seasons on Showcase from 2001 to 2008. In this particular episode, actor John Dunsworth was talking to the camera as Jim Lahey in a segment called Liquor Stories with Jim Lahey.

It was a recurring segment on the show, but in this particular episode, Lahey discussed the techniques for drinking vodka. He told viewers to start with a small sip, move to bigger sips and finally end with a wraparound  in which you literally wrap the bottle around your neck  and drink straight from the bottle.

The Trailer Park Boys official TikTok account posted this clip on Aug. 18, 2021, which was nearly four years after the passing of John Dunsworth. Still, fans and TikTokers everywhere have brought his ethos back online and are paying homage to the comedy great.

Examples of the I think Ill do a wraparound now trend

Me drinking out of my water bottle every five seconds in class because im bored, @normaniwhereisdaalbum said in her video.

POV: its 9:30am and you just woke up to get a fresh dr Pepper from the fridge, joked @rolltide617 in his caption.

POV: you just finished a 12 hour shift and now you have legs, wrote @_slumberjack_ in his caption while dry-scooping pre-workout in his video.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News  follow us here!

The post Are you going to do a wraparound? Heres where the new TikTok sound comes from appeared first on In The Know.

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A top House Republican has officially launched a probe into the Biden administrations chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, sending a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting a wide array of information on the matter.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who served as its ranking member previously, said the Biden administration has so far refused to hand over documents but that he is now formally requesting compliance as chair of the panel.

It is absurd and disgraceful that the Biden administration has repeatedly denied our longstanding oversight requests and continues to withhold information related to the withdrawal, McCaul said in a statement. In the event of continued noncompliance, the Committee will use the authorities available to it to enforce these requests as necessary, including through a compulsory process.

McCaul is seeking intelligence assessments, internal agency documents and communications with the Taliban and Afghan government, among a long list of other inquiries in the letter Thursday.

He requested the information from the Biden administration by Jan. 26.

A spokesperson for the State Department said they were committed to working with the congressional committee and have already provided more than 150 briefings to bipartisan members of Congress since the withdrawal.

Additionally, senior Department representatives have appeared in public hearings and answered questions on Afghanistan policy, and the Department has responded to thousands of requests for information and letters from members and their staffs related to Afghanistan policy, the spokesperson said.

Republicans have long hinted at the Afghanistan investigation, one of a number of probes the party planned to launch after seizing the House in the November midterm elections.

In October, McCaul demanded the State Department preserve records related to the U.S. troop pullout from Afghanistan, promising he would investigate messy evacuations, the quick Taliban takeover of Kabul and the death of 13 American troops in a terrorist attack.

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The chaos surrounding the Afghanistan withdrawal was the focus of bipartisan scrutiny in 2021 as the U.S. exit was highly publicized, with photos and videos showing refugees scrambling to leave the country.

Last year, Republicans on the Foreign Affairs Committee released a report as minority members of the panel slamming the White House for sloppy planning, understaffing at Afghanistans largest airport and failing to anticipate the wave of refugees.

The White House responded that the report was riddled with inaccuracies.

Republicans are also expected to issue subpoenas to compel U.S. officials to sit for depositions in the probe led by McCaul.

McCaul on Thursday said he takes the obligation of investigating the withdrawal very seriously and will pursue this investigation until all our questions are answered and all parties responsible are held accountable.

We owe this to the American people, especially our service members and veterans, the lawmaker said in his statement.

This story was updated at 3:37 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has published an intercepted telephone conversation of the wife of a Russian soldier who spoke about the abuse of narcotic substances in the ranks of the occupiers.

Source: press service of the Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

Quote: "Pasha says: "Valya, you won't believe it, my a**holes got stoned yesterday. Their eyes were... They [were seeing  ed.] some kind of bunny rabbits.

And Pasha pulled [another military officer of the Russian Federation  ed.]. And I say: Why the f**k did you pull [him]? He says: He would have gone to the Ukrainian position... But he goes in the other direction, to the landing of these a**holes."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a controversial executive order the day she was inaugurated as governor of Arkansas, issuing an order banning "Latinx" from government documents and calling the gender-neutral term "insensitive."

The order, which she says was issued "to respect the Latino community," says that "ethnically insensitive and pejorative language," and the term Latinx specifically, "has no place" in government documents or employee titles.

Latinx, by definition, is a gender-neutral alternative to Latina or Latino.

"One can no more easily remove gender from Spanish and other romance languages than one can remove vowels and verbs from English," the order says. "It is the policy of the Governor's administration to prohibit the use of culturally insensitive words for official state government business."

Sanders ordered that all state entities review their official documents and submit a written report to her office about the current use of the term. State offices and agencies have less than 60 days to revise all existing materials to replace any form of Latinx with Hispanic, Latino or other iterations of the two terms.

"In Arkansas, we will not tolerate indoctrination or [Critical Race Theory], we reject 'Latinx', and we will not aid in China's data harvesting or exploitation," Sanders tweeted on Friday. "On day one, we set the tone for an administration that will empower Arkansans and defend our freedom at every turn."

In Arkansas, we will not tolerate indoctrination or CRT, we reject Latinx, and we will not aid in Chinas data harvesting or exploitation.



On day one, we set the tone for an administration that will empower Arkansans and defend our freedom at every turn. pic.twitter.com/3j6tFFAWIL  Sarah Huckabee Sanders (@SarahHuckabee) January 13, 2023

Sanders cited 2020 research by Pew Research Center for her decision, which found that 3% of Latino adults use the term Latinx to describe themselves. Most of those who do are women between the ages of 18 to 29, the research found. And while the percentage of those who personally identify as Latinx is low, the research also shows that 33% of the Latino population believes the term should be used to describe the Hispanic or Latino population.

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There has been a debate among Latino and Hispanic communities about whether the term should be used, with some arguing that it offers inclusivity to gendered language as others saying it's not grammatically correct. But either way, use of the term circles back to the question of what should be permitted when it comes to personal identity.

And for many, it's not a topic that warrants state oversight.

"This is an internal debate and decision amongst us Latin/Hispanic people," Broadway actor Javier Munoz, known for his roles in "In the Heights" and "Hamilton," tweeted. "Not a single one of us wants nor needs you to be our white savior @SarahHuckabee. We define ourselves. You have no say in the matter."

Immigration activist Astrid Silva also commented on the matter.

"Do I think my community struggles with the term Latinx? Yup," she said. "Do they struggle more with fear mongering politicians, not being paid a fair amount, inaccessible health care and an immigration system that is pitted against us? A LOT more."

The same day as the order banning the term, Sanders issued a series of other orders, including a hiring and promotion freeze among state entities, reviewing all existing executive orders and prohibiting of "critical race theory" in schools.

Woman cleans windows from ledge of high-rise

Rick Rubin | Sunday on 60 Minutes

U.S. expected to hit debt ceiling next week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen tells Congress
Gov. Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency as violent storms that included likely tornadoes moved through North Georgia.

Severe Weather Team 2 Chief Meteorologist Brad Nitz and Meteorologist Brian Monahan tracked the storms from the very beginning Thursday.

In a tweet, Kemp said, Throughout this evening, Martys and my thoughts will return to those impacted by todays severe storms and tornadoes.

Throughout this evening, Martys and my thoughts will return to those impacted by todays severe storms and tornadoes.



I have declared a State of Emergency and ordered all relevant agencies to respond with an all-hands-on-deck approach to the affected communities. pic.twitter.com/CSSMCXFBuA  Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) January 12, 2023

The Griffin area and parts of Troup County appear to be some of the hardest hit areas from the storms as they moved through.

Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security also opened its Emergency Operations Center because of the storms.

RELATED STORIES:

Were hearing widespread damage from areas where the storms have passed through and also from your coverage, weve had confirmed tornadoes. And so, we have field coordinators and staff en route to those areas, said Mike Smith, chief of staff for Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

Smith said GEMA was staying in close contact with the Governors Office and keeping them updated with everything that is going on so they can get the right resources to the areas of the state that need them the most.

RELATED NEWS:
It is usually uneventful when a single insider buys stock. However, When quite a few insiders buy shares, as it happened in Rolls-Royce Holdings plc's (LON:RR.) case, it's fantastic news for shareholders.

While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

Check out our latest analysis for Rolls-Royce Holdings

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Rolls-Royce Holdings

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Independent Non-Executive Chairman Anita Frew bought UK82k worth of shares at a price of UK0.82 per share. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of UK1.04. Because the shares were purchased at a lower price, this particular buy doesn't tell us much about how insiders feel about the current share price.

In the last twelve months Rolls-Royce Holdings insiders were buying shares, but not selling. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Rolls-Royce Holdings is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insiders At Rolls-Royce Holdings Have Bought Stock Recently

It's good to see that Rolls-Royce Holdings insiders have made notable investments in the company's shares. Not only was there no selling that we can see, but they collectively bought UK110k worth of shares. This makes one think the business has some good points.

Insider Ownership Of Rolls-Royce Holdings

Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Based on our data, Rolls-Royce Holdings insiders have about 0.04% of the stock, worth approximately UK3.9m. We prefer to see high levels of insider ownership.

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So What Does This Data Suggest About Rolls-Royce Holdings Insiders?

The recent insider purchases are heartening. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. But we don't feel the same about the fact the company is making losses. On this analysis the only slight negative we see is the fairly low (overall) insider ownership; their transactions suggest that they are quite positive on Rolls-Royce Holdings stock. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Rolls-Royce Holdings you should be aware of.

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.

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The Orange County Sheriffs Office is looking for whoever shot and killed a woman Thursday night.

Deputies were called out to the Pine Hills area around 7 p.m. Thursday for reports of a car crash.

Photos: Gunman at large after woman found shot to death in crash car in Orange County, deputies say

The victim was found inside of a car on North Powers Drive, down the street from Meadowbrook Middle School.

Watch: She wanted to immigrate to the U.S. to live with her daughter. She came to bury her instead

Deputies said a woman in her 20s was found shot to death inside of a crashed car.

No other details about the shooter or victim were released by law enforcement.

Read: Volusia County man sentenced for 2017 murder of woman he intentionally set on fire

Officials said there is an active investigation into the shooting and car crash.

Watch: Lake County man accused of harassing neighbors facing hate crime charges

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.
A TV at the main railway station in Seoul shows South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol speaking during a cabinet council meeting Dec. 27, 2022. Yoon called for a stronger air defense and high-tech stealth drones to better monitor North Korea. (Lee Jin-man/AP)

Since conservative Yoon Suk Yeol became president of South Korea eight months ago, North Korea has drastically increased military provocations. In an incident last month, at least five North Korean drones freely crossed into South Koreas airspace. One drone infiltrated the northern end of a no-fly zone surrounding the presidents office. Many South Koreans fear that the Norths heightened aggression is a precursor to a second Korean War.

Putting the Korean fear into perspective leads me to think of what factors may incentivize the North to have a direct military confrontation with the South. There are three factors that could lead to a heightened conflict.

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The first is Russias military success in Ukraine. At the moment, Vladimir Putin appears to be not very successful in the Russia-Ukraine war. However, if Putin can control four regions of Ukraine  Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia  that were annexed by Russia last September, he may claim victory and likely gain popular approval for his mission to rectify perceived injustices and regain lost Russian lands and Russian communities.

Putins military adventures are, if successful, likely to encourage Kim Jong Un of the North to undertake a military assault against Yoon who has tried to back Kim into a corner since May. Yoons full-court press is odd given that he has no authority to maneuver his soldiers in case of war. The four-star U.S. general of ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command will maintain wartime operational control. Nevertheless, Yoon has been pursuing the strategy of an eye for an eye by insisting on preemptive strikes on the North. Kim seems convinced that Yoon is bluffing, so he is willing to raise the bet with more actions including nuclear weapon tests and direct military clashes.

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There is a historical precedent of a relationship between the Norths military aggression and the Souths bluffing. Then-President Kim Il Sung of the North invaded the South after learning that Syngman Rhee, South Koreas founding president, was advocating marching north and capturing Pyongyang for the unification of the Korean peninsula when he had little military capabilities.

That bluffing  and, of course, Kims political ambitions  cost the lives of nearly 5 million people during the Korean War.

The second factor is Chinas economic frustration. Since its economic opening in 1978, China has enjoyed a high rate of gross domestic product growth. However, President Xi Jinping faces an economic slowdown due to tepid productivity growth and stiff international competition. Xi is particularly displeased with President Joe Biden, who wants to hobble Chinas progress in the semiconductor industry. If Xi continues to feel hopeless about getting out of economic trouble and trapped by the Biden initiative to isolate Chinas chip industry, the chances are that he will search for aggressive ways to open foreign markets.

Nineteenth-century French economist, Frederic Bastiat once prophesied: When goods do not cross frontiers, armies will. Japans 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor is consistent with the Bastiat prediction. The U.S. exported most of its gasoline and machine tools before it imposed a series of stringent economic sanctions on imperial Japan. Then-Prime Minister Hideki Tojo decided to confront the U.S. challenges by attacking and occupying U.S. territories.

No one can guarantee that Xi will shy away from taking a militaristic approach when China loses its competitive edge in the global market from rising economic nationalism among major trading partners. Xi may be willing to use force to secure markets for Chinese products. If he initiates war in the Pacific, he is likely to prod his key ally, Kim, to attack South Korea to create a multitheater war.

The U.S. is prepared to simultaneously fight two major conflicts in different parts of the world, but it is likely to run into trouble if it has to deal with the Russia-Ukraine war in Europe and potentially ominous conflicts in Asia. Kim is unlikely to miss the opportunity to advance his security interests in the Korean Peninsula.

The third factor is South Koreas security vulnerability. Although the Souths military power is superior to the Norths, excluding nuclear weapons, its civilian leadership is not yet up to standard. It may be a moot point to debate whether Yoon is a draft dodger or lacks military expertise since he was elected by popular vote. However, it remains questionable whether Yoon makes his security decisions with the aid of experts with a proven record.

In their 20s, Yoons national security advisers refused to fulfill military duty. . They betrayed the public trust by letting North Korean drones spy over Seoul. Amid public uproar, Yoon and his advisers blamed the former president by asserting that Moon Jae-ins inadequate military drills brought about the crisis. Yoon then vowed to install a defense system for capturing North Korean drones. But Yoon did not know that such a system was already created and run by the Moon government up until he became president eight months ago.

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It does not matter how advanced the Souths military technology is when the civilian leadership appears to neglect to do its homework  such as learning what military technology is available and how South Korea can use it against the enemy. Why are eight months not long enough for Yoon and his advisers to finish their job training on security and defense? How soon can those rookies get their act together?

In the meantime, the Souths inept leadership is likely to embolden Kim to escalate South-North conflicts to the highest level.

Seung-Whan Choi teaches Korean politics and international relations at the University of Illinois at Chicago. A retired Army officer, he is also the author of four books.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Jan. 12Harford Community College's ArtsFest is hosting its annual Sunday afternoon of music and art on Feb. 5 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at HCC. This is the college's first full ArtsFest since 2020, said Susan Fletcher, HCC spokesperson.

The event is featuring performances of music and more by HCC faculty in the Chesapeake Theater. There will be an annual art and design exhibition of drawings, paintings, sculpture, photographs, digital art and ceramics by faculty and staff in the Chesapeake Gallery, where there will also be a reception with the "After Hours" faculty jazz band featuring jazz, drinks and treats.

Tickets are $1 for youth and $15 for adults. Purchase tickets at www.harfordevents.com, visit the HCC ticket office in the Chesapeake Center or call 443-412-2211.

Harford Community College held Winter Doldrums every year since the early 1990s until it was renamed HCC ArtsFest in 2020, the last time the event took place in its entirety, Fletcher said.

The art and design faculty and staff exhibition continued through the pandemic as a fully online exhibition in 2021 and returned as a live exhibition which was available online as well in 2022, Fletcher said.
Google said a Supreme Court ruling could upend the internet in a new brief that showcases the tech giants argument in a case scheduled for oral arguments next month.

Meanwhile, the millions of customers who lost money from the collapse of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange could get their money back, the founder said Thursday.

This is Hillicon Valley, detailing all you need to know about tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. For The Hill Im Rebecca Klar. Subscribe here.

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Google says high court could upend the internet

Google argued that if the Supreme Court rules to scale back a liability shield for internet companies the decision could lead to more censorship and hate speech online, according to a brief filed Thursday.

The filing showcases Googles argument in a case facing the high court that centers around Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a controversial provision that protects companies from being sued over content posted by third parties.

Gutting Section 230 would upend the internet and perversely encourage both wide-ranging suppression of speech and the proliferation of more offensive speech, the filing states.



Sites with resources to take down objectionable content could become beholden to hecklers vetoes, removing anything anyone found objectionable, while other sides could take the see-no-evil approach and disable filtering to avoid any interference of constructive knowledge of third-party content, the company argued.

The case is based on allegations against Google raised by the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen killed in a 2015 Islamic State terror attack in France.

Gonzalezs family alleges Google-owned YouTube provided a platform for terrorist content and recommended content inciting violence and recruiting potential Islamic State supporters through YouTubes recommendation algorithm.

Story continues

Read more here.





Money could come to FTX customers, founder says

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried on Thursday said the millions of customers who lost money from the collapse of his cryptocurrency exchange could get their money back.

Bankman-Fried said in a Substack post that three factors combined to cause the implosion of FTX  the balance sheet of his hedge fund, Alameda Research, growing to $100 billion of net asset value, $8 billion of net borrowing and $7 billion of liquidity on hand; Alameda not successfully limiting its market exposure; and an extreme, quick, targeted crash caused by the head of another cryptocurrency exchange, Binance.

Bankman-Fried was arrested in the Bahamas last month and is facing a variety of charges including wire fraud and securities fraud. The controversy surrounding him and FTX arose after the exchange filed for bankruptcy in November due to being unable to provide billions of dollars for customers withdrawal requests.



He was extradited from the Bahamas to stand trial in Manhattan and has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Read more here.





APP COALITION WEIGHS IN ON TRADE TALKS

The Coalition for App Fairness, an advocacy group that names Spotify, Match Group and Epic Games among its members, sent a letter to administration officials urging them to ensure digital competition is considered during upcoming negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

In a letter sent to the U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, the group warned about dominant tech platforms using the IPEF as a backdoor mechanism to tie the Administrations and Congresss hands as they grapple with critical big tech regulatory and legislative reform.

The letter also urges the officials to ensure nondiscrimination rules distinguish between facially neutral policies, which may have a greater impact on larger firms, versus intentionally discriminatory policies that target firms by nationality.

The Coalition for App Fairness has been advocating for bills aimed at revamping antitrust laws. Particularly, last year the group backed the Open App Markets Act, which would have added rules banning dominant app stores like Google and Apple from certain rules they have in place, such as charging up to 30 percent commission fees from in-app purchases.



The bill advanced out of the Judiciary committees in the House and Senate but failed to make it across the finish line. Apple and Google defended their app store rules against accusations of anticompetitive behavior.





BITS & PIECES

An op-ed to chew on: Big labors attacks on the gig economy are anti-worker

Notable links from around the web:

The US government is still trying to find ways to regulate Big Tech. He has some ideas (CNN / Brian Fung)

Aviation warning system that crashed was already a pain for pilots (NBC News / Kevin Collier)





 Lighter click: Your move, Hollywood





One more thing: FAA outage stretches on

A wave of flight delays and cancellations rippled into Thursday after a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) system outage grounded and canceled flights all over the U.S. on Wednesday.

Nearly 9,000 flights were delayed on Thursday, according to FlightAware, an online flight tracker. More than 1,200 flights were canceled.

The FAA temporarily ordered a pause on all flights Wednesday morning as it worked to fix an issue with its Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) system, which communicates real-time flight hazards to pilots. More than 6,500 flights were delayed on Wednesday. The FAA eventually lifted the pause later Wednesday morning.

After Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the federal government was not ruling out nefarious activity in the outage, the FAA blamed a corrupted database file for the failure.

Read more here.





Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Technology and Cybersecurity pages for the latest news and coverage. See you tomorrow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
iStock / Getty Images Plus

A Virginia school official was told a 6-year-old student may have brought a gun to school.

The first grader's backpack was searched, but no gun was found, the Newport News superintendent said.

Hours later, the student pulled out a gun in class and shot his first-grade teacher.

Hours before a 6-year-old boy shot his teacher in class, a school administrator at the Virginia elementary school was told that the student may have brought a gun to school, according to the district's superintendent.

Superintendent George Parker told parents at a meeting on Thursday that an official at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, heard the student might be carrying a weapon on January 6, according to local outlet WAVY.

Workers at the school searched the boy's backpack, but didn't find anything, Parker said, according to WAVY.

The first-grade student later pulled a gun and shot his teacher, Abigail Zwerner.

Zwerner ushered all her students to safety before being rushed to the hospital, according to NBC News.

The Washington Post reported that Zwerner was in a life-threatening condition, but later stabilized.

Parker told parents at the meeting that he's spoken to school officials at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas  where 19 students and 2 teachers were killed in a mass shooting last May  for advice.

Erin Davis, an attorney at the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, told Insider it's unclear whether the school can be held liable.

The school potentially could be sued, but this initial stage of the investigative process is murky, according to Davis, because police are still gathering facts and trying to put together a chronology of events.

"It certainly raises red flags," Davis said.

But "we don't know all the facts and it will depend what comes out and what it shows," she added.

A school, however, has an obligation to act on any threat.

"If a school has knowledge of a threat, it 100% needs to act on it to ensure that no violence can occur at the school," she said.

Story continues

Newport News Public Schools have had three shooting incidents in the last year and a half, the Washington Post reported. Dr. Parker assured parents that the district is changing its security procedures, and might require students to wear clear plastic backpacks.

At another news conference on Thursday, the school board chair Lisa Surles-Law said the district will be installing metal detectors in all schools, according to WAVY.

Because of how young the child is, it's unclear what, if any, consequences he will face, according to Ed Booth, a Virginia-based attorney.

He previously told Insider that, while Virginia has no minimum age limit for prosecuting children, it would be difficult to prosecute such a young child, even for a serious crime. It's unlikely that a 6-year-old would be deemed competent enough to stand trial, he said, and it would be difficult to argue he had criminal intent because such young children do not have "full cause and effect understanding."

"When you're talking about a 6-year-old, understanding what's going on is obviously going to be sort of difficult," Booth said. "I mean, frequently six-year-olds are not even permitted to testify in cases, let alone be actual party defendants in a case."

Read the original article on Insider
By Naveen Thukral and Bernadette Christina

SINGAPORE/JAKARTA (Reuters) -A move by top palm oil exporter Indonesia to restrict shipments and boost domestic biodiesel consumption is set to squeeze global vegetable oil supplies already undercut by lower output in Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Edible oil buyers, including price-sensitive consumers in South Asia and Africa, will bear the brunt of the supply-side constraints that come just as demand is forecast to climb, with China easing COVID-19 controls and India boosting purchases.

Indonesia's new restrictions are another challenge for food-importing countries hurting from last year's red-hot inflation, which pushed prices of key staples wheat, corn and soybeans to all-time or multi-year highs.

"The implementation of (the) B35 mandate in Indonesia in 2023 definitely changes (the) global palm oil SND (supply and demand) situation," said Oscar Tjakra, a senior analyst at food and agribusiness research at Rabobank.

"I'm now expecting global palm oil SND will be in a slight deficit."

Indonesia's B35 mandate, the highest in the world, stipulates diesel sold in the country from Feb. 1 has to contain 35% palm-based fatty acid methyl ester. By comparison, Malaysia has partially implemented a 20% biodiesel blending mandate and other countries have measures calling for single and double digit percentages of bio content for diesel or gasoline.

The Indonesia Biofuel Producers Association says the B35 mandate will take up 11.44 million tonnes in palm oil this year, up from 9.6 million in 2022 under the country's B30 measure.

Indonesia, producer of more than half of global palm oil supplies, also tightened trade rules this year, allowing exporters to ship just six times their domestic palm oil sales volume, less than a fourth-quarter 2022 ratio of eight times.

"Indonesian palm oil export definitely will drop, as output will decline, domestic consumption will increase," Fadhil Hasan, an Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) official, told Reuters.

Story continues

Indonesia produced 51.3 million tonnes of palm oil in 2022 and exported 33.7 million, GAPKI estimated. In 2023, palm oil output is expected at 50.82 million tonnes and exports 26.42 million, it said.

On Thursday, Malaysia said it could stop exporting palm oil to the European Union in response to a new EU law aimed at protecting forests by strictly regulating sales of the product.

Malaysian benchmark palm oil futures are expected in a range of 4,000-4,200 ringgit ($920-$970) per tonne this year, according to the Malaysian Palm Oil Board Director General Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir.

That's lower than a record average of 4,910 ringgit in 2022, with prices skewed higher by disruption to edible oil supplies and distribution by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But it's still comparatively high. Prices averaged 3,260 ringgit a tonne between 2018 and 2022.

On Friday, Malaysian palm futures were trading near a three-week low around 3,860 ringgit. [POI/]

Other threats to edible oil supplies include Argentina's worst drought in 60 years, which is forecast to cut its soybean output to 41 million tonnes, down from 48 million previously estimated.

STRONG DEMAND

India's palm oil imports in December jumped 94% from a year earlier to a record high as the product's higher discount to rival vegetable oils led refiners to boost purchases.

"Palm oil's discount to rival oils is around $300 a tonne, we expect this discount to narrow to around $200 by March," said Sandeep Bajoria, chief executive of Sunvin Group, a vegetable oil brokerage.

"But India's strong demand for palm oil will continue as it is still the cheapest edible oil."

Palm oil purchases by China, the world's second-largest importer, are also expected to climb this year, after dropping sharply in 2022 because of Beijing's then strict COVID controls.

($1 = 4.3350 ringgit)

(Reporting by Naveen Thukral and Bernadette Christina; Additional reporting by Fransiska Nangoy in Jakarta and Mei Mei Chu in Kuala Lumpur; Editing by Tom Hogue and John Stonestreet)
A Yonkers gang member who set off a vicious attack by more than a dozen people when he knocked a man unconscious with a tequila bottle was sentenced on Friday to 12 years in state prison.

Develle Coates, 20, was the only one among 14 defendants who took his case to trial and the jury in November found him guilty of first-degree gang assault. The attack occurred June 17, 2021, outside a deli on North Broadway and left the 33-year-old victim with serious injuries that persist.

Coates apologized to the court for the time and money expended on his case  but notably didn't apologize to the victim. He asked acting state Supreme Court Justice Robert Neary for mercy saying he had no criminal record and a young child he wanted to care for.

"I am a human and I made a mistake and I learned from my mistake," said Coates, who insisted he hadn't gone to trial to "get off scot-free" but thought the plea offers were too harsh.

Develle Coates, left, with his then-lawyer Richard Ferrante on Aug. 6, 2021 in Westchester County Court as Coates pleads not guilty to gang assault charges in the beating of a man outside a Yonkers deli June 17. Coates was convicted in November 2022 and sentenced on Jan. 13, 2023, to 12 years in state prison.

Guilty: Yonkers gang assault: Jury finds man guilty in attack outside deli

Neary did show him some mercy, rejecting the prosecutor's request for a 16-year prison term, but assailed Coates for his leading role that led to the victim's "horrific" injuries. Coates had faced between five and 25 years in prison.

Authorities said Coates was a member of the 300 Bloodhound Brims. An aspiring rapper who had set up a production company, Coates was working on a video on North Broadway the evening of the attack. Footage taken from the videographer was among the evidence Yonkers police used in making their case against many of the defendants.

The victim had an initial confrontation inside the deli with Vance Major, who then waited for him outside and hit him with a bottle. Coates then swung the long neck glass bottle, striking the victim in the head and knocking him to the ground. A group immediately started punching and kicking the victim

The prosecutor said the victim's life was "indelibly changed" that night. He continues to suffer from short-term memory loss and brain fog and is on numerous medications stemming from his injuries.

Story continues

Defense lawyer Russell Smith said Coates was remorseful, despite his contention in a pre-sentence interview that his involvement that night was "an accident and a silly mistake."

Major and all the other defendants have pleaded guilty, mostly to first- or second-degree gang assault. The sentences imposed have ranged from 3-and-a-half years to eight years in prison. Vance is scheduled to be sentenced in February and was promised an 8-year prison term. Some of the defendants were teenagers sentenced as adolescent offenders.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Develle Coates gets 12 years for role in brutal Yonkers gang assault
Leland Schipper, Des Moines human trafficking victim Piepler Lewis' ninth-grade teacher, is recognized for his efforts to aid her.

Melody Stone calls herself a "modern day abolitionist."

She's also one of the soldiers in an army Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate says is fighting human trafficking in the state.

Stone was one of six Iowans, also including the ninth-grade teacher of Des Moines trafficking victim Pieper Lewis, who were honored in an Iowa Capitol ceremony this week for their efforts to combat the scourge.

A licensed clinical therapist from Mason City who works with trauma survivors, Stone is the founder of a four-county north Iowa coalition combating trafficking. She has launched training for first responders, organized coalition events and lobbied for policies to discourage the exploitation of the vulnerable by unscrupulous people seeking to use them for prostitution, forced labor and other kinds of involuntary servitude.

More:Two Micronesians plead guilty to labor trafficking at JBS Ottumwa plant

She calls human trafficking the "the fastest-growing human enterprise."

"We will continue on, us passionate abolitionists," Stone said.

Pate's event aimed not only to honor Stone and the others, but to make that battle more effective. It came as the Iowa Legislature convenes, and the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery is puhing the Legislature for creation of a network that can provide specialized residential care and therapy for child victims of traffickers with the goal of diverting "minors from prosecution for prostitution and other non-felony offenses while they were trafficked," it said in a statement of its goals.

The statewide, volunteer nonprofit also seeks to double to $10 million the state's appropriation for services to victims of crimes, and amend the list of those served to include victims of human trafficking, homicide and other violent crimes. And it is asking the Legislature to enact a process for expunging criminal records of survivors of human trafficking who were forced to commit illegal acts.

Bringing human trafficking to light

Pate, a Republican who just started his third conecutive term, and fourth overall, also spotlighted the coalition's efforts to help bring recognition to human trafficking, a sometimes invisible crime. Network board chair George Belitsos said it's oftentimes not a case of someone being abducted in the street, but something that's "right in front of you, but we're not looking at it. We aren't seeing it with our two eyes, and it can be very many times in your own home."

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"It's not black and white. It's not that easy," said Pate.

The network has been putting stickers in bathrooms in public places, including cooperating businesses, to expand awareness and tell victims where to get help. All of Hy-Vees' stores have the rescue stickers, and it's already made a difference, Belitisos said.

More:Ankeny Police Department debuts new K-9 officer, the first of its kind for an Iowa city

"Last week, a Hy-Vee in Des Moines had an employee who called in suspected trafficking, and it was going on in their bathroom, and they arrested someone," he said. "Another Hy-Vee made a separate call. They were having trafficking going on out of their parking lot, and arrests were made because of the sticker."

Training workers to recognize signs of human trafficking is another part of the effort. An employee at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids who completed the training and less than two weeks later spotted what he suspected was the trafficking of a young woman. He alerted officials who rescued her, Pate said.

"Those stories are there, and we'd like to have more of those, but it's not easy," he said. "I'll take every soldier I can get in this battle,"

Gathering statistics on human trafficking also has been a challenge, Pate said, adding that until recently, the FBI didn't track them.

Belitsos pointed to one sign of progress: the U.S. attorney for the Des Moines-based Southern District of Iowa has successfully prosecuted 23 traffickers in the past three years, he said, "more than the number for the previous 10."

More:FBI locates sex trafficking victims in nationwide operation that included Iowa

"We're here to send a message to every trafficker in the state of Iowa and the world to set their victims free," he said, leading the Capitol audience in a chant of "set them free."

Pieper Lewis' teacher honored

In addition to Stone, among those honored was Leland Schipper, Lewis' teacher. Lewis is the teenage Des Moines sex trafficking victim who in a widely reported case won a deferred sentence for her admitted killing of a man she said repeatedly raped her after her pimp forced her to stay with him. Lewis is currently awaiting a hearing, scheduled for Jan. 18, on whether she'll have to go to prison after walking away from a women's facility where the judge in her case ordered her to stay.

Schipper said he stands by her.

"My former student bravely took the mic during her sentencing period and told the court her voice mattered," he said. "I was incredibly proud of her. She was powerful and she brought me to tears."

Also part of the sentence was an order that Lewis, as required by state law, pay $150,000 in restitution to the family of the man she killed. Schipper set up a GoFundMe account for Lewis that has raised more than enough to cover that amount. Schipper is now calling for legislators to not hold victims of sex trafficking responsible for restitution payments, saying "it's morally unjustified."

More:What's next for Pieper Lewis, the Des Moines teen who killed her rapist?

Others honored were::

Alka Khanolkar of Keokuk, who organized a drive by Iowa Rotary District 6000 in 2021 to prevent human trafficking and spread awareness of modern day slavery.

Tish Young of Cedar Rapids, who has been working against human trafficking since 2014 and said she believes "you can effect change in your bubble, with those people around you."

IMT Insurance Co. of Des Moines, which is providing three vehicles to aid in investigating human trafficking and rescuing victims, especially minors.

Sister Shirley Fineran of Sioux City, who is seeking to reopen Lila Mae's House, a place where survivors of sex trafficking can rest, heal, recover and learn life skills to become independent. The facility closed due to lack of funds.

Resources to stop human trafficking:

National Human Trafficking hotline: 888-3737-888 or text "Help" to 233733 (BeFree)

Iowa Victim Service Call Center: 800-770-1650 or text "iowahelp" to 20121

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: Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate talks about fighting human trafficking
My daughter Emily and her family recently traveled to Italy for 16 days, leaving my wife and me to watch their oversize miniature schnauzer Biscotti, again. Its not like I didnt leave hints that dog-sitting isnt my dream assignment. So, what are your plans for Scotti while youre away? I asked Emily more than once, which she passive-aggressively seemed not to hear.

Scotti is a sweetheart and a regular house guest, but am I really my daughters dog keeper? In fact, we already have a mini schnauzer named Zeno. Emily knows I coddle him with extended walks, regular baths and frequent treats, so why wouldnt I want another one to look after? So many dog owners swear by having two for double companionship and twice the fun. I am not one of them.

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Scotti and Zeno couldnt be more opposite  they are the Goofus and Gallant of schnauzers. Whereas Zeno trots briskly by my side, letting me lightly guide his lead like Roy Rogers with Trigger, Scotti lurches from curb to stoop, sometimes stopping abruptly like a barnyard mule in need of a yank. Zeno pauses to thoroughly sniff a lamp post or garbage bag for marking, as if composing a thoughtful email; Scotti is more the mad tweeter, dribbling haphazardly while hopping on three legs past a wall or scaffolding net. Zeno is utterly indifferent to other dogs; Scotti wants to greet them all, leaving me to disentangle from his excited encounters and occasional skirmishes. Merely walking two blocks with both dogs is an exercise in twirls and pirouettes, as well as arm-socket pulls when they head in different directions.

Zeno, front, and Biscotti, aka Scotti, in New Yorks Central Park. (Allan Ripp photo)

Indoors, Zeno contentedly digs into his bed, then curls into a doughnut for a nap. Scotti follows me or my wife everywhere, often tripping us. When someone enters the apartment, Zeno dutifully barks at the newcomer, while Scotti thinks his job is to bark at Zeno, with a screechy yelp suited for a dying wild boar. At feeding time, Zeno patiently sits by his bowl; Scotti yaps and spins frenetically in circles, then sprays kibble across the floor once his motor mouth hits the dish.

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Whether from dominance or a terriers fear of missing out, Scotti must be out in front of the pack on every walk and perched at the highest point of a room. He goes white-fang ballistic if Zeno dares to mount a chair or ottoman ahead of him, never mind if they were playfully brushing whiskers moments earlier.

But just when Im at the end of my own leash  say, after getting soaked by one of his post-shampoo shakeouts  he shows me another side. Let him loose in the park, and he bolts exuberantly like Seabiscuit at full gallop, while Zeno looks up at me with beady-eyed disbelief. When I return from taking out the garbage, he welcomes me with leaping kisses as if Id been to the Aleutian Islands. At the dinner table, hell take a morsel ever so gently from my hand and be satisfied  Zeno snaps his canines and always looks for seconds and thirds.

And its true  when my two charges finally settle into some sort of rhythm together outside, Im free to read my phone or hold an umbrella without snapping my wrist. We also seem to get more compliments as a threesome, Zeno for his platinum elegance and jaunty steps and Scotti for his scampiness and sheer friendliness. Scotti will freely accept a hand for petting; Zeno is looking only for a handout.

At night, while Zeno retires alone to his fluffy bed in the dining room, Scotti jumps onto the living room couch where my wife and I are watching a British crime show or documentary. He plops himself on my lap, stretching his limbs to cover as much human as he can, and rests his scruffy beard on my thigh. A deep sigh of fulfillment follows, and I know what hes thinking: Come on, admit it. Youll miss me when Im gone.

The thing is, hes usually right.

Allan Ripp runs a press relations firm in New York.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
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French soldiers practice shooting with a tank in 2010. (Joel Saget/AFP via Getty Images)

President Emmanuel Macrons Jan. 4 announcement that France was prepared to send a consignment of AMX-10RC to Ukraine seemingly broke a diplomatic impasse about NATO providing serious armor to the embattled nation. The AMX-10RC, a light tank in all but name, is the most heavy-duty Western armored fighting vehicle pledged to Ukraine since the beginning of the war there.

Within days, the United States announced it was sending 50 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles. Then the United Kingdom promised 10 Challenger 2 main battle tanks. Even Germany finally agreed to send its Marder infantry fighting vehicles. Not to be outdone, Polish President Andrzej Duda, whose country has already sent over 250 of its own Soviet-made T-72 tanks to Ukraine, pledged to send a company of German-manufactured Leopard 2s at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Lviv.

There was a snag, however.

From left, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish President Andrzej Duda at a press conference following a meeting on Wednesday in Lviv, Ukraine. (Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Poland requires German permission to reexport the Leopard 2s to a third party, and Berlin refused to give it. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has repeatedly stated that his country would not act unilaterally in supplying or allowing German-made heavy armor to be transported to Ukraine. One would have been mistaken to read this as an invitation for another Western country to pull the trigger first on tanks. The British decision on Challengers did nothing to release the Leopards.

There is no change in the situation now because of the step that the British government has announced, Scholzs spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit stated on Wednesday. Scholz himself argued two days earlier that German deliveries of tanks must be coordinated especially with our transatlantic partner, with the United States of America, a not-very-subtle shifting of the goalposts from his previously articulated position.

Downshifting the debate into the level of semantic absurdity, Wolfgang Hellmich, the defense policy spokesman for Scholzs ruling Social Democratic Party, claimed that Leopard 2s were attack tanks, adding that what Kyiv needed was tanks for defense.

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Like bankruptcy, as Ernest Hemingway wrote in The Sun Also Rises, security assistance to Ukraine happens gradually and then suddenly. On Friday, Berlin appeared to backtrack on its own backtracking about tanks, with Scholzs own vice chancellor, Robert Habeck, quoted by Politico Europe as saying, Germany should not stand in the way when other countries make decisions to support Ukraine, regardless of what decision Germany makes.

The decision, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht added, was all up to Warsaw, which she claimed had yet to formally ask Berlin if it could send its company of Leopards. If it is indeed all up to Poland, then the Leopards are as good as en route to Ukraine.

German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht addresses the media on German battle tanks for Ukraine on Friday. (Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters)

It's always a similar pattern, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dymtro Kuleba told German public broadcaster ARD on Wednesday. First they say no, then they fiercely defend their decision, only to say yes in the end. We are still trying to understand why the German government is doing this to itself.

But why are Western tanks needed now?

Although Ukraine still has a large stockpile of ex-Soviet vehicles, its dwindling. According to the open-source war monitor Oryx Blog, since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion Ukraine is visually confirmed to have lost 447 tanks: 263 have been destroyed, 24 damaged, 16 abandoned and 144 captured by the Russians.

Moreover, stocks of spare parts and 125-millimeter shells, the standard caliber for the majority of ex-Soviet and Russian-made tank guns, are also becoming scarce. Western governments, notably the U.S. and U.K., have been buying up all the stocks they can, but they readily acknowledge that this is a temporary measure.

Supplying Western tanks, most of which use a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun, is a lot easier, as these shells are in abundance in most NATO countries. Western tanks also typically have a qualitative advantage over their Eastern Bloc counterparts that would allow smaller numbers of vehicles to hold their own against larger numbers of Russian tanks, which were explicitly designed to engage on the fields of Europe if the Cold War ever grew hot.

Modern Western tanks typically have far superior optics, allowing them to spot the enemy first and greatly improve their chances of winning an engagement. Protection and crew survivability are also a priority for Western designs, unlike their Russian counterparts.

A destroyed Russian tank by the side of the road in Kupiansk, Ukraine. Kupiansk was occupied by Russian forces mere days after their Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Indeed, a notorious and recurring spectacle of war has been the turrets of Russian tanks being blown sky-high from their hulls after a catastrophic detonation of the on-board ammunition, something Western tankers describe as the jack-in-the-box effect. The Russian designs necessitate an ammunition carousel, which sits directly under the turret, and automatically loads each fireable shell into the gun on the T-72, T-80 and T-90 series.

Western tanks store their ammunition in specially protected compartments equipped with blow-off panels, designed to channel any ammunition explosion to the outside of the vehicle, expressly to stop this from happening. The doctrine behind the design of most Western tanks  using a fourth crew member to manually load the ammunition rather than the autoloader  makes a catastrophic detonation far less likely.

There are also some less obvious advantages to modern Western designs. A Russian T-72 has an incredibly slow reversing speed of 2.5 mph, and the T-80 is not that much better at 6 mph.

This is a major design flaw that has proved fatal in battles in Ukraine, where vehicles operated by both sides have been unable to quickly extricate themselves from dangerous situations while still keeping their thick frontal armor pointed toward the enemy. In comparison, an Abrams can reverse 10 times faster, at 25 mph. Other Western models, while not as speedy as the Abrams, are still significantly faster than their Russian counterparts.

But there are also significant disadvantages that Western tanks have over the ex-Soviet vehicles currently used by both Russia and Ukraine. Primarily, the fact that the introduction of a new type of vehicle involves training and logistical challenges for the Ukrainian military.

Better engineering comes with intrinsic burdens.

Russian T-80 tanks take part in military exercises at a training ground outside the city of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk on Sept. 4, 2022. (Kirill KudryavtsevAFP via Getty Images)

Western tanks are designed for function and usability, G. Alexander Crowther, a retired U.S. Army colonel strategist and the former special assistant for the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, told Yahoo News. Theyre meant to be part of multi-domain operations. They can communicate across platforms and, because they are more comfortable, soldiers can use them longer without excessive fatigue. But that means two things  theyre expensive and require maintenance. Technical schools last for months.

A former U.S. Marine and Abrams tank commander in Afghanistan, who asked to be quoted anonymously, added that Abrams and Leopards in particular have a massive logistics effort behind them, and fielding multiple tanks with no parts in common is a huge task. Some will be damaged, destroyed or captured, and that represents national security risks to donor nations.

Both Ukrainian tank crews and mechanics will need to be trained to operate and maintain all types of their new Western tanks. A significant supply of spare parts will also be needed, along with any specialized diagnostic equipment and recovery vehicles that such tanks would need to keep them operational. The more models provided to Ukraine, the more the logistical headaches increase.

Ideally, Ukraines Western partners would agree to send one type in quantity, rather than small consignments of different models  which makes the current fandango over Abrams, Leopards and Challengers, and whos sending what, more perplexing than it needs to be.

A destroyed tank likely belonging to Russia or pro-Russian forces lies amid rubble in Mariupol, Ukraine, in March 2022. (Maximilian Clarke/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Western tanks are also very heavy, partly a result of their larger size and increased armor protection compared with their Eastern Bloc counterparts. The relatively modern T-72B3, which entered Russian service in 2013, weighs around 45 tons. The German Leopard 2A5, the American M1A2 Abrams and the British Challenger 2 all weigh 62.5 tons. (The latest version of the Abrams, the M1A2C, is even heavier at 66.8 tons.)

The added weight of these Western vehicles means they cannot safely cross some Ukrainian bridges, especially temporary bridges built to replace permanent infrastructure destroyed in the war. Theyll either have to wade through the water or be ferried across, procedures that are difficult, time-consuming and often dangerous. And here still more equipment enters the picture: These tanks will require the heaviest tank transporters. If the Ukrainians dont have enough in their inventory, these will need to be provided by Western nations as well.

Certain Western tanks also have certain characteristics that could prove challenging in a Ukrainian context. The American Abrams is powered by a multi-fuel turbine engine, which, while extremely powerful, guzzles gasoline at a prodigious rate. The Abrams has half the effective range of a Russian T-72B3, and requires 10 gallons of fuel per hour just to keep the engine idling. The scorching-hot jet blast restricts the ability of infantry to follow in close proximity to the vehicle, a tactic Ukrainian soldiers have repeatedly used while crossing the wide-open, featureless steppe in southern Ukraine.

The tanks Ukraine already operates arent bad, the ex-Marine said. Theyre good tanks. The reputation for their being bad is a product of the Russians spending zero dollars on intangibles like leadership and crew training.
By Maayan Lubell

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Benjamin Netanyahu defended on Friday a proposed shakeup of the judiciary but also indicated changes could be made to draft legislation that critics say would damage democracy and the independence of courts.

The 73-year-old political veteran, who is on trial for corruption charges that he denies, returned to power in December at the head of a nationalist, religious government.

One of its first moves was a bill which, if written into law, would limit High Court rulings against government moves or Knesset parliament laws, while increasing politicians' sway over the selection of judges.

In a video response to stark criticism by Supreme Court President Esther Hayut, Netanyahu said the draft law could be tweaked but critics were exaggerating the changes proposed.

"When one says a minor correction would be the destruction of democracy, it is not only a false argument, it is also one that does not allow any understandings that should be reached in substantive discussions in the Israeli Knesset," he said.

"Corrections (to the legal system) must be done responsibly and with careful consideration while hearing all the positions and that's exactly the process that will now take place in the legislature."

Hayut on Thursday said that if implemented as outlined by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the reform would compromise judiciary independence.

"If the plan is realized, (Israel's) 75th anniversary will be remembered as the year the country's democratic integrity suffered a mortal blow," he said.

Backers of the bill have long accused the Supreme Court of overreach and elitism. They say the changes would restore balance between the judiciary, executive and legislature.

The Knesset's constitutional committee has begun discussing the plan.

Critics say it risks fostering corruption, harming minority rights, compromising Israel in legal investigations abroad and deterring investors. Several protests have taken place over the past week, with further demonstrations planned on Saturday.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's outgoing army chief on Friday warned against plans by Benjamin Netanyahus new coalition to grant more control to pro-settler lawmakers and make other changes to the Israeli security establishment, joining a loud chorus of criticism against the most right-wing government in the country's history.

In several interviews with Israeli news outlets just days before he steps down, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi took unusually sharp aim at Netanyahu's coalition agreements with hard-line Jewish settler activists who seek to entrench Israeli rule in the occupied West Bank, restructure the Defense Ministry and control a special paramilitary police unit.

"This is likely to cause damage and adversely affect our preparedness for war, Kochavi told the Israeli news site Ynet.

While the coalition deals have sparked furor from many segments of Israeli society, Kochavi's worries have deep significance. Among Jewish Israelis, the military is considered an emblem of stability and one of the countrys most trusted institutions.

Kochavi expressed particular concern about the coalition's plans to create three separate sources of authority in the West Bank. Netanyahu gave his right-wing finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, control over an Israeli military body that regulates planning for Israeli settlements and Palestinian construction in parts of the West Bank where Israel maintains civilian control.

Smotrich is an advocate of the outright annexation of parts of the West Bank that the Palestinians want for their hoped-for independent state.

There cannot be two commanding authorities (in the West Bank), Kochavi said. The separation between us is not good and may cause damage and lead to a worse situation for all populations.

Israel captured the West Bank in 1967 along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem  territory the Palestinians seek for a future state. Israel has constructed dozens of Jewish settlements home to around 500,000 Israelis who live alongside around 2.5 million Palestinians. Most of the international community considers Israels West Bank settlements illegal and an obstacle to peace with the Palestinians.

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Another move that Kochavi fears could undermine the armys chain of command in the West Bank stems from Netanyahu's agreement with Itamar Ben-Gvir, a right-wing lawmaker whose his views were so extreme that the army banned him from compulsory military service.

As national security minister, Ben-Gvir now oversees the paramilitary border police, which, until now, has worked under the Israeli military in the occupied West Bank.

"The work that the border police is doing in Judea and Samaria is excellent and I hope that the situation remains just as it is today. The chain of authority must be maintained, Kochavi said, referring to the West Bank by its biblical name.

In other interviews, Kochavi said he called Netanyahu twice to warn him about the far-reaching consequences of the coalition's moves for the cohesion of the defense establishment.

Netanyahu has sought to assure the public  as well as the U.S. and Israel's European and Arab allies  that he has veto power over any changes that the far-right ministers make. But critics say he has so far failed to restrain his coalition partners.

After serving nearly four years as chief of staff, Kochavi is set to hand over the reins to Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi next week.
Northwoods Park Middle School would get an expansion if grant funds are awarded.

Jacksonville police are investigating an incident at a local middle school after several students became sick.

On January 9, 2023, at approximately 10:40 a.m., a group of students at Northwoods ParkMiddle School shared gummy snacks that led to them becoming ill. School staff responded quicklyto the incident to ensure student safety.

At this time, Jacksonville Police Department is actively partnering with Onslow CountySchools to investigate the incident and have made initial referrals as deemed appropriate. Inaccordance with North Carolina General Statute 7B-3100, information shared between the schoolsystem and the Jacksonville Police Department shall remain confidential to protect juvenilesrights.

This article originally appeared on The Daily News: Jacksonville police investigating incident at local middle school after students fell ill
TOKYO (Reuters) - The Japanese government gave an estimation for when the water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant will be released into the sea, saying at a cabinet meeting held on Friday it could happen sometime "around this spring or summer."

In April 2021, the government approved the release of more than 1 million tonnes of irradiated water from the site after treatment into the ocean. It said the release would happen "in about two years" at the time.

Japan's foreign ministry said in July that regulators deemed it safe to release the water, which would be filtered to remove most isotopes but would still contain traces of tritium, an isotope of hydrogen hard to separate from water.

The plan has met stiff resistance from local fishing unions over the impact the water release may have on their livelihoods. Countries including South Korea and China have voiced concerns as well.

(Reporting by Sakura Murakami; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)
TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese prosecutors on Friday indicted the man suspected of killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Yomiuri newspaper reported.

Nara District Public Prosecutors Office indicted Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, on murder charges as well as for violating gun laws after concluding a roughly six-month psychiatric evaluation, the newspaper reported.

In a crime that shocked the world, Yamagami had been arrested on the spot on July 8 after allegedly shooting Abe with a handmade gun while the former premier was giving a speech at an election campaign in the western city of Nara.

He reportedly held a grudge against the Unification Church for impoverishing his family, saying it persuaded his mother to donate around 100 million yen ($774,700), and blamed Abe for promoting the religious organisation.

The Unification Church was founded in South Korea in 1954 and famous for its mass weddings, relying on its Japan followers as a key source of income.

The killing shed light on evidence to reveal deep and longstanding relations between the church and Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers.

The LDP has denied any organizational link to the church but has acknowledged that many lawmakers have ties to the religious group.

The approval rate for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government had fallen to record laws amid revelations about connections between the church and many LDP lawmakers.

The premier replaced ministers with ties to the church from his cabinet in August and the persistent uproar over links to the church forced the resignation of his economic revitalisation minister in October.

In November, Japan launched a probe into the church that could threaten its legal status following the assassination of Abe.

($1 = 129.0800 yen)

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim and Christopher Cushing)
By Kevin Buckland and Junko Fujita

TOKYO (Reuters) - The yield on Japan's benchmark 10-year government bonds breached the central bank's new ceiling on Friday in the market's most direct challenge yet to decades of uber-easy monetary policy, before a wave of emergency bond buying reined it back in.

Swirling speculation that the Bank of Japan's policy of yield curve control (YCC) could be revised, or even abandoned, as early as next week had investors rushing for the exits.

That catapulted 10-year Japanese government bond yields as much as 4 basis points higher to 0.54%, the highest since mid-2015 and above a recently widened band of -0.5% to +0.5% set by the BOJ in a shock decision just three weeks ago.

The stress was evident across the yield curve, forcing the BOJ to announce two separate rounds of emergency buying worth around 1.8 trillion yen ($13.9 billion) combined. The central bank already holds 80% to 90% of some bond lines.

That went some way to restoring calm, and the 10-year yield gradually eased back. It was at 0.51% as of 0900 GMT.

"The attack on BOJ, mainly from foreign investors, continues," said Takafumi Yamawaki, head of Japan rates research at J.P. Morgan Securities.

Later in the day, the BOJ said it would conduct additional outright bond purchases on Monday.

The BOJ is an outlier in clinging to stimulus while most central banks globally are deep into rate-hiking campaigns, but signs of stickier inflation and a possible rise in Japan's mostly stagnant wages have emboldened some investors.

Most domestic analysts, though, hold to the view that no major shift will come until Haruhiko Kuroda, the current BOJ governor and author of Japan's super-stimulus policy, retires at the end of March.

"I think it's too early for the BOJ to give up," said Naka Matsuzawa, chief Japan macro strategist at Nomura. "It still has ammunition to defend the 0.5% yield cap."

Offshore investors sold record amounts of Japanese government bonds in the week the central bank widened the band, scenting that its six-year old YCC policy was on the way out.

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A shift appeared more imminent after the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Wednesday that BOJ officials would review the side effects of YCC at their two-day meeting ending next Wednesday.

REMEMBER THE RBA

There is talk in the markets that the central bank could shorten its yield target to three- and five-year bonds, but history abroad suggests the strain will remain.

Much the same conundrum was faced by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in late 2021 when it was forced to abandon its three-year yield target in a painful reversal.

With the local economy recovering faster than expected and inflation accelerating, the RBA realised its pledge to keep three-year yields at 0.1% out to 2024 was no longer credible.

So it abruptly dropped the whole thing and three-year yields spiked to 0.48%, an episode the RBA itself conceded caused "reputational damage" that would not be repeated.

The similarities are striking given data this week showed inflation in Tokyo, a leading indicator of nationwide trends, unexpectedly rose at double the central bank's 2% target.

At the same time, Uniqlo store operator Fast Retailing said it would hike wages by as much as 40%, concentrating mainly on Japan, giving hope that salaries might finally start to catch up to inflation.

The challenge, then, will be for policymakers to find a way to exit YCC without too much damage to markets.

"The bond market is very illiquid and any major selloff could push long-term rates up to one and a half percent in a very short time," said Amir Anvarzadeh, a market strategist at Asymmetric Advisors.

"So you can't just abandon this overnight, you have to do it gradually."

($1 = 129.1700 yen)

(Reporting by Kevin Buckland, Junko Fujita and Wayne Cole; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Edmund Klamann and Mark Potter)
TOKYO (Reuters) - Daiichi Sankyo Co said on Friday it submitted its mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine for regulatory approval in Japan.

Approval would give Japan a home-grown mRNA vaccine of the type that have made up the bulk of its COVID inoculations so far. The vaccine known as DS-5670 is being proposed as a booster shot, Daiichi Sankyo said in a statement.

In a trial of about 5,000 Japanese adults, those who received the vaccine developed levels of COVID antibodies that were as good as or better than those of people who got other mRNA shots, the company said in November.

Daiichi Sankyo said it plans to move forward to develop DS-5670 to target the Omicron strain of the coronavirus.

Japan has relied mainly on imports of shots developed by U.S. drugmakers Pfizer Inc and Moderna Inc.

(Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Tom Hogue)
The sheriffs of Kane and Kendall counties made their voices heard Thursday about a new law that prohibits the sale of a wide range of semi-automatic firearms in Illinois.

As we have always done, we will investigate and charge those who illegally possess firearms or use firearms in the commission of a criminal act, Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain said in a statement Thursday. What we will not do is proactively investigate legal, FOID card holding, gun owners and seizing their firearms.

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Hain and Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird argued the new law will likely be challenged in court, similar to the now-put-on-hold Pretrial Fairness Act that was set to eliminate cash bail in 2023.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the assault weapons measure Tuesday in Springfield, making Illinois the ninth state to ban military-style firearms. The effort to achieve the ban accelerated following a deadly mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, where the alleged shooter used an AR-15 style of weapon.

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The measure bans the delivery, sale or purchase of the weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines of more than 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns. After Jan. 1, 2024, people who possess an unregistered firearm covered by the ban face a misdemeanor for a first offense and a felony for subsequent offenses.

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.

Baird said his office is actively working with the Kendall County States Attorneys Office and other law enforcement partners to determine and address the full ramifications of the legislation.

Kendall County Sheriff Dwight Baird. (Kendall County Sheriffs Office / HANDOUT)

The constitutionality of HB 5471 will almost certainly be challenged in court and I look forward to a court ruling that resolves this matter, Baird said in a statement.

Hain said the Kane County Sheriffs Office will investigate and charge those who illegally possess firearms, but they will not proactively investigate gun owners who hold legal FOID cards in connection with the new law.

We are not going to go knocking on doors to see if they have high-capacity magazines or assault rifles, Hain said.

Instead, if they encounter a felon or someone committing a crime, they will use the ban as an enforcement mechanism to add charges, he said.

Hain argued the new law could cause an increase in black market trafficking of firearms. He said black market marijuana sales increased after recreational marijuana was legalized in 2020 in Illinois.

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Hain said surrounding states have less strict regulations on weapons, so he believes the enhanced restrictions in Illinois will likely create an increase in the trafficking of weapons in the state.

This will make our citizens less safe and our cops less safe, Hain told Kane County Board members Thursday, adding that he wishes state legislation concerning gun violence would focus on mental health care or supporting law enforcement agencies more. Active shooters are still going to get their hands on firearms whether the legislation creates more laws or not.

mejones@chicagotribune.com

Chicago Tribune reporters Rick Pearson and Jeremy Gorner contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (AP)  Questioned for a lawsuit, former President Donald Trump angrily hurled insults and threatened to sue the columnist who accused him of raping her in a department store in the 1990s, according to excerpts of his videotaped testimony unsealed by a court on Friday.

Portions of his 5 1/2-hour October deposition in a lawsuit filed by columnist E. Jean Carroll were released publicly after a federal judge rejected his lawyers' request that it remained sealed.

She said that I did something to her that never took place. There was no anything. I know nothing about this nut job, he said, according to the transcript.

The excerpts reveal a contentious battle between Trump and Roberta Kaplan, a lawyer for Carroll, who questioned him as Trump called the former longtime Elle magazine columnist the perpetrator of a complete scam in which she described the rape as she was promoting a really crummy book.

I will sue her after this is over, and thats the thing I really look forward to doing. And Ill sue you too, he told Kaplan.

The release of excerpts from the deposition came the same day as Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, unrelated to the lawyer, also refused a request by Trumps attorneys to toss out two lawsuits by Carroll alleging defamation and rape. An April trial is planned.

Trump has repeatedly said the encounter with Carroll in the mid-1990s at an upscale Manhattan department store never happened.

In his testimony, Trump repeatedly attacked Carroll's depiction of him as a rapist.

Trump said he knew it wasn't politically correct to say she's not my type when he responded to claims shortly after Carroll's 2019 book was published. The writer alleged she was attacked by Trump in a dressing room after they had a chance meeting in the store and she agreed to help him pick out lingerie for a friend.

But Ill say it anyway, he said. Shes accusing me of rape, a woman that I have no idea who she is. It came out of the blue. Shes accusing me of raping her, the worst thing you can do, the worst charge.

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Speaking to her attorney, he added: And you know its not true too. Youre a political operative also. Youre a disgrace. But shes accusing me and so are you of rape, and it never took place.

At one point in the deposition, Trump called Carroll sick, mentally sick. He mischaracterized an interview Carroll had given on CNN, falsely claiming she had talked about enjoying being sexually assaulted. She actually indicated that she loved it. Okay? She loved it until commercial break, Trump said. In fact, I think she said it was sexy, didnt she? She said it was very sexy to be raped. Didnt she say that?

Kaplan, Carrolls attorney, then tried to elicit from Trump that he raped her client.

So, sir, I just want to confirm: Its your testimony that E. Jean Carroll said that she loved being sexually assaulted by you?

Trump answered: Well, based on her interview with Anderson Cooper, I believe thats what took place. And we can define that. ... I think she said that rape was sexy  which its not, by the way.

What Carroll has said in her writing, and in the interview with Cooper, is that she doesnt like to use the word rape because some other people think rape is sexy. She said she preferred the term fight.

At another point in the deposition, Kaplan asked Trump if he had ever touched a woman on her breast or buttocks or any other sexual part without her consent.

"Well, I will tell you no, but you may have some people like your client that lie," he responded.

Late Friday, Trump attorney Alina Habba issued a statement, saying: While it was entirely unnecessary for the unsealing of a transcript both parties previously agreed would remain confidential, our client has nothing to hide and looks forward to resolving this meritless case.

Roberta Kaplan declined to comment on the release of the deposition excerpts.

Kaplan, the Manhattan judge, earlier Friday upheld the lawsuits alleging rape and defamation and seeking unspecified damages by Carroll, saying they could proceed to trial because Trump's challenges were without merit.

The fact that Mr. Trump denies Ms. Carrolls allegations does not enter into the analysis at this stage of the case, the jurist wrote. What, if anything, actually occurred must await further proceedings if the complaint withstands the present motion.

Habba said in a statement: "While we are disappointed with the Courts decision, we intend to immediately appeal the order and continue to advocate for our clients constitutionally protected rights.

In his ruling, the judge said the Adult Survivors Act was similar to the Child Victims Act, another New York state law that temporarily allowed victims of sexual assaults when they were children to sue their abusers years later.

Carroll initially sued Trump for defamation after he mocked her claims he sexually assaulted her. Carroll sued Trump with the rape claim in November, when the Adult Survivor's Act took effect.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Justice Department's top antitrust official recently won approval from the department to oversee investigations involving Google parent Alphabet Inc, a person briefed on the matter told Reuters.

The Wall Street Journal earlier reported the decision to allow Jonathan Kanter, assistant attorney general in charge of antitrust, to oversee matters involving the search engine and advertising company.

The Justice Department and Google declined to comment on Friday.

In November 2021, Google asked the Justice Department to consider requiring Kanter to recuse himself because of his work for a long list of Google critics like Yelp Inc, which Alphabet described as "vociferously advocating for an antitrust case against Google for years."

Bloomberg News reported in May that Kanter had been barred from working on Google investigations as the department considered whether he was required to be recused.

On Wednesday, Google argued a U.S. judge should toss out a Justice Department antitrust lawsuit against it, saying agreements it made with Apple Inc and others to make Google the default search engine do not bar smartphone makers from promoting rivals.

The case is set to go to trial in September. If Google loses, it could be forced to spin off key assets.

In December, Google asked a court to throw out both the antitrust case that the Justice Department filed in 2020 along with 11 states as well as a related complaint brought by 35 states led by Colorado.

The Justice Department's October 2020 lawsuit alleges Google violated antitrust law in how it maintained dominance in search and search advertising. For example, it pointed to billions of dollars that Google paid annually to Apple, LG Electronics Inc and others to ensure Google search was the default on their devices.

Google faces additional allegations of antitrust violations from dozens of states. The lawsuit filed by Colorado and others, which was also filed in 2020, also alleges that Google illegally limits rivals' ability to operate its Search Ads 360 tool, used by advertisers to manage online marketing campaigns.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old boy in Tacoma last Thursday, according to the Tacoma Police Department.

According to police, officers were called to the 4000 block of Portland Avenue East in Tacoma at 2:59 p.m. Thursday for reports of shots fired.

Officers arrived within minutes and found a juvenile male victim who had been shot. Tacoma Fire Department medics took him to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.

The case is being investigated as a homicide, police said at the time.

On Monday, police announced the arrest of the 17-year-old suspect. He was booked on charges of first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

KIRO 7 caught up with one man who claims to have heard the gunshots.

A couple of minutes later, I hear bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! About nine shots go off, the man told KIRO 7.

He said his family and kids in the area heard the shots as well.

I was trying to tell the kids to hit the ground. You know, I was like, Oh, man. Somethings going on. Thats not a firework, he said.

He tells KIRO 7 he ran to the scene right after the shots to see what was going on. He says when he arrived, the boy shot was still alive.

So, I run over to the bus stop right across the street from 7/11; I see a young boy and a couple of ladies working on him. He had a couple of bullet wounds to the stomach, it looked like, he said.

Local business owners are also telling KIRO 7 crime and violence are getting out of hand off Portland Avenue.

I was doing my clients hair, and I turn and go, Oh, something is wrong, Srey Sok of Angkor Salon said.

She believes if it continues, business will hurt for everyone.

My concern is that its going to be more slow. You know, because clients are afraid to come out themselves, Sok said.

But many say the violence in the area is getting out of hand and believe something needs to change.

What can stop this? Because there are a lot of weapons on the street and if there is nothing really anyone can do except address the young people and hopefully parents can teach kids better, the man said. Hopefully justice will be served.

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During the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Community Services Awards on Monday, Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards commented about the recent string of gun violence in which teenagers have been the victims.

But that ripple effect just doesnt affect the families or the immediate friends or just the schoolmates. It affects our entire community, Woodards said.

KIRO 7 saw several friends of the 14-year-old revisit the memorial set up at the bus stop on Portland Avenue where the tragedy happened.

His friends say he was always smiling and laughing and that he had a big heart. They are still heartbroken over this entire situation. Those who live in the area are still on edge about safety in town, and they hope the violence stops.

Its sad to see that young people are going to (be) having guns through life now. Its not right, one man told KIRO 7.




Kai Lawrence, the subject of The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker, has accused Netflix of ruthlessly exploiting him.

On Tuesday (10 January), the streaming platform released a feature-length look at Lawrence, who became a viral sensation in 2013, and the deadly events that followed.

Lawrence  whose real name is Caleb McGillvary  was a homeless person who prevented a man from trying to kill a woman after smashing him round the head with a hatchet.

After a video of him detailing the incident was shared online, Lawrence was hailed a hero and received instant fame.

Chat shows hosts lined up to interview him, and musicians, including Justin Bieber, requested collaborations with him.

However, Lawrences story didnt end there. Just three months later, he was on trial for the murder of New Jersey attorney Joseph Galfy, which he claims was self-defence after being drugged and raped.

The documentary is currently riding high at the top of Netflixs most-watched charts, and those who have watched it are expressing frustration; those interviewed for the film fail to acknowledge that Lawrence had been leeched on by the media.

Featured in the film are reporters, TV producers and family members with whom Lawrence had problems with.

Viewers are also not happy that the documentary ignores the medias exploitmment of Lawrence as well as his allegation against Galfy.

According to Lawrence himself, he spoke with two Netflix producers about his accusations and, from prison, he contactedThe Tab about the documentary, accusing the streamer of ruthlessly exploiting his story.

Kai Lawrence in Netflix documentary The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker (Nertflix)

So, Netflix is making a movie about my life story before I was arrested, he wrote, adding: But they refuse to pay me anything for it if someone made a movie about OJ Simpsons football career, youd better believe hed be making bank off it.

Its worth noting that, in the UK, TV regulation service Ofcom states: No payment, promise of payment, or payment in kind, may be made to convicted or confessed criminals whether directly or indirectly for a programme contribution by the criminal (or any other person) relating to his/her crime/s.

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Simpson was found not guilty of double-murder in 1995.

The Independent has contacted Netflix and the films producers for comment.

If youve been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support: www.rapecrisis.org.uk.

In the US, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1 800 273 8255 or chat online for help.
I tried Kate Middleton's go-to pair of jeans from & Other Stories.

Kate Middleton is often spotted in polished separates and stunning evening gowns, so on the occasions that she's seen wearing more casual attire the world takes notice.

While receiving her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine back in May 2021, the Princess of Wales looked effortlessly chic in a ribbed H&M tee and a pair of jeans from Swedish brand & Other Stories.

The then 39-year-old was wearing a pair of the brand's Slim Cut Jeans (shop them in Canada here, in the U.S. here), which retail for $133 CAD/$119 USD. Since then, the jeans have become one of her go-to styles, with the Princess donning them on several occasions.

Now that spring has rolled around once again, it's the perfect time to add these jeans to your collection.

Slim Cut Jeans in Mid Blue. Image via & Other Stories.

$133 CAD at & Other Stories$119 USD at & Other Stories

Like many items worn by the royals, these jeans have earned a solid reputation online and are prone to selling out quickly. Luckily, the jeans are still in stock in a range of shades (nine to be exact) for anyone looking to try them out.

Given that they'd already received the seal of approval from the Princess of Wales herself, I had to put them to the test and see if they really live up to the hype.

The details

According to the & Other Stories site, "These Slim Cut Jeans are everything youre looking for in a pair of classic jeans." They're made from 99 per cent organic and recycled cotton, and have 1 per cent stretch for a comfortable fit.

The jeans have a high waist, a slim leg and a classic five-pocket design. They come in women's sizes 24 to 32, and in 28 and 30-inch inseams.

First impressions

Since I'm just around 5'3" tall and had never tried denim from & Other Stories before, I opted for a pair of the cropped Slim Cut Jeans to be safe. They were also out of my usual jean size at the time that I bought them, so I went for a size up  and boy am I glad that I did.

Unlike many other retailers, there are no reviews on the & Other Stories site to help guide your purchase. If there were a spot for me to leave a note for future shoppers, it's that these jeans definitely run small. It's a happy accident that I ended up with the right pair on the first try, but had I purchased my usual size, I likely would have had to return them for a larger size.

I tried Kate Middleton's favourite jeans from & Other Stories.

Despite the hint of stretch, I found that these jeans do still have a fairly rigid feel. Depending on your preference that may be a draw, but I usually prefer denim that's a little bit softer.

While I was a big fan of the length that hit perfectly at my ankle bone, I found that these jeans were more fitted than I was expecting, especially through the hips and thigh area. I ended up purchasing another pair of & Other Stories jeans with a slightly looser silhouette, which I personally prefer over this slim cut.

That said, I think they'd be a great choice for someone who is looking to ease out of their skinny jeans towards a wider leg cut, which may be why they're a hit with Kate Middleton  the princess is often spotted rocking her go-to skinnies.

Final thoughts

All in all, the Slim Cut Jeans may have fallen a bit short of my expectations but they are still pretty nice. I love that they're made using recycled and organic cotton, making them a more sustainable choice than other jeans out there.

They're also pretty comfortable once you get used to the traditional denim material, and I have a feeling that they are the kind of jeans that just get better with wear. While they may not have become my new favourites just yet, you can shop them in more colours below to judge them for yourself.

Slim Cut Jeans in Black. Image via & Other Stories.

$133 CAD at & Other Stories$119 USD at & Other Stories

Slim Cut Jeans in Deep Blue. Image via & Other Stories.

$133 CAD at & Other Stories$119 USD at & Other Stories

Slim Cut Jeans in Light Blue. Image via & Other Stories.

$133 CAD at & Other Stories$119 USD at & Other Stories

Slim Cut Jeans in Mid Grey. Image via & Other Stories.

$133 CAD at & Other Stories$119 USD at & Other Stories

Slim Cut Jeans in Soft Blue. Image via & Other Stories.

$133 CAD at & Other Stories$119 USD at & Other Stories

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
LONDON (Reuters) -Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey pleaded not guilty in a London court on Friday to seven more sex offence charges, denying a number of alleged sexual assaults against one man about 20 years ago.

Spacey, 63, appeared at Southwark Crown Court by videolink charged with one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, three counts of indecent assault and three counts of sexual assault.

The actor  wearing a dark jacket, white shirt and pink tie  spoke only to confirm his name as Kevin Spacey Fowler and enter seven not guilty pleas during the brief hearing.

Judge Mark Wall agreed to join the seven-count indictment to an earlier five-count indictment, which features four counts of sexual assault and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent.

Spacey pleaded not guilty to those five charges last July.

The seven additional charges, which were authorised by Britains Crown Prosecution Service in November, relate to one complainant and concern alleged offences between 2001 and 2005.

Spacey was granted unconditional bail ahead of a pre-trial review hearing in April. His trial, which is currently due to begin in June, is expected to last for four weeks.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Michael Holden, William Maclean)
For more than 30 years, Springfield has celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with an annual march in center city. This year, the march's theme is "The Strength to Love."

The Martin Luther King Jr. Day March begins at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Jordan Valley Ice Park, located at 635 E. Trafficway St. The march travels east on Trafficway Street, merges north on Benton Avenue, cuts through the Springfield Municipal Court parking lot (625 N. Benton Ave.), heads south on Jefferson Avenue and turns west on Park Central East, concluding at the Gillioz Theatre, located at 325 Park Central East.

Following the parade, entertainment and activities will be held at Gillioz Theatre, starting between 9:40-10 a.m. Music will be provided by the Reed Middle School youth choir and Turning Point Church youth choir. Readings will be conducted by the Springfield NAACP youth council and Missouri State University music professor Richard Todd Payne will perform a Martin Luther King Jr. speech. The Springfield Public Schools NAACP Martin Luther King Essay Contest winners will also be announced.

A moment of silence will be held during the after-parade event for former Councilman Denny Whayne, who became the first Black council member in more than a century when he was elected to Springfield City Council in 2001. Whayne also was the Springfield NAACP president from 1980 to 1998 and participated in the 1961 Freedom Rides against racial discrimination as a teenager. Whayne is often credited as the individual who created the annual tradition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day marches in Springfield. He died at the age of 78 on June 5, 2022.

Toni Robinson, president of the Springfield branch of the NAACP, right, presents a plaque to Denny Whayne, center, and Calvin Allen, left, during the program for Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Gillioz Theatre on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020.

More:Denny Whayne, first Black city councilman in Springfield for more than a century, dies

News-Leader archives indicate that Martin Luther King Jr. Day marches began in Springfield in 1986, the same year former Gov. John Ashcroft designated the third Monday of January a state holiday.

Prior to the parade, the Springfield NAACP will be collecting hats, glove and Hot Hands at the Jordan Valley Ice Park, which will be donated to The Connecting Grounds.

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The Springfield NAACP is looking for volunteers to help manage the march and event at Gillioz Theatre. If you are interested, email info@naacpspringfieldmo.org or call 417-352-0880.

Springfield Multicultural Festival

Scenes from the Springfield Multicultural Festival.

The 26th annual Springfield Multicultural Festival also is being held Monday, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center, 2546 N. Glenstone Ave. The festival's schedule features:

Indian dance performed by Harshytha Gunalan at 1:15 p.m.

Traditional Japanese dance performed by Kizuna at 1:30 p.m.

Lion Dance performed by Fu Hok Studio Kung Fu at 1:45 p.m.

Egyptian-style dance performed by Sarrab School of Dance at 2 p.m.

Native American dance performed by Mahnomen at 2:15 p.m.

Springfield Aerial Fitness presentation at 2:30 p.m.

Mexican dance performed by Grupo Latinoamericano at 2:45 p.m.

Springfield Little Theatre Yes Trouble at 3 p.m.

Festival admission is $7 and free for children 12 and younger.

Free screening of 'Selma' at Moxie Cinema

Prior to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Moxie Cinema is hosting a free screening of "Selma" on Saturday at 1 p.m. The 2014 historical drama follows Martin Luther King Jr., played by David Oyelowo, leading a campaign to secure equal voting rights. The march from Selma to Montgomery results in former President Lyndon B. Johnson, played by Tom Wilkinson, signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Moxie Cinema is located at 305 S. Campbell Ave. Suite 101. Tickets may be reserved in-person. Voter registration will also be available for attendees.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: What to know about Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Springfield
Lawrence Wyllie arrives for his arraignment on federal fraud charges at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse in Chicago Sept. 27, 2017. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)

Suffering from ongoing health problems and awaiting trial on federal fraud charges, Lawrence Wyllie, former superintendent of Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210, has apparently taken a turn for the worse, a new court filing indicates.

Wyllie was indicted in September 2017, accused of misusing millions in bond proceeds and spending school funds on personal projects, including a dog training school he had built, authorities allege.

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In regular status reports to the court, attorneys for the 85-year-old Naperville resident and prosecutors have pointed out Wyllie has, since August 2018, experienced health issues described as serious and ongoing.

The most recent update, filed Wednesday, says that due to his health issues Wyllie cannot meaningfully participate in his own defense at this time.

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A status hearing in the case scheduled for Friday was scratched and a new hearing set for April 13, according to a filing Friday by U.S. District Court Judge Elaine Bucklo. She instructed attorneys in the case to file an updated status report by April 6.

The joint status reports have not gone into detail regarding Wyllies health problems, and documents including doctors reports were previously filed with the court under seal.

The attorneys, in the report filed Wednesday, said they are not yet in a position to determine how this case will ultimately proceed, and asked the judge to reschedule. At that point, according to the lawyers, they hope to be better positioned to lay out the next steps in the case.

They did not respond to messages seeking more information regarding Wyllies health.

The federal indictment followed a yearlong investigation by the Daily Southtown that exposed questionable financial practices at Lincoln-Way, private uses of public resources and deals benefiting insiders, including Superdog, a dog-training center.

In 1989, Wyllie became Lincoln-Way superintendent and oversaw the districts expansion from a single school in New Lenox to four campuses before retiring in 2013.

Lincoln-Way primarily serves students from New Lenox, Frankfort, Mokena, Manhattan and Tinley Park.

As Will Countys population grew during the 1990s, Wyllie pushed hard for a $225 million referendum in 2006 to build two new schools.

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The district went on to issue $52 million in bonds in 2006, $123 million in 2007 and $29 million in 2009.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

The district began eating up its cash reserves, and as Lincoln-Ways finances atrophied, Wyllie fraudulently used bond funds to conceal the districts true financial condition, prosecutors said at the time he was indicted.

The districts problems did not become apparent to the public until 2015, when Lincoln-Way landed on the states financial watch list and the school board voted to close Lincoln-Way North High School in Frankfort to cut expenses. The district remained on the watch list until March 2019.

Between March 2010 and October 2012, Wyllie repeatedly reclassified millions of dollars and transferred bond funds from the U.S. Bank account where the district maintained them to Old Second Bank, which the district used to pay operating expenses, according to the indictment.

By doing that, Wyllie concealed the scheme and the true financial health of the district by fraudulently appearing to lower the districts net operating expenditures in its audited financial statements, prosecutors said.

The understatement of operating expenditures and misuse of bond funds during that time was at least $7 million, prosecutors said.

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While he awaits possible trial on the charges, Wyllie continues to collect a taxpayer funded pension that, in 2020, amounted to a bit more than $351,250.

mnolan@tribpub.com
Los Angeles police chief Michel Moore has said he is deeply concerned after three people died after being shot or hit with a stun gun by Los Angeles police officers during a two day period at the start of the year.

On January 2 and 3, Los Angeles Police Department officers shot fatally two men, Takar Smith and Oscar Sanchez, in separate incidents. Officers accused Mr Smith of having a large knife when he was shot, while they accused Mr Sanchez of holding a large metal pole.

Also on January 3, LAPD officers English teacher Keenan Anderson multiple times with a stun gun after detaining him while making a traffic stop. Mr Anderson, the cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, went into cardiac arrest and ultimately died in an area hospital.

These cluster of events, while miles apart, deeply concern me, Mr Moore said. My commitment to the families is not just the condolences, though. Its my commitment to ensure the greatest transparency as possible, as much as the law allows, to include the details of the investigation as well as the findings and my recommendations, eventually, regarding the actions of our people.

Los Angeles new mayor Karen Bass echoed Mr Moores thoughts, saying she has grave concerns over the body camera footage released on Thursday.

We must reduce the use of force overall, and I have absolutely no tolerance for excessive force, Ms Bass, a Democrat, said in a statement. We must also lead our city forward  finally  on the mental health crisis that has been allowed to grow, fester and cause so much harm to individual Angelenos, their families and our communities.

The LAPD has a well-documented history of racism and brutality, including against people with mental health challenges.

Mr Smiths wife called police after Mr Smith allegedly violated the terms restraining order. She said she warned police about Mr Smiths mental health condition, but the responding officers never called one of the departments specialized mental health teams to help handle the situation.

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Police say that they encountered Mr Anderson, meanwhile, running in the road while responding to a crash at the intersection of Venice and Lincoln Boulevards. Police ordered Mr Anderson to move to the sidewalk, but Mr Anderson did not comply and ran from the officer. Police then restrained him, with an officer at one point pressing his elbow into Mr Andersons neck.

During the struggle, Mr Anderson yelled theyre trying to George Floyd me, and theyre trying to kill me. He was hit with a taser multiple times and then transported to a hospital in Santa Monica. He died shortly thereafter.

Ms Bass praised Mr Moore for his decision to release the body camera footage of that and the two fatal shootings, which he did well in advance of the citys 45-day deadline to release footage of use-of-force incidents. There was also bystander video circulating online of the incident involving Mr Anderson.

Investigations of all three deaths are underway.
A Ladys Island man was lying in bed early Saturday morning when he heard gunshots. After springing to his feet, he realized he had been shot, the victim told police.

Now, investigators from the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office are searching for an unidentified man who took the victim to the hospital.

The alleged shooting took place just after 2 a.m. Saturday morning. The victim told police he heard gunshots and rose out of bed, quickly realizing he had been shot. Police found bullet holes on the exterior of his home, according to Maj. Angela Viens, a spokesperson for the Beaufort County Sheriffs Office.

The man was taken to Beaufort Memorial Hospital, where he was treated and released within two hours, Viens said.

But investigators hope to speak to an unidentified man who dropped the gunshot victim off at the hospital, who on surveillance footage can be seen escorting the victim through the main entrance before promptly leaving. The man did not provide his name to police or hospital staff.

The victim claimed he did not know the man who dropped him off, but investigators believe the two men may know each other.

Police hope to speak to the man to learn more about the incident, which is being investigated as an attempted murder case, Viens said.

Anyone that recognizes the individual pictured or has any other information is encouraged to call Sgt. Jennifer Snider at 843-255-3421 or the anonymous Crime Stoppers of the Lowcountry tip line at 843-554-1111.
Parts of the southeastern U.S. were reeling Friday after extreme weather and tornadoes left a path of destruction across the region Thursday, killing at least nine people in Alabama and Georgia.

The National Weather Service issued dozens of tornado watches and warnings across several states including Alabama and Georgia, which received the brunt of the severe storms. At least 35 possible tornado touchdowns were reported across the Southeast, Federal Emergency Management Agency officials said.

An EF2  defined as a tornado with winds between 113 and 157 mph  was confirmed in Winston County, Alabama, weather service forecasters in Birmingham said Friday as storm surveys continued.

At least seven people died in central Alabama, where the weather service reported a large and extremely dangerous tornado" Thursday that slammed into Selma and nearby areas, reducing homes and businesses to battered and shredded piles of debris.

'TORNADO ALLEY' EXPANDING: Southern states see more twisters now than ever before

SEVERE WEATHER OUTBREAK: 7 dead in Alabama, Georgia after tornadoes, severe storms ravage Southeast

At least 14 Alabama counties were hit with possible tornado damage, according to the weather service. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency amid the tornado threat.

We are far too familiar with devastating weather, but our people are resilient, Ivey tweeted.

In Georgia's Butts County, a 5-year-old died after a tree fell on her mothers car Thursday, said Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director James Stallings. The child's parent who was driving suffered critical injuries, Stallings said.

A confirmed EF1 tornado also hit Mercer County, Kentucky, according to the weather service, while emergency management officials in Mississippi surveyed possible tornado damage in Monroe County Thursday.

Heres what to know about the severe weather that ripped through the Southeast:

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Alabama homes damaged, lose electricity

Around 31,000 customers were without power across Alabama and Georgia by Friday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us  an improvement from the 126,000 outages reported across both states Thursday night.

A confirmed tornado hit Dallas and Autauga counties Thursday, killing at least seven people in Alabama. Crews searched through the night for anyone trapped beneath the damage.

BEFORE AND AFTER: Drastic images capture the devastation from a series of storms in California

Authorities found the seventh Alabama victim Friday morning in a wooded area, said Autauga County Sheriff David Hill. No one else was reported missing as of Friday, he said.

This is hopefully the last one, Hill said of the seventh fatality.

Mel Gilmer surveys the damage to his business after a tornado passed through downtown Selma, Ala., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. Gilmer took shelter in the bathroom as the tornado hit.

The tornado that sliced a 20-mile path through the historic city of Selmas downtown area in south-central Alabama collapsed buildings, uprooted trees, tossed vehicles, shredded power lines and ignited at least one fire.

HISTORY SAVED, BUT SURVIVORS NEED HELP: Selma tornado puts a stop to everyday life

Autauga County emergency management director Ernie Baggett said the tornado wrecked about 40 homes, including several mobile homes launched into the air.

They werent just blown over," Baggett said. "They were blown a distance.

The mayor of the 18,000-population city, James Perkins, said no one had died there despite several serious injuries.

We have a lot of downed power lines," Perkins said. "There is a lot of danger on the streets.

Workers remove debris from railroad tracks after a tornado passed through downtown Selma, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Selma Ala..

People trapped after storm slams Georgia

Suspected tornado damage hit at least five Georgia counties, according to the weather service.

At least one death  a 5-year-old child  was reported in Georgia during the severe weather after a tree fell on a vehicle in Butts Countys Jackson, located southeast of Atlanta, officials said. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who issued a state of emergency in response to the storms, expressed heartbreak over the tragedy and "terrible loss" via Twitter.

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The powerful weather appeared to derail a freight train in the same county, officials said.

A Georgia Department of Transportation worker was also killed while responding to storm damage, according to Kemp.

Residents of an apartment complex in Griffin, also south of Atlanta, were trapped after the storm knocked trees onto the building. Firefighters rescued a Griffin man pinned for hours after a tree hit his home, officials told local news outlets.

What caused the severe weather outbreak?

Thursday's destructive and deadly tornado outbreak stemmed from three factors: a natural La Nina weather cycle, the Gulf of Mexico's likely climate-change-related warming and tornadoes' decades-long shift from the western U.S. to east, according to Northern Illinois University meteorology professor Victor Gensini.

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The La Nina  a cooling of parts of the Pacific Ocean that impacts global weather  helped created a wavy jet stream that ushered in a cold front, according to Gensini, who studies tornado trends.

This time of year, the southeast's air is fairly dry, but the dew point was twice what is normal, Gensini said. This was likely caused by the Gulf's unusually warm water. The moisture hitting the cold front created conditions favorable for a tornado outbreak, he said.

Contributing: Alex Gladden, Marty Roney and Evan Mealins, Montgomery Advertiser; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama, Georgia tornado updates: At least 9 dead amid severe weather
A supporter of Brazil's former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro is confronted by police after rioters stormed government buildings in Brasilia on Sunday. (Eraldo Peres / Associated Press)

To the editor: In some ways, I can't think of a more perfect state than Florida for former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to deposit himself. After all, it's the current home of an autocratic ex-U.S. president and a cunning authoritarian-in-waiting.

However, we should be outraged that Donald Trump's political soulmate from the tropics has taken up residence in the U.S., and that Stephen K. Bannon has advised Bolsonaro on how to undermine Brazil's elections by disseminating lies. Sound familiar?

The United States has long been viewed as the world's greatest democracy. Clearly, the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection showed that our democracy is actually fragile.

The fact that the Brazilian political establishment showed unity and came together to protect their precious democracy is in stark contrast to the past and present complicit behavior of congressional Republicans. That's scary and shameful.

Ramona Salinas Saenz, Alhambra

..

To the editor: The recent insurrections in Brazil, Germany and the U.S. are one response to this period of wide-scale and rapid change. And when change happens too fast, people can get disoriented as the norms upon which they've set up their societies and personal lives are upset.

People might resort to two ineffective ways to deal with major change. They can deny the new realities and continue as before, or they can fight the change and attack anyone (such as scientists) who try to offer rational ways of adapting, as if a show of force can negate new realities. This is what Bolsonaro did with the pandemic and climate change, worsening both problems for his country and the world.

Another course is to examine and learn about the changes and create rational ways to adjust. This can be a hard sell when demagogues speak loudly and boldly, spreading fear and hatred to promote their simplistic solutions.

The insurrectionists with their divisive and misinformed ideas are the real problem, obstructing rational thought and keeping us from learning and adapting. As H.G. Wells wrote, "Civilization is a race between education and catastrophe."

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Steven Perez, Santa Monica

..

To the editor: I would wager that even Trump, as evil as he is, had no concept just how far-reaching his insidious influence could be.

Kerry Burnside, La Habra

..

To the editor: After reading about Bolsonaro living in Florida, I do not understand why Gov. Ron DeSantis hasn't shipped him off to New York or Washington.

Arnold Shane, La Quinta

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A life insurance agent moved into her clients home, tried to sell it and stole more than $90,000, California officials said.

Sally Nava Kanarek, 76, was arrested on Thursday, Jan. 12, and faces multiple charges, including elder financial abuse, grand theft of an elder and forgery, the California Department of Insurance said in a news release.

Kanarek, from Huntington Beach, worked as a life insurance agent from 2018 until 2021, the release says.

In 2020, she moved into a clients home as their roommate and took over their finances after learning about their medical condition, the release says. She also posed as her clients health care manager, officials said.

Kanarek took $90,995 from her client, who was incapable of giving consent, the release says. Some checks she received from her client appeared to be forged, officials said.

Additionally, she sold the victim two annuities worth more than $580,000.

The sold annuities were against the victims financial interest, the release says, and they gave the agent $7,800 in commission.

Then Kanarek tried to withdraw over $110,000 from the victims IRA and sell their home, according to the release.

Her insurance license was revoked on Dec. 29, 2022.

The Newport Beach Police Department arrested Kanarek, and she was booked into the Orange County Jail. Shes being held on a $50,000 bail.

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Weapons seized in the home of a suspect who police said threatened to shoot his co-workers. (Long Beach Police Department)

Long Beach police detectives arrested a 35-year-old man this week after his co-worker reported that he brought firearms to work and threatened to commit a workplace shooting.

Detectives arrested Aiken Bui of Seal Beach on Jan. 9. He was booked on suspicion of threatening a crime with intent to terrorize and possessing an assault weapon, Long Beach police said in a news release.

Officers had responded to the 3500 block of East Broadway, near Bui's workplace, on Saturday for a report of criminal threats, police said. Once there, a person reported that Bui regularly carried a firearm and on Jan. 4 had threatened to shoot his co-workers.

Police spokesperson Allison Gallagher confirmed that the victim delayed reporting, but did not provide further details on why. Police did not identify the business where Bui worked.

As detectives investigated, police said, they discovered that Bui had access to multiple registered firearms. Detectives then obtained a gun violence emergency protective order, which restrained him from the firearms, and an arrest warrant.

About 5:20 p.m. Monday, detectives found Bui driving near his work, pulled him over and arrested him. Shortly after, a police SWAT team, gang detectives and patrol officers searched his home, where they seized six firearms, including several illegal assault weapons, police said.

Bui's bail was set at $100,000.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Ecora Resources PLC (LON:ECOR) as an investment opportunity by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. One way to achieve this is by employing the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. If you still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Ecora Resources

Crunching The Numbers

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$46.4m US$53.6m US$51.6m US$46.5m US$46.6m US$46.8m US$47.0m US$47.3m US$47.7m US$48.1m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 0.10% Est @ 0.36% Est @ 0.55% Est @ 0.68% Est @ 0.78% Est @ 0.84% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.8% US$42.6 US$45.3 US$40.1 US$33.2 US$30.6 US$28.2 US$26.1 US$24.1 US$22.4 US$20.7

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$313m

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After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2032  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$48m (1 + 1.0%)  (8.8% 1.0%) = US$624m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$624m ( 1 + 8.8%)10= US$269m

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$582m. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of UK1.5, the company appears about fair value at a 18% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Ecora Resources as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.137. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Ecora Resources

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Metals and Mining market.

Shareholders have been diluted in the past year.

Opportunity

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 4 years.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. It's not possible to obtain a foolproof valuation with a DCF model. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. For Ecora Resources, we've put together three relevant items you should further research:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 4 warning signs for Ecora Resources (1 is a bit unpleasant!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for ECOR's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

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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Esme Arias-Kim, 17, of Hoffman Estates will be the guest violinist at New Philharmonics Jan. 21-22 concerts at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn. (Craig Gorkiewicz)

Esme Arias-Kim, an award-winning violinist from Hoffman Estates, will join the New Philharmonic for its upcoming concert, Korngolds Hollywood Concerto.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 and 3 p.m. Jan. 22 at the McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.

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The 17-year-old violinist is the winner of the 2022 Minnesota Orchestra Young Peoples Concerto Competition. She joins New Philharmonic for film composer Erich Wolfgang Korngolds Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35.

Its a piece shes played before with DeKalbs Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

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That was my first time playing an entire concerto with orchestra, which is really nice for it to be Korngold, since I really love the piece, she said.

I really like how free it is, but at the same time one of the challenges is it has to be really planned out because there are some parts with the orchestra that have to be very well-timed. Its finding a balance between that freedom and that expression but also being with the orchestra and communicating with the orchestra in conversation.

She doesnt let the pressure of being young and also the star of the show get to her; rather, shes fueled by it.

The pressure is also what makes the feeling of performing it very magical when I play it, she said. I really enjoy different aspects of this concerto.

She hasnt performed with New Philharmonic and director Kirk Muspratt before.

Im very much looking forward to it, she said. Ive seen him conduct before many times and Ive heard great things about him.

She hopes audiences appreciate the music and perhaps hear something they havent heard before.

People come to concerts with different intentions. They can come with different ideas about what theyre going to get out of it and also take away many different aspects of a performance, she said.

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This is one of my favorite concertos and its less played than like a Tchaikovsky or a Brahms so I hope some people will be listening to it for the first time and really see how wonderful this concerto is.

Shes preparing for the concerto by playing lots of run-throughs, she said.

Its a different mindset than playing one movement or a shorter piece, because you have to tell an entire journey and also, youre standing on stage for a much longer duration of time, she said.

Also on Jan. 21, shes playing Chaussons Poeme, Op. 25 with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago as one of four finalists of the Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artist Competition. On Jan. 22, before she comes to Glen Ellyn, shell perform the same piece with the Chicago Arts Orchestra.

It will be a busy weekend, but Im really looking forward to it, she said. New Philharmonics program also features Jean Sibelious Finlandia and George Enescus Rhapsody No. 1 in A Major.

New Philharmonic: Korngolds Hollywood Concerto

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When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 21 and 3 p.m. Jan. 22

Where: McAninch Arts Center at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn

Tickets: $53

Information: 630-942-4000; atthemac.org

Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.

More things to do this week

Here are some other events happening Jan. 20-26 in Naperville and the Fox Valley.

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Ann Marie Nordby of Arlington Heights (standing) and Tammy White of Woodridge star in The Odd Couple  Female Version running Jan. 26-Feb. 4 at STC Theater in St. Charles. (Jocelyn Adamski)

Piano men

Great Moments in Vinyl plays Billy Joels The Stranger at 8 p.m. Jan. 20 at The Venue in Aurora. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. At 21 S. Broadway Ave. 331-212-8490; themusicvenue.org.

Jazz giants

The music of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday will be celebrated when jazz vocalist Tammy McCann presents The Legendary Ladies of Jazz at 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Madden Theatre at North Central College in Naperville. Tickets are $30-$35. At 171 E. Chicago St. 630-637-7469; finearts.northcentralcollege.edu.

Female-led Odd Couple

The Odd Couple  Female Version, presented by STC Theater in St. Charles, runs Jan. 26-Feb. 4. Performances times will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 and Feb. 2, 8 p.m. Jan. 27-28 and Feb. 3-4; 4 p.m. Jan. 29 and 2 p.m. Feb. 4 at the STC Theater in St. Charles. Tickets are $22. At 3755 E. Main St., suite 158. Stctheater.com.

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 Annie Alleman
PATERSON  Employers in the cannabis business want to recruit hundreds of job seekers at a three-hour expo at Passaic County Community College on Tuesday.

The event, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., will allow applicants to check out career opportunities with dispensaries from around the state.

Vendors will include Ascend Cannabis, operating in Fort Lee, Montclair and Rochelle Park; Ayr Wellness, operating in Eatontown, Union and Woodbridge Township; and Green Thumb Industries, also known as RISE, of Bloomfield, Paramus and Paterson.

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Deborah Hoffman, the director of the county Division of Economic Development, said those employers and eight others will set up booths at the job fair  a first for her office, which co-sponsored the event.

It is not only the first county job fair for the cannabis business, but Hoffman said it is the first time such an event will cater to a specific sector of the economy.

And that, Hoffman said, speaks to just how successful the marijuana trade has been. Were embracing a new industry, she said. Its a growth industry, and its a job generator.

According to the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission, the industry accounted for a staggering $316.7 million in medicinal and recreational sales between April and September of last year.

Story continues below map.

Sales figures for the last three months of 2022 have not been released.

John Bartlett, the deputy director of the Board of County Commissioners, conceived of the idea for the job fair, and he will be there to welcome guests, Hoffman said. The event will also include opening remarks by Steven Rose, the president of the community college.

Registration is required for job seekers.

To sign up, visit this website.

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: PCCC to host career fair for cannabis dispensaries
Update: Jones was sentenced Jan. 12, 2023, to serve 17 1/2 years in prison and then three years of supervised release and also pay $8,126 in restitution. The original story from May 2021 is below.

A man dubbed "Mr. Smooth" was arrested last week in Nashville, Tennessee, and will face charges in connection with a string of Louisville bank robberies, police said Tuesday.

Salvador Abdul Jones, 35, was taken into custody in the Music City without incident on May 7, with Louisville Metro Police, Metropolitan Nashville Police and FBI Louisville among the agencies that collaborated on the case.

Jones allegedly robbed six banks between April 2 and May 5, and LMPD Lt. Mindy Vance said four of the robberies took place in the Louisville area.

LMPD spokeswoman Beth Ruoff said Jones has "ties" to Nashville but that it is unknown if he had a permanent home address.

According to LMPD, the four banks that Jones allegedly robbed in the Louisville area are:

Fifth Third Bank, 401 S. Fourth St.

US Bank, 3095 Breckenridge Lane

US Bank, 4951 Brownsboro Road

US Bank, 3808 Lexington Road

Ruoff said the two other banks were in Shively and New Albany, Indiana.

After the most recent robbery at the US Bank branch on Brownsboro Road in the East End, Jones drove off before abandoning his car by Brook and Market streets in downtown Louisville, LMPD Detective Ben Dean said.

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He was arrested two days later in Nashville and admitted to the robberies, according to Vance, who added that Jones is a convicted felon and was on parole in Tennessee.

"Due to the sheer number of robberies committed in a short period of time and his calm demeanor, we dubbed the suspect, 'Mr. Smooth,'" Vance said.

Louisville Metro Police said Salvador Abdul Jones, dubbed "Mr. Smooth," was arrested May 7, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee, and faces charges in connection with a string of Louisville bank robberies.

Dean added that witnesses inside the banks at the time of the robberies said Jones "never presented himself as being overbearing or threatening" and never displayed a weapon, only using a demand note.

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"He was very smooth and methodical in the way he would approach the tellers and also in the way he would leave in fleeing the scene," Dean said. "He never seemed to be in any kind of a hurry or anything like that."

"We actually informed him of that nickname when we were interrogating him," Dean continued, "and his response was, 'Clearly I'm not that smooth because y'all got me.'"

Jones admitted to spending the majority of the money he took from the banks, though police did recover some of the stolen currency, Dean said.

Police did not provide further information on the total amount of money Jones is accused of taking from the six banks.

Jones remains in Nashville, according to police, and will be extradited to Louisville to face four counts of second-degree robbery.

Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville bank robbery suspect 'Mr. Smooth' arrested in Nashville
VALENCIA, Spain (AP)  Like many of the 7 million Venezuelans who have abandoned their homeland in recent years, when Dinorah Figuera left behind her family and medical career in 2018 she was forced to accept meals from local charities and hop from one low-cost shared apartment to another upon arriving in Spain.

Today, she still hustles to make ends meet working as an in-home caregiver for an elderly diabetic woman in the port city of Valencia.

But now the 61-year-old has an even weightier responsibility  leading Venezuela's opposition from exile in the seemingly impossible fight to unseat President Nicolas Maduro as the new head of the National Assembly elected in 2015.

Figuera's selection this month as part of an all-female leadership team of former backbench lawmakers was initially celebrated as an overdue acknowledgement of the key grassroots role women like her have played in the two-decade fight against Venezuela's socialist administration.

It could all easily backfire. To most observers, Figuera only managed to steal some of the spotlight from the men who dominate the U.S.-backed opposition because of an ugly internal fracas that has left it discredited in the eyes of millions of Venezuelans doing what they can to avoid joining the country's mass exodus.

This could end up being a double-edged knife if we don't do things right, Figuera said in an interview Thursday in a park as she interrupted a busy schedule of phone calls with opposition politicians seeking her out for the first time. But we're going to take that risk, with all of the possible consequences, because we Venezuelans deserve a change.

Figuera emerged as an unlikely power broker after her party this month led a putsch to oust the beleaguered Juan Guaido from his role as interim president. It was a title he claimed in 2019 as head of the National Assembly when several top opponents were barred from running against Maduro in the presidential election. Even though the assembly's five-year mandate ended at the end of 2020, it still functions as a symbolic shadow to Maduro's rubber-stamping legislature and is widely considered Venezuela's last democratically elected institution.

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The same opposition stalwarts chose Figuera to replace Guaido in a parliamentary session held over Zoom because so many had fled Venezuela in recent years. But in a twist, the so-called interim government was officially disbanded, thus downgrading Figuera's sway.

While Figueras plight is similar to many Venezuelan migrants, the circumstances of her departure are unique.

In October 2018, her close friend Fernando Alban  godfather to her daughter  died after falling from the 10th floor of a building belonging to Maduros intelligence services. It was ruled a suicide by Maduros government. Figuera had to quickly flee when she began to receive threats for denouncing that her fellow activist had been killed in custody.

I didnt have time to say goodbye to my family, she recalled.

In Spain, she was granted asylum. A single mother, she was separated from her daughter for a while and wept from abroad as her mother and two siblings passed away  her training as a surgeon and epidemiologist useless from thousands of miles (kilometers) away. Today, more settled, she sends money to loved ones back home from a job for which she is vastly overqualified but is grateful to have.

I feel like I'm part of the family, Figuera said of her Spanish employer, the daughter of the elderly woman under her care. She's always saying that nobody believes that the woman who cares for my mother is the president of the Venezuelan national assembly.

Although not well known in Venezuela, Figuera has been active in politics since a teenager, with a focus on helping neighbors in the working class Caracas neighborhood where she grew up. After taking a two-year recess to undergo treatment for leukemia, she was elected to congress in 2010 and again in 2015 for the Justice First party.

Her main task as head of the would-be legislature is re-connecting with disillusioned voters and uniting the opposition a year out from elections. It's a steep challenge with so many activists like herself in exile and Maduro's near total control of all institutions. Hours after her appointment, Maduro's attorney general announced orders for her arrest.

Figuera believes the opposition needs a more modest stance to refocus Venezuelans attention on the Maduro government's corruption, human rights abuses and mismanagement of a once thriving oil economy battered today by high inflation, gaping poverty and widespread shortages.

Were at a crossroads where rectifications are needed, she said, without providing specifics. And that means abandoning some positions that have weakened us.

But the oppositions own history of overreach, strategic missteps and battling egos are also a hazard. Guaido and his allies consider that his removal was unconstitutional. Even some fellow female politicians see her appointment as a desperate attempt to improve the opposition's worn down image.

I have nothing to celebrate as a woman," said Adriana Pichardo, a former lawmaker from Guaido's party.

To be sure, Venezuelas politics have long been defined by a heavy dose of machismo  of which the opposition isnt immune. All of Guaido's commissioners, which functioned as shadow ministers, were men and only two of nine members of the opposition team negotiating in Mexico with Maduro's government are women.

Women are where the power isnt, said Natalia Brandler, director of CAUCE, a Caracas-based non-profit group that trains female political leaders.

The dearth of opportunities has drawn grumblings from the U.S. and other Western governments that support Venezuelas pro-democracy movement. In 2019, after Guaido was recognized as Venezuelas legitimate leader by the U.S. and dozens of countries, a non-profit called Independent Diplomat was quietly hired with a grant from Canada to provide mentorship and workshops with valuable foreign contacts to a group of lawmakers and activists calling itself Women for Democracy in Venezuela.

All too often the international community pushes engagement in a tokenistic way, for example setting up parallel tracks for women on the sidelines of substantive negotiations rather than within the core negotiations as peacemakers in their own right, said Reza Afshar, a former British diplomat who heads Independent Diplomat. We need to shift the paradigm. Women need to play leading roles because evidence suggests it yields better results, and, as weve seen, men running things for hundreds of years hasnt worked very well."

Ironically, much of the female empowerment inside the opposition is a result of policies pursued by Maduro. The congressional election in 2015 was the first in Venezuela to require gender parity to correct longstanding imbalances that led to as many as 91% of local mayors being men. Most of the slots for female candidates were in pro-government strongholds like the central state of Aragua, which Figuera represents. When the opposition won the vote by a landslide, a number of previously unknown women gained a surprise foothold.

Figuera, having been herself excluded from so many closed door meetings of male party bosses, hopes to convert her unassuming touch into a strength to help the opposition recover some of its lost credibility.

I'm a woman from modest upbringing that has worked hard and won elections, she said, reflecting on her unlikely ascendance. I have the experience of resistance and I have the experience of making indeclinable decisions.

___

Goodman reported from Miami. Associated Press writer Camille Rodriguez Montilla in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.
Matthew Lehigh, the Boise man arrested last year for allegedly driving his car at two women and targeting LGBTQ victims, has been indicted on a federal hate crime charge.

A federal grand jury in Boise returned the indictment Tuesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Idaho said in a news release Thursday evening. If convicted, Lehigh could face up to 10 years in prison.

The charges trace to Oct. 13, when Lehigh, 31, was arrested after allegedly threatening two women, yelling a homophobic slur and intentionally trying to hit them with his vehicle.

Boise police said they later tied him to other incidents involving the LGBTQ community, including the burning of a Pride flag, and he is charged with three felony counts of aggravated assault, one felony count of arson and misdemeanor malicious injury to property in Ada County.

Local authorities cannot pursue Lehighs actions as a hate crime, the Statesman has previously reported, because Idahos malicious harassment statute does not protect people based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

Federal law does.

This assault, the indictment alleges, was motivated by the actual and perceived sexual orientation of the victims, the news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office stated. It also said Lehigh attempted to cause bodily injury.

Boise Police Department officers responded to a report of an attempted hit-and-run in the 1000 block of N. Americana Boulevard in October. Two women told police they were standing next to their vehicle when Lehigh drove his car at them. They dodged the vehicle, but his car hit theirs and he fled the scene, according to police.

Police had been searching for a suspect after receiving reports of a similar incident at a downtown business, they said. Lehigh allegedly hit a victim, used a homophobic slur and drove his vehicle toward an employee.

Detectives from the Violent Crime Unit said they found and arrested Lehigh in a parking lot near the 8200 block of W. Fairview Avenue on Oct. 13. He was booked into the Ada County Jail.

A judge later found Lehigh unfit to have his case proceed in court, meaning the defendant would undergo mental health treatment to have his competency restored before a trial could take place.
PERRY COUNTY  Perry County Sheriff William R. Barker released new information Friday afternoon regarding a shooting in Roseville on Jan. 9.

According to Barker, Joshua D. Bergeron has been arrest and charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter.

Officers were dispatched to 11000 block of Old Rainer Road at 12:36 p.m. Monday, on a report of an unresponsive male in the roadway. The victim, identified as Christopher L. Bates age 40 of Crooksville, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Perry County Coroners Office.

The Perry County Sheriffs Office Special Investigations Unit's preliminary investigation revealed the man had apparent gunshot wounds.

The Investigation into this incident is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Perry County Sheriffs Office Special Investigations Unit at 740-342-4123.

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Man charged in connection to Roseville shooting
Matthew Lehigh

As a result of an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Boise on January 10, an Idaho man has been charged with a hate crime.

A 31-year-old man named Matthew Alan Lehigh is accused of driving his car at two people in Boise on October 12 last year in an attempt to cause bodily harm to the two people because of their sexual orientation.

Boise Police apprehended Lehigh, and state charges were filed against him by the Ada County Prosecuting Attorneys Office, according to a justice department statement announcing the indictment.

Lehigh was arrested in October and charged with three counts of aggravated assault and one count of malicious injury to property. He also faced an additional felony arson charge after he allegedly admitted to police he had committed multiple crimes against the LGBTQ+ community in Boise, including burning Pride flags and vandalism to The Community Center, an LGBTQ+ safe space.

He faced a felony arson charge for allegedly burning a Pride flag of a gay married couple in Boises North End. He allegedly burned the flag on October 4 at the home of John Michael Schert and Brett Perry.

The federal hate crimes charge comes as Idaho laws wouldnt permit such a charge in this case. Despite the animosity and hate directed at the LGBTQ+ community, no hate crime charges were filed against Lehigh because the states malicious harassment law only considers race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin as being protected by the statute.

A conviction for the charges against Lehigh under federal law carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison.
Bernard Thomas at his trial Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at the S. James Foxman Justice Center. Thomas was found guilty of murder Thursday, Jan. 12, for setting Tracy Adams on fire outside her DeLand home in 2017. She died from her injuries.

When Tracy Adams was set on fire in 2017, she ran into her home, her skin melting, and told her family who attacked her.

And at the end of a murder trial Thursday, Marilyn Adams said her daughter would not have lied about the man who hurt her, causing injuries that would ultimately take her life.

A jury found that man, Bernard Thomas, 54, guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree arson of an occupied vehicle and first-degree arson of a dwelling Thursday.

Identified attacker:'Bernard tried to kill me': Daughter testifies her mother ID'd attacker before she died

Fatally burned:Fatally burned DeLand woman said man had thrown gas on her, report reveals

Woman dies:DeLand woman police say was set on fire dies of injuries; suspect sought

"I just want justice for Tracy," Marilyn Adams told the judge about her daughter, who was 39 when she died. "I've known Tracy for 39 years and one thing I know her not to be is a liar. She would not accuse somebody falsely. And she only said the truth."

Bernard Thomas sentenced to life plus 30 years

Circuit Judge Leah Case sentenced Thomas to the mandatory life in prison on the murder count, to be followed by 30 years each on the other two charges. The 30 years will run concurrent to each other but consecutive to the life sentence.

"That death was one of the most heinous, atrocious and cruel ways that somebody can die," Case said. "And she had to live 13 days with those injuries. I'm hoping that she didn't feel much."

Case said she recognized Thomas' defense attorneys' argument that a life sentence meant he would never be released. But the judge said she wanted the 30 years to follow the life sentence just in case something happened with that life sentence. While the judge did not say so, she was apparently referring to whether Thomas was successful in an appeal.

"I want to ensure that you never get out after committing the murder of Tracy Adams and her dying the way she did," Case said.

A jury of six women and six men deliberated for about two hours and 45 minutes before returning the guilty verdict at the S. James Foxman Justice Center in Daytona Beach. Thomas did not appear to show any reaction.

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Retired state arson investigator Thomas Murray McDonald Jr. points to a picture of the burned front seat of Tracy Adams' car. Murray testified that is where a fire started. Bernard Thomas is accused of setting Adams on fire, killing her.

After the verdict, Thomas, who had a criminal record and did not testify during the trial, entered a plea to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 1,135 days time served on that charge. That charge was not part of the trial.

State Attorney R.J. Larizza released a statement after the conviction: The brutal nature of this crime shocks me. This murder was the act of a depraved and vicious man. His cruelty knows no bounds.

Thomas lived rent-fee in a gazebo behind Tracy Adams' rented house at 208 W. Volusia Ave. in DeLand. He was treated like part of the family and allowed access to the house, according to testimony. But Thomas wanted a romantic relationship with Tracy Adams; however, she did not have the same feelings for him, according to Assistant State Attorneys Andrew Urbanak and Michael Willard, who prosecuted the case.

On Aug. 17, 2017, Thomas threw gasoline on Tracy Adams and lit her and her car on fire outside her house. An investigator testified that the fire started in the driver's seat of her car before spreading. Tracy Adams died 13 days later as her body shut down from complications from the burns. Prosecutors said Thomas also shot Tracy Adams in the shoulder, but it was the fire that killed her.

Bottles smelling of gasoline

Bernard Thomas, who was found guilty on a murder charge, lived in this gazebo behind a house rented by Tracy Adams in DeLand. Thomas is accused of setting Adams on fire in 2017. Jurors were shown a picture of the gazebo during the trial.

During closing arguments Thursday, Urbanak presented evidence from cellphone records, family members and the deceased woman's own words implicating Thomas.

Urbanak said Thomas called Tracy Adams 32 times in the seven days before the attack, but not once afterward.

He said that two medical personnel who responded to Tracy Adams' injuries testified they saw a white van parked nearby. Thomas drove a white van.

Urbanak said that at the time, Tracy Adams was rekindling an old relationship with a man named Eric Thomas, no relation to Bernard Thomas.

She visited Eric Thomas early on Aug. 27, 2017, arriving at his house on South Frankfort Avenue in DeLand about 1 or 2 a.m.

Eric Thomas testified he heard some noises outside the house and went to check, but didnt see anything. But the next morning a friend of his found a broken bottle of Corona beer surrounded by a burned area in his yard. The bottle smelled of gasoline.

Urbanak said the Corona bottle was Bernard Thomas first attack on Tracy Adams by trying to set the house on fire; but he failed. He didn't stop.

Later that day, around 8:30 p.m., Thomas dumped the gas on her and set her on fire. An investigator later found a Gatorade bottle next to Thomas' gazebo. The Gatorade bottle smelled of gasoline.

Urbanak said that Thomas told two people that he was not responsible for the attack, even though the two had not accused him of it.

After the attack, Thomas vanished, Urbanak said. Thomas never returned to the gazebo and left behind his box of ammunition and his identification card, the prosecutor said. He also abandoned a new job he had started just a month earlier. Within three hours after the attack, Thomas cellphone records showed he was in Melbourne in Brevard County, Urbanak said.

Urbanak recalled testimony from Brittany Adams, Tracy's niece. Brittany Adams said on Aug. 26, 2017, Thomas kept calling Tracy Adams, who ignored most of the calls. But when she finally picked up, Brittany Adams said she could hear Thomas tell Tracy Adams: If I cant have you, cant nobody have you.

And Urbanak said Tracy Adams herself had identified Thomas as her attacker when she ran into her house after he set her on fire. He asked jurors to accept that testimony as if Tracy Adams was still alive, sitting on the witness stand and telling them directly.

'He gets it easy'

Assistant Public Defender Brian Smith, who, along with Assistant Public Defender Sara Altes, represented Thomas, said in his closing argument that it was not until nearly five months after the attack that the two medical personnel said they had seen a white van in the area. He said other first responders and family members did not mention seeing the white van. He said cellphone records show Bernard Thomas cellphone was hitting a cell tower west of the area at the time they claim to have seen his van.

Smith said that a state analyst testified there was insufficient DNA on the Corona bottle and the Gatorade bottle to do any testing.

One thing is certain: Bernard Thomas DNA is not on that Gatorade bottle," Smith said. "Bernard Thomas DNA is not on that Corona bottle."

Urbanak later said that the analyst did not say that Thomas' DNA was not present  just that there was not enough DNA to try to match it to anyone.

Smith said that it was not until about a month later that Brittany Adams told police about Thomas alleged statement that if he could not have Tracy Adams, no one could.

Smith said the most severe burns were to Tracy Adams hands and face. Smith said the attacker came from the area of the gazebo where Tracy Adams knew Thomas lived. Tracy Adams had recently seen Thomas at another persons house. And Tracy Adams assumed Thomas was the attacker, Smith said.

I submit to you that due to the extreme nature of her burns suffered she didnt know who attacked her, he said.

Tracy Adams' daughter, Danesha Adams, said after the verdict that justice was served but she would have liked to have seen more.

"It's finally over," she said. "I still don't think it's enough. It's not an even swap. My mom fought for her life for 13 days. He gets it easy."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida man accused of setting woman on fire sentenced to life
Manchester City defender John Stones has been ruled out of Saturdays derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford, manager Pep Guardiola has said.

The in-form England international missed the midweek Carabao Cup loss at Southampton with a fitness issue and has not recovered in time to feature this weekend.

He is not ready, said Guardiola at a press conference.

City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan suggested City had been lacking hunger after their unexpected defeat to the Premier Leagues bottom side at St Marys on Wednesday.

Guardiola admits this could be a natural consequence of the teams success of recent years.

He said: What happened didnt surprise me. We tried to avoid it and hopefully it is not going to happen again, but it happened because we won four Premier Leagues in five years.

After back-to-back two times, this can happen. We were not ready to go there. I was concerned it could happen and unfortunately it did. I dont know if will happen again, but I am not concerned.

City thrashed their neighbours 6-3 when the sides last met in October, but United have lost just one of 18 games since.

Guardiola said of United: The improvement is clear  not just in results. I have the feeling every time (we play them) at Old Trafford or the Etihad its a difficult game.

They are always attractive games. There are a lot of quality players on both sides. It will be a good game.
Purdue Northwest Chancellor Thomas Keon applauds for soon-to-be graduates during the first of two commencement ceremonies in the school's Fitness and Recreation Center on Saturday, December 10, 2022. (Kyle Telechan for the Post-Tribune) (Kyle Telechan/for the Post-Tribune)

The Urban League of NWI is taking steps to remove Purdue University Northwest Chancellor Thomas Keon from its Board of Directors in the continuing fallout from Keons racist remarks at a Dec. 10 commencement ceremony.

Keon didnt resign from the board by the Jan. 9 deadline the organization gave him, prompting a meeting among the organizations executive committee late Tuesday afternoon, its President and CEO Vanessa Allen-McCloud said Wednesday. In his Jan. 6 response to its request, Allen-McCloud said he wrote that he was disheartened by the request and asked if he could have a closed conversation with the executive board.

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But theres no reason to have a conversation as the time for that started Dec. 21, when Allen-McCloud initially reached out to him after the video of his racist remark caught international attention, the board agreed.

I sent him a wellness check and offered our assistance to help him; he responded that its been hard on him and that he knows the truth, but no one wants to listen, Allen-McCloud said. Well, the window was open from there, and its his inaction between then and now that tells us he doesnt want to have a conversation.

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Were still baffled by his noncompliance  how do you not resign when youve been asked to? When you do something horribly wrong as a leader, you have to go to your various organizations and say, What can I do to fix this?

Keons remarks in during commencement lit up social media and prompted several online petitions that advised Purdue to relieve him of his duties. After keynote speaker Jim Dedelow talked about a made-up language he created to entertain his new granddaughter, Keon came back to the podium and said, Well, all I can say is and proceeded to speak in a made-up language that sounded as if he were trying to speak Chinese. He then said, Thats sort of my Asian version of his  trailing off before going back on-script.

In a letter on Purdue Northwests web site dated Dec. 14, Keon apologized for making a comment that was offensive and insensitive.

Allen-McCloud said shes reached out to the Urban Leagues National President and CEO Marc Morial for further guidance on the matter. Morial told the Post-Tribune last week that the organization doesnt want to put our reputation on the line (for someone who doesnt appear willing to genuinely apologize).

That doesnt mean the Urban League of NWI will write off PNW, Allen-McCloud said. Its sponsoring the schools Martin Luther King Jr celebrations and will continue to support the campuses as its asked, she said.

Earlier this week, Purdue University Northwest Faculty Senate Chair Thomas Roach wrote in an email that hed spoken with James Yackel, who served as chancellor for the Hammond campus  previously known as Purdue Calumet  from 1990 to 2001.

Pointing out that What is at stake is the universitys future, Yackel, Roach said, asked him to relay the message that he believes Keon should resign as well.

The Chancellors responsibility is to support all aspects of the universitys mission, including student learning, faculty support, public relations, etc. It is also necessary that the chancellor evaluate how effective that leadership has been, Yackel said. One major constituency, the faculty, have taken a bold step by voting no confidence in current leadership. Now it is necessary that you respect and honor that faculty evaluation by resigning.

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Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Jan. 12A Manchester man was arrested this week in connection with a shooting last November on South Willow Street in Manchester, police said Thursday.

Carlos Marsach, 22, turned himself in to police on Tuesday following an arrest warrant being issued on charges of reckless conduct and riot, police said.

Shortly after midnight on Nov. 13, police responded to the CVS at 788 South Willow St. for a report of shots fired. Police found a woman shot in the arm. She was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police learned that prior to the shooting, there had been an altercation between two people next door at Yee Dynasty. Afterwards, a group was seen arguing in the CVS parking lot and gunshots were heard.

Detectives continue to investigate and are still looking for the public's help. Anyone with information can call Manchester police at 603-668-8711. You can also remain anonymous by calling the Manchester Crimeline at 603-624-4040.
People have been having this argument since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Western claims that Russia is running out of advanced, high-precision missiles have floated in the news since March. But more than 10 months into the all-out war, Russian missiles continue to rain down on Ukrainian cities.

The question of how many of them are left became especially stark in the past three months, when Russia began pounding Ukraines energy grid with mass attacks every 1-2 weeks. These strikes used a range of different missiles, some repurposed from their primary uses, backed up by Iranian kamikaze drones.

The short answer is, no one outside Russia has indisputable numbers on its stockpiles and production rates. Ukraine released figures but they have not been independently verified. There are also estimates from Western analysts relying on observable clues.

Many estimates agree on one thing: Russias strategic bombing campaign is burning through missiles at an unsustainable rate. If it keeps going, Russia should come to a point where it wont be able to launch mass strikes every 1-2 weeks anymore, even if it keeps dipping into its strategic reserves.

Ukraine says that this point is just three mass strikes away.

But Russia won't run out  as in, literally have no more missiles to shoot, even if its stocks are truly that low. So far, its been able to continue manufacturing modern cruise missiles in spite of sanctions and reportedly has a plan to source missiles, in addition to drones, from Iran.

In short, missile strikes will continue but they may soon become less frequent and drones might have to do more heavy lifting. But to achieve its strategic bombing goals  destroy Ukraines energy system  Russia needs to be able to hit Ukraine with as much as it can, as often as it can.

Ukrainian estimates

Ukraines most detailed claim about Russias missile situation came in a chart tweeted by Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov on Nov. 22, purporting to show the difference in Russias arsenal between Feb. 23, before the full-scale invasion, and Nov. 18.

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The chart says Russia went from 900 Iskander ballistic missiles to 119, making only 48 new ones in this period. Reznikov claimed that Russia had spent 391 of its 500 Kalibr cruise missiles, while making 120 new ones. For Kh-101 cruise missiles, 132 were used, while 144 were left in stockpile, with 120 newly manufactured.

According to Reznikov, Russia also used half of its stock of 300 Kh-555 cruise missiles, as well as 16 of its 42 Kinzhal ballistic missiles, though it built 16 more to replace them. Anti-ship missiles like the Onyx (Oniks) have been repurposed to fire on Ukrainian land targets as well. Reznikovs chart said Russia used 123 out of a stockpile of 470.

The chart also provided figures on other missiles  Kh-22s and Kh-32s (pre-war stockpile of 370, with 250 used); and Kh-35s (pre-war stockpile of 500, with 360 more built and 504 used).

A chart tweeted by Ukraine's defense minister on Nov. 22, claiming to list how many precise missiles Russia had had, used and built.

Reznikovs chart quickly became out of date as Russia launched hundreds of missiles at Ukraine throughout December.

In a more recent, Jan. 4 statement, Vadym Skibitsky, spokesman of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry, said that Russia had enough advanced missiles left for up to three massive attacks, if each one uses about 80 missiles. Similar estimates were echoed by other Ukrainian officials.

After that, Skibitsky said, Russia would be stuck waiting for the factories to pump out enough for each subsequent attack  at a rate of about 50 cruise missiles produced per month. As for ballistic missiles, Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov said Russia is barely making any Iskanders. The production rate for Kinzhals appears to be low as well, according to the defense ministry.

Russia responded to speculations with bravado. Deputy Head of Russias Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said in December that the country would ramp up production of new-generation weapons.

Moscow on Dec. 29 boasted that it will never run out of Kalibrs. The statement didnt mention other types but Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly talked about developing new hypersonic weapons.

Russia then kept bombarding Ukraine through the New Year holiday weekend. Since then, almost two weeks have gone by without a mass strike. But Natalia Humeniuk, Ukraine's Southern Operational Command spokeswoman, said on Dec. 11 that Russia is preparing to unleash another massive missile strike very soon.

Expert analysis on production and use

Ukraines estimates should be taken with a grain of salt. It is one of the wars direct participants and its defense relies on control of information and ability to attract military aid from other countries.

However, Ukraines intelligence came out with some of the most pessimistic estimates about how fast Russia can make cruise missiles. And there are publicly available clues in the way Russia uses its missiles that suggest stockpile depletion.

At the start of the full-scale invasion, the most modern missiles took to the air in large numbers. Over time, Russia began mixing in older models, even less accurate ones from Soviet times. In recent barrages, Russia would send its old Kh-55 cruise missiles without payloads, to trip up Ukraines air defenses.

An analysis by the Jamestown Foundation said that some Soviet missiles that Russia's been using are no longer reproducible, while others are made at a very low rate.

Russian forces also repurposed anti-ship missiles like the Onyx and anti-air missiles like the S-300 to strike at ground targets, suggesting theyre forced to use what theyve got.

A few open source investigations at least partly support the claim that lately, Russias been using missiles that were manufactured earlier this year, which may indicate stockpile issues.

A team from Conflict Armament Research, a U.K. investigative organization that tracks weapon supplies, analyzed pieces from a Nov. 23 attack  three missiles were Kh-101s whose serial numbers show they were produced just months before the attack. CAR suggested that this may be symptomatic of stockpile challenges for assets like cruise missiles but Russia is still able to produce them.

The Long War Journal, a U.S. publication reporting on and analyzing wars, examined the photographed serial numbers from 16 downed Kh-101s, six of which are thought to have been made in 2022. According to its analysis of limited data, the Long War Journals most conservative estimate is that Russia can produce one Kh-101 missile every four days.

Jamestown estimated that Russia's maximum annual production capacity is not likely to be higher than 225 missiles in total, which includes Onyx, Kalibr, Kh-101, 9M729 and Kh-59 cruise missiles and Iskander-M ballistic missiles.

A June article from the Center for European Policy Analysis stated that Russias been running its missile factories in overtime. This includes the Novator plant, which made up to 120 Kalibrs and several dozen Iskanders per year before the full-scale invasion, according to CEPA. There is also the Votkinsk plant, which makes Iskander, Yar and Bulava missiles, whose production grew from 50 to 60 missiles per year in 2022.

Interestingly, these appear to be more optimistic estimates than Ukraines, whose military intelligence said Russia makes 30 Kh-101s in a single month, along with 20 Kalibrs.

Russia also hoped to receive ballistic missiles from Iran whose military doctrine is centralized around missiles and drones and has a production program for both.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Russias relationship with Iran was becoming a "full-scale defense partnership," with Russia providing advanced tech to Iran as well. Despite initially denying it, Iran supplied Russia with hundreds of Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 kamikaze drones that were used to attack Ukrainian cities.

And yet, Israeli intelligence officials last month told Axios that Iran wants to limit the range of missiles it plans to send to Russia. Last month, Ukrainian Presidential Office adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Iran had not yet delivered the missiles to Russia and was wavering as a result of diplomatic pressure, the threat of additional sanctions, and internal political strife.

Russia evades sanctions blocking electronics

The most advanced and precise missiles require advanced electronics. Sanctions have been placed on Russia to limit its access to this technology. Even so, Russia seems to have been able to go on producing weapons. Defense intel firm Janes told the New York Times that Russia probably stockpiled microchips before February 2022.

According to an August report by the Royal United Services Institute, more than 450 foreign-made parts have been found in Russian weapons in Ukraine, acquired from the U.S., Europe and Asia in the years before the invasion. Many of the microelectronics found in the weapons were quite old. Western parts were also found in Iran's Shahed drones as well, according to the Conflict Armament Research team.

Moreover, Russia has likely been able to get around restrictions altogether. Reuters cited Russian customs records in reporting how at least $2.6 billion in computer and other electronic components flowed into Russia in 2022, at least $777 million of which were made by Western firms, whose chips have been found in Russian weapon systems.

Middlemen included firms in Turkey, Hong Kong and elsewhere, but there are even customs records showing shipments of components directly from the EU. The European Commission did not reply to Reuters' questions but claimed to take the issue seriously.

In short, export controls have not been effective enough to prevent Russia from getting the parts it needs to build more advanced missiles.

Moscow gave no indication that it plans to stop striking Ukrainian infrastructure. But limited resources may reduce the frequency of the strikes or force Russia to change its strategy.




"I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves, who had been seared in the flames of whithering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity. But one hundred years later, the Negro is still not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacle of segregation and the chains of discrimination.

One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society, and finds himself an exile in his own land, and so we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our nations capital to cash a check. When the architects of our great republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir.

This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given its colored people a bad check, a check which has come back marked 'insufficient funds.'

But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and security of justice.

We have also come to his hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is not time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.

Now is the time to make real the promise of democracy.

Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice.

Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksand of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.

Now is the time to make justice a reality to all of Gods children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the colored Americans needed to blow off steam and will now be content, will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual.

There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the colored citizen is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy, which has engulfed the Negro community, must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny.

And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone. And as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, 'when will you be satisfied?' We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality.

We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities.

We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negros basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one.

We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating 'for white only.'

We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote.

No, no we are not satisfied and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. 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.

You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our modern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed.

Let us not wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you, today my friends.

So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream, that one day, this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.

I have a dream, that one day, on in the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream, that one day, even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; that one day right down in Alabama little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.

I have a dream, that one day, every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain and the crooked places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.

With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.

With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of Gods children will be able to sing with new meaning: My country tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And if America is to be a great nation, this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire.

Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York.

Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania.

Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado.

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California.

But not only that, let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia.

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee.

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi.

From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, Black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last, free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last."
Brian Weeden (Photo: Mashpee Wampanoag Website)

One week after pleading not guilty to two criminal theft charges, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Brian Weeden returned to work today amid a show of support from the Tribe.

Chairman Weeden, 30, had been on paid leave since early December 2022, when he was identified as a suspect in the theft of cultural items from the Plimoth Patuxet Museums in Plymouth, Mass. He was charged with breaking and entering and felony larceny of more than $1,200, according to Plymouth District Court.

Weeden pleaded not guilty to the charges in Plymouth District Court on Jan. 5.

At a tribal council meeting last nightthe final day of Weedens paid leavetribal council members discussed the situation with their chairman, according to the tribal spokesperson, Steven Peters.

In a statement provided to Native News Online, the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council said the following regarding Weedens return from the leave: Brian Weeden was elected Chairman in 2021 and has served his people in that capacity continuously since his election. Chairman Weeden has worked effectively for his people securing land in trust, a record amount of grant funding, and strengthening our cultural ties and economic development for future generations. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe stands united with our Chairman and Tribal Council.

On Dec. 15, the council wrote in a statement that they regard the charges against Weeden as a personal matter to be resolved by the courts.

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
Four men arrested in May 2021 will more than a decade each in federal prison after being convicted of carjacking, assaulting a federal officer and using a weapon during those crimes.

Julius Armstrong, 20, Adairius Armstrong, 20, Barium Martin, 20 and Malik McCoy committed a string of violent carjackings in Memphis in May 2021, according to police. On May 7, they crashed one of the stolen vehicles and were confronted by a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and a sergeant with the Memphis Police Department.

The four men, armed with a handgun and an assault rifle, fired on the officers vehicle, injuring them both.

McCoy, who was 17 at the time of the crime, was originally charged as a juvenile before being transferred to adult court.

These young men engaged in violent criminal acts, including shooting at and injuring law enforcement officers, said U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz in a written statement. Their serious crimes deserved serious sentences. Protecting Americans from gun violence is one of our top priorities, and our efforts in this area will remain robust and unrelenting.

Julius Armstrong received a sentence of 22 years - 264 months - in prison after pleading guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a carjacking, assault on a federal officer and discharging a firearm during the assault.

Adairius Armstrong received a sentence of 18 years - 216 months - in prison after pleading guilty to carjacking and brandishing a firearm during a carjacking. The prison assignments for the Armstrongs were not available Friday.

Martin received 13 years - 156 months - in prison after pleading guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a carjacking, and assault on a federal officer. He has been assigned to the federal prison in Greenville, Illinois.

McCoy received 13 years - 156 months - in prison after pleading guilty to carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a carjacking, and assault on a federal officer. His prison assignment was not available Friday.

Katherine Burgess covers county government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.com or followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis carjackers who shot law enforcement officers sentenced
The chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is vowing to continue blocking the transfer of warplanes to Turkey unless Ankara improves its human rights record and ceases threatening U.S. regional allies.

The Biden administration is considering a $20 billion transfer of 40 U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets to Turkey and, separately, F-35 fighter jets for Greece, a development first reported by the Wall Street Journal on Friday and later confirmed by a person familiar with discussions who spoke to POLITICO on condition of anonymity.

Such a deal would require congressional approval and for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to end his longstanding opposition to sending fighter jets to Ankara.

But in a statement Menendezs office drafted for the media and obtained ahead of time by POLITICO, the senator said he hasnt changed his mind.

I strongly oppose the Biden administrations proposed sale of new F-16 aircraft to Turkey, Menendez says, blasting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for continuing to undermine international law, disregard human rights and democratic norms, and engage in alarming and destabilizing behavior in Turkey and against neighboring NATO allies.

Until Erdogan ceases his threats, improves his human rights record at home  including by releasing journalists and political opposition  and begins to act like a trusted ally should, I will not approve this sale, the chair continued, noting he supports the F-35 sale to Greece.

A person familiar with the situation said Menendez as recently as December told the White House he was not going to support the massive transfer.

A State Department spokesperson said they dont comment on potential military sales until Congress is formally notified.

The Wall Street Journal also reported that the deal to sell fighter planes would be contingent on Turkey allowing Sweden and Finland to join NATO, a move Ankara has opposed since the two countries applied for membership last year. Its unclear if Turkey paving the way for their accession would lead Menendez to drop his opposition to the agreement.

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Another person familiar with the potential sale said the State Department discussed the deal with lawmakers as recently as this week, but there have been no decisions made about formally notifying Congress that the administration is planning to move ahead.

The prospect of selling fighters to Turkey has bristled some top lawmakers in Bidens own party, who say theyre concerned about Ankara slow walking the expansion of NATO, incursions into Greek airspace and the nations drift toward authoritarianism.

Defense legislation that passed the House last summer included a provision, backed mostly by Democrats, to limit F-16 sales to Turkey. The provision was dropped from a compromise bill that ultimately went to Bidens desk.

While the Senate didnt adopt a provision of its own, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and others sought to block avenues to sell the fighters to Turkey.



Sweden and Finland have been waiting for approval to join the NATO alliance since formally applying in May of last year. Turkey has balked at that accession, citing Swedens refusal to extradite four people Ankara says supported the attempted 2016 coup, and harboring Kurds that Turkey considered to be members of a terrorist group.

Turkey has sought alternative fighter jets from the U.S. since 2019, when Washington kicked Ankara out of the multinational F-35 program for purchasing a Russian-made air defense system.
Michael Bay has responded after it was revealed he is facing charges for killing a pigeon in Italy.

The director denied allegations that the bird was killed while he was filming a take for 2018 action film 6 Underground, which starred Ryan Reynolds.

He said that he has made numerous attempts to clear the case with Italian officials in recent years.

I am a well-known animal lover and major animal activist, the Bad Boys filmmaker said in a statement.

The director told TheWrap: No animal involved in the production was injured or harmed, or on any other production Ive worked on in the past 30 years.

Authorities are said to be claiming that the homing pigeon was killed by a dolly during a take, with the alleged incident reportedly being caught on video and sent to authorities by an anonymous individual.

However, Bay, who is being held responsible as the director of the film, said: We have clear video evidence, a multitude of witnesses, and safety officers that exonerates us from these claims. And disproves their one paparazzi photo  which gives a false story.

He also said that he declined the chance to settle the case by paying a small fine as he believes it would have been a false admission of guilt

I was offered by the Italian authorities a chance to settle this matter by paying a small fine, but I declined to do so because I would not plead guilty to having harmed an animal, he said.

Italian law states that it is illegal to harm, kill or capture any wild bird, including pigeons, which are protected in the EU under the Birds Directive.

Michael Bay (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images f)

There is an ongoing court case so I cannot get into the specifics, but I am confident we will prevail when I have my day in court, Bay stated.

6 Underground, which also starred Corey Hawkins, Dave Franco and Adria Arjona, was released in 2018.

The Independent has contacted Bay and Netflix for comment.
A man named Michael Myers in wanted in Chatham County.

The Chatham County Sheriffs Office posted on Facebook they were searching for the 44-year-old.

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The Sheriffs office says Myers is wanted for a probation violation.

Myers just happens to have the same name as the movie character Michael Myers from the Halloween franchise. The Sheriffs office also published the post on Friday the 13th but say the timing is pure coincidence.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Mya Bell, of Sauk Village, Illinois, looks on as fellow student Theodore Mantis asks a question during a community conversation on racism during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observation at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Mantis, of Schererville, is majoring in Biology. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)

Purdue University Northwest student Theodore Mantis of Schererville said he was proud of his Mexican heritage as a youth when he first entered middle school.

He was the only Latino in the class for accelerated students, where all his classmates were white. Mantis recalled the first comments a classmate made to him as he sat in his desk waiting for class to begin.

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He said, They must have lowered the standards, Mantis recalled.

Dr. Danny Lackey gestures while facilitating a community conversation on racism during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observation at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond on Thursday, January 12, 2023. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)

The words cut, hanging with him for years and negatively impacting the pride he felt in his heritage until he began college.

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He said what people say matters and young people in college need to know they are free to be who they are.

This is the time to really represent yourself in the community, Mantis said to applause.

Mantis shared the story Thursday during a discussion on racial inequality at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond that was part of the universitys Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day remembrance celebration. More than 75 students and faculty members participated in one of two sessions. The other was on voter suppression.

Dr. Danny Lackey listens as Kelia Malone speaks during a conversation on racism at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observation at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond on Thursday, January 12, 2023. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)

The discussions come as the university grapples with calls for the resignation of Chancellor Thomas Keon, who has come under fire since racially insensitive comments he made in a Dec. 10 commencement address when he proceeded to speak as if he were trying speak Chinese after keynote speaker Jim Dedelow talked about a made-up language he created to entertain his new granddaughter.

Keon has apologized for his remarks.

Communications major Kelia Malone shared the stereotypes she faced as she entered the work world and a young black woman from the South Side of Chicago. She recalled when at a job she held as a teen at a prestigious office one of the partners told her she spoke well. Malone said her coworkers who were not from the Chicagos south side would not receive the same comments.

She said people need to move past their perceptions for change to occur.

Senior Deana Boozer writes audience responses in the word Respect during a community conversation on racism at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observation at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Boozer, of Gary, is majoring in liberal studies. (Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)

Participants were encouraged to open up about their thoughts and experiences regarding. race, inequality, voter suppression and what can be done to make things better in the hour leading up to a keynote speech by professor and author Carol Anderson. Simultaneous sessions took place at the Westville campus. Anderson is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of African American Studies at Emory University and a New York Times best-selling author of White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide.

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Anderson spoke about the role voter suppression has played in politics and the impact it has had in the African American community since the Civil War. While methods may appear more subtle today, the efforts to suppress the Black vote continue.

Ava Lowe listens along with others during the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observation at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Lowe, of Lowell, is a sophomore studying political science.(Andy Lavalley for the Post-Tribune) (Andy Lavalley / Post-Tribune)

Anderson said she knows the fate of democracy looks bleak, but the fight continues.

The quest for democracy cannot be denied. It wont be denied, Anderson said.

People will always find ways around the obstacles to put in place representatives that value the people they represent, she said.

In the struggle for democracy, you are seeing the struggle for community, Anderson said.

Voter suppression is designed to make you think its futile, its hopeless. Thats not true. What you do is fight against it. Get folks to engage. That civic engagement is absolutely essential in fighting voter suppression.
LANSING, Michigan  A fight brewing over the future of Michigan's "right-to-work" law is drawing national attention as Democratic lawmakers in Lansing eye repealing the law Republicans passed just over a decade ago allowing workers in unionized jobs to opt out of paying union dues and fees.

When Republican lawmakers made Michigan a "right-to-work" state in 2012, thousands of protesters massed at the Capitol while police on horseback and in riot gear tried to control the scuffles that broke out.

Michigan was not the first state to enact right-to-work. But it is a state steeped in labor history now poised to become the first state in nearly 60 years to ditch such a law, with Democrats controlling the executive and legislative branches of state government for the first time in four decades.

"Michigan should be first," said Jennifer Root, the executive director of SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Michigan, which represents nearly 30,000 public and private sector workers. "Michigan and unions in this state built the middle class in this country. There's no reason we can't do it again."

Others are pushing back, and not just in Michigan. "Are we going to fight them? You betcha, we're going to fight," said Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Committee, based in Virginia. "I think it's going to be a big one."

Dan Fingas, 30, of Ann Arbor, a union representative with the Michigan Laborers Union struggles with the Michigan State Police during a protest against right-to-work legislation outside the Capitol in Lansing, Mich., Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012.

Workers should be able to choose whether part of their pay goes to support a union, argue those who defend right-to-work laws. But opponents say all employees benefit from the contracts unions negotiate, so there should be no "free riders" who enjoy the benefits without contributing to the cost.

Democratic leaders have not said how quickly they plan to vote on the issue, but bills to repeal right-to-work, with Democratic sponsors from both chambers, were among the first announced when the new legislative session began Wednesday. Republicans, meanwhile, have warned that kicking off the session with repealing right-to-work could threaten bipartisan cooperation on future issues.

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Planning meetings to protect the law have already begun among Michigan groups that include the Michigan Freedom Fund, which is backed by the wealthy DeVos family, and Michigan chapters of Americans for Prosperity, the National Federation of Independent Business, and Associated Builders and Contractors, said Jimmy Greene, president of ABC of Michigan, who attended a strategy meeting last week.

Before the House and Senate convened Wednesday for the first time in 2023, the conservative Mackinac Center for Public Policy had already erected billboards near Detroit, Lansing, Flint and Grand Rapids and launched radio and digital ads and a website touting right-to-work as a boon for Michigan workers.

"Right-to-work saves Michigan workers millions of dollars every year," reads one of the billboards in Detroit.

Union leaders say that message is false and won't go unanswered. They hope their numbers can make up for what they see as a financial mismatch in getting their message out.

Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO, described right-to-work as an uncalled-for attack on working men and women. "We hope to work with Gov. (Gretchen) Whitmer and the Democratic Legislature to restore the balance of power, level the playing field, and once again give Michigan's working families a fair shot at a chance for a decent life," Bieber said in a statement.

The impact of right-to-work

Unionization rates in Michigan fell before GOP lawmakers made it a right-to-work state. But the share of Michigan workers who are union members has continued to decline since then. Today, tens of thousands of workers protected by union agreements don't provide any financial support to the union.

Union membership, in gradual decline for decades, took a similar dip in Michigan in the 10 years before the passage of right-to-work, having stood at just over 21% in 2002, according to federal data compiled by researchers available at unionstats.com. In 2012, nearly 17% of Michigan workers were union members. By 2021, the most recent year for which data is available, that share stood at just over 13%.

Also in 2021, more than 80,000 Michigan workers covered by a collective bargaining agreement were not dues-paying union members, including nearly 46,000 in the private sector.

It's the private sector numbers that are relevant if Michigan's right-to-work law is repealed. That's because of a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision barring public sector unions from requiring employees covered by collective bargaining agreements to pay dues. Any repeal would only affect Michigan workers in the private sector, where slightly more than 9% were union members in 2021, compared with just over 11% in 2012.

After people are finally allowed inside the Michigan State Capitol they erupt in in chant as the Michigan House votes on controversial right-to-work legislation after House Democrats walked off the chamber floor to protest the Capitol in Lansing not being opened to the public on Thursday Dec. 6, 2012.

UAW President Ray Curry called the passage of right-to-work in Michigan a "travesty" during a recent event with political and industry leaders celebrating the latest investments in Michigan's growing electric vehicle production. Curry said that right-to-work in Michigan did not lead to a surge in workers covered by UAW contracts leaving the union, even amid a corruption scandal that led to prison terms for two former UAW presidents and other union officials. Other unions report a decline in membership under right-to-work in Michigan. Labor leaders blame the law for eroding workers' rights and stagnant wages.

While most Michigan employees do not hold jobs at workplaces covered by collective bargaining agreements, labor advocates argue that a rising tide lifts all boats: Repealing right-to-work would strengthen unions, which forces employers across the board to keep pace with higher wages and better benefits that unions are able to secure during bargaining.

Amanda Fisher, state director of NFIB Michigan, which lobbies for small businesses in Michigan, said most employers, especially small ones, don't want or need a union acting as an intermediary between them and their employees. At workplaces that do have unions, right-to-work helps ensure unions are more responsive to workers' needs, because if union leaders are not effective, members can stop paying their dues, Fisher said. "Workplace freedom is just better for everybody."

Right-to-work proponents also see the law as key to attracting businesses to locate in Michigan. But comparing Michigan's performance in attracting new manufacturing industry before and after the passage of right-to-work is fraught with complications such as the national recession that gripped not just Michigan but the entire nation for most of the decade before 2010 and the payment by states of massive tax incentives that economic development directors frequently cite as a key component in landing new industries. Mix says Michigan over the last decade has done significantly better than non-right-to-work states, on average, in attracting new manufacturing jobs. Yet a state such as Washington, which has no right-to-work law, has historically seen a strong manufacturing sector, along with high wages.

For both sides, the fight over repealing right-to-work in Michigan would partly be about sending a message in a country that is split over the issue, with 27 out of 50 states having such a law in place.

Thousands of protesters outside the state Capitol in Lansing showed up to protest the signing of the right-to-work bill by Gov. Rick Snyder. Everything from signs to chants of "Right to work has got to go" and the Solidarity forever song were heard outside on Tuesday, Dec 11, 2012. Snyder is supposed to sign the bill today or tomorrow.

Indiana was the last state to repeal a right-to-work law. It repealed its 1957 law in 1965, but then went on to pass a new right-to-work law in 2012, which remains in place.

Corporate interests opposing the repeal "don't want to give an inch, because they understand that once it's done in Michigan, it can happen elsewhere," said Root, of the SEIU.

Wendy Block, vice president of business advocacy and member engagement at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said protecting right-to-work is a top priority for her group, seen as Michigan's most powerful business lobby.

"It seems that all eyes are on Michigan and looking to see what will happen," Block said. "I'm not so sure that if Michigan goes (with a repeal), other states will follow suit. I think in fact other states will try to pounce on the opportunity that they could have to lure jobs and new economic development projects away from Michigan and into their states."

Block said she's not convinced Democrats have the votes to pass the measure and they would be better off tackling priorities with bipartisan support, which she said include expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and increasing affordable child care, housing, and transportation.

Union leaders, meanwhile, hope repealing right-to-work is the beginning of a shift in labor policy in Michigan. "For us, repealing right-to-work is the floor, not the ceiling," Root said.

A question of timing

It's unclear how quickly Democrats will try to tackle the contentious issue. Some lawmakers and union leaders say sending the repeal to Whitmer should be at or near the top of a decades-long list of pent-up priorities. Others see benefits to taking a slower approach in a Legislature where Democrats hold the slimmest of majorities  56-54 in the House and 20-18 in the Senate. Those slim majorities mean any change to the law would not take effect until early next year.

Democratic lawmakers unanimously opposed the law when it was rammed through the Legislature in December 2012. More than a decade later, Democratic legislators empowered by their new majorities in Lansing face a new question: Will they align once again to repeal right-to-work?

No Democrat has publicly said they would vote no on a repeal. It's also possible some Republicans could support a repeal. In 2012, 10 GOP lawmakers  six in the House and four in the Senate  voted no.

State Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, was among the Republicans who voted against right-to-work, in part, because he saw the ability of workers who don't pay union dues to still benefit from union protections as unfair. But he doesn't necessarily favor a straightforward repeal of the policy.

"I didn't like what was offered in 2012, and I don't like going back to what we had in 2012," he said. "I hope to be able to offer some opportunities for compromise if the bill does come forward and see if there's room for just truly reforming things instead of just burning down the status quo every time."

Newly elected state Rep. Joey Andrews, D-St. Joseph, who previously worked as a policy analyst for the Michigan AFL-CIO, said he doesn't have the sense that Democrats are "anything other than unified" on repealing the measure. "I don't get the sense that anybodys got cold feet about it," he said. "I mean we all know its going to trigger a fight with certain business and corporate interest groups, but what else is new?"

He wants Democrats to seize what he sees as a historic opportunity. He called right-to-work an "anomaly" against the backdrop of Michigans labor history.

A week before lawmakers kicked off the legislative session, state Rep. Rachel Hood, D-Grand Rapids, cast doubt on Democratic support for repealing right-to-work in a Legislature where her party holds narrow two-seat majorities in both chambers. "Think about how disastrous if it came to the floor and it didnt pass?" she said. "We need to make sure we have the votes. Can we do that on day one? Thats a question that I don't think anybody has answered." She suggested it would be wise for Democrats to wait to take action on the issue.

She said it will be important for the Democratic caucus to empower new members who hail from districts home to moderate voters to confidently respond to angry constituents.

Some Democratic lawmakers from competitive districts say they already made their support for the change known on the campaign trail.

State Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette, stood outside the Capitol in 2012 to protest right-to-work. "I absolutely made sure folks knew that when I was campaigning," she said. While knocking on doors, she said she heard from residents that repealing the law was important to them.

Protestors against Right To Work legislation chant "this is what democracy looks like" as they take to the steps of the Capitol in Lansing Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012.

Any legislation to repeal right-to-work would eventually land on Whitmer's desk. Whitmer did not include repealing right-to-work among the priorities she highlighted in her second inaugural address on the state of the Capitol on Jan. 1.

But Whitmer was a leader of the fight against the legislation in 2012, as Senate minority leader. She has said that Michiganders should have no doubt where she stands on signing a repeal.

Free Press staff writer Dave Boucher contributed to this report.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Historic fight brewing over repeal of Michigan's 'right-to-work' law
NicolasMcComber / Getty Images

Microsoft announced its U.S. employees can take unlimited time off, a perk it calls discretionary time off, which will start Jan. 16. While this seems like a dream benefit, some experts argue that because of its inherent ambiguity, it might actually not be as rosy as it seems.

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The Verge reported that the announcement was made in an email to employees from Kathleen Hogan, Microsofts chief people officer, on Jan. 11.

How, when, and where we do our jobs has dramatically changed, Hogan said in the memo. And as weve transformed, modernizing our vacation policy to a more flexible model was a natural next step.

The new changes mean that new employees dont need to wait to accumulate vacation days. The Verge added that the company  which also owns LinkedIn  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. In addition, for those who have unused vacation days, they will get a one-time payout in April.

This perk, however, can become problematic when managers require work or duties that leave little or no room for employees time off, Bloomberg explained.

Take Our Poll: If Elon Musk Offered You a Job Paying You More Than You Make Today, Would You Work for Him?

A Microsoft spokesperson told Bloomberg that the company had taken this factor into account and that it will ensure workers get adequate vacation time.

In addition, this benefit can be a blessing for employers, as employees who quit or are fired dont have to be compensated for accrued, unused time, Bloomberg explained.

Katherine Dumanoir, a sourcing lead at Microsoft, said in a Jan. 11 LinkedIn post that for the policy to be a success, one has to work for a good boss or leadership, take accountability for work responsibilities, and make sure they actually take time off.

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Only reason why I am a skeptic of unlimited PTO is because theres no protection for the employee. Its at the discretion of leadership and there are no pay outs for days not used in the case of a layoff. Will your days away be used against you if they are greater than your colleagues? What is an appropriate amount to take? she wrote in the post.

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Dumanoir added, however, that the reasons she likes this change is that for employees who working hard and hit goals, they wont be limited in the amount of time they can take off. This, in turn, could serve as motivation if utilized correctly.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: As Microsoft Adds Unlimited Time Off Perk, When Is It Really to Employees Benefit?
The popular Black-owned hair care brand Mielle Organics has announced it will join beauty conglomerate P&G Beauty.

The partnership between the textured hair care brand founded by husband and wife Monique and Melvin Rodriguez, and P&G Beauty, which owns brands including Always, Olay, and Gilette, was announced on Wednesday.

In a press release, Mielle said that it joined the beauty conglomerate in the hope of further expanding access to healthy hair products and services for Black women around the world.

From the moment we stepped into P&G, we saw a diverse team of leaders who share our values and vision for innovation, education and community empowerment, including several Black leaders who play a key role in the hair care and beauty businesses, Monique Rodriguez said. This partnership gives Mielle an opportunity to serve more textured hair consumers with the great products and formulas that our community loves.

Today is a remarkable moment for our brand and for the climb of Black entrepreneurs everywhere as we collectively continue to break barriers and accelerate the opportunities for growth. I am thrilled that we will make an even greater impact in how we give back to the community.

Monique also said the deal will bring in additional resources, which will allow Mielle to serve [its] customers with rapid innovation and greater reach in the community.

According to the press release, which did not disclose the sum of the deal, the company will continue to be led by Monique and Melvin, who will retain the titles of CEO and COO, respectively, and will operate as an independent subsidiary of P&G Beauty.

However, on social media, the news of the deal has divided fans of the hair care brand, who have questioned what the partnership, which comes on the heels of recent social media spotlight on the brand, means for its customers.

Mielle Organics went viral on TikTok late last month after influencer Alix Earle reviewed the companys rosemary mint scalp and strengthening oil in a video shared with her more than 3.7 million followers. In the video, Earle, who is white, said that she had been using the product for a little over a month and had already seen tremendous hair growth.

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The praise from the influencer sparked a viral debate about Earles use and promotion of the hair oil, with many expressing concern that the video would result in the product selling out, changing formula, or increasing in price.

The formula is about to change and so is the price, one comment reads, while another user said: Great, now Mielle is about to be gentrified.

The news of Mielles partnership with P&G Beauty has renewed concern over the companys future, with many of the brands customers critcising the hair care brand over the deal, which some have claimed will result in a change to the products produced by Mielle.

I hate that Black folks, more specifically Black women, cant keep anything for ourselves. Every single thing weve created, adopted or helped popularise for us has been taken and/or watered down, one person tweeted.

Another customer expressed their fears that the company will change its formula now that it is no longer a Black-owned brand. I know that from a business point of view its great that Mielle Organics is part of the P&G Family but from a consumer point of view, I just know that that the formula is going to change. Every time a Black business is acquired by a white company the formula changes, they wrote.

Im not mad that Black women are upset about Mielle being sold, especially to P&G. We always have to worry about products that cater to our hair being changed to benefit white women who have whole aisles full of hair products, someone else wrote, while another said that the company not being Black-owned anymore breaks [their] heart.

Despite the concerns, some customers defended the companys decision to partner with the beauty conglomerate. This Mielle convo is...unproductive lol. Two things can be true: Black entrepreneurs should be able to expand their companies for more profit and logistical benefits AND Black customers can be skeptical about the product quality after the acquisition, one person tweeted.

Monique addressed concerns the formula would change after it went viral on social media earlier this month, when she assured customers that Mielle has no plans to alter its products.

There have been a few recent comments posted on this topic, but I can personally guarantee you that we are not making any ingredient changes, she wrote in a post shared to the brands Instagram on 2 January. I also wanted to come here first to assure you directly that we have no plans to change the formula for rosemary mint oil or any of our products.

Monique concluded the post assuring the brands customers that it would always inform you in full transparency if any adjustments are made to the products you love and trust.

In a post dedicated to the news of the partnership with P&G Beauty, Mielle celebrated its CEO for breaking glass ceilings, while noting that Moniques goal has always been global expansion so that Mielle can better serve our mavens and mavericks around the world.

The Independent has contacted Mielle Organics for comment.
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Woman dubbed Miss Garbage wins Miss Universe Thailand 2022

Current Miss Universe Thailand Anna Sueangam-iam is making headlines for her unique pull tab dress, which is both sustainable and meaningful.

The 24-year-old beauty queen wowed viewers during Miss Universe 2022s preliminary competition on Wednesday with her stunning evening gown.

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The Hidden Precious Diamond Dress was designed by Thai fashion brand Manirat and features recycled pull tabs from soda cans bedazzled with Swarovski crystals.

While explaining the story behind the special dress, Sueangam-iam shared that it is a tribute to her father and mother, who worked as garbage collectors.

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This gown was inspired by the familiar surroundings of my childhood. Growing up with garbage collector parents, my life as a child was among piles of garbage and recyclables, she wrote in a recent Instagram post caption.

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This unique gown was purposefully tailored-made with discarded and recycled materials, namely the Can Tab to present to the UNIVERSE that whats considered worthless by many actually possesses its own value and beauty.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anna Sueangam-iam (@annasnga_1o)

Born on Nov. 10, 1998, Sueangam-iam grew up in Bangkok in poverty.

She reportedly played with toys her parents found in the trash and was bullied by other children who dubbed her Miss Garbage.

Sueangam-iam now aims to become Thailands third Miss Universe crown holder after Porntip Nakhirunkanok, who won the title in 1988, and Apasra Hongsakula, who won it in 1965.

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Jan. 12JACKSON  The Mississippi Supreme Court has denied a rehearing of its September 2022 reversal of a special judge's order for the city to hold a new election to determine who represents Ward 1 in Aberdeen.

Sitting alderman Robert Devaull defeated Nicholas Holliday in an April 2021 special election, which was a result of an election contest ruling in Monroe County Circuit Court earlier that year.

In the Sept. 15, 2022 ruling, the state's highest court unanimously reversed Special Judge Jeff Weill Sr.'s February 2021 ruling that ordered the city to hold a new election to determine who represents Ward 1. The Supreme Court stated Devaull did not file proper paperwork with the Monroe County Circuit Clerk's office in a timely manner to challenge results of the June 16, 2020, Democratic primary runoff between him and Holliday.

Holliday defeated him in the primary runoff and was certified as the winner.

The state Supreme Court found several irregularities in Weill's findings and conclusions, including errors made in accepting and rejecting challenged ballots, violations of distance rules from the polling place on election day, disturbances at the precinct and violation of sample ballot law, integrity of the ballot box, and a failure to certify the election in a timely manner.

In its 2022 ruling, the Mississippi Supreme Court stated that because "the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to hear the case, it was without authority to order a new election."

Aberdeen city attorney Bob Faulks said as of 2:15 p.m. Thursday, no mandate has been received stating Devaull has to vacate his seat.
The Missouri House of Representatives proposed a bill Wednesday that would restrict womens dress code in the states House, but would not tighten the dress code for men, eventually passing a version of the bill calling for women to cover their arms.

The dress code was updated from 2021, in which women could wear dresses or skirts or slacks worn with a blazer or sweater and appropriate dress shoes or boots, to now state that proper attire for women in the House would be jackets worn with dresses, skirts, or slacks, and dress shoes or boots.

The legislation was proposed by Rep. Ann Kelley (R) and was met with firm opposition from Democrats.

Missouri state Rep. Raychel Proudie (D) called the motion ridiculous while speaking on the House floor, adding, We are fighting  again  on a womans right to choose something and this time is how she covers herself, according to Heartland Signal.

Do you know what it feels like to have a bunch of men in this room looking at your top trying to decide whether its appropriate or not? state Rep. Ashley Aune (D) said on the state House floor, according to Heartland Signal, before going on to criticize the motion further as ridiculous.

Kelley responded to Aune, saying, You would think that all you would have to do is say, dress professionally and women could handle it! the Heartland Signal reported.

Other Democrats weighed in on Twitter: The caucus that lost their minds over the suggestion that they should wear masks during a pandemic  is now spending its time focusing on the fine details of what women have to wear (specifically how to cover their arms) to show respect here, state Rep. Peter Meredith tweeted.

Women hold less than one-third of the states legislature, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and while the House dress code is debated every two years, the mens dress code was not debated for the 2023 session.

Eventually, according to The Washington Post, the Missouri House passed a modified version of the proposal that permits women to wear blazers, cardigans and jackets, but still requires that their arms be covered.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Detective Patrick Davison of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office (second from left) holds a challenge coin presented to him by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for his work to investigate the death of a local dog who was poisoned. Also pictured (from left) are Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Acting Director Kathy Angerer, Detective Sgt. Mike Preadmore and Sheriff Troy Goodnough. MDARD started the investigation.

An investigation into a dog's poisoning that led to a conviction has earned a Monroe County Sheriff's Office detective recognition from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Detective Patrick Davison recently was presented with Whitmers challenge coin to recognize his work on the case involving the poisoning of a local dog named Rocky, Monroe County Sheriff Troy Goodnough announced.

Rocky belonged to a Milan couple. On April 5, 2021, they found him seizing underneath the porch in their backyard with something blue surrounding his mouth. In the 10 minutes it took them to rush him to the veterinarian, he died. He was almost 4 years old.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) began the investigation into Rocky's death, a news release from the sheriff's office said. Interviews with Rockys owner provided reason to believe that a neighbor was responsible for Rockys death, but the evidence was circumstantial.

More:Toxic pesticide leads to death of Milan woman's dog

MDARD Inspector Lauren Young contacted Davison and explained the situation and evidence obtained, the release said. The blue-colored residue found around Rocky's mouth was tested by the MDARD lab and determined to be methomyl insecticide, the same substance found in the dogs stomach and determined to be the cause of death. However, Youngs evidence needed to be tied to the person who placed the poison for the dog to consume. A suspect was interviewed by Young and Davison, and while the suspects body language and verbal statements seemed suspicious, he maintained his innocence, saying that he had nothing to do with the poisoning.

Young then identified local retail stores that might sell methomyl products. She and Davison set out to contact these stores, the release said. Eventually using the power of a subpoena, Davison obtained customer rewards information from a local retailer showing that the suspect purchased a brand of insecticide that contains methomyl using a credit card in his name.

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Davison set up a suspect interview at the sheriffs office. Not realizing how much evidence they already had, the suspect willingly arrived for the meeting, the release said. Young and Davison conducted the interview, getting the suspect to acknowledge that he had a customer rewards account at a local retail store. The suspect then acknowledged that he did not give his credit card to anyone else to use and that the credit card number associated with the customer rewards purchase was his own. He eventually admitted to purchasing the insecticide and misusing it. He pleaded guilty in court and was sentenced successfully, concluding the investigation.

"This successful conclusion would not have been possible without the teamwork and cooperation of both agencies," the release said.

This case changed Michigan law on how methomyl insecticides are sold to the public, the release said.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Monroe County sheriff's detective honored for work on dog-poisoning case
As the number of people experiencing homelessness increases across the country, more cities and states have passed laws making it illegal to live out of tents and cars or sleep in public spaces.

More than 100 jurisdictions have had such bans on the books for years, according to the National Homelessness Law Center. In recent months, high-profile measures have been approved targeting homelessness in many western U.S. cities and across entire states.

Federal data shows 582,462 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2022. Experts warn more people will enter homelessness as housing costs increase, as has been the case for decades in cities such as New York and in much of California.

If visible, unsheltered homelessness continues to grow, city leaders will have an easier time passing measures advocates say criminalize basic needs such as sleep and sheltering oneself, Eric Tars, legal director for the National Homelessness Law Center, told USA TODAY.

"The danger is that the worse the housing situation gets, the more people we see on the streets, the more will be the push for these punitive policies," Tars said.

A woman pushes a cart past a tent along the sidewalk on Dec. 20, 2022, in Salt Lake City.

These states and cities have passed laws making it illegal to live in tents or sleep on public property:

Missouri bans sleeping in parks

On Jan. 1, a statewide ban on sleeping on state-owned land took effect in Missouri, making it a misdemeanor to sleep in public spaces such as parks or under bridges.

Experts say Missouri's law is concerning because it covers the state and adds pressure on top of municipal bans.

It's wrong to assume people experiencing homelessness can just leave and go to another state, Tars said.

People have an "assumption" that "homeless people are infinitely mobile and theyll go somewhere else," Tars said. "But most people, contrary to this notion of vagrancy and transience, are homeless in the community where they were once housed."

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Missouri's law also restricts state funding for permanent housing, a model taken from template legislation created by the conservative Cicero Institute, according to Stateline, the Pew Charitable Trusts news service.

"To take funding away from housing that has the appropriate resources attached to it is devastating, problematic and perpetuates the issue of homelessness," said Kathy Connors, executive director of Gateway180 shelter in St. Louis. She added that people experiencing homelessness who are displaced from rural areas are forced to seek temporary services available only in cities, which is straining the system.

Gabe DeBay, Medical Services Officer with the Shoreline Fire Department, checks the blood pressure of a homeless man at a tent encampment during the hottest part of the day on July 26, 2022, in Shoreline, Washington. The Pacific Northwest is experiencing a heat wave with potentially record-breaking temperatures, which is expected to last for the rest of the week.

Tennessee makes it a felony to live in a tent

In July, Tennessee became the first state to make it a felony to live in a tent or sleep on state land.

Statewide bans have been introduced in recent years by legislators in five other states, Pew says.

"Policies like this are making homelessness worse," Tars said, because arrest, jail time and a criminal record put up steep barriers to employment, securing an apartment and accessing social services.

Portland, Oregon, bans tent living

The City Council in Portland, Oregon, voted in November to approve a plan to ban living in tents and will shift people living in encampments into six city-sanctioned mass encampment sites capped at 250 people.

The measure includes plans to build 20,000 additional affordable housing units and eventually would require everyone living on the streets to move into shelters, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon sent the Portland City Council a letter warning the new measure could be unlawful. Last month, the civil rights group sued the city of Phoenix over a similar ban, resulting in a temporary block from a federal judge.

Oregon's recently elected Gov. Tina Kotek started her term this week by declaring a state of emergency for parts of the state that have seen huge increases in unsheltered homelessness, including Portland.

Paskal Pawlicki from My Friends House Foundation, hands a bottle of water to a homeless man in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.

Washoe County, Nevada, considers bans

In December, Washoe County Commissioners in Nevada voted 3-2 to consider an ordinance to ban camping in tents or vehicles and storing personal items in public when it poses "significant harm to any person, or public area." Violators could be charged with a misdemeanor or a $500 fine. Within the county, Reno and Sparks already had similar ordinances in place.

In 2021, 25% of young people experiencing homelessness served by the Eddy House shelter in Reno lived on the streets, CEO Trevor Macaluso told USA TODAY. He added that people displaced by sweeps in Reno and Sparks usually relocate their encampment somewhere else in the city, which makes the bans ineffective.

Los Angeles bans some homeless tent cities

A City Council-approved ban on tent living in certain areas was expanded in August 2022 to prohibit encampments within 500 feet of schools and day care centers after teachers and parents complained students couldn't access nearby sidewalks.

School administrators have said the ban isn't always enforced by the city and police, according to EdSource, an outlet covering education in California.

More recently, the mayors of Los Angeles and Long Beach and Los Angeles County declared states of emergency over the homeless crisis aimed at speeding up services to reduce and prevent homelessness.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Homeless in the US: Tent cities banned as more people lose their homes
Whats Quickly? Its where readers sound off on the issues of the day. Have a quote, question or quip? Call Quickly at 312-222-2426 or email quickly@post-trib.com.

Gary Common Council leadership dropped the ball by not redistricting by the end of last year. William Godwin is the first one to brand the Mayor and his team as incompetent but when it comes to his failure, he blames everyone but himself. I am grateful that Mayor Prince has stepped in to try and clean up the Councils mess.

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Social Security cuts are coming. Radical Republicans announced they will hold up budget talks, causing the U.S. to default on its debts, which will trash our economy, until Democrats agree to cut Social Security and Medicare. Folks, no other national issue affects you personally more than these programs. Republicans give huge tax cuts to the rich, but now say we cant afford Social Security and Medicare? Seriously? Stand up for the money you paid in. Dont let these dangerous fools get away with it. Its YOUR future at stake.

To the person who states that the P-T provides a soapbox for the uneducated and unemployed: you apparently read the paper and respond in Quickly, so you clearly fit in that uneducated and .... group. And your failure to recognize that your comment puts you in that group is another example of your lack of intelligence. So Trumpian.

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When the Post-Tribune is a soapbox for the uneducated and unemployed, is it safe to presume youre talking about the Republicans? The Republican politicians continually talk about how they love the uneducated, because they actually fall for and vote for the rhetoric they spew.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita has something in common with a particular farm animal. Rokita is the epitome of the dysfunction and division in our country. Like House Speaker McCarthy, Rokita has sold his soul to the Trumpist mentality and the bigoted right-wing culture. He believes it plays well in red Indiana. Governor Holcomb has outlined support for upgrading teacher salaries and providing additional support for literacy programs. AG Rokita disagrees with the support and claims that more funding is not necessary. Rokita claims that children are being indoctrinated to hate America and that teachers are encouraging youngsters to change their sex, etc. He has no evidence. This guy reminds me of a happy pig. They both like slop! Rokita is not a dumb politician. He knows better. He also is well acquainted with the underbelly in The Hoosier State. Those are the votes he craves. Sadly, theyre are enough to keep him in office!

Remember back when Republicans were going wild over cries to defund the police? Is imitation really the sincerest form of flattery? Now Republicans answer to everything is to defund it. Dont like it that the IRS might make GOP donors actually pay taxes? Defund it. The DHS is stretched to the max and not doing its job on the southern border? Dont give it more resources. Defund it. Doesnt matter if an agency is doing its job too well or not well enough. The GOP answer is to defund it. And now, with their new House rules, they make it possible to defund individual federal employees or even to fire them. Just think what that means. If the Department of Justice investigates any of them? Defund and fire the Attorney General. Same with the Director of the FBI or the head of the IRS. Our nation is in big trouble with a Republican party that has lost its mind.

Looks like sleepy Joe has been a little bit naughty. Best we begin impeachment proceedings to get rid of this nasty man. We have tried to impeach for a lot less nasty deeds than this in the past. Joes got to go.

Merrick Garland waited only a matter of days before jumping in to an investigation of Bidens mishandling of documents, after stalling for nearly two years before launching a serious investigation of Trumps far more serious theft of documents and his refusal to give them back. Theyre mine. In Garlands zeal to appear non-political, he is turning out to in fact be one of the most political Attorney Generals weve ever had.

Read more at www.post-trib.com/opinion.
MSNBC is expanding Hallie Jacksons daily anchoring duties on streaming as the network retools its weekday and weekend lineups heading into the new year.

Jackson, who had recently been anchoring an hourlong program on cable at 3 p.m., will now focus solely on her streaming show, picking up an extra hour while hosting a show on NBC News Now that will run from 5 to 7 p.m. on weekdays starting on Feb. 13, NBC News Executive Vice President Janelle Rodriguez wrote in a memo to network staff obtained by The Hill on Thursday.

Jackson joined NBC as a reporter in 2014 and had already been hosting an hourlong show on the networks streaming service since 2021.

With Jacksons departure from cable, anchor Chris Jansing is picking up an extra hour and will host Chris Jansing Reports from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Anchor Katy Tur will replace Jackson in the 3 p.m. slot, while Jose Diaz-Balart will move in his anchoring duties from 10 am to 11 am, according to the memo.

Anchor Katie Phang will begin MSNBCs live programming on weekends beginning at 8 a.m., while Jonathan Capehart will expand his hosting duties to include both both Saturdays and Sundays, beginning at 9 a.m.

We are working diligently to create a smooth transition, MSNBC President Rashida Jones wrote in a separate note to staff. I want to thank all of you for your effort and dedication as we embark on a new chapter.

The reshuffle of talent at MSNBC comes a day after CNN announced major changes to its own weekday and prime time lineup under new president Chris Licht.

The moves also come the same week that NBC announced Noah Oppenheim, who had led its news division for the last several years, would step down to work for NBCUniversal in a new capacity, developing scripts and longform productions.

NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde has tapped Rebecca Blumenstein, who most recently has served as deputy managing editor of the New York Times, to replace Oppenheim.

UPDATED: 9:17 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Three defendants were charged in relation to what prosecutors are calling a murder that occurred in October on a troubled corner where the city and its police have struggled to curtail a flourishing drug market and rash of killings.

Shaquan Winstead, 28, and David Armfield, 31, both of Paterson, were arrested earlier this week on charges of murder, attempted murder and weapons violations stemming from the shooting of Briheem Nero, 42, of Paterson, and a 49-year-old female resident, who survived her injuries, near the corner of Van Houten and Summer streets on Oct. 1.

Stephanie French, 26, of Totowa, was charged with hindering apprehension due to allegations she helped Winstead  who was arrested in Virginia  evade capture.

The night of Nero's death, police arrived to the corner at 10:34 p.m. on a report of a shooting but did not find the two victims until learning both were at St. Joseph's University Medical Center, where Nero was pronounced dead, Passaic County prosecutors said Friday.

Winstead and Armfield, whom prosecutors have accused of taking part in Nero's shooting, remained in custody as the state prepared motions to request their ongoing detention pending trial, authorities stated.

Both could face anywhere from 30 years to life in prison for the murder of Nero, and 10 to 20 years for attempted murder, if convicted of the charges. Furthermore, each weapons violation could net Winstead and Armfield a sentence of five to 10 years. A five-year sentence could be ordered against French if convicted of helping Winstead evade arrest.

Nero was killed on the same corner where Shaheem Jones, 26, was fatally shot less than a month earlier and little over a year after 28-year-old Kevin Lewis was killed at the same intersection near the library's main branch.

Mayor Andre Sayegh vowed to focus on crime near the library after authorities and residents alike noted the area had become a hub for the city's drug trade, leading police to carry out an eight-day sweep, netting 18 arrests in September 2020.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ: Trio arrested in connection with killing
Brian O'Kelley  regarded in the business as the 'godfather of ad tech' speaks at an AppNexus Advertising Week event in 2015. Photo: Getty

Brian OKelley is co-founder and CEO of sustainability start-up Scope3. A serial entrepreneur, technologist, and angel investor, OKelley co-founded the advertising programming company AppNexus in 2007 and was the companys CEO and chairman through its $1.6bn (1.3bn) sale to AT&T in 2018.

Previously he was CTO of Right Media (later sold to Yahoo! in 2007 for $850m), where he invented the online advertising exchange.

I graduated from college in 1999 in the dotcom era and somehow was able to raise millions for a start-up. The day after graduation, I flew to LA and hired seven of my old classmates and launched the company. I was then the CEO of a 30-strong company and the youngest in the business.

Six weeks later we gave away a car, sponsored a big music festival and had spent all our money with 1,000 people coming to our website. We went to our biggest investor and convinced her to give us a couple of hundred thousand dollars. When we got back to LA, my two partners fired me. They said it was my fault we ran out of money. I was sacked after weeks on the job.

Read More: My first boss: John Ridd, co-founder of cloud sustainability start-up Greenpixie

One of our advisers from Princeton University, Alan Crowther, offered me a job at his new company having left Andersen Consulting. I had been telling him along the way all the things I had struggled with as a first-time founder. I was making basic mistakes and Alan told me he would teach me everything he had learnt in 10 years at Andersen: how to hire people, develop talent and run projects. I joined his start-up consulting company  LogicSpan  and he was my first legitimate boss.

It was an incredible experience from a scrappy dotcom founder to managing an American Express account and being able to operate and do business with the biggest companies in the world.

In his thirties, Alan looked like Peter, the dad from Family Guy. Because he was an entrepreneur and from a traditional consulting background, he had a fascination in how to get big ideas into the world. The big thing was personalisation. In a perfect world, if you called up AmEx, they could tell you in real time if you wanted to upgrade by looking at a customer's account. The power of technology to personalise on the internet came from Alans vision.

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Im an immersive learner. I remember shadowing Alan in meetings and watching him with clients. One time, I told a CTO that he was wrong in front of his team and he phoned up Alan to get me off the account. Alan told me that it doesnt matter if he is right or wrong, you tell him after the meeting and gently nudge him to get there. I told him that it was a waste of time.

Brian O'Kelley speaking at the AppNexus Summit in San Francisco, California in 2011. Photo: Steve Jennings/WireImage

The client was so annoyed that he paid everyone else on the team 10% more, but said, You cant bill me for Brian OKelley. The bill was the same but he was so mad that he made me work for free.

Alan didnt fire me but I had to learn. Influencing people, politics and emotions are so central to success in the business world and his was a classic case of mentorship.

We were actively out on campuses trying to recruit. Without any CVs, it was a case of working out behavioural interviews, with the right skillset and outlook. There was a whole process for finding self-starters. But in 2001, we had to rescind offers for graduates as the dotcom bubble burst. I was angry as I felt we had betrayed these kids.

Alans solution to the crisis was to sell out and I left to join a consulting firm. He would be unsurprised today that the same kind of brash, principled person has had conflicts over the years and had to learn a great deal about being a leader.

A few years later, there was a basic question of how to choose which ad to serve someone. The state of the art then was to rank ads ahead of time. I thought why cant we do this in real time? I built a little prediction engine to decide which ad wins. I guess if I am the father of programmatic advertising, then Alan should be the grandfather.

Watch: Brian O'Kelley on the big money of online advertising

Around $100bn of ads were served programmatically in 2022. Like a lot of industries that grow fast, there are problems like privacy, funding of misinformation and sustainability, while auctioning ads in real time creates a lot of computing power.

Ads will be around for a long time, but we need a different tech stack and way of thinking. Scope 3 measures the sustainability impact of different ways of doing advertising to push towards the most efficient ones.

Read More: My first boss: Chris Sheldrick, what3words co-founder and CEO

We all think digital has low emissions over print. But $1,000 spent on Facebook ads generates more carbon than the same spent in a print newspaper. If you do the full life cycle analysis, it's pretty shocking that all these serve to create so much carbon dioxide.

There was a report last year that West London couldnt build new houses due to all the data centres. Who would have thought that using the likes of Facebook was stopping us from solving our housing problems?

We have a short period of time to solve our climate issues. We need to use all our resources on the hard issues, not easy ones. We can fix it quickly when it comes to digital advertising emissions. Its definitely a movement and not just some crazy entrepreneur with a big idea.

Watch: Why do we still have a gender pay gap?
They dont know who she is or where she came from, but Lisa and Mark Paradis are just grateful a nurse was on hand, when their long-time friend -- identified as Tom -- suffered a medical emergency while en route to visit the couple.

Toms brother told the couple he pulled into the Wal-Mart Supercenter parking lot on Main Street and called 9-1-1, after Tom slumped to the dashboard Wednesday afternoon -- and seemed to have stopped breathing.

And while he was still on the phone with 9-1-1, a police officer responded, Lisa said. And right behind the police officer was a nurse. She just got out of her car and said, Im a nurse and started doing CPR -- her and the officer.

In fact, Tewksbury Police thanked the nurse for her help on social media -- the posts noting that in the heat of the moment, they didnt catch her name.

In fact, no one did.

The EMTs showed up and they put him in an ambulance, and while they were doing that the nurse just left, Lisa said. So we have no idea who she is. But we want to thank her. We want her to get the recognition she deserves.

By coming to Toms assistance, Lisa said that nurse did something many others wouldnt have.

Most people are more apt to pull out their cellphones and videotape whats going on instead of stepping up to help, she said. Without her being in the right place at the right time, things might be different.

Lisa reports Tom was released from the hospital Wednesday night, but is undergoing testing to find out what went wrong. She posted her thanks to Facebook, but wouldnt mind doing it in person, too.

We want her to step forward just so we can shake her hand, give a hug, just give a thank you to let us know we appreciate what you did, Lisa said. We both suffered a lot of losses. This would have been one more too many and were very thankful.

Sometimes, you dont get that lucky, you know, said Mark Paradis. Whos to know what would have happened if they didnt show up and when they did. So I appreciate that. "

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Youd think, if someone sued you, it would be fair to ask who they are.

And youd be right. A foundational concept in American jurisprudence is that courts are open to all, and those using the courts have to themselves show up.

But some very wealthy private financiers who fund, control, and reap windfall profits off of litigation dont believe those concepts apply to them. Thats how the Federal District Court of Delaware has found itself in a high-stakes debate about transparency and the purpose of the courts.

The J. Caleb Boggs Federal Building is home of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

The conflict began when the District of Delawares Chief Judge, Colm Connolly, issued a pair of standing orders in April, requiring that everyone coming before the Court must disclose third-party litigation funding tied to their case. Connollys orders attempted to bring much-needed transparency to the complex, hidden litigation finance industry, but the billion-dollar funds that use lawsuits to profit are pushing back.

The orders, while notable, are neither improper nor all that unusual. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure have been moving toward greater ownership transparency and similar requirements in courts across the nation have been in place for years.

Transparency orders come in response to the growing permissibility of third-party litigation funding. TPLF is an investment strategy that has attracted billions of dollars worldwide and has in the past twenty years changed the U.S. legal system. Under TPLF arrangements, an investor or investment group pays for all legal expenses in exchange for a hefty, upfront portion of the potential award or settlement. Agreements are often written, in either letter or spirit, to allow the funders to control the litigation, the choice of counsel, settlement decisions, and more.

Often, multiple private investors back cases and sometimes the claims change hands mid-litigation, as if they were a mutual fund, a credit-default swap, or a mortgage-backed derivative. Yet in many U.S. Federal Courts there are still no disclosure requirements. This means that defendants, judges, and juries must often participate in cases without knowing who is funding and driving the case forward, or what influence the funders may have over the proceedings.

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TPLF fuels more litigation, drives up legal costs on both sides, and often influences case strategy. TPLF can, and is, also used by foreign competitors to put U.S. national and economic security at risk. Some of the biggest funders appear, based on what little can be gleaned from court records, to be sovereign nation funds  foreign government money backing claims in U.S. courts against U.S. companies.

Recent analysis shows that the TPLF business is booming in the U.S. to the tune of $13 billion dollars in 2021, with new investments pouring fastest into patent infringement litigation.

This brings us back to Delaware. The Federal District Court of Delaware is a hub for patent infringement litigation because Delaware is a popular location to incorporate large companies.

Connollys orders require some basic disclosures, including the identity of any third-party funders in cases before the Court and whether their approval is necessary for legal strategy decisions and settlement conditions. This added transparency would allow everyone involved in the case  including the judge and jury  to know who the real party behind a lawsuit is, which is critical information for, among other things, ethical considerations like whether a judge should recuse themselves from a case. It also prevents David v. Goliath narratives from being used to sway juries, when in fact its more like private equity versus American manufacturers.

The order has already gotten results. Notably, it revealed a web of thousands of patent lawsuits backed, apparently anonymously, by a single company that sold individuals on becoming patent owners and signing relevant legal documents to generate passive income.

Unsurprisingly, the shell companies using lawsuits to make a quick buck are not happy. One company recently asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to freeze the order, arguing that its funding and structure should be kept secret. The appeals court refused, correctly, to intervene, allowing the District of Delaware to continue shedding light on secretive and potentially fraudulent funding arrangements. Despite the Federal Circuits decision, two additional patent owners have now made similar appeals. Which begs the question  if these companies have nothing to hide, why are they fighting so hard to keep it hidden?

Wealthy funders will likely continue to cry foul, but it seems that, for now, Delaware will continue the nationwide push for greater transparency into the omnipresent, secretive TPLF industry. At a minimum, it might just prevent further longstanding abuse of our courts.

Jonathan Stroud is general counsel for Unified Patents.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware and TLPF: More transparency needed
Crypto lender Nexo vehemently denies allegations leveled at it by the Bulgarian Prosecutors Office following the arrest of four people on Friday as part of an investigation into the company.

A spokesperson, speaking on behalf of Nexos management, told Decrypt they could not confirm whether the people arrested were company employees.

The Bulgarian Prosecutors Office said during a press conference that the Bulgarian nationals whove been arrested are suspected of money laundering, tax crimes, computer fraud, and unlicensed banking, according to English-language Bulgarian news outlet Novinite.

Nexo, a London-based digital asset platform, loans out client funds and uses the proceeds to pay interest. Its one of the last crypto lenders standing, as both of its main competitors Celsius and BlockFi, filed for bankruptcy last year.

At the time, Nexo said it only makes overcollateralized loans. That means it tends to pay lower yields than the ones that BlockFi and Celsius used to offer. In June, its website said that it exposed clients to basically no risk. That language has since been removed and replaced with a pledge to never lend without collateral. (Disclosure: Nexo is one of Decrypts 22 investors.)

The company has said repeatedly that the investigation and a raid of its office yesterday were politically motivated.

We witnessed a very confusing press conference by the Bulgarian Prosecutors Office, which as is publicly known, [has] a terrible reputation and conviction rate and has been routinely used by nefarious characters as means of business raiding, the Nexo spokesperson said Friday morning. It is also abundantly clear that the prosecutors office has no understanding of blockchain technology or financial institutions and markets in general.

Nexo Under Investigation in Bulgaria for Alleged Money Laundering, Tax Offenses

Yesterday the Bulgarian Prosecutors Office announced their widespread investigation into Nexo, which has an office in Sofia. Although its still unclear how the investigation will play out, users seemed to be in a rush to get their funds off the Nexo platform following an office raid.

Story continues

An archived version of Nexos real-time attestation tool shows that Nexo had 133,263 BTC in customer liabilities, worth roughly $2.4 billion, on Thursday morning. By Friday morning, that had dropped to 124,939 BTC, a change of about $68 million in the past day.

Cielo Finance, an on-chain data tracker, shared a screenshot on Twitter showing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of USD Coin (USDC), Binance USD (BUSD) and Ethereum leaving the platform in large transactions.

I can confirm that all systems are up and running, and everything is being processed in real-time as always and the volume currently is orders of magnitude smaller than post-Celsius and post-FTX, the Nexo spokesperson said about the withdrawals.
Perth, Australia --News Direct-- Hot Chili Limited

Drilling Underway Across Major Extension to Cortadera

Hot Chili Limited (ASX: HCH) (TSXV:HCH) (OTCQX: HHLKF) (Hot Chili or Company) is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced across the recently secured western extension to the Cortadera copper-gold discovery, the centrepiece of the Companys low-altitude, Costa Fuego senior copper development in Chile.

One diamond drill rig (operating on a double-shift basis) and one reverse circulation drill rig (operating on a single-shift basis) are in operation, testing the potential for Cortadera to host a much larger copper porphyry cluster than currently defined.

The initial programme, comprising approximately 10,000m of drilling, will test four porphyry targets (including three targets on the recently optioned AMSA landholding) added to Cortadera through successful consolidation efforts announced in late November 2022.

Importantly, Hot Chili has more than doubled the prospective strike length of the discovery from 2.3km to 5.2km (as outlined in figure 3), increasing the near term, material resource growth potential for Hot Chili.

Cortaderas current Indicated resource of 471Mt grading 0.46% CuEq for 1.7Mt copper and 1.8Moz gold and Inferred resource of 108Mt grading 0.35% CuEq for an additional 0.3Mt copper and 0.3Moz gold (ASX announcement dated 31st March 2022) is contained within three porphyry centres.

Both drill rigs are currently drilling Cortaderas potential fourth porphyry (Cuerpo 4), where previous historical drilling had intersected encouraging shallow copper-gold porphyry mineralisation, including COR-03 which recorded 128m grading 0.5% CuEq (0.4% Cu & 0.1g/t Au) from 28m downhole depth, including 16m grading 1.3% CuEq (1% Cu & 0.5g/t Au) from 28m (as announced to ASX and TSXV on 28th November 2022).

The Company is well funded to complete its planned drilling and deliver its next set of key growth and development milestones for Costa Fuego this year, including: a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) in H1; and a resource upgrade in H2.

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This next growth phase provides an opportunity to optimise and potentially up-scale Costa Fuegos future annual metal production rates, currently being studied at up to 100kt Cu and up to 70koz Au for a +20-year life of mine.

The Company plans to deliver Costa Fuegos Pre-feasibility Study (PFS) in H1 2024 and remains on-track as one of only a few near-term production projects in the world capable of producing +100 ktpa Cu in the next five years, while also boasting low capital intensity and strong ESG credentials.

The Directors look forward to an exciting period of news flow and results from drilling activities at Cortadera this year.

Figure 1. Location of Cortadera, Productora, San Antonio, Valentina and nearby coastal range infrastructure of Hot Chilis combined Costa Fuego copper-gold project, located 600km north of Santiago in Chile.

* Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the resource were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu%  Cu price 1% per tonne  Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm  Mo price per g/t  Mo_recovery) + (Au ppm  Au price per g/t  Au_recovery) + (Ag ppm  Ag price per g/t  Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne  Cu_recovery).

The Metal Prices applied in the CuEq calculation were: Cu=3.00 USD/lb, Au=1,700 USD/oz, Mo=14 USD/lb, and Ag=20 USD/oz. Metallurgical recovery averages for each deposit consider Indicated + Inferred material and are weighted to combine sulphide flotation and oxide leaching performance. The recovery and copper equivalent formula for each deposit is:

Cortadera and San Antonio  Weighted recoveries of 82% Cu, 55% Au, 82% Mo and 37% Ag.

CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.56 x Au(g/t) + 0.00046 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t)

Productora  Weighted recoveries of 84% Cu, 47% Au, 47% Mo and 0% Ag (not reported)

CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.46 x Au(g/t) + 0.00026 x Mo(ppm)

Costa Fuego  Weighted recoveries of 83% Cu, 53% Au, 69% Mo and 23% Ag

CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.52 x Au(g/t) + 0.00039 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0027 x Ag(g/t)

** Reported on a 100% Basis - combining Mineral Resource Estimates for the Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio deposits. Figures are rounded, reported to appropriate significant figures, and reported in accordance with the JORC Code, CIM and NI 43-101. Metal rounded to nearest thousand, or if less, to the nearest hundred.

Total Resource reported at +0.21% CuEq for open pit and +0.30% CuEq for underground.

Figure 2. Location of Cuerpo 4 and other immediate porphyry targets within the AMSA landholding and new landholding acquired through public auction, lying immediately west of the Cortadera resource. A 10,000m drill programme is underway targeting all four targets, including Cuerpo 4. See announcement Further Consolidation of Cortadera dated 30th Nov 2022 for Table 1 details relating to this figure.

Figure 3. Location of Cuerpo 4 and other immediate porphyry targets within the AMSA landholding and new landholding acquired through public auction, lying immediately west of the Cortadera resource. Note magnetic (RTP magnetics image  blue is low, red is high) signature of the Cortadera deposit window in relation to A+B vein contours and late stage porphyry dykes. Subtle de-magnetised anomalies along the main mineralising trends (Las Canas and Cortadera) are of particular interest given the magnetic signatures of Cortaderas three porphyry centres. See announcement Further Consolidation of Cortadera dated 30th Nov 2022 for Table 1 details relating to this figure.

Refer to ASX Announcement Hot Chili Delivers Next Level of Growth (31st March 2022) for JORC Code Table 1 information related to the Costa Fuego JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by Competent Person Elizabeth Haren, constituting the MREs of Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio (which combine to form Costa Fuego).

* Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the resource were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu%  Cu price 1% per tonne  Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm  Mo price per g/t  Mo_recovery) + (Au ppm  Au price per g/t  Au_recovery) + (Ag ppm  Ag price per g/t  Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne  Cu_recovery).

The Metal Prices applied in the CuEq calculation were: Cu=3.00 USD/lb, Au=1,700 USD/oz, Mo=14 USD/lb, and Ag=20 USD/oz. Metallurgical recovery averages for each deposit consider Indicated + Inferred material and are weighted to combine sulphide flotation and oxide leaching performance. The recovery and copper equivalent formula for each deposit is:

Cortadera and San Antonio  Weighted recoveries of 82% Cu, 55% Au, 82% Mo and 37% Ag.

CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.56 x Au(g/t) + 0.00046 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t)

Productora  Weighted recoveries of 84% Cu, 47% Au, 47% Mo and 0% Ag (not reported)

CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.46 x Au(g/t) + 0.00026 x Mo(ppm)

Costa Fuego  Weighted recoveries of 83% Cu, 53% Au, 69% Mo and 23% Ag

CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.52 x Au(g/t) + 0.00039 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0027 x Ag(g/t)

** Reported on a 100% Basis - combining Mineral Resource Estimates for the Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio deposits. Figures are rounded, reported to appropriate significant figures, and reported in accordance with the JORC Code, CIM and NI 43-101. Metal rounded to nearest thousand, or if less, to the nearest hundred.

Total Resource reported at +0.21% CuEq for open pit and +0.30% CuEq for underground.

** Note: Silver (Ag) is only present within the Cortadera Mineral Resource estimate

Competent Persons Statement- Exploration Results

Exploration information in this Announcement is based upon work compiled by Mr Christian Easterday, the Managing Director and a full-time employee of Hot Chili Limited whom is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG). Mr Easterday has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code). Mr Easterday consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.

Competent Persons Statement- Costa Fuego Mineral Resources

The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources for Cortadera, Productora and San Antonio which constitute the combined Costa Fuego Project is based on information compiled by Ms Elizabeth Haren, a Competent Person who is a Member and Chartered Professional of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Ms Haren is a full-time employee of Haren Consulting Pty Ltd and an independent consultant to Hot Chili. Ms Haren has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and types of deposits under consideration and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code of Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Ms Haren consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on her information in the form and context in which it appears. For further information on the Costa Fuego Project, refer to the technical report titled "Resource Report for the Costa Fuego Technical Report", dated December 13, 2021, which is available for review under Hot Chili's profile at www.sedar.com.

Reporting of Copper Equivalent

Copper Equivalent (CuEq) reported for the resource were calculated using the following formula: CuEq% = ((Cu%  Cu price 1% per tonne  Cu_recovery) + (Mo ppm  Mo price per g/t  Mo_recovery) + (Au ppm  Au price per g/t  Au_recovery) + (Ag ppm  Ag price per g/t  Ag_recovery)) / (Cu price 1% per tonne  Cu_recovery). The Metal Prices applied in the CuEq calculation were: Cu=3.00 USD/lb, Au=1,700 USD/oz, Mo=14 USD/lb, and Ag=20 USD/oz. Metallurgical recovery averages for each deposit consider Indicated + Inferred material and are weighted to combine sulphide flotation and oxide leaching performance. The recovery and copper equivalent formula for each deposit is:

Cortadera and San Antonio  Weighted recoveries of 82% Cu, 55% Au, 82% Mo and 37% Ag.

CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.56 x Au(g/t) + 0.00046 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0043 x Ag(g/t)

Productora  Weighted recoveries of 84% Cu, 47% Au, 47% Mo and 0% Ag (not reported)

CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.46 x Au(g/t) + 0.00026 x Mo(ppm)

Costa Fuego  Weighted recoveries of 83% Cu, 53% Au, 69% Mo and 23% Ag

CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + 0.52 x Au(g/t) + 0.00039 x Mo(ppm) + 0.0027 x Ag(g/t)

About Hot Chili

Hot Chili Limited is a mineral exploration company with assets in Chile. The Company's flagship project, Costa Fuego, is the consolidation into a hub of the Cortadera porphyry copper-gold discovery and the Productora copper-gold deposit, set 14 km apart in an excellent location  low altitude, coastal range of Chile, infrastructure rich, low capital intensity. The Costa Fuego landholdings, contains an Indicated Resource of 725Mt grading 0.47% CuEq (copper equivalent), containing 2.8 Mt Cu, 2.6 Moz Au, 10.4 Moz Ag, and 67 kt Mo and an Inferred Resource of 202 Mt grading 0.36% CuEq containing 0.6Mt Cu, 0.4 Moz Au, 2.0 Moz Ag and 13 kt Mo, at a cut-off grade of +0.21% CuEq for open pit and +0.30% CuEq for underground. (Refer to ASX Announcement "Hot Chili Delivers Next Level of Growth" (31st March 2022) and Technical Report NI 43-101 titled "Resource Report for the Costa Fuego Copper Project Located in Atacama, Chile", dated 13 May 2022). The Company is working to advance its Costa Fuego Project through a preliminary feasibility study (followed by a full FS and DTM), and test several high-priority exploration targets.

Certain statements contained in this news release, including information as to the future financial or operating performance of Hot Chili and its projects may include statements that are "forwardlooking statements" which may include, amongst other things, statements regarding targets, estimates and assumptions in respect of mineral reserves and mineral resources and anticipated grades and recovery rates, production and prices, recovery costs and results, and capital expenditures and are or may be based on assumptions and estimates related to future technical, economic, market, political, social and other conditions.These forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Hot Chili, are inherently subject to significant technical, business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results reflected in such forwardlooking statements.

Hot Chili disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly or release any revisions to any forwardlooking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, circumstances or results or otherwise after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as may be required by law. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "indicate", "contemplate", "target", "plan", "intends", "continue", "budget", "estimate", "may", "will", "schedule" and similar expressions identify forwardlooking statements.

All forwardlooking statements made in this news release are qualified by the foregoing cautionary statements. Investors are cautioned that forwardlooking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forwardlooking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

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.

Contact Details

Investor Relations

Graham Farrell

+1 416-842-9003

Graham.Farrell@harbor-access.com

Investor Relations

Jonathan Paterson

+1 475-477-9401

Jonathan.Paterson@Harbor-Access.com

Managing Director

Christian Easterday

admin@hotchili.net.au

Company Website

https://www.hotchili.net.au/investors/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/next-phase-of-copper-gold-growth-begins-358714430
Efforts to legalize cannabis in New Hampshire are coming back this legislative session, after years of legislative defeats.

Lawmakers have tried simple legalization bills and complex legislation. Both approaches have crashed against opposition in the state Senate. But this year, supporters say theyre coming at the problem with their biggest coalition yet.

A sprawling bill to legalize the drug, allow for it to be grown at home, and regulate and tax retail operations is set to be introduced in the New Hampshire House this year, and it has the backing of House Majority Leader Jason Osborne and House Democratic Leader Matt Wilhelm, a rare joint effort.

Co-owner James Folan III handles a marijuana plant at the East Coast Cannabis cultivation compound in Eliot, Maine, Thursday, June 10, 2021. In New Hampshire in 2023, marijuana legalization advocates argue they have their best chance yet of delivering a bill to Gov. Chris Sununus desk

More:NH Republican, Democratic leaders unite on bill to legalize sale of marijuana and tax it

This sessions effort has a diverse array of backers in the state, from ACLU of New Hampshire to Americans for Prosperity New Hampshire to the Marijuana Policy Project. Supporters say the final bill is the result of months of discussions with a number of stakeholders.

And legalization advocates argue they have their best chance yet of delivering a bill to Gov. Chris Sununus desk, pointing to a handful of freshmen Republican senators who may push them over the finish line.

Still, recent history is not on supporters side, and the Senate can be fickle no matter who sits in it. Sununu, who has veered between opposing cannabis legalization to expressing cautious openness, has not given indications of his position. And while public opinion in the state supports legalization, police unions and some health-focused organizations have still urged restraint, suggesting a combative year ahead.

Matt Simon, a longtime legalization advocate who helped craft the latest bill, is optimistic.

I think whats going to be different this year is that we seem to have a really engaged, diverse coalition thats all bought into this, said Simon, who serves as director of public and government relations at Prime Alternative Treatment Center, in an interview.

Story continues

Something old, something new

The main legalization bill being put forward is ambitious: It allows for adults 21 and older to possess and use cannabis as well as grow up to six cannabis plants, according to a framework of the bill released in December. It also authorizes businesses to cultivate cannabis and sell it, and creates a process for the state to license those businesses and tax them under the meals and rooms tax.

Thats a departure from the last major cannabis bill in the state House. The bill that passed the House in 2022 would have authorized only the state-run liquor stores to sell cannabis products, with the state collecting the profits rather than taxing private businesses. Last years effort passed the House but received criticism from legalization advocates, who bristled at the state monopoly over sales.

This years bill adheres closer to a Democratic bill from 2021, House Bill 237, legislation that also allowed home grow and retail sales. But while that bill received primarily Democratic support, the 2023 effort has the backing members of both parties, including conservative libertarians and progressive Democrats alike.

The bill is different too, Simon noted. Under this years bill, the bulk of the money raised would go toward reducing the states pension liability  the near $5 billion hole the state is trying to patch up after poor investment returns and funding cuts by the Legislature. Under the framework, 70 percent of revenue would go toward pension liabilities, while the rest would be divided among substance abuse prevention, law enforcement funding to help veterans, small farmers, and to help impacted communities succeed in the cannabis industry.

The bills advocates say focusing on pension liabilities could provide a boost to cities and towns and reduce property taxes. And they hope it will make the bill more attractive to skeptics in the Senate.

Meanwhile, while past attempts would have imposed a sales tax on cannabis, this bill utilizes the states 8.5 percent meals and rooms tax. That tax, which would be the lowest on cannabis in the country, might shield the bill from criticism from some Republicans that it created a new tax and a bad precedent, Simon said.

Simon argues including retail options in a cannabis legalization bill is important because it displaces the power of the black market and allows for closer regulation.

But for other supportive groups, like the ACLU, the retail side of the bill is less important than the simple act of making the drug legal and preventing penalties. New Hampshire decriminalized marijuana in 2017, meaning those caught with it cannot face jail time or a criminal record, but can still be fined by law enforcement.

Weve seen over and over again, communities  certain communities  have been over policed and under resourced, said Frank Knaack, policy director for ACLU-NH. And so what were trying to do with this bill is ensure that not only are we ending prohibition, but also ensuring that some of the revenue is going to help those communities that have been historically over policed and under invested in.

A shift in the New Hampshire Senate

Whether the bill moves forward will likely depend on the state Senate. The Senate has blocked similar efforts under both Democratic and Republican control. Despite years of bipartisan efforts in the House, a legalization bill has never made it to Sununus desk, largely because of rejection in the Senate.

Legalization supporters say this year could be different. Among the new members joining the Senate are three senators who have either supported legalization efforts when in the House or expressed support: Republicans Howard Pearl of Loudon, Tim Lang of Sanbornton, and Keith Murphy of Manchester. And three former Republican no votes  Bob Giuda, Chuck Morse, and Erin Hennessey  have departed since the last session. Incoming Sen. Daryl Abbas sponsored last years liquor commission-centered legalization bill, though has opposed broader legalization efforts in the past.

The result, supporters say, could be a Senate that sees four to five Republicans join nine Democrats in favor of legalization. That majority  if it materialized  would not meet the 16-vote minimum to override a gubernatorial veto, but could move the legislation out of the Senate and add pressure to Sununu, advocates say.

Yet the past support of some freshmen senators does not guarantee continued support moving forward, particularly in the more closely controlled Senate.

This bill could really appear to be an irresistible force but yeah, the Senate sure seems like an immovable object, Simon said.

It is not yet clear whether Senate support might shift this year; a spokeswoman for the Senate said Tuesday the senators were waiting to see the final bill language and would not comment.

And at a press conference Wednesday, Senate President Jeb Bradley said that while he was still waiting to see the final language from the House, he would likely remain a no vote.

Theres some people that probably want to see it legalized and then some like myself that have never voted to legalize it and dont intend to, he said. For reasons that I think are becoming increasingly clear in terms of safety, in terms of its impact on health. So, well see what happens.

Sununus position on legalization has shifted over the years. In 2018, the governor said he would oppose any legalization effort that reached his desk regardless of what the language looks like; by 2022, that position had softened. In March 2022, the governor called legalization inevitable in New Hampshire. But in October, he reiterated his opposition, telling WMUR now is not the time.

We still have a massive drug crisis going on across this country, Sununu said then. Right now really is not the time. Its not a never thing. But now is not the time.

Sununu vetoed a 2019 bill that would have authorized home grow of up to six plants for medical marijuana patients, but he has signed bills decriminalizing marijuana and expanding medical marijuana in other areas.

Meanwhile, some organizations that have been opposed in the past are likely to continue their skepticism. New Futures, an influential health care advocacy group in the state, has advocated against previous legalization efforts.

This year, the organization has not taken a position on the new bill because the text has not been released. But it has released a set of principles that it says must be adhered to in any legalization efforts, including limits on THC potency and advertising to children, health warnings, storage security requirements, buffer zones between schools and retailers, and racial justice efforts.

If New Hampshire moves in the direction of legalizing recreational cannabis through a commercial model, it is imperative to get the policy right from the start, said Kate Frey, vice president of advocacy at New Futures.

Advocates are also expecting the New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police to raise concerns about potential increases in crime if cannabis is legalized.

This year, Knaack said, the ACLU plans to speak against those concerns.

Were really gonna spend a lot of time educating people that a lot of the fear-based rhetoric thats been pushed on them is really just made up and not based on reality, he said.

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH marijuana legalization has bipartisan support: Is it enough?
RMB gains greater popularity in cross-border transactions: commerce ministry

Xinhua) 08:53, January 13, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Tourists experience horse-drawn sleigh rides in Beiji Village of Mohe, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Jan. 10, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]



China's tourism market is expecting a strong rebound during the Spring Festival holiday, with travelers eager to take long-distance trips and spend more money after the nation optimized its COVID-19 control measures.

Travel agency bookings and data show travelers are also ready for longer stays during the seven-day break that will start on Jan 21, with journeys to other regions and overseas.

During recent Spring Festival holidays, travelers preferred short-distance trips to destinations near their homes or workplaces due to virus control measures and health concerns.

Travel portal Tuniu said that 72 percent of its bookings for the upcoming holiday period were for cross-regional trips. Destinations with a coastal location or mild climate, such as Hainan province in the south and Yunnan province in the southwest, are high on travelers' lists.

Longer holiday stays are also favored, with around 31 percent of its online customers booking six-day trips, and 28 percent choosing four-day stays.

Travel agency LY.com is also seeing strong customer interest online.

On its platform, consultancy requests for long-distance travel during the holiday surged 20-fold in the week to Monday.

Consultancy requests for travel visas rose eightfold over the same period.

Winter locations with snow views and ice sports, such as Changbai Mountain in Northeast China's Jilin province, are also attracting a lot of interest.

According to a report by LY.com, bookings and interest in ice rinks and ski resorts are increasing.

Beijing's Shichahai ice rink, for example, saw searches for the venue as a Spring Festival holiday destination on the agency's platform increase by 76 percent compared with the same period last year.

Ding Fan, who is in charge of travel portal Fliggy's Spring Festival holiday team, said that the tourism market will see growth in the number of travelers and the amount they spend.

However, the strong travel demand is also driving a rise in the prices of air tickets and hotels.

Travel portal Trip.com Group, said the price of a one-way flight to the popular beach destination of Sanya, Hainan, during the holiday period has surged 47 percent year-on-year to over 1,900 yuan ($280). A one-way air ticket to Dali, in Southwest China's Yunnan province, has jumped 65 percent to just over 1,500 yuan.

The group said that hotel rooms it offers on its online platform for Sanya and Yunnan's Xishuangbanna  a destination famous for its tropical landscape and exotic ethnic Dai culture  are all booked for the holiday.

Outbound tourism during Spring Festival is also expected to surge after the easing of the country's COVID-19 policies.

Trip.com Group said bookings for overseas travel have surged by 540 percent from the previous Spring Festival holiday, while the average cost of overseas bookings has risen 32 percent.

Overseas destinations favored by travelers include Australia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Bookings for Melbourne, Australia, for example, have increased 50-fold from last year, while bookings for Bangkok, Thailand, rose tenfold.

Fliggy, the travel portal, said it has seen a spike in bookings for overseas trips on its platform. Bookings for international air tickets have tripled from last year, with reservations for the most popular destination, Thailand, increasing 200-fold.

Shen Jiani, a researcher at Trip.com Group, said that with the relaxation of travel policies, Chinese tourists are more confident about making overseas trips. "Chinese travelers will help energize the world's tourism," she said.
Prince Harrys memoir Spare is already topping bestseller lists, but there is one horrifying detail that has gotten special attention on Twitter: Harrys penile frostbite during Prince William and Kate Middletons wedding.

The prince revealed that after a trip to the North Pole he contracted Olaf-and-Sven dick.

What the actual fuck have I just heard 03:00 PM - 11 Jan 2023

My penis was oscillating between extremely sensitive and borderline traumatized, Prince Harry reads aloud in the audiobook. I had been trying some home remedies, including one recommended by a friend. Shed urged me to apply Elizabeth Arden cream. My mom used that on her lips. You want me to put that on my todger?

Im just going to leave this here. Prince Harry talking about his penis being frost bitten and applying some of Princess Dianas Elizabeth Arden cream on it, which she has used on her LIPS.The words my penis, mother and lips should NEVER be used together ANYWHERE. 09:40 PM - 11 Jan 2023

While the passage continues on to discuss the obstacles Harry faced to get treatment for his genitals without causing a media frenzy, many have responded in shock at the Duke of Sussexs candor. Several guessed that the cream in question was the beloved 90s face cream , the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.

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 cock wouldve killed her, one user tweeted .

My head is spinning imagining the crisis PR talks the Elizabeth Arden comms team are having this morning. 10:28 AM - 12 Jan 2023

I use that Elizabeth Arden stuff on my lips - have done for years - but from now on every time I see the tube I'm going to have to deal wirh the thought of bloody Prince Harry and mental images of his rotten defrosting knob. 06:38 PM - 12 Jan 2023

But since she is already dead, we decided to instead ask experts if applying the high-end cream to an injured penis was actually a good idea.

Story continues

Jason Gardner, a pharmacist at City Chemist pharmacy in New York, told BuzzFeed News that the main concern for frostbite is frozen and dead skin.

Once after exposure, if the skin is dead, there is no treating it, he told BuzzFeed News. The dead skin just comes off and has to replace itself. If it gets into muscle tissue, that gets into surgery.

Dr. Marie Leger, a board-certified dermatologist at Entiere Dermatology in New York City, told BuzzFeed News in an email that she would not recommend the cream for treating frostbite.

Elizabeth Arden

On the bright side, she said the ingredients in Elizabeth Ardens Eight Hour Cream dont appear to be specifically harmful for penis skin.

While I have not personally tried the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream (on my face), the ingredients look lovely and hydrating, Leger said. If one were trying to prevent sunburn, acne, or dryness on a penis, I think this cream could be fabulous.

The only active ingredient in the cream is salicylic acid  often found in cult beauty products thanks to its effectiveness at shedding dead skin cells  which Gardner said would be his only concern in the ingredients list when putting near your genitals.

When you use it in topical things, its a very slow process, Gardner told BuzzFeed News. It would totally depend on the strength. Its not like itll burn right away.

Anthony Devlin - Pa Images / PA Images via Getty Images

Most salicylic acids in topical moisturizers arent strong enough that a user would feel any sensation or see side effects upon application, but Gardner still wouldnt recommend it for frostbite. Salicylic acid basically eats the skin, he said. That would be weird to treat that.

Leger said another thing to think about before putting creams near your genitals is allergens, which would need to be patch tested before use. There are a lot of potential allergens in this cream, she said. If you are using this in the genital area and within a few days it gets red, scaly, swollen, and itchy, by all means please stop.

However, for the other ingredients, Gardner said he didnt think they would cause immediate pain. Theres tons of things you shouldnt put near your genitals, he said. Salicylic acid is questionable. I wouldnt do it unless you had specific directions from your doctors.

So how do you treat frostbite? Leger said no one had ever asked her about frostbitten penis before, but shared some tips from her research on clinical resource Up to Date.

If you suspect that you have a frostbitten penis: remove wet clothing, rewarm slowly (though not if there is a possibility of refreezing before being able to get medical care), don't rub the area, minimize use until the appendage is no longer frostbitten, and don't use stoves or fires to rewarm frost-bitten tissue, she said. That all seems very sound to me. I hope it's helpful to someone out there.

Elizabeth Arden did not respond to a request for comment from BuzzFeed News, but it did tweet an ad for a different hydrating product on Monday. Youve heard all the buzz about plumping Hyaluronic Acid, but did you know its extremely helpful during the colder months? the brand posted on Twitter.

Here you go lads, dont forget to get yer todger cream when youre out shopping, one person responded .

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A Garland man has been found guilty of assaulting officers on Jan. 6, 2021, during the riot at the U.S. Capitol, according to court documents.

Robert Wayne Dennis, 61, of Garland was found guilty Friday of six of the eight charges he faced in relation to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, including two counts of assaulting officers and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Dennis was found not guilty on an additional count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, as well as not guilty on one of two counts of disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.

The FBI in court documents filed in October 2021 said Capitol Police body-camera footage showed Dennis assaulting law enforcement officers who were attempting to control the crowd at or near the stairs leading to the Upper West Terrace of the Capitol Building.

A news release about Dennis indictment on the charges said he was one of numerous people who began charging and striking a line of law enforcement officers who were acting as a barrier against the crowd to protect the Capitol Building. In one instance, the court documents said, Dennis grabbed a baton an officer was using to try to push him back away from the police line, taking it away and using it to assault another officer.

At one point, Dennis struggles violently with a police officer and takes him to the ground before other officers stepped in and manage to push him back, according to court documents. He then approached the line again and was pushed to the ground. At one point he approached and punched an officer.

Court documents said Dennis identified himself to law enforcement by his name, address and Social Security number at one point before consenting to an officer retrieving his ID from his wallet.

Police told Dennis they would be using his confirmed ID to apply for an arrest warrant at a later time, confirming he understood they intended to apply for the warrant, according to court documents. They then released him to seek medical treatment that officers were unable to provide due to the ongoing riot for injuries sustained during his altercations.

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Dennis was released from custody to await sentencing on April 13.

In total, Dennis was found guilty of:
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A nursing home owner who faces criminal and civil complaints over evacuating residents to a squalid warehouse to ride out Hurricane Ida in 2021 is now being sued by federal authorities who say he misspent $4 million.

The latest complaint against Bob Dean Jr. was filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Baton Rouge and alleges he violated federal regulations.

Dean already lost state licenses and federal funding for crowding residents of seven nursing homes into an ill-prepared facility in the town of Independence, Louisiana, roughly 70 miles (110 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans. Authorities said they found sick and elderly people bedridden there after the storm, with patients on mattresses on the wet floor. Some were crying for help and some lying in their own waste.

The new complaint focuses on four of the nursing homes, the corporate entities Dean formed to operate them and federal regulations that applied to the organizations as businesses with federal mortgage insurance.

The litigation alleges Dean required the nursing homes to make payments to the warehouse, which he owned, supposedly to serve as an evacuation center, according to a government statement. The rent, which totaled more than $1 million, was paid to one of his corporate entities. Rather than using the funds to prepare the warehouse for a hurricane, he funneled much of that money to his personal bank accounts, the Justice Department said in a news release.

Later, prosecutors allege, Dean transferred more money from nursing home facility accounts to his personal accounts.

The federal complaint says the government is entitled to damages totaling twice the amount of the money misspent. Officials are seeking a trial by jury.

Dean had not filed a response as of Friday afternoon. The Associated Press emailed requests for comment to attorneys who have represented him in other matters.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to the media on Jan. 6. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

In the same week that the Biden administration reversed course on whether a ban on the sale of new gas stoves is under consideration, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed banning fossil fuel infrastructure, including lines that power gas stoves and furnaces, in smaller new residential buildings by 2025 and in larger ones by 2028.

Hochul, a Democrat, also proposed the same requirement for commercial buildings beginning in 2030. The governor also wants to end sales of new oil or gas heating equipment  boilers, stoves, dryers and hot water heaters  in existing residential buildings by 2030 and by 2035 in existing commercial buildings.

We know that the key to long-term sustainability  for our wallets and our planet  is weaning ourselves from fossil fuels, Hochul said Tuesday in her state of the state speech. We are taking these actions because climate change remains the greatest threat to our planet, and to our children and grandchildren.

Last year, Washington state mandated the use of electric heat pumps in new homes and apartments, but, in recognition of the limitations of electric heat pumps in colder climates, fossil fuel burners will still be allowed to provide backup heat. The California Air Resources Board approved a plan last year to end the sale of fossil fuel appliances statewide, but the rules are still being drafted.

Hochul made a similar proposal last year, just a month after New York City banned new gas hookups and tried to get legislators to include it in the state budget. It failed, however, reportedly due to opposition from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat. Other cities, such as Los Angeles and Seattle, have also banned most gas hookups for most appliances in new homes.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Democrat, at the Legislative Office Building in Albany, N.Y., in August 2021. (Cindy Schultz/Reuters)

Hochul also proposed a slate of other climate change policies in Tuesdays speech, including financial assistance for low-income households that can be used toward weatherizing homes and a program known as cap and invest that would limit carbon emissions by setting an annual cap on carbon emissions (which would gradually decrease), selling credits for the allowable emissions and spending the proceeds on a mix of consumer rebates and subsidies for building green industries.

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The faster we wean ourselves off of fossil fuels, the better we are for it, Heastie told reporters on Tuesday. He did not indicate whether he would endorse Hochuls gas ban proposal specifically. When asked by the publication Energywire, his aides only pointed to his general comments in response.

Environmental activists in New York eagerly embraced the proposed gas ban put forth by the governor.

Ending gas in all new construction will save New Yorkers money, create jobs and fight climate change, Pete Sikora, the climate and inequality campaigns director at New York Communities for Change, a progressive advocacy organization, told Yahoo News. Sikora said his only objection to Hochuls plan is that the ban on the sale of new fossil-fuel-burning appliances will not be implemented sooner.

Gas flame in a boiler. (Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Nationally, the movement to halt the installation of new gas-burning appliances, including stoves, suffered a setback on Wednesday, when the chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission [CPSC], Alexander Hoehn-Saric, said in a statement, I am not looking to ban gas stoves, and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so. Richard Trumka Jr., a CPSC commissioner, had told Bloomberg News on Monday that the agency would consider a ban in response to research showing that gas stoves pollute indoor air and may have caused an estimated 650,000 current U.S. childhood asthma cases.

Trumkas comments had drawn intense criticism from congressional Republicans. One particularly strident statement from Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson  they can pry [my gas stove] from my cold dead hands  drew a sharp rejoinder from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

Did you know that ongoing exposure to NO2 from gas stoves is linked to reduced cognitive performance https://t.co/1bjmHqnHVa  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 11, 2023

The natural gas industry and New York Republicans immediately voiced opposition to Hochuls proposed phaseout of fossil fuel hookups. Since electric heat pumps dont work as efficiently in very cold temperatures, they argue, New Yorks electricity demand in winter could be dramatically higher if all home heating, hot water, and cooking ran on electricity and then a surge in demand could lead to a electricity shortage in the winter months, similar to the risk of blackouts that New Yorkers sometimes fear during the summer, when air conditioners are running.

Any push to ban natural gas would raise costs to consumers, jeopardize environmental progress and deny affordable energy to underserved populations, American Gas Association (AGA) President and CEO Karen Harbert said in a statement emailed to Yahoo News by a spokesperson.

New York state estimates that over the next few decades, electricity generation and transmission capacity will have to double to meet the growing demand driven by electrification of cars, home heating and other appliances, but the AGA predicts that quadrupling capacity would be necessary to meet demand on the coldest days.

A Vaillant Arotherm plus 7-kilowatt air source heat pump unit in Folkestone, U.K., in 2021. (Andrew Aitchison / In pictures via Getty Images)

Almost half of New Yorks current energy portfolio is drawn from natural gas, and that much more electricity demand could undermine the climate benefits of avoiding burning natural gas in the home. However, the state  which already gets 54% of its power from cleaner sources such as nuclear, hydropower and wind and solar  has a plan to reach 70% renewable energy by 2030.

Sikora expressed confidence that in the future, electric heat pumps will be plugged into a greener grid. New Yorks first offshore wind farm is set to open this yea. [The] grid that is going to become vastly cleaner, Sikora said. There's already wind farms coming onto the system off shore, but the big acceleration is mid-decade.

The energy policy think tank RMI modeled the effect of a policy similar to Hochuls plan last year and found that by 2040, it would save the equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions of taking 870,000 cars off the road.

The burner on a natural gas-burning stove. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Representatives of New York's restaurant industry attacked the governor's proposal, which they fear could require expensive electrical upgrades in New Yorks older buildings for electric stoves to meet the needs of commercial kitchens.

Putting aside if chefs prefer cooking with gas or not, the cost to open up a new restaurant would skyrocket if someone had to convert existing gas equipment into electric, which could be further complicated by whether or not the building had an adequate electrical load, Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, which represents bars and restaurants, told the New York Post.
During World War II, the U.S. dropped an atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan, wiping out 90% of the city. Last year, researchers say, the ocean heated up an amount equal to the energy of five of those bombs detonating underwater "every second for 24 hours a day for the entire year."

John Abraham, a professor at the University of St. Thomas, is among more than a dozen scientists who revealed this week the ocean in 2022 was "the hottest ever recorded by humans." It increased by 10.9 Zetta Joules, an amount of energy equivalent to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima and an amount of heat about 100 times more than the electricity generated worldwide in 2021.

Four basins of the seven world ocean regions  the North Pacific, North Atlantic, Mediterranean and southern oceans  had the highest heat records since the 1950s.

This marks the fourth time in a row that ocean heat content has surpassed records broken the year prior. And while it may seem like a "broken record" at this point, Abraham said this is anything but "normal."

"This is a continuing, ongoing trend," he said. "It's getting worse every year."

Here's what the findings, published in the Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, mean for the current state of the planet, and the future.

More fuel for extreme weather

Ken Caldeira, a climate scientist at the Carnegie Institution for Science as well as a senior scientist at Breakthrough Energy, told CBS News that the ocean "is the pacemaker of the climate systems response to our CO2 emissions."

"The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is increasing year by year. And these greenhouse gases, trap energy in Earth's system prevent it from going to space, and most of that energy goes into the ocean, which causes the ocean to warm," he said.

From there, some of the ocean heat is transferred back to the atmosphere, Abraham said, as is moisture and humidity, creating a surge of more energy that "makes storms more powerful."

"So when oceans warm and when the Earth warms, it makes our weather wilder," Abraham said. "We go from one extreme to the other, more rapidly."

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The most recent example of this can be seen in California, which has undergone weeks of heavy flooding and record-breaking rain as a series of atmospheric rivers barrage the West Coast. Climate change didn't cause those atmospheric rivers and storms, but a warmer atmosphere has been linked to making storms more intense.

Global upper 2000 m OHC from 1958 through 2022 according to (a) IAP/CAS and (b) NCEI/NOAA data. 1 ZJ = 1021 Joules. The line shows (a) monthly and (b) seasonal values, and the histogram presents (a) annual and (b) pentad anomalies relative to a 1981-2010 baseline. / Credit: Advances in Atmospheric Sciences

Oceans are facing another problem. When it rains, the fresh water from the clouds helps decrease salinity in the ocean as new water comes down. But data shows that rain isn't providing equal coverage across the seas, with areas that typically get a lot of rain experiencing even more in the past year, reducing their salinity. Meanwhile those in usually dry environments become even drier, increasing those levels as more water evaporates than comes down.

Because of this, the salinity-contrast index  essentially the difference between the highest and lowest salinity levels in the upper 2,000 meters of the ocean  also reached its highest level on record last year.

A high salinity-contrast index and high ocean temperatures can individually make weather events more severe.

"And they are now conspiring together," Abraham told CBS News. "Their effects are additive."

Ocean regulation has become "problematic"

The increasing measures of temperature and salinity have also led to another issue within the ocean  it's ability to self-regulate. Water usually experiences vertical mixing, in which water from the top carries valuable gases and heat to the bottom of the ocean while water from the bottom moves up, carrying with it vital nutrients.

The latest study explains that this process is "a central element of Earth's climate system." But since 1960, researchers estimate that stratifcation, or the separation of water layers that makes this process more difficult, has increased by 5.3% in the upper 2,000 meters of the ocean and up to about four times that amount in the upper 150 meters.

"What we've discovered is mixing is happening less," Abraham said. "...Because of climate change and because we've heated the surface waters so much, they aren't able to fall downwards ... And that is problematic."

That's because if heat from the surface can't mix with the cooler water below, that surface will only get warmer and reduce how much carbon the water can store  an ability that is vital to extending the global warming process. The ocean is like a sponge for carbon emissions, taking in about 90% of the heat from the worldwide total, but if its ability to do so is diminishing as emissions are only increasing, experts say the planet will only warm faster, making the worst impacts of climate change happen sooner.

Investing in climate solutions a "no brainer"

All of this data gathered leads Abraham to believe that "we will never hit the Paris Accord goals" of keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. Even the United Nations has said that the world is more on track to hit nearly 3 degrees Celsius by the time today's children are grandparents.

We can't undo the damage that has already been done, Caldeira said, but we can prevent it from getting worse.

"Right now, our carbon dioxide emissions from our energy system are around 100 times bigger than all of the carbon dioxide emissions from every volcano and mid-ocean ridge and geothermal vents and everything that exists in nature," he said. "...The most important thing we can do is transition to an energy system that doesn't use the atmosphere and the oceans as a waste dump."

"We can solve this problem today with today's technology, we just need to get off your asses and start doing it," Abraham added, saying that doing so "is a no brainer" when you consider the the exorbitant costs of climate disasters, which topped $165 billion in the U.S. alone last year.

The cost of green energy, for example, has substantially decreased in recent years, and in many cases, is now comparable or even cheaper to coal. Over the past decade, the cost to install solar panels has dropped more than 60%. And last year's passage of the Inflation Reduction Act also created numerous opportunities for discounted home upgrades, electric vehicles and more.

"We've reached an economic tipping point where it's starting to make economic sense to use clean energy," Abraham said. "...Earth's climate is a heavy locomotive. And if you want to stop a heavy locomotive, you've got to put the brakes on and it'll take you like a mile to stop. ... You've got to start taking actions early and give it time give time for those actions to have measurable outcomes."

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Jan. 13With recent events showing a city divided on different issues, this year's Martin Luther King Jr. celebration's theme will be unity.

The weekend-long celebration which lasts from January 14-16 and finishing up with a parade on Monday, is put on by the Black Cultural Council of Odessa.

Black Cultural Council of Odessa President Jo Ann Davenport says the goal for this week's celebration is to remember the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and unify as one.

"Dr. King is always about service and when you look at what's happening all around the world right now, we need unity," Davenport said. "Our city is so divided. We have to come together and this is what we came up with as the theme for unity."

The weekend celebration will begin Saturday with the fourth annual MLK Showcase Basketball Tournament beginning at 9 a.m. at Woodson Boys and Girls Club.

Sunday's Gospel Celebration will take place at 3:30 p.m. at Odessa First Methodist Church on 415 N. Lee St.

This year's speaker for the Gospel Celebration is Reverend Reginald Reid from Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Shreveport, La.

"He's a dynamic speaker," Davenport said of Reid. "I know he's going to bless our hearts. We're going to have different choirs from the city performing. On Sundays, our Gospel Celebration is always a big success. That's when the community comes together."

Monday's events will begin with the King Brunch from 10 a.m.-noon at Woodson Community Center and will include former Odessa City Councilwoman Mari Willis as the speaker.

"When looking for a speaker, it was a no-brainer to bring in Willis," Davenport said. "She's very qualified. She's very knowledgeable and with everything that our city is going through now, we need a knowledgeable person to inform us and give us direction as to what we need to do to unify and go forward. She's the ideal person for the job."

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Following that will be the Freedom March which will begin at 1 p.m. at the Southside Senior Citizens Center and end at the Woodson Center.

Monday will conclude with a candlelight vigil put on by the Odessa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority which will take place at the Woodson Community Center immediately following the parade.

While most cities across the country choose to do a one-day event for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Odessa has traditionally used a weekend-long celebration each year.

"One day does not do enough justice," Davenport said. "In Odessa, our BCCO motto is we go big or we go home. There's no way we can do it in one day because in order for us to include and unify the city and include the seniors, the youth and everyone, it takes more than one day to celebrate. That's why we decided to do a weekend."

Regardless of what's going on around the world and in the city, Davenport says the focus remains on the community.

"Our focus is about unifying the community and bringing the community together," Davenport said. "Each and every event, we strive to unify the community. We reach out to be inclusive. We always have kids. Coach (Jeff) Ellison and Permian's football team and coach Dusty Ortiz and the Odessa High football team will be there as well. I got off the phone with some UTPB people too. It's about uniting all the people in our city. We're not about dividing our city. We're about unifying it."
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A freight train carrying 50 new energy vehicles (NEVs) departed south China's metropolis of Guangzhou for Europe on Thursday, according to the local customs.

It's the first China-Europe freight train departing from Guangdong Province that is exclusively for Chinese-made NEVs. Guangdong, a manufacturing heartland and leading foreign trade player in the country, is also a major production base of NEVs.

The train will run outbound through the Horgos port in northwest China during a trip estimated to take 15 days.

Guangzhou Customs has opened a green channel for NEV exports to ensure smooth logistics and supply chains.

In 2022, Guangzhou Customs handled 339 inbound and outbound freight trains, up 164.84 percent year on year.
An example of a rape kit that is sent to crime labs for testing.

A Cincinnati police officer is expected to plead guilty to dereliction of duty after investigators found he had improperly handled 47 cases including rapes and sensitive cases involving minors, prosecutors said.

According to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, Christopher Schroder, 54, has agreed to plead guilty to five counts of the misdemeanor, resign from the police department and surrender his state policing certificate. The certificate is required to be an officer anywhere in Ohio.

Schroder will have to change his plea in the case to make anything official. He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. His lawyer, Mike Allen, said his client will plead guilty to the five counts. Allen said the number of instances cited by prosecutors - 47 - does not reflect what Schroder has agreed to plead to.

"He was a good cop who made a few mistakes," Allen said Friday. "We'll do the rest of our talking in court."

The prosecutor's office said two special investigators were appointed to review Schroder's cases going back to 2007 after an audit of the personal crimes section conducted in 2021 showed problems with his cases.

The office reported that 47 of the 865 cases reviewed showed "significant deficiencies." A press release outlined some of the problems:

Reports of underage pregnancies with little-to-no investigation.

Delays in rape kit submissions.

Inadequate investigation relating to vulnerable victims like young children and those with mental health issues.

Cases in which no investigation occurred.

Failures to submit DNA swabs.

Incorrect entries relating to DNA findings.

Prosecutor Mark Piepmeier said all cases with deficiencies have been referred back to the Cincinnati Police Department for further investigation.

Schroder's personnel file shows his supervisor knew about problems with how rape kits were being handled as early as 2016.

"Several rape kits were located at Children's Hospital which had been there for several months, four of these kits belonged to cases assigned [to] PO Christopher Schroder," the file states.

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He was disciplined and his responsibilities were explained to him, but he remained on the job.

Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said in a statement Friday that steps have been taken to ensure cases are handled properly.

In the personal crimes section, three investigators - instead of just one - are now assigned to every case, prosecutors said. Two supervisors have to review every case. New training and tracking procedures were implemented along with checklists, audits and regular reports to the chief.

"What this audit revealed was disheartening, troubling, and quite frankly frustrating for our entire department," Theetge said. "Schroder's blatant neglect to do his job sparked a transformation of processes and procedures ... The public can be confident that this cannot and will not happen again."

Schroder has been on administrative desk duty with no police powers during the course of the investigation. The department said Schroder's resignation will be effective following his court appearance Wednesday.

Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Branch would have to approve any plea deal on the case and would hand down the final sentence. If he pleads guilty to call counts, he could face up to 360 days in jail.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Prosecutor: Officer accused of mishandling rape cases to plead guilty
Elwood Jones, center, at a bond hearing Friday in Hamilton County Court. Judge Wende Cross, who set his bond Friday, ordered a new trial for Jones last month after concluding prosecutors withheld crucial evidence in his original trial.

A man who sat on Ohios death row for almost three decades will be released Saturday after a judge ruled he didn't get a fair trial and is eligible for bond.

Elwood Jones, convicted of a murder he says he didnt commit, turned to his attorneys after the judge's ruling and said, "Thank you."

Jones has insisted since his arrest that he did not kill Rhoda Nathan in her Blue Ash hotel room in 1994. Judge Wende Cross, who set his bond Friday, ordered a new trial for Jones last month after concluding prosecutors withheld crucial evidence in his original trial.

Cross cleared the way for Jones release after a hearing Friday morning in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court, when she set an unsecured $50,000 bond for Jones, which means he's not required to post any money and only pays if he fails to show up for future court appearances.

After he is processed through the probation department Saturday, he will have served 9,971 days behind bars for Nathan's murder.

The ruling came after an extraordinary and emotional hearing that included testimony from Nathan's children, who begged the judge not to release Jones, and arguments from defense attorneys, who said he is an innocent man who's been punished enough.

"The right person has never been charged. The right person has never been convicted," said Jay Clark, who along with attorney David Hine represented Jones pro bono. "For 27 years, he has maintained his innocence and fought for a new trial."

Prosecutors, Rhoda Nathan's family asked judge not to release Jones

Prosecutors said Jones doesn't deserve a new trial and vowed to appeal the judge's ruling. They asked Cross on Friday to keep Jones locked up on a $10 million bond until they get the chance to argue before an appeals court that Cross erred in granting a new trial.

Assistant Prosecutor Seth Tieger said Jones had a long criminal history before he was arrested for Nathan's murder, including burglary and assault charges, and warned that he was a risk to harm others or to flee if the judge released him on bond.

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"The only thing that can stop him is prison," Tieger said. "He's 70 years old. He's got a lot of crime left in him."

Nathan's sons said granting Jones a new trial has reopened old wounds for their family. They said freeing him would inflict even more harm.

"The state has proven its case in appeal after appeal," Peter Nathan told the judge. "Please do not release him on bail."

Cross, however, said the standard for setting bail in a capital murder case in Ohio depends on whether the "proof is evident and the presumption of guilt is great." In this case, the judge said, prosecutors had failed to meet that standard.

In addition to his bond, Jones must wear an electronic monitoring device with GPS tracking, is not permitted to leave the county and is subject to unannounced searches by the probation department.

After the hearing, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor's office said the judge made a big mistake, citing years of appellate court review upholding Jones' conviction. "It is shocking that a trial court believes they have the authority to ignore direct orders of a superior court," said the spokeswoman, Amy Clausing. "The family of Rhoda Nathan and the people of Hamilton County deserve better than this.

Why was Elwood Jones granted a new trial?

The complexity of Jones case and the evidence against him has drawn national and local media attention for decades, including from Enquirer journalists who reinvestigated his case last year for the newspapers true-crime podcast, Accused.

'Accused' podcast update:Elwood Jones awaits word on new trial request

Cross, who criticized the prosecutions win-at-all-cost mentality, said the undisclosed evidence called into question the jurys guilty verdict in 1996.

It is clear the failure to disclose the existence of relevant exculpatory and impeaching evidence prior to trial deprived Elwood Jones of a fair trial, Cross said after granting him a new trial in December.

The case against Jones began with the discovery of Nathans body in her Embassy Suites hotel room on Sept. 3, 1994. The New Jersey grandmother, who was in town for the bar mitzvah of her best friends grandson, was found bloodied and beaten on the floor.

Jones worked at the hotel and was on the job the day she died.

The evidence against Jones included an infected cut on his hand that a doctor testified he likely got from striking someone in the mouth, bruising on Nathans body that prosecutors said matched Jones work radio, and a pendant discovered in Jones toolbox that Nathans family said belonged to her.

Since the original trial, Jones, his lawyers and others have challenged that evidence and have alleged police and prosecutors failed to pursue other leads and possible suspects.

Defense attorneys, in some cases backed by forensic and medical experts, say the evidence was not as conclusive as prosecutors made it out to be. They say the hand infection could have come from other sources, including Jones own mouth, and the pendant could have been put in the toolbox by someone other than Jones, who claims hed never seen it before.

After almost 30 years in prison, Elwood Jones was granted a new trial after a hearing Dec. 20, 2022.

Prosecutors also did not share all the evidence theyd gathered during the investigation, which is a problem only if that evidence is relevant to the case.

The undisclosed evidence included Nathans active Hepatitis B infection, which defense attorneys say was crucial information because the highly infectious virus might have been passed on to someone who cut his hand while striking Nathan. Jones has tested negative for the virus.

Prosecutors also did not tell defense lawyers about another mans supposed confession to the crime. Delores Suggs testified in December that before Jones trial in 1996 she called Blue Ash police to tell them shed met a woman in the county jail with information about the case.

That woman, Suggs said, told her that her husband had killed a woman at the Embassy Suites in Blue Ash and framed a Black man for the crime.

Cross said those and other pieces of undisclosed evidence were relevant to the case and should have been shared with defense lawyers.

Former Prosecutor Joe Deters has said some mistakes were made during the trial, as they are in any trial, but that those errors didnt undermine the jurys guilty verdict.

After Cross ruling in December, Deters said that the decision to order a new trial was offensive and ridiculous.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio death row inmate gets new trial and bond in 1994 murder case
US Air Force F-35As during an exercise at Hill Air Force Base in Utah on January 2020. US Air Force/R. Nial Bradshaw

The F-35 program has been plagued by years of delays, cost overruns, and technical glitches.

Those problems have prompted the Pentagon to extend the service lives of older combat jets.

Extensions keep jets flying but don't guarantee they will meet future needs, a government watchdog says.

Years of delays, cost overruns, and technical glitches with the F-35 have put the Pentagon in a dilemma.

If F-35s aren't fit to fly in sufficient numbers, then older aircraft such as the F-16 must be kept in service to fill the gap. In turn, having to extend the lifespan of older planes consumes money that could be used to acquire new aircraft and results in aging warplanes that may not be capable of fulfilling their missions on the current battlefield.

"While service life extension programs are one way to keep current aircraft capable and in operation, they do not guarantee that those aircraft will be available when needed or that they will possess required capabilities to meet future needs," the Government Accountability Office warned in a new report on US tactical aircraft.

The F-35 is meant to be the backbone of the US Air Force, Navy, and Marine fighter fleets, replacing several types of Cold War-era fighters and attack aircraft, including Navy and Marine F/A-18 C/Ds, Marine AV-8Bs, Air Force A-10s, and, most importantly, Air Force F-16s, which are the US's most numerous fighters.

F-35As and F-16s over Denali National Park in Alaska in May 2020. US Air Force/Tech. Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla

Despite making its first flight in 2006, the F-35  which costs about $100 million apiece  still hasn't been approved for full-rate production and remains in limited procurement.

The aircraft has been plagued by a seemingly endless series of bugs, including problems with its stealth coating, sustained supersonic flight, helmet-mounted display, excessive vibration from its cannon, and even vulnerability to being hit by lightning.

The military and Lockheed Martin have resolved some of those problems, but the cumulative effect of the delays is that the Air Force has had to shelve plans for the F-35 to replace the F-16, which now will keep flying until the 2040s.

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"Over the last decade the Air Force and Navy have funded service life extension programs for F-16s and F/A-18 A-Ds  both originally expected to be replaced by F-35  to address fatigue of structural components and keep the aircraft capable and in operation," the GAO report said.

The remarkable longevity of some aircraft  such as the 71-year-old B-52 bomber or the 41-year-old A-10  tends to obscure the difficulty of keeping old warplanes flying. Production lines are usually shut down, and the original manufacturers of components and spare parts have long ceased production. In some cases, they are no longer in business.

US Air Force maintainers work on an F-35A at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada in February 2020. US Air Force/R. Nial Bradshaw

Russia's air force has been mocked for poor maintenance that has undercut its airpower in the Ukraine war. But the US military has also long suffered from major readiness shortfalls, as have NATO nations such as Germany. In 2020, fewer than 10 of the Luftwaffe's Typhoon fighters were operational.

Particularly troubling was a November 2022 GAO study that analyzed readiness of 49 US military aircraft models between 2011 and 2021.

"Only four aircraft types, none of which were fixed-wing fighter aircraft, met their annual mission capable goals in a majority of those years," the watchdog warned.

To some extent, this problem afflicts all modern military hardware. Complex weapons  whether fighters, tanks, or aircraft carriers  seem prone to reliability and maintenance issues or to shortages of specialized and expensive spare parts.

But the F-35 has become the poster child for aircraft readiness woes. An April 2022 GAO report blamed that on a lack of spare parts, a lack of maintenance equipment, and on ground crews lacking the technical data they needed to maintain the aircraft.

A reassembled F-35A is hoisted during a training course at Hill Air Force Base in September 2022. Hill Air Force Base

The stakes are high. The Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps together plan to spend $20.2 billion a year for tactical aircraft development and procurement between now and 2027.

But the services are trying to allocate those funds between three competing needs: adequate numbers of aircraft and capabilities in the near-term, ongoing affordability issues, and preparing for future needs.

The Air Force's proposed 2023 budget already calls for delaying acquisition of 66 F-35s originally scheduled for 2023 until 2027, while the Navy is buying 31 fewer F-35s and delaying a service-life extension for the F-18E/F Super Hornet.

The GAO urged the Department of Defense to conduct a comprehensive assessment of its investments in tactical aircraft, including risk analysis and how the various aircraft programs depend on each other. But whatever happens, US airpower will be diminished until the F-35 is fully fixed.

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
Ormond Beach police have joined the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office in the investigation of a doctor already facing charges for distributing controlled substances.

Police are asking "anyone that may have information about or experienced any type of inappropriate behavior or conduct" by Dr. Scott Hollington to contact detectives, Shane Jarrell, an Ormond Beach officer, said in a news release late Thursday afternoon. The doctor's Ormond office, Advanced Practice Nursing Services, is located at 565 Memorial Circle.

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, in cooperation with the Drug Enforcement Agency, began investigating Hollington, 57, at Sawgrass Medical in St. Augustine in August 2021 "for prescribing controlled substances, in exchange for sexual favors and without a legitimate medical purpose," according to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

Crime:Man who attacked Ormond Beach police officer sentenced to 20 years in prison

Hollington was arrested Oct. 28 on an indictment from the U.S. Attorney's Office, which included forfeiture of his medical license, charging him with 10 counts of distribution of controlled substances and one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, records show. He was released after posting $10,000 bail.

Hollington, if convicted, faces up to 20 years in federal prison for each distribution charge and up to five years for the conspiracy charge, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Ormond Beach detectives Jessica Fowler and Sgt. John Dovine are able to discretely meet or call witnesses and/or victims to protect their identities, Jarrell said.

Fowler may be reached at 386-676-3517 or jessica.fowler@ormondbeach.org; Dovine may be reached at 386-676-3520 or john.dovine@ormondbeach.org.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Ormond Beach police investigating doctor facing federal drug charges
The U.S. government has now received more than 500 reports of UFOs, according to a declassified version of an annual report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released on Thursday.

Hundreds of UFOs, referred to as "unidentified aerial phenomena" (UAP) in the government report, have been reported since 2021 alone.

According to the ODNI's preliminary assessment, there were 144 reports between November 2004 and March 2021. Since then, Thursday's report said, 366 additional reports have been received through August 2022  including 247 new encounters and another 119 from before the original 2021 cutoff.

That brings the total to 510 between late 2004 and mid-2022.

"We take reports of incursions into our designated space, land, sea, or airspaces seriously and examine each one," Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a Thursday statement.

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October: NASA announces 16 people who will study UFOs to see what's natural - and what isn't

Why have UFO reports increased?

Last July, the Defense Department established the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, which is focused on receiving and analyzing unidentified phenomena reports, many of which have come from military pilots. To further access such encounters, AARO works with intelligence agencies.

The Pentagon's office doesn't only track unidentified objects in the sky  but those moving underwater, in space or something that moves between domains as well.

The ODNI and AARO attribute the recent increase in reporting to several factors.

Thursday's report said it's "partially due to a concentrated effort to destigmatize" UFO reporting and keep the focus on potential risks the objects pose as a safety hazard.

Most of the new reporting comes from aviators and operators in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force, "who witnessed UAP during the course of their operational duties," Thursday's report said.

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The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One as it flies over Washington, March 2, 2022. A new Pentagon office set up to track reports of unidentified flying objects has received "several hundreds" of new reports, but no evidence so far of alien life.

171 unexplained UFOs

Of the 366 new incidents, Thursday's report said, 26 were characterized as unmanned aircraft systems, 163 were balloons or balloon-like objects and six were attributed to airborne "clutter."

That leaves the remaining 171 unexplained. The ODNI said in Thursday's report that some "appear to have demonstrated unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities, and require further analysis."

Has alien life been found?

Thursday's report did not mention potential extraterrestrial life. But in the past, officials have said that there hasn't been that sort of evidence yet.

"We have not seen anything, and were still very early on, that would lead us to believe that any of the objects that we have seen are of alien origin," Ronald Moultrie, under secretary of defense for intelligence and security, said in December, when officials had confirmed that they had received "several hundreds" of new UFO reports.

December: Pentagon has received 'several hundreds' of new UFO reports, no evidence of alien life yet

In Thursday's report, the ODNI said UFO incidents "continue to occur in restricted or sensitive airspace, highlighting possible concerns for safety of flight or adversary collection activity."

The ODNI added that the AARO and intelligence agencies will continue to assess these reports  including investigating "any evidence of possible foreign government

involvement in UAP events."

The unclassified version of the 2022 ODNI report was made public Thursday. The classified report was delivered to Congress on Wednesday. According to The New York Times, the classified report was originally due to Congress in late October, so it arrived several months late.

Contributing: The Associated Press.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UFO reports surpass 500, US government says in declassified report
Pamela Anderson's new memoir tells her story, "beginning to end." (Photo: REUTERS/Eric Gaillard)

Pamela Anderson's upcoming memoir is about much more than a sex tape.

In a New York Times piece, she speaks about her book, Love, Pamela, which come out Jan. 31  the same day her Netflix doc, Pamela, A Love Story, drops on Netflix.

"Beginning to end, my first memory to my last," is what is included in the book, she told the outlet.

As in, it's about more than the 54-minute home video she and then-husband Tommy Lee made as newlyweds, circa 1995, which was stolen from a safe, edited down to the eight-minute sex scenes and distributed, via VHS, in the early days of the world wide web. The pair didn't make money off the tape.

She's said that when Hulu released Pam & Tommy last year, telling the story of the tape with Lily James playing her and Sebastian Stan playing the Motley Crue drummer, she thought, "It was already hurtful enough the first time. Its like one of those things where youre going, 'Really? People are still capitalizing off that thing?'

Anderson did not watch the series  nor did she reply to James, who sent her a handwritten letter asking if they could speak and telling her she wanted to honor her in the role. The Playboy model and Baywatch star, now 55, actually didn't even read James's letter. It notes "a scanned copy of that letter still sits in [Andersons] inbox somewhere, unread."

Lily James as Anderson for Hulu's Pam & Tommy last year:

As for the narrative that the Hulu show would be correcting the historical narrative on Anderson's behalf  when she was made into a punchline for the tape while her ex was seen as a masculine hero  she said, "I mean, Im probably a case study for any feminist."

But she did her own deep dive into her life to tell her story for the first time. It came about after she considered posting parts of her story on her website or just for her sons with Lee, Brandon and Dylan, to read. But Brandon, in the wake of Pam & Tommy, urged her to publish it and "I work for him," she joked. He is a co-producer on the doc for which she turned over her home videos, without reviewing them, and diaries.

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Among the topics she gets candid about include growing up poor in Ladysmith, British Columbia with a violent father and a mother who tried but never successfully left him. Childhood was "unbearable" at times and she was the victim of abuse more than once. She was molested by a babysitter. Her first sexual experience with a man, when she was about 13 and he was 10 years older, resulted in rape. One high school boyfriend kicked her out of a moving car, and another let his friends assault her in the back of a car which she "blocked out." (In a 2014 speech launching her Pamela Anderson foundation, she revealed that her first boyfriend in 9th grade gang raped her with six of his friends. Her first sexual experience with a man involved her being "raped by a 25-year-old." She also said she was molested by a female babysitter from the ages of 6 to 10.)

Anderson was physically abused by her first husband, Lee, who served time in jail for felony spousal abuse after striking her while she was holding their son. They divorced in 1998, but co-parented together.

According to the NYT piece, she started posing nude in photo shoots as she began in the industry to regain control. "It was my choice," she said. But it also "gave some people the impetus, sadly, to treat me without respect."

She also talked about her lack of business savvy when it came to making deals early on, including for Baywatch, a show that had been canceled before she became a breakout star. She revealed she had no agent, no management and was unaware of the lucrative deals to be made from syndication and merchandising.

"I was a little girl from Canada coming here and running on a beach," she said. "Like, how would you think that would make any money?" She was of the mind to feel grateful for the opportunity, even if she never felt she was being given the chance to "really show what I am capable of."

Anderson said writing the book was actually the first time she has had total control over a project  overseeing every detail down to implementing the copy edits. "It really was life or death," she said. "I felt I need to tell my story. And I really couldnt let anybody do it but me."

These days Anderson is living back in her Canada hometown in a house, described as modest, previously owned by her grandmother. Her father, who has soften over the years, lives with her mother on the property in a house Anderson built for them.

All of her ex-husbands will appear in the Netflix doc  Lee (1995-1998), Kid Rock (2006-2007), Rick Salomon (2007-2008) and (2014-2015), Jon Peters (2020-2020) and Dan Hayhurst (2020-2022)  but Anderson quipped to the NYT that her choice in men has seemed to progressively get worse" through the years. In January 2022, she announced her split from Hayhurst, a construction worker who was working on her house during the pandemic, and has been single for the last year. It's noted that it's the longest period in her life that she's ever been alone.

The book and the documentary both come out on Jan. 31.
Montecito Summerland Fire Protection District workers respond to a rockslide where two 500-gallon propane tanks were washed up along the 800 block of Toro Canyon Road in Summerland on Tuesday. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

In the town of Montecito, where the median home costs $5 million, Bentley drivers leave their car windows open as they hop out to grab something from the market and residents refer to Gwyneth Paltrow as simply "Gwyneth," it's hard to imagine anything ever goes wrong here. And most of the time, nothing does.

But massive storms, fires and the positioning of the town in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains have resulted in a precarious existence for the mostly wealthy residents, who on Monday were ordered once again to evacuate as record-breaking rains battered the coastal enclave.

That order came on the five-year anniversary of the violent debris flow on Jan. 9, 2018, that killed 23. Traumatized by that experience half a decade ago, most of the town's 9,000 residents heeded government orders to get out. Brown waves lapped at the empty sands of the Pacific Ocean, and muddy water pooled on the streets and sidewalks of the trendy shopping district on Coastal Village Road.

A Montecito freeway sign sits in water and mud on Highway 101 on January 14, 2018. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

No one was killed or injured Monday in Montecito, despite more than 500,000 cubic yards of material being deposited in the town's debris basin during the 36 hours the storm dumped more than 12 inches of rain, said Montecito Fire Protection District Chief Kevin Taylor.

Taylor's agency rescued 50 people, compared with 900 during the 2018 storm  a difference that he said highlighted how much more effective the evacuation order and storm preparations were this year.

"Thats the price of living in paradise. We have rain and mudslides and devastating fires," said Richard Mineards, a gossip columnist for the weekly Montecito Journal who has lived in the town he likened to the Hamptons of California since 2007. "But what could be nicer than a sunny day with the Pacific twinkling and an ocean breeze blowing in? What could be nicer than living in Montecito?"

Nick Bautista of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection checks for residents at a home filled with mud and debris on Olive Mill Road in Montecito on Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

The beachside town in Santa Barbara County has become synonymous with Hollywood types looking for a home away from the shutterbugs of Tinseltown. Celebrities such as Oprah and musician Adam Levine own property in Montecito, and royal defector Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, shot much of their Netflix documentary at their estate in the town.

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"Celebrities feel safe here because people are so used to them that we just leave them alone," said Pam Peterson, a Montecito resident whose grandfather invented the Egg McMuffin. "I just saw Rob Lowe this morning at the grocery store. I see Ellen [DeGeneres] at Tre Lune all the time."

But not even the celebrities are spared from the biblical rains.

"Montecito is under mandatory evacuation. We are on higher ground so they asked us to shelter in place. Please stay safe everyone," DeGeneres wrote in a caption to an Instagram post Monday. Her video showed a raging creek near her Montecito home.

Other luminaries were more coy about their evacuation.

A publicist for the Duchess of Sussex declined to say whether she and Prince Harry left Montecito during the storm.

"We would never share their whereabouts for safety reasons," the publicist said.

Residents and Santa Barbara County public works officials have made changes to the hillside community since 2018 to try to ensure that future storms would be less destructive. The county completed construction in the fall of a $21-million debris basin, which helps capture sediment, boulders and trees caught in cresting creeks during storms.

The Project for Resilient Communities, a Montecito nonprofit organization, raised $5 million after the 2018 debris flow and used the funds to install nets high in the mountains that capture and slow debris as it slides toward town. Photos of one of the nets showed it completely full after Monday's storm.

Regrowth of trees and shrubs since the Thomas fire also made any runoff from the 2023 storm less ferocious, experts said.

The changes helped keep safe those Montecito residents who were ordered to evacuate but did not. Brian Fitzgerald, a Los Angeles transplant, didn't leave  nor did he flee during the deadly debris flow in 2018.

"I'm not one of those to evacuate," he said, as he rode a Pedal electric bike around town Tuesday morning with a friend. "But at like 3:30 in the morning, I could hear the boulders smashing against each other getting dragged down the road."

Fitzgerald got up and tried to find a hotel but all were booked, so he drove to a yacht club where he's a member and slept in his car in the lot. Hours later, the sun had begun to peek through the remaining storm clouds, drying off flooded roads that were slowly reopening to traffic.

Up the mountain, toward Montecito Hot Springs, 95-year-old Richard Schultz also stayed put. In his massive Spanish colonial home that looks out over the expanse of Montecito, Schultz said debris that flows down the mountain tends to skirt his house on both sides, which left him safe in 2018 and again on Monday.

"I'm stubborn. I know the drainage pattern," the retired plastic surgeon said while sitting in his home office.

James Claffey pushes his stalled car from the southbound 101 Freeway in Montecito on Monday. (Michael Owen Baker / For The Times)

Schultz did evacuate in 2017 during the Thomas fire, when flames licked at his property and burned his hedges and driveway lights. But when the Jan. 9, 2018, rains came, bringing with it the deadly debris flow, he stayed put, living in his house without internet or electricity for 10 days, with sheriff's deputies checking up on him every few days and bringing water.

"The most devastating part of that experience was the lack of stimulation," he said.

Not everyone is as brash about staying in Montecito as Schultz and Fitzgerald.

Kim Cantin knows intimately the devastating effects the rain can have on property and life. After they decided to remain home in an area that wasn't under a mandatory evacuation order in 2018, her husband and son were killed in the debris flow. She was dragged about 600 feet, coming to rest on a pile of detritus wrapped in electrical wires in the middle of an intersection. Her daughter was buried alive for six hours but survived. Her son's remains were not found for more than three years.

"I moved about 10 minutes away because my daughter, she was very certain due to her trauma that she did not want to live in Montecito in the near future," said Cantin, who now lives in Santa Barbara.

Kim Cantin, whose husband, David, and son, John, were killed in the Montecito mudslide in January 2018, looks for familiar items in a debris pile behind a home in Montecito in September of that year. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

With a massive storm coming back five years to the day that her family was torn apart, Cantin couldn't help but recognize the "cruel joke" that the environment was playing on Montecito and its residents.

"Was I nervous? Sure. It brought back how ferocious Mother Nature can be when things collide. It was very real in the mudslide. I was in it. It washed away my home and killed half my family," she said.

Still, Cantin travels some of the same routes as before, to the grocery store and dry cleaners, and Montecito will always be her home.

"I think this area has to be careful from burn scars and heavy rain, and the combination of the two, and just take precautions. But it doesnt make it any less paradise. I think its just an evolution," Cantin said.

And with her daughter going to college, Cantin has not ruled out a return to the hillside town.

"One day, Ill maybe be back in Montecito," she said. "Right now, its working for me here. Im still just 10 minutes away."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Marco Aquino

LIMA (Reuters) -Peru's attorney general has launched 11 inquiries to identify those responsible for more than three dozen mostly civilian deaths during some of the country's most violent social protests in years, her office said on Friday, as some of the president's top Cabinet members announced their resignations.

The ouster of leftist former President Pedro Castillo last month triggered the unrest, which has claimed the lives of at least 41 civilians and one police officer.

The office of Attorney General Patricia Benavides announced the investigations focused on the violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the heavily indigenous southern regions of Puno, Cusco, Arequipa, Apurimac and Ucayali, as well as the capital Lima.

This week, Benavides opened a preliminary "genocide" investigation against President Dina Boluarte and several ministers.

Boluarte, Castillo's former vice president, took over after lawmakers voted her embattled predecessor out of office after he sought to dissolve Congress and rule by decree on Dec. 7.

On Friday, the country's interior minister, labor minister, and women's minister all resigned, Boluarte said. She named Vicente Romero, a retired national police general, as interior minister.

Benavides' office said 355 civilians and 176 police officers have been injured, with 329 citizens arrested, all linked to the anti-government street protests since Castillo's removal.

APOLOGY, NO RESIGNATION

"I understand and share your indignation, the state has a great debt with the country," President Boluarte said in a late-night address to the nation on Friday, apologizing for the deaths in the protests and calling for peace.

She deflected taking responsibility for the deaths, saying bad actors had pushed citizens into "confrontations" and that she had requested authorities investigate.

Boluarte rejected calls to resign, instead repeating that she had requested Congress move elections up.

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Edgar Stuardo, the head of an Inter-American Commission on Human Rights mission visiting Peru, called for a broad national dialogue, saying clashes between the country's Congress and executive had undermined public confidence in the institutions.

This power struggle has resulted in six presidents and three parliaments in just five years.

"We are waiting to see what happens in the next few days," Stuardo told reporters after three days of meetings with victims' relatives, state authorities and civil groups. "We hope there are no more deaths."

Human rights groups accuse police and soldiers of using excessive force, including live ammunition and dropping tear gas from helicopters. Security forces say protesters, mostly in Peru's southern Andes, have used homemade weapons and explosives against them.

Many protests have played out in key southern mining regions, but on Thursday thousands marched through the streets of Lima demanding the closure of Congress and Boluarte's resignation.

(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by David Alire Garcia, Josie Kao, Chris Reese and William Mallard)
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has underlined efforts to implement policies properly in order to help market entities overcome difficulties, as well as deepening reforms to spur market vitality and public creativity.

Li made the remarks during an inspection of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on Monday. He also chaired a symposium on the same day.

While listening to a report at the National Intellectual Property Administration, Li learned that the average time taken by the patent review process has been cut by one third compared with five years ago.

He urged efforts to provide services with higher quality and efficiency to accelerate the application and transformation of innovation and promote industry upgrade.

At a data analysis center of the SAMR, Li learned that China's market entities have increased in number from 55 million 10 years ago to 169 million now, while there are more than 110 million self-employed individuals. Efforts should be made to continue fostering market entities, Li said.

China has made use of the combination of reforms and preferential policies to nurture and foster market entities in recent years, Li said at the symposium. The moves have played a key role in maintaining the stable operation of the economy, he added.

Li said that market entities, especially the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as self-employed individuals, are facing difficulties and some new problems. In view of this, he emphasized efforts to maintain policy stability and continue implementing the previously-introduced package of policies to stabilize the economy and the follow-up measures thoroughly.

Efforts should also be made to respond to the concerns of market entities, help them with problems relating to labor, credit funds, the supply of raw-materials and other issues, and prompt a quick resumption of work and production after the holiday, according to Li.
Two-time AL Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber and the Boston Red Sox finalized a $10 million, one-year contract on Thursday.

The deal includes an $11 million club option for 2024, which could escalate by $2 million based on starts this year: $500,000 for 20 and $750,000 apiece for 25 and 30.

He can earn $2 million in performance bonuses for starts: also $500,000 for 20 and $750,000 each for 25 and 30.

In addition, Boston avoided salary arbitration with left-hander Josh Taylor by agreeing to a one-year contract for $1,025,000.

The 36-year-old Kluber joins his third AL East team in as many years. He went 5-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 16 starts for the New York Yankees in 2021, including a no-hitter in a 2-0 victory at Texas. He had a 10-10 record and a 4.34 ERA in 31 starts for Tampa Bay this year.

Kluber bolsters a mix of potential starters that also includes Chris Sale, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello, Tanner Houck and James Paxton. Sale and Paxton have been hampered by injuries, and Whitlock and Houck mostly worked out of the bullpen last season.

Kluber made his big league debut with Cleveland in 2011. He was one of the majors top starters before he was slowed by injuries.

The three-time All-Star won his first Cy Young Award in 2014, going 18-9 with a 2.44 ERA and 269 strikeouts in 235 2/3 innings. He won the award again with Cleveland in 2017, finishing with an 18-4 record, a 2.25 ERA and 265 Ks in 203 2/3 innings.

Kluber left Cleveland when he was traded to Texas in December 2019. He is 113-71 with a 3.31 ERA in 256 major league appearances, including 251 starts.

Taylor spent last season on the injured list due to a back problem. The 29-year-old made 13 minor league rehab appearances for Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland.

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Seattle police arrested a man after he allegedly threatened a security guard at a Downtown building with a paintball gun Thursday afternoon, the Seattle Police Department announced.

According to police, officers were called to the intersection of Third Avenue and Cherry Street for a report of two men pointing a gun at a man after he approached them about smoking what appeared to be fentanyl.

Just after 3:30 p.m., officers contacted the 19-year-old male victim who is a security guard at the building. The man told police he observed a man smoking fentanyl and asked him to move from the buildings entrance so tenants wouldnt have to walk through the smoke. Soon after, the victim was approached by another yelling man who pulled out a gun.

Officers located the suspect nearby and took him into custody without incident. Police recovered a paintball gun resembling a handgun and brass knuckles.

The man was arrested for felony harassment and charges were requested for unlawful use of weapons. He was later booked into King County Jail.
A high-speed police chase that ended with a crash in Kansas City that killed two innocent bystanders Sunday was started in response to a carjacking at knifepoint, according to charging documents released Thursday.

The Jackson County Prosecutors Office charged a 30-year-old man with murder after he led Kansas City, Kansas, police on a pursuit across the state line that reached speeds of 100 mph before ending with a crash in east Kansas City.

Killed in the wreck were innocent bystanders Juan Avila, 26, and Gabriela Trejo-Garcia, 44.

Charles Matthews of Kansas City, Kansas, is charged with two counts of murder in the second degree and resisting arrest, according to Michael Mansur, a spokesman for the office.

According to the charging documents, the incident began when Kansas City, Kansas, police responded to calls about an armed robbery at 11:46 p.m. Sunday near 420 North 18th Street.

A police investigation discovered that Matthews had run up to a GMC Terrain parked in front of the location and pointed a knife at a 13-year-old boy who was standing by the vehicle, according to court documents.

Get back, Matthews allegedly said, before driving the vehicle west on Orville Avenue from 18th Street.

Shortly after, Kansas City, Kansas, officers located the car and attempted to stop the vehicle with emergency lights and sirens, but failed.

By 2:02 a.m. Monday morning, the chase had continued into Jackson County, where the GMC Terrain traveled east on Independence Avenue at speeds of nearly 100 miles per hour, according to court documents.

Matthews disregarded traffic signals, documents said, and burst through a red traffic light at the corner of Independence and Hardesty Ave.

His vehicle crashed into a Nissan Altima traveling north. He was transported to a medical facility, where he received treatment for serious injuries, documents said. Matthews allegedly told police he had not slept and smoked methamphetamine in the five days leading up to the chase, according to documents.

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Avila, who was sitting in the Nissans passenger seat, died at the scene.

The driver of the Nissan, Trejo-Garcia, was transported to an area medical facility for life threatening injuries. She died shortly after.

Police pursuits

In a Tuesday statement, Kansas City, Kansas Police Chief Karl Oakman wished his condolences to the families of Avila and Trejo-Garcia and promised to hold Matthews accountable.

It is never acceptable when the reckless actions of the suspect results in serious injury or death of others, he said.

Oakman also announced an internal investigation into the officers actions to ensure department procedures around police pursuits were appropriately followed.

The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department has policies that dictate when a pursuit is necessary. But they specify that while it is the officer who initiates the stop, it is the violator who initiates the pursuit, according to department documents.

Officers must weigh the risk of harming themselves and others before engaging in a police chase, according to department procedures. The tactic should only be used if the officer believes the suspect has committed an inherently dangerous felony and has refused to stop. Any pursuit should be stopped or avoided entirely if it poses a risk to life or property, documents said.

Other factors such as road conditions, time of day and population density also need to be considered by officers.

Once a suspect begins to flee, an officer must call their dispatcher to provide a reason for the pursuit and describe the incident that required police make an initial stop. Resisting arrest alone does not warrant a pursuit, documents said.

Officers are required to turn on their police sirens and lights to alert others of the pursuit. A law enforcement unit supervisor may call off a police chase at any point.

During the chase, police cannot make contact with the fleeing vehicle, unless directed otherwise by a supervisor. Officers are also instructed to reduce their speed and continue cautiously through intersections, as part of an effort to prevent harm to pedestrians or other drivers, documents said.
Courtesy of Patrisse Cullors

Michael Brignac, Keenan Andersons uncle, told The Daily Beast that his nephew was the type of person who would bring light to a dark room.

So when police released body camera footage of Andersons violent tasing after a traffic stop mere hours before his death in police custody, he said he barely recognized the boy he helped to raise.

I dont think my nephew should have feared for his life. Thats not him. Thats not even his personality, Brignac told The Daily Beast, emotion breaking his voice. You can look at that kid and see he was fearing for his life. Keenan was so full of joy and full of happiness and love.

Instead, he wants Anderson, who he loved like a son, to be remembered differentlyas Brignac did: a man who turned a difficult childhood into motivation to make the world a better place.

Keenan was a very inspiring person, Brignac told The Daily Beast. His goal was to be something in life.

Chilling Video Shows Cops Repeatedly Tase Cousin of BLM Co-Founder Before His Death

Anderson, a high school English teacher in Washington, D.C.and cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullorsdied on Jan. 3 in Los Angeles Police Department Custody.

He was hospitalized, and then died, following his arrest at the site of a traffic accident at the corner of Venice Boulevard and Lincoln Boulevards. His passing would mark the third death of a man of color in LAPD custody in less than a week.

Disturbing body camera footage released by the police department on Wednesday showed Anderson yelling, Help me please... Theyre trying to kill me, while officers restrained him in the street.

Anderson was pushed against the asphalt as one of the cops held his elbow to Andersons neck.

Theyre trying to George Floyd me! he cried multiple times.

Officers then repeatedly tased the 31-year-old, after issuing warnings, and one cop appeared to tase Anderson for 30 seconds straight.

While the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners office website showed that Andersons death was still under investigation, Cullors and others have stated that they believe Anderson was killed by the polices use of force.

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We were devastated, Cullors told The Daily Beast on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the LAPD told The Daily Beast they would not immediately release the names of the officers involved in Andersons arrest.

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore said Wednesday that its unclear what role Andersons struggle with police played in his death. He said Anderson was in an altered mental state and claimed that a preliminary blood test showed he had cannabis and cocaine in his system.

Keenan Anderson. Courtesy of Patrisse Cullors

According to Brignac, Andersons tough childhood began after his mothers death when he was young. He would spend summers with Brignac, also later living with his sisterand sometimes would return to work for his uncles landscaping business.

Despite his personal trials and tribulations, he was always positive and ambitious about life.

He used to motivate me, said Brignac. Tell me, Cmon Uncle Mike you know, You can do it man!

He definitely liked to dance, added Brignac, noting he had a wide-ranging and eclectic love of music. And he did a lot of reading. But when he was with family, he was an inspiring go-getter, our movie star.

He was that light of our family.

He was also competitive, said Brignac, recallingwith a laughthe time he had taught Anderson and his own son to drive a motorcycle at age 14.

He said that while it took Michael, a year older, a bit more time to learn, though Anderson was a quick study: Riding with no hands, hollerin, Look at me uncle Mike, and I said, This guy always gotta show off.

Brignac remembered how Anderson initially wanted to become a police officer, but then found his calling in education.

He taught at a predominantly Black school in D.C. and he really was hellbent on helping save their lives, helping be the mentor that he believed they needed, said Cullors. And I think thats how I want people to remember him.

Brignac agreed, recalling how the well-dressed Anderson would buy shoes and lunches for kids at his school, and was beloved by his studentssome of them going on to college themselves, as he himself had done.

Whats so amazing about a person like that is they think about how hard they had it and they want to make the next generation better, said Brignac.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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COHASSET  While investigators continue to search for missing Cohasset mother Ana Walshe, whose husband is in custody on charges of misleading the investigation, the Cohasset Police Department has issued a warning about the potential for scams related to the high-profile case.

Ana Walshe, of Cohasset, is missing.

The department is warning people to be wary of any efforts that claim to be fundraising in support of the Walshes' three sons. The boys are in the custody of the state Department of Children and Families.

As of Thursday afternoon, Cohasset police spokesperson Justin Shrair said the department was not aware of any official fundraising account to benefit the children.

Cohasset:Vigil offers prayers for missing Ana Walshe and the community

"We would be hesitant to donate to any fundraising campaigns at this time," police wrote. "Beware of scams!"

Shrair encouraged people to report any possible examples of fraud to their local police department or the Federal Trade Commission.

The Department of Children and Families does not release information about children in its custody, so little is known publicly about the Walshe boys' situation.

Cohasset residents gather on the town common for a vigil to honor Ana Walshe and her children on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

"I can only imagine the unfathomable pain that they're going through," said family friend Pamela Bardhi. "This is, unfortunately, going to be something they live with for the rest of their lives, despite the outcome of this investigation."

'It can happen wherever':Cohasset residents grapple with news of missing mother as case unfolds

"I get emotional when I think of three kids who went through such drama. They don't know where their mother is, where their father is, and they will be separated. They don't even have each other," said Natasha Sky, founder of the Sky International Center, a social-business network in Newton in which Ana Walshe was involved.

WCVB is a media partner of The Patriot Ledger.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Cohasset police warn of possible scams related to Ana Walshe case
DALLAS (AP)  Dallas Zoo officials said Friday that a missing clouded leopard was found after a daylong search. Evidence was found that the fence of the small cat's habitat had been intentionally cut, police said.

The zoo tweeted that the cat named Nova, who weighs about 20-25 pounds (9-11 kilograms), did not appear injured and was found near her original habitat. The search had closed Texas' largest zoo to visitors while staff and police combed the 100-acre (40-hectare) grounds.

The zoo announced that Nova had been found just moments after a news conference in which police said a criminal investigation had been opened. Police and zoo officials said they have reviewed surveillance footage but would not say what it showed or whether there were potential suspects.

It is our belief that this was an intentional act, Dallas Police Sgt. Warren Mitchell said.

Mitchell said Dallas police at first dispatched SWAT officers to the zoo, not understanding the size of a clouded leopard. Police drones helped search the zoo grounds, including trees. Harrison Edell, executive vice president of animal care and conservation at the Dallas Zoo, said clouded leopards like to climb.

The zoo tweeted earlier in the day that the missing cat was a serious situation," but officials said the animal posed no danger.

Another clouded leopard at the zoo, Nova's sister, did not leave its habitat.

Animals have escaped enclosures from the Dallas Zoo before. Most notably was in 2004, when a 340-pound (154-kilogram) gorilla named Jabari jumped over a wall and went on a 40-minute rampage that injured three people before police shot and killed the animal.
WARSAW (Reuters) -Polish lawmakers on Friday adopted a judicial reform that could unblock billions of euros in European Union funds withheld in an row between Warsaw and Brussels over the rule of law in Poland.

Splits in the ruling camp and the president's misgivings, however, could yet hamper the reform's progress.

The bill was adopted in the lower house of parliament thanks to votes from a majority of lawmakers from the ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party while most of the opposition abstained.

"For the PiS government, the financial security of Poles and the security of Poland's borders are the most important things. And anything that strengthens this security is good," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki wrote on Facebook after the vote.

"Therefore, we must end this unnecessary legal dispute in the West as soon as possible in order to focus on the military threat in the East," he said, referring to the war in neighbouring Ukraine.

Supporters of the bill say that Poland's financial security hinges on gaining access to 35.4 billion euros ($38 billion) in COVID-19 recovery funds.

Junior government coalition partner United Poland voted against the bill because it views it as undermining Polish sovereignty.

"The (recovery fund) is in its essence a very expensive loan for which we will have to pay. Poles should also know that succumbing to blackmail always ends badly," Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, head of United Poland, wrote on Twitter.

Despite the split in the government over the bill, the governing coalition remains intact, Morawiecki and Ziobro said.

Under the bill, the Supreme Administrative Court would deal with disciplinary cases instead of a contested chamber of the Supreme Court. Judges would also not face disciplinary action for questioning the independence of colleagues appointed by organs that critics say are politicised.

The bill will now go to the Senate, where the opposition holds a slight majority. It has declared the Senate would adopt amendments to the bill which were rejected in the lower house, but those can then be rejected again by PiS.

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To become law, the bill would also need to be signed by President Andrzej Duda who had said he would not accept any regulation that would allow the legitimacy of judges to be called into question.

The president may sign the bill, veto it or refer it to the Constitutional Tribunal for review.

(Reporting by Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk and Pawel Florkiewicz, Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, David Goodman and Conor Humphries)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Porsche AG will ensure that familiar software platforms like Google and Apple will be accessible for its customers, a spokesperson said on Tuesday following reports that it was considering integrating Google software into its cockpit.

The luxury carmaker declined to comment on whether it was currently in talks with Google over a deal to incorporate Google applications like Google Maps and Google Assistant into their vehicles.

A source close to the company told Reuters on Thursday discussions were underway, marking a shift in strategy for the newly listed carmaker which previously had been reluctant to use Google software.

(Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach, Writing by Victoria Waldersee, Editing by Rachel More)
Swelled by heavy runoff from recent large storms, Lake Cachuma is expected to fill and spill by this weekend, according to Santa Barbara County officials.

The lake level continued to rise at the rate of about one foot per hour on Tuesday, and by late morning was at 73.3% of capacity, and about 19 feet below spill level, according to the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department.

Well still be getting inflows to the lake for the next few days, an obviously happy Matt Young, manager of the county Water Agency, told Noozhawk.

Just in the last day, its come up 34 feet, which is pretty unbelievable.

Young estimated the lake will reach capacity and begin sending water over Bradbury Dam Friday night or Saturday.

The last time Cachuma spilled was in 2011.

The boat launch at Lake Cachuma is nearly back in the water, and will be soon as the lake level continues to rise. Officials expect the lake to fill and spill by the weekend.

Lake Cachuma poised to overflow

The change in fortunes for Cachuma  and the other upstream reservoirs on the Santa Ynez River, Jameson Lake and Gibraltar Reservoir  is good news for the countys water supply.

As of early December, Cachuma was at only about 30% of capacity, and water agencies that rely on it were told they would receive no new water allocations from the reservoir this year, Young said.

That will all be revisited and undoubtedly change once Cachuma fills.

Its also likely local water agencies will receive larger allocations of State Water due to the heavy snowpack in the Sierra Nevada, which will help fill Northern California reservoirs.

Lake Cachuma is expected to fill and spill over Bradbury Dam, above, by this weekend, according to county officials. The lake level has come up 34 feet in about a day.

More water flowing over the dam at Cachuma also is good news for communities downstream along the Santa Ynez River. The increased flows will help recharge depleted groundwater basins in the Santa Ynez and Lompoc valleys.

However, Young stressed that groundwater basins throughout the county have been drawn down and stressed by pumping during the recent drought, and will need several years of good rainfall to fully recover.

More rain was forecast for the county over the weekend, although nothing of the magnitude of the most recent storm.

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The road to the marina at Santa Margarita Lake is closed due to muddy conditions and the lake overflowing after the January storms.

Water levels rise at SLO County reservoirs

Recent storms have caused water levels at San Luis Obispo County reservoirs to swell dramatically.

The Salinas Dam at Santa Margarita Lake was overflowing Wednesday with the reservoir at about 109% of its capacity, according to the San Luis Obispo County public works department.

The lake has spilled pretty much as much water as it holds over the past few days, according to David Spiegel, a supervising engineer at the Public Works Department.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the lake was holding about 26,060 acre-feet of water  its capacity is 23,843 acre-feet.

The Santa Margarita Lake marina is closed to public use until further notice due to flooding and muddy conditions after early January storms. Here, the public boat launch ramp sits underwater and a boat dock floats high on the lake.

For context, one acre-foot of water is about 325,851 gallons. That means Santa Margarita Lake has about 722.4 million too many gallons within its banks that are overflowing into the Salinas River.

Lopez Lake east of Arroyo Grande also saw huge gains from the recent storms.

Since Dec. 1, the reservoir has nearly doubled in storage. It went from about 10,837 acre-feet to holding 21,594 acre-feet on Wednesday afternoon.

That represents a capacity gain from 21.9% to 43.7%, according to Public Works.

The public boat launch ramp sits underwater and a boat dock floats high on Santa Margarita Lake, which is overflowing after early January rains.

Whale Rock Reservoir near Cayucos went from 28,100 acre-feet on the first day of 2023 to holding 32,292 acre-feet on Wednesday, according to Noah Evans, the reservoirs manager with the city of San Luis Obispo.

The lake is now at 82.9% capacity, up from 72.1% at the beginning of the month, according to Evans.

Lake Nacimiento also saw massive gains from the recent storms.

The huge reservoir in northern San Luis Obispo County went from 27% capacity holding 103,630 acre-feet of water at the end of December to 73% capacity holding 275,060 acre-feet of water on Wednesday, according to the Monterey County Water Resources Agency.

Thats a gain of 55.9 billion gallons of water.
Prince Harry has revealed that he has enough material to fill another book after cutting stories from his memoir that he believes the King and Prince William would never have forgiven him for revealing.

The Duke of Sussex said that Spare, his ghostwritten tell-all, which made an almighty splash when it was published worldwide this week, was 800 pages long at first draft before he cut it down by half for publication.

He admitted having had difficulty deciding which stories to cut from the book, which included revelations of rows with his brother and his exhortations to his father not to marry Camilla, now the Queen Consort.

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the prince said: The first draft was different. It was 800 pages, and now its down to 400 pages. It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.

He added: There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just dont want the world to know. Because I dont think they would ever forgive me.

Harry said he had 50 Zoom calls with his ghostwriter regarding the contents of the book, aware that sharing such personal details was an absolute no in his family and that he would get trashed for anything he included about these interactions.

This is not about trying to collapse the monarchy  this is about trying to save them from themselves, he claimed. I know that I will get crucified by numerous people [for] saying that.

The new book contains details of the royal brothers arguments (AP)

The prince also revealed that he felt a responsibility to reform the institution for the sake of the children in the family who are growing up in the public eye.

One of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will end up the spare, he said. And that hurts; it worries me. Harry wrote in his book that he was the spare to Prince William, who was the heir. I was brought into the world in case something happened to Willy, he wrote.

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He admitted that Prince William was frustrated by his concern for the young royals, adding: [William] has made it very clear to me that his kids are not my responsibility.

Copies of the new book by Prince Harry are displayed at a book store in Berlin (AP)

Spare became Britains fastest-selling non-fiction book ever after it was published on Tuesday, shifting 400,000 copies in the first day. It also performed well abroad, selling 1.4 million copies on the first day in the US.

Besides giving inside details of royal life, Harry also writes about losing his virginity to an unnamed older woman behind a very busy pub, taking drugs, and despising the British press.

Large sections of the book are dedicated to the struggles faced by the prince and his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, which led to their decision to leave The Firm.
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

This is a preview of our pop culture newsletter The Daily Beasts Obsessed, written by editor Kevin Fallon. To receive the full newsletter in your inbox each week, sign up for it here.

I, for one, cant hear enough about Prince Harrys penis.

Wait! I dont mean that how it sounds! (Well, I mean, I do, but...) If you are a human who has been alive in the last two weeks have been following the news and conversation following Harrys explosive memoir, Spare,, then you know that Harrys own Duke of Sussex has been a major early-2023 newsmaker.

A pre-release leak from Spare revealed that Harry experienced frostbite on his penis while on an expedition to Antarctica in 2011. Its not something you hear about a lot, frostbite on a penislet alone anything about a royals penis, for that matter. But Harry didnt just offhand mention this as some sort of battle scar from his adventures. He went into detail. He went full Herman Melville on his icy todger. His mother, Princess Diana, was evoked.

To me, this was a skies parting, heavenly rays of sunshine beaming down on me, ecstatic turning point of celebrity confession. Everyone should be this candid. Are you famous and have at one point suffered a bizarre penile injury? Tell! Us! About it! So many public figures purport to tell all, yet whisper nothing. Give us the juice. Give us the gossip. Give us the frozen dick.

John Stillwell/AFP via Getty Images

Yet Harrys frostbite revelation has been blasted as a nightmare. How dare anyone malign such an outlandishly blunt and forthtelling, jarringly specific story?

Its come to my attention that there are many people, however, who are actually aghast at what they consider to be Harrys oversharing. Its unbefitting someone of his stature. Its inappropriate. Its gross. Even more confusing: Its uninteresting. Im sorry, the man who may be responsible for the end of the British monarchy as we know it is talking at length about his little prince and there is possibly anything in the world that you would find more interesting???

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We have been creeping steadily towards the Era of the Overshare, but I reject that notion. Lets call it the Age of Sharing Just Enough, Which Is to Say, Everything.

All Prince Harrys Memoir Revelations Spare No One, Including Himself

Every time I blink, another celebrity is releasing a new memoir. My morning meditative ritual has become pulling up whatever incredibly emotional, personal story about her life Drew Barrymore told at length on her talk show the day before. There appears to be a celebritys arms race these days to see who can tell the most self-deprecating anecdote in the most gratuitous detail in order to appear relatable.

The breakout digital star of the last several years has been the Instagram account Deuxmoi, which posts occasional gossip, but mostly things like, Emily Ratajkowski spotted at baggage claim wearing a mask, or, Zachary Quinto pictured eating at Via Carota, and he ordered the spaghetti. Its utterly innocuous information, but people are craven for it. If theres that much of an appetite for the mundane, we should be feasting at the glut of intimate details Harry reveals in his book. A buffet of overshare! I want more.

Quote the woman who is both my North Star and my broken compass, Bethenny Frankel: Mention it all!

Granted, its a lot to take in. (No innuendo intended.) We should be grateful! When was the last time a person as famous as Prince Harry gave us a lot? (Again, no innuendo.)

Spare Is a Royal Riot. But What Does Prince Harry Really Want?

My penis was oscillating between extremely sensitive and borderline traumatized, he writes in Spare. (Or, if you want a real treat, says in his audiobook.) He describes how he applied Elizabeth Arden cream to his royal scepter, which, as it happens, is the same cream his mom used on her lips. As soon as I opened it, I was transported in time. I felt as if my mother was right there in the room. Then I took a smidge and I applied itdown there.

Folks, this is content. Freudian content, sure, but glorious nonetheless. Who are the buzzkills who are upset about this?

I know that Harry doesnt have the most dynamic presence when it comes to famous people. And a lot of what is revealed in Spare makes it seem like he has a vendetta against his family he attends to make good onand thats true. But the experience of reading the memoir is a wild one, just a conveyor belt of intimate stories and salacious play-by-plays of all the arguments that happened with his family behind palace walls. Theres so much coming so fast that it turns the reader into Lucy at the chocolate factory. (Which is to say Spare should be an instant classic.)

Theres gossipy stories about when he lost his virginity, his dating life, the drugs hed taken, the time he peed his pants, his Instagram DMs with Meghan Markle, and all of the interactions he had with Camillaplus how he felt about her. ThenI dont know if Harry had a mentorship with the writers of General Hospital or whathe gives us full on soap opera scenes of all the vicious arguments he had with his father and, especially, with William. Thats not to mention detailed interactions he had with the Queen, even as she was complicit in sabotaging (in his perspective) his and Meghans exit from the institution.

Giphy

Of course these are the stories we all want to hear. Lets not pretend were above it. It would be grotesque to do the tabloid vulture thing of trying to procure the stories through leaks and vicious reporting. But if the man himself is going to share itIm gonna read it.

Maybe, though, Im the target audience for this. I never had an opinion one way or another of singer Meghan Trainor, for example. Then she made the decision to tell the public that she and her husband use side-by-side toilets in their bathroom. Its disgusting, yet the fact that she felt the need to let us know that made me instantly love her; cut to me spending three weeks trying to learn that damn Made You Look TikTok dance in my living room.

Did I need to know about the time Kristen Bell had a build-up of milk in her breast duct, and her husband, Dax Shepard, had to suck it out for her? No. But Im strangely glad I do. There are entire listicles devoted to celebrities who have admitted to pooping or peeing their pants. I love them all. This is probably why I adore the Real Housewives so much.

Prince Harry to Stephen Colbert: Diana Would Never Have Let Things Get This Bad

When a new celebrity couple gets together, sure, I understand that they want to keep their relationship private. But I am also desperate to know which one farts in their sleep. What was the last dumb fight you got in because someone was hungry and escalated something out of proportion? Send me a transcript of all your banal text messages back and forth throughout the day.

Oversharing is art, and its been sorely underappreciateduntil now. Forget that whole stars, theyre just like us nonsense. Long live this new, unexpected chapter: Us, were just like the royal family.

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Emissions from private jets quadrupled as business chiefs, lobbyists and politicians flew into the town where the World Economic Forum was held last year, a study has found.

Three days before this years conference begins, it was revealed that last year the number of private jet flights to the Swiss town of Davos doubled during the week of the meeting.

The forum (the WEF) says it is committed to the 1.5C Paris climate target, prompting Greenpeace International to brand the flights a distasteful masterclass in hypocrisy.

Emissions without the Davos meeting are shown in green and with it in blue (Greenpeace International)

The researchers found that during last years World Economic Forum week, 1,040 private jet flights arrived and departed out of airports serving luxury ski resort Davos, with about every second flight attributed to the meeting.

More than half  53 per cent - were short-haul flights below 470 miles that could have been train journeys, Greenpeace said, and 38 per cent were under 300 miles. The shortest flight was only 21 km.

Dutch environmental consultancy CE Delft, which carried out the study for Greenpeace International, said all the private jet flights to and from airports serving Davos that week created 9,700 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to that of 350,000 cars.

Researchers attribute most of the climate-damaging emissions to private flights by WEF participants. Emissions from private jet flights quadrupled during the one week of the meeting compared with the weeks before and afterwards.

Klara Maria Schenk, transport campaigner for Greenpeace, said: Europe is experiencing the warmest January days ever and communities around the world are grappling with extreme weather events supercharged by the climate crisis.

Davos has a perfectly adequate railway station, but still these people cant even be bothered to take the train for a trip as short as 21 km.

Given that 80 per cent of the worlds population has never even flown, but suffers from the consequences of aviation emissions, and that the WEF claims to be committed to the 1.5C Paris climate target, this annual private jet bonanza is a distasteful masterclass in hypocrisy.

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The WEF urged people to travel by train last year (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

According to a study by Transport & Environment, private jets are between five and 14 times more polluting than commercial planes per passenger, and 50 times more polluting than trains.

But they are not subject to controls in the EU. Greenpeace wants a ban on private jets and short-haul flights where there are train routes in the EU.

Hundreds of global heads of state, finance ministers, chief executives and activists are due to fly to Davos on Monday for this years five-day get-together, where the effect of Russias war on Ukraine will be high on the agenda.

Protesters against inequality are expected to turn out in 30 countries next week, calling on governments to tax the rich more.

Jenny Ricks, of the worldwide Fight Inequality Alliance movement, said: The crises of scandalous inequality and the climate emergency need radical action, not champagne and caviar.

As billionaire wealth reaches new heights, ordinary people who are working, caring and endlessly contributing to society are struggling to even put food on the table.

The Independent has asked the WEF to respond to the research and criticism.
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany expects to field Puma infantry fighting vehicles for a key NATO mission in the first half of 2023, its chief of defence said on Friday, after Berlin had to withdraw the Puma from the alliance's quick reaction force due to problems in a drill.

"As soon as we have sufficient vehicles repaired and operational for one company, we will use it for the VJTF," Eberhard Zorn said, referring to NATO's Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF).

Germany this year leads the alliance's quick reaction unit that constitutes NATO's first line of response and reinforcement in case of a conflict or heightened tensions with Russia.

"I very strongly expect this (to see the Puma ready for the VJTF) in the first half of the year," Zorn added.

In December, Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said Germany would not purchase any more Pumas until they had proven themselves reliable, after several were put out of service during a military drill.

The Puma is an armed, armoured vehicle that carries troops into battle.

Shares in Rheinmetall AG, which manufactures the armoured vehicles together with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co (KMW), went down 7% after the minister's announcement.

For the VJTF, Germany replaced the Puma temporarily with decades-old Marder infantry fighting vehicles - which the more advanced Puma is meant to succeed in future.

Germany has vowed to boost defence spending and modernise its military in the wake of the Ukraine war.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold and Miranda Murray, editing by Rachel More)
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia on April 25, 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko, Pool, File/Associated Press

Criticism from Russia's allies mounted this week, with one Chinese official saying "Putin is crazy."

Some worry Russia may be "more of an albatross than ally," a former US ambassador to NATO said.

Others, like China, have criticized the war without meaningfully reducing ties with Russia.

Eleven months since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an attack on Ukraine, the longtime leader remains in a precarious position with growing discontent among his country's few remaining allies.

"Nobody wants an ally who is a liability, and it's hard to see Putin's Russia as anything else," Simon Miles, an assistant professor at Duke University's Sanford School of Public Policy and a historian of the Soviet Union and US-Soviet relations, told Insider.

"I think we can see the consequences already in that the most active support is coming from Iran and North Korea  hardly the top of anyone's friend wishlist," he added.

Russia's relationship with some key allies appeared to be on even shakier ground this month. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the country had canceled plans to host Russian military drills. Both Armenia and Russia are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a military alliance made up of six post-Soviet states that Putin has touted as NATO's counterpart.

"At least this year, these drills won't take place," Pashinyan said, adding the drills would be "inappropriate in the current situation."

Criticism from Beijing also appeared to intensify this month, as The Financial Times reported several Chinese officials tried to distance China from the Ukraine invasion and expressed mistrust in Putin himself.

"Putin is crazy," one unnamed Chinese official told FT. "The invasion decision was made by a very small group of people. China shouldn't simply follow Russia."

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a photograph during their meeting in Beijing, on February 4, 2022. Photo by ALEXEI DRUZHININ/Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images

The officials also said Beijing has come to believe that Russia may emerge from the conflict as a "minor power," with their economic and diplomatic standing on the global stage greatly reduced.

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Yet another one-time Russian ally further distanced itself from the outcast nation this week, with Serbian President Aleksandr Vucic telling Bloomberg that he believes "the worst is yet to come" in the war in Ukraine, as he rejected Putin's territorial claims in the neighboring nation.

"For us, Crimea is Ukraine, Donbas is Ukraine  and it'll remain so," Vucic told the outlet.

Serbia's stance marks another example of the conflict pushing a one-time Russian ally further away; Vucic told Bloomberg his long-term goal is to secure EU membership for Serbia. Vucic, who met with Putin several times in the past, said he hadn't spoken to his Russian counterpart in "many months."

Still, Serbia has resisted sanctioning Russia, and the countries maintain a tenuous relationship thanks to Russia's support of Serbia's refusal to recognize Kosovo's independence. But Vucic told Bloomberg that any lingering ties do not mean "we support every single decision or most of the decisions that are coming from the Kremlin."

Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has left Moscow increasingly isolated. The war prompted condemnation in the United Nations and saw Russia booted from the UN Human Rights Council. Since the invasion began last February, Putin has limited international travel to the dwindling list of nations with amicable ties to Moscow  skipping the G20 summit in Bali in November.

The US and its allies have issued unprecedented sanctions against Moscow. Finland and Sweden, two historically or militarily non-aligned neutral countries, moved to join NATO. The EU has taken steps to end its reliance on the Russian energy supply. Indeed, the war has united the West against Russia in historic ways.

Russia: An albatross or an ally?

Meanwhile, the war has also complicated Russia's relationships with China and India, two vital trading partners that declined to institute sanctions and have continued buying up Russian energy products. When the UN Security Council voted in September to condemn Russia's annexation of Ukrainian territories as illegal, both countries abstained.

"Until February 24, Russia and China declared a partnership 'without limits' based on the idea that the west was divided, decadent, and in decline and that the east was rising in power and stature," Ivo Daalder, a former US ambassador to NATO, told Insider. "The invasion changed all that."

"China has been caught between its desire to align with Russia and the realization that it might be more of an albatross than ally," he added.

While China has not offered a full-throated endorsement of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it also hasn't significantly reduced ties with Moscow, despite the mounting criticism and recent comments by Chinese officials. Beijing has walked a careful line since the invasion began, at times exhibiting impatience with Russia's war in Ukraine.

Putin in September acknowledged that China had "questions and concerns" about the war while meeting with Xi in Uzbekistan. However last month, China's foreign minister said the country would "deepen strategic mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation" with Russia and defended Beijing's "objectivity and impartiality" on the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Chinese President Xi Jinping gather for a group photo at the start of their summit in Goa, India, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016. Anupam Nath/AP Images

'China may be trying to have it both ways'

The apparent mixed messaging from Beijing could ultimately come down to diplomatic strategy.

"China may be trying to have it both ways," Robert English, a professor at the University of Southern California who studies Russia, the Soviet Union, and Eastern Europe, told Insider.

English said the war benefits Beijing by distracting the West from confrontation with China, while also providing the country with discounted Russian energy. But in order to avoid jeopardizing its trade partnerships with the West, China may want to give the appearance of distancing itself from Russia.

"The key is appear to criticize Russia, in words, but what about their deeds? Their economic support for Russia has not flagged, nor have they altered their official position blaming NATO for the conflict," English said of China. "I'm afraid some analysts are thinking with their hearts, not their heads."

"Putin's allies are not 'turning on him,' only expressing dissatisfaction at the difficulties his war in Ukraine is causing them," he added. "There's a big difference."

Update: This story was updated on Jan. 19, 2023 to reflect Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's comments on the war.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rain and a few gusty storms are expected in the area early Friday morning, Channel 9 certified chief meteorologist Tom Terry said.

The weather will hit Marion County beginning around 2 a.m., between 5 a.m. and 9 a.m. in metro Orlando and before noon in Brevard County, Terry said.

READ: Natural disasters costing the U.S. billions every year

Wind gusts reaching between 40 mph and 50 mph are possible, especially west, along with a quarter to half-inch of rain, Terry said.

After the rain clears, it will clear up rapidly, Terry said, and be windy and much colder in the weekend with wind chills dropping to the 20s on Saturday morning.

READ: Sheriff: Remains of woman, 82, missing since Hurricane Ian found in mangroves

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 third plenary session of the eighth Luohu District People's Congress opened on Jan. 10.

Head of Luohu district Fan Defan, also deputy secretary of the Luohu Committee of the Communist Party of China, delivered a work report on behalf of the Luohu district government at the opening of the annual meeting of the district's top legislature.

Fan reviewed the government's work over the past year and listed this year's development objectives and key tasks of the government.

In 2022, the district kept a balance between COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control and its socioeconomic development by faithfully adhering to the directives from the central authorities in an innovative way that adapted to the situation in the district.

According to the report, Luohu's major targets for economic and social development this year include a year-on-year increase of at least 6.5% in GDP, a public budget of at least 12.7 billion yuan (US$1.87 billion) in government revenue, an at least 38-billion-yuan fixed asset investments, and an increase of at least 5% in sales of consumer goods. Besides, an increase of at least 3% in the added value of industrial enterprises above the designated size and the increase of per capita disposable income should be achieved.

Fan noted that promoting industries' high-quality development, attracting investment, talent, and promising enterprises, protecting the environment as well as improving people's livelihoods are priorities of the government's work this year. To that end, the government will continue to improve the district's business environment, enhance its efficiency and services, and put the people in the first place.

Fan called on the district's lawmakers to continue to make their due contributions in their respective fields toward the sustainable and high-quality development of Luohu.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greets U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-RI, during Reed's recent visit to Kyiv.

Sen. Jack Reed is calling for the Biden administration to equip Ukraine with a longer-range tactical missile system and also expressing support for a new wave of attacks on Russian forces.

In interviews with USA Today on Wednesday and The Providence Journal on Thursday, Reed publicly called on the administration to send the longer-range missiles to Ukraine.

Such missiles would give Ukraine additional capability "to keep up the momentum and then attack successfully as soon as possible," said Reed, Rhode Island's senior senator.

His comments on the missiles' importance follow his visit last week with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.

They also follow November's election, which left the Democrats in control of the U.S. Senate. Reed remains chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He said Wednesday that he understands, based on his recent discussions with Zelenskyy and Ukrainian military officials, that Ukraine needs the longer-range missiles to continue targeting Russian forces' logistics and command posts and to keep its forward momentum "and hopefully in the spring start conducting extensive offensive operations."

"I've been very conscious of their requests (for the missiles)," Reed said. "They've been asking for them."

Many of Ukraine's gains last year were aided by missiles from the shorter-range Guided Multiple Rocket Launch System, he said. The GMRLS missiles have a range of roughly 60 miles, Reed said.

Lately, he said, invading forces sent to Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin have made adjustments.

Russian commanders are trying to keep themselves and their depots beyond the range of the GMRLS missiles, Reed said.

For this reason, Reed sees a role for the Army Tactical Missile System, whose missiles have a range of roughly 100 miles, he said.

"So if you disrupt their command and slow up their supplies, you have a much more effective opportunity to attack, succeed and continue to attack," Reed said.

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Both GMRLS and ATACMS missiles are fired from the same launcher, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System.

Reed said he has discussed the missile-range issue with Zelenskyy and also with members of the Ukrainian military.

He emphasizes the importance of being confident that Ukraine would fire the longer-range tactical missiles only at targets within its territory and not into Russia.

"There's always the possibility of escalation," Reed said. "And we've been very conscious of that. It's one of those things where that might be so overt that the Russians, or rather Putin, would feel that he had to do something, which could lead to escalation ."

The Biden administration has not yet announced any decision on Ukraine's request for the longer-range missiles.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Sen. Jack Reed wants to arm Ukraine with longer-range missiles
BANGKOK (AP)  Airstrikes by Myanmars military on two villages inhabited largely by ethnic Karen killed five civilians, including a mother and her 2-year-old daughter, and destroyed two churches, two relief organizations said Friday.

The dead from the airstrikes on Thursday also included the pastor of a Baptist church, a Catholic deacon and a church layman, according to the Karen Womens Organization and the Free Burma Rangers. Another woman and her child were wounded in a second village, they said.

The Karen, who live largely in the eastern part of Myanmar along the border with Thailand, are one of the most established ethnic minority rebel forces and have been fighting for decades for greater autonomy from the central government. Fighting increased after February 2021, when the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Airstrikes are killing civilians and destroying homes, medical centers, churches, schools, libraries, and monasteries, the Karen womens group said in a statement.

The military used deadly force to suppress peaceful protests against its takeover, which triggered armed resistance by pro-democracy forces that joined hands with some of the ethnic rebel groups, including the Karen. The military-installed government then launched offensives in the countryside to try to secure territory using airstrikes and burning villages.

The National Unity Government, an underground group that calls itself the countrys legitimate government and serves as an umbrella organization for opponents of military rule, said in a statement this week that since the army takeover, 460 innocent civilians, mostly children, have lost their lives due to (the militarys) repeated airstrikes.

The Free Burma Rangers said their volunteers watched from a distance as jets made two bombing runs on Thursday over Lay Wah, one of the attacked villages in Karen states Mutraw district, also called Papun. They said the volunteers arrived after dark at Lay Wah, where the five people died and the churches were destroyed.

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The first thing we saw on the end of the village was a buffalo with half the front leg torn off stumbling around in agony and we saw shrapnel-damaged homes and roofs blown off, the group said in a statement.

The other bombed village was Paw Khee Lah, where a woman and child were wounded, according to the Karen women's group.

Because Karen villagers have become accustomed to living with war, they conduct many daily activities, such as schooling, in the jungle. The statement from the Free Burma Rangers said that if students had been in their village classroom they would have all died because that structure was completely destroyed.

The bombing in Karen state was the second reported air offensive by the Myanmar military this week. On Tuesday and Wednesday in western Myanmars Chin state, military planes bombed the headquarters of the Chin National Front, another ethnic rebel militia closely linked to the countrys pro-democracy movement.

Five members of the Chin National Army were killed on Tuesday, Salai Htet Ni, a spokesperson for the Chin National Front, said in a text message. Wednesdays bombing damaged a clinic and other buildings in the camp, he said.

The resistance forces in Myanmar have been able to prevent the military from taking firm control of large areas of the country, but have a great disadvantage in weapons, particularly in countering air attacks. Many Western nations already have imposed arms embargoes on the military government, but activists also advocate banning or limiting the sale of aviation fuel to Myanmar to cripple the militarys advantage in air power.
Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) continues to face calls to resign, but several of the Republicans telling him to step down previously accepted contributions from his leadership PAC and havent said whether they will return the money.

Theres ordinarily nothing unusual about candidates exchanging money between PACs and campaign committees, so long as the amounts fall within legally established limits. Santos received thousands from other candidates and used his leadership PAC to donate generously to more than two dozen Republicans in 2021 and 2022, campaign finance records show.

At least four of those Republicans  New York Reps. Mike Lawler, Nick LaLota and Brandon Williams, and Ohio Rep. Max Miller  recently called on Santos to resign over revelations that he largely fabricated the resume he presented to voters in New Yorks 3rd Congressional District. Santos has been defiant in the wake of the controversy, admitting to some lies but also refusing to step down.

HuffPost attempted to contact many of the Republicans who accepted money from Santos and are currently serving in the House, asking what they planned to do with the money. None responded as of Friday.

Santos launched the PAC shortly after his first failed congressional bid in 2020, and seeded the fund with a personal loan, records show.

While Santos donated to many losing candidates, he also gave to current GOP House members Elise Stefanik and Claudia Tenney of New York, Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Carol Miller of West Virginia, Mary Miller of Illinois, Cory Mills and Maria Salazar of Florida, and Pat Fallon, Ronny Jackson and Beth Van Duyne of Texas.

Campaign finance experts told HuffPost they couldnt find anything unusual or suspicious in the way that Santos ran his GADS PAC  an acronym for his full name, George Anthony Devolder-Santos. The same cannot be said of Santos campaign committee, however, which was the subject of a scathing civil complaint directed to the Federal Election Commission Monday by the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center.

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If anything, Santos relationship with other Republicans underscores how freely money can flow between candidates and outside entities since the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision loosened the rules around campaign fundraising.

Leadership PACs were set up so that members of Congress who were vying for leadership positions could show their support for the party by supporting other candidates and supporting other members. Now everybody has one, Larry Noble, a former general counsel for the FEC, told HuffPost.

New York Rep. George Santos was a prolific fundraiser who transferred money to other Republicans.

New York Rep. George Santos was a prolific fundraiser who transferred money to other Republicans.

For example, Millers and Santos PACs exchanged $5,000 in the last election cycle. The Ohio Republican also personally contributed $8,900 to Santos 2022 campaign. Some 30 other Republicans also gave money to Santos, whose district was considered a pick-up opportunity for Republicans in the midterm elections.

Miller, who is from a prominent Jewish family in Cleveland, said Thursday that Santos lied to seek benefit from the murder of millions of Jewish people by falsely claiming to be the descendent of Holocaust survivors.

Santos also gave $5,800 to defeated Arizona Senate candidate Blake Masters, $2,900 to Hageman and $10,800 to Stefaniks victory committee  significant amounts for a political novice who, at that point, had only run one losing campaign.

Stefaniks campaign didnt respond to a request for comment about the contribution, or whether Stefanik disapproves of Santos using a picture of the two as the banner for his campaign Twitter account. House Republican leadership, including third-ranking Stefanik, have not called on Santos to resign.

There is one aspect of Santos PAC thats drawn scrutiny: the $25,000 that Santos personally loaned it in July 2021, a day before the PAC wrote a check for the same amount to New York gubernatorial candidate and then-congressman Lee Zeldin. The Campaign Legal Center is asking the FEC to investigate the source of Santos income, specifically as it concerns the $700,000 that Santos loaned his campaign committee in the last election cycle. The $25,000 given to the PAC  which Santos repaid himself within a year  raises further questions about the source of his sudden wealth.

It doesnt seem consistent with his own finances, Erin Chlopak of the Campaign Legal Center told HuffPost of Santos windfall after previously claiming a modest income and no assets. If you look at the timing of the creation of his LLC and the various inconsistencies with how hes described it, there are questions about how it could have generated a legitimate income. He has essentially been unwilling to answer more questions to clarify those issues.

The majority of the roughly $230,000 Santos PAC raised and spent in 2021 and 2022 came from a joint fundraising account that Santos shared with the Nassau County Republican Committee  which on Wednesday disowned Santos and called on him to resign.

Santos did not respond to HuffPosts request for comment. But he told Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida in an interview Thursday: Ive worked my entire life. Ive lived an honest life ... [the campaign money] didnt come from Burisma, it didnt come from Ukraine, Russia, China  unlike some folks we all know who get money from those sources.
By Stefania Spezzati

LONDON (Reuters) - Fintech firm Revolut Ltd. is close to finalising its long-overdue 2021 financial accounts, a move that could pave the way for the start-up to obtain a UK banking licence, two people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Revolut is set to publish financial accounts for the year ended December 2021 - which were due last summer - at the end of January after auditing firm BDO LLPs final sign-off, the people said. BDO and Revolut plan to meet on Jan. 26, the people said.

Founded by Nikolay Storonsky, a former derivatives trader at Credit Suisse Group AG and Lehman Brothers, and software developer Vladyslav Yatsenko in 2015, Revolut launched as a prepaid card charging foreign-exchange fees that undercut established banks.

It was valued at around $33 billion in the last known funding round in 2021, making it then Britain's most valuable start-up.

The audit firm's sign-off comes after months of delays.

The Financial Times reported in September that the Financial Reporting Council (FRC), a U.K. body responsible for regulating auditors, found Revolut's BDO audit inadequate and said that the risk of an undetected material misstatement was unacceptably high.

The watchdog's scrutiny of the 2020 audit held up approval for Revoluts 2021 accounts, one of the people said. Revolut will retain BDO for the 2022 audit, that person said.

Representatives for BDO, FRC and the Bank of England's Prudential Regulatory Authority, which approves banking licences, declined to comment.

The Revolut filing will likely show a rise in 2021 revenue from clients subscriptions and exchange rate fees, the person said. It is unclear how profitable the company will be after losing 200 million pounds the previous year.

Storonsky said in November that the firm was profitable and that did not need to raise further funds.

The accounts may help the entrepreneur to convince UK regulators that Revolut is ready for a banking licence after a two-year wait.

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To win it, Revolut also needs the consent of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), according to regulatory guidance.

Revolut is likely to opt for an "authorization with restriction", where it will operate with limits on customer deposits before becoming fully operational as a bank after a trial period, the same person said.

It will not be the first start-up to go down that route.

Starling Bank and Monzo also received banking licences with restrictions in 2016. For Monzo, it took about eight months to have the restrictions lifted.Britain is a key market for Revolut, which aims to become a global financial firm. The company is already using its Lithuanian license as a passport into the European Union.

(Reporting by Stefania Spezzati; Editing by Elisa Martinuzzi and Tomasz Janowski)
"Rick and Morty" co-creator Justin Roiland, photographed in 2018. (Evan Agostini / Invision/AP)

Justin Roiland, co-creator and star of shows such as Rick and Morty and Solar Opposites, is facing felony domestic violence charges in Orange County.

Roiland appeared in court Thursday for a pretrial hearing related to charges filed in May 2020. According to the complaint obtained by The Times, Roiland is facing one count of domestic battery with corporal injury and one count of false imprisonment by menace, violence, fraud and deceit.

Per the complaint, the charges are related to an incident that occurred on or about Jan. 19, 2020, involving an unnamed Jane Doe who was dating Roiland at that time. Orange County Superior Court records indicate Roiland pleaded not guilty to both felony counts when he was arraigned in October 2020. According to these court records, Roiland had been released after posting a $50,000 bond that August.

Roiland's attorney adamantly denied the charges in a statement to The Times.

"It is hard to overstate how inaccurate the recent media coverage of this situation has been," Roiland's attorney, T. Edward Welbourn, said in a statement. "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."

Roiland is best known for co-creating and starring in hit adult animated shows including Adult Swims Emmy Award-winning Rick and Morty (with Dan Harmon) as well as Hulus Solar Opposites (with Mike McMahan). Among his most recent projects is Koala Man, which premiered on Hulu earlier this month.

According to NBC News, which was first to report on the case, a protective order was filed against Roiland in October 2020 to bar him from harassing, threatening or surveilling the person named in the order. Roiland was also reportedly ordered to turn in any firearms he owned or possessed and is not to go within 100 feet of the person named in the order. The person's identity is unknown.

The court will reconvene for Roilands pretrial hearing on April 27.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Robert Hur, the newly appointed special counsel investigating classified documents found at President Joe Biden's home and former office, has seen  and prosecuted  it all as a former Justice Department official who headed the Maryland U.S. Attorneys Office from 2018 to 2021.

Before then-President Donald Trump appointed him to that position, Hur worked in the DOJ trenches as an assistant U.S. attorney from 2007 to 2014, prosecuting gang members, firearms offenders, narcotics traffickers and white-collar criminals accused of financial fraud, public corruption tax offenses and computer network intrusions.

As Marylands top attorney, Hur  who was called out of government retirement on Thursday by Attorney General Merrick Garland  supervised one of the largest and busiest U.S. Attorneys offices in the nation and set the strategic priorities for it.

Garland appoints special counsel: Attorney General Merrick Garland taps special counsel to probe Biden classified documents

In that role, he oversaw the successful prosecutions of white supremacists, COVID-19 fund fraudsters, Asian hate crime perpetrators and drug cartel kingpins. His office also worked on the long-running investigation and prosecution of former National Security Agency contractor Harold Martin, who was accused by authorities of taking a breathtaking amount of classified material and storing it in his Glen Burnie, Maryland, home.

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 Thursday in announcing Hurs appointment.

"I am confident that Mr. Hur will carry out his responsibility in an even-handed and urgent manner, Garland said, and in accordance with the highest traditions of this Department.

For his work as U.S. attorney, Hur received the Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award for superior performance and excellence as a lawyer.

Story continues

Questions remain unanswered: Questions about Joe Biden documents escalate as second batch of records is found

When Hur left office as the top Maryland prosecutor in February 2021, Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, both Maryland Democrats, praised him for upholding the finest traditions of the office and the U.S. Department of Justice.

The two senators cited Hurs work to establish the Baltimore Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, which created a permanent federal, state, and local law enforcement partnership to combat violent crime in Baltimore.

In March 2021, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan tapped Hur  who is Asian American  to lead a state work group on anti-Asian American violence. The panel was tasked with meeting with affected groups, analyzing crime against Asian Americans and making recommendations to improve policing efforts and prosecution of related hate crimes.

Rod Rosenstein, a former deputy attorney general in the Trump administration, brought Hur to serve as his top assistant and help supervise the work of then-special counsel Robert Mueller, who led the contentious investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 election.

The inquiry shadowed much of Donald Trumps presidency and would later catalog the then-presidents attempts to obstruct the investigation, though he was not charged.

He understands that there are some jobs that are unpleasant but need to be done and done right, Rosenstein said.

U.S. Attorney Robert Hur arrives at U.S. District Court in Baltimore in 2019.

The first batch: DOJ reviewing classified documents found at Biden facility from time as VP

The second batch: Second set of classified documents found in Biden's garage after search of 2 residences

Rosenstein represents a link to much of Hurs time at Justice: he hired him as a line prosecutor in Maryland in 2007, brought him to Washington in 2017 and later recommended him for the job as Marylands chief prosecutor, the same job Rosenstein held before his work as deputy attorney general.

He is extremely bright and an accomplished lawyer, a reflection of his academic background, Rosenstein said. He also brought a non-partisan approach to the job.

Rosenstein said Hur also arrived with a keen sense of humor.

At Rosensteins going away party at the Justice Department, Hur took advantage of his time at the microphone where Rosenstein said he mocked his former boss repeated speech references to former Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson. He also seized on Rosensteins default expression: Excellent!

He got a lot of laughs on that, as I recall, Rosenstein said.

Before his Senate confirmation as U.S. attorney, Hur served as the principal associate deputy attorney general at Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C. from 2017 to 2018. In the position, Hur was a member of the Department's senior leadership team and the principal counselor to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, assisting him with oversight of all components of the department, according to DOJ.

Hur received his law degree from Stanford University where he served as executive editor of the Stanford Law Review. Following law school, he served a law clerk for then-Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robert Hur: Who is special counsel appointed to probe Biden documents?
A second person has died after a house fire Friday in Salisbury, officials in Rowan County confirmed to Channel 9.

The fire started just after 7 a.m. on Duke Drive, which is located off Old Concord Road.

When firefighters got there, the sheriffs office said first responders pulled two people from the house.

One person died on the scene. On Tuesday, officials said a second person died from their injuries. The victims have been identified as 31-year-old Matthew Wayne Bradshaw and 31-year-old Amber Louise Mowery.

ALSO READ: Officials investigating south Charlotte fire that was intentionally set

Fire [crews] did an excellent job getting here and locating victims and getting them out of the house as quickly as they could, said Travis Allen of the Rowan County Sheriffs Office.

Ch. 9s Anthony Kustura could see investigators working in the area past 9 a.m. The State Bureau of Investigation was called in to help with the investigation, which is standard for a fire in Rowan County.

Breaking: Weve just learned from the Rowan County Sheriffs Office that one person died in the house fire, another person was taken to the hospital. The SBI has been called in to help with the investigation. @wsoctv https://t.co/fNS9BE8mrO  Anthony Kustura (@AnthonyWSOC9) January 13, 2023

Traffic backups were reported near Peeler and Webb Road after the fire. It is unclear how the fire started.

(WATCH BELOW: Donations pour in after beloved middle school coach loses home in fire)
Commenting on the Russian attacks on Kherson on Ukrainian national television on Jan. 13, the head of the joint press center of the Tavria axis of the Defense Forces, Yevhen Yerin, said that the situation in Kherson Oblast continues to be difficult.

Yerin stressed that the shelling of Kherson makes no military sense for the Russians. Instead, it is a means of placing psychological pressure on Ukrainian civilians.

"This pressure is not only on Kherson residents, but also on those people who are in the temporarily occupied territories and who are waiting for the return of Ukrainian authorities and have a pro-Ukrainian position, he said.

The enemy wants to show: Look what happened to Kherson, it will happen to you if (Ukraines) Armed Forces come here.

The Russian army regularly attacks both Kherson Oblast and the oblasts main city.

After Russian attacks on New Year's Eve, Kherson was left without electricity. As a result of shelling in the early hours of Jan. 1, one person was killed and another wounded.

In the city, the buildings of the regional children's hospital were damaged in attacks, with about seven hits being recorded. More than 700 windows in the hospital were broken.

On Jan. 5, Russian troops struck a fire station in Kherson. Earlier on the same day, Russian shelling of the central part of the city killed an 18-year-old man.

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The China Manned Space Agency on Friday unveiled a detailed list of crop seeds and microbial strains on board the Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 manned spaceships.

More than 1,300 pieces of crop seeds and microbial strains from 112 contributors, including Chinese universities, research institutes, and grass-root breeding stations, were brought into space for breeding experiments.

China launched the crewed spaceship Shenzhou-14 on June 5, 2022, to dock with its space station combination, and then the Shenzhou-15 on Nov. 29, to render the country's first in-orbit crew rotation.

Astronauts on two missions are tasked with performing breeding experiments in the space station.

Among the seeds are those of staple foods like rice, wheat, and potato, familiar fruits and vegetables, forage grass, and herbal materials used in traditional Chinese medicine. A variety of probiotics are on the experimental list.

Space breeding involves exposing seeds and strains to cosmic radiation and microgravity during a spaceflight mission to mutate their genes.

The space breeding tests have been conducted in all the flight missions during the essential technology verification phase of China's space station project. Thousands of crop seeds and microorganisms were carried into space and brought back to Earth by Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13 crews.

Chinese scientists have completed the 120-day life-cycle growth experiments of rice in its space station, which is for the first time in the world. The experiments were conducted from July 29 to Nov. 25 last year.

In future missions, more experimental samples will be sent into space to ensure China's food security, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
Sputnik/Pavel Bednyakov/Kremlin via Reuters

Russias close ally Belarus could formally join the war in Ukraine in the coming days if Moscow concludes that Ukraine has used force against either Russia or Belarus, a senior Russian foreign ministry official warned Friday.

Any use of force by the Kyiv regime or a Ukrainian military invasion of either Belarus or Russia would be enough to trigger a collective response, Aleksey Polishchuk, a director of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told TASS, referring to the so-called Union State that Belarus and Russia formed together years ago, in which the countries have been enmeshing their banking, military, and economic sectors.

The republic has the sovereign right to defend its territory through all means available and Minsk can count on Russias full support here, Polishchuk said.

The warning comes as fears mount that Russia may be preparing a renewed offensive in the new year against Ukraine that could be launched northwest of Ukraine from Belarus. Russia has repeatedly used Belarus as a launching ground to conduct attacks against Ukraine since the war broke out last February, including Russias failed attempt to storm and capture Kyiv.

Last week Ukraines chief military intelligence official warned Russia to brace for attacks deeper and deeper into Russian territory, following multiple suspected Ukrainian attacks last month inside Russia proper.

The diplomat did not clarify what Russia or Belarus would consider a use of force, which leaves wiggle room for the Kremlin to justify a whole host of activities against Ukraine.

Ukrainian authorities have been eyeing the potential threat from Belarus in recent days as well. Yurii Ihnat, a spokesperson for the Air Force Command of Ukraine's Armed Forces, warned that missile attacks could come from Belarus in the coming days, according to The Guardian.

Putins Neighbor Sends Troops Toward Ukraine Border in Menacing Drill

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who warned that Russia might launch a new offensive in 2023, said Ukraine must be ready on the border with Belarus.

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Zelensky assembled senior aides this week in Lviv to discuss the condition and strengthening of fortifications on the border, as well as material support of border guards and servicemen in the regions bordering Belarus, according to Polish radio.

Russia has been preparing Belarus military for months now. Just this week, the Commander-in-Chief of Russias Ground Forces, Army General Oleg Salyukov, paid a visit to Belarus to inspect the readiness of the Belarus-Russia regional military force, according to Belta. Air defense units of the Belarus-Russia regional military force have been reinforced, deployed, and have assumed combat duty this week as well, Belta reported. Belarus also initiated a snap inspection of combat readiness this week.

Its not clear how soon Russia could launch a new offensive in Ukraine. Russias resources have been strained in recent days due to heavy fighting in Soledar in Ukraine. The status of the city was not immediately clear Friday after intense fightingRussias Defense Ministry claimed it had captured Soledar, while a spokesperson for Ukraines troops in the east of the country denied that Russia won the battle. Russian forces have tried and failed for months to take the nearby city of Bakhmut as well.

And although Russias logistics, command and control, and morale have been floundering in the last ten months of war, there are some indications that Moscow may be looking for a rejuvenated war plan.

Earlier this week, the Kremlin promoted Gen. Valery Gerasimov to command Russias troops in Ukraine, replacing Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who had been leading the forces for three months. A return to Gerasimov, who previously led Russias forces in the war in its failed blitz to take over all of Ukraine in a matter of days, could indicate Moscow is looking to ramp up its assault on Ukraine in the new year.

The U.S. Department of Defense has assessed that Gerasimovs promotion likely reflects systemic challenges that the Russian military has faced logistics problems, command and control morale and the large failure to achieve the strategic objectives that theyve set for themselves, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Thursday.

Turning to Gerasimov could be a sign of desperation as well. British intelligence assesses that his promotion could underline the increasing seriousness of the situation Russia is facing.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Fighting continues in Soledar, Donetsk Oblast. The Russians struck the city 91 times during a day, while the Defence Forces killed more than 100 invaders.

Source: Serhii Cherevatyi, the spokesman for the eastern group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, on air of the national joint 24/7 newcast; Hanna Maliar, Deputy Defence Minister of Ukraine, on Telegram

Quote from Cherevatyi: "Fighting is ongoing in Soledar, and the enemy has concentrated its main efforts there. First of all, the most trained units of the Wagner PMC and units of other branches of the Russian Federation. (The enemy) is making constant strikes; in particular, during the day, 91 artillery strikes were made on Soledar.

However, our Rocket Forces and Artillery units concentrated their efforts to knock out the enemy as much as possible. In particular, more than 100 occupiers were killed by artillery and rockets during that day."

Details: According to Cherevatyi, the Russian forces continue to try to take the initiative on the Bakhmut front.

In total, 42 combat engagements took place on this front over the course of the day.

The Defence Forces are trying to worsen the logistics of the Russian forces, destroying storage points in particular. For this reason, according to Cherevatyi, the occupiers were instructed not to unload weapons closer than 100 kilometres from the contact line.

The Armed Forces hit the cluster of Russian equipment and personnel, primarily with high-precision systems such as HIMARS and MLRS.

Hanna Maliar confirms that the Russians continue their offensive in the area of Soledar.

Quote from Maliar: "The enemy's goal is to break through the defences of our troops and capture the city. Attempts to surround Bakhmut also continue. To do this, the enemy uses Wagner units and regular troops.

Our soldiers are bravely holding their positions and inflicting significant losses on the enemy."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






By Mark Trevelyan

LONDON (Reuters) - Authorities in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine have accused a Briton who worked as an international conflict monitor of spying for Ukraine, a Russian news agency said on Friday.

State-owned RIA said David Orrells, who worked as a drone operator for the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), was suspected of handing over intelligence on the positions of Russian-backed fighters and weaponry that the Ukrainians then used to launch attacks on them.

Contacted by Reuters, Orrells said he had left Ukraine's Luhansk region in February last year, shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine, and was now "perfectly safe" back in the UK.

He described the allegation as "laughable" and said he did not know why it was being made now.

The investigation was launched by the state security ministry of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), one of Russia's proxies in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

Before the invasion, Orrells led an OSCE team using drones to monitor a frequently violated ceasefire between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed forces, in a conflict that had dragged on since 2014.

He said he passed on the images for analysis by OSCE colleagues who filed daily updates on the situation along the line of contact between the two sides.

Orrells said the monitors encountered "massive suspicion" from the LPR side. "They would do anything to upset and annoy and obstruct us."

The OSCE ended the mission after the Russian invasion on Feb. 24 last year.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by William Maclean)
A file image of President Vladimir Putin visiting Uralvagonzavod tank factory in Nizhny Tagil in 2015. Alexei Nikolskyi/Sputnik/Kremlin via Reuters

Russia announced it's using the forced labor of convicts to manufacture weaponry.

Russia has burned through much of its initial supply of tanks and ammunition, per Western estimates.

The UK MOD said that manufacturers are likely under intense pressure to keep the army supplied.

A British defense intelligence assessment says that Russia is "highly likely" using prison labor in its defense manufacturing as it struggles to keep up with the demands of the war.

"The prison population provides a unique human resource to Russian leaders to utilize in support of the 'special military operation' while willing volunteers remain in short supply," the UK's Ministry of Defence wrote in an intelligence update on Friday, using Russia's euphemism for its invasion of Ukraine.

The UK MOD pointed to reports from late November in which Uralvagonzavod, Russia's sole tank manufacturer, announced it would use the forced labor of 250 convicts from Nizhny Tagil, a remote town 75 miles north of Yekaterinburg.

Russia, which reintroduced forced prison labor in 2017, has a prison population of around 400,000, as well as a system accused of perpetuating "extreme brutality and corruption," the UK MOD said.

Despite its vast initial supply of tanks  the International Institute for Strategic Studies estimated it had 12,800 as of April last year  Russia appears to have suffered losses faster than it can replace them.

In November, US officials estimated that Russia had lost half of its main battle tanks since the start of the war. Open-source documentation project Oryx has counted 1621 tanks destroyed, damaged, abandoned or captured.

Meanwhile, the Uralvagonzavod factory is capable of manufacturing or upgrading around 20-30 tanks a month, according to the Kyiv Post. It is likely under "intense pressure" to produce more, the UK MOD said.

The UK MOD report follows several signals that Russia, like Ukraine, is grappling with difficulties in keeping its front line supplied with a wide range of munitions.

Story continues

In September, as international sanctions bit, US intelligence officials said that Russia had turned to North Korea for the supply of millions of artillery shells and rockets, The New York Times reported.

Estonia's intelligence chief Colonel Margo Grosberg told a press conference in November last year that Russia had used up almost two thirds of its ammunition, according to Estonian state broadcaster ERR. And by December, a senior US military official said that Russia had resorted to firing 40-year-old artillery shells from its dwindling stockpile, CNN reported.

While Ukrainian and US estimates differ, both countries have said that the daily rate of artillery fire from Russia has dropped dramatically in recent months  suggesting that Russia is rationing its ammo, CNN reported.

Ukraine is also finding spent Russian missiles that were clearly manufactured in 2022, Ukrainian Ministry of Defense representative Vadym Skibitskyi told Ukrainian broadcaster RBC earlier this month.

This suggests that Russian missiles are going straight from the production line to the front lines, he said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Dutch publication Nieuwe Mobile posted leaked images today of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and S23 Plus. The alleged renders show the camera placement, colors and design of the new flagships, which Samsung is set to announce next month.

The S23 Ultra and Plus appear to share a metal frame and glass cover design. Both models appear in four colors: Phantom Black, Cotton Flower (cream), Botanic Green and Misty Lilac (pink or lavender). Those line up with colors leaked this week by WinFuture, which should mean all S23 series models have the same color options. In other areas, the Ultras back appears flatter than its predecessors and has five camera sensors. Additionally, three of the S23 Ultras lenses (likely the primary, ultra-wide and 10x telephoto cameras) are bigger than the other two. The Ultras side buttons also sit slightly lower than those on its predecessor.

According to rumors, the Ultra will have a 200-megapixel main camera, a first for the Galaxy lineup. (Standard and Plus models should have 50 megapixels.) In addition, the Ultra is also rumored to have better autofocus and stabilization than its predecessor. Both phones are expected to run on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipsets globally, a change from Samsungs familiar strategy of using Snapdragon processors in the US and Exynos chips in Asia and Europe.

Samsung will announce all the details in its Galaxy Unpacked event on February 1st. However, the company has already opened reservations for Americans, offering $50 in credit if you pre-order one Galaxy smartphone or $100 in credit if you reserve it along with a Galaxy Book.
Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell

Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell will not enforce the registration requirement of the recently passed statewide assault-style weapons ban.

Campbell, who said the bill violates the 2nd Amendment, on Thursday joined more than 70 county sheriffs who have said they will not comply with the act.

"I believe this is not just my moral duty, but my constitutional duty to defend the citizens' right to keep and bear arms," he said in a phone interview Thursday.

More:Pritzker signs assault-style weapons ban

The Protect Illinois Communities Act, signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday night, immediately bans the sale and purchase of a long list of semi-automatic firearms and gives owners of those weapons until Jan. 1, 2024, to report their serial numbers with the Illinois State Police.

Constitutional questions have been at the heart of the debate since the bill was introduced in December.

House Bill 5471 was the final version of the act approved by the 102nd Illinois General Assembly and included much more than a ban on a long list of firearms. The ban pertains to assault-style attachments and .50 caliber rifles, but also set limits on high-capacity magazines.

The main crux of the issue for Campbell is the weapons registry provision of the act.

The sheriff said in a statement that his office will not be "proactively 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 this act, without a warrant, court order or exigent circumstances that deems that person a threat to our safety."

Earlier versions of PICA gave gunowners 180 days to register with ISP, but they now have until next year.

Regardless of the provision in the bill, the sheriff said he is totally opposed to the legislation.

Gov. JB Pritzker, flocked by legislators and gun safety advocates, signed the Protect Illinois Communities Act on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023 to ban assault-style weapons, attachments, and high-capacity magazines in Illinois.

"At this point, I don't see any part of it that I am comfortable with because all it does is begin to encroach on our Second Amendment rights," he said, warning of possible further firearms restrictions from the legislature.

Story continues

Having to register guns at all was an issue among Republican lawmakers during the House and Senate floor debates. Former gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey called the action "tyrannous."

The Illinois Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America organization was present in a proponent status at both committee meetings for PICA in Chicago last month and at the Capitol over the past two weeks for the lame duck session. In response to the sheriffs who have said they will not enforce the bill, the organization said law enforcement needs to follow the law.

"Law enforcement officers take an oath to uphold the laws," the group said in a statement. "None of us get to decide which ones we will follow and which ones we will not."

Pritzker held a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol building on Tuesday.

The governor was asked what would happen if law enforcement did not adhere to the bill. He also addressed potential litigation against PICA.

Anybody who doesnt comply, there are consequences for that, he said. You dont get to choose which laws you comply with in the state of Illinois. The State Police is responsible for enforcement, as are all law enforcement all across this state. They will, in fact, do their job or they wont be in their job.

The Illinois State Rifle Association already has said it will challenge the matter in court.

Related:'A better picture for law enforcement': New officers bring optimism to a challenged SPD

There was little bipartisanship in terms of the vote with only former House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs supporting the measure among GOP lawmakers. Several Democrats voted against it including state Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield.

The belief among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle is it would take more than HB 5471 to reduce gun violence, perhaps the sole common thread among Republican and Democrat lawmakers.

Campbell said many laws are already in place that could help alleviate gun violence in the state, but a lack of enforcement has kept any progress from happening.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Illinois had a death rate by firearm of 14.1 per 100,000 residents and 1,745 deaths in 2020 which was 25th in the country.

"Part of this bill could have included increased penalties for criminals that use guns in the commission of a crime," he said. "They didn't enhance that or add any more mandatory prison time."

Other central Illinois county sheriffs announcing they will not enforce the ban include Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp, Logan County Sheriff Mark Landers, Macon County Sheriff Jim Root and Menard County Sheriff Mark Oller.

Contact Patrick Keck: pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckreporter.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Campbell, other sheriffs push back against weapons ban, gun registry
A parent of a student connected to a suspected abuse case at Ocean Bay Elementary school filed a lawsuit against the school and the district on Thursday.

The lawsuit, filed by John Doe on behalf of his non-verbal special needs daughter, states that on Oct. 20 an outside investigator informed Doe that around Feb. 1, Ocean Bay Elementary special education teacher Grace McColgan was caught on video punching his daughter.

The lawsuit says the student was under Grace McColgans care during that school year.

Hearing in case for suspended Horry County, SC Principal pushed back to late January

The suit also says that the incident was reported to Principal Rebecca Schroyer, who failed to take any action to prevent the physical abuse, and allowed the student to remain in the same classroom with McColgan despite knowing she was unfit to be a teacher.

Attorneys Tiffany K. Buffkin and Ian D. Maguire, with Maguire Law Firms, represent the plaintiff in this case.

According to Buffkin, the civil case stem from the same facts of the criminal investigation. This civil case is also about a lack of transparency, Buffkin said.

The civil suit is obviously requesting damages, Buffkin said. But one thing I hope we can accomplish through civil litigation is encourage transparency between the school district and parents.

Nonverbal students cant go home and report what happened to them, she added.

What law is Horry SC principal accused of breaking? Reporting child abuse is mandatory

McColgan is currently facing criminal charges for six counts of unlawful conduct towards a child stemming from the 2021-22 school year. Schroyer is facing two counts of failing to report child abuse or neglect.

Both McColgan and Schroyer, who were arrested in November, have since been placed on administrative leave from the school district.

The suspended principal and teacher are still on Horrys payroll. What you need to know.

The South Carolina Board of Education has temporarily suspended McColgans teaching certificate pending the investigation.

Story continues

The school district is also paying for Principal Schroyers legal fees.

The parent is asking for any and all damages under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, which limits the amount of liability a government entity has in cases of personal injury.

Horry teacher charged with child neglect was suspended eight months prior

The Horry County School District does not comment on pending litigation, according to spokesperson Lisa Bourcier.

This article was updated on Jan. 13 at 12:15 p.m.
Virginian Pilot / TNS

School officials were told that the 6-year-old who shot his teacher in class had a weapon on him before the shooting, a Virginia school superintendent said.

At a virtual town hall meeting on Thursday evening, Newport News Public Schools Superintendent George Parker told parents that someone had reported that the child was possibly armed when he arrived at school the morning of Jan. 6. The first-grader's backpack was searched, but there was no weapon found inside, Parker said.

Parker also said that "at least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon in the timeline of events that occurred," Michelle Price, a spokesperson for the school district, told BuzzFeed News.

It's unclear who made the report and who searched the child's bag. The town hall was only made available to parents, WAVY TV 10 reported.

The boy is accused of intentionally shooting his teacher in class at Richneck Elementary School. The bullet went through the teacher's hand and into her chest, authorities said, leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

The teacher, Abigail Zwerner, was praised by officials for shepherding the rest of the students out of the classroom after being shot. Police said a school official physically restrained the child until officers arrived.

Zwerner, 25, is in stable condition at the hospital.

Steve Drew, the Newport News police chief, said the gun was legally purchased by the boy's mother but declined to say where or how the firearm was stored in their home.

The school district has said it will make changes to security measures at all schools, including installing metal detectors.

The shooting at Richneck Elementary has angered and unnerved parents, some of whom said they had demanded increased security measures after shootings at two high schools in the district in the last school year.

In December 2021, a 17-year-old was killed after being shot during an altercation on the grounds of Menchville High School. Another teen was sentenced to 10 years in prison in August 2022 for firing several shots in a hallway at Heritage High School during a fight, injuring two students.

Story continues

"You've got a beautiful country, you've got beautiful people, but what's the problem? Guns!" one parent told WTKR News. "How does a [6]-year-old have a gun? That's what I'm pissed off with. I'm only here because my husband's in the military, or otherwise I would not have chosen to come to this country."

Parent reacts to student allegedly shooting teacher at Newport News school https://t.co/ekScuGHtj8 10:20 PM - 06 Jan 2023

More on this
Members of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol on Wednesday assist in the search for missing 4-year-old Athena Brownfield of Cyril. COURTESY OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL

CYRIL  Two people have now been arrested in connection with the disappearance of Athena Brownfield, a 4-year-old Oklahoma girl whose 5-year-old sister was discovered wandering alone outside by a postal worker, state investigators said Friday.

Arizona authorities arrested 36-year-old Ivon Adams on Thursday, and he is being held in the Maricopa County jail in Phoenix pending extradition to Oklahoma, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said in a news release.

Authorities earlier arrested Alysia Adams, 31, on two counts of child neglect, the bureau said in a statement late Thursday. Alysia Adams remained jailed in Oklahoma's Caddo County on Friday.

The bureau released no further details about the arrests or what the suspects' relationship is. It was not known if either Adams had an attorney to comment on their behalf.

A bureau spokesperson did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment Friday.

The arrests are related to the search for Athena, who was reported missing Tuesday in Cyril, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) southwest of Oklahoma City, the bureau said.

The postal carrier found Athenas sister wandering alone outside Adams' home Tuesday afternoon and alerted Cyril police. Authorities then determined that Athena was missing.

The girls had been in the care of Adams and her husband, and Athena's sister was taken into protective custody, the bureau said Wednesday.

Authorities said they believe Athena was wearing a hoodie with a butterfly design when she disappeared.

The bureau said it was working with other law enforcement agencies and volunteers in the search, which included a helicopter, boats, all-terrain vehicles, a specially trained ground team, and a review of surveillance video from around Cyril.

The city of Cyril has also suspended trash service as investigators search for clues.

The bureau said agents were following up on tips coming from Oklahoma and other states.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 2 caretakers arrested in connection to disappearance of Cyril girl
The driver of this SUV is accused of ramming and damaging two Poulsbo police vehicles on Wednesday.

A 31-year-old Seattle woman is accused of ramming a pair of Poulsbo police vehicles with the SUV she was driving after attempting to escape from an officer and crashing through the gate at Snider Park early Wednesday morning.

The driver was charged with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and first-degree malicious mischief in Kitsap County Superior Court on Thursday. She made an appearance in court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Bail was set at $50,000.

A Poulsbo officer attempted to pull over the 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe that the suspect was driving shortly after 1 a.m., when the vehicle pulled out of the AMPM gas station on Viking Avenue without signaling, according to court documents filed Thursday. The vehicle sped away from the officer north on Viking Avenue and crashed through the gate at the Snider Park baseball fields.

The Tahoe continued into the park, made multiple circles and eventually drove toward two police vehicles that had been parked in parallel to stop the SUV. A Poulsbo officer reported that he and another officer were standing behind their patrol vehicles giving commands for the driver to get out of the vehicle.

"(The suspect) was driving at approximately 5 mph and at the last second when (she) was approximately 5 ft in front of our cars, I heard a loud rev of the engine and she proceeded to accelerate and collided head on into our patrol cars," the officer wrote in a report about the incident.

The Poulsbo Police Department reported in a social media post that no one was injured in the collision.

The suspect then drove through a fence separating Snider Park and Highway 3, and her vehicle became stuck along the highway. She and two men in the vehicle took off running, and after a short foot pursuit was arrested.

The crash damaged one of the police vehicles and rendered the other inoperable, causing "several thousand dollars" worth of damage, according to court documents.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Seattle woman accused of ramming 2 Poulsbo police vehicles
Tyler (L) and Cameron (R) Winklevoss are the co-founders of cryptocurrency exchange Gemini

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged Genesis Global Capital LLC and Gemini Trust Company LLC on Thursday for allegedly providing unregistered securities to investors through a program that touted a high interest on deposits.

Gemini is a crypto exchange founded by twins Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss and Genesis is a crypto lender. The pair partnered on a venture called Gemini Earn.

Read more

The SEC claims Genesis raised billions of dollars from hundreds of thousands of investors without complying with SEC regulations to register its Gemini Earn Lending program. Through not registering its subsidiary, Genesis and Gemini allegedly bypassed all disclosure requirements designed to protect investors, SEC Chair Gary Gensler said in a statement to The New York Times.

Gensler added 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.

The Winklevoss brothers have called the allegations disappointing and told BBC they look forward to defending themselves and the company.

Gensler said in a separate statement to the outlet, Todays charges build on previous actions to 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. Doing so best protects investors. It promotes trust in markets. Its not optional. Its the law.

Tyler Winklevoss responded in a tweet yesterday, calling it super lame that the SEC notified the press about the lawsuit, allegedly before notifying Genesis and Gemini.



We look forward to defending ourselves against this manufactured parking ticket. And we will make sure this doesnt distract us from the important recovery work we are doing, Winklevoss wrote.

Story continues

He added, For the avoidance of doubt, Gemini has always worked hard to comply with all relevant laws and regulations. Any suggestion to the contrary is unsupported by the facts.

However, a Digital Currency Group spokesperson negated the accusations in a statement to BBC, calling them malicious, false, and defamatory attacks, adding Winklevoss claims are a desperate and unconstructive publicity stunt.

These allegations come as the crypto industry has been decimated followingthe implosion of FTX in November, prompting accusations of fraud against its founder Sam Bankman-Fried.

More from Gizmodo

Sign up for Gizmodo's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
An armed security guard was arrested in the sexual assault of three women, California authorities said.

The security guard is accused of coercing a woman to engage in sexual activity after he got reports of someone trespassing on private property, according to a news release from the Torrance Police Department.

Police said they found the man would target women experiencing homelessness and suffering from drug addiction.

Police were able to identify three victims and the man, who has not been publicly identified, was arrested on Dec. 21, according to the release.

Officials said the Torrance Police Department is working with the Los Angeles District Attorneys Office to look over the case.

Police urge anyone victimized by the man to call the department at 310-328-3465.

If you have experienced sexual assault and need someone to talk to, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline for support at 1-800-656-4673 or visit the hotline's online chatroom.

Homeland security agent says hes untouchable after sexually assaulting women, feds say

School photographer sexually abused kids for decades, California police say

School bus driver charged with sex crimes against child, Oregon cops say
The Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation published the first video of the use of the Ukrainian SHARK intelligence drone in combat conditions in the skies above the occupied city of Donetsk.

Source: Prytula on Facebook

Details: According to him, the video shows a drone conducting reconnaissance and searching for invader targets over the captured city.

Quote: "The quality of the image and the zoom are impressive, of course! In total, we have contracted three sets of such unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In order for our defenders to have more such impressive eyes in the sky, please join us by donating!"

Background: In October 2022, it became known that the Ukrainian company Ukrspecsystems [a Ukrainian manufacturer in the aviation industry  ed.] had developed a new unmanned aerial complex SHARK, which is resistant to work in electronic warfare (EW) conditions, which, among other things, can adjust the American HIMARS artillery rocket systems.

SHARK, among other things, has a secure encrypted connection and a camera with 30x optical zoom and an additional digital zoom.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!






Today, the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office says a man with dementia is safe, after disappearing for three days on Jacksonvilles Westside.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

JSO says officers found 78-year-old Germilus Nonord safe earlier today.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Action News Jax spoke with his son Wilbens Nonord who says he is happy to hear this news.

The last three days have been the most horrifying three days. Unfortunately, he left the house, and didnt take any of the stuff that he normally takes with him like his wallet and his watch, says Wilbens Nonord.

Nonord says this isnt the first time his father has gone missing, but typically the family could find him within 20 minutes, not three days later.

Related Story: Missing, endangered man found safe after 3-day search, Jacksonville police say

Extremely nervous and extremely worried. Especially the area where he lives at there is a lot of bushes in the back, and also ponds, says Nonord.

After days of searching, JSO says Germilus Nonord was found in a wooded area a half-mile from where he was last seen. The family says the 78-year-old is dehydrated and being checked out by doctors, but is expected to be okay.

As temperatures are set to drop this weekend, Nonord says it was critical his dad was found.

The cold weather wouldve gotten to him at some point. Especially during the days that he wasnt eating, so I was very nervous about that, says Nonord.

Nonord has a message for JSO.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

I want to thank them for the service they are doing. Within the community, and the service they provide for me and my family.

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories
SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea's police on Friday said a lack of preparations and an inadequate response were the main causes of the deadly Halloween crush in Seoul last year, wrapping up a monthslong investigation into the tragedy that killed 159 people.

The annual festivities in the popular nightlife area of Itaewon turned deadly on Oct. 29 after tens of thousands of young revellers crowded into narrow alleyways to celebrate the first Halloween free of COVID curbs in three years.

Authorities, including the police, did not devise safety measures even though dense crowds made an accident likely, and did not take appropriate steps after calls for rescue started coming in, said Sohn Je-han, who led the investigation.

"Misjudgement of the situation, delay in sharing information and lack of cooperation among related agencies accumulated to cause large casualties," Sohn told reporters.

The investigation team has referred 23 people, including the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, to prosecutors.

The bereaved families and opposition lawmakers have criticised the police investigation for failing to hold top officials accountable.

"We have so many questions unanswered," Lee Jong-chul, head of a group representing the bereaved families, told reporters as he arrived at a prosecutors' office in Seoul. "We came here to give a victim's statement, expecting a better, expanded investigation."

(Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
South Lebanon Township Police reported two different incidents of shots fired in the last week, one involving shots into a structure Thursday evening.

Police responded to the Met-Ed building at 5:57 a.m. Friday morning for a report of the structure being struck by bullets. Upon further investigation, police learned the front doors of the 600 S. 5th Ave. building had been struck by three bullets.

The incident occurred around 11 p.m. Thursday, according to the official release.

Earlier in the week, police reported shots fired at 10 East Poplar Street at 2:19 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7. Upon investigation police learned residents heard the sounds and observed the muzzle flash of two shots being fired behind the residence.

Several people were observed running away from the area, according to officials. Shell casings were found at the scene.

Police did not say these incidents were related. No one was reported injured in either incident, and no arrests have been reported as of Friday afternoon.

Burglary:State police searching for individuals who broke into East Hanover Twp garage on Christmas Eve

Election 2023:Litz to seek sixth consecutive four-year term as county commissioner

Anyone with information about these two shots fired incidents are asked to call the South Lebanon Township Police Department at 717-274-0482.

This investigation is ongoing. Please check back with the Lebanon Daily News for updates.

Matthew Toth is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at mtoth@ldnews.com or on Twitter at @DAMattToth.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: S Lebanon Twp Police searching for who fired at Med-Ed building
Travelers queue up at the check-in counters for Southwest Airlines in Denver International Airport, December 30, 2022. AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File

Southwest shareholders are suing the airline following its mass flight cancellations in December.

The lawsuit accuses it of downplaying or not noting previous issues in its scheduling system.

The company cancelled almost 17,000 flights in December and said its scheduling system was a factor.

A group of Southwest Airlines shareholders are suing the carrier, alleging that the airline hid problems that led to its major meltdown in December, when thousands of flights were cancelled across the country, stranding fliers sometimes overnight in airports as they looked to travel during the holidays.

The shareholders filed a class action lawsuit against the airline, its CEO, CFO, and executive chairman on Thursday, in federal court in Houston, alleging that the airline had downplayed or did not note failures in its scheduling system earlier.

The lawsuit describes the airline as having a "meltdown over the 2022 holiday season" and said the company had tried to "downplay" previous issues with its scheduling.

As such, shareholders "have suffered significant losses and damages" because the company's market value dropped, it said.

It's not clear how many shareholders have joined the lawsuit.

Southwest canceled almost 17,000 flights in December, and pointed to its scheduling system as a factor.

The cancelled flights meant staff and customers were stranded across the US, with some customers making days-long journeys to get to their destinations, some saying they lost thousands of dollars, and with staff sometimes needing to book their own hotel rooms after they got stuck.

Southwest cancelled significantly more flights than any other airline during the severe December weather.

The vice-president of the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association, Mike Santoro, told Insider that the company's "outdated" scheduling system made the disruption worse, saying it also meant that the airline could not figure out where its own crew was.

Last week the airline's CEO, Bob Jordan, took responsibility in an interview with Reuters, saying that there were a lot of reasons that this happened "but it's on me at the end of the day."

Story continues

He added that "it just can't happen again."

The union that represents the airline's pilots has also been scathing in its response.

The vice captain of the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association accused former Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly, who stepped down in January 2022 but is still the company's executive chairman, of turning the airline "into a headquarters-centric cult."

It also said that "our executives continue to apologize and 'accept responsibility' out of one side of their mouths while making banal excuses that deflect from the true cause out of the other side."

This new lawsuit adds to its woes.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sri Lankas Catholic Church urged the country Friday to criminally prosecute its former leader for negligence, a day after the top court ordered him to pay compensation to the victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday bomb attacks that killed nearly 270 people.

Two local Muslim groups that had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group were accused of carrying out six near-simultaneous suicide bomb attacks, targeting worshippers at Easter services in three churches and tourists having breakfast at three popular hotels. The attacks killed 269 and wounded some 500 more.

Duthika Perera, an attorney representing Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, said the church expects the attorney general to file criminal charges against former President Maithripala Sirisena and four others whom the court found to have neglected their duties to protect the people.

In its decision Thursday on a fundamental rights petition  filed by families of victims, religious leaders and well-wishers  the court said two top intelligence officials, a former secretary to the ministry of defense and Sirisena, who was also defense minister and commander in chief of the armed forces, failed to act on near-specific foreign intelligence that was received prior to the attacks.

The court ordered Sirisena to pay 100 million rupees ($273,300) from his personal funds. The other four were ordered to pay a total of 210 million rupees ($574,000).

So overall we are satisfied by this judgement and the Archbishop of Colombo is anticipating that the attorney general will also take steps to criminally prosecute against these respondents based on the findings of the Supreme Court, Perera said.

Ranjith said they would continue to seek justice for those killed in the attack.

This is a beginning, and it is a very happy beginning, and we are very happy that the learned judges gave us such hope for a future for this country, which is a much-needed hope for the developing of our nation, he said. We know with this attack tourism completely collapsed, leading to the present crisis in Sri Lanka."

Story continues

The attacks badly damaged tourism, a key source of foreign exchange, and contributed to Sri Lanka's ongoing crisis.

The government has prosecuted several people in connection with the attacks, but leaders of the countrys Catholic Church say they suspect a larger conspiracy and are demanding that the leaders be revealed. Ranjith on Friday called for a deeper investigation.

A presidential commission had earlier recommended criminal charges against Sirisena but it has not been followed up.
As strong severe storms, likely several tornadoes, moved through metro Atlanta, they left a path of destruction across North Georgia.

The storms caused the side of a warehouse to cave in near the area of Blairs Bridge Road and Oak Ridge Parkway.

Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Chief Michele Newell went to the auto parts warehouse shortly after the storm passed to assess the damage.

When she got to the scene, she found one whole side of the warehouse in pieces scattered across the ground.

RELATED STORIES:

There were definitely workers inside this building when this happened, Newell said during her live report on Channel 2 Action News at 5 p.m. I spoke to some people in this area, and they told me they heard a really loud noise. They said they even saw a transformer across the street blow up. Its just a crazy situation out here.

Newell is checking to see if anyone was injured in the incident but said everyone made it out of the warehouse.

Stay with WSBTV.com as we assess the damage left by todays storms for LIVE updates on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m.

RELATED NEWS:
The case before the Supreme Court highlights a long-standing dispute over whether employers must "reasonably accommodate" an employee's time off for religious observance. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

The Supreme Court agreed Friday to rule on extending federal civil rights law to protect workers who seek to take time off for religious observances.

The justices voted to hear an appeal from an evangelical Christian and former postal worker who was disciplined and eventually quit because he refused to deliver packages on Sundays.

His case highlighted a long-standing dispute over whether employers must reasonably accommodate an employees religious observance or if they may refuse if accommodating it poses even a minor hardship for their business.

In the case of former postal worker Gerald Groff, his supervisors said it was hard to find other employees who could cover the Sunday Amazon deliveries in his rural community near Lancaster, Pa.

He sued, alleging religious discrimination, but lost before a federal judge and in a 2-1 decision by the 3rd Circuit Court in Philadelphia, which agreed the employer faced a hardship.

But the Supreme Courts conservatives have signaled they are prepared to reconsider the law in this area and reverse what they see as a wrong turn taken in the 1970s. They said they agreed with the leading liberals of that era  Justices Thurgood Marshall and William J. Brennan  who faulted the majority at the time as having made a  mockery of Congress protection of religious liberty in the workplace.

The court said it would hear arguments in April in the case of Groff vs. DeJoy and issue a ruling by late June.

The case could bring together the liberal and conservative justices. A ruling on the issue would cover other aspects of religious observance, including wearing scarves, turbans or beards on the job. Lawyers representing Sikhs, Muslims, Jews and Seventh-day Adventists have joined in support of the appeal and urged the court to restore strong protection for religious liberty.

The legal dispute is not over the 1st Amendments protection for the free exercise of religion, but rather about workers rights.

Story continues

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited public and private employers from discriminating based on race, religion, sex or national origin. In 1972, Congress extended this protection to all aspects of religious observance and practice, as well as belief.

A workers claim of discrimination should prevail, the law said, unless an employer demonstrates that he is unable to reasonably accommodate to an employees or prospective employees religious observance or practice without undue hardship on the conduct of the employers business.

In its first major ruling on this provision, however, the high court watered it down in 1977 by saying the law did not tilt in favor of religion or put burdens on employers. They were not required to shift the work schedules of some employees in order to enable others to observe their Sabbath, the justices ruled in TWA vs. Hardison.

In that case, Larry Hardison was a TWA maintenance department clerk in Kansas City, Mo. He was a member of the Worldwide Church of God and refused to work on the Saturday Sabbath, but was willing to work overnight shifts and at other odd times. However, both his union and the airline objected to requiring others to work in his place on Saturdays, and he was fired.

To require TWA to bear more than a de minimis cost in order to give Hardison Saturdays off is an undue hardship, the court said in a 7-2 decision.

Todays result is intolerable, Marshall wrote in dissent, for the court adopts the very position that Congress expressly rejected in 1972, leaving employees with the cruel choice of surrendering their religion or their job.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Andrius Sytas

VILNIUS (Reuters) - Taiwan is ready to help Ukraine upgrade its digital infrastructure in fields such as remote learning as part of rebuilding efforts after the war, the island's Digital Minister Audrey Tang told Reuters.

Tang was visiting Vilnius in her first foreign visit since being appointed as digital minister in August 2022. She pointed to the digitalisation of Taiwan's education system as an area where the island could help.

"Taiwan has already provided humanitarian aid (to Ukraine) in terms of generators, equipment and so, but we are also thinking about the digital layer," Tang told Reuters on Friday.

"We want to provide what has enabled the various people in Taiwan to be a transcultural learning community, despite very different backgrounds."

Tang said there are no official talks with Ukraine's government on digital cooperation, but she is in contact with personal connections.

Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year, saying Kyiv's ties with the West threatened Russia's security. Ukraine and its allies call it an unprovoked war to seize territory.

In Vilnius, Tang laid a wreath on graves of civilians killed in January 1991 at the hands of the Soviet army, during a failed attempt to overthrow the pro-independence government.

Taiwan opened a representative office in Vilnius in November 2021, irking China, which views the self-ruled island as part of its territory.

China downgraded diplomatic ties with Vilnius, prompting the Lithuanian government to withdraw its diplomats from Beijing.

Reuters has reported China was pressuring German companies to stop using components made in Lithuania, which is a member of both the European Union and NATO.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Sharron Singleton)
LIMA, Peru (AP)  A 16-year-old shot during a protest in the southern Peruvian region of Puno died on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 49 in more than a month of unrest following the ouster of President Pedro Castillo.

Relatives of the teen, who Peruvian officials only identified by the initials B.A.J., say he had been hospitalized in critical condition for two days after being shot in the head.

His passing raised the number of deaths during protests in hard-hit Puno region, home to Lake Titicaca, to 19. Among the dead are a policeman who was attacked and burned to death by a group of protesters. Across Peru, the death toll amid the protests stands at 49.

The Ombudsmans Office said Thursday that there were mobilizations, strikes and roadblocks in 35 provinces, most of them in the southern regions of the Andean country.

In Lima, hundreds of people marched through the citys center demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, the closure of Congress and immediate elections. Some called for the release of Castillo, who remains in prison. The governors of Puno, Cusco and Apurimac have called for Boluartes resignation.

In Cusco, the region where the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is located, a group of protesters tried to set fire to the police headquarters, but officers managed to put out the flames, and other protesters entered the Antapaccay mining camp and set fire to two vehicle. In Apurimac, another southern region, residents protested at the entrance to the Las Bambas copper mine.

A delegation from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights arrived in Puno to gather information on the protests and the social crisis.

The unrest began in early December following the destitution and arrest of Castillo, Perus first president of poor, rural roots, following his attempt to dissolve Congress and head off his own impeachment.

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.

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.
Scouted/The Daily Beast/Oura/Apple.

Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.

When it comes to fitness tracking and health monitoring wearables, there have never been more options on the market to choose from. The O.G. FitBit and Apple Watch have been the gold standard for several years now, but in recent years, a sleeker alternative has emerged: the Oura Ring. To my knowledge, The Oura Ring is the first and only health tracker that isnt worn on the rest, which is majorly appealing to someone like me who detests the bulky look and feel of traditional wrist wearables.

I finally gave into investing in the ubiquitous Apple Watch Series 7 after my husband had told me about a news story in which a woman who was wearing the latest model of the Apple Watch got a notification of irregular heart rate, which lead her to seek medical treatment for what turned out to be a stroke. As a recovering hypochondriac (kidding... kind of), I figured that I could put aesthetics aside for a watch that could potentially save lives.

Im lucky enough to own both the Apple Watch Series 7 and the Oura Ring Gen 3, so I figured I would go ahead and make a side-by-side comparison of the two health wearables to see which one I preferred based on several factors. To address the pink elephant in the room, it goes without saying that the Apple Watch is much more than just a health tracker, so its able to do a lot of other things that the Oura Ring cannot (take calls, sound alarms, etc.), so for the purpose of this review, Ill just be looking at the health components of each device. First, lets take a peak at the basics of each wearable.

The Oura Ring:

Price: $299 (Horizon); $349 (Heritage); Gold ($499); Rose Gold ($549).

Health functionalities: sleep tracking, heart rate tracking, 24/7 body temperature, period prediction, calorie tracking, blood oxygen, and steps and activity monitoring.

Sensors: optical heart rate, body temperature, accelerometers.

Story continues

Battery life: 4-8 days.

Mia Maguire.

Pros:

Long battery life,

Attractive look,

Lightweight feel

It can be worn in the shower or when washing your hands,

Accurate sleep data,

Records heart rate data while sleeping

It can be used with both Apple and Android phones

It comes with a free sizing kit to ensure the utmost accuracy

Its water-resistant up to about 330 feet (you dont need to take it off to shower or wash your hands).

Cons:

It doesnt have a timer or screen interface directly on the device.

It costs $6 a month for a membership to access all health data.

Oura Ring Gen 3

Oura.

The Oura Ring is worn on your finger and, as such, does not have a screen like the Apple Watch. To view the dashboards and see your health data, you must download the app and sync it with your smartphone.

Buy Oura Ring Gen 3 at Oura, $350

Apple Watch (Series 7):

Price: $150-$800 (I paid $300 for my Apple Watch Series 7 on sale).

Health functionalities: sleep tracking, heart rate tracking, activity tracking, calorie counter, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep counter, ECG.

Sensors: optical heart rate, sleep tracking, accelerometers, gyroscope, and altimeter.

Battery life: Up to 18 hours (but more like 14-16, in my experience).

Mia Maguire.

Pros:

It has its own screen, so even if you have a cracked iPhone or an old model, you can still reap the benefits.

It senses when youre doing a workout (not sure how) or on a walk and can tell whether its indoor or outdoor (again, not sure how).

No membership fees are required.

Water-resistant up to 50m.

Cons:

Bulkier design and feel.

Short battery life. Realistically, it needs to be charged daily like an iPhone.

Because it needs to be charged more often, I find myself forgetting to put it on in the morning, which skews the data.

Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular, 45MM)Down from $720

Aside from the Apple Watchs other functionalities, its health tracking and sensor functionalities are pretty next-level (depending on the series and model that you go with).

Buy Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular, 45MM) at Amazon, $350

Buy Apple Watch Series 7 (GPS + Cellular, 45MM) at Best Buy, $349

What the Experts Say:

While I definitely have my own opinions based on my experience, health experts seem to have a more neutral stance weighing the benefits of each device. Based on the studies that have been conducted evaluating the accuracy of these two devices, I think whats clear is that there are certain statistics that both devices do an excellent job of measuring and others where theres room for improvement. Heart rate and oxygen levels, for example, are something that the Apple Watch and Oura Ring are both good at tracking, while calories burned (also called energy expenditure) is something neither device estimates particularly well, says Dr. Valerie Ulene, MD and Co-Founder of Boom Home Medical.

On the other hand, some believe that the Oura Ring may yield more accurate heart rate results because it fits closer to the finger and because doctors measure your heart rate using your finger. The rings form factor was chosen because the finger provides a stronger heart rate signal than any other place on the body. The ring takes bio measurements directly from the arteries in the finger whereas smartwatches (or wrist wearables) sit on the top of the wrist, farther away from the arteries that are on the bottom of the wrist, Karina Kogan, Chief Marketing Officer at Oura says.

The one area of health and wellness where the Oura Ring appears to have a proven advantage over the Apple Watch right now is sleep. An Australian study published last year showed that, while both devices are relatively good at assessing the total amount of time someone spends asleep, the Oura ring is better able to differentiate the amount of time spent in different sleep stages, such as deep sleep and REM sleep, says Dr. Ulene.

Overall Thoughts:

Overall, the slim and sleek design of the Oura Ring makes it the winner for me. However, as Ive explored my Apple Watch more (and have gotten into the annoying habit of having to charge it every night alongside my phone), I realize that its offerings go way above and beyond Oura Rings. And while its not a huge fortune, paying $6 a month to access premium health data feels... unnecessary. If I had to choose between the two for myself, I would go with Oura Ring. However, if youre looking for a health-tracking device that is on the pulse (quite literally) of technology, you might want to opt for the Apple Watchjust be prepared for your device to die or become obsolete in two years; its the Apple way, after all.

When it comes down to it, both are awesome devices that offer pretty accurate data and are easy to use. The bottom line really comes down to preference. As Dr. Ulene puts it, Ultimately, the better wearable device is the one that will be worn more regularly. For some people, that will be a ring. For others, a watch. For me, thats going to be the Oura Ring.

Dont forget to check out our coupon site to find more health and fitness deals, including Vitacost coupons, Dicks Sporting Goods coupons, Walmart coupons, and Macys coupons.

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Testosterone shortages in Mexico

This story was originally published by Global Press Journal.

CHIAPAS, MEXICO  When Thomas Chiu Palomeque saw on social media that there was a shortage of hormone-replacement testosterone in Mexico City, he prayed that it wouldnt affect his home state of Chiapas. Chiu Palomeque, who lives in the municipality of San Cristobal de Las Casas, had recently begun taking testosterone to help transition from female, the sex he was assigned at birth, to male.

One day, I wrote to all my friends that there arent any hormones left at the pharmacy downtown, he says. I told them I would go and check another one and, I was like Phew! They have it here. Yes! Come and get it here.

But eventually, what Chiu Palomeque feared happened, and he ran out of testosterone drugs. The first time he missed a dose, his menstruation came back. It was a heavier flow and more painful than before he began hormone-replacement therapy.

Its as if knives are stabbing into my stomach, Chiu Palomeque says.

Low-cost testosterone, a drug trans men and transmasculine people use for hormone replacement therapy, has been in short supply since 2020, forcing patients across Mexico to either spend more money or suspend treatment. According to the Cero Desabasto collective, an umbrella group of patient and doctors organizations that monitors medication shortages, patients around the country have reported a shortage of 250-milligram testosterone enanthate, which public hospitals provide to trans people and is the cheapest for people who dont qualify to get it for free. Those who do qualify to get it for free still depend on this source because they dont know about the free program or are wary of using a government service to obtain it.

The shortage of affordable testosterone has set back the physical and physiological advances that trans men and transmasculine people have made in their treatment. They include breast development, eliminating the menstrual cycle, voice change, and facial and body hair growth.

Story continues

There are four medications  Sostenon 250, Lowtiyel, Nebido and Primoteston Depot  authorized for sale in the country. The medications are primarily produced to treat male hypogonadism, low or no testosterone production that occurs only in cisgender men, and are not necessarily intended for hormone replacement therapy, although they are authorized for that purpose.

The shortage of Primoteston Depot, the most affordable of the drugs, is largely due to supply chain disruptions related to the coronavirus pandemic. In a July statement, Bayer, the manufacturer of Primoteston Depot, said the disruptions had reduced the companys ability to supply the drug not only in Mexico but across Latin America and worldwide.

Dr. Daniela Munoz Jimenez, a physician and the founder of Trans Salud, a community health organization serving trans people, says discontinuing testosterone use for people who have had a hystero-oophorectomy, hysterectomy or oophorectomy, which involve the removal of the uterus and/or ovaries, is very different from stopping when one has ovaries and a uterus.

It becomes catastrophic, Munoz Jimenez says.

Munoz Jimenez says interruption of hormone therapy when one has ovaries can cause psycho-emotional health problems so severe that it leads some patients to take desperate measures like purchasing fake testosterone. Even for people who have had their wombs and ovaries removed, discontinuing the use of hormones can lead to problems at the metabolic level because the risk of decalcification, the loss of bone calcium, is extremely high, she says.

It would be akin to starting andropause or menopause early, Munoz Jimenez says. It is advancing a health process and can have a negative effect on the health of bones.

For Munoz Jimenez, this means that an important component of human health, which is happiness and wholeness, is collapsing.

If a testosterone injection is not taken as scheduled, drastic changes in cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and glucose can occur within days, says Yusett Zarate Vidal, a psychotherapist from Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital of Chiapas.

The possibility of restarting menstruation has been terrifying for Sony Rangel, who, along with two other activists, founded Transmasculinidades MX, a group that offers people support services in the transition process. He dreads menstruation because of the disagreeable sensation he gets when he sees blood. Even the blood from a small cut gives him a feeling so unpleasant he cannot describe it.

At some point, Im also going to run out of medicine, and to be very honest with you, it really terrifies me, Rangel says.

Rangel says some trans men seek hormone therapy with testosterone to relieve dysphoria and help build an image closer to their identity. Others opt for surgeries to remove breast tissue, the uterus or ovaries. Since gender identity is independent of sexual orientation, a trans man can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual or pansexual, among others, Rangel says. Some people assigned female at birth also do not identify as male and yet identify as trans people whose masculinity is predominant; the term transmasculine encompasses binary and nonbinary experiences.

In July, Transmasculinidades MX opened a dialogue with Mexico Citys Ministry of Health to find solutions to the shortage. They teamed with another advocacy group, La Jauria Trans, and sent a letter to the director of the Clinica Especializada Condesa, a public clinic that provides free medical services and medications, including testosterone, to trans people in Mexico City. In the letter, they described the consequences and risks the testosterone shortage poses to trans people. In July, the director of Condesa met with Transmasculinidades MX to tell them that the clinic had obtained 1,500 doses of testosterone, which would guarantee treatments for at least one month.

The last meeting between Transmasculinidades MX and the medical staff of the Condesa clinic was held in August, and it was also attended by the Comision Federal para la Proteccion contra Riesgos Sanitarios, a government agency that oversees the approval of permits for medicines to be marketed in Mexico and alerts about counterfeit drugs. At that meeting, the agency launched a campaign to warn about counterfeit testosterone.

I am very scared, but I am also very committed to finding alternatives that help all of us, not just me, Rangel says.

While Transmasculinidades MX is maintaining active communication with Mexico Citys Ministry of Health to permanently resolve the shortage, they are also organizing so that, along with professional psycho-emotional support, they can offer palliative measures during periods when hormone treatments are stopped or when advances are reversed, Rangel says. One such measure is physical training. Through online exercise routines, a specialized trans trainer works with each person on their dysphoria and dysmorphia. Another measure is a directory of civil associations nationwide, including peer groups that provide support and feature active listening and communication.

Global Press reached out to the Clinica Especializada Condesa and the Ministry of Health for comment and did not receive a response.

Testosterone-based medicine is also very expensive. The cheapest, Primoteston Depot, can cost up to 189 Mexican pesos (about $10) a month, and Nebido as much as 2,000 pesos ($103) monthly, Rangel says. He does not have health insurance, but he receives treatment for free at Condesa. Treatment is often unaffordable because securing a fixed income or formal employment is challenging among the trans population in Mexico. From a very young age, people in the trans community are often at higher risk of dropping out of school due to violence, stigma and homelessness. Compared with trans women, trans men and transmasculine people tend to have lower levels of education because trans women often start their transition at an older age, Rangel says.

Chiu Palomeque and Zarate Vidal, the psychotherapist, dont have social security, so they work and buy their medicine at pharmacies. But the shortage has led to higher costs because they have had to switch to more expensive options. Zarate Vidal says it used to cost 150 pesos (about $7.75) per dose, but when that brand became unavailable, he switched to one that costs 600 pesos (about $31).

And I know of many friends who have stopped using testosterone because they cant afford it, Zarate Vidal says. In fact, I couldnt find it here in Tuxtla or San Cristobal. I spoke to a cousin who lives in Huixtla [another Chiapas municipality] and asked her to look for it and buy it for me.

Chiu Palomeque continues to deal with the consequences of the shortage. He constantly worries about the possibility of going back to buying sanitary pads monthly. Because it had been so long since hed had a period, it has become harder to predict, which makes him anxious. He tries hard to figure out how to supply himself with the medicine he needs to realize his true identity.

Its about finding the cheapest, Chiu Palomeque says, but that can be the riskiest.

(Above image: Nathan Ambriz, who coordinates the Transmasculinidades MX collective, practices outlining and shading tattoos at Heroica Tattoo in Mexico City, Mexico, on August 19, 2022. A testosterone shortage threatens to reverse the progress trans men like him have made in their hormone therapy.)
Georgia Power crews responded to outages across the metro Atlanta area following severe storms Thursday.

After high winds, heavy rain and tornadoes were reported in and around the state, Georgia Power crews began to fix power outages reported by customers.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Officials first reported at 5:45 p.m. Thursday that 50,000 customers were without power when storms pushed through.

As of 4:15 a.m., Friday, over 4,600 Georgia Power customers are still without power. According to Georgia EMC, over 21,000 customers are without power as of 4:15 a.m.

The company told customers to prioritize safety as the storms moved through the area.

TRENDING STORIES:

Here are some safety advice the company offered while crews continued to work to restore power:

Watch for downed wires. Downed power lines may be hidden by debris or fallen trees.

Never touch any downed wire or attempt to remove tree branches from power lines  it can kill.

Dont step in standing water or saturated ground where downed lines may be present. They could be electrified.

Avoid chain link fences. They may be electrified by a downed line out of sight and conduct electricity long distances.

Watch for GP crews working across the state. If driving, move over one lane for utility vehicles stopped on the side of the road  its the law in Georgia.

Protect electronics and appliances. Disconnect or turn off any devices that will start automatically when power returns to avoid overloading circuits when power is restored.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

To report an outage or check on the status of an outage, call 888-891-0938

IN OTHER NEWS:




Chef Pie eating her infamous Pink Sauce. Dave's Gourmet LLC

Pink Sauce, the viral creation of TikTok's Chef Pii, has hit mass retail.

Supplier and distributor Dave's Gourmet said the product is manufactured "under FDA guidelines" and is "shelf-stable."

It's been a bumpy road thus far, complete with nonsensical nutritional labels and bottles broken in shipping.

Pink Sauce, the curious condiment that captured the imagination of TikTok in June  and raised safety concerns  has officially hit Walmart shelves nationwide.

The sauce's creator, Chef Pii  real name Veronica Shaw  tapped hot sauce and pasta sauce company Dave's Gourmet as Pink Sauce's exclusive supplier and distributor over the summer. In a press release, Dave's said that while Shaw's concoction enthralled the internet and sold out upon launch, the Miami-based chef and content creator lacked food production expertise, which "led to significant obstacles."

While initial concerns surrounded the fluorescent sauce's safety, Dave's said it is manufacturing Pink Sauce "under FDA guidelines in a [Safe Quality Food]-certified facility," noting that the product is "shelf-stable."

The Los Angeles Times reports that Pink Sauce is "dragon fruit-based" with a "sweet and sour" flavor profile  though Dave's had to alter the recipe and packaging. Ingredients now include dragon fruit, coconut cream, canola oil, onion powder, and ranch flavoring. A glass bottle has replaced its plastic squirt container.

Pink Sauce will be available exclusively at 4,300 Walmart locations through July 2023. While Shaw had originally priced it at $20 (plus shipping), bottles now cost roughly $8.

Pink Sauce has had a bumpy journey to retail. At launch, customers complained of error-ridden nutritional labels and lack of storage instructions, with some saying that the substance was arriving in varying hues of pink or that their bottles had been broken en route.

At the time, Shaw acknowledged her errors, while lashing out at critics.

"I am literally being tortured because I won't give answers to people in regards to my safety as a business owner," she told Insider in July. "I have a right to reserve my silence, so that triggered them to dig deep to harass me."

Read the original article on Insider
A Madera County was sentenced in federal court on Friday for his role in an illegal marijuana grow that left pesticides, trash and human waste in the Sierra National Forest.

Carson Shane Wilhite of Ahwahnee received seven and a half years in prison for conspiring to manufacture, distribute and possess marijuana with intent to distribute, according to an update from the Justice Department. He was also sentenced for possessing firearms in furtherance of that conspiracy.

Wilhite pleaded guilty to all charges in September, but had been custody since July 2021, after testing positive for methamphetamine on multiple occasions, in violating of his pretrial conditions of release, the statement said.

According to court documents, Wilhite lived in a residence on private land adjacent to the Sierra National Forest and was paid $3,300 a month to use his property as a pass-through to the public park land and the illegal grow site, where law enforcement found and seized 2,261 plants in 2019.

While serving the search warrant, agents also found marijuana on Wilhites property; growing outside of his bedroom, in an indoor cultivation room under the bedroom, in pots inside a second residence and in a nearby creek. They also found a more than a dozen guns, including an AR-15 type rifle with no serial number (making it a ghost gun) and a loaded semi-automatic pistol, which Wilhite had been carrying before officers arrived.

He told law enforcement he was armed when he checked on the marijuana in the forest.

Pesticides, human latrines and diverted water

The operation was in the Carter Creek watershed drainage network  an area that is habitat for the California red-legged frog (threatened under the Endangered Species Act) and the California spotted ow (which is under review for an endangered listing), according to nonprofit Integral Ecology Research Center.

The site was diverting water from the creek for irrigation at a rate of 7.84 million gallons a year.

Story continues

According to the Justice Department, wildlife biologists located significant quantities of fertilizers and hazardous chemicals at the site, some of them highly toxic and illegal. There were also trash (1,444 pounds of it) and human latrines.

Leaves of the marijuana plants were splattered with a white substance that tested positive for methamidophos (an illegal and highly toxic pesticide), the Justice Department said.

Along with the prison sentence, Wilhite will pay $46,680 to the U.S. Forest Service as restitution for environmental damages.
MOUNT HOLLY - A traffic stop in 2019 has led to a prison term for a man accused of raping a woman in her Mount Laurel home 25 years ago.

Rodolfo Vasquez, 63, of Pennsauken was ordered to give a DNA sample as a result of the Cinnaminson traffic stop, and that evidence connected him to the previously unsolved sexual assault, according to the Burlington County Prosecutors Office.

A Superior Court judge recently sentenced Vasquez to an eight-year term for aggravated sexual assault. He must serve almost seven years before parole eligibility.

Vasquez admitted guilt under a plea agreement in June 2022.

He told the court when entering the plea that he went into a Camber Lane home in June 1997 without authorization and sexually assaulted a woman who was there by herself, the prosecutors office said in a statement Wednesday.

The woman told police she got out of bed to check on a noise, then confronted a man in the doorway to her darkened bedroom.

Kayla Bowen: A year later, family mourns teen's loss, awaits driver's sentencing

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Crime in NJ: Burlington County man sentenced to prison for selling pesticides as false COVID protection

The victim tried to defend herself and was struck repeatedly by the intruder, causing vision damage in one eye, the statement said.

Police recovered DNA evidence after the 1997 attack, but found no match at the time in a national database.

After the 2019 traffic stop, Vasquez admitted guilt to contempt of a judicial order for driving without a license.

He was consequently ordered to provide a DNA sample, and Mount Laurel police were notified in August 2020 of a match to the sexual assault.

Investigators obtained a search warrant and collected another DNA sample from Vasquez. That matched the one from the 1997 investigation, the statement said.

Superior Court Judge Christopher Garrenger sentenced Vasquez at a Dec. 9 hearing in Mount Holly.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Rodolfo Vasquez of Pennsauken gets eight-year term for 1997 attack
Michael Bay and a stock image of a pigeon. Rodin Echenroth / WireImage / Getty / Getty Images

Michael Bay has been charged over claims a pigeon was killed on a film set in Rome, Italy, in 2018.

Italian authorities say the incident occurred on the set of Bay's "6 Underground," reports TheWrap.

Bay said in a statement that he has "clear video evidence" that "exonerates" him.

"Transformers" director Michael Bay has denied allegations against him after being charged over claims that a pigeon was killed on the set of his 2019 Netflix blockbuster, "6 Underground."

TheWrap reports that Italian authorities have charged Bay in connection with the death of a homing pigeon on the set of the movie in Rome in 2018. Bay confirmed there are charges against him in comments to the publication. Insider could not independently verify the exact charges against the director at press time.

Pigeons are a protected species, along with other wild birds in Italy, and there is a national law against killing, harming, or capturing them, the publication said.

TheWrap report cites a production source who claimed that a bird was killed by a dolly during a take. A witness took a picture and reported the incident to the authorities, TheWrap was told.

Speaking to the publication, Bay said that his team has "clear video evidence" that disproves the claims.

"We have clear video evidence, a multitude of witnesses, and safety officers that exonerates us from these claims and disproves their one paparazzi photo  which gives a false story," the film director said. "I am a well-known animal lover and major animal activist. No animal involved in the production was injured or harmed. Or on any other production I've worked on in the past 30 years."

He added: "There is an ongoing court case so I cannot get into the specifics, but I am confident we will prevail when I have my day in court."

TheWrap reported that Bay is being held responsible for the incident as the director of the movie that was in production.

The publication said Bay's legal team has tried to throw the case out three times in the past year, and the Italian authorities even gave the "Ambulance" director the option to pay a fine to settle the case. Bay declined the fine.

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"I was offered by the Italian authorities a chance to settle this matter by paying a small fine, but I declined to do so because I would not plead guilty to having harmed an animal," Bay said.

Neither representatives for the Italian police department nor Michael Bay could immediately be reached for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
By Ayenat Mersie

NAIROBI - For the first time in years, Arya Rams falls asleep and wakes up each day without a dense knot of fear in her chest.

She lives in a room in a safe house deep in Kenya's Rift Valley, supported by the Dutch non-governmental organisation Trans Rescue.

Being transgender in Kenya can be dangerous. In 2021, her friend was stoned to death by a mob on a beach near the city of Malindi, she said. A few months later, Arya said she was chased by people wielding machetes.

Arya, 27, said the protections of the safe house have been all the more important over the past week as a backlash against lesbian, gay and transgender Kenyans has flared following the death of LGBTQ rights activist Edwin Chiloba.

Chiloba's body was found in a metal box on the roadside near the city of Eldoret last week. A pathologist said he died from suffocation caused by socks stuffed into his mouth.

"People were going through other gay people's social media saying, 'Have you seen Chiloba? You are next,'" said Arya.

Police this week named Chiloba's reported partner as the main suspect in his death. Reuters has not been able to reach him for comment.

Outside the investigation, much of the public commentary on the case has been harsh, and sometimes threatening.

"Let us not waste time discussing LGBTQ ... it's illegal ... Jail them," lawmaker Mohammed Ali wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.

A rarely-enforced colonial-era law makes gay sex punishable by 14 years in prison. Identifying as gay or transgender is not a crime.

Amnesty International and other campaign groups last week said there had been increasing cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), as well as domestic abuse, across Kenya.

They said there was an "uncoordinated and often reluctant response to SGBV from State and non-state actors" and called on authorities to do more to investigate crimes and work with survivors.

A positive response to that appeal would make a big difference, said Arya.

"I'm just saying that if someone ... from the LGBTQ community could be in a situation whereby they dont fear to walk into a police station and record a statement ... then probably we could have reduced a lot of (problems)."

(Reporting by Ayenat Mersie; Editing by Aaron Ross and Andrew Heavens)
NEW YORK (AP)  Trevor Bauer became a free agent Friday when he went unclaimed on waivers, leaving the Los Angeles Dodgers responsible for about $22.5 million owed to the former Cy Young Award winner whose unprecedented 324-game suspension over sexual misconduct allegations was reduced by an arbitrator.

Los Angeles designated Bauer for assignment on Jan. 6, the last day to restore him to the roster, after arbitrator Martin Scheinman cut the suspension imposed by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred from 324 to 194 games. The Dodgers placed the pitcher on waivers Thursday.

Any team could sign the 2020 NL Cy Young Award winner for the major league minimum of $720,000. That would be offset against the $22,537,635 owed to Bauer by the Dodgers.

Manfred suspended Bauer in April for violating the leagues domestic violence and sexual assault policy after a San Diego woman said he beat and sexually abused her in 2021. Bauer has maintained he did nothing wrong, saying that everything that happened was consensual.

Bauer was never charged with a crime. The suspension cost him $37,594,233.

The players association filed a grievance on Bauers behalf, and a three-man panel headed by Scheinman concluded Bauer violated MLBs policy and docked his pay for the first 50 games of 2023, covering part of the period the pitcher was on paid leave in 2021 and 2022.

Bauer joined his hometown Dodgers before the 2021 season and was 8-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 17 starts before being placed on leave.

In February 2022, Los Angeles prosecutors decided not to charge Bauer because they said they were unable to prove the San Diego woman's accusations beyond a reasonable doubt. The woman, who was 27 at the time, said Bauer choked her unconscious, punched her repeatedly and sexually assaulted her during two sexual encounters.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they have been victims of sexual assault.

Bauer said in a video posted on YouTube after the prosecutors decision that he and the woman engaged in rough sex at her suggestion and followed guidelines they agreed to in advance. Each encounter ended with her spending the night at his Pasadena home, he said.

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The disturbing acts and conduct that she described simply did not occur, he said at the time.

The woman had sought a restraining order, but a judge denied it. The judge found that Bauer honored the womans boundaries when the woman set them, and could not have known about those he violated because she didnt express them clearly.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
A 20-mile police chase involving several law enforcement agencies led to a traffic nightmare and a lot of drama on Interstate 75 in Southwest Florida on Wednesday afternoon.

According to a Facebook post, the Lee County Sheriffs Office was notified by Cape Coral police tof a pursuit heading into Fort Myers.

They were also told the driver, identified as 72-year-old Patrick Schroeder, was armed with an AR-style firearm and was a person of interest in an attempted robbery of a Bank of America in Cape Coral that had occurred about an hour earlier.

According to authorities, the suspect held a rifle at the security guard as he attempted to enter the branch. After the guard denied him entry, the suspect left in a black, late model BMW with a spray-painted license plate, according to a news release.

Deputies quickly spotted the unusual looking car, which was speeding south on I-75. The pursuit continued into Fort Myers, where the Lee County Sheriffs Office quickly assumed the lead.

READ MORE: Florida woman was being chased by police. But first, a selfie

Officers teamed up to track down Schroeder, who was driving erratically, running red lights and swerving toward patrol vehicles, according to the sheriffs release.

After showing complete disregard for the caravan of marked and unmarked patrol vehicles, Schroeder was eventually stopped after deputies conducted a P.I.T. (precision immobilization technique), hitting his rear bumper and forcing it to lose traction, near Alico Road near Fort Myers.

READ MORE: His landlord told him to vacate his Florida house, then he grabbed a gun, cops say

While returning via chopper from an awards recognition event, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno was able to oversee the chaos from the air. His helicopter landed right on the highway, where the top cop surveyed the scene.

I had the opportunity to watch this scene unfold from the sky in the chopper, and I reiterate, my LCSO family members are the greatest, he said. If you choose to run from us, we will come after you with all of our assets.

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Schroeder was detained without further incident. A search of his vehicle revealed an AR-style rifle between the passenger seat and center console, deputies said. He was taken to Lee County Jail and faces charges including robbery with a firearm (attempted); aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; fleeing law enforcement; and resisting an officer.

READ MORE: Senior citizen fights off would be robbers at ATM in Florida

An investigation revealed that the suspect was at the bank earlier in the day and attempted to deposit a check and withdraw the funds. But a hold was placed on the check, which infuriated him. So deputies say he went home to get his gun, spray-painted his license plate and draped a black T-shirt over his head to conceal his identity. Schroeder then returned to the bank with the intent to rob this location, the investigation concluded.
(Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trumps argument that a New York law allowing older sex-assault claims violated his constitutional rights was rejected by a judge as absurd.

Most Read from Bloomberg

US District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan on Friday denied Trumps motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed under the new law in November by former Elle magazine advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who alleges Trump raped her more than two decades ago.

Trump was one of the first people sued under New Yorks Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily lifts the statute of limitations on sexual-assault claims. He argued the law violates the state constitution by depriving him of his due process rights.

The former president also claimed the state legislature failed to properly identify a specific injustice, as required when passing a law reviving once-outdated legal claims. Kaplan blasted that argument.

To suggest that the ASA violates the state Due Process Clause because the legislature supposedly did not describe that injustice to the defendants entire satisfaction in a particular paragraph of a particular type of legislative document  itself a dubious premise  is absurd, Kaplan said.

Carroll went public in 2019 with her claim that Trump raped her in the 1990s in a dressing room of the Bergdorf Goodman department store. Trump, then president, publicly accused her of fabricating the attack to sell a book and said she wasnt his type. Carroll responded by filing a defamation suit, which is set to go to trial in April if an ongoing appeal by the former president fails.

Carroll is seeking merge the new case with the earlier case before trial.

While we are disappointed with the Courts decision, we intend to immediately appeal the order and continue to advocate for our clients constitutionally protected rights, Trumps attorney Alina Habba said in an emailed statement.

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Read More: Trump Says He Maligned Rape Accuser to Maintain Americans Trust

The Adult Suvivors Act, which went into effect in November, lifts the statute of limitation for one year, opening the door for people to sue over alleged sexual assault or abuse that may have happened decades earlier. Trump and others have argued the law is unfair to defendants because evidence and witnesses may be too old to be reliable.

Kaplans ruling on Friday said Trump was incorrect to argue that the law was undermined by the ability of adult victims of abuse to file lawsuits much sooner.

The elected branches of the New York State government have determined that many such victims are unable to do so, sometimes for long periods of time, the judge said. They are prevented by suppression of awful memories or deterred by fear and a culture of silence  just as Ms. Carroll claims she was dissuaded from reporting or suing Mr. Trump.

In her deposition, parts of which were made public in court filings, Carroll criticized the tendency of people to question why victims didnt come forward sooner.

Kaplan also allowed Carroll to move ahead with a second defamation claim against Trump as part of her sexual-assault suit. That claim is based on an October social media post in which he repeated his denials and attacks on Carrolls character.

We are pleased though not surprised that Judge Kaplan denied Donald Trumps motion to dismiss and upheld the constitutionality of New Yorks Adult Survivors Act, said Carrolls attorney, Roberta Kaplan, who is not related to the judge. We look forward to trial in April.

In the wake of the #MeToo movement, New Yorks statute of limitations on sexual-assault claims was raised to 20 years from just one year in 2019, but the change wasnt retroactive. The Adult Survivors Act was intended to fill the gap by creating a window for victims to file civil suits no matter how old their claims may be.

The case is Carroll v. Trump, 20-cv-07311, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

(Updates with detail from the judges ruling.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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The Trump Organization was ordered to pay $1.6 million in fines on Friday, following its conviction last month for criminal tax fraud, according to The New York Times.

It was the maximum penalty former President Trumps sprawling business organization could face for what prosecutors have described as a long-running scheme to evade taxes by providing perks to company executives.

Trump himself was not charged in the tax fraud case, although the Manhattan district attorneys office argued throughout the trial that the former president and his family were explicitly sanctioning tax fraud.

Allen Weisselberg, the longtime chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, was sentenced to five months in jail on Tuesday for his role in the tax fraud scheme. Weisselberg served as key witness in the monthlong trial after accepting a plea deal in August.

Lawyers for the Trump Organization reportedly argued for a lesser penalty on Friday, accusing Weisselberg of being the lone actor in the scheme, as they did throughout the trial.

However, Judge Juan Merchan sided with the prosecutors, who argued for the full fine despite acknowledging that it may have limited impact on a multibillion corporation, according to the Times.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that Fridays sentencing represents a significant chapter in his ongoing investigation into Trump and his businesses.

While corporations cant serve jail time, this consequential conviction and sentencing serves as a reminder to corporations and executives that you cannot defraud tax authorities and get away with it, Bragg added.

Trump and three of his adult children are currently facing a separate civil lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), who has accused the family of manipulating property values to secure investments, as well as tax and loan benefits. The case is set to head to trial in October.

Updated at 10:42 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump at an event. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump's family real estate business was on Friday ordered to pay a $1.6 million fine in connection with its conviction on felony tax fraud and other charges, multiple outlets have reported.

It was the maximum penalty the Trump Organization could have received in the case, and was handed down by a judge in Manhattan's State Supreme Court, The New York Times writes. News of the punishment arrived just days after former company CFO Allen Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in prison for his role in the scheme, which saw top company executives dodge taxes on luxury off-the-books job perks.

The Trump Organization's lawyers on Friday tried to shift blame onto a third-party accounting firm, who they claimed should have caught and stopped the nefarious activity, as well as Weisselberg, who they said was only acting out of self-interest, per the Times. But "these are arguments that were made throughout the trial," said Judge Juan Manuel Merchan. "This is not what the evidence has shown, and it is certainly not what the jury found." Per The Associated Press, "a fine was the only penalty a judge could impose" on the company following its December conviction, though "a person convicted of the same crimes would've faced years in prison."

Ultimately, the $1.6 million penalty represents "a symbolic, hardly crippling blow for an enterprise boasting billions of dollars in assets," AP adds.

"I want to be very clear: we don't think that is enough," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Friday outside the courtroom, alluding to the size of the punishment. "Our laws in this state need to change in order to capture this type of decade-plus systemic and egregious fraud."

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GENEVA (Reuters) -A Greek court dismissed espionage charges on Friday against a group of humanitarian workers on trial in Greece and ordered a prosecutor to refile the case, citing flaws in the litigation process, a defense lawyer and local media said.

The aid workers, some of them foreigners and including a Syrian refugee, were affiliated with Emergency Response Centre International, a nonprofit search-and-rescue group operating on Lesbos from 2016 to 2018. The island was then on the frontline of Europe's refugee crisis, with scores of asylum seekers arriving daily on its shores, mainly from neighboring Turkey.

Greek authorities have been criticized by humanitarian organizations for going to great lengths, including such legal action, to deter volunteers from helping asylum seekers at land and sea borders.

The defendants have denied the misdemeanor charges against them, which include espionage and forgery.

In Friday's hearing on Lesbos the court upheld the defendants' objections, ruling that the espionage charges were vague and that prosecution documents were not translated for the foreign defendants, the lawyer said.

A prosecutor has to refile the case but this might not be possible as the charges would fall under a statute of limitations, essentially meaning that the charges have collapsed, the lawyer added.

The trial began on Lesbos in November 2021 and was immediately adjourned as the case was referred to a different court. Proceedings resumed this week.

The United Nations human rights office said on Friday the case had had a chilling effect on humanitarian organizations in the region and called for the charges to be dropped.

"Trials like this are deeply concerning because they criminalize lifesaving work and set a dangerous precedent," Elizabeth Throssell, a spokesperson for the U.N.'s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, told reporters at a briefing in Geneva.

"Saving lives and providing humanitarian assistance should never be criminalized or prosecuted," Throssell said. "Such actions are, quite simply, a humanitarian and human rights imperative."

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber in Geneva, Angeliki Koutantou and Renee Maltezou in Athens; Editing by Conor Humphries and Richard Chang)
By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to consider reviving two lawsuits accusing pharmacy operators of overbilling government health insurance programs for prescription drugs, a dispute that could have broad implications for whistleblowers and the government's ability to go after fraud.

The key question in both cases is whether companies can shield themselves from whistleblower fraud lawsuits by pointing to an "objectively reasonable" interpretation of the law that supports their conduct - regardless of whether they actually believed that interpretation in good faith at the time.

That is what both Safeway Inc and SuperValu Inc, which was acquired by Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc in 2018, argued in lawsuits filed by whistleblowers accusing them of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid. The Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, granting judgment in favor of the companies. The whistleblowers appealed to the Supreme Court.

"We are glad the court took up this important issue," said Tejinder Singh, a lawyer who represents the whistleblowers in both cases.

Safeway and United Natural Foods did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Both lawsuits claim that the pharmacy operators billed Medicare and Medicaid for prescription drugs based on artificially high sticker prices, while charging most customers paying for the drugs out of pocket much lower prices through discount programs.

The whistleblowers said that federal law required pharmacies to bill Medicare and Medicaid based on "usual and customary" prices that they actually charge customers. They also said both companies knew they were defrauding the government and worked to conceal their pricing practices.

The 7th Circuit agreed that the companies had overcharged the government. But it found they could not be held responsible for fraud because their billing practices were supported by an "objectively reasonable" interpretation of the law - even if they did not actually believe that interpretation and consciously intended to deceive the government.

The U.S. Justice Department had urged the Supreme Court to take the case and reverse the 7th Circuit, saying the appellate court's rulings frustrated the intention of a federal law called the False Claims Act that allows whistleblowers to sue for fraud on behalf of the government.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
A professor at the University of California, Davis, has been on leave since early 2021 following allegations that he sexually assaulted a high school student multiple times in 2010, university officials confirmed this week.

Ting Guo, a chemistry professor who joined the UC Davis faculty in 1999, was accused in a late 2020 civil lawsuit of sexually assaulting a high school student who had worked in his laboratory, the university said in a statement. UC Davis officials have ordered an external review of the incident.

The allegations, first reported publicly Thursday by the San Francisco Chronicle, came from an unidentified Jane Doe accuser who, according to court documents, said she met Guo when she was 18 and began shadowing him in January 2010 as part of an assignment for her AP chemistry class.

Doe in her lawsuit accused Guo of raping her three times in 2010, allegedly at Guos home on each occasion, according to the Chronicle.

The UC Santa Barbara Police Department in 2018 forwarded a report it had received outlining allegations of sexual assault against a UC Davis employee to the UC Davis Police Department, according to the latter universitys statement.

Campus police then notified the Davis Police Department, because the report indicated that three sexual assaults had allegedly occurred within the city limits but not on the UC Davis campus, university officials wrote.

The 2018 report was filed to the UC Santa Barbara Police Department because Doe was a student at that university at the time, the Chronicle reported.

The 2020 lawsuit, which was filed in Yolo County Superior Court against Guo and UC Davis and ultimately dismissed by a judge due to the statute of limitations expiring, contained allegations related to the 2018 complaint.

UC Davis statement said that the 2018 reports complainant explicitly requested that a criminal investigation be completed before the complainants name or the respondents name were released to the universitys Title IX office. Because of this, university officials wrote, the initial report received from UC Santa Barbara police was not sufficient to commence an investigation at that time.

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The Title IX office was notified in January 2021 of the complainants civil lawsuit and Guos identity, according to the university statement, triggering the investigation.

Guo was immediately placed on administrative leave and has remained on leave since, the statement continued. While on leave, he was instructed not to contact the complainant or any UC Davis student or employee, or to come onto campus, without prior permission.

The statement from UC Davis also confirmed that Guo had participated as a mentor in a summer program for high school students until 2019. The program was not held in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Doe accuser was not a participant in the program, the university said.

Does lawsuit indicated she was inspired to make the police report following the #MeToo movement that began in 2017, according to the Chronicles reporting.

The university plans an external review of the allegations against Guo, including whether anyone in a leadership position in the chemistry department knew or should have known about sexual misconduct concerns related to Ting Guo between 2010 and 2021 and whether those concerns were appropriately reported.

Guo is tenured. The dismissal of a tenured professor requires approval by the UC Board of Regents.

The review will be conducted by Eve Peek Fichtner, a partner with California law firm Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo. Fichtner serves as a neutral hearing officer for the UC and California State University systems.

Chancellor Gary S. May has also requested an external review of all UC Davis programs involving youths, according to Thursdays statement.
By Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters) -Russia said on Friday that its forces had taken control of Soledar in eastern Ukraine, in what would be a rare success for Moscow after months of battlefield reverses, but Kyiv said its troops were still fighting in the town.

Reuters could not immediately verify the situation in Soledar, a small salt-mining town that has for days been the focus of a relentless Russian assault.

Kyiv and the West have played down the town's significance, saying Moscow sacrificed wave upon wave of soldiers and mercenaries in a pointless fight for a bombed-out wasteland, unlikely to affect the wider war except insofar as the huge losses have sapped manpower on both sides.

But the capture of the town has taken on an outsized importance as it would, if confirmed, give Moscow a trophy for one of the bloodiest campaigns of the war following major battlefield setbacks throughout the second half of 2022.

"The capture of Soledar was made possible by the constant bombardment of the enemy by assault and army aviation, missile forces and artillery of a grouping of Russian forces," Moscow's defence ministry said.

Seizing the town would make it possible to cut off Ukrainian supply routes to the nearby city of Bakhmut and trap remaining Ukrainian forces there, it said. Moscow has been trying to seize Bakhmut for months.

"The situation in Soledar is near critical - the city is semi-encircled. Only one road is left to supply our troops," said Oleh Zhdanov, a military analyst based in Kyiv.

Zhdanov, speaking in a social media video, said Russia had brought in airborne troops as reinforcements in the battle.

But Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's eastern military command, told Reuters by telephone that Soledar had not been captured: "Our units are there, the town is not under Russian control."

In an evening video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said fighting for Soledar continued.

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"The difficult battle for the Donetsk region continues. The battle for Bakhmut and Soledar, for Kreminna, for other cities and villages in the east of our country continues," Zelenskiy said.

CNN said on its website that a reporting team just outside Soledar could hear mortar and rocket fire on Friday afternoon and saw Ukrainian forces ferrying troops in what appeared to be an organised pullback.

'MEAT GRINDER'

A Ukrainian officer in the area also told Reuters by telephone the Russians had not fully taken the town.

"Last night artillery fire was like from hell, both sides. From what I know, our boys have managed to exit some parts (of Soledar) in an orderly manner and now (assault) groups are counterattacking, but we still hold the town."

Ukrainian officials said on Thursday that more than 500 civilians, including 15 children, were trapped inside Soledar.

After Ukrainian forces drove Russia into humiliating retreats for much of the second half of 2022, the front lines have barely moved for the past two months. Meanwhile, the battles around Bakhmut and Soledar became what both sides called a "meat grinder" - a brutal war of attrition claiming the lives of thousands of soldiers.

Both Bakhmut and Soledar are in the Donetsk region, which Russia unilaterally claimed to have annexed in September despite only partly occupying it. The capture of the entire region is widely seen as a Kremlin war objective.

Kyiv's Western allies, however, see it as a fight for marginal gains on a stretch of front where neither side can make a big breakthrough, a sideshow from battles further north and south, where Ukraine hopes to push through Russian lines.

"Even if both Bakhmut and Soledar fall to the Russians, it's not going to have a strategic impact on the war itself," U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at the White House, "and it certainly isn't going to stop the Ukrainians or slow them down."

Within Russia, victory in Soledar could boost ultra-nationalist mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, whose Wagner Group of fighters-for-hire, including convicts recruited from prison with promises of pardons, has focused on the fight in that area. He has griped as the regular military has taken credit for the Soledar battle without mentioning his fighters.

On Friday evening the defence ministry, which had not mentioned Wagner in its initial communication claiming to have captured Soledar, issued a second statement seeking "to clarify" the situation.

"As for the direct storming of Soledar's city quarters occupied by the armed forces of Ukraine, this combat task was successfully accomplished by the courageous and selfless actions of volunteers from the Wagner assault detachments," it said.

NEW WEAPONS

The new year has brought important pledges of extra Western weapons for Ukraine, which is seeking armour to mount mechanised battles against Russian tanks.

Major new announcements of weapons are likely next week, when U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosts defence chiefs from other allies at a U.S. air base in Germany for a meeting of the contact group set up to provide support for Ukraine.

Last week, France, Germany and the United States pledged to send armoured fighting vehicles. Discussion in Europe this week have focused on supplying main battle tanks, a major potential upgrade for Kyiv.

On Friday, Finland joined Poland in saying it could send German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of a Western coalition apparently being put together to supply them.

That requires the permission of Berlin, which has previously been hesitant but has lately signalled a willingness to allow it. A German government spokesperson said on Friday Berlin had yet to receive any formal request for permission to re-export the tanks.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaus; Writing by Peter Graff, Alex Richardson and Idrees Ali; Editing by Philippa Fletcher, Hugh Lawson and Daniel Wallis)
Key developments on Jan. 12:

As fierce fighting in and around Bakhmut is raging on, the Ukrainian military said it was conducting counterattacks in the devastated salt-mining town of Soledar.

"After several days of pulling back, we've even made a small advance," Ukraine's 46th Airmobile Brigade said, adding that "the railway station is ours, the mine is ours."

"We are waiting for support. Soledar is Ukraine," the brigade said.

Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged that the units defending Bakhmut and Soledar would be provided with ammunition and everything necessary "promptly and uninterruptedly."

He added that Ukraine's Armed Forces are reinforced with equipment and weapons supplied by the West.

Kyiv states that the battle for Soledar between Ukrainian forces and the Russian army and the Kremlin-controlled Wagner Group is underway, despite some claims that Moscow controls the town.

Soledar is located 10 kilometers north of Bakhmut  a city Russia has tried to seize for over five months.

Russia looks to capture the area as part of its larger goal of taking control of the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, which it has partly occupied since 2014.

The General Staff Deputy Chief Oleksii Hromov said on Jan. 12 that the military expects Russian forces to attempt to capture all of Donetsk Oblast in the near future.

"The enemy's main goal remains to seize our country's entire territory and destroy Ukraine's statehood," Hromov said.

Over 100 Russian soldiers killed in Ukrainian strike in Soledar, military says

Ukraine's Special Operations Forces reported that more than a hundred Russian soldiers were killed in the battle of Soledar after Ukrainian forces launched a missile attack.

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A group 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 troops, the strike destroyed Russian military equipment.

At the same time, the Ukrainian military spokesperson Serhii Cherevatyi reported that Soledar came under Russian attacks 91 times over the past day.

"Attempts to encircle Bakhmut also continue," Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said.

The U.S. satellite imagery company Maxar showed recent pictures of Soledar. The town is "almost completely destroyed."

Russia deploys more conscripts to combat zones in Ukraine

As Moscow troops struggle to capture Soledar, the Kremlin is accumulating its forces in Ukraine.

According to Maliar, the mobilized conscripts from the training grounds in Russia and Belarus are deployed to the combat zones and border areas.

"As of Jan. 10, about 280 formations operate as part of the Russian forces, taking into account the operational reserve, compared to 250 (formations) last week," Maliar wrote on Telegram.

Maliar added that lacking combat equipment, the Kremlin actively uses human resources to achieve success on the battlefield.

Suffering heavy losses, Russia is planning a new wave of mobilization for the war against Ukraine, Andriy Chernyak, a spokesman for Ukraine's military intelligence, said on Jan. 7.

As many as 500,000 conscripts could be called up, in addition to 300,000 that were already drafted, Chernyak reported.

Vadym Skibitsky, Ukraine's deputy military intelligence chief, earlier said the conscripts would likely be sent to the front lines in the east and south of Ukraine and would be part of renewed Russian offensives in the spring and summer.

According to the General Staff, as of Jan. 12, Russia has lost 112,960 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24.

The death toll of Russian troops is the highest the country has suffered since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan or arguably since World War II, Zelensky earlier said.
China's local SOEs see growing asset in 2022

Xinhua) 08:56, January 13, 2023

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's local state-owned enterprises (SOEs) saw a steady growth of assets in 2022, according to the country's top SOEs regulator.

The total assets of local SOEs reached 205.5 trillion yuan (about 30.36 trillion U.S. dollars) by the end of November 2022, up 10.1 percent year on year, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council said Thursday at a meeting.

Local SOEs saw their total business revenue up 8.1 percent, reaching 33.7 trillion yuan in the first 11 months of 2022.

China launched a three-year campaign in 2020 to boost the competitiveness and innovation capabilities of SOEs via reforms. The campaign ended in 2022 with its targets accomplished, the meeting noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
 Flash

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.
Key developments on Jan. 13:

The Kremlin-backed Wagner mercenary group publicly accused Russia's Defense Ministry of stealing credit for what it claims to be a victory in the battle for the salt-mining town of Soledar near Bakhmut in the Ukrainian eastern Donetsk Oblast.

Ukraine denies the town was captured, saying the fierce battle is still ongoing.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner, claimed that the group established control over the whole of Soledar and encircled Ukrainian forces in the center of the town back on Jan. 10.

Three days later, the Russian Defense Ministry also claimed that Soledar fell to Moscow control, however, without mentioning Wagner's involvement.

Shortly after the statement, Andrei Troshev, identified by the U.K. as a senior commander within Wagner Group, said that he was "surprised" by the statement, accusing the ministry of "demotivating" the mercenaries and "stealing other people's merits."

The public rift over the situation in Soledar hasn't gone unnoticed in Ukraine, with Mykhailo Podoliak, an advisor to the President's Office, saying on Twitter that the "public rumble" over "who is fighting better" in Soledar is "a good sign of the beginning of the stunning end."

On the same day, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Oleksii Danilov told NV media outlet that the Russian army is no longer centralized and has no trust.

According to him, it is reflected by the fact that two military groups  Wagner and Chechen special forces  currently operate alongside the Russian regular army, with another group expected to join them soon. According to Danilov, Russian security forces would soon form their own private army.

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The West also pointed out the Russian struggles in achieving its war objectives in Ukraine. Earlier on Jan. 12, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said that a decision by the Russian Defense Ministry to replace General Sergei Surovikin with Chief of the General Staff Valeriy Gerasimov as commander of Russia's war against Ukraine indicates "systemic challenges" for Moscow.

"We've talked about some of those things in terms of its logistics problems, command and control problems, sustainment problems, morale, and the large failure to obtain the strategic objectives that they've set for themselves," Ryder said.

Battle for Soledar continues, Ukraine says



Despite Russian claims about taking control over Solelar, the battle for the town continues, Ukraine's General Staff of the Armed Forces said in its regular evening update on Jan. 13.

At the same time, Ukrainian military spokesperson Serhii Cherevatyi reported that the Russian forces shelled the Bakhmut area in the eastern Donetsk Oblast 212 times over the past 24 hours, while 31 firefights were also recorded.

According to preliminary data, 183 Russian troops were killed, and 137 were wounded in the battles for the area in the past 24 hours, Cherevatyi said.

"The Russians cannot break through the Ukrainian defenses and continue to lose personnel in their assaults," he added.

On the afternoon of Jan. 13, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, which has played an active role in the battle for Soledar alongside Ukraine's 46th Airmobile Brigade, posted photos of what it says was a successful strike near Bakhmut on a Russian assault group, killing nine and wounding 16.

Soledar is located 10 kilometers north of Bakhmut  a city Russia has tried to seize for over five months. The capture of Bakhmut would be Russia's biggest victory in months, after a number of failures and setbacks in Ukraine.

Russia looks to capture the area as part of its larger goal of taking control of the entirety of Donetsk Oblast, which it has partly occupied since 2014.

Russia tries to build 2-million army, Ukrainian intelligence says

While Russia is suffering significant losses in Ukraine the country is looking to build a two-million-strong army through mobilization waves, Ukraine's military intelligence reported. Mobilization set-ups, including legislative amendments and the preparation of educational centers, are already underway in Russia, the intelligence said.

According to the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forcres, Russia has lost 114,130 troops since the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Last week, Ukraine's intelligence said that Russia plans to launch a new wave of mobilization, calling up 500,000 conscripts for the war against Ukraine on Jan. 15, in addition to 300,000 already drafted since September.

Vadym Skibitsky, Ukraine's deputy military intelligence chief, earlier said the conscripts would likely be sent to the front lines in the east and south of Ukraine and would be part of renewed Russian offensives in the spring and summer.

Both Ukraine and Russia seem to be preparing for new military operations in the spring.

Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov said Ukraine anticipates the "hottest" fighting in March as it plans "a major push" in the spring, and there may be further strikes "deeper and deeper" inside Russia.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told BBC that he was confident Ukraine would receive tanks, and fighter jets before the "renewed assaults from Russia in the spring."

"We understand they'll be ready to start, and we have to be ready," he told BBC.


The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has posted a video from Soledar, in which a fighter who goes by the alias of Madiar asks not to believe the statements from Moscow and shows evidence that Ukrainian military forces are fighting fiercely in the centre of the city.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces on Telegram

Details: Madiar asks people to stop listening to Russian propaganda that claims the Armed Forces of Ukraine have withdrawn from Soledar. According to him, the Ukrainian military is fighting for the city, and this is happening right now, as of 14:13 Friday.

The serviceman claimed that his unit stood in the downtown Soledar, and even reported some good news, saying that Russians tried to bypass the city from the flank, but the Ukrainian troops pushed them back, and the hostile force retreated.

Direct speech: "The Armed Forces of Ukraine stands in an echeloned, impenetrable wall of defence with sufficient forces. Yes, the Wagner assault units are constantly attacking... but we don't care about their plans, were doing our job, and we do it well, and we will do it to the end... Have patience!"

In the first video, Madiar slandered himself and called the date of 13 December. After that, the General Staff added another video where the soldier stands corrected, saying he was trolling the Russians.

Earlier: On 13 January, the Russian Defence Ministry made an official statement about the capture of the city of Soledar in Donetsk Oblast; the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense does not confirm this, admitting that heavy fighting continues in the town.

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BERLIN (Reuters) - The United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin will meet German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht in Berlin on January 19, a spokesperson for Germany's defence ministry told Reuters on Friday.

Washington and Berlin have coordinated sending aid and military hardware to support Ukraine in the war against Russia. Last week they jointly agreed to send infantry fighting vehicles. Allies have also proposed sending German-built Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine.

(Reporting by Alexander Ratz; writing by Matthias Williams; editing by Rachel More)
MICHAEL BUHOLZER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Treasury Department has started extraordinary measures today to prevent the country from defaulting on its obligations.

Debt Ceiling 2023: As the US Hits Its Debt Ceiling Limit, Yellen Announces First Extraordinary Measures

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Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen shared in a memo to Congress that the department would begin by suspending new investments in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF) and the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund (PSRHBF) from today until June 5, 2023.

While this would buy some time, it might also rattle markets and affect the economy and the lives of many Americans.

The fallout is serious, Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics told CNBC. It would create chaos in financial markets and completely undermine the economy, he added. The economy would go into a severe recession.

On Friday, Jan. 13, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress that the country will reach its debt limit on Thursday, Jan. 19, after which the Treasury Department will need to start taking certain extraordinary measures to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations.

Congress previously increased the debt limit to approximately $31.381 trillion on Dec. 16, 2021.

In a letter to newly elected House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Yellen wrote: Failure to meet the governments obligations would cause irreparable harm to the U.S. economy, the livelihoods of all Americans, and global financial stability.

Yellen added that even threats of a potential failure have caused real harm in the past, including the only credit rating downgrade in the history of our nation in 2011.

So far, there has been no agreement or compromise made in resolving the issue.

What Extraordinary Measures Might Yellen Enact?

What two extraordinary measures would the Treasury Department be forced to take in the event of a failure to raise the debt ceiling? Temporarily redeeming existing  and suspending new  investments of the Civil Service, Retirement and Disability Fund and the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, as well as suspending reinvestment of the Government Securities Investment Fund of the Federal Employees Retirement System Thrift Savings Plan, as Yellens letter indicated.

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The period of time that extraordinary measures may last is subject to considerable uncertainty due to a variety of factors, including the challenges of forecasting the payments and receipts of the U.S. government months into the future, she wrote.

As the Treasury Department explained on its website, increasing the debt limit does not authorize new spending commitments. It simply allows the government to finance existing legal obligations that congresses and presidents of both parties have made in the past. In turn, the federal government would have to at least temporarily default on many of its obligations, from Social Security payments and salaries for federal civilian employees and the military to veterans benefits, among others, per the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CFRB).

Failing to increase the debt limit would have catastrophic economic consequences. It would cause the government to default on its legal obligations, the Treasury Department indicated.

Congress Prepares For a Fight Over Raising the Debt Ceiling

A Republican-led Congress is likely to argue in favor of spending cuts in exchange for support in raising the debt ceiling. Many Democrats appear reluctant to agree to such terms, however.

Congress is going to need to raise the debt limit without  without conditions. And its that  its just that simple, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a Jan. 8 news conference. Attempts to exploit the debt ceiling as leverage will not work. There will be no hostage-taking. The full faith and credit of our country is too important to allow any of that, because to default would be to force extraordinary costs on the American economy and American families.

Take Our Poll: How Do You Think the Economy Will Perform in 2023?

Gen Z Shifts To Taking on Debt: Is It a Foreboding Sign of Recession?

Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers also told Bloomberg on Jan. 13 that a default would be a catastrophe  it would mean higher borrowing costs forever.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: US Hit Debt Ceiling, Says Yellen  What Does That Mean for You?
Russia reportedly abducted as many as 2,000 children from Ukraine into Russia since Jan. 1, Michael Carpenter, the U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE, said on Jan. 13.

Russian forces have unlawfully transferred or deported thousands of Ukrainian civilians to Russia, violating the Geneva Conventions, Carpenter said.

As of Dec. 22, 2022, Ukrainian authorities quoted by a Detektor Media investigation said that more than 13,000 thousand children were forcibly removed from Ukraine by Russia.

The Ukrainian militarys National Resistance Center said on Jan. 10 that the Russian military is compiling lists of those who can be mobilized into the army after graduation, starting with those who will come of age in 2023.

The center also said that children born in 2005-2006 in Russian-occupied territories in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts must already register for compulsory military service.

This advance planning to use Ukraines children as cannon fodder for Russias war is  I have no other words  its just plain evil, Carpenter said.It would also be a violation of the laws of war for Russia to conscript citizens of Ukraine from the areas Russia occupies.
The US should speed up building "guardrails" into its ties with China in 2023, the top White House official on Asia policy said Thursday, while one analyst anticipated a year of "co-opetition" between the two nations.

Kurt Campbell, deputy assistant to US President Joe Biden and coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs at the National Security Council, called the meeting between Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Indonesia in November an important effort "to build a foundation floor" into the bilateral relationship.

"Perhaps this is the time in 2023 to build some guardrails," he told a forum at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington.

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.

"Although we believe the dominant feature of US-China relations will continue to be competition, we want that to be productive, peaceful competition," Campbell said.

Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs at the National Security Council. Photo: YouTube alt=Kurt Campbell, coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs at the National Security Council. Photo: YouTube>

"And we want very much to channel that in arenas that are good for both of our peoples."

Scott Kennedy, a CSIS senior adviser and chair in Chinese business and economics also at the forum, said that Campbell's remarks showed that the Biden administration was trying to thread a diplomatic needle: expand dialogue and find areas to work with Beijing while continuing to press China on technology export controls with allies in the Indo-Pacific region and elsewhere.

"I don't see the US taking their foot off the gas on these technology actions whatsoever," he said.

"But I do think this year will be different and that we will see a recognition that overall economic decoupling is not possible," he said.

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Scott Kennedy of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Photo: CSIS alt=Scott Kennedy of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. Photo: CSIS>

"2023 will be the year of 'co-opetition' with China on economics and technology," he said, adding that there would likely be more connectivity in the financial sector between the two economies in this year rather than less.

Strains between the world's two largest economies, and concerns about how they may play out, have continued into the new year. The US House of Representatives this week overwhelmingly approved a new select committee on US-China strategic competition, while the US State Department last month created a "China House" to coordinate policy within the department.

Washington and Beijing confront a wide landscape of contentious issues, from an increasingly fierce tech war to Taiwan's security, but at Indonesia the two sides agreed there remained room for combined efforts in fields like responses to the climate crisis.

"Guardrails" has emerged as a Washington keyword regarding China almost since Biden took office roughly two years ago. Since at least mid-2021, senior US officials have adopted the phrase as shorthand for managing the US-China relation in a "responsible" manner to prevent tensions from devolving into conflict.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken invoked the same theme on Wednesday when discussing his coming trip to China to follow up on the Biden-Xi discussions, saying that the US would seek to keep lines of communication open and "do all that we can to establish guardrails to prevent competition ... from veering into conflict".

"We'll manage the competition responsibly, but we will compete vigorously," he told a news briefing after a meeting of the US-Japan Security Consultative Committee.

China's new foreign minister Qin Gang, who was Beijing's ambassador to Washington for 17 months before his appointment, has called for the two nations to find the "right way" to get along.

"The future of both our peoples - indeed, the future of the entire planet - depends on a healthy and stable China-US relationship," he wrote in an opinion piece in The Washington Post last week.

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.
Leah Pearse, a college student from Massachusetts, died after falling from a balcony when she was trying to climb into her locked Airbnb (Driscoll Funeral Home)

A 20-year-old woman from Massachusetts died while vacationing in Cancun, Mexico, after she fell from a balcony while trying to access her locked Airbnb.

Leah Pearse, a nursing student at Simmons University in Boston, found herself locked out of her Airbnb in Cancun on 6 January, according to NBC Boston. She tried to access the building by climbing onto her third-floor balcony.

Ms Pearse slipped during her climb and fell, reportedly dying instantly upon impact, according to her obituary.

She was described as "an outstanding individual who encompassed the full range of human emotions with such a depth and compassion for other that her presence was bright and brilliant for all who knew her," her obituary said.

Shortly after her death, Ms Pearses boyfriend, Augustine Aufderheide, was arrested by Cancun police, according to Mexican news site NotiCaribe.

He admitted that he and Ms Pearse had argued shortly before her death, but police ultimately determined that her fall was accidental and cleared Mr Aufderheide of any wrongdoing. He was later released by police.

Lynn Perry Wooten, the president of Simmons University where Ms Pearse studied, provided CBS News with a statement acknowledging her death and praising the womans character.

"Known for her confidence, compassion, and sense of humor, Leah brought out the best in others. Her lifelong goal was to become a nurse and she was an outstanding student in the accelerated five-year Bachelor of Science and Master of Science nursing degree program," Ms Wooten said. "We extend our deepest thoughts and condolences to Leahs family, friends, and all those in our community impacted by this tragedy. Counseling and support services are available for students and employees."

Its unclear how Ms Pearse became locked out of her Airbnb.
[Source]

A university and a military school in Vietnam have denied rumors of sexual assault and suicide involving female students in mandatory training.

The allegations erupted on local social media on Wednesday night, with posts claiming that a female student from Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages and Information Technology (HUFLIT) was gang-raped by 12 men while training at the Zone 7 Military School.

A version of the rumors also made its way to Twitter and Reddit, with at least one post claiming that there was more than one sexual assault victim. The victims allegedly attempted to commit suicide, with one succeeding.

The accusations were supposedly corroborated by clips filmed at the military school.

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One of them reportedly included the voice of a man yelling Spread your legs out, while another allegedly showed the body of the deceased student being carried away.

More from NextShark: NJ woman accused of fatally strangling her 2 children may face trial after final psych evaluation

Shortly after the rumors broke out, the military schools Center for National Defense and Security Training, which oversees the mandated program, issued a statement declaring that the information about the videos had been distorted with bad intentions.

Instead, what occurred were internal, personal disputes between two female students, the center said. One of them allegedly had an emotional breakdown, which led to the screaming in one of the clips.

Story continues

Due to their inability to regulate their emotions, one student exhibited screaming and wailing. The incident has been resolved by management employees, without any consequence, the center said, according to VnExpress International.

More from NextShark: Asian woman, 60, dies after being shot multiple times during attempted robbery in Oaklands Little Saigon

HUFLIT also rejected the allegations on Wednesday.

A representative said the information online was severely untrue, adding that law enforcement authorities have been asked to investigate and deal with whoever was responsible for spreading the news.

On Thursday, the university and the military school held a joint press conference to provide more details regarding the situation.

It was revealed that a female HUFLIT student in military training lost 1.4 million dong (approximately $60) and subsequently accused another female student of theft.

After being confronted, the accused student became hysterical, according to the administrators. She then ran out of her room screaming and attempted to kill herself by jumping off a balcony.

Authorities, however, managed to step in and take the student to safety. Her parents have since been contacted and advised to take her home, where she is understood to be recovering.

Present at the conference was the student who witnessed and filmed the incident. She reportedly lives in the opposite dormitory building.

The witness admitted to sending the clips of the incident to three friends on a messaging app without context.

From there, the rumors were born.

Student H. [accused of theft] is currently at home, Colonel Nguyen Tien Son, head of the military school's politics bureau, said at the conference, as per Viet Nam News. And according to her mother, she is suffering from a mental breakdown due to this false information.

HUFLIT Principal Nguyen Anh Tuan said she herself received malicious messages.

We are stunned by these false accusations. I was sent malicious messages by phone and social media due to this disinformation. However, the truth is the truth, and a good anvil does not fear the hammer, Tuan told reporters.

Colonel Ha Cong Cho, deputy head of the school's politics bureau, stressed that male and female students live separately at the school  and that males are not permitted in female quarters.

No one was raped, and no one committed suicide, Cho said.

Related stories:
Jan 1, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Sinzae Reeds ashes are seen in a capsule around his mother Megan Reeds neck while she speaks during a community press event regarding his shooting and subsequent death. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

It is disturbing, but sadly not surprising when children and young adults are slain in Columbus.

Homicides  the bulk involving firearms  were down in 2022 compared to the record 205 counted in 2021, but those improved numbers betray the reality of a gun violence epidemic that continues to claim far too many of Franklin County's youth.

Sinzae Reed is among the children tragically lost to the epidemic last year.

Ten percent of 2022's 140 homicide victims were younger than 18 and 33% were under 21, a 9% rise from the previous year, according to Columbus Dispatch reporting.

More:As 2022 Columbus homicide rate falls from record high, youth involvement in violence rises

It is awful when a child's life is cut short. This community and those families directly impacted deserve the swiftest answers possible.

In Franklin County, the gun violence epidemic is made worse by the average time officials say it takes to get a coroner's report.

Sinzae Reed's case

Sinzae Reed, a 13-year-old who was fatally shot earlier this month in the Hilltop neighborhood. His sister 20-year-old Makayla Nichols said Sinzae was a good kid who didn't deserve to die.

The impact the lag can have on families, investigators and community members seeking answers is highlighted in the sad case of Sinzae Reed.

Franklin County's coroner office has not released information about the 13-year-old's October shooting death.

Conflicting information has been released about the time it takes Franklin County to complete autopsy reports.

They are completed approximately six months from the date of death, according to information currently on the office's website.

As part of his September investigation into coroner's office spending, Dispatch reporter Nathaniel Shuda learned that four of its five forensic pathologists resigned in January 2022 and, as a result, it had been taking four to six months to complete reports.

More:Franklin County spent millions on outside autopsies as pathologists left coroner's office

But just days before Reed was shoot and killed Oct. 12, then Franklin County Coroner Anahi Ortiz told Shuda the office was back on track.

She said autopsy reports were being completed in eight to 10 weeks with some being done as fast as five to six weeks.

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Columbus homicide database:Here's where homicides have occurred in Columbus

Sinzae Reed died three months ago and there has been no autopsy report.

That means 90 days and counting with no forensic clarity about the death of a child.

Is six months the best Franklin County can do?

According to the Ohio State Coroners Association, 'the autopsy report, also called the protocol, usually takes about four weeks to be completed after the autopsy. "

That time period can be extended to six to eight weeks if microscopic and chemical tests are performed.

That said, the typical time for completion of reports varies around the country from a few weeks to a few months.

In Montgomery County, which includes Dayton, autopsy reports usually take about eight weeks, according to information on the county's website.

That county's coroner's office provides autopsies and/or coroner services for more than half of this state's 88 counties, according to Dispatch reporting.

It takes 12 to14 weeks (up to three and a half months) to complete autopsy reports in Hamilton County, the home of Cincinnati, that county's website says.

For more comparison  DeKalb County Georgia, the home of Atlanta  typically completes autopsy reports within one to three months.

It says about 83% of all cases are completed in less than 30 days.

Acting Franklin County Coroner Andrea McCollom, right, chats with Board of Commissioners President Erica Crawley, left, and Deputy Administrator Kris Long on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, at the Franklin County Government Center on High Street in Columbus.

Franklin County Coroner's office has been impacted by the national forensic pathologist shortage and internal struggles.

It is under a consultant's review that followed an investigation by Shuda revealing that $3.2 million in taxpayers' money was spent to shore up operations after the four of five forensic pathologists quit in January 2022.

New pathologists have been hired, and Dr. Andrea McCollom was appointed acting coroner in November, a week after Ortiz retired from the coroner position.

Ortiz headed the office for eight years.

Jan 1, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Makayla Nichols, sister of Sinzae Reed, holds a picture frame with photos of him during a community press event. Reed was killed Oct. 12, 2022 by Krieg Butler. Butler was initially charged with murder, but those charges have since been dropped and have not been refiled. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Scheller-The Columbus Dispatch

Why the autopsy report matters in Reed's case

Coroner's reports are often key to understanding how a homicide occurred and help determine what charges, if any, the person accused of committing will face.

Reed's death has drawn national attention and is being compared to the death of Trayvon Martin, an unarmed Black 17-year-old who was killed in Florida in 2012 by George Zimmerman.

Zimmerman claimed self-defense under that state's so-called "stand your ground" law.

He was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Reed was shot and killed Oct. 12 by a 36-year-old neighbor in the Wedgewood Apartments complex in the city's Hilltop neighborhood.

The neighbor, Krieg Butler, was charged with murder, but the Franklin County Prosecutor's office dismissed the charges days later due to Butler's claims that he fired on Reed in self-defense.

A 2019 state law places more burden on prosecutors in cases where self-defense claims are made by defendants.

There is no statute of limitations for filing a murder charge so the prosecutor's office can file charges again.

More:Family asks why charges dropped against Columbus man accused of killing 13-year-old

There is no autopsy report and thusly no forensic evidence about the boy's wounds to help prove or disprove Butler's version of events.

A witness told investigators they saw Butler get out of a red truck and fire bullets at Sinzae, striking him several times.

Butler then returned to his vehicle and fled the scene. He was arrested within 48 hours.

There have been cries for justice from Reed's family members and activists in Ohio and around the nation.

Franklin County residents should not be made to wait 6 months for autopsy reports

Neither Reed's family, the accused shooter nor the community should be made to wait six months for forensic evidence that will help answer questions about what happened.

There is cruelty in the wait.

Franklin County must do better in Sinzae Reed's case and all others they are charged to examine.

The community should call for immediate improvements.

The next family made to wait could be yours.

This piece was written by the Dispatch Opinion Editor Amelia Robinson on behalf of The Dispatch Editorial Board. Editorials are our board's fact-based assessment of issues of importance to the communities we serve. These are not the opinions of our reporting staff members, who strive for neutrality in their reporting.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Editorial: It shouldn't take six months for autopsy report on Sinzae Reed's death
The viral Pink Sauce that had TikTok and the government in a frenzy is now available nationwide for a limited time only at select Walmart locations.

From now through July, anyone interested in tasting the sweet and sour sauce can experience the hype themselves. Veronica Shaw, known as Chef Pii, created the now-famous sauce and celebrated the surreal moment on her Instagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Flavor Genie  (@chef.pii)

Blavity reported the Miami chef went viral and made headlines last summer following complaints and concerns from people who purchased the questionable sauce, stating that it had a weird smell, changed colors and ingredients were misspelled on the label. In addition, the products delivery took longer than expected, and the most alarming thing was that it needed to be FDA-approved.

I wanted a unique sauce. I wanted something that tasted like nothing else, but also to have a natural bright color, and I was able to accomplish that. And, you know, I believe thats why the world became so curious about the product, Shaw said in a Los Angeles Times interview.

Although Shaw received significant backlash over selling her product without following proper protocol, David Neuman, the president and CEO of hot sauce company Daves Gourmet, decided to mentor the Miami chef. He shared that this was an opportunity to refresh his sauce brand and support a fellow entrepreneur tapping into a new business venture.

Its a Willy Wonka-meets-Cinderella type of story. You know, mad scientist with an idea figures out how to get that product made and sold nationally and comes out smelling like a rose even though she got really beat up by people by not being able to fill the orders or not having the knowledge to make the product commercially, Neuman said, according to the Times.

Shaw began collaborating with Walmart last summer to bring consumers a new FDA-approved version of the product. For the 29-year-old to agree to the partnership, she had two requirements: the color must be naturally pink, and the sauce has to have the same great taste it had before.

To ensure the product wasnt a health hazard and to acquire FDA approval, Daves Gourmet assisted in updating the recipe and packaging. As a result, the formula includes the same pitaya (dragon fruit) base with coconut cream, canola oil, onion powder, ranch flavoring, and the addition of shelf-stable ingredients. The product is vegan and gluten-free, and, according to Neuman, it now has a shelf life of at least 18 months.

According to the Times, the company shared that the mistakes at the beginning of Piis journey were due to a lack of knowledge in food production. However, now having that insight into the production and distribution side of the business, she has a bright future ahead of her in the food industry.
School Shooting Newport News (Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

School officials in Virginia reportedly knew that a 6-year-old boy may have had a gun before he used it to shoot his teacher, according to the Associated Press. The districts superintendent made the claim.

In early January, a 6-year-old student at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, brought a gun to school and used it to shoot his 25-year-old teacher, Abigail Zwerner.

Superintendent George Parker told parents on Thursday night during an online meeting that a school official had been notified about the gun before the shooting occurred.

"At least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon in the timeline that were reviewing and was aware that that student had  that there was a potential that there was a weapon on campus," he told parents, according to broadcaster WAVY-TV.

The online meeting had reportedly been intended for parents only, but the broadcaster managed to gain access to the meeting from a concerned parent.

It was not made clear during the meeting how officials learned about the gun or why it was not confiscated by school officials.

The citys police chief, Steve Drew, has described the shooting as intentional. He previously revealed that the student brought the gun into school by hiding it in a backpack. The chief said the child used his mothers gun in the shooting.

The gun had been purchased legally, according to WTOP.

Earlier on Thursday the schoolboards chair, Lisa Surles-Law, said that the district would install metal detectors in all of its school, beginning with Richneck.

Ms Zwerner is expected to recover from the shooting.

The teacher was called a hero after the public learned that, despite being shot, she still shepherded her other students to safety and made sure they were secure before seeking help for herself.

I believe she did save lives, because I dont know what else might have happened if those kids would have stayed in that room, Mr Drew said of Ms Zwerner during a Monday news conference.
"Aesthetic" TikTok

The word "aesthetic" was long used on the internet to describe the style and "essence" of a person. w the internet more commonly uses it as a stand-alone word. The most common sentence construction, ala Gen-Zers: Thats so aesthetic. Credit - Source photos: @kaelimaee/TikTok (2); @camrynshows/TikTok (4)

Kaeli Mae built up more than 13 million followers on TikTok with soothing videos of her organized lifefrom restocking her diabetes medication to filling out her ice drawer. The 22-year-old, real name Kaeli McEwen, is one of the stars of aesthetic TikTokwhich prizes a clean, neat and very neutrally colored lifestyle.

But her latest viral video has left some people wondering if the trend is an example of TikTokers increasingly straying from TikToks roots of featuring authentic content. On January 7, she posted a video of aesthetic taxes. Thats right. The video, which has more than 1 million likes, features her romanticizing tax season for her viewersjuxtaposing her heap of receipts with the satisfying view of her beige iced coffee and planner placed symmetrically on her also conveniently beige desk.

Podcaster Gabby Sanchez, who saw Kaeli Maes viral taxes video on Twitter, says she was slightly dismayed by the video. Im not against the whole aesthetic thing if its getting people through their day, but the taxes video felt a little too far, she says. It was nicely done, but why are you romanticizing the government taking your money?

What is aesthetic TikTok?

Kaeli Mae, who lives in Seattle, Washington, includes the hashtag #aesthetic in all her videos, a TikTok category with over 190 billion views on the platform. The platforms site even encourages users to create their own aesthetic videos.

The word aesthetic was long used on the internet to describe the style and essence of a personor anything, reallyas in the antique grunge aesthetic or Tumblrs popular cottagecore aesthetic. Now the internet more commonly uses it as a stand-alone word. The most common sentence construction, ala Gen-Zers: Thats so aesthetic. Translation: Thats so cool or attractive, or in the case of the TikTok platform being taken over by Kaeli Mae-like content, so satisfyingly without color.

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Kaeli Mae, who quit her Starbucks barista gig last year to pursue TikTok full-time, is a pro at making her everyday wearabouts around her home a soothing internet hit. She describes her category of aesthetic as one of TikToks most popular: The that girl aesthetic, which promotes a put-together lifestyle of workout routines, clean eating, and a tidy home. My content inspires and motivates a lot of people that are especially trying to be that girl. I think they keep coming back to my videos to find inspiration to be the best version of themselves, she says.

A major component to this aesthetic is the presence of neutral tones like beige. (Even the highlighters Kaeli Mae featured in her taxes video are dull colors). The neutral element of this internet niche mimics the likes of Kim Kardashians popular Hidden Hills mansion known for its neutrally colored, minimalist interior design choices.

To many, like the hashtag Kaeli Mae uses in all her captions, the muted tones are satisfying to watch. Most people arent going to sit and watch your video if its not appealing to the eye, she says. Theyre appealing to the ears tooin her recent video you can clearly hear the clack of her pens and shuffle of her paper receipts, a nod to an internet trend known as ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response).

The mixed reaction to aesthetic TikTok

While the content performs well, its numbers come with critics.

Not everyone is happy with this new use of the word, with tweets like The usage of aesthetic as an adjective has got to stop in 2023 and Why does everything have to be labeled as an aesthetic now?

why does everything have to be labeled as an aesthetic now its so annoying   (@hbbakhn) January 3, 2023

The usage of "aesthetic" as an adjective has got to stop in 2023  Stwphwyn (@coat_store) January 4, 2023

Many of the creators have faced backlash from viewers that believe the portrayal of a romanticized, neutral-toned life is a rejection of expression, individuality and to its extreme, real life. Some say the beige aesthetic can go too far, calling out sad beige babies whose parents have removed color from their childrens rooms, wardrobes, and toys.

For Gabrielle Perry, founder of nonprofit The Thurman Perry Foundation, the neutrals in videos like Kaeli Maes are comforting. Theres nothing wrong with having a place of neutrality, she says. I decorate my house similarly because it helps with my anxiety.

Beige and neutral tones performing well on social media are potentially connected to audiences finding an emotional escape from a life saturated in color and noise, says Karen Haller, color psychology specialist and author of The Little Book of Colour. We live in a world thats full of noise, chaos and clutter. Finding softly colored, minimalistic clips like this on social media can serve as a micro moment of joy and safety, she says.

The effects of aesthetic TikTok

Kaeli Maes content doesnt only resonate with viewers, but has also encouraged other creators like Camryn Shows, a 23-year-old based out of Austin, Texas, to get on the aesthetic bandwagon. Since last May, Shows has gained over 15,000 followers on her TikTok page from uploading videos showcasing the neutral elements of her homefrom her bedroom decor awash in white, to her beige new puppy.

Shows credits TikToks algorithm dubbed the secret sauce for the explosive growth of the Chinese-owned social media appfor the strength of her contents performance. It brings people together that like similar things and have similar interests, Shows says. Ninety percent of her audience is female between the ages of 20 to 40 years old, she adds.

Shows often gets comments on her posts from naysayers questioning her decision to maintain a neutrally toned presence online. Her neutral choices go beyond her content creation, and are more-so a personal lifestyle decision to help with her obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety, she says.

She wants to showcase the home shes proud of, but reckons with the idea that many of her viewers could be internalizing an unrealistic expectation of everyday life. Its so important to keep in mind that social media is just a highlight reel, says Shows. Im giving glimpses into a portion of my life, but its not always so picture-perfect and organized.

Perry is doubtful that this current trend on TikTok will be the end-all be-all. Home decor and aesthetics work in shifts, she says. This isnt the first time neutrals were in trend and it wont be the last. Kaeli Mae is confident that this type of content is here to stay and is hopeful her online career will continue to grow because of it. Even with all the different trends, Im able to adjust and make content that has those soothing, aesthetic, ASMR qualities.
Photo Illustration by Thomas Levinson/The Daily Beast/Getty

As 91-year-old Fox News mogul Rupert Murdoch carves his final deals before heading to the big newsroom in the sky, the worlds focus is beginning to turn to his son and heir apparent, Lachlan.

And according to The Daily Beasts Editor At Large Lachlan Cartwright, theres more to Murdoch junior than meets the eye. He explains on this weeks episode of The New Abnormal: Its important to note that Lachlans politics are far more conservative than his father.

When quizzed by podcast co-host Danielle Moodie how that could even be possible, Cartwright replies: It is possible. He is staunchly more conservative than his dad and so I think if anything, you may see some of that appear in some of the titles throughout the empire.

Lachlans close to Tucker Carlson. Tucker and Lachlan speak often and Lachlan is a big advocate for Tucker. He is very much on side with a lot of the politics that is presented on Fox News.

Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast.

Cartwright predicts that after his fathers death, Lachlan will continue in his executive chairman role while adding Rebekah Brooks to run the company day-to-day.

But there have always been questions about Lachlans ability as an executive compared to his father. Hes not as much of a political animal as Rupert, who is known to be darting in and out of 10 Downing Street or speaking to the PM of Australia. Bringing in someone like Rebekah who is trusted, who is incredibly loyal, who can help with some of these day-to-day decisionsthat remains a top priority for Lachlan and for Rupert.

One Theory for Why Bolsonaro Is in Florida

Then, Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of Texas Childrens Hospital Center for Vaccine Development and Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, tells podcast co-host Andy Levy his worries about the future of the House GOP and its anti-science aggression while trying to create a witch huntnot only against science, but against the scientists.

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Rather than get ready for the next big, fourth, major coronavirus pandemic-slash-epidemic, were going to focus on the phony baloney stuff and keep our eyes off the prize, Dr. Hotez warned. And thats going to make our country more vulnerable when we should be shoring up our virologic research, not creating the witch hunt against virologists.

Listen to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon and Stitcher.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Fierce fighting in eastern Ukraines Soledar is ongoing as Russia hopes to take full control of the salt mining town and surround its bigger prize: Bakhmut.

The city of Bakhmut in the Donetsk region of Ukraine is strategically important to the war, but has taken outsized significance as Russia seeks to score a rare military victory, whatever the human cost.

For Russia, control of the city would likely lay the groundwork for a push northwest, toward the larger cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk, said Branislav Slantchev, a political science professor at the University of California, San Diego who studies the conduct of war.

Slantchev said taking Bakhmut would be a tremendous morale booster for the Russian war effort and would also pose difficulties for Ukraine in settlements across the Donetsk.

Its an important transport hub, a lot of supply lines go through there and Russia could use it as a base, Slantchev said. Its fairly well fortified, so it would be difficult to take it back.

But Russia has been unable to take Bakhmut for months, despite constant shelling and veritable trench warfare with Ukrainian troops. Controlling Soledar, just a few miles away, would help them encircle the city and press in from a new direction in the north.

Since a failed bid to take Kyiv early in the war, Russia has switched gears to focus on the Donbas, made up of the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions, including Bakhmut  which for months has seen some of the heaviest fighting in the war.

Russia does not appear to have the entirety of Soledar within its grasp, although it made significant gains this week through brutal tactics, including leveling the town with artillery strikes and throwing a mass wave of soldiers, many who were taken prisoner at Ukraines lines.

The Kremlin on Wednesday said changing tactics helped make advances in Soledar, according to Russian news agency Tass.

John Herbst, the senior director of the Eurasia Center for the Atlantic Council, said the fighting in Bakhmut and Soledar is almost entirely being conducted by the Wagner Group, a mercenary outfit led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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Herbst said Russian fighters gained ground because of a huge advantage sustained through artillery strikes and the wall of soldiers that Wagner has thrown at Ukraine.

But any advances are a costly victory for Russia, as thousands of lives have reportedly been lost and the town has been decimated, Herbst added.

Of course, for the Russians, this is the way they do it, he said. They send people to die so they can make minimal gains.

Moscow claims it has seized control of most of Soledar, while Ukraine says fighting is continuing and has called Russian claims of victory propaganda.

Prigozhin, the financier of the Wagner Group, claimed complete liberation of the mining town and said 500 Ukrainian troops were killed.

The whole city is littered with the corpses of Ukrainian soldiers, Prigozhin said in a Telegram post.

However, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov on Wednesday said Russian troops had blocked the city from the north and south and that fighting was continuing inside the city, Tass reported.

Prigozhin is seen as jockeying for influence with Putin, however the Russian leaders reshuffle of the generals leading the war effort this week was seen as a rebuke to hawks outside of the military establishment.

On Wednesday, Putin replaced the commander overseeing the war in Ukraine with Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, effectively giving his top military man ownership over the war.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that the appointment of Gerasimov was likely part of the Russian Defense Ministry reasserting primacy in an internal power struggle.

In his nightly address on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia is claiming control of Soledar to rally public support.

Russia is 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, Zelensky said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a press briefing on Wednesday that combat is fluid in Soledar and that Ukrainians are still putting up a determined fight.

Its gone back and forth a number of times, Austin said. It really is some pretty brutal fighting.

Even if Russia takes Soledar, it does not mean Bakhmut would immediately fall, nor does it pose an imminent risk to Ukrainian troops in the region.

Analysts at the ISW said even taking the most generous Russian claims at face value, the capture of Soledar would not portend an immediate encirclement of Bakhmut.

Slantchev, the political science professor, doubted that Russian control over Bakhmut would mark a clear victory if forces failed to make further gains in the north.

A lot of people are criticizing this pressure on Bakhmut and Soledar because even if they take them, if the Ukrainians achieve their goals in the north [Russia] cant defend them, Slantchev said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
fizkes / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Most Americans will look back on the last year as a time when their utility bills were astronomically expensive -- among other expenses. In a GOBankingRates poll of 1,003 Americans, nearly 78% saw a rise in their household utility bills in 2022.

Housing Market 2023: Is a Double-Digit Drop in Prices Coming?

See: How To Build a Financial Plan From Zero

GOBankingRates spoke to Jacqui Kearns, chief wellbeing officer at Affinity Federal Credit Union, to learn why utility bills have become so expensive. As costs are anticipated to keep rising year-over-year, find out which quick fixes can make for more cost-effective utility statements.

fizkes / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The Main Reason Utility Bills Have Increased

Throughout 2022, domestic production, overseas conflict and weather interruptions disrupted the U.S. supply chain. General supply and demand, Kearns said, created price increases.

Utility bills for heating, and use of natural gas, oil or propane, are estimated to be significantly higher year-over-year. Kearns uses the example of how in New Jersey, a major energy provider estimates a 25% rise in costs year-over-year.

Fortunately, there are some quick fixes one can utilize to trim utility costs.

Take Our Poll: Do You Think Bankruptcy Is an Acceptable Way To Escape Student Loan Debt?

damircudic / iStock.com

Tips To Decrease Your Bills: Start With Your Statement

Take a moment to review your monthly bill.

Kearns said most energy providers are happy to give customers advice on how and where they can budget the cost of energy over an annual payment plan. In addition, many companies will provide financial assistance or a referral to a service that can help you put together a budget that works best for you.

Sebastian Gauert / Shutterstock.com

See If You Qualify for Energy Credits

You might qualify for local or federal emergency or energy credits depending on your state of residence.

Help is available. "Check your state's website," Kearns recommends. "In most cases by calling 211 you will be connected to resources that can help with the immediate fuel or energy needs."

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MartinPrescott / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Seek Out a Free Energy Audit

Kearns said your utility company or local HVAC provider can assess where your home might be vulnerable to the weather through a free energy audit. They can provide recommendations or services for weatherproofing to mitigate these issues.

What if you rent? Kearns recommends reaching out to your property manager. They can enlist these services on your behalf.

fizkes / iStock.com

Mind the Dial

It may not sound like a good idea to keep the room temperature a bit cooler as we head into the winter months, but just a few degrees can make a big impact in your monthly heating costs.

The ideal temperature for a room at night, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is between 60 to 67 degrees. Kearns said while this might sound cooler than the average room temperature of 72, the degree difference does add up.

Alex Potemkin / iStock.com

Enlist Mother Nature's Help

Small touches from planet earth can be a big help in cutting utility bill costs in the winter months.

Kearns recommends identifying which rooms in your home are southern facing. Doing so will allow residents to gain warmth during the day by simply not drawing open the blinds or drapes. This, combined with great weatherproofing, can offer a natural source of heat and light during the daylight hours.

Don't forget to bundle and buy, too. Stock up on home goods like thermal drapes, draft stoppers and blankets that can help with the warmth factor during the especially cold days and nights.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: The No. 1 Reason Your Winter Utility Bill Is High This Year and How To Lower It Now
Mountain lion P-45, believed to be responsible for the killings of livestock near Malibu. Mountain lions are believed to be responsible for killing livestock in Lake County, Calif. (National Park Service)

A killing spree of dozens of sheep and goats by mountain lions in a rural community in Northern California has forced ranchers and wildlife authorities to navigate the boundaries between protecting the predator cat and preserving the rights of landowners.

Over the last week, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued several permits to allow ranchers to either scare off or kill the mountain lions believed responsible for the surge in killings in Lake County.

"It's been a day-to-day, hourly kind of situation. This is perfect mountain lion habitat. These lions belong there," said agency spokesperson Peter Tira. "At the same time, we're trying to be as supportive and helpful to property owners as possible."

The mountain lion problem surfaced on Jan. 5 when a property owner in Lower Lake  a town of about 1,000 residents on the south side of Clear Lake, northwest of Sacramento  asked Fish and Wildlife for "a lethal depredation permit to kill a lion due to the loss of 23 sheep" the previous night, Tira said.

Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, working with Fish and Wildlife, visited the site and confirmed the presence of separate mountain lion tracks that suggested a group of three, possibly a mother and two adolescents.

The property owner instead was approved for a nonlethal depredation permit, which allows for the deployment of deterrents and some hazing, which can include using dogs to scare the lions away.

"We try to resolve the conflict first before any lethal measures" are taken, Tira said.

A report from Fish and Wildlife said that in 2021, 90% of the 182 mountain lion depredation permits issued in California were nonlethal. In 1996, the department estimated that there were 4,000 to 6,000 mountain lions in the state. Since 2014, the agency has been working on updating the population estimate, per its website. "Mountain lions are legally classified as a 'specially protected species,'" the site says.

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On Jan. 6, a neighbor of the first property owner in Lower Lake requested a depredation permit after losing five goats and a sheep. That neighbor, too, was issued a non-lethal permit on Jan. 7. That night, mountain lions struck again.

On Sunday, the neighbor requested and was granted a lethal permit after the loss of four additional livestock: a goat, a sheep and two lambs. The total livestock toll in Lower Lake was 33 animals.

The lethal permit allowed a Lake County trapper to enter the property of the neighbor and trap and euthanize an adolescent male lion Monday. Later that day, trail cameras on the property captured images of two more lions, and the property owner reported a missing lamb the next morning.

The same property owner requested a second lethal permit, which Fish and Wildlife denied, citing needed improvements in the livestock enclosures. The owner needed to "step up the deterrents and protections," Tira said.

On Jan. 11, a third property owner, in Kelseyville  a town of around 3,500 residents about 15 miles northwest of Lower Lake  reported losing a goat and chasing a group of mountain lions off the property.

Officials did not know whether these mountain lions were the same as those they had engaged with in Lower Lake.

With a nonlethal depredation permit, the Kelseyville property owner put up a trail camera. Around 5 a.m. Thursday, the camera spotted a pair of mountain lions. Trappers with the USDA brought dogs to haze the big cats.

Over the course of an hour, the dogs got on the scent of a female mountain lion and scared her into a tree. The dogs were then allowed to bark at the lion, a common hazing method.

"Hopefully that mountain lion gets the message: It might not be a good idea to go back there," Tira said.

If the hazing fails to keep the predators away, authorities are considering other strategies, including trapping and tagging the lions so that officials can alert landowners when threats are near. The tags can also help test the effectiveness of the hazing conducted Thursday.

Moving the lions elsewhere was not under consideration, Tira said. "Other lions will move in if we move these ones out."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Wisconsin and North Carolina became the latest states to ban TikTok from government devices on Thursday, as concerns grow over potential cybersecurity risks posed by the Chinese-owned social media platform.

Its important for us to protect state information technology from foreign countries that have actively participated in cyberattacks against the United States, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) said in a statement. Protecting North Carolina from cyber threats is vital to ensuring the safety, security, privacy, and success of our state and its people.

North Carolina also banned WeChat, a messaging platform owned by a Chinese technology company, and left the door open to banning other applications that pose an unacceptable cybersecurity risk.

Gov. Tony Evers (D-Wis.) similarly directed a division within the Wisconsin state government to continue evaluating and identifying other platforms and vendors that could pose a threat to cybersecurity, beyond TikTok.

New and evolving technologies will continue to present risks to privacy, safety, and security, and this order ensures we will continue to be vigilant in monitoring these technologies while trusting the advice of these experts on evolving cybersecurity issues facing our state, Evers added in a statement.

More than 20 state governments have banned TikTok from official devices over the cybersecurity concerns. Federal employees have also been barred from using the social media platform on government devices, following President Bidens signing of the omnibus spending package.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
 Flash

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that 36 British citizens were barred from entering Russia due to London's policy of confrontation against Russia.

The blacklist includes members of the cabinet of ministers, representatives of security services as well as journalists, the ministry said in a statement without disclosing their names.

Moscow denounced the British government for actively using personal sanctions and conducting an intensive propaganda campaign in a bid to discredit Russia and isolate it in the international arena.

"Having deliberately rejected a creative and constructive dialogue, London continues to pursue the policy of confrontation and, in collaboration with Washington, to spread false information about Russia," the ministry said in the statement.
[Source]

A woman was arrested for stabbing an 18-year-old girl in the head multiple times on a Bloomington Transit bus in Indiana.

Billie R. Davis, 56, repeatedly stabbed the teen using a pocket knife while she was waiting for the bus doors to open at the intersection of West Fourth Street and the B-Line Trail at around 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, according to police.

Bloomington Police Department officers responded to the scene and the victim, who had blood flowing from her head, was rushed to the hospital.

Although her medical condition is currently unavailable, she was able to speak to investigators regarding the incident.

More from NextShark: Popular Italian Bed and Breakfast Posts Racist Messages About Chinese Wet Markets

According to the police's review of the stabbing, footage from Bus No. 1777 showed no interaction between the two women prior to the attack.

On Thursday, Davis was booked into the Monroe County Jail, where she was charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery and battery by means of a deadly weapon.

More from NextShark: True allyship: Black man hailed hero after saving elderly Asian man from carjacking perp

A passenger who witnessed the attack reportedly followed Davis off the bus and updated police on her location. Davis was arrested near the intersection of Kirkwood Avenue and South Washington Street.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Davis said she attacked the 18-year-old for being Chinese.

Race was a factor in why she stabbed her, the affidavit read, according to The Herald-Times. Davis made a statement that it would be one less person to blow up our country.

More from NextShark: North Korea fires ballistic missile, Japan and South Korea report, in 13th launch this year

According to the affidavit, Davis had the intention to kill the teen as footage shows her unfolding her knife and stabbing the victim seven times in the head.

Davis reportedly told police that she discarded the weapon before officers were able to arrest her. She is currently held without bond.

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Individuals with additional information in relation to the attack are asked to contact Detective Rob Shrake at 812-349-3352.

More from NextShark: 5 suspects assault monk in Nashville Buddhist temple robbery

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Wounded Russian soldiers are being sent to Ukraine to fight despite their injuries, according to a report.

Soldiers with damaged lungs and shrapnel wounds have been returned to the frontline.

The presidential Human Rights Council in Russia is investigating the matter, a council member said.

Severely injured Russian soldiers are being returned to the frontline in Ukraine without the approval of military doctors, independent Russian news outlet Agentstvo reported on Thursday.

In one instance, two Russian soldiers with punctured lungs were sent into combat, instead of to a military medical commission for examination, Valentina Melnikova, executive secretary of the Union of the Committees of Soldiers' Mothers of Russia, said, per Agentstvo.

In another example, soldiers with shrapnel wounds were returned to fight, without the shrapnel being removed, according to a translation of the article by independent media outlet Meduza.

There are "an unacceptable number" of documented cases of commanders sidestepping military doctors and instead sending wounded soldiers straight from the hospital to the frontline, Melnikova told Agentstvo, per a Meduza translation.

There have also been cases of soldiers receiving treatment for ulcers, heart attacks, and strokes being sent back to Ukraine, she said.

The presidential Human Rights Council in Russia is investigating the matter after receiving complaints from hospital staff in Moscow and in the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk in Ukraine, council member Olga Demicheva told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency on Tuesday.

"We learned of a situation in which fighters who had received high-tech medical care with recommendations for rehabilitation and follow-up care were sent straight to the front instead of rehabilitation," Demicheva said.

"As a result, the treatments that they received simply go down the drain," Demicheva added, according to a translation by the International Business Times.

In November, Army Gen. Mark Milley, the highest-ranking US military officer, estimated that "well over" 100,000 Russian soldiers had been killed or wounded in the war in Ukraine, according to The Washington Post.

Newsweek reported this week that Russia is building new hospitals in response to a growing number of injuries among its troops, citing a daily update from the Ukrainian army.

Read the original article on Business Insider
NEW YORK (AP)  Lawyers for a longtime advice columnist who says Donald Trump raped her a quarter century ago in a department store dressing room told a judge Thursday that the former president's fall deposition should be made public.

The lawyers for writer E. Jean Carroll filed papers in Manhattan federal court to support her most recent lawsuit against the former president and oppose the effort by Trump's lawyers to toss it out.

Carroll, a former Elle magazine columnist, first sued Trump for defamation after he mocked claims she made in a 2019 book that Trump raped her in an upscale Manhattan store's dressing room in late 1995 or early 1996 after a lighthearted chance encounter turned violent.

Trump has denied knowing Carroll and has repeatedly denied the encounter took place, calling her allegations a complete con job. He also said shes not my type.

Among the papers her lawyers filed was a letter urging Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to order the unsealing of Trumps October deposition. Kaplan ordered it unsealed earlier this week, but rescinded the order after Trump's lawyers complained that they had not been given adequate opportunity to oppose the unsealing.

Lawyers for Carroll said redacted excerpts from Trump's deposition were included in written arguments they submitted late Thursday as they urged Kaplan to reject Trumps attempt to toss out the rape claim.

No other witness has requested that their depositions remain sealed," the lawyers wrote.

They noted that Carroll did not request the sealing of her deposition, excerpts of which Trump's lawyers cited in their arguments asking that the lawsuit be dismissed.

The civil rape claim by Carroll was made in November after New York state passed the temporary Adult Survivor's Act, a law allowing adult victims of sexual abuse to sue their abusers, even if attacks occurred decades ago.

Trump's lawyers have opposed the lawsuit on multiple grounds, including by challenging validity of the state law.

They argued in an earlier filing that the law violates the New York State Constitution, was an invasion of due process and a clear abuse of legislative power.
By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel to Senegal, Zambia and South Africa during the next two weeks, as the United States aims to strengthen ties with a continent that has been the focus of Chinese trade and investment for years.

Yellen, 76, is the first member of President Joe Biden's cabinet to embark on a lengthy African trip, after Biden announced more than $15 billion in two-way trade and investment deals in December, saying the United States was "all in" on Africa's future.

Her trip comes as China's foreign minister, Qin Gang, continues a five-country tour of Africa, the 33rd consecutive year that Africa has been the destination of the Chinese foreign minister's first overseas tour of the calendar year.

Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will also travel to Africa this year, as will Yellen's deputy, Wally Adeyemo.

Yellen will meet government and private sector officials in the three countries to discuss energy, food security, debt issues and infrastructure investments, senior Treasury officials said. In Senegal, she will meet the leader of the African Union, President Macky Sall.

The new United States' new approach includes promising and delivering significant investment and trade partnerships, not just humanitarian aid and security assistance, administration officials said.

"We believe that Africa's growth will be a key driver of global growth over the coming decades," a senior Treasury official told reporters. "U.S. companies investing in Africa means jobs and opportunities for a growing middle class, and new markets and customers for American firms."

The economies of sub-Saharan Africa will grow by 3.7% in 2023, the IMF projects, besting global estimates of 2.7%. The United Nations last year estimated that the population in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa would double between 2022 and 2050.

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Chinese trade with Africa is about four times that of the United States, and Beijing has become an important creditor by offering cheaper loans - often with opaque terms and collateral requirements - than Western lenders. But some African countries, including Zambia, have soured on Chinese lending and are looking for alternatives, experts say.

Yellen's visit is intended to deepen longstanding U.S. ties to African nations and offer sustainable, high-quality investments that "don't weigh down recipient countries with unsustainable debt burdens," the Treasury official said, without offering specifics.

Yellen has criticized Beijing - now the world's largest creditor - for not moving quickly to restructure the debt of poor countries in Africa. The topic will be a key issue when she visits Zambia, the Treasury official said.

Yellen's time in Zambia will coincide with a visit by International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, although IMF sources said the trips were not planned at the same time.

Washington intends to offer African leaders more sustainable choices than China, a senior U.S. official told Reuters, especially in areas such as infrastructure, digital transformation and climate change.

Biden in December proposed that the African Union be included in the Group of 20 major economies to give African countries a bigger seat at the table. The only African nation included previously was South Africa.

In Senegal, Yellen will meet with women entrepreneurs, speak at a business incubator, and visit Goree Island, which served as a slave trading post in West Africa. She will also participate in the groundbreaking of a rural electrification project led by U.S. engineering firm Weldy Lamont and backed by $100 million in financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank.

In Lusaka, Zambia, she will visit a distribution center run by Mylan Labs, a U.S. company helping distribute anti-malarial treatments, and meet with business leaders from the American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia.

In South Africa, she will highlight work that Treasury is doing to combat illegal wildlife trafficking, and visit a Ford Motor Co assembly plant outside Pretoria that employs more than 4,000 people, and is slated to become carbon neutral by 2024.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Heather Timmons and Gerry Doyle)
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the U.S. is projected to reach its roughly $31.4 trillion borrowing limit in less than a week.

Yellen shared the estimate in a letter to Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) on Friday. She also warned the department would soon have to begin taking extraordinary measures to stave off a default to buy time for Congress to find a bipartisan solution.

Those measures include temporarily redeeming existing and suspending new investments of the Civil Service, Retirement and Disability Fund and the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, as well as suspending reinvestment of the Government Securities Investment Fund of the Federal Employees Retirement System Thrift Savings Plan.

Yellen added that the funds would be made whole after the debt limit impasse has ended.

While the secretary said its unlikely cash and extraordinary measures will run out before early June, she stressed the measures will only last for a limited amount of time and pressed for Congress to act in a timely manner to raise or suspend the ceiling.

The letter to McCarthy comes as a high-stakes fight over raising the debt ceiling looms over the further Congress after Republicans took back control of the lower chamber last week.

McCarthy has pressed for any action to address the debt ceiling to be tied to spending cuts sought by Republicans. However, proposals for significant cuts are likely to find trouble in the Senate, where Democrats still hold control.

If youre going to ask for an increase in the limit, at some point in time, youve got to sit down and say why are we hitting the limit? Why are we maxing out the credit card? House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told reporters earlier this week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Bedford County School Board discussed a proposed redistricting plan in more depth at its regular meeting this past week, preparing for an upcoming public hearing and possible action.

Redistricting of the Forest school zone initially was proposed last summer.

Capacity strain has become an issue at New London Academy and Forest Elementary School  two schools which serve an area of the county that has experienced explosive growth in housing development in recent years.

The plan, as proposed, would make better use of existing capacity at other schools by adjusting some boundaries, meaning some students would change schools.

Three possible courses of action were presented to the board for consideration: full implementation of the proposed redistricting; partial implementation that would affect slightly fewer elementary students; or simply take no action, and instead look into an expansion solution such as adding modular buildings on overcrowded campuses  a move no board members who spoke up were keen on, both for aesthetic and practical reasons, and the extra cost purchasing these structures would incur.

If the proposed redistricting is implemented in full, altogether about 160 BCPS students  about 2% of the total student population  would be redistricted. The plan would only affect elementary students, and a grandfathering option also was presented so currently enrolled children at New London Academy and Forest Elementary School could choose to remain at those schools. These schools were set to be closed to zone transfers and new students under the proposal, at least for a while.

Under the proposed redistricting and boundary adjustment plan, some elementary students in the Forest zone would be moved to Otter River, Big Island, Thomas Jefferson and Bedford elementary schools, which currently can take on higher student capacities.

Multiple school board members shared a general consensus at the boards Thursday meeting that the New London Academy situation must be addressed, as it posed an immediate and critical capacity situation, but they could possibly wait to take action regarding Forest Elementary School and broader redistricting.

Forest Elementary is currently at 89% capacity, according to BCPS data. In the interest of disrupting as few elementary students and parents as possible, several board members asked staff if they could consider a plan that tackles only the active overcrowding at New London, which is at 100% capacity and is projected to go over next year if an alleviation measure is not taken. Under the proposed redistricting, New London would come down to 82% capacity, with almost 60 elementary students moving.

The capacity data is largely based on projected enrollment for next school year. Some board members said they should consider waiting until actual enrollment numbers come in before making changes to anywhere except New London Academy.

My concern is also that, its not broken except New London at this point, and it impacts so many families, said District 1 representative Susan Mele. Youre going to have families that arent going to be able to transport their kids. ... I just feel like, lets fix what needs to be fixed, and lets see what kids show up [next year]. I just think we should wait for them to show up, and see what we need to do before we disrupt families and kids. But we do need to address New London. That is an issue.

District 5 representative Georgia Hairston pointed out the overall Bedford County student enrollment projection trends downward over the next 10-plus years. New London Academy, she said, absolutely needs immediate addressing.

Thats a concern, Hairston said. We need to take some action, in some way, to help alleviate some of that capacity issue there.

The capacity issue in Forest Elementary School might resolve itself if the downward enrollment trend proves accurate, Hairston said.

District 6 representative and board chair Susan Kirby has long been a steadfast proponent of redistricting. In fact, she said, she felt the proposed plan did not go far enough. Kirby maintained the position that full redistricting would be the better move. She saw it as a longer-term fix and said she also was dismayed with lack of growth in the Liberty and Staunton River school zones. Redistricting, she said, would bring more students into those zones.

Kirby said the division needed to fill the halls of Staunton River and Liberty zone schools. They have plenty of room for more students, according to BCPS data and the proposed redistricting plan.

District 4 representative Marcus Hill said the board should be having these discussions about capacities and redistricting but it felt like they were playing musical chairs with our kids. New London Academy, he agreed, was a situation that needs to be addressed  but Forest Elementary and other schools, for instance, seemed like they could wait.

I know previously, when we saw reports, it showed over capacity at certain schools. Now, when Im looking at this data, really based on your projections for next year, were sitting at 100% [capacity] only at one school, and thats New London, he said.

District 2 representative Matthew Holbrook said ultimately, redistricting seemed like a short-term solution.

District 3 representative Dwayne Nelms agreed he thinks the priority is to fix the situation at New London Academy but shared the opinion to wait on actual enrollment numbers for 2023-24 before doing anything else.

Other considerations the board raised, should redistricting occur, included higher fuel costs parents would have to contend with as they transport their students to different schools and potential schedule disruptions for parents who work and rely on school bus transportation for their children.

District 7 representative Chris Daniels said the board should adopt a ready, aim, fire position to address the immediate issues but there also is merit in planning ahead for a more permanent solution such as expansion of the New London Academy campus.

BCPS superintendent Marc Bergin said one possible option staff could look into for targeting only New London Academy was relocating the countys preschool program to another school that has more space. The pre-K program currently occupies three classrooms in New London, he said.

Bergin still advocated for addressing both Forest Elementary School and New London Academy, as he said both schools were facing immediate and pressing capacity issues.

Ultimately, Hill said the board should wait and see what parents and community members say at the upcoming public hearing on Thursday. The board will ponder all the feedback as they consider possible action.

Maps of the proposed redistricting, as well as detailed student enrollment data, are available on BCPSs BoardDocs website, available from bedford.sharpschool.net.

The public hearing on the proposed redistricting will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, at Jefferson Forest High School.
Lynchburg City Council voted this week to deny a proposal to build 119 townhomes on Leesville Road, citing concerns with overcrowding in the area.

After a public hearing, council voted 5-2 on Tuesday to reject an amendment to the citys Future Land Use Map and unanimously voted to reject a rezoning of 615, 619, 623 and 651 Leesville Road from Low Density Residential (R-1) and Limited Business Conditional (B-1C) to High Density Residential (R-4C).

Mayor Stephanie Reed and Ward I Councilor MaryJane Dolan voted against denying the amendment to the Future Land Use Map, but both voted to reject the rezoning.

Both the amendment to the citys Future Land Use Map and rezoning ordinance needed to be approved in order to greenlight the townhome project.

The developer, Bob Conner Inc., petitioned to rezone the property in order to construct 119 townhomes and associated parking on the lot. In November, the citys planning commission voted 4-1 to recommend the denial of the proposal as well.

Trent Warner, an engineer for Hurt & Proffitt who was representing the petitioner, argued on behalf of building 119 townhomes instead of 78 single-family units in the residential district, saying that number just doesnt work.

We just believe that looking at the layout, looking at the terrain, R-1 doesnt work. And lets just find something that can work, and thats what we put together here, he said.

According to Rachel Frischeisen, a planner for the City of Lynchburg, the developer has the ability by right in the Low Density Residential district to construct single-family homes.

Timothy Santiago, a Lynchburg resident, argued the influx of traffic from 119 townhomes would make the area even more congested.

If you average ... just two cars per dwelling, thats going to be over 200 extra vehicles come rush hour, Santiago said. How do we justify putting that much traffic in an already congested area?

Charmaine Davis, another resident, cited the traffic at Heritage high and elementary schools on weekday mornings as a reason to reject the proposal.

We have children who are crossing Wards Ferry Road ... unprotected, undirected and just like the gentleman said before, theres no infrastructure, Davis said. Until then, I dont think we should have any more buildings going up until the roads are made safe for our students.

Newly-elected At-large Councilor Martin Misjuns, who seconded the motion to reject the change to the Future Land Use Map made by Ward III Councilor Jeff Helgeson, argued the multi-family development would pose a much higher risk to the citys firefighters and fire suppression capability, and that the city doesnt have the public safety resources for another multi-family complex on that side of town.

Helgeson, who represents the ward where the development was proposed, voted against the rezoning, saying he was grateful for what the developers did, but unfortunately, I realize that cramming more density into an area thats R-1 has a negative effect on not just this property, but the next property and the next property.

And I think, you know, we just have to look at the overcrowding of the land, and I hope that the R-1 and the single-family homes can be built there ... by right, Helgeson added.
, Jan 13 ( Japan Today ) - 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.

... continue reading
 Flash

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.
, Jan 13 ( The Daily News ) - Japan has put on hold the release to the sea of treated but still radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant after factoring in the progress of a single-purpose tunnel and the need to gain public support.

The government and the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, announced in April 2021 a plan to begin releasing the treated wastewater into the sea starting in spring 2023.

They say more than one million tons of water stored in about 1000 tanks at the plant is hampering its decommissioning and risks leaking in the event of a major earthquake or tsunami.

Under the current plan, TEPCO will transport the treated water through a pipeline from the tanks to a coastal facility, where it will be diluted with seawater and sent through an undersea tunnel, currently under construction, to an offshore outlet.

The company has acknowledged the possibility of rough winter weather and sea conditions delaying the tunnel progress.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters on Friday the government has adopted a revised action plan, which includes enhanced efforts to ensure safety and measures to financially support the local fishing industry, with a new release target of around spring or summer this year. ...continue reading
A man has been charged with murder by Japanese prosecutors after the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, a court said on Friday.

Tetsuya Yamagami was arrested immediately after Mr Abe was shot with a home-made gun as the former leader was making a campaign speech on July 8 outside a train station in Nara, western Japan.

Mr Yamagami will now stand trial for murder after a six-month mental evaluation, which prosecutors said showed he was fit to appear in court.

The 42 year old will also face a charge of violating gun laws, Nara district court said.

Police said Mr Yamagami told them he had killed Mr Abe, one of Japans most influential and divisive politicians, because of the latters apparent links to a religious group he hated.

Mr Yamagami said in statements and social media postings attributed to him that he his mother had made huge donations to the Unification Church, bankrupting his family. ...continue reading
Investigative sources say Tokyo police have searched several locations linked to a Diet member over allegations that he defamed and intimidated prominent figures on his YouTube channel.

GaaSyy, whose real name is Higashitani Yoshikazu, won an Upper House seat in July last year. He belongs to the NHK Party -- whose platform calls for reforms to NHK, including the public broadcaster's system for receiving its fees from viewers.

Sources say that on Wednesday, police searched the locations related to a Tokyo-based company that manages GaaSyy's income from the video-sharing site.

A number of prominent figures filed complaints saying they were slandered or intimidated by the legislator in his videos. Tokyo police have been questioning relevant people. ...continue reading
Jaidyn Orozco is leaving it all out on the stage as she finishes her career as a Titan.

Orozco, 17, is a Council Bluffs native and a senior at Lewis Central High School. She began her education with the Council Bluffs Community School District, but transferred to LC from Abraham Lincoln High School as a sophomore to join the Titan music program. She said she didnt get into the performing arts until recently, and she knew she wanted more than what was offered in her early high school days once she realized that music was her calling.

Orozco is active outside the classroom and takes stage in nearly every performance art available at the school. Shes currently competing with the Lewis Central show choir, and just this past weekend she took a best female soloist award during the Papillion La Vista South High School show choir competition. She sings in the chamber choir and is also a member of Singcopation, the schools auditioned vocal ensemble for the schools top choir members.

She is president of the drama club, and she played the role of Cinderella in the Lewis Central production of Game of Tiaras last fall. The spring musical production of Freaky Friday is coming up soon and she said auditions will takes place in the coming weeks. She is also vice president of the senior class and editor-in-chief of the yearbook.

Orozco has only been at Lewis Central for a few years, but she said shes made some amazing friends along the way. With graduation just months away, Orozco said its a bittersweet feeling knowing she will be moving to a new scene once again. She said its hard because shes just getting to know everyone while theyre just getting to know who she is as a person. She said it will be hard to let go of her LC family, and thats why she said its important that she give every last performance everything she has.

Orozco said she is definitely going to pursue an education in musical theater, but she doesnt quite know where she will be landing for college quite yet. Shes put in many applications and received some nice scholarship offers, including an opportunity in New York. She said shell be narrowing her choices down as the next few months progress. Time is flying while Orozco is having fun, so shes going to make the most of her final months as a Titan.
Lighthouse Bible Church

Lighthouse Bible Church, 2136 Fifth Ave., invites the community to participate in our live worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The Sunday sermon is prerecorded and can be viewed on our website, lighthousemc.com. Dress is casual, and coffee and refreshments are provided. Upcoming events: Prayer and Study, 7 p.m. Wednesdays.

Mt. Hope United Methodist

Mt. Hope United Methodist Church, 290th and Highway 6, McClelland, would like to invite all to join us on Sunday mornings for our worship service at 9:30 a.m. Children are welcome for the regular worship service and childrens sermon during the worship service. You do not have to be a member to participate in our church activities. Everyone is welcome.

Gethsemane Presbyterian Church

Gethsemane Presbyterian Church, 224 Wallace Ave., invites you to worship with us. The service runs from 9 to 10 a.m. The Rev. Nancy Ross-Hullinger will deliver the message.

Children are invited to participate in Sunday school. Please join us for refreshments following the service.

Adult Bible study meets on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 to 10 a.m.

Our church is collecting Iowa 5 cent-refund cans/bottles for one of our mission projects, the Kanesville Honor Guard Society.

Your donations help! Bags can be dropped off anytime at our front door.

Our Food Pantry is open on Mondays and Thursdays until 10:30 a.m. Donations are welcome. For more information, contact the church office at 712-366-2513 or visit us on Facebook at gethsemanepresbyterianchurch.org.

Timothy Lutheran Church

Timothy Lutheran Church, 3112 W. Broadway, offers services at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. The church alternates between traditional services and praise services each week. Bible study and Sunday school at 9:15 a.m. If a month has a fifth Sunday, the church hosts a combined service at 9 a.m. Food and fellowship after service on fifth Sundays and there is no Bible study or Sunday school on those days. The church is handicap accessible. For more information, visit the church website at timothylutheran.net.

St. Pauls Evangelical Country Church

St. Pauls Evangelical Country Church rings the church bell each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. to welcome people to worship at 11055 Dumfries Ave. There are directional signs from Wabash Avenue and Pioneer Trail leading to the church.

We are a growing, caring and friendly, Bible-teaching church led by Pastor Jason Kinney. Sunday school for all ages including adults starts at 9:15. Following worship, we enjoy donuts and coffee in the fellowship hall.

This Sunday, the message is titled, What Do You Desire?, with the Bible reference James using Chapter 4:1-6. Greeters will be Shelley Ferneau and Mike Turner.

The youth group will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. The ladies Bible study will begin meeting again on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 1 p.m.

Visit our website at www.stpaulsecc.org for more information. We are handicapped accessible.

Underwood Lutheran Church

On Sunday, Jan. 15, Underwood Lutheran Church, 10 Third Ave., will hold Sunday activities. Education begins at 9 a.m. In-person worship featuring Holy Communion begins at 10:15 a.m. The online video will be available later in the day. Pastor Scott Dalen will deliver a sermon based on John 1:29-42.

Compass Christian Church

Compass Christian Church welcomes you to worship with us Sundays at 10:30 a.m. We are located at 2007 S. Seventh St., just west of the South Expressway. The church is handicap accessible. During worship, a cry room is available, along with childcare for children ages 1-4. Compass Kids grades K-5 meet downstairs for special Bible lessons during the sermon. You may also worship with us at compasscb.online.church or on YouTube.

The mens and womens Bible study groups will meet on Mondays from 7 to 8 p.m. The Bridge Young Adults meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Students in grades 6-12 and children grades K-5 meet Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For questions or more information, visit our Facebook page, Compass Christian Church CB, our website compasscb.org or call the church office at 712-366-9112.

Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church

Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, 1800 Fifth Ave., invites the public to participate in our live worship service at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. The Sunday worship service will be recorded live and can be viewed on our Facebook page: Fifth Avenue UMC, Council Bluffs. Face masks are optional.

Upcoming events: Soup Supper & Game Night will be Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. Meal & Message will be held again on Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.

The church office can be reached at 712-323-7374 or through our email at fifthaveumchurch@gmail.com.

Broadway United Methodist Church

Broadway United Methodist, First Street and Broadway, is seeking, growing and serving with unconditional love and acceptance. We hold a traditional worship service Sundays at 8:30 a.m. and a praise worship service at 10:30 a.m. Coffee and donuts are served at 9:30 in the DeLong Lounge.

Our services are held in person and livestreamed to our Facebook page or broadwayunitedmethodist.com/live. Masks are optional.

Student Life Breakthrough is held Sundays at 6:30 p.m.

On Mondays, Philips Cupboard, a nonfood pantry, is open noon to 2 p.m.

On Wednesdays, the Praise Band rehearses at 5:30 p.m. A community meal is held at 6 p.m., followed by bell choir at 6:30 and choir at 7:30. The Mens Brown Bag Bible Study will be held Thursday at noon.

On Friday, the church office is closed but Philips Cupboard is open noon to 2 p.m.

For more information, visit our website at broadwayunitedmethodist.com or call the office at 712-322-7741 (closed Fridays).

Bethany Presbyterian Church

Bethany Presbyterian Church, 1900 S. Seventh St., will have worship at 11 a.m. Pastor Nancy Ross-Hullingers message will be God Is Faithful. The scripture is 1 Corinthians 1:1-9. There will be a childrens chat. We will have our annual meeting following the service. The Helping Hands pantry will be Monday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Session will meet Monday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. We are a handicap accessible facility.

Community of Christ Church

Community of Christ Church, 140 W. Kanesville Blvd., invites people to attend Sunday worship at 10:15 a.m. Our theme this week is Strengthen Your Testimony. Scripture readings will be 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40: 1-11; and John 1:29-42.

Sunday school starts at 9:15 a.m. We also have prayer service Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Please call our office at 712-323-4498 for any questions. There are virtual ministries out on our World Church Website under Ongoing Ministries at https://www.cofchrist.org.

Epworth United Methodist Church

You can find a place of worship at Epworth United Methodist Church, 2447 Ave. B. Worships is Sundays at 9:25 a.m. There is room for the little ones in the family to learn about God according to their age. The building is handicap accessible. We also invite you to our Bible study on Thursdays at 9 a.m.

We continue to pray for the healing of our community and nation under God. If you want us to pray for you personally, let us know. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone: 712-323-3124. You can find us on Facebook at Friends of Epworth UMC-Facebook.

Faith Lutheran Church

Faith Lutheran Church (LCMS), 2100 S. 11th St., invites you to join us for worship at our 9 a.m. Sunday service.

On Tuesday, there is a 9:30 a.m. adult Bible study in the downstairs fellowship hall that is open to everyone. Please enter by the rear door. Confirmation will be held Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.

Worship services are available on Faiths Facebook page and on YouTube by searching for Ron Rosenkaimer. For more information, contact the church office at 323-6445.

New Horizon Presbyterian Church

New Horizon Presbyterian will hold traditional services at 8 and 11 a.m. and a praise service at 9 a.m. Youth and adult Sunday school will meet from 10 a.m. to 10:45.

On Wednesday, the Praise Band meets from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m., the bell choir from 6:30 to 7:30 and the Chancel Choir from 7:30 to 8:30. Session will meet Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. Children are welcome to attend, but the nursery will not be available.

If you are ill, please worship from home by watching our Facebook page, facebook.com/NewHorizonPC.

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 517 S. 32nd St., welcomes everyone to join us for worship on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Deena Candler will deliver the message Come and See from John 1:35-51. Coffee Time will be held in Fellowship Hall following morning worship. We are handicapped accessible through the northeast door of the church.

Corpus Christi Catholic Parish

Join us for the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time on Jan. 14-15. The Liturgy of the Word will come from Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; and John 1:29-34.

Our Weekend Mass in English is celebrated on Saturday at 4 p.m. and on Sunday at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles, 3304 Fourth Ave., Council Bluffs; and at 9:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Our Lady of Carter Lake, 3501 North Ninth St., Carter Lake. Our Sunday Spanish Mass is at noon (Council Bluffs).

Daily Mass is celebrated as follows: In English on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 8 a.m. (Council Bluffs) and in Spanish on Monday and Thursday at 6 p.m. (Council Bluffs).

Eucharistic Adoration is held every Monday and Thursday from 9 am to 5:45 pm at Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles.

Upcoming events include: Bingo on Jan. 14 at Carter Lake. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with early bird game at 6:30 p.m.; and Chili/Soup and Pie Cook-off Fundraiser on Jan. 21 at Corpus Christi Queen of Apostles after the 4 p.m. Mass to benefit our Missionary Sisters of the Divine Spirit in Colombia to assist them in serving our brothers and sisters living there.

Schedule a Mass Intention in 2023 for your loved ones by calling the parish office. Many dates are still available. For more information, call the parish office at 712-323-2916 or 712-323-4716 (Spanish) or visit our parish website at www.corpuschristiparishiowa.org.

Emanuel Lutheran Church

Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2444 N. Broadway, welcomes everyone to come as you are and be who you are! You are invited to join us each Sunday for worship and Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. This Sunday we will also have blood press checks with our parish nurse, Crystal. Other events this week include Tai Chi Monday at 10 a.m. in the youth center, Bible study Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room, and Tai Chi Thursday at 10 a.m. in the youth center.

Follow us on YouTube, Facebook or Twitter to stay up to date on events and view livestreamed services. Visit us online at emanuelcb.org.

Saint John Lutheran Church

Saint John Lutheran Church, 633 Willow Ave., holds worship at 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Sundays. Worship is also available to watch on YouTube. Our website is www.SaintJohnELCA.org, and our Facebook page is Saint John Lutheran Church Council Bluffs IA.

Wednesday morning Bible study meets at 9 a.m., and Wednesday evening Bible study meets at 6:30 p.m. The bell choir practices at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, and the Chancel Choir starts practice at 7:30 p.m. Confirmation students and high school youth also meet Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.

Meetings this week include the Quilting Group Wednesday at 9 a.m., the Mens Club Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the Dock Bar & Grill.

The building is handicap accessible. Please call the church office with any questions, 712-323-7173.

Broadway Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ) The Rev. Carol Hall and members of our congregation invite you to join us for Sunday worship at 9 a.m. at Broadway Christian Church, 2658 Ave. A. We celebrate communion weekly; communion is open to all. A hearing loop is installed for those who need it. Guests are invited to join us in fellowship after worship for coffee and donuts.

Overeaters Anonymous meets Mondays at noon. Alcoholics Anonymous meets Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 7:30 p.m. The church is ADA-accessible. Masks are optional. To submit prayer requests or for more information, call the church office at 712-323-7741 or email us at office@bcccb.org. Visit us online at www.bcccb.org or on Facebook.

First Congregational UCC Church

Come and join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at First Congregational Church (United Church of Christ), located at 611 First Ave. Coffee is available. Our service is also provided via Zoom. Please email the church for information on how to join the Zoom meeting: cbfirstcong@gmail.com.

First Congregational offers a free Community Dinner the last Friday of each month. Everyone is welcome. Come and enjoy a meal and fellowship!

Our Saviors Lutheran Church

Our Saviors Lutheran Church, 600 Bluff St., can be reached at 712-322-6655. Everyone is welcome. Worship services are Saturday evening at 5:30 and Sunday morning at 10:30. Sunday school for adults is at 9:15 a.m. and for youth is at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, see our Facebook page under Our Saviors Lutheran Church of Council Bluffs or the website at oursaviorscb.org.

Other activities this week include Al-Anon meetings Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Education Building. On Thursday, the bell choir practices at 6:30 p.m. and choir at 7:30. Food Pantry and Pet Food Pantry are open Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please call the Food Pantry directly at 712-522-3522 on the day it is open.

St. Pauls Episcopal Church

St. Pauls Episcopal Church is located at 22 Dillman Drive in Council Buffs. Our services are held each Sunday morning beginning at 11 a.m., and we invite visitors to attend and share with us these very enjoyable and enlightening services. For additional information, please contact the church at 712-323-7188.
Brandy Wallar has been appointed permanent CEO of New Visions Homeless Services, the board of directors announced this week.

Our staff and board are incredibly grateful for Brandys past and present leadership, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community together, the board said in a prepared statement.

Wallar has been serving as interim CEO since January 2022, succeeding Bob Sheehan, who retired at the end of 2021. She continued on an interim basis partly because of a collaborative project New Visions was participating in, she said.

We were doing a feasibility study surrounding homeless services in Council Bluffs and we just wanted to be strategic in the direction New Visions was going in, she said.

The Iowa West Foundation sponsored the study, which involved other community organizations, and wanted to have leadership that would remain stable until it was completed, Wallar said.

We all understand that affordable housing is an issue in our community, she said of the study participants. New Visions is committed to providing access to shelter.

Wallar started working in homeless services in 2003 and became a homeless outreach worker with the Pottawattamie County Homeless Link in 2004. In 2010, she became the program director of New Visions Homeless Services and was promoted to chief operating officer in 2020. She earned a bachelors degree in child, adult and family services from Iowa State University and a Master of Professional Studies degree at Bellevue University.

Hunger and homelessness are issues that have personally touched my life, which is one of the reasons why I have a strong commitment to serving our unhoused neighbors, Wallar said. I look forward to linking arms with other leaders in our community to work towards solutions to address hunger and homelessness in our city.

The New Visions complex, which opened in 2008, includes MOHMs Place meal site, Joshua House homeless shelter for almost 150 men and Timothy House, which offers transitional housing for 26 single men and women. All Care Health Center operates a medical and dental clinic at New Visions. In 2012, the organization opened New Visions Omaha, which offers 40 shelter beds for veterans and 14 permanent supportive housing beds for veterans (men or women).

Looking forward, New Visions would like to continue to work toward the preventative end, where we can stop people from becoming homeless, Wallar said.

Starting next week, selected New Visions guests will receive training in welding at the Iowa Western Community College Business & Community Training Center. Also, New Visions is planning to set aside classroom space at its facility where community organizations can deliver services to its clients.
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 Flash

Japanese prosecutors on Friday indicted the man suspected of killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to local media.

The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported that the Nara District Public Prosecutors Office indicted the assailant, Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, on murder charges.

He was also indicted for violating Japan's gun control laws, the report said.

The formal charges came following Yamagami undergoing an extended six-month psychiatric trial to determine whether he was mentally fit to be held criminally responsible for his actions.

Yamagami was arrested on the spot on July 8 last year after allegedly shooting former prime minister Abe twice at close range with a handmade gun while Abe, 67, was delivering a speech in the western prefecture of Nara, just two days ahead of upper house elections.

Yamagami, an ex-Maritime Self-Defense Force worker, allegedly held a grudge against the controversial Unification Church for financially ruining his family by soliciting huge amounts of money in donations from his mother.

This amounted to around 100 million yen (774,000 U.S. dollars).

The killer reportedly believed Abe had links to and had promoted the dubious organization and claimed this factored in to his reason for assassinating the former prime minister.
A Russia-made military aircraft belonging to the Malian army crashed at Gao airport in the north of the African country, following a support mission to local population, the army indicated in a statement.

A Sukhoi SU-25 fighter jet belonging to the Malian Armed Forces crashed while landing at the airport in the northern Mali city of Gao, on its way back from a mission to support the civilian population of the region, the General Staff of the Armed Forces said in the statement.

Two army personnel, the pilot and a military aircraft personnel on the ground, were killed and 10 people, including two civilians were injured in the crash, the army said.

The incident is being investigated, although at this stage it does not appear to be the result of hostile action, the statement said.

Mali, led by a transition government, headed by Col. Assimi Goita, has recently bolstered ties with Russia as part of strategies to diversify partners in the fight against terrorism.

The country took delivery in August of more than six L-39 and SU-25 fighter planes, Mi-8 maneuvering helicopters, an Airbus Casa 295 tactical transport plane, and other weapons of war and ammunition.
Turkiye and Zimbabwe agreed Wednesday to boost their ties in all fields as Turkish top diplomat Mevlut Cavusoglu visits the African country.

We reviewed all aspects of our relations today, how to enhance our economic relations, Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference with his Zimbabwean counterpart Frederick Shava.

We need to establish the Joint Economic Commission  and we need to conclude and sign agreements, MoUs that we have been negotiating to strengthen the legal basis of our relations, Cavusoglu added.

Bilateral trade between the two countries stands at $35 million and Ankara is keen to increase it.

Cavusoglu who underscored the willingness of Turkish companies to invest in Zimbabwe said he agreed with his counterpart to work closely to further relations in many areas, including agriculture, tourism, education and health. He also stressed that the private sectors in the two countries need to be encouraged for further cooperation both in Turkiye and in Zimbabwe.

Shava described Cavusoglus visit as an era for economic diplomacy, Cavusoglu being the first Turkish foreign Minister to visit the African country. Shava also expressed the hope to see cooperation between the two countries deepening.
Fishermen in Cameroon are urging authorities to crack down on hundreds of illegal fishers and fish farmers operating in the Gulf of Guinea after the European Union banned imports of Cameroons seafood.

There are several hundred fishers in Idenau, a coastal village near Cameroons western border with Nigeria, authorities in the capital, Yaounde, say, while most of their catch is exported to neighboring states as well as to Europe, many of the fishermen operating in Cameroons waters in the Gulf of Guinea are not registered and are not from Cameroon.

The EU announced the ban on Cameroon-caught seafood on January 5, citing a zero-tolerance policy for illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing that threatens ocean resources and saying the country was not cooperating in that regard.

Besides Cameroonians, Togolese, Beninese, Ghanaians and Nigerians, and the Chinese are reportedly very involved in either semi-industrial or industrial fish farming in Cameroons part of the Atlantic Ocean.

Local fishermen say that boats prefer fishing in Cameroons waters because neighboring Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and Nigeria have firm military controls to stop illegal fishing. Cameroons Fish Farmers Associations met Wednesday, January 11 in Yaounde to discuss the issues. China has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said it has tightened oversight of deep-sea fishing boats.
The French and German foreign ministers began a two-day visit to Addis Ababa on Thursday January 12 to support the peace agreement in Tigray, more than two months after it was signed to end the two-year brutal war in this northern region of Ethiopia.

Frances Catherine Colonna and Annalena Baerbock of Germany are scheduled to meet with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the ministers of foreign affairs and justice, as well as representatives of the African Union (AU) and human rights activists. They also plan to visit a distribution center of the World Food Program to see the implementation of a Ukrainian donation of 50,000 tons of wheat to Ethiopia and Somalia, which both European countries have financed with 14 million euros each.

The visit comes a day after Tigrayan rebels announced they were starting to hand in their heavy weapons, a key component of the 2 November peace deal to silence the guns in northern Ethiopia. Colonna said in a statement before her departure that the visit was aimed at supporting the peace process, the fight against impunity, and reconstruction.

According to a diplomatic source, 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 a transitional justice mechanism is put in place. The Horn of Africa and Ethiopia in particular are among the EUs priorities, as China seeks to boost its influence in the region, as illustrated by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gangs visit to Addis Ababa this week.
Africa should not be an arena for international competition between world powers, Chinas new Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Wednesday while inaugurating the new headquarters of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a pan-African health body.

Qin is on a five-nation African tour, a week after bidding farewell to Washington, D.C., where he had been the Chinese ambassador to the US since July 2021. He visited facilities of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, including the Africa CDC complex whose construction, much like previously the headquarters of the AU itself, was financed by China. AU says all nations are welcome to partner with Africa but must respect the continents values, beliefs and interests. But with China and the US competing for dominance in Africa, Qings first port of call as foreign affairs minister is to interface with leaders in Ethiopia, Gabon, Angola, Benin, and Egypt  all of which attended the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington in December last year.

Africa should be a big stage for the international cooperation, not an arena for major countries competition, Qin said at a news conference with AU Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The absence of a permanent representation for Africa on the UN Security Council is a pressing problem, said Mahamat, adding that this is paradoxical since the councils agenda focuses mostly on and concerns African nations.

The Chinese minister also met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other government officials, announcing a partial cancellation of Ethiopias $13.7 billion worth of debt to China. Qin will also visit Egypt, Angola, Benin and Gabon during his African tour.
The Criminal Chamber within the court of first instance in Tunis has sentenced nine women to several years in prison for forming a terror cell that was plotting to attack a minister in the North African country.

Two members of this group of ten people including the cell alleged founder, were sentenced to 25 years in prison for terrorist acts according to the court ruling, issued on Tuesday, authorities said Thursday.

Seven other defendants received sentences ranging from three to 14 years in prison. Another defendant was acquitted.

The alleged terror attack dates back to 2016 when rumors swirled on social media that an assassination attempt on then Interior Minister Hedi Majdou was plotted, while he was visiting his parents.

According to local radio Mosaique FM, a neighbor of the ministers parents was among the convicted women. She was accused of providing information about the interior ministers visits to his family.

The 10 women have been detained since 2016. Tunisia saw a sharp increase in terror attack after the removal of former autocratic leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The country witnessed its darkest year in 2015 after three major attacks claimed by the Islamic state group killed over 70 people most of whom were foreign tourists.

In another development, the Tunisian Ministry of Interior announced on Thursday evening that a suspect, it described as dangerous Takfiri, was arrested in Bir Ali Ben Khalifa, Sfax governorate.

This individual was trained in the manufacture of explosives and deadly poisons with the intention of committing terrorist attacks and targeting security and military personnel, the Interior Ministry said in a statement, adding that the arrested individual was affiliated to the terrorist ISIS group, the technical and field investigations showed.
African diaspora is in need of urgent action to reduce the cost of remittances, an instrumental source of investment and a key factor in reducing poverty in the continent, said participants at an African meeting in Rabat.

There are some 150 million Africans living outside the continent with remittances estimated at 100 billion dollars in 2021 alone but the cost of transferring 200 dollars to the continent could cost 16 dollars on average, deplored Moroccos foreign minister Nasser Bourita who was speaking at the event.

The cost of remittances is estimated at 8% for Africans. This is very expensive and not consistent with the UN goals as expressed in the 10 sustainable development goals which target 3% by 2030, he said

The higher cost of remittances could negatively impact African economies and encourage the informal sector, he said.

Speaking at the same event, Moroccan central bank governor highlighted the centrality of remittances for the Moroccan economy and the resilience of transfers during the pandemic.

Remittances by Moroccans abroad rose 37% in 2021 and 13% in 2022 to represent 8% of Moroccos GDP, he said.

These transfers represented 20% of deposits in Moroccan banks whose subsidiaries in Europe are facing a backlash that should be met with diplomatic action, said Jouahri.

In this respect, Jouahri warned of looming legislation by EU institutions to ban branches of foreign banks from carrying out direct operations in their home countries from European territory.

Such a measure would hamper the operations of Moroccan banks serving the Moroccan diaspora in Europe in full compliance with European legislation and full transparency, said Jouahri.
The strengthening of cooperation between Morocco and Libya in the fight against financial crimes was at the focus of a meeting between public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, president of the Public Prosecutors Office, El Hassan Daki, and chairman of the Administrative Control Authority in Libya, Suleiman Al-Shanti.

During this meeting, Daki gave an overview of the missions of the institution and its attributions in the fight against financial crimes, highlighting the efforts made by the financial crime departments of the competent courts.

The president of the Public Prosecutors Office also emphasized the role played by Moroccos various institutions in the fight against money laundering and corruption. These institutions include the National Authority for Probity, Prevention and the Fight against Corruption, the unit of financial intelligence processing and the general inspection departments of the various ministries.

Emphasis was also placed on the anti-corruption hotline, which was set up on May 14, 2018, and which is part of the National Strategy to fight corruption.

For his part, the chairman of the Administrative Control Authority in Libya reviewed the objectives and attributions of his body, which exercises effective and efficient control over all executive bodies of the state.

The Authoritys prerogatives also include investigating crimes and offenses relating to the exercise of missions in the public service, he added.

During the meeting, the two sides expressed resolve to strengthen cooperation and exchange of experiences and expertise in the fight against financial crimes.
French President Emmanuel Macron has ruled out offering any apologies to Algeria over Frances colonial past while insisting on continuing reconciliation efforts between the two countries.

In an interview with Algerian writer Kamal Daoud published on Le Point, Macron made it clear I have no apologies to make.

The only pardon I asked for was for the Harkis, he said.

The Harkis are the Algerians who fought on the side of France during the Algerian war of independence and who were either forced to flee the country after independence or stay and risk executions and torture.

In October 2022, Macron delivered straightforward remarks ending decades of complacency towards Algerias military regime when he described the military rulers of Algiers as exhausted and surviving on memorial rent based on hatred of French.

Similar views were expressed recently by French diplomats including former Ambassador to Algiers Xavier Driencourt who warned his country against connivance with a regime that is leading Algeria to a collapse that will impact France.

Algeria is collapsing and it will drag France with it, he said.
North Plattes and Lincoln Countys drought status remained essentially unchanged over the past week as the snow cover from the areas Jan. 2-3 snowstorm lingered.

Thursdays latest U.S. Drought Monitor map showed 58.04% of Lincoln County in extreme drought, slightly higher than the 58% in last weeks map. The countys northern and eastern portions remained in severe drought.

Though the county has received no additional moisture, it remains free of the worst exceptional drought status wiped out by the 7.9-inch snowfall Jan. 2-3 and the 0.74 inches of rain and wet snow that fell Dec. 29.

Nebraskas percentage of land in the two worst drought categories dipped from 46.3% to 45.2% in the most recent map from the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The states percentage of exceptional drought land fell from 12.4% to just under 10%. The last land in that category in southeast Cherry County  buffeted by repeated snowfalls since mid-December  disappeared in the newest Drought Monitor map.

Two areas of southwest Nebraska remain in the worst drought category, with one covering parts of Deuel, Keith and Perkins counties and the other parts of Hitchcock and Red Willow counties.

Lincoln County and much of west central Nebraska are under a dense fog advisory from midnight to 10 a.m. CT Friday (11 a.m. Thursday to 9 a.m. MT Friday), according to the National Weather Service office at North Plattes Lee Bird Field.

Visibility could be one-quarter of a mile until the fog lifts, the weather service said.

Its seven-day forecast says clouds will prevail in North Platte Friday and Saturday, but high temperatures will remain generally in the mid-30s to mid-40s throughout the next week. Lows will be in the upper teens to mid-20s.

Chances for moisture return to the forecast with a 20% chance of rain Sunday night and a slight chance Monday for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

North Platte has a chance of rain and snow Tuesday night and chances of snow throughout Wednesday, the weather service said.
 Flash

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2023 and visit Switzerland from Jan. 15 to 19 at the invitation of Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the WEF and the government of the Swiss Confederation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced Friday.
Nebraska Public Power District is preparing to study possible locations that could host small modular nuclear reactors for future power generation.

The Columbus-based district received a grant Jan. 6 from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development from the states share of federal COVID-19 relief funds, NPPD said in a Friday press release.

The districts announcement comes a day after state Sens. Tom Brewer of Gordon and Steve Erdman of Bayard introduced Legislative Resolution 21, which would set up a special Unicameral Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Study Committee to explore the subject.

Such miniature reactors, which are in their infancy worldwide, are more scalable and have more refined safety features than current U.S. commercial nuclear reactors, NPPD said.

State lawmakers in 2022 allocated $1 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to complete a siting study for small modular reactors, it added.

We are very excited to be a part of this process, said Roman Estrada, NPPDs generation research senior program manager.

We are always looking at new technologies and what innovations are being made in the field of energy generation. This study will not result in the immediate construction of an advanced small modular reactor, but it will give us a great look at potential areas in the state where this technology could be sited.

The first phase of the siting study involves doing a statewide assessment to determine the 15 best locations for siting small modular reactors based on geographic data and preliminary licensing criteria.

Some of the key criteria being considered include access to water and transmission lines among many others. This phase is estimated to be completed in the spring, NPPD said.

The Brewer-Erdman resolution (Legislative Resolution 21) would charge senators on the special Unicameral committee to look at whether existing fossil fuel power plants could be retrofitted or converted to run on small modular nuclear reactors.

The NPPD studys second phase will perform a more in-depth evaluation and will focus on reducing the number of possible sites from 15 to four, according to the districts press release.

It will include detailed field environmental and constructability evaluations based on criteria used by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission when licensing nuclear plants. The second phase is estimated to take about a year to complete.

NPPD will complete the study with the help of the engineering firm of Burns & McDonnell, which has experience in the development and design of advanced small modular reactors, the press release said.
Yesterday, Lazy Kate and Bald Willy traveled to Liverpool to visit a new hospital and mental health charities in the area. The focus was on NHS resources, but also on the mental health programs available. It was at the mental health charity Open Door that Lazy Kate spoke about how talk therapy isnt for everyone:She raised eyebrows during her first public outing since Prince Harrys memoir was released by commenting that therapy does not work for everyone, when Kate said: Talking therapies dont work for some.

Willy and Kate met several teenagers at the Open Door Charity, who use arts and dance to help with mental health.

The Sun reported that Kate asked: Has producing music and taking part in those workshops helped? Has it helped with your personal lives?

One boy replied that using music as a tool helps him express his emotions through something he enjoys. He said: Producing music and letting out what youre feeling is better than saying it in a clinical atmosphere. I can put it into words. That was tough to explain!

Kate said: Talking therapies dont work for some people, theyre not for everybody. Its so important to have a range of therapies.

She added: Everyone is talking a lot more about mental health. There have often been negative connotations around it. But if we get across that there are these more positive spaces and experiences out there, then we are changing how we talk about it.
I love this aw

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This is so precious and wholesome 

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omg I adore this so much!!! 

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Aww this was so sweet!



I know its because he usually been filed under the supposed Oscar curse in which actors never get bigger than the role they won for (he won BA for Amadeus) but truthfully hes relatively lowkey which contributes to most people not knowing him. But hes been steadily been working.



So this is cute to see.









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He was great in Amadeus which also happens to be a great and tremendously rewatchable film. It would be hard for any actor to top a role in a film like this.



That being said, he didn't just not made another Amadeus, he really disappeared. Supposedly after he won he believed his own hype and that killed his career. A different sort of curse.

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Interesting cause I remember reading his quote about him talking about the curse and he had dismissed because he said winning allowed him to dine with royalty, work with his idols etcetc and said hed take more curses if thats the reward.



Lol I wonder now if maybe he did believe into his own hype but still managed to get that he wants 

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The guy that was in Amadeus with him, from Animal House and this one sad film with Ray Liotta and Jamie Lee Curtis i forget the name of, he basically vanished. I wish he was in more stuff but afaik he work behind the scenes now.

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He was outstanding on Homeland. He and Mandy were the backbone (because Clare's character got annoying a lot of the time!)

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I first heard about him a few years ago on Curb Your Enthusiasm where he plays the Ayatollah in Larry's play "Fatwa: The Musical."







Edited at 2023-01-13 05:31 pm (UTC)

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him and Tom Hulce both (even though I know Hulce didnt win, and I still dont get why they nixed his chances by also nominating him as BA, esp when Mozart's really a supporting role anyway?) although from a glance at his Wiki it seems like he went back to being primarily a theatre actor in the 90s



man this is just reminding me that its been waaaaay too long since i saw the movie lol



Edited at 2023-01-14 01:33 am (UTC)

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I mostly know him from his role as the bad guy in Star Trek: Insurrection.



If you look at is IMDB page, he really hasn't done a standout role in a big movie since he won the Oscar.

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This is so sweet.

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This is so damn precious. 

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That was utterly heartwarming. My king Salieri.

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literally came in here to make this damn near identical comment

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Awwww! Don't tell me nothin about what he did in like 1951, okay? Let me enjoy this.

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He was 12 years old in 1951 so he was probably playing kick the can or getting soda floats or something so thats case closed and we can establish he is a perfectly unremarkable non-scumbag

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I literally googled his name after I left my comment because I was like watch something come up. But, he appears to be a genuinely good person. Has been married to his wife since 1962, was a Quaker for about 15 years, changed churches because he liked that his church did a lot of outreach for people in need.

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When he started posing  this is too cute

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this feels like a meta Salieri moment haha

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Aww

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this is lovely. I think it's really important that if you really like a creative (whether that's an actor/author/artist etc), especially niche, less famous, or ones who might feel their star has dimmed, you shouldn't feel afraid to cheer or even reach out just to let them know you appreciate their work.



I'm in my feelings about this bc I was recently in correspondence w a very old creative who just died, and he was basically forgotten after the 50s. I was so nervous to reach out and say 'hey, this thing you did really struck me' but he was not just open but eager to chat, despite wholly leaving that life behind. Not only am I grateful for some really cool conversations, but he mentioned being very touched also.

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How did you get in contact w/ him?

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heavy googling eventually led me to an online translation group he ran, where I found his email.

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I once met a member from an indie band that had since dissolved at the Washington DC Zoo. She was working a table for some conservation org, but when I asked her "Are you X from Y?" she got really excited and gave me a hug. It was super cute!

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I completely agree with this! I would post art challenges on Instagram usually with a theme and one time I did my favorite music videos and I would tag the directors to give them props on what a good job they did, as well as the artists, and a couple of artists actually responded and appreciation, but way more directors noticed and would reshare and respond to me. I'm sure a lot of them don't get to hear from fans that often, so it was really cute to let them know that I loved their work and to pay a little tribute to it.



I also love reaching out to composers and music supervisors to let them know that I adore their scoring/music taste! they actually sometimes respond and I get such gratification out of knowing that they know that at least one person really really appreciates them 

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His smile is so cute

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i literally just got this on my fyp. so sweet

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About a month ago, the group of Seven (G7) coalition imposed a price cap on Russian oil with the objective of reducing Russias oil revenue which goes to fund its war machine. G7--which consists of the United States, the 27-nation European Union, Canada, Australia and Japan-- set at a maximum price of 60 USD per barrel for Russian crude oil with the provision that the cap can be adjusted in the future in order to respond to market developments. This cap is to be implemented by all members of the Price Cap Coalition via their domestic legal processes.

But things are about to get murkier as the G7 contemplates tightening the noose further on Russias energy revenue. Beginning on February 5, the G7 will impose price caps on Russian products, such as diesel, kerosene and fuel oil in a bid to further cut Moscow's revenue from energy exports and its ability to finance its war on Ukraine. Furthermore, the Group now plans to set two price caps on Russian refined products in February; one for Russian oil products trading at a discount to crude, and a second for Russian crude trading at a premium.

That said, capping Russian oil product prices is likely to prove a much more onerous task than capping its crude, for the simple reason that there are many more oil products and their prices depend more on where they are purchased, not produced. For instance, diesel and kerosene tend to trade at a premium to crude, while fuel oil typically sells at a discount.

Is The Oil Price Cap Working?

And now the million-dollar question: is the current oil price cap on Russian crude really working as intended? Well, it depends on who you ask. The Kremlin came out on Wednesday and claimed it had not yet seen any cases of price caps on Russian oil.

"As far as the losses are concerned, no one has especially seen the caps yet," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Reuters in a daily briefing.

Related: Europe Is Still Attracting A Majority Of U.S. LNG Despite Price Plunge

Hordes of analysts have contradicted the Kremlin's stance, saying that the oil price cap is definitely hurting the country.

Currently, Russian flagship Urals crude blend is trading below the price cap level of $60 per barrel.

A Finnish researcher recently told Bloomberg that the price cap on Russian oil is already costing the Kremlin 160 million ($172 million) a day, and could rise to $280 million a day when the cap is extended to refined products from Feb. 5. Last month, even Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said that the countrys budget deficit in 2023 might exceed the expected 2% of GDP as the oil price cap takes a hit on export income. This marked the first time a Russian official acknowledged that the $60 per barrel price cap imposed on Russia by Europe and G7 nations will negatively impact its economy. Siluanov said that the country would tap debt markets to bridge the deficit. Russia expects to use just over 2 trillion roubles ($29 billion) from the National Wealth Fund (NWF) in 2022 as total spending exceeds 30 trillion roubles, above the initial budget.

In the same month, Russias Central Bank governor Elvira Nabiullina said that the countrys economy was expected to contract three percent in 2022, a sharp turnaround from its growth in 2021 citing worsening trade conditions. She added that Russias cash flows were expected to weaken considerably in 2023 as oil and gas sales to Europe plunge.

Meanwhile, Ukraine says it expects that the EU embargo on Russian oil and petroleum products should cut Russias profits by at least 50%.

"We expect the collapse of profits from oil and gas exports to be at more than 50%, precisely because of the introduction of the EU embargo on oil and petroleum products and the introduction of price restrictions. Oil and gas account for 60% and 40% of federal budget revenues. We expect that Russia's revenues will fall below the critical level of $40 billion per quarter," Yuliya Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine has said. She has expressed hope that plunging profits will make it more difficult for Russia to continue waging an expansive war.

ADVERTISEMENT

Last month, leading shipping journal Lloyds List reported that seven loaded Suezmax vessels that are fully compliant with the $60 per barrel price cap and its requirements had sailed from Russian waters. According to the journal, checks revealed that all seven vessels had secured insurance with International Group P&I clubs, which requires proof of compliance with the G7 cap of $60 per barrel before marine insurance can be provided.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
- Even after the expected restart of Freeport LNG, structurally

- As the end of winter is set to lower gas demand by March, the rise in gas production will further pressurize prices with Henry Hub futures now in full-blown contango.

- The slump in prices was bolstered by a substantial decline in gas inventories on the back of winter storm Elliott in late December, ending 2022 at 293 bcf, 10% below the 5-year average.

- US natural gas prices have halved in just under a month, currently trading at $3.7 per mmBtu, as rapidly increasing production is outstripping demand and putting pressure on infrastructure.

- Should Freeport return, feedgas deliveries to liquefaction terminals across the US are expected to increase by some 2 BCf per day, currently trending at 12.3 BCF/d.

- The wider gas market increasingly expects the January restart to be delayed after the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission did not provide a formal reply to Freeports assessment report.

- Freeport LNG is the US second largest gas liquefaction facility with three trains and a 15 mtpa capacity. Since its explosion in June 2022 overall exports out of the US dropped by 15%.

- Despite market rumors suggesting a restart might be delayed again, Freeport LNG is sticking to its original pledge of resuming production in the second half of January.

1. Restart of Freeport LNG Remains Uncertain

- Despite market rumors suggesting a restart might be delayed again, Freeport LNG is sticking to its original pledge of resuming production in the second half of January.

- Freeport LNG is the US second largest gas liquefaction facility with three trains and a 15 mtpa capacity. Since its explosion in June 2022 overall exports out of the US dropped by 15%.

- The wider gas market increasingly expects the January restart to be delayed after the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission did not provide a formal reply to Freeports assessment report.

- Should Freeport return, feedgas deliveries to liquefaction terminals across the US are expected to increase by some 2 BCf per day, currently trending at 12.3 BCF/d.

2. US Natural Gas Prices Plummet on Overproduction

- US natural gas prices have halved in just under a month, currently trading at $3.7 per mmBtu, as rapidly increasing production is outstripping demand and putting pressure on infrastructure.

- The slump in prices was bolstered by a substantial decline in gas inventories on the back of winter storm Elliott in late December, ending 2022 at 293 bcf, 10% below the 5-year average.

- As the end of winter is set to lower gas demand by March, the rise in gas production will further pressurize prices with Henry Hub futures now in full-blown contango.

- Even after the expected restart of Freeport LNG, structurally lower prices might become a downside risk for further exploration and drilling as revenues would no longer be that profitable.

3. China Nudges Refiners to Run As Hard As Possible

- China is muddling through its opening, easing quarantine requirements and opening borders; however, its main oil-related policy will be that of maximizing product exports.

- Having allocated an oil imports quota 20% larger than last year, the real game changer from Beijing came in the form of a 151-million-barrel product export quota, an almost 50% increase compared to a year ago.

- The Chinese Lunar New Year will most certainly perk up heretofore anemic jet demand in the country as people will finally be free to travel intra-regionally.

- Whilst higher imports and product exports imply China will be buying a lot more crude in the weeks to follow, the impact on prices remains to be seen as those additional barrels might come from Russia or Iran.

4. South Korea Chooses Nuclear over Renewables

- The South Korean government has agreed to bolster its nuclear power generation capacity and downgrade future plans for renewable energy as part of its wider energy policy overhaul.

- Nuclear energy is now expected to account for 33% of generation capacity by 2030, up from the 24% figure that was indicated in previous versions of the Long-Term Electricity Plan.

- Meanwhile, the share of renewables (once assumed to be the main source of electricity) was cut from 30% to just 21%, as President Yoon Suk-yeol intends to end Seouls anti-nuclear bias.

- With a population that is still almost 75% in favor of nuclear power, South Korea currently operates 24 reactors across four locations.

5. Warm Winter Staves Off Germanys Blackout Risks

- According to the German government, it is increasingly unlikely that Germany will face a physical shortage of natural gas as warm weather has kept consumption well below historical averages.

- With temperatures more than 5 C above the norm, German gas demand was down almost 40% compared to the 5-year average as gas stocks actually rose to 91% of capacity.

- As a consequence, German day-ahead electricity prices dropped to 70 per MWh this week as strong wind power generation helped reduce the burden on fossil generation.

- Last week Germany received its first LNG cargo at the Uniper-operated LNG terminal in Wilhelmshaven, arriving from the US Calcasieu Pass facility.

6. Where Have US Wheat Exports Gone?

- US exports of wheat have nosedived to the lowest reading in over five decades, driven by two disappointing drought-ridden harvests and low international demand.

- The US Department of Agriculture expects wheat exports to come in at 21.1 million tonnes this season, the lowest since 1971-72, cutting the countrys global market share to just 10%.

- However, the low-yield harvests of the past two seasons are set to recover in 2022-2023 as the US winter wheat seedings are assessed to hit 35 million acres, a 7-year high.

- Whilst drought is still a potential risk for the winter wheat harvest amidst low crop health, the area covered by drought shrank from the November peak of 75% to 64% currently.

7. Copper Flies High on China Hopes

- Copper soared above $9,000 per metric tonne for the first time in seven months amidst widespread expectations of soon-to-come property-sector stimulus measures in China.

- Low copper inventories held in warehouses have added to the price surge as LME stocks stand at a mere 84,800t lately, an 80% decline since the peak in mid-2018.

- Both Trafigura and Glencore have voiced their concerns about the metals markets being exceptionally tight, with Goldman Sachs predicting copper to reach $11,500 per ton by end-2023.

- In its last report, the International Copper Study Group expected a mild surplus of copper in 2023 after a deficit-plagued 2022, but the resurgence of Chinas demand might force an overhaul of that assessment.
Lithuania natural gas transmission operator Amber Grid told Reuters its pipeline that connects Lithuania to Latvia was rocked by an explosion on Friday.

Footage of the explosion emerged on Twitter in the last 30 minutes.

????ALERT???????????????? Massive Fire caught on video from the blast from the gas pipeline connecting Lithuania and Latvia Public broadcaster LRT reports that the entire town of Pasvalys, located in northern Lithuania, has evacuated due to the situation. pic.twitter.com/Q9kUhPmpWc  Megh Updates ???? (@MeghUpdates) January 13, 2023

Explosion in gas pipeline connecting #Latvia & #Lithuania: very high flames, evacuations Police officers reported that the flames reached a height of about 50 meters. Residents in the surrounding area have been evacuated. #MeteoWeb #Breaking pic.twitter.com/cvciuuPauo  ???? Sarwar ???? (@ferozwala) January 13, 2023

The location of the blast is in northern Lithuania. Amber Grid said an investigation is underway into the source of the explosion.

Baltic news agency BNS said police evacuated the entire town of Pasvalys, located in northern Lithuania, due to the situation.

"The gas transmission system in the area consists of two parallel pipelines, and initial data indicates that the explosion occurred in one of them," SKY News said.

Amber Grid's pipeline flows show where Natgas supplies have been halted.

The grid is an interconnected NatGas transmission system of four countries  Latvia, Belarus, Poland, Russia's Kaliningrad region, the Klaip?da LNG terminal, and the systems of Lithuania's gas distribution operators.

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A statement from the grid operator read:

On Friday at around 5pm an explosion occurred in the Amber Grid gas pipeline in Pasvalys district. According to initial data, no people were injured. The explosion took place away from residential buildings. The fire is being extinguished by the fire brigades that immediately arrived on the scene. The gas transmission system in this area consists of two parallel pipelines, and initial data indicate that the explosion occurred in one of them. The other pipeline was not damaged. The gas supply through the damaged pipeline was immediately interrupted, but the Pasvalys district consumers are already being supplied with gas through the adjacent pipeline. Nemunas Biknius, CEO of the gas transmission system operator Amber Grid, said: "We regret this incident in the gas pipeline system. We immediately started to investigate the circumstances of the incident and ensure gas supply to consumers. At the moment, all our efforts and those of the responsible services are focused on containing the consequences of the fire and ensuring safety. We have immediately informed Government representatives, the Energy Distribution Operator (ESO) and Pasvalys city authorities about the situation. We will provide more details on the circumstances of the incident as we have more details." The gas pipeline where the fire broke out is used to supply gas to the northern part of Lithuania and to transport gas to Latvia. Gas pipelines are potentially hazardous installations, so we ask residents to pay attention to the signs marking the route of the pipeline, to refrain from carrying out unplanned work in the protection zone of the pipeline that has not been approved by Amber Grid, and to protect themselves and their property.



By Zerohedge.com

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Chevron Corp has sold a cargo of Venezuelan crude oil to another U.S. refinery, Phillips 66, anonymous sources have said.

Chevron Corp recently sold 500,000 barrels of heavy Hamaca to U.S. refiner Phillips 66 to be used in its Sweeny, Texas refinery, the sources told Bloomberg. It would be the first such sale since the United States sanctioned Venezuelas crude oil.

In separate news, ConocoPhillips, which spun off its downstream business now known as Phillips 66 back in 2012, has expressed its willingness to sell Venezuelas crude oil in the United States as a way to claw back some of the $10 billion owed by Venezuela. ConocoPhillips Venezuelan assets were nationalized in 2007along with many other oil companies assets. ConocoPhillips has been authorized by the United States to negotiate debt recovery with PDVSA.

Earlier this week, PDVSA assigned a third crude oil cargo to Chevron under the latters new license to import sanctioned Venezuelan crude oil after a more than three-year ban.

Venezuelas heavy crude oil is prized by U.S. refiners, who, until recently, looked to Russias heavy crude to replace it. In December, it was reported that several refiners were hitting up Chevron to get their hands on the rare Venezuelan crude oil.

It was originally thought that Chevron could prioritize its own refineries, which have a history of using Venezuelas heavy crudeand the first delivery of 500,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude oilalso Hamaca crudedid go to its Pascagoula, Mississippi refinery.

Hamaca crude is an extra-heavy, sour blend, and the recent cargoes came from the Petropiar oil JV operated by Chevron and PDVSA.

While Chevron is the only oil company with approval from the U.S. to import crude oil from Venezuela, other oil and gas companies are looking for a similar authorizationincluding foreign oil and gas companies who are demanding fair treatment.

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By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The governor of the Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabias $620-billion sovereign wealth fund, will not testify in defense of Elon Musk in an upcoming trial brought by Tesla investors alleging Musk defrauded them with the 2018 tweet that funding for taking the EV maker private is secured.

Last week, lawyers for Musk tried to subpoena Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), to force him to testify in the trial slated to begin in San Francisco on January 17.

Investors in Tesla are suing Musk for misleading and defrauding them after tweeting in August 2018, Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured. The tweet sparked wide speculation and wild swings in the share price of Tesla, while a deal never happened, although Musk has claimed he had a handshake deal with the Saudis to help fund taking Tesla private.

Now lawyers for Al-Rumayyan and other PIF officials said that the subpoena from the Musk lawyers doesnt have any bearing and in no way obliges the Saudis to be in court to testify in the trial.

Subpoenas need not be complied with, according to a filing by the lawyers for the fund, cited by Bloomberg. Those documents are legally deficient, they say, and they are not in the jurisdiction of the San Francisco court.

The request for testifying was voluntary, lawyers for the Saudi sovereign wealth fund said.

In other words, even defendants describe the subpoenas as having no force or effect, they wrote in the filing.

Text exchanges between Musk and Al-Rumayyan, revealed in court filings last year, showed that Teslas chief executive believed he had the funding secured to take the company private. But Al-Rumayyan told Musk that the Saudi fund couldnt commit to an investment without sufficient information and that the fund and managers had been waiting for more details.

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By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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U.S. oil and gas firm ConocoPhillips has held preliminary talks with PDVSA to potentially sell Venezuelan crude oil on behalf of Venezuelas state-owned oil company as a way to recover part of the nearly $10 billion ConocoPhillips has yet to collect after leaving the South American country when its assets were expropriated.

ConocoPhillips left Venezuela in 2007 after the expropriation of its investments in the Hamaca and Petrozuata heavy crude oil projects under then-Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

In 2018, ConocoPhillips reached a settlement with PDVSA to recover the full $2-billion amount that an international court awarded it earlier that year for the expropriation of its oil assets in Venezuela. The U.S. firm has almost $10 billion in sums to collect from Venezuela, according to several court and arbitration rulings over the 2007 asset expropriation.

Now ConocoPhillips is in early talks with PDVSA to load, transport, and sell Venezuelan oil in the United States on behalf of the Venezuelan company, as a way to recover some of the money it is owed, The Wall Street Journal reports, quoting sources with knowledge of the talks between ConocoPhillips and Venezuela.

Despite the U.S. sanctions on Venezuelas oil industry and exports, ConocoPhillips has a license from the U.S. Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to engage with PDVSA on debt repayment.

Regarding PdVSA recovery efforts, ConocoPhillips is committed to pursuing all available legal avenues to protect our rights and obtain a full and fair recovery of the awards in recognition of our fiduciary responsibility to our shareholders, the company said in a statement to the Journal, declining to discuss specifics of any deal with the Venezuelan state oil firm.

The Biden Administration has recently eased part of the sanctions imposed on Venezuela  initially slapped by former President Donald Trump  including granting U.S. supermajor Chevron, the only American company still operating in Venezuela, a six-month license that allows Chevron to import some Venezuelan crude oil to the United States for sale to U.S. refiners.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Regina Bright was the kind of person who could bring others together.

The Omaha woman was a mother of two teenagers, whom she adored and strived to fill with love and wisdom. She was a hard worker with a tight-knit group of best friends who called themselves the super friends.

Bright was just the perfect name for her, said longtime friend Anna Roark. She was such a calm and serene and wonderful person. She was everybodys aunt  she took care of everybody.

Brights life came to an abrupt end last March. She was killed in Omaha on March 12 when her SUV was hit by a speeding driver, sending it into a utility pole before it spun clockwise and landed on its drivers side. Firefighters witnessed the crash and immediately rendered aid, but Bright was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 35 years old.

The speeding driver, Jonathan McDougald, 21, of Omaha, pleaded no contest to a count of misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide last year. Thursday, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years probation. He also has been ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and has had his drivers license revoked for one year.

Brights family and friends say they still dont feel justice has been served.

In early court appearances, authorities said McDougald was angry March 12 when he went on a drive in a Chevy Impala. He was driving 66 mph in a 35 mph zone when his car collided with the Jeep Compass that Bright was driving. At some points before the crash, authorities said, McDougald was driving up to 90 mph.

McDougald was southbound on 42nd Street near Grover Street when his car struck Brights SUV, which was northbound on 42nd Street and turning left into a gas station.

In the aftermath of Brights death, family and friends pushed tirelessly to convince prosecutors to bring charges against McDougald. Roark started a petition in May to persuade Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine to pursue charges, an effort that garnered more than 2,000 signatures.

Charges were filed in late July.

We were trying to be patient with the system, but her mom actually asked us to help get the word out, Roark said. My first thought was to start a petition, because we were just so worried that her story would fall through the cracks.

After the charges were filed, the petition shifted focus to encourage Kleine to upgrade the charge to a felony. Roark, along with the rest of Brights family and friends, found a misdemeanor to be insufficient.

We were always told that because he wasnt inebriated at the time of the incident, its going to be a misdemeanor, Roark said. In my mind, if something like this happens and you arent inebriated, that just shows that you made the conscious decision to speed and ended up taking somebodys life.

Kleine said in August that he determined a misdemeanor motor vehicle homicide charge was appropriate because McDougald was simply speeding.

The courts have determined that excessive speed, without other factors, is not enough to make it a felony, he said.

According to Nebraska law, willful reckless driving resulting in death can be prosecuted as a felony if the person charged shows a deliberate disregard for the safety of others or their property.

After taking a moment to breathe and accept what they view as a lenient sentence for McDougal, Brights family and friends aim to get legislation introduced in her honor to clarify the language in state law.

Im concerned that the sentence he got sets a really dangerous precedent, Roark said. We want to get the legislation changed so that there will be no doubt.
Superintendent experience is not among the qualifications listed Friday in an advertisement seeking applicants for the job of Nebraska commissioner of education.

But its easy to see how someone with such experience might check the boxes on the qualifications list assembled by the Nebraska State Board of Education.

The advertisement calls for applicants with experience as a visionary educational leader within complex organizations and among varied school districts and settings.

Members of the board are casting a wide net with the broadly written qualifications posted on the website of the search firm McPherson and Jacobson.

The firm is assisting the board in identifying and screening the candidates.

Steve Joel, one of the consultants, had cautioned the board about narrowing the qualifications so much that qualified candidates without superintendent experience, such as assistant commissioners in other states, would not apply.

Board members are looking for someone to replace Matt Blomstedt, who resigned Jan. 3.

Under the heading of salary range, the advertisement says, Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits commensurate with experience.

The listed characteristics sought by the board include the following:

A track record of successfully building teams and consensus as a servant leader who models high character, honesty, respect and trustworthiness in all interactions.

Effective written, oral and interpersonal communication skills, and a commitment to actively engaging stakeholders at all levels.

A critical thinker and creative problem-solver with a history of successful data-informed decision-making, including policy development and academic achievement.

The demonstrated ability to make difficult decisions and effectively manage the people and multiple priorities of a large organization.

An energetic and hard worker who is committed to continuous professional learning focusing on best practices.

The closing date for applications is March 2. Finalists will be selected the week of March 13, and interviews will take place the week of March 27.

Board members will select the new commissioner the week of April 3. Their intention is to have someone in the job by July 1.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
A myriad of events in Omaha  including a community soul food lunch, a unity church service in North Omaha, days of service, speeches and creative performances by young people  will honor the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. over the next two weeks.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday is Monday, the day after what would have been Kings 94th birthday. The nation honors the slain civil rights leaders life with a federal holiday on the third Monday of January each year.

Local observances include:

City of Omaha/Douglas County Aspire to Inspire 2023: Noon Friday, Legislative Chambers of the Civic Center, 1819 Farnam St.

Annual ceremony honoring city and county employees and a community member with Martin Luther King Jr. Awards. Keynote speech by Jamar Dorse, CEO of Capture DCS and Imagine Omaha.

Creighton University MLK Week 2023: Friday through Wednesday. Free events, register at https://www.creighton.edu/events/mlk-week-2023

Black Law Student Association Guest Lecture Forum, noon Friday, Creighton School of Law. Guest of honor and speaker: Jonathan C. Augustine, author, law professor and pastor.

Unity Prayer Luncheon, 11 a.m. Wednesday, Mike and Josie Harper Center, Ahmanson Ballroom, on the Creighton campus.

Be the Bridge Live MLK Jr. Panel Discussion, 3 p.m. Wednesday, Mike and Josie Harper Center, Hixson-Lied Auditorium.

Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Metropolitan Omaha 39th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Weekend Celebration: Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Eleventh Annual Teach-In, The Memphis Campaign, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha. Free. Register at facebook.com/ima.omaha.ne

2023 Unity Service, 6 p.m. Sunday, Salem Baptist Church, 3131 Lake St.

39th Annual MLK Memorial Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Monday, Hilton Omaha Ballroom, 1001 Cass St., with keynote speaker Jonathan C. Augustine, author of Called to Reconciliation: How the Church Can Model Justice, Diversity and Inclusion, who will also preach at the Unity Service and speak at the Teach-In. To purchase luncheon tickets, call 402-341-4297. Followed by IMAs Day of Service at Siena-Francis House, with partners United Health Care and Thrivent.

Big Mamas Kitchen & Catering Community Luncheon and Cocktail Event: Monday

Luncheon, noon to 1:30 p.m. Monday, in the Highlander Dining Room, 2112 N. 30th St. Free for up to 100 people. Register by calling the United Way of the Midlands at 211. Including remarks by State Sen. Justin Wayne, meal will be Big Mamas traditional MLK Day special, including oven-fried chicken, collard greens and candied yams. The event is inspired by the belief of the restaurants late founder, Patricia Big Mama Barron, that bringing people to the table to share a delicious meal could change the world, said her daughter, Gladys Harrison.

Cocktail event, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Denas Place at the Highlander, aimed to bring together business and community people from across metropolitan Omaha to celebrate what Dr. King was about, network and make connections to make good things happen in Omaha. Cash bar and finger foods.

Durham Museum: Free admission and Martin Luther King exhibit, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 801 S. 10th St., Omaha.

The Malcolm X Foundation will host a table from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and give out free copies of The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley.

Students from Nelson Mandela Elementary School will give a musical performance at 1 p.m.

City of Omaha Human Rights and Relations Department Living the Dream Competition: 5:30 p.m. Monday, Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St., Omaha. Free. Talent competition for Omaha-area students, who will perform original music, speeches, essay, poetry and dance to demonstrate how they live Kings dream.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
When former Gov. Pete Ricketts declined to appoint himself to the U.S. Senate, he avoided a fraught political history.

Of the last nine governors nationally who appointed themselves to the Senate, eight failed to keep the seat in the next election.

But could there be any political peril in Ricketts being appointed to the Senate Thursday by the new governor he just helped put in office? Could that cause Ricketts any problems when he runs for the seat in 2024?

Not likely, said most political observers interviewed for this article.

(Ricketts) will be elected, and he will serve in the United States Senate as long as he wants, predicted Paul Landow, a longtime Democratic political operative in Omaha. Hes experienced now, hes very popular with Nebraska Republicans, he has the right profile for a Republican U.S. senator, and he has the money to run any kind of campaign he wants.

Perhaps in another state, such an appointment could prove problematic, said UNO political scientist Randall Adkins. But not Nebraska.

Just given the current political landscape in the state  where Republicans have prevailed in every race for Senate and governor since 2006  Adkins said he does not see either Senate seat leaving Republican hands anytime soon.

And Adkins said Ricketts has many political advantages over Democrats or any GOP rivals, including a well-known name, his experience in office and the unlimited ability to fund his own campaign.

Who wants to step into that? Adkins said.

Gov. Jim Pillens appointment of Ricketts to the Senate has been anticipated almost from the moment U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse emerged in November as the likely president of the University of Florida.

Not long after, then-Gov. Ricketts announced that he would leave the appointment of the new senator to his successor as governor, Pillen. Ricketts later announced he would apply for the position.

But the appointment comes with some questionable optics.

Ricketts was a key supporter of Pillens gubernatorial campaign. He campaigned for him. He donated $100,000 directly to Pillens campaign. And Ricketts and his family gave more than $1.4 million to the political action committee that ran attack ads against Pillens top opponents in the hotly contested GOP primary election.

Pillen repeatedly denied the selection was pre-determined and said Ricketts campaign support played no role in the appointment.

If Pillen was looking for someone to keep the seat in GOP hands, Ricketts was in many ways the logical choice.

Serving as governor has long been a political recipe for success for those with Senate aspirations in Nebraska. In the last half-century, all four Nebraska governors who later decided to run for Senate were victorious  J.J. Exon, Bob Kerrey, Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns. Exon, Kerrey and Nelson were Democrats; Johanns was a Republican.

The last man who was appointed to a Senate seat in Nebraska, Republican David Karnes, did fail to win election in 1988.

But Karnes had never served in office before Gov. Kay Orr appointed him. And he did win a contested GOP primary before running into a political buzz saw in Kerrey, who was very popular at the time. (Kerrey, who left the office after two terms, didnt fare as well in a comeback Senate bid in 2012.)

John Cavanaugh, a former Democratic congressman from Omaha and longtime state political observer, said he didnt see Ricketts as a Senate shoo-in in 2024.

Even though he was twice elected governor, Ricketts political following is not very deep, Cavanaugh said. And Cavanaugh said a quality candidate from either party could exploit the politics of the appointment.

It certainly doesnt look good to be appointed by someone who received a tremendous amount of money from the person he appoints, Cavanaugh said.

Cavanaugh and Democrats werent the only ones raising that issue Thursday. Charles W. Herbster, the Donald Trump-backed GOP candidate for governor who was the target of many of the Ricketts-funded attack ads, on Twitter Thursday suggested its now clear why Ricketts was determined to see his hand-picked successor win.

Others werent so sure voters would connect those dots and find the appointment problematic.

Do people just kind of shrug their shoulders and go, OK? said Ryan Horn, a GOP political consultant from Omaha. If Pete Ricketts does a good job in the Senate as people perceive it, and he works hard, theres a good chance people might forget about (the appointment) in two years.

Landow predicted voters will see the appointment as no issue whatsoever.

I think anyone who knows anything about politics knows that favors are traded, and they would have assumed  rightly so  that Ricketts would be appointed, Landow said.

But the biggest reason most said they expected Ricketts to prevail in 2024 is the current state of the Nebraska Democratic Party  which Kerrey recently described as pathetic.

Horn said it seemed Pillen barely had to campaign to win this falls governors race over Democrat Carol Blood.

The reason the seat is likely to stay in Republican hands is the Democratic Party doesnt have a brand that appeals to most Nebraskans, Horn said.

Adkins likewise noted that Republicans in Nebraska have recently been handily winning statewide. That can change, he said, but it would likely take time.

Until we have a fundamental shift in the politics of Nebraska, I just dont see Ricketts being beaten by a Democrat, he said.

Photos: Jim Pillen appoints Pete Ricketts to the Senate
LINCOLN  A constitutional amendment introduced Friday in the Nebraska Legislature would give voters the opportunity to eliminate the State Board of Education.

State Sen. Joni Albrecht of Thurston introduced Legislative Resolution 24CA, which would eliminate the board and give the governor the power to appoint an education commissioner. If passed by the Legislature, the proposed constitutional amendment would then go onto the 2024 ballot.

There was some confusion regarding the amendments language on Friday. At first, Albrecht claimed that her intent was not to dissolve the board, and that language included in the resolution was incorrect. An hour later, she clarified that the resolution was correct, and said she was interpreting the amendment incorrectly.

Currently, the State Board of Education has eight elected members, who appoint the education commissioner and department employees and carry out other duties determined by the Legislature.

The board has come under fire in recent years, centered on a department decision to develop health education standards that included sex education in a way that was both comprehensive in scope and inclusive of diverse genders and sexual orientations.

Following public backlash, the department halted progress on the standards in 2021, but the department and the board still receive criticism to this day.

A similar proposal was introduced last year by State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn but was held in committee.

Albrecht said the issue was the main motivator behind her constitutional amendment.

They have to answer to (the Legislature), Albrecht said. But theyre not answering to us.

Under Albrechts amendment, the governor would have the authority to appoint an education commissioner, who would oversee the entire department. The duties of the board would be distributed among the rest of the department, she said.

The measure was among 44 bills and four proposed constitutional amendments introduced Friday. Among the others:

Directed health measures. Local health departments could no longer issue directed health measures under LB 421, introduced by Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha. The measure would require that such measures be adopted by city councils or county boards instead. She said the bill would apply to all health departments, including the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.

Controversy arose during the COVID-19 pandemic over who had the authority to mandate health measures such as mask-wearing and business closures. Last January, the state sued the City of Omaha and Douglas County Health Director Lindsey Huse after she issued a temporary mask mandate. The suit was withdrawn after the City Council passed an ordinance requiring that directed health measures be approved by the mayor and City Council.

Medical advice. LB 422 would protect doctors from professional disciplinary action for expressing opinions or giving medical advice that disagrees with the general medical consensus. Kauth, who introduced the bill, said doctors should not be told what to say or not say as long as they are doing what is in the best interest of their patients.

Monitoring voting. Nebraska ballots would have to have serial numbers and at least three anti-counterfeiting features, such as watermarks, holographs and taggants, which are chemical or physical markers used to track and identify items, under LB 457. The bill, introduced by Sen. Rick Holdcroft of Bellevue, also would require video surveillance of polling places to track ballots from the time they are handed to voters until they are sealed in boxes to be taken to the local election office for counting.

Inheritance taxes. LR 23CA, introduced by Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, would eliminate inheritance taxes in Nebraska. If approved by voters, the proposed constitutional amendment would do away with a tax that provides revenue to county governments.

Wildlife damage. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission would be required to pay for property damaged by mountain lions or elks under LB 456, introduced by Sens. Tom Brewer of Gordon and Steve Erdman of Bayard. The bill also would allow counties to hire wildlife services agents to take any action necessary to control wild or feral elk and mountain lion populations.

Highway 81. LB 454, introduced by Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara, calls for the Nebraska Department of Transportation to proceed with planning, designing and purchasing rights of way to complete the transformation of U.S. Highway 81 into a four-lane expressway. The bill spells out legislative intent to appropriate money for the stretch between Norfolk and the South Dakota border, as well as the stretch between York and Columbus.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
LINCOLN  A record number of proposed changes in Nebraska legislative rules drew record public interest for a hearing Thursday.

More than 100 people filled a Capitol hearing room for the hearing, with several testifying on proposals to eliminate the use of secret ballots for legislative leadership elections and do away with daily prayers.

State Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings offered the proposal to require that votes for legislative leaders be done either by acclamation or by public votes.

He argued that the change would promote transparency and honor U.S. Sen. George Norris vision for a more open lawmaking process. Norris championed the change from a traditional Legislature to the unique, nonpartisan, one-house version, which Nebraska voters approved in 1934.

Under the constitutional amendment Norris pushed, the Legislature is nonpartisan. That means state lawmakers are elected and serve without regard to party affiliation and that political parties are not part of the legislative structure or process.

Currently, lawmakers choose the speaker of the Legislature and other leaders by secret ballot. The process has been used ever since Nebraska launched its restructured Legislature in 1937.

Supporters of public leadership votes argued that Nebraskans want transparency and accountability, which cant happen with secret ballots. Among them, Myron Smith said he wants to know senators votes so he can consider that at election time. Stephanie Johnson raised concerns that voting in secret leads to political deal-making and deceit.

Opponents of the change said it would increase partisanship in the Legislature, because lawmakers could be punished for voting against the wishes of their party. Teri Hlava said legislative leaders should be elected on merit, not party membership, and Nathan Leach of Nonpartisan Nebraska said secret ballots are widely used in local governments and other organizations.

Sen. Steve Erdman of Bayard, the Rules Committee chairman, disputed the idea that the Legislature is nonpartisan and argued that the issue is one of transparency.

He said some senators in the past have been promised votes for a chairmanship, only to have those votes disappear when the ballots were counted. With secret ballots, it is impossible to know who broke their word, he said.

Thats what were arguing to fix, Erdman said. Thats the problem with this secret ballot.

Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha offered the proposal that would do away with the prayers that start each legislative day. She called it inappropriate to have a religious activity as part of a government body and argued that the prayers violate the First Amendment separation of church and state.

Opponents of Hunts proposal argued that the U.S. Supreme Court had found legislative prayers were constitutional. William Feely said most people agree on the existence of a divine creator and called Hunts proposal an example of cancel culture.

Erdman offered a rules change that would bar journalists from executive sessions of legislative committees, during which lawmakers discuss and vote on which bills to advance, amend or kill.

Other rules change proposals would increase access for Nebraskans with disabilities who wish to testify at public hearings, bar firearms from legislative areas of the Capitol except for military and law enforcement officials, revamp the redistricting process, set minimum hours of debate before a filibuster-ending cloture motion could be considered and allow pets in the Capitol.

The Rules Committee is expected to meet Friday to decide which changes to recommend to the full Legislature. Speaker of the Legislature John Arch of La Vista has said he wants to start debate about adopting permanent legislative rules on Tuesday.

Photos: 2023 Nebraska legislative session
From satellite images, the surprisingly long ice jam on the Missouri River looks like a sinewy white snake separating Nebraska and Iowa, poised over those downstream.

The serpentine ribbon forms among farm fields near Blencoe, Iowa, curves west toward Blair, Nebraska, loops east around DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge and comes to an end near Omahas N.P. Dodge Park and the Interstate 680 bridge.

Stretching some 20 miles with intermittent gaps, the ice poses a rare low-water threat to downstream communities because it can lead to sharply lower river levels that jeopardize access to water. Should it break up too quickly, it could release a surge of ice that damages infrastructure in its path.

The ice has been stuck in place since late December. It is thought to be the worst such ice jam in the Missouri River since February 1989, when a blockage south of Omaha caused St. Joseph, Missouri, to mandate water restrictions.

Utilities serving the Omaha metro area had a scare around Christmastime when the ice jam formed. It held back water upstream, leading to about an 8-foot difference in river level above and below.

That sent the Missouri River to a record low at Omaha on Dec. 24, provisionally determined to be 4.17 feet, according to the National Weather Service. (Its record high is 40.2 feet set in 1952.)

Water levels dropped so low, the Omaha Public Power District took its coal-fired stations in North Omaha offline Dec. 24, and the Metropolitan Utilities District took steps to flush out ice that was blocking its intake pipes at the Florence Water Treatment Plant.

Access to water became such a concern that Douglas County Board Chair Mary Ann Borgeson, at the request of local utilities and other officials, submitted a disaster proclamation to the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

Conditions began improving, and on Dec. 27, OPPD resumed generating power from its coal plants.

MUD spokeswoman Tracey Christensen said the agency sought the emergency declaration so that it could get expert assessment of the severity of the jam, including through aerial photography and satellite imagery, the impact of the coming weather and suggestions for potential solutions.

OPPD spokeswoman Jodi Baker said the utility wanted to have help in place in case it was needed.

Protecting North Omaha Station was and remains of utmost importance due to the role it provides in generating reliable energy, she said.

Both OPPD and MUD say the Omaha metro area wasnt at risk of curtailed electric power or drinking water because the utilities have supplies elsewhere.

However, the 11,000 residents of a riverside town in Kansas werent as lucky. Atchison, some 150 miles south of Omaha, had to mandate water restrictions in late December when water dropped too low for its main intake pipe.

For now, conditions on the river have improved. Instead, the concern is long term: What will the rest of winter bring?

Its going nowhere fast, said David Pearson, hydrologist with the National Weather Service office in Valley. Theres good news in that were slowly melting, but its a slow process to undo something like this.

The near-term forecast calls for ideal melt conditions, Pearson said. Daytime highs generally in the 40s are expected. But he said the long-term outlook hints at colder weather toward the end of January. And February has a history of bringing a harsh end to winter in this part of the country.

Melting in place is what we want, Pearson said. There is nothing you can do right now but monitor it.

But with conditions appearing dire in late December, the involved agencies, including the weather service, OPPD, MUD, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District and the Douglas County and Nebraska Emergency Management Agencies, discussed potential actions.

The Papio NRD has experience over the years with the more ice jam-prone Platte River, where it has dynamited the ice, dusted it with dark coal ash (to speed melting) and dropped heavy weights on it.

John Winkler, general manager for the Papio NRD, said the district deployed helicopter-borne vibrating weights on the Missouri River ice jam. It also put an explosives contractor on standby.

The weights didnt get the job done, and its not clear how serious discussions became in terms of explosives or coal ash. Both can pose problems and raise regulatory or liability concerns. Explosives can cause collateral damage, and coal ash contains pollutants.

Once it was decided not to use explosives on the Missouri, the NRDs involvement ended, Winkler said.

Noting that this ice jam is more expansive and challenging than ones seen in the Platte River, Christensen said MUD would support the use of coal ash. She noted that the utility has been advised that coal ash is most effective beginning in mid-February, when the sun is higher in the sky.

Use of coal ash would not impact water quality because treatment systems already in place would remove any contaminants, she said.

For now, warmer weather has melted enough ice that water has again begun moving through the jam. OPPD says water levels are now 3 feet higher than what triggered the closure of the North Omaha power plant.

However, the jam continues to slow the flow of water. Pearson said a difference of about 6 feet remains in the river above and below the ice jam.

Another action that isnt considered viable is having the Corps of Engineers send a surge of water downstream from upstream dams.

Eileen Williamson, spokeswoman for the Corps of Engineers, said a large release of water from Gavins Point Dam, on the Nebraska-South Dakota border, could cause lake ice to collapse and create a jam above the dam. And while releasing water from the dam might dislodge the ice, she said, it also could send it surging downstream in a damaging fashion.

The corps did try to get ahead of the freeze-up by increasing the amount of water being released from Gavins Point Dam, Williamson said. On Dec. 17, a week before the river dropped at Omaha, releases were increased to 14,000 cubic feet per second, up from 12,000 cfs.

With conditions now improved along the river, Williamson said, the corps this week began dropping releases back to 12,000 cfs.

In late December, the Nebraska State Patrol and Omaha Police Department flew over the river to obtain images of the jam. Recently, a polar orbiting satellite from the European Space Agency captured images of it. And on Tuesday, the parent agency of the weather service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, directed a snow plane headed to the Twin Cities to travel the length of the ice jam to capture images. The plane also carries sensors that the agency can use to analyze the ice.

Unlike ice jams on the Platte River, this one isnt considered a flood threat because there is plenty of room in the river, Pearson said. Heavy runoff in the weeks ahead likely would dislodge the ice, allowing the river to flow more freely, he said.

The one thing that isnt wanted, Pearson said, is widespread winter rain in the Sioux City area. That could flush enough water into the river that flows would lift the jam and send it on a damaging path downstream.

Reduced reservoir releases arent to blame for the jam, Pearson said. Instead, the main reason the river is so low is the intensity of the drought below the dams, notably in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.

More than 60% of the Missouri River basin is in drought, and the Corps of Engineers has gone from regulating reservoir releases based on flood worries to holding back water due to concerns about drought.

Streams simply arent feeding the normal amount of water into the river. Pearson said tributaries below Gavins Point Dam are running 10% to 50% of normal.

OPPD, MUD and partner agencies continue to collaborate and monitor the river.

Conditions have improved, and we are in guarded status, Christensen said. There is still a significant amount of ice cover, which remains a potential threat.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
Nebraska is taking another step into the as-yet-uncertain future of nuclear power.

On Friday, the Nebraska Public Power District announced that it would undertake a study of potential locations for a small modular reactor, thanks to funding from the Legislature. The study will be funded through $1 million in federal dollars awarded to NPPD by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Small modular reactors are the new type of nuclear reactor under consideration around the world. Utilities say these smaller reactors offer several advantages over the much larger traditional reactors by requiring less space, costing less to build and providing greater flexibility in where they can be built and how much electricity they generate.

However, critics say they remain unproven and carry the baggage of any nuclear reactor: no great solution for radioactive spent fuel, potential high costs to build and potential nefarious use of nuclear material.

Because they are so new, no such reactors have yet been built in the U.S.

Grant Otten, spokesman for NPPD, said the study will put NPPD in a better position should small modular reactors prove themselves and the district decide that nuclear power is something it wants to pursue.

Other major utilities in Nebraska and Iowa also have expressed interest in nuclear power. MidAmerican Energy has included nuclear among the options it is studying. The Omaha Public Power District has said it is monitoring developments in the industry.

The NPPD study will occur in two phases: determining the 15 best such sites within Nebraska and then whittling them down to four. The first phase is expected to be completed this spring and the second phase could take a year, according to the utility.

Factors used in evaluating sites include access to water and transmission lines and criteria set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Some models of these new reactors are less reliant on water, which means NPPD could study sites that arent along rivers, which has been where the states power plants have been built.

NPPD has contracted with the engineering firm Burns & McDonnell to assist with the study.

A nuclear power plant hasnt been built in Nebraska in 50-some years.

As a state, Nebraska has been taking a number of steps toward reopening doors to nuclear power. Most recently, the Nebraska Legislature set aside money from the federal governments infrastructure bill for this study. In 2021, the Legislature unanimously approved allowing nuclear power to qualify for renewable energy incentives.

Safety would be paramount with any project, Otten said.

Small modular reactors are designed with very advanced safety features, he wrote in an email to The World-Herald. Further, if an SMR were to be built in Nebraska, it would have to meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations; and it would be operated and maintained to protect the safety of the public.

NPPD operates Nebraskas only nuclear station, Cooper Nuclear Station near Brownville. OPPD used to operate the much smaller Fort Calhoun Nuclear Station near Blair, but closed it several years ago, citing costs. Construction at both Cooper and Fort Calhoun began in the 1960s, and they came online in the early 1970s.

The utilitys other major baseline plant, the Gerald Gentleman Station near Sutherland, runs on coal.

Otten said NPPD remains committed to its existing baseload plants.

(Gerald Gentleman) and Cooper are both essential parts of NPPDs generation mix, for providing low-cost reliable power to our customers, he wrote. NPPD does not currently have any plans to retire either GGS or Cooper.

NPPD has said it plans to continue operating Cooper until its license expires in 2034. A decision on whether to seek a 20-year license extension for Cooper will be made at a later date.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of January 2023
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.
Inside Out Gallery gears up for 2023

BLOOMINGTON  The Inside Out Accessible Art Gallery will begin a rotation of themed shows this year.

The shows will highlight art that might not be seen in the gallery.

Scheduled shows are: Mid January and February, "Winter"; March and April, "Flowers & Faces"; May and June, "Steampunk"; July and August, "Trees and Harvest"; September and October, "Abstracts and Mysteries"; November and December, "The Holidays."

IOAA is also looking for new artists to display art in the gallery. The cost to display art is $50 a month and is used to pay facility rent. One-hundred percent of the sales go to the artist. There is a jurying processing in place. They recently welcomed two new artists to the gallery, Debora Helgeson and Isaac Galewsky.

In 2022, 4,970 people were served by IOAA through a variety of classes, special events, information booths in the community, art sales at the gallery and in other venues. This was made possible by a grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation.

The IOAA education committee and IOAA instructors worked with other not-for-profit agencies such as the McLean County Pride Coalition, Bloomington Parks and Recreation, Special Opportunities in Recreation, Adult Recreation Center, Cogs & Corsets and Sugar Grove Nature Center.

IOAA will continue to offer free and low-cost art activities in 2023 on a regular basis in the IOAA classroom, during First Friday events and on the sidewalk during the Farmers' Market.

Visit insideoutartcoop.org or contact insideoutart318@gmail.com for more information.

Jan Brandt announces new opportunity

NORMAL  Local artist and gallery owner Jan Brandt has been granted the opportunity to choose artists to exhibit concurrently with her at Water Street Studios in Batavia, IL.

Brandt alongside WSS Executive Director Sydney Pacha and Gallery Exhibitions Director Steve Sherrell, aims to bring more exposure to Central Illinois artists.

Water Street Studios is located in a historic limestone building dating back to 1886. It was originally used as a windmill factory as Batavia was once known as "The Windmill Capital of the World." During WWII, the building was used as a munitions factory. In 2009, Water Street Studios was founded and opened to the public.

Brandt selected inspiring local artists whose work would provide a lively conversation with her exhibition, "Botanica Imaginaria," and would provide a punch of color, pattern and texture to contrast with the January and February Illinois weather.

Artists David Dow and Jim Neeley of Wisecracker Studio and Jan Brandt of Jan Brandt Gallery have committed to donate pieces from the Bontanica Imaginaria exhibit to Bloomington-Normal nonprofits working with marginalized women and youth.

The goal is to inspire women and young adults to pursue the arts as part of their healing, growth and paths forward, and to honor the important community work and staff of these nonprofits with original art displayed in their offices.

There will be an opening reception from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 13 with a champagne toast and artist remarks at 7:30 p.m. The exhibit "Botanica Imaginaria," will run starting Jan. 3 through Feb. 5 in The Dempsey Family Gallery of Water Street Studios. Water Street Studios is located at 160 S. Water St. in Batavia and is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Other exhibits will include "Flower Bomb," by Jim Neeley; "Perennial Optimism," by David Dow; and "Layers," by Krystal Kay Lyon and K. Hieronymus W.

Contact Brandt at janbrandtgallery@gmail.com or at 309-287-4700. Contact Water Street Studios at info@waterstreetstudios.org or at 630-761-9977 for more information.

Inside Out Gallery announces classes

BLOOMINGTON  Inside Out Accessible Art Gallery announced their current/upcoming class offerings.

The gallery is located at 200 W. Monroe St., Suite 102, in Bloomington. They are open 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday; and closed Sunday through Tuesday or open by appointment.

The classes being offered are as follows:

Cool Colored Winter Painting; 1-4 p.m., Jan. 16; ages 8+; $15/$13 for members; acrylic snowman 11x14 canvas; Peggy Dunlap.

Monochromatic Winter Landscape; 1-3 p.m., Jan. 28; ages 8+; $15/$13 for members; acrylic, one color, black and white 11x14 canvas; Peggy Dunlap.

IOAA Art Classes offered through Bloomington Parks & Recreation:

Monochromatic Winter Landscape; 1-3 p.m., Jan. 21; 10+.

Paint with Me - Winter; 1:30-3:30 p.m., Jan. 29; ages 5-12 with parent.

Pen & Ink Landscape; 5:30-7:30 p.m., Feb. 9; ages 10+.

Paint with Mary Jo; 1:30-3:30 p.m., Feb. 19; ages 8+.

Paint with Me - Fish; 1:30-3:30 p.m., April 16; ages 5-12 with parent.

Visit insideoutcoop.org or bloomingtonparks.org to register for classes. Registration is recommended at least one week before the start of a class.

Those who are interested can also contact Mary Jo at mjjohnson1956@gmail.com to schedule a private class or for more information.
BLOOMINGTON  A Bloomington family was surprised to find an endangered ring-tailed lemur in their garage Thursday morning after hearing unusual sounds there the night before.

With help from the Illinois Conservation Police and Miller Park Zoo, the ring-tailed lemur  which the family named King Julian after the popular Madagascar movies  has been captured and is now under the zoos care.

I greatly appreciate that the family asked for help in recovering this animal, Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte stated Friday morning. We will work with the IDNR (Illinois Department of Natural Resources) on the next steps of King Julians journey.

Officials are unsure where the animal came from, and the Illinois Conservation Police, along with local authorities, are investigating the ownership and permitting for the animal, according to a news release from the City of Bloomington.

Ring-tailed lemurs are native to the island of Madagascar and are listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

The lemur is a social species that has evolved to live in large troops, engaging in social interactions with members of its own species, according to the news release. They should not be kept as pets.

Pratte said he and his staff first found out about the lemur through a now-removed post on the Lost-Found Pets in Bloomington-Normal Facebook group.

The family was advised by a veterinarian who lives in their neighborhood to contact the Illinois Conservation Police, which was when Miller Park Zoo was notified, Pratte said.

We didnt know what this animal was going to be like, and based on my lack of surprise about this, I suspect that it was likely someones illegal pet that got loose, Pratte said. We took nets, gloves and protective equipment because being a non-human primate, they can carry the zoonotic diseases and they have large, sharp canine teeth.

Zoonotic diseases are highly transmissible and can spread between humans and animals. More than two-thirds of all emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Pratte said they were able to catch the lemur, which has now been transferred to a quarantined area of the zoo. The animal will stay there until the zoo receives more information from the IDNR.

Theyre going to have to investigate and see if there is a legitimate legal owner of this animal, and then it there is not, they will officially confiscate it and we would assist them, if requested, in finding another home, Pratte said.

Although stumbling upon a lemur would be surprising to most, Pratte said he has previously seen instances of people obtaining exotic pets. He also consults with other zoos when they come across illegally obtained or mistreated reptiles, birds and other primates.

Unfortunately, Pratte said, it is very common to find species of South American monkeys kept as pets.

People dont think about the consequences with whats happening to the animal and the psychological distress that theyre undergoing by not being able to engage in their normal behaviors, Pratte said. Theres a ton of risks that people dont think about or know about, because its a cute animal to have or they saw a celebrity with one. Its a mess.

All lemurs are protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act and should be managed under expert care by qualified zoological organizations, the citys news release stated.

Anyone with information about this animals origin is asked to call the Illinois Conservation Police at 877-236-7529.
PEORIA  A Bloomington man was sentenced Thursday to almost three years in federal prison for an automatic weapon possession charge.

Javares L. Hudson, 22, was arrested in January 2022 in Bloomington after reports of gunfire. A federal grand jury returned an indictment against him in February 2022.

Hudson suffered two gunshot wounds during the shooting. While in the hospital, he was found to be in possession of a Glock switch, an aftermarket attachment designed to convert Glock handguns into fully automatic machine guns, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

The switch qualifies as a machine gun under federal law, the prosecutor said.

Hudson pleaded guilty in September 2022 and has been in federal custody since then.

U.S. District Judge James Shadid sentenced Hudson to 33 months in prison and three years of supervised release.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Bloomington and Peoria police departments investigated this case as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

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  The Town of Normal has received $3.5 million in congressional funding toward road repairs and construction of a pedestrian pathway along West College Avenue.

"The road is in terrible shape," said Mayor Chris Koos. "This grant helps us implement a complete streets strategy on that road so that the larger freeway would support pedestrian bicycle and automobile use."

The funding was received after Democratic Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin secured more than $182 million through congressionally-directed spending for Illinois projects across the state.

Duckworth said the project has been a priority for the town and will increase pedestrian and bicycle accessibility from low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

"It's to make things accessible to everyone, and not accessible just in terms of thinking of wheelchair users and bicyclists, but making sure that all residents have an ability to get around, even those who don't have a car," Duckworth said. "What you see is greater economic development, people get more engaged and it's just overall better for the quality of life."

The focus of the funding will be directed toward the $9.35 million rehabilitation project on West College Avenue from White Oak Road to Rivian Motorway.

Koos said the town has heard from residents and Rivian employees who use those roads that the streets are difficult to drive on and need to be addressed.

This is also an opportunity to implement bicycle trails and pedestrian pathways in the area, Koos said.

"The larger throughway would support pedestrians, bicycles and automobiles," Koos said. "It's a very difficult road to be on unless you're driving a car."

The town has already finished with phases 1 and 2 of the preliminary design for the project, and is now working on the getting the final design, Koos said.

Koos said the project will then be presented and voted on by the town's council, with an estimated start date for construction taking place in 2024.

The town received an additional $520,000 in congressional funding for an infrastructure study in north Normal looking at the annexed properties there for future growth.

The study will consider adding Hudson to the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District, as the small community is growing and the need for sewers will also grow, Koos said.

The history of 12 Bloomington-Normal street names Linden Street Emerson Street Prairie Street White Place Boardwalk Circle Empire Street Belt Avenue Allin Street Willedrob Road Yotzonot Drive Hershey Road Stringtown Road
BLOOMINGTON  Illinois Prairie Community Foundation will accept grant applications in three categories starting Feb. 1.

The foundation expects to award $175,000 during this grant round. The grants will provide support to programs that benefit local residents.

The three categories include general grants that fund programs for education, environment, health and wellness and youth; Mirza/IPCF arts grants that fund programs for the performing or visual arts, music education, arts education and enrichment; and Shulman grants, which focus on Jewish-themed education, arts and cultural enrichment programs open to all.

Two specific grants being offered include The Go Green Frautschi/Bedell Grant, which focuses on enhancing and beautifying McLean County. Programs interested in applying for this grant will use the general grants online application. The David Kay Williams Music Education Grant seeks to support innovative music education programs. Those interested will use the Mirza/arts and culture grant online application.

Applicants will be accepted through Feb. 28. Applicants must represent a 5013 tax-exempt organization; a local unit of municipal, county, state or federal government; a school or college/university; or a tax-exempt religious organization or place of worship. Programs must be available to residents of McLean, DeWitt, Livingston or Logan counties, but do not have to serve all four.

Applications can be completed at ilprairiecf.org/spring-grants.

For more information, contact Michele Evans at mevans@ilprairiecf.org or 309-662-4477.

Photos from the Women to Women Giving Circle Summer Lunch Retired Judge Beth Robb introducing Judge Amy McFarland Barb Hummel, Pat Grogg, Sharon Tarvin Charlotte Talkington, Margaret Ann Hayden Karen Bersche, Barb Meek Kara Alt, Vera Traver, Amy Coon Joan Vanden Eynden, Jan Wohlwend Lynda Lane, Fran Brandau Sandra Harmon, Laura Kowalczyk Kyleigh Airo, Amy Roser Great conversation Diana Hauman, Sonja Reece, Karen Hanson More than 40 women attended Karen Major, Laura Beavers Donna Nickels, Mary Anne Schierman, Sally Pyne Judge Amy McFarland Retired Judge Beth Robb
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
The late Madeleine Albright, a former U.S. ambassador and secretary of state, once referred to the United States as the indispensable nation. This catchy phrase has been invoked by U.S. politicians and analysts ever since, nearly a quarter-century after it was first uttered.

The U.S., however, can be a quite self-centered nation too. Americans witnessed this during the multiday saga last week on the floor of the House of Representatives as Republican lawmakers fought among themselves over who deserved the speakership. Kevin McCarthy eventually claimed the gavel on the 15th vote in the middle of the night.

Americans also read and watched this narcissism play out in the commentary dissecting the speakership vote.

If you didnt know any better, you would think the chaos that played out on the House floor dragged the U.S. into a less advantageous position in the world. Americas allies and adversaries, we have been told, are watching  and the conclusion they were making was that Americas institutional foundations were rotting from within.

Its a disgrace, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts told Boston Public Radio about the speaker vote. The world is watching, and this is simply dysfunctional.

David Jolly, a former congressman from Florida and an MSNBC contributor, offered a similar analysis: We have one chamber of our bicameral legislature that is now not functioning. That creates an image of instability across the world stage. Jan-Werner Mueller, a columnist for The Guardian, went so far as to suggest that autocrats around the world were feeling a sense of comfort over the tumult in the House.

Heres a news flash: Countries like Russia, China and Iran werent spending their days last week fixated on the arcane procedures of the House floor. Nor do these nations care who serves as third in line to the presidency. They have bigger priorities to deal with, and none of them involves wondering whether American democracy will survive. (Which it will.)

Take Russia. The country enters 2023 in a woefully degraded strategic position, with its wealth and power weakened courtesy of Russian President Vladimir Putins war of choice in Ukraine. The Russian military is not only facing immense casualties in Ukraine  last November, the Pentagon estimated more than 100,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured since the war began in February. It also is continuing to commit extremely costly mistakes on the battlefield, such as jamming soldiers into a single location only a few miles from the front line and throwing fresh recruits into battle without enough equipment.

The Russian economy, never great to begin with, contracted by almost 3% last year, and Russias labor pool is shrinking as working-age men are being rounded up and thrown into the Ukrainian meat grinder. Thanks to European Union sanctions and self-sabotage, Moscow has lost its biggest customer in the energy market; with the exception of Hungary and Bulgaria, Europes markets are now closed to the Russian oil industry.

China is undergoing significant domestic turbulence itself. While the protests against the Chinese Communist Partys "COVID-zero" lockdown policy ended long ago, Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, is now contending with a coronavirus resurgence that makes Americas own look pale in comparison. Approximately 250 million people were infected by the virus in the first 20 days of December. If the director of the health commission in Henan province is correct, this specific area is seeing a positivity rate of 89%, which is almost unheard of.

Xi, so desperate to demonstrate his unity of command and competency as a leader, looks downright incompetent in the face of Chinas largest public health crisis to date. Chinas hospital wards are overflowing with the sick, dead and dying, a scenario due in part to Beijings inability to roll out an effective vaccination campaign for its older population. Xi wanted to prevent infections from sweeping across the country, but his policies have done precisely the opposite.

Iran, meanwhile, is in the throes of its biggest demonstrations since the founding of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Unlike previous protest movements in the late 1990s, 2009 and 2017-18, Iranian security forces are having a difficult time squelching the broad-based movement, even as hundreds of Iranian protesters have been killed and at least 14,000 have been arrested.

The Iranian government itself is increasingly divided over how to mollify the protesters; some in the hard-line camp are beginning to advocate dialogue with the protesters, while others are inching toward enacting cosmetic reforms to law enforcement as a way of slowing down their momentum. This, coupled with the likely demise of nuclear pact negotiations and the persistence of U.S.-led sanctions on the Iranian economy, amounts to the Iranian government facing a simultaneous political and economic crisis.

None of this is to say that last weeks barnburner on the House floor wasnt embarrassing for those who were an intimate part of it. McCarthy, for instance, was so desperate to attain the gavel that he spent days groveling to conservative holdouts for their votes. A man who hopes to exert control over the lower chamber was relegated to bribing his way into the office. By the time the ordeal was over, McCarthy had his name on the speakers office. But that came at a considerable price, including a series of rules changes that give rank-and-file members more power over how the House operates.

However, to argue the U.S. embarrassed itself in the eyes of the world or somehow delivered its chief adversaries a propaganda coup isnt serious analysis. Its narcissism at its finest.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently called the challenge the city is facing in serving an influx of migrants a crisis created by the Republican governor of Texas. As an academic who studies and teaches refugee policy, I agree the crisis is manufactured, but its roots are much deeper and effects far-reaching. Before any knee-jerk reactions, we must understand why some people are invested in it as a crisis instead of a problem that can be solved.

Chicago has an outsize interest in a solution because we are the biggest destination city for asylum-seekers and migrants in the Midwest. Since last August, more than 3,800 migrants have been bused here from Texas. As a sanctuary city, it is in our interest to get the facts straight.

Notably, the U.S. government has dramatically narrowed access for people to ask for asylum legally and have their cases heard. People fleeing their countries are risking their lives to ask for asylum. Donald Trump, when he was president, systematically dismantled and starved the immigration infrastructure through his policies  resulting in the furloughing of thousands of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services employees, the imprisonment of children and the illegal detention of migrants. Because of such policies, asylum-seekers endanger their lives by crossing the Darien Gap only to face long lines and a wall. The U.S. could alleviate this issue by offering people alternative ways to request asylum.

Title 42, which the U.S. Supreme Court recently allowed to stay in place, is an example of how the Trump administration chose to artificially, and temporarily, drive down asylum applications, only for the number of applicants to shoot up now. Turning away migrants suffering persecution is a violation of our international treaty obligations and our humanitarian foreign policy and is harmful to our economy. If Title 42 is revoked, there will be a temporary increase in people accessing asylum and being processed at the border, but there is no reason to think that this will be a long-term issue.

People who can prove they have a credible fear of persecution will be allowed to stay in the country, and those who dont qualify can be deported. President Joe Biden just declared an overhaul of this bottleneck created at the border, and we should applaud that effort.

It is also important to remember that, geographically, our southern border is the only place where people can access asylum, a universal human right. The United States shares borders with only two countries, Mexico and Canada. Almost everyone asking for asylum accesses it at our southern border because to our north is Canada, a safe country. At one time, people could fly to one of our airports or access our territory on boats, but we have closed off those options. Airlines have been turned into de facto immigration agents because they are made to pay huge fines if they carry people to an airport where those passengers ask for asylum. The same is true for boats or ships.

Any person fleeing rape, violence, persecution, gangs or terror must find a way to make it to our southern border. There is no other way.

Instead of seeing this situation as a human rights nightmare, which it is, Americans are concentrating on reading it as a quasi-assault on our sovereignty. When the mayor of El Paso, Texas, Oscar Leeser, asked for additional resources, he was instead attacked for not declaring an emergency. Yes, asylum-seekers are at our border. We have the resources for processing their applications. Why arent we using them?

We need to ramp up the hiring of Department of Homeland Security staff. We need to create a system where all states step up to host asylum-seekers. We need to stop creating artificial bottlenecks in the system. And Chicago should continue using money that the federal government gives us to help settle people who are being treated as pawns in a political game.

There is a crisis at the border. But its most harmful for people risking their lives to access safety, not for us sitting and watching the news on television.
A woman cried on Wednesday as she testified to a Swiss court that a former Liberian rebel commander had raped her repeatedly during the country's civil war, on the first day of his appeal to overturn 22 convictions for war crimes.



While Alieu Kosiah is appealing the 2021 ruling Swiss prosecutors are arguing that he also committed crimes against humanity, which could increase his 20-year sentence if his conviction is upheld and he is found guilty on these counts.



Kosiah, who fought against former Liberian president Charles Taylor's army in the 1990s, was convicted on charges including rape, murder and cannibalism in Switzerland's first ever war crimes trial. The court is now considering crimes against humanity for the first time in a Swiss trial.



The public left the courtroom to allow a plaintiff, who said she was raped by Kosiah at the age of 14, to continue her testimony. "I was told I would be his wife," she told the court. "If I didn't go (with him), he would have killed me. He forced me four times."



Kosiah was arrested in 2014 in Switzerland, where he had been living as a permanent resident. A 2011 Swiss law allows prosecution for serious crimes committed anywhere, under the principle of universal jurisdiction.



Kosiah told the court he had never met the woman. "It's not because someone gets emotional that she is right," he said. His lawyer Dimitri Gianoli says he was not present when the war crimes were allegedly committed.



During Liberia's back-to-back wars between 1989-2003 thousands of people were mutilated and raped in clashes that involved drugged fighters and marauding child soldiers conscripted by warlords.



Unlike neighbouring Sierra Leone, engulfed in civil war at the same time and which later held war crimes trials, no prosecutions have taken place in Liberia. The victims testifying in Switzerland have asked for anonymity for fear of reprisals. Some former warlords still hold major positions in the country.



Alain Werner, a Swiss lawyer and director at Civitas Maxima who is representing the victims, said he was confident but it was a complicated case. "Sometimes it's just their word against his and these are things that happened 30 years ago."



The court will later hear from a man who alleged he witnessed Kosiah eat slices of a man's heart and another who accuses him of stabbing him and ordering killings.



The three judges will make a ruling later this year.



Observers hope the case will galvanise other lengthy Swiss probes yet to go to court, including a torture case against a former Gambian minister and a war crimes case against a former Algerian junta leader.



Momentum is growing outside of Liberia for justice for war-time atrocities. In November, a former Liberian rebel commander was sentenced to life in prison by a French court and a Finnish appeals court is hearing a Liberia war crimes case.

Source: Reuters









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Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has often highlighted the importance of Ghana practically eradicating cholera in his speeches. A deadly outbreak in Malawi underscores how right he has been.



Dr Mahamudu Bawumia often lists the numerous achievements of his government whilst giving speeches. A man who pays minute attention to detail, Bawumia leaves nothing out when making his lists, no matter how mundane.



The Vice President would mention every little thing he believes the NPP has been able to improve upon in Ghanaian society, and critics would jump on him for being too literal and listing things they consider unimportant.



One such achievement critics often downplay is the practical eradication of cholera. Multiple times on the stump, especially when speaking about water and sanitation, the Veep would point out that since taking office, the NPP has all but eliminated the hitherto deadly disease that is cholera.



Whilst many were tempted to laugh it off as Bawumia once more being too arcane and literal in his definition of achievement, a deadly cholera outbreak that has swept through continental neighbours Malawi highlights exactly how crucial keeping that disease in check is and why Bawumia is more than right to celebrate Ghana never having to deal with the menace again.



Malawis cholera outbreak



The East African country of Malawi is currently in the midst of its worst cholera outbreak in two decades, a disaster that has so far claimed 750 lives (and counting).



The outbreak started in March 2022 but became worse over the holiday period.



Earlier this month, authorities in the country suspended primary and secondary schools opening in two major cities  the capital, Lilongwe, and the commercial hub, Blantyre  for two more weeks after the Christmas holidays.



On Thursday, January 12th 2023, Health Minister Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda ordered the closure of many businesses that lack safe water, toilets and hygienic refuse disposal facilities, and announced restrictions on the sale of pre-cooked food.



We continue to record rising number of cases across the country, despite signs of reduced transmission and deaths in a few areas, Chiponda said in a statement and urged adherence to sanitation and hygiene measures.



The Minister had earlier announced that 17 people had died from 589 new cases of the waterborne disease in the past 24 hours. Malawi has recorded 22,759 cases since the onset of the outbreak in March last year.



Currently, about 15 people are dying every day in Malawi from the outbreak whilst nearly 1,000 remain hospitalised.



At this moment, 14 African countries are battling a cholera outbreak. Africa CDC director Ahmed Ogwell Ouma said 393 deaths from slightly more than 4,000 new cases were reported during the past week on the continent.



Epidemiologist Adamson Muula told the Associated Press (AP) that the outbreak is affecting the very poor who lack access to safe water and sanitation.



People who have functioning water closets, potable water from taps in homes and those who fortify themselves by not eating from questionable places are basically not at risk, said Muula, a lecturer at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Blantyre. He blamed ruling elites for failing to invest in infrastructure.



People who are not served by the municipal water supply system. People who defecate in bushes and other open spaces, drink from open water sources and those who live in communities where the different water companies can fail to provide tap water for days on end are the ones affected, said Muula. Such a disease becomes difficult to control as the bourgeois feel unconcerned.



The Situation in Ghana



As the picture of what other African countries are going through becomes clear, it highlights the importance of Bawumias insistence on the importance of Ghana eradicating the deadly disease.



Annual outbreaks of cholera used to be the norm in Ghana until significant investments in water and sanitation by the ruling NPP brought it to a halt.



The Vice President pointed this out during a recent speech at the All System Go Africa Symposium on Wednesday, October 19th 2022.



Dr Bawumia was a guest of honour at the symposium, which brought together African Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) experts to brainstorm on the best way to make the WASH Sector on the Continent more responsive to the needs of the populace.



Bawumia revealed the numerous projects undertaken by the ruling NPP government to improve water and sanitation in the country since taking office.



He named projects including the Upper East Water Supply Project, the Yendi Water Supply project. the Tamale Water Supply Project, the Damongo Water Supply Project, the Wenchi Water Supply Project, the Sunyani Water Supply Project, Keta Water Supply Project, Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply Project, and the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA)/ Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Water and Sanitation Project.



Bawumia said all these projects are expected to lead to an additional 4.3 million people having access to portable water in Ghana.



The interventions in the water sub-sector are expected to result in additional 4.3 million beneficiaries having access to potable water. According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census of Ghana on water and sanitation coordinated by the Ghana Statistical Service, the number of households that currently have access to toilet facilities has increased from 33 % to 59.3%. With respect to water, the percentage of households with access to basic drinking water has seen a significant improvement from 79 % in 2018 to 87.7 % in 2021. Bawumia continued.



These improvements have resulted in significant gains, with not a single case of cholera recorded over the past 5 years.Ghanas achievement has been possible, for instance in the sanitation space, because of the Governments decision to continue to encourage the Public-Private Partnership option in the execution of socio-economic infrastructure, he added.



As amply demonstrated by the issues in Malawi and elsewhere on the continent, the lack of access to clean and portable drinking water has been a major factor in the ongoing cholera outbreak.



The work done by the NPP government in those sectors has met many of those challenges which used to be commonplace in Ghana, with the additional benefit of all but eradicating the canker of cholera.



The lesson here is that no achievement relating to health can easily be downplayed. As we are seeing in Malawi, there is a very dark alternative to Ghanas current situation.



Dr Bawumia often points to achievements in digitisation and other sectors that critics are fond of downplaying but in the long run, he is often proven right on the utility of those achievements.



Critics can mock and jape when Bawumia says Ghana has increased access to toilet facilities from 33 % to 59.3% but as were seeing elsewhere, this has real-life consequences that are far from funny.



Just like with digitisation, Bawumia appears to possess the foresight to see benefits to moves that the short-sighted simply refuse to fathom. One suspects with time, he would be vindicated on the digital agenda just as he has been on the importance of water and sanitation.









Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Outgoing Minister for Trade and Industries, 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 to the Asantehene at his Palace at Manhyia to officially informed the King of his decision to resign 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.



The letter received acceptance from the president on January 6.



During his visit to the Manhyia Palace almost a week after this, the Minister told the King about his decision to resign.



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.



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 medication 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.













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National Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Sammy Gyamfi, has said that looking at the arrangements for bondholders included in governments Domestic Debt Exchange programme (DDE), many would have died before they get their monies.



According to him, government created this mess through reckless borrowing, yet they are not going to leave any investments that can even pay these debts when they leave office in 2024.



Speaking on Good Morning Ghana on January 12, monitored by GhanaWeb, he said, ..for those people whose investment will be maturing in 2023, by the time you get the entirety of your principal in 2023, you will be ten years more older, maybe you would have died and about 80 per cent or the entire money would have lost its value.



What is even worse of for those whose principals would be due in 2024 and beyond, as for them they are giving them 15 years. 2024, 2025, you are getting nothing, he added.



Last year, the government, through the Ministry of Finance, announced a debt exchange programme, dubbed the Domestic Debt Exchange (DDE) programme.



What the government is seeking to do with its debt exchange programme, the DDE, is to amend the interest it promised the Ghanaian who loaned it money (the bondholder) and the duration for which the lender is supposed to get his interest and principal back.



In other words, the government is swapping the agreement (the time and the promised interest) it had with the bondholder with a new one (new interest (s) and/or new duration(s)), hence the name, debt exchange.



For example, if you held a government bond as of December 1, 2022, which was supposed to mature in 2025, the government is now promising you four new bonds (agreements) which are expected to mature in 2027, 2029, 2029, 2032 and 2037. And you are expected to earn 0% interest in 2023, 5% interest in 2024, and 10% in 2025, which will continue till the maturity of your bond (when you are expected to get your investment with the promised interest).



Many have kicked against it and have vowed to head to court should government insists on including individual bond holders.











Source: ghanaweb.com









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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has held talks with his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto.



In a tweet, the Ukrainian president said they discussed food security and the Grain from Ukraine initiative - a humanitarian programme to get Ukrainian grain to countries with acute food shortages.



Mr Zelensky said they also spoke about the creation of grain hubs in Africa, and agreed to enhance cooperation between the two countries.



The Ukrainian president also thanked Kenya for its support and constructive cooperation in the UN amid the war in his country that began after the Russia invasion in February last year.



The Kenyan presidency has not issued any statement regarding the Thursday talks.



Kenya made its opposition to the Russian invasion in a speech at the UN Security Council soon after the war began.



In September, Mr Ruto said he was committed to playing a leading collaborative role at the global level in solving the crisis in Ukraine.

Source: BBC









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo-Addo has said the demise of His Eminence Richard Cardinal Kuuia Baawobr M.Afr had created a big vacuum in the country difficult to fill.



He said his impact on the social and spiritual lives of the people in Ghana, especially the Catholic community was immersed and cannot be measured.



Our nation has lost one of the finest citizens, one who will be difficult to replace, President Akuffo-Addo said in Wa on Thursday during the final funeral rites of the late Richard Cardinal Kuuia Baawobr, the then Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wa.



The news of the death of Richard Cardinal Kuuia Baawobr brought considerable sadness not only to me and to the Catholic Church in Wa but also to all well-meaning Ghanaians, he added.



President Akuffo-Addo said the news of the elevation of Cardinal Baawobr to a cardinal brought great joy not only to the catholic community in Ghana and the people of the Upper West Region but also to the government and the nation at large.



He said to show solidarity for his elevation, the government sent a presidential delegation comprising high-ranking government officials to Rome to witness his investiture rights and to express Ghanas appreciation for his elevation.



The death of the cardinal is a matter of deep regret to me, it is a matter of deep regret for our country, and it is a matter of deep regret for the church, he said.



The President expressed condolence to the church of Wa, the universal catholic church, and all the people of Wa who had suffered a great loss due to the departure of the faithful servant.



Most Reverend Henryk MieczylawJagodzinski, Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, prayed that God may grant Richard Cardinal Baawobr eternal repose.



He said: Cardinal Richard fell asleep in the Lord after a life spent entirely for the church  with the meekness and serenity of the saints.



He eulogized the late Cardinal as someone whose figure has had great importance in the life of the church in Ghana, in Africa, and the universal church.



He said under the guidance of the late Cardinal Baawobr , the Diocese of Wa carried out an intense work articulated on evangelization in the sacrament, evangelization in human promotion, and evangelization in ministries The death of our brother in Christ saddens us, but it is also an encouragement of all of us to continue with humility and simplicity in faithful service to the gospel



Let us ask the Virgin Mary and all the Angels and Saints to accompany him to the divinity encounter with the Lord, he said.



Cardinal Baawobr died on Sunday, November 27, 2022, in Rome after he was made a Cardinal by the Holy Father, Pope Francis on August 27, 2022.



Cabinet ministers, Council of State Members, Members of Parliament, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Minister of the Interior, and Regional Ministers among others accompanied President Akuffo-Addo to the funeral.



Also present at the funeral were representatives from the Missionaries of Africa (M.Afr.), the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference and priests from other countries, the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, and the Muslim community in Wa among others to pay their last respect to the late Cardinal Baawobr.



The cardinals funeral was characterised by solemnness amidst the liturgies, and the Homily by the Very Reverend Farther Stanley Lubungo, Superior General of the M.Afr.



The funeral had been described as one of the best organised and well patronised, which drew mourners from across the country, especially the five northern regions.









Source: GNA









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The General Superintendent of Assemblies of God, Ghana, Rev. Stephen Wengam, has commended President Akufo-Addo for being able to steer the affairs of the state during difficult moments such as COVID-19 and the current economic challenges facing the country.



, has commended President Akufo-Addo for being able to steer the affairs of the state during difficult moments such as COVID-19 and the current economic challenges facing the country.



He lauded the president for his bold initiatives such as the Free SHS, Planting for Food and Jobs, and the National Cathedral, and further urged the government to do more to alleviate the suffering of the people.



Rev. Wengam was speaking when he led some officers and members of the Executive Presbytery of the Assemblies of God Ghana to call on the President.



Rev. Wengam briefed the President on the global and national impact of the Assemblies of God Church



He touted the global membership of the Assemblies of God, which is 70 million, as the largest Pentecostal denomination in the world. In Ghana, the Assemblies of God has 600,000 members, 6000 churches, and 3800 pastors. Rev. Wengam told the President, that members of the Assemblies of God are in every area of Ghanas national life, with a number of them in the current government. By constructing hospitals and schools, the Assemblies of God has also made a significant contribution to Ghanas socioeconomic life, particularly in the areas of health and education.



President Akufo Addo congratulated the General Superintendent and his team and thanked them for their encouragement. He requested more prayers for the nation.



Rev. Stephen Wengam and his team were at the Presidency, to introduce the new leadership team of the Assemblies of God, Ghana, to the President. It was also to deepen the church-state relationship and discuss matters of national development.











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Former Minister of Tourism, Catherine Afeku has explained why NPP flagbearer hopeful Alan John Kyerematen addressed Ghanaians instead of going directly to delegates to speak to them.



The Minister of Trade and Industry a few days after resigning from his position addressed Ghanaians and made an official announcement of his intent to contest as a presidential candidate for the NPP in the 2024 elections.



In his speech, he outlined a seven-point plan dubbed the Great Transformational Plan (GTP) which includes a strong macroeconomic environment, a new agricultural revolution, industrial transformation, accelerated infrastructure development, and digital mainstreaming.



Critics have however spoken against addressing Ghanaians since he (Alan) has not yet been elected President of the nation.



Catherine Afeku, a former Minister of Tourism and one of the spokespersons for Alan's campaign disagrees saying the move to address Ghanaians was "strategic".



Speaking to Nana Yaw Kesseh on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo', she said addressing only delegates "is the mistake we often do . . . the delegates are not the only people in the country. Most of the time we overfocus on a small group and by the time you attend to the entire country, your message won't be accepted. The delegates who form part of the people of Ghana all listened to his message".



"It was a strategy to share his vision so that people outside of the delegates caucus will be able to influence the delegates . . . it was not preempting anything but to get the influencers to support the decision yet to be made by the delegates. It was strategic,to prepare the minds of the General public that he is ready . . . " she added.



Listen to her in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The former Member of Parliament for Ayensuano in the Eastern Region, Samuel Ayeh-Paye, now the Eastern Regional Campaign Coordinator for Alan Kyerematen has landed himself into trouble over some religious comments he made against the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

He claims that he [Bawumia] is a Muslim, therefore delegates shouldnt vote for him.



He has been accused of calling some delegates of the New Patriotic Party and telling them that Elders of Pentecost and other churches have told him that if NPP votes for Bawumia to become the Party flag-bearer, they will tell their congregations not to vote for NPP so if they want the party to be in power then they should vote Alan.



Aside from that, he reportedly called some girls in NPP via a telephone conversation, telling them to convince their friends to campaign on religious lines.



He reportedly had a WhatsApp chat with one lady named; Wendy Akuffo, on the assessment of the Vice President, who blew the cover.



These comments have triggered the anger of the camp of Dr. Bawumia who found it tribalistic comments and took over social media to jab him.



In a series of flyers trending on Facebook being shared by the camp of Dr. Bawumia, they inscribed with the photo of the former MP that  Dont be like Mr. Ayeh Paye, [a former NPP MP who lost Ayensuano seat, a safe seat of NPP to NDC] whose only campaign messages to Girls-Girls in NPP is that they should vote religious lines.



Ayeh-Paye Defense



In reaction to the bashing against him on social media, Mr. Ayeh-Paye denied the allegations by stating I have never said anywhere that we should not vote for Dr. Bawumia because he is a Muslim. Those with evidence should prove it.



When contacted by DGN online, he stated that the lady send her message on four occasions on WhatsApp which he has screenshots of it, and they have begun to have a chat.



According to him, he never called anybody on a mobile phone to ask them to do anything, but only had a chat with the lady while they were discussing the Presidential Primaries where he said that his assessment has revealed that Dr. Bawumia will lead NPP into opposition when voted as the party flagbearer since the Christians are more than the Muslims in the country.



He challenged the camp of Dr. Bawumia to contact the telecommunication networks to get his call data and verified if he have had such a conversation with any lady in NPP on that allegations.



I am the Eastern Regional Coordinator for Alan and have toured the whole region, everywhere you will go, they say they want Alan because he is a Christian and the churches say they will vote for him. I dont have any problem against Bawumia or a campaign against him but the assessment on the grounds which I have always been speaking on it.



Its a fact that, if they vote for him [Bawumia], he will send NPP into opposition, which himself [Bawumia] knows thats why he is always moving to churches to rebuild that Christain and Islamic union. They just want to disgrace me hence using this against me. Am ready to speak my mind any day and anytime. The truth is that the NDC will use that against NPP since John Mahama is a Christian and they will vote against NPP he stated.



In one of the chats with Wendy Akuffo, he stated that I was in Parliament for twelve years and I did very well during my stay. I am not the first person to lose my seat as an MP. Many many former MPs who had lost their seats to the NDC are also campaigning for Dr. Bawumia as I am also doing it for Alan.



For your information, l am a proud Regional Campaign Director for Alan 2024 for Eastern Region and the delegates in Ayensuano are very much aware of it so this twist propaganda cant change anything. I know where this is coming from I was your fun and a friend and I know you can do this. I have started meeting delegates to campaign for Alan Religion is one of the focal points of this campaign since contestants are of various religious backgrounds he told the lady in one of his chats.











Source: Daniel Bampoe/Daily Guide









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Between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to be politically accepted on any regional level in the country, is a big deal.



But even more specific and significant for these two leading political parties in the country are what kind of numbers or voter turnouts they religiously receive from these regions, collectively.



As is widely known or accepted, the people of the Volta Region have historically always warmed up towards the NDC more, just as the Ashanti Region does for the NPP.



In more specific terms, these regions have become unconventionally known as the world banks of these political parties. And rightly so, they have been for many years.



For instance, in the Ashanti Region, out of the 46 constituencies in the region, the NDC currently only has 4 seats to its name. That number has remained the highest number of seats the NDC has had in the region since 1996.



In the Volta Region, until 2020, the NPP had never won a seat. Currently, the tally is 17 to 1 seat in the region for the NDC and the NPP respectively. Previously, since 1996, the NDC had always won all the seats in the region (16 seats in 1996, 15 seats in 2000, 15 seats in 2004, 15 seats in 2008, 18 seats in 2012, and 18 seats in 2016).



Let us not forget also that the founding fathers of both the NDC and the NPP have formed a great part of why there is such a voting pattern for their parties in both the Volta and Ashanti Regions. Jerry John Rawlings of the NDC hails from the Volta Region, while the Danquah-Dombo-Busia trio of the NPP are predominantly from the Ashanti Region.



Could the narrative be taking an interesting twist, or turn, or direction? Well, it may depend on how you take a look at it.



And it would have been a fairer assessment if this was with respect to both regions but interestingly, the bus seems to be stopping more with the Volta Region.



It all started with the conversations on who has done what, and who has done more or not for the region. Ordinarily, that should have been an easy pass for the NDC, who are more preferred in the region, but some questions have arisen on whether or not they actually deserve such a comfortable acclamation.



What exactly did Mahama do for Volta Region? - Obed Asamoah asks:



As the NDC, just as the NPP, prepares to elect a new flagbearer to lead it into the 2024 general elections, a leading member of the National Democratic Congress, Dr Obed Yao Asamoah, has become one of the people to draw in this whole what have you done for the Volta Region conversation.



He has asked for answers from former President John Dramani Mahama on exactly what he has done for the Volta Region.



He questioned what the 2020 flagbearer of the party did for the region that is considered the stronghold of their party, while he was in political office, and for which reason he would seek their votes again to lead the NDC into election 2024.



According to Dr. Asamoah, Mahamas failure to establish tangible developmental projects in the Volta Region resulted in residents voting against the NDC.



Supporting his claim, Dr. Obed Asamoah said the evidence can be seen from how much, in terms of numbers, the percentage of voter turnout from the region in the 2020 elections were, as compared to those of his predecessors; the late John Evans Atta Mills and the late Jerry John Rawlings.



Vote Region is supposed to be the World Bank of the NDC. What exactly did Mahama do for the Volta Region?



Remember in the last election, he did not get the kind of votes Jerry and the others were getting; 80, 90 percent (in presidential elections), he said.



But then something that had happened a few months earlier seems to lend support to the questions being posed by the NDC stalwart.



In November 2022, during the 60th anniversary of the Hogbetsotso Za of the Anlo people, the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, made an appearance upon an invitation.



During his address, he courted the anger of residents present, becoming a victim of a booing incident targeted at the presidency, after he started making statements about the achievements of his party, the NPP, in the Volta Region.



As Agbotadua Kumassah, a member of the Hogbetsotso Planning Committee explained later, the people gathered at the grounds of the event started getting agitated when the vice president started talking about the economy.



He explained that the people, being well-aware that some of the things he was saying were false, started to boo at him.



When he entered the economic situation, that is when the problem started. He mentioned, among others, that they built more airports than any other government, they built more roads than any other government and the people who were there did not see the roads, the airports, the roads he was referring to.



So, that brought some agitation and it became very difficult to control the people because what he was saying, none of them happened in the area, he explained.



Agbotadua Kumassah also explained that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumias explanations on the governments works in the digitization field, compounded the anger of the people, leading to them booing at him.



But how true or not are the things he said about what they had been doing?



NPPs development feats in Volta Region evident - Makafui Woanya:



Being the man at the helm of things in the region for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Makafui Woanya, the regional chairman, has said countless times that his party has been able to perform creditably in the region albeit not so welcomed politically.



He explained in a graphic.com.gh report on January 5, 2023, that the NPP government has been able to revive and perform remarkable progress in some key infrastructural development projects in the region.



Some of these, he mentioned, are the steadily progressing Eastern Corridor Road Project, which is nearing completion; and the ongoing Southern Sector Water Systems Extensions Project.



The University of Health and Allied Sciences, which the NDC is always quick to claim as their baby, is seeing massive infrastructural expansion, he explained.



NPP drew its biggest strength from the Volta Region:



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has not been left out of the narratives or claims of what each party has been doing in the Volta Region.



In August 2020, the president said that the NPP considers the Volta Region as a hallowed ground that is symbolic of its struggle during the days of the partys formation.



He added that history had even confirmed that the region had endorsed the NPP, and served as a place of refuge for its political fugitives during its darkest days, and for which reason the party can never discriminate against them.



It was here in this region that people were most passionate about the political tradition. It was from here that the first people had to flee into political exile after independence, and it was in this region that many chiefs had to flee into political exile, and some died there.



Many people forget that when J.B. Danquah, the first in the trinity of the Danquah-Dombo-Busia political tradition contested Kwame Nkrumah for the presidency, on Ghana becoming a republic in 1960, Danquah did not win in his home constituency in Akyem Abuakwa.



But he won in two constituencies, one is right here in Anlo and the other is Ho West. If there was a little brittle tribal bone within my makeup, which there is not, I would not choose the Volta Region as a target. History would not allow me, he said during a durbar of chiefs of the Anlo State at Anloga, during a working tour of the area.



John Mahama answers questions about what NDC has done for Volta Region:



Dr. Obed Asamoahs questions have however not been left hanging because like a premonition, the former president, John Dramani Mahama, had touted his achievements in the Volta Region in 2021.



So, two clear years before such a question would be posed, the former president had already spelt out some of the achievements he had made in its world bank.



Among the tall list of things he said his government had achieved, were in educational infrastructure, health projects, roads, water and sanitation, among many others.



And much later, while speaking at a grand durbar to mark the climax of the Asogli Yam Festival in Ho, President John Mahama lamented the number of abandoned projects in the region, assuring the people that the next NDC government would complete them all.



Projects started by the NDC have been abandoned and others that are to be completed in the region are being done at a slow pace. For some of the projects, this government asked contractors to stop work.



But I make a commitment of the NDC that, God willing and thanks to your votes, in 2025, all these projects will resume, he assured.



Volta must carry NDC as a religion  Fifi Kwetey:



Being the newly-elected General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Fifi Kwetey, who is also the former Member of Parliament for Ketu South, appears to have a strong say on whose side the Volta Region should stick with.



In a GNA report of Thursday, January 12, 2023, Fifi Kwetey said the region must cement its place as an unmovable bastion of the NDC.



Admitting that the regions hold as the fortress of the NDC has weakened in recent times, also because indigenes have become increasingly discouraged from identifying with it, he urged them not to lose sight of the fact that the NDC is a party birthed from their backyard.



"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.



The general elections of 2024 is less than 2 years away and although both the NDC and the NPP have each successfully elected new party executives, there are still a few major political hurdles to surmount before the big day in December 2024.



New flagbearers and the election of parliamentary candidates that will represent the parties at the constituency levels in the country will solidify the preparedness of each side of the political coin towards the general polls but it cannot be lost on anyone that with the historic breakthrough that the NPP has made into the Volta Region by winning its first ever seat in parliament, the battle lines are surely drawn.



The Volta Region will play a central role in the elections and whoever emerges the winner will have to command a lot of influence from this region.



Whose win will it be? Time will definitely tell







Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former President John Dramani Mahama has taken a swipe at the government for lying to bondholders.



According to him, the government lied to individual bondholders when it announced the debt exchange program and assured that individual bondholders were exempted from the programme.



But on December 24, 2022, the government said individual bondholders will be affected by the programme.



This has faced huge opposition as they have rejected the proposal and the invitation by the government.



John Mahama also stated that the government has badly managed the economy, while pushing more Ghanaians into poverty.



Outrageous! Gov't lies to individual bondholders; forces a haircut, and plunging more people into poverty! An absolute failure in managing our economy, he said in a tweet sighted by GhanaWeb Business.



Meanwhile, the acceptance of the invitation by the government is crucial to the success of the debt exchange programme as the individual bondholders hold about GH8 billion of government bonds.



Analysts have also stated that a failure of the programme will pose great financial threats to Ghanas economy.



This may also affect the countrys chances of securing financial support from the International Monetary Fund.



Financial Analyst, Joe Jackson said If we dont get this debt exchange programme through then we will not be able to achieve our debt sustainability, then the IMF programme will either be delayed or may even be at risk.



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, he is quoted by 3news.com.















Source: ghanaweb.com









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A former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey, has assured ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor, and by extension, the entire 'elephant family', that he will not work to divide the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) during his campaign for the party's flagbearer job.



He gave the assurance when he visited the former president at his Aburi residence in the Eastern Region on Thursday, January 12, 2023.



Announcing to Mr. Kufuor his intention to contest the upcoming presidential primaries of the NPP, Joe Ghartey said he will not disparage any of the other candidates for the race.



Ghartey pledged to promote unity in the NPP before, during, and after the presidential primaries.



President John Agyekum Kufuor was visibly delighted that Joe Ghartey had come to inform him about his presidential ambition.



Ghartey served as Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice and subsequently substantive Minister of Justice under former President Kufour.



Mr. Kufuor, who ruled Ghana from 2001 to 2009, seized the opportunity during the visit to express how happy he was with the performance and professionalism of Joe Ghartey as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.



He recounted how, before becoming Attorney-General in 2006, Ghartey was a lawyer to his mother, Obapanyin Ama Dapaah, and subsequently lawyer for his elder sister, Nana Druwaa.



Commenting on the conduct of the upcoming primaries, Mr. Kufuor cautioned that all the candidates should show sportsmanship and that at the end of the race, whoever wins should be supported by all.



He reminded Joe Ghartey that the NPP as a party did not belong to any single individual and that no one is bigger than the party. He also urged that it was important at all times to protect the integrity of the party.



According to John Agyekum Kufuor, he was still confident that the NPP was a better option when it came to the governance of Ghana.



He expressed the hope that the party will work hard and win the 2024 general elections.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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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 illustration of the study. Credit: Xiaodan Guan

Seasonal snow is sensitive to climate change, and is always taken as a signal of local climate changes. Against the background of global warming, the annual snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere is following an overall decreasing trend.

Since snow plays an important role in the water cycle and has significant effects on atmospheric circulation, it is important to be able to simulate it well in climate models. However, as a process that operates on a small scale, snow needs to be approximated (or "parameterized"), and so many studies have attempted to improve the schemes that perform this parametrization of snow in climate models.

In the mid-to-high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, the impacts of snow cover dynamics on vegetation show large differences among boreal biomes. Researchers from Lanzhou University, China, selected open shrubland, mixed forest, and evergreen needle leaf forest in the mid-to-high latitudes (4570N), which are highly sensitive to snow changes.

Then, over a selected area of North America, Europe, Central Asia, and East Asia, they addressed the unique relationships between snow cover and snow depth for typical vegetation cover types and explored the reproduction of snow accumulation processes by model parameterization. The results have recently been published in Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters.

According to the findings of this study, there are different relationships between snow cover and snow depth for these three typical land cover types, and the relationships not only represent the characteristic changes in the processes of snow accumulation and snow melt, but can also be used in the model for predicting snow accumulation.

"However, partly because the influence of different land cover types is not fully considered, it was found that state-of-the-art climate models are unable to reproduce the relationships between snow cover and snow depth in both historical and future simulations, which will affect our understanding of the ecological impacts of snowmelt in spring," says Prof. Xiaodan Guan, the first and corresponding author of this paper.

Therefore, it is important to improve simulation results by considering the interaction between land cover types and snow processes in snow parameterization schemes.

More information: Xiaodan Guan et al, Changes in snow parameterization over typical vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere, Atmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.aosl.2022.100325
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The Democratic Republic of Congo's (DRC) conflict-affected eastern provinces are home to numerous protected areas. These areas host unique biodiversity and a range of threatened species, such as the okapi, forest elephant and mountain gorilla. They are also part of the Congo Basin rainforest, which is a crucial line of defense against climate change.

The same protected areas overlap with globally significant deposits of mineralsincluding gold, coltan and cassiterite.

Mining is rampant in these areas, including in the Itombwe Nature Reserve, Maiko National Park and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.

Most of this mining is labor-intensive artisanal mining, which makes use of basic technologies. However, in recent years, there has been a sharp increase in semi-industrial mining, which requires significant start-up capital for the purchase of intermediate technologies, such as dredges and pumps.

Both forms of mining have negative impacts on biodiversity conservation. Direct impacts include deforestation, soil degradation and water pollution.

More indirect effects stem from the construction of new roads to make mining sites accessible, and population growth in the vicinity of mines. This leads to further natural resource exploitation, such as fuel and construction wood extraction, bushmeat hunting and shifting agriculture.

This destructive mining in conservation areas often happens under the protection of state and non-state armed actors, who take a portion of the revenues. Thousands of people also depend on such mining for their livelihoods.

The economic importance of mining makes it difficult to stop extraction in protected areas. It's also at the heart of the complex linkages between mining, armed conflict and conservation in eastern DRC. Our study set out to grasp these linkages, which is crucial for designing effective measures to safeguard protected areas.

Based on research in the Okapi and Itombwe reserves, we found that mining sparks conflict between different branches of the state, between entrepreneurs and local populations, and between artisanal and semi-industrial miners. In a militarized environment, these conflicts can spark violence.

Livelihoods and enrichment

Mining is rampant in protected areas because it generates incomes for citizens, officials and armed actors.

Entry barriers are low, and miners' earnings are higher than those of comparable groups in the population. For many families, mining is one of the few opportunities for social mobility.

Mining revenue also tops up the meager wages of numerous administrators, soldiers and other state officials. In the DRC, the official salaries of state workers are low or remain unpaid. Most of these workers make money on the side and extract revenue from citizens through various forms of taxation, protection fees and extortion. They are also under pressure to do so from their hierarchy, which expects a share of the income.

Officials from the agency responsible for regulating artisanal and small-scale mining (SAEMAPE), and the provincial ministry of mines often tax mining activities in protected areas. The Congolese armed forces also substantially enrich themselves by protecting this mining, which is forbidden in most conservation areas. Armed groups also benefit by imposing taxes in mining sites and at roadblocks.

The recent increase in semi-industrial mining, often run by Chinese entrepreneurs, has substantially benefited the Congolese army. The senior officers who protect these mining operations deploy army units to guard the installations and seal off the area from unwanted visitors.

The mining administration, too, has benefited from this development. For instance, the Mining Cadastre, the agency responsible for issuing and managing mining titles, has started to circulate a new map of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve with a different perimeter. This has allowed the agency to issue concessions inside the boundaries of the reserve, while arguing that they are located outside it.

Sparking conflict

Because mining is lucrative for many people, our research shows it has considerable knock-on effects on conflict dynamics.

To start with, mining creates friction between different branches of the state and different administrative levels. The environment ministry has contested the new map of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve circulated by the Mining Cadastre. The governor and mining ministry of South Kivu province took measures to regulate semi-industrial mining by Chinese companies around the Itombwe Reserve. These, however, were halted by national authorities who claimed the provincial level didn't have the authority to do so.

On the ground, semi-industrial mining has sparked conflict by prompting the sometimes violent displacement of artisanal miners. This has led some of them to join armed groups, or to an upsurge in violent banditry.

Semi-industrial mining has also led to disagreements between mining companies and local populations around social investments, employment and compensation for the destruction of agricultural fields.

Combined with competition around accessing revenues, these conflicts have contributed to a spate of armed group attacks on Chinese mining operations.

No easy solutions

The involvement of high-level officials and the importance of mining income make it difficult to stop destructive mining from taking place in protected areas.

Moreover, closing down artisanal mining operations by force without offering other opportunities to make a living has often proven to be counterproductive. Displaced miners may simply return to mining sites, sometimes getting the help of armed groups to do this.

Where armed groups and army units lose their income from mining, they may resort to other ways to get money, such as violent banditry.

The fact that different branches of the state are at odds with each other poses further difficulties. It's impossible to curb or better regulate mining in protected areas when national and provincial authorities toe a different line or when the military violates restrictions imposed by civilian authorities.

The Congolese agency for nature conservation (ICCN), which is responsible for protected area management, lacks the political clout and resources to make a difference.

For instance, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve covers over 13,000 square kilometers, but the ICCN has only enough rangers to conduct regular patrols in 15% of this area. In some areas, ICCN staff have been found to be complicit in authorizing illegal resource exploitation.

Next steps

What can be done to improve this situation?

To start with, it's important to differentiate between semi-industrial and artisanal mining. Semi-industrial mining, in particular gold dredging, is more destructive for the environment and benefits comparatively fewer people. Banning it from protected areas is more urgent and more feasible.

Banning artisanal mining appears difficult, so better regulating and containing it may be a more successful strategy in the short term. This is what has happened in the Itombwe Nature Reserve, where artisanal mining activities are still permitted in certain parts.

It is also crucial that different agencies and layers of the state cooperate. To promote such collaboration, international donors supporting administrative and security sector reform need to get the message across that profiting from mining in protected areas is not acceptable.

However, it is ultimately up to the Congolese government to ensure that state servants are properly paid and respect the law.

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

A main focus in corporate governance research is whether boards of directors and the media appropriately reward and sanction CEOs based on their performance.

Evidence shows CEOs vary significantly in their ability to generate positive firm results. While some revitalize underperforming companies, others assume the reins of successful companies only to lead them to failure.

Prior research provides a pessimistic view of boards of directors, portraying them as inefficient and unable to monitor CEOs. But many of these studies approach the problem in the wrong way, according to new research from the University of Notre Dame. The study takes a broader view of these relationships and asks the question: Do boards generally get it right? The answer, the researchers find, is yes.

"Do Boards and the Media Recognize Quality? An Assessment of CEO Contextual Quality Using Pay, Dismissal, Awards, and Linguistics" is forthcoming in the Academy of Management Journal from Timothy Hubbard, assistant professor of strategic management at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, along with Cole Short from Pepperdine University.

Boards of directors are responsible for the monitoring, rewarding and sanctioning of CEOs, while the media also plays an important role in corporate governance by distilling and disseminating key information about firms and their leaders.

"We find that boards of directors and the media do accurately reward CEOs based on their performance," Hubbard said. "Higher-performing CEOs earn more, are dismissed less and receive more CEO media awards."

The study looks at performance based on the impact the CEO has on the firm within the context of the performance they inherited and the time period in which they ran the firm. After establishing this relationship, it examines the signals that boards and the media may use to ascertain quality.

Using advanced linguistic methods, the researchers show that CEOs differ in the language they use. More specifically, they introduce the idea of CEO unscripted novelty, or how much a CEO deviates from the prepared portion of earnings calls in the unscripted question-and-answer portion.

They looked at CEOs and performance from the S&P 500 using company financials, media reports and earnings calls transcripts, and studied CEO pay, dismissal and CEO of the Year awards. They used a separate sample to look at earnings calls and unscripted novelty and used natural language processing as a method to understand the topics CEOs discuss during their calls.

"CEO quality is positively related to unscripted novelty, which positively influences stock market reactions," Hubbard said.

According to Hubbard, past research in this area has attempted to relate board characteristics, such as the proportion of independent directors or CEO duality, to short-term performance. He points to the study's broader look at relationships, which he says should re-energize boards and remove some of the pessimism around their role, as well as linguistic signals that can indicate CEO quality.

"Our results should encourage board members to pay attention to the language CEOs are using in their earnings calls to understand motivations and ability based on what they say," Hubbard said.

The study states, "Appropriate rewards for and sanctions against CEOs are important as CEOs have considerable influence over firm outcomes. Firms and society benefit when CEOs are compensated, awarded and dismissed based on their performance."

More information: Cole Evan Short et al, Do Boards and the Media Recognize Quality? An Assessment of CEO Contextual Quality Using Pay, Dismissal, Awards, and Linguistics, Academy of Management Discoveries (2022). DOI: 10.5465/amd.2021.0042
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In the academic year 202021, there were 1,198 instances of racially motivated bullying reported in Scottish schoolsup from 409 in 201617. These are the highest recorded figures to date.

My research, carried out with colleagues, explores the impact of racist bullying like thisbullying motivated by prejudice against someone's race, ethnicity, culture, citizenship or religion.

We conducted what is known as a systematic review: examining existing research studies to look for trends and patterns. We pulled together the results of 73 existing research studies on racist bullying from around the world. We wanted to know more about what happens to young people who experience racist bullying.

We found that racist bullying increases the risk of poor mental health. It can cause loneliness and lead children to drop out of school. It can result in alcohol and substance misuse.

We also found that young people feel their teachers are dismissive of racist biases and stereotypes. The way teachers handle complaints about racism could be critical for children and young people's mental health.

Trying to cope

Children and young people often try to cope with racist bullying by "filtering out" incidents and trying to protect themselves with indifference. They try to laugh it off, taking insults in a joking manner.

But 18 studies included in our review found that racist bullying contributes to depression, anxiety, lower self-esteem and feelings of anger. These effects have been found among teenagers and younger children. In some cases, racist bullying can be so severe that it is linked to PTSD symptoms and suicidal thoughts.

Our research found that there are several factors that could influence whether a child gets bullied because of their race or cultural identity.

Racist bullying is strongly influenced by ethnic, racial and religious stereotypes that have developed as a result of negative media representations of ethnic and religious minorities. For example, media representations of refugees as illegal migrants or "economic refugees", whose aim is to take advantage of benefit systems, influence how children from migrant backgrounds are treated at school.

Some children bullied due to their race, ethnicity or culture at school also reported experiencing racism and discrimination in other situations, such as by strangers in public places.

Markers of difference, such as speaking a native language at school, can also increase the risk of racist bullying. For example, one study reported that students who were using Spanish in a school in Texas, U.S. were told that they were "strange" and that they should "go back to Mexico."

Children and young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds are also more likely to face racist bullying in schools where they are in the minority. The numerical difference only serves to accentuate the power imbalance between racial and cultural majorities and minorities.

The role of schools

The school environment can make a difference. A study included in our review found that students were less likely to face racist bullying in schools where teachers showed support for cultural diversity. These findings show the important role teachers play in promoting positive intercultural relationships and inclusion and reducing prejudice.

However, the most worrying finding emerging from our research was that young people did not feel supported by their teachers. In 16 studies included in our review, six of which were conducted in the UK, young people and parents reported that they felt teachers were dismissive of racial bias or stereotyping.

Recent work by Scottish charity the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights supports this finding. It shows that only 17% of schools in Scotland recorded one or more racially motivated bullying incident over 202021. Given that 61% of schools did not report bullying of any nature at all, it seems likely that bullying in schools is being overlooked.

Children and young people who are bullied due to their race or culture may feel that their teachers have double standards in dealing with incidents. In one study conducted in Austria, an eight-year-old child said that when ethnic majority children complained about bullying they were taken seriously, while when he was bullied it would be dismissed as "just play". This suggests a link between institutional racismthe attitude of the school towards the childrenand the racist bullying they experienced from their peers.

Schools should have clear policies against racist bullying to protect the mental health and educational development of children and young people from minority groups. But no policy will be effective without also addressing the structural racism within schools. This means recognizing the lack of diversity among teachers and in the school curriculum, and the attitudes held in schools and in the wider community.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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A confocal microscope image of molten dark chocolate. Credit: Dr Siavash Soltanahmadi.

Scientists have decoded the physical process that takes place in the mouth when a piece of chocolate is eaten, as it changes from a solid into a smooth emulsion that many people find totally irresistible.

By analyzing each of the steps, the interdisciplinary research team at the University of Leeds hope it will lead to the development of a new generation of luxury chocolates that will have the same feel and texture but will be healthier to consume.

During the moments it is in the mouth, the chocolate sensation arises from the way the chocolate is lubricated, either from ingredients in the chocolate itself or from saliva or a combination of the two.

Fat plays a key function almost immediately when a piece of chocolate is in contact with the tongue. After that, solid cocoa particles are released and they become important in terms of the tactile sensation, so fat deeper inside the chocolate plays a rather limited role and could be reduced without having an impact on the feel or sensation of chocolate.

Anwesha Sarkar, Professor of Colloids and Surfaces in the School of Food Science and Nutrition at Leeds, said, "Lubrication science gives mechanistic insights into how food actually feels in the mouth. You can use that knowledge to design food with better taste, texture or health benefits.

"If a chocolate has 5% fat or 50% fat it will still form droplets in the mouth and that gives you the chocolate sensation. However, it is the location of the fat in the make-up of the chocolate which matters in each stage of lubrication, and that has been rarely researched.

"We are showing that the fat layer needs to be on the outer layer of the chocolate, this matters the most, followed by effective coating of the cocoa particles by fat, these help to make chocolate feel so good."

A confocal microscope showing the structure of the molten chocolate mixed with saliva after it has experienced forces that mimic the eating. Credit: Dr Siavash Soltanahmadi

The studypublished in the scientific journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfacesdid not investigate the question of how chocolate tastes. Instead, the investigation focused on its feel and texture.

Tests were conducted using a luxury brand of dark chocolate on an artificial 3D tongue-like surface that was designed at the University of Leeds. The researchers used analytical techniques from a field of engineering called tribology to conduct the study, which included in situ imaging.

Tribology is about how surfaces and fluids interact, the levels of friction between them and the role of lubrication: in this case, saliva or liquids from the chocolate. Those mechanisms are all happening in the mouth when chocolate is eaten.

When chocolate is in contact with the tongue, it releases a fatty film that coats the tongue and other surfaces in the mouth. It is this fatty film that makes the chocolate feel smooth throughout the entire time it is in the mouth.

Dr. Siavash Soltanahmadi, from the School of Food Science and Nutrition at Leeds and the lead researcher in the study, said, "With the understanding of the physical mechanisms that happen as people eat chocolate, we believe that a next generation of chocolate can be developed that offers the feel and sensation of high-fat chocolate yet is a healthier choice.

"Our research opens the possibility that manufacturers can intelligently design dark chocolate to reduce the overall fat content.

"We believe dark chocolate can be produced in a gradient-layered architecture with fat covering the surface of chocolates and particles to offer the sought after self-indulging experience without adding too much fat inside the body of the chocolate."

Revenue from chocolate sales in the U.K. is forecast to grow over the next five years, according to research from the business intelligence agency MINTEL. Sales are expected to grow 13% between 2022 and 2027 to reach 6.6 billion.

The researchers believe the physical techniques used in the study could be applied to the investigation of other foodstuffs that undergo a phase change, where a substance is transformed from a solid to a liquid, such as ice-cream, margarine or cheese.

More information: Siavash Soltanahmadi et al, Insights into the multiscale lubrication mechanism of edible phase change materials, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2023). pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.2c13017 Journal information: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces
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One example of a story map. Credit: Lund University

Throughout history and across the globe, individuals have been forced to flee conflicts, natural disasters and political oppression. An experience of trauma and new horizons that is at once both collective and individual. Researchers at Lund University have developed digital tools that facilitate deeper contact between local communities and forced migrants. The tools can be used by museums and cultural associations, and have already been tested in Greece, Spain, Poland and Italy.

"What makes our research project different is that we are not focused solely on the refugees' stories, we also involve the local community. There are many parts of Europe that have a long history of forced migration. That means that the refugees that have lived in an area for a long time have much in common with those arriving today. We wanted to focus on that exchange since we think that it can create a greater mutual respect between groups," says Anamaria Dutceac Segesten, senior lecturer in European Studies at Lund University.

The tools have been tested by refugees and cultural organizations

The tools, which include a story map, an online documentary film and a virtual exhibition, have been tested in countries that have a long history of forced migration: Italy, Greece, Spain and Poland. For example, the participating organization active in Marzabotto, outside Bologna in Italy (Monte Sole Peace School) has created a story map upon which stories from those forced to flee within Italy during the Second World War are shown side by side with the experiences of refugees who have arrived in the city recently, from Benin and Ghana.

The organization in Athens (the Greek Refugee Forum) produced a virtual exhibition of films made by Iraqi refugees. In the films, they reflect on their situation in a refugee camp on the island of Trikeri, using archive material of a jail for female political prisoners imprisoned in the 1950s as their starting point. This material also features in the exhibition.

Theme and geographical location can be highlighted

"Organizations may choose to mix experiences in different ways, in order to reflect a theme, as in Greece, or the events in a geographical location, as in the case of Marzabotto. One can upload a great many stories, and use images, text, maps and video," says Anamaria Dutceac Segesten.

All the tools have been designed in collaboration with the refugees whose stories are now included in the various platforms. The aim of the project was to develop tools that make it easy for refugees to tell their stories in a personal way.

"As the work progressed, we noticed that life experience and age have a huge bearing on how people want to work with the tools. An older person looks to upload old photo albums, while a musician prefers to tell the story of his life through songs. A gamer would rather present their life as a computer game. For all groups, the mobile phone was the most important piece of technology when it comes to documenting their life," says Anamaria Dutceac Segesten.

Endless possibilities for communication

Anamaria Dutceac Segesten and her colleagues now hope that different associations and organizations will want to use the tools. For the intended target groups, this could cover everything from children and school pupils to local associations, refugees and an interested public. It all depends on what material the organizations choose to exhibit.

"The way I see it, the possibilities are endless. Above all, I would like these tools to be useful for smaller associations and museums. Perhaps a local exhibition in which the experiences of second-generation immigrants in Malmo are mirrored in the way Ukrainian refugees experience daily life in Sweden?"

Eventually the tools will be evaluated: how was the story map received in Bologna; what was it like producing the virtual exhibition in Athens, or the online documentary in La Jonquera in Spain?

"As a researcher, I am interested in testing our hypothesis about exposing different groups with experience of forced migration to each other's stories. Could that be a way of conveying empathy? And can our tools actually bring benefits?" wonders Anamaria Dutceac Segesten.
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Maize is one major world crop affected by abiotic stresses including extreme heat and drought exacerbated by climate change. Credit: CABI

Heat and drought are the utmost limiting abiotic factors that pose a major threat to food security and agricultural production, and are exacerbated by "extreme and rapid" climate change, according to a new paper in CABI Reviews.

The team of international scientists suggests that it is critical to understand the biochemical, ecological and physiological responses of plants to the stresses of heat and drought in order for more practical solutions and management.

They state that plant responses to these challenges may be divided into three categories: phenological, physiological and biochemical.

Lead researcher Dr. Aqarab Husnain Gondal, of the University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan, argues that due to physical damages, biological disruptions and biochemical abnormalities, sub-optimal water supplies and unusual temperatures negatively affect crop development and yields.

Supported by colleagues from Yarmouk University, Jordan, the National University of Huancavelica, Peru, and the Citrus Research Institute Sagodha, Dr. Gondal says a distinctive aspect of the phenomenon is comparing fundamental behavior with abiotic stresses.

The scientists, referring to a study examining data from research published between 1980 and 2015, state that drought has reduced wheat and maize yields by up to 40% around the world. They also highlight that projections suggest that for every degree Celsius rise in temperature, this would result in a 6% loss in global wheat yields.

Dr. Gondal said, "This review gives a thorough description of the adaptation of plants towards heat and drought stress with a particular emphasis on identifying similarities and variations. Abiotic stresses are reducing crop yield all around the world. Heat and drought stress causes plants to respond in a variety of waysthe most notable of which is by altering their development and morphology.

"While the capacity of plants to withstand these pressures differs significantly across species, it is worthy to note that recent advances have been achieved in limiting the adverse consequenceseither through the use of genetic methods or by the induction of stress tolerance."

The scientists maintain that despite the fact that heat and drought stress may have a negative impact on the plant's growth and development, reproductive growth is the most affected.

Anthesis or grain filling stress may have a major impact on crop production if it is mild while damage to the photosynthetic machinery, oxidative stress and membrane instability are also caused by these forces, they say.

More information: Plants adaptability to climate change and drought stress for crop growth and production, CABI Reviews (2023). DOI: 10.1079/cabireviews.2023.0004 , www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi  abireviews.2023.0004

Provided by CABI
Port of entry bordering Russia reopens

09:21, January 13, 2023 By Zhou Huiying ( Chinadaily.com.cn

The first inbound travelers since April 2020 arrive at the highway port of entry in Suifenhe, Heilongjiang province on Wednesday. [Photo by Zhou Yang/For chinadaily.com.cn]

One hundred and fifty-two passengers arrived on Wednesday at the highway port of entry in Suifenhe, a county-level city under Mudanjiang, which borders Russia in Heilongjiang province, local media reported. They were the first inbound travelers to arrive at the port since it resumed customs clearance services on Sunday.

The local government, along with officers at the customs and entry-exit frontier inspection station, had been preparing in advance, the report said.

The Suifenhe highway port was closed on April 7, 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a statement released on the Suifenhe government website, no health codes are needed now. Inbound passengers are only required to present a negative nucleic acid test result obtained within 48 hours.

Passengers who report abnormal health conditions on their entry declarations, including fever or other COVID-19 symptoms, will receive antigen tests at the port. Those who test positive but show mild symptoms, or who have no underlying conditions, can choose home quarantine, the statement said.

To ensure smooth services for passengers, the Suifenhe entry-exit inspection station has taken a number of proactive steps. For example, staff members can communicate with the local government and transportation departments in advance to learn about current operation status, passenger flow and personnel types. They can then scientifically arrange their work schedules.

The station also opened a "green channel" for certain passengers in need.

With the resumption of personnel exchanges between China and Russia, Suifenhe will use its geographical advantages for further opening-up, the local government said.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Liang Jun)
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Time dependence of the concentration of carbon dioxide and methane since 2003. Credit: Institute for Environmental Physics at the University of Bremen

Preliminary analyses of global satellite data by environmental researchers at the University of Bremen show that atmospheric concentrations of the two important greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane (CH4) continued to rise sharply in 2022. The increase in both gases is similar to that of previous years. However, the increase in methane does not reach the record levels of 2020 and 2021.

The Institute of Environmental Physics (IUP) at the University of Bremen is a world-leading institute in the field of evaluation and interpretation of global satellite measurements of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and methane (CH4) and other atmospheric trace gases that are of great importance for climate and air quality.

The institute leads the GHG-CCI greenhouse gas project of the European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative (ESA) and provides related data to the European Copernicus Climate Change Service C3S and the Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service CAMS. The latest Copernicus communication on greenhouse gases (see link below) is based on satellite data and analysis provided by IUP.

"The methane increase remains very high in 2022 at about 0.6%, but below the record levels of the past two years. Our guess for this is that on the one hand there have been more emissions, but at the same time the atmospheric methane sink has decreased. At just over 0.5%, the CO 2 increase is similar to that of previous years," says environmental physicist Dr. Michael Buchwitz, summarizing the initial results.

Greenhouse gas measurements since 2002

Time series of greenhouse gas measurements from space begin in 2002 with the SCIAMACHY instrument on the European environmental satellite ENVISAT, proposed and scientifically leg by the University of Bremen. These measurements are currently being continued by Japanese (GOSAT and GOSAT-2) and American (OCO-2) satellites, among others.

The satellites measure the vertically averaged mixing ratio of CO 2 and CH4. These measurements are referred to as XCO2 and XCH4, and they differ from the commonly reported measurements of near-ground concentrations. The data are reported in parts per million (ppm) for CO 2 and parts per billion (ppb) for CH4. An XCO2 concentration of 400 ppm means the atmosphere contains 400 CO 2 molecules per one million air molecules. "Methane increased by 11.8 ppb in 2022, CO 2 by 2.1 ppm," Buchwitz said.

CO 2 increases almost uniformlyin contrast to methane. In the years 2000 to 2006, the methane concentration was stable on average. Since 2007, however, methane has been rising (again), with particularly high rates of increase in recent years. The record levels in 2020 and 2021 are likely associated with a COVID-19-induced increase in the methane sink, but also with an increase in methane emissions.

"Unfortunately, there are still many gaps in our knowledge of the diverse natural and anthropogenic sources and sinks of methane and other greenhouse gases," Buchwitz says. "It is therefore still necessary to make optimal use of and further improve the existing system for global monitoring of climate-relevant parameters."

Provided by Universitat Bremen
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The unusual fireworks-like structure of nebula Pa 30 may result from the merger of two dying stars. Credit: Robert Fesen

A Dartmouth professor's images of the explosive aftermath from the collision of two dying stars could help scientists better understand this rare type of astronomical eventand may finally confirm the identity of a brilliant but short-lived star observed nearly 850 years ago.

Robert Fesen, a professor of physics and astronomy, captured telescopic images that show a fireworks-like burst of thin filaments radiating from a highly unusual star at the center of an object called Pa 30, according to findings he announced Jan. 12 at the 241st Meeting of the American Astronomical Society. Fesen is lead author of a paper reporting the findings that has been submitted to the The Astrophysical Journal Letters for publication.

Pa 30 is a dense region of illuminated gas, dust and other matter known as a nebula. Fesen and his co-authors report that Pa 30 appears to contain little to no hydrogen and helium but is instead rich in the elements of sulfur and argon.

The nebula's unusual structure and characteristics match the predicted result of a collision between end-stage stars known as white dwarfs, Fesen said. White dwarfs are faint, extremely dense stars about the size of Earth that contain the mass of the Sun. The merger of two white dwarfs is one proposed explanation for a subclass of supernovaeor star explosionscalled Iax events, in which the star is not completely destroyed, Fesen said.

"I have never seen any objectand certainly no supernova remnant in the Milky Way galaxythat looks quite like this, and neither have any of my colleagues," Fesen said. "This remnant will allow astronomers to study a particularly interesting type of supernova that up to now they could only investigate from theoretical models and examples in distant galaxies."

The size of Pa 30 and the speed at which it is expandingabout 2.4 million miles per hoursuggest the explosive collision occurred around the year 1181, the researchers report. That coincides with observations by Chinese and Japanese astronomers at the time of a very bright star that suddenly appeared in the constellation Cassiopeia and was visible for about six months as it slowly faded. These fleeting stars are known as "guest stars."

The images Fesen captured of the nebula's structure and luminosity not only provide the most accurate estimate yet of its age, but also could allow astronomers to refine existing models of white dwarf mergers. Pa 30 was discovered in 2013 by co-author and amateur astronomer Dana Patchick, but up until now, images of the nebula had shown only an extremely faint and diffuse object, Fesen said.

"Our deeper images show that Pa 30 is not only beautiful, but now that we can see the nebula's true structure, we can investigate its chemical makeup and how the central star generated its remarkable appearance, then compare these properties to predictions from specific models of rare white dwarf mergers," Fesen said.

Fesen took the images of Pa 30 in late 2022 using the 2.4-meter Hiltner Telescope at the MDM Observatorywhich Dartmouth owns and operates with four other universitiesadjacent to Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. Fesen equipped the telescope with an optical filter sensitive to a particular emission line of sulfur. He captured Pa 30 in three 2,000-second exposures under very clear skies and took additional data on the nebula's structure, size and velocity.

The study by Fesen and his co-authors built upon work published in 2019 by Russian researchers who found an extremely unusual star nearly in the dead center of Pa 30. That star exhibited several properties suggesting the collision of two white dwarfs, and it had a surface temperature of nearly 400,000 degrees Fahrenheit with an astounding outflowing wind velocity of about 35 million miles per hour.

In 2021, astronomers from the University of Hong Kong that had revisited the Russian team's results reported that Pa 30 was roughly 1,000 years old and in nearly the same sky location as the guest star recorded in 1181. These researchers proposed that Pa 30 is the aftermath of a white dwarf collision that lit up the night sky nearly a millennium ago, though their margin of error on its age was 300 years.

"Our new observations put a much tighter constraint on the object as having an expansion age of around 850 years, which is perfect for it to be the remains of the 1181 guest star," Fesen said. To the ancient astronomers, the new star would have been nearly as bright as, or brighter than, Vega, the fifth-brightest star in the sky as seen from Earth.

"The guest star was bright enough that three separate groups in China observed it within a couple of days of each other and it also was seen in Japan," Fesen said. "A new star as bright as Vega would've been quite noticeable. To the ancients, their TV set was the sky, so they would've easily noticed and certainly recorded the sudden appearance of a bright new star in the heavens."

More information: Robert A. Fesen et al, Discovery of an Exceptional Optical Nebulosity in the Suspected Galactic SN Iax Remnant Pa 30 Linked to the Historical Guest Star of 1181 CE, arXiv (2023). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2301.04809 , arxiv.org/abs/2301.04809 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters
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Rocket Lab's Electron rocket stands atop the company's Launch Complex-2 on NASA's Wallops Island. Credit: Rocket Lab

NASA's Wallops Flight Facility will support the launch of Rocket Lab U.S.'s first Electron rocket from Virginia at 6 p.m. EST, Monday, Jan. 23.

The 59-foot-tall Electron rocket will lift off from Launch Complex 2 at Virginia Space's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island. The mission, named "Virginia is for Launch Lovers," will deploy radio frequency monitoring satellites for HawkEye 360.

The launch window for the mission is 68 p.m. with subsequent back-up launch days.

With this mission, NASA is helping foster a growing low-Earth space economy and continues Wallops' 35-year history of support to the commercial launch industry.

The launch may be visible, weather permitting, to residents throughout much of the east coast of the United States.

These circular areas show where and when people may see Rocket Lab's Electron launch in the sky, depending on cloud cover. Credit: NASA Wallops/Mission Planning Lab

Viewing locations on Chincoteague Island include Robert Reed Park on Main Street or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. The Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Atlantic beaches also provide good viewing locations. The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will be open for this launch, and will open at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23.

A live launch webcast will be available at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream beginning about 40 minutes before launch.

Provided by NASA
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An albino western diamondback rattlesnake. Credit: Matt Giorgianni

Venomous snakes cause an estimated 120,000 deaths and 400,000 disabling injuries worldwide each year, with approximately 8,000 snake bite cases in the United States alone.

To reduce and mitigate the severity of venomous snake bites, a team of University of Maryland biologists launched an investigation into the genome of the western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox), a species with more venom toxins encoded in its genome than any other known rattlesnake. The team pinpointed a single proteincalled FETUA-3that inhibits a broad spectrum of rattlesnake venom toxins.

Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team's findings have notable implications for the development of improved snake bite treatments.

"A good snakebite treatment needs to be able to counteract the venoms of more than just one species of snake," said the study's senior author Sean Carroll, a Distinguished University Professor of Biology at UMD and vice president for science education at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI).

"FETUA-3 inhibited a huge number of toxinsover 20that we detected and even bound to and inhibited the toxins of venoms from several other rattlesnakes we tested. We'll need to learn more about how broadly FETUA-3 can be applied or if it'll need some additional tinkering but knowing that this one protein can neutralize an entire class of toxins brings researchers even closer to creating a better anti-venom."

A natural history mystery

According to Carroll, the team's research began with a simple yet intriguing enigma that has long eluded researchers: how and why are venomous snakes resistant to their own venom?

"It's like a constant, three-way biological arms race where each side is always innovating to conquer the other," explained Carroll, who is also the Andrew and Mary Balo and Nicholas and Susan Simon Endowed Chair at UMD.

"To survive a venomous snake bite, prey have to evolve resistance to the venom. If the prey become a little resistant, then the snakes have to adjust with a better venom. But snakes have also been able to protect themselves from their own evolving venom during their arms race against preyour goal was to figure out exactly how."

Most snake venoms carry an arsenal of dangerous toxins that facilitates the paralysis, killing and digestion of prey. One of the core components in rattlesnake venom is a class of molecules called metalloproteinases, which prevent blood clots from forming, break down tissue and ultimately cause hemorrhage. To protect themselves from these toxins, both snakes and their prey rely on special proteins encoded within their genomes that stymie the venom's debilitating effects.

The researchers investigated a family of five proteins generally attributed to venom resistance. Unexpectedly, only a single member of the protein family had most of the venom-counteracting activityFETUA-3binding nearly all the toxins in the western diamondback's venom. It also bound to and inhibited the toxins of venoms from several other rattlesnakes.

After tracing the evolutionary origins of FETUA-3, the researchers were surprised to find that while FETUA-3 was present in the western diamondback rattlesnake's closest Asian and South American relatives, a different protein from the same family was responsible for protecting them against venom toxins.

In other words, the rattlesnakes developed their resistance through two separate genetic events. The discovery suggests that a major evolutionary shift occurred somewhere in the species' evolutionary timeline, causing the family of inhibitors to expand and diversify throughout the Crotalus lineage.

With this new knowledge, the team gained insight into how ecological situations drive innovation and "arms races" in animals like rattlesnakes and their prey. They hope their findings will help researchers learn more about how FETUA-3 and other evolving toxin-blocking proteins may serve as ingredients for more effective snake bite treatments.

"Many current treatments using antiquated technologies and anti-venoms have drawbacks, including variation in or lack of potency, impurities that trigger side effects, and manufacturing inconsistency," said the study's lead author Fiona Ukken, a visiting faculty specialist in UMD's Department of Biology and HHMI. "But by improving our understanding of the molecular basis of venom inhibition, we can help create novel and more effective therapeutic treatments."

More information: Fiona P. Ukken et al, A novel broad spectrum venom metalloproteinase autoinhibitor in the rattlesnake Crotalus atrox evolved via a shift in paralog function, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2214880119 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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Plastic bottles, cutlery, boxes and bags sold by takeaways dominate ocean litter. Credit: Richard Smith/Shutterstock

Governments around the world are introducing single-use plastic product bans to alleviate pollution.

Zimbabwe banned plastic packaging and bottles as early as 2010. Antigua and Barbuda banned single-use catering and takeaway items in 2016, and the Pacific island of Vanuatu did the same for disposable containers in 2018.

The EU prohibited cotton buds, balloon sticks, plastic catering items and takeaway containers, including those made from expanded polystyrene, in 2021.

The UK government has followed suit by announcing a ban on the supply of single-use plastic plates, cutlery, balloon sticks, and polystyrene cups and containers supplied to restaurants, cafes and takeaways in England. The measure will start in April 2023. The same products sold in supermarkets and shops will be exempt from the ban, but subject to new regulations expected in 2024.

While the forthcoming ban is a step in the right direction, the production, use and disposal of plastics typically spans several countries and continents. The success of any policy aimed at restricting the use of plastic products in one country should not be taken for granted.

Our research continues to highlight that policies which influence what consumers buy, such as bans, taxes or charges, lack the reach to confront the global scale of pollution. The effect of banning single-use plastic items is limited to the jurisdiction in which it is implemented, unless it inspires a wider shift in public or commercial behavior across international boundaries.

Without supporting measures, or by failing to treat the ban as the beginning of a broader phase-down of plastic, banning some items does little to change the attitudes which reinforce a throwaway culture.

The Global Plastics Policy Center of the University of Portsmouth reviewed 100 policies aimed at tackling plastic pollution worldwide in 2022 to understand what makes them successful. Here are three key lessons which can make the new English ban more effective.

1. Make it easy to use alternatives

Consumers and businesses are less likely to comply with a ban if they are expected to go entirely without plastic overnight. Ensuring businesses can source affordable alternatives is critical. Antigua and Barbuda did this by investing in the research of more sustainable materials and listing approved alternatives to plastic, such as bagasse, a byproduct of sugar-cane processing.

To maintain public support, it helps if there are measures which prevent cost hikes being passed directly on to consumers.

Alternative materials or products must have a lower environmental impact than the banned product, but this isn't always guaranteed. Substituting plastic bags for paper, for example, may not be the best idea when the entire life cycle of a product is accounted for.

2. Phase in a ban

A phased approach to a ban improves how well it works but requires consistent and clear messaging about what products are banned and when. In Antigua and Barbuda, phased plastic bag bans in 2016 and 2017 generated support for banning other plastic products between 2017 and 2018.

In both cases, importing these products was restricted first, followed by a ban on distributing them, which gave suppliers time to find alternatives and use up existing stock.

This approach was used to good effect in an English ban on plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers in 2020, allowing retailers to use up their supplies during the six months following the ban's introduction.

3. Involve the public

Information campaigns which explain why a ban is needed, what it means for the public and businesses and what alternatives are available serve to support a ban. This was evident from Vanuatu, where the inclusion of diapers in a ban was postponed due to public concerns around the availability of sustainable alternatives.

Working closely with the public like this can also encourage innovation. For example, in Vanuatu in 2018, weavers and crafting communities filled the gap left by banned plastic bags and polystyrene takeaway containers with natural alternatives made locally, including bags and food containers woven from palm leaves.

Single-use plastic bans can inspire wider changes to social systems and the relationship each person has with plastic. But without planned access to alternatives, a phased introduction, efforts to nurture public support and broader consideration of the entire life cycle of plastic, product bans have a limited effect on plastic pollution, and can even give the false impression of progress.

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

Hearing loss cases are climbing globally1 in 5 adults are affectedalong with a growing number of older workers who are more likely to experience hearing loss. A new study from researchers at Portland State, Oregon State and York universities sheds light on how the severity of an employee's hearing loss can impact their experience at workand the steps managers and employers can take to create a more inclusive environment for deaf or hard-of-hearing employees.

The study builds on prior research that says employees with hearing loss experience isolation at work, which can be detrimental to their career outcomes, and finds that tailored support can counter those experiences.

The results suggest that the severity of an employee's hearing loss influences the degree to which they rely on professional connections for their sense of self, which then has downstream consequences for career outcomes. This is especially true among employees who have an unsupportive supervisor.

The study found that employees with more severe hearing loss tend to fare better, in large part because they tend to disengage from relationships with others at work. The researchers suggest that employees with more severe hearing loss are more likely to experience awkward, anxious and frustrating interactions with co-workers and have a harder time building and maintaining professional connections. Those workers often protect themselves by putting less importance on professional connections. When they care less and are less sensitive to fewer professional connections, their sense of isolation is not as high.

"We are not recommending that managers and supervisors stop worrying about supporting employees with more severe hearing loss; we're suggesting they offer tailored support," said Liu-Qin Yang, a professor of industrial-organizational psychology at PSU. She said that even if self-isolation is an effective coping mechanism, those employees ultimately have worse career outcomes in the areas of attitudes, commitment, satisfaction and salary levels.

Yang's co-authors Brent Lyons of York University and David Baldridge of Oregon State, who are both hard of hearing, offered insights into what that tailored support could look like.

Lyons, whose hearing loss fluctuates from severe to profound to moderate, says his needs vary and it's helpful when supervisors create a sense of openness for him to request certain accommodations. In one meeting, he might need to be seated next to the speaker; in another, he might need closed captions on the screen.

"That might not always be the case for me and my needs may change," Lyons said. "But I really appreciate when supervisors are open and touch base on a regular basis: 'How are things going? What can we do to make sure that you can fully participate?'"

Baldridge, who has experienced full hearing, deafness and now restored hearing with cochlear implants, said flexibilityfocusing on the results and not how the work is doneis also important.

When it comes to facilitating professional connections, Baldridge said that organizing a one-on-one meeting or lunch in a quiet location would be more effective for an employee with hearing loss than trying to introduce them to people at a cocktail party. Supervisors can also connect them with employee resource groups or organizations such as the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA).

Lyons also said that it's important for supervisors to create a culture of respect and understanding among all of their employees.

"They can advocate on my behalf so co-workers don't start to think negatively about me if I don't attend a loud, busy event," he said. "That could lead to fewer opportunities, which would negatively affect my career."

The researchers are clear that, regardless of the severity of an employee's hearing loss, managers can play a critical role in making them feel included by working to understand their abilities, perceptions and limitations and helping them build professional connections that will be helpful throughout their careers.

The study was published in the Journal of Management.

More information: Brent J Lyons et al, Disability Severity, Professional Isolation Perceptions, and Career Outcomes: When Does LeaderMember Exchange Quality Matter?, Journal of Management (2023). DOI: 10.1177/01492063221143714 Journal information: Journal of Management
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Predicted levels of emotional exhaustion and negative mood states conditional on levels of work-related perseverative cognition during the vacation (low = mean1SD; medium = mean; high = mean + 1SD). Neuroticism and time spent on supplemental work activities during the vacation were held constant at the respective sample means. Credit: Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology (2022). DOI: 10.1111/joop.12410

Primary and secondary school teachers experiencing high levels of exhaustion when term ends are typically still recovering by the time school starts again, a research project into teachers' mental health over Christmas breaks has found.

The paper is published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology. The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Sheffield and City, University of London, looked at primary and secondary school teachers' levels of anxious mood, depressed mood, and exhaustion over the course of seven weeks, before, during, and after the Christmas holidays.

These levels were measured each week, along with their extent of worrying about work, and the hours spent on work during the holiday.

The researchers found that symptoms of anxious mood, depressed mood, and exhaustion all tend to drop significantly over the holiday period. However, recovery from exhaustion was slower than that of anxious and depressive moods, and tends to be incomplete by the time school begins again. Likewise, teachers' levels of anxiety appear to rise rapidly compared to depressed moods or exhaustion when the new term gets underway.

The vast majority of teachers, 85%, reported carrying out some work tasks during their break. 30% said that they worked for more than five hours, while 16% worked for more than ten hours.

Despite this, it seems that worrying about workas opposed to doing itwas a bigger factor in teachers struggling to recover from negative moods and exhaustion, and led to a faster increase in these symptoms returning when they went back to work.

The effects of actually performing work tasks during the holiday were more complexthey were shown to limit recovery from exhaustion, but could also reduce a rise in anxiety when the new school term gets underway. This is likely due to the fact that the build-up of tasks on returning to work was reduced.

As a result, the findings suggest that although reducing hours spent working could improve well-being, it may be more important to find ways to reduce levels of persistent thinking about work.

Dr. Chris Stride, co-author of the study from the University of Sheffield's Institute of Work Psychology, said, "It is extremely concerning that so many teachers reported still feeling exhausted after having time off. This could lead to a vicious cycle resulting in burnoutschools need to put measures in place to prevent this from happening and protect the well-being of their staff."

Dr. Paul Flaxman, corresponding author from City University of London, said, "Schools could consider ways of preventing teachers becoming overly exhausted because they are completing unfinished job tasks during vacations. They could also seek staff training programs that help teachers disentangle themselves from excessive worrying about work issues during their leisure time."

The research is based on findings recorded from 90 primary and secondary school teachers over the 2013 Christmas break. It is widely expected that feelings of exhaustion have continued to worsen, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to burnout and an increased number of teachers leaving the profession.

More information: Paul E. Flaxman et al, Patterns and predictors of change in energy and mood around a vacation from the workplace: Distinguishing the effects of supplemental work activity and workrelated perseverative cognition, Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology (2022). DOI: 10.1111/joop.12410
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This illustration shows a glowing stream of material from a star as it is being devoured by a supermassive black hole in a tidal disruption flare. When a star passes within a certain distance of a black hole - close enough to be gravitationally disrupted - the stellar material gets stretched and compressed as it falls into the black hole. Credit: NASAJPL-Caltech

Hundreds of millions of light-years away in a distant galaxy, a star orbiting a supermassive black hole is being violently ripped apart under the black hole's immense gravitational pull. As the star is shredded, its remnants are transformed into a stream of debris that rains back down onto the black hole to form a very hot, very bright disk of material swirling around the black hole, called an accretion disc. This phenomenonwhere a star is destroyed by a supermassive black hole and fuels a luminous accretion flareis known as a tidal disruption event (TDE), and it is predicted that TDEs occur roughly once every 10,000 to 100,000 years in a given galaxy.

With luminosities exceeding entire galaxies (i.e., billions of times brighter than our Sun) for brief periods of time (months to years), accretion events enable astrophysicists to study supermassive black holes (SMBHs) from cosmological distances, providing a window into the central regions of otherwise-quiescentor dormantgalaxies. By probing these strong-gravity events, where Einstein's general theory of relativity is critical for determining how matter behaves, TDEs yield information about one of the most extreme environments in the universe: the event horizonthe point of no returnof a black hole.

TDEs are usually "once-and-done" because the extreme gravitational field of the SMBH destroys the star, meaning that the SMBH fades back into darkness following the accretion flare. In some instances, however, the high-density core of the star can survive the gravitational interaction with the SMBH, allowing it to orbit the black hole more than once. Researchers call this a repeating partial TDE.

A team of physicists, including lead author Thomas Wevers, Fellow of the European Southern Observatory, and co-authors Eric Coughlin, assistant professor of physics at Syracuse University, and Dheeraj R. "DJ" Pasham, research scientist at MIT's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, have proposed a model for a repeating partial TDE. Their findings, published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, describe the capture of the star by a SMBH, the stripping of the material each time the star comes close to the black hole, and the delay between when the material is stripped and when it feeds the black hole again. The team's work is the first to develop and use a detailed model of a repeating partial TDE to explain the observations, make predictions about the orbital properties of a star in a distant galaxy, and understand the partial tidal disruption process.

The team is studying a TDE known as AT2018fyk (AT stands for Astrophysical Transient). The star was captured by a SMBH through an exchange process known as "Hills capture," where the star was originally part of a binary system (two stars that orbit one another under their mutual gravitational attraction) that was ripped apart by the gravitational field of the black hole. The other (non-captured) star was ejected from the center of the galaxy at speeds comparable to ~1000 km/s, which is known as a hypervelocity star.

Once bound to the SMBH, the star powering the emission from AT2018fyk has been repeatedly stripped of its outer envelope each time it passes through its point of closest approach with the black hole. The stripped outer layers of the star form the bright accretion disk, which researchers can study using X-Ray and Ultraviolet /Optical telescopes that observe light from distant galaxies.

According to Wevers, having the opportunity to study a partial TDE gives unprecedented insight into the existence of supermassive black holes and the orbital dynamics of stars in the centers of galaxies.

"Until now, the assumption has been that when we see the aftermath of a close encounter between a star and a supermassive black hole, the outcome will be fatal for the star, that is, the star is completely destroyed," he says. "But contrary to all other TDEs we know of, when we pointed our telescopes to the same location again several years later, we found that it had re-brightened again. This led us to propose that rather than being fatal, part of the star survived the initial encounter and returned to the same location to be stripped of material once more, explaining the re-brightening phase."

This illustration depicts a star (in the foreground) experiencing spaghettification as it's sucked in by a supermassive black hole (in the background) during a 'tidal disruption event'. Credit: ESOM Kornmesser

Living to Die Another Day

First detected in 2018, AT2018fyk was initially perceived as an ordinary TDE. For approximately 600 days the source stayed bright in the X-ray, but then abruptly went dark and was undetectablea result of the stellar remnant core returning to a black hole, explains MIT physicist Dheeraj R. Pasham.

"When the core returns to the black hole it essentially steals all the gas away from the black hole via gravity and as a result there is no matter to accrete and hence the system goes dark," Pasham says.

It wasn't immediately clear what caused the precipitous decline in the luminosity of AT2018fyk, because TDEs normally decay smoothly and graduallynot abruptlyin their emission. But around 600 days after the drop, the source was again found to be X-ray bright. This led the researchers to propose that the star survived its close encounter with the SMBH the first time and was in orbit about the black hole.

Using detailed modeling, the team's findings suggest that the orbital period of the star about the black hole is roughly 1,200 days, and it takes approximately 600 days for the material that is shed from the star to return to the black hole and start accreting. Their model also constrained the size of the captured star, which they believe was about the size of the sun. As for the original binary, the team believes the two stars were extremely close to one another before being ripped apart by the black hole, likely orbiting each other every few days.

So how could a star survive its brush with death? It all comes down to a matter of proximity and trajectory. If the star collided head-on with the black hole and passed the event horizonthe threshold where the speed needed to escape the black hole surpasses the speed of lightthe star would be consumed by the black hole. If the star passed very close to the black hole and crossed the so-called "tidal radius"where the tidal force of the hole is stronger than the gravitational force that keeps the star togetherit would be destroyed. In the model they have proposed, the star's orbit reaches a point of closest approach that is just outside of the tidal radius, but doesn't cross it completely: some of the material at the stellar surface is stripped by the black hole, but the material at its center remains intact.

A Repeat Performance?

How, or if, the process of the star orbiting the SMBH can occur over many repeated passages is a theoretical question that the team plans to investigate with future simulations. Syracuse physicist Eric Coughlin explains that they estimate between 1 to 10% of the mass of the star is lost each time it passes the black hole, with the large range due to uncertainty in modeling the emission from the TDE.

"If the mass loss is only at the 1% level, then we expect the star to survive for many more encounters, whereas if it is closer to 10%, the star may have already been destroyed," notes Coughlin.

The Future of TDE Research

The team will keep their eyes to the sky in the coming years to test their predictions. Based on their model, they forecast that the source will abruptly disappear around March 2023 and brighten again when the freshly stripped material accretes onto the black hole in 2025.

The team says their study offers a new way forward for tracking and monitoring follow-up sources that have been detected in the past. The work also suggests a new paradigm for the origin of repeating flares from the centers of external galaxies.

"In the future, it is likely that more systems will be checked for late-time flares, especially now that this project puts forth a theoretical picture of the capture of the star through a dynamical exchange process and the ensuing repeated partial tidal disruption," says Coughlin. "We're hopeful this model can be used to infer the properties of distant supermassive black holes and gain an understanding of their "demographics," being the number of black holes within a given mass range, which is otherwise difficult to achieve directly."

The team says the model also makes several testable predictions about the tidal disruption process, and with more observations of systems like AT2018fyk, it should give insight into the physics of partial tidal disruption events and the extreme environments around supermassive black holes.

"This study outlines methodology to potentially predict the next snack times of supermassive black holes in external galaxies," says Pasham. "If you think about it, it is pretty remarkable that we on Earth can align our telescopes to black holes millions of light years away to understand how they feed and grow."

More information: T. Wevers et al, Live to Die Another Day: The Rebrightening of AT 2018fyk as a Repeating Partial Tidal Disruption Event, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2023). DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ac9f36 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters
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Aerosols over the globe. How will they affect climate change? Credit: NASA

The favored refrain of climate deniers and those who oppose climate policies is that "the science is not settled." To some degree, this is true. Climate scientists are still uncertain about a number of phenomena. But it is the nature of science to never be settledscience is always a work in progress, constantly refining its ideas as new information arrives.

Certain evidence, however, is clear: global temperatures are rising, and humans are playing a role in it. And just because scientists are uncertain about some other areas, does not negate what they are sure about.

What's certain and what's not

Reputable climate scientists around the world are in almost unanimous agreement that human influences have warmed the atmosphere, ocean, and land and that the speed of the changing climate exceeds what can be attributed to natural variability. They are also virtually certain that this warming has been driven by the carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by human activities, mainly the burning of fossil fuels.

Climate scientists are highly confident about these things because of fundamental principles of physics, chemistry, and biology; millions of observations over the last 150 years; studies of ice cores, fossil corals, ocean sediments, and tree rings that reveal the natural influences on climate; and climate models.

Despite this evidence, "In the climate change field, with its countless socioecological factors and interdependent systems, its known unknowns and unknown unknowns, deep uncertainty abounds," said the World Resources Institute. The uncertainties are due to an incomplete understanding of Earth's systems and their interactions; natural variability in the climate system; the limitations of climate models; bias; and measurement errors from imprecise observational instruments. In addition, there is great uncertainty about how the climate will be affected by humans and the demographic, economic, technical, and political developments of the future.

Ben Cook, a climate scientist at the Columbia Climate School's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory who studies drought and interactions between land and the climate system, said, "There are a few different sources of uncertainty and depending on the source, there are different kinds of difficulties. On one level, there are the process uncertainties that we have an incomplete understanding of because we don't have the full spectrum of observations that we would want, and/or we're limited in the ability to represent those processes within our climate models. There are other uncertainties related to things outside the physical climate system. A good example is the scenario uncertainty. We want to understand what the climate is going to look like at the end of 21st century. That depends on the physics of the climate system. But it also depends upon how many greenhouse gases we ultimately wind up emitting over the next century."

The rate at which our climate will warm also depends upon the interplay of emissions and interactions between various processes that either lessen or exacerbate disruptions to the climate system, some of which scientists are still uncertain about: cloud formation, water vapor and aerosols, unpredictable natural phenomena like volcanoes, tipping points, and human behavior. What are the reasons behind this uncertainty?

Cloud formation

Clouds play an important role in determining the planet's energy balance. As the planet warms, cloud patterns everywhere will change: Certain types of clouds will increase in some places and decrease in others. And depending on the type of clouds and the landscape below them, clouds can have a cooling or a warming effect on the planet. Low clouds have a cooling effect because they reflect solar radiation back to space.

High cirrus clouds, on the other hand, warm Earth because they trap heat. Climate models have generally suggested that the warming and cooling effects of clouds will balance each other out over time, but some new studies suggest that global warming could cause more clouds to thin or burn off, leaving Earth increasingly exposed to the sun and warming.

"Cloud feedbacks tend to be very uncertain because observations are a bit limited," said Cook. "They are kind of restricted to the satellite era, over only the last 40 years. And it's difficult to understand some of the causality. We want to understand how clouds cause the climate system to change. But at the same time, clouds respond to the climate system."

In addition, climate models have difficulty incorporating certain information about clouds. Most climate models map features over areas of 100 kilometers by 100 kilometers, though some cloud models may have grids of five kilometers by five kilometers; but even within five kilometers there is a lot of variation in cloud cover.

Allegra LeGrande, adjunct associate research scientist at Columbia Climate School's Center for Climate Systems Research, said, "Sometimes there are processes that are just too small, too complicated, too hard to measure. And you just can't explicitly include them in the climate models. These tend to be processes like the ephemeral, little wispiness of the clouds. How are you going to translate these tiny ephemeral cloud bits into a climate model of the whole world?"

And yet, "Clouds can make a huge contrast in what kind of climate you simulate for an area," said LeGrande, who works with climate models to better understand climate more extreme than that of the past. "A cloudy field versus an uncloudy field can make a huge impact on everythingthe temperature, the precipitation, the evaporation, the surface energy balance, everything."

Water vapor and aerosols

Water vapor, the most abundant greenhouse gas, amplifies the warming resulting from other greenhouse gases. Rising temperatures caused by rising levels of carbon dioxide and methane result in more evaporation, which increases the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. For every added degree Celsius of warming, water vapor in the atmosphere can increase by about 7 percent. Scientists estimate this effect more than doubles the warming that would result from rising carbon dioxide levels alone.

On the other hand, the cars, incinerators, smelters, and power plants that emit climate-warming greenhouse gases also release aerosolsliquid or solid particles in the atmosphere that block sunlight and have a cooling effect on the planet. Natural aerosols like sulfate aerosols produced after volcanic eruptions also cool Earth. But clouds can also form around aerosols, using them as nuclei, so their overall effect is uncertain.

There is also uncertainty about aerosols because no one knows how society will change over time. Will we eventually ban their fossil fuelburning sources? Will cleaning up air pollution make climate change worse?

Because of these uncertainties, scientists don't know how water vapor and aerosols will ultimately balance each other out.

Natural variability

There are natural changes in the climate that occur due to different high- and low-pressure areas and air circulation that affect temperature and rainfall. These are particularly important for making projections over smaller regions and shorter time frames.

"On shorter time periods, for example, the next year out to maybe 30 or 40 years, the internal random variability in the climate system is really important," said Cook. "At regional scales, that kind of time period can be a bit more difficult to predict because you can have just the internal natural variations in the climate system amplifying the effects of climate change, or in some cases, diminishing the effects of climate change."

There is also natural variability that results from phenomena such as El Nino and La Nina, which produce cyclical natural global temperature variations. And there is natural variability that stems from unpredictable changes in solar intensity and volcanic eruptions. Volcanic gases condense in the stratosphere to form sulfate aerosols which cool the planet. Scientists have concluded, however, that natural factors contributed far less than humans to the global warming of recent decades.

Tipping Points

There is uncertainty about how close the Earth is to tipping pointswhen small changes accumulate to cause a larger change that can be abrupt, irreversible, and lead to cascading effects. Because the limits of computing power make it impossible to exactly represent the climate system's tipping points or their interactions, there is significant uncertainty about these major potential tipping points.

Ocean circulation changes

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a major source of uncertainty when it comes to predicting future climate. The AMOC is the ocean circulation system that carries heat from the Tropics and the Southern Hemisphere north until it loses it in the North Atlantic, Nordic, and Labrador Seas, where the now cooler waters sink deep. The overall circulation depends upon these cold dense waters that sink into the deep oceans in the high latitudes.

Credit: NOAA

Global warming, however, can affect this circulation by warming surface waters and melting ice, adding fresh water to the system; these factors make the water less saline and dense, preventing it from sinking. Because of this effect, AMOC's circulation has slowed between 15 and 20 percent in the 20th century, an anomaly unprecedented over the last millennium. Climate models suggest that the AMOC will continue to slow as the climate warms, but how much and what its effects will be are uncertain.

Climate models suggest that if AMOC's decline is great, Europe will warm slightly, but wind patterns in Europe and precipitation patterns in the Tropics will change significantly. If AMOC slows less, the Northern Hemisphere will get much warmer, wet regions will get wetter, and dry regions will get dryer. While some scientists fear the AMOC could pass a tipping point and collapse altogether, most are fairly confident that this could not happen before 2100.

Thawing permafrost

Permafrost, ground that remains frozen for two or more consecutive years, covers about 24 percent of the exposed landmass of the Northern Hemisphere. Some permafrost, which stores the carbon-based remains of plants and animals that froze before they could decompose, has been frozen for tens or hundreds of thousands of years. Scientists estimate that the world's permafrost holds 1,500 billion tons of carbon, almost double the amount of carbon currently in the atmosphere.

As temperatures rise, permafrost begins to thaw, releasing its carbon as both carbon dioxide and methane, an even more potent greenhouse gas. There is a great uncertainty about how much carbon thawing permafrost could release as global warming proceeds, and how much will be CO 2 versus methane. Climate models suggest that for every degree Celsius the planet warms, 3 to 41 billion metric tons of CO 2 could be released. Some scientists feared that permafrost could pass a tipping point where the released carbon drastically speeds up warming, but recent models suggest the runaway scenario is unlikely. Nevertheless, the IPCC has projected that thawing permafrost would increase warming "enough to be important."

Ice sheet collapse and sea level rise

Scientists understand how much warming oceans will eventually contribute to sea level rise, and it's a relatively small amount, perhaps a meter, said LeGrande. They do not know, however, how much melting ice sheets could potentially add to sea level rise. The ice sheets covering Antarctica and Greenland present the greatest uncertainty. Ice loss from these ice sheets were most responsible for the sea level rise of the last few decades and will potentially make the largest future contributions to sea level rise.

The uncertainty about the ice sheets stems from scant observations of the full range of ice sheet behaviors, incomplete understanding of their processes, and limitations in defining conditions for models. This is because ice sheets are remote and the harsh environments make research difficult.

Although scientists have little empirical evidence of big ice sheets melting away and collapsing, they do have ideas about how it happened in the past to help with projections for the future. "A lot of those ideas require us knowing what exactly is going on in the ice sheet and around it, and some of those things are hard to measure," said LeGrande. "Visualizing what's going on underneath is tricky. And it's really important because if it's slippery, then the ice sheet can flow into the sea pretty fast. But if it's sticking on the bottom, then the ice sheet can actually hold itself in place rather well."

As the reflective white glaciers and ice sheets melt, the area they cover shrinks, exposing darker land or water, which absorb more solar energy and warm the atmosphere further. Some research suggests the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets could pass a tipping point if temperatures warm more than 1.5C, but because of their enormity, this collapse would likely take thousands of years.

As a result of the uncertainty about ice sheets, projections about the rate and amount of sea level rise vary widely. The IPCC calculates that it's possible that in a scenario of high greenhouse gas emissions, sea level rise could approach two meters by 2100 and five meters by 2150.

Amazon rainforest

Another potential tipping point is the Amazon rainforest, one of the planet's largest natural carbon sinks. Because of deforestation and climate change, some parts of the Amazon have already begun to emit more carbon than they store. As temperatures rise, the Amazon will likely become drier, more prone to wildfires and stress, and could cross a tipping point if the rainforest turns into grassy savannas.

In addition to losing the trees that store carbon, the rainforest-turned-savanna would absorb much less carbon and provide habitat for fewer species. According to some research, it's possible that the Amazon could suffer significant dieback by 2100. This would have dire consequences for biodiversity and climate change, as it could result in 90 billion tons of carbon dioxide added into the atmosphere.

Modeling limitations

Scientists use climate models to try to understand how all these various processes, which are represented by mathematical equations, have affected past climate and how they will affect future climate. Because the climate system is so complex and computing power has limits, however, it's difficult for a model to calculate all the processes for the whole planet. Consequently, a climate model must divide Earth up into grid cells; it then calculates the climate system in each cell incorporating factors such as temperature, air pressure, humidity, and wind speed, the amount of solar energy, CO 2 and methane, and aerosols.

Climate models can help analyze why climate changed in the past and how it could change in the future. But models are not perfect and they have limitations. Moreover, climate models can differ in their level of simplification, grid size, and in how they represent physical phenomena such as clouds, surface atmosphere exchanges, or vegetation cover. Climate modelers must make compromises and settle on one possible variant of the many possible variants, each of which could result in different outcomes. To deal with these limitations, sets of climate models are often run with different variables to generate a range of possible outcomes.

The human factor

The state of our planet in the future depends on how much greenhouse gas is emitted into the atmosphere. Perhaps the biggest uncertainty of all is how much carbon, other greenhouse gases, and aerosols humans will emit in the years to come. This will depend on population and consumption growth, economic development, technological progress, land use changes, and international agreements, as well as all their interactions. Changes in societal preferences and priorities, and political trends will also be critical factors. All these elements will influence how societies and countries take action to fight climate changehow robust and effective their policies are, how much money is put into mitigation and adaptation efforts, and how much synergy results from international cooperation.

Working to reduce uncertainty

Researchers at the Columbia Climate School are constantly working to reduce the gaps in scientists' understanding, and improve their models, predicated on their observations.

LeGrande is working on paleoclimate simulations using a special sampling approach that requires less computer processing and constrains the simulations against satellite measurements, as well as against paleoclimate archives. In addition, she said, "There are lots and lots of observational campaigns, trained on our ice sheets, trying to understand the surface processes. There are increasingly moves to try to visualize that area underneath the ice sheet. They do drilling missions, and they have plenty of [techniques for] remote sensing at the surface where they're trying to visualize that interface between the bottom of the ice sheet and the bed. Then, with more powerful computers, they're able to plug in these empirical observations into ice sheet models."

"There's also a lot of work with machine learning now," said Cook. "Machine learning and AI are very good at finding patterns [and relationships]. Within the climate model community, a lot of people who build these big computer simulations of the climate system are exploring machine learning to identify parameters that give us a much better match to reality. The idea is to reduce some of the process uncertainty and improve the fidelity of our models. The challenge is interpreting those patterns and relationships, and making sure they're meaningful in a physical or scientific sense, but it [machine learning] can be really valuable for the exploratory process and identifying the sorts of things that might be important."

Even as the science advances, however, it is critical to recognize and deal with the existing uncertainties in climate science in order to make sound decisions about adapting to climate change. Ignoring uncertainties could increase risks. "Only in understanding the range of plausible possibilities can you really inform adaptation, and policy and planning," said Cook.

Strategies for adapting to climate change should consider multiple potential outcomes, leave many options open, and identify a variety of solutions. The solutions need to be robust and able to withstand different pressuresfor example, farmers diversifying their livelihoods in case of extreme weather, or the expanded use of microgrids to protect communities against power outages. Adaptation measures need to be flexible, able to work under a range of possible future scenarios, and be able to be reassessed or adjusted as the science advances.

The uncertainties in climate science that remain are not a justification for not acting to slow climate change, because uncertainty can work both ways: Climate change could prove to be less severe than current projections, but it could also be much worse.

Provided by State of the Planet
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A female North Atlantic right whale with her calf. Credit: Public Domain

A struggling right whale is "heavily entangled" in fishing gear off North Carolina's Outer Banks, and likely won't survive, according to NOAA Fisheries biologists.

The whale's predicament was discovered Jan. 8, as an aerial team from Florida's Clearwater Marine Aquarium flew 20 miles off Rodanthe, according to a NOAA Fisheries news release. Rodanthe is on Hatteras Island.

"There several wraps of line around the mouth and tail, with additional line trailing behind the whale," NOAA reported.

"After reviewing documentation of this new entanglement case, NOAA Fisheries biologists have made a preliminary determination that it meets the criteria of a 'serious injury.' This means the whale is likely to die from this injury."

Photos show the whale has "numerous wounds" across her back, and parasites known as whale lice stuck on her head, experts said

The 4-year-old juvenile female is known as right whale #4904 in the North Atlantic Right Whale Catalog created to track sightings. It shows she was previously seen in Massachusetts Bay in May and was not entangled at that time, officials said.

"Entanglement response teams did not mount a response at the initial (Jan. 8) sighting because it was too late in the day and the whale was too far from shore," officials said.

"However, as conditions permit, NOAA Fisheries will work with authorized responders and trained experts to resight her. We will further document the entanglement, and determine if an entanglement response will be possible."

News of the dire situation comes just days after the National Park Service announced two dead humpback whales had washed ashore on North Carolina's barrier islands in December. Both were around 30 feet long and a cause of their deaths has not been revealed.

A dead right whale calf was also found Jan. 7 near Morehead City after it became separated from its mother, officials said. The calf, a male, was last seen alive Jan. 3 in the Beaufort Inlet

Only 11 North Atlantic right whale calves are known to have been born during the 2023 season, experts say.

The ocean advocacy agency Oceana issued a statement Jan. 12 calling for NOAA and the National Marine Fisheries Service to "do more to prevent deadly entanglements" like the one off Rodanthe.

"Fishing gear entanglements are a top threat to this critically endangered species, and this entanglement is the result of continued mismanagement of this risk," Oceana Campaign Director Gib Brogan said in the release.

"The U.S. government should adopt proven safeguards that will eliminate entanglement risk in times and places where right whales swim. Because this species is so depleted, even a single entanglement is tragic. With only around 340 North Atlantic right whales remaining, losing a juvenile female sets the North Atlantic right whale population back significantly."

2023 The Charlotte Observer.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The Albany man accused of crashing his motorcycle into a group of pedestrians on the Warren County Bikeway last June, killing an 8-year-old boy and his stepfather, seeks to have the grand jury indictment against him thrown out.

Anthony J. Futia, 33, and his lawyer Tucker Stanclift filed a motion with the Warren County Court to dismiss the 15 charges against him, which stem from the deadly crash in the town of Lake George on June 12.

Futia is accused of crashing his motorcycle into a group of pedestrians walking and riding their bikes on the Warren County Bikeway along Route 9. Jamie Persons, 38, and his stepson Quinton Delgadillo, 8, were killed in the crash and Delgadillos mother, Jasmine Luellen, was seriously injured.

The motion filed by Stanclift on Dec. 29 claim that one or more of the counts in the grand jury indictment brought against Futia are defective. Among his issues are statements Futia made to state police in the hospital and samples of his blood collected.

The lawyer claims that Futias blood was illegally obtained by police in order to test his blood alcohol concentration, which was 0.134%  above the legal limit of .08% in New York. The documents state Stanclift believes the state police did not have probable cause to collect samples of Futias blood that were initially taken for medical purposes.

The Warren County District Attorneys Office provided copies of the search warrant obtained from Warren County Court Judge Robert Smith allowing officers to collect samples of Futias DNA from the hospital for toxicology purposes.

Statements at issue

Futias lawyer also asked for the suppression of several statements, including witness testimony and a recorded statement Futia provided to a state trooper while he was being treated at Albany Medical Center following the crash.

Stanclift claims in the documents that his client was in extreme pain and heavily medicated.

He repeatedly told the officer he could not remember anything from the accident, but the trooper tried to provide facts to jog his memory. He only relayed to the officer what he heard from others after the fact, Stanclift wrote.

The defense also claims the Miranda Rights read to Futia by the officer in the hospital were unintelligible and rushed.

The motion claims certain requirements were not met by the prosecution to charge Futia with aggravated vehicular manslaughter, to which the DAs office provided a breakdown of all the necessary details to charge Futia with each count of the indictment.

The Warren County District Attorneys Office has expressed their readiness for trial against Futia, which is scheduled for March 20.

Included in the states evidence are over 10 pages with the names and numbers of witnesses that can be called, in addition to two and a half pages of law enforcement officers and personnel also available as witnesses, over 200 crime scene photos, surveillance video from Fire & Ice Bar, Rileys and the parking lot and interior of the Super 8 Motel.

A written statement from Krysta Leach, the woman who owned the orange Harley Davidson motorcycle involved in the crash, claims she spent a quiet weekend in Lake George with Futia leading up to the accident and she said he was not drunk at the time, despite police reports.

Leach claims in her statement Futia drove her motorcycle up to the lake on Friday afternoon where she joined him after work. She said they stayed at the Super 8 Motel and had one drink each at Duffys on Saturday afternoon  the day before the fatal crash.

Leach, a friend of Futias for over five years, said she and Futia arrived at Fire & Ice Bar on Canada Street at 2:15 p.m. on June 12, each ordering one drink, but not finishing it due to an argument between the couple.

She admitted to exchanging text messages with Futia, after he left the bar on her motorcycle, between 3:03 and 3:05 p.m., just minutes before the crash.

Futia faces the following felony charges:

five counts of aggravated vehicular homicide

two counts of second-degree manslaughter

one count of second-degree assault

two counts of aggravated vehicular assault

He also faces misdemeanors charges including two counts of driving while intoxicated, one count of driving while ability impaired by combined influence of drugs or of alcohol and any drug or drugs, reckless driving and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Futia will be in court on Jan. 27 for the pre-trial hearings.
BRIGANTINE  A humpback whale was found on the north end of the island late Thursday afternoon, the seventh dead whale to wash up on a New Jersey or New York beach since December.

The latest discovery led state and federal lawmakers to call for the suspension of all offshore wind activities until a cause for the marine mammal deaths is determined.

Since offshore wind projects were being proposed by Governor Murphy to be built off the coast of New Jersey, I have been adamantly opposed to any activity moving forward until research disclosed the impacts these projects would have on our environment and the impacts on the fishing industry, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, said in a statement. We have seen a complete lack of transparency from New Jerseys leaders, as well as D.C. politicians who are ramming through these projects in order to push their climate agenda.

Gov. Phil Murphy said he does not think pausing offshore wind prep is necessary.

This is tragic, obviously, he said.

Murphy cited the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which earlier this week said that no humpback whale  the species accounting for most of the recent whale deaths in New Jersey and New York  has been found to have been killed due to offshore wind activities.

Groups seek probe of NY-NJ whale deaths amid wind power prep ATLANTIC CITY  As the stench of a dead whale hung in the air, environmentalists and opponen

They have said its been happening at an increased rate since 2016, and that was long before there was any offshore wind activity, the governor said. It looks like some of these whales have been hit by vessels.

A coalition of environmental groups led by the New Jersey Sierra Club said it is important to find out what is causing the deaths but cautioned against too quickly blaming the offshore wind industry.

Correlating the deaths to wind turbine site exploration is unfounded and premature, the groups said in a news release. They include the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters and New Jersey Audubon.

Anjuli Ramos-Busot, New Jersey director of the Sierra Club, said such blame without evidence overshadows the very real threats of climate change, plastic pollution and unsustainable fishery management practices to these animals.

Clean Ocean Action, however, remained adamant that New Jersey is moving too fast on offshore wind and called for a pause on expanding permission to build more.

Weve got 1 million acres now in the ocean off the Jersey Shore (destined to hold the wind farms), I think thats enough to work with, said Cindy Zipf, Clean Ocean Actions executive director.

Burial of humpback whale draws a crowd to Atlantic City beach ATLANTIC CITY  A beached whale was examined and buried in the sand Sunday morning.

Zipf said climate change, pollution and fishing boats have been affecting the ocean for decades, but only since offshore wind companies began exploration have so many whales died in such a short time.

Van Drew is calling for a congressional investigation into the matter.

I demand that all offshore wind activity be halted until it is properly determined what the effects of these activities are having on our marine life, Van Drew said.

Representatives of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, state Department of Environmental Protection and Division of Fish and Wildlife responded to the scene. The state was expected to attempt to bury the whale later Friday, officials said.

The stranding center, which is located in Brigantine, received a call about the whale about 4:50 p.m. Thursday. The 20-foot-long juvenile was found about a mile from the old Coast Guard station, Mayor Vince Sera said.

The stranding center, NOAA Fisheries and the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network planned to conduct a necropsy on the whale to determine its cause of death.

Second dead whale in a month washes ashore in Atlantic City ATLANTIC CITY  A second humpback whale in less than a month has washed ashore in the resort.

We are heartbroken over the latest whale to wash ashore this morning in Brigantine, Sera said in a statement. Protecting and conserving our marine mammal life needs to be the number one priority right now. We call on local, state and federal authorities to conduct a full investigation as to why these magnificent creatures are suddenly dying in high numbers across the same areas where offshore wind development projects are getting underway. We also ask for an immediate stop of all work related to offshore wind activity until necropsy results can be obtained and studied so we can all understand the cause of these sad deaths and how to prevent future losses.

Word of the beaching brought curious locals to the islands north end, leading some to try making the trek from the sea wall to the whale. Others stayed back, watching vehicles come on and off the beach.

Police turned cars away, trying to keep access to the whale minimal, fearing rising tides and rough seas could leave those wanting a glimpse of it stranded.

A handful of people gathered on the sea wall seeking answers.

I dont like it. Its not normal, said Kevin Koffman, 66, of Brigantine.

Koffman and his girlfriend, Eileen Forbes, were curious to know whether any activity related to offshore wind development was behind the deaths.

#BREAKING Another whale has washed up on the Jersey Shore, this time in Brigantine. Its a little past the Sea Wall at the north end. @ACPressHuba @ThePressofAC pic.twitter.com/2lS110zG9e  Eric Conklin (@ACPressConklin) January 13, 2023

Is it a coincidence that you start preliminary work like that and then, all of a sudden, this is the response? asked Forbes, 64, also of Brigantine. People who are opposed to the turbines, this is one of their greatest concerns.

State Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, has also called for the suspension of all offshore wind activities.

We should suspend all work related to offshore wind development until we can determine the cause of death of these whales, some of which are endangered, Polistina said in a statement. The work related to offshore wind projects is the primary difference in our waters, and its hard to believe that the death of six whales on our beaches is just a coincidence.

Earlier this week, rsted, the Danish wind power developer that expects to build two state-approved projects, said its current work off the New Jersey coast does not involve using sonics or other actions that could disturb whales.

On Saturday, a 30-foot humpback whale washed ashore in Atlantic City.

Another young humpback washed up a few blocks away Dec. 23, and a third 30-foot humpback was found on a beach in Strathmere on Dec. 10.

Stockton professor uses science to create album Stockton University biology professor Matthew F. Bonnan grew up fascinated by two things: di

A 12-foot infant sperm whale was found dead on the beach in Keansburg, Monmouth County, on Dec. 5; a 31-foot humpback was found dead on Indian Wells Beach in Amagansett, New York, on Dec. 6; and a 30-foot sperm whale was found on New Yorks Rockaway Beach on Dec. 12.

Earlier this week, environmentalists and opponents of offshore wind power called for a federal probe into the spate of whale deaths in New Jersey and New York.

Two environmental groups wrote President Joe Biden requesting a probe of the deaths of what was then six whales that had washed ashore over the past month and change in areas being prepared for large-scale offshore wind farms.
ATLANTIC CITY  A burglar alarm at a city residence led to the arrest of two people, including a city man, police said Thursday.

Police recovered a stolen handgun in the incident after arresting Janai Gibbs, 19, of Atlantic City. He was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a defaced firearm and criminal trespass.

At 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Officers John Bell and Dylan Imbrenda responded to a residence in the 1500 block of North Michigan Avenue in reference to a burglar alarm. After checking the perimeter, the officers discovered an open window on the side of the residence, police said in a news release.

Officers saw Gibbs and a 17-year-old girl inside the residence attempting to conceal themselves. Officers made contact with the two and were able to get them to exit the residence.

Gibbs was found in possession of a defaced handgun that had been reported stolen in New York, police said.

The teen was released to the custody of a guardian. Gibbs is being held at the Atlantic County jail.
LOWER TOWNSHIP  The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum announced Friday it will reopen after two months of being closed for a roof replacement project.

The aviation museum, located on the grounds of the Cape May County Airport, is scheduled to reopen Monday and will operate under its winter hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday).

The museum replaced the roof on the north side of Hangar 1, in a project that began Nov. 14. The building is listed on the National and New Jersey registers of historic places, and most of the roof components dated to its original construction in 1942, according to a news release.

The museum also has funds for a roof replacement on the south side of the hangar, which is set to begin in October.

Wings & Things festival returning to Naval Air Station Wildwood LOWER TOWNSHIP  The Wings & Things Arts and Crafts Festival at the Naval Air Station Wi

The two-year full roof replacement project has been made possible in part by the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund administered by the New Jersey Historic Trust and a grant from the Cape May County Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

Hangar 1 operated as a dive-bombing training base for the Navy during World War II. Training was dangerous, leading to nearly 130 crashes and 42 deaths, according to the museum.

Today, the museums mission is to educate on the history of the NAS Wildwood, keep the hangar restored and memorialize fallen aviators. The museum will resume weekend hours in March.
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As the much-awaited Marathi film Victoria - Ek Rahasya releases in theatres today, makers and the films cast talk about the response they got from the trailer and how it stands out from other horror film made in the language which are set in traditional or rural Maharashtra

PHOTOS: GAURAV KADAM

The gripping trailer of the Marathi film Victoria - Ek Rahasya has been grabbing eyeballs on social media for quite some time now. The horror-thriller, which is all set to hit the screens today, features a powerful cast  Pushkar Jog, Sonalee Kulkarni and Aashay Kulkarni  and is helmed by Jeet Ashok and Virajas Kulkarni.

For the Marathi film industry, horror is a genre less travelled, and Victoria is one of those rare films that explored the themes of horror, mental health and thriller in one script. It is for this reason, it has caught the attention of the viewers, who are expecting an out-of-thebox cinematic experience.

Produced by Anand Pandit, Roopa Pandit and Jog, the film has been shot in Scotland.

During their visit to Pune Times Mirror and Civic Mirror office, the films cast and directors spoke about entering into unchartered territory, the script and the evolution of Marathi cinema.

(L) Sonalee Kulkarni (R) Pushkar Jog

The characters that we all play in the film are highly distinctive and incredibly universal. It focuses on issues like depression, anxiety, fights between couples, etc., says Sonalee, who plays Ankita in the film.

When Ankita and Siddharth (Aashay) arrive at Hotel Victoria in the centre of Scotland, they quickly know that the creepy owner Adhiraaj (Jog) has some secrets hes trying to hide, and Ankita cant help but sense another sinister presence inside the old hotel. The trailer of the film introduces us to a world full of horror, suspense and vengeance.

Talking about their collaboration with each other Virajas and Jeet  as directors, the former, who made his acting debut with his mother Mrinal Kulkarni in Rama Madhav, says, Jeet and I had done our first play together called Anathema, and the play was a horror comedy. As time passed, Jeet and I thought about creating something in a similar genre. The film Victoria was originally intended to be a thriller; the horror element did not yet exist. However, as we began filming, we both recognised a potential for horror, and once that notion broke the ice, we were unstoppable. Implementing the many aspects of the film was a continuous effort.

Making a horror film is like walking a tightrope and Sonalee acknowledges the fact that Victoria will be compared to Bollywood films because of its genre. When you aim at making a horror movie, the result would be either tragically horrible or the movie can turn out to be very extremely impressive. From the standpoint of the Marathi film business, Bollywood horror movies cannot be compared to Marathi ones. Areas like Konkon are typically the focus of Marathi horror films, however, when discussing our film, we stand out from this tradition, she asserts.

Jog reveals that he was warned against betting his money on a horror film, however, he had complete faith in the script. I was advised not to make this film because the investor believed that the Marathi audience would not respond favourably and that it would be a disappointment because Marathi horror films are not so popular. However, as soon as the trailer was released, everyone was shocked and delighted because it was the only second Marathi movie to be dubbed in Hindi. Every film has a certain amount of risk since you never know how the audience will respond, explains Jog.

Ashok, while speaking about young directors helming films, tells us, Youngsters are fantastic and as they have an unlimited ocean of opportunities to explore, but compared to the veteran filmmakers, there is a fear of venturing outside of their comfort zone.

The UK weather, according to Aashay, was really unkind to him. Every time I had a shot during my shoot in the UK, the weather interfered, making it either too cool or too cold. This team was the best to make my debut with because of the lovely memories I have with them.

The Marathi cinema is going places, thanks to the incredible content. Whether it is Ghosht Eka Paithanichi, Funral, or Godavari, the industry is not only bringing home international honours but also winning over audiences with powerful stories and performances. And, Victoria, which has taken social media by storm, has all the elements to revolutionise Marathi cinema and the way audiences look at it.
5 to 6 Chhand of Ramcharitmanas Sundar Kand, Uttar Kand are objectionable: Yadav

Bihar education minister Chandrashekhar Yadav on Thursday refused to withdraw his controversial statement on Ramcharitmanas.

There are five to six Chand of Ramcharitmanass Sundar Kand and Uttar Kand which are objectionable and I have objection to it. Thats 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. Golwarkars Bunch of Thoughts in the 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. IANS

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10-cr for his tongue

Mahant Paramhans Das of Tapasvi Chhavni in Ayodhya has announced a reward of Rs 10 crore whoever cuts the ministers tongue.

BJP demands FIR

Vijay Sinha, the leader of opposition in the Bihar Assembly demanded that CM Nitish Kumar immediately register an FIR against Yadav for creating differences in society. IANS
Auto rickshaw union leaders hail decision but want permanent ban on such services by the govt; aggregator firm says contentions open to be heard in court on January 20

Members of the rickshaw unions erupted in joy soon after the Bombay High Court on Friday ordered Roppen Transportation Services, an aggregator firm operating as Rapido to provide bike taxi and auto-taxi services, to stop its operations in Maharashtra with immediate effect. However, the unions did not appear to be completely satisfied, as the court scheduled another hearing on January 20 after the company argued that their service is operational in other states that have issued pro tem licence.

The leaders of the rickshaw unions told Mirror that the state government should immediately make rules regarding the aggregator policy.

The company had reached out to the court seeking directions to operate in the state after the transport department rejected its application for an aggregator licence. The court asked Rapido to suspend all its operations with effect from 1pm on Friday.

The court in its order stated that the company does not have a licence from the state government to operate in Maharashtra. Soon after the order was passed, Rapido discontinued its operations in Pune and the application started showing users the message: We are not available in your area yet.

Meanwhile, members of the autorickshaw unions, who had staged a protest near the RTO office in the city demanding action against the illegal bike taxi services, celebrated the court order by distributing sweets among themselves.

Speaking to Mirror, Keshav Kshirsagar, president of Baghtoy Rickshawala Forum who had led the protest against the bike-taxi service in Pune, said: We thank the honourable high court for passing this order. We faced everything  from lathi-charge by the police to going to jail during our protest; but today, it is proved that it was all worth it.

Nitin Pawar, general secretary of Rickshaw Panchayat, an organisation that had filed an intervention application in the high court on the matter, said: Rickshaw Panchayat welcomes this decision and expresses satisfaction that the court has taken the side of truth. But this is a temporary relief and the state government should make a rule to exclude the non-transport category, that is privately owned vehicles from passenger transport. Only then will the ban be imposed on transporting passengers on private vehicles like two-wheelers. The panchayat demands that the state government make rules regarding the aggregator policy immediately, he added.

The aggregator companys application seeking a licence to operate in Pune was rejected by the Pune regional transport authority (RTA). The RTO officials registered an FIR against Rapido officials for operating illegally in the state.

The autorickshaw unions in the city have been protesting and demanding action against the company. The police had arrested 37 leaders of the unions on various charges, including blocking of the road near the RTO office, during the agitation last month.

Freshte Sethna of DMD Advocates, who appeared for Rapido in the high court, said: The state of Maharashtra appearing through advocate general, informed the Bombay High Court that on January 12, 2023, the state had constituted a committee to examine matters of policy concerning bike-taxi operations. Further, show-cause notices had been issued to both Uber and Ola in relation to their ongoing bike-taxi operations in Maharashtra. Roppen filed an affidavit with the high court during the hearing on January 13, 2023, setting forth substantive compliance with the requirements of the Aggregators Guidelines, 2020.

In view of the submission of Roppen that it has secured licences in states where policy frameworks are in place, including pro tem licences, Roppen was directed by the high court to further file an affidavit to place on record such licences and supporting material (policies) by Tuesday, January 17, 2023, and the matter has been directed to be placed for further hearing on January 20. In the interim, the high court has accepted Roppens without prejudice undertaking to discontinue operations in the state until January 20. All rights, remedies and contentions of Roppen are kept open to be heard on January 20, she added.

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Uber continues with bike-share service

Even though Rapido discontinued its operation in the state, Uber, which had disabled the bike share option from their application during the auto unions protest, continues to provide bike-taxi service in Pune. The state transport commissioner Vivek Bhimmanwar confirmed that the transport department has already sent notices to Uber and OLA over the bike-taxi issue.

We have served notices to Ola and Uber for providing bike taxi service in Maharashtra. Bike taxi service by any company is not permitted in the state, Bhimmanwar told Mirror.

There was no response from Uber officials to Mirrors query on the matter.
350 cops undergo special training to anticipate situations ranging from terror threats to natural disasters

In an effort to prevent any untoward incident ahead of during the G20 Summit, intelligence agencies have been put on high alert. Around 350 Pune police officers and constables have undergone a special training to anticipate situations ranging from terrorist threats to natural disasters as well as the possibility of violent demonstrations. These officers have been trained with soft skills and special training to handle emergency situation by disguising themselves.

Commissioner of police Retesh Kumar and joint commissioner of police Sandeep Karnik have issued instructions to all police stations, crime branch, and other side branches regarding the security measures for the G20 summit.

Pune is will host the meeting on January 16 and 17. The Pune police introduced tight security arrangements in the city, as it prepares to welcome world leaders and international delegates. Security measures for the summit are being led by the central Intelligence agencies as well the city police.

For the past 15 days, cops have been conducting mock drills at various places to check the response of their teams. The anti-terrorism squads have been directed to keep a close eye on the suspicious moments in crowds. Considering the safety of the foreign delegates, the special branch has provided training to 350 police officers and constables. They will work as undercover officers and secure all events surrounding the G20 summit.

They were trained with some soft skills to attend and communicate with the foreign delegates. These 350 cops will be deployed around the foreign delegates in plain clothes to make them feel comfortable. The delegates should not panic and feel unsafe due to the heavy police bandobast. Our officers will keep a close watch on each and every moment during the conference, said deputy commissioner of police R Raja of special branch.

The police have focussed on road movements and security arrangements at two places where the conference will be held. Anticipate checks and mock drills were carried out to test the preparedness of the police for the conference.

We have declared no drone zone on the premises of the venue and in the two-km radius. The ministry of external affairs and other central agencies will also contribute to the security arrangements. They will look into the passes of visitors and people who will attend the conference. We will look into the safety and security of the VIPs in the city. The foreign delegates may visit historical places in the city. We have made security arrangements at these places also. The bomb detection and disposal squads have been carrying out mock drills at these places for the last 15 days. We have been coordinating with the anti-terrorism squads also, DCP Raja added.

Except the 350 specially trained officers, around 1,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed on the bandobast of the G20 summit.

As a part of security measurements, the officers of local police stations and crime branches took preventive actions in their jurisdictions. Police conducted two coming operations across the city, in which they checked 3,583 criminals on record. They arrested 44 criminals and recovered 145 choppers and other weapons. Around 586 hotels and lodges were checked while security at the bus stops and railway stations was also tightened
Students stir in Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur; demand postponing of the system till 2025

Aspirants preparing for the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) state service exams are upset with the state governments directive that the preliminary and main exams would be conducted in the descriptive pattern as recommended by an expert committee last year.

Students on Friday protested against this decision in many cities across the state, including at Alka Talkies Chowk in Pune. Around 2,000 to 3,000 students participated in the agitation and raised slogans against the state government. They demanded that the new pattern should be implemented in 2025.

The expert committee report was submitted on May 2, 2022, to MPSC. The commission, on the state governments directive, decided to implement it in 2023. This announcement was made in July 2022, against which the student community had reacted then.

Now, since the prelim exam is likely to take place in February 2023 under the new pattern, aspirants raised their voice opposing the quick implementation. They have demanded time to get used to the new system. Before 2015, the MPSC used to conduct the prelims in the objective format while the main exam was descriptive. Later, it changed both to the objective type. And now, both are descriptive.

Baliram Dole, organiser and Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee state general secretary, said, Lakhs of students preparing for MPSC are agitating in Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, and Pune. Students will face many problems preparing for the descriptive pattern. They need time to understand the new pattern and to collect reference material. Due to this short notice period and sudden decision, students are puzzled. Therefore, we demand that the state government and the MPSC should postpone the descriptive pattern to 2025. If the state government fails to take a positive decision, we will intensify the agitation.

Hanumant Pawar, state spokesperson, Congress, said, Students have been studying for the MPSC exams for the last few years. They suffered a lot during the pandemic years. Later, the exams were delayed and students were angry. Now, they are not ready to face the new pattern immediately. They should get at least two years to prepare for the new system. This decision was taken under pressure from private class owners.

Akshay Jain, secretary, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, said, The three-member committee, comprising its head former IAS officer Chandrakant Dalvi, former additional director-general of police Dhananjay Kamlakar and former vice-chancellor of Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University Dr. SF Patil, submitted its report to the state government on the implementation of the descriptive pattern. They suggested that the new pattern should be implemented within three years. The state government accepted the report and decided to implement it immediately. All students want at least two years for preparations. They dont have any idea and need practice on the changed descriptive pattern.

Chandrakant Dalvi, former IAS officer and head of the three-member committee, MPSC New Pattern, said, In our final report, we have recommended that the MPSCs old objective pattern should be changed. We exactly replicated the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam pattern, i.e. descriptive. We had suggested that the new change should be implemented within three years. The state government has the final authority on this issue. I will not comment further.

Kishorraje Nimbalkar, former IAS and chairman, MPSC, said, The MPSC works as per the state governments rules and regulations. We have clarified all the doubts regarding the new pattern. The annual exam calendar has been declared. We will implement it as per the state government directions.
A Davenport man currently on probation in Scott County for domestic abuse and conditional discharge in Rock Island County for stalking was arrested Friday after police allege he kicked and beat a chained dog, breaking the animals jaw and causing other injuries that required treatment.

The incident was caught on video by another person, police said.

Ricky Gene Titus Jr., 41, is charged with one count of animal abuse. The charge is an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Lt. Mark Hanssen, on Dec. 6, 2022, Titus inflicted serious injury on a chained dog when he kicked the dog in the head numerous times and struck the same dog repeatedly with an approximate 4-foot section of a two-by-four.

The dog was beaten unconscious on two separate occasions and required treatment for a broken jaw, among other injuries, after the dog was abandoned.

The incident occurred in Titus back yard and was captured on video by another person.

Bettendorf Police also have charged Titus with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the affidavit filed by Bettendorf Police Officer Michael Piazza, on Jan. 4 at 6:21 p.m., Tutus allegedly picked out two boxes of 9mm Luger ammunition and handed them to his companion, and who is the same woman for whom he is on probation for domestic abuse assault.

Titus was convicted in 2012 on charges of first-degree theft and three counts for third-degree burglary, all felonies.

As a convicted felon and a convicted domestic abuser, Titus is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

A preliminary hearing in both the animal abuse and gun cases is scheduled for Jan. 24.

Tutus was being held Saturday night in the Scott County Jail on a cash-only bonds totaling $7,000.

According to Iowa Department of Corrections electronic records, Titus is on probation until Oct. 14, 2023, for a domestic abuse assault conviction.

Titus was arrested Jan. 15, 2022, on a charge of domestic abuse assault.

According to the affidavit filed by Davenport Police Sgt. Gregory Lalla, at 1:37 p.m. that day, Titus got into a verbal argument with the woman with whom he has children. He struck the victim in the face with an open hand and grabbed the victim around the neck.

A Scott County jury found Titus guilty of the offense on Aug. 23, 2022. On Oct. 14, 2022, Scott County District Associate Judge Michael Motto sentenced Titus to 14 days in jail and one year on probation.

Motto also order Titus to complete the Iowa Domestic Violence Advocacy Program through the local Department of Correctional Services. Titus was to have contacted the program no later than Oct. 17, just three days after sentencing, and was to have begun classes within 30 days.

Titus appealed his conviction and sentence, which was affirmed.

On Nov. 8, 2021, Titus was arrested in Rock Island County for felony stalking.

On June 24, 2022, during a hearing in Rock Island County Circuit Court, he pleaded guilty to stalking, a Class A misdemeanor and was sentenced to serve one year on conditional discharge.

Titus also is awaiting trial in two cases in Scott County.

He was arrested April 3, 2022, by Davenport Police on a charge of assault causing bodily injury, a serious misdemeanor that carries a jail sentence of up to one year.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Sgt. Michael Schneider at 11:15 a.m. on March 21, 2022, police were dispatched to a disturbance at 1329 W. 8th St. Titus was working on a vehicle in the alley behind his house. Titus was approached by a city employee who advised him he couldn't work on the car in the alley. Titus got mad and walked to the employee and punched him in the face with a closed fist.

A jury trial in that case is scheduled for March 27 in district court.

On Jan. 3, Bettendorf Police arrested Titus on two counts of possession of a controlled substance-marijuana-third offense. Each charge is an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years in jail.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Bettendorf Police Officer Andrew Bratek at 4:19 a.m. Jan. 3, officers stopped Titus Chevrolet Tahoe for a traffic violation at Spruce Hills Drive and Utica Ridge Road.

A check of Titus license shows that he was suspended from driving as of June 22, 2022. Titus consented to a search of his vehicle. Officers seized 25.46 grams of raw marijuana, 102.88 gram of THC wax, two THC vape cartridges, one THC vape pen with a cartridge, two scales, multiple plastic dime baggies and a small backpack completely filled with corner-tear plastic, all of which were in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Titus is scheduled to be arraigned in that case on Feb. 2 in district court.
Davenport denied the liquor license of a west-end bar in a close vote Wednesday after a shooting outside the business last week left one person dead and another injured.

Gilly's Corner Tap owner Alicia Goossens made a plea to council members on Wednesday to renew the license, which was up for a routine approval, saying she had made changes after a shooting down the street in 2022 and was willing to work further with the city. Plus, she said, the shooting happened outside the Gilly's building.

"I can control what happens in my bar and in my parking lot. I cannot control what happens out in the street," Goossens said, emphasizing that she's a long-time resident who's invested in the west end, that her kids work in the kitchen, and the community's safety is her "number one priority."

But it wasn't enough to sway the council.

Aldermen voted 5-4 Wednesday to deny renewing the liquor license of Gilly's Corner Tap, 2148 W. 3rd Street.

Several aldermen cited concern that the city had been working with Goossens for months and offered recommendations to deter violence, but the bar had not consistently implemented the city's recommendations, such as a higher cover charge for later hours or closing early.

"I'm pleased that there had been changes but apparently it was not sufficient, and now we have someone dead, someone wounded ... We have a neighborhood that is terrorized by this," Ald. Marion Meginnis, Ward 3, said Wednesday. "I have grave concerns about the establishment and how it functions. I don't believe the issues are addressed."

The move to deny a liquor license has in recent history been a symbolic rebuke from the city council. The license-holder can appeal to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, which regulates liquor and licensing in the state.

Goossens said Thursday she plans to make an appeal to the state regulatory agency, and if unsuccessful, would still operate, selling food and non-liquor drink options.

A law change in 2022, however, allows cities to go to court to ask a judge to revoke an bar's liquor license over concerns for public safety if the state's regulatory division allows the business to continue with a liquor license.

The Iowa Restaurant Association had opposed the bill over concerns that it could hold an establishment responsible for an incident hundreds of feet from the property and potentially deter owners or managers from calling 911 if they believed they would be held responsible.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the Davenport Police Department, the shooting happened at 3rd and Pine Street outside Gilly's Corner Tap. According to police, at 2:19 a.m., officers found two men suffering gunshot wounds. Both were taken to Genesis Medical Center East, Davenport. One of the men, 40, was pronounced dead, while the other man, 33, had what police called serious injuries.

Police arrested Zachary Lee Beverlin, 28, of Davenport, charges of first-degree murder and willful injury in the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and Police Chief Jeff Bladel declined to provide more details.

According to city attorney Tom Warner, the city took "nuisance abatement action" against Gilly's Tap in early 2022, when, he said, two people tied to Gilly's shot at each other down the street, firing a round into a nearby bar.

As part of the abatement action, Warner said the city drew up an agreement with the owners of Gilly's on actions they would take to address public safety concerns. From April to June, Gilly's was required to close at midnight, Warner said.

After the agreement, "things improved," he said.

But one of the items in the agreement was that the owner needed to ensure that no firearms or other dangerous weapons are in customer possession on the property. Gilly's is still under nuisance abatement action status, Warner said.

"It's pretty early since the most recent shooting tied to that establishment, but the information that I've been given indicates that they had at least one armed customer and that this shooting came out of that business; it occurred outside, but it came out of this business," the city attorney said.

There seemed to be some disagreement between city staff and the Gilly's owner about where the victims and suspect were in the time just before the shooting and how long Gilly's was open the night it occurred.

Goossens said the suspect and victims in the Jan. 5 shooting who were in the bar beforehand "did not need to be escorted out. They were not a problem inside," and that the shooting happened after the bar closed at 2 a.m.

Goossens said she herself was at the bar just until 1 a.m., because there was "hardly anyone in there. I didn't see a problem."

Warner said information he had been given indicated that "there were people in the bar after 2 a.m."

Goossens told aldermen that for more than a year, Gilly's has screened people for weapons using a metal detecting wand and at one time had three security guards working for the establishment. Now, Gilly's employs one security worker, she said, but is hiring for more.

At one time, she said, she put up no loitering signs as the city recommended, but they were torn down. Goossens said she'd ordered more signs on banning loitering, backpacks, and baggy clothes.

Gilly's had also experimented with pulling some types of liquor from the shelves that "bad elements" were ordering, she said.

"I'm very concerned about why these types of people are in our community, allowed to go to places open to the public," Goossens said. "That's my concern. I'm concerned as a business owner who's only trying to bring good things to our community."

Mayor Mike Matson recommended council members vote down the liquor license.

"You've been given chances," Matson said to Goossens. "I appreciate your interest tonight, that you'd like to improve. And if this gets appealed ... we would be happy to talk to you again. But we've done that. And for whatever reason, at least from our observation from our legal staff, there's a gun involved and it was in your place and a murder happened."

At least a dozen residents attended the meeting in support of Goossens. After the vote, many stood up to leave, grumbling about the vote.

Matson told one resident who made a comment directed at the council on his way out to "be quiet" and told people to exit in a sharp tone. The resident accused Davenport leaders of discounting Black, Latino, and poor residents, and filed out behind Goossens and her other supporters.

Alds. Maria Dickmann, Derek Cornette, Robby Ortiz, and Tim Kelly voted to renew the liquor license. Alds. Kyle Gripp, JJ Condon, Rick Dunn, Marion Meginnis, and Ben Jobgen, voted no on the renewal. Ald. Judith Lee was absent.

"I have the community's best interests at heart," Goossens said after the vote. "My son is upstairs from here. Safety is a priority of ours. I think the problem is deeper than just my establishment. If they take my liquor license, these bad elements will still be in our community and they will go somewhere else."

Photos: Las Salsas Dona Mary Cocina Mexicana opens in Moline
CHICAGO  Illinois has fined health insurance company Quartz $500,000 for failing to cover substance use disorder and mental health treatments at adequate levels.

Quartz sells health insurance plans on the Affordable Care Act exchange at healthcare.gov, and off the exchange, in parts of northwestern Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Insurance announced Wednesday that it had fined the insurance company for violations of federal and state laws that require insurers to offer the same level of coverage for mental health and substance use disorder care as they do for traditional medical and surgical care.

Attempts to reach Quartz for comment Thursday were not immediately successful. The state insurance department said Quartz has paid the fine and agreed to take corrective action.

The state found in a market conduct exam that Quartz wrongly required prior authorization for substance use disorder claims; required prior authorization for access to Naltrexone, which is a craving reduction medicine for alcohol and opioid use disorder; only allowed consumers to have 30 days worth of anti-anxiety and antipsychotic medications instead of up to 90; and did not allow patients with asthma or other life-threatening bronchial ailments to refill prescriptions for inhalants just a few days before they were due for refills.

The market conduct exam was performed in 2021 and 2022.

With so many of us focused on health and wellness at the beginning of the new year, this is an ideal time to remind health insurance companies about the importance of access to care, particularly for people struggling and seeking treatment for mental health and substance use disorder, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a news release.
DES MOINES  A proposal to devote $341 million in taxpayer funding annually to Iowa families who want their children to attend private school drew a big crowd Thursday at the Iowa Capitol.

The first legislative hearing on Gov. Kim Reynolds proposal drew dozens upon dozens of Iowans. Seating in the hearing room was filled 50 minutes before the meeting started, and by the time it was underway, the room was packed and the line of speakers spilled into the hallways of the Capitol basement.

The 90-minute hearing was filled by individuals who, at the request of the legislators running the meeting, alternated between those for and against the proposal. One speaker near the end of the meeting said she was roughly the halfway point of the line of speakers opposed to the bill.

The comments largely were consistent with what so many others have said during this debate.

Supporters say the funding is needed to give more families an opportunity with state assistance to send their children to private rather than public schools.

We know there are many parents  who would choose (a private school) if given the option, said Greg Baker, with the Church Ambassador Network, which was created by the Christian conservative organization The Family Leader.

Opponents say the state should be focused on supporting public education, and that those schools will suffer under the proposal.

We need to remember in the end that this is about all of our children, said Sue Murphy, of Ankeny, an opponent who said she has six grandchildren who attend a mixture of public and private schools.

Under the proposal, roughly $7,600 in state funding  the amount the state spends per pupil on K-12 education  would be set aside for any student who attends a private school in Iowa. The money could be used for tuition, books and other classroom materials, fees and other expenses.

Public schools would lose the per-pupil funding for any students who choose to attend a private school. However, the legislation also provides to each school district roughly $1,200 for every student who lives in the district but attends a private school. That funding is devoted whether the private school student is a recent transfer or has always attended private school.

The average annual cost of parochial school tuition in Iowa ranges roughly between $2,800 and $6,000 for elementary schools and $6,000 to $9,000 for high school, according to multiple parochial school organizations.

There were 33,692 students enrolled in 183 private schools Iowa for the 2022-2023 school year, according to state education department data.

The program would be phased in over three years, giving first preference to low-income families. By the third year, all Iowa private school students would be eligible for the funding, with no income restrictions.

The governors office estimates the state will spend $107 million in the programs first year. By full implementation in the fourth year, the state will spend $341 million annually.

Reynolds latest proposal is an expansion of her previous proposals that did not have sufficient support in the Iowa Legislature each of the past two years, despite strong Republican majorities in both the House and Senate.

But in the House, where the proposals stalled each of the past two years, this week Republican Speaker Pat Grassley said he feels confident well have the support to pass Reynolds new proposal.

Public K-12 education funding comprises the largest portion of Iowas general fund budget annually: 43 percent in the 2021 state budget year, and 42 percent of Reynolds current proposal for the next state budget year that starts July 1, according to the states nonpartisan fiscal and legal analysis agency.

Reynolds budget proposes a total of $3.4 billion in general school aid to K-12 public schools.

There is no diversion of money from public schools to private schools. That is not true, no matter how many times its said. Its not true. This is not a zero sum game, said Sen. Ken Rozenboom, a Republican from Oskaloosa who this year is the new chair of the Senate Education Committee, underscoring the $1,200 per private school pupil funding to public districts. We in the Legislature have always supported public schools, and will continue to do so.

But Sen. Herman Quirmbach, a Democrat from Ames and a former Iowa State University professor, said that weve got to get our priorities right. The public sector is responsible for the public schools, and were not doing our duty.

Majority Republicans advanced the proposal to the next step in the legislative process, making it eligible for consideration by the full Senate Education Committee.

A public hearing on the proposal will be held at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Iowa Capitol.

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.
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) visited North Scott on Thursday to discuss federal school safety funding and career technical education (CTE).

Gathering at the high school, Ernst initially met with district leaders and members of the Eldridge Police Department before touring several classrooms.

Eldridge Police Chief Joe Sisler said he hoped to communicate the need for increased school safety funding to Ernst, noting how North Scott had only one school resource officer (SRO) serving all seven schools, something he feels isn't enough for school safety.

"So you're talking roughly 3,200 students and 500 faculty members, that's a lot for one SRO," he said. "We need more funding to hire more SROs so that we can provide that better protection for our kids."

Ernst called school safety a "top priority" for K-12 education in Iowa.

"Parents want to know that they have a safe campus for their kids to go to," she said. "If they're in a safe space, they can learn. So that is a priority right now; we've seen that at the federal and local level."

Referring to a near-shooting incident at the junior high in 2018, Sisler is reminded that attempted shootings can happen anywhere, at any time, adding that he opposes legislation that would allow citizens to be armed in schools.

"Sen. Ernst and I talked about that. When it comes to being armed, we're trained to get into the situation and stop it correctly," he said. "If you have people with weapons and they're not trained for that, I'm more fearful that innocent lives will be taken."

According to Sisler, Ernst indicated that there are federal resources she wants to look into and will get back to him.

Ernst, who is from a small southwestern Iowa town, said she'd seen how small police departments across the state and U.S. were in need of assistance when aiming to fund both local law enforcement activities and engage with schools.

To Ernst, funding smaller agencies is "always a priority" when looking at federal law enforcement supports and grant opportunities through the Department of Justice.

"We need to make sure we are funding these grant opportunities and that we're not so narrowly crafting the funding opportunities from the federal level and cutting certain departments out of grants," she said. "We need to make sure that there are funds available and that they (law enforcement) can use those funds as they see fit at the local level."

North Scott will continue with its current safety protocol for now, though Sisler said the district's SRO is researching new safety measures moving forward.

During her tour, Ernst stopped at a sophomore wood-shop class (Building Trades I) and talked with students and faculty about the school's student-built homes program. She also made stops at agricultural science, introduction to agriculture and nurse aide classrooms and the welding lab.

"All of these kids were really enthusiastic. They were learning hard skills, good traits that they can take into the workforce," Ernst said. "All across Iowa, I hear employers that are looking for these very specific skills and, wow, they've got it right here."

Superintendent Joe Stutting also gave a rundown of the upcoming Regional Innovation Center, which will expand CTE opportunities for all area students in a partnership with Eastern Iowa Community Colleges.

"I'm really encouraged to say that we still have the wherewithal in Iowa to work and develop these types of programs," Ernst said. "And get our students out there into a great start to adulthood, making sure that they are productive  not just students  but then productive citizens when they graduate."

Stutting said the district had discussed federal funding possibilities for the project.

"This is an expensive facility; we still fundraise several million dollars to really put it into a budget that doesn't limit us in the near future," he said. "Any chance we get an elected official, state or federal level, to come in and show what we're doing in school today and the importance of why K-12 education is an expensive part of our budget, because we're building the future,"

"All of us need skilled labor. Unless you're skilled in everything, you're hiring somebody to work on your car, house or to do multiple things, and we're a big part of that, but it isn't cheap to do those things. We need regional centers, we need to expand our programs, and so we need the support of the federal and state government."

Ernst said she's hopeful to continue funding educational opportunities like CTE and STEM at the federal level.
Pour Bros. Craft Taproom in downtown Moline is hosting a "Pour for a Cause" on Wednesday, Feb. 1, for Moline Police Officer Branden Bowden, who is battling brain cancer.

The fundraiser is from 3 to 11 p.m. at the taproom, located at 1209 4th Ave. Matt King, Pour Bros. manager, said 10% of all sales that evening would be donated to the cause.

During an overnight shift in September, Bowden noticed a loss of motor skills and was taken to a local hospital where doctors found a tumor on his brain. He was then transferred to the University of Iowa for treatment and has since been diagnosed with brain cancer.

King and Janet Vitas, the wife of Moline City Administrator Bob Vitas, are organizing the fundraising, according to the media release.

Vitas said the reason she got involved was that she lived it. Her older sister, Colleen, died of an inoperable brain tumor in her mid-50s, and she was her sister's primary caregiver during her illness.

"Every day of their lives, police officers do for other people that they don't know," she said. "I feel like this is the least we can do."

The event is for those who are 21 and older. A food truck will be on site, along with free snacks and a raffle.

The Moline Police Department has set up a Branden Bowden Benefit Fund at IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union. Donations are also being accepted at the police department located at 1640 6th Ave. or donations can be mailed to the department in care of Branden Bowden Benefit.
Some Illinois sheriffs are pushing back against a bill that bans certain semi-automatic firearms, saying it's unconstitutional.

The Protect Illinois Communities Act, House Bill 5471, was signed into law Tuesday, Jan. 10, by Gov. JB Pritzker. The bill bans the sale, distribution, and manufacture of certain high-powered semi-automatic rifles, ammunition and large-capacity magazines.

It allows people who already own such weapons to keep them as long as they register them with the Illinois State Police.

Rock Island County Sheriff Darren Hart released a statement regarding his stance on the recent passage of the bill, saying that he is "disappointed and opposes the recent passage and enactment of HB 5471" and expects legal challenges to continue on all levels of the bill as it progresses.

Hart said he will always support new tools, techniques, and laws that assist in preventing and holding people accountable that inflict harm and violence on others, but does believe they should be limiting protections that have been guaranteed to law-abiding citizens in the United States Constitution and Illinois Constitution.

"I will continue to work with members of the Illinois Sheriff's Association and our elected legislators to establish laws to address the many issues we face without infringing upon protections guaranteed in the constitutions," Hart said.

Since the signing of the law, dozens of Illinois sheriffs have released letters saying they will not be enforcing the law.

Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker released a statement similar to releases from other sheriffs.

"I, among many others, believe that HB 5471 is a clear violation of the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution," the release said. "As the custodian of the jail and chief law enforcement official for Whiteside County, that neither myself nor my office will be checking to ensure that lawful gun owners register their weapons with the State, nor will we will be arresting or housing law-abiding individuals that have been arrested solely with non-compliance of this act."

The Iowa Firearms Coalition released a statement Thursday, Jan. 12, condemning the actions of Illinois lawmakers, saying the law is unconstitutional and hopes to see the law struck down in court.

"We look forward to Illinois' blatantly unconstitutional law being struck down in court and we have a message for all residents and Second Amendment manufacturers of the state: come to Iowa, we value your rights here," Dave Funk, IFC president, said.
SPRINGFIELD  A bill that would guarantee a minimum of 40 hours of paid leave per year for all Illinois workers passed both chambers of the General Assembly Tuesday and will soon head to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who says he will sign it.

Under Senate Bill 208, workers begin to earn paid leave on their first day at a rate of one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours of paid leave for the year. They can begin using their leave after 90 days, although an employer may allow them to use it sooner.

Once signed, the measure would take effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

Paid leave for all is about the dignity of work, said Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, a lead sponsor on the bill. Its about humanizing and honoring the realities that we know that adult workers have in our daily lives and providing a space for folks to just do what it is that we all have the luxury and are so blessed to do.

Republicans who opposed the bill said it would be bad for small businesses, criticizing the legislation for raising costs.

My ultimate concern is that we, in this body, we pass millions and millions and millions of dollars of incentives for large corporations, Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer, R-Jacksonville, said on the House floor. And, on the other hand, we pass mandates on small businesses  and I know this isnt just for small businesses. But my major concern are the little guys. Its the mom and pops that have five, 10, maybe 13 employees, that this has a significant impact on their budgets.

Gordon-Booth pushed back on that argument.

The idea that we have to play this zero-sum game of you either support business or you support employees, I refuse to accept that is our reality, she said. I believe that we can show and have shown with this negotiation that you can support employees, all the while supporting employers by providing the consistency and the implementation of a policy such as this.

Under the law, workplaces would still be able to require their employees to provide notice before taking paid time off. If the paid leave is not used by the end of the year, it carries over.

The bill is supported by workers rights groups and unions including Women Employed, the Chicago Urban League and the Service Employees International Union.

Gordon-Booth said the measure had been under negotiation since 2019, and multiple key business groups had come to a point of supporting the measure or taking a neutral stance on it.

While the measure received a few Republican votes in the House, it passed the Senate with only Democratic support.

The bill still needs approval from Pritzker, who expressed his support in a statement.

Working families face enough challenges without the concern of losing a days pay when life gets in the way. Im looking forward to signing this legislation and giving a safety net to hardworking Illinoisans, he said.
A 16-year-old boy was the only minor to appear before Pennington County Judge Jeffrey Connolly on Friday morning during a routine block hearing of arraignments and status hearings.

Jacob Sexton, of Rapid City, sat in the courtroom in restraints after being transported from the Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center to face several felonies for his alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting in the early morning of Nov. 19 in Rapid Valley. Sexton is being charged as an adult.

Sexton is one of two minors who were arrested after bullets broke two front windows and lodged in several parts of a Rapid Valley home, according to the Pennington County Sheriff's Office shortly after the shooting.

At the time, the sheriff's office stated that no more information would be released because both people arrested were minors. However, because of the severity of the charges Sexton faces, he landed in adult court.

A grand jury charged Sexton on Nov. 30, 2022 with four felonies and one misdemeanor: commission of a felony with a firearm, discharge of a firearm at an occupied structure, aggravated assault against another 16-year-old, discharge of a firearm from a moving vehicle, and threatening or harassing the other 16-year-old through electronic means.

In South Dakota, there are nine felony classes. If a minor is charged with the top five most extreme felonies  classes A, B, C (1 and 2)  the case is moved to circuit court.

The commission of a felony with a firearm charge is what landed Sexton in adult court. It's a class 2 felony. The felony he allegedly committed with a firearm is the discharge of a firearm at an occupied structure.

Sexton, or his lawyer, can request a transfer hearing to discuss moving the case back to juvenile court. At this point in Sexton's case, that request hasn't been made.

According to the law, transfer hearings are conducted under the presumption that it's in the public's best interest for anyone over 16 years old to be tried as an adult for the more extreme felonies.

It is unclear if the other juvenile arrested faces charges at this time. Their name has not been released by authorities.
The police officer who shot and killed a Rapid City man in an apartment building hallway in November 2022 was justified, according to a South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation summary report released on Thursday, almost exactly two months after the shooting.

James Murphy, 58, died on Nov. 18 with two gunshot wounds and a self-inflicted stab wound after an police officer responded to a early morning 911 call from a resident in an apartment complex at 330 Philadelphia St. saying Murphy was running up and down the halls of the fifth floor, hearing voices and thinking that the cops were trying to kill him.

According to the four-page summary of the investigation by DCI agents and a Meade County Sheriff's Office investigator, security footage from the apartment building showed Murphy stabbing himself twice before an officer arrived three minutes after the 911 call. Resident and family interviews revealed that Murphy had a history of mental health issues and episodes in the building where he lived, causing neighbors to fear him.

According to the officer, when he got to the apartment building, he entered the first door into the entryway to find the second door locked. He unlocked the door with a key from the first responder lock box, replaced the key and then went into the building.

As soon as he entered, he saw Murphy across the lobby from him holding a knife, he told investigators. Before Murphy ran toward him with the knife raised, he called out to him by his first name, which dispatch had given him. The officer tried to run back into the entryway as Murphy charged towards him and then lunged at him.

The officer then shot Murphy, hitting him in the arm. Murphy got chest-to-chest with the officer, who ended up pushed into a corner of the entryway with his back against the wall. A struggle ensued. The officer tried to shoot and then he felt Murphy's hands run down his arm and onto his pistol. He pulled away and shot the second round, hitting Murphy in the head.

The officer administered first aid to Murphy until more police and medical units got there, but Murphy was pronounced dead at the hospital. During the struggle in the entryway, the officer thought he had been stabbed, but after removing his bulletproof vest, he did not find any injuries.

Apartment footage referenced in the report but not available to the public showed Murphy went out of his fifth floor apartment around 5 a.m. that morning, about 20 minutes before the 911 call. He had a knife in his hand and started knocking on doors and attempting to get into other apartments. At one point, he stabbed himself in the stomach.

He went down to the lobby where a person who ultimately witnessed the shooting was, and stabbed himself again and paced around the lobby. The report says the footage showing the shooting was consistent with the officer's story.

Murphy's autopsy showed two gunshot wounds and one stab wound. No alcohol was found in his system. A drug screen detected marijuana. The officer tested negative for any substances.

Rapid City Asst. Police Chief Scott Sitts said on Thursday that he's "incredibly grateful our officer was not hurt or fatally injured as a result of this frightening knife attack."

"The thorough and detailed DCI report provides a window into the wide variety of dangers our law enforcement officers face each and every day. We are proud of the men and women of the RCPD who, despite the risks, continue to protect and serve the community," Sitts said, adding the department's thanks to DCI and the South Dakota Attorney General's Office's detailed review of the incident.

As a standard, DCI investigates when an officer shoots a citizen, and the attorney general's office reviews the investigation.

The officer returned to work on Dec. 8 after being cleared by the department's in-house psychologist. The name of the officer has not yet been released.
Over the years I have been asked numerous times, What is your favorite bird?" Every bird enthusiast I know certainly has their favorite bird. For me, I refer to my favorite as the sharpest duck," or the northern pintail.

I suppose it is my favorite duck because as an earnest young wildlife professional, I took part in a northern pintail study in California where I handled over 1,000 birds, assessing their winter body condition. The purpose of that research was to learn what foraging habitat led to the greatest weight gain during winter months so that pintail migrating north out of California in the spring were in the best of health and prepared for the long flight to their breeding and nesting grounds in Canada and Alaska. I spent hundreds of hours with a spotting scope, observing flocks of foraging pintail on Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, leading to my admiration of this beautiful duck.

Although not very numerous here in the Bitterroot, this species of waterfowl will pass through western Montana on its southbound migration to the Great Salt Lake, northeastern California and the Sacramento Valley where, in past years, over 3 million pintail would winter in the Golden State.

Last week while out checking open water conditions of Teller's wetlands, I came upon an unfrozen pothole of open water jam-packed with mallards. As I put my spotting scope to my drivers window to get a better look at these birds, I noticed one duck had a white breast with a trademark chocolate brown head and white neck streak. It was a drake northern pintail, my favorite duck! Why this bird showed up in the Bitterroot is anyone's guess, but at least this male had a female pintail feeding alongside.

Pintail are named for their long, pointed black tail feathers extending several inches past the main tail feather on the males. In fact, the scientific name for the northern pintail is Anas acuta, with acuta translating to sharp" in English. The males also have vermiculated feather patterns on the back and sides with elegant shoulder or tertial feathers. The female, as with most puddle ducks, is more of a checkered brown similar to a hen mallard. This aims to camouflage, protecting her and her eggs from nest predators.

Pintail have challenged biologists for years as to why their numbers have dropped from an estimated breeding population of 6 million birds in the 1970s to around 3 million today. Drought conditions and changes in agriculture are major factors impacting pintail numbers. As with all migratory birds that are hunted, annual seasons and bag limits for pintail are closely monitored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state partners making up the four waterfowl regulatory flyways. The Bitterroot Valley falls within the Pacific Flyway which only allows a single pintail to be harvested per day by hunters. In the 1970s hunters were allowed to harvest seven pintail per day, yet populations remained strong due to excellent habitat conditions.

One of the most amazing behaviors of northern pintail is their spring courtship flights. Every late winter and early spring, male pintail will adorn their most striking breeding plumage in hopes of luring a female to breed. Males will often join up in flocks of 6-10 all chasing a single female in the air. These courtship flights are amazing to watch as each male positions themselves with elaborate maneuvers and whistles demonstrating acrobatic genius. By the end of the flight, the exhausted female may select a single male to complete the breeding cycle. The female will then depart for the northern nesting grounds which may be up to a thousand miles away. Researchers have found that of all puddle ducks, pintail will routinely nest in sparse cropland habitats. Spring cultivation and planting will often destroy those nests.

The nest site selection chosen by hen pintails may also have increased vulnerability due to the sparseness of vegetation leading to increased predation. If successful, the hen will raise about eight ducklings which depend on open shallow wetlands that are populated by a host of invertebrates to provide a great source of protein for the young ducks. By the fall of each year, the adults and young of the year will once again head south for their preferred wintering grounds. Those of you visiting wetlands in the Bitterroot during the fall and spring, keep a sharp eye out for this eloquent species. It just might become your favorite, too!
A Great Falls man was arrested Jan. 5 and arraigned Thursday for allegedly participating in the U.S. Capitol breach on Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C., according to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia.

Patrick William OBrien, 54, was charged with misdemeanor counts of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.

OBrien was released on his own recognizance. He must appear in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia on March 16. According to court documents, he has to submit to supervision to the pretrial services for the District of Montana.

He cannot possess a firearm or use or possess a narcotic, according to the order setting the conditions of release.

Reached by phone Friday, OBrien declined to discuss the charges at length.

I have a lot of comments about it, the question is whether I should I say anything... he said.

He said it took the government two years to focus on him as there were violent offenders to be prosecuted. OBrien said they are getting to a second class of defendants who are facing misdemeanor charges.

OBrien, who owns the 406 Hockey Pro Shop in Great Falls, said he is someone who believes in honest and free elections.

My faith is strong and God will take care of me, he said, adding that whatever happens is part of Gods plan. I have no fear.

On Jan. 6, 2021, a mob of then-President Donald Trumps supporters broke into the Capitol and disrupted a joint session of Congress convened to count the electoral votes declaring Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election. According to court documents, OBrien and his juvenile son were among those at the Capitol that day after driving for three days from Montana.

According to the press release, a review of open-source video footage and closed-circuit video footage from the U.S. Capitol building revealed that OBrien and his son were inside of the building for about 28 minutes. Specifically, the footage showed that OBrien and his son entered the west side of the U.S. Capitol building through the first floor Senate Wing Door.

The footage showed them entering the U.S. Capitol Rotunda from the south and waving a yellow Gadsden flag. Additional video and photos show OBrien walking through the hallways of the Capitol building, the press release says.

FBI special agent Stephanie Fillinger said in a Jan. 4 affidavit that their Great Falls office received information Feb. 2, 2021 of OBriens possible involvement. She contacted him by telephone on April 14, 2021 and asked for an interview. But he declined to speak to agents.

She then called another number associated with OBrien. His wife answered and also declined to answer questions, Fillinger said.

On Oct. 29, 2021, an FBI source said OBrien and his juvenile son were in the Capitol Jan. 6, 2021 and were interviewed Jan. 5, 2021 by a Facebook user. They both said in that interview that they were father and son and drove 13 hours per day for three days to get to Washington, D.C.

On Feb. 22, 2021, agents entered OBriens business and spoke with him. They said that based on their investigation they believed OBrien had violated laws on Jan. 6, 2021.

In the two years since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 950 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including 284 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

Independent Record Staff Writer Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021 or philip.drake@helenair.gov.
Incomplete.

Thats the message from the Richmond Coalition for Health Equity, the community organization established in the wake of revelations that Richmond Community Hospital brought in hundreds of millions of dollars for its parent organization, Bon Secours Mercy Health, through a program meant to help the poor.

On Tuesday, Bon Secours cut the ribbon on a long-awaited new medical building in Church Hill. The $16.5 million office building and clinic was promised to the community 10 years ago in exchange for a land contract with favorable terms near one of Bon Secours larger hospitals, St. Marys.

The not-for-profit group also laid out new commitments, stating that it plans to build an urgent care center and bring back specialty cardiology, endocrine, surgery and oncology services, among a list of commitments in its new plan called Pathway to Wellness in the East End.

But while the coalition said it appreciated the first steps, some expressed little faith during Thursdays meeting that the hospital would meet the needs of the low-income, predominantly Black neighborhood.

Empty buildings and empty promises do not solve problems, said organizer Bryce Robertson.

Rolling in their graves

The moves fall short of what is required, members said, given the lucrative financial margins that Richmond Community Hospital allows Bon Secours to command. The hospital qualifies for a federal program called 340B, which allows it to buy drugs at discounted rates.

The intent of the program was that struggling hospitals could reinvest those funds in the community. However, Bon Secours let specialty services at Richmond Community wither, centralizing care at its larger campuses and diminishing the hospitals value to the community, former doctors told The New York Times.

Coalition member Clarence McGill said the organizations behavior was particularly egregious given Richmond Communitys history as a hospital founded by Black doctors and whose early mission was to combat health inequity caused by segregated health care.

I know that the hospitals 21 founders are rolling in their graves because of how Bon Secours cut these services, McGill said. Bon Secours can be a spiritual example in this community, but only if they change their strategy regarding 340B.

On Tuesday, Bon Secours said it would commit to reinvesting its 340B profits, but only those earned from Richmond Community Hospital  an estimated $1.25 million. The not-for-profit said it makes an estimated $50 million from the Richmond market overall. Hospital officials have said they are committed to providing health care to the community.

Our fundamental request remains the same: That Bon Secours reinvest 100% of the profits it makes from the 340B program in Greater Richmond, reads the coalitions statement. This plan is so vague that we cannot tell if it is a step towards meeting that expectation, or if it is simply more nice-sounding words that will, yet again, let down the East End community.

The groups full requests include:

a timeline on its rollout of new services;

transparency around all of its promised initiatives and 340B profits;

details on how the hospital will expand services to victims of violence;

details on its community-based partnerships and if the hospital will be investing internally to expand capacity; and

details on how Bon Secours plan would address gaps in critical care transportation rather than blaming the Richmond Ambulance Authority.

In attendance Thursday were several elected officials, including City Councilwoman Ellen Robertson; Del. Kathy Tran, D-Fairfax; and Commonwealths Attorney Colette McEachin. The meeting was at Mount Olivet Church.

McEachin aligned herself with the community group.

We are past the time for a Band-Aid. We need a hospital. It is time for a full hospital with everything that Church Hill needs, McEachin said. I support everything that the coalition has been doing.

In an earlier letter, the group asked Bon Secours to sign on to national transparency standards around the 340B program. The standards, created by the American Health Association, require hospitals to disclose how they use their program profits.

The hospital did not commit to signing on to the program during its Tuesday ribbon-cutting. Jenna Green, a spokesperson for the hospital, said Bon Secours traditionally hasnt often engaged in the process of analyzing and pursuing pledges.

The 340B program is critical to our patients and we maintain rigorous oversight to ensure that Bon Secours is compliant with the letter and spirit of all federal laws and regulations, Green said.

Previously, the hospital has described news reports on its financial behavior as misleading narratives. For example, three other hospitals in its Richmond market qualify for the program based on the patients that they serve, Green said.

Hospital officials did not attend meeting

Bon Secours has invited coalition representatives to meet on Friday with Mike Lutes, president of Bon Secours Mercys Richmond market. Lutes was appointed to the job in October in the wake of news stories on 340B.

Officials for the hospital group did not attend the meeting. Green shared comments from Lutes in response to coalition criticism.

There are many factors that contribute to the health of a population. Bon Secours will continue to welcome collaboration to identify and execute long-term, sustainable solutions that will improve the overall health of the East End community: it takes a village, Lutes statement reads.

Tran said her office was drafting a bill to codify 340B transparency rules in Virginia. The bill, which has yet to be introduced, could force 340B hospitals to disclose their profits in accordance with the AHA standards, which are currently voluntary.

Several other hospitals are already signatories to those standards, including VCU Medical Center, Carilion Clinic, two Novant Health hospitals and UVa Medical Center.

Its not that difficult, Tran said. If the hospital cant commit to that, then something shady is going on.

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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.
Republicans and Democrats on a House of Delegates subcommittee started redrawing critical battle lines for Virginias divided government on Friday.

The issues: punishing dealers when their drugs cause fatal overdoses; a repeal of a 2-year-old effort to ban so-called driving while Black traffic stops; and how magistrates and judges should think about granting bail for certain offenses.

The party-line votes to advance the bills suggest partisan divisions over criminal justice issues have sharpened over the years, said Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle, chairman of the House Courts of Justice Committee.

There are real differences in points of view, said Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, who like Bell sits on the committees criminal law subcommittee.

I dont think well see many changes, she said after the subcommittee ended its Friday hearing on bills.

One bill, highlighted in Gov. Glenn Youngkins state of the state speech and sponsored by House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, would make sale or distribution of an illegal drug used in a fatal overdose felony homicide  that is, basically second-degree murder. It reprises an effort that died last year in a Senate committee with a Democratic majority.

But the same measure passed with bipartisan support in 2019, including a unanimous Senate vote with all 18 Democrats in favor. It passed the House with the support of 19 Democrats, but then-Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, vetoed the measure.

You saw those fatal overdose numbers, Bell said. Im hoping theyll lead some senators who had concerns to have second thoughts.

A Democratic-controlled General Assembly voted in 2021 to say police couldnt pull over drivers if the only offense they spotted was a broken tail light, expired tags, tinted windscreens, a broken exhaust system or extra headlights.

The aim was to rein in so-called driving while Black stops.

We want to stop tying the hands of our law enforcement, said Del. Ellen Campbell, R-Rockbridge, who sponsored a bill to repeal that 2021 measure, which also incorporated two similar bills from other GOP House members.

Rob Poggenclass, of Justice Forward Virginia, said the 2020 legislation had made an impact on reducing the disproportionate number of traffic stops of Black drivers.

Those stops declined by 40%, he said.

The panel also voted, again on a party-line basis, to restore a law on granting bail that Democrats had repealed when they controlled the General Assembly.

This measure would say judges and magistrates should presume bail should not be granted  that is, that an arrested individual should be jailed  for people charged with a variety of serious crimes, ranging from terrorism to sexual offenses involving children, to the sale of drugs by someone previously convicted as a drug kingpin.

The repeal of that presumption still gives judges the power to deny bail, Herring said.

But there have been several cases when a person released on bail went out and committed other violent offenses, Bell said. They include the 2021 case of a Loudoun County man, awaiting trial while out of jail on a charge of strangling his estranged wife, who then attacked her with a hammer, killing her.

This is about people desperately trying to protect themselves, Bell said.

He noted 2018 legislation that added human trafficking to the list of crimes was sponsored by Del. Mike Mullin, D-Newport News, and passed the assembly unanimously.

This didnt used to be a controversy, he said.
After a recent spate of gun violence in Virginia, Democrats in the House of Delegates and the Senate hope to advance more firearm safety legislation this year.

Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, has introduced a bill to stop the sale of assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. Democrats were unable to pass similar measures in 2020 when they led both legislative chambers.

Helmer said in an interview that he thought it was shameful for Gov. Glenn Youngkin to mention in his State of the Commonwealth address the recent high-profile shootings at a Chesapeake Walmart, at the University of Virginia and in Newport News, where police say a 6-year-old shot a teacher, without also discussing meaningful legal solutions to gun violence.

During the address on Wednesday, Youngkin said Virginians stood together in times of trial and tribulation.

He added that in each case, weve seen the love, the compassion, the fortitude, and the courage of our fellow Virginians on display.

Macaulay Porter, a spokesperson for Youngkin, said Virginia has some of the toughest gun laws in America.

The governors approach is twofold: addressing the behavioral health challenge in the commonwealth through a $230 million behavioral health plan that delivers help when people need it and working with the legislature on a package for enhanced penalties for crimes committed with guns, she added.

Helmer and other Democrats and advocates said the state must take action to prevent and lessen gun violence beyond criminal penalties.

Assault-style firearms, like the ones Helmer hopes to ban, have select-fire capabilities for automatic or semiautomatic shooting  such as AK-47s and M16s  and higher-capacity rounds than other guns.

This would be a meaningful legal solution to the problem, he said.  Ill work with anybody on either side of the aisle.

Helmer tried to pass similar legislation two years ago with then-Del. Mark Levine, D-Alexandria. This time, Helmer has increased the capacity limit from 12 to 15 bullets. He said he hopes new efforts can attract bipartisan support for what he called commonsense laws.

He said the House Democratic Caucus is planning to unveil more legislation next week. Meanwhile, a handful of legislators from the Senate Democratic Caucus held a news conference Friday morning to discuss some bills.

With gun legislation often falling along partisan lines, the senators bills could clear their chamber but face defeat in the House, where Republicans hold the majority. Meanwhile, House bills like Helmers may not clear the chamber.

Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Bath, is carrying a bill similar to Helmers this year. Deeds previously was among Democratic legislators to leave past versions of the bill in committee. So was Sen. Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City, who this year has a bill to create standards of conduct for gun salespeople, and Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax. He is carrying a bill this year with factors for magistrates to consider when issuing substantial risk orders.

Substantial risk orders allow law enforcement and prosecutors to petition courts to temporarily prohibit possession, purchase or transportation of firearms from people deemed at risk to themselves or others.

The bill Ive got is going to be very hard to vote against, Deeds said.

Deeds said that two years ago, he was concerned that the proposed assault weapon ban could end up applying to a wider range of guns than intended. His new bill specifies guns that would not be considered assault firearms, such as antique firearms, bolt-operated guns and guns manufactured before July 1, 2023  when the law would take effect.

Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, noted the recent shooting in Newport News where authorities say a 6-year-old boy brought a gun from home and shot his teacher. Boysko has a bill that would require people with children to lock up their guns when not in use.

This bill would not only stop tragedies like we saw in Newport News, it would prevent other tragedies including gun accidents, youth suicides and school shootings, she said.

Lori Haas, a reform advocate whose daughter was wounded in the 2007 Virginia Tech mass shooting, supported the Democratic legislators at the news conference.

We lock up poisons, alcohol, prescription drugs, why not firearms? she said. The commitment we see here today to address the public health epidemic of gun violence will go a long way to keep us all safe from gun violence and save lives.
Should Virginia extradite someone who had an abortion in another state in violation of that state's law?

Should a drunken driver face more severe penalties if the victim lost a pregnancy as the result?

These questions are at the core of two bills that came before the Senate Education and Health Committee on Thursday.

A bill to protect people who had abortions from extradition was referred to another committee, while a bill relating to fetal manslaughter was passed for the day - meaning the committee could consider it in the future or leave it in committee without a vote.

The panel referred a bill from Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax, to the Senate Judiciary Committee. His bill would bar extradition of someone from Virginia for an abortion-related crime in another state unless the alleged offense also would be a crime under Virginia law.

Abortion is legal in Virginia for any reason up to the end of the second trimester of pregnancy. State law allows abortions in the third trimester if a physician and two consulting physicians determine that the pregnancy "is likely to result in the death of the woman or substantially and irremediably impair the mental or physical health of the woman."

In an interview, Surovell said the Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, which had federally protected abortion access, caused a feeding frenzy on womens reproductive rights in other states.

Some of the bills I saw coming out of some anti-abortion states, I was concerned that it was possible that some Virginians could end up being targeted and affected, he said.

The bill also aims to protect people from tracking software by adding to the Virginia Consumer Protection Act the obtaining or dissemination of certain information without consumer consent.

I've always been very focused on consumer data rights and data privacy," said Surovell, adding that he is "a bit concerned" that software makes it possible for companies to use "location tracking that can see exactly where you shop, eat and sleep every day."

He said that "because they have that type of information, they can also see if you've been in an abortion clinic or a doctor's office or a pharmacy.

The panel delayed action on a bill from Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Rockingham, related to manslaughter charges for someone convicted of killing another persons fetus.

Obenshain said he spoke with the committee chair, Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and that she indicated she was open to keeping it [in the Education and Health Committee] or sending it to [the Judiciary Committee] where it was heard last year.

Last year, a version of Obenshain's bill made it out of the Judiciary Committee, but was defeated in the Finance and Appropriations Committee.

Obenshain said his inspiration to pass the bill came from a constituent who was a victim of a car crash involving a drunken driver in which she was injured and that resulted in the end of her pregnancy. The prosecutor could not charge the offender for the fetus, and Obenshain said that was reflective of the devastation that this family suffered."

Obenshains bill does not mention abortion, so he said it doesnt fit into national debates about access to the procedure or when a fetus can feel pain.

This is not an abortion bill, he said. It is about mothers and families who make the choice to have a baby and they shouldn't be deprived of that choice by criminal acts.

Some other states have enacted or are considering laws that declare fetuses people at a certain point of pregnancy - further fueling the national debates around abortion access or bans.

It's unclear if the bill will come up again at the panels meeting next week. Lucas could not be reached for comment at the time of this publication.

Ahead of the General Assembly session that started Wednesday, House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, said he did not expect much movement on abortion laws this year due to the partisan split control of the House and Senate. But Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who hopes to ban most abortions after 15 weeks, addressed abortion measures during his State of the Commonwealth speech on Wednesday evening, seemingly optimistic that some movement could happen.

When it comes to unborn children, we can come together. We can choose life, he said.

It is clear, Youngkin said. Virginians want fewer abortions, not more.

Surovell agrees with Gilbert that abortion restrictions or bans might be unlikely to pass in 2023, but that such bills could budge in 2024 - pending the outcome of elections in November for 100 seats in the House of Delegates and all 40 Senate seats.

He noted that his abortion-related bill that has been referred to another committee does not attempt to change access to abortions in Virginia.

It solely has to do with data privacy and protecting Virginia women from being hauled into out-of-state prosecutions, Surovell said.

Im hopeful that we can reach a bipartisan consensus about those issues without getting into the substance about when you can have an abortion in Virginia.
Virginia prisons would no longer be able to put inmates in solitary confinement for months or years at a time under a bill that got a nod from a state Senate gatekeeper committee on Friday.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Joe Morrissey, D-Richmond, says inmates may not be put in isolated confinement for more than 15 days in a row in any one 60-day period. Isolation means keeping a person in a cell for 17 hours a day or more.

It also says inmates can be isolated only to prevent an immediate threat to themselves or that they might pose to others, or if deemed necessary for medical treatment.

The warden or superintendent would have to write a record of the reasons and circumstances that required isolation, as well as a written plan describing how the facility will move that inmate out of isolation.

In addition, the inmate would have to have a medical and mental health evaluation within one working day of being placed in isolation.

We should do this for civil rights and mental health, Morrissey told the Senate Rehabilitation and Social Services Committee, which is recommending the bill to the full Senate.

State Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, said he was concerned about would happen if there was still a threat after 15 days.

But Morrissey said there are several options, including moving an inmate to a different part of a prison or to a different facility.

King Salim Khalfani, of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, said the measure would force the Department of Corrections to find more humane ways of treating inmates instead of implementing a dehumanizing and barbaric practice.

Richard Walker, founder of the Bridging the Gap in Virginia group that helps ex-inmates, said isolation can cause severe mental health problems.

The committee approved the bill on a 9-5 party-line vote.
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The planetary warming signal continues to roar more loudly above the noise of everyday weather.

On Thursday, NOAA announced that 2022 was the sixth-warmest year on record globally, matching an independent analysis from the Japan Meteorological Agency. NASA and the team at Berkeley Earth both calculated 2022 as the fifth-warmest year on record, each using slightly different methods for their calculations.

These organizations all agree that the eight warmest years on record have come in the last eight years. These long-term analyses indicate Earths average temperature is now about 2F higher than at the end of the 19th century.

The warming in Virginia is in line with the planetary average. Statewide, the average temperature has climbed 1.5F since that time. And with the exception of 2014, every year in the last quarter-century in Virginia has been warmer than the full 20th century average.

There are no indications warming is slowing down. The increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere  a byproduct of burning coal, oil, and natural gas  is the primary reason for the warming.

Since 1979, carbon dioxide concentration in the air has increased 25% , an unprecedented rate of increase in human history. To slow down the warming, more work will need to be done to move away from energy sources that emit carbon dioxide, a process known in many circles as decarbonization.

In addition to carbon dioxide, the burning of coal, oil and natural gas produces pollutants that directly impact human health  from microscopic particles that permeate the bloodstream to nitrogen oxides that contribute to childhood asthma. An analysis released by the Virginia Climate Center at George Mason University examined the benefits of decarbonization of Virginias power plants by 2045, meeting the goals of the 2020 Virginia Clean Economy Act.

Dr. Nick Snow, a retired gastroenterologist in Winchester who continues working as an adjunct professor at Shenandoah University, sees the relationship very clearly. If the VCEA goal is met, it will more rapidly reduce the risk of childhood asthma than without it.

In addition to the immediate health benefits, VCC estimates a total health cost savings between $2.8 billion and $7 billion over the next 20 years for Virginians  mostly from the costs involved in premature death. People and businesses would also save upwards of $7.8 million by 2045, as the improved air quality means that people will lose less time at work from illness.

Notably, the air is cleaner than a few decades ago. Luis Ortiz, who led the VCC study, explains, A lot of that benefit in those decades is from phasing out coal, which is very little of the power mix in Virginia right now. And coal is by far the most harmful of the pollutant-emitting power plants.

Natural gas, also a fossil fuel, burns cleaner than coal, but like other fossil fuels, burning it still produces airborne pollutants. Ortiz continues, The move to natural gas has already produced a lot of benefits, in terms of emissions. Now its a matter of eliminating fossil fuels entirely from Virginias electricity production to further protect human health.

The VCC analysis shows the biggest benefit to meeting the VCEA goals comes to Virginians living in Chesterfield and Henrico counties, near Dominion Energys Chesterfield Power Station, where two coal units continue to operate. Richmond was a little further down the list of benefiting municipalities, as it is usually upwind from the power plant.

Dominion is in the process of moving toward decarbonization, having already informed the regional electricity transmission organization that they will retire the two coal units at the Chesterfield Power Station and its oil unit in Yorktown at the end of May.

Dominions oil unit near Quantico (Possum Point) was retired last year, and its two coal units at the Clover Power Station in Halifax County are tentatively planned for retirement in 2025  although no final decisions have been made there.

According to Aaron Ruby with Dominion, there is one caveat. Current law allows Dominion to petition the State Corporation Commission if a planned retirement would jeopardize reliability, and there are proposals from the state legislature to require a reliability review by the SCC before a facility is retired.

***

As warm as it was, 2022 could have been even warmer, had it not been for the periodic cooling of the eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator, known as La Nina.

And there are already signs that the Pacific temperatures are coming back up for 2023.

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American detained in death of girlfriend released

Cancun, Q.R.  An American man who was detained after his girlfriend was found deceased has been released. Cancun police have released 21-year-old Robert A after being detained for questioning in her death.

On January 6, 20-year-old Leah P was found laying on a sidewalk below their vacation rental apartment. She was pronounced on scene by paramedics. Robert A was detained by Cancun police from the accident site.

Their investigation determined the death of Leah P as accidental. According to Robert A, the couple forgot the key to their rental unit. In attempting to get in through the patio doors, Leah P slipped and fell from the buildings third floor balcony.
AMLO calls X Summit meetings with Canada and US positive

Mexico City, Mexico  President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says X Summit meetings with both Canada and the US resulted in positive results. On Thursday, Lopez Obrador said X Summit meetings and the bilateral meetings resulted in positive results and agreements that will benefit the three nations and their peoples.

It was a very productive and fraternal meeting within the framework of the good neighbor policy, so there are very favorable elements; our economy is very stable, among other things, due to this good relationship with Canada and the United States, he said.

The three leaders agreed to accelerate integration and economic growth by reducing Asian imports by 25 percent and replacing them with local imports, which could mean multi-million dollar investments.

They also agreed to evaluate the migratory situation of thousands of Mexicans so that during 2023-2024, the government can focus on facilitating access to US citizenship to the more than 1.2 million Mexicans who live in that country.

We dealt with the immigration issue and our support for our migrants was made known, our interest that there be no persecution, () that they continue to insist on the United States Congress for the regularization of our migrant compatriots, reported Lopez Obrador.

The Government of Mexico also reported that the United States is developing the humanitarian permit program that has had very good results in the case of Venezuelans, but now it has been extended to other nationalities with the same purpose that there is a regulated path established to request to work or be in the United States.
The surviving driver in a fatal crash this week in Pulaski County has more than two dozen prior vehicle-related violations, court records show.

Monica C. Harder, 31, of Pulaski, was cited for speeding as recently as Jan. 6, three days before the collision that killed 90-year-old Garnie L. East of Max Meadows.

Virginia State Police said that at about 3:34 p.m. Monday, Harders 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander crossed the centerline of U.S. 11 and collided with the 2014 Ford Focus that East was driving. The wreck occurred about a half mile north of U.S. 11s intersection with Virginia 766 near Draper. East was heading south and Harder, north.

East was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, and died there later Monday. He had been wearing a seat belt, state police said.

Harder received minor injuries in the crash, state police said.

She was charged with reckless driving. State police said Wednesday that driver distraction was considered to have contributed to the collision, and that an investigation continued.

Harders date of birth tied her to a string of court records that included 27 vehicle-related convictions since 2014. They included mostly relatively minor matters, but also multiple counts of driving with a revoked or suspended license. Most were in Pulaski County, although some were recorded in Wythe and Montgomery counties, and in Lexington/Rockbridge County court system.

For most of the violations, Harder did not appear for her court date and was found guilty in absentia.

Violations included not having a county tag in 2022, speeding and failing to carry or exhibit a drivers license in 2021, speeding and failing to obey highway signs in 2020, and failing to have her vehicle inspected in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2014.

In 2019 and 2018, there were three citations for having not having a proper child seat for a child under age 7. Other violations included improper control of a vehicle, defective equipment, seatbelt violations and more.

According to court records, the penalties for the years of violations totaled about $1,500 in fines and thousands more in court costs, though some of the amounts were marked as past due. Only once, in a 2018 conviction in Montgomery County for driving with a suspended or revoked license, third or subsequent offense, was Harder jailed, receiving a 10-day sentence along with a 30-day suspension of her drivers license and a $300 fine.

Harder does not yet have a court date or an attorney listed for the reckless driving charge from Mondays fatal crash. She is scheduled to be in Pulaski County General District Court on March 28 for the Jan. 6 speeding ticket, in which she was pulled over by a Pulaski town officer for doing 36 mph in a 25 mph zone.

Easts family declined to comment for this article.
The electric scooters that have been zipping around Roanoke since 2019 have, for the most part, steered clear of serious accidents.

One exception is what happened to John Hubbard.

On a December evening in 2020, Hubbard used a smartphone app to rent a scooter from Lime, one of two companies that provide the two-wheeled, battery-powered mode of transportation in Roanoke.

After just a few seconds of cruising down Luck Avenue, the front tire of the scooter jammed against the floorboard, bringing Hubbards ride to an abrupt stop  and throwing him over the handlebars and onto the pavement, according to a lawsuit he later filed.

Hubbard suffered a severe break to his arm and had to miss nearly six months of work as a Roanoke County firefighter, he claims in seeking $450,000 in damages from Lime.

Overall, however, there have not been as many scooter-related injuries as were expected when they first hit local streets, according to Andy Foley, a battalion chief for the Roanoke Fire-EMS Department.

Data collected by the department show that rescue crews responded to one injury in 2019, five in 2020, three in 2021 and three in 2022. Those numbers may not include all the mishaps, the department said, and dont reflect instances when someone was injured but didnt call for help.

Numbers from the Roanoke Police Department are similarly small.

From Jan. 1 through Dec. 19 of last year, the only time period for which statistics were readily available, police responded to seven accidents that involved a scooter and a motor vehicle. Thats a tiny fraction of the 5,587 motor vehicle accidents handled by police in 2022.

Although details on injuries were incomplete, there were no reports of fatalities or life-threatening accidents involving a scooter, police spokeswoman Caitlyn Cline said.

There are currently 1,500 scooters available for lease from Lime and a second company, Bird. A third provider, Spin, is expected to enter the market soon, according to Assistant City Manager Chris Chittum.

On average, there are about 12,000 scooter trips each month, Chittum said.

Things are going pretty well, with a few exceptions, he said  the main one being scooters that are left blocking sidewalks and streets after the users are done with them.

In addition to purely recreational spins, there is evidence that the scooters have become a regular source of transportation, such as at the end of a Valley Metro bus route, where they are used to reach a final destination.

Its kind of becoming normalized, Chittum said.

Reports from some cities show a higher rate of accidents than what has happened in Roanoke so far. Melvin Williams, an attorney who represents Hubbard, said he believes there are risks that still need addressing.

The lawsuit, filed late last month in Roanokes federal court, accuses Lime of negligence on several counts: Failing to maintain the scooters and make them reasonably safe, not performing regular inspections and neglecting to adequately warn the public of risks.

Before riding off on the scooter, Hubbard examined it make sure that it was functional, but did not realize that the front fork was bent in a way that caused the tire to jam, the lawsuit states.

Generally, there are a lot of things about these scooters that make them dangerous for a variety of reasons, Williams said.

In court papers, attorneys for Lime maintain the company gives instructions and warnings to its customers that are proper and legally adequate.

Further, Lime argued that the lawsuit may be barred by the plaintiffs contributory negligence. Hubbard had knowledge of the risks and potential hazards of injury related to the alleged condition and use of the subject electric scooter and voluntarily assumed all risk of injury, an answer to the lawsuit states.

A Lime spokesman did not comment on the lawsuit, but said the company considers safety its top priority.

We are proud that over 99.99% of our rides are completed without incident, the spokesman said, and we look forward to continuing to provide Roanoke residents and visitors with safe, affordable, and sustainable transportation options.
For seven years, an industry released a dangerous contaminant through its wastewater  allowing a forever chemical to make its way into the Roanoke Valleys public water supply.

ProChem Inc. of Elliston says it didnt know that its process of cleaning machinery for a major chemical manufacturer was creating the pollution, and stopped the releases as soon as it became aware.

A bill introduced in this years General Assembly by Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, aims to prevent that from happening again.

Rasouls legislation (HB 2189) would require industries such as ProChem to test its wastewater for PFAS  short for per- and polyfuoroalkyl substances, which have a wide variety of industrial and manufacturing uses and are the subject of growing public health concerns.

A second bill, introduced by Sen. John Edwards, D-Roanoke, (SB 1013) would require any public water provider to notify its customers when PFAS are detected, or when their concentration exceeds maximum containment levels established by state or federal law. However, there are currently no regulations that establish limits for the discharge of forever chemicals.

Efforts to reach Rasoul and Edwards were unsuccessful Thursday.

But Mark Barker with the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League, who has been pushing for the legislation, said its needed to address problems that came to light with the discovery of GenX in the local water supply.

When youve got someone like ProChem, maybe this will force them to take a more active stance in finding out who the heck they are dealing with, Barker said. That knowledge might have helped us seven years ago.

Also vital, Barker said, is the need to inform the public about possible contamination of drinking water.

PFAS are called forever chemicals because they can remain in the air, soil and water indefinitely. There are more than 6,000 of the compounds that can resist heat, oil, stains, grease and water  making them popular in the manufacture of items such as nonstick cookwear, waterproof clothing, fast food containers, upholstery, carpets and cosmetics.

In 2015, ProChem began to perform whats called a chemical washing process of equipment from Chemours, which operates a plant in West Virginia that makes hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid, a forever chemical also known as GenX.

Wastewater from that process was sent to a nearby Montgomery County Public Service Authority treatment plant, where it underwent cleaning before being released into the South Fork of the Roanoke River.

But as a forever chemical, GenX is all but impossible to remove from the environment.

The chemical was first detected in January 2020 in the water of Spring Hollow reservoir, which is owned and operated by the Western Virginia Water Authority. The western Roanoke County reservoir is filled primarily by pumping water from the adjacent Roanoke River, at a spot about five miles downstream from ProChem.

At the time, the level of GenX was about 60 parts per trillion. In June 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a public health advisory that recommended long-term consumption of no more than 10 parts per trillion.

With the health advisory, which came as state and federal governments stepped up their efforts to regulate forever chemicals, the water authority began to investigate where the GenX originated.

In early November, tests found high levels at two locations near ProChem: a manhole in the sanitary sewer that carried wastewater to the treatment plant, and a spot where the effluent was released into the South Fork of the Roanoke River.

The company, which provides expertise and products meant to solve industrial water problems, said that it was dismayed to learn that it unknowingly contributed to the presence of GenX found in the local water supply.

Had ProChem been made aware that GenX was in vessels  which are the same configuration as home water softeners and serve essentially the same purpose  it cleaned for a West Virginia customer, it would not have accepted the order, the company said.

As soon as this knowledge was obtained, the service of these vessels ceased, it said after the test results were announced in early November.

Although ProChem has not named the customer that was the original source of GenX, it has been identified by the water authority as Chemours.

This week, a statement from ProChem added new information: An internal investigation was launched after Aug. 29 and Sept. 11 articles in The Roanoke Times reported the discovery of GenX downstream.

Through that investigation, ProChem determined that a customers West Virginia facility was a potential source of this compound and the decision was made to immediately discontinue service to that customer until more information could be obtained, the company said.

When tests later confirmed the presence of GenX, ProChem took immediate action to eliminate it from its facility, treat the process water, and test the effluent to confirm the effectiveness of the treatment, it said.

Recent tests at the plant show that discharges are below the EPAs public health advisory, ProChem said through an email from Strategic Communications, which has been handling public statements since news of the companys role broke in November.

The company acted in the absence of any local, state or federal regulation for the GenX compound, it said.

A Virginia Department of Health work group has studied setting state regulations, but no action has been taken yet. At the federal level, the EPA plans to propose PFAS regulations in the coming weeks, a spokesman said Thursday. Once the proposed rule is reviewed and undergoes public comment, the agency anticipates a final set of regulations by the end of this year.

Tests results received by the water authority earlier this month show that GenX is still in the Roanoke River  which is not surprising, given its long life span.

The Western Virginia Water Authority expects that it will take time for this forever chemical to clear, said Sarah Baumgardner, a spokeswoman for the agency that provides drinking water to about 69,000 customers in the Roanoke Valley.

The most recent laboratory analysis of treated water at Spring Hollow found levels of GenX below those recommended by the EPA health advisory, which is based on a lifetime of consuming two liters of water per day. Those tests were of samples taken through mid-October.

More recently, the water authority has relied on a different type of testing. Rather than taking grab samples, which capture a chemicals presence at a precise time, it has been using passive sampling, which does not measure specific amounts but establishes whether the compound was in the water over a prolonged time period.

The most recent data did not find GenX in the North Fork of the Roanoke River or in its south fork upstream of ProChem. But samples taken just downstream of the plant, and at the intake for Spring Hollow, were positive.

This is further data to confirm the location source of GenX, Baumgardner wrote in an email.

Since the chemical was detected in the river, the water authority has suspended pumping to top off Spring Hollow, which this week had a capacity of 78%. Pumping will resume once we are confident that GenX is no longer present in the source water, the email stated.

The amount of water from Spring Hollow that reaches customers has been reduced to approximately 4 million gallons a day, about half of its original load. The difference has been made up by other sources of water, such as Carvins Cove, that have not tested positive for GenX.

Reduced levels at Spring Hollow are attributed largely to a carbon filtering system that the authority is working to expand.

Meanwhile, a Chemours spokesperson recently responded to questions from The Roanoke Times, saying the company has filed a legal challenge in a federal appeals court that questions the methodology used by the EPA in issuing its health advisory.

The EPA has also taken enforcement actions linked to GenX at both the Chemours plant in West Virginia and one in Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Chemours is cooperating with Virginia and water authority officials in an investigation of the contamination of the Roanoke River. We arent able to offer additional comment until that is complete, the spokesperson wrote in an email.
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.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  The South Carolina General Assembly opened its 2023 legislative session Tuesday with a surprising priority: abortion.

Many lawmakers thought the issue was just about settled during a bruising special session last year that strained Republicans before failing to change the 2021 state law banning abortions when cardiac activity is detected at about six weeks after conception.

But five days before the General Assembly returned, the state Supreme Court ruled the current law unconstitutional because it violates a right to privacy in the state constitution. That made a law allowing abortions up to five months after conception the new rule.

The ruling may have drastically changed a session where many lawmakers have said they wanted to spend significant time on education, business and possibly a few social issues.

Not only will there probably be another long abortion debate, but the ruling opened other unexpected doors, including whether the state should continue to have lawmakers elect and vet potential judges.

The opinion just came out Thursday, so I think we need to evaluate our options. I think it does put some more emphasis on the selection of our next justice of the Supreme Court, Republican House Speaker Murrell Smith said.

Smith said he wants to push a people not policy agenda that includes emphasizing parental involvement in education, raising pay for teachers, law enforcement and perhaps other state employees, and rethinking investments, especially with companies that concern themselves with environmental and social causes.

Leaders in both parties emphasized they dont want abortion to dominate the session.

One of the first issues the Senate will tackle next week are vouchers. A bill creating an education savings account program where parents could get taxpayer money to send their children to a private school or program could be considered on the Senate floor as soon as next week. A similar bill nearly passed the Legislature last year but lawmakers couldnt reach a final agreement before the session ended.

Democrats said they will watch carefully to make sure any money spent is tracked to see if it improves student performance.

If were going to spend money on something impactful, it needs to be education, said Democratic Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, who said money might be better spent on things like wireless internet access on school buses so rural students who spend hours going to and from school can use the time on homework or studying.

Another issue likely to be taken up this month is fentanyl abuse. The first bill i ntroduced in the Senate this year would create a new crime called fentanyl-induced homicide with a punishment of up to 30 years in prison and stiff sentences for illegally having the drug.

Weve got to push that across the finish line. There are too many people dying, Sen. Majority Leader Shane Massey said.

South Carolina currently has a surplus of $3.8 billion, which is a combination of taxes from a booming population, money not spent as lawmakers continue to fear a recession and lawsuit settlements.

There is expected to be discussions in the legislature on raises or bonuses for teachers, law enforcement and other state employees. And while lawmakers might discuss another rebate to send money back to taxpayers, dont look for changes to the six-year process of changing the states top income tax rate from 7% to 6%, Republican House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister said.

I dont see us accelerating the tax cuts today based on the uncertainty of the future, Bannister said,

The federal courts threw another curveball Friday, ruling that the coastal 1st Congressional District was illegally drawn to benefit Republicans by sending Black voters in Charleston County into a district that extends to Columbia. But Republican leaders dont expect to start drawing a new map yet.

We dont need to draw anything until five members of the (U.S.) Supreme Court say we have to, Massey said.

Much of the first few weeks of the session will be spent with committee work. More than 800 bills were filed before Tuesday. This is the first year of a two-year session, so all legislation must start from scratch, with those bills and their supporters jockeying to get them attention.

The General Assembly typically meets Tuesday through Thursday through May 11.
Mali: 14 soldats tues dans des combats avec Al-Qaida qui revendique une "double embuscade"

Quatorze soldats maliens ont ete tues et onze blesses mardi lors d'affrontements avec les jihadistes dans le centre du pays, selon un nouveau bilan de l'armee jeudi, une attaque revendiquee par Al-Qaida avec des chiffres differents.





Le precedent bilan communique par des officiers de l'armee et de la gendarmerie sous couvert de l'anonymat faisait etat la veille d'au moins 12 soldats maliens tues lors de ces combats qui ont eu lieu entre Mopti et Segou apres plusieurs attaques menees contre l'armee avec des bombes artisanales.





"Cote ennemi", l'armee malienne affirme avoir neutralise "31 terroristes", dans un communique transmis a l'AFP.





Les jihadistes du Groupe de soutien a l'Islam et aux musulmans (GSIM, JNIM en arabe), affilies a Al-Qaida, ont de leur cote revendique une "double embuscade ayant vise des soldats maliens et des mercenaires du groupe Wagner dans la region de Mopti", dans un communique authentifie par l'ONG americaine SITE, specialisee dans le suivi des groupes radicaux, consulte jeudi par l'AFP.





La premiere attaque a ete menee "avec une mine" sur la route entre Tenenkou et Macina lors de laquelle "un nombre indetermine de soldats maliens et de mercenaires de Wagner ont ete tues et blesses".





Elle a ete suivie d'un deuxieme assaut "avec trois engins explosifs" entre Koumara et Macina dans lequel "cinq mercenaires de Wagner et sept soldats maliens ont ete tues" et des dizaines d'autres blesses", selon l'organisation JNIM qui "reconnait la mort de cinq martyrs".





Certains pays accusent la junte au pouvoir au Mali d'avoir recours a la societe privee para-militaire Wagner, reputee proche du Kremlin, ce que Bamako dement.





Le Mali subit depuis 2012 une propagation de la mouvance jihadiste et une profonde crise multidimensionnelle, politique, economique et humanitaire. Le centre du pays est l'un des foyers de la violence qui a gagne les pays voisins, Burkina Faso et Niger, et s'etend vers le sud.





Les colonels arrives au pouvoir par un putsch en 2020 et confortes par un second coup de force en 2021 se sont detournes de l'ancien allie francais et de ses partenaires, et tournes militairement et politiquement vers les Russes.





La junte a lance fin 2021 une operation concentree sur le centre du Mali. Elle affirme avoir accule les jihadistes a la fuite et a la defensive a travers le pays.





Mais dans un rapport de son secretaire general presente mardi devant le Conseil de securite, l'ONU ecrit au contraire que les conditions de securite ont continue de se deteriorer entre juin et decembre 2022 dans le centre du Sahel, "en particulier au Burkina Faso et au Mali".





"Au Mali, apres le depart des forces internationales, les groupes armes ont avance dans l'est du pays, prenant le controle de vastes zones frontalieres avec le Niger", souligne le rapport.




A photo on the website of Bellagraph Nova Group, showing owners Terence (right) and Nelson (left) Loh and Evangeline Shen sitting next to former US President Barack Obama, is pictured on screen, in Singapore. Screenshot taken on 19 August 2020. (PHOTO: REUTERS/Ng Yi Shu)

By Tria Dianti

SINGAPORE  A Singapore judge has, on Friday (13 January), denied the bail request of Novena Global Healthcare Group (NGHG) co-founder Nelson Loh, who is being charged with forgery offences.

He will continue to be remanded at the Central Police Division, the Straits Times reported.

Loh, 43, was charged at the end of December 2022 for allegedly falsifying NGHG's 2019 audited financial statements and using them to obtain an S$18 million bank loan.

At his bail hearing, where he appeared via video link, Loh reportedly told Senior District Judge Ong Hian Sun, "I have been here for 21 days... I have not seen my family and kids for a long time."

When the judge rejected his request, Loh then asked to be moved to Changi Prison Complex medical centre. Then, I will have a Bible to keep myself mentally healthy," he said.

Loh then reportedly added, "Being here in a single cell is really taxing on me." The judge also denied this request.

Loh then requested to speak to his children on the phone.

Asking the prosecution to take note of Loh's request, the judge granted the application for Loh to be further remanded for a week. He also gave permission for Loh to be taken out to assist in investigations.

Interpol red notice

Loh and his employee Michael Wong, also known as Wong Soon Yuh, 43, has been wanted by the Singapore police for two years before they were arrested last December.

The duo left Singapore in September 2020. A few days later, the police received a report saying that signatures of accounting firm Ernst & Young were forged in NGHG's financial statements. A warrant of arrest and an Interpol Red Notice was then issued. An Interpol Red Notice is a request by a member country to locate and provisionally arrest a person based on an arrest warrant issued by the member country.

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The police had said in a statement in December, "With the cooperation and assistance of our foreign counterparts in the Peoples Republic of China, the two men returned to Singapore on Dec 24, 2022, and were arrested by the Commercial Affairs Department on the same day."

Earlier in 2020, Loh was linked to a failed bid by the Bellagraph Nova Group to purchase English Premier League club Newcastle United. Reuters reported that the group had doctored images of former US president Barack Obama to give the impression he had attended a meeting with Loh and his partners in Paris in marketing materials.

Forgery offences

Loh is currently facing charges of two counts of forgery offences under Section 468 of the Penal Code. Wong was charged with two counts of forgery offences under Section 471 punishable under Section 468 of the Penal Code.

If convicted, they will be liable to an imprisonment term which may extend to 10 years and a fine. Further investigations are underway.

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Alabama will have a different defensive coordinator in 2023.

According to multiple reports, defensive coordinator Pete Golding is set to be the new defensive coordinator at Ole Miss. Golding has held the position at Alabama for the past four seasons after he was the co-defensive coordinator in 2018.

Alabama gave up just over 18 points per game in 2022 and was a top 10 in scoring defense. Opposing offenses averaged 4.6 yards per play and quarterbacks completed less than 55% of their passes against the Crimson Tide.

But Alabama gave up a combined 84 points in its two losses. Tennessee broke 50 in a 52-49 win over the Tide and LSU scored 32 in a one-point overtime win that knocked Alabama out of SEC West contention.

The Tide allowed fewer than 10 points five times in 2022 but also gave up 20 or more points seven times. It was a similar rate to 2021, when Alabama opponents broke 20 points in eight games. Alabama gave up 33 in its national title game loss to Georgia and also allowed 41 in a surprising loss to Texas A&M.

While its undoubtedly true that college football has changed significantly over the past five seasons, its at least worth noting that Alabama has allowed at least 18 points per game in the last five seasons after giving up 12 points per game in 2017.

Its not out of the question that Golding wont be the only significant Nick Saban assistant changing jobs. The New England Patriots are now officially searching for an offensive coordinator and current Alabama offensive coordinator and former Patriots assistant Bill OBrien has been previously mentioned as a candidate.

Golding will replace Chris Partridge as Ole Miss defensive coordinator under Lane Kiffin. Golding and Kiffin didnt overlap at Alabama; Kiffins only season as the Tides offensive coordinator was in 2016 and Golding arrived two years later.

Ole Miss allowed over 25 points per game in 2022 and opponents averaged 5.3 yards per play. Opposing quarterbacks completed nearly two-thirds of their passes against the Rebels as Ole Miss finished the season 8-5 after starting the season 7-0.
In 2021, Nebraska natives Patrice and Kevin McCabe created and produced the first season of RV There Yet?  a Discovery Channel series dedicated to exploring America.

Originally from Nebraska, Patrice McCabe loves her home state and all it has to offer, even though they now live in Florida.

Her knowledge of the state and its hidden gems led the couple to create a Nebraska-centered episode for the first season. She said she cherished the opportunity to spend time in her home state, so much so that they came back for another episode that will be part of the show's second season.

I cannot begin to express how thankful I am for the opportunity to explore, learn, and ultimately share the natural beauty and rich history that is my home state of Nebraska," Patrice McCabe said.

The couple has been exploring the country by RV for more than 18 years.

At first, it was a convenient way for the couple to travel while hauling all the equipment necessary for filming their first Discovery show Addictive Fishing, which enjoyed a 22-year run. Now, it feels more like fun than work.

We really truly are enjoying it, Patrice McCabe said. It's not necessarily work  yeah, filming the show is a little bit of work, but it's more of the lifestyle of being able to go to these places and have your world with you.

Across the country, but in Nebraska especially, the McCabes hope the series inspires travelers to get off the interstate and explore the history and beauty of the country, even if it adds time to the drive.

The traffic that goes through Nebraska on I-80, they never get off and they think that what they see from I-80 is Nebraska," she said. We really want to show people that: Get off the major interstates ... get off and find these little hidden treasures.

In the first season of RV There Yet?, the couple explored Nebraskas Arbor Day Lodge, Platte River State Park, Victoria Springs and Chadron State Park before finishing filming the first episode outside the state at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota.

McCabe said the rest of the show's crew, who had been skeptical about an episode focused on Nebraska, was already impressed after visiting Platte River State Park.

For the second season, the group explored northeast Nebraska, making stops at Niobrara State Park, Smith Falls State Park and the Cowboy Trail before heading east to the Georgia mountains, Pensacola Beach and an orchard in Maine.

The shows second season, which airs on Saturdays, began on Dec. 31. The Nebraska-focused episode will air on the Discovery Channel on Jan. 21 at 7 a.m.

Photos: Nebraska State Parks Fort Robinson State Park Fort Robinson State Park Fort Robinson State Park Fort Robinson State Park Fort Robinson State Park Chadron State Park Chadron State Park Chadron State Park Smith Falls State Park Smith Falls State Park Smith Falls State Park Niobrara State Park Niobrara State Park Niobrara State Park Ponca State Park Ponca State Park Ponca State Park Ponca State Park Eugene Mahoney State Park Eugene Mahoney State Park Eugene Mahoney State Park Platte River State Park Platte River State Park Platte River State Park Platte River State Park Indian Cave State Park Indian Cave State Park Indian Cave State Park
OMAHA  A Decatur, Nebraska, man was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for having sex with an underage girl on the Omaha Indian Reservation and fathering her child.

Juwan Grant, 24, pleaded guilty in August in U.S. District Court in Omaha to one count of sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country. He was sentenced Thursday to 46 months in prison.

Grant engaged in sexual acts with the girl, who was under age 16, in Macy in 2021 from about February through May.

The girl, who gave birth in November 2021, initially denied Grant was the father. During an interview at the Child Advocacy Center in Sioux City, the girl identified Grant as the father of her child and said he also provided her with methamphetamine and marijuana on several occasions. DNA tests have determined Grant is the child's father.
SIOUX CITY  The wife of Woodbury County Supervisor Jeremy Taylor faces 52 counts of voter fraud for an alleged scheme in which she fraudulently filled out absentee ballot requests and voter registration forms and cast absentee ballots on behalf of others during Taylor's unsuccessful run for Congress in the 2020 primary election and his re-election to the county board in that fall's general election.

Kim Phuong Taylor, 49, was arrested Thursday and pleaded not guilty to 26 counts of providing false information in registering and voting, three counts of fraudulent registration and 23 counts of fraudulent voting. She was released on a personal recognizance bond and ordered to surrender her passport and may not apply for a new one.

A trial was scheduled for March 20 in U.S. District Court in Sioux City.

A federal indictment unsealed Thursday spelled out a scheme in which Kim Taylor allegedly approached members of Sioux City's Vietnamese community and filled out voter registration forms in their names and also voted absentee ballots, signing affidavits with their names. Her actions took place leading up to the June primary election, in which Jeremy Taylor unsuccessfully ran for the Republican nomination for Iowa's 4th District Congressional seat and leading up to the November general election in which Taylor defeated incumbent Democrat Marty Pottebaum by nearly 2,000 votes for the District 3 seat on the county board.

A call seeking comment made to Jeremy Taylor's cell phone went straight to voice mail, and no one answered his home phone. He also did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

Kim Taylor's attorney, John Greer, of Spencer, Iowa, declined to comment on the charges.

According to a U.S. Justice Department news release, the FBI continues to investigate the case. A spokeswoman at the FBI's Omaha field office referred questions to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Tony Morfitt, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Northern District of Iowa, said he could not comment on the indictment or the investigation.

Woodbury County Auditor and election commissioner Pat Gill confirmed Thursday he notified the Iowa Secretary of State's Office after his office was contacted about the potential voter fraud just before the November 2020 election. Gill said he was instructed to contact the FBI.

"We received a call from one of the folks that had a ballot voted for them," Gill said.

Gill has scheduled a press conference for 11 a.m. Friday at the Woodbury County Courthouse to further discuss his office's role in the investigation. He said Thursday his office provided the FBI with suspected fraudulent registration forms and absentee ballots.

According to the indictment, Kim Taylor, whom Jeremy Taylor met while teaching in Vietnam, approached Sioux City residents with Vietnamese backgrounds who had limited ability to read and understand English and offered to help them vote. Prior to both elections in 2020, she helped those people fill out voter registration forms or filled them out herself and submitted them to the county auditor's office.

Kim Taylor also is accused of signing absentee ballot request forms for residents who were not present or told residents they could sign the forms for other family members, a violation of a registration affidavit in which applicants swear they are the person named on the form.

The indictment says Kim Taylor visited numerous households in the Vietnamese community to encourage them to fill out their absentee ballots, in some cases filling out the ballot and signing the accompanying affidavits for people who were not present or telling family members they could sign on their behalf. Taylor then delivered the ballots to the auditor's office, "... causing the casting of votes in the names of residents who had no knowledge of and had not consented to the casting of their ballots," the indictment said.

Kim Taylor voted her own ballots in both elections, the indictment said.

Jeremy Taylor was seeking the county board seat after resigning from the board earlier that year over questions about his official address. After an investigation, Gill ruled Taylor, who was first elected to the board in 2014, could no longer hold his District 2 seat because he had improperly used an address for a former home in Sioux City on his voter registration, but was living in a home in District 3, violating a state law requiring county supervisors to live in the district in which they were registered.

After Taylor's third-place finish in his primary race for Congress, a Woodbury County Republican panel selected him to run against Pottebaum for the county board's District 3 seat.

After redistricting in the wake of the 2020 U.S. Census, Taylor, a former state legislator, now represents District 5 and currently serves as the board's vice chairman. He's up for re-election in 2024.
SIOUX CITY -- The Sioux City School Board on Wednesday terminated a teacher accused of sending threatening letters to Superintendent Paul Gausman and other district administrators last year.

The school board voted 4-1 to terminate Julie Fischer's contract, as recommended by Gausman, after a closed session meeting that lasted nearly five hours.

Fischer, a frequent critic of Gausman and his administration, was placed on paid administrative leave in August 2018 after being charged with allegedly mailing letters anonymously to the superintendent and six other district officials.

The letter to Gausman warned, "Your time is comingYou lying SOB." Assistant superintendent Kimberly Buryanek, West Middle teachers Jennifer Pottorff, Laura Stokes and Seth Sackman, and West Middle Principal Katherine Towler also received letters, which were critical of their competency and actions.

In March, a Woodbury County magistrate dismissed the harassment charges against her, ruling that letters may have been "annoying, rude and disheartening," but were nonetheless protected by her First Amendment free speech rights.

Union County prosecutors in April also dismissed a stalking charge against Fischer, who was accused of sending harassing letters to a female co-worker who lives in southeast South Dakota.

There were five school board members at the hearing, and members Jeremy Saint and Perla Alarcon-Flory were not there. Board member David Gleiser cast the dissenting vote, while Mike McTaggart, Jackie Warnstadt, Ron Colling and Miyuki Nelson voted for the recommended termination.

Such a teacher termination hearing is rare, and district Human Resources Department Director Rita Vannatta said there hadn't been one in her six years in the post.

The letters were traced to Fischer through bar codes on stamps purchased at Sioux City's Jackson Street post office. Fischer acknowledged buying the stamps, but denied mailing the letters.

They are trying to fire me, based on the letters ... I didn't send the letters, Fischer said in July.

Fischer's attorney argued in court the question of whether she sent them or the school officials felt harassed were not the issue. Rather, she had the right to challenge the constitutionality of her charges under her First Amendment right to free speech.

Fischer, who has taught in the Sioux City district since 1991, most recently served as a TAG specialist and West Middle School teacher.

A closed session into Fischer's possible termination took place on July 17, then resumed on Aug. 1. Fischer had fellow educators speak on her behalf, and on July 31 told the Journal she expected to be cleared when the school board voted on the matter.

Iowa code allows such exempt sessions when a school superintendent recommends to the board that it terminate the employment contract of a teacher.

PHOTOS: Bryant Elementary first day Bryant Elementary First Day #2 Bryant Elementary First Day Bryant Elementary First Day Bryant Elementary First Day Gausman Bryant Elementary First Day Bryant Elementary First Day Bryant Elementary First Day #1
SIOUX CITY -- Sioux City School District Superintendent Paul Gausman spoke to a special federal panel at the White House about cyberbullying in the era of social media.

Speaking before such notable Trump administration cabinet members as Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Gausman was one of six speakers on the Thursday panels for the Federal Commission on School Safety.

"I was honored to be there, and to represent the Sioux City School District and our community. The discussion was rich, and I believe the conversation will lead to engagement and action," he said Friday.

Gausman spoke at the point about two hours into the three-hour hearing.

Gausman said he was picked by the Education Department to speak because of heightened actions by Sioux City district leaders to address bullying over the last decade.

"I have become a bully prevention advocate and speaker following a great deal of work toward the reduction and prevention of student-based bullying in our district and community during my tenure here in Sioux City," he said.

Gausman added that education department officials were aware "of our participation in the (2010) documentary 'Bully,' and through our work to mitigate the challenges of bullying." Anti-bullying education begins in preschool and runs through high school in the district.

Gausman shared the key points he made in the testimony:

-- "With the growing use of digital devices and student focus on social media platforms, bullying is reaching children in more places, more negatively, and more often than at any time in history."

-- "We also have seen the challenge that people will often be far more aggressive and negative with their language on social media or through cyber means than they would in a face-to-face scenario. More often now, we deal with the challenges of a bullying situation that did not begin in school, it did not even occur on school equipment or at a school activity. Yet when the students get to the school for learning, a challenge that began outside of our supervision is clearly a challenge that needs resolution."

-- "Without the kind of support that legislation can provide, it can be challenging to take action to deliver consequences to a cyberbully who began the negative action outside of school and on their own device."

-- "Additionally, bullying that is not captured with a screenshot, and fake accounts used for bullying, cannot be traced. While the district can petition social media organizations to remove accounts that are used for bullying, social media organizations do not assist the district in ascertaining information about the account creators, limiting our ability to take action."

-- "We need more ability to use social media in our investigations of school-based bullying scenarios, when applicable, and to take action against cyberbullies. Without the kind of support that legislation can provide, it can be challenging to take action to deliver consequences to a cyberbully who began the negative action outside of school and on their own device."
SIOUX CITY  A Minneapolis environmental engineering firm told Sioux City Council members Thursday that more of the city's aging wastewater treatment plant can be salvaged than what was initially thought.

Hazen and Sawyer Consulting has been evaluating potential alternatives in a comprehensive facility plan. The plan analyzed the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant at a new location or reconstruction of the current plant at its existing site and found reconstruction to likely be the best investment for the city.

Rebuilding the existing wastewater treatment plant, which is between 50 and 60 years old, would cost an estimated $580 million. Constructing a completely new plant father south would run in the neighborhood of $900 million. The costs include engineering, project management, legal and other non-construction costs.

"We were a little bit surprised as we got in-depth in the facilities. There was more there that could be salvaged than, I think, we anticipated," Project Manager Will Martin said. "A number of the really key treatment structures and tanks were in fair to good condition. From what we've seen elsewhere, those are assets. That's concrete and steel that can be reused, rehabilitated and continue to be put in service."

Sioux City wastewater treatment plant The Sioux City wastewater treatment plant is shown Friday, Jan. 7, 2022.

However, Martin said there are still a number of issues that need to be addressed at the plant, such as aging structures and tanks, aging mechanical equipment, deteriorating underground piping systems and unreliable supporting systems.

"There are a few (structures and tanks) that we would rebuild wholesale just due to age and corrosion and degradation," said Martin, who noted that some of the metallic process equipment, piping and pumps, is past its useful service life. "Really, the brains, the heart of the system, those lack some reliability and make it very difficult to operate the plant on a day to day basis."

According to Martin, it's "fairly typical" for wastewater plants across the country to have structures and tanks that were built in the 1960s or 1970s. He said process equipment, piping and pumps are expected to have a 20 to 30-year lifespan.

"We would expect that the city's assets experience a little bit of accelerated degradation compared to facilities with less industrial loadings," he said. "The city's treatment plant sees very high strength waste coming in, given concentration of industries here and, with that, you see higher concentrations of corrosive gases or aggressive conditions that tend to degrade facilities and equipment."

If the plant is rebuilt, residents currently paying $60 a month, could potentially see their sewer bill rise to $70 by fiscal year 2026. That $60 bill is projected to rise to $113 if a completely new plant is constructed, according to a graph displayed by Hazen and Sawyer Consulting.

Although the proposed rebuilding project has three phases, City Manager Bob Padmore stressed that phase 3 is based solely on economic need, while phases one and two are interrelated and must be completed.

Tom Pingel, the city's utility director in charge of the wastewater treatment plant, said the existing administrative building, which would be rebuilt in phase 2, houses a laboratory. The current laboratory is not in compliance with fire safety standards, due to its second-floor location. It needs to be on the building's main floor.

Mayor Bob Scott questioned whether constructing a new administrative building, which would cost $15 to 20 million, is necessary and wondered whether a laboratory could be built separately at the site of the existing plant.

"I'm mean, that's a lot of money that is absolutely at zero productivity," he said.

In his professional opinion, Martin said he would not build the laboratory and administrative building separately.

"Can you? That's the question," Scott said.

Scott said he also wanted a guarantee that the project would increase the city's wastewater capacity.

"I think that's terribly important that you put that in your contract, because we spent $140 million bucks around here, and, as near as I can tell, we got nothing for that $140 million. That's what's so aggravating. The stuff that we did in the last 10, 12, 14 years around here -- it's just unacceptable," he said.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources requires that the city have a facility plan, which will guide the city's wastewater treatment services for the next two decades. Last April, the City Council green-lighted a $617,700 consulting services agreement with Hazen and Sawyer Consulting to evaluate whether to upgrade or replace the plant. The facility plan is being funded with $500,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The rest of the money comes from the sewer fund.

The city would pay for the wastewater treatment plant project with a combination of funding, including ARPA dollars. The city received $40.6 million from ARPA, a COVID relief package signed by President Biden in March 2021.

Last January, the Iowa DNR filed suit against the city over alleged repeated environmental violations at the plant, which dated back to March 2012. The city faces fines adding up to millions of dollars.

In response, the city concedes there have been past violations. But, in each case, the city self-reported them to the DNR upon discovery. The city also has denied allegations that city officials intentionally misled state regulators about the operating capabilities of the plant, calling them "reckless and libelous."
DES MOINES  A Sioux City resident was one of five Iowans honored at the Capitol Building this week for combatting human trafficking.

Sister Shirley Fineran, a board member of Siouxland Coalition Against Human Trafficking, received the award from Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate who said "I appreciate the work theyve done so far and thank them for their service working to put an end to this horrible crime."

Sioux City's Sister Shirley Fineran Sioux City's Sister Shirley Fineran was recognized by Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate in Des Moines this week for her work combatting human 

Fineran, who was a professor of social work for several decades at Briar Cliff University, also serves with the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and Slavery and founded Lila Mae's House which acts as a transitional housing option for victims of sex trafficking.

"We are a space for healing," Fineran said of the organization in 2019.

At the time, Fineran said it is important to have a secret spot for Lily Mae's House, since women leaving sex trafficking seem to have a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, given the "deep trauma and control that traffickers have on their victims."

The other residents recognized were: Alka Khanolkar, Keokuk; Leland Schipper, Des Moines; Tish Young, Cedar Rapids; and Melody Stone, Mason City. IMT Insurance Company also received an award.
Between July of 2021 and June of 2022, more than 107,000 Americans tragically died from a drug overdose, cementing opioids as the leading cause of death among people ages 18 to 45 in the United States.

In Iowa alone, 210 lives were lost to these drugs in 2020. These individuals are not just statistics; they are parents, siblings, husbands, wives, grandchildren, friends, and loved ones. As a matter of public health and community safety, it is incumbent upon our leaders to implement targeted policies that reverse this alarming trend and save families the heartache of prematurely burying a loved one.

The opioid epidemic extends well beyond urban and suburban communities. Sadly, this crisis is even more dire in rural America. From 1999 to 2015, overdose deaths increased by 325% in rural counties, and according to a 2017 survey commissioned by the National Farmers Union and the American Farm Bureau Federation, roughly 74% of farmers have been directly impacted by the opioid epidemic  particularly due to the labor-intensive nature of farm work. Moreover, the lack of access to quality, affordable healthcare in our rural communities only exacerbates the severity of this crisis, preventing too many people from receiving the care that they need.

Born and raised in rural Iowa, we have seen the opioid crisis firsthand and witnessed its devastating and deadly impact on precious lives, Iowa families, and our rural communities. This crisis will not be resolved by big-government mandates; it requires local control and approval from the local community.

Thats why we worked together to introduce the Rural Opioid Abuse Prevention Act -- signed into law by President Biden in December -- to tackle the opioid epidemic head-on at the local level. This vital legislation will help the most vulnerable in our rural communities recover from opioid abuse, equip our healthcare workers with critical tools to treat addiction, and provide our first responders with the support they need to save lives.

This bill establishes a grant program, known as the Rural Responses to the Opioid Epidemic Initiative, at the U.S. Department of Justice to assist rural communities, local governments, and nonprofits with developing programs that help reduce opioid abuse and overdoses. It also provides first responders with additional tools to save lives. This initiative currently supports 21 organizations in rural communities, helping local officials identify current gaps in prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

Additionally, this crucial investment today will pay dividends down the road to save lives, protect families, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and give so many people a second chance on life. In 2020, the U.S. Congresss Joint Economic Committee (JEC) estimated that the economic impact of the opioid epidemic  including healthcare costs, foregone work, lost productivity, and addiction treatment  totaled roughly $1.5 trillion. While the opioid epidemic is first and foremost a health crisis, it is also an economic crisis that, left unresolved, spells disaster for our fiscal health and economic competitiveness.

In conjunction with our new law, we must also redouble our efforts  through oversight authority, investigative power, and the congressional power of the purse  to secure our wide-open border, which welcomes and facilitates the drug trade into our country and down our main streets. As such, we have both consistently advocated for maintaining sound policies like Title 42, finishing construction of the border wall, and prosecuting drug traffickers to the fullest extent of the law for flooding our communities with deadly fentanyl and opioids. We will continue to push the Biden Administration to secure the border.

The pain of losing a loved one never truly heals. But, with the right tools and resources, we can ensure that fewer and fewer families face unthinkable tragedy. As proud residents of rural Iowa, we will continue to work together to secure our border, hold criminal drug traffickers accountable, and provide our rural communities with the support they need to save lives and combat this terrible epidemic. We are optimistic that our new law will make a real difference.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, is serving his eighth term in the Senate, and Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican, is serving his second term representing Iowa's Fourth Congressional District.
In recent weeks, Prince Harry and his bestselling biography Spare have been front and center in the Sussex squads campaign to tell all of us how terrible his obviously broken family is. And while I have no plans to read the memoir, Im glad that Harry has stepped into that spotlight instead of his wife. Hes tough; he can take it. And thats good, because the reception of Spare and the Sussexes Netflix docuseries has not been wholly positive. As outlets like BuzzFeed, the New York Times, and Slate have chronicled, even people who were previously sympathetic to the Sussexes are getting just a little bit tired of the couples omnipresence, these days.

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All the exposure has hurt their image. Recently, writer Gloria Alamrew tweeted: I think the sooner we all understand that Harry and his wife are not taking a stance against his colonialist family, but are just upset at not being able to participate in it the way they thought they would be able to the freer well all be. The rest of the world may be catching up now, but as some responses to Alamrews tweet make clear, Black observers of the Sussexeseven those who steadfastly defend them against their hatershave long had complicated feelings about Meghan Markle. I count myself among that number.

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Before that fairy-tale marriage, Markle was living a different kind of feminist fairy tale. She was a self-made millionaire, just famous enough, who spent her spare time jetting around the world with her divas, wearing cool clothes, and doing periodic good deeds. Even though she loudly loves her prince and her kids, you can tellin her interviews and in her Netflix seriesthat Meghan kind of misses her old life. And why wouldnt she? Her new life has forced her to face things that she never prepared for. The abuse isnt her fault, but some of the false notes in her response might be.

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A little context here: I am a proud African American woman of a certain age. And I care about the British royal family. Like, really care. As in, I have vivid memories of getting up early to watch Princess Dianas wedding on a black-and-white television, and a couple years later, of rushing to finish my paper route so I could watch Sarah Fergusons. Ive read thousands of pages of Tudor biographies. And when I traveled to Great Britain, it was just to visit historical sites connected to Elizabeth I, like Hampton Court, Westminster Abbey, and the Tower of London.

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At the Tower, I remember being shoulder to shoulder with other tourists, oohing and ahhing over the crown jewels, when I noticed a South Asian family next to me, pointing and smiling at the display. And it hit me. I was someone whose ancestors had their freedom, dignity, and even their lives stolen to build this empire, and I made a special trip to celebrate the thieves.

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What am I doing here? What are any of us doing here?

Thats the place where Meghan Markle seems to be stuck in her own, more intimate dance with that nation and its history. Shes shocked to discover institutional racism in the very institution that created the most enduring business model for it. And shes telling us about it. A lot. And while I am Team Meghan, its painful, unpleasant, and a bit irritating to watch her figure it out in real time.

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Its not the sadness of her response thats troubling. Its the surprise.

Can you believe the police didnt protect me? Can you believe no one cared that microaggressions endangered my emotional health? Can you believe all these strangers called me nasty names on the Internet? Can you believe my white in-laws wouldnt stand up to racists who hurt me?

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Umm  yes. Im a Black woman. Are you new here?

And thats the problem. She is. Meghan is very new to being treated like shes Black and having to factor that into the way she lives her life. I dont mean that she didnt know racism was real or should be stopped. Shes not Stacey Dash or anything. But Meghan Markles expectation that a system built on exploiting non-white people would protect her is naive in the extreme, and a really bad look. Meghan Markle isnt just biracial, or light-skinned. The reality is that she canand clearly haspassed for white for her whole life, and that largely defined her racial experience and education before her engagement.

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The Netflix series lays it out clearly. Her mother, Doria Ragland, who is Black, talks about how not-Black Meghan looked from the beginning, and how strangers assumed she was her daughters nanny. Thats a familiar story for anyone who is part of a Black family with mixed-race people. But lots of biracial kids are clearly BlackBlack and something else, but Blacklike Barack Obama, or Halle Berry, or Lenny Kravitz.

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Not Meghan. The early episodes of the Netflix series include interviews with several people in Meghans orbit who had no idea she was part Black until she told them. Theres no indication that she ever denied her heritage. Its just that she looked white enough that people assumed she was, and so the reality of racism that many Black kids learn in grade school is something she just discovered in her 30s.

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But there were ways that she couldve learned more, and its disturbing that it seems Meghan never availed herself of them. Of all the childhood friends, classmates, and girl-squad members who served as Meghans character witnesses in the Netflix series, almost none of them were Black. Its the norm for white people not to have Black friends. And theres nothing that vouches for the whiteness of Meghans world more than that she didnt seem to have many either.

At one point in the second episode of the series, Meghan talks about how being biracial meant she didnt feel like she fit in anywhere, and proclaims, People dont talk about what its like to be mixed race. Tell me you dont have a Black friend group without telling me you dont have a Black friend group!

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The person I feel sorriest for in this whole mess is Ragland, who acknowledges and openly regrets that she didnt do enough to educate Meghan about racism. Having to teach your kids how to survive systemic racism is an emotionally crushing reality for most Black parents. There are all sorts of ways you can try to put it off: move to the right neighborhood, scout out the right schools, keep a very close eye on the books, movies, and media your kid is exposed to. If you play your cards rightand having a daughter, not a son, can helpyou might not have to start having the talk with your kids until middle school.

But destiny dealt Meghan and her mom an option to pass on those hard conversations, and its clear that they took it. And I understandand even empathizewith Raglands choice. If there were a magic wand or a random accident of genetics that would keep anti-Blackness from shaping my kids life, I might do the same. Had she not married Harry, Meghan mightve spent her whole life as a conscious, progressive, almost-white woman, an accomplished B-list actress and internet personality, whose racial identity might have occasionally come up in a celebrity Little-Known Facts listicle, but nothing more.

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It seems like that was Meghans choice, and thats at the heart of my unease with her. At a certain point, you have to be responsible for filling in the gaps in your upbringing, or owning your decision not to. Meghan couldve Googled racism in the British royal family the way she Googled the words to God Save the Queen. Years before she met Harry, she couldve cultivated friendships and relationships with Black people who mightve been able to disabuse her of some of misguided expectations that her race would never really matter. But it seems she didnt.

Meghan still has my sympathy, to a point. She has become an avatar for many Black women like me, who have lived through the pet to threat journey, women who believed pro-diversity pronouncements of white-led institutions where we studied or worked, or who thought that we were magical negresses who could guide them into a more enlightened future. Its humbling and humiliating to be confronted with your mistake, falling for the oldest okey-doke that white supremacist society has to offer. But while its disappointing that the royal family turned out that way, its hardly a surprise. Except to Meghan.

And Meghans persistent, breathless, tearful surprise about her experiencea shock that she expects the watching (and, now, reading) world to shareis the clearest indication that shes mainly speaking from a white perspective, and to a white audience. Theres not any corner of the diaspora where people wouldnt have warned her, if shed ever asked.

I dont hate Meghan. I wish her a healthy and happy life with her devoted husband, with the safety that all families of all colors deserve. I dont think she should stop talking about her experience. But I also wish shed think a little bit more of how she does.
Were in one of those moments. The House of Representatives is finally organized and the new Republican majority will spend its coming months attempting to pass messaging bills. The Senate is out for most of January, and will serve as a sleepy nominations mill for the foreseeable future. The 2024 presidential field hasnt been set. What is there to say?

 Anyone want to yuk it up about gas stoves?

In resounding harmony, this week the political world decided: YES.

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It was Richard Trumka Jr., a commissioner on the Consumer Product Safety Commission, who lit the match that set ablaze the noxious, gas-filled air. In a Bloomberg piece about how the CPSC would consider health hazards associated with gas stoves this spring, Trumka said that any option is on the table regarding gas stoves. Products that cant be made safe can be banned.

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What happened next was that everyone went nuts.

Trumka Jr., one of four commissioners of the CPSC, saying that gas stoves theoretically could be banned, quickly morphed into Joe Biden is going to take your gas stove that you love. The uproar prompted a clarifying statement from CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric, who said, I am not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so. Trumka Jr., who seems on a limb within the CPSC on this, tweeted that CPSC isnt coming for anyones gas stoves. Regulations apply to new products. The White House, meanwhile, told CNN that The President does not support banning gas stovesand the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is independent, is not banning gas stoves.

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While there is no nationwide ban of gas stoves in the offing, there are indeed plenty of Democrats whove raised concerns about gas stoves of late as research has amassed showing potential health risks. (Its not as if anyone supposed that hovering over an open gas flame was actively beneficial.) Certain blue states, like New York, are considering action against gas appliances in new construction; California is ahead of them. A bicameral group of Democratic legislators in December, meanwhile, sent a letter to Hoehn-Saric urging CPSC to study emissions from gas stoves and consider certain regulations.

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In a world that isnt ours, this could be a sober-minded discussion in which the issue is studied further by neutral agencies, the exact level of risk of gas stoves are determined, and a political discussion about what level of government recourse, if any, is necessary.

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In our world, though, gas stoves are this weeks object of struggle in the latest episode of American culture wars. The time has come for a Tweet Rundown.

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Even though gas stove usage, relatively to electric, is actually most prominent in bluer corners of the country, Republicans this week have acted as though gas stoves are protected by the Second Amendment. Didnt it used to be that yuppie liberals that were the ones going on about the greatness of gas stoves, as the only way to cook caramelized fennel Brussels sprout dingdongs? Those days are over.

God. Guns. Gas stoves.  Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) January 12, 2023

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Over.

Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson, a medical doctor who used to be responsible for President Obamas physical health, suggested that he would fight White House employees to the death should they come for my stove.

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Ill 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!!  Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) January 10, 2023

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a joke about how he was dumb:

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Did you know that ongoing exposure to NO2 from gas stoves is linked to reduced cognitive performance https://t.co/1bjmHqnHVa  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) January 11, 2023

No, Jackson said, it is you, youre the dumb one, and a hypocrite.

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.@aoc says gas stoves cause reduced cognitive performance - yet she uses a gas stove? Is this a self diagnosis? AOC, as a medical doctor, I can tell you this: whats wrong with your head IS NOT caused by stoves. Something WAY BIGGER is causing your decreased cognitive function! pic.twitter.com/yYF90wXiGu  Ronny Jackson (@RonnyJacksonTX) January 11, 2023

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California Rep. Mike Garcia invited followers to imagine a world where all tortillas are heated in the microwave.

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Imagine a world where all tortillas are heated in the microwave. We must take a stand against this insanity.



I will be joining my colleagues this week to introduce legislation that stops this Stove War from happening.https://t.co/xvgwvaV9QP  Rep. Mike Garcia (@RepMikeGarcia) January 11, 2023

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantiss art team slapped something together where the graphics of gas ovens bear his signature.

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Dont tread on Florida, and dont mess with gas stoves! pic.twitter.com/FNETzpuANe  Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) January 12, 2023

Why are we dragging JFK into this?

To Joe Biden and the other radical liberals, dont even think about coming for my gas stove until you extinguish the eternal flame! Thought not. pic.twitter.com/y1RTh5mo5L  Marc Lotter (@marc_lotter) January 12, 2023

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Meanwhile, guess which Senate Democrat is on the 2024 ballot in a state that Republicans win by ~40 points in presidential years? You think hes going to pass up a cultural opportunity like this to distance himself from the gas haters?

This is a recipe for disaster. The federal government has no business telling American families how to cook their dinner. I can tell you the last thing that would ever leave my house is the gas stove that we cook on. https://t.co/8IEFM44UvE  Senator Joe Manchin (@Sen_JoeManchin) January 10, 2023

Take what you want from Joe Manchins house. The bed. The jewelry. The nautical GPS. Take his guns, take his TV, his knives, his jacuzzi. Take his ancient Sumerian amulet part that, when paired with a sister piece lost in the 14th century spice trade, offers a key clue to the location of a bracelet giving its wearer unlimited power. Take his wifeplease! Take his soul.

But you will never take his gas stove.

Which consumer good shall we thrust into the political spotlight next week?
There was plenty of street parking on Thursday night outside of Il Bacco Italian restaurant in Little Neck, Queens, but we valeted the car anyway. Il Bacco is the favorite restaurant of serial liar and New York Congressman George Santosa man who, by his account, made million-dollar deals as a seasoned Wall Street financier and investorand I wanted the full Santos experience. Surely he wouldnt park his own car.

Santos loyalty to the restaurant is well documented. Hes posted about it fawningly on his Instagram page over the years. He appointed Joe Oppedisano, the owner of Il Bacco, as well as Oppedisanos daughter Tina, the restaurant manager, plus Tinas fiance, to his Small Businesses for Santos Coalition. He made Tina its chair.

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And hes eaten there a lot. Or at least, thats what his campaign finance records show.

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According to documents filed to the Federal Election Committee, Santos has spent $25,640.26 in campaign money at Il Bacco since he first ran for the Long Island/Queens congressional seat in 2020, a number made even more astonishing by the fact that the coronavirus hobbled indoor dining for most of 2020 in New York City, and the restaurant was shut down for part of 2021. Santos campaign also reported owing Il Bacco $18,773.54 for its election night party in November this year. A political action committee called Rise NY, run by Santos sister, Tiffany, spent another $4,722 there, according to the New York Times.

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All in all, the Santos siblings have dropped nearly $50,000 at the luxury Italian joint over the past two congressional campaigns, which seems like a lot of money for a guy who, according to campaign disclosure forms, declared earnings of only $55,000 total in 2020. I dont know why we were at Il Bacco all the time, an anonymous Santos staffer told Talking Points Memo.

One explanation, I figured, is that it must be very good.

The host escorted us to a table with two white tablecloths. En route, we passed a bar full of men watching the Brooklyn Nets play on two large screens. A sketch of Pope John Paul II hung next to a retouched portrait of a man that did not look like Frank Sinatra but was superimposed with the word Sinatra all the same. There were sepia-toned photos of churches, and cylindrical chandeliers adorned with sepia-colored shingles. The restaurant was mostly full. We sat.

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We had a missionor rather, a conundrum. And we were hoping to solve it by choosing the perfect order. You see, one strange particularity of Santoss Il Bacco habit is his penchant for racking up bills that total exactly $199.99.

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According to campaign finance filings Santos turned in to the government, on at least seven separate occasions he had meals that cost exactly $199.99a sum that happens to be precisely one cent short of the threshold that requires documentation of campaign expenditures in the form of receipts. The Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit watchdog group, called Santos record of $199.99 astounding, and implausible. I scanned for exorbitant prices, or a $199.99 special, but found nothing like that. The menu offered standard Italian faresalad, pizza, pasta, meat dishes. The most expensive item was a $52 lamb chop.

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I was determined to stick the $199.99 target.

The minute we sat down, a bottle of wine was placed on the table. Its a $125 bottle, today for $75, the waiter told us. It was an expedient upsell, perhaps a window into just how one might run up a $50,000 tab. But we decided to go with cocktails.

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Ordering drinks would have been standard procedure, perhaps even unexciting, at any other restaurant. But not at Il Bacco. In late 2020, the restaurant had its liquor license stripped away after playing host to a drunken, maskless conga line organized by the Whitestone Republican Club at the height of the December 2020 COVID outbreak.

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the Whitestone Republican Club in NYC apparently held a Christmas party this year without a care in the world about COVID pic.twitter.com/mHzW86d9M7  Matt Binder (@MattBinder) December 21, 2020

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At least one guest in attendance got the virus within a matter of days, according to the Whitestone Republican Club; the state liquor authority called it a potential superspreader holiday party, and then found flagrant violations of indoor dining regulations and existing health safety and Alcoholic Beverage Control laws. The liquor license was pulled not long after.

But time heals all, as it did thankfully for the stricken guest, and now you can again order booze at Il Bacco. We got martinis and grazed on a plate of green olives, cheese, and bread that was brought for the table.

Our waiter, one of a battery of older men in white button-downs and ties, rattled off a lengthy list of specialsosso buco, octopus, branzino. I asked him if he had waited on Santos in the past. I have seen him here, but I dont know him, he said. When I followed up to ask if there were any favorites of Santos we could order, he waved me off with both hands. Ive never waited on him, he said, as steered us again toward the osso buco.

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We decided to stick to the more standard fare. We started out with a radicchio and endive salad, and fried zucchini blossoms, a special.

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They came quickly. The salad, conveniently split into three separate portions for me and my two companions, won solid remarks from the table. The turgid, fried squash blossom, overfull with cheese, was slightly less celebrated, but eaten readily. This is basically a mozzarella stick, one said. I was pleasantly surprised. Two separate tables sang Happy Birthday. A clubby remix of Oasis Wonderwall thumped through the speakers.

Santos is not alone in his love of Il Bacco. Plenty of New York Republicans, winners and losers alike, have visited the restaurant in recent years. The restaurants Instagram page features photos of Rudy Giuliani alongside the restaurants owner, Oppedisano, and his daughter Tina. Andrew Giuliani, Rudys son, who lost the most recent Republican primary for governor, is featured as well. The Republican city councilwoman Vicki Paladino has visited. I scrolled and scrolled on the restaurants Instagram but found no picture of Santos.

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One would think a $50,000 tab would win a person a dedicated menu item, or at least an Instagram post. But the lack of visual evidence doesnt mean he isnt well-loved by the Oppedisanos, who have supported Republicans of all stripes.

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Joe Oppedisano, the restaurants owner, is an aviation enthusiast, something chronicled somewhat horrifically in the New York Post. In October of 2020, Oppedisano crashed his private Cessna into the East River near the Throgs Neck bridge, an accident that left him with 16 broken ribs and required 10 separate surgeries during a 30-day hospital stay. The crash also killed one of Oppedisanos passengers, Maggie ONeil. In a truly strange editorial decision, the Post piece ends on a chipper note: Oppedisano was discharged from the hospital on Election Day that fall and said he was heading straight to the polls. I really love this country and I really wanted to vote for Donald Trump, he told the paper.

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Oppedisano is a Santos campaign supporter; he donated $6,500 to Santos campaign and related PACs. So, too, is Oppedisanos brother Rocco, who kicked in $500 to Santos, a donation the Daily Beast called almost certainly illegal.

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According to Daily Beast reporting, in 2009, Rocco was stripped of his permanent resident status following a firearms and drug bust at homes belonging to Joseph Oppedisano. A decade later, the Coast Guard intercepted a yacht that Rocco was sailing from the Bahamas to Florida. Customs and Border Patrol found 14 undocumented Chinese immigrants aboard the boat, a Bahamian national, and $200,000 in cash socked away in the vessels walls. Rocco pleaded guilty to smuggling and was expelled from the U.S., which still wasnt enough to deter him from doing his part for the 3rd Districts newest congressman.

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At Il Bacco, I didnt see much decor that referenced yachts. But the place was festooned with model airplanes, an old-time wooden propeller, and aeronautical paraphernalia.

After our appetizers, we put in for three pasta dishesa puttanesca, a gnocchi, and a tagliolini. I asked the fellow diners at the adjacent tables, both of whom claimed to be regulars, if they had ever seen Santos. Neither had, but both believed he did indeed come often. Its a nice place, both said.

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We made quick work of the pesto gnocchi and the tagliolini with mushroom and mozzarella; the puttanesca was less beloved. I asked my two dinner partners to rate their experience. Not bad, said one; Average, said the other.

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The restaurant was beginning to empty as its 10 p.m. close neared. I watched the bar clear out and the birthday groups up and scatter in a flurry of cheek-kisses and handshakes. We ordered two desserts, a chocolate mousse cake and a homemade tiramisu (which, sadly, we dont recommend).

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The check came, and I tried to bring up Santos with the waiter one more time. No, no, he said, again waving me off. Im only part time, only one or two days a week. We came surprisingly close to striking the perfect $199.99 Santos balance I had hoped to hit, but broke through the amount on the tip. Santos, it should be said, is really good at spending just $199.99 almost everywhere he goeshis financial disclosure forms show him spending that exact amount at a Hyatt Orlando (in July 2021), on Delta Airlines and at BJs Wholesale (August 2021), at Target and on Uber (October 2021), and at many other establishments or services including W Hotel South Beach, JFK Parking, Best Buy, Walgreens, and the TSA line-skipping company Clear.

This is a really specific skill! So specific that Campaign Legal Center has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Committee that zeroes in on the $199.99 spends in particular, stating that there is reason to believe Santos campaign deliberately falsified its disbursement reporting, among numerous other reporting violations.

The sheer number of these just-under-$200 disbursements is implausible, the complaint reiterates. And some payments appear to be impossible given the nature of the item or service covered.

I, unlike Santos, do not feature currency and coin counter as one of my skills on my resume, so maybe this just comes easier to him.

Still, I wondered, how could he have spent nearly $50,000 at Il Bacco? Had he been relentlessly upsold on the fancy wine? Was he an enthusiast of the $52 lamb chop? Was he just a prodigious tipper?

I walked over to the two valets, who had already pulled the car around and were awaiting our departure. Do you guys know George Santos? I asked.

They handed over the keys. Yeah, George is here all the time, although I havent seen him in a while.

Is he a good tipper? I followed. Yeah, hes a great guy, said the other. Although he doesnt tip, his partner does.

Do you know him? they asked me.
A version of this article first appeared in Emily Osters newsletter, ParentData.

Last week, headlines like this one from the Washington Post circulated: Gas stove pollution causes 12.7 percent of childhood asthma.

The concern is that gas stoves emit high levels of nitrogen oxides, and those pollutants could lead to respiratory issues in children. Products that cant be made safe can be banned, a member of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission told Bloomberg News, sparking concern that the Biden administration was on a path to forbid Americans from cooking with gas. (The agencys head later explained that no such ban was in the works).

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But as a parent, should you go ahead and rip out your gas stove? Ive talked about the appliance before, but its time for a more detailed dive, given the recent concerns.

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I am going to focus on the particular question of gas stoves and asthma in children. However, its important to note that there are a wider range of climate-related problems with gas stoves. A 2022 paper found that gas stoves emit methane, even when they are off. Both state and federal regulators have at various times discussed regulations on gas ranges, for both these environmental and health reasons. There are complexities related to electric stoves, toofor example, if the electric grid is powered by coal, thats worse in terms of carbon footprintand these issues are changing over time. But moving away from gas for climate reasons is something that I know many people have considered. These are extremely important issues, but not what I want to focus on here.

This New Paper

The new paper causing all the headlines is here. This paper is, in essence, a multiplication exercise.

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What the authors do is the following: They begin with an estimate, based on other papers, of the excess risk of asthma among children with exposure to gas stoves. There is existing literature on this (which I will discuss extensively below). The estimate they pull from it is that there is a 34 percent increase in the risk of asthma with exposure to gas stoves.

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They then use this number alongside an estimate of the share of households with gas stoves. They calculate what is called the population attributable fraction, or PAF. Intuitively, think about this as saying: Gas stoves increase asthma by 34 percent; we have such-and-such many gas stoves; therefore, asthma is increased by this amount, and thats a percentage of the total. In their case, they estimate 12.7 percent of asthma cases are caused by gas stoves.

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There is nothing wrong with their calculationit is a standard approach to doing this kind of research. But: It is dependent on an assumption from existing literature about the relationship between gas stoves and asthma. So to evaluate this claim, we need to go back to that literature.

Gas Stoves and Asthma

The key input to the calculation in this new paper is an estimation of the relationship between gas stove ownership and asthma. The figures used are based on papers that take a familiar shape. They compare asthma rates between children whose families use gas stoves and those whose families do not.

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A 2013 meta-analysis combines 41 of these papers. The estimates from the papers vary widely, from those that suggest no link up to those that suggest gas stove ownership could double asthma rates. When combined, the estimate is that gas stove ownership increases asthma rates by about 30 percent. In the U.S., an estimated 8.3 percent of children have asthma. These results therefore indicate gas stove ownership could increase the risk of asthma by 2.8 percentage points.

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As with any analysis of this type, though, we may have concerns that the ownership of gas stoves is not random. Its worth diving into some of the individual papers.

A 2004 study of about 6,000 children in Russia found an increase in doctor-diagnosed asthma for children living in homes with gas cookingspecifically, that it doubled in homes with gas cooking. However, the paper runs lots of analyses, and they do not all line upfor example, they find no evidence that gas cooking increases wheezing or asthma-like symptomsmaking it possible that some of what they are seeing in the data are diagnosis differences.

Among the largest papers in the meta-analysis is a 1991 publication that looked at the determinants of asthma and wheezing in nearly 18,000 children in Canada. The authors find that gas cooking is significantly associated with asthma (but not wheezing) in the data. They caution that only a very small share of respondents (about 5 percent) use gas cooking.

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For the most part, the other papers in the meta-analysis have similar features. They tend to show positive correlations between asthma and gas stove exposure, but the effects are a bit noisy and they do not necessarily paint a consistent picture. A 2013 paper finds, for example, a link with asthma for girls but not boys, and no links with other respiratory issues.

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What to take from this? We know that gas stoves emit nitrogen oxides and that, in general, those are not good. We know that air pollution, in general, is bad for respiratory symptoms, including asthma. Indoor, unventilated air pollution is especially problematic. So it seems very plausible that there is some link here. However: The magnitude is likely small. In most of the estimates, its small. And, beyond that, we do not see the kind of smoking gun in any of these data that would suggest a really consistent link.

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Another way to put this is that there are clearly many, many factors other than gas stoves that explain asthma. Some of these may also be environmental. But Im skeptical that gas stoves play a huge role, as would be suggested by the new paper.

One way to conceptualize the strength of the link between gas stoves and asthma is to look at broad variation across space. The graph below shows the gas stove ownership share (from the American Housing Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau) for states for which we have measurements, graphed against childhood asthma rate. There is no striking relationship. Even though Illinois has a much, much higher share of gas stove ownership, the childhood asthma rate is lower than in Florida, with very low gas stove ownership.

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Does this mean that gas stoves do not matter? No. But it suggests other things matter a lot more.

Big Picture

It is easy to get into the weeds here, and the reality is that this is a hard problem. Its clear that gas stoves are not particularly healthy for lungs, especially small ones. There may also be reasons to move away from gas stoves for the climate.

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On the other hand, I think the evidence suggesting this factor is responsible for a sizable share of asthma in kids is probably overstated. The papers on this are mixed; the cross-sectional relationship at the state level is nonexistent. And there are reasons to own gas stovesnamely, you may already have one and its expensive to replace, and people like cooking with fire.

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Given the in-the-weeds nature, I think its useful to boil things down to specific questions:

Should I replace my gas stove right now?

This is not likely to be necessary for most people. However: If you have a child with (or at risk for) asthma, it is something to consider, as you may want to remove any exacerbating features. If you do not, this is not a change with urgency.

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Should I replace it later?

Perhaps. There are the (complicated) climate issues noted above, and, in general, if given a choice, less pollutant exposure is better than more. So if you were choosing anyway, it may well make sense to move away from gas.

Induction cooktops perform well, with more energy efficiency than electric and none of these air pollution issues. If I were redoing my kitchen, I would replace our gas stovetop with induction. Here is a long Consumer Reports discussion of induction cooking. For some people, the love of cooking with fire will continue to dominate.

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OK, Im not replacing my stove yet. Can I do anything else now?

Yes.

First, run the hood fan on your stove when you use it. Its not clear how much this matters, but on the margin it should help.

Second, use a HEPA filter with an activated carbon filter. At least one study showed that installing such a filter in the kitchen lowered nitrogen dioxide levels by half as much as replacing the stove. This is a lot more effective in the data than the hood fan.

You can also open a window when youre cooking, if the weather allows.

One final note: In the U.S., asthma is much more common in poor children and children of color. Poorly ventilated apartments, possibly with gas cooking, are also more common in those groups. There has already been some discussion of a policy need to ban gas stoves, partially motivated by these reasons.

This overall analysis, though, suggests that factor may be small relative to other factorsincluding other kinds of air pollution, like that from, say, cars. Addressing these inequalities in health is a crucial issue for policy. Equally crucial, though, is to focus on policies which work. Gas stoves are likely a very small part of the picture.
Parts of an ancient prince's tomb are being installed in renovated museum premises in Poprad.

A Germanic prince, whose tomb was found in 2005 in Poprad, grew up in the Spis region, but spent most of his short life in the Mediterranean region. (Source: TASR/Oliver Ondras)

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The opening date of a new exhibition, "The Prince of Poprad and his Tomb" in the Podtatranske Museum in Poprad, is inching closer.

The new attraction, focused on an historic archaeological find in the city, received an important permit in the autumn, and the new display should be made available to the public this year following test runs in late 2022, Dasa Jelenova, spokesperson for the founder of the museum, the Presov Self-Governing Region, announced, as quoted by the SITA newswire.

The exhibition will open about one year later than planned.

It was originally supposed to launch at the end of 2021, but those plans were thwarted by the situation related to Covid-19, and the delayed process of getting funds approved and conducting a public procurement process.

Returned from Germany

The final part of the unique wooden architecture, which is over 1,600 years old, was returned to Slovakia in May 2022 after sixteen years of analysis and conservation in specialised laboratories in Germany.

The exhibition dedicated to the prince's tomb is being installed on the ground floor of the renovated premises of the museum in Poprad.

It will include all the most important finds from the tomb, but only a few beams from the chamber itself will be exhibited due to space reasons.

Ancient board game has no parallel in Europe Read more

The exhibition will also include digital presentations focused not only on the tomb itself, but also on life under the Tatra mountains in the 4th century, as well as on the life of the prince and the period in which he lived.

The museum is expecting up to 50,000 visitors to tour the exhibition annually.

Discovered by coincidence

The 4th-century tomb was discovered accidentally during construction of an industrial park in the Poprad district of Matejovce in 2005, located at a depth of five metres.

It consisted of a roofed log chamber with a wooden sarcophagus, together with internal equipment.

It also contained interior furnishings, leather and textile remains of the prince's clothing, and even the remins of food contained in ceramic and bronze vessels.

Virus probably killed prince from Matejovce 1,600 years ago Read more

Decorative objects made of bronze, silver and gold were also found in the tomb.

"Despite historical looting, the soil conditions meant that things that archaeologists do not normally find, i.e. wood, skins, textiles and other organic items, had been preserved, for example a bed or table turned from wood, a leather bow case, parts of a patterned tapestry, a wooden sarcophagus, wooden coffins on which the dead were carried to the grave, and a number of other unique objects," specified the Institute of Archeology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAV) in Nitra on the occasion of the tomb's return to Slovakia.
Part of services taken over by parcel drop boxes.

Balikobox parcel drop boxes in Petrzalka will in part make up for the loss of services at the post offices. (Source: TASR)

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Two of seven post offices in Petrzalka, the biggest Bratislava borough, will cease providing its services. The post office at Pecnianska Street will close as of February 1 and the office at Holicska Street as of March 1, the Petrzalka municipal office has announced on social networks. The five remaining post offices, at Vlastenecke Square and Jiraskova, Einsteinova, Furdekova and Jasovska Streets, will stay open. They will also take over services for citizens from the two closed offices, the SITA newswire wrote.

The borough states that the national postal service provider Slovenska Posta would have closed the two post offices despite their opposition.

On December 23, 2022, the local authority represented by Petrzalka Mayor Jan Hrcka finally managed to meet with representatives of Slovenska Posta after almost half a year of waiting and repeated requests for discussion. Although they were supposed to primarily talk about the reasons for the temporary closure of the post office on Pecnianska Street, out of operation since the beginning of July 2023, in the end Slovenska Posta announced final decisions on the closure of two post offices.

We do not know the exact reasons for the decision of the state-owned company, so we recommend that any questions or reservations be directed straight to Slovenska Posta, the municipality pointed out.

In the coming days, the municipality will propose to Slovenska Posta several solutions in an effort not only to preserve, but also improve postal services in Petrzalka. At the same time, Slovenska Posta reminded the public that it already operates 10 Balikobox parcel drop boxes in Petrzalka, which in part make up for the loss of post office services.

In the meantime, Slovenska Posta has increased prices for its services and is closing post offices in other towns, like Banska Bystrica and Spisska Nova Ves.
Fresh off of their best season-opening performance in program history, Auburn Gymnastics returns to action Friday night.

The Tigers competed against three of College Gymnastics top-tier programs in Oklahoma, Michigan, and UCLA last Saturday night in Las Vegas as part of the Super 16 event, and performed exceptionally well by finishing third in the competition with a score of 197.350.

Olympic gold medalist suni lee won the all-around title with a 39.750, which was earned in part to her 10.000 score on beam. Her performance led her to earning SEC Gymnast of the Week for the fourth time in her short career on the Plains.

This Friday, the No. 5 Tigers travel to Gainesville for the SEC opener against No. 2 Florida. Last season, the Tigers and Gators tied with identical 198.575 scores in Neville Arena. Head coach Jeff Graba says that how well his team performs Friday will be a great indicator of how well the rest of the season will shake out.

The better we do on Friday, the better the rest of the season looks, Graba said ahead of Auburns meet at Florida. I was really happy with what happened in Las Vegas because that would have been a counting score for us last year. To start like that, its a big deal. And to build off of it this weekend on the road will only benefit us later in the season.

If you are wondering how to watch Fridays meet between the Tigers and Gators, you have come to the right place. Below, you will find key information for Fridays tilt, including a how-to-watch guide, gymnasts to watch, and last weeks key performers.

How to watch Friday's meet

Heres when you should tune in to see the meet:

Date: Friday, Jan. 13

Time: 6:30 p.m. CT

TV Channel: ESPN2

Live Stream: fuboTV (watch here)

Auburn's Gymnasts to watch

The Montgomery Advertiser

Suni Lee

Derrian Gobourne

Cassie Stevens

Sara Hubbard

Gabby McLaughlin

Florida's Gymnasts to watch

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Trinity Thomas

Sloane Blakely

Rachael Baumann

Ellie Lazarri

Kayla DiCello

Story continues

Last meet's high scores

Auburn finished third in the Super 16 event last Saturday in Las Vegas, competing against Oklahoma, Michigan, and UCLA

Vault: Derrian Gobourne (9.950)

Bars: Suni Lee (9.950)

Floor: Derrian Gobourne, Suni Lee (9.900)

Beam: Suni Lee (10.000)

All-Around: Suni Lee (39.750)

Story originally appeared on Auburn Wire
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff are putting the finishing touches on a very impressive recruiting class for the 2023 cycle.

The Longhorns have the No. 3 class in the country for 2023 at this time. Over half of the players in the class have enrolled early. Now, Sarkisian shifts his focus to the 2024 cycle.

Three players have committed to Texas 2024 class: three-star quarterback Trey Owens, four-star cornerback Jaden Allen and four-star athlete Hunter Moddon.

Texas has sent out several intriguing offers for some of the top players in the nation for the 2024 cycle. Longhorns Wire will begin breaking down the offers in this class by position. First up are the eight running backs Tashard Choice has offered to this point, according to 247Sports.

Three-star RB Terek McCant (Tampa, Florida)

Four-star RB Kevin Riley (Northport, Alabama)

Tuscaloosa County football class of 2024 running back Kevin Riley has had a month to remember. His breakout junior season led to a recruitment explosion of 16 offers, including Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Ole Miss and Auburn.https://t.co/ZrhkQs6Ebc  The Tuscaloosa News (@tuscaloosanews) November 10, 2022

Four-star RB Anthony Carrie (Tampa, Florida)

Story continues

2024 Tampa (Fla.) Carrollwood Day School RB Anthony Carrie caught my eye playing with FAST today Georgia, Ohio State, Texas, Stanford and Florida are among the schools standing out early in his recruitment. pic.twitter.com/MiY86C9Psp  Tim Verghese (@TimVerghese) February 26, 2022

Four-star RB Stacy Gage (Tampa, Florida)

After a 3TD performance vs. American Heritage on Friday, IMG RB Stacy Gage has since picked up offers from: Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, Texas, and Louisville. Arguably the best RB in the 2024 Class @3stacygage  Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 24, 2021

Four-star RB James Peoples (San Antonio, Texas)

Four-star RB Taylor Tatum (Longview, Texas)

2024 Longview RB Taylor Tatum impressed in a big way tonight in the Lobos season-opening win with 162 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground. Stock is beginning to really take off. https://t.co/zMSrc0miij pic.twitter.com/IinHq57BjJ  Cole Patterson (@RivalsCole) August 27, 2022

Four-star RB Jason Brown (Seattle, Washington)

Seattle (Wash.) O'Dea 2024 running back Jason Brown, the No. 2 back in his class nationally, got out on the road this summer and he talked about his visits, conversations with Nick Saban and Kirby Smart and more https://t.co/vXTfMSOe5U pic.twitter.com/bg63Xu7upU  Brandon Huffman (@BrandonHuffman) August 12, 2022

Five-star RB Jerrick Gibson (Bradenton, Florida)

Texas is reportedly at the top among the top schools for the No. 1 2024 RB recruit Jerrick Gibson. https://t.co/AcZswegWvg  Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) January 9, 2023

Story originally appeared on Longhorns Wire
After seemingly having a veteran with plenty of experience locked in through the transfer portal, Penn State is back on the prowl looking for some depth at wide receiver. Devin Carter, who had committed to Penn State out of the transfer portal, has flipped his commitment to West Virginia.

This did seemingly happen pretty quickly as Carter announced his commitment to Penn State within hours of watching the Nittany Lions win the Rose Bowl. But perhaps there was some writing on the wall as he was not formally introduced by Penn State as the new semester began this week.

The loss of Carter from the transfer portal stings, but Penn State was still being active in recruiting a receiver out of the portal and should be able to find someone to add to the program to help pad the depth after losing Parker Washington and Mitchell Tinsley.

Carter will actually be scheduled to make his West Virginia debut in Beaver Stadium. Hell be joined by former Penn State defensive lineman Fatmora Mulbah, who transferred from Penn State to West Virginia this week. Penn State opens the 2023 season on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at home against West Virginia in a revival of the old regional rivalry with the Mountaineers for the first time since before Penn State joined the Big Ten.

List

What Penn State players are in the NFL playoffs in 2023?

Related

Former Penn State DL commits to 2023 opponent Penn State linebacker Jamari Buddin enters transfer portal Former Penn State QB gets promotion on Joe Moorhead's staff at Akron Abdul Carter, Nick Singleton named to FWAA Freshman All-America team Penn State among top schools for four-star safety in 2024

Follow Kevin McGuire on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Story originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/japan-undecided-on-imposing-price-cap-on-russian-petroleum-products---spokesperson-1106264312.html

Japan Undecided on Imposing Price Cap on Russian Petroleum Products - Spokesperson

Japan Undecided on Imposing Price Cap on Russian Petroleum Products - Spokesperson

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Japan has not determined its stance regarding the newly discussed price gap on Russian oil products, the Japanese Foreign Ministry... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T23:12+0000

2023-01-12T23:12+0000

2023-04-06T12:15+0000

world

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ukraine crisis

oil prices

japan

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US media reported on Wednesday that the United States and its allies are preparing to impose new sanctions on the Russian oil industry, specifically on petroleum products. Yukiko noted that Japan has so far coordinated its stance with the Group of Seven (G7) advanced industrial countries. The deputy press secretary pointed out that since Japan is slated to assume the G7 presidency this year, "we will coordinate among ourselves" how to respond to Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. The countries of the so-called collective West have sought ways to limit Russia's income from oil and gas exports, as well as reduce their dependence on Russian energy products after Moscow launched the special military operation in Ukraine on February 24. The European Union imposed last month a price cap of $60 per barrel on Russian crude oil, joined by the G7 countries and Australia. In late December, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree banning supplies of Russian oil and petroleum products if contracts directly or indirectly provide for a price cap.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/us-intelligence-chief-publishes-report-revealing-dramatic-increase-in-ufo-sightings-since-2020-1106263834.html

US Intelligence Chief Publishes Report Revealing Dramatic Increase in UFO Sightings Since 2020

US Intelligence Chief Publishes Report Revealing Dramatic Increase in UFO Sightings Since 2020

After decades of accumulating reports and rumors, the Pentagon decided to take reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) more seriously, publishing reports... 12.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-12T22:02+0000

2023-01-12T22:02+0000

2023-01-12T21:57+0000

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us office of the director of national intellidence (odni)

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There has been a dramatic increase in the number of sightings of UFOs over the past two years, according to a report published by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) on Thursday.At that time, the office had accumulated just 144 reports in 17 years, but now the total stands at 510, the document states.According to the report, the AARO characterized 26 reports as being of Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) or UAS-like entities; 163 were characterized as balloon or balloon-like entities; and six were attributed to clutter.Some of these uncharacterized UAP appear to have demonstrated unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities, and require further analysis, the ODNI noted.In a statement on Thursday, US Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, hailed the reports publication, calling it a step forward in understanding and addressing risks to aviators.The ODNIs report is now mandated annually by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the massive spending bill that funds the Pentagon every year.In 2017, the Pentagon confirmed the existence of the UAPTF, despite the public closing of the AATIP years earlier, and after, lawmakers began requesting the release of footage collected by the program, which also began to be leaked in the press. In 2021, Congress required the ODNI to begin issuing an annual report on UFO sightings and the potential dangers they might include for US military installations and warships, and in May 2022, the Senate held a hearing on the phenomena.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221229/no-need-to-land-or-drill-to-hunt-for-alien-life-hiding-on-saturns-moon-study-claims-1105883195.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221220/most-compelling-ufo-footage-ever-captured-was-just-filmed-in-rural-wisconsin-1105625427.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210625/pentagon-finally-releases-much-anticipated-report-on-ufos-1083244220.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/china-commissions-ai-controlled-drone-mothership-research-vessel-zhu-hai-yun-1106295485.html

China Commissions AI-Controlled Drone Mothership Research Vessel Zhu Hai Yun

China Commissions AI-Controlled Drone Mothership Research Vessel Zhu Hai Yun

China has officially inaugurated its latest research vessel, a high-tech "smart ship" that can navigate autonomously and deploy dozens of drones into the air or sea.

2023-01-13T17:17+0000

2023-01-13T17:17+0000

2023-01-13T17:17+0000

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With its sleek looks and bright colors, Zhu Hai Yun looks more like a yacht than an aircraft carrier. However, it is Chinas new drone mothership, carrying numerous UAVs.However, Zhu Hai Yun isn't operated by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, but by the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, based in Guangzhou. The scientists intend to use it for marine surveying, mapping and observation and sea patrols.Zhu Hai Yun was built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and launched last May, when it began testing. The scientists announced the successful operation of the ship to Chinese media on Thursday.As the competition between China and the United States heats up, both nations have looked to autonomous operation as a way to bolster their military forces, including at the scale of warships. However, thus far they have only tested small vessels, like the 200-ton "stealth ship" being tested by Beikun Intelligent Technology. A larger vessel of unknown size is under construction by the 716 Research Institute, the experimental design bureau run by the CSSC.In the air, the PLA Air Force is testing a "loyal wingman" drone to accompany human pilots into the skies, providing them with additional reconnaissance, targeting, offensive and defensive capabilities. Other nations have developed similar systems, including the United States and Australia.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221214/citing-russian-drone-threat-nato-official-demands-greater-air-defense-spending-1105468921.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/eu-inaugurates-first-orbital-launch-site-in-europe-1106290257.html

EU Inaugurates First Orbital Launch Site in Europe

EU Inaugurates First Orbital Launch Site in Europe

The head of the European Union's executive, Ursula von der Leyen, opened on Friday the Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, which is the first orbital launch site in mainland Europe.

2023-01-13T13:40+0000

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2023-04-12T17:15+0000

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The EU chief commissioner underscored the role of satellite launches in monitoring climate change and gathering military intelligence. She said Ukrainian troops were successfully using small satellites to track Russian troops. The EU has a launch center in Kourou in French Guiana, on the northeast coast of South America. It also cooperated closely with Russia to launch satellites into space from the Baikonur spaceport in Kazakhstan until the European Space Agency halted joint programs last February.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/ex-french-army-soldier-in-donbass-france-other-countries-will-have-to-answer-for-their-crimes-1106269843.html

Ex-French Army Soldier in Donbass: France, Other Countries Will Have to Answer for Their Crimes

Ex-French Army Soldier in Donbass: France, Other Countries Will Have to Answer for Their Crimes

Former French serviceman and volunteer Adrien Bocquet, who was attacked after denouncing Kiev's crimes, has been staying in Donbass for several months. He recently announced that he had asked for political asylum in Russia.

2023-01-13T06:06+0000

2023-01-13T06:06+0000

2023-01-13T06:06+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

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Having been in Donbass for several months, French volunteer Adrien Bocquet described the situation in Donetsk as "extremely worrying."The city in the Donetsk region is the current epicenter of fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The Kremlin refers to "a positive dynamic," as the advances in this sector mark an important step in the conflict.The former French soldier has been working for weeks with Donbass authorities "to identify the NATO bombs." At the end of December, he applied for political asylum in Russia.Massacre in Bakhmut"Unfortunately, the Kiev government preferred to let the majority of its soldiers die  a massacre," he noted.Adrien Bocquet argued that "there were no military units" in Donetsk. Referring to Ukrainian shelling against the city, he denounced "crimes" committed using "mainly French and American weapons."Assault in IstanbulAdrien Bocquet arrived in Ukraine in the spring of 2022 on a humanitarian mission as a volunteer. Following his trip, he said he had witnessed numerous war crimes committed by the Kiev regime's forces. The Frenchman claims to have witnessed the preparation of a staged massacre of civilians in Bucha by the Ukrainian side.Later, in the fall, he survived an assassination attempt in Istanbul. Two men attacked him with knives, but he managed to escape. The Frenchman told Sputnik that agents from the Security Service of Ukraine orchestrated the assault.Last October, he spoke of his desire to become a Russian citizen.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230110/battle-for-bakhmut-why-the-city-is-key-to-russias-liberation-of-donbass-1106197085.html

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situation in bakhmut, french volunteer talks about kiev regime crimes, staged massacre in bucha
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/ex-nato-secretary-general-arms-shipments-must-be-dispatched-to-deter-chinese-strike-against-taiwan-1106266805.html

Ex-NATO Secretary General: Arms Shipments Must Be Dispatched to Deter Chinese Strike Against Taiwan

Ex-NATO Secretary General: Arms Shipments Must Be Dispatched to Deter Chinese Strike Against Taiwan

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen on Thursday called for arms deliveries to Taiwan "now" to prevent China's alleged attack... 13.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-13T03:43+0000

2023-01-13T03:43+0000

2023-01-13T09:28+0000

world

china

taiwan

arms

nato

strike

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"European politicians must stop sending mixed signals. China relies on exports to global markets to fuel its growth. It is far more entwined in global supply chains than Russia, so spelling out the economic consequences of an attack in advance can act as a powerful deterrent," Rasmussen wrote.Rasmussen called for attention to the possible escalation around Taiwan and lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict to confront Beijing. The former secretary general believes the most important way to deter China from making a move on Taiwan "is to ensure a Ukrainian victory in the current conflict." Otherwise, Russia's special military operation will set "a dangerous precedent," encouraging Beijing to "gain territory and establish a new status quo by force." The situation around Taiwan escalated after then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island in early August. Beijing condemned Pelosi's trip, which it regarded as a gesture of support for separatism, and launched large-scale military exercises in the vicinity of the island. Despite this fact, several countries, including France, the US, Japan and others, have since sent their delegations to the island, further increasing tensions in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has been governed independently from mainland China since 1949. Beijing views the island as its province, while Taiwan  a territory with its own elected government  maintains that it is an autonomous country but stops short of declaring independence. Beijing opposes any official contacts of foreign states with Taipei and considers Chinese sovereignty over the island indisputable.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/pentagon-chief-us-seriously-doubts-chinese-vessel-activity-means-invasion-of-taiwan-imminent-1106237908.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/just-biden-his-time-1106266400.html

Just Biden His Time

Just Biden His Time

The probe into US President Joe Bidens mishandling of classified documents expanded dramatically Thursday as the Department of Justice announced a full-blown... 13.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-13T03:29+0000

2023-01-13T03:29+0000

2023-01-13T03:23+0000

joe biden

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This could mean the beginning of the end for Joe Biden, remarked popular Fox News host Tucker Carlson. He suggested that Joe Bidens own aides keep finding stacks of felonies hes left around the place signals Democrats have decided to cut the president loose for failing to step aside in 2024.If you wanted to stage a political coup from within, classification laws are the laws you would get them on, arent they?Earlier Wednesday Biden stated he was "surprised" classified documents had been found by officials after initial reports had surfaced, however, by Thursday, the US president appeared abrasive on the subject. In fact, Biden attempted to explain that documents found at his Delaware compound had been found kept from prying eyes as they were in a "locked garage" near his Corvette.To date, three batches of classified documents have been uncovered, with some dating back to Biden's days as vice president during the Obama administration.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/los-angeles-police-open-investigation-into-death-of-blm-co-founders-cousin-1106285478.html

Los Angeles Police Open Investigation Into Death of BLM Co-Founder's Cousin

Los Angeles Police Open Investigation Into Death of BLM Co-Founder's Cousin

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has launched an investigation into the death of Keenan Anderson, the cousin of a Black Lives Matter (BLM) co-founder, as well as two other men shot by its officers since the start of 2023.

2023-01-13T12:20+0000

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george floyd killing

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"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 Furthermore, the officers involved must be placed on immediate leave," Mayor Karen Bass was quoted as saying. Anderson, a 31-year-old high school teacher related to BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors, died on January 3 after California police used a Taser gun against him following a traffic incident he presumably caused, body-cam footage released on Wednesday by LAPD showed. The other two incidents took place on January 2 and January 3, when police fatally shot 45-year-old Takar Smith and 35-year-old Oscar Sanchez. In May 2020, a wave of protests and riots against police violence and racial injustice rippled across the United States and other parts of the world. The mass-scale social unrest was sparked by the death of African-American George Floyd, who passed away in police custody in Minneapolis. After Floyd's death, the Black Lives Matter movement, which stands against racially motivated violence toward black people, has gained momentum in the US, demanding police reform.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/black-lives-matter-co-founders-cousin-dies-after-being-tasered-by-los-angeles-police-1106271873.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/migrant-influx-at-eus-external-borders-surged-to-six-year-high-in-2022-1106282828.html

Migrant Influx at EU's External Borders Surged to Six-Year High in 2022

Migrant Influx at EU's External Borders Surged to Six-Year High in 2022

Migrant influx to the EU's external borders reached a six-year high in 2022, Frontex agency stated.

2023-01-13T13:09+0000

2023-01-13T13:09+0000

2023-01-13T13:09+0000

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Around 330,000 illegal migrants attempted to cross into the European Union last year, the blocs border and coast guard agency, Frontex, has stated. This number represents the highest migrant influx since 2016.The bloc's border management agency also offered its preliminary calculations'' regarding the principal routes resorted to by illegal migrants. Thus, almost half of the 2022 entry attempts were made overland through the Western Balkans region, Frontex said. It clarified that approximately 47 percent of the unauthorized border crossings were attempted by Syrians, Afghans, and Tunisians.Throughout last year, the number of people setting off on often dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea in crowded boats and rubber dinghies soared, with more than 100,000 such crossing endeavors recorded. Compared to 2021, this is an increase of about 50 percent.While Egyptians, Tunisians, and Bangladeshis were singled out as frontrunners in the number of such illegal crossing attempts, the agency added that 2022 was marked by an uptick in arrivals transiting via Libya - the most in five years. Libya had turned into the main departure hub in North Africa for illegal migrants, the agency said. As for Tunisians, they were said to be leading the surge in irregular migration to Europe, with numbers of people leaving the northernmost country in Africa hitting the highest level in recent history. Various factors, such as a deteriorating economic situation at home and social repercussions of unemployment and/or underemployment were believed to be the driving force behind the surge.Frontex specified that the released migrant figures did not include approximately 13 million Ukrainian refugees who amassed at the EU's external borders between the months of February and December 2022.Ukrainians leaving their country amid the ongoing Russian special military operation in the country have been benefitting from the Temporary Protection Directive, activated on March 4, 2022, allowing them to live in the EU, find work, and attend school for three years without need of an official asylum approval. In December 2022, there were reports that staff from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency might be deployed outside the blocs jurisdiction at non-EU borders in the Western Balkans to crack down on a surge in illegal migrants.If specific agreements with regional governments can be set in place, the deployment could be used to "reinforce border management along the whole migration route in cooperation with national border guards to reduce irregular flows, the European Commission said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220909/frontex-eu-records-highest-number-of-illegal-migrants-in-8-months-since-2016-1100611664.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221206/frontex-staff-may-be-deployed-to-western-balkans-as-eu-struggles-to-curb-migrant-flows-1105105336.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/moscow-sees-no-progress-on-deal-on-exports-of-russian-agricultural-products---ambassador-1106269684.html

Moscow Sees No Progress on Deal on Exports of Russian Agricultural Products - Ambassador

Moscow Sees No Progress on Deal on Exports of Russian Agricultural Products - Ambassador

There is no progress in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Russia and the United Nations on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to the world markets, Russian Ambassador in Turkey Aleksei Erkhov said on Friday.

2023-01-13T05:44+0000

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2023-01-13T05:44+0000

istanbul grain deal

russia

agriculture

grain

sanctions

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"As of today, 17 million tons of Ukrainian grain have been exported. However, we still observe distortions in the geographic distribution of recipients of Ukrainian food products. The situation with our products does not inspire optimism either. There is no progress in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Russia and the UN on normalization of Russia's agricultural export," Erkhov said, as quoted by the Yeni Safak newspaper. The ambassador also said that Russian producers of agricultural products and suppliers are still facing the blocking of payments via banks, high insurance rates, and limited access to sea ports. The diplomat went on to say that Latvia, Estonia and Belgium were continuing to hold Russian agricultural products in ports, while Kiev had been blocking the export of ammonia supplies. The ambassador noted that the amount of detained products, estimated at 2.5 tons of raw materials per year, would be enough to produce 7 million tons of fertilizer and to provide 200 million people with food. On July 22, the deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations was signed by Ukraine and Russia to unblock shipments of grain, food and fertilizer in the Black Sea despite hostilities. The agreement was initially set to expire on November 19, with a possibility of extension if signatories consent. It was extended for 120 days on November 17. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly said that most vessels carrying Ukrainian grain do not reach the world's poorest countries and have ended up in Europe. Putin has also voiced concerns that Russian grain and fertilizer products are not entering the global markets as stipulated by the agreement.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221227/russias-grain-fleet-why-is-west-so-unnerved-about-moscow-growing-independent-1105827047.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/radicals-agenda-in-new-us-congress-unlikely-to-survive-establishment-collusion---experts-1106264921.html

Radicals' Agenda in New US Congress Unlikely to Survive Establishment Collusion - Experts

Radicals' Agenda in New US Congress Unlikely to Survive Establishment Collusion - Experts

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The Wall Street-bought establishment in both parties will likely kill some of the boldest proposals pushed by the Republicans... 13.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-13T00:51+0000

2023-01-13T00:51+0000

2023-01-13T00:46+0000

americas

us

us house of representatives

kevin mccarthy

house speaker

democrats

republicans

collusion

us congress

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The Freedom Caucus, a right-wing faction in the House, might have outsized leverage in the new Congress as the result of a secret pact struck with Speaker Kevin McCarthy that allowed the Republican leader to seize the House gavel after an exhausting four-day inner-party struggle. The small groups reform ideas include cutting defense spending and reining in the power of government, while making the lower chamber more transparent. Earlier this week, House Republican leaders named new heads to run the Foreign Affairs, Judiciary and Homeland Security panels, among others. The new chairs are expected to launch probes into Hunter Biden's business dealings and the Democrats' "weaponization" of federal government. The latter, which was pushed by the Freedom Caucus, will be closely modeled after the 1970s Church Committee which looked into CIA abuses. Establishment WallIndependent journalist and political commentator Sam Husseini suggested the new generation of politicians who questioned establishment orthodoxies could start tackling genuine problems. Some of the concessions McCarthy caved into were things progressives should get behind including the new Church Committee to investigate government wrongdoing. However, he cautioned, new Democratic leadership in the House that succeeded Speaker Nancy Pelosi, looked certain to cooperate in all efforts to block reform. Democratic Party Minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, for example, like many Republican leaders, is also in the pocket of powerful interest groups, Husseini said. Besides, unlike the Freedom Caucus, the Democratic Partys progressive wing failed to make demands of Pelosi when she was soliciting votes to become Speaker in the last Congress. "They didn't do that claiming it wouldn't work. Well, it worked fine for the Republicans," he said. Professor Emeritus of Political Science at California State University Beau Grosscup said the Democrats, under the control of "Wall Street" Democratic National Committee loyalists, want the party to remain a "Lincoln-Neo Conservative lite." In addition, long-standing rivalries between the two parties were likely to contribute to continuing political stalemate, Grosscup advised. Not to mention, rather than cooperate, the Democrats are more likely to exploit divisions within the Republican Party given the latters slim majority. "As long as the Democrats stay united there is a stalemate in the House," Grosscup said. Meanwhile, some are even skeptical that McCarthy himself will try to enact the details of the deal that won him the speakership. Political commentator and former Hedge Fund manager Charles Ortel doubts McCarthy will help the radicals given he was not helpful to former President Donald Trump. Moreover, the new speaker will have a tough time in championing corruption probes. "There are unanswered questions concerning the financial position and personal life of Speaker McCarthy which likely will weaken his ability to tackle endemic corruption in Washington, DC," Ortel added. Dems' Core Agenda Under AttackThe Republican rebels overall still face an uphill battle given their partys majority in the House is slim while the Senate remains under Democratic control. However, US constitutional historian and political commentator Dan Lazare still thinks some of the Freedom Caucus demands will put a ton of pressure on the Democratic Party and the Biden administrations core agenda, including social spending. The right-wing Republican proposals will also make it difficult to lift the ceiling on America's $31-trillion federal debt, Lazare added. Such extreme demands from Republicans controlling the House could present a huge dilemma for the president, Lazare predicted. "It will present the White House with a Hobson's choice: either default on US bonds or default on a social contract going back to FDR and the New Deal," Lazare added. "It ain't gonna be pretty."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/how-could-mccarthy-led-house-influence-bidens-foreign--domestic-strategy-1106256660.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/stress-at-middle-age-raises-risk-of-dementia-later-in-life-for-men-study-claims-1106294532.html

Stress at Middle Age Raises Risk of Dementia Later in Life for Men, Study Claims

Stress at Middle Age Raises Risk of Dementia Later in Life for Men, Study Claims

Psychiatric researchers have warned that stress, depression and fatigue at middle age can increase the risk of men suffering senile dementia later on in life.

2023-01-13T17:24+0000

2023-01-13T17:24+0000

2023-01-13T17:24+0000

science & tech

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The study, published by the American Medical Association's journal JAMA Network Open, found that "through careful modelling, we established a connection between symptoms associated with mental distress and an organic brain disease."Data from the study showed that "psychological distress symptoms were significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause dementia."But the experts stressed that the correlation between mid-life depression and exhaustion and dementia in old age was only seen in men.Senile dementia is characterised by disruption of thought patterns, confusion and loss of memory  for instance about classified government documents in one's garage.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221104/dementia-aint-no-joke-netizens-ponder-reason-for-drill-size-holes-on-veins-of-bidens-hands-1103791269.html

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american medical association, senile dementia, middle age, old age, stress, depression, fatigue
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/the-establishment-is-running-out-of-excuses-for-joe-bidens-mistakes-1106267723.html

The Establishment is Running Out of Excuses for Joe Biden's 'Mistakes'

The Establishment is Running Out of Excuses for Joe Biden's 'Mistakes'

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including more classified documents found at Joe Biden's Delaware home, and AG... 13.01.2023, Sputnik International

2023-01-13T09:01+0000

2023-01-13T09:01+0000

2023-02-03T08:34+0000

the backstory

mexico

confidentiality

church

committee

documents

joe biden

china

ukraine

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The Establishment is Running Out of Excuses for Joe Biden's "Mistakes" On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including more classified documents found at Joe Biden's Delaware home, and AG Merrick Garland appoints a special counsel to investigate Joe Biden.

Manila Chan - Veteran News Anchor and Co-Host of Fault Lines | The New Church Committee, Democrats Panic, and CIA History in UkraineDaniel Lazare - Independent Journalist, Author, and Writer | The Committee to Investigate China, The Freedom Caucus, and Russiagate In the first hour, Lee spoke with Manila Chan about the intelligence agencies, CIA intelligence on Laos, and the culture of Southern California. Manila talked about the lack of accountability on the CIA and how Manila's family was affected by the CIA in Laos. Manila spoke about the arrest of El Chapo's son in Mexico and more documents found at Joe Biden's Delaware residence.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Daniel Lazare about Daniel's mistrust of the Freedom Caucus, Democrats protecting the intelligence agencies, and the WEF plans for Ukraine. Daniel talked about the danger of a committee to investigate China and the Democrats opposed to investigating the Deep State. Daniel explained his opposition to certain Republican Congressmen and the possibility of a war with China.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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mexico, confidentiality, church, committee, documents, , joe biden, china, ukraine, radio
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/their-blood-our-bullets-how-us-training-of-ukrainians-exposes-washingtons-grim-global-strategy-1106295644.html

'Their Blood, Our Bullets': How US Training of Ukrainians Exposes Washington's Grim Global Strategy

'Their Blood, Our Bullets': How US Training of Ukrainians Exposes Washington's Grim Global Strategy

The United States has allocated over $125 million to train more than 26,000 Ukrainian troops since the 2014 coup in Kiev, with Washingtons allies providing instruction to tens of thousands more. What are the strategy's risk?

2023-01-13T17:03+0000

2023-01-13T17:03+0000

2023-01-13T17:03+0000

analysis

ukraine

us

training

military training

training mission

support

military support

assistance

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Ukrainian servicemen being flown into the US to learn how to operate the Patriot air defense battery promised by President Biden last month are expected to begin training as soon as next week, the Pentagon has announced.According to Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder, about 90-100 Ukrainian troops are set to arrive at Fort Sill, Oklahoma for "several months" of intensive training, including classroom study, hands-on drills, and exercises in a simulation lab. "The training will be tailored to provide relevant tactics, techniques and procedures based on the battlefield conditions in Ukraine to enable them to employ that to maximum effect once they are back in Ukraine," Ryder told reporters on Tuesday.Russian officials have warned extensively of the consequences of the Patriot deployment, citing its propensity to escalate the conflict and serve as further proof that the Ukrainian security crisis is really just a proxy conflict between Russia and NATO. President Putin warned in December that Russia would inevitably find an "antidote" to the bulky mobile air defense system, signaling that the two batteries of 12 Patriot launchers promised to Kiev by the US and Germany will inevitably be targeted for destruction by Russian missiles after deploying on Ukrainian soil. President Biden, meanwhile, jumped the gun in celebrating the Patriots' delivery, suggesting last week that they are already "helping a lot," despite not being sent yet.America First OppositionNot everyone in the US is happy about the Ukrainian Patriot crew training on Oklahoma's soil. This week, Oklahoma politician Nathan Dahm, the self-described "most conservative state senator" in the state's Senate, sparked a Twitter feud with neocons and neoliberals alike after demanding that Ukrainian troops be kept out, and filing legislation in the states Senate to keep them out."The Pentagon is planning on sending Ukrainian troops to Oklahoma to train on US missile systems. The last thing we need is them misfiring a missile into Oklahoma, killing our citizens like they did to the innocent Polish lives that were lost," Dahm tweeted, referencing the incident involving a Ukrainian S-300 missile which crashed in Poland in November, killing two Polish citizens  and threatening to ignite World War III as Kiev blamed Russia for the misfire.Dahm spent the following days explaining that the conflict in Ukraine was not Oklahoma's, or America's, to fight, and that "no foreign troops" from a country in active combat should be stationed in the state. "Ukrainian politicians are not Americans, even though the money laundering certainly benefits both them and our own sell-out politicians. What part of Ukraine do you think is America? Find a map that shows America and Ukraine. See a difference?" Dahm wrote in one of several response tweets after being flooded with derisive comments, many of whom he maligned as "foreigners and Twitter bots."Dahms criticism of the Ukrainian training deployment in his state echoes concerns expressed by a small but growing group of Republican lawmakers in Washington about US involvement in a proxy conflict with Russia  with over 50 House lawmakers and 11 senators voting against US aid to Kiev in the last Congress, and the mostly pro-Trump America First crowd of politicians vowing to tighten, if not halt, assistance after Novembers midterms.Training for TyrannyUntil the rise of the 'America First' Republicans, anti-interventionism had long been the preserve of libertarians and the anti-war wing of the Democratic Party, who spent decades warning about the consequences of US interventions abroad, including the training of foreign troops, and sought to restrain the executive wings decision-making power on the matter.US training of foreign militaries dates back to the Cold War and what President John F. Kennedy once characterized as the "twilight struggle"between the USA and the USSR for control of the planet. The Pentagon, the CIA and other agencies provided several kinds of training assistance, from aid to allied conventional armies in Europe and Asia against the Soviets and China, to counterinsurgency support to juntas in Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Congo, Somalia, and much of Latin America, to pro-insurgency aid in places like Nicaragua, Cuba, and Angola.In the 1990s, a number of embarrassing details leaked out about the training being provided to Washingtons foreign partners during the Cold War, revealing that, contrary to assurances that training aid was being sent to shore up democracy and freedom against the godless communists, the US military was giving foreign troops the tools to engage in war crimes.In 1996, for example, the Pentagon released a stack of seven previously classified manuals used in the 1980s for intelligence training at the School of the Americas (SOA) the infamous DoD educational institution at Fort Benning, Georgia which provided foreigners the knowhow to fight in the CIAs "dirty wars." The manuals taught pupils how to summarily execute anti-government fighters, assassinate dissidents, infiltrate social movements, engage in illegal surveillance, torture and physical abuse, how to use drugs to extract information from detainees, and how to engage in blackmail (including through bounties for the release of the bodies of dead enemy combatants).Over 60,000 servicemen from Latin American countries passed through the SOA during the Cold War, and in the late 1990s, growing public pressure inside the US institution contributed to the schools rebranding as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation in 2001.Post-Cold War Training: Propping Up HegemonyThe end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union did not reduce US training of foreign militaries. On the contrary, in the interests of propping up the new world order announced by President George H.W. Bush in 1991, Washington expanded it. According to one estimate, the US spent nearly $15 billion to train some 2.3 million foreign military personnel between 1999 and 2016 alone, with some 71,000 pupils from 157 countries trained in 2019.In a curiously forthright article published on the site of the Modern War Institute, a research center at West Point  one of Americas most prestigious military schools, in 2022, contributor Renanah Miles Joyce admitted that although US training was supposed to include the transmission of "professional norms, or ideas about appropriate behavior," including "respect for human rights and civilian control of the military," the reality was that these attitudes were being taught effectively."In the last decade, US-trained soldiers have launched coups in Mali, Egypt, and Guinea (while in the middle of training with US Army Special Forces); raped children in the Congo; and otherwise abused human rights or defied civilian norms. In response, observers have questioned whether US efforts to impart norms work," Joyce wrote.The author blamed the abuses on blind spots in the US effort to impart liberal norms onto foreign students, apparently not considering the possibility that using the kind of soft power involved in training to impart a particular ideology might almost inevitably give rise to such abuses.From the 2000s on, the US justified its foreign troop training expenditures through the so-called War on Terror, which led to the US invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, the dirty war against Syria, the NATO bombing of Libya in 2011, and ongoing US counterinsurgency operations across much of Africa.According to a 2021 study by Boston Universitys Costs of War project, the US provided "counterterrorism training" to, engaged in military exercises in, launched drone strikes on, or engaged in combat in a total of 85 countries, including most of Africa, virtually the entire Middle East apart from Iran, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia.In recent years, training operations have complemented little-reported on US combat operations in places like Iraq and Syria, Yemen, Niger, Somalia, Kenya and the Philippines, and large-scale troop deployments in Europe and Asia, including directly on Russias borders in the Baltics and elsewhere in Eastern Europe.Washington's Grim EndgameWith the Biden administration on track to continuing to ramp up US military assistance to Ukraine, including training support, it will be up to detractors in the belly of the beast in Washington to challenge such support via protests, activism and legislation.However, so long as the current strategy surrounding aid prevails, achieving that goal may be extremely difficult to accomplish. As both neoconservative and neoliberal commentators have openly declared, training Ukraine to fight Russia is a real bargain for Washington, since its Ukrainians and Russians, not Americans, who have to do the fighting, and the dying."It's money well spent and in my humble opinion this is very much like what Ronald Reagan did back in the 80s, and I do have some experience with that," North said in an interview back in November. [Reagan] believed in supporting freedom fighters. He did it in Latin America, he did it in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique. He did it in Afghanistan. Those people were willing, as the Ukrainian people are, to use their blood and our bullets, the pundit stressed.Timothy Ash over at the Center for European Policy Analysis, a neoliberal Washington think tank, echoed Norths sentiments in a recent article entitled "It's Costing Peanuts for the US to Defeat Russia." The researcher pointed out that the resources being used to support Ukraines war effort are substantially less than the USs overall military budget, and that propping up the regime in Kiev is a prime opportunity for the US to erode and degrade Russia's conventional defense capability, with no boots on the ground and little risk to US lives."Ash gushed about the series of positive policy outcomes for the United States being ensured by the Ukrainian crisis, from raising NATO defense spending, to forcing Europeans to buy American natural gas. "Europe is desperately trying to source alternative energy supplies, and US liquefied natural gas (LNG) is proving to be the obvious beneficiary," he wrote.Ultimately, the CEPA contributor emphasized that "on so many levels, continued US support for Ukraine is a no-brainer from a bang for buck perspective," and that "miring" Russia in "a war it cannot win is a huge strategic win for the US."Until the majority view in Washington changes, or some 'catastrophic and catalyzing event' forces it to change, new 'Ukraine-style' conflicts seem certain to continue.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230111/antonov-patriot-training-courses-for-ukrainians-confirms-us-involvement-in-growing-crisis-1106212067.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220920/african-union-president-tells-unga-continent-wont-be-breeding-ground-of-a-new-cold-war-1101023695.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210726/ex-cia-agent-says-us-wasted-trillions-on-wars-in-iraq--afghanistan-achieved-nothing-1083461497.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230111/speaker-deal-with-conservatives-may-slow-us-defense-spending-but-big-cuts-unlikely-analysts-say-1106216003.html

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Ilya Tsukanov

training, us training, troop training, military training, military, us, ukraine, cold war, post-cold war, rationale
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/turkey-scolds-sweden-over-hanged-erdogan-effigy-in-stockholm-1106268815.html

Turkey Scolds Sweden Over Hanged Erdogan Effigy in Stockholm

Turkey Scolds Sweden Over Hanged Erdogan Effigy in Stockholm

Despite condemnation, the political action may further imperil Swedens stalled NATO bid that rests on Turkeys approval.

2023-01-13T05:24+0000

2023-01-13T05:24+0000

2023-01-13T05:24+0000

military

turkiye

news

scandinavia

nato

kurdish problem

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Turkey has accused Sweden of not taking terrorism seriously after an effigy of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was hanged outside Stockholm City Hall. As a result, Turkey accused Sweden of breach of promise and summoned its ambassador for talks.The meeting that took place on January 12 was confirmed by Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom's press secretary, but its content remained undisclosed.Billstrom himself tweeted the following: "The government protects an open debate about the political choices, but strongly distances itself from threats and hatred against political representatives. Portraying a popularly elected president as being executed outside City Hall is abhorrent."According to the Swedish media, the action was carried out by the so-called Rojava Committees, "a network for solidarity and exchange with the revolutionary movement throughout Kurdistan," which Turkey has labelled as supporters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that it sees as terrorists.Erdogan's spokesman Fahrettin Altun condemned the action "in strongest possible terms" and called on the Swedish authorities to "take the necessary steps without further delay." He also urged Sweden to keep the promises it had made in order to join NATO, adding that expecting concessions from Turkey would be "futile.""That PKK terrorists can challenge the Swedish government at the heart of Stockholm is proof that the Swedish authorities have not taken necessary steps against terrorism," he added.At the same time, the Swedish government reportedly rejected Turkey's request for the extradition of four Turkish citizens. The men were included in Erdogans apparent wish list circulating in the Turkish media of people whom the president and Turkey want extradited.The men are between 26 and 68 years old and, according to Turkey, have connections to the Gulenist movement, which Ankara considers a terrorist organization as well. The charges range from membership of an armed terrorist organization and espionage to attempting a coup against the government. President Erdogan accused the Gulenist movement of being responsible for the failed coup attempt in July 2016, which the movement itself denied.This may further imperil Swedens stalled NATO bid, as its fate rests on Ankara's approval. So far, most of Ankara's demands have involved Sweden's lively ties with the Kurdish diaspora. Stockholm has shown an apparent readiness to go to great lengths and sacrifice principled positions, as it has already lifted the ban on arms exports to Turkey it introduced following Ankaras military operation in northern Syria and publicly renounced cooperation with Kurdish organizations it previously embraced. However, the massive extradition demands are a particularly tough bite for a nation that has modeled itself as a champion of human rights. Earlier this month, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that Turkey has made some demands that Stockholm "cannot meet."In May 2022, Sweden abandoned yet another principle, that of non-alignment, and together with neighboring Finland filed a joint NATO bid, citing a change in the security policy landscape following Russias special military operation in Ukraine.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230109/swedish-pm-on-stalled-nato-bid-turkey-wants-things-stockholm-cannot-give-1106149180.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/what-is-known-so-far-about-classified-docs-found-at-joe-bidens-home--former-office-1106267825.html

What is Known So Far About Classified Docs Found at Joe Biden's Home & Former Office?

What is Known So Far About Classified Docs Found at Joe Biden's Home & Former Office?

What is known so far about Classified documents discovered at Joe Biden's home and former office?

2023-01-13T07:04+0000

2023-01-13T07:04+0000

2023-01-13T07:04+0000

americas

us

joe biden

classified documents

merrick garland

department of justice

special counsel

donald trump

biden classified files

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https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/0c/10/1105515927_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_89d660bdfbefec26e344fe7ccd2f1c21.jpg

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced on January 12 that he had appointed Special Counsel Robert Hur to oversee an investigation into possible unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or other records discovered at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement and the Wilmington, Delaware, private residence of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. AG Garland added that Hur, former US attorney for Maryland, would receive "all the resources he needs to conduct his work."As the investigation of the potential mishandling of sensitive documents by Biden begins, here is what we know so far. Where & When Were the Secret Documents Found?The sensitive papers at the heart of the current scandal involving the US president were found by Joe Biden's attorneys on November 2 - six days before the midterm elections - at the Penn Biden Center, a Washington think tank with the University of Pennsylvania. Biden, who became US president in January 2021, previously served as US vice president between 2008 and 2016, under then-US President Barack Obama.After his VP stint, Biden used a temporary office at the think tank during his time as a University of Pennsylvania professor, from mid-2017 until the start of his 2020 presidential campaign.As Biden's lawyers were clearing out the office and removing Biden's things, they came across documents marked as classified in a locked closet. The files were in a box that included personal documents, including some related to the funeral of Biden's son, Beau Biden, a former US Army soldier who died of brain cancer in 2015. A total of 10 documents with Classified markings, dated between 2013 and 2016, were found on that day. The papers were handed over to the National Archives several hours later.Under the circumstances, Biden's lawyers decided to find out if there were any more such sensitive files stashed away, and on December 20 they discovered, as the White House described it, a small number of classified documents at a garage at Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware. Furthermore, the third batch of docs bearing classified markings was discovered on January 11 at Joe Biden's personal library at his residence in Wilmington.What Were the Classified Docs About?According to US media reports, Joe Bidens attorneys turned over 10 documents with classified markings in the first batch, some of which were labeled with the highest level of government classification. The material, dated between 2013 and 2016, purportedly contained US intelligence memos and briefing materials on topics ranging from Ukraine to Iran and the United Kingdom.What Happened After the Docs Were Discovered?On November 9, 2022, the FBI started an investigation to find out if classified information had been "mishandled" in this case, and whether the Democratic POTUS had violated any federal laws. On November 14, US Attorney General Merrick Garland designated John Lausch, the US attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, to lead the probe and decide if a special counsel should be appointed for the matter. After Lausch briefed AG Garland on the outcome of his preliminary probe, he recommended the appointment of a special counsel.It was only on January 9, 2023, that the White House publicly acknowledged the discovery of the classified documents, adding that it was cooperating with investigators. Eventually, on January 12, AG Garland appointed Robert Hur, the former US attorney for the district of Maryland, as special counsel.What Did Biden Say About the Classified Documents?Surprise was the first reaction from Joe Biden after being briefed on the classified documents discovered at his private office in Washington. Biden, who was attending a trilateral summit with the leaders of Mexico and Canada, confirmed that his lawyers were fully cooperating with a review of the papers, saying, People know I take classified documents, classified information seriously. When confronted by a reporter on the issue on January 12, Biden defended his handling of the sensitive papers found in his garage, bizarrely quipping:What Did the White House Say?According to a White House statement, the classified documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake.However, there has been no official explanation offered as to why the discovery of the documents at the Washington office had been kept under a lid ahead of the midterm elections, or why the files found at the Wilmington residence were first reported on by the media this week.How Did the GOP React?Congressional Republicans swiftly vowed to probe the president's alleged mishandling of government records. Some GOP lawmakers accused Joe Biden of hypocrisy after he labeled his predecessor Donald Trump's actions pertaining to the handling of sensitive government papers totally irresponsible in September. Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. James Comer (R., Ky.), has launched an investigation, saying the panel was concerned that President Biden has compromised sources and methods with his own mishandling of 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, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La), the new House majority leader, added.Ex-President Trump, currently under criminal investigation by the Justice Department over a stash of classified government documents stored at his Florida estate after leaving office, wondered if the FBI would "raid the many homes of Joe Biden, perhaps even the White House," similarly to how agents raided his own Mar-a-Lago mansion in August of 2022.Trump commented on his Truth Social platform: What Will Happen Next?In accordance with the Presidential Records Act, at the end of an administration, White House records are to go to the National Archives and Records Administration. However, as is evident in this case, classified documents remained with Joe Biden after his tenure as vice president.James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, has already sent letters to the White House Counsels Office and the National Archives, requesting:The information is to be handed over by a January 24 deadline. Furthermore, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) General Counsel Gary Stern and NARA Director of Congressional Affairs John Hamilton are to be available for transcribed interviews with committee staff no later than January 17.Rep. Mike Turner, new GOP chair of the House Intelligence Committee, called on the director of National Intelligence to conduct a damage assessment for the classified papers discovered at Bidens private office, writing:Those entrusted with access to classified information have a duty and an obligation to protect it. This issue demands a full and thorough review.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230111/biden-surprised-to-learn-classified-records-were-found-at-his-private-office-1106211331.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/bidens-classified-memo-saga-shows-us-internal-political-crisis-is-worsening-observers-say-1106245182.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20221118/ag-garland-appoints-special-counsel-to-investigate-trump-on-mar-a-lago-docs-capitol-riot--1104411066.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230112/snowden-says-biden-seems-to-have-absconded-with-more-classified-docs-than-whistleblowers-1106250975.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230113/what-is-the-2s4-tyulpan-supermortar-and-how-many-does-russia-have-1106286506.html

What is the 2S4 Tyulpan Supermortar and How Many Does Russia Have?

What is the 2S4 Tyulpan Supermortar and How Many Does Russia Have?

Russia has deployed a range of heavy artillery systems in the Donbass against heavily fortified Ukrainian positions, including the 2S4 Tyulpan (lit. Tulip) self-propelled mortar. What makes them so deadly? Sputnik takes a look.

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The Russian military released footage of an 2S4 Tylupan heavy mortar system in action last week, showing it pounding fortified Ukrainian positions with the assistance of a reconnaissance drone.Whats the Difference Between Mortars and Howitzers?Mortars are a type of artillery designed to fire shells at a high-angle trajectory. The weapons can be man-portable and compact, firing small shells, or require the use of a mortar carrier, be it a truck chassis or heavy tracked chassis. Typically, the larger the mortars gun, the longer its effective firing range, and the bigger its explosive ordnance. While smaller, man-portable mortars like the US M224 have a range of just a few kilometers, the Tyulpan can accurately fire large shells distances between 9.6 km and 20 km (the latter using special, extended range munitions).In that sense, the 2S4 almost transcends the standard definition of a mortar  which generally means short-range fire capability, and approaches ranges more typical of heavy guns and howitzers  whose range varies between 20 and 30 km, and which can lob shells weighing up to several hundred kilograms. Accounting for their design to fire at long ranges, howitzers have a lower maximum elevation than mortars, typically 70 and 75 degrees. This trajectory means there is a dangerous dead zone at which howitzers cannot fire, making them vulnerable to enemy attacks if the enemy approaches too close.What is the 2S4 Mortar, How Many Does Russia Have, and How Much Do They Cost?The 2S4 Tyulpan is the most powerful self-propelled mortar in the world, featuring a 240 mm caliber barrel capable of firing conventional high explosive rounds weighing between 130 kg and 230 kg, customized laser-guided, armor-piercing, and cluster munitions, and, if necessary, even battlefield tactical nukes.The system was designed and built in the late 1960s at the Uraltransmash railway and defense enterprise in Omsk, Siberia by veteran tank and self-propelled gun platform designer Georgy Sergeevich Efimov, whose other designs include tank destroyers, self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, and the 2S3 Akatsiya self-propelled howitzer.Over 580 Tyulpans were produced between 1969 and 1988, with the systems introduced into the Soviet military in 1972. In addition to Russia, Tyulpans were used by other Soviet republics, as well as Czechoslovakia. A handful of systems were exported to Iraq, Libya, and Syria. Russia was estimated to have had about 390 Tyulpans in storage, and 40 operational systems, in 2021. The price of a Tyulpan in 1972 was 210,000 Soviet rubles  about $240,000 US  or $1.7 million in todays dollars.The 2S4 Tylupan uses the M-420 gun originally a Soviet towed mortar developed in the immediate post-WWII period and produced through most of the 1950s. The towed variant of the gun has largely been retired, although Iraq, Syria, and Ukraine are each assumed to have an unknown number of the systems in their inventories.The Tyulpan was created during the Cold War, as the armies of NATO and the Warsaw Pact faced off against one another in the heart of Central Europe, and was designed to aid the defense of Eastern Europe, and, if necessary, to mount a counteroffensive to drive NATO forces from Germany and out of continental Europe. When the weapon was created, Soviet military planners and Efimov could scarcely imagine that it would one day be used in a proxy conflict between Russia and NATO in Ukraine, which used to be a Soviet republic.What Other Mortar Systems Does Russia Use?In the course of the Second World War, the USSR became the worlds premier artillery and mortar-producing power, with the legendary BM-13 and BM-31 Katyusha rocket launchers, 160mm and 280mm mortars, anti-tank guns, and other artillery systems demonstrating the supreme importance of these types of weapons in massive ground battles against Nazi Germany and its allies. In the decades after World War II, Soviet and Russian weapons makers built literally dozens of different types of mortars, guns, howitzers, and naval guns. Today, the Russian militarys mortar inventory includes the 2B9 Vasilek 82 mm gun-mortar, the 2B11 and 2B14 light mortars, the 2S12 Sani 120 mm heavy mortar, and the 2S9 Nona  a mortar system mounted aboard an air-droppable BTR-D armored vehicle chassis to support in operations behind enemy lines.What is the Biggest Mortar in the US Militarys Inventory?Americas experiences in the Second World War and the Cold War were different, with Pentagon planners paying a heavier focus on fighter and long-range bomber systems when it came to operations against enemy forces. Subsequently, the Pentagons inventory of mortar weapons differs from that of modern-day Russias. The US militarys mortars are generally smaller, shorter-ranged systems used by the infantry, such as the M19 light, smoothbore, muzzle-loading light infantry support mortar, and the M252, a British-designed mortar used for long-range indirect fire (the latter has a range of up to 6 km). The United States also has over 1,000 Soltam K6 Israeli-designed 120mm mortars in its inventory, with that system capable of firing 14 kg high explosive rounds distances of up to 7.2 km. Finally, theres the aforementioned M224 60 mm Lightweight Company Mortar System (LWCMS), which fires 6.5-6.9 kg shells, and with a weight of about 21 kg, can be carried around by individual troops.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220627/military-experts-cia--nato-commandos-deployed-in-ukraine-show-kiev-is-proxy-in-us-war-on-russia-1096682341.html

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The Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association will be hosting a breeders meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17, via Zoom at 7 p.m.

It is encouraged for all Nova Scotia breeders to join in on the meeting. If you have not received an email notification and are a Nova Scotia breeder and would like to attend, contact Debbie Francis at [email protected].

(Nova Scotia Harness Racing Industry Association)
State Sen. Steve Erdman says his own experience with the Heartland Expressway project shows farmers and ranchers dont get nearly enough when eminent domain takes their land.

The District 47 lawmaker Thursday introduced Legislative Bill 394, which would greatly expand the range of costs landowners would receive if state or local governments seize their land for various public purposes.

Erdman, who farms south of Nebraska Highway L-62A north of Bayard in northwest Morrill County, said the bill in part reflects what he himself expects to face when two lanes are added to the highway for the Heartland Expressway.

Efforts have been under way since the 1990s to provide a four-lane highway most of the way through the Panhandle between Denver and Rapid City, South Dakota.

It includes four-lane stretches of Nebraska Highway 71 from Kimball to Gering and Scottsbluff and U.S. Highway 26 from Scottsbluff to Minatare. State officials last fall dedicated another four-lane segment on U.S. 385 between Alliance and the Nebraska L-62A junction.

Erdman told the North Platte Telegraph before the 2023 session opened Jan. 4 that the Nebraska Department of Transportation might only take 3 or 4 acres of his land south of the highway linking U.S. 26 and 385.

But the way center pivots operate, he said, means hell effectively lose 20 acres of production capability to the four-lane project.

How much is it worth to me that you forced me to sell something I dont want to sell? Erdman said.

LB 394 would require the government seizing agland to pay twice the lands fair market value, compared with basic fair market value for other land.

The government would continue to pay the landowners abstracting expenses and reasonable severance damages. In the case of agland, the bill says, the latter would have to include the replacement cost of homes, garages, sheds, barns, wells, septic systems, fences and other permanent structures.

Also Thursday, first-year Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering introduced his first bill, LB 342, which would lengthen the registration term for home inspectors from one to two years.

In other bills introduced Thursday by western Nebraska senators:

Gordon Sen. Tom Brewer and Erdman proposed in Legislative Resolution 21 that senators create a special Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Study Committee. Senators on such a panel would explore the feasibility of retrofitting or converting fossil fuel power plants to be powered by miniature nuclear reactors, a concept in its infancy worldwide.

Erdman introduced LB 397, a fresh version of a bill he offered in 2021 to relocate Nebraska Game and Parks Commission headquarters from Lincoln to Sidney. He said then it would make commission staff more responsive to western constituents, adding that they could be housed in Sidneys former Cabelas headquarters.

Brewer and Erdman introduced the Nebraska Pheasant Restoration Act (LB 400), which would require Game and Parks to pay a $10 bounty for each pheasant predator killed between March 1 and July 1. People 16 and older could gain a permanent fur-harvesting permit and habitat stamp to participate.

LB 396, introduced by Erdman, resumes an effort by former Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte to require sale of surface land of water augmentation projects while retaining the lands water rights. Groenes successor, Sen. Mike Jacobson, is a cosponsor of the bill aimed mainly at southern Lincoln Countys 11-year-old NCORPE project that diverts groundwater into the Platte and Republican river basins.
The Alliance Arts Council is sponsoring a program by Nebraska State Poet, Matt Mason, on Friday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Alliance High School Performing Arts Center. This program is open to the public and tickets are available at Carnegie Arts Center, Redmans Shoes or at the door. Mason will also be working with Alliance elementary students from Jan. 16-20.

During the Friday night program Mason will showcase some of the fourth-grade students that he has been working with all week, letting us hear their work and their creative ideas, said Cindy Randall, with the Alliance Arts Council. He will then read poems of his own and have a discussion and Q&A, so bring any questions you might have about poetry, poets, being state poet or any other questions that you may have for him. Mason is known for poetry infused with humor and energy, so it will be a fun evening.
Scottsbluff Public Schools has been awarded a School Based Mental Health (SBMH) Services Grant by the United States Department of Education.

The purpose of the SBMH program is to provide competitive grants to state and local educational agencies and local educational agency consortia to increase the number of credentialed mental health services providers offering school-based mental health services to students in locations with demonstrated need.

The five-year, $6.3 million grant is the largest competitive award ever received by Scottsbluff Public Schools. Only 102 grantees were chosen from across the nation. Wendy Kemling, SBPS executive director of student services, led the grant writing effort and will oversee its implementation.

This competitive federal grant will build on our successes and give us the resources to expand programming to allow us to further address our students mental health and well-being, which will bring substantial and long-term benefits to our students, families, and community, said Kemling.

Scottsbluff Public School Districts SBMH Services Grant is designed to strengthen the districts ongoing implementation of strategies in the areas of trauma informed practices, restorative practices, universal support practices and systems, and other areas that promote healthy student behaviors and attitudes.

The grant will allow us to continue the successful programs and services piloted through our current School Climate Transformation Grant, as well as expand our already existing mental health services, said Andrew Dick, SBPS superintendent.

The grant dollars will fund school based mental health work such as professional development and training for teachers and staff, social and emotional screening to better identify students with behavioral and emotional needs to initiate timely administration of interventions, expand licensed mental health therapy services to students, and expansion of interventions to ensure all students who are struggling with behavioral and emotional issues have access to support. To support this work, SBPS will hire school based social workers for the five year duration of the grant.

In addition to providing a mechanism for sustaining current successful district programs while also expanding existing mental health services, this federal grant will invest a significant portion of the $6.3M directly into our local economy, Dick said.<&rule>
Cross-border land ports bustling again as restrictions lifted

By Li Yingqing in Kunming, Yuan Hui in Hohhot, Zhang Li in Nanning, Palden Nyima in Lhasa, and Zou Shuo in Beijing (China Daily) 09:25, January 13, 2023

Inbound travelers cross the China-Vietnam Nanxi River Bridge at Hekou Port, Yunnan province, on Sunday. The port is the largest in Yunnan on the Vietnamese border. LI XIAOPEI/FOR CHINA DAILY

Officials, businesses welcome return of travelers and goods

At 8 am on Sunday, Yan Feng arrived at the land port of Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on a cross-border bus from Russia. She was traveling to her hometown of Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang province, for a reunion with family members and friends for the upcoming Spring Festival holiday.

Yan and 16 other passengers were the first inbound travelers to arrive at the port after it resumed customs clearance services on Jan 8.

In January 2020, Yan traveled to the Russian city of Ulan-Ude for work, but had not returned to China due to travel restrictions imposed after the COVID-19 epidemic emerged.

"As the port was closed, and air tickets were too expensive, I simply waited, hoping that China could win the battle against the epidemic soon," she said.

With the nation downgrading COVID-19 management measures from Class A to Class B on Jan 8, inbound passengers are only required to present a negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours of travel, and no longer need to quarantine.

Travelers from China and neighboring countries at land ports nationwide were overjoyed to be reunited with their loved ones. Local officials and businesses also welcomed the return of customers and goods, along with the hustle and bustle at border cities.

Yan said: "I am very excited. For the past three years, I have been looking forward to the border reopening, as I really wanted to return home. I have been so sad not to have been with my parents and children."

Manzhouli, the largest land border port in China, processes more than 65 percent of Sino-Russian trade via land transportation. In 2019, the port handled 32.59 million metric tons of cargo and 1.9 million trips by travelers, according to figures from the facility.

At the port of Youyiguan in Pingxiang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, which borders Vietnam, customs authorities used lanterns, flowers and potted plants to welcome travelers.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Liang Jun)
Customs officers of the Changsha Huanghua International Airport inspect fresh-cut roses imported from Africa in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Jan. 12, 2023. A total of 3,000 fresh-cut roses from Nairobi, Kenya, landed Thursday morning in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, marking the first batch of African flowers exported to Hunan in almost three years. (Changsha Customs/Handout via Xinhua)

CHANGSHA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A total of 3,000 fresh-cut roses from Nairobi, Kenya, landed Thursday morning in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, marking the first batch of African flowers exported to Hunan in almost three years.

These flowers, after passing through all inspection and quarantine procedures, will serve the booming flower market ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, the most important and grandest traditional festival of the year in China.

Traditionally, the Chinese purchase flowers before the Spring Festival for decoration or good luck in the upcoming year, with red flowers being the most popular.

Kenyan flowers, especially Kenyan roses, enjoy a good market presence worldwide because of their large heads, straight stem length, and long-lasting vase life, according to a staffer with Hunan Xiyue culture media, the importer, adding that the company will continue importing more Kenyan flowers to serve the soaring demand.

According to the animal and plant inspection department of Changsha Customs, as flowers are delicate and perishable products, they have launched a "declare in advance" service to facilitate its declaration and ensure the safe and rapid clearance of flowers. 
Oregon-native Elaine Cockrell is set to discuss her 2022 novel A Shrug of the Shoulders  about Japanese American internment in the U.S. during World War II  this month in Longview.

Cockrell will host a workshop at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 24 in Main 148 on the Lower Columbia College campus, 1600 Maple St., Longview as part of the next Northwest Voices. Then, at 5:30 p.m. she will speak about her novel in the Longview Public Library's magazine reading room.

Her novel looks at Japanese-American perseverance and spans settings such as the Portland Assembly Center and internment camps like Minidoka in Idaho, according to event organizers.

Cockrell grew up in Adrian, Oregon, graduated from Eastern Oregon University and taught literature and writing to middle and high school students for years.

Northwest Voices is funded by the Longview Public Library, LCC, Friends of the Longview Library, the Longview Library Foundation, and the LCC Foundation.
Filed state education bills that would have a direct effect on Southwest Washington prioritize students earning dual credit while in high school and eliminating cost barriers to programs like Running Start.

The Legislative possibilities come as State Superintendent Chris Reykdal said seeing a rise in enrollment, facility and transportation improvements, and more student access to emotional health resources will stay on the top of priorities for the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction this year.

Each lawmaking hearing is an education session, Reykdal said in a news conference Monday, the start of the 105-day state Legislative session.

Not every school district has access to reliable resources, he said, especially in rural areas. This is where lawmakers can support an all hands on-deck approach that ties schools with community partners.

Reykdal has also advocated for expanding access to career and technical education, addressing students who come from low-income backgrounds and helping rural school districts get more educational resources that promote post-graduation career paths.

Trades

Multiple lawmakers are advocating for state educational service districts to work with the OSPI and make two regional apprenticeship pilot programs. Essentially, if the bill passes in its original form, it will implement one pilot program each on the west and east side of the Cascade mountains beginning December 2026.

These pilot programs would coordinate with local school districts, state-tribal schools and stakeholders like labor unions and industry groups to develop ways for high school students  specifically in rural and smaller districts  to start a possible career in a trade or industry while still finishing their education.

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Many educational service districts, which serve regional school districts, already host ways for students to become more involved with their local trades. Southwest Washingtons service district, ESD No. 112, developed Flipped internships that have offered high schoolers ways to begin work with local businesses, construction and apprenticeships.

College credit in high school

Dual credit has become one focus for Reykdal, with the Legislature considering several bills that would expand access to these programs by removing cost barriers for low-income students.

Students attending high schools in Cowlitz County sometimes opt into Running Start, where they can finish their high school education while also earning college credits.

One bill would also require OSPI to subsidize many expenses of certain dual-credit programs: student-voted fees, technology fees, course costs, laboratory fees and textbooks.

This would require OSPI to give each higher education institution $1,000 per fulltime eligible student each academic year.

The bill would also subsidize tuition fees for eligible students enrolled in college through their high school programs, cost for taking Advanced Placement or other related tests and transcription fees for students enrolled in career and technical education courses.

Eligible students include those eligible for free or reduced lunches and families whose income would qualify their student for the Washington state college grant.

Other bills floating through the Legislature would also require school districts to let students know about financial assistance and require higher education institutions to provide dual-credit enrollment at no cost for students in 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

More financial assistance for the Running Start program, special education and capital projects could also pass this year.
The Longview City Council is voting Thursday night to break off from the county's homeless housing program and create their own version.

A proposed resolution would have the city create a longterm plan for handling homelessness and a task force to guide the process, as well as keeping their share of document recording fees to help pay for some of those developments. The move would carve out Longview from the plan and task force currently being run by Cowlitz County.

Councilmembers Mike Wallin and Ruth Kendall are bringing the proposal to the council. Wallin said the city has spent the last several years participating in the county's homeless task force without seeing many results and felt increasingly frustrated with the lack of urgency from the county commissioners.

"We have been expecting our county leaders to collaborate and cooperate to help us with this and they haven't. I can't speak for other cities, but I think many of us are feeling left behind by the county," Wallin said.

The conflict reached a tipping point with the recent decisions on HOPE Village when the county commissioners chose not to provide any funding for the program.

Washington state law requires counties to create a task force to manage their five-year homeless housing plan. Cities may choose to create their own program that meets the same requirements as the county versions, and places like Moses Lake and Wenatchee have opted to take that approach in recent years.

"The county gets the fees, but the cities are the ones that have been battling this issue and are coming up with the solutions," said Kris Swanson, Longview's assistant city manager.

The city would keep its share of the document recording fees by creating its own homeless task force. The exact amount depends on real estate excise taxes and varies between years, but it would provide Longview roughly $300,000 per year or 30% of the total amount received by Cowlitz County. Longview would also be able to seek grants and other state funding for programs within the city limits.

Wallin said the city could use its housing program to support projects like HOPE Village, as well as new efforts like dedicated parking spaces for people living in their vehicles or building permanent supportive housing.

"We're not doing it fully alone because we have the community partners to help us. But we have to lead them where to provide these services," Wallin said.

Thursday night's council meeting will begin with a workshop on affordable housing in Longview. The discussion expands on an idea the City Council hashed out in November to create a Public Development Authority that would invest in local housing projects.
Upcoming roadwork on 46th Avenue in West Longview is the first of several large-scale city road projects slated for 2023.

The city is hosting an open house for the upcoming 46th Avenue reconstruction on Jan. 23, beginning at 3:30 p.m. on the second floor of City Hall. The open house will focus on answering neighbors questions about how the road closures and construction will affect them.

The road improvements between Olympia Way and Ocean Beach Highway are intended to help local pedestrians and children attending Robert Gray Elementary School. Longview is adding a sidewalk, bike lanes and street parking spaces, as well as repaving the road and replacing a bridge over the neighborhoods water cutoff slough.

The Longview City Council is scheduled to vote on the $4.7 million construction contract for the project Thursday night. If approved, Public Works Director Ken Hash said the work will start within six to eight weeks and will likely continue for several months due to the bridge portion.

The 46th Avenue repairs will be paid for with $3 million from a state Transportation Improvement Board grant, $1.1 million from Longviews water and sewer fund and the remaining money from the federal government.

Washington Way

Further down the line is a larger set of roadwork coming to Washington Way. The planned road renovations call for repaving large sections of the road between R.A. Long Park and 34th Avenue, along with improving traffic signals and surfaces at four of the busiest intersections along that stretch.

The construction will make Washington Way one of Longviews first major Complete Street projects under the master plan the City Council approved last year. Longview received $4.8 million in federal grants for the Washington Way project.

Hash said the final design and details of the project will be discussed during a City Council workshop in February before the roadwork goes out to bid. One of the biggest decisions is whether to keep the road as four lanes or narrow it to three lanes, creating a center turn lane and larger bike lanes, which Hash said would help to reduce accidents without significantly slowing down drivers.

A survey is available through the city website for people to give their opinions about what Washington Way should prioritize, especially when it comes to parking and bicycle access. Hash said the roadwork would likely start after the citys Fourth of July events.

The City Council workshop on roads will also include discussion about the planned street and culvert changes on Beech Street.
Longview Parks and Recreation is hosting a new race: A 10K with a route over the Lewis and Clark Bridge which spans the Columbia River between Oregon and Washington.

The race is set to start at 7 a.m., April 23 at the Rainier City Park in Rainier and end at Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview. The race costs $75 to join and children 10 and under can join for free if they accompany a paid adult. The registration deadline is April 7.

A shuttle service will be available to take people between locations after the race.

Organizers say people who join the event will enjoy the beauty and industry of the Pacific Northwest from a unique vantage point by traversing the historic bridge that opened in 1930. The roadway spans the river 210 feet above the water, and the top steel spans it at 340 feet, according to organizers.

Learn more at www.r2lbridgerun.com.
Today, OPPO Malaysia just launched a new OPPO A78 5G phone model. It will be available from 14 January 2023 onwards for RM1099 in Glowing Purple and Glowing Black. Interested customers can purchase the phone at all My OPPO Space, OPPO Brand Stores, OPPO Official Online Store, OPPO Authorised Online Store, Chain Store Partners, E-comm partners and telco partners such as Maxis and U-mobile.

In terms of tech specs, one of the highlights would be the OPPO A78 5G's 5000mAh battery pack with its 33W SuperVOOC flash charge technology. It also has 8GB of RAM plus 8GB more via expandable memory. It's also worth mentioning that its 50MP main camera is capable of taking 108MP images due to the Ultra-Clear Image feature that upscales the resolution.

Besides that, the OPPO A78 5G features a 6.56-inch 90Hz display, a pair of stereo speakers with Real Original Sound Technology, MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, 128GB of storage with 1TB microSD memory expansion and runs on ColorOS 13 based on Android 13. OPPO also said the phone is quite durable against scratches and abrasion, as well as resistant to water splashes.

For Celcom and Digi users, the A78 5G will only be available from 7 February onwards. Customers purchasing at OPPO Brand Stores will also receive a free OPPO band worth RM159. Stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.
Team POLAR's rover Ice Cube in the Norwegian snow. Credit: Laurenz Edelmann, team POLAR

Team Polar, a student team at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), took their first rover to perform research in the Norwegian snow in the first week of January. The team is dedicated to developing an independent rover that can perform Antarctic research. This is their first working prototype and the team is eager to set a benchmark for future developments. They will present their findings and the rover itself at the reveal event, January 20, 2023.

The Earth is facing its biggest problem in centuries: climate change. To fight climate change, we need to understand better the factors behind it. However, understanding it requires gathering information about our planet in places where nature is still pristine and more or less unaffected by climate change, as well as places where the consequences of global warming and climate change can be observed first-hand. Circumstances like that are usually found in extremely cold and remote environments like the Arctics, Antarctica, and the oldest glaciers. At the moment, research is often carried out inefficiently and in very expensive and unsustainable ways.

Team Polar wants to create an alternative way to do extensive environmental research in the coldest places on our planet by developing an unmanned rover. This rover will eventually operate and perform research all by itselfsimilar to how the Martian rovers operate on the surface of Marsand collect invaluable data about the effects of climate change. The team started its mission in 2018 and now presents its first working prototype: the rover "Ice Cube."

Research in the snow

Development of the rover took place at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, a country notoriously devoid of deep snow most winters these days. That's why the team took their rover to Trondheim in Norway, to see how their first rover "Ice Cube" performs in the snow. "We can test a lot of things in our lab, but not how the rover drives in the snow, how the solar panels handle the snow and temperatures, and how cold it will get inside the rover and how quickly it becomes very cold," explains team manager Laurenz Edelmann.

"We have built our first rover with off-the-shelf components. That may or may not present some challenges for us. And, we may find that certain components will need to be custom-made and designed for future rover models. That's why this rover will be a benchmark for us and for future teams." The rover will be remote controlled for now, allowing the team to hand-pick the locations they want to study on this trip. This allowed the team to gather essential insights that can help the team to ensure that their next rover will be fit for a mission to Antarctica.

Inspiring other teams

The team was in Norway to run their experiments from January 4 until January 8. There, they saw their rover drive through the snow naturally. They also determined which components worked fine, and discovered a handful of items that broke and needed replacing. "Overall, we were super impressed with the way Ice Cube tackled the snow and handled itself," says Edelmann. "We gathered valuable data, and great footage to present at our event." There was also time set aside on the return journey to the Netherlands to visit other universities. "We love to maintain good relations with other student teams at technical universities in Europe. That's why we made sure to present our rover at the universities of Trondheim (NTNU), Kopenhagen (DTU), and Braunschweig (NFF)," explains Edelmann.

"We hope to inspire and inform local student teams how to tackle an ambitious goal, such as building an Antarctic research rover successfully. And, of course, to forge new alliances and collaborations with our colleagues at other institutions."
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A team of Chinese researchers proposed an Internet of Light network where LEDs can be taken as nodes with customized sensors to collect information such as light intensity, color, the level of hazardous gas and moving objects. All of these nodes constitute the sensor network. Credit: Intelligent and Converged Networks, Tsinghua University Press

When it comes to efficiency and quality, light-emitting diodes (LED) are the MVP of today's lighting technology. A team of Chinese researchers are using recent LED improvements as a springboard to launch a more interconnected illumination network.

In their study published on September 30, 2022 in Intelligent and Converged Networks, they proposed the concept of an Internet of Light that interfaces with the Internet of Things to improve human health and well-being by providing information services.

"As people spend more and more time indoors, it is absolutely necessary to provide an illumination network that offers intelligent lighting along with information services by combining information technologies with communication technologies," said Jian Song, Tsinghua University professor of electronic engineering.

Since LED is silicon-based, it can facilitate deep integration of illumination networks with different electronic and intelligent control mechanisms at low cost. On top of illumination control, researchers from information and communication technology (ICT) areas have demonstrated the feasibility of something called visible light communication (VLC), which transmits information by modulating LED light intensity. This form of communication could simultaneously support information services such as localization, data transmission and even optical therapy without causing eyestrain or damage.

"The rapid progress in the related areas of ICT and human science motivated us to propose the idea of Internet of Light (IoL) as a platform and develop its key functionalities," Song said.

To integrate IoL with ubiquitous illumination networks, the researchers combined sensors, communication modules and smart processing units into individual LED lamps to form a "node," and adopted telecommunication technologies, such as powerline communications (PLC) and 5G wireless communications as the means of networking.

An IoL sensor network comprised of specially designed sensing nodes can collect information such as light intensity, color, the level of hazardous gas, moving objects and more.

Applications of this type of IoL include "smart" nursing homes where a resident can be located for safety and security reasons or a kitchen gas leakage can be detected in time. Automatic adjustments in light intensity or color can customize a comfortable environment according to user preference or as a means to conduct optical therapy.

To accommodate these functionalities effectively and efficiently, the researchers developed algorithms and conducted hardware experiments to demonstrate system performance for high-speed data delivery. This included experimenting with real-time beam alignment VLC design that can swiftly adjust the direction of the emitting light source according to the user's position.

The researchers investigated resource optimization under different constraints such as communication and location services to allocate different frequencies and power, as well as communication and illumination to meet a variety of illumination requirements including intensity and uniformity.

"As both communication and position services will be carried out by the illumination networks, optimization of power allocation is critical," said Hui Yang, Tsinghua University professor of electronic engineering.

To support applications such as video transmission and real-time positioning, researchers are exploring scheduling algorithms that can accommodate a base station's stringent timing requirements and minimize latency.

Previous studies demonstrated that light can be used to treat certain dermatoses or neurodegenerative diseases, showing the possibility for non-intrusive optical treatment. The team explored this possibility by designing an experiment of light stroboscopic irradiation with flicker frequency of LED light.

"The preliminary results of our investigation confirmed the relationship between light stimulation and human reaction by electrodermal activity signal and other methods," said Xiaofei Wang, Tsinghua University professor of electronic engineering. "This demonstrates that an IoL platform can possibly regulate human emotions and brain activity by controlling the flicker frequency of the light source intelligently and automatically."

In future steps, the researchers plan to integrate individual technologies into an environment like a nursing facility, which could benefit from smart sensing, communications and optimization under resource constraints, according to the study.

The combination of lighting and environment creates a highly interactive, complex and dynamic system with huge discrepancy and great diversity for individual people," said Luoxi Hao, professor in the Tongji University College of Architecture and Urban Planning. "The advantages of real-time perception, instantaneous response and seamless information interconnection supported by IoL can surely play an important role in bringing a human-centric lighting concept into reality."

More information: Jian Song et al, Internet of light: Technologies and applications, Intelligent and Converged Networks (2022). DOI: 10.23919/ICN.2022.0018 The paper is also available on SciOpen (www.sciopen.com/article/10.23919/ICN.2022.0018) by Tsinghua University Press.

Provided by Tsinghua University Press
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SEM fractographs demonstrating (a) a pore-like flaw, microcrack, and crack on the fracture surface, and (b) a pore-like flaw, which resulted in macroscopic splitting failure under compression. Credit: IEEE Access (2017). DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2017.2777532

Researchers at Bournemouth University have developed and patented a new corrosion sensor that could improve safety and reliability of large structures such as bridges, aircraft, military vehicles and gas pipelines.

The devicedetails of which are covered in a 2017 paper in IEEE Accesscan detect defects and risks in major infrastructure at a much earlier stage than the methods that are currently used. As well as improving safety, it could reduce the need for time consuming repairs which can come at significant cost and inconvenience to industries and the public.

"Our doctors often encourage us to take health screenings regularly, so they can diagnose conditions at an early stage which gives us better options for treatment," said Zulfiqar Khan Professor of Design Engineering and Computing at Bournemouth University who led the development.

"This sensor works on the same principal. If we can spot health risks in vehicles and mechanical structures before corrosion reaches an advanced and dangerous stage, we can avoid costly, lengthy repairs and hopefully prevent structures from being scrapped altogether."

Whilst other corrosion sensors are used by industryand some can even be bought on eBaythey all require cables to be plugged in to a computer. This means that maintenance must take place with a worker present at the site. Professor Khan's device is wireless so it can be attached to a structure and its readings could be continuously monitored off-site.

As a further benefit, the sensor can be used on any kind of surface, whereas most current devices only work on metallic surfaces which the electricity from the sensor must pass through.

"The aerospace industry, for example, would prefer a sensor which can detect failures beneath non-metallic coatings. Currently this involves removing a patch of the non-conductive coating to make the conductive surface availablethis could be counter-productive as it can initiate corrosion more rapidly," explained Professor Khan.

"Unmonitored failures lead to costly consequences. Scheduled inspections are tedious, time consuming and are mostly limited to visual or surface failures. Our latest sensor technology is a futuristic, much needed solution. It can work remotely, it works on metallic and non-metallic surfaces and can detect defects several millimeters below the surface which are not visible to the naked eye," he continued.

Professor Khan's product is the latest development from a series of research projects which began over a decade ago at the Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset. The museum holds one of the most significant collections of tanks and military vehicles in the world. Professor Khan's team applied their expertise to develop a means to monitor corrosion in the vehicles to help preserve their cultural heritage.

This work ultimately led to the development of a 2.5 million conservation center for the most at-risk tanks. The team also identified maintenance work which could be carried on some tanks so they could be driven safely at showgrounds and the public could see them in action.

The technology has now been granted patents in the UK and the US and Professor Khan and his team are keen to work with partners so that it can be rolled out across industry and engineering and construction companies can start realizing the benefits. As well as benefits for operational infrastructure, the device would help companies with large fleets of vehicles or machinery that may be kept in depots and not regularly used or serviced.

"It is a bit like coming home from work and deciding you want some food that has been at the back of the cupboard, only to find that it is past its use-by date," he said. "Our device can continually monitor mechanical structures to ensure they always remains in date and will not have to be thrown out," Professor Khan concluded.
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Lius lab in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) developed a more compact flow battery cell configuration that reduces the size of the cell by 75%, and correspondingly reduces the size and cost of the entire flow battery. Credit: Georgia Institute of Technology

Clean energy is the leading solution for climate change. But solar and wind power are inconsistent at producing enough energy for a reliable power grid. Alternatively, lithium-ion batteries can store energy but are a limited resource.

"The advantage of a coal power plant is it's very steady," said Nian Liu, an assistant professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. "If the power source fluctuates like it does with clean energy, it makes it more difficult to manage, so how can we use an energy storage device or system to smooth out these fluctuations?"

Flow batteries offer a solution. Electrolytes flow through electrochemical cells from storage tanks in this rechargeable battery. The existing flow battery technologies cost more than $200/kilowatt hour and are too expensive for practical application, but Liu's lab in the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) developed a more compact flow battery cell configuration that reduces the size of the cell by 75%, and correspondingly reduces the size and cost of the entire flow battery. The work could revolutionize how everything from major commercial buildings to residential homes are powered.

The all-Georgia Tech research team published their findings in the paper, "A Sub-Millimeter Bundled Microtubular Flow Battery Cell With Ultra-high Volumetric Power Density," in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Finding the flow

Flow batteries get their name from the flow cell where electron exchange happens. Their conventional design, the planar cell, requires bulky flow distributors and gaskets, increasing size and cost but decreasing overall performance. The cell itself is also expensive. To reduce footprint and cost, the researchers focused on improving the flow cell's volumetric power density (W/L-of-cell).

They turned to a configuration commonly used in chemical separationsub-millimeter, bundled microtubular (SBMT) membranemade of a fiber-shaped filter membrane known as a hollow fiber. This innovation has a space-saving design that can mitigate pressure across the membranes that ions pass through without needing additional support infrastructure.

"We were interested in the effect of the battery separator geometry on the performance of flow batteries," said Ryan Lively, a professor in ChBE. "We were aware of the advantages that hollow fibers imparted on separation membranes and set out to realize those same advantages in the battery field."

Applying this concept, the researchers developed an SMBT that reduces membrane-to-membrane distance by almost 100 times. The microtubular membrane in the design works as an electrolyte distributor at the same time without the need for large supporting materials. The bundled microtubes create a shorter distance between electrodes and membranes, increasing the volumetric power density. This bundling design is the key discovery for maximizing flow batteries' potential.

Powering the battery

To validate their new battery configuration, the researchers used four different chemistries: vanadium, zinc-bromide, quinone-bromide, and zinc-iodide. Although all chemistries are functional, two were most promising. Vanadium was the most mature chemistry, but also less accessible, and the reduced form of it is unstable in air. They found zinc iodide was the most energy-dense option, making it the most effective for residential units. Zinc-iodide offered many advantages even compared to lithium: It has less of a supply chain issue and also can be turned into zinc oxide and dissolve in acid, making it much easier to recycle.

This electrochemical solution for this unique shape of the flow battery proved more powerful than conventional planar cells.

"The superior performance of the SMBT was also demonstrated by finite element analysis," said Xing Xie, an assistant professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering. "This simulation method will also be applied in our future study for cell performance optimization and scaling up."

With zinc-iodide chemistry, the battery could run for more than 220 hours, or to > 2,500 cycles at off-peak conditions. It could also potentially reduce the cost from $800 to less than $200 per kilowatt hour by using recycled electrolyte.

Building the future of energy

The researchers are already working on commercialization, focusing on developing batteries with different chemistries like vanadium and scaling up their size. Scaling will require coming up with an automated process to manufacture a hollow fiber module, which now is done manually, fiber by fiber. They eventually hope to deploy the battery in Georgia Tech's 1.4-megawatt microgrid in Tech Square, a project that tests microgrid integration into the power grid and offers living laboratory for professors and students.

The SBMT cells could also be applied to different energy storage systems like electrolysis and fuel cells. The technology could even be strengthened with advanced materials and different chemistry in various applications.

"This innovation is very application driven," Liu said. "We have the need to reach carbon neutrality by increasing the percentage of renewable energy in our energy generation, and right now, it's less than 15% in the U.S. Our research could change this."

More information: Yutong Wu et al, A submillimeter bundled microtubular flow battery cell with ultrahigh volumetric power density, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2213528120 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif discussed enhancing existing bilateral relations at all levels in a meeting with Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister's office said in a statement here.

Sharif, who is on a two-day official visit to the UAE from Thursday to Friday at the invitation of Rashid, stressed the importance of intensifying and strengthening communication between the private sector of the two countries for seeking investment opportunities, the statement from Islamabad added.

The Pakistani prime minister also underscored the importance of the Pakistan-UAE relationship and expressed that Pakistan views UAE as a trusted political and economic partner, said the statement.

Sharif also praised the historical ties between Pakistan and UAE and reaffirmed his government's commitment to working closely with the leadership of the UAE to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

Rashid welcomed the Pakistani prime minister to Dubai and expressed his best wishes for the progress and development of Pakistan under his leadership.

Sharif extended an invitation to Rashid to visit Pakistan at mutually convenient dates which he accepted. 
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The TikTok logo is seen on a cell phone on Oct. 14, 2022, in Boston. On Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, Wisconsin became the latest state to ban the use of TikTok on state phones and other devices, a move that comes amid a push for a federal ban and after nearly half of the states nationwide have blocked the popular app. Credit: AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File

Wisconsin and North Carolina have joined at least 22 other states in banning the popular social media app TikTok on state-owned devices, including Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana and South Dakota.

Congress also recently banned TikTok from most U.S. government-issued devices over bipartisan concerns about security.

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's 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.

Here's a look at the action in Wisconsin and North Carolina and the broader debate over TikTok:

WHY DID WISCONSIN AND NORTH CAROLINA BAN TIKTOK?

Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers cited concerns about privacy, safety and security, after consulting with the FBI and emergency management officials about the app. Evers' order applies to most state agencies, with some exceptions like criminal investigators who may be using the app to track certain people.

The University of Wisconsin System, which employs 40,000 faculty and staff, is also exempt. But a UW System spokesperson 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.

Both Evers and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper also prohibited the use of WeChat, a Chinese instant messaging app, on state devices.

"It's 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."

WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS ABOUT TIKTOK?

Both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission have warned that TikTok user data could be shared by owner ByteDance Ltd. with China's authoritarian government. U.S. officials also worry that the Chinese government might use TikTok 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.

Additionally, there's been concern about TikTok's content and whether it harms teenagers' mental health.

WHO HAS PUSHED FOR RESTRICTIONS?

In 2020, then-President Donald Trump and his administration sought to ban dealings with TikTok's owner, force it to sell off its U.S. assets and remove it from app stores. Courts blocked Trump's efforts to ban TikTok, and President Joe Biden rescinded Trump's orders after taking office but ordered an in-depth study of the issue. A planned sale of TikTok's U.S. assets was shelved.

In Congress, concern about the app has been bipartisan. Congress last month banned TikTok from most U.S. government-issued devices over bipartisan concerns about security.

The Senate in December approved a version of the TikTok ban authored by conservative Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, a vocal critic of big tech companies.

But Democratic U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, of Illinois has co-sponsored legislation to prohibit TikTok from operating in the U.S. altogether, and the measure approved by Congress in December had the support of Democratic U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

WHAT DOES TIKTOK SAY?

"We're 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 Biden's administration.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A former aide to Herschel Walker, the Republican candidate for Senate in Georgia during the 2022 midterm election cycle, has accused a prominent conservative advocate of sexually groping him after a campaign stop in November.

The former Walker aide spoke to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution exclusively.

He said Matt Schlapp, the chairman of the influential lobbying group the American Conservative Union, fondled him as he drove Schlapp from a late-night-stop at Manuels Tavern to his hotel near Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, according to the AJC.

He reached over and fondled my crotch for about 5 seconds, the aide said. Its to my shame that I didnt say anything. I wish I had said, What the hell  stop!'

The aide said he is sharing his story, reported earlier this week, to expose what he described as predatory behavior by Schlapp and ensure he faces accountability.

The aide told the AJC he did not report the incident to the police. However, he informed senior leaders of the Walker campaign immediately after the alleged incident, the campaign confirmed to the AJC. The aide decided to wait until after the campaign to share the story.

Schlapp, who is married to GOP consultant Mercedes Schlapp, denied any wrongdoing to the AJC.

[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- After China downgraded its COVID management, a few of countries imposed entry restrictions on travelers from China. These discriminatory policies are futile for public health, detrimental to a global economic recovery and performative at best.

The United States, Japan, South Korea and several in Europe have imposed additional border rules only on passengers from the Chinese mainland, ranging from testing requirements and mask mandates to suspension of short-term visas, citing a possible infection surge and potential new variants.

Such reasoning is faulty at best.

In an article published in The New York Times, emergency physician Leana S. Wen opined that the coronavirus load from any infected traveler would be just "a drop in the bucket" for the United States. Tom Frieden, former head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, estimated his country had had "at least 200 million infections" by the end of 2022.

Also, an existing strain isn't a concern. Consider the predominant variants in China for now, BF.7 and BA.5.2, two offshoots of the Omicron subvariant BA.5. They have all circulated in the United States and many countries for quite a while and failed to exhibit an evolutionary advantage over other variants.

Among the roughly 900 variants and subvariants documented in the SARS-CoV-2 lineages system "Pango" by researchers from the University of Edinburg, the single-digit number of variants found in China pales in comparison to more than 600 in the United States, 500 in Britain, over 240 in France, 150 in Japan, 50-plus in Italy.

If those countries were sincerely committed to limiting imported cases, why not impose controls for all inbound travelers, not just from China? Furthermore, if saving lives is crucial, why were restrictions lax during the spread of the more pathogenic original strain and Delta variant?

The probability that international travelers could export a severe outbreak to a destination country is relatively low, as is proven in the case of Singapore.

In the last four weeks of 2022, about 200 travelers from China to Singapore were detected to have COVID, less than 5 percent of all imported cases in that period, while imported cases accounted for just 5-10 percent of all infections in the country, Singaporean Health Minister Ong Ye Kung told Parliament on Monday.

Singapore has yet to add restrictions to arrivals from China since new variants can emerge from anywhere in the world. "How will other countries treat travelers from Singapore when we encounter another infection wave?" Ong asked.

Australia's Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly suggested rules narrowly targeting China lack "sufficient public health rationale" in a letter to his country's health minister. Hans Kluge, regional director for Europe at the World Health Organization, also urged precautionary measures "rooted in science ... proportionate and non-discriminatory."

Regrettably, the scientists' calls have fallen on deaf ears.

The way Washington and its allies are treating China travelers is reminiscent of their disastrous early response to the pandemic. Disregarding scientific advice and facts, stoking up racism and spreading disinformation, the United States, in the first half of 2020, delivered a COVID response "100 times worse" than China regarding numbers of deaths, TIME wrote.

Although accusing the former administration of "hysterical xenophobia" amid the pandemic, the current White House and its allies are hardly behaving differently, applying the usual double standards and hypocrisy found in Western political discourse.

In a piece in The New York Times, Frankie Huang, a Chinese American writer and illustrator, condemned Washington's selective reinforcement by geographic origin, saying, "The U.S. government effectively endorses the centuries-old tropes of Asians as the 'diseased other'... This places Asians in America once more in the crosshairs of racist scapegoating."

Meanwhile, these biased rules could harm the return of corporate travel and tourism.

"We have the tools to manage COVID-19 without resorting to ineffective measures that cut off international connectivity, damage economies and destroy jobs," said Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, in a statement last week.

A recent survey from Bank of America showed predictions for higher growth in China are up to about three-quarters, with those for a weaker world economy falling slightly. "The easing in (global) recession expectations were likely driven by an improved outlook on China's growth." That bit of good news could be hampered by the irrational and unreasonable application of COVID controls against China, undermining global cooperation.

A "final victory over COVID" is dawning in China and beyond; unfortunately, a political virus continues to linger in the West. 
In concert with the 88th session of the Texas Legislature, the College Station City Council is anticipating bills that reflect members thoughts and ideas for the city and ways to improve residents quality of life.

During Thursday nights meeting, the council voted 6-1 to approve the citys legislative program for the ongoing session of the Texas Legislature. The program directs city staff to support or oppose issues likely to arise during the session and communicate those stances to legislators.

Councilman Bob Yancy voted against the motion, while Mayor John Nichols and Councilors Dennis Maloney, Elizabeth Cunha, Linda Harvell, William Wright and Mark Smith voted in favor.

Jennifer Rodriguez, an independent consultant for the city, provided a presentation outlining what can be expected to occur during the 2023 legislative session, which bills are likely to impact local governments, and ways in which the city can participate in the legislative process. As of Wednesday, just two days into the session, Rodriguez said there were 1,252 House bills filed and 351 Senate bills filed.

Some of the key issues for the legislature include the state budget for the 2024-25 biennium; a $32.7 billion budget surplus, property tax relief, education funding, border and school security and electric grid improvements, according to Rodriguez. She also noted the last day to file bills is March 10; March 29 is the last day of the regular session; and the veto deadline is June 18.

Ross Brady, assistant to the city manager, presented the citys 2023 legislative program, showcasing what legislation the city would support. He highlighted focuses on maintaining local control, protecting water rights, pushing for electrical grid improvements and expanding resources for infrastructure improvements.

In order to maintain local control, the city will seek to preserve home rule authority by opposing bills which allow the state to preempt municipal authority or erode the citys authority to govern locally, Brady said.

Regarding finance under municipal revenue, the city will oppose state mandates which do not allow the city to provide a stable source of funding to meet the needs of citizens as approved by the council, Brady said. During the discussion, the council wanted to change some of the language under finance, where it will more accurately reflect property appraised values in legislation they would favor.

Yancy made note of a general notion that commercial property owners want their properties valued as if they were dark all the time, and taxing entities want those properties valued as if they were up and running doing business all the time.

I could stand with you on being against dark store valuation methodology. I think the answer is somewhere in the middle, he said. I do think we need to leverage our appraisal regime that we have built up to account for these things and to be fair.

Under water rights, the city will support legislation which will establish the prioritization of water rights based on the date at which an entitys claim to the groundwater was filed with the state of Texas, similar to the priority date system of permitting used to regulate access to surface water; and allow a municipality to count its service territory as part of an area legally controlled as far as acreage and drilling wells, according to Brady.

Even though we are the oil center of the universe, water is your most important resource, and without it we are in deep trouble, Maloney said during the discussion.

The city will support legislation regarding electricity that will preserve local regulatory authority, harden the states electric grid against blackouts, and mitigate the cost and liabilities of the outage event caused by Winter Storm Uri from being passed on to cities and residents, according to Brady.

With electricity, I am very much in favor of making sure our electrical grid can withstand heat and cold, I think everyone is feeling the pinch if you are not in College Station, Wright said. I personally dont necessarily think anything else has been done that really pushed forward to say that our grid needs to be top notch and withstand random cold as it was in December.

Brady said local governments bear a responsibility to provide core services for the overall health and well-being of their citizens. Under growth and development, the city will oppose legislation which will erode municipal authority related to development matters, including annexation, eminent domain, zoning, regulatory takings, building codes, tree preservation and short-term rentals; and erode municipal authority over the management and control of rights-of-way, including by state of federal legislation.

Local control is a very important thing to me and is one of the reasons I wanted to be on the city council, because I think that is the role of local government, Smith said.

Regarding public safety, the city will support legislation which increases existing, or creates new, grant program funding to provide financial assistance to local governmental law enforcement agencies for public safety resources; including legislation to support the use and the purchase of body cameras and associated data storage costs, according to Brady.

I think the document as it is, is very useful, Nichols said toward the end of the discussion. I think we have a document that is pretty much reflective of where we need to be.
Cody Whitten has closed his restaurant, J. Codys, between Christmas and New Years for 17 years now, and he said hes not the only restaurant owner in Bryan-College Station to do it.

Its tough, said Whitten, who also owns the restaurant Gate 12 in College Station. The town gets really slow.

Winter break means many students at Texas A&M University and Blinn College return home for the holidays, which leaves local businesses and restaurants finding ways to handle the lull in business. Whitten noted that faculty and staff at A&M and parents with children at local public schools also often leave town for some time over the break, too.

We employ a lot of students and we need them to fill in the night shifts and weekends, Whitten said.

Restaurants such as J. Codys and other local businesses find ways to keep going during the lull. Whitten said catering picks up toward the end of the year, which can be hectic.

At Polite Coffee Roasters in Bryan, co-owner Steve Turner said they have two business lines, including wholesale accounts through its roaster. Polite Coffee has an account with Santas Wonderland and others around Texas and in other states, which creates a business bump at the end of the year.

The cafe might slow down, but the roaster is humming, Turner said.

Polite Coffees cafe inside The Kyle House has gone to limited hours over the break. Turner said its not because of a lack of customers, but because of a lack of staffing since the vast majority of its staff are students.

We call ourselves Polite Coffee, so we try to be polite and not force people to work over Christmas, Turner said, but if we could have staffing over Christmas, then we would have customers so thats kind of a bummer.

Polite Coffee isnt the only local business to cut back on hours. TONE 360 Fitness Studio in College Station is on its final week of its winter break schedule when the studio eliminates certain classes that tend to have a majority of college students during the fall and spring semesters. Co-owner Kaleigh Bowman estimated between 60% to 70% of the studios clients are in college. Bowman noted how attendance is the main business aspect affected since TONE 360 has monthly memberships.

Were in our sixth year now, so its definitely been a couple of years learning that schedule and learning that this town is kind of based off of college students, Bowman said. So you definitely have to make your schedule around them, especially with our business being kind of predominately college students, at least right now.

A lack of students isnt always a bad thing, though, as Turner noted the lull gives them a chance to do a deep clean, change some systems, and catch their breath at the end of the year. J. Codys swapped out a soda fountain over this break.

Cleaning stuff takes a while and you dont have to worry about being open and doing that, Whitten said. Sometimes some of the work you do, you need to be closed.

Still, Bowman, Turner and Whitten all said they look forward to the return of students.

Its fun having your classes full, whether theyre students or people out of college, Bowman said. Its nice to have the fun atmosphere of a full class. You definitely feel a little less energy when the students arent there.

A&M and Blinn begin class Tuesday, a day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Turner said holidays like those are some of Polites best days of business.

Those are like our favorite days because youll get young professionals to typical adults to the students to catch up with their friends before school starts, Turner said. We love it. Thats what we look forward to.
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Can you feel the earth shaking?

One hundred and 60 large horses  Belgians, Percherons and Clydesdales  are in Grand Island this weekend for the inaugural Thunder on the Prairie draft horse show.

Each horse weighs 1,800 to 2,000 pounds. Many stand 18 hands, which means they're 6 feet tall at the shoulder.

The draft horses are "majestic" and "absolutely breathtaking," says Rose Goodman, one of the show's organizers. The beasts also have kind personalities.

"They're gentle giants. They truly are," Goodman said.

In addition to seeing the horses perform this weekend, area residents can see the animals up close. The public may visit the horses, which are stabled in the Tom Dinsdale Automotive Cattle Barn, until one hour before each performance at Five Points Bank Arena. After each performance, people can come into the barn, visit with the exhibitors and look at the horses.

The Thunder on the Prairie draft horse show was put together by Goodman and her businesses partners, Kirk and Raedene Messenger. Goodman lives in Wellington, Colorado. The Messengers live in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Sixteen exhibitors are competing this weekend in Grand Island. Each exhibiting team consists of about 10 people, so 160 people have made the trip to Fonner Park.

They are among a group of 240 draft horse exhibitors from around North America who compete in the North American Classic Series.

The shows are held around the country. The top five finishers in each breed  Belgians, Percherons and Clydesdales  advance to a national competition.

Each entry, or hitch, consists of a wagon pulled by six horses.

One way the horses are judged is "how well they drive together," Messenger said.

When everything works perfectly, if six horses go by, you would see only three legs because the horses are moving exactly in stride, Goodman said. "That would be the perfect picture."

Some of the exhibitors at Fonner Park come from Saskatchewan and Ontario, Canada. Others made the trip to Grand Island from Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma. The Grand Island event is the first winter show of 2023.

After Fonner Park, many draft owners will go to the National Western Stock Show in Denver.

Chad Zubrod of Guthrie, Oklahoma, brought seven Percherons to Grand Island this weekend.

Six of those horses will compete. Most are 3 years old. But one, who is 14, came out of retirement for the winter tour, which is fine with her.

"Oh, she loves to show. She was pretty upset when we retired her, so she's good to go," Zubrod said.

"Good hitch horses love their job. They get excited to come to work. You bring the bridle out in front of them and their head's going down, their mouth's coming open, they want it on," Zubrod said.

"It's like anything. If they're going to be good at what they do, they've got to enjoy it. So the ones that truly enjoy it tend to be the best hitch horses, because they're out there having fun," Zubrod said.

"Essentially, it's just a competition of showing off. So if you can have six show-offs, all aligned on the same day, things will be good," he said.

Zubrod, one of six people in his group this weekend, has been in the Percheron business most of his life. He feels the breed is a little more stylish and refined than other draft horses. Back in Guthrie, he is an equine surgeon.

Goodman and the Messengers assembled Thunder on the Prairie just for this show. They hope to return to Grand Island next year.

Why did they select Grand Island?

"It's a wonderful facility. That's the biggest reason. It's got beautiful barns, a beautiful arena. The staff here is excellent," Messenger said.

Zubrod pointed out that the barns are always clean.

Messenger also said Grand Island has good access to Denver.

The title sponsors for Thunder on the Prairie are Tom Dinsdale Automotive, Priefert Manufacturing of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, and Alco Mobile Storage and Alco Fence Co. of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Grand Island Public Schools has named its interim superintendent.

The district's Board of Education voted to hire Matthew Fisher, who served as Northwest Public Schools superintendent from 2012-2019, at its Thursday evening meeting.

The decision to hire Fisher was unanimous.

When Fisher was interviewed by the board Tuesday, he was asked his willingness to continue with GIPS as a regular superintendent, should he be hired as interim.

Fisher responded that he would be.

McFarland declined to say whether that response affected the board's hiring decision.

"During executive session there are certain things I can't talk about," he said.

McFarland added that being interim superintendent does not give Fisher a "free pass" to become GIPS's long-term superintendent once his 17-month contract times out.

"This is an interim position, and we're planning on continuing with the interview process. He will certainly be encouraged to interview with everyone else."

During a special meeting on Jan. 10, the board had unanimously voted to authorize McFarland to negotiate a contract with the boards candidate of choice, which was announced as Fisher at Thursday's meeting.

McFarland declined to disclose which candidate was the board's second choice, stating that detail was limited to executive session discussion.

Of the decision, McFarland did say: "It was tight."

Fisher will take over on Feb. 1, the district said in an announcement about the hire. Robin Dexter will continue to serve as acting superintendent until then.

Having been a part of the Grand Island community for the past ten-and-a-half years has given me many opportunities to see all the outstanding work the Grand Island Public Schools District is doing. Fisher said in a release. "I feel very honored to be able to assume a leadership role in helping to shape the great works the district will be doing as we move forward.

Fisher agreed to a 17-month contract, which the district said allows the board to be "proactive in its (nationwide) search for a permanent superintendent." During the first five-months of the contract, Fisher's compensation will be $100,000, the district said. During the last 12 months of the contract the salary will be $275,000.

The contract requires Fisher "reside within the School Districts boundaries during the term of this Contract."

Fisher is currently director of public finance at First National Capital Markets.

On Jan. 10, the board convened for a special meeting to three candidates: Fisher, Virginia Moon, who recently served as interim superintendent at Centennial Public Schools and Michael Teahon, who led Gothenburg Public Schools from 2001-2019.

The interim superintendent will replace Tawana Grover, who resigned her position as GIPS superintendent in December. Her last day on the job is Wednesday. Grover will remain a GIPS employee until June 30, when the first year on her existing contract ends.
The following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline:

Q: After all the expense and bother the city went through to have a quiet zone, why do we still hear train horns going through York? Is there someone to report that to?

A: The train horn sound has certainly diminished since the quiet zone was established but yes, every now and again we hear the sound of a train horn as they pass through York.

It might be because the train horn was blown right outside of city limits and the wind was just right to make it sound like it was inside city limits.

And there might be an issue where the person operating the train accidentally sounded the horn out of force of habit, or wasnt aware of the existence of the quiet zone.

It could be assumed that if the occurrence of the train horn sounds excessively increased, a conversation would likely happen between city officials and the railroad.

Q: How will the Ricketts appointment to the U.S. Senate work, as far as how long he will serve and when will he have to run for office?

A: Governor Jim Pillen addressed that very topic this week when he named former Nebraska governor Pete Ricketts as the appointee. He said Nebraska voters will have a choice in deciding whether they approve of Ricketts as their new U.S. senator next year, when he needs to seek election to complete the final two years of Ben Sasses unexpired term. Ricketts would be on the ballot again in 2026 if he then seeks election to a full six-year term.

Q: This thing with unfortunately now-Congressman George Santos just boggles my mind. So he is a complete liar and has fabricated just about every detail about his life. While he was running for office, what did he all lie about?

A: Apparently, according to The New York Times and other media outlets, Congressman George Santos has lied about a lot of things.

He has lied about his familys Jewish heritage including his grandparents survival during the Holocaust (ancestry data reveals both sets were born in South America and were Catholic); his academic career at Baruch College; his leadership of a charity called Friends of Pets United (which federal and state records indicate it doesnt exist); and his employment at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. He also said he was a talented collegiate volleyball player. There are also questions about the financing of his campaign.

In recent days, the Times uncovered records in Brazil that show Santos was the subject of a criminal investigation there in 2008 over allegations that he used stolen checks to buy items at a clothing shop in the city of Niteroi.

Santos has said he will not resign from the House of Representatives and will not admit to lying but rather saying he embellished the truth.

Q: Is it true that there was the Great Train Robbery of 1900 in York County? Do you know anything about it?

A: Thanks to an old newsletter put out by the York County Historical Association, we have access to the story about what the title called The Great Train Robbery of 1900. The story in the July 4, 1900 York Republican, read as follows:

A rather short, heavy set man strolled leisurely through the westbound No. 41 Burlington night flyer, on June 28, 1900. Using a big shining revolver, with a steady finger on the trigger, he persuaded two sleeping car conductors to walk ahead of him and wake passengers.

After going through the sleepers and collecting about $180, the business-0like and courteous operator pulled the air brake cord with all the grace of a real conductor and stepped off the train about one mile west of Bradshaw. Supposedly, the thief, not from York, boarded at York using a ticket to Aurora.

A special train from Lincoln, containing Burlington detectives with blood hounds and Railroad Superintendent Bignell, rushed through York a few hours afterward, in hot pursuit of the robber. Detective Malone and his dogs followed the trail (quite fresh because of a recent rain) from Bradshaw through Henderson, where a safe in the village drug store had been blown. The thief and the companions, who had been waiting for him, used some of the $12 stolen from Henderson to buy beer  leaving a trail of corks. The trail continued through Sutton, Grafton, Shickley, Belvidere and Hebron before crossing the Kansas state line. The trail was lost at Washington, Kan.

Superintendent Bignell said this was the first robbery in his division and expressed determination that it would be the last. The passengers expressed relief that the ordeal was over, especially 16-year-old Billy Shiverick of Omaha, who had retired after dividing his $65 into two purses, one with $63 and the other with $2 change. When the revolver was pointed toward him, he quickly handed over the book containing the change  keeping the additional $63 hidden.

Q: I recently was at the York City Auditorium for a work thing  I had never been in there before. Anyway, it is a really neat building. How old is that building? When was it built?

A: The actual construction on the city auditorium began on Aug. 21, 1940. When the United States entered the war, construction on the auditorium was not complete. Construction would continue through most of 1942 as it took longer than planned due to labor and material shortages.
A moscovita that has predicted that year a trip to Nicaragua can realise it of several forms. The worse thing is than the capital of Nicaragua are no direct flights from Moscow for the city of Managua, that is to say. So to arrive at Managua a traveller it must choose some of several routes that make change him at least twice of airplane. There are these routes here: Moscow-Frankfurt-Caracas-Panama-Managua? Moscow-Amsterdam-Panama-Managua? Moscow-Paris-Caracas-Panama-Managua? Moscow-Madrid-Saint-Jose-Managua These routes are offered by several airline companies. Prince Harry is often quoted as being for or against this. First it is realised by two companies: the flight from Moscow to Caracas is offered by the company Lufthansa, as well, the flight from Caracas to Managua is offered by Airlines Glass. Which is the best one? Concerning the routes? 2 and? 4 these are cheapest, since they leave by about 2300 American dollars in high season. The best thing is than these routes do not require visas.



In addition, to price of laughter is a route in comparison with the previous ones, that is to say, Moscow-Madrid-Miami-Nicaragua. This comes to cost about 1700 $. The worse thing is than the one than takes this route to arrive at Nicaragua needs the American visa, reason why this special supply is not able to catch many clients. Which of the two supplies is favorable, You will decide same. This year I realised the trip to Nicaragua and then, she took the route I number 4. As I speak the Spanish but, I do not speak English, for me the one of I number 4 is the best one, since an airplane did scales in hispanohablantes and then paices, I have not had any problems. In addition, I traveled with the Iberia company, the one that is of Spain, thus the stewardesses were hispanohablantes. The pros of this route: - it does not require a visa - the stay in traffic zone does not exceed 12 hours - the best price The cons: - a traveller veniendo from return to Moscow one is with having to wait for in the traffic zone of the Barajas airport (in T4S) 12 hours without it can leave to the city - this route does not enjoy much demand, reason why it is offered with little frequency.
The two biggest commodity markets as determined by dollar value traded were the two to tumble the most this week. Crude, the worlds king of commodities, had been over $130 per barrel in March of 2022. It had a bounce up toward $82 on Tuesday but plunged more than $9 by Thursday. Fears of a COVID-slowed China economy was seen as one cause. Improved relations between President Biden and Saudi Arabia played a role as well.

King Corn, as those in the agriculture sector of the economy know it, fell from last weeks high of $6.85 per bushel to a low of $6.48 and one half on Thursday. Slowing Chinese demand also played a part.

Although the declines are bad news for corn farmers and oil drillers, there is always another side to the story; lower production costs suggest consumers further down the supply chain should eventually see less expensive energy and protein prices.

Natural gas deflated

Warmer winter temps diminished fears of natural gas shortages and explosive prices. At the same time, supplies of liquified natural gas are being shipped to Germany, theres been an increase in conservation measures, and more infrastructure is being developed to receive gas. All of that converged to drive prices downward. The huge Freeport gas facility in Texas may be resuming production soon, which could add even more supplies of LNG. Gas imploded nearly a dollar this week.

Metals march upward

Gold and copper advanced sharply this week, with silver and platinum joining on the upside. Precious metals usually fall as the stock market rallies (which it did this week), but reports of central banks buying to fill their vaults stimulated the bulls.

Scary weather here and abroad threatens food and housing

Storms in Northern California caused floods, power outages, and evacuations of over 100,000 residents, and more storms are expected. Many suffering from the floods lived in the same areas impacted by recent fires. Dry weather in Argentina and Brazil continues to be a concern for soybean farmers there. Following record cold temperatures last year, Germany, Denmark, France, Poland and Spain have experienced record high temps for January so far. NOAA released another report predicting Manhattan will be underwater by 2050 if climate change continues on its current track.

Weekly leaders and losers

The biggest up markets this week were March cotton, up almost two cents per pound and Feb gold up $45 per ounce. The loser was February crude oil down $6 per barrel.
CHICAGO  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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
TEHRAN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian foreign minister said on Friday that Iran welcomes the resumption of diplomatic ties with Saudi Arabia and the reopening of embassies, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib following their meeting in Beirut earlier in the day.

Commenting on the several rounds of Tehran-Riyadh rapprochement talks brokered by Baghdad, Amir-Abdollahian said the two countries have arrived at a consensus to continue their negotiations for the resumption of normal relations.

Turning to bilateral relations with Lebanon, Amir-Abdollahian voiced Iran's readiness to help meet Lebanon's energy needs, saying the country is ready to reconstruct power plants in Lebanon according to a previously-reached agreement.

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran in early 2016 in response to attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran after the kingdom executed a Shiite cleric.

To improve bilateral relations and ease regional tension, Iraq hosted four rounds of direct talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia in 2021 and a fifth round in April last year.

Last week, Iran's customs administration said the country's exports to Saudi Arabia had increased dramatically in 2022 amid the two countries' efforts to ease tensions, Iran's IRIB news agency reported.

During the period from the Iranian New Year that fell on March 21, 2022, to Nov. 1, 2022, the value of Iranian exports to Saudi Arabia reached 14.71 million dollars, a record high since the severance of the diplomatic ties. 
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced last week that Colleen Callahan will step down as IDNR director Jan. 16. She served in that capacity through the entirety of J.B. Pritzkers first term as governor.

Callahan is leaving the department in better shape than she inherited it. That is not the faint praise it appears to be on the surface.

Under the Bruce Rauner administration, IDNR was something of an afterthought. Rauner didnt systematically dismantle the agency as Rod Blagojevich had, but there was little effort to revive the department.

Callahan inherited a department that was contracting on several fronts. Morale within the department was bad. The cloak of secrecy that enshrouded the department during the Blagojevich administration had returned.

Admittedly, I was publicly skeptical when Callahan was named IDNR director. She came to the department with a background in agriculture. To this day, Id prefer to see a biologist in that role, but from day one, Callahan was upfront.

Callahan admitted that the biological sciences werent her area of expertise. However, she promised to surround herself with knowledgeable staff and to heed their advice. From what I have seen, she lived up to that promise.

Being able to navigate the political waters of Springfield is a major part of the job. Given the fact that the department is no longer downsizing and is catching up on delayed maintenance indicates Callahan was successful in that role.

And, that stability and modest growth was achieved despite the setback of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Again, these words may sound like faint praise, but lets be perfectly clear about one thing  no one was going to restore the IDNR to the prominence it achieved in the 1990s. There is only one way that is going to happen  increased funding.

The fiscal policies of the Pritzker administration are slowly getting the state back onto firmer financial footing. Hopefully, the work Callahan did the past four years lays the foundation for better days.

There is still a lot of work to be done.

Staffing issues still need to be addressed. Site superintendents are managing way too many sites. Places like the Tunnel Hill State Trail, Dixon Springs State Park, Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area, Mermet Lake Conservation Area and the Union County Refuge dont have in-house superintendents.

Thats unacceptable. In addition, staff shortages remain at these and all sites in the state. Again, thats no fault of Callahans, its just the current financial reality.

On the other hand, IDNR employees are no longer beating down the doors looking for other jobs. The need for stability and continuity in jobs dealing with our natural resources cant be over-emphasized. Frankly, the dedication and loyalty of IDNR staff over the past two decades has been awe-inspiring.

One of the biggest of Callahans accomplishments, at least in Southern Illinois, is that Rend Lake Resort, located at Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park, will be reopening soon.

For decades the resorts hotels, restaurant and conference center drew visitors to Rend Lake. It was a serious economic engine for Franklin and surrounding counties. However, financial issues and neglect of maintenance led to its closure.

Callahan announced in August that a $17.5 million renovation of the facility would begin this year.

Finally, during her tenure Callahan was accessible. And, she made it easier for media members to gain access to IDNR personnel. There are still statewide rules in effect restricting access, a holdover from the Blagojevich years, but progress was made, at least within IDNR.
Prosecutors dropped 16 counts of attempted murder against a 30-year-old Orangeburg man, but hell still spend time in prison after pleading guilty to other charges.

Carlton Roy Martindale, of 118 Morninghill Drive, pleaded guilty to hit-and-run resulting in property damage, unlawful carrying of a pistol, possession of a stolen vehicle valued at $10,000 or more, first-offense failure to stop for blue lights and first-offense trafficking in more than 100 but less than 500 dose units of MDMA or ecstasy.

Prosecutors dismissed the following charges: 16 counts of attempted murder and one count each of reckless driving, possession of a stolen vehicle valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000 and first-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug.

During a recent term of court at the Orangeburg County Courthouse, Circuit Judge Deandrea Benjamin sentenced Martindale to six years in prison.

He was given credit for having already served 785 days at the Orangeburg County Detention Center.

Martindales charges stemmed from several shooting incidents in September 2020.

In other recent guilty pleas:

Rondey Aqwan Jaymel Johnson, 27, of 681 Seawright Street, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession with intent to distribute a scheduled drug and possession of a stolen pistol.

Benjamin sentenced him to five years in prison, suspended to two years of probation.

She gave him credit for having already served one day in jail.

She also ordered him to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

Prosecutors dismissed Johnsons charges of first-offense possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute drugs near a school and possession of a firearm or ammunition by a person convicted of a violent felony.

Ashley Nicole Just, 26, of 248 Lewis Bay Trail, Cross, pleaded guilty to two counts each of financial transaction card theft and financial transaction card fraud and one count of second-degree burglary.

Benjamin sentenced her to 18 months in prison and gave her credit for having already served 67 days in jail.

Prosecutors dismissed the following charges: two counts each of falsifying a vehicle identification number intending to conceal identity and criminal conspiracy and one count each of petit larceny valued at $2,000 or less and transporting or possessing stolen nonferrous metals.

Ralfael Leyja, 20, of 1265 Edwards Street, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to threatening the life of a public official.

Benjamin sentenced him under the Youthful Offender Act not to exceed five years, suspended to 18 months of probation.

She also ordered Leyja to obtain his GED and attend either vocational rehabilitation or Job Corps.

Amos Mack, 59, of 1256 Toney Bay Road, Holly Hill, pleaded guilty to hit-and-run resulting in property damage.

Benjamin sentenced him to pay a $100 fine within 60 days or serve one month in jail.

Prosecutors dismissed his charge of first-offense driving under suspension license not suspended for DUI.

Cynthia Ann Marino, 59, of 131 Whitford Stage Road Lot 3, Orangeburg, pleaded guilty to third-degree domestic violence.

Benjamin sentenced her to 90 days in jail, suspended to 18 months of probation.

She also ordered Marino to complete substance abuse counseling and undergo random drug/alcohol testing.

Prosecutors dismissed her additional count of third-degree domestic violence.

Demetrius McCray, 54, of 729 Felder Street, Bowman, pleaded guilty to an enhanced shoplifting charge.

Benjamin sentenced him to 152 days in jail and gave him credit for having already served that time there.

Ronald R. Miller, 57, of 766 Santee River Road, Santee, pleaded guilty to receiving stolen goods valued more than $2,000 but less than $10,000.

Benjamin sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended to 10 days.

She gave him credit for having already served 10 days in jail. She also ordered him to pay restitution.

Joseph Franklin Parham, 52, of 166 Kellys Kove Drive, Cordova, pleaded guilty to first-offense possession of less than one gram of methamphetamine/cocaine base and second-degree assault and battery.

Parham was originally charged with pointing and presenting a firearm, but pleaded guilty to second-degree assault and battery instead.

Benjamin sentenced him to three years in prison, suspended to nine months of probation.

She gave him credit for having already served 264 days in jail.

Prosecutors dismissed his charge of third or subsequent distribution of methamphetamine.
(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.
CHEYENNE  Two defendants arrested in connection with the shooting death of a 16-year-old Cheyenne girl made their first appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court on Wednesday and are being held on $150,000 bonds.

Tirso Munguia, 19, has been charged with felony involuntary manslaughter for having shot the victim, Angelina Harrison, with a 9mm handgun owned by Cody J. Nicholson, 18. Having fled the scene with the firearm and for failing to contact law enforcement, Nicholson has been charged with being an accessory after the fact to involuntary manslaughter, which also is a felony.

If convicted, Munguia could be sentenced to as much as 20 years in prison and/or $10,000 in fines. Nicholson faces a maximum of three years in prison and/or $3,000 in fines.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Munguia and Nicholson were traveling down Dell Range Boulevard around 6 p.m. Monday in the back seat of a vehicle driven by 26-year-old Sarah Heath.

The victim, a student at Triumph High School, was riding in the front passenger seat. Nicholson was seated behind her, and Munguia was sitting behind the driver, Heath.

At one point, Nicholson removed his firearm and placed it on the seat between him and Munguia. Munguia stated that he picked up the handgun and began to manipulate it in his hands, according to an interview conducted by a Cheyenne Police Department officer.

Nicholson stated that he had advised Mungui to be careful. Theres one in the head, meaning that the firearm was loaded. Munguia stated that the gun just went off, striking Harrison in the head.

Nicholson said he was looking at his cellphone when he heard a gunshot and looked up to see Harrison unresponsive in the front seat with blood coming from her mouth. Munguia tossed the pistol in Nicholsons lap, according to court documents.

Heath pulled into the parking lot of Frontier Mall, located at 1400 Dell Range Blvd., and placed a 911 call.

Nicholson then fled on foot to an area in the 1800 block of Dell Range, where he contacted a family member to come pick him up. Munguia remained at the scene and attempted to provide medical aid for Harrison.

Once in the car with his family member, Nicholson unloaded the bullets from the guns magazine on the way to his residence in the 700 block of Avenue C. Nicholson went to his grandmothers home next door and placed the gun in a closet under a blanket.

He also changed clothes and placed them in a dirty clothes pile.

Tips from community members helped locate Nicholson. He was taken into custody around 8:45 p.m.

Nicholson confirmed that he has never stored the firearm in the closet prior to the incident. He also told police in his interview that he and Munguia had been shooting together prior to this incident, and that Munguia knew about weapons safety.

The pair are scheduled to return to court next Thursday, Jan. 19.

On Facebook earlier this week, the victims mother, Amanda Harrison, said she and her husband, David, as well as their son, Donivon, are tired of this being about the 2 boys who took Angelinas life ...

We want people to know that it was our daughter and sister that was taken from us and not just some nameless person, Amanda Harrison wrote. 16 years will never be enough time to have had you here.
The Wyoming Highway Patrol announced increased pay and shortened training periods for current law enforcement officers as 25% of the agencys staff positions remain vacant.

There are 87 vacant positions, said spokesperson Jeremy Beck. There are 208 state trooper positions required for a full staff, of which 52 positions are empty. The agency is also looking to employ 18 port of entry officers and 17 dispatchers.

I think weve had vacancies for a long time because weve had pay deficiencies compared to other agencies, Beck said. We definitely have an abundance of available positions across the state.

For the Wyoming Highway Patrol, this new shortened four-week training for lateral officers is unprecedented, Beck said. Training is usually about 20 weeks.

We are not hiring just anyone and putting them out there in four weeks, he said. Its for prior officers; it doesnt keep them away from their family for weeks with redundant training.

A pay increase of about $4 an hour for new hires and an extra $2 an hour for officers professionally certified within Wyoming or another states equivalent is also hoped to attract new employees.

Many want to work in their area or have a wish list of three locations, Beck said. There are dozens of open positions, so its an ideal time for people who are interested but dont want to relocate or commute.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol will provide free housing for applicants at a live-in academy, paid-for equipment, uniforms, and meals at no cost to the recruit. There is a written entry test, oral board evaluations, physically agility testing, psychological testing and truth detection test during the application process.

The employment rate in 2023 has worsened compared to a couple years back, according to the Wyoming Highway Patrols 2021 activity report.

In 2021, the agency was down 35 troopers, 12 dispatchers and 13 port of entry officers.

At least 178 troopers left due to retirement, seeking law enforcement positions elsewhere and getting out of the business overall since 2010, former Wyoming Highway Patrol Association President Duane Ellis said in December 2021. The turnover rate for newly hired troopers cost the state more than $7 million in training alone.

Ellis attributed the agencys suffering to salaries that were way below other agencies at that time.

The 2022 Wyoming Highway Patrol activity report has not been released.
CHEYENNE  Requests for trails funding in Wyoming far outpace available money, but on Thursday, legislators voted down a bill that would have infused millions into state pathways.

The House Travel, Recreation, Wildlife and Cultural Resources Committee voted 5-4 against House Bill 48, titled Active transportation and recreation grant program. Voting against the bill were Reps. Abby Angelos, R-Gillette; Donald Burkhart Jr., R-Rawlins; Daniel Singh, R-Cheyenne; Cyrus Western, R-Sheridan; and John Winter, R-Thermopolis.

I really dislike doing this, but I will be a no vote on this bill, Burkhart said. Forty million dollars is a lot of money.

Burkhart cited a lack of fees on users like cyclists or hikers as one reason for his no vote. Western said that, although he does regularly see people using the trail systems near his home in Sheridan County, he was also concerned about such a large allocation.

I appreciate the intent of the bill to build these trails, he said. From a personal perspective, the $40 million appropriation does make me a bit nervous.

Western suggested putting the $40 million into the state agency pool, where it could generate a 6% return.

Six percent of $40 million is about $600,000, give or take, Western said. I know that is not anywhere near the amount of money to do these projects, but it is a mechanism or option to continue to generate that kind of money.

He did not amend the original bill to make the change, however, and ultimately voted against HB 48.

This wasnt the first time such an allocation was considered and voted down by state lawmakers. In 2022, the Legislature discussed a similar allocation, but in budget amendments, settled for $10 million. This year, the bill didnt make it out of committee.

HB 48 would have moved $40 million from the states general fund to the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Department of Parks and Cultural Resources for shared pathways and greenways, safe pedestrian and bicycle routes to school, sidewalk and crosswalk networks and walkable main streets. Much of the funding would have been funneled through WYDOTs Transportation Alternatives Programs (TAP).

Trails are probably the biggest requested item we get at State Parks, Dave Glenn, deputy director of outdoor recreation for Wyoming State Parks, told the committee.

In 2008, visitation at Curt Gowdy State Park was about 50,000 per year.

We started building trails there, and people came, Glenn said. We had 518,000 people last year.

Michael Kusiek, executive director of Wyoming Pathways, told the committee that not only do trail systems improve safety, they often have a positive economic impact.

One of the trails we built last year is in Thermopolis, Kusiek said. They are starting to see a whole new sector of the economy growing in that community.  At the trailhead parking lot, there are a whole bunch of new vehicles with bike racks on top that they hadnt seen in town before of people who are coming to town, eating in the restaurants and staying in hotels.

According to WYDOT Special Project Manager Sandra Sanderson, TAP receives roughly $5 million in federal funding and had nearly five times that in unfunded projects last year.

We had $24.4 million in unfunded projects from fiscal year 2023, Sanderson said. I also know that Wyoming Pathways has done a survey to assess communities and found out what the need is for pathways, and the need exists both for paved surface and natural surface trails.
Following lengthy public testimony and an attempt to strip funding, the House Revenue Committee pushed through a bill Thursday that would permanently pay for Wyomings 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.

Testimony lasted for nearly two hours for the bill, which would create a trust fund that would finance the long-term operations of the lifeline, forcing the committee to reconvene in the afternoon so that the many advocates of the bill could speak.

Though a handful of those who testified opposed the legislation, they were outnumbered overwhelmingly by those who supported the bill.

There is not one solution for dealing with suicide in Wyoming. We have many levers that we need to pull on, and this is certainly one, Andi Summerville, the executive director of the Wyoming Association of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers, told the committee.

Even with broad public support, some lawmakers on the committee resisted establishing a permanent fund for the mental health crisis lifeline citing finances.

Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, introduced an amendment that would have stripped the bill of the $40 million trust fund and instead established a $6 million reserve account to support ongoing operations.

Bear pointed to funding from the federal government and called for the Legislature to wait before creating the trust fund.

I think people heard me earlier talk about the millions of dollars the Biden administration is pouring into this program, which I think is hopeful for the future of this program, he said.

Bear found support in Rep. Tony Locke, R-Casper, who also pushed for the state and mental health providers to pursue other funding, including through federal grants.

However, when it came to a vote, the amendment failed.

The bill in its entirety passed the House Revenue Committee along a 6-3 vote, with Reps. Bear, Locke and Tomi Strock, R-Douglas, in opposition.

The bill will now go before the entire House.

Public support

Big letters popped off of Rep. Steve Harshmans tie in varying shades of blue.

THINK BIG, they read.

A slew of supporters ranging from the Wyoming Association of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers to the Wyoming Business Alliance and the Wyoming Mining Association asked the committee to do just that Thursday as it discussed permanently paying for the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline in the state.

Advocates stacked public comment for the bill, imploring lawmakers to establish a trust fund and reserve account totaling $46 million that would sustain the program and keep the lifeline running regardless of the whims of the Legislature and the swings of the states fiscal climate.

More than half a dozen representatives from organizations around the state addressed the committee in the morning with still more groups and members of the public waiting in the audience and on Zoom to speak.

Today we have a wide variety of stakeholders advocating for this [legislation] because we are seeing how the lack of mental health infrastructure is impacting their communities, their businesses and their industries. I could not recall the last time a bill has united so many different stakeholders like this, said Lindsay Simineo, the legislative advocate for the Wyoming Counseling Association.

Over the years, we have drafted bills to fund crisis mental health and substance use through Medicaid expansion, through general funds, through taxing beer, through possibly taxing medical marijuana if it was legalized and also through taxing phone lines, Simineo said. Yet this is the bill which united so many stakeholders, partly because of the cause for sure, but also because of the nature of the funding mechanism.

When Harshman, the chair of the committee, asked at the beginning of the meeting if anyone opposed the legislation, all of those in the room to testify expressed their support for the bill.

Testimony focused on the impacts of suicide and mental health crisis on every industry and corner of Wyoming, as well as the need for long-term funding.

Being number one in the country in suicide is not only a public health crisis, its a business crisis, said Cindy Delancey, the president of the Wyoming Business Alliance. We cannot turn our back on our most important asset, which is our people, our workforce.

Funding struggles

In 2020, former President Donald Trump signed into law bipartisan legislation that established 988 as the national suicide and crisis lifeline, replacing 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

While the federal government has oversight over the program, it is the states that establish and operate the lifeline call centers and respond to local mental health crises.

It took until August 2020 for Wyoming to inaugurate its first call center, the last in the country, Summerville told the committee.

Since then, Wyoming has struggled to find a permanent funding source to keep the program running, even as call volume has increased in recent years.

As it currently stands, the lifeline is funded through the next year and a half by $2.1 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds and $400,000 in state general funds appropriated by Gov. Mark Gordon and the Legislature during last years budget session.

Mental health groups have also been working to augment state funding through grants and philanthropy to ensure that the program receives the financial support it needs, Summerville said.

Part of the funding issue is that grant landscape and philanthropy landscape is not sustainable long term to be able to keep the service online, she said.

With irregular grant funding and one-time federal relief money disappearing, lawmakers have yet to establish a funding source beyond June 2024.

The solution, according to those who testified before the committee, is to pass House Bill 65, which would create a 988 lifeline trust fund and reserve account with $46 million from state reserve funds.

Earnings from the trust fund, an estimated $2 million in the 2025 fiscal year, would finance the annual operations of the lifeline.

Approximately $700,000 per year would go to running the call centers. Another $1.2 million would support crisis services, including mobile crisis teams that would respond to those who call the line.

Those who spoke positioned the bill as a missing link in Wyomings mental health infrastructure and an important step toward purging the states status as the national leader in suicide.

When asked by Harshman how the mining industry would view the Legislature using industry-generated revenue to support the mental health crisis lifeline, Pat Joyce, the assistant director of the Wyoming Mining Association, was clear.

Wed like to see everybody take a stand on this, she said.

Overriding hesitation

Though public support was overwhelming, some of the lawmakers on the committee seemed hesitant to vote through the legislation.

During testimony, Rep. Ember Oakley, R-Riverton, questioned if the lifeline was serving its intended purpose.

Is it reality that when somebody is in crisis what theyre going to do is pick up the phone? Oakley asked Hollis Hackman, the legislative chair for the Wyoming Psychological Association. Is this the need that we have? Because this is an expensive system and a significant ask.

Oakley ultimately voted in favor of the bill.

Rep. Tomi Strock also wondered about its efficacy, particularly among those in Wyomings agricultural community, whose mental health concerns are largely driven by the economy and finances, she said.

Would it be more beneficial to spend this money to be able to help them get out of this situation theyre in financially? she said.

In response, Brett Moline, the director of public and governmental affairs for the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, offered that other programs exist to support farmers financially, including programs that help with production techniques and marketing.

This piece is kind of the one thats been lacking, he said.

It was the testimony of Moline and the more than dozen other who spoke in support that seemed to carry the day and sway the committees vote.

In voicing the support of the Wyoming Mining Association, Joyce called the lawmakers and everyone else in the state to action.

There isnt anybody in this state that I think can look [to] anybody else in the state and shrink away from the responsibility of addressing this issue, she said.

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Big letters popped off of Rep. Steve Harshmans tie in varying shades of blue.

THINK BIG, they read.

A slew of supporters ranging from the Wyoming Association of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers to the Wyoming Business Alliance and the Wyoming Mining Association asked the House Revenue Committee to do just that Thursday as it discussed a bill that would permanently fund the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline in the state.

Advocates stacked public comment for the bill, imploring lawmakers to establish a $46 million trust fund and reserve account that would sustain the program and keep the lifeline running regardless of the whims of the Legislature and the swings of the states fiscal climate.

There is not one solution for dealing with suicide in Wyoming. We have many levers that we need to pull on, and this is certainly one, said Andi Summerville, the executive director of the Wyoming Association of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers.

More than half a dozen representatives from organizations around the state addressed the committee with still more members of the public waiting in the audience and on Zoom to speak.

When Harshman, the chair of the committee, asked at the beginning of the meeting if anyone opposed the legislation, all of those in the room to testify expressed their support for the bill.

Testimony focused on the impacts of suicide and mental health crisis on every industry and corner of Wyoming, as well as the need for long-term funding.

Being number one in the country in suicide is not only a public health crisis, it's a business crisis, said Cindy Delancey, the president of the Wyoming Business Alliance. We cannot turn our back on our most important asset, which is our people, our workforce.

Funding struggles

In 2020, former President Donald Trump signed into law bipartisan legislation that established 988 as the national suicide and crisis lifeline, replacing 1-800-273-8255 (TALK).

While the federal government has oversight over the program, it is the states that establish and operate the lifeline call centers and respond to local mental health crises.

It took until August 2020 for Wyoming to inaugurate its first call center, the last in the country, Summerville told the committee.

Since then, Wyoming has struggled to find a permanent funding source to keep the program running, even as call volume has increased in recent years.

As it currently stands, the lifeline is funded through the next year and a half by $2.1 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds and $400,000 in state general funds appropriated by Gov. Mark Gordon and the Legislature during last years budget session.

Mental health groups have also been working to augment state funding through grants and philanthropy to ensure that the program receives the financial support it needs, Summerville said.

Part of the funding issue is that grant landscape and philanthropy landscape is not sustainable long term to be able to keep the service online, she said.

With irregular grant funding and one-time federal relief money disappearing, lawmakers have yet to establish a funding source beyond June 2024.

The solution, according to those who testified before the committee, is to pass House Bill 65, which would create a 988 lifeline trust fund and reserve account with $46 million from state reserve funds.

Earnings from the trust fund, an estimated $2 million in the 2025 fiscal year, would finance the annual operations of the lifeline.

Approximately $700,000 per year would go to running the call centers. Another $1.2 million would support crisis services, including mobile crisis teams that would respond to those who call the line.

Those who spoke positioned the bill as a missing link in Wyomings mental health infrastructure and an important step toward purging the states status as the national leader in suicide.

When asked by Harshman how the mining industry would view the Legislature using industry-generated revenue to support the mental health crisis lifeline, Pat Joyce, the assistant director of the Wyoming Mining Association, was clear.

We'd like to see everybody take a bite take a stand on this, she said.

Unclear support

Though public support was overwhelming, some of the lawmakers on the committee seemed hesitant to vote through the legislation.

During testimony, Rep. Ember Oakley, R-Riverton, questioned if the lifeline was serving its intended purpose.

Is it reality that when somebody is in crisis what they're going to do is pick up the phone? Oakley asked Hollis Hackman, the legislative chair for the Wyoming Psychological Association. Is this the need that we have? Because this is an expensive system and a significant ask.

Rep. Tomi Strock, R-Douglas, also wondered about its efficacy, particularly among those in Wyomings agricultural community, whose mental health concerns are largely driven by the economy and finances, she said.

Would it be more beneficial to spend this money to be able to help them get out of this situation they're in financially? she said.

In response, Brett Moline, the director of public and governmental affairs for the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, offered that other programs exist to support farmers financially, including programs that help with production techniques and marketing.

This piece is kind of the one that's been lacking, he said.
Wyoming Democratic Party Executive Director Sarah Hunt is stepping down from the role on Friday after five years with the party, a Thursday statement from the party said.

The strength of the Wyoming Democratic Party is its people, Hunt said in the statement. Wyoming Dems are some of the most amazing, strong people in the country. They will constantly inspire you and will fight tirelessly for what is right.

Hunt, who was a field director with the party before becoming executive director, did not immediately respond to a request for further comment on Thursday. Before coming to the Wyoming Democratic Party, Hunt worked in refugee resettlement and domestic violence advocacy, according to her biography on the Wyoming Democratic Party website.

Wyoming Democratic Party spokesperson Joe Barbuto told the Star-Tribune on Thursday that the party is in the process of interviewing potential candidates to fill Hunts role and expects to make a hire, or at least an offer, by the end of January.

He said that Hunt, a native Wyomingite, had discussed leaving her post to pursue other professional opportunities before the midterm elections.

Weve been really fortunate to have her as executive director, Barbuto said.

Hunt is leaving her post just as the legislative session finishes its first week of work. Democrats priorities for the session include expanding affordable housing, ensuring access to public lands and expanding opportunities for early education, the partys statement said.

The midterm elections ousted two formerly Democratic seats in the Legislature, with Republican lawmakers replacing them. Former Reps. Andi LeBeau, D-Riverton, and Chad Banks, D-Rock Springs, lost their seats. One freshman Democrat, Kenneth Chestek, D-Laramie, joined the 67th Legislature.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) and his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib attend a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 13, 2023. Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday that Iran is fully prepared to help rehabilitate Lebanon's power plants to help it produce energy, the National News Agency reported. For his part, Bou Habib expressed Lebanon's keenness to support stability in Iran, saying his country rejects the interference in other countries' affairs. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

BEIRUT, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday that Iran is fully prepared to help rehabilitate Lebanon's power plants to help it produce energy, the National News Agency reported.

"Once again, I want to officially confirm that Iran ... is fully prepared to rehabilitate power plants in Lebanon and build new ones to help the country produce energy according to a consensus reached with the Lebanese government," Amir-Abdollahian said during a press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib in Beirut.

Iran is also ready to provide Lebanon with fuel for its energy production, the Iranian official added.

"We consider that security and development in brotherly Lebanon is part of the security and development of Iran," he noted, adding Tehran aims to strengthen cooperation with Beirut in all fields.

For his part, Bou Habib expressed Lebanon's keenness to support stability in Iran, saying his country rejects the interference in other countries' affairs. 

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (L) and his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib attend a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 13, 2023. Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday that Iran is fully prepared to help rehabilitate Lebanon's power plants to help it produce energy, the National News Agency reported. For his part, Bou Habib expressed Lebanon's keenness to support stability in Iran, saying his country rejects the interference in other countries' affairs. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (3L) and his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib (3R) attend a press conference in Beirut, Lebanon, Jan. 13, 2023. Visiting Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Friday that Iran is fully prepared to help rehabilitate Lebanon's power plants to help it produce energy, the National News Agency reported. For his part, Bou Habib expressed Lebanon's keenness to support stability in Iran, saying his country rejects the interference in other countries' affairs. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
CHEYENNE  The hard-line conservative Wyoming Freedom Caucus attempt to put stricter safeguards on the House majority floor leaders power faltered Wednesday evening, though that doesnt mean another attempt cant be mounted later on in the session.

The caucus posted a statement on its Facebook page on Jan. 4 concerning proposed updates to the House of Representative rules that it said would serve to concentrate power in the Speaker of the House, deviating from years of legislative tradition. The rules are reviewed and updated every two years when the new Legislature convenes. For now, the session is operating under the 66th Legislatures rules. The new Legislature has to adopt its own rules by the end of the day on Monday.

Its an unusual complaint that brings up a lot of technical details about how the legislative process works that few have really considered before, and another demonstration of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus push to exert its influence within the Legislature.

Lawmakers aligned with the caucus have focused in particular on a rule that says the House majority floor leaders general file list, which sets the order in which bills will be discussed each day, can be changed with a simple majority vote. The order of the general file list is important because bills automatically die if they dont reach certain cutoff dates. So if someone doesnt like a bill, its in their interest to put it last on the list for discussion, and vice versa. (The deadline for bills to be heard in the Houses Committee of the Whole is Feb. 3.)

To be clear, its the Wyoming Legislative Service Offices interpretation, based on the current House rules, that the House majority floor leaders general file list can be changed around with a simple majority vote. So, the changes that the Wyoming Freedom Caucus is concerned about arent really changes. A two-thirds vote to change the order of bills is only needed on the same day that the majority floor leader sets the general file, because that would require a certain House rule to be suspended.

But attempts to usurp the power of legislative leadership happen so infrequently that this particular rule was unclear to many lawmakers, as some of them expressed in the House rules and procedures meeting Wednesday evening. Some argued lawmakers might be more aggressive in trying to take advantage of the simple majority requirement now that the words out, as some lawmakers put it, though others said they didnt feel it was going to be a big problem.

The caucus is particularly concerned that the simple majority vote requirement could put the power of Hulett Republican Rep. Chip Neiman, the recently elected House majority floor leader, in peril.

Neiman, whos in his second term in the Legislature, was one of several lawmakers aligned with the Wyoming Freedom Caucus who vied for legislative leadership posts in the November Republican Caucus. But he was the only one who was successful in that effort, clinching the nomination in a 29-28 vote.

All I want, as majority floor leader, is what the previous majority floor leader had, Neiman said during the meeting Wednesday evening.

Theres been a revelation that has come from this discussion, and potentially I did too good of a job trying to figure out exactly whats right and whats available, and weve opened a can of worms, potentially.

Lawmakers in the House rules and procedures meeting voted down Wednesday evening proposed amendments to House rules 6-2 and 4-7 that would have respectively raised the threshold to change the order of bills on the majority floor leaders general file list, or to refer bills to a standing committee that the speaker of the House hasnt yet referred, to a two-thirds vote.

Though many were amenable to the idea of raising the threshold, some were concerned that the amendment was divided between the two rules, which could potentially result in one rule being approved with the amendment, and one not. This would be an issue if the two-thirds vote applied to the House majority floor leader and not the speaker, because that would result in the majority floor leader having greater authority to prevent a bill from being considered by the full House than the speaker.

But lawmakers moved along another amendment that would basically just codify and make clear the Legislative Service Offices understanding of the current process to move a bill on the general file. The way it functions now, to reiterate, is that the order of bills set on the House majority floor leaders general file list can be changed with a simple majority, requiring a two-thirds vote only if rules have to be suspended.

Just because lawmakers chose to move along that particular amendment on Wednesday doesnt mean it cant be tweaked again as it goes through the Legislature. If the Wyoming Freedom Caucus wants to keep pushing for that two-thirds vote requirement, it still has time to do so.

Correction: One of the House rules discussed was numbered 7-4 in a previous version of this article. The correct number of the rule is 4-7. The Star-Tribune regrets this error.
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.
As I get older, I am starting to understand my grandparents better. I have seen things grow 
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday extended the mandate of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon from March 1 to Dec. 31 this year.

The extension is "for the limited purpose of completion of the non-judicial residual functions of the special tribunal and for the orderly closure of the special tribunal," said a statement released by the UN chief's spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Mandated to conduct the trials of those accused of carrying out the attack of Feb. 14, 2005, in Beirut that killed 22 people, including the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, Rafik Hariri, and injured 226 others, the work of the special tribunal based near The Hague in the Netherlands is coming to its end.

Following a complex investigation and a trial in absentia, the special tribunal acquitted Assad Hassan Sabra. It convicted Salim Jamil Ayyash, Hassan Habib Merhi and Hussein Hassan Oneissi for their roles in the attack, sentencing them to five concurrent sentences of life imprisonment, the heaviest sentence possible under the Tribunal's Statute and Rules.

A completion plan, developed and agreed upon between the United Nations and the government of Lebanon, will guide the special tribunal during this mandate period to ensure the completion of the tribunal's residual functions, including preserving the records and archives of the special tribunal, responding to information requests, and protecting and supporting of victims and witnesses who cooperated with the special tribunal.

The secretary-general "commends the work of all the judges, senior officials and staff who have worked tirelessly and diligently over the years to implement the special tribunal's mandate, and calls upon member states to continue to support the special tribunal in 2023 to ensure that its residual functions can be completed and its legacy can be ensured," said the statement. 
When tech entrepreneur Matt Pobloske bought longtime Tucson optics firm Breault Research Organization about five years ago, the idea was to rejuvenate and grow the somewhat stagnant company.

He has done that and more, hiring new engineers and key senior staff and expanding the companys defense business.

Most recently, Breault won a Navy small-business research contract to develop a next-generation missile warhead, and the company is also working on landing lights for a U.S. aircraft carrier.

Breault is now part of a larger Tucson-based company Pobloske founded to tie together firms focused on remote sensing using optics with unmanned aircraft and more recently, marine research platforms.

A veteran of the unmanned aircraft and remote-sensing business, Pobloske was director of business development for Advanced Ceramics Research, which developed a line of semi-autonomous drone aircraft with the Navy in the 1990s.

That company was acquired in 2009 by defense giant BAE Systems which sold the company to Pobloske in 2014. The company operated as Sensintel Inc. until it was acquired by Raytheon in 2015.

After acquiring Breault in 2018, Pobloske founded AdaptiSense LLC to include Breault and two other businesses he had spun off, AUV Flight Services, which provides aerial drone piloting services for commercial and defense customers; and Unmanned Systems Source, a unmanned aircraft parts distribution business.

And AdaptiSenses added to its portfolio of companies in December 2021 with the acquisition of San Diego-based Biospherical Instruments Inc., a longtime provider of oceanic instruments such as thermal sensors whose customers include NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Military focus

New defense work has buoyed Breault, which was founded in 1979 by University of Arizona optics alumnus Bob Breault and worked on many Pentagon projects over the decades.

Breault Research  one of the original firms forming Tucsons Optics Valley  provides software that allows engineers to design and model the performance of lenses and other optical components, as well as in-house design and engineering services.

Breaults software has been used to design optical devices ranging from space telescopes to lenses for auto headlights.

But Breaults defense work had fallen off, and Pobloske set about boosting it by hiring key industry veterans and beefing up the engineering and scientific staff.

After some recent hirings, Breault has about 10 employees in Tucson, and AdaptiSense overall has about 30 including Biospherical Instruments operation in San Diego, Pobloske said. Bob Breault remains chairman emeritus of his namesake company and still comes to the office regularly, he added.

In May 2021, Pobloske hired John Spilotro, an aerospace engineer who spent nearly 22 years as a program manager at Raytheon Missiles & Defense in Tucson including work on advanced missiles and drones, as a vice president and later named him Breaults chief operating officer.

Vieri Tenuta, a defense research and cybersecurity expert, was hired as chief technology officer.

The pair have devoted a lot of their attention to reviving Breaults defense business, for good reason, Pobloske said.

Weve been expanding the engineering services and have been trying to get re-entrenched into the DoD (Department of Defense), which is where wed spent a big chunk of our time and energy, he said, noting that the company has been focusing mainly on fuzing and triggering systems for kinetic weapon systems.

That fits well with our legacy systems, our unmanned systems business, as well as our current and our legacy optics business because most of those targeting systems are all optical or thermal in nature, Pobloske said.

Improving warheads

Breault recently completed work on a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research contract for an Enhanced Lethality Warhead awarded by the Office of Naval Research in June and is working on a proposal for a Phase II contract, which would include prototyping and proof-of-concept testing.

According to the Navys SBIR contract solicitation, the objective is to develop new warhead designs using existing and new explosive materials to decrease the size and weight of warheads while maintaining the lethality of weapons such as the Harpoon anti-ship missile and the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, and to increase the lethality of smaller weapons.

Its to create the next-generation warhead that enhances the range capability in the system so its a lighter weight warhead, and with equivalent or better lethality capability, Spilotro said. So its a drop-in replacement, not to reinvent that whole system, its to improve the warfighter capability, to improve the pointy end of the spear.

Other current Navy programs at Breault include a Phase II SBIR to develop improved centerline landing lights, which guide pilots as they land, for the new Gerald R. Ford-class supercarrier USS Enterprise, which is under construction in Virginia and planned for delivery by 2028.

Breault has been working on heat-resistant landing lights under prior SBIR awards for the Navy since 2013, and the current work is under a $744,000 contract award in 2019.

This is a game-changer program for us right here, weve been working on it for a couple of years, Pobloske said as he showed off lights being built in the companys lab.

Besides research work for government agencies, Breault collaborates with Raytheon and other defense contractors to aid their contract work.

Pobloske said the companys biggest current project is ongoing work for aerospace and defense giant Northrup Grumman to help design a satellite-based telescope.

Breaults legacy customer list is unbelievable, especially on the software side  pick a fortune 1000 company and I will almost guarantee we sold them something, he said.

Measuring oceans

Meanwhile, Biospherical Instruments has been working under SBIR contracts to NASA since the mid-2000s to develop microradiometers  small light sensors  for surface and underwater research vehicles used to help NASA calibrate the satellite instruments it uses to study ocean conditions such as temperature.

Last August, NASA awarded Biospherical Instruments a $150,000 Phase I SBIR contract to develop new technology to prevent biofouling, the undesirable growth of organisms such as algae, barnacles and seaweed, on underwater scientific instruments.

While ultraviolet lights have been used to prevent marine biofouling, Breault is working to design a system that can be integrated with a translucent housing to guide UV light over instrument surfaces to prevent biological growth, Tenuta explained, adding that early results show promise for an array of underwater applications.

That application is really like limitless to anything thats underwater, because you can imagine that any kind of optic or any kind of window where anything thats underwater, sensors or anything, requires a clean surface, he said.

Pobloske said Biospherical gives AdaptiSense a company with established products and longtime relationships with customers in marine sensing, complementing Breaults expertise in sensor design and the drone flight and hardware businesses.

AdaptiSense is finalizing a deal to acquire another company involved in remote sensing, Pobloske said.

The endgame with that, of course, is to consolidate those under the name of AdaptiSense as were growing and using that as the corporate brand... remote sensing is ultimately the play, he said.
The Sahuarita Police Department said the deaths of two people in a home are believed to be a murder-suicide.

Around 1 p.m. Thursday, officers received a 911 call about a homicide in the 1300 block of West Via Cerro Colorado, northwest of Interstate 19 and West Sahuarita Road.

Upon entering the residence, officers found two individuals with signs of trauma, police said.

Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.

At this time, police said it appears that the incident is a murder-suicide. There is no danger to the public and no persons are being sought.

Police did not release the names of the deceased individuals on Thursday, pending notification of their relatives.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Sahuarita police at 911, (520) 344-7000 or on the tip line at (520) 445-7864.
PHOENIX  Arizona voters could decide next year how they feel about having people who are not yet old enough to drink making state laws.

A proposal by newly elected Rep. Matt Gress, R-Phoenix, would set the minimum age for legislators at 18. They now have to be 25 to take office.

But Gress, who first ran for town council in Cyril, Okla. at 18, said he doesnt believe that his ideas at that time, like how to deal with a money-losing ambulance service, didnt have merit. And he said that also must have been the belief of the 124 people who voted for him, though he lost.

And now, at 34, he says he believes others deserve a chance to serve, even if they will be involved in major policy decisions like enacting new laws and adopting an $18 billion state budget.

Gress is likely to face questions from lawmakers who have to consider his HCR 2004, all of whom are older than 25. And the big one is maturity.

There is a lot of scientific evidence that the prefrontal cortex matures during adolescence and is not fully developed until age 25. And thats the section of the brain the influences attention, impulse control, managing emotional reactions and predicting the consequences of ones actions.

I just dont buy that at all, he told Capitol Media Services.

My frontal cortex was fully formed, in my view, when I talked about issues facing our town, Gress said. And it resonated with 124 adults who voted.

He said it also presumes that some people are just too young to care about their community.

And Gress said lowering the age also is more likely to create an Arizona legislature thats more reflective of the population.

He hasnt done the math for the newly elected crop of 30 senators and 60 representatives. But Gress, who until this year was the budget director for Gov. Doug Ducey said he calculated out the average age for lawmakers last session in the neighborhood of 53 or 54 years.

By contrast, the U.S. Census puts the average age at 38.

In this case, theres a generational divide that I hope to bridge with this resolution, he said.

It also is not a novel idea, with 19 states allowing 18-year-olds to run for at least one chamber.

Gress acknowledged that an 18-year-old legislator is considered too young to buy a drink or smoke, whether tobacco or marijuana. But he said some of this was based on public policy arguments, like deterring teens from smoking until they are 21 in hopes of keeping them from starting in the first place.

Gress also said its not like its a shoo-in to get elected.

He spoke of his own experience last years having to go door-to-door to introduce himself to constituents as well as to meet educators and business leaders. And then theres the issue of either raising money directly or getting sufficient signatures to qualify for public funding.

If an 18-year-old can make the case to tens of thousands of Arizonans, key leaders in a community, then they have every right, as much as someone whos 25 years old or 50 years old, to serve the people of Arizona, Gress said.

Even if it makes its way through the House and Senate, the constitutional amendment would still require voter ratification.

But Gress said said this isnt a bid to get a political advantage for himself as the 18- to 24-year olds who might want the change would show up in higher numbers at the polls in 2024 to vote to approve it and then also vote for him. He said his legislative district which covers portions of northeast Phoenix, Paradise Valley and Scottsdale has a higher-than-average median age than much of the rest of the state.
DHAKA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The first training program of Huawei-BUET ICT Academy has started here.

Chinese tech giant Huawei and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) jointly launched the non-profit education program to equip young learners with industry-fit skills.

In a statement received here Friday, Huawei said students will be attending the training for nearly five months at the academy.

The curriculum of the ongoing first program covers Routing and Switching (IP Networks), and 5G (Cellular and Mobile Networks). Gradually the academy will cover 83 certification programs on 19 subjects in further courses. The participants will be given a chance to communicate with more than 3,000 instructors from around the world. 
Some years, its not too easy a task to name the best new restaurant of the year.

For one thing, it must be stated upfront that we have not been able to eat at every restaurant that has opened this year  if nothing else, it gives us something to which we can aspire in the coming year.

For another, some years had so many excellent restaurants open that one was hard-pressed to come up with a clear winner. There even were some years in which two establishments shared the top spot of our list.

But this year, it was fairly easy to select the best new restaurant, as only one place  in our estimation  succeeded on every level.

Freya Nordic Kitchen, the first new restaurant concept from Justin Thompson in nearly a decade, was the clear winner for 2022, bringing the flavors of Scandinavian cuisine to Tulsa.

This list represents the highest rated restaurants that either opened during 2022, or were reviewed for the first time by the Tulsa World this year. That means we have excluded two longtime Tulsa establishments that we reviewed after they either changed location or ownership, and that earned high marks  namely, The Chalkboard, located in the Ambassador Hotel, 1324 S. Main St., and Mondos Ristorante Italian, 3534 S. Peoria Ave.

Here are the Tulsa Worlds choices for the Best New Restaurants of 2022.

Freya Nordic Kitchen

3410 S. Peoria Ave. 918-779-4413, freyatulsa.com

Freya Nordic Kitchen puts a great deal of stock in the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced HUE-guh), which is a feeling of intense well-being brought on by a place or experience emanating warmth, charm and coziness. That is what dining at Freya Nordic Kitchen provides in abundance, with a focused, yet inventive seasonal menu that draws from Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish food traditions. Familiar dishes such as Swedish meatballs, as well as more exotic entrees as elk chops, are as comforting as they are flavorful. The smorgasbord appetizer gives an excellent sampling of such treats as the rich, buttery duck liver pate, a Norwegian cheese with a fudge-like texture called gjetost, and gravlax  thin slices of salmon cured in beet juice and a liquor called aquavit that produces an almost candy-like taste  and which is something I could eat by the barrel full. The restaurants bartending staff is as adept at mixing alcohol-free mocktails as they are preparing the traditional kind of drinks. The talented architects/designers from W Design are to be credited for Freyas interior.

The Hemingway

1515 E. 15th St. 918-248-0185, thehemingwaytulsa1515.com

The Hemingway was conceived to be a steakhouse that upends ones preconceptions of what a steakhouse should be. The steaks are most definitely the stars here, even if they visually share that top billing with everything else on the menu: the appetizers, the soups and salads, the entrees, the side dishes. Thats because each of these seemingly familiar dishes has undergone some unexpected twists, such as the liqueur Pernod in the creamed spinach, and the deconstructed French Onion soup. The restaurant, in the basement of the building that houses the 1515 Lofts and several other businesses, is lavishly decorated in dark woods, inlaid tile floors, glass-fronted cabinets holding bottles of wine, decorative items of glass and silver, and dazzling chandeliers, made from crystals that chef Trevor Tack said pre-date World War II, made by La Maison of Tulsa. An intimate elegant space to enjoy a great meal.

Il Seme

15 W. Fifth St.

Chef Lisa Becklund returned to her culinary roots with Il Seme, a concept that grew out of having to close her Farm Bar restaurant temporarily. Like that restaurant and the farm-to-table dinners she creates at Living Kitchen in Depew, Becklund sources most of her ingredients locally, although some of the items that go into the dishes at Il Seme can only come from Italy. Whatever the source, the results are impressive. The simple tomato sauce that accompanies the arancini appetizer is good enough to eat with a spoon. Bolognese sauce over fresh fettucini noodles is light yet richly flavored. And desserts such as rose panna cotta and strawberry Pavlova are simply divine.

Mr. Kims

119 S. Detroit Ave. 918- 856-6456, fantasticmrkims.com

One of four new concepts the McNellie Group opened in 2022, Mr. Kims is the most personal expression of culinary director Ben Alexander, one that speaks equally to his own Korean heritage as well as his love of his adoptive parents and country. Everything centers around the in-table grills, where guests can choose individual items from the menu, or go with one of the Omakase, or Chefs Tasting Menu, which includes a mix of beef and pork preparations  some marinated, some lightly adorned with a dusting of flaked sea salt, all raw and of a quality that all they really need is a little heat to be tasty  along with a trio of appetizers and banchan, the array of side dishes that are a familiar part of Korean cuisine. One can do the cooking, or have servers assist in the preparation. It makes for a wonderfully communal and kaleidoscopically flavorful meal.

Hatch Early Mood Food

161 S. Riverfront Drive 918-209-5800, hatchearlymoodfood.com

The first Tulsa location of this Oklahoma City-based chain includes a fair number of items that support the -unch portion of the word brunch, but most of its fairly large menu is devoted to breakfast, with 12 varieties of pancakes, half a dozen improvisations upon the theme of eggs Benedict and 10 dishes that offer unique spins on traditional breakfast creations. Fortunately, Hatch Early Mood Food gets all details that go into making memorable breakfast dishes right, from Southern staples such as biscuits and gravy, to the perfectly poached eggs atop one of its eggs benedict offerings, to the Hash Brown Tumblers, which are a cross between a tater tot and a latke, and are fiendishly addictive.

918 Maples Tacos & Cantina

317 S. Trenton Ave. 918-764-8107, 918maplescatering.com

Chef and owner Jose Bamaca turns his focus more narrowly on Mexican dishes at his new restaurant, which includes only a few items from his 918 Maples Cafe & Catering location. Bamacas birria tacos have deservedly earned him a following, and theyre on the menu here, along with Birria Pizza, a triple-decker creation that can feed a family. Deep-fried empanadas filled with beef and chicken have a light, airy crust, and al pastor tacos are hard to beat. Even dishes such as the rice and beans that accompany most entrees are clean-the-plate good.

NATV

1611 S. Main St., Broken Arrow 918-940-7296, natvba.com

Chef Jacque Siegfrieds NATV combines the dishes and ingredients of Indigenous cultures such as the Shawnee Nation, of which she is a member, with the fine dining skills she has honed throughout her career. The results are delicious, with every dish containing unique taste combinations. Bison Poyha turns what can be a painfully dry protein into a moist, flavorful dish, topped with a rich, tangy sauce. Seared trout is well-seasoned and topped with a wild onion chimichurri that is a burst of herbaceous delight. Start with the relish board, an array of cured meats, pickled vegetables and fruits that is almost a meal in itself.

Hole Mole

1302 E. Sixth St. 539-664-5635

Mole is a variety of sauces in Mexican cooking that often use dozens of ingredients and take hours, even days, to be cooked properly. Hole Mole, which occupies the Pearl District location of the Bramble during evening hours, features five moles that adorn, or can be added to, certain entrees, or one can sample three of them in its titular dish, which also includes a choice of white or dark chicken, or pork. The mole negro, or black mole, is a marvel of complexity so that each bite seems to carry a different and distinct flavor. Hole Mole also makes its tortillas in-house, and appetizers such as the creamy, spicy esquites and the tangy, vinegary aguachile are definitely worth your time.

Copaneazis Pizzeria

522 S. Boston Ave. 918-392-8008

Using a custom-made gas-fired stone-lined oven, Copaneazis creates some seriously good pizza, with a crust recipe developed by executive chef Joey Guns that is relatively thin, yet sturdy without being cracker-crisp, with a slightly nutty flavor and a light texture that is just a touch chewy without being doughy or gummy. One can choose from the reds (topped with San Marzano tomato sauce) or the whites (drizzled with olive oil), and indulge in such gangster-inspired pies as The Bugsy with mushrooms and onions; the Fughettaboutit with artichokes, mushrooms, onions, and roasted red peppers; and the Goodfellas with cup-and-curl pepperoni.

1907 Barbecue

1124 S. Lewis Ave., in Mother Road Market 918-928-7353, 1907bbq.com

1907 Barbecue has been around for a while as a food truck, but earlier this year put down stakes at Mother Road Market, where its take on Central Texas-style barbecue quickly gained the sort of following that means they sell out long before closing time. And its no surprise  the 1907 team does wonders with all sorts of meats, from brisket so full of flavor adding sauce to it seems like heresy, to crusty, unctuous burnt ends, to smoked turkey that is tender and juicy from first bite to last. Sides include peppery collard greens and creamy cheese grits.
A Skiatook man was killed Thursday afternoon after crashing head-on into a tractor-trailer rig on an Osage County road, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said.

Bradley Prather, 48, was driving a 2009 Ford F-350 pickup east on County Road 2130 around 3 p.m. Thursday when he went left of center, according to a preliminary crash report.

His pickup crashed head-on into a tractor-trailer rig about 9 miles west of Avant, troopers said.

Prather, who was pinned in the wreckage about 45 minutes, was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was not wearing a seat belt, according to troopers.

The truck driver reportedly was not injured.

Featured video: Traffic deaths are at record numbers
A multicounty grand jury returned a six-count indictment this week against a Tulsa attorney who is already facing rape charges in another case.

Prosecutors charged Jeffrey Price Krigel, of Krigel Legal, with one count of first-degree rape in June 2021.

Despite the single charge, Tulsa police investigators announced then that they were treating Krigels case as one of a serial offender due to at least six women having come forward to accuse him of sexual assaults dating to 2005.

Krigel, then 35, posted $200,000 bond to be released days after his arrest. In a motion to deny him bond in this new case, prosecutors allege that Krigel has used his freedom to harass and intimidate those tied to his case through a slew of frivolous and inappropriate court filings, social media messages, lawsuits and third-party methods of contact.

The state multicounty grand jury on Thursday indicted Krigel on two counts of witness intimidation along with one count each of first-degree rape, forcible sodomy, second-degree rape by instrumentation and distribution of obscene material. Five alleged victims are listed by their initials.

The court documents allege that Krigel has published a litany of accusations against multiple individuals tied to the case, including officers of the court, and divulged protected, confidential and personal information of victims and witnesses through his court filings.

His accusations have ranged in severity from alleging that a victim stole from him a black cat named Flower Lilly to saying another local attorney is the head of a child trafficking network. In one case, Krigel filed a picture of a victims genitalia in a public pleading.

Defendant has used the same pattern to victimize multiple women and there is a serious concern that he could continue this pattern of behavior if on any bond, the state wrote in its motion.

The Oklahoma Bar Association has filed a complaint against Krigel and requested that the Oklahoma Supreme Court discipline him accordingly, suspending his license in the interim. A hearing in the matter is scheduled for early March.

Krigel, 36, was booked into the Tulsa County jail Thursday evening and is currently held without bond, according to jail records.

Krigel is next scheduled for court on Jan. 20. After shuffling through several attorneys in his initial case, he is representing himself.

Featured video: Memorable Tulsa World court system stories of 2022
Tulsa police officers will see a sizable increase in their salaries over the next year, thanks to a deal struck between the Mayors Office and union membership.

Mayor G.T. Bynum signed the collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 93 last week, giving current full-time officers about a 12% pay raise in three separate 4% increments in January and July of this year and January 2023, a city spokeswoman said.

It has never been more challenging to recruit men and women into the law enforcement profession, Bynum wrote in a Facebook post then. As we pursue unprecedented measures to attract new officers to the Tulsa Police Department, we also want to do our best to retain officers already serving.

Tulsa police officers are salaried according to a step pay chart. Beginning with an out-of-academy salary of about $59,100 at step zero, they typically move up one step a year  dependent on an annual work evaluation  until they max out at the highest salary available for their respective ranks. An officers maximum pay was formerly about $81,600 at step eight.

The process over the next year will be similar, but contract negotiations added three steps to the top of each ranks pay range and accelerated step movement three times as fast, meaning employees will move up not one but three pay steps in this contract period.

For some, especially those who were near-to or had already maxed out their pay steps, that will mean a sizable salary boost. The increases to annual salaries, depending on rank and current pay step, will range from nearly $8,000 to $18,500 overall, according to Tulsa World calculations. The maximum pay for an officer is now about $91,700 at step 11.

The full agreement can be accessed online at bit.ly/TulsaCBAs.

The departments 2021 pay raise mostly focused additions to the lower spectrum of the pay steps for purposes of recruitment, said Lt. Patrick Stephens, chairman of the unions board of directors, whereas this years zeroes in on retaining more senior officers.

The Mayors Office officially began negotiations with the FOP after the union pitched the idea in an unofficial brainstorming breakfast, Stephens said, making for an early start to counter the police pensions upcoming extra 2% offer for officers who retire before the end of May.

But retirement isnt the only wrench. The city is paying for the increases through salary savings from attrition, a spokeswoman said.

Were having a large number of officers from that five- to 10-year period leave, Stephens said. The officers that are eligible for retirement, a city can tolerate that, but once you lose your middle core group, youre just training up these people to work for someone else.

When officers see the city investing in them like this mayor has, it makes it easier for them to stay here instead of taking a job at another department or agency.

Over the past couple of years, TPD has consistently operated about 150 officers shy of its authorized strength, 943. In the absence of manpower, the city has pursued investment in a Real Time Information Center and recently began offering a $15,000 starting bonus to new police recruits.

I want to thank the leadership of the Tulsa FOP for working with my administration to take this important step in addressing our manpower challenges, Bynum said.

Stephens lauded the willingness of the Mayors Office to prioritize public safety.

Not only did (Bynum) come up with an incentive to recruit, but he also took care of the people who are here, and that means a lot to the officers who are here, Stephens said. I cant say enough about working with this mayor and with Cascia Carr, the deputy mayor. Its been a great experience.

Stephens said the changes make TPD more competitive with departments of other similarly-sized cities, but its still too soon to tell whether the raise will be enough to affect staffing.

I know that there are some people who are now re-thinking their plans, Stephens said. But officers tend to keep those plans close, so we wont know until May.

The collective bargaining agreement between the Mayors Office and the Tulsa Fire Departments union is still in the works.

Tulsa Firefighters Local 176 President Matt Lay said members were optimistic when they learned months ago of the early start on negotiations with TPD but find themselves only one meeting into their process.

Although TFD is not currently in a staffing crisis, Lay said firefighters remain committed to meaningful and sustained investment in the personnel, positions and equipment that save lives and protect our community and would greatly like to avoid the pitfalls that came from being reactive, like being in the bottom of our market in wages or a fire truck fleet in disrepair.

The city said it held its first contract negotiation meeting with the firefighters union last week and has another scheduled for later this month, which it noted is also ahead of schedule compared to previous years.
Jenks Mayor Cory Box didnt grow up in Oklahoma, but hes been around these parts long enough to know that people have been talking for decades about building a dam across the Arkansas River between south Tulsa and Jenks.

Thursday afternoon he joined representatives from the city of Tulsa, the Muscogee Nation and the Indian Nations Council of Governments in signing a memorandum of understanding intended to turn that long-sought-after dream into a reality.

I have heard that for decades many people living in this county have said this would never be built or that it was a promise that couldnt be fulfilled, but I am happy to tell you that isnt true anymore, Box said during a signing ceremony in front of the Jenks Riverwalk. This will be built  and I am not talking about ocean-front property in Arizona; I am talking about lake-front property in Jenks, Oklahoma.

The memorandum of understanding commits the four government entities to provide a total of $97.1 million to the project, which is expected to cross the river at approximately 103rd Street and Riverside Parkway.

The Jenks dam was one of two low-water dams funded as part of the 2016 Vision Tulsa capital improvements package. Tulsa voters approved $127.2 million for the two dams, including no more than $64.2 million for the south Tulsa-Jenks low-water dam. However, construction of that dam has always been contingent on the city of Jenks, the Muscogee Nation and/or other entities contributing a minimum of $32.9 million.

The final piece of the funding puzzle was secured in late December when the Muscogee National Council voted to provide $8.6 million to the project.

Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill said the tribe is always happy to participate in local development projects and that he was grateful to be part of this one.

This is just the beginning of what we offer as the tribal nation, Hill said. I think there is more to come, especially seeing the water come here. There are opportunities for us, as our casino River Spirit is just right up (the river).

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum hailed the collaborative spirit that made the project possible, giving special thanks to the Muscogee Nation and its National Council.

I want them to know that it is very important to us at the city of Tulsa that this will be a historic success for Creek Nation citizens, Bynum said, adding that the city will do all that we can to show how right you were in supporting this.

The memorandum of understanding includes language stating the city of Tulsas intent to enter into an agreement with the Muscogee Nation to assist in the development of approximately 19.3 acres of tribal land bounded by Lewis Avenue, Riverside Drive, 81st Street and 91st Street.

Tulsa County Commissioner Kelly Dunkerley was mayor of Jenks when residents there voted to approve $16.7 million for the project as part of that citys 2016 Vision package. The city later allocated $2 million more to the project.

It is a momentous step for the south Tulsa region, but more than that, the whole region, Dunkerley said.

INCOG is contributing $6 million to the project through a federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant.

Tulsa city officials have said the dam likely will take five years to complete. Bynum said Thursday that the city has a good cost estimate but that the exact number wont be known until the design and permitting for the project are completed.

We have built into the estimates, when we passed this, healthy reserves for it, he said. And then we have built in a number of elements into the budget on this that are kind of optional, like a marina, things like that, that if we get to a point where we are seeing that we have cost pinch, we can remove some of those options.

Box described the dam as the largest economic development project in Jenks history, saying it would spur growth for the next 25 years and beyond.

This is really the true game-changer for the future of our city, Box said. We now know for sure how we can plan for our future. We can unite behind a single vision for responsible growth for our (Oklahoma) Aquarium campus all the way south to what you guys know as the River District, Box said.

The other low-water dam funded through Vision Tulsa is Zink Dam, which is essentially being rebuilt north of 31st Street. That project, along with the new Williams Crossing pedestrian bridge, is expected to be completed in late summer.

2020 video: Zink Lake project breaks ground

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When Oklahomans think of an ice storm in 2007, they probably think of the one that happened in December.

However, about 11 months earlier, icy weather knocked out power to about 100,000 homes in a narrow swath from McAlester to southern Delaware County. Most of the power outages were around McAlester and the Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative.

Snow accumulations were an inch or two at the most, but freezing rain and sleet caused at least 15 traffic fatalities. Tulsa International Airport canceled 70 percent of its flights. President Bush ordered federal emergency assistance to the state.

It was a harsh winter season already, as the area already endured icy weather in December 2006.
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.
Customs officers at Changsha Huanghua International Airport inspect fresh-cut roses imported from Africa in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, Jan. 12, 2023. (Changsha Customs/Handout via Xinhua)

CHANGSHA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A total of 3,000 fresh-cut roses from Nairobi, Kenya, landed Thursday morning in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, marking the first batch of African flowers exported to Hunan in almost three years.

These flowers, after passing through all inspection and quarantine procedures, will serve the booming flower market ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival holiday, the most important and grandest traditional festival of the year in China.

Traditionally, the Chinese purchase flowers before the Spring Festival for decoration or good luck in the upcoming year, with red flowers being the most popular.

Kenyan flowers, especially Kenyan roses, enjoy a good market presence worldwide because of their large heads, straight stem length, and long-lasting vase life, according to a staffer with Hunan Xiyue Culture Media, the importer, adding that the company will continue importing more Kenyan flowers to serve the soaring demand.

According to the animal and plant inspection department of Changsha Customs, as flowers are delicate and perishable products, they have launched a "declare in advance" service to facilitate its declaration and ensure the safe and rapid clearance of flowers. 
OKLAHOMA CITY  Newly minted State Treasurer Todd Russ has hired his predecessor to help with the transition.

Former State Treasurer Randy McDaniel decided not to seek a second term in the Legislature.

Both McDaniel and Russ are former Republican House members.

I have proposed to him to hang around and help with my transition and give me some time, and he has been willing to do that at this point, Russ said.

Russ said he was hoping Tim Allen, former deputy treasurer for communications and program administration, would have stayed with the agency during the transition. But Allen, who worked for four state treasurers, took a job as director of policy and communication for the Oklahoma Broadband Office.

Russ said Allen is a legacy guy who got a good offer and pay bump with his new job.

It may develop into a long-term opportunity, Russ said of McDaniels employment. He is certainly a qualified individual with a good track record and the talent you kind of want to have around.

Russ said he was not ready to say how much McDaniel would be earning or what his title would be.

I am honored that Treasurer Russ has asked me to help in the transition and continue my service in the State Treasurers Office, McDaniel said. My experience with the duties makes me uniquely qualified, especially with the departure of longtime Deputy Treasurer Tim Allen.

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Over 500,000 cars were sold in Vietnam in 2022, according to figures unveiled by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), South Korean - Vietnamese joint venture Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam, and Vietnamese carmaker VinFast. The total market sales as recorded by the three aforementioned units were 509,141 vehicles, the highest ever, but the actual number could be even higher because VinFast failed to fully report its sales in September and October. In addition, some large firms such as Nissan, Volkswagen, and Subaru and other luxury car brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, and Jaguar Land Rover declined to disclose their numbers. According to industry insiders, it is understandable that the purchasing power of cars has increased sharply after two years of pent-up demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many manufacturers also offered discounts and ran promotional campaigns to attract customers. Toyota sold the most cars with 91,115 units, followed by Huyndai with 81,582 vehicles, Kia with 60,672 units, and Mitsubishi with 39,861 units. Mazda sold 36,052 autos and 30,654 Honda vehicles reached consumers. Consumers also purchased 28,847 Ford autos and 22,924 VinFast cars. Regarding classification, Vietnamese people favored sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) in 2022. Members of the VAMA hit total sales of 120,447 SUVs and CUVs, up 28,000 units from 2021. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Over 500,000 cars were sold in Vietnam in 2022, according to figures unveiled by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), South Korean - Vietnamese joint venture Hyundai Thanh Cong Vietnam, and Vietnamese carmaker VinFast.

The total market sales as recorded by the three aforementioned units were 509,141 vehicles, the highest ever, but the actual number could be even higher because VinFast failed to fully report its sales in September and October.

In addition, some large firms such as Nissan, Volkswagen, and Subaru and other luxury car brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, and Jaguar Land Rover declined to disclose their numbers.

According to industry insiders, it is understandable that the purchasing power of cars has increased sharply after two years of pent-up demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many manufacturers also offered discounts and ran promotional campaigns to attract customers.

Toyota sold the most cars with 91,115 units, followed by Huyndai with 81,582 vehicles, Kia with 60,672 units, and Mitsubishi with 39,861 units.

Mazda sold 36,052 autos and 30,654 Honda vehicles reached consumers.

Consumers also purchased 28,847 Ford autos and 22,924 VinFast cars.

Regarding classification, Vietnamese people favored sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) in 2022.

Members of the VAMA hit total sales of 120,447 SUVs and CUVs, up 28,000 units from 2021.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Vietnams budget air carrier Vietjet has announced plans to open a direct air route between Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne, the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, starting from March 31. The information was disclosed during a visit of a delegation of the Victoria State authorities to Ho Chi Minh City this week. The air route is expected to contribute to strengthening the economic, trade, and tourism ties between Vietnam and Australia. In particular, flights are set to take off from Ho Chi Minh City at 9:50 am (local time) and land at Melbourne Airport at 10:35 pm (local time) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Meanwhile, flights from Melbourne will depart at 0:30 am (local time) and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 5:15 am (local time) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The frequency of flights will increase to seven flights per week from December 2024. Vietjet will use A330 wide-body aircraft on the route. Speaking at a ceremony to announce the opening of the air route, Tim Pallas, Minister for Trade and Investment of Victoria, hailed Vietjets decision to open an air route between Vietnam and Melbourne, saying that the arrival of another airline from Southeast Asia is a victory of Victorias economy and local jobs, and a reflection of the states strengths in tourism and export." With the support of the authorities in Vietnam and Australia, Vietjet will contribute to creating a new driving force for tourism, trade, and economy of Vietnam, Vietnamese localities, Victoria State, and Australia. With a wide flight network, Vietjet will open up opportunities to discover Australia for passengers in Asia. Deputy general director of Vietjet Nguyen Thanh Son and Jim Parashos, chief of aviation at Melbourne Airport, sign a cooperation agreement. Australia is a well-known tourist and studying destination. In 2019, over 123,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Australia. Trade between the two countries reached an all-time high of US$12.4 billion in 2021. These figures will improve further once Vietjets flights to large cities in Australia are operated this year. At a meeting with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue early this week, Pallas expressed a desire to boost the cooperation in energy transition, education and training, aviation, and tourism between Victoria and Vietnam in 2023 and following years. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Vietnams budget air carrier Vietjet has announced plans to open a direct air route between Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne, the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, starting from March 31.

The information was disclosed during a visit of a delegation of the Victoria State authorities to Ho Chi Minh City this week.

The air route is expected to contribute to strengthening the economic, trade, and tourism ties between Vietnam and Australia.

In particular, flights are set to take off from Ho Chi Minh City at 9:50 am (local time) and land at Melbourne Airport at 10:35 pm (local time) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

Meanwhile, flights from Melbourne will depart at 0:30 am (local time) and arrive in Ho Chi Minh City at 5:15 am (local time) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

The frequency of flights will increase to seven flights per week from December 2024.

Vietjet will use A330 wide-body aircraft on the route.

Speaking at a ceremony to announce the opening of the air route, Tim Pallas, Minister for Trade and Investment of Victoria, hailed Vietjets decision to open an air route between Vietnam and Melbourne, saying that the arrival of another airline from Southeast Asia is a victory of Victorias economy and local jobs, and a reflection of the states strengths in tourism and export."

With the support of the authorities in Vietnam and Australia, Vietjet will contribute to creating a new driving force for tourism, trade, and economy of Vietnam, Vietnamese localities, Victoria State, and Australia.

With a wide flight network, Vietjet will open up opportunities to discover Australia for passengers in Asia.

Deputy general director of Vietjet Nguyen Thanh Son and Jim Parashos, chief of aviation at Melbourne Airport, sign a cooperation agreement.

Australia is a well-known tourist and studying destination. In 2019, over 123,000 Vietnamese tourists visited Australia.

Trade between the two countries reached an all-time high of US$12.4 billion in 2021.

These figures will improve further once Vietjets flights to large cities in Australia are operated this year.

At a meeting with Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue early this week, Pallas expressed a desire to boost the cooperation in energy transition, education and training, aviation, and tourism between Victoria and Vietnam in 2023 and following years.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
As the mercury drops to minus 20 Celsius, a research rocket lifts off from one of the world's northernmost space centres, its burner aglow in the twilight of Sweden's snowy Arctic forests. Hopes are high that a rocket like this could carry a satellite this year, in what could be the first satellite launch from a spaceport in continental Europe. At the launch pad, about an hour from the mining town of Kiruna, there's not a person in sight, only the occasional reindeer herd in the summer. The vast deserted forests are the reason the Swedish space centre is located here, at the foot of "Radar Hill", some 200 kilometres (124 miles) above the Arctic Circle. "In this area we have 5,200 square kilometres (2,007 square miles) where no one lives, so we can easily launch a rocket that flies into this area and falls down without anyone getting harmed," Mattias Abrahamsson, head of business development at the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), tells AFP. Founded by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1966 to study the atmosphere and Northern Lights phenomenon, the Esrange space centre has invested heavily in its facilities to be able to send satellites into space. Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are due to inaugurate the site's three new launch pads on Friday. At a huge new hangar big enough to house two 30-metre rockets currently under assembly elsewhere, Philip Pahlsson, head of the "New Esrange" project, pulls up a heavy blue door. Under the rosy twilight of this early afternoon, the new launch pads can be seen in the distance. "Satellite launches will start to take place from here next year," Pahlsson says. "This has been a major development, the biggest step we have taken since the inception of Esrange." More than 600 suborbital rockets have already been launched from this remote corner of Sweden's far north, including the Suborbital Express 3 whose late November launch AFP witnessed as the temperature stood at -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit.) While these rockets are capable of reaching space at altitudes of 260 kilometres, they're not able to orbit Earth. Booming business But with Europe gearing up to send its first satellite into space soon, Esrange is looking forward to joining a select club of space centres that include Baikonur in Kazakhstan, Cape Canaveral in Florida, and Europe's space hub in South America, Kourou in French Guiana. Various projects in Europe -- in Portugal's Azores, Norway's Andoya island, Spain's Andalusia and the UK's Shetland Islands among others -- are all vying to launch the first satellite from the European continent. An attempt to launch the first rocket into orbit from UK soil -- from a Virgin Orbit Boeing 747 that took off from a spaceport in Cornwall -- ended in failure earlier this week. "We think we are clearly the most advanced," says the SSC, which is aiming to launch at the end of 2023 or early 2024. The satellite industry is booming, and the Swedish state-owned company is in discussions with several rocket makers and clients who want to put their satellites in orbit. With a reusable rocket project called Themis, Esrange will also host ESA's trials of rockets able to land back on Earth, like those of SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk. While the Plesetsk base in northwestern Russia carried out several satellite launches in the post-Cold War period, no other country in Europe has done so. Small satellites driving demand So why is the continent -- so far from the Equator, which is more suited for satellite launches -- suddenly seeing such a space industry boom? "Satellites are becoming smaller and cheaper, and instead of launching one big satellite you spread it out over multiple small satellites and that drives the demand," explains Pahlsson. More objects were launched into space in 2021 than ever before. And more records are set to be broken in the coming years. Orbiting the North and South Poles is enough for many satellites, making sites like Esrange more attractive. In addition, having a launch site close to European clients spares them and their satellites long boat journeys to Kourou. In Sweden, like in the rest of Europe, the rockets being developed are "micro-rockets". These are around 30 metres long, capable of carrying a payload of several hundred kilos. In the future, SSC is aiming for payloads of more than a tonne. But working in the harsh Arctic climate "comes with challenges", SSC says. With temperatures regularly dropping to -20 or -30 degrees Celsius, special attention needs to be paid to the metals used, which become more fragile in the cold. The war in Ukraine -- where the engines for the European Vega rocket are manufactured -- and the abrupt end to the West's space cooperation with Russia have meanwhile increased interest in having spaceports on the continent. "Europe needs independent access to space. The horrible situation in Ukraine has changed the space business," notes Pahlsson.

As the mercury drops to minus 20 Celsius, a research rocket lifts off from one of the world's northernmost space centres, its burner aglow in the twilight of Sweden's snowy Arctic forests.

Hopes are high that a rocket like this could carry a satellite this year, in what could be the first satellite launch from a spaceport in continental Europe.

At the launch pad, about an hour from the mining town of Kiruna, there's not a person in sight, only the occasional reindeer herd in the summer.

The vast deserted forests are the reason the Swedish space centre is located here, at the foot of "Radar Hill", some 200 kilometres (124 miles) above the Arctic Circle.

"In this area we have 5,200 square kilometres (2,007 square miles) where no one lives, so we can easily launch a rocket that flies into this area and falls down without anyone getting harmed," Mattias Abrahamsson, head of business development at the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), tells AFP.

Founded by the European Space Agency (ESA) in 1966 to study the atmosphere and Northern Lights phenomenon, the Esrange space centre has invested heavily in its facilities to be able to send satellites into space.

Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are due to inaugurate the site's three new launch pads on Friday.

At a huge new hangar big enough to house two 30-metre rockets currently under assembly elsewhere, Philip Pahlsson, head of the "New Esrange" project, pulls up a heavy blue door.

Under the rosy twilight of this early afternoon, the new launch pads can be seen in the distance.

"Satellite launches will start to take place from here next year," Pahlsson says.

"This has been a major development, the biggest step we have taken since the inception of Esrange."

More than 600 suborbital rockets have already been launched from this remote corner of Sweden's far north, including the Suborbital Express 3 whose late November launch AFP witnessed as the temperature stood at -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit.)

While these rockets are capable of reaching space at altitudes of 260 kilometres, they're not able to orbit Earth.

Booming business

But with Europe gearing up to send its first satellite into space soon, Esrange is looking forward to joining a select club of space centres that include Baikonur in Kazakhstan, Cape Canaveral in Florida, and Europe's space hub in South America, Kourou in French Guiana.

Various projects in Europe -- in Portugal's Azores, Norway's Andoya island, Spain's Andalusia and the UK's Shetland Islands among others -- are all vying to launch the first satellite from the European continent.

An attempt to launch the first rocket into orbit from UK soil -- from a Virgin Orbit Boeing 747 that took off from a spaceport in Cornwall -- ended in failure earlier this week.

"We think we are clearly the most advanced," says the SSC, which is aiming to launch at the end of 2023 or early 2024.

The satellite industry is booming, and the Swedish state-owned company is in discussions with several rocket makers and clients who want to put their satellites in orbit.

With a reusable rocket project called Themis, Esrange will also host ESA's trials of rockets able to land back on Earth, like those of SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk.

While the Plesetsk base in northwestern Russia carried out several satellite launches in the post-Cold War period, no other country in Europe has done so.

Small satellites driving demand

So why is the continent -- so far from the Equator, which is more suited for satellite launches -- suddenly seeing such a space industry boom?

"Satellites are becoming smaller and cheaper, and instead of launching one big satellite you spread it out over multiple small satellites and that drives the demand," explains Pahlsson.

More objects were launched into space in 2021 than ever before. And more records are set to be broken in the coming years.

Orbiting the North and South Poles is enough for many satellites, making sites like Esrange more attractive.

In addition, having a launch site close to European clients spares them and their satellites long boat journeys to Kourou.

In Sweden, like in the rest of Europe, the rockets being developed are "micro-rockets".

These are around 30 metres long, capable of carrying a payload of several hundred kilos. In the future, SSC is aiming for payloads of more than a tonne.

But working in the harsh Arctic climate "comes with challenges", SSC says.

With temperatures regularly dropping to -20 or -30 degrees Celsius, special attention needs to be paid to the metals used, which become more fragile in the cold.

The war in Ukraine -- where the engines for the European Vega rocket are manufactured -- and the abrupt end to the West's space cooperation with Russia have meanwhile increased interest in having spaceports on the continent.

"Europe needs independent access to space. The horrible situation in Ukraine has changed the space business," notes Pahlsson.
Police in Ho Chi Minh City have caught three stalls at Binh Dien Wholesale Market in District 8 red-handed soaking bamboo shoots and lotus stems in chemicals bought from Kim Bien, a wholesale market specializing in chemicals in District 5. A representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department said on Wednesday that they will impose sanctions on the three establishments. Lotus stems are soaked in chemicals. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police Last Friday evening, a team of environmental police officers inspected several vegetable and fruit stalls at Binh Dien Wholesale Market and detected the V.Y., K.P., and T.H. stalls using chemicals without labels and clear origins for food processing. The owners of these stalls said that the chemicals were bought from Kim Bien Market. They did not know what the chemicals were and how harmful they were as the substances had no labels. They used them to bleach lotus stems. Meanwhile, chemicals with yellow or orange colors were used to make bamboo shoots look fresh and eye-catching. Chemicals with unknown origins are used to soak bamboo shoots and lotus stems at Binh Dien Wholesale Market in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police At the inspection time, the police found that the chemicals were contained in dirty plastic bags and mugs. Some traders also hid chemicals in waste to escape police officers notice. Police officers also found the V.Y. and K.P. stalls stocking tens of metric tons of bamboo shoots, which would be soaked in chemicals before being sold to consumers. The inspection team seized nearly two metric tons of bamboo shoots, 135 kilograms of lotus stems, and more than 20 kilograms of chemicals for further investigation. Chemicals confiscated by police officers. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police If these volumes of bamboo shoots and lotus stems were not detected, they would harm the health of consumers once they were put up for sale. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Police in Ho Chi Minh City have caught three stalls at Binh Dien Wholesale Market in District 8 red-handed soaking bamboo shoots and lotus stems in chemicals bought from Kim Bien, a wholesale market specializing in chemicals in District 5.

A representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Public Security Department said on Wednesday that they will impose sanctions on the three establishments.

Lotus stems are soaked in chemicals. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

Last Friday evening, a team of environmental police officers inspected several vegetable and fruit stalls at Binh Dien Wholesale Market and detected the V.Y., K.P., and T.H. stalls using chemicals without labels and clear origins for food processing.

The owners of these stalls said that the chemicals were bought from Kim Bien Market.

They did not know what the chemicals were and how harmful they were as the substances had no labels.

They used them to bleach lotus stems. Meanwhile, chemicals with yellow or orange colors were used to make bamboo shoots look fresh and eye-catching.

Chemicals with unknown origins are used to soak bamboo shoots and lotus stems at Binh Dien Wholesale Market in District 8, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

At the inspection time, the police found that the chemicals were contained in dirty plastic bags and mugs.

Some traders also hid chemicals in waste to escape police officers notice.

Police officers also found the V.Y. and K.P. stalls stocking tens of metric tons of bamboo shoots, which would be soaked in chemicals before being sold to consumers.

The inspection team seized nearly two metric tons of bamboo shoots, 135 kilograms of lotus stems, and more than 20 kilograms of chemicals for further investigation.

Chemicals confiscated by police officers. Photo: Ho Chi Minh City Police

If these volumes of bamboo shoots and lotus stems were not detected, they would harm the health of consumers once they were put up for sale.

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Amid the risk of the spread of the XBB.1.5 sub-variant during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, Ho Chi Minh City will enhance anti-epidemic measures, including testing immigrants suspected of being infected with COVID-19. Traveling and trade activities through border gates will surge during the Tet holiday, posing a high risk of the spread of variants and sub-variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to Vietnam although the country has not detected the XBB.1.5 sub-variant, according to a document on COVID-19 prevention and control during Tet issued on Wednesday by Tang Chi Thuong, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health. Therefore, the department asked the municipal Center for Disease Control (HCDC) to be on guard at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City around the clock to supervise all inbound passengers. Suspected cases will be taken to a temporary quarantine area for a check-up and COVID-19 test. If they test negative for the coronavirus, they will continue completing immigration procedures and get instructions on self-monitoring their health at their residences. If they test positive, the HCDC will work with relevant agencies to help them complete immigration procedures and they will be taken to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases to undergo a RT-PCR test and genome sequencing. Ho Chi Minh City will conduct COVID-19 vaccination throughout the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre Officials of the HCDC will also be on duty at seaports in the city to obtain information on ships. Crew members showing COVID-19 symptoms will undergo tests. If the result is negative, they will work as normal and self-monitor their health on ships. If they test positive but show no or mild symptoms, they will be isolated on their ships. Their co-workers will work normally. Meanwhile, if their symptoms are serious, they will be transported to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases for treatment, RT-PCR testing, and genome sequencing. The municipal health department also required organizers of events and festivals with a large number of participants to seriously comply with COVID-19 prevention and control measures, such as asking the participants to wear medical face masks, arranging hand wash basins, and offering hand sanitizers. The city will enhance COVID-19 vaccination during the upcoming Tet holiday, which is due next week, to create favorable conditions for local residents to get vaccinated on time. The field hospital No. 13 is maintained and will be ready for resumption within 24 hours when the pandemic situation worsens. All general and specialized hospitals, excluding cosmetic ones, in the city must be willing to receive and treat COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the city will strengthen the reception, management, and treatment of COVID-19 patients to prevent their conditions from getting worse and minimize deaths. The municipal healthcare sector will draw up a plan to arrange 10,000 beds for COVID-19 patients. All hospitals in the city should prepare human resources, infrastructure, equipment, medicines, and vehicles to meet the medical check-up and treatment demands of residents during the Tet holiday, the Department of Health required. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the XBB.1.5 sub-variant now dominates other Omicron sub-strains and has spread to about 70 countries as well as caused waves of infections in several parts of Asia. XBB.1.5 has been the most contagious sub-variant of Omicron to date. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Amid the risk of the spread of the XBB.1.5 sub-variant during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, Ho Chi Minh City will enhance anti-epidemic measures, including testing immigrants suspected of being infected with COVID-19.

Traveling and trade activities through border gates will surge during the Tet holiday, posing a high risk of the spread of variants and sub-variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to Vietnam although the country has not detected the XBB.1.5 sub-variant, according to a document on COVID-19 prevention and control during Tet issued on Wednesday by Tang Chi Thuong, director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health.

Therefore, the department asked the municipal Center for Disease Control (HCDC) to be on guard at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City around the clock to supervise all inbound passengers.

Suspected cases will be taken to a temporary quarantine area for a check-up and COVID-19 test.

If they test negative for the coronavirus, they will continue completing immigration procedures and get instructions on self-monitoring their health at their residences.

If they test positive, the HCDC will work with relevant agencies to help them complete immigration procedures and they will be taken to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases to undergo a RT-PCR test and genome sequencing.

Ho Chi Minh City will conduct COVID-19 vaccination throughout the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday. Photo: Thu Hien / Tuoi Tre

Officials of the HCDC will also be on duty at seaports in the city to obtain information on ships. Crew members showing COVID-19 symptoms will undergo tests.

If the result is negative, they will work as normal and self-monitor their health on ships.

If they test positive but show no or mild symptoms, they will be isolated on their ships. Their co-workers will work normally.

Meanwhile, if their symptoms are serious, they will be transported to the Ho Chi Minh City Hospital for Tropical Diseases for treatment, RT-PCR testing, and genome sequencing.

The municipal health department also required organizers of events and festivals with a large number of participants to seriously comply with COVID-19 prevention and control measures, such as asking the participants to wear medical face masks, arranging hand wash basins, and offering hand sanitizers.

The city will enhance COVID-19 vaccination during the upcoming Tet holiday, which is due next week, to create favorable conditions for local residents to get vaccinated on time.

The field hospital No. 13 is maintained and will be ready for resumption within 24 hours when the pandemic situation worsens.

All general and specialized hospitals, excluding cosmetic ones, in the city must be willing to receive and treat COVID-19 patients.

Moreover, the city will strengthen the reception, management, and treatment of COVID-19 patients to prevent their conditions from getting worse and minimize deaths. The municipal healthcare sector will draw up a plan to arrange 10,000 beds for COVID-19 patients.

All hospitals in the city should prepare human resources, infrastructure, equipment, medicines, and vehicles to meet the medical check-up and treatment demands of residents during the Tet holiday, the Department of Health required.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the XBB.1.5 sub-variant now dominates other Omicron sub-strains and has spread to about 70 countries as well as caused waves of infections in several parts of Asia.

XBB.1.5 has been the most contagious sub-variant of Omicron to date.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper pressed the button to detonate wartime bombs and shells discovered in Quang Binh Province, as part of his trip to the north-central locality on Thursday. Ambassador Knapper on Thursday accompanied the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) during their demining activities in Quang Binh Province. The diplomat witnessed the process of clearing wartime bombs and unexploded ordnance (UXO) performed by the MAG. He was invited to press the button to detonate a Blu63 bomblet and a HE37 shell discovered in Cu Nam Commune, Bo Trach District. In 2020, with the support of the U.S. government, three organizations including the MAG, Norwegian People's Aid, and PeaceTrees Vietnam established a project alliance and cooperated to find and defuse wartime UXO in Quang Binh Province. The MAG has been operating in Quang Binh since 2003. A representative of the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) talks about the groups operation in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, January 12, 2022. Photo: Hong Van / Tuoi Tre Ambassador Knapper expressed his admiration and gratitude for the work of the MAG, adding that it means a lot to local people, residents, and Vietnam in general. What the MAG has been doing here shows the U.S. commitment to working with Vietnam to solve problems left behind by the war. Located near the Ho Chi Minh Trail, Cu Nam is one of the two communes with the highest level of UXO contamination in Quang Binh. From May 2020 to December 2022, the project cleared more than 23 million square meters of land and safely disposed of nearly 17,000 explosives left over from the war. The project also organizes many mine prevention training sessions to make the lives of local residents, especially children, safer. U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper takes part in mine clearing activities in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, January 12, 2022. Photo: Hong Van / Tuoi Tre Ambassador Knapper was on a business trip to Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh Provinces from January 9 to 12, during which he reviewed mine and UXO clearance projects in the three localities as well as took part in several other activities. The diplomat also attended the inauguration of two kindergartens, a medical center, offered incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs Cemetery, and offered flowers at General Vo Nguyen Giap's residence. Such activities in Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh reflect the U.S.-Vietnam cooperation in areas such as resolving post-war problems, clearing UXO, and providing support for people injured by the war, the ambassador stated. The U.S. also offers assistance in education and health and is seeking different ways to further strengthen trade and investment ties. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper pressed the button to detonate wartime bombs and shells discovered in Quang Binh Province, as part of his trip to the north-central locality on Thursday.

Ambassador Knapper on Thursday accompanied the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) during their demining activities in Quang Binh Province.

The diplomat witnessed the process of clearing wartime bombs and unexploded ordnance (UXO) performed by the MAG.

He was invited to press the button to detonate a Blu63 bomblet and a HE37 shell discovered in Cu Nam Commune, Bo Trach District.

In 2020, with the support of the U.S. government, three organizations including the MAG, Norwegian People's Aid, and PeaceTrees Vietnam established a project alliance and cooperated to find and defuse wartime UXO in Quang Binh Province.

The MAG has been operating in Quang Binh since 2003.

A representative of the Mine Advisory Group (MAG) talks about the groups operation in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, January 12, 2022. Photo: Hong Van / Tuoi Tre

Ambassador Knapper expressed his admiration and gratitude for the work of the MAG, adding that it means a lot to local people, residents, and Vietnam in general.

What the MAG has been doing here shows the U.S. commitment to working with Vietnam to solve problems left behind by the war.

Located near the Ho Chi Minh Trail, Cu Nam is one of the two communes with the highest level of UXO contamination in Quang Binh.

From May 2020 to December 2022, the project cleared more than 23 million square meters of land and safely disposed of nearly 17,000 explosives left over from the war.

The project also organizes many mine prevention training sessions to make the lives of local residents, especially children, safer.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper takes part in mine clearing activities in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, January 12, 2022. Photo: Hong Van / Tuoi Tre

Ambassador Knapper was on a business trip to Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh Provinces from January 9 to 12, during which he reviewed mine and UXO clearance projects in the three localities as well as took part in several other activities.

The diplomat also attended the inauguration of two kindergartens, a medical center, offered incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs Cemetery, and offered flowers at General Vo Nguyen Giap's residence.

Such activities in Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh reflect the U.S.-Vietnam cooperation in areas such as resolving post-war problems, clearing UXO, and providing support for people injured by the war, the ambassador stated.

The U.S. also offers assistance in education and health and is seeking different ways to further strengthen trade and investment ties.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Marc Knapper visited the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam on Wednesday, as part of his first business trip to the locality as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam. Ambassador Knapper said he was very emotional and that the cemetery reminded him of the very painful history between the two countries, as well as the sacrifices and loss of people on both sides. He pledged to continue working closely with Vietnam to find and identify people missing during wartime. U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper (R) and vice-chairman of the Quang Tri Peoples Committee Hoang Nam ring the bell at the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery, January 11, 2022. Photo: Hong Van / Tuoi Tre The U.S. diplomat offered incense and placed memorial flower baskets as he visited the graves of martyrs at the venue. Knapper is the first U.S. ambassador to Vietnam to visit the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery, where more than 10,000 martyrs were rested and most of them have not been identified. Ambassador Knapper was on a business trip to Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh Provinces from January 9 to 12 to review the mine and UXO clearance process there as well as to take part in some other activities. U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper offers incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, January 11, 2022. Photo: Hong Van / Tuoi Tre He said the cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S. in handling remaining issues after the war has been going well. The U.S. has conducted several activities in recent years, including clearing mines and unexploded ordnance, treating dioxin pollution in Da Nang and Bien Hoa, and supporting people injured by war. As the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, Knapper guaranteed that his country will continue to cooperate with Vietnam on this issue. U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper (L) offers incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, January 11, 2022. U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper (R) offers incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, January 11, 2022. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!

Marc Knapper visited the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri Province, north-central Vietnam on Wednesday, as part of his first business trip to the locality as U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam.

Ambassador Knapper said he was very emotional and that the cemetery reminded him of the very painful history between the two countries, as well as the sacrifices and loss of people on both sides.

He pledged to continue working closely with Vietnam to find and identify people missing during wartime.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper (R) and vice-chairman of the Quang Tri Peoples Committee Hoang Nam ring the bell at the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery, January 11, 2022. Photo: Hong Van / Tuoi Tre

The U.S. diplomat offered incense and placed memorial flower baskets as he visited the graves of martyrs at the venue.

Knapper is the first U.S. ambassador to Vietnam to visit the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery, where more than 10,000 martyrs were rested and most of them have not been identified.

Ambassador Knapper was on a business trip to Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Tri, and Quang Binh Provinces from January 9 to 12 to review the mine and UXO clearance process there as well as to take part in some other activities.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper offers incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, January 11, 2022. Photo: Hong Van / Tuoi Tre

He said the cooperation between Vietnam and the U.S. in handling remaining issues after the war has been going well.

The U.S. has conducted several activities in recent years, including clearing mines and unexploded ordnance, treating dioxin pollution in Da Nang and Bien Hoa, and supporting people injured by war.

As the U.S. ambassador to Vietnam, Knapper guaranteed that his country will continue to cooperate with Vietnam on this issue.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper (L) offers incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, January 11, 2022.

U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper (R) offers incense at the Road 9 National Martyrs' Cemetery in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam, January 11, 2022.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
NITVs Sunrise Ceremony held annually on January 26 will move to a Sunset Ceremony on January 25.

The event broadcast from Yurong Point, Gadigal Country (Mrs Macquaries Chair, Sydney) will screen live on NITV / SBS and Network 10 -the fourth year of partnering by broadcasters.

Hosted by Whadjuk Noongar woman Narelda Jacobs (Studio 10, 10 News First Midday, The Point) and Wuthathi and Meriam man John Paul Janke (The Point), the two-hour event will invite audiences to deepen their understanding of January 26 and what it means to be Australian.

Guests will include Brooke Blurton, Hugh Riminton, Ernie Dingo AO, Aaron Faaoso, BARKAA and Steven Oliver.

Our Always Was, Always Will Be line-up is a resilient celebration of our stories, our voices, and our power, said Tanya Denning-Orman, a Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman and SBS Director of Indigenous Content.

At NITV, every day is an open invitation for all Australians to connect with First Nations stories and perspectives. As we approach January 26, SBS  with NITV at its heart wants to encourage and empower all Australians to understand more about the 65,000+ years of history and cultures we have across this continent, the views and experiences within communities, and the role we can all play in Australias future.

This year, were introducing a new program on January 25 with Sunset Ceremony, setting the agenda as the sun sets ahead of January 26, when well continue to showcase the stories and strength of First Nations peoples through our coverage of the days events, including in more than 60 languages across the SBS network.

Prominent First Nations voices will reflect on what January 26 means to them at an important time in the national conversation, including as Australia heads towards a Referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. They will also be joined by guests providing perspectives from multicultural communities and be entertained by an exciting line-up of First Nations artists performing throughout the show.

Sunset Ceremony features performances from Malyangapa and Barkindji woman BARKAA, who has performed at iconic venues including Sydney Opera House and Melbournes Sidney Myer Music Bowl, dynamic First Nations duo Marlon x Rulla, who have played on some of Australias biggest stages, spoken word sensation, playwright and actor Steven Oliver, and world-class performers Muggera Dancers.

Special guests will include television presenter, actor and Yamatji man Ernie Dingo AM (Going Places with Ernie Dingo), Noongar-Yamatji woman, LGBTIQA+ and mental health advocate, author and reality TV star Brooke Blurton, actor, producer, director and Samu and Koedal man Aaron Faaoso (Strait to the Plate), Widjabul Wia-bal woman of the Bundjalung Nation and SBS Elder in Residence Rhoda Roberts AO, respected Gadigal Elder and cultural representative for the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Uncle Allan Madden, former investment analyst from the Quandamooka peoples of Minjerribah and Director of From the Heart Dean Parkin, and descendant of the Kabi Kabi Nation and the Gurang Gurang Nation of Queensland and executive member of the Indigenous Peoples Organisation, Pastor Raymond Minniecon.

Network 10 National Affairs Editor, award-winning journalist and humanitarian Hugh Riminton, AFL Womens player and entrepreneur Akec Makur Chuot, and lawyer, director and social justice advocate, Azmeena Hussain OAM also join the conversation, providing views from non-Indigenous perspectives.

On January 26, the strength and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, stories and histories that have existed for more than 65,000 years will be given prominence across NITV and SBS, beginning with a showcase of Australias stunning landscapes in Bamay at 6am. Then, short introductory film The Land Were On airs at 6.30am. In the short film, nine-year-old Wiradjuri and palawa filmmaker Penelope Towney performs an Acknowledgement of Country in Wiradjuri language for the Dharawal and Yuin Nations, followed by a short reflection on the significance and meaning of a Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country before concluding her speech in palawa kani.

NITV News coverage and updates across digital platforms will provide ongoing reporting and insight on the days events from every state and territory, with programming simulcast on NITV and SBS from 6am through to 2pm, leading to a special 30-minute news wrap Day 26 Live at 6pm, which will be simulcast with SBS ahead of SBS World News at 6.30pm. SBS and NITV will then simulcast beloved Australian film Top End Wedding, starring Miranda Tapsell, Gwilym Le and Kerry Fox, at 7.30pm.

SBS On Demand will feature a curated Always Was, Always Will Be collection of films and programs, and SBS World Movies will broadcast iconic Australian films Rabbit Proof Fence and Bran Nue Dae from 6.15pm. SBS Food will also air a selection of programs throughout the day, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through cuisine with episodes of The Cook Up with Adam Liaw and Strait to the Plate. From 10.10pm, SBS VICELAND will encore documentaries from the Curious Australia initiative from First Nations creators telling contemporary stories from communities, including Sistas in Mining and Un-Locked.

Throughout January 22 to 27, NITV will also screen thought provoking First Nations stories, with impactful documentaries The Australian Wars, Araatika! Rise Up, Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky and Australia in Colour; award-winning films Sweet Country, Rabbit Proof Fence and Manganinie; and celebration of Country with Bamay, Going Places with Ernie Dingo and From The Heart Of Our Nation: A Celebration.

NITVs Always Was, Always Will Be programming on 25 and 26 January will be shared with the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network, of which NITV is a member, making it available to audiences in Canada and Taiwan via APTN and Taiwan Indigenous Television (TiTV) respectively.

Wednesday January 25 at 7.30pm on NITV / SBS / 10.
A China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arrives at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arrives at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Customers select flour products from Kazakhstan at a store in Xi'an International Trade and Logistics Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arrives at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Customers select food imported from Central Asia at a store in Xi'an International Trade and Logistics Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 13, 2023 shows a China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arriving at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A customer selects imported food at a store in Xi'an International Trade and Logistics Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 13, 2023 shows a China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arriving at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 13, 2023 shows a China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arriving at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
CHICAGO, January 12, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kuvare Holdings ("Kuvare"), a technology-enabled financial services platform focused on delivering life and annuity solutions to the underserved U.S. middle market, and reinsurance solutions to institutional partners worldwide, today announced the formation of Kindley Re Ltd. ("Kindley Re"). Kindley Re, a newly formed Bermuda-domiciled reinsurer, will co-invest at least $400 million with Kuvare in qualifying life insurance and annuity transactions. Kindley Re was formed in partnership with Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP ("Davidson Kempner") and Kuvare and its affiliates.

Commenting on this launch, Kuvare Chairman and CEO, Dhiren Jhaveri, noted, "Kindley Re now provides significant additional capabilities for our enterprise as we continue to capitalize on attractive opportunities in the marketplace."

Kindley Re has entered into reinsurance arrangements with Kuvare to participate in qualifying transactions, including both flow reinsurance transactions and block reinsurance transactions, generated by Kuvares insurance operating companies.

Kuvare, as sponsor of Kindley Re, will provide operational support to Kindley Re through its Bermuda-based service company. Additionally, Kuvares New York-based boutique asset management firm, Kuvare Insurance Services ("KIS"), which specializes in building tailored investment solutions for insurance companies, will serve as investment manager to Kindley Re, with Davidson Kempner also providing asset management support for Kindley Re for selected investment grade focused asset classes.

Michael Stefan, Head of Corporate Development and Strategy at Kuvare, stated, "Kindley Re now provides Kuvare with access to $400 million of additional capital with flexibility to increase over time. This co-investment vehicle provides a unique opportunity for investors seeking to deploy capital in this market segment, while supported by a range of capabilities across Kuvare and KIS."

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Certain entities and investment funds managed or advised by Davidson Kempner have provided the initial equity capital commitment.

About Kindley Re

Kindley Re is an independent, Class E licensed, Bermuda life and annuity reinsurance company. It is a co-investment vehicle to be focused primarily on transactions sourced and underwritten by the Kuvare organization in the life and annuity marketplace. The business will leverage Kuvares operational capabilities and benefit from access to world-class investment management, risk management, and strategic planning expertise.

About Kuvare

Founded in 2015, by industry veteran Dhiren Jhaveri and a consortium of long-term capital partners, Kuvare is committed to a sustainable growth strategy as a technology-enabled financial services platform that provides insurance, reinsurance, and asset management solutions. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Kuvare focuses on delivering value-oriented insurance solutions to US middle market consumers, and reinsurance strategy and solutions to leading institutions worldwide. The family of Kuvare companies includes Lincoln Benefit Life Company, Guaranty Income Life Insurance Company, United Life Insurance Company, Kuvare Life Re Ltd. (Bermuda), and Kuvare Insurance Services. For more information about Kuvare, please visit https://kuvare.com.

About Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP

Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP is a global investment management firm with more than 39 years of experience and a focus on fundamental investing with a multi-strategy approach. Davidson Kempner has more than $36 billion in assets under management and over 500 employees across seven offices: New York, Philadelphia, London, Dublin, Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Mumbai. Additional information is available at: www.davidsonkempner.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005248/en/

Contacts

For Kuvare

Erica Davis, Marketing Manager

media@kuvare.com

For Davidson Kempner

Mary Beth Grover / Keely Gispan

mbgrover@ascadvisors.com / kgispan@ascadvisors.com
Rishi Sunak must stand up to the Brexit purity cult of Eurosceptics on the Tory benches to find a solution to the Northern Ireland Protocol issues, Sir Keir Starmer will say.

The Labour leader will use a speech in Belfast to urge the Prime Minister to take on the European Research Group (ERG) in order to resolve the issues over Northern Irelands post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Sir Keir will say he will offer political cover at Westminster if Mr Sunak can deliver an agreement with the European Union which is in the national interest.

The time for action on the protocol is now. The time to stand up to the ERG is now, Sir Keir will say on Friday.

The time to put Northern Ireland above a Brexit purity cult, which can never be satisfied  is now.

There was a small window of opportunity to resolve the issue before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April.

Weve got to use the anniversary to fix minds, get the country and its political process moving forward again  deliver for the people of Northern Ireland, he will say.

Sir Keir Starmer, centre, visited Parliament Buildings in Stormont on Thursday (Liam McBurney/PA)

Any deal seen as conceding too much to Brussels could trigger a revolt on the Tory benches, but Sir Keir will offer Labour support to Mr Sunak.

Whatever political cover you need, whatever mechanism in Westminster you require, if it delivers for our national interest and the people of Northern Ireland, we will support you, he will say in the speech at Queens University.

The Labour leader will call on the Prime Minister to recognise the mistakes made by some Tory ministers who had viewed the Irish government as adversaries on Brexit.

That has damaged the political process here in Northern Ireland  no question. And its certainly not the spirit of 1998.

The Northern Ireland Protocol was agreed by then-prime minister Boris Johnson to avoid a hard border with Ireland but the DUP is refusing to engage with the powersharing institutions until it is dramatically altered or removed.

Sir Keir Starmer met leaders of Northern Irelands parties on Thursday (Liam McBurney/PA)

Unionists oppose the trade barriers it has created between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

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Labour has suggested a new veterinary agreement for trade in agricultural products between the UK and EU, which it claims would eliminate many of the checks, while a trusted trader scheme could also avoid some bureaucracy.

Sir Keir will also use the speech to hail the Good Friday Agreement as the greatest achievement of the Labour Party in my lifetime, without question.

But of course, the real achievements  the real pride  belongs to the people and communities here in Northern Ireland, he will say.
FILE PHOTO: A sign with the logo of TotalEnergies in Bouguenais

By Sam Tobin

LONDON (Reuters) - The British government's funding of up to $1.15 billion for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in Mozambique is lawful, a London court ruled on Friday, dismissing an appeal by Friends of the Earth.

The environmental campaign group had asked London's Court of Appeal to rule the British government wrongly decided funding the project, led by French energy company TotalEnergies, was compatible with the Paris Agreement on climate change.

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has committed to provide direct loans and guarantees to banks to support the design, build and operation of the $20 billion project.

Friends of the Earth's legal action over the decision failed in a lower court and was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in a written ruling on Friday.

Judge Geoffrey Vos said the Paris Agreement was "only one of a range of factors" UKEF took into account when reaching the decision to fund the project.

The judge added that UKEF's view that funding the project was aligned with the UK's obligations under the Paris Agreement was "tenable" and that there was no requirement for it to be "certain that the decision complied with those obligations".

Friends of the Earth described the ruling as "extremely disappointing" and said it is considering an appeal to the UK Supreme Court.

"This extremely disappointing judgment doesn't alter our firm belief that the UK government should not be supporting the Mozambique gas project, or any fossil fuel project at home or abroad," Rachel Kennerley, an international climate campaigner with the group, said in a statement.

A UKEF spokesperson welcomed the court's decision.

"We remain confident that UK Export Finance follows robust and internationally recognised due diligence before providing any support for overseas projects," the spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for TotalEnergies also welcomed the ruling, saying the project "will deliver a range of social and economic benefits to Mozambique and is a key part of Mozambique's aim to diversify its economy".

"TotalEnergies supports the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement, which calls for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the context of sustainable development and the fight against poverty," the spokesperson added.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Sarah Young, Kylie MacLellan and David Evans)
The first phase of the China-aided project of Africa CDC headquarters building was completed on Wednesday.

Looking at the iconic twin towers sitting on a piece of land which was once derelict in suburban Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, local resident Wakjira Totofa said: "It's really like a dream."

Produced by Xinhua Global Service 
Distinguished Professor of Cytometry Paul Robinson Named as RMS Honorary Fellow

A member of Purdue Veterinary Medicines Department of Basic Medical Sciences faculty, Dr. Paul Robinson, is the newest Honorary Fellow of the Royal Microscopical Society (RMS). The recognition is the societys most prestigious accolade for contributions to cytometry.

Dr. Robinson is the Purdue Distinguished Professor of Cytometry and holds a joint appointment as professor in Purdues Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. He also is director of the Purdue University Cytometry Laboratories, housed in Lynn Hall. Dr. Robinson was recognized by the RMS for making a huge contribution to the field of Cytometry worldwide. Those contributions include his list-serv, Purdue Cytometry List, which is utilized by more than 4,500 cytometrists, his work to teach cytometry in Africa through his Cytometry for Life organization, and his patented cytometry technologies.

A cytometry pioneer and longtime Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty member, Dr. Robinson is known internationally. He served as president of the International Society for the Advancement of Cytometry (ISAC) from 2006-2008. He is editor-in-chief of Current Protocols in Cytometry, associate editor of Histochemica et Cytobiologica, and past associate editor of Cytometry Part A. He also received the ISAC Membership Award in 2014 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2019. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (2004), a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (2020), and a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (2023).

Dr. Robinson has published more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and 36 book chapters, edited 10 books, and given hundreds of international lectures and conference presentations. He also has been active at the forefront of flow cytometry and microscopy development for several decades. His most notable achievements have involved developing innovative technologies such as spectral cytometry using multiarray PMTs (which has been commercialized by Sony and Thermo Fisher); developing optical tools for quantitative fluorescence measurement; advanced classification approaches for clinical diagnostics and bacterial classification; high content, high throughput screening technologies  specifically novel analytical software; and most recently, the development of single photon detectors in flow cytometry which would enhance the limit of detection.

Moreover, Dr. Robinson founded Cytometry for Life, a not-for-profit charity launched to focus attention on the need for low-cost CD4 technology for developing countries. To further draw attention to the issue of low-cost CD4, he successfully summited Mount Everest in 2009.

Based in Oxford, U.K., the Royal Microscopical Society uses a process for admitting new Honorary Fellows that is designed to reflect the prestigious nature of the Fellowship, and to ensure that only those candidates who have made the most outstanding contributions to microscopy or related branches of science are considered for the honor. New nominations for potential Honorary Fellows must be submitted by a current RMS member and are to include a full list of the nominees publications, 10 selected top publications, a 500-word summary of their contributions to research involving microscopy, and a supporting letter signed by five other RMS members.

Click here to read a complete article about Dr. Robinsons recognition as published by the RMS.

Writer(s): Purdue Veterinary Medicine News

Source: Royal Microscopical Society
HA NOI  The highly-anticipated Annual Homeland Spring 'Xuan Que Huong' 2023 is set to take place on January 14, attracting over 3,000 participants, including 1,000 overseas Vietnamese (OVs).

This cultural extravaganza, held to celebrate the Lunar New Year, is the largest event of its kind for OVs. In a statement ahead of the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu, who also serves as Chairman of the State Commission for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs, had an important message for those in attendance.

Hieu said since its early days, the overseas Vietnamese community has always accompanied the country in all circumstances, creating a source of the collective and bringing the country through all historical ups and down.

In the cause of national liberation and reunification, responding to the call of country leaders, OVs abroad have made great contributions to the Fatherland. From the first day of the nascent revolution, people gathered in the great national unity bloc, actively built foundations and directly led and organised the overseas Vietnamese patriotic movement to support the revolution in the country.

When the August Revolution of 1945 was successful, our overseas Vietnamese spared no effort in human and material resources and wholeheartedly supported the revolution. Many Vietnamese, especially in Laos and Thailand, enthusiastically responded to the "Golden Week" called by Uncle Ho and repatriated hundreds of gold taels to contribute to the country's construction. On the day of independence, many people volunteered to return home, bringing their knowledge and wealth back to the country to participate directly in constructing the country.

In the cause of national construction, protection and development, Vietnamese abroad have always joined the flow of the great national unity bloc, contributing intellectual, economic and human resources for the country.

Overseas Vietnamese are extremely important factors contributing to Viet Nam's deep integration into international life, promoting cooperation and Viet Nam's relations with other countries, organisations and other partners, enhancing the image and position of Viet Nam's country and people in the international arena, Hieu said.

Overseas Vietnamese also contribute to the common efforts of the country in defence of national sovereignty and independence, such as; organising For Truong Sa - Hoang Sa clubs, regularly organising meetings, seminars and map collection to prove Viet Nam's sovereignty over the East Sea. These activities help the international community and friends better understand Viet Nam and contribute to mobilising the world to support Viet Nam, especially at international forums.

Millions of overseas Vietnamese present in more than 130 countries and territories are the main guardians and messengers of Viet Nam's culture, country and people. Traditional Vietnamese values preserved and promoted by OVs are a connection between family members, family and community, and homeland and a profound cultural message sent to international friends, helping international friends understand Viet Nam more, contributing to the soft power of the country.

With the strength of knowledge and experience, overseas Vietnamese are also an important resource to contribute to the country, the deputy minister said. Every year, about 500 Vietnamese intellectuals abroad, mainly from developed countries, actively participate in policy-making activities, especially providing consultancy for industries and newly developing areas of Viet Nam.

Many people connect and cooperate with domestic intellectuals, forming networks of scientists within Viet Nam and internationally, ready to support Viet Nam when necessary. Overseas Vietnamese are also directly involved in research and teaching in the country.

Many high-quality human resources training models have been established in Viet Nam, such as the International Center for Interdisciplinary Science and Education ICISE in Quy Nhon (Professor Tran Thanh Van in France ); Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics (Professor Ngo Bao Chau in the US); Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Computational Science and Technology (Professor Truong Nguyen Thanh in the US); and Tri Dung Business School (Dr Nguyen Tri Dung in Japan).

Another extremely important resource of expatriates contributing to the development of the country is in terms of business. Up to now, OVs have invested in thousands of projects with a capital of billions of dollars, contributing to job creation, vocational training, local socio-economic development and increased tax revenue for the state budget.

Remittances are an important resource contributing to hunger eradication and poverty alleviation, promoting production and business, economic development and providing foreign currency for the country.

In three years of turmoil in the whole world because of the COVID-19 pandemic, remittances sent home still increased steadily by 4-5 per cent per year, reaching US$18.1 billion in 2021, equivalent to nearly 5 per cent of the countrys GDP, helping Viet Nam to become one of the countries attracting the largest remittances in the world.

In addition, overseas businessmen contribute to trade promotion, investment connection and brand promotion of Vietnamese goods in the host country.

OVs have also actively supported and participated in humanitarian activities towards the homeland, supporting the country in disease prevention and control, helping people affected by storms, floods, natural disasters, poor people in remote, border and island areas, etc.

The comprehensive contributions in all fields of Vietnamese living abroad have contributed significantly to the development of the country over the past time, showing the love for the country and the spirit of national pride, the Deputy Minister said.

He said that the countrys leaders and people always recognise and appreciate the contributions of overseas Vietnamese to the country and expressed his belief that the overseas Vietnamese community will continue to uphold the tradition of patriotism and great national unity, continue to make practical contributions to the cause of national construction and defence, and play an even greater role in the transformation of the nation. VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Laos proved to be a diplomatic success aligned with the 13th National Party Congress' policy of strengthening ties with neighbouring and ASEAN countries, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Speaking to the press, Minister Son said the January 11-12 visit at the invitation of Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone was the first made by the Vietnamese PM, wrapping up the Viet Nam-Laos, Laos-Viet Nam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

PM Chinh was also the first foreign leader to visit Laos in 2023 and the first foreign partner welcomed by the Lao PM since he took office.

The Viet Nam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committees 45th meeting, co-chaired by the two PMs, was also the first in Laos after four years of being held in Viet Nam.

With a busy schedule of nearly 20 activities in about 30 hours, Son said PM Chinh had held talks with his Lao counterpart, paid courtesy calls to the Lao Party General Secretary and State President, met the President of National Assembly, received the Chairman of the Central Committee of Viet Nam-Laos Friendship Association, visited former leaders of the Lao Party and State, co-chaired the 45th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, and delivered a speech at the Viet Nam-Laos investment conference.

Both sides signed ten cooperation documents to boost further ties across economic diplomacy, digital partnership, judicial assistance in civil affairs, education and training, finance and banking, health care, waterway transport and training of diplomatic officials.

Son said the visit has brought about comprehensive, substantial and specific results. A highlight of this was the closing ceremony of the Viet Nam-Laos, Laos-Viet Nam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, co-chaired by the two PMs. It was an important event to review a successful year of special bilateral relationship.

Apart from political, defence and economic ties, both sides also agreed to keep improving the quality of cooperation in education-training, justice, sci-tech, culture, tourism, people-to-people and locality-to-locality cooperation, particularly border provinces.

During the 45th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, they vowed to continue upholding the effectiveness of joint projects last year, fixing obstacles and accelerating key projects.

The two sides also affirmed their determination to work closely together and offer mutual support at regional and global multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

The two Government leaders pledged to maintain ASEANs solidarity and central role, as well as ASEANs common stance on strategic issues, including the East Sea issue.

The Vietnamese PM expressed readiness to help Laos successfully take over international tasks in the near future, such as ASEAN/AIPA chairmanship in 2024.

Son concluded that with the above achievements, the visit had generated a new impetus for Viet Nam-Laos special cooperative ties for the benefit of the two nations and peace, stability and development in the region.  VNS
HCM CITY  Chairman of HCM City Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai on Friday said HCM City will create favourable conditions for the Republic of Korea (RoK)s businesses and community operating and living in the city.

He was speaking during the meeting with Speaker of the RoKs National Assembly (NA) Kim Jin-pyo who is on a working visit to Viet Nam.

Thanking the RoKs politician for choosing HCM City as the first destination after landing in Viet Nam, Chairman Mai said this shows the appreciation of the Viet Nam-RoK relationship, and that with HCM City in particular.

Mai said the RoK is now the fourth largest investor in HCM City. The city always attaches importance to facilitating and removing obstacles to business activities and the Korean community.

HCM City has a friendly relationship with seven Korean localities, including Busan, so it will support the RoK to host the World Expo 2030 and be ready to participate in the expo through specific activities.

RoKs NA Speaker Kim Jin-pyo said his visit was made when Viet Nam and RoK have just established their comprehensive strategic partnership. The two countries relationship over the past 30 years has become a model of international relations.

The RoK leader highly appreciated HCM City for making positive contributions to the bilateral relationship.

Kim proposed the local authorities further create favourable conditions for the expansion of the Korean International School in the city; facilitate Korean firms to fulfill their tax obligations; and support the RoKs bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan.

Saying that during the preparation for the World Expo 2030, Busan has developed a model of hi-tech smart city, he recommended HCM City learn from Busan experience and cooperate in digital transformation, smart city construction and urban governance.  VNS
HA NOI  President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Friday sent his condolences to Senegalese President Macky Sall over a recent bus crash in Senegals Kaffrine region, one of the deadliest accidents in the West African nation in recent years.

Taking place on January 8, the head-on collision overnight of two buses killed nearly 40 people and injured more than 100 others, according to international media. VNS
Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai (L) receives President of Samsung Electronics Park Hark Kyu (Photo: baochinhphu.vn)

Hanoi  Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai received President of the Republic of Korea (RoK)s Samsung Electronics Park Hark Kyu in Hanoi on January 13 and suggested that the Korean firm expand its investment in Vietnam to tap opportunities from the sound partnership between the two countries in all fields.

Khai also highly valued Samsungs launching of Southeast Asias largest R&D centre in Hanoi in December 2022.

Highlighting that Vietnam is prioritising the attraction of projects with high technologies, innovation and widespread effects, he stressed that the Vietnamese Government always creates optimal conditions for foreign investors to operate in the country in a long term.

The official proposed that Samsung, basing on its achievements in Vietnam, will continue to expand its investment in the country in the time to come.

The Vietnamese Government and the administrations of localities that Samsung bases will always listen to the firms opinions and give it best support, he stated.

For his part, Park underscored that Vietnam is the most important hub of Samsung in the world, adding that Samsung made a wise decision to build its factory in Thai Nguyen. The Vietnamese Government has given great support to Samsung to effectively operate in the country over the years, he said, stressing that Samsung has called on its subsidiaries to continue to invest in Vietnam.

Park raised proposals to Deputy PM Khai regarding the application of global minimum corporate income tax.

He also took this occasion to extend New Year wishes to Vietnamese leaders and people.

Promoting Vietnam-South Korea cooperation in the tech sphere On November 28, Vietnam Investment Review will hold an event titled Technological Investment Cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea.

Samsung to raise total investment in Vietnam to $20 billion Samsung Electronics vice chairman Han Jong-hee said the company would raise total investment in Vietnam to $20 billion, focusing on artificial intelligence and big data.
Global warming driving shift in water cycle: Australian study

Xinhua) 09:32, January 13, 2023

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 Ni a 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 Ni a conditions could offer some respite.

Van Dijk said it was too early to tell if the three consecutive La Ni a years were a coincidence or an indication of a trend.

"If La Ni a or El Ni o 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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
KATHMANDU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Friday voiced readiness to work with China to maintain regional peace and stability, promote prosperity and development in the region, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Bhandari, while receiving here the credentials presented by new Chinese Ambassador Chen Song, spoke of the close and cordial ties between Nepal and China as traditional and friendly neighbors, saying fruitful results have been achieved in practical cooperation in all fields.

The Nepali side appreciates the support and help offered by the Chinese government and people, including supporting Nepal in safeguarding national sovereignty, territorial integrity and development interests, the president said, stressing that Nepal has always firmly upheld the one-China policy and will never allow any forces to use Nepal's territory to oppose China.

Nepal is ready to work with China to actively implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, enhance political trust and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to create a better future for the people of the two countries and advance bilateral ties to be as towering and majestic as the Himalayas, Bhandari said.

For his part, Chen noted that the two countries have advanced and deepened good-neighborly and friendly relations based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence since the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The China-Nepal relationship was lifted to a strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity in 2019, thus opening up new prospects for the friendly ties, Chen said.

China is ready to work with Nepal to enhance high-level exchanges, consolidate strategic mutual trust and promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation for the development and prosperity of the two countries, Chen said.

Chen arrived in Nepal for his new office on Sunday. 
An overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA)

HCM City - Ho Chi Minh City always welcomes and creates optimal conditions for investors from Hong Kong (China) to operate in the city, stated Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai while receiving Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the Hong Kong-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce on January 12.

Choi, who is also Chairman of Sunwah Group, said that Sunwah has enjoyed many successful projects in HCM City since it arrived in Vietnam from the 1970s.

He said the firm is expanding its investment in Vietnam to science-technology and innovation, and hopes to introduce more Hong Kong investors to HCM City.

As the Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong and Chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Entrepreneurs Union, Choi spoke highly of the potential of the HCM City's market, describing the city as an ideal destination for Hong Kong investors, especially in financial service, stock, farm produce export, and green technology development.

According to Choi, the city is in need of developed science-technology and innovation, and Hong Kong, as a connecting centre, is willing to support the city in calling for more capital serving the development needs of the city and Vietnam as a whole.

Along with traditional investment areas such as real estate, Hong Kong investors hope to expand partnership in the city in promising fields such as human resources training, scientific research, and heath care.

Mai thanked Choi for the cooperation proposals, saying that they match the city's needs.

He affirmed that the city wants to deepen collaboration with Sunwah and other businesses from Hong Kong in prioritised areas, especially in the building of a financial centre, and looks to learn from Hong Kong's experience in the field of semiconductor and microchip technology development, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

Choi led a Hong Kong business delegation to attend the Hong Kong-HCM City investment promotion conference in the city later the same day.

Vietnamese Party leader's visit to deepen Vietnam - China friendship: Hong Kong scholar The ongoing visit by Vietnamse Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to China further affirms the close relationship between the two Parties, States and peoples, Li Minghan, a scholar from Hong Kong (China) who has spent years studying Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, has said.

Vietnam-Hong Kong target boosting bilateral trade to $50 billion Vietnam and Hong Kong set the target for a hike in bilateral trade turnover to $50 billion in the next five years, making Vietnam the city's largest trade partner in ASEAN.

Hong Kong firms seek more cooperation opportunities in Vietnam A business delegation of Hong Kong (China) will visit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from January 8-14 to seek economic and investment cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area in particular, and China in general.
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Tokyo - Government-backed financial institutions from Japan, the US, and Australia have pledged to support Vietnam's efforts to cut carbon emissions, according to the chairman of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

JBIC Chairman Tadashi Maeda revealed the plan at an Indo-Pacific business forum in Tokyo on January 12, NHK reported.

JBIC, together with the US International Development Finance Corporation, and Export Finance Australia, will launch a new framework for support.

In consultation with the Vietnamese Government, they will help the Southeast Asian nation switch to thermal plants fueled by liquefied natural gas and expand the use of renewable energy.

They also aim to create business opportunities by introducing technologies for decarbonisation.

Vietnam has set a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. However, it faces the difficult challenge of maintaining economic growth while reducing its reliance on coal for power generation, according to NHK.

Defining the crucial role for voluntary carbon markets With 2030 not that far away, if nations and companies are to accelerate towards their net-zero targets, voluntary carbon markets have an essential part to play.

How Vietnam can utilise wide-ranging climate finance The governments landmark announcement in 2021 that Vietnam will achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and phase out coal power by the 2040s was both bold and visionary. It marks a significant milestone in the countrys development trajectory.
US semiconductor manufacturers survey opportunity in Vietnam

On January 12, the US Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) arrived in Vietnam to survey opportunities to invest in the semiconductor production.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai, the visit is an important starting point for the connection between the Vietnamese government and SIA, promoting the capacity to join the global supply chain of the country.

The Vietnamese government issued many incentive and support policies to create favourable conditions for investment inflow in term of hi-tech sectors and semiconductor is a priority sector, DPM Khai said. Vietnam has also established high-tech centres in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang with special incentive policies to connect research and development (R&D) activities and invest in hi-tech and innovation projects. Vietnam is a production hub of global groups, such as Intel, Samsung, LG, and Amkor.

SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said the US semiconductor industry was working to re-balance the global semiconductor production chain, which combines plans to increase key chains from friendly countries.

In the context of other countries advancing fast and US semiconductor businesses seeking investment opportunities, Neuffer said he hopes to cooperate with the Vietnamese government and the country not miss this important opportunity.

He said he believes Vietnam would play an increasingly important role in the US global semiconductor chain in the coming time.

DPM Khai proposed SIA encourage its members to open R&D centres, and science-technology centres in term of the semiconductor sector in Vietnam and establish offices in the National Innovation Centre. He also expects that the association will open training courses and scholarships to improve the capacity of the labour force in this sector.

The Vietnamese government expects that the association will consult policies to foster the countrys semiconductor production, and simultaneously help to connect Vietnam with global semiconductor producers, taking Vietnam to join deeper in the global supply chain, Khai said.

The government has assigned the Ministry of Planning and Investment to study and build a policy for attracting foreign investment capital in the chip manufacturing. It has asked the MPI to prepare the draft policy and submit it to the government in the first quarter of 2023.

Investment opportunities for automotive component manufacturers The leading 25 automotive component manufacturers from India arrive in Vietnam from August 21 to 26 to look for investment opportunities.

Vietnam ready to embrace semiconductor manufacturing Global chip shortages are set to bring Vietnam a chance to develop, acquire and invest in cutting-edge technological expertise and semiconductors, according to a group of academic experts at RMIT University.

Manufacturers backing local suppliers Global manufacturers are increasingly offering solutions to foster the competitiveness of the countrys supporting industries, thus creating a solid foundation for a shift in the global supply chain.
The Guangxi-Vietnam trade and economic cooperation conference was held on January 12 in collaboration with Trade Office of Africa-West Asia-South Asia Market (TOAAAM), the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), and the Guangxi province's Department of Commerce (DCG).

The Guangxi-Vietnam trade and economic cooperation conference

The Guangxi economic and trade delegation included representatives of DCG, Nanning Customs, the Development and Reform Commission, the Department of Industry and Information Technology, the Department of Transportation, sub-units responsible for local trade in Guangxi, and nearly 30 enterprises in various fields.

According to To Ngoc Son, deputy director of TOAAAM, Guangxi has played a significant role in developing bilateral commercial cooperation between Vietnam and China throughout the years.

Son said that Guangxi and Vietnam's import-export turnover in the first eleven months of 2022 totalled $25.5 billion, accounting for 29.3 per cent of Guangxi's overall import-export turnover. For 23 years in a row, Vietnam has been Guangxi's biggest international commercial partner.

The conference saw the signing of three types of cooperation agreements. Signed by firms with state capital, the agreement includes five-year order contracts between manufacturing and trade enterprises. The projected value of commercial contracts is $133 million.

"We must acknowledge that the trade of commodities between the two nations has several obstacles," the MoIT spokesperson said.

In particular, the volume of imports and exports passing via Vietnam's border crossings with Guangxi has declined dramatically. In the first eleven months of 2022, import and export turnover with China via border gates in Lang Son declined by 39.4 per cent when compared to the same period in 2021, and import and export turnover with China through border gates in Quang Ninh decreased by 68.7 per cent.

Son then requested that the DCG collaborate with Guangxi's agencies to quickly finalise the procedure and rules for imported and exported people and goods, resulting in maximum ease of customs clearance and restoring the situation to pre-outbreak levels.

Moreover, he suggested that the businesses of the two nations actively investigate and take advantage of the capacity of customs clearance of goods through border gates in Quang Ninh and Cao Bang provinces, thereby relieving pressure on border gates in the Lang Son area and minimising the risk of cargo congestion until the end of 2021.

"Vietnamese enterprises must perform a good job of product quality control, intensify study of import rules on the Chinese side, and guarantee items are cleared efficiently, saving businesses time and money," Son said.

Guangxi's deputy director of the DCG, Diao Weihong, said that Guangxi was eager to cooperate with Vietnam to enhance collaboration between the two countries, and he hoped for more extensive and fruitful commercial relations.

"The economic and trade cooperation between Guangxi and Vietnam has reached an important stage of development. We plan to take advantage of this visit to promote the 'State of Guangxi, Strength of Guangxi' in Vietnam by focusing on collaboration, creating mechanisms, and trade development," Diao said.

The Guangxi Economic and Trade Delegation will conduct important economic and trade operations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City during its business trip. In addition, the group will visit and cooperate with the MoIT, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Long Giang Industrial Zone in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang.

ADB cuts developing Asia growth projection on China slowdown The Asian Development Bank trimmed its economic growth forecast for developing Asia on Wednesday, with China's pandemic lockdowns, slowing global demand and the Russian invasion of Ukraine seen as limiting the region's prospects.

Opportunities for Vietnam amid China policy switch The easing of China's pandemic restrictions is expected not only to help Vietnam increase the number of international tourists, but also to attract investment, according to various experts.
VSIP III in Binh Duong (Photo: VNA)

Binh Duong - Chairman of the Peoples Committee of the southern province of Binh Duong Duong Vo Van Minh had a working session with CEO of Semncorp Development of Singapore Kelvin Teo on January 12 to discuss the firms investment in Vietnam  Singapore industrial park projects in the locality.

According Teo, the investment model of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) Joint Venture has developed successfully in Vietnam in general and Binh Duong in particular.

Semncorp is particularly interested in developing projects in VSIPs in Binh Duong, especially developing VSIP III into a green and smart IP without industrial waste, he said.

Binh Duong province's investment environment is increasingly favourable thanks to the right planning, which focuses on industrial and urban development and promoting service sector, Teo said.

According to Minh, Semncorps investment focuses on developing industrial park infrastructure chain.

He suggested the group continue its research and implement new projects in trade, urban development, and transport infrastructure associated with developing VSIPs.

So far, Binh Duong has been home to 4,085 investment projects with a total registered capital of 39.7 billion USD from 65 countries and territories. The province ranks second among the localities nationwide in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) capital.

Taiwan (China) tops the list of foreign investors in Binh Duong with 863 projects worth over 6.2 billion USD. It was followed by Japan with 341 projects (5.8 billion USD), and Singapore with 277 projects (5.4 billion USD).

The VSIP III has just drawn more than 1 billion USD from LEGO Group, whose factory is expected to be put into operation in early 2024.

Lego starts construction of its first carbon-neutral factory in Vietnam 11 months after signing the MoU, Denmarks Lego Group kicked off its $1.3 billion factory in the southern province of Binh Duong on November 3, the largest foreign-invested project to pour capital into the province since the pandemic.

THACO to invest $1 billion in an industrial park in Binh Duong The automaker Truong Hai Auto Corporation (THACO) is mulling plans to invest in a mechanical supporting industrial park with the total investment capital of $1 billion in the southern province of Binh Duong.
A federal judge in Waco has thrown out a lawsuit by a former Waco police officer who claims he was driven out of his job because of his outspoken views on race and community relations.

Stanley Mason sued the city and former Chief Ryan Holt, now city manager, in September 2020, claiming violation of his rights under the First, Fourth and Fourteenth amendments. After 25 years as a Waco officer, he had resigned from the department in February 2019.

U.S. Magistrate Jeffrey Manske issued a summary judgement ruling Tuesday, tossing out the case before a scheduled Jan. 23 trial date.

The original lawsuit is largely devoid of any specific instances of retaliation by Holt, Manske wrote in his ruling.

The suit outlines an incident in October 2018 in which Mason said he was not promptly provided backup to respond to a domestic violence call. The suit claims the incident, along with others, made Mason feel threatened by his treatment in the department and concerned for his personal safety, and effectively forced him to resign.

A reasonable jury could not conclude that such an event was so intolerable that a reasonable person in the plaintiffs position would have felt compelled to resign, Manske wrote of the October 2018 incident.

In July 2016, Mason started posting Facebook videos, which branched out the next year into a blog and weekly call-in show called Behind the Blue Curtain.

The success of the blog and Masons exercise of his free speech rights brought him unwarranted attention within the Waco Police Department. Mason is an African-American man. the suit states. The broadcasts never focused on Wacos Police Department but, rather, on generalized areas of public interest regarding both the positives and the negatives of policing, a subject of intense public interest in this day and time. All broadcasts were done out of uniform, on his own time and at his own expense.

Mason was anticipating the trial in pursuit of justice for the violation of his rights to free speech on matters of public concern, his attorney, Michael Roberts said by email.

Mr. Mason is disappointed and disheartened by the Courts decision, Roberts said.

The city of Waco agrees with Mankses ruling, Waco City Attorney Jennifer Richie said by email.

The City agrees with the Courts decision to grant summary judgment, Richie said. The City remains committed to an inclusive police department that respects the community while protecting it.

Roberts said Mason enjoyed serving this community and, in return, is grateful for the support he received through the sacrifice of witnesses willing to testify to facts related to this lawsuit.

Mr. Mason is evaluating his right to appeal and assessing his prospects of prevailing on appeal, fully recognizing the substantial financial burden and expenditure of time and energy, he wrote.

In his ruling, Manske wrote that instead of citing specific evidence he was forced out of his job, Masons suit refers to only 22 pages of an 447-page appendix thus leaving the court to sift through his evidence in search of a material question of fact to salvage a poorly pleaded Complaint and Response.

Masons Fourteenth Amendment claims are essentially an allegation that Holt oversaw a dissatisfactory working environment and bureaucratic process at the police department, Manske wrote.

This does not constitute a violation of the plaintiffs Fourteenth Amendment rights, the judge wrote.
Texas Department of Public Safety officials this week dedicated a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 35 as the Trooper Richard Cottle Highway, named for a Waco-based lawman who died in the line of duty.

Cottle died at age 51 after a four-vehicle crash May 9, 2001, while he was on duty in McLennan County. He joined DPS in 1971, had numerous commendations and was known for his investigative proficiency in document fraud, and was stationed in Waco since 1974, according to a DPS webpage.

Trooper Cottle heroically put his life on the line to protect this community, and he will always be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the people of Texas, DPS Regional Director Vincent Luciano said in a press release after Thursdays ceremony. This memorial roadway will serve as a reminder to the public of his sacrifice in order to protect theirs.

The Texas Legislature approved the commemorative highway naming in 2021.

The Trooper Richard Cottle Highway runs from mile marker 342, near the DPS office on Crest Drive, north to mile marker 352. The stretch includes the location of the crash where Cottle was killed.

Cottle investigated fraudulent documents used to obtain drivers licenses, and he was on his way to Dallas to testify before a grand jury, then-Senior Cpl. Charlie Morgan told the Tribune-Herald at the time. Colleagues said Cottle was a caring officer and hard worker, according to the story.

He was a unique individual, Morgan said in 2001. He cared about his job. He cared about people. He spoke what was on his mind.

A memorial stands at the DPS office on Crest Drive to Cottle and to Trooper Mart Tarrant, who was stationed in Waco and died in the line of duty Nov. 4, 1935, after being struck by a vehicle, according to a DPS webpage.

The Waco-based Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum also includes a memorial to Ranger Stanley Guffey, who was stationed in Brady.

Ranger Guffey was killed at Horseshoe Bay on January 22, 1987, while helping to rescue a 2-year-old girl being held by a kidnapper who had already killed an employee of the girls family, a DPS webpage says.

We must never forget those who risk their lives each day to keep us safe, DPS Director Steven McCraw said in the press release Thursday. Trooper Cottle was an honorable man who dedicated his life to serving others, and we are proud to be able to dedicate this highway in his honor so that we may always remember his life and legacy.
Whether they are viewed as charming, unsettling or both, robots on wheels and tracked by GPS satellites have descended on Baylor University to start making food deliveries.

The delivery bots were built by Starship Technologies, an Estonia-based company that started out offering the service in European cities. The company partnered with Grubhub to offer the same service on college campuses in the United States. The robots, which are autonomous, battery-powered and equipped with cameras and sensors that help prevent them from bumping into things and people, have been hard at work mapping the Baylor campus for the last two months to prepare. They move at about 4 mph.

In a letter to university students and employees Thursday, Baylor President Linda Livingstone said when the service goes live, students, faculty and staff will be able to order through the Grubhub app from seven campus restaurants: Panda Express, Steak n Shake, two Starbucks locations, Which Wich, Moes and Rising Roll. It is a partnership between Baylor, Grubhub and Starship, and students will be able to use their meal plans to pay for orders, which will be delivered by a fleet of 20 Starship robots.

Baylor spokesperson Lori Fogleman said more details about the service will be available next week.

Al Rosales said he is taking a gap year after completing his bachelors degree in biology last semester, but he still spends time with friends and walks his collie, Harlow, on campus.

Rosales said he has noticed the robots making their rounds, but Harlow always notices them first.

We cant even get near them because of her, he said. She barks at it from far away, and she always wants to go a different way. I thought that was funny, because at first I didnt know what they were.

He said he saw some of the robots trap themselves while canvassing, but he has also seen them successfully cross streets and avoid traffic.

I saw that once and I was like OK, these things are actually smart, he said.

Maddie Whitmore, who is working on her masters degree in higher education studies, said she buys food from university restaurants once every few weeks, but cannot see herself using the delivery service.

I think it could be good for students with mobility needs, or who lack transportation, Whitmore said.

In November, students started posting videos of the robots to social media. TikTok user Duelistzach spotted a robot stopped on the sidewalk with its headlights on during a rainy day, and the Baylor University College of Arts and Sciences Facebook account posted a video of one of the bots mapping the campus.

In an Associated Press article from November 2021, Starship Technologies CEO Alastair Westgarth said the company started expanding to more U.S. locations after the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic drove people to seek contactless delivery services and led to a shortage of service workers. As of Thursday, the Starship website listed 26 U.S. locations. Baylor was not yet on the map.
Community memorials and activities commemorating civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. will return this weekend after COVID-19 limitations for the last two years, with a new location for the candlelight vigil.

The 35th annual wreath laying at Martin Luther King Jr. Park will take place at noon Friday with Carlton Stimpson, pastor of Open Door Church of God in Christ speaking at the occasion. Seating will be provided.

The candlelight vigil, in its 37th year, will take place at 6 p.m. Monday at Bridge Street Plaza, 200 Bridge St. It is a new location for the vigil.

Coque Gibson, who organized the first vigil and wreath laying with her husband and former McLennan County Commissioner Lester Gibson, who died last year, welcomed the return to public, in-person observances for King and MLK Day.

The last two years weve been online and this year were able to have it outside. Thats really nice, Gibson said.

Nika Davis, pastor of Second Missionary Baptist Church, will speak at the event with music by pastor Thomas Brooks and the Waco Community Choir.

Attendees are asked to bring a candle, but seating will be available.

Other MLK Day activities include a Family Unity Day from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Bledsoe-Miller Community Center, 300 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

The center and the Parents Against Crime Coalition are hosting the observance with an emphasis on strengthening families. Local youth will share presentations on King with awards given.

Other area organizations will commemorate King and his legacy through community service projects and other observances.

The Church Under The Bridge will hold a Racial Reconciliation Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Sunday with remarks from Daniel Hill, an assistant professor of Christian theology at Baylor Universitys George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and from Baylor emeritus professor Robert Darden.

Waco chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. will hold a Banner For Change observance at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Indian Spring Park followed by a march from the park.

Baylor carillonneur Lynnette Geary will play a recital on the McLane Carillon in Pat Neff Hall at 11 a.m. Monday.

The recital will feature songs including (We Shall) Overcome Some Day, Lift Every Voice and Sing, This Little Light of Mine, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and Precious Lord.

Baylors Department of Multicultural Affairs will host interactive activities on its Instagram account this week for people to share King-related memories and dreams.

The universitys Office of Missions, Service & Public Life will join Unbound Now Waco in an MLK Week of Service project supporting the fight against human trafficking.

Baylor Missions will collect specific items for survivor care kits.
MOGADISHU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Security forces in Somalia's Puntland State have killed a senior leader of the Somali wing of the Islamic State (IS) in Balidhidhin, a district in the northeastern Bari region, local authorities confirmed on Friday.

Abu-Albara Al Amani, an Ethiopian national, who was head of the group's operations in Puntland, was killed in a foiled attack on an army base on Thursday night, Puntland Security Forces (PSF) said.

Al Amani, from the Amhara region of Ethiopia, forcefully recruited many of his countrymen into the group, police said.

The IS wing in Somalia has its main base in the Puntland State and has occasionally clashed with Puntland forces and al-Shabab militant group. 
The worlds glaciers are shrinking and disappearing faster than scientists thought, with two-thirds of them projected to melt out of existence by the end of the century at current climate change trends, according to a new study.

But if the world can limit future warming to just a few more tenths of a degree and fulfill international goals  technically possible but unlikely according to many scientists  then slightly less than half the globes glaciers will disappear, said the same study. Mostly small but well-known glaciers are marching to extinction, study authors said.

In an also unlikely worst-case scenario of several degrees of warming, 83% of the worlds glaciers would likely disappear by the year 2100, study authors said.

The study in Thursdays journal Science examined all of the globes 215,000 land-based glaciers  not counting those on ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica  in a more comprehensive way than past studies. Scientists then used computer simulations to calculate, using different levels of warming, how many glaciers would disappear, how many trillions of tons of ice would melt, and how much it would contribute to sea level rise.

The world is now on track for a 4.9 degrees Fahrenheit temperature rise since pre-industrial times, which by the year 2100 means losing 32% of the worlds glacier mass, or 48.5 trillion metric tons of ice as well as 68% of the glaciers disappearing. That would increase sea level rise by 4.5 inches in addition to seas already getting larger from melting ice sheets and warmer water, said study lead author David Rounce.

No matter what, were going to lose a lot of the glaciers, Rounce, a glaciologist and engineering professor at Carnegie Mellon University, said. But we have the ability to make a difference by limiting how many glaciers we lose."

For many small glaciers it is too late, said study co-author Regine Hock, a glaciologist at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Oslo in Norway. However, globally our results clearly show that every degree of global temperature matters to keep as much ice as possible locked up in the glaciers.

Projected ice loss by 2100 ranges from 38.7 trillion metric tons to 64.4 trillion tons, depending on how much the globe warms and how much coal, oil and gas is burned, according to the study.

The study calculates that all that melting ice will add anywhere from 3.5 inches in the best case to 6.5 inches in the worst case to the worlds sea level, 4% to 14% more than previous projections.

That 4.5 inches of sea level rise from glaciers would mean more than 10 million people around the world  and more than 100,000 people in the United States  would be living below the high tide line, who otherwise would be above it, said sea level rise researcher Ben Strauss, CEO of Climate Central. Twentieth-century sea level rise from climate change added about 4 inches to the surge from 2012 Superstorm Sandy costing about $8 billion in damage just in itself, he said.

Scientists say future sea level rise will be driven more by melting ice sheets than glaciers.

But the loss of glaciers is about more than rising seas. It means shrinking water supplies for a big chunk of the worlds population, more risk from flood events from melting glaciers and about losing historic ice-covered spots from Alaska to the Alps to even near Mount Everests base camp, several scientists told The Associated Press.

For places like the Alps or Iceland ... glaciers are part of what makes these landscapes so special, said National Snow and Ice Data Center Director Mark Serreze, who wasnt part of the study but praised it. As they lose their ice in a sense they also lose their soul.

Hock pointed to Vernagtferner glacier in the Austrian Alps, which is one of the best-studied glaciers in the world, but said the glacier will be gone.

The Columbia Glacier in Alaska had 216 billion tons of ice in 2015, but with just a few more tenths of a degree of warming, Rounce calculated it will be half that size. If theres 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit of warming since pre-industrial times, an unlikely worst-case scenario, it will lose two-thirds of its mass, he said.

Its definitely a hard one to look at and not drop your jaw at, Rounce said.

Most expensive climate disasters in recent decades Most expensive climate disasters in recent decades #50. Hurricane Sally #49. Hurricane Gustav #48. Western, Central, and Southeast US drought and heatwave (2000) #47. Hurricane Isabel #46. Midwest, Plains, and Southeast drought (2006) #45. Southeast Drought (1983) #44. Hurricane Alicia #43. Hurricane Opal #42. Hurricane Fran #41. U.S. drought (2008) #40. South Plains Severe Weather #39. Hurricane Georges #38. East Coast Blizzard and Severe Weather #37. Hurricane Floyd #36. Hurricane Jeanne #35. Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes #34. Missouri River and North Central Flooding #33. Hurricane Matthew #32. Louisiana Flooding #31. Central Severe Weather - Derecho #30. Western/Plains drought and heatwave (2013) #29. Southeast/Ohio Valley/Midwest Tornadoes #28. Midwest Flooding (2008) #27. Tropical Storm Allison #26. U.S. drought (2002) #25. Hurricane Frances #24. Southern Plains/Southwest drought and heatwave #23. Hurricane Irene #22. Western Wildfires - California, Oregon, Washington Firestorms (2020) #21. Western Wildfires, California Firestorm (2017) #20. Hurricane Laura #19. Hurricane Hugo #18. Hurricane Charley #17. Western Wildfires, California Firestorm (2018) #16. Hurricane Florence #15. Hurricane Rita #14. Hurricane Michael #13. Hurricane Wilma #12. Hurricane Ivan #11. Central/Eastern drought and heatwave (1980) #10. U.S. drought and heatwave (2012) #9. Hurricane Ike #8. Midwest flooding (1993) #7. US drought and heatwave (1988) #6. Hurricane Andrew #5. Hurricane Irma #4. Hurricane Sandy #3. Hurricane Maria #2. Hurricane Harvey #1. Hurricane Katrina Most expensive climate disasters in recent decades #50. Midwest, Plains, and Southeast drought (2006) #49. Southeast drought (1983) #48. Hurricane Opal #47. Hurricane Fran #46. Western/Southern Plains drought and heatwave (2022) #45. Western drought and heatwave (2021) #44. US drought (2008) #43. South Plains severe weather #42. Hurricane Georges #41. Western wildfires #40. East Coast blizzard and severe weather #38. Hurricane Jeanne #37. Midwest/Southeast tornadoes #36. Hurricane Matthew #35. Louisiana flooding #34. Missouri River and North Central flooding #33. Central severe weather - Derecho #32. Western/Plains drought and heat wave (2013) #31. Southeast/Ohio Valley/Midwest tornadoes #29. Tropical Storm Allison #28. US drought (2002) #27. Hurricane Frances #26. Southern Plains/Southwest drought and heat wave #25. Hurricane Irene #24. Western wildfires - California, Oregon, Washington firestorms (2020) #23. Hurricane Hugo #22. Western wildfires, California firestorm (2017) #21. Hurricane Charley #20. Northwest, Central, Eastern winter storm and cold wave #19. Hurricane Laura #18. Hurricane Rita #17. Western wildfires, California firestorm (2018) #16. Hurricane Florence #15. Hurricane Wilma #14. Hurricane Michael #13. Hurricane Ivan #12. Central/Eastern drought and heat wave (1980) #11. US drought and heat wave (2012) #10. Hurricane Ike #9. Midwest flooding (1993) #8. US drought and heat wave (1988) #7. Hurricane Andrew #6. Hurricane Irma #5. Hurricane Ida #4. Hurricane Sandy #3. Hurricane Maria #2. Hurricane Harvey #1. Hurricane Katrina
We havent even gotten the nominations and already its clear: Avatar wont win Oscars Best Picture prize.

Oh, itll probably be nominated but, thanks to the Golden Globe Awards and the Screen Actors Guild nominations, its not a strong contender. It won nothing in the former and only got a stunt ensemble nomination in the latter. That bodes ill for director James Camerons years-in-the-making project. Even worse? He didnt get a Directors Guild nod, a harbinger for Oscar victory.

So, with Avatar as a bridesmaid, who stands the best chance for winning the Oscar?

Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Fabelmans and The Banshees of Inisherin. They all won Globes and figured heavily in the Screen Actors Guild contest.

Most likely, the 10 spots will include films like Elvis, Tar, Babylon, Women Talking and a highly acclaimed foreign language film (like RRR) or  a real surprise  animated film Pinocchio.

Michelle Yeoh (Everything) and Cate Blanchett (Tar) won Golden Globes for Best Actress and will definitely be the two to beat at the Oscars. Viola Davis has a shot with The Woman King but the one who is now on the bubble is Michelle Williams from The Fabelmans. She wasnt nominated for a SAG award, which makes it difficult to lock an Oscar nomination. Because actors comprise the largest contingent of the Motion Picture Academy, they can control the narrative. If they dont like you in their own awards, its extremely difficult to get into the Top Five in the Oscar race..

SAG nominated Danielle Deadwyler (Till) and Ana de Armas (Blonde), which gives them a shot at the other spots.

Most likely: Yeoh, Blanchett, Davis, Deadwyler and then? Its either a surprise or Williams slips in. Also possible? Oscar fave Olivia Colman (Empire of Light).

In the Best Actor race, Globes winners Austin Butler (Elvis) and Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin) are the leaders. But dont discount Brendan Fraser (The Whale) and Bill Nighy (Living), who have been mentioned all year long. The fifth spot? SAG put its money on Adam Sandler (Hustle). Also possible? Hugh Jackman (The Son), Jeremy Pope (Insurrection), Diego Calva (Babylon).

In the Supporting Actress race, Angela Bassett took a giant step to the head of the pack for her Golden Globes win for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She gave a great speech (paying honor to the late Chadwick Boseman) and would give Marvel its first win. Thats a lot to unpack. Plus, theres disagreement about the large cast films like Women Talking, Everything Everywhere and She Said. The three could have several nominees in the category. SAG snubbed Women Talking and She Said. Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu got SAG nominations for Everything; Kerry Condon (Banshees) and Hong Chau (The Whale) factored in as well.

So whos there? Bassett, Condon, Curtis and probably Jessie Buckley (Women Talking), Carey Mulligan (She Said) or Hsu. Way outside chance: Janelle Monae, Knives Out: The Glass Onion.

The Supporting Actor contest is even more contentious. Ke Huy Quan (Everything Everywhere) is a lock (and probably the winner), but The Fabelmans could offer up Paul Dano and Judd Hirsch, Banshees has strong nominees in Brendan Gleeson and Barry Keoghan and Women Talking could land Ben Whishaw a shot and The Good Nurse could get one for Eddie Redmayne.

Whos in? Quan, Gleeson and Keoghan. Then, were thinking Hirsch and Redmayne. Dano has a chance, too. But were still not ready for a definitive list.

With the Critics Choice Awards this weekend, the field could narrow even more.

The real contenders wont be clear until Oscar announces its field Jan. 24.
WATERLOO  A Waterloo man has been found guilty of a misdemeanor in a 2021 attack at a Waterloo casino that cost another man his eye.

Prosecutors had sought to convict Damond Jahmar Williams Sr., 46, on a charge of willful injury causing serious injury, a felony that carries up to 10 years behind bars.

Instead, a Black Hawk County jury on Thursday found Williams guilty of the lesser charge of assault causing bodily injury following half a day of deliberations.

The charge is a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.

The Jan. 3, 2021, assault resulted in a broken orbital bone and jaw bone and other injuries for Montana Gunhus of Evansdale. Pressure from the swelling cut off the optic nerve, leaving him blind in his right eye, according to doctors.

The attack also resulted in a $1.7 million civil judgment in a suit Gunhus brought against the Isle Casino because staff failed to intervene in the beating.

The attack was captured on the casinos extensive video surveillance system.

Prosecutor Heather Jackson said she counted 10 punches and five kicks to Gunhus, helpless on the floor, in the 25 seconds before Williams decided to break off the beating and walked away.

Authorities said Williams was upset that Gunhus had found his wifes player loyalty card in a slot machine and had used $100 in free play credits.

Williams took the stand in his own defense during trial on Wednesday. He said he was frustrated the casino wasnt going to replace the lost credits and hit Gunhus for the principle of him taking something that didnt belong to him.

He also said he didnt intend to cause the extensive injuries.

The arrest also cost Williams his job working with disabled residents, according to testimony.

Defense attorney Jared Knapp argued during closings that the state didnt prove that the attack was responsible for Gunhus loss of sight.

Sentencing will be at a later date.

Photos: Casino Assault, Jan. 3, 2021 010321ho-casino-still-1 010321ho-casino-still-2 010321ho-casino-still-3 010321ho-casino-still-4
DES MOINES  The University of Northern Iowa and Des Moines Area Community College formally announced an articulation agreement Wednesday related to its UNI@DMACC partnership. Officials also annnounced the recent expansion of UNIs hybrid bachelor of arts in accounting, to be offered through the community college.

The hybrid accounting program provides place-bound adult learners with the convenience of online courses, coupled with in-person evening accounting courses at DMACCs Urban Campus in downtown Des Moines. With the formal agreement, those who have earned an associates degree are offered a pathway toward the completion of a UNI bachelors degree. Its the first program in the UNI@DMACC partnership to offer a hybrid program with in-person courses at the community college.

Were excited to launch this flexible and accessible option for students in the Des Moines area to further their pursuit of a bachelors degree, UNI President Mark Nook said in a news release. Today, there are six times more job openings in accounting than qualified accounting graduates. Its through this partnership that UNI continues to meet Iowas workforce demands.

Our accounting program has been an innovator and leader in the industry for decades, and its with great enthusiasm that we bring our tradition of excellence to Des Moines through this partnership, UNI College of Business Dean Leslie Wilson said in the release. Iowa is experiencing a severe shortage of accounting professionals, and I applaud the willingness of our accounting department to pursue new avenues like this hybrid program to serve Iowa.

When we launched UNI@DMACC in 2019, we spoke about the need for collaboration between our two outstanding institutions right here in Des Moines, said DMACC President Rob Denson in the release, encouraging students to complete their bachelors degrees through the program.

More information about UNIs hybrid BA accounting program is available at online.uni.edu/accounting. A 30-minute informational webinar on on the program will be held Jan. 25. Topics covered will include the program overview and course sequence, delivery methods and scholarships, as well as next steps and the application process.

More information about UNI@DMACC can be found online at belong.uni.edu/dmacc.

Photos: UNI men's basketball vs. Murray State, Jan. 10 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 1 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 2 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 3 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 4 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 5 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 6 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 7 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 8 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 9 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 10 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 11 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 12 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 13 MBBall UNI vs. Murray State 14
The partnership with Lark will raise funds for the upcoming United States Police Canine Association Narcotics Detection Trials on March 26-28 in Black Hawk County. Partial proceeds from the sale of the limited edition beer will be donated to the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office to help cover hosting responsibilities at the trials. Between 70 and 100 dog teams from across the state of Iowa are expected to attend the three day event.
WATERLOO  University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook and other members of the UNI leadership team visited the John Deere Waterloo Operations facility Thursday for an annual meeting with Waterloo Factory Manager Becky Guinn and other members of John Deeres management team in Waterloo. Nook and the UNI contingent toured Deeres tractor cab assembly facility and discussed the universitys decades-long partnership with John Deere.

The University of Northern Iowa and John Deere have collaborated for more than 50 years in the greater Waterloo-Cedar Falls area and surrounding counties, said Nook. Becky and her team at Deeres Waterloo Works have embraced our passion for supporting education at all levels. UNI strives to continue serving as a good steward of Deeres generosity as we both seek to meet the workforce needs of Iowa, in addition to enhancing quality of life and diversity initiatives in our shared footprint.

During the last 50-plus years, John Deere has funded scholarships, enabled building renovations, sponsored programming and more.

Deere is the largest private employer of UNI graduates, with almost 1,300 alumni reporting employment. Deere is also consistently one of UNIs top five recruiting partners in terms of internships and student employment opportunities.

PHOTOS: John Deere partners with Habitat for Humanity John Deere 2 John Deere 3 John Deere 4 John Deere 5 John Deere 6
LONDON  When a doctor tweeted that she was sexually assaulted by a World Health Organization staffer at a Berlin conference in October, the U.N. agencys director-general assured her that WHO had zero tolerance for misconduct.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was horrified by the accusations of groping and unwelcome sexual advances and offered his personal assistance. WHO suspended the staffer and opened an investigation.

But internal documents obtained by The Associated Press show the same WHO staffer, Fijian physician Temo Waqanivalu, was previously accused of similar sexual misconduct in 2018.

A former WHO ombudsman who helped assess the previous allegation against Waqanivalu said the agency missed a chance to root out bad behavior.

I felt extremely angry and guilty that the dysfunctional (WHO) justice system has led to another assault that could have been prevented, said the staffer, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity for fear of losing their job.

The previous allegation didnt derail Waqanivalus career at WHO. As the new accusation surfaced, he was seeking to become WHOs top official in the western Pacific with high-level support, documents show.

In the coming weeks, the agencys highest governing body is meeting to set public health priorities and may discuss how and when the election for the regions next director might occur.

Waqanivalu hung up when the AP contacted him for comment.

He categorically denied that he had ever sexually assaulted anyone, including at the Berlin conference, according to correspondence between him and WHO investigators that the AP obtained.

WHO said its report into the Berlin conference complaint is in its final stage and would soon be submitted to Tedros.

On Wednesday, WHO told staffers it was forming a committee on formal complaints of abusive conduct, according to an internal email. The committee is to include 15 staffers, most of them designated by the U.N. agencys director-general.

The claims against Waqanivalu are the latest in a series of misconduct accusations at WHO. The agency's last regional director in the western Pacific was put on leave in August, months after AP reported that staffers had accused him of abusive behavior that compromised the U.N. agencys response to COVID-19.

The earlier accusation against Waqanivalu came after a 2017 workshop in Japan, where a WHO employee said Waqanivalu had harassed her at a post-work dinner.

Under the table, (Waqanivalu) took off his shoes, lifted one of his legs and toe(s) between my legs, the woman wrote in a 2018 report that was shared with senior WHO officials.

She left the restaurant and said Waqanivalu followed her. After she said goodbye, Waqanivalu proceeded to give me a hug, grabbing my buttocks with both of his hands and trying to kiss my lips, the woman said. The AP does not typically name people who say they have been sexually harassed unless they come forward publicly.

After submitting her confidential report to WHO in July 2018, the case was tossed around in (Geneva) for months, one of the ombudsmen wrote to the woman in an email.

The woman was later informed that Waqanivalu would be given an informal warning and that the case was considered closed. She wrote in an email to a WHO ombudsman that the agency's ethics office told her that pressing for an investigation might not be her best option.

In October, Waqanivalu sat on a panel at the World Health Summit in Berlin as part of a high-level conference with attendees including WHO chief Tedros.

In a hotel lobby one evening, numerous people were having drinks, including Waqanivalu and Dr. Rosie James, a young British-Canadian physician and former consultant for WHO.

We were talking about his work at WHO and he just started putting his hand on my bottom and keeping it there, James told the AP.

James said Waqanivalu firmly held my buttock in his hand multiple times (and) pressed his groin into her. Before Waqanivalu left, she says he repeatedly asked for her hotel room.

Later that night, she tweeted about the encounter, prompting WHO chief Tedros to pledge to do everything we can to help you.

James said WHO investigators interviewed her, but that Tedros never followed up. WHO offered to pay for any private therapy costs linked to the incident, James said.

Last fall, Waqanivalu, who oversees a small team in non-communicable diseases at WHO's headquarters, put himself forward as a candidate to be WHOs next director for the western Pacific.

A memo from the prime ministers office dated Oct. 17 confirmed Fijis proposed candidacy of Waqanivalu to the position.

Paula Donovan, co-director of the Code Blue campaign, which seeks to hold U.N. personnel accountable for sexual offenses, said the allegations regarding Waqanivalu were deeply worrying.

She said it was particularly concerning that an official accused of sexual harassment had been potentially in line for such a prominent leadership role and that WHO had failed to uphold its own zero tolerance policy for unprofessional behavior.

Its patently false that WHO does not condone sexual misconduct, Donovan said, calling for its member countries to overhaul the agencys internal structures so that its officials are held accountable. When WHO keeps this kind of stuff under wraps, they are giving sexual predators carte blanche to do it again with impunity.
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MANILA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will harness the mining sector's potential as a driver for long-term economic expansion as the Southeast Asian country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, Philippine Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said in a statement Friday.

"The mining industry holds the greatest potential to be a key driver in our recovery and long-term growth, especially now that the world metal prices are high," Diokno said.

After all, he said, the Philippines is one of the world's most richly endowed countries in terms of mineral resources.

"As such, we will harness the potential of the extractive sector to drive long-term economic expansion," he noted.

Diokno said the government is revisiting areas where it can enhance the policy environment and explore new opportunities for high and broad-based growth aligned with the emerging trends in the global economy.

Aside from mining, Diokno said the Philippines is committed to making the country competitive in the semiconductor and electronics industry, which is the top contributor to the Philippines' manufacturing sector and represents the country's largest export sector. He expressed optimism that the sector's output will expand in the next 12 months.

Diokno said the Philippines is also pursuing an energy transition and has opened up the renewable energy sector to full foreign ownership. A more liberalized renewable energy sector will quicken the country's transition towards a clean, affordable and desirable mix of energy sources, creating more green jobs.

In November last year, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos directed the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to sharpen its regulatory powers on small and large-scale mining. Marcos said he wants to legalize the operation of small-scale mining firms. 


SSE Renewables and APG have formed a consortium for participation in the upcoming 4GW IJmuiden Ver offshore wind farm zone tenders. SSE Renewables and APG, acting on behalf of Dutch pension fund ABP, aim for development of a large-scale offshore wind energy project in the Dutch North Sea.

The

IJmuiden Ver

offshore wind farm zone is made of of for offshore wind farm sites which are expected to be tendered in Q4 2023 The four sites each have the potential to host up to 1 GW of offshore wind energy.



The four tenders will have a focus on ecological protection and enhancement in the North Sea as well as on optimal integration into the Dutch energy system. Furthermore, Circularity and International Responsible Business Conduct (IRBC) are key priorities for the Dutch government.



"I am delighted that we are partnering with APG through Noordzeker, on the upcoming IJmuiden Ver offshore wind farm zone tenders, given their significant operating experience and their wider investments in the Netherlands. Both partners are experienced innovators and committed to ensuring that offshore wind is developed in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem



"We look forward to collaborating with APG, Dutch authorities, the industry, NGOs and other parties concerned  to help secure energy supply for the Netherlands in these turbulent times, drive innovations benefitting energy systems integration, and to continue putting offshore wind at the forefront of fighting climate change," said Stephen Wheeler

Managing Director, SSE Renewables.



"We are very excited to partner with SSE Renewables for the IJmuiden Ver tenders next year. Their experience and expertise in participating in these tenders, constructing the assets and operating a very sizable, worldwide portfolio of offshore wind farms make them the ideal partner for APG. The consortium partners are committed to invest a large amount of capital to support the Dutch energy transition, with particular focus on ecological innovation and integration into the broader energy system. The partnership is the first step of many in realizing ABPs ambitions through its Noordzeker initiative," said Peter Branner, Chief Investment Officer APG



Earlier this week The Netherlands Enterprise Agency, part of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, selected DHI to deliver a metocean assessment for proposed Dutch offshore wind farm zones, including IJmuiden Ver.

For more information on offshore wind farms worldwide,

click here

.
The owner of an East Central convenience store allegedly fired a gun at a man early Monday morning and police say two of his employees picked up the shell casings to cover up the incident.

The owner, 34-year-old Mohammed Khala, is charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon and shooting at a motor vehicle. Two of his employees Edgerin Wynn, 20, and Audrey Sullivan, 34, also listed as Ana Kistner in court records, are charged with tampering with evidence.

All three have been booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center.

It is unclear if any of them have an attorney and Wynns family couldnt be reached for comment.

Khalas convenience store, Adam Food Market, has been the site of at least three homicides over the past three years and an Albuquerque police surveillance camera station is often set up in the parking lot.

Security video reportedly showed Khala shooting at a vehicle and Sullivan and Wynn picking up casings, according to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court. Wynn told police Sullivan said she would buy him a cheeseburger if he helped her pick them up.

Police said all three lied about what happened before being confronted with video footage.

Officers were called to Adam Food Market on Central near Pennsylvania at around 3:30 a.m. in regard to a shooting inside the store. The caller said the owner had shot somebody.

Joshua Apodaca, 33, was seen driving away as police arrived and was arrested after a brief chase  during which he crashed into police vehicles  at his mothers home near Girard and Gibson, according to court records.

Police said they removed a gun from Khalas waistband and the owner initially denied shooting at Apodaca, telling police he shot once into the air.

After showing (Khala) the video footage  he changed his statement, according to the complaint.

Police said Khala then told them Apodaca had pointed a gun at him inside the store and in the parking lot but footage showed Apodaca was empty handed during the incident.

Sullivan declined to speak with police but Wynn told officers he did not see the shooting or pick up any casings, according to the complaint. After seeing the video, police said Wynn told them he picked up the casings after Sullivan offered to buy him a cheeseburger.
A San Juan County mans conviction on two felony crimes for smashing the window of a Farmington business violated constitutional protections against double jeopardy, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

A judge sentenced Franklin Begaye, 51, to 16 years in prison in 2018 after an 11th Judicial District Court jury convicted him of breaking and entering and non-residential burglary.

But the states highest court ruled that convicting Begaye of two felonies amounted to multiple punishments for the same crime.

Justices ordered the lower court to vacate one of Begayes convictions and resentence him.

Because the underlying conduct was unitary and, under the States theory, the breaking and entering elements were subsumed within the burglary elements, (Begayes) right to be free from double jeopardy was violated, Justice Julie Vargas wrote for the unanimous five-member court.

Begaye was arrested in February 2017 after the owner of Ram Signs found the front window smashed at the business and called police, according to the opinion. An inspection of the business found that nothing was taken, although the front desk was in array and a cash drawer was pulled out.

Security video showed someone smash and fall through the glass window.

Begaye was arrested a short time later and a Farmington police officer found a large amount of broken glass covering Begayes jacket. He was jailed and charged with nonresidential burglary and breaking and entering.

Begayes attorney sought to dismiss the breaking and entering charge on double-jeopardy grounds, arguing that prosecutors relied on the same evidence to support both charges. A district court judge denied the motion.

Reviewing the States closing, it is clear that the State relied upon the same evidence to support both charges, Vargas wrote in the opinion.
HANOI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The annual Spring Calligraphy Festival will be held in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on Jan. 15 following two years of hiatus due to COVID-19, Vietnam News Agency reported on Friday.

This year's festival, to be held at Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi, will gather 50 calligraphers nationwide, the news agency reported.

The event, aiming to honor the art and local tradition of writing, will feature an exhibition of calligraphic works, culinary delights, folk games, traditional music performances and water puppet shows, it said.

Le Xuan Kieu, director of the Center for Scientific and Cultural Activities of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, said preparations have been finished, ready to serve tourists in coming days.

It is a local tradition to have calligraphic works written on red paper for display during the Lunar New Year as a way to pray for good things to come in the new year, the news agency reported. 
A 29-year-old man is accused of fleeing his halfway house before going on a robbery spree  netting under $1,000 from 10 businesses around Albuquerque in just over a week.

Brandon Sanchez is charged with three counts of robbery and seven counts of armed robbery in the incidents, which spanned Jan. 1 through Jan. 9.

The U.S. Marshals Service arrested Sanchez on Tuesday at a Motel 6 in Northeast Albuquerque.

Sanchez was on probation on a federal gun charge from 2021 and had been on the run since October, when he left an Albuquerque halfway house.

Sanchezs criminal history includes more than a dozen arrests on violent and nonviolent offenses and, according to court records, also violated probation in a past case.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court:

The first robbery happened Jan. 1 around 9:45 a.m. when a man robbed a Twisters restaurant near Menaul and Wyoming NE. The man used a demand note, threatening to kill employees, and got away with $100.

A man matching that description in a similar getaway car robbed a Starbucks coffeehouse later that day and, on Jan. 4, robbed a Little Caesars pizza shop and Subway sandwich shop within five minutes of each other.

Police sent out surveillance images of the robber to statewide agencies and a detective from Valencia County identified the man as Sanchez. By that time, Sanchez had been on the run for months after leaving a federal halfway house.

After the next several days, attempts to locate Sanchez were unsuccessful, according to the complaint.

According to police, he stayed busy.

On Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, the same man robbed a different Subway and Little Caesars, sometimes showing a gun in his waistband. On Jan. 9, within a span of 12 hours, the same man robbed another Starbucks, a Big 5 sporting goods store and a Dominos Pizza location.

In the last three incidents, the man used a stolen SUV that was later found abandoned but police found the original getaway car at a Motel 6 north of Paseo del Norte. Sanchez and his girlfriend were found in a room and detained.

Sanchez told police the car caught on security video was his but denied robbing any businesses. He eventually asked for a lawyer.

Inside the couples room police found the clothing, wig, BB gun and demand note used by Sanchez in the various robberies.
As Carl and Lita Blake escaped from Europe in 1938, they couple never knew that they would be part of history.

The couple kept documents of their journey which will be displayed at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque.

The JCC has teamed up with the New Mexico Holocaust Museum to present Lita: A Survivors Life in Images.

According to Judith Stauber, director of museum exhibits, programs and development at the New Mexico Holocaust Museum, the exhibit tells the story of the Blakes  a Viennese family that fled Adolf Hitler to Brazil, New York, and finally, Santa Fe.

Stauber says the exhibit tells the hidden stories of Lita Blake through photos and a multimedia presentation by Lena and Michael Keslin of Santa Fe.

The exhibit opened on Jan. 15, and runs through Feb. 15, at the JCC, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE.

The exhibit was inspired by the photo albums of Carl and Lita Blake donated to the museum, along with documents detailing their escape from Europe in 1938 by their daughter, the late Yara Pitchford before her death in 2021, Stauber says. Lena Keslin enlarged the photos and imagined Litas response to each of them inspired by her many conversations over the years with Lita until her death at 104 in 2007.

There will be an opening reception and discussion by artists and museum staff at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at the JCC.

RSVP to attend this free event at nmholocaustmuseum.org/lita-reception.

The exhibit is in conjunction with International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Lita: A Survivors Life in Images

WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday Jan. 29 opening reception; the exhibit runs through Feb. 15

WHERE: Jewish Community Center of Greater Albuquerque, 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE

INFORMATION: Visit jccabq.org
As Russian troops wage a ferocious house-to-house fight for control of strongholds in eastern Ukraine, a parallel battle is unfolding in the top echelons of military power in Moscow, with President Vladimir Putin reshuffling his top generals while rival camps try to win his favor.

The fighting for the salt mining town of Soledar and the nearby city of Bakhmut has highlighted a bitter rift between the Russian Defense Ministry leadership and Yevgeny Prigozhin, a rogue millionaire whose private military force known as the Wagner Group has played an increasingly visible role in Ukraine.

Putins shakeup of the military brass this week was seen as a bid to show that the Defense Ministry still has his support and is in charge as the troubled conflict nears the 11-month mark.

Prigozhin declared Wednesday that his mercenary force had captured Soledar, arguing the prize was won exclusively by Wagner. The Defense Ministry waited until Friday to announce its capture, saying that it became possible thanks to air and artillery strikes and airborne forces maneuvers. A Ukrainian army spokesman denied that, saying Kyivs troops were still in Soledar.

The Defense Ministry initially didnt mention the private contractor, but after Prigozhin accused the military of constantly trying to steal Wagners victory, it acknowledged his groups courageous and selfless action to storm the city.

The 61-year-old Prigozhin, who was known as Putins chef for his lucrative catering contracts and was indicted in the U.S. for meddling in the 2016 presidential election, has expanded his assets to include Wagner, as well as mining and other spheres. He has scathingly criticized the military brass for blunders in Ukraine, saying Wagner was more efficient than regular troops.

He has found a powerful ally in Chechnyas leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who has deployed elite troops from his southern Russian region to fight in Ukraine and also assailed the military leadership and the Kremlin for being too soft and indecisive.

While both have pledged loyalty to Putin, their public attacks on his top generals openly challenged the Kremlins monopoly on such criticism, something that Russias tightly controlled political system hadnt seen before.

In the reshuffle announced Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said the head of the General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, was named the new chief of Russian forces in Ukraine, while the former top commander there was demoted to Gerasimovs deputy after only three months on the job.

The Washington-based Institute of the Study of War saw the reshuffle as an attempt by the Kremlin to reassert the primacy of the Russian Ministry of Defense in an internal Russian power struggle, weaken the influence of its foes, and send a signal to Prigozhin and others to reduce their criticism.

Prigozhin and his allies have repeatedly criticized Gerasimov, the main architect of the Russian operation in Ukraine, and held him responsible for military defeats.

Russian troops were forced to retreat from Kyiv after a botched attempt to capture the Ukrainian capital in the opening weeks of the war. In the fall, they hastily pulled back from the northeastern Kharkiv region and the southern city of Kherson under the brunt of a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The former commander in Ukraine, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, directed the retreat from Kherson, the only regional center captured by Russia, and was credited for shoring up command and increasing discipline in the ranks. But a Jan. 1 Ukrainian missile strike in the eastern town of Makiivka killed scores of Russian troops and tainted his image.

Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya observed that Gerasimovs appointment marked yet another attempt by Putin to resolve his military problems by shaking up the brass.

He is trying to reshuffle the pieces and is therefore giving chances to those who he finds persuasive, she wrote. But in reality, the problem is not with the people, but with the tasks at hand.

Stanovaya argued that Gerasimov could have asked for carte blanche in the heat of verbal battles against the background of some very tense discussions. For Putin, this is maneuvering, a tug-of-war between Surovikin (and sympathizers like Prigozhin) and Gerasimov, she added.

Gerasimov, who began his military career as a Soviet army tank officer in the 1970s, has been chief of the General Staff since 2012 and was seen at the start of the conflict in February sitting next to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at a very long table with Putin. His appointment to directly lead the forces in Ukraine drew stinging comments from some Russian hawks.

Viktor Alksnis, a retired Soviet air force colonel who spearheaded botched attempts to preserve the USSR in 1991, noted that Gerasimov had overseen the action in Ukraine even before his appointment.

This decision reflects the understanding by our political and military leadership that the special military operation has failed and none of its goals has been fulfilled in nearly a year of fighting, Alksnis wrote on his messaging app channel. Replacing Surovikin with Gerasimov will change nothing.

Mark Galeotti, who specializes in Russian military and security affairs at University College, London, said the appointment handed Gerasimov the most poisoned of chalices as he now will bear direct responsibility for any more setbacks.

Gerasimov is hanging by a thread, Galeotti said in a commentary on Twitter. He needs some kind of win, or a career ends in ignominy. This may well suggest some kinds of escalation.

Galeotti also warned that frequent reshuffling of Russias generals could erode allegiance in the officer corps.

If you keep appointing, rotating, burning your (relative) stars, setting unrealistic expectations, arbitrarily demoting them, thats not going to win loyalty, he said.

Prigozhin, meanwhile, has taken advantage of military setbacks in Ukraine to expand his clout by making the Wagner Group a pivotal element of the Russian fighting force, augmenting the regular army that has suffered a heavy attrition.

Ukrainian officials alleged Wagner contractors have suffered massive losses in the fighting in Soledar and Bakhmut, advancing on the bodies of their own comrades.

Once convicted of assault and robbery, for which he served time in prison, Prigozhin in recent months went on a tour of Russias sprawling network of penal colonies to recruit inmates to join Wagners forces to fight in Ukraine in exchange for pardons.

He recently released a video showing about 20 convicts allowed to leave the ranks of fighters after a half-year on the front line, while also making clear that anyone breaking ranks will face brutal punishment.

Footage posted in the fall showed a Wagner contractor being beaten to death with a sledgehammer after allegedly defecting to the Ukrainian side. Despite public outrage and demands to investigate the incident, authorities have turned a blind eye to it.

Observers have warned that by giving Prigozhin a free hand to run Wagner as a private army governed by medieval-style rules, the government has effectively planted dangerous seeds of possible upheaval.

In the end, there is chaos and the expansion of violence - extrajudicial and illegal, predicted Andrei Kolesnikov, an analyst with the Carnegie Endowment.

___

Follow AP coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Editors note: Today, the Journal continues the once-a-month series A Word with staff writer Carl Knauf, as he takes an in-depth look at a New Mexican.

Community.

New Mexico has a strong sense of fellowship and family  blood or a welcomed acquaintance.

Love and acceptance is especially exemplified in one of the more creative, yet overlooked artistic mediums: lowrider bicycles.

The mass of riders parked their bicycles near the curb of the intersection. Passersby slowed their pace to admire the unusual, yet enchanting site, some stopping to inquire and offer compliments.

All bicycles are welcome, Aaron Gonzales, co-founder of Oddfellas Bike Club, told a young pair whose eyes were wide with wonder.

Gonzales fabricates lowrider bicycles in Albuquerque, but his style is recognized worldwide.

A love for the scene

Gonzales grew up in the lowrider scene. He said about 10 years ago he was watching YouTube and found videos of a bicycle group coasting past grassy fields in the Netherlands. Thats when he fell in love with the niche.

He said, They were just all walks of life, older people, younger people, and it was cool.

After a friend in town taught him how to weld, he began building his own bicycles, and has been doing so for about seven years. A month ago, he surpassed 70 frames built.

I never thought that I would be able to fabricate or even design, he admitted. Its a hobby of mine, but its my passion.

The bicycles are primarily low to the ground and long, the operation similar to a recumbent bike. Gonzales explained that he will usually transform used bicycles or rides he finds at Walmart into the stretched cruisers. His style has not only been praised around town, but internationally.

In the bike scene, everyone recognizes me as one of the top guys in the world, he said. What made me fall in love with this culture is the hospitality and the way people treat you.

Gonzales has made connections with other bicycle builders, artists and enthusiasts outside of New Mexico. Even the Oddfellas has grown nationally, with members in California, Arizona, Texas and Ohio among other states. Its not just about the amount of riders, however, it takes a village just to create.

A communal effort

For the last 30 years, artist Chris Vasquez has gone from airbrushing T-shirts and license plates to perfecting wall murals and cars. When he first saw the custom bikes, he knew they were the perfect canvas for his style.

The bike scene goes hand-in-hand with any kind of customizing, he said. I ended up finding a bike  and from there, I kind of started adding my little touches to it, and then I got hooked.

Vasquez met Gonzales years ago at a car show where both of them had their bikes on display as well. He said Gonzales rode up to him, and a friendship and network was immediately formed.

The artistic circle within the lowrider bicycle community is strong. Gonzales builds, Vasquez paints, and there are even people who specifically make the seats or add distinctive decor for the vehicles. Many hands mark each bike during the customizing phase.

That whole art world is kind of intertwined, so it works out perfect, because we get to express it in a different way and enjoy it too. Instead of just painting something and hanging it up, we actually get to ride it, Vasquez said.

Chris Vasquez has been airbrushing everything from clothing to cars the last 30 years. He eventually became hooked on the lowrider bicycle scene. Pictured is some of his work. (Courtesy of Chris Vasquez) Chris Vasquez has been airbrushing everything from clothing to cars the last 30 years. He eventually became hooked on the lowrider bicycle scene. Pictured is some of his work. (Courtesy of Chris Vasquez) Chris Vasquez has been airbrushing everything from clothing to cars the last 30 years. He eventually became hooked on the lowrider bicycle scene. Pictured is some of his work. (Courtesy of Chris Vasquez) Chris Vasquez has been airbrushing everything from clothing to cars the last 30 years. He eventually became hooked on the lowrider bicycle scene. Pictured is some of his work. (Courtesy of Chris Vasquez) Prev 1 of 4 Next

The love for the scene is spreading, forming a vast community, but its strongest at its core. Both Vasquez and Gonzales have influenced their daughters artistic sides, which will hopefully, in turn, strengthen the scene even more through future generations.

When we drive our cars, people love them, but when they see the bikes, its a totally different way people love them, he said. When we do our rides theyre starting to get bigger and bigger. At first, it was like six of us  now theres 20-30 people showing up.

When the group is noticed and interacts with people, appreciation is immediate. However, as is the case for any misunderstood art form or stereotyped culture, there is a stigma that needs to be erased. For lowrider bicycles, its more of an uphill battle.

A long history

Lowrider bicycles, which derived from the lowrider car scene after World War II, first became mainstream around the 1960s when Schwinn launched its Sting-Ray. It is believed that Eddies ride from The Munsters is considered the first lowrider bicycle. The vehicles were also part of an important cultural transition in America.

Kyle McQuilkin, a teacher with the Lytle Independent School District outside San Antonio, Texas, earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from Texas Tech University. For his dissertation he arranged eight exhibits in Lubbock, Texas, to promote lowrider bicycles as an art form and open the minds of the gallery demographic.

He said, I think that the bicycles and the cars have largely been ignored as objects of art because of that established hierarchy.

Not only was it difficult to get the standard museum-goers to appreciate lowrider bicycles as art, theres also the deep-rooted outlaw reputation that comes with the culture.

McQuilkin explained that the development of lowriders coincided with the early stages of the Chicano movement in California during the 1940s, and racism tarnished the artistic nature of lowrider culture.

There werent necessarily laws so much as societal norms against ostentatious public display, McQuilkin said of the era. So that outlaw image was associated with lowriders.

Despite this, the popularity of the cars, and, in turn, bicycles, grew over the decades.

Magazines circulated, clubs were formed, and competitions and shows were organized. The interest in lowrider bicycles spread overseas to Australia, Asia and Europe.

McQuilkin said through his surveys he found that the outsider perception was generally accepted within the community, which is partially attributed to the respect builders and riders have for each other  and, ironically, outsiders.

I was embraced heavily, that they were so happy that somebody noticed them and gave them what they wanted more than anything else, which is just respect, he said about his firsthand experience. Respect as a human and respect for the object for the amount of time and effort thats put into the bicycle to help erase the stigma.

Custom bicycles are one of the few art forms that is both right brain and left brain. The design and creativity cannot be ignored, but the engineering is occasionally overlooked. Though some are made for display, the bicycle also has to be functional, balanced and structurally intact for riders.

Every frame that Ive ever made is specifically tailored-made for the certain individual I build for, Gonzales said about the detail that goes into his work.

Injuries and cuts are common, he says, I have scars everywhere, Ive burned myself.  Im like, this frame has my blood on it, and it really does.

Whether the bicycles are used for transportation or as part of an exhibit, there is a strong sense of culture and art in every vehicle.

The reason that people do it is individual and cant be simplified, McQuilkin said. The bikes themselves are expressions of that individuality.

The unique styles and relative uses of lowrider and custom bicycles are all part of an international community  one that is safe, welcoming and seemingly balanced.

Time to ride

After the pit stop, the riders unchained their bikes and the convoy began to form. Bystanders held up their cameras, capturing the unique moment.

When I bring out one of the bikes, or even when we do our group rides around the city, people freak out, Gonzales said. To me, its so hard not to be happy.  Its not necessarily, look at what we have, its more like we want you to ride with us.

All bicycles and all walks of life are welcome to ride. Thats what lowrider bicycle culture is about, and thats how a community is built.

See the bikes

The Oddfellas Bike Club rides throughout town periodically. Follow Aaron Gonzales @stilokustomz and Chris Vasquez @atitude_art on Instagram to see their work.
Zora Neale Hurstons words live on forever through her many novels.

Yet, what some may not realize, is the acclaimed author became a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance.

Filmmaker Tracy Heather Strain set out to capture Hurstons story in the documentary, Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming a Space. The documentary is under the American Experience umbrella for PBS and will premiere at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1. It will also stream in the PBS Video app.

Both Randall MacLowry and Cameo George serve as producers on the film.

George says the biography about the author shows how her groundbreaking anthropological work would challenge assumptions about race, gender and cultural superiority that had long defined the field in the 19th century.

Raised in the small all-Black Florida town of Eatonville, Hurston studied at Howard University before arriving in New York in 1925. She would soon become a key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, best remembered for her novel Their Eyes Were Watching God.

As she gained renown in Harlem literary circles, Hurston was also discovering anthropology at Barnard College with the renowned Franz Boas. She would make several trips to the American South and the Caribbean, documenting the lives of rural Black people and collecting their stories. She studied her own people, an unusual practice at the time, and during her lifetime became known as the foremost authority on Black folklore.

George says Hurston immersed herself into the worlds of the participants and built trust.

In 1936, with the help of two Guggenheim fellowships, Hurston traveled to Haiti and Jamaica and focused on her literary and scientific work. While in Haiti, she wrote Their Eyes Were Watching God, mixing memory, fiction and research. In 1937, the novel was published to acclaim, followed by Tell My Horse, her second ethnographic book, in 1938.

But royalties from both books were not enough to give Hurston financial security.

Despite her success, the end of Hurstons life was marked by money woes and a multitude of setbacks. To make ends meet, she published her autobiographical book Dust Tracks on a Road in 1942. While the book helped establish her as a literary celebrity, Hurston still struggled financially. She eventually landed in the Black community of Fort Pierce, Florida, where she worked a series of odd jobs.

On January 28, 1960, at the age of 69, Hurston died in near obscurity following a stroke in a nursing home.

Zora Neale Hurston has long been considered a literary giant of the Harlem Renaissance, but her anthropological and ethnographic endeavors were equally important and impactful, George says. Her research and writings helped establish the dialects and folklore of African American, Caribbean and African people throughout the American diaspora as components of a rich, distinct culture, anchoring the Black experience in the Americas.

ON TV

Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming A Space will premiere at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1. It will also stream on the PBS Video app.
Dont ever tell the Upstart Crows that Shakespeare is too difficult for kids.

The Santa Fe-based group is producing Henry IV, Part I at the New Mexico Actors Lab Jan. 20-22 and Jan. 27-29. The cast of 14 actors ages 10-18 will dive into one of Shakespeares four plays about the House of Lancaster, flush with themes of uprising, exile and the ethics of staging a coup. Three casts rotate the roles.

Caryl Farkas founded the group in 2014 after seeing a similar young ensemble in Madison, Wisconsin.

The whole basis of the program is that kids can perfectly understand Shakespeare, she said.

Henry IV, Part I is a history play revolving around Prince Hal, his father Henry and the rebel Hotspur.

Henry feels guilty about overthrowing Richard II and wants to travel to the Holy Land.

He has a young son Hal who is just a wastrel who hangs out in pubs, Farkas said. Falstaff is like a father figure to him.

A fat, vain and boastful knight, Falstaff spends most of his time drinking at the Boars Head Inn with petty criminals, living on stolen or borrowed money. Falstaff leads the wayward Prince Hal into trouble, and is ultimately repudiated after Hal becomes king.

You sort of bounce between these worlds, Farkas said.

Some members of the cast boast as many as 20 Shakespearean plays on their resume.

They join these plays because theyre addictive, Farkas added.

The Bards so-called tough plays are often their favorites, she maintained.

Each production begins with a close reading of the text and discussions.

They are sharing their insights with each other, Farkas said. They find things I didnt know were there.

Were doing King Lear in the spring, she added Its hard on the parents because its like, Oh, boy I get to blind Gloucester on stage! 
Instagram Celebrity

When sitting down with E! News, the model stepdaughter of Steve Harvey, who used to date Michael B. Jordan, also shuts down rumors suggesting she was a lesbian.

Jan 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Lori Harvey is so tired of misconceptions about her. When setting the record straight on her personal life, the stepdaughter of Steve Harvey poked fun at rumors suggesting she once dated Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and his son Justin Combs.

"It's so funny, because I'm so quiet, there's been so many stories that have been made up about me," the 25-year-old shared when sitting down with E! News. "I've seen stories about me being fully in love with somebody and you have like, this whole relationship. And I'll see the guy and I'm like, I've actually never met him before."

"Like, full-blown stories I've heard, I've dated a father and son before. Absolutely not true," the entrepreneur continued. "I've even heard that I'm a lesbian at one point. So, you know, there's been a lot of different things. A lot of stories, lot of misconceptions. I think they're hilarious. I love the stories."

Lori famously dated Michael B. Jordan for more than a year, but they called it quits in June 2022. Since then, she has been linked to a string of famous guys, including John Boyega, Jonathan Majors and Damson Idris. It was also unveiled that she was spotted hanging out with her ex Future in Miami in November.

In December, Media Take Out reported that Lori makes all men sign an iron-clad nondisclosure agreement before she even considers anything romantic between them. "Lori makes [all the men] sign an NDA to make sure that whatever they talk about is personal and confidential," a friend of the socialite said.

The friend spilled that the contract stops any potential suitor from sharing any photos or messages that they exchange. It also prohibits them from "saving any screens captures of their discussions or communications, including any video conferences."

The men are faced with some pretty serious consequences if they violate the agreement. "There is a million dollar penalty if the agreement is violated," the source claimed.

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Cover Images/Instagram/Janet Mayer Celebrity

Catherine Ommanney, who claims she had a one-month fling with the royal in 2006 when she was 34 and he was 21, also wished that the Duke of Sussex married 'someone like Kate Middleton.'

Jan 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prince Harrys alleged former flame Catherine Ommanney has branded his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, "manipulative" and "controlling." "The Real Housewives of D.C." star, 51, also said on an interview with GB News on Wednesday, January 11, night she "would have loved" the royal to have married "someone like Kate Middleton."

Mum-of-three Catherine, who claims she had a one-month fling with the royal in 2006 when she was 34 and he was 21, said, "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 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 hes saying he's happy but he doesn't really look happy to me he looks the saddest I've ever seen him. I still have a lot of respect for him and vice versa. But I'm just really sad for him and Im sad for the monarchy and the Royal Family."

She admitted she hadn't yet read Harry's "Spare" memoir but said she was "shocked" he'd released the book. Catherine added she was happy the late Queen Elizabeth, who died in September aged 96, never got to read the tome.

And she hit out at Harry using his book to claim he killed 25 Taliban insurgents during his second tour of Afghanistan. Catherine has insisted she stayed friends with Harry after their romance ended in 2006 and said he "pushed past security" to greet her at an event years later. She said they met at a bar in Chelsea when Harry was still in an on-off relationship with 37-year-old socialite Chelsy Davy.

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Cover Images/Dutch Press Photo Celebrity

The Prince of Wales can be seen dodging the question during his first official engagement since the release of the Duke of Sussex's autobiography, in which his brother levels some accusations at him.

Jan 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prince William ignored a reporter who asked if he had read his brother Prince Harry's memoir. On Thursday, January 12, the royal dodged the question during his first official engagement since the release of the autobiography.

He visited the Open Door Charity in Merseyside with his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, when Sky News journalist Inzamam Rashid asked him, "Have you had a chance to read your brother's book?"

When William snubbed the query, the reporter asked a second time as saying, "Have you had a chance to read your brother's again your Royal Highness?" However, the royal again refused to respond.

Mr Rashid previously asked William, "Is the Royal Family a racist family?" after Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, accused the institution of racism during their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. William replied to Mr Rashid, "We are very much not a racist family", and when the journalist asked if he had spoke to Harry since the Oprah interview, the royal said, "No, I haven't spoken to him, but I will do."

Accusations levelled at William in Harry's memoir "Spare" include that William attacked hum and threw him on the floor during a row in which he alleged William called Meghan "difficult" and "rude." William did tell royal fans during his visit to Liverpool he would "keep going" amid the fallout from Harrys book claims. The Prince and Princess of Wales also visited the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which opened in October.

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The 'As It Was' hitmaker files the paperwork against some online vendors to 'protect unknowing consumers from purchasing counterfeit products over the Internet.'

Jan 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Harry Styles is dragging unauthorized online merchandise sellers to court. The "As It Was" hitmaker has filed legal action against specific URLs, as opposed to real people and named operations, in a bid to prevent the sale of the fake merch on the Internet.

On Tuesday, January 10, lawyers representing the former One Direction star filed the suit in a Chicago federal court. It states, "Plaintiff is forced to file this action to combat defendants' counterfeiting of its registered trademarks, as well as to protect unknowing consumers from purchasing counterfeit products over the Internet."

It's said that the fake merch products have been listed on legitimate online marketplaces such as Etsy and Amazon. The lawsuit further explains that the items make it "difficult for consumers to distinguish such stores from an authorized retailer."

The 28-year-old pop star's legal team have requested a sweeping takedown of the unauthorized items. The document also cites specific URLs rather than actual vendors or individual people involved. "Tactics used by defendants to conceal their identities and the full scope of their operation make it virtually impossible for plaintiffs to learn defendants' true identities and the exact interworking of their counterfeit network," it continues.

Additionally, the paperwork notes that many of the fake pieces are being listed by internet sellers based mostly in China and "other foreign jurisdictions with lax trademark enforcement systems."

The most recent case was that of Johanna Donnelly, who was ordered to pay 140,000 (around $170,000) within three months to compensate for the whopping 250,000 (around $305,000) profit she made selling counterfeit music T-shirts online over a three-year period. Johanna sold unlicensed merch of bands including Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, The Clash, The Stranglers and The Stone Roses. If she fails to pay back, she could face a five-month prison sentence.

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BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Brunei recorded 2,477.5 million Brunei dollars (1,871.2 million U.S. dollars) total trade for October 2022, a 7.1 percent year-on-year increase contributed by a rise in import value.

The latest International Merchandise Trade Statistics released on Friday by the Department of Economic Planning and Statistics at the Ministry of Finance and Economy showed that Brunei's exports in October decreased by 2.5 percent yearly to 1,302.9 million Brunei dollars, which was mainly due to the decrease in mineral fuel exports.

Imports increased from 975.9 million Brunei dollars in October 2021 to 1,174.6 million Brunei dollars in October 2022.

The highest share of exports in October 2022 went to China (25.7 percent), followed by Australia (18.4 percent) and Japan (17.6 percent). The largest export commodity to China was chemicals, whereas to Australia and Japan was mineral fuels.

The highest share of imports was from the United Arab Emirates (37.0 percent), followed by Malaysia (23.8 percent) and Qatar (12.3 percent), with mineral fuels as the largest import commodity. (1 Brunei dollar equals about 0.76 U.S. dollars). 
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The 'Big Sky' star, who shares son Josey together with the actress, takes to his Instagram account to mark what could have been the late 'Glee' alum's 36th birthday.

Jan 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Ryan Dorsey remembers Naya Rivera on her birthday. The actor, who was married to Naya for four years, made use of his Instagram account to mark what would have been the late "Glee" alum's 36th birthday with a heartbreaking tribute.

"A little easier with each little bit of time that passes by to look at pictures," Ryan wrote alongside a slew of pictures of Naya and their 7-year-old son Josey. "But I still don't have the answers to the questions to the why's our sweet boy asks from time to time. I never will. Doing the best we can."

After telling the late star to "Fly high," the "Big Sky" star added in the caption, "If you're reading this no matter what you're going through, take a moment of gratitude that you're still here on this ride." He concluded, "I know some days are harder than others to get up, but keep we just gotta keep pushing onward."

The heartfelt post arrived three years Naya died from accidental drowning on Southern California's Lake Piru while on a boating outing with their son. The 33-year-old actress was reported missing on July 8, 2020, after Josey, who was 4 years old at the time, was found alone on a boat.

Following an intensive search for days, authorities discovered her body on July 13 when she was confirmed dead. Four months later, Ryan filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of his son against Ventura County and Lake Piru's management.

In the lawsuit, he claimed that Naya's death was preventable. He additionally pointed out that the boat they rented that day did not comply with Coast Guard safety standards by not having flotation devices, which are required by law in California. "Through this settlement, Josey will receive just compensation for having to endure the drowning of his beloved mother at Lake Piru," his lawyer, Amjad M. Khan, said in a statement at the time.

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The 25-year-old model, who launched her own skincare brand SKN by LH in 2021, finds skincare regimen 'very therapeutic' and looks forward to it every day.

Jan 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Lori Harvey finds her skincare regimen to be "very therapeutic." The 25-year-old model, who is the daughter of comedian Steve Harvey. has opened up about her beauty routine, revealing that she looks forward to her skincare regimen.

Lori, who dated movie star Michael B. Jordan between 2020 and 2022, explained, "Having that skincare regimen is very therapeutic and something I look forward to every day. It's me-time."

The model also revealed that she keeps her eye cream in the refrigerator. She told E! News, "I've always put my eye mask in the refrigerator. Lately, I've been putting my eye cream in the refrigerator and it really wakes me up in the morning."

What's more, Lori believes that she's "growing and evolving" in a broader sense. She said, "Patience is a virtue. Being patient with myself as I'm growing and evolving."

Lori launched her own skincare brand, SKN by LH, in 2021. The model managed to create the brand without any financial help from her parents, and she's very proud of what she's managed to accomplish.

She said, "That has arguably been one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life, but also one of the most rewarding and fulfilling, because this is the first thing that Ive really been able to call my own thing, that I built from the ground up. It wouldve been very easy for me to just ask my parents to connect me with people and set it up, and I'll just slap my name on it and go about my day. But I really wanted to learn the ins and outs of the business. I wanted to be very hands-on with everything I was doing, and I wanted to make the mistakes, so that I could learn from them and really know how to be a businesswoman at the end of the day."

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A few days earlier, the Oscar-winning actor was spotted dancing on the floor at the Gekko restaurant lounge in Miami with a cigarette placed between his lips.

Jan 13, 2023

AceShowbiz - Leonardo DiCaprio has gotten back to work after enjoying the New Year holiday. The "Titanic" actor made a rare appearance during National Geographic's "The Territory" screening on Tuesday, January 10.

Then on Thursday, January 12, the Oscar-winning actor turned to his Instagram page to share a photo taken at the event. In it, he could be seen wearing a black jacket with a high-neck collar that he paired with gray jeans. He also sported his signature black cap.

"Last night I saw The Territory, a powerful film made in collaboration with the Uru-eu-wau-wau Indigenous people about their fight to protect the Amazon Rainforest from land invaders in Brazil," so the environmentalist wrote in a caption. "The filmmaker @alex_pritz, and protagonist @bitate_uru_eu_juma, are doing great work -- amplifying Indigenous voices in the fight against climate change and organizing around legislation to protect Indigenous lands from deforestation."

The post came after Leo was caught "vibing" at the Gekko restaurant lounge in Miami amid rumors he's casually dating Victoria Lamas and Gigi Hadid. In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, the "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood" actor could be seen showing off some of his own dance moves. He was also surrounded by an assortment of partygoers.

As the "Don't Look Up" star was dancing on the dance floor, he was also seen with a cigarette placed between his lips while the song, "Then Leave by Beatking", echoed throughout the venue.

Leo was last romantically linked to 23-year-old Victoria following rumors about his romantic fling with Gigi. The 48-year-old actor was first spotted with Victoria in December before they were seen ringing in 2023 together.

More recently, a source close to the situation claimed that Leo and Gigi "have respect" for one another as he hangs out with other ladies. The insider further stressed that "they are not exclusive," before saying that Gigi "is feeling balanced, happy, and focusing her energy on her career and daughter." She is a mother to 2-year-old daughter Khai, whom she shares with her ex Zayn Malik.

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Meanwhile, the felony trial against the Canadian hip-hop star over the July 2020 shooting incident which occurred after a party in Kylie Jenner's house will be airing on Hulu.

Jan 14, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tory Lanez's dad has something important to say after the emcee was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion back in July 2020. The Canadian rapper's father Sonstar Peterson has declared that they have forgiven the Hot Girl Meg but there's something more he wants to explain.

During an Instagram Live session on Thursday, January 12, Sonstar said, "This might come as a shock to many of you but guess what? Both my son, myself and others of our family have long decided that we are not going to hold any animosity against Megan Thee Stallion." He further stressed, "We forgave that girl a long time ago. Long time ago."

Sonstar went on explaining the reasons behind the family's decision as saying, "Because again, we know that the principle of forgiveness is important in order to cleanse one's heart, to cleanse one's soul and to not be bound up with hatred, resentment and bitterness." He added that "those things can actually cause diseases of the bones and it can cause sickness in your body because you're holding on to something that's negative against the real-life force."

"Forgiveness is not for the other person, it's for you. So, that's what we decided," he continued. However, he pointed out that his family "will not back down from the machine that has been in the background, trying to press the narrative in order to use this girl for what they have used her for."

Prior to this, Sonstar labeled Tory's conviction in the shooting case "miscarriage of justice." After walking out of the courtroom on December 23, 2022, he told the reporters, "You wanna know exactly how I'm feeling? I just stood here in this Los Angeles County and witnessed the worst miscarriage of justice that this world has ever seen."

"Not over. It's not over. God does not lose now and even though we have come to this juncture, trust me, you will see that our God does not fail. This is wickedness," he went on adding, "This court system is not for justice. It's about wins and losses and they do dirty to do whatever they can."

Sonstar then blasted Roc Nation and Jay-Z. "I got some names that I wanna call. Alex Spiro, Desiree Perez and the whole wicked system of Roc Nation, including you Jay-Z," he added, "You who say you rose from the gutter but you have traded and tortured the souls of young men and you're still doing it."

Tory, born Daystar Peterson, was convicted of three felony charges following eight days of trial, nearly two days of closing arguments and a day of deliberations. The "Say It" emcee could face up to nearly 23 years behind bars and could be deported back to his home country of Canada.

Tory is expected to attend a sentencing hearing on February 28. The hearing was initially scheduled on January 27 before it was rescheduled as the rapper hired two new attorneys, David Kenner and Matthew Barhoma. David and Matthew are replacing his original defense lawyers, George Mgdesyan, who said he "doesn't do appeal," and Shawn Holley, who missed the trial due to a scheduling conflict.

The felony trial against Tory over the shooting incident that occurred after a party in Kylie Jenner's house will be airing on Hulu.

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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.
The brand has always believed in a world without biases and promoted inclusivity and diversity, which lie at the core of its principles. As a testament to its philosophy, the brand has supported the LGBTQIA+ community for over 40 years, encouraging individuals to express themselves freely. This Pride Month, Absolut Glassware launches its first ever Pride campaign in India  Be an #AbsolutAlly.

The BE AN ABSOLUT ALLY campaign was developed following in-depth interactions with diverse people from within the LGBTQIA+ community in India to understand their lived experiences, stories and perspectives. This was further aligned with a deeper cultural and digital scan. The big learning from the research was that despite progress being made on the legal front, little has changed at the societal and familial level for the community. Even though there is some representation in pop culture, there is still a fair bit of ignorance towards the realities of queer people in India. Hence, the need to sensitize cis-het people and enable them to be stronger and more trustworthy allies of the LGBTQIA+ community became the need of the hour. Therein, the idea of being an #AbsolutAlly was born.

The campaign has been co-created with 10 voices chosen from across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum including names such as Dutee Chand, Durga Gawde, Patruni Sastry, Jay Anand, Alex Matthew, Aniruddha Mahale, Maitrayanee Mahanta, Anwesh Sahoo and Anjali Lama. It features their own real-life stories narrated by them in a candid fashion, covering topics such as family acceptance, the usage of pronouns and other assumptions and stereotypes that the community often faces. Additionally, the campaign features personal anecdotes to highlight instances where they felt a lack of support and the absence of a strong ally in their life.

An important aspect of the #AbsolutAlly campaign is to walk the talk and create a meaningful impact for the community in the club and bar ecosystem that the brand inhabits. To manifest this, Absolut Glassware has collaborated with Mr Bartender & The Crew, Indias first bar academy for women (especially those from less privileged backgrounds, victims of human trafficking, and ex-prison inmates) and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, to create safe spaces through sensitization workshops across the country. This initiative kicks off in January 2023 and aims to be an on-going program targeting 100 bars in its first leg.

Absolut Glassware is also conducting Pride nights in key metros Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Kolkata. The intent is to celebrate members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. The brand aims to make the nights memorable and celebratory with drag performances and artists from the community.

Be a part of Absolut Glasswares Pride initiative and stay updated about various activities as a part of it, please visit:
Colors Kannada recently rolled out a marketing campaign for the launch of its fantasy drama Tripura Sundari. The campaign has become the talk of the town as the video has gone viral and has been shared by netizens and mainstream electronic media in Karnataka.

As part of the initiative and to create intrigue, Divya Suresh, the female protagonist of the show was dressed as a celestial being wandering across the major hotspots in Bengaluru such as Metro stations, malls, shopping avenues, lakes, parks, and others searching for her soulmate. This created curiosity in the minds of people. The two-day campaign was later revealed as a publicity stunt for the launch of their new show Tripura Sundari.

News channels carried the story of a girl dressed up as celestial being searching for her soulmate on the eve of New Year when the whole city was just preparing to welcome the new year in all new excitement. The identity of the girl was revealed on the channels social media handles on January 2nd, the launch day.

Speaking about the on-ground campaign of Tripura Sundari, Shriram Ravishankar, Director, Marketing, Colors Kannada said, As Tripura Sundari is all about creating an experience of its visual treat and a unique storyline of a celestial being landing in earth in search of her soulmate separated from her long ago, we wanted to let people experience all the surprise and fantasy elements of Tripura Sundari by taking her amongst public. We are absolutely overwhelmed by the kind of response that we have received from public.

Tripura Sundari is a fantasy drama, in which a celestial girl with magical powers lands on earth searching for her soulmate who also hails from the celestial world but was separated from the same world decades ago.

Tripura Sundari was launched on January 2nd at 9.30PM and has very popular faces from the film industry such as Sparsha Rekha, Ananya Kasaravalli, Abhinav Vishwanathan of Nannarasi Radhe, Rohit Shrinath of Malgudi Days, and others in lead roles.
The number of content creators has been rising exponentially. As per a recent Meta report, the global Creator Economy is forecasted to reach over $100 billion. Over the years, YouTube has emerged as a major platform for creators. According to a statement issued recently YouTube said that in 2021, its creative ecosystem had contributed over Rs 10,000 crore to the Indian GDP and supported more than 750,000 full-time equivalent jobs in India.

In this two-part report, Adgully deep-dives into the content creator ecosystem to find out the trends that will drive this economy in 2023, the engagement with brands on the one hand and with consumers on the other, the emergence of virtual influencers, and much more.

Also read:

Creator economy outlook for 2023 Part 1: Year of micro & nano influencers and innovation

Content creator as a brand spokesperson

When a content creator is being used as a brand spokesperson, they have to be part of the brand-building process, feels Nidha Luthra, Executive Director, Thought Blurb Communications. She further says, It is imperative that the content generator is familiar with marketing concepts. I see more collaboration between marketing professionals and influencers in the future as a way to close that gap. While an influencer brings in the outside opinion advantage, the core values of the brand would still be guaranteed.

While brands are active more or less on a few social media platforms, customers have their own preferences, Luthra adds. According to her, brands would have to go where the customers are and speak to them in their environment.

She cites the case of Instagram, where customer behaviour is very different from Twitter. One of the critical challenges in social media will be to integrate brands onto multiple social platforms and shape communication according to customer behaviour on each. As 5G rolls in, I see more video content coming in. Also, user-generated content will grow, which is great for any brand. It increases consumer involvement with the brand and conversations within the consumer community. The goal would be to create brand fan clubs, rather than one-dimensional messaging from the advertisers, she explains.

Ajit Narayan, CMO, Socxo, notes that search is going social  meaning, people are going to mainstream social apps like Instagram or Twitter or Facebook and TikTok (if in the US) to search for content they are seeking instead of just relying on a search engine. A search on TikTok could throw more personalised results, plus these can also be filtered by engagement. Insta searches also become personalised to the person searching it and throw up results that are not just text filtered by format, but also by cultural nuances, he adds.

Narayan further says that with the entry of YouTube Shorts, which is still being experimented with, and with their already set up monetisation engine, it would only need a few tweaks to establish a winning formula for video shorts. Instead of relying on brands, creators can monetise their shorts soon enough and that would be a huge draw. From the looks of it, this seems like a no-brainer for emergence of self-monetisation, shoppable ads and so on, making this the biggest draw for the influencer community, he says.

While influencers have been promising reach and impressions of their content, Narayan adds, more and more brands are now asking for hard results as well, especially from the big buck influencers. And this impact is a percentage swinging towards performance-based deals. So, the expectation of clients to deliver on certain metrics will impact the way remuneration is dished out. For example, there might be royalty-based deals which are long-term and depend on delivery of metrics over time instead of fee payments up front, he adds.

Virtual influencers

Virtual influencers are yet to become mainstream in India. Angad Singh Manchanda, CEO & Co-founder, Chimp&z Inc, points out that AI and virtual reality technologies are here and they are here to stay.

He adds, Its a natural progression and we will soon see AI-based virtual influencers with well-rounded personalities in the coming years, how soon this change happens, time will tell if not in 2023. Going by how much we converse with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, its clear that we want our AIs to be as human as possible. Several virtual influencers around the globe have managed to create just that. India is starting to catch on. Unlike the global market though, Indian brands are yet to reciprocate this excitement for CGI-generated influencers. As we see more development in the field, Indian brands will begin to warm up to the idea in the coming years.

Virtual influencers are digital avatars or characters that are used to promote products and services online. They are often highly stylized and have their own unique personalities and back stories, says Ian Goh, Co-founder & CEO, Tiki.

The use of virtual influencers has grown in popularity in recent years, as they allow brands to create more engaging and immersive marketing campaigns. While some people see virtual influencers as a novel and innovative way to promote products, others have raised concerns about the potential for these avatars to blur the line between reality and fiction. According to Goh, for it to work in India, the virtual influencers should be able to understand the local culture of the audience and speak the language of the people to be mainstream.

Meanwhile, Danish Malik, Co-Founder and CEO, Boomlet Media, says that while virtual influencers are gaining popularity, will take time and technological advancement to become mainstream. He maintains, Virtual influencers cannot replace influencers, given their limited capabilities and their inability to connect to the target audience at an emotional level. In 2023, we can expect more evolved virtual influencers to help brands at different levels, such as for one to one communication while helping with purchases.

According to Nidha Luthra, the purpose of using influencers to market products is two-fold. The first is obviously to use their minor celebrity status to boost the brand. But then, unlike celebrity endorsements, the brand has no control over the messaging. The purpose of AI-powered CGI-generated virtual influencers is to correct this issue. To me, this appears to be the tail wagging the dog. Creating a character is one thing. Making that character a popular star is in the court of the audience, she adds.

The Metaverse

There is no denying the fact that creators will have to evolve in the days ahead with the Metaverse, AI, etc., shaping the creator economy and influencer marketing sector in 2023.

AI is here to stay and will become a household conversation in 2023. From art to communication to chatbots to digital influencers  it will all begin to show its true potential this year, says Angad Singh Manchanda.

According to him, the Metaverse is something that we will see booming this year too. It will be a big investment for most big brands this year and we can see the change in marketing budgets getting a little diverted to the Metaverse for sure. Both will be able to help massively shape the creator economy, we will see influencers who are upcoming experts in the Metaverse and tech category and they will continue to grow and find more support, he notes.

Adding further, he says, Were already seeing brands making use of AI-generated imagery and even chatbots. In 2023, well see AI evolving and leading brands jumping onto the bandwagon to incorporate it within their communication. AI and artificially produced content, however amusing and exhilarating they may be, are also starting to ignite several debates. Apart from AI and Metaverse, audio will be playing a massive role in marketing and shaping the creator economy, podcasts and audio conversations will be on the rise and you will see a lot of influencers walking into the audio space with brands like Spotify, Apple and YouTube Music and audio.

Ian Goh believes that creating a short video creator platform to connect creators with users is a Metaverse in itself. In the creator economy, he adds, AI can be used to help creators generate and distribute content, as well as to analyse and understand their audiences. It can also be used to create new tools and technologies that enable creators to create more engaging and interactive experiences for their audiences.

The year 2022 saw the rise of AI-based image, text and video tools, which can quickly generate text, visual images or videos-based on user-provided text descriptions, points out Ajit Narayan. This sounds like an Eureka moment for all creators, but it is still in the development mode and will evolve over time. It is a no brainer that influencers or creators are the first to jump on this bandwagon and test them out. In this age of hyper content, AI-based tools will only speed up the process, he concludes.
TOKYO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Officials said on Friday a whale that had been sighted in a river in the western Japanese prefecture of Osaka earlier this week had died.

The eight-meter-long whale had been spotted in shallow waters near the mouth of the Yodo River in Osaka on Monday, local officials said.

They said the whale, thought to be sperm whale, had been spouting water since it was first spotted. Since then the whale had attracted crowds to the Osaka Bay, as such sightings are extremely rare.

Officials from the city and experts from the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan went out to check on the whale's condition Friday morning as it had become less active and remained in the same spot, not spouting water.

An expert said the whale's blowhole used to breath had been submerged in the shallow waters since Wednesday and confirmed the mammal's death.

Local authorities will be responsible for disposing of the whale's carcass.

A previous carcass was towed and then buried on land in Osaka, before being excavated with its skeleton displayed in a museum. 
Two years ago, after being fired by a nationwide wound care company for failing to generate sufficient revenue, I left clinical practice greatly disillusioned and carrying a two-year non-compete clause. Not until three weeks ago, did I again treat a patient, establishing my new clinical practice at a fitness center.

As I was finishing a workout, a man of about 40 sat down at the rowing machine next to me. Not particularly interested in good form, John (not his real name) appeared intent on beating the machine. The machine resisted. As I walked away, I heard a loud thud and saw John, collapsed next to the rower, after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest. Bypassing introductions, a team quickly formed. With my Saint Mary Miraculous Medal dangling over the patient, I provided chest compressions; another member provided rescue breaths, and a third placed the AED, which provided one shock. At the hospital, John had a stent placed to open a 90% blockage in one of his coronary arteries and was expected to make a complete recovery. God had again reminded me, as a physician, that life is a gift we care for.

Many people now know of Damar Hamlin, who suffered a similar event on national television. After COVID politics, under which the physician's first obligation to provide the best care for his patient has frequently been ignored (e.g., mandated vaccines for patients with immunity), millions of Americans were again reminded what real medicine looks like, as a medical team revived Damar. Illustrative of a true doctor-patient relationship, the focus was solely on Damar's health. There were no legal consent forms, no administrators detailing which procedures could be billed, no food from a salesman pushing the "best drug" for a patient in cardiac arrest, and no complex codes required prior to chest compressions.

Patients have the right to expect from their physician a relationship free from the influence of power, money, and anonymous third parties. After many years of training, and drawing upon the experience of thousands of doctor-patient interactions, I have come to fully understand that it is the exclusivity of the doctor-patient relationship that gives meaning to medicine. Without it, we are like Christians without Jesus Christ.

It is vital to clarify that America's current, tremendous distrust of the medical profession, although greatly amplified by the COVID pandemic, did not begin with COVID. Its genesis was in the 1970s with the American medical community's decision that, given sufficient payment, we would deny the existence of our ethical obligation to establish a doctor-patient relationship with certain "lesser value" unborn children. In so doing, the sanctity of the bedrock doctor-patient relationship was put up for sale, and the art of medicine became a business. In this new Wild West type of medicine, those entities that promised to bring the most money into the relationship were heartily invited. Government intrusion and mandates, complicated insurance plans and bizarre coding, pharmaceutical propaganda, unscrupulous lawyers, administrators focused on profit, and expensive computer systems have all joined the doctor and patient, generating a large group relationship with each entity, adding cost and providing unnecessary barriers to patient care.

So many entities are currently mandated in the relationship with patients that the joy of medicine has become the drudgery of working for a large, costly bureaucracy. Care of patients has thus been degraded, and the ability of individual doctors to re-establish the proper doctor-patient relationship has become nearly impossible. To the brightest and most ethically driven young Americans, medicine, especially primary care, sadly has little external appeal, spelling greater pain for aging Americans without strong finances.

As the foundation for this lucrative but grossly disordered concept of medicine, the same physician hierarchy that ignored the individual needs of patients during COVID has been working tirelessly since the '70s to convince America that not all life has equal value. Doctors have redefined conception and invented an illogical meaning for reproductive health, designed to convince doctors and patients that somehow impeding an organ system from functioning properly or destroying its end products constitutes essential health care. Happily for Damar and the millions praying for him, cardiac health care has not been similarly distorted.

Indications remain that many Americans will continue to resist this anti-life message. As devoid of politics as any national story can possibly be these days, Damar Hamlin's story provides an opportunity to see the sincere, unfiltered goodness of everyday Americans, who still instinctively know that all human life matters. Our actions, especially in time of crisis, are guided by that ideal. The immediate outpouring of love, including millions of dollars in donations to Damar's charity for children, wasn't given because of BLM mottos or the nauseating political correctness on the part of the NFL. Rather, it was driven by a heartwarming love of our fellow man, a sincere love, irrespective of race, religion, or politics. In Damar, we saw the humanity of our father, our child, our brother, and we understood the value of human life.

I am a physician who believes, based on natural law and embryology, in the sanctity of human life from fertilization to natural death. That the Catholic faith shares my belief on human life is an indication of the fullness of the Faith, but it is not my reason for having this conviction. Mine is a reasoned battle fought in the midst of an anti-life establishment. It is a fight that is generally unemotional, and often disheartening, and it usually involves the lives of the very young and the elderly  lives that clearly have value equal to mine.

The emotional attachment to these human lives is often limited  a point the medical establishment relies upon to dehumanize them. But ultrasounds of the unborn are powerful.

Occasionally, during this battle, in our work as physicians, we are granted an emotional reinvigoration and reminder of the immense power and corresponding tremendous responsibility we have to care for all human life. Sitting in the pew for daily Mass shortly after doing CPR for the first time since a long-ago residency, I prayed for John and thanked the Lord for this reminder and the honor of being a physician.

Image: Bru-nO via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Compelling Americans to give up fossil fuels, gas stoves, and other gas-fired appliances is not a vice for the Biden administration. Now more than ever, the administration's climate change police are coming after cooks and Americans who heat their homes with natural gas. Consistent with this prospect, the Wall Street Journal editorial board concludes that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is poised to ban gas stoves soon.

A puritanical war on fossil fuels drives this possibility. It follows a destructive pattern designed to impoverish and control American citizens.

President Biden has consistently claimed that climate change is the greatest threat to American security. He argues that Americans must embrace an ambitious climate action plan to prevent the cruelest impacts of climate change as part of the global transition to clean energy technology. Spurred by the Biden administration's climate change fantasy, the federal government is working tirelessly to make fossil fuels scarcer and more unavailable. This wearisome campaign represents a surrender to far-left environmentalists, who are committed to making natural gas, petroleum, and all forms of fossil fuel more expensive for working people.

This agenda is part of a deliberate effort to diminish Americans' interests and elevate the shrill claims of the World Economic Forum (WEF), which demands that nations take action against fossil fuels to reduce the number of bearded lizards experiencing sex changes. At the same time, the World Bank also seeks to reduce humans' carbon footprint and emissions, no matter the cost to human lives.

Given President Biden's surrender to the tyrannical demands of global elites, it was no surprise that he acted during his first day in office by killing the Keystone Pipeline. This pipeline was designed to bring oil from Alberta, Canada to the United States. Recently the Biden administration released a study showing that Biden's rash decision to kill the Keystone Pipeline cost the U.S. economy 59,000 jobs plus almost $10 billion in economic growth.

The war on fossil fuels has gathered additional momentum due to the archaic provisions of a federal statute, the Jones Act. This statute requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels built, owned, and operated by American shippers. This means that unless the Biden administration grants a Jones Act exemption, the energy-poor Northeast must compete with Europe for scarce liquid natural gas supplies on the global market to fulfill its demand for heating oil. The grant of an exemption would allow American energy products to be sold to Americans in the Northeast, even if natural gas liquids were shipped on non-American vessels.

Despite the Northeast's desperate need for energy relief, the Biden administration has refused to grant an exemption. Rather than provide an exemption, the government has doubled down on its indifference to the Northeast. President Biden and other Democrats promise to curtail American domestic oil production even though the Northeast faces a winter energy crisis. The Biden administration's policy ensures that energy remains expensive and scarce in the Northeast, thus advancing the climate change agenda. The government's policy shows its commitment to putting the ideological interest of global elites in Europe ahead of the American people. The Biden administration's energy policy failures are compounded by the ongoing war in Ukraine, thus straining European supplies.

Led by global elites, the climate change agenda has spurred an entrenched war on fossil fuels. In response to rising energy prices this past fall, approximately 70,000 people filled Wenceslas Square in the center of the Czech capital of Prague. This move followed the implosion of the Sri Lankan government, driven by the Western elites' war on fossil fuel, and the farmers' revolt in the Netherlands over soaring energy and nitrogen prices. Now Europe faces the prospect of a soaring recession, leading to massive closures of French bakeries, owing mainly to a tenfold increase in electricity prices.

Now the ambitious move to eliminate fossil fuels includes the claim that gas stoves, which have been around since the early 19th century and are used by 35% of American households, emit health hazards and planet-warming pollution. The CPSC claims that "gas stoves cause indoor air pollution and asthma, though there's scant evidence to support such claims." The CPSC also ignores the severe risks associated with electric stoves pose, including accidental burns from stovetops that remain hot after being turned off.

Despite the hysterical fear-mongering regarding gas stoves, it is clear that elites in New York and dozens of local governments throughout the United States have already mandated that new homes and businesses run on electricity rather than on natural gas. Consistent with such moves, the California Air Resources Board, despite California's weak electrical grid, has also decided to rid California of natural gas heaters, stoves, and furnaces.

These tyrannical moves based on tenuous science raise the question of whether gas stoves and other appliances will be eliminated from existence by federal bureaucrats. Whatever the eventual outcome will be, it seems clear that the economic interest of average Americans is incompatible with the war on fossil fuels and the elites' demand that the nation eliminates gas appliances. Indeed, in the future, if these initiatives remain unchecked, American citizens may be forced to retrofit their homes with electric devices before they can resell their real estate property.

This quasi-religious war is led by centralized bureaucrats, giving rise to Tocqueville's nightmare. In the 19th century, after traversing America, Tocqueville warned that if the populace ever accepted centralized administration to complement a central government, a "more insufferable despotism would prevail than any which now exists in the monarchical states of Europe." Despotic global elites prefer to focus their attention on the lives of bearded lizards rather than humans. Simultaneously, they are prepared to inflict a nightmare on America as they ignore the human costs of the climate change agenda.

In response to such moves, Americans should demand that the federal government open the Keystone Pipeline project and avoid over-regulating the energy sector, including gas stoves and other gas-fired appliances. Additionally, Americans should encourage the American government to urge the combatants in the war in Ukraine to enter immediate peace talks. These moves will help make living less costly for ordinary Americans while making fossil fuels more available and the lives of global elites less comfortable.

Harry G. Hutchison is a senior lecturing fellow at Regent University. His latest book is Requiem for Reality: Critical Race Theocrats and Social Justice Dystopia.

Image: Ivan Radic via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
The Biden administration has just extended its COVID scam, the "emperor's new clothes," by renewing the declaration of Public Health Emergency. A recent poll shows that 52 percent of Americans still think the U.S. is in grave danger from COVID. Is that true? Was it ever? Is Washington's COVID narrative and response plan good medical science?

The word "science" has been turned on its head by Washington. When Dr. Fauci proclaims, "I represent science"; when Twitter cancels Dr. Robert Malone; and when an academic journal censors a vaccine safety study, they subvert true science.

When one applies the scientific method to data about COVID, vaccines, and Washington mandates, one conclusion is inescapable. Everything Washington said and did was wrong and unscientific.

The title includes "short-term" because there are no long-term or even moderate term data on outcomes: efficacy and adverse impacts. Though that is public health malpractice, it did not stop Washington from promulgating numerous medically improper, socially devastating mandates and advisories.

The first and most egregious official medical falsehood represented that COVID was a grave national health hazard. The danger was massively exaggerated. For the healthy adult population, the chance of death because of COVID infection is similar to the seasonal flu.

Only elderly and immuno-compromised Americans, estimated at 2.3 percent of the population, are at serious risk of death due to infection with COVID. The official number of "COVID deaths" is greatly exaggerated. Autopsy studies and CDC demographic data show that 73 to 88 percent of these COVID deaths were people who died not from COVID, but because of multiple pre-existing conditions  cancer, kidney or heart failure, chronic lung disease, autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. While all COVID deaths had a positive test, only six percent had no pre-existing comorbidity. COVID deaths included a 55-year-old motorcycle accident victim because a blood sample taken in the ER was positive.

Thus, 132,000 to 297,000 of the 1.1 million Americans reported as "COVID deaths" over two years actually died due to their viral infections. Over two years before COVID, the CDC reported 140,600 deaths due to seasonal flu. While any death is a tragedy, COVID never presented an existential threat to the nation. Comparing COVID to bubonic plague represents ridiculous unrealistic hyperbole. It is Washington-generated disinformation.

Children are a special case, an example of Washington's medical malpractice. According to CDC data, the risk of death from COVID in those under 18 years of age is less than 0.03 percent. Their natural or inherent immunity provides better protection than any vaccine against any disease known. PSAs urging parents to vaccinate their kids  "safe, effective, and doctor approved"  were Orwellian speech from the book 1984. The jab was not medically indicated, was more dangerous than the disease itself, and was approved only in the mind of a bureaucrat M.D., Fauci, who had never practiced medicine on a child in his career.

Before vaccines were available, clinical physicians sought treatment options for patients ill with COVID. Ivermectin is an anti-parasite drug that also has anti-viral properties. Despite decades of safe usage, both the FDA and the CDC issued advisories saying ivermectin was "not approved for treatment or prevention" of COVID. Hospitals and pharmacies took this as an official prohibition and refused to allow physicians to prescribe the drug. A Minnesota medical board sought to punish a physician for trying to save a dying patient with ivermectin. The ivermectin story demonstrates the triumph of politically correct groupthink over medical science.

The mask mandate highlights the reason Americans lost faith in the Washington medical establishment and the COVID Response Team agencies and spokespersons: Dr. Fauci; CDC director Rachel Walensky; Francis Collins, the infamous NIH censor-in-chief; FDA advisories; and Joe Biden.

At various times, Fauci said masks were unnecessary, were helpful, were mandatory, wear two masks. He promised that masking would suppress contagion with COVID. Biden consistently wore a mask before cameras, but not while visiting nonagenarians Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter.

A number of studies including CDC data proved that masks do not work. Despite all this evidence, Fauci was seen nightly demanding we wear masks and keep away from each other (social distancing). A mask became a medical talisman and obvious virtue signal. Covering the mouth and nose proved that the wearer cared about others and believed in a benevolent government, and that Fauci was using good science to keep us safe from a deadly danger. A mask was one's entrance ticket (while keeping your distance, please!) into stores and clinics. No mask, no food.

Not only do masks fail to provide protection against COVID, but they can cause harm. Adverse effects of masks were not investigated by mask-mandaters. One study of children's masks revealed a number of dangerous pathogens, ones that cause tuberculosis, meningitis, diphtheria, Lyme disease, and others. It is troubling that such studies were not done by the CDC or NIAID (Fauci). The report was initiated and paid for by the parents of children in Gainesville, FL.

Additional adverse effects of masking were neither studied nor quantified by Washington. Education was severely impaired as children could not see the facial expressions of teachers or fellow students. Masking makes business communication inefficient.

Mandatory social distancing, closures of schools and businesses, and prohibition against gatherings effectively produced national quarantine through quasimartial law. Lockdowns were implemented purportedly to "flatten the curve" of illness and reduce the burden of COVID patients on limited medical resources. Cost/benefit analysis of lockdowns was strongly negative. There were no established benefits. There were devastating costs: social, economic, medical, and loss of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

Never before in history have physicians quarantined a healthy population during a pandemic, and for good epidemiologic reason: it doesn't help.

Facts surrounding mRNA vaccines are clear despite attempts to distort, subvert, censor, and cancel true (accurate) science.

(1) Many important questions about the vaccines were not answered before release because the necessary tests were not done. Boosters were not tested at all!

(2) Test results were manipulated to suggest greater efficacy and safety.

(3) Quality control for production was shoddy.

(4) The EUA (emergency use authorization) was granted based on a massively exaggerated danger to the public and grossly inadequate medical test data.

(5) Bureaucrats, viz., Fauci, Collins, and many NIH scientists, were paid more than $350 million in royalties by pharmaceutical companies. One can only guess at the effect this had on their objectivity.

(6) There was a coordinated and initially successful campaign to downplay or outright suppress information about adverse effects of mRNA vaccines. One of the developers of mRNA technology, Dr. Robert Malone, was labeled a misinformation spreader because he warned about likely medical dangers of the jab, especially the lack of follow-up medical data. Pfizer executives pressured Twitter to censor physicians who argued with the official narrative.

Some of the dangers associated with the jab include death, particularly in athletes, and especially teenagers; myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle); coagulation disorders; neurologic complications; cancer, as well as "turbo" (unusually aggressive) cancer; life-threatening allergic reactions; menstrual irregularities in women; and low sperm count in men.

Imagine how many Americans would have taken the jab if PSAs had warned the public of these potential dangers.

Possibly the most damaging, long-term consequence of Washington's COVID "big con" was loss of public faith in previously trustworthy institutions such as the CDC, the NIH, NIAID, the FDA, most self-styled expert scientists, and the federal government in general. They played fast and loose with scientific data, manipulated results, altered methods of tracking, and changed definitions to defend the official narrative. Authorities denied natural immunity, a physiologic fact taught to every med school graduate. Even Pfizer scientists admit that natural immunity is more protective than vaccine-induced.

An article showing adverse effects of the jab was censored by the journal publisher before it was even peer-reviewed! In late 2020, recently retired NIH director Francis Collins demanded a "quick and devastating published take-down" of the Great Barrington Declaration, a reasonable and true sciencebased approach to COVID. As the Twitter files being released now show, Big Tech  i.e., Apple, Google, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube  were agents of federal (Democrat) policy. They mislabeled and censored anything that questioned Biden's and Fauci's facts or proclamations. They canceled anyone who dared show data that conflicted with official truth.

When the above became known to the general public, and when life experience was the opposite of what Washington said it was, Americans simply lost trust in people with big titles, banks of microphones, and huge readerships.

There are dozens of embedded URL references provided herein to verify the assertions made. Readers: Decide for yourself what is fact versus propaganda. Based on evidence, decide who spoke truly and who did not. Most important, decide what to do with that knowledge.

Deane Waldman, M.D., MBA is professor emeritus of [ediatrics, pathology, and decision science; former director of the Center for Healthcare Policy at Texas Public Policy Foundation; and author of the multi-award-winning book Curing the Cancer in U.S. Healthcare: StatesCare and Market-Based Medicine.

Image: qimono via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Lis Cuesta Peraza (R), wife of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez and director of Events of Cuba's Ministry of Culture, and Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Ma Hui attend the opening ceremony of the International Culinary Workshop Cuba Sabe 2023 in Havana, Cuba, Jan. 12, 2023.

The event kicked off Thursday in Havana, with China designated as the guest of honor country.

Running through Saturday, the event held in the five-star Iberostar Grand Packard Hotel features seminars, lectures on Chinese tea ceremonies and a Chinese custom exhibition, among other activities. (Xinhua/Zhu Wanjun)

HAVANA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The International Culinary Workshop Cuba Sabe 2023 kicked off Thursday in Havana, with China designated as the guest of honor country.

Running through Saturday, the event held in the five-star Iberostar Grand Packard Hotel features seminars, lectures on Chinese tea ceremonies and a Chinese custom exhibition, among other activities.

Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Ma Hui said that this workshop would help promote the diversity of Chinese cuisine.

"The rich variety of Chinese food is clear proof of the vivid daily life of the Chinese people," he said while addressing the audience during the opening ceremony.

It came just days after the Chinese community on the island began Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations.

Sonia Virgen Perez, head of Cuba's National Council of Cultural Heritage, said that Chinese food recipes have been trendy in the Caribbean nation with the fast growth of Chinese restaurants over the past few years.

"The contribution of Chinese migrants to Cuban cuisine is fundamental," she said.

In 1847, some Chinese immigrants first stepped on Cuban soil, starting their integration into local society. After 175 years, the Chinese community has become an inseparable part of this Latin American country.

"The Chinese influence in Cuban cuisine is undisputable," said Yrmina Eng, a senior professor of cultural anthropology at the University of Havana. "More research should be done on the topic." 

A Chinese chef (L) cooks at the International Culinary Workshop Cuba Sabe 2023 in Havana, Cuba, Jan. 12, 2023.

The event kicked off Thursday in Havana, with China designated as the guest of honor country.

Running through Saturday, the event held in the five-star Iberostar Grand Packard Hotel features seminars, lectures on Chinese tea ceremonies and a Chinese custom exhibition, among other activities. (Xinhua/Zhu Wanjun)

A Chinese chef (1st L) cooks at the International Culinary Workshop Cuba Sabe 2023 in Havana, Cuba, Jan. 12, 2023.

The event kicked off Thursday in Havana, with China designated as the guest of honor country.

Running through Saturday, the event held in the five-star Iberostar Grand Packard Hotel features seminars, lectures on Chinese tea ceremonies and a Chinese custom exhibition, among other activities. (Xinhua/Zhu Wanjun)
A number of theories are circulating regarding the media's uncharacteristic coverage of Biden's illegal possession of classified documents, which were discovered at his former University of Pennsylvania think-tank office in Washington, D.C.; in his garage at his home in Wilmington, Delaware; and in another adjacent room.

The most popular view among Republicans and conservatives seems to be that the real powers-that-be in the Democrat party have finally decided to get rid of Biden. This theory would fulfill the predictions of many, who have asserted since Biden's inauguration that Biden wouldn't finish his first term and that Vice President Kamala Harris's imminent and pre-arranged coronation was only a matter of "when," not "if." It's not a bad theory, but I'm not sure it's right, either.

Another theory, which Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene floated, is that Attorney General Merrick Garland's appointment of a special counsel to investigate Biden's possession of classified documents is an effort to obstruct House Republicans' investigations into Biden's wrongdoing. "And just like that," Greene tweeted, "everything we request will be 'under investigation' because of Merrick Garland's appointed special counsel and unavailable to Republican investigators."

Whereas the first theory claims that the Biden investigation is an effort to end Biden's presidency, the Greene theory suggests it's an effort to protect Biden. This isn't a bad theory, but I'm not sure this one's right, either.

At least one Democrat congressman  Hank Johnson (D-Ga.)  suggested that the classified documents may have been "planted" and "discovered conveniently" to frame Biden. But I'll leave the tinfoil hat on Hank Johnson's head.

I have my own theory, which I call the "Theory of Dueling Special Counsels."

The FBI raid of former president Trump's Mar-a-Lago home may have provided Democrats with much needed fodder to fuel their Trump Derangement Syndrome, but the staged drama flamed out  just like Trump-Russia collusion, Quid Pro Quo impeachment, the J6 hearings, and every other Democrat and media-created faux scandals before.

Democrats do not want Trump running for re-election. They hate him with an intensity they haven't displayed since perhaps the hatred they previously reserved for President Lincoln in the 1860s. Consequently, prominent Democrats have been promising and failing to deliver Trump's scalp since 2016.

The raid of Mar-a-Lago and the subsequent appointment of partisan special counsel Jake Smith is truly the Democrat party's Hail Mary to secure an "indictment" of Trump and label him a "convict." But the unprecedented nature of the raid and largely toothless, contrived, nebulous, and even benign accusations that Trump violated the "Presidential Records Act" were ultimately not very promising or convincing narratives to build a DOJ case against former president Trump.

Democrats have become impatient with the glacial speed at which A.G. Merrick Garland has moved to build a case against Trump, which would then have to be presented by federal prosecutors before a grand jury. Doubtless, Garland has been tepid to take action both because of the unprecedented task he's been assigned and the overtly partisan nature of the raid.

But now that Biden, who once went on 60 Minutes and asked, "How could anyone be that irresponsible?" in response to Trump's possession of classified documents, has been outed irresponsibly hoarding his own cache of classified documents, the DOJ is poised to present a tale of two "crimes."

We now have two parallel investigations happening  one into Trump's possession of classified documents and another into Biden's possession of classified documents.

The media and Democrat party have deliberately and unanimously asserted that Biden "inadvertently misplaced" the classified documents in his possession and that "the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovering this mistake." That's what Karine Jean-Pierre stated in a recent press conference.

In contrast, the Democrats and media have asserted that Trump didn't cooperate with the FBI and that he is guilty of obstruction. The Democrats claim that "intent"  rather than the fact that Trump had the authority to declassify and Biden did not  makes Trump guilty and Biden innocent.

Joy Behar recently claimed on The View that "we all know that Trump is a liar and a thief. We know that. So it's not that big a jump to say that he obstructed and he lied. We don't think Biden is a liar and a thief, so we give him the benefit of the doubt." While no one cares what Joy Behar says, she is unknowingly laying out the Democrat party plan and the Democrats' desired outcomes.

By assigning a special counsel to Biden, the DOJ has now been given urgency to get to the bottom of the Trump faux scandal. By assigning a special counsel to Biden, the previously stagnant, unwarranted, and dead-end investigation into Trump's possession of "classified documents" is suddenly rendered relevant, justified, and non-partisan.

The Democrats aren't looking to get rid of Biden so much as they've revitalized their efforts to get rid of Trump. We now have dueling special counsels, and the DOJ will ultimately be "forced" to present a verdict to the American people.

ThenFBI director James Comey exonerated Hillary Clinton in 2016 amid her mishandling of massive numbers of classified emails because Comey claimed "we did not find evidence sufficient to establish that she knew she was sending classified information beyond a reasonable doubt to meet the intent standard." I expect the same argument to be made with regard to Biden's "mishandling" of illegal classified documents. Comey claimed there was "no evidence that Clinton acted with 'necessary criminal intent.'"

Meanwhile, federal prosecutors will claim that Trump did act with criminal intent  by obstructing and not cooperating with the FBI.

This stinks of a setup  only Trump is being set up rather than Biden.

Drew Allen, the Millenial Minister of Truth, is the host of the Drew Allen Show podca st and a widely published columnist and political analyst. He is the vice president of client development at Publius PR and also the editor of the Publius National Post. Subscribe to read his work at drewallen.substack.com.

Image: Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Just as the illegal migrant surge is hitting new highs, Joe Biden went to Mexico  and blew his golden chance to make a deal with Mexico to stop the incoming border surge.

According to Bloomberg News:

US and Mexican cabinet officials ran out of time before discussing migration in a formal meeting in Mexico City on Monday, according to people familiar with the matter, leaving a major issue between the countries largely unaddressed. Uncontrolled migration across the US southern border remains a political liability for President Joe Biden, and the topic was on the agenda for a formal meeting between the American leader, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and more than two dozen of their top aides in Mexico City, officials said. But a private talk between Biden and Lopez Obrador before the official meeting ran long, leaving the larger group  including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan  with less time than expected. Officials said that Biden and the Mexican president, known as AMLO, discussed migration and the border in their private session, but it isn't clear how much time they spent on the subject or in what detail they spoke. In the larger meeting, Biden, AMLO and their cabinet secretaries spent most of their time discussing supply chains and drug smuggling, officials said.

It falls into line with Joe's statement that he's got "more important things to do" than visit the border.

First thing to notice about this news is that it appears that the Mexicans were the ones who leaked the story, not Joe, who gaslighted the public in the wake of his Mexico trip that he was busy as a bee discussing the border surge with the Mexicans.

Nope, word leaked out that Joe is a poor time manager and didn't seem too interested in prioritizing the border even with a white-hot crisis going on.

It would have been in line with other cutting statements that Mexico's president, known as AMLO, made about Biden's trip. He made this one:

"Porque se le hizo tarde": AMLO explica las razones del porque Biden no regreso a EU por el AIFA https://t.co/1MUxmfW6Yw  Cuba Sin Fronteras (@CubaSinFrontera) January 13, 2023

Google Translate:

"Because he was late": AMLO explains the reasons why Biden did not return to the US via AIFA [AMLO's new showcase airport in Mexico City].

Seems Joe is always late, and guy who always runs out of time. Not exactly a guy who manages the time given him in a presidential way, with all that choreography as was seen at his Potemkin Village border trip, and not even with the aid of his aides.

And who is to argue with AMLO?

Joe wasted no time scrapping President Trump's treaties with Mexico, which had kept the border safe and secure, but waited two years to visit the mess he made at the border by those foolish actions. After that, instead of going to the border and asking illegals, cartel members, and Border Patrol agents how his new policies were affecting their decisions to enter the U.S. illegally, he fobbed that task off to Kamala Harris, who made a predictable hash of it by doing nothing. Joe, again, avoided the issue.

With the three amigos summit among the NAFTA partners (or whatever the heck the group of three is called now) being hosted in Mexico City by Mexico's president, he had a golden opportunity to make what he messed up right by negotiating a new deal with AMLO to keep the migrants out. He had face time, he had AMLO's attention, he had one job, really...and he blew it. All he got out of it in the end were little digs from the Mexican president about his flamingly incompetent time management.

Leave it up to Joe to miss an important opportunity to fix something he broke.

All it tells us is that he doesn't want the border fixed. He's happy to see the tens of thousands of denizens of all the world's impoverished countries come to the U.S. for the free stuff. He's not serious about the border. He's just going through the motions to keep the press away for one more day. He'd rather we keep things exactly the way he has them.

Image: Screen shot from Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador video via YouTube.
As a former commercial pilot and aviation CEO, I'm not inherently drawn to political explanations for industrial disruptions. However the nature of the nation's airline meltdown that continues from the recent holiday period may cause one to pause and consider how this may stem, at least in part, from government interests and policy.

It is important to appreciate the extent of intentions and objectives that flow from extremist White House ideology, directed at industrial operations believed to be causal to global warming. This includes aspects of food production (fertilizer, for example), all fossil fuel consumption, and general human mobility (much was made of the COVID "lockdown" strategy and its effect on energy use, travel, and carbon emissions).

The global airline system is also in the climate ideologists' (and the U.N.'s) crosshairs, as it is seen as a major culprit of climate change. Like most arguments made by the progressive left, symbolism is often more important than facts, and while aviation's "carbon footprint" is relatively small (about 3% of total emissions), air travel is also a source of authoritarian political anxiety, as it represents human freedom in mobility and choice, along with its inherent ability to create social contact and the sharing of information and culture. One of the first things that any political despot seeks to curtail in a closed society is contact with outside sources, influence of "foreign" behaviors, and the disruption to political authority by the free exchange of ideas.

Certainly the internet and telecommunications can have a similar impact, which is why these are also filtered and controlled by authoritarian governments. But direct human contact is much more difficult to censor and influence. This is why electronic privacy invasion, surveillance, and data capture are embraced by the left: they are an inherent and convenient source of social control.

Most of the public may not appreciate that the equivalent way to control human air travel and interaction is not through the airlines themselves, but by the airspace they fly through: the U.S. federal government directly controls all aviation airspace and flight authority in it because it staffs, operates, and completely regulates air traffic control (ATC). It can simply shut down airspace access, in the same way it can shut down the internet (with the proverbial Obama "kill switch"). It also controls all airline regulatory operating authority. The airline industry is not deregulated; it is entirely controlled by the federal government.

The most recent explanation given to the public through major media is that air travel was suspended due to a "glitch" in the air traffic control system (the U.S. military remains fully flight operational and was exempt from airline grounding). There may indeed have been a technical problem, as the nation's civilian ATC system remains a decades-old technology. But the way this happened through a blanket "ground stop" order by the federal government is not consistent with the purported technical problem (a routine "notice to airmen" broadcast function).

It is not inconceivable that certain interests in government are testing functions and authority to isolate the general population in a national emergency mass "lockdown" in its next wave of biosecurity assertions. The federal government's related emergency authority was just renewed days ago.

Extremist ideology and policy do not simply occur (e.g., COVID lockdowns and tracking), and then society simply goes back to normal: all normal social, economic, and industrial functions are upset, gradually escalated, and subject to systematic political interference, as they are in all authoritarian governments that gain centralized political power. And the U.S. is currently hosting such a government.

The current administration is made up of non-expert, largely academic ideologues. They are not generally from industry, unlike the previous Trump administration. The Department of Transportation, for example, is headed by a pure political appointee with no experience in aviation. This is consistent with the larger White House team that views its authority as an opportunity to impose top-down policy  and its overriding, animating obsession (outside bankrolling their agenda) is de-industrialization. Aviation is among its primary targets to "transform." All disruptions that occur to it should be looked at with a sober eye as to potential programmatic state interference to destabilize it, directly or indirectly.

Image via Public Domain Pictures.
During the "amigos summit" in Mexico City, amigo AMLO praised Amigo Joe. This is the story:

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday praised President Biden for being the first U.S. leader "in a very long time" that has not built any additional wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, while also pushing for an amnesty for Mexican illegal immigrants [sic]  just as the Biden administration is scrambling to put the brakes on a two-year long migrant crisis. "You are the first president of the United States in a very long time that has not built even one meter of wall," Lopez Obrador told Biden at the North American Leaders' Summit in Mexico City. "And we thank you for that, sir, although some might not like it, although the conservatives don't like it." The Biden administration halted the Trump-era project to build construction of a wall along the southern border  of which over 400 miles were built during the prior administration.

Well, what about that? Amigo AMLO is injecting himself into our politics? The wall is a U.S. matter, and AMLO should keep his mouth shut. Wonder how AMLO would react if a U.S. president called on Mexico to privatize PEMEX, the oil monopoly?

It also puts Amigo Joe in a tough position, and that's no joke, to paraphrase the president. Once upon a time, then-senator Biden voted for a fence on the border:

Speaking to a South Carolina rotary club in November 2006, Biden touted his support for the Secure Fence Act  a bill that authorized 700 miles of double-layered fence on the border through more than a billion dollars in appropriations. The bill was also supported by then-Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The other problem is that the Biden administration has softened its stance somewhat on the wall and will fill a number of gaps in the wall in Yuma, Arizona.

The bad news is that AMLO took some shots at Biden. Maybe he misses Trump! The good news is that this "amigos summit" will matter little because each one of these men has big problems at home.

PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

Image: Eneas de Troya.
Amid all the twists and turns, the shifting stories, the spin and the narrative, regarding Joe Biden's mishandling of classified documents, some persistent questions -- three -- remain in my mind about what this might be about.

First, the timing of the first revelation about just a few classified documents turning up in Joe's old office at the University of Pennsylvania, the Penn-Biden Center's Washington satellite office, supposedly nicely secured in "a locked closet."

A subsequent "discovery" by Biden's lawyers again has it that another classified document has turned up in Biden's Wilmington garage. All on the up and up, the Bidenites say, since as Joe has since put it, it "wasn't out on the street" and his lawyers acted immediately to return it.

Knowing what we know of how the Bidenites operate, one wonders why they "found" the documents at all, and why they didn't just destroy them to keep Joe out of trouble? It certainly wouldn't have hurt national security, because nobody would have seen them at all after the bodies were buried. One toilet flush, one warm blazing fireplace, and the problem would have been over.

Attorney Jonathan Turley asked this question, and noted the remarkable similarities to Hillary Clinton and her "discovery" of missing Whitewater documents.

Biden is taking a page from the Hillary Clinton playbook. Recall the long-sought Whitewater documents. After the case was effectively over, they suddenly appeared. The New York Times called the documents elusive, as if they moved by free will. Clinton was also surprised by the discovery of the documents  after they could not be used as part of the earlier investigation.

Hard to argue with that.

The case the strange timing and announcement of the document discovery reminds me of is Lois Lerner's initial announcement that she regretted the customer service problem her IRS agents had caused by unnaturally delayed customer service for certifying Tea Party groups. Incompetents at the Cincinnati field office were blamed, but don't worry, they had it all fixed now.

Why pre-emptively admit there was a problem at all?

You don't do that if you are a Biden unless there is some advantage you expect to get, some narrative to set about customer service, some spin you want to make the dominant narrative.

Turns out there was a lot more to that story, a systematic bid to sic the IRS onto Tea Party groups to withhold their certifications as tax-free outlets, to swing the 2012 election. Lois Lerner ended up testifying to Congress, with a load of taking the fifths and not recalling, as emails rolled out about her deriding conservative groups and eventually, huge numbers of these emails getting "accidentally" destroyed. We know there was something big with that one during Joe Biden's vice presidency. The initial announcement was the signal that something very funny was going on, something far worse than what they were trying to spin.

Second, Turley notes that the classified documents had to have been shuttled around at least twice, there's no way they weren't:

There are some obvious explanations for the documents being present in the office, particularly given Bidens work on a book that discussed his work in some of the referenced countries like Ukraine. However, even that explanation raises more questions. For example, Biden left office as vice president in 2017 and had an office at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia after finishing his term until 2019. On February 8, 2018, the Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement says, it opened its doors in Washington, DC. So if these documents were removed when Biden left office, where were they in the prior year and were they moved repeatedly before they ended up in the Washington office? This does not appear to be a one-and-done mistake. Rather documents may have been at various locations over a five-year period.

That's some chain of custody -- kind of like a Pennsylvania election perhaps. Where were these docs during that first year of Biden's exile from power?

It seems logical that they weren't at Penn, but probably closer to Biden in Washington.

What was going on in Washington around that time, during that missing year?

Well, son Hunter was busy opening an office to jointly share with a Chinese oligarch buddy of his, at a Washington complex called "The House of Sweden.,"

His laptop revelations revealed that he requested a key for himself, his dad Joe, his step-mom Jill, and his Uncle Jim. Look at the dates in the timeline of this December 2020 Fox News report and compare to Turley's analysis about the missing year in the chain of custody:

Hunter Biden requested in 2017 that keys be made for his new "office mates," listing his father, President-elect Joe Biden, Jill Biden and his uncle, Jim Biden, for space he planned to share with an "emissary" for a chairman of a Chinese energy company, according to an email obtained by Fox News. The Sept. 20, 2017 email, obtained by Fox News, shows Hunter requesting keys for Joe and Jill Biden, along with his uncle, Jim Biden, to the general manager, Cecilia Browning, at the House of Sweden -- a building in Washington, D.C., which contains multiple office suites, as well as a number of embassies. [P]lease have keys made available for new office mates: Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Jim Biden, said the email, with the subject 507.

Where did Joe do his office work while in Washington? Was it with Hunter and the Chinese oligarch? Did he store his documents there, too, for the Chinese guy to get his hands on? Why was it so important for the whole family to have keys to an office shared with a Chinese oligarch? And was this carelessness, or something worse, some kind of repayment to the Chinese for their "kind" generosity in supporting young Hunter's business ventures and all that nice money donated to Joe's Penn think tank? It seems an avenue could have been right there for the Chinese to get their hands on any top-secret compartmentalized documents they wanted with that shared office space and no need for sneaking around or handing out black bags at dead drops to do so.

A Special Counsel has been appointed now -- it will be interesting if he looks into the House of Sweden office setup that was so important to the Bidens.

Third thing: We all know that Joe Biden isn't a think-tank-type guy, he doesn't even know which country he's in at times, can't pronounce basic elementary Spanish, let alone have an inkling about how the Taliban will react to a sudden U.S. pullout of forces on the ground in Afghanistan. Life's all full of surprises for Joe on the foreign policy front. A strategic thinker he is not.

But he does have longtime aides who can argue that title, at least on paper. This is an interesting unconfirmed list on Twitter that seems to give a whiff of who else might have been involved in the transport of classified documents that Joe claims to know nothing about:

All of these characters need to be investigated by the Special Counsel. Who's writing a book? Who's covering for Joe? Who's up to no good with the Chinese, the Davos guys, the greenie billionaires, or other nefarious global players?

That is the sort of thing that needs to come out in the wash, because it's unthinkable that none of these people would have been involved, at least a few of the most-trusted must have been.

Their roles if any will be key to figuring out why the documents were suddenly "discovered" at all.

Turley wrote last August that the whole thing could be a "controlled demolition" of Hunter, the better to get him out of the way as an issue with a minor sanction so Joe can run for re-election.

Thomas Lifson notes in his piece that the revelations now may have been something different: A setup by the palace guard to edge Joe from his re-election race for the presidency. If so, there would have been characters here who would have known where the bodies were buried and launched the revelation of the documents to get Joe out of there. If so, that must be some palace coup atmosphere at that Biden White House. And if that's the case, look forward to more turbulence from that place in the weeks and months to come.

Image: Screen shot from Fox News video, via Twitter
I was studying in London when the queen faced two security breaches.

A man smelling of smoke broke into her bedroom. Thinking quickly, she requested that cigarettes be brought to her.

At that spring's Trooping the Color, a man fired a starter's pistol, startling her horse.

Both incidents were much discussed, but it was decades before I learned about the security arrangements of the queen. I didn't even notice that I didn't notice earlier.

Harry's book, Spare, has really made a lot of people aware of risks we hadn't otherwise noticed.

But as for his own risks, well, he's a little wanting.

I've been surveying what he's been saying recently, and what's being said about him  and there's a lot!

In the 2022 Netflix series, Harry & Meghan, Harry's description of the timeframe of their exit plan proves that planning started before the wedding. Megxit wasn't a response to racism, paparazzi, online disinformation, or standoffish royals. It was pre-arranged. Harry may have wanted the privacy they claimed to want. Longstanding paranoia about paparazzi caused his breakup with Cressida Bonas.

Early in the relationship, Meghan alerted the Toronto police and Harry to her security concerns. Soon, he publicly demanded that internet trolls and media leave her alone. Already, the couple was conflating anonymous posts and paparazzi.

Today's tabloids rarely feature annoyed ambushed celebrities, as today's stars often set up photo appointments and interface with fans via their own social media. In 2016, Meghan was an internet influencer, posting frequently on Instagram and her blog, The Tig. She'd be familiar with anonymous trolls, influencers (over 200,000 followers), and tabloid media. Meghan might have had less media and internet attention after meeting Harry if she hadn't provided leaks in Toronto and the U.K. Princess Diana's former bodyguard, Ken Wharfe, said in 2020 that Meghan's main risk was an "eagerness to interact with the public," not internet posts or tabloids.

In March 2022, the pair reportedly faced danger at their Montecito home in California from mudslides.

They were constantly alerting everyone that they felt that danger followed them everywhere. Videos from March 2020 showed individuals approaching their front door (without cameras), and one boat visible from their borrowed house, as Harry describes having been swarmed by paparazzi in Vancouver Island. Canada began pandemic lockdowns that month.

A new accusation debuted on the series  paparazzi paying neighbors to install ordinary security cameras (nothing stealthy or discreet) facing Meghan's Toronto home. Former Toronto police chief James Ramer disputes Meghan's accusation of police indifference. His department deployed undercover vehicles and teams and extra security during the Toronto Invictus Games. Columnist Joe Warmington, a former Toronto crime reporter, called Meghan's complaints "ludicrous."

Months before their second anniversary, Harry presented the queen with a vague "half in, half out" plan to be part-time royals making independent income.

Before the Palace had time to announce the news, it appeared on the Sussex Royal website (established January 2019, months before their wedding). The January 2020 post said they'd "step back as 'senior' members of the Royal Family, and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty the Queen."

The queen quickly ordered the removal of their next post, Jan. 8, 2020. "The provision of armed security by the Metropolitan Police is mandated by the Home Office, a ministerial department of Her Majesty's Government, responsible for security and law & order. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are classified as internationally protected people, which mandates this level of security."

The palace posted on January 18 that they don't comment on publicly funded security, provided by set processes.

Sussex Royal posted on February 22, "It is agreed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will continue to require effective security to protect them and their son. This is based on The Duke's public profile by virtue of being born into The Royal Family, his military service, the Duchess' own independent profile and the shared threat and risk level documented specifically over the last few years. No further details can be shared as this is classified information for security reasons."

Who, besides Harry and Meghan, agreed they required continued royal protection wasn't specified.

Random fans? Remember, half of the couple served ten years in the military  good experience for security work.

The security Harry is seeking is SO14 Royalty Protection Group officers, who protect royals and their homes, and visiting dignitaries. Requesting security was followed by offering to pay, then two lawsuits. Meanwhile, he employs armed security in California. If, in the U.K., staying with his family, their normal security would also cover him.

Harry and Meghan have made a security-risk mountain of every disagreeable molehill.

Their series featured Christopher Bouzy, of Bot Sentinel, as their expert on internet danger. Implying expansive research on phenomena including extremism, QAnon, and MAGA, he concluded there's an unprecedented, deeply connected global hate campaign against Meghan. (For scale, a March 2022 survey concluded that almost 176 million Americans believe QAnon claims, and the Washington Post published a September 2022 survey estimating that 33 million Americans support MAGA.)

According to Bouzy, trolls and media generating misinformation targeting Meghan was evidenced by 114,000 tweets from 83 accounts, viewed by 17 million of the world's 8 billion people. (I assume this is since they met in 2016.) He characterizes these internet masterminds as mostly middle-aged white housewives. Twitter found that 55 of the 83 accounts Bouzy mentioned were run by individuals, 33 were bots, and only 4 individuals violated policy, with no organized activity against Meghan. Bouzy characterized 83 housewives reaching 0.002% of earthlings as an enormous concern.

Christopher Bouzy flatly stated in the series that racism and hatred put Meghan at risk. He also admitted, after the series launched, to trolling William and Catherine.

The Sussexes have been cavalier about other royals' safety. They provided information for "Finding Freedom," which included directions to the royal jewel vault. Netflix aired images their photographer captured inside Buckingham Palace and the queen's childhood playhouse without permission. In an interview in The Cut Magazine, Meghan ominously remarked that the royals never made her sign a nondisclosure agreement.

Consider some recent interactions between ordinary people and royals. Marlene Headley (aka Ngozi Fulani, Marlene Fulani, Sister Ngozi) attended a palace event uninvited and chatted with Queen Consort Camilla (later claiming racist questioning by Lady-of-the-Household Susan Hussey). Catherine was photographed taking her kids shopping, and an American who didn't recognize the queen asked her to take a photo. One factor contributing to the royal family safety has been the affection of the British public. Being unspecific about arrangements was another.

There's a key feature of royal protection that hired security can't replicate. According to royal security expert Dai Davies, losing royal protection means "no access to integrated intelligence from the security services." The U.K. has four categories of intelligence: domestic, foreign (MI6), signals intelligence, and joint intelligence. Some of the intelligence might be from foreign allies.

Revealing for money minor family incidents like a scuffle with William or Catherine wincing (rightly) at a request to share her lip gloss, shows a callous attitude toward those Harry claims to love. Reporting that he killed 25 Taliban fighters, like removing chess pieces  not in conversation, but published in a book  shows monstrous indifference from the man who has been crying wolf for so very long.

Having so little regard for the implications of his words and actions, even after military training, means Harry can't be trusted with information that affects the safety of other people.

Image: DoD News Feature via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0.
A few days back, the news broke about classified documents being discovered at Joe Biden's former office at his Washington-based Penn Biden Center think-tank.

The mainstream media attempted to push the narrative that Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents was malicious and traitorous in motive, while Biden's was an unintentional and rare mistake.

That claim of it being an occasional oversight fell apart when NBC News reported that Biden's aides had discovered another batch of classified documents.

The White House refused to comment on the second batch, but news reports revealed that they were discovered in a garage at Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware.

Biden spent 191 days of his presidency in Delaware.

Biden is the highest-ranking public servant in the U.S., so taxpayers who fund his salary have the right to know about his activities and with whom he meets.

Yet Biden's White House, from the very beginning, has refused to release the visitor logs from Biden's Delaware home.

The discovery of classified documents at that very location makes this lack of transparency most troubling.

Just yesterday, a GOP congressman from Texas, Lance Gooden, dispatched a letter to Biden urging that he immediately release his visitor records.

NEW: GOP Rep. @Lancegooden has sent a letter to Biden and the Secret Service demanding the release of visitor logs for his home in Wilmington, Delaware. pic.twitter.com/Nux0pKNnfL  Kyle Morris (@RealKyleMorris) January 12, 2023

But there is more.

The New York Post's Miranda Devine posted a document titled "background screening request," which shows that Hunter probably owned Joe's Delaware home in 2018.

In 2018 Hunter Biden claimed he owned the house where Joe Biden kept classified documents alongside his Corvette in the garage Via @jj_talking pic.twitter.com/L7c80MRRiS  Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) January 12, 2023

There is more proof regarding Hunter.

In response to Peter Doocy's question, Biden claimed that his Corvette is also in a locked garage where the documents were, and he was implying that the documents were safe.

In a 2016 episode of Jay Leno's Garage, thenvice president Biden told Leno that Hunter and Beau, who died in 2015, had rebuilt the engine of Joe's Corvette as a Christmas present.

Usually, important documents are locked in a safe for official documents. The fact that they were discovered in a storage space in Biden's garage makes this suspicious.

Suspicions that Hunter may have had access to the classified documents appear increasingly likely.

Heres a shot of Joe Bidens locked GARAGE where he was hiding classified documents. pic.twitter.com/QcxfTZdaMx  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 12, 2023

U.S. attorney general Merrick Garland announced the appointment of a special counsel, Robert Hur, to investigate Biden's mishandling of classified material.

Garland said that the 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."

At that, the mainstream media made sure to explicitly state that Hur is a Republican and a senior Justice Department official during the Trump presidency. The goal is to make it appear that Biden is receiving the same treatment as Trump  i.e., a probe by a special counsel from the other party.

So here is a bit about Hur.

Hur was once a special assistant to Christopher Wray when the latter led the Justice Department's criminal division.

Hur then served as the top aide to Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who praised Hur as a man with "experience and judgment [that] will advance our efforts to deter crime, promote the rule of law, and ensure equal justice for everyone."

According to DOJ documents, Hur "handled, participated in, or had personal knowledge of the FBI's relationship and communications with" Christopher Steele. Steele's infamous dossier launched the Trump-Russia collusion hoax.

Despite the knowledge that Steele's dossier was replete with falsehoods, Rosenstein appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel to investigate the Trump-Russia collusion. Mueller's team was exclusively populated with Democrats and other varieties of Trump-haters.

Hur also worked with Rosenstein on Mueller's probe.

The Mueller probe was a political witch hunt. It lasted for nearly two years, cost $32 million in taxpayer funds, and probably cost the GOP the House during the 2018 midterms.

Robert Hur was also among those @TheJusticeDept ID'd for the @JusticeOIG as:



"officials who handled, participated in, or have personal knowledge of the FBI's relationship and communications with" dossier author Christopher Steele.



According to this doc:https://t.co/bZ4Wzi5XgS https://t.co/r7J85XKlyC pic.twitter.com/9QznUN7byP  Jason Foster (@JsnFostr) January 12, 2023

Can we expect Hur, who seems like Rosenstein's pupil, to be fair?

Maybe!

The discovery of the first batch of classified documents was a breach because Biden's aides had no security clearance. Ideally, DOJ officials with the appropriate authorities should have taken over the search for the remaining classified documents. But that didn't happen. Instead, Biden's aides, with no clearance, continue with their search. Hopefully, Hur will probe into this as well.

But there are other matters connected to these revelations that also deserve to be separately probed.

First is the delay in the announcement.

The documents were discovered on Nov. 2, 2022, yet the announcement of this discovery was made only this week, which is two months after the incident occurred.

This delay in the announcement caused a delay in the appointment of the special counsel. It probably gave Biden's aides ample time to destroy evidence.

The probe must find out who authorized the suppression of key information that could have hurt the Democrats during the 2022 midterms  i.e., who interfered in the elections.

The second is the functioning of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Ideally, the NARA should have information security standards that track every classified document both in physical and digital form. When a document goes missing, its recovery should be its prime goal. Yet, in Biden's case, the documents went missing for more than six years, and nobody seemed to notice.

This dereliction of duty on the part of the National Archives and Records Administration must be probed, and the guilty must be punished.

Now for this revelation itself.

We know that government agencies and the news media function as Democrat proxies.

You would hence expect them to work quietly behind the scenes to either take remedial action or to destroy the classified documents and deny that the breach ever occurred.

But that didn't happen.

While Biden is unlikely to face punitive action, the fact that his violation became public is surprising. It brings an end to the claims that the adults are back in charge  i.e., order has been restored.

Even more startling was the appointment of a special counsel.

So what could this mean?

If the Hur probe crawls like a snail and doesn't make any news, it can be inferred that it is merely a charade by the Democrats to deceive the public into thinking that all are equal before the law and to claim that Biden was given a clean chit only after an investigation.

It also gives them a reason to target Trump further to prevent him from running in 2024, and add that "we don't even spare a Democrat president."

There is another more likely possibility, which was stated in a previous article: the Democrats are probably tired of the declining and inarticulate Biden and want another puppet in 2024 who can play the part more convincingly.

If in the coming months, if the probe makes news and reveals startling discoveries, it suggests that the Democrats want Biden out. If Tara Reade's name receives a mention in the mainstream media, you can be certain beyond doubt that they want Biden to quit.

All Biden has to do is withdraw from the race, and the probe will suffer a natural but quiet demise, and his glory will be restored.

We shall know the direction of the wind in the coming month.

Image: Twitter screen shot.
"The U.S. Army has prepared extensive guidance for how to integrate transgender soldiers into its ranks, including instructions for group showers and how to respond to pregnant men, newly revealed training documents show."

So read the opening to a recent Daily Caller story.

Men showering en masse with women? What could possibly go awry? And it is great that it is finally addressing the age-old question of how to respond to "pregnant men." Armies down through history have had to deal with that delicate situation. (Some historians now believe that the German Wehrmacht would have taken Stalingrad and Moscow in World War II if so many of its men hadn't gotten pregnant.)

This became news because President Biden restored an Obama-era directive codifying service for transgender individuals shortly after taking office, despite serious questions as to how gender-related psychological issues and medical procedures may affect a person's fitness for service. And how that may affect a unit  or army  as a whole.

The Daily Caller story said that a 2016 RAND study "pegged" the total number of transgender people in the active-duty military at somewhere between 1,320 and 6,630. "Pegged" might not be the best term in this context. I would have gone with "broadly estimated."

In any case, the training materials, dated August 2021, postulate a range of problems officers and soldiers might encounter in relation to transgender members. The manuals are divided into three "tiers" and feature various "vignettes" on how to handle potentially sensitive interactions. Tier One is aimed at staff, Tier Two at commanders, and Tier Three at individual units and soldiers.

A section of the Tier Two training materials addresses how an officer should respond when a soldier approaches "to discuss his newly confirmed pregnancy." Yes, that has puzzled armies since the time of Caesar.

The manuals also address how to respond when a soldier questions bathing/showering with "a female who has male genitalia." That's easy  just say "nice package, ma'am!"

They also state, "Understand that soldiers who have transitioned gender may remain susceptible to medical conditions associated with their birth gender." Yes, because we can't repeal the laws of nature. We can only pretend and ignore reality  which we are now doing with staggering alacrity.

President Trump had nixed the Obama-era directive that Biden has since restored. The Trump administration had commissioned a panel of experts who found that allowing transgender individuals  with or without a history of gender dysphoria  to serve as their preferred sex would likely undermine readiness and provoke division. But, really, how important are readiness and cohesion to an army? Or to the nation it is supposed to serve?

Call me a skeptic, but I don't think our current or future fighting force is going to rival the boys of Pointe du Hoc or the Marines who fought at Tarawa.

No matter. This whole "defending freedom" thing has been overrated since the birth of the nation.

What really matters is that each and every member of our armed forces knows how to act around a lady with a penis.

Image via Max Pixel.
I listened to an interesting interview recently with Dr. Aseem Malhotra by Bret Weinstein of The Darkhorse Podcast on Dec. 31, 2022.

The beginning of the interview focused on Dr. Malhotra, a British cardiologist, telling his story of how he went from being a COVID-19 vaccine advocate to someone who was questioning the mRNA jabs, at least partially brought on by the death of his own father. His father was also a physician and had been in favor of the shots, which Dr. Malhotra said in a recent tweet "should likely never have been approved and certainly not without informed consent."

It was a touching story, and it was clear that Dr. Malhotra cared deeply for his father. Any loss of this type  unnecessary and wasteful  is tragic, and anyone with an ounce of compassion can't help but empathize.

But there were some troubling aspects of the interview. One in particular was that Dr. Malhotra had been onboard with the mRNA jabs, and I couldn't help but wonder how many people he recommended take the shots. How many people may have suffered an adverse affect or worse because of his advice?

Early on, I was skeptical of these new treatments. I graduated college with a B.S. in biology more than 25 years ago, but my career is in finance (long story)...so I understood enough about the scientific process that I was doubtful of their proclaimed "safety." Long-term safety at that point (and still now) literally could not have been known. It was far too early.

I researched them and quickly found people like Dr. Simone Gold (America's Frontline Doctors) and Dr. Peter McCullough  individuals who were willing to risk their careers and reputations to get the message out that maybe we needed to slow down and learn more about the new vaccines. To me, that was powerful and rang true.

I knew early that I would not be getting any of the shots, and I warned others to give them careful consideration. How did Dr. Malhotra and so many others  thousands of others!  miss something that even a layperson strongly suspected? How did they not ask more questions?

That leads to the real issue here: with what we are learning now and the rapidly accumulating evidence, how are more doctors not speaking out about this? And why are so many still recommending the mRNA shots to their patients? Boosters, boosters, boosters.

I changed to a new doctor as my primary care physician recently and had my first appointment. The doctor mentioned that he doesn't prescribe new medications that have not been around for at least five years, so I asked him how he reconciles that philosophy with the mRNA shots. He dodged the question three times until it was clear that I wouldn't let it go. I finally asked him, "Is it your policy to recommend them or the hospital's?" He said nothing but stared straight into my eyes for a solid five seconds. It felt very much like an admission.

He went on to say that if he doesn't recommend the shots, he will lose his job and possibly his license. My appointment was the first week of December 2022, and my exit paperwork is three pages...two of which are almost entirely dedicated to pushing the COVID shots.

The first line under What You Need to Know is "COVID-19 Vaccines are safe and effective." They are still saying this! This is extraordinary. They still cannot know the long-term effects of the shots  still too soon. Not to mention that (especially young) otherwise healthy people are dropping left and right (often of heart attacks and strokes), none more publicly than Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills last week. Myocarditis rates, which used to be roughly 4 in 1,000,000 are now 25,000 in 1,000,000.

All through the rollout of the "vaccines" and the controversy surrounding medications like hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, something we heard from the news, government authorities, and health care personnel was the phrase "evidence-based medicine."

My former doctor parroted that talking point to me personally. Now that the evidence against the safety and efficacy of the shots is piling up  and thanks to Elon Musk  is being discussed in the open marketplace of ideas, how is it that more doctors aren't standing up and speaking out?

I'll tell you. It's out of fear, cowardice, and control: fear of losing their licenses to practice medicine, cowardice to face the people they have very likely harmed and the control the hospitals hold over most of them. Corporate bosses now dictate what medicine gets practiced, and our physicians have willingly handed over control in the interest of their own personal wealth.

The health care industry has lost an enormous amount of credibility and lost the trust of millions of people. I am historically a big believer in vaccines, as one of the most important medical breakthroughs in history, but I am now going to be skeptical about putting anything these companies come up with into my body.

The irony of all of this is that millions of people who have been erroneously labeled "anti-vaxxers" for being against these shots are now, by way of their own evidence-based thinking, being turned into actual anti-vaxxers (by the new definition of "vaccine," that is) before our very eyes. If the medical field wants to regain our trust, doctors need to stand up now and do what's right.

Image: Pixabay, Pixabay license.
Samsungs upcoming Galaxy S23 Ultra has appeared in a fresh set of seemingly accurate renders. They are reportedly obtained from the companys official press materials. The images show the phone from various angles in all of its rumored colorways.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra shows up in new renders

Shared by the Dutch publication NieuweMobiel, the newly-leaked renders show the Galaxy S23 Ultra in four different colors. Earlier leaks have suggested that Samsung will brand these colorways as Botanic Green, Cotton Flower, Misty Lilac, and Phantom Black. As expected, the company will color-match the S Pen that comes built-in with this phone. The stylus accessory, which slots in at the bottom of the phone when not needed, gets the same color as the handset.

As for the design, theres not much mystery left now. The Galaxy S23 Ultra continues to carry the boxy design language of Samsungs now-discontinued Note phones. We have already seen the phone in leaked renders multiple times in the past. But the latest set appears to be more accurate than the one we saw last week. As revealed by leakers, the new phone will have slightly bigger camera circles compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The power and volume keys also sit a little low on the upcoming model.

The latest Galaxy S23 Ultra leak also shows the front of the phone. Many fans may be disappointed to see that the new Samsung flagship still doesnt get symmetric bezels. The chin is marginally thicker than the rest of the display borders. The punch-hole selfie camera appears to have shrunk a little, though. Or maybe the wallpaper is making it look smaller. Everything else is standard Samsung stuff. There isnt any notable design overhaul of the Ultra model this year.

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Speaking of the wallpaper, it appears to be depicting a heavenly body. Maybe Samsung is hinting at the improved low-light and astrophotography here. As usual, each color variant of the phone gets the same default wallpaper, but in four colors. These are all part of the marketing game, you know. Companies try to make the renders as appealing as possible.

The Galaxy S23 series will debut in less than three weeks

Samsung has already confirmed that it will unveil the Galaxy S23 series on February 1, 2023. The Ultra model will be accompanied by a vanilla Galaxy S23 and a Galaxy S23+. The Korean firm will also debut its Galaxy Book 3 series Windows laptops during the same event. You can already reserve these Galaxy devices if youre planning to buy them. Stay tuned for the official launch in about three weeks.
The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is out, and itll be available on August 26. Right now pre-orders are going on for the new device, with a street date of August 26. Samsung, despite rumors to the contrary, was able to release the Galaxy Z Fold 4 for the same price as its predecessor, just $1,799. But that doesnt mean you need to pay $1,799 for the new Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Here we are rounding up the very best deals for the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, so you can save some cash on your new smartphone, and get the phone for almost free  not quite, but still a huge discount.

Best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Deals

The Galaxy Z Fold 4 features the same 7.6-inch main display and 6.2-inch front display. Basically, acting as a phone that unfolds into a tablet-sized device.

Inside, youll find the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 powering the show, along with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage to boot. Theres also a 4400mAh capacity battery inside, that should keep you going all-day long and then some.

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Samsung has also improved the cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 4, including giving it an all-new main sensor. So now there is a 50-megapixel main sensor on the back, with a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens available. Theres also a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the cover display, and a 4-megapixel under display camera on the main display.

Its a pretty impressive smartphone, and while it is still quite pricey, you can get it for a lot less. Typically, Samsung.com will have the best deals for its smartphones. And they do also sell the unlocked, as well as carrier variants of each phone. So you wont lose anything by buying from Samsung versus your carrier. So thats good to know here.
(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 13 - High-school students in a northern Italian city are protesting council recommendations for girls to avoid smiles and flashy clothing in a bid to stem the risk of rapists attacking them.

The council in Cividale del Friuli near Udine in Friuli issued a leaflet containing a proposed 'anti-rape code' saying school girls and young women should avoid "smiling ironically or provocatively to strangers".

They were also told to "avoid wearing valuable objects...and remember that the aggressor observes and selects his victims also on the basis of certain details like jewels and excessively elegant or showy clothing".

Students staged demonstrations against the suggest code with a local student leader, Beatrice Bertossi, saying: "We are protesting because we deem unacceptable the phrases contained in this leaflet, but we also contest the advisability of a leaflet aimed at potential victims, when it is well-known that the prevention of violence must above all start from the aggressors".

Students displayed placards in high schools including "we condemn patriarchal violence in schools', "hands off our bodies, violence is never justified" and "against all oppression, against all oppressors".

Bertoss said the students were holding meetings and also talking to their teachers to set up fresh protest initiatives "to reaffirm our choral condemnation of an initiative of this kind.

"We are convinced that you fight violence with education, not by blaming the victims". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 13 - Deputy Premier and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini said he risks 15 years in jail for "defending Italy" on Friday as a hearing was held in his trail regarding the Open Arms NGO-run rescue ship.

Salvini is accused of 'abducting" 147 rescued migrants on board a ship operated by Spanish NGO Open Arms as part of his closed-ports policy in August 2019, when he was interior minister in the first of two governments led by ex-premier Giuseppe Conte.

The Open Arms spent almost three weeks at sea after Salvini refused to give the OK for it to dock on the island of Lampedusa.

"Today I am in Palermo for the umpteenth time, in the bunker hall of the Ucciardone prison, famous for the max-trial against the mafia, for the Open Arms trial," Salvini said on Facebook.

"I risk 15 years in jail for having defended Italy and its borders, saving lives and making the law be respected".

Conte, now the leader of the opposition 5-Star Movement (M5S), former interior minister Luciana Lamorgese and former foreign minister Luigi Di Maio were called as witnesses in the trial on Friday.

Di Maio said that "everything that was done in that period (by Salvini) was to obtain popularity".

The Open Arms stand-off took place shortly before League leader Salvini pulled the plug on the first Conte government.

Conte said that, during the period of the stand-off, he "called on Minister Salvini to let the minors on board the Open Arms to disembark.

"In my opinion, it was a question that needed resolving aside from everything else," he added.

"I tried to exercise moral suasion on the issue because it seemed to me that the decision to keep them on board had no judicial basis".

Last year Salvini was cleared in a similar case regarding rescued migrants on the Gregoretti coast guard ship in July 2019. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JAN 13 - The fight against illegal immigration is a priority for Italy and Turkey, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said after talks in Ankara with Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday.

"Fighting illegal immigration is a strategic priority for our governments, also to stabilize Libya and the Balkans," Tajani tweeted, thanking Cavusoglu for meeting him.

"We are working to strengthen our economic relations, also via a business forum in Istanbul". (ANSA).


BRUSSELS - According to preliminary estimates, some 330,000 irregular crossings of the European Union's external borders were registered in 2022, the highest figure reported since 2016, up 64% compared to the previous year, EU border agency Frontex said on Friday. After a record low reported during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, a strong increase in irregular entries was recorded in 2022 for the second consecutive year, the agency said. Syrians, Afghans and Tunisians represented together 47% of nationalities in 2022.



The number of Syrians nearly doubled, reaching 94,000 units, the report added.



The number of cases registered in the central Mediterranean, compared to 2021, increased by over half, exceeding 100,000 cases. "Egyptians, Tunisians and Bangladeshis represented the first three nationalities in a year with the highest number of arrivals in this region from Libya since 2017 and the most significant number of arrivals from Tunisia in recent history", explained the European agency.




ATHENS - The tribunal of the island of Lesvos has annulled a trial on spying charges against Syrian activist and refugee Sarah Mardini and 23 humanitarian operators of the NGO Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) over "procedural flaws", ending what has been described by several observers as "the most significant case of criminalization of solidarity in Europe". The decision was taken after a few procedural flaws highlighted by the activists' defence team, including the fact that the indictment of foreign defendants had not been translated.



Shortly before the decision on Friday morning the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR spoke about the case. "This type of trial is truly concerning, because it criminalizes actions that save people's lives and creates a dangerous precedent", said Elizabeth Throssell, UNHCR spokesperson, during a regular UN briefing in Geneva.



"This is not justice - justice would have been a trial that acquitted us four years ago", commented in a video published on Twitter German-Irish activist Sean Binder outside the court in Lesvos after the announcement that the trial was annulled.



Binder, together with Syrian refugee Sarah Mardini, became a symbol of the campaign promoted by Amnesty International to ask for the acquittal of activists involved in the trial which was described as a "farce" and the "greatest case of criminalization of solidarity in Europe", regarding facts that occurred in 2018.



Contrary to Binder, Mardini was not in court because Greece does not allow her to enter for national security reasons. After fleeing Damascus with her sister in 2015, she obtained the status of refugee in Germany but returned to the Greek island to take part as a volunteer in rescue operations of migrants, until she was arrested in 2018 with Binder and spent more than three months in a Greek prison before being released on bail. Her story, together with her sister Yusra's, who as a swimmer took part in the Olympic Games of Rio and Tokyo, inspired the Netflix film The Swimmers.



"After four years in limbo we have finally received some positive news, but this is not justice: if the same strategy of lengthy postponements and procedural flaws is applied to the remaining charges, we could wait another 15 years to prove our innocence", said the movement Free Humanitarians, which was created to demand the acquittal of the activists, commenting on Twitter the court's decision. The humanitarian operators are still being investigated on human trafficking and criminal association charges and risk up to 25 years in jail, according to Amnesty International.




MADRID - Former Catalan president Carles Puigdemont said "we are at the end of a European judicial battle and I will bring it forward till the end", as a reaction to a Spanish court's decision to withdraw the most serious charge against him (sedition) following a reform of the national criminal code. Puigdemont referred to appeals to the EU judiciary over his situation. He is being tried in Spain while living abroad. The appeals are currently being examined.



"I am not asking Spanish authorities for any benefit regarding my situation", he said. "Personal solutions aren't useful to solve the core conflict". Puigdemont concluded saying that he has no doubt that "I will not be returning" to Spain "in handcuffs" or "hand myself over to a Spanish judge to obtain indulgence".




ROME - The fight against illegal immigration is a priority for Italy and Turkey, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said after talks in Ankara with Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu on Friday.



"Fighting illegal immigration is a strategic priority for our governments, also to stabilize Libya and the Balkans," Tajani tweeted, thanking Cavusoglu for meeting him.



"We are working to strengthen our economic relations, also via a business forum in Istanbul".



Tajani told a press conference the stability of Libya was a top priority for Rome and Ankara and Italy was helping efforts to hold elections in the north African country "that will enable the country to govern itself".



He said "we will develop joint initiatives, I have invited the UN envoy (for Libya) to Rome, and we concur that Libyan stability also means reducing migratory flows".
TUNIS - On the 12th anniversary of Tunisian dictator Ben Ali's ouster, Tunisia's Islamic party Ennahdha urged citizens to gather on Saturday in the capital's Avenue Habib Bourguiba to "end the process of the coup which has monopolized all powers and has destroyed the economy and the daily life of people, causing true suffering".



Ennhadha condemned "cases fabricated against its leaders and allegations aimed at convincing people that the party has been involved in dangerous crimes", welcoming initiatives aimed at getting out of the political, economic and social crisis while denouncing attempts to exclude political parties from a dialogue that is key for democracy.



The demonstration organized by the National Salvation Front, a coalition of the opposition that includes Ennhadha, however can't be organized as requested in front of the municipal theatre of Tunis in the central Avenue Bourghiba, but has been moved to the 'Comar' area, near the clock tower, by the governor of Tunis, Kamel Fekih, who explained that he has already granted authorization to five political parties (Al-Qotb, Workers' Party, Al-Joumhouri, Ettakatol, Democratic Current) and to the National forum for the defence of rights and democracy to organize an event on the same day and in the same place. The governor also rejected a request made by activist Abir Moussi, leader of the Free Destrourian party, to march to the palace of Carthage.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever dominated the nominations for the 54th annual NAACP Image awards, picking up 12 total nods.

The blockbuster Marvel sequel received the nomination for outstanding motion picture, outstanding ensemble cast in a motion picture as well as several more in acting categories.

The films star Leititia Wright received a nomination for outstanding actress in a motion picture for her portrayal of Shuri, sister of King TChalla, who was played by the late Chadwick Boseman.

Letitia Wright attending the European premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Suzan Moore/PA)

In the male category Daniel Kaluuya received a nod for his part in Jordan Peeles Nope, and John Boyega also received a nomination for best supporting actor in a motion picture.

Boyega appears in The Woman King alongside fellow British star Lashana Lynch  who also earned a nomination in the best supporting actress in a motion picture category.

In the television categories, popular US comedy Abbott Elementary led the field with nine total nominations  with creator Quinta Brunson also nominated for entertainer of the year.

Netflixs regency-era drama Bridgerton also received a nomination for outstanding drama series.

Daniel Kaluuya received a nod for best actor in a motion picture for his part in Jordan Peeles Nope (Ian West/PA)

Beyonce and rapper Kendrick Lamar tied for the most nominations in the music recording categories, with five apiece.

This years nominees have conveyed a wide range of authentic stories and diverse experiences that have resonated with many in our community, and were proud to recognize their outstanding achievements and performances, said Derrick Johnson, president and chief executive of the NAACP.

The 54th annual NAACP Image awards will take place on February 25 at 1am UK time.

The show will be in front of an audience for the first time in three years.
More than half of migrants who claimed to be victims of modern slavery after crossing the Channel in the first half of last year were Albanian, figures suggest.

Home Office data obtained under freedom of information (FOI) laws indicate 1,156 people were recorded as making such a claim between January and June 2022.

Of these, 591 were Albanian, according to figures provided by the department following a request from campaign group Migration Watch.

Some 116 other people claiming to be victims of modern slavery during this period were from Eritrea, 89 were from Sudan, 71 were from Iran, 69 were from Vietnam and 46 were from Afghanistan.

Official Home Office figures show 12,747 migrants crossed the Channel by the end of June last year. This suggests around 9% of arrivals during that period claimed to be victims of modern slavery.

The number of Albanians who said they were modern slavery victims in the first six months of 2022 is more than double the figure for the whole of 2021, according to the FOI data.

In that year 218 out of 1,946 people claiming to be victims of modern slavery were recorded by the Home Office as being Albanian. Other nationalities during that period included 478 Vietnamese, 286 Eritreans, 222 Iranians, 220 Sudanese, 123 Iraqis and 64 Afghans.

The statistics were taken from a live database, so could change as the system is updated, and the numbers are likely to increase at some point as modern slavery can happen, or be reported, at any time, the department said.

Migration Watch chairman Alp Mehmet claimed Albanians and their traffickers have identified a huge loophole in our legislation and are exploiting it to the hilt, adding to the great pressure that the already overwhelmed system is under.

But Mark Davies, from the Refugee Council, warned it was dangerous to assume all Albanians are falsifying modern slavery claims and said every case should be given a fair assessment, adding: The situation with people from Albania crossing the Channel is complex. We know from our work that trafficking and exploitation are a problem for many from the country.

The findings come as the Home Office said it removed 43 Albanians on a deportation flight on Thursday.

Some 27 were foreign national offenders convicted of crimes including drug dealing, burglary, fraud, embezzlement and robbery. The remainder were immigration offenders. The group included six people known to have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel, the department said.

After the flight, immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: We are working around the clock to remove those with no right to be here. This is a crucial part of our plan to keep communities safe and to restore fairness to our asylum and immigration system.

Last month the Prime Minister vowed to deport thousands of Albanians under plans to tighten modern slavery laws.

Rishi Sunak told MPs how 400 new specialists will work in a dedicated unit expediting asylum claims from people from the Balkan state, with plans for weekly removal flights to take people back to their home country.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak held talks with his Albanian counterpart (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Ministers singled out Albanians as accounting for more than a third of the 33,000 migrants who crossed the Channel in the first nine months of 2022  a sharp increase compared with the 3% recorded in the whole of 2021.

Mr Sunak recently held his first talks with Albanian prime minister Edi Rama, during which they agreed to close loopholes preventing the rapid return of failed asylum seekers.

But Mr Rama has been angered by comments from Home Secretary Suella Braverman, saying she was using his citizens as scapegoats for failed immigration policies.

Albanian ambassador to the UK Qirjako Qirko also called for an end to the campaign of discrimination against Albanians living in Britain as he was grilled over the rise in numbers crossing the Channel.

Mr Sunak insisted Albania was a safe, prosperous European country but MPs previously heard a third of nationals live below the poverty line.

Dr Andi Hoxhaj, a lecturer in law from University College London, also told the Commons Home Affairs Committee there was 60% youth unemployment among 18 to 34-year-olds in the country as he warned of problems with blood feuds, corruption and gang violence.

Earlier this year two former commissioners warned plans to reform modern slavery laws could reduce protections for victims.
Two ex-employees of a residential school have been jailed for a total of 28 years for multiple charges of physical and sexual abuse of former pupils.

Matthew George, 73, and John Muldoon, 69, physically and sexually abused children in their care while they were both employed at Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenston, North Ayrshire, which was then known as a List D secure establishment for vulnerable or troubled youngsters.

The pair, both from Ayrshire, were found guilty after a six-week trial in Glasgow.

George, a former art teacher, was sentenced to 16 years in prison at the High Court in Dundee on Friday while Muldoon, an ex-care worker, was jailed for 12 years, the Crown Office said.

The offending occurred while the pair worked at Kerelaw Residential School in Stevenston, North Ayrshire (COPFS/PA)

None of the 28 victims, all of whom are now adults, appeared in court in person during the trial.

Instead, lawyers presented their pre-recorded video testimony.

George and Muldoon had previously been jailed in 2006 having been found guilty of a number of similar offences in relation to pupils at the same school.

After more complainers came forward, they stood trial again, appearing at the High Court in Glasgow at the end of last year.

The men were found guilty of a total of 55 new charges  George of 39 of these while Muldoon was convicted on 16.

The offending covered a 28-year period from 1975 to 2004, with 20 male victims and eight females.

Twenty-one complainers gave evidence by commissioner, a special measure which enables vulnerable witnesses to have their evidence filmed in advance of the trial under judicial supervision.

The court heard 29 hours of video testimony from these victims over the course of the trial. Some victims spoke for more than three hours as they recounted their experiences.

Six victims died before having the opportunity to take part in the filming process and another was too unwell to give pre-recorded evidence.

Prosecutors, however, were able to use their police statements, which were read to the court to ensure their evidence was also available for the jury.

The Crown said lawyers reviewed nearly 13,000 pieces of documentary evidence in preparation for trial.

Both George and Muldoon had worked for many years at Kerelaw, and their offending continued until they were suspended from work, a short time prior to the schools eventual closure, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said.

Fraser Gibson, Scotlands procurator fiscal for high court sexual offences, said the case demonstrates the Crowns commitment to ensuring the voices of victims are heard.

He said: The two accused were in positions of trust for many years. They abused that trust over and over again.

The victims bravely came forward to tell what happened to them in childhood within a school environment where they should have been safe. They endured traumatising experiences which damaged their adult lives.

Our skilled prosecutors were able to use special measures for these vulnerable witnesses, to ease as much as possible the process of giving evidence.

At COPFS we are determined to use every tool at our disposal in the pursuit of justice and to support victims through the system in every way we can.

I would urge any victim of similar offending, no matter how long ago, to come forward, report it and seek help.

An NSPCC Scotland spokesperson said: As a teacher and a care worker at Kerelaw Residential School, George and Muldoons roles were to nurture and protect the residents  many of whom were very vulnerable. Instead, they exploited their positions of trust to physically and sexually abuse these young people, inflicting immense suffering.

The men and women who were victims in this case have lived with the impact of this cruelty for decades and it is testament to the courage of those who bravely spoke out that these two men have faced justice for these crimes.

Child sexual and physical abuse can have a devastating and long-lasting effect on a persons life, and we hope that the victims are receiving the support they need so that they can go forward with their lives.

It is so important that those who have experienced abuse are empowered to speak out regardless of who the perpetrator is or how many years have passed.
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has denied seven sexual offences against a man in the early 2000s.

Among the accusations against the Hollywood star, 63, are sexual touching, touching over clothing, and forcing the complainants hand against his privates over clothing.

Spacey faced the charges at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, having previously denied five allegations relating to three other men who are now in their 30s and 40s.

The new charges comprise three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, on unspecified dates between 2001 and 2005.

Spacey confirmed his identity and pleaded not guilty to all of the charges by video-link.

He now faces a total of 12 charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013.

The two-time Academy Award winner, known for starring in American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and House Of Cards, appeared at the Old Bailey in July last year to deny the five previous charges.

He pleaded not guilty to four charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

Kevin Spacey in July last year (James Manning/PA)

Spacey has been granted unconditional bail and will face a four-week trial on all charges on June 6.

A pre-trial review is due to take place on April 5.

In October last year, the actor, who was artistic director at The Old Vic between 2004 and 2015, won a civil lawsuit in the US where he was accused of an unwanted sexual advance at a party in 1986.

In that lawsuit, he categorically denied the accusations and said he did not harbour any sexual interest or desire at the time or since the alleged incident.
A firm has been fined more than 4 million after workers twice struck overhead powerlines, with dramatic footage showing the moment a cable nearly hit someone when it fell on a motorway.

In one incident, an overhead cable brought down by workers from civil engineering company Kier hit a lorry.

Kier put workers and drivers in significant danger through its failure to plan the work properly and provide an adequate risk assessment, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found.

It is the second time an HSE prosecution has resulted in a 4m fine where no-one was injured.

During the first incident, on March 28 2018, three Kier workers accidentally struck and severed an 11kV overhead powerline that landed on the M6 and in a nearby field.

Footage showed a worker running and narrowly avoiding being hit, just after 2am.

Kier failed to immediately tell Scottish Power, meaning the cable was re-energised a number of times while it was lying on the motorway and vehicles were passing.

During the second incident, on January 21 2019, a Kier tractor struck an overhead cable which led to an unmarked 11kV powerline being hit and snapped by an oncoming lorry.

Both incidents took place during overnight roadworks between junctions 16 and 18 on the M6 near Sandbach in Cheshire.

HSE found inadequate planning from Kier meant the vehicle used in the first incident was unsuitable, despite other more suitable vehicles being available.

There was also no task-specific risk assessment available for the workers.

In the second incident, the workers were unaware of the overhead hazards.

The company was fined 4.4 million and ordered to pay costs of 80,759 at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday.

HSE inspector Mike Lisle said: This is a significant fine reflecting the seriousness of the failures here.

The companys failure to plan the work properly and provide an adequate risk assessment put its workers and those using the motorway in significant danger.
Sir Keir Starmer has said a Labour government would repeal planned laws offering immunity from prosecution for Troubles crimes in Northern Ireland.

The draft legislation would provide immunity for people accused of Troubles offences as long as they co-operate with a new truth recovery body, and would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

The proposed law changes are opposed by all Stormonts main parties and the Irish government, as well as victims groups in the region, which have denounced it as an amnesty for killers.

Victims groups have been campaigning against the controversial legacy legislation (Liam McBurney/PA).

The legislation was tabled amid calls from backbench Conservative MPs for an end to fresh prosecutions of military veterans who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The Government has defended the move, saying it will deliver better outcomes for victims seeking answers about how their loved ones died.

It says a perfect solution to legacy issues is not attainable and it is working towards the best practical solution.

Some amendments have been made to the draft legislation during its parliamentary stages but the core elements remain in place.

Sir Keir, who previously worked in Belfast with police oversight body the Northern Ireland Policing Board, criticised the Bill on a visit to the city on Friday.

During a question and answer session at Queens University, he was asked whether he would repeal the legislation if he became prime minister.

Yes, he replied, to applause from the audience.

Let me just elaborate a little because obviously, having had the privilege of working here for five years with the Policing Board and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, I know first-hand and having spoken to many, many victims and victims representatives, I know just how deep this goes for very obvious reasons.

I think the legislation is wrong in principle.

But, worse than that, or alongside that, no government in Westminster, in my view, should ever introduce legislation which has no support from any of the political parties in Northern Ireland, and no support from the victims who are at the heart of this.

I think that previous governments  Labour and Conservative  would have understood that, and it shows you how far this Conservative Government in recent years has moved from a genuine understanding of the principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement, that they would even countenance introducing legislation with zero political support here and zero support from the victims.

We wouldnt do it and wed repeal it if its on the statute when we come into power.

Grainne Teggart of Amnesty International (Brian Lawless/PA)

Grainne Teggart, deputy director for Northern Ireland at Amnesty International UK, said: This is a welcome and significant statement and commitment.

Amnesty International, victims, Northern Ireland political parties, the Irish government and others have been unequivocal in objection to the Bill. It has no support.

It is not too late for the Government to scrap it and commit to an agreed way forward.

The Troubles Bill makes a mockery of the rule of law and denies victims justice while shielding perpetrators of murder, torture and other serious crimes.

It is time the Government drops the pantomime of claiming tweaks can fix something so unjust and abandon it altogether.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said repealing the planned legacy laws would be a retrograde step (Brian Lawless/PA)

Responding to the Labour leader, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said: Keir Starmers call to repeal the Legacy Bill is a retrograde step that would prolong the wait for answers and accountability that many families have been after for decades.

We have announced a number of proposed changes which seek to address key concerns that have been raised by many stakeholders, including victims and survivors.

This Bill will remain challenging for many, but the complex issue of legacy must be tackled in Northern Ireland.

I would encourage the Opposition to work with us, so together we can help Northern Ireland move forward.
Prince Harry's new memoir Spare has been heavily scrutinised since its release this week

From where he was when he found out the Queen Mother had died, to whether he really shopped at TK Maxx, people have been quick to point out any mistakes they appear to have found

Harry has made it clear one of his intentions in writing the book was that he wanted telling his own version of his life

Read more below to find out what claims have been questioned

Spare sold 1.4 million copies in the U.S., U.K. and Canada on its first day of sales. (Getty Images)

Prince Harry's record-breaking new memoir Spare has been the subject of intense scrutiny since its release last week.

Harry has said the book is his version of his life story and that he wants people to know who he is in his own words, particularly in relation to what he has described as the "toxic" relationship between the press and royal family.

But as the memoir is picked through with a fine-toothed comb, some have pointed out apparent inconsistencies in his memory.

Harry reiterates many times in Spare that his memories are fallible and yet to him it is significant to share them through the book because it is his "truth".

"Whatever the cause, my memory is my memory, it does what it does, gathers and curates as it sees fit, and theres just as much truth in what I remember and how I remember it as there is in so-called objective facts. Things like chronology and cause-and-effect are often just fables we tell ourselves about the past."

And while some of them are not exactly earth-shattering, the problem facing Harry is that anything he says that is inaccurate can potentially tarnish how readers of his book view the rest of what he has written

Yahoo News UK has picked through some of his claims.

Prince Harry undertook a series of promotional interview for Spare, including one with ITV's Tom Bradby. (Getty Images)

For instance, the duke described an incident in which Meghan booked a flight for her father Thomas, to allow him to escape press intrusion in his Mexican home. Harry recalled the flight being booked with Air New Zealand in first class, but the airline has confirmed they don't operate flights between Mexico and the UK, or have first class seats on their planes.

Another was pointed out by royal commentator Dickie Arbiter, who once worked as a press secretary for the Queen.

Spare sees Harry discuss in one passage a Daily Mail article about Meghan and Harry's exit from royal life in 2020, in which the headline read that the couple "should expect 'no mercy'" and that it was "insult" they no longer wanted to remain working royals.

"Make no mistake, its an insult," cried the Daily Mail, which convened a "Fleet Street jury" to consider our "crimes". Among them was the Queens ex-press secretary, who concluded, with his fellow jurors, that we should hereafter expect no mercy, Harry wrote.

"I shook my head. No mercy. The language of war? Clearly this was more than simple anger. These men and women saw me as an existential threat. If our leaving posed a threat to the monarchy, as some were saying, then it posed a threat to all those covering the monarchy for a living."

Dickie Arbiter worked in communications for the palace from 1988-2000 and has since worked prolifically as a royal commentor. (Getty Images)

Arbiter complained on Twitter about this passage because while he was quoted saying their exit was an "insult" to the Queen in the article in question, it was Trevor Philips of The Times who said the couple should see "no mercy".

"What are [Penguin Random House] going to do about correcting this allegation against me - I never said anything of the sort. How about a public apology pdq?" Arbiter wrote.

However, the phrase "with this fellow jurors" clearly indicates that Harry was referring to the message of the article as a whole, and that he was not singling out Arbiter.

Retailer TK Maxx have also joined the fray, and pointed out that Harry was inaccurate in saying that he enjoyed shopping their "once-a-year sale", and instead they have discounts "year round".

Harry's fraught relationship with his elder brother William features heavily in Spare. (Getty Images)

"Whilst we're delighted Prince Harry is a big fan, we thought we should explain we don't actually do sales. Instead, we offer great value, style, and savings all year round," the retailer told The Express.

Yahoo UK's executive royal editor  Omid Scobie  noted this was incorrect on Twitter, sharing promotional images of the retailers regular summer clearance sale.

Harry also incorrectly claimed that he was at Eton when he got the news that his great-grandmother, the Queen Mother had died in 2002. However, he was in Klosters, Switzerland on a skiing trip with his father and brother when he found out.

The duke also recalled the outfit Meghan wore for their first date at Soho House, which is at odds with Meghan's own earlier admission.

Harry described her as wearing "a black sweater, jeans, heels", but Meghan has previously said that she wore a blue dress on their first date, a segment of which was later sewn into her wedding dress as her "something blue".

Another inaccuracy that has been pointed out was that his mother, Diana, bought him an Xbox in 1997, four years before the game console was released.

However, the full extract of the passage reads: "It was an Xbox. I was pleased. I loved video games. Thats the story, anyway. Its appeared in many accounts of my life, as gospel, and I have no idea if its true."

Harry goes on to directly address the difficulties he has had with his memory  something that is can occur after a traumatic event, or when someone is suffering from anxiety and depression.

Harry was only 12 years old when his mother Diana died, and has said many of his early memories feel as though they are behind an "unscalable" wall. (Getty Images)

"Pa said Mummy hurt her head, but perhaps I was the one with brain damage?" the section continued. "As a defence mechanism, most likely, my memory was no longer recording things quite as it once did."

The Duke of Sussex also noted in Spare that many memories he has of his mother lie behind an "unscalable" wall.

"Alas, the memory lies, with a million others, on the other side of a high mental wall. Such a horrid, tantalizing feeling, to know theyre over there, just on the other side, mere inches away  but the wall is always too high, too thick. Unscalable."

Watch: The Royal Family's biggest spending sprees
The nations tax-filing season officially kicked off on Monday.

The Internal Revenue Service is now accepting and processing 2022 federal tax returns filed electronically. Taxpayers have until April 18 to file their return without requesting an extension. (Victims of severe storms in California, Georgia, and Alabama have until May 15, 2023 to file their returns.)

The IRS expects to receive more than 168 million individual tax returns this year. The fastest way to get your tax refund is by filing electronically and choosing direct deposit, according to the agency.

"Weve trained thousands of new employees to answer phones and help people. While much work remains after several difficult years, we expect people to experience improvements this tax season," Acting IRS Commissioner Doug ODonnell said in a press statement earlier this month announcing the tax-filing start date. "Thats just the start as we work to add new long-term transformation efforts that will make things even smoother in future years."

The IRS Free File program opened on Jan. 13 with participating providers accepting completed returns and holding them until Monday when they can now be filed electronically with the IRS. The program allows taxpayers who earned $73,000 or less in 2022 to file their taxes electronically at no cost using software provided by tax-filing companies.

Here are other key dates during tax-filing season you should know.

(Photo: Getty Creative)

Monday, Jan. 23

The IRS begins accepting individual electronic returns. The agency will likely receive more than 168 million tax returns, with more than 90% of those expected to be e-filed. You can file forms such as 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ electronically or mail a paper return to the agency.

The IRS generally issues refunds about three weeks after returns are electronically filed. To get your refund even faster, choose direct deposit instead of a mailed check.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Businesses and companies must provide W-2 forms to employees by Jan. 31, 2023, either electronically or by mail. Reach out to your employer if you dont receive a copy of your W-2 by early February. If your employer is not available, contact the IRS at 800-TAX-1040 for assistance.

Businesses and companies also must provide certain 1099 statements to recipients by Jan. 31, 2023, either electronically or by mail. The 1099 forms include:

1099-NEC for non-employee compensation

1099-MISC for miscellaneous income

1099-DIV for dividends and distribution

1099-INT for interest income

1099-R for retirement distributions

Reach out to your 1099 payers if you dont get your statements by early February, according to the IRS. If payers are not available, contact the IRS at 800-TAX-1040 for assistance.

(Photo: Getty Creative)

Wednesday, Feb. 15

By law, the IRS must wait until mid-February to issue tax refunds for taxpayers who claimed either the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) or the Additional Tax Credit (ACTC). If you claimed these credits, filed your return electronically, and selected direct deposit, the earliest you can expect your tax refund is Feb. 28, the IRS said, as long as there's no issue with your return.

Additionally, businesses and companies must provide brokerage 1099 statements to recipients by Feb. 15, 2023, either electronically or by mail. These forms include 1099-B (brokerage statements) and 1099-S (real estate sale or exchange). Contact your 1099 payers if you dont receive your statement by early February. Otherwise, reach out to the IRS at 800-TAX-1040 for assistance.

Wednesday, March 15

Partners and investors in partnerships should file their partnership return by this day. Partnership returns include Schedule K-1s, forms that show an individuals share of earnings, losses, and dividends. The Schedule K-1s are for the taxpayers to keep unless otherwise instructed, and taxable amounts are included in the taxpayers' returns as income.

Partnerships can request a six-month extension to file their tax returns. This request is separate from extension request for individual tax returns.

Tuesday, April 18 - Tax Day

Tax day traditionally falls on April 15, but this year that date falls on a Saturday. Typically, the next business day after April 15 is tax day, which would be April 17 this year. But that is also the District of Columbias local holiday, Emancipation Day, which the IRS observes. That means tax day this year is on April 18, which is the deadline for filing a tax return electronically (or postmarking a paper return) or requesting an automatic extension.

To get an extension, choose the option online while making your tax payment or by mailing your payment in along with Form 4868. If you request an extension, you get six additional months to file your tax return, but you still must pay any estimated tax liability by April 18.

You can also make 2022 contributions to a traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, Health Savings Accounting (HSA), or solo 401(k) by this date. You can also withdraw excess contributions if your tax return has not yet been filed.

If you have more than $10,000 in a foreign bank account(s), you must file the Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, or Form 114, by this date. If you had one or more household employees in 2022, you must file Schedule H and pay household employment taxes along with your 2022 tax return.

Taxpayers who make estimated payments should make their first installment for 2023 by April 18.

(Photo: Getty Creative)

Monday, May 15

Victims of severe storms in California, Georgia, and Alabama now have a postponed tax deadline of this date to file individual and business returns and make payments.

Thursday, June 15

U.S. taxpayers living abroad should have filed their tax returns or requested a four-month automatic extension by this date. You can request the extension by making tax payments online or mailing your payment in along with Form 4868.

Taxpayers who make estimated payments should make their second installment for 2023 by this date.

Thursday, Sept. 15

Partners and investors who requested a six-month extension to file their partnership return must file the return by this date. The partnership should also distribute Schedule K-1s to individuals by the time of filing.

Taxpayers who make estimated payments should make their third installment for 2023 by this day.

Monday, Oct. 16

If you requested a six-month extension, this is the final deadline to file your 2022 federal tax return. The deadline also applies to U.S. taxpayers living abroad who requested the four-month extension.

This is also the deadline to make 2022 contributions to SEP IRA and solo 401(k) if the employer filed an extension by April 18.

Rebecca is a reporter for Yahoo Finance.

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Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) declared a state of emergency for six counties after severe storms pummeled the state Thursday.

Ivey issued a state of emergency for Autauga, Chambers, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore and Tallapoosa counties after a series of tornadoes ripped through the state Thursday, causing damage to buildings and knocking out power for 30,000 homes, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. The tornadoes  confirmed in Autauga and Dallas counties  left four people dead and multiple injured, the Advertiser reported.

I  along with my partners at the Alabama EMA  will continue monitoring to determine if an expanded state of emergency is needed, Ivey said on Twitter. I am ready to be a helping hand to our local officials. Please continue using caution, and stay safe out there!

A series of severe storms swept the Southeast Thursday afternoon, with the National Weather Service issuing tornado watches throughout the day for parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham warned residents around noon that a large and extremely dangerous tornado was moving through the city of Selma in Dallas County, and reported significant damage to the area shortly after.

Alabama had 98 tornados in 2022 and three deaths related to the tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service.

Rep. Terri Sewell (D-Ala.) said she arrived in Selma to survey the damage Thursday and wrote in a tweet that she spoke with the White House and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate a federal response.

Im devastated and heartbroken by the tornado damage in my hometown of Selma and throughout the Black Belt, Sewell wrote on Twitter. My office has already begun coordinating a federal response.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by todays tornado in Selma, and to those who are still sheltering in place waiting out the storms, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said in a tweet. Thanks to the heroic first responders who are braving adverse conditions on the ground to help victims.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NEW YORK (AP)  Virtually everything was going right for President Biden as he opened the year.

His approval ratings were ticking up. Inflation was slowing. And as Democrats united behind his likely reelection campaign, Republicans were at war with themselves after a disappointing midterm season.

But on Thursday, Biden's political outlook veered into more uncertain territory after Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate the Democratic president's handling of classified documents.

Democrats publicly and privately conceded that the stunning development was at best an unwelcome distraction at an inopportune time that muddies the case against Donald Trump. The Republican former president is facing a special counsel of his own and is under federal criminal investigation for his handling of classified documents and other potential transgressions.

There are major differences between the two cases. Most notably, there is no suggestion that Biden purposefully tried to prevent the documents discovered at his home or office from being turned over or that he was even aware of their presence. Trump, who is being probed for potentially obstructing investigators, also had far more classified documents in his possession.

But Thursday's appointment of a special counsel nonetheless thrusts legal uncertainty over the sitting president and could revive debate among Democrats about the wisdom of him seeking a second term.

No ones going to say this is helpful, veteran Democratic strategist James Carville said. Its pretty evident thats not the case.

President Biden responds a reporters question after speaking about the economy in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House Campus, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Washington. (Andrew Harnik/AP)

As Democrats recoiled into a defensive posture, Trump's would-be Republican rivals in 2024 acknowledged that the contours of the upcoming race had shifted.

Trump is the luckiest man in American politics, said John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under Trump and is considering a Republican White House bid. This ought to be disqualifying to both of them."

Thus begins a messy election season in which the current and former presidents of the United States are both under investigation by special counsels as they gear up for a potential rematch in 2024. Many voters in both parties were already calling for a new generation of leadership to emerge in the nascent presidential contest. Such calls are now growing louder.

On many political fronts, Bidens touted 2024 campaign is potentially vulnerable, said Norman Soloman, a progressive Democrat who leads the so-called Don't Run Joe campaign, which is already running television ads against Biden in key states. Democrats and the country as a whole would be much better off this year and next if hes not running for president.

The 80-year-old president has already indicated he plans to seek a second term, but he has yet to make a final decision. His allies believe he is likely to make a formal announcement after the end of March.

So far, at least, no high-profile Democrats appear willing to challenge Biden in a prospective presidential primary contest. Privately, however, some Democratic officials believe the new federal probe may help motivate an insurgent candidate.

One of Biden's potential challengers, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, recently told The Associated Press that he would make a decision about his 2024 intentions at the appropriate time. Nina Turner, who chaired Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign, said after Thursday's announcement that she hopes a freedom-fighting progressive mounts a primary challenge against Biden in 2024.

The American people certainly deserve better choices  Republicans and Democrats, Turner said, applauding the governments decision to review Bidens handling of classified documents in the same way it's investigating Trump. We shouldn't have these men shoved down our throats.

Garland's appointment of a special counsel followed Bidens acknowledgement Thursday morning that documents with classified markings from his time as President Barack Obama's vice president were found in the garage of his Delaware home and in his personal library, in addition to documents already discovered in a locked closet at an office he used after leaving the White House.

Garland said Bidens lawyers informed the Justice Department on Thursday morning of the discovery of a classified document at Bidens home, after FBI agents first retrieved other documents from the garage in December.

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Biden said he was cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Departments review.

People know I take classified documents and classified material seriously. My Corvettes in a locked garage.President Biden

People know I take classified documents and classified material seriously, Biden said. He added: My Corvettes in a locked garage.

To be clear, there are stark differences between the cases, including the volume of documents discovered and the gravity of the ongoing grand jury investigation into the matter at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's Palm Beach, Florida, home.

Roughly 300 records with classification markings were recovered from Mar-a-Lago, a private club that hosts constant events. The search of Trumps property was the culmination of months of back-and-forth between the government and Trumps representatives, who repeatedly resisted efforts to return the missing documents. And the Justice Department says classified documents were likely concealed and removed from a storage room as part of what they allege was an effort to obstruct the federal investigation.

A warrant for the search showed the FBI was investigating crimes including the willful retention of national defense information and efforts to obstruct the federal probe.

Trump has nonetheless seized on the news, seeking to use it to undermine the investigation into his actions.

Its over, Trump said in an interview with conservative talk radio host Mark Levin on Thursday evening. When all of these documents started coming out and Biden had them, it really changed the complexion and the intensity that they were showing to me because, you know, what they did is  I dont say far worse, I did nothing wrong  what they did is not good. What they did is bad.

Some Democrats were hopeful, but not certain, that voters might distinguish between Biden's cooperative approach involving a small trove of documents he apparently possessed by mistake and what federal prosecutors described as Trump's willful obstruction of hundreds of government secrets.

Its all the difference in the world between having something you dont know you have and having something you know you have and arent supposed to have, Carville said. Is that going to get lost among a third of the country? Probably so.

Bolton, a fierce Trump critic, predicted that the significant legal differences between the two cases would "get lost in the fog. Now, he finds it hard to believe that Trump can be prosecuted for the Mar-a-Lago documents, regardless of the circumstances.

I dont see how a criminal case goes forward at this point, Bolton said. I just think its such a cloud over the prosecution.

While the ground may have shifted, Trumps legal challenges arent going to disappear.

Two months ago, Garland appointed former Justice Department public corruption prosecutor Jack Smith to lead investigations into the classified documents discovered at Mar-a-Lago as well as key aspects of a separate probe involving the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and efforts to undo the 2020 election.

Federal prosecutors have been especially focused on a scheme by Trump allies to elevate fake electors in key battleground states won by Biden as a way to subvert the vote. They issued subpoenas to multiple state Republican Party chairmen.

Democratic strategist Josh Schwerin described the latest development as certainly not ideal.

I think everyone would wish this hadnt happened, including the president, he said. But its important to keep all of this in context: Everyone views President Biden as a far more responsible figure than Donald Trump. And that cannot be forgotten.
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta during a press conference in Santa Monica on July 22, 2022. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The California Department of Justice is suing three of the nation's largest insulin makers over the high cost of the drug, which diabetics need to survive.

At a news conference Thursday announcing the lawsuit against Eli Lilly, Sanofi and Novo Nordisk, California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said the companies are finding ways to aggressively hike the price of insulin at the expense of many patients.

The lawsuit, which was filed under the state's unfair-competition law, also includes pharmacy benefit managers CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and OptumRx as defendants. The companies serve as intermediaries between insurance and pharmaceutical companies.

No company is too big to skirt the law or too large to be held accountable, Bonta said. Big Pharma might negotiate drug prices, but as your attorney general, let me be unequivocally clear. On my watch, the health and the well-being of Californians is nonnegotiable.

Arkansas, Kansas and Mississippi have filed similar lawsuits against the three insulin makers and some pharmacy benefit managers. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced last year that the state planned to manufacture its own insulin and offer it at below-market prices.

In its lawsuit, the state is seeking remedies that include barring the companies from overcharging patients and restitution for Californians who overpaid for insulin.

Bonta said he hopes the lawsuit will help push the price of insulin "much closer to the cost for production."

A 2020 Rand Corp. report found that the average manufacturer list price for a standard unit of insulin in the U.S. was $98.70. In Canada the manufacturer price was an average of $12, and in the United Kingdom it was an average of $7.52.

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for Eli Lilly said that the company "is disappointed by the California Attorney Generals false accusations."

Patients can purchase a monthly supply of insulin from Eli Lilly for $35 or less, even if they are uninsured, said the spokesperson, Daphne Dorsey. She added that "the average monthly out-of-pocket cost for Lilly insulin is $21.80, a 44 percent decrease over the last five years."

Anyone paying more than $35 a month can call the company's Diabetes Solution Center or go to insulinaffordability.com, Dorsey said.

Phil Blando, a spokesperson from CVS Caremark, said in an emailed statement that pharmaceutical companies alone set the list price for their products."

"Allegations that we play any role in determining the prices charged by manufacturers are false," Blando said. "We plan to vigorously defend against this complaint.

Isaac Sorensen, a spokesperson for Optum Rx, said in an emailed statement that pharmacy benefit managers work to reduce drug costs and that the company "welcomes the opportunity to show the California Office of the Attorney General, just as it has with other [states'] Attorneys General, how we work every day to provide people with access to affordable drugs, including insulin."

Nationwide, about 34 million people have diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5 to 10% have type 1 diabetes and need insulin to manage their blood sugar levels.

The CDC's advice to patients includes asking a doctor for a generic version of insulin and contacting the drug companies about patient assistance programs.

Some people who can't afford insulin take smaller doses than prescribed or buy it on the black market.

Kevin Wren, the outreach lead of the California chapter of #Insulin4All, said he often helps people find insulin so they do not have to ration.

I've had ketoacidosis, I've been hospitalized, have had complications, all because I ration my insulin," Wren said. "This shouldn't happen.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy, like the rest of the House Republican conference, is a faux fiscal conservative. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times)

With a Democrat inhabiting the White House, perhaps the most predictable thing about House Republicans return to power is this: Theyve rediscovered their faux fiscal conservatism.

All week members of the Republican majority have been chest-beating about how, thanks to the new House rules they devised, they will restore rectitude to federal budgeting. Income will be balanced against spending and debt reduced, just as American families have to do at their kitchen tables.

Dont take that promise to the bank. Itll bounce. And not because Republicans are up against the supposedly profligate Democrats who control the White House and Senate. As we begin whats sure to be a chaotic two years of Republican governance in the House, a little fiscal history is in order, no green eyeshades needed.

In short, Republicans forfeited the title "fiscal conservatives" so long ago, most Americans weren't even born yet.

A fiscal conservative advocates for small government and low taxes but is open to higher taxes if necessary to erase deficits. That kind of thinking defined the Republican Party for most of the 20th century.

Starting with the Reagan era, however, the party flipped its orthodoxy on its head: Republicans became so anti-tax that each time their party took power, they willfully drove up deficits in the higher cause of slashing taxes for businesses and the rich. And each time, Republicans claims that the tax cuts would pay for themselves (economic growth!) were disproved by the record  Reagans,George W. Bushs and Donald Trumps.

Yet to hear House Republicans lately, youd think Democrats and a few RINOs were responsible for the entire $31-trillion gross federal debt. Heck, were still paying on debt from Bushs administration, when, for six of his eight years, Republicans also controlled Congress. Republicans red ink, which quickly washed away a budget surplus Bush had inherited, flowed largely from tax cuts, an unnecessary war in Iraq and a big, unfunded domestic program, Medicare Part D, to cover seniors prescription drugs.

Democrats for years had wanted to add a drug benefit for older Americans, but were stymied by the cost; in 1990, theyd agreed with the first President Bush (a fiscal conservative, mostly) that new tax cuts or spending on entitlement programs like Medicare would be paid for with separate spending cuts or tax increases. The second Bush and his Republican allies simply got rid of the rule, so they could cut taxes and enact Part D, deficits be damned. (As Vice President Dick Cheney famously said, deficits didnt matter anymore.)

Democrats, in true fiscally conservative fashion, revived the pay as you go rule when they regained power in Congress. President Obamas Affordable Care Act was mostly paid for with spending cuts and new taxes on businesses that stood to benefit from additional paying patients. When Trump was elected and Republicans took charge again, those taxes were repealed, adding some Obamacare debt to the nations tab and once again rendering Republican claims to fiscal rectitude hollow.

That move was responsible for just a fraction of the debt were now shouldering from Trumps tenure. Lest the former presidents defenders rush to argue that he was blindsided by a costly pandemic, know this: Before COVID-19 struck, Trump and a Republican-controlled Congress had piled up nearly $5 trillion in debt, projected over a decade, from both higher spending and tax cuts. Thats according to the (truly) fiscally conservative Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

Trump left behind almost $8 trillion in total debt after four years, more than either the second Bush or Obama did in each mans eight years as president, as the conservative Manhattan Institute found.

Did the purported deficit-hawk Republicans now running the House complain? Of course not. On that, like any other outrage of the Trump years, they were silent. And complicit.

But theyve found their voices now that Joe Biden is president, although their tough talk goes only so far: Tax cuts dont have to be paid for under the new Republican rules, which require that only of some new spending.

Three times during Trumps term, Republicans quietly went along in raising the federal debt limit, so that the government could keep borrowing to cover costs that they, along with past presidents and Congresses, had run up on the nations credit card. No drama, no conditions. Yet even before House Republicans won power in the midterm elections, they were promising to hold the debt limit hostage unless Biden and Democrats would agree to huge spending cuts.

Were not just going to keep lifting your credit card limit, right? then-minority leader and now Speaker Kevin McCarthy said in October.

Your credit card, says the man whos been a member of Congress for 16 years, and in the House Republican leadership for 14. Over time, he voted for countless unfunded tax cuts and more spending than hed admit to.

Raising the debt limit doesnt add a cent to deficits and debt; it merely ensures that the government can pay existing bills. But refusing to raise it could be catastrophic, for the nation and for a global economy that relies on the United States for a stable dollar. When House Republicans seriously flirted with blocking a debt ceiling increase in 2011, under Obama, the threat rocked markets.

To play this game again would be the most fiscally irresponsible and least fiscally conservative thing that Republicans could do. But as history warns us, dont put it past them. They're fiscal fakers.

@jackiekcalmes

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Protestors march on the streets around Montefiore Medical Center during a nursing strike, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in the Bronx borough of New York. A nursing strike that has disrupted patient care at two of New York City's largest hospitals has entered its third day. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Even as 7,000 nurses return to work at two of New Yorks busiest hospitals after a three-day strike, colleagues around the country say its just a matter of time before frontline workers at other hospitals begin walking the picket line.

Problems are mounting at hospitals across the nation as they try to deal with widespread staffing shortages, overworked nurses beaten down by the pandemic and a busted pipeline of new nurses.

That's led to nurses juggling dangerously high caseloads, said Michelle Collins, dean at the college of nursing and health at Loyola University New Orleans.

Theres no place thats immune from whats happening with the nursing shortage, Collins said. Its everywhere.

Union leaders say the tentative contract agreement ending the strike by nurses at Mount Sinai Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center, each privately owned, nonprofit hospitals that hold over 1,000 beds in New York City, will relieve chronic short staffing and boost pay by 19% over three years.

The walkout, which ended Thursday, was just the latest dispute between nurses and their employers.

Last year, six unions representing a total of 32,000 nurses launched strikes outside of hospital systems around the country, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Those strikes represented about a quarter of all the major strikes in the U.S. last year, an increase from the year before.

Describing hospital environments where nurses are unable to take breaks because they are assigned too many patients  some of whom are pleading for care from frontline workers  the president of the American Nurses Association, Dr. Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, said some nurses may think their only option is to strike.

Nurses dont feel like their voices have been heard with this exact topic, she told The Associated Press Wednesday. Nurses are now feeling like they need to strike. That could continue.

In California, nurse unions at two hospitals are likely to strike this year when their contract expires, said former nurse Peter Sidhu, who now works for the state union. Sidhu, who fields objections from nurses across the state who say their caseloads are unsafe, has received 7,000 such complaints in Los Angeles County hospitals since December. He said objections have at least doubled since before the pandemic began.

What Ive seen is that in areas where weve traditionally had good staffing, even they are getting bombarded with patients and a lack of resources, Sidhu said.

Nurse shortages were plaguing some hospitals years before COVID-19 hit, and signs of a crisis loomed, with a large swath of the workforce nearing retirement age.

A policy brief from the Department of Health and Human Services last year found that over half of nurses were over the age of 50, a much higher percentage compared with the overall U.S. labor workforce, where only a quarter of people are 55 or older.

Aspiring nurses are lining up to replace those retirees but even that silver lining has hit a snag, with widespread faculty shortages at nursing colleges. In 2021, nearly 92,000 qualified nursing school applicants were denied entry into a program, largely because of a shortage of educators, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

The American Nurses Association asked Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to declare the nursing shortage a national crisis in late 2021.

Nurses have remained steadfast on the front lines since the beginning of the pandemic, while overcoming challenges, risks to their personal health and safety such as limited personal protective equipment and the physical, emotional and mental health burden of the COVID-19 virus, the associations president at the time wrote in a letter to the secretary.

Becerra hasnt declared a crisis but has met with association and other health care leaders to discuss the shortage.

Nurses are an essential part of our nations health care system, Becerra said in a statement Friday to The Associated Press. "Supporting nurses and other frontline health professionals providing care in our communities is critical to improving our nations health and wellbeing.

The federal agency has pumped more money into its National Health Service Corps program, which covers student tuition for health workers who serve in high-need communities. Since 2019, the program has nearly doubled the number of nurses and nurse faculty it sponsors.

This has been an ongoing issue for a while, Mensik Kennedy said Wednesday. We really need to work collaboratively with Congress and our health care system to address these issues. Nurses cant solve these issues by ourselves.

The number of nurses working in the profession is starting to rebound to pre-pandemic levels, said Dave Auerbach, the director of research at the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission.

But hospitals, especially, are still struggling to lure those nurses back to working in their wards, he noted.

That sounds like more of an issue of the attractiveness of the working conditions of the jobs, Auerbach said. Some of it is outside of the control of the hospitals in those jobs.

Sidhu left his job as an ICU nurse last year when a third COVID surge struck, after being among the first to volunteer for the COVID unit when the pandemic hit.

Hes noticed a cultural shift in the profession. Fewer nurses want to work 12-hour shifts, multiple days a week. Many are taking jobs at clinics, where weekend or overnight shifts arent required. Others have moved to jobs in telehealth, working from the comfort of their home.

Some are simply burnt out from working in a hospital.

Prior to the pandemic, I knew every once and a while, Im going to have a bad night, Sidhu said. Now, every time you walk into the facility, youre not just worried about what patients youre going to have  now you have four (patients) and you know youre not going to have resources.

Still, strong interest in the profession led Loyola University New Orleans to start an accelerated program this year aimed at second-career students who already have a bachelors degree.

April Hamilton, a 55-year-old food writer, cooking teacher and mother from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will walk into her first class when that new nursing program starts Tuesday.

Shes read the headlines about staffing shortages and stressful working conditions in hospitals. Shes also seen the tough work nurses do firsthand: Four years ago, she was in the hospital around-the-clock when her daughter spent 40 days in the intensive care unit, recovering from a fall that resulted in an amputated hand and 20 surgeries.

Witnessing my daughters miracle fuels me, Hamilton said. Im ready. I want to be part of the solution.
Protesters, supporters of Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro, sit in front of police after inside Planalto Palace after storming it, in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023. Planalto is the official workplace of the president of Brazil. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

SALVADOR, Brazil (AP)  Thousands of Brazilians who support former president Jair Bolsonaro invaded the Supreme Court, presidential palace and Congress on Jan. 8 in an episode that closely resembled the U.S. Capitol insurrection in 2021. The groups were able to break through police barricades along the capital Brasilias main boulevard and storm the buildings, damage furniture, smash windows and destroy artworks. As they unleashed chaos in the capital, Bolsonaro was holed up in Florida, home to his ally, former U.S. President Donald Trump. The incident sparked accusations that Bolsonaro's actions stoked the flames of dissent and ultimately produced the uprising.

WHO ARE THESE PROTESTERS, AND WHAT DO THEY WANT?

The protesters are hardcore Bolsonaro supporters, some of whom have been camped outside a military headquarters in Brasilia since Bolsonaro lost the Oct. 30 presidential election and reject the races results. Others traveled to Brasilia for the weekend on buses. They have been demanding military intervention to oust newly inaugurated President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, alleging he is a thief who will lead the country into communism, and restore Bolsonaro to power.

HOW DID BRAZIL GET TO THIS POINT?

Throughout his administration, Bolsonaro trained fire at Supreme Court justices for opening investigations targeting him and his allies. He repeatedly singled out Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who presided over the electoral authority during the election, and at one point pushed Brazil to the brink of an institutional crisis by threatening to disobey any of de Moraes' future rulings.

Bolsonaro also sowed doubt about the reliability of Brazil's electronic voting machines, then declined to concede defeat. After his loss, he largely vanished from view, though he addressed his supporters once to tell them they had the power in their hands and that he controls the armed forces. His supporters maintained hope Bolsonaro or the armed forces would lead an intervention to overturn the results.

WHAT HAS BOLSONARO CLAIMED ABOUT THE VOTING SYSTEM AND ELECTIONS?

Bolsonaro insisted the electronic voting system should feature a printed receipt in order to enable audits, but Congress' Lower House in 2021 voted down his proposal for that change and electoral authorities say the results can already be verified. Security experts consider electronic voting less secure than hand-marked paper ballots because they leave no auditable paper trail. Brazils system is, however, closely scrutinized and domestic authorities and international observers have never found evidence of it being exploited to commit fraud since its adoption in 1996.

After the 2022 elections, 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 machines lacked individual identification numbers in their internal logs. The request didnt say how the bug might affect results, and independent experts said that it would not undermine reliability in any way. The electoral authority's president swiftly dismissed the request and imposed a multi-million dollar fine on the party for what he called a bad-faith effort.

WHAT ARE BOLSONAROS TIES TO TRUMP AND HIS ALLIES?

Former U.S. President Donald Trump was one of Bolsonaros few foreign allies and Bolsonaro often exalted his American counterparts leadership, even posting photos of himself watching Trumps addresses.

Bolsonaro and his lawmaker son Eduardo visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and both attended dinners at the house of Steve Bannon. The longtime Trump ally amplified Bolsonaro's claims about the electronic voting system before the October vote and, after the Jan. 8 uprising in Brasilia, called the protesters Brazilian freedom fighters in a video on social media.

Eduardo Bolsonaro has repeatedly attended the Conservative Political Action Conference in the U.S., positioning himself as the international face of the right-wing movement led by his father and making inroads with his American counterparts. Jason Miller, the former Trump campaign strategist, also met with Eduardo in Brazil. On the eve of the Jan. 6 insurrection in the U.S. Capitol, Eduardo was in Washington, and met with Ivanka Trump and My Pillow chief executive Mike Lindell.

After Trump lost his reelection bid, then-President Bolsonaro waited five weeks before recognizing Joe Bidens victory and was one of the final world leaders to do so.

WHY IS BOLSONARO IN THE U.S.?

Bolsonaro flew to Florida two days before Lulas Jan. 1 inauguration, when the outgoing president traditionally bestows the presidential sash to his successor. Instead, Bolsonaro took up temporary residence in the home of a Brazilian former mixed martial arts fighter outside Orlando. He hasnt specified the reasons for his departure, and analysts have speculated it marks an attempt to avoid potential prosecution in connection with several ongoing investigations targeting him, blame from backers for not mobilizing the armed forces or responsibility for his supporters actions.
Google argued that if the Supreme Court rules to scale back a liability shield for internet companies, the decision could lead to more censorship and hate speech online, according to a brief filed Thursday.

The filing showcases Googles argument in a case facing the high court that centers around Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a controversial provision that protects companies from being sued over content posted by third parties.

Gutting Section 230  would upend the internet and perversely encourage both wide-ranging suppression of speech and the proliferation of more offensive speech, the filing states.

Sites with resources to take down objectionable content could become beholden to hecklers vetoes, removing anything anyone found objectionable, while other sides could take the see-no-evil approach and disable filtering to avoid any interference of constructive knowledge of third-party content, the company argued.

The case is based on allegations against Google raised by the family of Nohemi Gonzalez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen killed in a 2015 Islamic State Terror Attack in France. Gonzalezs family alleges Google-owned video-sharing site YouTube provided a platform for terrorist content and recommended content inciting violence and recruiting potential Islamic State supporters through YouTubes recommendation algorithm.

At the crux of the case is a question of whether Section 230 protects Google against the allegations.

Oral arguments before the Supreme Court are scheduled for Feb. 21.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have been pushing for reforms to Section 230, but for different reasons, meaning there is likely to be little consensus by way of policy reform.

President Biden doubled down on his calls to reform Section 230 in an op-ed published in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday.

Democrats argue the provision leads to more hate speech and misinformation online, since it protects tech platforms from being legally responsible for such content. Meanwhile, Republicans argue it allows platforms to censor content with anti-conservative biases.

The Justice Department filed a brief in the case last month warning the Supreme Court against an overly broad interpretation of Section 230. The department argued that the provision protects YouTube over liability for hosting or failing to remove ISIS-related content, but not over claims based on YouTubes own conduct in designing and implementing its targeted-recommendation algorithms.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly does not have COVID-19 and received a false positive test Tuesday, her office said in a news release Thursday evening.

On Tuesday afternoon, Kellys office announced the 72-year-old governor had tested positive for COVID-19 and had mild symptoms following several events for her second term inauguration.

The office postponed Kellys annual State of the State address, originally scheduled for Wednesday, until Jan. 24 and said the governor was self-isolating.

In a new statement Thursday afternoon, Kellys office said the governor has since received several negative test results and has determined, in consultation with her physician and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, that she does not have COVID-19.

Kelly will return to in-person work at her office in the Capitol on Friday, her staff said. The State of the State address will still take place on Jan. 24.

After receiving a positive result on a COVID test, Governor Kelly followed all protocols by self-isolating at home while continuing to work, State Health Officer Joan Duwve said in a statement. With the increased time indoors this winter, anytime Kansans are not feeling well they should follow the infection prevention protocols, get tested for respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 or influenza, and stay home until they are no longer experiencing symptoms.
As the new Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy may well be giddy with the news of classified documents being found in a former office used by President Biden, as well as in his Delaware home.

But as the news broke Thursday of the second batch having been discovered, another development occurred that undercuts one of McCarthys main talking points in these early days of the 118th Congress.

McCarthy was irate last year when Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate the hundreds of classified documents that were recovered at former President Trumps estate in Florida. He called it the weaponization of federal law enforcement with the intent to discredit Trump and Republicans. And McCarthy promised to create a congressional panel to examine Garlands actions.

Attorney General Garland: preserve your documents and clear your calendar. pic.twitter.com/dStAjnwbAT  Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) August 9, 2022

That panel has just been created. McCarthy posted on social media a check mark for the box listing that to-do.

Promises made. Promises kept.

Voted to repeal the army of 87,000 IRS agents

Established a Select Committee on China

Created a Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government



And this is only Day 2 of the House Republican majority. pic.twitter.com/VXx1xC6TCx  Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) January 11, 2023

On Thursday, Garland appointed a special counsel to now look into Bidens possession of classified documents  materials that should not have been stored at his Washington, D.C. office or at his residence. The special counsel, Robert K. Hur, is a prosecutor who worked in the Trump administration.

Garland is a Democrat who was nominated by Biden. And yet Garland appointed the counsel to look into matters involving his boss, the president.

Opinion

Hows that for weaponization?

Until more is known about the documents that Biden had, McCarthy and his fellow Republicans in the House run the risk of engaging in false equivalency. Namely, that Trumps sin of improper records possession is no worse than Bidens.

Not so fast.

Public records

The law is clear on what it requires presidents to do with documents generated during their tenure. Under the Presidential Records Act of 1978, any records created or received by the President as part of his constitutional, statutory, or ceremonial duties are the property of the United States government. The act says such documents are to be given to the National Archives once a term is completed.

So removal of documents to a private location is not allowed, and in fact can be a criminal violation. Trump is under investigation now for that very possibility.

That Biden had confidential documents in his possession outside of the National Archives is also wrong, just as it was with Trump. But it is premature to say Bidens transgression is just as bad as Trumps, or that Trumps is no worse than what Biden did. Lets break it down:

Alerting on discovery: After he left the vice presidency following the Obama administration, Biden set up an office in downtown Washington, D.C. It was during a cleaning out of that office last fall that an attorney working for Biden discovered the government materials. CNN says 10 documents were marked classified in a folder labeled personal. The lawyer then contacted the National Archives to inform it of the discovery.

The finding occurred on Nov. 2, six days before the general election. It did not become public until Monday.

Then in late December Bidens representatives reported finding a second set of documents, this time in his garage.

Bottom line: Biden is taking the lead on reporting the discovery of the records and is cooperating with the National Archives.

In Trumps case, staff at the archives office realized it did not have all the records it should have once he left the White House, and had to repeatedly engage with the former presidents representatives to get those materials. Trump turned over some boxes, and archives staff found documents marked top secret and confidential and alerted the Justice Department. Other materials that were missing forced a subsequent raid of Trumps residence.

Degree of difference: In Bidens case, 10 documents from his time as Obamas vice president were in a folder found in a locked closet in the D.C. office. The materials discovered in his garage are yet to be described.

Trumps case, by comparison, involves hundreds of documents, both rated top secret and confidential. Using a court-approved subpoena sought by the Justice Department, FBI agents found sensitive materials in different areas at the Mar-a-Lago residence.

Why and why not a raid: The reason there was no raid on Bidens D.C. office is that his own lawyer made the National Archives aware of the missing documents.

Trump, by contrast, resisted the National Archives efforts to get his records. CNN sums up Trumps approach this way: At various points, Trump denied he had the material, claimed it was planted by the bureau (FBI), insisted that he owned it or ludicrously suggested he had simply declassified it with a private thought.

A grand jury subpoena led to an initial search in June of 2022. Then the FBI was tipped that not all materials had been handed over at Mar-a-Lago. That led to the raid.

What McCarthy should care about

Neither Trump nor Biden, nor any other federal elected official, have a right to government records generated during their times of service. Those belong to the American people.

So it is proper for McCarthy to criticize Biden over the documents he had. But McCarthy should equally criticize Trump. McCarthys highest concern should be the integrity of government records, not the standing of the former president.

As a House speaker, he should be better than he is, but he wont be. His one-dimensional partisanship always bends toward fealty to Trump, demonstrating that McCarthy is as an unfit speaker as Trump was as an unfit president.
China's science-based COVID response effective, Western criticism untenable: experts

Xinhua) 09:36, January 13, 2023

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Through science-based adjustments to its COVID-19 response policies, China has won wide acclaim from scholars both at home and abroad.

Lawrence Loh, director of the Center for Governance and Sustainability at the National University of Singapore, said that China's epidemic prevention measures are well-calibrated and are poised to lead China into the next era of development and advancement.

China has made an array of active adjustments in its COVID response, including announcing 20 measures in November and 10 new measures in December in 2022, and changing the Chinese term for COVID-19 from "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection."

Since Jan. 8, 2023, China has been managing COVID-19 with measures designed for combating Class B infectious diseases, instead of Class A infectious diseases.

Speaking of the attitude of certain Western countries toward the Chinese mainland's epidemic response policies, Jieh Wen-chieh, a commentator from China's Taiwan region, pointed out in a television interview that Western criticism is motivated by the intention of sowing trouble in China.

Jieh said that the Chinese mainland has been adhering to the principle of science-based epidemic control.

Considering its population, said Jieh, the Chinese mainland's performance in COVID response is the best in the world. "You will come to this conclusion if you look at the statistics (of the countries) with better resources, more advanced medical technologies and smaller populations," Jieh said.

Jieh expressed his disappointment at reports by certain Western media outlets.

"When the Chinese mainland's science-based epidemic prevention and control measures were stringent, Western media outlets rallied together to criticize them," Jieh said. Now, he pointed out, those media outlets are doing the same thing with the measures being optimized. "It is very weird," he added.

In Jieh's opinion, the recent restrictions imposed by some Western countries targeting only Chinese tourists are unnecessary. "They harbor malicious intentions from the very beginning," Jieh said. "Certain Western countries only want to believe that the Chinese mainland is doing a worse job on COVID response than them."

In a period of about three years, China was able to dodge the havoc of the more deadly Delta variant and other variants, reducing its rates of severe cases and mortality, and protecting people's lives and health to the greatest extent possible.

John Ross, a British scholar, spoke highly of China's endeavors in saving lives during the epidemic.

In a recent column, Ross, who is currently a senior fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies of the Renmin University of China and a former director of economic and business policy for the mayor of London, noted that the average life expectancy of Chinese people in 2021, which is 78.2 years, is significantly higher than the 76.4 years of people in the United States.

Ross said that China has vastly outperformed the West, not only in terms of saving lives but also in terms of economic results, with the facts showing that China's economy has slowed but still boasted a much better performance than the West. In particular, China has escaped the severe stagflationary crisis that struck the United States and the European Union.

"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," Ross penned.

China's average annual economic growth rate over the past three years was approximately 4.5 percent, higher than the global average and making an important contribution to global economic growth.

Today, the COVID situation in the world's second largest economy is improving and some provinces and cities have already passed their infection peaks, and life and work are returning to normal at an accelerated pace.

Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, said the Chinese economy will likely witness a robust recovery and upward trajectory, benefiting many countries across the globe.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
New documents show the Covington Independent Public Schools superintendent criticized a teacher, who was named Miss Kentucky 2022 and elected to the local school board, as he notified her her teaching contract would not be renewed.

Miss Kentucky 2022 Hannah Edelen was elected to the Covington Independent Public Schools board in November after Superintendent Alvin Garrison would not renew her teaching contract.

But both Edelen and Garrison told the Herald-Leader that they are now ready to work as a team.

In a May 18, 2022 letter notifying Edelen her contract would not be renewed, Garrison wrote that she demonstrated a lack of professionalism; poor work ethic and work attitude; lack of respect for co-workers; as well as failure or inability to follow established policies and procedures as a teacher at Holmes Middle School during the 2021-22 school year, WCPO reported Tuesday. WCPO also published Edelens personnel records in its report.

Edelens personnel file contained positive reviews of her job performance from other staff, including one from the end of the 2021-22 school year before her contract wasnt renewed, according to the documents.

Ms. Edelen is a very outgoing teacher with a vibrant personality. She is infectious with her positivity toward our students at HMS. Her classroom is highly structured, challenging and she has high expectations for all students. Ms. Edelen is an asset to the HMS staff, her summative evaluation said.

The evaluators name was blacked out in documents received by WCPO.

Edelen is one of five elected Covington school board members that now have supervisory responsibility for the superintendent.

Garrison told the Herald-Leader that it is the policy of the Covington Independent Schools not to publicly comment on matters of personnel.

We value the unique talents and perspectives that each elected board official brings to the table, and as District employees we are excited to work with the Board as a team in furtherance of the educational mission of the School District, Garrison said.

Edelen told the Herald-Leader that I am proud of my work at Holmes Middle School, and am confident that my very positive performance reviews provide the more accurate picture of my time with the school district. I love teaching, I love children, and I remain grateful for the opportunity I had to teach in Covington.

As I step into my new role, I bring valuable experience as an educator and doctoral student and will use these experiences to work towards creating bold and bright futures for the incredible kids of Covington. Im enthusiastic about this work and look forward to collaborating as a team, Edelen said.

Edelen said she ended her time at Holmes Middle School at May 2022.

She filed for election to the school board June 7. She was crowned Miss Kentucky June 18, 2022.

Contract non-renewal

In one case, Garrison said in a letter that Edelen used sick days for a trip to Washington D.C. that were unrelated to her duties. Edelen responded in a letter  posted on the WCPO website  that she had permission from her principal to attend the Cherry Blossom Festival representing Kentucky.

It appears that you have been provided with a significant amount of false information, Edelen said in her response to Garrison.

She said that Garrisons letter was at best, an inaccurate representation of my work ethic, attitude, respect with others, and my following of procedures, and, at worst, an attempt to slanderously discredit an educator with whom you disagree, with manipulated and false information to substantiate a non-renewal.
FILE - Tetsuya Yamagami, the alleged assassin of Japan's former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, exits a police station in Nara, western Japan, on July 10, 2022, on his way to local prosecutors' office. Yamagami is expected to face murder charges Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, in Japan's highest profile case in recent years. (Nobuki Ito/Kyodo News via AP, File)

TOKYO (AP)  Japanese prosecutors are expected to formally charge the suspect in the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with murder on Friday, his lawyer said.

Tetsuya Yamagami was arrested immediately after allegedly shooting Abe with a handmade gun as the former leader was making a campaign speech in July outside a train station in Nara in western Japan. Later that month, Yamagami was sent to an Osaka detention center and given a five-month mental evaluation, which ended Tuesday.

Yamagami is now back in police custody in Nara after reportedly being deemed fit to stand trial.

One of his lawyers, Masaaki Furukawa, told The Associated Press on Thursday that he expects prosecutors to charge Yamagami with murder and gun control law violations.

Given the complexity of the case, it will take months before his trial begins, he said.

Furukawa said he and two other lawyers took turns visiting Yamagami at the detention center every 10-12 days, in between his examination by psychiatric experts. His visitors were limited to his lawyers and sister, he said.

Furukawa said Yamagami was in good health at the detention center. He said he could not disclose the details of their conversations before seeing what evidence prosecutors submit to the court in their indictment.

Police say Yamagami told them that he killed Abe, one of Japan's most influential and divisive politicians, because of Abe's apparent links to a religious group that he hated. In his statements and in social media postings attributed to him, Yamagami said he developed a grudge because his mother had made massive donations to the Unification Church which bankrupted his family and ruined his life.

It's an extremely serious case, but someone has to defend him, Furukawa said. Naturally, he will have to take criminal responsibility for the serious consequences he caused by allegedly firing his gun to take away the life of a politician, and we are tasked with doing our best to reduce his punishment.

Yamagami's father, an executive of a company founded by the suspects grandfather, killed himself when Yamagami was 4 years old. After his mother joined the church, she began making large donations that bankrupted the family and shattered Yamagamis hope of going to college. His brother later committed suicide. After a three-year stint in the navy, Yamagami was most recently a factory worker.

Some Japanese have expressed sympathy for Yamagami, especially those who also suffered as children of followers of the South Korea-based Unification Church, which is known for pressuring adherents into making big donations and is considered a cult in Japan.

Thousands of people have signed a petition requesting leniency for Yamagami, and others have sent care packages to his relatives or the detention center.

The investigation into the case has led to revelations of years of cozy ties between Abes governing Liberal Democratic Party and the church since Abe's grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, helped the church take root in Japan in the 1960s over shared interests in conservative and anti-communist causes.

Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas popularity has plunged over his handling of the church controversy and for insisting on holding a rare, controversial state funeral for Abe.

In a September 2021 video message, Abe praised the Unification Churchs work for peace on the Korean Peninsula and its focus on traditional family values.
The US government has reportedly passed on buying more HoloLens-based AR combat goggles from Microsoft after discovering the current version has some kinks to work out, according to Bloomberg. So instead of ordering more of the current model, the government approved $40 million for Microsoft to develop a new version.

The updated combat goggles will address test results from last year when 70 soldiers wore the current version during three 72-hour scenarios simulating combat conditions. The results showed that the soldiers suffered headaches, eyestrain and nausea and that the system had too many failures of essential functions. In addition, more than 80 percent of soldiers who reported discomfort began experiencing it less than three hours into the 72 hours test.

The Army had initially requested $400 million to buy up to 6,900 pairs of the goggles as part of the $1.75 trillion government funding bill. Instead, Congress approved $40 million from that sum to develop the new version. The Army has already given Microsoft $125 million to create a revised model, and it still plans to spend up to $21.9 billion over the next decade for as many as 121,000 devices.

Engadget showroom photography of the HoloLens 2 AR headset.

The Department of Defense contract has significantly boosted Microsofts ability to profit from its AR device. Before working with the DoD, the company had marketed the headset for enterprise manufacturing, training and other industrial purposes. Although Microsoft has hinted at an eventual consumer version of HoloLens, the company hasnt yet announced any specifics  and its plans are hazier after the company has reportedly struggled to form a coherent strategy for its headset.
CORRECTS DAY OF WEEK TO THURSDAY, NOT WEDNESDAY - A vehicle is upended and debris is strewn about follow a tornado near Meadowview elementary school Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 in Selma Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

SELMA, Ala. (AP)  A giant, swirling storm system billowing across the South on Thursday killed at least six people in central Alabama, where a tornado ripped roofs off homes and uprooted trees in historic Selma, while another person was killed in Georgia, where severe winds knocked out power to tens of thousands of people.

In Autauga County, Alabama, 41 miles (66 kilometers) northeast of Selma, at least six fatalities were confirmed and an estimated 40 to 50 homes were damaged or destroyed by storms that cut a strip across the county, said Ernie Baggett, the countys emergency management director.

At least 12 people were injured severely enough to be taken to hospitals by emergency responders, Baggett told The Associated Press, adding that he didnt know the extent of their injuries. He said crews were focused Thursday evening on cutting through downed trees to look for people who may need help.

There are some houses that were completely destroyed that havent been searched yet, Autauga County Coroner Buster Barber said late Thursday, adding that crews are still in the process of searching through rubble.

In Georgia, a passenger died when a tree fell on a vehicle in Jackson during the storm, Butts County Coroner Lacey Prue said. In the same county southeast of Atlanta, the storm appeared to have knocked a freight train off its tracks, officials said.

Nationwide, there were 33 separate tornado reports Thursday from the National Weather Service as of Thursday evening, with a handful of tornado warnings still in effect in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. However, the reports were not yet confirmed and some of them could later be classified as wind damage after assessments are done in coming days.

In Selma, a city etched in the history of the civil rights movement, a tornado cut a wide path through the downtown area, where brick buildings collapsed, oak trees were uprooted, cars were on their side and power lines were left dangling. Plumes of thick, black smoke rose over the city from a fire burning. It wasn't immediately known whether the storm caused the blaze.

Selma Mayor James Perkins said no fatalities have been reported, but several people were seriously injured. First responders were continuing to assess the damage and officials hoped to get an aerial view of the city Friday morning.

We have a lot of downed power lines," he said. "There is a lot of danger on the streets.

With widespread power outages, the Selma City Council held a meeting on the sidewalk, using lights from cellphones, to declare an official state of emergency. A high school was opened as a shelter, officials said.

Mattie Moore was among Selma residents who were picking up boxed meals offered by a charity downtown.

Thank God that were here. Its like something you see on TV, Moore said of all the destruction.

A city of about 18,000 people, Selma is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of the Alabama capital city of Montgomery. It was a flashpoint of the civil rights movement and where Alabama state troopers viciously attacked Black people advocating for voting rights as they marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965.

After the tornado passed, Krishun Moore emerged from her home to the sound of children crying and screaming. She and her mother encouraged the kids to keep screaming until they found the two of them on top of the roof of a damaged apartment. She estimated the kids were about 1 and 4 years old. Both of them are OK, she said through Facebook messenger.

Malesha McVay drove parallel to the tornado with her family. She said it got less than a mile (less than 2 kilometers) from her home before suddenly turning.

We stopped and we prayed. We followed it and prayed, she said. It was a 100% God thing that it turned right before it hit my house.

She took video of the giant twister, which would turn black as it swept away home after home.

It would hit a house, and black smoke would swirl up, she said. It was very terrifying.

Former state Sen. Hank Sanders said the twister hit our house, but not head-on."

It blew out windows in the bedroom and in the living room," he said. "It is raining through the roof in the kitchen.

About 40,000 customers were without power in Alabama on Thursday night, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide. In Georgia, about 86,000 customers were without electricity after the storm system carved a path across a tier of counties just south of Atlanta.

The storm hit in Griffin, south of Atlanta, with winds damaging a shopping area, local news outlets reported. A Hobby Lobby store partially lost its roof, and at least one car was flipped in the parking lot of a nearby Walmart.

Damage was also reported west of downtown Atlanta in Douglas County and Cobb County, with Cobb County government posting a damage report showing a crumbled cinder block wall at a warehouse in suburban Austell.

In Kentucky, the National Weather Service in Louisville confirmed that an EF-1 tornado struck Mercer County and said crews were surveying damage in a handful of other counties.

Three factors  a natural La Nina weather cycle, warming of the Gulf of Mexico likely related to climate change and a decades-long shift of tornadoes from the west to east  came together to make Thursdays tornado outbreak unusual and damaging, said Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University who studies tornado trends.

The La Nina, a cooling of parts of the Pacific that changes weather worldwide, was a factor in making a wavy jet stream that brought a cold front through, Gensini said. But thats not enough for a tornado outbreak. Whats needed is moisture.

Normally the air in the Southeast is fairly dry this time of year but the dew point was twice what is normal, likely because of unusually warm water in the Gulf of Mexico, which is likely influenced by climate change. That moisture hit the cold front and everything was in place, Gensini said.



Associated Press writers Alina Hartounian in Phoenix, Arizona; Jeff Amy in Atlanta; Seth Borenstein in Denver; Rebecca Reynolds in Louisville, Kentucky; Christopher Weber in Los Angeles; and photographer Butch Dill in Selma, Alabama, contributed to this report.
A vacationer returning from a cruise to the Bahamas was met by a federal agent in Florida who searched his iPhone and found child pornography images, prosecutors said.

The agents search of the Virginia mans phone after the commercial ship docked at Port Canaveral on Sept. 9, 2021 was part of a border search  leading investigators to find more than 4,500 images and videos of child sex abuse and bestiality, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Now a judge has sentenced Christopher Michael Ratten, 32, of Stafford to seven years in federal prison, the office announced in a Jan. 12 news release. This comes after officials said he pleaded guilty to transporting child sex abuse imagery in October.

Several of the images found on his phone involved the abuse of infants or toddlers, according to prosecutors.

Ratten fed his perversion through a vast and rapidly growing collection of explicit images and videos of children and animals being sexually abused, Homeland Security Investigations Orlando Assistant Special Agent in Charge David J. Pezzutti said in a statement.

Rattens attorney Eric Barker told McClatchy News in a statement on Jan. 12 that they are happy the judge issued a sentence that was below the recommended guidelines in this case.

Rattens sentencing guidelines had previously been set at between 10 and and 12.5 years in prison, court documents show.

Barker said his client has no prior criminal history, extremely strong family support, and was found to not present a heightened risk of harm or danger to the community.

In asking the government for a lesser sentence, Barker acknowledged that theres evidence his client asked an unspecified individual for Black lesbian child pornography and was sent videos of infants and toddlers instead, according to a sentencing memo.

He also argued a psychosexual evaluation of Ratten revealed he showed no interest at all in males of any age or girls under the age of 14, the memo states in part.

The only sexual interest exhibited was of postpubescent adolescent females and adult females, the sentencing memo also said.

Ultimately, a doctor diagnosed him with pedophilic disorder based on the photos discovered on his phone, according to the sentencing memo.

While Rattens family members wrote letters to the judge in defense of his character, with his uncle calling his actions a mistake, according to the sentencing memorandum, agent Pezzutti described him as a predator.

Priest caught with child porn left his nude photos on Missouri church printer, feds say

Student asked to perform pornographic monologue in class, parents say. Theyre suing

Christian college dean had more than 500 pictures, videos of child porn, feds say

Youth pastor groomed underage girls who attended church functions for kids, feds say
Tesla nears deal to build production facilities in Indonesia -Bloomberg News FILE PHOTO: Tesla China-made Model 3 vehicles are seen during a delivery event at its factory in Shanghai

(Reuters) - Tesla Inc is nearing a preliminary deal to build production facilities in Indonesia with a capacity of one million units, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The country's investment minister confirmed talks with the world's most valuable automaker, the report added.

The electric-vehicle maker and Indonesia's Ministry of Investment did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Tesla makes its electric cars at its gigafactories in Shanghai, Austin, Berlin and Fremont, California and is reportedly set to announce a new factory in Mexico's Nuevo Leon state.

The report said that the talks include plans for production facilities and to facilitate the company's supply chain.

Chief executive Elon Musk said in November that South Korea was among its top candidate locations for a factory it plans to build in Asia for making EVs, according to South Korea's presidential office.

Tesla has signed contracts worth about $5 billion to buy materials for their batteries from nickel processing companies in Indonesia, a senior cabinet minister told CNBC Indonesia last year.

However, Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged the electric vehicle maker to manufacture its cars, as well as batteries, in the country, in comments made to Bloomberg News in August.

(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)


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YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. An open debate entitled The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security" chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hayashi Yoshimasa, took place at the UN Security Council on January 12.

The debate featured briefings by the UN Secretary-General, the President of the International Court of Justice and representatives of over 70 UN member-states.

The Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations Mher Margaryan delivered remarks at the debate, drawing the attention of the UNSC members and other attendees to the monthlong blockade of Nagorno Karabakh, emphasizing that by keeping the Lachin Corridor closed Azerbaijan is pursuing its policy of forcibly displacing the Armenians, the foreign ministry said in a press release.

Margaryan mentioned Azerbaijans continuous violation of international law and actions aimed at unlawfully seizing territories through war crimes, force and the threat of force, emphasizing that the lack of accountability for crimes against humanity leads to new violence.

The Armenian Permanent Representative underscored the importance of resolute actions by the UN to prevent the humanitarian disaster and Azerbaijans despotic plans on subjecting the population of Nagorno Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. President of the National Assembly of France Yael Braun-Pivet says France has always supported Armenia in strengthening its sovereignty and independence.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan after their meeting in Yerevan, the President of the National Assembly of France Yael Braun-Pivet said France stands with brotherly countries whose territorial integrity is being threatened.

Yael Braun-Pivet said she had to come to Armenia because there are tensions which get escalated and make Armenia vulnerable. And we, France, must stand with brotherly countries whose territorial integrity is being threatened and attacked, she said.

Yael Braun-Pivet said the Azerbaijani provocations against Armenia in September reverberated in France and the French parliament reacted to it. Particularly, a resolution was adopted demanding Azerbaijan to end its aggression against Armenia and establish lasting peace in South Caucasus.

As you know, France always stood with Armenia in strengthening the countrys sovereignty and independence. The vigilance of the government and president Emmanuel Macron, and overall our country is absolute, she said, adding that France stands in solidarity with Armenia.

She added that France is deeply concerned over the situation in Nagorno Karabakh as well. We are concerned because the blockade is creating a worsening humanitarian situation, she said.

Yael Braun-Pivet said together with her delegation they will meet with several NGO representatives in Armenia tomorrow who are working with those affected by the blockade. She said that the road must be opened, power supply and internet access must be restored.

We will do everything to avoid a humanitarian disaster. Id also like to express our concern over the historic and cultural heritage which is today endangered and could face destruction. Around 1500 Armenian cultural and historic heritage monuments must be preserved. France will make efforts together with UNESCO in this direction. Heritage is our history. We are convinced that it is necessary to restore dialogue between all parties and reach a peaceful and sustainable solution, Yael Braun-Pivet said.

The President of the National Assembly of France also highly appreciated the inter-parliamentary agreement signed with the Armenian Speaker on further strengthening friendly ties and relations between the two parliaments.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. President of the National Assembly of France Yael Braun-Pivet is calling for a return to dialogue within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group despite Azeri president Ilham Aliyevs false claims that the Nagorno Karabakh conflict is resolved and that the internationally-mandated Minsk Group is obsolete.

I think today it is important to return to dialogue between the sides, Yael Braun-Pivet said in response to a question from ARMENPRESS during her joint press conference with Armenian Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan. The Minsk Group is one of the existing platforms for dialogue. Of course its not the only one, but it is a very important platform. And today it is very important that each member party to that platform agrees to return to that dialogue. And we, parliamentarians, call for a return to dialogue within the framework of the Minsk Group, Yael Braun-Pivet said.

At the same time, she emphasized that this isnt the only way to return to dialogue. She said that all measures must be tried to end the escalation of the situation.

Speaker Alen Simonyan added that today there is a situation where there are 1-2 other formats which to some extent try to replace the Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship format. However, nevertheless, we record that Minsk Group Co-Chairs United States and France have numerously said that they are ready and will go for continuous cooperation. Russia has also said that they are ready to discuss issues related to that formats existence and fate, Simonyan said.

Simonyan noted that today, at the initiative of France, as well as Russia, there are 1 or 2 formats that are dealing with the same issue, and they arent less important. Thus, Speaker Simonyan said that by keeping the Minsk Group issue on the agenda they shouldnt reduce the existing other formats, including the one formed at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron in Prague.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Vice President for Policy and Partnerships Mark Bowman and Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Matteo Patrone will tour the Caucasus from 16 to 19 January, first visiting Armenia, then Georgia, before concluding their trip in Azerbaijan, the EBRD said in a press release.

The visit follows EBRD President Odile Renaud-Bassos recent tour of the Caucasus in September. The purpose of the trip is to discuss upcoming projects in both the private but also public sectors. Discussions on financial resilience, policy reform and the preparation for the Banks upcoming new country strategies are also on the agenda.

The delegation will first travel to Yerevan, where the EBRD representatives will meet Armenias political leaders. The visit will include meetings with diplomats, international development partners, leaders of the business community and the Banks existing partners. The team will also visit the Central Bank of Armenia to meet the Governor and his Deputy.

On the Georgian part of the trip, the delegation will hold high-level meetings with Georgias political leadership. EBRD representatives will also meet diplomats, regional heads of international financial institutions and the secretariat of the Investors Council of Georgia.

While in Tbilisi, Mr Bowman is also expected to sign a sovereign loan agreement with the Ministry of Finance of Georgia for the rehabilitation and upgrade of up to 12 metro stations in the capital.

The delegation will conclude its trip in Baku, where EBRD representatives will meet Azerbaijans political leadership. The visit will include meetings with representatives of the diplomatic community, international development partners and the Banks existing business clients. The team will also visit the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.

Since the start of its operations in the Caucasus in 1992, the EBRD has invested more than 10 billion in over 650 projects in the regions financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with the majority of these investments in the private sector.
The Bio-Circular Green model is a unique amalgam of technology and innovation aimed at rendering the economy environmentally sustainable

The Care the Bear carbon emissions campaign is followed by many companies in Thailand. (Photo By Arrangement)

BANGKOK: One of the most-talked-about achievements of the Apec Summit 22 held in Bangkok recently was the inclusion in the summits final declaration of the Bangkok Goals on Bio-Circular Green (BCG) Economy.

Thailand has been actively following the BCG model for more than four years, and more especially so in the post-Covid period. In fact, it became part of the national agenda in January 2021 and is now integrated into all areas  industry, agriculture, tourism and education.

According to the BCG model, technology and innovation are used to create value, reduce waste, advance resource efficiency and promote sustainable business models.

The BCG model involves the close collaboration between the public and private sectors, important linkages with universities, and tie-ups with regional and international partners. All these give it a global dimension which augurs well for the future .

Its not a coincidence that the world-famous beach town of Phuket is vying for the Expo 2028. But its important to note that Phuket has also become a pilot province for organic tourism, waste management and bio-energy.

The amalgam of hi-tech and biotech, and collaboration of private and public enterprises, are most perceivable in the newly created Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), which has been set up in three provinces of the country  Chonburi, Rayong, Chachoengsao.

These are part of the Eastern Seaboard, which is the major industrial hub of the country. The top industrial houses located in the EEC areas actively follow the BCG model. In fact, theres an ambitious plan to build a an EEC Smart Livable City connecting Bangkok to the three EEC centres by a high-speed train system, and make it one of the top 10 smart cities in the world by 2037.

Their Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation is proof of the perfect amalgam of hi-tech and bio-tech, with their pioneering Phenomenex greenhouse and bio-refinery plant. The final aim is to make Thailand the hub for innovative economy and green industries in the region.

This ECC innovation centre is one of the many projects of the DEPA (Digital Economy Promotional Agencies) to develop Thailand into an Asean digital hub.

In the agriculture sector, we visited a strawberry greenhouse and durian orchard, which employed smart farming methods to improve the quality of the fruit and also maintain a balance with the environment.

This is what the BCG model is all about  technology and innovation uniquely combines to achieve an environmentally sustainable economy.

The mega BCG Exhibition was a highlight of Apec 22, where big and small start-up companies displayed an exciting range of sustainable procedures and products. These included everything from clothes to furniture and home products.

Well-known oil and gas company PTT has established a sustainability-strategic direction in its 2021-25 master plan.

The SCG chemical company specialises in green polymer created through their policy of reduce, recycle, renew. They stated that, for their digital solutions, they had a large support team from India!

All the 33 participating companies, at the Apec meet, followed the Save the Bear Campaign started by the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2018. This is a measurable project on carbon taxonomy which calculates carbon emissions every day .

During the meet, one learnt that by reducing waste in everything  food, packaging, transportation, decorations  7,482 kg of carbon dioxide got reduced which is equivalent to 831 trees being planted!

One met the WHA group whose specialty is waste management, Energy Absolute whose specialty is EVC vehicles, and the Bangchak Corporation which is into bio diesel, gasohol and sustainable aviation oil.

The logo of Amata Company, noted for their smart city concepts, is Save Earth, Save Us.

The Kasikorn Bank has a three-point policy where they give loans only to those who follow sustainable standards.

TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand)is proud of their numerous ecotourism and community-based programmes.

One visited the stunning Forestias building complex, which, when completed in 2024, will become the biggest urban green oasis in the city, with 56 per cent green spaces on 93 acres of land having zero waste management, thermal insulation and so on.

One also visited the RISC Centre (Research & Innovation For Sustainability Centre), noted for their sustainovation  innovation in sustainable technology .They displayed an amazing range of products made from recyclable materials. One was happy to hear that their parent MODC company has started a centre in New Delhi.

Thailands BCG model is intensively geared towards achieving its long-term goal  of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and net zero emissions by 2065.
The top court said what was required was a "will and a pure heart" to enforce the existing laws

New Delhi: The Central government on Friday told the Supreme Court that it was contemplating bringing a "comprehensive" amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure to deal with hate speech and hate crimes. The top court said what was required was a "will and a pure heart" to enforce the existing laws and deprecated the visual media for not behaving responsibly and airing programmes that did not reflect different views during live debates.

The top courts observation on the way the existing laws are being enforced and the irresponsible way certain visual media outfits were conducting themselves came in the course of the hearing of a batch of petitions seeking curbs on hate mongering and hate crimes.

The additional solicitor-general (ASG) K.M. Nataraj told a bench of Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna that the Centre was contemplating a "comprehensive" amendment to deal with the issue and had sought input from the states and eventually it will take a legislative route and go to Parliament.

Observing that it all depends on what you are going to do about it, Justice Joseph said that it is not that we dont have laws to deal with the issue before the court but "what is required is will and a pure heart" to enforce them.

To address the courts concerns, the ASG said that there are sufficient checks and balances if the agencies dont act as they are required to. Justice Joseph said that "the checks and balances are not enforced in a manner where it should produce results."

Referring to the top courts judgment in Lalita Kumaris case, Mr Natraj said that if police are not registering a case relating to a hate speech or hate crime, the complainant can directly file a complaint.

An unimpressed Justice Joseph said: "There is fear in everyone and nobody wants to stick ones neck out," and pointed to a recent incident where a senior police officer was brutally attacked in the presence of a crowd.

Expressing strong reservations over the current state of television news channels and saying they are creating divisions in society since such channels are driven by agenda and compete to sensationalise news, the bench aired its concerns over the way anchors conduct themselves during live telecasts of debates.

The bench said that during the debates, certain panellists are kept "muted" throughout and some get a disproportionately large share of airtime.

Justice Nagarathna said that we have had television news in our country for decades but there is no authority to regulate it like the Press Council of India is for the print media. The court made it clear that it was not in favour of any governmental interference in media matters.

The bench asked the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) and the Central government about how it can control such broadcasts.

"Everything is driven by TRP. Channels are basically competing with each other. They sensationalise it. How do you control this? You create divisions in society because of the visual element. The visual medium can influence you much more than a newspaper... Our audience --are they mature enough to see this content?" Justice Joseph asked.

Observing that it was the anchors, editors and management that controlled the content of a programme, Justice Joseph said, "You cant have bias. You cant have a one-sided programmer. If freedom of expression is exercised with an agenda, then you are not serving the people but someone else."

Issuing notice to Haryana, Rajasthan and Maharashtra on the incidents of hate speech and violence, the court gave them three weeks time to respond and posted the matter for hearing after four weeks.
In his words: "I am just a professional writer, which means I don't do blogs and try and get money for whatever I write."

Harry has given two substantial interviews to the press. Some of it is dirty linen and some of it is innocuous self-pity

The sheep that wandered all astray

Are coming home to graze

Symbols, Bachchoo, of your wicked way

Or shall we call them ways?

The path of repentance is steep

And balanced on the cliff

Oh pity those returning sheep

The what the why and if

From Hurry Home, Hurry Home, Hari Om, by Bachchoo

The idiomatic English expression for excited anticipation is holding ones breath. Is the United Kingdom this week holding its breath in anticipation of the publication of the memoirs of Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, entitled Spare? The media has already scoured a leaked Spanish edition for every episode, detail, sentence or turn of phrase which may be construed as a criticism of his father King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, brother William and sister-in-law Kate.

The media has exposed a lot of stuff but nothing in my estimation that could bring massive opprobrium on the Royal House of Windsor and certainly nothing that could fuel the almost non-existent republican wish to see the monarchy toppled.

In anticipation of this publication, Harry has given two substantial interviews to the press. Some of it is dirty linen and some of it is innocuous self-pity. So, for instance, he implies that both he and William, now Prince of Wales, could see that their fathers then mistress,

Camilla Parker-Bowles, made their dad happy and they were comfortable with that, but they begged their father not to marry her.

Charles went ahead and did get publicly engaged to Camilla and married her. I am somewhat puzzled by this reported urging. What did the sons want? That Charles, then Prince of Wales, should retain Camilla as a publicly identified mistress but not make an honest woman of her? And when he finally acceded to the throne, did they want him to

continue retaining her as some form of medieval concubine?

Harry repeatedly points the finger at Camilla as the villain of the piece who had and has close, if clandestine, relations with the scandal press of Britain and he implies that it was through her that antagonistic stories about Meghan Markle hit the headlines. Proof of the allegation there is none.

In a rather strange confession, Harry says that after the supposed death of his mother, Diana, the Princess of Wales, killed in the car crash in a Parisian road tunnel, he and his brother both believed that she had faked her death, was still alive and would reappear -- if not to the world, at least secretly to them. Harry says this conviction persisted for a long time and only gave way inevitably to the truth that Diana was in verifiable ways no more. Is this a confession about being delusionary or is it a plea for sympathy for the boy who has tragically lost his mother?

While constantly carping on about lurking racism -- even admitting at times that it may be sub-conscious -- neither he nor Meghan Markle, in her interviews and in the Netflix documentary series in which she claims to be a victim of British royalty and its ways, conventions and racism, offer any actual evidence.

The repeated contention to support this is the implication that someone in the royal family asked what colour the skin of Harrys and Meghans children would be. I suppose in these days of hyper-sensitivity, this can be taken as inherent racism and not just as curious musing.

Of course, every Indian grandmother (or most) has certainly given thought or voice to the fairness of complexion, or otherwise, of the bride entering the family.

At the same time as launching his autobiography and the Netflix series of six episodes (for which the Sussex pair were paid $100 million), Harry tells the press that he is longing for a reconciliation with his father King Charles III and his brother William. Curiouser and curiouser?

For their part, in keeping with the convention that the royal family never retaliate or even comment on adverse publicity, Charles, William and their palace spokespersons have stayed silent.

It may occur to a neutral observer that Harry and Meghan dont give a toss for reconciliation with his family or for that matter with the population of Britain who may side, very patriotically or nationalistically, with the House of Windsor. Their $100 million from Netflix and $25 million from Spotify indicate that with a black American woman as the victim and the hyper-privileged royal family of the UK as the villains, this story is bound to appeal to the United States and all in the world who want to sail with her.

And yes, in the Netflix documentaries there was certainly some sleight of editing. Harrys and Meghans complaint that they were constantly harassed by the paparazzi was substantiated by showing film footage of throngs of reporters at several occasions which had nothing to do with the pair.

And yet, quite recently, very clear evidence of rank hatred from a certain individual, if not a section of the media, emerges. A journalist called Jeremy Clarkson wrote a column in The Sun in which he said hed like to see Meghan forced to run naked through the streets of every town in the UK so that she could be pelted with excrement from the angry crowds. Not eggs! Not rotten tomatoes!

The palace said nothing about the column. Public outrage forced The Sun to withdraw the column and compelled Jeremy Clarkson to grinningly apologise.
Media reports say that cracks have appeared in more than 670 of some 2,500 buildings

The residents of Joshimath staged a massive protest when the district administration tried to demolish two hotels that fell in the dangerous category. (Photo: PTI)

Joshimath is sinking. The new year has started off with these two chilling words on the top of our minds. In recent days, there has been a flood of reports about the trauma of life in Joshimath  Indias sinking Himalayan town -- and the ongoing evacuation efforts. Unless you have been living under a rock, by now, you would have got the broad drift of the various factors leading to the unfolding disaster in this town of around 25,000 people on the pilgrim circuit in Uttarakhands Chamoli district.

Media reports say that cracks have appeared in more than 670 of some 2,500 buildings. At the time of writing, residents are objecting to the state governments attempts to demolish several unsafe structures; they say the interim relief of Rs 1.5 lakh each to the affected families is simply not adequate. The residents of Joshimath staged a massive protest when the district administration tried to demolish two hotels that fell in the dangerous category. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says a study of the bearing capacity of all the towns and cities in Uttarakhand will be done. The state government says it will stop any development work that is beyond the bearing capacity of the place.

On January 16, Indias Supreme Court will hear a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking its intervention regarding the sinking land in Joshimath. In a petition filed last week, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, a seer, has requested the court to declare the current incidents of land sliding, subsidence, sinking land, cracks in properties as a national disaster, and has asked for a scheme for disaster relief and rehabilitation.

One cannot be faulted if all this has a familiar ring. There are warnings that are ignored. Disaster strikes. There is panic. And calls for evacuation. Since there is little disaster-planning, people resist. There are protests. And in all the sound and fury, there is a familiar framing of the crisis: development versus environment.

But this is a faux debate, not just in relation to Joshimath but the entire Himalayan region. The problem is not development per se, but unsuitable development which does not factor in geography, geology, ecology or climate change.

Nothing that is happening today comes as a surprise. There have been any number of reports and any number of warnings about the disastrous consequences of development of a certain type in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region. Back in the 1970s, a government study sounded the alarm about sinking Joshimath. The study made key recommendations, including a ban on heavy construction work in the area. It also flagged the danger of landslides. The recommendations remained just that. Political parties cutting across the ideological spectrum chose to ignore them.

The years that followed saw the place morphing into a favourite of those headed towards the pilgrim centres of Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib. The booming pilgrim/tourist economy meant a proliferation of hotels and eateries. Then there are hydroelectric power projects in the vicinity.

There is nothing wrong in catering to tourists and pilgrims. It generates much-needed jobs. The problem is that the Himalayas is the worlds youngest mountain range. The entire Himalayan region is extremely fragile -- prone to landslides, seismic activity, erosion, soil subsidence and so on. Climate change is now a threat multiplier.

So, not all development activities are suitable for this area. To say this loud and clear is not being anti-development but pro-development as development of the wrong kind in a fragile terrain leads to disasters of the kind we have seen and are seeing, and disasters derail development work.

Ecologist Chandra Prakash Kala pointed out in a June 2014 report for the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction: The highest mountain region in the world, the Himalayas, being structurally unstable and young, is still geologically active fragile and vulnerable to both natural and man-made processes Kala argued that in the name of globalisation, industrialisation and so-called modernisation, people have overlooked the natural ecosystems and carrying capacity of the Himalayas, besides the traditional beliefs and norms of nature conservation. The number of pilgrims has increased exponentially at major pilgrim centres across the Himalayas, he noted.

Disaster and development are interrelated actions. Disaster can destroy development initiatives and at the same time it sensitises the need for appropriate and mindful development. Roads are needed for development but to be crazy for roads and more roads may take a big toll on the ecology, Kala wrote.

In the coming days, we must ensure that the discussions around Joshimath Sinking do not overlook issues around the kind of infrastructure development that the Himalayan region can bear. As environmentalist Vimlendu Jha pointed out on social media: Ideally, any development and urbanisation strategy should consider acceptable levels of risk.

The central issue is the development model being pursued not just in Uttarakhand, but the entire Himalayan region, from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. The large infrastructure projects which pose a threat to the fragile ecosystem include the 60-odd tunnels being constructed in various parts of Uttarakhand and the dams in the entire state. The kind of cracks we now see in Joshimath houses have been appearing in homes near hydropower projects all over Himachal Pradesh. And despite all this, the Arunachal Pradesh government has just this week revived four similar projects.

The Himalayan development model needs to synchronise with the Himalayan context. That means, as many experts have pointed out, a few basic things: when building roads or boring tunnels, do not obstruct any water channel overground or underground; make sure the water can flow down the slope as before. Second, do not toss rubble down the slope -- it obstructs not only the water channels below but also the river/stream at the bottom of the valley. Residents have repeatedly accused managers of the two major projects around Joshimath -- widening of the Char Dham road and tunnelling for the Tapovan-Vishnugad hydropower project -- of ignoring these basics.

On a wider scale, we need to question the prevailing model of generating large amounts of electricity in one place and then carrying it all over India. We need to ask if the region and the country will be better served by a combination of decentralised solar, wind and small hydropower.

What about economic growth and GDP? The answer is short and simple. As Princeton Economist Ashoka Mody recently told a national newspaper: The licence for anything goes has to end. Environmentally, we cannot disregard the needs of current and future generations. Joshimath is sinking. Your GDP is growing, but if you dont address these imperatives, our childrens GDP will be lower.
by Steve Suwannarat

Elections are scheduled for July, but the prime minister recently explained how he handles dissent, proving once more that the country is not on the path towards democracy. In the past year, Cambodia held ASEANs rotating presidency, raising concern in the international community, but little will change with Indonesia now taking over.

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews)  Prime Minister Hun Sen and his party, the Cambodian Peoples Party, have ruled Cambodia with an iron fist for decades. Now that elections are set to take place in July, Hun Sen is warning that criticising his party has consequences.

Opposition parties noted that Cambodias strongman has two ways to crush dissent, the law and violence. In his response, Hun Sen agreed: What do you think? I want to ask you. There are two choices, one is using the law, the other is using a stick [violence]. Which one do you take?

The use of violence against critics of his regime has been a constant since Hun Sen came to power. In 2017 he had the only party able to challenge his power, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), dissolved.

When pressure, threats, jail and exile do not stop opponents, Cambodias leader uses the courts to impose his will.

CNRPs former president, Sam Rainsy, and his deputy, Mu Sochua have been forced into exile, while Kem Sokha, who remained in the country, was imprisoned in 2017. He was released two years later with the obligation of not leaving the country and not participating in political activities. And he still faces treason charges.

"As the general election in Cambodia approaches, ASEAN and the global community at large should not be fooled into believing that it can be a democratic process in the conditions prevailing now in the country, said Mercy Barends, a member of Indonesias House of Representatives and a member of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR).

"They should put real pressure on the Cambodian government to unconditionally release all political prisoners, stop its campaign of harassment against the opposition, and comply with the terms of the Paris Peace Accord, signed in 1991 and designed to put the country on a democratic path.

Last year, Cambodia held ASEANs rotating presidency; its slogan: "ASEAN ACT: Addressing Challenges Together".

Hun Sen's relations with Myanmars military rulers (starting with the visit to Myanmars capital Naypyidaw at the start of his term), the organisation's lukewarm position on the conflict in Ukraine, the difficulties in defining a clear position towards China while maintaining a strategic ambiguity towards Taiwan, have increased international pressures and suspicions.

With the summit on 13 November 2022, Indonesia took over ASEANS leadership. This could lead to greater clarity regarding the organisations democratic credentials and greater commitment to counter authoritarian impulses within it.
by Melani Manel Perera

In a verdict, the Supreme Court ordered the top state and security figures at the time of the massacre to pay compensation to the families for failing to prevent it. The lawyers who had raised the issue: a historic ruling.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - The Supreme Court yesterday ordered those who were state leaders at the time to provide compensation for the victims of the Easter 2019 attacks, during which 269 people were killed and more than 500 injured.

The order is aimed at former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara, former Defence Minister Hemasiri Fernando, and former Directors of Security Services Nilantha Jayawardena and Sisira Mendis, all of whom were found guilty of failing to prevent the massacre.

In detail, the Supreme Court ordered former president Maithripala Sirisena to pay a sum of 100 million rupees (about 250,000 euro) in compensation to the victims. The police chief and the former head of the external intelligence services will have to pay 75 million rupees (EUR 188 thousand), the former defence minister 50 million rupees (EUR 125 thousand), and the former head of the internal security services 10 million rupees (EUR 25 thousand).

The verdict was delivered by a seven-judge panel on the basis of 13 petitions filed by the victims of the attack, Catholic priests and the Sri Lankan Bar Association.

The judges recognised that the state should pay fair compensation for the pain, agony, suffering and destruction suffered by the victims and families. The sums should be in addition to the compensation that the State had decided to pay in its own decision and on which a report was requested from the Attorney General's Office.

Lawyer Jagath Gamini Perera, who represented the petitioners, said that this was a historic ruling and could not be changed.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Russian troops are accused of war crimes in the Ukrainian town. The Kazakhs tell the Kremlin that it is a private initiative. Russian nationalists have sights on northern Kazakhstan, where a Russian-speaking community is concentrated. The yurt used to mock Putin.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - In an initiative supported by the embassy of Kazakhstan in Ukraine, on the central square of the Ukrainian town of Buca, the authorities have set up the "Yurt of Unconquerability", a typical Asian nomadic tent where they offer "plov" risotto, tea and sweets for refreshment and warmth. They also charge mobile phones and sing folk songs, especially in these days of sub-zero temperatures.

The initiative, an innocent folklore-humanitarian installation, is provoking increasingly resentful reactions from Moscow, with threatening notes sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which the Kazakhstan authorities are trying to evade by speaking of a 'local initiative' not directly organised by Astana.

The town on the outskirts of Kiev, theatre of tragic clashes and public massacres, represents a very sensitive raw nerve for the Russians, due to the images spread all over the world of the peaceful inhabitants savagely killed and scattered in the streets: according to Moscow, a farce of Ukrainian Russophobic propaganda.

This is why the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova demanded an 'official comment' from Kazakhstan and that it distance itself from the Yurt, which is considered an affront to Moscow.

The response from Kazakh representative Ajbek Smadjarov is a typical example of 'oriental cunning', calling the yurt an "initiative by private Kazakh companies, which we could not prohibit... they did everything themselves, and we saw nothing wrong with it, the yurt is a traditional nomadic dwelling, it can be put up and taken down quickly and is ecologically excellent'. The Kazakhs believe that "there was no need for any comment on this, and in any case we are proud of every yurt around the world".

Kazakhstan, on the other hand, has been trying to maintain a neutral stance since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, even with openly critical expressions such as those of President Tokaev, expressed directly and publicly to 'big brother' Putin.

Astana cannot take sides too openly in favour of Kiev, due to its strong dependence on Moscow in so many sectors, and to maintain its own 'multi-vector' political line, as repeatedly stated by the entire Kazakh political leadership.

On the other hand, the territorial integrity of countries is crucial for Kazakhstan, where tensions with Russia over border regions remain very high, similar to the situation in Ukraine. Indeed, Tokaev's criticism concerned the non-recognition of the occupied and annexed republics, starting with Crimea, rather than military operations as such.

This is why the 'indestructible' Yurt ended up taking on a far more symbolic meaning than the festive 'nomadic welcome', a sign of the presence of 'free men' in the territory, as the meaning of 'Kazakhs' and the local analogue of 'Cossacks' goes.

The Yurt at first seemed to recall nothing more than one of the many street demonstrations in the New Year festivities, despite the dramatic conditions of the ongoing war. Instead, the Russian protests produced the effect of the political significance of the Kazakh tents, a 'moral triumph' of the anti-Russian Eurasian alliance.

Ukrainian and Kazakh songs from the Yurt are now systematically interspersed with anti-Putin refrains, with ironic rather than polemical tones, such as the simple "Putin - la-la-la!" to indicate the Kremlin dictator's empty words, which hurt the aggressor more than US Himars missiles.

The cry of defiance and derision is not just a spontaneous reaction of the people, but a historical quotation. In 1934, the leaders of Nazi Germany went on a rampage when Jewish emigrants in America organised marches to mock Hitler, demanding an official apology from Washington. Just as the Russian leaders now want from Astana in front of the Yurt of the New Year 2023, called not only 'unshakeable', but also the 'cornerstone' of a new world.
by Alessandra De Poli

Yesterday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India announced new standards for the most sought-after grain since Mughal times. Pakistan has been opposed to Indias application for Protected Geographical Indication, fearing a negative impact on its exports. As India lifts protectionist measures, Indian exports are expected to jump in the coming months.

Milan (AsiaNews)  As India gets ready to lift restrictions on rice exports, it might set off the next India-Pakistan row, this time over the dinner table,

Yesterday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) announced new standards for basmati rice.

Starting next August, this grain, which has a low glycaemic index, will have to meet certain limits in terms of quality, fragrance and characteristics, including average size, elongation ratio after cooking, amylose content, and uric acid.

If these standards are not respected, the rice cannot be sold as basmati. This will establish fair practices in trade of basmati and protect consumer interest, Union (federal) Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted.

The issue, however, is likely to stir up things again with neighbouring Pakistan, which previously opposed any move by the European Union to grant Indian rice Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).

In 2020, India applied for an exclusive Geographical Indication tag to Indian-origin basmati rice with the EUs Council on Quality Schemes for Agricultural and Foodstuffs. Had this been granted, Pakistani exports would have been drastically reduced.

In 2016, taking advantage of Indias difficulty in complying with strict EU standards on the use of pesticides to expand its exports to the EU, Pakistan overtook Indian exports to Europe in 2020.

In light of the controversy, the European Commission had asked the two countries, the world's only exporters of basmati rice, to settle the matter, hoping for a joint application, but this has not yet happened.

Growing basmati is shaped by geography and cold weather, which is why crops are concentrated in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Popular on the tables of Mughal emperors, basmati comes in three colours: white, red and brown. According to some academic studies, the red variety is native to the provinces of Lahore and Multan, now in Pakistan, while the word "basmati" is mentioned for the first time in a popular romance novel written in 1766 or 1767 by a Punjabi writer.

Ironically, India cited the same arguments when contesting an attempt by Texas-based RiceTec's to claim the name basmati for its own varieties grown in Texas. India, with the backing of Pakistan, won the case in 2001; thus, the term "basmati" could only be used for rice grown in these two countries.

According to UN figures, India is the world's top rice exporter, netting US$ 6.8 billon in annual earnings, with Pakistan in fourth position at US$ 2.2 billion. Two thirds of global basmati exports come from India.

According to Bloomberg, New Delhi could soon lift protectionist measures from rice exports (as well as wheat and sugar) after domestic prices appear to have stabilised and the government has managed to buy enough grains to cover its social assistance programmes for the poorest sections of the population.

According to other reports, basmati exports from India could rise by 15 per cent this year over last year; several Middle East countries are trying to stock up despite higher prices, given the impact of the Ukraine war.

Indias basmati exports rose 11 per cent in the first half of the 2022-23 fiscal year, Trade Ministry data indicate.

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by Emanuele Scimia

US Marines will be dispersed around the Okinawa Islands, armed with anti-ship missiles and drones to keep the Chinese Navy at bay. After reforming its military, Japan will play a more active role alongside the United States. However, it is unlikely that countries like the Philippines and Indonesia will allow the deployment of new US littoral regiments.

Rome (AsiaNews)  The United States is changing its military strategy to contain China's geopolitical rise in the Western Pacific. This turning point is giving Japan an increasingly important role, especially in the defence of Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion.

In his meeting today at the White House with Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is set to seal an agreement to boost the security cooperation between the two countries, as agreed on Wednesday by their respective foreign and defence ministers.

Last month, Japan announced that it would equip itself with the means to counterattack enemy bases in the event of an emergency thanks to a significant increase in military spending. Critics warn that this decision violates the country's post-1945 pacifist Constitution; for the government, it is instead a "minimum measure of self-defence" in the face of threats from China and North Korea. Kishida plans to double the military budget to 2 per cent of GDP in five years.

For its part, the Pentagon has confirmed that it wants to create a new Marine Littoral Regiment by 2025 deploying 2,000 troops to the Okinawa Islands, in Japans southernmost prefecture.

Lightly equipped, they will be able to move quickly from island to island. With anti-ship missiles and drones, their task will be to keep Chinese naval forces at bay, imprisoning them within the East China Sea.

All this gives Washington time to strengthen its Navy in the face of the Chinese naval build-up.

The Okinawa Islands lie about 100 kilometres from Taiwanese territory. In response to the visit to Taiwan in August 2022 by Nancy Pelosi, then speaker of the US House of Representatives, China conducted missile exercises northeast of Taiwan, in an area that overlaps Japan's exclusive economic zone, near the Sakishima Islands. Two of these, Yonaguni and Miyako, host bases of Japans Self-Defence Forces, while surface-to-air and anti-ship missile systems are under construction in a third, Ishigaki.

Japan fears that if Taiwan falls into China's hands, its shipping lanes will be threatened. The US is instead required by bilateral agreements to defend Taiwan, which Beijing considers a "rebel" province to be taken by force if necessary.

According to Chinese military strategist Guodong Chen, the US decision to change the deployment of its forces in Japan, arming them with anti-ship missiles and drones, goes in the "correct strategic direction.

Speaking to AsiaNews, the expert, whose studies on the use of missile forces to retake Taiwan are used by the Chinese military, notes that whether a military plan is good or bad depends on whether the opponent's plan is better. In this sense, Chinas air and naval capabilities still need to be tested in a real conflict.

Critics of the Pentagon's new approach to East Asia warn that to be effective, the Marine Littoral Regiments would have to cover the entire "first island chain", from southern Japan to eastern Indonesia. However, it is doubtful that Indonesia (and the Philippines) will accept the presence of new US Marine forces.
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Its safe to say that numerous leisure boats in the tourism industry all around the world have been affected by the financial impact of the pandemic. But this high-speed ferry took a hit even before the pandemic broke out.Its story began in 2017, when a premium cruise service was launched in British Columbia, Canada. A luxurious ferry would connect the center of Vancouver and the historic Inner Harbor in Victoria (hence the V2V Vacations name of the operating company). The company was a subsidiary of Riverside Marine, an Australian brand, and thats where the vessel had come from.Named V2V Empress, it was a large catamaran boasting 242 seats, and a two-class configuration. The most expensive out of the two, the Royal one, took luxury service to the next level. For example, passengers would have access to their own dedicated host, to cater to all of their needs. Plus, they would also enjoy a three-course meal served at their seats, and limitless non-alcoholic drinks throughout the entire trip.The trip was completed in a little over three hours, thanks to the ferry being a high-speed cat. It also included access to its beautiful sundeck with 360-degree views for everyone on board, plus modern perks such as complimentary Wi-Fi, and USB ports integrated in the ergonomic leather seats.The most expensive ticket for a trip onboard the V2V Empress added up to 240 Canadian dollars ($179 USD).But despite the apparent success (the venture even got a GlobalTrends Marketing Award) everything ended abruptly at the beginning of 2020, when the company announced that it was going to cease operations.The official reason was unsatisfactory financial prospects, and the V2V Empress ended up remaining docked for three long years. It basically remained abandoned for almost as long as it had operated in British Columbia  a sad twist of fate for what had been such a luxurious vessel.Recently, things changed for the former ferry. According to local media reports, it has been finally sold to a Mexican company.The large vessel was loaded earlier this week onto a cargo vessel that is allegedly taking it to the Caribbean. That is where it will start a new life, under a new name, but still carrying passengers in style. It took two heavy-lifting cranes to move the nearly 200-ton catamaran onto the cargo ship. Perhaps well hear about it again in the future, once it enters service  hopefully, with more luck this time around.
Photo: MDC Campers and Caravans Inc.

Photo: MDC Campers and Caravans Inc.

GVWR

If youve never heard of Market Direct Campers (MDC) before, its because this crew has operated out of Australia for most of its life. After all, it was born there, but over the years, news of their ability to craft comfortable and insanely capable machines has spread worldwide, and these days, America has access to four of its own MDC dealerships. Here I ran across the XT17HRT, the travel trailer in question today.Why is this the sort of trinket you should take note of for future off-road and off-grid camping adventures? Well, if youre aware of the habitats they use down in Australia, then youre aware of whats in store. If not, let me point out that the XT17 is built with the same techniques that allow Australia-destined campers to thrive where others dare not enter.This ability to travel where roads dont even exist is all due to the way MDC crafts each XT17. A hot-dipped galvanized steel frame, independent trailing arm suspension with dual shock absorbers, and coils on both axles allow for smooth transitions over uneven terrain. Aluminum composite panels on top of a fully welded frame mean the elements dont huff and puff your house down. If you havent scrolled through the image gallery yet, nows the time to do so.Since you have an idea of what MDC offers here, lets take a trip through our imagination and see what this means for folks like you and me. But, before I go on, let me point out that youll need at least $75,000 (69,200 at current exchange rates) to hitch one of these puppies behind your truck, but I feel the image gallery may have shown you why this much is asked for.Before I talk about the interior, let me point out a few other features that folks like you and me should be glad to be receiving as standard; reasons why the price stands where it does. So, youll find two 150-watt solar panels, two batteries, a BMS, an inverter, a Dometic furnace and AC, and a Truma hot water system. The start of a very solid off-grid setup , if you ask me.As for that interior I mentioned, I fell in love with it at first sight. Sure, its simple; after all, how much can you fit in a 17-foot (5.2-meter) trailer? But it still houses a double bed, modular dinette, galley with two-burner cooktop, sink, the works, and a standing shower; no hunched backs here. MDC even managed to fit a washing machine and residential fridge inside the XT17.Now, back outside the unit, you may find it redundant to include another galley, but MDC does just that. However, it only goes to show that this manufacturer knows that mobile living isnt about staying cooped up in some camper . This lifestyle is all about getting outside, spending time with the family, and experiencing moments that bring you closer.Think about things this way. Youre out in the wild , with the sun shining overhead and the sounds of local wildlife buzzing. No neighbors in sight and no car horns either. With an outdoor lounge set up next to the camper, you sit in wait for whatever is on the fire and even break out a tune on the old six-string. Solar panels are soaking up the precious light overhead, but youre covered with an awning coming out of the side of the XT17 . Suddenly, a rogue storm hits the lands, and youre forced to quickly pack everything in and move your activities indoors. Luckily you can continue cooking whatever you had on the stove outside. I told you its nice to have two cooktops.If youre the sort of three-person family thats really into wild activities, maybe youve got yourself an e-bike rack. If youre into scaling cliff faces that you may find in the wild, there are plenty of cargo bays tattered all over the exterior and protected with that diamond plating. Once youve returned from your activities, whether muddy or dusty, you can clean off the muck by setting up an outdoor shower station.The last thing you need to consider , if youre thinking about grabbing such a beast, is your actual vehicle. It will need to be a rather brawny bugger because the XT17 comes in with aof 7,716 pounds (3,500 kilograms) and drops 507 pounds (230 kilograms) onto your hitch. Quite the big boy, if you ask me, but we can see why; the XT17HRT boasts quite the gear to help you manifest your off-roading fantasies.
With such a large user base, Google has no other option than to keep Google Maps up-to-date, especially as the tiniest glitch could eventually impact quite a lot of users.This appears to be the purpose of version 6.49.4, which is available for download right now from the App Store for iPhone and CarPlay users.As per Googles typical approach, the changelog doesnt provide too much information on the new Google Maps update , but this isnt necessarily something very surprising. The software giant rarely provides information on its releases on the App Store, so users are typically all alone in their struggle to figure out whats new in these updates.In the case of version 6.49.4, however, theres a good chance it resolves a critical bug in Google Maps.The experience with Googles superstar has been a nightmare since the release of iOS 16 in the fall of 2022. Crashing apps, lag, and occasional UI freezes have become rather common in the CarPlay world after this highly anticipated update.But most recently, Google Maps started causing a series of glitches of its own on CarPlay, in some cases forcing the whole interface to freeze at random times. Users discovered that keeping Google Maps in focus on CarPlay produced a UI freeze , with the audio still running in the background.In many cases, the only way to restore CarPlay was to disconnect the iPhone or to go back to the home screen of the infotainment system (outside CarPlay). Obviously, this wasnt necessarily a convenient workaround given drivers were sometimes forced to do this while driving, but otherwise, it was pretty much the only solution to restore Google Maps.As it turns out, the new version of Google Maps improves the experience on CarPlay in this regard. The freezes no longer seem to occur, and Google Maps is much more responsive overall. While no confirmation on this front exists, some of the users who installed the update claim everything is back to normal when running Google Maps, with no problems encountered whatsoever.Of course, given this is still a new update, it remains to be seen if this is the behavior that all CarPlay users are seeing.In the meantime, users are recommended to update Google Maps to the latest version anyway, especially because it likely includes other bug fixes as well, and we all know how important they are for a navigation app. You can find the app on the App Store , and if you enabled automatic app updates on your iPhone, the new version might already be there.
kW

CVT

So, can the Subaru Impreza STI do that? It couldve, if it was a production model, but you are looking at a prototype. Also, the STI (Subaru Tecnica International) part of its name is all about the official add-ons strapped to its body that make it look sportier.Unveiled at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Salon (TAS), in Japans capital city, which officially kicked off today, January 13, it is showcased alongside other vehicles from Subaru. These comprise the Levorg STI Sport R EX, Rex Boost Gear Concept, and Cross Boost Gear Concept, and it pretty much fills our hearts with hope of seeing an actual Impreza STI based on the latest generation that premiered at the Los Angeles Auto Show late last year.Quite surprisingly, the Japanese car marque didnt have much to say about this vehicle. In fact, they havent said anything about it at all, other than the fact that it is a prototype equipped with STI parts, although one that looks like a finished product to us. Mind you, since it builds on the new Impreza showcased at the event in the City of Angels a few months ago, you can bet your bottom dollar on the fact that it is not production-ready.With that off our chest, lets check out the novelties, which are quite a few, and they do make it look sportier. The prototype has a new chin spoiler attached to the front bumper, which probably helps improve the cars aerodynamics at high speeds. This is complemented by the new side skirts, new diffuser that has cutouts in the middle for the dual exhaust tips, both of which are STI-branded, and a large spoiler at the top of the rear windscreen that makes it look like a hot hatch. The five-tri-spoke wheels, finished in black, with STI center caps, are part of the novelties.There is no reference whatsoever to the engine, so we will remind you that the 2024 Subaru Impreza will feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit, with 152 hp (154 ps/113) and 145 lb-ft (197 Nm) of torque, and a 2.5-liter boxer mill, making 182 hp (185 ps/136 kW) and 178 lb-ft (241 Nm). The five-speed manual gearbox was dropped, and both come solely with the continuously variable transmission ().Also, speaking of things that are gone, these also include the sedan body style, as for the new generation, the Impreza will only be offered as a hatchback. The first units will start arriving at dealers in the U.S. this spring, and pricing has yet to be revealed.
In many ways, this otherwise simple piece of technology can save your life, as the car is able to automatically call the emergency team whenever you are involved in an accident, and you are unable to move or fail to provide any type of input.On the other hand, eCall systems are limited to new-generation calls, and bringing them to older models is costly.Someone on Indiegogo, however, has invented a device that makes adding emergency calling to pretty much any car out there as simple as 1-2-3.Called Baton Plug, their device is nothing more than a small gadget that must be plugged into the cars cigarette lighter socket. The gadget must then be paired with the smartphone via Bluetooth, as the calling capabilities are made through the phone.Baton Plug integrates several sensors, including a gyro, acceleration, and geomagnetic, so it should help detect abrupt stops and possible collisions . However, based on a unique AI analysis that is performed on the data collected by all sensors, the system is able to determine the likelihood of a major crash within 0.3 seconds. If the device indeed determines youve been in a crash, it can automatically send a message to emergency teams and to predefined contacts.The design of Baton Plug is quite simple, and it looks just like a typical FM transmitter that allows you to listen to your favorite tunes via Bluetooth. However, Baton Plug makes the eCall installation a plug-and-play experience, as drivers only need to pair the device with their smartphones. Thats pretty much it, as a mobile companion app isnt required (it does exist, however, and it comes with statistics of your driving patterns).The device also integrates a manual SOS button that allows you to make a call to emergency teams . The button is placed on top of its case, and while it obviously comes in handy, Im not so sure its the best choice, especially as it can easily be pressed accidentally.And last but not least, the device also comes with a USB-A port for charging. In other words, you can plug in your mobile phone, and thanks to Quick Charge 3.0 support, you should be able to charge your iPhone or Galaxy phone quite fast. But given the USB port is placed so close to the manual SOS button, just make sure you dont remove the cable too often, or you could end up making a 911 call without even knowing about it.The crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo has already succeeded, and you can order the device for $54 as part of the project.
We live in an era where humans have invented a lot of water toys, starting with flyboards and going all the way to one-man submarines. Nevertheless, yachts remain the king of our water-wandering creations. They can come in all shapes and sizes, with endless options for customization and price tags to match.However, one thing that all yachts have in common is that they need a tender to match their extravagance and opulence. This is where Wooden Boats 27-foot (8.3m) Limo Blue, nicknamed 'dolce vita' (which means the 'sweet life') comes in.That nickname is there for a reason, as Marco Arnaboldi, founder and designer of the Viareggio, explains, With the Limo Blue, I thought of introducing a stylistic connotation in the deck and the topsides inspired by Fellini's 'Dolce Vita' and by the timeless design of the runabouts of the time.If you want to get an idea of what this tender will offer, you need to look no further than the name itself. The fact that it is called a limo has to do as much with the inspiration behind it as it does with its actual purpose.This limousine tender draws on the limos of the automotive world, aiming to bring to mind the same feeling of exclusivity and uniqueness. The champagne bar, long sofas that can comfortably fit ten people, and overall vintage aesthetic evoke feelings of serene luxury and upscale socialization, specific to limos.The exterior design is no different, following the same guidelines of old-school luxury. Rounded lines that slope toward the stern are meant to replicate the motorboats of old, truly showing the inspiration drawn from the movie with which it shares its nickname.Even so, that does not mean it is outdated, as it features high levels of customizability and full carbon-composite construction. On top of that, a deep V hull and a Mercury 270 hp inboard motor will ensure that the limo tender is as fast as it is sea-worthy and comfortable.It can reach a top speed of 35 knots, although thats only theoretical. The more attainable speed is 30 knots (34mph/55kph), of which the Limo Blue is capable under full load. This swiftness comes as no surprise, considering the tender is just 8.7ft (2.65m) wide and has an estimated displacement of about 2.9t. A draught of 1.95ft (0.6m) and a range of 100 nautical miles (115 miles/185 kilometers) will allow the Limo Blue to take its guests where the 197ft (60-meter) superyachts on which it will be equipped cannot do so.Overall, Limo Blue is a tender meant for people with an appreciation for vintage design and a taste for the finer things in life. This makes it all the more interesting to see how it will complement the yacht it will accompany when it gets launched in June 2023.
Lojas Americanas is a massive retail store chain in that country, with more than 3,000 stores. It recently hired two new executives, Sergio Rial and Andre Covre, respectively, as its new CEO and CFO. They spend only nine days in their jobs before discovering an accounting inconsistency of R$20 billion ($3.9 billion at the current exchange rate).Summing up, what happened was that the company bought from its suppliers with a 90-day deadline to pay. The suppliers sold this debt to banks at a discount in order to get their money faster. However, Lojas Americanas did not pay the banks, which turned into a snowball that reached the astronomical debt discovered by its new executives. Rial and Covre resigned immediately after finding out about the issue. The company is now worth only R$2.4 billion ($466 million), or around 12% of what it owes to banks.PwCs involvement with the story comes from it approving the accountability of Lojas Americanas in 2021 without observations. So much so that Rial and Covre had no idea about the issue. If they kept their jobs without warning the stock market about it, they could face civil and criminal liabilities for that.Minor shareholders congregated by Abradin (Associacao Brasileira de Investidores  or Brazilian Investors Association) have now denounced the retailer to CVM  Comissao de Valores Mobiliarios, the Brazilian equivalent of the Securities and Exchange Commission. They also asked the entity to investigate PwC, qualifying what the auditors did there absolute ineptitude. After all, it should have warned them about how troublesome the situation was.The association also refuses to use the word inconsistencies to name what happened. According to Abradin , thats an attempt to use a euphemism for a multi-billion fraud that destroyed shareholders savings and mines the credibility of the Brazilian stock market.This is not the first situation in which PwC signed off financial statements that later proved problematic. The most significant case probably relates to Evergrande , a Chinese property developer with $300 billion in liabilities. PwC never pointed out any problems with this company. The Hong Kong-based accounting research firm GMT Research warned about issues with Evergrande in 2016, asking if its auditors were asleep.The second massive miss for the external auditing company was also in Brazil. PwC approved the accountability for Petrobras, the state-owned oil company, from 2012 until 2014, when it refused to do so after the Lava Jato scandal erupted. Petrobras later recognized it lost R$ 6.2 billion in bribes to politicians.Luis Inacio Lula da Silva went to jail after two judgments because of his involvement with this bribery scheme. Despite that, his lawyers paid PwC to generate a report denying corruption involving Petrobras, which was presented to the first judge in charge of his case. Lula was released after the Brazilian Supreme Court changed the law interpretation by 6 votes against 5 to only allow prisons after no more appeals were possible. Until that point, arresting anyone after a higher court confirmed their conviction was the rule. Lula recently managed to win a third term as president. Sergio Moro, the judge who first sentenced Lula to jail, is now a Senator.As for PwC, CVM absolved it from liabilities for signing off Petrobrass financial statements. The company refused to comment on the Evergrande case and also the Lojas Americanas situation with the same excuse: confidentiality due to live client engagement. With such problems in its curriculum, questioning the financial statements PwC approves may become more common.
Currently developing the ultimate electric driving machine, BMW M ended 2022 with record sales. No fewer than 177,257 vehicles were delivered last year, up 8.4 percent compared to 2021 despite a few notable difficulties in terms of logistics and supply chains. The United States of America was the performance-oriented brands most important market, followed by Germany and the United Kingdom, according to the attached press release.Said release also reveals that an electric vehicle was the best-selling M of 2022, namely the i4 M50. This is a clear signal that the unique M feeling has arrived in the world of electrified vehicles, declared head of customer, brand, and sales Timo Resch. The company didnt provide a detailed breakdown of sales, so we dont know how many i4 M50s were delivered.Codenamed G26  just like the 4 Series Gran Coupe on which its based  the i4 is manufactured at BMW Group Plant Munich in Germany. The Bavarian automaker paused vehicle production for six weeks in the summer of 2020 to gear up for the zero-emission i4 luxury sedan, which requires different production procedures compared to its combustion-engined kin.The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesnt have a full-on M variant, only an M Performance variant in the form of the M440i with rear- or all-wheel drive. The i4 M50 that sold better than every other M in 2022 is considered a member of the M Performance family as well, not a true, bonafide M car.Be that as it may, its dual-motor setup is more powerful and torquier than the Competition-spec version of the S58 engine. Lower down the spectrum, the i4 comes with rear-wheel drive in the form of the eDrive40 and eDrive35.Have a wild guess which of these three has the best driving range of the bunch. That would be the middle-of-the-pack eDrive40, which promises 301 miles (484 kilometers) under the EPAs testing protocol. The eDrive35 makes do with 256 miles (412 kilometers), whereas the range-topping i4 M50 promises up to 270 miles (435 kilometers) in the U.S.A.Based on the CLAR cluster architecture of the 4 Series Gran Coupe, the i4 currently starts at $51,400 sans destination charge in this part of the world. The eDrive40 is $55,900 at press time, whereas $67,300 gets you the M50. The latters pricing is pretty good in comparison to the M4 Coupe in Competition xDrive specification, namely $82,400 excluding destination.
We are concerned because the blockade is creating a worsening humanitarian situation [in Nagorno-Karabakh,] Braun-Pivet said after talks held with her Armenian counterpart Alen Simonian.

It is very important that free traffic between Armenia and Karabakh and electricity and internet connections be restored, she told a joint news conference. We will do everything to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.

French President Emmanuel Macron urged Baku to allow free movement along the Lachin Corridor when he phoned his Azerbaijani counterpart Ilham Aliyev late last month. According to the French readout of the call, Aliyev expressed his intention to do so.

However, government-backed Azerbaijani protesters have since continued to block the sole road connecting Karabakh to Armenia on ostensibly environmental grounds. Azerbaijani officials have endorsed their actions.

Later in December, the leaders of Frances mainstream opposition parties said Paris should establish humanitarian presence in Karabakh and seek Western economic and political sanctions against Azerbaijan.

Braun-Pivet, who is affiliated with Macrons LREM party, spoke out against unilateral French sanctions, saying that possibilities of dialogue with Baku have still not been exhausted. She also noted that France does not recognize Karabakh as an independent republic in accordance with international law.

The speaker of the French National Assembly also said that she is visiting Armenia because she believes France must stand alongside brotherly countries whose territorial integrity is threatened and attacked.

As you know, France has always been alongside Armenia to strengthen the country's sovereignty and independence, she said.

France is home to a sizable and influential Armenian community. Azerbaijan has repeatedly accused it of siding with Armenia in the Karabakh conflict.

Simonian said on Friday that Paris has always been an honest broker. He at the same time praised it for doing everything to bring peace to the region and defend the interests of Armenia and the Armenian people.
You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
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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.
Officers and members of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (right) and their counterparts from Japan Coast Guard display their countries flags at the end of a drill in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, Jan. 13, 2022.

The Japan Coast Guard on Friday concluded security drills to train its Malaysian counterpart on how to repel foreign intruders in the disputed South China Sea where Beijing has grown increasingly assertive against other claimant states.



The four-day exercise marked the first time Malaysia was trained in using long-range acoustic devices, called sound cannons, said Saiful Lizan Ibrahim, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agencys deputy director of logistics.

The drill was conducted to train the officers and members on how to use the device and also to test its effectiveness against foreign ships, especially the ones that intrude into the countrys waters, Saiful said in a statement.

It is to be used to chase away intruder ships that refuse to cooperate or the ones that are acting aggressively toward us.

Long-range acoustic devices are specialized loudspeakers that can produce sounds at high power to communicate across vast distances. They are an upgrade from the devices used in Malaysia.

The Japanese government contributed four of the sound cannons to Malaysia. The devices will be mounted on the maritime agencys offshore patrol boats, Saiful said.

Japanese official Tamura Makoto told the Tokyo public broadcaster NHK that his country would continue to work with Southeast Asian counterparts.

Southeast Asia has sea lanes vital to Japan. We will continue to support nations in the region so that they can better ensure maritime safety, he said in a report published Friday.

Unlike Malaysia, Japan is not a direct party to the South China Sea dispute with China, but is an interested stakeholder.

Japans first interest in the South China Sea is to ensure that international trade passes smoothly through the region, according to a paper written in October by H.D.P. Envall at Australian National University, who cited Alessio Patalanos book Japan as a Maritime Power.

Approximately 80% of Japans energy imports travel through the South China Sea and much of its trade as well, the paper said.

Territorial disputes

Japan is locked in its own dispute with China in the East China Sea, particularly over the Senkaku Islands.

As for the South China Sea, Beijing claims almost all of it, including waters within the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. While Indonesia does not regard itself as a party to the dispute, Beijing claims historic rights to parts of the sea overlapping Indonesias EEZ as well.

Meanwhile, Beijing has ignored a 2016 international arbitration court ruling won by Manila that invalidated Chinas vast claims in the South China Sea.

According to the Malaysian government audit report published in 2020, the latest one available, Chinese coast guard and navy ships intruded into Malaysian waters in the South China Sea 89 times between 2016 and 2019. Those ships remained in the region until they were turned away by the Malaysian navy.

Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia have accused China of disrupting their oil and gas exploration activities with frequent incursions by Chinese coast guard and maritime militia ships, leading to confrontations and incidents.

All such activities by Beijing are viewed from Japans perspective as part of a single strategy by China intended to weaken the territorial claims and control of other states in the area and establish its own control, says the paper by ANUs Envall.

Japan also faces similar grey zone tactics  attempts at coercion that fall just below what is considered an armed attack  in the East China Sea, the paper says.

Like with Malaysia, Japan is also enhancing ties with South China Sea claimants, the Philippines and Indonesia.

China will view exercises with suspicion

Malaysias coast guard lacks maritime patrol, emergency response and enforcement resources, so it has acquired assistance from several partners, including Japan and Australia, said Hoo Chiew Ping, senior lecturer in Strategic Studies and International Relations at the Universiti Kebangsaan.

Thus, the acoustic devices to be provided by Japan will increase MMEAs detection capability and provide a warning system to our fishermen to reduce the risks of maritime clash or confrontation with foreign vessels in our waters, she told BenarNews.

The drills with Japan will definitely invite Chinas suspicion, said Shahriman Lockman, a director at Malaysias Institute of Strategic and International Studies.

China would naturally view such exercises with suspicion. They will doubtless express their dismay, even if unofficially, to Malaysian government officials. This is only to be expected, Lockman told BenarNews.

At the same time, China must surely understand at some level that Malaysia needs to build the capacity to defend itself.

Lockman noted China has a persistent presence in Malaysias EEZ in the South China Sea.

Periodically, a China Coast Guard vessel will convey Chinas objections to Malaysias oil and gas activities in the Luconia Shoals area, particularly the Kasawari Gas Development Project, he said.

Chinas presence has become the new normal and is usually shadowed by Malaysian government vessels. There are occasional tensions but these seem to be moderated and kept under control.
Filipino activists carry posters of Jose Maria Sison, founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines, during a march at the University of the Philippines campus in Quezon City, Metro Manila, three days after his death, Dec. 19, 2022.

Philippine authorities on Friday said that eight senior communist guerrilla leaders had surrendered recently to the militarys eastern Mindanao Command, weeks after the death of rebellion founder Jose Maria Sison.

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. did not say when the ranking leaders of the New Peoples Army (NPA) surrendered, only that they gave up because life in the guerrilla camps in the hinterlands had become difficult. The NPA is the guerrilla wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

They are commanding officers [of the NPA] and they have a long involvement with the movement, Abalos told reporters. What drove them to surrender is that they have seen an opening, a chance to trust the government. To the others, give up because the government is here to help.

Authorities identified the rebel leaders as Noel Sinanday, Nickboy Sinanday, Rady Kinoyog, Jilmar Dahinlay, Jertolui Hilario, Roselyn Omandam, Maricel Colawing and Jenelyn Palta. They were said to be operating in the mountains of Bukidnon in Mindanao.

As a goodwill gesture, the eight led the military to three arms caches hidden in villages in the town of Talakag, a rebel stronghold, authorities said.

In addition, more than a dozen NPA rebels surrendered in Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Zamboanga del Sur provinces, according to the state-run Philippine News Agency.

The NPA has been waging one of the worlds longest-running Maoist rebellions since 1969. It peaked in the 1980s, when the number of armed rebels was believed to be about 20,000. Today, slightly more than 2,000 are scattered across the Philippines, according to authorities.

The surrenders came weeks after CPP founder Sison , 83, died on Dec. 16 from natural causes in the Netherlands, where he went into self-exile.

The loss of their highest leader has critically affected the morale of the [rebels]. Without Sisons direction and leadership, the CPP-NPA will suffer, said Eastern Mindanao Command chief Lt. Gen. Greg Almerol said.

That is why their remnants are yielding, even as 2023 has just started, because they know the disaster [that they are facing]. With this situation, we expect more of their comrades to surface and lay down their arms.
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Jennifer Huberdeau is The Eagle's features editor. Prior to The Eagle, she worked at The North Adams Transcript. She is a 2021 Rabkin Award Winner, 2020 New England First Amendment Institute Fellow and a 2010 BCBS Health Care Fellow.
A man was found guilty on Thursday of fatally shooting a woman in Hartford in 2005, officials said.

A jury found Brandon Jones, 35, guilty of murder Thursday for his role in the death of 21-year-old Dante Davis, according to a statement from the Division of Criminal Justice.

On June 21, 2005, Hartford police responded to reports of a woman shot at 131 Main St. in Hartford and learned that Davis had been standing outside with her boyfriend and others when a group of people opened fire in the area, according to court records and evidence presented at trial.

Davis was shot in her head and later died from her wounds, records show. Davis was carrying a bottle of milk for her baby. She died at the hospital.

In March, Jones and three other people were charged in connection with her killing following an investigation by the Cold Case Unit of the Office of the Chief States Attorney, the Hartford States Attorneys Office and city police.

Investigators had, over the years, followed up on dozens of tips, interviewed multiple witnesses and examined cellphone data to make the arrests, the DOJ said.

John F. Fahey, supervisory assistant states attorney who heads the cold case unit, prosecuted Jones case alongside Senior Assistant States Attorney Robin Krawczyk. The pair also recently prosecuted the once-cold case of four attacks in the summer of 1984, leading to the conviction and life sentence for Michael Sharpe.

Fahey said in a statement Thursday that he was thankful to the jury who reached a guilty verdict in Jones case.

We in the Cold Case Unit as well as members of Ms. Davis family are grateful to the ladies and gentlemen of the jury on this case who listened attentively to the evidence and deliberated carefully in arriving at this verdict, said Fahey. The family has waited many years for justice after suffering such an unimaginable loss.
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Elon Musk, shown in March 2020, has been in the headlines lately for his bumpy takeover of Twitter. But regardless of how you feel about him, he's among the most successful entrepreneurs of his time.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., leads the final vote of the impeachment of President Donald Trump for his role in inciting an angry mob to storm Congress at the Capitol in Washington on Jan. 13, 2021.
BECKET  For years, a small store offering groceries and a deli had customers in the center of Becket all to itself. But, even that proved not
LANESBOROUGH  After years of public debate, Lanesborough will soon brief residents on the state of plans to build a new police station.

Kristen Tool, chair of the Police Building Committee, said her committee is preparing a slideshow presentation on steps being taken ahead of a coming vote on the construction project. Since 2019, Lanesborough has been working to replace an old police station at 8 Prospect St.

Lanesborough residents will be invited to a public information meeting to ask questions. Tool believes that the presentation will provide the transparency needed to help ensure the project moves forward. The decision could come at a special town meeting late this winter or early spring.

Recently, the committee recently received its latest cost estimate of just under $6 million. Tool said the estimate is lower than the first one the panel received, in part because materials prices have gone down.

The proposed location of the new station is not yet public but will be revealed soon, Tool said.

Questions about the stations price have already prompted officials to pull back. Taxpayers objected to a proposed $4.3 million building cost in November 2021. The Select Board struck it down before a town vote. In August, the committee moved to combine a police building with an EMS building, to reduce costs and open up funding opportunities.

Tool acknowledges that $6 million is a big number for the town. However, she says state bonds could fund $1 million of that cost. The Baker Hill Road District has pledged a gift of $150,000 that could help pay to acquire land.

Tool said the town is working on a purchase agreement for the preferred site.

The new proposed budget includes $4,762,600 for site work and construction, plus $750,500 in soft costs such as engineering fees and other costs.

Another $476,000, 10 percent of the construction cost, is allocated for contingencies, bringing the project budget to $5,989,100. The estimate was prepared by Jacunski Hume Architects LLC of Berlin, Conn.

Insurance, legal fees and sewer hook-up costs are yet to be determined. Tool said the Lanesborough water district has agreed to waive a $3,000 hookup fee.

These terms  even accepting the gift money  will have to be approved by residents.

Even with the Baker Hill Road District gift, and presuming the state will contribute $1 million, Lanesborough would still have to pay nearly $5 million.

Recently, Tool met with newly elected state Sen. Paul Mark. He advised her to seek help from the USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant Program. Tool said Lanesborough appears to qualify for a 40-year, low-interest loan and another grant program that could cover 15 percent of the costs.

The committee continues to look for more funding sources. Its all just information-gathering at this point. Lanesborough residents need to vote on it first, Tool said.
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.
Expert: COVID-19 risk minimal during holiday

10:14, January 13, 2023 By Zhang Yu ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Tourists visit Great Tang All Day Mall in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, Dec 30, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

There's little need to worry about a predicted new wave of COVID-19 infections during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday, even though large numbers of people will be on the move, an expert said.

"Even if a second wave of infections from the same virus strain does arrive, it will generally not exceed the first wave. It will likely have a much lower peak," said Liu Yu, an epidemiologist at Peking University's School of Public Health, was quoted as saying by People's Daily

Many places in the country have predicted a second wave of infections around Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, including Zhangzhou, Fujian province, Jinan, Shandong province and Shaoxing, Zhejiang province.

Because of the crush of people returning home, travelers are more likely to be exposed to the virus, and those who were not infected yet are at increased risk of becoming infected, Liu said.

For those who have already weathered infection, the risk of a second round remains but is not high, Liu said, adding that high levels of neutralizing antibodies are maintained in the body for a short time.

"There's no need to worry too much," Liu said.

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Liang Jun)
Two men were arrested in Harwinton on Thursday after troopers from the Connecticut State Police pulled them over and allegedly found around 500 gallons of stolen used cooking oil.

Troop L in Litchfield received a 911 call of a suspicious vehicle occupied by two men parked near a restaurant on Birge Park Road in Harwinton before 6 a.m. on Thursday. State police said they witnessed the suspects fleeing the scene but were able to stop the vehicle on Route 8 in Harwinton.

Troopers determined the men had allegedly stolen around 500 gallons of used cooking oil, which can be converted into biodiesel and sold on the illicit market, state police said.

The two men, identified as 25-year-olds Isaac Then and Jeyson Santiago, both of Yonkers, New York, were arrested and transported to Troop L for processing. They were both charged with second-degree criminal mischief, conspiracy to commit larceny and first-degree criminal trespassing. Then was also charged with speeding, operating without a license and disobeying the signal of a police officer.

Both men were held on a $25,000 cash bond and were scheduled to appear in Torrington Superior Court on Friday.
Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty (John 6:35).

God is our Provider, and Jesus is the Bread of Life. John recorded Jesus promise that all who freely accept this bread will no longer hunger. The first of the I am statements of Jesus, which solidify His nature as fully God and fully man is I am the bread of life, which describes the way we find full satisfaction in and through Christ alone.

God is the supplier of divine bread, explains the NIV Commentary, and whoever eats of it will live forever. Every word Jesus spoke on earth carried precise weight and meaning. This important note of Scripture defines our need to trust the Living Word to satisfy our physical bodies, heart and soul.

The Meaning of "I am the Bread of Life" in John 6:35

John begins his gospel account with, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1). Manna was the miraculous bread given to the Israelites as they traveled through the desert. Enough was given to them to satisfy their hunger for the day. If they kept any for the next day, it would spoil with worms. Jesus overturned traditional Jewish beliefs by referring to Himself as the bread of life.

Jewish leaders also referred to bread, or manna, as spiritual food. In this text, John records Jesus explaining He is the Bread of Life, the very Word of God made flesh. As the people yearned for the heavenly bread and as the rabbis reinterpreted this bread to mean the wisdom or life-sustaining presence of God, the NIV Application Commentary explains, so now Jesus is that precious gift.

The day before Jesus said these things, he had fed a crowd of 5,000 people with loaves and fish, explained Jon Bloom for desiring God. Not since the days of manna had a prophet provided miracle bread like that. Jesus was now proclaiming to be Manna Himself, writes Trevin Wax. Not only is God Provider for our physical needs, but His Word made flesh satisfies the needs of our souls.

The Greek word used to describe the eating of the bread uses the Greek aorist tense: It is a singular event, a decision to believe and appropriate the gift of eternal life (NIV Application Commentary). The Greek root of the word bread refers specifically to the manna in the desert, but also to food of any kind. Paul wrote about our strength coming from Christ, and Scripture echoes that the purpose of our lives is to honor and bring glory to God in all we do.

Why Would Jesus Use the Analogy of Bread for Himself?

Jesus spoke in terms, parables, and analogies most could understand. Especially in the light of Passover, He knew the Jewish leaders and Gods people would understand His reference to bread. Their understanding of exactly what He meant, however, was divinely appointed. Through the relation of hunger, a physical need, Jesus explained the recalculation of our every desire -not just for physical food but spiritual - to be satisfied in Him.

The Israelites in the desert were required to trust God daily for manna, their literal daily bread. Jesus is imploring believers to put full confidence in Him, trusting He will provide wisdom that leads to true satisfaction. He is the only way to the Father.

Jesus earthly life was dedicated to executing the will of His Father. Paul wrote to the Philippians, have the same mindset as Christ, who: being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His advantage (Philippians 2:5-7). Christ took on human skin and was crucified to eliminate the separation between God and His people. The NIV Application Commentary explains, the idea is not about Jesus welcoming people, but about Jesus welcoming people whom the Father has given into his care.





Photo credit: Pexels/Mariana Kurnyk

Is This Verse Found in Other Gospels or Only John?

I am the bread of life (John 6:48).

Found only in Johns gospel, this phrase is repeated twice more, part of a bigger text and even larger prophetic fulfillment of the seven I am statements of Jesus. John also recorded Jesus words: I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world (John 6:51).

These statements were not easy for listeners of Jesus message to hear. It was not only the Jewish leaders who took offense at some of the things Jesus was claiming, but also His followers. He lost many followers as He spoke on this subject.

What Should Christ Followers Take Away from This Verse?

Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you (John 6:27).

Johns prose reminds Christ followers where our strength and sustenance comes from, both physically and spiritually. In Christ and God-willing, we are able to see and understand notes of Scripture, and life around us, through godly perspective and in tune with divine purpose. The darkness of the world is so severe that God alone must penetrate it in order to free people to see Jesus clearly, writes the NIV Application Commentary.

We should take this verse as a reminder to seek Him first, and trust we will be satisfied through obedience to His Word and calling on our lives. Our faith is anchored in grace, requiring no legalistic accolades or accomplishments. But from hearts seeking Christ, grace and love flow. Jesus came into the world to change your desires so that he would be your main desire, explained John Piper.

Fully Satisfied

When we celebrate the Last Supper through communion, we are reinstating our trust in God, and our need for Him to satisfy our souls. God must move the inner heart of a person before he or she can see the things of God. And this takes place on Gods initiative NIV Application Commentary. Christ came to eliminate the separation we all have from God before we accept Christ as our Savior. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Him.

The Living Word, Jesus in this one statement describes our need for Him, and the hope we find in Him to be fully satisfied by our Creator - the One True God. These words recorded by the apostle John lead us forward in obedient hope. He who heals every ailment and provides for every need will be faithful. Jesus, The Bread of Life, fully satisfies our every hunger.

Source

NIV Application Commentary, Gary M. Burge, 2000.
Clement of Alexandria is not a name you hear every day. Though an important church father, Clement of Alexandrias name has been buried under time and antiquity. Lost in the history books. Yet if you are a Christian, he may have played a role in your theology that you dont even know about.

Who Was Clement of Alexandria?

Born of pagan parents in Athens in 150 CE, Titus Flavius Clemens grew up to be a truth seeker. He discovered the truth of Christ from a philosopher named Pantaenus in the city of Alexandria. Pantaenus became Clements teacher. He taught about Christianity through the lens of the scientific teachings floating around the Greek cities at that time. This was pivotal to Clements theology and the way he taught. I would argue that though this method caused others to label Clement a heretic, his desire to teach in a way the Greeks and Gnostics could understand, using the language of their philosophies, affected the way many of us understand the Bible today. After all, the Greeks greatly influenced our ways of learning.

Clements Method of Witnessing to Gnostics and Greeks

Clement developed a program of witnessing to both Greeks and Gnostics. Britannica contributor Linwood Frederickson states that Clement believed the Greeks philosophy could lead them to Christ, just as the Mosaic law could lead Jews to Jesus. Frederickson describes Clements goal as being to make Christian beliefs intelligible to educated Greeks so that Greek converts could witness well within their Hellenistic culture.

His goal was evangelism. And his method included using the language and culture of those he witnessed to. Ive often heard it said people receive Christ better when the gospel is preached in their language. Clement took it further by witnessing through the filters of Greek intellect and Gnosticism.

How Clement of Alexandria Used Gnosticism

The Gnostics believed the worlds creator was a lesser deity who made mistakes when he created the worldmistakes causing evil, disease, and death. They also believed this god lived far away from humanity, not desiring a relationship with his creation. Finally, the Gnostics believed that though this god made mistakes in creating humankind, he did leave a good god spark in each person, making humanity inherently good while trapped in an evil, material body.

The Gnostics believed a special mystic knowledge provided salvation. The word gnosis means to know. Using the idea that knowledge is the key, Clement taught that knowledge and faith in a loving God and His Son Jesus led to salvation. God wants us to know Him, but the Gnostics relied on their own ability to understand something rather than trusting Gods Word. Knowledge became the bond between Clement and the Gnostics, which often opened the door to the truth he shared.

What Were the Key Events in the Life of Clement of Alexandria?

Very little is known about Clements life, but a few key events positioned him to have the influence he holds today.

190 AD: Clement became the head of Pantaenus catechetical school in Alexandria. According to an article in Christianity Today, He taught a new philosophy that addressed the cultural and philosophical concerns of the day.

190-200 AD: Clement authored books as well as countless articles and sermons. Here are some of the most famous:

- Stromateis (also known as Miscellanies). Christianity Today describes this book as a multicolored patchwork of teachings in advanced philosophy, ethics, and disciplined instruction for Christian Gnostics to lead them into esoteric knowledge (gnosis)...

- Paedagogus (also known as Instructor) was a book outlining the duties and ethics of believers.

- Protrepticus (also known as Exhortations to the Greeks) was written for unbaptized people who had not been persuaded of the reasons for Christ.

- The Discourse Concerning the Salvation of Rich Men. This sermon was on the dangers and blessings of money.

201-202 AD: Emperor Severus persecuted Christians and closed Clements school in Alexandria. Clement was forced to find sanctuary.

215 AD: Clement died.

Did Clement of Alexandria Know Any Other Famous Christians?

Two of Clements students, Origen and Alexander of Jerusalem, played important roles in church history and Clements life. After Clements school closed due to persecution, Origen reopened it. Origens teachings were based on Clements philosophy, and he became one of the early churchs greatest Greek theologians.

Alexander became the bishop of Jerusalem. Some historians believe Clement found safety and employment in Palestine with Alexander after he had to flee from Alexandria during the persecution. Its believed that Clement remained with the bishop until he died.

8 Quotes by Clement of Alexandria

Clements books and sermons held nuggets of grace and truth. Though much of his work focused on the unsaved, he also dealt with the churchs divisions. These eight quotes reveal the heart and wisdom of Clement, whose work included simple advice and mystical ideas. His work spoke on the divine, the use of finances, and the churchs use of symbols.

1. One, therefore, is the way of truth, but into it, just as into an everlasting river, flow streams but from another place.  Stromateis

2. [Knowledge] loves and teaches the ignorant and instructs the whole creation to honor God the Almighty.  Stromateis

3. Let us remove the ignorance and darkness that spreads like a mist over our sight, and let us get a vision of the true God.  Exhortation to the Greeks

4. Our superintendence in instruction and discipline is the office of the Word [Logos, in Greek], from whom we learn frugality and humility, and all that pertains to love of freedom, love of man, and love of excellence.  Instructor

5. The man of understanding and discernment is, then, a Gnostic. And his business is not abstinence from what is evil... or the doing of good out of fear... nor any more is he to do so from hope of promised recompense... but only the doing of good out of love, and for the sake of its own excellence is the Gnostics choice.  Miscellanies

6. The Lord admits the use of outward things, bidding us put away, not the means of living, but the things that use these badly. And these are... the infirmities and passions of the soul.  The Discourse Concerning the Soul of a Rich Man

7. The Word does not command us to renounce property but to manage property without inordinate affection.  The Discourse Concerning the Salvation of Rich Men

8. Let our emblem be a dove, or a fish, or a ship running before the wind, or a musicians lyre, or a ships anchor. And if there be a fisherman, he will remind us of an apostle, and little children being drawn up out of the water.  The Discourse Concerning the Salvation of Rich Men

What Makes Clement of Alexandria Important Today?

Clement of Alexandria is important today because he was a great father of evangelism and apologetics. His methods of reaching the Greeks and Gnostics through their language and culture still play an important role in us today. His student Origen influenced the next generation of church leaders, and Clements work later influenced theologians like John Wesley.

Clements intellectual approach to witnessing may feel obvious to us because knowledge is valued in our culture. We may not realize that we also follow his approach to witnessing in peoples language. The current emphasis on doing church in blacked-out auditoriums, playing rock music for worship, and not being too surprised if someone shows up with a tattoo, follows Clements idea of doing church in a way that the culture can relate to. Clement wasnt the only early Christian to take this approach. Paul talked about becoming a Jew to Jews, all things to all people (1 Corinthians 9:20-22). However, Clement took that idea in a new direction for the next generation and helped ensure it would be passed on.

We can also learn something from how Clement tackled Gnostic teachings. Though we live in a postmodern world, traces of Gnosticism permeate our culture. A deeper study of Clements teachings could counterbalance the effect of modernitys gnostic tentacles that have crept into our daily lives, teaching people that they have their own truth. We cant close our eyes to this threat. As Clement wrote, Let us remove the ignorance and darkness that spreads like a mist over our sight, and let us get a vision of the true God.

Further Reading:

Writings of the Early Church Fathers

Post-Nicene Church Fathers

10 Things You Should Know about Church Father Augustine

Photo Credit: Public domain illustration, via Wikimedia Commons
Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High near 55F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.

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Mostly cloudy. Low 38F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.

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Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 56F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.
The number of measles cases in the country continues to be of concern, warns the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

Source: DynaMedex.

This is in the wake of outbreaks in five of nine provinces with more than 300 confirmed cases. The affected provinces are Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Gauteng and the Free State.

Most confirmed measles cases, 44%, are affecting five- to nine-year-olds, with some 28% of cases among one- to four-year-olds and the remainder among people aged 10- to 42-years, UN's children's agency, Unicef SA confirmed.

With schools in South Africa currently re-opening for the 2023 academic year, teachers have been cautioned to look out for the signs of measles among learners.

The Department of Health's Foster Mohale said learners displaying symptoms should be sent home to contain the spread.

Unicef SA advised frontline health and social workers, and community, faith and civil society leaders, as well as educators and early childhood development practitioners to be on high alert for anyone showing symptoms, and to report this to the nearest health facility as soon as possible.

"Measles is an acute viral respiratory illness. It is characterised by a prodrome of fever (as high as 40.5 degrees Celsius) and malaise, cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis - the three 'C's - ...Koplik spots, followed by a maculopapular rash. The rash usually appears about 14 days after a person is exposed," the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains.

"Patients are considered to be contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears."

#Measles case are rising in  UNICEF is supporting @HealthZA to improve immunisation systems & drive up vaccine demand, including providing cold chain equipment for 2000 health facilities. Danke @GermanyDiplo @AA_stabilisiert @GermanEmbassySA for helping to protect #EveryChild! pic.twitter.com/hnoRGIodQw  UNICEF South Africa (@UNICEF_SA) December 23, 2022

The outbreak has been attributed to consistent lower than optimal vaccine coverage of routine measles 1 and 2 doses, which increases the risk of being infected and of spreading the disease, Unicef said in a media statement. "Covid-19 further interrupted childhood vaccinations in South Africa but catch-up campaigns in late 2020 and 2021 helped to recover levels to near pre-Covid levels."

Prevention and control of measles outbreaks can only be achieved through vaccination, the NICD stressed.

Vaccination records under scrutiny

"Caregivers and parents are advised to review their childs vaccination records and confirm that they have received the measles vaccine. It is never too late to vaccinate  children who have not been vaccinated may receive the measles vaccine at any age over six months, and free of charge at primary health services," it reiterated.

As part of the outbreak response, Unicef SA is engaging The Truck, a multimedia messenger to travel across hotspot areas providing lifesaving information and to work with communities through health workers and other partners. Unicef SA is also collaborating with partners, including Unicef offices in neighbouring countries, to monitor and support any needed response in cross-border areas.

Unicef expressed its gratitude for the generous support provided by the governments of Germany and Japan to support and strengthen South Africas vaccine cold chain, management and risk communication, and community engagement work.

It is understood that the health departments in the respective provinces have commenced with or are planning immunisation campaigns, the NICD added. This is in spite of the number of specimens submitted in the last three weeks and the number of positive cases appearing to be decreasing in comparison with previous weeks.

How did a drop in public confidence in vaccination in Ukraine in 2008 lead to >130,000 #measles cases, 40 deaths and nearly US$ 140 million in economic damage worldwide? Gavis Dr Lee Hampton examines how this case illustrates the value of vaccine safety: https://t.co/5bgSA9CLwa  Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (@gavi) January 12, 2023

The immunisation campaigns are set to roll-out against the backdrop of an explosion of preventable diseases in Africa due to delays in vaccinating children, the World Health Organization (WHO) said, with measles cases jumping 400%.

Twenty African countries reported measles outbreaks in the first quarter of 2022, eight more than in the first three months of 2021.

The World Health Organization and Unicef announced in April last year in Geneva that measles cases surged by nearly 80% worldwide in 2022.

Unicef SA said globally some 25 million children are missing out on life-saving vaccines every year.

According to information released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, measles is caused by a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus with 1 serotype.

"It is classified as a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family.

"Humans are the only natural hosts of measles virus."
Once the 2022 matric results are released, there will inevitably be a lot of disappointment and hand-wringing mixed with euphoria (and relief). No doubt much emphasis will be placed on the fact that only around a third of matrics obtained university entrance and therefore supposedly have limited prospects - academic, work or otherwise.

Image source: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Im here to tell parents and school-leavers thats nonsense  there is hope beyond a matric certificate. But it does require hard work and a can-do attitude.

From first-hand experience, I can honestly reassure parents that if their child has less-than-perfect matric results, they need not despair. Having witnessed the heartwarming success stories of so many of our graduates who have pushed themselves and gained the self-belief to find their niche, Ive seen that anything is possible. Here are five hot tips to give South Africas matrics the impetus to seize their future with drive and intention.

Be kind to yourself You may be disappointed or even devastated by your exam results. Its completely understandable. Allow yourself to process those feelings but dont let them linger  and dont hammer yourself. Numbers on a matric certificate dont define who you are as a person. See this as an opportunity to dig into your reserves of resilience, grit and determination and banish any notions of self-criticism. Get up, dust yourself off and realise this is just part of your journey. As Nelson Mandela once said, The greatest glory of living lies not in never falling but in rising every time you fall. Dont be afraid to fall  or fail. Attitude (plus hard work) is everything Adopt a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset. Dont close the door and give up. Draw inspiration from the power of yet (a notion popularised by motivational expert Dr Carol Dweck, a professor of psychology at Stanford University) to say, Im not good at that  yet instead of saying, I cant do that. Think of yourself as a work in progress, a masterpiece in development. Having a positive attitude to yourself, your learning trajectory and your growth, coupled with emotional intelligence, is the key to a successful life.

What do you want? In South Africa, we spend so much time focusing on getting a job  any job  that we dont always pause to ask ourselves what we would like to do to add meaning to our lives. Lets face it: every job has its pain points and grudge areas  but if you do something you are passionate about, you are more likely to be secure and productive in your job and enjoy upward mobility. So, how do you find out what youre good at and what kind of career youd flourish in? There are some fantastic free online resources out there to set you on the right path. For example, the South African careers website Gostudy.net offers a free career assessment questionnaire that will suggest a selection of suitable careers and bursaries available in ones field of interest. Its vital to get some form of career guidance to assess your values, skills and who you are as a person, and determine how this bouquet of attributes would best fit together in the world of work. At GWF, we already weave this into our Bridging Year Academy curriculum, but our aim is to also establish a job centre at each of our six campuses soon where anyone  not just our students  can come in and do research for jobs, bursaries and academic opportunities, without having to worry about data. Do your homework You may be surprised to learn that once youve identified what youd like to do with your life, you might not even need a matric certificate for it  or a degree, for that matter. University is not for everyone, and there are ample opportunities if you cant (or dont want to) go that route. A number of skills-based courses are available through TVET colleges, or you could enrol in a distance-learning course (from bookkeeping and design to beauty therapy and tourism) through an accredited college, with or without a matric certificate. You can also opt to upgrade your matric part-time while you work, take care of family commitments and so on. Furthermore, there are often excellent opportunities to learn on the job in certain professions. Dont believe those who told you there would be no opportunities without a matric pass in Maths  there are hundreds of alternative career options available to you! So, do your research and find out what skills are in demand  in artisanal fields, for example  and what career paths your matric pass (national senior certificate, higher certificate, diploma or bachelors pass) gives you access to. Go for it  and keep going! Get into the drivers seat and start moving! You are the CEO of your own life and its up to you to take charge of it. Cultivate a love of lifelong learning and you will never be bored or unfulfilled. Keep growing and learning, whether its on the job or through free online courses. Cultivate networks and develop a 30-second elevator pitch should you happen to meet a potential employer. Keep updating your CV with new competencies and skills to ensure you get into the yes pile. Take a look at this handy employability resource to gain an overview of 60 skills to help you manage your career  and to obtain a free national employability certificate to help you in your job quest.

Finally, while exploring all these exciting opportunities, never lose sight of what you have your heart set on doing! Remember that matric is not the end  its just the beginning of the next phase of your life.
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) will hold its first 2023 council meeting on 18 and 19 January, in Cape Town, South Africa. This will also be the first time that Africa hosts the internationally attended meeting of CIMA's global governing body.

Melanie J. Kanaka, FCMA, CGMA, CIMA President and Co-Chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA & CIMA

CIMA is the worlds largest professional body of management accountants and, together with the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), is a founding member the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing just under 700,000 AIPCA and CIMA members, candidates and engaged professionals across the world.

During the two-day meeting, accounting, finance, and business leaders based in the USA, UK, Canada, Europe, Asia Pacific, South Asia and Africa will meet in person. They will use the meeting to develop their understanding of challenges and opportunities for the accounting profession in Africa, and develop strategies to guide the profession globally in its mission to drive trust, opportunity and prosperity for individuals, organisations, economies, and society as whole.

Melanie J. Kanaka, FCMA, CGMA, CIMA president and co-chair of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA & CIMA, says: We are delighted to be hosting our first-ever CIMA council on the African continent, and specifically Cape Town, a city of opportunity for individuals and businesses.

She continues: Over the last few years, the accounting and finance profession demonstrated its unique and powerful capacity to adapt and thrive and guide businesses and economies through ongoing disruption and uncertainty. We are gathering in South Africa to bring together leaders from all over the world to discuss the role the accounting and finance profession has in driving prosperity in Africa and globally. Our time will be spent sharing insights and contributing to a profession-wide action plan to address key areas such as digital transformation; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI); environmental, societal and governance (ESG) challenges; and the attraction of future generations of accountants and finance professionals.

Alongside the CIMA council meeting, AICPA & CIMA will host additional events in Johannesburg and Cape Town for CIMA members, CGMA candidates, business leaders, employers, and partners in South Africa, including the ESG: Implications on business and finance event and a roundtable on the future of the profession with accounting firms.




The parents of a 4-year-old Bristol girl who died after suffering from what investigators called longterm child abuse appeared in court on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to the charges in connection with her death.

Ashley Hernandez-DeJesus, 28, and Rocky Hernandez-DeJesus, 31, are both charged with manslaughter, risk of injury to a child, intentional cruelty to persons, first-degree unlawful restraint and conspiracy to commit risk of injury to a child for their alleged roles in the girls death, court records show.

They appeared in court in New Britain on Thursday morning and both pleaded not guilty before Judge Maureen M. Keegan.

Ashley Hernandez-DeJesus

The couples 4-year-old daughter, who has not been identified in police or court records, died in June after being rushed to Bristol Hospital with what doctor described as a severe head injury, records show.

Her parents told doctors and police that the girl had fallen at Norton Park in Plainville, but police found no evidence that the couple had been at the park at the time they said she fell. Doctors and a medical examiner told investigators, who charged the couple in December, that the girls injuries were consistent with sustained abuse over a long period of time, records show.

When she arrived at the hospital, the girl had five to six different head injuries, deep ligature marks on her wrists and ankles, bruising all over her body, a break near her elbow and appeared malnourished, records show.

She died on June 18, 2022, two days after she was brought to the hospital. Her death was ruled a homicide by child abuse homicide, according to officials.

The state Department of Children and Families said in a statement that they had been involved with the family previously due to reports of maltreatment of the couples other children but never received any reports about maltreatment of the child who died. Their case with the family was closed at the time of the girls death.

Rocky Hernandez-DeJesus, who allegedly told family members and friends different accounts of what happened to his daughter and searched for images of the park where he said his daughter fell before describing the park to police, is also charged with giving a false statement, records show.

Ashley and Rocky Hernandez-DeJesus are both scheduled to appear in court next in New Britain on Feb. 14. They are both free from custody on $250,000 bonds, according to court records.
South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) resolved at a party conference that monetary policy should be implemented "in a balanced manner, taking into account growth, employment and exchange rate factors," a document seen by Reuters showed.

Source: Reuters. A delegate stands near a banner during the 55th national conference of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg, 18 December, 2022.

The document on the conference resolutions also said the constitutional independence of the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) must be reaffirmed and that the private ownership of the bank must be corrected in a way that does not enrich speculators or overburden public finances.

There was no mention in the conference resolutions on economic transformation of altering the mandate of the Sarb by means of a constitutional amendment, an issue that has spooked investors in the past because the bank has a strong reputation for acting independently.

The private ownership of the bank must be corrected in a way that does not enrich speculators or overburden public finances.

The central bank's primary focus, as spelled out in the constitution, is currently "to protect the value of the currency in the interest of balanced and sustainable economic growth".

ANC chairman, Gwede Mantashe last week told Bloomberg that the party wanted the central bank's mandate to be expanded, briefly causing the rand to fall.
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on Thursday, 12 January, approved an 18.65% power price rise for beleaguered state utility Eskom for the financial year starting on 1 April, less than the company requested.

Source: Reuters/Siphiwe Sibeko

Eskom had sought an increase of more than 32%, citing higher fuel costs, depreciation of its generation assets and higher procurement from independent power producers.

Regulator Nersa also approved a 12.74% tariff increase for the following year.

Eskom has been mired in financial crisis for years and is dependent on government bailouts.

Nersa rarely grants Eskom the full tariff increase it seeks, with disputes between the two often ending in court.

"The energy regulator attempted to strike a balance between Eskom's financial sustainability issues, the impact on the South African economy, and affordability of electricity services to customers," Nersa chair Thembani Bukula told a media briefing.

Eskom said it would issue a statement on the tariff increase on Friday.

Eskom is implementing some of the deepest power cuts on record of about six to eight hours a day for most households. It implemented power cuts on more than 200 days last year, the most in a calendar year.

Government to absorb part of Eskom debt

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been trying to reform the debt-laden company since taking office in 2018 to make it more efficient, but progress has been slow. His government plans to take on part of Eskom's roughly R400bn debt.

Finance minister Enoch Godongwana said earlier on Thursday the government would take on Eskom's debt in steps. How much debt is absorbed by the government depended, in part, on the price increase granted by Nersa, he said.

"It's an important variable because it's going to demonstrate to me Eskom's sustainability in the long-term and ... therefore what debt should I take," the minister told Reuters.
The post-Covid holiday season, which has the provincial government celebrating a "spectacular recovery" in visitor numbers through Cape Town International Airport, has also seen one of the city's main attractions - its beaches - suffer temporary closures due to sewage spills.

Visitors, including children, were swimming in Kalk Bays Dalebrook tidal pool on 11 January despite a warning sign posted by the City of Cape Town. Source: Steve Kretzmann/GroundUp

Over the past month, eight beaches have been temporarily closed, some of them more than once, due to sewage spills, which the city has largely blamed on the impact of load shedding on its sewage pump stations.

The latest, and ongoing closure at time of writing, was the popular Dalebrook tidal pool and adjacent Kalk Bay beach area. The cause of the pollution here has not yet been determined.

Dalebrook tidal pool was first closed on 7 January, reopened on 9 January, and closed again on 11 January.

On a visit to the tidal pool on 11 January, we found a sign posted on a poolside railing warning of polluted water unsafe for swimming, playing, or drinking. However, the pool was filled with swimmers, including many children.

When asked if she was worried about the health of her children playing in the water, Bernadine from Kirstenhof said she hadnt seen the sign.

But the water doesnt look too bad, she said.

She said she doesnt follow the citys social media pages, so she was not aware of the warnings which had been posted.

If it was serious, wouldnt they have closed it completely? she asked, referring to there being a warning sign but no restrictions to swimming.

Three 16-year-olds, who had been swimming, said they also had not seen the warning sign.

Corrie said she had come from Plumstead for a swim, but when she saw the warning sign, she opted to get wet under the beach shower instead.

She said she wished shed known about the pollution warning as it would have saved her driving to Kalk Bay.

Alex Lansdowne, chairperson of the mayoral advisory committee for water quality, said the pollution at Kalk Bay did not seem to be caused by the sewage pump station situated next to the tidal pool.

Lansdowne said the extremely low tides following the recent full moon, which results in the water remaining stagnant and shallow for a number of hours, combined with the number of people using the tidal pool, may have contributed to high levels of faecal coliforms found in the pool that resulted in it being closed again.

We suspect this may be the case as there is no known sewage leak, but we are investigating thoroughly before we conclude.

Rolling closures

The first beach to be closed over the summer holidays was the section between Muizenberg Pavilion and Sunrise Beach on 12 December, just as the festive season started. The city said sewage had spilled into Zandvlei, which flows out to sea at Muizenberg, due to an electrical fault at a pump station situated near the estuary mouth.

According to the city, the electrical fault was caused by a faulty ultrasonic device, and the public was advised to avoid contact with the water until further notice as it could result in tummy bugs.

A city media release stated non-stop load shedding was impacting infrastructure, including sewage pump stations: Despite contingency measures such as (mobile) generators and telemetry systems at our sewer infrastructure, with severe load shedding, i.e., large areas without power, it is not logistically possible to prevent sewer overflows entirely, in which case the operational teams do their utmost to contain and clean up such flows.

Residents were also asked to reduce water usage, as load shedding was also hampering the ability to pump water to reservoirs on the Cape Flats.

Muizenberg was opened again on 16 December when water quality samples determined E. coli was within the recreational activity risk limits. But two days later, Fish Hoeks popular family beach was closed due to a sewer overflow in the area. This was later found to be caused by a blocked sewer. Fish Hoek beach was opened again the next day.

The city experiences daily challenges with inappropriate objects blocking our sewer network. The situation is compounded by load shedding  particularly the sustained higher levels that we have experienced. The impact is quite visible, particularly as relates to our coastal areas, at a time when the beach is a very popular destination. I think we need to accept that pump station faults can and will occur, given the ongoing load shedding, said acting mayor Eddie Andrews.

Despite ongoing load shedding, there were no further beach closures in December other than Lagoon Beach at the mouth of the Milnerton Estuary, which has been signposted as too polluted for swimming for at least the last three years.

But as 2023 started, beach closures came thick and fast. Strand Beach and Small Bay in Blaauwberg were closed on 1 January, with a section of Fish Hoek closed again on 2 January due to blocked sewer lines.

By 3 January, Strand and Small Bay were reopened, with Fish Hoek reopened on 4 January, only for a section of Gordons Bay Beach to be closed after a pump station tripped.

Three days later, Gordons Bay was reopened, only for Kalk Bay beach and popular Dalebrook tidal pool to be closed, on this occasion due to a sewage overflow.

As Dalebrook opened on 9 January, Llandudno was closed due to an overflow from a sewer pump station as a result of a load shedding power surge.

Dalebrook was opened on 10 January, although the Kalk Bay beach section remained closed, only for Dalebrook to be announced closed again on 11 January, with the cause of the sewage pollution yet to be determined, while Llandudno was reopened.

Criteria for closure

Lansdowne said decisions to effect beach closures were based on the National Water Quality Guidelines for full immersion, with 500 faecal coliform colony forming units (cfu) per 100ml being the maximum allowed. Faecal coliforms, such as E.coli, are bacteria naturally occurring in the human gut and high levels are indicative of sewage pollution.

He said it took 48 hours from the time of taking a water sample, to obtaining the results, as the sample had to be cultured in the laboratory. Thus when a pollution incident occurred, the beach was closed for a minimum of 150 metres on either side of the pollution source as a precautionary measure, and daily water samples taken until the water was deemed clean enough for swimming.

He said 90% of the time, city engineers were on the scene within two hours of an incident being reported and started work on fixing the cause of the pollution.

It was a cautionary, risk-averse approach.

Proactive approach

Caroline Marx, an environmental activist who has been at the forefront of fighting for the clean-up of the Diep River estuary, and one of the people behind rethinkthestink.co.za, said while coastal water quality was poor at many beaches, she was glad the city was being proactive about pollution rather than pretending everything was fine.

Marx said after years of fighting for transparency over water quality, the city was now moving in that direction.

More questions are being asked and water and sanitation are being put under the hammer and councillors are holding them accountable. She said the trend is good but the water quality results are bad.

However, chairperson of the Fish Hoek Valley ratepayers and residents association Brian Youngblood believes the city was not being proactive enough in mitigating the impact of load shedding leading to sewage pollution.

Youngblood said in the Fish Hoek valley there were two pumpstations with generators that pumped sewage to a higher lying pump station. However, the higher-lying pump station did not have a generator so its small sewage reservoir often overflowed during load shedding, polluting the Silvermine River wetlands.

Article originally published on GroundUp.
For many South African entrepreneurs, credit provides an effective way of financing an SME (small and medium enterprise) through its early stages or into its next phase of growth. But while traditional forms of credit may appear to be the intuitive "go-to" for small business owners, bank loans tend to be notoriously difficult to secure.

Jeremy Lang, chief investment officer at Business Partners Limited

Jeremy Lang, chief investment officer at Business Partners Limited has extensive experience with providing tailored finance solutions to SMEs. As he explains: As an SME financier, we deliberate over small business finance in less of a tick-box manner and more on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration not only top-level metrics like cashflow and financial viability, but also the skillset and business acumen of the entrepreneurs we work with.

Recent statistical data by the South African Reserve Bank revealed that bank loans to SMEs currently only equate to 25% of total business loans. Loans and advances to businesses contracted during 2020, falling by almost 6% in early 2021, with credit conditions reflecting the uncertainties of the mid-pandemic economic climate.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development attributes this relatively low level of credit deployment to SMEs, to the fact that banks are by their very nature, risk averse and governed by stringent underwriting criteria.

Entrepreneurs  and particularly those who are starting their first businesses  represent a substantial risk, compared to the lower risk associated with larger, more established companies with commercial credit histories. On the other end of the spectrum, micro-businesses that employ five or fewer people have better access to personal lending facilities, microfinance funding and government grants.

A significant percentage of South African SMEs, however, fall within the earning bracket of between R1 million and R100 million (in turnover), with staff complements of between one to 35 people. These ventures are what McKinsey & Company refer to as the missing middle, and find themselves in a position of being neither small nor large enough to be viewed as valuable prospects for traditional lenders.

Currently, non-bank, independent SME financiers, and angel investors are filling this prevailing credit gap, which, according to an International Finance Corporation 2019 report was estimated at $30bn for South Africa. In future, non-bank lenders and players, primarily within the emerging fintech sector will continue to play a significant role in providing entrepreneurs with access to funding.

And, as Lang asserts, SME financiers like Business Partners Limited are also positioned to go beyond rands and cents in providing support for SME owners. As the most recent Business Partners Limited SME Index illustrated, there is a growing need for SME-specific information, resources and support in areas such as funding and business strategy.

In light of this, education and mentorship initiatives can play a key role in helping fledgling entrepreneurs navigate the often-complex arena of financing, and more importantly how to use responsible lending to grow and develop an SME.

Institutions will have different requirements that determine whether entrepreneurs qualify for credit. Financiers will also have their own objectives such as industry preferences, transaction sizes, collateral requirements, impact and/or commercial return expectations, amongst others. Finance from Business Partners Limited, for example, can be used to expand an SME via increased working capital requirements, to finance an asset purchase, to finance a business takeover, to buy commercial property or renovate an existing commercial property, or even to buy a franchise.

Although the documentation required to apply for business credit will also vary from lender to lender, basic financial documents will be requested as a standard requirement. These will include a business plan, cashflow history and projections as well annual financial statements and up to date management accounts.

The entrepreneurs personal documents such as their ID and marriage certificate (where applicable) will also be requested. And finally, the lender will request admin-related documents including company and tax registration documents, office leases, shareholder agreements, business licenses and the like.

A recent assessment of the local small business landscape by industry body, SME South Africa, revealed that some of the main reasons why entrepreneurs are denied funding include inaccurate or incomplete financial statements, inadequate proof of a healthy cashflow and bad credit scores.

Non-bank SME financiers like Business Partners Limited are generally nimbler and more adaptable to different levels of types of risk when compared to banks. But this does not mean that our due diligence is not as thorough as traditional lenders. As a first port of call, we will establish the financial viability of the small business, so entrepreneurs are advised to ensure that their business plan, forecasts and cashflow documents are professionally presented and detailed.

Applying for funding can be a daunting task, which is why preparation is key  do research, ask for advice from experts and lean on the experience of successful entrepreneurs, concludes Lang.
Among the many lessons that we should have collectively learned as a society in the post-COVID era is that the pharmaceutical industry willfully lies, manipulates, bribes, and threatens the American public for the sake of profit and social control. Often, the products it markets dont work or have extremely negative side effects or both.

A pair of recent stories further illustrate the point:

an arthritis drug that actually exacerbates arthritis, and

an Alzheimers drug rushed through clinical trials that costs more than most peoples annual salaries yet doesnt actually do much of anything to improve the disease trajectory

The arthritis drug that worsens arthritis

Via SciTech Daily:

Two recent studies have shown that corticosteroid injections, which are commonly used to treat the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis, may actually contribute to the progression of the disease Statistical analysis showed that corticosteroid knee injections were significantly associated with the overall progression of osteoarthritis in the knee , specifically in the lateral meniscus, lateral cartilage, and medial cartilage.

Literal sugar pills  placebos  would be preferable to this. They might not deliver any actual physiological benefit (although they often confer psychological benefit via the placebo effect), but at least they dont actively worsen the patients condition.

$56k/year Alzheimers drug

If you monitor the medical industry with a healthy skepticism, you may recall the unprecedented fanfare over a new miracle Alzheimers drug aducanumab (sold under the brand name Aduhelm), which earned accelerated approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Accelerated approval in the context of drug rollout is an immediate red flag. It almost always means that corners were cut and standard safety and efficacy clinical research was not sufficiently performed.

Via Bangkok Post:

Aduhelm received accelerated approval from the FDA in June despite the fact that an independent panel advising the US drug regulator had found insufficient evidence of its benefit and some experts had raised concerns about inconsistency in the drugs clinical data. At least three of the 11-member independent committee that voted unanimously against recommending the drug to the FDA subsequently resigned .

The parallels to the COVID vaxx rollout are startling.

In September 2021, two leading FDA officials resigned over the Biden administrations unscientific booster recommendations.

Via Insider:

The US Food and Drug Administration announced the resignations of two top vaccine officials on Tuesday, and reports said the two were leaving in anger over the Biden administrations plan to roll out COVID-19 booster shots before officials had a chance to approve it.

While this might seem like welcome news because it illustrates that there are still some honest people in government, the ultimate outcome is that the decent people are all driven out of positions of authority to be replaced by industry yes-men willing to greenlight any pharma product no matter how scant the evidence to support it.

Similar to the COVID vaxx clinical trial fraud, there were significant problems with the original trials that should have warranted further investigation before approval for public use.

Via New York Times:

Two months before the Food and Drug Administrations deadline to decide whether to approve Biogens controversial Alzheimers drug, aducanumab, a council of senior agency officials resoundingly agreed that there wasnt enough evidence it worked On June 7, the F.D.A. greenlighted the drug anyway  a decision that has been met with scathing rebuke from many Alzheimers experts and other scientists and calls for investigations into how the agency approved a treatment that has little evidence it helps patients.

In the end, patient health be damned, the right hands got greased at the FDA, the right officials were made promises of lucrative positions in private industry after departing public service (the infamous revolving door), and voila!

An expensive, ineffective drug gets pushed on vulnerable patients with wildly unrealistic promises of recovery if they just open their hearts and wallets to the good people at Biogen. Their bank accounts get drained while their health further deteriorates.



Of course, describing the above as failures of modern medicine is largely a subjective judgment based on perspective.

If youre a patient with one of these conditions, they are, indeed, abject failures that waste your money and keep you preoccupied with non-effective treatments when you could be doing something proactive.

But if youre an executive at one of the pharmaceutical firms profiting off of human desperation, theyre a whopping success. Not only do they generate massive revenue  they keep patients hopeless, sick, and grasping at straws for the next round of bogus drugs to sell them.

Ben Bartee is an independent Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff via Armageddon Prose and/or Substack, Patreon, Gab, and Twitter.

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A New York man was arrested in Groton on Thursday afternoon after nearly hitting an officer during a traffic stop and leading officers on a multi-town chase, police said.

The Ledyard Police Department received a report of an incident from New London police after 1 p.m. Thursday after they had boarded the Cross Sound ferry to investigate a possible intoxicated driver who was deboarding the ferry.

The driver, who was operating a Chevrolet pickup truck with an attached trailer, had allegedly sped off after police attempted to speak with him and nearly struck an officer in the area.

Ledyard police saw the vehicle on Route 117 and attempted to make a stop on Wolf Ridge Gap. The truck stopped in a cul-de-sac. When an officer approached the vehicle, the driver, identified as Robert Lechner, 55, of Greenport, New York, accelerated and nearly struck the officer before fleeing the scene.

Police followed the truck as it continued onto Colonel Ledyard Highway at a high rate of speed. The chase continued onto Route 184 west toward Interstate 95 through Groton Center and onto Poquonnock Road.

Police used stop sticks to disable the vehicle on Mirra Drive in Groton, where Lechner was arrested by Ledyard police without further incident, police said.

Lechner was charged with criminal attempt to commit first-degree assault, criminal attempt to commit assault on a peace officer, reckless driving and engaging in a police pursuit. He is also wanted by the Mohegan Tribal Police on an active warrant for first-degree larceny, according to police.

Lechner was held on a $150,000 cash/surety bond. He will face further charges in relation to this incident, police said.
A Bristol man is in critical condition after a three-car crash in Southington on Thursday afternoon, according to police.

The Southington Police Department responded to a motor vehicle crash on Queen Street after 4:20 p.m. on Thursday. Upon arrival, police learned that a blue Hyundai Elantra traveling south on Queen Street struck a gray Honda Civic in the rear bumper. The contact caused the Honda to veer into the northbound lane, where it was hit by a Dodge Ram tow truck on the passenger side, causing heavy damage, police said.

American Medical Response and the Southington Fire Department also responded to the scene.

The driver of the Honda, identified as 27-year-old Hector Carrasco Gomez of Bristol, suffered serious, life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital. He is listed in critical condition, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Southington Officer Brandon Lanza at 860-378-1600 or by email at blanza@southingtonpolice.org.
Tinder is in a rut. Match Group, parent company of the decade-old casual-dating juggernaut, was one of the worst performers on the S&P 500 last year, plunging almost 70 per cent as investors fretted that the app was losing its mojo. Tinder contributes more than half of Matchs revenue, but downloads have declined since 2020 and paid user growth has slowed.

Attracting and retaining Generation Z and women is a top priority for Matchs new chief executive officer, Bernard Kim, who ousted Tinders management team after taking over in June. He brings bags of experience from his previous role at mobile-gaming company Zynga, but his efforts to reinvigorate the brand may not succeed amid greater competition.

Tinders global monthly active users have been flat since the end of 2019 as young people shift to other dating apps. Credit: Stocksy

Young people are increasingly turning to apps that offer a more progressive dating experience and emphasise more serious relationships. These include Bumble, which listed shares on Nasdaq in 2021, and Match-owned Hinge, whose designed to be deleted tagline has struck a chord with people fed up with swiping and ghosting. Tinder has about 11.1 million paying users, compared with 2.1 million at Bumble and about 1 million at Hinge, according to UBS Group.

Although its common for daters to use a number of apps, Tinders global monthly active users have been flat since the end of 2019, whereas Bumble and Hinges users have respectively increased 87 per cent and 140 per cent in the same period, according to Sensor Tower data. (Tinder has previously said monthly users are not particularly relevant for its paid subscription business.)
Melbourne Airport will need to fill almost 2000 jobs to cope with an expected surge in international arrivals as Chinas main airlines ramp up services as the economy of Australias biggest trading partner reopens.

The return of the airlines, which includes China Southern, China Eastern and Air China, will bring the airports international capacity to 80 per cent of its pre-COVID levels within two months, boosting the need for a stronger workforce to avoid a repeat of operational difficulties that plagued Australias airports during peak periods of 2022.

Melbourne Airport chief executive Lorie Argus said the airport was preparing for more increases to the number of international passenger and freight services as international airlines race to keep up with consumer demand.

Melbourne Airport chief Lorie Argus is expecting capacity increases in the coming months as China reopens. Credit: Eamon Gallagher

Demand for international flights keeps growing and last month we saw incredibly high load factors on flights departing Melbourne.
Tourism operators, travel agents and Chinese airlines are readying for a rush of travellers visiting Australia after China reversed its zero COVID policy and reopening its economy.

Flight Centres head of global air Greg Parker told this masthead Chinas reopening is the best news the Australias tourism industry has received in the last three years and expects increased pressure on Australias carriers to increase their services and lower airfares.

The tourism industry is bullish on the return of Chinese tourists ahead of an expected decline to domestic travel. Credit: Rhett Wyman

If you look at Google traffic for flights out of Australia over the past month, China has rocketed to the top. Theres a huge amount of outbound and inbound demand between the two countries and the Chinese carriers are sure to put downward pressure on airfares as they beef up capacity, Parker said.

Chinas biggest carriers have increased passenger flights to Australia this month, putting pressure on local airlines which are yet to announce the resumption of flights to Australias biggest trade partner and the worlds most insatiable travel market. Before the pandemic, an average of 1.4 million Chinese visitors spent more than $12 billion in Australia every year.
A 16-year-old boy and a 14-year-old boy were arrested and charged in Waterbury in connection with a number of incidents involving a stolen vehicle on Thursday, police said.

Waterbury Police Department officers located a 2015 black Honda CR-V occupied by the two teens in the area of Pine Street and Byrneside Avenue just after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Officers identified this vehicle as being involved in an attempted carjacking and shots-fired incident earlier in Waterbury. Police said the vehicle was also wanted in connection with an armed robbery that happened earlier in the day in Wolcott and resulted in the Honda being stolen.

Waterbury police said they attempted to stop Honda, which fled from police. Police said the Honda was driving recklessly until the driver lost control of the vehicle at the intersection of Kingsbury Street at North Elm Street and collided with a police cruiser and another vehicle at the intersection.

Both teens were taken into police custody, police said. A loaded 9mm pistol was allegedly found in the Honda with an additional empty magazine, according to police.

There were no injuries reported, police said.

Police identified the 16-year-old as the driver. He was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal transfer of a pistol/revolver, theft of a motor vehicle, interfering with a police officer, engaging police in a pursuit, evading responsibility, reckless driving and additional motor vehicle-related offenses, police said.

According to Waterbury police, the 16-year-old allegedly has a history of stolen motor vehicle incidents.

The 14-year-old, identified by police as the front passenger, was charged with weapons in a motor vehicle, carrying a pistol/revolver without a permit, illegal transfer of a pistol/revolver, theft of a motor vehicle and interfering with a police officer.

Great police work by our officers to locate and take into custody both juvenile offenders, one of them being a repeat offender known to WPD, said Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo in a release. Both juvenile offenders were engaged in violent crimes not only in our city but also a neighboring community and now need to be held accountable for their actions by our judicial system.
The battery would be about 150 times the size of the worlds first big battery, the giant built by Elon Musk in Hornsdale, South Australia, in 2017. It would be insanely large, boasted Cannon-Brookes at a renewable energy conference in 2019. Even the solar farm that fed it all would be the biggest on earth. Sun Cable would provide 15 per cent of Singapores power, allowing the prime economic engine of South East Asia to accelerate its decarbonisation and free itself from dependence on a single dirty power source: gas.

It would lend substance to all that rhetoric we hear about Australia being a latent renewable energy superpower. It would lend weight to the vision first outlined by Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the first assembly of the International Solar Alliance in 2018 of One World, One Sun, One Grid, or OSOWOG. (There is always an acronym in climate and energy talk.) This is the notion that with the right technology and infrastructure in place, nations rich in land and sunlight might cheaply shift clean electricity to those with dense populations but less space and sun. Midday sun might be harvested in one longitude, then dispatched to others where the day is ending, shadows lengthening, and electricity demand peaking.

Which is to say cheap power could be sold at premium prices. This would overcome the problems of intermittency and unpredictability that has plagued the development of renewables. After all, if a grid is big enough, the sun is always shining on it somewhere. Far from being unpredictable, we know what time the sun rises and sets thousands of years hence. Given the right financial structure, someone might even turn a profit one day. The project has always had its critics, some of whom seemed to be affronted by its chief protagonists claims that they could at once serve both the common good and investor interests. The announcement this week that the project had slipped into administration due to a dispute between the two men might come as little surprise to these critics.

But not everyone believes the project is dead. Cannon-Brookes and Forrest are still voicing their support for the project  or elements of it  if not for one-anothers role in it. Not surprisingly the Northern Territory government  which stands to benefit as long Sun Cable can avoid the grave  is still talking it up, as is the federal government. Then there are those points raised above.

There are many ways to export power. We can stick coal in ships, oil and gas in pipelines. We can move renewables via sea or pipeline too, in the form of ammonia or hydrogen. As Forrest keeps telling anyone he can corner at global climate conferences, should we perfect the process of reducing iron ore or making steel in furnaces fired by clean energy in Australia, the product we load on ships will basically be clean electrons. Loading But cables are just better, explains energy market analyst David Leitch. They are a cheaper and more efficient way of moving electricity. This is why Australia is spending $3 billion linking the mainland to Tasmania and its vast hydropower resources via the Marinus Link; why Britain is already powered by Norwegian green energy and will soon be burning wind and sun from Morocco.

And even if it cant be resuscitated, Leitch believes the achievements of Sun Cable to date are already considerable. Cannon-Brookes and Forrest have built a credible consortium, winning the support of three nations, of Bechtel (Americas second-largest construction company) and Macquarie Bank. The quality is there, the names are there, he says. But the cost of the project is big and its very ambitious. The key question is, can it deliver energy at the price that the Singapore government wants? If it can do that it can survive, he says. Then he puts it another way. Sun Cable, he points out, is no larger in scope and size than the vast new Queensland LNG plays. These are projects that demanded not free market faith and muscle, but government support through cheap finance  the sort of support that Energy Minister Chris Bowen has said Sun Cable would be eligible to apply for. The difference is that Sun Cable, should it be resurrected, would rely on emerging technology unfurled at a scale as yet unseen.
Domestic violence is no longer considered a private matter.

However, its only in the last two decades that domestic violence has come firmly into view as a workplace issue. Domestic violence has traditionally fallen outside the scope of legal frameworks and policy governing the workplace.

Domestic violence has come into view as a workplace issue. Credit: iStock

There is no denying that Australian workplaces have made progress to support those impacted by domestic violence.

After a decade of campaigning, paid domestic violence leave has been enshrined as national workplace law. A new National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children recognises the key role that businesses play in ending violence. And, in a national first, a Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Commissioner has been appointed to monitor implementation of the National Plan.
In the years since, people have shied away from the term. Days after Labor won the 2022 election, The Conversations chief political correspondent, Michelle Grattan, asked Chalmers if he was a Big Australia guy. Nobody uses those terms, he said, going on to sing the praises of immigration. In remarks to the Melbourne Institute in November, Business Council of Australia boss Jennifer Westacott said of the federal governments jobs and skills summit: I dont think its about a Big Australia; its about a better Australia, a more prosperous Australia and a frontier Australia. Cheaper childcare is a more responsible baby bonus for the 2020s, says Treasurer Jim Chalmers. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The government is slowly building its narrative, one that Chalmers hopes will have more nuance than previous efforts. It splashed $4.7 billion on cheaper childcare in the October budget, and lifted the permanent migration intake to 195,000 a year from 160,000. Home Affairs Minister Clare ONeil also commissioned a review of the migration system, with an interim report due by February 28. The BCAs submission to that review calls for the government to increase the cap beyond 195,000 and set it at a percentage of Australias population, rather than a fixed number. Chalmers did not dismiss the idea on Friday, saying he was up for the discussion.

The treasurer sees parallels between the Big Australia debate and the lacklustre, over-simplified discourse on COVID-19 that pushed people into let it rip or lock us up buckets. Getting this right shouldnt be hostage to old debates and labels and language, he tells me. Weve got a welcome opportunity here to make good policy changes about our population settings, and wed be mad to miss it. Illustration: John Shakespeare Credit: As is often the case, theres a false binary represented to people which is let it rip or we are full, when in reality population policy is absolutely central to economic policy and to our future, and it demands foresight and nuance and clear-headed and considered thinking. Migration is already rebounding faster than anticipated. Treasury predicted net overseas migration, which includes temporary arrivals, would return to a pre-pandemic average of 235,000, but the May budget is likely to show the figure is running significantly higher.

Its understandable if political leaders are reluctant to champion the Big Australia cause explicitly, given whats come before, but perhaps they should reconsider. The pandemic has called into question some pretty persistent myths about the effects of migration. No less a figure than Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe has pinned some blame for low wage growth on high immigration. But for two years we had effectively zero migration, and wages remained flat. Melbourne has been on track to overtake Sydney as Australias biggest city for more than a decade. Credit: Penny Stephens And as plenty of others have noted, the absence of migrants competing for housing did not seem to make a dent in property prices  indeed, they shot up while our borders were closed, before their current correction. Further to that, Australians are overwhelmingly positive about immigration, and growing more so.

The Scanlon Foundation, which does quality annual research on this topic, has found Australians concerns about immigration and population growth have essentially disappeared. Just 1 per cent of those surveyed named those issues as the main problem facing Australia in 2022, down from 7 per cent in 2018. Loading The proportion of people who say the number of immigrants accepted into Australia is too high has almost halved, from 44 per cent in 2018 to 24 per cent in 2022. Those who believe immigrants make Australia stronger rose from 63 per cent to 78 per cent. And those of us who say immigrants are good for the economy increased from 74 per cent to 87 per cent. Thats a consensus in anyones language. Of course, someone can say they welcome immigration while also fretting about its impact on the capacity of their local school or the speed of their commute. Newspaper articles about population are inevitably accompanied by photos of crowded beaches or roads, fuelling the association. The news from the Population Statement that Melbourne will soon overtake Sydney as Australias biggest city should not have shocked anyone because it has been on the cards for almost 15 years. In that time, only the due date has changed: from 2060 to 2053 to the late 2030s and now 2031.

(Its also worth noting that while the pandemic delayed the inevitable by a year or two, it hardly derailed Melbournes ascendancy. Whatever you thought about Victorias lockdowns and Daniel Andrews enforcement of them, the idea he did permanent damage to Melbournes reputation was laughable and only ever advanced by non-serious people with axes to grind.) In reality, Melbourne may become our biggest city even sooner. While the headline figures compare Greater Sydney (5.23 million) to Greater Melbourne (4.93 million), these definitions include places most people wouldnt class as being part of their city, such as Gosford or Warburton. On the Australian Bureau of Statistics tighter and much more sensible UCL (urban centres and localities) map, Sydney sits at 4.7 million and Melbourne at 4.59 million. Theres basically nothing in it. While Australia is one of the most urbanised countries in the world, our sprawling cities remain relatively low in density by global standards. Credit: Brook Mitchell These are geographically huge, sprawling, low-density places. Any honest debate about Australias population and our cities ought to remember we are one of the most sparsely populated places on the planet, and even though were also one of the most urbanised, our cities are far from dense by global standards. Greater London has 9 million people in its 1572 square kilometres, a population density of about 5700 per square kilometre. The Sydney UCL is 2194 square kilometres, with a density of 2142 per square kilometre, and the Melbourne UCL is 2881 square kilometres, with a density of 1593 per square kilometre.

You could double the population of our big cities and vastly improve them. Thats because the great irony of the population debate is that the things most people worry about with a bigger Australia  strained infrastructure and services  would only improve with a higher and denser population. Loading Thats how you get more regular buses, closer shops, better trains. Of course there are chicken-and-egg problems as the transformation occurs  the jobs and infrastructure dont always line up at the right time  but in the grand scheme of things, more people equals more amenity. Chalmers says that for too long, people have seen population policy as choosing one thing from a menu, such as migration or workforce participation or training, when all of the those things need to work in tandem. Add fertility to that mix, too. It would be a brave government that radically cranks the levers in the Big Australia direction. But for big ideas to really work they need champions who can sell them.
Doctors remove an unexploded grenade from Ukraine soldier's chest

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Employers want jobs lists that decide which skilled migrants can come to Australia to be scrapped for high-income earners to give businesses an edge in the global race for talent.

Business groups and experts say the lists are outdated, fail to identify future job gaps and create unnecessarily onerous layers of bureaucracy.

Tech Council CEO Kate Pounder says some in-demand jobs were not even on the occupation lists a yea Credit: Jessica Hromas

Tech Council chief executive Kate Pounder said jobs such as data scientist and cybersecurity expert had been only recently added to the skills list  in some cases, in just the last 12 months.

Its an experience shortage, not a labour shortage, she said.
Senior ministers have rallied around Premier Dominic Perrottet in an effort to insulate him from any further damaging attacks from his own faction, amid questions over whether his wearing of a Nazi costume two decades ago was ever disclosed during the Liberal Partys candidate vetting process.

The premier on Friday reiterated that he took full responsibility for the grave error of judgment at his 21st birthday party in 2003, and stressed the events surrounding why he revealed the incident this week were not relevant.

Senior ministers are backing Dominic Perrottet after his revelations about wearing the Nazi uniform. Credit: SMH

Two senior cabinet figures  Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello  on Friday joined Treasurer Matt Kean, Cities Minister Rob Stokes, Planning Minister Anthony Roberts and Multicultural Affairs Minister Mark Coure in publicly backing Perrottet.

Others said privately that the premier had shown his human side by apologising and committing to learn from his error.
Veteran Labor councillor Peter Cumming says he is deeply ashamed and considering his future following a drink-driving charge received after a Christmas party, since sparking calls for his resignation.

The Wynnum Manly ward representative in Brisbane City Council, one of only five Labor figures in the chamber, has held the position since 1994 and led the opposition between its past two election losses.

Cummings case is set to be mentioned in the Wynnum Magistrates Court on Monday. Mid-range drink-driving is used to describe a blood alcohol level of between 0.1 and 0.15 per cent  above the legal limit of 0.05 per cent.

News of the drink-driving charge, which emerged on Thursday night, marks the second high-profile south-east Queensland council case in less than a year, following Redland mayor Karen Williams crash in June.
New York: The nondescript, six-storey office building on a busy street in New Yorks Chinatown lists several mundane businesses on its lobby directory, including an engineering company, an acupuncturist and an accounting firm.

A more remarkable enterprise, on the third floor, is unlisted: a Chinese outpost suspected of conducting police operations without jurisdiction or diplomatic approval  one of more than 100 such outfits around the world that are unnerving diplomats and intelligence agents.

FBI counter-intelligence agents searched the building last year as part of a criminal investigation being conducted with the US attorneys office in Brooklyn, according to people with knowledge of the inquiry. The search represents an escalation in a global dispute over Chinas efforts to police its diaspora far beyond its borders. Irish, Canadian and Dutch officials have called for China to shut down police operations in their countries. The FBI raid is the first known example of authorities seizing materials from one of the outposts.

A glass building, centre, on East Broadway in New Yorks Chinatown, where a Chinese outpost is suspected of conducting police operations without jurisdiction or diplomatic approval. Credit: Hilary Swift/The New York Times

Those who discussed the FBI search did so on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter. The Chinese embassy in Washington this week played down the role of the outposts, saying they were staffed by volunteers who help Chinese nationals perform routine tasks like renewing their drivers licences back home.
Kyiv: Russia has claimed that its forces captured the fiercely contested salt-mining town of Soledar in what would mark a rare victory for the Kremlin after a series of setbacks in its war in Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities said the fight for the town continued.

Moscow has painted the battles for Soledar and nearby Bakhmut as key to capturing the entire eastern region of the Donbas  and also as a way to grind down the best Ukrainian forces and prevent them from launching counterattacks elsewhere. But that cuts both ways, and Ukraine has said its fierce defence of the eastern strongholds has helped tie up Russian forces.

Ukrainian soldiers on their positions in the frontline near Soledar, Donetsk region. Credit: AP

Western officials and analysts say the two towns importance after months of bloody fighting is more symbolic than strategic.

Since its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Moscow has prioritised taking full control of the Donbas  a region made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, where it has backed a separatist insurgency since 2014. Russia has seized most of Luhansk, but about half of Donetsk remains under Ukraines control.
North West suburbs Burnie and Devonport have high potential for property pricing growth this year, according to a property analyst.

Simon Pressley, Propertyology head of research, said that on the balance of probabilities, there could be normal property market performance in many suburbs across Australia, including a -2% to -5% change in values in weaker areas in Victoria or NSW and a 2% to 7% price growth in areas with strong fundamentals.

A majority of capital city and regional locations will produce house price growth in 2023, Pressley told News Corp Australia Network.

According to PropTrack December 2022 figures, Tassie North West Coast had a strong market performance, including a 19% house price growth in Devonport, and 20% for units.

It took 31-36 days to transact a house or unit in Devonport, the citys days on market data showed.

In East Devonport, the house price median saw an annual 24% increase while units fell by 1.5%. The time on market here was longer at 43 and 45 days.

In the Burnie region, PropTrack data showed that house values in Burnie climbed 17% while units remained steady with a -0.7% change, with houses taking an average 47 days to sell and units 38. South Burnie houses increased by 28% in 2022, while Upper Burnies median lifted by 14%, with the latter taking 53 days to sell and the former not having enough data for a result.

Similar to Launceston and Hobarts vacancy rates, rental availability at North West Coast sits at a low 1.1%, REIT figures showed.

In his market outlook report, Pressley said the median house price in 130 of Australias 150 largest townships has jumped by 40% (or more) over the last three years.

A majority of households have never been in a stronger financial position than right now, he said.

The Reserve Bank of Australia said households have $1.455bn cash at their disposal in facilities like mortgage offset accounts, redraws, and term deposits.

Australian banks, meanwhile, confirmed that one in three mortgage holders are two or more years ahead of scheduled loan repayments, while credit ratings agency S&P said only 0.58% of home loans are in arrears, News Corp Australia Network reported.

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A Woodstock man was sentenced to an extra year of incarceration on Thursday for failing to report to prison after being sentenced on federal drug charges, officials said.

Andre Dre Smith, 43, was sentenced last January in Hartford federal court to 41 months in prison and three years of supervised release, for conspiring to distribute cocaine and crack in eastern Connecticut, according to the U.S. Attorneys office.

Smith was ordered to report to prison on March 23, 2022, but cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet while out on bond a few days before, the U.S. Attorneys office said.

He never showed up to report to prison, the office said.

Smith eventually turned himself in to the U.S. Marshals Service in Bridgeport on June 14 and has been in custody since. He pleaded guilty in October and appeared in court in Hartford on Thursday, where by U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea sentenced him to 12 months and one day of imprisonment, the U.S. Attorneys office said.
Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) will partner with the Association of Microfinance Institutions of India (AMFI) to support women entrepreneurs in the backward districts of West Bengal.

Deputy Managing Director of SIDBI, Sudatta Mandal, said that the women entrepreneurs will also be helped in terms of getting market and credit linkages.

Speaking at the AMFI-WB micro-finance summit here, Mandal said SIDBI has already spearheaded the project in Odisha and it has been very successful.

"Six backward districts of West Bengal have been identified for this purpose and 12,000 women will be given credit so that their incomes rise. This will be a two-year intervention by SIDBI," he stated.

By this intervention, the average income of women will rise by at least 30 per cent, Mandal added.

Alok Mishra, CEO of MFIN, a self-regulatory organisation (SRO) in the micro-finance sector, said the basic idea is of financial inclusion which had been the focus of successive governments since Independence.

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He said that micro-finance penetration has reached 30 per of the addressable market, while the balance of 70 per cent is yet to be tapped.

Presently, the total outstanding of the sector is around Rs three lakh crore, Mishra said, adding that micro-credit has emerged as a robust tool for financial inclusion.

He also said that besides the digital infrastructure which is being increasingly used by the micro-finance sector, the human connect factor should also remain.

"Human connect has to be there. Digital connect should be used as an enabler", he added.

Jiji Mammen, Executive director of another SRO Sa-Dhan, said the COVID-19 pandemic had posed a challenge to the industry, but the sector has now returned to normalcy.

"West Bengal is a leading state for the micro-finance industry. The smaller MFIs have done a good job in terms of recovery when the collection efficiency ratio declined during the pandemic. This had happened because of good connect with the people", he said.

Credit & Development Forum, the umbrella body of MFIs in Bangladesh, expressed keenness to enter a pact with AMFI for exchange of ideas and experience.

The ED of the forum, Mohammad Awal, said, "A bilateral agreement with AMFI with the forum will be worthwhile for exchange of ideas".
As the fight between Google and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) reaches the Supreme Court, the tech giant on Friday said India is at a juncture where the stakeholders must come together to bring down barriers to access and make safe and secure smartphones available to all, supported by a flourishing digital ecosystem.

Google said that foundational disruptions at this stage could set us back years and undo the deep investments and effort made by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), developers, and the industry overall.

"It is a crucial moment for India - and our hope is that we, along with all the stakeholders of this vibrant ecosystem, can continue to build on top of this foundation," said the company.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine an appeal by Google against a decision by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), declining to stay a Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty imposed on it by the CCI for alleged anti-competitive practices.

Google said that the "directions in the CCI's order" strikes a blow at the ecosystem-wide efforts to accelerate digital adoption in the country.

"Google is appealing these directions before Indian courts. While there has been a lot of reporting and debate on the subject, it is critical that our users and stakeholders understand the full import of what lies at stake," the company said in a blog post.

Also Read Google may face a third CCI fine in less than a month. Now for Android TV Google hits back in US search antitrust lawsuit, says doesn't block rivals Top Headlines: RIL Q2 net flat, CCI speeds up Apple antitrust case & more Google warns Android growth in India will stall due to antitrust order Why does Google find itself in CCI's crosshairs? Wells Fargo tops Q4 profit expectations, records revenue of $19.66 billion Roadblocks on exit route: GM, Ford struggle with lingering staff problems NCLT allows Kalrock-Jalan consortium to take control of Jet Airways Siva group companies look to settle dues with State Bank of India, others Sleep solutions firm Wakefit raises $40 mn in funding from Investcorp

The number of annual app downloads in India reached a new high of 29 billion in 2022, making it the second biggest app market after China, offering developers in India and elsewhere, a strong platform to establish viable businesses on Play.

"India has seen a huge acceleration in the number of people coming online via smartphones. As we look beyond the estimated 700 million users who are already online, safety, affordability and expanded use cases for the next wave of users will be the pillars that will determine digital adoption.

"Unfortunately, the ordered remedies on Android strike blows to these very areas," said Google, which are increased exposure to online harm and privacy risks, lack of robust and consistent security upgrades, predatory apps that expose users to financial fraud, data theft and a number of other dangers.

"Since incompatible Android forks will not support the security and user safety features that Google provides, security responsibilities for these devices will instead fall to the OEMs, who will need to invest extensively in creating consistent, all-year-round security upgrades themselves," explained Google.

This will result in higher costs for the OEMs, and consequently, more expensive devices for Indian consumers, it added.

Google moved the apex court after the setback at NCLAT, which did not stay the CCI order on abuse of dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem case.

--IANS

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Godrej Properties on Friday said it has acquired a 60-acre land in Chennai to develop a residential project, as it seeks to expand business amid rise in housing demand.

In a regulatory filing, the company informed that it has purchased the land on an outright basis in the micro market of Oragadam Junction, Chennai.

The company did not disclose the deal value.

"Spread across 60 acre, the proposed project is estimated to have a developable potential of approximately 1.6 million square feet of saleable area, comprising primarily of residential plotted development," the filing said.

Gaurav Pandey, MD & CEO, Godrej Properties, said, the acquisition of this land parcel fits with its strategy of deepening the company's presence across India's leading cities.

"We will aim to build an outstanding plotted development project in Chennai that creates long-term value for its residents," he added.

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Godrej Properties, a part of business conglomerate Godrej Group, is one of the leading real estate developers in the country.

It mainly focuses on four cities -- Delhi-NCR, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Bengaluru and Pune.

Godrej Properties has set a target of Rs 10,000 crore of sales bookings for 2022-23 as against Rs 7,861 crore registered during the last fiscal year.

It has already clocked a 60 per cent growth in sales bookings during the first half of this fiscal year at Rs 4,929 crore as against Rs 3,072 crore in the year-ago period.

Early last year, Godrej Properties Executive Chairman Pirojsha Godrej had announced that it would invest USD 1 billion on future development of projects.

It is aggressively acquiring land parcels either outright or in partnership with land owners.

As per the plan, Godrej Properties has already added around 12 land parcels this fiscal year with an estimated sales potential of more than Rs 20,000 crore.

With three months still left in 2022-23 fiscal year, Godrej Properties might add another Rs 5,000-10,000 crore worth projects in its portfolio.

Recently, the company bought a 9-acre land in Gurugram for around Rs 300 crore to develop a housing project.

Last month, Godrej Properties purchased about 62-acre land in Kurukshetra, Haryana for over Rs 100 crore to develop a plotted residential project.

In December only, Godrej Properties bought a 18.6-acre land at Kandivali in Mumbai to develop a premium housing project with an estimated sales revenue of Rs 7,000 crore.

It also partnered with landowner for joint development of 14.27 acre of land in Gurugram and expects around Rs 3,000 crore sales revenue from development of a housing project on this land.

In November, Godrej Properties won two adjacent land parcels through an auction totalling 12.4 acre in Noida for Rs 377 crore.
Godrej Properties has acquired a 60-acre land in Chennai for about Rs 100 crore to develop a residential project, as part of its strategy to expand business amid a rise in housing demand.

In a regulatory filing, the company informed that it has purchased the land on an outright basis in the micro market of Oragadam Junction, Chennai.

"Spread across 60 acre, the proposed project is estimated to have a developable potential of approximately 1.6 million square feet of saleable area, comprising primarily of residential plotted development," the filing said.

Gaurav Pandey, MD & CEO, Godrej Properties, said, the acquisition of this land parcel fits with its strategy of deepening the company's presence across India's leading cities.

"We will aim to build an outstanding plotted development project in Chennai that creates long-term value for its residents," he added.

The company did not disclose the deal value.

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However, sources said the purchase value would be around Rs 100 crore.

Godrej Properties, a part of business conglomerate Godrej Group, is one of the leading real estate developers in the country.

It mainly focuses on four cities -- Delhi-NCR, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Bengaluru and Pune.

Godrej Properties has set a target of Rs 10,000 crore of sales bookings for 2022-23 as against Rs 7,861 crore registered during the last fiscal year.

It has already clocked a 60 per cent growth in sales bookings during the first half of this fiscal year at Rs 4,929 crore as against Rs 3,072 crore in the year-ago period.

Early last year, Godrej Properties Executive Chairman Pirojsha Godrej had announced that it would invest USD 1 billion on future development of projects.

It is aggressively acquiring land parcels either outright or in partnership with land owners.

As per the plan, Godrej Properties has already added around 12 land parcels this fiscal year with an estimated sales potential of more than Rs 20,000 crore.

With three months still left in 2022-23 fiscal year, Godrej Properties might add another Rs 5,000-10,000 crore worth projects in its portfolio.

Recently, the company bought a 9-acre land in Gurugram for around Rs 300 crore to develop a housing project.

Last month, Godrej Properties purchased about 62-acre land in Kurukshetra, Haryana for over Rs 100 crore to develop a plotted residential project.

In December only, Godrej Properties bought a 18.6-acre land at Kandivali in Mumbai to develop a premium housing project with an estimated sales revenue of Rs 7,000 crore.

It also partnered with landowner for joint development of 14.27 acre of land in Gurugram and expects around Rs 3,000 crore sales revenue from development of a housing project on this land.

In November, Godrej Properties won two adjacent land parcels through an auction totalling 12.4 acre in Noida for Rs 377 crore.
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180 days beyond November 16 to pay dues to the creditors and employees.

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Friday allowed the application of the Kalrock-Jalan consortium to implement its resolution plan for Jet Airways and infuse funds into the grounded airline to revive it. The tribunal also granted the consortium



Advocate Rohan Rajadhyaksha, who appeared for the lenders, sought a two-week stay on the implementation of the order, but the tribunal declined the plea.

This effectively means that the consortium can take over the reins of the airline. However, it could face a legal challenge as the lenders are likely to appeal against the order, according to industry sources.



Jet Airways shut operations in April 2019 due to a financial crisis. The airline then underwent a resolution process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. The revival plan submitted by the consortium was cleared by Jets committee of creditors in October 2020. The NCLT approved the plan in June 2021. The consortium welcomed the NCLT order on the transfer of ownership. We await the detailed judgmentWe look forward to bringing the joy back to the skies, it said.

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In October 2022, the consortium moved the tribunal, seeking its confirmation for the fulfilment of the five conditions  the validation of air operator certificate, submission of business plan, slot allotment approval, international traffic rights clearance in compliance with law, and demerger of ground-handling business.

According to the plan, the consortium was supposed to fulfil five condition precedents before it became effective.



While the appellate tribunal order put the liability on the consortium, the revival plan approved over a year ago caps the total payout it will make to the creditors.

The lenders, however, opposed the application, stating that the conditions precedent were not fulfilled, and opposed the transfer of control. An appellate tribunal order last October on the payment of over Rs 200 crore in gratuity and provident fund to the airline's former employees has been a bone of contention between the two sides. The issue is now before the Supreme Court.

According to the revival plan, the consortium proposed a total infusion of Rs 1,375 crore, including Rs 900 crore towards capex and working capital and Rs 475 crore to settle claims of the creditors. The approved plan has a clause that states that the amount infused by the consortium for settlement of claims of all stakeholders would be limited to Rs 475 crore.


The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has allowed the transfer of Jet Airway's ownership to the Jalan-Kalrock Consortium, CNBC-TV18 reported on Friday. The consortium now has six months to settle their dues and take control of the airline.

The consortium asked for directions from the bench on taking control of Jet Airways. On the other hand, the airline said that JKC had not fulfilled three of the five conditions mentioned in the resolution plan.

On January 10, JKC asked the airline monitoring committee's authorised representative Ashish Chhawcharia not to issue any communication on behalf of the grounded carrier without the approval of all the committee members.

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Chhawchharia reportedly shot off a letter to Sanjiv Kapoor, asking him to refrain from using the title of CEO as he was only a CEO-designate.

The affairs of Jet Airways are currently being looked at by a seven-member Monitoring Committee (MC). Apart from Chhawcharia, three representatives, each from the consortium and financial creditors, respectively, are on the panel.

In the letter on Tuesday, the consortium also sought a copy of the relevant minutes of the MC meetings in which the matter of CEO-designate Sanjiv Kapoor was "discussed and deliberated".

In October 2020, the airline's committee of creditors (CoC) approved the revival plan submitted by the consortium of Dubai-based Murari Lal Jalan and the UK's Kalrock Capital.

After the Insolvency resolution process in June 2021, Jalan-Kalrock Consortium (JKC) was declared the winning bidder for Jet Airways.

The consortium had, in March last year, announced Kapoor's appointment as the airline's CEO with effect from April 4, 2022.

"Sanjiv Kapoor has been designated as the CEO of the to-be revived Jet Airways by JKC after receipt of his security clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.

"However, until the ownership of Jet Airways is transferred to JKC, he remains CEO-designate. His mandate is to lead 'Jet 2.0' post-handover, and he has been focused on the preparation for that," a JKC consortium spokesperson said in a statement.

The airline's air operator certificate was revalidated by aviation safety regulator DGCA in May this year, following which it announced its plans to recommence operations in September 2022 but later pushed the relaunch date further.

The airline has not flown since April 2019, when it ceased all operations due to financial distress.

In late December, amid uncertainties around the recommencement of commercial operations, at least two key senior-level executives, besides some pilots and cabin crew, left the airline.

(With agency inputs)
Ola Cabs, Bangalore-based cab aggregator, has started laying off people. The company has handed pink slips to 200 people across tech, engineering and product teams as a part of its "restructuring exercise", news platform Inc42 reported.

Those sacked are from Ola Cabs, Ola Electric and Ola Financial Services teams, it added. Employees from the engineering team have been impacted the most. The company had announced in September that it would lay off 200 people.

"We regularly conduct restructuring exercises to improve efficiencies, and there are roles which are now redundant. We will continue making new hires in engineering and design, including senior talent in our key priority areas," an Ola spokesperson said in the report.

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In 2022, the company announced its plans to lay off as many as 1,000 employees. It had asked the employees to resign voluntarily.

Ola's restructuring exercise was then expected to go on for a few more weeks. It was taking place in a bid to shift focus towards the firm's electric mobility business.

In December 2022, Bhavish Aggarwal, founder of the company, told Business Standard that the company would start making lithium-ion cells and develop other products, including motorbikes and small, lightweight commercial vehicles.

"We have been working on some of these things behind the scenes and over the next 12 months you see us announcing many of these products," he said.

Earlier this week, the company also shut down its neo-banking firm Avail Finance, which it acquired in March 2022.

It also plans to merge Avail Finance with its subsidiary Ola Money and has stopped lending via the neo-banking platform.
The Hartford City Council is considering a measure to protect city residents from the use of facial recognition technology by police to establish probable cause for a criminal charge.

City councilman Nick Lebron, who proposed the resolution, said police are allowed per state law to use facial recognition software as an investigatory tool, but his measure makes it clear that the technology cant be the smoking gun, in a case, he said.

You need the tried and true police work, Lebron said. This is to protect citizens from facial recognition software.

Hartford Lt. Aaron Boisvert said the Hartford Police Department doesnt currently have or use facial recognition software.

Lebron said the resolution would protect residents, as well as the city, from lawsuits that could stem from misidentification.

The resolution describes facial recognition as a biometric technology that uses distinguishable facial features to identify a person. The technology is used in numerous ways in the world, including to unlock phones, go through security at the airport and identify and tag people on social media.

Lebrons resolution acknowledges that technology helps to find missing people, protects businesses against theft by strengthening safety and security measures and helps law enforcement to identify criminals.

While the algorithms that steer the facial recognition technology are effective to different degrees, it is important that the use of facial data require guidelines and human oversight to narrow the margin of error and bias, the resolution states.

Lebron said bias is a major flaw of the technology because while it can identify white males with 99% accuracy, that number plummets in accurately identifying African-Americans and women to about 70%. For Black women, the error rate is even higher, he said.

University of New Haven assistant professor of computer science Vahid Behzadan, who does research on artificial intelligence, said the technology, using algorithms, takes tracks of identifiable characteristics, stores them as numbers and the numbers come up again if one searches the database to match digital records.

He said facial recognition technology is not definitive and can be manipulated intentionally. The technology is also inherently prone to misrecognition.

Theres a reason why the identifications are more accurate for white males, Behzadan said. Thats because the features used for the data set are mostly white male faces.

Facial recognition technology is a biometric tool like DNA and fingerprints, which are run through a database to identify people. Faces age over time  in a way that DNA and fingerprints dont  and that further decreases accuracy over time, he said. After four years, the error rate of an image goes high, Behzadan said.

Lighting and angles can also affect the accuracy of identification.

Mismatches increase greatly, the larger the database, Behzadan added. Accuracy decreases when using a database for all of Connecticut or all of the United States.

Connecticut lawmakers in 2016 regulated the use of the technology and allows it to be used by law enforcement. It does not address the probable cause issue.

The heart of Lebrons measure that was received by the council states, if and after identification has been made through facial recognition, further investigation is needed to develop probable cause to arrest.

That line gives a shimmer of hope, said Behzadan. Theres quite a bit of room for error.

Lebron said cameras already raise a lot of suspicion in the community, and the resolution is protection for our citizens from big brother watching.

We have to improve relations between police and the community, Lebron said.

Editors note: This story has been edited to correct that that the resolution was received by the council, not approved.
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.

--IANS

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The Union Home Ministry, after taking cognisance of a detailed report submitted by Delhi Police's Special Commissioner Shalini Singh on the horrific death of Anjali Singh in outer Delhi in the early hours of January 1, has recommended action against several local police officers, sources said on Thursday.

According to sources, the ministry, apart from seeking suspension of the staff of three PCR vans and two pickets and disciplinary action against them, also issued several directives, including addition of murder charge under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, against the accused in the sensational hit-and-drag case.

The ministry has sought an explanation from the area's DCP on the security situation on the day of the incident, and action in case any dereliction of duty is ascertained.

The Home Ministry has also directed that the charge-sheet against the accused be filed speedily with all necessary evidence so as to enable a stiff sentence for them. It has also asked the Delhi Police to ensure proper lighting in the area of the incident as well as its surrounding areas.

Anjali, 20, was dragged several kilometres under a car in the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 after her scooty was hit by it, and her clothes had gotten entangled in one of the wheels, leading to her painful death.

--IANS

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Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday issued an avalanche warning for 10 districts which have witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall over the past 48 hours.

The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) issued a 'high danger' avalanche warning for Bandipora and Kupwara districts of north Kashmir and a 'medium danger' warning for Baramulla and Ganderbal districts.

"Avalanche with high danger level is likely to occur above 2,000 metres of Bandipora and Kupwara districts in the next 24 hours.

"Avalanche with medium danger level is likely to occur above 2,000 metres of Baramulla and Ganderbal districts in the next 24 hours," SDMA officials said.

They said avalanches with low danger level are likely to occur in areas 2,000 metres above sea level in Anantnag, Doda, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Poonch and Ramban.

People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid avalanche-prone areas, the officials said.

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Two labourers from Kishtwar died on Thursday when an avalanche hit the work site of a construction company in Ganderbal district's Sonmarg.

The higher reaches of Kashmir have been receiving moderate to heavy snowfall for the past 48 hours. Snowfall started in the plains of the Valley on Friday morning.
Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday chaired a meeting with all stakeholders on the Joshimath land subsidence issue.

During the meeting, the chief minister interacted with the Army, ITBP, NDRF and scientists from various establishments engaged in landslide investigation, district administration, police and district-level officers associated with essential services at Sunil ITBP camp.

The CM said that the safety of the citizens is our biggest responsibility. He instructed everyone to ensure all arrangements for the safety of the people, a release from the chief minister's office said.

The Chief Minister also interacted with the scientists of various establishments engaged in the investigation of landslides and inquired about the ongoing studies and research into the causes of landslides in Joshimath. During the meeting, scientists informed the chief minister about the investigation so far.

"I have met with everyone and assured people that state administration is with the people of Joshimath. we will help everyone," CM Pushkar Dhami told the media after the meeting.

He said it is our priority to lay the way forward for those affected while protecting their lives and property, an official statement added.

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Later, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting with local public representatives and eminent citizens. He asked everyone to work in coordination with the administration in times of disaster.

CM said, that 1.50 lakhs are being given immediately as interim assistance to all those whose houses, shops, and businesses have been affected.

The government will provide all possible help for the rehabilitation of the affected people. Some people are creating a wrong atmosphere regarding Joshimath. Due to this, our people are being harmed and their economy is getting affected.

Earlier Chief minister offered prayers at the Narsingh Temple and expressed hope that people of the hilly state will emerge out of this natural calamity safe and secure.

"I Prayed at the Narsingh Temple. God will take out us of this natural calamity," Dhami told the media after offering prayers at the Temple.
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.

--IANS

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Highlighting the country's development strides and cultural heritage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India cannot be defined in words and can only be experienced from the heart.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the world's longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas in Varanasi via video conferencing on Friday. He also inaugurated the Tent City at Varanasi and laid the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore.

Addressing the ceremony via video conferencing, PM Modi said, "This is the decade of transforming India's infrastructure. India has everything that one can imagine. It also has a lot beyond your imagination. India cannot be defined in words. India can only be experienced from the heart because India it always opened her heart for everyone, irrespective of region or religion, creed or country."

He said the beginning of the world's longest river cruise service on river Ganga is a landmark moment. It will herald a new age of tourism in India.

"Wherever the cruise passes through, it will create a new line of development. Today, foundation stones have been laid for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1000 crores. This will expand trade and tourism and employment opportunities in eastern India," Prime Minister said.

PM said Ganga is not just a stream for the people of the country but is the symbol of India's penance.

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PM Modi said the commencement of MV Ganga Vilas river cruise which will sail over 3,200 km is a living example of the development of inland waterways in the country. He said work is being done on the development of 111 national water highways across 24 States.

An official of Port, Shipping and Waterways told ANI that the world's longest River Cruise MV Ganga Vilas is the first-ever cruise vessel to be made in India.

MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and travel around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, sailing across 27 river systems in India and Bangladesh.

MV Ganga Vilas has three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, with all the luxury amenities. The maiden voyage has 32 tourists from Switzerland signing up for the entire length of the journey.

The MV Ganga Vilas cruise is curated to bring out the best of the country to be showcased to the world. The 51 days cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist spots including World Heritage Sites, National Parks, River Ghats, and major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Guwahati in Assam.

The journey will give the tourists an opportunity to embark upon an experiential voyage and indulge in the art, culture, history, and spirituality of India and Bangladesh.

Further, Tent City has been conceptualized on the banks of the River Ganga to tap the potential of tourism in the region. The project has been developed opposite to city ghats which will provide accommodation facilities and cater to the increased tourist influx in Varanasi, especially since the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham.

It has been developed by Varanasi Development Authority. The tourists will reach the Tent City by boats from different Ghats situated in the vicinity. The tent city will be operational from October to June every year and will be dismantled for three months due to rise in river water level in the rainy season.
When Blair Mase arrived at the Palm Coast beach around 9 a.m. Wednesday, she was in disbelief.

In front of her, a 6,000-pound female killer whale was stranded on the shoreline  a sight never before recorded in Florida. The whale had been beached there for at least three hours by the time Mase had arrived, and curious beachgoers had gathered in droves to take a look.

It was highly, highly unusual, said Mase, the Southeast Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Ive been doing this for 30 years, and we have never had a record of a killer whale stranding in Florida  or in the Southeast U.S., she said.

The public typically associates orcas with the chillier waters of the Pacific Northwest, where the animals are documented regularly near shore. But there are actually two stocks, or identified populations, found around Floridas warmer waters, according to Mase. Theres the Western North Atlantic Stock and the Northern Gulf of Mexico Stock, named after the regions where the animals are known to roam.

Orcas have even been observed in the Bahamas and the broader Caribbean, according to Mase.

We do get sightings of healthy killer whales and killer whale pods from fishermen offshore, Mase told the Tampa Bay Times over the phone Thursday morning. But the real rarity is having one actually washed up on the beach.

What killed the orca?

The 21-foot female orca had worn-out teeth, a signal to scientists that she was old. Her body was brought to SeaWorld, where a team of pathologists and biologists from several organizations, including the University of Florida and Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, worked feverishly overnight to necropsy the animal and take samples.

By Thursday morning, they were able to rule out human interaction as a cause of death, like trauma or plastic ingestion, Mase said. There were also no signs of trauma from military sonar operations, which may be linked to whale beaching deaths.

Instead, early test results showed signs of disease. While the specific illness is still unknown, scientists are shipping samples to a lab, where more information will become available in the coming weeks, Mase said.

Over her three decades of experience collecting animals, Mase said sick and injured marine mammals will often come to the beach to die. When she first got the call about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, there was speculation the whale was still alive. But biologists are still unable to confirm that detail, she said.

The rare sighting drew so many people to the beach before noon that the Flagler County Sheriffs Office had to shut down Jungle Hut Road to all traffic, next to the park where the whale was found, the agency posted on social media.

A busy year for whales offshore of Florida

Federal ocean scientists consider the orca to be the oceans top predator. Theyre found in every ocean in the world, and are the most widely distributed whale or dolphin species, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The animals were once targeted by hunters and fishers, and threats included commercial hunting and culling to protect angler fish crops, according to the agency. The Southern Resident killer whales, which range from California to southeast Alaska, are the only endangered population of killer whales in the United States.

News of the stranded orca in Flagler County emerged the same morning that hundreds of beachgoers about 200 miles to the south were watching in awe as an endangered North Atlantic right whale mother and calf swam together just offshore of Palm Beach County. The new whale mom, Pilgrim, and her calf were swimming south along Floridas Atlantic coast.

Weve had a busy year so far, honestly, with right whale sightings and stranded large whales. So lots of people are seeing them in the water, Mase said. Right whales are considered one of the worlds most endangered whale species, and the peak calving season runs from December through March.

Mase said she couldnt help but feel a wave of different emotions when she first saw the dead orca.

It does tug at your heartstrings to see any stranded marine mammal. But killer whales specifically are just such beautiful creatures, Mase said.

But theres also a lot of curiosity: You want to know why its there, and you want to know what killed it. And I was also like, Wow! We have a killer whale on a Florida beach! So theres just a lot of a lot of different feelings going on.

-
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.

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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.

--IANS

smita/pgh
Delhi Police on Friday suspended 11 of its personnel who were on PCR and picket duty on the route at which a 20-year-old woman was killed after being dragged under a car from Sultanpuri to Kanjhawala, officials said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had on Thursday directed Delhi Police to suspend all its personnel deployed on the route following a report into the accident submitted by an inquiry committee headed by Special Commissioner Shalini Singh.

"As approved by the competent authority, a total of 11 policemen of Rohini district deployed on the route at PCRs and pickets have been suspended in view of the Sultanpuri incident," a senior police officer said.

Anjali Singh was killed in the early hours of the New Year after her scooter was hit by a car which dragged her for 12 kms.

Police have arrested seven people in connection with the accident.
President Droupadi Murmu on Friday condoled the passing away of socialist leader Sharad Yadav, describing him as an important national voice of the dispossessed in Parliament.

Yadav, a veteran politician and former JD(U) chief, died on Thursday at a private hospital in Gurugram. He was 75.

"Saddened to know about the passing away of former Union Minister Shri Sharad Yadav. A student leader of seventies who fought for democratic values, Sharad ji was an important national voice of the dispossessed in Parliament. My deepest condolences to his family and admirers," the president tweeted.
Contending that the ECI is seriously concerned about the increasing use of money power in elections, the poll panel has told the Supreme Court that it has introduced a robust mechanism for election expenditure monitoring during polls.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) said one of the reasons for more money being seized today is its increased vigilance and efforts.

It said that the services of central and state law enforcement agencies are routinely engaged, and their teams deployed to poll-bound states to monitor election expenditure.

The submissions were made in an affidavit filed in response to a plea filed by Prabhakar Deshpande seeking comprehensive plan to curb excessive poll spending by political parties and candidates and action against erring candidates and parties.

"The Election Commission of India is seriously concerned about the increasing use of money power in elections. To curb this menace, the Election Commission of India has effectively and successively enforced the Election Expenditure Monitoring mechanism in the elections since the General Elections to Bihar Legislative Assembly, 2010," the affidavit said.

"In order to keep the election expenditure within the statutory limit prescribed under the Rule 90 of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and also to curb excess expenditure/unaccounted expenditure, the Election Commission has introduced a robust mechanism for election expenditure monitoring during elections.

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"The Election Commission has time and again adopted various measures to curb the menace of money power in elections and will continue to do so in future, it said.
The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to a medical practitioner, who also claimed to be a whistleblower in the sensational Vyapam scam, in a case of alleged violence during a protest in Madhya Pradesh.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha took note of the submissions made by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Vivek Tankha that accused Anand Rai, an ophthalmologist, is in jail for the last 60 days in connection with a criminal case lodged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

"This man is an ophthalmologist. He says he is also the whistleblower in the Vyapam scam. The allegation is that he was part of a mob which attacked the (district) collector. How long will you keep him in jail?" the bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared in the matter on behalf of the Madhya Pradesh government.

It also took note of the fact that the chargesheet has not been filed by police in the case and granted bail to Rai, subject to the conditions to be imposed by the trial court.

"To remove the impression, there were four-five FIRs against him prior to this so-called whistleblower blew the whistle," Mehta said.

Sibal, assisted by lawyer Sumeer Sodhi, said the accused was kept in solitary confinement during his judicial custody. The submission was refuted by Mehta.

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The law officer said Rai, being a government employee, be directed not to take part in such dharna as one of the bail conditions.

Rai was arrested on November 15, following the registration of an FIR. The trial court and the high court had dismissed his bail pleas.

Vikas Pargi of Ratlam district in Madhya Pradesh had lodged a complaint against Rai and others in relation to a protest during which stones were allegedly pelted on a convoy of the local MP, a few MLAs and the collector, who had gone to attend events in the memory of tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda.

A security person of the collector had suffered injuries in the incident, the FIR said.

Earlier, Rai had played an active role in the unearthing of the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh, which was later probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
In the latest twist in the fight over his law license, the state appellate court at the close of business Thursday postponed the imposition of a six-month suspension of Alex Jones lawyer, Norm Pattis  at least temporarily.

Pattis asked the appeals court to intervene earlier in the day and postpone an immediate six-month license suspension ordered by Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis, who presided over Jones Connecticut defamation case that resulted in a potential record-setting $1.4 billion verdict last year.

Bellis ordered the suspension on Jan. 5 and refused on Wednesday to postpone it after deciding Pattis violated her orders by sharing confidential medical files belonging to relatives of Sandy Hook victims with Texas lawyers involved in related litigation. Pattis claims the disclosure was inadvertent.

Pattis sought the postponement for a variety of reasons. Among them, he says he plans to appeal the discipline. Without a postponement, the six-month suspension would run before an appeal could be heard. And Pattis needs his license to continue as part of the defense team in a federal seditious conspiracy prosecution in Washington, D.C. against five members of the far right Proud Boys organization charged in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

The Washington courts have a reciprocity agreement with Connecticut concerning the discipline and licensing of lawyers.

The judge assigned to the Proud Boys case had been waiting to see whether Pattis license suspension was postponed before deciding on how to proceed with the trial, which was about to begin Thursday. Pattis moved to withdraw from the case Wednesday, after Bellis declined to delay the suspension, but the judge did not rule.

The order issued by the appellate clerk postpones the suspension for 10 days and perhaps longer.

The emergency motion for review is granted and the relief requested is granted, in part, in that the January 5, 2023 order by the trial court, Bellis, J., suspending Attorney Norman Pattis from the practice of law for six months is hereby stayed until Monday, January 23, 2023, the order said.

If Attorney Pattis files a motion for review on or before January 23, 2023, and files a writ of error in full compliance with the appellate rules on or before January 25, 2023, then this emergency stay will remain in effect until the resolution of the motion for review.

In ordering Pattis immediate suspension on Jan. 5, Bellis said his failure to protect highly sensitive medical and psychiatric records belonging to relatives of Sandy Hook victims caused the records to be carelessly passed around from one unauthorized person to another in violation of her repeated orders.

The records at the center of the suspension, about 4,000 pages of medical records that were among about 390,000 pages of other records provided to Pattis office by relatives of Sandy Hook victims, were never disclosed publicly.

Pattis has acknowledged that he set in motion a series of exchanges that distributed the records between his law office in Connecticut and three others in Texas  all of which were involved in some fashion in lawsuits by Sandy Hook relatives against Jones. In his filing in Washington Monday, Pattis said none of the recipients of the records, contained on a computer hard drive, ever looked at them.

The final recipient said he destroyed them.

Pattis had not previously been the subject of professional discipline.

Bellis wrote in a long order imposing the suspension, that Pattis sharing of the records with Texas lawyers was a willful violation of confidentiality orders she issued to protect the Sandy Hook families forced to share the records with Jones from misuse of the material in an effort to discredit them. Had the records become public, Bellis said the families faced potentially stunning harm.

Bellis said in a decision ordering the suspension that the disclosure of the medical records was the second time Pattis had violated her orders protecting confidential materials.
The Ministry of Education has constituted a joint review mission to visit West Bengal this month to review the implementation of centrally sponsored scheme PM POSHAN, officials said on Friday.

According to sources, the decision was taken following complaints of irregularities.

The joint review mission comprises nutrition experts and officers from the Centre and the state government.

"A joint review mission has been constituted to visit West Bengal to review the implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme, Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), in the month of January, 2023," a senior MoE official said.

The team will review the implementation of the scheme, formerly known as the mid-day meal scheme, in the state and district and school levels for a specified period of time on defined parameters.

The team will review the fund flow from state to schools or implementing agencies, coverage of the scheme, management structure at state, district, block levels, delivery mechanism of food grains from state to schools, construction of kitchen-cum-stores, procurement or replacement of kitchen devices, among others.
By Neha Arora and Mayank Bhardwaj

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India will seek an easing of European Union steel import quotas and tarrifs in talks for a new trade deal as Indian steelmakers struggle to sell the alloy in one of world's big markets, a senior government official said.

Last year, India and the EU relaunched negotiations for a free trade agreement with the aim of completing talks by the end of 2023. The two sides previously launched talks in 2007, but they were frozen in 2013 due to a lack of progress.

"India is likely to take up the issue of EU's steel import quota and their high tariffs during the free trade negotiations," said the official with direct knowledge of the matter. The official declined to be named as India's plan to take up the issue with the EU is confidential.

India's steel and trade ministries did not immediately reply to a Reuters email seeking comment.

The EU uses a system of quotas and tariffs to protect its steelmakers. Other than India, the main exporters of steel to the EU are China, Russia, South Korea, Turkey and Ukraine.

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"Secondary steel manufacturers have raised the issue of EU's export quota and tariffs coming in the way of India's steel exports to the EU," the official said.

In its negotiations with the EU, India is also expected to express New Delhi's concerns over EU countries' proposed carbon dioxide emissions tariff on imports of polluting goods such as steel and cement.

"All these countries in order to protect their industries, force their standards," the official said.

Separately, India has launched four investigations against Chinese stainless steel imports to probe potential "dumping", the official said.

New Delhi last month slapped anti-dumping import duties on stainless steel seamless tubes and pipe imports from China.

The official also said India was working on a proposal to introduce 23 new quality control orders to check low-quality imports.

As Indian steel mills struggle with raw material supply disruptions triggered by the war in Ukraine, the official said New Delhi was looking at securing the supply of coking coal from new markets such as Mongolia.

The Ministry of Steel has also requested The Ministry of Finance to axe coking coal import duty, the official said.

(Reporting by Neha Arora and Mayank Bhardwaj; Editing by Conor Humphries)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said both public and private sectors need to leverage synergies and think out of the box to seize opportunities arising as a result of the emerging global environment.

While interacting with noted economists and experts at NITI Aayog ahead of the Union Budget, the Prime Minister also applauded the success of the India Digital story and the rapid adoption of fintech across the country, an official statement said.

During the meeting, economists offered suggestions on ways in which India can sustain its development momentum, it added. They said that due to its resilience, India has emerged as a bright spot on the turbulent global stage.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and senior government functionaries were present at the interaction. Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Suman Bery and other members were also present, said sources.

Economists who participated in the meeting included Shankar Acharya, Ashok Gulati, and Shamika Ravi.

In his remarks, Modi noted that while there were risks, the emerging global environment offers new and diverse opportunities in areas such as digitisation, energy, health care and agriculture.

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To seize these opportunities, both public and private sectors need to leverage synergies and think out of the box, the release quoted him saying.

The Prime Minister applauded the success of the India Digital story and the rapid adoption of fintech across the country, and the potential for inclusive growth and development it promises.

He also underscored Nari Shakti as a key driver of India's growth and urged to continue making efforts to further enable and boost women's participation in the workforce.

The release further said participants offered practical measures on ways in which India could prudently sustain its development momentum. Ideas and suggestions were shared with the Prime Minister on diverse topics ranging from agriculture to manufacturing.

Recognizing that the underlying global headwinds are likely to continue, strategic recommendations were also shared for further strengthening India's resilience. "There was agreement that due to its resilience, India has emerged as a bright spot on the turbulent global stage," the release said.

It was suggested that new growth impulses would need to build upon this foundation through holistic development across all sectors.

The deliberations were based on the theme India's Growth & Resilience Amidst Global Headwinds.
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., is hoping for another rare bipartisan breakthrough on an issue that has long eluded Congress: reforming the U.S. immigration system.

Murphy was part of a bipartisan group of senators who traveled to parts of the border shared by the U.S. and Mexico on Monday and Tuesday  first to El Paso, Texas, and then to Yuma, Ariz. The trip was a day after President Joe Bidens first trip to the southern border since taking office.

The trip was assembled to help the lawmakers better understand the challenges and landscape of the border communities and the migrants who are coming into the country. The coalition of senators believes it is time for Congress to act on immigration even as they enter a divided government that includes a new GOP House majority.

Like the issue of gun reform, immigration has been a major hurdle for Congress, with decades of inaction. Past deals to overhaul the current system fizzled out. The Senate passed a compromise bill in 2013 before it lost steam in the House. And in 2021, the Democratic-led House passed its own bill, but it went nowhere in the Senate.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy at a roundtable in Yuma, Ariz., during a recent trip to the southern border. COURTESY / OFFICE OF SEN. CHRIS MURPHY

With no deal in sight, immigration has become more of a political wedge issue for years.

Because of that, Murphy and others in the group argue they want to put in place meaningful reforms to deal with the influx of migrants and their legal statuses. On a Wednesday call with reporters, Murphy said much has changed over the past decade  migrants are still arriving from Mexico and Central America but also a larger number from Russia, China and India.

Murphy noted that a record-setting 2.5 million migrants were apprehended at the southern border last year. And with New York being one of the top destinations, Murphy said many of them come to Connecticut.

Connecticut is not a border state, but there is no doubt that a lack of order at the border affects us in Connecticut, Murphy said. When you have that large a number of migrants coming in an unplanned way, it also stresses out social services at the border but also throughout the country.

We need to be able to better manage the inflow of migrants in a way that allows us to plan in Connecticut, he added.

Of the seven members who went on the trip, Murphy said a few of them worked directly with him on crafting the bipartisan bill on gun safety that passed Congress last summer: Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas; Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.; and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C.

U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy and U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., (left) at El Paso Del Norte Port of Entry during a recent trip to the southern border. COURTESY / OFFICE OF SEN. CHRIS MURPHY

He believes that the same bipartisan coalition that got through a long-stalled issue on Capitol Hill has the ability to do it again.

The group that went to the border is a group that has been able to break through on issues that had similar decades of inaction, Murphy said. The group that went to the border has found a way to compromise on difficult issues like guns and get bills passed in the House and the Senate, and our belief is we can do the same thing on the issue of immigration.

One core part of reforms would be revamping the process for migrants seeking asylum in the country. Murphy said refugees should apply for asylum before arriving in the U.S., and the processing of claims should go much faster so people are waiting days, not years.

But the Connecticut senator believes there should be other forms of legal immigration, including establishing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers  those who were brought to the U.S. when they were children. Congress has struggled to pass legislation to secure the legal protections created under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Still, Murphy acknowledges the steep challenges of passing any such legislation and the priorities sought by Republicans like enhanced border security, more fencing and border patrol officers and potentially stricter eligibility to qualify for asylum.

Democrats, including some in the states congressional delegation, are wary that House Republicans will want to work on issues with Democrats, particularly issues as fraught as immigration reform.

Plus, hardline conservatives will have much more influence over the House after the days-long saga to elect a speaker. The new GOP majority is setting up votes on immigration bills that are unlikely to garner any support from Democrats. And if they pass the House, they are expected to stall in the Democratic-led Senate.

But some Republicans who joined the congressional trip are willing to negotiate a deal.

Theres nobody else to turn to. It is our responsibility, it is our job to try to address these very difficult, multifaceted problems, Cornyn said, according to ABC News. Theres no alternative but to step up and deal with this the best we can. This group of senators has a history of dealing with challenges, tough political challenges.

Murphy, who is chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, said he is new to leading on this issue but argues he now has the experience of securing bipartisan deals.

Regardless if a deal emerges in the current session of Congress or in the future, he believes the trip will help inform his leadership of the subcommittee, which funds the border as well as the countrys immigration system.

The Connecticut Mirror/Connecticut Public Radio federal policy reporter position is made possible, in part, by funding from the Robert and Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation and Engage CT.
Amid the shortage of wheat, the banks in Pakistan remain hesitant in opening letters of credit (LCs) for the import of necessities, posing threat to the food supply, reported The News International.

The inability of banks to open LCs despite the State Bank of Pakistan's (SBP) directives about import facilitation, poses a threat to the supply of food, as well as, could escalate price pressures and create a shortage of medications.

Thousands of shipping containers are stuck at the Karachi Port after offloading due to the banks' reluctance to guarantee foreign exchange payments. Perishable and non-perishable foodstuffs and medical supplies are among the cargoes, reported The News International.

Pakistan is facing its worst-ever flour crisis with parts of the country reporting a shortage of wheat and stampedes reported from several areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan provinces.

Prices of wheat and flour have skyrocketed amid the ongoing crisis in Pakistan, The Express Tribune reported.

Flour in Karachi is being sold from Rs 140 per kilogram to Rs 160 per kilogram. In Islamabad and Peshawar, a 10 kg bag of flour is being sold at Rs 1,500 per kilogram while a 20-kilogram bag of flour is being sold at Rs 2,800. Mill owners in Punjab province have increased the price of flour to Rs 160 per kilogram.

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Similarly, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been facing the worst-ever flour crisis as a bag of 20-kilogram flour is being sold for Rs 3100 after the government failed to control the price of the stable, The News International reported.

Last month, the SBP lifted import restrictions that went into force on January 2. "In view of the orders issued last month, the SBP has given banks the power to facilitate imports. Thus, banks are not restricted from opening LCs for the importation of essentials such as food and medicine. Banks are free to make their own decisions on the opening of LCs," said SBP spokesman Abid Qamar.

According to the SBP, banks should give preference to or facilitate imports that fit into the category of necessary imports, such as those related to food (wheat, edible oil, etc.) and pharmaceuticals (raw materials, life-saving/essential medications, and surgical devices, including stents), reported The News International.

The SBP has also directed banks to prioritize imports of energy, goods from export-oriented businesses and inputs for agriculture.

More than 6,000 containers of pulses are stuck at ports, according to Abdul Rauf Ibrahim, chairman of the Karachi Wholesale Groceries Association. Banks have reservations about paying for these imports.

"This threatens the nation's capacity to import these basic foods. Importers have paid shipping companies USD 48 million in detention fees for these stranded containers. In the month of Ramazan, there would be a new problem in the supply and cost of pulses if these containers are not released," Ibrahim said.

Pakistan is grappling with a balance of payments crisis brought on by high foreign debt repayments and a lack of external financing, which have hammered its foreign reserves and created chronic dollar shortages.

As of January 6, the SBP's foreign exchange reserves plummeted to almost a nine-year low of USD 4.3 billion, posing a significant challenge for the country in terms of financing imports, reported The News International.
The Joint Forum of Trade Unions and Associations (JFTU) in the four public sector general insurance companies reiterated their demand for discussions on restructuring after the full report is submitted by the consultancy firm EY, said a senior official.

He also said the management has agreed to maintain the status quo.

"Our primary demand at the meeting with the GIPSA (General Insurers' (Public Sector) Association of India on Thursday was to have the full report of EY before any discussion on the restructuring of the four companies," said Trilok Singh, Convenor-North Zone, JFTU told IANS.

The four public sector government insurers -- The Oriental Insurance Company Limited, National Insurance Company Limited, The New India Assurance Company Limited and United India Insurance Company Limited -- have hired consultancy firm EY to suggest rejig measures.

According to JFTU, EY has not given any report on the restructuring but only some power point (PPT) slides.

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Based on the PPT slides, the companies are carrying out restructuring exercises like closure of offices, redeployment of staff and other aspects, Singh said.

"The same EY had earlier recommended the merger of the four companies into one, which the unions are also in favour of," Singh added.

The members of JFTU also opposed the forceful implementation of business development executive (BDE), business development manager (BDM) schemes and the irrational closure and merger of offices including the profitable ones, Singh said.

The management will come out with a revised BDE and BDM schemes with more benefits to motivate the staff to generate more business. The companies are also planning to appoint marketing staff on a fixed remuneration per month plus incentives on the business brought in.

The meeting on Thursday was held as per the understanding the management and the JFTU arrived at the conciliation meeting called by the Chief Labour Commissioner, Central earlier this month.

Last fiscal, the four insurers on the advice of Department of Financial Services/GIPSA had appointed EY to diagnose and identify the reasons attributed to the losses suffered by the companies and to design and implement the necessary changes to ensure profitability.

According to Singh, the management was initially reluctant to record the Thursday's discussions and exchange Minutes, but on insistence the former agreed.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)

--IANS

vj/dpb
Mahindra & Mahindra announced the dissolution of its step down subsidiary, Mahindra Tractor Assembly Inc. (MTAI), a subsidiary of Mahindra Overseas Investment Company (Mauritius) (MOICML) with effect from 30 September 2022.

Pursuant to the above, MTAI has ceased to be a wholly owned subsidiary of MOICML and that of the company.

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Rama Steel Tubes said that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Uttar Pradesh for setting up of steel processing unit.

The steel processing unit would be for MS Pipes, STP Poles, Gl Pipes, CR Coils, GP Coils, Colour Coated Coils.

Under this MOU, the proposed investment will be of Rs 600 crore, which would be invested in phased manner.

Commenting on the announcement, Richi Bansal, executive director, Rama Steel Tubes, said "We are proud to announce that the company has received mega project.

Our sustained relation and credibility has yet again fructified in bagging us new prestigious mega project. RSTL has been associated many State Corporations, even in the past and we celebrate our long-standing relationship with them. This transaction will support the capacity expansion plan and to strengthen our position in the steel tubes & pipes space.

Rama Steel Tubes is engaged in the business of manufacturing of Steel Pipes and related products.

Also Read RSTL bags orders worth Rs 6.7 crore from two State Corporations SBI Card re-appoints Rama Amara as MD & CEO Industrials shares edge higher Rama Steel Tubes standalone net profit declines 83.40% in the June 2022 quarter Rama Steel Tubes consolidated net profit declines 28.21% in the September 2022 quarter Infosys Q3 PAT increases by 9% QoQ to Rs 6,586 crore; attrition rate cools down Poonawalla Fincorp board to mull fund raising upto Rs 4,000 cr PB Fintech gets RBI nod for account aggregator business 5paisa Capital jumps as Q3 PAT soars to Rs 11 cr Jindal Worldwide Ltd leads losers in 'A' group

The company's consolidated net profit declined 28.2% YoY to Rs 5.09 crore while net sales surged 79.9% to Rs 347.24 crore in Q2 FY23 over Q2 FY22.

The scrip fell 1.15% to end at Rs 43 on the BSE yesterday.

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Tibet releases work plan for COVID-19 downgrade

By DAQIONG and PALDEN NYIMA in Lhasa (China Daily) 10:18, January 13, 2023

A monk takes a jab of COVID-19 vaccine in Lhasa, Tibet autonomous region, on May 13, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

The leading group office for COVID-19 in the Tibet autonomous region released its plan for downgrading COVID-19 management from Class A to Class B to the public on Monday.

The plan outlines 11 measures, including the vaccination of elderly people, investing in healthcare, enforcing new prevention and control measures and managing infections coming from overseas.

People at high risk of infection, those older than 60, those with manageable diseases or with low immunity or low antibody levels, will be instructed and encouraged to actively obtain a second booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The plan instructs medical institutions to prepare enough Western, Chinese and Tibetan medicines to treat and prevent infections, as well as enough antigen test kits.

"According to the plan, on the basis of 15 to 20 percent of the patient population served by the center, we have already stocked various types of medication  including Lianhua Qingwen capsules, cough and anti-pyretic medicines, and traditional Tibetan medicines," said Champa, head of the Tsalgongthang Township Health Center in Lhasa.

Champa said his center has a fever clinic and the stocked medications can meet the needs of at least 1,000 patients. He said the center has served an average of 30 patients a day in the last two months.

"For elderly and immobile patients above the age of 60, we provide door-to-door medical consultations and offer follow-ups over the telephone," he said.

The plan says that medical centers are required to prepare enough beds and equipment for treating severe patients, including oxygen supply.

Tsering Tso, deputy head of the People's Hospital of Yadong in the region's Shigatse city, said her hospital is actively implementing the plan.

The hospital has set up a fever clinic financed by the Yadong county government, and aims to provide more convenient and better services for patients.

"The new fever clinic is located near the entrance of the hospital, so it is closer and more convenient for patients," Tsering Tso said, adding the former fever clinic was not easy to find and reach.

"In terms of providing intensive care for severe patients and targeted groups, our county has 66 severe monitored patients, and every patient is assigned with medics to follow up," she said.

"We have purchased more than 200 sets of medical equipment for our intensive care units, added more beds, and our county has seven ambulances ready to become operational 24 hours a day to transfer severe patients to higher-level hospitals."

(Web editor: Cai Hairuo, Liang Jun)
The Blue Hills Civic Association hosted its first mayoral forum Thursday night to allow the candidates vying for the citys top job to communicate their competing visions for the city.

Each candidate who has declared their intention to run was in attendance, including Hartford Land Bank CEO Arunan Arulampalam, former state Sen. Eric Coleman, Renardo Dunn Jr., state Rep. John Fonfara, Tray Funnye and City Councilor Nick LeBron.

A lot of people say isnt it a little early to hold a forum? said Vicki Gallon-Clark, executive director of BHCA. It is early, but we want to bring the information to the people early and on an ongoing basis. So we plan on holding these forums regularly.

While the conversation during the nearly two-hour forum ranged from economic revitalization to job training, it started with a moment of silence for the victim of the citys first homicide of 2023, a Plainville teen who was killed Wednesday

The Blue Hills Civic Association hosted a forum for the declared candidates running for Hartford mayor Jan. 12.

This morning we lost a young person to gun violence on Broad Street, Lebron said. His name was Julius Rivera. And as I was speaking to a community leader today she reminded me that this desensitized approach that we take cant continue. She wanted me to take a moment of silence for Rivera and I think its more important to yield my time to recognize the continued violence in our city.

On the issue of strengthening public safety and how to address a spike last year in violent crime and homicides, Coleman, a retired judge, said he would like to see a staffing increase at the police department to address the citys gun violence.

The police department has to be reformed to a certain extent. Coleman said. The department is understaffed and we have to bring that number up to about 600 officers. Not all of them have to wear uniforms but I think thats the optimal number.

The other candidates in attendance said they would save the issue of public safety for the next forum that will be dedicated to the topic.

Closure of Brainard Airport

Candidates clashed over what to do with the citys Brainard Airport as a study is in progress about possible redevelopment of the site.

A new study, the first since 2006, was commissioned by the City of Hartford last year after a renewed push to close and redevelop the airport sparked opposition. The move to redevelop, supporters say, seeks to capitalize on the airports prime location on the Connecticut River and the potential to give a sorely needed boost to the citys tax base.

I dont think a playground for 30 people outweighs the value of our entire city, Lebron said. We have to revisit the thought around 30 people utilizing a space that is double the downtown area. One could argue there is multiple business and potential in the future. But we need change right now and the promise of the airport started when I was born and were still waiting for it to be profitable.

The latest push to redevelop  led by Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin and Fonfara and supported by the city council  generated considerable controversy, spawning the formation of an opposition group, the Hartford Brainard Airport Association.

There is no question regarding my position, it should close, Fonfara said. The property is 200 acres being used by about 100 pilots who come from out of town and fly to Nantucket or the east New Jersey shore and pay almost nothing to the city of Hartford. We can create jobs there, businesses there and recreation for residents there.

But Coleman pushed back on Fonfaras notion that the airport is a playground for wealthy people and said there is a lot of activity taking place there that young residents of the city can take advantage of.

Some of the jobs people are being trained for there are well paying, Coleman said. There is a lot of potential in that airport and Im not sure the remediation costs would support the kind of development other people are talking about. 

Arulampalam said the decision to redevelop the airport should be a community-focused conversation and not one decided before without input from city residents.

I think its a bad question on whether I would keep the airport open or not, Arulampalam said. It sets up a bad form of politics. My answer is I would listen to people and have a real conversation about it. The idea that we cant listen to people before a mayor makes up their mind on something is exactly what is wrong with our politics.

Funnye said she agreed with other candidates and is in favor of closing the airport until a better plan can be addressed.

Jobs and economic opportunity for youth

On the issue of joblessness candidates agreed that more job training programs are need to ensure young people have greater opportunities for employment and greater access to economic prosperity.

Something Ive been doing at the land bank is creating a pipeline of developers who can take on properties and redevelop them and build wealth here in Hartford, Arulampalam said. I would like to expand that into an apprenticeship program for contractors in the city that gives pathways for kids who may not have college as an option. They can get trained as plumbers and electricians making six-figure incomes while building wealth right here in Hartford.

Coleman said that he would like to see contracts rewritten to include apprenticeship and job training programs.

As mayor, I would require that every contract for every developer, every vendor, and every contractor be rewritten to have a hiring requirement offering an apprenticeship or training program so that young people can be brought on to any and every project in this city in order to put them in a position to actually gain hands-on experience, Coleman said.

Dunn said he would like to see a program in place similar to Job Corps for Hartford youth and that more job training is necessary to meet demand.

On-the-job training, thats what we need to bring back to our youth, Dunn said. Any investment we can make to stop the poverty, its time to do it.

Fonfara touted his efforts to establish Eversources program with Capital Community College training city residents as apprenticeship linemen.

You have to be intentional and do the work, Fonfara said. I found that Eversource had a program in New Hampshire with a community college training people as apprenticeship linemen and today that program now exists in Hartford.

Lebron said that job training begins in the classroom and mentioned Milner Middle School as an example of children are learning about different jobs and trades while still in school.

Right now up the street the children are learning plumbing, truck driving, and how to become security guards and phlebotomists, Lebron said. They are learning trades we never had access to. So the two-prong approach is both the resolution of the policy and investment in the future.

Ensuring contractors offer apprenticeships and job training

Our current policies have no teeth, Lebron said. Right now when folks begin construction projects they already know the fine and already make the check out. We have to find leverage opportunities with teeth. Maybe there are also opportunities where we can use a carrot rather than a stick. Investment in our children is the key and anyone who doesnt believe that can do business somewhere else.

Fonfara mentioned that turning away business is not necessarily productive and that the way to gain more job training is to levy healthy relationships with contractors.

We have Prince Tech in our own backyard but the city of Hartford has never embraced that school, Fonfara said. If there ever were an opportunity to have our kids embrace a skill or trade that would be it, but weve never done that. My focus would be ensuring every child would come out of school with an education comparable to the kids around us.

Coleman said that he would also be in favor of shutting done businesses that did not live up to their agreements. However, even before that he would re-write contracts so that shutting the job down for non-compliance would be permissible and hopefully would avoid any kind of liability to the city.

I think we could also disqualify an offending company from any future contracts with the city and hopefully that would be a deterrent for their noncompliance, Coleman said.

Arulampalam said that we need to stop begging for scraps from the table and instead build our own table.

I think we have to be aggressive with our enforcement on these project sites, Arulampalam said. Thats what Im doing at the Land Bank.

Both Dunne and Funnye agreed that they would also turn away businesses that break their contract agreements.

The next forum will be held in February at Weaver High School and will focus on public safety.
The amusement park operator said that the management of Wonderla Holidays is in discussions with the officials of Government of Madhya Pradesh exploring the possibilities for setting up an amusement park in the state.

The announcement was made during market hours today.

The company presenttly has amusement parks in three cities viz., Kochi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. In its Q2 FY23 investor presentation, the company had informed about the agreement with the Odisha government for the development of an amusement park project in Bhubaneshwar.

Being built on an asset light model, the company has leased 50.6 acres land for 90 years in the Khorda district in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Major saving on capex which is usually incurred on land acquisition, the company said.

Wonderla Holidays operates three amusement parks in Kochi (Kerala), Bangalore (Karnataka) and Hyderabad (Telangana) under the brand name Wonderla.

The company had reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 10.53 crore in Q2 FY23 as against a loss of Rs 9.28 crore recorded in Q2 FY22. Revenue from operations during the period under review surged to Rs 66.04 crore from Rs 17.21 crore recorded in the same period last year.

Also Read Wonderla Holidays hits the roof after stellar Q1 performance Wonderla Holidays reports standalone net profit of Rs 10.53 crore in the September 2022 quarter Mastiii Zone greets Vannakam to Chennai Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India reports consolidated net profit of Rs 29.73 crore in the June 2022 quarter You're invited! Country Holidays Travel India, A new product by Country Holidays Group L&T Technology Services Ltd leads losers in 'A' group Cressanda Solutions soars on bagging order for in-coach digital advertising in Kolkata Metro Anup Engineering Q3 PAT soars 129% to Rs 14 cr Music Broadcast Ltd leads losers in 'B' group Volumes soar at ITI Ltd counter

The scrip rose 0.34% to currently trade at Rs 352.65 on the BSE.

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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the Prime Minister is personally distressed about the land subsidence in Uttarakhand's Joshimath.

He further added that the Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is constantly working to bring the situation under control.

"Uttarakhand government is working to find a solution to the issue of land subsidence. The central government is very concerned and is providing all possible assistance to the state. If required, I will visit Joshimath. Yesterday, MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt visited the town."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also enquired about the situation in Joshimath over the phone from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday.

According to the Chief Minister's Office, the Home Minister assured all possible assistance to the Uttarakhand government for Joshimath.

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday chaired a meeting with all stakeholders on the Joshimath land subsidence issue.

Also Read Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Dhami visits Joshimath to assess situation Some areas of Uttarakhand's Joshimath declared disaster-affected Uttarakhand: CM Dhami to visit sinking Joshimath, promises necessary action Uttarakhand CM Dhami arrives in Joshimath to inspect 'sinking' town Joshimath land subsidence: Admin launches rescue, rehabilitation ops Socialist leader Sharad Yadav's politics was about turns, splits, alliances Stalwart regional leader Sharad Yadav passes away at 75 AAP MP Sanjay Singh given 3-month jail for 'demonstrating', 'blocking road' Portfolios allotted to newly-inducted ministers in Himachal Pradesh cabinet Agitations crucial in coming years to protect people's rights, says Tikait

During the meeting, the chief minister interacted with the Army, ITBP, NDRF and scientists from various establishments engaged in landslide investigation, district administration, police and district-level officers associated with essential services at Sunil ITBP camp.

The CM said that the safety of the citizens is our biggest responsibility. He instructed everyone to ensure all arrangements for the safety of the people, a release from the chief minister's office said.

The Chief Minister also interacted with the scientists of various establishments engaged in the investigation of landslides and inquired about the ongoing studies and research into the causes of landslides in Joshimath. During the meeting, scientists informed the chief minister about the investigation so far."I have met with everyone and assured people that state administration is with the people of Joshimath. we will help everyone," CM Pushkar Dhami told the media after the meeting.

He said it is our priority to lay the way forward for those affected while protecting their lives and property, an official statement added.

Later, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting with local public representatives and eminent citizens. He asked everyone to work in coordination with the administration in times of disaster.

CM said, that 1.50 lakhs are being given immediately as interim assistance to all those whose houses, shops, and businesses have been affected.
Milano Linate Prime has become the first business aviation airport in Italy offering ENI Biojet, mixing JetA1 with 20% biofuel produced from waste raw materials, animal fats and used vegetable oil, a major step in the process of decarbonisation.

A growing number of business aviation operators are using renewable jet fuel to reduce their emissions and promote sustainable practices. SAF is a dropin replacement for traditional fossil-based jet fuel that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 90%.

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This new milestone for SEA Prime represents an important step towards our decarbonization targets, together with the other concrete measures implemented which include the utilization of electric ramp equipment and investing in sustainable infrastructures such as the new hangar at Linate Prime, said Chiara Dorigotti, chief executive officer at SEA Prime.

SEA Prime, which, with the Milano Prime brand, is a leading operator of business aviation airports in Italy and Europe has closed 2022 with more than 32.6 thousand business aviation movements, with an increase of 20% vs 2021 and of 33% vs 2019 as compared to the 2022 European growth of +12,3% vs the previous year.
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) has presented West Star at Grand Junction, Colorado (GJT), with the Patriotic Employer and Statement of Support award. It recognises the companys support of military service members and their families.

Established in 1972, ESRG recognises employers that support employee service in the military, specifically the National Guard and Reserves. The organisation operates a network of volunteers and 54 field committees across the USA.

This is the first time West Star (GJT) has been recognised for this award. Sean McCracken, a senior avionics tech, nominated West Star and the GJT avionics team for its recent support while being deployed for four months at the beginning of 2022. West Star typically allows an employee two weeks of PTO, with full benefits while on guard duty.

Tyler Gallaher and Jerry Autrey were both recipients of the award at the West Star GJT facility, presented by Lou Brackett of ERSG.
IKEA Ireland has today announced total sales of 216.7m for the year ending 31st August 2022, which marks double-digit sales growth of 14% compared to the previous 12 months, as customers continue to invest in life at home post pandemic.

Growth was recorded across all areas, particularly within kitchen and dining equipment, textiles, and storage  both in-store and online.

With customer shopping habits continuing to change following the pandemic, IKEA Irelands total online sales have doubled compared to before the pandemic in financial year 2019. Consumers also started coming back to the IKEA store, with store visitation increasing by 70% compared to last year as 3 million people visited IKEA.

IKEA plans to invest in new and existing ways to shop and meet people including new Plan & Order Points, a new distribution centre, developing the existing store, and new delivery capabilities; making it easier and more sustainable to shop at IKEA than ever before.

Following the success of the two Plan and Order Points opened last year in Naas and St Stephens Green shopping centre, IKEA has committed to open many more around the country within the next couple of years.

Starting this Spring, IKEA will open a Plan & Order Point in Drogheda, which will be followed by one in Cork and another in Portlaoise. To complement the Ballymun IKEA store, the Plan & Order Points provide customers with free, bespoke design consultations with experienced IKEA kitchen and bedroom storage experts, enabling complex purchases with shorter travel time to IKEA.

IKEA will also open its first distribution centre in Ireland this year - a state-of-the art new build equipped with the latest in sustainable and energy-efficient technology. It will enable quicker fulfilment of IKEA products for customers in Ireland, with increased availability and delivery times reduced by more than half.

Commenting on the expansion, Country Deputy Retail Manager IKEA UK and Ireland, Marsha Smith said, "Everything we do starts with our customers. Over the next years, we will continue to transform as we respond to their needs and dreams, today and tomorrow. We will step up our investments in Ireland with a simple goal: to become more customer centric, so that people can shop with us for a better, more sustainable life at home, whenever, wherever and however they choose."

She added, "With new Plan and Order Points, the new distribution centre, service offers, and digital solutions that complement each other, our aim is to be there for our customers however they want to meet us."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
The Irish Whiskey Association announced this week that the value of Irish whiskey exports to the all-island economy exceeded one billion euros for the first time in 2022.

The assessment by the Irish Whiskey Association is based on CSO/Eurostat data from Ireland and member data from Northern Ireland. The Irish Whiskey Association regards export value as representing a more accurate picture of the contribution to the all-island economy than global retail value.

Commenting on the figures, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association, William Lavelle said, "Breaking one billion in export value represents another important milestone in the Irish whiskey renaissance and confirms the importance of our unique all-island industry to our shared economy, north and south."

He added, "Across the island of Ireland, the growth in Irish whiskey exports has created more quality jobs, brought more investment into regional and rural communities, and led to more purchasing from Irish farmers."

Source: www.businessworld.ie
House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said an inquiry into decisions made by the local school board in Killingly amounts to a witch hunt and vowed to pass a law that would add legislators to the state board of education.

Killingly faces a state board of education hearing over its denial of a proposed mental health center last year. Residents filed a complaint in April, claiming that the board had violated the educational interests of the state and failed to provide a safe and appropriate learning environment for its students.

Candelora, R-North Branford, said a bill to add lawmakers to the state board of education failed last session, but he plans to bring it back up, hoping it will address whats happened in Killingly.

The level of scrutiny has gone the wrong way, and to me the scrutiny should be on the state board of education, Candelora said.

Candelora said he believes the state overstepped in its investigation at Killingly. In the past, investigations of 10-4b complaints have typically been about funding issues or educational failings rather than providing services, he said.

I think its a little bit of a political witch hunt, and Id like to see how it plays out, he said.

Currently, the members of the state board of education are gubernatorial appointees.

Adam Joseph, director of communications for Gov. Ned Lamont, said in a statement that it is difficult to comment on Candeloras proposal without reviewing bill language.

Gov. Lamont is committed to doing what is best for Connecticuts students, and Im not sure that introducing partisan appointees to the state Board of Education is in the best interests of our students, teachers, or districts, Josephs statement said.

Candeloras comments came the day after Killingly board members voted to censure Democratic member Susan Lannon for her interactions with the press, for asking questions of a mental health service provider and for working with another provider to allegedly undermine a previous vote of the school board.

My limited involvement in this issue has been focused on helping the board identify an alternative path after members deliberated and decided the school-based health center model did not fit the district, Rep. Anne Dauphinais, R-Killingly, said in a written statement. Im profoundly disappointed by the actions of those who continue to politicize the matter, subjecting the school district to an investigation from the State Board of Education, while also scuttling the possibility of a solution that would have offered students the services they say they need.

Officials refuted Candeloras claims that the state board had overstepped its authority.

Theres nothing in 10-4b that limits it to financial or educational, said Mike McKeon, the Connecticut Department of Educations director of legal and governmental affairs. Thats a fairly broad mandate.

And, he added, the General Assembly has passed several measures focused on mental health care for kids, indicating the states broader interest in the issue.

Children cant learn if they are struggling with their mental health, said Eric Scoville, a Department of Education spokesman.

Killingly essentially made the case [for the investigation], McKeon said, noting that other districts had provided the services while Killingly had voted down the initial proposal. They provided the evidence.

The district also mentioned the health center in paperwork requesting federal funds, McKeon said.

Rep. Jeff Currey, a Democrat from East Hartford and co-chair of the Education Committee, said he hadnt had the chance to discuss a bill proposal with Candelora.

I will say its disappointing when a [local] board of education doesnt take the necessary and appropriate and available steps to make sure that their kids are healthy and have the support they need, Currey said.

Its not clear what support such a proposal from Republicans would have with a Democratic General Assembly and governor.

The legislature also made mental health care, particularly for children, a focal point of the last session. Childrens Committee leadership has signaled that the work to provide access to mental health services will continue this session.

Nationwide, children are reporting heightened problems with depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse. Isolation during the pandemic has exacerbated mental health problems, reports have said.

Killingly has been embroiled in a politically tinged battle over the school-based health center for about a year. The Killingly Board of Education first voted down the proposal for a grant-funded health center in March 2022.

The decision led to the formal complaint, the resignation of former board chair Janice Joly and numerous protests, as well as outcry from students who said they and their classmates needed help.

And a scathing report following an investigation from the Connecticut Department of Education recommended a formal hearing with possible corrective action.

The department has determined that an appropriate learning environment and a safe school setting dont exist at Killingly, said McKeon while presenting the report to the state board.

The board can reach a settlement with the state ahead of the hearing.

Last week, counsel for the board submitted a request to extend the hearing because of family issues, which counsel for the complainants opposed. The state granted the extension.

The state hasnt set a hearing date for Killingly.

Community Health Center, Inc., a health provider with locations across the state, had been in talks with the district to provide care at the high school. But theyve pulled out of the deal, saying the atmosphere was hostile and too political, Killingly board members said at a meeting Wednesday night.

Past discussions about the health center were tinged with political rhetoric, and board members and parents raised concerns that therapists would talk to children without consent from their parents.

Were not here to be political, said Jason Muscara, a Republican board member. If respecting the rights of parents is political, then Im political, I guess.

But Candelora and members of the local board blamed the politicization of the health center on Lannon and the people who filed the complaint with the state.

Killingly board members said Wednesday that the state had indicated that a contract with Community Health Center  to provide counseling at the school but requiring parental consent  would be a viable alternative to the previous proposal from Generations Family Health Center, a non-profit that would have established a mental health center inside the high school.

Part of the problem, Killingly Republican board members said, was that Lannon asked questions of Community Health Center officials outside of regular board or ad hoc committee meetings.

The board formed an ad hoc committee, which initially included Lannon, to look at alternatives to the first school-based health center proposal. After a November meeting of that group, Lannon said it became evident that members had met outside of the ad hoc committee.

Lannon has since been removed from the ad hoc committee.

Kelly Martin, vice chair of the Killingly board and the original head of the ad hoc committee, said shed reached out to Dauphinais to ask about alternatives. Dauphinais, she said, directed her to contact Rep. Candelora.

Candelora arranged a meeting with Community Health Center. Martin told other Republican caucus members they could attend.

Candlora said this kind of information sharing isnt out of the ordinary and that he wasnt at the whole meeting. He also said Dauphinais wasnt in attendance.

He added that smaller districts, like Killingly, are trying to figure out how to provide services such as health care, mental health care and free lunches in addition to educating children.

As a state, were still really in the budding process of how to provide these services to our students, Candelora said.

Lannon, who was not invited to the meeting with Candelora, asked the Community Health Center about that meeting, as well as the cost to the district.

Lannon also forwarded an email exchange regarding the ad hoc committee and the discussion with state representatives to members of the press. The Norwich Bulletin published an article containing quotes from the email.

In short, I find the CHCI proposal too little and too late, Lannon wrote in her email, quoted in the Bulletin. We have a present crisis. There is no assurance that CHCI will even be able to begin their program during the balance of this, or any, school year. One part-time therapist is insufficient.

Board members blamed the hostile and political atmosphere at the district on actions by Lannon, including her interference in contacting CHC outside of the board and ad hoc committee, working with another organization (Generations) to undermine a vote that was already lawfully taken by this board. In addition, Mrs. Lannon took it upon herself to forward an email thread between herself and me to the Norwich Bulletin in an attempt to try to humiliate both myself and the organization.

CHC did not respond to requests for comment.

But a Jan. 10 email from one of the organizations officials, alerting the Department of Education that they wouldnt be working with Killingly, doesnt mention Lannon.

CHC made the decision, says the email from Yvette Highsmith Francis, vice president of the eastern region for the CHC. We need to be viewed as a trusted partner to have a successful relationship with a district.

Local board members approved Lannons censure in a 7-1 vote Wednesday night.

Lannon rejected claims that she had done anything wrong, saying that her questioning wasnt out of scope or inappropriate. Shed emailed board leadership along with CHC, and she remains committed to getting mental health care for the students, she said.

Just because you dont agree with my point of view or I dont agree with yours doesnt mean that I cannot speak, Lannon said.

It is disappointing that the atmosphere in Killingly is not one that they want to be a part of, but I am not going to own that. I think a lot of people need to do some deep reflecting about the image that is being projected by the overall presentation that the board has in our town.

Lannon said she thought the combination of Generations and Community Health Center would provide the optimum services to kids and parents.

Community Health Center would have initially provided a part-time therapist. Generations planned to start with a couple of therapists a few days a week and increase the schedule as caseloads increased.

The Community Health Center contract also would have cost the district $25,000 in start-up costs. Generations wouldnt have had any initial cost to the district, Lannon wrote in an open letter to the citizens of Killingly released Thursday.

Ultimately, the decision [from CHC] not to enter a contract came from weeks of contractual demands and changes  a process I was not a part of, Lannon wrote.

In a press release sent Friday morning, board chairman Norm Ferron said there are already school staff who work with kids who are having mental health problems, in addition to providing other support.

He also defended the original decision to vote against the school-based health center.

Umm..its called the democratic process, Ferrons press release said. We are a constitutional republic, and elected officials are entitled by law to vote the way that they decide, just like the voters who voted for us were free to do, despite the chastisement of certain people who obviously never heard the word no in their childhood.

He pointed to examples of two citizens from other towns who came to speak in support of the Killingly boards defense of parental rights and said the censure was not about free speech.

Oh, and by the way, and I feel a little bit embarrassed for some people by being forced to explain this, but rule breaking has nothing to do with free speech, he wrote. This is covered in BOE bylaw 9271, Item10, which states:? Recognize that authority rests only with the whole Board assembled in a meeting, and make not personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the Board. sic

In a statement, Andrew Feinstein, attorney for the complainants, blamed the loss of the Community Health Center contract on increasing requests for changes from the majority of board members.

While the CHC school-based health center would have been better than the current situation, it was never an adequate solution to the intense problem of mental health in Killingly schools, Feinsteins statement said. The move by the majority of the Board to censure Susan Lannon was a transparent ploy to shift the blame from themselves. The citizens of Killingly will see through this and know who to hold responsible.

Group therapy

Lydia Rivera Abrams, a Democrat who voted for the censure and against the mental health center, suggested that the board take a private retreat with group therapy to work out their interpersonal problems.

Ferron responded that such a gathering would be an illegal meeting of a public board.

Weve done it before, Rivera Abrams said, mentioning times in previous years when the board went on retreats. Where theres a will, theres a way.

Kyle Napierata, a Republican board member, suggested the complainants were the ones who needed counseling. The proposal was met with a laugh from Ferron.

I think the complainants on the other side of this need some counseling as well, so until that happens, were still going to be getting attacked, Napierata said during the meeting.

I might have some issues, but I dont think I need counseling. But I can recognize people that do, Ferron said. And theyve been on display for over a year now.

In interviews after the meeting, Napierata said his comments may have come off as flippant but that they came from an emotional place after months of dealing with issues regarding the health center.

Ferron said he wasnt talking about people with real mental illness or who actually need mental health care, but some of the complainants who had displayed over the top behaviors, and made crazy statements with no basis in fact.
I was 8-years-old and my eyes were affixed to our black-and-white Zenith TV. On the screen there were pictures of Negro girls who looked very much like me. A voice in the distance told the horrible story of how they had been bombed in a church. In church? Why would anything bad ever happen in church? What is a bomb? I had never heard of that word. And where in the world is Birmingham?

For sure, Mommy knew the answers to my questions. She was sobbing uncontrollably, like all the Negro people on TV. Children hate to see their mothers cry. I was no different. It seemed to go against nature. I wished it would all go away, but I couldnt close my eyes and make it happen. This was the first of terrible times. There would be many others to come.

Over the next few weeks, I learned words I wanted to forget describing places that I never wanted to go  Alabama, Mississippi, Jim Crow. Words my parents had managed to spare me until then. But no more. I had been robbed of my innocence. Bad things were happening. Earlier that year, Dr. Martin Luther King, a famous Negro preacher and hero to everyone I knew, had been in jail. I had never known anyone in jail, least of all a minister. Until Dr. King, I thought doctors only treated your cold and told your mother to give you red medicine. It was all very confusing. My world had turned upside-down. What if these people came to my church to kill me? What if they put a bomb in our house? I was so scared.

But Dr. King was not afraid of Birmingham. Thats what I told myself then. However, now, more than 59 years later, I see the fallacy of that assumption. Of course he must have been afraid. Wouldnt you be if people wanted to kill you? Im afraid of everything  dead bodies, driving in snow, not fitting in. But unlike Dr. King, I have never tried to push beyond the fear. I suppose Ive been a coward all my life. Now I understand that courage is acting in spite of your fear. Dr. King had been stabbed, marched on Washington and went on to win a Nobel Prize.

Only two months after the girls were killed, I came home from school and Mommy was crying again. My sister explained that the president had been shot. He was dead, and now there was another scary word  assassination. I felt so sorry for Mrs. Kennedy, Caroline and John-John. When he saluted his father, I thought about my own. What would I do if they assassinated Daddy? I learned the names of other fathers whod been killed or later would be  Medgar Evers, Malcolm X. Even a boy named Emmett Till, who was lynched just before I was born.

In late 1967, a strange place called Vietnam claimed the life of my brother-in-law-to-be. Five months later, on April 4, 1968, I took a break from playing outside with my friends. No one was in the living room, but the television set was on. And horror of horrors, more terrible news.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has been shot at a Memphis hotel.

Oh no! Not again. At 12-years-old, my underdeveloped brain could not process any more tragedy. So in absolute denial, I went back outside without ever saying a word. But not an hour had passed before the streets were filled with the agonizing sounds of grief. Disbelief. Even my friends understood the significance. I felt stupid and ashamed, as I pretended not to know anything. This is the first time Ive ever admitted it.

I had never seen a Black mans funeral on TV. By 1968, thats what we were called. Somebody had decided we werent Negroes anymore. I felt sorry for Mrs. King and her children. She was beautiful and elegant like Mommy. Daddy kept a stiff upper lip. But as a Black Baptist minister himself, he had to be broken into a thousand little pieces. Nevertheless, we overcame, wishing for a day we wouldnt have to.

A month later, we got the news that Jack was never coming home. My cousin had been killed in Vietnam on Mothers Day.

The bad stuff increased exponentially. Terrible times to the tenth power. Sen. Robert Kennedy, brother of late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, has been assassinated. The media called it a curse and everybody else went along. We have so many excuses for hate. Mothers were crying again  while attending to their labors  as Black fathers showered and shaved and prayed for a more perfect day.

I tried to evolve from a scaredy-cat to a thinker, writing poetry with deep and dark themes. The ear plug to my transistor radio was practically a permanent fixture, as I listened to the lyrics of Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye. They were my favorites. Their masterful use of language was Shakespearean. Curtis and Marvin were ahead of their time. Smokey was and remains prolific. To date, he has written over four thousand songs. But for the most part, America has refused to acknowledge Black mastery with the credit it deserves.

In 1986, good and godly people defeated the opposition and made Dr. Kings birthday a federal holiday. Although half the states refused to accept it, Black churches, schools and a host of organizations have commemorated his birth since the tragedy of his death. Now  finally  America has to reckon with his greatness.

Proud students recite I Have A Dream with the oratorical skills of the man, himself. People from all walks of life link arms in simulation of the 1963 March on Washington. But my personal favorite is a passionate, prophetic sermon he gave on April 3, 1968, in which he called upon the spirit of Moses:

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But Im not concerned about that now. I just want to do Gods will. And Hes allowed me to go up to the mountain. And Ive looked over. And Ive seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land. And Im happy tonight. Im not worried about anything. Im not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.

The next morning, he was shot. An hour later, he was dead.

Thank you, Dr. King, for bringing disparate people together for common cause. Sleep well, for you, more than most, have earned your rest. And as long as youre asleep anyway, keep on dreaming for a better and brighter day.

Candace Arthuria Williams (williams07666@gmail.com) is a writer and editor based in New Jersey.
My father came to Connecticut in search of a better life. But with no formal education, professional skills, or English proficiency, his path was tough. Through sheer determination, a strong work ethic and seizing opportunities that he found in Connecticut, he was able to scratch out a living despite his many challenges. Together with my mother they provided a sparse yet loving home. What we lacked in material comforts, we more than made up for in love, grace, mercy and an unwavering commitment to each other.

I often wonder how different my life would be if I had grown up somewhere else. While family dynamics have a significant impact on someones life, so too does the support and opportunities a society provides in the growth and development of its citizens. Connecticut contributed significantly to the outcomes in my life. The taxpayer-funded Head Start program at my public school gave me a solid beginning in my young life. The free and reduced-lunch program provided nourishment and removed some of the economic pressure my family was constantly under. I could not afford to go to summer camp, but policymakers funded camp for low-income youth, giving me a safe, productive, positive place to be during often dangerous hot summers.

While I showed academic promise in school, we could not afford the extra tutoring and enrichment programs to further me along. Yet again, I benefited from the decisions local politicians made to fund these programs and I was able to learn leadership skills, broaden my horizons, and see the possibilities for my life beyond my immediate world. In high school I was able to visit Washington, D.C., and learn about our government and the public policy making process. I spent one summer living on the campus of Fairfield University in the Upward Bound program, which not only helped me academically and socially, but served as a dress rehearsal for my acceptance to Quinnipiac University.

That experience at Fairfield University made college more attainable. Once at Quinnipiac, I was the beneficiary of a plethora of financial grants and scholarships that helped me pay for my education. These opportunities were the result of smart investments in the future of all Connecticut youth that were funded by taxpayers and existed because of decisions made by elected officials. After graduation, I bought my first home with a Federal Housing Administration loan. Several years later, I married my college sweetheart and we decided Connecticut was the best place to raise a family.

Throughout all these different points in my life where I needed extra support or a chance to succeed, there was a publicly funded program that elected officials decided was worth creating and/or funding. Like so many others, I benefitted from these decisions.

After the economic crash of 2008, Connecticut struggled to recover, and many fled the state. What followed was a series of austerity budgets that closed off many of the supports and opportunities that I was lucky to have growing up. Recently, however, in response to the pandemic, Connecticuts finances have reached record highs. Due to the influx of unprecedented federal dollars, a robust stock market, large numbers of people moving here, and wise budgetary safeguards implemented because of the 2017 state budget agreement, Connecticut is in a very strong position to invest in its people and change lives.

Under the leadership of Gov. Ned Lamont and in conjunction with the General Assembly, we have made unprecedented payments to our long-term pension obligations saving Connecticut $9.4 billion. Additionally, we have amassed a record budget surplus and our rainy day fund (the states saving account) is full, putting us in a very good position to weather any future economic storm.

Nevertheless, this position we find ourselves in will not last. The fact is opportunities like this dont occur too often in history. Will we seize the opportunity? Will we remake Connecticut so every family can receive the support and opportunities I was afforded? Can we agree that all children, regardless of zip code, deserve a chance to achieve their dreams and the supports necessary to make them a reality?

I am hopeful that we will. Last legislative session I supported the child tax credit long championed by then state Rep. Sean Scanlon (now our states comptroller) and passed by the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee chaired by longtime state Sen. John Fonfara. Over 200,000 Connecticut families benefitted from our action.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont delivers the State of the State address during opening session of the Legislature at the State Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro has championed the credit at the federal level for years and was successful in getting it passed, though it expired, and Congress has not, to date, re-authorized it. The federal child tax credit literally lifted tens of millions of children out of poverty and was a game changer in the lives of so many vulnerable children and their families.

The Connecticut version also expires. If we are to get serious about supporting working- and middle-class families, then we need to increase the value of the credit to meet the current high cost of child care and make it a permanent feature of our tax code. Additionally, home ownership is out of reach for so many of our residents. Rent is sky-high and we dont have enough affordable housing units in our state. Many of my colleagues see this as a critical area to address, and I hope we can all agree there is nothing more important for children and families then to have stable, livable and safe housing. It is critical to growth and development, and I know we can get meaningful legislation done on this front.

Finally, if we are to re-make Connecticut, we must address our tax code. We must make sure that we have a fairer tax code that rewards work and helps pull people into the middle class, staying there for generations to come. I was encouraged to see Gov. Ned Lamont express his interest in an income tax cut for middle-income earners and I hope we can work together to make sure that our most economically stressed families dont bear a disproportioned share of the tax burden of our state. We need a large, solid middle class in Connecticut and a fairer tax code would help us achieve that.

Legislators gather in the Hall of the House during opening session at the State Capitol, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, in Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Connecticuts motto in Latin is Qui Transtulit Sustinet, translated to He who transplanted still sustains, and is believed to express the idea that he who brought over the vine continues to take care of it. Our state seal has vines on it to symbolize the vines brought over by the colony and planted here in the wilderness. My father transplanted to Connecticut because he believed he could sustain a better life for himself and his family. In many ways, Connecticut took care of me, and I believe that through policy we can take care of each other.

As we embark on the new 2023 legislative session, my hope is that we seize this historic opportunity to remake Connecticut and working together create amazing opportunities for families to thrive and break through toward their promise.

Jorge Cabrera, D-Hamden, is a member of the Connecticut Senate.
Its newly elected Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. It ended like it should have begun. All the action witnessed, I believed, could have and should have been played out before Jan. 3. But maybe I was wrong. Maybe America needed to see this play out.

For a while, I was getting concerned. I was not sure that at the end of the House Speaker election we would have a fine tasting piece of sausage. I realized that making sausage (or making and passing bills) in a democracy can be ugly.

Or, was I witnessing a different kind of meat being produced, better known as a group of hot dogs seeking media attention and attempting to fulfill their own parochial interests? In time I saw the latter was not the case.

There was no way 20 members of Congress should be allowed to defeat the will of 202 members of Congress and force a new name to prevail for speaker. That outcome would have been devastating to the Republican Party and would have made Democrats gleeful.

However, be careful what you ask for. Because Republicans and Democrats will actually have to legislate together. For some, I say facetiously, it will be enough to make them retire.

The bitter fight for the speakership ended in compromises, which will change the way the House operates. Some of the big changes are hard to imagine as they have not been done in decades.

First off, we will no longer have a quasi-dictatorship, leaders cutting corners to get by. The microwave oven can be destroyed because there would be no need to reheat the sausage year after year. That means no more continuing resolutions, omnibus spending bills, which would include nearly all of the appropriation bills bundled together.

Congress will now have to pass 12 separate appropriation bills, something not done since I served in Congress more than a quarter century ago.

We will have Regular Order in the passage of bills. Through Regular Order, often committee chairmen were able to get all their members to support a bill on the House floor due to the full participation of members during the committee and subcommittee process.

The new changes mean we will have frequent and open debates with germane amendments being offered from Republicans and Democrats. (All part of making sausage  allowing all members of the House to participate on legislation.)

Imagine having a 10-year balanced budget develop, which legally is due by early spring in order for the spending bills to be authorized and then appropriated.

Imagine giving House members and their staff an opportunity to read 1,000-page bills. Members will have time to review a bill before voting on it. They will no longer have to follow the pattern of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi who once boasted, We have to pass the bill to find out what is in it.

Imagine investigating the wrongs of the Biden Administration during the past two years.

On the immigration crisis, Republicans will develop a detailed plan to close the border, preventing the illegal flow of people  some good and some bad  from entering America.

We will have a return to normalcy.

No longer will members be treated as potential killers as the metal detectors from the Pelosi era have been removed from the entrance to the House floor.

The repeated voting from your bedroom in your PJs is over. Members of Congress will actually have to go to work every day and constituents can actually visit them again to express their views. (Note: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did not allow proxy voting on Senate floor ever, nor did he have metal detectors.)

And, I am confident Speaker McCarthy will never allow a breakdown of security intelligence communication to allow a protest at the Capitol to become a riot in the Capitol.

It should be fun to see. Done right it will be good for America. Done right and America will realize the difference. Done right, despite the Democrats potentially being obstructionists, and it will put America on the right track. It is the process that will make the product taste so good for so many.

One of the side benefits of the prolonged Speaker battle was that members were forced to talk to one another.

Let us remember, thanks to C-Span cameras, we could see Democrats and Republicans as different as Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar and N.Y. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez talking to each other. This is after Gosar posted an anime video of him killing AOC  Im sure he was just kidding.

We saw Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee having a conversation with Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz  polar opposites.

And as a side note, it was interesting to see one Black member nominate McCarthy for speaker, another Black Republican as a candidate for Speaker, and two other Black Republicans members observing from their seats on the House floor. Not in about 150 years has four Black Republicans been House members together. The Republicans in the House are at a high-water mark for women and Hispanics as well.

Lets hope and pray we will see the change the 20 GOP members fought for and continue to see the strength the 202 GOP Members displayed by sticking with McCarthy, ballot after ballot, when the liberal media was hoping and waiting to see erosion in the party. It never materialized. Both GOP factions looked good  looked like warriors  but now the work begins.

Republicans, are you sure you are ready to work this hard? Americans could finally get what they have sought for decades. And who knows, if Democrats are sincere in their aspirations to improve America, it will truly be fun to watch and will be a more rewarding experience for each member of Congress as well.
The United Nations in New York City AA Images

'We believe that most probably it will take place in New York within the UN on the 24th of February,' Vasyl Bodnar tells Anadolu

ANKARA (AA)  A UN-brokered peace summit to end the war in Ukraine is expected to be held in New York on Feb. 24, said Ukraines ambassador to Turkiye.

We believe that most probably it will take place in New York within the UN on the 24th of February, Vasyl Bodnar told Anadolu when asked about the peace summit announced by the Kyiv administration, which is expected to be mediated by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

On reports that Russia will not take part in the summit, Bodnar said: How could you invite the country which wouldn't like to have peace for the peace conference?

First of all, he said, it is unnatural, and secondly, (it is) a brutal slap to the whole idea, because Russia is the country which breaks the peace and they would like to continue the war with the occupation of Ukrainian territory.

Pointing out that there is hope for peace in the region, he said this can only be achieved by pushing Russia out of Ukrainian territory and the world should pressure Russia to stop its military activities.

Emphasizing the importance of restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity, Bodnar said this is a war for liberation and independence.

We need to liberate our territory, renew our territorial integrity and establish sovereign rights on our sovereign territories, he added. That's the key element of the whole war.

- War for survival

Saying that the conflict in Ukraine has intensified in the eastern city of Bakhmut and its surroundings in the Donetsk region, Bodnar said there were also urban clashes in some of these regions.

Noting that although the destruction in the city of Bakhmut and nearby town of Soledar due to Russian attacks was quite high, he said that Ukrainian forces were working to maintain their dominance in the region.

For us, this war is a war for survival, a war for independence and a war for sovereignty, he said, adding Ukraine was defending itself according to international law.

On reports that Russia is preparing a new attack on Ukraine in February, Bodnar said: Yes, there is information from our intelligence that Russia is concentrating forces to start a new attack from the north, from Belarusian or Russian territory, and with a second attempt to capture Kyiv and northern regions of Ukraine.

So we have been preparing for that for a long time. And I believe that it will not be an easy task for them even to start this attack, he added. Nevertheless, it would not be excluded that the Russians might consolidate their forces and equipment and set off on a new big offensive with an attempt to capture new territories.

Noting that the situation is very hard on the front line, the Ukrainian envoy said it could be even worse if the Russians attempt to attack from different directions. So(we) should be prepared for the worst scenario.

- We propose the formula

Bodnar also said that Ukraine was thinking about the future settlement of the whole situation in our region, and for this reason, he said: We need peace, and we propose the formula.

Recalling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys 10 conditions for peace, which were laid out at the G-20 summit last November, Bodnar said they include nuclear security, food security, energy security, and the withdrawal of Russian forces.

Expressing his appreciation for Turkiyes support for Ukraine's peace plan, he said: I am very grateful to (Turkish Foreign) Minister (Mevlut) Cavusoglu, who yesterday officially announced that Turkiye is supporting the Ukrainian peace plan and (that) it is ready to join in its implementation.

- Turkiye is helping Ukraine with peace talks

Praising Turkiyes initiatives on issues such as ending the war and establishing a cease-fire, Bodnar said: I'm very grateful because, from the very beginning of the war, Turkiye has been helping Ukraine with peace talks, mediation and resolving some practical things.

And de facto, Turkiye is already implementing some of the points which have not been proposed and formalized like, for example, food security.

Pointing out the importance of the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement signed with the initiatives of the UN and Turkiye, Bodnar said that Ukraine and Turkiye are now the saviors of the world from hunger.

Because of this grain initiative, grain corridor, grain from Ukraine, these two initiatives, they are helping countries which are in need of foodThe two countries are taking responsibility for global food security. That's important, he said.

Mustafa Deveci/AA
In a recent visit with John (a pseudonym), it became clear that there were problems that we simply couldnt fix together. Lugging his oxygen cylinder on a bus and then walking to the office, John was struggling to make our appointments.

While telemedicine offered an occasional reprieve, he found technology confusing and would miss some of our appointments, leading to frequent phone calls and urgent care visits. Eventually, Johns neighbor was able to provide a much-needed ride to and from appointments, leading to Johns observation that the bus just doesnt work for me anymore.

In a recent paper, we examined the barriers that those using public transit face when attending medical appointments. In broadening our analyses to the state of Connecticut, we found that John was not alone. While public transit plays a vital role in ensuring affordable access to many locations throughout Connecticut, for too many, public transit is not a viable option for accessing important resources such as hospitals and hospital clinics.

In comparing drive time and bus transit time to the nine largest hospitals in the state, we were surprised to note that Johns observations were more prescient than he may have understood: 1.9 million residents of Connecticut (52 percent) do not have any public transit option that would bring them to these major medical centers, and 950,000 residents (27 percent) take trips of greater than 60 minutes to reach these hospitals. When considering car drive times, these times are flipped  45 percent of Connecticut residents live under 15 minutes from these major hospitals and only 6 percent of the population live greater than 60 minutes away.

These realities make accessing our health care system challenging for our patients. While there have been meaningful efforts to close these gaps such as Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation, significant barriers remain for patients like John who may not easily fit into pre-existing programs or for whom these programs simply do not function effectively. Plus navigating these programs can be as challenging for some as navigating the bus system.

Hospital systems and payors should be required to ask patients whether they have transportation barriers to accessing medical care (be it no access or bus rides that are so long as to be untenable), and functioning, effective, and timely services should be provided for who that do not. Ultimately, it is only through working to discover patient transportation needs and designing successful programs to meet them, that the health of Connecticut residents can be assured.

Dr. Peter Kahn is a clinical fellow at Yale New Haven Hospital. Dr. Xiaohan Ying and Dr. Stan Mathis contributed to this op-ed.
The world's longest river cruise - MV Ganga Vilas - was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 13 in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi through video conferencing. More than 30 Swiss tourists will take the maiden journey to reach Assams Dibrugarh via Bangladesh.

PM Modi also inaugurated the Tent City in Varanasi  developed on the lines of similar setups in Gujarat's Kutch - built on the banks of river Ganga. He also laid foundation stones for inland waterways projects that worth more than Rs 1,000 crore, PTI reported.

Here are the top points regarding the world's longest river cruise that will answer your questions and quench your interest.

MV Ganga Vilas cruise: Trip, Distance and Route

MV Ganga Vilas offers a 51-day trip from Varanasi to Dibrugarh via Bangladesh, covering a 3,200 km distance.

MV Ganga Vilas cruise: Ticket Price

To travel in the luxurious cruise, people have to pay around Rs 25,000 to

Rs 50,000 per day. The entire journey will cost approximately Rs 20 lakh per passenger.

MV Ganga Vilas cruise: Capacity

The world's longest river cruise has the capacity to carry 36 passengers.

MV Ganga Vilas cruise: How to book ticket

The luxurious cruise is being offered by Antara Luxury River Cruises and can be booked from their website. As of now, the booking is not open as the cruise is being booked by a Swiss company. But people will book tickets for the next voyage, which will held in September, in due course.

Here's the 3,200-km route map:
Malaysia: Cement pricing highs

13 January 2023

Escalating raw material and coal prices, higher shipping costs and the US dollar appreciation against the ringgit are all contributing to further price rises in Malaysia's cement market, which has seen consumption increase with more expansion in demand expected going forward as companies face tighter profit margins.

Key factors in price rises

Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahid of DOSM stresses that coal prices are one of the main reasons for cement price increases. "Coal prices will continue to rise in 2023 with demand expected to remain flat at that level through 2025 as declines in mature markets are offset by continued robust demand in emerging ASEAN economies," said Mr Uzir Mahid.

Electricity prices are also expected to cause further challenges to the cement sector as the government intends to remove the electricity subsidies from medium-voltage and high-voltage industrial users, to mitigate the high coal cost in the energy sector. As the tariff is currently MYR3/kWh and is set to rise by between MYR20-27.7/kWh, this would be a rise of 566 per cent. DOSM reports that such action could see cement price increases of MYR200/t (US$45.7/t) to offset higher operating costs.

For companies importing cement or raw materials it is also becoming increasingly difficult to achieve healthy profit margins. For example, rising shipping costs and the US dollar appreciation are leading to higher input and product sale prices for Cement Industries (Sabah) Sdn Bhd (CIS). Similarly, on Sarawak, coupled with the cement shortage, this leads to significantly higher cement prices when compared with other parts of Malaysia. "To date, the average unit price of cement in Sarawak is 15 per cent higher compared with Peninsular Malaysia and also four per cent higher than in Sabah," said a statement issued by the Sarawak Economic Development Corp (SEDC) and Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), who are reportedly looking to set up a joint-venture (JV) company to import 0.5-1Mt cement annually from Thailand.

Some regions face a particularly challenging time in terms of pricing and costs as they try to reconcile supply issues with increasing demand. Cement demand in Sarawak has been robust and is forecast to surge with the construction of several major infrastructure projects, petrochemical plant projects and road construction. The Sarawak coastal road construction and second trunk road and Sarawak-Sabh link road are all expected to raise cement demand. Sarawak-based cement producer, Cahya Mata Sarawak (CMS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cahya Mata Cement Sdn Bhd, last raised its cement prices by an average of 10 per cent on 17 February 2022. Before the end of 2022, the company also had to apologise to its customers for a cement shortage, in part created by a maintenance shutdown at its Mambong grinding plant.

Protecting profit margins

To meet some way in protecting producer profit margins, the Malaysian government revised the list price of bagged cement from MYR19.25/ 50kg bag to a recommended retail price of MYR22.50/ 50kg bag across all regions of Malaysia on 18 November 2022. This typically increased cement prices by 17 per cent, said the Sun Daily. Malaysia's statistics department, DOSM, reported a 1.5 per cent MoM increase in the unit price index for cement in December 2022, with a further rise expected in January 2023.

Opposition to price hikes

Despite the situation that domestic cement producers find themselves in, they are not going unchallenged in raising their prices. As cement is a "scheduled controlled good" regulated by the government, four builders' associations appealed in December 2022 to the Malaysian government for help after the 15-17 per cent cement and concrete price hike. This followed a price rise in March 2022 of 15 per cent by several cement producers.



The industry will now see if the government does indeed act to restrict cement price increases and therefore cap profitability. Meanwhile, building material companies have argued that cement price increases are likely to have a domino effect on other construction materials, such as gutters, roofs and ready-mixed concrete.

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Cementa to develop water treatment plant

13 January 2023

Cementa (Heidelberg Materials) plans a new water treatment plant to strengthen the drinking water supply in northern Gotland, Sweden. In the autumn of 2022, Cementa commissioned and tested a miniature water plant in the roof to evaluate technology and construction before the full-scale water plant is being built.

The pilot plant, which has been in operation since last September at Filehajdar, is a smaller-scale model of a fully-functioning water treatment plant, about one-tenth the size of a full-scale one. The mini water plant, which is powered by electricity, has run approximately 1000h. The results from the pilot plant show excellent values regarding the quality of future drinking water for the subscribers, as well as a very stable and energy-efficient operation of the plant.

Matilda Hoffstedt, who is the factory manager at Slite, says that Cementa wants to take advantage of the water that collects in the limestone deposits, store it and create drinking water from it. In this way, we can contribute to greatly strengthening the public water supply here in northern Gotland. The results from the pilot project are extremely promising and we see that a new water plant would really make a difference to the water supply throughout the year.

The engineering and design company AFRY has been hired to contribute its knowledge in the work with the pilot project. AFRY assists with its expertise in drinking water production and experience in design and project implementation of new industrial facilities.

In planning for a full-scale water plant, Cementa began work in 2021 with a feasibility study and a water plant pilot. The entire feasibility study is expected to be completed in the summer of 2023 and the goal is to be able to put a full-scale water plant into operation with the most modern technology in 2027.

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China Resources Cement issues profit warning for 2022

13 January 2023

China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd has issued a profit warning saying that it expects its profit attributable to owners of the company to contract by 74-78 per cent YoY in 2022.

The fall is being attributed to a rise in the unit cost of sales of cement products by the group in 2022, compared to the previous year, along with lower sales volumes over the 12-month period. 2022 also saw lower average selling prices for cement and clinker in the regions in which the company operates, versus the previous year.

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When Stacy Lightfoot arrived at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as vice chancellor for diversity and engagement, she immediately knew how she wanted to decorate her divisions offices.It is the mission of our division to support students, faculty and staff and celebrate all of the beautiful diversity that exists here on campus, she said. It is always awesome to connect with other divisions on campus. It is always awesome to connect with community partners on campus.So when I first met Dr.(Angie) To, I said, I want some artwork on these walls. After an hours conversation, we created a new fellowship.Ms. Lightfoot and Dr. To, the head of the UTC Department of Art, came up with the idea of hosting an art gallery within Diversity and Engagement. Ms. Lightfoot would provide a stipend to cover art supplies. To created the parameters: a rotating artist series changing three or four times a year highlighting and honoring young alums and giving them the opportunity to display their work.That vision has become a reality. The Diversity and Engagement Art Fellowship was recently introduced with six oil paintings created by Tamia Spinks, who received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from UTC in May 2022.Ms. Spinks said she created paintings that focused on rejuvenating black representation.My goal has been to try to transform the minds of my viewers by altering the common stereotypical narrative of black Americans and displaying them in a more uplifting light, said Ms. Spinks, who grew up in the small West Tennessee town of Milan. I do this by creating work that I can connect with by displaying my identity as a black woman and my views on life. My paintings either tell stories about my life experiences or simply highlight those close to me, such as family and friends.
The Tivoli Foundation is proceeding with a $57 million project to renovate the Tivoli Theatre and build the new Tivoli Performing Arts Center next door in the former Fowler Brothers building, Nick Wilkinson, executive director of the Tivoli Theatre Foundation said Thursday. He said $23 million has been raised to date and tax credits will help in funding the project.

It is set to reopen in 2024.

Mr. Wilkinson also told members of the Rotary Club that the new center will include an educational outreach arm and a new, fourth venue, the Bobby Stone Theatre.

Were very excited about this new venue and what it will allow us to have, Mr. Wilkinson said.

The Bobby Stone Theatre is named after a founding board member, a filmmaker, and funded by the Bobby Stone Foundation. The 250-seat venues retracting seats mean the space can be adapted for classes, rehearsals and other uses.

He said the project was responsible for creating 404 full-time equivalent positions in 2022, and is on track to create 759 for 2025 upon reopening.

Mr. Wilkinson said that as River City Company, the Lyndhurst Foundation and others begin to focus on the future of Broad Street, the performing arts center will be the lynchpin piece bringing riverfront Chattanooga and Southside together in the city center.

We hope this is a shot in the arm, he said.

The Tivolis educational outreach will include performing arts, technical training and theatre direction. The Tivoli is a member of the Broadway League and will focus on bringing Broadway shows to Chattanooga. Its classes and events will revolve around the shows it brings. The Tivoli Foundation has pledged that 50 percent of participants will come from low-income and minority backgrounds.

There are far too many people in our community who do not have access to the arts, Mr. Wilkinson said.

Tivoli Theatre restrooms and concessions spaces will be completely re-done and expanded into the former Fowler Brothers building. There will be ground-floor retail and a rooftop bar, a holistic and comprehensive experience, Mr. Wilkinson said.

Local groups studied the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis and the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville to set the Tivoli on its new trajectory.

Why cant we have that in Chattanooga? Mr. Wilkinson asked.

The energy and momentum of this renovations and reimagining of the Tivoli are a belated celebration of the Jewel of the Souths first centennial in March 2021, he said.

The Tivoli Foundation was formed in 2015 to separate the theatre from the city. Then it was losing $1.5 million a year. In 2022 it generated $25 million in direct expenditures. Before 2015 the Tivoli had 20 acts a year. Now it has shows every other day, the speaker said.

Mr. Wilkinson said 26 percent of the stage calendar is taken by local nonprofits including Chattanooga Ballet, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera and the Chattanooga Boys Choir.

At first people said Chattanoogas not a music town, Mr. Wilkinson said.

I can literally say weve turned that script 100 percent, he said. The shows he attracts reflect Chattanoogas diverse population and tastes, he said.

Shows may move year to year from the smallest Walker Theatre, which seats about 850, through the Tivoli, which seats 1,750, to Memorial Auditorium, which seats 3,800.

Mr. Wilkinson said that now that the Tivoli group has established a good footing, Its time to polish the Jewel.

Tivoli Theatre opened March 19, 1921 as a picture palace with tickets for 25 cents. It was designed and built by Rapp and Rapp and R.H. Hunt and was among the first five public buildings in the country to have air conditioning. It was saved from razing in the 1960s and 1970s by the Lyndhurst Foundation and other local philanthropists.

The Tivoli was last restored in 1989, re-opening with a Peter, Paul and Mary concert.

The Tivolis Wurlitzer organ will be preserved and restored. That organ and the Austin organ at Memorial Auditorium, named Opus 1206, are two of only about 300 in existence, Mr. Wilkinson said.
The Diocese of Nashville has released a new photographic history book showcasing the 185-year legacy of architecture, service and impact of every church across the dioceses Middle Tennessee market.



It features the original photography of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Robin Hood, who formerly worked at the Chattanooga News-Free Press.

It also features the writing of his daughter, Farrar Hood Cusamato, and Whit Stiles.

The book, entitled Diocese of Nashville: A Family of Faith, was created and produced to honor the dioceses 185th anniversary year. It was featured at the 2022 Southern Festival of Books in October.



This is a beautiful tribute to our dioceses parishes, said The Most Reverend J. Mark Spalding, the 12th Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville. However, as beautiful as the images and writing are, the real beauty is knowing the good work, the spirit of community and the faith of the parishioners who fill every one of these churches. I am excited to honor them through this wonderful book.



The diocese will offer the book for sale online through its website at dioceseofnashville.com/family-of-faith. It is also available at Saint Marys Bookstore and Parnassus Bookstore in Nashville. The 240-page book sells for $50, plus shipping and handling if ordered online.



Mr. Hood, whose work has been featured in major expositions and publications across the country over the past 40 years, won the Pulitzer Prize for photography while a newspaper photojournalist in Chattanooga. Ms. Cusamato and Mr. Stiles have authored numerous books, including one for the National Parks Conservation Association.



The visits to each of these 60 churches provided some of the most enjoyable and personally rewarding photo sessions that I have ever done, Mr. Hood said. From buildings as grand as The Cathedral in Nashville to the small Saint Michael Church in Cedar Hill, I saw beauty, and I felt the legacy that embodies each of these buildings. I am very proud of this book.
A Chattanooga student team at Baylor has won a national NASA contest: The NASA TechRise Student Challenge.

TechRise, in its second year, is a STEM competition for sixth to 12th graders offering students hands-on STEM experience and the opportunity to test their own innovative solutions for space exploration and the study of Earth.



The Baylor students, who just learned of their win Thursday, will work through the remainder of the school year building out their experiment, with the support of professional engineers, in preparation for a high-altitude balloon flight test which will occur this summer.

The students experiment will test the following: Can Machine Learning Be Used in Low Earth Orbit to Characterize Methane Leaks?

Administered by Future Engineers, TechRise is designed to attract, engage and prepare future science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals. This years challenge was to design a science or technology experiment that could be tested on a NASA-sponsored high-altitude balloon flight. High-altitude balloon platforms have catalyzed fundamental discoveries for decades that contribute to our current understanding of the Earth, the solar system and the universe, officials said.



There were 60 winning teams from students across the country and each team is receiving $1,500 to build out their experiments, a flight box in which to build it, technical support from Future Engineers and an assigned spot on the high-altitude balloon flight.
The Junior Chamber (Jaycees) was the younger branch of Junior Chamber International that is a leadership training service and civic organization for young men between the ages of 18 and 40."

In 1946 the Jaycee Creed was adopted which proposed noble ideas and would provide six goals and purposes that expressed the organization's initial belief that a faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life and concludes with the additional belief that service to humanity is the best work of life!

Adherence to these principles provided membership and political opportunities to such notable U.S. Jaycees as Bill Clinton, Gerald Ford, Al Gore, Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan.

Even Elvis Presley saw the benefits of being a Jaycee as did serial killer John Wayne Gracy.

On the local level many outstanding leaders got their start in public service by becoming a Jaycee. Heads of international civic clubs (J.G.) and local county governments (D.R.) were all proud members of the group that engaged in worthwhile projects such as building two high rise apartment buildings on West 9th Street (Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.) and the development of Orange Grove Center.

Although the aforementioned members included members of both political parties on the local scene the GOP was the dominant leadership group.

This led to the statement that the Chattanooga Jaycees were just a Republican incubator by the late controversial attorney and judge, Democrat Raulston Schoolfield.

The Jaycees were originally an all-male group and its membership peak in 1976 boasted 356,000 young men when its age levels were between 18 and 35 but were changed to allow members to serve the public until age 40.

Although there were auxiliary female memberships known as U.S. Jaycee Women, Jayceetees or Jayceens this came to a halt in 1985 after the United States Supreme Court held that the exclusion of women members did not allow the State of Minnesota to engage in gender discrimination.

As a result, women became Jaycees and Lewis Grizzard found a new topic to endear himself to his non-male readers in his 1984 book Elvis is Dead and I Dont Feel So Good Myself (Peachtree Publishers) and in a 24-page chapter Women Dont Wear Jocks discusses this issue and others in his summary that the current period in which were living is probably the worst time in history to be a man.

In said chapter he mentions the Jaycees as follows:

I know exactly what they mean. Men enjoy and relish the companionship of other men. They simply need to be off with other men occasionally, with no women around, so they can feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and frustrations and can pass gas without having to apologize for it. (Incidentally, thats how the Jaycees originally grew to be such a large and popular organization. I think women are going to be terribly disappointed when they join the Jaycees and find out that it was nothing more than a bunch of guys getting together once a week to have some lunch and talk about raising money for charities and passing gas in peace.)

(Lewis Grizzard said it, I didnt)

P.S. The progressive Chattanooga Jaycees would elect its first lady president, Angie Williams, following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

* * *

You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com
William Carl Barker Bill the Thrill passed away peacefully on December 31, 2022, at the age of 65 from a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Bill was born on January 1, 1957 in Waurika, OK to his parents, Carl and Billie Barker.

After completing his education at Tecumseh High School, Bill went to work as an equipment operator for The Western Company of North America in Mineral Wells, Tx. Bill worked his way through the ranks of various oil and gas companies. His charisma and determination eventually landed him as part owner of FracTech Services in Fort Worth, TX until he retired in 2011. Bill was also a faithful member of Redemption to the Nations Church in Chattanooga, where he served on the board of trustees.

One of his favorite scripture was Luke 6:38 and he put it to use in his everyday life.  Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure it shall be measured unto you again. He lived his life in complete surrender to the will of God and BELIEVED in sowing time and money to help those in need. He learned to listen to God and to give extravagantly. Bill had many things, but things never had him. He loved God, his family and he loved people. He made big moves in the Kingdom and never once questioned or doubted when or what God spoke. He was obedient until the end. Well done, poppy, mission complete.

The family will be having a Celebration of Life service at Redemption to the Nations Church [1908 Bailey Avenue] in Chattanooga, TN on January 27th @ 2:00PM. The Service is open to any who wish to attend and pay their respects. In lieu of flowers, Bill had asked before his passing that donations be made to the Redemption to the Nations School (The Ark Academy). Https://rttn.church/bill-barker-memorial-fund

Visit the online obituary www.heritagechattanooga.com to post tributes and share memories.

Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Chapel.
4/12/2023

The proposed 2024 budget for the town of Lookout Mountain, Tn. was passed on the first reading at the April commission meeting. Mayor Walker Jones said that 25 percent of the towns budget used ... more
What, after the fat is boiled away, is the essence of hunting dangerous game? In a word, it is the challenge in its most elemental form, the same challenge that provided the drive that brought the hairless, puny toothed, weak, dawn-creature that became man down out of the trees to hunt meat with rocks, clubs and pointed sticks. This daring still lives, in various degrees of mufti, under the flannel breast of the meekest shoe clerk From Death in the Long Grass (1977) - Peter Hathaway Capstick

One does not hunt in order to kill; on the contrary, one kills in order to have hunted. If one were to present the sportsman with the death of the animal as a gift he would refuse it. What he is after is to win it, to conquer the surly brute through his own effort and skill with all the extras that this carrie with it; the immersion in the countryside, the healthfulness of the exercise, the distraction from his job. - Jose Ortega y Gasset

Travel had been up and down a steep drainage or two, and finally up another creek in the dark for the last hour. This dark trek was the result of a couple of assumptions that I was beginning to suspect were either twisted luck, or flat out mistakes covering the days ten miles of hunting. Walking in pure darkness with dying batteries on a headlamp will do that to you when you find yourself second guessing where you really are in big mountain country that youve never been in before.

The high meadow elk wallow that had taken most of the day to achieve was now just a delusional spot on a far mountain. A small spot in the vast distance where I had persuaded myself that the mud hole would result in an arrow being flung at a deep throated bull elk. The mud hole didnt pan out as planned.

The batteries in the headlamp weakened far faster than planned. The long and treacherous walk back to the campfire took significantly longer time than planned. There really wasnt much of a plan here, as it was mostly attributable to hopeful thinking. Hope is never much of a plan.

The GPS ran on batteries that were suitable spares for the headlamp, but I couldnt bring myself to the sacrifice. I didnt trust the GPS. I just couldnt stomach the thought of fumbling around in the dark with batteries for one gadget to feed another gadget. Maybe I was closer to camp than I thought. The term, hope is not a plan, returned as the hike continued up the rocky trail in the dark timber.

The GPS was a new and almost unfathomable gadget. Already, in a just a few recent days, the old compass and I had each caught the new fangled GPS in a couple of lies. Maybe the new gadget had learned the errors of its ways.

The path up this particular creek looked almost familiar in the dimming battery light. In reality, there wasnt little to really decipher about this creek that seemed to bring on any real assurance or sense of comforting familiarity. In the dark big timber everything has a surreal sameness that can quickly be bewildering.

I held the bow in one hand and a canister of bear spray in the other since the moonless darkness blackened the dense willow drainages and the tall timbered trails. The bear spray had been drawn from the holster like some gun slinger in a wild west boom town saloon. A man with notches on his pistol who would, out of necessity, rip his trusty Colt Peace Maker from worn latigo leather and jam the big barrel up the nose of some offensive drunk cowboy who had disparaged the old pistoleros horse or his momma.

This trails darkness was deep in bear country, albeit not Griz country. It was moose country, wolf country, two kinds of cat country and after the first sound of something crashing through the willows and lodgepole in the darkness, the bear spray was unsheathed. I figured the cats and the wolves would have moved a little more quietly, or suspected that they would have attacked silently from behind.

This quiet approach to certain death logic spiraled me into a lengthy, unhealthy internal debate as to whether a can of aerosol propelled pepper spray would render something as large as an enraged moose to decide to give up on stomping something in the dark. Give up on pulverizing someone with only one dim eye, gripping a can in their hand, into a bloody pool of wolf bait.

In that dark hours hike there had been two, maybe three, large somethings crash off the trail into the dark timber, completely unseen, but completely and breathlessly appreciated for the yield of the right of way. Maybe the third large something crashing through the dark brush was pure imagination, a simple failure of confidence, or some borderline hallucinogenic something. I never saw who, or what, made the retreating noises crashing through the dark timber. They left little to track in a weak light when armed with only a paint can and a bow.

The creek path was the right one. I could see the fire and it looked larger than I remembered from the night before. I whistled my approach and my son came to meet me.

Where have you been? We were beginning to come looking for you!

There was an edge to his question that made the tone of his voice somewhat uncharacteristic. I didnt think it was my tardiness.

Whats up? I asked.

I was stalked by a mountain lion today!

What? I plainly had heard what he said, but it seemed unbelievable when I tried to process what he had just told me. I now understood the edginess in his questions concerning my whereabouts.

He continued on; Rob and I had called up a bull on Madson Ridge where the lodge poles are down like jackstraws. I left Rob with the shot and I drifted back about fifty yards to keep calling. The bull came in on a rope. I turned to make sure that his cows hadnt gotten by us and there was this huge cat laying in the grass, ears back and only the last four inches of his tail was moving. As soon as I got over being frozen in place by the cats stare, I turned to face the cougar. I stood raising my bow over my head and tried to scare the animal away.

How close was he?

When he didnt move, I knocked an arrow for the shot and came to full draw. The only shot I had lined up with his head or back, and I wasnt sure that that the shot a good idea. I ranged him at 18 yards. His eyes never left me. Ill never forget those piercing eyes. I decided that I needed to get broadside for a kill shot. The bull was closing the distance fast and I worried about spooking Robs bull for at least one thin second. I slowly pulled back to full draw and inched my way broadside to the big cat. There was no growl or hiss. The only thing that moved on the cat was his head and his tail. When I finally got in position for the shot, I ranged him again and now I stood at 15 yards. Being closer stunned me when I realized I had crowded the cat and the it hadnt charged. The arrow hit the cat in the shoulder and the lion let out a loud scream, leaped straight up, maybe six feet like it had been electrocuted, did a complete 360 degree flip and bounded over the jackstraw pines, out of sight, like he had been shot from a cannon.

I collapsed shaking involuntarily by the fire. The big fire was useless on the cold chills crawling up my back.

Did you find your arrow? I asked shakily.

He continued while I inspected the arrow in the firelight; Yeah! Look at this! Theres less than three inches of blood on it. Look at the teeth marks on the shaft! Rob came up grinning where I was sitting, shook up and shaking like a leaf, and told me he had just shot a log. You should have seen the look in his eyes when I told him what had just happened. He thought I was trying to pull a fast one on him! We quickly found the arrow and blood with some hair and tracks. We lost the blood trail almost as fast. We found tracks where the lion had crossed the creek and then it disappeared in the rocks and we lost all sign.

Do you think the lion would have charged? My words were failing, breaking involuntarily.

Im dead certain he was committed, especially when he never moved as I stood up and tried to wave him off. The eyes were dark and deadly. Ill never forget the eyes.

I slumped by the fire and continued to shake violently like a town dog passing a peach pit. Thoughts, all manner of strange and awful thoughts dumped into my mind in one fell swoop. There were dark, terrible calculations of time and distance to analyze.

We were easily ten miles from the nearest vehicle for evacuation. I wasnt sure where the nearest horse was, or in which direction to go to get to one. Could a man who survived being mauled by a panther even ride a horse? What was the duration of the walk out, or carry-out? Once a vehicle was reached, where was the nearest trauma center? These grizzly questions cascaded like a bad storm until I came to the most disturbing question pondered in this flood of gruesome thoughtsWhat would I say to my sons mother and his wife and kids?

That last terrible thought stopped me in my mental tracks. Enough; Hes OK. We are OK. Enough. I hugged him, I think I hugged him. If I didnt, I should have. And, we were all OK.

But, we were now living in the backyard of a wounded mountain lion. At daylight we searched for the wounded cat in the rocks, the trees, the caves, all to no avail. No trace. It was a slow and extremely tense search that went on for days.

Every tree was better than a great sight for revenge. Every boulder outcropping, a springboard for one last killing leap that no arrow or spray can could prevent. The mountain lion had disappeared and spared us revenge.

The memory will never disappear. That was the day in Idaho when Rob shot a log instead of a bull, and from 15 yards, the big hungry mountain lion, with killer black eyes, was arrowed in the shoulder.

There were no need for batteries for head lamps after that momentous day.

----

WOMR Note; Extra batteries arent as heavy as I once thought. The GPS still lies. Send comments to whiteoakmtnranger@gmail.com
County and city officials, teachers, students and parents gathered at Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts Friday for a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the opening of the schools new half.

You all deserve a space like this where you can grow and thrive, said Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly. We depend on you to do great things for our future.

The addition and renovation at the former Lakeside Elementary magnet school on Jersey Pike more than doubles the schools capacity and adds middle and high school grades.

Students in fifth through tenth grades joined the younger elementary students at the new location when school started after Christmas break Jan. 6. The older students attended the old CSLA location on East Brainerd Road in the fall.

Since its a magnet school the families are not represented by one member of the school board, and choosing a site and pushing a plan through were slow going. County Mayor Weston Wamp credited school board members Tiffanie Robinson and Tucker McClendon and former superintendent Bryan Johnson with leaning into magnet schools, and bringing change.

This might be the best school in the South, and you might be the luckiest kids in the world to go here, County Mayor Wamp said.

Former superintendent Kirk Kelly thanked CSLA parents for sticking with the award-winning school through years of sub-par facilities, and for their dogged requests for a better building.

Now we have a facility that is on a national level also, he said.

CSLA parent Lama Moustafa, a teacher at Westview Elementary School, said students and teachers can spread out like they need to, with their own classrooms, better equipment and tools.

The space is bigger and they can enjoy it, she said.

Former county mayor Jim Coppinger said the county began talking about a new CSLA building in 2006, and that this is the first time the county has built buildings for a magnet school.

It took a long time to find the right location, he said. Im just proud to see it come to fruition. Mr. Coppinger said this building just goes to show that at the end of the day, elected officials do listen to the community. He credited the community with footing the bill with taxes, too. Its the people of this county that built this school for you, Mr. Coppinger told the audience.
Mitchell Dion Morgan, 58, of Snellville, Ga., was found guilty on Friday by a Whitfield County jury for the offenses of involuntary manslaughter, reckless conduct, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

District Attorney Bert Poston said, "Involuntary manslaughter occurs when a death is caused by another persons unlawful act (in this case the charge of reckless conduct) without there having been any intention to kill. Reckless conduct exists when a person causes harm or risk of harm by disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk that his actions or omissions to act will cause such harm."

Senior Judge Jack Partain presided over the case with evidence beginning Wednesday after lunch and concluding late Thursday afternoon. Micah Gates and Latasha Heflin of the Public Defenders Office represented Morgan. The states case was presented by assistant district attorney Geoff Bard.

The trial centered on two traffic collisions that occurred on Interstate 75 in the early morning hours of June 26, 2020. Morgan, who worked for ServePro out of Stone Mountain, was driving his ServePro van up the interstate at around 4 a.m. at a high rate of speed and with his headlights off.

While driving erratically for unknown reasons, he struck a GMC Terrain driven by Miriam Ballesteros who was driving with her husband heading to Illinois. Ms. Ballesteros was able to regain control of her vehicle and pull off the roadway, but the vehicle spun out and came to rest sideways, perpendicular to the direction of travel and in the fast lane.

The evidence showed that sometimes after the crash, and without taking action to move his vehicle, to alert authorities, or to warn upcoming traffic of the hazard he himself had created, Morgan fled the scene, crossed over to the southbound interstate and began walking towards Atlanta. No one at the scene, including other motorists who stopped, had any contact with Morgan at the scene and he was not on scene when law enforcement later arrived.

Several minutes after the initial crash, Albert Moore, 29, who was traveling from Florida to Michigan, came upon the ServPro van and was not able to stop or swerve into another lane prior to crashing into the side of the van.

Mr. Moore, who was driving a Chrysler Sebring, suffered significant blunt force trauma from the impact and was unresponsive at the scene. He was taken by Life Force to Erlanger in Chattanooga where he was pronounced brain dead upon arrival and later taken off life support.

Deputies with the Whitfield County Sheriffs Office arrived at the scene shortly after the second collision and began the investigation which was subsequently turned over to the Georgia State Patrol and further investigated by the GSPs Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team (SCRT). That part of the investigation was led by Trooper Jonathan Maxell who conducted a full reconstruction of the two collisions.

Corporal Scotty Smith, who leads the SCRT Team A covering much of Northwest Georgia, located Morgan walking south on the shoulder of I-75 near Connector 3. Morgan was wearing a ServePro shirt and had the keys to the van in his pocket.

He did not deny that he had been driving the vehicle but offered no explanation for his actions.

Prosecutor Bard called 15 witnesses and presented 92 separate pieces of evidence to lay out the case to the jury. Attorney Gates called one witness, but Morgan himself did not testify in his own defense.

The jury deliberated for around an hour and a half before returning a verdict of guilty on all counts.

Judge Partain had Morgan taken into custody and set sentencing for Feb. 17. At that time, Morgan faces up to 10 years in prison on the homicide count and up to 12 months each on the other charges.
The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission heard presentations on a variety of topics at its first two-day meeting of the new year. The meeting concluded Friday.



The Commission welcomed back Dave Kostersky, a 31-year veteran of Ducks Unlimited Canada. He provided information on the organizations partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. He addressed the TFWC with accomplishments of habitat protection on more than 2,000 acres, habitat restoration on more than 5,100 acres, and the habitat management of more than 57,300 acres.



Dr. Brad Cohen, Tennessee Tech University, gave an update on the mallard research project. The field study is now in its third year on state and federal refuges in West Tennessee. More than 500 mallards have been banded to track the movement of the ducks. The study also includes hunting pressure and how other variables impact waterfowl.



Capt. Tim Sain from TWRA Region IV provided information on a request from the Doe Mountain Recreational Authority to develop the Northeast Tennessee Shotting Complex in Johnson County. The range would serve six counties in the region. The Commission also heard a request from the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Foundation for improvements at the Montgomery County Shooting Complex. The facility offers fixed-distance archery, trap, skeet, sporting clays, pistol, steel pistol, 100 and 400-yard rifle ranges. The pistol/rifle ranges portion of the facility have been closed since 2021 due to safety concerns.



Outreach and Communications Division Director Emily Buck provided a preview of the 2021-22 TWRA Annual Report. The publication will feature Agency success stories and projects summaries from last year and will be available online when complete.



The Biodiversity Division discussed projects which included a pair of endangered species, the cracking pearly mussel and bluemask darter. A report was made on the upcoming removal of Harms Mill Dam. The dam ranked as one of the top eight removal sites in the nation and the TWRA was awarded funds for the project.



Michael Cavins was announced as the Shikar Safari Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2021. He serves in TWRA District 41 in East Tennessee. Hunter Daniels, who was announced last summer as the Tennessee Wildlife Officer of the Year for 2021 was present and introduced to the Commission.



The Boating and Law Enforcement division also recognized members of the U.S. Attorneys Office, members of the 28th Tennessee Judicial District, Crockett County General Sessions Judge Paul Conley III, and Haywood County General Sessions Judge Jennifer Scott. The group helped the recently-graduated class of TWRA wildlife officers in training involving case preparation and court room procedures. Present at Fridays meeting to be honored were Judge Conley, Judge Scott, who was with the 28th Judicial District and recently-elected judge of Haywood County, Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Hooper, Assistant District Attorney Bill Hardegree and Assistant District Attorney Jacob London.



Nashville area businessman Earl Bentz was selected as the 2023 Legacy Award winner. He will be presented the award at a future TFWC meeting.
The Taylor Sheridan series 1923 is only four episodes in and already includes some interesting easter eggs and parallels to Yellowstone. The prequel series tells the story of the Dutton family defending their ranch just as they would do a century later. Here are four details fans may have missed.

[Spoiler alert: 1923 and Yellowstone Season 5 spoilers ahead.]

Brandon Sklenar as Spencer Dutton in 1923 | Emerson Miller/Paramount+

The crystal glasses in 1923 may be a Yellowstone easter egg

In Yellowstone Season 5 Episode 7, John Dutton learns of a possible brucellosis infection amongst his cattle. Frustrated by the predicament this puts him in, John goes to smash a Swaharovksi crystal decanter. That is a hundred years old and belonged to your grandfather, Beth says when she spots him. Break something else.

In 1923 Episode 4, Spencer Dutton and his fiance Alexandra spend several blissful days on the beaches of Zanzibar. While they lounge in bed, they drink whiskey from a decanter and glasses that look very similar to the set seen in Yellowstone Season 5.

Julia Schlaepfer as Alexandra in 1923 | Emerson Miller/Paramount+

Some fans have guessed that this could be a hint that Kevin Costners John Dutton actually comes from Spencers line. However, its also possible that Spencer gifts the decanter and glasses to his nephew, Jack Dutton.

Kayce and Spencer Dutton have a lot in common

It might not seem like it at first, but Spencer and Kayce Dutton parallel each other in interesting ways. Both served in the military and deal with the resulting PTSD throughout the series. Both choose to leave the Dutton Ranch behind for a time but are reluctantly brought back to the family.

A theory from Reddit even suggests that something might happen to Spencers fiance Alex and that he will end up marrying Teonna. If that is the case, it adds another parallel, with Kayce and Spencer both marrying Native American women.

The significance of cutting hair in Native American culture is explored in 1923 and Yellowstone

Yellowstone Season 5 has been especially difficult for Monica Dutton. Her baby boy only survives for an hour after his birth, and she struggles with the grief of losing a child. In a moment of anguish, Monica cuts her hair in the kitchen in episode 3.

Throughout 1923, Teonna Rainwater endures horrific torture at the government-funded boarding school she is forced to attend. In episode 4, after again being brutalized, the nuns forcibly cut her long hair.

Aminah Nieves as Teonna Rainwater in 1923 | Emerson Miller/Paramount+

According to The Long Hairs blog, Native Americans believe hair has a special significance. Many tribes cut their hair when there is a death in the immediate family as an outward symbol of the deep sadness and a physical reminder of the loss, the outlet writes.

In Teonnas case, Native American children who attended these horrific boarding schools were often forced to cut their hair as a way to strip them of their cultural identity.

1923 explains more of the Duttons gravestones

For over a century, Duttons have been buried at the ranchs private cemetery. This began when Elsa died in her fathers arms not long after they arrived in Montana. James and Margaret were buried on the same plot a decade later.

In Yellowstone, Summer Higgins explores this very cemetery. Insider points out that there are several names, such as Michael Dutton, Patience Dutton, Chance Dutton, and Ned Dutton, who have not yet been introduced in the Dutton-verse.

However, 1923 Episode 4 could account for one. In a letter, Alex and Spencer learn that John and Emma had a baby that did not survive. Caras letter continued, God wished her only one, but what a special one he is. Although the babys name is never mentioned, he was likely buried on the ranch.

1923 returns with new episodes on February 5 on Paramount+.
BASF has appointed Dr. Achim Sties to lead the global plastic additives business unit effective January 1, 2023. The headquarters of this business will be in Singapore.

Prior to his current role, Achim Sties was already heading the plastic additives business in Europe. He began his career with BASF in 2005 in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and held various positions in different functions in Europe and South America. He holds a PhD in economics from the University of Heidelberg, Germany.

We proactively collaborate with our customers and the relevant stakeholders to create new value for plastics. Our new brand VALERAS, under which we bundle all products and services of our plastic additives portfolio that deliver significant sustainability benefits, continuously evolves to support our customers on their plastics journey. We are combining our resources and expertise for plastic additives worldwide into a global business unit to focus on the increasing challenges and truly drive the business to the next level. I am excited to deliver on this promise with my team, said Achim Sties.
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If God Hears Me, Why Doesnt He Answer?

By: Maggie Meadows Cooper

Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! - Psalm 116:2 NLT

Mama! God wont do what I told Him to! was the complaint I got from my recently turned five-year-old as we were getting ready for bed recently. She explained that she told God to stop the ceiling fan from spinning so she could count how many things were on there going around. And He didnt. She was quite annoyed and couldnt understand why He wouldnt make it stop. And, oh goodness, I knew I had a teachable moment on my hands.

You know those moments when your kids do something or say something and your heart thinks, I should really have a deep talk about this and take advantage of this moment. But your mind and body are saying, We are way too tired to tackle this issue right now. Give the short answer and move on. Thats where I was on this one. But...I knew this was a biggie, and so, I put on my big girl panties and tried my best.

Yall, one of the hardest things to explain...and understand...is why God answers, or doesnt answer, or delays his answers, or answers in a different way to our requests. But its really simple. God is God. And were not. We dont have to understand. We dont need to understand. And we arent supposed to understand all the time. We are just supposed to trust.

But explaining that to a five-year-old who totally gets that God is real and is talking to Him like a person and thinks He is being rude if He doesnt respond is difficult. I stress so much that God is with her that she has come to think of Him like any one of us. And while thats wonderful and precious to my soul, I am doing a disservice if I dont also teach her that God is not our equal. He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and His decisions are best.

My little one had a few explanations for why the Lord wasnt doing what she said, and I decided to go to scripture to show her they were just not accurate. Im sharing them here in case your babies or friends or co-workers or anyone come to you with the same predicament... that God wont do what they told Him to. I hope these will give you encouragement and a starting point for discussion with those you love.

1. If He doesnt do what I said, then He cant hear me.

Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! Psalm 116:2 NLT





This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil." 1 Peter 3:12

2. If He doesnt do what I said, that means He isnt powerful enough to do it.

But Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things were created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16

Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Jer. 32:17

3. Im the boss of Him, so He should do what I say.

Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth - Matthew 28:18

Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.Ecc. 7:13-14

Oh, yall, there are no easy answers when your heart longs for something so badly, and you just want to see the power of God at work in your life or the lives of those you love. But hopefully these scriptures will help us all remember who God really is and find comfort in the fact that He hears us, He is powerful enough to do more than we could ask or imagine, and He is the final authority.

Dont for one minute doubt that He is in absolute control and holds you and those you love in the palm of His hand. Whether its a bossy little five-year-old or a middle-aged mama or a seasoned older gentleman, we all long to see God work in our lives. Stay close to Him, read His word, keep praying. And tell others about His goodness.

Maggie Meadows Cooper is a wife, mom, educator, author, and blogger with a longing for women to grow a heart for Jesus and others. She is the author of the childrens book Bumper and blogs at The Little Moments about what the Lord is teaching her through her children and everyday life. She contributes to Blogs by Christian Women, Devotional Diva, She Disciples, and Connecting Ministries. An educator with an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University (War Eagle!), she has twenty years of experience working with young children. She loves all things chocolate, real Coca-Cola, and lives with her husband, three children, and two rambunctious dogs in Opelika, Alabama.

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Juli Slattery, a clinical psychologist with a background in Christian ministry, has spent the past decade teaching couples to reclaim Gods design for sexuality.

She felt led to start her organization, Authentic Intimacy, after encountering so many evangelical women struggling with sexual brokenness and distorted expectations around marital sex, often stemming from what they were taught in churches.

Growing up in the church, many times I heard sex talked about from men, and I heard it talked about from women, but I realized that my husband and other men had never heard it talked about from women, she said. I do think women need to be a part of this conversation, but not just teaching womenalso teaching men.

Pastorsoftentimes menlead premarital counseling, and many have penned best-selling books on sex and marriage (such as Gary Thomas, Tim Keller, Matt Chandler, Francis Chan, and Paul David Tripp). While such books, designed for a general Christian audience, are sometimes written by a husband-and-wife team, books with a sole female author are usually targeted to female readers.

Slattery is among a wave of female leaders, including author Sheila Gregoire, who are shifting the evangelical conversation on sex and marriage by speaking out to both sexes.

Armed with new research on evangelical womens health and sexuality, they are bringing womens experiences and perspectives to the forefront, offering a course correction to what they see as incomplete or harmful teachings on sex.

In her survey of 20,000 evangelical women, Gregoire found that 20 percent of them reported experiencing marital rape. She also found that Christian women experience twice the rate of vaginismus, a condition where fear and anxiety cause sex to be painful.

Additionally, a new study by Christian sex researcher Shaunti Feldhahn found that 70 percent of couples had mismatched expectations about how often they would or should have sex. This disconnect can lead to a confusing or unfulfilling sex life, especially among women led to believe their bodies are the outlets for their husbands sexual needs.

For years, issues like the prevalence of porn addiction among men have dominated sermons and church resources around sex, while it was less common to hear discussions around womens frustrations or struggles.

As a Christian who believed in saving sex for marriage, Morgan Strehlow was surprised at the sense of shame and failure she felt during her early years of marriage. The struggles around sex were serious enough that she considered divorce.

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I felt fooled, lied to, and then everything else just started crumbling, said Strenlow, now the host of the Sanctuary Women podcast, which focuses on the healing shes found around a healthier Christian understanding of sexuality and body.

Strehlow originally began voicing her struggles within a church small group, led by a man. It was only when the women of the group began meeting separately to discuss their issues that she realized how widespread some of the sex-within-marriage problems were.

As more evangelical women speak out about their experiencesincluding their struggles, trauma, and disappointmentthe scope of resources available for Christian women and men alike to learn about sex is broadening.

Alia Fisher, a psychotherapist at the Colorado-based Cornerstone Christian Counseling, is optimistic about the conversation within Christian circles.

Fisher said things are looking up and sees women finding more liberty and men growing in understanding, in her practice.

In an interview with CT, she said several factors contribute to healthier conversations around sex within the Christian community, including a renewed focus on porn issues within the church, a reckoning with purity culture, and more visible Christian leaders addressing the topic (think Jackie Hill Perry, Rachel Joy Welcher, and Preston Sprinkle).

Gregoires guidelines for assessing marital resources include flagging works that blame wives in part for their husbands porn usage and seeking out materials that acknowledge womens pleasure and libido.

Christian intimacy leader Francie Winslow said she also sees the tide moving in the right direction on healthy sex within Christian marriages.

The women who dive in and go deep in my content, I find theyre having major breakthroughs and major healing, Winslow told CT. This is an inside-out work, and its inviting the Holy Spirit to do some reorientating on the way we see our bodies and view sex.

Winslow hears from women in her community that say theyre having more sex, better interactions, and deeper intimacy with their spouses.

Its about more than sex; its about integrating God and seeing his glory and goodness, said Winslow, who also hosts a podcast, offers group mentoring, and publishes resources on marital sex.

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Winslow said that its good to see more Christian women leading in this area and that we need even more.

Rachel Walker exemplifies some of positive movement in recent years. She walked out of what she calls toxic purity-culture thinking and now shares a testimony of how she found sexual healing within her marriage.

Prior to this transformation, the Washington State mom of three attended the shuttered Mars Hill Church under the leadership of Mark Driscoll for seven years. She recalls growing up with sexual purity at the forefront of her minddrawing lines and creating endless rules for herself and her husband before marriage.

Walker said she had to learn to throw out my performance-obsessed view of sex and design a sex life that I actually enjoyednot one based on the advice and pleasure preferences of a man I wasnt married to.

Now, she cohosts the Not Tonight podcast, a show about the complicated world of sex within marriage. Shes among the next generation of Christian women ensuring that the voices of women are heard on this matter.

Even as Gregoire, Slattery, Winslow, and others work to help couples find healthy vulnerability and intimacy within their marriages, some of the historically harmful sexual ideologieslike emphasizing sex as an obligation and prioritizing male needs over female needsare still present within popular books and teachings in the evangelical world.

We cannot heal our present until we address our past, said Walker. And when we do that important work of breaking free of the generational junk, we create a hopeful space for our children to live out of a different narrative.
A federal judge in Oregon on Thursday dismissed a lawsuit challenging religious exemptions under Title IX. The decision comes as a win for Christian colleges that had joined the US Department of Education (DOE) in defending the exemptions in areas where their theological convictions on LGBT issues conflicted with the anti-discrimination law.

A group of 44 current and former students at religious schools filed a class-action suit arguing that the religious exemptions were incompatible with LGBT rights, and that LGBT individuals were exposed to unsafe conditions at religious schools. The lawsuit alleged that through the exemptions, LGBT discrimination was effectively endorsed by the federal government.

The students challenging the exemptions were from 31 schools, 22 of which were part of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), including Baylor University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Moody Bible Institute, and Fuller Theological Seminary. The CCCU joined the lawsuit, Hunter vs. US Department of Education, on the side of the DOE in May 2021.

Though the CCCU advocates a sexual ethic of marriage between a man and a woman, the CCCU in court filings denied that its schools abuse or provide unsafe conditions to thousands of LGBTQ+ students, or injure them mind, body, or soul, but rather seek to minister, support, and care for them physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

In the case documentation, LGBT students stated how they had been mistreated at religious schools, in some cases including conversion therapy. The judge acknowledged those accounts but did not find a legal basis for abolishing the federal exemption.

Plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate any impermissible purpose Congress had in enacting the religious exemption, especially in light the Supreme Courts decision in Amos and other cases upholding religious exemptions, wrote Judge Ann Aiken in her 40-page decision.

Title IX is the federal statute that prohibits discrimination in federally funded education programs. Religious schools have narrow exemptions to Title IX in areas where the statute specifically conflicts with one of their religious tenets.

This is a huge win for religious higher education, said CCCU president Shirley Hoogstra in a statement. Judge Aikens decision based on strong legal precedent reaffirms the constitutional rights of our institutions to live out their deeply and sincerely held religious beliefs, both in policy and in practice.

The umbrella organization for the students, Religious Exemption Accountability Project, said it was considering options for appeal. One plaintiff in a press release from the organization said the decision was a devastating blow, and another added, our fight is far from over.

Because of todays decision, tens of thousands of LGBTQIA+ students across the country will continue to be discriminated against at universities receiving taxpayer money, the organization said.

The almost-two-year litigation was more protracted than lawyers involved expected, and Aikens comments at a status conference last year led the CCCU lawyers to wonder whether she might allow some of the claims to proceed, according to one lawyer involved.

While we thought we had the law and the facts on our side, we were a bit surprised at the rather clean victory for defendants here, Nick Miller, one of the lawyers for the CCCU, told CT.

The CCCU lawyers believe the Respect for Marriage Act helped their case, though the CCCU did not endorse that legislation. When the law passed in December, the lawyers submitted a supplemental brief to the judge on the implications of the act and how it showed that a Democratic-controlled Congress and White House affirmed their arguments about religious protections.

It is possible that this filing helped convince the court of the outcome it reached here, said Miller, who noted that the RMA would apply only to cases brought under it. Our argument was not that RMA controlled our case but that it showed how both the Congress and White House thought about constitutional and fair balancing in this field. It was of persuasive value, if you will. And it appears to have been persuasive.

The supplemental CCCU brief on the RMA notes that its passage showed all three branches of the federal government have now recognized that, while governments must respect same-sex marriage, private individuals and institutions must be allowed to believe, express, and live according to their own convictions regarding marriage and sexuality without losing government benefits or being subjected to official discrimination or any other governmental disability.

Miller said he assumes the students will appeal and perhaps file cases directly against the schools.

So we view this as the victory of a battlean important onebut the overall conflict will continue, he said. We are very much in favor of legislative balancing act agreements, such as found in the Marriage Act, that would resolve these issues fairly, without spending so much time and effort on litigation.

This article has been updated to correct that it was Oklahoma Baptist University, not Oklahoma Christian University, that was one of the schools named in the lawsuit.
My grandson is two years old and, as an energetic two-year-old, he's learning to speak. Every day, he picks up new words and uses them in creative, and sometimes, hilarious ways. Funny, but the first word he learned was "no." OK, it might be because the first word he heard was "no." He hears "no" a lot.

Listening to him the other day made me wonder if "no" was the first word I learned. Was I, like my grandson Walker, hearing "no" so much that it was the first word I learned? And, if it was the first word I learned, why did I stop saying it so much?

Like a lot of us, the new year brought me a chance to do some reflection and evaluation on my life. I discovered -- again -- that I'm overcommitted and spread way too thin to accomplish anything meaningful. In other words, I have said "yes" too much. It's easy to do, especially if you're in the ministry. I'm asked to be part of a lot of good things. Sometimes it's about our church's connection to a local school, medical work we're partnering with South Africa, or talking about discipleship with leaders in the adult ministry. All of it is good stuff, but how much of it is "best?" That's the question for most of us.

We do pretty well when the question is between good and bad. The questions we struggle with are between good and best and bad and worse. Let's face it. Sometimes, we can only make a bad decision, and thank God it's not any worse. Other times, we make our most regretted decisions when we choose good when best was an option.

Every decision brings us a yes/no option. When we say "yes" to one option, we're saying "no" to everything else. If I say "yes" to a night meeting, I'm saying "no" to being home with my family. If I agree to an early morning breakfast meeting, most likely I'm saying "no" to my workout. We can't be in two places at the same time. We can't do two things at the same time. When we say "yes" to one thing, we're saying "no" to everything else.

As Christians, we get sucked into the social expectations of superficial niceness. We think saying "yes" to every request is what good Christians are supposed to do. This wasn't what Jesus did. Jesus said "no." In fact, Jesus said "no" a lot.

When Peter found him at the beginning of Mark and told Him everyone was waiting for Him, Jesus told Peter that they were going to preach in the other towns around them. Jesus said, "no" to the waiting crowd. He said "no" to Satan in the wilderness. He said "no" to Peter when Peter told Jesus the cross wasn't going to happen.

Jesus said "no" to a lot of things so He could say "yes" to one thing: His mission. This brings us to an interesting question. What are we actually saying "no" to because we're saying "yes" to everything else? Husbands, how many times have we said "no" to our wives because we said "yes" to a called but late, unnecessary meeting at work? How many times have we said "no" to our children because we said "yes" to something else that ultimately wasn't important at all?

The be a human is to deal with limits. We only have so much time and so much energy. We can't do everything we want to do. We can't be all we want to be. There simply isn't time. We don't have that much energy. We have to make choices.

Did you get that? We have to make choices. There's no other option. Choices mean that we have to have priorities and some things are more important than other things. Let me be even more blunt: some things aren't important at all. There are some things in our lives that we should say "no" to once and for all.

Now, the new year has started. Remember, this is the year when everything was going to be different --and we've started making decisions the same way we always have. We're responding in the moment out of our emotions and fatigue. We're so overwhelmed by the number of decisions we have to make every day that we begin to suffer decision fatigue. We make a decision simply to make a decision so we can get to the decision waiting next in line. We assume we can deal with the consequences of these hastily made decisions when the time comes.

This is how we end up exhausted, angry, burned out, and depressed because, while we're frazzled to the bone, we've accomplished nothing we wanted to accomplish. Why? Because we said "yes" to everything and everyone else and we ended up saying "no" to ourselves.

Do yourself a favor. Find a quiet place and, on a 3x5 card, write down the 5 things that really matter to you. Some experts will give you as many as 7 priorities, but I figure God gave us 5 fingers for a reason. Anyway, the point is that there aren't that many things that are "yes." Everything else is "no."

Jesus didn't write a book. He didn't hold political office. He didn't take the crown when the crowd tried to force it on Him. He refused to play word games with His enemies. As I said earlier, Jesus said "no" a lot.

Jesus said "yes" only to what mattered and His life was the most perfect life ever lived. I'm not saying you'll have a perfect life if you learn to say "no" in 2023. I am saying that if we do, we'll be a lot closer to the lives we all want.
Democrat cites Jeremiah 1:5 to defend abortion: 'It doesnt say the governments womb'

A freshman Democratic congresswoman who identifies as Evangelical cited a Bible verse often used by pro-lifers when speaking this week against a Republican-sponsored measure mandating medical care for infants born alive after an abortion.

The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act passed by a vote of 220 to 210 Wednesday in the U.S. House of Representatives and is awaiting a vote in the Senate. Over 200 Democrats voted against the measure, but Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, was the only House Democrat to vote in favor of the measure, while Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas, voted present.

During remarks on the House floor Wednesday, Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., said that as a "pro-choice Christian" and a mother who lost a daughter to a "complex miscarriage," the abortion issue is "personal" to her.

The 40-year-old civil rights attorney-turned-lawmaker who became the first Democrat to represent Grand Rapids since the 1970s said that as a Christian, she allows faith to dictate her stance.

"Further, when I read the Scripture, I turn to passages, and I'm guided by passages like Jeremiah 1:5, which states, 'I knew you before I formed you and placed you in your mother's womb,'" Scholten said. "It doesn't say the government's womb or the speaker's womb. It says the mother's womb. I believe life is precious, but I reject the idea that if I embrace the sanctity of life, I also must be forced to invite the federal government in to regulate it."

Michael New, an associate scholar at the pro-life research organization Charlotte Lozier Institute, found it strange that Scholten cited Jeremiah 1:5.

New stated that Christians typically cite this passage "to make theological or scriptural arguments in favor of legal protections for preborn children."

"However, the Born Alive Infant Protection Act, which Congresswoman Scholten voted against on Wednesday, involves protecting children after they are born," New stated. "Regardless of one's faith tradition or one's stance on abortion, protecting infants is something that everyone should enthusiastically support."

"The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act would ensure that future infants born after failed abortions get the legal protection they deserve," he continued.

New said it's "disappointing" that over 200 Democrats voted against what he views as a "common sense" piece of legislation and noted that the law is "unclear" in many states regarding the required level of care for infants who survive an abortion attempt.

New cited a January Charlotte Lozier Institute report, which found that only 18 states have "robust protections" for infants born alive after an abortion. The report also explains that states with little or no restrictions on late-term abortions  New Mexico, Vermont, Colorado, Oregon  in which an infant being born alive is more likely, do not provide them with legal protections.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2003 and 2014, at least 143 babies died after being born alive during abortions. The CDC acknowledged that the figure could be an underestimate.

Other opponents of the bill, such as Rep. Jerold Nadler, D-N.Y., and Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., believe that the legislation "endangers" born-alive infants by mandating that practitioners must transfer the child to the hospital.

Speaking against the bill Wednesday, Nadler argued that, depending on the circumstances, transferring an abortion survivor to the hospital may not be the right thing for the "health and survival of that infant." He added that he opposes the bill not because "we don't think that babies born alive must be saved, but because we do think that babies born alive must be saved."

Schakowsky made similar arguments, claiming that the bill requires taking a struggling baby to a hospital, which, she argued, "could be hours away and could be detrimental to the life of that baby."

New, who also serves as assistant professor of social research at the Catholic University of America, told CP that both lawmakers are incorrect, noting that the bill's text states that providers must first "preserve the life and health of the child as a reasonably diligent and conscientious health care practitioner would."

After providing care, the practitioner must ensure the baby is transferred to the hospital.

"As such, it is clear that if a long ambulance ride would be inconsistent with diligent or conscientious health care  the infant would not have to be transferred to a hospital," he concluded.

In 2002, President George W. Bush signed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, recognizing abortion survivors as legal persons. However, the bill doesn't include penalties for practitioners who don't provide care for infants that survived an attempted abortion.

Although it is unlikely to pass in the Democrat-controlled Senate, the latest bill would subject healthcare providers who fail to administer appropriate medical care and transfer a born-alive infant to a hospital to criminal penalties. Healthcare providers or other employees must also report violations of the law to the authorities.

Practitioners who fail to comply with these requirements could face fines, up to five years in prison, or both. Any individual who deliberately attempts or kills a baby born alive after an abortion would be subject to prosecution for murder.

The legislation bars criminal prosecution of the mother of a child born alive, however, and grants women the power to bring a civil action against a practitioner who violates the law.

As The Christian Post reported, the Republican-led House also passed a resolution Wednesday condemning the wave of vandalism against pro-life pregnancy resource centers and churches. The resolution passed with a vote of 222-219, with three Democrats crossing the aisle and voting with Republicans.
DOJ seeks to recover money bilked from veterans by House of Prayer schools

The Department of Justice has filed a motion to seize money in several financial accounts belonging to the nonprofit organization the House of Prayer, which is accused of bilking veterans and active service members out of millions of dollars in GI Bill benefits to pay for unaccredited Bible classes and related education services.

Filed earlier this month, the motion, first cited by Court Watch, is seeking to recover some $150,000 from six seized bank accounts that government lawyers argue are the proceeds from the House of Prayers fraud.

According to the motion, from January 2013 to January 2022, the VA paid veteran students enrolled at HOPBS under various VA education benefit programs approximately $15,952,721 in the form of tuition, housing allowances, and stipends.

House of Prayer, a chain of schools that some students branded as a cult, is accused of theft and unlawful conversion of government property, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Investigators say the church used 20 financial institutions and 80 bank accounts to transfer funds in their scheme. The scandal has resulted in The House of Prayer being blocked from receiving any additional federal VA education funding.

On June 23, 2022, the FBI raided at least six House of Prayer locations, including in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Georgia, Washington state, Texas and California, but it was unclear if the raids were connected to any particular case. The organization is led by the elusive veteran Rony Denis and has 11 churches near U.S. military installations.

House of Prayer allegedly used high-pressure tactics to recruit vulnerable veterans or active duty service members and exploited them for their government entitlements through programs such as the GI Bill, Military.com reported. In the meantime, Denis also reportedly enriched himself by building an untold real estate empire worth millions.

Some of the former students who spoke to the publication were reportedly veterans or active-duty members when they were involved with the House of Prayer. Some sources "described having suicidal ideation or previous attempts, the publication said, adding that some were wounded in the post-9/11 wars or had previous trauma.

The GI Bill benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, help qualifying Veterans and their family members get money to cover all or some of the costs for school or training.

Arlen Bradeen, an Army veteran who ran the House of Prayer's Bible school from its inception in 2004 until he left the church in 2018, told Military.com how the organization exploited the GI Bill members' benefits once the Bible school was approved for the GI Bill in 2013. He recalled how the cost per semester for the Bible classes increased from an initial $300 to about $3,000.

"It burns me because there were a lot of good people who burned their VA money at these schools," Bradeen said. "They used all their college money to donate to Denis' Rolls Royces."

In testimony on GI Bill modernization before the House Veterans Affairs Committee last July, William Hubbard, vice president for Veterans & Military Policy at Veterans Education Success, an advocacy group focused on advancing higher education success for service members, veterans and their families, said the House of Prayer's abuse is proof that more oversight of the GI Bill program is needed.

Irrespective of VAs efforts to modernize and improve the administration of education benefits, student veterans continue to face the threat of predatory actors in higher education, and in many cases with alarming consequences, Hubbard noted in his testimony.
South Africa: Stage 6 load shedding impacting Tshwane infrastructure

City of Tshwane Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Utilities and Regional Operations, Daryl Johnston, says load shedding is a crisis for the City's network infrastructure.

This as the power utility raised load shedding to Stage 6 in the evening with Stage 4 in the mornings.

Raised levels of load shedding are a crisis for our municipality, affecting both the condition of our electricity network, as well as our ability to attend to outages.

Stage 6 load shedding means that rolling blackouts will affect regions of our city two to three times a day for a total time without electricity at a minimum of six hours per day. Our networks were never designed for load shedding and continuously turning the network on and off has a major impact on the condition of our network infrastructure, he said.

Johnston explained that load shedding can lead to longer outages due to overloading, vandalism and theft of infrastructure.

[As] the frequency of load shedding increases, City resources will be stretched by just switching areas on and off. The same teams needed to perform this switching also play a critical role in electricity network repair and maintenance work and they will have significantly less time available to work on restoring electricity for non-load-shedding related outages.

[Municipal] teams are working determinedly to face this immense pressure on our electricity network, but the reality is that our system was not designed to cope with this situation. The heavy rains we have been experiencing recently are also making this situation worse, with wet weather increasing the likelihood of equipment faults, and this situation is very serious for the entire Tshwane, he said.

The MMC urged residents to switch off appliances during load shedding and when power returns, only turn them back on after at least 10 to 20 minutes to avoid electricity surges.

The surges generated as power is turned back on causes areas to trip minutes after having been restored, causing extended outages in some area. Making sure not to have energy-intensive appliances on during peak times  particularly in the evening from 6pm to 9pm.

We continue to pursue long-term interventions to see what we as the City can do to alleviate this continuous challenge. In the interim, we all need to work together to best manage this difficult time, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Chinatown in Jakarta decorated with variety of Chinese lunar new year decorations

Xinhua) 10:25, January 13, 2023

People stroll at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A visitor passes by a shop selling Chinese Lunar New Year decorations at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A child poses for photos with sculptures of Chinese Zodiac animals at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

People take photos with sculptures of Chinese Zodiac animals at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

People stroll at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Christian colleges can receive Title IX funds and uphold religious beliefs on LGBT issues, judge rules

A federal court has ruled that Christian colleges and universities with traditional views on sexuality and marriage can continue to receive funding through Title IX, rejecting LGBT students' efforts to strike down a religious exemption to federal discrimination law.

In a ruling Thursday, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken in Oregon dismissed the case filed by a group of LGBT Christian college students and former students who sued the U.S. Department of Education in 2021 for providing religious exemption to Title IX discrimination laws to Christian higher education institutions.

Aiken, a Clinton appointee, concluded that plaintiffs failed to show that the original religious exemption granted by Congress decades ago for Title IX has a discriminatory purpose.

"Plaintiffs have submitted no allegations of discriminatory motivation on the part of those enacting the religious exemption. To the contrary, Plaintiffs argue that when Congress enacted Title IX, protections for  or discrimination against sexual and gender minorities  were 'of no concern,'" wrote Aiken.

"Plaintiffs provide no evidence and supply no allegations involving the above-listed factors for the Court to consider and evaluate whether Congress was motivated in part by a discriminatory purpose when it enacted the religious exemption."

Title IX of the Civil Rights Act forbids sex-based discrimination in education, but colleges upholding traditional definitions for marriage and sexuality can request exemptions that allow them to adhere to scriptural beliefs on matters of sexuality.

The court rejected the plaintiff's claim that religious exemptions violate the First Amendment of the Constitution, noting that "the Supreme Court has interpreted it to allow, and sometimes require, the accommodation of religious practices."

"Plaintiffs' allegations do not plausibly demonstrate how the relief they seek in enforcing Title IX in religious schools is not the very excessive entanglement Plaintiffs argue is impermissible," continued the opinion.

The Alliance Defending Freedom, the legal nonprofit representing three Christian higher education institutions, celebrated the ruling.

"Title IX, which applies to schools receiving federal financial assistance, explicitly protects the freedom of religious schools to live out their deeply and sincerely held convictions," said ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman in a statement.

"A group of activists asked the court to strip that protection away from schools that educate the next generation and advance the common good. The court correctly concluded that Title IX's religious liberty exemption doesn't violate any of the plaintiffs' claimed rights."

In March 2021, an advocacy organization called Religious Exemption Accountability Project filed the lawsuit on behalf of 33 LGBT former and current students who believe they were discriminated against at 25 religious colleges.

The plaintiffs claim they unexperienced mistreatment and harassment due to their LGBT identities.

Elizabeth Hunter, the lead plaintiff in the case, was a former student at Bob Jones University in South Carolina who claimed that school officials harassed her because of her sexual orientation. She took issue with the student handbook detailing behavioral rules prohibiting same-sex romantic relationships, saying the school created a "scary, harsh environment for me."

Other schools attended by plaintiffs in the lawsuit include Liberty University, Baylor University, Oral Roberts University, Azusa Pacific University, Regent University School of Law, George Fox University, Cedarville University, and Brigham Young University, among others.

REAP Director Paul Southwick stated in 2021 that the Title IX religious exemption was an "unconstitutional" government endorsement of religion.

"Our lawsuit asks a federal court to declare that the religious exemption to Title IX, as applied to a class of LGBTQ+ students attending the more than 200 religiously affiliated colleges in the United States that openly discriminate against them, using taxpayer dollars, is unconstitutional," stated Southwick.

"It is a violation of the First Amendment's prohibition on the establishment of religion and a violation of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments' guarantee of Equal Protection under the law for LGBTQ+ Americans."

In May 2021, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, an advocacy organization claiming about 140 member schools across the U.S., filed a motion to intervene in the case and called the lawsuit "frivolous." In October 2021, the CCCU's request to intervene was granted.

"Faith-based higher education has always been an essential element of the diversity of higher education in the United States  many of the first colleges and universities in the country were religious  and it is crucial that students continue to be given the opportunity to choose and access the college of their choice in a diverse educational landscape," the CCCU argued.
Library to hold 'Pastor Story Hour' on same day as pro-LGBT 'Inclusive Story Hour'

An Arkansas pastor will host a biblical story hour for children at a local library the same day another group plans to hold a separate story hour promoting gender identity and diversity, which may or may not feature a drag queen.

Owen Strachan, an author and pastor at Grace Bible Theological Seminary in Arkansas, will read a picture book to children about "God's design of the sexes" at the Conway Public Library on Saturday, according to a post on his Facebook page.

The event is not sponsored by any organization or church, and the pastor invited all children and families in the area to attend.

In an interview with The Christian Post, Strachan said that the purpose of the pastor story hour is to share Christ's love at a time when many libraries throughout the country invite drag queens to read to children.

"We're the ones who are called to be like Christ, and Christ is the one who welcomes the little children to him," Strachan told CP.

"So we simply want to do that in a small way by having a story hour at a public building, a building the taxpayers like us pay for, and to welcome people and give them an opportunity, especially in a confused climate like ours, to hear the truth about boys and girls and the truth about the Gospel of Christ."

The pastor estimates that 50 to 75 people will attend since he has promoted the event on his Facebook page and received a flurry of responses.

"I think there's a real hunger for the compassionate but clear witness on the part of God's people," the pastor said, pointing to Christian actor Kirk Cameron hosting Christian-themed story hours for children.

"I'm not the pioneer of this and don't want to be represented as thinking that I am. I know others have done this as well, and I anticipate many other pastors and godly men will stand up and do this in days ahead," he said. "I certainly pray that will be the case."

Shortly after Strachan announced the event, the Faulkner County Coalition for Social Justice revealed in a Sunday tweet that it would have an "Inclusive Story Hour" on the same day at the same library to "drown out the hate of the 'Pastor Story Hour.'"

FCCSJ will be hosting an Inclusive Story Hour to drown out the hate of the "Pastor Story Hour" this Saturday (1/14) from 10-11:30 at the library in Meeting Room 2.



We are looking for volunteers to read/lead activities and bring supplies. Please reach out to volunteer! pic.twitter.com/eNPaudwpQ3  Coalition for Social Justice (@fc_csj) January 8, 2023

The group objects to Strachan's biblical view of the sexes and his opposition to female preachers.

In addition, the group pointed to Strachan's book Christianity & Wokeness: How the Social Justice Movement Is Hijacking the Gospel, which criticizes critical race theory and argues that the concept compromises church unity.

Leah Bilokury, a coalition member, said in a public statement that the group will read books featuring "Black, Brown, Queer, Trans, GNC, and Disabled People," admitting that she did not know whether drag queens would appear at the event.

John McGraw, director of the Faulkner County Library System, told The Christian Post that the library offers "public meeting room spaces for the public but do not have any role in what the public [does] with those rooms provided that the activity is legal and noncommercial."

"The rooms have been used for church services and concealed carry classes and I do not know what all," he wrote in an email. "If I learned tomorrow that the concealed carry class was taught by a drag queen, it would be news to me. The Library does not make decisions about the use of the room that have been determined to be unconstitutional by the courts."

McGraw stated in an email to The Arkansas Times that the library allows anyone that can abide by its room policies to conduct events in its public spaces. He emphasized that these are outside groups holding events at the library, not the library putting them on.

The Faulkner County Coalition for Social Justice did not immediately respond to CP's request for comment.

Strachan said the Pastor Story Hour is not intended to be a match between him and the other group. He also clarified that he responded to the coalition in a Monday Facebook post to clarify that the story hour is not about promoting hate.

"We're holding this event because it's of love," Strachan said. "Love for fellow sinners like us, whether they agree with us or not, and all are welcome."

As CP reported, Cameron, a Christian actor and children's book author, was told by multiple libraries that he could not host a reading of his new faith-based children's book, As You Grow. The actor threatened legal action.

Cameron recently hosted the story hour at libraries that he claims previously denied his request and have hosted drag queen story hours.

The Indianapolis Public Library in Indianapolis, Indiana, claims it never told Cameron and his publisher, Brave Books, that they couldn't rent a room but that the library wouldn't be an official sponsor of the program. Cameron held the event at the library on Dec. 29, attended by hundreds.

"I'm happy that the two libraries changed their decision and will allow my voice to be heard and my book to be read," Cameron told Fox News last month.

"I hope they realized that their position of denying me a story hour reading was not only unfair and illegal but that we would all be better off if we listened to each other's perspectives."
Minnesota to require teachers affirm transgender ideology, critical race theory for license, critics say

A parental rights group and Christian scholars are criticizing the new requirements for a teaching license in Minnesota, which include a mandate that teachers must address trans-identified students by their stated gender identity and embrace controversial ideologies on race.

A new set of Permanent Rules Relating to Licensing and Academic Standards for teachers in the state are slated to go into effect on July 1, 2024, nearly three years after they were first proposed in December 2021.

The new requirements completely overhaul the "Standards of Effective Practice" for teachers and contain multiple passages indicating teachers are expected to affirm "students' background and identities."

A standard on student learning has been amended to read, "The teacher understands that students bring assets for learning based on their individual experiences, abilities, talents, prior learning, and peer and social group interactions, as well as language, culture, family, and community values, and approaches their work and students with this asset-based mindset, affirming the validity of students' backgrounds and identities."

The document maintains that teachers must create "opportunities for students to learn about power, privilege, intersectionality, and systemic oppression in the context of various communities" and teaching their students to act as "agents of social change to promote equity."

Teachers are expected to understand "the diverse impacts of individual and systemic trauma," including "racism, and micro and macro aggressions, on learning and development" and embrace "culturally responsive strategies and resources to address these impacts."

Additionally, the standards outline requirements on how teachers should set up their "learning environments."

A teacher who meets the requirements laid out by Minnesota's Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board "fosters an environment that ensures student identities such as race/ethnicity, national origin, language, sex and gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical/developmental/mental ability, socioeconomic class, and religious beliefs are historically and socially contextualized, affirmed, and incorporated into a learning environment where students are empowered to learn and contribute as their whole selves."

The call to affirm students based on their gender identity suggests that teachers will be required to refer to trans-identified students by names and pronouns that correspond with their stated gender identity as opposed to their biological sex.

The new standards come as teachers elsewhere in the United States have been suspended and taken their cases to court after refusing on religious grounds to embrace an LGBT ideology that contradicts their sincerely held religious beliefs about sex and gender.

While most of the policies many parents and citizens find concerning are implemented at the local level by school boards, the new standards for Minnesota teachers are issued by the state.

In an op-ed published in Alpha News, Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary Adjunct Professor Allen Quist and Julie Quist, chair of the Minnesota parental rights advocacy group the Child Protection League, warned that "the new standards will embed basic Marxist principles such as critical race theory, fluid sexual identity, and gender politics into all Minnesota schools."

"Standard Marxist principles and dogma divide people into opposing groups so that students and teachers must view themselves not as individuals, but as members of groups  oppressor groups or oppressed groups, and oppressed groups must be liberated from the exploitation of their oppressors. When formally adopted, the new requirements must be met to become or remain licensed to teach in Minnesota."

Catrin Wigfall, a policy fellow at the Minnesota-based conservative think tank Center of the American Experiment, notes that formal adoption of the rules is anticipated later in the winter or early this spring after most components of the document were approved by administrative law judges.

"American Experiment believes the proposed rule changes to the Standards of Effective Practice (both those approved and modified) are bad policy, politicizing teacher training requirements by using language that is political and ideological, not academic," Wigfall wrote.

"These proposed rule changes drew overwhelming public opposition throughout the 2022 public hearing and comment periods  from teachers, education specialists, parents, legal centers, and many others."

She adds that the rule changes "are not a license renewal requirement, and they do not determine or set standards and benchmarks, which are set by the Minnesota Department of Education, or curricula, which are selected by local school boards."

She claims the new policy will impact teacher candidates completing their initial licensure program, existing teachers seeking an initial Tier 3 license and teacher preparation providers.

A teacher who meets the standards laid out in the document "understands and supports students as they recognize and process dehumanizing biases, discrimination, prejudices, and structural inequities." To account for what the document characterizes as pervasive biases, teachers must "[understand] bias in assessment, [evaluate] standardized and teacher-created assessments for bias, and [design] and [modify] assessments that minimize sources of bias."

Minnesota teachers are called to select "anti-racist, culturally relevant, and responsive instructional strategies, accommodations, and resources to differentiate instruction for individuals and groups of learners."

In addition, Minnesota's Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board mandates the use of "resources written and developed by traditionally marginalized voices that offer diverse perspectives on race, culture, language, gender, sexual identity, ability, religion, nationality, migrant/refugee status, socioeconomic status, housing status and other identities traditionally silenced or omitted from curriculum."

The standards proclaim that teachers should encourage "critical thinking about culture and race and [include] missing narratives to the dominant culture in the curriculum."

Much of the document is devoted to ensuring "equitable" outcomes, featuring instruction for teachers to understand "the historical foundations of education in Minnesota, including laws, policies, and practices that have had and continue to create inequitable opportunities, experiences, and outcomes for learners, especially for Indigenous students and students historically denied access, underserved, or underrepresented on the basis of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, language, socioeconomic status, or country of origin."

It also asks teachers to engage in self-reflection by examining "how their biases, perceptions, and academic training may affect their teaching practice and perpetuate oppressive systems and [utilize] tools to mitigate their own behavior to disrupt oppressive systems." Teachers are also urged to make "adaptations and adjustments toward more equitable outcomes."

When outlining the expectations for "collaboration and leadership" with parents, the document stresses "the importance of engaging in culturally affirming, reciprocal communication with families about student development, learning, and performance" as well as using a "culturally relevant and responsive lens" to communicate with families.

An entire section of the document is explicitly dedicated to "racial consciousness and reflection." Teachers must understand "multiple theories of race and ethnicity, including but not limited to racial formation, processes of racialization, and intersectionality" and comprehend "the definitions of and difference between prejudice, discrimination, bias, and racism." The document identifies "ethnocentrism, eurocentrism, deficit-based teaching, and white supremacy" as sources of a lack of equity.

"The teacher understands that knowledge creation, ways of knowing, and teaching are social and cultural practices shaped by race and ethnicity, often resulting in racially disparate advantages and disadvantages," the document states. "The teacher understands the histories and social struggles of historically defined racialized groups, including but not limited to Indigenous people, Black Americans, Latinx Americans, and Asian Americans."

Additionally, the state wants teachers to acknowledge "the impact of the intersection of race and ethnicity with other forms of difference, including class, gender, sexuality, religion, national origin, immigration status, language, and age."

Ryan MacPherson, a history professor and director of Apologetics and Worldview Studies at Bethany Lutheran College, contends that the new Minnesota standards mean that teachers "must personally advocate critical race theory and transgender ideology" to be licensed by the state.

He warned that education departments at colleges and universities "must document their fulfillment of the new standards" or risk having their program certification rescinded by Minnesota's Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. He added that teachers must "positively affirm extremist leftist positions about human nature and sexual practices in order to be allowed to teach in government schools."

"The state's insistence that every teacher positively affirm homosexual behaviors and transgendered identities understandably aggravates consciences among moral traditionalists, but the issues run deeper than the 'culture war,'" MacPherson wrote for The Federalist. "What is at stake is the nature of knowledge, the future of liberty, and the prospects for a sustainable social order. In a word: civilization."

"Teachers will be required to choose 'anti-racist'  i.e. critical race theory  instructional strategies for students," he added. "An administrative judge told the state to amend No. 4 here requiring teachers to expose children to sexual identities. It will likely still go into effect, with slightly different language."

As noted in the Quists' op-ed, "the Minnesota teacher licensing board is called the Professional Educators Licensing and Standards Board or PELSB. Each board member was appointed by [Democratic] Gov. Tim Walz."

To change the makeup of the board, parents concerned about the new standards would have to elect a new governor who would have the power to appoint new members.

Walz, a Democrat, just won re-election by nearly 8 percentage points. The next gubernatorial election in the state will occur in 2026, more than two years after the standards are slated to go into effect.

Opposition to the implementation of elements of critical race theory in public schools has led to the creation of advocacy groups such as the 1776 Project PAC.

The 1776 Project PAC focuses on "electing school board members nationwide who want to reform our public education system by promoting patriotism and pride in American history" and working to abolish critical race theory from the public school curriculum. The organization has succeeded in helping candidates win elections in school board races in Texas and Florida before the 2022 election and more than 100 races nationwide in the general election.

As defined by Encyclopedia Brittanica, critical race theory is "an intellectual and social movement and loosely organized framework of legal analysis based on the premise that race is not a natural, biologically grounded feature of physically distinct subgroups of human beings but a socially constructed (culturally invented) category that is used to oppress and exploit people of colour."
Free speech and the state of American culture

In just the past few days I have been bombarded, as I am sure many of you have, by negative reports and studies about the state of American society. There are clearly causes for great concern for our nations future.

We have legions of college students who have evidently drunk the woke Kool-Aid and believe that any opinion that does not coincide with their liberal, woke agenda is hate speech and is a legitimate target for being censored, silenced, or shut down by woke mobs exercising a hecklers veto.

There is nothing liberal about such philosophies or the behaviors they generate. In fact, they are far more similar to, and reminiscent of, fascist mobs and McCarthyite red-scare tactics.

As I have read these reports and watched them online, I have become increasingly resolved that we must exercise our freedom of speech despite the possible consequences, or we will lose the right to that very freedom of speech.

For example, two publications I have been reading since the age of 12 (Decision, a publication of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) and the age of 18 (The New York Times) presented me with information that both thoroughly alarmed me and helped to explain our current cultural malaise at the same time.

First, the New York Times informs us that "Most Teenagers Have Seen Online Porn, Report Says." The report explained how social media transformed adolescents access to hard-core pornography.

Seventy-five percent of Americas teenagers had now viewed pornography online by the age of 17 with the average of first exposure at age 12, according to the report by Common Cause Media. Many of the young people surveyed did not seek out pornography, it sought them out on the internet. Many of them reported that they were at first disturbed by the images they viewed although less than 50% had discussed the issue with a parent or trusted adult. One measure of the growth of this cancer on society is the fact that in 2012 the porn business was earning $5 billion a year and today it is estimated to be a $15 billion a year blight on society.

Why such a rapid increase? The moral laxity of the culture brought on by the decline in moral clarity and intestinal fortitude of the American pulpit is one leading contributor.

This became more clear to me as I read my copy of Decision magazine, which I first remember reading as a boy of 12 when it came to our home on a regular basis (my father had been saved at a Billy Graham Crusade in Houston in 1952 when I was 6 years old).

The issue which arrived in my mailbox earlier this week (the January 2023 issue) contained an article, Whats Wrong with Americas Pulpits? by Lee Weeks.

The article was based on The American Worldview Inventory, 2022, researched and published by George Barna, the director of research with the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University. Barna and his team surveyed and analyzed bedrock doctrines of the Christian faith to measure the doctrinal orthodoxy of Americas Protestant Clergy, as well as the general population.

The result of Barnas research makes for devastating reading for Americans who are traditionally orthodox Christians. For example, Barnas seven bedrock biblical beliefs constituting a biblical worldview were:

God is the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent, and just Creator.

Humans are sinful by nature.

Jesus Christ grants forgiveness of sin and eternal life when sinners repent and profess their faith in Him alone.

The Bible is true, reliable, and always relevant.

Absolute moral truth exists.

Success is defined as consistent obedience to God.

Lifes purpose is to know, love, and serve God with all ones heart, mind, strength, and soul.

When Barna had sifted through the results, the portrait that emerged was chilling, and this was nowhere more true than among the clergy  the shepherds of the flock.

According to Barnas results, only 37% of pastors of churches of all Protestant denominations have a biblical worldview.

If the pastors, the shepherds of the flock, have sub-biblical doctrinal beliefs, who is going to lead the people and teach them all things whatsoever I have commanded you? (Matthew 28:18-20).

Barnas research reveals that among Evangelical pastors 30% reject salvation by faith alone and 39% reject belief in absolute truth (some things are always right and some things are always wrong).

If people are not hearing a sure, certain, and uncompromising word from the pulpits, where will they find truth in this increasingly secular milieu in which Americans live and breath? When the pulpits are sounding forth an uncertain sound, the people are increasingly at the mercy of the roving packs of spiritual wolves on the prowl for new sheep to apostatize.

I have experienced this doctrinal confusion and spiritual apostasy in my own denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). I have had perhaps a half dozen former seminary classmates and ministry brethren who have said to me in one form or another, Ive decided that God permits monogamous, same-sex relationships or I believe a loving God wont send anyone to hell.

My response has been, and will continue to be, Youve decided! When did you become God?

In His Holy Word. God has answered these questions! In the Gospel of John Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. (John 14::6). In the original Greek the article the is implied or assumed. When it appears it is for emphasis as it is here in the Greek New Testament text.

Similarly, in Romans (11:24-28) and 1 Corinthians (6:9-11) God made it clear that a same-sex sexual lifestyle was rejected utterly.

As Evangelical Christians, we must face the unpleasant fact that while there has been an Evangelical revival in the last half of the 20th and the first fifth of the 21st centuries, the secularizing society has influenced Evangelicals more than the other way around. Instead of being salt and light (Mtt. 5:13-16), we have been salted and lit by society at large.

For America to experience the great spiritual awakening we must have, we will need a deep and lasting spiritual recommitment to the eternal truths of the Gospel.

As George Barna himself puts it,

to see American culture transformed will require a time of Christians and

pastors devoted to repentance and the Scriptures unlike anything we have

seen in more than a century.

May God give us the strength, devotion, and wisdom to commence that journey and to never flag or surrender until we have let God make us the salt and light Jesus commanded each of us to be.
ADF Int'l seeks justice for Mexican politician convicted of 'misgendering' male colleague who identifies as a woman

WASHINGTON, D.C.  ADF International, a legal nonprofit specializing in religious freedom cases, is seeking justice for a Mexican politician who has been censored because he purportedly misgendered a trans-identified member of the national legislature.

ADF International spoke to The Christian Post and other media outlets Thursday about several of their cases, including one involving Mexican Congressman Gabriel Quadri who's been labeled a gender-based political violator for opposing trans-identified men being identified as women for the purpose of assigning congressional seats based on gender.

On Dec. 19, ADF International filed a petition with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on behalf of Quadri after Mexican courts repeatedly ruled against him. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is a project of the Organization of American States that works to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere.

Tomas Henriquez, who serves as senior counsel for the Organization of American States and Latin America with ADF International, said Thursday that Quadri, whom he described as an avowed liberal, has been convicted by the highest electoral court in Mexico of what they deem to be a gender-based political offense of having misgendered a [trans-identified] lawmaker that is currently sitting in the Mexican legislature.

Noting that Mexico has passed legislation requiring a 50/50 split between men and women in Congress in Mexico, Henriquez said Quadri is opposed to allowing trans-identified men to occupy seats reserved for women. The case against Quadri centers around 11 Twitter posts the lawmaker sent in December 2021, and a tweet posted on Feb. 16, 2022, declaring that In the Chamber of Deputies of the 65th legislature, there is no parity between men and women because we have 252 men and 248 women, thanks to trans ideology.

Additional tweets sent out by Quadri in February 2022, obtained by The Christian Post, took issue with trans-identified male swimmer Lia [Will] Thomas competing on the womens swimming team at the University of Pennsylvania.

Because he said these things, his colleague in the legislature who is a transgender individual  filed a complaint against him and he was censored, Henriquez said. The courts forced him to take down everything that he had said in his tweets and slapped a gag order on him.

The Specialized Regional Chamber of the Superior Chamber of the Federal Electoral Tribunal concluded on April 21, 2022, in a decision that said the expressions analyzed were intended to deny the identity of trans women, thus they violate the right to identity, which is in turn a form of denial of equal dignity, thus the tweets are discriminatory.

The court determined that the tweets in question had the intention of undermining the exercise of the political-electoral rights of trans women, especially Salma Lavueno, the member of Congress who filed the complaint against Quadri.

Henriquez attributed Quadris adverse treatment to a treaty passed in 2013 at the Organization of American States titled the Inter-American Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination and Intolerance. Henriquez explained that while the treaty purports to fight back against intolerance, it has a provision defining intolerance as any manifestation of disrespect, rejection, or contempt for the dignity, characteristics, convictions, or opinions of persons for being different or contrary, which he characterized as overly broad.

Any sort of debate that you might have, whether it be in politics, religion, morality, even sports, can qualify as a form of intolerance, he warned. It legitimizes efforts of states to try to control legitimate discourse within their own countries. Henriquez condemned the treaty, which has been ratified by Uruguay and Mexico, as a fundamental threat to freedom of expression in our whole sub-region.

According to Henriquez, the treaty creates a new human right to be protected from intolerance so you as an individual  under this treaty being applied in your country, have a positive claim against the state in saying that you have a duty to protect me from anybody that disagrees with me on whatever issue it is that were discussing. It is really the death knell for freedom of expression and also freedom of religion.

The gag order issued by the Mexican court prevents Quadri from speaking on transgender issues as a result of its finding that the lawmakers comments amount to impeding Salma Luevano from peacefully enjoying his political rights to exercising 'her' office as a lawmaker.

Quadri sees the courts decision, which also required him to issue a public apology on Twitter twice a day for more than two weeks and register as a gender-based political violator as an affront to his fundamental human rights.

In standing up for my right to free speech, I am fighting for the free speech rights of my constituents, and that of every Mexican, Quadri declared in a statement. My career has been dedicated to a prosperous and free Mexico for all, and that demands that our country abide by its human rights obligations. I am committed to safeguarding our precious democratic values, and for this reason will seek justice at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Quadri added, We cannot shut down the conversation about womens rights and speaking about these important issues falls firmly within my free speech rights, protected under national and international human rights law. Anyone is free to challenge my assertions, and I would wholeheartedly defend their free speech right to do so.

Everyone should be free to speak without fear of punishment, ADF International Attorney Julio Pohl asserted in a statement shared with CP. The silencing and sanctioning of Gabriel Quadri  including forcing him to issue an apology on Twitter several times a day  is not an isolated incident and represents one of the most dangerous threats in Mexico today.

Pohl expressed hope that the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights will admit this case and call on Mexico to comply with its international human rights obligations, respecting freedom for all.
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.
3 reactions to House Democrats $3T coronavirus relief bill

The House of Representatives on Friday evening narrowly approved a $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill, the largest-ever in the history of the House, which Republican leaders say will be blocked in the Senate. Here are three mixed reactions to the bill by heads of Christian nonprofits and congressional leaders.

The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, dubbed as HEROES Act, passed by a 208-199 vote amid a veto threat from the White House, with 14 Democrats voting no against the party line and one Republican, Rep. Pete King of New York, voting yes."

Im thrilled, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, said. Im so proud of my members. They just did something so monumental for the American people  for their health, for their lives, for their livelihood, and for our democracy. We couldnt be more thrilled.

It includes $915 billion in state and local aid to help prevent layoffs of public workers, a new $200 billion heroes fund for hazard pay for essential workers, $100 billion for K-12 and higher education, and $75 billion for coronavirus testing.

The Democrats' plan would also allow for college students, non-child dependents, and immigrants who are in the country illegally to receive $1,200 each and $500 per child, which they were not eligible for in the previous CARES Act relief bill.

Politico Playbook described the 1,815-page package drafted by Democrats alone as a "messaging bill," meaning it was never intended to become law, but rather to showcase issues House Democrats want to say they advocated for. Republicans described the bill as a liberal wish list that won't pass the Senate.

Here are three reactions to the HEROES Act.

1. The bill has nothing to do with our current health and economic calamity

Dr. James Dobson, psychologist and founder and president of the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, condemned it, saying it is laced with special interest spending that has nothing to do with our current health and economic calamity.

It is appalling the Democrats are willing to mortgage the future of our children and grandchildren, all to ram through a socialist agenda that runs counter to the wishes of most Americans, not to mention the Constitution of the United States! he said in a statement shared with The Christian Post.

Our politicians serve the people of this great nation and the governing laws that support it. If they cant get with the program, its time for them to be reminded of whom they serve, added Dobson, the author of 71 books dedicated to the preservation of the family.

2. Republicans shocked by cannabis provisions; Democrat touts voting changes

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, responded to the proposed legislation on the Senate floor Thursday by noting that the word cannabis appears in the bill 68 times, and that's more times than the word job and four times as many as the word hire, according to The Washington Times.

Democrats proposed coronavirus bill includes taxpayer-funded studies to measure diversity and inclusion among the people who profit off of marijuana, he said.

He added: Maybe its best if House Democrats focus on cannabis studies and leave economics to the rest of us.  House Democrats had a blank slate to write anything they wanted to define the modern Democratic Party, any vision for the society they wanted, and heres what they chose: tax hikes on small businesses, giveaways to blue state millionaires, government checks for illegal immigrants and sending diversity detectives to inspect the pot industry.

Democrat Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of California praised the bills passage, however, touting the inclusion of $3.6 million to expand voting by mail which doesn't require voter ID, as well as health and safety changes for in-person polling locations.

[T]he Heroes Act includes important provisions which I have authored  including expanding no-excuse absentee vote by mail for every voter who wishes it, and providing 15 consecutive days of early in-person voting  In the event of an emergency declaration, and including the COVID-19 pandemic, the bill provides that every registered voter will be mailed an absentee ballot with prepaid return postage so that they may vote from the safety of their homes, Lofgren said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Sen. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, also said on the floor that the bill actually sets up a series of changes in our federal cannabis laws, which immediately I thought of, OK, how much information is in this bill about cannabis?

He added, Cannabis is actually mentioned in this bill 68 times. Now, Im not sure why thats in a bill dealing with COVID-19, but it does dramatic changes in our federal cannabis laws.

3. It carries praiseworthy criminal justice reform provisions

James Ackerman, president and CEO of Prison Fellowship, a Christian nonprofit serving prisoners and former prisoners as well as their families, praised the criminal justice reform provisions included in the bill. As the positive COVID-19 cases in prisons nationwide now surpasses 25,000 and the death toll climbs, we are grateful to see lawmakers including this vulnerable population in the House legislative agenda, he said in a statement.

Heather Rice-Minus, vice president of Government Affairs and Church Mobilization for Prison Fellowship, added: Historically, criminal justice reform has required bipartisan support to get it to get to the finish line. Were pleased many of Prison Fellowships key priorities have been included in the HEROES Act, from allowing second chance business owners access to the Paycheck Protection Program to increasing re-entry funding. However, we are working hard to forge a bipartisan path that will ensure the final bill delivered to the Presidents desk remembers those in prison.
Over 40K back campaign urging porn sites to require ID for accessing explicit adult content

A Christian nonprofit that seeks to abolish sex trafficking has launched a new campaign backed by over 40,000 supporters urging government leaders to require porn platforms to install more effective age verification methods to prevent the dangers of early childhood exposure to porn.

Exodus Cry, an organization that has advocated against sexual exploitation for the last 10 years and has worked to expose the links between porn and sex trafficking, launched the new campaign Protect Children Not Porn on Sept. 7.

An online petition associated with the campaign is supported by over 43,000 individuals and addresses congressional committees, President Joe Biden and Big Tech executives. The campaign is also supported by 100 anti-trafficking, womens rights and child protection organizations, a coalition that represents over 2,000 organizations.

The petition asks that lawmakers pass legislation requiring adequate safeguards to be put in place to protect children from porn exposure. Such measures include requiring websites that host pornographic content to require "their site visitors to verify their age with a government-issued ID, validated by a third-party platform." Additionally, the petition calls for all internet-accessing devices to be sold with safety filters enabled.

Exodus Cry Founder and CEO Benjamin Nolot told The Christian Post that at least one study suggests children and teens ages 10 to 15 are five times more likely to exhibit sexually aggressive behavior if violent porn is consumed. Additionally, he pointed to another study that suggests children addicted to hardcore porn have an increased likelihood of committing sexual harassment and rape. Meanwhile, girls exposed to porn are at a greater risk for sexual victimization.

Childhood exposure to porn is a huge and very damaging problem in our world, and the distribution of porn is so rampant that it gets into the lives of our kids and disrupts their sexual development, said Nolot, who has dedicated the past 14 years working to eradicate sexual exploitation.

When kids watch porn, the wet concrete of their sexuality becomes formed around most often violent and aggressive sexual content. They associate these images with intense arousal and they are made to more likely act out in sexually aggressive manners and that in itself is alarming because they are awakened prematurely in their sexuality.

Based on scientific research about the brains development, Nolot said the frontal lobe is the judgment center of the brain and aids humans in making critical decisions about what is right or wrong. The frontal lobe of the brain, he said, is not fully developed until about age 25.

We need to make wise decisions to stop proliferating this adult content without age verification because children and teens without fully developed brains are being exposed to graphic hardcore sexuality, which is damaging, he said. We wouldnt just let our kids buy hard liquor from liquor stores, so why is this so different?

Nolot said girls exposed to pornography are at greater risk for sexual victimization because porn often perpetuates the idea that objectifying women is pleasurable.

Its deeply sinister and disturbing.  Girls who are exposed to porn begin to see themselves in the role that is embodied in the females that are degraded, dehumanized and humiliated for the pleasure of men, Nolot stated. Porn shows women that this is OK and porn normalizes feeding the ego of men. And women become complicit in their own sexual degrading not realizing they are buying into lies.

The activist warned that pornography also promotes rape culture.

Rape culture is about the pleasure of men at the expense of women. ... As boys grow into men, they often try to see how far they can push past girls resistance to get to first and second base and then eventually get a home run, Nolot told CP.

Watching pornography further emphasizes this societal idea that as a man, my gratification is more important than yours. We grow up being socialized by that story and the construction of our worldview and values. And now, we are seeing a generation growing up with these ideas, and its resulting in rape culture, where men view women as objects instead of people with lives.

Nolot advises parents to monitor their children's online activity and prevent porn from being accessed on the childrens devices. He said parents should only allow their children access to the internet in public spaces like the family living room.

Parents should also talk to their children about what to do if they are at a friends house and they are exposed to porn, he added.

Even if we guard it in our own home, theres no guarantee that they wont be exposed on their friends device, he said.

According to Nolot, practicing open dialogue around pornography and related topics on sexuality is vital for parents.

Its important for parents to normalize discussion about sexuality, bodily anatomy and boundaries with bodies. Its not a matter of if. Its a matter of when the child will be exposed to pornography, he said. The more we can equip them, the more they will be prepared for this and this can only be achieved by creating a shame-free environment in the home.

Nolot warns that parents should avoid conversations about purity and instead assure their children that we are all flawed and broken, but we have a God who loves and empowers us in His Grace to live a life of freedom.

We should not say that purity is virginity because that is shame-based. It says we can lose our purity, even if we had not consented to sex. And it says we are stained.  And so, we have to take shame out of the equation of sex, Nolot said. We tend to place a high value on sex and the world says, There is no bad sex out there. And our world is centered around sex.

But, we intrinsically and inherently know that sex is meaningful and it should have meaning. And we know this because why is adultery wrong? he continued. Satan knows that if he can derail someone in the realm of sexuality, it can derail their whole life.

If a child has already been exposed to pornography or child is already addicted to porn, Nolot believes parents should seek professional help for their child.

Once a parent discovers that their child is addicted to porn, protective measures need to be put in place to stop the bleeding, so to speak, he concluded. Visit with a child therapist to help them regain emotional and psychological health. A child psychologist can help heal the wounds so it doesnt derail their entire life. Also, there is so much pressure on parents. There is no parent that is a cyber security expert. We also need a community and support system.
House Passes Bill To Protect Babies Surviving Abortion, Pastor Saved From Cardiac Arrest, Museum Of The Bible Live C.S. Lewis Production

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 07:38 07:38

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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.



A regulator in the United Kingdom has banned a poster for Demi Lovato's new album after several complaints on grounds that the banner's display could be offensive to Christians and parents of small children.



A stage production of C.S. Lewis "The Horse and His Boy" is coming to the Museum of the Bible  a timeless tale of resilience, perseverance and hope that highlights God's unconditional love.



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.
5 things to know about rule changes in the 118th Congress

The United States House of Representatives adopted a rules package that will govern how the body does business during the 118th U.S. Congress. The approval of the rules package in a 220-213 vote fell along party lines, with all Republicans except Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas supporting the implementation of the rules and all Democrats voting in opposition.

In many cases, the rules package for the 118th Congress will leave the rules from the 117th Congress in place. However, the new rules package also contains several changes reflecting the priorities of the new Republican majority. Here are five things to know about the recently adopted rules package.

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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.
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."
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.
Ask Chuck: Tax refunds expected to be lower

Dear Chuck,

We usually pay down Christmas debt with our tax refund, but I am worried we will not get as much back this year. What can we expect?

Waiting for Our Tax Refund

Dear Waiting for Our Tax Refund,

You are correct; changes to the tax laws are underway, so resetting expectations for a refund is in order. Last years average tax refund was almost $3,200. Unfortunately, the typical tax refund this year could drop to $2,700, which is approximately what taxpayers received in 2021 for their 2020 taxes. Many tax filers will be disappointed. Do not assume that last years refund is what you will receive this year.

Changes in filing 2022 return:

Charitable giving will not receive an extra deduction.

Standard deductions have increased.

Income tax brackets have shifted.

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) is reverting back to $2,000 per child.

Income thresholds drop for child and dependent care credit.

Earned income tax credit shrinks for childless taxpayers.

These changes may surprise many who expect a refund or those who received refunds last year. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (Cares Act) was not renewed in 2022. As a result, some tax credits and deductions are reverting back to pre-2021 levels. This may negatively impact portions of the population.

Forty percent of households will pay no federal income tax for 2022. Basically, they are anyone whose income is less than the standard deduction  those whose gross income for 2022 is less than $12,950 for single filers, $19,400 for heads of households, or $25,900 for married couples filing jointly. Filing is required for those who have $400 or more in net self-employment income. Standard deductions are limited for those claimed as dependents on someone elses tax return. Those who are at least 65 or blind get to claim an extra standard deduction of $1,400 or $1,750, depending on filing status.

Prepare now to maximize your return

Results of failing to pay income taxes

A summons from the IRS.

Penalties and interest.

Loss of state tax refund.

Federal payments could be withheld.

Why pay?



We pay taxes to help fund all levels of government. Federal income tax is our national governments largest single source of revenue. This chart compares federal spending with revenue. We may not agree with the way tax money is spent. However, as disciples of Christ, we can look to His example. Matthew 22 records a time when the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a question about taxes:

Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, Why put me to the test, you hypocrites?Show me the coin for the tax. And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, Whose likeness and inscription is this? They said, Caesar's. Then he said to them, Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away (Matthew 22:1722 ESV).

Likewise, the Apostle Paul said to submit to authorities and pay taxes to whom they are owed in Romans 13:17.

Paying off debt with a tax refund

Paying down consumer debt is a good use of income tax refunds. Besides paying off your Christmas debt, why not make 2023 the year you decide to avoid consumer debt altogether? If you pay your credit card bills every month, you can avoid the expense of high interest. By intentionally cutting your spending now, you can chop away holiday debt and use the refund (if you get one) to save or invest.

Have you considered starting a Christmas fund? You can make automatic deposits to an account specifically designated for Christmas 2023, or you can deliberately adjust your gift-giving to avoid spending more than you earn. This is possible by drawing names, planning ahead to make your own meaningful gifts, or buying them when on sale. Do you have an emergency fund? This should take priority over a Christmas fund.

Dont forget to check with Christian Credit Counselors if you cannot manage your debt repayment this year. Thanks for the question!
Killing newborn babies in the land of the free

In June of 2018, the body of a little baby was discovered floating in the ocean near an inlet in South Florida. One sheriff told NBC News that he had thought he had seen it all, but this corpse really tugged at his heart.

And now, more than 4 years later, through DNA technology, authorities have been able to isolate the mother. Shes been arrested and faces first-degree murder charges. So sad.

How could this type of thing take place in the land of the free? I believe that its not hard to draw the link between abortion and this type of story which is being repeated over and over. After 63 million abortions where its supposedly okay to kill the baby inside the womb, why does it suddenly become wrong to kill the baby outside of it?

Look at these tragic headlines in lifenews.com:

Woman Abandoned Her Newborn Baby Outside in Freezing Cold, Lied to the Police About Babys Location.

Woman Stabs Her 3-Month-Old Baby, Puts Him in Plastic Bag, Throws Him in Dumpster.

Couple Used Poison to Kill Their Viable Unborn Baby, Then Dumped the Babys Body.

One of the key writers who covers these and other abortion-related stories is Micaiah Bilger who pens articles for lifenews.com.

I asked her to comment on these frequent tragedies. She told me, The shock never weakens when I hear about another case of infanticide. Its difficult to imagine how any mother could kill her child, born or unborn, but even more so after seeing her newborn child for the first time. How can a mother hold her precious baby and then throw the child in a garbage bag or abandon it in the cold?

As to the link between abortion and these cases, Bilger adds, I suppose after so many years of it being normal to kill a child before birth, its not surprising that children outside the womb are being devalued, too.

What should be trumpeted throughout our culture is this: There are safe harbor or safe haven laws that exist in one form or another in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia.

Within a short time of delivering a baby, often 30 days, a mother can bring a baby over to a local fire department or police department or hospital and drop the child off  no questions asked, no charges filed.

For example, here is what the Sunshine State says about its safe harbor law on its website: Floridas Safe Baby Law allows mothers and/or fathers, or whoever is in possession of an unharmed newborn approximately 7 days old or less, to leave them in the arms of an employee at any Hospital or staffed 24/7 Fire Rescue Station, or Emergency Medical Station. No questions asked, totally anonymous, free from fear of prosecution.

How much more humane to let the baby live and be placed in the arms of those who can bring the child to a safe future.

The Supreme Court even referred to these laws in their Dobbs v. Jackson decision from last June, overturning Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion decision of January 22, 1973.

Dobbs noted: ... States have increasingly adopted safe haven laws, which generally allow women to drop off babies anonymously; and ... a woman who puts her newborn up for adoption today has little reason to fear that the baby will not find a suitable home.

I also asked Eric J. Scheidler, the executive director of the Pro-Life Action League, based in the Chicago area, for a comment on these laws. He told me, Many women know nothing about this option, and as a result, newborn babies are abandoned and even murdered. We must do more to publicize this important way to save babies lives.

Americas two founding documents have important bearing on the subject of abortion. The Declaration of Independence acknowledges that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. The first right enumerated is the right to life.

The founders didnt grant this right. They simply acknowledged it and spelled it out in our founding documents.

The Constitution begins, We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. [emphasis added] Our posterity includes the promise for those yet unborn.

One could only wish that the mother in South Florida who apparently drowned her newborn had instead brought the child to a safe haven. After a half-century of the abortion ethic, we have lost a lot of ground in cherishing the right to life. Raising awareness of these nationwide safe haven laws is a step in the right direction.
Heavenly spheres: a revolution in astronomical observation

Ground-breaking books by Copernicus, Kepler and Galileo showed what our cosmos truly looked like, inspiring artists and scientists for centuries afterwards

Since humankind first looked up at the night sky, weve been fascinated by the stars. Endlessly distant, the constellations that make up the heavens are at once foreign and deeply familiar. We can date events from thousands of years ago based on descriptions of the sky (such as a solar eclipses) but understanding how celestial bodies move is a more recent innovation. The texts of Copernicus, Galileo and Johannes Kepler, offered in Printed and Manuscript Americana & Science at Christies New York from 13-27 January, laid the foundation for a new way of seeing the stars. Their work influenced not just future scientists but also generations of artists, whose work can be found in The Exceptional Sale at Christies New York on 27 January. They made inventive works based on our perspective on the great cosmic machine.

Our earliest astronomical documents come from the time of Aristotle (344-322 BC), who believed that between 43 and 55 crystalline spheres orbited on different axes around a stationary Earth  the geocentric model. Claudius Ptolemy (AD 120-180) in Alexandria, Egypt, expanded upon this model 400 years later, theorising that Earth travelled along a small circular path. As this model successfully predicted planetary movement within a few degrees difference, it remained the standard for the next 1500 years. In the 16th century, as Nicolaus Copernicus was studying astronomical mathematics at the University of Krakow, he noticed logical discrepancies within both the Ptolemaic and Aristotelian models of the universe. This research provided the basis of the most important scientific text of the 16th century: his landmark book De revolutionibus orbium coelestium (On the Revolutions of Celestial Spheres).

Open a larger version of this image De revolutionibus orbium coelestium, Nicolaus Copernicus, 1566. Folio: 11 in x 7 in (29.8 x 19.6 cm). Sold for $176,400 in Printed and Manuscript Americana & Science on 27 January 2023 at Christies Online

Published in 1543, the year of his death, the text uprooted the established systems of astronomy by stating that Earth was not the centre of the universe. Instead, it was the Sun, which was orbited by seven planets. This heliocentric model was one of the most important theories of the Renaissance, which would ultimately usher in the Scientific Revolution. The main opponent of Copernicus theory was the Church, with scripture often being cited to invalidate his theory, but Protestants were also vehement critics of the heliocentric model, with the prominent theologian Martin Luther calling Copernicus a fool. Despite this, his theories proved compelling to scientists. At the end of the 16th century, the German astronomer Johannes Kepler sought to prove and expand upon his model. Following the death of his mentor Tycho Brahe, Kepler was appointed the imperial mathematician of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II in 1601 and began studying planetary orbits around the Sun.

Open a larger version of this image Astronomia nova, Johannes Kepler, 1609. Folio: 14 x 9 in (35.7 x 23.5 cm). Estimate: $400,000-600,000. Offered in Printed and Manuscript Americana & Science on 13-27 January 2023 at Christies Online

Among Keplers most important contributions to the field was his proof that planets did not travel along a circular path, but an elliptical one. This first law of planetary motion was outlined in his 1609 book Astronomia nova. He showed that planets had different velocities, with those farther from the centre traveling more slowly than those closer. He built an early kind of telescope that allowed him to see that Venus, like the Moon, had phases of light and dark, showing that planets rotated as they orbited. At the same time that Kepler was researching heliocentrism through mathematics, the Italian polymath Galileo Galilei was refining the telescope in order to prove the theory through optics. The telescope allowed him to see Venus with greater detail than Kepler could. It also allowed him to see sunspots, which gave him cause to debate scientists of the time, who thought them to be satellites of the Sun, rather than parts of its surface.

Galileos observations led to his 1632 book Dialogo sopra i due massimi sistemi del mondo (Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems), which disproved the Aristotelian geocentric model and bolstered, with greater physical evidence than any of its predecessors, the heliocentric model. These observations were deeply troubling for the Church. Early versions of Galileo's theories had brought him to the capital to defend himself in front of Pope Paul V, but this inquisition was eventually cast aside with the election of his friend Pope Urban VIII. A decade later, however, the publication of his Dialogo infuriated Urban VII, who found the astronomer guilty on suspicion of heresy, condemning him to house arrest where he would remain until his death. To publish his final work, Galileo had to have the manuscript smuggled out of Italy to France and thence to Leiden for its first printing. This was the Discorsi e dimostrazioni matematiche of 1628, considered the first modern textbook of physics.

Open a larger version of this image Discorsi e dimostrazioni matematiche, Galileo Galilei, 1638. Folio: 7 x 5 (19 x 13.8 cm). Sold for $94,500 in Printed and Manuscript Americana & Science on 27 January 2023 at Christies Online

It is no exaggeration to say that the observations of Galileo, Kepler and Copernicus fundamentally altered humanitys relationship to the cosmos. They showed courage in the face of fierce opposition from the Church and paved the way for scientists such as Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein in the modern scientific era. Further, their work gave fodder to artists and thinkers, enabling them to see what the heavens looked like and how small our world is in the great scale of celestial spheres.
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The Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act was passed in parliament in June 2022 and came into effect on January 1 this year.

Broadly speaking, the new regulations will prohibit the purchase of a residential property by any foreign investor who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The regulations will last two years and then be automatically cancelled.

The Act specifically prohibits foreign commercial enterprises and people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents from acquiring non-recreational, residential property in Canada.

Residential property includes detached homes or similar buildings, semi-detached houses, rowhouse units, residential condominium units and other similar premises.

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The government introduced the Act in Budget 2022 as part of Canadas strategy to reduce the cost of housing, which has escalated in recent years.

Data from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) shows the average price of a home spiked in February 2022 at $816,720. It has since dropped to $632,802 as of November 2022. Still, this is considered a high price that renders home ownership out of the question for many as the average Canadian income was $58,800 in 2021.

The government has cited foreign investors buying homes in Canada, while never actually living in them, as a driving force in the rising prices for residential homes.

What are the exceptions?

The new Act is not a blanket ban on buying properties by foreign investors. They are still allowed to purchase recreational properties such as cottages and vacation homes. Properties that contain more than three separate units are also exempt.

Additionally, the Act does not include homes that are outside census metropolitan areas (cities with populations higher than 100,000).

There are also exceptions for non-Canadians who purchase a home with a Canadian spouse or common-law partner who later finds themselves in a transitional situation, such as a divorce, or any non-Canadian who inherits a home following a death.

Can temporary residents buy a home in Canada?

The Act does not apply to Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Temporary residents, those on valid study or work permits, are also still eligible to purchase a home in Canada. However, there are several conditions for temporary residents as the government requires proof of intent to become a permanent resident and settle.

For example, a person who is enrolled in a program of authorized study at a Canadian designated learning institution must meet at least one of the following criteria:

they filed all required income tax returns under the Income Tax Act for each of the five taxation years preceding the year in which the purchase was made,

they were physically present in Canada for a minimum of 244 days in each of the five calendar years preceding the year in which the purchase was made,

the purchase price of the residential property does not exceed $500,000, and

they have not purchased more than one residential property

This means that anyone in Canada on a study permit who wants to buy a home must be able to prove they were in the country for 244 days each year for the past five years before making the purchase. They also require proof of filing tax returns in Canada for the same period.

It is also important to note the $500,000 maximum purchase price for a home is probably not enough to buy a home in Ontario or British Columbia where the average house price still exceeds $800,000 and the housing crisis is most acute.

Those who are in Canada on a valid work permit also have conditions they must meet such as:

they worked in Canada for a minimum period of three years within the four years preceding the year in which the purchase was made, if the work is full-time work as defined in subsection 73(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, (IRPA).

they filed all required income tax returns under the Income Tax Act for a minimum of three of the four taxation years preceding the year in which the purchase was made, and

they have not purchased more than one residential property.

In this instance, the time spent in Canada is less than for those who are studying but work permit holders must still show at least three years of full-time work and tax returns over the preceding four years.

The Act also says the non-Canadian is responsible to demonstrate their eligibility to the Canadian realtor. Temporary residents are responsible for all the costs involved in obtaining proof of eligibility such as retrieving documentation regarding work permits and notices of assessment. They may also need documents to demonstrate a physical presence in Canada such as a rental agreement, utility bills or entry and exit records into Canada.

What are the penalties?

A foreign investor that finds a way to purchase a prohibited residential property in Canada, or anyone who knowingly assists them, will have committed an offence and will be liable for a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, the superior court of the province in which the property is situated may order that the property be sold.

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Canada held its first Express Entry draw of the year today, and the first since November 23.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) issued invitations to 5,500 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507. Eligible candidates were invited from the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP). All are programs that operate under the Express Entry system.

This draw marks an increase in the number of ITAs issued, and is the largest all-program Express Entry draw since they resumed last July. There were 750 additional invitations over the November 23 draw, which invited 4,750 candidates, as well as a higher CRS score than has been seen since the draw on September 28.

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Express Entry in 2022

Last year was a unique year for Express Entry. Ministerial instructions show that over the 23 draws in 2022, there were 46,538 ITAs issued to Express Entry candidates. This number includes draws between January and July, which were exclusively for candidates in Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). All-program Express Entry draws were paused for over 18 months starting in December 2020. The pause was due to a backlog in applications caused by COVID-19 related travel restrictions. During this period, only candidates from the CEC or PNP were issued invitations to apply (ITAs). However, in September 2021, IRCC also paused draws for the CEC.The total ITAs for just all-program draws, which began in July and spanned the rest of the year, was 35,750.

The last Express Entry draw saw the lowest minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score at 491.

Express Entry getting ready for changes

In the second half of 2022, IRCC set the stage for changes to be expected in Express Entry in 2023. For example, in November, IRCC implemented NOC 2021, an updated take on NOC 2016. The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is used to determine an Express Entry candidates profession and skill level.

IRCC moved from categorizing skills as 0-D level to a system based on training, education, experience and responsibilities (TEER). The new TEER system has revised NOC 2016s skill levels 0-E and created an equivalent five TEERS. Under NOC 2021, 16 new occupations are now eligible to apply for economic immigration programs managed by Express Entry, such as the FSWP or CEC.

Candidates who have a profile already submitted to the IRCC Express Entry pool were invited to switch their NOCs to the new NOC 2021 independently. The update must be done for each position (job) included in their IRCC profile. Failure to do so will disqualify candidates from receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Canada will also increase the number of candidates invited through Express Entry programs, based on the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 released on November 1. In 2023, 82,880 immigrants will be admitted to Canada as permanent residents through Express Entry. This will increase to 109,020 in 2024 and 114,000 in 2025, or approximately one-fifth of Canadas total permanent resident admissions goals. These higher targets emphasize the importance Canada places on economic immigration in the face of an ongoing labour shortage. Immigration accounts for as much as 90% of labour force growth in Canada and approximately 75% of population growth.

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry manages three Canadian economic immigration programs: the Canadian Experience Class (CEC), the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP).

It applies a points-based system, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS), to score candidates profiles. Candidates with high scores are most likely to get an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Getting an ITA means they can apply for status as a permanent resident.

After receiving a completed application, an IRCC officer reviews it and decides if the candidates is approved.

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By John Davis, Retired U.S. Army Major General and Vice President and Federal Chief Security Officer for Palo Alto Networks

What critical innovations can change the balance in cybersecurity, providing those of us responsible for defending our organizations with more capabilities against those who would do us harm?

This is not just a theoretical exercise. It is something all of us in cybersecurity need to understand  and a key national security priority.

Ive given this question considerable thought in my role advising many of my former colleagues and other leaders in the U.S. government. In my view, there are two key interrelated developments that can shift the cybersecurity paradigm. They are:

Innovations in automation. Software-based advanced analytics  including big data, machine learning, behavior analytics, deep learning and, eventually, artificial intelligence.

Im not saying these innovations can reverse the historical advantage offense has had over defense. But improved use of automation  combined with software-based advanced analytics  can help level the playing field.

Cyber threats are increasingly automated using advanced technology. Unfortunately, defense has continued to employ a strategy based mostly on human decision-making and manual responses taken after threat activities have occurred.

This reactive strategy cant keep pace against highly automated threats that operate at speed and scale. The defense has been losing  and will continue to lose  until we in the cybersecurity community fight machines with machines, software with software.

Prevention is key

Any good defensive strategy should be comprehensive with protection, detection, response, recovery, and resilience. Prevention is key, especially in todays complex environment. That is where we have not invested enough  and where automation and advanced analytics can make an enormous difference.

First, let me define what I mean by prevention, starting with understanding the basic cyberattack process, sometimes referred to as the cyber threat lifecycle. This process consists of seven steps:

Probing; Developing a delivery mechanism to get to a victim or target; Exploiting a vulnerability in the network environment; Installing malicious code; Establishing a control channel; Escalating privileged access; Moving laterally within the network environment.

These steps usually occur in that order, but not always. The final step defines a successful attack, which could be encrypting data for ransom; exfiltrating sensitive data; exposing embarrassing information; or disrupting/destroying targeted systems, devices, or data.

Modern cyber threat actors can work their way through the attack process more quickly than ever with advanced software and machines.

But the process still takes time  allowing defenders to see and stop a threat at any step in the process. To do so, however, defenders must have complete visibility across their network environment and be able to deliver protections everywhere automatically. Therefore, they need both sensors and enforcement points. Just seeing malicious activity without being able to stop it wont change the dynamic between offense and defense.

Tackling speed and scale

Automation lets security teams fight machines with machines and save their most precious resource (people) to do things that only people can do better and faster than machines. This includes hunting and deep, high-end analysis. Any other approach will never keep pace with the speed and scale of modern cyberthreats.

Software-based advanced analytics enable security teams to fight software with software. They make it possible to deploy sensors and enforcement points in all critical places in a network environment. More importantly, they enable the integration between the sensors and enforcement points.

With advanced analytics, any type of suspicious behavior in a network environment can be quickly matched to the attack process used by all known threat actors or organizations. Analytics can even identify a threat never seen before or a possible threat not directly matched to a known bad signature or activity.

Using machine learning algorithms, a decision can be rendered in near real-time  less than 10 minutes is state-of-the-art today  and a protection can be delivered automatically to stop the threat everywhere in the organizations enterprise environment without the need for any human intervention.

Defenders have access to an enormous amount of data from networks, endpoints, and clouds. The right kind of data includes cyber threat indicators of compromise as well as contextual information. It does not include traditional policy and legal landmines such as personally identifiable information, protected health information, intellectual property, or surveillance-related data.

Leveraging this data, it is possible to act at speed and scale with a very high degree of precision, achieving false positive rates of less than one percent. The key to this kind of effective defense is complete, continuous, and consistent visibility and security controls across all elements of an organizations network environment  from the network to the cloud (public, private, hybrid, multi, SAAS) to endpoint and IoT devices.

Stopping threats, mitigating risk

Cybersecurity protections that leverage automation and advanced analytics are available today and getting better as time goes by, with more of the right kinds of data to drive automated decisions and protections.

Best case, the use of these two innovations enable security teams to see and stop cyber threats before they are successful, providing an advantage for the defense. Worst case, they let security teams limit the damage of a successful attack to something determined to be an acceptable level of risk.

Why is this so important? Eliminating or reducing the advantage that cyber offense has over defense is critical to creating a more stable cyberspace. Traditionally, when offense has the advantage, it creates enormous instability. When defense has the advantage, it creates a more stable environment.

Were living in a world with an unacceptably high level of instability in the cyber domain. The risks of miscalculation, misinterpretation or even a plain mistake are just too high. Effective use of automation and software-based advanced analytics can help level the playing field between offense and defense and create a much more effective cybersecurity posture for any organization.

About John Davis:

John is a retired U.S. Army Major General and Vice President and Federal Chief Security Officer for Palo Alto Networks, where he is responsible for expanding cybersecurity initiatives and global policy for the international public sector and assisting governments around the world to successfully prevent cyber breaches.
NOTE Acquires Property for Continued Expansion in Sweden Published: 13 January 2023 by Tyler Hanes by Tyler Hanes

STOCKHOLM  NOTE has agreed with the current property owner to acquire the building and surrounding land where NOTE Torsby conducts its business. This is to enable a future expansion of the business to meet an increasing demand. The purchase price amounts to SEK 41.5 million.

NOTE Torsby currently rents the property where the business is conducted. The size of the plant amounts to just over 7,000 square meters and was expanded as late as 2021. NOTE has agreed with the current property owner to acquire the plant. Land of around 54,000 square meters is also included in the acquisition, which enables continued expansion of the business in Torsby. The purchase price amounts to SEK 41.5 million and the payment is made in cash based on NOTE's strong balance sheet.

NOTE continues to see an increasing demand from its customers. As late as 2021, the plant in Torsby was expanded by 2,200 square meters, but we already see that the growth forecast that was the basis for that expansion has been exceeded. Through the purchase of the property, we are preparing for further expansion, says Johannes Lind-Widestam, CEO and President.

The deal is conditional on the city council approving the sale, which is expected to occur in the coming week.
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Food Trains Glasgow branch is under threat of closure after the council refused its application for continued funding after 10 years of backing.

The charity provides shopping supplies to hundreds of older people throughout Scotland who may not be able to obtain groceries due to ill health, disability or mobility problems.

Its operations have been supported by Glasgow City Council for the last 10 years.

Food Trains application for 447,000 over the next three years would have continued to fund the Glasgow service.

The branch will close within 10 weeks without the councils backing, the charity has said. The charity has said four jobs will be lost and beneficiaries' lives will worsen if it closes.

Since refusing its application, the council has discussed other funding sources with Food Train, the charity said.

CEO: Our members are fearful they will be left without food

Michelle Carruthers, chief executive of Food Chain, told Civil Society News: We are shocked to be losing funding and facing the closure of Food Trains Glasgow branch. After almost 10 years supporting older people right across the city, this is a huge blow. Our older members are genuinely fearful they will be left without food.

There no capacity in social care to take on hundreds of food deliveries every week. We are pleased officials from Glasgow City Council have been in touch to talk about other potential funding. But its only a tiny glimmer of hope and we have to start putting closure plans in place for now.

The service often delivers food to elderly people that have just came home from hospital to help them recover.

Branch manager: Baffling decision to stop funding

Chris Curtis, the manager of the Glasgow branch of Food Train, says it supports 220 older people every week with its services.

Curtis said he was fearful for its beneficiaries if the service was withdrawn. If it does not receive funding, the charitable service will close by 31 March, he said.

It's a baffling decision and one that can only be reached through some sort of bureaucratic error, or if not that, it is incredibly cruel and heartless, he said.

This project means so much to them in their communities as well. 

Since the news the branch could close was announced, there has been an outpouring of support for the service on social media, with some asking if the charity if they had considered crowdfunding to raise the funds.

Food Train responded on social media: We're considering several options at the moment and we have our next steps in place.

But for now, it is making plans to close.

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Greetings charitable sector and welcome to another week of people saying Happy New Year despite us being two weeks into it now. Its over, people.

Speaking of letting go of the past, the Natural History Museum has announced Dippy the dinosaur is moving to Coventry for three years.

The replica skeleton of a Diplodocus first arrived in London in 1905, and after 110 years embarked on a tour across the UK. Most recently Dippy came back to London for the Natural History Museums temporary exhibit Dippy Returns, which to Diary sounds like the title of an ominous horror film.

Dippy has 292 bones, so spare a thought for the people taking him apart to reassemble in Coventry.

Alpacas stampede care home

Diary must admit this headline is hyperbolic and whilst alpacas did visit the Royal Star & Garter care home, they did not run rampant, but were very well-behaved and made many new friends.

Hugo and Finley came to the charitys care home in Surbiton, south west London, where they were fussed over and petted by residents.

The care home provides compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with dementia. The alpacas, who are 15-month-old boys, toured the care home to visit their new pals.

Resident Amy, who served in the Womans Auxiliary Air Force during WWII, said: I never thought Id get to my age and feed an alpaca!

Air Force veteran Bea said after meeting the animals: Although we didnt have alpacas, it reminded me of the days when my husband and I were farming.

Endangered chimpanzee born at Chester Zoo

A critically endangered Western chimpanzee, ZeeZee, has given birth to a tiny baby boy at Chester Zoo (also a chimpanzee).

The charity introduced the baby by calling it a new little rockstar which was weird, unless they have plans for it to follow in the steps of the gorilla that played Phil Collins in that Cadbury advert.

In fact, it seems this is a theme for Chester Zoo  they have been naming baby chimpanzees after famous rock and popstars in a bid to help raise awareness for the endangered species for some time. Some names include Dylan (after Bob), Alice (Cooper) and Annie (Lennox).

This columnist hopes the new baby will be named after Harry (Styles) but this may be avoided due to recent revelations from Harry (Windsor) which include details of his frostbitten penis and other details the world could have lived without.

There are just 18,000 Western chimpanzees remaining across Africa. The chimpanzee subspecies is the first to ever be declared critically endangered by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature.

There are now 22 chimpanzees named after musical icons at the zoo, which is enough to create four chimp One Directions and one Simon & Garfunkel.

Disturbing charity shop finds

Lastly, BBC reported various strange charity shop donations from retailers like British Red Cross, as they have received such nefarious items as USED sex toys, which Diary can only hope was a mistake, but as this has happened more than once this seems unlikely.

Other items the charity has received are taxidermy pets, presumably because an owner got bored of their dead pet's lifeless eyes staring at them as if to say "why did you do this to me".

Human beings' ashes have also been donated. While charities are always grateful for legacy income, Diary imagines cash might have been a more usable donation.

Another charity shop received a teapot with mouldy tea still inside it, which is lovely.

However, charity shops still receive more acceptable strange items. For example, one told the BBC it had received Ferrari parts that sold very well whilst another received a saddle for a camel which sold immediately. Keep your eyes peeled for someone riding a camel on a charity shop-bought saddle through Oxford Street.
In 1898, a midterm election year, white North Carolinians plotted an overthrow. In March, Josephus Daniels, the editor and publisher of the News & Observer, the states most powerful daily newspaper, traveled from Raleigh, the capital, to New Bern, a port city on the Neuse and Trent Rivers in an area he called the Negroized East. There, he took a meeting with Furnifold Simmons, a white supremacist who was the state chairman of the Democratic Party, to discuss the Negro Problem.

The News & Observer was a reliable mouthpiece for Democrats. A story line of particular interest was how Black people had gained footing during Reconstruction; Black male suffrage had given way to a Black-majority vote in North Carolinas eastern counties, which left the Democratic Party (until 1876 called the Conservative Party) feeling insecure. Its elite members, mostly bankers and railroad men, had lost support from poor white people as they suffered through a deep recession: when the poor whites asked for reforms, and none came, theyd broken off to form a new political organizationthe Populist, or Peoples, Partyaligning themselves with Republicans, the party of Lincoln, which included Black voters. The result was what David Zucchino, in his recent book Wilmingtons Lie, calls an uneasy political and racial alliance known as Fusionthe most successful multiracial political experiment in the post-Reconstruction South. By 1894, theyd taken the state.

White Fusionists still held the majority of elected positions, having ceded only a fraction of their power to Black collaborators. But in Wilmington, North Carolinas largest city at the time, a multiracial government emerged. Black people served as magistrates, mail clerks, even police officers with jurisdiction over whites. And as the years went by, Wilmington, which was 56 percent Black, became home to a budding Black middle class; in some neighborhoods, Black and white people lived next door to each other. That made the city, in the minds of Daniels and Simmons, North Carolinas worst violator of the racist social order to which they were committed.

In New Bern, Daniels and Simmons devised a coup. They would need men who could ridearmed white vigilantesas well as men who could write. Daniels got to work. The News & Observer waged an anti-Black propaganda campaign that catered to the racist core of the white people who had abandoned the Democratic Party: There were sensationalist articles and fabricated headlines; a story claimed that Black men with big feet were standing in front of white people on trains. Daniels hired a cartoonist named Norman Jennett to draw racist caricatures of Black people that ran on the front page; one featured a large boot, labeled The Negro, stepping on a white man. Other newspapers joined in the vitriol; a frequent subject was Black crime, especially against white women. For the News & Observer, Jennett drew a large bat with the face of a Black man, a white woman beneath his claws; on the wings were the words Negro Rule. Alexander Manly, the editor of a Black newspaper called the Daily Record, weighed in on the Black-men-are-brutes trope, which had been used repeatedly as a pretext for lynchings: You set yourselves down as a lot of carping hypocrites in that you cry aloud for the virtue of your women while you seek to destroy the morality of ours.

The News & Observers tactics, combined with Democrats intimidation efforts, were highly effective. All through the summer, white people in Wilmington stockpiled weapons, some of them military grade. Rich Democrats supplied mobs with food and alcohol; they shot into Black homes as a warning to Black voters. Fearful Republican candidates withdrew from the race. Governor Daniel Russell, a Republican, pulled his partys ticket from New Hanover County, which includes Wilmington. During his trip home to vote, white militias working on behalf of his political opponents stopped his train twice in attempts to lynch him. Russell avoided death by hiding in a mail car.

On Election Day, November 8, white supremacists succeeded in suppressing the Black vote. In Wilmingtons heavily Black Fourth Precinct, more than three hundred Republicans were registered, but just ninety-seven votes were tallied. And in case the threats of violence hadnt been enough to keep people from the polls, Democrats stuffed ballot boxes, too. In the Fifth Precinct, there were only thirty registered Democrats, yet the party received four hundred fifty-six votes. Overall, Democrats won by six thousand votes in Wilmingtona dramatic shift from two years earlier, when Fusionists had won by a margin of five thousand.

The next day, a coalition of white lawyers, doctors, and businessmen drafted a White Declaration of Independence, a document with which they hoped to amend the United States Constitution. Dozens of Black men were summoned to Wilmingtons courthouse, where white supremacists listed their demandsincluding that Manlys newspaper stop printing. Black people were given twelve hours to comply.

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On November 10, violence erupted. White vigilantes opened fire, first at random and then in coordinated military formation. Black people were hauled from their homes and run out of town; one man was chased by a mob and shot forty times. The death toll was recorded inconsistently, but Black families, relying on oral history, believe the number to have been in the hundreds. Manlys newspaper offices were burned to the ground; afterward, white men in top hats posed for a photo in front of the charred buildings remains. Before the end of the workday, Wilmingtons Fusionist government had been replaced with white supremacist appointees. The coup was complete. Two weeks later, the new mayor wrote in Colliers magazine, There was no intimidation used in the establishment of the present city government.

For more than a century, the News & Observer continued about its business. Americans have short memories; we dont like to be reminded of our many sins, so instead we prop up lofty narratives of progress and unity that obscure the violence enacted along the way. There was no reckoning with the papers role in the Wilmington coup until 2006, when Timothy B. Tyson, a historian at Duke University, authored a sixteen-page special section detailing the events. The editorial board also issued an apology. Without the cooperation of the newspapers, though, especially the News and Observer, Tyson wrote, the white supremacy campaign could not have succeeded. That had always been obvious to the local Black community, but coming from the newspaper, it was a striking acknowledgment. (The Charlotte Observer, another North Carolina paper central to the white supremacy campaign, also apologized.)

Recently, Tyson told me that expressing regret was a means of recognizing the medias political power. Without the News & Observers storiesand especially the cartoonsa hostile takeover would not have been possible. You cant underestimate the heat involved in these political cartoons, he said. They were the cable news of their day. You didnt even have to be literate to understand them. The most important voice was the News & Observer. An apology is appropriate.

I spoke to Tyson in the fall, as America was winding down months of all-consuming attention to police brutality, white supremacy, and how the press has abetted those harms. As Black Lives Matter led protests against the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer, journalists, too, confronted their bossesat the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the New York Times, and elsewheredemanding an end to racist practices. In October, a collective of media workers and organizers launched Media 2070, an ambitious project to radically transform who has the capital to tell their own stories in the next fifty years. Many newsrooms responded to calls for racial justice as the News & Observer did, with apologies. But now, to chart a new path forward, we will need much more than regret.

The history of American journalism is inextricably linked to white supremacy. The News & Observers role in the Wilmington coup was hardly the first or final example of a weaponized press. In 1967, President Lyndon Johnson established the Kerner Commission to examine the underlying causes of civil unrest in Detroit, Chicago, and other cities where racial inequity meant, essentially, the existence of two societies: One black, one whiteseparate and unequal. The report excoriated the press corps for failing to cover the story of race in America and directed news outlets to diversify. The journalistic profession has been shockingly backward in seeking out, hiring and promoting Negroes, the commission found. Along with the country as a whole, the press has too long basked in a white world looking out of it, if at all, with white mens eyes and white perspective. In 1978, the organization now known as the American Society of News Editors (asne) set a goal of building a journalism workforce that reflected the racial makeup of the US population by the year 2000.

That deadline came and went. Black and other journalists of color agitated for meaningful change in newsroom culture. Yet the press remained overwhelmingly white and continued to make egregious mistakes: in the eighties, with slanderous tabloid reporting on the Central Park Five; in the nineties, with alarmist coverage of the outrage over police abuse of Rodney King; and in the 2010s, when the New York Times called Michael Brown, a Black teenager fatally shot by a white police officer, no angel. Consider the industrys hand-wringing over objectivity and, in the case of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the barring of a Black reporter from covering Black Lives Matter protests.

In 2000, asne pushed its target date for diversity back five years, and newspapers began to issue apologies for past wrongdoing. In 2004the fortieth anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964the Jackson Sun, in Tennessee, acknowledged that it had ignored or downplayed local civil rights efforts in its pages. Next up was Kentuckys Lexington Herald-Leader, which likewise apologized for failing to cover the struggle for equality in its home city. Mississippis Hattiesburg American apologized for ignoring the 1964 Freedom Summer protests; in Alabama, the Birmingham News ran a series of photographs depicting the fight for civil rightsimages its editors had previously suppressed. A similar apology ran in the Waco Tribune-Herald, in Texas, for coverage of the gruesome 1916 lynching of a seventeen-year-old named Jesse Washington.

Several apologies appeared in 2018. National Geographic hired John Edwin Mason, a historian at the University of Virginia, to review its archives for an issue dedicated to race. He found that, until at least the seventies, the magazine depicted people of color in exoticized ways, often nude and as happy hunters, noble savagesevery type of cliche, Susan Goldberg, the editor in chief, wrote . (In 1916, a photo of two Aboriginal people from Australia was captioned South Australian Blackfellows: These savages rank lowest in intelligence of all human beings.) National Geographics attempt wasnt entirely effective, however: the issues cover story fell into the common fallacy of using skin color as a proxy for raceit focused on biracial twins, describing one as white, the other Blackand lent credence to the notion that certain images of mixed-race people represent the future of a blissfully color-blind world. The framing inspires the kind of coarse racial quantifying from which the issue is ostensibly trying to escape, Doreen St. Felix wrote, in The New Yorker. As Mason is quoted in the accompanying editorial, Its possible to say that a magazine can open peoples eyes at the same time it closes them. 

In the meantime, the New York Times started Overlookeda project dedicated to publishing obituaries of prominent figures who, upon their death, were not deemed worthy of mentionand produced a book of photos of Black people, famous and anonymous, from its vast archives. In a review, the critic Tobi Haslett observed that, through this non-apology kind of acknowledgment, The newspaper graciously provides us with the very images it had so imperiously overlooked, as the whole endeavor calmly reasserts the grip of the media on the public imagination.

Following these was an acknowledgment by the Orlando Sentinel of problems with its reporting on the Groveland Fourthree Black men and a Black teenage boy who, in 1949, were falsely accused of raping a white teenage girl. The editorial board wrote in its apology: Were sorry for the Orlando Sentinels role in this injustice. Were sorry that the newspaper at the time did between little and nothing to seek the truth. Were sorry that our coverage of the event and its aftermath lent credibility to the cover-up and the official, racist narrative. The piece expressed remorse, but it also insistedfar too optimisticallythat similar coverage would not happen today.

As the regret flowed, Bryan Stevensons Equal Justice Initiative established a National Memorial for Peace and Justice in Montgomery, Alabama, dedicated to the thousands of Black Americans who were made victims of lynching. To commemorate the opening, the Montgomery Advertiser published a series of stories examining its complicity in lynchings and other acts of white mob violence. (In 1892, for instance, when a man named Riley Webb was lynched, an Advertiser story opened gleefully with the line He has been caught!) We need to explore the narratives of the victims and our role as a news entity because it has existed since 1829, Bro Krift, who was then the papers executive editor, told me at the time. One of our big responsibilities as journalists is to cover our humanity. We hold public officials accountable, but we are also documenting who we are. The Advertiser ran pieces about the lives of people who had been lynchedtreating them as human beings, as it never had before. The editorial board published a formal apology that began: We were wrong.

The Advertisers atonement package was praised by readers. When I asked Krift about the response, he chafed slightly, not wanting to give himself too much credit. After all, the newspaper had made a statement about the past, not the present. All were doing is admitting that we were wrong, he said. That admitting you were wrong is boldits actually sad, as a society. I think there is a strength for a community when people are willing to step up and say I made a mistake.

During the Wilmington coup, the press had flaunted its bigotry. The press of today has a different relationship with white supremacy, but the modern manifestationsof language, of omission, of framingare the offspring of Danielss tactics, only softened, normalized, and couched in industry norms. We defer to police officers even though they are incentivized to lie about behavior that results in the loss of Black life. We use passive language to describe police brutality. And in the past year, we have obscured the ways systemic racism has made the effects of the pandemic most acute for Black, Native, and other marginalized people; some articles have minimized or ignored how intersecting crises pose the greatest risk to those groupsthe same people who continue to be underrepresented on mastheads.

Over the summer, at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests, I spoke with Trevell Anderson, the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. They described an industry that, being stuck on oversimplified notions of diversity, continues to miss the point. Even newsrooms trying to grapple with race issues still have conversations about objectivity and whether or not we can say Donald Trump is racist, they said. We as Black people know what racism looks like, feels like, tastes like. But we have people in power who benefit from telling us that what we know to be true somehow disqualifies us from having a hand in documenting history.

Anderson pointed to the distribution of power across the American media landscapelargely male and whitewhich has held firm despite repeated commitments to diversity. The hard work of equity ultimately requires financial investment, they argued. Anyone who has worked in journalism during this era of gutted ad revenue knows how hard that can be, especially at local outlets, but there would be money found, Anderson said, if only people in positions of power were willing to make personal sacrificessomething to which the industry doesnt yet seem committed. Weve got to think about moving the resources around, Anderson told me.

In recent months, Black journalists in newsrooms all over have registered similar complaints, and nowhere has the dissent been as coordinated and public as at Andersons former employer, the Los Angeles Times. In early June, while demonstrations filled the streets, Black staffers at the Times began exchanging messages about their papers reporting: in multiple stories, they observed, the emphasis was placed not on the history of Black American struggle, but on looting. The coverage, they complained, oversimplified a rich history. We cant constantly pander to our primarily white audience with stories like this that affirm their biases, Sonaiya Kelley, a film reporter, wrote on Slack. One of the responsibilities of the job is to state the facts and tell it true. Theres so much implicit bias. She expressed disappointmentfor herself, as a Times writer, and for the audiences she hoped to serve. Within days, the messages were leaked. Norman Pearlstine, then the executive editor of the Times, promised to conduct a formal review of protest-related coverage. (The results of the audit have yet to be released in full.)

Against that backdrop, journalists at the paper discussed their experiences as employees, identifying patterns of racism that may have been invisible to readers but defined the reality of those inside the newsroom. Since 2017, the staff of the Times has been unionized through the NewsGuild, and, emboldened by the events of 2020, a Black Caucus formed to take collective action. Under the hashtag #BlackatLAT, they published testimonials on social media from current and former employees, who shared stories of mistreatment ranging from microaggressions (e.g., being repeatedly mistaken for another Black staffer) to persistent pay discrepancies. The Black Caucus also sent a letter of demands to Patrick Soon-Shiong, the owner of the Times. The group sought enough Black hires that the staff would match, at least, the proportion of Black residents in Los Angeles County; a correction of pay disparities; a formal pipeline for Black employees to advance their careers at the paper; greater investment in Metpro, the companys recruitment program for journalists from marginalized backgrounds; a reshaping of how the Times covers people of color; and a public apology to Black staffers and the broader Black community of Southern California for tone-deaf coverage that has often inflamed racial tensions.

Inspired by this effort, in July, Latino staffers formed a Latino Caucus and launched a campaign under the hashtag #SomosLAT. They, too, submitted a letter to management: The Times had covered the Latino community in dehumanizing ways, painting us as criminals or victims or simply ignoring us, the group wrote. The Times slurred Mexicans as greasers and wetbacks and immigrants without legal status as border jumpers and illegal aliens.  The Latino Caucus also cited pay disparities and a dearth of Latino employees relative to the areas populationLos Angeles County is nearly 50 percent Latino, but just 13 percent of employees at the paper identify as such. The groups list of demands echoed that of the Black Caucus: correct pay disparities, hire more Latino journalists, increase funding for the papers Spanish-language imprint, end the practice of relying on Spanish-speakers as fixers without providing a byline, and issue an apology for fomenting episodes of anti-Latino hysteria in California and the United States.

In September, the requests for an apology were granted: the Times editorial board published a multipronged atonement package, detailing the papers history of racism. While the paper has done groundbreaking and important work highlighting the issues faced by communities of color, the editorial board wrote, it has also often displayed at best a blind spot, at worst an outright hostility, for the citys nonwhite population, one both rooted and reflected in a shortage of Indigenous, Black, Latino, Asian and other people of color in its newsroom. Under the banner Our reckoning with racism, the Times enumerated some of its most egregious editorial decisions, including endorsing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II; victim-blaming Mexican Americans who were attacked by Navy sailors in 1943; and producing a 1965 series on Black residents of Watts that, the editorial board wrote, heavily implied police brutality was a problem of the past. The Times also highlighted the numerous Black, Asian, and Latino journalists who had, over the years, agitated from within to address institutional racismeven as they pursued groundbreaking investigations, including a 1984 Pulitzer Prizewinning series on how Latinos were transforming Southern California. There was a video, which relayed that Black Times reporters covering the Rodney King protests considered themselves cannon fodder, and a letter, from Soon-Shiong.

The same month, Angel Jennings, a cofounder of the Black Caucus, was announced as the new assistant managing editor for culture and talent. An alumna of Metpro, Jennings was charged with overseeing the program, on top of numerous other responsibilities, including recruitment and promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jenningswho until recently was the only Black Times reporter working on local news, the papers largest sectionhad been a vocal member of the #BlackatLAT campaign and, for months, had pleaded with her bosses for a raise. (The last few years have been so painful, she told colleagues. Some days, I would cry and ask the editors: Why am I being treated this way? It felt like what was happening to me was personal, but it was just institutional.) She had also recently been one of six journalists to file a class action suit against the Times and Tribune Publishing, alleging significant pay gaps among the L.A. Times workforce that gave preference to white men. Jennings had called the environment for Black journalists in her newsroom shameful; now, with a case pending, she was tasked with tackling the problem.

Jennings spent her first few months conducting one-on-ones with Metpro staffers and doing aggressive outreach at the California State University campuses, which she calls the states working-class university system. She rewrote the application for the Times summer internship (which received more than a thousand responses, up from about a hundred the previous year) and helped recruit and hire her replacement on the metro desk. The less tangible parts of her job, though, lay in the business of ushering along shifts in culture. Jennings described her role to me as just being an ear as people express problems and ideas, looking over coverage, and raising the alarm when something doesnt meet our new anti-racism lens, in which were trying to tell stories as we should have always been telling stories.

There is only so much a new hire can do, however, when an organizations white leadership feels inadequate. Throughout the year, editors at major publicationsfrom the New York Times to Bon Appetitwere forced to resign; by October, Pearlstine announced that he would do the same. (Hed also come under fire for mishandling cases of sexual harassment and ethical breaches.) I believe my work is done, Pearlstine wrote in a note to staff. His departure was in line with something important to Anderson: You cant tell me that the people who got us to this moment will be the people who get us out of this momentI dont believe it, they had told me. If you are really committed to the cause, youll step down. If you are really committed to the cause, you will move out of the way of progress and justice.

At last, in November, the Times and Tribune Publishing announced a settlement in the class action suit: three million dollars, to be paid out to some two hundred and forty journalists who had worked at the Times between February 2015 and October 2020. In legal terms, the company admitted no wrongdoing.

Apologies are crucial to the ongoing work of accountability. It can be heartening to see news outlets engage in acts of penance. But they are not the same as reparationsthe subject of which has become more mainstream in recent years, thanks in large part to Ta-Nehisi Coates, one of the most prominent Black journalists in the business. In his Case for Reparations, Coates argued, Liberals today mostly view racism not as an active, distinct evil but as a relative of white poverty and inequality. They ignore the long tradition of this country actively punishing black success. He added that, in a complete sense, Reparations would mean a revolution of the American consciousness. As I dug into the recent history of newspaper regret, I wondered what counted as being sorry enough. What do apologies mean in the context of our existing media institutions and, more broadly, the governmental and social systems that continue to oppress the same communities, including some members of the press?

Just five days after settling the pay discrimination lawsuit, the Los Angeles Times ran into trouble again: Patricia Escarcega, the companys first ever Latinx restaurant critic, said that she was being paid less than her white male counterpartand that her bosses did not intend to correct the disparity. In a thread posted to Twitter, Escarcega said that, for six months, shed been asking for a raise that would make her salary equal to that of Bill Addison, the other restaurant critic for the Times. Through the NewsGuild, shed filed a pay discrimination complaint (separately from the class action suit), and, over the summer, the Times had indicated that her pay would be corrected. But in mid-November, management sent her a memo with their final decision: Escarcega was a junior critic, they claimed; therefore she deserved less money than her colleague. Escarcega and Addison were confusedthe Times advertised them as co-critics, and neither was aware of an internal hierarchical distinction. Addison wrote a letter to management in support of Escarcega. In a statement, the Times defended its pay scale based in part on Addisons having won a James Beard awarditself a problematic proxy of expertise, especially considering that the awards were canceled last year as the James Beard Foundation reckoned with its own lack of diversity. No apology has yet been offered to Escarcega.

Reading about her situation, I thought of the Kerner report, its directives, and how a half century of possibility had passed us by, with much more still owed. And I thought of the News & Observer, which had ultimately issued its apology only after a state commission recommended that newspapers involved in the Wilmington coup acknowledge their role. In its statement of regret, the paper had detailed loss of life, of suffrage, of interracial political alliance. But in Wilmington and beyond, its harder to find acknowledgment of the loss of opportunity for an entire class of people, or a reckoning with the pervasive problems of the present. William J. Barber II, the minister and former president of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP, is part of the News & Observer readership. Known for Moral Mondays and as a cochair of the Poor Peoples Campaign, Barber follows the press closely. I asked what he thought of apologies like the one that ran in his local paper. Let me start by saying, I dont know if the language of media apology is even sufficient, he replied. I think thats part of the problem. We see damage done in this country that had great impact on the lives of people. Negative impact. And then we come up with this notion of apology. Ive heard people talk about apologies for slavery or for the Trail of Tears, to Native people. Something seems extraordinarily weak about using that language, particularly for me, as a person of faith.

I asked Barber to describe the scope of the harm done to Wilmington. What could have been? he wondered. Wilmington was the largest city in North Carolina at that time; the wealthiest Black people were in the city at that time. What if Wilmington had become Atlanta? In the years after the massacre, the number of registered Black voters plummetedand their story was not covered by local reporters. That omission has had a grave and lasting impact: The story of the Wilmington riot was so suppressed and wrongfully told that when the United States Congress started considering the formula by which it would cover states under the Voting Rights Act, many of the counties down near Wilmington, even New Hanover County itself, were not covered, Barber said. Forty counties in North Carolina were not covered under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, because they said there was not enough evidence of past discrimination.

The problems persist today, he continued, in light of Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court ruling that dismantled protections against voter discrimination. That case was decided on June 25, 2013. Now, ever since June 25, 2013, Barber said, the Congress could have fixed the Voting Rights Act. Weve had seven years now, over two thousand six hundred days, I think, and weve not seen an article that has said Thom Tillisa senator representing North Carolinaand the Republicans refusing to put fixing the Voting Rights Act on the floor of Congress is, in fact, a form of racism. He went on: Theres not been one story to look at every legislator in our state and raise with them: Why is it that you have refused to act on the duty that the Supreme Court put in your court for over two thousand days? What is your legitimate reason for blocking the restoration of the Voting Rights Act? Its the depth of the coverage, the probing of the issues, thats still too often not engaged.

Robyn Tomlin, who has been the executive editor of the News & Observer since 2018, wasnt around for the apology project, though she told me, Its long past time for news organizations to shine a light on their own role in overtly or covertly supporting white supremacy. When I asked about the implications for her papers current coverage, she replied, We continue working to make amends through our focus on reflecting the fullness of our community and refusing to shy away from uncomfortable truths by using our journalism to show the ways inequality and injustice continue to affect our community, state, and nation.

For Barber, any media apology must come with repentancetrue corrections, not merely gestural improvements. As we spoke, he recalled a conversation he once had with John Hope Franklin, the scholar of African-American history, about the countrys failure to correct the vast wrongs of slavery. He put it like this: If you can keep a people in slavery for two hundred and fifty years and build your entire economy off of their free labor, their labor actually allows you to economically jump way ahead of countries much older than you,  Barber said. And then you are, on top of that, able to invoke a hundred years of legalized segregation and lynchings and abuse. And then at the end of that, the country gets to say, Sorry. We were wrong. And thats the extent of it. He added, It says to me, who wouldnt take that deal? That is actually a great diminishing of all of the damage that was done. Regret without restitution is maintaining the status quo.

Seeking resolve, I turned to the hundred-page essay released in the fall by Media 2070, which invites journalists and other members of the public to imagine what media reparations might look like for the journalism industry. The essay details a history of the damage done to Black people by the American press, but the project is ultimately forward-looking. Alicia Bell, one of the Media 2070 organizers, told me that they began to consider what restitution would look like, with media reparations defined as a way of holding the reconciliation, the restoration, the repair that needs to happen within the media, but also at a policy level, that transforms the media landscape. The effort is a call for ideas as much as it is a call to action.

Media 2070 grew from the work of Black staffers at Free Press, a journalism advocacy nonprofit. We were having community conversations often and visioning sessions, doing media ecosystem mapping with different communities, Bell said. One question wed open up with is, What is your relationship with local news? By and large, Black folks and people of color said, I cant really assess the relationship, because there isnt a relationship. Its really a place of deficit and harm.

It can be hard to see the potential for radical transformation in the world of corporate news mediachange that would reconceptualize who and what journalism is for, how its produced, and who makes decisionsbut I was intrigued by Bells connection between ideas of harm reduction and liberation. Reparations are both a destination and a pathway, they told me. Reparations are not the only goalposts. The revolution that Media 2070 has in mind involves nurturing nontraditional independent media and changes to policy and practice. Money is key, too: recently, Bell and a colleague, Simon Galperin, called upon the Knight Foundation to redistribute a billion dollars of its wealth to media justice initiatives. (As of 2019, Knight was worth $2.4 billion.) In a piece for Nieman Lab, Bell and Galperin described Knight as the successor to the Georgia Telegraph, a newspaper that made its fortune in part by selling ads for escaped slaves. It continues to make journalism the beneficiary of historic and ongoing injustice, they wrote.

The American press today is certainly different, if not always better, than it has been in the past. Journalists, led by Black and other people from marginalized backgrounds, have fought admirably to change the way we report on inequity, to shed the baggage of both-sides-ism. But attempts to address structural inequities can feel maddeningly cyclical: there are periods of pressure we call reckonings, then institutions relapse into their old ways. The shifts can be jarring. Recently, the Kansas City Star published an apology to Black readers detailing how Decade after early decade it robbed an entire community of opportunity, dignity, justice and recognition. And then I checked Twitter, where I continue to scroll through posts detailing newsroom failuresabout editors questioning the role of white supremacy in explaining the past five years of American political life, say, or the Los Angeles Times (still) refusing to call George Floyds death cruel. Too often, conversations aiming to assess a newsrooms performance come with an urge to self-congratulate, so as to soften the embarrassment of too-slow progress. We are eager to talk about our gains, yet still too skittish in confronting our failures. After decades of attempting reform, we need to wonder how sincere weve been, if we have been truly reckoning with anything at all.

I put the question to Bell. Black folks are used to being called into conversations without seeing material or structural change, they replied. So I think theres a rightful hesitancy to say this reckoning isnt going to do anything. Then they continued, What it reminds me of is this quote by this farmer up in Virginia. Hes a Black and Indigenous farmer. Folks were asking him about land acknowledgments and people who make a stand not to celebrate Thanksgiving. He said that any gesture regarding dispossession or redistribution that results in white people feeling good, but leaves Indigenous people in the exact same position we were in before, is an affirmation of white supremacy. I felt a sense of kinship with that man. Apologies are nice, of course, but something else is required. And, certainly, something else is possible. Were ready when you are.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Krifts name.

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Alexandria Neason was CJRs staff writer and Senior Delacorte Fellow. Recently, she became an editor and producer at WNYCs Radiolab.
The recent storms in California have been tragic, killing at least nineteen people and soaking nearly the entire state, including cities, such as Palm Springs, that are more used to drought. But is climate change driving it?

It is maddening that, this far into the climate crisis, news outlets continue to dither as to whether a single weather event is related to the now-undeniable, violent changes in Earths weather. Did the warming of the planet produce the water that pulled a five-year-old boy from his mothers arms as he was on his way to school in San Luis Obispo County on Monday? It no doubt had a role. Is the cause and effect immediately and directly provable, on a chart or in a document? Of course not.

ICYMI: Is Twitter dying? And what would that mean for journalism?

The overwhelming scientific consensus is that Earth is warming, that man-made causes are to blame, and that one result is more extreme weather precisely like what weve seen this week on the West Coast. And yet the search for definitive causationfor hard proof that global shifts in climate produced a single event in one corner of one townhas become an odious tendency among journalists looking to create tension when there is none. It recalls efforts to normalize the presidency of Donald Trump, with political journalists and pundits debating whether this outrage or that was as bad as it looked, even as evidence piled up that his presidency was damaging the nations democracy.

Journalists no longer need to both-sides the climate question. Many outlets dont; this week, for example, Scientific American clearly conveyed that the California weather is the new normal. That would seem to be the story worth telling.

Scientists are doing their part to end the mystery; attribution science, which helps link local weather events to broader shifts, is gaining in sophistication and understanding. Help is also coming from local TV weathercasters who have emerged as unexpected heroes in efforts to more effectively tell the climate story. TV meteorologists are often the most trusted media figures in their markets, and the closest thing to a scientist many viewers see. The fact that they spend all day staring at the weather gives them unusual credibility in calling out changes on the ground.

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In 2019, Lucy Schiller profiled one such TV meteorologist, Eric Sorensen, for CJR. Sorensen was a trusted voice in an Iowa community that had broken for Trump in 2016 and had its share of climate skeptics. It had also experienced severe flooding in the months before we published Schillers profile.

Sorensen knew his audience, and knew that alarmism wouldnt workbut nor was he willing to ignore the broader changes that were evident to him. As Schiller wrote:

One gets the sense, spending time with Sorensen, that hes interested in matters of scale. In how to present, as a broadcast meteorologist beloved in this corner of the river, the global climate crisis in ways that make sense to his community and, inversely, in how to translate local weather events into larger climate patterns.

For Sorensen, the big story, of the shift in our global climate, was the one worth telling, with examples plucked from what he was seeing on the ground. One of the things that Ive learned, he told Schiller, is that people who dont understand climate change, it doesnt have to do with being ignorant, it has to do with experiencing it firsthand.

Last year, Sorensen was elected to Congress as a Democrat in an Illinois district that includes Rockford, where he grew up and worked as a meteorologist before moving to Iowa.

I believe that the climate story is one of the most important of our time. Its the reason that CJR cofounded Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration aimed at producing more and better climate coverage, and its why CJR aggressively covers how newsrooms are tackling the climate story.

The importance of the climate story crystallizes at a moment like this, when the effects of a shifting climate are playing out in the most populous state in the country. That story is compelling enough. You can check out Covering Climate Now here, and find Schillers great profile of Eric Sorensen here.



Other notable stories:

Finally, a programming note: This newsletter will be off Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Well see you on Tuesday.

ICYMI: What were watching in 2023

Kyle Pope is the editor in chief and publisher of the Columbia Journalism Review.
With T-Hubs support, DVC will get empowered to find fast-growing, innovative startups. (Photo By Arrangement)

HYDERABAD: US and India-based cross-border venture capital (VC) firm Dallas Venture Capital announced the DVC India Fund and partnership with T-Hub here on Friday. The partnership is a part of DVCs focus in 2023 that aims to scout startups to help them scale their business, enabling them to increase their customer base. DVC will also work closely with existing and new portfolio companies for the same.

With T-Hubs support, DVC will get empowered to find fast-growing, innovative startups. The startups will get support to create innovative technology that meet global market needs, increase their IT infrastructure efficiency and teams productivity, and improve their top-line performance.

Speaking with the media, IT Minister KT Rama Rao said "This partnership between two promising institutions aims to make Telangana a leading IT hub. Our state has great potential to meet the growing demands of the global IT industry.

Organizations like DVC and T-Hub, with their expertise and understanding of the international market, will be able to maximize the success of startups not only in Telangana but across India, he added.

Managing Director of DVC, Dayakar Puskoor said, The best of the B2B SaaS startups are being minted in India, and as a cross-border VC, Dallas Venture Capital is uniquely positioned for helping startups scale and grow globally through the DVC Advantage Program.

T-Hub CEO Srinivas Rao Mahankali T-Hub is committed to rigorously enhancing the investment capacity of Telangana state in deserving Indian startups based out of Hyderabad. With our strategically planned partnership with DVC, we are hopeful that startups will get an opportunity to learn from DVCs vast pool of mentor experts, access to networks and elite resources.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  Property giant Megaworld Corp., owned by tycoon Andrew Tan, is positioning itself in the booming tourism industry in the town of San Vicente, touted as Palawan's rising tourism gem, as it builds its first hotel in the province.

The company bared Thursday its plan to construct the 10-storey Savoy Palawan, with the hotel's opening eyed by 2028.

With 306 guest rooms and suites, Megaworld seeks to complement the increasing demand for accommodation facilities in the town.

"As we continue to tap on the rising opportunities in Philippine tourism, we also hope to meet the demand for accommodations in San Vicente, which is known to have the longest beach line in the entire country," Megaworld Hotels and Resorts managing director Cleofe Albiso said in a statement.

Savoy Palawan is designed to have a swimming pool with a separate kiddie pool, and a pool deck at the third level of the hotel.

It will also have its own ballroom and smaller function rooms, fitness center, spa with wet and dry sauna, and a kid's club.

This marks the group's fourth Savoy Hotel and 17th hotel property launched by Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, according to Albiso.

Out of the 17 properties, 12 hotels are operational including Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, Savoy Hotel Newport, Savoy Hotel Boracay, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, Belmont Hotel Manila, Belmont Hotel Boracay, Belmont Hotel Mactan, Kingsford Hotel Manila, Twin Lakes Hotel in Tagaytay, and Hotel Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) The US government sealed a deal with NOW Telecom, an affiliate of media and technology holding firm NOW Corp., to expand the 5G network in the Philippines.

In a disclosure on Friday, NOW Corp. said the letter of intent was signed by US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Director Enoh Ebong and NOW Telecom Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mel Velasco Velarde during the 5th Annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Japan.

Under the agreement, a USTDA-funded technical assistance would provide NOW Telecom with "analysis, designs, and plans for phased implementation" of the project's nationwide rollout of 5G mobile and fixed wireless network. The company earlier secured the US government's support to finance the advancement of the network in the Philippines.

The company is set to conduct a 5G pilot network in multiple sites in Metro Manila.

The planned partnership was first floated when US Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Philippines in November last year.

The White House's previous statement said teaming up with NOW Telecom for the deployment of 5G would "provide faster and more reliable digital services and increased broadband internet access for Filipinos countrywide."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  More is set to come from Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi on the coronation night of Miss Universe 2022.

Theres going to be a new gown for the finals and there is always that element, when its the finals, the whole energy, the whole vibe changes, Miss Universe Philippines director for communications Voltaire Tayag told CNN Philippines' The Source on Friday.

He is currently also in New Orleans, Louisiana USA where the 71st edition of the pageant is being held.

The preliminary round was held on Thursday, around 9 a.m. Manila time, where Miss Universe candidates battled it out for the swimwear, evening gown, and national costume.

Tayag said they are proud of what Cortesi has so far shown in the competition.

He said he was also able to speak with the countrys bet after yesterdays competition.

She felt great. She was very happy and one of the main things she said was that she was finally able to show the cape during the swimsuit competition, he said, referring to the cape that Cortesi wore during the swimsuit competition that featured numerous hand prints of Marawi children, symbolizing her advocacy for childrens rights.

So far, Cortesi has been receiving support from Filipinos in New Orleans, as well as from other nationalities.

With just two days left before the coronation, Tayag said he reminded Cortesi of what she has been working for in the past months.

I was just telling her this morning, this is what youve been working for all these years and all these months," he shared. "This is the time for you to give it all youve got."

I told her time and again that we believed in her from the very beginning and that she already has everything that it takes," Tayag added. "All she needs to do is to believe in her destiny and to just let go.

A total of 86 candidates are competing to be the next Miss Universe that will be held on Jan. 15 at 9 a.m., Philippine time.

If Cortesi takes home the crown, it will be the fifth Miss Universe title of the Philippines after Catriona Gray in 2018.
Editors note: Spoilers are included in the review to discuss vital points of the performances.

When one enters Ateneo de Manila Universitys Rizal Mini Theatre, one cannot help but notice how minimalist, if not bare, the stage design is. It isnt the most uproarious and sweeping image to open a twin-bill staging  Sustainable Eco Theatres Kinaiya, defined as a character from within. But what the production lacks in visual panache, it makes up for in its valuable materials that place environmental plunder at the forefront, confront womens plights amidst crippling patriarchy, and offer a timely critique of the Philippines ever-worsening social and political milieu.

With Ateneo Arete Sandbox Program and Ateneo Institute of Sustainability extending its hands, Isyan Sandoval and Alta Cervo (who headed the research team) uprooted Kinaiya from an initiative that aims to promote ecofeminism by incorporating a more sustainable approach in terms of costume and set design in theater production.

As it turns out, the decision to stage the performances in succession lends the materials differences in artistic merits but also an opportunity to fill each others narrative gaps, thereby culminating in a satisfying whole.

Here are a few insights on the two plays:

Pagluwal ng Aswang (written by Isyan Sandoval, directed by Abner Torres Delina Jr. and Serena Magiliw)

Filipino folklore, particularly the image of the aswang, has long been shaped as a propaganda weapon to defeat the ever-growing communist armed resistance in the countryside. As far back as the 1950s at the height of the cold war and even in the 2015 Lianga killings, supernatural creatures had been a convenient apparatus to obscure state affairs, conveying that creative genius can go a long way, especially if it is intended for monstrous acts.

Abner Torres Delina Jr. and Serena Magiliws Pagluwal ng Aswang anchors on this premise in chronicling the story of Pinagkrusan, a town ravaged by illegal logging and mining projects. Military men casually wreak havoc on the community and put the blame on Ka Amor (Elizabeth Alindogan), the lone town member  framed as the aswang  who resists their reign of terror.

One day, Ka Amor gets brutally murdered by the soldiers and Tana (CJ Lubangco), the villages midwife, bears witness to the cruel scene. She later finds out that the woman is pregnant, so she rushes to save the newborn, wandering into the mountains where rebels are believed to be camping out. Soon, Tana is also branded as an aswang, whom the townspeople are scared shitless of.

CJ Lubangco as Tana in Pagluwal ng Aswang. Photo from SUSTAINABLE ECO-THEATRE/FACEBOOK

Delina and Magiliw hardly take the material into surprising directions (yes, even the meeting of Tana and the ghost of Ka Amor towards the end is foreseeable from miles away). If anything, the directors bank on familiarity and political relevance, incorporating details from todays terrain of information disorder, news reports about wide-scale mining projects, and the relentless militarization of provincial areas, all while situating everything against the aswang mythos. Lines like kailangan natin ng pagkakaisa and wala talagang ambag si Bongbong, too on the nose as they are, also make it easy to emotionally invest in the script.

But the thematic gravity of Pagluwal ng Aswang rests on moments when the entire theater is rendered in pitch black, which accentuates the remarkable lucidity of Andrei Fabricantes lighting design. This is best displayed in the opening salvo as the stunning silhouette of the military men engulfs Ka Amor, who is simultaneously enveloped by brilliant lighting, amidst a narration raging in the background. The image demonstrates the power the soldiers hold over the woman, the very embodiment of patriarchy and state fascism. The scene near the end where the soldiers search for the rebels in the woods with only their flashlights illuminating the room, matched by Jack Alveros immersive sound design, also makes for a wise technical decision, enabling the audience to partake in the storys tension.

Lubangco in the lead role is a sight to behold, capturing Tanas resolute resistance amidst a network of routine violence, amidst a community that continues to provide her a plethora of reasons to cave in to injustice  most apparent even in quiet moments, such as in the scene where, after meeting the ghost of Ka Amor, she stands still under the shade of a tree and gazes into the abyss, rain ever so slowly drenching her, as if all her emotions are about to erupt, reverberating even as the lights fade out.

JJ Ignacio also turns in incredible work, creating a walking contradiction out of the community captain who claims to serve the interest of the townspeople but, in the same breath, welcomes with open arms the very people who exploit and turn Pinagkrusan into a ghost town.

Searing and openly defiant, Pagluwal ng Aswang obliges us to confront our tragic past and our far more tragic present  how easy it is to put in peril human lives in the face of greed, how accountability can escape our grasp the way mythmaking spreads like wildfire, and how the vile creatures that linger in our seemingly dead republic remain one and the same and no longer stay in the dead of night.

In what might be the most powerful political reworking of the myth of the aswang in recent memory, Alyx Ayn Arumpacs 2019 documentary film Aswang leaves the chilling line: Kapag sinabi nilang may aswang, ang ibig sabihin nila: matakot ka. Despite the story culminating in the status quo, Pagluwal ng Aswang drives the same message, pushing the conversation forward and posing an all-too-familiar yet paramount question: Kapag hawak mo na ang katotohanan, anong gagawin mo?

Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala (written by Eljay Castro Deldoc, directed by Jerome Ignacio)

Where Pagluwal ng Aswang is heavy and scathing in exhibiting power as an insidious force, Jerome Ignacios Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala goes for a warmer route, relentlessly offering the work with levity.

Playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc sets the story in the distant past, centering on Maria Isabella (Precious Grace Reonisto), a young girl who is enamored with Lorenzo, a boy obsessed with the stars so much that he walks blindfolded to reserve his sight for gazing at them.

Precious Grace Reonisto as Maria Isabella in Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala. Photo from SUSTAINABLE ECO-THEATRE/FACEBOOK

With Kevin Solis and Jaydee Andradas glorious costume design, the play opens with a scene in the market, where Maria Isabella interrogates every person she runs into, eager to learn Lorenzos whereabouts after supposedly saving him from an accident, to no avail. Later on, she comes across a young matadero (Cholo Ledesma) who keeps her company in an odyssey that navigates friendship, unrequited love, and freedom.

Cholo Ledesma in Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala. Photo from SUSTAINABLE ECO-THEATRE/FACEBOOK

Ignacios direction toys with humor at every turn, such as in scenes where he employs a stop-and-go technique every time the lead character interacts with a crowd, or when the narrators, most of whom double as bit players, enter a scene while standing on elevated platforms being maneuvered by their fellow actors. Deldocs script is also generous with witty exchanges, made more efficient by a committed cast, despite some overlap in line delivery.

But one cannot deny that the heart of the play hinges on Reonisto and Ledesma, whose brimming chemistry compensates for the materials premise that certainly necessitates suspension of disbelief. The pairs acting leaves no false note, and much of this owes to how well they have mastered timing and space onstage  from delivering lines, to taking each others movements as cues on what to do next and, more importantly, how to make it effortlessly hilarious.

So when they invite us to a classic heros journey, we make our way. The duo, after consulting Melchor Antevadez (Kevin Solis), the towns famed kitemaker, gather the materials needed to craft a gigantic kite enough to reach the stars in hopes of fulfilling Maria Isabellas desire to fly and once again lay her eyes on Lorenzo, who rarely leaves his room in his fathers tower, endlessly marveling at the stars and naming each of them.

Kevin Solis as Melchor Antevadez in Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala. Photo from SUSTAINABLE ECO-THEATRE/FACEBOOK

It would take them 60 years to complete the task, depicting how the story, moving as it is, undeniably exists within a pipe dream: how Maria Isabellas desire is largely informed by privilege (especially when juxtaposed against Tanas character motivation), how the young mataderos arc as a snapshot of child labor amid the materials zeitgeist leaves much wanting, and how its social commentary on environmental woes register more as a plot point subordinate to the romance at hand than a nuance such commentary requires.

Still, Maria Isabella at ang Guryon ng mga Tala knows how to earn the trust of its audience and take them into a cathartic finish that is simply hard to walk away from. So when Maria Isabella takes flight, its as if were also riding with her, because, in a country like the Philippines, staying alive often means leaving, especially for those who have the option to leave.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  Days before the 71st Miss Universe coronation night, Miss Universe Bahrain Evlin Khalifa took to her Instagram account to take pride in the Filipinos who supported her pageant journey.

Titled "For Filipinos," the Bahraini beauty queen on Thursday penned a heartwarming letter to express her "undying gratitude" to her Filipino pageant team, which she hailed as "undoubtedly the best in pageantry."

"In Bahrain, it might be a new opportunity for us to join the greatest competition of its kind, Miss Universe, but the wind beneath my wings are undoubtedly the best in pageantry. And this post is dedicated to my undying gratitude to my Filipino Team, without them, I can never call myself a queen," Khalifa said.

"Mahal ko kayo, to my walk trainer, my make-up artists, my stylist, my designer - all Filipinos - especially to my ever supportive National Director who is a certified Filipino pride and my co-National Director," she added.

Khalifa shared how Miss Universe Bahrain Organization national directors Josh Yugen and Ian Borromeo gave their wisdom, time, and effort to help her in her journey.

India's Harnaaz Sandhu will crown her successor during the much-awaited Miss Universe coronation night on Jan. 15 (Philippine time) in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Celeste Cortesi is the Philippines' representative.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  Following the stellar performance of Celeste Cortesi during the preliminary round of Miss Universe 2022, one of the designers of her Darna national costume shared the meaning behind the head-turning piece.

"If you will notice by history the costume of Darna is very simple so we want Darna to be shiny," fashion and accessory designer Jerome Navarro told CNN Philippines' The Source on Friday.

"It's the representation of the Philippines, shining through everywhere. The sun of the Philippines shining through everywhere," he said.

Cortesi's iconic national costume was made by Navarro with designer Oliver Tolentino. The former was behind the piece's metalwork accessories.

Miss Universe Philippines director for communications Voltaire Tayag said they had to wait for the approval of the family of Mars Ravelo, the creator of Darna, before using the costume that is why finishing the piece took time.

Navarro said he was given only 10 days to complete the metal details of the costume, with his craftsmen hammering the components 16 hours a day.

In her first fitting, Navarro shared that several adjustments were made in the costume to make sure that Cortesi would be comfortable wearing it, specifically the big gold metal headpiece.

However, the candidate was unable to fit the final costume in the Philippines since she had to fly to the United States mid-December.

"Even up to the last minute, I had doubts that she will be wearing it considering she didn't get to fit it here in the Philippines," he said. "But of course, not just me, my whole family, my whole clan, was so happy when we found out, finally, it's the Darna costume."

In an interview on CNN Philippines, Miss Universe 2013 3rd runner up Ariella Arida said the Darna costume has always been one of the favorites of Filipino pageant fans.

"I would always see comments that they would want to see a Darna costume and, for me, it wasn't bad at all," Arida told The Final Word.

"Celeste strutted very nicely and well that time. I think Darna is only popular to us locally. Now, people would have a wonder-women-like version for us," she added.

Cortesi will be facing 85 other candidates in coronation night of the 71st edition of the Miss Universe. This will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana on Jan. 15 at 9 a.m., Philippine time.

If Cortesi takes home the crown, it will be the fifth Miss Universe title of the Philippines after Catriona Gray in 2018.
Shooting in progress for 'Lokmanya', a show based on Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak's life. - By Arrangement

Aparna Padgaonkar is a known name when it comes to historical shows. She has been the creative producer for Mere Sai  Shraddha aur Saburi and Punyashlok Ahilyabai. She was the writer for Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar  Mahamanvachi Gauravgatha, another historical show.

Aparna Padgaonkar has also been associated with another popular historical show Punyashlok Ahilyabai.

Now, she is back as a writer for Lokmanya, currently on air on Zee Marathi and Zee5. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a staunch nationalist, had launched the Home Rule League and had famously said, Swarajya is my birthright and I will have it.

Deccan Chronicle caught up with the writer to understand the unique dynamics that go into the exhaustive research to bring to life a character like Tilak.

Congratulations on the new show Lokmanya. Can you please tell us why this specific subject was chosen?

Thank you. This subject had been lingering on my mind for a long time. It is very important to see that time period with a lot of caution. 1880 onwards, a period of 25 years is considered a renaissance for Maharashtra and ultimately for the entire country. This period saw an upheaval bringing in many changes. Tilaks story in a way depicts this changing society. Hence, it is very important.

How much of this show is fiction and how much of it is fact?

We would like to depict all the major instances that happened in his life and in the socio-political surrounding. The presentation is fictional but not the instances. We are taking utmost care not to promulgate any ideology. We shall try to cover all those aspects of his life which were important for public life. Those instances which make an impact on the shaping up of Maharashtra socially, politically and culturally, will for sure find a mention.

What were the unique challenges you faced while researching/writing for Lokmanya?

Lokmanya Tilak is a multi-faceted leader. Even kids talk about him during elocution competitions. Everyone will try to find what matches his or her impressions. So, creating one image with which everyone can identify, is the biggest challenge. And this has to be achieved without altering facts.

Is the story going to focus more on his personal life or his contribution to society and the Independence movement?

A leader like Lokmanya Tilak is no different in his personal life than his stance in public life. It is very important to understand their deeds through their writings, speeches, and also personal interactions. As much personal life is required to be shown, we will certainly show. It is very important to have an emotional touch to the story for the audience to remain hooked. This emotion shall come through the personalized presentation of his public life.

What, in your opinion, is the USP of this historical show?

History itself. The era, lifestyle, thought process everything. Common people love to go back to their roots. So, such a show can become the foundation of any society. It is a notebook on subaltern history. We are trying our best to recreate that era despite time and budget constraints.

What sort of research has gone into building the character and story of Tilak?

Arvind Gokhale has been our research guide for the show. He has been an eminent journalist and a scholar on Tilak. He was an editor for Kesari, the newspaper founded by Lokmanya himself. So, he is connected with the project even emotionally.

A lot of inputs have been taken from biographies of other contemporaries like Agarkar, M.G. Ranade, V.B. Phadke, and others. Also, various books on Maharashtra and especially Pune, Deccan College, or Ferguson College were studied by the research team to have references for people, costumes, architecture, etc.

Did you meet his family members? Any objections or suggestions from them?

The launch of this show happened at the Kesari Wada in Pune in the presence of family members. We were happy that they appreciated the episode and extended a helping hand for any reference.

Historical shows start with a bang but sustaining the momentum is a problem. What care has been taken to avoid this?

(laughs). Trade secret. stick to the facts If the story lingers around fictional aspects which have nothing to do with public life, then the audience may develop fatigue. So, maintaining pace is the key. It is also risky to add too many details that are beyond the reach of a common audience to handle. Historical projects - be it TV or film or OTT  are not 100 percent pure history but an honest tool to drive the interested ones towards reading more history.

How has been the response so far for the show?

Audiences have welcomed this show with affection, and alertness. For some Lokmanya Tilak is a rightist and anti-woman, anti-religious development leader. We often forget that he is the one who proclaimed the demand for political freedom in very clear words. He was also a scholar of mathematics and Oriental studies. Viewers try to find their perception of him in the character we have sketched. So, it is quite challenging.

Generally, any work based on history invites its share of criticism and controversy. Any such fears for Lokmanya?

We are doing it with no malicious motive in mind. If anyone shows our mistakes, we shall correct them. Praise will certainly make us feel good. But positive criticism will make us better at our work.

Is Lokmanya a series with a finite number of episodes?

It is a finite series, though the exact number is very difficult to ascertain, as this is a long-format show. As the research is still on, we continue to find many more things which we were not aware of earlier, and are equally important. But certainly, we shall not drag on aspects that are not directly connected with our heros public life.

Currently, the show is in Marathi. Do you think it would have been better had it been in Hindi or with subtitles so that it reaches a wider audience?

The cultural feel is better in the mother tongue, though the show shall be on the networks OTT platform Zee5, reaching out to audiences beyond the state.

What is your general take on historical shows and movies? Do you think they are portraying the characters as they should?

Firstly, one has to understand that shows and movies are not documentaries. The artistic presentation involves a lot of emotions and hence, liberties are taken.

Also, as far as Indian history is concerned, we are very poor at maintaining records or documentation. Hence, many times one has to portray a character or an event taking liberties. As much as these liberties are aligned with the philosophy the hero stood for, I think, it should be acceptable.

At the same time, we have to understand that the maker has a particular vision. He has his thought process and his own set of philosophies. That is bound to peep through his work. Towering personalities like Tilak are multi-faceted. It is not uni-directional. A show or a movie is a kaleidoscope of the events that happened in a persons life. Everyone may have a different view. As long as they can substantiate it with enough research, it should be acceptable.

We, as a society, cannot be very touchy or fragile so as to get our sentiments hurt every minute due to criticism. There can be arguments, discussions, and counters. Then only we can learn better from our history.

How is it different to write for a historical show compared to a regular one?

Today, circumstances are such that creating a regular show also requires a lot more care than earlier. With every line spoken or the costumes worn or any ritual shot, may lead to criticism or controversy. While creating a historical show, one has the research team keeping a tab on everything. But then even the audiences are also more alert.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  A teen who went viral for her social media post on luxury bags dished out a message for fellow netizens: "Luxury" can be seen through many different perspectives.

Singapore-based Zoe Gabriel told CNN Philippines' News Night on Friday that the term should not solely be associated with a brand's name or price.

"I think luxury can also be defined by how you feel when you receive something," Gabriel said.

"Many different perspectives come into play here. And we should all be respectful to everyone's experiences, because (they) may not always be the same," she added.

Gabriel was thrust into the spotlight in the past days following a TikTok post where she excitedly shared her "first luxury bag"  a black tote from fashion company Charles & Keith.

The clip, however, did not sit well with some netizens, who seemingly mocked her caption. "Who's gonna tell her?" wrote one commenter.

In a separate post, the 17-year-old explained that her family "did not have a lot," adding that her father "worked so hard" to earn money.

Despite some backlash, Gabriel thanked those who still supported her.

"When I receive things, it's just my way of showing my appreciation to the giver," Gabriel explained. "I did not expect this to blow up. But I'm so thankful for everyone who has shown their love and support thus far."

Gabriel's TikTok post has garnered 12 million views as of publishing.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  Around 95% of top officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have submitted their courtesy resignation, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Friday.

In a briefing, the PNP said this translates to 904 of the 954 full colonels and generals expected to tender their resignation in a bid to cleanse their ranks of illegal drug links.

Wala pa naman sinasabi, Abalos said when asked about the possible reason of the remaining 50 police officials who have not yet submitted their courtesy resignation.

Kasi yong iba diyan mga magre-retire na, alam mo yong mga one month to retire may mga ganon e, he explained.

[Translation: They have not yet said why. There are those that are nearing their retirement, there are cases that they have one month left before retirement.]

Asked if he expects the remaining 50 officers to heed the call, he said: Sana naman [Hopefully], were nearing the homestretch of all of this."

On Wednesday, PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo told CNN Philippines that the agency was still waiting for officers assigned in Visayas and Mindanao.

Fajardo also said in the interview that the PNP was expecting the completion of all submissions by this week. The deadline is on Jan. 31.

Walang [There will be no] insubordination, its an appeal, Abalos reiterated.

Meanwhile, Abalos said he has not checked yet if police officials allegedly linked to illegal drug activities have already filed their courtesy resignation.

PNP chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. earlier said less than 10 officers have been under investigation for alleged drug ties. But Abalos recalled that according Azurin, the initial percentage of police officers with illegal drug ties hovered at around 3%. This means at least 28 based on the count of 954 full colonels and generals.

The process  which is expected to last for three months  will involve the evaluation of the 954 officers by a five-man panel, which will then submit its recommended list to the National Police Commission for further review.

If enough pieces of evidence are found, a criminal case will be pursued, otherwise, those found innocent will continue with their service.

Kung wala namang ganong katibay (na ebidensiya) pero nakita talagang may involvement, let them retire peacefully, Abalos added.

[Translation: If there is no strong evidence but it was found that there was actual involvement, let them retire peacefully.]

No other members of the five-man committee have been named aside from Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who is a retired police general.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  A day after the six-hour long Senate probe into the air traffic mess, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has finally installed closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in its equipment room.

On Friday, CAAP Director General Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo released images to the press showing CCTV cameras being installed in the CAAP's Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) room.

"Salamat sa CAAP at inaksyonan nila ngayong araw ang utos natin kahapon sa Senado na lagyan agad ng CCTV cameras sa mga sensitibo and kritikal na areas na nakalagay ang ating CNS/ATM equipment," Senate President Miguel Zubiri said Friday.

[Translate: Thank you to the CAAP for acting on our order yesterday in the Senate to install CCTVs in the CNS/ATM area.]

"Sana nalagyan na yan dati pa ng CCTV para nalaman natin kung ano talaga nangyari noong Jan. 1 pero better late than never," Zubiri added.

[Translation: It should have been there before so we'd know what really went down on Jan. 1 but better late than never.]

It was through Zubiri's questioning that the CAAP admitted that its CNS/ATM room did not have CCTV surveillance.

"Unfortunately, we do not have any CCTV coverage inside the equipment room but in other areas of the facility, we have," Tamayo told the Senate on Thursday.

READ: CICC: Cyberattack still a possibility in air traffic system mess
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  No unique or unusual COVID-19 variants were detected among the eight infected Filipinos who returned to the country from China, the Department of Health reported.

The eight Pinoys arrived from China from Dec. 27, 2022 to Jan. 2, 2023. They all tested positive for COVID-19 on antigen tests.

"Nakita natin tatlo (3) don ay BF.7 at ang isa (1) ay BA 5.2. Ito yung mga hindi bagong variants. Dati na natin ito nade-detect. Unusual or unique? No," DOH Director IV of the Epidemiology Bureau Dr. Alethea De Guzman told reporters when asked about the genome sequencing results of the eight Filipinos.

[Translation: We saw three had BF.7 and one had BA 5.2. These are not new variants. We have detected these before.]

She added that while eight of them tested positive for COVID-19, four of the infected Pinoys could not be assigned a specific coronavirus lineage.

"Bakit hindi lahat may na-assign na lineages noh? Minsan sa kakatransport nadedegrade yung quality ng specimen kaya hindi natin siya ma-sequence," De Guzman explained.

[Translation: Why haven't all of them been assigned lineages? Sometimes, when in transit, the quality of the specimens degrade which is why we cannot sequence them.]

RELATED:

DOH: 8 Filipinos from China positive for COVID-19 via antigen test

DOH: Genome sequencing results of 8 COVID-positive Pinoys from China out by next week
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  Former Maguindanao governor Sajid Ampatuan has been found guilty of graft and falsification of public documents over ghost construction projects in 2009.

The Sandiganbayan's Fifth Division handed out the verdict Friday morning, though Ampatuan was nowhere to be found.

Ampatuan's lawyer said his client is in Maguindanao due to gout, a form of arthritis.

A warrant of arrest has been issued against him following his conviction. He was sentenced to a minimum of 65 to a maximum of 112 years imprisonment.

"Accused Sajid acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith, and gross inexcusable negligence when he authorized orders and payments for fuel and lubricant products despite the absence of public bidding," the anti-graft court said.

Sajid was charged along with his brother Andal Ampatuan Jr. for awarding over 22 million worth of supply contracts to Shariff Aguak Petron station owned by Andal Jr. without holding public bidding.

The contracts supposedly covered the supply of fuel and lubricants to various infrastructure projects, which were later found to be fictitious.

However, Andal Jr., who is currently serving his sentence for the Maguindanao massacre at the New Bilibid Prison, was acquitted due to the prosecution's failure to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Meanwhile, former provincial and project engineers Yahiya Kandong, Omar Camsa, Anthony Kasan, Akmad Salim and Jaypee Piang were also found guilty in the falsification charges.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  It's all systems go for the celebration of the Feast of Sto. Nino in Tondo and Pandacan in Manila this weekend.

While this year marks the return of some traditions, some were also replaced because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Here's what to expect in this year's Feast of Sto. Nino celebration:

Motorcade replaces traditional "Lakbayaw"

The traditional "Lakbayaw" is a procession accompanied by dance and music during the Feast of Sto. Nino de Tondo.

This year, it will be replaced by a motorcade, which begins at 7:00 a.m. on Jan. 14, according to the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Nino in Tondo.

Fiesta masses will also be held from 3:00 p.m. to midnight.

On the feast day itself on Jan. 15, masses will be from 12:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Consecutive masses will also be held from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 15 at the Sto. Nino Parish in Pandacan.

The Feast of the Sto. Nino de Tondo and Sto. Nino de Pandacan is celebrated in the two Manila parishes every third Sunday of the year in honor of the infant Jesus.

Return of street dance competition

This year marks the return of the "Buling-Buling ng Maynila sa Pandacan" dance festival and "Lakbayaw" street dance festival competition.

"Hindi man siya [Lakbayaw dance contest] yung parties o parada na nakasanayan noong pre-pandemic, but at least now magkakaroon ng pagkakataon magkaroon ng ati-atihan na sayaw," Princess Abante, Office of the Mayor Head of Communications, told CNN Philippines.

[Translation: It may not be the parties or parades we were used to during pre-pandemic times, but at least we have a chance to hold the ati-atihan again.]

"First time din po ulit magkakaroon ng pagsayaw ng Buling-Buling sa kalye ng Pandacan," she added.

[Translation: It's also the first time the Buling-Buling sa Pandacan dance festival will be back.]

Road closure

The Manila Police District (MPD) announced several road closures and alternative routes effective Jan. 14 to 15 to give way to the festivities.

Abante said affected roads will reopen after the festivitives.

Liquor ban

On Thursday, the City of Manila also imposed a liquor ban in parts of Tondo and Pandacan this weekend. It will also implement an ordinance prohibiting the drinking of liquor and other alcoholic beverages in public places such as streets and alleys.

"Ang liquor ban natin is within the immediate vicinity of the churches na tampok sa fiesta. Hindi ito para sa buong Pandacan at Tondo. Ang liquor ban din ay pagbabawal sa pagbenta," Abante said.

[Translation: The liquor ban is for areas within the immediate vicinity of the churches involved in the fiesta.This is not for the whole Tondo and Pandacan. A liquor ban also prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages.]

Safety and security

MPD Director Brigadier General Andre Dizon told CNN Philippines around 600 personnel will be deployed to secure the festivities this weekend.

The MDP also implemented a gun ban from Jan. 14 to 16 in the City of Manila.

The Manila Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office will also be on standby for possible emergencies.

Abante reminded the public to wear face masks and to observe physical distance during the festivities.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  The government is fast-tracking the privatization of the countrys main gateway for its upgrade and to increase capacity, a Cabinet official said.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said his agency targets to start reviewing proposals by the end of the first quarter of the year.

We will work and fast-track the privatization of the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport)..., Bautista told the Senate Committee on Public Services on Thursday. We will fast-track the conditions of the terms of reference.

In a statement on Friday, the transportation department said the airport can only handle 40 to 44 movements of aircraft an hour.

Should its privatization push through, the NAIA can increase its aircraft capacity to 50 or even 55 aircraft movements, it said.

Bautista first bared in late December plans to privatize NAIA. At the time, he said they were working on the implementing rules and regulation of the public-private partnership to make it "investor-friendly."

NAIA hogged headlines due to the air traffic system breakdown on New Years Day, which led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights and affected 65,000 passengers.

Last week, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. apologized for the incident and vowed his administration will make sure it will not happen again.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  The Office of the Solicitor General should file a 'convincing' appeal on the Supreme Court decision that invalidated the joint maritime exploration in the West Philippine Sea, a former Malacanang official said on Friday.

Harry Roque, former presidential spokesperson and founder of the Center for International Law, said the high court decision over the Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) between the Philippines, China, and Vietnam in 2005 could potentially worsen disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

"That decision is wrong, it simply is wrong. You do not apply the Constitution to one area which is described as forming part of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)," said Roque in a speech during a media event organized by the Chinese embassy on Friday.

"Under the UNCLOS the area covered by the JMSU is subject to sovereign rights. In other words, the 60-40 rule by the Constitution should not have been applied in an area covered by EEZ," said Roque.

He said coastal states with sovereign rights are entitled to explore and exploit natural resources for practical reasons.

Roque warned against the potential impact of the decision especially in peacefully resolving disputes in the West Philippine Sea.

"The court unwittingly has bound the hands of the president as chief executive and chief architect of foreign policy in peacefully resolving disputes in the West Philippine Sea," he added.

Roque said the best option for now is for Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra to appeal the decision.

"I am hoping the Office of the Solicitor General will file a comprehensive and a convincing motion for reconsideration for at stake is not only the peaceful resolution of the West Philippine Sea but also the right of the Filipino people to benefit from the natural resources found in Recto Bank," Roque said.

Voting 12-2-1, the Supreme Court En ruled on Tuesday that the JMSU was unconstitutional because it allowed foreign companies to explore the countrys natural resources.

READ: SC voids 2005 joint oil exploration deal among PH, China, Vietnam

President Bongbong Marcos and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resume talks over joint maritime oil exploration.

Related: PH to consider SC ruling on void joint exploration deal in future talks with China
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  A number of bus units of a major company serving Luzon were suspended over a road crash in La Union that killed three people.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Friday ordered the grounding of 26 units of Victory Liner Inc. plying the Cubao to Baguio City route via Dau, Tarlac, and Urdaneta for 30 days upon receipt of the order.

The LTFRB said it directed the drivers of the suspended public utility buses (PUBs) to undergo a road safety seminar conducted by the Land Transportation Office, while Victory Liner was told to present roadworthiness certificates of the buses and for these to undergo regular preventive maintenance service.

It also directed Victory Liner to show proof that it extended financial assistance and paid insurance benefits to the victims families.

The bus company was directed to explain within 72 hours why its Certificate of Public Convenience (CPC) or permit to operate should not be suspended, canceled, or revoked, and to appear before the LTFRB on Jan. 24.

On Jan. 3, the LTFRB said a Victory Liner bus traveling from Cubao to Baguio City crashed and slammed onto an acacia tree after the driver lost control due to a tire blowout.

The bus conductor and two passengers were killed while rescuers brought the injured passengers to the nearest hospital.

"While the incident may look like it was unintentional, it could have been still avoided had the bus involved underwent a thorough road-worthiness inspection. This should be a lesson learned for all public utility vehicles," LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)  Amid lagging distribution numbers, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to hasten the issuance of the digital National ID or the ePhilID.

"Naiwanan na tayo sa technology (we've been left behind in terms of technology), so we have to catch up," Marcos said during a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) on Thursday.

Marcos issued a directive to the PSA to hasten its distribution of the IDs during the PSAC meeting.

He also highlighted the Public-Private Partnership proposal between the PSA and the private sector and asked that the latter aid in the distribution of the digital IDs.

According to the PSA, one of the implementing agencies of the project, 10,126,352 ePhilIDs had been issued by December 2022. This is only half of the projected target of 19.9 million ePhilIDs by the end of 2022.

READ: PSA confident to meet year-end target of printing 30.1 million natl IDs

Marcos earlier promised the delivery of 50 million National IDs by the end of 2022 in his State of the Nation Address.

READ: Marcos promises to deliver 50 million national IDs by year-end

Meanwhile, the PSA's Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) mobile application to assist in the digitalization of the National ID system is slated to launch in the first quarter of 2023.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chairs a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, weeks after twin militant attacks in Rajouri, at Raj Bhavan in Jammu. (PTI Photo)

SRINAGAR: Union home minister Amit Shah said on Friday that the security forces will enforce a 360-degree net in Jammu and Kashmir to wipe out terrorism and its ecosystem. He said a similar mechanism will also be strengthened further "to completely eliminate the support and information system of terrorists".

Mr Shah was addressing the media in Jammu after holding a high-level security review meeting in J&Ks winter capital against the backdrop of the recent back-to-back terror attacks in the border district of Rajouri.

Before the "crucial" meeting, he was scheduled to fly to Rajouri's Upper Dhangri village, where seven Hindu residents, including two children, were killed and ten others wounded in January 1-2 incidents. However, due to inclement weather, Air Traffic Control did not grant clearance for his onward helicopter journey.

The official sources said that Mr Shah has taken a serious view of the Upper Dangri incidents and asked the security forces to step up the offensive against the separatist militants, whose number is believed to have only increased in the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch.

The home minister said: "My desire was to share the grief of the victims' families in Rajouri, but I could not go there due to bad weather. I spoke to all the families over the phone and tried to share their grief."

Asked if he will extend his visit so that he could travel to Rajouri to meet the victims families, Mr Shah said, "There is a bad weather advisory for the next three days. I will come again and surely meet the families of the Rajouri attack victims."

He said that while speaking to the families of each slain civilian over the phone, "I was glad that, despite losing dear ones, they are ready to fight terror with full vigour."

Mr Shah added: "The courage of all those victims families is an example for the whole country. It is a big thing to maintain the morale of fighting hard even after such a big incident."

The home minister said that by pursuing the policy of "zero tolerance" against terrorism under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi all security agencies are fighting a decisive battle against this menace. He asserted: "The government led by Modiji stands firmly with the families of the victims and is determined to help them. With full empathy, the affected families will be given benefits through various schemes of the government, along with this all-possible help will be provided by the lieutenant-governor (of J&K) with relief measures under his authority".

He said that at Fridays meeting all aspects of security were discussed threadbare and it was decided to create a very secure grid in the coming days. "All the security agencies of the country are fully prepared and their morale is high with confidence to prevent such incidents."

Announcing that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will, in close cooperation with the J&K police, probe the Upper Dangri incidents, he said that all militancy-related incidents that took place in the Jammu region during the past one-and-a-half years will also be investigated by the NIA.

He said: "Jammu police will work jointly with the NIA and bring the culprits of the Rajouri carnage to justice. The NIA will also probe all the terrorism-related incidents that took place in the region in the past one-and-a-half years."

The Union home minister reiterated that the security agencies in Jammu are alert and "committed to wipe-out terror, its ecosystem, over ground workers network and zero-in on those who are providing logistic support to terrorism."

Replying to questions, the home minister said that compared to the time when "terrorism took birth in J&K", there have been the least number of incidents and deaths in recent times. He said that within three months the security grid in every area of Jammu will be made impenetrable by further strengthening it. "I assure the citizens of Jammu that whatever the intention of the terrorist organisations, our security agencies will be ready to protect Jammu," he added.

He said that all the security agencies responsible for maintaining peace in the Jammu region attended Fridays meeting. "All of us agreed to cast a 360-degree net to wipe out terrorism from the region."

Asked about strengthening the village defence committees (VDC) in the Rajouri-Poonch region in the wake of the recent attack, he said, "The decision to strengthen the VDCs was taken in August last year. This should not be linked to the Rajouri incident.

Replying to another question, he said the security forces "are giving a befitting reply to every plan of terror". He added: "J&K L-G has taken a series of steps to protect the minority members as he has the powers to do so. If we go by the figures, minority killings are far less compared to previous years."

He further said, "I can tell you surely that the situation is much better than what it was earlier here in J&K. Civilian killings were reduced post abrogation of Article 370."

The security review meeting was attended, among others, by the L-G, the Union home secretary, chief secretary, financial commissioner (Home) and DGP of J&K, Armys Northern Command Chief and other senior officers of the Army, BSF, CRPF, other Central Armed Police Forces, J&K police and intelligence agencies.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13) - The Senate may hold a closed-door executive session with the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center to discuss the cyberattack angle in the air traffic management system shutdown on New Year's Day.

"We may call for an executive session with the CICC," Senator Grace Poe, chairperson of the committee on public services, said in a text message to CNN Philippines on Friday.

That's a day after the CICC  an attached agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technology  told the Poe-led Senate hearing that it has yet to rule out the possibility that a cyberattack caused the incident that closed off the country's airspace, leaving tens of thousands of travelers stranded.

It was a departure from what was earlier announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

CICC Undersecretary Alexander Ramos clarified that all they did was an initial, inconclusive investigation, adding that they lacked the tools and equipment to scan the system. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called for a formal investigation and said he will request more details in an executive session.

READ: CICC: Cyberattack still a possibility in air traffic system mess

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros wants the cybersecurity units of the Armed Forces and the DICT to lead the investigation, instead of the CAAP.

"CAAP's attempts to blame anyone but themselves includes their hasty conclusion that this was not a cyberattack. That is neither within their mandate nor capabilities to announce so," Hontiveros said in a separate statement.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who chairs the committee on national defense, said the incident is an eye-opener, recalling the revelation that there's not a single closed-circuit television or CCTV camera in the equipment room of the Communications, Navigation and Surveillance System of the country's Air Traffic Management Center.

"The lack of CCTV in one of the most crucial locations in the airport facility that has the vital equipment of the communication, navigation, surveillance/air traffic management system and the possibility of a cyberattack behind the technical glitch in the NAIA last Jan. 1 magnifies the logistical woes of our country's main gateway," Estrada said.

"While we, lawmakers, try to come up with urgent remedial legislation, I would defer to the experts on the matter of whether or not it was a case of a cyberattack. If so, Congress and the Executive should seriously consider the appropriation of funds for the much-needed upgrade," he added.

Unsatisfied with the CAAP's answers

After a six-hour hearing on Thursday, senators agreed they were still kept in the dark as to what really happened on Jan. 1. At the end of the hearing, Poe called on CAAP employees to speak up if they know anything that would shed light on the incident, and promised to protect them.

"Instead of getting their facts straight for the sake of aviation safety, they again and again attempted to deflect accountability. No critical questions were answered, and only more problems came to light," Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros also wants the first responders summoned to the next hearing.

"We will suggest to the committee that it call in the actual personnel who first observed the issue, that filled up the manual logs, and those who took remedial action like the personnel who bypassed the UPS (uninterrupted power supply). We should hear straight from them," the opposition senator said.

Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri said the chamber has to wait for the results of the forensic investigation on the faulty circuit breaker which the CAAP blames for the system breakdown.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, said it's "too early to say" if CAAP officials should face administrative and criminal charges. Poe agrees.

"Based on our hearing, it was clear that while CAAP believes it has the people and the equipment in place, it has come up short in addressing an incident that started with an apparatus failure. But we are not passing judgment yet as we have yet to conclude the Senate probe," she said.

CAAP Director General Manuel Tamayo earlier said he was willing to file a leave of absence if his continued leadership would cast doubts on the fact-finding efforts and investigations.

Related: CAAP, DOTr eye new backup air traffic management system by Q1 2023
(CNN)  As Jo Wang, an event planner in Beijing, watched her family members fall ill with Covid-19 one by one late last month she had a single goal: find antiviral pills to protect her elderly grandfather when his turn came.

After three days of trying and failing to purchase a box of Pfizer's Paxlovid on an e-commerce platform, she got lucky, scoring the Covid treatment via an official channel on the fourth day and receiving it by mail on the sixth. But Wang, who was breaking the rules by seeking the prescription proactively -- before her grandfather fell ill -- was also wracked with guilt.

"I felt really bad at that time ... you don't know how many days it will take to buy this medicine, it is completely unknown. And you don't know how long the people in your family can hold on," she said, stressing her fear that if she waited until the 92-year-old fell ill, it would be too late to get the pills, which are most effective early in the illness. "It's a very desperate situation."

Wang is not the only resident scrambling to secure Western medications as a wave of Covid-19 overwhelms China, driving up demand for treatment -- especially for the country's large undervaccinated elderly population.

In recent weeks, many have turned to the black market where hawkers claim to sell Covid treatments ranging from illegal imports of Indian-made generics of Pfizer's Paxlovid and Merck's molnupiravir to the bonafide product -- up to nearly eight times the market price.

Rising frustration over the shortages was compounded by an announcement Sunday that the government had failed to reach an agreement with Pfizer to include Paxlovid under its national insurance plan, with officials saying the price asked was too high. That decision could mean that after March 31, the drug will only be available to those who can afford to pay full price, with current rates reportedly around 1,900 yuan ($280) per course.

Paxlovid has been shown to reduce the risk of death and hospitalization in high risk patients when used soon after the onset of symptoms. Last February, the drug, widely used in developed countries, became the first oral pill specifically for Covid to be authorized in China.

China did agree to cover two other treatments used for Covid-19 in the latest talks -- the traditional Chinese medicine Qingfei Paidu and the homegrown antiviral pill Azvudine. There is limited data on how well Azvudine protects against severe disease.

The pricing pitfall and shortages, nearly a year after the pill was first authorized and months after Pfizer tapped a domestic drugmaker for local production, show the challenges facing China as its government grapples with demand for treatments for its population of 1.4 billion after abruptly dropping its Covid controls last month.

Prized pill

Currently, Pfizer's imported pill is available in community hospitals in some cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Guangzhou, according to state media. It is also sold on several e-commerce platforms, where there is some suggestion in local reports that supply constraints are easing.

But there are questions about how broadly the pills will be distributed across China and if there is sufficient medical resources to prescribe them -- an urgent issue as the outbreak shifts from urban hubs to smaller cities and rural China. Experts say procurement appears to be decentralized, with the pills more readily available at hospitals in better resourced major cities and tougher to find elsewhere.

On Monday, Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla said the company had ramped up exports, sending millions of courses of Paxlovid to China in the past couple weeks, and was working with its domestic partner Zhejiang Huahai to manufacture Chinese-made Paxlovid in the first half of this year, according to Reuters.

But Bourla, speaking at a conference in San Francisco, also quashed hopes the company might reach a deal with China for domestic drugmakers to produce a generic version of the drug to be sold in-country -- denying a January 6 Reuters report that such an arrangement was being discussed.

US-based Merck, known as MSD internationally, on Wednesday said on its WeChat account that it would take legal action against some manufacturers that are supplying unauthorized versions of its Covid drug. The company said it would also partner with domestic firm Sinopharm to supply China with its pill, which is sold under the brand name Lagevrio. Neither Western firm currently holds a patent for the drugs in China, according to a WHO-affiliated database, though both have filed for one.

But as the immediate shortages -- and issues of cost -- play out in one of the world's largest generic drug-producing countries, they also throw the spotlight on global issues related to intellectual property rights, according to experts who examine access to medicines.

Two Chinese companies slated to manufacture generic versions of Paxlovid have already submitted their products for evaluation by the World Health Organization (WHO), according to the WHO-affiliated Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) -- a signal that they are ready to begin producing the medicine.

Those companies, Zhejiang Huahai and Apeloa Pharmaceutical, along with two others in China, were granted sublicenses in 2022 to make the full generic pill to supply 95 lower and middle income markets -- not including China -- under an earlier deal between Pfizer and the MPP, an organization that facilitates access to treatments for people in poorer countries.

"At the scale of the health crisis taking place (in China), the most logical next step (would be) that these licenses are expanded to include allowing domestic supply in China, including from other producers (in the region)," said Ellen 't Hoen, a former executive director of the MPP and current head of the Medicines Law & Policy project.

However, if the drug developer was unwilling to take that step -- as Bourla indicated Pfizer was on Monday -- there are measures China could take, such as pledging to protect companies that make generic supplies or importing generics from elsewhere, using legal measures allowed under the World Trade Organization rules during health emergencies, 't Hoen said.

That potential has been discussed in public forums in China. Commentators there point out the country has no track record of using these flexibilities, which are often employed with caution by countries, given their potential to irk foreign pharmaceutical companies and the countries where they are based.

In China's case, concerns about impacting the local economy -- in which foreign pharmaceutical firms are major employers -- was likely a key reason for the government's reticence to use such measures, said Yanzhong Huang, a senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

Beijing this month called on authorities to enhance oversight of online sales of drugs and crack down on price gouging, false advertising and the infringement of intellectual property.

Pfizer talks stall over cost

China may be hoping that more domestic antiviral pills in development are able to fill the void. Throughout the pandemic, its regulators have largely opted for homegrown tools to confront the virus -- with Beijing yet to approve a foreign Covid vaccine.

Health officials have recently sought to assure the public about affordable access to treatments and downplay the potential impact of the government's failure to include Paxlovid in its national insurance scheme. A top health official on Wednesday said that hundreds of pills to alleviate Covid symptoms were already covered by insurance and new viral treatments were in the pipeline.

State-run nationalist tabloid Global Times on Monday ran an opinion piece blaming "US capital forces" for China's inability to cut a deal with Pfizer to include the pills in the national insurance.

"During the past days, a growing number of US politicians and media outlets have been making shrill 'warnings' about the epidemic in China ... If they do care about it, why don't Pfizer drop some pursuit of the profit, and cooperate with China with a little more sincerity?" said the article.

Bourla on Monday said talks broke off after China had asked for a lower price than Pfizer is charging for most lower middle income countries.

In a separate statement to CNN, Pfizer declined to comment on what price it had offered, but said: the company "will continue to collaborate with the Chinese government and all relevant stakeholders to secure an adequate supply of Paxlovid in China" and remained "committed to fulfilling the Covid-19 treatment needs of Chinese patients."

But for those who have been grappling with the immediate problems of gaining access to medicines for themselves and their families, like Wang in Beijing, there is a feeling -- for now anyway -- that the system isn't working.

"It's cruel ... no matter how we feel, there's nothing we can do," she said. "It's not the case that your effort or expectation can make the situation better."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Frustration is rising over Covid drug shortages in China, and there are no easy answers."
(CNN) Japanese prosecutors on Friday said they have indicted a man suspected of murdering former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last year in a fatal shooting.

Nara prosecutors' office said in a statement it had indicted Tetsuya Yamagami on murder and firearms charges after Abe was shot dead on July 8 while giving a campaign speech on a street in the city.

The Nara District Court confirmed to CNN it has received the indictment.

Yamagami has been undergoing psychiatric evaluation in Nara since his arrest last year to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial, public broadcaster NHK reported. His detention period evaluation expired on Tuesday, NHK added.

Yamagami was detained at the scene and admitted to shooting Abe, according to Nara Nishi police.

Doctors said the bullet that killed the former prime minister was "deep enough to reach his heart" and that he died from excessive bleeding.

Abe, 67, the former Liberal Democratic Party leader and Japan's longest-serving prime minister, held office from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020, before resigning due to health reasons.

His assassination in broad daylight shocked the world and sent shock waves through Japan. World leaders offered their condolences while thousands of mourners gathered in the streets of Tokyo to pay tribute. An elaborate and controversial state funeral was held for Abe in September.

NHK reported at the time that the suspect had targeted the former prime minister because he believed Abe's grandfather  another former leader of the country had helped the expansion of a religious group he held a grudge against.

CNN has not been able to independently confirm what group Yamagami was referring to, however, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida referenced Abe's connections to the Unification Church during a parliamentary session last September, saying there were "limits to understanding" the former prime minister's ties to the group following his death.

In October, Kishida ordered an investigation into the church amid a growing scandal tying his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to the controversial religious group that has seen a number of ministers resign.

The church, originally known as the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, was founded in South Korea in 1954. It had a global reach by the 1980s and remains prominent in parts of Asia today.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Japan indicts man suspected of murdering former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe"
(CNN)  Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Thursday found the country's former President Maithripala Sirisena and four other senior government officials responsible for failing to prevent the 2019 Easter bombings that killed at least 290 people and injured hundreds.

A seven-judge bench ruled Sirisena was negligent because he failed to prevent the tragedy despite being in possession of credible intelligence warning of the attacks.

The court ordered Sirisena to pay $273,300 from his personal funds to family members of the victims. The other officials were ordered to pay a total of $574,000. The court also ordered that a victims' fund be established at the Office of Reparation to "investigate the alleged underpayment or nonpayment" of compensation.

It also directed the government to "take appropriate disciplinary action" against former State Intelligence Service Chief Nilantha Jayawardena for his "lapses and failures."

The verdict comes more than three years after a series of bombs ripped through churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Several of those bombs exploded inside churches during Easter services in three cities. Christians in Sri Lanka account for less than 10% of the country's population.

Shortly after the attacks, the Sri Lankan government admitted it had failed to act on multiple warnings from intelligence agencies, including from India and the United States.

In the days following the attacks, Sri Lankan intelligence services said they believed the bombers had clear links to ISIS.

The trial of 25 men accused of plotting the bombings was adjourned last year with the court yet to reach a verdict.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Sri Lanka's top court orders former president to compensate 2019 Easter bombings victims."
(CNN)  A vast majority of Brazilians condemn recent riots and invasions of federal government buildings, and more than half say former President Jair Bolsonaro is at least partially responsible for them, according to new polling.

Polling firm Datafolha released new figures Wednesday showing that 93% of Brazilians condemn the attacks on the Congress, Presidential Palace and Supreme Court buildings while only 3% support them.

On Sunday, protesters supporting Bolsonaro besieged federal buildings in the capital city Brasilia, calling for the military to intervene and oust leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who returned to power after a 12-year hiatus following a slim run-off victory over Bolsonaro last October.

More than half of Brazilians  55%  said Bolsonaro holds at least some responsibility for the attacks carried out by his supporters, while 39% said he cannot be held responsible.

According to the poll, 46% think that all those involved in the invasion should be imprisoned, while 9% say that no one should go to jail.

Regarding the handling of the attacks by the new government, 64% of those interviewed said they believe the government will control the situation from now on, while 29% think that da Silva will fail to do so. The telephone poll interviewed 1,214 Brazilians over 16 years old on January 10 and 11.

The fallout from the attacks continues this week.

Lula da Silva said Thursday that some of the military police of the Federal District, which includes the capital Brasilia, and the armed forces had colluded with protesters when they entered the Congress, Presidential Palace and Supreme Court.

Footage shared of the attack appeared to show forces standing by and watching protesters march into government buildings.

During a press conference from the Presidential Palace, Lula da Silva told journalists that his government will investigate public agents suspected of helping the protesters.

"I'm waiting for the dust to settle. I want to see all the tapes recorded inside the Supreme Court, inside the palace. There were many people complicit in this. There were many from the MP (military police), many from the armed forces complicit," Lula da Silva said.

He added, "I am convinced that the door of the Planalto Palace was open for these people to enter because there is no broken door. It means someone facilitated their entry here. We will investigate very calmly and see what really happened."

Investigators are racing to find the riot's perpetrators and donors. The Brazilian Attorney General's Federal Office (AGU) requested the Federal District Judiciary to block the assets of 52 people and seven companies with alleged ties to the January 8 rioters, according to a document shared by the Federal District Judiciary on Thursday.

The document refers to the people and the companies who allegedly financed the buses used to take Bolsonaro supporters from various parts of the country to Brasilia to protest on January 8.

"The defendants played a decisive role in the development of January 8 events, and, therefore, must be responsible for the damage caused to the federal public property," the Attorney General's Office said in its request.

A total of R$52 million Brazilian reais (about US$10 million) in assets belonging to the suspects is requested to be blocked and to be used for repairs to damaged property if they are found guilty.

The Attorney General's Office can request the judiciary to block additional assets as the damages are further evaluated.

On Thursday morning, the Federal District Penitentiary Administration Secretariat reported that 2,082 people had been detained or arrested by the Federal District Military Police and other security forces following the attacks.

"All detainees were identified by the Federal Police and will be held responsible, to the extent of their responsibilities, for crimes of terrorism, criminal association, attack against the Democratic State of Law, coup d'etat, persecution, incitement to crime, among others," reads the statement.

CNN has reached out to Brasilia's Federal District Military Police and Armed Forces for comment.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Vast majority of Brazilians condemn weekend rioting as more than 2,000 held by police"
(CNN)  The United Arab Emirates will soon become the first Arab nation to teach the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust in its schools, a historic move that has been praised in some quarters  but also criticized in others.

The UAE plans to include Holocaust education in the curriculum for primary and secondary schools, the country's embassy in the United States tweeted last week.

The UAE says it will work with the Tel Aviv- and London-based Institute for Monitoring Peace and Cultural Tolerance in School Education, and Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial museum in Jerusalem to help build a new curriculum, according to a report in the Times of Israel.

"Now we have the opportunity to reach new audiences and Yad Vashem is working on paving the way to bring Holocaust awareness to the Arab-speaking world," the organization's spokesperson Simmy Allen told CNN. "Across most of the Arab-speaking world, until recently, there was little to no dialogue with Yad Vashem about the events and atrocities of the Holocaust," he added.

The teaching of the Holocaust has been largely absent from governments' school curricula in Arab countries, but the UAE has been doubling down on Holocaust awareness since normalizing relations with Israel in 2020 in a pact known as the Abraham Accords.

UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed visited Berlin's main Holocaust memorial in late 2020 with his Israeli counterpart. In 2021, the first Holocaust memorial exhibition in the Arab region opened in Dubai, and last year, the foreign minister made a highly publicized visit to Yad Vashem, where he laid a wreath.

In an article published in Israel's Jerusalem Post in 2021, Ali Al Nuaimi, chairman of the Defense Affairs, Interior and Foreign Relations Committee of the UAE's Federal National Council for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, wrote that school curricula in the Arab world "have omitted critical parts of history in the West," including the Holocaust, for too long. Muslims, he argued, "must liberate themselves from the burdens of history to move ahead toward the future."

The move is "a natural outgrowth of the Abraham Accords," Kristin Smith Diwan, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, told CNN.

"The UAE leadership has been engineering cultural change to support its strategic objectives," she said. "Embracing ethnic diversity has accompanied the expansion of a global workforce, and interfaith dialogue has aided in countering pan-Islamism and religious extremism."

It isn't clear whether the UAE's move will apply only to government-run schools or the hundreds of private schools in the country. The UAE's ministry of education didn't respond to CNN's request for comment by the time of publication.

Approximately 90% of the UAE's population of about 10 million is made up of expatriates according to World Bank data, many of whom send their children to privately run schools that teach international curricula that often include Holocaust education.

Emiratis on social media were largely silent about the decision to teach the Holocaust, but Abdul Khaleq Abdulla, a prominent UAE commentator and political science professor, commented on the announcement in a tweet, saying there was no need for it.

"There has been repeated talk about adding the topic of the Holocaust to our school curricula, despite the absence of any national value, educational (benefit), and knowledge need for (it)" he tweeted.

Much of the reaction from Arabs outside the UAE was critical, with some accusing the country of handing over control of its syllabus to Israel, while others questioned whether it would come at the expense of teaching the history of the Palestinians, particularly the Nakba. The Nakba, which means catastrophe in Arabic, refers to the establishment of Israel in 1948, which saw approximately 700,000 Palestinians forced to leave their homes.

"We don't deny the Holocaust and we sympathize with its victims," tweeted Dareen, a commenter on Twitter who identifies as Palestinian. "But including it in the curriculum for young students makes it easier for the occupation (Israel) to infiltrate the Arab people."

The UAE, which has a sizable Palestinian community, has said in local media reports that its normalization with Israel would not affect its commitment to the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Yasser Abu Hilala, a former managing director at Al Jazeera, tweeted that teaching the Holocaust in the UAE was "useful for knowing the history and brutality of the West," adding that "it is the same West from which Zionism spawned," referring to the movement to create a Jewish state in the Middle East.

The involvement of an Israeli organization in writing the country's syllabus brings an added layer of complexity. Polls have shown that the public in the Arab nations that have normalized relations don't share their governments' view in their embrace of Israel. A survey by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in July 2022 shows that more than 70% in the UAE and Bahrain hold a negative view of normalization.

The Abraham Accords are also unpopular in other Arab nations. An opinion poll by the Qatar-based Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies released last week showed that only 7.5% of Arabs supported normalization, with 84% considering Israel to be the greatest threat to the Arab region, followed by the United States and Iran respectively.

The poll, which surveyed more than 33,000 people in 14 Arab nations, didn't include the UAE.

Analysts say that despite the gap between official and popular views on Israel, the UAE is likely to move forward with strengthening ties with Israel.

"The Emirati public might not be entirely on board, but the leadership has decided this is the path they will pursue and so they will continue to do so," Dina Esfandiary, senior adviser for Middle East and North Africa at the International Crisis Group, told CNN. "They believe that they have greater influence over Israel and Israeli action by maintaining these good ties."

Some Emiratis will be uncomfortable with coordination with an Israeli institution "in a sensitive area like education" since there is popular sympathy with the plight of the Palestinians, said Diwan of the Arab Gulf States Institute.

"But this should not negate the value and importance of understanding the historical facts and context of the Holocaust," she added. "Disinformation is a problem and serves no one."

With additional reporting by Michael Schwartz in Jerusalem

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Why an Arab nation has opted to teach the Holocaust in its schools"
The court wondered that the GHMC staff even did not know that the status quomeantthe status as on the date of passing the order to bemaintained. (Representational image)

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court deplored the indifferent attitude of GHMC officials, who were not taking any action against unauthorised constructions on the pretext of court orders.

The court cautioned the civic authorities that when a status quo order is passed by the courts in cases related to unauthorised constructions, it did not imply that they could adopt a hands-off approach and allow continuation of illegal constructions while effectively rendering demolition notices redundant.

The court wondered that the GHMC staff even did not know that the status quo meant the status as on the date of passing the order to be maintained.

The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji, was dealing with an appeal filed by Siddapuram Raja Reddy of Attapur, who complained that GHMC authorities were unconcerned about the illegal construction undertaken by his neighbours.

GHMC counsel submitted that the authorities had passed demolition orders in 2018 and thereafter, the builders approached district judiciary and had obtained status quo orders. Hence, they did not go about the demolition. Raja Reddy informed the court that despite the status quo orders, the illegal construction was nearing completion while GHMC officials ignored his representations.

Expressing displeasure, the court said that it implied that some civic body officials were hand in glove with builders of illegal constructions.
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Layoffs at Alphabets Other Bets division has widened to include its robotics subsidiary Intrinsic AI, which is eliminating about 20% of its workforce or roughly 40 employees, according to reports.

Intrinsic AI came out of Alphabet's X research unit, after incubating there for close to five years. It is a robotics firm that is working on developing artificial intelligence-based software to bolster the use of robots in industries and commercial environments.

The news about the companys layoffs was first report by The Information. An email sent to Intrinsic AI didnt immediately receive a response.

Last month, Intrinsic acquired OSRC, the commercial arm of Open Robotics. A post on TeamBlinds professional network claims that the decision to layoff staffers was decided right after the acquisition as the company needed to maintain employee headcount.

The first of Alphabet layoffs came this week from the company's life sciences subsidiary Verily as part of its One Verily program, under which it eliminated 240 roles amounting to 15% of its 1,600-strong workforce to simplify its operating model.

The downsizing at Intrinsic seems to follow the philosophy of the One Verily program as the robotics firm hinted at accelerating commercial success while discussing the layoffs.

This (downsizing) decision was made in light of shifts in prioritization and our longer-term strategic direction. It will ensure Intrinsic can continue to allocate resources to our highest priority initiatives, such as building our software and AI platform, integrating the recent strategic acquisitions of Vicarious and OSRC (commercial arm Open Robotics), and working with key industry partners, according to a company statement sent to media.

Alphabet and its employees have been under pressure to generate more revenue since July last year when the company declared a hiring freeze. The freeze was followed by the launch of the Simplicity Sprint program to boost staff efficiency and productivity as the company posted weaker-than-expected revenue for two consecutive quarters.

Layoffs at technology companies began around August last year and has continued in the first weeks of January this year with large companies such as Amazon and Salesforce firing close to 26,000 employees.

(This story has been updated to change attribution for Intrinsic's media statement.)
The first Patch Tuesday of the year from Microsoft addresses 98 security vulnerabilities, with 10 classified as critical for Windows. One vulnerability (CVE-2023-21674) in a core section of Windows code is a zero-day that requires immediate attention. And Adobe has returned with a critical update, paired with a few low-profile patches for the Microsoft Edge browser.

We have added the Windows and Adobe updates to our Patch Now list, recognizing that this months patch deployments will require significant testing and engineering effort. The team at Application Readiness has provided a helpful infographic that outlines the risks associated with each of the updates for this January update cycle.

Known issues

Each month, Microsoft includes a list of known issues that relate to the operating system and platforms that are included in this update cycle.

Microsoft Exchange (2016 and 2019): After this January update is installed, web page previews for URLs that are shared in Outlook on the web (OWA) are not rendered correctly. Microsoft is now working on a fix for this.

Windows 10: After installing KB5001342 or later, the Microsoft Cluster Service might fail to start because a Cluster Network Driver is not found.

There are still quite a few known issues outstanding for Windows 7, Windows 8.x and Windows Server 2008, but as with these rapidly aging (and not very secure) operating systems, it is time to move on.

Major revisions

Microsoft has not published any major revisions this month. There were several updates to previous patches, but only for documentation purposes. No other actions required here.

Mitigations and workarounds

Microsoft has not published any mitigations or workarounds that are specific to this months January Patch Tuesday release cycle.

Testing guidance

Each month, the Readiness team analyses the latest Patch Tuesday updates from Microsoft and provides detailed, actionable testing guidance. This guidance is based on assessing a large application portfolio and a detailed analysis of the Microsoft patches and their potential impact on the Windows platforms and application installations.

Given the large number of changes included in this January patch cycle, I have broken down the testing scenarios into high risk and standard risk groups:

High risk: This January update from Microsoft delivers a significant number of high-risk changes to the system kernel and printing subsystems within Windows. Unfortunately, these changes include critical system files such as win32base.sys, sqlsrv32.dll and win32k.sys, further broadening the testing profile for this patch cycle.

As all the high-risk changes affect the Microsoft Windows printing subsystem (though we have not seen any published functionality changes), we strongly recommend the following printing-focused testing:

Add and remove watermarks when printing.

Change the default printing spool directory.

Connect to a Bluetooth printer and print both black and white and color pages.

Try using the (Microsoft) MS Publisher Imagesetter driver. This is available as a Generic printer driver and can be installed on any Windows 8.x or later machine. Due to the large number of download sites that provide this drive, please ensure that your download is both digitally signed and from a reputable source (e.g., Windows Update).

All these scenarios will require significant application-level testing before a general deployment of this months update. In addition to these specific testing requirements, we suggest a general test of the following printing features:

Printing from directly connected printers.

Remote printing (using RDP and VPNs).

Testing physical and virtual scenarios with 32-bit apps on 64-bit machines.

More generally, given the broad nature of this update, we suggest testing the following Windows features and components:

Test user-based scenarios that rely upon touchpoint and gesture support.

Try to connect/disconnect STTP VPN Sessions. You can read more about these updated protocols here.

Using Microsoft LDAP services test applications that require access to Active Directory queries.

In addition to these changes and subsequent testing requirements, I have included some of the more difficult testing scenarios for this January update:

SQL queries: Oh dear. You will have to ensure that your business-critical applications that use SQL (and whose dont?) actually work. As in returning the correct datasets from enormously complex, multi-sourced, heterogeneous database queries. All that said, Microsoft has said, This update addresses a known issue that affects apps that use Microsoft Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) SQL Server Driver (sqlsrv32.dll) to connect to databases. So we should see this situation improve this month.

Legacy applications: If you have an older (legacy) application that may use now-deprecated windows classes, you will have to run a full application test in addition to any basic smoke tests.

With all of these more difficult testing scenarios, we recommend that you scan your application portfolio for updated application components or system-level dependencies. This scan should then provide a shortlist of affected applications, which should reduce your testing and subsequent deployment effort.

Windows lifecycle update

This section will contain important changes to servicing (and most security updates) to Windows desktop and server platforms. With Windows 10 21H2 now out of mainstream support, we have the following Microsoft applications that will reach end of mainstream support in 2023:

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, Version 2107 (we now have Intune, so this is OK).

Windows 10 Enterprise and Education, Version 20H2 (we have 5 months to migrate  should be fine).

Windows 10 Home and Pro, Version 21H2 (with a June 2023 due date).

Exchange Server 2013 Extended Support (April 11, 2023).

Each month, we break down the update cycle into product families (as defined by Microsoft) with the following basic groupings:

Browsers (Microsoft IE and Edge)

Microsoft Windows (both desktop and server)

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Exchange Server

Microsoft Development platforms (NET Core, .NET Core, and Chakra Core)

Adobe (retired? maybe next year)

Browsers

Microsoft has released five updates to its Chromium browser this month, all addressing Use after free memory-related vulnerabilities in the Chromium engine. You can find Microsofts version of these release notes here and the Google Desktop channel release notes here. There were no other updates to Microsoft browsers (or rendering engines) this month. Add these updates to your standard patch release schedule.

Windows

January brings 10 critical updates as well as 67 patches rated as important to the Windows platform. They cover the following key components:

Microsoft Local Security Authority Server (lsasrv)

Microsoft WDAC OLE DB provider (and ODBC driver) for SQL

Windows Backup Engine

Windows Cryptographic Services

Windows Error Reporting (WER)

Windows LDAP - Lightweight Directory Access Protocol

Generally, this is an update focused on updating the network and local authentication stack with a few fixes to last months patch cycle. Unfortunately, one vulnerability (CVE-2023-21674) in a core section of Windows code (ALPC) has been reported publicly. Microsoft describes this scenario as an attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain SYSTEM privileges. Thank you, Stiv, for your hard work on this one.

Please note: all US federal agencies have been instructed to patch this vulnerability by the end of January as part of CISAs binding operational order (BOD).

Add this update to your Patch Now release schedule.

Microsoft Office

Microsoft addressed a single critical issue with SharePoint Server (CVE-2023-21743) and eight other security vulnerabilities rated as important by Microsoft affecting Visio and Office 365 Apps. Our testing did not raise any significant issues related to the Patch Tuesday changes, given that most of the changes were included in the Microsoft Click-to-Run releases  which has a much lower deployment and testing profile. Add these Microsoft Office updates to your standard deployment schedule.

Microsoft Exchange Server

For this January patch release for Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft delivered five updates, all rated as important for versions 2016 and 2019:

None of these vulnerabilities are publicly released, have been reported as exploited in the wild, or have been documented as leading to arbitrary code execution. With these few low-risk security issues, we recommend that you take your time testing and updating each server. One thing to note is that Microsoft has introduced a new feature (PowerShell Certificate signing) in this patch release, which may require additional testing. Add these Exchange Server updates to your standard server release schedule.

Microsoft development platforms

Microsoft has released two updates to its developer platform (CVE-2023-21779 and CVE-2023-21538) affecting Visual and Microsoft .NET 6.0. Both of these updates are rated as important by Microsoft and can be added to your standard release schedule.

Adobe Reader

Updates for Adobe Reader are back this month, though the latest patches have not been published by Microsoft. The latest set of updates (APSB 23-01) addressed eight critical memory-related issues and seven important updates, the worst of which could lead to the execution of arbitrary code on that unpatched system. With a higher than average CVSS rating (7.8), we recommend that you add this update to your Patch Now release cycle.
A focus on industry and training

The joint project got its start when Concordia and Ericsson Canada teamed up to integrate and enhance applied AI research and development. It will focus on collaborative research, teaching and learning in areas of common interest, such as: sharing of scientific information and educational resources; faculty and student mobility; publications and training; and collaborations with industry and civil society organizations.

In addition to Kurzwelly, participants in the project include team members from Concordia International and the new Applied Al Institute that launched in March 2022, headed by co-directors Tristan Glatard and Fenwick McKelvey.

Glatard says theyve identified a few lines along which this partnership could be fruitful.

One of them is collaborating on industrial projects related to AI adoption and another angle focuses on the training side, because its difficult for companies to apply AI if they dont have the workforce or expertise to do it, explains Glatard, whos also an associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Weve also identified a few researchers, including Brigitte Jaumard, whos leading a project with Ericsson about using AI to make 5G more sustainable, Jun Yan, whos one of the directors of the Security Research Centre, and Marta Kersten-Oertel, whos in health care.

Alex Megelas, the manager of research innovation and business development for the Applied AI Institute, will be coordinating the project along with Glatard.

As an institute, we strive to act as a conduit between the broad range of programs, faculties and educational mandates that have adopted AI as a strategy. We want to make things happen in ways that will measurably contribute to social betterment, he says.

The partnership with AI Sweden is an incredible opportunity for us to position our students, programs, faculty and research in service of international commitments. It will see a number of important players at Concordia around the table, including the researchers from the Applied AI Institute, our colleagues at the Centre for Continuing Education and Concordia International. We are coming up with funding strategies to attract students and researchers to Montreal, and for our students and researchers to go to Sweden.

Were actively looking for students and researchers to help shape the space

So far, much of the collaborative project with AI Sweden has focused on research, but theres also going to be a component that involves learning about civic governance and social responsibility in relation to the political apparatus.

Canada has invested in AI research for a much longer amount of time than Sweden, and were not at the same level, in terms of research, Kurzwelly notes.

But we do have a strong industry and a public sector that has a tradition of gathering data, which is why we want to focus on the value creation of AI for both society and industry.

Where we are most invested is information-driven health-care innovation, cybersecurity and climate change.

According to Glatard, anyone whos interested in contributing to the collaboration between Concordia and AI Sweden from a research perspective, or in any other capacity, is welcome aboard.

The institute is only six months old and were actively looking for students and researchers to help shape the space and have a voice in something thats going to be around for a long time, he adds.



Find out more about Concordias Applied AI Institute.
Helicopters in round-the-clock flight training

China Military Online) 10:35, January 13, 2023

Helicopters attached to an army aviation brigade under the PLA 80th Group Army hover for next maneuver in a round-the-clock flight training exercise in mid-December, 2022. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Liu Yuchen)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Two women died after delivery in Area Hospital. (Image Credit: Twitter)

HYDERABAD: Two of the ten women who underwent caesarean sections at the Government Area Hospital in Malakpet on Wednesday died while receiving treatment at Gandhi Hospital on Thursday, after being shifted from the tertiary care hospital as their condition deteriorated.

This follows the deaths of four women from sepsis brought on by botched family planning operations in Ibrahimpatnam in August of last year.

Sri Vennala, 21, and Thanniru Shivani, 24, were two of the 10 women who underwent caesarean sections at the Malakpet hospital. They shifted to the Gandhi Hospital on Thursday night after experiencing complications. They died hours after they were shifted to the Gandhi Hospital.

Thanniru Jagadish, a software engineer from Tirupati and residing in the city, had admitted his wife Shivani to the area hospital in Malakpet on January 10. The day following her caesarean delivery, her blood pressure and pulse dropped.

Doctors claimed that it was normal and that she would be under observation. However, the doctors asked us to shift Shivani to Gandhi Hospital for consultations, where she died. This is our first baby. The baby boy is doing well but he lost his mother, a distraught Jagadish said.

Mahesh, Sri Vennela's husband, stated that his wife underwent a caesarean section on January 9 at the Malakpet hospital. "On Thursday, she had high fever, and the doctors informed me that she should be shifted to Gandhi Hospital after her pulse rate fell. Doctors at Gandhi Hospital said Vennela had dengue for five days and had a low platelet count. We demand that the doctors' licences at the area hospital in Malakpet be revoked, he said.

Our daughter did not get to drink her mothers milk even once, Mahesh rued.

Tension gripped Malakpet on Friday as angry family members gathered outside the area hospital protesting against the medical staff and blaming them for alleged negligence that led to the death of Sri Vennela and Shivani. They also lodged a complaint with the Chaderghat police while also demanding that the Malakpet doctors' licences be revoked.

The Chaderghat police have filed a case under Section 174 (death under suspicious circumstances) of the CrPC, inspector V. Bal Gopal said. We will be altering the sections as the case proceeds and as per the postmortem examination (PME) report findings, said the official.

Initial examinations, according to Dr M. Raja Rao, superintendent of Gandhi Hospital, did not reveal any infections or complications associated with the operation. "We can draw some conclusions on what might have contributed to the death of the two women once the post-mortem examination is completed," he said.

Meanwhile, revenue divisional officer Venkateswarulu announced that the government would provide `5 lakh compensation to the kin of the deceased.

Dr J. Ajay Kumar, commissioner of the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad, claimed that Sri Vennela and Shivani were shifted to the Gandhi Hospital, said, We have set up a committee for a thorough inquiry. We will ensure such incidents do not recur, he said.

He said that the two women who lost their lives, had underlying conditions that could have worsened their health after the surgeries.
Indian-American representatives welcome Shri Thanedar to 'Samosa caucus'

The Indian-American lawmakers of the informally named 'Samosa Caucus' in the US House of Representatives have welcomed Shri Thanedar's addition to their group of Democratic leaders.

New US House Representative Shri Thanedar. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@ShriThanedar

Entrepreneur-turned-politician and Democrat, Thanedar became the fifth Indian-American to be elected to the US House of Representatives in November last year. His victory had come after all four current Indian-American Democratic lawmakers - Dr Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi - were re-elected to the US House of Representatives.

The 'Samosa Caucus' is an informal grouping of Indian-American lawmakers who are either part of the House of Representatives or the Senate. The term was coined by Congressman Krishnamoorthi to give credence to the growing number of 'desi' lawmakers in the US Congress.

"When I first took office in 2013, I was the only Indian American Member of Congress and the third ever in history. Since that day, I have been committed to ensuring we grow our representation in Congress," said Congressman Bera.

"In the past decade, I am proud to be joined by incredible Indian-American colleagues from around the country - Representatives Jayapal, Khanna, and Krishnamoorthi. With the swearing-in of the 118th Congress, our coalition has grown to a record number with the election of Representative Thanedar," he said.

The Indian-American community has emerged as a force to reckon with in the US presidential elections. In the last election, both the Democrat and the Republican campaigns initiated several measures to woo the approximately 1.8 million members of the community who have emerged as a critical voting bloc in the battleground states of Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Indian-Americans have made countless contributions to American society, including in tech, science, medicine, and the military.

Indian-Americans currently serve as the CEOs of major companies including Microsoft (Satya Nadella), Google (Sundar Pichai), IMB (Arvind Krishna), and MasterCard (Ajay Banga).

According to the 2010 census, 70 per cent of Indian-Americans over the age of 25 had college degrees, 2.5 times higher than the national average.

The first Asian-American and Indian-American Member of Congress was Dalip Singh Saund, who served in the US House of Representatives from 1957 to 1963.

In the past decade, the number of Indian-American voices in government has grown rapidly, with signs that the next decade will see the representation grow even further, it said.
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Forum Against Corporatization and Militarization strongly condemns the intimidation tactics used by the state against people of Mali Parbat region, who are struggling against Hindalcos predatory mining of Mali Parbat to save 36 natural water streams and hundreds of Hectares of land and forest, set to be devastated by the blasting and other processes to mine the bauxite. We also demand the following:

Stop slapping false cases on the people opposing the Hindalco mining of Mali Parbat.

Release all the arrested activists of Mali Parbat Suraksha Samiti and people opposing the mining.

Withdraw the various Battalions of paramilitary forces from the region.

Respect the majority position of the locals in 7th Jan Gram Sabha and stop mining in the region.

Restore the autonomy of Gram Sabhas as mandated under Panchayat Extension of Schedule Areas Act.

Stop Operation Samadhan-Prahar. It is important to understand that this is the general modus operandi of the unholy State-Corporate alliance to intimidate and break the peoples movement against loot of resources by mining giants aided by imperial capital. Such is the case of Mining in Surjagarh Hills, Maharashtra, Rowghat mining and proposed mining in Amdai Ghati hills, Chhatisgarh, Niyamgiri Hills in Odisha, among many more. These anti-mining movements are the biggest blockade to the imperialist extraction machinery and to break these very movements is the objective behind rampant militarization of these states by building paramilitary camps in the fancy military terminology of forward operational bases that are nothing but Carpet security for extraction machinery of big corporates, such is the experience of past and present anti mining movements. These Paramilitary Camps or forward operational bases are part of Operation Samadhan-Prahar, launched as an extension of Operation Green-Hunt, to supposedly defeat the Maoist movement. However, It is clear that these camps and rampant deployment of forces, in the name of fighting the Maoists, are acting as a tool to suppress anti mining movements like Mali Parbat movement against Hindalco mining.Forum Against Corporatization and Militarization strongly condemns the intimidation tactics used by the state against people of Mali Parbat region, who are struggling against Hindalcos predatory mining of Mali Parbat to save 36 natural water streams and hundreds of Hectares of land and forest, set to be devastated by the blasting and other processes to mine the bauxite. We also demand the following:

The civil rights group, Forum Against Corporatization And Militarization (FACAM), New Delhi, insisting on the need to resist intimidation and repression on the people of Mali Parbat opposing Hindalco mining, has said that the hill, rich with bauxite, sacred to local tribes in Koraput district of Odisha, is facing threat of destruction from the mining giant Hindalco (Aditya Birla Group), which is seeking to mine 268.1 hectares of land.In a solidarity statement, it said, The people are opposing the proposed mining for almost 2 decades and now are facing militarisation, intimidation and arrests. Stating that matter is being fought in Court, apart from the tooth to nail ground struggle, it added, on January 5, 2023, the Odisha High Court ordered the district administration of Koraput to conduct a free and fair Gram Sabha with participation of locals in the decision of land concerning the proposed mining as mandated under Panchayat Extension of Schedule Areas Act (PESA).However, it regretted, the preparations to conduct a free and fare Gram Sabha by the district administration meant hundreds of police and paramilitary, armed to the teeth, parading around the villages -- threatening and intimidating the villagers and slapping false cases on the leaders of Mali Parbat Suraksha Samiti, a body that heads the anti mining movement.Mali Parbat, a hill rich with Bauxite, sacred to local tribes in Koraput District of Odisha, is facing threat of destruction as Mining Giant Hindalco (Aditya Birla Group) is seeking to mine 268.1 hectares of land. The people are opposing the proposed mining for almost 2 decades and therefore, facing brute militarisation, intimidation and arrests. The matter is also being fought in Court, apart from the tooth to nail ground struggle. Recently, on 5th January, 2023, Odisha High Court ordered the district administration of Koraput to conduct a free and fair Gram Sabha with participation of locals in the decision of Land concerning the proposed mining as mandated under Panchayat Extension of Schedule Areas Act. However, the preparations to conduct a free and fare Gram Sabha by the District administration meant hundreds of Police and Paramilitary, armed to the teeth, parading around the villages- threatening and intimidating the villagers and slapping false cases on the leaders of Mali Parbat Suraksha Samiti (a body that heads the anti mining movement). This was done before the holding of free and fair Gram Sabha in order to intimidate the villagers to give-in to the corporate-states nexus behind Hindalco mining and gain their forced free consent to loot and plunder of resources and destruction of environment. Currently, 28 activist and people of Mali Parbat Anti mining struggle are behind bars. Amid much militarisation and subsequent intimidation, the Gram Sabha was conducted on 7th Jan,2023, as directed by the Odisha High Court. Despite continuous threats, the majority of 72 out of 81 representatives of Mali Parbat region has opposed the mining, in the said meeting. The next hearing of the matter in Odisha High Court is on 15th Jan, 2023.Environmental Clearance (EC) process for the purposes of mining in Mali Parbat, started in 2003, sparking the resistance movement that is continuing till date. In 2006 the environmental Clearance was given and Hindalco was granted mining lease in 2007. Due to peoples struggle, Hindalco could not carry out mining and the EC expired in 2011, however, Hindalco started mining illegally after the EC expired, with the collaboration of state and aid of the paramilitary forces being poured in large numbers. The mining stopped again, in 2014-15, due to surge in the peoples movement and the mining lease got expired in 2019. In 2021, the process to renew the lease of 268.1 hectare of land began, which saw two fake Gram Sabhas (village council meeting) being conducted, amid heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces. Both the Gram Sabha meetings conducted in September and November of 2021, saw a deployment of around 4000 Police and Paramilitary personnel. The second Gram Sabha, conducted in November, 2021 saw strong opposition of the locals, as it was conducted only with 300 pro- Hindalco persons, debarring 1500 people from joining the gram sabha. Both Gram Sabhas were hailed by Koraput District administration as Highly successful. In the 3rd Gram Sabha conducted on 7th Jan, 2023, state government deployed 20 Battalions of Indian Reserve Battalions (IRB), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF), despite clear direction of Odisha High Court to conduct free and fair Gram Sabha so that the locals can join it without fear and intimidation.
The Royal ransomware group is believed to be actively exploiting a critical security flaw affecting Citrix systems, according to the cyber research team at cyber insurance provider At-Bay. Announced by Citrix on November 8, 2022, the vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-27510, allows for the potential bypass of authentication measures on two Citrix products: the Application Delivery Controller (ADC) and Gateway.

There were no known instances of the vulnerability being exploited in the wild at the time of disclosure. However, as of the first week of 2023, At-Bays cyber researchers claimed new information suggests the Royal ransomware group is now actively exploiting it. Royal, which is considered one of the more sophisticated ransomware groups, emerged in January 2022 and was particularly active in the second half of last year.

How the Royal ransomware group exploits CVE-2022-27510

As soon as the Citrix vulnerability was published, the At-Bay cyber research team began assessing the magnitude of the risk and identifying businesses that might be exposed, wrote Adi Dror, At-Bay cyber researcher, in a report. Data from our scans, information gleaned from claims data, and other intelligence gathered by our cyber research team point to the Citrix vulnerability CVE-2022-27510 as the initial point of access utilized by the Royal ransomware group to launch a recent ransomware attack, she added.

The suspected exploitation method of the Citrix vulnerability by the Royal ransomware group is in line with the exploitation of similar vulnerabilities seen in the past, Dror continued. It appears Royal is exploiting this authentication bypass vulnerability in Citrix products to gain unauthorized access to devices with Citrix ADC or Citrix Gateway and launch ransomware attacks. Exploiting vulnerabilities in servers is one of the most common attack vectors for ransomware groups  especially critical infrastructure servers like those provided by Citrix. However, what sets this instance apart is that the ransomware group is using the Citrix vulnerability before there is a public exploit.

The following versions of the Citrix ADC and Citrix Gateway are affected by CVE-2022-27510, according to Dror:

Product Affected Versions Fixed Versions Citrix ADC and Citrix Gateway 13.1 Before 13.1-33.47 13.1-33.47 and later Citrix ADC and Citrix Gateway 13.0 Before 13.0-88.12 13.0-88.12 and later Citrix ADC and Citrix Gateway 12.1 Before 12.1-65.21 12.1-65.21 and later Citrix ADC 12.1-FIPS Before 12.1-55.289 12.1-55.289 and later

Businesses using any of the affected Citrix products are urged to patch the vulnerable software and follow the mitigation methods recommended by Citrix. Even for clients who have not received a Security Alert, its important for them to check if theyre running vulnerable products and patch immediately, Dror stated.

Royal ransomware group an active, evasive threat to businesses

The Royal group significantly ramped up its operations in the closing months of 2022 and developed its own custom ransomware program that allows attackers to perform flexible and fast file encryption. Its ransomware, which the group deploys through different TTPs, has impacted multiple organizations across the globe, researchers from security firm Cybereason said in a recent report.

The groups tactics bear similarities to those of Conti, prompting suspicion that its partly made up of former members of the infamous group that shut down in May 2022. The Royal group is known to use phishing as an initial attack vector, as well as third-party loaders such as BATLOADER and Qbot for distribution. Initial access is typically followed by the deployment of a Cobalt Strike implant for persistence and to move laterally inside the environment in preparation for dropping the ransomware payload. The tactics used by Royal allow for the group to evade detection with partial encryption.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor (Photo: PTI)

MALAPPURAM: Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday termed as irrelevant the discussions regarding his chief ministerial candidature and said the next Kerala Assembly election would be held only after three years.

He added that at present, Kerala has a chief minister and an elected government with a good majority.

Amid reported discontent within the Congress party over him reaching out to influential religious and community leaders, Tharoor made it clear that he never sought appointment to meet any of them.

The Thiruvananthapuram MP said he met some of them recently as they called him and expressed interest to meet him.

Tharoor's statement also came a day after the Congress central leadership clarified that it was not proper for any MPs to make statements on their candidature and the Congress has its own organisational mechanism to choose its candidates.

"I don't understand why you (media) are discussing about the chief ministerial candidature now. From the very beginning itself, I have made it clear that there is no relevance for such discussion at present. You have to wait till 2026 (for the next Assembly polls)," Tharoor told reporters here.

The assembly poll is three years away, there is Lok Sabha polls in 2024 and the party and the people will decide what to do, he said.

"As a political representative, we have to be ready for everything," the Lok Sabha member explained.

Asked whether he is waiting till 2026 (for asserting his role as the chief minister candidate of the Congress-led UDF), the leader, in a diplomatic manner, said let him live in the present year, then in 2024 and 2025 and then one can think about 2026.

While pointing out the criticisms from within the party about him meeting some religious and community leaders recently, Tharoor said he always maintains a good relationship with everyone and he won't say no when they invite him for a meeting.

"I have not sought an appointment to meet any individual. In the case of all community leaders whom I have met, they called me and wanted me to meet them," he added.

Amidst reported indication of several party MPs including Tharoor shifting their focus to state politics, AICC general secretary in-charge of Kerala, Tariq Anwar on Wednesday had said it was not proper for the MPs to make statements about their candidature on their own.
Tarun Chugh, BJP general secretary and in-charge of Telangana affairs, dismissed media reports attributed to him that the BJP was mulling an alliance with the TD as completely untrue. (DC file image)

HYDERABAD: An upbeat BJP, which hopes to unseat the BRS led by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao in the 2023 Assembly polls, has made it explicitly clear that it has no plans to partner or ally with the Telugu Desam (TD) in the state, while dismissing media reports that both parties were inching closer in Telangana as "false narrative".

Tarun Chugh, BJP general secretary and in-charge of Telangana affairs, dismissed media reports attributed to him that the BJP was mulling an alliance with the TD as completely untrue, malicious and part of a disinformation campaign.

The BJP in Telangana, he told Deccan Chronicle, did not need any allies and is strong enough to defeat the BRS on its own. We have emerged as the only alternative to the BRS. We have the wherewithal to contest the elections in the state and win on our own.

A section of media also speculated that the state BJP would be backing the Y.S.Sharmila-led YSR Telangana Party (YSRTP). "I strongly condemn a report attributed to me in a section of the media that the BJP is thinking of an alliance with the TD in Telangana. The report is completely fallacious and mischievous aimed at creating a false narrative, Chugh remarked.

He stated that he had met with few friends in New Delhi on Wednesday, including a few persons from the media, and that he did not "mention anything that could even remotely be construed to the idea of an alliance with TD or the suggestion that we would stand with Sharmila in Telangana.
A larger customer base and its greater dependence on electricity over fossil fuels as well as an industry-wide concern over hydroelectric power regulation were contributing factors to Eugene Water and Electric Boards 2022 Integrated Resource Plan.

The plan is a projection of EWEBs energy composition needs going into the next decade based on the companys analysis of its current sources of electricity.

EWEB is seeking public input before the IRP is finalized in June. In a media release, EWEB Communications Specialist Aaron Orlowski said EWEB is actively looking to meet with community groups and environmental justice organizations for dialogue about the analysis conducted in this plan.

Fossil Free Eugene, a coalition of grassroots organizations that have continuously urged the city of Eugene to move away from natural gas, frequently organizes climate testimonies at Eugene city council public forums. It advocates for the banning of natural gas in new construction in the city by Jan. 1 and the transition of all city utilities to 100% renewable energy by 2030.

At a Eugene City Council public forum in November 2022, more than a hundred Eugene residents turned out to urge the Council to ban the use of natural gas utilities in new construction in the city by January of 2023.

Eliminating natural gas use in residential buildings would cause Eugene residents to switch their homes to all electric, Orlowski said, and people wonder if that type of ban would be too much for EWEB to handle.

Orlowski said that EWEB estimates 25% of homes in Eugene use natural gas for heating or cooking and a ban on natural gas in homes in Eugene would cause demand for electricity to rise about 1% per year.

The plan also projects an increase in demand associated with more electric vehicle usage in the coming decade. Oregons Environmental Quality Commission recently approved a ban on the sale of new gas-powered vehicles in the state by 2035, which would increase the amount of electric vehicles on Eugene roads. The IRP estimates that this would increase electricity demand by about 2% per year until 2030.

EWEBs previous IRP informed its decision to respond to increased demands of electricity with incentives for customers to reduce their electricity consumption. If EWEB saw that electricity demand was going to rise, it would increase the incentives it gave to customers to reduce their electricity consumption. Those incentives include rebates for electric heat pumps or installing insulation to reduce the amount of electricity EWEB customers use in their homes.

Different renewable energy resources have dropped in price a lot, Orlowski said in an interview with the Daily Emerald. Its way cheaper today to get wind and solar than it was 10 years ago, but some of the types of energy resources that we relied on for a long time are potentially facing some new restrictions in the future.

The IRP projects a rise in demand for electricity from now until 2030.

People are switching out their gasoline powered cars for electric vehicles, and theyre switching out their gas furnaces for electric heat pumps, Orlowski said.

EWEBs sources of electricity are 90% carbon free, with about 80% of its composition being made up of hydroelectric power generated from dams operated by the Bonneville Power Administration, Orlowski said.

The IRP anticipates regulations protecting fish species in the Willamette Valley will impact the feasibility of its hydroelectric energy sources.

We dont know how climate change might impact river flows, or if there will be new regulations to continue to protect fish species like salmon, Orlowski said.

Already, in EWEBs first Board of Commissioners meeting of 2023, commissioners unanimously voted to move forward with the process of decommissioning Leaburg Dam. EWEB shut down the Leaburg Hydroelectric Project in 2018 due to internal erosion and seismically vulnerable soils along portions of the Leaburg Canal.

While erosion and water flow are important considerations for EWEB to make when determining when to decommission a hydroelectric project, Orlowski said that future policy protecting salmon species may also impact the decision to decommission a dam.

For instance, the Lower Snake River Dam, a significant source of EWEBs hydroelectric power, is currently being considered for removal due to its disruption of salmon runs throughout the year.

Removing the dam would take years, so while discussion for the dams removal is ongoing, Orlowski said its not an imminent concern for EWEB, though the IRP still accounts for the possibility of the removal of dams like these before 2030.

The City of Eugene projects significant population growth in the coming decade. Envision Eugene, an advisory committee focusing on the citys urban growth and housing availability, estimated in 2022 that the number of people living in Eugene by 2032 will increase by almost 34,000.

EWEBs major challenges with integrating wind and solar into its energy profile is the transmission and storage of that energy. Building new transmission lines is a major hurdle to many of the energy companies in the state, Orlowski said.

Building a transmission line requires crossing the property lines of a lot of different property owners, Orlowski said. You have to get them all to sign on and work together, and that can be really challenging to do.

EWEB estimated in this IRP that transmission in a decade will be the same as it has been in order to make as accurate a prediction of future electricity output as possible.
Opinion: A month-and-a-half strike of graduate and part-time workers crippled the University of California system, another prominent example of the growing labor movement in the United States.

----------

In mid-November of 2022, 48,000 University of California academic workers, mainly graduate students, went on strike. Across all UC campuses, the United Auto Workers 2865 union  which represents academic student employees  demanded wage raises and more protections. The strike disrupted campus life as union members formed picket lines, refused to grade final exams and halted research projects. These workers were from four different groups of academic workers: postdoctoral scholars, academic researchers, graduate student researchers and academic student employees, which each form their own bargaining unit. As of now, the strike is the largest of its kind in history.

Willa Gibson, a second year undergraduate student at UC Davis and member of the UAW on campus, said joining the effort was a no brainer once the strike vote got passed.

A large reason why UC student workers have asked for more pay is the problem of being rent burdened, which means spending 30% or more on housing costs. The price of housing in and around UC campuses has continued to rise in a state where the cost of living is already 41% higher than average.

Ive never felt more proud to go to a UC, Gibson said. A massive community came together.

Academic power on this level has never been wielded so strategically and with such a united front before. At most large universities, the labor of student and part-time workers is indispensable. This means that a vast majority of them going on strike completely froze many operations, especially for undergraduate students and research. With no one to grade papers for the large lecture classes or teach discussion sections, their strength was made clear.

On Dec. 23, 2022, after six weeks of striking, a tentative agreement between the union and the UC administration was reached. A two-and-a-half year contract was ratified, which included a minimum salary of about $34,000 for part-time employees and more child and health care benefits across the board.

Our bargaining team has worked very hard to get us here, and [the contract] isnt about what we deserve but what we can get, Gibson said.

After the duration of the contract is up, the bargaining process will begin again, giving the UAW an advantageous position. The gains accomplished in the UC system have also had an effect on academia as a whole.

Its so cool seeing how this created a domino effect across the U.S., Gibson said. A lot of schools are starting to feel more empowered.

For example, part-time and adjunct faculty members at the New School in New York City went on strike on Nov. 16, 2022 for better pay and conditions. In response, the school threatened to cut their health benefits and to withhold their pay. However, three weeks into the strike, an agreement was reached, as almost 90% of the colleges classes are taught by untenured staff and many classes were completely cancelled as a result of the strike.

The reality is that this is something we needed to do, Gibson said. It will make the UC system even better at educating its students.

The amount of labor and care that graduate students and adjunct professors give to their students impacts so much about student life and they deserve to be properly compensated. Academia needs to change, whether the top administrators of universities like it or not.

Many economic indicators display that the labor movement is gaining momentum. The exploitative corporate status quo in the U.S. is getting its first real run for its money in decades. With these persevering students and workers leading the helm, the future will hopefully be ripe with solidarity and progress.
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Last Edited on 2016-04-14
What in heavens name was Harry thinking when he wrote his terrible book? Hes utterly deluded if he seriously believes it will bring him a step nearer to reconciliation  which he claims to want  with the Royal Family. All it will do is make the gaping chasm between them unbridgeable.

Gary Goldsmith is the Princess of Wales' uncle, and brother to Carole Middleton

Fat chance of him being invited to the Kings Coronation now. Id be happy if he never came back to this country. Why would the Royal Family want him here? Why would we, as a nation?

His petulant, self-serving memoir Spare is peppered with so much fluff it needs a good Hoovering. To be frank, I dont even believe much of it.

He wouldnt make my pub quiz team, but his book is an intellectual low. And he has plumbed new depths with his account of the now infamous saga of the bridesmaids dresses for his wedding to Meghan in 2018.

Did Meghan make Kate cry? Or was it Kate who reduced Meghan to tears? If theres a single person out there who hasnt heard one of the many versions doing the rounds, heres Harrys take.

Four days before his wedding, he writes, Meghan received a text from Kate saying Charlottes dress, hand-sewn from measurements, was too big and needed altering. In the book, he reports, Kate said Charlotte cried when she tried on the baggy dress.

This made me see red. How dare Harry share such a confidence involving a young child? How he has the temerity to talk about moving to the U.S. to protect his family and their privacy when he is prepared to violate his nieces confidentiality is base hypocrisy.

And Im particularly appalled by his vile confection of half-truths and complete fabrications because Kate is my adored niece. But theres more.

'But if theres a manual on How Not To Behave When Joining The Royal Family, Meghan has been following it word for word!' Pictured: The Princess of Wales, the Prince of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex meet the public at Windsor Castle, Berkshire following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, September 10, 2022

Harry claims to be reporting an exchange of texts when he writes that Meghan told Kate to go to the Palace, where her tailor, Ajay, was standing by to alter the dresses. But this  according to Harry  was not good enough for Kate, who tersely demanded that the dress be completely remade.

Nonsense. I honestly dont believe this version of the facts. Kate is self-sufficient, resourceful and extremely capable. She comes from a family of doers and fixers and has an amazing support system in her younger sister Pippa and her mum, my older sister Carole, who runs her own successful business. She has taught her girls to deal with problems with calm capability, not histrionics.

The Kate I know so well would never have caused a fuss. Shes not a drama queen; shes not confrontational, as the book suggests. And shed never pile more pressure on a bride. After all, she knows the tensions involved when you marry into the Royal Family all too well.

Harry alleges Meghan was on the floor sobbing when he arrived home and that Kate brought round a bouquet the next day as a peace offering. Such a classy gesture of conciliation would be typical of my niece. Im quite prepared to believe she would have taken flowers to Meghan because she is kind and empathetic and would have wanted to appease her.

'Entitlement, crassness and casual insensitivity hallmarked her encounters with Kate and William.' Pictured: Catherine, The Princess of Wales, Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, Countess of Wessex at Windsor Castle, October 12, 2018

Harry conveniently throws in the line that Meghans best friend was there to witness Kates apology. Well, call me cynical, but I suspect Meghans bestie would say whatever her overbearing pal wanted.

Its worth reiterating that Kate adored her brother-in-law-to-be, Harry, during their early years as a happy threesome, and I believe she and William were rather sweetly delighted when they learnt he had a new girlfriend; an actress from one of their favourite dramas, Suits.

Kate would have loved her new sister-in-law to be a friend. Shed have welcomed someone to accompany her through her amazing, challenging, privileged, scrutinised royal life.

But if theres a manual on How Not To Behave When Joining The Royal Family, Meghan has been following it word for word! Entitlement, crassness and casual insensitivity hallmarked her encounters with Kate and William.

She breezily asserted that it must have been Kates hormones that made her forgetful soon after Prince Louis birth. Kate was rightly put out: she had barely met Meghan. Its plain rude to be so presumptuous. I wouldnt say that to my best friends wife and Ive known her for 40 years.

Then there was the titanic arrogance of their first formal meeting. Meghan barged in to hug William, using her get-out-of-jail-free card  Im American!  to explain this breach of etiquette. Surely Harry should have explained that a curtsy was the proper way to greet an heir to the throne?

Its pretty low, too, that the book is embroidered with so many contrived descriptions of Kate and Williams demeanour: his thin-lipped smile when Meghan came to visit; Kates suppressed anger as white-knuckled, gripping the chair arms. Brilliantly orchestrated but in my view, totally false. Meghan professed not to know the words to the National Anthem. It seems downright perverse that Harry had not taught her or pointed her in the direction of Google.

And she chose to go barefoot and wear ripped jeans when William and Kate (more formally dressed) first came to dinner. Wouldnt it be respectful to make some sartorial effort if you were entertaining the future King for the first time? Anyone less overbearingly self-confident than Meghan might think so.

Carole will be incredibly hurt and angry about the slights and calumnies heaped on William and Kate this week, but you wont hear a peep from her. When your eldest child becomes the future Queen, you dont get a manual on behaviour and etiquette, but Carole and her husband, Mike, know instinctively what to do.

Say nothing is their mantra and they have always maintained their quiet dignity. When Carole was vilified for chewing gum at Williams Sandhurst passing-out parade; when Williams friends taunted her with the nickname Doors To Manual because she used to work as BA cabin crew, she graciously kept schtum.

I know this week Kates hurt will be mostly for William, the King and Camilla  and shell be quietly getting on with her job as her mum taught her, looking after her husband and family. At her core is the Goldsmith way: family means everything. Kate will, of course, have phoned Carole, who will protect her like a lioness, but for both it will be business as usual.

'When your eldest child becomes the future Queen, you dont get a manual on behaviour and etiquette, but Carole and her husband, Mike, know instinctively what to do.' Pictured: Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton attend Royal Ascot, June 14, 2022

Compare Kates composure with Harrys ranting: he has been paid an absolute fortune to throw his family under a bus.

There is so much about this book that is self-serving. Jealousy and rancour are its recurring themes. Harry  so bitter about being the younger brother and the spare  moans about being assigned a room in a narrow back corridor at Sandringham one Christmas and feeling a bit unappreciated, a bit unloved. Relegated to the hinterlands.

He quibbles about a grossly unfair Court Circular that doesnt give enough recognition for what he does, and carps about his grace-and-favour home, Nottingham Cottage  Nott Cott  which Meghan imperiously dismissed as no better than a frat house, meaning it resembles student accommodation.

Were informed its rooms are tiny, and ceilings dolls house low, and its shabby furniture and a brown sofa failed to live up to Meghans grand standards and expectations.

Well, let me explain a fundamental rule about younger siblings: they always get the smaller bedroom. I didnt complain when I was consigned to the box room of the modest house where Carole and I were raised in Southall, Middlesex. I just waited for my big sister to move out so I could bag her bigger bedroom.

And please dont get me started on the description  positively dripping with envy  of William and Kates apartment at Kensington Palace.

Harry lingers bitterly over every opulent detail, noting how Megs eyes widened at the wallpaper, the crown mouldings, the walnut bookshelves lined with colour co-ordinated volumes, the priceless art, comparing it unfavourably with the discount sofa and Ikea lamps at Nott Cott.

Two things to note here, Harry: your brother is the heir the throne and he was then the only one of you to be married with kids, but more pertinently, hed just handed over the keys to Nott Cott to you. Hed used it as his London base with Kate for the first two years of their marriage, for goodness sake! So behave like the military man you were and stop this handbags-at-dawn nonsense.

Harry has got lost in his own privilege. He seems to consider himself poor when many are struggling to pay their food and fuel bills. He takes the most evangelical moral high ground and it chimes with no one.

The luxuries he enjoyed as spare  trips to the South and North Poles, to ranches in Botswana, to Lesotho; riding, rafting down rapids, camping under the stars  look pretty spectacular from where Im standing. And the very notion that his wedding was, as he moans, a shoestring affair is grotesque. It looked jaw-droppingly impressive to us mere mortals.

And far from feeling beleaguered by his secondary role, I believe Harry had the good fortune to have greater freedom, opportunity and choice than William. Id take the part of spare any day.

William has duties, patronages and obligations set in stone for the rest of his life. Harry genuinely had the better job. With creativity and ambition, he could have shaped the world for the better. But what has he done with that licence and privilege? Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

The Invictus Games are terrific, but even that he turned into a matter for fraternal quibbling when he alleged William was niggling about his allocation of the charitys resources.

Ill tell you who could show him a thing or two about being a gracious younger sibling  my niece, Pippa, two years Kates junior. Shes spectacular! I was at her wedding in 2017 to billionaire businessman James Matthews.

'Harry has got lost in his own privilege. He seems to consider himself poor when many are struggling to pay their food and fuel bills.' Pictured: Prince Harry salutes at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Battle of Monte Cassino, in Monte Cassino Italy, May 18, 2014

It was one of those glittering, glorious, fun-filled A-list affairs with celebrities on every table and I was feeling slightly lost.

Yet who should make a beeline for me but Kate and Carole, wreathed in smiles and full of warm words and hugs. Meghan arrived for the evening meal, welcomed with open arms into the Middleton fold, as any potential friend to Pippa and sister-in-law to Kate would be. How let down they must all feel now.

I deplore, too, the fact that in his rant of a book Harry is not prepared to own up to his mistakes. Take the now infamous episode in which he turned up for a fancy dress party in a Nazi uniform.

He was living out of a suitcase at the time, dossing down with his Pa and Camilla. He loved making Kate laugh. And how she and William chortled at the Nazi uniform! So yes, he says, it was actually because of their hideous gaffe  laughing at him  that he wore it.

Why Kate was dragged into this unedifying tale is a complete mystery. He made an awful error of judgment. He was 20, for goodness sake. He should just own up to it and apologise without proviso or self-justification.

And so it goes on. We get the impression that Harry is resentful of his brother for having the temerity to transition from youth to adulthood. Harry feels hurt that William has got married. Wed never again ride together across the Lesotho countryside with capes blowing behind us. Wed never again share a horsey-smelling cottage while learning to fly!

Well yes, Harry, spare us the maudlin romanticism. Grown men dont wear capes, unless theyre superheroes. They move on to new phases of their lives, settle down, marry and become fathers; honour their responsibilities.

Unless theyre Spare, it seems. In which case they fly one gilded cage to create another one  but this time in Montecito, California, with no purpose or family support and fewer true friends. It pains me to say it, but once he has exhausted the commercial opportunities that being a former prince has brought him, whats left? Were told theres a memoir to come from Meghan. I shudder at the thought.

Meanwhile, Harry has launched this precision missile at his own father, brother and niece. He has unmasked himself as the consummate hypocrite, endlessly claiming alleged breaches of privacy  then disclosing confidential conversations about highly personal matters involving his own niece. He both courts the media, granting interviews to boost his book sales, and reviles it for its intrusion into his life.

Few people have bought into Harrys fractious and peevish book  and, in writing it, Im afraid he has overstepped the line.

Will his family ever forgive him? I doubt it.
Some believed he would die in prison. Others, including his victims, must have hoped he would.

But Gary Glitter survived and now, aged 78  with grey goatee beard and wisps of straggly grey hair framing his bald head  he is about to be freed from HMP The Verne, a jail for sex offenders in Portland, Dorset.

Having already completed half of his 16-year sentence for monstrous crimes against young girls, he will be released, Ministry of Justice sources confirmed, within a matter of weeks. What next?

London, probably, to the gilded streets of W1, where he still has an apartment and where he can disappear into the anonymity of life in the capital.

Gary Glitter survived and now, aged 78  with grey goatee beard and wisps of straggly grey hair framing his bald head

Few people, after all, would recognise him today, sans wig, if they passed him on the pavement. Younger readers might never have heard of Gary Glitter.

Yet to his most fanatical fans during his pomp in the glam rock 1970s, when he stomped around the stage in sparkling silver jumpsuits  revealing a forest of chest hair  towering platform heels, and a signature Concorde-shaped rug, he was bigger than Elvis, playing to stadium crowds and racking up 12 consecutive Top Ten singles and 18 million record sales.

For much of the next two decades, on campuses up and down the country, Glittermania endured.

He was used to advertise Heinz soup and British Rail and Oasis paid tribute to him by borrowing his famous lyric (Hello, hello, its good to be back) on the opening track of their second album.

Gary Glitter was the soundtrack to a thousand school discos.

But the music stopped one day in 1997 when he took his Toshiba laptop to be repaired at a branch of PC World in Bristol, not far from a cottage he owned in Somerset. A library of child pornography was discovered on the hard drive.

I want to put it all behind me and live my life, he declared after being given four months for possessing thousands of indecent images of youngsters.

That life took him on a tour of South-East Asia, where he continued to indulge his unhealthy predilections in each country he stopped at  Cambodia, Thailand and finally Vietnam  where he faced the prospect of being charged with child rape, a crime that carries the death penalty.

The dirt-poor families of his two victims, two girls aged 11 and 12, however, were each paid 1,500 by Glitters lawyer in return for signing documents that reduced the charges to child molestation which culminated in him being jailed for three years (he served two) in 2006.

He was the first foreigner to face trial for sex crimes in postwar Vietnam. His spectacular fall from grace  from pantomime popstar to paedophile  was not yet complete, though.

On his return to Britain, after being deported from Vietnam, he became the first person arrested by detectives from Operation Yewtree, the Metropolitan Police investigation launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

In 2015, he was given 16 years for historical offences against three girls, aged eight to 13, at the height of his fame in the 1970s and 1980s when he preyed on his vulnerable victims, who assumed no one would have believed their testimony over a celebrity.

Few people, after all, would recognise him today, sans wig, if they passed him on the pavement. Younger readers might never have heard of Gary Glitter

Two of the girls were aged 12 and 13 when they were invited backstage to his dressing room, and deliberately isolated from their mothers. Hed crept into his youngest victims bed and tried to rape her, in 1975.

This is the disturbing past of Gary Glitter (real name Paul Gadd) who will soon walk out of HMP The Verne a free man, albeit under strict restrictions which could include being electronically tagged and undergoing regular polygraph tests. Polygraphs  or lie detectors have been successfully used by the Probation Service in the management of convicted sex offenders since 2014.

Glitter was living in a luxury top-floor flat in a Victorian red-brick mansion block near Baker Street when he was arrested in an early morning raid nearly a decade ago.

It was the address he gave when he first appeared at the magistrates court, and theres nothing to suggest hes not still the owner today. I have been here for eight years and that flat has been empty all the time, a resident at the prestigious address said this week.

The other 223 apartments, he told us, are all believed to be occupied or up for sale  but not Glitters residence which has remained vacant, suggesting perhaps that his old neighbour could return here like he did when his dark side was first exposed on his laptop.

The very comfortable property, worth an estimated 2 million, is not in his name which conveniently disappeared from any publicly available documentation shortly before he was jailed in Vietnam.

It is owned, nominally, at least, by a limited company controlled by a former associate.

On paper, in other words, Gary Glitter is conveniently penniless.

He will be only too aware that the recriminations from his crimes could rumble on for many years. In 2019 the High Court ordered another British paedophile, Douglas Slade, to pay 127,000 to five boys he abused in the Philippines between 2009 and 2015. He had been jailed for 24 years in 2016.

The case was spearheaded by the Preda Foundation, a charitable organisation based in the country, which is hoping to launch a similar damages claim on behalf of one of Glitters victims from Vietnam.

Now 29, she was ten when Glitter sexually assaulted her at the seaside villa he was staying in. Her mother was Glitters cleaner.

For much of the next two decades, on campuses up and down the country, Glittermania endured

Speaking from Olongapo City in the Philippines, Father Shay Cullen, a Catholic priest from Ireland who runs Preda, said: We are ready to fight her corner in London and I will be going to Vietnam in a few weeks to speak to her because she has now agreed to pursue the case in the UK. She is very poor and her mother is sick.

They are both living in dire circumstances.

I think Glitter still has a lot of money and has stashed it away, Father Shay added.

We know about the Marylebone apartment, but what else is there?

For a start, Glitter has a substantial private pension to draw from, a close relative said.

She told how, after he was forced to leave Vietnam (following his conviction for child molestation), she was instructed to send monthly sums of up to $700 dollars (575) from the pot to his Vietnamese lover and fixer, who sourced underage girls for him  hush money to keep her sweet.

Even up until he went on trial at Southwark Crown Court eight years ago, Glitter was enjoying a sybaritic lifestyle, the relative said, with a team of bodyguards and professional drivers who ferried him around in a big 4X4. Glitter failed to mention that when giving evidence, saying he had to sell the rights to his songs to pay his legal costs.

But he could still be making a tidy sum from streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Digital [performance] royalties from streaming tend to go to the songwriter, said Amy Pruett, an intellectual property lawyer at U.S. law firm Williams Mullen.

Glitter, who co-wrote many of his hits with Mike Leander, currently has 723,464 monthly listeners on Spotify. True, Spotify only pays a tiny percentage per stream but 723,464 streams equals $2,300 dollars or 1,900 a month.

Glitters back catalogue is also available on Apple, which does not disclose monthly listening figures for artists.

Some of his money is believed to be going to Cuba, a location which occupies an important place in Glitters past and present.

He first turned up on the island in the 1990s when he became the subject of the child pornography investigation in the UK, but had not yet been charged and there were suspicions that he might never return.

It was here that I managed to track him down. Id been dispatched, along with photographer Mark Richards, to find Gary, and it took us nearly a month to locate his apartment on the first floor of a two-storey mansion, a short stroll from Havanas famous seafront boulevard, the Malecon.

From a vantage point overlooking the building on the other side of the road, we could see Glitter spread out on a sunbed  with his bouffant wig pegged into a ponytail. There was no mistaking him, even from a distance.

Yet, when I knocked on the door asking to speak to him, a young woman came to the balcony and pretended not to understand me, even though she spoke good English. She knew I was a journalist.

The 78-year-old is reportedly at HMP The Verne (pictured) on the Isle of Portland, Dorset, on a vulnerable person wing. Having already completed half of his 16-year sentence for monstrous crimes against young girls, he will be released, Ministry of Justice sources confirmed, within a matter of weeks'

The woman, Yudenia Sosa Martinez, a former farm girl, would bear Glitter a son whom she named after him. Gary Jnr is now 21.

A keen skateboarder and amateur tattoo artist, Gary Jnr left Cuba within the last year, according to social media posts; he worked in a tattoo parlour in Moscow (called Cuba Ink) and is currently in the Canary Islands.

Neighbours say he is in communication with his father but they have never met. Glitter gave his mother 20,000, a fortune in Communist Cuba, to buy the flat where I first encountered her, and he is believed to still support her and Gary Jnr.

Gary Jnr appears to be thanking his father in an Instagram post a few days ago. Thanks to all who were present and to those who took care of me from afar along the way, he wrote.

Glitter left Cuba before Gary Jnr was born and has been in and out of prison almost all his sons life. Its difficult to see how father and son will be reunited: offenders on licence, and particularly those also on the sex offenders register, must  as a minimum  request permission from their probation officer before travelling.

Given his track record, it is impossible to see how Glitter will ever be allowed out of the country again, not for the foreseeable future anyway.

Today, he faces an isolated existence, like all paedophiles, with few friends and no family.

His two adult children, Paul and Sarah, from his failed marriage in the 1960s have disowned him and his former brother-in-law once said he deserved to be executed.

Hes caused so much distress, pain and suffering, said Ramon Murton, the brother of Glitters ex-wife Ann, after Glitter was jailed for the third time in 2015.

Glitter blew kisses to the packed public gallery at Southwark Crown Court as the guilty verdicts were read out. As he was led away, he turned to a friend in the gallery and indicated with his finger that the jury was crazy. He had denied all the allegations. All three of his victims sobbed giving evidence.

In the past, one person Glitter could always count on was his business partner and close friend Gordon Buchanan, who offered Glitter sanctuary at his home in Hampshire after he was kicked out of Vietnam in disgrace all those years ago. It resulted in a group of angry locals turning up at his detached property with banners calling for his infamous guest to be booted out of the village.

His house is now situated behind two sets of double doors and there is no bell or buzzer for callers to use.

He is a very private person, said a resident.

Mr Buchanan, 68, a wealthy former hairdresser, is still listed as a director of the company which handled Glitters interests, however.

But will he still be there for the one-time Leader Of The Gang this time?

My decision to offer him sanctuary ruined my life, Mr Buchanan revealed afterwards.

So it seems unlikely he will be waiting outside the prison gates to meet his old friend when he is finally released.

Hello, hello, its good to be back, Gary Glitter used to belt out on stage to his screaming fans.But will it be?

n Additional reporting: Mark Branagan and Andrew Buckwell
Gone are the days when TV families consisted of two well-behaved children and their calm, assured parents. Thanks to shows like Outnumbered, Motherland and Breeders, the chaotic side of parenting has been openly explored, and now Maternal, a new medical drama shot through with dark humour, takes things a step further.

Created by the playwright Jacqui Honess-Martin, who wanted to write a show that mirrored her own experiences of going back to work after having children, it ventures not only into the world of the working mother, but the working mother who has to make life-and-death decisions every day.

Its a world in which youve done several hours of hard labour before starting work and will have to do several more when you get home, before collapsing at the end of the day.

When I went back to work when my first son was six months old, I was tired, grumpy and really struggling. And I work in theatre, which is a warm and relatively caring space, says Jacqui. It made me think about mates who were going back into frontline medicine. At that point, in March 2020, we didnt know exactly what was in store for the NHS but we knew these would be the people holding us up for the next couple of years.

Maternal, a new medical drama shot through with dark humour, takes the chaotic side of parenting a step further (pictured, Lara Pulver, Parminder Nagra and Lisa McGrillis)

I was interested in how we juxtapose the challenges of working in the NHS with the difficulties and sometimes hilarious trials of having small children. I hadnt seen my own experience of being a working mum reflected on TV. Women are usually portrayed as either professionals or in the domestic sphere, but most of us are doing both and it can be funny, awful and wonderful all at once.

One surgeon was asking her childminder to work a couple more hours as she was trying to save a life

The result is this eagerly awaited six-part ITV drama. The very first episode will have you shrieking with laughter, staggering in shock and possibly weeping too. The story focuses on three friends who are returning to work after taking time out to have children. Sherlock star Lara Pulver plays surgeon and single mother Catherine MacDiarmid, whose child is the result of a brief romance with a fellow surgeon. Shes desperate to rise to the next level, but her rival  and occasional lover  Jack Oliviera (played by her real-life husband Raza Jaffrey) has the double advantage of not having had nine months off work or having to sort out childcare.

Parminder Nagra, who starred in another medical drama ER (Id watch ER for research so when Parminder was cast it was like the universe eating itself, jokes Jacqui about things coming full circle), appears as paediatric consultant Dr Maryam Afridi whos returning to work after taking two years out to have two children.

And Lisa McGrillis, who starred in the BAFTA-winning Mum, plays Dr Helen Cavendish, a registrar in acute medicine whos not only returning after three children, but also having discovered her doctor husbands been having an affair with a colleague.

Pictured: Parminder Nagra as Maryam Afridi, Lara Pulver as Catherine MacDiarmid and Lisa McGrillis as Helen Cavendis

All three women, whove been close friends since starting out in medicine, are returning to the hospital on the same day as the NHS is struggling with a post-pandemic backlog. Theyre meant to be taking a refresher course but because their unit is so short-staffed they find themselves straight back in at the deep end.

Although its set in Manchester, Maternal was filmed in Liverpool, where the ex-Pilkington Glass offices were transformed into hospital wards. Theres a warm feeling on set, not least because Parminder is good friends with Lara and Raza in real life. All three live in LA and were in a bubble together during Covid, so theyre thrilled to be cast together. Theyre all working parents too. Parminders a single mum to son Kai, 13, from her previous marriage, while Lara and Raza are parents to son Ozias, five, and daughter Thea, two.

I first went so during filming his family not only back to work when my son was six months old and I was tired, grumpy and struggling

Lara told me she was going up for the audition and asked me to help read with her, recalls Parminder, 47. I said to her, Lets get you that part! She was auditioning over Zoom for the director when he suddenly announced, Can I speak to Parminder? and I said, How dare you! Im not even in the mix for this thing. He just laughed and asked me to make some more faces to make Lara react more.

When wed finished Lara said, I wouldnt be surprised if you got a phone call in the morning, and I did! They asked me to do an audition, so I read with Raza because the other role was a male part, and then of course he got a phone call too. So the three of us travelled to the UK like a little family unit.

Theres something special in working together. That chemistry can take a long time to build, so the fact we already have it is massive  I feel very lucky that Im working with two of my mates.

Raza is originally from Liverpool so during filming his family not only looked after his children but Parminders son too. This is also the first time Lara and Raza have worked together.

This is the first big job Ive done since we had our second child, says Lara. Before, I was happy just to nip into a role and keep my toe in the water, but this was too good an opportunity to miss.

Today I had an emotional scene with Parminder and it was so easy as we have history. You can create that, but if you already have a bond you can go there deeper and faster.

Lisa may not have that shared history with her co-stars but shes slotted in nicely, and shes also got in on the family act, with her 18-month-old daughter Cleo playing her baby in the show. When I read this script I thought, This is me, basically, she says. Im just playing a version of myself, which is kind of exposing.

I volunteered Cleo when I read that my character has a one-and-a-half-year-old. The downside of having her working with me was Id be thinking, Shes missed her nap, or, She needs a snack. But she was great, so confident. Shed walk around going, Hiya! to everyone. She puts her arms out and says, Mummy, so thats going to look real.

But it wasnt all plain sailing. Theres a scene where Im rocking her to sleep, giving her milk and singing a lullaby, recalls Lisa. It was the end of a long day and she was really tired and started to play up. She was crying, she didnt want me to hold her and youve got the whole crew watching you parenting. Youre thinking, Just drink the milk! If it had been another baby I couldnt have settled her, but because it was Cleo I knew what to do and she calmed down.

For research, the three actors were paired with real doctors who are mothers. Lara recalls one anecdote that really struck her. I spoke to a surgeon who recalled having her childminder on the intercom while she was performing surgery. She was asking the childminder if she could possibly look after the kid for another couple of hours because she was trying to save a life. Most of us arent trying to save lives but I think were all trying to muddle through as working parents, and its great to explore the many challenges to that.

Maternal starts on Monday at 9pm on ITV1.

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Imagine a hotel so deep in the jungle that you have to ride a zipwire 400 metres over the forest canopy to get there. Or a hotel where you sleep with the fish in an underwater room. Or how about a candlelit stay in a cave once occupied by Stone Age people? If you want a New Year break with a difference, tune in to The Worlds Most Secret Hotels on Channel 4, a six-part journey to some of the most remote holiday destinations on the planet.

The most secret are designed to immerse their guests in nature  literally. Swedens Utter Inn looks like a tiny cottage floating on Lake Malaren, about 60 miles from Stockholm, but its actually a miniscule hotel with a bedroom beneath the waves. Created by artist Mikael Genberg, its only accessible by boat and has just two rooms  a kitchen-bathroom at sea level and, below, a sunken bedroom with windows that look out into the underwater world.

Genberg was initially told his idea was impossible. Even people in the submarine industry said, Youll have big problems with condensation and air, he says. But when somebody says, You cant do that, I think, Why not?, so I worked with shipbuilders and some very clever people.

The fish love the place, he adds. Pike and perch come up to the windows because the lights are on and people are moving. Its like a reverse aquarium.

For aviation fans who dont fancy the turbulence, JumboStay Hotel (pictured) at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport has a cockpit suite

At Cambodias Shinta Mani Wild its the opposite  guests stay way above ground in one of 15 secluded tents on stilts in a jungle that is home to pangolins and sun bears. And it all starts with a hair-raising experience  by climbing a seven-storey tower, then whooshing down to reception harnessed to a zipwire.

Its the brainchild of American architect Bill Bensley. The way you enter a property is very, very important, he says. Rocking up in a car and going through some glass doors aint going to happen in a Bensley Hotel. People arrive pumped up, because the majority have never done a zipwire before.

Shinta Mani Wild is also a hotel with a purpose. The site was due to be turned into a titanium mine before Bensley acquired it, and he now uses the profits (a three-night stay for two costs 6,500) to hire forest rangers who look for illegal poachers and loggers  and guests can accompany them on their anti-poaching missions.

The cockpit room at the Jumbo Stay (Jumbohostel) in Sweden, which is a hostel that is a converted Boeing 747 airline

At the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finnish Lapland, guests can marvel at the Northern Lights from the comfort of their beds in one of the weather resistant igloos

A trip back in time is on offer at the Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita Hotel in the town of Matera in southern Italy. Its ancient cave dwellings are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inhabited since the Palaeolithic era, but mostly deserted until entrepreneur Daniele Kihlgren transformed them into a luxury hotel.

A deconsecrated church cave lit only by candles is the restaurant, and rooms are characterised by monastic simplicity with no TVs, telephones or minibars. In Italy we preserve classical architecture, but I wanted to preserve one of the places where ordinary people lived, says Kihlgren. These caves have a unique identity.

Some of the hotels offer an adventure thats more out-of-this-world. At the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finnish Lapland, guests can marvel at the Northern Lights from the comfort of their beds when staying in one of its 65 weather-resistant glass igloos complete with 360 views.

Swedens Utter Inn looks like a tiny cottage floating on Lake Malaren, about 60 miles from Stockholm, but its actually a miniscule hotel with a bedroom beneath the waves

Thousands of miles south, in Jordans desert, residents at the Wadi Rum Bubble Luxotel can stay in a futuristic plastic bubble with a transparent roof for gazing up at the star-strewn sky. The desert here is just as otherworldly: The Martian and Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker were filmed nearby.

For aviation fans who dont fancy the turbulence, JumboStay Hotel offers a singular experience. Its a decommissioned Boeing 747 jumbo jet parked on the tarmac at Stockholms Arlanda Airport. And its most remarkable feature? The cockpit suite that still has the original control panel. A lot of pilots have come with their kids to teach them how to fly a 747, says manager Ameer Junejo.

So if youre looking for a unique holiday this year, The Worlds Most Secret Hotels should provide plenty of inspiration.

The Worlds Most Secret Hotels, later this month, Channel 4.

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Royal fans have spotted another inconsistency in Prince Harry's memoir regarding the outfit Meghan wore on their first date.

In his bombshell biography Spare, which hit shelves on Tuesday, the Duke of Sussex, 38, recounted the moment he first laid eyes on his wife when they met at 76 Dean Street in London, which is one of Soho House's private member clubs.

Describing her outfit, Prince Harry writes: 'She was wearing a black sweater, jeans heels. I knew nothing about clothes but I knew she was chic.

However, royal fans on TikTok pointed out that Prince Harry's account conflicts with a comment Meghan made in a September 2018 interview.

Meghan Markle recalled during a September 2018 interview (pictured) that she had worn a blue dress on her first date with Prince Harry.

While viewing her wedding dress with a Royal Collections curator, the mother-of-two explained how she worn a blue dress on her first date with Prince Harry.

Ahead of their nuptials, the duchess says she had asked for a piece of the frock's fabric to be stitched into her wedding dress as her 'something blue'.

Four months after the couple's wedding, the Duchess of Sussex was reunited with her Givenchy wedding dress for the ITV documentary Queen of the World.

The Duchess of Sussex then had a piece of the fabric from her first date sewn into her wedding dress as her 'something blue'

Taking a closer look at her dress, Meghan said: 'Somewhere in here, there's a piece of - did you see it?

'The piece of blue fabric that's stitched inside? It's my something blue. It's fabric from the dress I wore on our first date.'

In response, the curator gushed: 'Oh that's about the most romantic thing!'

However, it is possible that Meghan didn't consider the first time she and Harry met as a 'date'. Prince Harry goes on to describe how she then wore 'pretty blue sundress with white pinstripes' during their second meeting.

Prince Harry's bombshell memoir is full of startling claims - and some have questioned the historical accuracy of the facts presented. J.R. Moehringer (right), Harry's ghostwriter, on Wednesday defended the book, saying memoirs are about the subject's own view of events

Recollections certainly vary: The difference between Harry's memory and the facts Harry on King Henry VI 'Henry was my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.' FACT Henry VI only had one son, Edward of Westminster, who died as a teenager without any children. The Xbox from his mum Princess Diana bought him an Xbox before her death in 1997. It was presented to him after she died. 'It was an Xbox. I was pleased. I loved video games..' But he added: 'That's the story, anywayI have no idea if it's true.' FACT Microsoft's first Xbox was released in 2001. TK Maxx sale trips I'd go to TK Maxx, the discount store. I was particularly fond of their once-a-year sale, when they'd be flush with items from Gap or J.Crew. FACT A spokesman for TK Maxx said: 'Whilst we're delighted Prince Harry is a big fan, we don't actually do sales. Instead, we offer great value, style, and savings all year round.' Bermuda posting for Sussexes 'Camilla also suggested to Meg that I become Governor General of Bermuda, which would solve all our problems' FACT Bermuda does not have a Governor General. Koh-i-Noor and the Queen Mother Reflecting on the Queen Mother's funeral and the jewels on her coffin, Harry said: 'A 105-karat monster called the Koh-i-Noor. Largest diamond ever seen by human eyes. "Acquired" by the British Empire at its zenith. Stolen, some thought.' FACT The Cullinan Diamond is the largest diamond ever found. It was presented to King Edward VII and cut, with stones used in the Crown Jewels and other priceless items. Advertisement

In a viral video that's amassed over 2.1million views, TikTok user Paula compared the couple's comments about their first date and said: 'Please get something right!'

In response, one viewer wrote: 'Recollections may vary...'

Another joked: 'Maybe it was midnight blue?'

Prince Harry himself admits in the book that his memory became 'patchy' after the death of his mother Princess Diana.

But he then went on to say he could be 'misremembering my own struggles with memory from back then'.

He said: 'As a defence mechanism, most likely, my memory was no longer recording things quite as it once did.'

At one point, when recalling a trip to the late Queen's Scottish estate, Balmoral, in the summer of 1997, he explained how he can recall, in 'crisp detail', 'landscape, geography, architecture' but struggles with 'dates and dialogue'.

However, the prince revealed how months of therapy improved his ability to recall recollections from the past, including moments with his late mother.

Earlier this week, Prince Harry's ghostwriter J.R. Moehringer came out in defence of the duke after readers highlighted other inaccuracies in his memoir.

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 before they were manufactured, and stating that Meghan's father was bought a Mexico-London flight ticket on Air New Zealand, which does not fly that route.

Moehringer, who has also authored autobiographies for Andre Agassi and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, defended the book he was reportedly paid $1million to write.

Sharing an excerpt from Harry's book, he emphasised that the prince himself admits at times that he is unsure of the accuracy all the details he shares, often saying this is due to trauma in his childhood. But in the same book he also insists: 'It's important that history has it right.'

Moehringer tweeted Harry's words: '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.'

Moehringer has twice won the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing before he turned to ghostwriting books. Spare is the fastest selling non-fiction book in UK history, according to publisher Penguin.

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The bizarre list included everything from getting burnt to feeding the wildlife

Hundreds of Aussies shared the random things you should never do in Australia

A young American man asked for advice on how to survive moving Down Under

Fed-up Australians have created a list warning tourists about the things they should never do Down Under, including complaining about the country, getting sunburnt and applying Vegemite incorrectly.

An American teenager who is planning to move to Sydney reached out to ask what the biggest 'no-nos' in Australia are and was flooded with responses.

People listed everything from not swimming between the flags and feeding the wildlife, to advice on the correct slang and curse words to use.

Fed-up Australians have created a list warning tourists about the things they should never do Down Under, including complaining about the country, getting sunburnt and applying Vegemite incorrectly

People listed everything from sensible options like not swimming between the flags, and feeding the wildlife (left), to advice on the correct slang and curse words to use. Many also advised that tipping culture isn't as important Down Under (right)

'Right, I am 16 years old and a born and raised American planning on going to Australia after I turn 18,' the young man said on Reddit.

'I might move depending on how it goes. I'm just trying to learn a few things about Australia before I go there.'

'So I was wondering, what are some of the biggest (or even smallest) no-no's over there?'

Several people listed important Aussie etiquette rules he should follow.

'Don't complain about Vegemite,' one woman warned.

Some of the important Aussie etiquette rules people warned about was not putting too much Vegemite on toast (pictured)

She explained that if he was going to try the iconic Aussie condiment it must be spread 'super thin on buttery toast,' and never 'slathered'.

Other people agreed and warned the young man not to complain about Australia in general.

'Don't say XYZ is better in your home country,' one man said.

Poll Have you done any of these Aussie no-no's? Yes Nope Have you done any of these Aussie no-no's? Yes 40 votes

Nope 68 votes Now share your opinion





'Telling us about every little thing here that's different from the US with shock and amazement. Things are different in different places. We get it. We travel too,' another agreed.

Something that lots of people agreed on is that tipping culture isn't as important Down Under.

Many immediately issued the same warning - 'don't underestimate the sun.'

'The summer sun in Australia is intense,' one man said explaining that there is a ozone layer hole.

'If your skin burns in the sun mid November to late February is UV ray danger time, and 20-30mins of sun can leave you with sunburn. Use sunscreen.'

'Don't bother bringing sunblock, buy some Australian ones when you get here cause our hole in the ozone is no joke,' another wrote.

Several people advised the young man on how to properly use, or not use Australian slang.

'There's a myth that we say 'c*nt' every second sentence. Don't do that, unless you're really friendly with someone and in the right environment,' one man commented.

Things you should never do in Australia: * Don't underestimate the sun and always wear high factor sunscreen * Don't do an Australian accent * Don't say mate all the time * Don't say c*nt casually * Order hot chips if you want French fries * Swim between the flags * Don't tip * Don't swim at night and be familiar with currents * Don't complain about Vegemite * Don't apply a thick layer of Vegemite * Don't complain about Australia or say things are better in your country * Don't boast or act like a 'tall poppy' * Don't be loud and rude to staff, drivers or people at fuel pumps * Be aware of animals like crocodiles, snakes, spiders and jellyfish * Don't feed wildlife for a photo * Properly prepare for long journeys Advertisement

Many suggested brushing up on the local lingo to avoid annoying mistakes, for example chips refer to potato crisps in Australia, if you want fries you should order hot chips.

One woman explained that 'yeah nah' means no, and 'nah yeah' means yes.

However, the teen was also advised not to try to mimic an Australian accent or appropriate the slang too much.

'Don't try to call everyone 'mate.' It sounds awful in most American accents,' another advised.

Another thing many Aussies agreed on was the need to be humble, rather than acting like a 'tall poppy'.

'Don't big note yourself, be understated about yourself,' one man said..

'Don't be loud and arrogant in public, and don't be rude to hospitality staff,' another said.

Many offered sensible advice on how to be safe Down Under, including always swimming between the flags

Many offered sensible advice on how to be safe Down Under.

One woman said you should always check your shoes and the toilet bowl for spiders.

'If you go to the beach only swim between the flags,' another advised.

'Don't go swimming in the ocean, unless you understand currents, and how they work. Don't dive into water, without making sure it's safe first,' another advised.

Several people told him to be careful with crocodiles and jellyfish as well, and never feed the wildlife for photo opportunities.

They also advised him not to underestimate the distances between places and ensure you have enough water when travelling long distances.

'Make sure you know how far away something is before planning a drive. Some places may not seem far till you are half way there and out of fuel,' one man said.
Prince Harry's explosive memoir mentions Royal Family members, beloved relatives and mentors, as well as new and old friends.

Among those referenced is a set of three brothers - the Van Straubenzee siblings who were classmates of Prince William, 40, and the Duke of Sussex, 38, when at Ludgrove School together.

They have remained close friends throughout their lives and the brothers, Thomas, 40, Charlie, 34, and the late Henry, are all mentioned several times in Harry's explosive book Spare, released worldwide on Tuesday.

One of the most controversial revelations involving the siblings was the Duke's startling claim that his brother's 'real' best men at his wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011 were his friends James Meade and Thomas Van Straubenzee.

Among those mentioned in Spare is a set of three brothers - the Van Straubenzee siblings who were classmates of Prince William, 40, and the Duke of Sussex, 38, when at Ludgrove School together. Pictured, William and Thomas in 2014

The Duke revealed his rift with his older sibling meant 'Willy didn't want me giving a best man's speech'.

In an extraordinarily personal revelation, Harry claims he was forced to go along with his brother's 'bare-faced lie' and act out the role of best man to spare the blushes of William's two closest friends, who gave the traditional speech at the reception.

The Duke was officially considered his brother's best man at the wedding and travelled with his father the future King to Westminster Abbey in a Bentley that day.

In Spare, Harry also revealed he picked his 'old friend' Charlie Van Straubenzee to be his best man, despite claims William was fulfilling the role.

They have remained close friends throughout their lives and the brothers, Thomas, 40, Charlie (pictured with Harry in 2015), 34, and the late Henry, all are mentioned several times in Harry's explosive book Spare, which was released worldwide on Tuesday

Elsewhere in his memoir, Harry mentioned his close friend, Henry van Straubenzee, nicknamed 'Henners', who died aged 18 in a car crash in 2002

He suggested that William changed plans to spend the night with friends at the Coworth Park Hotel ahead of Harry's 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle.

The Duke claimed that his older brother cancelled at the last minute, saying he needed to stay with the Princess of Wales and their children instead.

After Harry tried to persuade him further, he eventually agreed to come and have dinner with him, but still refused to stay the night, the memoir recalled.

'Was he resentful that he wasnt my best man?' questioned Harry. 'That Id asked my old friend Charlie? (The Palace had published that Willy was my best man like I had been when Kate and he got married).'

Thomas Van Straubenzee (pictured at a charity polo match in Cirencester in 2018) gave a speech at Prince William's wedding reception

Mr van Straubenzee has known William since prep school, with his family being known as one of the royal family's closest and most loyal allies. He is pictured (left) riding in a carriage with the Queen at Ascot in 2017

Thomas tied the knot with Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe, 32, a teacher at Charlotte and Prince George's former school, Thomas's Battersea, in 2020

Elsewhere in his memoir, Harry mentioned his close friend, Henry van Straubenzee, nicknamed 'Henners', who died aged 18 in a car crash in 2002.

The Duke said hearing the news of his friend's death took him back to the moment in 1997 when his father, then Prince Charles, told him Princess Diana had died.

He wrote: 'The news must have come in the form of a phone call, though I only dimly recall holding the phone, hearing the words.

'Henners and another boy, leaving a party near Ludgrove, drove into a tree. Though the calls a blur, I vividly remember my reaction. Same as when Pa told me about Mummy.

'Right so Henners was in an accident. But hes in hospital, right? Hes going to be OK? No, he wasnt.'

Prince William has known Mr Van Straubenzee since childhood where he attended Ludgrove School in Berkshire. They are pictured with Kate in 2016 at Ascot Racecourse

In December 2022, Princes William and Harry joined forces in a rare show of unity for charity to remember their late friend 'Henners'.

A joint letter, penned for a carol concert for the Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund at St Luke's Church, Chelsea on December 1, featured both their names.

It went on to pay tribute to 'Henners', using 'we' and 'us' as the royals presented a unified voice. It is understood to be the first time in at least a year they had put out a statement together.

The royal brothers are patrons of the charity - which was set up by Henry's parents Alex and Claire - and have been attendees along with their wives Kate and Meghan at the festive event in previous years.

Daisy Jenks, Charlie van Straubenzee and Thomas van Straubenzee attend the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel on October 12, 2018 in Windsor

The heartfelt letter read: 'We believe everyone here tonight will agree that what Claire and Alex have achieved since 2009 with The Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund is nothing short of extraordinary.'

The charity supports schools and helps construct, restore and improve buildings, enabling children to have better and properly-equipped classrooms and facilities including restrooms.

'As you gather together under this roof tonight, the charity is supporting 51 nursery, primary and secondary schools in rural Uganda, where 1700 projects have been completed and over 35,000 children, each year, are benefitting by receiving education they wouldn't have otherwise,' said the letter.

Princes Harry and William remain close friends with Thomas and Charlie van Straubenzee.

Thomas is the global head of the private office of estate agent Knight Frank, and accompanied the Prince to New Zealand on his gap year.

He is also godfather to the Prince and Princess of Wales' daughter Princess Charlotte.

The businessman and property consultant, whose parents are Captain Alexander van Straubenzee and Claire Fenwick, used to holiday with William in Cornwall when they were children.

Before Thomas's marriage to Charlotte's former teacher from St Thomas's Battersea, Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe, 32, in 2020, he had a reputation for loving a night out. The couple share a young son, Albert.

His family's royal links go back decades  old family friends of Princess Diana, she was even the nanny of Thomas Van Straubenzee's cousin briefly and was also said to have dated his uncle, Willie, after divorcing Prince Charles.

Thomas Van Straubenzee is said to be interested in music, wildlife and conservation.

His friendship with the princes made headlines in 2011, when he was mugged at knifepoint in Battersea while talking on the phone to Harry, and the concerned Prince drove across town to check on him.

In 2013, Thomas married Lady Melissa Percy, the Duke of Northumberland's daughter, at her family's ancestral home Alnwick Castle, which doubles as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Princes William and Harry were among the guests.

The couple divorced three years later in 2016, with Thomas' disputed 'unreasonable behaviour' allegedly cited as the reason for the relationship breakdown.

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If the words that best embody the last two years in Guatemala are corruption, judicial persecution, and impunity, then there is reason to worry about the integrity of the presidential election set for June 25. Eleven presidential tickets have already announced their bids and over 30 parties are expected to participate, but there are serious questions about election arbiters interest in monitoring the contest fairly.

Only a handful of candidates, most of them backed by traditional elites, have a real chance of making headway. While there is much speculation about the frontrunner, the contender generating the most buzz is Zury Rios, the deeply controversial daughter of 1980s dictator Efrain Rios Montt. Her party, Valor (meaning both courage and values) has joined forces with the party of Alvaro Arzu, the deceased arch-conservative ex-president from 1996 to 1999 and patriarch of a wealthy criollo family dynasty.

The alliance, political scientist Gabriela Carrera told El Faro English, is the fusion of the military sector that Zury represents with the economic elites.

In December, three days before Rios announced her bid, running mate Hector Cifuentes was suspiciously cleared of charges of siphoning municipal funds from 2011 to 2015 to prop up Arzus capital-city political machine. The CICIG and FECI prosecutors who brought the charges in 2019 have been kicked out of the country or hounded into exile. Current top FECI prosecutor Rafael Curruchiche, sanctioned by the U.S. for corruption, asked for the case to be dropped.

Other top candidates have judicial blemishes of their own. UNE party leader and former first lady Sandra Torres, who came in first place in initial presidential voting in 2019 before losing the runoff to Alejandro Giammattei, was charged that same year for not reporting more than $2 million dollars worth of donations in the 2015 race. The case was suddenly dismissed two months ago.

The legal woes may also extend to Torres running mate Estuardo Guerra, who preached as an Evangelical pastor as recently as June 2020. Active religious ministers are constitutionally barred from competing for executive office, though he may claim he has stepped down.

Parts of UNE are key allies to President Giammattei in Congress. Election authorities are reportedly investigating the presence of government cars, indicating possible illicit use of state resources, at campaign events of Torres. Some cite the vehicles as evidence of closeness.

The government cars controversy also affects congressman Manuel Conde, Giammatteis candidate by the presidents party, Vamos. Journalist Juan Luis Font told El Faro English that Conde, a politician of lower profile than Rios or Torres, is an important figure in terms of power alliances.

He has played a quite relevant role in constructing the group against CICIG and the Public Prosecutors Office, Font says.

Giammatteis party, too, faced courtroom accusations of illicit finance until Attorney General Consuelo Porras sanctioned by the U.S., too dismantled the prosecutors unit that received testimony from a Vamos insider that Giammattei had negotiated $2.6 million in bribes in 2019.

It was revealing that his anointed candidate, Conde, will run alongside Luis Suarez, the dean of economics from the politically influential public San Carlos University (USAC) who helped co-opt the university elections last year. Departments who supported opponent Jordan Rodas, the former human rights ombudsman, were barred from casting votes.

The June elections will offer a rematch for Rodas, who fled in August to avoid the promise of judicial persecution from Giammattei and Porras. He returned to announce in December that he would run for vice president with Mayan Mam leader Thelma Cabrera, figurehead of the campesino movement CODECA and its left-wing political party Movement for the Liberation of Peoples (MLP) who came in fourth in 2019 and is considered the strongest Left candidate.

Contenders will have until March 27 to register. There are currently 8.9 million registered voters (only barely over half the population) who will elect the president by absolute majority and also vote for Congress, municipalities, and Parlacen delegates. The crowded field makes for a high likelihood of a presidential run-off in August.

Who filters who can run?

The Cabrera-Rodas alliance, according to Juan Luis Font, reflects that the MLP is willing to soften their anti-system image. Until now they have been very closed. Rodas is a public figure with the ability to convene a different segment of the population, he said, referring to progressives and college students who were two of several motors of anti-corruption mass protests in July 2021.

Progressive observers are afraid that those conducting the lawfare on anti-corruption justice system actors may look to disqualify the duo by scouring Rodas record as ombudsman for administrative errors, as they did to exiled former Attorney General Thelma Aldana in 2019. To officially run, every candidate must obtain a certification from the Comptrollers Office that they have never mismanaged public resources.

The judicial maneuvers also cut in other directions. Constitutional experts say a renewed battle over whether the ban on the children of coup presidents seeking the office should apply to Rios is almost certain to again reach the Constitutional Court. Rios was already banned from the 2019 election for that reason.

Her candidacy hangs from a very thin thread, a close advisor to Rios told journalist Claudia Mendez Arriaza.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), a key part of that decision, has already shown some partiality in enforcement against pre-campaigning, permitting not-so-subtle courting of the public by Rios and Conde but issuing warnings to Cabrera and candidate Edmond Mulet, an ex-U.N. diplomat who came in third in 2019 and whose former Humanist Party has at times voted in Congress with Giammatteis Vamos.

The next two months should bring an intense dance of low blows and coalition building. The levels of conflict or cohesion among elites will be key. Whats in play among the groups in the pact of the corrupt [common expression referring to elites pact born to expel CICIG from Guatemala] is their positioning in the state, asserted Gabriela Carrera.

When Congress is reconfigured, she added, well see the negotiations and the interests: which factions remain, and who is with who.
A woman gave birth to her brother's baby - after agreeing to be a surrogate so he could start a family.

Sabreena Henderson, 29, from Buena Park, California, volunteered to help sibling Shane Petrie, 32, and his husband Paul Petrie, 36.

She said she has 'always felt strongly' about sexual equality - so was more than willing to help out.

And, after five failed insemination attempts and a miscarriage, Sabreena gave birth to baby Tristan in September last year.

Sabreena Henderson, 29, from Buena Park, California, gave birth to her brother's baby - after agreeing to be a surrogate so he could start a family

She said: 'Seeing the happiness in their eyes and the smile on my brother's face made it all worth it. And if they asked me I'd do it again in a heartbeat.'

Sabreena, a property manager who is mother to four children of her own, is one of five sisters.

And, after Shane came out as gay in at 16, they all agreed they would be a surrogate if they could.

Sabreena volunteered to help her sibling Shane Petrie, 32, (left) and his husband Paul Petrie, 36 (right)

(L-R)Sabreena, Paul and Shane beam for a snap as they are pictured all together with baby Tristan

Sabreena said she has 'always felt strongly' about sexual equality - so was more than willing to help out

After Shane came out as gay in at 16, they all agreed they would be a surrogate if they could (Shane pictured with baby Tristan)

It was a tense nine months, but thankfully Sabreena gave birth to Tristan on 28 September last year

Sabreena says she was then the best candidate when her brother said he wanted a child in 2020.

She said: 'Surrogacy is really expensive and so is adoption so when Shane and Paul were ready to be parents I was happy to help facilitate that.

'My eldest sister had already had three C-sections so she couldn't do it, and my two younger sisters were only 18 and 19 at the time.

'That left it between me and my other middle sister. But she'd had a terrible time through both her pregnancies.'

Sabreena agreed to use Paul's sperm and her egg so both fathers would be related to the baby.

The trio tried their first insemination attempt in November 2020, but it didn't result in a pregnancy.

They then had two more attempts and, on the third time of trying in February 2021, Sabreena became pregnant.

She carried for 13 weeks before suffering a tragic miscarriage - which left the family devastated.

After a long journey and a further three attempts, Sabreena thankfully became pregnant again

Sabreena said the day she found out she was pregnant again was wonderful and she showcased her growing baby bump in a series of snaps

Sabreena took a few months to heal both physically and emotionally.

But when doctors informed her it was safe to try again in October 2021, that's what they did.

What is a surrogate pregnancy? Surrogacy is when a woman carries a baby for a couple who are unable to conceive or carry a child themselves. Such couples may include those who have suffered recurrent miscarriages, repeated IVF failures, premature menopause or a hysterectomy. The risks of being a surrogate mother are the same as for every pregnancy, and include nausea, heart burn and back ache. In extreme cases, surrogates can suffer high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. Straight surrogacy This involves using the surrogate's egg and the intended father's sperm. It is the least expensive and simplest form of the procedure. Host surrogacy Host surrogacy requires IVF with either the intended mother's eggs or donor eggs rather than those of the surrogate. In this case, the surrogate is genetically unrelated to the baby. Donor eggs can be from friends or relatives, or anonymously donated. What are the laws? Surrogacy is legal in the UK, however, it cannot be advertised. No third parties are allowed to be involved and surrogates can only receive payments to cover expenses incurred as a result of being pregnant. In the US, surrogacy costs around $100,000 (75,879), with laws varying between states. Source: Surrogacy UK Advertisement

And, three months later, after a further three attempts, Sabreena became pregnant again.

She said: 'When we found out I'd miscarried we were absolutely heartbroken.

'I bled so much and even needed surgery as my body wasn't naturally letting go of the pregnancy.

'It was awful. But it didn't put me off helping my brother and when we got the all clear from the doctor, we tried again.

'The day I found out I was pregnant again was wonderful, although we were all tentatively optimistic because of our previous experience.

'It was a tense nine months, but thankfully everything was fine this time around and I gave birth to Tristan on September 28 last year.'

Shane and Paul have been fathers for three months and are loving every minute of parenthood.

And Shane says he will forever be in debt to his younger sister - and that they now share an unbreakable bond like no other.

Shane, a drug and alcohol recovery worker in Costa Mesa said: 'One of the first things my husband and I ever discussed when we met was we both wanted children.

'We wanted a family, but weren't sure how we would be able to make that a reality.

'When my sister came to us and asked to help it was life-changing.

'It was the most selfless act I've ever seen in my life.

'She gave us the thing that we wanted most in the world, and made our life and family complete, and asked for nothing in return.'

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The Prince and Princess of Wales showed their natural rapport with members of the public as they stopped for selfies during a visit to Liverpool yesterday.

William and Kate, both 40, toured the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital and smiled, joked and posed for a large number of photos with NHS staff, who they thanked for their efforts during the winter months.

Photos of the royal couple appeared online shortly after their visit as delighted fans posted their selfies with the Prince and Princess.

Despite scathing attacks from Prince Harry in his memoir Spare, including claims William pushed him over during an argument about Meghan, the Waleses were greeted with a huge cheer from the crowd as they arrived in the city.

The Prince and Princess of Wales showed their natural rapport with members of the public as they stopped for selfies during a visit to Liverpool yesterday

Although there is no official protocol on selfies, the royals have a rule against signing autographs, so that they can't be sold for large amounts of money.

And in the early days of camera phones, they seemed to shy away from being snapped with members of the public with Princes William and Harry and King Charles all voicing their dislike of the method.

However, in recent years, they've become commonplace, with 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.

The late Queen Elizabeth II was not a fan of selfies and would politely decline if ever asked to take one, as she was thought to prefer eye contact. However, this was more of a personal preference than a rule of any kind.

Healthcare assistant Anna O'Hara asked the Prince (pictured right) and Princess of Wales for selfies on the critical care ward at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital

William and Kate, both 40, toured the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital and smiled, joked and posed for a large number of photos with NHS staff, who they thanked for their efforts during the winter months

William has previously joked that he is 'allergic to selfies' while Harry once told a teenager that 'selfies are bad' and told her to 'just take a normal photograph' when she requested one in Australia in 2015.

However in recent times it appears some royals have grown fonder of the selfie, perhaps viewing the form of photography as way of embracing modern times and connecting with fans.

Despite previously admitting he 'hates' selfies, the King was among the first royals to be seen stopping for a snap with fans after cheeky scaffolder Sam Wayne took a picture with him in 2014.

Two years later the same construction worker, from Redruth, reduced, Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, to fits of giggles as he snapped a selfie with them on a tour of a housing development in Cornwall.

Photos of the royal couple appeared online shortly after their visit as delighted fans posted their selfies with the Prince and Princess. Pictured, Prince William with a delighted fan

Although there is no official protocol on selfies, the royals have a rule against signing autographs, so that they can't be sold for large amounts of money. Pictured, Kate posing with a fan

Prince William pushed the trend further in 2014 when he actually took the picture himself while posing for a snap with a schoolgirl after she visited the Sandringham Estate on Christmas Day.

The Duke ended up photographing himself with the schoolgirl, Madison Lambe, 12, because she was too nervous to press the button on her phone.

William seems to have grown more accustomed to the selfie over the years, with the royal melting hearts when he put his tour of Ireland on hold to stop for a selfie with little girl Jennifer Malone in March 2020.

Kate has always seemed to be comfortable with the selfie, going viral in 2014 when she took a snap high-fiving a youngster in Christchurch before posing with various well-wishers on a walkabout in Sydney.

And in the early days of camera phones, they seemed to shy away from being snapped with members of the public with Princes William and Harry and King Charles all voicing their dislike of the method. Pictured, Kate posing with a fan

Meanwhile, Prince Harry welcomed the selfie after marrying Meghan Markle in 2018 when the pair happily posed for several photos with royal supporters during their 16-day tour of Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

It also seems that Queen Consort Camilla has always been on board with the selfie, having posed with various fans over the years.

In June 2016, she proved she's a good sport by snapping a selfie with staff member Biffy Mackay, 27, at the Social Bite cafe in Edinburgh, which feeds, trains and employs members of the homeless community.

Sophie Wessex has also been spotted indulging fans who asked for a selfie when she smiled with a group of youngsters while previously attending the New Forest and Hampshire County Show.

As royal selfies appear to become more commonplace, fans may consider the practice a sign of a monarchy that is becoming more modern, as King Charles takes the reins.

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive to officially open the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital in Liverpool

However, despite becoming more and more common for the royals, Kate told one royal fan yesterday: '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 official 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 to thank 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.

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A woman has revealed how a book-turned-movie caused her to realize that her wife was faking a terminal cancer diagnosis.

Yaya Kampen from California uploaded a clip to TikTok detailing the incident, which revolved around John Green's 2012 bestseller, The Fault In Our Stars.

Tagging the American author in her post, Yaya explains: 'Your book actually completely changed my life twice and it's in the weirdest way possible.'

She then details how, when she watched the movie adaptation in 2014, she realized the lead character's story was eerily similar to her wife's who supposedly had terminal bone cancer and when she did some further investigation, the truth unraveled.

Yaya Kampen from California uploaded a clip to TikTok detailing the incident, which revolved around John Green's 2012 bestseller, The Fault In Our Stars

When Yaya watched the movie adaptation in 2014, she realized the lead character's story was eerily similar to her ex-wife's who supposedly had terminal bone cancer

Recounting what happened when she watched The Fault In Our Stars starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, Yaya said: 'At the time I was married to someone who was dying of terminal bone cancer.

'She had only a few months left to live and so it was a very poignant story.

'But as I'm watching the movie I'm realizing that almost identical to the story plot is my wife's life.'

Yaya admits that she hadn't known her wife for very long before they got married, as time was of the essence because of her cancer.

But she started to get suspicious about the woman she was in love with and went back to read Green's book to get more clues about what was going on.

The Fault In Our Stars follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, played by Woodley, a 16-year-old battling stage four Thyroid cancer who is forced into a support group by her parents.

Yaya found out her ex was living a lie and was basing her life on a fictional character in the book A Fault In Our Stars, which later became a movie

While attending meetings, the teen develops a relationship with Augustus 'Gus' Waters, played by Elgort, a one-time high school jock who lost his leg to osteosarcoma.

Yaya explains after she watched the movie and felt the plot was 'just too close', she went back to read Green's book 'and even the phrases that you used, she would use on the daily'.

You know, it's been a hot minute since I've been THAT bamboozled by a TikTok. I was simply unprepared for the journey you brought us on

At the end of her TikTok Yaya directly addresses the author saying: 'So it was your story that inspired her to fake terminal bone cancer but it was also your movie from that story that gave me the first alarm bells to prove that she was lying to me about having terminal bone cancer.'

For any concerned viewers, Yaya says that her now-ex is 'still alive and well'.

To date, Yaya's enlightening TikTok has been watched more than 2.5 million times with thousands of viewers expressing shock around her story.

TikToker @Lucky wrote: 'You know, it's been a hot minute since I've been THAT bamboozled by a TikTok. I was simply unprepared for the journey you brought us on.'

And @MariekeVanRavenhorst commented: 'I watched this three times, because I refused to believe I heard you right. WHAT.'

In the comments section Yaya, who works as postpartum doula, notes that she went to marry another women after the incident, 'hitting the jackpot the second time [around]'.

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She has since issued an apology and revealed she has ceased the project

Readers were furious at her 'tone-deaf' decision and questioned her 'audacity'

Colleen Hoover has been slammed after she revealed plans to release an adult coloring book based on her novel about domestic violence.

The best-selling author, 42, was met with a flood of criticism when she announced the drawing book was inspired by her best-selling novel It Ends With Us.

When she revealed the book would be based on her hit novel fans couldn't help but criticize the reader for her 'tone-deaf' decision based upon the fact that the novel contained heavy material and it didn't seem appropriate to turn it into a coloring book.

Author Colleen Hoover has been slammed after she announced plans to create a coloring book based one of her best-selling novels

She announced the drawing book was inspired by the book It Ends With Us, which is centered around domestic violence

Her fans, also known as her CoHorts due to her popularization with BookTok , questioned why the author would even go so far as to make the decision all together

Her fans, also known as her CoHorts due to her popularization with BookTok, questioned why the author would even go so far as to make the decision all together and accused her of cashing in on domestic violence in an attempt to keep her popularity up.

In an Instagram post which has now been removed, Colleen wrote 'I'm one of the adult coloring book industry's biggest consumers, so to have one of my books turned into a coloring book is a dream come true,'

'I am so excited for this.

'Releases April 4th, 2023. Beautifully Illustrated by Emma Taylor.'

And the disapproving comments from fans came quick, as one user said she had 'taken the capitalization and popularity of It Ends With US too far.'

After one day of criticism, she apologized for the insensitive activity book and noted that she was working with publishers to cease the project.

Hoover took to her Instagram story to share her apology.

'The coloring book was developed with Lilys strength in mind, but I can absolutely see how this was tone-deaf.

'I hear you guys and I agree with you. No excuses. No finger pointing.

After one day of criticism, she apologized for the insensitive activity book and noted that she was working with publishers to cease the project

Following Hoovers apology, the publisher Atria Books also confirmed that the project was being cancelled following criticism from readers

'I have contacted the publisher to let them know I would prefer we dont move forward with it. Thank you for the respectful discourse and accountability. Nothing but love,' she wrote.

Following Hoovers apology, the publisher Atria Books also confirmed that the project was being cancelled following criticism from readers.

In an Instagram post, a spokesperson for the company wrote, 'Atria Books will not move forward with the publication of The Official It Ends with Us Coloring Book.

'We developed this book to be uplifting and empowering, mirroring Lily Blooms story; we appreciate the feedback and discourse and have the greatest respect for Colleen Hoovers fans.

'Thank you for the honest conversation and passion for the world Colleen has created in her books and the characters within.'

It Ends With Us tells the story of a young woman who is assaulted by her husband and finds herself fighting to break the cycle of abuse.

The novel was based on the troubled marriage of Hoover's parents and gained traction when social media users took to TikTok to gush about the best-seller.

It Ends With Us is so popular, it is currently being adapted into a film.

Despite her decision to cease the project, readers are still furious about the plans being made in the first place

Despite her decision to cease the project, readers are still furious about the plans being made in the first place.

One reader, Izzy Hayes said, 'Out of every book she picks to turn a book about domestic abuse into a coloring book.

Another shocked reader called Sam said ' I just have no clue what we're supposed to be coloring? It's a book about horrific domestic abuse?'

Cassia added, 'Everyday I'm grateful she's always been in my nope authors list. where do these writers find the audacity.'

However, Amber said, 'To be honest you can make a taboo into art with this, maybe its art like I don't get why its a drama.'

'Thank you for the respectful discourse and accountability. Nothing but love.'

The controversial coloring book is still available to view on Amazon however it states that the product is 'out of stock.'

Hoover became popular thanks to the TikTok trend known as #BookTok, which made her one of the most successful writers in the world - with five of her books currently sitting in the New York Times' Top 10 Best Sellers list.

Thanks to the popular TikTok trend #BookTok, Colleen Hoover has become one of the country's most successful writers - with five of her books now sitting on the Times' Best Sellers list

Colleen began writing as a hobby in 2011 while working as a social worker, and she had no plans to make it her full-time job at the time

She self-published her first book, called Slammed, in January 2012 so that her grandmother could pull it up on her Amazon Kindle. She is seen with the book in 2013

Colleen Hoover's five books in the New York Times' Bestsellers list It Ends With Us: 'A battered wife raised in a violent home attempts to halt the cycle of abuse.'

'A battered wife raised in a violent home attempts to halt the cycle of abuse.' Verity: 'Lowen Ashleigh is hired by the husband of an injured writer to complete her popular series and uncovers a horrifying truth.'

'Lowen Ashleigh is hired by the husband of an injured writer to complete her popular series and uncovers a horrifying truth.' Ugly Love: 'Tate Collins and Miles Archer, an airline pilot, think they can handle a no strings attached arrangement. But they can't.'

'Tate Collins and Miles Archer, an airline pilot, think they can handle a no strings attached arrangement. But they can't.' November 9: 'Is Ben using his relationship with Fallon as fodder for his novel?'

'Is Ben using his relationship with Fallon as fodder for his novel?' All Your Perfects: 'Quinn and Grahams marriage depends on past promises. Advertisement

The viral trend sees users discussing books that they've read, posting their reactions to the twists and turns, and recommending their personal favorites to others, and Colleen's novels have been a hot topic in the community.

Due to her surge in popularity on the app, many of Colleens books have recently entered the New York Times' Best Sellers list under the fiction section for combined print and E-books, despite coming out years ago.

Her most popular book, called It Ends With Us, which dropped in 2016, is currently sitting at the number two spot right underneath Delia Owens' Where the Crawdads Sing.

In the first month of its release six years ago, the book sold about 21,000 copies according to PublisherWeekly.com, with the outlet adding that 'sales flatlined after that initial month.'

For several years, weekly sales 'rarely broke triple digits,' until last summer - when it entered the sphere of #BookTok. In an article posted in September 2021, PublisherWeekly.com claimed that book jumped up to an average weekly sales of 17,000.

The book retails for $16.99 for the paperback and for the E-book, which means when she was averaging 17,000 sales a week, Colleen was making roughly $289,000 weekly from that book alone.

In addition to It Ends With Us, many of her other books reached the bestsellers list, including Verity, Ugly Love, November 9, and All Your Perfects.

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Can you work out what's going on here?

A riddle that went viral on TikTok more than a month ago and left intellectuals and everyday scrollers alike perplexed, is still doing the rounds on social media but one Twitter user claims to have solved it.

On December 6, 2022, TikToker @thisis_bex (who has since deleted her account) posted a clip showing a herself looking provocatively in the mirror with the caption: 'Imagine how good your life would be if you had a 26-year-old nursing assistant by your side, now replace S with N.'

The TikTok attracted over 5.4 million views in a week with thousands of commenters left baffled and dozens of memes emerging.

A riddle that went viral on TikTok more than a month ago and left intellectuals and everyday people alike perplexed, is still doing the rounds on social media

Many people guessed the answer was 'nurning annintant' and posted hilarious videos of themselves trying to pronounce the made up words after stitching @thisis_bex's clip with their own.

Ranjodh Singh Dhaliwal, who is based in San Francisco and describes himself as a 'scholar working at the intersections of media theory, science and technology studies, and literary criticism', reignited interest in the riddle this week when he reposted a still of the TikTok to Twitter with the caption 'every day, at least once I am haunted by this'.

He added in a thread: 'This, for me, remains the biggest unsolved intellectual question of our era.'

His Tweet, which has since garnered more than 240,000 likes, quickly reignited peoples' interest in the conundrum with one potential solution coming to the surface.

Ranjodh Singh Dhaliwal reignited interest in the riddle this week when he reposted a still of the TikTok to Twitter

One Twitter user @v_alexey even ran the riddle through an AI program in an attempt to solve it, but the computer churned out a dissatisfying answer

One Twitter user @v_alexey even ran the riddle through an AI program in an attempt to solve it, but the computer churned out a dissatisfying answer.

The response said: 'The meaning an intent of this post is not clear and it may be inappropriate, objectifying, and disrespectful to the nursing profession.'

However, after giving the riddle much thought Chris Romano, from Chicago, who is studying behavioral science at Northwestern University, served up what he believes may well be the solution.

According to Chris, the key to solving the riddle lies in the 'implied answer' - and not, as many people thought, in the question itself.

He suggested that the reply many people would make to the riddle is 'so good' - noting that if you replace the 's' in 'so' with the letter 'n' you get the answer: 'No good.'

He tweeted: 'I think the implied answer to ''how good your life would be" is "so good", which after swapping S->N would = "no good", so its a self-deprecating joke of sorts.'

Thousands of Twitter users applauded Romano's power of deduction.

Ben Kuebrich wrote: 'I legit think you solved the riddle.'

After giving the riddle much thought Chris Romano from Chicago, who is studying behavioral science at Northwestern University, served up a proposition

And @jackqueen_ commented: 'Dude you cracked the code. My mind is alas released from this burden.'

While many people praised Romano for solving the riddle, some doubted his theory.

Twitter user MacroMort quipped: 'That doesn't work at all. What if your answer was "Pretty good."'

Meanwhile, @COOlGUyAl said: 'The problem with this is it makes too much sense. I really think there's something to "nurning annintant" that we need to focus on and explore, rigorously.'

Following her post's rise to fame, @thisis_bex deleted her TikTok account but her Instagram account @bex.baby406 remains active.

On the account she does refer to herself as a certified nursing assistant but as it links to her OnlyFans page, many aspiring sleuths have doubted her credentials.

One user said: 'Guys I'm starting to think she isn't actually a 26-year-old nursing assistant.'

While Romano claims to have solved @thisis_bex's puzzle, she says there actually is no answer. She told the DailyDot.com after being hunted down for answers that 'the answer is that it's meant to be a brain stump. It doesn't mean anything.'
Princess Mary has stunned onlookers in a gorgeous plum-coloured ensemble reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth II's monochromatic colour dressing to hand out a host of research awards.

The 50-year-old mother-of-four visited Copenhagen Hotel on January 11 for the proceedings, which were presented in honour of the Danish Heart Association and The Children's Heart Foundation.

She wore the Bicolour Cutout Point-Toe Black and Burgundy Suede Pumps from Prada and matched it with the Navy Calfskin Leather Clutch from Quidam Bags.

Mary's choice to wear the colour purple in varied shades harks back to Queen Elizabeth's sartorial choices, with the late monarch often spotted in the same shades for an event.

Mary is a patron of both the The Danish Heart Foundation and The Children's Heart Foundation, and was only too happy greeting the award recipients and those on the boards of both foundations.

Princess Mary has stunned onlookers in a gorgeous plum-coloured ensemble to hand out a host of research awards

The 50-year-old mother-of-four visited Copenhagen Hotel on January 11 for the proceedings, which were presented in honour of the Danish Heart Association and The Children's Heart Foundation

Mary is a patron of both the The Danish Heart Foundation and The Children's Heart Foundation, and was only too happy greeting the award recipients and those on the boards of both foundations

Just two days ago Crown Prince Frederik and Mary released new photos of their twins to celebrate their birthdays.

Over the weekend Princess Josephine and Prince Vincent - the couple's two youngest children - turned 12 years old.

Although the Danish Royal Family have previously shared single photos of the siblings together for their birthday, the household decided to break from tradition this year.

Instead of holding a photoshoot for the occasion, the proud parents have released their children's school photos - taken by photographer Jens Rosenfeldt.

The Danish Royal Family marked Princess Josephine's 12th birthday by sharing her school photo. The royal is currently attending Tranegard School in Hellerup, Denmark

While Prince Vincent is the spitting image of his father Crown Prince Frederik, Princess Josephine has also inherited her mother's thick long hair.

Prince Vincent - who was born 26 minutes before his sister in 2011 - is dressed casually in a faded purple hoodie as he beams at the camera.

Meanwhile, Princess Josephine is pictured in a plain white shirt and pretty pearl necklace for her school picture.

The twins are fourth and fifth in line to the throne and are currently attending the Tranegard School in Hellerup, Denmark, where their elder siblings Prince Christian, 17, and Princess Isabella, 15, were also enrolled.

Prince Vincent is the spitting image of his father Crown Prince Frederick in a faded purple hoodie. The twins are fourth and fifth in line to the throne

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark and his wife Crown Princess Mary pictured at a New Year's reception at Christiansborg Castle in Copenhagen last week

The images were shared on the Danish Royal Family's official Instagram account with the caption: 'The Prince and Princess are celebrated by the family, and the Crown Prince Couple have the pleasure of sharing new photos of Their Royal Highnesses.'

Earlier this month, Queen Margrethe, 82, officially stripped her second son Prince Joachim's children of their HRH titles.

In September, the European monarch announced that the four children of her younger son, 53-year-old Prince Joachim, would no longer be able to use the title of prince and princess after January 1.

She has said the decision was intended to allow Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20 - born from Joachim's first marriage - and Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, to live normal lives without royal obligations.

Instead of being Princes and Princesses, they are Counts and Countess and referred to as Their Excellencies - a change which is now reflected on the household's website.

The Danish Queen (pictured with her sons and their wives) has said the decision to was intended to allow Nikolai, 23, Felix, 20 - born from Joachim's first marriage - and Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, to live normal lives without royal obligations

Denmark's Royal Family has updated their website to show the new status belonging to four of Queen Margrethe's grandchildren after they were stripped of their HRH titles. Pictured, Count Nikolai, left, and right, Count Felix

The 82-year-old monarch announced in September that the four children of her youngest son, 53-year-old Prince Joachim, would no longer be able to use the title of prince and princess after January 1. Pictured, Countess Athena, left, and right, Count Henrik

Out of a title: The four grandchildren who are no longer TRHs Nikolai of Denmark, 23: The Copenhagen Business School student and model regularly tops lists of the world's most eligible bachelors. He lives in Denmark but has jetted around the world to walk for designers in Paris and London. Nikolai has also appeared on the cover of Vogue Scandinavia. Felix of Denmark, 20: Following in his brother's footsteps, Prince Felix has also had success as a model and has starred in an advertising campaign for Georg Jensen. He had a short stint at the Royal Danish Military Academy but quit after two months because it 'wasn't for him'. Henrik, 13, and Athena, 10, of Denmark: The youngest of Prince Joachim's four children, Henrik and Athena are the product of his second marriage to Princess Marie. They live with their parents in Paris. Advertisement

Under the Royal Family and Succession To The Throne pages of the website, the four young royals - who have maintained their positions in the line of succession - are mentioned with their new titles.

It was a tumultuous autumn for the Danish Royal Family after the monarch stripped Joachim's four children of their prince and princess titles - a move which he publicly spoke out against.

But speaking in a televised New Year's address on Saturday, Margrethe admitted: 'That the relationship with Prince Joachim and (his wife) Princess Marie has run into difficulties hurts me.

'Difficulties and disagreements can arise in any family, including mine. The whole country has witnessed this.'

She added that she was 'sure that the family can enter the new year together with confidence, understanding and new courage'.

Last year, Prince Joachim publicly spoke out against his mother's decision in the days that followed - claiming that his children had been 'harmed' in the process.

Months later, the sixth-in-line to the throne admitted that 'communication was missing' within the Royal Family in the lead-up to the shock announcement.

Joachim told local news outlet B.T.: 'There is a lot to work on. Communication was what was missing. Now we have met and we are on the right track.'

Shortly after his children were stripped of his titles, Joachim claimed that he had only been given five days' notice before the news was made public.

Following the Queen's announcement, Joachim spoke to Danish publication Ekstra Bladet outside the Danish Embassy in Paris, where he lives with his French-born wife Princess Marie and his two youngest children, and said his four children had been 'hurt' by their grandmother's decision.

'I was given five days' notice to tell them. In May, I was presented with a plan which, by and large, was that when the children each turned 25, it would happen. Now I had only five days to tell them. Athena turns 11 in January,' he clarified

Meanwhile, his ex-wife Alexandra, 58, who was married to Joachim for 10 years until 2005, said that her sons, Nikolai and Felix, had been left feeling 'ostracised' from the institution and the decision had come like a 'bolt out of the blue'.

The Royal Household released a further statement, saying: 'As the Queen stated yesterday, the decision has been a long time coming.

'We understand that there are many emotions at stake at the moment, but we hope that the Queen's wish to future-proof the Royal Household will be respected.'
This is sometimes made from the dried out stomach of a young animal

Social media users are bewildered to learn that traditionally, Parmesan isn't vegetarian - and uses the organ of a baby cow in production.

People are admitting that they were 'today years old' when they learned about the inclusion of 'rennet' - which is made by enzymes in the lining of calves' stomachs - in the iconic cheese.

According to animal welfare group PETA, many brands, particularly in the US will now use vegetable rennet instead, but the discovery was still shocking to Twitter users.

The method of preparing Parmesan - or Parmigiano Reggiano - is beloved in its origin country of Italy, and traditionally uses just three ingredients; milk, salt and rennet, cooking site Kitchn says.

The method of preparing Parmesan - or Parmigiano Reggiano - is beloved in its origin country of Italy, and traditionally uses just three ingredients; milk, salt and rennet (stock image)

It also says that Parmigiano Reggiano is a Protected Domination of Origin (PDO) cheese, meaning that it can't carry the name without following strict procedure and testing.

Culture Cheese Magazine explains that animal rennet is made when a calf (or another young creature) is killed and its stomach is dried, so it becomes solid.

Depending on the scale of production and where you are in the world, the next steps usually involve the dried organ being cut into pieces and preserved.

Then, when it's time for the ingredient to be used, the rennet is rehydrated in some water. This water is then added into milk.

While, according to animal welfare group PETA , many brands, particularly in the US will use vegetable rennet instead, the discovery was still shocking for its origins (stock image)

People are admitting that they were 'today years old' when they learned about the inclusion of 'rennet' - which is made by enzymes in the lining of calves' stomachs - in the iconic cheese

Horrified Twitter users were horrified to learn about the origins of the ingredient.

'Today years old when I found out Parmesan cheese is made from baby cow's stomach & I could go cry,' one animal lover wrote. 'I'm just gonna have to full vegan at this point.'

'PARMESAN CHEESE IS NOT VEGETARIAN??!?!!!???!??? WTF,' another exclaimed.

'I just can't,' a third horrified user penned, 'I'm done.'

Social media users are bewildered to learn that traditionally, Parmesan isn't vegetarian - and uses the organ of a baby cow in production

'Dairy is scary,' a fourth admitted.

However, others also pointed out that calf stomach is not as commonly used anymore.

'Most cheese is now made with chymosin from bacterial sources, rather than animal rennet,' one poster chipped in.

Another added: 'They use Genetically modified Bacteria to create the enzymes now.'

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Two iconic Australian destinations have been named as two of the best places to visit in the world for 2023.

Kangaroo Island came in at number seven on the New York Times' annual list of the 52 best places to go in the world in 2023 while Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park earned a spot at number 29.

South Australia's Kangaroo Island is one of the country's biggest travel hotspots with pristine beaches, incredible hiking trails, picturesque scenery, a gourmet food and wine scene and luxury accommodation.

The world-famous Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the heart of the Northern Territory is arguably one of Australia's most popular and globally-recognisable tourist attractions, home to sacred Indigenous site and world heritage listed Uluru rock.

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South Australia's Kangaroo Island has been crowned the seventh best place to travel to in the world in 2023

The New York Time released its list of the 52 best places to visit in 2023 with Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park also making the cut at number 29

South Australia's Kangaroo Island is one of the country's biggest travel hotspots with pristine beaches, hiking trails, picturesque scenery, a gourmet food and wine scene and luxury hotels

The New York Times said: 'Kangaroo Island is known for incredible wildlife, breathtaking ocean views and its status as an ecological haven  like a zoo without fences.'

Some of the island is being rebuilt following a devastating fire that consumed the island three years ago, destroying the South Ocean Lodge luxury hotel and much of the wildlife and landscape.

Despite the recovery efforts, the spectacular island the busier than ever as travellers flock to enjoy everything it has to offer.

Adventurers can explore Kangaroo Island through a range of activities including quad biking, sandboarding, bike riding, kayaking and swimming or find hiking trails along the scenic coastline and lush bushland.

The New York Times said: 'Kangaroo Island is known for incredible wildlife, breathtaking ocean views and its status as an ecological haven  like a zoo without fences.'

Adventurers can explore Kangaroo Island through a range of activities including bike riding, kayaking and swimming or find hiking trails along the scenic coastline and lush bushland

For those after a more tranquil and luxurious experience, there are wine tours, lavish hotels and guest stays, and gourmet eateries including a one-of-a-kind restaurant inside the 120-year old fig tree.

Venturing 1,800km north in the very centre of Australia is the world-renowned Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park which was named as the 29th best place to visit this year.

'Over 500 million years old, the 1,142-foot sandstone monolith in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is a shape-shifter: aflame in pink, orange and violet through the day; its crevices gush with the rain, its surroundings erupt with wildflowers,' the article read.

Venturing 1,800km north in the very centre of Australia is the world-renowned Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park which was named as the 29th best place to visit this year

The red centre's natural palette of deep reds, dusty greens and earthy brown contrasted with a bright blue sky create a surreal backdrop for the ultimate holidays snaps

Climbing the rock was banned in 2019 to protect the ancient and sacred Indigenous site, but now visitors can experience its beauty via a nine-kilometre walk around the base.

The red centre's natural palette of deep reds, dusty greens and earthy browns contrasted with a bright blue sky create a surreal backdrop for the ultimate holidays snaps.

Seeing Uluru at sunset or sunrise is a must as the landscape and sky's colour change before your eyes while guests can also book an incredible dinner package to dine under the stars.

Uluru and Kangaroo Island ranked highly on 2023's 52 best travel destinations with the UK capital London coming in at number one while other locations included Auckland in New Zealand, Palm Springs, California and South Africa's Namib Desert.
Couples should think twice before having a fertility MOT, experts have warned, as expensive tests are feared to cause stress and lead to unnecessary egg freezing.

Fertility experts have spoken out after high street companies such as Superdrug have begun selling male and female fertility tests.

The tests are just a 'snapshot' of fertility, according to critics.

Fertility tests, now available on the high street in the UK, indicate how many eggs women have left to conceive a baby and how fertile they are

Fertility can fluctuate through the month for women, and vary for men depending on when they last had sex.

A female fertility test offered by Superdrug for 77, and also on offer through other retailers and clinics, looks at anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) - a chemical made by the 'follicles' which grow eggs in a woman's body.

The test indicates how many eggs she has left to conceive a baby, so how fertile she is.

Superdrug has doctors who can provide detailed advice to women after taking tests.

Who gets free IVF on the NHS? IVF is only offered on the NHS if certain criteria are met. In 2013, the NICE published fertility guidelines that made recommendations about who should have access to the treatment on the NHS in England and Wales. However, individual NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups make the final decision about who can access it in their local area, and their criteria may be stricter. According to NICE, women aged under 42 should be offered three cycles of IVF treatment on the NHS if: They've been trying to get pregnant through regular unprotected sex for two years. They've not been able to get pregnant after 12 cycles of artificial insemination. If tests show that IVF is the only treatment likely to help you get pregnant, you should be referred for IVF straight away. Source: NHS Choices Advertisement

But Dr Channa Jayasena, consultant in reproductive endocrinology at Imperial College London, said the test can open 'Pandora's box', causing unnecessary worry for couples.

Dr Jayasena said: 'People often assume that a very low AMH is bad for future fertility, and a high AMH is good.

'However, it just tells you about how many eggs might be collected if you had IVF right now.

'Women with very low AMH can still have children naturally.

'An AMH test is a specialist test for people having IVF - not one which should be used regularly by women who are just curious about their fertility.

'It is important to remember that if one of these tests is interpreted incorrectly, this might put some women under needless stress, or even make them undergo inappropriate procedures such as egg-freezing.'

Women freeze their eggs to have better-quality, younger eggs which may improve their chances of getting pregnant through IVF when they are older.

The procedure costs an average of 3,350, and up to 350 a year to store the eggs.

Experts worry women alarmed by fertility tests may do this unnecessarily when they would have no problem conceiving naturally.

Dr Joyce Harper, professor of reproductive science at University College London, said: 'Women's hormones fluctuate throughout their menstrual cycle so measuring them on any one day is just a snapshot of that day and things could be very different a few days later.

'Studies have shown that most women under 35 who are trying to get pregnant will be pregnant within a year - most within six months.

'I think doing these tests and charging women money for them is unfair.'

The 148 male fertility test offered by Superdrug tests a man's sperm and provides analysis of 22 measurements including the sperm count, quality and swimming ability.

Experts caution that men who have been unable to conceive naturally for 12 months can get a test for free on the NHS.

Sarah Norcross, director of fertility charity the Progress Educational Trust, said: 'Superdrug's online doctors are unlikely to be fertility specialists, and public sector fertility specialists could suddenly find themselves dealing with large numbers of anxious patients who have used this service and are struggling to make sense of their results.'

The 148 male fertility test offered by Superdrug (pictured above), tests a man's sperm and provides analysis of 22 measurements including the sperm count, quality and swimming ability

Gwenda Burns, chief executive of national charity Fertility Network UK, said: 'When you're struggling with fertility problems, you can be desperate for answers, and tests can seem a quick and easy way to find out more.

'But understanding the implications of these test results without the input of a specialist may lead to more distress and an incorrect understanding of your fertility situation  giving false hope or dashing dreams unnecessarily.'

AMH tests give an idea of women's 'ovarian reserve' - how many eggs they have left.

The British Fertility Society advice states: 'There is no doubt that tests showing a good ovarian reserve are reassuring, but they by no means guarantee a baby and equally a poor or impaired ovarian reserve does not mean you will struggle and need fertility treatment.'

The fertility regulator, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, advises that fertility MOT tests give 'some indication' of how fertile a woman is but the results are 'not guaranteed'.

Superdrug also offers tests including one for the condition polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and a progesterone test, which can indicate if women are ovulating.

A spokesman for Superdrug said: 'As part of the tests on offer, people have access to professional advice and support from our team of doctors, to discuss their results in greater detail, enabling them to have a more informed understanding of their fertility.

'We also offer a fertility consultation for 5 which provides information about which tests are useful to each individual, along with doctor-led advice on why some tests may not be as relevant to an individual's circumstances.

'AMH testing is a routine test for ovarian reserve which is done for every person who finds it difficult to conceive.'

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A ban on gay conversion therapy has been overturned in Republican-controlled Wisconsin.

Licensed therapists and counselors will be able to offer the technique for the first time since it was outlawed in 2020.

Conversion therapy is a highly controversial practice that involves taking harmful measures to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people.

It has been outlawed in 20 states and D.C. The pseudoscience was made illegal in Wisconsin in 2020 before state Republicans blocked the ban from going into effect a year later.

Gov Tony Evers, a Democrat, stands in the way of the GOP-led legislature being able to permanently block the ban on gay conversion therapy, which is illegal in at least 20 states

Wisconsin Republicans on the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules voted in 2021 to let licensed therapists carry out conversion therapy by suspending the rule that bans it. The suspension briefly lapsed in December, but Thursdays vote once again lifted the ban

Republican legislators voted 6-4 on party lines Thursday to suspend a state ban on gay conversion therapy that was finalized in 2020 by Wisconsins professional licensing board for therapists and counselors.

Conversion therapy maintains a persons homosexuality is something that must be cured. The draconian treatments used can range from shaming the person to hypnosis to inducing vomiting to electric shocks.

Wisconsin Republicans in the Joint Committee for Review of Administrative Rules rejected the policy after four hours of debate in which they argued that the Department of Safety and Public Standards, which oversees licensed therapists, counselors, and social workers and issued the ban in the first place, overstepped its legal authority.

The Republican committee's move to block the ban comes on the back of a growing mountain of state laws across the country, such as in Florida, seeking to marginalize LGBTQ youth.

State Sen Kelda Roys, a Democrat on the committee, rejected the other partys claim that the move was not about the actual practice of conversion therapy, but rather the rulemaking process itself.

Sen Roys said: Republicans want to obfuscate by claiming this is about rules and process.

Its disappointing that the very first move the GOP is going to make this legislative session is to green-light abusive practices against children.

Meanwhile, Sen Chris Larson, a Milwaukee Democrat, said the vote was an attempt to skirt the authority of an examining board that has been empowered by the states legislature.

Sen Larson said: My Republican colleagues have developed an unusual and disturbing obsession with the bodies and identities of children and adolescents...and re-instituting conversion torture is just the latest example.

What theyre trying to do is nothing less than state-sponsored child abuse.

The practice flies in the face of the accepted scientific consensus that sexual orientation and gender identity are immutable traits and attempts to change them are both ineffective and harmful.

Conversion therapy has been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health authority for decades due to its incredibly harmful effects on the emotional health of LGBTQ+ people, especially children.

The Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law estimates that as of June 2019, nearly 700,000 LGBTQ adults in America had been subjected to conversion therapy with roughly 350,000 experiencing it as children.

LGBTQ youth who are subject to conversion therapy are more than eight times as likely to attempt suicide, nearly six times as likely to report being depressed, and more than three times as likely to use illegal drugs.

The committee had previously attempted in 2021 to block the implementation of the ban. The Republican majority introduced a bill in January of that year to block the rule from taking effect but knowing that it would never pass by Democrat Gov Tony Evers veto authority, they placed it in a congressional committee effectively blocking the rule for the rest of the Legislatures two-year session.

The ban was reinstated after lawmakers failed to permanently block it by the end of the last legislative session. It has been back in effect since Dec. 1, after Gov Evers won reelection.

Some of the influential medical bodies that have rejected conversion therapy include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Medical Association, and the American Psychological Association.
An expert today called for cannabis edibles to be properly regulated after another study showed an increasing number of children are being poisoned by them.

Poll Should cannabis edibles that look like candy be BANNED? Yes No Unsure Should cannabis edibles that look like candy be BANNED? Yes 223 votes

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Researchers from the University of Ottawa in Canada found hospitalizations among minors aged zero to nine who accidentally consumed cannabis skyrocketed 844 percent in Canada between 2015 and 2021.

Provinces which allowed the sale of cannabis edibles experienced far higher increases in hospitalizations for accidental pediatric poisonings than provinces that prohibited sales.

It came after a US national study found the number of children under six overdosing on marijuana edibles soared 1,000 percent since 2017.

The study period was divided between pre-legalization (January 2016 to September 2018), period one (October 2018 to December 2019, when weed in the form of dried flower, seeds, and oil only was legalized in all provinces) and period two (January 2020 to September 2021, when the sale of cannabis edibles was legalized in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia and restricted in Quebec

Teenagers are lured by colorfully-packaged candy-like products that leave them vulnerable to higher rates of dependency, psychosis and school dropouts, researchers warn. Pictured: child-friendly cannabis gummy packaging on illegal products

Steve Rolles, senior policy analyst for Transform Drug Policy Foundation, told DailyMail.com: 'Having cannabis-based edibles that look like children's candies is just a really bad idea. So why not just don't do that? You can sell cannabis oil that you could put on any food you like in a controlled way, and then eat it, and you'd have the edible effect. But selling things that look like children's sweets, but have drugs in, just seems pretty stupid.'

Edibles are food products that have been infused with cannabis, and can include baked goods, candies and gummy sweets.

They differ from regular weed in that it can take hours for users to feel their effects, making it easier to accidentally take too much. They also mitigate some of the negative impacts of smoking as they are ingested.

In recent years, edibles have been sold in child-friendly packaging. Overdoses in children are common because cannabis ingested in edibles can have a stronger and more prolonged effect, particularly in children under 12.

In the US, the legal status of edibles varies across states. In states such as New York, Arizona and Montana, edibles are legal.

Some states, including North Dakota, Arkansas and Ohio, only allow edibles to be sold for medicinal purposes.

In Canada, Quebec is the only province where selling chocolates, gummies, or cannabis candies deemed potentially attractive to children is illegal.

In the latest study, researchers from the University of Ottawa said that it was unclear whether pediatric poisonings in Canada had increased due to children's better access to ready-to-consume cannabis edibles, Covid-related factors or a mixture of both, but urged restricting the sale of edibles.

Canada legalized cannabis in October 2018 but initially prevented the sale of edibles, such as prepackaged candies.

Since January 2020, some provinces have allowed the sale of cannabis edibles.

The researchers used routinely collected hospital discharge records to study hospitalizations in children aged zero to nine years in Canada's four provinces with the largest populations: Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia.

The study period was divided between pre-legalization (January 2016 to September 2018), period one (October 2018 to December 2019), when weed in the form of dried flower, seeds, and oil only was legalized in all provinces, and period two (January 2020 to September 2021), when the sale of cannabis edibles was legalized in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia and restricted in Quebec.

Over the seven-year period, there were 581 hospitalizations for child poisoning due to cannabis.

The proportion of poisoning hospitalizations due to cannabis out of the total poisoning hospitalizations increased 844 percent over the seven-year study period from 20 of 651 (three percent) in 2015 to 179 of 617 (29 percent) in 2021.

The rate per 1,000 due to cannabis poisoning before legalization was 57 in the legalized provinces and 39 in Quebec.

During period two, the rate of poisoning hospitalizations due to cannabis more than doubled to 318 in the legalized provinces but stayed similar at 138 in Quebec.

The researchers noted: 'Whether pediatric poisonings have increased primarily as a result of the legalization of recreational cannabis in general, an increase in childrens access to ready-to-consume commercially produced legal cannabis edibles, Covid-19related factors, or a combination of factors is unclear.'

Mr Rolles told DailyMail.com: 'There has been an issue with children eating cannabis-based edible products, and there has been an increase in emergency room visits of people with pediatric poisonings with cannabis products.

'It's important to keep that in perspective - the numbers are still very small relative to other forms of poisoning, for example with kitchen products or with pharmaceutical medicines. The numbers are still very small, but they have increased, so there is some concern there.'

He added: 'Sensible regulation can mitigate that: if these things are sold, very clearly labeled in child-proof or child's resistant packaging.'

The researchers said their findings suggested that restricting the sale of legal commercial edibles may be crucial to preventing pediatric poisonings after recreational cannabis legalization.

The study was published in the journal JAMA Health Forum.
Flu cases have fallen by more than two thirds in a fortnight and RSV is continuing to trend downwards  but Covid deaths are starting to rise.

Today's report showed 8,200 flu cases were detected in the first week of the new year, down from the 28,000 registered two weeks ago. Hospitalizations with flu-like illness also tumbled below levels recorded at this time last year.

RSV followed its downward trend for the eighth week in a row, dropping to 2,100 cases registered in the same week  or the lowest number since early September.

But Covid fatalities have risen 44 percent in a week, with 3,900 recorded in the week to January 11. However, this was barely a third of the 13,000 registered for the same week last year and experts said the uptick may be an 'artifact' from the vacation period which likely delayed the reporting of many deaths.

The above graph shows flu cases reported by US clinical laboratories in the week to January 7, or the first of the year. It showed flu continued its decline nationwide

 Slide me  The above maps show the flu levels in each state over the week to December 31 (left), and the week to January 7 (right)

In its weekly update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said: 'Seasonal flu activity continues but is declining in most areas.

'The percentage of patient visits [to hospitals] for respiratory illness decreased for all regions during [the first week of the year].'

They added: 'CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages six months and older gets an annual flu vaccine as long as flu activity continues.'

Fears about a so-called 'tripledemic' first emerged over summer when Australia and New Zealand  whose winter is during America's summer  suffered devastating flu seasons.

Experts have pointed to lockdowns, mask mandates and other pandemic orders over the past two years as the likely reason why this year's flu season has been more brutal than those past.

This is the worst flu season America has suffered since the Swine Flu Pandemic of 2009  and experts have warned for months that it would be a long and harsh winter.

The above graph shows hospitalizations with flu-like illness in the US. There were four percent reported in the latest week, compared to 5.4 percent in the previous week. This was below the level at this time of year for last year's flu season

This graph shows weekly confirmed flu hospitalizations in the US, which are also declining

Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 was now the most common variant in the US

It is dominant in the northeastern states, and growing fast in other areas

At one point earlier in December, hospitals in some areas were more full than they had ever been during the pandemic.

But the latest CDC update shows that cases are going down, and continue to as both the flu and RSV burn out.

The 10,000 flu cases detected in the week to January 7 is the lowest figure since late October.

It is also about a fifth of the 47,000-odd infections confirmed in one week in late November, at the peak of the current wave.

In terms of hospitals, about four percent of patients visiting units had respiratory diseases including fever, a cough and a sore throat. This was down a quarter from the 5.4 percent the previous week, and about half the peak of 7.5 percent in late November.

Regionally, only one state  New Mexico  and New York City had very high flu activity for the week to January 7.

For comparison, in the previous week 11 states and New York City  California, New Mexico, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York. South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado and Nebraska  had very high levels.

The CDC estimated that so far this year there have been 24million flu illnesses, 260,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths from the virus.

RSV infections also trended downwards for the eighth week in a row, with 2,100 cases confirmed in the latest week from 4,800 in the previous week.

Covid infections are also falling with 414,721 cases recorded in the week to January 11, the latest available. This was down from 477,230 in the previous week.

But today the CDC said the more infectious Covid variant XBB.1.5 was now the most common strain in the US, behind two in five infections.

It is the dominant strain in northeastern states  such as New York, Massachusetts and New Jersey , and growing across the country.

The above shows RSV detections in the US. Cases have declined for the eighth week in a row

This graph shows Covid deaths in the United States by week, which have risen. Experts say this could be down to reporting, however

The above graph shows Covid cases in the US, as reported by the CDC

Covid cases have fallen in the latest week, but this may be down to a lack of testing with the week to January 4 seeing the lowest amount of tests done nationwide  1.9million  since the early days of the pandemic.

Covid deaths have risen in the latest week, with 3,900 recorded in the week to January 11 compared to 2,700 in the seven-day period beforehand.

The number of Covid deaths recorded is the highest since August, but still streets away from the 17,300 recorded in February during the last Covid wave.

Experts say, however, that as this is by date reported, the uptick may be due to a delay in reporting fatalities over the holiday period  when fewer people were available to process data.

Dr Paul Hunter, a virus expert at the University of East Anglia in the UK, told DailyMail.com: 'This may be due to a backlog of late reported deaths over the holiday period finally being reported.

'Whenever I see a sudden and unexpected change in any surveillance data, my first question is always could this be an artifact?

'You would be surprised how often such things are artifacts, and these are more common around holiday periods.'

Dr William Hanage, an epidemiologist at Harvard, added: 'You can get effects from delayed reporting and the holidays.

'There is a lot of interest in XBB.1.5 right now but all we can say conclusively right now is that it is not very different.

'But that could change as data comes in and the infections it has caused start to resolve one way or the other.'

There is no evidence at this stage that XBB.1.5 is more likely to cause severe disease or death than other currently circulating variants.
Ischemic strokes are caused when artery blockages deny blood to the brain

Health officials are investigating whether Pfizer's updated Covid booster increases the risk of strokes in people over the age of 65.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said their surveillance system flagged a link between the new shot and a higher risk of an ischemic stroke three to four weeks post-vaccination.

Officials said other systems put in place to track vaccine injuries have not found a similar link, which makes them believe it is a statistical anomaly rather than a true cause for alarm.

'Although the totality of the data currently suggests that it is very unlikely that the signal  represents a true clinical risk, we believe it is important to share this information with the public, as we have in the past, when one of our safety monitoring systems detects a signal,' a joint statement from the CDC and FDA said.

CDC officials report that people over 65 who receive the updated Covid booster shot could be at an increased risk of suffering a stroke (file photo)

The CDC reports that 31million bivalent Pfizer boosters (striped orange) have been administered to Americans since it was first approved by officials at the end of August. It has been the most popular updated vaccine dose to this point

An ischemic stroke, also known as brain ischemia, is caused by blockages in arteries that carry blood to the brain.

The possible link between Pfizer's jab and the elevated stroke risk was detected by the CDCs Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD), a real-time surveillance system.

Officials said it met the statistical threshold needed to spur further investigation.

But they are still strongly recommending seniors come for their vaccines, which have been shown to give high protection against severe Covid.

Other data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Veterans Affairs and other sources have not shown the same risk of stroke, which leads officials to believe it is a statistical outlier.

And data from other countries has not flagged the possible link.

In the statement today, the FDA and CDC added 'there may be other confounding factors contributing to the signal identified in the VSD that merit further investigation.'

The link applies only to Pfizer's bivalent booster and not Moderna's, and no other age groups appear to be affected.

According to CDC data, 39 percent of elderly Americans over 65 have received either Pfizer's or Moderna's bivalent booster.

Pfizer told DailyMail.com is has been made aware of limited reports of ischemic strokes in people 65 and older following vaccination with their updated shot.

'Neither Pfizer and BioNTech nor the CDC or the FDA have observed similar findings across numerous other monitoring systems in the US,' Pfizer added.

'Globally and there is no evidence to conclude that ischemic stroke is associated with the use of the companies' COVID-19 vaccines.

'Compared to published incidence rates of ischemic stroke in this older population, the companies to date have observed a lower number of reported ischemic strokes following the vaccination with the Omicron BA.4/BA.5-adapted bivalent vaccine.'

Around 40 percent of Americans over the age of 65 (dark purple) have received the bivalent Covid booster. This far outpaces any other age group, according to CDC data (other colors)

The VSD is a database run by the CDC that gathers data on vaccine-related injury and adverse effects from the shots around America.

The CDC lists 13 health insurers and hospital systems that contribute to the database, with 11 directly providing data.

Data from the VSD is included in the larger, Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System - known as VAERS.

Pfizer/BioNtech and Moderna's bivalent shots, which target both the original coronavirus and Omicron sub-variants, have been authorized for use in children six months and older.

The shots were brought into the fold because they directly target the Omicron variant.

Original Covid vaccines that rolled out in late 2020 were tailored towards the Wuhan strain of the virus, which emerged at the start of that year.

The Omicron variant, which took over the world at the end of 2021, mutated to bypass protection from those shots, though.

More than 25 percent of residents in Maine, Minnesota, Massachusetts and Vermont have received the bivalent booster so far, the most of any states in America, the CDC reports

Dr Ashish Jha (pictured), who leads America's Covid response has, pushed for more more of the population to receive the shots

These bivalent shots are meant to bolster protection against infection and slow the spread of the many emerging forms of Omicron.

Both the CDC and FDA continue to recommend that everyone aged six months and older stay up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccination, despite this warning.

White House officials have pushed these vaccines in recent months, and expressed disappointment in the relatively low uptick of them in the population.

Last week, Dr Ashish Jha, the Biden Administration's Covid response coordinator, even warned Americans who had not received the bivalent jab were vulnerable to the budding XBB.1.5 variant.

'If you had an infection before July OR your last vaccine was before bivalent update in September... your protection against an XBB.1.5 infection is probably not that great,' he wrote on Twitter.

According to most recent CDC data, 50million Americans have received the updated booster - around 15 percent of the US population.

But, the largest portion of people who have received the shot so far could be at an increased stroke risk.

Per CDC data, 21million Americans over 65 have received the bivalent booster. That accounts for nearly two-in-five senior citizens in America.

An ischemic stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain is interrupted. This is usually from a blood clot.

Brain tissue begins to die within minutes of it being deprived of oxygen-rich blood.

More than 700,000 Americans suffer an ischemic stroke each year. It accounts for almost 90 percent of all strokes.

A stroke is fatal in up to 20 percent of cases. Even survivors are often left with permanent brain damage, which leads to speech, vision and mobility issues - among other things.

Early last year, the CDC warned that young males who had received the mRNA vaccines - either the Pfizer or Moderna shot were at an increased risk of suffering heart inflammation.

The agency warned that myocarditis was appearing more frequently in males 16 and older within seven days of receiving the shot.

Officials also continued to recommend the vaccine to this age group despite the warning.
To Paradise

by Hanya Yanagihara (Picador 9.99, 736 pp)

Hanya Yanagiharas A Little Life was a harrowing account of a group of New York friends, one of whom had suffered terrible childhood abuse

Hanya Yanagiharas A Little Life was a harrowing account of a group of New York friends, one of whom had suffered terrible childhood abuse.

To Paradise is equally ambitious in scale: a counterfactual study of America, past and future, riven with social division, moral panic and pandemics.

The first part is a love story set in 1893 New York, where David Bingham lives with his wealthy grandfather. Social snobbery is rife, and when David falls in love outside his narrow circle, he is faced with a wrenching choice.

The second section links Aids of the 1990s with the American annexation of Hawaii, while the final part envisages America in the late 21st century, devastated by pandemics and state control.

Tender but unflinching, To Paradise asks urgent questions about what kind of life is worth living.

The Ticket Collector From Belarus

by Mike Anderson & Neil Hanson (S&S 9.99, 384 pp)

Britains only war crimes trial began on February 9, 1999. The defendant at the Old Bailey was a 78-year-old former British Rail ticket collector known as Tony the Pole

Britains only war crimes trial began on February 9, 1999. The defendant at the Old Bailey was a 78-year-old former British Rail ticket collector known as Tony the Pole.

In fact, he was Andrei Sawoniuk, born in Domachevo, now part of Belarus. When the Nazis arrived there in 1941, Sawoniuk was quick to join their cause.

Among the crimes he was accused of was the killing of 15 Jewish women. The prosecution witnesses included Sawoniuks former childhood friends, whose families were murdered by the Nazis.

Convicted and sentenced to life, Sawoniuk died six years later. Based on interviews with survivors and witnesses, this is a moving and compelling account of the meticulous workings of the legal system in the face of crimes no less terrible for having been committed so long ago.

Sparring Partners

by John Grisham (Hodder 8.99, 352 pp)

John Grishams latest is a trio of novellas featuring lawyers good, bad and awful. In Strawberry Moon, Cody has spent 14 of his 29 years on death row, convicted of a crime he didnt commit

John Grishams latest is a trio of novellas featuring lawyers good, bad and awful.

In Strawberry Moon, Cody has spent 14 of his 29 years on death row, convicted of a crime he didnt commit.

While there, he has accumulated almost 2,000 paperbacks. With his execution hours away, a last wish and an unexpected encounter are still in store.

In Homecoming, small-town lawyer Jake Brigance hears from his old friend and fellow lawyer, Mack Stafford. Mack skipped town three years earlier, abandoning his family and clients, but now hopes to return home.

Sparring Partners features the Malloys, a dysfunctional legal family. Father Bolton is in prison for murdering his wife, leaving his firm in the hands of his sons, Kirk and Rusty, who loathe each other. Only one person can profit from the ensuing debacle.
Literary Fiction

The Shards

by Bret Easton Ellis (Swift 25, 608pp)

Ever since the success of American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis has been hailed as a brilliant bad boy of literature

Ever since the success of American Psycho, Bret Easton Ellis has been hailed as a brilliant bad boy of literature. He is a master of penetrating psychological narratives that rely on disturbing, violent characters and a clever, detached prose style.

Like American Psycho, this book isnt for the faint-hearted. It is a fictionalised account of Elliss own life as a troubled 17-year-old at Buckley prep, a school for highly privileged youngsters in Los Angeles in the 1980s.

The twisty plot revolves around the actions of a serial killer called the Trawler, Elliss jealousy and his suspicions of a new classmate. Why does this serial killer seem to be taunting Bret and his friends?

This is the opposite of an easy read and will divide his numerous fans because he is revisiting familiar territory. But as an evocation of juvenile privilege, sexually motivated violence and the mood of the 1980s, it doesnt disappoint.

Kick the Latch

by Kathryn Scanlan (Daunt 9.99, 96pp)

This unusual, poetically told story is based on interviews by Scanlan with a woman horse trainer

This unusual, poetically told story is based on interviews by Scanlan with a woman horse trainer. She talks about her life travelling the race tracks of America, all recounted in an understated, almost deadpan style.

We are immersed in Sonias sometimes brutal experiences and the exotic characters who people the racing world, from the jockeys vomiting to keep their weight in check to the entitled, high-rolling racehorse owners.

Its told in the first person in a series of beautifully observed vignettes but there is a quiet menace underpinning the storytelling.

Sonia is tenderly training a one-eyed horse called Dark Side to be a winner. The jeopardy and tension come unexpectedly, without relying on more traditional tropes.

Avalon

by Nell Zink (Faber 14.99, 224pp)

Zink is always an ostentatiously weird writer and Avalon continues her tradition of very strange stuff

Zink is always an ostentatiously weird writer and Avalon continues her tradition of very strange stuff.

This is the story of Bran, a disturbed young teenager who, having been abandoned by both her parents, is struggling to find her place in a world distorted by her loss.

She works on an illegal farm in California owned by her foster family and identifies her route out when she meets Peter, a mansplaining, egotistical young student.

This couldnt be a less conventional coming-of-age story but Zink manages to make you laugh in spite of the dire misery of Brans existence. Whether Peter turns out to be her saviour or her nemesis is at the heart of this beautifully realised vision of the internal torment of a troubled teenager.
Reader, I Buried Them

by Peter Lovesey (Sphere 20.99, 320pp)

Peter Loveseys plots are ingenious, he has an ear for dialogue and he always leaves the reader with something to think about

Peter Loveseys plots are ingenious, he has an ear for dialogue and he always leaves the reader with something to think about.

In this collection of short stories, his talents shine through. It includes The Bathroom, his first claim to attention, about a young wife who discovers, a little too late, that her husbands family has a history of bridal deaths by drowning.

Praise from Ruth Rendell, doyen of crime writing, set Lovesey on the path to literary fame. Best known for his novels featuring Peter Diamond, head of Bath CID, this blunt, no-nonsense detective makes a brief appearance here to nail an inventive poisoner. For the rest, we are treated to a range of dastardly deeds.

A sense of fun, never far from the surface, bubbles over with an exposure of Miss Marple as anything but a strait-laced spinster.

Blue Suede Clues

It takes a high flight of imagination to resurrect Elvis Presley as a freelance detective

by Daniel Klein (Dean Street Press 11.99, 240 pp)

It takes a high flight of imagination to resurrect Elvis Presley as a freelance detective. But with the skill of a born storyteller, Daniel Klein has no trouble in persuading us that the idolised entertainer was willing to take up the case of an army acquaintance wrongly convicted of murder.

To support him in what becomes a personal crusade, Elvis has a booze-raddled lawyer and a news reporter hungry for a celebrity scoop.

Together, they plunge into the Hollywood labyrinth where studio politics are inseparable from the casting couch.

With a plot lightened by self-deprecating humour, Elvis comes across as a real person at odds with his fabricated public image.

Death of an Author

by E. C. R. Lorac (British Library 9.99, 288pp)

A best-selling author acts against type by avoiding all contact with the outside world

A best-selling author acts against type by avoiding all contact with the outside world. Business is conducted by his secretary, a self-possessed young woman who, refusing to reveal the identity of her employer, invites speculation that she herself is the reclusive writer.

Events seem to prove otherwise when she tells the police the author has disappeared, leaving no hint of his whereabouts.

The case is taken up by two Scotland Yard detectives, one of them convinced that the secretary is playing a devious game while the other accepts her story at face value.

Complications mount as the police wade through a veritable shoal of red herrings intended to divert them from what turns out of be a logical if unexpected solution.

Always good value, E. C. R. Lorac delivers a triumph of ingenuity.
The disgraced founder of bankrupt crypto exchange FTX said he didnt steal funds and appeared to blame the boss of a rival company for its collapse.

Sam Bankman-Fried, 30, a former billionaire, is under house arrest in the US, awaiting trial on allegations that he led one of the biggest financial frauds in American history.

He is accused of stealing billions from customers to offset losses at his hedge fund Alameda Research, buy lavish properties and fund political donations.

House arrest: Sam Bankman-Fried is accused of orchestrating what officials have dubbed 'one of the biggest financial frauds in American history'

He has denied the charges, which could see him jailed for up to 115 years. A trial is set for October 2.

In a blog post, he said he certainly didnt stash billions away and claimed FTX had 6.5billion in assets when he handed over control to veteran insolvency specialist John Ray in November shortly before it collapsed after uncovering a multi-billion black hole in its accounts.

Despite its insolvency, and despite processing roughly $5billion (4.1billion) of withdrawals over its last few days of operation, FTX retains significant assets, he added.

The comments came a day after FTX said it had recovered more than 4billion worth of assets.

Bankman-Fried said FTX could have survived if it had had a few weeks to raise cash to meet withdrawal requests.

He also attributed the collapse to mismanagement of investments at Alameda, saying he had not run the fund for the past few years.

He accused Changpeng Zhao, boss of rival Binance, of a targeted attack on assets held by Alameda.

No funds were stolen. Alameda lost money due to a market crash, he said. The claims contrast with those of former Alameda boss and Bankman-Frieds ex-girlfriend Caroline Ellison, who confessed she had knowingly engaged in illegal business tactics.
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.
Matt Wright is pictured with wife Kaia

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright, who is on bail for allegedly tampering with a helicopter crash the killed his mate, potentially earns more than $200,000 per week thanks to the property empire he owns with his wife - including an island resort.

The Netflix star, 43, was hit with a string of charges in November over a chopper smash in the Northern Territory in February that resulted in the death of his co-star Chris Wilson.

Police allege Wright flew to the site with three others and interfered with evidence at the crash site in an attempt to pervert the course of justice. He strenuously denies the charges and intends to plead not guilty.

Wright was granted bail in Darwin Local Court on November 30 and the judge granted him permission to leave the territory to go back to the home he shares with his wife Kaia, toddler son and newborn daughter on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Over the following days, he was dropped by major sponsor Great Northern beer and his face was removed from an advertising campaign for G-Shock watches.

But the financial loss won't be too much of a strain for the Wright family, who own and operate five luxury Airbnb properties around the Darwin area called 'Freshwater Retreat' - which cost up to $5,000 for a couple for a minimum two-night stay.

He also owns Tiwi Island Retreat, which is part of an island complex 80km off Darwin's north coast, and charges couples $4,400 to stay in a 'luxury' tent for a minimum of two nights.

The Wright's own five villas on a property they call Freshwater Retreat' (pictured). All villas can be booked for a combined $5,984 for two nights

There are four villas, which cost between $808 and $912 per couple for a minimum two-night stay (pictured)

Wright also owns Tiwi Island Retreat, which features a 'luxury' tent (pictured) as it's most expensive option - at $4400 per couple for two nights

Wright also runs Top End Safari Camp which is a major tourist attraction and costs about $1700 for two people, which includes tent accommodation and a 10-minute scenic helicopter flight.

Furthermore, Wright's home on the outskirts of Darwin is a $4million, 31-acre fortress with 'private' and 'keep out' signs at the front gate, with security cameras overhead.

The house - sold to Wright in 2019 - is surrounded by palm trees and has nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, and enough parking for 10 vehicles.

The Airbnbs are run by Wright's wife, Kaia. Below a happy snap of them together on the accommodation website, their profile reads: 'My husband and I manage a number of accommodation and tourism businesses in the Northern Territory.'

'We rent our Freshwater Retreat property including The Wright Residence and the property's 4 self contained villas on Airbnb. We love our property and hope you can experience its beauty too.'

The largest villa is named The Wright Residence and hosts up to 10 guests across four bedrooms and two bathrooms, and features a library, gym, kitchen and pool access.

The Wright Residence (pictured) is the largest accommodation option within the Wright's Airbnb complex

Thrill-seekers interested in the Top End Safari Camp with a friend are looking at about $1700 for a 20-hour adventure. Guests stay in one of 15 tents (pictured)

MATT & KAIA'S PROPERTY EMPIRE - Five Airbnb properties near Darwin, ranging from $808 to $5,000 for two nights. - 15 tents at his Top End Safari Camp. An overnight tour for two costs $1,700. - 20 rooms at Tiwi Island Retreat, which range from $2,400 to $4,400 per couple for two nights. - $4million home in Darwin. Advertisement

Villa Setosa and Villa Maritima each have space for two, boast a 'tropical' outdoor bathroom and cost $808 for a two-night minimum stay, while Villa Maritima and Villa Excelsa have the same features but cost $912 for two nights.

Two guests would have to fork out $5,984 to rent all villas, including The Wright Residence, for two nights. The entire complex sleeps 18 people.

Tiwi Islands Retreat is 'set amongst a pristine marine sanctuary' and features 20 rooms with varying degrees of 'luxury'.

The priciest accommodation option is 'glamping' in a 'luxury tent' with ocean views, an en-suite and private pool, and costs $4,400 for two people. A family-of-four would have to fork out $4,800 for the same tent.

A room with an ocean view costs $3,000 for two people, for a two-night stay, and includes an en-suite with double shower heads, while a family ocean room costs $4,400 for two adults and two kids and has a bathroom and living area.

Village rooms have shared bathrooms, a communal outdoor balcony, and a mixture of queen rooms, king singles and single bunk beds - all for $2,400 for a couple for two nights.

The house is surrounded by palm trees and has nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, and enough parking for 10 vehicles (pictured)

Matt Wright's home in Darwin cost $4million in 2019, and sits on a 31-acre block with security cameras at the gate (pictured)

Thrill-seekers interested in the Top End Safari Camp with a friend are looking at about $1,700 for a 20-hour adventure, which includes crocodile feeding, an airboat cruise, a sunset cheese board, an outdoor dinner, and a barbecue breakfast.

The accommodation available is an 'overnight outback glamping experience in deluxe lotus belle tent'. There are 15 tents on site.

If all the properties owned by Wright were booked out at the same time, he would earn about $211,000 per week.

Mr Wilson was collecting crocodile eggs in a remote area of west Arnhem Land when the Robinson R44 helicopter he was hanging 30 metres below collided with trees and the ground.

His body was found 40m from the main wreckage at the King River crash site. Wright is accused of flying to the crash site with three others after the accident.

NT Police Acting Senior Sergeant Neil Mellon, 47, was arrested after walking into work at Darwin Police Station in August and accused of interfering with the helicopter crash investigation.

Chris 'Willow' Wilson (pictured) died in the crash in west Arnhem Land while collecting crocodile eggs

Police allege Wright flew to the site with three others and interfered with evidence at the crash site (pictured) in an attempt to pervert the course of justice

He was hit with 32 charges, including attempting to pervert the course of justice, stealing, unlawfully accessing data, as well as alleged destruction of evidence in relation to a major crash investigation.

In November, Wright was charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, destroying evidence, fabricating evidence, unlawfully entering a building, unlawfully entering a dwelling, making a false declaration and interfering with witnesses in a criminal investigation or court process by making threats/reprisals.

'Matt Wright strenuously denied these charges,' his lawyer David Newey said outside court in November.

'Regulatory investigations have found no defect in the helicopter. Matt requests that the media respects his privacy and Wilsons, and his wife.

'Matt is naturally disappointed that the charges have been laid.'

A spokesman for Wright had earlier added: 'What happened was a tragic accident that took the life of a close mate.

Kaia and Matt Wright are pictured together with their son Banjo, 4. Outback Wrangler is shown in 100 countries

Matt Wright is pictured arriving at Darwin Local Court in November. He was granted bail

'His immediate concern following the accident was the condition of the two team members on board at the time.

His matter will be mentioned in Darwin Local Court on January 25.

Wright did his best to try and evade reporters when he arrived in Darwin in November to present himself to police in November - from the moment he left NSW at about 8am to the point where he walked out of a police station in Palmerston at about 6pm.

He tried to out-run reporters inside Sydney Airport before settling in for the 4.5-hour business class flight across the Red Centre.

When he emerged from Darwin Airport, he was flanked by bodyguards who barged past media while shouting and throwing their hands at flashing camera lenses.

Wright could be seen grinning in the photos and footage of the ordeal, as his guards pushed camera crews out of the way.

The warrant for his arrest came a week after Mrs Wright welcomed the birth of their second child, a daughter Dusty Faith, on November 18.
Dramatic footage has captured the moment Britain's prized naval flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth was 'buzzed' by a squadron of supersonic Russian fighter jets.

The trio of fighter-bombers - which included at least two SU-24 warplanes - were filmed charging towards the 3.2billion aircraft carrier and her battle group as they sailed towards the Suez Canal.

The extraordinary footage, filmed in June 2021 during Queen Elizabeth's first operational mission, was revealed today ahead of the release of a BBC documentary on the ship's seven-month deployment to the Far East.

In the show, three Russian warplanes hurtle towards the 920ft ship and the 1,500 men and women who live onboard - in a move that could have triggered a diplomatic catastrophe.

The trio of Russian fighter-bombers - including two SU-24s (pictured) which can carry nuclear missiles - were spotted roaring towards HMS Queen Elizabeth as she approached the Suez Canal in 2021

HMS Queen Elizabeth was on her first operation deployment and had been using her embarked airwing of F-35 stealth jets to carry out strike missions against ISIS terrorists in the Middle East when the drama with the Russians unfolded

As the aircraft approach, Royal Navy officers can be seen scrambling into action as Queen Elizabeth's complement of F-35 stealth jets are made ready to fly.

'I've got three Russian jets at six miles,' one naval officer reports as the Russian squadron, armed with 23mm cannons, closes in at 7,000ft.

'Visual. Roger. Three Russian aircraft coming in,' others say as the fighters charge towards the ship in an act of brazen hostility.

'This is a coalition warship. Your actions appear to be threatening. Turn away immediately or I may take action against you,' a naval officer warns over the radio.

In the command room, another officer says: 'Warnings have been read following hail from Queen Elizabeth, no response to the warnings this time, aircraft continuing to close.'

The jets, thought to have been scrambled from Russia's Khmeimim Air Base on the Syrian coast, are filmed screaming past the warship before heading away.

It is one of several encounters with Putin's forces reportedly faced by the HMS Queen Elizabeth.

At the time of the drama, F-35 stealth jets from the Royal Air Force's 617 Squadron had been carrying out strike missions in the Middle East against ISIS terrorists.

Leading up to the confrontation, Russia's prized Black Sea Fleet flagship, Admiral Makarov, was also involved in the encounter.

The Russian frigate had been attempting to 'block' the aircraft carrier and stop the ship from launching her jets.

The trio of Russia warplanes pictured as they are spotted soaring towards HMS Queen Elizabeth. They are believed to have flown from a Russian airbase in Syria

The Royal Navy crew inside HMS Queen Elizabeth are filmed calmly tracking the jets

But at one point, a sailor on board the British aircraft carrier warns the Russian warplanes to 'turn away immediately' or the ship 'may take action against you'. Pictured is that moment as an F-35 stealth jet launches off HMS Queen Elizabeth

As sirens screech out across HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Russian jets bank away from the British flagship after making a close pass of the 3.2billion vessel

The BBC documentary, called The Warship: Tour of Duty, shows HMS Queen Elizabeth's American escort ship, US destroyer The Sullivans scrambling to deter the Makarov.

It was one of a slew of encounters with Russian forces experienced by HMS Queen Elizabeth during her mission, with a defence source telling the MailOnline: 'It was frequent. It wasn't daily. But they were frequent.'

The source insisted there were no hostile exchanges between the British task group and the Russians, adding: 'There's a healthy respect for safety. However, we can't let an aircraft from another nation overfly our carrier without standing up and defending our carrier.'

A Royal Navy spokesman added: 'HMS Queen Elizabeth and her multinational taskforce were routinely approached by maritime and airborne forces throughout the successful Carrier Strike Group deployment in 2021.

'As ever, robust measures were in place to protect the group, including an Astute Class submarine and, where necessary and appropriate, routine challenges were issued.'

Admiral Makarov, one of Russia's highest prized frigates, was involved in the incident with HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2021 (file image)

HMS Queen Elizabeth is pictured after the incident with the Russian jets sailing through the Suez Canal on her way to the Far East

Russia's SU-24 jets are equipped with 23mm cannons, laser-guided air-to-surface and air-to-air missiles and can also carry tactical nuclear bombs

The extraordinary BBC footage is believed to have taken place just days before Russian forces clashed with a British destroyer in the Black Sea.

In a sensational claim from the Kremlin at the time, Russia said one of its patrol boats fired warning shots at HMS Defender and that bombs had been dropped in front of the ship.

The Defender had been part of HMS Queen Elizabeth's carrier group and was sailing close to Crimea - which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014 - when the drama unfolded.

The Type 45 destroyer was told 'If you don't change course, I'll fire.' Moscow later boasted that an SU-24 dropped four bombs in the vessel's path after it refused to back down and warning shots were fired from their patrol ship, but Britain flatly denied the claims, saying the destroyer stayed in international waters and no shots were fired.

It was the first time since the Cold War that Moscow admitted to using live ammunition to deter a NATO warship.

The Kremlin even released footage filmed from one of its SU-24M attack jets which showed the HMS Defender sailing off Crimea.

The HMS Defender crew got ready for a potential confrontation after Russia claimed to have fired warning shots and dropped bombs

Members of the ship's crew were pictured wearing anti-flash gear, which protects them from flame exposure and heat

Footage of HMS Defender from the air, released by Russian defence ministry's TV channel Zvezda at the time

BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Beale was on board HMS Defender and said the ship's crew were primed and weapons systems loaded as they approached the southern tip of the peninsula.

He said: 'Increasingly hostile warnings were issued over the radio - including one that said 'if you don't change course, I'll fire'. We did hear some firing in the distance but they were believed to be well out of range.'

However, it is not the first time the Royal Navy has been faced with Russian aggression in recent years.

In May 2018, incredible footage captured the moment 17 Russian jets swarmed HMS Duncan near the coast of Crimea.

The footage was captured in a Channel 5 documentary as Duncan led a NATO fleet through the Black Sea.

Former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson described the incident as 'brazen hostility' from Russia while he praised the 1billion flagship and her crew.

The Russian jets, pictured, flew low and close to the ship in an act of 'brazen hostility' according to former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson

Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan, pictured in Gibraltar, was 'buzzed' by 17 Russian fighter jets while in the Black Sea in May 2018 on assignment with NATO

While Commodore Mike Utley, who was leading the NATO task force from Duncan, said: 'HMS Duncan is probably the only maritime asset that has seen a raid of that magnitude in the last 25 years.'

He added: 'I think their tactics are naive. What they don't know is how capable the ship is.

'When you see that much activity, I think it reinforces the nature of what people expect at the moment and why there is a challenge from Russia.'

The footage shows the jets circling the ship before returning to Russian airspace with one of the pilots sending a message to Duncan's crew, saying: 'Good luck, guys.'

The documentary, called Warship: Life at Sea, showed one of Duncan's sailors saying they felt the message could have been a warning to the ship while another said: 'They had 17 aircraft, we have 48 missiles - I think we're going to win that one.'

Speaking at the time, Commander Eleanor Stack, Duncan's captain, said: 'To me it felt unprecedented. There were more aircraft than we have seen in a long time.'

HMS Queen Elizabeth spent seven months at sea during her 2021 deployment, having departed from her home base in Portsmouth in May - after a visit from Her Majesty the Queen.

The Royal Navy flagship has arrived home following the first operational deployment of the carrier strike group (CSG) which was dogged with incidents including the loss of a 100million fighter jet at sea

Dramatic video showed the moment the F-35 stealth jet toppled off the end of HMS Queen Elizabeth's runway before it sank into the Mediterranean, sparking a scramble to recover its wreckage before Russian or Chinese teams got their hands on the plane's top-secret tech

The 65,000-tonne warship and her support ships arrived back to the UK just before Christmas in 2021 - with emotional sailors being reunited with their loved ones at HMNB Portsmouth

The supercarrier, which is longer than the House of Commons, set off with seven warships and a submarine as part of its show-of-force voyage to the Far East.

Her carrier strike group, with its combined crew of 3,700 sailors, travelled a whopping 25,000 nautical miles, visiting the likes of the Mediterranean, the Gulf, the Indian Ocean and Japan.

But the task force was dogged with problems during the epic overseas mission - that included the loss of one of HMS Queen Elizabeth's 100million F-35 stealth jets, which toppled off its flight deck and into the Med shortly after take-off.

One of the two Royal Navy destroyers tasked with protecting her, HMS Diamond, also suffered a catastrophic malfunction just weeks into the trip, forcing it to undergo emergency repairs at a port in Italy.

And in July 2021, a number of ships in the battle group, including the carrier, experienced a Covid-19 outbreak despite all crew being double-vaccinated.

The ship eventually returned to Portsmouth in December 2021, with hundreds of families lining the naval city's ancient battlements to welcome her home.

The Warship: Tour of Duty airs on Sunday, January 22 on BBC2. The episode featuring the Russian encounter will be broadcast on January 29.
But new book pieces together the chilling final months of diarist and her family

Little is known about what happened after Anne Frank was captured by Gestapo

HER remarkable, compelling and haunting diary is one of the most significant books of the 20th century. But little has been known of what happened to Anne Frank after she was dragged out of her hiding place by the Gestapo in 1944  until now.

A brilliant new book, After The Annex: Anne Frank, Auschwitz and Beyond  an exclusive extract of which is available on The Mail+ today  pieces together the chilling final months of the Jewish teenager and her family.

Drawing on testimony scattered in various archives and obscure publications, writer Bas von Benda-Beckmann has produced the most comprehensive and detailed account of the 15-year-old's last days ever published.

Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl is one of the most significant works of the 20th century

Anne and her family - including father Otto, right - hid in an annex behind this bookcase

He reveals harrowing stories about a friends attempts to throw food parcels over a barbed-wire fence to a starving and freezing Anne, as well as the punishing work she was given splitting open old batteries with a chisel and hammer  and her fathers attempts to get her a job cleaning toilets instead.

Amid the horror, one friend recounts that Anne would spend a lot of time with Peter van Pels, a teenager whose family hid with the Franks in their Amsterdam annex. They were always together and I often said to my husband: Just look at those two beautiful young people, she said. At first, she was very pale, but her gentle and expressive face was so attractive. Perhaps I shouldnt really say that Annes eyes shone. But they did shine, you know. She was happy 

Anne, who would be 93 if she was alive today, and her family hid from Nazi persecution in the annex behind a bookcase in their Amsterdam home for two years before being caught.

After The Annex: Anne Frank, Auschwitz and Beyond is a fascinating and horrifying insight into period between the Gestapo raid on the Franks bolthole and Annes death in 1945. Click here to read an exclusive extract now, only on The Mail+.

After the Annex: Anne Frank, Auschwitz and Beyond by Bas von Benda-Beckmann will be published by Unicorn on January 27 at 25.  Bas von Benda-Beckmann 2023. To order a copy for 22.50 (offer valid to 28/01/22; UK P&P free on orders over 20), visit www.mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
2024 may be the most consequential presidential election in a lifetime.

America better be ready.

I'm not talking about Biden vs. Trump the sequel. Two octogenarians taking a second lap around the Oval Office wouldn't change the status quo.

I'm talking about Gavin Newsom vs. Ron DeSantis. The ultimate showdown of progressive wokism vs. common-sense conservativism.

It's long past time to settle this.

Over the past four years, California and Florida have presented two distinct visions for America. One is failing. The other is thriving.

The Golden State has embraced experimental, boundary-pushing, heavy-handed leftism and The Sunshine State has returned to time-tested principles of the right.

Make no mistake about it, Newsom, termed-out as governor, has his eyes on Washington, DC.

Just listen to his final inaugural as governor speech last Friday. 'California is the true freedom state,' he declared.

It was a battle cry for liberal America.

Sure, Democrats insist Biden's the guy for 2024. But I don't believe it. There are a dozen factors that could derail his run, like a dismal approval rating, Hunter Biden, his age, or maybe, a special counsel investigation, to name a few.

And I'm not the only one to doubt the inevitability of Biden 2024.

Newsom is quite clearly positioning himself as the liberal savior, who steps up when the wheels fall off the Biden administration.

That's why it's time to take slick-haired, 90s action hero, Gavin Newsom dead serious, evaluate his record and ask ourselves: Do we want to 'California' America?

Just listen to his final inaugural as governor speech last Friday. 'California is the true freedom state,' he declared. It was a battle cry for liberal America.

I'm talking about Gavin Newsom vs. Ron DeSantis. The ultimate showdown of progressive wokism vs. common-sense conservativism.

Short answer: Hell no! California is a liberal dystopia of debt and decline. And don't just take my word for it.

In California, the San Francisco Chronicle notes, 'wealth inequality is vast, the poverty rate is high, housing is unaffordable and less than half of students are proficient in reading.'

Under Newsom, California has cemented its status as the posterchild of left-wing, progressive politics run amok. If states are the laboratories of democracy, then Newsom is Victor Frankenstein.

Shall we start with the energy shortages?

Hot summer weather in 2022 overwhelmed a state energy grid, which is crippled by regulation, over-reliance on green renewables and rejection of gas-burning power stations and nuclear.

It got so bad Newsom pleaded with residents not to charge their electric vehicles, something Cal Fire Battalion Chief Isaac Sanchez urged people to ignore because of wildfire evacuation warnings. 'Life safety is a priority. At least it is to us,' Sanchez said.

Hysterically  or more accurately  pathetically, Newsom also signed a bill to ban gas-powered vehicles in California by 2035. You'd better hope the next decade isn't too warm  an electric car with a dead battery won't do you much good.

Then there's the state's tax scheme, the country's most progressive. West Coast liberals may whine about America's wealth gap, but it's their lifeblood.

When the bottom fell out of the stock market in 2022, so did the net-worth of the Golden State's Silicon Valley sugar daddies and then bye-bye tax revenues. The state swung from an estimated $100 billion surplus to $22 billion deficit in 2023. Not exactly a stellar record of fiscal stewardship. And as U.S. national debt continues its march past $31.3 trillion, Newsom's hardly the captain you want steering the ship.

California's homelessness crisis continues to spiral out of control.

Newsom identified it as a major public problem and dedicated billions to tackling it, only for the plan to fail. Today, there at least 161,000 homeless people in California  the highest number in the nation by far - despite having the world's fourth largest economy.

Official poverty, which doesn't account for the impact of social programs, increased from 10.5% in 2019 to 11.6% in 2021.

During the pandemic, the unsheltered population increased by 6.2% - another nation record. There are vast homeless encampments that authorities routinely raze. So much for progressive plans to spread the wealth and care for the vulnerable.

Cities like San Francisco have only recently re-started arresting drug dealers and users  what a novel idea  after they realized that addiction may have something to do with this. As America stares down an epidemic, I think I'll pass on the California-method.

Just last month, Newsom popped up for a photo-op on California's border with Mexico to announce that his state's immigration system was on the verge of collapse.

Where the heck have you been, Gavin? Are you starting to rethink California's sanctuary policies that welcome illegal immigrants and help shield them from deportation? As a model for America, do you think we should encourage more undocumented people or less during an historic border crisis? I think I know your answer.

Yes, when it comes to woke, it's hard to outdo the Golden State.

Newsom's Reparations Take Force has called for every eligible black person in the state to receive $1 million. If that's not a straight line to national bankruptcy and decades of racial division  I don't know what is.

In October, Newsom announced that California was the first state in the nation to create a sanctuary for transgender youth seeking gender-affirming medical care, while most of the rest of the world places restrictions on these experimental procedures.

And finally, recall how Californians lived during COVID. They suffered under the nation's longest pandemic closures. Small businesses were crushed by Newsom's nearly year-long stay-at-home orders. The U.S. Supreme Court knocked down Newsom's pandemic ban on indoor religious worship. And the 'rules for thee, but not for me' hypocrisy was appalling.

A video posted by outraged restaurant owner Angela Marsden went viral after she filmed her shuttered outdoor eatery, while a Hollywood film crew worked next door. Newsom notoriously attended an indoor dinner in Napa Valley, at one of the world's most expensive restaurants with a group of unmasked friends while he was urging everyone else to mask-up and lockdown.

Newsom's Reparations Take Force has called for every eligible black person in the state to receive $1 million. If that's not a straight line to national bankruptcy and decades of racial division  I don't know what is.

'Freedom is who we are,' Newsom said on Friday. Who is he kidding?

He's delusional if he thinks he can drop the word 'freedom' into a speech and erase his appalling record.

It's no surprise people are fleeing the state in record numbers. California lost about 360,000 residents in 2021, up from about 275,000 from the year before. The population shrank by 113,000 people. It's been so bad California lost a congressional seat in 2020 for the first time in the state's history.

Newsom is the polar opposite of Ron DeSantis. The anti-DeSantis if you will, and he's proud of it. But in a sharply divided nation, a contest between them may be close.

Liberals in America believe that when it comes to schools, teachers and administrators know best. Conservatives want to empower parents.

Liberals believe the more migrants the merrier as long as they don't end up in Martha's Vineyard. Conservatives want secure national borders.

Liberals believe that pronouncements from the public health establishment should be followed up in lockstep. Conservatives wants to learn from the obvious failures of mandatory masking, school closures and lockdowns.

Liberals seek influence through Hollywood, the mainstream news media and woke corporations. Conservatives want to return power to the people.

These are competing visions and America may have to choose one. Don't turn the country into another left-wing Newsom nuthouse.
We examine what the 'paper of record' got wrong, the shady dealings it minimized and things it missed completely

Hunter could also face charges over his October 2018 purchase of a .38 caliber handgun after he claimed he was not on drugs at the time of purchase

US Attorney David Weiss is believed to be considering charges related to $30,000 in tax deductions, which Hunter claimed for business expenses

At a whopping 5,360 words, The New York Times's magnum opus on Hunter Biden should have contained new information on the various ways the First Son has skirted the law, made millions in foreign business deals and caused a potential conflict of interest by leveraging his father's name.

Instead, the Gray Lady's lengthy report either left out or got completely wrong several aspects of Hunter's troubled adult life. The 'paper of record' made errors about the Bidens' shared bank account and when former addict Hunter started smoking crack cocaine.

The Times, which has struggled to refute allegations of increasingly liberal bias in its coverage, depicts the Hunter Biden scandal as 'exaggerated'. But by understating central issues it leaves itself open to being criticized for the same kind of partisanship it accuses Republicans of.

The piece, headlined 'Hunter Biden's tangled tale comes front and center' purported to be an in-depth look at the 52-year-old's life at a time when federal prosecutor David Weiss is 'closing in on a decision about whether to prosecute' him.

US Attorney David Weiss is believed to be considering charges related to $30,000 in tax deductions, which Hunter Biden claimed for business expenses

The piece, headlined 'Hunter Biden's tangled tale comes front and center' purported to be an in-depth look at the 52-year-old's life at a time when federal prosecutor David Weiss is 'closing in on a decision about whether to prosecute' him

The Times said Weiss, the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, who has been investigating Hunter's businesses and tax affairs since 2020, seems to be focused on charges concerning Hunter's failure to file taxes on time.

Another charge could come from his October 2018 purchase of a handgun when he claimed he was not on drugs at the time 'an assertion that prosecutors might be able to challenge based on his erratic behavior and possible witness accounts of his drug use around that period.'

But the Times overlooked the fact that Hunter himself admitted in his memoir he was suffering from 'full-blown addiction' at the time.

The Times also made a vague suggestion that some of the emails found on Hunter's abandoned laptop might not be authentic, despite DailyMail.com, The Washington Post, CBS  and even the Times itself  independently verifying the laptop's contents.

And while The Times writes about a 'narrative promoted by the Republicans,' the facts are laid bare in documents, emails and texts straight from Hunter himself.

Here, we examine what the Times got wrong, the shady dealings it minimized and the key details it missed completely.

The New York Times published a report Wednesday examining the investigation into Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings and painted him in a positive light

What the New York Times got wrong

The Times claims: '(Hunter's business associate James Gilliar) said he was unaware of any involvement in the (Chinese energy company) CEFC discussions by Hunter's father at any time.'

Yet among all the shocking messages involving Joe Biden, possibly the most important email of the 154,000 on Hunter's abandoned laptop is the infamous '10% for the big guy' email, written by Gilliar, suggesting that the president was secretly involved in, and set to profit from, an alleged Chinese influence operation.

Multiple associates of Joe Biden called him the 'big guy' in emails found on the laptop. The Times doesn't mention that or offer further explanations about who the 'big guy' could be.

The Times claims: 'Some of what Republicans have cast as evidence that could implicate President Biden in questionable behavior by his son  assertions that father and son shared bank accounts.... is contradicted or undercut by a fuller look at Hunter Biden's activities.'

But emails from Hunter's business manager Eric Schwerin to Hunter indicate that the father and son did share a bank account and paid each other's bills.

In one email, Hunter complained that he had been shut out of his own bank account and that his father had been using it.

The Times claims: 'The first anniversary of Beau's death sent him into a spiral of depression that led to an addiction to crack cocaineHunter did not want to give up his role at Burisma, which was not particularly demanding of his time and continued to pay him handsomely  about $600,000 a year  even after he started smoking crack.'

Actually, Hunter by his own admission started smoking crack 'around my senior year at Georgetown,' according to his memoir, when he bought it from 'Bicycles', a homeless addict friend.

The Times claims: 'One of the first ventures Mr. [Devon] Archer brought Hunter into turned out to be something of a bust  a deal with Shanghai-based BHR Partners that never fulfilled its ambition of making big investments in the United States.'

But BHR did invest millions in major Chinese surveillance firm Face++, and court documents show an exec for the Chinese side of BHR, Henry Zhao, wired $5million to Burnham Asset Management, a firm linked to Hunter.

David Weiss, U.S. attorney for Delaware, could soon be pressing charges against Hunter Biden for tax evasion. Hunter could also face charges over his October 2018 purchase of a .38 caliber handgun after he claimed he was not on drugs at the time of purchase

The infamous 'big guy' email by James Gilliar, suggesting that the president was secretly involved in, and set to profit from, an alleged Chinese influence operation

A June 10, 2010 email shows money flowing between Hunter and Joe's accounts

Hunter allegedly lied on a firearm report. A photo of the form shows the first son allegedly answered 'no' when asked if he was an 'unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance'

What the New York Times left out

 The publication mentions that Joe left a voicemail saying 'I hope you know what you're doing' when he discovered that Hunter had taken a seat on the board of the Ukrainian energy firm Burisma. But it made no mention of another voicemail about when Joe had said 'I think you're clear' after reading a Times piece about Hunter's dealings with CEFC.

 The Times quotes Father Alex Karloutsos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America saying Joe 'simply waved at everybody' at a meeting in the Cafe Milano with Hunter's business partners. They omit that Karloutsos is a longstanding close Biden ally, who has described Joe as 'his closest friend', and that the White House initially denied the meeting even happened then were forced to admit it after photos emerged of Joe there posing with Hunter's foreign partners.

 The NYT doesn't mention incriminating texts between Hunter's business partner Tony Bobulinski and Gilliar. In 2017, Bobulinksi texted Gilliar, 'Don't mention Joe being involved. It's only when u are face to face. I know u know but they are paranoid' while discussing Hunter and CEFC.

NYT omits that Father Alex Karloutsos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is a longstanding close Biden ally who referred to the president as 'his closest friend'. Biden awarded Karioutsos the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022

Hunter emailed Alex Karloutsos's son Michael to inform him of his plans for dinner at Cafe Milano

The NYT doesn't mention incriminating texts between Tony Bobulinski and James Gilliar. In 2017, Bobulinksi texted Gilliar, 'Don't mention Joe being involved'

 When mentioning Schwerin's many meetings with Joe, they omit that Schwerin was himself a partner with Hunter in several of his foreign ventures, was appointed to a White House board by the Obama administration, and specifically emailed Hunter in 2010 saying: 'Your Dad just called me He could use some positive news about his future earnings potential'  indicating the link between Hunter and Joe's business interests.

 The Times also left out any mention of Rosemont Realty, which Hunter co-founded, and which was bought by Chinese-run firm Gemini Investments. Emails show one payment of $188,000 from Rosemont to Hunter, and he retained his stake after the Chinese took over the company.
He swept his new wife away to the exquisite Amangiri Resort in Utah

The two were spotted Monday dining together at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, where Ye was seen wearing a large new ring on his left wedding finger

She's the 'head of architecture' for West's brand Yeezy, according to LinkedIn

Kanye West, 45, has tied the knot with 27-year-old Australian Bianca Censori, sources tell DailyMail.com

Just a few weeks after settling his bitter divorce from ex-wife Kim Kardashian, Kanye West is a married man again - to an architect from Melbourne, DailyMail.com can reveal.

And DailyMail.com has learned that Kanye swept his new wife away to a five-star luxury resort in Utah last week.

The controversial rapper recently tied the knot with 27-year-old Bianca Censori, the 'head of architecture' for his brand Yeezy.

At one point, Kanye was spotted at the resort with a child, but Kim's representative denies that any of their four children were there with the newlyweds.

The romantic honeymoon took place at the Amangiri, an upscale resort with 34 suites with one four-bedroom Mesa home, located on 600 acres in Utah's Grand Circle of National Parks and Monuments.

They enjoyed a 25,000 square foot Aman Spa for treatments based on healing philosophies of the Navajo.

Room rates at the five-star resort range from $3,300 up to $6,400; prices for the Mesa home, which is a 5,853 square feet freestanding villa, was not available. The average per night rate for a suite at Amangiri is $5,000.

Kanye West, 45, has tied the knot with 27-year-old Australian Bianca Censori, sources tell DailyMail.com

The two were spotted Monday sharing an intimate together at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills after a few weeks of not being seen in public

Censori, who as a natural brunette bears an uncanny resemblance to Kim Kardashian, was almost unrecognizable with her new bleached short hair

The romantic honeymoon took place at the Amangiri, a luxury resort with 34 suites with one four-bedroom Mesa home, located on 600 acres in the Grand Circle of National Parks and Monuments

Room rates at the five star resort range from $3,300 up to $6,400; prices for the Mesa home

The newlyweds certainly enjoyed some private bonding time at in their private accommodations

The two were spotted earlier this week sharing an intimate meal at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills, where Ye was sporting a large new ring on his left wedding finger.

Meanwhile, Censori, who as a natural brunette bears a striking resemblance to Ye's ex Kim, was seen showing off her new bleached short hair.

It's not clear how long they have known each other or how long they had been dating, but Bianca joined Kanye's Yeezy company in November 2020.

West, 45, has not announced the nuptials but appeared to hint at the relationship in his new song, 'Censori Overload', a play on his 'wife's' last name.

The song, which he released on Instagram in early December, is also being called 'Someday we'll all be free' for its sample of the 1973 Donnie Hathaway song of the same name.

In a caption shared with the track on the since deleted post he wrote: 'Sensory overload. Variable epitope libraries from antigens boost immune response in the body.'

The song appears to reference his split from Kim or a previous girlfriend with the lyrics: 'Wakin' up to 'I can't do this any more' texts.

He also alludes to the union in the next line: 'And the Bible said I can't have any more sex till marriage.'

Kanye alluded to the union in the line: 'And the Bible said I can't have any more sex till marriage' in Censori Overload

Ye was seen wearing a large new ring on his left wedding finger as he arrived at the hotel with his new woman

A chunky gold band was visible on his left hand

Ye was seen in black jeans, lace up boots, bomber jacket and camo cap,

The two looked cozy together as they headed into the hotel

Fans had initially speculated that its title was referring to the 'censorship' or criticism West faced for the hateful pro-Nazi, anti-Jewish remarks that landed him in hot water.

Photographed together on Monday, the couple only had eyes for each other as they ate and chatted privately at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Beverly Hills where the two had been seen before.

Sitting opposite him, Censori was dressed fashionably in a patterned green shirt and wore her golden hair cut short and swept back.

In contrast, her LinkedIn page has a photo of her with long, flowing dark hair, making her look even more of a dead ringer for Kim Kardashian.

According to her profile, Censori earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in architecture at the University of Melbourne.

She later worked in the city for a a firm called Toscano Architects and was a design consultant for an outfit called Kolektiv.

Censori has been Yeezy's head of architecture since November 2020.

Censori had been pictured at the Balenciaga Spring 2023 runway show where Ye had walked before parting ways with the brand

According to LinkedIn, Censori is the head of architecture at Yeezy and earned a Bachelor's and a Master's degree at the University of Melbourne.

West had only been seen wearing a ring on his left ring finger again in mid December (right). His bare finger is pictured left during an outing in LA in November

Last week Kanye was rumored to have been seen at the Amangiri resort in Utah with at least one of his kids, leading to speculation that he may have been with Bianca on a family honeymoon

The marriage comes after Kanye and Kim Kardashian finally settled their divorce in November and a string of romances for the rapper.

Kim and Kanye married in Florence, Italy in 2014, and share four children. The reality star, 42, ultimately filed to end the marriage in February 2021.

During their highly-publicized legal battle, Kanye had attempted to oppose Kim's efforts to be declared legally single - however a judge granted her request in March 2022.

After spending nearly two years battling it out in court, the exes came to an accord on the custody of their four kids, parenting plans and division of their multimillion dollar real estate portfolio.

The agreement granted Kardashian $200,000 in child support monthly, with the two having joint custody and 'equal access' to their four kids North, nine, Saint, six, Chicago, four, and Psalm, three.

Kanye has been linked to a string of women since splitting from wife Kim Kardashian, with whom he shares four children: North, nine, Saint, seven, Chicago, four, and Psalm, three. Seen in 2019

Kanye briefly dated actress Julia Fox (left) and was last reported to have begun dating Brazilian model Juliana Nalu (right) in October. She later confirmed she was 'single' again in an Instagram comment in December

In the months after their split was announced, Kanye was linked to a number of models, many of whom had an uncanny resemblance to his ex, and was last reported to have been dating Brazilian model Juliana Nalu in October.

But Nalu revealed the two had cut it quits at some point after confirming she was 'single' in an Instagram comment on December 6.

Prior to that relationship, Kanye had a string of short-lived flings which includes actress Julia Fox and Chaney Jones.

The professional fallout over West's repeated statements about anti-Semitism included Adidas cutting their ties with him October 25 over his conduct.

Foot Locker and Gap also pledged to remove Yeezy from its shelves, while fashion mainstays including Vogue magazine publicly distanced themselves from the rapper/fashion designer.

The talent agency CAA dropped West from its roster, while a documentary about West made by the studio MRC has been shelved.

He drew further criticism in November after he was reported to have had dinner with former President Donald Trump and white nationalist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes.
The girls were farewelled by family and friends in a joint service on Wednesday

Tight-knit community of Quirindi, near Tamworth, 'shattered' by tragic incident

The identities of the two teenage girls killed in a horror boating accident have been revealed as locals share a stern warning for anyone planning a day on the water.

Hannah Seymour, 14, and Rebecca Teuma, 13, died after the speedboat they were being towed behind hit a submerged tree on Lake Keepit in NSW's north.

The girls had been lying on an inflatable raft behind the speedboat when it crashed just two days after Christmas on December 27.

The tight-knit community of Quirindi, near Tamworth, farewelled the pair on Wednesday as the major reveals the town has been 'shattered' by their deaths.

The girls had not only been cousins, but also best friends.

Hannah Seymour, 14, (right) and Rebecca Teuma, 13, (left) died when the speedboat they were being towed behind hit a submerged tree on Lake Keepit in NSW's north

Doug Hawkins said the small agricultural town with a population of 3,500 had been greatly affected by the tragic boating accident.

'We as a shire are supporting the family in whatever way we can,' the mayor told the Daily Telegraph.

Dozens of people have paid tribute to the cousins on social media.

'Wonderful, happy, loving Bec! We miss your smiley face, your riddles and jokes, you riding your horse, dirt-bike and swimming at the creek. Rest beautiful soul,' one said.

'Two beautiful girls loved by four amazing devoted caring parents I just don't understand god's plans sometimes,' another wrote.

The Quirindi Junior Rugby Union Club also posted a tribute to Hannah, who had played for the club as a junior lion and had been 'much-loved' by her peers.

As police continue to investigate the tragedy, locals say hidden debris like tree stumps have been discovered in Lake Keepit (pictured) following a year of floods

'Hannah will be remembered as an outstanding young lady who had a bright future both on and off the rugby field,' the tribute read.

'Hannah's peers held her in high regard and she always demonstrated the true values of the Quirindi Junior Rugby Union Club.'

As police continue to investigate the tragedy, locals say after a year of floods hidden debris like tree stumps have been discovered in Lake Keepit.

They say the layout of the popular waterway has changed substantially and that higher water levels meant trees can sometimes be concealed beneath the surface.
George Pell heavily criticised Daniel Andrews in a fiery speech a few months ago - and the Victorian Premier has now revealed that he won't give the divisive Catholic a state funeral.

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.

And on Thursday, Mr Andrews was quick to rule out a state memorial service, saying he couldn't think of anything 'more distressing for victim survivors than that'.

In one of his last speeches in Australia, the Cardinal criticised Mr Andrews' administration and compared it to Joh Bjelke-Petersen's corrupt government in 1980s Queensland.

The Vatican on Wednesday revealed the Cardinal George Pell had died at the age of 81, after suffering heart complications following a hip replacement surgery in Rome

Mr Andrews was quick to rule out a state memorial service, saying he couldn't think of anything 'more distressing for victim survivors than that'

In an address to Sydney-based Catholic liberal arts college Campion in August, Cardinal Pell lashed out at 'bossy nanny states' who 'overreacted' during the pandemic and closed churches before casinos.

He also criticised the rise of identity politics and cancel culture before suggesting that times were changing 'and not always for the better'.

Cardinal Pell said: 'I don't think Australian life is rotten at the core, but times are changing, and not always for the better.

'The inevitable royal commission of the future into Victoria could find a situation parallel to that of Joh Bjelke-Petersen's Queensland in the 1970s-80s. Too many Australians were content with the overreaction of bossy nanny states during the Covid crisis, when the churches were closed before the casino.'

Following his death, Mr Andrews said there would be no taxpayer-funded memorial and that he would not be attending the Cardinal's funeral at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney.

He said: ' 'I couldn't think of anything more distressing for victim survivors.

CARDINAL GEORGE PELL'S CUTTING SPEECH I dont think Australian life is rotten at the core but times are changing, and not always for the better. The inevitable royal commission of the future into Victoria could find a situation parallel to that of Joh Bjelke-Petersens Queensland in the 1970s and 80s, and too many Australians were content with the over-reaction of bossy nanny states during the Covid-19 crisis, when the churches were closed before the casino (at least in Victoria). Many in the Catholic leadership were too docile. But the times are changing and many are uneasy, especially the social conservatives, regularly assailed by the woke activists even in sport. Advertisement

'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.'

Cardinal Pell was accused of molesting two choir boys in the late 1990s when he was Archbishop of Melbourne.

He served 13 months in prison, before being acquitted in 2020 after the High Court quashed his convictions for child sexual assault.

Friends of Cardinal Pell have hit out at Mr Andrews following his comments.

Greg Craven, emeritus professor of law and former vice-chancellor of the Australian Catholic University, told the Australian: 'I think Daniel Andrews is an insult in search of a target.

'So far as I know, no one wanted a state funeral, no one asked for a state funeral, and I for one would hope that he wouldn't have been invited to a state funeral.'

Referring to Cardinal Pell's acquittal, he added: 'Premier Andrews is always telling us what he respects, but apparently it doesn't include the rule of law.'

NSW Premier and fellow Catholic Dominic Perrottet has also ruled out taxpayer funding from his state for the funeral.

He said: 'No. There will be a memorial service, which will be held and that is arranged by the archdiocese and I just want to say to the cardinal's family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.'
The Foreign Office were forced into an embarrassing climbdown last night after a junior minister made inaccurate statements about British Council workers stranded in Afghanistan.

Leo Docherty told MPs on Wednesday that half of the 190 contractors and their family members had been given the green light to come to the UK.

However, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) were compelled to correct the record and clarify that no contractors have been granted clearance. In fact, just 47 have been invited to provide biometrics at a visa centre and will face extra security checks.

He also mistakenly suggested the proposed 1,500 places on the relocation scheme was not an 'upper limit' and that 'another cohort will be established from June'. But the FCDO said the figure was a limit for the relocation pathway and there are plans to help wider groups in Afghanistan, further details of these plans will be set out in due course.

A junior minister made inaccurate statements British Council workers stranded in Afghanistan being granted sanctuary in the UK. Pictured: Passengers board a US plane as they evacuate from Afghanistan in August 2021

Mr Docherty was responding to a debate lead by senior Tory John Baron, a consistent campaigner for the safety of Afghan British Council workers.

Since the insurgents took over Afghanistan again in 2021, the former council workers have suffered brutal beatings as revenge for teaching English to Afghans and promoting British values.

Despite the decision, they still face huge issues getting here, as the Taliban have closed passport offices and set up checkpoints on major roads. Anyone suspected of trying to flee to Britain is arrested.

Earlier this week, a former British Council worker was captured by the regime and has not been seen since.

Last night Mr Baron, who chairs the British Council parliamentary group, demanded 'greater urgency', adding: 'If 200 people and their families helped us then we need to reach out and help those 200. The time to put this right is now.'

Following the FCDO's intervention, he added: 'If it does intend to withdraw many of the minister's assurances given to me in the debate, then it is highly unusual and extremely disappointing.'

Since 2015, the Daily Mail's Betrayal of the Brave campaign has highlighted the injustice of Afghans who risked their lives on the UK's behalf being exposed to revenge attacks. Hundreds of former interpreters and others have come to Britain following concessions granted by the Government on eligibility criteria.

The Foreign Office were compelled to correct the record and clarify that no contractors have been granted clearance. Pictured: Afghan refugees arrive in Thessaloniki, Greece after fleeing the country in November 2021

The British Council workers are among the last eligible Afghans to have their cases considered.

One of them, Ahmad, said: 'I might die. I was beaten by the Taliban and need three weeks of hospital treatment. I was attacked for working for the British. I don't have the paperwork to come to the UK and I can't get it.. I'm stuck here with my family, and it is terrifying.' There is an estimated backlog of 66,000 Afghans seeking to come to Britain. The evacuations are also being slowed down by a shortage of housing - UK officials will grant sanctuary only after accommodation in this country has been arranged.

Government minister Leo Docherty said: 'We are making progress. We are trying - in terms of communication and administrative support - to ensure they can start that journey of resettlement.'

Scott McDonald, CEO of the British Council said: 'Whilst we are relieved that a number of our former contractors and their families have been informed by the UK government that they are eligible for relocation to the UK, urgent action must now be taken to ensure they are granted safe passage to countries neighbouring Afghanistan. With the Taliban firmly in control, some may not be able to get the right travel documents or will risk their lives trying to get them. Agreement must be reached with neighbouring countries to ensure they can enter.

'A significant number of our colleagues have not yet heard any outcome of their relocation applications. We are deeply concerned by the length of time it is taking for their applications to be processed. They have told us that they are living in increasingly desperate circumstances as the situation in the country continues to deteriorate. We are incredibly concerned for them and for their families' welfare and well-being. We are pushing for progress with senior contacts within the UK government to ensure the earliest possible consideration of their applications.'
The mother of murdered journalist James Foley has said she has been told ISIS terrorist 'Jihadi George' remains in U.S. custody - despite the Bureau of Prisons confirming he is no longer in their care.

Alexanda Kotey, known as 'Jihadi George', has vanished from the state systems while being held in Pennsylvania's 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'.

Diane Foley said that the Justice Department had reassured their family that Kotey remains in US custody.

A spokesman for told DailyMail.com: 'The DOJ has told us that Kotey is very much in federal custody in the US.'

Alexanda Kotey, known as 'Jihadi George', has vanished from the state systems while being held in Pennsylvania's high-profile Canaan prison

Diane Foley, pictured during the sentencing of 'Beatle' El Shafee Elsheikh in August, said she had been reassured that his fellow terrorist Alexanda Kotey remained in custody

Journalist James Foley, 40, was murdered by the terrorist group in Syria in August 2014

He faced trial in the US in relation to the four American hostages, before being sent to Canaan after being sentenced on eight counts

He was sent to Canaan in August last year, with part of his plea deal including 'cooperation requirements'.

Kotey's 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 on Wednesday 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 U.S. 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.'

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 in March 2019

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, U.S. hostages that were killed by the Beatles.'

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'

Kotey's 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 Britons.

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.

Elsheikh 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 Police's 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 a press conference: 'It's 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.'
Air New Zealand has taken a swipe at Prince Harry after he claimed Meghan booked a flight that the airline says never existed.

The Duke of Sussex had claimed Meghan purchased a first-class ticket from Mexico to Britain for her father Thomas Markle, over concerns of media harassment.

On Thursday, Air New Zealand rebuffed the claim saying it has never operated flights between Mexico and the United Kingdom and does not offer a first-class service.

The airline followed up its response by taking a cheeky dig at the Sussexes on Friday.

Air New Zealand has taken a swipe at Prince Harry after debunking a claim in his memoir that Meghan had booked a first-class flight on the airline from Mexico to Britain

The Duke of Sussex leaves The Late Show studios in New York on Monday after recording an interview with host Stephen Cobalt

'Introducing #SussexClass. Apparently coming soon,' the airline wrote on Twitter.

The swipe has sparked mixed reactions, with some social media users unimpressed.

'Bad form Air NZ. Someone in the social media team clearly isn't a Harry fan and though the whole customer base would find this funny,' one wrote.

A second added: 'Note to you Air NZ, supporting and picking sides is not a smart idea.

'Especially when the majority of the argument is around racism and treatment of people of colour.

'Not sure who is operating your Twitter account but I strongly suggest to get them replaced.'

Other social media users applauded the dig. 'Any spare seats?' one wrote.

In his memoir, Harry wrote Meghan had bought the first-class ticket to bring her estranged father to the UK.

'We told him, leave Mexico right now: A whole new level of harassment is about to rain down on you, so come to Britain. Now,' he wrote.

'Air New Zealand, first class, booked and paid for by Meg.'

Air New Zealand rebuffed the claim, saying it has never operated flights between Mexico and the United Kingdom - and it does not offer a first class service

The airline took a cheeky dig at the Sussexes on Friday

Air New Zealand promptly shut down the claim, saying it did not offer first-class service.

'We've never had flights between Mexico and the UK. And we only have Business Premier,' an Air NZ spokesperson told the New Zealand Herald.

The book reveals that the Sussexes rebuffed the late Queen's suggestion that Meghan should fly to Mexico and try to salvage her relationship with her father.

Other questions of the bombshell memoir's accuracy have been raised after eagle-eyed readers on social media found other inaccuracies.

The duke writes of his 'great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather', King Henry VI who founded Eton College and died in 1471 - despite the fact Henry VI's direct lineage ended after his son, Edward of Westminster, died as a childless teenager at the Battle of Tewkesbury.

Prince Harry's actual great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather was King George III, who reigned from 1760 and 1811, more than three centuries after Henry VI died.

Historians were quick to take to social media to question the accuracy of Harry's link to Henry VI, the last of the Lancastrian dynasty.

Royal correspondent Patricia Treble pointed out the genealogical error and the fact Henry VI had no descendants after his son's death in 1471.

Others pointed the blame for the Henry VI error at the memoir's ghostwriter, award-winning American journalist and author J.R. Moehringer.
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Karine Jean-Pierre was forced to defend Joe Biden against charges of hypocrisy on Thursday as she was grilled in her press briefing on why the White House waited nearly a month to reveal there were additional classified documents in the president's private possession.

The White House press secretary was specifically interrogated - for the majority of her time at the podium - about Biden's promise to have a transparent administration in the wake of new details provided by the Justice Department in its probe of the president's classified cache.

Attorney General Merrick Garland revealed on Thursday that Biden's personal lawyer informed the Justice Department on December 20th that they had found classified documents in his garage at his Wilmington home.

The White House had not revealed that information until Thursday - a few hours before Garland announced he was appointing a special counsel to investigate the matter.

It had plenty of opportunities - including when White House counsel Richard Sauber put out a statement on Monday about classified documents dating back to Biden's time as vice president being discovered at the office of his D.C. think tank.

Karine Jean-Pierre was grilled in her press briefing on why the White House waited nearly a month to reveal there were additional classified documents in Joe Biden's personal possession

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate classified documents in Biden's possession

Additionally, Biden, Jean-Pierre and other officials had been asked in the proceeding days about the matter, including if there were other classified documents in the president's personal possession.

But neither the president, Jean-Pierre nor other officials disclosed the Wilmington documents.

Jean-Pierre said it was because Biden's personal lawyers were in the process of conducting a review of other locations where classified documents might be stored and that review was not completed until Wednesday night.

'There was a process happening that was currently ongoing,' she said.

'This was the right thing to do,' she noted.

She also argued the administration had been transparent because it disclosed the matter to the National Archives and the Justice Department immediately after the documents were discovered.

'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 emphasized.

There were more classified documents in Joe Biden's Wilmington home

Garland announced Thursday afternoon he was naming Robert K. Hur, a former federal prosecutor appointed to that position by Donald Trump, as special counsel in the case.

And, in his short statement, Garland revealed a detailed timeline of when the classified 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 National Archives informed the DoJ of the first discovery of documents on Nov. 4th and the FBI began an investigation five days later.

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

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.

On Dec. 20th, Biden's personal attorney told Lausch that additional files were found in Biden's Wilmington garage.

On Jan. 9, the White House publicly announces classified documents from Biden's time as vice president found at the office of his D.C. think tank - but made no mention of the documents found in the Wilmington garage.

On Thursday, Jan. 12, the president's personal attorney informed Lausch that an additional document was discovered at Biden's Wilmington home.

The same day White House publicly announces additional classified documents were found in Biden's Wilmington home.

Jean-Pierre was asked over and over again, by at least nine different reporters, why the December 20th discovery wasn't disclosed immediately or at least with the other disclosure.

She had been asked the previous day - 24 hours before the announcement that there were more classified material discovered - if there were any classified documents in Biden's Wilmington home. She responded: 'I'm just not going to speak to this. I'm going to let the process continue. It's an ongoing process.'

The White House was already under fire for waiting almost two months to disclose that classified documents were found on Nov. 2nd at Biden's think tank office as his lawyers packed it up in preparation for it to be closed.

Jean-Pierre also was asked why the White House argued it was being transparent because it informed a federal agency but did not disclose the matter publicly to the American people.

CNN's Phi Mattingly noted that 'the review was underway when the President spoke about the first set of documents - you're now saying that you didn't talk about the second set of documents discovered almost a month prior? Because the review was underway. I don't understand. It doesn't make any sense. I think it was underway the entire time. The only difference was that reporters had information on the first set of documents.'

The White House was forced to admit on Monday - in the wake of a report from CBS News - that there were classified documents found at the D.C. office housing the think tank Biden founded after leaving the vice presidency.

'Well, let me unconfuse you for a second Phil,' Jean-Pierre responded. 'Look, we're trying to do this by the book. And I said yesterday this was under review by the Department of Justice.'

She added: 'I'm telling you that there's a process. I just laid out what the process is. And I'm telling you that we're trying to do this by the book, and it was an ongoing process. I'm not going to get beyond that. That is how this works.'

CBS Ed O'Keefe grilled her repeatedly on the transparency issue. On Biden's first day in the White House, his then-press secretary Jen Psaki promised that the president plans to 'bring transparency and truth back to the government to share the truth, even when it's hard to hear.'

O'Keefe asked about that vow.

'When you talk about we're being transparent. Who's we and what is the definition of transparent in this case? Is it the lawyers being transparent legally, for the Archives and the Justice Department, or is it the White House at large being transparent with the general public?,' he said.

Jean-Pierre didn't answer directly, repeating her often-used phrase that the president and White House staff take the matter of classified documents 'seriously.'

She also noted that Richard Sauber, the White House special counsel, has made statements on the matter.

'They haven't laid out everything Karine and you know it,' O'Keefe responded.

She responded that she couldn't speak in more detail because of the Justice Department investigation.

'I can't talk about this right because the Department of Justice is reviewing it. There is a review happening Ed right now and you know this,' she said.

And she wouldn't commit to bringing White House Counsel Richard Sauber come to the press room to answer questions about the situation.

'You need to acknowledge then there's going to be a limit and transparency, public non legal transparency, and what can be shared and set by this way,' O'Keefe said.

'I disagree. There has not been a limit of transparency,' Jean-Pierre responded. 'I disagree with you on that.'

Robert K Hur, 50, (center) was named special counsel to investigate Biden's classified files

The White House press secretary also noted any further disclosures would come from the Justice Department.

'There's an ongoing process and you heard directly from the Attorney General today and that is the process. That is how this is going to go. It is not going to come from here for me at this podium. It is going to come from the Department of Justice.'

NBC's Kristen Welker asked if the White House holding onto the information for months 'undercuts the president's promise of being transparent?'

'But here's the thing, they were transparent. There was transparency in doing what you're supposed to do when these when these items were discovered, Jean-Pierre argued.

'Not with the American people,' Welker responded.

The White House over the past few days has faced dozens of questions on why the discoveries of classified documents have not been revealed until now and who was handling them.

Republicans, in particular, have hammered the administration for not disclosing the information before the midterm election. The first set of documents were found five days before voters went to the polls.

Biden told reporters at the White House on Thursday 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.'

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

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.
An Idaho school board member cut the mic on a State Senator who spoke out against a proposed policy allowing transgender students to use the bathroom corresponding with their gender identity.

Newly-elected State Sen. Chris Trakel, a Republican, spoke during a comment period at the Caldwell School District's Board of Education on Tuesday.

He argued that the school district, which his children attend, should scrap the proposed policy  warning that the district risks a lawsuit if a young girl feels uncomfortable by the presence of a transgender female in the bathroom.

But as he continued to speak, School Board President Marisela Pesina decided to cut the mic and adjourned the meeting.

She claimed he was not following the board's procedures.

A volunteer school board member cut off Idaho State Sen. Chris Trakel's microphone at a meeting on Tuesday

Trakel began his comments on Tuesday by noting that he had previously spoken before the board as a parent but was speaking this time in his official capacity as a state senator.

'You under Idaho law are required to maintain the morals and health of all the students,' he told the school board. 'You allow a male to use a female bathroom, you're gonna put them all of their moral health and safety at risk.'

He then went on to say that the school district risked being sued, noting: 'It's already happened in several states and there's already been rulings on it.

'So before you waste taxpayer money, before you put a kid in harms way, you better throw this policy out and not even consider...'

But as he spoke, he noticed that Pesina had turned her head toward another board member.

'I've got the floor, Ms. Pesina, will you please listen to me?'

Apparently startled, Pesina turned her head back toward the state senator, who told her: 'You claim you want people to follow the rules, but you break the rules left and right,' bringing up an incident from the previous board meeting.

At that point, Pesina said the board would recess for 15 minutes, telling Trakel, 'I'm sorry, we have asked you. [You] absolutely know the protocol.'

Trakel, in turn, replied: 'You're not following the protocol yourself.'

Sensing the tension in the room, one of the other board members moved to adjourn the meeting and Pesina took the opportunity to ask for a second.

'No!' someone in the crowd shouted. 'Your people are speaking.'

But another school board member seconded the move, at which point Trakel brought up the state law regarding open meetings.

'Section 74-201: The people of the state of Idaho, in creating the instruments of government that serve them, do not yield their sovereignty to the agencies so created...'

That is when Pesina called on whoever was controlling the sound system to shut off his mic, which immediately went dead.

She used the opportunity to call for a vote on whether to adjourn, as the crowd continued to shout.

Trakel, left, was speaking out against the district's proposed transgender bathroom policy and criticizing the board for its conduct when Board President Marisela Pesina decided to cut the mic and adjourned the meeting

The school board was meeting on Tuesday to discuss a proposed new policy regarding gender identity.

Under the proposal, KTVB reports, students would be able to use different school facilities 'based on the gender identity they most express at school.'

Parents would be asked to meet with the school's principal or school administrator to understand the student's needs in an effort to develop a plan that is 'in the best interest of the student.' That plan would then be signed by all of the parties involved, noting the consensus and any dissenting opinions.

But another section, 'confidentiality,' says that when staff talk to the parents of a transgender student they would have to use the student's legal name and pronouns corresponding to the gender the student was assigned at birth unless a previously agreed upon plan says otherwise.

Other sections of the proposed policy would allow a student to go on overnight trips regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity and would allow school activities that are separated by gender 'in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity consistently expressed at school.'

Jessica Watts, the district's director of communications, told KTVB the policy is proposed but is 'still being vetted.'

At the school board meeting on Tuesday, several students and parents spoke, offering differing opinions on the proposal.

Three high school students began the public comment period by speaking in favor of the proposal, saying the district should be at the forefront of transgender rights.

'I'm a firm believer that all student, and not only [in] the Caldwell School District, but across the whole world deserve to be treated with respect, no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression,' a high schooler named Nicholas said.

'The struggles that you might not experience yourself do not mean they don't exist,' he continued, noting: 'Many of us here identify with the gender that we were assigned [and] feel attraction to the opposite gender.

'This might make you feel like LGBTQ rights are not a problem or something you should worry about, but that is far from the case,' Nicholas said.

'We should be fighting for the rights of all people, even people that are different from yourself. We, as a school district, should be fighting for the equality of all students in the Caldwell School District.'

But he was immediately followed by a middle schooler who said she doesn't think 'that it's right for a boy who feels like he's a girl to change in the same room as the girls because it would make us all feel very uncomfortable changing with a boy in the room.

'And I don't think that they should be allowed in the same bathroom as the girls because they make everybody feel very uncomfortable to be using the bathrooms with a boy.'

A woman also said that there are 'only two genders, that's it' and 'teaching is for reading, writing and arithmetic.

'It is not to sexualize our kids,' she said. 'That is not what our tax dollars are to go for.'

She then went on to suggest that the board could face consequences for the proposal.

'Another thing, we pay your guys' wage, we voted for you. We can vote you out,' the woman said, as people in the crowd replied: 'Amen.'

That seemed to be the first time Pesina recognized there was a growing threat to the order of the school board meeting, saying: 'OK, we can stop this meeting. I've already asked you, folks.

'And just for the record, we don't get paid.'

But the woman seemed to continue her threats, saying: 'I want to tell you something, everybody is going to answer to God one day, You're not going to escape it in any way.'

The Caldwell School District is considering a policy that would allow transgender students to use the bathroom and locker room that corresponds with their gender identity

Following the chaotic meeting, Trakel told the Daily Beast: 'I understand where they're coming from, They need a policy to follow.

'You have a transgender child who doesn't want to use the birth sex bathroom that he's in, it puts that child in a situation,' the state senator acknowledged.

'So I understand the school's looking for something, looking for a policy. They don't want to be sued.

'They're trying to just have the best interests of all the students in mind.'

Meanwhile, the school district released a statement saying, 'It was disappointing that some attending refused to follow the rules, which prevented others from sharing their thoughts with the Board.

'Caldwell School District welcomes and encourages feedback on its work,' it continued.

'What we do not welcome are those who refuse to follow the steps necessary for a civil, courteous and respectful environment for that feedback to occur.'
Lisa Marie Presley, 54, at the Golden Globes on Tuesday night. On Thursday 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 27, 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, Harper 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, thought to have possibly been brought on by his addiction to prescription barbiturates.

As the only daughter of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie 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 Lisa Marie 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 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 three months  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.

Lisa Marie 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.

In 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 Harper Vivienne together, the pair went through a bitter divorce. Above, Lisa Marie, right, and Michael Lockwood, second from left, with Lisa Marie's children Riley and Benjamin Keough

In the foreword to a 2015 book by Harry Nelson, The United States of Opioids: A Prescription for Liberating a Nation in Pain, Lisa Marie 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, [Harper] 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.'

Lisa Marie, 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. Her daughter Riley posted this picture to Instagram

Lisa Marie Presley was rushed to hospital shortly 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 that 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.'

Lisa Marie mentioned her children - her 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, which 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 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.'

Lisa Marie 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 on Tuesday 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.'
Summer is finally here as authorities issue heatwave warnings for six states and territories with parts of Australia already sweltering through days above 45C.

Western Australia, South Australia, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT are in for significantly hotter than average temperatures during both the day and night across the next week.

Eastern Western Australia, northern South Australia, western NSW and northwest Victoria are all expecting days above 40C with the mercury expected to peak this weekend.

This weekend temperatures will reach 35C in Melbourne, 38C in Adelaide, while Brisbane and Sydney will reach just shy of 30C.

While parts of Western Australia will reach above 45 degrees, as the north-western coastal towns swelter.

Meteorologists warned on Friday the heat from the desert Pilbara region of Western Australia is funnelling hot air southeast into South Australia and Victoria bringing sweltering temperatures to the states.

Summer is finally here as authorities issue heatwave warnings for six states and territories with parts of Australia already sweltering through days above 45C

Eastern Western Australia, northern South Australia, western NSW and northwest Victoria are all expecting days above 40C with the mercury expected to peak early next week

The state capitals, however, will be spared from the country's most extreme heat.

Saturday is set to see 'very extreme heat', with temperatures 15C or more above average.

While in Queensland, forecasters are predicting the state could see its heaviest rain in years.

'It's going to be a very intense weekend of rain,' Sky News Weather meteorologist Alison Osborne told news.com.au.

'January 2023 could shape up to be the wettest single month for pockets of the Queensland coast since February 2021.'

Southern NSW and Victoria is likely to see some showers on Sunday but remain hot.

Saturday is set to see 'very extreme heat', with temperatures 15C or more above average. While in Queensland forecasters are predicting the state could see its heaviest rain in years

Despite heavy showers across much of Queensland, Brisbane may not see even a drop of rain and is expected to be spared from the wet weather but still be cooler than southern states with highs of 29C in the city.

Sydney will be spared from NSW's heatwave with the weekend forecast to be sunny with highs of 29C and lows around 20C.

Sydney has now endured almost a year of sub-30C days, breaking a temperature record held for 140 years with the city just a few weeks away from shattering the data altogether.

NSW's heatwave is set to spare the capital from hitting the 30C barrier again although it is in for a sunny weekend with highs of 29C and lows around 20C.

Sydney has now endured almost a year of sub-30C days, breaking a temperature record held for 140 years with the city just a few weeks away from shattering the data altogether

Weatherzone meteorologist James Rout told Daily Mail Australia there is a real possibility that the streak will continue for at least another fortnight.

Sydney has failed to see a day above 30C since February 21, 2022, and if temperatures don't reach that mark by January 28, it'll officially be an all-time record.

Mr Rout believes the barrier will finally be breached at the end of January or at the beginning of February.

'The long-range outlook shows temperatures will rise at the end of January to the start of February,' he said.

While Greater Sydney will mostly dodge the heat along its coast, the outer western suburbs can expect to climb to 35C by Sunday.

In the ACT, a storm is anticipated to roll through the capital on Friday before a dry Saturday and another small storm on Sunday.

The 30C barrier will, however, be breached in Canberra with 32C temperatures across the weekend.

The most extreme heat is reserved for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The heat from the Pilbara region of Western Australia will funnel hot air southeast into South Australia and Victoria, bringing tropical temperatures

Perth will be hot and sunny over the next week, with the mercury hitting above 30C each day, with clear skies.

Saturday will be the day of peak heat bringing elevated fire danger to South Australia and Victoria.

In Adelaide, a high of 37C is anticipated on Friday and 38C on Saturday.

In Melbourne Friday will only be 26C but they are in for a scorching weekend. On Saturday the city is anticipated to hit 35C before a boiling 37C on Sunday

The capital will cool down by Sunday, with a maximum of 29C.

Yet by Tuesday it will once again be hot with a high of 39C.

In Melbourne, Friday will only be 26C but they are in for a scorching weekend.

On Saturday the city is anticipated to hit 35C before a boiling 37C on Sunday.

While Hobart will reach 30C on Saturday before cooling down on Sunday to just 19C.
Was Camilla happy to remain as Charles's mistress rather than marry him? So suggests her friend Petronella Wyatt.

'I sometimes breakfasted with Mark Bolland [then Charles's deputy private secretary],' she writes in The Spectator.

'I received the impression that it was Charles who desired to marry Camilla whereas she was content with a less formal arrangement. I never heard it said that Camilla had any desire to become Queen Consort.'

Deep waters.

Will King Constantine's friend Selina Scott be among the attendees at his funeral near his former summer palace Tatoi? The exiled monarch once turned up at the BBC to be interviewed by her and his driver told the security man he had the King of Greece in the back of the car. The guard examined his clipboard, stuck his head through the window and asked: 'Where d'ya say you're the king of, mate?'

Lovelorn Gyles Brandreth recalls falling head over heels for actress Sinead Cusack when he met her on a TV chat show in 1970. 'Our hands kept touching,' he howls. 'I was bowled over by her. And she liked me. I know she did,' adding: 'And then I introduced her to George Best! Sinead said good night to me and she went off with him.' To paraphrase Gyles's hero Oscar Wilde, you'd need a heart of stone not to laugh.

Portraying Noele Gordon's Meg Mortimer in Russell T Davies' three-part TV series Nolly, Helena Bonham Carter believes the Crossroads matriarch was sacked after 17 years for being a strong woman.

'She was outspoken, she was herself, she was utterly authentic,' says Helena, pictured.

'She was punished for that.'

But Helena is unable to solve the abiding mystery of the long-running soap.

What happened to Benny, the dim-witted mechanic? He popped out of the Midlands hotel in search of a spanner and wasn't seen for a year.

Jeff Beck's Herculean alcohol consumption as Bob Geldof's groomsman at his 2015 south of France wedding to second wife Jeanne Marine is still spoken of in awe in rock circles. 'I was so drunk I didn't do a speech on the yacht,' he (somehow) recalled. 'There was so much drink that I barely made it to the reception. Bob came out and said: 'Come on, I'm going to play spoons and you're going to play the guitar.' But there were two naked women sitting on my head that wouldn't let me go.' Adios, Jeff.

From beyond the grave, Sean Connery haunts his former ghostwriter Hunter Davies. He has been struggling in vain to have his 100,000-word biography of the 007 star published. 'After eight months staying with him, he changed his mind.' says Hunter. 'He said he wanted to remain private. I had to sign a contract preventing me from publishing. I've tried different lawyers. I can't get round it.'

Hunter was more successful ghosting Wayne Rooney's autobiography which sold 400,000 copies in six months. 'Writing it, I asked Wayne if he had any memorabilia? 'What's memorabilia?' he asked.'
Councils such as York and Thanet planning to increase parking charges by 10%

Town halls and parking firms are on track to issue 1.3billion worth of fines

Drivers are being given around 50,000 parking tickets per day, show figures

Drivers are being hit with around 50,000 parking tickets a day  or one every two seconds.

Shock new figures reveal the ruthless army of parking wardens employed by councils are issuing nearly 20,000 fines a day on average.

With private companies dishing out a record 30,000 daily tickets, it means town halls and parking firms are on track to issue 1.3billion in fines this year if current rates continue.

It will stoke concerns that drivers are being used as cash cows amid the cost of living crisis, with many councils plotting double-digit rises in parking charges this year.

Drivers are being hit with around 50,000 parking tickets a day  or one every two seconds

York, Southend, Thanet, Rutland and the London Borough of Waltham Forest are among those that have already said they will increase parking charges by around 10 per cent from April.

Figures obtained by Churchill Motor Insurance suggest councils issued fines at a daily rate of 19,631 in 2022, up 12 per cent on 2021.

This swelled council coffers by an estimated 777,287 a day, up 35,113.

The analysis is based on data from 230 councils that responded to Freedom of Information requests  the true figures are likely to be higher as there are more than 300 local authorities in the UK.

Islington Council in north London issued more fines than any other town hall with a daily average of 1,012, followed by Lambeth and Waltham Forest, both also in London, with 999 and 874 respectively.

Outside the capital, Birmingham City Council had the highest rate (373), followed by Southampton City Council (313) and Cardiff Council (279).

It means town halls and parking firms are on track to issue 1.3billion in fines this year if current rates continue (file image)

Many motorists complain of being punished for honest mistakes, such as wrongly keying their number plate into ticketing machines by accident or overstaying by a few minutes.

Fines issued by councils can be up to 130 in London or 70 elsewhere. Separately, private firms issued 2.7million tickets to drivers between April and June last year, the latest period data is available for  up 50 per cent on the same period in 2021.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: Upping the charges and fining every single small mistake is a ruthless way to prop up council coffers.

The Local Government Association said income from fines is spent on parking services, with any surplus spent on essential transport projects.

It comes after the Government withdrew parts of a code of practice aimed at protecting drivers from cowboy operators, after parking firms began a judicial review.
The woman says she believes it was an act of intimidation in an ongoing row with law enforcement official

Carter pointed out 80 percent of his tickets had been given to black people, despite Chesterfield County having a '20 percent' black population

Charlotte Carter, was pulled over by the officer who she said had ticketed mostly minorities in the area over the past six months

A woman on TikTok stunned a Virginia police officer after she read him data she had compiled on his ticketing record against people of color over six months.

Charlotte Carter, 36, recorded herself rattling off to an officer who pulled her over about how 80 percent of the people he had stopped in the last six months have been black, despite her claiming just 20 percent of the county's residents are black.

'Only 20 percent of the population of Chesterfield [County] is black,' Carter tells the officer as he stands next to her window. 'I don't know how you managed to ticket 80 percent minorities.'

A local news outlet, however, offered some insight  reporting in October the majority of drivers in Virginia are black or Latino.

Carter says she believes she was pulled over in an act of intimidation for videos she has posted to the app discussing alleged corruption inside local law enforcement.

But she has been arrested, herself, multiple times by the Chesterfield police department  which now says she is just trying to get attention.

Charlotte Carter, 36, recently had a video go viral in which she records herself rattling off how 80 percent of the people the officer who had pulled her over in the last six months have been black

The video, posted Sunday, shows the woman reading the officer, identified as 'S Scott' his history of tickets, which include 250 tickets over the last six months resulting in court appearances. DailyMail.com reached out to find the officer's full name.

Carter compared that to another officer she looked at who only had 240 total traffic appearances in court for the entire year.

'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 tells the officer.

The video, which is captioned 'racist cops retaliating' has received more than one million views and has been liked by nearly 138,000 people.

'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 says, questioning how the math adds up.

The woman continues to fill out the information on the ticket as she accuses him of being 'gung-ho' of targeting people of color.

'You sure do write a lot of tickets,' Carter says while handing back the signed ticket.

She said her being pulled over by the officer could have been a coincidence, but she turned on her camera just in case it wasn't

'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.'

The video, which is captioned 'racist cops retaliating' has received more than one million views and has been liked by nearly 138,000 people

She said her being pulled over by the officer could have been a coincidence, but she turned on her camera just in case it wasn't

Carter, in an interview with the Daily Beast, provided the ticket documents. The records are also public and can be found on the Chesterfield District Court website.

The data showed the man, who is a Virginia State Trooper according to the Chesterfield County Police, had stopped 53 drivers in six months, largely in October.

Thirty were black, 13 were white and 10 were listed without a race. The Daily Beast reported the last names of the 10 'appeared either Hispanic or Arabic.'

The woman said she had looked into Scott and another officer just to see the makeup of their traffic stops in the area.

The woman, who goes by 'vapersianprincess' on the video app, claimed the officer had followed her for several miles before the stop

The woman, who goes by 'vapersianprincess' on the video app, claimed the officer had followed her for several miles before the stop.

She said the official, identified as 'S Scott,' had tailed her for two to three miles before he eventually pulled her over for an illegal right turn on red.

The Virginia resident says her ongoing beef with law enforcement in the area began in 2022 when she began posting about alleged child abuse involving the son of a friend. She said she noticed the child, who is biracial, was bruised and underweight.

The woman who holds a license in practical nursing according to public records, said she felt obligated to get law enforcement involved.

Carter, however, told the Daily Beast she believes police did not act as quickly as they should have as they and that they didn't take the case seriously because the child's father was black.

An arrest was eventually made, but Carter says that wasn't until after she had posted a TikTok in March about the situation and her repeated attempts to get police to step in.

The TikTok video she posted has received nearly 5 million views and more than 630,000 likes. After that, she said police began showing up in everyday situations.

'I ended up trying to file for emergency custody, but the police began falsely arresting me,' she told the Daily Beast.

Carter told the outlet she has been stopped by the police 'about 10 times' since beginning to speak about police in the area

Just weeks after her initial viral video, the woman was arrested her for trespassing on her own property, she says.

'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,' Carter said.

Carter told the outlet she has been stopped by the police 'about 10 times' since beginning to speak about police in the area.

Court records show she has been arrested on five occasions and received multiple charges on those dates.

In April, Chesterfield County Police Chief Jeffrey Katz called out the woman for attention-seeking, without using her name.

'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 she's 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,' the chief said, stating he wouldn't use her name as to not giver her 'additional notoriety.'

Katz doubled down, stating he wouldn't '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.'

Despite her arrests, Carter says she finds it 'empowering' to call the cops out.

'The wheels of justice are very, very slow, and it takes patience and persistence and not giving up,' Carter said. 'I stand for what I believe in at all costs. I'm willing to die on this hill.'

8News Richmond spoke with Katz in October and claimed racial profiling is 'not a factor' in the department's traffic stops.

He did not address the statistics brought up by Carter, but said: 'There is a great disproportionality of black and Hispanic drivers who die behind the wheel in Virginia.'

The Daily Beast uncovered that Katz was the chief of police Boynton Beach, Florida before moving to Virginia.

In 2017, four officers in his department were charged for beating an unarmed black man. The incident culminated in some calling for Katz to resign or be terminated.

DailyMail.com reached out to both the Virginia State Police and the Chesterfield County Police but could not reach officials for comment by the time of publication.
Talks about a one-off payment and funding for it remain at an early stage

The British Medical Associations is also recommending action by junior doctors

Union sources said the GMB could announce a further six strikes on Monday

Ambulance workers and hospital doctors were last night threatening more strikes, despite fresh talks between unions and ministers on pay.

Union sources said the GMB could, on Monday, announce a further six strikes by ambulance workers in a bid to ramp up pressure on ministers to give ground.

And the British Medical Association said it would be recommending strike action by junior doctors.

Professor Phil Banfield, chairman of the BMA council, said junior doctors needed to act to reverse a 25 per cent fall in real- terms pay over the past 15 years.

Ambulance workers and hospital doctors were last night threatening more strikes, despite fresh talks between unions and ministers on pay. Pictured: An ambulance worker takes part in a strike in London on January 11

Health Secretary Steve Barclay is hoping to hold fresh talks with the Royal College of Nursing ahead of two planned strikes next week (pictured on January 10)

Speaking after talks with Health Secretary Steve Barclay, he said: If opening the junior doctors ballot opened the door to the long-awaited meeting with Government, then we can only imagine what a yes vote in that ballot will do.

But Mr Barclay is hoping to hold fresh talks with the Royal College of Nursing ahead of two planned strikes next week.

Whitehall sources said ministers were working on options for resolving strikes, which could include a one-off payment to reflect cost of living pressures.

However, talks about what level of payment might be offered, and how it would be funded, remain at an early stage.

No formal proposal has been put to the Treasury and a Government source said there were no plans at this time to provide extra cash, meaning ministers would have to secure efficiencies to pay for it.
A mother and daughter killed in a devastating triple-fatal car crash have been farewelled by their tight-knit community amid emotional scenes - with the tragic mum's favourite pair of rollerskates placed on top of her casket.

Susan Zimmer, 70 and her daughter Steffanie, 35, died after their silver Mercedes was smashed off the road in Bonogin in Queensland's Gold Coast hinterland on December 30.

Susan's husband, retired skin cancer specialist Chris Fawcett, 79, was also killed in the crash.

Uiatu 'Joan' Taufua, the mother of Brisbane Broncos footballer Payne Haas, was allegedly fleeing police when her car struck the Zimmer clan's vehicle on Friday, December 30. She has been charged with three counts of manslaughter.

A mother and daughter killed in a devastating triple-fatal car crash have been farewelled by their tight-knit community amid emotional scenes

Susan Zimmer, 70 and her daughter Steffanie, 35, died after their silver Mercedes was smashed off the road in Bonogin in Queensland 's Gold Coast hinterland on December 30

Daughter Claudine Snow arrived at the service at Mudgeeraba Showgrounds on Friday clutching her mother's signature rollerskates

Claudine Snow paid tearful tributes to her mother and sister

Mourners gathered at Mudgeeraba Showgrounds in the Gold Coast hinterland for the memorial service

Steffanie's coffin was adorned with a picture of her running in a race, along with a pair of her running shoes, a tin of her beloved Milo and a litre of chocolate milk

Daughter Claudine Snow arrived at the service at Mudgeeraba Showgrounds on Friday holding her mother's signature rollerskates - in tribute to the sport she loved.

The pair's white coffins were adorned in flowers at the front of the Bill Deacon pavilion, with the rollerskates placed atop Mrs Zimmer's casket.

Steffanie's coffin was adorned with a picture of her running in a race, along with a tin of her beloved Milo and a litre of chocolate milk.

Several police officers who attended the scene of the crash joined family and friends.

'The Scientist' by Coldplay and 'Convenience' by Power Culture played at the start of the service, with Ms Snow lighting candles for her mother and sister.

Claudine Snow was overcome with emotion during her moving eulogy

Mourners rallied to support Claudine Snow during the service

'The Scientist' by Coldplay and 'Convenience' by Power Culture played at the start of the service, with Ms Snow lighting candles for her mother and sister

A pair of rollerskates adorned the coffin of mother Susan Zimmer, 70, as a poignant reminder of the sport she loved

Ms Snow said she was honoured the community had joined her to farewell her mother and sister.

She said growing up with Susan and Steffanie was like 'the three amigos'.

'Susan endures many obstacles, but possessed immense talent and an even fiercer resolve,' Ms Snow said.

She paid tribute to her mother's love of roller skating, revealing she performed the splits in front of her friends as a way to 'show off'.

Susan Zimmer, 70, and her daughter Steffanie, 35, (together above) were killed after Taufua allegedly collided with their silver Mercedes

Retired doctor Chris Fawcett, 79, (above) was killed during the car crash in Bonogin on Friday

At night, she studied to become an accountant so Ms Snow could attend university.

'She was a driven, resourceful woman,' she said. 'She gave me so many lifelong lessons.

'If you're listening mum, I don't know what to do without you. You were my best friend and I find myself picking up the phone to call you for advice... for anything; just for one more hug,' Ms Snow said.

Uiatu 'Joan' Taufua, the mother of Brisbane Broncos footballer Payne Haas, was allegedly fleeing police when her car struck the Zimmer clan's vehicle on Friday, December 30. She has been charged with three counts of manslaughter

Fond memories of her mother taking her daughters to McDonalds were recounted, along with Susan baking in the kitchen and adoring her grandchildren.

Steffanie Zimmer leaves behind her husband Graham and their children Audrey, Yvonne and Grayson.

Paying tribute to her sister, Ms Snow revealed Steffanie was brought home as a 'surprise fifth birthday present'.

Ms Snow revealed Steffanie had a crush on her husband, jokingly saying she was going to marry him instead of Ms Snow.

'Something she would always say is "I'm still here." But you're not still here, and it hurts,' Ms Snow said through tears.

'I'll never stop loving you. You and mum will be together forever.

'I wish I could wake up from this nightmare and you'll both come back to me.'

A memorial booklet distributed to mourners shows a photo of the pair with the words: 'Together Forever'.

The cortege proceeded to Mudgeeraba Cemetery following the service, where Susan and Steffanie were laid to rest.

A memorial booklet distributed to mourners shows a photo of the pair with the words: 'Together Forever'

Mourners packed out the showground for the memorial service

The cortege proceeded to Mudgeeraba Cemetery following the service, where Susan and Steffanie were laid to rest.

Family, friends and several police officers who attended the scene of the crash also joined mourners

Daughter Claudine Snow (pictured right) had earlier revealed the heartbreaking moment she found out she'd lost her family in a phone call from police who told her: 'They're all gone'

Ms Snow earlier spoke of her disbelief at the horrifying tragedy when she visited a roadside memorial at the scene of the crash earlier this month.

'The last thing (mum) said to me in a voicemail was she was worried about driving at this time of the year,' she revealed.

'I wish she had have just listened to her gut feeling and didn't go out.'

Ms Snow said she missed a call from a mobile number on the day of the crash  later discovering to her horror it was from Queensland Police.

Ms Snow said she missed a call from a mobile number on the day of the crash  later discovering to her horror it was from Queensland Police

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the horrific crash in the Gold Coast hinterland

'I just dropped to my knees,' she recalled. 'I knew it was about mum. (The person on the phone) said, 'They're all gone'.

'My mother, my stepdad, my only sibling have been taken from me.

'This shouldn't have happened.

'I want people to know, when you get behind the wheel, you have people's lives in your hands.

'It's destroyed my life. I don't know if I can ever be happy again.'
Experts fear there could be more than 20 cancer cases linked the 2017 blaze

The majority of diagnoses were for digestive cancers and leukaemia

Several hero firefighters who battled the fatal Grenfell Tower inferno are now fighting rare cancers linked to prolonged exposure to pollutants.

About a dozen firefighters who worked the west London fire in June 2017 have since been diagnosed with cancer, an investigation by The Mirror has revealed.

But experts fear there could end up being more than 20 cases linked the blaze, which consumed the lives of 72 residents.

The accidental fire, which was the worst in Britain for more than a generation, was accelerated by deadly combustible cladding and many of those who died had been told to stay in their flats.

Several hero firefighters who battled the fatal Grenfell Tower inferno are now fighting rare cancers linked to prolonged exposure to pollutants. Pictured: Fire crews at Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey apartment block in North Kensington, on June 14, 2017

About a dozen firefighters who worked the west London fire in June 2017 (pictured) have since been diagnosed with cancer, but experts fear there could end up being more than 20 cases linked the blaze

Fire service sources told the newspaper that several Grenfell firefighters, some only in their 40s, are already battling cancer.

The majority of diagnoses were for digestive cancers and leukaemia. Other illnesses recorded after the tragedy include kidney failure, heart disease and strokes.

Experts say the diagnoses can be linked to 'high levels of unprecedented exposure to contaminants' during the fire.

Officials are currently putting together a list of firefighters who attended Grenfell and have since been diagnosed with cancer.

The sources said they are expecting some 'really depressing' and 'shocking' data to be disclosed soon, but fear it may only be just the beginning as some cancers can take up to 25 years to appear.

The majority of diagnoses among Grenfell firefighters were for digestive cancers and leukaemia. Other illnesses recorded after the tragedy include kidney failure, heart disease and strokes. Pictured: Firefighters resting near Grenfell Tower on June 14, 2017

Experts say the diagnoses can be linked to 'high levels of unprecedented exposure to contaminants' during the fire. Pictured: Flames and thick acrid smoke rising from Grenfell Tower on June 14, 2017

Around 1,300 firefighters are thought to have been involved in the Grenfell tragedy, including those both inside and outside the tower, as well as those who responded in the days following the inferno. Pictured: Fire crews working the Grenfell Tower tragedy on June 14, 2017

Grenfell Tower fire was caused by 'corporate greed, complete disregard for safety and incompetence', lawyers tell inquiry: Click here to read more The fire took place in June 2017 (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Advertisement

Around 1,300 firefighters are thought to have been involved in the Grenfell tragedy, including those both inside and outside the tower, as well as those who responded in the days following the inferno.

Many firefighters who attended Grenfell ran out of air in the tower, sat in contaminated suits for over 10 hours and waited in a smoke-logged basement for up to six hours.

The heroes were seen eating and drinking in their soot-covered protective clothing, with health experts allege could cause digestive cancer.

Firefighters - many not wearing protection - doused hotspots in the aftermath when toxins were believed to have been 'even more dangerous.'

Research commissioned by the Fire Brigades' Union and the University of Central Lancashire has since found firefighters who notice soot in their nose or throat are at least twice as likely to be diagnosed with cancer.

They are also twice as likely to be diagnosed with cancer if they remained in their PPE for more than four hours, as seen at Grenfell.

'This vital research proves that firefighters are suffering and dying from cancer, strokes, heart disease, and mental ill health as a result of going to work and protecting the public,' Riccardo la Torre, Fire Brigades Union national official, told The Mirror.

'We now know that firefighters are exposed to health and life-threatening contaminants as a result of their occupation, and certainly would have been at an incident the size and scale of the Grenfell Tower Fire.'

He confirmed the Fire Brigades Union is commissioning 'further research' to help demand 'proper protection and support' for the firefighters who attended Grenfell, as well as all other crews in the UK.

Many firefighters who attended Grenfell ran out of air in the tower, sat in contaminated suits for over 10 hours and waited in a smoke-logged basement for up to six hours. Pictured: Firefighters battling the Grenfell Tower blaze on June 14, 2017

The accidental fire, which was the worst in Britain for more than a generation, was accelerated by deadly combustible cladding and many of those who died had been told to stay in their flats

Meantime, the National Fire Chiefs Council told MailOnline that the safety and well-being of firefighters and the public is its 'number one priority.'

'The role of a firefighter is clearly one which can be dangerous and brings substantial occupational risk for the protection of those in need,' the council stated.

'It is recognised that whilst firefighters carry out their role, they are exposed to contaminants. It is acknowledged that incidences of some cancers in firefighters are higher than the average.'

The council reiterated it is committed to 'ensuring the ongoing, improved safety of all firefighters, making full use of the evidence and knowledge available.'

A Fire Brigades Union official issued a statement to MailOnline, reading: When workers on the front line are tackling fires to save lives and property, like all those who attended Grenfell, they need every protection possible from toxic health risks. This vital research proves that firefighters are suffering and dying from cancer, strokes, heart disease, and mental ill health as a result of going to work and protecting the public.

'We now know that firefighters are exposed to health risks and life threatening contaminants as a result of their occupation, and certainly would have been at an incident the size and scale of the Grenfell Tower Fire. However, firefighters are left in the dark due to the lack of regular health surveillance and proper monitoring of exposures in the UK. Due to this inaction by the government and fire bosses, the Fire Brigades Union is commissioning further research to help us demand proper protection and support for our members who attended Grenfell, and for firefighters all over the UK.

'Firefighters must be able to attend any incident without the anxiety of a cancer diagnosis looming over them afterwards. It is time that the government and fire service employers take this seriously. We need to see urgent action now by way of prevention, health monitoring and medical and financial support in the memory of every firefighter who has suffered from these terrible diseases.'
On Jan. 22, I will be on a study abroad trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I was going on the trip in 2020, but I didnt go because of the pandemic. I plan to study advanced Thai yoga massage with master teachers. Therefore, the trip is a combination of training and sightseeing. Please note that I will be gone for several weeks, and will not be posting my column during this time. Chiang Mai, Thailand, is known for its Buddhist temples. There are over 300 temples in the city. Also, Chiang Mai is known for its yoga and massage therapy study programs. The city of Chiang Mai is primarily Buddhist, and I found a recent research article on a study that found how Buddhist principles can decrease depressive symptoms. The research is from Chiang Mai University. The study claims that the Five Precepts of Buddhism may lower depression. In addition, the study says mindfulness meditation has thousands of articles, but the Five Precepts are less well-known among international academic circles. According to the research, around 322 million people in this world are living with depression. Depression is a mental disorder that includes emotional instability, depressed mood, and low self-esteem. The Five Precepts of Buddhism are not to kill, not to steal, not to engage in sexual misconduct, not to engage in false speech, or use intoxicants. Research suggests that observing the Five Precepts can increase the quality of life, even for non-serious followers. The Five Precepts are similar to the Bibles Ten Commandments, which include thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery, and thou shalt not bear false witness. Precepts may be seen as socially adaptive behaviors requiring motivation and self-control to carry out, Nahathai Wongpakaran, the lead researcher, said. As the Five Precepts include items related to congruent moral behavior, higher values on this scale might mean higher self-control, and this can be a part of the buffering effect of perceived stress on depression. I am a highly moral person. I follow the Ten Commandments and the Five Precepts. When I walk on the path of wisdom, I have less stress because of my high values. Also, my moral behavior gives me confidence. The Five Precepts practice makes people feel safe, as all these behaviors are harmless, and it potentially provides the stressful practitioner with a buffer against depression, Wongpakaran said. I have been waiting for three years to go on this Thailand adventure. I hope to learn more about Thai yoga massage, gain new spiritual awareness, and learn more about Buddhist culture and religion. If you want to learn more about meditation and Buddhism, there is a mindfulness center in Chaska. For more information, visit www.triplegem.org. If you have any questions or comments for me, please email ggafford@heraldjournal.com.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg turned down requests to talk to a Republican senator, invites direct to him by the White House and a public appearance request from a Democrat during his time on paternity leave - despite his promise of availability - it was revealed on Thursday.

Internal Transportation Department documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by the group Protect the Public's Trust show Buttigieg declined a request for a call with Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and to participate in Zoom call for an event with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

The reason given was his being on paternity leave. Buttigieg and his husband Chasten welcomed twins Joseph August (called Gus) and Penelope Rose in August of 2021.

The Transportation secretary came under fire when it was revealed he took at least three months of paid leave at a time President Joe Biden was trying to get his infrastructure bill passed on Capitol Hill and America's ports were in a transportation crisis.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg turned down many requests during his 2021 paid family leave - above he and husband Chasten with twins Gus and Penelope after they were born in August 2021

Transportation Department documents from a Freedom of Information Act request show the declines made on Buttigieg's behalf

The young Cabinet secretary is a popular public speaker and on-camera surrogate for the Biden administration.

Buttigieg later argued he had been available, telling CNN in October of 2021 that 'when you take a job like mine, you understand and accept that you're going to have to be available 24/7, depending on what's going on, and you're going to have to engage.'

But emails from his staff show he did say no to several things, including a request from Senator Grassley in September 2021 to speak on the phone about an application for funds toward a bridge in his state.

'Unfortunately, the Secretary is currently on leave due to the birth of his twins, and that may lead to a delay in possibly scheduling in the future,' a staffer emailed Grassley's office, according to the documents posted on Protect the Public's Trust website.

Buttigieg's office offered to schedule a call when the secretary returned or to connect the senator to a deputy. Grassley opted to speak to the deputy.

He also turned down an offer to speak via Zoom to an event hosted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, which the White House had directed to the Transportation Department.

Greg Ellis at the Indiana group said a staffer in the White House Office of Public Engagement had directed him to reach out to Buttigieg about the event.

'I have flagged for the scheduling team and am hopeful he will be able to do this,' senior DOT adviser Lynda Tran responded.

But senior staff in Buttigieg office delegated the appearance to another official in the department.

'I think we can delegate? Can say he's on leave,' the staffer said of the event.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley (left) wanted to speak to Buttigieg on the phone about an application for funds toward a bridge in his state; Democratic Rep. Cheri Bustos (right) invited him to the opening of a bridge in her House district

Buttigieg also declined to travel to Illinois in October 2021 to attend an opening of a bridge there when the office of Democratic Rep. Cheri Bustos invited him to come to the event in her district.

'It's a $1.2 billion bridge that means a lot to the community and has enjoyed the support from past secretaries,' the lawmaker's office said.

But Buttigieg's staff declined on his behalf, saying he 'is currently out on paternity leave so he is unable to travel at this time.'

Buttigieg came under fire for taking leave when he held a top government job.

Additionally, cabinet secretaries are not eligible for the same paid family leave benefits that federal workers are - 12 weeks of paid time off.

'Individuals in the executive branch who are appointed by the President to positions in the Executive Schedule are not covered by the leave system,' a spokesperson for the Office of Personnel Management told Politico at the time Buttigieg's leave was revealed.

'They do not earn leave and serve at the pleasure of the President. The President can choose to allow him to take time off.'

Americans receive no mandated paid federal leave although the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act provides for up to 12 weeks of unpaid time off. Employers usually set their own policies in that area.

Pete and Chasten Buttigieg announced their son had spent three weeks in and out of the hospital with an undisclosed illness and spent a week on a ventilator

Buttigieg defended his time off, telling CNN in October 2021 that: 'As you might imagine, we're bottle-feeding, and doing it at all hours of the day and night. And I'm not going to apologize to Tucker Carlson or anyone else for taking care of my premature newborn infant twins.'

'The work that we are doing is joyful, fulfilling, wonderful work. It's important work. And it's work that every American ought to be able to do when they welcome a new child into their family,' he said.

He and Chasten Buttigieg later revealed their son Gus spent three-weeks in the hospital after he was born, including a week on a ventilator.

'After 3 weeks in and out of hospitals, 125 miles in an ambulance, and a terrifying week on a ventilator, Gus is home, smiling, and doing great!' Chasten tweeted in November 2021.
Missing Massachusetts mother Ana Walshe once called the cops on her husband, saying he was threatening to kill her.

Police reports obtained by DailyMail.com show that Ana, a Serbian native, called the Washington DC Metropolitan Police on Brian Walshe in 2014, saying he 'made a statement on the telephone that he was going to kill her and her friends.'

The call came just one year before the couple said 'I do' in Serbia  and years before she was reported missing on New Years Day 2023.

DC police told NBC Boston the case has since been closed.

But Brian, 47, is now charged with misleading a police investigation. And it has since been revealed that he Googled 'How to dispose of a 115lb woman's body' just days before her disappearance.

Missing Massachusetts mother Ana Walsh, left, once called the cops on her now husband, Brian, claiming he threatened to kill her and her friends

Brian, 47, is charged with misleading a police investigation as cops investigate the possibility he killed his wife

The Massachusetts mom of three, 39, alleged that on August 2, 2014  before the couple married  Walshe made a threat over the phone that he was going to kill her and her friends.

The report to Washington DCs Metro Police does not specifically name Walshe. It identifies the person who made the chilling move as S-1 and adds that he now lives in Boston in a clear reference to him.

Ana made the report to Timothy Jefferson in her previous name of Knipp at 6pm. She gave her address as 435 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001  but then refused to cooperate in the prosecution.

The realtor, who works for a DC real estate firm during the week, resided there before her marriage to Brian and living in Cohasset, Massachusetts.

She was last seen at that house in the early hours of January 1, when she supposedly took a car to Boston's Logan Airport to fly to DC.

Ride-share services show no pickups at the family home, according to WCBV, and Ana's cellphone continued pinging from there for two days after she allegedly left the house.

She wasn't reported missing, however, until January 4, when she failed to show up for work.

Brian has since been arrested for allegedly misleading the cops about his wife's disappearance after cops discovered traces of blood, a hatchet, a hacksaw, a rug and used cleaning supplies while searching dumpsters near Brian's mother's home.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held on a $500,000 bond.

Meanwhile, the couple's three sons are now in Massachusetts state custody.

Brian has pleaded not guilty to misleading the police investigation and is being held on a $500,000 bond

The Cohasset home that Ana shared with her husband, Brian, and their three children

Before her disappearance, Ana left behind an eerie message in red marker on a champagne bottle box to her husband.

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.'

On 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'.

Ana left behind an ominous note on a champagne box before she disappeared

On Thursday, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Brian wrote a prepared statement and a 'to-do' list scribbled on lined paper before Ana went missing,

The folded note, written in blue ink, 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.

Brian writes: 'I appreciate your concern. Right now my focus is finding Ana and spending time with'

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....'

DailyMail.com also revealed 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.'

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 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

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

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

Meanwhile, newly-released security footage taken from behind a liquor store showed Brian near a dumpster just hours after his wife went missing.

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.

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.

Authorities are now scouring through the garbage for any evidence, NBC Boston reports.

It has also emerged that on January 2, Brian was spotted on security video at a juice bar in Norwell, Massachusetts, where he placed an order for his three kid's smoothies and two large smoothies.

He was also spotted on surveillance footage that showed him at at a Home Depot in Rockland, authorities learned.

Cops had previously found traces of blood, a hatchet, a hacksaw, a rug and used cleaning supplies while searching dumpsters near Brian Walshe's mother's home.

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 a hearing in Quincy District Court.

Instead, Brian told 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.

Fortunately for authorities, Brian was already under 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.

Ana and Brian married in Serbia in 2015, just one year after she made the police complaint

Walshe was seen cracking a smile as he was handcuffed and led out of the station by officers

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.

Ana's mother, Milanka Ljubicic, refuses to believe that her son-in-law could have killed her daughter

Still, Ana's mother, Milanka Ljubicic, says she does not believe that her son-in-law would have killed her daughter.

She told DailyMail.com how Brian once dropped everything when she suffered from a stroke last year and rushed her to the hospital , where she had to stay for a month.

'I had a very bad pain in my head and I started bleeding from my mouth and nose,' Ljubicic, 69, said, speaking in her native Serbian at her home in the nation's capital, Belgrade.

'I was crying for help. He heard me. He called my daughter and drove me to the hospital.'

'I can say he saved my life then and that is why I can't believe he is responsible  I just can't believe it.'

Ljubicic added that her daughter visited her in Belgrade in November and December last year and she never said a bad word about her husband.

But she knew there was some strain on their marriage because Ana had to spend so much time in Washington, where she worked, while Brian was under house arrest in Massachusetts.

Ljubicic said Walshe would not let his wife take their three sons with her to the nation's capital, which increased Ana's sense of loneliness and isolation.

At one point, she claimed, Ana didn't see her children for almost an entire year because she was away so much.

'She was upset because she was traveling but she didn't blame him.'

She had earlier said that Ana had begged her to fly to the United States to visit her just a week before she vanished, which made her think there were some problems in her daughter's life.

She told Fox News Digital: 'She just said, ''Please, mama. Come tomorrow''. Clearly, there must have been some problems.

'Now I can't forgive myself for not just letting things fall where they may, and just go, and whatever happens to me, happens.'
He has overseen months of strikes and travel chaos.

And yesterday, union boss Mick Lynch was forced to walk a mile in the shoes of frustrated travellers after a walkout derailed his own commute.

The 61-year-old usually travels from his west London home on the 19billion Elizabeth line.

But industrial action on the line saw Mr Lynch left with little choice but to walk for 20 minutes to get a Tube service on the Central line.

Union boss Mick Lynch was forced to walk a mile in the shoes of frustrated travellers on the tube after a walkout derailed his own commute

He then changed line to head to Paddington for a meeting with the Rail Delivery Group, the industry membership body, over the ongoing job security and pay dispute.

Strikes by members of the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) and Prospect unions meant services were cancelled between Paddington and Abbey Wood in the latest industrial action to hit the countrys newest rail line, which opened in May after years of delays and a budget that substantially overran.

Trains continued to run on Mr Lynchs section of the Elizabeth line, although services were reduced, forcing him to seek out another station. The TSSA has written to London mayor Sadiq Khan appealing to him to intervene in the dispute.

Mr Lynch this week told Parliaments transport committee that his members were a long way off securing deals on the core pay issue

Unions say Elizabeth line staff employed by the Rail for London Infrastructure are paid up to 30,000 less than colleagues with equivalent roles elsewhere on the Transport for London network.

Mr Lynch this week told Parliaments transport committee that his members were a long way off securing deals on the core pay issue.

Last night he said rail employers had made no new offer, but said they are working together towards a revised offer.
Hillman says the prison conditions constituted as inhumane and degrading

A convicted murderer and rapist is trying to seek compensation as he claims his jail sell was too cold and lacked hot water.

Barry Hillman, 42, says that a lack of central heating and hot water in the prison infringed on European human rights legislation.

The claim could cost taxpayers millions of pounds as Hillman is leading 28 other convicted criminals in seeking compensation in court.

The inmates claim that the conditions they suffered at HMP Littlehey, a prison in west Cambridgeshire for men convicted of sexual offences, constituted as inhumane and they should therefore be entitled to reparations.

Barry Hillman, 42, say that a lack of central heating and hot water in the prison infringed on European human rights legislation

The Sun reported that inmates at HMP Littlehey were provided with portable heaters, hot water bottles and duvets to combat the cold. They were also given hot soup and thermal underwear.

But Hillman and 28 others say that conditions were degrading, and at its worst in 2018.

The convicted criminals also say this led to hygiene issues and illness. Due to the lack of central heating and hot water, many of them stopped washing.

Hillman is part of four test claimants. The inmates could receive up to 30,000 each if successful, lawyers said. If the test cases are successful, another 25 claims could be ready to go.

The conditions at HMP Littlehey have come under criticism before. A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons said that the jail had 'chronic' heating and boiler issues.

The 2019 report said: 'Over the previous two years, the heating and boiler system had caused chronic problems across the prison and had had a negative impact on the living conditions for prisoners.

'During this time, some prisoners had slept in cold cells and had not always been able to access warm showers daily.

The conditions at HMP Littlehey, in Cambridgeshire. have come under criticism before

'Contingency plans were in place but many prisoners faced another winter living in cold conditions on the wings.'

In 2002, Hillman was charged and jailed for life for murdering a pizza delivery driver.

Then, in 2012, he was found to have committed rape while on leave from prison.

The Sun reported that the Ministry of Justice said they had acted to address the prisoners' discomfort. They also said that they will fight the claims when the case is heard at the Central London county court.
An injured British soldier who inspired the Invictus Games has criticised Prince Harry after his revelations about his military service in the controversial memoir 'Spare'.

Former Royal Marine Ben McBean said that he 'does not have to support everything he [Prince Harry] does' and that he should now 'crack on with his life'.

McBean tweeted a page of Prince Harry's book in which he understood that one of the passages was referring to and praising him.

The paragraph described McBean's bravery after a road-side bomb blast in which he lost an arm and a leg, but the former soldier said that Harry should now move on with his life.

Former Royal Marine Ben McBean said that he 'does not have to support everything he [Prince Harry] does' and that he should now 'crack on with his life'

Prince Harry details his tour of duty in Afghanistan in the tell-all memoir 'Spare'

McBean tweeted: 'This is supposed to be about me. If so cool, thank you. It's me. However does that mean that I can't think that #PrinceHarry should leave it now and just crack on with his life?

'I've liked Harry from day one but I don't have to support everything he does. It's called my OPINION!'

Prince Harry has previously hailed McBean as a a 'hero' after he lost an arm and a leg in a bomb blast.

In one of the passages, Harry writes how he watched McBean scale a wall on the same day he received a prosthetic leg.

Prince Harry has previously hailed McBean as a a 'hero' after he lost an arm and a leg in a bomb blast.

In one of the passages of 'Spare', Harry writes how he watched McBean scale a wall on the same day he received a prosthetic leg.

Harry wrote: 'I was astounded. I'd never been so proud - to be British, to be a soldier, to be his brother in arms. I told him so. I told him I wanted to buy him a beer for getting to the top of that wall. No, no, a crate of beer.'

This is not the first time McBean has spoken out about the controversial memoir.

Last week, McBean said that he loved his friend and former service-mate, but that Harry needed to 'shut up' and

McBean also spoke to ITV's Good Morning Britain after it was revealed Harry wrote that he had killed 25 Taliban fighters.

McBean said: 'To bring it back and speak to civilians about it... they don't need to know what you're really up to out there.'
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.

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson visit Versailles in France in 1994

Lisa Marie Presley and Nicolas 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.

Lisa Marie Presley and Danny Keough. The two had two children together and remained close after divorcing

Lisa Marie Presley and her first husband Danny Keough. They married in 1989

Lisa Marie Presley and with her children by Danny Keough, Benjamin (right), and daughter Danielle Riley (left)

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.

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson at the Budapest airport in August, 1994

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson lock lips at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards

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.'

Lisa Marie Presley and John Oszajca in Los Angeles in 1999

Lisa Marie Presley and John Oszajca at a fashion show in New York City in 2000

Lisa Marie Presley and John Oszajca were engaged briefly but separated in 2001

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.

Lisa Marie Presley and Nicolas Cage were married and filed for divorce within 108 days

Lisa Marie Presley and Nicolas Cage at the 2001 premier of Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Lisa Marie Presley and Nicolas Cage attend the premier of Captain Corelli's Mandolin in 2001

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.'

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Lockwood at the Palladium in Hollywood, in 2005

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Lockwood attend a New York Fashion Week show in 2008

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.'
Dickie Arbiter says a quote in Prince Harry's memoir appears to be misattributed

The Queen's former press secretary has called for an apology over Spare

A former palace aide has demanded a public apology as he believes a quote from Prince Harry's memoir has been misattributed to him.

Dickie Arbiter, 82, was press secretary to the late Queen Elizabeth but he is not named in the Duke of Sussex's Spare.

However he says a quote in the book could be interpreted as if it was from him, and would like the publisher to apologise.

In Spare, Prince Harry discusses the 2020 MailOnline article: 'Make no mistake, it's an insult': Fleet Street's jury say Meghan and Harry can expect 'no mercy' after their stunning decision to 'go rogue' and quit.

In the article, a panel of commentators called the 'Fleet Street's jury' give their thoughts on Harry and Meghan's decision to step back from royal duties.

Prince Harry wrote of the article: 'Among [the jury] was the Queen's ex-press secretary, who concluded, with his fellow jurors, that we should hereafter "expect no mercy".

'I shook my head. "No mercy". The language of war?'

Dickie Arbiter, 82, former press secretary to the late Queen, wants an apology from the publisher of the Duke of Sussex's memoir over a passage which he believes appears to misattribute a quote to him

The 82-year-old believes the quote 'expect no mercy' about Megxit appears to be attributed to him in Spare

Arbiter is the only former press secretary among the group and says the wording will cause readers to think he said 'expect no mercy', when he did not.

The quote came from broadcaster and former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Sir Trevor Phillips.

Arbiter told The Times: 'I think as a number of people have interpreted the quote as coming from me, when clearly it wasn't, that an apology is in order.'

'There are a number of errors in the book and future copies should be corrected.'

He said an acceptable form of 'public apology' from the publisher would be a post on social media as it would be seen widely.

Prince Harry's ghostwriter has 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'.

Prince Harry's bombshell memoir is full of startling claims - and some have questioned the historical accuracy of the facts presented. J.R. Moehringer (right), Harry's ghostwriter, defended the book on Wednesday, saying memoirs are about the subject's own view of events

J.R. Moehringer, who has also authored autobiographies for Andre Agassi and Nike co-founder Phil Knight, defended the book he was reportedly paid $1million to write.

Sharing an excerpt from Harry's book, he emphasised that the prince himself admits at times he is unsure of the accuracy of details, often saying this is due to trauma in his childhood. But in the same book he insists: 'It's important that history has it right.'

Mr Moehringer tweeted Harry's words: '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 before they were manufactured, and stating that Meghan's father was bought a Mexico-London flight ticket on Air New Zealand, which does not fly that route.
A woman who lost her entire month's pay after her details were stolen and used to pay for services at a Sydney brothel has demanded answers.

Chelsea Paton, 36, lost almost $5,000 after her National Bank of Australia (NAB) details were used 25 times at a Sydney brothel last November.

Ms Paton had initially thought she hadn't been paid or that her pay was late before she discovering with horror her entire month's salary had been wiped.

The money had been spent at the Pink Lady Private Hotel, a brothel in Drummoyne in the city's Inner West during the early hours of November 10.

Each of the 25 transactions amounted to about $193.14, news.com.au reports with the first at 4:07am and the rest coming two to three minutes apart.

Each of the 25 transactions amounted to about $193.14,reports with the first at 4:07am and the rest coming two to three minutes apart.

Horrified, Ms Paton rang the bank and was told her card had been put on a Samsung phone on November 4 - just six days before her precious dollars were spent.

Chelsea Paton, 36, lost almost $5,000 after her National Bank of Australia (NAB) details were used 25 times at a Sydney brothel last November (stock image)

Each of the 25 transactions amounted to about $193.14, with the first at 4:07am and the rest coming two to three minutes apart (pictured is the transactions)

The Gold Coast resident recalled getting a text message on that date advising her that the card had been added to a phone, but she had dismissed it as a scam.

However, the results were dire with the business development manager forced to rely on her partner and her savings after NAB refused to refund the money.

Ms Paton was left wondering how her details had been stolen in the first place - fearing they had been skimmed at an ATM or taken as she shopped online.

A fraud investigation found that there had been nothing the bank could have done to prevent the lost funds, and that no NAB error had contributed to the scam.

Ms Paton was disappointed by the results of the investigation, and has filed a complaint with the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

She said it was 'obvious' that it hadn't been her spending up at the brothel.

The money had been spent at the Pink Lady Private Hotel, a brothel in Drummoyne in the city's Inner West during the early hours of November 10 (pictured is the front entrance)

A fraud investigation found that there had been nothing the bank could have done to prevent the lost funds, and that no NAB error had contributed to the scam (pictured, an NAB in Sydney)

'You could see all my transactions for 15 years. The bank knows all the things I am doing and buying,' she said.

'I looked up the transactions and Pink Lady is in Drummoyne  it's a brothel in Sydney  and I live on the Gold Coast. Why would I be at a brothel at 4.07am? It's laughable.'

The 36-year-old has criticised NAB's response and said she feels 'sick' and 'anxious' when she thinks about the lost funds.

Amid the rising cost of living and money spent over the festive period, Ms Paton is grateful she has her savings and her partner to rely on.

However, five years ago it would have been a different story - with the manager admitting she would have been forced to ask for a loan or borrow from friends.

It comes after hard-working teenager Aurora Casilli, 18, lost her entire savings to a sophisticated phone scam - after saving for years to buy a house.

In early December, she received a text message from her bank warning her someone was trying to access her savings account.

Aurora Casilli lost her life savings to a sophisticated 'spoofing' phone scam back in December

Ms Casilli realised she'd been scammed after transferring her money from a NAB account to a Commonwealth Bank account

The frightening technique is known as 'spoofing' and is used by scammers who change their caller ID number to look as if they are the genuine companies.

Panicked she was going to lose her savings, Ms Casilli quickly called the freephone number given in the text and was told to transfer her savings into a new account.

The 18-year-old completely transferred $36,561 life savings, only realising after she hung up that she had transferred the money into a NAB account.

Both NAB and Commonwealth Bank told Ms Casilli they are unable to retrieve her money because she authorised the transfer.

NAB has reminded customers to call the bank's official phone number if they received a phone call request, even if it appears to be from a trusted number.
A man who filmed the moment a surfer struggling to stay above the water has had to defend himself from vicious commenters calling him a 'moron' for not helping.

Famous Australian fisherman Willem Powerfish shared a video of the surfer's rescue on Tuesday.

It showed a surfer battling waves underneath a boardwalk as he fought to free his leg rope from his surfboard - with the rope appearing to be wound around one of the pylons.

Almost 50 seconds into the shocking video, another swimmer jumped into the water and hurried to where the surfer was stuck as Powerfish cheered him on.

Powerfish later revealed on Facebook the entire drowning had been staged.

The serial prankster is known for staging his wild videos - some of which include him crashing into boats and cars.

Aussie fisherman Willem Powerfish filmed as a struggling surfer (above) was rescued by an onlooker

In the staged video, the brave swimmer managed to grab hold of the surfer and push him onto his board.

The pair then swam out from under the boardwalk and made their way to shore.

Eventually they made it onto the sand, laughing and giving each other a pat on the back.

However, commenters were quick to slam Powerfish's lack of action instead of celebrating the heroic swimmer's rescue.

'Typical Aussie attitude, sit on your a** and watch,' one wrote.

'So why do you keep filming and not go and help him or get help for him you idiot?' another commented.

'Shame on the filming man who said he wanted go out,' a third said.

'The guy filming is a bigger moron than the one drowning,' another commenter said.

The surfer was rescued by a heroic swimmer (together above) but many commenters slammed Powerfish for not rescuing the man himself

Powerfish responded to the cruel comments with an explanation, saying he would have further endangered the surfer if he'd attempted to rescue him.

'I'm about 100m up the beach zoomed in and besides that Im 180kg and very unfit, we both would of drowned,' he said.

'Im trying to lose weight at the moment just in case something like this happens again and I can help.'

His defence saw hundreds more commenters support his decision to stay on shore.

'Smart move knowing your abilities and not going in mate. Too many blokes end up dead trying to help a situation above their capability,' one wrote.

'Some people dont realise how difficult it is to swim in the ocean. Add on the fact of trying to save another person who is in distress. Well done to the guy who jumped in,' another person commented.
A female marketing manager sacked for a 'racist' remark has won her unfair dismissal court battle against her boutique alcohol employer.

Kristy Steel challenged the decision of Diablo Co to terminate her employment before the Fair Work Commission in Brisbane.

Diablo Co, which produces ginger beer, liqueurs and spirits on Queenslands Sunshine Coast, is owned by hospitality veterans Dimitris Limnatitis and Charlene Dellaway.

She had been working for the company for about 10 months, selling branded cans to clients, when she was called into a meeting with her boss.

Ms Steel was dismissed on June 24, 2022 from her job after she said 'same same' when she was reminded her colleague was Argentinian and not Brazilian.

The Fair Work Commission last week ruled her employer's behaviour was 'capricious and spiteful and very unfair to label her a racist person'.

Ms Steel was informed in a letter her contract would be terminated because of comments she made in 'jest'.

'You are being terminated because on June 20, 2022, you had a phone conversation with an employee of Diablo Co which constitutes harassment and racial comments based on an employee's country of birth,' the letter read.

Former female marketing manager Kristy Steel was sacked for 'racism' in 2022 but she has been awarded compensation after winning her court battle against her former craft beer employer, Diablo Co

Ms Steel had made the joke to her Argentinian colleague Marina Stal, the commission heard.

The two countries neighbour each other in South America but have significant cultural differences.

The company Diablo Co is owned by husband and wife duo Dimitris Limnatitis and Charlene Dellaway.

Based in Woombye, in Queensland's Sunshine Coast region, it is behind a number of popular Australian made alcohols including Diablo Ginger Beer, Eros Vodka and Black Cockatoo Rum.

Diablo Co alleged Ms Steel said during a conference call 'it's because she's Brazilian' and after being informed Ms Stal was actually Argentinian replied, 'they're all the same' or 'same, same'.

Ms Steel also was alleged to have said 'we can tell' after Ms Stal stated she was from Argentina when introducing herself to the sales team in April 2022.

In handing down the decision in Brisbane, Commissioner Jennifer Hunt ruled there were no grounds for CD Australia Pty Ltd T/A Diablo Co to fire Kristy Steel.

She ruled the sacking was 'an extraordinary reaction'.

Commissioner Hunt said the suggestion these comments 'had broken the law was a gross exaggeration'.

The court ruled her employer's behaviour was 'capricious and spiteful and very unfair to label her a racist person' after she was dismissed for jokingly calling her Argentinian coworker Brazilian (pictured Diablo Co owners Dimitris Limnatitis and Charlene Dellaway

Diablo Co was ordered to pay Ms Steel $13,557 compensation, the sum based off of her $65,000 per annum salary.

In addition, the company must also pay Ms Steel superannuation at the rate of 10 per cent, up to the amount of $1,355.77.

Commissioner Hunt ruled that Ms Steel's 'same, same' comments were ' jocular' when handing down her decision.

'I am not satisfied that Ms Steel engaged in any misconduct. At most, her statement of "same, same" or "they're all the same" should have involved some cultural training but was not misconduct,' Commissioner Hunt told the court.

'At the highest, Ms Steel should have been counselled in respect of Ms Stal's heritage and any offence that mislabelling her might cause to Ms Stal.

'An employee does not need to compulsorily have their employment terminated even if an employer finds that another employee is offended by a remark made.'

Commissioner Hunt found Diablo Co used 'racism' as a method of sacking Ms Steel out of spite.

The commission heard her relationship had deteriorated with the sales manager David Greenwood.

Commissioner Hunt found Mr Greenwood complained about Ms Steel's 'advancement of a potential order with a new customer, and felt she was stepping on his toes'.

Since being sacked Ms Steel found another job with the commission hearing she 'has no desire to be reinstated'.

Commissioner Hunt found her dismissal was harsh, unjust and unreasonable.
A throw test of the nuclear-armed Poseidon torpedo in the submarine Belgorod was reported by state media, completing this crucial test.

Russia's Nuclear-Armed Poseidon Torpedo

Based on the source, the aim is to test the function of the Poseidon launch system. This throw-firing of the super torpedo was done to see how it does at different depths, reported The EurAsian Times.

As shown by unnamed senior US officials earlier, US intelligence ascertained that Russian naval vessels were potentially preparing for the first test of cutting-edge nuclear torpedoes that could hit American coastal regions, CNN noted.

The vessel involved in the tests is the nuclear-powered Belgorod which got inducted into the Russian Navy last July 2022 and was deployed in an undisclosed place. The submarine was built from the hull of an Oscar-II cruise missile submarine, which was never finished. It is specially customized to release autonomous underwater vehicles, such as the high-tech torpedo.

The Belgorod may bring up to eight nuclear-tipped Poseidon, according to a US Congressional Research Service (CRS) document. Nevertheless, a few weapons experts believe its cargo is much more probable to be six torpedoes.

According to observations, Russian vessels, such as the recently inducted sub, will leave the testing area in the Arctic and return to port without undergoing the test.

According to US sources, the test was canceled due to technical difficulties. The information came from an alleged top-secret NATO report published in late September. Mentioned speculations about the deployment of Russia's specialized sub sent to the Arctic marine zone; to assess the lethal UUV made for a specialized attack in its initial test.

Read Also: Suicide Attack Rocks Afghanistan Outside Taliban Ministry, Killing 5 People, Injuring Several Others

Reports were filed about Russian activities concerning its naval forces that spent more than one month in the frigid Arctic Sea but were aborted at the last minute.

Though US officials think that Moscow can try to test the torpedo at another time, even with a delay, they complain the test of the UUV capable of a nuclear detonation is something that can cause tensions in Ukraine.

NATO and its allied fear that the Kremlin can use a tactical nuke in Ukraine. But Washington does not see any nuclear detonation involved in the test; it is nuclear capable and nuclear powered. There is a danger of radiation leaks from the system developed by the Russians, which is not available to the US.

Underwater Nuclear Deterrence

Military planners developed the very concept of nuclear deterrence is not very conventional. Moscow has long sought a way to bypass the American ballistic missile defense systems in Europe, a strategic imbalance directed against Moscow. By attacking with an underwater weapon capable of nullifying the US Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), noted USNI.

The UUV torpedo can make 3-D evasive moves to survive until it achieves its target objective. Another thing is the US has developed methods to detect and track any foreign ICBM in flight via its satellite network. But in the sea, it's a different and stealthier attack. Armed with a two-megaton nuclear warhead that can annihilate the ships in US carrier strike groups and facilities close to the US coastal region, about 30 Poseidon will be deployed.

The nuclear-armed Poseidon torpedo tested by the submarine Belgorod is what the US fears and is desperate to find a countermeasure.

Related Article: US Warns Supply Problem for Ukraine

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The heartbroken fiancee of pilot Ashley Jenkinson has revealed the last thing they said to each other before he died Sea World's helicopter tragedy was 'I love you'.

Hundreds of mourners piled into Southport Church of Christ at 2pm on Friday to say their goodbyes to the father-of-one, 40 - eleven days after he and three passengers where killed when their helicopter collided with another mid-air.

The experienced pilot had just taken off on the joy ride about 2pm on January 2 when his aircraft smashed into a second coming into land over the Gold Coast Broadwater.

Mr Jenkinson's fiancee, Kosha, and their one-year-old son, Kayden, sat at the front of the church, next to his white coffin, which was adorned with white flowers.

The service began with the pastor telling the crowd they had gathered today to remember Mr Jenkinson's 'contagious smile, kind heart, and good humour', before Creed's 'With Arms Wide Open' played.

The service heard how Ash was a doting dad and 'true hero', who offered his flying services to help people in need of supplies during natural disasters, with a 'big heart', and 'contagious energy'.

Ashley Jenkinson's fiancee, Kosha holds their son Kayden as she talks to her brother-in-law Myles

Pallbearers carry Mr Jenkinson's coffin out of the church to a waiting white limousine

Sea World helicopters chief pilot Ash 'Jenko' Jenkinson, 40, died in the helicopter crash (pictured with his fiancee, Kosha)

Mourners greet each other outside Southport Church of Christ on Friday for the funeral of Sea World helicopter pilot Ashley Jenkinson

'Ash you may be gone, but you will always be remembered. Your memory lives on in the memories who had the privilege of knowing you,' the pastor said.

'Rest in peace Ash, your wings were ready, but our hearts were not.'

The pastor read out a speech written by Kosha, recalling how she was introduced to Mr Jenkinson by her friend Kate, who was his housemate.

'She said "I dont know if I want to introduce you to my housemate because he will fall in love with you,' Kosha recalled.

'He walked up to me and hugged me, kissed me on the cheek, and said "Kate was right. You are beautiful."'

'The second time we met, Ash said "you are as beautiful as I remembered the first time".'

Kosha said she was going through a tough time when she first met Ash but he, ever the gentleman, would cook for her and drop flowers to her work to cheer her up.

Five years earlier, Kosha said she had seen a psychic who said 'you will meet a man with a helicopter and he is going to love you forever'.

And when I met Ash, I thought wow - this is him,' Kosha said.

A woman hugs Kosha outside the church as she says goodbye to the 'love of her life'

Mourners embrace one another as they arrived at Mr Jenkinson's funeral on Friday

Several men turned up at the funeral service on Harley Davidsons, parking them in a row outside the church

Mr Jenkinson was an experienced helicopter pilot who had been flying for almost 16 years

The last time they were together Kosha said she kissed him goodbye like it was the last day they would see each other - a ritual they did every time they parted ways.

She said takes comfort in knowing the last thing they said to each other was 'I love you'.

Mr Jenkinson's older and young brothers Myles and Blaze fought back tears as they remembered him as a young boy who would not sit still as he was always 'tinkering' on items.

They said his 'mechanical mind' saved them when their camper broke down during a road trip adventure when they were younger.

Myles said his brother saw a helicopter while working in a bar in England and it was 'love or obsession at first sight', sparking his passion to embark in a piloting career.

'To say that fatherhood completed Ash is an understatement,' Myles said, 'Kayden's eyes would light up every time he would see his dad.'

'Not many kids can say they have been in a helicopter. It is a memory we will always share with Kayden so he can remember he was a super hero.'

Myles said that they were inspired to live their lives to the fullest like their 'strong, fearless' brother every day.

'We didn't get enough time with you, but we will always remember the 40 years of memories,' Myles said.

'You were the best brother we could have ever wished for.

'You will always be our hero.'

An group of Mr Jenkinson's loved ones walk with two children towards the pilot's funeral

Two women looked sorrowful as they waited to enter the chapel on Friday

Two men hug wearing black hug as they gathered to pay respects to the 'top gun' pilot

Three women and two men hugged as they met outside the church

Family and friends gather around a limousine as Mr Jenkinson's coffin is loaded into the back

Kayden ran around on stage, clapping and mingling with the guest as the service was in procession.

A photo slideshow showed Ash as a young boy with his brother, flying around the country to help flood victims, proposing to Kosha, and rocking his newborn son.

As the ceremony drew to an end, loved ones carried Mr Jenkinson's coffin out of the church to the Foo Fighters' 'My Hero'.

Mourners peeled out of the church behind them and could be seen embracing as Mr Jenkinson's coffin was loaded into a car to be taken to his final resting place.

Alongside Mr Jenkinson, British newlyweds Ron and Diane Hughes, 65 and 57, and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros, 36, were also killed when the helicopter plunged to the ground shortly after takeoff.

The three sole survivors on that chopper - Winnie de Silva, 33, her son Leon, 9, and Ms Tadros' son Nicholas, 10 - were rushed to hospital with critical injuries.

Kosha said her fiance was her 'best friend' and 'inspiration' as she recalled how the 'true gentleman' helped her feel special during the early days of their relationship

It is understood the helicopter taking off clipped another helicopter above and then nosedived into the sand

Ms de Silva and her son, who suffered a fractured skull have both since stabilised, while Nicholas has been put on life support in a critical condition.

The second pilot, Michael James, managed to safely landed his aircraft, saving the lives of his five passengers - which included two New Zealand couples and a Western Australian man.

Four of the survivors were hospitalised after suffering injuries from glass shrapnel as the lower helicopter's rotor blades sliced through the cockpit.

The Air Transport Safety Bureau has launched its investigation into the crash and vowed to look at all possible causes of the accident.

Mr Jenkinson grew up in the West Midlands, in England, before moving to Australia where he had a successful flying career, spanning almost 16 years and

Following Mr Jenkinson's death, tributes poured in online as devastated friends remembered the Birmingham-born pilot as a 'top gun' with a 'kind-heart' who delivered much-needed supplies to flood-ravaged parts of NSW in 2022.

Last week, Owner of Sea World Helicopters John Orr-Campbell issued a tribute remembering Mr Jenkinson as a 'first-class pilot and a first-class man'.

'I knew Ash personally for nine years. He was a fine man and a standout pilot with 6,210 hours of flying to his name,' Mr Orr-Campbell wrote online.

The Air Transport Safety Bureau is investigating the cause of the crash earlier this month

'To lose a man and a pilot of Ash's calibre is shocking in every sense of the word. I, along with all the staff at Sea World Helicopters are gutted to the core. My heart aches as I think of Ash's fiancee Kosha and his one-year-old son Kayden.

'I would also like to commend the other pilot, Michael James, who heroically got the second aircraft to the ground safely. We wish him well in his recovery.'

Mr Orr-Campbell revealed Mr Jenkinson had obtained his Commercial Pilots License in June, 2008 and flew choppers in Western Australia until 2011.

'During this time Ash showed his love and commitment to community - he was involved in multiple search and rescue flights in the area,' he said.

'This community mindedness saw him dedicate over 700 hours and many days away from family and friends assisting in firefighting operations across Australia.'

In 2019, Mr Jenkinson became Chief Pilot of Sea World Helicopters and oversaw all aspects of safety and flight operations.

'We have lost a first-class pilot, a first-class man and a wonderful father, partner and friend,' Mr Orr-Campbell wrote.

'RIP Ash, you will forever be in our hearts.'
China will allow imports of Australian coal for the first time in almost two years as the fierce trade war between the two countries begins to thaw.

Customs officials in the coastal province Guangdong allowed Australian coal shipments to be cleared on Thursday, just days after state-owned companies in China received the green light to place orders.

The move marks a significant shift in trade relations between the two countries, with Australian coal to arrive on Chinese shores for the first time since 2020 after a stand off with the former government led by Scott Morrison.

The trigger for the collapse in relations can be traced to the Morrison's government for an independent examination into the origins of Covid-19.

China will allow imports of Australian coal after almost two years in a symbolic bid to repair ties (pictured is Chinese President Xi Jinping on left with the President of the Phillipines)

The first shipment is expected to arrive as early as this month as China looks for ways to rebuild its economy after it was battered by the pandemic, The Australian reports.

China was careful never to announce an official ban on Australian coal, however, imports dropped by 85 per cent in 2021, with the country instead importing coal from the United States, Indonesia and Russia.

Despite the development, China will maintain restrictions on wine, barley and lobster that were introduced after a security pact was signed by the US, UK and Australia.

There are hopes these bans will be lifted after four Chinese power companies will begin to purchase Australian coal from April 1.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for the first time in November last year, while Penny Wong recently met with her counterpart Wang Yi met in China's capital, Beijing, in December.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured with his partner Jodie Haydon) and Chinese President Xi Jinping met for the first time in November last year

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.'

China has reportedly offered to drop the trade war if Australia withdraws its complaints to the World Trade Organisation about bans on certain goods.

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.

The first shipment of Australian coal is expected to arrive on Chinese shores this month (pictured is the Blair Athol mine in Moranbah in Queensland)

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.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November and Foreign Minister Penny Wong met with her counterpart in Beijing last month

'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.'

Ambassador Xiao 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.'

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].'
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet was forced to address comments he made in 2017 calling out the 'hypocrisy' of Labor leaders for their involvement in an anti-Israel rally.

The comments have resurfaced after Mr Perrottet admitted to wearing a black Nazi uniform emblazoned with the swastika for his uniform-themed 21st birthday party during a press conference on Thursday.

During a NSW Legislative Assembly in 2017, Mr Perrottet exposed photos of MP Julia Finn and Legislative councillor Shaoquett Moselmane at a pro-Palestine rally protesting the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He claimed the protest 'expressed anti-Semitic views,' with signs depicting Mr Netanyahu as a Nazi and as Hitler.

The rally also featured signs with swastikas and Nazi soldiers which Mr Perrottet said demonstrated the Labor leaders' 'lack of integrity'.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet was forced to address comments he made about two Labor leaders 'lack of integrity' after they attended an anti-Israel rally (above) in 2017

The rally was held during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's (above) controversial Australian visit

'I have photos taken at the rally depicting the Israeli Prime Minister as a fascist, a Nazi and as Hitler posing in front of a swastika,' Mr Perrottet said at the time.

'These images would be incredibly hurtful to the Jewish community given their history. Hezbollah is a listed terrorist organisation, but its flag was also on display.

'I think that we can all agree that this is not the kind of Australia we want. This issue matters because it exposes Labor's hypocrisy.'

Speaking broadly about racism in Australia, he said the 'best cure for racism and hate is to expose it so it can be condemned by everyone'.

'Let me now expose the pattern of intolerance engaged in by members of the Labor Party concerning our friend and ally, the state of Israel.'

Mr Perrottet said his statement was motivated by concerns raised by his constituents during Mr Netanyahu's visit and called on then opposition leader Luke Foley to order Mr Moselmane and Ms Finn to apologise.

'This issue matters because it exposes Labor's lack of integrity,' he told the Legislative Assembly.

'Labor mouths platitudes in its party platform but lets its members of parliament attend rallies that deliberately fan the flames of racial division.

'This issue matters because the Labor Party continually virtue signal on these issues but its members never practise what they preach.

'I call upon Luke Foley and Labor to hold his members of parliament to account and make them apologise immediately for their conduct.'

The offices of Ms Finn and Mr Moselmane declined to comment when approached by NCA NewsWire.

Shaoquett Moselmane (above) was called out by Dominic Perrottet in 2017 for attending a rally depicting images of swastikas, Hitler and Nazi soldier

Julia Finn (above) was also accused of having a 'lack of integrity' after Mr Perrottet exposed her involvement in an anti-Israel rally in 2017

Perrottet grilled over incident after Nazi bombshell

During his first press conference after revealing the Nazi bombshell on Friday morning, the Premier was asked by a reporter whether he believed he owes Ms Finn or Mr Moselmane an apology.

'I've always been a strong supporter of the Jewish community and as I said yesterday, I'm terribly sorry,' Mr Perrottet replied.

'This is on me. This is a mistake I made and I'm incredibly sorry for the hurt and pain that has occurred.'

While he didn't address the 2017 incident, Mr Perrottet reiterated his apology when pressed by the journalist.

'I apologise to anyone who has been hurt by what I said yesterday and the actions I took those years ago,' he said.

'I am terribly sorry for that hurt and my hope is that some good can come from that terrible mistake I made years ago, and hopefully it will lead to young people never making the same mistake that I did.'

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet (above) faced the backlash following his admittance to wearing a Nazi uniform as a costume for his 21st birthday

Jewish community responds

Since Mr Perrottet's emotional mea culpa, Jewish community groups have acknowledged the Premier's apologies, with hopes this incident will serve as a lesson that Nazi symbolism should 'not to be taken lightly and dressing as a Nazi is not a joke'.

'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,' read a joint statement from the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark and president David Ossip.

'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.'

Im deeply sorry for a terrible mistake I made at my 21st birthday party. pic.twitter.com/ESnx8LwVjG  Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) January 12, 2023

Mr Perrottet also issued a video apology for his 'terrible mistake' on social media.

'I am deeply ashamed of the fact that I did that and I am truly sorry for the hurt, pain and distress that action will cause many people right across NSW and particularly the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans and their families,' he said.

'It was a grave error and something I am deeply ashamed of.'
Lisa Marie Presley was embroiled in a ferocious custody battle with her ex-husband Michael Lockwood for years after she falsely accused him of having hundreds of images and videos of child pornography on his computer.

Lisa Marie and Lockwood, a session musician, were married for ten years between 2006 and 2016. In 2008, Lisa Marie gave birth to twin girls, Harper and Finley, now 14. Despite splitting in 2016, the couple's divorce was not finalized until 2021.

Lisa Marie died at the age of 54 on Thursday, hours after suffering a 'full cardiac arrest' at her home in Calabasas.

In a statement through his lawyer Joseph Yanny, Lockwood said: 'Michael had been hoping for a speedy and complete recovery because her children needed her. It is very sad it didnt turn out that way.

'Michaels world has been turned on its ear. He is with both of his daughters now.' Lisa Marie and Lockwood were believed to have a 60-40 split, with Presley paying $4,600 in child support to the guitarist.

In 2017, shortly after the couple announced their separation, Presley made claims that she had found a trove of indecent images and videos of children on Lockwood's computer. The allegations were investigated and no charges were brought.

Lisa Marie and Lockwood, a session musician, were married for ten years between 2006 and 2016. In 2008, Presley gave birth to twin girls, Harper and Finley

Harper and Finley pictured together at the handprint ceremony to honor their grandmother Priscilla in June 2022

The heiress said in a court filing at the time: 'I was shocked and horrified and sick to my stomach.'

Lisa Marie - the only child of Elvis and Priscilla Presley - said in the papers that Beverly Hills Police Department found 80 of Lockwood's devices during a raid on her home. She added the cops still have them and they have not been fully analyzed.

'My understanding is that Tennessee law enforcement is also conducting an investigation related to the photos and videos that I discovered,' she said, according to the documents.

'I have no idea what else may be on those devices and fear that there are more and worse images and evidence in these un-analyzed devices.'

The documents also reveal pending allegations of sexual abuse and neglect on the part of Lockwood.

The papers state: 'While the Respondent [Lockwood] has not yet been convicted of crimes related to his possession of these photos, that he possessed them is documented evidence of conduct that has destroyed the mental or emotional calm of Petitioner, and, as in Schu, is domestic violence "by an reasonable definition of the term".'

Presley died at the age of 54 on Thursday, hours after suffering a 'full cardiac arrest' at her home in Calabasas

Lockwood and his daughters Harper Vivienne Ann and Finley Aaron Love at his Santa Barbara wedding to Beauty Beach Lounge hairstylist Stephanie Hobgood in October

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation looked into the allegations Lisa Marie made against Lockwood, pictured together, but did not deem the actions criminal

No criminal charges were ever been filed in relation to Lisa Marie's allegations.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation looked into the issue but did not deem the actions criminal.

The agency's public information officer said at the time: 'Barring any new potential evidence or information, we have concluded our involvement in this matter. We have not been able to determine a crime occurred in Tennessee and accordingly do not have an open investigation.'

Lockwood's lawyer said that Lisa Marie's statements were 'inaccurate and one-sided.' Attorney Jeff Sturman went on: 'Mr Lockwood is not going to publicly disclose very negative information about Ms Presley to retaliate. Therefore, while Mr Lockwood denies the truth of what Ms Presley chose to put in the press.'

Presley and Lockwood worked together musically, with him later claiming that she made him work for free

The couple's legal battles appear to have been settled last October when they came to came to deal on longstanding issues relating to child support payments, according to Radar Online.

Lockwood had been demanding payments from Lisa Marie. The pair had a prenuptial agreement during their marriage which prevented Lockwood from claiming any financial support from his former wife.

The guitarist claimed that his ex-wife's financial situation was better than first reported, thanks for money raised by her father's estate and through the financial success of the Baz Lurhmann movie, Elvis.

He went on to portray himself as a starving artist and said that while he was married to Lisa Marie, she forced him to turn to paying music gigs in order to play music with her for free.

The final settlement was not made public. During a previous custody hearing, Lockwood asked Lisa Marie for $40,000 per month. At that stage, Lisa Marie was also seeking full custody of the couple's children.

Days after the October agreement, Lockwood remarried as he tied the knot with Beauty Beach Lounge hairstylist Stephanie Hobgood.

His twins served as 'grooms-women' alongside his 'best woman' Jeannia Robinette at the Presidio Chapel inside El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park.

Fine art photographer Stephen Linsley officiated the nuptials for the couple, who got engaged in December 2018 after a year of dating.

'It's been said before it's hard to put into words what love can mean to a person. What effect does it cause when given or withdrawn?' Michael mused on Instagram.

'I offer this picture of Stephanie and me as a snapshot of what love can bring. These are the smiles of two people who have watched the sunrise and sunset after five years of being together. My heart is whole. We shared love and laughs yesterday with our friends and family, who have and continue to support and nurture us. Love wins.'
In her book, Elvis: Destined to Die Young, author Sally Hoedel argued these genetic defects meant early deaths in Elvis's family are a foredrawn conclusion

The death of Elvis Presley's daughter by cardiac arrest at 54 may have bolstered recent research suggesting genetic defects in his family could be responsible for a slew of their early deaths.

Lisa Marie Presley, who suffered fatal cardiac arrest on Thursday, was far from the first member of Elvis's family to die from heart troubles. The King himself died from cardiac arrest when he was just 42 years old, and his mother Gladys died from heart failure at 46. Gladys had three brothers, each of whom also died in their forties from heart failure or lung complications.

In the recently published biography, Elvis: Destined to Die Young, author Sally Hoedel argued the deaths of Elvis, his mother, and his uncles were likely caused by a genetic defect brought on by the marriage of Elvis's maternal grandparents, who were first cousins.

Their early deaths were all foredrawn conclusions, Hoedel argued, saying 'it stops being a coincidence by the time it gets to Elvis' in an interview last summer. The death of Elvis's only child under similar circumstances seems to say the same.

Elvis Presley's maternal grandparents, Bob and Doll Mansell. They were first cousins

Lisa Marie Presley as a toddler with her father, Elvis. Both died under similar circumstances

Hoedel suggested the deaths in Elvis's family were caused by an Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic disorder that damages the lung and liver and leads to other health complications.

'We know Elvis had it because he was found to be a carrier for Alpha-1 after his death, so it had to come from somewhere,' she told The US Sun.

That somewhere was Elvis's maternal bloodline, and likely dated back to his grandmother, Doll Mansell, who suffered from a decades-long bout of tuberculosis. Hoedel argued that was a misdiagnosis however, and that Mansell was really suffering from some kind of genetic defect.

'Something that doesn't make sense, but continued to be passed down the family tree and then throughout recorded Elvis history as well,' she said.

'This book explains how that tuberculosis was most certainly a misdiagnosis in the early 1900s.

A two-year-old Elvis Presley with his parents, Gladys and Vernon, in 1937

Elvis Presley with his parents, Vernon and Gladys. Elvis and his mother had similar deaths

A young Elvis Presley in the 1940s. He died in 1977 at his home from cardiac arrest

'When Mansell married her first cousin - a common practice in older times - and had children, that could have exacerbated whatever genetic problems she already carried and passed them down to her children.

'From there, with the first-cousin marriage, we can see that Gladys most likely inherited two damaged genes and a more serious version of the disease,' Hoedel wrote.

Not only did three of Mansell's sons die young from heart, lung, and liver ailments, but Gladys did too, dying 19 years nearly to the day that her son did at Graceland under remarkably similar circumstances.

Gladys's health declined suddenly and rapidly in her 40s. Like her son later would, she developed a substance abuse problem and died as an alcoholic on August 14, 1958, days before her son was due to begin his military service in Germany.

'Gladys has always been painted as this woman whose son became famous, bought her a big house and she just struggled to deal with it all and essentially died of a broken heart,' Hoedel said, 'But that's not how it works. I think Elvis and Vernon [Elvis's father] both knew how sick she was before he left for the army.'

Elvis Presley with his parents before he was sent to Germany for Army service

Elvis with his parents just before he joined the Army. Gladys died the day before he shipped out

Elvis, too, suffered from substance abuse and serious weight gain until his death in 1977.

He was known to have become addicted to numerous prescription drugs throughout the 1970s while trying cope with the demands of a decade of grueling touring.

But in her book, Hoedel argued Elvis's decline was not caused by over-indulgence or reckless drug use, but that he was over-prescribed medication to mitigate ever-worsening ailments he had already developed and were being exacerbated by his tour demands.

'Elvis had various health issues but he hid them so well that the over-medication is what we remember now,' said Hoedel. 'He often took too much, and there are issues there, but you have to ask why he was taking those pills in the first place.'

Lisa Marie Presley holds her mother's hand during her father's funeral in Memphis in 1977

Lisa Marie Presley with her four children in 2019. She died from cardiac arrest Thursday

Lisa Marie Presley died from cardiac arrest after suffering drug problems in recent years

Forty-six years on from the death of Elvis, Lisa Marie also died from cardiac arrest after suffering a period of substance abuse.

'The Presleys were incredibly secretive about their health,' Hoedel said, 'but I managed to interview people like Nancy Clarke, the daughter of Gladys' cardiologist, who used to go on house calls with her dad to the Presley home.

'And she told me before her dad passed away, he said there was more to Gladys's death than what he understood because he's long been quoted as saying it looked like hepatitis, but it wasn't, and he couldn't work out what was wrong with her.

'It all leads back to Gladys's parents.'
The Leviathan rollercoaster halted on Friday with patrons still on the ride

Thrill-seekers have been left stuck mid-air at Sea World after a new ride stopped

Thrill-seekers have been left stuck mid-air while trying out the new Leviathan rollercoaster at Sea World.

Staff gave patrons umbrellas to shield themselves from the glaring sun while they waited to be evacuated after the ride malfunctioned at the Gold Coast theme park on Friday.

'It was a standard ride stoppage,' a Village Roadshow Theme Parks spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

JUST IN: Sea World's Leviathan ride has reportedly become stuck this afternoon.



Passengers have since been freed, with the attraction temporarily closed.



More to come.#9News pic.twitter.com/BtcF094stI  9News Gold Coast (@9NewsGoldCoast) January 13, 2023

Thrill-seekers have been left stuck on the new Leviathan rollercoaster at Sea World on the Gold Coast on Friday (pictured)

'A computer found a potential malfunction on the ride and triggered the stoppage.

'At which point our staff were able to help the customers down from the ride and other rides were able to restart.'

It is unclear how long the patrons were stuck on the ride which has been temporarily closed.

Originally expected to open in July of 2021, the Leviathan opened in December of last year before being shortly shut down just days after for 'fine tuning'.

The Leviathan makes up one of three new attractions at Sea World's new $50million Atlantis precinct.

It's the first wooden rollercoaster to be constructed in Australia in 35 years, reaching speeds of up to 80km/h over a 90 second ride.
A surgeon who performed hundreds of potentially dodgy colonoscopies in the NSW-Victorian border region of Albury-Wodonga has been temporarily banned from practising medicine.

Dr Liu-Ming Schmidt will remain registered as a GP and specialist surgeon in Australia, but cannot perform any medical procedures or treat patients according to conditions imposed on Friday.

Close to 2,000 patients who received colonoscopies performed or supervised by Dr Schmidt were told this week they may need to have their procedures repeated to ensure they don't have cancer.

A panel of experts reviewed procedures involving Dr Schmidt at Albury Wodonga Health, Albury Wodonga Private Hospital and Insight Private Hospital from 2018 to 2022 after one of her colleagues raised concerns in July.

Dr Liu-Ming Schmidt (pictured) is temporarily banned from practising medicine as the Health Care Complaints Commission makes further inquiries

She was stood down from working at Albury Wodonga Health pending the result of the review, which found some of the colonoscopies were incomplete.

But the surgeon continued in her private hospital roles until they were informed of the review's outcome in late December.

The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) and Medical Council of NSW manage complaints about registered doctors and medical students in NSW.

The commission said it had received a number of complaints about Dr Schmidt, who is registered in NSW.

'As a result Dr Schmidt now has a condition not to practise medicine placed on her registration,' an HCCC spokesperson said.

'The commission is now conducting further detailed enquiries to determine the next regulatory steps.'

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) does not have jurisdiction to investigate complaints in NSW, unlike other states and territories.

'When allegations are raised about health practitioners in NSW, AHPRA must refer those to the NSW co-regulators,' a spokesperson said.

Only the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal have legal powers to make an order to deregister a doctor.

A recent NSW inquest examined the death of one of Dr Schmidt's patients, William Edmunds, who died following complications after a procedure to remove part of his bowel.

Wodonga Health chief executive William Appleby said the death was unrelated to concerns raised about colonoscopies.

Dr Schmidt worked at Albury Wodonga Health, Albury Wodonga Private Hospital and Insight Private Hospital

The decision of NSW authorities to impose conditions on Dr Schmidt's registration came after Safer Care Victoria began contacting private and public patients about the colonoscopy recall.

Colonoscopies are often used to detect bowel cancer, with Shine Lawyers encouraging any affected patients later diagnosed with cancer to seek independent legal advice.

Albury Wodonga Health is operated by Victoria's Department of Health despite the base hospital falling on the NSW side of the border, potentially exposing the southern state to compensation claims.

Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines said state authorities were working through the cross-jurisdictional technicalities.

'I wouldn't get caught up in what may happen,' he told reporters on Friday.
Police believe the woman may have been shot in a home in Condell Park

Police are seeking information on the drivers whereabouts, vehicle was seized

A man is being hunted by police after he dropped off a woman who'd been shot to hospital before fleeing the scene.

The woman, 37, was driven to Bankstown Hospital, in Sydney's west, in a white sedan after being shot in the torso, at about 12.50pm on Thursday.

Police believe she was shot at a home in Condell Park. She is then understood to have been a passenger in the sedan driven by a man described as being of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern appearance.

He is about 175cm tall, with a medium build, and has a dark beard.

The woman, 37, was driven to Bankstown Hospital (pictured), in Sydney's west, in a white sedan after being shot in the torso, at about 12.50pm on Thursday

He'd been wearing a black hoodie and black shorts over full-length black training tights at the time.

The driver left the area on foot shortly after dropping the woman at the hospital, police say, and the sedan was seized.

The 37-year-old underwent surgery and is now in a stable condition.

Police are appealing for public assistance to help track down the man as investigations continue.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Bankstown Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Ms Marten is from an aristocratic family in Dorset with ties to the Royal Family

Met Police have joined the hunt for a missing aristocrat and her baby daughter after she and her partner were spotted outside East Ham station in East London.

Constance Marten and Mark Gordon disappeared after the car they were travelling in broke down near Bolton last Thursday.

They left on foot with their baby boy and have been missing since despite an extensive police search.

Ms Marten, 35, is from an aristocratic landowning family in Dorset, with 'ties to the Royal Family'. Her father was a pageboy to Queen Elizabeth II before giving up his 115 million fortune.

Police released this picture of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon outside East Ham station at around 11.45am on Saturday January 7

Police have reissued their appeal to help find missing mother Constance Marten (pictured), 35, and her newborn child who were spotted in East London

After her car broke down on the M61 near Bolton last week, Ms Marten is believed to have been spotted wrapped in red blanket in Harwich Port, Essex on Saturday at 9am

She is the granddaughter of Mary Anna Marten, whose godmother was the late Queen Mother. The family used to own the Crichel estate in Dorset.

Ms Marten's great-grandfather was Captain Napier Sturt, the third and final Baron Alington.

Her father, Napier Marten, was a page to Queen Elizabeth before giving up his 115 million family fortune when 'a voice told me to shave my head and move to Australia.'

It is understood she has not been in contact with her family for some time.

Police previously searched every hotel and B&B in Colchester after the mother and her newborn baby went missing.

The family were seen in the city earlier this month, but Ms Marten is believed to have been captured on CCTV after abandoning her car.

The car the couple were in had been purchased six days before they went missing.

Information provided by taxi drivers suggests that the couple paid cash to travel first to Liverpool and then to Essex.

Constance Marten (left), who is missing along with her newborn baby, is descended from wealthy landowners with close links to the Royal Family. Police have issued an urgent appeal for help to find Ms Marten and the baby's father Mark Gordon (right)

Constance's ancestors: Lt. Cdr George Marten with wife Mary and daughters Victoria, Charlotte and Georgina

They later stayed at a hotel using false names. They were spotted in Harwich Port in Essex at around 9am last Saturday .

Essex Police said the trio took a taxi from Harwich to East Ham station in Newham later that day.

Police said they are concerned that neither Ms Marten or her baby have been assessed by medical professionals since she gave birth.

In police statements, Mr Gordon is described as wearing dark clothing while Ms Marten is said to have a southern accent and was wearing a burgundy coat. The baby is swaddled.

Met Police Detective Superintendent Lewis Basford, who is leading the investigation, said: 'It has now been more than a week since Constance and Mark's car broke down on the M61, and we are growing increasingly concerned not only for their welfare, but for the welfare of their newborn child.

'Being on the move for a week must be exhausting for new parents and a newborn baby.

'Constance and Mark, I appeal directly to you, please think of your baby's health and wellbeing and get in touch with us so we can ensure your child is medically well and has no underlying issues.

'Please do this for your child. You wouldn't be able to forgive yourself if they became poorly. All we want to do is help you and your baby.'
A drunken son battered his father to death with a bottle of Bollinger before telling police 'I hate French champagne,' a court heard.

Police found Deekan Vig, 54, lying naked and surrounded by 100 bottles of champagne next to his dead father, Arjan Singh Vig, 86, following a whisky binge in October 2021 at their home in Southgate, north London, the Old Bailey heard.

Vig told officers when the arrived at the scene: 'You're too late. He's been dead for an hour'.

On his way to the police station Deekan said: 'I killed my Dad.'

(Stock Image) Deekan Vig, 54, allegedly beat his father to death with a bottle of Bollinger champagne

He added: 'I hit him over the head with a f***ing bloody bottle of Bollinger champagne.'

'Why did I kill my Dad?

'I hit him on the head. I f***ing hit him with a bottle of f***ing champagne. F***ing champagne... I hate French champagne.'

Prosecutor Deanna Heer told jurors: 'On the evening of Saturday 30th October 2021 Arjan Singh Vig and he was beaten to death in his own home.

'He was attacked with a heavy blunt weapon, most likely a full bottle of champagne, and he was beaten repeatedly to the face and to the head to the extent that he suffered extensive and severe traumatic injuries.

'His skull was broken, he suffered extensive fractures of the facial bones and his brain was damaged so badly that death would have been swift, if not instantaneous.

'At the time of his death Arjan Singh Vig was 86 years old. The person who killed him was his son, the defendant Deekan Singh Vig, and at the time of the incident he was 53 years of age.

'The defendant accepts that he killed his father, that he did so unlawfully and that his father had done nothing to justify such a violent attack upon him but, the defendant says, he did not intend to kill his father or even to cause him really serious harm.'

On the day of the killing, Deekan's parents attended an event at the local Sikh temple at 2pm.

(Stock Image) Deekan Vig admitted manslaughter but denied murder at The Old Bailey

They told their son they would be back at 4:30pm but they stayed longer than expected catching up with friends and did not return until 5:30pm.

When they returned Deekan told them they were late and went to his bedroom.

At around 9pm he started causing a loud banging from his room and when his mother Damanjit Veer, 85, heard him vomiting in his bedroom she assumed he had some kind of food poisoning.

She heard Arjan repeatedly say to Deekan: 'Calm down. You're a good man.'

Ms Heer told the court: 'It was at this point that she heard the defendant say that he had drunk half a bottle of whisky. He also said he had drunk a quarter of a bottle the night before.

'Now that was a surprise to her; as far as she was concerned he never drank... She says that he didn't sound himself at this point.'

Police were called to find the house in silence.

Ms Heer said: 'PC Francis tried to open the door to the defendant's room but it was firmly shut... He was able to see that there was blood on the wall and immediately radioed for assistance and an ambulance unit and asked for assistance.

'He shouted out for anyone behind the door to open the door, identifying himself as a police officer.

'There was no reply. He continued to try to push the door open and managed to create a three to four inch gap but he could feel a heavy weight pushing against the other side of the door.

'He was able to see on the floor a head, it was the deceased's head, Arjan's, lying against the door. It was covered in blood and brain matter.

'Eventually, the defendant who was inside began to reply. He said he could not help the police to open the door.

'He said he was drunk. He said, "You're too late. He's been dead for an hour." He was abusive and swearing.'

Officers said it was obvious on arrival that Arjan Singh Vig was dead.

'The defendant was lying on the floor. He was naked. The room was messy with champagne bottles scattered around the room.'

Deekan was struck round the face and taser before being handcuffed and clothed.

'He continued to be abusive, telling the police repeatedly to "f*ck off", calling them "pigs" and telling them they did not know how to do their jobs.

Describing the crime scene, Ms Heer said: 'The defendant's bedroom did not appear to be being used to sleep in as there were about 100 bottles of champagne on the bed with clothing piled on top of them.

'There were also about 10 Amazon delivery boxes in the room, each of which contained three or four bottles of whisky. There was an empty bottle of Talisker whisky by the bed.

'Beside his [Arjan's] body, two bottles of champagne were found which appeared to have a significant amount of blood on them.

'One was a bottle of Veuve Cliquot, the other a bottle of Bollinger. The Veuve Cliquot bottle, when examined, was found to have a number of hairs adhering in the blood.'

Deekan lived with his parents at Chelmsford Road in Southgate, north London in a four-bedroom detached house which had been the family home for 40 years.

Originally from Uganda, Deekan and his family were expelled by Idi Amin like others of Asian origin were at the time. He came to the UK when he was about five.

His father, Arjan Vig was a qualified accountant who set up business as a shopkeeper in London. His mother, Damanjit, was a zoologist and worked as a teacher.

His younger sister, Rippan Vig, did well academically, forged a successful career as a lawyer and married.

However, Ms Heer told jurors: 'it seems that the defendant had not achieved what he wanted in life.'

She said: 'Looking back, his sister feels that, growing up, the defendant was a bit different.

'As a child he had been hyperactive, disruptive and impulsive. There had been some suggestion that he should go to a special school but his father refused.

'He developed obsessions and compulsive behaviours. She describes him biting his nails, shaking his leg when he was sitting down, or touching his face and nose in a particular order.

'On the other hand, he was well read, he had a particular aptitude for some subjects, he was very good at physics, maths and astronomy, but he was never able to translate that ability into a practical career.

'His sister felt that he was frustrated and that his difficulties in completing practical tasks affected his self-esteem.'

Deekan took various jobs but most of them were short-lived, including working as a delivery driver. At the time of the killing he was not in work and was in receipt of state benefits.

Ms Heer added: 'He didn't have girlfriends growing up and had never married... His social life was limited. He would help his parents around the house, fixing things and doing odd jobs and, for a time, he helped his father in the family business. He spent time on his computer.'

Both his mother and sister describe his relationship with his father as being 'good' with Deekan sticking up for him and being patient with him.

Deekan's mother described the defendant as having a short temper but he had never previously hurt his father but he would kick out at things in rage.

His sister believed he had become more tense and edgy due to the effects of the lockdown.

Ms Heer said: 'In fact, it seems that the defendant had developed a taste for alcohol.'

Deekan, of Southgate, accepts that he killed his father and has admitted manslaughter.

But he denies murder, claiming he did not intend to kill his father or cause him really serious bodily injury.

The trial continues.
Lao Airlines to launch more flights to welcome Chinese tourists

Xinhua) 10:47, January 13, 2023

VIENTIANE, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- As China eases COVID-19 restrictions, Lao Airlines plans to operate more flights to welcome Chinese tourists to the Southeast Asia country.

Additional flights are expected to come into operation in February or March, local transportation media AeroLaos on Thursday quoted Director of Lao Airlines' Commercial Department Noudeng Chanthaphasouk as saying.

"We have sent a request to China saying that we would like to operate daily flights to Kunming, as well as to other destinations, and are waiting for a response," he said.

Lao Airlines currently operates three flights a week from Lao capital Vientiane to Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

In its request, Lao Airlines suggested additional flights from Lao capital Vientiane to Guangzhou, Shanghai, Chengdu, Changzhou and Hangzhou.

The airline also plans to increase the number of flights from northern Laos' Luang Prabang and southern Laos' Champasak to China, according to the report.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Alireza Akbari, a former official and dual British-Iranian citizen has been handed the death penalty in Iran for espionage for the United Kingdom, per Mizan, a publication linked to the Iranian court.

Shargh Daily, an Iranian pro-reform publication, reported that Akbari formerly held the positions of deputy defense minister, director of the Strategic Research Institute, and part of the military group that carried out the United Nations resolution that ended the Iran-Iraq conflict.

UK Slams Iran Death Penalty

Mizan claimed Akbari some time ago was detained for spying against Iran. It added that after filing an indictment, the case was sent to court, and hearings were conducted in the presence of the accused's counsel. Based on the legitimate papers in this person's file, he was given the Iran death penalty for spying for the UK.

The United Kingdom has spoken out against Iran's death penalty for Akbari. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly urged Iran not to execute Alireza Akbari, a former senior defense officer accused of espionage for MI6.

Cleverly tweeted that Iran must suspend the execution of British-Iran citizen Alireza Akbari and promptly free him. He said that the decision is a politically driven act by a "barbaric" administration that completely disdains human life.

Akbari, a former Iranian deputy defense minister, was detained in 2019 on charges of spying for MI6 relating to previous nuclear negotiations between Iran and western countries.

Maryam, Akbari's wife, told the agency she was asked to a "last meeting" at the jail where he is in isolation, indicating an approaching Iran death penalty.

The head of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, Alicia Kearns, accused Iran of trying to "weaponize" dual nationals as anti-government demonstrations rocked the Islamic nation.

Read Also: German Police Crack Down on Coal Mine

Akbari Says He Was Tortured

The British-Iran citizen contested the accusation and said he was tortured into videotaping confessions to acts he did not commit. In the audio, Akbari claims that intelligence officials "interrogated and tortured" him for over 3,500 hours.

He adds that he was also given "psychedelic substances" and that they recorded his confessions for more than 3,500 hours within ten months, using ten cameras.

Akbari said: "By utilizing physiological and psychological tactics, they shattered my will, drove me to lunacy, and forced me to do anything they wanted. The power of pistol and death threats made me confess to false and corrupt accusations."

He also remarked that Iran wants "to take vengeance on the UK" through his death sentence. In the hours after the release of the audio message, the Iranian judiciary's Mizan news agency officially announced that Akbari had been convicted guilty of spying and that the Supreme Court had denied his appeal.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Akbari's espionage was exposed due to its operatives' deliberate dissemination of false information. Iranian state media said that four individuals convicted of "cooperating" with Israeli intelligence had been executed at the end of November.

Since December, four other individuals who had been found guilty of participating in the nationwide anti-government rallies and given the Iran death penalty have been put to death.

Related Article: US Warns Supply Problem for Ukraine

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A Russian free-climber has sent the world of social media into a spin after posting a vertigo-inducing clip of herself perched on the edge of the world's second highest building.

Angela Nikolau, 29, scaled the 2,227ft Merdeka Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with her boyfriend Ivan Beerkus. She noted that it is 'the most beautiful skyscraper' she has ever visited.

The video accompanying the post shows her dressed in red, dangling her legs over the side of the tower and playfully sunning herself, with the vast cityscape below her.

Nikolau and Beerkus are known for climbing tall buildings all over the world and taking selfies from the top of them.

Angela Nikolau, 29, (pictured) scaled the 2,227ft Merdeka Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with her boyfriend Ivan Beerkus. She noted that it is 'the most beautiful skyscraper' she has ever visited

On Twitter Nikolau wrote: 'I fell in love with the Merdeka 118 Tower the moment I saw it. I felt an instant spiritual connection. Such a majestic building in the middle of an amazing city - I had to discover and share the views with others.'

She added: 'I started the mission. I was wearing a hijab, glasses and a builder's uniform to look as unnoticeable as possible. I ran the first 32 floors and got overheated. I had to lie down on the concrete floor naked to cool down a little bit. I drank all the water I had.'

Nikolau also noted that she had rented an apartment with a good view of the tower, so that she could conduct survelliance of the building. She spent several weeks researching details that would help her with the climb.

Nikolau posted other images and videos of her Merdeka Tower adventure on Instagram.

On Twitter Nikolau wrote: 'I fell in love with the Merdeka 118 Tower the moment I saw it. I felt an instant spiritual connection. Such a majestic building in the middle of an amazing city - I had to discover and share the views with others'

In one post she wrote: 'I have climbed the second highest building in the world - MERDEKA TOWER! That's the most beautiful skyscraper where I've ever been.'

Another post shows her doing a yoga-like pose at the top of the tower as the camera zooms out to display an impressive view of the high rises and mountainous backdrop.

A third post shows her at the top of the tower posing and playing with her hair.

Nikolau's Instagram account is full of glamourous photos of her activities.

On her social accounts she describes herself as being the 'world's most extreme roofer girl inspired by art and heights', as well as an extreme creator and a painter.

Nikolau told MailOnline: 'Futuristic, epic skyscrapers like these have always attracted me as an artist.'

On her plans for this year she said: 'I want to keep making art on roofs of the world and put together a solo art exhibit. I also want to take my grandmother to Paris and show her the Eiffel Tower: as tourists of course, not as roofers.'

Malaysian police said in December that they were investigating Nikolau and Beerkus for trespassing.

The 118-storey Merdeka Tower is due for completion by mid-2023, according to the developer. A hotel will take up the top 17 floors.

PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Tengku Datuk Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud said in August: 'The offices can move in first while the hotel will be [ready] by the third quarter of next year.'

The building is dwarfed only by the 2,716ft Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which opened on January 4, 2010.
Rishi Sunak has told Nicola Sturgeon to 'work together' as the pair clashed over independence and gender rules during his visit to Scotland.

The PM and the SNP leader had 'robust' exchanges during around an hour of talks over dinner last night.

In interviews this morning, Mr Sunak said he wanted to cooperate on 'challenges that we all face collectively around the UK'.

He also made clear the UK government is still considering how to respond to the law passed by Holyrood that would cut the age limit for changing gender identity, and remove the requirement for a medical diagnosis.

Ms Sturgeon said the discussions were 'cordial' - but swiped that Mr Sunak was not providing more money for the NHS.

The PM is unveiling two freeports later on the second day of his trip - but the Scottish First Minister has refused an invite to join him for the announcement, saying she has to chair a crisis meeting on the health service.

Rishi Sunak and Nicola Sturgeon had 'robust' exchanges during around an hour of talks over dinner last night

Mr Sunak toasted marshmallows during a visit to the Sea scouts community group in Muirtown near Inverness last night

Mr Sunak said the Scottish and UK governments should continue to work on things that matter to the people of Scotland despite disagreeing on the issue of independence.

He told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland radio show: 'What I firmly believe is that people in Scotland want and expect to see both of their governments working with relentless focus on the issues that matter to them.

'Right now, everyone acknowledges all our different parts of the UK are facing challenges in their NHS, we're seeing the impact of Russia's war on Ukraine and what that's doing to our energy supplies, these are all really significant things that we should be working on together.

'We've just had a ruling (on independence referendum). The Scottish Government took this case to the Supreme Court, which was completely clear about the ability of the Scottish Government to do that unilaterally.

'What I want to do is have a constructive dialogue with the Scottish Government to make sure we can continue to deliver for the people of Scotland.

'Today's announcement on the two new freeports is an example of us doing that.'

Ms Sturgeon said: 'Clearly Rishi Sunak and I disagree on lots, but we were able to talk about some of the areas where the Scottish and UK governments can work together.

'Obviously, we talked a bit about the NHS and the pressures people are living under right now.

'We talked about how we can work together to realise the vast renewable energy potential that Scotland has.'

She told the BBC: 'No indication from the Prime Minister of new money, but hopefully we will see strong investment in the NHS.

'The Scottish Government continues to work hard to avert strike action in the NHS.'

Mr Sunak will reveal today that the Cromarty Firth and Forth bids have won the race to secure freeport status north of the Border. It will be a huge boost to jobs in both areas, where different economic regulations will be introduced to attract investment and improve employment.

It is likely to include a more favourable tax system for firms, such as manufacturers, looking to import goods.

Mr Sunak with sea scouts near Inverness last night

The PM was accompanied by Scottish Secretary Alister Jack as he chatted to the scouts

The freeports decision was made jointly with the Scottish Government. No 10 said Mr Sunak would 'announce the joint Scottish and UK Government delivery of millions of UK Government funding which 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'.

It is understood the First Minister rejected an invitation to appear alongside the PM at an event to announce the freeports today as she is chairing a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Room to discuss the NHS crisis.

The consortium behind the Cromarty Firth freeport has claimed it can 'revolutionise' the Highland economy and stimulate new manufacturing activity, creating 'tens of thousands' of jobs. It is backed by the operator of ports at Cromarty Firth and Inverness, as well as Highland Council and the Global Energy Group.

The Forth freeport will take in the Rosyth port and Burntisland in Fife, Leith, Edinburgh Airport and Grangemouth. Forth Ports, Babcock and Scarborough Muir Group previously claimed the plan could deliver up to 1billion of investment and 7,000 green jobs.
A 5-year-old is among the at least seven people dead after a savage tornado ripped roofs off homes and uprooted trees as a giant storm system billowed across the south.

The child, who has yet to be identified, was killed when a pine tree fell on a car at the north end of Butts County near Jackson Lake, an official for the county said. An adult in the car with the child has been taken to a local hospital.

The death is one of at least seven who have been killed by a storm system that has left over 40,000 people still without power in Georgia and Alabama.

More than 40 preliminary tornado reports were made across Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky as of Thursday night.

A 5-year-old is among the at least seven people dead after a savage tornado ripped roofs off homes and uprooted trees as a giant storm system billowed across the south

Authorities said a clearer picture of the extent of the damage and a search for additional victims would come on Friday, when conditions were expected to clear.

In Autauga County, Alabama, 41 miles northeast of Selma, at least six fatalities were confirmed and an estimated 40 homes were damaged or destroyed by a tornado that cut a 20-mile path across two rural communities, said Ernie Baggett, the county's emergency management director.

Several mobile homes were launched into the air and at least 12 people were injured severely enough to be taken to hospitals by emergency responders, Baggett told The Associated Press. He said crews were focused Thursday night on cutting through downed trees to look for people who may need help.

'It really did a good bit of damage. This is the worst that I've seen here in this county,' Baggett said.

In the same county southeast of Atlanta, the storm appeared to have knocked a freight train off its tracks, officials said.

Officials in Griffin, south of Atlanta, told local news outlets that multiple people had been trapped inside an apartment complex after trees fell on it.

Firefighters also cut a Griffin man loose who had been pinned for hours under a tree that fell on his house. A high school was damaged, and students were held at four middle schools for parents to pick up after officials determined it was unsafe to run buses.

The city of Griffin imposed a curfew from 10 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday.

Workers assess tornado damage to the 18 Wheeler Truck Parts & Chrome warehouse following a tornado outbreak across multiple states in Austell, Georgia

Damage from businesses hit by a tornado that went through downtown Selma is scattered on the ground

Workers remove debris from railroad tracks after a tornado passed through downtown Selma

Cordel Tyus and Devo McGraw sit on roofing that blew off of an industrial building and wrapped around their house after a tornado ripped through Selma

A vehicle is upended and debris is strewn about follow a tornado near Meadowview elementary school Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2023 in Selma

Debris litters a local business that was destroyed by a tornado that passed through downtown Selma

All that remains of a house on County Road 43 is the foundation in aftermath from severe weather

An SUV is overturned close to Selma, Alabama, in the aftermath of a tornado

Devastation is seen in the aftermath from severe weather, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Greensboro, Ala

An aerial view shows damage after a tornado ripped through Selma, Alabama, U.S. January 12, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media

The storm is pictured sweeping through Alabama

School systems in at least six Georgia counties on the southern fringes of metro Atlanta canceled classes on Friday. Those systems enroll a total of 90,000 students.

Nationwide, there were 33 separate tornado reports Thursday from the National Weather Service as of Thursday evening, with a handful of tornado warnings still in effect in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

However, the reports were not yet confirmed and some of them could later be classified as wind damage after assessments are done in coming days.

In Selma, a city of about 18,000 people, a tornado cut a wide path through the downtown area, where brick buildings collapsed, oak trees were uprooted, cars were on their side and power lines were left dangling.

Plumes of thick, black smoke rose over the city from a fire burning. It wasn't immediately known whether the storm caused the blaze.

Selma Mayor James Perkins said no fatalities have been reported, but several people were seriously injured. First responders were continuing to assess the damage and officials hoped to get an aerial view of the city Friday morning.

'We have a lot of downed power lines,' he said. 'There is a lot of danger on the streets.'

The roof of a local businesses is strewn about after a tornado passed through Selma, Ala., Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023

Scott Wayman, center, examines his former rental home at 1349 County Road 43 in the aftermath from severe weather, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Prattville, Ala

National Weather Service social media accounts were warning Alabama residents to take shelter immediately amid the 'life threatening situation'

With widespread power outages, the Selma City Council held a meeting on the sidewalk, using lights from cellphones, to declare a state of emergency. A high school was opened as a shelter, officials said.

Mattie Moore was among Selma residents who picked up boxed meals offered by a charity downtown.

'Thank God that we're here. It's like something you see on TV,' Moore said of all the destruction.

After the tornado passed, Krishun Moore emerged from her home to the sound of children crying and screaming. She and her mother encouraged the kids to keep screaming until they found the two of them on top of the roof of a damaged apartment.

She estimated the kids were about one and four years old. Both of them are OK, she said through Facebook messenger.

Malesha McVay drove parallel to the tornado with her family. She said it got less than a mile from her home before suddenly turning.

'We stopped and we prayed. We followed it and prayed,' she said. 'It was a 100 per cent God thing that it turned right before it hit my house.'

A crane is seen moving debris in the aftermath of the inclement weather

Mayor James Perkins Jr said the city of Selma in Alabama had sustained 'significant damage' from the tornado

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 at around 12pm local time yesterday

She took video of the giant twister, which would turn black as it swept away home after home.

'It would hit a house, and black smoke would swirl up,' she said. 'It was very terrifying.'

About 40,000 customers were without power in Alabama on Thursday night, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide. In Georgia, about 86,000 customers were without electricity after the storm system carved a path across a tier of counties just south of Atlanta.

The storm hit in Griffin, south of Atlanta, with winds damaging a shopping area, local news outlets reported. A Hobby Lobby store partially lost its roof, and at least one car was flipped in the parking lot of a nearby Walmart.

Damage was also reported west of downtown Atlanta in Douglas County and Cobb County, with Cobb County government posting a damage report showing a crumbled cinder block wall at a warehouse in suburban Austell.

In Kentucky, the National Weather Service in Louisville confirmed that an EF-1 tornado struck Mercer County and said crews were surveying damage in a handful of other counties.

Three factors - a natural La Nina weather cycle, warming of the Gulf of Mexico likely related to climate change and a decades-long shift of tornadoes from the west to east - came together to make Thursday's tornado outbreak unusual and damaging, said Victor Gensini, a meteorology professor at Northern Illinois University who studies tornado trends.

The La Nina, a cooling of parts of the Pacific that changes weather worldwide, was a factor in making a wavy jet stream that brought a cold front through, Gensini said. But that's not enough for a tornado outbreak. What's needed is moisture.

Normally the air in the Southeast is fairly dry this time of year but the dew point was twice what is normal, likely because of unusually warm water in the Gulf of Mexico, which is likely influenced by climate change.

That moisture hit the cold front and everything was in place, Gensini said.
Force said medics did their best to revive the man but he died 46 minutes later

The Metropolitan Police said they were called to the scene shortly before 9am

A man has died after collapsing at a PureGym in east London.

Paramedics were called to the scene in Ilford shortly before 9am on Thursday.

Metropolitan Police said officers, members of the public and medics all did their best to revive the man but he died 46 minutes later.

The force said his death was being treated as 'unexpected'.

Paramedics were called to the scene (pictured) in Ilford shortly before 9am on Thursday

A spokesperson for the Met told MyLondon: 'Police were called by London Ambulance Service at 8.40am on Thursday, January 12, to reports of a man collapsed at a gymnasium at High Road, Ilford.

'The public, officers and medics administered CPR but sadly, despite their efforts, the man died at the scene at 9.26am.

'Enquiries are underway to notify the man's next of kin.

'The death is being treated as unexpected and enquiries will be made concerning the circumstances.'

A PureGym spokesperson said: 'We can confirm that very sadly a member died at our PureGym Ilford club yesterday morning.

'The gym team assisted the member and the Police and London Ambulance Service attended, but unfortunately despite their best efforts, he passed away.

'We extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends.'
Ukraine has denied Moscow's claim that Russian forces have captured the salt-mining town of Soledar, a key focal point of Vladimir Putin 's invasion as he desperately presses for his first victory in months.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Friday that Soledar was captured on Thursday night, after a Ukrainian official earlier admitted their forces had faced 'high intensity' battles for the town. Kyiv officials denied this, saying 'severe' fighting is on-going.

Kyiv and the West have played down the town's significance, saying Moscow sacrificed wave upon wave of soldiers and mercenaries in a pointless fight for a bombed-out wasteland, with analysts saying it offers little tactical benefit to the invaders for their overall goal of taking Bakhmut.

And in an on-the-ground report, two Ukrainian soldiers claimed 50 Russians were being killed for every 100 yards they try to advance in the battle-torn region.

Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed in an overnight address that defenders in the region would be armed with everything they need to keep Russian troops at bay in some of the bloodiest battles of the war.

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Footage shows a member of Ukraine's military looking away as a BM-21'Grad' MLRS 122mm rocket launcher fires on the outskirts of Soledar on January 11, 2023, where some of the Ukraine war's bloodiest fighting has taken place in recent weeks

Ukraine forces were holding out on Friday after a 'hot' night of battles in the town of Soledar, a key focal point of Vladimir Putin's forces. Pictured: Smoke rises from the battlefield on Jan. 11

Heavy fighting has completely devastated Soledar, once a bustling salt-mining town in eastern Ukraine, as Moscow continues to throw everything it has at trying to capture the nearby and well fortified city of Bakhmut - which has previously been likened to a 'First World War meat grinder'.

On Thursday, Ukraine claimed to have killed more than 100 Russian troops in a coordinated strike during the brutal frontline battle to control Soledar - the latest in a series of attacks that have resulted in mass Russian casualties.

There have been conflicting reports in recent days over whether Russia fully controls Soledar, with Wagner warlord Yevgeny Prigozhin on Wednesday claiming victory for his mercenaries. In response on Wednesday, Moscow and Kyiv both said pockets of resistance remained.

But on Friday, Russia claimed its forces had finally captured the fiercely contested town, in what would mark a rare victory for the Kremlin.

Kyiv denied this, saying heavy fighting was ongoing.

'Severe fighting is going on in Soledar,' said Sergiy Cherevaty, a spokesman for the eastern group of the Ukrainian armed forces. 'Ukraine's armed forces have the situation under control in difficult conditions.'

Earlier, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said Ukrainian forces continued to hold out in the city after a 'hot' night of fighting.

'The night in Soledar was hot, battles continued,' she wrote on the Telegram messaging app. 'The enemy threw almost all the main forces in the direction of Donetsk and maintains a high intensity of offensive.

'Our fighters are bravely trying to maintain the defence,' she said, referring to the Donetsk region which includes Soledar.

'This is a difficult phase of the war, but we will win. There is no doubt.'

Pictured: A Ukrainian helicopter is seen flying over a field near Soledar. Despite Moscow focusing vast resources on capturing the small city, analysts have said it offers little tactical benefit to the invaders and their plan to push on to the nearby city of Bakhmut

Smoke rises after shelling in Soledar, the site of heavy battles with Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sunday, January 8, 2023

Ukrainian officials have said more than 500 civilians are trapped inside the town.

Pavlo Kyrylenko, the governor of Donetsk, said 559 civilians remained - including 15 children. He told Ukrainian state TV that the the country could not evacuated them from the community, likely due to the dangers involved.

Meanwhile, in a video log from Bakhmut posted to TikTok on Thursday, two Ukrainian soldiers gave an up-beat update from the front lines.

The two soldiers - a man and a woman - walked through the devastated streets of the city, as they called into question reports of Russian successes.

'It's too early to spread panic,' the women - who the man called his 'sister Witch' - told viewers. 'The situation is indeed difficult in Soledar right now.'

She said Putin's forces had been unable to assault the city from the front, and are instead trying to come in from the flanks. This, she said, can be unreliable.

Despite the onslaught, she said: 'Bakhmut is standing. As Prigozhin said, and I don't like quoting anti-heroes, but he said that Bakhmut is 500 lines of defence and every house is a fortress. And considering how motivated out soldiers are, they will not give away a single centimetre of our land for free.'

She added: 'To move even 100 meters deeper into the frontline, the Russians are wasting 50 of their servicemen. They flood every square meter of the land with their blood to move forward 100 meters.'

Speaking to Reuters journalists in the region from inside a bunker, another unnamed solder said the 'situation is difficult but stable' in the region.

'We are holding back the enemy. Nobody leaves the positions. The positions are being held. We are fighting back.' He added: The intensity of shelling rose by about 70 percent, but nothing changed radically.

'Our fighters are holding the defence as they used to hold it.'

A civilian walks among heavily damaged residential buildings in Soledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Ukrainian soldiers carrying the coffin of their fallen comrade in Bucha, Ukraine, January 12

In its daily assessment of the invasion's progress, the The Institute for the Study of War said it was likely that Russian forces had captured most of Soledar on January 11.

However, it added this was 'not an operationally significant development and is unlikely to presage an imminent Russian encirclement of #Bakhmut.

'While all available evidence indicates Ukrainian forces no longer maintain an organized defense in #Soledar, Russian information operations have overexaggerated its importance, which is at best a Russian Pyrrhic tactical victory.'

The ISW said capturing Soledar, a settlement that is smaller than 5.5 square miles and home to a pre-war population of around 10,000, 'will not enable Russian forces to exert control over critical Ukrainian ground lines of communication into Bakhmut nor better position Russian forces to encircle the city in the short term.'

Despite this, it said, Russia has likely committed 'significant resources to a highly attritional tactical victory which will accelerate degraded Russian forces' likely culmination near #Bakhmut.'

As a result, Russia's forces in the region will likely become exhausted, the ISW said, if Moscow's armies maintain their 'consistently high pace of assaults'.

'Russian forces' degraded combat power and cumulative exhaustion will prevent these assaults from producing operationally significant results,' it said.

Since launching the invasion on February 24 last year, the Russian president has watched from his isolated bolthole as his forces have suffered setback after setback.

The Kremlin hoped to capture Kyiv in a matter of days, but its armies have instead been drawn into a drawn-out conflict and suffered tens of thousands of losses.

Russia was forced to retreated from around the capital Kyiv, and its forces have since been pushed further back east, towards the Russian border, while making minimal gains of its own against a dogged Ukrainian resistance.

Amid reports of low morale among Russian forces - many of whom were conscripted leading to anger at home - and a growing dissatisfaction with Putin's military leadership among his hawkish base - the Russian president is in dire need of a win.

'Any victory is important, especially because there hasn't been a victory in a while,' Russian military analyst Anatoly Khramchikhin told AFP news agency.

However, in a video released on Telegram on Friday, mercenaries fighting for the Russian group Wagner disputed Moscow's claim that Russian military forces had taken part in the assault of Soledar, and that it was all down to Wagner troops.

'We are officers of the Airborne Forces, we declare that the Airborne Forces did not take part in the assault on the city of Soledar,' the masked fighters told viewers.

'The assault on the city of Soledar was carried out only by the forces of PMC (Private Military Company) Wagner. We were not even sent in that direction.'

The clip comes after Russia's Defence Ministry contradicted Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin this week after he claimed to have captured the town.

In a video from Wednesday, Prigozhin stood defiantly alongside fighters in the Soledar pit and claimed his mercenaries had single-handedly taken control.

A Ukrainian missile strike killed more than 100 Russian soldiers who had grouped together during the Battle of Soledar, it was claimed Thursday. Pictured: Footage reportedly shows a group of Russian soldiers being hit by Ukrainian artillery near the town of Soledar

Speaking in his nightly video address to the nation, President Zelensky vowed Ukrainian forces defending Bakhmut and Soledar east will be armed with everything they need to hold back the slow Russian advance.

'I want to emphasise that the units defending these cities will be provided with ammunition and everything necessary, on time and without interruption,' Zelensky said in a statement on Thursday after a meeting with senior military officials.

Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister Ganna Malyar said earlier that the fight for Soledar was 'the fiercest and heaviest' of the war.

'Despite the difficult situation, Ukrainian soldiers are fighting stubbornly,' she added.

Although Russian mercenary group Wagner claimed early Wednesday that its forces had captured Soledar, the defence ministry in Moscow said fighting was ongoing and Ukraine denied any full takeover.

Military maps released by Russia's defence ministry on Thursday did not show Soledar under the control of Moscow's regular army.

A Russia-installed official in Donetsk, Andrey Baevsky, said there were still 'small pockets of resistance' from Ukraine inside the city, claiming Russian-backed troops had nearly full control.

Both sides have conceded heavy losses in the fight for Soledar and the nearby larger town of Bakhmut, which Moscow sees as being key to Russia's aim to wrest all of Donetsk away from Ukraine.

The Kremlin on Thursday praised the 'heroic' work by Russian forces working to capture the eastern Donetsk region from Ukraine and on other fronts.

'Huge work has been done in Soledar, absolutely selfless heroic actions, not only in Soledar,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

'There is still a lot of work ahead. The main work is yet to come,' he added.

The battle for Soledar comes as Moscow on Wednesday announced a major military reshuffle, putting Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov in charge of its operations in Ukraine.

A Moscow-based defence analyst, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the move to AFP as 'unprecedented' and said it indicated 'very serious problems' on the battlefield.

'This has not happened since 1941, when Marshal Georgy Zhukov was sent to the front to command.'

As part of Wednesday's appointments, the head of Russia's ground forces, Oleg Salyukov, was named a deputy commander of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.

On Thursday, he visited Moscow ally Belarus to inspect a joint regional force stationed there, Russia's defence ministry said.

When Russia invaded in February, Belarus allowed Moscow's troops stationed there to cross the Ukraine border via its territory.

A map shows the eastern region of Ukraine along the Russian border, and the areas currently occupied by invading Russian forces. Soledar and Bakhmut sit on the frontlines

A Russian foreign ministry official said Friday that Belarus may enter the conflict in Ukraine if Kyiv decides to 'invade' either country.

Russia used Belarus as a springboard to invade Ukraine in February 2022, and since October has deployed troops in Belarus for joint military drills. Both countries have since agreed to intensify their military co-operation, raising fears Moscow could use its close ally to launch a new offensive on Ukraine from the north.

In an interview with state media, foreign ministry official Aleksey Polishchuk said that Russia's joint drills with Belarus were designed to prevent escalation, but warned that Belarus may join the Ukraine conflict if it or Russia were invaded.

'From a legal point of view, the use of military force by the Kyiv regime or the invasion of the territory of Belarus or Russia by the armed forces of Ukraine are sufficient grounds for a collective response,' Polishchuk told the TASS news agency.

He added, however, that it was up to the leaders of the two countries whether they would make that decision.

Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that his country must 'be ready' at its border with Belarus, but that he so far only saw 'powerful statements' coming from his neighbour.

'We understand that apart from powerful statements, we do not see anything powerful there, but nevertheless we must be ready both at the border and in the regions,' he said.
Ms Omran 'really surprised' by backlash', 'didn't mean anything discriminatory'

Coon cheese became Cheer, campaign said former name regarded as racial slur

Culinary teacher identified Cheer cheese by its former name of Coon

A chef has spoken out after she copped backlash online for using the former name of a popular cheese brand that has since been branded 'racist'.

Fatimah Omran, 42, from Sydney, shared her recipe for a watermelon and three cheese sandwich to TikTok this week.

But when Ms Omran identified the cheese she used as Coon, rather than it's new name Cheer, she was quickly hit with a barrage of criticism.

Fatimah Omran, 42, from Sydney, shared her recipe for a watermelon and three cheese sandwich to TikTok this week

Ms Omran has defended herself after she copped backlash for calling Cheer cheese Coon

The video, captioned 'name a better combination', starts with the chef spreading three cheeses on a piece of bread.

'My daughter taught me this sandwich, it's just cream cheese and you crumble some feta cheese. You [then] put slices of tasty cheese - I've just used Coon [cheese] here,' she said.

'You roll it up and whack it in your toaster. We all know you can't have a toasted cheese sandwich without watermelon.

'Just take a bite of that with a bite of the watermelon and you'll love it.'

Her video was quickly flooded with comments from many questioning why she chose to refer to the cheese as Coon.

In July 2021, the then 90-year-old Australian brand changed its name to Cheer after a campaign raised concerns about the former moniker being widely regarded as a racial slur.

Cheer cheese owner Saputo has always maintained the cheese was named after American cheesemaker Edward Coon.

Ms Omran said she hadn't yet gotten used to the name change, as it had been known as Coon for decades.

'I felt the need to name Coon cheese, as it is the best cheese for the wrap,' she told Daily Mail Australia

In her viral video, the mum-of-three said she felt the need to name Coon cheese as it is the best cheese for the wrap

'I haven't stopped calling it Coon. I call it that when I shop, when I cook - I haven't adapted to the change.'

The mum-of-three said she just wanted to share something delicious with her followers.

'I was really surprised about the backlash .. my voiceover attracted more attention than what I cooked,' she said.

'I'm always specific online and I didn't realise [viewers] would hang on to every single word I said.

The Australian cheese company had a major name change in July 2021 after a campaign raised concerns about the former moniker being regarded as a racial slur

'I think there's more important issues in life to concentrate on and better things to be passionate about.

'People are definitely overreacting and I think people just like to complain. I didn't mean anything discriminatory by it.'

Ms Omran said one of her followers had shared with her a screenshot of a post in a Facebook group that was calling for her video to be taken down.

'The comments were 50/50, people were fighting with each other. Some people were offended and some people were saying ''I'm sure Fatima didn't mean it in an insulting way'',' the chef said.

Ms Omran uploaded a public apology to her Instagram (pictured) after the backlash, where she wrote she named the cheese as it has a 'better pull' than other cheeses

The Sydney chef shared a public apology on her Instagram page after the backlash to clear the reasons why she said what she did.

In the post, Ms Omran shared that being of Lebanese heritage she has 'had her fair share of blunt racism', while admitting she didn't know the real reason the cheese ever had a rebrand.

'It's not offensive to me because I have never ever Googled the name and honestly didn't know or research why exactly the name was changed,' she wrote.

'So huge apologies for those I offended. I do acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land I live in.

'I do not stand for any racism whatsoever'.
DID YOU WITNESS THE ATTACK? DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED?

DID YOU WITNESS THE ATTACK? DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED?

A female dog walker believed to have been mauled to death by the 'frenzied pack of dogs' that she was hired to walk is thought to have screamed 'go back' to two horsewomen who chanced on the horrific bloodbath in Surrey before she was killed.

Armed officers were called to reports of a dog attacking members of the public in the remote beauty spot Gravelly Hill in Caterham at 2.45pm yesterday afternoon.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, a 28-year-old woman from London died at the scene.

A second woman who received treatment for dog bites has since been discharged from hospital.

DID YOU WITNESS THE ATTACK? DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED? Email tips@dailymail.com or jack.wright@mailonline.co.uk

Police at the remote spot Gravelly Hill in Caterham, Surrey today, where a 28-year-old woman was mauled to death by the dogs it is believed she was walking

The victim is believed to have been walking a 'number of dogs' at the time. Her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. It is understood the force is looking into whether she was a registered dog-walker.

Eight dogs were detained at the scene and remain in police custody.

The dogs' owners have been identified and are being kept informed as the investigation continues, however it's understood none of the dogs are a dangerous or forbidden breed.

They are thought to include a Leonberger, a cross between a Newfoundland and a St Bernard and two sausage dogs. It was not clear how many of them attacked the victim and only one of the dogs appeared to be of substantial size.

A source close to the case told the Daily Mail: 'She just had too many dogs. You cannot be in control with that amount of dogs. If something happens, it's like having seven small wolves attacking you.

Inspector Lyndsey Whatley speaking to the media outside Caterham Police Station

Police investigating a savage dog attack in Caterham, Surrey

Another woman was hospitalised and eight dogs were recovered at the scene after police responded following the attack at 2.45pm yesterday

'The dogs were in a frenzy, acting as a pack, and going for whatever was in front of them.'

One of the dogs had moments earlier attacked and bitten another woman who was walking her own dog  and she fled, injured.

It is thought the dead woman may then have fallen under attack from the seven or eight dogs she was walking.

When two horsemen stumbled upon the graphic scene, she shouted: 'Go back, go back'.

Neighbours in the rural area close to the M25 were stunned to have the vicious death on their door-step.

Lesley Hoffley, 62, who lives just yards away from where the incident happened, said: 'No one seems to know anything and the police haven't been in touch at all. All we know is from what we see on the news.

'We don't know if the young lady was a local. It's hard to say because people come from all over to Gravelly Hill.'

The part-time copywriter added: 'It's a lovely walking spot so there's always cars parked there belonging to people from outside the area. It's got a stunning view of the North Downs. We found out about the incident yesterday and it really shocked me and my husband. I've never known it to have a problem with dog attacks before. It just doesn't really make any sense. Why are there seven dangerous dogs around there and how did it happen? None of us who live round here have any idea.

Police at Gravelly Hill in Caterham, Surrey, where a dog attacked members of the public

'The wording of the police statement also is a quite worrying. They say they've think they've caught all seven dogs but how can they know?

'It's left the community feeling really anxious and, of course, heartbroken for whoever this young lady was.'

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, added: 'It's unbelievable. We've not had too many details about it but everyone has been shaken by the news. This could have happened to anyone. All our thoughts are with the girl's family.'

Inspector Lyndsey Whatley of Surrey Police said: 'This is a tragic incident where a young woman has sadly lost her life and our thoughts are with her family and friends.

A woman in her 20s was pronounced dead at the scene

A cordon remains in place in Caterham in Surrey after a woman was killed

Cordon in place where a woman was killed yesterday after a dog attack

What is the council policy on dog walkers? Dog walkers in the Surrey district of Tandridge, where the woman died, must apply for a licence at 156.50 a year. The only exception is where the business is already licensed under the Animal Welfare Act for boarding and day care. There is no national limit on the number of dogs an individual can walk at one time. But Tandridge council has set the maximum at six  suggesting the tragic victim of Thursdays mauling may have exceeded the limit if she was running a commercial operation. Walkers are also required to have third-party liability cover for a minimum of 5million if they are using an outdoor council facility and a licence is required if a professional walker is using council-owned land. The council requires dog walkers to prove they are registered with a recognised body such as the National Association of Professional Dog Walkers. Alternatively, they must hold a qualification covering canine behaviour, control and legislation. The owner of a dog that kills someone can be jailed for up to 14 years. Maulings carry a maximum five-year term. Advertisement

'I know that yesterday's events will be of real concern to the local community and I would like to reassure residents that we are confident all the dogs involved are in the custody of police while we investigate the circumstances of what has happened.

'Officers will remain in the area of Gravelly Hill today while enquiries continue and if you have any information but have not yet spoken to police then please contact us.'

A police cordon remains in place at Gravelly Hill today while forensic work is carried out. Officers have erected a black gazebo at the scene, while a number of police vehicles and two red vans - one marked 'Underwater Search Unit' - were spotted behind the cordon.

Richard Bream, who runs the nearby Mardens Kennels, said he had never heard of a dog attack in the area before.

He said: 'That particular area, View Point, is an area where professional dog walkers will turn up in their van and take the dogs out and walk them. I've always felt you see some of these dog walkers have five or six, and they shouldn't be able to do that.'

A woman walking a border collie past one of the police cordons, who asked not to be named, said she was shocked by the incident. She said: 'It's a nice circular woodland walk and we've never had any issues before. It is so shocking, normal dogs surely wouldn't do that.'

A man at an address near the scene, who asked not to be named, said the beauty spot was very popular with dog walkers.

He said: 'The dogs dispersed into different areas of the woods and the police helicopter was out looking for them.'

A post-mortem examination will be conducted by the Surrey coroner as part of an inquest into the death.

Claire Coutinho, the MP for East Surrey, said: 'My thoughts are with the loved ones of the lady who has died following a dog attack in Caterham this afternoon. Thank you to the paramedics for their efforts at the scene and officers from Surrey Police who controlled the situation so quickly.'

Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver said on Friday morning: 'It's a terrible incident. It just sounds absolutely shocking and I'm sure that the police will be following it up.

'I don't know what can be done but something needs to be done to prevent this from happening again, most certainly.'

Police cars at the scene of a savage dog attack where a woman, 28, was killed

One man down at the scene said: 'The area is in the middle of the countryside surrounded by big detached houses'

Jenny Gaffney, Liberal Democrat Councillor at Tandridge District Council, said the community was shocked by the attack.

She said: 'It's absolutely shocking and it's incredibly sad for the poor lady who died and the woman who has been injured. We're all waiting to find out what happened. There's an awful lot of speculation on social media at the moment which isn't helpful for the family of the poor lady who died.'

Chief Inspector Alan Sproston added: 'Our thoughts are with the family of the woman who sadly died. This incident will be concerning to the local community and I would like to reassure them that we believe all dogs have been accounted for and are in police custody.

'Our investigation to establish the circumstances of the incident remains ongoing and we would ask the community not to speculate.'

One man at the scene said: 'The area is in the middle of the countryside surrounded by big detached houses. All the roads nearby and surrounding roads are closed. There are police cars with flashing lights blocking the roads.

'It is quite a bog walking spot round here but no one seems to know exactly what happened.'

The owners of dogs that kill someone can be jailed for up to 14 years or face an unlimited fine or both.

And even if there are no deaths, they can still face five years prison if it injures someone.

DID YOU WITNESS THE ATTACK? DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED? Email tips@dailymail.com or jack.wright@mailonline.co.uk
No charges have been laid on the owners, the dogs placed back in their care

Police were forced to smash the car window after the owners couldn't be located

Two dogs have been saved from an 'oven-like' car parked outside of a water park

Two dogs were found locked in 'oven-like' temperatures inside a car while their owners spent hours out at a theme park.

Police were called to the carpark of the Gold Coast's Wet'n'Wild amusement park at around 2pm on Wednesday - later learning the dogs had been stuck in the scorching hot car since that morning.

After attempting to track down the pets' owners from inside the water park, police were left with no other choice then to smash the car's windows and rescue the animals.

'The car was like an oven. If not found in time, they wouldn't be alive,' RSPCA inspector Ben Newman said.

Two dogs have been rescued after spending hours inside a family car parked outside Wet'n'Wild on the Gold Coast

Confronting footage shows one dog lying on its side and panting desperately in the back seat.

Another was also seen pulled from the car and given water immediately.

Mr Newman said one of the dogs wasn't showing any signs of life.

'It was panting and laying down on its side, not responding,' he said.

'That's when the decision was made to enter the vehicle due to concerns about the dog's imminent welfare.'

Both dogs were checked over by a vet and were found to have no other obvious signs of health issues other than heat stroke.

'These dogs were very lucky to survive,' Mr Newman said.

Police were forced to smash a window of the family car after attempts to locate the owners were futile

'We're incredibly thankful to the members of the public for reporting these cases to us so we can help the dogs in time.'

Police had received a call from a member of the public who spotted the dogs trapped inside the car.

Despite calls over the theme park's loudspeaker, the owners didn't show up until after police freed the dogs.

No charges were laid against the owners and the two dogs were handed back to them.

'We gave them a slap on the wrist on this occasion as there's no history of them offending previously,' Mr Newman said.

'They were super remorseful.'
Vladimir Putin will nominate his chosen successor this year rather than risk being toppled as the Russian President's popularity continues to plummet amid a series of military defeats in Ukraine, his former ally has claimed.

Putin will seek to hand over power to a chosen heir and retire to his 1billion Black Sea 'palace' rather than risk the ignominious fate of toppled tyrants like Muammar Gaddafi, said Abbas Gallyamov, Putin's former speechwriter.

The Russian leader will seek to give up power to a technocrat successor who could negotiate an end to the war with Ukraine and the West, and probably not fight the 2024 election, he told Khodorkovsky Live YouTube channel.

Gallyamov said the despot will likely nominate a 'trusted underling' as president - like the Mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, or his deputy chief of staff Dmitry Kozak.

Vladimir Putin will nominate his chosen successor this year rather than risk being toppled as the Russian President's popularity continues to plummet amid a series of military defeats in Ukraine, his former ally has claimed

Gallyamov said the despot will likely nominate a 'trusted underling' as president - like the Mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin (right), Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, or his deputy chief of staff Dmitry Kozak (left)

Putin will seek to give up power to a technocrat successor - such as PM Mikhail Mishustin (pictured) - who could negotiate an end to the war with Ukraine and the West, and probably not fight the 2024 election, he told Khodorkovsky Live YouTube channel

Abbas Gallyamov, Putin's former speechwriter

Putin's circle no longer see him as a 'guarantor of stability' and are alarmed by the rise of Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the well-armed Wagner private army, which is so far loyal to the Kremlin but could turn on an elite seen as failing in the war, Gallyamov said.

They fear being slaughtered with Prigozhin's sledgehammer - the extrajudicial punishment given to his jail convict soldiers who refuse to fight or seek to defect to Ukraine.

One of Prigozhin's former Wagner mercenaries, who changed sides in the Ukraine war, Yevgeny Nuzhin, 55, had his head taped to a brick wall and was beaten to death with a sledgehammer in November when he was captured by his former colleagues.

Prigozhin praised the defector's execution and said that a 'dog receives a dog's death' in response to the video of Nuzhin being bludgeoned to death.

Since Putin's war began, Putin's allies like Prigozhin and Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov have begun jockeying for power and prominence, suggesting that they could one day want to supplant him.

It comes as Putin was accused of 'driving his own people to slaughter by the thousands' in his drive to secure the key settlement of Soledar in eastern Ukraine.

Putin has seen his popularity plummet after his army has seen a series of devastating losses on the battlefield.

Gallyamov said: 'The apparatus looks at Prigozhin and stops seeing Putin as guarantor of their stability.

'The whole apparatus sits in horror, looking at Prigozhin and being scared that [his forces] will come after them. They personally fear his sledgehammer.'

Putin's circle no longer see him as a 'guarantor of stability' and are alarmed by the rise of Yevgeny Prigozhin (pictured), head of the well-armed Wagner private army, which is so far loyal to the Kremlin but could turn on an elite seen as failing in the war, Gallyamov said

This still taken from a video published on Telegram shows Yevgeny Nuzhin moments before his brutal extrajudicial murder by pro-Putin Wagner private military company

Ukrainian servicemen fire a 120mm mortar towards Russian positions at the frontline near Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine on Wednesday

If Putin seeks nomination for yet another term - he has been president or PM since 1999 - he 'might really slip and fail to be elected'.

Gallyamov warned: 'He would try to rig the elections, [but it is] fraught with revolution. This is far too big of a risk for the system.'

He is likely to nominate a trusted underling as president - like Mayor of Moscow Sergey Sobyanin, or premier Mikhail Mishustin, or his uber-loyist deputy chief of staff Dmitry Kozak, Gallyamov said.

'Such people can really win the election,' he said. 'Yes, then they will have to negotiate with Ukraine, with the West, and break the deadlock within the system.'

Yet 'for Putin, this is a good option, compared with Gaddafi,' he said.

'At least Putin will have guarantees of personal security.'

Current laws mean he would be a 'senator for life'.

'He will get the opportunity to end his days calmly in [his] palace in Gelendzhik,' Gallyamov said.

Images of the controversial 1 billion Black Sea mansion were revealed by opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, now seriously ill in solitary confinement in a grim Russian jail.

Images of the controversial 1 billion Black Sea mansion were revealed by opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, now seriously ill in solitary confinement in a grim Russian jail

The palace boasts a vineyard and a 'striptease' room known as a 'hookah' with a stage and performer's pole.

It includes a '16-storey underground complex' compared with the lair of a James Bond villain.

It was also described as 'a whole anthill in the rock under the house'.

An engineer turned whistle-blower who reportedly worked on the construction - named only as Viktor - thought of the palace as a 'national treasure' suggesting the underground passageways buried in the rock were more ingenious than Dr No's bunker.

The palace designs included on the eighth subterranean floor 'a balcony - literally a loggia hanging over the sea' built into the cliff, from which the owner can enjoy wine tasting from the palace stocks, he said.

Evidently stung by the revelations, Putin's oligarch crony Arkady Rotenberg claimed unconvincingly that the palace - guarded by Kremlin security operatives - belonged to him rather than Putin.
A majority of Brits want an immediate ban on cigarette sales, according to a shock poll today.

Research for MailOnline found that 52 per cent would support an 'outright' block on buying them - with 31 per cent backing it 'strongly'.

Just 24 per cent were against the move in the survey by Redfield & Wilton Strategies, despite criticism that it would remove people's right to choose.

Sentiment in favour of phasing out of cigarettes was even greater, with 71 per cent endorsing a policy such as that being introduced in New Zealand. That will mean no-one born after 2008 can buy tobacco.

Only a tenth opposed the idea, according to the poll.

The findings could fuel the belief of some MPs and health experts that public opinion is approaching a 'tipping point', similar to when the UK ban on smoking in pubs, bars and restaurants was introduced in 2006 and 2007.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting revealed at the weekend that Labour will consult on phasing out the sale of cigarettes as part of 'fresh radical thinking' to ease pressures on the NHS.

Research for MailOnline found that 52 per cent would support an 'outright' block on buying them - with 31 per cent backing it 'strongly'

Sentiment in favour of phasing out of cigarettes was even greater, with 71 per cent endorsing a policy such as that being introduced in New Zealand

In what is believed to be the first such legislation in the world, New Zealand is set to bring in a cut-off point for buying tobacco based on year of birth.

The annually rising legal smoking age is aimed at preventing the country's next generation from ever taking up smoking.

Mr Streeting said he was 'genuinely curious' about how the New Zealand law, which is being accompanied by a range of other measures to make smoking less affordable and accessible, will work.

A Government-commissioned independent review published this summer recommended increasing the legal smoking age from 18 by one year every year.

Ministers have previously set an objective for England to be smokefree by 2030.

Smoking rates in the UK have fallen from about half of the population in the 1970s to around just 15 per cent now.

But use was found to have increased by 25 per cent among the under-30s in England during the Covid pandemic, the equivalent of more than 600,000 new smokers.

According to estimates by the Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) charity, the annual costs to the NHS of treating illnesses associated with smoking is 2.4 billion.

They have also estimated further billions of pounds' worth of costs to social care and wider society.

The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that tobacco duties will raise 10.7billion in 2022-23.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said Labour would consult on phasing out the sale of cigarettes as part of 'fresh radical thinking' to ease pressures on the NHS

Smoking has steadily decreased since 1974, with around 15 per cent of the UK population smoking in 2019
Former United States President Donald Trump is reportedly looking for a running mate to shore up support for his 2024 Presidential Campaign. He is allegedly looking through binders filled with Make America Great Again (MAGA) women.

Instead of choosing someone who would be considered a safe and convention option, the Republican businessman is geared up to pair with a loyalist. Unlike former Vice President Mike Pence, this running mate would be willing to walk with Trump through the controversies he is expected to spark.

Donald Trump's 2024 Running Mate

At the top of the ex-POTUS' list of viable candidates for his 2024 campaign are GOP representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Elise Stefanik. The two Republican lawmakers have been defensive of Trump's stance since he left office after losing the presidency to Democrat Joe Biden.

Despite her long track record of outrageous remarks and incidents, Greene is the most viable option for Trump. The Georgia GOP member, who previously championed Kevin McCarthy during his chaotic speakership run, is one of the biggest fundraisers for the GOP in the House, as per Vanity Fair.

Furthermore, thanks to Greene's speeches at Trump rallies, she has already become a fan favorite among the MAGA faithful. If the former president's plan for his new campaign is to have his running mate lean in simply, then partnering up with the Georgia Republican seems to be the best choice.

On the other hand, Stefanik and her conservative credentials are slightly less solid than Greene's. She was previously a Trump critic in the 2016 election and during the early days of his presidency. Since then, the New York lawmaker remade her brand by zealously linking herself to the former president.

This was evidenced by her becoming the first to support Trump's 2024 campaign after serving as the former president's congressional guard dog during the two times that he was impeached. A third name included in potential running mates for Trump is Tulsi Gabbard, formerly part of the Democratic Party.

Read Also: House Republicans Pass 'Born-Alive' Measure

Shoring Up Support

The situation comes as Trump is planning to hold his first public campaign event for 2023 in South Carolina. His aides are portraying this as the former president's first step into a more public phase of his 2024 presidential run, according to Politico.

The former president is expected to appear in Columbia, South Carolina, in late January for the event. Trump's advisers noted that it would not be a rally but something more "intimate" where he will roll out his leadership operation in a state that hosts a critical early Republican primary contest.

Trump's political influence in Texas, a state where he was once considered a powerhouse, is waning. Roughly two months following his announcement of his 2024 campaign, only a few prominent Texas GOP members have endorsed his bid.

Others are now showing more willingness to defy the former president publicly, an act that seemed taboo shortly after he left office. Disagreement between Trump and other Republicans results from the former president's blaming of abortion restrictions for the GOP's midterm performance, said the Texas Tribune.

Related Article: Joe Biden Classified Documents Update

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Princess Anne is the most popular member of the Royal Family, while Harry's favourability has dropped to an all-time low following the fallout surrounding his memoir, a new poll has found.

A new YouGov survey published yesterday found almost seven in ten people (68 per cent) held a negative view of the Duke of Sussex, with less than a quarter seeing him in a positive light.

Anne, who has not been embroiled in the furore over Harry's book Spare, was the most popular royal.

Harry recorded his lowest ever favourability rating of -44, down from -38 last week, according to the polling organisation. He and his wife Meghan fared even worse among older Brits, who were more likely to hold a 'very negative' view of the Duke and Duchess than they were of scandal-hit Prince Andrew.

Princess Anne is the most popular member of the Royal Family, while Harry's favourability has dropped to an all-time low following the fallout surrounding his memoir, a YouGov poll has found. Harry recorded his lowest ever favourability rating of -44, down from -38 last week

Harry's popularity among young people in Britain sank to a record low in the days leading up to the publication of his bombshell memoir

Members of 'Gen Z' appear to be changing their tune on Prince Harry, with those aged 18-24 having neither a negative nor positive view of the King's youngest son, according to a YouGov survey conducted between January 5 and 6

Air New Zealand takes a swipe at Harry after the airline debunked claims he made in his memoir Advertisement

Among over-65s, 60 per cent said they held a 'very negative' view of Andrew but 69 per cent held the same view of Meghan and 73 per cent of Prince Harry.

Two-fifths (41 per cent) said they believed Harry's motivation for releasing Spare was to make money, while only one in five (21 per cent) thought he wanted to tell 'his side of the story'.

YouGov polled 1,691 British adults on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, and found Princess Anne and the Prince and Princess of Wales scored the most positive overall responses.

Despite recent controversies, the majority of those polled said the Royal Family was good for Britain and wanted to keep it. But the proportion of people who said they were embarrassed by the monarchy rose from 15 per cent in September last year to 21 per cent this week.

Meanwhile, a separate poll for GB News found the public had an overwhelmingly negative view of Harry.

Asked for the word or phrase that first came to mind when thinking about the duke, the most common responses included 'idiot', 'spoilt', 'brat' and 'stupid'.

The People Polling for GB News of 1,160 British adults found only a third said they were currently proud of the Royal Family.

Among 18 to 24-year-olds, only 10 per cent said they were proud of the royals, compared to 59 per cent of over-65s.

Matt Goodwin, a professor of politics at Rutherford College, University of Kent, told GB News the poll's findings suggested Harry's public image had been damaged by the publication of his best-selling book.

He said: 'His publisher might be happy but I suspect his public relations team won't be happy at all.

Harry's popularity among the British public has plunged to a record low while attitudes towards members of his own family including King Charles remain roughly the same

Anne, who has not been embroiled in the furore over Harry's book, was the most popular royal

Meanwhile, a separate poll for GB News found the public had an overwhelmingly negative view of Harry

The Prince and Princess of Wales visiting the Royal Liverpool University Hospital

'To me, this brand looks like it is heading in only one direction: south.'

Commentator and author Jeetendr Sehdev told Forbes.com that the publication of Spare risked being 'brand suicide' for Harry.

He said the book's focus on family 'tantrums' and media coverage risked 'brand fatigue' with an audience more concerned with financial worries and strikes.

Mr Sehdev said the memoir had generated 'overwhelmingly negative sentiment' in traditional and social media on both sides of the Atlantic, and had not changed perceptions of the Royal Family.

He added: 'The problem with Prince Harry is simple; I don't believe his brand is influential, I believe it's imploding.'
He was discharged from hospital earlier this week after being admitted Monday

Bolsonaro flew to Florida just two days before his successor Lula took office

Supporters loyal to Bolsonaro have queued up outside his Florida rental home

Supporters of Jair Bolsonaro are clamoring to see the self-exiled former Brazilian president outside his Florida refuge this week, where he is recovering after being hospitalized with severe stomach pain.

Bolsonaro, a close ally of former US president Donald Trump, flew to Florida rather than attend the January 1 inauguration of his successor Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva after having made allegations about the integrity of October elections.

He was rushed to hospital on January 9, just one day after thousands of his loyal followers swarmed Brasilia, vandalizing the presidential palace and other institutions - which Democrats compared to the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol - but was ultimately discharged on Tuesday.

Brazilians living across the US have since travelled to the sleepy Florida suburb of Kissimmee, lining up on the grass outside their idol's rental home and chanting slogans of support while openly praying for his recovery.

Some families even forwent planned trips to nearby Disney World, choosing instead to queue up opposite Bolsonaro's bolthole in the hopes of getting the slightest glimpse of him.

It comes as dozens of Democratic lawmakers yesterday called on President Joe Biden to revoke Bolsonaro's visa, arguing the United States should not offer refuge to anyone involved in riots against Brazil's newly elected government.

Liliana Martins Monteiro holds her 9-month-old daughter, Louise, as she and other supporters of former Brazilian far-right President Jair Bolsonaro chant slogans, pleading for him to emerge from the home he is staying in at Encore resort at Reunion on January 12, 2023

Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, pray for his health outside his rental house at the Encore Resort at Reunion in Kissimmee, Florida, on January 12, 2023

Nearly one in five Brazilians said they approve of Sunday's capital rampage carried out by backers of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro, according to results of a poll released Wednesday by Atlas Intelligence

Bolsonaro has taken refuge in a Florida rental home while chaos rages in his native Brazil

Isabella, 28, and her husband were among the crowd planning to take their kids to Disney World this week but made a quick change of plans.

On vacation from their home in Washington DC, the family has spent hours outside Bolsonaro's simple, two-storey unit, and Isabella claims even her five-year-old was willing to pass on the allure of Disney's Magic Kingdom in favour of the right-wing politician.

'Even at five they know right from wrong,' she told The Telegraph, contrasting Mr Bolsonaro with Lula, the leftist leader who staged a remarkable comeback from a jail term on corruption charges.

'We had to make an effort to come and they [the kids] wanted to see Bolsonaro,' she said. 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we absolutely love and adore him.'

Supporters were seen chanting their hero's name, while other placed their hands on their chests and recited prayers aloud, hoping for his speedy recovery.

Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, pray for his health outside his rental house at the Encore Resort at Reunion in Kissimmee, Florida

Brazil's former President Jair Bolsonaro is pictured on a hospital bed at an unspecified location in this picture released January 9, 2023

Bolsonaro is pictured eating at a KFC in Florida days before being hospitalized

Meanwhile, 41 Democratic members of the US House of Representatives on Thursday asked the Biden administration to revoke any US visas held by the former president and expel him from the country.

'We know firsthand the impact - both immediate and long-term - when government officials subvert democratic norms, spread misinformation and foment violent extremism,' read the letter.

'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,' it said.

They called on the Biden administration to assess whether Bolsonaro's US visit remains legal, as he may have flown to the United States on a visa for official visitors even though he is no longer president.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, asked at a news conference Wednesday about Bolsonaro's presence, said the United States has not received any requests from Brazil but would respond 'expeditiously' if it does.

'With regard to individuals, we're talking now about people who are private citizens,' Blinken said.

'It's not appropriate for us to comment on any individual's visa status.'

But he said that Biden would work closely with Lula, who is set to visit Washington next month.

'We stand with Brazil's democracy and its institutions,' Blinken said.

Many supporters stood with their hands on their chests and said prayers aloud for Bolsonaro

Michelle Bolsonaro, wife of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, exits their rental house at the Encore Resort at Reunion in Kissimmee, Florida, on January 11, 2023

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gestures during a meeting with parliamentarians at Planalto Palace in Brasilia on January 11, 2023

Former President Jair Bolsonaro was rushed to hospital in Orlando, Florida earlier this week

Bolsonaro poses for a photo while sitting in his hospital room at the Albert Einstein Hospital, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, August 8, 2018. He was stabbed in the abdomen during his presidential campaign

Bolsonaro, in an interview with CNN Brasil, said he had planned to return to his native country by the end of January but will move up his plans for health reasons after being hospitalized earlier this week.

The former president, who seemingly has ongoing issues with his abdomen, was previously admitted to hospital in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in early January 2022 because of a blockage found in his intestines.

He posted an image of himself lying in bed with his thumbs up after being admitted into a ward, telling followers he may have 'surgery for an internal blockage in the abdominal region.'

Bolsonaro, 67, was stabbed in the abdomen during his successful 2018 presidential campaign and has undergone at least four surgeries since.

He lost nearly 40 percent of his blood during the attack four years ago. It's unclear if his latest ailments in Florida are linked to the stabbing.

Supporters of Brazilian former President Jair Bolsonaro invade the National Congress in Brasilia on January 8, 2023

Security forces confront supporters of Brazilian former President Jair Bolsonaro invading Planalto Presidential Palace in Brasilia on January 8, 2023

A Military Police officer falls from his horse during clashes with supporters of Brazilian former President Jair Bolsonaro after an invasion to Planalto Presidential Palace in Brasilia on January 8, 2023

Thousands of Brazilians who support Bolsonaro invaded the Supreme Court, presidential palace and Congress on January 8 in an episode that closely resembled the U.S. Capitol insurrection in 2021.

The groups were able to break through police barricades along the capital Brasilia's main boulevard and storm the buildings, damage furniture, smash windows and destroy artworks.

As they unleashed chaos in the capital, Bolsonaro was holed up in Florida, having left Brazil on New Year's Day just two days before his successor Lula took office.

Restoring order in the Brazilian capital, Brazilian soldiers backed by police on Monday this week dismantled a two-month-old camp opposite the army's headquarters where Bolsonaro supporters had been protesting since his election defeat.

Some 1,200 people from the camp were detained for questioning on Monday, authorities said, after about 300 arrests were made on Sunday, the day of the riots.

Lula, who was back at work at the ransacked Planalto palace, met with his defense minister and commanders of the armed forces to discuss the violence.

Speaking later to the country's governors, Lula stepped up his criticism of the Brazilian military for tolerating demonstrations at their gates calling for a coup since Bolsonaro lost the election.

'People were openly calling for a coup outside the barracks, and nothing was done. No general lifted a finger to tell them they could not do that,' the 77-year-old president said.

He accused some security forces of being complicit with rioters.
A woman has been accused of cutting off her trumpet-playing husband's penis and leaving a knife buried in the dead man's eyeball in Argentina.

Florencia Amado Cattaneo, 41, has now been seized by police for the horrific alleged murder, and sent for psychiatric assessment.

Victim Pedro Federico Zarate's body was reportedly found at the couple's flat in Altos de San Lorenzo with the knife embedded in his eye, and his genitals mutilated.

Cattaneo - a psychologist - was arrested on 11th January after fleeing to her mother's house in a taxi 'with bloodstains on her hands', her sister Patricia told local media.

Florencia Amado Cattaneo (pictured right with her husband on her shoulder) has been accused of cutting off her trumpet-playing husband's penis and leaving a knife buried in his eye. The body of victim Pedro Federico Zarate (left and far-right) was reportedly found at the couple's flat in Altos de San Lorenzo

Her 50-year-old husband's body was found by his sister-in-law on the bed at the apartment he shared with his wife and five-year-old son.

He had stab wounds all over his body, including his chest, and his genitals were mutilated, according to local media reports.

Amado Cattaneo has been admitted to the psychiatric ward of a medical centre in La Plata, where she will undergo tests. If she is ruled mentally incompetent, she will not go on trial, say investigators and the Prosecutor's Office.

Footage from the police station as Cattaneo arrived showed her being helped forward by officers with a grimace on her face, local reports said.

Local news said despite her being taken to the station on a warm night, she was picture wearing a jacket over the top of her dress.

Amado Cattaneo (left) - a psychologist - was arrested on 11th January after fleeing to her mother's house 'with bloodstains on her hands', her sister told local media. She has been accused of killing her husband Pedro Zarate (right)

Pedro, 47, was a trumpet player and a music producer. He had worked at the Estacion Provincial cultural centre in La Plata since 2006.

A native of Cordoba, he had married Amado Cattaneo in 2017.

Citing neighbours, local reports said the couple have a five-year-old son and had been together for over a decade.

Cattaneo had been employed by the General Directorate of Culture and Education of the Province of Buenos Aires since 2012.
A man who set fire to 20 vehicles causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage has been jailed for three years.

Daniel Cron, 26, was sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty to 21 counts of arson - comprising 20 vehicles and a fence - at a previous hearing.

Cron, along with an as yet unidentified man, set fire to both private and commercial vehicles in the Bradley Stoke and Stoke Gifford areas of south Gloucestershire in the early hours of April 3 last year.

A large number of the vehicles were minibuses which belonged to a community group which provided transport services for vulnerable adults and children.

Daniel Cron (pictured), 26, was sentenced to three years in prison having pleaded guilty to 21 counts of arson - comprising 20 vehicles and a fence - at a previous hearing

A Rolls-Royce car park was among the targets as up to 40 cars were set on fire in a single night of chaos in south Gloucestershire

Around 80 luxury boats worth millions of pounds are destroyed as blaze tears through port storage facility in Marbella Advertisement

Following the incident, detectives appealed for the public's help to identify CCTV footage which could aid their investigation.

Dozens of people submitted footage from their private CCTV, doorbell cameras and dashcam.

Using the footage, officers then tracked Cron and the other man as he set fire to the vehicles over a three-and-a-half-hour period.

Cron, of Filton, Gloucestershire, appeared at Bristol Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday.

Inspector Steve Davey, of Operation Remedy, said: 'Cron has never offered any explanation for his actions and it was only by sheer luck that nobody was seriously injured or killed.

'While no one was hurt, vulnerable members of the community lost a vital transport resource while the community group which owned the minibuses along with other motorists suffered a significant financial hit and the inconvenience of replacing their vehicles.'

He added: 'We're extremely grateful for the support we received from the public following our appeals.

'Their help in providing us with footage saved a lot of valuable police time and enabled us to quickly put together a route Cron and the other man took and provided the evidence we needed to secure this conviction.'

Bradley Stoke mayor and town council spokesman Tom Aditya previously said the 'appalling and shameful' attacks were 'unheard' of in the town.

Video grab of the arson of multiple vehicles by Daniel Cron in the Bradley Stoke and Stoke Gifford areas of South Gloucestershire in the early hours of April 3 last year

Police said they were first called to a car fire in Stoke Gifford in the early hours of April 3 last year, with others later attacked in Bradley Stoke (pictured), Little Stoke and Patchway

Following the incident, detectives appealed for the public's help to identify CCTV footage which could aid their investigation

Vans were damaged in Bradley Stoke (pictured), exploding fuel tanks are reported to have woken up residents

The first call came in at around 1.30am on Sunday April 3, reporting a vehicle fire in New Road, Stoke Gifford.

By 5.30am there were further reports, with up to 20 vehicles set alight in locations across Bradley Stoke, Little Stoke and Stoke Gifford.

At about 3.45am more vehicles were on fire in a car park at Rolls Royce, Filton. Around 20 vehicles there were damaged as the fire spread.

Residents were awoken to the sound of the vehicles' fuel tanks exploding.
Footage shows one woman getting out of her car and screaming at the other

The victim can be heard screaming inside her car as she is jolted forward

Video shows the woman driving her silver Toyota into the back of a parked black Ford at the Applegreen petrol station in Duleek, Co. Meath in Ireland

It's often hard to keep calm whilst driving, but a woman in Ireland took her road rage to the next level after she was caught ramming her vehicle into the car in front at a petrol station in Ireland.

Video shows the furious woman driving her silver Toyota, at speed, into the back of a female driver's parked black Ford at the Applegreen petrol station in Duleek, County Meath on Tuesday morning at around 9.40am.

The furious woman then got out of her car and screamed a torrent of abuse at the other driver before throwing a can of coke at her windscreen.

The can caused no damage and the aggressor angrily stomped back to her car.

WARNING: The below video contains swearing

 Road rage 

Footage emerges of a road rage incident in a petrol station  Follow us for more videos and share 

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Crd: Eddie Jones#Ireland #RoadRage pic.twitter.com/fTcDqqRUPp  TheLiberal.ie (@TheLiberal_ie) January 11, 2023

Video shows the woman driving her silver Toyota, at speed, into the back of the parked black Ford at the Applegreen petrol station in Duleek, County Meath

The victim can be heard screaming inside her car as she is jolted forward from the impact (left). Footage shows the woman reversing her Toyota, with its number plate now hanging precariously off the damaged bumper, backwards again before driving forwards and parking next to the victim's car (right)

The woman, wearing a purple raincoat, gets out of her car while screaming at the other female driver, before throwing a drink at the black Ford at the petrol station

The footage begins with the woman driving her car into the back of the black Ford and the victim can be heard screaming as she is jolted forward with the impact.

The woman then reverses back her Toyota, with its number plate hanging off the damaged bumper, and for a moment it appears as though she might try to ram the car in front again.

Instead she drives forwards and parks next to the victim's car.

The woman, wearing a purple raincoat, gets out of her car while screaming abuse at the female driver. In her fit of anger, she throws a drink at the woman's car.

She can be heard screaming: 'I hope you still have the Gardai on your phone. You f***ing horrible b***h.'

The woman then leans down to the victim's car window and shouts again: 'You horrible b***h'.

She can be heard screaming: 'I hope you still have the Gardai on your phone. You f***ing horrible b***h'

The victim, who remained inside her car throughout the bizarre ordeal, can be seen calling someone on the phone as the other woman screamed at her.

The woman is then goes back to her own car before the footage cuts out.

It is not clear what started the incident, and when the footage was filmed.

An Applegreen spokesman told MailOnline: 'This incident is a matter for the Gardai, and as such, we cannot make any further comment.'

The Gardai told MailOnline: 'Gardai are investigating a two-vehicle road traffic collision that occurred at a commercial premises on the R152 near Duleek, Co. Meath at approximately 9:40am on Tuesday 10th January 2023. No injuries were reported. Enquiries are ongoing.'
A cheeky on-the-run stalking suspect 'with hair like Sideshow Bob' has moaned to police over the mugshot they have used of him after being ruthlessly ridiculed online for his messy barnet.

Bailey Gover is being hunted by Greater Manchester Police over 'for stalking... and malicious communications offences'.

And on Wednesday, officers released a mugshot of him on Facebook - which sparked a social media storm with people mercilessly mocking him over his messy hair.

Now audacious Gover - who turned 20 today - has pestered police begging them to swap his photo after people compared his out-of-control mop to an alpaca, a sheep and famed Simpsons clown Sideshow Bob, played by Fraser star, Kelsey Grammer.

'You look like Sideshow Bob': Bailey Gover has been ruthlessly mocked by the public for his messy mop of hair after it was posted in a police mug shot of him on Wednesday

Posting on the police 'wanted' appeal on Facebook, Gover from Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, wrote: 'Use have better pictures of me - no need to do me like that.'

In another mocking post, the 20-year-old added: 'Use could of put up a better picture of me. WTF is this?'

Gover's posts sparked ridicule with Facebook users comparing him to various animals and shamed music mogul Phil Spector.

Paul Trenbath said: 'I wondered where that birds nest in our tree had gone now I know he's even robbed that.'

Chris Boaler added: 'Look behind the hedges, looks like he's been dragged through one backwards!'

Defiant: Gover, 20, has trolled police online by commenting on a wanted appeal about himself begging them to swap his mugshot

Martin Robinson quipped: 'I wouldn't bother looking in the barbers.'

While another person said: 'Last seen in the local park with a sparrow, magpie and hawk nestling on his head.'

Greater Manchester Police said Gover who has links with neighbouring Stalybidge is also wanted in connection with a malicious communication offence.

MailOnline has approached GMP for comment on Gover's online activity.

Anybody with information regarding the whereabouts of Gover is asked to contact GMP on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
A babysitter who put a toddler's hands in a pot of boiling water causing third degree burns has been jailed for five years.

Jaycob Anfernee John Yarran, 25, claimed that the two-year-old girl had knocked over a bowl of instant noodles causing the injury at a home in Maddington, in Perth's south-east in September, 2019.

But Perth District Court found him guilty of causing grievous bodily harm last year after a trial.

Judge Alan Young said in sentencing this week while Yarran might have been legitimately boiling water that day, he opportunistically used it to take his anger out on the child while minding her and her four-year-old sister.

Instead of calling an ambulance, the court heard Yarran ran the girl's hands under cold water and called his girlfriend - a relative of the children - who then drove her to hospital.

Perth man Jaycob Yarran (pictured) was sentenced to a minimum three years jail for the 2019 attack that left a two-year-old girl with third degree burns

'She was exceptionally vulnerable. I find you must have known how painful it would have been you used boiling water as a weapon,' Judge Young said, Nine News reported.

'You show no remorse and didn't call an ambulance to protect yourself.'

The court heard the girl suffers nightmares - screaming 'don't touch me' - and still needs ongoing skin grafts and scar stretching years later.

A burns specialist gave evidence at the trial that she had never seen burns as deep as those suffered by the girl in her career.

The injuries were so bad the girl has permanently lost three of her fingernails.

Judge Young said the offending was extremely serious and sentenced him to five years jail with a non-parole period of three years.

The girl's grandfather told reporters outside court the sentence should have been harsher.

'He'll be out in a few years and my granddaughter will be scarred for life,' he said.

A family member of Yarran yelled that they would appeal the sentence as he was led from the courtroom.
A young nurse has defied miraculous odds after a lesion was found on her brain

A young nurse has defied incredible odds after doctors told her a lesion found on her brain nearly three years ago would strip her of her ability to walk, talk and smile.

Tori Dent, from Queensland, was just 25-years-old when she started experiencing dizzy spells after holidaying on a cruise with friends in March 2020.

Initially chalking the spells up to vertigo, Ms Dent started to worry when her balance continued to deteriorate to the point she couldn't walk without help.

She took herself to Logan Hospital in Brisbane's south, where she worked, for a Covid test, only for it to come back negative.

Ms Dent then received a brain scan which revealed she had been battling a brain tumour lesion - an area of damaged tissue which can be cancerous or benign, but dangerous pending on their size and location.

A young woman from Queensland, Tori Dent (pictured), has defied incredible odds after doctors said a brain lesion would leave her unable to walk, talk or smile ever again

Even though doctors initially believed the lesion was inoperable, Ms Dent remained unfazed by the diagnosis.

'My little sister came into the room crying, and I was like ''I'm fine, stop crying'',' she told A Current Affair.

As the lesion rapidly grew, doctors decided to gamble on a surgery which saw 80 per cent of the growth removed.

However, more bad news was yet to come.

'Within a month after surgery, it grew to 5.2 centimetres,' Ms Dent said.

The regrowth left Ms Dent unable to walk, talk or swallow, and placed in the ICU for months until her condition stabilised.

Ms Dent was just 25-years-old when she first experienced dizzy spells after holidaying on a cruise with friends in March 2020, initially chalking it up as sea legs or Covid

She then had to relearn how to complete basic tasks like walking and talking, and after 14 months of rehabilitation she was back on her feet and able to return home.

But for Ms Dent her biggest goal is trying to smile.

'It's your identity and I feel as though I've partially lost mine,' she said.

Her brain injury has left her with facial palsy on her left side meaning the muscles are much weaker, while her left vocal cord no longer works.

Despite spending months in a hospital bed, the young nurse's positivity never faltered.

'The fact that she kept her personality through the whole experience, and she was still Tori. That was the reassurance that kept everyone going, even herself,' her friend Casey Rose told the program.

An MRI showed Ms Dent had an abnormal growth on her brain

After an initially successful surgery, the lesion rapidly grew back and left her in the ICU unable to walk, talk or swallow (pictured)

Nearly three years after the initial diagnosis, Ms Dent is still receiving daily strength training and rehab.

She also tapes her face to help train the muscles to stay in place.

Incredibly, her lesion has shrunk to a point where it is now smaller then when it was first discovered.

'I wasn't meant to recover, but because I have the way I have, he [the doctor] expects it to continue,' she said.

'I love hearing that.

'I'm getting better. I don't really care what anybody else says, I know I'm getting better.'

Ms Dent has become an inspiration for many as she fearlessly documents her progress on social media.

She has since attended weddings, parties and even shown off her progress by riding a mechanical bull.

'I'm stoked. It makes me think that maybe, just maybe, I can get close to what I was before,' she said.
A man who threw an egg at the King during a royal walkabout has pleaded guilty to the charge, saying he did it because he thought the monarch's visit to the 'poor area' was in 'bad taste'.

Harry Spartacus May, 21, hurled an egg at King Charles III as he met members of the public in Luton on December 6.

The monarch was in Luton to visit its newly-built Guru Nanak Gurdwara and town hall when May hurled the projectile in his direction as a large crowd flocked to greet him, the court heard.

The egg, which May said was not intended to hit the monarch, landed on the ground nearby as members of Charles's security ushered him away.

Harry Spartacus May pleaded guilty to throwing an egg at the King during a royal walkabout in December

May hurled an egg at King Charles III as he met members of the public in Luton last month

Today, May pleaded guilty to a Section 5 public order offence relating to the incident.

Prosecutor Jason Seetal said police who detained May after seeing him hurl a projectile towards the monarch, which landed on the floor nearby as the King spoke with members of the public, found a soup tin in his jacket containing a second egg, which he also planned to throw.

Mr Seetal said when police interviewed him, he told them 'he did this because he believed the King visiting a town like Luton, which is a deprived and poor area, was in bad taste and he wanted to make a point of this'.

The prosecutor told the court: 'There had been a large crowd of members of the public there to greet King Charles III.

'As he exited a vehicle, he's gone to greet members of the public, shaking hands and having a few brief conversations as he moved along the line.

'Within that crowd that had gone to greet him was Harry May.'

May was later confronted by a police officer who asked what he had thrown, to which he replied: 'An egg.'

He sat in the dock wearing glasses and a navy jacket as his defence lawyer, Alex Benn, told the court he 'deeply regrets' his actions.

The 74 year-old monarch appeared unfazed and was quickly steered away by bodyguards

Prosecutor Jason Seetal said when officers interviewed May, he told them 'he did this because he believed the King visiting a town like Luton... was in bad taste'

Today, May pleaded guilty to a Section 5 public order offence relating to the incident on December 6

In York on November 9 the King and Queen Consort had four eggs thrown at them, all of which missed

Mx Benn described May as a 'committed and family-oriented person' who dedicates his time to caring for his elderly grandfather and sister.

'He cares deeply about his local community, especially the poverty that exists in certain areas of Luton,'

Mx Benn said, adding: 'That is some context and some explanation.'

Addressing May, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring said: 'Whatever disagreement you have with somebody, the way to resolve it is not to throw projectiles at them.'

Mr Goldspring rejected a claim from May's mother that he 'was not really aware' hurling an object in the direction of a public figure may cause them 'fear'.

But he added: 'She does go on, and I accept, that you expressed your regret at home.

'I also accept you weren't trying to hit His Majesty with the egg. But you planned it and you planned to do it again otherwise why take two?

'You targeted somebody. It doesn't matter the reasons why.' May, of Moreton Road, South Luton, was fined 100 and ordered to pay 85 in costs.
It also reopened investigations into 119 buried reports from the past 17 years

US authorities say they have collected hundreds of reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs), many of which are flying in sensitive military airspace, according to a newly declassified intelligence summary.

Last year the Pentagon opened the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office - a department whose sole focus is to analyze reports of what it calls 'unidentified aerial phenomena' (UAPs), many of which are made by military pilots.

A summary of the report released on Thursday claimed the office had received 510 reports of UFOs, many of which 'occur in restricted or sensitive airspace, highlighting possible concerns for safety of flight or adversary collection activity', the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said.

The 510 objects include 144 previously reported and 366 new reports. Of these new reports, 247 had been filed since June 2021, while another 119 reports were buried in old records from the past 17 years which have since been unearthed.

In both the old and new cases, the majority of UFOs were determined to have exhibited 'unremarkable characteristics' upon analysis, and could be characterized as unmanned aircraft systems or balloon-like objects, the report said.

But more than 200 of the sightings remain unexplained.

Commander David Fravor witnessed a tic tac-shaped object perform extraordinary aerial maneuvers that no known human technology is capable of in November 2004

Footage of the incident leaked in 2017, prompting calls for the Department of Defense and the intelligence services to declassify reports of credible UFO sightings. Former US Navy pilot Fravor said the UFO was unlike anything else he ever encountered

Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Scott Bray plays a video of an 'unidentified aerial phenomena,' commonly referred to as UFOs, during a hearing before a subcommittee of the House Intelligence Committee on the phenomena in the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 17 May 2022

There have been many reports of UFOs made by credible sources in recent years, including several submitted by US Navy and air force pilots who claim to have witnessed unidentifiable crafts moving in extraordinary ways, both on radar systems and with their own eyes.

One of the most notorious UFO sightings was described by former Navy pilot Lt. Ryan Graves, who said he and several members of his squadron personally encountered UFOs in the skies over the East Coast on an almost daily basis for months in 2014 and 2015.

Graves claimed several pilots had narrowly avoided collisions with the UFOs, and said on one occasion an object passed by the cockpit of his F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter jet at such close range he clearly observed a 'sphere encasing a cube'.

Meanwhile Cmdr. David Fravor, another retired Navy pilot, said he and his flight team personally had an inexplicable encounter with a tic-tac-shaped UFO over the Pacific in 2004.

Former Navy Lieutenant Ryan Graves says he and other members of his F/A-18 fighter squadron detected strange, maneuverable and unidentified objects off the East Coast on a daily basis for months

In both cases, the pilots said their UFOs exhibited capabilities that seemed to defy the laws of physics.

They could travel exceptional distances in the blink of an eye, accelerating and slowing at speeds far in advance of what any known human technology can achieve, and could also hover in place irrespective of wind currents and inclement weather conditions.

What's more, the UFOs performed these incredible maneuvers without any discernable thrust mechanism or exhaust plume, and were also capable of intercepting Navy communications.

Commander David Fravor (pictured on the Lex Fridman Podcast) and several of his fellow pilots personally witnessed UFOs over the Pacific

The 'Pyramid' UFO, filmed by the US Navy in 2019, is one of hundreds of inexplicable UFO sightings in recent years

Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Scott Bray, left, and Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security Ronald Moultrie, speak during a hearing on 'Unidentified Aerial Phenomena,' on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 17, 2022, in Washington. It was the first public hearing on UFOs on Capitol Hill since the 1960s

Last year, the Pentagon showed Congress several declassified videos and images of UFOs

The DoD and intelligence services refused to address UFO sightings for years until interest began to gather pace when footage of Fravor's UFO was leaked in 2017.

Fravor's clip was declassified in 2021 and the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office for investigating UFO reports was created a year later.

The main focus of examinations by the Pentagon, US intelligence agencies, and NASA arises from concerns that UFOs could in fact be technologies of strategic rivals unknown to US scientists, rather than alien spacecraft.

'UAP continue to represent a hazard to flight safety and pose a possible adversary collection threat,' the report said.

'Some of these uncharacterized UAP appear to have demonstrated unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities, and require further analysis,' it said.

The report insisted many of the still unexplained sightings of UFOs could stem from weather phenomena, faulty sensors, or erroneous analysis by humans.

But this doesn't wash with the numerous corroborating accounts given by decorated military pilots, all of whom gave very similar descriptions of their encounters with crafts exhibiting capabilities far in advance of any known human technology.
The US Attorney General appointed a special counsel to examine Joe Biden's handling of sensitive government documents on Thursday evening, following the discovery of a second stash of documents in the president's garage next to his Corvette.

Merrick Garland stated that "extraordinary circumstances" necessitated an independent investigation, which would be overseen by Robert Hur, the former Maryland US attorney chosen by Donald Trump.

Joe Biden Classified Documents Scandal

Biden told White House reporters yesterday that he was "completely participating" in a Justice Department probe into the storage of sensitive material and official documents. On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the documents had been "inadvertently misplaced."

The discovery, the second this week, was found in Biden's garage in Wilmington, Delaware, adjacent to his beloved 1960 Chevrolet Corvette, by Biden's attorneys. Ten classified documents, including sensitive data about the United Kingdom in the lead-up to Brexit, dating from when he was vice president, were discovered in his office at a Washington think tank.

Garland said that the second batch was discovered on December 20, a month after the first, but knowledge of the discovery was not made public until this week.

The discovery that Biden may have improperly handled secret or presidential materials is a political issue for the 80-year-old, who earlier dubbed former president Donald Trump "irresponsible" for storing hundreds of such records at his Florida private club.

Unprecedentedly, the two potential rivals for the 2024 presidential race now face probes from special prosecutors. New Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, who previously referred to a comparable inquiry against Donald Trump as a political witch hunt, has stated that the Justice Department's treatment of Joe Biden and Donald Trump must be "equal" and has led demands for an official investigation.

The White House Counsel's Office conducted a search of Biden's Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Wilmington, Delaware, residences this week after the release of the initial papers. After discovering the records in the Wilmington garage, White House attorneys claim they promptly alerted the Department of Justice.

There needs to be evidence as to the content of the documents or if Biden or anybody else read them after he left as vice president. According to the White House, no papers were discovered at Biden's Rehoboth Beach property. The Biden administration has also arranged for the records to be sent to the DOJ.

The Wilmington records are the second cache of secret documents from the Obama administration. The first collection was discovered at the Washington headquarters of the Biden-aligned Penn Biden Center. On Thursday, Biden and Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy argued over the second tranche of documents.

The finding recalls news reports from the previous year that former President Donald Trump kept a cache of confidential materials at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida after leaving office. In the end, the FBI raided his home to seize over 300 classified documents.

Read Also: Elon Musk Reacts About Russiagate Conspiracy Theory

Who Is Rober Hurr?

Garland announced Robert Hur's appointment during a news event. He promised that Hur would be provided with all the resources necessary to investigate Biden. From 2007 through 2014, Hur worked as an assistant US attorney for the District of Maryland. In 2018, then-President Donald Trump chose and confirmed Hur to serve as US attorney for the District of Maryland. In 2021, he quit this role.

Since quitting his role as a top federal law enforcement officer for the District of Maryland in 2021, Hur has been privately practicing law. The response of legislators has varied by the party. The Republicans are seeking explanations about the confidential documents, while a Democrat has indicated that the documents were maybe planted.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) stated Thursday that he does not believe a special counsel is warranted and that Congress will investigate the allegedly mishandled materials. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) adopted a distinct tone while discussing the secret materials. According to his statement to Fox News reporter Hilary Vaughn, he believes the documents were placed on Biden.

Related Article: Findings About Joe Biden Classified Documents

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Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to support Rishi Sunak if he does a deal with the EU over Northern Ireland - and urged him to ignore the 'Brexit purity cult' of hardline eurosceptic Tories.

On a visit to Ulster the Labour leader said he was willing to provide 'whatever political cover you need' to end years of wrangling over trade.

Speaking at Queen's University in Belfast, Sir Keir said it was time for Rishi Sunak to face down hardliners in the Tory European Research Group (ERG) if they try to block a deal.

'Whatever political cover you need, whatever mechanisms in Westminster you require, if it delivers for our national interest and the people of Northern Ireland, we will support you,' he said in a message to the Prime Minister.

'The time for action on the protocol is now. The time to stand up to the ERG is now. The time to put Northern Ireland above a Brexit purity cult, which could never be satisfied, is now.'

On a visit to Ulster the Labour leader said he was willing to provide 'whatever political cover you need' to end years of wrangling over trade

Speaking at Queen's University in Belfast, Sir Keir said it was time for Rishi Sunak (pictured today in Scotland) to face down hardliners in the Tory European Research Group (ERG) if they try to block a deal.

Sir Keir is in Northern Ireland meeting local political leaders amid hopes that a deal can finally be struck before then 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

The protocol was struck by the then prime minister Mr Johnson and the EU in 2019 as a means to unlock the deadlock on delivering Brexit.

In order to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, it moved customs and food safety checks and process to the Irish Sea, creating economic and administrative barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The protocol is vehemently opposed by many unionists and the DUP is currently blocking the functioning of a devolved government in Belfast in protest at the arrangements.

The regions main unionist party claims the protocol has undermined Northern Irelands place within the Union without the consent of the unionist community.

Sir Keir urged the UK Government to 'normalise and strengthen' relations with the Irish Government in a speech at Queen's University Belfast.

Sir Keir called for a 'change of direction from the Prime Minister', telling the audience: 'The British government must normalise and strengthen relationships with Dublin.

'Honestly, relations should never have been this strained. Brexit was a rupture in the UK's diplomatic stance, a call to change in every area of our society, which had to be recognised. I've been very clear about this. My government will make it work.'

He said that 'nothing has been more self-defeating than the determination of some Conservative ministers to see our friends in Dublin as adversaries on Brexit. That has damaged the political process here in Northern Ireland, no question.

'It's certainly not the spirit of 1998.'

A No 10 spokesman ministers were still working with Brussels to resolve the outstanding issues.

'We continue to work closely with our EU counterparts. It remains our ambition to try to reach an agreement as soon as we can with the EU,' the spokesman said.

'As the Prime Minister said before, of course he wants to have a broad range of agreement over the issues we know the protocol is facing.'
The caretakers responsible for missing Oklahoma toddler Athena Brownfield were arrested yesterday on charges of child neglect, as the search for the child continued.

Athena, four, has been missing since at least Tuesday, when a postal worker found her older, five-year-old sister, wandering around outside alone near their home in Cyril, Oklahoma.

Alysia Adams, 30, and her husband Ivon were responsible for looking after the girls.

The pair were arrested separately on Thursday; Alysia was taken into custody in Oklahoma, while Ivon was arrested in Arizona. The pair are not thought to have been together when the child went missing.

Alysia Adams, 30, and her husband Ivon were responsible for looking after the girls when Athena vanished. Both have been charged with child neglect

Four-year-old Athena Brownfield has been missing since at least Tuesday. That's when police realizing she had vanished, after receiving a call from a postal worker who found her sister wandering the streets near their home in Cyril, Oklahoma

Alysia Adams, 30, and her husband Ivon (right) are responsible for looking after the girls. She is now in custody on charges of child neglect - but Athena remains missing

Trash service was suspended in the town of Cyril on Thursday as police looked for 'clues', and a truck from the Adams' home was towed on Thursday night after the caregiver's arrest.

Neighbors told local outlet KFOR that they hadn't seen Alysia since last Thursday.

They noticed a child's trike in the middle of the road, which they said they found strange, but saw no sign of either Athena or her sister.

On Thursday, Adams was booked into county jail on charges of child neglect.

There is still no sign of Athena. Adams' husband has not been arrested.

It remains unclear why the girls were taken into Adams' care, of if there were any other children living in the home.

Part of the police investigation is determining where Athena's biological parents are, and whether they had anything to do with her disappearance, authorities said yesterday.

'Right now our top priority is locating her and sorting out who's responsible will come next.

The home where the child was meant to be living with her sister in Cyril. Neighbors say they haven't seen Alysia since last Thursday

Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers searched lakes near the child's home on Thursday

'But we need to find this little girl,' Brook Arbeitman, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, said.

Athena's five-year-old sister, who has not been named, did not require any medical care when she was found.

She is now in the custody of the state.

The postal worker told police that he quickly realized the child was 'not where she was supposed to be'.

Once he reported finding her, authorities launched an investigation and determined Athena was missing.

It's unclear if Adams or her husband were in the home at the time.
The boyfriend of a woman missing in the Australian outback has filmed himself in a confrontation with police who searched his car as he tried to help look for her.

Angie Fuller, 30, from Alice Springs, was last seen on Tanami Road, 15 kilometres west of the intersection at Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory on Monday.

She was wearing a black Nike singlet and a cream skirt, and police say her family 'hold concerns for her welfare'.

Her boyfriend, a neck-tattooed man who describes himself as a 'sovereign' citizen, filmed his clash with a police officer who'd asked to search his car in the days after her disappearance.

'My car was randomly searched without my permission, without me standing there,' he says in the video.

'The only reason I searched your car is we've got a missing person and you're in the area that we're conducting a search,' the officer responds.

'I'm just trying to figure out why you're here.'

The boyfriend of missing woman Angie Fuller is seen clashing with police as they search his car

The man then tells the officer: 'I have every right to be part of the search.

'Why am I here? You know why I'm here. The missing person is my girlfriend.'

The policeman then calmly tells the man he is investigating whether the car is related to Ms Fuller's disappearance.

NT Police have described Ms Fuller as being of Asian appearance, around 165cm tall, with long black hair that has purple streaks throughout.

Anyone with information on Ms Fuller's whereabouts is urged to contact police on 131 444 or via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
This is the awkward moment the BBC Question Time audience fell silent as they were asked to defend Prince Harry following the fallout from his bitter and controversial tell-all memoir, Spare.

Panellists on the BBC current affairs programme blasted the Duke of Sussex for making a slew of allegations about the Royal Family, including incendiary claims that his estranged brother William attacked him in a bust-up over Meghan, in his media blitz to promote his memoir.

One furious audience member accused the prince of 'hypocritical privilege' to rapturous applause, before host Fiona Bruce asked if anyone from the crowd wanted to defend Harry.

'There must be somebody!', she exclaimed, before a single person came to the Duke's defence. The young woman spoke about racism in Britain, which was met with stony-faced silence.

This is the awkward moment the BBC Question Time audience fell silent as they were asked to defend Prince Harry following the fallout from his memoir, Spare

One furious audience member accused the prince of 'hypocritical privilege' to rapturous applause, before host Fiona Bruce asked if anyone from the crowd wanted to defend Harry

Prince Harry leaving The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in New York City this week

It came after the Prince and Princess of Wales were urged to 'keep going' in the face of Harry's 'truth bombs' as they undertook their first public engagement since the publication of his explosive memoir.

William and Kate were mobbed in Merseyside days after coming under fire in the Duke of Sussex's book.

But on a visit to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital yesterday, patient Sylvia Staniford, 81, gripped Prince William's hand tightly and said: 'Keep going, keep going. Scousers love you.' William smiled at her warmly and replied: 'Yes, I will.'

Mrs Staniford said afterwards: 'Of course that was a reference to Harry. He knew what I was talking about.'

William and Kate met frontline and back-room staff at the hospital, and thanked them for their hard work over the winter period.

They were greeted by huge cheers from hundreds of staff and patients who crowded into the atrium and on balconies.

The Prince and Princess of Wales visiting the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in Liverpool

William and Kate were all smiles yesterday as the Royals reel from Harry's memoir

King Charles visiting Aboyne and Mid-Deeside Community Shed in Aberdeenshire yesterday

Healthcare assistant Anna O'Hara got both William and Kate to pose with her and said afterwards: 'They are so kind.'

As they left, the couple joked with one well-wisher about wearing matching outfits  the princess in a 290 Cefinn wool dress under a tartan Holland Cooper coat, with her husband echoing the blue and green hues.

Later the princess told a group of young people that 'talking therapies don't work for some people' during a visit to a mental health project on Merseyside  an interesting take on an issue that Harry has been keen to promote.

The couple were visiting the Open Door Charity, which focuses on supporting young adults across Merseyside with their mental health, using culture, creativity and alternative therapies as the 'catalyst for change'.

Kate chatted to a group of teenagers who have been using music to help with their individual issues, with one of the boys saying: 'For me, having that music as a tool is good for me to express my emotions through something I can enjoy. Producing music and letting out what you're feeling is better than saying it in a clinical atmosphere. I can put it into words.'

The princess nodded, replying: 'Talking therapies don't work for some people, they're not for everybody. It's so important to have a range of therapies.'

Speaking after the visit, one of the teenagers said: 'I feel privileged that after everything going on for them, they came to see us, for the first visit after the book has been released. It shows that nothing can stop them.'

They were not the only members of the Royal Family determined to shrug off the drama of the past few days, which has seen Harry lay bare intimate details of run-ins with the couple  including a physical fight with his brother and a spat between Kate and Meghan over Princess Charlotte's bridesmaid dress.

King Charles, who is understood to have been deeply hurt by his son's actions, was out and about in Scotland where he received an equally warm welcome.

In Scotland, the King was met by Sandra Charles, 64, from Brisbane, Australia, who is on holiday in the area. She said: 'I had to come and show my support for what he is going through. It's a tough time for Charles and the whole Royal Family. It [the book] is horrible. Charles has my full support.'

The King, 74, wearing a kilt, looked relaxed at the Aboyne and District Men's Shed  which boasts a workshop and community space  just 20 minutes from Balmoral.

The monarch, who has weathered the book storm while staying at Birkhall, his Highland home, with the Queen Consort this week, also announced he was donating a fridge to a local food bank.
Gaps in Joe Biden's story about his possession of classified documents contributed to Merrick Garland's decision to appoint a Special Counsel - a decision the attorney general made before he went to Mexico and sat beside the president during questioning on the matter.

Garland said he decided to appoint a Special Counsel on January 5th. Four days later he was in Mexico City, at Biden's side as the president ignored questions shouted from journalists about the matter.

The attorney general kept his eyes down, fiddling with the microphone, pen and pad of paper on the table before him as White House staff ushered the shouting reporters from the room.

Next to him, Biden also focused on the binder before him. Garland wouldn't announce his Special Counsel appointment until two days later in Washington D.C.

Attorney General Merrick Garland, seated by President Joe Biden's side in Mexico on January 9th, had decided four days before hand to appoint a special counsel

The White House said they had no head's up from the Justice Department on the announcement and Biden wasn't warned what was coming.

'We were not given a heads up and we learned from the press conference,' press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at Thursday's briefing.

And a Justice Department official told CNN that the White House's public statements on the matter offered an incomplete narrative about the classified documents from Biden's time as vice president, reinforced the need for a Special Counsel.

The misleading statements created the impression that Biden's team had something to hide, the official said.

There was no further explanation of the discrepancy.

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

President Joe Biden was attending former Defense Secretary Ash Carter's funeral when Garland announced he was appointing Robert K. Hur as the special counsel; Biden gave a eulogy for his longtime friend

Biden was attending former Defense Secretary Ash Carter's funeral when Garland announced he was appointing Robert K. Hur as Special Counsel to investigate the classified documents discovered at Biden's D.C. think tank and in his Wilmington home.

Hur, a former senior Justice Department official in the Trump administration who served as U.S. attorney in Maryland, to serve as Special Counsel.

He joins Jack Smith, a former public corruption prosecutor who is investigating the documents found at Mar-a-Lago and efforts to undo the 2020 election, and John Durham, who secured one guilty plea and lost two criminal trials in three and a half years investigating the Trump-Russia probe.

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.

The documents date back to Biden's time as vice president in Barack Obama's administration. There are ten documents that involve the Ukraine, Iran and the United Kingdom.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was grilled in her press briefing on why the Biden administration waited nearly a month to reveal there were additional classified documents in President Biden's personal possession

There was also a memo from Biden to Obama, CNN reported, as well as two briefing memos preparing Biden for phone calls  one with the British prime minister; the other with Donald Tusk, the former prime minister of Poland who served as president of the European Council from 2014-2019.

Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre was forced to defend Biden against charges of hypocrisy on Thursday as she was grilled in her press briefing as to why the White House waited nearly a month to reveal there were additional classified documents in the president's private possession.

The White House, reporters argued, had plenty of opportunities that included Sauber's statement on Monday and when Biden addressed the issue on Tuesday in Mexico.

Jean-Pierre also said nothing about it in her Wednesday press briefing when she was specifically asked if there were additional classified documents in the president's possession.

'There was a process happening that was currently ongoing,' she said.

'This was the right thing to do,' she noted.

She also argued the administration had been forthcoming because it disclosed the matter to the National Archives and the Justice Department immediately after the documents were discovered.

'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 emphasized.

There were more classified documents in Joe Biden's Wilmington, Delaware home

Timeline of events as the Biden document drama unfolds resulting in the appointment of a Special Counsel

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 in his 'personal library' in the same home.

Garland said the National Archives informed the DoJ of the first discovery of documents on Nov. 4th and the FBI began an investigation five days later.

Timeline of Biden document discovery and initial investigation Nov. 2: Ten 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 announced 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 announced additional classified documents were found in Biden's 'personal library' and garage. Advertisement

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.

On Dec. 20th, Biden's personal attorney told Lausch that additional files were found in Biden's Wilmington garage.

On Jan. 9, the White House publicly announces classified documents from Biden's time as vice president found at the office of his D.C. think tank - but made no mention of the documents found in the Wilmington garage.

Garland, at this point, had decided to appoint Special Counsel. He was in Mexico City for the president's summit with the leaders of Mexico and Canada.

On Thursday, Jan. 12, the president's personal attorney informed Lausch that an additional document was discovered at Biden's Wilmington home.

The same day the White House publicly announces additional classified documents were found in Biden's Wilmington home.

Jean-Pierre was asked over and over again on Thursday, by at least nine different reporters, why the December 20th discovery wasn't disclosed immediately or at least with the other disclosure.

She had been asked the previous day - 24 hours before the announcement that more classified material discovered - if there were any classified documents in Biden's Wilmington home. She responded: 'I'm just not going to speak to this. I'm going to let the process continue. It's an ongoing process.'

The White House was already under fire for waiting almost two months to disclose that classified documents were found on Nov. 2nd at Biden's think tank office as his lawyers packed it up in preparation for it to be closed.

Jean-Pierre also was asked why the White House argued it was being transparent because it informed a federal agency but did not disclose the matter publicly to the American people.

CNN's Phil Mattingly noted that 'the review was underway when the President spoke about the first set of documents - you're now saying that you didn't talk about the second set of documents discovered almost a month prior? Because the review was underway. I don't understand. It doesn't make any sense. I think it was underway the entire time. The only difference was that reporters had information on the first set of documents.'

Attorney General Merrick Garland (right) appointed a special counsel to investigate classified documents in Biden's possession

Attorney General Merrick Garland stressed the autonomy of the Special Counsel

The White House was forced to admit on Monday - in the wake of a report from CBS News - that there were classified documents found at the D.C. office housing the think tank Biden founded after leaving the vice presidency.

'Look, we're trying to do this by the book.,' Jean-Pierre responded. 'And I said yesterday, this was under review by the Department of Justice.'

She added: 'I'm telling you that there's a process. I just laid out what the process is. And I'm telling you that we're trying to do this by the book, and it was an ongoing process. I'm not going to get beyond that. That is how this works.'

CBS Ed O'Keefe grilled her repeatedly on the transparency issue. On Biden's first day in the White House, his then-press secretary Jen Psaki promised that the president plans to 'bring transparency and truth back to the government to share the truth, even when it's hard to hear.'

O'Keefe asked about that vow.

'When you talk about, we're being transparent. Who's we and what is the definition of transparent in this case? Is it the lawyers being transparent legally, for the Archives and the Justice Department, or is it the White House at large being transparent with the general public?,' he said.

Jean-Pierre didn't answer directly, repeating her often-used phrase that the president and White House staff take the matter of classified documents 'seriously.'

She also noted that Richard Sauber, the White House special counsel, has made statements on the matter.

'They haven't laid out everything Karine, and you know it,' O'Keefe responded.

She responded that she couldn't speak in more detail because of the Justice Department investigation, nor would she commit to bringing White House Counsel Richard Sauber come to the press room to answer questions about the situation.

'You need to acknowledge then there's going to be a limit and transparency, public non legal transparency, and what can be shared and set by this way,' O'Keefe said.

'I disagree. There has not been a limit of transparency,' Jean-Pierre responded. 'I disagree with you on that.

The White House press secretary also noted any further disclosures would come from the Justice Department.

'There's an ongoing process and you heard directly from the Attorney General today and that is the process. That is how this is going to go. It is not going to come from here for me at this podium. It is going to come from the Department of Justice.'

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,' Sauber, the White House special counsel, said in a statement about Hur's appointment.

Garland said on Thursday that Hur is authorized 'to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law in connection' with the classified documents and has autonomy.

'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 during the five-minute announcement at the Justice Department.

Former President Donald Trump is facing a special counsel of his own and is under federal criminal investigation for his handling of classified documents and other potential transgressions.

Former President Donald Trump is also under investigation for the potential mishandling of classified material

The twice-impeached president, who announced his third bid for the White House in November, was all but giddy upon hearing that Gartland appointed Special Counsel to review Biden's document drama.

'It's over,' Trump said in an interview with conservative talk radio host Mark Levin on Thursday evening. 'When all of these documents started coming out and Biden had them, it really changed the complexion and the intensity that they were showing to me because, you know, what they did is  I don't say far worse, I did nothing wrong  what they did is not good. What they did is bad.'
A lawyer for a customer who shot and killed a robber in a Houston taqueria last week said his actions were justified because he was 'in fear of his life.'

Eric Eugene Washington, 30, died after being shot nine times - with one bullet hitting him execution-style in the head - by a vigilante customer who was said to be 'protecting everyone' in the restaurant.

A Texas grand jury will decide whether or not criminal charges should be brought against the still unidentified shooter, but in a statement, attorney Juan L. Guerra Jr. said he was within his rights and that the jury will agree.

'In Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, defense of others and in defense of property,' Guerra added.

A lawyer for a customer (pictured) who shot and killed a robber in a Houston taqueria last week said his actions were justified because he was 'in fear of his life.'

Guerra went further, discussing how difficult the incident has been for his client from an emotional standpoint.

'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,' the statement said, according to KHOU.

Washington already had a lengthy rap sheet. He was on bond for domestic violence after attacking his girlfriend - and he previously spent six years in jail for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

The customer at Ranchito 4 Taqueria was hailed a hero by some after turning his weapon on the would-be robber - who strolled into the local joint, pointed a fake gun at customers and demanded they hand over cash.

The 46-year-old customer, who is believed to be Hispanic, left the scene in a dusty pickup truck, and has not yet been identified because he is not under arrest. Authorities say he is cooperating with detectives - and a Grand Jury will decide if he will face charges.

There were around ten customers eating in the restaurant when Washington entered, wearing a black ski mask and gloves, and started to rob the diners.

Many scattered to the ground and gave over their possessions in fear of Washington - who was later revealed to be taunting the taco shop with a fake firearm.

A Texas grand jury will decide whether or not criminal charges should be brought against the still unidentified shooter, but in a statement, attorney Juan L. Guerra Jr. (pictured) said he was within his rights and that the jury will agree

Eric Eugene Washington, 30, died after being shot several times by an armed diner at a local taqueria he was trying to rob. Washington had a lengthy rap sheet that included jail time for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon

The customer - seen sitting down with his gun raised - shot the man at least nine times. A Grand Jury will decide if he will be charged

Now, records have shown Washington's extensive criminal history, including a recent misdemeanor charge of domestic assault against his girlfriend, which occurred in December.

Court documents also confirmed that Washington was released on parole in 2021 for a conviction of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, for which he had been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.

Washington had been convicted in 2015 in connection to the murder of 52-year-old Hamid Waraich, the owner of a Boost Mobile cell phone store, who was fatally shot in the back during a robbery. He was paroled in 2021 after serving six years.

One of the victim's sons, Sean Waraich, called Washington 'an evil criminal that took joy from harassing and robbing innocent families.'

He called the taqueria vigilante a 'true hero,' and said he 'did the right thing in stopping the robber and protecting the community from a dangerous perpetrator.'

Aman Waraich, another son of Hamid, said: 'If the guy who stopped Eric was around ten years ago, maybe I'd still have my dad.'

Police arrived at the scene on January 5 after the fatal shooting

The would-be robber can be seen on surveillance video taking control of the taqueria and pointing a fake gun at customers as they pull cash out of their wallets and place it on the tables and floor.

Suddenly, the vigilante customer starts shooting until the robber falls to the ground. He retrieves the customers' money, then proceeds to leave along with other customers at 11.30pm.

University of Houston Law Center Professor Sandra Guerra Thompson spoke to Eyewitness News about the incident and, in particular, the fake gun the criminal had in his possession.

'I know that there are a lot of questions about the use of a gun because it wasn't a real firearm, but that really doesn't make a difference because it was used as a firearm and a person would reasonably believe that they were facing an immediate threat of deadly force,' she said.

Pedro Lopez, owner of the taqueria, said he and his employees are still in shock.

The fatal shooting occurred at Ranchito #4 Taqueria in southwest Houston, Texas

He told ABC13: 'Everyone was scared, nervous. I was too. Some customers were seated here, others were over there, he go the money and was going to leave

'You never really know what is going to happen.'

Experts believe that the customer will most likely not face charges - as his use of excessive, deadly force was justified considering the circumstances.

Former Houston police officer, now lawyer, Thomas Nixon said: 'The person he shot was in the process of committing robbery and consequently his use of force in defense of himself and innocent third parties is completely justified in Texas.

'He was reasonably in fear of serious bodily injury or death.'

The 'gunman' who entered the shop waving his pistol and shouting, was taking money and cellphones from patrons before one customer stood up and shot him

The vigilante's vehicle is a 1970s or '80s model pickup truck with no bed in a rusty-red color. Cops released this image to track him down to speak to him

Diners can be seen scattered on the floor in fear as the robber walks around with the fake gun

Nathan Beedle, with the Harris County District Attorney's Office, believes the shooting was justified, adding: 'I can point you exactly where it is in the law, 9.31 and 9.32 of the penal code.

'Whether someone uses deadly force in the situation, that is presumed to be correct under Texas law.'

Texas has some of the most permissive gun laws in the US. Residents and non-residents over the age of 21 are allowed to carry a handgun - either openly or concealed - in most places in the state.

This does not include people who have any prior felony convictions.

Since September 2021, Texans do not need a permit to open carry a handgun in the state.
A British Airways plane's emergency slide accidentally deployed at Heathrow Airport as it prepared to take off earlier today.

The inflatable slide extended from the plane as it was pushing back from the terminal ahead of takeoff.

Passengers were evacuated from the Boeing 777 plane as the aircraft sat on the Tarmac at the UK's biggest airport.

Emergency services including a fire engine rushed to the scene, with pictures showing the plane stranded.

The emergency slide was accidentally extended from the rear door of the plane at Heathrow

Passengers were evacuated from the Boeing 777 aircraft and emergency services rushed to the scene

A fire engine and police drove on to the runway at Heathrow Airport as the plane stayed stranded on the tarmac

After emergency services arrived, the aircraft returned to its terminal gate.

Passengers onboard the flight to Lagos, Nigeria were then taken off the plane and into the airport.

British Airways said the delayed passengers were given vouchers for refreshments and that a replacement flight was being organised.

It is not yet clear when the passengers will be able to board their flight to Nigeria, but BA said a plane would depart shortly.

The plane may take several hours to be made operational and ready for flight once again following the incident.

It follows another incident at London Heathrow yesterday when a BA Boeing 777-300 experienced a steering issue.

A BA spokesperson said: 'The aircraft returned to stand and customers disembarked normally.

'We've apologised to customers for the inconvenience caused, have provided them with refreshment vouchers and have arranged a replacement aircraft so that they can continue their journey as planned.'
For Unity MacLean, 75, the death of Jeff Beck this week hit home as her memories lingered to the high-velocity music scene of the 1970s which she was thrust into 'accidentally' in her 20s with the help of the guitar legend.

After hearing the news of Beck's death MacLean told DailyMail.com that she was 'really sad' and revealed that the rock star had been the reason she was able to land a job as the publicist for English rock group Led Zeppelin.

Beck died aged 78 this week from Bacterial meningitis - which requires urgent treatment at hospital with antibiotics with some 10 per cent of cases are fatal.

The 78-year-old was among the rock-guitarist pantheon from the late '60s that included Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix and had just finished a transatlantic tour with Johnny Depp as they promoted their debut album '18.'

Unity MacLean (pictured here in her 20's), now 75, recalls the moment guitar legend Jeff Beck helped her land a job with famed English rock band Led Zeppelin in 1975- thrusting her into a illustrious career for five years with the band

Beck died aged 78 this week from Bacterial meningitis - which requires urgent treatment at hospital with antibiotics with some 10 per cent of cases are fatal

MacLean had been working for CBS Records when a chance pint at the pub, adjacent to the studio, in 1975 changed her trajectory and saw her rubbing shoulders with some of music history's greats.

The 75-year-old now runs a British Imports shop in downtown Plymouth, but at the peak of Zeppelin's fame recalls how she tumbled down the rabbit hole for five years - at a time when the bands prowess was beginning to be drowned by debauchery.

Speaking to the Boston Globe, MacLean remembers the moment her life changed.

'Everybody came in from the studio to have a drink and Jeff Beck was there,' she said.

'I just happened to say I was fed up working for CBS and is anybody looking for anyone to work for them? There was a deathly silence, but then Jeff turned around and said, 'If I hear of anything, I'll let you know.'

Thinking she wouldn't hear from Beck again, she silently suffered in her job, telling Creem magazine that she had started at the record company temporarily filling in as a secretary then moving into a marketing role.

Beck died just weeks after the former Yardbirds star finished a transatlantic tour with Johnny Depp as they promoted their debut album '18'

'They started hiring kids who went to college for marketing, people who sold baked beans or Campbell soup, which wasn't my style. I knew my time at CBS was over and it was time to look around,' she said.

The then 27-year-old said she was 'staggered' when she heard back from Beck's secretary about a week after the pub encounter who said she had heard she'd been looking for a job.

Beck's advice: Ring up Peter Grant, Zeppelin's notoriously difficult manager 'he's looking for someone,' the secretary said, 'and Jeff says you can use his name.'

After landing the job, MacLean said working with Grant, who died of a heart attack in 1995, was her next challenge.

She said, he'd show up at the office with 'bagful's of smack and cocaine, stick an ordinary key in some cocaine, and put it under your nose.'

'I was always fired anytime Peter got angry with me. I used to phone up Richard [Cole, the band's tour manager] and he'd say, 'Oh, take no note. Peter will forget about it in the morning. See you in the office, luv, bye.'

Once installed at Zeppelin's Swan Song Records, MacLean worked out of a two-story office from 1975 until 1980. She watched, helplessly, as the band slowly disintegrated. Guitarist Jimmy Page's decline was particularly disturbing.

'Jimmy was so lost in his haze that it was difficult to know how he would be from one day to the next,' she told the Boston Globe in 2003.

'He could be hours, days late for rehearsal. It got to the point where Robert [Plant] would say, `We're going to start at 2, which means Jimmy won't be there until 5, so we won't get there until 5.' When Jimmy worked that out, he didn't get there until 7. It was a bit of a game.'

She said that John 'Bonzo' Bonham treated his body like the drum kits he pummeled and was prone to binges and blackouts.

'When he was in a good mood he was a pussycat, very gregarious, generous to a fault,' she said.

'He'd always be the one to say to me, 'You're doing a great job, we really appreciate having you here.'

Once installed at Zeppelin's Swan Song Records, MacLean worked out of a two-story office from 1975 until 1980

MacLean said she watched, helplessly, as the band slowly disintegrated. Guitarist Jimmy Page's decline was particularly disturbing. The band seen here at the Bath Festival in 1970

'But he was not the sort of person you'd want to be around when he was angry. Sometimes you thought he must be joking because he was so angry.'

John Paul Jones played the strong, silent type she recalled.

'They called him 'Gentleman Jonesy,' ' MacLean said.

'He'd always be presentable, in tiptop form. Just a kind of ordinary guy.'

Robert Plant wore fancy turquoise jewelry and big belts and looked very dapper, she said of the vocalist.

'Whereas Jimmy would ask the girls in the office to hem his pants because they'd be dragging along the ground,' she said.

Bonham, Jones, and Plant were 'beholden' to Page despite his 'waiflike' appearance, she said.

But his business sense and musical agility dissipated as his drug intake took hold.

MacLean admits to using cocaine 'after business hours' but said being a witness to the downward spiral of Zeppelin's inner circle kept her in check.

An incident at a Christmas office party typified the unstable atmosphere, she said.

'There was a commotion in the hall downstairs. Jimmy's girlfriend Charlotte had been looking everywhere for him, and he was saying, 'Tell her I'm not here.'

'When she saw Jimmy she whacked him across his face. Blood was all over the wall because she had thick rings on. I was amazed at the violence.'

The end of MacLean's Led Zeppelin career came after drummer John Bonham choked to death on his own vomit after he had downed about 40 shots of vodka.

'I waited three months and quit,' she told me.

The 75-year-old now runs a British Imports shop in downtown Plymouth, but at the peak of Zeppelin's fame recalls how she tumbled down the rabbit hole for five years

MacLean moved to Plymouth from London in the 1980s and runs the shop which sells a wide variety of food, drinks and supplies to bring Britain to America

'I was pregnant...and didn't want to bring a child into a world surrounded by people who were dying or hell-bent on killing each other.'

This week, MacLean said Beck's passing sparked memories of the pub exchange and the unexpected follow-up that 'changed my life radically.'

'This makes me really sad. I was the lucky one I got the job and worked with Zep until Bonzo died and I felt it time to leave,' she said.

'Thank you, Jeff, thank you and your office for getting me a great job with lots of great memories. Thank you for being kind, thank you for everything.'

Beck died aged 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis. The rock star passed away 'peacefully' on Tuesday, his agent revealed on Wednesday night.

Bacterial meningitis is an infection of the membranes (meninges) that protect the spinal cord and brain.

It requires urgent treatment at hospital with antibiotics. Some 10 per cent of bacterial cases are fatal.

His family shared the heartbreaking news on his Twitter page along with a picture of the star on stage with his trademark shades and guitar.

It came just weeks after the former Yardbirds star finished his tour with Depp as they promoted their debut album '18' - which is nominated for three Brit Awards in the UK.

The pair became close friends in recent years and were seen out drinking in Britain together late last year.

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.

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 ranked fifth in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time'

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 magazine's 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.'

Beck's career highlights included 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.

During his tenure, the band created the memorable singles 'Heart Full of Soul,' 'Im a Man' and 'Shapes of Things.'

Beck's first hit single was 1967s instrumental 'Beck's 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.
Nearly 250,000 children in the United States have become vulnerable to measles amid a decline in vaccination rates, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Last school year, authorities found that immunization for measles, polio, and other diseases again dropped among kindergartners. It is a trend that public health officials have warned could put children at risk for vaccine-preventable diseases and illnesses.

Drop in Vaccination Rates

Officials revealed that roughly 93% of kindergartners during the 2021-22 school year could complete vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella; diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis; polio; and chickenpox. The number dropped roughly 1% from 2020-21 and nearly 2% from the prior year before the coronavirus pandemic began.

The figures come from a study released by the CDC on Thursday, which did not track the number of children who received COVID-19 vaccines or boosters. Public health officials noted that the report showed that school-age vaccination rates dropped during the health crisis as families could not make doctor's visits, and school routines were disrupted, according to USA Today.

On the other hand, a separate study from the CDC, also released on Thursday, reported that vaccination rates among two-year-old kids were similar to numbers before the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts noted that misinformation regarding the coronavirus vaccine is one factor that could have influenced parents' decisions. However, officials warned that such a link requires more study to be accurately determined.

In a statement, the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, Dr. Sean O'Leary, said that misinformation is an issue that has always been problematic. The medical professional added that they are trying to understand the extent to which disinformation regarding COVID-19 has become spreading misinformation about other childhood vaccines.

Read Also: Satellite Images Reveal China's COVID-19 Situation

Threat of Measles, Other Diseases

The head of the CDC's immunization services division, Dr. Georgina Peacock, said that while the numbers might not sound significant, they meant that nearly 250,000 children were not protected against measles. On Thursday, she said that recent numbers are the lowest vaccination rates for measles, mumps, and rubella, CNBC reported.

The latest measles outbreak in Columbus, Ohio, has already infected 83 children, 33 of whom were sent to hospitals to be treated. Fortunately, none of the affected kids died, but authorities noted that the majority of them, 78, was not vaccinated.

O'Leary added that the recent outbreaks harm children and could cause significant disruptions in their opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. He warned that the current situation is alarming and should be a call for action for everyone.

On top of being potentially fatal, the measles virus can weaken an infected person's immune system and makes young kids more vulnerable to other diseases, including pneumonia and diarrhea. This side effect lasts for several months after the human body clears the measles infection.

During a briefing, O'Leary championed vaccines, arguing it as essential because it helps children's immune systems recognize and resist disease to develop properly and live healthy lives until they become adults, as per The Washington Post.

Related Article: COVID-19 Autopsies Reveal Shocking Information

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Spacey confirmed his identity and pleaded not guilty to all of the charges

He previously denied five allegations relating to three other men in 30s and 40s

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has denied seven more sexual offences against a man in the early 2000s.

Among the accusations against the Hollywood star, 63, are sexual touching, touching over clothing, and forcing the complainant's hand against his privates over clothing.

Spacey faced the charges at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, having previously denied five allegations relating to three other men who are now in their 30s and 40s.

The new charges comprise three counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, on unspecified dates between 2001 and 2005.

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has denied seven more sexual offences against a man in the early 2000s

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of actor Kevin Spacey appearing via videolink at Southwark Crown Court in London

Spacey confirmed his identity and pleaded not guilty to all of the charges by videolink.

He now faces a total of 12 charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013.

The two-time Academy Award winner, known for starring in American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and House Of Cards, appeared at the Old Bailey in July last year to deny the five previous charges.

He pleaded not guilty to four charges of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The first two charges relate to alleged sexual assaults on a man, now in his 40s, in London on 20 March 2005.

The second alleged victim, a man now in his 30s, claims he was sexually assaulted by Spacey in London on August 31, 2008.

Spacey also faces a serious sexual offence charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent relating to the second alleged victim.

He faces a fourth charge of sexual assault against the third complainant, now in his 30s, in Gloucestershire in April 2013.

The two-time Academy Award winner, known for starring in American Beauty, The Usual Suspects and House Of Cards, appeared at the Old Bailey in July last year to deny the five previous charges (pictured in 2000 with his Oscar for Best Actor)

Speaking of Spacey's five initial charges, his defence barrister Patrick Gibbs, KC, said: 'Mr Spacey strenuously denies any and all criminality in this case.'

The actor has vowed to 'establish his innocence'.

Spacey has been granted unconditional bail and will face a four-week trial on all charges on June 6.

A pre-trial review is due to take place on April 5.

In October last year, the actor, who was artistic director at The Old Vic between 2004 and 2015, won a civil lawsuit in the US where he was accused of an 'unwanted sexual advance' at a party in 1986.

In that lawsuit, he 'categorically denied' the accusations and said he 'did not harbour any sexual interest or desire' at the time or since the alleged incident.
For more than a year, Rep. Michael McCaul says his requests for answers about the withdrawal from Afghanistan have gone largely unanswered.

But now the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee has been installed as chairman, with all the powers that brings.

On Thursday night he gave the State Department until January 26 to respond to his committee's investigation.

'It is imperative that the State Department provide complete responses to these longstanding requests, and the committee will not tolerate continued delay,' he wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Tony Blinken.

'In the event of noncompliance, the committee will use the authorities available to it to enforce these requests as necessary, including through compulsory process.'

House Republicans on Thursday night intensified their demand for answers about what led to such chaotic scenes at the end of the 20-year U.S. war in Afghanistan

Rep. Michael McCaul (left), the newly installed chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday with a 10-page list of questions about the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan and its aftermath

With Republicans now controlling the House majority, they have the power to use subpoenas in their investigations.

And the probe into President Joe Biden's withdrawal from Afghanistan, which triggered the rapid advance of the Taliban, the collapse of the Kabul government and which brought tragedy with the deaths of 13. U.S. service personnel, is just one of several they plan to bring.

In his 10-page letter, McCaul demands information on exit planning, details of all inter-agency meetings on Afghanistan in the run-up, as well as U.S. contacts with the Taliban.

As he issued the letter, he made clear his frustration that his previous requests had been stonewalled.

'It is absurd and disgraceful that the Biden administration has repeatedly denied our longstanding oversight requests and continues to withhold information related to the withdrawal,' he said.

Continued noncompliance would not be tolerated, he added.

McCaul's letter sets a deadline of January 26 for a response, and described how previous requests for information - dating back to August 2021 - had not been answered

Tens of thousands of Afghans were hurriedly flown from Kabul after the Taliban seized control

'In the event of continued noncompliance, the committee will use the authorities available to it to enforce these requests as necessary, including through a compulsory process,' he said.

'As chairman, I take this obligation very seriously and will pursue this investigation until all our questions are answered and all parties responsible are held accountable.

'We owe this to the American people, especially our service members and veterans.'

The withdrawal from Afghanistan was the bleakest moment of Biden's first year in office.

In April 2021, he announced that U.S. troops would be out of the country by September 11, in what critics said was a clumsy political timetable.

With the backer leaving, Afghanistan's armed forces  which had been designed to operate with U.S. air support  crumbled away.

Amid the crush around the airport, parents lifted children to Turkish soldiers and U.S. Marines

The Taliban had been advancing for weeks, and simply raced into the capital Kabul before American troops had completed their evacuation.

The result was pandemonium. Tens of thousands of foreign national and Afghans who had worked with U.S. forces flooded into Hamid Karzai International Airport, seeking passage to safety.

Amid questions about why the Taliban takeover had not been foreseen, American forces had to rely on the extremist militant group to provide security around the airport to keep the operation running.

After 13 American died in a suicide attack, a U.S. drone strike killed 10 civilians including children.

McCaul's letter also looks at the aftermath, demanding to know how many American citizens remain in Afghanistan, and how the evacuation of Afghan allies was handled.
A Massachusetts college student, 20, has died after falling three stories from a balcony when she got locked out of her vacation Airbnb rental.

Leah Pearse, 20, was in Cancun with her boyfriend Augustine Aufderheide, 21, and had spent the day at the beach and dining in the resort city.

But they had left the keys inside the apartment and were locked out when they returned. Aufderheide told cops the pair then had an argument before Pearse attempted to climb up the balcony to get inside.

She was declared dead on the scene by paramedics after falling from the third floor of the building.

Leah Pearse, a college student from Massachusetts, died January 6 in Cancun after she left her keys inside her Airbnb rental and fell three stories when trying to climb up the balcony. Her boyfriend, Augustin Aufderheide, told cops the couple had argued moments before she went over the balcony

Augustin Aufderheide was arrested by Cancun police moments after the tragic death of his girlfriend, Leah Pearse, on January 6 but was cleared of any wrongdoing after investigators were able to confirm that Pearse had accidentally fallen from the balcony she was trying to climb

Cancun authorities arrested Aufderheide as part of the investigation after the accident, Mexican news portal NotiCaribe reported.

Aufderheide admitted to police officers that he had argued with Pearse moments before she had gone over the balcony.

But he was cleared of any wrongdoing after the police confirmed the incident was an accident and he was released from custody Thursday.

Pearse was working as a nursing assistant at Massachusetts General Hospital while pursuing a master's degree in nursing at Simmons College.

'She worked her heart out and was receiving straight A's. Leah was having a phenomenal time in college, making connections with everybody she met. If you knew Leah, you know she put everything on the table right off the bat,' her obituary said.

'People felt they knew her after just the first interaction, and often they loved her immediately for the ease her presence brought to every room she entered. Her confidence, compassion, and amazing sense of humor had a magnetic effect and she tended to bring out the best in the people around her.'

Pearse was employed as a nursing assistant and Massachusetts General Hospital and was also pursuing a master's degree in nursing at Simmons College

Augustine Aufderheide was taken into custody after his girlfriend accidentally fell from a third-floor balcony in Cancun on January 6. He was cleared by the police and released this week

Pearse's death comes two months after three Americans died from carbon monoxide poisoning at their Airbnb rental in Mexico City.

Authorities found Jordan Marshall and Kandace Florence, both aged 28, and Courtez Hall, 33, dead inside the home after Florence's boyfriend contacted the apartment's host and requested a wellness check.

Florence reportedly informed her boyfriend during a conversation on the night of October 30 that she was not feeling well.

The phone call suddenly dropped out and after failing to get her back on the phone, he reached out to the Airbnb host and asked them if they could visit the residence to check on her.

Security at the apartment complex requested the assistance of the Mexico City police after detecting a strong gas odor from the trio's apartment, according to the Mexico City prosecutor's office.
An embassy security guard who sent details of British officials to Russia claims he should be treated as a 'disgruntled employee' rather than a spy.

David Ballantyne Smith, 58, sent details about British officials to a Russian military attache and collected information 'useful to the Russian state' when he was working in Berlin.

The Scot was arrested at his home in Potsdam near Berlin in August 2021 and was extradited back to the UK from Germany in April 2022.

He was motivated by 'an extreme hatred of where he works and the United Kingdom in general,' it is claimed.

David Ballantyne Smith, 58, sent details about British officials to a Russian military attache and collected information 'useful to the Russian state' when he was working in Berlin

The Scot was arrested at his home in Potsdam near Berlin in August 2021 and was extradited back to the UK from Germany in April 2022 (pictured: Smith at the Old Bailey during a previous court appearance)

Smith appeared at the Old Bailey today wearing a blue jumper and claims he should be treated as a 'disgruntled employee' rather than a spy.

British security guard 'who hated his country' admits spying for Russia at UK's embassy in Germany David Ballantyne Smith, 58, is said to have been driven by an intense hatred for his own country and wanted to live in Russia or Ukraine at the time he passed on secret intelligence to Moscow from May 2020 Advertisement

He has pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Official Secrets Acts 1911 and 1920, committed between May 2020 and August 2021.

The guard denied a ninth count of the same charge.

The prosecution have decided not to try Smith on this final count.

Smith does not accept he wanted to undermine the state, as the prosecution claims.

Mr Justice Wall will hold a Newton hearing to decide on the truth of this on February 13 and he will likely be sentenced on February 17.

He said the hearing would make a 'significant difference' to the sentence he would pass.

According to guidelines, Smith could face up to 14 years in prison.

A joint investigation by German and British security services found that he had been selling information to Russia since 2020 after MI5 and their European counterparts trailed him for months.

Smith gathered information about the operation and layout of the Berlin British Embassy and collected material classified at or below 'Secret' over those 15 months.

Between October to December 2020, Smith communicated to General Major Sergey Chukhurov, the Russian military attache based out of the Russian Embassy in Berlin, details about the activities, identities, addresses and telephone numbers of various British civil servants.

On August 5, 2021, the security guard made an unauthorised photocopy of embassy documents, kept SIM card packaging, and made video recordings of CCTV footage of a person known as 'Dmitry'.

The following day, Smith made further recordings of CCTV footage of 'Dmitry'.

However, he denied leaking information about embassy building repairs on August 6, 2021 which was alleged in the ninth charge against him.

He was motivated by 'an extreme hatred of where he works and the United Kingdom in general,' it is claimed (pictured: Smith being arrested by German police at his apartment in Potsdam on August 10)

Smith had Russian military memorabilia including a Russian flag and uniform cap

After pleading not guilty to that charge, Smith said: 'And it was actually August 9 not the 6th.'

Prosecutors have decided not to pursue this charge and there will therefore be no trial in respect of it.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring said, when Smith appeared at magistrates' court: 'He has expressed, I am told, an extreme hatred of where he works and the United Kingdom in general.

'He has also expressed a desire to move to Ukraine or Russia.'

The UK government requested his extradition at the end of 2021 but Smith and his lawyer challenged the case.

The extradition request was granted by the state court of Brandenburg in April.

Smith, originally from Paisley, Scotland, admitted eight and denied one offence under the Official Secrets Acts 1911 and 1920.
The daughter of a Nigerian senator has denied trafficking a homeless man into the UK to harvest his kidney.

Sonia Ekweremadu, 25, is charged alongside her father Ike Ekweremadu, 60, her mother, Beatrice Ekweremadu, 56, and Nigerian doctor Obinna Obeta, 50.

Ike, Beatrice and Obeta denied conspiracy to arrange the travel of another person with a view to exploitation at the Old Bailey on December 20, while Sonia pleaded not guilty today.

It is alleged they conspired together, with others and another family member Isaac Ekweremadu who remains in Nigeria, to arrange the travel of a 21 year-old man with a view to exploiting him between 1 August 2021 and 5 May 2022.

Sonia Ekweremadu and her father Ike Ekweremadu have been charged with trafficking a homeless man to the UK with a view to exploiting him

Sonia, 25, is alleged to have been part of a group who brought the man to the UK to harvest his kidney

The group arranged his travel from Lagos to London to remove one of his kidneys for Sonia, who has a kidney-related disease, it is claimed.

Ike and Beatrice Ekweremadu were arrested after the young man, who previously lived on the streets of Lagos, claimed he was the victim of trafficking at Staines police station.

The man told officers he arrived in the UK on February 20 this year and was taken to Royal Free Hospital for tests, none of which he consented to.

After the tests, the man said he returned to the house he was staying in, where he was 'treated effectively as a slave'.

He said he escaped the address and was homeless for three days before going to the police.

The trial will begin at the Old Bailey on January 31 before High Court judge Mr Justice Adam Johnson.

Ike Ekweremadu was the deputy president of the Nigerian senate on three occasions

Ike, a barrister and former deputy president of the Nigerian Senate, and his wife Beatrice were arrested in the UK on June 21 after flying to Heathrow from Turkey.

Ike has been elected to five consecutive terms in the Nigerian senate since 2003.

He led the Nigerian delegation at the COP26 summit in Glasgow in 2021.

Ike has been deputy president of the senate on three occasions, which he said was equivalent to being Leader of the House of Commons.

He said he has been one of the most senior lawmakers for many years, and is a well-known philanthropist.

Ike and Obeta are in custody in HMP Wandsworth and HMP Belmarsh respectively, while Beatrice and Sonia are both on bail.
A violent Snapchat video released today shows an asylum seeker accused of murder viciously pummeling another man in a 'street fight' before boasting: 'We are Afghan, we keep it real.'

In the footage shown to jurors, Afghan Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai can be seen pinning his helpless opponent to the floor as he rains down blows, punching the cowering male in the head nine times.

At the end of the video, Abdulrahimzai films himself with the caption 'we are Afghan we keep it real... I'm 100% sure you wouldn't forget your lessons for the rest of your life.'

The 21-year-old is accused of murdering aspiring Royal Marine Thomas Roberts, 21, outside a Subway sandwich shop in Bournemouth, Dorset, around 4.30am on March 12 last year, having allegedly stabbed him twice in the chest with a '10cm blade'.

The footage, showed in court, allegedly shows murder accused Lawangeen Abdulrahimzai in a street fight with another man, raining down blows on the male as he cowers on the floor (left) before later posting a Snapchat message boasting: 'we are Afghan we keep it real' (right)

A hearing at Salisbury Crown Court today heard how Abdulrahimzai was involved in street fighting for money while living in the UK.

Nicola Marchant-Jones, who fostered Abdulrahimzai from early 2020 to mid-2021, said: 'At one point he said he was doing street fighting... he appeared to have lots of money, I didn't see any money but he was buying nice things.

'He said he got 100 for 10 minutes fighting.

'He posted a video of himself on Snapchat beating up another man who was much older.'

Abdulrahimzai had got into an argument with Mr Roberts' friend James Medway, 24, over an e-scooter the pair of friends had been using as they made their way home from a 'very chilled' night out, Salisbury Crown Court heard.

Jurors were told that, moments after intervening in the disagreement, Mr Roberts, 21, sustained two stab wounds to his chest from an 'aggressive' Abdulrahimzai - with one slicing through his heart.

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 in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, in the early hours of March 12 last year

New footage released today showed Abdulrahimzai being arrested within hours of fatally stabbed Mr Roberts.

Firearms officers wearing balaclavas and full tactical gear swooped in on the asylum seeker's flat 24 hours after the incident and arrested him.

In the video a police officer can be heard reading him his legal rights as Abdulrahimzai is detained in the hallway of his block of flats in Poole, Dorset, following the raid which took place just after midnight on March 13, nearly 24 hours after the incident.

New images released for the first time today also show Abdulrahimzai roaming around the streets of Bournemouth, Dorset, in the early hours of March 12 last year before he allegedly murdered Mr Roberts.

Armed police are pictured arresting the Afghan national, who is accused of murder

The arrest, captured on police bodycam, took place just hours after the killing

A court has heard Mr Roberts, a DJ, was enjoying a night out with his friend James Medway, 24, when Mr Medway got into an argument with Abdulrahimzai over an E-scooter outside a Subway sandwich store.

Mr Roberts acted as 'peacemaker' and tried to break up the argument at around 4.40am on March 12 when Abdulrahimzai pulled a 10cm blade and stabbed him twice in the chest, it was heard.

Mr Roberts managed to stay on his feet for a few seconds as Mr Medway chased after Abdulrahimzai, but collapsed to the ground seconds later as he 'bled profusely' and then died in hospital.

Abdulrahimzai denies murder, but admits manslaughter.

Salisbury Crown Court, Wilts, heard on the night of the stabbing, Abdulrahimzai wore a hooded coat, a balaclava partially covering his face, and an Afghan flag around his neck.

Giving evidence, Mr Medway said he saw an E-scooter not in use outside Subway and went to take it so he and Mr Roberts could use it to get home, however they were challenged by Abdulrahimzai.

He said: 'I held the grips and stood either side of the scooter and that's when he [Abdulrahimzai] approached. I had never seen him before.

'He was speaking broken English and was not easy to understand.

Abdulrahimzai (centre with black hood - facing away from camera) seen headbutting a reveller on a night just minutes before he allegedly murders an aspiring Royal Marine

Abdulrahimzai can be seen for the first time in footage taken from his arrest hours after he fatally stabbed 21 year old Thomas Roberts in a row over an E-scooter

'He came from in front of me and said 'get off this scooter, this is my scooter' and he was acting aggressively. He was threatening.

'Tom reached across his chest and said 'there's not a problem here'. He was soothing, trying to calm the situation, he was trying to diffuse the situation.

'The man switched his focus to Tom and got in his face. He squared up to Tom. I don't know what was said as it was broken English.

'Tom felt threatened. He was on the back foot. He [Mr Roberts] open palm slapped him [Abdulrahimzai] on his face which I felt was a warning, it was a 'stay away' warning.

'The man reached for the knife and just lunged for Tom.

'It was big and I'm pretty sure it was gold and black. He made like a long hook motion.

'I s**t myself to start with, I was scared I'm not sure if I had gone to punch him with my left hand.

'The man then ran.'

CCTV footage released today shows the moment Abdulrahimzai (circled in white) flees on foot while being chased by Mr Medway (circled in yellow)

Mr Roberts suffered damage to his left kidney, bowel and heart, the court heard.

Prosecutor Nic Lobbenberg KC told jurors it was 'a fatal encounter all about a scooter which has cost this boy his life'.

Abdulrahimzai, who was born in Afghanistan, arrived in the UK in December 2019 and initially told the authorities he was 16 when he was arrested, but the court has since determined that he is now 21.

CCTV footage released to the jury earlier in the trial shows the moment Abdulrahimzai flees on foot immediately after the stabbing while being chased by Mr Medway.

Abdulrahimzai can be seen running 'very fast' with his hood up as he sprints to a nearby park.

But Mr Medway, 24, who had to run barefoot after his trainers came off, lost sight of Abdulrahimzai.

Jurors today also heard 999 calls made moments after the alleged murder around 4.40am on March 12.

A police cordon outside Subway on Old Christchurch Road in Bournemouth

One woman, who was taking cash out of an ATM when she saw Abdulrahimzai, told 999 operators 'he was running very fast'.

Others urged emergency call handlers to send an ambulance immediately as Mr Roberts was losing a lot of blood and 'is going to die'.

The court also heard that before the stabbing, Abdulrahimzai - wearing a balaclava - headbutted another man.

Reveller Alfie Goulty told Salisbury Crown Court he had been denied entry from a club in Bournemouth and got chatting to Abdulrahimzai, who he did not know.

Mr Goulty, 18, was having a verbal disagreement with another reveller when Abdulrahimzai joined in on the conversation and became 'aggressive' towards the other male.

He said: '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 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.'

A police cordon around Horseshoe Common in Bournemouth

Mr Goulty said he carried on speaking to Abdulrahimzai after the verbal disagreement with the other man ended, and that Abdulrahimzai told him he was 16.

Later, he came out of Subway and saw Mr Roberts 'bleeding a lot' and people shouting for an ambulance.

Dorset Police officer Steve Bowes, one of the first on the scene, said he performed CPR on Mr Roberts, adding: 'His condition was deteriorating, it was clear that he was not breathing.'

A court has heard Mr Roberts, a nightclub DJ who hoped to become a Marine, sustained serious internal injuries including a wound to his heart from the stabbing.

Opening the case, prosecutor Nic Lobbenberg KC told jurors it was a 'fatal encounter all about a scooter which has cost this boy his life'.

He added: 'Thomas was the peacemaker, he came between the two men. For his troubles, he received two stab wounds.'

Abdulrahimzai, from Poole, Dorset, denies murder. The two-week trial continues
Donald Trump's company has been fined $1.6 million for scheming to defraud tax authorities for 15 years by giving executives perks such as cars, rent-free apartments and private school tuition fees.

A New York state judge handed down the maximum financial penalty on Friday after jurors in Manhattan found two Trump Organization affiliates guilty of 17 criminal charges including fraud last month.

The sentencing comes three days after Justice Juan Merchan of the Manhattan criminal court put Trump's longtime CFO Allen Weisselberg behind bars at Rikers Island for five months after he testified as the prosecution's star witness.

Trump was not on trial and denied any knowledge of his executives evading taxes illegally.

Donald Trump 's company has been fined $1.6 million for scheming to defraud tax authorities for 15 years by giving executives perks such as cars, rent-free apartments and private school tuition fees

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said the fine constitutes 'a fraction of the revenue' of the Trump Organization and that the scheme was 'far-reaching and brazen.' The fine is less than the value of a Trump Tower apartment

None of the Trump family was in court during the sentencing and no one else has been charged or given jail time in the case.

But the Trump Organization issued a fiery statement blasting the fine and a probe it called a 'never-ending witch hunt.'

'Allen Weisselberg is a victim. He was threatened, intimidated and terrorized. He was given a choice of pleading guilty and serving 90 days in prison or serving the rest of his life in jail  all of this over a corporate car and standard employee benefits,' said a company spokesperson.

'President Trump and The Trump Organization are also both victims. New York has become the crime and murder capital of the world, yet these politically motivated prosecutors will stop at nothing to get President Trump and continue the never ending witch-hunt which began the day he announced his presidency. We did nothing wrong and we will appeal this verdict,' the spokesperson continued.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said the fine constitutes 'a fraction of the revenue' of the Trump Organization and that the scheme was 'far-reaching and brazen.'

'All of these corrupt practices were part of the Trump Organization executive compensation package, and it was certainly cheaper than paying higher salaries to those executives,' he said.

'This conduct can only be described as egregious,' he continued, saying that 'to avoid detection, they simply falsified the records.' He pushed the court to impose the maximum fine.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, which brought the case, is still conducting a criminal probe into Trump's business practices.

The case has long been a thorn in the side of the Republican former president, who calls it part of a witch hunt by Democrats who dislike him and his politics.

Trump also faces a $250 million civil lawsuit by state Attorney General Letitia James accusing him and his adult children Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump and Eric Trump of inflating his net worth and the value of his company's assets to save money on loans and insurance.

Bragg and James are Democrats, as is Bragg's predecessor Cyrus Vance, who brought the criminal case. Trump is seeking the presidency in 2024, after losing his re-election bid in 2020.

The sentencing comes three days after Justice Juan Merchan of the Manhattan criminal court put Trump's longtime CFO Allen Weisselberg behind bars at Rikers Island for five months after he testified as the prosecution's star witness.

At a four-week trial, prosecutors offered evidence that Trump's company covered personal expenses such as rent and car leases for executives without reporting them as income, and pretended that Christmas bonuses were non-employee compensation.

Trump himself signed bonus checks, prosecutors said, as well as the lease on Weisselberg's luxury Manhattan apartment and private school tuition for the CFO's grandchildren.

'The whole narrative that Donald Trump was blissfully ignorant is just not real,' Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass told jurors in his closing argument.

Weisselberg's testimony helped convict the company, though he said Trump was not part of the fraud scheme. He also refused to help Bragg in his broader investigation into Trump.

The Trump Organization had put Weisselberg on paid leave until they severed ties this week. His lawyer said the split, announced on Tuesday, was amicable.

Weisselberg, 75, is serving his sentence in New York City's notorious Rikers Island jail.

State law limits the penalties that Justice Merchan can impose on Trump's company. A corporation can be fined up to $250,000 for each tax-related count and $10,000 for each non-tax count.

Trump faces several other legal woes, including probes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, his retention of classified documents after leaving the White House, and efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss in Georgia.

DA Alvin Bragg's office is reportedly probing the years-old 'hush money' payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump

The Trump Organization tried to point the finger at Weisselberg, who it accused of taking perks without the company's knowledge, and at the Mazars accounting firm, which handled company taxes for years.

It has now severed relations with the Trump Organization after saying in a statement last year it could no longer stand behind financial statements it produced for the company.

Justice Merchan was not persuaded. 'This is not what the evidence has shown, and it is certainly not what the jury found,' he said.

A Trump Organization lawyer said in court that the company intends to appeal.

Bragg's office continues to probe Trump's business practices, and last month he hired former high level DOJ official Matthew Colangelo. The office is reportedly probing the years-old 'hush money' payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claims she had an affair with Trump.
The devastated father of a schoolgirl who was killed in a horror speedboat crash has today described how her lips turned blue as she lay dying - after a court heard a 'grossly negligent' skipper ignored safety rules and smashed straight into a 15ft buoy having not seen it for 14 seconds.

Highly experienced and qualified Michael Lawrence is accused of recklessly taking risks by performing daring stunts before he ploughed into the huge metal buoy at 36.6kts (42.2mph).

The devastating smash threw passengers overboard, left them with broken bones, and tragically killed 15-year-old Emily Lewis as her chest was 'crushed' against a metal handle.

Lawrence, 55, 'wasn't paying attention and was distracted' or 'miscalculated' a turn during the 'extremely dangerous' ride and left concerned passengers 'uncomfortable'.

The skipper - apparently nicknamed 'Mr Safe' - earlier took a selfie on board the high-powered speedboat on Southampton Water, Hampshire, when he had 11 passengers. He initially blamed the accident on his Covid face mask being blown up by the wind and covering his eyes - but just days later 'changed his story' and said he had a momentary loss of vision.

Seadogz Rib Charter Ltd owner Michael Howley, 52, is also on trial facing a safety charge.

Undated handout photo issued by Hampshire Police of Emily Lewis

Michael Lawrence (left) and Michael Howley (right) at Winchester Crown Court today

I watched my daughter's lips turn blue after speedboat crash, her father tells court The father of tragic Emily Lewis told jurors of the moment he watched his dying daughter's lips turn blue after the 'violent' speedboat crash. Simon Lewis, giving evidence at Winchester Crown Court, said Michael Lawrence's driving on the high-powered RIB 'made me nervous'. Mr Lewis told how he booked the trip on GroupOn as a 'fun treat' for his family as they had not gone on a summer holiday due to the Covid-19 lockdown. He compared the ride to being in a car driving 'too fast' and told of the moment it smashed into the huge buoy, later describing the heartbreaking moment they decided to switch off her life support machine. His daughters had never been on a speedboat and he said Lawrence provided a safety briefing which included information about life jackets and what to do if someone went overboard. He said: 'We were pretty excited, it was a fun thing to go and do, it was happy, it was a good time. 'There was music... As we went out, we went past a buoy, and that's when it went on - it was Who Let The Dogs Out. 'The thing I found slightly unnerving, but I put down to me not being a boating guy, was that there was a very long, sweeping curve that we took. 'It felt to me as if you are driving too fast in a car and you are over-steering. That made me nervous.' Advertisement

Simon Lewis, giving evidence at Winchester Crown Court, said Michael Lawrence's driving on the high-powered RIB 'made me nervous'.

Mr Lewis told how he booked the trip on GroupOn as a 'fun treat' for his family as they had not gone on a summer holiday due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

He compared the ride to being in a car driving 'too fast' and told of the moment it smashed into the huge buoy, later describing the heartbreaking moment they decided to switch off her life support machine.

His daughters had never been on a speedboat and he said Lawrence provided a safety briefing which included information about life jackets and what to do if someone went overboard.

He said: 'We were pretty excited, it was a fun thing to go and do, it was happy, it was a good time.

'There was music... As we went out, we went past a buoy, and that's when it went on - it was Who Let The Dogs Out.

'The thing I found slightly unnerving, but I put down to me not being a boating guy, was that there was a very long, sweeping curve that we took.

'It felt to me as if you are driving too fast in a car and you are over-steering. That made me nervous.'

Mr Lewis said after speeding through a ferry's wake, the RIB drove straight at the buoy.

He said: 'The buoy was dead ahead. It felt like it was going straight 15 or 20 seconds. I was not concerned as we had done it multiple times.. Then I became concerned. There was a long enough time to see the buoy and it was like I had three moments to think; the first 'we are going to go round', second 'he's cutting it a bit fine' and then the third was 'we are going to...' and I didn't even get a chance to think about it.

'We hit the buoy and the boat glanced to the right, I was thrown forward very violently and hit my face, knee and wrist on the seat in front. I squashed the young lad in front of me. I don't know if I was knocked out as there's a small time I don't remember and was incredibly winded.

'Amy was closest to me and kept shouting 'I've broken my arm, dad! I've broken it dad, it really hurts'.

'I looked for Nikki and she was not in her seat so I was worried, then I saw she was laid on the deck.

'Em was scooched down in front of her seat in almost like a foetal position. I squatted down and was like 'are you alright?' and at the time I thought she had just been winded as she was like 'I can't breathe'. I kept telling her 'OK' and to take deep breaths.

'The skipper come out from his position on his phone... He said 'hello mate, I've had a crash, it's a bad one'. He was walking towards the front of the boat which I presume was to look at the damage.

'Emily was unconscious and unable to speak and that was the first time I noticed her lips, which turned blue. Even with my small amount of knowledge I knew that's not a good thing.'

Mr Lewis said he became 'scared' and asked Lawrence about the rising water level.

'He made a derisory scoff at me as if to say 'well we are not going to sink are we'', Mr Lewis said.

He said it felt like 'an hour' before they were transferred to land from the boat.

At hospital, Mr Lewis said he learned when medics used the term 'poorly' to describe his daughter's grave condition it 'meant a bit more than someone saying I feel quite poorly today'.

The speedboat which crashed

Skipper 'had no idea about an important safety code before smashing speedboat that killed schoolgirl Emily' Skipper Michael Lawrence and Seadogz owner Michael Howley had no idea about an important safety code before the death of Emily Lewis, the court was told. Prosecutor Christine Agnew KC said 'neither man appears to have been aware' of the widely-promoted guidance on 'Passenger Safety on Small Commercial High-Speed Craft and Experience Ride'. The code, called the HSPV Code, was made after a crash in Scotland in 2016 and was promoted by the likes of the Royal Yachting Association. Ms Agnew KC said: 'The HSPV was highly relevant to both Mr Howley as operator and Mr Lawrence as skipper. 'Neither man appears to have been aware of its existence. By being unaware of the Code and therefore unable to apply the recommendations the risk to passengers of the rib and other water users was increased. 'A further demonstration of the lack of awareness and complacency which characterised what was to happen on August 22.' Howley, 52, 'delegated responsibility' for the safety of rides to his drivers including 55 year old Lawrence, Ms Agnew KC said. She said: 'Despite running a commercial operation generally considered to be 'adrenaline fuelled' involving 'speed' and 'some of the signature tight turns, jumps and wake rides that Seadogz have become known for' Mr Howley appears to have completely delegated responsibility for the safety of the rides to those who he asked to drive the boats for him. 'Having delegated the duty, it seems he didn't check.' The defendants' barristers then both addressed the jury to outline their cases. Barrister Karim Khalil KC, defending Lawrence, said: 'He kept a proper lookout and did not travel at an improper speed. 'The prosecution are inviting you to hold him to standards of perfection, or something close to perfection, claiming anything less than that is negligent or careless behaviour. 'He made no last minute manoeuvre at all, he was unable to and didn't see the buoy. 'There are two possibilities, that something obstructed his vision, or something internal happened - some kind of defect to cause short term loss of vision. 'It's clear that he was in shock [after the crash]. 'He has been trying to piece together what happened.' Mr Khalil KC said medical evidence shows Lawrence has some kind of mental issue and that there is history of it in his family. He said he now has PTSD and is a 'genuinely decent man who is doing his best to explain what happened'. He added: 'He was a coxswain in the Lifeboat [service] for a very long time.... Navigating in extreme duress in pursuit of saving lives. 'His maritime career has always been about preserving life and not endangering it.' James Newton-Price KC, defending Howley, said the married father was also in the RNLI. He said he did 'what he reasonably could' do ensure safety, adding: 'He hired good people and was careful to do so and take his job seriously.' Advertisement

Mr Lewis, who managed to remain composed while talking about the distressing experience, said medics told him 'the amount of time she didn't have enough oxygen would have been detrimental to her'.

He said he and his family decided 'it's not how Emily would have wished to live' and made the decision to switch off her life support machine.

The horror smash happened on Southampton Water around 10am on August 22 in 2020, as families booked the excursion while on summer holidays.

Emily, who was on board the boat with her mother Nikki, father Simon and older sister Amy, then 18, was among 11 people taken to hospital following the crash.

The court heard that after the crash Emily was saying she could not breathe, was scared and her lips were blue but that Lawrence paced up and down the boat 'not appearing to assist anyone and stepping over those in his way'.

The 'beautiful' schoolgirl, from Park Gate, near Southampton, tragically died at Southampton General Hospital later that day from catastrophic chest injuries.

Opening the manslaughter trial at Winchester Crown Court today, prosecutor Christine Agnew KC said Lawrence's behaviour was 'truly, exceptionally bad and grossly negligent'.

His safety briefing before was described as 'wishy-washy', and she told how Mr and Mrs Lewis 'decided to treat' their daughters to a RIB ride.

Ms Agnew KC told jurors: 'This was to be a high thrills ride. Tragically it was both a high thrills and ultimately an extremely dangerous ride which ended with the death of Emily. She died from internal injuries she sustained by being crushed against the metal handle immediately in front of her when the boat crashed head on into a buoy... which Michael Lawrence appears not to have seen.

'Perhaps because he wasn't paying attention and was distracted, or because he was planning to take a sharp turn around it and because he wasn't paying close enough attention, he miscalculated the turn.

'In either event, the prosecution say his actions that day fell far below those of a competent skipper.'

Two other passengers ended up in the water and others were seriously injured.

Ms Agnew KC continued: 'Lawrence was heard to say on a number of occasions both on the day and later that the face mask he had been wearing had blown up and covered his eyes resulting in his temporary blindness.'

Ms Agnew KC said Lawrence changed his account in the following days when social media footage emerged.

She said: 'Perhaps he began to appreciate that his explanation about the mask did not provide a credible explanation for why he drove straight at the buoy for as long as he did - at least 10 seconds.

'By the time he was questioned in the days that followed by police officers about what had happened he had changed his story; he claimed he had had some sort of black-out which had made him lose his sight.

'Lawrence was not an inexperienced seaman - quite the opposite. He was a hugely experienced mariner - well qualified and well respected.

'Even extremely experienced people make extremely grave mistakes, they become distracted, they become complacent, they take for granted important aspects and features which others who are less experienced may take into consideration.

'But the Crown say that Lawrence's behaviour that day went further than that.

'The prosecution's case is that despite his experience, or maybe even because of it he took risks he should not have done and failed to observe basic safe practice whilst skippering the RIB when he alone was responsible for the safety of and owed a duty of care to the 11 other people on board.

'It is the Crown's case that the actions of Lawrence that August afternoon were truly exceptionally bad, grossly negligent and caused the death of Emily.'

Of Howley, Ms Agnew KC said: 'Howley, by failing to ensure that his RIB was operated in a safe manner, i.e. by not having in place policies and procedures which would adequately protect the passengers, is also guilty of a albeit less serious offence.'

The 60 minute RIB ride was advertised as 'adrenaline-fuelled' and would involve 'speed' and 'some of the signature tight turns, jumps and wake rides that Seadogz have become known for'.

Lawrence held qualifications including an advanced powerboat course, an advanced powerboat instructor course, and a yachtmaster course.

Emily's mother felt the briefing carried out by Lawrence was 'wishy-washy', one of his co-worker's said it was 'quick', and Lawrence said 'we will take it easy today' in light of the sea conditions, it was heard.

On the ride, Emily was placed in the middle due to her age and being the smallest on board. Her feet could not touch the floor and there were no seatbelts.

The Lewis' felt Lawrence 'took corners really sharply and they felt uncomfortable', it was heard.

He reached speeds of up to 47.8 knots (55mph) during the thrill ride, performing figure of eight turns around buoys.

Howley at a previous court appearance

The speed limit on the water had expired, but Lawrence and Howley thought it was 40 knots.

Other skippers felt he came too close to buoys, it was heard.

Ms Agnew KC said the boat had driven in the wake of a car ferry five times before heading straight towards the buoy, which was 4.69 metres and a 'large green structure'.

She said: 'The distance between [the RIB and buoy] was 277 metres. Lawrence accelerated and headed straight in the direction of the buoy. From the buoy coming into sight there were 14 seconds until impact at 10.11. The last recorded speed was 36.6 knots. The buoy is a large green structure... perhaps not surprisingly, the witnesses expected the RIB to turn but some became worried when it was not doing so.

'Lawrence's phone records show he called Howley four times... he was heard to be telling him 'hey mate, I've had an accident, it's a really bad one, I've had a bad one'.

'Amy Lewis broke her arm in the collision and passed out. When she regained consciousness, she saw that the handlebar in front of Emily had gone straight into Emily's stomach.

'Emily was saying she could not breathe, was scared and her lips were blue.

'Amy, Nicola and Simon Lewis all recall Mr Lawrence walking up and down the boat not appearing to assist anyone and stepping over those in his way.'

It was heard 'Emily was scared and distressed because she could not see.'

The prosecutor said Emily suffered brain damage and her family was told she was 'unlikely to survive' before they made the 'unspeakably hard decision to turn off her life support machine'.

Medical evidence showed her injuries were 'unsurvivable'.

Lawrence, of Blackfield in the New Forest, denies manslaughter by gross negligence, failure to maintain a proper lookout as master of the boat, and failing to proceed at a safe speed while operating the boat.

Howley, of Hordle, New Forest, denies 'failing to take all reasonable steps to secure the boat operated in a safe manner'.

The four-week trial continues.
Heated remarks continue in the 'stove wars' as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York mocked Republicans on Thursday evening for their 'meltdown' over a report that President Joe Biden was considering banning gas stoves.

'I do think it's funny that, like, absolute utter Republican meltdown where they're like you can take my gas stove out of my cold dead hands,' the progressive firebrand said in a video posted to her Instagram.

The White House said on Thursday that the president wasn't considering such a move. The frenzy started after Bloomberg reported on Monday 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.

Republicans blew up, with some saying the administration can take gas stoves 'from my cold dead hands.'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) mocked Republicans for their 'meltdown' over a report that President Joe Biden was considering banning gas stoves

Ocasio-Cortez, earlier this week, defended the science and pointed out that 'ongoing exposure to NO2 from gas stoves is linked to reduced cognitive performance.'

That led Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas to lash out and share 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!'

Ocasio-Cortez pushed back on that, noting she has a gas stove because she rents an apartment.

'I rent. Period,' she said in the Instagram story. 'There is very concerning science about some of the emissions from gas stoves, especially around the cognitive development of young children, asthma, cancer, etc.'

She also said there would be no immediate ban on the gas stove.

'This is about a decision about what may be sold and regulations in the far future. Okay, so everyone just take the temperature down a little bit. No secret government agency is gonna bust down your door and take your gas stove away,' she added.

Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson said the federal government would have to 'pry' his gas stove 'from my cold dead hands'

When progressive firebrand Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York pointed out that 'ongoing exposure to NO2 from gas stoves is linked to reduced cognitive performance,' Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson lashed out at her - and shared a photo of the New York congresswoman's gas stove

Additionally, a number of Republicans pointed to a 2020 tweet showing Dr. Jill Biden cooking veggies over gas - a photo that was taken three years ago.

'Rules for thee but not for me,' tweeted Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

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.

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.

The majority of Americans - approximately 68% - use an electric vs. natural gas stove according to the Energy Information Administration Residential Energy Consumption Survey.

A number of Republicans shared this 2020 tweet from first lady Jill Biden that showed her cooking vegetables over a gas stove

Even before the White House announced Biden was not considering a ban, the Consumer Product Safety Commissioner was already trying to walk back his inflammatory comments.

'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.

A new study that found that roughly one in eight cases of childhood asthma in the US are the result of air pollution given off by gas stoves.

This puts emissions from gas cooking at the same asthma risk level as breathing in secondhand smoke.

Asthma affects roughly six million US children each year and nearly 13 percent of them get it from breathing in the myriad toxins that a gas stove belches out every day.
Shocking footage shows the moment three men killed a biker by driving a van into him for wearing his 'colours' on their rival motorcycle gang's turf, as the trio are jailed for a total of 20 years for manslaughter.

In 'sickening' dashcam footage, David Crawford, 59, is seen being knocked off his bike before being dragged hundreds of metres under the van and left for dead by the side of the A38 near Plymouth, Devon.

He was 'deliberately targeted' on the night of May 12 last year by a rival Bandidos gang who were blood-thirsty for revenge, prosecutors argued at trial.

Benjamin Parry, 42, Chad Brading, 36, and Thomas Pawley, 32, were all cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. Parry was jailed for 12 years on Friday, while Brading and Pawley were each sentenced to four years.

In dashcam footage, David Crawford (pictured), 59, is seen being knocked off his bike before being dragged hundreds of metres under the van and left for dead by the side of the A38 near Plymouth, Devon

Dashcam footage from the van shows it approaching David's motorcycle while Brading and Pawley drive alongside it in a black Mercedes

Torn heart, punctured lungs and dozens of bone fractures: Tragic biker David Crawford suffered 'mental and physical torture' before his death, court hears David Crawford suffered 'very significant mental and physical torture' when he was hit by a van and dragged hundreds of metres, a court heard today. Benjamin Parry, 42, Chad Brading, 36, and Thomas Pawley, 32, were all cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter, and were sentenced to a combined 20 years' jail on Friday. A Home Office pathologist found Mr Crawford had suffered multiple rib fractures - 18 fractures on his left side and 25 on his right. Both lungs had suffered multiple punctures, caused by the fractured ribs. The pericardial sac which surrounded Mr Crawford's heart had been torn open and he suffered lacerations across the right atrial of the heart. He also suffered tears to his liver and spleen as well as three fractures to his pelvis. The pathologist noted that Mr Crawford's black motorbike helmet was 'eroded flat' on the left side. In addition she found abrasions and lacerations of varying severity to his head, neck, both arms, torso and both legs. At sentencing Friday, the Honourable Mr Justice Garnham told ringleader Parry: 'Very significant mental and physical torture was caused to the deceased as he was dragged along the road for almost a kilometre under your van.' Advertisement

Parry, sentenced to longer in prison because of his 'significant, if not leading, role' in the joint enterprise, was also banned from driving for 10 years.

The trial at Plymouth Crown Court had heard it was considered 'insulting' for a member of one club to ride in a rival club's patch wearing 'colours' - the badges and emblems of that club.

Prosecutors argued the three defendants, who were part of the Plymouth branch of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, had acted as a 'joint enterprise' in carrying out the fatal attack.

Sentencing them at Exeter Crown Court today, the Honourable Mr Justice Garnham said the footage 'makes frankly for sickening viewing'.

Jailing them, he said: 'In my judgement, you, Parry, bear by far the bulk of the responsibility for the death of Mr Crawford.

'Your unlawful act of driving into Mr Crawford was an intentional act to cause injury.

'You played a significant, if not leading, role in this joint enterprise. You, along with Pawley and Banding, planned there should be an attack on Mr Crawford.

'Very significant mental and physical torture was caused to the deceased as he was dragged along the road for almost a kilometre under your van.

'After the collision, you drove off with Mr Crawford trapped under your van.

'After you came to accept that's what happened, you continued to drive, leaving Mr Crawford dead or dying in the road.'

The trial at Plymouth Crown Court had been told the trio had set out to confront their rivals from the beginning and caught up with the Red Chiefs MC, that was affiliated to the Hells Angels, at the Tamar Bridge.

Mr Crawford, of Ivybidge, Devon, was seen saying farewell to his fellow members on the evening of May 12 last year.

In what was described as a 'coordinated attack', dashcam footage that was played to the jury showed Parry's Transit slamming into the back of the victim's Kawasaki motorcycle on a slip-road of the A38 near Plymouth.

The footage also showed the black Mercedes with the other two defendants inside, beside it.

Benjamin Parry (pictured), 42, was sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter for his 'significant' role in the killing

Chad Brading (left), 36, and Thomas Pawley (right), 32, were each sentenced to four years for the manslaughter of David Crawford

David Crawford's Kawasaki motorcycle on a slip-road of the A38 near Plymouth, Devon, after being hit

The victim was initially knocked onto the bonnet and then under the van - where he was dragged before being dislodged at a slip road further down the A38.

Mr Crawford was pronounced dead at the scene and had suffered a 'horrific' number of injuries consistent with being dragged along a road.

Passing paramedic Eleanor Nematollahy was single crewed and on her way back from Launceston at around 8.50pm having attended an incident of cardiac arrest when she spotted the body of Mr Crawford.

She noted that almost all his injuries were to his left side and that his helmet 'was worn right down to almost nothing'.

A Home Office pathologist found he suffered multiple rib fractures - 18 fractures on his left side and 25 on his right. Both lungs had suffered multiple punctures, caused by the fractured ribs.

The pericardial sac which surrounded Mr Crawford's heart had been torn open and he suffered lacerations across the right atrial of the heart. He also suffered tears to his liver and spleen as well as three fractures to his pelvis.

The pathologist noted that Mr Crawford's black motorbike helmet was 'eroded flat' on the left side. In addition she found abrasions and lacerations of varying severity to his head, neck, both arms, torso and both legs.

Benjamin Parry slamming into the back of David Crawford's Kawasaki motorcycle on a slip-road of the A38 near Plymouth, Devon

Benjamin Parry's van seconds before it slammed into the back of David Crawford's Kawasaki motorcycle on a slip-road of the A38 near Plymouth, Devon

The clothing David Crawford was wearing when he was killed by rival gang members

The clothing of the Bandidos gang, whose three members targeted and killed David Crawford on May 12 last year

The prosecution said the three defendants had together through a series of calls and 'signals' sought to hunt down the victim and said none of them had the 'decency to stop or call an ambulance.'

The judge told all three defendants: 'Mr Crawford was entirely innocent in all this. He'd just been out for a ride on his motorbike with his friends from his motorcycle clubs.

'You three had absolutely no right in determining who could ride in Devon and what colour they could wear.

'His family have been absolutely devastated by his death.'

In a victim impact statement read to the court today, his wife Ann-Marie said: 'David was the life and soul of the party, he was passionate about rugby which he played since school.

'He was loved by his family and his close friends. He had a motorbike for most of his life.

'When the police told me and our daughter he'd been killed, our lives changed in a second.

The pathologist noted that Mr Crawford's black motorbike helmet was 'eroded flat' on the left side

Aerial shot of the location where Mr Crawford was dislodged from the van after being dragged hundreds of metres

The moment Parry was arrested on suspicion of murder. He was later cleared but convicted for manslaughter

'I don't leave my mum's house unless I have to or I'm with someone.

'I've stopped going to my gym as it's in Ivybridge and it gives me panic attacks.

'I have lived in Plymouth all my life and this is the first time I don't like living in this city. When I can afford to, I'm going to move to another country.'

Mr Crawford's daughter Sarah said he was on his way to arrange flights to Australia to visit her when he was killed.

In a statement read to the court, she said: 'When I received the news that my dad had died, the pain was immediate. My heart felt like it had ripped out of my chest.

'This has been a huge shock and an emotionally and financially difficult time.

'I'm struggling with my everyday life now.

'The day he died, he was found with his passport in his pocket as he was arranging his flights and visas to Brisbane to see me.

'My dad won't walk me down the aisle and won't be there for future family events. I'm just devastated.'

Tributes are laid to David Crawford near to where he was killed on the A38 near Plymouth

Mr Crawford's daughter Sarah said he was on his way to arrange flights to Australia to visit her when he was killed (Pictured: David Crawford)

Mr Crawford's step-daughter Janice told the court he became her dad when she was four years old and he married her mum.

She added: 'Our bond was strong and unique. I will never have another person in my life like my dad.

'The pain and hurt these man have caused me will affect me for my whole life. My anxiety is so bad I don't like to leave my house.'

The jury was told the Devon-based Bandidos Motorcycle Club had an issue with the Cornish-based rivals Red Chiefs riding in their county with their colours.

They were shown footage of Crawford riding his black Kawasaki motorbike when it was stopped by Pawley and Brading in Pawley's black Mercedes car on a sliproad of the A38.

As the bike was being obstructed, Parry, who was driving his work Transit van, drove behind Mr Crawford and struck the rear of the motorbike.

Parry didn't stop after the collision and Crawford was pinned under the Transit as it drove on at speed onto the A38; his body eventually broke free at the off slip of another junction hundreds of meters away from the initial collision.

Sean Brunton KC, defending Parry, said his client hit Mr Crawford (pictured) but claimed it was 'nothing other than a spur of the moment act' and a 'catastrophic error of judgement by him'

Paramedics were unable to save Crawford who died at the scene.

In a police interview, Brading claimed 'nobody set out to kill anybody.'

He added: 'It was just never meant to happen'.

Sean Brunton KC, defending Parry, said his client hit Mr Crawford but claimed it was 'nothing other than a spur of the moment act' and a 'catastrophic error of judgement by him'.

His earlier manslaughter plea had initially been rejected by the prosecution, who pursued the more serious murder charge.

Representatives of Pawley and Brading also told the court murder was 'not in the mind' of their clients at the time and they did not conspire with Parry on the attack.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Rob Smith said: 'These men have taken away a father, grandfather, brother, and son away from his family in what was a senseless and unwarranted attack.

'I would like to pay tribute to David's family who, throughout have conducted themselves in an extremely dignified manner and been hugely supportive of our investigation team, which I am very grateful for.

'I hope these sentences will provide at least some comfort that justice has been done and allow David's family to move from this terrible incident.'
The Idaho State University quadruple murder suspect Bryan Kohberger made a brief court appearance on Thursday and postponed his preliminary hearing until June 26 at the request of his defense.

Kohberger's counsel stated that the 28-year-old was ready to sacrifice his right to a brief preliminary hearing to provide the defense with additional time to evaluate discovery.

Bryan Kohberger Hearing

Kohberger's hands were free during his brief court appearance on Thursday morning, but his feet remained chained. The court asked Kohberger whether he knew he was entitled to a preliminary hearing within 14 days, to which he replied, "yes."

The court asked if he renounced his right to a speedy preliminary hearing, and he said affirmatively. If further time is required to present evidence, the court set aside the full week of June 26 through June 30 for the hearing.

Kohberger, charged with first-degree murder and burglary, has yet to enter a plea, ABC News reported. Kohberger was arrested in his native state of Pennsylvania on December 30 due to the triple killings that gripped the nation.

The doctoral student in the department of criminal justice and criminology at Washington State University was spending the holidays with his family in Pennsylvania. A law enforcement source told ABC News that in the days preceding Kohberger's arrest in Pennsylvania, federal agents observed him throwing trash into neighbors' trash cans in the middle of the night.

The 28-year-old criminology Ph.D. student was taken into the courtroom by a sheriff's officer with two cuts near his chin and apparent bruises on his neck for the five-minute hearing.

As he relinquished his right to a speedy trial and was ordered to continue being held without bail, Kohberger wore leg shackles and an orange T-shirt and had a dead-eyed face with dark circles around his eyes.

According to witnesses cited by The New York Post, Kohberger appeared to fidget and answered briefly in response to the judge's straight inquiries.

Kohberger is accused of stabbing to death Madison Mogen, 21, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, while they slept in an off-campus residence around 4:00 a.m. on November 13.

Kohberger appeared in court one week after being extradited from his native state of Pennsylvania to Idaho. Per state regulations, after he appeared in court, the police may issue an affidavit containing the evidence that prompted them to suspect him.

This evidence suggested Kohberger may have conducted repeated surveillance on the students' residence and returned to the crime scene after the murders. His capture on December 30 followed a seven-week countrywide search in response to the gruesome murders of students that riveted America.

So, neither a motive nor a connection between Kohberger and the victims has been revealed. Shanon Gray, the attorney representing the Goncalves family, expressed astonishment after the hearing that the court scheduled a hearing so far in the future.

Read Also: Missing Massachusetts Mom Ana Walshe

Idaho Murder Suspect Stalked Victims Before The Crime

Kohberger allegedly brought up the matter in a casual talk with his neighbor just days after the murders, stating that he viewed it as a "crime of passion."

One of Kohberger's neighbors in Pullman, Washington, a few miles across the Idaho border from Moscow, had come forward to allege that the suspect told him about the deaths shortly after they occurred when very few facts about the investigations were publicly accessible.

Contrast the neighbor's testimony with Kohberger's classmates, who claimed he was hesitant to discuss the subject, as per The Independent.Kohberger reportedly intends to contest the charges that he stormed into a student residence in Moscow on November 13 and brutally stabbed four pupils to death.

Jason LaBar, who represented Kohberger in Pennsylvania, stated that he was "ready to be exonerated."In an affidavit issued on January 5, detectives disclosed that Kohberger's DNA was detected in a knife sheath found next to the body of one of the victims. Police believe that further evidence, including security video of Kohberger's white Hyundai Elantra near the crime site and information from his smartphone, also links him to the deaths.

A lawyer for the family of Goncalves stated that "no connection" has been established between the four pupils and the suspect. According to the affidavit, cellphone data indicates that Kohberger stalked the student's residence at least 12 times before the murders.

Related Article: Idaho Murders Suspect Only an Accomplice?

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Democrats peddled false narratives that Russian bots were promoting a memo about the Trump-Russia investigation - even though Twitter told them they had found no evidence of Moscow's involvement, according to a new installment of the Twitter Files.

The 14th installment of the social media company's files released by journalist Matt Taibbi showed executives tried to warn senior Democrats about a debunked 'Russian bot' theory in 2018.

The Democrats claimed Devin Nunes's 2018 memo, which exposed flaws in the investigation linking Donald Trump to Russia before the 2016 election, was being amplified by Kremlin-backed entities on social media.

Twitter employees said the claims weren't true and shared their findings with the Democrats, but their efforts were in vain because politicians kept pushing the theory anyway.

Instead of publicly challenging the claims, Twitter was instead told by outside counsel to issue a vague statement saying they take bots and foreign interference 'seriously', Taibbi writes.

Twitter stood by and let Democrats peddle false narratives about 'Russiagate' - even though they found no evidence of Moscow's involvement, according to a new dump of files from the social media company. Rep. Adam Schiff (left) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (right) pushed false claims that Russia was behind a campaign

The 14th installment of the Twitter Files released by journalist Matt Taibbi showed executives tried to warn senior Democrats about a debunked 'Russian bot' theory in 2018

It is further evidence of how Russiagate theories and the discredited Steele Dossier were able to be publicized with little challenge.

'Twitter warned politicians and media they not only lacked evidence but had evidence the accounts weren't Russian  and were roundly ignored', Taibbi wrote.

In 2018, Democrats discredited the Republican memo on FBI surveillance abuse by falsely suggesting it was being promoted by 'Russian bots' with the hashtag ReleaseTheMemo.

The memo, written by former Chair of the House Intelligence Committee Devin Nunes, pointed out flaws in the investigation into Trump's supposed links to Moscow.

Nunes's memo was verified by the Department of Justice a year later.

California Democrats Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Adam Schiff wrote an open letter saying the ReleaseTheMemo hashtag was being promoted by 'Russian influence operations'.

And Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) then said it was 'reprehensible that Russian agents have so eagerly manipulated innocent Americans'.

Taibbi wrote that: 'Feinstein, Schiff, Blumenthal, and media members all pointed to the same source: the Hamilton 68 dashboard created by former FBI counterintelligence official Clint Watts, under the auspices of the Alliance for Securing Democracy.'

The dashboard claimed to expose Twitter activity connected to any 'Russian disinformation campaign'.

Twitter's Global Policy Communications Chief Emily Horne, who went on to work at the White House and National Security Council, told her colleagues to be 'skeptical' of the Hamilton 68 dashboard and said it was a 'comms play' for the Alliance for Securing Democracy.

Twitter executives wrote to Feinstein and Schiff saying they had found no evidence of Russian activity connected to the Release The Memo hashtag

Twitter execs responded internally by saying: 'We are feeding congressional trolls' and compared the situation to the story: 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie'

Their own internal investigations on the 'bot' theory had found 'not any... significant activity connected to Russia'.

Ex-trust and safety chief Yoel Roth, who resigned over his role in censoring the Hunter Biden laptop story, also couldn't find any Russian connection to the bid to discredit the memo.

'I just reviewed the accounts that posted the first 50 tweets with #releasethememo,' Roth wrote according to Taibbi. 'None of them show any signs of affiliation to Russia'.

Twitter reached out to Senator Blumenthal's office to explain that bots were not responsible, but they were ignored.

Staffers even tried to offer the Democrat other information that could be seen as 'wins' for him.

'It might be worth nudging Blumenthals staffer that it could be in his boss best interest not to go out there because it could come back to make him look silly,' one Twitter staffer wrote.

But Blumenthal went ahead and published the false claims anyway, and Twitter executives grew 'frustrated' with the fact their work was being swept under the rug.

Their efforts to try and combat the claims waned, and they didn't release statements on the record saying the 'bot' theory was false.

News outlets continued to push the false narrative.

Twitter execs responded internally by saying: 'We are feeding congressional trolls'.

They also said Democrats were putting the 'cart before the horse' by assuming the social media campaign was started by Russia.

Twitter senior executives compared the situation to the story: 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie'.

'He'll want a glass of milk, which will lead to a wave of other exhausting requests, at the end of which he'll want a glass of milk. And one more cookie', Taibbi wrote.

On the bombshell claims, Nunes told Taibbi: 'Schiff and the Democrats falsely claimed Russians were behind the Release the Memo hashtag, all my investigative work.

'By spreading the Russia collusion hoax, they instigated one of the greatest outbreaks of mass delusion in U.S. history.'

Taibbi concluded: 'This #ReleaseTheMemo episode is just one of many in the #TwitterFiles. The Russiagate scandal was built on the craven dishonesty of politicians and reporters, who for years ignored the absence of data to fictional scare headlines'.
American actor and star of the 'Flash,' Ezra Miller, 30, has narrowly avoided jail time after accepting a plea deal in connection with a break in at a southern Vermont home May last year.

The 30-year-old 'Flash' actor agreed to a suspended sentence of 89 to 90 days in jail for the misdemeanor of 'unlawful trespass,' according to a plea deal filed with the Vermont Superior Court in Bennington on Friday.

Miller, who identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, will also be fined $500 plus a $192 surcharge and be placed on probation for a year.

Two other charges were dropped, including a felony burglary charge that could have carried a sentence of 25 years in prison.

American actor Ezra Miller, 30, has narrowly avoided jail time after accepting a plea deal in connection with a break in at a southern Vermont home in May last year. The 30-year-old 'Flash' actor agreed to a suspended sentence of 89 to 90 days in jail for the misdemeanor of 'unlawful trespass'

Vermont Police charged Miller with felony burglary of an unoccupied dwelling May 1, with the actor claiming they were in the house to look for ingredients for a recipe for their mother.

Miller was accused of taking bottles of gin, vodka and rum from their neighbor's pantry on that day at around 5pm in the afternoon.

They told their attorney on Friday that they were grateful for the love and support they received.

'Ezra Miller pled guilty this morning to a misdemeanor unlawful trespass in Vermont Superior Court and accepted the conditions imposed by the court,' Miller's attorney Lisa Shelkrot said on behalf of the embattled actor.

'Ezra would like to thank the court and the community for their trust and patience throughout this process.

'They 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.'

In a video from the Vermont court on Friday, Miller was seen to plead 'guilty' while standing beside their attorney and speaking to Judge Kerry Ann McDonald-Cady

The prosecutor said in court Friday that this resolution protects his client's privacy without having to go to trial

Actor #EzraMiller, best known for his role as "The Flash," appeared in Vermont court Friday and accepted a plea deal to avoid jail time for his role in an alleged alcohol theft dating back to May. pic.twitter.com/52WuKtZRmW  Law&Crime Network (@LawCrimeNetwork) January 13, 2023

Miller, who asked that the court address them as Mx. Miller, entered the courtroom at the beginning of the hearing with their lawyer.

They wore a black suit jacket over a black crewneck shirt and pants and a black face mask with their long hair pulled back, as seen in videos of the proceedings on Twitter.

The prosecutor said in court Friday that this resolution protects his client's privacy without having to go to trial.

It also ensures compliance with conditions that would protect the victim and allows the defendant to continue employment with mental health treatment.

'I do find they strike the balance of both your rehabilitation and continue to make sure that you're a healthy citizen and also a punishment factor here,' said Judge Kerry Ann McDonald-Cady of the deal terms.

'So I do find this an appropriate sentence and in the interest of justice.'

Vermont Police charged Miller with felony burglary of an unoccupied dwelling May 1 - with the non-binary actor claiming they were in the house to look for ingredients for a recipe for their mother

Miller played The Flash in the DC Cinematic Universe - and was pulled into crisis meetings with Warner Bros over their behavior

Miller (pictured in a mugshot taken for separate charges in Hawaii) will also be fined $500 plus a $192 surcharge and be placed on probation for a year. Two other charges were dropped, including a felony burglary charge that could have carried a sentence of 25 years in prison

She added that the conditions are 'about mental health, substance-free living' and no contact with the neighbor.

As part of the plea agreement, Miller also agreed not to consume alcohol if it interfered with their employment or interaction with others and the actor must continue with rehabilitation efforts around their mental health treatment.

McDonald-Cady then went over the state's standard probation conditions, including the requirement to notify their probation officer of any employment or address changes and told Miller to check in with probation before 3 pm Friday.

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.

Miller had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges, claiming they were getting ingredients for a recipe for their mother and can be seen here with attorney Lisa Shelkrot who said in a statement that Miller had wanted to acknowledge the ongoing love and support of family and friends

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.'

Miller was previously arrested in Hawaii on separate charges for assault of a woman

They were arrested in August, and entered their now defunct not guilty plea in October when a judge ordered they stay away from neighbor Isaac Winokur - the house they stole the bottles from, as well as neighbor Aiden Early.

The actor spoke only to confirm that they understood the conditions of their bail.

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.

A Massachusetts mother was granted a temporary order of protection against Miller in June, on behalf of the woman's 12-year-old child.

It was granted after the judge found the child faced 'substantial likelihood of immediate danger of harassment.'

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 here in a car

Miller is seen here in their breakout film The Perks Of Being A Wallflower in 2012

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.

It's also claimed they created a secret harem out of their Vermont ranch - a de facto convent - where the star is claimed to have asserted themselves as a Jesus figure over a group of women.

Miller was also arrested twice in Hawaii in March last year - 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.

A video surfaced on Twitter of Miller appearing to choke a woman at a bar in Reykjavik, Iceland, in April 2020 - but did not appear to result in any charges

Miller was previously charged with disorderly conduct and harassment at a karaoke bar following two arrests in Hawaii in March last year one of which is pictured

In April, one month later that year, 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.

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 DC's 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 stars in the 'Flash' movie, an insider telling The Wrap that early screenings had scored positive feedback.

It will feature Miller as the titular superhero encountering other versions of themselves and Supergirl from other timelines.
An aristocrat brandished her grandfathers machete at a business meeting after an investment into cryptocurrency went bad.

Romaine Colthurst took the blade to the meeting to prove a point, a court heard this week.

The 53-year-old lost a substantial amount of money after investing 320,000 into cryptocurrency and brought the weapon, a family heirloom, to a meeting regarding her financial loss, Welshpool Magistrates Court was told.

When questioned by police, Colthurst told them she readied herself for the meeting by brushing my hair and made sure my make-up and hair was straight and adjusted the machete under my coat.

Romaine Colthurst took a machete to the meeting to prove a point, a court heard this week. Pictured: Colthurst with a machete

The court heard the defendant was just carrying the weapon for the visual aspect and to make a point but she refuted any suggestion she took it to make a threat.

Descended from Irish Barons, Colhursts father Oliver owned Blarney Castle and estate near Cork, including its famous stone, while her mother, Caroline, was a fashion journalist who co-founded the exclusive London members club, Annabels.

The Colthursts Shropshire pile, the 42-bedroom Pitchford estate, has been in the family since 1473 and was once host to Queen Victoria.

But the family were forced to sell Pitchford in 1992 after they lost their fortune when faced with a demand for 800,000 after investing in the Lloyds insurance syndicate.

Colthurst invested 320,000 into a cryptocurrency business belonging to entrepreneur Lyndon Farrington

Colthursts older sister, Rowena, bought the Tudor house back in 2016 with her political lobbyist husband James Nason.

Now living off her familys inheritance in Wales, Colthurst has been unemployed for ten years, the court heard, and invested 320,000 into a cryptocurrency business belonging to entrepreneur Lyndon Farrington.

But after losing a substantial amount of money through the investment, she decided to confront Mr Farrington last November at his premises in Llangedwyn Mill, where his company Beep Mine Ltd is based.

In a moment of madness Colthurst took a machete belonging to her grandfather, which she later told officers was in the side door of her car.

Pretesh Chauhan, defending, said: Ms Colthurst made an ill-advised decision to take what is essentially a family heirloom to the meeting.

She uses it on her estate to cut down grass and vegetation. Nothing I can say is designed to excuse the fact that she was transporting a weapon to what was essentially a business meeting.

A pre-sentence report was completed by probation officer Julian Davies, who told the court: She has lost lots of money and went to confront him about the investment, and in a moment of madness took her grandfathers machete.

After admitting a charge of possessing a bladed article, Ms Colthurst was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for 12 months.

She must complete 150 hours of unpaid work, pay a 154 surcharge and 85 costs.

The court also ordered the destruction of the machete.
Three Salvadoran sisters have been rescued from an islet on the Rio Grande after they were reportedly abandoned by migrant smugglers, according to Mexicos immigration agency.

The children, aged one, six and nine, were found after Mexicos National Guard issued an alert Wednesday.

A task force with the National Institute of Immigration responded to the call and were able to safely remove the girls from the islet, known as Isla del Mudo.

Video footage shows the oldest girl carrying her baby sister before handing her over to one of the agents as she and her other sister clamber on to the boat.

Footage released by the Mexican government captured the moment an immigration task force member rescued three Salvadoran migrant girls abandoned on a Rio Grande islet during a smuggling attempt Wednesday. The children, ages one, six and nine, are in the custody of Mexicos System for the Integral Development of the Family.

The migrant children from El Salvador were loaded on to a boat by a Mexico immigration agent whose team had been alerted by the National Guard that the girls were stranded on an islet in the Rio Grande

The children were later turned over to Mexicos System for the Integral Development of the Family.

Salvadoran consulate officials in the northeastern Mexican city of Monterrey have been in contact with local authorities, according to the Central American nations foreign ministry.

The Rio Grande serves as a section of the border between Texas and the northern Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas, and can be considered the top crossing point for migrants seeking to enter the United States legally or illegally.

It is also an area where many children have been left behind by smugglers. Others have not been so fortunate and drowned in the strong river currents.

The nine-year-old girl steps into the boat while her six-year-old sister follows as the immigration agent hold their one-year-old sister

An task force agent for Mexico's National Institute of Immigration guards the three migrant sisters from El Salvador who were rescued Wednesday from a Rio Grande islet where smugglers abandoned them

In April 2022, U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered a two-year-old boy from Honduras with a group of migrants who had been stopped near the river shore in the Texas border town of Roma. The child had been sent alone across the border by his parents.

A month earlier, a two-year-old boy from Latin America was found walking alone on a boat ramp off the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass, Texas.

In January 2022, seven-year-old Victoria Lugo, of Venezuela, drowned in the river after she got separated from her mother, Mayerlin Mayor, and a group of migrants.

They were walking across a stretch of the waterway when Mayor lost her daughter's hand and the current swept her down the river.
House Oversight Committee claims the same address where classified documents were found matches Hunter Biden's driver's license as recently as 2018

House Oversight Republicans are demanding to know whether Hunter Biden was living at President Biden's Wilmington home and conducting 'international business deals' while there were classified files in the garage.

Oversight Chair Rep. James Comer, Ky., noted that documents on file with his committee show that the same address where the documents were found was listed on Hunter Biden's driver's license as recently as 2018.

Emails found on Hunter Biden's laptop he left at a computer repair shop show that he listed his father's Wilmington address as his own residence for his credit card and his Apple account in 2018 and 2019, Fox News pointed out.

New York Post reporter Miranda Devine, author of the book 'Laptop From Hell,' pointed out that Hunter listed the Wilmington address on a background screening document.

Republicans demand to know if Hunter Biden lived at Wilmington, Delaware address where classified documents were found

'The committee is concerned President Biden stored classified documents at the same location his son resided while engaging in international business deals with adversaries of the United States,' Comer wrote in a letter to White House Counsel Stuart Delery.

Comer asked for information on all classified documents retrieved by Biden aides at any location and complete lists of everyone who searched for documents and every location that had been searched. He also asked for all communications between the White House and Department of Justice and National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

On Thursday the White House confirmed a second trove of classified documents was found at the president's private residence and garage in Wilmington, Delaware.

'The committee is concerned President Biden stored classified documents at the same location his son resided while engaging in international business deals with adversaries of the United States,' Rep. James Comer wrote in a letter to White House Counsel Stuart Delery

The House Oversight Committee wants to know if President Biden's son was staying at the Wilmington, Delaware's home where the documents were found

In 2018 Hunter Biden claimed he owned the house where Joe Biden kept classified documents alongside his Corvette in the garage Via @jj_talking pic.twitter.com/L7c80MRRiS  Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) January 12, 2023

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.'

Timeline of important events in President Joe Biden's document drama

House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer of Kentucky presses the White House about classified docs stashed at Biden's Wilmington, Delaware home.

'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.'
A school administrator knew the six-year-old Virginia boy who intentionally fired a gun at his first-grade teacher had a weapon on him hours before the shooting, but nothing was found when his backpack was searched.

Abby Zwerner, a first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, had just finished reading a story and were about to head to an art lesson when the youngster pulled out the handgun and shot her.

Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Dr. George Parker has now said there had been a report the boy may have had a gun with him two and a half hours prior to the shooting.

Speaking at a town hall with parents Thursday, he said: 'At least one administrator was notified of a possible weapon in the timeline that we're reviewing and was aware that that student had, there was a potential that there was a weapon on campus.'

Newport News Public Schools Superintendent Dr. George Parker said at a town hall with parents Thursday that there had been a report the boy had the handgun with him

Details about how they learned about the weapon and why it wasn't found before the shooting weren't immediately available. The police chief has previously said the boy brought the gun to school in his backpack.

The news comes as the district continues to reel and attempt to react after its third shooting in three years.

Dr. Parker said he is considering requiring clear plastic backpacks for Richneck's students that would be bought by the district.

On Thursday, the Newport News School Board also announced that 90 walk-through metal detectors would be placed in schools across the district, starting with Richneck, where Zwerner was shot Friday.

'The time is now to put metal detectors in all of our schools,' board Chairman Lisa Surles-Law told a news conference.

Metal detectors are a U-turn for the school district, as Dr. Parker had previously been against putting them in schools but is 're-evaluating' his position, according to WAVY.

The move came even as educators and other experts nationwide grappled with the complex issue of how to prevent gun violence in even the youngest school populations.

Police vehicles are seen parked outside Richneck Elementary School in Newport News

Dr. Parker told parents he is considering requiring clear plastic backpacks for Richneck students that would be purchased by the district.

'This is a real game changer,' said Mo Canady, executive director of the National Association of School Resource Officers, which trains law enforcement members who work in schools.

'How do we begin to approach the idea of protecting students and staff from an armed 6-year-old?'

Friday's shooting fuels a debate over the effectiveness of metal detectors - which are still relatively rare in schools - and other safety measures.

Police Chief Steve Drew has described the shooting as intentional. A judge will determine what's next for the child, who is being held at a medical facility following an emergency custody order.

Drew said the child used his mother's gun, which had been purchased legally. Its unclear how he gained access to the weapon. A Virginia law prohibits leaving a loaded gun where it is accessible to a child under 14 as a misdemeanor.

'She was going to confiscate it, and that's when he shot,' Brittaney Gregory, whose son was also in the class, told the Washington Post.

The children then raced out of the classroom and into another one, where they stayed in a lockdown. Zwerner was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and is now in serious but stable condition.

Abby Zwerner, 25, was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries and is in serious but stable condition

Brittaney Gregory, whose son goes to first grade at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, said the teacher was about to confiscate a gun when she was shot

The boy's first-grade teacher Abby Zwerner, 25, was rushed to hospital with critical injuries on Friday.

Although the child in still in custody, it is unlikely he will ever be charged with any crime.

'As a practical matter, it would be next to impossible to prosecute a six-year-old, no matter how serious,' said Andrew Block, associate professor at the University of Virginia School of Law.

Chief Steve Drew met with Abby Zwerner and her family on Saturday morning and said in a statement her condition is improving

Block noted that the 'infancy defense,' means that people younger than seven do not have the mental ability to form the intent to commit a crime.

'The bigger barrier, presuming the prosecution could overcome that, is all defendants have to be competent to stand trial,' Block said. 'That means you have to understand the nature of legal proceedings against you and assist in your own defense. There's no way a six-year-old would meet that criteria.

'The juvenile justice system would not be equipped to handle such a young kid.'

An adult could face misdemeanor charges as under Virginia law, guns need to be secured from children under the age of 14.

'There's way more we don't know than we do,' Block said. 'I can't imagine what it's like to be the teacher or teacher's family; it's horrible in every single direction.'

Newport News police chief Steve Drew met with Zwerner and her family on Saturday morning.

Her wounds have been described as life-threatening but her condition is improving and she is now in a serious but stable condition.

Gregory's son said that the teacher who was shot was his favorite, describing her as bubbly and outgoing.

She was also someone who fostered love and encouragement among her young pupils, sometimes leaving surprise notes in the children's backpacks.

'I hope you had a great day,' one read. 'I want you to know your smile is contagious,' said another.

'She's such a sweet lady,' Gregory explained to the Post. 'She's very attentive to the kids.'

Her son has had nightmares in the nights since the shooting.

'He normally sleeps in his own room but the night of the shooting he came into my room. He was talking in his sleep, saying we got to get out of here,' Gregory said. She is now planning to take her son to a therapist this week.

Gregory believes her son was deeply affected by what he saw and experienced.

'He's normally a talker, but he stumbled over his words. I was so relieved,' she added. 'But you could tell on his face what he was going through. He was a deer in the headlights.'

'The individual is a six-year-old student and is right now in police custody,' Chief Drew said at a press conference on Friday. 'This was not an accidental shooting.

Abby Zwerner (pictured), 25, a first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School, was rushed to hospital with critical injuries on Friday after she was shot in the chest by a six-year-old boy

Gregory's son, pictured above, said that the teacher who was shot was his favorite, describing her as 'bubbly and outgoing'

Zwerner has been described as a teacher who fostered love and encouragement among her young pupils, sometimes leaving surprise notes in the children's backpacks

'It was in a classroom, an altercation took place there,' he said. 'We did not have a situation where someone was going around the school shooting. We had a situation in one particular location where a gunshot was fired.'

Classes have been canceled on Monday and Tuesday for all of the 550 students at the school which teaches from kindergarten through to the fifth grade.

'It's very devastating,' Gregory said of the shooting, never believing such a thing would be possible in her son's school. 'It's sad that such a young child holds so much anger.'

A crowd of parents waited outside Richneck Elementary School after the 2pm shooting where a six-year-old allegedly shot his teacher on purpose after an 'altercation'

Zwerner was shot in the chest at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News at 2pm Friday

A grandmother of one of the students told DailyMail.com that a student brought 'shiny gold bullets' to school last week, but it is unclear if it is the same child who was taken into custody today.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, she said: 'The parents outside stated that their child told them a kid brought golden shiny bullets to school and was thinking about bringing his gun. The student told the parent, who informed the school.

'And the school just yesterday got back to the parent saying the parent of the kid said it was a nerf bullet and the parent said nerf bullets aren't shiny and gold.'

She was not positive if the child who brought in the 'bullets' is the same child allegedly involved in last week's shooting.

Carlos Glover, nine, (pictured) was seen leaving the school with his mother Joselin after the shooting. A student has been taken into custody, but police have not released the student's name

The shooting occurred in the classroom and was an isolated incident. Officers are still trying to determine how the boy managed to get the weapon

One parent, Sebastian Gonzalez-Hernandez, confirmed Zwerner's identity.

He said 'she screamed at her kids to run away' after the student fired a single bullet.

'Even after she'd been shot she was thinking about the safety of her children,' Gonzalez-Hernandez said.

His own six-year-old, who he did not wish to name, was in the classroom when the gunshot went off.

'My son didn't see what happened, he heard the gunshot go off, and turned around to see Miss Zwerner on the floor,' he told DailyMail.com on Friday.

'She is an amazing teacher, so dedicated. My son absolutely loves her, and we're devastated about what's happened. We are all thinking of her and hoping that she gets better soon.'
A foul-mouthed animal rights activist was caught on camera viciously berating a woman for fishing - branding her a 'vile b*tch who should be drowned'.

Elsa Joan had spent a day fishing on January 8 at Brooklands Lake in her hometown of Dartford, Kent, and had set up a tripod to capture her freshly-caught carp on camera just before dark.

However, the 24-year-old was in for a 'pure shock' when an enraged woman proceeded to verbally attack her for almost two minutes to return her catch to the water - failing to realise that Elsa would do anyway as it was a fishery.

The unexpecting fishing enthusiast caught the entire rant on camera, with footage showing the irate stranger hurling slurs such as 'you vile b*tch', and 'you're a f**king w****' as Elsa tries to reign in her temper.

Elsa Joan had spent a day fishing on January 8 at Brooklands Lake in her hometown of Dartford, Kent, where she received a torrent of abuse from an animal rights activist

The angry woman (pictured left) tells Elsa (right) that she is a 'f**king w****' and 'should be drowned'

As the young factory worker scoops her catch into a bag to be released back into the lake, the angry stranger tells Elsa that she 'should be drowned' and that she 'isn't human' as the two continue their row off-camera.

Elsa claimed the woman eventually walked away but continued to shriek in rage from afar - despite seeing that she had already set the 10lb fish free.

The experience left the carp catcher 'completely in shock' and surprised by her own patience in the face of the outburst.

Elsa said: 'This woman walked past, and just went absolutely crazy. It took me completely in shock.

'She had an aggressive demeanour. Her aggression just got worse and worse from the start.

'I thought, 'I have to keep my cool for the safety of the fish'. It always comes first in carp handling. That's why we have mats, big nets and equipment for carp care.

'Straight away I knew it was going to get a bit irate, and I didn't think I had the patience. But clearly, I proved myself wrong.

'If I had said anything apart from what I kept saying - 'it's a fishery' - I would have got angry.

The unexpecting fishing enthusiast caught the entire rant on camera, with footage showing the irate stranger hurling slurs such as 'you vile b*tch'

Elsa claimed the woman eventually walked away but continued to shriek in rage from afar - despite seeing that she had already set the 10lb fish (pictured) free

'[After] I put the fish back in the water to be released and it swam off, I was like 'f**k off'. Nothing is going to stop me from losing my s**t now.'

Straight after the impromptu fight, Elsa reported the incident to the Brooklands Lake bailiff.

Now, the authority of the lake and its regulars are on the lookout for the mysterious shouting stranger, who hasn't been spotted since.

In the meantime, Elsa has been able to see the funny side of the situation and continues to go down to her local lake as normal.

The fisherwoman is encouraging her verbal attacker to 'educate herself', claiming that the sport of fishing isn't harmful to aquatic creatures.

Elsa said: 'It's not changed my perspective on fishing.

'I absolutely love the sport, I've always loved the sport, and I think people like herself should be more educated because the fish aren't harmed at all.

'I've always watched videos on Facebook of this sort of thing happening, with people going off day-to-day just doing what they want to do, but I didn't imagine it would ever happen to me.

'I found it funny. I was shocked, but it was so, so funny.

'The power of the media will take control, I'm sure. I don't think she'd want to walk around here again.'
A judge opted against a trial because it would not be in the public's interests

A Japanese family who kept the mummified body of their Cambridge-educated daughter in a Yorkshire cottage for six weeks were 'utterly convinced she was still alive', an inquest heard.

A mysterious diary was found in the home of talented artist Rina Yasutake which revealed 'she became unresponsive on August 18', 2018.

It was not until the local pharmacist alerted police that Rina's siblings were claiming their sister was 'unconscious' that police were called to the scene.

On September 25, 2018, detectives from North Yorkshire attended the home and found Rina's 'mummified' remains on a mattress in an upstairs bedroom of the property in the sleepy town of Helmsley - which had no modern conveniences, TV or radio.

Part of the investigation was to find out who owned the diary - which was written in Japanese - but nothing ever came to light, Senior North Yorkshire Corner Jon Heath was told today.

Giving evidence, Det Insp Nichola Holden, the senior investigating officer, said the inquiries had been hampered because the family spoke only Japanese - and used a 'unique' dialect.

A mysterious diary was found in the home of talented artist Rina Yasutake which revealed 'she became unresponsive on August 18', 2018

Northallerton Coroner's Court was told that Rina had first visited her GP in 2013 because of family concerns about her 'aggressive episodes' and fears she might harm her mother.

Her weight was recorded at 6 stones and 6lbs and she was only 4ft 11 inches tall.

Rina, who was aged 49 when she died, was a talented artist who had graduated in classics at Cambridge but had never worked since.

For 20 years, she had lived in total isolation with mother Michiko Yasutake, now 80, brother, Takahiro Yasutake, now 51, and sister Yoshika Yasutake, now 56.

She had not seen her GP since 2013.

Following the death of her father in Japan, Rina stopped eating. One day, she went to bed and 'stopped moving'.

According to the handwritten diary, she was 'very weak, took to her bed, and continued until August 18 (2018) when she became unresponsive'.

Her sister said: 'Rina went to Cambridge to study classics. She was very bright. She was more outgoing than me.'

Police were finally called in after a local pharmacist noted a man and woman had been buying large quantiles of surgical spirit.

Knowing the spirit could have dangerous properties, she confronted them when they next returned to the store.

She said the man had a pink folder containing some letters and she spotted Rina's name among them.

Yoshika eventually told her: 'Our sister is not conscious.'

Her family (pictured) were 'utterly convinced she was still alive', an inquest heard

The pharmacist informed police who attended the property and found Rina's badly decomposed and 'mummified' body on a mattress in an upstairs bedroom.

A duvet was covering the body up to the neck and a paramedic Karen Tomlinson said: 'It was obvious she had been dead and probably had been for some weeks.'

But DI Holden agreed with the family's barrister Craig Hassall KC that Rina's loved ones were 'utterly convinced she was still alive'.

She continued: 'They were at the time and for many months afterwards.'

'The family were an independent unit from the village. They had no modern communications. There was no TV and no radio.'

Her sister said: 'She was still breathing, her body was warm, and she still had a pulse,' Yoshika told the doctor.

'She did not say much to us. So we said to eat and drink more. She looked like she was nourished by eating her soul.

'I don't know how to explain. Even though she was not eating. She was nourished with spiritual food and was fulfilled.'

A judge in 2021 determined it would not be in the public interest to hold a trial over Rina's strange but tragic death.

A post mortem established there were no signs of injuries, disease or drugs. The cause of death was 'unascertained'. There was no suggestion of suspicious circumstances.

Recording an open conclusion, coroner said: 'The accuracy of the diary is not known. The cause of death cannot therefore be ascertained for sure.

'The family did not believe Rina was diseased and remained in that continuing belief for some time there after.'

Wrapping up the inquest, he offered the family his 'sincere condolences for their loss'.
U.S. President Joe Biden told Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that the United States strongly supports the defense of Japan as he welcomed him to the White House on Friday.

In their Oval Office meeting, Biden also thanked Kishida for his leadership on technology and economic issues.

'Let me be crystal clear, the United States is fully thoroughly, completely committed to the alliance,' he said. 'And more importantly to Japan's defense ... the defense of Japan.'

Their meeting comes amid escalating tensions with China over the status of Taiwan and after Japan announced plans last month to raise defense spending to 2 percent of gross domestic product, a marked change in course for a nation that adopted a pacifist approach after World War II.

U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House on Friday and told him that the United States strongly supports the defense of Japan

In their meeting, Biden also thanked Kishida for his leadership on technology and economic issues, while the Japanese prime minister spoke about his increased defense spending

'Today I'm looking forward to how we can continue advancing our shared goals and values, including the G7 summit in Japan and AIPAC in San Francisco later this year,' said Biden.

The two administrations were also ready to seal an agreement to bolster U.S.-Japanese cooperation.

For his part, Kishida thanked his host and explained why he had upped his nation's defense spending.

'Japan and the United States are currently facing the most challenging and complex security environment in recent history,' said Kishida.

'And in order to ensure peace and prosperity in the region, and to contribute to that and also safeguard peace and security of Japan. In late last year, Japan formulated a new national security strategy.'

He added that the two would also be discussing how to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, at a time when China continues to flex its muscles.

Its armed forces launched large-scale joint combat strike drills at the start of the week, sending war planes and navy vessels towards Taiwan on Sunday.

A Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location (file photo). The Chinese military held large-scale joint combat strike drills starting Sunday, January 9, 2023, sending war planes and navy vessels towards Taiwan, both the Chinese and Taiwanese defense ministries said

A map of the activity between 6 a.m. on Sunday and 6 a.m. on Monday

Over the course of 24 hours, between 6 a.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday, China's People's Liberation Army flew 57 warplanes and four ships towards Taiwan, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense said in a statement Monday morning.

Twenty-eight of those planes crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary that both sides had previously stood by.

China said the drills' 'primary target was to practice land-strikes and sea assaults,' according to a statement from Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the PLA's Eastern Theater Command.

Days earlier, the U.S. Navy sent a destroyer sailing through the sensitive Taiwan Strait in a show of force.

In a statement, the US military said the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer Chung-Hoon carried out the transit.

'Chung-Hoon's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,' the statement added.

It said the entire operation was performed in compliance with international laws.
A Tory councillor supplied information about Britain and Nato's 'combat alert status' to Communist spies for cash during the Cold War.

Dexter Smith, the Conservative group leader for Slough Council, supplemented his salary as a defence journalist in the Eighties by providing details about Nato nuclear planning summits, chemical weapons and the missile defence of Western Europe.

He also used his access to Government and military officials to supply reports on British involvement in the American Star Wars nuclear defence plan, the modernisation of Nato's command and control system and military equipment developments  which were used by enemy intelligence chiefs behind the Iron Curtain.

Despite being opposed to Communism, he became 'addicted' to cash rewards for his information and eventually determined 'to sell every word', according to newly declassified Security Service archives in Prague.

He also enjoyed being 'entertained in style' in high end restaurants by his handler and receiving gifts including cut glass in return for the 'reports and information he provides,' the files said.

Dexter Smith, the Conservative group leader for Slough Council, supplemented his salary as a defence journalist in the Eighties by providing details about Nato nuclear planning summits, chemical weapons and the missile defence of Western Europe

Mr Smith was said to be susceptible to flattery and also cooperated to 'make himself feel good' because he liked to 'show off' his 'knowledge and expertise of military policy'.

Codenamed Slough, after his home town, he passed on 24 reports during 'clandestine' meetings in London and near Windsor Castle.

Mr Smith, who 'fully understood' who he was working for, was 'very careful' when handing over his reports and 'looks around to make sure he is not being watched,' according to the files.

The information he supplied was classed as 'non-public' or 'not easily available' and was to a 'large extent usable' and utilised by intelligence agencies in Czechoslovakia.

His paid cooperation only ended when his handler, Major Bedrich Kramar, an agent for the Czech Military Intelligence Agency who had the cover of air attache at its London embassy, was expelled from the UK for spying in September 1988.

Now retired and living in a semi-detached home outside Slough, Mr Smith accepted the file looked 'damning' but insisted he had done nothing wrong.

The married father of two said he never provided anything confidential and considered the cash he received payments for as 'freelance writing commissions'.

The reports he handed over also helped the West's deterrent by alerting the Communists to the capabilities Nato had without jeopardising them, he said.

Mr Smith also said he had told representatives from the British security services - from an agency he believed to be either MI5 or something similar - about the meetings and provided them all the information he supplied Kramar.

For their part, the Czech spies said in their initial exploration of Mr Smith that 'nothing adverse happened that would suggest the presence of enemy counter-intelligence'.

An analysis following Kramar's expulsion concluded  although it was impossible to rule out  'we have seen no signs of [Mr Smith] being used as a dangle' by MI5.

Mr Smith's motive for cooperation with the agent and supplying information was 'mainly for financial reasons', the files allege

Soviet state banquet

Mr Smith first met Kramer at a state banquet held at London's Soviet Embassy in September 1986, which was attended by military and civil diplomats and defence journalists. At the time the Czechoslovakian Military Intelligence Agency was a puppet of the KGB.

Mr Smith was living with his parents in Slough and worked as the strategic affairs editor of Defence magazine, which boasted their 'globe-trotting' journalist enjoyed 'unchallenged political access'.

To the Communist spymasters, this made him a valuable asset, as the files explained: 'The contact's job makes it possible for him to obtain and hand over information on the changes in Nato's and GB's armed forces combat alert status.

'He also gets sent as correspondent to closed meetings of Nato bodies and has access to non-public reports from these meetings.'

Following the initial contact, Kramer - referred to by his codename agent 718 in the files  began to make 'covert' contact with Mr Smith.

Amid concerns it might be a 'dangle' by the British secret service, the Czech handler insisted on 'security measures' for the 'clandestine meetings' including ordering Mr Smith to keep them secret, meeting at quiet times in restaurants with 'minimal chance of being overheard' and carefully watching Mr Smith as he arrived to 'make sure he was not being followed'.

Exploration

During an initial nine-month 'suitability assessment', Mr Smith handed over information on a range of defence issues, including Britain's involvement in the US Star Wars nuclear deterrent programme, 'technologies and space weapons' and the modernisation of the US strategic air force.

Another file noted: 'His possibilities as to obtaining this kind of information and his willingness to do so were checked at a meeting on 11 May 1987 when, immediately after receiving information at the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) about the planned meeting of the Group for Nuclear Planning, he taped it for the agent.'

A later file added Mr Smith was 'likely to have close contacts with holders of such confidential information' and once told his handler when set a task relating to a subject he didn't know enough about: 'I will ask around, I have friends in Nato.'

His handler did not detect the 'presence of enemy counter-intelligence' so the spy chiefs approved 'tightening our cooperation' with Mr Smith.

Now retired and living in a semi-detached home outside Slough, Mr Smith accepted the file looked 'damning' but insisted he had done nothing wrong

Cut glass and cash

Mr Smith's motive for cooperation with the agent and supplying information was 'mainly for financial reasons', the files allege.

His first reward in 1987 was a cut glass Bohemian crystal, worth around 100 at the time, which he said would make a nice present for his then girlfriend.

Payments then 'gradually changed to direct financial rewards' which were only given for 'information that was deemed useful' by his handler.

One file noted: 'When receiving envelopes with money in, [Mr Smith] did not seem particularly shy but looked around inconspicuously to make sure he was not being watched.

'He simply considered the money to be a reward for his informational help.'

On one occasion his handler 'tested' whether he was a double agent by offering the money in front of his colleagues during a meeting at his workplace.

Mr Smith looked 'scared' and told the agent 'he would deal with it outside his workplace.'

His handler concluded if he was being directed by the British security services 'he would most likely not been so worried about hiding his side income.'

As time went on there was an 'unwritten rule' that Mr Smith was 'regularly rewarded for supplied information but he never asked [for] information that was of no use to the agent.'

Mr Smith 'gradually got used to a side income' and from November 1986 to March 1988 received just over 1,000 in rewards and hospitality - nearly 3,000 in modern value. At this time he was earning 1,200 a month for his job.

On one occasion when his agent gave him half of what he had expected, Mr Smith was said to be 'not happy' and 'asked for an explanation'. However the following month he showed 'overt joy' when paid retrospectively for the information.

His handler believed this showed his 'growing addiction on financial rewards,' explaining he was counting on the cash and tried to 'sell every word'.

Fine dining and flattery

The files say: '[Mr Smith] liked dining in style and he used to be impressed by the agent's choice of high-class restaurants.

'An additional motive was Smith's self-satisfaction at being able to supply insightful information that did not compromise him in any way.

'He knew he was extremely knowledgeable on the required subject matter and was privy to information that no one else in the editorial office had access to and he made sure everyone else knew it.

'The agent encouraged him in this by making it obvious to him that he respected him as a real authority in his field.'

Source agent

By June 1988, the files note Mr Smith had 'observed security instructions and fulfilled tasks set' by his handler, and spy chiefs proposed his recruitment as a full 'source agent'.

It said that 'based on the reports and information handed over to us in the exploration stage' he had 'already proven his potential' in providing recorded information from closed MoD meetings about planned changes in the armed forces, training exercises and planned reinforcements of Nato's armed forces on the Central-European battleground.

He had also offered information on Nato's military strategy, the 'development and implementation' of new types of weapons, the outcome of Nato's summit meeting with regard to military policy and US influence on Nato's European military policy.

The day after an October 1987 MoD press conference, he supplied information and documents about Nato's planned exercise 'Certain Strike'  a mass practice to prepare for a potential attack on West Germany by the USSR and its Warsaw Pact Allies.

It said: '[Mr Smith] fully understands who he is working for.

'He is keeping his contact with the agent secret, follows the given security instructions, fulfils the set tasks relating to monitoring changes in combat alert status.

The document concluded: 'His cooperation is deliberate and he has been obtaining and supplying the required information relating to Nato's combat alert status on a long-term basis

'We have not found anything adverse with regards to security that would prevent his recruitment as a source agent.'

Handler expelled

But, in September 1988, his handler Kramar was expelled from the UK for spying.

Apparently after he was told of his deportation - but before he had left the UK - Kramar had a last meeting with Mr Smith.

The files noted: 'We saw no signs suggesting a link between the deportation and the Slough case.

'[Mr Smith] did not show any changes in behaviour during the last regular meeting and agreed to carry on with cooperation with a different agent and supply information in return for money like before.'

Mr Smith said he had no recollection of this meeting and that it did not seem 'plausible'.

The Czechs did initially cut contact with Mr Smith for several months before spy chiefs decided to make approaches via a new agent to see if the journalist was happy to continue the arrangement.

But the tentative plan appeared to have run out of time, with the final dossier on Mr Smith in the Prague security archives dated 28 November 1989  the date Communist rule in Czechoslovakia officially ended following the Velvet Revolution to overthrow dictatorship.

Professor Anthony Glees, an intelligence and security expert from the University of Buckingham, said it was no surprise that the Communist spies targeted journalists.

He said: 'A journalist is always a very important agent. They are trusted and have licence to ask questions of those in power and senior positions.

'Because it is their brief and subject, they know where to look for and dig out public information which others would not know how to find.'

As a general principle, MI5 will neither confirm nor deny whether someone has worked for or with them, even historically.

MI5 can use whatever lawful means necessary to gather information about a foreign intelligence service operating in the UK.
The Peru protest deaths continue to pile up as violent clashes between law enforcement personnel and demonstrators become inevitable, with one police officer burning to death in a patrol car.

One protester also died while several other police officers were injured in Cusco as officials ordered health facilities to be on red alert. Demonstrators tried to forcefully enter the Alejandro Velasco Astete International airport during curfew on Wednesday, said the Interior Minister.

Peru Protest Deaths

One member of the Anansaya Urinsaya Ccollana de Anta indigenous community was later reported to have been killed while in the city. That casualty brought the latest death toll nationwide to 48 since the beginning of the protests in December. The demonstrators were sparked after the ousting and subsequent arrest of former President Pedro Castillo.

Castillo's arrest was due to his attempt to dissolve Congress to maintain power. The Ombudsman's statement said they were demanding an immediate investigation to find the people responsible for the death of the indigenous member and later proceed to the respective sanctions, as per CNN.

A report by the Ministry of the Interior said that the Regional Health Management of Cusco had placed all health establishments within its territory on red alert in response to the protests. Thousands of people in Juliaca have also paid their respects to the dead by parading coffins through the streets. The city is home to almost half of the deaths that have occurred.

Peruvian citizens who held black flags also marched through Puno's streets as others shouted, "The bloodshed will never be forgotten." On Tuesday, the office of the country's top prosecutor launched an inquiry into newly elected President Dina Boluarte and senior cabinet ministers over deadly clashes.

Demonstrators have demanded that Boluarte, the former vice president of Castillo, resign, have called on Congress to dissolve, changes to the Constitution, and the release of the former president.

Read Also: US Warned Over Weapon Supply to Ukraine

Demand for Boluarte to Resign

However, the new government under Boluarte won a vote of confidence in Congress by a wide margin on Tuesday evening. Even a loss would have resulted in a cabinet reshuffle and the resignation of Prime Minister Alberto Otarola.

The police officer who burned to death was on patrol before protesters attacked him in Puno. The law enforcement personnel was later identified as 29-year-old Jose Luis Soncco Quispe. He was with a fellow officer in Juliaca on Monday night before the incident, according to Fox News.

The victim's partner, identified as Ronald Villasante Toque, said that the assailants were "detained and physically attacked by some 350 protesters." He was taken to a hospital in Lima after suffering multiple head injuries as the attackers beat him. He added that he was unaware of what had happened to his partner during that time.

In the Puno region, 17 of the casualties related to the violent protests were set to be buried on Thursday. Other areas, considered essential tourism sectors, such as Cusco and Arequipa, have experienced significant protests, said Inquirer.

Related Article: UAE Oil Chief To Lead COP28 Climate Talks

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T.J Holmes officially filed for divorce from his wife in January, months after DailyMail.com revealed their relationship

Their situation with ABC remains 'in limbo', with the longer the decision is put off the 'less likely' they are to return to GMA

Good Morning America hosts Amy Robach and T.J Holmes will 'have other alternatives' if they do not return to their air after being suspended six weeks ago.

The pair were taken off the air temporarily after executives at the network became aware of their relationship  which was exclusively revealed by DailyMail.com.

Now DailyMail.com can confirm that it is 'less likely' that they will return to the network the longer their suspension continues.

Robach, 49, and Holmes, 45, are accused of having an affair by their respective partners, with Holmes officially filing for divorce in January.

A well-placed industry source told DailyMail.com: 'Amy and T.J. have not been fired. The situation is still in limbo.

'But the longer the indecision goes on, the less likely they will return to doing GMA3 together. That said, their relationship never violated company policy.

'They're both very talented professionals, and the expectation is there will be other alternatives for them at the network.'

Good Morning America co-hosts T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach spent a weekend shacked up in a cozy cottage in the Shawangunk Mountain region, checking out of their rental on Sunday November 13. Holmes was seen giving his lover a playful squeeze from behind as she packed up the car

The lovers appeared together after the scandal, but were suspended by the network shortly afterwards and have not been on-screen in six weeks

ABC has refrained from giving a public update on the decisions around the future of the hosts  with their replacement continuing to say that they were 'filling in'.

The co-anchors were suspended from the show after initially weathering the storm, after exclusive DailyMail.com photos showed them getting cozy in November 2022.

Initially they returned to the air on December 1, just a day after the scandal broke, and appeared to make subtle quips about their situation.,

Four days later president of ABC Kim Godwin announced that they would not appear on air because their relationship was a 'internal and external distraction.'

The couple were seen having a relaxing break over Christmas together, and were pictured by DailyMail.com kissing as they went for lunch in Miami, Florida.

They had tried to keep their distance in the immediate aftermath of the story breaking, as sources questioned whether the relationship could survive the onslaught of attention.

At first Robach and Holmes seemed determined to brazen it out  with TJ sparking disbelief when he appeared alongside Robach and made light of the scandal after their relationship became public

The secret lovers did not spend Thanksgiving together, but wasted no time reuniting, when they were snapped traveling back and forth between each other's apartments in Manhattan on November 28

Both Holmes and Robach have been married to their respective spouses since 2010. It is not known when or how Holmes's wife, 44-year-old attorney, Marilee Fiebig, (pictured together in 2012) and Robach's husband, former Melrose Place actor Andrew Shue, 55, (pictured right in March 2022) learned of the romance, but both couples are said to have split up in August this year

After DailyMail.com revealed that both the married co-anchors were having an affair, both Holmes' and Robach's 12-year marriages were left in tatters  with both couples splitting after learning of the illicit romance.

Robach shares daughters Ava, 19, and Analise, 16, with ex-husband Tim McIntosh. The duo also divorced in 2008.

Just days before Christmas, they were seen enjoying a low-key lunch at the Capital Grill near Holmes's apartment in the Financial District.

At first Robach and Holmes seemed determined to brazen it out  with TJ sparking disbelief when he appeared alongside Robach and made light of the scandal after their relationship became public.

Holmes filed for divorce from his wife officially in January, with the news breaking as he was enjoying time with his new squeeze Robach

Nov 10: After a flirty rendezvous at O'Donoghue's Irish bar in Times Square, Holmes and Robach, who are both married, were later seen walking out of the pub separately, keeping a safe 20 feet apart as they waited for their ride outside

DailyMail.com revealed Holmes and Robach's friendly relationship on air has evolved into a full blown secret romance off-screen, in recent months. The two are pictured having flirty post-filming drinks at a New York City bar on Thursday November 10

Then, speaking on Friday December 2, he joked that it had been 'a great week' and that he wished it would 'just keep going.'

Their next move was to claim that they were 'openly dating' and speak about 'growing their relationship.'

When Holmes was first approached for comment by DailyMail.com, his knee-jerk reaction was a career-saving attempt to 'adamantly deny' the relationship existed at all.

Sources later told DailyMail.com that while the two have accepted the fate of their marriages, they don't want to 'jeopardize their futures with the network any more than they already have.'
Sandhurst sources said that Harrys representation was wrong by 180 degrees

Officer cadets say they were warned such cognitive biases were dangerous

The Army said the Prince was taught dehumanising and 'othering' were wrong

Harry claimed the Army taught him to dehumanise the 25 Taliban that he killed

Prince Harrys claim the Army taught him to dehumanise the 25 Taliban he killed has been challenged by his Sandhurst classmates.

Speaking exclusively to the Mail, they said the prince was actually taught the exact opposite  that dehumanising and othering were completely wrong  while a student at the officer academy.

According to other officer cadets, they and Harry were warned such cognitive biases were highly dangerous.

The Mail has also obtained Sandhursts battlefield ethics syllabus which highlights these risks, using examples such as the killing of a Taliban prisoner by Royal Marine Sergeant Alexander Blackman.

Prince Harrys claim the Army taught him to dehumanise the 25 Taliban he killed has been challenged by his Sandhurst classmates

Last night, former colleagues and Sandhurst sources said Harrys representation of army teaching was wrong by 180 degrees.

Harry attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in 2005-06, commissioning, aged 21, as Officer Cadet Wales into the Blues and Royals cavalry regiment.

His kills came on his second tour of Afghanistan as the gunner aboard an Apache attack helicopter which is armed with Hellfire missiles and a 30mm chain-gun, which he fired.

In his controversial memoir Spare he claimed they  his Army instructors  trained me to other them and they trained me well.

He added: In truth, you cant hurt people if you see them as people. They were chess pieces taken off the board, bad guys eliminated before they kill good guys.

But this claim was called into question last night, as an officer who passed out alongside Harry said: The dangers of cognitive biases were taught and there was no suggestion of simply othering people, thats just wrong.

If you no longer think of your enemy as being like yourself, if you dehumanise them, your sense of right and wrong is entirely compromised.

Harry attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in 2005-06, commissioning, aged 21, as Officer Cadet Wales into the Blues and Royals cavalry regiment

In his controversial memoir Spare the Prince claimed they  his Army instructors  trained me to other them and they trained me well

The idea he and I were taught that is ludicrous. Instructors were very clear we should not go down that road.

Sandhurst students spend several weeks learning the principles of ethical leadership to prepare them for leading troops in combat.

The Armys core text on this subject, by Dr Dennis Vincent, says: Unethical action starts with small steps  obedience to authority figure, dehumanisation of victim, loss of empathy.

Dr Vincent is head of Sandhursts Department of Communication and Applied Behavioural Science.

RMAS cadets are advised to read academic publications such as Dehumanisation (Kelman, 1973), which discusses the dangers of stripping people of their dignity and humanity, Othering (Levi-Strauss, 1955) and Dehumanisation (Faure, 2008), which consider the perception of others as evil.

These texts spell out the dangers of approaches such as Harrys breaking down of Afghans into two groups, good guys and bad guys  the warnings are particularly relevant to the conflict in Afghanistan, where boundaries between combatants and non-combatants were often blurred.

The shooting of a wounded Taliban prisoner by Sgt Blackman is also studied.

Sandhurst cadets are taught that dehumanisation influenced decision making among Sgt Blackman and his colleagues before he pulled the trigger.

In 2013 the experienced commando was found guilty of murder, later reduced to manslaughter, after shooting an injured captive in the chest at close range with a pistol. Two other marines from his section were acquitted.

A Sandhurst source said: Harrys representation of army teaching on battlefield ethics could not be more wrong. He is 180 degrees wrong.

How he could think othering and dehumanisation are right, when actually officers are taught theyre both wrong and also highly dangerous, is beyond me.

Last night, the Ministry of Defence declined to comment.

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Duke of Sussex says he worries that either George, Charlotte or Louis 'will end up like me, the spare'

Prince Harry wishes William 'would be able to feel the same benefits of therapy' that he has enjoyed - but claims his brother thinks it has made him 'delusional'
The man was taken to a hospital and there have been no charges filed yet

Two sheriff's deputies rush in and place the assailant in handcuffs

When a Walmart manager tried to confront the suspect, he tried to slash him

The unidentified man can be swearing and shouting as he brandished a knife

A hero military veteran jumped into action to take down a knife-wielding man threatening to stab shoppers at a South Carolina Walmart - by smashing him over the head with a metal pole.

Video shows the unidentified man dressed in red hoodie swearing and shouting on the floor of the Walmart located in Columbia, SC demanding $20.

The man is seen waving his knife yelling, 'I'm going to start cutting you all up,' as horrified bystanders stand by during the incident that took place on January 4th around 2pm.

One of the store managers tried to confront the suspect, but the man grew more irate - and in a fit of rage - attempted to slash him.

Moments later a man identified as Demario Davis ambushed the suspect from behind whacking the suspect over the head with a metal pole.

BAM! Dramatic footage shows the moment as man identified as military veteran Demario Davis ambushes the suspect from behind smashing the suspect over the head with a metal pole

As the suspect falls to the floor two sheriff's deputies rush in and place the assailant in handcuffs, as the man yells out, 'I didn't do anything'

As the suspect falls to the floor he drops the knife and another bystander rushed in to grab it, before two sheriff's deputies emerge and place the assailant in handcuffs.

The man tries to struggle, before yelling out: 'No, no, no. I didn't do it. I didn't do anything.'

Davis was in the Walmart shopping with his son when he saw the frenzied man act out and decided to intervene. He said he relied on his military training to beat down the suspect.

'I was at the checkout when my son noticed the guy walk in with the knife open,' he told Fox News. 'He then proceeded to the service desk waving the knife at a few female employees.'

He said the man yelled 'when the cops get here, I'm going to start cutting you all up.'

Recounting the scene, he added: 'I casually walked over to the object not only to take him down but also protect myself in case I failed, but with my great military training, I was able to neutralize the threat until law enforcement arrived,' he said.

The harrowing footage was recorded by Walmart employee and witness LaQuanda Eichelberger. 'I was at the self checkout where I work and the customer came in and demanded $20,' she told Storyful.

Eichelberger is heard narrating the scene as it unfolds 'Ooh, he waving the knife. Oh, oh,' as the man is heard saying 'kill you all.'

'Just give the man $20, y'all,' she said. 'Walmart, get the man $20.'

She continued: 'Somebody give the man. Oh, this-- he doing Dave Chappelle.'

Demario Davis was in the Walmart shopping with his son when he saw the frenzied man act out and decided to intervene. He said he relied on his military training to beat down the suspect

Video shows the unidentified man dressed in red hoodie swearing and shouting on the floor of the Walmart located in Columbia, SC demanding $20. The man is seen waving his knife yelling, 'I'm going to start cutting you all up,' as horrified bystanders stand by

One of the store managers tried to confront the suspect, but the man grew more irate - and in a fit of rage - attempted to slash him

Many people responded to Demario's courage and quick-actions.

'We can always count on a veteran. Thank you Demario!,' one person wrote, Yahoo Life reported.

Another person said: 'Mental health issues are huge now. It is also very dangerous to the public.'

The suspect was taken to a local hospital and evaluated by the Richland County Sheriff's Department's Crisis Intervention Team. Charges have not yet to been filed.

DailyMail.com has reached out the Richland County Sheriff's Department but they were unavailable for comment.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress Friday that the nation would reach the statutory debt limit in January 19th  requiring 'extraordinary measures' that can only last for a finite period with a political clash looming this summer.

'Once the limit is reached, Treasury will need to start taking certain extraordinary measures to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations,' Yellen said in a letter to congressional leaders.

'While Treasury is not currently able to provide an estimate of how long extraordinary measures will enable us to continue to pay the government's obligations, it is unlikely that cash and extraordinary measures will be exhausted before early June,' she wrote.

Her statement comes just days after House Republican insurgents forced Speaker Kevin McCarthy to go toe-to-toe with the administration over the debt limit in what some financial experts are warning could lead to a full blown economic crisis.

The U.S. will run up against the debt limit January 19, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Congress. 'Once the limit is reached, Treasury will need to start taking certain extraordinary measures to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations,' she said

McCarthy made the commitment during his despite but ultimately successful search to get enough votes to be elected Speaker, committing not to raise the debt limit without including spending cuts the White House and Senate are certain to fight.

'Is he willing to shut the government down rather than raise the debt ceiling? That's a non-negotiable item,' said conservative Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) during the McCarthy standoff.

As it turns out, Yellen will be overseas when the nation technically bumps into the debt limit, with details of the trip announced Friday.

She said the extraordinary measures work for only a 'limited period of time,' and said presidents and Treasury secretaries have said the U.S. 'must not default' on its obligations.

Some Democrats wanted President Biden and Democrats to push through a debt limit increase on their own before handing over control of the House to Republicans

Lawmakers say Speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed not to bring a debt limit increase to the floor without attaching spending cuts

'Is he willing to shut the government down rather than raise the debt ceiling? That's a non-negotiable item,' said conservative Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) during the McCarthy standoff

Yellen said it was critical that Congress act 'in a timely manner' to raise the limit

Mark your calendars: Yellen said the 'extraordinary measures' would likely run out in June

Last week, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) wouldn't specify the exact deal McCarthy reached with himself and other holdouts. 'I'm not going to get specific about that because I'm still having conversations here for a few hours. But what I'll say is, it's safe to say is that we believe there are specific concrete limits on spending attached to the debt ceiling increase'  confirming the linkage.

Over the weekend, Roy wouldn't rule out calling for McCarthy's removal  another tool gained by the insurgents  if he were to bring a clean debt ceiling increase bill to the floor.

'I'm not going to play the what-if games on how we'll use the tools of the House to make sure we enforce the terms of the agreement,' Roy told CNN's 'State of the Union.'

'But we will use the tools of the House to enforce the terms of the agreement,' he said.

The White House wants Congress to pass a 'clean' increase in the debt limit, which covers spending already committed to through Appropriations bills. But there are no signs of the House and Senate moving on such a measure.

'This should be done without conditions,' Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Friday at the White House.

'The sooner Congress acts, the better, since even the prospect of not raising the debt ceiling will damage the full faith and credit of our nation,' she said.

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries released a joint statement blasting 'MAGA Republicans' and saying a default could be a disaster.

'Congress must act on legislation to prevent a disastrous default, meet our obligations and protect the full faith and credit of the United States. A default forced by extreme MAGA Republicans could plunge the country into a deep recession and lead to even higher costs for Americas working families on everything from mortgages and car loans to credit card interest rates,' they said.

'Addressing the debt limit is about meeting obligations the government has already made, ensuring vital payments to Social Security recipients are uninterrupted and continuing to support our veterans. The debt limit was increased in a bipartisan way three times when Donald Trump was President, twice when Republicans had majorities in the House and Senate. This time should be no different,' they continued, saying Democrats want to 'move quickly' to deal with the issue.
President Joe Biden on Friday ignored a question on why he didn't disclose sooner that he had classified documents in his personal possession as he welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to the White House.

The president didn't address that query from reporters but he did give a thumbs' up sign when journalists asked how first lady Jill Biden was doing after her surgery to remove cancerous lesions from her face and chest.

He had ignored questions on the matter when he was in Mexico earlier this week, shortly after the documents existence were discovered. He later addressed the issue, saying he was 'surprised' to learn he had such files in his possession.

But he hasn't answered transparency questions. Biden vowed to have a transparent administration but has come under fire for not disclosing publicly that his personal lawyers found the classified material when they did.

President Joe Biden ignored a question on why he didn't disclose sooner that he had classified documents in his personal possession - above the president welcomes Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio to the White House

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.

The White House announced the discovery of the documents at the think tank on January 9th - a day after CBS News reported their existance. They had been discovered by Biden's personal attorney at the D.C. office on Nov. 2nd - about a week before the 2022 midterm election.

And Karine Jean-Pierre was forced to defend Biden against charges of hypocrisy on Thursday as she was grilled in her press briefing on why the White House waited nearly a month to reveal there were additional classified documents in the president's private possession.

The White House press secretary was specifically interrogated - for the majority of her time at the podium - about Biden's promise to have a transparent administration in the wake of new details provided by the Justice Department in its probe of the president's classified cache.

Attorney General Merrick Garland revealed on Thursday that Biden's personal lawyer informed the Justice Department on December 20th that they had found classified documents in his garage at his Wilmington home - a separate set from the ones found at the think tank in November.

The White House had not revealed that information until Thursday - a few hours before Garland announced he was appointing a special counsel to investigate the matter.

It had plenty of opportunities, reporters argued, including when White House counsel Richard Sauber put out a statement on Monday about classified documents dating back to Biden's time as vice president being discovered at the office of his D.C. think tank.

Karine Jean-Pierre was grilled in her press briefing on why the White House waited nearly a month to reveal there were additional classified documents in Joe Biden's personal possession

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel to investigate classified documents in Biden's possession

Additionally, Biden, Jean-Pierre and other officials had been asked in the proceeding days about the matter, including if there were other classified documents in the president's personal possession.

But neither the president, Jean-Pierre nor other officials disclosed the Wilmington documents.

Jean-Pierre said it was because Biden's personal lawyers were in the process of conducting a review of other locations where classified documents might be stored and that review was not completed until Wednesday night.

'There was a process happening that was currently ongoing,' she said.

'This was the right thing to do,' she noted.

She also argued the administration had been transparent because it disclosed the matter to the National Archives and the Justice Department immediately after the documents were discovered.

'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 emphasized.

There were more classified documents in Joe Biden's Wilmington home

Garland announced Thursday afternoon he was naming Robert K. Hur, a former federal prosecutor appointed to that position by Donald Trump, as special counsel in the case.

And, in his short statement, Garland revealed a detailed timeline of when the classified documents were originally discovered and how the initial Justice Department investigation began.

Garland said the National Archives informed the DoJ of the first discovery of documents - made at the think tank - on Nov. 4th and the FBI began an investigation five days later.

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

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.

On Dec. 20th, Biden's personal attorney told Lausch that additional files were found in Biden's Wilmington garage.

On Jan. 9, the White House publicly announces classified documents from Biden's time as vice president found at the office of his D.C. think tank - but made no mention of the documents found in the Wilmington garage.

On Thursday, Jan. 12, the president's personal attorney informed Lausch that an additional document was discovered at Biden's Wilmington home.

The same day White House publicly announces additional classified documents were found in Biden's Wilmington home.

Jean-Pierre was asked over and over again, by at least nine different reporters, why the December 20th discovery wasn't disclosed immediately or at least with the other disclosure.

She had been asked the previous day - 24 hours before the announcement that there were more classified material discovered - if there were any classified documents in Biden's Wilmington home. She responded: 'I'm just not going to speak to this. I'm going to let the process continue. It's an ongoing process.'

Jean-Pierre also was asked why the White House argued it was being transparent because it informed a federal agency but did not disclose the matter publicly to the American people.

CNN's Phi Mattingly noted that 'the review was underway when the President spoke about the first set of documents - you're now saying that you didn't talk about the second set of documents discovered almost a month prior? Because the review was underway. I don't understand. It doesn't make any sense. I think it was underway the entire time. The only difference was that reporters had information on the first set of documents.'

The White House was forced to admit on Monday - in the wake of a report from CBS News - that there were classified documents found at the D.C. office housing the think tank Biden founded after leaving the vice presidency.

'Well, let me unconfuse you for a second Phil,' Jean-Pierre responded. 'Look, we're trying to do this by the book. And I said yesterday this was under review by the Department of Justice.'

She added: 'I'm telling you that there's a process. I just laid out what the process is. And I'm telling you that we're trying to do this by the book, and it was an ongoing process. I'm not going to get beyond that. That is how this works.'

CBS Ed O'Keefe grilled her repeatedly on the transparency issue. On Biden's first day in the White House, his then-press secretary Jen Psaki promised that the president plans to 'bring transparency and truth back to the government to share the truth, even when it's hard to hear.'

O'Keefe asked about that vow.

'When you talk about we're being transparent. Who's we and what is the definition of transparent in this case? Is it the lawyers being transparent legally, for the Archives and the Justice Department, or is it the White House at large being transparent with the general public?,' he said.

Jean-Pierre didn't answer directly, repeating her often-used phrase that the president and White House staff take the matter of classified documents 'seriously.'

She also noted that Richard Sauber, the White House special counsel, has made statements on the matter.

'They haven't laid out everything Karine and you know it,' O'Keefe responded.

She responded that she couldn't speak in more detail because of the Justice Department investigation.

'I can't talk about this right because the Department of Justice is reviewing it. There is a review happening Ed right now and you know this,' she said.

And she wouldn't commit to bringing White House Counsel Richard Sauber come to the press room to answer questions about the situation.

'You need to acknowledge then there's going to be a limit and transparency, public non legal transparency, and what can be shared and set by this way,' O'Keefe said.

'I disagree. There has not been a limit of transparency,' Jean-Pierre responded. 'I disagree with you on that.'

Robert K Hur, 50, (center) was named special counsel to investigate Biden's classified files

The White House press secretary also noted any further disclosures would come from the Justice Department.

'There's an ongoing process and you heard directly from the Attorney General today and that is the process. That is how this is going to go. It is not going to come from here for me at this podium. It is going to come from the Department of Justice.'

NBC's Kristen Welker asked if the White House holding onto the information for months 'undercuts the president's promise of being transparent?'

'But here's the thing, they were transparent. There was transparency in doing what you're supposed to do when these when these items were discovered, Jean-Pierre argued.

'Not with the American people,' Welker responded.

The White House over the past few days has faced dozens of questions on why the discoveries of classified documents have not been revealed until now and who was handling them.

Republicans, in particular, have hammered the administration for not disclosing the information before the midterm election. The first set of documents were found five days before voters went to the polls.

Biden told reporters at the White House on Thursday 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.'

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

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.
An eight-year-old boy who disappeared off the streets of London after watching the Royal wedding procession of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, may have been murdered by one of Britain's most notorious paedophiles.

A new documentary, In the Footsteps of Killers, has uncovered connections between schoolboy Vishal Mehrotra and fairground worker Sidney Cooke, who led a gang which became known as the 'Dirty Dozen'.

Silent Witness star Emilia Fox and criminologist Professor David Wilson have discovered a diary placing Cooke in Goodwood, West Sussex, on July 29, 1981, the day that Vishal went missing.

The diary had been seized by police from Cooke's housemate Dennis Moran, who has since died. 'That could be potentially very significant,' said Wilson.

The documentary looks into Sidney Cooke a fairground worker who led the 'Dirty Dozen' gang

Vishal's partial remains were found in Alder Copse, near the village of Rogate, which is 13 miles from Goodwood.

'We also know that he knew this area because he had encyclopaedic knowledge about fairs and fairgrounds and we know that there was a campsite that fairground workers would use here and there's every chance he was aware of Alder Copse,' Wilson added.

It is now 34 years since Cooke, who also went by the name 'Hissing Sid', and members of his gang, were jailed for the manslaughter of 14-year-old Jason Swift.

The 95-year-old has since received two life sentences for a series of sex offences which occurred between 1972 and 1981 and is still in jail having been refused parole on ten occasions.

The eight-year-old boy, disappeared off the streets of London, after watching the Royal wedding procession of then Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer

He and fellow paedophiles Leslie Bailey, Robert Oliver, and Steven Barrell, drugged and raped Jason at a flat on the Kingsmead Housing Estate in Hackney, east London, in 1985, before dumping his body in a copse in Essex.

Bailey, nicknamed Catweazle, was later convicted of the manslaughter of Mark Tildesley, seven, whom he raped in Cooke's caravan in 1984 while visiting a fairground near Wokingham, Berkshire.

Bailey, who was murdered in his prison cell in 1993, was also convicted of the murder of Barry Lewis, six, who was abducted in 1991 and sexually abused by up to eight men.

His body was found in a shallow grave near Waltham Abbey, Essex.

'It strikes me that none of the boys  Jason, Barry or Vishal  had been buried,' said Wilson.

'Their killer or killers hadn't brought to the deposition site spades or shovels and dug a grave for them, but their bodies were left on top of the land, out in the open because the area is so remote.'

The programme also tracked down Paige Exelby, the granddaughter of a woman, who believed she had seen Vishal on the tube with Bailey on the day of the Royal wedding

The programme also tracked down Paige Exelby, the granddaughter of a woman, who believed she had seen Vishal on the tube with Bailey on the day of the Royal wedding.

'My Nan was visiting my Mom in hospital, in St Thomas' Hospital in Tooting,' she recalled. 'She had to get three trains to visit my mom and she would do that every single day.

'On her way back from visiting my mom, she got on, I believe it was the District Line, and saw a young boy himself relatively, but sort of very excitably sat on the train.

'She described him as Asian, and her description was definitely that he was very keen on his trainers. She described them as a White Flash. Also, on the train was a man that my nan described as 'Catweasel'.

'My nan described them as if they weren't together, he was definitely taking note of the boy. Whether or not the boy knew about him, is a whole other question.

'The next day when she saw a picture of the boy that she had seen on the train in the papers, Vishal Mehrotra, she called the police. They said: "Yeah, we'll send somebody out" and nobody came.

Silent Witness star Emilia Fox and criminologist Professor David Wilson discovered a diary placing Cooke in Goodwood, West Sussex, on July 29, 1981 - the day that Vishal went missing

'A few years later  it could have been months she was reading the newspaper and she came across an article about a paedophile ring, a paedophile gang called The Dirty Dozen.

And one of the pictures she said: 'This is cat weasel. This I the man I saw with Vishal,' and that was him, Leslie Bailey.'

Wilson now hopes his cold case investigation will bring some closure for Vishal's father Vishambar.

'I hope we've done enough to demonstrate to the Sussex Police that they should regard Sidney Cooke as a prime suspect,' he added, 'and to interview him again before it's too late for Vishambar and his family to get justice.'

In the Footsteps of Killers: The Murder of Vishal Mehrotra will be available to watch on Channel 4 from January 12.
Awaab Ishak died following prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home

Complaints about leaks, damp and mould experienced in England's social housing have flooded in following the death of Awaab Ishak, new figures reveal.

Health impacts of poor-quality social housing have increasingly been in the spotlight after a coroner ruled that the two year-old died of prolonged exposure to mould in his Rochdale home in December 2020.

A Freedom of Information request by Radar revealed 5,838 complaints about leaks, damp and mould were made to the Ombudsman in the three years to March 2022.

Of these, 3,915 were about properties managed by housing associations, and 1,861 were for housing provided by or on behalf of local authorities.

Awaab Ishak tragically died from a respiratory condition in December 2020, just over a week after his second birthday

The Housing Ombudsman investigates complaints made about social housing providers, such as housing associations, local authorities and housing co-operatives.

Alex Diner, a senior researcher on housing at the New Economics Foundation, called it a 'national disgrace' that millions of families across England are living in 'dangerous' homes.

He said: 'The shocking death of Awaab Ishak shows the Government must accept responsibility and do much more to drive up standards in the social housing sector, to empower tenants and to improve the rotten culture that still exists in those failing councils and housing associations.'

The number of complaints has risen more than 17-fold in recent years - there were 3,741 complaints about leaks, damp and mould in 2021/22, while there were just 212 in 2019/20, alongside a further 400 complaints about 'leaks and floods' that year.

The Ombudsman said this may be due to improved recording practices and greater media attention on the issue in the past year.

A Freedom of Information request by Radar revealed 5,838 complaints about leaks, damp and mould were made to the Ombudsman in the three years to March 2022

In response to the findings, the National Housing Federation said work 'has already begun to improve the quality any homes and services that have fallen short'.

It said every housing association property will be checked for issues such as damp and mould and any problems fixed, following recommendations in a review it commissioned along with the Chartered Institute of Housing.

Nationally, there were also 2,579 complaints about heating and hot water in social housing from 2019/20 to 2021/22.

Complaints may fall into multiple categories - so a single complaint could be about issues with both hot water and mould, for instance.

The Local Government Association, which represents local authorities, said councils 'fully support' efforts to improve standards in the rental sector.

David Renard, the organisation's housing spokesman, said any new responsibilities for local authorities will need to be 'adequately funded'.

The number of complaints has risen more than 17-fold in recent years - there were 3,741 complaints about leaks, damp and mould in 2021/22, while there were just 212 in 2019/20

While the majority of complaints from the last financial year are yet to be given a final outcome, in 2020/21 there were 334 complaints across England regarding leaks, damp and mould where the housing provider was ultimately found to be in the wrong.

Housing Ombudsman Richard Blakeway said landlords should take a 'zero-tolerance approach' to tackling damp and mould.

He said landlords should avoid blaming the 'lifestyle choices' of their tenants for issues with their properties and instead take a proactive approach to dealing with them.

The mother of Ella Adoo Kissi-Debrah previously hit out at a housing association for showing a 'lack of humanity and care' following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak due to living in a mould-infested flat.

Housing charity Shelter said the Social Housing Regulation Bill, which is currently going through parliament, is 'long overdue'.

Polly Neate, the charity's chief executive, said: 'As well as much tighter regulation, we also need to see greater government investment in social housing, both to improve the homes we already have and to build high quality new ones.'

A spokesman for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said the Bill would improve the quality of social housing.

They said the Housing Secretary Michael Gove would block government funding to any housing provider breaching consumer standards.
The comedian said 'the UK wishes to believe it exists in some post-racial utopia'

Noah claimed there was a racist backlash as Rishi Sunak became prime minister

Former The Daily Show host Trevor Noah stood by his controversial monologue

Former The Daily Show host Trevor Noah has slammed Britain again as he continues to claim there was racist backlash following the appointment of Rishi Sunak as prime minister.

'The UK wishes to believe it exists in some post-racial utopia', he said in a recent interview with The Times.

After Sunak became prime minister in October 2022, Noah alleged that there were British people saying 'now the Indians are going to take over Great Britain'.

The South African comedian received significant backlash following his comments on The Daily Show, but appears to have doubled down on his claims.

After Sunak became prime minister in October 2022, Noah alleged that there were British people saying 'now the Indians are going to take over Great Britain'. Pictured: Trevor Noah hosting The Daily Show, December 8, 2022

In a recent interview with The Times, Noah discussed how he used a clip of a caller on radio station LBC who said Sunak was 'not even British' and that he 'doesn't love England like Boris does' to claim that there was a backlash against the prime minister.

But Noah has stood by his claims in the recent interview.

In his monologue last year titled 'Unpacking the backlash against new UK PM Rishi Sunak', Noah also described seeing a 'backlash' after Rishi Sunak entered 10 Downing Street.

He said: 'What I mean by that is this, you hear a lot of the people saying 'Oh, they're taking over, now the Indians are going to take over Great Britain and what's next?'

'And I always find myself going 'So what? What are you afraid of?''

He added: 'I think it's because the quiet part a lot of people don't realise they are saying is 'We don't want these people who were previously oppressed to get into power because then they may do to us what we did to them.''

Trevor Noah at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on March 14, 2021

Mr Sunak was born in Hampshire, south-east England, to Indian migrant parents - a pharmacist mother and a GP father.

He is married to Akshata Murty, the daughter of billionaire Indian IT giant Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy, with whom he has two young daughters Krishna and Anoushka.

Mr Sunak, 42, became the UK's first Hindu prime minister in October, the first of Asian heritage and the youngest for more than 200 years.

Noah said he stood by the controversial monologue that received criticism from politicians, journalists and activists who accused him of making things up.

He told The Times that those who criticised him had not seen the 'context' and had not watched The Daily Show.

Noah said there is always 'a small group' and that he wasn't suggesting that the entire country was racist.

When questioned by Times journalist Janice Turner as to why he had used the clip of the single LBC caller to demonstrate his claim, Noah said: 'It almost seems like youre saying, Why stamp out that moment of racism when its not the predominant force? I think every moment of racism should be stamped out.'

Rishi Sunak, 42, became the UK's first Hindu prime minister in October, the first of Asian heritage and the youngest for more than 200 years. Pictured: Rishi Sunak outside 10 Downing Street, London, after becoming Prime Minister, October 25, 2022

Noah also hit back at the criticism he received from many in the UK. The comedian said: 'It is interesting that the UK wishes to believe it exists in some post-racial utopia.'

At the time, former chancellor and health secretary Sajid Javid shared the clip on Twitter and wrote: 'Simply wrong. A narrative catered to his audience, at a cost of being completely detached from reality.

A Downing Street spokeswoman was even asked if Mr Sunak had thought Britain was racist following Noah's viral monologue. The spokesperson responded: 'No he doesn't.'

The South African comedian has since stepped down as host of The Daily Show after seven years at the helm.
The slain Philadelphia child known as 'Boy in the Box' finally has a headstone with his name on after his identity was uncovered last month.

A DNA breakthrough revealed the child victim of a brutal 1957 cold case murder in the City of Brotherly Love was Joseph Augustus Zarelli, 4.

On Friday, which would have marked Zarelli's 70th birthday, the city updated the gravestone dedicated to 'America's Unknown Child' to now include his name and a personalized headstone featuring his picture and a prayer.

Zarelli's family members, who have remained anonymous, told CBS they were blindsided when investigators told them they were related to the 'Boy in the Box.'

They said they will keep pushing for more clues as police seek to uncover how Zarelli - whose body was found beaten and stuffed in a carboard box in the city's Fox Chase neighborhood - met his grisly end.

Joseph Augustus Zarelli, previously only known as Philadelphia's 'Boy in the Box' received a proper headstone on Friday, on what would have been his 70th birthday

 Slide me  Along with the headstone, officials updated the marker dedicated to 'America's Unknown Child' to bear the boy's name (above)

Police composites show the likeness of Zarelli, who was found beaten and stuffed in a box on the side of the road in Philadelphia in 1957

Friday's headstone dedication was held at the Ivy Hill Cemetery in Mount Airy, where a grave marker was installed in 1998 for Zarelli.

City officials and residents were present at the ceremony, offering cards, flowers and balloons in memory of the murdered four-year-old.

The killing shook the city on February 25, 1957, when his body was found naked in the box, showing signs of severe malnutrition, along with bruising all over and fatal head trauma.

The box had originally contained a bassinet, purchased from a JC Penney store in Upper Darby for $7.50.

Near the body was found a man's newsboy cap in royal blue corduroy, which police believe may have been tied to the killer. A flannel blanket, recently washed and mended, also covered the body and offered another clue.

As the case gripped Philadelphia and the nation, investigators made extensive appeals to the public for information, but through the years the boy's identity remained a mystery.

Zarelli's funeral service is seen above. The Philadelphia Police Department chased many leads throughout the decades before DNA tests revealed his identity

Mourners gather for the 1957 funeral by a gravestone reading 'Heavenly Father Bless This Unknown Boy'

Detectives pursued and discarded thousands of leads - including that he was a Hungarian refugee, a boy who'd been kidnapped outside a Long Island supermarket in 1955, or that he was a variety of other missing children.

They investigated a pair of traveling carnival workers and a family who operated a nearby foster home, but ruled them out as suspects.

An Ohio woman claimed her mother bought the boy from his birth parents in 1954, kept him in the basement of their suburban Philadelphia home, and killed him in a rage.

Authorities found her credible but couldn't corroborate her story - another blind alley.

Police are believed to have used genealogical DNA research to identify the boy, by searching for distant relatives in public databases and reconstructing the family tree.

Officials have said they had suspicions about who was responsible for Zarelli's death but said it would be 'irresponsible' to release the information - or to give out the names of his biological parents because of their surviving relatives.

The city held a ceremony for the boy at the Ivy Hill Cemetery in Mount Airy

Pictured: A flyer published by the Philadelphia Police Department appealing for help following Zarelli's death.

The child's body has been exhumed twice, and DNA was extracted in both cases.

Following DNA tests, a birth certificate finally revealed his age at the time of his death - he had turned four just a month before his body was found. It also named his biological father.

The boy's remains had been transferred from Philadelphia's Potter's Field to the Ivy Hill cemetery in 1998.

Last month, workers at Ivy Hill spoke out expressing gratitude that the victim's gravestone will soon carry the boy's real name.

'I think it's wonderful,' Dave Drysdale, Ivy Hill's cemetery secretary and treasurer, told KYW-TV.

'Some day, there will be a name on there and it will be great,' Drysdale said. 'It will be great.'

'I just wish that the police officers and all the people involved who long passed away were still here to see it because that was one of their goals, and a couple of them said "I hope they live long enough to see a name put on there."'
Prince Harry has revealed he has enough material to publish a second memoir and cut almost half of the material he'd written in a first draft.

The Duke of Sussex told The Telegraph he chose to leave out several bombshells because he was concerned his father and brother would not 'ever forgive' him.

'The first draft was different. It was 800 pages, and now it's down to 400 pages. It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.

'There are some things that have happened, especially between me and my brother, and to some extent between me and my father, that I just don't want the world to know. Because I don't think they would ever forgive me.'

Prince Harry has revealed he has enough material to publish a second memoir and cut almost half of the material he'd written in a first draft. Pictured: Copies of Harry's memoir Spare stacked at Foyles bookshop in London

The Duke of Sussex told The Telegraph he chose to leave out several bombshells because he was concerned his father and brother would not 'ever forgive' him

Harry said he knew that including any details about intimate moments with his family would attract backlash, but ultimately decided he could not truthfully tell his story without them.

There are details, though, they he knew would cross the line. These memories were shared with ghostwriter J.R. Moehringer only for context, and did not make the final cut.

The Sussexes are said to have signed a four-book deal worth upwards of 16 million ($USD20 million) with the publishing giant Penguin Random House.

Harry also revealed his motivation to speak out so publicly against the Firm is to ultimately 'save [his family] from themselves'.

He detailed plans to derail the relationship between the Royal family and the press, expressing his belief that in doing so he can protect future divisions in the family.

After the dust has settled, he expressed a hope that he and Meghan can reconnect with his family - even if they don't particularly like his decision to share 'his truth'.

He also hopes he will have paved the way for other 'spares' in the line of succession - namely Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis - to find their own path and sense of purpose outside of their ranking in the succession order.

News that there is enough content for a second book will undoubtedly set off alarm bells in the royal fold after the recent onslaught of mudslinging.

In his memoir Spare and several interviews to promote it, Harry has levelled wide ranging and damaging accusations against his closest relatives.

It is a week since Harrys ghostwritten biography made world headlines, and this was the sixth interview he has granted to push sales of the book, which publisher Penguin Random House says is already a record breaker.

Prince William is reportedly devastated by the allegations levelled against his family. Pictured together at the unveiling of a statue of their mother, Princess Diana in 2021

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.

He claimed William attacked him, the King and Queen Consort leaked stories to the press to boost their own profiles and - in what was described as an 'own goal' - enraged the Taliban after revealing he had killed 25 of their own during his tours of Afghanistan.

It is already unclear if the rift between Harry and his family can be healed - without the added pressure of a second memoir hanging over the Firm's shoulders.

Prince William is said to be devastated by the light in which Harry has painted him, while the King is reportedly reconsidering his earlier desire to extend an invitation to the Sussexes for his coronation in 16 weeks time.

Harry was reportedly warned not to 'cross the line' by trash talking Camilla - and yet she was described in the book as a 'villain' who needed to 'rehabilitate her image'.

Elsewhere in the interview, Harry said he feels it is his life's mission to save the monarchy, and the people within it.

He notes his mother's death, and the tragic death of Caroline Flack, paired with Meghan's own battle with suicidal thoughts, as reasons for his unrelenting pursuit of voicing his truth.

His family have reportedly been taken aback and hurt by the level of detail he has divulged to the public about their lives.

Already, it's unclear if the rift between Harry and his family can be healed

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.

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.
Britain and Japan will sign a historic deal permitting the deployment of the British military in the Far East.

Negotiations will conclude with a signature at the Tower of London. The agreement will permit the deployment of British and Japanese soldiers in each other's nations.

UK-Japan Defense Pact

The pact will assist the two nations in "cementing our commitment to the Indo-Pacific and highlighting our collaborative efforts to strengthen economic security, expedite our defense cooperation, and push innovation that produces highly skilled employment," according to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The British government has stated that it will let the armed services of the United Kingdom and Japan "plan and execute larger and more complicated military exercises and deployments."

After the United Kingdom left the European Union in 2020, its foreign policy will adopt a new "Indo-Pacific tilt," as indicated by the signing. Britain views Japan as its most important East Asian ally in light of China's growing military aggression and designs on Taiwan, which it views as a breakaway province.

The agreement also follows Britain's application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade deal among a dozen countries that began in 2018 as an evolution of the Trans-Pacific Partnership - a deal that was never ratified due to President Donald Trump's withdrawal.

The UK applied to join the group in February 2021, and Japan assumed the lead in discussions to facilitate Britain's entrance, which it has continued to promote vocally. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his desire for a "strategic conversation" with Sunak, Fox News reported.

The leaders addressed Japan's current G-7 chair, the necessity of maintaining collective support for Ukraine against Russia, and measures to preserve "chain resilience" in Asia. In 1613, Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada of Japan presented King James VI and I with an exhibition of Japanese armor to commemorate the first trade agreement between England and Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his British colleague Rishi Sunak signed the military agreement in the Tower of London, a medieval stronghold that houses the crown jewels. The two leaders were shown a suit of Japanese samurai armor that Shogun Tokugawa donated to King James I of England in 1613 to commemorate the first trade deal between England and Japan.

Officially known as the Reciprocal Access Agreement, the accord was approved in principle in May. Japan has never before inked such an agreement with a European ally. As per the US-Japan Security Treaty, thousands of American soldiers are stationed in Japan.

In a statement, Sunak's office stated, "It is more crucial than ever that democratic nations continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we negotiate the tremendous global problems of our time in a world that is becoming increasingly competitive."

In addition, the two nations agreed to collaborate with Italy to create a new sixth-generation fighter plane. The British company BAE Systems is currently developing a Tempest prototype. It would be the largest-ever initiative of Japanese-European defense cooperation.

In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's military growth, Japan seeks to strengthen defense relations, according to Jonathan Eyal of the British Royal United Services Institute.

The military pact is part of the United Kingdom's geopolitical tilt toward the Asia-Pacific area. Sunak and Kishida also addressed the United Kingdom's participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, an 11-nation trade pact. After leaving the European Union, the United Kingdom is pursuing new trade deals.

Read Also: Joe Biden Classified Documents Scandal

US-Japan Military Cooperation Amid China Threats

Meanwhile, US and Japanese officials announced that the two countries would increase their military cooperation, including enhancing Japan's missile strike capabilities and enhancing the combat readiness of the US Marine battalion stationed in Japan.

The changes result from China, North Korea, and Russia behaving more menacingly, as well as China and North Korea acting more aggressively. Despite widespread censure of Russia for its involvement in the Ukraine conflict, these three states have lately reaffirmed their decades-long alliances in varied contexts, as per NY Times.

In recent years, the United States and Japan have worked to enhance their military relationship. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III met with their Japanese colleagues in Washington to address security challenges and other subjects.

On Friday, President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are slated to meet in Washington. Austin stated at a news conference following Wednesday's sessions, "There is a significant strategic agreement between the views of President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida."

In addition, he lauded Japan's intention to expand its yearly military expenditures. The Kishida government published a new national security policy this month in which Japan promised to spend 2 percent of its gross domestic product on its yearly defense budget. This significant increase aligns it with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's benchmark.

Additionally, Austin reinforced Japan's determination to invest more in "counterstrike capability," or offensive missiles. Japan has announced its intention to purchase many Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States. Later this week, according to Blinken, officials from the two governments will sign an agreement establishing a defense alliance in outer space.

Related Article: UK, Poland Set To Send Ukraine with Leopard Tanks

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The caregiver charged with neglecting missing four-year-old Athena Brownfield enjoyed a romantic weekend with her boyfriend after the little girl vanished.

Athena was reported missing on Tuesday January 10 when a postal worker found her older sister wandering the streets near their home in Cyril, Oklahoma.

The girls - Athena and her five-year-old sister Adina - were being looked after by Alysia Adams, 30.

But there was no one in the home when the worker checked.

Adina is said to have told her she was hungry, and that she couldn't find Athena - who is described as being 'very shy'.

Athena Brownfield, four, has been missing since January 6, according to police. She is shown with her older sister Adina, who was found on Tuesday wandering around outside the home the girls had been living in

Athena's caregvier, Alysia Adams, spent the weekend enjoying romantic dates with her new boyfriend, Blayden Davis

Over the weekend of January 7th and 8th, Alysia - who had guardianship of the sisters with her estranged husband Ivon - enjoyed a trip to the movies and a meal over an hour away in Oklahoma City with her new boyfriend, Blayden Davis

Law enforcement tells Fox News that Athena may have been missing since January 6, four days before the postal worker found her sister.

Over the weekend of January 7th and 8th, Alysia - who had guardianship of the sisters with her estranged husband Ivon - enjoyed a trip to the movies and a meal over an hour away in Oklahoma City with her new boyfriend, Blayden Davis.

Blayden has not been charged. He did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's inquiries.

Alysia was taken into custody yesterday on charges of child neglect, whereas Ivon was arrested on Friday as a fugitive of justice in Phoenix, Arizona.

It's unclear why he was in the state, or why he and Alysia had custody of the sisters.

Adina is now being cared for by the state.

Alysia and her estranged husband Ivon have been arrested on child neglect charges. They share four children together

It's unclear when the pair split. They have four biological children of their own

Social media-obsessed: Alysia calls herself a 'beauty influencer'. She regularly uploads videos to TikTok but the kids are never shown

Oklahoma Highway Patrol search for little Athena in a body of water near her home

The child vanished from this house in Cyril, Oklahoma

Alysia regularly shares videos of herself rapping on TikTok, singing along to the N-word and making joke clips about her life as a busy mother.

She has four children of her own who regularly feature on her Instagram account, but Athena and Adina are never shown.

It remains unclear how the girls ended up in her care.

Her paternal grandmother, Pammy Brownfield, is now in Cyril, Oklahoma, joining the search, but the girls' biological parents are yet to be named.

Part of the police investigation is identifying where the parents are, according to a spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation on Friday.

Police are now searching bodies of water near the child's home.

They have not given any indication of evidence that she is no longer alive.
Huge flames have risen above northern Lithuania after a gas pipeline close to the Russian border exploded.

The gas pipeline connects Lithuania and Latvia and is around 170 miles (over 270km) from the Russian border.

The flames reportedly rose over 160ft (50 metres) in the air and could be seen from 11 miles (17 kilometres) away after the blast at around 5pm GMT (7pm local time) today.

The area of Pasvalys in northern Lithuania was evacuated, but the flames have since been put out.

There was no immediate evidence of an attack, Lithuania gas transmission operator Amber Grid said.

Huge flames have risen above northern Lithuania after a gas pipeline close to the Russian border exploded

The gas pipeline connects Lithuania and Latvia and is around 170 miles (over 270km) from the Russian border

The area of Pasvalys in northern Lithuania was evacuated, but the flames have since been put out

The flames have since been put out but video published by Lithuania's public broadcaster LRT showed a fire raging at the blast site in the Panevezys county in northern Lithuania.

'According to the initial assessment, we do not see any malign cause, but the investigation will cover all possible options,' Amber Grid Chief Executive Nemunas Biknius told a news conference.

The supply of gas was immediately cut off as emergency response teams acted to put the flames out.

The system at the site had two parallel pipelines, and although the supply to one had been interrupted, the other was operating normally and local consumers were still being supplied, according to the statement.

Lithuania is situated on the Baltic Sea where the Russia-to-Germany Nord Stream gas pipelines were destroyed by explosions last year.

A gas pipeline in northern Lithuania has exploded with a village near Pasvalys evacuated, January 13, 2023

The supply of gas was immediately cut off as emergency response teams acted to put the flames out

In the September explosions, two holes were blown in the Nord Stream gas pipelines connecting mainland Europe and Russia.

Western leaders stopped short of publicly blaming Russia for the attack, but privately briefed their suspicions that Moscow was behind it.

Since June 2022, Lithuania has banned the import of gas from Russia in a bid to reduce its energy dependence on its neighbour following the invasion of Ukraine.

Lithuania had previously been heavily dependent on Russian gas following its independence from the Soviet Union in 1990.

The country then brought into service a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Klaipeda, on the Baltic Sea.

Then, in 2022, it launched a pipeline linking the three Baltic states to the European gas network, via Poland.

Friday's blast happened as Lithuania marked the anniversary of the day in 1991 when Soviet troops crossed the border in a failed bid to reoccupy it after the country had declared independence.
The 28-year-old will return to court in Moscow June 26 for a preliminary hearing

Kohberger is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students Nov 13 '22

LaBar eviscerated the probable cause affidavit saying evidence is not 'clear-cut'

University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger's ex-attorney said while there is 'strong circumstantial evidence' against him, viewed individually it could be easily attacked in court.

Chief Public Defender for Monroe County, Pennsylvania, Jason LaBar, was court-appointed to Kohberger before the alleged murderer was extradited to Idaho and hired a private attorney.

Speaking to Law&Crime Sidebar podcast host, Angenette Levy, LaBar eviscerated the probable cause affidavit explaining that the evidence is not 'clear-cut.'

The Pennsylvania public defender's comments on the knife sheath, which was found next to one of the victims featuring Kohberger's DNA on the button snap was shrugged off by LaBar as 'touch DNA' or 'transfer DNA.'

Chief Public Defender for Monroe County, PA, Jason LaBar, was court-appointed to Kohberger before the alleged murderer was extradited to Idaho and hired a private attorney. LaBar has shrugged off evidence from the bombshell probable cause affidavit released last week

'Which would mean that it could remain on that sheath for an indefinite period of time, if undisturbed,' he explained.

'That's one way of attacking that type of evidence that doesn't put him at the scene of the crime the night out, just that he merely touched that sheath at some point in time.'

LaBar said there is no other direct evidence linking Kohberger to the fatal stabbings of college students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, both 20.

Even the suspected white Hyundai Elantra, which was allegedly seen at the victims' off-campus house before and during the supposed time of the murders, appears circumstantial.

LaBar explains that police went off cellphone pings rather than GPS coordinates.

'If it was GPS location coordinates, you're talking down to a meter as to where Bryan Kohberger was at the time of these crimes,' he said.

'Whereas a cellphone tower ping is that you're within a radius of that tower up to 20 miles.

The Pennsylvania public defender's comments on the knife sheath, which was found next to one of the victims featuring Kohberger's DNA on the button snap was shrugged off by LaBar as 'touch DNA' or 'transfer DNA'

'Obviously, Mr. Kohberger lived within ten miles of the University of Idaho where these crimes were committed. So certainly he could ping at any moment in time near the actual crime.'

The fact that one of the surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensen, is reported to have spotted Kohberger in the house the night of the murders is something LaBar believes can be contested.

'I don't believe hearsay is admissible in Idaho under the rules,' LaBar said.

'Cross-examination of her is going to be key in the case to possibly get even more holes as far as the identification is concerned.'

LaBar said he spoke with Kohberger over the course of the five days that he had been his attorney for about 4 hours in total and described him as 'engaged.'

During that time, Kohberger told LeBar that he believed he would be exonerated once he was transferred to Idaho.

'He was aware of what plans I had, and he was good with everything that I laid out for him, including the statement,' he said.

'The statement of him being exonerated implicitly meant that he was innocent of the crimes. He used the word exonerated.'

However, 'we're just in the infancy of the case,' LaBar mused.

A bombshell probable cause affidavit was released by police last week, when Kohberger (pictured at a status hearing in Idaho) also waived his right to a speedy trial

Kohberger appeared in court last week with a scratched face. The cuts extended up Kohberger's jaw-line but it remains unclear how he sustained them

More evidence is expected after the preliminary hearing and while he's no longer representing Kohberger and has no plans to communicate with him, LaBar will be following the case and 'viewing everything objectively.'

'I know I've been stressing since my representation of Bryan that he's entitled to a fair trial,' LaBar said.

'And really, that's why I'm trying to be a voice for him so people don't jump to conclusions and raise these biases so that he can actually have a fair trial with the presumption of innocence.'

A bombshell probable cause affidavit was released by police last week, when he also 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.

Authorities have temporarily sealed the search warrant for Kohberger's Washington home, while a nondissemination order in regard to the murder case was issued Jan 3.

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

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.

The affidavit describes where the officer first on the scene found the bodies of the murder victims, and discovered a leather knife sheath on the bed of two of the victims.

Kohberger's DNA was discovered on the button of the knife sheath, and genealogy experts matched it to samples from trash taken outside his parents' home in Pennsylvania.

The affidavit also lays out how the 28-year-old PHD criminology student stalked the victims' home at least 12 times, and details his movement through cellphone pings on the night of the murders.

KOHBERGER'S DNA FOUND ON KNIFE SHEATH THAT WAS A 99.9 PERCENT MATCH TO TRASH AT HIS FAMILY HOUSE

The most damning piece of evidence is the fact that a DNA sample taken from Kohberger's family's home in Pennsylvania matched DNA found on the snap button enclosure of a knife sheath found at the murder scene.

The sheath is described as 'tan leather' with the USMC (United States Marines Corps) and 'KA-BAR' insignia stitched on its exterior.

A similar sheath can be purchased online for less than $20.

According to Moscow PD Officer Brett Payne - a rookie who joined the force in 2020 - the sheath was found on a single bed next to the stabbed corpses of Maddie Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves.

The documents describe a tan, leather knife sheath with a button snap and 'KA-BAR' and USMC' insignias being found at the scene. Above, a similar sheath that is available for purchase online on eBay

The 19-page affidavit details how Kohberger's DNA was found on a knife sheath that was left at the crime scene. It was lying on the bed next to Maddie Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves

'I noticed what appeared to be a tan leather knife sheath laying on the bed next to Mogen's right side (when viewed from the door).

'The sheath was later processed and had 'Ka-Bar' 'USMC' and the United States Marine Corps eagle globe and anchor insignia stamped on the outside of it.

'The Idaho state lab later located a single source of male DNA (suspect Profile) left on the button snap of the knife sheath,' Payne wrote.

That DNA sample was sent for lab processing and then onto the FBI's genetic genealogy branch.

Through extensive research of public DNA databases, a match led to Kohberger's home.

Police had already zeroed in on Kohberger by linking his white Hyundai Elantra to the scene.

On December 27, an undercover team of police seized trash from Kohberger's family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.

On December 27, an undercover team of police seized trash from Kohberger's family home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania

A DNA sample from that trash returned a 99.98 percent match with the sample on the knife sheath.

Cops obtained a sample of his DNA on December 27, when they stole trash from his family's house in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.

That sample returned a 99.98 percent match with the sample found at the scene to Kohberger's father.

SURVIVING ROOMMATE DYLAN MORTENSEN SAW MAN IN BLACK MASK IN THE HOUSE

Dylan Mortensen was awake at the time of the killings - around 4.20am - and that she saw a man in a black mask in the house.

She told police she'd been at home and awoke to the sound of Kaylee Goncalves playing with her dog upstairs, on the third floor of the house.

She then heard 'cries' and what she thought was Goncalves saying: 'there's someone here.'

Kohberger, 28, is accused of murdering Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, both 21, and Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, both 20, on Nov 13 in Moscow, Idaho

Next, Mortensen said she heard a male voice saying 'It's OK. I'm going to help you.'

She opened her bedroom door, then saw a man in a black ski mask that covered his nose and mouth, walking 'towards her'.

Frozen, she told police she watched him leave through a sliding door, then she locked herself in her bedroom.

It's unclear why she did not call cops immediately; police did not attend the scene until the following afternoon.

SHOE PRINT FOUND IN THE MUD OUTSIDE SLIDING DOOR USED 'BY KOHBERGER'

A shoe print was found in the mud outside the murders house, just outside the sliding door that Mortensen said was used by the killer to escape.

Police studied that shoe print and found a 'diamond pattern' which is consistent with the sole of a Vans shoe

Police studied that shoe print and found a 'diamond pattern' which is consistent with the sole of a Vans shoe.

It's unclear if Kohberger owns Vans - the affidavit does not confirm the discovery of any shoe that has a sole print similar the one found at the scene.

SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS FROM NEARBY HOUSES PICKED UP CRIES AND DOG BARKING

At 4.17am, a surveillance camera from a nearby house heard picked up faint sounds of 'cries' and a dog barking.

The dog is the animal Kaylee Goncalves' shared with her ex-boyfriend.

The dog was found unharmed in an empty bedroom in the house when police arrived the next day.

According to the affidavit: 'At approximately 4:17 am, a security camera located at 112 King Road, a residence immediately to the northwest of 1122 King Road, picked up distorted audio of what sounded like voices or a whimper followed by a loud thud.

'A dog can also be heard barking numerous times starting at 4:17 am.

'The security camera is less than fifty feet from the west wall of Kernodle's bedroom.'

HOW WHITE HYUNDAI ELANTRA LED POLICE TO KOHBERGER FIRST

A white Hyundai Elantra was observed on surveillance cameras in the vicinity of the crime, around the relevant time frame, but the absence of a front license plate made it harder for police to track down its owner.

The clue came from a cop in the University of Washington's campus force.

He had been on the lookout for any vehicles that matched the description given by Moscow cops, and honed in on Kohberger's vehicle.

The white Hyundai Elantra that was seen in the area of the killings on the night in question. A University of Washington campus policeman was on the lookout for similar vehicles after the murders and noticed Kohberger's car in the parking lot of his campus apartment

Kohberger is a PhD criminology student.

On November 29, police obtained surveillance footage from the parking lot of Kohberger's apartment building, some 10 miles from the murder scene, in Pullman, Washington State.

Moscow Police officers visited the parking lot to obtain a license plate for the vehicle.

They ran a search, and found multiple incidents in which the car and its owner - Bryan Kohberger - had been pulled over multiple times in the past.

With Kohberger's name, police honed in on him and reviewed historic surveillance camera footage, along with phone records, going back several months.

KOHBERGER STALKED THE VICTIMS' HOUSE, VISTING 12 TIMES BEFORE THE MURDERS

A study of Kohberger's phone records and surveillance camera footage from Pullman, WA - where he lived - and Moscow, ID - the murder scene - revealed that he visited the area 12 times at least before November 13, the night of the killings.

Kohberger had to return to the state of Idaho to be formally charged and served with the search warrants that were used to secure his arrest.

A police depiction of the route they believe Kohberger took on the night of the murders that was included in the case files

Those documents are expected to be made public by the Idaho courts either during or after his appearance.

Kohberger is a PhD student studying criminology. He lived eight miles from the murder scene in student housing on the University of Washington's Pullman campus.

Through his public defenders, he has protested his innocence. His family, who hid their faces during a court appearance in Pennsylvania earlier this week, also believe he is innocent.

Kohberger's attorney in Idaho previously revealed his eagerness to return to Idaho to learn more about the authorities' case against him.

After the November 13 killings, Kohberger and his father, Michael, drove 2,500 miles in a white Hyundai Elantra from Idaho to Pennsylvania.

WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG FOR ROOMMATE TO CALL POLICE?

Dylan Mortensen, the surviving roommate, told police that she saw a masked man leave the house at approximately 4.20am.

Dylan Mortensen, the surviving roommate, told police that she saw a masked man leave the house at approximately 4.20am. The first 911 call didn't come in until just before noon

She had heard 'cries' coming from her roommates' rooms, heard Kaylee saying 'there's someone here', and had heard a man saying 'it's OK. I'm going to help you.'

What remains unclear is why Mortensen waited until after 11am to call 911 and report what she'd seen.

She has not made any public remark since the murders.

WHAT WAS THE MOTIVE AND DID HE KNOW THE VICTIMS?

The two resounding questions that are not answered by the probably cause affidavit are did Kohberger know any of the victims, and what was his alleged motive?

It was previously revealed that there were 'connections' being found between the victims, namely Goncalves, and the suspect, but those connections have not yet been made public.

The probable cause affidavit lays out the evidence that led police to make an arrest but does not put forth the entire case against Kohberger.

That will emerge during trial - if the case gets to that stage.
President Biden will deliver the annual State of the Union address before Congress on February 7th after accepting an invite from Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed in a Friday news briefing that Biden had accepted McCarthy's 'kind invitation' to address a joint session of Congress next month.

'The new year brings a new Congress, and with it, a responsibility to work towards an economy that is strong, a nation that is safe, a future that is built on freedom, and a government that is held accountable,' McCarthy wrote in a letter to Biden.

'The American people sent us to Washington to deliver a new direction for the country, to find common ground and to debate their priorities,' McCarthy said. 'Your remarks will inform our efforts to address the priorities of the American people.'

President Biden will deliver a State of the Union address before Congress on February 7th after accepting an invite from Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He is pictured above giving the address last year

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed in a Friday news briefing that Biden had accepted McCarthy's 'kind invitation' to address a joint session of Congress on February 7

Biden last delivered a State of the Union address on March 1, 2022. The address will be held, as is custom, in the lower chamber of the House of Representatives, where Republicans took control at the start of this month.

He will address the nation after threatening to veto a string of GOP-led bills that passed the House this week - including one to claw back $72 billion from the IRS.

For the first time of his presidency, Biden will be flanked by a Republican - McCarthy and Vice President Kamala Harris sit at the Speaker's desk behind the president during his remarks.

The yearly address, required by the U.S. Constitution, gives Biden a chance to tout his legislative accomplishments and lay out his goals midway through his term in the lead-up to 2024.

All eyes are on the president's every move to see whether he is fit to run again in 2024, as there have been rumblings in Democratic circles that the president's age may become an issue in the next election.

Biden turned 80 in November and would be 82 by the time the next presidential term started.

The address will also come as the president's handling of classified documents found in his home and think tank office is being investigated by a special counsel appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Fresh off a trip to the border, Biden could use the address to call on Congress to take up bipartisan immigration reform.

He could also hit out at GOP proposals that would impact Medicare and Social Security in the name of cutting spending. Congress is set to tee up a contentious battle to raise the debt ceiling to avoid defaulting on the nation's debt later this year.
Disgraced comedian Andy Dick was arrested Friday for public intoxication and failing to register as a sex offender stemming from his 2018 arrest for grabbing an Uber driver's crotch.

It is the actor's second arrest in four months as he is also facing a felony burglary charge in California for allegedly stealing power tools from someone's garage.

Dick, 57, was taken into custody without incident in Lake Elsinore, California after authorities received calls about an intoxicated person.

The NewsRadio star's records were checked during the arrest and they found that he was not up to date on his sex offender registration.

Behind bars: Andy Dick will be spending the next three months behind bars, after his conviction on a sexual battery charge

Officials are still investigating after Dick was booked into a detention center.

Dick was arrested in April 2018 after an Uber driver told the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department that he reached for and grabbed his crotch.

After his conviction, the court also ordered that Dick complete: '52 Alcoholics Anonymous sessions, 52 sexual compulsion anonymous sessions, 12 mental health counseling sessions, and pay restitution to the victim.'

This case is just the latest in a string of disturbing legal troubles, many of which involve physical assault.

The actor was sentenced to 14 days in jail back in 2019 on sexual battery charges when he grabbed a woman's butt when she walked past him on the sidewalk - though he only spent one night in jail due to overcrowding.

He also spent time in jail after an altercation with his ex-boyfriend who he claimed hit him over the head with a liquor bottle during an argument.

He was also arrested for felony assault with a deadly weapon, with his fiancee Elisa Jordana stating Dick went after her lover with a metal chair.

Back in May, he was booked into an Orange County jail on suspicion of felony sexual battery after an altercation at a campground that was streamed live on YouTube.

Troubles: This case is just the latest in a string of disturbing legal troubles, many of which involve physical assault

Altercation: He also spent time in jail after an altercation with his ex-boyfriend who he claimed hit him over the head with a liquor bottle during an argument

Assault: He was also arrested for felony assault with a deadly weapon, with his fiancee Elisa Jordana stating Dick went after her lover with a metal chair

Dick was apprehended trying to flee the scene and was charged with first-degree residential burglary.

A live-streamed video caught the moment he was arrested from his California trailer park earlier this month, but the Orange County District Attorney's office found there was not 'sufficient evidence' to charge the actor and sent the case back to the sheriff for 'further investigation'.

He also alleged in April that he was mugged in Las Vegas.

Over the decades, Dick has been transparent about his alcohol and drug abuse, and has had a string of arrests that have made news headlines.

Dick's estranged wife Lena Sved also received a domestic violence restraining order against him in 2018, which required him to move out of their home and remain 100 yards away from her and their adult children: Lucas, 33, Jacob, 27, and Meg, 24.

Back in May, he was booked into an Orange County jail on suspicion of felony sexual battery after an altercation at a campground that was streamed live on YouTube

Over the decades, Dick has been open about his alcohol and drug abuse, and has had a string of arrests that have made news headlines

A mugshot of comedian Andy Dick taken in 2011

In 2012, he was arrested for allegedly grabbing a 17-year-old girl's top and pulling it down to expose her breasts.

He was later found with marijuana and pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug and battery charges, for which he was sentenced to three years of probation.

In 2010, he was arrested for allegedly grabbing a man's genitals while intoxicated at a West Virginia bar.

In 2007, Dick groped Ivanka Trump during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live and was pulled off stage by Kimmel's security staff.
New York authorities have launched an international manhunt for a 17-year-old who shot and killed a mother-of-three in Manhattan last month.

Valeria Ortega, 64, was hit by a stray-bullet while she was walking to a neighborhood supermarket on December 26.

The suspect, Manuel Ramos, fled on a flight to the Dominican Republic on January 1, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig told reporters Wednesday.

Ortega was crossing the street when Ramos - a passenger in a car - opened fire and struck her in the head as she was approaching the curb in Manhattan.

Valeria Ortega was hit by a stray-bullet and killed on December 26 while she was walking to a supermarket in the Manhattan neighborhood of Inwood. NYPD revealed Wednesday that the shooter, Manuel Ramos, 17, fled the United States on a January 1 flight to the Dominican Republic

Valeria Ortega was hit by a stray-bullet after a teenager fired three shots at two individuals aboard a scooter (left) who he thought were following the vehicle he was traveling on with two people to purchase marijuana

She was rushed to Harlem Hospital where she died.

Authorities say Ramos was with two other people in the vehicle traveling to purchase marijuana in the Inwood neighborhood when he fired a shot at two males aboard a scooter who he thought were following him.

Surveillance video showed two people on the scooter at it crossed Vermilyea Avenue and turned on to Dyckman Street before the shot was fired.

Detectives from the 34th precinct were able to find the car and interviewed the other two people who admitted Ramos had pulled the trigger.

Surveillance camera still image shows Valeria Ortega, a 64-year-old mother-of-three, moments before she was shot dead in Manhattan on December 26. NYPD said her shooter, 17-year-old Manuel Ramos, fled to the Dominican Republic on January 1

Valeria Ortega was shot and killed as she was approaching the sidewalk curb

The two individuals, who have not been charged, said they were not aware Ramos was carrying a weapon.

'As they're driving there a scooter follows them. Unbeknownst to them, Manuel has a gun, turns around, fires the gun out the window, strikes our 64-year-old,' Essig said, as quoted by the New York Post.

Ramos, a resident to the Bronx, has a criminal record that shows one prior arrest for possession of stolen property.

DailyMail.com reached out to the Dominican Republic National Police for comment.

Ortega, who was retired, was remembered in a GoFundMe fundraiser as a 'caretaker, she took good care of her 101-year old mother and an elderly neighbor in her building.'
A suspected terrorist who allegedly 'praised Guy Fawkes' for his attempt to blow up Parliament in 1605 was found hanged in prison two days after appearing in court, it has emerged.

Benjamin Hyland, 29, from Yeadon in Leeds, had been charged with a string of terror offences including trying to make a 3D-printed gun.

He had been remanded in custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court on December 9.

On December 11, he was found hanged and today charges against him were formally discontinued during a brief hearing at the Old Bailey.

Benjamin Hyland, 29, from Yeadon in Leeds, had been charged with a string of terror offences including trying to make a 3D-printed gun. He had been remanded in custody after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court (pictured) on December 9

Hyland had been arrested on December 2 last year after police received information he had bought sulphur powder, hexamine tablets, hydrogen peroxide, citric acid and potassium nitrate the month before.

The offences against him included that he encouraged terrorism on Facebook and Instagram under the guise of the English Republican Army.

He was also accused of attempting to manufacture a submachine gun by 3D printing its parts.

Prosecutor Emma Haraway had told the court: 'This is a defendant who has the knowledge to build weapons and firearms and to make explosive devices.

'The indications are that he was gathering information and material to advance his terrorist ideology of seeking to defeat the Government. He sees it is an oppressive system of governing the country.

'He has a terrorist ideology. It appears at this stage of the investigation he is the leader of a terrorist group that is not defined by the Government and is known as the English Republican Army.

'He has praised Guy Fawkes for his use of gunpowder.'

Hyland faced 11 terrorism charges: possession of a firearm; attempting to possess a firearm; possessing explosive substances for unlawful purposes; two counts of publishing a statement intending to encourage terrorism; and six counts of possessing a record containing information useful to terrorism.

He had previous convictions for battery and being in charge of a dangerously out of control dog causing injury.
Yet the White House waited two months to reveal the discovery of the files

'We're not avoiding anything here,' she told reporters in the briefing room

She was asked if Janet Yellen's debt default warning was issued as a distraction

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted on Friday that officials were not hiding from scrutiny as she faced a barrage of skeptical questions about President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents.

And she tried to punch back when she was asked whether it was a coincidence that the Treasury secretary had chosen Friday to announce that the U.S. was heading for a national debt default in June, just when questions about documents in Biden's home garage intensified.

'Just to be very clear here, I've been in here almost every day since we got back from Mexico City ... standing here taking your questions at length, so that we're not avoiding anything here,' she said.

'And you've heard, you've heard from the President at least twice.

'And we have put forth multiple statements from the White House Counsel's Office.

'So that suggestion I just disagree with that.'

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced a barrage of questions on Friday about President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents dating from his time as vice president

The White House has been fighting a rearguard action ever since it was reported on Monday that classified documents had been discovered in a private office used by Biden after his time as vice president ended.

Biden's lawyers said 10 classified documents were found at the Penn-Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, D.C. on November 2.

But the White House kept the discovery secret for two months, until after the mid-term elections when the revelation could have been deeply political damaging.

Even so, with former President Donald Trump already facing possible prosecution for having government files at his Mar-a-Lago home the find could not be more embarrassing.

On Thursday the White House admitted that more classified documents had been found in the garage of Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware.

With questions about the scandal intensifying, Janet Yellen on Friday delivered bombshell news. The Treasury secretary said the nation will likely hit the $31.4 trillion debt limit on Jan. 19, forcing her department to launch 'extraordinary' cash management measures to stave off default until early June.

On Thursday, Attorney General Merrick Garland (right) appointed a Special counsel to mount an independent investigation of Biden's handling of the documents

There were more classified documents in Joe Biden's Wilmington home

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 launched 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 whether 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

The issue triggered a string of questions in Jean-Pierre's regular briefing, allowing her a respite from questioning about the classified documents and the decision, a day earlier, to appoint a special counsel to investigate.

'What I can tell you is that we were not given a heads up that the Attorney General Garland was going to make his made his announcement yesterday on the special counsel,' said Jean-Pierre.

'That is something that we learned, like many of you, watching the news. I'm not going to get into into anything further from that.'

She parried question after question, referring journalists to the Justice Department or the White House office of legal counsel until the inevitable happened.

Would she commit to bring the president's counsel, Richard Sauber, to the briefing room to provide an update.

Instead she told journalists to get in touch directly with his office.

'The White House counsel's office has provided information on this this week as appropriate,' she said.

Meanwhile, Republicans scent blood and have upped the ante.

In a letter to the White House, Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee, said the address where the documents were found was listed as Hunter Biden's address on his driver's license through 2018.

'The committee is concerned President Biden stored classified documents at the same location his son resided while engaging in international business deals with adversaries of the United States," the letter read.

Comer asked for information on all classified documents retrieved by Biden aides at any location and complete lists of everyone who searched for documents and every location that had been searched.

He also asked for all communications between the White House and Department of Justice and National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

Biden himself ignored shouted questions on the subject on Friday, as he welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to the White House.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) has launched a probe over the cache of classified documents uncovered at President Biden's Wilmington home and a DC office  and is demanding information on the process Attorney General Merrick Garland used to appoint a Special Counsel.

Jordan, a hardliner and Trump ally, fired off in a letter to Garland on Friday, is seeking information not just about the documents, but Garland's appointment of a Special Counsel to investigate it  after the White House reiterated that they had acted entirely 'by the book.'

'We are conducting oversight of the Justice Departments actions with respect to former Vice President Bidens mishandling of classified documents, including the apparently unauthorized possession of classified material at a Washington, D.C., private office and in the garage of his Wilmington, Delaware, residence,' Jordan and Rep. Mike Johnson, (R-La.) wrote Garland Friday.

They referenced Garland's appointment of Special Counsel Robert K. Hur, a former U.S. attorney for Maryland nominated by then-President Donald Trump, who previously worked as an aide to now-FBI Director Chris Wray and who helped oversee the Russia probe.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) is demanding documents on the appointment of a Special Counsel to probe classified documents found at President Biden's home and a DC think tank office

Hur is taking the job 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.

"On January 12, 2023, you appointed Robert Hur as Special Counsel to investigate these matters,' in a letter sent by the Judiciary Committee to the White House. 'The circumstances of this appointment raise fundamental oversight questions that the Committee routinely examines. We expect your complete cooperation with our inquiry,' they wrote.

The oversight is just the latest indication of how House Republicans will use their powerful new perches to glean potentially politically potent information from the probe, even as the White House seeks to keep the matter contained within DOJ.

House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) has already launched his own probe, and has sought information from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the White House Counsels Office on how vice presidential Biden documents appeared at his home and office.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said he made the decision to select a Special Counsel due to the 'extraordinary circumstances' at play. '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 the facts and the law, Garland said Thursday

Earlier in the week, President Joe Biden said he was surprised by the discovery of documents. He refused questions on the subject on Friday

Special Counsel Robert K. Hur is a career federal prosecutor who was nominated by then-President Donald Trump to be U.S. Attorney for Maryland

Timeline as to events leading up to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland's appointment of Special Counsel to oversee an investigation into President Biden's classified document drama

Jordan wants answers on when the DOJ learned about the documents. The White House counsel has said it informed the Archives on Nov. 3, 20222.

'It is unclear when the Department first came to learn about the existence of these documents, and whether it actively concealed this information from the public on the eve of the 2022 elections,' Jordan and Johnson wrote. 'It is also unclear what interactions, if any, the Department had with President Biden or his representatives about his mishandling of classified material.'

They seek all documents related to Hur's appointment, and to Garland's earlier selection of Lausch, a holdover from the Trump Administration, to conduct the preliminary probe.

They also want documents between the executive office of the president, as well as the president's lawyers, and DOJ and the FBI  and the 'circumstance' of how Biden's lawyers discovered the classified information.

Garland said he made the appointment due to the 'extraordinary circumstances' at play. '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 the facts and the law, Garland said Thursday.
The Duke of Sussex says William was the first person who encouraged it

Prince William may have been the first person to urge his younger brother to consider therapy, but Harry claims heeding this advice only drove a bigger wedge between the pair.

In his latest promotional interview for his memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex told The Telegraph he wishes his brother 'would be able to feel the same benefits' that he has experienced since seeking treatment.

Harry has spoken openly in his memoir and the subsequent media rounds that he used ayahuasca, a psychedelic, with a professional during his treatment.

He says it was this experience that prompted 'the acceptance and realisation that she [Princess Diana] has gone, but that she wants me to be happy and that she's very much present in my life.

'As two brothers, if one of you goes through that experience and the other one doesn't, it naturally creates a further divide between you. Which is really sad.

'But as much as William was the first person to even suggest therapy, I just wish that he would be able to feel the same benefits of that as opposed to believing what he doesn't need to.'

Harry also was filmed taking part in a EMDR therapy session in 2021, which stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing - and praised the practice for helping him deal with his past

'I would never recommend people to do this recreationally,' Harry (seen in 2004) said. 'But if you are suffering from a huge amount of loss, grief or trauma, these things have a way of working as a medicine'

Ayahuasca - a plant-based South American drug that's usually brewed into a tea - is made from the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub along with the stalks of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine.

'The main ingredients of ayahuasca - Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis -both have hallucinogenic properties,' Healthline says.

'When combined, these two plants form a powerful psychedelic brew that affects the central nervous system, leading to an altered state of consciousness that can include hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, and euphoria.'

In Spare, Harry revealed William believes all his therapy has made him delusional and questioned whether he was being 'brainwashed' by the therapist he was seeing.

The Duke of Sussex says his sibling was so worried about what he was being exposed to at his confidential sessions that he even asked to come along to one.

And after one particularly nasty brotherly row, in which William reportedly physically attacked Harry, the 'spare' opted to call his therapist immediately afterwards - even before speaking with his wife Meghan.

Harry has previously spoken of going to therapy to process the trauma of his childhood, which included the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

He was only 12 when Diana tragically died in a car accident.

Prince Harry has reportedly claimed his brother William grabbed him by the collar and threw him to the floor during a heated argument over his wife Meghan Markle

Now, Harry (seen with Diana in 1987) admitted he only cried once over his mother's death - and said he was plagued with guilt over feeling like he was not being emotional enough

The Duke praised EMDR - which stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing - for helping him deal with his past.

It is based on the principle that the mind can heal from trauma by using external stimuli to help the brain process traumatic experiences and facilitate healing.

Elsewhere in the book the 38-year-old also confessed to taking cannabis and magic mushrooms, and ended up hallucinating that a bin was talking to him.

In a sit down interview with 60 Minutes, Harry clarified he would 'never recommend people to do this recreationally'.

'But doing it with the right people if you are suffering from a huge amount of loss, grief or trauma, then these things have a way of working as a medicine,' he said.

'For me, they cleared the windscreen, the windshield, the misery of loss. They cleared away this idea that I had in my head that... I needed to cry to prove to my mother that I missed her. When in fact, all she wanted was for me to be happy.'

Harry (seen at her funeral) was only 12 when Diana died in a car accident

Prince Harry has revealed he has enough material to publish a second memoir and cut almost half of the material he'd written in a first draft. Pictured: Copies of Harry's memoir Spare stacked at Foyles bookshop in London

What is ayahuasca? According to Healthline, ayahuasca is a plant-based psychedelic made from the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub along with the stalks of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine. 'This drink was used for spiritual and religious purposes by ancient Amazonian tribes and is still used as a sacred beverage by some religious communities in Brazil and North America, including the Santo Daime,' it explained. 'The main ingredients of Ayahuasca - Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis -both have hallucinogenic properties. 'When combined, these two plants form a powerful psychedelic brew that affects the central nervous system, leading to an altered state of consciousness that can include hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, and euphoria.' Advertisement

Harry's foray into getting professional help began in his late 20s, when he first saw a 'counsellor' at the age of 28, or in around 2014, because he felt 'on the verge of punching someone' and faced anxiety on royal engagements.

It's not clear when his therapy came to an end, but it appears there was a break in his sessions before he met his wife Meghan.

In a series of candid interviews with Oprah Winfrey for the Apple+ series The Me You Can't See, which was released in 2021, Harry recalled how Meghan suggested that he start seeing a therapist after they had an argument in the early days of their relationship.

He also said he experienced burnout in his late 20s as a result of a 'hectic' royal engagement schedule and suffered 'severe anxiety and panic attacks' until the age of 32, roughly around the same time he met Meghan.

'I knew that if I didn't do the therapy and fix myself that I was going to lose this woman who I could see myself spending the rest of my life with,' he told Oprah.

Prince Harry has also revealed he has enough material to publish a second memoir and cut almost half of the material he'd written in a first draft.

Harry knew that including any details about intimate moments with his family would attract backlash, but ultimately decided he couldn't truthfully tell his story without them.

There are details, though, they he knew would cross the line. These memories were shared with his ghostwriter only for context, and did not make the final cut.

The Sussexes are said to have signed a four-book deal worth upwards of 16 million ($USD20 million) with the publishing giant Penguin Random House.
According to a 2014 complaint filed in Washington, DC, missing Massachusetts mom Ana Walshe said her now-husband, accused of her abduction, had threatened to kill her and her friends.

During their relationship, she informed DC Metro police that Brian Walshe "said over the phone that he intended to kill her and her friends," according to the incident report.

Ana Walshe's Husband Threatened Her

On a bottle of champagne, missing mother Ana Walshe reportedly wished her conman husband "love, compassion, and joy" in 2023, as per NY Post.

The statement was inscribed in brilliant red letters on a Lanson Noble Cuvee champagne box left untouched after a New Year's Eve celebration at the family's home in Cohasset, Massachusetts.

On the opposite side of the box is the inscription "Gem Ana Brian 2023!" Gem Mutlu, a family friend, said in the past that he attended a party at the Walshe residence. Mutlu stated that Brian Walshe prepared an extravagant meal for the visitors and characterized the atmosphere as "festive."

There was no hint of anything other than a New Year's celebration; difficulties were put on wait. According to him, they exchanged farewell hugs, and he departed at around 1:30 a.m.

Brian Walshe appears to have left a different handwritten message at the residence in response to his wife's abduction, according to DailyMail.com. Images revealed a message marked "answer to friends" was left on a kitchen counter at the $1 million home.

Ana Walshe has not been seen since the early hours of January 1. Brian Walshe told police she awoke him at 6:00 a.m. and that she had an "urgent business matter" in Washington, DC.

The couple's passports were displayed on a tabletop in their house. The police were told that Ana Walshe used a ride-sharing service to Boston Logan International Airport, but they have uncovered no evidence that she was picked up by a car or that she departed that morning.

According to records collected by the police, her phone continued to ping from mobile towers around the family residence. Brian Walshe reported his wife missing on January 4 and was detained for allegedly deceiving police about his activities two days after her disappearance. He is being jailed on a $500,000 bond.

A criminal complaint alleges that cops discovered a knife and blood in the family's home's basement. Later, a hatchet and bloody clothing were discovered at a nearby waste site. In the days before her disappearance, Ana Walshe reportedly sold a rental house and a vehicle, promising a "big surprise" in the new year.

Read Also: Lisa Marie Presley Dead at 54

Brian Walshe Was Spotted in Liquor Store

Meanwhile, recently disclosed surveillance footage from behind a liquor shop showed Brian near a dumpster just hours after his wife disappeared. Five minutes away from his mother's residence in Swampscott, he is spotted near the trash at a liquor shop, where police had confiscated numerous dumpsters.

The trash can is located on Paradise Road, with a surveillance camera near a Whole Foods Market. Walshe told investigators that he stopped at the store while conducting errands for his mother.

Authorities are currently searching through the waste for any proof, NBC Boston reported. Brian was observed on surveillance footage at a juice bar in Norwell, Massachusetts, on January 2, placing an order for his three children's smoothies and two big smoothies.

Authorities discovered he was also captured on security tape at a Home Depot in Rockland. Blood traces, a hatchet, a hacksaw, a rug, and used cleaning supplies were discovered by police officers when searching dumpsters near Brian Walshe's mother's residence.

The Massachusetts State Police and local police arrested Brian Walshe on suspicion that he misled investigators during the hunt for his wife. During a hearing in Quincy District Court, Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Lynn Beland stated that he did not inform police of his January 2 purchase of $450 worth of mops, buckets, tarps, tape, and cleaning equipment from Home Depot.

She added that Brian informed police that he had visited a supermarket and a pharmacy, despite no proof that he had visited either establishment. She claimed that he misled investigators to clean up or dispose of evidence. Prosecutors accuse him of not providing a complete account of his activities in the days after his wife's disappearance while the hunt for her was ongoing.

According to federal court documents, Brian was already in home confinement while awaiting sentencing in a fraud case involving selling bogus Andy Warhol artworks. According to Cohasset police, Ana's disappearance and her husband's case appear entirely different.

Related Article: Update on Missing Massachusetts Mom Ana Walshe

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A federal judge rejected Tesla CEO Elon Musk's bid to delay or move his Tesla fraud trial from California to Texas.

The Chief Twit is accused of sending a misleading tweet about a potential buyout of the electric automaker, setting the stage for the mercurial billionaire to be thrust into a legal drama amid the turmoil of his Twitter takeover.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Edward Chen came during a hearing held in San Francisco federal court to go over the final details of a trial scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection.

Musk's attorneys last week asked Chen to transfer the trial to a federal court in Texas, where Tesla moves its headquarters in 2021.

He argued that negative coverage of Musk since his $44 billion purchase of Twitter in October had poisoned the jury pool in the San Francisco Bay Area.

But Chen brushed aside those concerns Friday, and expressed confidence that a panel of impartial jurors could be drawn from a region populated by millions of people.

A federal judge struck down Elon Musk's bid to move his Tesla fraud trial from San Francisco to Texas, where the electric car company is now based

There are more than 1,700 miles between San Francisco, where the trail is currently set, and Austin, where Musk's lawyers want it to be moved

Lawyers for the Chief Twit argued that Musk would not get a fair trial in San Francisco, home to Twitter's top headquarters which has caused turmoil for the billionaire

Chen also noted that a jury was pulled together for trial in the highly publicized criminal trial of former Theranos CEO Elizabeth Holmes, whose transformation from a Silicon Valley star to accused swindler was the subject of an HBO documentary and book, before those proceedings began in nearby San Jose, California.

Holmes, 38, is now facing more than 11 years in federal prison of being convicted of investor fraud and conspiracy.

Musk's upcoming trial revolves around a civil lawsuit brought on behalf of Tesla shareholders who allege they were duped by an August 7, 2018 tweet in which he 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.

Pictured: Tesla's new headquarters in Travis County, Texas

Musk tweeted that he was taking his electric-vehicle company private at $420 per share and could do so with 'funding secured,' which prosecutors claimed was reckless and caused financial harm to Tesla shareholders

Chen 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 Musks tweets about the bogus buyout.

Tesla's stock was even worth even more before Musk decided to buy Twitter for a price that even he conceded was far more than the company was worth.

Tesla's shares, currently hovering around $120, have lost nearly half their value since Musk took control of Twitter, partially affecting investor concerns that he is spending too much time running privately held Twitter instead of focusing at the automaker responsible for most of his fame and wealth at a time it's facing tougher competition.

Musk, 51, has said he will step down as Twitter's CEO as soon as he can find a replacement, but has not set a timetable for handing off the reins.

To help reduce Twitter's losses and reduce the massive debt stemming from the purchase, Musk has laid off about half of that company's staff and is facing allegations of refusing to pay the rent at some offices.

Media coverage of mass layoffs and other cutbacks at Twitter were one of the main reasons that Musk's lawyer, Alex Spiro, argued for the trial to be moved or at least delayed until the backlash to the harsh measures died down.

Musk has been criticized for focusing on Twitter rather than Tesla

Tesla was trading at around $122.40 per share by closing time on Friday

But the lawyers representing Tesla shareholders in the case 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 un-triable before a jury given his knack for attracting negative' coverage.'

After sifting through about 200 juror questionnaires submitted earlier this week, Spiro argued many of them were peppered with derogatory remarks about Musk that underscored how difficult it will be for him to get a fair trial.

Some of those unflattering remarks surfaced during Friday's hearing as Chen pored through the questionnaires in preparation for Tuesday's jury selection.

The judge disqualified jurors who he said had variously described Musk as an 'idiot' and a 'buffoon.'
Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen, accused of murdering two Indiana teenage girls in 2017, was seen hobbling down the stairs leaving court Friday.

Allen had nothing to say after it was revealed that jurors at his trial will be selected from outside the county where the crime took place, a judge said Friday.

County Judge Fran Gull said in court that attorneys for Richard Allen, 50, of Delphi and the county prosecutor must decide within a week from which county that jury should come.

Allen, who was at the hearing, was charged in October with two counts of murder in the slayings of Liberty German, 14, and Abigail Williams, 13.

Delphi murder suspect Richard Allen, accused of murdering two Indiana teenage girls in 2017, was seen hobbling down the stairs leaving court Friday

Allen, who was at the hearing, was charged in October with two counts of murder in the slayings of Liberty German (pictured right), 14, and Abigail Williams (pictured left), 13

Richard Allen had nothing to say as he left court today. Hes been charged with the murders of Abby Williams and Libby German in Delphi. pic.twitter.com/zW8yiKfjXA  Max Lewis (@MaxLewisTV) January 13, 2023

However, Gull - assigned to the case after the original judge recused himself - said the trial will remain in Carroll County, where Delphi is located, because friends and family members of both parties are situated in the city, which is about 60 miles (97 kilometers) northwest of Indianapolis.

Allen's attorneys in November requested the trial location be changed, arguing it would be difficult to form an impartial jury in Carroll County because of intense public scrutiny and media attention surrounding the case.

They argued that 'the likelihood of a tainted jury pool,' should it be drawn from the girls' and Allen's home county, 'is excessive.'

They state that the best way to ensure a fair trial is to move it at least 150 miles from Carroll County.

Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland agreed with this evaluation on Friday. A gag order in the case has also been in effect since December.

On February 13, 2017, the girls, known as Libby and Abby, went hiking on a trail near the Monon High Bridge, just outside of the girls hometown of Delphi. The next day, their bodies were found in a rugged area near the trail.

County Judge Fran Gull said in court that attorneys for Richard Allen, 50, of Delphi and the county prosecutor must decide within a week from which county that jury should come

Allen's attorneys in November requested the trial location be changed, arguing it would be difficult to form an impartial jury in Carroll County because of intense public scrutiny and media attention surrounding the case

An unspent bullet found between the girls' bodies 'had been cycled through' a pistol owned by Allen, according to redacted court documents released in November.

Allen's bail hearing will take place Feb. 17, where discussions for a new trial date - scheduled for March - will take place, Gull said.

DailyMail.com has learned that, shortly after his arrest, one of Allen's neighbors recalled seeing police digging in his yard.

DailyMail.com was then told they were digging up the family's dead cat, whose hair proved a match for the samples found on one of the victims.

Carroll County Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland has openly stated that he believes 'Allen is not the only actor involved in this.'

And while Allen has not been charged with kidnapping, prosecutors have alleged he attempted it.

Sources close to the investigation have claimed that Allen was acting with at least two other men and was involved in a child sex ring.

Kegan Kline, 28, was linked to the case last December

In November, DailyMail.com revealed pedophile Kegan Kline, 28, of Peru, Indiana, who is currently awaiting trial on a slew of child pornography charges, was cooperating with State Police and prosecutors in a bid to reduce his own charges.

Sources told DailyMail.com: 'The girls met Kegan Kline online and he arranged to meet them that day but didn't go. Instead, he set them up to be kidnapped for the porn ring.'

During one of several police interviews reviewed by DailyMail.com, Kline admitted to soliciting underage girls for nude pictures by catfishing them, posing as teenage girl 'Emily Anne' or hunky actor model, 'Anthony Shots.'

It was as Shots that he communicated with German.

Chillingly, 'Shots' was one of the last people to communicate with the girls before they took their fateful walk on Delphi's Monon High Bridge Trail.

Police interrogating Kline told him they did not believe he committed the murders but was protecting the identity of whoever did.

The source then revealed that Kline has 'cut a deal with prosecutors.'

'The search warrants [on Allen's home and property] were carried out based on Kegan's testimony,' the source told DailyMail.com exclusively.

Indiana State Police, Carroll County spokesman Sgt. Jeremy Piers would neither confirm nor deny any of the details when put to him by DailyMail.com.

He said: 'Law enforcement has not released any of those details or anything beyond what is in the probable cause.'

The source claimed that Kline, from whose devices police retrieved a slew of child pornography, knows Allen, and that the men met when both lived in Peru, roughly 40 miles northwest of Delphi.

The source also claimed that both men knew Ron Logan, whom police first pegged as a suspect in the killings after the girls' bodies were found on his property, some 1,400 feet from his home.

An FBI search warrant served on Logan's home and property dated March 17, 2017, revealed that on February 14, the day after the killings, Logan asked a relative to provide him with a false alibi.

He told a cousin to say that a friend had picked him up and taken him to a fish store between 2.00pm and 2.30pm and that he didn't return home until 5.30pm.

A photo shows Richard Allen, 50, smiling with his wife - while over his shoulder, a police sketch strongly resembling him is posted on the wall inside Bob Matlock's bar

Both Allen and Kline are alleged to have had ties to Ron Logan (pictured) who authorities previously pegged as a suspect in the case after the girls' bodies were found on his property. Logan, who died in January 2022, was never formally named as a murder suspect

The last time the girls were known to be alive was at 2.13pm, when German made a brief cell phone recording of the now infamous 'Bridge Guy' approaching with the words: 'Guys, down the hill.'

Logan's alibi was shown to be a lie, and text messages retrieved from his phone showed that he was out of his house and 'in the vicinity of the murders' on the evening of February 13.

The FBI document also noted Logan asked his relative to lie for him the following morning, before the crimes were even discovered.

Logan died at the age of 84 on January 24, 2022, and was never named as a suspect.

But sources told DailyMail.com that Logan, who had a history of violence against women, was involved.

Family members of Liberty German and Abigail Williams at a press conference after Allen's arrest

Mike and Becky Patty, German's grandparents, speak to the press after Allen's arrest

According to the source, investigators believe that the plan had been for Allen to kidnap the girls and bring them to Logan's home where he and, allegedly Kline, would rape them.

They said: 'The girls were supposed to be kidnapped for the sex ring, but something went wrong, and he knifed and raped one and almost decapitated the other.

'Logan and Kline never met the girls.'

Police have been tight lipped about the girls' cause of death, saying only that there was 'a lot of blood' at the scene.'

But DailyMail.com was told that the murder weapon was a knife and that both girls 'bled out.'

Speaking well ahead of the probable cause affidavit's release, the source revealed that the girls were killed 'near the river'  information since confirmed  but then moved and posed, naked, under a tree.

The FBI search warrant served on Logan's home also included law enforcement's belief that the killer may have taken 'souvenirs.'

The lifeless bodies of Libby (left) and Abby (right) were found the day after they went missing, about half a mile from the Monon High Bridge, on property owned by Ronald Logan

Abbie was seen in a Snapchat video posted by her friend Libby in February 2017, moments before both were murdered

The last video taken on their cellphones showed a man in a blue Carhartt jacket and jeans approaching the two teens

DailyMail.com was told that underwear and a cell phone were taken from the scene.

The probable cause affidavit also revealed that one of the girls could be heard saying the word 'gun.'

According to the source, the killer was wearing a gun on his waistband.

Police recovered a Sig Sauser Model P226 as well as knives from Allen's home. Allen's wife Kathy, 50, confirmed that the weapons were his.

Forensic testing of an unspent round found near the girls' bodies showed that it had been 'cycled through' Allen's gun.

According to the probable cause affidavit, even though the bullet had never been fired, it bore tell-tale and unique signs of having been in Allen's weapon.

The affidavit stated: 'Between October 14, 2022 and October 19, 2022, the Indiana State Police Laboratory performed an analysis on Allen's Sig Sauer Model P226.

'The laboratory performed a physical examination and classification of the firearm, function test, barrel and overall length measurement, test firing, ammunition component characterization, microscopic comparison and NIBIN (National Integrated Ballistic Information Network).

'The laboratory determined the unspent round located within two feet of Victim 2's body had been cycled through Richard M. Allen's Sig Sauer Model P226.'

Allen could not explain how a bullet that had been through his gun could have ended up there. He denied ever having been on the property or having lent his gun to anybody.

Flowers were placed at the Monon High Bridge Trial in Delphi, Indiana, on October 31, 2022, near where Liberty and Abigail were last seen and where the bodies were discovered

The case had gripped the nation as it remained unsolved for five years, with no known suspect

Allen has strenuously denied any involvement in the killings, though he admitted to police that he was at the trail on the day that the girls went missing.

According to the probable cause affidavit, several youngsters saw him there ahead of the murders.

His lawyers say he's simply 'the wrong guy. They have dismissed the probable cause affidavit as 'flimsy, and described the forensics relating to the unspent bullet as junk science.

A bond hearing for Allen, who is currently being held without bond, has been set for February 17 and he is set to go to trial March 20, 2023, though it could be moved back.
Supreme Court investigators probing the May leak of the draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade are reportedly narrowing in on a short list of possible suspects.

A draft opinion of the Supreme Court's opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Clinic that was published in Politico last year sent shockwaves across the nation and triggered outrage and fiery protests among pro-choice advocates.

One day after the leak, Chief Justice John Roberts assigned the high court's marshal Gail Curley to investigate the leak. Almost no information has come out about the leak since then.

In June, investigators demanded that justices' law clerks surrender their cell phones and sit for interviews.

Pro-choice protesters rally outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, DC, USA, 03 May 2022

Pro-life protesters rally outside the court ahead of its final decision on Roe

The decision to overturn Roe, the landmark 1973 case that legalized abortion before 20 weeks all across the country, was finalized in June.

Most abortions are banned in at least 13 states.

Curley oversees 189 police officers who are typically tasked with patrolling the court's property - with little experience in such investigations. The court has now brought in outside government investigators to assist, according to the Wall Street Journal. Since early summer the investigators have had their list narrowed down to who could have been the culprit.

Crowds of pro-choice advocates gathered for months after news Roe would be overturned

Justice Neil Gorsuch said at a judicial conference in September that Rogers had appointed a full internal committee to investigate the leak and is expected to issue a report.

Leaking the court's decision was not necessarily unlawful but it did break decades of protocol that protects the court's internal deliberations. Whoever leaked the information would likely lose their job immediately. The judicial branch is the most secretive in Washington, where reporters have little access as clerks are drilled on not interacting with the media.

Each justices has four clerks, though dozens of other employees could have been privy to the draft opinion, according to WSJ. Experts have speculated that the leak came from the Democratic side to drum up outrage and public pressure.

The June 24 final decision written by Justice Samuel Alito was nearly identical to the leaked May draft. Four of the court's other conservatives joined Alito in supporting the overturning of Roe, three liberals dissented. Roberts filed a concurring opinion that would have allowed the Mississippi law at issue - a 15-week abortion ban - to move forward without touching Roe.

He said he would have waited to decide whether tighter restrictions on abortion were constitutional.

'I am not sure, for example, that a ban on terminating a pregnancy from the moment of conception must be treated the same under the Constitution as a ban after fifteen weeks,' Robert said in the separate opinion.
A New York volunteer firefighter has claimed that she was 'plied with alcohol' and served as a 'birthday present' to a ranking officer by the former department chief - before they both 'violently raped' her in a firehouse bathroom.

The fire medic who has trained as a firefighter and EMT and chose to remain nameless is suing former Wantagh Fire Department (WFD) Chief Kenneth Kelly Jr., 51, and their Engine 7 Captain Josef Seier, 28, accusing the pair of physically and sexually assaulting her last year.

An ominous text message from Kelly which was filed as part of the lawsuit to the Nassau County Supreme Court on Thursday said 'had fun last night. But remember that's between you me and Joe only forever.'

The woman claims she reported the incident at the time and has now requested a trial by jury and unspecified damages from Kelly, Seier and WFD, her lawyer, Vesselin Mitev, calling the alleged attack 'grotesque,' according to the Daily Beast.

A New York volunteer firefighter has claimed that she was 'plied with alcohol' and served as a 'birthday present' to ranking officer, Engine 7 Captain Josef Seier (left), by former Wantagh Fire Department Chief Kenneth Kelly Jr. (right), 51, - before they both 'violently raped' her

An ominous text message from Kelly which was filed as part of the lawsuit to the Nassau County Supreme Court on Thursday said 'had fun last night. But remember that's between you me and Joe only forever'

'She's had these extraordinary feelings of humiliation, shame, she can't sleep,' said Mitev.

'She was brutally assaulted by two people who she considered friends, and not only colleagues, but her superiors. That has made her reconsider whether she'll ever again be able to do the thing she most enjoyed doing, helping others.'

The woman, who is in her mid-20s and has a day job as a physician's assistant on Long Island, according to Mitev, 'loved being a firefighter and loved being part of what she thought was a unit.'

It's claimed that Kelly and Seier, however, 'considered her, literally, a disposable sexual vessel,' Mitev said.

Mitev added that his client has been unable to return to her volunteer position since the 2022 incident.

DailyMail.com reached out to officials with WFD but they did not respond immediately on Friday. No criminal charges have been filed against either man, at present.

The allegations against Kelly and Seier stem from the evening of Jan 14, 2022, when the woman said that she arrived at WFD Station no. 4 at about 9.30pm for a gathering to celebrate Seier's birthday, the lawsuit states.

When she got there, the woman claims she was 'immediately served and continuously overserved with multiple alcoholic drinks' by Kelly and Seier.

The allegations against Kelly and Seier stem from the evening of Jan 14, 2022 where she claims Kelly (pictured here as he was sworn in as chief in 2020) raped her along with her colleague Seier

The lawsuit goes on to say that they both 'encouraged' her to knock back various different liquors, including Malibu rum and a spirit called 'Black Death.'

The court filing goes on to allege fire district officials had been previously warned that male firefighters in Wantagh preying on intoxicated female members was 'a recurrent ongoing problem.'

Kelly and Seier, who were direct supervisors of the woman, are claimed to have had a premeditated plan to get her drunk and sexually assault her, according to the lawsuit.

Throughout the evening, while the woman was seated at a bar in the fire station's company room, Seier is said to have kept his hand on her thigh and continually leaned into her, the suit claims.

As the night went on, Kelly allegedly started making lewd comments toward the woman and at roughly 2 am, the woman claims to have heard Kelly saying to Seier 'that they were going to 'wet her like a sponge.'

Kelly allegedly followed the comments by 'shutting down the party and telling everyone to leave.'

That's when, according to the lawsuit, she 'began to realize that the Defendants' intentions were to sexually assault her in her intoxicated state, as she would not be able to consent or fight off their sexual advances.'

When the firehouse had cleared out, the woman claims she was alone at the on-site bar with Kelly and Seier.

Kelly accused of the 'grotesque attack' is seen here (circled red) with colleagues in 2021

That's when Seier allegedly 'began forcing himself upon' the woman, 'kissing her against her will.'

'Come on,' Seier kept repeating, trapping the woman between himself and Kelly as she attempted to leave, the lawsuit claims. According to social media, both men have partners.

As she struggled to get away, the men are claimed to have informed her that there were no security cameras in that part of the firehouse.

'You want to see this big d***?' Seier allegedly asked the woman.

'We know you like it,' the suit claims Kelly said, 'and then reminded [her] that it was Seier's birthday and that she was to be his 'present' all while the [woman] was trapped between both [Kelly and Seier] who were visibly sexually aroused.'

The suit claims that the woman began to slip in and out of consciousness, and after eventually blacking out, she came to in the firehouse bathroom.

With the door locked, Kelly and Seier removed the woman's clothes before Kelly bent her over the sink and raped her, 'unprotected and without her consent,' the suit claims.

'At the same time, Defendant Seier forced the [woman] to perform fellatio on him,' it goes on, alleging that Seier also digitally penetrated the woman against her will.

The suit goes on to say that Kelly eventually left, leaving Seier to continue the attack, choking the woman in the firehouse officer's room, where she claims he also raped her.

When the woman got home at about 4 am she said she got a text message from Kelly, who she claims pressured her to keep the attack quiet. The lawsuit states that this was 'a clear admission' to what had happened.

She has since continued to endure physical pain, as well as 'severe psychological harm and depression,' according to the lawsuit.

'It is grotesque, it is barbaric, it is callous, it is simply unconscionable,' Mitev told The Daily Beast.

Kelly is seen here with colleagues from Engine 7 - who presented him with a ring in Dec 2021

'Then they tried to whitewash the whole thing, saying she didn't promptly report it, that was what they tried to dance around behind, and there was no attempt to settle this.

'We had to give WFD notice of [the] claim under the law for this municipality. They knew about this.'

Mitev said the woman has taken an indefinite leave of absence, after 'inaction on the part of WFD.'

In March of last year, he said he got a letter from the fire district's attorney, who claimed the department had severed ties with both Kelly and Seier.

The woman told Mitev that the pair 'were right back on [Fire Department] property weeks later, hanging out and joking around as if nothing happened.'

'She knew it wasn't safe anymore,' Mitev said.

Kelly's name has been removed from a department roster on WFD's website but Seier remains listed as the captain of Engine 7. Multiple photos on social media and the website's archive however, remain intact.

Seier's father, John Seier, Jr., was also a member of the fire department. He passed away March 6 2021 nearly a year before the alleged attack.

Firenews.com said that John was a proud and enthusiastic member of the department since he joined in December 2004.

He was originally assigned to Engine 7, which his son was captain of and later transferred to Fire Police in 2008.

Last year, an assistant fire chief in Utah was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to raping a female firefighter under his command.

Also last year, as the Daily Beast reported, a West Virginia firefighter was investigated by the FBI on accusations of raping an underage girl in his firehouse, ultimately receiving a 14-year sentence.

In 2018, an Illinois fire captain was convicted of drugging and raping a probationary employee, and videotaped the brutal assault.

A few years before that, more than a dozen FDNY firefighters and officers were accused of gang-raping a civilian in a Bronx firehouse.

The woman said she is 'keeping all options open' in considering pursuing criminal charges, her lawyer, Mitev said she filed the civil suit 'in order to vindicate not only her rights, but those of others who have unfortunately suffered similar fates at the hands of sexual oppressors.'

'She truly is someone that exemplifies the spirit of trying to help others,' said Mitev.

'It is just grotesquely unfortunate that this happened to her.'
Salim Mehajer could be freed from jail as early as next week after spending months in solitary confinement.

Mehajer has been held in custody for the last two years after he was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and making a false statement under oath in 2021.

He has spent the last two-and-a-half months in solitary confinement with his parole period coming up on January 18.

The court heard Mehajer could be released from jail if he successfully applied for bail on any of the active charges he is currently facing.

He was then granted bail on Tuesday for a domestic violence charge meaning Mehajer could be released from prison anytime from next Wednesday.

Salim Mehajer could be freed from jail as early as next week after spending months in solitary confinement

Mehajer has been held in custody for the last two years after he was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and making a false statement under oath in 2021 (pictured, Mid North Coast Correctional Centre)

The domestic violence charge was brought against Mehajer while he was in prison and has been made by his ex-girlfriend, The Daily Telegraph reported.

He has been accused of attacking and choking Melissa Tysoe over a period of three years - allegations denied by Mehajer.

Mehajer has spent 23 hours a day locked in his cell in solitary confinement at Mid North Coast Correctional Centre at Kempsey.

He has been forced into isolation because of his 'high-profile' and lived in the tiny cell that was only provided with a bed.

The court heard Mehajer had moved his bed to the floor to pass the time and that he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

'He doesn't have a desk or a chair and has to sit on the bed or floor,' his barrister told the court.

'He's not receiving his medication for bipolar in solitary either.'

The court heard Mehajer could be released from jail if he successfully applied for bail on any of the active charges he is currently facing

He then declared bankruptcy in 2018 and was forced to sell off his luxury home in Lidcombe, Sydney's west

The luxury home was made famous after its million dollar staircase was featured in a rap video made by US artist Bow Wow

Mehajer had previously applied for parole but was unsuccessful after the State Parole Authority refused it on November 18.

The decision was made on the grounds the board was waiting for the outstanding charges to be finalised against Mehajer.

Judge Mark Williams granted him bail in his latest bid, imposing strict conditions for his release.

Mehajer must report to Parramatta Police Station three times a week, avoid coming within 500m of an airport and only carry one mobile phone.

His parents Mohammad and Amal have put up a $200,000 security and said their son will live with them in western Sydney.

The bail conditions mark a dramatic fall from grace for Mehajer who made headlines in 2015 over his lavish wedding celebration.

The nuptials cost $1million and included three choppers, a raft of luxury cars and more than 800,000 flowers.

He then declared bankruptcy in 2018 and was forced to sell off his luxury home in Lidcombe, Sydney's west.

The property featured a $1million staircase which was used as the background in a rap video made by US artist Bow Wow.
We eat our dinner by Putin-light  guttering candles on the table and iPhone torches in the kitchen. The mains electricity had snapped off at 8pm, just as we and thousands of other households were sitting down to eat.

Outside, the temperature is double figures below zero. Fresh snow showers are expected. But no one is put out. They know to wear extra layers, to cook early or days in advance, stay at home and be alert for sirens signalling the next Russian missile barrage.

'I'd rather sit here in the cold and darkness than under occupation by Putin,' my host says. Such is the reality of wartime Kyiv in this newly minted, but no less frightening, year of 2023.

Having driven eight hours from Poland, we reach the Ukrainian capital to be met by a Stygian gloom. The blue and yellow illuminations on the giant Christmas tree in St Sophia's Square twinkle patriotically. But many of the urban districts we pass seem lifeless.

Dinner by candlelight: Since October, Russia has launched cruise missiles and 'suicide' drones that have targeted critical infrastructure supplying water and electricity

Certainly, they are underlit; as we approach one inner city neighbourhood, it plunges into darkness  like a scene from a sci-fi film. Kyiv's chaotic traffic junctions have to be negotiated with care at the best of times. Now many of the red 'stop' signals have ceased to function.

And these times are not the best.

After almost 12 months of reporting this war, this city had begun to feel like a second home for Mail photographer Jamie Wiseman and me. But since we were here last, in the autumn, life has undergone another transformation.

From late February until early April, Kyiv was under siege by ground forces. Putin's barbarians were at the gates, in the devastated satellite suburbs of Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel.

Then, against all expert expectation, the Russian advance was forced to retreat. By summer, most of the barricades and anti-tank obstacles installed to block Kyiv's streets against enemy tanks were removed.

The nearest active frontlines were hundreds of miles away. Something like 'normal life' resumed and so one of Europe's most vibrant cities should have been able to properly celebrate this week's Orthodox Christmas season.

Instead, its citizens endure a different kind of warfare. Having failed to capture Kyiv  and other large cities  the Kremlin is using the bitter winter to try to break civilian morale.

Destroyed Russian military vehicles sit in front of St Michaels Monastery in Kyiv, Ukraine

Since October, Russia has launched cruise missiles and Iranian-manufactured 'suicide' drones at civilian-orientated 'critical infrastructure', such as electricity and water supplies.

The results have been devastating  in the short-term  with access to lighting, heating and water denied to millions for up to a week at a time, as engineers battle to repair the damage.

And, when the systems are up and running, the Russians strike again: 11 countrywide bombardments so far. The Kremlin wants the Ukrainian people to freeze; to cease to endure and urge their government to the negotiating table.

Today the electricity grid for Kyiv is operating at a fraction of capacity. Supply is being husbanded; hence the regularly controlled blackouts.

A friend quips that Ukraine can endure as long as there is a schedule. This is no better demonstrated than by an app on my phone for the north Kyiv residential district of Obolon.

It tells me that today, when temperatures will not rise above freezing, power will be cut off entirely from 6- 9am and 3-6pm. There will also likely be blackouts from 3-5am, midday to 2pm and 9pm to midnight.

So is Putin close to breaking the people's spirit?

In a two-room flat on the tenth floor of a Soviet era apartment block, I get some indication of the wider mood. Anatolii and Nadia are retired engineers in their 70s.

They've been trying to make the best of the festive season. A small, artificial Christmas tree, a nativity scene on a bookcase and various baubles hang from net curtains.

The couple have a grandstand view of missile attacks  and air defence efforts  at a power station only four miles away.

During the trip, donations were given to the Kyiv-based Mercy and Health Foundation

'Often there are no lights,' Anatolii tells me. 'But such hardships are nothing compared to what our soldiers are going through.'

'After all this festive eating, it does me good to walk up the stairs,' Nadia remarks.

Anatolii has been salvaging lithium battery cells from obsolete laptops to power lamps. The price of torch batteries and battery-powered transistor radios has gone up five-fold.

How do they cope when the power cuts see them stuck on the tenth floor during an attack?

'We hope for the best and shelter in the bathroom,' says Anatolii. 'I don't believe the basement will save you, anyway,' adds his wife. I have been asked not to tell them that their son Sasha  the Mail's fixer in Kyiv  was hospitalised last week when he was struck by a car in the blackout, the kind of mishap that happens all too often in the darkened capital.

Sasha's wife and two daughters spent five months in North London as refugees, returning in September because it seemed that Kyiv was safe. Now they spend air raids in their flat, sheltering in the bath tub or the apartment's corridor.

In some elevators you might find a communal survival kit of bottled water, food and a blanket, for anyone who gets stuck for hours when the electricity fails. 'We are all in this together,' Sasha tells me.

I travelled to Ukraine this week with my family. My wife Lydia's great-grandfather was born in the now Ukrainian port of Odesa.

Last October, we organised a fundraising dinner and auction in London, raising enough money to buy a second-hand Toyota Hilux pick-up truck and tens of thousands of pounds worth of medical supplies to be carried in it to Kyiv.

Our own efforts are assisted by the charity, British Ukrainian Aid, and Dr Sara McNeillis of University College Hospital London (UCHL) and her colleagues.

Today the electricity grid for Kyiv is operating at a fraction of capacity. Supply is being husbanded; hence the regularly controlled blackouts as a result of Putin's invasion (file image)

The truck and aid was to be donated to the Kyiv-based Mercy and Health Foundation, headed by Dr Oleksandr Yatsyna, the 40-year-old deputy director of Ukraine's National Cancer Institute who trained in Sheffield and UCHL.

Accompanied by our two teenage daughters and niece, Lydia and I cross the Polish-Ukrainian border on Orthodox Christmas Day  last Saturday  and on to Lviv for lunch with Oleksandr.

We find the daytime streets are thronged, as is a Yuletide service at the Garrison Church of Saints Peter and Paul. But Putin lurks.

Lviv had 90 per cent of its electricity supply knocked out by missile attack the week before. Most cafes and restaurants operate to the hum of diesel generators, installed on the pavements outside.

How interesting it is to see this situation through juvenile eyes. My daughters and niece, who'd raised funds for medical bags, now see soldiers with guns, sandbags, slogans of defiance and an effigy of Putin hanging by the neck from a window.

For Ukrainians, this is the norm; for my children a parallel universe, thank goodness.

While they return home from Lviv, Jamie and I carry on.

It grows colder as we travel east, hoping that the elderly Toyota  200,000 miles on the clock  will make it to Kyiv and beyond with its precious cargo.

We pass T-64 tanks on transporters going the other way to be repaired. Twenty miles from the capital, we reach the village of Myla where, almost exactly nine months before, in a thick fog, we'd come upon a cavalcade of burnt-out civilian cars and corpses, left by the retreating Russians.

The petrol station that had then been the ruined focus of that horror is this evening a busy blaze of neon. Cars queuing. drivers buying hot dogs and coffee. But I will never forget how it was then.

We reach Kyiv and unload our truck at the Mercy and Health foundation. The charity is also being supported in its work by this newspaper's Mail Force fund, which has donated 30,000.

Above the door hangs the slogan: 'I believe we will win.' Most of the staff are in their early 20s, bravely driving supplies to the 'red zones'.

Outside, the temperature is double figures below zero. Everyone wears extra layers, to cook early or days in advance, stay at home and be alert for sirens signalling the next Russian missile barrage (file image)

That night we dine with Dr Yatsyna and his gynaecologist wife, Dr Katya Bohadelnikova, at their home outside Kyiv. At 8pm, the lights fail and candles are lit.

'What's Putin expecting from this missile blitz?' Dr Yatsyna asks in the semi-darkness. 'Because no one is going to beg Mr Zelensky to please negotiate so we can get our light and heat back on.'

Katya agrees, but admits that she is often exhausted by this existence. 'I am trying to live my normal life but I'm very tired.'.

'You don't have electricity or Wi-Fi, and outside the house there is the boom, boom, boom of the air defence rockets. I think after this war we will all need psychological help. Sometimes I wonder if I am an actor in some horror movie.'

She loves ballet, particularly Swan Lake. 'But it is by Tchaikovsky who was Russian and so it is banned,' she says. 'This war destroys many things and not only with rockets.'

In April, she and her mother left to live with her sister in New Zealand. 'But we came back in the summer. I had to be here with Oleksandr and help our people.'

At the start of the last missile barrage, on January 1, she was in the shower washing her hair. 'I kept washing because I knew that if the power was cut I would not be able rinse out the shampoo.'

The next day we travel with the Toyota and some Mail Force medical supplies to Chernihiv, near the Belarusian border.

There we meet the head of the Chernihiv regional administration, Viacheslav Chaus, who pays tribute to Mail Force and our other donors.

Back in Kyiv, night falls once more. From my ninth-floor room the city resembles a country landscape with only occasional lights, like distant villages. Russia is expected to launch a 12th bombardment of critical infrastructure here.

Putin is turning the screw.

Reports suggest another 500,000 conscripts are being mobilised for the frontline, in addition to the 300,000 Putin drafted last autumn. Ukraine is also expected to launch a new offensive in the spring.

By the time you read this, Dr Bohadelnikova will be on her way to the 'meat grinder' Donetsk front line to drop off more supplies.

'I believe we will win,' remains her slogan and that of almost all Ukrainians, despite the savagery of the Kremlin's winter Blitz.
DID YOU WITNESS THE ATTACK? DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED?

DID YOU WITNESS THE ATTACK? DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED?

Two Dachshunds and a Leonberger are among eight dogs who were seized by the council after a woman was fatally mauled by a pack of animals.

Horrified sources have recalled the sheer terror of the dog walker, 28, who tried to keep onlookers away even as the animals - who were 'like a pack of wolves' - attacked her in the remote beauty spot Gravelly Hill in Caterham at 2.45pm on Thursday.

'There was no barking  just her screaming. She was being attacked, she was trying to sit up, but with the dogs around her and going for her arms she couldn't do it. It was a frenzy.'

She was reportedly walking up to seven dogs at the time and was attempting to wrangle the animals after one lunged at a woman and her smaller dog who were also in the park.

'Most of them may have been still on their leads,' one source told the Daily Mail.

'They were tangled round her, meaning she couldn't stand. It was impossible for them to get away, so in their frenzy they just went for what was in front of them.'

DID YOU WITNESS THE ATTACK? DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED? Email tips@dailymail.com

Police at the remote spot Gravelly Hill in Caterham, Surrey, where a 28-year-old woman was mauled to death by the dogs she was walking

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene after she was set upon by up to eight dogs - seven of which she was reportedly walking at the time

Horrified sources have recalled the sheer terror of the dog walker, 28, who tried to keep onlookers away even as the animals - who were 'like a pack of wolves' - attacked her in the remote beauty spot Gravelly Hill in Caterham at 2.45pm on Thursday

Several species of dog were seized from the scene and remain locked up with the council pending a further investigation.

Early reports indicate none of the dogs are of a dangerous or forbidden breed.

They are thought to include a Leonberger - a cross between a Newfoundland and a St Bernard which can weigh up to 11 stone (70kg) - and two sausage dogs.

It was not clear how many of them attacked the victim and only one of the dogs appeared to be of substantial size.

Two horse riders chanced upon the attack as it was happening and appeared poised to intervene, but, a source said 'this woman in sheer panic was shouting at the riders ''go back, go back''.'

A couple of the dogs made moves toward the horses  leading to one bolting and galloping in terror back down the bridle path. The rider was thrown off.

The unseated rider, 60-year-old Susan Dove, said: 'We could hear shouting and screaming. I thought 'oh my God, this is awful'.'

Two Dachshunds (stock image pictured) were reportedly seized alongside six other dogs after the fatal attack

Another of the eight dogs seized was a Leonberger (stock image pictured) - which is a cross between a Newfoundland and a St Bernard

Another woman was hospitalised and eight dogs were recovered at the scene after police responded following the attack at 2.45pm Thursday

Police were called, arriving half an hour after the initial attack in several cars carrying armed officers and paramedics

Police were called, arriving half an hour after the initial attack in several cars carrying armed officers and paramedics.

The source added: 'There was nothing the riders could have done. She just had too many dogs. If they get into a frenzy, you need to be able to control them. If something happens, it's like having seven small wolves attacking you.'

The woman is feared to have fallen down a steep slope when she was savaged in woodland, according to the Mirror.

Relatives of the dead woman, said to be from London, have been informed and are being supported by police. The woman who was initially bitten has been discharged from hospital.

Locals said there had been a surge in dog walking since the boom in pet ownership during Covid lockdown. And they suggested that many owners depended on dog walkers after returning to workplaces.

Police at the remote spot Gravelly Hill in Caterham, Surrey, where a 28-year-old woman was mauled to death by the dogs she was walking

One man down at the scene said: 'The area is in the middle of the countryside surrounded by big detached houses'

Neighbours in the rural area close to the M25 were stunned to have the vicious death on their door-step

The boss of nearby Mardens Kennels, Richard Bream, said: 'That particular area is where professional dog walkers will turn up in their van and take their dogs out and walk them.

'I've always felt you see some of these dog walkers have five or six and they shouldn't be able to do that.'

It is understood the force is looking into whether the victim was a registered dog-walker.

Inspector Lyndsey Whatley of Surrey Police said: 'I would like to reassure residents that we are confident all the dogs involved are in the custody of police while we investigate the circumstances.'

Pictured: Police at the scene of the tragedy during the initial investigation

Police cars at the scene of a savage dog attack where a woman, 28, was killed

Neighbours in the rural area close to the M25 were stunned to have the vicious death on their door-step.

Lesley Hoffley, 62, who lives just yards away from where the incident happened, said: 'No one seems to know anything and the police haven't been in touch at all. All we know is from what we see on the news.

'We don't know if the young lady was a local. It's hard to say because people come from all over to Gravelly Hill.'

The part-time copywriter added: 'It just doesn't really make any sense. Why are there seven dangerous dogs around there and how did it happen? None of us who live round here have any idea.

'It's left the community feeling really anxious and, of course, heartbroken for whoever this young lady was.'

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, added: 'It's unbelievable. We've not had too many details about it but everyone has been shaken by the news. This could have happened to anyone. All our thoughts are with the girl's family.'

A police cordon remained in place at Gravelly Hill yesterday as forensic work was carried out. Officers erected a black gazebo at the scene, while a number of police vehicles and two red vans - one marked 'Underwater Search Unit' - were spotted behind the cordon

What is the council policy on dog walkers? Dog walkers in the Surrey district of Tandridge, where the woman died, must apply for a licence at 156.50 a year. The only exception is where the business is already licensed under the Animal Welfare Act for boarding and day care. There is no national limit on the number of dogs an individual can walk at one time. But Tandridge council has set the maximum at six  suggesting the tragic victim of Thursday's mauling may have exceeded the limit if she was running a commercial operation. Walkers are also required to have third-party liability cover for a minimum of 5million if they are using an outdoor council facility and a licence is required if a professional walker is using council-owned land. The council requires dog walkers to prove they are 'registered with a recognised body such as the National Association of Professional Dog Walkers'. Alternatively, they must hold a qualification covering canine behaviour, control and legislation. The owner of a dog that kills someone can be jailed for up to 14 years. Maulings carry a maximum five-year term. Advertisement

A police cordon remained in place at Gravelly Hill yesterday as forensic work was carried out. Officers erected a black gazebo at the scene, while a number of police vehicles and two red vans - one marked 'Underwater Search Unit' - were spotted behind the cordon.

A woman walking a border collie past one of the police cordons, who asked not to be named, said she was shocked by the incident. She said: 'It's a nice circular woodland walk and we've never had any issues before. It is so shocking, normal dogs surely wouldn't do that.'

A post-mortem examination will be conducted by the Surrey coroner as part of an inquest into the death.

Claire Coutinho, the MP for East Surrey, said: 'My thoughts are with the loved ones of the lady who has died following a dog attack in Caterham this afternoon. Thank you to the paramedics for their efforts at the scene and officers from Surrey Police who controlled the situation so quickly.'

Surrey County Council leader Tim Oliver said on Friday morning: 'It's a terrible incident. It just sounds absolutely shocking and I'm sure that the police will be following it up.

'I don't know what can be done but something needs to be done to prevent this from happening again, most certainly.'

Jenny Gaffney, Liberal Democrat Councillor at Tandridge District Council, said the community was shocked by the attack.

She said: 'It's absolutely shocking and it's incredibly sad for the poor lady who died and the woman who has been injured. We're all waiting to find out what happened. There's an awful lot of speculation on social media at the moment which isn't helpful for the family of the poor lady who died.'

The owners of dogs that kill someone can be jailed for up to 14 years or face an unlimited fine or both.

And even if there are no deaths, they can still face five years prison if it injures someone.

DID YOU WITNESS THE ATTACK? DO YOU KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED? Email tips@dailymail.com

A large area of Surrey countryside has been sealed off by police as they continue to investigate after a woman, 28, was mauled to death by multiple dogs
He may be almost 30 years her senior but former Labour MP Simon Danczuk was caught looking like a love-struck teenager frolicking in a hotel swimming pool with his new bride-to-be.

The 56-year-old recently announced he is getting married for the third time, to Claudine Uwamahoro, a 28-year-old beauty therapist he met on a business trip to her home country of Rwanda.

Despite getting together in March, the couple have spent little more than a few weeks together and have mostly communicated through phone and video calls.

But  as these exclusive pictures show  they appeared delighted to finally be in each others company during a New Year break in the capital Kigali, where they plan to marry this summer.

The 56-year-old recently announced he is getting married for the third time, to Claudine Uwamahoro, a 28-year-old beauty therapist he met on a business trip to her home country of Rwanda

Despite getting together in March, the couple have spent little more than a few weeks together and have mostly communicated through phone and video calls

The couple appeared delighted to finally be in each others company during a New Year break in the capital Kigali

Simon Danczuk enjoys hotel swimming pool with his new bride-to-be Claudine Uwamahoro

Claudine embraces the former Labour MP as he sits beside the swimming pool

The loved-up couple appeared to dance cheek to cheek in the pool

Mr Danczuk was photographed lifting Ms Uwamahoro out of the water and kissing her tenderly. The pair drank cocktails and appeared to dance cheek to cheek in the pool. Later, they were seen laughing and joking, with Ms Uwamahoro attempting to push her fully clothed fiance into the water.

One onlooker said: They looked very much in love. They were laughing and smiling and very much enjoying each others company. Simon is clearly besotted by Claudine and vice versa.

Mr Danczuk took his two youngest sons, aged 14 and 12, with him on the trip so he could introduce them to Miss Uwamahoro.

Photographs posted on his Instagram feed show the boys with their father and his new lover enjoying New Years Eve at the Kigali Marriott Hotel and on safari at the Akagera National Park. They also went on a boat trip to see hippos around Lake Ihema and attempted to cross a 500ft-long bridge suspended 230ft above a ravine.

The impending nuptials are the latest chapter in the colourful love life of the ex-MP.

As these exclusive pictures show  they appeared delighted to finally be in each others company during a New Year break in the capital Kigali, where they plan to marry this summer

Mr Danczuk was photographed with Ms Uwamahoro. The pair drank cocktails and appeared very much in love

Later, they were seen laughing and joking, with Ms Uwamahoro attempting to push her fully clothed fiance into the water

His ten-year marriage to Sonia Rossington, mother to his eldest children George 25, and 20-year-old Mary, ended in accusations that he bullied her into sex

Mr Danczuk then married Karen Burke, named the selfie queen for posting pictures of her cleavage online

His latest lover has said she is unconcerned about the age gap. It is about the person I love being the right man for me, Ms Uwamahoro said.

His ten-year marriage to Sonia Rossington, mother to his eldest children George 25, and 20-year-old Mary, ended in accusations that he bullied her into sex  which he has always vehemently denied. Mr Danczuk then married Karen Burke, named the selfie queen for posting pictures of her cleavage online.

Their three-year relationship ended amid acrimony in 2015 when it was reported he had had sex with a 22-year-old woman in his constituency office.

After the split, he was caught sending inappropriate texts, describing himself as horny, to a prospective employee aged 17. The messages led to his suspension from the Labour Party.

Mr Danczuk later admitted younger women were his Achilles heel and that he had had counselling for sex addiction.

But his latest lover has said she is unconcerned about the age gap. It is about the person I love being the right man for me, Ms Uwamahoro said.
Ex-President Donald Trump called his rape accuser E. Jean Carroll 'mentally sick' and a 'nut job,' according to a newly unsealed deposition.

According to the transcript, Trump said under oath: 'She said that I did something to her that never took place. There was no anything. I know nothing about this nut job.'

The deposition took place in October 2022. In another section, the 2024 presidential candidate said: 'I know nothing about her. I think she's sick, mentally sick.' Trump reiterated his claim that Carroll was 'not his type.'

The release of excerpts from the deposition came the same day as federal Judge Lewis A. Kaplan also refused a request by Trump's lawyers to toss out two lawsuits by Carroll alleging defamation and rape. An April trial is planned.

In releasing the transcript, Kaplan called Trump's legal team's arguments to keep it sealed as 'entirely baseless.'

Carroll is suing the president for defamation for claims he made publicly about her after she came forward with her allegations that Trump raped her in the fitting room of Manhattan department store Bergdorf-Goodman in the mid-1990s.

In releasing the transcript, Judge Lewis Kaplan called Trump's legal team's arguments to keep the sealed as 'entirely baseless'

Trump said the encounter with Carroll in the mid-1990s at an upscale Manhattan department store never happened

Trump said the encounter with Carroll in the upscale Manhattan department store never happened. She says that the pair's interaction began as she helped him to pick out lingerie for a friend.

In his daylong testimony, he repeatedly attacked Carroll's depiction of him as a rapist.

Trump said he knew it wasn't 'politically correct' to say 'shes not my type' when he responded to claims shortly after Carrolls 2019 book was published.

During his time as president, Trump attacked Carroll repeatedly and alleged that her claims were made up as a means to sell a book.

He has denied knowing Carroll, calling the former Elle columnist's rape allegations, first made public in 2019, 'a complete con job.'

In deposition Trump echoed his previous statements in which he said that Carroll was not attractive enough to be sexually assaulted by him.

The prospective 2024 nominee said: 'She is not a woman I would ever be attracted to. There is no reason for me to be attracted to her. It's not even meant to be an insult. There's no way I would ever be attracted to her. Now, some people would be attracted to her perhaps. I would never be attracted to her.'

In his testimony, Trump said of Carroll: 'She is not a woman I would ever be attracted to. There is no reason for me to be attracted to her'

In Carroll's testimony, which was released in December, she said that the 'music had stopped' in her love life after she was raped by Donald Trump.

During the videotaped deposition, Carroll said she didnt develop any new romantic relationships after her encounter with Trump at Bergdorf Goodman. She said she hasnt had sex since 1994 or 1995.

'Looking back on it, it may have been what happened at Bergdorf's,' she said.

Carroll is suing Trump for defamation, saying his denials and disparaging comments damaged her reputation.

Her civil claims were recently updated to include rape upon the enactment of a New York State law that temporarily allows sexual assault victims to sue their abusers for crimes that occurred even decades ago.

Under questioning by Trumps attorney, Alina Habba, Carroll acknowledged she initially didnt want to tell people she was raped.

'Women who have been raped are looked at in this society as less, are looked at as spoiled goods, are looked at as rather dumb to let themselves get attacked,' she said.

Carroll continued: 'Im looked at as a woman who's untrustworthy, looked at now as a woman who cant be believed. I'm looked at as a woman who was stupid and dumb enough to have happen to her what happened to her.'

Trump leaves the stage after speaking during an event at his Mar-a-Lago home on November 15, 2022 in Palm Beach

At one point, Trump took aim at Carroll's lawyers saying: 'She's accusing me of rape, a woman that I have no idea who she is. It came out of the blue. She's accusing me of raping her, the worst thing you can do, the worst charge.'

He went on: 'And you know it's not true too. You're a political operative also. You're a disgrace. But she's accusing me and so are you of rape, and it never took place.'

In another section of his deposition, Trump said was asked to describe what he meant when he said that Carroll was accusing him of 'swooning her.'

The former Apprentice host said he used 'swoon' because it was a 'nicer word than the word that begins with an F.'
An 'abhorrent' killer rapist who murdered his teenaged niece nearly 50 years ago has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years and 126 days in the oldest double jeopardy case in England and Wales.

Depraved Dennis McGrory was 28 when he sexually assaulted, stabbed and strangled 15-year-old Jacqui Montgomery during a 'horrific, violent and sustained ordeal' at her home in Islington, north London, in 1975.

The 75-year-old was cleared of murder the following year on the directions of a judge but was finally brought to justice decades later after swabs from Ms Montgomery's body produced a one-in-a-billion DNA match.

The victim's family described the decades McGrory spent out of prison as 'soul-destroying', with her sister Kathy Montgomery saying they 'knew he'd done it from day one', while in a statement the Metropolitan Police said: 'At 75 years of age, it is likely he will die in prison.'

Dennis McGrory (pictured) was 28 when he sexually assaulted, stabbed and strangled his 15-year-old niece Jacqui Montgomery in her home in Islington, north London, in 1975 (right: McGrory pictured in police handout in 1975)

Jurors were told McGrory had been 'wild with rage' when he killed Jacqui (pictured) as he tried to track down his ex-partner Josie Montgomery - the victim's aunt

After a 2003 change in the law on double jeopardy, McGrory's case was referred to the Court of Appeal and sent for a fresh trial.

On Friday at Huntingdon Crown Court, sentencing judge Mr Justice Bryan described the killer's crimes as 'abhorrent' and 'hideous' - saying the idea a man could inflict that level of violence on a 15-year-old girl 'beggars belief'.

The retrial, which was scheduled for March last year at the Old Bailey, was halted when the defendant, of Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, fell ill.

He appeared for his retrial at Huntingdon Crown Court by video-link and was found guilty of rape and murder last month.

The jury deliberated for just over an hour to convict McGrory on both charges.

Sentencing McGrory, who appeared via video-link from HMP Peterborough on Friday, the judge told the killer: 'I have no doubt whatsoever that you intended to kill her in your brutal attack on her.

Kathy (centre) and Lisa (right), sisters of Jacqui Montgomery, outside Huntingdon Crown Court in Cambridgeshire, where killer rapist, Dennis McGrory, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years and 126 days in the oldest double jeopardy case in England

Kathy, the sister of Jacqui Montgomery, arrives at Huntingdon Crown Court in Cambridgeshire,

'You put Jacqui through a horrific, violent and sustained ordeal in her own home - a place where she was entitled to feel safe.

'In the decades that followed, you must have thought you had gotten away with your hideous crimes.

'How any man could inflict such sexual violence on a 15-year-old child that had done them no harm beggars belief.

'You have shown not one iota of remorse or compassion for Jacqui or Jacqui's family.

'You cut short that life and deprived her of that life, and all the things she hoped for in that life.'

McGrory appeared to show no emotion as the sentence was passed, wearing a surgical face mask throughout the entire hearing.

Jurors were told McGrory had been 'wild with rage' when he murdered Jacqui as he tried to track down his ex-partner Josie Montgomery, who was the victim's aunt.

Pictures from handout issued by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 1975 of Dennis McGrory showing marks on his face and body

During the attack, he ripped out a page of the teenager's diary with her aunt's address on it.

Jacqui's diary had a page ripped out of it which McGrory kept for 50 years

Jacqui's body was found by her father, Robert Montgomery, lying on the floor of their living room in Offord Road in the early hours of June 2 1975.

She had suffered fatal stab wounds as well as blunt force trauma to the face and been strangled with the flex of an iron.

McGrory had threatened to rape Jacqui in the past and, on that night, he 'made good' on those words, jurors were told.

The sentencing judge told the killer he had 'carried out your sexual fantasy to its fatal conclusion'.

At the hearing on Friday, Kathy Montgomery's victim impact statement was read to the court, which said: 'A violent man who had been living within our family (raped and) murdered my sister. He has been able to live his life. He has spent nearly 50 years as a free man doing as he pleased.

'I find that unbearable when my sister didn't even reach her 16th birthday. His actions caused trauma to so many people and there were no consequences for him.

'The investigation of the last few years has meant revisiting memories of the murder which has caused pain and stress for me and my family and I am relieved that we finally have justice for Jacqui.'

Speaking outside court after McGrory was jailed, Ms Montgomery told reporters: 'I'm just relieved.

'I don't know what to do with myself, it's taken so long.

'We all knew he'd done it since day one': Kathy, middle, speaks to reporters after the sentencing of her sister's killer

Detective Superintendent Rachel Reeves pictured outside court following McGrory's sentencing

'She suffered, that girl... she didn't deserve what she got - but he deserved what he got just now.'

Asked how she felt about McGrory being out of prison for decades, Ms Montgomery said: 'Soul-destroying. Soul-destroying, knowing I could do nothing to get near him.

'We all knew he'd done it since day one.'

Speaking over her reaction to McGroy's sentencing, she added: 'Overjoyed is an understatement.

'Overwhelmed. I never took my eyes off him in that court.

'He knew he'd done it, why didn't he plead guilty? He's put all our family through this.

'My mum and dad would have been overjoyed but it destroyed my father. It destroyed him.'

During his trial, jurors were told McGrory killed Jacqui as he tried to track down his ex-partner Josie Montgomery - the victim's aunt - who had been having an affair with his friend John Malloy.

Prosecutor Sarah Przybylska had said: 'No doubt furious with rage and wanting to attack Josie, the defendant took out his anger on the next best thing, Jacqui Montgomery, both raping and murdering her.'

During the attack, he ripped out a page of the teenager's diary with her aunt's address on it.

Previously, McGrory had threatened to rape Jacqui in the past and, on that night, he 'made good' on those words, jurors were told.

Speaking following his sentencing, Detective Constable Jane Mascall, from the Met's Specialist Casework Team, said the DNA evidence provide a crucial turning point in finally brining the depraved pension to justice.

'In 1975 there was no way of testing for DNA, so detectives had to rely on other forms of evidence. Samples from the time were carefully labelled and securely retained,' added DC Mascall, who had worked on the case for seven years.

Metropolitan Police Detective Constable Jane Mascall speaking after the conviction of Denis McGrory

'And this is how they remained until all these years later when they were retrieved for further testing during a review of the case, as requested by Jackie's sister.

'Forensic experts discovered a trace of McGrory's DNA on a swab taken from Jackie which meant we were also able to establish that he had raped her, something officers at the time could not prove.

'This crucial piece of evidence has allowed us to apprehend this violent man who thought he had got away with murder.

'Kathy was determined that her sister's case should not be forgotten and that determination has paid off. I hope for her sake, and for the rest of Jackie's family, that this outcome will provide some comfort and a certain sense of closure.'

Detective Supterintendent Rebecca Reeves, Central Specialist Crime, said: 'McGrory's conviction coming after so many years demonstrates the lengths that police and prosecutors will go to in the hope of securing justice for victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed.

'McGrory is a violent man, a bully who terrified the women in his life. He thought he had managed to evade justice, but thanks to the hard work of specialist detectives and expert forensic scientists, he has now finally been held accountable for taking the life of a young girl in 1975.

Kathy (left) and Lisa (right), Jacqui's sisters say they were 'overwhelmed' their sibling's killer had finally been brought to justice

'Jackie was courageous and bright. She stood up for her aunt who had fled from McGrory's violence and abuse. She is missed deeply by her siblings and by the other members of her family who are still alive and my thoughts are with all of them today.

'We know that we cannot bring answers to every family with a loved one lost to murder, but we never give up and we work with the benefit of cutting-edge modern forensic techniques.

'I hope this case, in its own way, sends a message to domestic violence offenders today about the determination of police and prosecutors to make London safer for women and children.'

Speaking after last month's hearing. Jacqui's sister Kathy said: 'A violent man who had been living within our family (raped and) murdered my sister. He has been able to live his life. He has spent nearly 50 years as a free man doing as he pleased.

'I find that unbearable when my sister didn't even reach her 16th birthday. His actions caused trauma to so many people and there were no consequences for him.

'The investigation of the last few years has meant revisiting memories of the murder which has caused pain and stress for me and my family and I am relieved that we finally have justice for Jacqui.'

Justice has now caught up with McGrory after swabs from Ms Montgomery's body produced a one-in-a-billion DNA match decades later

Photo from 1975 shows the marks on McGrory's body after the killing

Speaking last month, Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill KC, said it was a particularly 'vicious murder' and DNA found on her body helped prove a 'scientific link' between McGrory and the body of Jacqueline Montgomery.

Mr Hill said: 'His DNA was found on her body in circumstances where he denies to this day that he was even at the scene or at the house in which she was murdered.

What is double jeopardy and why was the law changed? Double jeopardy is the 800-year-old principle that you can't go on trial for the same crime more than once. Its purpose was to protect the innocent against judicial tyranny that could see them convicted arbitrarily, even after being found not guilty by a jury. In 2005, the Labour government repealed the law after a number of campaigns, which persuaded senior judges and legal figures that a more nuanced approach was needed to deal with complex cases. One of these was a campaign by the family of the murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence in 1993. Five suspects were charged but not convicted after an initial investigation. In 1999, a public inquiry led by Sir William Macpherson concluded that Metropolitan Police was institutionally racist. As a result he recommended double jeopardy be repealed in murder cases where extraordinary evidence later emerges. The law came into effect in 2005, and since then retrials have been allowed in cases where 'new, compelling, reliable and substantial evidence' has comes to light. Advertisement

'So that formed a really important new piece of evidence alongside the circumstantial evidence, which included finding on him at his arrest in 1975 a page torn from Jacqueline's diary.

'When you put those two elements together, it became impossible for him to explain his possession of the diary page and the DNA sample that he left on this poor girl's body in any way other than him being present and being the killer himself.'

He added that while the murder took place five decades ago, that does not make the case any less important.

He continued: 'Our thoughts are with all those who still mourn greatly and have suffered her loss - that is what drives investigators and prosecutors.

'In this case, McGrory at last now faces the prospect of the end of his life being spent behind bars.

'I'm sure that this individual McGrory believed that he had gotten away with murder. But since the double jeopardy principles were enshrined in statute in 2003, I and my recent predecessors have had the ability to try to put matters right.

'Although these cases are rightly very rare, where we see a significant miscarriage of justice, such as a wrongful acquittal for a murder, which was clearly committed, the message is: the system will catch you in the end. And that is what we've done in this case.'

His conviction reverses an earlier acquittal delivered by a judge 46 years ago.

Detective Superintendent Reeves, praised the victim's family for their courage throughout the investigation process.

She added: 'Members of her family gave evidence in this trial and they were extremely brave in doing so because McGrory was a violent bully who terrified the women in his life and that impact, that influence, was something that some of them still felt today.'

Claire Prodger, of the CPS London Homicide team, said: 'Dennis McGrory has finally faced justice for his murderous actions all those years ago. He selfishly and brutally ended Jacqueline Montgomery's life and must have thought he had escaped.

'The further evidence collected by the police, and used by the prosecution at trial, have made the jury today certain that he committed these crimes. He now faces the prospect of ending his life behind bars.'
Japanese prosecutors have officially filed murder charges against the man they believe killed former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Tetsuya Yamagami, 41, was detained shortly after he reportedly shot former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with a handmade pistol when Abe was giving a campaign address in Nara, western Japan, in July.

The approximately six-month-long psychiatric assessment of Yamagami concluded on Tuesday. Prosecutors have determined he is capable of standing trial for Shinzo Abe murder, per Fox News.

The Nara District Court asserts that Yamagami also violated a law concerning the possession of firearms.

Yamagami faces the possibility of life imprisonment if he is convicted of Shinzo Abe murder, although the death sentence is only used in cases of repeated murders, according to experts.

There is still no definite date for his trial, but civil jurors will likely be included with the traditional bench judges, as is customary in Japan for trials involving murder and other severe crimes. Furukawa predicted that Shinzo Abe assassination trial would not commence for many months due to the intricacy of the case.

Multiple further accusations, such as weapon production, explosives legislation violations, and property damage, are being considered by police.

Yamagami's Supporters Appeal for Mercy

Those who grew up in the South Korean-based Unification Church, which is widely seen as a cult in Japan due to its reputation for forcing devotees to make large payments, are among those who have voiced sympathy with Yamagami.

Numerous individuals have donated comfort packages to Yamagami's family or the jail facility, and thousands of people have created a petition calling for Yamagami to receive some clemency in the Shinzo Abe assassination case.

On July 8, Yamagami shot Abe during a speech during an election campaign in the western city of Nara. He was then immediately apprehended.

Read Also: Peru Protest Deaths: Officer Burns to Death in Patrol Car as Casualties Pile Up

Yamagami is said to have blamed Abe for supporting the Unification Church, which he hated because the church had allegedly conned his mother into giving them about 100 million yen ($1.1 million), which buried the family in debt, and put them out of business.

The assassination of Abe brought attention to the close ties that had existed between the church and the Liberal Democratic Party, Japan's governing party, for decades.

Case Opens Controversial Link Between the Unification Church and LDP

Abe's grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, allowed the organization to be established and expanded in Japan in the 1960s over mutually held conservative and anti-communist beliefs.

Established in 1954 in South Korea, the Unification Church is most known for its practice of mass nuptials. Its Japanese adherents are an important revenue stream, ABC reported.

There is evidence that the former prime minister was a target because of his association with conservative religious organizations.

Though the LDP insists there is no formal connection between the two, it does recognize that many of its members have links to the church.

Following the news, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's approval rating plummeted to all-time lows.

In August, per AP News, the prime minister removed all of his ministers with religious connections, and in October, his minister for economic revitalization resigned due to the ongoing controversy over his ties to the church.

Japan opened an investigation against the church in November, which could jeopardize its legal standing.

Related Article: Iran: Dual Citizen Slapped with Death Penalty for Being a UK Spy

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The owner of a luxury barn conversion has been ordered to rip out his 4,000 gates because the style is 'clearly domestic' and does not 'reflect the rural character of the area'.

Businessman David Holman, 53, installed the aluminium gates to replace the normal five-bar gate at his home in Croesyceiliog, Monmouthshire.

The modern 6ft gates boast a 'high quality' wood grain effect on the entrance to his dream barn conversion called Little Cider Mill Barn.

But locals objected and planning officials have ordered for them to be torn down.

Businessman David Holman, 53, installed the aluminium gates to replace the normal five-bar gate at his home in Croesyceiliog, Monmouthshire

The modern 6ft gates boast a 'high quality' wood grain effect on the entrance to his dream barn conversion called Little Cider Mill Barn

Mr Holman moved to the barn in 2019 to enjoy a quiet life in the country with his partner and three dogs.

He told planners that he later installed the security barriers in a 'knee-jerk reaction' after he was confronted by a stranger outside his home in March 2021.

Mr Holman said the man shouted: '"You don't like people looking into your property do you?" or "pulling up on the communal drive?"'

He said he was then verbally abused by the stranger before he called police and was advised to increase security at the countryside home.

Mr Holman added: 'We were totally unaware that planning would be needed as the gates were within the boundary of our property.

'The gates that we chose we thought would be the best fit and were able to be installed the fastest.'

Mr Holman was given three months to remove the gates in June last year following the planning decision by Monmouthshire County Council.

He then launched an appeal to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales which has now been rejected by inspectors.

But locals objected and planning officials have ordered for them to be torn down

Mr Holman moved to the barn in 2019 to enjoy a quiet life in the country with his partner and three dogs

He told planners that he later installed the security barriers in a 'knee-jerk reaction' after he was confronted by a stranger outside his home in March 2021

Planning inspector Janine Townsley said protecting the rural setting of the roadside was more important than Mr Holman's security measures.

The report said: 'Matters such as neighbour disputes and references to the police do not fall to be considered by me as part of my assessment of the planning merits of the scheme before me.

'Whilst I have taken into account the appellant's desire for additional security at his home, this consideration does not outweigh the harm caused to the character and appearance of the rural setting by the driveway gates which have been installed.'

Mr Holman put forward additional information as part of the appeal but it was not published by planners due to data protection.

In her report, Ms Townsley accepted the house had retained the appearance of a barn after its 'sensitive conversion.'

She said: 'I accept that the appellant has chosen high quality gates, however, the design of the gates are clearly domestic in style and their height and style does not reflect the rural character of the area.

'I appreciate that appeal site is in residential use, however the dwelling retains a barn like appearance.

'The gates are adjacent to the highway at a point where they are in clear public view in a setting which is rural in character and they fail to respect the historical value of the appeal site by introducing a means of enclosure which conflicts visually with the setting.'
This will lead to exposure of sensitive information such as banking details

Quantum computers may become powerful enough to break all encryptions

A 'Quantum Apocalypse' could tear open everything from internet banking to government secrets  and experts warn it's just years away.

This fear was thrown into focus earlier this year when an academic paper by Chinese researchers suggested that a quantum computer (a new technology under development by Google and IBM, among others) could break the encryption which keeps us safe online.

Tim Callan, a chief experience officer at cybersecurity company Sectigo, warned DailyMail.com that quantum computers  which already exist, albeit in an relatively primitive state  could one day 'make the encryption we use today no longer fit for purpose'.

The warning comes soon after researchers at the University of Chicago revealed they were working on an unhackable quantum internet.

Chinese researchers warn that quantum computing will reach such a point that it will be able to break encryptions that secure banking and medical details, leaving everyone vulnerable (file photo)

Currently, computers use a system called public key encryption to protect information  such as someone sending you a digital message.

In this your device  such as a mobile phone  has two keys, a public key and a private key.

The device trying to contact you uses your machine's public key to encrypt a message, turning it into a ridiculously long number, reports Science.

This can then only be opened by your device's private key, which unscrambles the message to reveal the original.

This is virtually unhackable for traditional computers, which would take about 300 trillion years to crack the code, Callan says, as they try all possibilities.

But experts fear quantum devices will be able to make short work of the encryption  which has been around since the 1970s  owing to their design.

While traditional machines use electronic or optical pulses that represent either a zero or a one, quantum machines use a photon  a particle of light  that can be set to 0, one, or both one and zero.

The flexibility of the new machines enables a quantum computer to code all possible solutions to an encryption, which will then cancel each other out to reveal the right combination.

Callan warned: 'The evolution of quantum computers creates a significant threat to data security.

'Their immense processing power is capable of breaking encryption at great speed, leaving important data vulnerable, everything from bank account details to medical records to state secrets.

'This scenario is so alarming that specialists refer to it as the "Quantum Apocalypse".'

He added: Quantum computers will be millions of times faster than 'classical computers', thanks to the fact they use 'qubits' which can be one, zero or both at the same time.

Callan warns that in this scenario  also referred to by cybersecurity experts as Q-Day  the world's secrets would become vulnerable to anyone with a sufficiently powerful quantum computer.

Concerns have already been raised about this in government circles, with the Biden administration announcing plans to update its security to protect against a quantum attack last year.

The memo envisaged the new approach coming in by 2024, however, as the computers remain a few years away.

Quantum computers are still in their infancy, but those already developed include IBM's Osprey computer, unveiled in 2021, which has 400 qubits  and is already immensely powerful.

IBM claims that representing the machine's state would require more classical bits (ones and zeroes) than there are atoms in the universe.

But Chinese researchers suggest that even a relatively small quantum computer  with 378 qubits  could break strong encryption.

Experts have predicted this could occur within the next eight to 20 years.

Pictured above is a quantum computer built in closet LL211A at the Univeristy of Chicago, Illinois. It is firing quantum particles to labs on the outskirts of the city to test a new system of wires

Callan says: 'The recent claim that researchers have broken encryption invites us to wonder if the quantum apocalypse is already here.

'However, at present this "breakthrough" remains theoretical.'

He added: 'It appears that we would need the owner of a sufficiently powerful quantum computer, such as IBM, to answer this question by testing it in real life.'

Callan says that it remains unclear how long such a breakthrough might take.

'The critical output of such a test would be to learn how long it would take one of these quantum computers to break our standard encryption. After all, there's a great difference between, let's say, six months and 10 years.'

Cybersecurity companies such as Sectigo  and others including Arqit  are designing 'quantum safe' encryption which would be immune to the power of quantum computers.

The National Security Agency (NSA) has been working on quantum-resistant encryption algorithms since 2015, saying: 'NSA continues to evaluate the usage of cryptography solutions to secure the transmission of data in National Security Systems.'

Callan adds: 'While this report might not make the Quantum Apocalypse a reality for the present, it definitely deserves our attention.

'It's only a matter of time before quantum computers render the world's existing cryptography useless, and organizations need to prepare now for the transition to new "post quantum" cryptographic algorithms that are on the way.'

Quantum computing is still very much in its infancy, with the system only working via wires at present.

Researchers are struggling to get information to transfer over a certain distance between quantum machines without it being corrupted.
Popular make-up brands including Urban Decay and Revolution are selling cosmetics in the UK containing dangerous 'forever chemicals' that can cause health issues including cancer, a new report reveals.

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they are designed not to break down in the environment.

Studies have linked PFAS to infertility, behavioural problems, birth defects, high cholesterol levels and even various cancers, including kidney, testicular and ovarian.

Make-up brands identified as containing PFAS in an investigation by the BBC include L'Oreal's Urban Decay, Revolution and Inglot.

Make-up brands identified as containing dangerous chemicals called PFAS in an investigation by the BBC include L'Oreal's Urban Decay, Revolution and Inglot

Pictured, Urban Decay Smoked Palette, one of the make-up products identified as containing dangerous per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Make-up products containing PFAS - Relove High Key Shadow Palette - Revolution Power Shadow Palette 90'S Baby - I Heart Revolution Mini Match Palette Fried Egg Fred - Urban Decay NAKED Palettes 2 - Urban Decay NAKED Palettes 3 - Urban Decay Smoked Palette - Inglot X Maura Beautiful Storm Eyeshadow Palette - Inglot Evening Kiss Eyeshadow Palette - Inglot Evening Kiss Eyeshadow Palette 10.2G - Inglot Complexion Perfection Essentials Palette Deep - I Heart Revolution Mini Match Palette Friday Feels - I Heart Revolution Mini Match Palette Your Cherry Sweet - Revolution Pro Glam Palette No Regrets Soft Nude - Revolution Forever Flawless Regal Romance Shadow Palette - Revolution Forever Flawless Bird of Paradise Shadow Palette Source: BBC Advertisement

PFAS are a class of roughly 12,000 man-made chemicals that repel grease, water, stains and heat.

In the make-up industry, PFAS are often used for their oil resistance and water resistance, as well as film-forming properties.

They're used to condition and smooth the skin, making it appear shiny, or to improve product consistency and texture.

However, they can enter our bloodstream, and when make-up is washed off, can enter water sources and end up in streams and rivers  potentially contaminating ecosystems and poisoning fish.

'Some PFAS have already been linked to health impacts in marine animals such as reduced immune, liver, blood and kidney function in bottlenose dolphins or thyroid hormone disruption in marine birds,' said Dr Francesca Bevan, chemicals policy manager at the Marine Conservation Society.

'It's likely only a matter of time for other health impacts to be recognised.'

PFAS are used outside the make-up industry too and are used to water- and grease-proof everything from cooking pans to raincoats and children's school uniforms.

While some makeup brands have phased out PFAS use, the BBC investigation found 'dozens of products' still using them, from mascara to eyeshadow, foundation and lipsticks, many with fun and appealing names and colours.

A list of nine products identified in the report includes Urban Decay NAKED Palettes 2 and 3, Inglot X Maura Beautiful Storm Eyeshadow Palette and Revolution's Relove High Key Shadow Palette.

Urban Decay is a subsidiary of L'Oreal, which told the BBC it's task of phasing out PFAS use is 'well underway'.

A Revolution spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We comply fully with all EU and UK cosmetics regulations and we have already begun the process of phasing out poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances from our products.'

Inglot said the only PFAS compound it uses is polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether, which 'is found in trace amounts in very few Inglot products'.

The company said: 'Inglot is conducting research to completely eliminate the polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether from all products.'

Pictured, Inglot Evening Kiss Eyeshadow Palette. It's one of 'dozens' of products containing PFAS according to the report

Pictured, Revolution Power Shadow Palette 90s Baby. Revolution did not respond to a request for comment

PFAS are a class of roughly 12,000 man-made chemicals that repel grease, water, stains and heat. Pictured, I Heart Revolution Mini Match Palette Fried Egg Fred

Dangerous PFAS can enter our bloodstream Known as 'forever chemicals', PFAS are manmade and used in a wide variety of non-stick and waterproof products and firefighting foams. They are ubiquitous, appearing in everything from cosmetics to water-repellent clothing to products that scrub away grease and oil, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Due to their abundance, PFAS chemicals can contaminate drinking water and cause health problems when consumed by humans. According to the US's Endocrine Society, PFAS chemicals affect our biology by mimicking fatty acids  the building blocks of fat in our bodies. They also act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) due to their ability to interfere with hormone systems. Advertisement

In 2021, the UK's Environment Agency conducted a review into PFAS use, which involved asking the industry body for cosmetics, the CTPA, to reveal which make-up companies were using them in their products.

At the time the CTPA declined to reveal company names for 'commercial reasons', but the BBC has now obtained them through a freedom of information request.

The investigation coincides with five European countries  Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden submitting a proposal to the EU on Friday to ban the manufacture and use of PFAS across member states.

In the UK, PFAS use remains legal, although policy changes could be implemented from this year.

According to the BBC, government agency the Health and Safety Executive is set to publish an assessment for the government of PFAS health risks, while more than 30 non-governmental organisations are calling for a total ban on non-essential use.

PFAS were first developed in the 1940s and are widely used in industry as well as in consumer products such as non-stick cookware, water and stain-repellent coatings, food packaging, carpeting, firefighting foam and cosmetics.

Their molecular structure is based on a linked chain of carbon atoms with one or more fluorine atoms attached, and the extreme stability of those carbon-fluorine bonds make PFAS highly resistant to being broken down.

This durability causes PFAS to persist and accumulate in the environment as well as in the bodies of humans and animals for years.

Many PFAS have molecular structures that resemble those of naturally occurring fatty acids, resulting in them having similar chemical properties and effects on the human body.

The new investigation found 'dozens' of make-up products still containing PFAS, from mascara to eyeshadow, foundation and lipsticks (file photo)

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they are designed not to break down in the environment. Pictured, Inglot Evening Kiss Eyeshadow Palette

Urban Decay is a subsidiary of L'Oreal, which told the BBC it's task of phasing out PFAS use is 'well underway'. Pictured, Urban Decay Smoked Palette

Fatty acids have a role in controlling the formation and development of new adipocytes (fat cells) as well as the control of the body's fat and glucose levels, and it's thought PFAS may interfere with these naturally occurring fatty acids.

Several studies have linked them with adverse health effects; according to a study published last year, women with high levels of PFAS in their blood had up to double the chance of developing dementia.

Another 2020 study found higher levels of PFAS in the blood can make women go through the menopause sooner.

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There is growing confidence that Arsenal are close to an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk over a January deal for Mykhailo Mudryk.

Sources in Ukraine say discussions over a move for the Ukraine international  believed to be worth between 75million and 80million - are still ongoing.

Shakhtar set an asking price of 88million for the 22-year-old and its understood Arsenal could now be prepared to offer more than 50m up front.

Arsenal are close to an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk over a deal for Mykhailo Mudryk

The Gunners could now be prepared to offer more than 50m up front for the Ukraine winger

Personal terms are not expected to be a problem, given Mudryk has made clear his desire to join Arsenal.

The two clubs are trying to find common ground on the structure of a deal. Namely the proportion of add-ons and whether they can be met by Mudryk.

Arsenals opening two bids were turned down and there were fears that Chelsea could scupper their move for Mudryk, Mikel Artetas primary January target.

There were fears that Chelsea could scupper their move for Mikel Artetas primary target

Sources claim Chelsea remain in talks with Shakhtar but Arsenal have always appeared in pole position due to Mudryks clear desire to move to north London.

Speaking after Monday night's FA Cup victory over Oxford United, Arsenal boss Arteta reaffirmed their desire to bring in attacking reinforcements following an injury to Gabriel Jesus.

The problem is that we have only one striker and to cope for that many months until Gabby is back is not easy,' he said.

'But we have to get the most out of the players that we have at the moment. If we can have some reinforcements, great.
An exasperated Jurgen Klopp hit back at a reporter for asking about Liverpool's transfer activity this month.

The German, speaking at his pre-Brighton press conference, became irritated and replied with a two-minute monologue outlining why he objected to the question and explaining the Reds' transfer stance.

Carl Markham, a reporter with the Press Association asked: 'You said earlier that you can't solve all problems in the transfer market, is it because you don't think there are players who can solve the problems, you can't get them or is it financial?

Klopp interjected before he could finish: 'Carl, really, honestly Carl, I have done, I think, six-thousand press conferences with Liverpool and you were pretty much part of 5,999 in different seats obviously but you were always there. If you want to write, or whatever, today you don't write, today you just record, come on... Now I have to tell you again the money story? Really? Really? I have to tell it again?

Jurgen Klopp was annoyed by a transfer question during his pre-Brighton press conference

Cody Gakpo joined in a deal that could rise to 44million earlier this month

'What could be the reason that we have money like crazy but we don't buy the players even when they are available? That's what you think of me? After all the years? So why are you asking the question when the answer lies on the table? I really don't understand that, I really don't that.

'You stand here for... you drove here, I don't know how you came here, you stand here and this is the question you have. You know the answer. And if I would answer and say "no, no, no, we have money in the bank, massively, we don't know what to do with it... the players are all there, nah we don't do that, nah".

'But we have, on top of that, the problem that at the moment four of our offensive players are injured. If we buy another one, then they come back, thankfully, not tomorrow but they will come back: Darwin soon, the others a little bit later... they come back and we have seven strikers then.

Liverpool are under pressure to win against Brighton to keep up in the race for the top four

Darwin Nunez is a doubt for Liverpool having missed four training sessions this week

He went on: 'We couldn't even put them all on the Champions League list! There are too many, we have to make a decision... who goes on, the new one, the others and stuff like this. It's just not that easy.

'You cannot solve the problem, especially with injuries. That's the main big, big shadow over all of us, because you cannot solve it just in the transfer window. Sometimes you have to, it's usually we just have to get through until the boys come back and then you can use them again.

Luis Diaz is another attacker out of action

'So that's how it is. In our best season we didn't have a lot of injuries and it was much more intense than it is now. But now we have them and now we have to deal with them.

'But the transfer market is not for us in this moment the solution. But if something is out there and somebody tells me, yes, we will do it. But for this specific situation I don't think it will happen.'

Liverpool have new man Cody Gakpo to call upon this weekend for his Premier League debut having signed him earlier this month for a fee that could rise to 44m.

Darwin Nunez has missed four training sessions this week and if he is out of Friday's team run will miss the trip to the Seagulls.

Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz are long term absentees and Roberto Firmino is yet to resume team training.

Klopp, pictured with Andy Robertson, wants his team to battle through the adversity

Injuries have been a huge concern for Klopp this term but he is clear that the transfer market is not the solution as the Reds chase a top four spot in what has so far been an underwhelming campaign.

Liverpool's owners FSG are open to selling the club and looking for investment so it was unclear how much cash the Reds had to spend this month. But Gakpo was a welcome addition after they gazumped Manchester United for the Dutchman.

Many believe the real area of concern is in midfield, with the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and long-term target Jude Bellingham all options.

But it now seems unlikely that Liverpool will part will dive into the market again this month unless, as Klopp says, a key target becomes available for the right price.

Liverpool play Brighton on Saturday at 3:00pm and are currently just one point above Roberto De Zerbi's team in seventh.
Leandro Trossard has reportedly boarded a Eurostar train back to Belgium after he was banished from Brighton's matchday squad for this weekend's Premier League clash against Liverpool.

Trossard's quick departure from England came after the star was told that he wouldn't be part of the Seagulls' team to face the Reds on Saturday amid concerns over his attitude.

The Belgian has been heavily linked with a January move away from Brighton, with Tottenham interested in landing the winger in a bid to improve their top four hopes.

Brighton's Leandro Trossard has left England after being dropped by the Premier League club

The Belgian is reportedly unhappy at the decision to be left out of Brighton's squad to face Liverpool

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi dropped Trossard from the squad over attitude problems

Trossard is said to have driven himself to the Eurostar tunnel in Dover in response to his attitude being questioned by club manager Roberto De Zerbi, according to The Express.

Brighton's joint-leading goalscorer Trossard has bagged seven goals in his last 16 Premier League outings for the club, but has seen his future on the south coast recently thrown into doubt.

On Friday, team manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Trossard would play no part in the squad to face Jurgen Klopp's side at the American Express stadium, telling reporters: 'Leandro knows very well my opinion.

Trossard drove himself to the Eurostar crossing

'The last session before the Middlesbrough game, when he understood he wasnt playing, he left the session without telling me anything.

'That isnt good. On Monday I spoke with him and explained I dont like this attitude.'

Saturday's visit of Liverpool marks the second successive match Trossard has missed after he was absent from the Brighton side that secured safe passage to the FA Cup fourth round last weekend.

Sportsmail previously reported the Belgium international trained away from the first-team in recent days amid rumours he had been kept away over his attitude, though he has been carrying a slight calf injury.

It is not yet known whether the Seagull's manager was aware of his player's decision to leave the country or whether Trossard will face punishment for his actions.

Trossard (right) will play no part in Brighton's weekend clash with Liverpool on the South Coast

Trossard has headed home to Belgian in response to being dropped from the club's Premier League clash with Liverpool

Trossard has been made a transfer target by Antonio Conte's Spurs with the London outfit registering a firm interest in the Belgium international.

De Zerbi demonstrated his dissatisfaction in Brighton's star attacker's attitude, stating: 'He [Trossard] knows very well that if he wants to play with me he has to work hard, to run, to be in the right way.

'We are not a big team, like Real Madrid or Barcelona, we are Brighton and he has to work like the other players.

'I dont know what the problem is. I want to be honest. Im open with him.'
The list includes the historic Scottish city of Perth and coastal Brighton

Below are wheelchair-friendly cities the pair single out on their site, Hope Zine

While theres still a huge amount of work to be done, British cities are becoming more wheelchair-friendly (file photo)

City breaks and wheelchairs used to make for pretty appalling bedfellows  especially in the UK.

Not so long ago, accessible used to mean little more than an annexe hotel room with no view, access to just the ground floor of historic buildings and eating outside at restaurants and pubs which dont have ramps.

While theres still a huge amount of work to be done before British cities can claim to be the equal of European leader (and multi-accessibility award winner) Barcelona when it comes to being wheelchair-friendly, things are improving.

Paul and Erica Crompton have been documenting the UK city break scene for wheelchair users over the past few years, and sharing their experiences on their website Hope Zine (hopezine.com).

Paul became a wheelchair user 21 years ago after a car accident. He and Erica have been travelling the country ever since to test and rate towns and cities for accessibility. Here are five of the best...

CHEERS FOR CHESTER

Paul and Erica Crompton have been documenting the UK city break scene for wheelchair users over the past few years on their website Hope Zine. They say that Chester (above) is one of the nation's most accessible cities

The first British city to win the European Access City Award, Chester does an admirable job of overcoming its Roman limitations for wheelchair users. Even the Rows (Chesters unique half-timbered shops above street level) are accessible from four places.

One hours drive from Chester, the observatory Jodrell Bank (jodrellbank.net) impressed Paul and Erica by prioritising wheelchair users at its planetarium show. Carers also get free admission to the whole attraction.

STAY THE NIGHT: Crabwall Manor just outside the city excels with its wheelchair-friendly spa facilities including a hoist for people to access the pool and plentiful steps and rails. Doubles B&B from 108.90 (crabwallmanorhotel.com).

GOOD OLD YORK

Paul and Erica note that York Minster (above) has a wide ramp allowing wheelchair users to get into the building easily, plus there are clean and easy-to-find disabled toilets

Another Northern city which belies its medieval, Georgian and Victorian architecture, York offers a huge variety of wheelchair-friendly attractions.

Level entrance access and lifts make the National Railway Museum (railway museum.org.uk) accessible, while Paul and Erica single out York Minster (yorkminster.org) for its wide ramp allowing wheelchair users to get into the building easily, plus clean and easy-to-find disabled toilets.

STAY THE NIGHT: Sandburn Hall, set among 1,000 acres of lakes and woodland outside York, has excellent disabled facilities, including bathrooms with adjustable mirrors. Doubles B&B from 128.20 (sandburnhall.co.uk).

BRIGHTON BELLE

This coastal city excels when it comes to wheelchair access. The i360 big wheel (brightoni360.co.uk) has a ramp and lift connecting the top of the ride with the beach level, plus convenient disabled parking with a flat subway leading directly to the beach level. If you need to hire a wheelchair, you can rent one here.

For nightlife, many of the liveliest pubs and bars have wheelchair access, including North Laine Brewhouse.

STAY THE NIGHT: The Hilton Brighton Metropole has five accessible rooms, some with sea views. Doubles B&B from 86 (hilton.com).

POWER TO PERTH

Undertake the famed Enchanted Forest walk in beautiful Faskally Wood (above) outside Perth - volunteers along the trail can help push wheelchairs in steeper terrain

The historic Scottish city impressed Paul and Erica thanks to the accessibility of the towns famed Enchanted Forest walk (enchantedforest.org.uk) in beautiful Faskally Wood, north of Pitlochry. It has a spectacular sound and light show in the evenings. Volunteers sited along the trail can help push wheelchairs in steeper terrain.

STAY THE NIGHT: Blairmore Farm has two wheelchair-friendly cottages, with ramps between rooms. Parking is just outside the front door. From 400 for a two-night minimum stay (blairmorefarm.com).

BELFASTS SHIPSHAPE

Take in the exhibits at the Titanic Belfast museum, which has fully accessible spaces and galleries

The museum devoted to the doomed Titanic liner (titanicbelfast.com) has fully accessible spaces and galleries plus numerous disabled toilets.

Paul and Erica were also particularly impressed by Billys Blue Badge Tours (touringaroundbelfast.com) where a black cab takes visitors around the Peace Wall and the murals of the Falls and Shankill Road. The cab is big enough to take wheelchairs inside itself rather than packing them into the boot.

STAY THE NIGHT: The Belfast Holiday Inn right in the city centre has 14 wheelchair-accessible rooms. All public areas are wheelchair-friendly, too. Doubles B&B in an accessible room from 72 (ihg.com).
Sofia Ritchie flaunted her flat midriff and sculpted physique for a Pilates class in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The 24-year-old socialite  who debuted her gorgeous new hairstyle last month  rocked a dark green crop top with a matching pair of skintight leggings.

Richie's Pilates look is the latest example of her chic and effortless aesthetic as the young fashionista nails her street style ever time she steps out in Los Angeles.

Sculpted and stylish: Sofia Ritchie, 24, flaunted her flat midriff and sculpted physique for a Pilates class in Los Angeles on Thursday

With her blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, the influencer glowed as she emerged from the Pilates studio.

Sofia sported green designer shades and carried a brown leather bag for her outing, stepping up her athleisure look with luxurious accessories.

But Lionel Richie's daughter kept it cool and casual by tying a gray puffer around her slender waist.

Diamond studs adorned Sofia's ears while pink Chanel slippers provided a pop of vibrant color.

The model wore minimal makeup and allowed her radiant complexion to shine.

Athleisure queen: The socialite rocked a dark green crop top with a matching pair of skintight leggings

The accessories: Sofia sported green designer shades and carried a brown leather bag for her outing, stepping up her athleisure look with luxurious accessories

This latest sighting comes on the heels of Sofia enjoying a night out on Wednesday with her fiance Elliot Grainge, 29.

The young couple oozed style and romance as they socialized at celeb hotspot Delilah.

Although the pair keep their relationship relatively private, the social media personality and Grainge went Instagram official in April 2021.

A year later, Sofia announced her engagement to the music executive in April 2022.

The engagement was a surprise to some fans, but the couple reportedly knew each other for years before they started dating.

Gorgeous: The model wore minimal makeup and allowed her radiant complexion to shine. Pink Chanel slippers provided a pop of vibrant color and jet-black nails brought some edge

According to People, Sofia's father Lionel  who has been dating model Lisa Parigi, who is 40 years his junior, since 2014  was a frequent collaborator and friend of Elliot's father, Sir Lucian Grainge.

Nearly a week after their engagement announcement, Lionel told Access Hollywood that Elliot was a 'nervous wreck' when asking for permission to marry Sofia.

'I love Elliot,' said the music legend. 'I've known him since he was 12... It was one of those things where I don't have to go back and check out the kid. I know who it is.'

Previously, Sofia dated Scott Disick, 39  reality star and father of Kourtney Kardashian's children  from 2017 to 2020.
Former foreign minister Julie Bishop has clapped back at her critics after she was accused of using Instagram filters to make herself look younger in photos.

The glamorous politician, 66, addressed her trolls head-on in a video shared to Instagram on Wednesday after finishing her daily morning run.

Clad in head-to-toe activewear, Bishop said to the camera: 'Finished my run, [I'm] in the office, and apparently someone's complained about me using filter on posts.'

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop has clapped back at her critics after she was accused of using Instagram filters to make herself look younger in photos

As she then approached the camera, the famous Snapchat dog filter appeared over her face, and she added nonchalantly: 'Personally, I don't get it.'

She used the hashtag #Filtergate in her caption.

Bishop's friends and fans offered words of support in the comments section.

Bishop, 66, addressed her trolls head-on in a video shared to Instagram on Wednesday after finishing her daily morning run. Clad in head-to-toe activewear, she said: 'Finished my run, [I'm] in the office, and apparently someone's complained about me using filter on posts

'They are just jealous, Julie... with or without a filter, it's your choice what you do,' one person wrote.

'You don't owe an explanation to anyone.'

'I think those people need a filter on their mouth. You keep shining,' another commented.

As she then approached the camera, the famous Snapchat dog filter appeared over her face, and she added nonchalantly: 'Personally, I don't get it'

Bishop swatted away critics on Monday who accused her of using a filter to blur and soften her features in a video posted to Instagram.

When an anonymous commenter from a private account wrote 'take the filter off though', the former long-serving Liberal deputy leader immediately shot back.

'May I see your posts?' Bishop replied.

Bishop swatted away critics on Monday who accused her of using a filter to blur and soften her features in a video posted to Instagram

Ms Bishop previously batted back an accusation she was using a filter with a denial.

'Are you using a filter,' a commenter asked, to which Bishop replied that if she was, 'I'd get rid of the mascara dripping under my eyes'.

'You look so great I didn't even notice the mascara,' the questioner replied with a laughing emoji.

'Rats! Shouldnt have mentioned it,' Ms Bishop said.

When an anonymous commenter from a private account wrote 'take the filter off though', the former long-serving Liberal deputy leader immediately shot back: 'May I see your posts?'

'Are you using a filter,' another commenter asked, to which Bishop replied that if she was, 'I'd get rid of the mascara dripping under my eyes'

The overwhelming response to Ms Bishop's post was positive, however.

'Keep up the posts, don't worry about what others think,' one fan wrote on her feed.

In a subsequent post, Bishop uploaded a video that appeared to be in sharper focus than the preceding one, with her features less rounded and more lines apparent.

In a subsequent post, Bishop uploaded a video that appeared to be in sharper focus than the preceding one, with her features less rounded and more lines apparent

The fit former MP told the camera she was running '100 steps up, 100 steps down, the DNA Tower, double-helix lookout in Perth's Kings Park.

In her caption, Bishop said climbing the DNA-strand themed tower 'seemed appropriate for my run this morning - the blueprint of life'.

'What a brilliant way to start the day,' she said in the video.

In December, Bishop attracted headlines after showing off her yoga skills with a headstand on Cottesloe Beach in the background of a live cross, surprising a Studio 10 reporter.

The fit former MP maintains a remarkably active lifestyle, running 6km to 10km every day regardless of her busy schedule

'I was relatively fit but I was challenged by many of the poses,' she previously told Body + Soul.

'Over time, I came to enjoy the experience and yoga has become part of my life.'

Bishop, who now runs a consulting business, Julie Bishop and Partners, has said she does yoga 'a few times a week'.

Julie's eight-year romance with property developer David Panton ended over dinner in Sydney in July - just a week after the couple visited London together and dined with King Charles.

The couple went to dinner in Sydney's CBD where Mr Panton told a shocked Bishop their relationship had run its course.

Julie is rumoured to now be dating fitness enthusiast Luke Hepworth after the pair were spotted arm-in-arm at several red carpet events late last year.
Kyle Sandilands and Tegan Kynaston returned home in style on Thursday after a month-long Christmas holiday in tropical North Queensland.

The couple landed via a private jet at Sydney airport, where his manager Bruno Bouchet and airport crew helped them unload their luggage and two dogs.

Sporting an all black outfit of shorts, a polo shirt and sneakers, the radio shock jock, 51, carried his fiancee's designer Chloe tote bag, worth an eye-watering $2,000.

Kyle Sandilands, 51, and Tegan Kynaston, 39, (both pictured) returned home in style on Thursday after a month-long Christmas holiday in topical North Queensland

Tegan carried the couple's most precious cargo - their son Otto - after they touched down via private jet

Hiding his eyes behind a pair of dark shades, he then accessorised with a luxury watch wrapped around his wrist.

Happy to be home after his Port Douglas holiday, the co-host of The Kyle and Jackie O Show greeted his manager Bruno with a hug as they held the leads of his two poodle mix pooches.

Sandilands then went on to help unload the rest of the luggage from the plane as his fiancee cradled the most precious cargo.

Sporting an all black outfit of shorts, a polo shirt and sneakers, the radio shock jock, 51, carried his fiancee's designer Chloe tote bag, worth an eye-watering $2,000

Hiding his eyes behind a pair of dark shades, he accessorised with a luxury watch wrapped around his wrist

Kyle proved her was ever the gentleman by carrying the designer bag

Kynaston, 39, kept their baby boy Otto cuddled up in her arms as she teetered off the plane in a pair of $890 platform Chloe wedges.

Slipping on her own pair of dark sunglasses, she donned a summery look with a yellow cropped shirt and denim Daisy Duke shorts.

The communications director was all smiles as she greeted their entourage with Otto seeming alert and curious.

Happy to be home after his Port Douglas holiday, the co-host of The Kyle and Jackie O Show greeted his manager Bruno Bouchet with a hug as they held the leads of his two poodle mix pooches

Sandilands then went on to help unload the rest of the luggage from the plane as his fiancee cradled the most precious cargo

The bub looked adorable in a blue patterned onesie with matching green socks as he clung to his mother.

Once the greetings had been finished and the luggage was unloaded, Kynaston and Sandilands tucked Otto into his car seat as they prepared to head home.

The radio king is set to return to his KIIS FM radio show with co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson on Monday.

Kynaston kept their baby boy Otto cuddled up in her arms as she teetered off the plane in a pair of platform Chloe wedges worth $890

Slipping on her own pair of dark sunglasses, she donned a summery look with a yellow cropped shirt and denim Daisy Duke shorts

The communications director was all smiles as she greeted their entourage

The bub looked adorable in a blue patterned onesie with matching green socks as he clung to his mother

Once the greetings had been finished and the luggage was unloaded, Kynaston and Sandilands tucked Otto into his car seat as they prepared to head home

And according to The Sydney Morning Herald, bosses are 'anxious' about Sandiland's controversial stunts in the coming year.

The dynamic duo's return to the airwaves comes as Henderson said she 'feels the best she has in many years' after stepping down from the breakfast show due to health issues.

Prior to taking his annual break, Sandilands had been co-hosting his breakfast show with Brittany Hockley after Henderson announced in November she was taking significant time off.

The radio king is set to return to his KIIS FM radio show with co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson on Monday

And according to The Sydney Morning Herald, bosses are 'anxious' about Sandilands's controversial stunts in the coming year
Central Alabama was hit by storms and tornadoes on Thursday, killing at least six people and leaving thousands without electricity, according to local authorities.

A spokesperson for the Autauga County Sheriff's Office told Reuters that six individuals had perished due to the Alabama tornadoes.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey took to Twitter to share her sentiments about the catastrophe. "I am sad to have learned that six Alabamians were lost to the storms that ravaged across our state," she stated, adding her thoughts and prayers for the victims of Alabama tornadoes.

After severe weather hit Alabama on Thursday, Governor Kay Ivey (R) announced a state of emergency for six counties.

The Montgomery Advertiser reports that Ivey declared a state of emergency for the counties of Autauga, Chambers, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, and Tallapoosa after a series of tornadoes slammed across the state on Thursday, damaging structures and leaving 30,000 without electricity. The publication stated that four people were killed and several more were wounded as a result of the tornadoes, which were verified in the counties of Autauga and Dallas.

We'll have multiple damage survey teams in the field over the coming days. There's a lot of ground & damage to cover. We will release data as we are able to collect, assess, & verify/QC. It'll take several days, but we'll publish a web page to summarize all tracks. #alwx  NWS Birmingham (@NWSBirmingham) January 13, 2023

Over 250 flights between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport were either delayed or canceled.

Tornadoes Downs Power Supply, Paralyzes Transportation

Reports estimate that 10,000 Selma residences and businesses were without electricity around 7:30 p.m., including much of the city center. Service workers have started repairing damaged mobile phone service across the city.

Read Also: Ana Walshe Case: Missing Massachusetts Woman's Dark Past with Conman Husband

The municipal council of Selma convened an emergency meeting outdoors, with the proceedings filmed on a mobile phone and broadcast live on Facebook because of the outage. Due to severe damage to their houses, a few members were unable to attend. In response to the Alabama tornadoes, NBC News reported that the organization set aside $2 million in excess funds.

The Associated Press reported that 12 individuals were hurt badly enough to be sent to hospitals. Authorities were working through the night on Thursday to clear the roads of fallen trees in search of anybody who may need assistance, according to an NPR report.

Tornado Warnings Raised in Several States

Butts County Coroner Lacey Prue reported that a tree fell on a car in Jackson, Georgia, killing a passenger. Similarly, a freight train reportedly derailed in the same county southeast of Atlanta.

Multiple individuals were reportedly trapped inside an apartment building when trees crashed on it in Griffin, south of Atlanta. A Hobby Lobby shop in the city partly lost its roof, and firemen freed a man caught beneath a tree that collapsed on his home. The city has imposed a curfew from Thursday at 10 p.m. to Friday at 6 a.m.

On Thursday, the National Weather Service received 33 reports of tornadoes around the country and issued tornado warnings in the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, and North Carolina. There was no confirmation of the tornado reports, and some of the damage may turn out to have been caused by winds instead.

National Weather Service records show that 98 tornadoes hit Alabama in 2022, resulting in three fatalities, per The Hill.

Related Article: FAA System Outage Grounds All Flights, Causes Delays

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Margot Robbie commanded attention as she head to the Babylon Q&A at Curzon Mayfair in London after attending the UK premiere for the new film.

The actress, 32, showed off her impeccable style in a red leather coat and matching trousers as she strut down the street.

She completed the ensemble with a brown skin-tight top, while boosting her height in a pair of heeled boots.

Stylish: Margot Robbie commanded attention as she head to the Babylon Q&A at Curzon Mayfair in London after attending the UK premiere for the new film

The Australian actress had her golden tresses pulled into a low-ponytail as two sections framed her face.

Margot looked radiant as she sported a dewy glam makeup look with a swipe of nude lipstick.

Earlier in the evening, Margot donned a luxury red gown from fashion house Valentino, which featured a backless design and draping cape front.

Her dress fell to the floor in a cloaked style with a thin, halterneck strap gracing the gown.

Gorgeous: The actress, 32, showed off her impeccable style in a red leather coat and matching trousers as she strut down the street

Beauty: Margot looked radiant as she sported a dewy glam makeup look with a swipe of nude lipstick

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.

Wow! She completed the ensemble with a brown skin-tight top, while boosting her height in a pair of heeled boots

New: 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 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!'

'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?'

Leading lady in red! Margot exuded sophistication in a red Valentino gown on Thursday while attending the London premiere of blockbuster Babylon

Lavish: The gown showed off her gorgeous figure with its backless design

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.
Her high end fashion company reportedly has racked up a total of 66.3million of debt since its launch.

And now Victoria Beckham has cut the prices of hundreds of clothing items in a huge sale amid the reported financial trouble.

On the 48-year-old's website it says: 'Explore the VB sale with up to 60 per cent off key styles'.

Trouble: Victoria Beckham has cut the prices of hundreds of clothing items in a huge sale amid the financial trouble at her fashion and beauty empire, it has been claimed

Items including sunglasses, coats, gym wear and dresses are included in the offers online.

For example a green dress in the sale section is down 40 per cent from 990 to 594 while a camel coat is also 40 per cent reduced 1,590 to 954.

A representative for Victoria has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.

It comes after earlier this week it was revealed that the company reportedly has racked up a total of 66.3million of debt since its launch.

Shock: On the 48-year-old's website it says: 'Explore the VB sale with up to 60 per cent off key styles'

The fashion designer launched her fashion label in 2008 with a small collection of dresses. It swiftly grew to an extensive range that now includes handbags, coats, shoes and accessories.

According to The Mirror, the latest accounts for Victoria Beckham Holdings Ltd show it made losses of 5,887,036 in 2021, down from 8,581,944 in 2020.

This means overall losses for the firm now stand at 66.3m since its launch in 2008 and directors of the firm - including Victoria and her husband David - were not paid a dividend.

The study says: 'The loss for the year, after taxation and minority interests, amounted to 5,887,036 (2020 - loss of 8,581,944

Store: The fashion designer launched her fashion label in 2008 with a small collection of dresses. It swiftly grew to an extensive range that now includes handbags, coats, shoes and accessories

'During the 2021 financial year the ultimate shareholders provided additional loans of 0.6m to the group.'

The luxury fashion business has expanded to Europe and the Middle East, with the annual accounts saying the brand was also expanding into new products, with the launch of leather goods and the VB Body range.

A company spokesperson told MailOnline: 'The shareholders continue to support and invest in the business for growth. The balance sheet is good, there is no bank debt.'

CEO, Marie Leblanc added: '2021 saw the successful repositioning of Victoria Beckham Limited and 2022 is set to be an even stronger year.

Power couple: Despite the big losses, the Beckhams global empire has reportedly doubled its profits - racking in 11.6 million in 2020

'We have entered a new chapter for the business and our energy is focused on accelerating growth and taking the brand to its full potential.

'With the successful launch of leather goods in 2022 and the continuous acceleration of sales growth in Beauty, we have high expectations.'

Despite the big losses, the Beckham's global empire has reportedly doubled its profits. Annual accounts filed with Companies House in London showed the pair made 11.6m in the year ending December 2020 despite the pandemic  compared to 4.5m in 2019.

In accounts submitted in 2021, auditors warned of 'significant doubt' about Victoria's fashion company's ability to continue operating when it was reported that the company had racked up debts of more than 46 million since it launched.

Friends of the star said at the time that she is determined to continue with her company even though her detractors have dismissed it as a vanity project.

One said: 'This is what gives Victoria her identity, she loves it and despite its obvious obstacles, she is a grafter and hugely passionate about it.'

In February 2021, it emerged that Mrs Beckham's beauty range she set up in 2019 had suffered a loss of 4.7 million.

A spokeswoman for Mrs Beckham said: 'Whilst 2019 was a challenging year, the business halved its losses - a significant step in the road to profitability. The launch of the hugely successful beauty line in the same year helped drive overall revenues up 7% on 2018 and both businesses are focussed on profitable growth.

'The showcase of the recent AW21 fashion collection has been well-received by fashion critics and the beauty business has seen multiple sell-out products in recent months.'
Paul Mescal was joined by pal Emma Corrin on Thursday evening for the press night of West End's A Streetcar Named Desire's afterparty in London.

The Normal People actor, 26, donned a black suit for the bash after taking to the stage in the role of leading man Stanley in the production, with The Daily Mail's Patrick Marmion praising his 'beast off the leash' performance.

Meanwhile, actor Emma looked stylish as they wrapped up in a black turtle-neck jumper and matching trousers for the night out.

Night out: Paul Mescal, 26, looked suave in a black suit on Thursday as he was joined by stylish pal Emma Corrin to celebrate the press night of West End's A Streetcar Named Desire

Keeping his look simple, Paul sported a pair of black trousers and a matching blazer - which he layered over a beige shirt.

He wrapped an arm around Emma, who had come by to support their pal and flashed a smile for some snaps.

The Crown star, who is non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns, had bright blonde cropped locks and shielded their eyes with rectangular sunglasses.

Leading man: Keeping his look simple, Paul sported a pair of black trousers and a matching blazer - which he layered over a beige shirt

Chic: Meanwhile, actor Emma looked stylish as they wrapped up in a black turtle-neck jumper and matching trousers for the night out

Critics praise West End's A Streetcar Named Desire A Streetcar Named Desire is already garnering attention with Paul Mescal taking on the leading role of Stanley Kowalski in the red hot adaptation of the Tennessee Williamss 1947 drama by award-winning Rebecca Frecknall. The Daily Mail Rating: Patrick Marmion awarded the production a four star review, comparing Mescal to a 'beast off the leash' as he shed's his Normal People boyish persona, 'if you hoped to swoon, stay home' he advises. 'Gone is his boyish charm (those Celtic blue eyes) in Normal People. No more the still waters that run deep, or pleading eyebrows that melt your heart,' Marmion pens. Yet it is supporting actress Patsy Ferran as Blanche, who steals the show for Marmion: 'Much the best reason for seeing this sold-out show  or at least praying that it transfers to the West End  is not so much Mescal, as the sensational acting of Patsy Ferran as Blanche. She turns the over-familiar role on its head.' The Guardian Rating: Arifa Akbar wrote: 'Mescal appears as natural on stage as on screen' going on to also praise Ferran, and Anjana Vasan's Stella: 'For all its clever artifice and non-naturalism, it is the power of these performances that gives this production its fierce and dangerous energy.' The Times Rating: Dominic Maxwell awarded the production five stars: 'Mescal is tremendous: he makes the latent violence of Stanley Kowalski into something easy, tangible, vibrant yet unactorly. Ferran is simply sensational.' The Evening Standard Rating: Nick Curtis named it as the first great show of 2023, with Mescal, Ferran and Vasan 'providing the core of emotional truth to Rebecca Frecknalls production. All three act with their whole bodies.' The Independent Rating: Jessie Thompson said Mescal's 'Stanley Kowalski radiates with rage, wearing his psychopathy on his sleeve, with a menacing sexuality that could stop traffic  or make you run and hide.' Advertisement

Paul also stopped for a picture with director Rebecca Frecknall, who kept with the netrual theme in a black suit.

He appears alongside rising star Patsy Ferran in the drama production, which has arrived to The Almeida Theatre for its run.

Emma is also taking to the stage at the moment as they take part in racy play Orlando in London's Garrick Theatre.

Smiles: Paul also stopped for a picture with director Rebecca Frecknall, who kept with the netrual theme in a black suit

Star: Paul took to the stage in front of the crowd for the first time on Thursday as leading man Stanley in the production

Orlando, which opened on Saturday 26 November and runs through to Saturday 25 February 2023, is an adaptation of late author Virginia Woolf's 1928 novel Orlando: A Biography.

Directed by Tony and Olivier winner Michael Grandage, it tells the story of an aristocratic English poet who changes gender from man to woman at the age of 30 and lives for 300 years.

Emma swapped their preferred pronouns from 'she/her' to 'they/them' in 2021 and has spoken out about the issue several times since.

Paul Mescal in A Streetcar Named Desire: What are the critics saying? Daily Mail Rating: 'Much the best reason for seeing this sold-out show  or at least praying that it transfers to the West End  is not so much Mescal, as the sensational acting of Patsy Ferran as Blanche'. The Guardian Rating: 'Mescal appears as natural on stage as on screen. His performance is matched by his two accompanying leads, Patsy Ferran and Anjana Vasan'. 'For all its clever artifice and non-naturalism, it is the power of these performances that gives this production its fierce and dangerous energy'. Evening Standard Rating: 'Paul Mescal is horribly good'. 'Patsy Ferran , Mescal and Anjana Vasan as Stella, Blanches sister and Stanleys wife, provide the core of emotional truth to Rebecca Frecknalls production. All three act with their whole bodies'. Time Out Rating: 'Paul Mescal Hes good! Actually very good. He may have made his name playing a succession of extremely sensitive nice guys, but his Stanley Kowalski is nothing of the sort'. 'He looks about as welcoming as a hungry tiger as feigns politeness towards Blanche, who he clearly despises from the off. At his worst hes a malevolent force of nature, devastating anything that crosses into his path, a veritable human hurricane'. The Times Rating: 'Mescal is tremendous: he makes the latent violence of Stanley Kowalski into something easy, tangible, vibrant yet unactorly. Ferran is simply sensational.' 'Mescal sheds the boy next door tenderness we fell for on TV in a performance that glints with muscular fixity and a mindset of suppressed fury; its as if his charm instantly wears off, and he alights on the interloper as the lightning-rod for inchoate resentments'. Advertisement

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, they said: 'I'm definitely fortunate that I'm dealing with this now and not 10 years ago.

'I know a lot of gay actors who took a long time to come out because they were worried about that, but I didn't think about it.'

Emma added: 'I don't mind if people get my pronouns wrong, that's fine.

'Just try, and I'll correct you where necessary and gradually we take steps forward. It's not going to happen overnight.'
Ruby Tuesday Matthews slipped into a tiny bikini for a day at the beach in Byron Bay on Friday, just a few months after the birth of her daughter Holiday.

The influencer, 27, soaked up the sun as she cuddled her three-month-old girl, careful to keep her under the shade of the beach tent as she protected her own face with a bright yellow hat.

Looking toned and fit, the brunette also spent quality time with her fiance Shannon Dodd, packing on the PDA when they got some time to themselves.

Ruby Tuesday Matthews slipped into a tiny bikini for a day at the beach in Byron Bay on Friday, just a few months after the birth of her daughter Holiday (pictured)

Holiday is the first child for Shannon and Ruby, who shares two older sons, Rocket, five, and Mars, four, with her ex-partner Ryan Heywood.

After a fun morning on the sand, Ruby slipped into a white tank top and tied a colourful sarong around her waist, showing off just a glimpse of her toned tummy.

The family then headed back up onto the grass for an early lunch as they fired up the communal BBQ and cooked some snags.

The influencer, 27, soaked up the sun as she cuddled her three-month-old girl, careful to keep her under the shade of the beach tent as she protected her own face with a bright yellow hat

Looking toned and fit, the brunette also spent quality time with her fiance Shannon Dodd, packing on the PDA when they got some time to themselves

Ruby, who pulled back her long dark hair into a low ponytail, set the picnic table after she laid Holiday down to rest.

Meanwhile, Shannon slipped a brown T-shirt over his black boardshorts and donned a black cap as he helped unpack the condiments.

Rocket and Mars continued to run about in their swimwear, trying to corral their mother into playing as they enjoyed their time outside.

After a fun morning on the sand, Ruby slipped into a white tank top and tied a colourful sarong around her waist, showing off just a glimpse of her toned tummy

The family then headed back up onto the grass for an early lunch as they fired up the communal BBQ and cooked some snags

Ruby, who pulled back her long dark hair into a low ponytail, set the picnic table after she laid Holiday down to rest

Shannon slipped a brown T-shirt over his black boardshorts and donned a black cap as he helped unpack the condiments

Rocket and Mars continued to run about in their swimwear, trying to corral their mother into playing as they enjoyed their time outside

Eventually, the mother of three relented, slipping on a baby carrier for Holiday as she quickly finished setting up the table.

As family and friends ate, Ruby checked her messages and had a conversation with her partner before moving over to a grassy area to play with her children.

Sidestepping the surfboards lying about, she dressed Holiday in a colourful, oversized shirt before tucking her into the carrier at the front of her body.

Eventually, the mother of three relented, slipping on a baby carrier for Holiday as she quickly finished setting up the table

As family and friends ate, Ruby checked her messages and had a conversation with her partner before moving over to a grassy area to play with her children

Shannon and Ruby appeared to be discussing something serious after lunch

Ruby donned several items of gold jewellery for the family outing

Going makeup free, she complemented her look with a set of freshly done white nails

Sidestepping the surfboards lying about, she dressed Holiday in a colourful, oversized shirt before tucking her into the carrier at the front of her body

The Instagram star was all smiles as she loosened up and spent quality time with her children

The Instagram star was all smiles as she loosened up and spent quality time with her children.

Laughing with her partner, Ruby captured happy memories with her phone before throwing around a model airplane with her sons.

Ruby and Shannon welcomed Holiday into the world on September 20 last year.

It's unclear when the pair began dating, but they appeared in photos together in May 2021 and announced their engagement in June that same year.

Laughing with her partner, Ruby captured happy memories with her phone before throwing around a model airplane with her sons

Ruby and Shannon welcomed Holiday into the world on September 20 last year

It's unclear when the pair began dating, but they appeared in photos together in May 2021 and announced their engagement in June that same year

The lovebirds shared a joke together as Ruby took photos of her children

She remained vigilant, keeping an eye on her rambunctious boys as she left the baby carrier half undone

Holiday wiggled about in the carrier as her mother spoke with Mars and Rocket

Matthews eventually did up the last strap, flashing a set of gorgeous golden rings

Once everything was correctly in place, Matthews spent time with her young boys, throwing around a model airplane
Gemma Collins took a page out of Gweneth Paltrow's book as she enjoyed a cupping massage in her living room on Thursday.

The former TOWIE star, 41, took to Instagram to share a video of herself lying on her front naked with a towel covering her behind.

She told fans that the massage will 'turn her into a supermodel' as a specialist applied the cups to her back.

'Guys if its good enough for Gweneth, its good enough for me': Gemma Collins took a page out of the GOOP founders book as she enjoyed a cupping massage on Thursday

The reality star, who swept her long blonde tresses up in a messy ponytail, revealed she is 'a health goddess' after trying out the procedure.

Gemma told fans in the clip: 'Guys if its good enough for Gweneth, its good enough for me. I'm having cupping. Gweneth swears by this. Will this turn me into a supermodel.

'So good news is 48 hours in after my first physio and literally ready to walk up Kilimanjaro. Now I'm having the cupping, I'm just a health goddess.

'Will this turn me into a supermodel': The former TOWIE star, 41, took to Instagram to share a video of herself lying on her front naked with a towel covering her behind

'This guys getting me walking again in just 24 hours its unbelievable, I believe in credit where credit is due'.

The GC added in the caption: 'I cant express my gratitude for you enough you have made me a new woman in less then 24 hours. Also my amazing doctor for pain relief you know who you are #cuppingmassage'.

Last month, Gemma revealed her wedding plans ahead of saying 'I do' to fiance Rami Hawash in the coming year.

'I'm a health goddess': She told fans that the massage will 'turn her into a supermodel' as a specialist applied the cups to her back

'I'm having cupping': The reality star, who swept her long blonde tresses up in a messy ponytail, revealed she is 'a health goddess' after trying out the procedure

Gemma, who got engaged last year for the second time to the 49-year-old, admitted she wants her special day to be 'a low-key' event.

She told New Magazine: 'I think it will be a private affair. We will just go off somewhere and do it in private. I don't really know.

'I'll see how I feel at the time. My life is in the spotlight so much, I think I'd want a bit of a low-key day.

'I don't want to put on a performance on my wedding day.'

Behind the scenes: The star went on to added, 'I'm just a health goddess' as the specialist continued with the massage

The couple has postponed their wedding to next year due to the cost of living crisis and were previously engaged in 2013.

Previously Gemma spoke exclusively to MailOnline, opening up about trying for a baby with partner Rami.

Gemma explained: 'I was with Amy Childs at the weekend and we had a friend's wedding and she's like a guru at how to get pregnant.

'I don't want to put on a performance on my wedding day': Gemma revealed her secret wedding plans ahead of saying 'I do' to fiancee Rami Hawash in the new year

'She was telling me that there's certain days in the month that you've got to do this. So I basically appointed her to be the head of my pregnancy.

'She's told Rami what days we've got do it on and all that. So we're reporting back to Amy every time we do it!'

Sharing her confidence of one day welcoming a baby, she added: 'I definitely think that the universe will come through with a child for me, definitely.'

Until the time comes when Gemma gets to be a mum herself, she's getting plenty of practice in with her 'stepson' Tristan, three, whom Gemma loves as her own.

Detailing the bond she has with the Rami's son, she said: 'Do you know what? I've got the greatest gift of all my partner gave me. I have a beautiful three-year-old stepson and have a very good relationship with his mum and it's been so lovely that they've let me be a part of their lives.

'Tristan, he's beautiful. I love him so much. He's the apple of my eye. With Tristan, our family are just so obsessed with him. And my nephews Hayden and Kane are so good with him, he's like the new little baby on the scene. They just love him as much as I do and he loves them. He's just part of our family.'
Director Michael Bay has found himself in some legal troubles across the pond, as he's been charged with the killing of a pigeon on the set of his 2019 Netflix movie 6 Underground.

The 57-year-old filmmaker is facing charges from an incident in 2018 when he was filming 6 Underground in Rome, and a pigeon was reportedly killed by a dolly, according to The Wrap.

The director - who was said to 'butt heads' with Eiza Gonzalez while filming his latest movie Ambulance - categorically denied the allegations.

Legal trouble: Director Michael Bay has found himself in some legal troubles across the pond, as he's been charged with the killing of a pigeon on the set of his 2019 Netflix movie 6 Underground

Pigeon death: The 57-year-old filmmaker is facing charges from an incident in 2018 when he was filming 6 Underground in Rome, and a pigeon was reportedly killed by a dolly, according to The Wrap

'I am a well-known animal lover and major animal activist,' the director said in a statement.

'No animal involved in the production was injured or harmed. Or on any other production Ive worked on in the past 30 years,' he added.

The report adds that Bay has been trying to, 'clear the case with Italian authorities for years' but has yet to do so.

Well-known: 'I am a well-known animal lover and major animal activist,' the director said in a statement

Italian authorities have claimed that a homing pigeon was killed while the production was filming in Rome.

An insider also claims that the homing pigeon was killed by a dolly during the middle of a take.

An unnamed person on the set reportedly witnessed the incident and snapped a photo, which he sent to Italian authorities.

Filming: Italian authorities have claimed that a homing pigeon was killed while the production was filming in Rome

Pigeons are a protected species in Italy and there is a national law against killing, harming or capturing pigeons, or any other wild bird.

Regarding the photo that was sent to Italian authorities, Bay claims they have evidence that disputes the allegation.

'We have clear video evidence, a multitude of witnesses, and safety officers that exonerates us from these claims. And disproves their one paparazzi photo  which gives a false story,' Bay said.

The director added, 'There is an ongoing court case so I cannot get into the specifics, but I am confident we will prevail when I have my day in court.'

Bay was given the option to settle the case and pay a small fine, but he reportedly refused and has since made three separate attempts to get the case thrown out.

'I was offered by the Italian authorities a chance to settle this matter by paying a small fine, but I declined to do so because I would not plead guilty to having harmed an animal,' Bay explained.
Bella Hadid posted a beautiful throwback photo and loving Instagram tribute on Thursday, honoring her mom Yolanda Hadid after the Dutch beauty turned 59.

The 26-year-old supermodel  who just showed off her incredible body in a racy Valentine's Day ad campaign for Victoria's Secret  shared a stunning image of Yolanda posing with Bella and her older sister Gigi, 27, when they were young girls.

A former supermodel herself, the Real Housewives of Beverly hills alum looked radiant in Bella's throwback picture, wearing a low-cut white blouse and sporting sultry matte lips.

Birthday beauty: Bella Hadid, 26, posted a beautiful throwback photo and loving Instagram tribute on Thursday, honoring her mom Yolanda Hadid after the Dutch beauty turned 59

'Happy birthday,' wrote Bella. 'My queen! Forever and always.'

The runway sensation's tribute continued: 'I wish they could feel your spirit, love, maternal attributes, your laugh, your kindness, your friendship, your charisma, your generosity, your care, your time, or how it feels to have you as a mother for once second.'

'To anyone who needs it,' gushed Bella, 'you are a natural giver. At your best, you are love. The world is lucky to have you in it. I love you so much mama. @yolanda.hadid.'

Bella also included a collection of additional throwback pictures, showing the many sides of her gorgeous mother, from doting parent to loving partner.

Yolanda rang in her 59th birthday on Wednesday with her daughters Bella and Gigi Hadid, as well as her beau Joseph Jingoli, 72.

In a video shared to Instagram Stories, the trio were captured singing Happy Birthday to the reality star while celebrating in a dimly lit restaurant.

Attached at the hip: 'Happy birthday,' Bella's caption began. 'My queen! Forever and always.' Mother and daughter  pictured at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in 2018  are incredibly close

Yolanda's love: Bella's birthday slideshow included a few pictures of Yolanda with her boyfriend of five years Joseph Jingoli, 72

The runway sensation's tribute continued: 'I wish they could feel your spirit, love, maternal attributes, your laugh, your kindness, your friendship, your charisma, your generosity, your care, your time, or how it feels to have you as a mother for once second'

Precious moments: Bella shared some precious moments with her 56.9 million Instagram followers

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.

'Grateful,' captioned the mother-of-three, before directing an 'I love you so much' at her family and friends in attendance.

Celebration: Yolanda Hadid rang in her 59th birthday on Wednesday with her daughters Bella and Gigi Hadid, 27, as well as her beau Joseph Jingoli

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

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.'

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!!!!'

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

Gigi's tribute: Gigi also took to her mother's Instagram Stories and wrote, 'I love U so much' at the bottom
TAR (15, 158 mins)

Rating: ****

Verdict: An acting masterclass

M3gan (15, 102 mins)

Rating: ****

Verdict: Nasty fun

Nobody who saw TAR when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September could possibly have quibbled with the jurys decision to anoint Cate Blanchett as the festivals Best Actress. Indeed, I will be surprised if she doesnt add an Academy Award to the pair she has already. This week she also bagged a Golden Globe.

She is spellbinding in TAR. In a story set in the world of classical music she gives a mighty virtuoso performance, of which the film, though at least 20 minutes too long and with a few off-key notes towards the end, is mostly worthy.

Blanchett plays Lydia Tar, world-renowned conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic and beloved protegee of the late Leonard Bernstein. This weaving of fact and fiction is how the film starts.

Nobody who saw TAR when it premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September could possibly have quibbled with the jurys decision to anoint Cate Blanchett as the festivals Best Actress

We first meet Lydia in her native New York, where she is being obsequiously interviewed on stage by the New Yorker magazines Adam Gopnik (convincingly playing himself), in front of an adoring audience hanging on her every word. She is, Gopnik reminds her fans, on a short and shimmering list of EGOTs, namely those few blessedly talented people who have won all four of the major American showbiz awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.

Lydia has the ego to go with her EGOT, too. She treats her devoted assistant (Noemie Merlant) with lofty disdain and looks down on a fellow conductor (Mark Strong). When she gives a masterclass at the elite Juilliard School, she is haughtily contemptuous towards a pangender student who declines to play or even listen to Bach because, apparently, the great composer was a sex pest.

Dont be so eager to be offended, she says, berating social media for whipping up a cancel culture. As it happens, the audience in Venice cheered that line. But the student storms out, leaving the slight sense that maybe this scene will prove to have a significance beyond its demonstration of Lydias ferocity.

Blanchett plays Lydia Tar, world-renowned conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic and beloved protegee of the late Leonard Bernstein. This weaving of fact and fiction is how the film starts

As well as fierce, Lydia is also gay. We follow her back to Berlin, where she lives with her wife, Sharon (Nina Hoss), the orchestras first violinist, and their daughter.

A fair amount of the film has now passed, yet still its not clear where its leading us. Writer-director Todd Field has immersed us in Lydias life and the snarky politics of the orchestra, and Blanchetts formidable performance especially has us hooked. But there doesnt appear to be a straightforward linear narrative. At night, Lydia seems to be haunted by noise  a ticking metronome, even the hum of the fridge. Could it be that her incredible musical ear will itself be her downfall?

This is where we nudge into spoiler territory. As narrative momentum does finally begin to build, Lydia is indeed knocked from her podium  although not by anything as delicate or sensitive as hearing. When something terrible befalls a former protegee, the news is devastating but not for the reasons you might expect.

Meanwhile, Lydias powerful crush on a pretty Russian cellist begins to expose frailties in her that until now have been well hidden. Try as she might, she can no longer keep her public image and her personal predilections apart.

One by one, her certainties crash and burn.Field gets a bit carried away towards the end; perhaps because he has orchestrated everything so deftly, one scene in particular feels terribly discordant.But for the most part, even at its excessive length, this is a tremendously absorbing film, for which everyone involved should take a bow, the remarkable Blanchett most of all.

The weeks other big release with a one-word title, M3gan is also about a difficult, manipulative female, although conspiracy theorists shouldnt read anything into the decision to give her the same name, give or take, as the Duchess of Sussex.

This M3gan (an acronym of Model 3 Generative Android) is a doll. A crying, talking, sleeping, walking, living doll of the kind Cliff Richard certainly never envisaged. She is the creation of Gemma (Allison Williams), a brilliant robotics engineer with a Seattle toy company, who spends her life imagining what children might like but then has to do it for real when her nine-year-old niece Cady (Violet McGraw) is orphaned in an appalling car crash.

The weeks other big release with a one-word title, M3gan is also about a difficult, manipulative female, although conspiracy theorists shouldnt read anything into the decision to give her the same name, give or take, as the Duchess of Sussex

Although she designs toys for a living, it turns out that Gemma cant relate to kids at all. But when she brings M3gan home, Cady is smitten. Gemma programmes M3gan to protect Cady and through the doll, aunt and niece become closer.

Better still for Gemma, Cadys interaction with the startlingly humanoid M3gan helps her to perfect the animatronics.

But when M3gan starts taking her job of protector much too literally, savage mayhem ensues. She doesnt, it transpires, actually like being told what to do.

Splendidly directed by Gerard Johnstone and wittily scripted by Akela Cooper, this is not quite a horror film, not quite a slasher movie and not quite a dark comedy, but a terrifically enjoyable amalgam of all three. Perhaps above all, its a mischievous satire about artificial intelligence, with rumbling echoes of Frankensteins monster. I didnt expect to like it, but I did, very much.

Meet the SLOWEST gun in the west

The Old Way (15, 95 mins)

Rating:

Nicolas Cage had never starred in a Western before The Old Way, and its fair to say, in the circumstances, that the venerable genre aint been missing much.

In a film that is almost impressively derivative, as if there were a checklist of much better Westerns at director Brett Donowhos elbow, Cage does his best to give us a version of Clint Eastwood in Unforgiven (tick). Only his best is not nearly good enough.

He is Colton Briggs, retired gunslinger; the toughest, nastiest man in the West reformed by the love of a good woman but still a fellow of few words. Instead of seeming taciturn, however, Colton just seems plain dim. A heartfelt speech to his fragrant wife (Kerry Knuppe) makes him sound like Forrest Gump (accidental tick).

Nicolas Cage had never starred in a Western before The Old Way, and its fair to say, in the circumstances, that the venerable genre aint been missing much

But anyway, shes not around for long because a baddie with a 20-year-grudge against Colton turns up with his sidekicks and murders her, leaving Colton to saddle up with his spirited young daughter Brooke (Ryan Kiera Armstrong) and go after the varmints.

There are fawning nods to True Grit (tick), High Noon (tick) and The Searchers (tick) as all this unfolds, but also to modern sensibilities, with both father and daughter appearing to have a form of autism. That shows a little more originality, but still the best that can be said for The Old Way is that theres only just over an hour and a half of it.

Also Showing:

The Estate (15, 96 mins)

Rating: **

The Estate (15, 96 mins), available on Sky Cinema, is also mercifully brief. British writer-director Dean Craig has crafted a desperately lumpen comedy, set in the American South, about a pair of cash-strapped sisters (Toni Collette and Anna Faris) trying to inveigle a legacy out of their wealthy dying aunt (Kathleen Turner) who inconveniently has always hated them.

A quality cast, led by the always watchable Collette, gives the film a veneer of class. Alas, it very quickly rubs off.
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Helen Mirren and her husband Taylor Hackford have re-listed their exquisite and historic Hollywood home for $17 million, over a year after first putting it on the market for $18.5M.

Nestled against a hillside, the couple have called the the residence home for over 30 years and in 2021 attempted to sell the property while simultaneously listing it as a rental for $45,000 a month.

Shortly after putting the property on the market, a deal on the home went into contract but ultimately nothing came of it, Architectural Digest reported, citing public records.

Now, prospective buyers will have a second chance at calling the stunning estate home - and for a million dollars less than what it was first listed at.

Fit for a queen! Helen Mirren and her husband Taylor Hackford have re-listed their exquisite Hollywood Hills home for $17 million, over a year after first listing it for $18.5M

Located within six-and-a-half acres of sophisticated landscaping and mature trees and situated at the top of a winding drive, the 10,200 sq ft estate includes a guest house and a total of eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms.

Built in 1911, the house has beautiful finishes from the era, including large rooms, French doors opening onto the Hollywood hills, a paneled library, hardwood floors and large fireboxes in the fireplaces.

A particularly special room is the cozy bar, complete with stylish bar stools and a comfortable sofa and chairs for an intimate evening of lavish entertaining.

The large formal rooms and outside living area, featuring strings of festoon lighting, are ideal for large groups and family get togethers, with relaxed indoor-outdoor architecture taking full advantage of the sunny California weather.

No place like home: The couple, pictured November 2022, have lived at the home for over 30 years

Built in 1911, the house has beautiful finishes from the era, including large rooms and French doors opening onto the Hollywood hills (pictured)

A particularly special room is the cozy bar, complete with stylish bar stools and a comfortable sofa and chairs for an intimate evening of lavish entertaining

Outside, the gated, manicured grounds feature a large swimming pool with a diving board and envy-inducing views of downtown Los Angeles, combining tranquility, privacy and convenience.

The separate guest house offers three bedrooms and there's also a garage with capacity for five cars, with an office and an apartment above.

It's easy to see why The Queen actress, 77, and her American director husband, 78, have stayed put in the sprawling home for so long, which they are now leaving due to increasing amount of time they have been spending out of California.

It's easy to see why Oscar-winning actress Mirren and her director husband have stayed put in the sprawling home for so long, but they are now offering it for sale or for rent at $45,000 a month (pictured: a large bedroom)

Zzzz: One of the spacious bedrooms contains a balcony with views of the city

Another one of the property's bathrooms, which features an art deco-esque glass tiled walk-in shower leading to a sunken bath, with his and hers sinks

The large formal rooms and outside living area are ideal for large groups and family get togethers, with relaxed indoor-outdoor architecture taking full advantage of the sunny California weather (pictured: a dining room)

The property features 11 bathrooms, three of which are considered half bathrooms. Pictured is one of them featuring jazzy flamingo wallpaper

Stephen Apelian of Coldwell Banker Realty said the couple have decided to sell the home 'because they are spending more and more time outside the state,' according to Mansion Global.

The star couple snatched up the standout pad in the 1990s, becoming the latest in a stream of big names to live there.

Former owners include Dustin Farnum, star of DeMille's Squaw Man, writer and producer Mark Hellinger, and Gail Patrick, executive producer of the popular 1950's/60's Perry Mason television series where the home was sometimes used as a film location for the show.

Stephen Apelian of Coldwell Banker Realty said the couple have decided to sell the home 'because they are spending more and more time outside the state,' according to Mansion Global

Former owners of the property include Dustin Farnum, star of DeMille's Squaw Man, writer and producer Mark Hellinger, and Gail Patrick, executive producer of the popular 1950's/60's Perry Mason television series where the home was sometimes used as a film location for the show (pictured: the kitchen in the main house)

Cosy: One of the rooms appeared to be in use as a lounge area

The star couple snatched up the standout pad in the 1990s, becoming the latest in a stream of big names to live there

Mirren won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the film The Queen, acting the part of Queen Elizabeth II. Taylor also won an Academy Award for the short film Teenage Father and directed An Officer and Gentleman and Against All Odds.

In 2003, Mirren was appointed Dame for her acting career that dates back to when she starred as Cleopatra in a UK National Youth Theatre production aged 20.

She became an American citizen in 2017 and voted for the first time in the 2020 election.

One of the spacious rooms featured hardwood floors, views of the city, and a fireplace

Located within six-and-a-half acres of sophisticated landscaping and mature tree, the home is situated at the top of a winding drive

The separate guest house offers three bedrooms and there's also a garage with capacity for five cars, with an office and an apartment above
Lisa Rinna looked stylish as ever while grabbing lunch with her husband Harry Hamlin at an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The reality TV star, 59, bundled up in a lengthy stylish black coat underneath which she sported matching black leggings. She paired the look with a monochrome patterned bucket hat.

The outing comes after last week's announcement that she is leaving The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after eight seasons, amid her ongoing feud with Kathy Hilton.

Chic: Lisa Rinna looked stylish as ever while grabbing lunch with her husband Harry Hamlin at an Italian restaurant in Los Angeles on Thursday

The Days Of Our Lives actress shielded her eyes from the sun with a pair of red-tinted sunglasses.

Rinna finalized her look with a pair of black sneakers and accessorized with a chic black purse.

Meanwhile Harry looked casual cool in a long-sleeve black top underneath a black puffer vest.

Stylish: The reality TV star, 59, bundled up in a lengthy stylish black coat underneath which she sported matching leggings. She paired the look with a monochrome patterned bucket hat

Despite her recent announcement, the star seemed in good spirits and was seen waving at fans with a smile on her face.

Last week Andy Cohen expressed he hopes Rinna will return to The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

Speaking on his SiriusXM show, Radio Andy, Cohen, 54, called Rinna's departure a 'big reshuffle of the deck' as he reflected on the impact she had made on fans over the years.

Cool couple: The actress shielded her eyes from the sun with a pair of red-tinted sunglasses. Meanwhile Harry looked casual cool in a long-sleeve black top and puffer vest

Leaving! The outing comes after last week's announcement that she is leaving The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills after eight seasons, amid her ongoing feud with Kathy Hilton

Cohen described Rinna as 'compelling' television and a 'huge part' of the hit Bravo series as he shared his wishes that she would eventually return to the show much like fellow housewife Tamra Judge.

'I was surprised when she said it was the longest job she's ever had,' Cohen said. 'But then I wasn't because eight years on a series for an actor. Shes a working actor  usually you dont get a part on a show that goes for eight years.'

'So this is a reality show and it goes to show that is a testament to how compelling Lisa Rinna is to watch on television that she went eight years. Think of all the memes that Lisa Rinna has generated. Think of all the GIFs shes generated.'

'She has been really, really a huge part of Beverly Hills. And I really do hope that this is a pause. I hope she will come back. I really do.'

'I really do hope this is a pause': Andy Cohen, 54, expressed he hopes Rinna will return to the show following her annoucement: 'I hope she will come back. I really do'; pictured 2018

Cohen then brought up Real Housewives Of Orange County star Tamra Judge, who recently announced her return to the show after departing in 2020.

Judge described temporarily stepping away from the series as a 'positive' experience, Cohen said.

'I've talked to Tamra about this a lot. Tamra said to me before she came back to this, she said, "You know what, my time away from the show kind of helped me as a person and... I think it was actually really positive to leave and get some air and some step back." I just hope Lisa will humor us and come back.'

'So I do hope that I hope this is a pause because I always enjoyed Lisa Rinna on my TV,' he said.

'Big reshuffle of the deck': Cohen described Rinna as a 'huge part' of the hit Bravo series; Pictured in a still from the show

Lisa confirmed her departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills last week, following a rough season in which she grieved the loss of her beloved mom Lois. The reality star revealed that she is 'grateful' for her time on the popular series.

'This is the longest job I have held in my 35 year career and I am grateful to everyone at Bravo and all those involved in the series,' the reality star told People in a statement.

She continued: 'It has been a fun eight-year run and I am excited for what is to come!'

The outlet reported that 'she and Bravo mutually decided that she would not return to RHOBH' after her contract expired last season.

Doing okay: Following a rough season, in which she grieved the loss of her beloved mother Lois, the reality star revealed that she is 'grateful' for her time on the popular series

The soap star has been involved in numerous controversies on the show since joining the program.

In October, she was booed at BravoCon following backlash from fans over saying she would 'get cancer' if she didn't expose Hilton's 'vile' comments on the show's finale.

When asked by DailyMail.com about her reaction to those calling for her to be fired, the mom-of-two said she didn't know what to think and branded herself a 'rockstar.'

'We are the number one show on cable, and on television... That's all I have to say,' she concluded.

At the time, Lisa was slammed by cancer survivors and doctors alike after she used the disease as an excuse to spill Hilton's personal secrets.
Laos' foreign trade surpasses 1 bln USD in December

Xinhua) 10:54, January 13, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
NASA Juno spacecraft is fully functional again.

The space agency reports that the spacecraft had returned to its usual operations after it went into safe mode to fix the anomaly that affected its onboard computer memory.

NASA's Juno spacecraft previously completed its 47th pass of Jupiter, yielding photos and science data for astronomers and scientists to examine and use.

NASA Juno Spacecraft Onboard Memory Glitch Timeline

Following its successful 47th close pass of Jupiter on Dec. 14, 2022, NASA's Juno spacecraft was sending the data it gathered to mission controllers from its onboard computer when the downlink was suddenly disrupted, per NASA's updated blog post.

The space agency explained that a radiation spike that flew from a radiation-intensive portion of Jupiter's magnetosphere probably caused the anomaly that disrupted Juno's downlink to mission control. Fortunately, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and its mission partners managed to reboot Juno's onboard computer on Dec. 17 and put it into safe mode.

By Dec. 22, NASA's JPL was taking steps to recover the data Juno gathered on its 47th close pass with Jupiter, with the process yielding promising results.

As a result, NASA was able to reestablish a downlink with Juno.

Read More: UK Government Now Mandates New Homes to Have Gigabit Internet Connection

Additionally, there is no indication that the data it gathered through the time of its closest approach to Jupiter, or from the spacecraft's flyby of Io, Jupiter's moon, was adversely affected.

NASA expected that the rest of the data Juno recorded would be sent to Earth a week later. When it did, the agency will verify the data's health to determine if the anomaly caused other adverse effects to the data.

NASA then announced that Juno had returned to normal operations since Dec. 29 and that it successfully received the majority of the data it recorded during its 47th close flyby. The data recovered also included all data related to Io, per Space.com.

Despite this victory, however, the space agency revealed that the anomaly managed to corrupt a small portion of the data Juno gathered.

Nevertheless, the spacecraft is fully functional again and will soon embark on its next flyby of the Gas Giant on Jan. 22, 2023.

Juno's Resilience And Longevity

This anomaly isn't the only time NASA's Juno spacecraft defied fate. Space physicist Scott Bolton, principal investigator for the Juno mission, mentioned at a Dec. 14 news conference that the spacecraft is "built like an armored tank, and its shields are holding, per Science News.

The spacecraft and its mission were orignally expected to last until 2018 after completing 34 orbits of the Gas Giant. However, thanks to its design, it managed to last even longer.

As a result of this resilience and longevity, NASA scientists are uncertain when Juno will stop giving them front-row seats to Jupiter. What is certain, however, is that the spacecraft will end its mission on if own accord in two ways: either it becomes too deteriorated to continue functioning thanks to Jupiter's intense radiation or if it runs out of the propellant keeping its antennas pointed toward Earth.

Should the latter option happen, the spacecraft could still be recoding data, but it would be unable to send it back to Earth.

Related Article: NASA's Persevarance Turns One for Its Martian Birthday
Andrew Callaghan of HBO's new documentary This Place Rules responded to sexual misconduct claims on Thursday in a statement released through his lawyer.

'Andrew is devastated that he is being accused of any type of physical or mental coercion against anyone. Conversations about pressure and consent are extremely important and Andrew wants to have these conversations, so he can continue to learn and grow. While every dynamic is open to interpretation and proper communication is critical from all those involved, repeated requests for money should not be part of these conversations,' read the statement sent to Variety.

'With that, balanced communication is paramount to any relationship dynamic and Andrew vows to be better in this regard, while reminding his audience that while even one concerned partner is too many, there are always multiple sides to a story. Andrew is fully committed to working with the appropriate professionals to better understand himself and ways he can grow and improve as a human being, especially with his growing platform and the vulnerabilities it brings,' the statement concluded.

Statement released: Andrew Callaghan, shown in a sill from All Gas No Brakes on YouTube, responded to sexual misconduct claims on Thursday in a statement released through his lawyer

Two women earlier this month posted videos on TikTok in which they accused All Gas No Brakes star Callaghan of pressuring them into having sex.

A woman named Caroline Elise alleged that Callaghan stayed at her house and requested to have sex until she agreed.

'[He] eventually got my consent because he wore me down,' she said in a TikTok video.

'Its even more hard to have to relive the trauma that I endured every single day by seeing this man as a social justice warrior, as someone who cares about human rights, get a platform. You shouldnt be supporting him,' Elise added.

Money requests: 'Andrew is devastated that he is being accused of any type of physical or mental coercion against anyone. Conversations about pressure and consent are extremely important and Andrew wants to have these conversations, so he can continue to learn and grow. While every dynamic is open to interpretation and proper communication is critical from all those involved, repeated requests for money should not be part of these conversations,' read the statement sent to Variety on behalf of Callaghan, shown in November 2020

She was referencing Callaghan's new HBO documentary This Place Rules.

A source told TMZ that Elise allegedly requested money from Callaghan while referencing the 'fat check' he received from HBO for his documentary and uploaded the video to TikTok when hen didn't pay.

Elise urged others to come forward in her video and a woman named dana on her @moldyfreckle account on TikTok alleged that Callaghan pressured her into sex after a previous sexual encounter that she deemed 'mean' and 'demeaning'.

Street protest: The All Gas No Brakes star is shown in September 2020 at a protest in Portland, Oregon

'I told him to stop. I told him to get off of me multiple times,' she said in the video. 'He tried to put my hand down his pants and I was fighting against him during this, telling him to please stop.'

This Place Rules was co-produced by Tim Heidecker, 46, who condemned Callaghan's alleged behavior on Thursday during his Office Hours podcast.

'Its been a very painful week for us, a very difficult experience to process. We didnt want to just rush out and say something that felt insincere or a ''crisis person told us what to say'' kind of thing. We just wanted to wrap our heads around it and talk about it and try to understand it more,' Heidecker said.

Documentary co-producer: This Place Rules was co-produced by Tim Heidecker, shown last August in West Hollywood, California, who condemned Callaghan's alleged behavior on Thursday during his Office Hours podcast

'Of course, were aware of the allegations. We take them very seriously. Its been very sad and disappointing, to say the least. I just want to clarify a couple things. We have no professional relationship with Andrew at this time and have no plans going forward to have any relationship with him,' he added.

Heidecker clarified that he and This Place Rules co-producer Eric Wareheim were not connected to Callaghan's Channel 5 project.

'We did produce the movie, and I feel terrible that this film now has these allegations tied to it because some very good people worked very hard on it. But its just a movie, and I want to say we believe these women that came forward and, of course, totally condemn the type of behavior that Andrews being accused of. I believe its up to Andrew to address these allegations and do so openly and honestly. I really hope he does do that as soon as possiblec,' Heidecker said before Callaghan's representative released his statement.

Trump supporters: Callaghan is shown with a young boy at a QAnon rally in the documentary This Place Rules

The documentary took a deep dive into Donald Trump supporters leading up to the January 6 riot.

This Place Rules showed a young boy named Jaden at a QAnon rally who was recorded shouting conspiracy theories, such as 'Biden is a child molester'.

'Biden's a child molester and he kidnaps children and does horrible things to them just like Hillary Clinton and Obama who made the virus,' Jaden screamed in the documentary.

'The virus is man-made it doesn't exist, kids need to be put back in school,' he continued.

Callaghan left the YouTube channel All Gas No Brakes in March 2021 after a contract dispute with Doing Things Media and launched Channel 5 on YouTube in April 2021 with backing from Patreon supporters.
Tyga is being sued by $1.34 million a company named Choice Motors Credit, who say that the rapper has defaulted on payments he owed for two luxury vehicles.

The 33-year-old Rack City rapper, who was spotted visiting Cher this past November, was named in documents reviewed by The Blast over the balance owed on the automobiles.

Choice Motors Credit in the suit is requesting that Tyga, whose real name is Michael Ray Stevenson, pay up on the pair of luxury cars they worked a deal out on - a 2013 Lamborghini Aventador and a 2014 Bentley Mulsanne.

The latest: Tyga, 33, is being sued by $1.34 million a company named Choice Motors Credit, who say that the rapper has defaulted on payments he owed for two luxury vehicles. He was pictured in LA in 2022

The company is also asking for the interest accrued on each of the vehicles: He owes $1,085,421.63 on the Lamborghini, with more than $695,000 of the total amount accounting for interest.

For the Bentley, he owes a total of $255,950.52. The suit was filed in California with a 'sister-state judgment,' the outlet reported.

Tyga was tied up in a similar circumstance in November of 2021, as a Ferrari and Rolls Royce he had were repossessed after he was delinquent on payments, Radar reported.

He was sued by a company named Midway Rent A Car for an outstanding balance of $127,789.73 for the two vehicles which he leased in 2015.

The rapper has a penchant for luxury cars, as he was seen posing next to a Ferrari in 2019

Tyga was snapped at a GQ party in West Hollywood, California in November

The rap artist has also been involved in legal entanglements over his payments on furniture he had agreed to buy.

He was sued in October of 2021 by the furnishings company Showroom Interiors, Radar reported, claiming he did not pay them a sum of $84,000 for the 'design, decorating, delivery, installation, and rental of furniture and other goods' at his home in Los Angeles in 2019.

The expenses included $69,000 for furniture rental for six months, a $10,000 security deposit and $5,000 in installation fees. The company also requested Tyga pay an additional $27,000 with interest in reimbursement for their efforts to obtain payment.
An awkward television interview with Lisa Marie Presley has resurfaced following her death on Thursday at the age of 54.

The daughter of rock and roll legend Elvis Presley sat down with Aussie TV host Rove McManus in 2004 to promote her new album, but offered brief, stilted answers and seemed not to understand his questions.

'Was [recording the album] something you enjoyed doing or something you felt you had to do to get it out?' McManus asked.

An awkward television interview with Lisa Marie Presley (pictured) has resurfaced following her death on Thursday at the age of 54

'Which part? Do you mean timing-wise?' she responded.

'I know some of the songs on the album, for example, you re-wrote four times. Was it something you were holding off on doing? Because I would think the longer you leave it, the more expectation there might be,' McManus said.

'I think it was just production and me being crazy and neurotic and... anal,' she replied, followed by an awkward pause.

In the video, Presley questions McManus about what is he asking her before giving him very brief answers

Elsewhere in the interview, McManus asked: 'Was there ever a plan that you would do anything other than sing?'

'No, I started singing when I was two,' Presley responded curtly.

The clip resurfaced after it was announced Lisa Marie, the only child of Elvis Presley, died at the age of 54, hours after she suffered a cardiac arrest at the home where she had been living in Calabasas, California.

The clip resurfaced after it was announced Lisa Marie, the only child of Elvis Presley, died at the age of 54, hours after she suffered a cardiac arrest at the home where she had been living in Calabasas, California. (She is pictured at the Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Tuesday)

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.'

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. (She is pictured at the Mad Max: Fury Road premiere in May 2015)

Lisa Marie owned and operated the immensely lucrative Elvis Presley Enterprises until 2005, when she sold off all of the business.

She is still the owner of Graceland, Elvis' famed Memphis estate. When her father died in 1977, she was only aged nine.

She is also known for her high-profile marriages to actor Nicolas Cage, Michael Jackson and musical companions Danny Keough and Michael Lockwood.
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Oscar winner Emma Stone and her husband - three-time Emmy nominee Dave McCary - attended a screening of their new movie When You Finish Saving the World held at the Crosby Street Hotel in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on Thursday.

The Fruit Tree Productions co-founders produced the mother-son drama starring Oscar winner Julianne Moore and Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard.

It was a rare public sighting of the 37-year-old SoCal native and the Arizona-born 34-year-old, who enlisted her very own umbrella handler for the occasion.

Reclusive couple: Oscar winner Emma Stone (M) and her husband - three-time Emmy nominee Dave McCary (L) - attended a screening of their new movie When You Finish Saving the World held at the Crosby Street Hotel in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood on Thursday

Contentious relationship: The Fruit Tree Productions co-founders produced the mother-son drama starring Oscar winner Julianne Moore (R) and Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard (L)

Emma wed Dave sometime in 2020 after meeting in 2016 at NBC's Saturday Night Live, and they're now proud parents of 22-month-old daughter Louise Jean.

Stone and McCary just co-produced Showtime's genre-bending comedy series The Curse, which centers on New Mexico newlyweds co-starring in a problematic HGTV series

And while the Saturday Morning All Star Hits director skipped the red carpet, the Cruella actress happily posed in a cream-colored midi-sleeve dress and black boots selected by her stylist Petra Flannery.

Emma accessorized her minimalist attire with two gold necklaces, a gold belt, and three gold rings.

Diva move! It was a rare public sighting of the 37-year-old SoCal native (L) and the Arizona-born 34-year-old (M), who enlisted her very own umbrella handler (R) for the occasion

Babysitter on duty! Emma wed Dave sometime in 2020 after meeting in 2016 at NBC's Saturday Night Live, and they're now proud parents of 22-month-old daughter Louise Jean

Collaborating couple: Stone and McCary just co-produced Showtime's genre-bending comedy series The Curse, which centers on New Mexico newlyweds co-starring in a problematic HGTV series

Hairstylist Mara Roszak slicked back Stone's signature red locks into a side-parted updo.

Make-up artist Rachel Goodwin brought out the Louis Vuitton global brand ambassador's baby blues with a bright red lip and pink cheeks.

When You Finish Saving the World marks the feature directorial debut of Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg based on his own 2020 Audible Original audio drama.

Emma famously co-starred with the 39-year-old native New Yorker in Ruben Fleischer's 2009 zom-com Zombieland and his 2019 sequel Zombieland: Double Tap.

Sophisticated: And while the Saturday Morning All Star Hits director skipped the red carpet, the Cruella actress happily posed in a cream-colored midi-sleeve dress and black boots selected by her stylist Petra Flannery

Golden girl: Emma accessorized her minimalist attire with two gold necklaces, a gold belt, and three gold rings

Severe: Hairstylist Mara Roszak slicked back Stone's signature red locks into a side-parted updo

Pop of color! Make-up artist Rachel Goodwin brought out the Louis Vuitton global brand ambassador's baby blues with a bright red lip and pink cheeks

Stone and Eisenberg made sure to pose with their cast Finn Wolfhard, Ashley Boe, Billy Bryk, and Jay O. Sanders at the industry event.

The movie screening served as date night for three-time Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo and his wife of 22 years, Sunrise Coigney.

The Wisconsin-born 55-year-old and the 50-year-old Sunny's Pop boutique owner are proud parents of three children - son Keen, 21; daughter Bella Noche, 17; and daughter Odette, 15.

Mark previously co-starred with Jesse in Louis Leterrier's 2013 magician heist drama Now You See Me and Jon M. Chu's 2016 sequel Now You See Me 2.

Reunited! When You Finish Saving the World marks the feature directorial debut of Oscar nominee Jesse Eisenberg (L) based on his own 2020 Audible Original audio drama

Remember? Emma famously co-starred with the 39-year-old native New Yorker in Ruben Fleischer's 2009 zom-com Zombieland and his 2019 sequel Zombieland: Double Tap (pictured)

Group shot! Stone and Eisenberg made sure to pose with their cast (from L-R) Finn Wolfhard, Ashley Boe, Billy Bryk, and Jay O. Sanders at the industry event

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio actor Finn Wolfhard - who plays teenage folk-rocker Ziggy Katz - looked dapper in a navy-blue double-breasted suit over a patterned V-neck sweater and black Oxfords.

Do Revenge actress Alisha Boe - who plays Lila - wore a dark-rinse denim dress and red pumps selected by stylist Amanda Lim.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife actor Billy Bryk - who plays Kyle - wore a brown corduroy suit over a blue chambray shirt and patterned necktie.

Still going strong! The movie screening served as date night for three-time Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo and his wife of 22 years, Sunrise Coigney

Soon-to-be empty nesters! The Wisconsin-born 55-year-old and the 50-year-old Sunny's Pop boutique owner are proud parents of three children - son Keen, 21; daughter Bella Noche, 17; and daughter Odette, 15

Supporting his colleague: Mark previously co-starred with Jesse in Louis Leterrier's 2013 magician heist drama Now You See Me and Jon M. Chu's 2016 sequel Now You See Me 2

Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths actor Jay O. Sanders - who plays Roger Katz - dressed way down in a red plaid shirt, brown pants, and hiking boots.

Better Call Saul actress Jordyn Aurora Aquino - who plays Marci - took the plunge in a green jumpsuit and silver sparkly heels selected by stylist Ror Rodriguez.

West Side Story starlet Rachel Zegler and The Gilded Age actor Tom Blyth - who walked the carpet separately - are co-starring in Lionsgate's upcoming prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.

SAG Award winner: Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio actor Finn Wolfhard - who plays teenage folk-rocker Ziggy Katz - looked dapper in a navy-blue double-breasted suit over a patterned V-neck sweater and black Oxfords

Dark-rinse denim: Do Revenge actress Alisha Boe - who plays Lila - wore a denim midi-dress and red pumps selected by stylist Amanda Lim

Texture! Ghostbusters: Afterlife actor Billy Bryk - who plays Kyle - wore a brown corduroy suit over a blue chambray shirt and patterned necktie

Outdoorsman? Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths actor Jay O. Sanders - who plays Roger Katz - dressed way down in a red plaid shirt, brown pants, and hiking boots

Fancy feet: Better Call Saul actress Jordyn Aurora Aquino - who plays Marci - took the plunge in a green jumpsuit and silver sparkly heels selected by stylist Ror Rodriguez

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Michael Zegen - who relies on stylist Sam Spector - layered up in a grey winter coat and black jeans.

The Umbrella Academy star Britne Oldford opted for a shiny gold blouse tucked into black skinny pants and booties selected by stylist Marissa Pelly.

The Resident actor Conrad Ricamora sported a bright orange beanie with a black peacoat over a white sweater, skinny blue jeans, and brown boots.

Castmates: West Side Story starlet Rachel Zegler and The Gilded Age actor Tom Blyth - who walked the carpet separately - are co-starring in Lionsgate's upcoming prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Winter in the Big Apple: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Michael Zegen - who relies on stylist Sam Spector - layered up in a grey winter coat and black jeans

Out and about! The Umbrella Academy star Britne Oldford opted for a shiny gold blouse tucked into black skinny pants and booties selected by stylist Marissa Pelly
Celebrity tributes poured in on Thursday following news that Lisa Marie Presley had died aged 54 after suffering 'full cardiac arrest' at her Calabasas home Thursday.

Tom Hanks, his wife Rita Wilson, John Travolta, Lisa Marie's ex Nicolas Cage and actress Leah Remini were among the stars who expressed their heartbreak on social media.

Lisa Marie's father Elvis died of a heart attack in 1977 at the age of 42, while her late son Benjamin Keough, 27, died by suicide in July 2020.

RIP: Celebrity tributes poured in on Thursday following news that Lisa Marie Presley had died aged 54 after suffering 'full cardiac arrest' at her Calabasas home Thursday; seen in 2013

In a joint statement shared to Instagram, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson wrote: 'We are heartbroken over the loss of Lisa Marie Presley. Absolutely broken.'

The couple formed a close bond with the Presleys while promoting Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic in which Tom starred as music manager Colonel Tom Parker and actor Austin Butler portrayed the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

In a lengthier post, Rita wrote: 'Tom and I had spent some time with the family during the Elvis movie promotional tour. Lisa Marie was so honest and direct, vulnerable, in a state of anticipation about the movie.'

Tribute: 'Lisa baby girl, I'm so sorry. I'll miss you but I know I'll see you again. My love and heart goes out to Riley, Priscilla, Harper and Finley,' John Travolta wrote on Instagram

Close friends: In a joint statement shared to Instagram, Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson wrote their 'hearts are broken with the sudden and shocking passing of Lisa Marie Presley tonight'

She went on: 'She spoke so eloquently about her father, what the movie meant to her, that it was a celebration of her dad. She had her gorgeous daughters Finley and Harper with her who made us all laugh.'

Rita and Tom revealed that Lisa Marie was 'gracious' enough to give them a private tour of Graceland and 'she made it feel like home to us.'

The couple urged fans to listen to Lisa Marie's music as Rita described her 'sultry voice' as having 'a power and tenderness, that I have always loved'.

She continued: 'She was so gracious to us, Austin, Baz, and guests. If you haven't heard her music please go listen. She had a sultry voice, a power and tenderness, that I have always loved.'

Bonded: Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson formed a close bond with the Presleys while promoting Baz Luhrmann's Elvis biopic in which Tom starred as music manager Colonel Tom Parker and actor Austin Butler portrayed the King of Rock 'n' Roll

'Our hearts and our prayers go out to Riley, Harper, Finley , Danny and Priscilla. A mother should never have to lose a child. Lisa Marie lost her precious son Benjamin, Priscilla loses her only daughter. It's too much. Sending love to the family, prayers for peace and strength. Love, Rita and Tom,' the post concluded.

Meanwhile, Grease star John Travolta shared a stunning portrait of Lisa Marie and wrote: 'Lisa baby girl, I'm so sorry. I'll miss you but I know I'll see you again. My love and heart goes out to Riley, Priscilla, Harper and Finley.'

Nicolas Cage, who was briefly married to Lisa Marie in 2002, told The Hollywood Reporter: 'This is devastating news. Lisa had the greatest laugh of anyone I ever met. She lit up every room, and I am heartbroken. I find some solace believing she is reunited with her son Benjamin.'

Touching: Actress Leah Remini expressed her heartbreak in a touching Instagram post in which she hoped Lisa is 'at peace resting with her son and father'

Forever: La Toya Jackson - whose brother Michael Jackson was married to Lisa Marie for two years - said the late singer will 'forever be in our hearts'

In a tweet, Leah Remini said she hoped that Lisa Marie is now 'at peace resting with her son and father.'

'I'm heartbroken over the passing of Lisa Marie Presley,' Remini wrote. 'Lisa did not have an easy life as some may think.'

The King Of Queens star concluded her post by writing that Lisa Marie's 'mom Priscilla, her three daughters Riley, Finley and Harper, are in my prayers'.

La Toya Jackson - whose brother Michael Jackson was married to Lisa Marie for two years - said the late singer will 'forever be in our hearts' in a touching tweet.

'We miss you Lisa!' she wrote. 'You will forever be in our hearts, I will never forget how much you shared the love you had for my brother with me, I thank you for being so honest #RIP.'

The Jacksons' Instagram account added: 'Condolences to the family and loved ones of Lisa Marie Presley.'

Shock: Actress Julliette Lewis voiced her shock over the death of her friend

At peace: Leann Rimes called the death 'heartbreaking' and hoped Lisa Marie - who is the only child of Elvis Presley - is now 'at peace in her dad's arms'

Devastated: Songwriter Linda Thompson, who dated Elvis Presley, took to Instagram to share a statement in tribute to Lisa Marie

Meanwhile, Cary Elwes, who co-wrote 2016's comedy-drama film Elvis & Nixon, said he was 'heartbreakingly sad' at the news.

The Princess Bride star tweeted: 'Rest In Peace, Lisa Marie. A sweet and gentle soul. We send our deepest, heartfelt condolences to Priscilla, Riley and her family and friends. Heartbreakingly sad.'

Songwriter Linda Thompson, who dated Elvis Presley, took to Instagram to share a statement in tribute to Lisa Marie, after previously saying she was 'praying' for someone she has held 'near and dear to my heart'.

She simply wrote: 'My heart is too heavy for words'

Actress Julliette Lewis voiced her shock over the death of her friend, noting that she was 'unable to write about it at this moment'.

Only child: Lisa was the only child of Elvis Presley who died when she was nine

'We shared huge turning points in our lives. She taught me so much about resilience I was 23 Frozen summers Shared music, Friends. I am unable to write about it at this moment. Love to the girls ,' she wrote, adding: 'In power LMP'

Singer Leann Rimes called the sudden death 'heartbreaking' and, similarly to Remini, hoped the embattled star is 'at peace in her dad's arms'.

She continued: 'My heart goes out to her family too. too much grief in just a couple of years.'

After her appearance at the 80th Golden Globes earlier this week, the awards' official Twitter page wrote: 'We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Lisa Marie Presley.

'She was an extremely talented Singer/Songwriter and a very welcome presence at the Golden Globes this past Tuesday. May you rest in peace.'

Billy Corgan, who collaborated with Lisa Marie early in her career, tweeted: 'There is heartbreak and then there is sorrow. This would be sorrow and on more levels than I can count.

'Please send your prayers out for her family and children at this difficult time. I truly cannot find the words to express how sad this truly is. RIP.'

Billy Idol also took to Twitter to share his devastation, recalling when they performed together in the early 2000s.

Saddened: After her appearance at the 80th Golden Globes this week, the awards' official Twitter page wrote: 'We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Lisa Marie Presley'

Grief: Meanwhile, Cary Elwes, who co-wrote 2016's comedy-drama film Elvis & Nixon, said he was 'heartbreakingly sad' at the news

Loss: Billy Corgan, who collaborated with Lisa Marie early in her career, tweeted: 'There is heartbreak and then there is sorrow. This would be sorrow and on more levels than I can count'

Reflecting: Billy Idol also took to Twitter to share his devastation, recalling when they performed together in the early 2000s

Shock: Bette Midler shared her shock, saying: 'Dear God, #LisaMariePresley has died; Im in shock. So beautiful and only 54 years old; I cant actually comprehend it'

He wrote: 'Sad news 2 hear of #LisaMariePresley passing... she was very loving 2 me, in Memphis in the 9's she gave me a viewing of the private sections of Graceland which was very special.

'She was very lovely & we performed together at NYFW early 2000s. RIP.'

Bette Midler shared her shock, saying: 'Dear God, #LisaMariePresley has died; Im in shock. So beautiful and only 54 years old; I cant actually comprehend it.'

Diane Warren tweeted: 'Oh no. This is such horrible news. The entire world is sending love and prayers to Priscilla and Lisa Marie's children right now. May it give you strength.'

'So sad that we've lost another bright star in Lisa Marie Presley. My condolences to her loved ones and multitude of fans,' penned Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer via Twitter.

Upset: Diane Warren tweeted: 'Oh no. This is such horrible news. The entire world is sending love and prayers to Priscilla and Lisa Marie's children right now. May it give you strength'

Sympathies: Marlee Martin said: 'I had the chance to know @Cilla_Presley when I was on Dancing With the Stars and as a mother, I cant imagine the pain she must be going through'

Sean Lennon, the son of Beatles star John and Yoko Ono, took to Twitter to pay tribute to Lisa Marie and reflected on meeting the 'special person'.

He poignantly said he felt a 'kinship' with her, saying that 'not many people know what it's like' to be the child of a famous star.

He wrote: 'Got home late from seeing a show to hear the tragic news about Lisa Marie Presley. I had only met her a few times briefly.

'But I have to admit I felt a kinship with her. Not many people know what its like. I know she was a special person. My heart aches for Priscilla.'

'I felt a kinship with her': Sean Lennon, the son of Beatles star John and Yoko Ono, took to Twitter to pay tribute to Lisa Marie and reflected on meeting the 'special person'

No words: 'I have no words to even describe all this,' wrote Lily Tomlin, who described Lisa Marie as a 'talented, smart, beautiful soul, woman who loved and adored her children'

Hard to believe: Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause re-posted footage of Lisa Marie taken at this year's Golden Globes which took place 'just 48 hours' before her death

Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause re-posted footage of Lisa Marie taken at this year's Golden Globes which took place 'just 48 hours' before her death.

Marlee Martin paid tribute on Twitter, writing: 'I had the chance to know @Cilla_Presley when I was on Dancing With the Stars and as a mother, I cant imagine the pain she must be going through with the untimely passing of Lisa Marie. I have the image of little Lisa Marie growing up. RIP Lisa Marie Presley.'

Chucky star Jennifer Tilly said she is 'so sad' over Lisa Marie's death and revealed that she was 'just at Graceland yesterday' where she snapped a photo of Elvis' gravestone.

The actress continued: 'The guide was telling us that sometimes she would have dinners in the dining room, and once she had a party for her friends in the plane named after her. Rip sweet soul.'

Bright star: 'So sad that we've lost another bright star in Lisa Marie Presley. My condolences to her loved ones and multitude of fans,' wrote Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer on Twitter

One of a kind: Pink described Lisa Marie as 'one of a kind' along with being 'funny as sh**, smart as a whip, sensitive, talented, witty, mean, loving, generous, judgmental but always right, loyal, and you adored your children

Pink described Lisa Marie as 'one of a kind' along with being 'funny as sh**, smart as a whip, sensitive, talented, witty, mean, loving, generous, judgmental but always right, loyal, and you adored your children.

'My heart breaks for you and your beautiful family and your children. The world lost a rare gem today. May your soul rest in peace, friend,' wrote the singer, who included a fun snap of herself beaming beside Lisa Marie.

The Beach Boys founder Mike Love tweeted: 'We are incredibly saddened and in shock about the passing of Lisa Marie Presley. Gone way too soon.

'We are sending our condolences and prayers to Priscilla and family. Please know that you are all loved so very much. RIP Lisa Marie. Peace & Love Mike & Jacquelyne Love.'

Statement: The Beach Boys founder Mike Love tweeted: 'We are incredibly saddened and in shock about the passing of Lisa Marie Presley. Gone way too soon'

Support: Sharing a snap of Lisa with Elvis, EastEnders star Jessie Wallace wrote: 'Lisa Marie. The loss you have suffered through your life caused you so much pain. Rest in peace'

Sharing a snap of Lisa with Elvis, EastEnders star Jessie Wallace wrote: 'Lisa Marie. The loss you have suffered through your life caused you so much pain. Rest in peace.'

RHONJ star Teresa Giudice re-shared a fan account post that included a red carpet photo of Lisa Marie along with the text: 'Rest In Power.'

Real Housewives Of Miami star Lisa Hochstein shared 'Rip' to her Instagram story.

News anchor Deborah Norville wrote on Twitter: 'Deepest sympathies to the family of #LisaMariePresley Much too young to have died.

'Only 54, same age as my mother when she passed. Condolences to her mother and surviving children. Tell the people you love that you love them.'

Sadness: News anchor Deborah Norville wrote on Twitter: 'Deepest sympathies to the family of #LisaMariePresley Much too young to have died'

Actress Roma Downeya added: 'So sad to hear this news #LisaMariePresley RIP.'

Designer Donatella Versace said she will 'never forget the time' she spent with Lisa Marie. 'Your beauty and kindness shone so bright. Rest in peace Lisa Marie. We will never forget you,' the fashion figure wrote.

Elsewhere in the fashion world, celebrity wardrobe stylist Rachel Zoe took to Instagram to share a Vogue cover alongside the caption: 'A beautiful soul, Lisa Marie Presley has gone way to soon.

'My love and deepest condolences are with her family and my heart is with you all. Rest In Peace with the angels.'

Earlier on Thursday, Lisa Marie 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.

Memories: Chucky star Jennifer Tilly said she is 'so sad' over Lisa Marie's death and revealed that she was 'just at Graceland yesterday' where she snapped a photo of Elvis's gravestone

Poignant: In the fashion world, celebrity wardrobe stylist Rachel Zoe took to Instagram to share a Vogue cover alongside an emotional caption

Unforgettable: Designer Donatella Versace said she will 'never forget the time' she spent with Lisa Marie

'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'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.

Sources told TMZ that Lisa Marie 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 once in order to help Lisa Marie regain a pulse.

According to the Mayo Clinic, stomach pain is a symptom of cardiac arrest in women

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'.

The official would not confirm if the person was Lisa Marie, who will turn 55 next month, what hospital the individual was transported nor what was administered.

The Hollywood Reporter reported the fire department responded and was able to get a pulse on the female before she was transported to West Hills hospital.

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.

Rushed to hospital: Lisa Marie was rushed to a hospital in critical condition on Thursday 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

By her side: Her mother Priscilla 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.' Priscilla and Lisa Marie seen in 2004

Lisa Marie is a singer and songwriter and has three children, including actress Riley Keough, 33. She had a fourth child, Benjamin, who died by suicide in 2020 aged 27.

Days before her death at 54 following a cardiac arrest she 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 turned to her friend Jerry Schilling, 80, and said 'I'm gonna grab your arm' as she was interviewed by Extra host Billy Bush.

She appeared to talk slowly and slurred her words while responding to questions about the film's star Austin Butler and the storms and flooding in Southern California.

Her own legacy: Lisa Marie is a singer and songwriter; seen in 2005

Family: She has three children, including actress Riley Keough, 33. Pictured, Riley (left) with Lisa Marie and twins Finley and Harper

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.

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.'
She was mother to two children, Lillie, and son William True Stevenson, 30

The Cheers and Look Who's Talking star died December 5 following a battle with colon cancer

She wrote, 'happy birthday mama ... wish you were here'

Lillie, 28, took to Instagram Thursday with a memorial for her late mother

Kirstie Alley's daughter Lillie Price Stevenson on Thursday paid tribute to her late mother in an Instagram post honoring what would have been her 72nd birthday.

Lillie, 28, posted an image containing four black and white pictures of the Cheers and Look Who's Talking star, who died December 5 following a battle with colon cancer.

She captioned the post: 'happy birthday mama ... wish you were here.'

The latest: Kirstie Alley's daughter Lillie Price Stevenson, 28, on Thursday paid tribute to her late mother in an Instagram post honoring what would have been her 72nd birthday

In the throwback images, which appeared to be snapped during the 1980s or 1990s, Alley struck a number of poses, as she wore a shoulderless top.

Lillie was seen looking directly into the camera with a ponytail; looking to the side in a pair of shots; and posing with her hand on her hair, wearing it down.

Lillie and her brother True issued a joint statement on Instagram in which they announced the passing of the Emmy-winning actress.

'To all our friends, far and wide around the world' he said. 'We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered.

The Cheers and Look Who's Talking star died December 5 following a battle with colon cancer. She was pictured in 2016 in NYC

Lillie (pictured) and her brother True issued a joint statement on Instagram in which they announced the passing of the Emmy-winning actress

'She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.'

They said they were 'grateful to the incredible team of doctors and nurses at the Moffitt Cancer Center' in Tampa, Florida 'for their care' of Alley.

'Our mothers zest and passion for life, her children, grandchildren and her many animals, not to mention her eternal joy of creating, were unparalleled and leave us inspired to live life to the fullest just as she did,' they said.

The siblings thanked people for their 'love and prayers' and requested privacy during the difficult time.

Alley and her daughter were snapped at a 2010 premiere in NYC
There is no indication that either Kardashian or Barker were home when the storm hit

The beach home is just four units down from Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis' home, which has also been affected by the intense storm

The roads going into the neighborhood are now covered in mud from the storm

The $14.5 million home that they recently purchased from Conan O'Brien has been engulfed in mud from the severe flooding

The treacherous Bomb Cyclone storm has ravaged California, including Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's newly-purchased beach home

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Just months after purchasing their Carpinteria, California beach home, Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's beach home has been caught in the Bomb Cyclone storm.

The 43-year-old Kardashian and 47-year-old Barker purchased the home back in October for $14.5 million from late night legend Conan O'Brien.

The house also lies just four houses down from another celebrity enclave owned by Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis... but now the roads leading into the expensive homes are now covered in mud.

Damage: Just months after purchasing their Carpinteria, California beach home , Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's beach home has been caught in the Bomb Cyclone storm

Newlyweds: The 43-year-old Kardashian and 47-year-old Barker - pictured here on Christmas eve - purchased the home back in October for $14.5 million from late night legend Conan O'Brien

Inside: A glimpse inside Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker's $14.5 million beach home

The water levels near the home appear to have reached above the garage of the home, though it's unclear if bed, 3.5 bath beach front property.

The roads leading into the home are covered in mud, making it difficult for vehicles to get in and out of the area.

There is no indication if Kourtney and Travis were home when the storm hit, or if there is any flooding damage inside the home.

Water: The water levels near the home appear to have reached above the garage of the home, though it's unclear if bed, 3.5 bath beach front property

Roads: The roads leading into the home are covered in mud, making it difficult for vehicles to get in and out of the area

Before Kourtney and Travis purchased the home, O'Brien significantly remodeled the 1950s beach house.

The 2,100 square feet with home 2-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom home also comes with a 2-bedroom guest house.

Other amenities include a soundproofed balcony, a two-car garage with Tesla charging station and a built-in BBQ.

The outdoor space includes a deck with ocean views, which also features private stairs that head down to the beach.

The news of Kourtney and Travis' home purchase came as it was revealed that the newly-married couple still weren't living together, though they do live in the same neighborhood.

Pre-flood: Before Kourtney and Travis purchased the home, O'Brien significantly remodeled the 1950s beach house

'We want our kids to also feel really comfortable and they have both lived in their homes their whole lives for the most part, and they each have their rooms and we are a block away,' Kourtney said on the Not Skinny Not Fat podcast.

'When the kids are at their dads house, I stay at his house and theres still nights when well stay at each others houses in between,' Kourtney clarified.

'I get up at 6 in the morning and I carpool every morning, and then I go straight to his house and have matcha. He has it ready for me,' she adds.

Kourtney and Travis tied the knot in Santa Barbara in May 2022, before having a religious ceremony in Portofino, Italy a week later.
She had a horrendous experience getting a breast enlargement in 2015, when she cut a promotional deal with a medical tourism company in Thailand.

And after years of trying to fix her botched boob job, which left her with a 'double bubble', former Big Brother star Skye Wheatley wants to go under the knife again.

The influencer discussed a potential reconstruction surgery during an Instagram Q&A, where she revealed she's feeling 'stressed' about fixing her breasts.

After years of trying to fix her botched Bangkok boob job, Skye Wheatley, 28, (pictured) wants to go under the knife again

When followers mentioned a specific doctor, who worked on Wheatley's influencer friend, she said he told her to 'go bigger'.

'I had a consult with him and he suggested we go a bigger implant and that scares me because I kinda want smaller boobs but I would need a lift and I'm scared of the scars,' she said.

'I don't know guys, it's just easier for me to leave them. I've seen that many doctors and they all say something different.'

The influencer discussed a potential reconstruction surgery during an Instagram Q&A, where she revealed she's feeling 'stressed' about fixing her breasts

Wheatley went on to tell another fan she's struggling to make a decision because 'surgery is actually traumatic'.

'I think I just need another appointment because I don't think I want to go bigger but I don't know if a bigger implant will just give me more cleavage?' she said.

'I don't bloody know guys it does my head in and having surgery is actually traumatic because I'm a stress head.'

Wheatley went on to tell another fan she's struggling to make a decision because 'surgery is actually traumatic'

In 2015, Wheatley travelled to Thailand to have her breasts enlarged as part of a promotional deal with a medical tourism company.

She had claimed for years that she didn't like her uneven breasts with one an A-cup and the other a C-cup.

The Instagram model had hoped the augmentation would fix her asymmetrical chest - but after waking up the next day with D-cups, she complained of puckering in the crease below the right breast.

In 2015, Wheatley travelled to Thailand to have her breasts enlarged as part of a promotional deal with a medical tourism company. After waking up the next day with D-cups, she complained of puckering in the crease below the right breast

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia about the ordeal, Wheatley warned young girls not to be lured by the promise of cheap plastic surgery abroad, saying: 'Don't, it's not worth it, stay in Australia.'

She added: 'If something goes wrong you have to pay for another flight to more costs to get it fixed. Do your research, I wish I had done mine better.'

'I want my old boobs back as it will cost too much to fix and will be so much hassle than if I had got them done in Australia.'
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Laura Prepon had all eyes on her as she commanded the red carpet at the screening of Netflix's That '90s Show in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Prepon, 42, stunned in a from-hugging one-shoulder ruched grey dress, which she paired with pointed toe white heels. She was joined by her co-star Wilmer Valderrama, 42, who opted for a blue corduroy suit.

That '90s Show - which will also feature appearances from original stars like Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher - is a sequel to the popular That '70s Show, which aired a total of eight seasons from 1998 until 2006, and received numerous Emmy nominations over the years.

Reunited! Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama reunited on the red carpet at the screening of Netflix's That '90s Show - a sequel to the very popular That '70s Show - in Los Angeles on Tuesday

Prepon kept her accessories to a minimum, sporting only a few silver rings.

The actress - who found fame with her role as Donna Pinciotti on That '70s Show - wore her shoulder-length black tresses in a straight style.

As for glam, the beauty highlighted her stunning features with a touch of blush and drew attention to her magnetic eyes with dark eyeliner.

Sensational: Prepon, 42, stunned in a from-hugging one-shoulder ruched grey dress, which she paired with pointed toe white heels

Donna approved: The actress - who found fame with her role as Donna Pinciotti on That '70s Show - wore her shoulder-length black tresses in a straight style

Glam gal: As for glam, the beauty highlighted her stunning features with a touch of blush and drew attention to her magnetic eyes with dark eyeliner

Meanwhile Wilmer - who played Fez on the beloved American show - wore a black button-up underneath his flashy three-piece blue suit, and finalized the look with black boots.

He was joined by his fiancee Amanda Pacheco, 32, who flashed he midriff in a hot pink dress with a front cut-out and a sizzling side slit.

Amanda - who gave birth to the couple's daughter, Nakano Oceana, on February 15, 2021 - teamed the red carpet look with a black blazer, black ankle boots and a white necklace. The blonde beauty wore her tresses curled in light waves for the occasion.

Man in blue: Wilmer, 42, opted for a flashy three-piece blue corduroy suit, and was joined by his fiancee Amanda Pacheco, 32, on the red carpet. The actor is known for playing Fez on the beloved American show

Pretty in pink: Amanda flashed he midriff in a hot pink dress with a front cut-out and a sizzling side slit

Stylish: Amanda - who gave birth to the couple's daughter, Nakano Oceana, on February 15, 2021 - teamed the red carpet look with a black blazer, black ankle boots and a white necklace

Throwback: That '90s Show is a sequel to the popular That '70s Show, which aired a total of eight seasons from 1998 until 2006, and received numerous Emmy nominations over the years; (L-R) Danny Masterson, Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, and Valderama pictured in a promo image from the show

Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, who played married couple Red and Kitty Forman in the original series and will be back in the sequel to reprise their roles, smiled up a storm as they posed on the red carpet together.

Debra, 71, looked stylish in a white top and black cardigan which she paired with a black chiffon skirt and matching pumps.

Her blonde tresses were lightly curled, and she accessorized with dangling silver earrings.

Debra and Laura found each other while posing on the red carpet and were seen having a sweet moment, as they gave each other a big hug.

Red and Kitty! Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, who played married couple Red and Kitty Forman in the original series and will be back in the sequel to reprise their roles, smiled up a storm as they posed on the red carpet together

Chic: Debra, 71, looked stylish in a white top and black cardigan which she paired with a black chiffon skirt and matching pumps

Aww! Debra and Laura found each other while posing on the red carpet and were seen having a sweet moment, as they gave each other a big hug

Happy to see you! Kurtwood was handsome in a dark navy sweater, a blue blazer, and jeans. The actor was also seen having a sweet reunion with Wilmer, who planted a kiss on his cheek as they posed for photographers

Epic foursome: The four stars smiled for the photographers and looked thrilled to be together once again

Good to have them together again: Kurtwood, Debra and Wilmer looked stylish as they posed together

His real wife: Kurtwood was also joined by his off-screen wife Joan Pirkle, who looked elegant in a black pantsuit over a black turtleneck, and wore two eye-catching necklaces

Meanwhile Kurtwood was handsome in a dark navy sweater layered over a white shirt and sported a blue blazer and jeans for the night.

Kurtwood was also joined by his off-screen wife Joan Pirkle, who looked elegant in a black pantsuit over a black turtleneck, and wore two eye-catching necklaces.

The actor was also seen having a sweet reunion with Wilmer, who planted a kiss on his cheek as they posed for photographers.

Callie Haverda - who will play the daughter of Eric Forman and Donna, and Red and Kitty's granddaughter - looked stylish in a frilly black gown and rocked a white purse with a bunny accessory.

Eric and Donna's daughter: Callie Haverda - who will play the daughter of Eric Forman and Donna, and Red and Kitty's granddaughter - looked stylish in a frilly black gown and rocked a white purse with a bunny accessory

Lovely: Ashley Aufderheide - who will play Gwen Runck on the series - looked incredible in a plunging metallic green gown with a front slit

Curly-haired beauty: She wore her brunette tresses in tight curls, which were pinned back and cascaded down her back

Golden girl: Ashley accessorized her look with strappy gold heels and accentuated her featured with a touch of blush

The blonde beauty wore her tresses parted in the middle and gently falling in light curls, and wore a black choker around her neck.

Ashley Aufderheide - who will play Gwen Runck on the series - looked incredible in a plunging metallic green gown with a front slit.

The beauty accessorized with a gold lariat necklace and delicate earrings.

Trendy gals: Olivia Sanabia, 19, rocked a bright floral dress over a white top, while Sam Morelos showed off her edgy style in a black suit over a delicate white and black lace top

Sweet: Andrea Anders, 47, layered a black leather jacket over a black dress with white heart motifs

Dynamic pair: Tommy Chong, 84, sported two different colored sneakers and a trendy black leather jacket. He was accompanied by wife Shelby Chong, 74, who looked incredible in a unique floral head piece, a black dress and a chic blazer

She wore her brunette tresses in tight curls, which were pinned back and cascaded down her back.

Olivia Sanabia, 19, rocked a bright floral dress over a white top, and paired the vivid look with violet heels. The songstress also sported braids in her brunette tresses.

Meanwhile Sam Morelos showed off her edgy style in a black suit over a delicate white and black lace top, which she paired with chunky boots.

Andrea Anders, 47, layered a black leather jacket over a black dress with white heart motifs.

Young gentleman: Mace Coronel, 18, looked dapper in a three-piece black suit over a white t-shirt

Young stars: Maxwell Acee Donovan, 17, sported a black turtleneck and trendy brown corduroy jacket, while Reyn Doi opted for a colorful yellow, white and black blazer

Classy duo: Producers Tom Werner, 72, and Marcy Carsey, 78, looked classy as they posed on the red carpet

Tommy Chong, 84, sported two different colored sneakers and a trendy black leather jacket. He was accompanied by wife Shelby Chong, 74, who looked incredible in a unique floral head piece, a black dress and a chic blazer.

Mace Coronel, 18, looked dapper in a three-piece black suit over a white t-shirt.

Maxwell Acee Donovan, 17, sported a black turtleneck and trendy brown corduroy jacket, while Reyn Doi opted for a colorful yellow, white and black blazer.

The OG stars: The original stars of the series posed together; (L-R) Chong, Smith, Rupp, Prepon, Valderrama and Don Stark

New stars! Smith and Rupp also took a snap with the young stars the new series will revolve around; (L-R) Donovan, Aufderheide, Haverda, Smith, Rupp, Morelos, Doi and Corone

Producers Tom Werner, 72, and Marcy Carsey, 78, looked classy as they posed on the red carpet together.

Many of the actors will reprise their original That '70s Show roles and make guest appearances on the upcoming That '90s Show sequel.

Aside from Smith, Rupp, Prepon, Valderrama and Chong, the show will also see appearances from Topher Grace (Eric Forman) as well as Mila Kunis (Jackie Burkhart) and her husband Ashton Kutcher (Michael Kelso).

The new series takes place two decades after the events of That '70s Show, and centers on Leia Forman, the teenage daughter of Eric Forman and Donna Pinciotti, as she creates friendships with other teenagers while spending the summer of 1995 with her grandparents, Red and Kitty in Point Place, Wisconsin.

That '90s Show is set to premiere on Netflix January 19th.
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Eight-time Grammy nominee Janelle Monae showcased her sartorial sense of style while hosting a ladies luncheon at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles on Thursday.

The 37-year-old nonbinary bisexual belter's event was in honor of her hit Netflix film Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, in which she pulled double duty as identical twins Helen and Andi Brand.

Janelle looked dapper as ever wearing a Thom Browne bowler cap with a matching grey blazer over a white blouse, grey necktie, pleated plaid maxi-skirt, and matching booties selected by her stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn.

Cheers! Eight-time Grammy nominee Janelle Monae showcased her sartorial sense of style while hosting a ladies luncheon at the Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles on Thursday

Hairstylist Nicole Bueno coiffed Monae's bleach and braided updo for the outdoor event, and she rocked winged eyeliner and a nude pout.

And nail artist Angie Aguirre applied the Kansas City-born triple-threat's b&w manicure.

Joining Janelle in Bel-Air was two-time Golden Globe nominee Alison Brie, whose new movie Somebody I Used to Know drops February 10 on Amazon Prime Video.

Who-done-it! The 37-year-old nonbinary bisexual belter's event was in honor of her hit Netflix film Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, in which she pulled double duty as identical twins Helen and Andi Brand

Cute mini-briefcase! Janelle looked dapper as ever wearing a Thom Browne bowler cap with a matching grey blazer over a white blouse, grey necktie, pleated plaid maxi-skirt, and matching booties selected by her stylist Alexandra Mandelkorn

Leftover from Late Night: Hairstylist Nicole Bueno coiffed Monae's bleach and braided updo for the outdoor event, and she rocked winged eyeliner and a nude pout

Mani: Nail artist Angie Aguirre applied the Kansas City-born triple-threat's b&w manicure

The 40-year-old GLOW alum - who's married to Dave Franco - flaunted her taut midriff in a black cropped camisole with trousers selected by stylist Erin Walsh.

Monae (born Robinson) also hung out with Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical actress Andrea Riseborough wearing a navy-blue T-shirt tucked into an A-line skirt.

Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nia Vardalos shared an Instagram snap of herself with the woman of the hour, which she captioned: 'Today we celebrated the fantastic work of my new best friend @janellemonae!'

Hello! Joining Janelle in Bel-Air was two-time Golden Globe nominee Alison Brie, whose new movie Somebody I Used to Know drops February 10 on Amazon Prime Video

Chic: The 40-year-old GLOW alum - who's married to Dave Franco - flaunted her taut midriff in a black cropped camisole with trousers selected by stylist Erin Walsh

British gal pal: Monae (born Robinson) also hung out with Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical actress Andrea Riseborough wearing a navy-blue T-shirt tucked into an A-line skirt

Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nia Vardalos shared an Instagram snap of herself with the woman of the hour, which she captioned: 'Today we celebrated the fantastic work of my new best friend @janellemonae!'

Janelle will next be honored with the #SeeHer Award presented by her Glass Onion castmate Kate Hudson at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards, which air this Sunday on The CW.

For her role in Rian Johnson's critically-acclaimed murder mystery, Monae is nominated for the best supporting actress (and best acting ensemble) trophies at the ceremony held at the Fairmont Century Plaza in LA's Century City district.

The Memory Librarian author faces heavy competition against Black Panther's Angela Bassett, Women Talking's Jessie Buckley, The Banshees of Inisherin's Kerry Condon, as well as Everything Everywhere All at Once actresses Jamie Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu.

Airing this Sunday on The CW! Janelle will next be honored with the #SeeHer Award presented by her Glass Onion castmate Kate Hudson (M) at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards

In the spotlight! For her role in Rian Johnson's critically-acclaimed murder mystery, Monae is nominated for the best supporting actress (and best acting ensemble) trophies at the ceremony held at the Fairmont Century Plaza in LA's Century City district
T-Mobile has plans to acquire Mint Mobile, according to multiple reports. The second largest US mobile service provider is reportedly in talks with the budget wireless provider that is partly owned by actor Ryan Reynolds.

But according to Bloomberg, there is no final decision yet regarding the acquisition. For a long time, Mint Mobile has long been rumored to be up for sale.

T-Mobile is Considering an Acquisition of Mobile Mint

According to reports, Reynolds owned one-fourth of Mint Mobile. The company provides budget cell phone plans on the T-Mobile network starting at $15 per month.

The plan is designed by the company in such as way that people will not pay for more bandwidth than they need. Users can start with a three-month period plan and then make adjustments after that.

In recent years, Mint Mobile has made a name for itself through ads featuring Reynolds who's pitching the budget provider as a more affordable option as compared to larger telecom companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.

T-Mobile didn't immediately respond to CNET's request for comment. Likewise, Mint Mobile refused to comment on the speculation of the acquisition.

Although Mint Mobile is packaged as a rival to larger wireless companies, the company doesn't run its own 4G LTE or 5G service.

The company is instead an MVNO that operates on T-Mobile's network. Since Mint Mobile is already using the T-Mobile network, it could make the transitions a bit easier for customers.

Mint Mobile is a division of Ultra Mobile. If the two companies will proceed with the acquisition, the brand of Mint Mobile could potentially be changed to Mint by T-Mobile.

That is if T-Mobile will follow its practice of renaming the companies that it acquires. For instance, one of its previously acquired companies was renamed 'Metro by T-Mobile'.

As of writing, there is no confirmation yet whether Ultra Mobile would also be sold alongside Mint Mobile or if T-Mobile was only acquiring the division company.

Read Also: Apple AirTag vs. T-Mobile SyncUp Tracker: Specs, Price, Features and More-Which Is Better?

T-Mobile Further Expands its 5G Internet Services

In 2019, Reynolds became bought shares of Mint Mobile and became a part-owner of the company.

Since then, the actor has promoted the company in various television and social media advertisements. Because of this, the company was shown to his 21 million Twitter followers and 47 million Instagram followers.

T-Mobile expanded its 5G Home Internet services in November 2022, as per Tech Times. The service provider expands their broadband tier to 70 new cities. This solved the problem of millions of households who do not have access to broadband internet.

The 5G Home Internet service of T-Mobile costs $50 per month. Those users who are enrolled in the Magenta Max phone plan get $20 off for the broadband service every month. New customers are allowed to try this tier for free within 15 days.

It is not surprising that T-Mobile decided to venture into this move. Based on a study that the company released, Home Internet products have been making a huge impact on the market.

For this tier, the company was able to garner over two million customers, according to T-Mobile.

Related Article: T-Mobile's Unlimited Google Photos Storage Offer Is Back - How Much Is It?
Just days after filming a funeral scene in Manhattan, Jeremy Strong was back on set for a much more intense scene for Season 4 of Succession.

The 44-year-old actor was in Lower Manhattan on Thursday, filming an emotionally-charged scene with his on-screen ex-wife, Natalie Gold.

While it's unclear what was happening in the scene, the former couple are clearly quite angry with each other, which isn't terribly surprising given their history.

Intense: Just days after filming a funeral scene in Manhattan , Jeremy Strong was back on set for a much more intense scene for Season 4 of Succession

Exes: The 44-year-old actor was in Lower Manhattan on Thursday, filming an emotionally-charged scene with his on-screen ex-wife, Natalie Gold

Strong was seen wearing a stylish suit with a brown wool overcoat in the scene, where his character Kendall Roy was clashing with his ex-wife Rava Roy.

Gold was wearing a blue and black plaid coat with blue jeans and black heels for the sidewalk scene.

While it's unclear what was being said, it's clear their interaction was quite heated, with Gold even trying to block Strong from entering a silver vehicle.

Jeremy's look: Strong was seen wearing a stylish suit with a brown wool overcoat in the scene, where his character Kendall Roy was clashing with his ex-wife Rava Roy

Natalie's look: Gold was wearing a blue and black plaid coat with blue jeans and black heels for the sidewalk scene

Strong is also seen approaching the window and trying to say something to whoever is inside.

Gold was seen grabbing at Strong's face and again getting between Strong and the vehicle as he tries to get inside.

Rava was featured prominently in all 10 episodes of the first season of Succession, as her split from Kendall was still fairly recent when the show began.

Approaching: Strong is also seen approaching the window and trying to say something to whoever is inside

Between: Gold was seen grabbing at Strong's face and again getting between Strong and the vehicle as he tries to get inside

Kendall and Rava share two children, Iverson (Quentin Morales) and Sophie (Swayam Bhatia), and Kendall was continually trying to reconcile with Rava, to no avail, in Season 1.

While she wasn't featured in Season 2, Rava returned in two episodes for Season 3 and she will seemingly return in Season 4 as well.

The show will pick up from the explosive Season 4 finale, which found the Roy children - Kendall, Connor, Shiv (Sarah Snook) and Roman (Kieran Culkin) - get shut out of their father Logan's Waystar Royco conglomerate.

Reconcile: Kendall and Rava share two children, Iverson (Quentin Morales) and Sophie (Swayam Bhatia), and Kendall was continually trying to reconcile with Rava, to no avail, in Season 1

Rava returns: While she wasn't featured in Season 2, Rava returned in two episodes for Season 3 and she will seemingly return in Season 4 as well

While, for a majority of the series, the Roy children have been at odds with each other, the last few episodes of Season 3 found them finally joining forces to stop their father Logan from selling off the family's media conglomerate.

Little did they know that family black sheep Tom Wambsgans (Matthew McFadyen) betrayed his own wife Shiv and gave Logan a heads up on what they were doing, giving him enough to remove their power to block the impending sale.

The final shots of Season 3 seemed to indicate that Shiv realized her husband betrayed her, though it's unclear how that will play out in Season 4.

Family: While, for a majority of the series, the Roy children have been at odds with each other, the last few episodes of Season 3 found them finally joining forces to stop their father Logan from selling off the family's media conglomerate

Story: Little did they know that family black sheep Tom Wambsgans (Matthew McFadyen) betrayed his own wife Shiv and gave Logan a heads up on what they were doing, giving him enough to remove their power to block the impending sale
Leni Klum stunned onlookers on Thursday night as she arrived at an event in West Hollywood for the Italian luxury brand Valentino.

The daughter of Heidi Klum, 18, stepped out in a fitted black off-the-shoulder dress that flattered her slender frame.

She strolled the sidewalk in sky-high nude heels.

Stunning: Leni Klum stunned onlookers on Thursday night as she arrived at an event in West Hollywood for the Italian luxury brand Valentino

To give the look a pop of color, Leni painted her nails a bright red.

Her golden blonde hair was worn in a chic bun and she accessorized with sparkly diamond studs.

The aspiring model rocked sultry cateye liner paired with a glossy nude lip and a generous amount of luminous bronzer.

The apples of her cheeks were dusted with a baby pink blusher for a youthful flush.

Flattering fit: The daughter of Heidi Klum, 18, stepped out in a fitted black off-the-shoulder dress that flattered her slender frame

Beaming beauty: Leni beamed in the direction of fans and photographers before heading inside exclusive soiree

Leni beamed in the direction of fans and photographers before heading inside exclusive soiree.

Leni is currently based in New York City to attend college while her mother Heidi is hunkered down in Los Angeles with husband Tom Kaulitz and Leni's three siblings.

Leni has been in a longterm relationship with her 19-year-old boyfriend Aris Rachevsky.

Last month, Leni shared a few loved up snaps with Aris to social media after celebrating the Christmas holiday.

Leni has been in a longterm relationship with her 19-year-old boyfriend Aris Rachevsky

She was seen planting a kiss on her beau as she wore a beige coat and pulled her hair back tightly; she secured it with a big hair clip.

She pulled her sunglasses back so they rested atop her highlighted hair.

Her lips were painted light pink, and she tossed a sultry look toward the camera while running her hands through her beau's brown hair.

Aris wore a bright red shirt, accented with light blue. A large number '69' sat on the right side of the chest.

He wore a black beanie with white symbols adorning the bottom of it.

Sweet: Last month, Leni shared a few loved up snaps with Aris to social media after celebrating the Christmas holiday

Rare snap: Although Aris and Leni are said to have been dating for three years, they are assiduously private and he rarely appears on her Instagram

She decided to let the picture stand for itself, leaving it without a caption.

Although Aris and Leni are said to have been dating for three years, they are assiduously private and he rarely appears on her Instagram.

Aris, who is reportedly enrolled at Harvard, is the son of Los Angeles talent agent Rhea Rachevsky according to W magazine.

Her latest picture with him came about two months after the showbiz legacy responded to allegations she is a 'nepo baby.'

'Nepo baby': Her latest picture with him came about two months after the showbiz legacy responded to allegations she is a 'nepo baby' (pictured in September with mom Heidi)

'It's just a fact. My parents are famous,' said Leni, who was adopted by her mother's ex-husband Seal during the marriage.

However she insisted to People magazine that she is 'doing the work and putting in the time' to carve out a career for herself.

'I did get help starting off, and I know that people would dream to start off with what I had,' said Leni, who walked for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week in July with her mother proudly filming her from the audience.

'I'm so grateful that I've been able to take what was gifted to me by my mom. But I am doing the work and putting in the time,' she maintained.

'Now I'm working on my own, traveling alone, going to school. My mom and I just have the same love for the same thing.'
Lily Rose Depp stepped out publicly for the first time since the death of her father, Johnny Depp's good friend and musical collaborator Jeff Beck.

Depp, 23, was seen while out shopping in Los Angeles, where she made a pitstop at an Erewhon market, which is an upscale health-conscious food store.

The actress made her way out of the the exit doors carrying one bag full of groceries looking casually stylish in an all-black ensemble.

Grocery run: Lily Rose Depp, 23, was spotted out in pubic for the first time since the death of her father's good friend and musical collaborator Jeff Death two days earlier

The Dancer (2016) star opted for a casual-cool look dressed in fitted pants and a stylish leather jacket over a hoodie.

She also donned a pair of black slip-on shoes, dark sunglasses, and had her long blonde tresses pulled back off her face and into a bun with a part in the middle.

Looking to be in a hurry, Depp left the market, walked through the lot and back to her parked car, where she hopped in and drive off.

Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, which is just west of Paris, Depp calls Los Angeles home a good part of the year.

Casual-cool: The actress and model, who has seen her star rising in recent years, stepped out in an all-black ensemble that included a black leather jacket over a hoodie

Duel citizen: The Dancer star splits her time living between Paris, France and Los Angeles

The rising star actress and her brother Jack, 20, split their time growing up between their mother Vanessa Paradis' native country of France and the United States.

While her dad is said to be grief-stricken over the death of Beck, who's been widely considered among the greatest and most influential rock guitarists ever, it's not know whether Lily Rose has seen him since his passing.

The British star, and former member of the Yardbirds, was 78 when he died on Tuesday, January 10, while at a hospital near Riverhall, England after contracting bacterial meningitis.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean star, 59, 'was by Jeff's bedside' along with 'some other rock stars' just before Beck's death, according to People.

'They had a really tight friendship, they were extremely close, and he got even closer over this past summer when they were touring together,' the source shared with the publication.

That source went to reveal that 'the sickness came on really quickly and it all deteriorated rapidly in the last couple weeks.'

her parents: Lily Rose split their time growing up between their mother Vanessa Paradis' native country of France and the United States; the celebrity it couple (pictured in 2006) were in a romantic relationship from 1998-2012

Heartbreaking: Johnny Depp, 59, was by his friend and musical collaborator Jeff Beck's bedside before he passed away on Tuesday, January 10 in Riverhall, England; they are seen while on tour together in May 2022, two months before the release of their studio album 18

The longtime Independent film star had been touring with the legendary guitarist this past year in support of the studio album, titled 18, that dropped in July,

The 13-track collection includes two new Depp originals and an eclectic mix of cover songs ranging from such iconic artists as the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye and John Lennon to alternative rockers such as Killing Joke and The Velvet Underground.

'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, 77, said in a statement about the album, as reported by Billboard.

In keeping with their fond teenage memories that were sparked by the music, the two artists decided to use an illustration of themselves as 18-year-olds, drawn by Beck's wife Sandra, for the album cover.

For Depp, 59, who grew up listening to Beck's music, the collaboration was something of a dream come true.

'It's an extraordinary honor to play and write music with Jeff, one of the true greats and someone I am now privileged enough to call my brother,' Depp said in their statement over the summer.
That '70s Show alum Wilmer Valderrama and his longtime fiancee Amanda Pacheco enjoyed a glamorous date night at That '90s Show premiere, which was held at Netflix's Tudum Theater in Hollywood on Thursday.

At 42, the Miami-born actor is a decade older than the San Diego-born blonde, but they've been inseparable since they began dating in April 2019.

Wilmer looked dapper in a blue corduroy three-piece suit, sans necktie, with a black shirt and boots selected by stylist Evan Simonitsch.

Still going strong! That '70s Show alum Wilmer Valderrama and his longtime fiancee Amanda Pacheco enjoyed a glamorous date night at That '90s Show premiere, which was held at Netflix's Tudum Theater in Hollywood on Thursday

Hairstylist/groomer Kat Thompson made sure Valderrama's complexion was clear and he was rocking just the right amount of stubble.

Amanda was noticeably not wearing her engagement ring as she flashed her taut tummy in a hot pink bra-top and matching skirt under a black blazer and glossy booties selected by stylist Evan Simonitsch.

'Beauty ritualist' Mariana McGrath applied winged eyeliner on Pacheco and gave her Chola-style lipliner.

The Encanto actor and the Scout SF Model/PADI divemaster will next celebrate his 43rd birthday on January 30 followed by their daughter Nakano Oceana's second birthday on February 15.

Typical: At 42, the Miami-born actor is a decade older than the San Diego-born blonde, but they've been inseparable since they began dating in April 2019

GQ smooth! Wilmer looked dapper in a blue corduroy three-piece suit, sans necktie, with a black shirt and boots selected by stylist Evan Simonitsch

Ready for his close-up! Hairstylist/groomer Kat Thompson made sure Valderrama's complexion was clear and he was rocking just the right amount of stubble

Where's the ring? Amanda was noticeably not wearing her engagement ring as she flashed her taut tummy in a hot pink bra-top and matching skirt under a black blazer and glossy booties selected by stylist Evan Simonitsch

Babe: 'Beauty ritualist' Mariana McGrath applied winged eyeliner on Pacheco and gave her Chola-style lipliner

It's been over three years since Wilmer popped the question to Amanda in San Diego with a 2.5-3 carat pear-shaped diamond set on a stone-studded band estimated to have cost between $40K-$80K, according to Page Six.

Before Pacheco - Valderrama famously loved (and left) several celebs including Chantel Jeffries, Minka Kelly, Demi Lovato, Avril Lavigne, Ashlee Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Mandy Moore, and Christina Milian.

That '90s Show - premiering January 19 - is Netflix's 10-episode continuation of That '70s Show, which introduces a new generation as well as bringing back the original cast.

The 5ft8in action star gave a big bear hug to his castmate Laura Prepon, who reprises her role as Donna Pinciotti in the retro reboot.

September 18 family portrait: The Encanto actor and the Scout SF Model/PADI divemaster will next celebrate his 43rd birthday on January 30 followed by their daughter Nakano Oceana's second birthday on February 15

'Perfect partner in life!' It's been over three years since Wilmer popped the question to Amanda in San Diego with a 2.5-3 carat pear-shaped diamond set on a stone-studded band estimated to have cost between $40K-$80K

Ladies man: Before Pacheco - Valderrama famously loved (and left) several celebs including Chantel Jeffries, Minka Kelly, Demi Lovato, Avril Lavigne, Ashlee Simpson, Lindsay Lohan, Mandy Moore, and Christina Milian

Wilmer gave his co-star Kurtwood Smith - who plays Red Forman - a heartfelt kiss on the cheek.

Valderrama also warmly embraced his castmate Debra Jo Rupp, who plays Kitty Forman.

In the trailer, the USO Global Ambassador made his flamboyant return as Chez Fez salon owner Fez, who's excited to get Kitty back in his chair.

Premiering January 19! That '90s Show is Netflix's 10-episode continuation of That '70s Show, which introduces a new generation as well as bringing back the original cast

Hey you! The 5ft8in action star gave a big bear hug to his castmate Laura Prepon, who reprises her role as Donna Pinciotti in the retro reboot

PDA alert! Wilmer gave his co-star Kurtwood Smith - who plays Red Forman - a heartfelt kiss on the cheek

Hey mama! Valderrama also warmly embraced his castmate Debra Jo Rupp, who plays Kitty Forman

Still no last name! In the trailer, the USO Global Ambassador made his flamboyant return as Chez Fez salon owner Fez, who's excited to get Kitty back in his chair

Wilmer wrote in December: 'Not gonna lie, I'm emotional AF about this one...About 25 years ago, my life changed when I met you all, and I can without a doubt say that reliving these moments brought back the unforgettable joy you were to life'

Point Place crew: The original Fox sitcom aired for eight seasons spanning 1998-2006, and it was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy Awards only winning one for costume design in 1999

'Not gonna lie, I'm emotional AF about this one,' Wilmer wrote in December.

'About 25 years ago, my life changed when I met you all, and I can without a doubt say that reliving these moments brought back the unforgettable joy you were to life.'

The original Fox sitcom aired for eight seasons spanning 1998-2006, and it was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy Awards only winning one for costume design in 1999.

'Bridge': But first, audiences can catch more of Valderrama as special agent Nick Torres in the 20th season of police procedural NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service), which airs Mondays on CBS

The only cast member not returning is Danny Masterson, who was accused of raping three women between 2001-2003 during the same time he was portraying the troubled biracial teen Steven Hyde on the series.

Jurors for the 46-year-old Scientologist's rape trial were deadlocked and the judge declared a mistrial on November 30, so a brand new trial will start all over again this March.

But first, audiences can catch more of Valderrama as special agent Nick Torres in the 20th season of police procedural NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service), which airs Mondays on CBS.
The world learned on Wednesday that Hollywood legend Bruce Willis, 67, would retire due to his diagnosis of aphasia, a potentially devastating condition that causes a person to lose communication skills.

Willis' family announced that the condition would cause the Die Hard star to step away 'from the career that has meant so much to him.'

Around one million Americans suffer from the condition, the National Institutes of Health reports, and around 180,000 people are diagnosed with it every year.

It can manifest itself in multiple ways, and is often either the result of a head injury, a stroke, a tumor or other brain deterioration.

Aphasia can be devastating as well, with experts saying it causes depression in over a third of cases, can lead to personality shifts and can even alienate friends and family from the affected person.

Other famous examples of aphasia include former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke.

'Imagine being dropped in a country where you do not speak the language - cannot understand, read, write or speak. It would impact all of your interactions - this is what it is like to have aphasia,' Darlene Williamson, president of the aphasia association, told DailyMail.com.

While it is impossible to say for Willis in particular how drastically the condition has effected him and his behavior, Williamson reports that it can often be devastating for patients.

'The consequences of living with a language impairment can alter someone's behavior and outlook on life,' Williamson said.

'Approximately 35 percent of individuals with aphasia experience some depression.'

The cause of the condition, which is often some sort of traumatic brain injury or a stroke, can lead to massive personality shifts.

'[Aphasia is] difficulty with language that comes about from some kind of injury to the brain. The most common source is stroke but it could come from any other type of damage, Dr Brenda Rapp, a cognitive scientist at Johns Hopkins University, told DailyMail.com.

Certain infections that impact the brain's language centers can cause aphasia to form as well, along with cognitive decline and deterioration associated with dementia.

The condition can make it very hard for an actor like Willis to continue in his career, as just the process of speaking out lines can become a challenge.

'It would surely be difficult,' Williamson said about attempting to continue acting while afflicted with the condition.

'Aphasia affects comprehension of language, speaking, as well as reading and writing. There are varying levels of severity which would be another determining factor. It may not be impossible, but acting would require extra accommodations.'

Dr Rapp said that despite communication failures caused by the condition, people who suffer the condition still have the same thoughts, and are internally the same person. While the experience can be alienating, loved ones should remember that the person has not changed. Pictured: Willis with family and friends after a 'roast' event in 2018

There are four common types of aphasia that make up a vast majority of cases: fluent - often called Wernicke's; non-fluent - known as Broca's; anomic; and Primary Progressive Aphasia.

Rapp explained that there are different forms of the condition because each represents a different type of breakdown in the process of communication.

Whether it is the ability to translate thoughts into proper words, the ability to physically say words, or the ability to interpret and understand speech from others, each part of communication is a complex process, and even slight brain damage can cause issue.

While the condition does cause communication failures, Rapp notes that the person themselves is still the same.

Their thoughts, beliefs and feeling towards their loved ones remain, even if it can be frustrating and alienating for both the aphasia patient and those around them to deal with this condition.

Willis' family did not reveal what type he was facing, or how severe of a case he had, or what was the root cause found for the condition.

According to the Stroke Association, a UK based group, those who suffer Wernicke's aphasia have the ability to string together long sentences of words, but will often say things in a way that they do not make sense, or even use made up words.

They will also suffer from impaired reading and writing ability, and may have trouble understanding clear verbal communication towards them.

One example used by Rapp is that a person may misunderstand the sentence 'John kicked the dog'.

Dr Brenda Rapp, a cognitive scientist at Johns Hopkins University, explains that aphasia is often caused by a stroke, and can manifest itself in many different ways

While the average person would clearly understand who kicked who in that scenario, a person dealing with this type of the condition may struggle to figure out whether John or the dog was the person that did the kicking.

Broca's aphasia will often cause a person to forget words or put together a proper string of words even when their brain can fully understand what they want to say.

A person suffering from this type of the condition will often use simple, short, sentences to get across speech as they are unable to properly say what they want to at times.

The Stroke Association says that these sentences will often be of around four words or less.

A person suffering from Broca's aphasia will also struggle with writing, but their reading ability is left unaffected.

Someone suffering from anomic aphasia may suffer to find specific verbs and nouns that they need to get their point across, and will speak very vaguely.

This may also translate into their writing, where they will just not be able to generate the correct words necessary to say what they would like to say.

Primary Progressive Aphasia aphasia damages a person's ability to communicate in virtually every single way.

A person suffering from this version of the condition will have trouble speaking, reading and writing.

Their ability to process and understand someone that is speaking to them is damaged as well.

Doctors can often detect aphasia via either an MRI or CT scan, and will be able to pinpoint the exact part of the brain that is causing the issue.

There is no way to fix or cure the condition entirely, but patients will often undergo speech therapy to help rebuild their language skills.

Theres not a lot of progress [with medication for the condition] the treatment for aphasia is speech therapy,' Rapp said.

She noted that in some cases a person may undergo electric stimulation therapy alongside speech therapy in order to 'get the most' out of the experience.

Williamson said that 'strong family support is a critical piece of living successfully with aphasia.'

It is not always permanent, though, and how long it lasts and how severe it is often depends on how bad the damage to the brain is.

Stroke victims in particular that suffer aphasia can regain their speech, and often within only a few weeks.
She is never afraid to flaunt her slim frame.

And on Thursday, Delilah Hamlin paraded her washboard abs in a bikini top and denim mini skirt as she opted for Y2K styling for a night out in West Hollywood.

The model, 21, commanded attention in her quirky ensemble as she arrived at Sergio Farias' party with pal Holly Scarfone.

Wow! on Thursday, Delilah Hamlin, 21, paraded her washboard abs in a bikini top and denim mini skirt as she opted for Y2K styling for a night out in West Hollywood

Delilah's light wash mini skirt boasted a furry grey waistband and hemline, and the American socialite wore a matching crop jacket.

Ensuring her ripped midriff was on show, she opted to forgo a top in favour or a skimpy white bikini top.

Delilah strolled along in a black pair of knee high boots and carried her belongings in a vintage style denim Louis Vuitton bag.

Finishing off her look, the model shielded her eyes with ombre shades and accessorised with a butterfly necklace.

Quirky: Delilah's light wash mini skirt boasted a furry grey waistband and hemline, and the American socialite wore a matching crop jacket

And the end of last year, Lisa Rinna's daughter Delilah discussed leading a healthier life after suffering seizures.

Speaking to Flaunt magazine, the Beverly Hills native touched on being sober, explaining: 'My sobriety is something Im very grateful for. It also got really misconstrued.

'I havent really spoken about why I became sober. I chose to be sober because of the seizures that I was starting to have because of brain inflammation.

'Ive been a year and some months sober from alcohol and other things. I dont think about it. I love this lifestyle.'

Retro vibes: Ensuring her ripped midriff was on show, she opted to forgo a top in favour or a skimpy white bikini top

'Its definitely an amazing feeling. Its such an interesting word, the word sober. Its shown me the connotations that come with itlike, No, Im really just living my life without substances to get me to feel something. I feel enough."'

Along the way her famous parents have given her advice.

The model revealed: 'Theres two pieces of advice that really stuck with me. One is to be kind to everyone. The other was even if youre feeling horrible, go to work, get the job done, and be professional about it.

'That has been a bit hard for me as of late. Im just trying my best to be the girl that can power through anything, and just get to work even when shes not feeling well.'
Seann Walsh has announced he is set to star in his very own sitcom following his successful stint in the I'm A Celeb jungle.

The comedian, 37, took to Instagram on Thursday evening to share the exciting news - admitting it's 'been a long road' to bring the series to TV screens.

Seann is only recently back in the UK after participating in the 22nd series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! late last year, where he finished in fifth place.

New opportunities: Seann Walsh has announced he is set to star in his very own sitcom following his successful stint in the I'm A Celeb jungle

Now, in the sitcom that's due to hit screens later this year, Seann will play the character of Rowan, with the show's selling title being: 'Who would you least want to be your therapist?'

The show was written by Seann and James Kettle and will have a read-through in front of a live audience ahead of being adapted into a series.

Sharing the news on his social media, Sean penned: 'This is something I've been working on for many years. I've always always wanted to do my own sitcom.

'Finally it's happening!! Christ this has been a long road! I'm so exited about this!! I have the best cast! Absolutely buzzing.

'Starring are Miles Jupp, Kate Robbins, Rosie Holt, Marek Larwood & Tom Little.

Announcement: The comedian took to Instagram on Thursday evening to share the exciting news - admitting it's 'been a long road'

'Come along to the live-readthrough to help us get it into shape before it's made. Looking for a nice SUPPORTIVE audience! No jagerbombs! Link in stories.'

Seann's announcement was met with plenty of excitement as one comment read: 'Buzzing. No question it'll be brilliant much like yourself'.

Another wrote: 'Love it. What a great cast too.'

In the works: The show was written by Seann and James Kettle and will have a read-through in front of a live audience ahead of being adapted into a series

Even Seann's I'm A Celeb cast mate and A Place in the Sun presenter Scarlette Douglas chimed in, adding: 'Yessssss I knew you would make this happen! I remember the chat we had in the jungle, can't wait to see it!'.

This next move in Seann's career follows his scandalous stint on Strictly Come Dancing, where he was pictured kissing his professional partner, Katya Jones in 2018.

At the time, he was in a relationship with now ex-girlfriend Rebecca Humphries while Katya was married to fellow dancer Neil Jones.

Support: Even Seann's I'm A Celeb cast mate and A Place in the Sun presenter Scarlette Douglas chimed in her support

Seann recently opened up and shared that his 'bad experience' on Strictly almost stopped him from appearing on I'm A Celeb - admitting that he found the idea of another reality show 'terrifying'.

But it was thanks to his pregnant partner, Grace Adderley, who eventually persuaded him to take part in the ITV challenge.

He told Hello! magazine: 'Grace said to me 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. The adventure itself will make it worthwhile' - and she was absolutely right.

'I was so petrified of getting backlash. I'd had such a bad experience with all the things that were said about me last time [on Strictly], the idea of that happening again was terrifying.'

Opening up: The appearance comes after the former Strictly Come Dancing star admitted his 'bad experience' on the BBC show almost stopped him from appearing on I'm A Celebrity

During the show, Sean discussed his Strictly kissing scandal, calling it the 'worst moment of my life', with his agent saying his 'career was dead'.

He told fellow comedian Babatunde Aleshe: 'It was easily the most depressing month of my entire life, Edinburgh after Strictly.

'Just before I'm about to go on (and do a show), my agent comes in and goes 'Just so you know, there's like 30 people'.

Ex: Seann was in a relationship with then girlfriend Rebecca Humphries at the time (pictured)

Chatting to campmate Sue Cleaver, he added: 'Me and my dance partner, who was married, I was in a relationship, we were photographed kissing when we were on Strictly Come Dancing that was the front page of every newspaper.'

Sue asked: 'Why did that crucify you? Why did that have such an impact?'

Seann said: 'To be totally honest with you, my poor ex, my girlfriend at the time, posted a statement. My girlfriend [at the time] posted a statement and that was the end of me.'
Cate Blanchett has come under fire for her Golden Globe winning role in the new film Tar.

The 53-year-old Australian-born Hollywood star plays Lydia Tar, who, in the film's plot, rises to become the first-ever female conductor of a German orchestra.

While many have condemned the critically acclaimed film as 'anti-woman', because Blanchett's character is revealed to be a narcissistic bully, Blanchett came to its defence.

Cate Blanchett has come under fire for her Golden Globe winning role in the new film Tar Pictured: The Aussie Hollywood star on the red carpet for the premiere of the film in London earlier this month. Blanchett plays a manipulative conductor in the film

The glamorous blonde described the movie, directed by Todd Field, as 'very provocative' in an interview with BBC Radio 4, reprinted in The Australian.

Marin Alsop, a real-life conductor, surfaced to condemn the film as 'anti-woman'.

Marin, 66, who is one of the world's top female conductors, said in The Australian on Friday: 'To have an opportunity to portray a woman in that role to make her an abuser, for me that's heartbreaking.'

Saying that Alsop was entitled to her opinion and that she had the upmost respect for the conductor, Blanchett described the film as 'a mediation on power and power is genderless.'

Marin Alsop, a real-life conductor, has now surfaced to condemn the critically acclaimed film as 'anti-woman', because Blanchett's character is revealed to be a narcissistic bully Pictured: Alsop conducting in New York in 2021

'It is a meditation....on the corrupting nature of power,' the star continued, 'and I think that that doesnt necessarily happen only in cultural circles.'

Blanchett also distanced herself from any accusation that he film used Alsop or any other female conductor as the basis for her character.

Tar, she says, 'could just as well have been a master architect or the head of a major banking corporation.

Marin, 66, who is one of the world's top female conductors, said in The Australian on Friday: 'To have an opportunity to portray a woman in that role to make her an abuser, for me that's heartbreaking' Pictured: Blanchett in a scene from Tar

'I looked at so many different conductors, but I also looked at novelists and visual artists and musicians of all stripes. Its a very non-literal film.'

The American-born Alsop, who is currently working as music director laureate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and chief conductor of the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, said the film should bother 'all women and all feminists'.

'It's not really about conductors, is it?,' she said. 'It's about women as leaders in our society.'

Although the film portrays a fictional character, Alsop's name is reportedly mentioned within the first 30 minutes - and New York Times critic Zachary Woolfe has asserted that the movie is 'clearly' based on the real-life conductor.

Blanchett, however defended the film, which is directed by Todd Field, saying the movie was 'very provocative' in an interview with BBC Radio 4, reprinted in The Australian

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Alsop noted several similarities between herself and Tar, including that they were both protegees of Leonard Bernstein, are both lesbians and both teach at music conservatoires.

When Alsop first heard about the film, she said she had concerns over the portrayal of the female conductor.

'Once I saw it I was no longer concerned, I was offended: I was offended as a woman, I was offended as a conductor, I was offended as a lesbian,' she said.

Blanchett says Tar is about 'power'. Pictured with Leonardo di Caprio in The Aviator. Blanchett won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as Katherine Hepburn

Blanchett is tipped to win her second Best Actress Oscar for the role.

The blonde beauty won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2004 for Martin Scorsese's The Aviator.

In 2013, the star scored a Best Actress Oscar for her role in the comedy-drama Blue Jasmine directed by Woody Allen.

Tar opens in Australian cinemas on January 26
The late Pope Benedict XVI was reportedly a huge fan of '90s sitcom Keeping Up Appearances it's been revealed in a new documentary.

The comedy followed the trials and tribulations of snobby Dame Patricia Routledge's character Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced 'Bouquet') as she attempted to climb the social ladder.

And the former head of the Catholic Church, who passed away last year, was such a fan it's been said he would even mimic the character's iconic telephone catrchpharse.

Vatican residence: The late Pope Benedict XVI was reportedly a huge fan of '90s sitcom Keeping Up Appearances it's been revealed in a new documentary (Dame Patricia Routledge pictured in the show)

According to the documentary: 'There's a rumour that Pope Benedict did an impression of Hyacinth's telephone catchphrase, 'Hello, this is the Bouquet residence.'

And Keeping Up Appearances: 30 Years Of Laughs, which airs Friday night, also revealed the show had some other very famous fans.

With Dame Patricia saying: 'We were one of the Queen Mother's favourite sitcoms, which was lovely, and the Queen enjoyed it, too'.

'The Pope of the Catholic Church speaking!': And the former head of the Catholic Church was such a fan it's been said he would even reportedly mimic the character's iconic telephone catrchpharse

Comedy gold: The comedy followed the trials and tribulations of snobby Dame Patricia Routledge's character Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced 'Bouquet') as she attempted to climb the social ladder (pictured with co-star Clive Swift)

Before adding: 'Hyacinth would have been flattered beyond words, and why not.'

The BBC show ran for five series, between 1990 and 1995 and in 2001 was listed amongst Channel 4's Greatest 100 sitcoms of all time.

It comes after the show was given a viewer discretion warning for its release on the streaming service BritBox back in 2021.

Big fans: The late Queen and Queen Mother (pictured in 1985) were also reportedly big fans of the comedy

With the family sitcom featuring several jokes that have fallen foul of modern-day channel bosses.

In one episode Hyacinth and her husband visit her sister in the country and encounter a posh, well-spoken man.

Hyacinth then tells her husband that the stranger is 'quent', meaning eloquent, and 'quent as a 4 note'.

Shock: It comes after the beloved sitcom was given a viewer discretion warning for its release on the streaming service BritBox

In another episode, many of the show's characters make jokes about a Polish person where they interrogate his right to be living in the UK.

As a result, Britbox has now added a disclaimer warning viewers that the series 'contains language and attitudes of the era that may offend', the Daily Star reports.

The ITV and BBC streaming service said: 'We review and refresh BritBoxs programme catalogue on an ongoing basis.

'Programming on the service that contains potentially sensitive language or attitudes of their era has carried appropriate warnings since our launch in November 2019, to ensure the right guidance is in place for viewers who are choosing to watch on demand.'

MailOnline has contacted BritBox for further comment at the time.
Trinny Woodall has filed blockbuster accounts for her beauty brand Trinny London, with turnover soaring to more than 50million.

Unlike Victoria Beckham and Stella McCartney, who both filed reports detailing losses in recent weeks, the former TV presenter's six-year-old business appears to be in rude health.

According to documents filed at Companies House, the cosmetics company clocked up 27.3million of sales in the UK, 6.3million in Europe and 16.9million in the rest of the world.

Not a bad start to the year! Trinny Woodall has filed blockbuster accounts for her beauty brand Trinny London, with turnover soaring to more than 50million

But despite the enviable headline news, just 45,520 of net profit is recorded for the financial year, as the company records 'administrative expenses' of 30million.

That means the business owes just 810,000 in tax for the year up to March 2022.

The company was set up by Trinny in 2017 with 7million of investment: some from her wealthy art collector boyfriend Charles Saatchi, plus 60,000 she raised herself by selling off her old clothes.

Earlier this week, Trinny appeared on This Morning where she discussed starting the brand at the 'worst time' to launch a business.

Makeover guru: Unlike Victoria Beckham and Stella McCartney, who both filed reports detailing losses in recent weeks, the former TV presenter's six-year-old business appears to be in rude health

Speaking to Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield on Thursday, Trinny, 58, explained that she had thought about starting Trinny London for a long time but stopped herself because of a series of difficult circumstances.

'I started it at the worst time, when my daughter's father had died, I was living in a house that was too expensive for me, I couldn't afford the mortgage, and yet sometimes you have to say to yourself, "It's now or never".

The father of her daughter, Johnny Elichaoff, fell to his death from a car park roof in November 2014 after he 'lost everything' in a series of failed oil investments, an inquest heard.

Big business: According to documents filed at Companies House, the cosmetics company clocked up 27.3million of sales in the UK, 6.3million in Europe and 16.9million in the rest of the world

Working hard: The company was set up by Trinny in 2017 with 7million of investment: some from her wealthy art collector boyfriend Charles Saatchi, plus 60,000 she raised herself by selling off her old clothes

Johnny, 55, who had battled an addiction to painkillers for 20 years, died at the Whiteley's shopping centre in Bayswater, west London.

The drummer turned businessman had been talked down from the same spot 11 days previously and was sectioned briefly.

Mr Elichaoff married TV presenter Miss Woodall in 1999 in London's Knightsbridge and the couple had a child Lyla, 11, together, before they divorced in 2009, but remained on good terms.

Miss Woodall, who is now dating art dealer Charles Saatchi, told the inquest Mr Elichaoff 'had a heart attack in his head. He no longer felt he had the strength to deal with his physical and emotional pain'.

'Worst time'Earlier this week, Trinny appeared on This Morning where she discussed starting the brand at the 'worst time' to launch Trinny London, when her ex husband and the father of her daughter, Johnny Elichaoff, fell to his death from a car park roof in November 2014

Having her say: Trinny Woodall has previously revealed that she finds it 'upsetting' when people assume her boyfriend Charles Saatchi funds her beauty business Trinny London

But now the business is booming and she leads the way for over 200 staff members under the brand.

'It's a journey to start a business and I started with one other person, then two other people, then now we have 220 people, we sell in 200 countries around the world.'

She added: 'The company was born out of making over women for so long - how can I help more women feel great, and makeup is a part of that.'

Trinny has previously revealed that she finds it 'upsetting' when people assume her multi-millionaire boyfriend Charles Saatchi funds her beauty business Trinny London.

Work: The fashion and makeover expert, 58, told how she has 'shed blood sweat and tears' into her brand during a 'difficult time in her life' (pictured with Charles in 2015)

The fashion and makeover expert told how she 'shed blood sweat and tears' into her brand.

After running into financial trouble following the death of her ex husband Johnny while trying to start the business, she raised 60,000 by selling off items from her own wardrobe and eventually her own house.

She told The Telegraph: 'I was not earning the money I had been. I couldn't afford to live in the house I was living in, so I rented it out, and sold quite a few of my clothes.

'I then did a small raise, which I used for product development. When that ran out, I sold some more clothes, then sold my house, because I couldn't afford the mortgage.

Tough: She also told in a separate honest chat how she had to sell her house and clothes to get the initial investment money to start up her now successful company

Romance: Trinny and Saatchi have been dating since 2013, following the businessman's divorce from celebrity chef Nigella Lawson (pictured in 2015)

'It did take balls  it was very scary. But I knew I had no alternative. Nobody becomes a great entrepreneur from a place of comfort.'

The presenter told The Times of her hard work: 'People still assume Trinny London is funded by my boyfriend. The reality is that I have shed blood, sweat and tears on it during a very difficult time in my life.

'It used to upset me. You don't want anybody to make assumptions you know are incorrect. I used to fight them really hard. Now I think: that is your s**t, not mine.'

Trinny and Saatchi - who is worth around 170million - have been dating since 2013, following the businessman's divorce from celebrity chef Nigella Lawson.
Elon Musk seems to be proving he is not interested in paying rent for office space.

Twitter employees in Singapore were recently escorted out of their office building by landlords due to the company's failure to pay rent on time.

This failure to pay rent on time is the second time for Musk's Twitter, with the company being sued by California Property Trust for failing to pay around $136000 in rent.

Twitter CapitaGreen Building Rent Payment Failure Details

Twitter has been renting office space from Singapore's CapitaGreen building since 2015, with it serving as its Asia-Pacific headquarters from that time onwards. However, with Musk's takeover and cost-cutting procedures to make Twitter profitable, the company was unable to pay rent to the building's landlords, per Singapore's Business Times.

As a result, Twitter told its employees on Jan. 11 that they had until 5 PM Singapore time to leave the CapitaGreen building and resume work from home the day after, per an anonymous source who asked not to be named.

The source also mentioned that Singapore-based staffers were reassigned as remote workers in the company's internal system until further notice.

Unfortunately, some employees were caught off guard after the 5 PM deadline, with them being escorted out of the building by CapitaGreen's landlords, CapitaLand.

According to Platformer reporter Casey Newton, some employees mentioned that the email informing staff to leave came "too late," with them being unable to get a chance to clear their belongings before being escorted out, per Channel News Asia.

Read More: Thousands of Google Contractors Get Pay Hike After Months-long Union Campaign

Despite the unceremonial escorting, Twitter eventually paid the rent it owed to CapitaLand, with the company stating that Musk paid it in the late afternoon on Jan. 12, Singapore time.

As such, Twitter informed employees who were asked to work remotely to return to the office to do their work there. Although this may be true, an employee said that staff was also asked to leave and that they were still working at home as of the afternoon of Jan. 12.

Regardless, a spokesperson for CapitaLand said that "Twitter has been a tenant of of CapitaGreen since 2015, and it remains a tenant of CapitaGreen."

The spokesperson didn't offer any clarifications to elaborate on the company's statement.

Not The Only One

CapitaLand isn't the only one who demanded rent from Twitter. You may remember that California Property Trust sued Twitter on New Year's day for failing to pay $136,250 in rent for its San Francisco headquarters.

According to Engadget, California Property Trust alleged that Twitter disobeyed the ruling in a complaint it submitted to the San Francisco County Superior Court that week.

California Property also mentioned in its complaint that the microblogging company recently stopped paying rent on all of its international operations to reduce costs.

This refusal to pay rent may be due to the company wanting to renegotiate lease terms following the many layoffs it executed since Musk's takeover.

Regardless Twitter's refusal to pay rent is one of Musk's controversial and questionable cost-saving strategies to make Twitter profitable, per Gizmodo.

Related Article: Twitter Fails To Pay San Francisco Office Rent, Gets Sued By Landlord
Gerard Depardieu looked in good spirts on Thursday as he stepped out at the premiere of his latest film Umami (Der Geschmack der kleinen Dinge) in Berlin, Germany.

The French actor, 74, wrapped up in a smart black coat and bright blue silk scarf as he posed for snaps at the event held at the in the city.

Gerard's outing marks the first time he's since publicly since Juliette Binoche's claims in September that he 'punched a fist in her face' during a tense encounter between them.

Outing: Gerard Depardieu looked in good spirts on Thursday as he stepped out at the premiere of his latest film Umami (Der Geschmack der kleinen Dinge) in Berlin, Germany

The film star teamed his coat and scarf with a dark grey ribbed waistcoat, navy jeans and black trainers.

He was seen waving to fans and posing with director Slony Sow, before they both later took to the stage.

The film sees Gerard play a leading French chef who dedicates his life to seeking a flavour that has confounded him since being beaten by a bowl of noodles by a Japanese chef when he was younger.

In September, Juliette recalled an ugly confrontation she had with Gerard after he branded her 'nothing' in a scathing interview in 2010.

Claims: Gerard's outing marks the first time he's since publicly since Juliette Binoche's claims in September that he 'punched a fist in her face' during a tense encounter between them

The actress, 58, spoke about her tumultuous relationship with her fellow French actor in a new interview with The Guardian.

Juliette claimed that the actor 'punched a fist in my face', yet it is believed the French star meant the phrase as an expression of shock, not a physical incident.

Juliette recalled how The Last Metro star publicly said she was 'absolutely nothing' and had nothing 'going for her'.

Discussing their confrontation, Juliette said: 'About three months after he made those declarations, I bumped into him in the street and I said: "Gerard  why were you so mean to me?" He said: "Oh forget about it, I say stupid things. Dont take it personally."

Premiere: The French actor, 74, wrapped up in a smart black coat and bright blue silk scarf as he posed for snaps at the event held at the in the city

Style: The film star teamed his coat and scarf with a dark grey ribbed waistcoat, navy jeans and black trainers

'I told him: "OK but at the end of the day, I had to deal with it. And its really not cool." He said: "Well, Im just upset with the directors youre working with."'

'I think he was feeling jealous because Id just received the award in Cannes. He was hurt because I had made him deal with too many things.'

Revealing that they'd first met when she was 17 because Gerard was working with a family friend on the 1983 film Danton, she said: 'So he was such an important figure in my life. And then all these years later he how do you say?'

Claims: Juliette recalled an ugly confrontation she had with Gerard Depardieu after he branded her 'nothing' in a scathing interview in 2010 (pictured together in 2017)

The publication reports that she then mimicked a fist to her face with the journalist asking if she meant a punch.

Juliette responded: 'Yes! He punched a fist in my face. And it injured me.'

Gerard's representative told MailOnline that Juliette was using a French expression that 'means that she was stunned by Gerard's words.' They added: 'He never hit Juliette Binoche.'

MailOnline contacted representatives for Juliette for comment at the time.

Candid: The actress, 58, spoke about her tumultuous relationship with her fellow French actor, 73, in a new interview with The Guardian (pictured in February 2022)
Rating:

A Streetcar Named Desire (Almedia Theatre, London)

Beware star billing! The biggest name on the team sheet in this stark, dark and uncompromising new production of Tennessee Williamss 1947 drama, best known from the film starring Vivien Leigh and Marlon Brando, is Paul Mescal.

Mescal, for anyone whos been stuck under a rock, is the young man who set pulses racing with Daisy Edgar-Jones in the BBCs adaptation of Sally Rooneys novel Normal People. Thats the one about muttering oversexed school kids in Sligo who become muttering oversexed students in Dublin.

Gone is Normal People's Paul Mescal boyish charm, he's a beast off the leash: PATRICK MARMION reviews A Streetcar Named Desire (pictured with co-star Patsy Ferran)

Here, though, Mescal plays the Brando character of Stanley Kowalski, the rough-handed Polish-American in New Orleans who takes exception to the fancy ways of his young wifes sister, Blanche Dubois  a self-styled Southern Belle who has run out of luck, money and places to live.

Much the best reason for seeing this sold-out show  or at least praying that it transfers to the West End  is not so much Mescal, as the sensational acting of Patsy Ferran as Blanche. She turns the over-familiar role on its head.

By comparison, Mescal is a spectator. Not raunchy like Brando, he mines his characters reputation as a Neolithic throwback. Gone is his boyish charm (those Celtic blue eyes) in Normal People. No more the still waters that run deep, or pleading eyebrows that melt your heart.

Mescal, for anyone whos been stuck under a rock, is the young man who set pulses racing with Daisy Edgar-Jones in the BBCs adaptation of Sally Rooneys novel Normal People. Thats the one about muttering oversexed school kids in Sligo who become muttering oversexed students in Dublin

Here, though, Mescal plays the Brando character of Stanley Kowalski, the rough-handed Polish-American in New Orleans who takes exception to the fancy ways of his young wifes sister, Blanche Dubois  a self-styled Southern Belle who has run out of luck, money and places to live.

Hes a beast off the leash, kicking Blanches suitcase and tossing about her pearls, furs and silks. Theres no room here for the nuance of sarcasm or scheming. And he yells...a lot. If you hoped to swoon, stay home.

Ferran, though, in her first major leading classical role, is a different matter. Supported only by a few props and frocks on a Spartan island stage in the middle of this bare brick rotunda of a theatre, there is nothing fey or giddy about her. She makes every word blaze. Her Southern Belle fantasies may seem like flimsy delusion to others, but to her, they are a life force.

Yes, she is flirtatious, mendacious and manipulative. Yet she is also ruthless and ferocious in her efforts to stave off the encroaching abyss of mental illness.

Most interestingly, Ferrans unusual, pixie features make her seem like a child in the body of a grown woman  in a role usually taken by a classically beautiful leading lady such as Leigh was, or Gillian Anderson in the Young Vics 2014 production. Incidentally, the role here had been intended for Lydia Wilson, who pulled out early in the run after an injury. Ferran was only choppered in as an emergency sub.

Hes a beast off the leash, kicking Blanches suitcase and tossing about her pearls, furs and silks. Theres no room here for the nuance of sarcasm or scheming. And he yells...a lot. If you hoped to swoon, stay home

By comparison, the rest of the cast are steady and solid. Only Dwane Walcott really stands out as the bashful, thick-set suitor, Mitch, whos supposed to be her salvation

By comparison, the rest of the cast are steady and solid. Only Dwane Walcott really stands out as the bashful, thick-set suitor, Mitch, whos supposed to be her salvation.

But through Ferran, Rebecca Frecknalls production eviscerates Williamss play, and spills its psychological guts.

In lieu of scenery, there is only the explosive crash and thump of a drum kit overhead which summons the edgy mood of Americas 1940s Beat Generation jazz  while also providing the kerpow! sound effects in the domestic brawls.

But most crucially, the percussion provides the startling sound of Blanches inner world collapsing around her in a performance that will redefine Ferrans career...and this role.

A Streetcar Named Desire is at the Almedia Theatre in London until February 4.
She explained how Derek was 'distressed' and 'in pain' as the incident unfolded

Kate Garraway has revealed that her husband Derek Draper fell out of his wheelchair amid health woes which have left him sick with long Covid since 2020.

The Good Morning Britain TV host, 55, told her co-stars on Friday morning the 'distressing moment' happened when they were in a taxi.

She was discussing the ambulance wait times when she explained what happened to Derek, who was 'in pain' and the wait for an emergency service vehicle was too long.

'Distressing moment': Kate Garraway has revealed that her husband Derek Draper fell out of his wheelchair amid health woes which have left him sick with long Covid since 2020

Speaking on Friday morning, Kate was looking at the possibility of taxis being sent out to 999 calls.

GP Anita Rajaj, who works in Birmingham, was arguing that people should not be encouraged to jump in the back of a taxi, instead the emergency health services should be in a good position to take care of the volume of calls.

Kate said: 'I understand Dr Anita and I think all of us would salute what you're saying, but what would you advise as a GP - someone is facing a wait, frightened that it's a cardiac arrest, not strong enough or they don't drive. What would you advise?'

She then added: 'What they've both raised is that the pressure is increasingly put on the individual to make medical decisions.

Loved one: The Good Morning Britain TV host, 55, told her co-stars on Friday morning the 'distressing moment' happened when they were in a taxi

Awful: She was discussing ambulance wait times when she explained what happened to Derek, who was 'in pain' and the wait for an emergency service vehicle was too long

'I've used a lot of cabs for Derek to go to and from hospital appointments because the mobility services are very, very delayed. And ambulances are delayed.

'But if you try and book an official car, you can sometimes be waiting five hours for them to bring you home from hospital.

'He was in a lot of pain, it wasn't sustainable - so we took a cab home from the hospital and we went over a speed bump and he slipped out of the wheelchair.'

Co-host Ben Shephard asked: '[Is it] something you never envisaged happening?'

Kate replies: 'Well, it's hard isn't it? It's hard to deal with. You want someone with you to manage that.

'I was really lucky because the cab driver was a black cab driver that had mobility access - his father he had cared for [after] a stroke.

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

Thoughts: Speaking on Friday morning, Kate was looking at the possibility of taxis being sent out to 999 calls

'So he was really good at handling someone with that condition. The two of us were hauling him back into the wheelchair, strapping him in and got him home.

'But I thought, "Gosh", because there's been many a time when taxi drivers say "I don't want to deal with this".

'I'm not even sure I was meant to be dealing with this!'

When asked if she feels like she should have waited for emergency care, Kate said: 'Well I don't know because he was in such distress and pain.

Experience: 'I've used a lot of cabs for Derek to go and from hospital appointments because the mobility services are very, very delayed. And ambulances are delayed,' Kate explained

Tough: When asked if she feels like she should have waited for emergency care, Kate said: 'Well I don't know because he was in such distress and pain'

'I think you're having to, all the time as individuals, make calls which really you know you're not qualified for and it's very difficult.'

Kate did not specify when the incident happened. MailOnline has contacted her representatives for comment.

Earlier this week, Kate clashed with Labour frontbencher Emily Thornberry over the treatment of her husband Derek Draper in a private hospital during his fraught battle with coronavirus.

She 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.'

Last month, an emotional Kate 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.

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

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

Derek now receives round-the-clock care at their home.

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'.

Laden: Kate was spotted on Friday as she made her way to Smooth Radio, clad with luggage and a collection of bags
Moana Hope has revealed the online bullying hell endured by her sister Lavinia.

The former AFLW star, 34, is the sole carer for her sibling, nicknamed Vinny, who lives with a rare neurological condition called Moebius syndrome.

Describing Vinny's experience with trolls as 'horrible', Moana said that her sister has received death threats from keyboard warriors.

Moana Hope (pictured) has revealed the online bullying hell endured by her sister Lavinia during a segment on Channel 9's 9Honey

The Australian Survivor star made the comments when she appeared on Talking Honey discussing social media bullying and parenting on Friday.

Moana is married to Isabella Clastrom, who gave birth to a daughter, Svea, in 2020.

The couple welcomed their second child, son Ahi, in June.

Asked on the program about how she would handle the issue of online bullying, Moana said: 'I've already been privy to seeing her being bullied on social media, which is horrible.'

The former AFLW star, 34, is the sole carer for her sibling, nicknamed Vinny (pictured), who lives with a rare neurological condition called Moebius syndrome

Vinny, Moana said, had been 'made fun of' because of her disability.

'She's had death threats,' the reality star said, 'she's had people make fun of her disability, gets teased about her cross eyes. It's horrible.'

She then added: 'I always think - what happened to that bully that made them a bully? Kids aren't born bullies. And I'm not trying to excuse the behaviour, but I'm just going to make sure my kids know their own worth.'

Describing Vinny's experience with trolls as 'horrible', Moana said that her sister has received death threats from keyboard warriors Pictured: David Campbell, Moana Hope and Jo Abi

Moana has been outspoken about bullying in the past.

In August last year, the first-class athlete appeared on The Project and told how people would approach her in public places and abuse her 'just for playing the sport she loved.'

'You'd be in a shopping centre and [have] people abusing you,' she told Lisa Wilkinson.

'They're swearing at you and they're yelling things to you... Getting messages on social media being told to "get back in the kitchen where you belong."'

Moana has said in the past that the bullying she and her sister has had to endure meant getting the police involved

'I got death threats, Vinny got death threats,' she continued. 'We got the police involved many times.'

Moana and Isabella, who tied the knot in 2019, went through IVF to conceive their daughter Svea and their newborn son using the same donor.

Isabella gave birth to Svea in November 2020 and Moana carried their second child.
She's never been afraid to poke fun at herself.

And Naga Munchetty left her followers in hysterics as she took the mick out of her glum expression in a sweaty gym selfie.

Taking to Instagram she quipped: 'Happy Thursday (honest!)' as her fans responded: 'You could have fooled me'; 'You sure?' and 'Just tell everyone that it's your 'focused' face.'

Fresh faced: Naga Munchetty left her followers in hysterics as she took the mick out of her glum expression in a sweaty gym selfie on Thursday

The 47-year-old presenter was left red faced again the following day but for different reasons after she had to apologise to a 'disrespected' Sam Ryder.

During Friday's BBC Breakfast, Naga and co-host Charlie Stayt chatted with the Eurovision star via video link about his BRIT Award nomination.

Charlie remarked: 'There's some serious names. You know, he's up right up there with some serious credential artists. No disrespect to Sam.'

Cheeky: Taking to Instagram she quipped: 'Happy Thursday (honest!)' as her fans responded: 'You could have fooled me'; 'You sure?' and 'Just tell everyone that it's your 'focused' face'

Oops: The 47-year-old presenter was left red faced again the following day but for different reasons after she had to apologise to a 'disrespected' Sam Ryder

A shocked Naga started laughing nervously before stating: 'Seriously, when you say no disrespect there was no way... Sam, I apologise!'

Trying to explain himself, Charlie continued: 'Eurovision has not been considered serious music credentials.

'It's almost set apart isn't it? And now, low and behold, Sam comes in and given a totally different thing.'

Sam agreed, saying: 'It's treats like a different world so this is so cool, I think, for the future of it.

Oh dear: During Friday's BBC Breakfast, Naga's co-host Charlie Stayt told Sam he was up against 'some serious credential artists' at the BRIT Awards

'Like Maneskin for example, they have taken over the world, blazing the trail in the genre of rock music and heavy music.

'So it's so cool for the institution of Eurovision as well as the team behind our project.

'Just so grateful to be there and like you say, the names in this category, Kojey Radical, Rina, Wet Leg, it's very good musicians.'

He added: 'So basically, I don't stand a chance,' leaving Naga and Charlie in hysterics.

Naga and Charlie are known for their on-screen chemistry and banter, with Naga recently jokingly claiming that Charlie Stayt 'wears a wig'.
Pamela Anderson has been looking back to the 1990s in recent weeks.

In a new interview with CBS Sunday Morning - which airs this Sunday - the 55-year-old star said that the sex tape she made with husband Tommy Lee in 1995 was just innocent fun between two happy people.

'We were two crazy naked people in love,' she told host Jim Axelrod in a special preview shared this week.

In love: Pamela Anderson has been looking back to the 1990s. In a new interview with CBS Sunday Morning - which airs this Sunday - she said that the sex tape she made with husband Tommy Lee in 1995 was innocent fun. Seen in 1996

It was love: 'We were two crazy naked people in love,' she told host Jim Axelrod in a special preview shared this week

'I mean, we were naked all the time and filming each other and being silly,' she added.

But making that tape public was the real problem. 'Those tapes were not meant for anybody else to see,' the Barb Wire actress added.

She made the tape with drummer Lee, who is now 60, during a 1995 vacation to Lake Mead, a reservoir formed by the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in the Southwestern United States.

She was so hurt over the tape being leaked she hinted she would have taken her life if she had not been a mom.

EXCLUSIVE: @pamelaanderson, who is sharing her story in an upcoming memoir, Love, Pamela, and companion Netflix documentary, is opening up to @jimaxelrod about the notorious sex tape and the leak she calls hurtful, this Sunday. pic.twitter.com/hBfoVyFffO  CBS Sunday Morning  (@CBSSunday) January 12, 2023

Bare naked truth: 'I mean, we were naked all the time and filming each other and being silly, but those tapes were not meant for anybody else to see,' the Barb Wire actress added

Promo time: The Playboy model is promoting her upcoming memoir Love, Pamela and a new Netflix documentary Pamela, a love story

'I was a mother. That saved me,' Anderson said. Her two children are sons Brandon, now 26, and Dylan, now 25,' she has with rocker Lee.

'You know, if I wasn't a mom, I don't think I would've survived,' she added.

And Anderson said that it was so 'hurtful' that someone would take their private tape that she never had the courage to look at it.

'And I've not seen it to this day,' said Anderson. 'It was very hurtful.'

A crime was committed: Anderson said the tape was 'stolen property'

The Playboy model is promoting her upcoming memoir Love, Pamela and a new Netflix documentary Pamela, a love story.

These days she is happy living on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada.

'I feel like I've left here, did something crazy and came back in one piece,' Anderson said in the interview with CBS.

'Like I said, I don't know what I'm capable of. I still don't know, but I think that was the beginning ... all the rest of it, it's, you know, behind me. I feel like I'm in a really good place.'

Happier days: Here they are seen in 1996, a year after the sex tape was made; at Rokbar in Hollywood

Anderson's interview with Jim Axelrod for CBS Sunday Morning will air Sunday at 9 a.m. ET on CBS. It will also stream on Paramount+.

Pamela, a love story premieres January 31 on Netflix.

Anderson said earlier she made her Netflix documentary in order to take 'control of the narrative for the first time'.

The actress is giving fans an intimate look inside her world in Pamela, a Love Story, and the blonde beauty has now revealed her motivation behind the project.

In a new trailer, Pamela explains: 'I want to take control of the narrative for the first time.'

Her new show: In a new trailer, Pamela explains: 'I want to take control of the narrative for the first time'

She wants control: The actress is giving fans an intimate look inside her world in Pamela, a Love Story, and the blonde beauty has now revealed her motivation behind the project. In a new trailer, Pamela explains: 'I want to take control of the narrative for the first time'

Pamela also acknowledges she's been partially responsible for some of the negative things that she's been through in her life.

She says: 'I didn't feel like I had a lot of respect. I had to make a career out of the pieces left, but I'm not the damsel in distress. I put myself in crazy situations and survived them.'

In 2022, Lily James played Pamela in the biographical series Pam & Tommy.

Wild days: Seen during Rolling Stones at The Joint in January 1998 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada

The 33-year-old actress subsequently admitted that she was looking forward to watching Pamela's Netflix documentary.

She said: 'I can't wait to watch Pamela's documentary and learn more.

'Of course we could only do our best based on the information we had, so for her to be able to tell her story is so important. I'll be watching along with the rest of the world. I'm eager to see what she says and hear what it's all about.'

The brunette beauty underwent a dramatic transformation in order to play Pamela in the TV series.
She's known for her incredible sense of style.

And Lily Collins didn't disappoint as she graced the latest digital cover of Vogue Scandinavia.

The Emily In Paris actress, 33, looked sensational clad head-to-toe in red PVC as she posed in the picturesque city of Copenhagen.

Pose: Lily Collins, 33, flaunted her toned midriff in a cropped PVC co-ord as she posed up storm for a stunning Vogue Scandinavia shoot

The edgy look boasted a crop top with voluminous sleeves as well as matching high-waisted trousers.

Lily sported a glamorous palette of make-up with her luscious brunette locks styled into loose curls.

Completing the look with a large gold bracelet she posed on a bicycle as she gazed seductively into the camera.

Later taking to her Instagram Lily slipped into a chic red midi dress as she playfully presented her own 'Danish cooking show'.

She tried her hand at speaking the language before tasting some of the country's national dishes.

She captioned the clip: 'This makes me an honorary Dane right? SO much fun baking, eating and chatting all things Danish culture with my friend and brilliant baker @emilglaser at his world renowned @juno_the_bakery'.

Fun: Later taking to her Instagram Lily slipped into a chic red midi dress as she playfully presented her own 'Danish cooking show'

Hungry: Later taking to her Instagram Lily slipped into a chic red midi dress as she playfully presented her own 'Danish cooking show'

Busy with her flourishing acting career, starring as the lead in (and co-producing) one of Netflix's hit series, Lily also juggles two great loves  her husband and her rescue dog, Redford.

The British-American actress and filmmaker husband Charlie McDowell, 39, adopted the pug-terrier cross in 2019. He has been travelling the world with them since.

Redford even has his own Instagram account and an impressive 78,000 followers who chart his adventures with his famous owners.

Natural: She tried her hand at speaking the language before tasting some of the country's national dishes

Cooking: She captioned the clip: 'This makes me an honorary Dane right? SO much fun baking, eating and chatting all things Danish culture with my friend and brilliant baker @emilglaser at his world renowned @juno_the_bakery'

Rather than staying with dogsitters, it seems that Redford has accompanied Miss Collins to Denmark, Finland, the US and, of course, to France for the filming of her hit show, Emily In Paris.

Miss Collins, who is the daughter of rock star Phil Collins, has shared a number of pictures of herself cuddling up to her little pet on her own account.

In other images he can be seen sitting in the basket of a bicycle, and he has also been seen sitting on a Parisian balcony and playing with an Eiffel Tower chew toy.

The couple adopted Redford from Santa Monica-based rescue centre Love Leo, which has supplied stars including actress Olivia Munn with canine pals.

Busy bee: Lily Collins juggles two great loves  her husband, Charlie McDowell, and her rescue dog, Redford

'World, meet baby Redford. I couldn't be more grateful that this little man came into our lives from Love Leo Rescue,' Miss Collins wrote just after the adoption.

'It was absolutely love at first sight and I know we're going to have so many incredible adventures ahead. Welcome to the family!'

They even hosted their own fundraiser for the rescue centre in 2020. Miss Collins married McDowell  the son of British actor Malcolm McDowell and actress Mary Steenburgen  in September 2021 in Colorado.

Before meeting Miss Collins, McDowell had a long-term relationship with actress Rooney Mara and dated both Emilia Clarke and Hilary Duff.

The eagerly awaited third series of Emily In Paris was released on Netflix last month. It follows Emily Cooper as she tries to decide between two suitors: French chef Gabriel and British banker Alfie.

The opening episode was watched by more than 250,000 people on the first day of its release.
Micky Flanagan fans were left fuming on Friday while trying to buy tickets for his comedy gig in Southend.

The comedian, 60, is set to take to the stage later this month for a number of performances at Southend Cliffs Pavillion, however struggled to get their hands on tickets for the shows.

Taking to Twitter, several complained that the website had crashed while others reported being 'kicked out' of the queue - with one branding the proves 'a complete waste of time'.

Not impressed: Micky Flanagan fans were left fuming on Friday while trying to buy tickets for his comedy gig in Southend (pictured in 2020)

Tickets for the three shows - taking place between 23-25 January - quickly sold out, with many fans oif the Mock The Week star left disappointed at not getting the chance to see him live.

Taking aim at the theatre, one fan fumed: '@SouthendTheatre if youre going to do online sales only for Mickey Flanagan then maybe prepare for that! Website has been down since 10am when it opened! Phone line not working either. What a joke.'

While another shared: '@SouthendTheatre 3 times Ive entered what tickets I want for Mickey Flanagan and just get kicked out!'

'The Cliffs Pavilion site crashed while trying to get Micky Flanagan tickets. Finally got on there and there's 10,000 people in front of me in the queue. Bloody Friday the 13th!!' ranted a third angry customer.

Oh no: The comedian, 60, is set to take to the stage later this month for a number of performances at Southend Cliffs Pavillion, however struggled to get their hands on tickets for the shows (pictured in 2011)

'Stupid website crashing when Im trying to get #MickyFlanagan tickets. Finally join a queue for 40 minutes for this BS when I get to the end' said a fourth person.

Questioning the theatre, a fifth said: 'Out of interest how many did you have to sell this morning, I dont see anyone who has been successful? Just a complete waste of time waiting in a queue!!!'

'Sick of never being able to get tickets to anything anymore. On the site 10 mins before. Clicked through for tickets, sold out in seconds and then this...How are you ever supposed to get tickets for things now days. :(' wrote an upset comedy fan.

With another asking: 'So has anyone managed to get Micky Flanagan tickets with @SouthendTheatre or are we all getting to the front of the queue and kicked out again?'

Fuming: Taking to Twitter, several complained that the website had crashed while others reported being 'kicked out' of the queue - with one branding the proves 'a complete waste of time'

The ticket fiasco follows a similar incident in November, where fans of fellow comedy legend Peter Kay were left upset when the ticket website crashed within minutes of announcing his first tour dates in a decade.

The hugely popular comedian, 49, was set to perform once a month at London's O2 Arena as part of a surprise stand-up tour running from December to August 2023.

But the O2 Priority website set-up to facilitate pre-sale tickets went down seven minutes after the dates were confirmed, leaving thousands of eager fans scrabbling to book seats.

Taking to social media, one prospective attendee raged: 'O2 priority website crashed and not working just as Peter Kay tickets are about to go on sale.'

Unimpressed: The ticket fiasco follows a similar incident in November, where fans of fellow comedy legend Peter Kay were left upset when the ticket website crashed within minutes of announcing his first tour dates in a decade

While a second commented: 'Peter Kay has crashed every app going as if getting tickets wouldnt already be hard enough to get.'

Another wrote: 'Peter Kay has crashed the O2 Priority app and website and the tickets aren't even on sale yet. Love ticket stress me.'

A fourth unimpressed fan added: 'Been on the 02 app since 8:30 for Peter Kay tickets, crashes at 9 and kicks me out, app down and website as well. Phone bills are extortionate, signals s**t and priority is even worse @O2 cheers.' [sic]
Joey Turner looked ultra chic on Friday as he struck a slew of poses for the camera during his winter trip to Switzerland.

The TOWIE star donned a faux fur caramel poncho for the shots, taken in front of a snow-decorated mountainous backdrop.

Sharing the post with his 46.1K followers, he captioned: 'Disappearing is the most luxurious thing a person could do'.

Chic: Joey Turner exudesd sophistication as he posed for Instagram snaps in a faux fur poncho while having a smoke on Friday during his snowy Switzerland getaway

Joey was dressed in a pair of black trousers and a matching sweater with a high neck design, layering the cosy poncho on top.

His blonde locks were pulled over to the side into a quiff as the reality star gave a sultry look away from the camera.

Perched on a tartan armchair, he held onto a champagne glass while enjoying a sip on the tipple.

Luxurious: Sharing the post with his 46.1K followers, he captioned: 'Disappearing is the most luxurious thing a person could do'

The snaps were taken at luxury 5-star hotel Gstaad Palace, famous for its walking and hiking trails.

Joey joined The Only Way Is Essex back in 2019, before departing the show in 2021 to persue fashion design.

He has previously divided social media followers with a series of alarming posts in which he appeared gaunt and unwell, sparking a mixture of concerned messages and vitriolic online abuse.

He told The Sun at the time: 'The thing is I have always had a long thin frame, I am 5ft 11in [180cm] so I am quite tall and I have always had a long frame. Maybe I have lost weight, but not because I am starving myself.

'I weigh 7.5 stone [47kg], but I dont weigh myself. I dont care about how much I weigh. I am skinny, I cant help that I am skinny. I am not going to apologise to anyone.'

Concern: Joey recently opened up about his struggles to deal with his fame after appearing on TOWIE and how he turned to heavy partying to cope - with many fans commenting on his thin appearance

Joey later admitted that he barely ate and was drinking every day after he reached 'breaking point' following his departure from The Only Way Is Essex.

Speaking to The Sun, he described the difficult aftermath of leaving the show and how his life increasingly spiralled out of control - saying he felt like he was going 'insane.'

He said: 'I left TOWIE to go to uni and do my own thing. But I was being constantly hounded like an animal. Just because I'm in the public doesn't mean I'm not human, it's like people forget that.

'When I look back at those photos I posted I can see how sad I look. I was experiencing and enduring my emotions and through my look I portrayed that. I didn't have time to eat. I was so busy at such a young age.'
Coronation Street's Georgia Taylor has reportedly 'grown close' to former co-star Charlie De Melo, following her reported 'split' with partner of 14-years, Mark Letheren.

And now it has been revealed that Mark told how his life 'finally fell apart' in 2022 and that he had 'the worst year' in a recent Facebook post - amid the claimed trouble in his romantic life.

Actress Georgia, 42, and Charlie, 33, - who played couple Toyah Battersby and Imran Habeeb on the ITV soap - were seen strolling arm-in-arm in Manchester in pictures obtained by The Sun.

Moving on: Coronation Street's Georgia Taylor has reportedly 'grown close' to former co-star Charlie De Melo, following her reported 'split' with partner of 14-years, Mark Letheren (Mark and Georgia pictured together)

Charlie and Georgia's bond comes as the publication reports Georgia and Mark secretly split last year and have both 'moved out of the home they shared'.

Taking to Facebook recently, Mark reportedly wrote: 'It's been the worst year after a number of increasingly s**t years. My life finally fell apart.

'Thankfully, I'm incredibly lucky and have a family who have picked up the pieces and are trying to help me re-build myself.

'It's thanks to them I'm still here and trying to move forward. For that I'm truly grateful. Whatever the new year brings I hope that strength, humility, joy and love are in abundance for you all.'

Close: Actress Georgia, 42, and Charlie, 33, - who played couple Toyah Battersby and Imran Habeeb on the ITV soap - were seen strolling arm-in-arm in Manchester in pictures obtained by the publication

'It's been the worst year after a number of increasingly s**t years': In an Instagram post two weeks ago, Mark hinted at the reported split and turmoil in his personal life in a candid update

Charlie has not been linked to anyone since he split from former partner, fellow Corrie alumni Nicola Thorp in 2019, following a 10 month romance.

MailOnline have contacted representatives of Georgia and Charlie for comment.

On Friday, it was reported that Georgia and Charlie looked cosy as they strolled together before stopping for a coffee.

The duo have remained close since Charlie's character, lawyer Imran, was killed off from the soap last year - in a crash caused by Georgia's character Toyah.

Tough: It has been revealed that Mark told how his life 'finally fell apart' in 2022 and that he had 'the worst year' in a recent Facebook post, according to The Sun - amid the claimed trouble in his romantic life (pictured in 2018)

Speaking of Charlie's decision to leave Coronation Street, Georgia said at the time that she was: 'Heartbroken. I absolutely adore him.'

She continued: 'He's been a dream, an absolute dream. He's so funny so we laugh a lot but he is honestly one of the most supportive people I have ever worked with and even now, we're still in touch obviously, he's texting me, "How did the day go? Are you OK?"

'He's just a team player. And I mean look at him, there's no complaints there either. He's beautiful.'

Earlier this week, it was reported that Georgia had split from her long term partner Mark, with a source telling The Sun: 'The split was in July 2022 and they have both moved out of the home they shared.'

Close: It's been reported that Georgia and Charlie have been seen looking cosy and the pair have featured together heavily on their friends' social media pages

The pair, who started dating in 2008, lived together in Bristol.

Georgia hasn't posted about Mark on Instagram since March 2020.

They celebrated 10 years together back in 2018 in Lisbon, with Georgia calling Mark 'my love'.

Georgia previously spoke about how she first met Mark on the set of BBC's Casualty in 2008 and said at the time that they weren't married. She played Ruth Winters on the show while Mark starred as Ben Harding in the drama.

End of an era: The duo have remained close since Charlie's character, lawyer Imran, was killed off from the soap last year - in a crash caused by Georgia's character Toyah

He's also known for shows including The Bill and Wire in the Blood.

'Yeah, we're actually not married but we practically are because we've been together so long,' she said.

'We met, he was a sort of semi-regular character, he was playing a councilor ironically, which is then what Toyah ended up doing. We met, gosh 13 years ago. So yeah, got him out of the job and lots of friends and it was a really good time,' she said on Lorraine.

A representative for ITV's Coronation Street declined to comment.
After being abruptly canceled by HBO Max, "Minx" was subsequently acquired by Starz, which will now air both the comedy series' first and second seasons.

According to Variety, given that "Minx" is made by Lionsgate, which is the parent company of Starz, the transition to the premium cable network is a natural one.

'Minx' Is Only One Of The Few Shows Canceled By The Streaming Platform

The series, which starred Jake Johnson and Ophelia Lovibond, revolved around the creation of a feminist pornographic publication in the 1970s.

The second season of the show, which had already begun filming, was canceled by HBO Max in December, and the first season was removed from its online streaming service.

Lionsgate announced at the time that it would search for a new home for the show, which had almost finished season two of production when it was canceled, and discovered one internally.

"Minx" was at least mentioned as one of a handful of shows HBO Max was instead marketing around to other streamers, even if some shows have been canceled and are no longer accessible through legal ways.

"We have always felt this show would be a perfect fit for our brand with our dedication to narratives by, about and for women," says Jeffrey Hirsch, President and CEO of Starz.

The CEO adds that this amazing program has received well-deserved praise from the critics, and Starz is thrilled to be its new home, Variety notes.

Creator, showrunner, and executive producer of "Minx," Ellen Rapoport, expressed her utter delight at joining the Starz family and at the prospect of introducing Minx to a completely new audience.

"We've found the perfect home. Our writers, cast and crew have created something truly special in Season 2, and I can't wait for everyone to see it," Rapoport says.

Read More: Warner Bros Discover Raises Prices For HBO Max's Ad-Free Plan For The First Time

HBO Max Has Been Canceling Shows Since Last Year

Netflix gained notoriety early in the streaming wars by snatching up shows that other networks had abruptly canceled

According to The Verge, most notably "Lucifer," "Arrested Development," and "Designated Survivor" have been picked up, but in recent years, there have been fewer Netflix rescues.

The ones making the savings now are smaller streaming services like Starz and FAST or free ad-supported streaming television networks like Roku.

It was revealed in April 2022 that AT&T's WarnerMedia had successfully combined with Discovery Plus to become the media giant Warner Bros Discovery, Time writes.

Major projects began to be canceled a few months later, including DC's "Batgirl," starring Leslie Grace, despite the fact that filming had already ended and the movie was scheduled for release.

David Zaslav outlined the adjustments that will be made at the newly created business when he took over as CEO.

He claimed that due to the epidemic, the streaming service will no longer broadcast movies at the same time they were released in theaters.

Although Zaslav provided assurances that the company would embrace, promote, and propel the great success that HBO Max is enjoying, the futures of several popular shows were left in limbo.

Related Article: WarnerMedia is Removing 'Westworld' From HBO Max
Adam Driver has hit back at claims Francis Ford Coppola's $120M passion project Megalopolis is in peril and insisted the situation on set is 'all good.'

The Oscar-nominee, 39, who leads the star-studded cast, broke his silence after it was alleged the legendary director, 83, was in danger of missing a March deadline for the epic, amid mass crew walkouts and a ballooning budget halfway through shooting.

The film features big names Forest Whitaker, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza, and Shia LaBeouf, and centers on an architect who seeks to rebuild New York City after a disaster.

Responding to the Hollywood Reporter's claims in a candid chat with Deadline, Driver said: 'All good here! Not sure what set youre talking about! I dont recognize that one! Ive been on sets that were chaotic and this one is far from it.'

His say: Adam Driver has hit back at claims Francis Ford Coppola's $120M passion project Megalopolis is in peril and insisted the situation on set is 'all good (pictured August 2022)

'The environment thats being created by Francis, is one of focus and inspiration. As of now, were on schedule, making our days, and honestly, its been one of the best shooting experiences Ive had.'

He went onto laud the 'fast and inventive crew' and brand Coppola 'insightful and caring' before addressing the resignations of the art department and VFX crew.

He said: 'Yes, it is true that the art department resigned and VFX were let go. Not all departments find cohesion on films and rather than suffer through and making decisions that leave a lasting impression on the film, people quit, get fired, or part ways. Its unfortunate when it happens, but this production is not out of pocket in comparison to other productions.'

Driver stated that the only 'madness' he had seen on the film's Atlanta set was that 'more productions arent allowed to be as creatively wild and experimentally focused'.

Icon: The Oscar-winner, 39, broke his silence after it was alleged the legendary director, 83,(pictured 2019) was in danger of missing a March deadline for the epic, amid mass crew walkouts and a ballooning budget halfway through shooting

Coppola added that he had never worked on a film where he was 'so happy' with the cast' and insisted the film was 'so on schedule.'

This comes days after it was claimed that, having funded the $120million passion project himself, Coppola was making a slew of changes to cut costs and save the production.

The hectic, last ditch effort comes halfway through the film's 80- to 90-day shoot, and as the set - situated in urban Atlanta has fallen into 'chaos.'

Coppola, however, is no stranger to this kind of disorder - famously encountering problems during filming for his masterpiece Apocalypse Now, during which the director worried the film would be a 'failure' due to the issues.

But that was more than 50 years ago, and times have changed since Coppola's seminal masterpiece.

Speaking anonymously to The Hollywood Reporter, sources described how the director - who has never made a film centered around special effects - had sought to first use costly virtual technology seen in productions like the Mandalorian, before costs spiraled wildly out of control.

On set: Responding to the Hollywood Reporter's claims in a candid chat with Deadline , Driver said: 'All good here! Not sure what set youre talking about! I dont recognize that one!' (pictured on the film's Atlanta set in December 2022)

To rescue Coppola's bottom line, crews reportedly have reverted to more-traditional green screens, leaving what has been touted by the filmmaker as a philosophical 'love story' to likely be less visually impressive than he had planned.

Sources also revealed that the five-time Academy Award winner, whose impressive oeuvre also includes the Godfather Trilogy and Bram Stoker's Dracula, fired almost his entire visual effects team days into shooting just last month.

Shortly thereafter, the remainder of the team resigned, insiders revealed, confiding to the magazine that ever since, 'being on the set is madness.'

The insiders described how Coppola - who fired his visual effects supervisor while filming 1992's Bram Stokers Dracula - is now frantically trying to fill the vacant positions, while also cutting costs to ensure the job gets done, even if it mean sacrificing some of the final product's quality in the process.

'There's no good answer here,' one production executive said of the director's rush to finish the film, which was financed by himself personally, generating the sum through the sale of several of his popular Northern California wineries.

But sources told The Reporter that due to these issues, the movie's original $120 million budget has since expanded, thrusting the cast and crew into chaos amid uncertainty over the film's future.

'[Coppola] is going to spend a lot more money than he intended. You can imagine how much hes already got invested. It would be a very bitter pill not to finish it.'

Comment: Coppola added that he had never worked on a film where he was 'so happy' with the cast' and insisted the film was 'so on schedule' (pictured on set in November 2022)

Direction: Coppola is seen talking to stars Adam Driver and Aubrey Plaza in December 2022

The plot of Megalopolis is described as 'an architect wanting to rebuild New York City as a utopia following a devastating disaster,' but the the 82-year-old filmmaker calls his dream project 'a love story.'

'A woman is divided between loyalties to two men. But not only two men. Each man comes with a philosophical principle,' Francis explained to GQ in February.

An official synopsis for the unreleased production ambiguously states that 'The fate of Rome haunts a modern world unable to solve its own social problems in this epic story of political ambition, genius and dangerous love'.

Coppola late last year elaborated: 'One is her father who raised her, who taught her Latin on his lap and is devoted to a much more classical view of society, the Marcus Aurelius kind of view.

'The other one, who is the lover, is the enemy of the father but is dedicated to a much more progressive "Let's leap into the future, let's leap over all of this garbage that has contaminated humanity for 10K years.

'"Let's find what we really are, which are an enlightened, friendly, joyous species."'

Coppola - who's said he has wanted to make Megalopolis since 1982 - sold a piece of his multimillion-dollar wine empire in order to self-finance the movie, which will be the first to shoot at Prysm Stages' LED volume stage. The sale, which was for multiple properties across Northern California, was valued in the tens of millions.

When asked if he felt any apprehension over funding the project personally, a steadfast Coppola told Deadline in response: 'Whats the worst that can happen to me? Im going to die and be broke? Im not going to be broke.'

The unrest in the final stages of the film's production hearks back to how Coppola famously sent his cast into the heart of the Philippine jungle on the set of 1979's Apocalypse Now.

The shoot was plagued with problems, including severe weather, grave robbers bringing human corpses to set, and leading man Martin Sheen suffering a near-fatal heart attack.

The documentary Hearts of Darkness, made by Coppola's wife, Elanor, highlighted the chaotic production, which took place over the course of three years and yielded a masterpiece.

Coppola, however, is no stranger to this kind of disorder - famously encountering problems during filming for his masterpiece Apocalypse Now. The shoot was plagued with problems, including severe weather, grave robbers bringing human corpses to set, and leading man Martin Sheen (pictured at left next to Coppola) suffering a near-fatal heart attack

The unrest in the final stages of the film's production hearks back to how Coppola famously sent his cast into the heart of the Philippine jungle - over the course of three arduous years - on the set of the seminal war film, which stars Marlon Brando

It remains to be seen whether Coppola will again manage to catch lighting in a bottle with his latest production, with his most recent picturing coming more than a decade ago with 2011s relative letdown Twixt.

For the new film, the legendary Godfather director also cast his younger sister Talia Shire, nephew Jason Schwartzman, and fellow Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman.

The star-studded ensemble also includes Fishburne, Voight, Whitaker, Plaza, Driver, Grace VanderWaal, James Remar, and D.B. Sweeney.

Coppola, the recipient of Five Academy Award including two for Apocalypse Now is considered one of greatest directors in American cinema as is one of the leading figures of the New Hollywood filmmaking movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

In addition to his five Oscars, the director's work as also garnered him six Golden Globe Awards, two Palmes d'Or, and a British Academy Film Award. He has yet to comment on the claims in the Hollywood Reporter report, which were published Monday.
Kanye West shocked fans on Thursday as reports emerged he married Yeezy designer Bianca Censori two months after his divorce from Kim Kardashian.

The rapper, 45, is said to have held a private ceremony with the Aussie designer, 27, and the pair have been spotted wearing wedding rings.

A Kim Kardashian lookalike through-and-through, Censori hails from Kew, Victoria where she went to Carey Baptist Grammar School, according to her LinkedIn.

Surprise: Kanye West, 45, (right) shocked fans on Thursday as reports emerged he has married Yeezy designer Bianca Censori, 27, (left) two months after his divorce from ex-wife Kim Kardashian

After graduating from high school, she started her own jewellery company Nylons as she completed a Bachelor's degree at the University of Melbourne from 2013-2017.

The business began with her friend Irene when they created chokers and bracelets made from Swarovski crystals for themselves and friends, before they realised the potential to set up a store.

In the last two years of her degree, Censori also worked as a design consultant at Kelektiv, a furniture design company in the city.

Censori then moved on to DP Toscano Architects in Collingwood where she stayed as she went for her Masters in Architecture.

Who is Bianca? Censori was raised in Kew, Victoria where she attended Carey Baptist Grammar School before she got her Bachelor and Masters degrees in architecture at the University of Melbourne

In November of 2020, it appears she left Australia right after she graduated from university and moved to Los Angeles to work for West as the Head of Architecture at his fashion design company Yeezy.

Not much else is known about Censori, as she deactivated her social media accounts quickly after the news about her secret nuptials with West broke.

The music artist's followers were stunned by the news, with many left scratching their heads about who Censori is and how their relationship began.

Good job: Censori joined the Yeezy team in November 2020 and lists herself as the Head of Architecture for the brand on her Linkedin page

Sculpture: For Melbourne Design Week last year Censori collaborated with Tanil Raif on this 'speculative design piece exhibiting in vital pleasures'

Racy: Last month, West paid tribute to his 'wife' by releasing the track, Censori Overload - a play on her last name

Last month, West paid tribute to his 'wife' by releasing the track Censori Overload - a play on her last name.

In the lyrics he revealed that he stayed celibate before tying the knot, singing: 'And The Bible said, I cant have any more sex til marriage.'

The song appears to reference his split from Kardashian, opening with the lines: 'Waking up to "I cant do this anymore" text', adding 'I know its 'cause the headlines / Why she wanna leave.'

Spitting image: Just like West's billionaire ex-wife Kardashian (pictured right), Censori is a fan of figure-hugging outfits and boasts a very similar wardrobe to the TV star

Just like West's billionaire ex-wife Kardashian, Censori is a fan of figure-hugging outfits and boasts a very similar wardrobe to the TV star.

Back in May, she turned heads as she arrived at the Balenciaga Fashion Show in New York in a skintight unitard and silver-heeled boots.

Rather awkwardly, Kardashian is a brand ambassador for the fashion house and even hit the runway during the designer's show last October.

Walk this way: Back in May, Censori turned heads as she arrived for the Balenciaga Fashion Show in New York in a skintight unitard and silver heeled boots

Awkward: Kardashian wore the same Balenciaga jumpsuit during an episode of The Kardashians

Fashion double: Back in May, Censori turned heads as she arrived for the Balenciaga Fashion Show, which rather awkwardly, Kardashian is a brand ambassador for

Seeing double: Censori has recently dyed her hair blonde but as a brunette she was a dead ringer for Kardashian

And Censori, who has now deactivated her Instagram account, is no stranger to posing for sexy selfies on Instagram.

In one snap, the stunner showcased plenty of cleavage as she seductively posed in a brown cut-out corset top while sporting a boob tube as she posed with a female friend in another.

In echoes to Kardashian, Censori has recently dyed her dark brown locks peroxide blonde.

Kardashian spent hours dying her naturally dark hair colour last year when she wore Marilyn Monroe's Mr President birthday dress in tribute of the blonde bombshell.

West is said to have held a private ceremony with Censori and the pair have been spotted wearing wedding rings.

The Stronger hitmaker wore his band on a lunch date earlier this week, with sources telling the site the ring symbolises his commitment to her following the ceremony.

However, the union isn't legal because the pair do not appear to have filed a marriage certificate, DailyMail.com reported.
The star admits that her character, Tanya, has similarities to her in real life

Hers has been a Hollywood success story a mere 61 years in the making. After countless career setbacks, cocaine and alcohol addiction, eating disorders, depression, a lot of plastic surgery and affairs with possibly hundreds of young men  Jennifer Coolidge seems finally to have made it.

Gliding on to the stage at the Golden Globes on Tuesday night, she brought down the house as she picked up her first major award: a Best Supporting Actress gong for her role in The White Lotus, HBO's masterful black-comedy series about rich hotel guests behaving badly, which has become a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic.

'My neighbours are speaking to me!' she said of her belated career triumph.

A curvaceous counterpoint to slim, ultra-toned Hollywood starlets  and 'a tall, messy, sexy, tough, charmingly crass Boston-native bombshell' according to one younger ex-boyfriend  Coolidge received a standing ovation.

Jennifer Coolidge received a Best Supporting Actress award at Tuesday's Golden Globes

Many of those watching may not have had the first clue who she was.

But with her inimitable acting style  squinty stares, breathy drawls and glazed sighs  Coolidge has long had a reputation in industry circles for scene-stealing comic cameos.

Yet while hers might have been an unhurried rise to fame, it hasn't been uneventful. Off screen, she has battled drug abuse, anxiety attacks and binge-eating: in fact, she felt so self-conscious about gaining 3st during the pandemic that she almost turned down the part of neurotic heiress Tanya McQuoid in The White Lotus.

Coolidge has said she was 'depressed and massively over-eating' during lockdown, sometimes consuming five or six vegan pizzas a day.

It's just as well she took the part. For decades her roles had been confined to small supporting acts as friends of main characters or rich, dippy women in films such as Legally Blonde and Best In Show.

By far her most famous part was as big-breasted 'Stifler's Mom' in the 1990s boorish sex-comedy franchise American Pie.

Aged 38, she played a cougar who has sex with her teenage son's friend on a billiard table. The role earned her a notoriety that 'got [her] a lot of sexual action . . . If I hadn't had that movie . . . well, let's just say it would've been a very dull decade.'

Coolidge once calculated that the American Pie role was alone responsible for 200 notches on her bedpost  a figure she has since said she might have exaggerated.

Jennifer recently starred in The White Lotus, HBO's masterful black-comedy series about rich hotel guests behaving badly, which has become a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic

Following her success in The White Lotus, a new generation of young male fans have discovered the spectacularly un-woke American Pie films.

'There's always someone who has seen that movie lately,' she said in a 2020 interview after the first series of The White Lotus. 'So then you get a whole new group of young guys. I'm single, so I'm really using it to my advantage.'

Even so, she bristles at being labelled a 'cougar'. 'It sounds more like someone seeking out young men, and I just like it more when it's their idea,' she has said.

In an interview last year, Coolidge told the pop star Ariana Grande about a tryst with a lover who was so young he actually called his mother for advice.

He 'was particularly young  legal, of course, it was all very legal', she hurriedly insisted. But the yawning age gap prompted an 'awkward' moment the following morning when Coolidge announced she needed to get a blow dry. Evidently flummoxed as to where to suggest for a woman of Coolidge's advanced years, he rang his mother to ask.

One of her most famous roles was the 'Stifler's Mom' in the 1990s franchise American Pie

'It was very clear we were in bed together,' she recalled. 'She gave me a good recommendation at a local mall, so it all worked out.'

She has said: 'I love being in love with someone. I love having someone to come home to.' But, she has also admitted: 'A lot of my life was chasing unattainable men, and it got me nowhere.'

Much of her tumultuous life is reflected in the messy role that has now won her a Golden Globe. White Lotus creator Mike White, a close friend, wrote the part for her and she admits that parts of Tanya's character are based on her.

Although their backgrounds are entirely different  Coolidge's father worked in plastics manufacturing rather than being a real-estate tycoon  both women are highly strung.

Tanya, like Jennifer, appears to have a taste for younger men  going to bed with an Italian stallion half her age in series two.

What's more, while a grief-stricken Tanya carries her mother's ashes around in a box, Coolidge was similarly deeply affected by the passing of her mother. Her death from cancer in 1994 was a loss so devastating Coolidge says she was 'unable to function normally' for two years. Her father died in 2015.

White Lotus creator Mike White, a close friend, wrote the part for her and she admits that parts of Tanya's character are based on her. Tanya, like Jennifer, appears to have a taste for younger men  going to bed with an Italian stallion half her age in series two

Raised in the Boston suburbs, Coolidge worried her parents about her mental state by endlessly staring out of the window. They told her TV would ruin her life and locked it up whenever they went out.

However, when her father saw her acting in a school play, he told her: 'You're meant to do this.' But others disagreed. A friend in the industry told her: 'I have a good eye for talent. I don't see you as someone in front of the camera.'

She persevered  with no idea what else to do  and studied acting in New York while working as a cocktail waitress alongside Sandra Bullock.

She also enjoyed a debauched party lifestyle. With little money, Coolidge pretended to be Ernest Hemingway's granddaughter to get into clubs, where she over-indulged on alcohol and cocaine, 'ending up too many nights in ER'.

After a stint in rehab, by 27 she had overcome her habit.

After countless rejections, she gave up on 'serious' acting and joining an improvisation comedy group in Los Angeles.

She was seized by 'full-on anxiety attacks' before castings and never got jobs  often, as she later confided, because she declined 'casting-couch' offers from sleazy producers and directors.

The star also played a troubled manicurist Paulette Bonafonte in Legally Blonde

Aged 32, she made her first TV appearance as Seinfeld's masseuse girlfriend in a 1993 episode of the comedy series.

After a clutch of cameos, she got her break in American Pie and reprised her role two years later in the sequel.

That year, she also played troubled manicurist Paulette Bonafonte in Legally Blonde.

But then her career stalled. She dabbled in supporting roles and appeared in episodes of Friends, Sex And The City and Frasier.

Cosmetic surgery may not have helped her career: Coolidge admits she's been under the knife more than a few times.

She's described 'really good surgery' as a 'fluke' and said she's sometimes seen herself smiling post-surgery and, appalled, felt 'it's not even human'.

She once complained: 'I would say 90 per cent of the scripts that show up on my door are women who have had lots of plastic surgery . . . I also get offered physically altered women, or a woman with a weight problem. It's never the lead. It's always a character part.'

But surely those days are over. Coolidge recently said she'd 'like to continue playing troubled people' but, ever eccentric, told also another interviewer she had 'always wanted to play a dolphin'.

It's difficult to imagine Hollywood any longer saying no to the irrepressible Jennifer Coolidge  even as a dolphin.
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It seems that we could soon witness the first launch of SpaceX's massive rocket, Starship, according to The Hill.

In a series of photos, the company shared the space vehicle's progress ahead of its highly anticipated test flight.

Starship is made up of two major components, a massive first-stage booster called the "Super Heavy" and an upper stage called the "Starship." Both components of the craft are designed to be fully reusable.

Starship's First Orbital Test Flight Could Take Place Soon

SpaceX has been working its way toward the rocket's first orbital test flight, Digital Trends reported.

According to CEO Elon Musk, it could take place as soon as the end of February. Once again, he said that the mission could happen "soon."

On Thursday, he tweeted that SpaceX is about to conduct a series of all-important "wet dress rehearsals."

The wet dress rehearsal will put the rocket through all of the pre-flight procedures prior to its launch.

In the upcoming historic mission, we would see SpaceX pair Starship vehicle Ship 24 with Super Heavy Booster 7.

On Monday, the company released drone footage that features the company's Mechazilla, the gigantic launch tower at Starbase, Texas.

According to SpaceX, if all goes according to plan, the Mechazilla will serve as a launch and eventually a landing tower.

The chopstick-like arms of Mechazilla serve a dual purpose. It helps move hardware on and off the launch pad. In addition, it helps catch the returning Super Heavy boosters.

In 2015, the company first announced its plan to build the massive Starship. In the years that followed, we have seen the company design, and build prototypes at its Texas-based facilities.

Read Also: SpaceX's Starlink Is Now Available To Provide Internet Satellite Services To 32 Countries

Super Heavy Rocket is Expected to be the Most Powerful Rocket to Fly

At launch, the Super Heavy rocket will pack an astonishing 17 million pounds of thrust. When it finally launches, it will become the most powerful rocket ever to fly.

Comparing the space vehicle to NASA's new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket that sent the Orion spacecraft toward the moon in November 2022, the SLS only generates 8.8 million pounds of thrust.

Meanwhile, SpaceX's trusty Falcon 9 rocket generates only 1.7 million pounds.

Given that fact, when the launch finally happens in a couple of months, it's going to be a spectacular sight.

It is expected that the launch will draw huge crowds who want to witness the mission get underway in person.

In the event that the first orbital test flight of the Super Heavy and Starship becomes successful, SpaceX and NASA will then be able to proceed with their plans to use the space vehicle for crewed missions to the moon and even Mars.

As early as 2025, we might see a modified version of the Starship spacecraft land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface as part of the Artemis III mission.

In addition, SpaceX is also planning to use the Starship spacecraft for the all-civilian dearMoon mission. The mission is set to send nine people on a flyby of the moon.

But before then, SpaceX has still plenty of work to be done.

Related Article: Starlink Set To Deploy 53 More Satellites Courtesy of SpaceX's Falcon 9
Seen above is BNK Busan Bank's headquarters in the nation's southern port city / Yonhap



By Lee Min-hyung



BNK Financial Group decided Thursday afternoon the shortlist for its next chairman, about two months after ex-Chairman Kim Ji-wan resigned from the post.



Under the decision, BNK Busan Bank CEO Ahn Kam-chan, Busan Bank's ex-CEO Bin Dae-in and Nautic Investment Vice Chairman Kim Yoon-mo will vie for the top post of the mid-tier financial holding firm, according to its executive recommendation committee.



Earlier, six officials  Ahn, Bin, Kim, BNK Capital CEO Lee Doo-ho, Kyungnam Bank President Sohn Kyo-deok and Shinhan Bank's ex-CEO Wi Sung-ho  had competed to get on the shortlist. Four of them were from the inside the group, while the remaining two had little to do with BNK's management.



The final candidate will take office in March after receiving approval at the group's regular shareholders' meeting.



BNK's executive recommendation committee has placed its top priority in fair assessment to confirm the shortlist, it said.



BNK Busan Bank's union urged the committee to pick a chairman who is free of any political risks.



"Regardless of whether the candidate is from the inside of the group, the next chairman should not be at risk of being involved in any judicial procedures, nor should he face any regulatory risks from watchdogs," the bank's union said. "When such leaders are appointed again, this may end up causing another leadership vacuum."



Earlier in November, the ex-BNK chief stepped down from the post for his alleged involvement in offering unfairly preferential business treatment to Hanyang Securities, where his son works, about five months before the end of his tenure.



"The committee should carefully review whether the next leader is qualified to lead the group's nine affiliates and 8,000 employees, rather than focusing on what appears to be an amazing resume," the union said.



As the shortlist has been finalized, the committee will also carry out in-depth interviews with them on Jan. 19 and then pick the final candidate for the position.


From left, pastors Kwon Soon-wung, Lee Young-hoon and Song Hong-do pose during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday, held to announce projects lined up for the United Christian Churches of Korea (UCCK) this year. Lee was elected as the new president of the Protestant association at the end of last year. Courtesy of UCCK



By Park Han-sol



The United Christian Churches of Korea (UCCK), one of the largest coalitions of Protestant churches here, unveiled, Thursday, major projects lined up for this year to help resolve key issues facing today's Korean society, from the falling birthrate to the aid of trauma survivors.



In the wake of the Oct. 29 Itaewon tragedy that killed nearly 160 people in a fatal crowd crush, the association announced its plan to establish a psychological trauma center for the recovery of survivors of scarring events and their families.



The center is set to be launched within the first half of 2023 in a joint initiative with Yoido Full Gospel Church and the Korean Counseling Service Network.



"We are working with teams of experts who ran a similar organization to aid the survivors after the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster," Lee Young-hoon, Yoido Full Gospel Church senior pastor who was elected as the UCCK's new president last year, said at a New Year's press conference, Thursday.



"The new center will be dedicated to continuously counseling and treating those affected by the Itaewon tragedy and other disasters."



In an all-out effort to address the country's chronic declining birthrate  with the number of babies born reaching yet another record low of 20,658 last October, according to Statistics Korea  the association signed a memorandum of understanding last December with the Presidential Committee on Ageing Society and Population Policy.



It is also looking to organize its own committee and launch joint campaigns to call for an expanded state- and church-level form of parenting and child support, "from financial support to childcare, housing and education in general," the president noted.



In addition, UCCK announced that its mission of building houses for the victims of wildfires in the eastern coastal county of Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, will come to completion in March. The forest fire, which took place last March, became one of the most devastating disasters the country has faced as it burned nearly 30,000 hectares of land for nine days.



"It is meaningful that the construction of a total of 54 houses is centered on helping low-income households and people with disabilities," Lee said.



As for the humanitarian aid of North Korea, the Protestant coalition vowed to continue its projects on the construction of a cardiovascular treatment hospital in Pyongyang and tree-planting.


Image of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) captured by OU astronomy department students (Photo by arrangement)

HYDERABAD: A comet that finds its way into the solar system once in 50,000 years, Comet C/2022 E3(ZTF), has students at the astronomy department of Osmania University excited. A group of them saw the comet through a telescope and managed to capture an image of the celestial object.

The last time Comet ZTF  named after the Zwicky Transient Facility of the Palomar Observatory in California spotted it first on March 2, 2022  went around the Sun was during the time of Neanderthals, an extinct sub-species of humans. That was also the time when the early Homo sapiens, the current species of humans, began roaming our planet.

We never expected to see something like this. A comet that comes around once in 50,000 years, said an excited Pothapragada V.V. Sai Shanmukh, a second year MSc Astrophysics student. He and a group of students spent a night at the Japal Rangapur Observatory in Ranga Reddy districts Manchal mandal as part of their practical class last week.

The excitement of seeing something humans have not seen since civilisation began, was palpable as the astrophysics student said: We were, like, shocked. This was the first time I ever saw a comet. I imaged it. It was a great experience. But it took a 30 second shot, after several tries to get a clear picture through a 12-inch telescope on a computerized mount that tracks celestial objects, Shanmukh told Deccan Chronicle.

The students, led by the departments Dr J. Rukmini, were observing celestial objects on the night of January 7, and decided to give Comet ZTF a try in the early hours of the day, currently the best time to spot it.

Though it was at its perihelion  closest to the Sun  on Friday, the comet, nicknamed the Neanderthal Comet, that comes from the Oort Cloud beyond the far reaches of the solar system, is expected to get to its closest position to earth on February 2 when astronomers hope that it will become bright enough to be seen with the naked eye  if the moonlight does not wash it out.

However, at this point of time, it is expected that the comet would be a star-like fuzzy green coloured object in the sky that can be seen between the North Star in Ursa Minor constellation and the pan handle end of the Ursa Major constellation in the northern sky as it nears the earth towards the end of this month.

Astronomers say that it could develop a tail as the days go by and put up a spectacular show, or could remain a dim object that can be seen with a pair of binoculars or through a telescope.
Ram Gopal Varma.

HYDERABAD: Films and politics continue their inextricable relationship in Andhra Pradesh, especially in the run-up to elections, with fan clubs of Megastar Chiranjeevi and late N.T. Rama Rao, predominantly led by actor and TD MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna, indulging in bitter and sometimes, violent, rivalry.

In this context, hectic efforts are being made to work out a truce between the two warring fan clubs, at the behest of the Telugu Desam, with Balakrishna-starrer Veera Simha Reddy and Chiranjeevi-starrer Waltairu Veeraiah set to release on Sankranti.

Dismissing the efforts as politics of opportunity, the ruling YSR Congress said that the TDs sudden love for Chiranjeevi was a strategy to not antagonise the strong Kapu community in the backdrop of a possible alliance between the Telugu Desam and the Pawan Kalyan-led Jana Sena.

Walking the extra mile, TD general secretary and former minister Nara Lokesh appealed to fans of both actors to be cautious about the evil elements instigating fan wars, pitching one community against the other. We are all one. Let us all not fall prey to dirty and divisive politics (of the ruling YSR Congress), he said in a tweet.

Lokesh has every reason to be worried, as two groups had clashed in the United States on New Years Day which led to the arrest of a few TD leaders.

Chiranjeevi, who, of late, has been indirectly promoting the candidature of his brother Pawan Kalyan, too extended an olive branch to the rival camp by agreeing to postpone the release of his film by a day, leaving the first day of the festive season releases to Balakrishna.

Playing the spoilsport in the truce game is the maverick movie director Ram Gopal Varma, a perennial critic of the Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan duo. Varma sharpened his criticism apparently after striking a movie deal with the ruling party.

The director is all set to launch a film with AP Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys character as the protagonist.

Soon after the meeting between Naidu and Pawan Kalyan recently in Hyderabad, the movie director, through his favourite mode of communication  Twitter unleashed a vitriolic attack on the Jana Sena chief for what he described as mortgaging the interests of the Kapu community to the Kamma community.
Family members mourn next to the bodies of residents who were killed after two gunmen suspected to be anti-India rebels opened fire on houses in the remote village of Dangri in Rajouri district on January 2, 2023. - Ten people have been killed within six days in a sudden uptick in violence in the usually more peaceful Hindu south of disputed Indian-administered Kashmir, officials said on January 2. (Photo: PTI)

RAJOURI/JAMMU: Terrorists struck for the second time at the same site within 14 hours in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri, leaving a minor sister-brother duo dead and six others injured in an IED explosion on Monday.

Sanvi Sharma (7) and Vihan Kumar Sharma (4) were killed in the blast in Dangri village where terrorists had opened fire at three houses on Sunday evening, killing four civilians and injuring six others, according to officials.

The explosion took place near the house of Pritam Lal, a victim of the terror attack on Sunday evening, locals said. There were several people, including Lal's relatives, in the house when the blast took place at around 9.30 am.

As the incidents led to protests across the district, including in Rajouri town, and a complete shutdown, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh, who visited the site, said that the IED blast was intended to target senior officers who were about to reach there.

He announced that village defence committees (VDCs) will now be revived and rearmed, after some protesting leaders and locals claimed that the incident could have been averted had the authorities not taken away the weapons of VDCs.

Senior J-K BJP leader and former MLC Vibodh Gupta alleged that 60 per cent of guns of VDCs have been taken back.

The DGP also met the protesters who were refusing to conduct the last rites of the victims.

The VDCs were first set up in the mid-1990s in the Chenab Valley area of Jammu to arm and train villagers to defend against Pakistan-sponsored militants and comprise villagers as well as Special Police Officers (SPOs).

Those behind the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Dangri village will not go unpunished, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Monday and announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia and a government job to the next of kin of the deceased civilians.

I strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Rajouri. I assure the people that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, Sinha said in a tweet.

Officials said a team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reached Dangri village for an investigation

Medical Superintendent of Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri Mehmood H. Bajar confirmed the death of four persons in the firing incident.

The improvised explosive device (IED) was planted beneath a bag, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu, Mukesh Singh told reporters in Rajouri.

The army and police are conducting a massive search operation, the senior police officer, who reached the spot along with Jammu-Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar, said.

He said that locals have reported that two terrorists are involved in the attack.

DGP Dilbag Singh, who reached the attack site in Rajouri, I came because it was more important to be in solidarity with the families. So instead of heading to Kashmir, I came straight away. Do not forget this incident. There may be more IEDs as well.

The DGP also reached the protest site and said that the people of Rajouri have bravely fought terrorism in the past. "I am sad over the killings. It is a matter of grief. It is time to give a boost to VDCs".

"No guns will be taken away..., if some guns have been taken away, they will be returned (to VDCs) and and more guns will be provided if needed," he said.

"Let us not disrespect the bodies and conduct cremation of the bodies," he urged the protesters.

The injured in the Monday incident- Kanaya Sharma (14), Vanshu Sharma (15), Samiksha Devi (20), Sharda Devi (38), Kamlesh Devi (55) and Samiksha Sharma - were admitted to the hospital.

On Sunday's attack, Singh said two terrorists fired on three houses in which four people were killed and six injured. The condition of the injured is stable, he said.

These are the first such incidents in the past many years in the otherwise peaceful Jammu region.

Village Sarpanch (headman) Deepak Kumar said that it was a serious security lapse on the part of police and security agencies.

It is a serious security lapse by security agencies. Minority community people do not feel secure. The administration should take tough measures, he told reporters in Rajouri.

Protesters carried the bodies of those killed in Sunday's attack in a procession and kept them at Dongri Chowk.

They demanded that Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha should come to meet them so that they can put their demands before him.

Several senior administration and police officials tried to persuade the protesters to conduct the last rites of the victims but in vain.

The protesters said that if the LG does not come to them by this evening, they will not cremate the bodies till Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets them.

In Jammu, protests against Pakistan were held by VHP, Bajrang Dal, Mission Statehood, Shiv Sena and Dogra Front.
Bangalore University. (Representational Image)

BENGALURU: Alarmed by media reports about a leopard being sighted on its campus, the Bangalore University has asked students, faculty and other staff to be watchful and report on spotting the movement of the big cat.

In a circular issued on Thursday, the Registrar of BU at the Jnanabharathi campus referred to such reports, and said a letter has been sent to the Forest Department urging it to catch the leopard and take appropriate action.

"In view of reports appearing in the media and social media platforms about the leopard sighting on the campus, all the students of the university, especially those staying in the university hostels, teaching faculties and other staff are hereby directed that they should be cautious and avoid moving around in the night. Also, they should immediately inform their higher-ups once they spot the movement of leopard," the circular read.

Last month, there was a scare in parts of the Bengaluru south region, and in and around Turahalli forest off Kanakapura Road of the big cat's movements.

Forest officials suspected at the time that two leopards might have strayed into Turahalli forest and nearby areas from Bannerghatta reserved forest in the city, which is in close proximity.
Brigadier K. Somashankar, Officiating General Officer Commanding, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh sub area. (DC Image)

Hyderabad: The Indian Army will celebrate its 75th Army Day in Bengaluru on January 15, marking the first time the event will be held outside Delhi, as part of the Centres initiative to spread out events to different parts of the country.

The Army Day parade this year will witness eight marching contingents, including a horse-mounted cavalry one from the Army Service Corps and a military band composed of regimental brass bands. The parade will witness a fly-past of Dhruv and Rudra helicopters, according to Brigadier K. Somashankar, Officiating General Officer Commanding, Telangana and Andhra sub area.

In addition, various weapon systems from the Army inventory, including KS Vajra-propelled guns, Pinaka rockets, T-90 tanks, BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle, Tunguska air defence system, 155mm Bofors weapons system and light strike vehicle Swathi radar, Brig. Somashankar said.

Towards fulfilling the aim of the event being conducted at Bengaluru, we have reached out to the general public to increase awareness about the Army and the significance of the Army Day, an official said.

A run, themed Run for Soldiers - Run With Soldiers, was organised at 18 different stations in the Southern Command.

In Hyderabad, it was conducted at the NTR Marg, where 1,000 people participated. A blood donation camp was also organised, in which 7,500 units of blood were collected in Secunderabad.

At Hyderabad military hospitals, under the Vidyanjali scheme, 75 government-aided schools were identified and mutually beneficial development programmes were shared.

The Army Day parade will commence with a wreath-laying ceremony at Madras Engineer Centre war memorial by the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande who will pay homage to personnel who died in the line of duty.

Gen. Pande will review the parade at the MEG and Centre Bengaluru Parade Ground and give away gallantry awards for individual acts of bravery and sacrifice.

In addition, the COAS unit citations will also be awarded to units for their performance under active operational circumstances.
Long queue of vehicles on Vijayawada - Hyderabad National Highway as people have started heading for their ancestral homes, towns and villages for Sankranti celebrations (Narayana Rao/DC)

VIJAYAWADA: After a gap of two years plagued by the Covid crisis, lakhs of people are streaming from big cities to their native places in Andhra Pradesh to celebrate the three-day Sankranti festival.

National highways are jammed with traffic and railway stations and bus terminals are crowded day and night, as families have started heading for their ancestral homes, towns or villages.

A festive atmosphere prevails in villages, towns and cities across the state. Over 25 lakh people are returning to their native places in AP from adjacent Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka etc to celebrate Sankranti in full throttle for three days, transport sector analysts said.

The vehicular traffic on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada National Highway has increased tremendously since Thursday evening. After the governments of the two Telugu states declared holidays, the people living in Hyderabad have started heading to their native villages in Andhra Pradesh. The Hyderabad-Vijayawada and Hyderabad-Kurnool national highways have been experiencing heavy traffic since Thursday night.

The rush of vehicles towards Vijayawada largely increased on Friday at Chillakallu toll plaza of NTR district and Keesara toll plaza of Kanchikacherla mandal. Earlier, nearly 20,000 to 25,000 vehicles used to pass the toll gate a day. Another 10,000 to 15,000 vehicles in the arrival mode passed by on Friday.

Road congestion was also witnessed at the Pantangi toll plaza of Yadadri district in Telangana. Vehicles were stuck for a long time at the toll plazas as the flow became intense since Friday morning. At one stage, the traffic was stopped in queues for more than a km, even as the Fast Tag system was in force.

During 2021 and 2022, most people wary of the Covid infection avoided visiting their native places.

Natives of AP working in Hyderabad, R. Vinod and Leela Krishna, said the pandemic situation is now a thing of the past and all controls have been lifted. This would help them to celebrate Sankranti with pomp and gaiety. Sankranti is a harvest festival that reunites not only family members but the whole neighbourhood, they noted.

By evening on Friday, the traffic on the Hyderabad-Kurnool national highway had increased. Vehicles were waiting in long queues at the Tummalacheruvu toll plaza on the Nalgonda-Miryalaguda-Guntur NH. Traffic was also increasing at the Badava toll plaza on the NH from Bhadrachalam to Vijayawada.
Supreme Court (PTI)

New Delhi: The Central government on Friday told the Supreme Court that it was contemplating bringing a "comprehensive" amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure to deal with hate speech and hate crimes. The top court said what was required was a "will and a pure heart" to enforce the existing laws and deprecated the visual media for not behaving responsibly and airing programmes that did not reflect different views during live debates.

The top courts observation on the way the existing laws are being enforced and the irresponsible way certain visual media outfits were conducting themselves came in the course of the hearing of a batch of petitions seeking curbs on hate mongering and hate crimes.

The additional solicitor-general (ASG) K.M. Nataraj told a bench of Justices K.M. Joseph and B.V. Nagarathna that the Centre was contemplating a "comprehensive" amendment to deal with the issue and had sought input from the states and eventually it will take a legislative route and go to Parliament.

Observing that it all depends on what you are going to do about it, Justice Joseph said that it is not that we dont have laws to deal with the issue before the court but "what is required is will and a pure heart" to enforce them.

To address the courts concerns, the ASG said that there are sufficient checks and balances if the agencies dont act as they are required to. Justice Joseph said that "the checks and balances are not enforced in a manner where it should produce results."

Referring to the top courts judgment in Lalita Kumaris case, Mr Natraj said that if police are not registering a case relating to a hate speech or hate crime, the complainant can directly file a complaint.

An unimpressed Justice Joseph said: "There is fear in everyone and nobody wants to stick ones neck out," and pointed to a recent incident where a senior police officer was brutally attacked in the presence of a crowd.

Expressing strong reservations over the current state of television news channels and saying they are creating divisions in society since such channels are driven by agenda and compete to sensationalise news, the bench aired its concerns over the way anchors conduct themselves during live telecasts of debates.

The bench said that during the debates, certain panellists are kept "muted" throughout and some get a disproportionately large share of airtime.

Justice Nagarathna said that we have had television news in our country for decades but there is no authority to regulate it like the Press Council of India is for the print media. The court made it clear that it was not in favour of any governmental interference in media matters.

The bench asked the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) and the Central government about how it can control such broadcasts.

"Everything is driven by TRP. Channels are basically competing with each other. They sensationalise it. How do you control this? You create divisions in society because of the visual element. The visual medium can influence you much more than a newspaper... Our audience --are they mature enough to see this content?" Justice Joseph asked.

Observing that it was the anchors, editors and management that controlled the content of a programme, Justice Joseph said, "You cant have bias. You cant have a one-sided programmer. If freedom of expression is exercised with an agenda, then you are not serving the people but someone else."

Issuing notice to Haryana, Rajasthan and Maharashtra on the incidents of hate speech and violence, the court gave them three weeks time to respond and posted the matter for hearing after four weeks.
The court, in the PIL, identified the lack of infrastructure in peripheries to attend to patients in serious condition, and the lack of operation theatres and specialist doctors as the causes for the incident. (Representative image: DC)

Hyderabad: A suo motu PIL taken up by the Telangana High Court over the death of a woman and her newborn child, after the pregnant woman was forced to travel 124 kilometres while in labour, served to highlight the lack of infrastructure in peripheral health centres.

The woman, 24-year-old Charagonda Swarna, approached a primary health centre (PHC) in Padara of Nagarkurnool district on the night of December 27, 2022, from where she was moved to government hospitals in Amrabad, Achampet, Nagarkurnool and finally Mahbubnagar, where she delivered the baby. But both mother and child died.

The court, in the PIL, identified the lack of infrastructure in peripheries to attend to patients in serious condition, and the lack of operation theatres and specialist doctors as the causes for the incident.

As per the Rural Health Statistics 2020-21 report, the number of community health centres (CHCs) and PHCs in the state are 53 per cent and 12 per cent fewer, respectively, than the required numbers. The report also highlighted a shortage of 53 surgeons, 74 lab technicians and 279 pharmacists for PHCs and CHCs.

Another instance of the shortfall in the number of health centres was seen in a reply to an RTI, which stated that only 72 staffers were available against a sanctioned strength of 258 at the Narayanpet District Hospital.

The RTI reply stated that since the formation of Naraynpet district in 2019, CHCs were sanctioned at Maddur and Kosgi the same year, but they are still under construction, while at Makthal, officials converted a district hospital to a medical college, without completing the construction of a CHC to serve as a substitute.

Dr K. Mahesh Kumar, president of the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA), said that the incident in question clearly showed the lapses in primary healthcare in Telangana. The HRDA has been demanding the health department focus more on improving primary healthcare, rather than focusing on secondary or tertiary care centres.

The lack of specialist doctors at rural health centres is also because many doctors are hesitant to work at these centres. A doctor from a government hospital in Hyderabad said the government should provide some incentive for doctors to work in far-flung areas, as without them, most doctors would choose to work in bigger towns and cities.

As per Rural Health Statistics 2020-21 report

Shortage of CHCs in TS: 53%

Shortage of PHCs: 12%

Shortage of surgeons: 53

Shortage of lab technicians: 74

Shortage of pharmacists: 279
According to RTA sources, officials will also focus on ticket fare pricing, and if travel brokers and private bus operators are found to be selling tickets at excessively high prices, severe action would be taken against them. (Photo: DC file)

Hyderabad: Taking advantage of the increased demand for Sankranti, private bus operators are hiring mini-buses that do not have national permits or proper documents to carry passengers to their native places.

According to Road Transport Authority officials, these operators have hired 500 buses in addition to the 900 buses that operate to other states and districts. During the last 10 days, a higher number of buses have been operating to Andhra Pradesh and various parts of Karnataka. Buses to Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Srikakulam, Bengaluru, and Tirupati are in high demand for the festival.

RTA authorities have been monitoring and inspecting private buses on the Hyderabad-Vijayawada highway for the past two days. Six private buses were detained by the officials for failing to carry the necessary documentation, fire safety and other fitness certificates.

Private agencies have raised the fare far beyond the standard rate and are selling tickets in black, allotting seats at the last minute, said Srinivas Gudiganta, a frequent traveller. Typically, the fare from Hyderabad to Vijayawada is around Rs 1,100, but now it costs between Rs 2,600 and Rs 3,100, said K. Shreya, a city hosteller and a native of Satyanarayanapuram in Vijayawada.

According to RTA sources, officials will also focus on ticket fare pricing, and if travel brokers and private bus operators are found to be selling tickets at excessively high prices, severe action would be taken against them.
Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder calls on a reporter during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12. AP-Yonhap



The United States remains ready and capable to deter and counter any potential aggression against South Korea under its extended deterrence, a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday, in apparent opposition to possible nuclear armament of its Asian ally.



South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said earlier this week that Seoul may deploy tactical nuclear weapons "or possess its own nuclear capabilities" should North Korean provocations intensify.



Yoon's remark followed an unprecedented number of ballistic missiles launched by North Korea. Pyongyang fired 69 ballistic missiles, including eight intercontinental ballistic missiles last year, far exceeding its previous annual record of 25.



Defense Department Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the issue was for the South Korean government to address when asked during a daily press briefing.



However, from a U.S. standpoint, he said, "Our policy continues to remain focused on the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."



"A lot of this has to do with the fact, from a regional security and stability standpoint and non-proliferation, in terms of preventing the potential chance for the use of nuclear weapons, and so, from a United States perspective, again, our policy remains very clear on denuclearization," he added.



Ryder also emphasized U.S. extended deterrence provided to South Korea and other allies in the region, which he earlier said includes the "full range of U.S. nuclear capabilities."



"It's important also to remember that the Republic of Korea falls under that extended deterrence umbrella. And so, in addition to the U.S. forces that are assigned there on the peninsula, our allies in the region to include South Korea are part of that," he told the press briefing.



The U.S. currently maintains some 28,500 troops on the Korean Peninsula.





South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol points to a white telephone on desk that he said is meant for a direct hotline communications channel with the North Korean leader, during an interview at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Jan. 10 Yonhap
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will arrive in Mahbubabad today and will inaugurate the collectorate complex. (File Photo:DC)

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will visit Mahbubabad and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts on Thursday to inaugurate the newly-constructed Integrated District Collectorate Complexes.

The Chief Minister will arrive in Mahbubabad at 10 am and inaugurate the collectorate complex. He will interact with district officials of various departments and guide them on the effective implementation of welfare schemes and development programmes.

The Chief Miniser will later proceed to Bhadradri Kothagudem and inaugurate the collectorate complex in the evening. The Chief Minister is expected to conduct review meetings with officials in both the districts to speed up pending projects and the new projects and funds that need to be sanctioned.

The Chief Minister resumed district tours after a gap of one month. In December, the Chief Miniser visited Mahbubnagar and Jagtial and inaugurated the new collectorate complex besides TRS district offices. His last visit was on December 7 to Jagtial district.

However, his district tours were put off later as the Chief Minister was busy launching the BRS on December 9 following Election Commission approval for changing TRS to BRS on December 8.

Thereafter, the Chief Minister left for Delhi to inaugurate the BRS national office on December 14.
The Congress senior leader expressed happiness over the order. After a long committed struggle of 42 months, Babasaheb Ambedkars statue will be released from the police lock-up, (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: Former PCC president and Rajya Sabha member V. Hanumantha Rao stated that Dr B.R. Ambedkar's bronze statue, which had been in police custody for four years, would be released soon, claiming that the 14th Additional Chief Metropolitan Court, Nampally, had written to the station house officer, Panjagutta police station instructing him to hand over the statue of the architect of the Constitution.

The Congress senior leader expressed happiness over the order. After a long committed struggle of 42 months, Babasaheb Ambedkars statue will be released from the police lock-up, he said.

Hanumantha Rao told the media at the Gandhi Bhavan on Friday that the tireless fight of the Congress leaders had paid off, with the court ordering the police to hand over Ambedkar's statue. This was a triumph for Dalits and the oppressed for whom Dr Ambedkar fought.

'We spearheaded several agitations and organised round table meetings of all party leaders and social organisations to release the Ambedkar statue from police custody, he stated. In this regard, he said, many letters were addressed to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, the then Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana Rao, among others.

It should be mentioned that Ambedkar's statue was brought from Amalapuram on June 18, 2019. When the statue was erected in Panjagutta by Jai Bheem activists on April 12, 2019, the statue was dismantled and thrown in a dustbin the next day on the GHMCs directions, he alleged.

Following that, he added, several protests were staged by social organisations and political party leaders.
Former Uppal legislator N.V.S.S.Prabhakar with locals and BJP leaders at thesite of the allegedencroachment at HMT Nagar lake in Hyderabad on Friday. (DC)

Hyderabad: BJP leader and former Uppal legislator N.V.S.S. Prabhakar on Friday approached the GHMC, demanding action against a 'series of illegal constructions along the HMT Nagar lake banks in Uppal.

Accompanied by some local residents and BJP leaders, Prabhakar visited the lake on Friday on being informed about illegal constructions that were underway behind High Court Colony abutting the lake in Chilkanagar division. He alleged that the GHMC and its town planners had made no attempt to stop the encroachment.

Prabhakar asked GHMC officials to take stern action against the builders and threatened that the party would stage a protest to save lakes and nalas.

LB Nagar zone assistant city planner M.N. Venkata Ramana told Deccan Chronicle that the area which Prabhakar had visited was not a bumper zone as was being claimed but a HMDA-approved land.

"Those constructions are not illegal, except one, which we did look into," he said. Uppal deputy commissioner Aruna Kumari added that a penthouse being built in the area was illegal and action has been taken against them.

"We issued a notice and if it's not taken down within seven days, we will demolish it," she said, adding that the same has been conveyed to the BJP leader, who said he would await an update.

Town planning section officer Mounika Ramasetty said that the team has proper documents to prove that the construction, a residential building (stilt+2 floors) has been approved by HMDA. "Only the construction of a penthouse for a water tank has been issued a notice," she explained.
South Central Railway general manager Arun Kumar Jain stated that each student will be accompanied by one parent and that the lucky ones of the first ride were chosen through a quiz contest held by the railways. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: The eighth semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express, which will be virtually flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 15 from Secunderabad, will carry several schoolchildren as its first passengers.

The Vande Bharat Express, which will run between Secunderabad and Viskahapatnam, will have 16 compartments with rotating seats and can seat 1,128 passengers.

South Central Railway general manager Arun Kumar Jain stated that each student will be accompanied by one parent and that the lucky ones of the first ride were chosen through a quiz contest held by the railways. The competitions were held for students from Kendriya Vidyalaya, the Railway Mixed High School, Navodaya School, and the Railway Junior College.

Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union tourism minister G. Kishan Reddy will be among those present at the Secunderabad railway station for the inaugural run.

The students from the city will deboard the train at Kazipet, and another set of students from Kazipet and Warangal will take their place. The idea is to provide an opportunity to students to experience the journey. Once they disembark, we will transport them back to their respective places, Jain told Deccan Chronicle.

Jain said the commercial operations of the train will begin from January 16, and a notification will be issued enabling passengers to book tickets.

On its regular run, the Vande Bharat Express will leave Secunderabad at 3 pm and reach Visakhapatnam at 11.30 pm. On its return journey, it will leave Viskhapatnam at 5.45 am, and arrive at Secunderabad at 2.15 pm. The train will get a weekend break on Sundays with operations planned for six days a week.

Jain said the Vande Bharat Express will be the fastest train between the two cities covering the distance in 8.30 hours running at an average speed of 130 km per hour. The next fastest train between Secunderabad and Visakhapatnam, the Duronto Express, takes 11 hours and 10 minutes.

However, on its inaugural run, the train will halt at Cherlapally, Bhongir, Jangaon, Kazipet, Warangal, Mahbubabad, Dornakal, Khammam, Madhira, Kondapally, Vijayawada, Nuziveedu, Eluru, Tadepalligudem, Nidadavolu, Rajahmundry, Dwarapudi, Samalkot, Tuni, Anakapalle, and Duvvada stations enroute.

We are halting the train at all these stations on its first run so people can see the train. From January 16, when its commercial operations start, it will halt only at Warangal, Khammam, Vijayawada and Rajahmundry, Jain said.
Union home minister Amit Shah. (Photo: PTI)

NEW DELHI: Union home minister Amit Shah on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to review the situation on the sinking town of Joshimath here, even as the local administration began demolishing two unsafe hotels  Hotels Malari Inn and Mount View  which had developed cracks, and the government shifted people to temporary relief centres.

The Uttarakhand government is offering an interim relief of Rs 1.5 lakh per affected family, and Rs 4,000 per month to pay for rent. Officials said the Joshimath administration was evacuating affected families to a safer place As of now, 723 houses have been identified that have reportedly developed deep cracks.

Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Bhupendra Yadav, Gajendra Shekhawat, R.K. Singh, Union home secretary Ajay Bhalla, Border Roads Organisation officers, and senior home ministry officials were present in Shahs meeting.

According to sources, Shah was updated on the rehabilitation of residents of Joshimath and issues related to the evacuation.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Court asked the state government on Thursday to formulate a robust plan for subsidence-hit Joshimath town in Chamoli district.

Hearing a PIL on the crisis, a division bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Alok Kumar Verma directed the government to form a committee of independent experts to look into the matter.

The court said the committee must include Disaster Management Authority CEO Piyush Rautela and Executive Director, Space Application Centre, MPS Bisht.
The High Court reiterated that life sentence which imposed by the trial court has to be read as the entire biological life of the convicted person. (DC)

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court held on Saturday that remission is not an indefeasible right of convicts, and they cannot seek premature release on the sole ground that they have completed 18 years of sentence and 24 years of sentence including remission.

A division bench comprising Justice Annireddy Abhishek Reddy and Justice G. Anupama Chakravarthy gave the order on a petition filed by a woman stating that her father Sk. Zakaria, who was convicted to life imprisonment for murdering a government servant, M.A. Khadeer, deputy secretary of the then AP Wakf Board, in 2003.

She said her father had completed 18 years of the sentence, and had been in jail for 24 years. She said the authorities had not released her father and it was nothing but illegal detention. During the hearing, she asked the court to direct authorities to pay compensation for the illegal detention of her father.

She had earlier filed three petitions before the High Court seeking remission for her father. The court had not passed orders, stating that the power of remission had to be exercised by the government. The court had directed the jail superintendent to consider the case of Zakaria for remission.

In the present petition, her counsel Pushpinder Kaur said that in spite Zakaria being eligible for remission even as per GO Ms No 30 of the home department of September 26, 2020, the authorities were not passing orders for his release. This was abuse of law, counsel said.

GO 30 said that convicted male prisoners sentenced to imprisonment for life and who had undergone an actual sentence of 10 years including remand period and total sentence of 14 years including remission on October 2, 2020, shall be released.

Mujeeb Kumar Sadashivuni, special government counsel, argued that it could not be said that any convicted person serving imprisonment for life would be automatically entitled for release as soon as he completes a prison term of 14 years or 20 years. Sadashivuni submitted several citations of the Supreme Court in this regard.

Agreeing with the states stand, the High Court reiterated that life sentence which imposed by the trial court has to be read as the entire biological life of the convicted person. The detenu does not have any vested right to seek release automatically as soon as he completes the period of sentence of either 14 years or 20 years, as the case may be.

The court also said that the petitioner's father could not be said to be illegally detained, because he had not been granted remission so far.
BJP general secretary Sunil Bansal, who is the partys in-charge for state affairs, is learnt to have impressed upon them the importance of maintaining unity and steps needed to strengthen the party at the ground level. (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: With about 11 months left for a new government to be formed in Telangana, the BJP has called upon its ground-level booth committee members and workers, along with its leaders, to devote at least 200 days to make the party battle-ready.

On the second day of his meetings with party leaders from parliamentary constituencies, BJP general secretary Sunil Bansal, who is the partys in-charge for state affairs, is learnt to have impressed upon them the importance of maintaining unity and steps needed to strengthen the party at the ground level.

On Wednesday, Bansal interacted with leaders from Medak and Bhongir constituencies and underscored the need for booth committees. Incidentally, the BJP has been struggling for quite some time on this front.

Dubbak legislator M. Raghunandan Rao told reporters after the Medak constituency meeting that the strengthening of the party from the booth level upwards was discussed at the meeting.

People of the state have decided that they have had enough of the BRS government and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. It was time for them to go. The BJP is the alternative, and every booth committee president and workers should strive to spread the party message for 200 days in order to bring the party to power in the state, he said.

State BJP general secretary G. Premender Reddy said that Bansal has urged them to be among the public and expose the anti-people policies of the BRS government. The plan to hold at least 10,000 village-level meetings was also discussed, he said.

The BJP sees a fair chance of winning Bhongir, Medak and Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seats.
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bomma. (Photo: ANI)

HUBBALI: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday hit out at the Congress dubbing the party a "gateway to dirty politics".

He was reacting to former state Congress president and MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao, who had alleged that K S Manjunath alias 'Santro' Ravi, who allegedly has a criminal background, was a BJP worker.

A 12th standard dropout, 51-year-old Ravi faces charges of sex trafficking, rape and atrocities and is presently at large. Opposition parties have alleged that he was close to many ministers in the Karnataka government. Ravi had been allegedly operating for the past two decades.

Quoting a media report, Rao tweeted, Santro Ravi himself claimed that he is a BJP worker. Such people can only exist in BJP. BJP is full of cheats, greedy, bribe-taking and sexual predators. What moral rights do the hypocrite BJP leaders have to talk about culture, customs and ideas?

Bommai told reporters: The Congress is politically bankrupt. Dinesh knows well the kind of people there in his party. I will not stoop to their level".

Congress is a gateway to dirty politics. Let them keep their house in order first, he added.

The CM also said he has given instructions to verify if Ravi is a BJP worker or not.
Fridays meeting indicates a new political dynamic may be on the horizon with the Gamangs expected to join the BRS soon. (DC Photo)

HYDERABAD: As the BRS gears up for the first public meeting at Khammam on January 18 since its name change from the TRS, to lead the Opposition's show of strength with non-BJP CMs, former Odisha chief minister Giridhar Gamang and his son Shishir, who quit the Congress and joined the BJP in 2015, met with BRS president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao at Pragathi Bhavan on Friday.

Taking place against the backdrop of BRS plan to mobilise five lakh people for the Khammam event, Fridays meeting indicates a new political dynamic may be on the horizon with the Gamangs expected to join the BRS soon.

Giridhar Gamang, had caused a stir in 1999: He had taken over as Odisha Chief Minister but had not yet resigned from his Lok Sabha seat. His vote is seen to have led the Vajpayee government's fall in a no-trust vote.

During the meeting, Rao discussed expanding the BRS activities in Odisha as well as political developments in the state, which is scheduled to hold Assembly elections alongside the Lok Sabha elections in 2024. With the Biju Janata Dal (BJP) in Odisha remaining in power for 23 years since 2000, winning five Assembly elections in a row, Rao and the Gamangs discussed the political mood in Odisha in the election year and how the BRS could emerge as an alternative to the BJD, sources said.

In addition, the CM shared his plans to expand BRS to several states, including Odisha, shortly after Sankranti, and invited the Gamangs to join the party and strengthen it in Odisha. According to party insiders, Rao has decided to form a BRS national committee and state committees soon after the Khammam meting in order to ramp up the BRS activities in several states.

Rao has begun the process of establishing a BRS organisational network in major states from February to June in preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Rao has appointed BRS state president for Andhra Pradesh and plans to appoint presidents and state executive committees for the BRS units in all major states between February and June, and gear the party units in all states to contest the Lok Sabha as well as the Assembly polls in a few states to be held from 2024.

Rao is also exploring the possibility of having pre-poll alliances with the Left, AAP, SP, JD(S), among others for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Rao has invited the Delhi and Punjab CMs of AAP-ruled states, CPI leader and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI general secretary D. Raja, and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to the Khammam meeting to send a strong message that the BRS is willing to join hands with like-minded parties fighting the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee chief A. Revanth Reddy. (Twitter)

HYDERABAD: TPCC president A. Revanth Reddy on Friday demanded the resignation of health minister T. Harish Rao owning moral responsibility for the death of two pregnant women at the Malakpet government hospital. Utter negligence during delivery led to their death, he said.

The Malakpet incident and the one at Ibrahimpatnam, where four women had died due to botched botched-up family planning surgeries on August 25 last year, showed the negligent approach of the state government when it came to providing appropriate medical care to pregnant women, he said.

The government was claiming that it was building multi-specialty hospitals but on the ground it had failed to extend even basic safety for patients, he said. This lackadaisical attitude has been helping private hospitals in Hyderabad while the general public has lost confidence in government hospitals, he said.

Despite the deaths at Ibrahimpatnam, the health department had failed to learn from the incidents, he said.

The role of Harish Rao was only restricted to delivering political speeches and is unfit to continue as the health minister, the Congress leader said.

Reddy demanded that the state government pay Rs.1 crore ex gratia to the family members of the women who had died in government hospitals.
South Korean Ambassador to the United States Cho Tae-yong is seen speaking during a seminar hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank, in Washington in this captured image, Jan. 12. Yonhap



North Korea is widely expected to continue its provocations this year, presenting a very serious challenge for the entire international community, South Korea's ambassador to the United States Cho Tae-yong said Thursday.



Cho said part of the reason for North Korea's continued provocations may be because leader Kim Jong-un is not happy with his "utter failure" in developing the North Korean economy.



"I cannot see positive things coming out of North Korea in any case," the South Korean diplomat declared when asked what to expect from North Korea in 2023.



"And we all know that Kim Jong-un is not a happy man these days because North Korea's economy (has been) always bad over the years, but really (is) in shambles these days," added Cho.



The South Korean ambassador was speaking at a seminar hosted by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, which was also attended by Kurt Campbell, National Security Council coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs.



Pyongyang fired a new annual record of 69 ballistic missiles in 2022, compared with a very "distant second" of 25 set a few years ago, according to Cho.



The South Korean ambassador also explained that North Korea's external trade has dwindled to only about 5 percent last year from its peak years in 2011 and 2012, despite Kim's promise to deliver nuclear weapons and economic development to his people.



"He delivered to some extent on his promise to give a nuclear capability to North Korean people. But it was an utter failure for him in terms of delivering economic development to the North Korean people," said Cho.



"So this is a very important challenge for South Korea, for Indo-Pacific countries (and) the whole international community," he added.



Campbell highlighted the importance of close cooperation between like-minded countries to deal with threats posed by North Korea and other global challenges.



"It will be important for our countries to work together on initiatives that respond to the daily needs and challenges of the people from climate change to food insecurity more generally," Campbell told the meeting.



On a similar note, Campbell praised Japan for consulting closely with the U.S. before releasing its new national security and national defense strategies late last year that call for Tokyo to double its annual defense spending to two percent of its gross domestic product.





Kurt Campbell, second from right, National Security Council coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs, and South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Cho Tae-yong, third from right, are seen taking part in a seminar hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank in Washington in this captured image, Jan. 12. Yonhap
Over the decades, the coffee culture in Bengaluru has evolved a lot. The filter kaapi-loving pensioners paradise has made way to a youthful start-up capital buzzing with modern cafes serving cool Frappuccinos.

Similarly, the Bengaluru iconic vintage Opera House (built in the 1910s) at the intersection of Brigade Road and Residency Road, was once a theatre hosting plays, operas and after renovation, it even screened Hollywood classics of that era. It has undergone several changes over the 100 years and at the turn of the 21st century, whilst maintaining the original architecture, it was upgraded into a modern technology-centric Opera House 2.0, which, by the way, is Samsung's biggest experience showroom in the world.

In line with the evolved coffee culture of Bengaluru, Samsung has now introduced Starbucks at Opera House. The 33,000 sq ft standalone property houses a 70-seater cafe outlet with outdoor-and-indoor seating arrangements.



Starbucks opened at Samsung Opera House. Credit: DH Photo/ B K Janardhan



Also, Opera House is revamped to accommodate a new swanky Gaming Arena to play games whilst testing Samsung products, there is also a fully functional Internet-of-Things (IoT) demo area Connected Living to check out Samsung's smart home appliances such as intelligent washing machines, refrigerators and more interacting between each other.



Swanky new Gaming Arena at Opera House. Credit: Samsung



There is also a home theatre zone to experience Samsung's latest and most premium smart Televisions and audio systems.



Connected Living zone at Opera House. Credit: Samsung



There is also a personalization counter for patrons to add custom skin/case to their phone and there is also an option to get engraving done on the covers they choose.

Add to that, Samsung has created a special zone for customers to improve their culinary skills at the in-house Chefs kitchen workshops.

Samsung Opera House also has a service centre covering a wide range of its consumer electronics products.



Smart TV zone at Opera House. Credit: Samsung



Since 2018, the new Opera House has played host to not just product showcase events, but also hundreds of art and music festivals.

Samsung regularly conducts Galaxy workshops on photography, doodling, video-editing, Ted Talks, fashion shows, baking workshops, movie screenings, and many more. Recently, it recently celebrated its fourth anniversary with a Korean K-fiesta.

Must read | Samsung to host Galaxy Unpacked 2023 in February

Get the latest news on new launches, gadget reviews, apps, cybersecurity, and more on personal technology only on DH Tech.
Bangladesh authorities are set to introduce a system to enforce a vigil against anti-state or anti-government activities in a lawful manner, a senior minister told parliament on Thursday.

Modern systems like Open source Intelligence Technology (OSINT) was introduced earlier and initiatives have been taken to introduce the Integrated Lawful Interception System (ILIS) to monitor social media platforms and thwart various anti-state and anti-government activities on the internet, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said.

Read | 'Social media needs regulation, but not of the regime-dependent variety'

Khan said National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) was currently running the OSINT while official sources said the NTMC uses OSINT to track mobile and landline phones to identify and locate suspects.

The minister said the government also planned to bring the task of issuing national identity cards (NID) under the home ministry which was currently under the jurisdiction of the Independent Election Commission (EC) in view of the reality like other countries.

"The national identity registration process is done under the executive department in almost all countries in the world. In view of reality, it should be under the executive department in Bangladesh."

Rights and corruption watchdog Transparency Internationals Bangladesh chapter (TIB) earlier issued a statement saying vigilance on people's activities was contrary to human rights.

The TIB concern came as media reports earlier this week said the authorities were planning to procure the spyware from Israel, the country which does not have diplomatic ties with Dhaka.
Track the latest news updates from India and the rest of the world only on DH.
The Income Tax Department seized Rs 11 crore in cash from properties linked to West Bengal TMC MLA Jakir Hossain in Murshidabad, Kolkata and New Delhi, an official said on Thursday.

The searches, which began on Wednesday evening, continued till Thursday night in at least 20 properties linked to Hossain, he said.

"Around Rs 11 crore in cash was seized during the raids. An investigation is underway to find the source of the cash," the I-T official said.

Hossain, the MLA of Jangipur in Murshidabad, is a former minister in the state government. He also has several businesses.

His family was cooperating with the investigators during the searches, the official said.

Hossain said the tax officials seized "a little money" from his residence which was meant to purchase rice from rice mills.

"The cash was also meant to pay salaries of the 7,000 labourers who work at my farm. I pay them in cash. All the transactions are done in cash at the farm. So, you have to keep money at home. If such things continue, I will not be able to do business anymore," he told PTI.

The TMC refused to comment on the matter.

"It is purely a technical matter -- whether the money found was accounted for. We have nothing to say. Hossain is a wealthy businessman and employs many people," senior TMC leader and state minister Firhad Hakim told reporters.

The BJP said the cash seized from Hossain was the tip of the iceberg.

"Will TMC again plead innocence and allege that it has been framed by the central agencies? People of the state are watching everything," senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha said.

Last year, nearly Rs 50 crore in cash was seized by the Enforcement Directorate from properties linked to former state education minister Partha Chatterjee. He was arrested over allegations of irregularities in recruiting school teachers.

Meanwhile, the I-T Department also searched a hotel in central Kolkata linked to TMC's ward 54 councillor Amiruddin Bobby, officials said.

Several documents were seized from the hotel at AJC Bose Road, they said.
For the past few years, BJP has been carefully structuring its political discourse in Tamil Nadu by priding over Tamil language and linguistic identity of Tamils. It has also been skirting key ideological issues like Hindi and Hindutva.

The change in strategy came after a realisation that language and culture are two vital tools that might help the party capture the hearts of Tamils, who have been unkind to it electorally, especially in the 2019 polls.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking in Tamil and praising its rich literature at every given opportunity, and a host of Union Ministers air dashing to the state are an integral part of these efforts.

As the state BJP chief, former Karnataka-cadre IPS officer, K Annamalai, has also been attempting to embrace the Dravidian identity, a conscious move aimed at shedding the Hindi-Hindutva image of the party.

Read | Governor went against Constitution & Assembly rules: TN to President

These efforts by the BJP might come to a naught if Governor R N Ravi continues to make controversial statements on the culture, linguistic identity and language, political analysts warn. Ravis recent utterances, especially his statement that Tamizhagam (home of Tamils) was more appropriate than Tamil Nadu (land of Tamils) has put the BJP in a tight spot.

The Governors attempt to normalise the word Tamizhagam and walking out of the state Assembly after skipping references to stalwarts who shaped Tamil Nadu and terms like social justice in his address to the legislature have only added to the woes of the BJP.

Ravi also indirectly bats for the introduction of Hindi in Tamil Nadu and calls politics in the state regressive -- issues from which even the BJP keeps a safe distance as raking them up only detaches it from the people.

Explained | Key issues in the Governor vs Tamil Nadu government stand-off

Such comments are in direct contradiction with Annamalais attempt to get closer to Tamils with his statements like he was a dark Dravidian, and that he will oppose if Hindi is imposed in Tamil Nadu.

The state unit has been consciously avoiding sensitive topics and instead focusing on governance issues by taking on the ruling party and trying to make the political narrative, DMK vs BJP, rather than DMK vs AIADMK.

Prof Ramu Manivannan, who taught politics at the University of Madras, told DH that the Governor has really knocked down the BJPs prospects in one day much more than the DMK could have done in six months or a year.

He (the Governor) has unbuilt everything that the BJP has been trying to build in Tamil Nadu. He has exposed the office of Governor in the most naked form, provoked Tamils, and is trying to play with their culture. He has done greater damage for the BJP and has single handedly exposed the real face of BJP and what they stand for, Prof. Manivannan said.

Senior journalist R Bhagwan Singh, who covered Tamil Nadu for 40 years, said the Governors utterances could unsettle Annamalais plans to win a sizeable chunk of seats in the 2024 polls since they are seen as reflection of the principles or thought process of the Modi government.

The Governor is holding onto a lame horse (Tamizhagam controversy) at a time the BJP leadership in Tamil Nadu is going the Dravidian path. In fact, the BJP is attempting to redefine the path by calling out the bluff of Dravidian parties. He has turned out to be an embarrassment for the BJP, Singh told DH.
A protest was brewing in Wayanad district in Kerala over the death of a farmer in an attack by a tiger on Thursday.

Apart from the hartal called by Congress and BJP, local people and the local church also joined the protest. The tiger had entered the human settlements at Puthussery near Mananthavady town. Agitated people said that the funeral of the tiger attack victim Thomas, 50, would be performed only after getting firm assurances from the authorities on curbing man-animal conflicts.

Meanwhile, efforts of the forest authorities to trace the tiger were yet to succeed. Divisional forest officer A Shajna said that though the footprints of the tiger were found its exact location could not be traced yet. The search will resume on Saturday.

The forest department decided to tranquilize the tiger after the local people staged a strong protest on Thursday.
Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that his ministry will approach the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas to firm up a policy on biofuel ethanol dispensing stations in the country.

I will discuss with the Petroleum Ministry the policy for starting Ethanol pumps in the country," Gadkari said while addressing the 11th edition of CII Bio-Energy Summit, Gadkari said,

Several automakers are already keen to make engines that run on 100% ethanol and launch different types of vehicles with that capacity, he said.

Pollution in Delhi and other cities can be addressed to a significant extent if ethanol and alternative biofuel can substitute the fossil fuels in the country, Gadkari said.

On one hand, the country has huge agricultural surpluses in crops like sugar, corn, rice, wheat, which can be important sources for biofuel and on the other its import bill of fossil fuels runs huge, said the minister.

Pointing out that the ethanol economy will witness fast growth in the next five-six years, Gadkari said investors must invest in ethanol.


India's HS Prannoy went down fighting to world number 7 Japanese Kodai Naraoka in a gruelling three-game quarterfinals at the Malaysia Open Super 750 badminton tournament here on Friday.

The 30-year-old from Kerala ran out of steam in the 84-minute contest, losing 16-21 21-19 10-21 to the 21-year-old Naraoka, who seemed faster and fitter, despite playing two long matches in the earlier rounds.

This was Naraoka's third win over the Indian in as many meetings. He had defeated Prannoy in three games at the Singapore Open and World Tour Finals last year.

Prannoy played some crisp winners and showed his delicate touch at the net to recover from the opening game reversal but his younger rival managed to keep things under control in the decider as the Indian succumbed to a heap of unforced errors.

Naraoka, who came into the match after knocking out home favourites second seed Lee Zii Jia in 73 minutes and Ng Tze Yong in 72 minutes, showed exceptional recovery as he retrieved everything thrown at him, making Prannoy work extra hard for his points.

The opening game was level at 7-7 as the two displayed some breathtaking retrieving in the energy-sapping rallies. Naroaka eked out a two-point lead at the interval and managed to keep the pressure to earn the bragging rights.

In the second game, Prannoy tried to engage his opponent in long rallies, using tosses and clears and looked to finish with smashes. It worked for a brief time as he led 13-9 but Naraoka draw parity with four straight points after the Indian committed some errors.

Prannoy tried to keep the rallies tight and flat across the net but Naraoka again levelled at 16-16 before moving to lead with a net kill. A weak net return negated a towering smash from Prannoy as status quo was maintained at 18-18.

However, a precise return and a cross court smash in the nick of time gave the Indian two game points. Prannoy sent one wide before another superb rally ended with the Japanese sending out the shuttle as the match went into the decider.

Prannoy had a foot issue at the start of the third game, which started on an even knell before Naraoka produced two sensational shots at the net to win a tight rally and eke out a slender 5-3 lead.

The Japanese dominated the rallies thereafter with his variety of strokes, while Prannoy erred with his line to fall five points behind at the interval.

As the match wore on, Prannoy's accuracy suffered as he missed the lines on both flanks, allowing Naraoka to move to 14-6 lead. The Japanese was more patient in the rallies and pounced on any little opportunity to keep moving ahead.

At 7-17, the Indian unleashed a straight smash to break the run of points but a string of errors from a tired-looking Prannoy handed his opponent 12 match points.

Naraoka sealed it in his third attempt with a body smash.
A group of around 60 to 70 students on Thursday staged a protest in front of the vice-chancellors residence at Central University of Karnataka at Kadaganchi village in Aland taluk, accusing the varsity authorities of resorting to moral policing against them on the pretext of maintaining discipline on the campus.

The vice-chancellor had suspended a female student for allegedly misbehaving, causing resentment among the students. They contended that the security staff in the university are torturing the male students for being with or talking to female students. The university staff like electricians are invading the hostel rooms of the female students. But, the authorities have suspended the female student for raising objection to it, the protesters alleged.

CUK vice-chancellor Battu Satyanarayana, however, has justified the decision to suspend the student and claimed that he had to initiate action to maintain discipline. He also denied the charges made by the students.
Released: January 11, 2023

Dozens of Delaware County employees lined Front Street in Media to pay tribute to Captain Glenn A. Bixby, Jr., who was laid to rest on January 11.

The tribute was held during Captain Bixbys funeral procession and included a radio transmission for Captain Bixbys final call and the playing of traditional bagpipes.

Captain Bixby began his career serving Delaware County in May of 1970, working in the District Attorneys Office radio room at the young age of 19.

In March of 1974, he transferred to the Delaware County Sheriffs Office under Sheriff John Taylor. He rose through the ranks to Sergeant (1983), Lieutenant (early 2006), and Captain (2006) until his retirement in June of 2014. Captain Bixbys retirement did not last long. He became the Sherriffs Real Estate consultant from July 2014 until final retirement in March of 2021. He was known for his knowledge of every street in Delaware County.

Captain Bixby served the residents of Delaware County with honor and distinction for 51 years, serving under eight different Sheriffs. His love of the Sheriffs Office was surpassed only by his love for his family; his wife, Maureen of 41 years, his son, Glenn Bixby, III (Michelle) and his three grandchildren. He was born and raised in Morton; serving as a part-time police officer, various positions with the Morton (Morton-Rutledge) Firehouse, and other notable political positions. Captain Bixby is now at peace with his lifelong partner and friend, Sgt. Wilbur Smith, and his parents, perhaps sharing memories of the Mummers and doing the Mummers strut.

Rest in Peace Officer Bixby.




North Korea on Friday stressed the Cabinet's role as a control tower for economic policy as it pushes to implement economic goals laid out for this year, according to its state media Friday.







At a plenary meeting of the North's ruling Workers' Party in late December, North Korea set out its key policy tasks for the new year, such as increasing economic production and building more homes in Pyongyang.







The Korean Central Broadcasting Station, the state-run radio station, said the Cabinet and economic institutions are stepping up efforts to "thoroughly implement" such goals.







The Cabinet is also engaging in "in-depth discussions" on improving the economic system to achieve the five-year national economic plan as the country's "economic command tower," it added.







During a key party congress in January 2021, leader Kim Jong-un admitted to a failure in his previous five-year economic plan and unveiled a new scheme focusing on self-reliance amid crippling global sanctions and a protracted border closure due to COVID-19. (Yonhap)


A major cross-border research partnership has been launched in Derry's Guildhall.

The partnership is a four million euro, four year project, aimed at researching and addressing structural and societal imbalances across the North West Atlantic Innovation Corridor.

The Atlantic Futures Project is a collaboration between Ulster University, University of Galway, Atlantic Technological University and University of Limerick for sustainable regional development to make a real world impact on aspects of industry and civic society in the North West Atlantic Innovation Corridor region.

Atlantic Futures launch event panel on Institutional and Cultural factors facing the region: Dr Caroline Murphy (Chair), Mary McKenna (Awaken Hub), Jennifer McKeever (Founding Director, Airporter), Professor Siobhan ONeill (UU and NI Mental Health Champion) and Ian Power (CEO Spunout).

The flagship project has seen the creation of a research team organised in three co-located hubs in Derry, Galway and Limerick, working to understand and address issues which uniquely affect this section of the Atlantic corridor, namely: relative slow economic growth; low levels of female entrepreneurship; higher rates of mental health difficulties among young people than ever before; barriers to digitalisation in rural areas; and issues with international freight connectivity with no state ports or airports in the region.

The large-scale social science research will seek to examine these issues based on three themes with six working projects in order to face into and embrace digital, green and energy transitions and to focus efforts on societal, business and community outcomes:

Theme 1: Innovation in Regional Context

o Project I: comparing rural entrepreneurial ecosystems with those in small towns/cities to identify bottlenecks and work with agencies to take action

o Project II: identifying successful management practices in scaling businesses and running masterclasses with organisations along the corridor

Theme 2: Institutional and Cultural Factors  those that affect this regions innovation opportunities

o Project I: fostering female entrepreneurship along the West Coast  looking at external factors that have impacted negatively (Brexit, COVID-19, lack of funding), partnering with female entrepreneurship programmes and delivering a mentorship programme

o Project II: mental health as a public good  looking at new ways to respond to young peoples needs: developing new digital tools and early intervention in the community with partner agencies

Theme 3: Technological and Infrastructural Opportunities and Challenges

o Project I: Digitalisation: establishing the challenges and opportunities for digital transformation in rural areas and looking at the links between changing skills needs and regional innovation and economic performance to embrace digitalisation and inform policy

o Project II: International freight connectivity in the North-West and its implications for regional competitiveness, outlining ways to enhance connectivity by road, rail and air.

Each project engages with partners in civil society, business, and government, with many major partners being involved across several projects.

Industry stakeholders and partner agency representatives such as InterTrade Ireland, Catalyst, the NI Mental Health Champion, Airporter, FTA Ireland, and Causeway Chamber will join with Derrys Mayor Sandra Duffy to discuss these themes and explore solutions to challenges and the opportunities to maximise benefits for communities along the corridor.

Professor Liam Maguire, PVC Research, Ulster University commented: Atlantic Futures combines the significant research prowess of the four institutions to advance challenges in this distinct region.

"Our collective work aligns closely with national goals set out by both governments in the New Decade New Approach in Northern Ireland and the National Development Plan in the Republic of Ireland.

"Namely, of a regionally balanced economy which is common to both, a high quality international transport connectivity (NDP) and exploring digital connectivity and infrastructure (NDNA).

"From our progressive Derry~Londonderry campus, we are uniquely placed to contribute to this regional partnership, through research that can drive forward practical solutions for the benefit of individuals, organisations and communities. We look forward to collaborating with our colleagues in Galway, Limerick and ATU.

Professor Jim Livesey, Vice-President Research and Innovation, University of Galway, said: Our ambition is large and clear: we want Atlantic Futures to be recognised internationally for understanding what drives economic, social and cultural aspects of life in the region, on the edge of Europe.

"This project is a big responsibility and we want to see it make a tangible difference with research in action such as mentoring for female entrepreneurs and management masterclasses along with focus groups and information from the people who live and work in the region.

"This brand new cross-border data and the insights it uncovers will be shared with others carrying out similar work in Europe and beyond, to help inform similar programmes for sustainable regional development.

Professor Norelee Kennedy, Vice President Research at University of Limerick said: We want our research to have an impact in the area. We are working together to achieve four outcomes.

"They are the alignment of the research capacity of the leading research institutions along the west coast of the island of Ireland around the problems of transition and transformation in our shared region; development of a body of research to inform policy, co-created with relevant stakeholders addressing specific salient issues affecting the three city region; garnering new and robust insights into the developmental pathways for multi-city regional transformation; and understanding the role inter-cultural understanding and misunderstanding plays in cross-border collaboration and co-ordination.

Dr Rick Officer, Vice President for Research and Innovation based at ATUs Galway City campus was enthusiastic about the programme: The Atlantic Futures programme will foster sustainable innovation along the islands Atlantic coast, from the western counties of Northern Ireland and Donegal down to the Shannon Estuary.

"Atlantic Futures will focus on addressing challenges experienced by these areas, such as retention of local talent, over-reliance on foreign direct investment, and a lack of indigenous small and medium-sized enterprise growth.

"This Atlantic corridor has high-performing economic sectors such as the MedTech, FinTech and Advanced Manufacturing, but it also faces problems including housing, and persistent loss of talent to other regions. Previous models of economic and social transition have focussed on metropolitan centres.

"Atlantic Futures differs in its focus. Our ambitious programme will take a multi-pronged approach to identifying obstacles to sustainable innovation in the region and ways to support its development. The programme focusses on how a complex, distributed, and multi-city region, such as the cross-border, west and north-west of Ireland, can successfully foster sustainable innovation.

The North-South Research Programme is a collaborative scheme funded through the Governments Shared Island Fund. It is being administered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
An assault on a nurse in Altnagelvin Hospital resulted in a man being jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today.

Kieran Kelly (24) of Barr's Lane in Derry admitted a charge of assault on the nurse on November 27 last.

The court heard that police were called to a report of an aggressive male who had become violent at 2.30am.

Kelly had been brought in unconscious but had regained consciousness and tried to get off a bed he was on.

Kelly was unsteady on his feet and the nurse tried to get Kelly to lie down again.

Kelly then swung a punch at the nurse's head but missed striking him on the chest.

Police decided not to arrest Kelly due to his medical condition but the next day he left the hospital without being discharged.

When arrested Kelly said he had no memory of the incident but added that he had done similar things in the past.

He said he wanted to apologise to the nurse.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said it was 'a bad enough case' having taken place in the hospital.

He said that his client had shown 'immediate and genuine remorse' and was very apologetic.

The solicitor said that Kelly had no intention of hurting a nurse who was trying to help him.

District Judge Barney McElholm said that Kelly had been given a chance by being given suspended sentences and he had 'rewarded' the court by assaulting a nurse.

The judge said that it had been made clear that this sort of behaviour towards medical staff 'will not be tolerated by the courts'.

He added that not only did nurses suffer from 'disgraceful' pay they were subjected to assaults like this.

He sentenced Kelly to a total of 8 months in prison.
Civil cases brought against the Ministry of Defence by two men injured in the Ballymurphy massacre in Belfast in 1971 have been settled with undisclosed damages to be paid.

At the High Court in Belfast, Mr Justice Humphreys was told that terms in the cases taken by Bobby Clarke and Joseph Millen had been agreed by both sides.

The amounts paid out in each case were not disclosed in court but the judge ordered the MoD to pay legal costs.

In 2021, an inquest concluded that 10 people who died at Ballymurphy were innocent victims. The Army was found to be responsible for nine of the 10 deaths with not enough evidence to determine who fired the shot which killed the tenth victim.

Last year, compensation cases brought by the families of nine people killed were settled.

The latest cases brought by two men injured have now also been settled.

The judge said: Congratulations to the parties on reaching settlements on those actions.

I know that a long period of time has elapsed which doesnt make it any easier for the parties to resolve these actions.

Mr Clarke was shot and wounded on August 9 1971 as he was helping families with children leave their homes in Springfield Park after the area had come under attack from crowds in the nearby Springmartin area.

Joseph Millen was hit by a bullet just below his right shoulder blade which passed through his back and out of his left side.

He lay on waste ground afterwards for around two hours while the shooting went on before he was able to be taken to hospital.
Sir Keir Starmer has said a Labour government would repeal planned laws offering immunity from prosecution for Troubles crimes in Northern Ireland.

The draft legislation would provide immunity for people accused of Troubles offences as long as they co-operate with a new truth recovery body, and would also halt future civil cases and inquests linked to killings during the conflict.

The proposed law changes are opposed by all Stormonts main parties and the Irish government, as well as victims groups in the region, which have denounced it as an amnesty for killers.

The legislation was tabled amid calls from backbench Conservative MPs for an end to fresh prosecutions of military veterans who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

The Government has defended the move, saying it will deliver better outcomes for victims seeking answers about how their loved ones died.

It says a perfect solution to legacy issues is not attainable and it is working towards the best practical solution.

Some amendments have been made to the draft legislation during its parliamentary stages but the core elements remain in place.

Sir Keir, who previously worked in Belfast with police oversight body the Northern Ireland Policing Board, criticised the Bill on a visit to the city on Friday.

During a question and answer session at Queens University, he was asked whether he would repeal the legislation if he became prime minister.

Yes, he replied, to applause from the audience.

Let me just elaborate a little because obviously, having had the privilege of working here for five years with the Policing Board and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, I know first-hand and having spoken to many, many victims and victims representatives, I know just how deep this goes for very obvious reasons.

I think the legislation is wrong in principle.

But, worse than that, or alongside that, no government in Westminster, in my view, should ever introduce legislation which has no support from any of the political parties in Northern Ireland, and no support from the victims who are at the heart of this.

I think that previous governments  Labour and Conservative  would have understood that, and it shows you how far this Conservative Government in recent years has moved from a genuine understanding of the principles and values of the Good Friday Agreement, that they would even countenance introducing legislation with zero political support here and zero support from the victims.

We wouldnt do it and wed repeal it if its on the statute when we come into power.

Grainne Teggart, deputy director for Northern Ireland at Amnesty International UK, said: This is a welcome and significant statement and commitment.

Amnesty International, victims, Northern Ireland political parties, the Irish government and others have been unequivocal in objection to the Bill. It has no support.

It is not too late for the Government to scrap it and commit to an agreed way forward.

The Troubles Bill makes a mockery of the rule of law and denies victims justice while shielding perpetrators of murder, torture and other serious crimes.

It is time the Government drops the pantomime of claiming tweaks can fix something so unjust and abandon it altogether.

Responding to the Labour leader, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said: Keir Starmers call to repeal the Legacy Bill is a retrograde step that would prolong the wait for answers and accountability that many families have been after for decades.

We have announced a number of proposed changes which seek to address key concerns that have been raised by many stakeholders, including victims and survivors.

This Bill will remain challenging for many, but the complex issue of legacy must be tackled in Northern Ireland.

I would encourage the Opposition to work with us, so together we can help Northern Ireland move forward.
Malaria diagnosis project wins Science for Development Award 2023

Press release

A project that can diagnose diseases including malaria has been named winner of the 2023 Self Help Africa/ Irish Aid Science for Development Award at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition.

Developed by Vedh Kannan and Will Carkner, students at Sutton Park School in Dublin, BloodBox is a portable diagnostic device to diagnose diseases including malaria. The device allows blood samples to be tested for disease with 94% accuracy. Crucially it does not require doctors to administer, potentially increasing access to testing in low-income countries.

There were an estimated 619,000 malaria deaths globally in 2021. Approximately 80% of all malaria-related deaths in Africa are among children under the age of 5.

The award by presented by Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Sean Fleming T.D..

Minister Fleming said:

The Science for Development Award encourages young people to use science to help create a better and more sustainable world. Science and technology has a huge role to play in addressing some of the big challenges facing the world today.

I would like to congratulate this year's deserved winners from Sutton Park School. Their project is incredibly practical and has the potential to make a real difference in peoples lives.

The standard of entry was incredibly high and I would like to pay tribute to all the students who developed projects aimed at tackling global issues. It is heartening to see so many young people in Ireland determined to use their scientific skills and interest to help the lives of people around the world.

Joanne Hanratty is the teacher of this year's winners. The award will enable students and teacher to travel to Africa as part of a Self Help Africa schools visit to give them an opportunity to reflect upon and possibly further develop the project.

This is the eighteenth year that Irish Aid has funded the travel bursary awarded to the winning project.

The award is adjudicated entirely independently by the judges at the annual BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition. The judges look for evidence that the students have made the link to the global, setting out how many modern challenges are global challenges, which require global solutions.

Last years Science for Development Award was won by Jona Garcia, Claudine Mulihano and Iman Shittu from St. Louis Secondary School in Dundalk for their project A renewable and electricity-free cooling system for food refrigeration that can combat world hunger, identifying the enormous challenge of food waste in countries where people live without electricity.

The 2021 winner was Aronnya Khan Zakaria from Castletroy College in Limerick with her project on 'The Development of Racial Prejudice in Children, which sought to identify why some people learn to view the world through racist stereotypes.

ENDS

Press Office

13 January 2023

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After weeks of excitement and waiting, the launch date of the OnePlus 11 5G and OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is almost here. The products will launch in India on February 7th, and to add to the overall thrill, OnePlus has revealed that it will be inviting fans to be amongst the first few lucky people who will get to experience the flagship lineup before everyone else. The launch event in India will be taking place in Delhi, and you can buy limited early bird tickets on Paytm Insider in order to attend the event.

How to buy entry tickets for the OnePlus 11 5G India launch event?

The OnePlus 11 5G launch has been confirmed to take palace at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi. You can easily buy the early bird tickets on Paytm Insider by buying 599 - this is a special price that will be available for a limited period. If you have already attended OnePlus launch events in the past, you can also get a free ticket. However, you must share an image of the old event pass on Twitter, along with the hashtag #IAmComingBack.

If you happen to be a member of the Red Cable Club, you can get Prie couple codes for 20 RedCoins. If you use these to buy the early bird tickets on Paytm Insider, youll end up saving 200.

What to expect from the OnePlus 11 5G India launch event?

Youll get to be one of the first few to try out the OnePlus 11 lineup, which is the brands latest flagship offering. You can also check out the OnePlus Buds Pro 2. Additionally, participants will get a gift hamper with OnePlus goodies.

You may also be one of the 11 lucky people who will get to win a OnePlus 11 5G.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
Infinixs latest offering is set to be launched in India soon, the company confirmed. Products to be launched in January include the Note 12i, the Zerobook, and the Zero 5G Turbo. These come with First in Segment Technology (FIST) and will be available on Flipkart.

The Infinix Note 12i will come with a 6.7 full HD+ display along with an Octa-core MediaTek Helio G85 12nm processor. It offers a 50-megapixel rear camera with a 2MP depth camera and an 8MP front camera. It is powered by a 5000mAh battery and 33W fast charging. It also holds 4GB RAM along with 64GB expandable internal storage.

Infinix Note 12i 2022, Zerobook Ultra and Zero 5G 2023 coming this January

The other phone which is expected to be launched this January is the Infinix Zero 5G 2023. It was introduced in November 2022. This 6.78 Full HD+ display phone is packed with a Octa Core 2 x 2.6GHz Cortex-A78 + 6 x 2GHz Cortex-A55 CPUs) MediaTek Dimensity 1080 6nm processor. It comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.

Along with these two smartphones, Infinix is also launching its Zerobook Ultra. It is supported by a 12th Gen Intel Core i9 processor. It's targeted at audiences looking for a decent gaming device. It will be packed with a 5.6-inch IPS LED-backlit display and a maximum brightness of 400 nits. Additionally, it will come with 16GB/32GB RAM and 512GB/1TB SSD storage versions.

The launch dates of the new devices will be announced soon.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
Samsung has grown into the largest OLED display supplier for smartwatches and smartphones, including Apple products. However, recently, news broke that Apple will be equipping its Apple Watches with its own microLED displays. This has, perhaps, spurred Samsung to reveal that it will also be equipping its smartwatches with microLED displays by 2024.

Samsung to launch smartwatches with microLED displays

It is believed that Samsung had already set up an entire team in 2022 in order to manufacture and use microLED displays for its upcoming smartwatches. The South Korean tech giant already sells high-end TVs that are equipped with microLED displays, which means that it would not be too hard for them to create smartwatches using the same technology (while also ensuring commercial viability). Many people who are familiar with this matter have stated that the brand is targeting the end of this year to wrap up manufacturing.

When will Samsungs new Samsung Galaxy Watch with microLED displays enter the market?

Even if the brand does hit its targetted deadline, it is likely that the shipping and selling process will only start in 2024. This means that this years Samsung Galaxy Watches will not have a microLED display. In fact, it may be the case that this years smartwatches have already been developed and finalised as far as design and specifications go.

This may be Samsungs bid to ensure it stays at the top of the display manufacturing market, particularly after Apple has announced its intentions of creating similar displays.

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in or head to our Google News page.
China's Guangdong targets 2023 GDP growth of over 5 pct

Xinhua) 11:05, January 13, 2023

A staff member works at a microwave oven factory in Foshan City, south China's Guangdong Province, April 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Jiale)

GUANGZHOU, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's economic powerhouse Guangdong Province has set a GDP growth target of at least 5 percent for 2023, Guangdong governor Wang Weizhong said on Thursday.

The province's 2022 GDP is estimated at 12.8 trillion yuan (about 1.9 trillion U.S. dollars), Wang said as he delivered the government work report at the annual session of the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress.

A leading foreign trade player in China and a manufacturing hub, Guangdong accounted for about one-tenth of China's GDP in 2021, the largest among all provincial-level regions in China.

Guangdong's foreign trade volume is expected to grow by 3 percent year on year in 2023 after totaling 8.3 trillion yuan in 2022, the work report said.

It also sets out 2023 goals for other major economic indicators for Guangdong, including 8 percent for fixed-asset investment, 6 percent for total retail sales of consumer goods, and at least 5.5 percent for value-added industrial output.

Further advancing the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) has been highlighted in the province's agenda for 2023, which pledges to accelerate the building of a "digital GBA."

The province also aims to accelerate the development of its digital economy and expand its 5G network to cover most of its rural and urban areas in 2023, according to the report.

It will push forward the digital transformation of 5,000 industrial enterprises above a designated size, referring to industrial firms with an annual business turnover of at least 20 million yuan.

Guangdong has been vigorously promoting the digital transformation of its leading manufacturing companies, while building Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan and Dongguan into demonstration cities for the digital transformation of manufacturing, according to Guangdong's department of industry and information technology.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)




South Korea's top envoy to the United Nations expressed disappointment Thursday that the U.N. Security Council has failed to be united in responding to North Korea's recent provocations violating the council's resolutions against Pyongyang.







Addressing a session of the council, Ambassador Hwang Joon-kook said it is "deplorable" that the council has failed to respond properly to the North's "plain, flagrant and repeated violations of multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions" during its meetings on North Korea last year.







The North fired around 70 ballistic missiles last year, the most in a single year, including the Nov. 18 firing of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile. The U.S. pushed for formal documents condemning the North's recalcitrance or imposing additional sanctions. But such a drive produced no tangible results in the face of opposition from China and Russia, both veto power-wielding permanent members of the council. (Yonhap)


AAP directed to pay Rs164-cr public funds allegedly spent on political ads

The Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) has issued a notice to the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Arvind Kejriwal, to pay up to Rs164 crore of government funds allegedly spent on party advertisements, within days, ANI news agency reported on Thursday.

The development comes days after Delhi Lieutenant General (LG) VK Saxena directed the chief secretary to recover Rs97 crore of public funds the AAP allegedly spent on political advertisements published in the guise of government advertisements during the financial year 2015-2016.

The report said there could be variations in the recovery order depending on the number of years as it was unclear if recovery orders will be issued for the financial years 2016-2017 to 2022-23 as well.

If AAP fails to pay the money, legal action will be taken per LGs orders, which could lead to attachment of properties owned by the party, the report added.

AAP has been accused of spending taxpayers money on political advertisements not just in Delhi, but in Punjab as well where the AAP-led government is reported to have paid for Facebook ads targeting audiences in Gujarat.

AAP reacted to the development saying that the BJP government at the centre is acting unconstitutionally to destabilise its government, especially after it acquired national status

The BJP has, over the last 7 years, been unconstitutionally exercising control over the citys bureaucracy through the LG. Today, Alice Vaz, an IAS officer, is threatening chief minister Arvind Kejriwal to pay Rs163 crore under pressure from the BJP, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia alleged.

Instead of ensuring quality work for the betterment of the citizens of Delhi, the BJP is using the citys bureaucracy to target AAP government ministers. All this is being done by practising unconstitutional control over officers. The BJP is forcing bureaucrats to write letters against the chief minister through its control over them, he added.

Kejriwal, Sisodia said, wanted officers to do work for citizens, but the BJP wants them only to target ministers so that they dont do their work.

BJP MP from North East Delhi Manoj Tiwari accused the AAP of having looted Delhi of the funds meant for citizens welfare. This is a scam. The advertisement scam of the AAP Delhi government. We demand that AAPs bank account be immediately frozen. The party has abused government funds to shine its own face, Tiwari alleged.

These include ads issued outside Delhi, those that mention the name of the AAP, publicising the views of the chief minister on incidents in other states and ads targeting the opposition, he added.
Detectives have launched a murder investigation after a man was shot dead in a park in Lurgan on Thursday.

The victim has been named as Shane Whitla, who was 39-years-old and from the Co Armagh town.

Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell said: Following a post mortem examination this morning, I can confirm that, sadly, Mr Whitla, died from gunshot wounds.

A 29-year-old man arrested in Lurgan last night as part of the investigation remains in custody at this time.

We have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man in Lurgan last night, Thursday January 12th. pic.twitter.com/mSWj0Wsjgh  Police Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (@PSNIABC) January 13, 2023

Mr Caldwell continued: Police remain at the scene, and the park is currently closed as we carry out our investigation.

Were extremely grateful to local people for their ongoing support, and Im keen to reiterate our appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

Were you in the Lord Lurgan Park area of the town yesterday evening?

Did you see the attack, or see or hear anything untoward? Please contact us with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, on 101.

Police had earlier confirmed that they were attending a scene in Lord Lurgan Park in the vicinity of Derry Street on Thursday evening.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said it received a 999 call at 8.11pm after reports of an incident.

Two emergency crews were then dispatched to the scene.

Police are currently at the scene of a sudden death in the Lord Lurgan Park area of Lurgan. Their enquiries are at an early stage so would ask they are given space to carry these out. Thoughts are with the family of the deceased. pic.twitter.com/ka6gcTXusa  Carla Lockhart MP (@carlalockhart) January 12, 2023

DUP MP for Upper Bann, Carla Lockhart, said police have asked that they are given space to carry out their inquiries.

Thoughts are with the family of the deceased, she said on Twitter.
North Korean human rights group "Fighters for a Free North Korea" sends leaflets to North Korea from Paju City, Gyeonggi Province in 2022. Newsis



By Lee Yeon-woo



North Korean human rights groups urged President Yoon Suk Yeol to revise the current government guideline in order to resume loudspeaker broadcasts and let activist send anti-regime leaflets across the inter-Korean border.



Seven North Korea human rights groups from four countries  South Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada  sent a joint letter to Yoon, asking him to revise the government guideline on the so-called "anti-leafleting law," the Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG), who also signed on the letter, said on Friday.



The former Moon Jae-in government legislated an amendment to the Inter-Korean Relations Development Act, better known as the "anti-leafleting law," which can send anti-Pyongyang leafleters and loudspeaker broadcasters behind bars for up to three years. The law was enacted after North Korea threatened to retaliate against activists sending leaflets across the border.



The law, which went into effect in March 2021, has been criticized by human rights groups overseas for restricting freedom of speech. As the criticism mounted citing the law's ambiguity and restriction of basic rights, the unification ministry publicized the guideline leaving law enforcement authorities with the right to interpret which actions can be punished.



"Your government has been consistently opposed to the anti-leafleting law since taking office on May 10, 2022," the groups said in the letter.



Last May, Yoon said in an interview with Voice of America that he thinks it's not "appropriate for a government to forcibly regulate nongovernmental organizations' human rights activities."



"While your ruling People Power Party (PPP) currently lacks a majority in the National Assembly, the situation will remain unchanged at least until the next quadrennial parliamentary election on April 10, 2024, while there are executive actions that your government can take," the groups continued.



The groups criticized that the current law "is inconsistent with South Korea's international legal obligation to respect fundamental human rights, in particular the right to freedom of expression."



As a result, the groups requested the addition of an interpretive principle in the guideline that nothing in the law shall be interpreted as permitting the violation of human rights, such as freedom of expression and the principle of legality.



They also viewed the reasons for punishment as being groundless. The law criminalizes the action of spreading information as it can "harm or cause grave danger to the lives of South Korean citizens."



"The spreading leaflets itself is not harmful to the South Korean residents living nearby. What causes danger is North Korean's retaliation. So it is an issue of interpretation," Shin Hee-seok, a legal analyst from the Transitional Justice Working Group told The Korea Times.



They also requested the restricted area be narrowed from "south of the Military Demarcation Line (MDL)," which means all of South Korea, to "areas along the MDL," and asked not to punish leafleters who are in international waters when sending the leaflets. It is legal to send leaflets in a third country under the current law.



"Revising the law at the National Assembly needs approval from the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and no one knows when the Constitutional Court will give its decision. So I think the suggestion is quite feasible," Shin said.



Their joint letter was also sent to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as well as the minsters of foreign affairs, justice, and unification.


The Dundalk Railway Heritage Society are holding a lecture on the towns railway heritage on January 21st in the Oriel Centre Dundalk commencing at 3 PM.

The lecture will be presented by noted Irish Railway Historian Charles P Friel.

The lecture will be an illustrated presentation featuring photographs of local railway interest some of which are being shown for the first time.

Charles would be delighted to hear from people who may be able to identify personnel in the photographs.

Charles is a member of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland and has presented lectures on Irish railways in Ireland and in the UK.

The talk will be given in memory of the late Des Casey who was a founding member of the Dundalk Railway Heritage Society and served as chairman and Hon President for many years.

Des made a major contribution to the operation of the society.

He sadly passed away in August of 2022.
Yesterday morning, the volunteer lifeboat crew from Clogherhead RNLI were requested to launch their all-weather Shannon class lifeboat at 10.30am following a request by the Irish Coast Guard to aid fishermen who had gotten into difficulty.

The lifeboat launched immediately under Coxswain Sean Flanagan and with four crew members onboard.

Weather conditions at the time were poor with a constant south to south westerly wind gusting 45 knots once the lifeboat arrived on scene some 10 minutes later, two and a half miles north east of Clogherhead.

The crew on the Razor boat had been fishing along the shore when their boat got into difficulty and were then pushed out to sea by the challenging weather.

The Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 116 from Dublin was also tasked along with Clogherhead Coast Guard.

Once on scene, the lifeboat crew observed that the fishermen were safe and well but that the boat was lying broadside due to the weather.

Having assessed the situation, a decision was made to establish a towline which was done successfully despite the weather.

The vessel was then towed back to the nearest safe port at Port Oriel.

This was done at a slow two knots for the comfort of the fishermen onboard who were facing into the weather.

The lifeboat arrived in Port Oriel at 1.15pm where they were assisted by the shore unit of Clogherhead Coast Guard in taking the ropes of the fishing boat and securing her at the pier.

Speaking following the call out, Clogherhead RNLI Coxswain Sean Flanagan said:

Conditions at sea were challenging today but we were delighted to assist the fishermen and bring them safely back to Port Oriel.

We would also like to thank our colleagues in the Coast Guard for their assistance.

"We are experiencing some poor weather at the minute, so we would encourage anyone planning a trip to sea to check the forecast before venturing out and to attend to their own personal safety.

Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
United States President Joe Biden makes his remarks at a memorial service for former U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Baldwin Carter in the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., Jan. 12. UPI-Yonhap



U.S. President Joe Biden underscored the importance of a strong U.S.-South Korea alliance on Thursday, saying the countries are stronger when they work together.



The U.S. leader also used the famous phase of U.S. Forces Korea, "Katchi Kapshida" or Let's go together, in a statement released by the White House to mark Korean American Day.



"One hundred and twenty years ago today, a group of 102 Korean men, women and children arrived in Hawaii in search of a new start," Biden said in his released statement.



"Today, Korean Americans continue to shape and unite our country, strengthening every industry and every community and contributing their unique talents to our American story," he added.



Korean American Day is observed annually on Jan. 13.



"From serving our country in uniform and advocating for civil rights, to breaking new ground in arts and sciences, opening new businesses, serving in our hospitals and health centers, and making history for Team USA in the Olympics, the contributions of Korean Americans enrich our lives every day and lift our Nation to new heights," Biden said.



The U.S. leader also highlighted the strengths that the Korean American community brings to the country and the U.S.-South Korea alliance.



"Our nations are growing closer, not just because more Americans are calling Korea home but because generations of Korean immigrants and Korean Americans who are enriching our culture and proving that diversity is  and always has been  our greatest strength," he said.



"As we come together to celebrate the storied history and accomplishments of Korean Americans, I want to express my gratitude for all that this community has contributed to our Nation. May the stories of Korean Americans continue to inspire us all of the promise of the American Dream. Together, we are stronger. Katchi Kapshida," added Biden. (Yonhap)


Delegation to meet senior government officials, diplomatic community, partners and clients

Focus on renewables, sustainable infrastructure, financial resilience, and reforms

Bank has invested more than 10 billion in over 650 projects in the region since 1992

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Vice President for Policy and Partnerships Mark Bowman and Managing Director for Eastern Europe and the Caucasus Matteo Patrone will tour the Caucasus from 16 to 19 January, first visiting Armenia, then Georgia, before concluding their trip in Azerbaijan.

The visit follows EBRD President Odile Renaud-Bassos recent tour of the Caucasus in September. The purpose of the trip is to discuss upcoming projects in both the private but also public sectors. Discussions on financial resilience, policy reform and the preparation for the Banks upcoming new country strategies are also on the agenda.

The delegation will first travel to Yerevan, where the EBRD representatives will meet Armenias political leaders. The visit will include meetings with diplomats, international development partners, leaders of the business community and the Banks existing partners. The team will also visit the Central Bank of Armenia to meet the Governor and his Deputy.

On the Georgian part of the trip, the delegation will hold high-level meetings with Georgias political leadership. EBRD representatives will also meet diplomats, regional heads of international financial institutions and the secretariat of the Investors Council of Georgia.

While in Tbilisi, Mr Bowman is also expected to sign a sovereign loan agreement with the Ministry of Finance of Georgia for the rehabilitation and upgrade of up to 12 metro stations in the capital.

The delegation will conclude its trip in Baku, where EBRD representatives will meet Azerbaijans political leadership. The visit will include meetings with representatives of the diplomatic community, international development partners and the Banks existing business clients. The team will also visit the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.

Since the start of its operations in the Caucasus in 1992, the EBRD has invested more than 10 billion in over 650 projects in the regions financial, corporate, infrastructure and energy sectors, with the majority of these investments in the private sector.

Details of upcoming investment projects in the Caucasus are available here.
I don't know what Ive written about more here over the years, the impending Cork Event Centre or the so-called vinyl revival?

Well lets park the talk of the Event Centre for now, as theres no concrete updates, if you pardon the pun. While we continue to see other projects proceed almost overnight in our ever changing city landscape, the Event Centre doesnt seem any closer to reality, but the vinyl revival seems like its gathering even more pace at the moment.

Lets get it straight. Vinyl never went away. The big record companies almost killed it when they fooled the masses into thinking that CDs were better quality and more likely to last longer than that pesky vinyl, which was deemed yesterdays thing by the mid 80s.

CDs (remember them?) are now selling less than vinyl, which has seen its sales rise for well over 10 years now, and which has finally usurped the format which was meant to kill it first day.

CDs, which were always a lot cheaper to manufacture, and which bizarrely remained more expensive than vinyl for many years, are still selling, and theres bargains to be had, but it remains a bit of a niche market now. Ironically the CD buying market is occupying the same sort of niche vibe that once helped keep vinyl alive.

But it was more than record collectors who kept vinyl relevant. Small labels, underground music genres, passionate DJs, and many others, refused to budge from their beloved records, and many of those who did turn digital kept up their record buying too.

As someone who still plays lots of new music, going digital was a no-brainer, especially with genres such as hip-hop, drill, afro-beats and soul, where new releases often dont come out on record for months, if they do at all.

This is one of the biggest problems with the demand for vinyl, as there have been supply line issues and delays long before the current global financial crisis and indeed Brexit, which is causing lots of difficulty with the traditionally popular UK market. All of these difficulties mean its a tricky task for the small independent operators keeping the vinyl public happy from a retail point of view.

In Cork, we are blessed to have so many shops, and so many passionate people involved in supporting what can often be niche music. The big powerful labels have the big names and enjoy big influence over the pressing plants, so I dont envy the shops trying to order that specialist record. I worked in an independent record shop for four years in the glory days when vinyl was still the main DJ format, but its a lot harder to get records quickly now that the major labels are flexing so heavily again. Newer releases from the big names, and retro classics, dominate the mainstream sales of vinyl, so its hard for the indie(s) to survive. Many do, and they should be commended.

Even the bigger shops, like Golden Discs, who are themselves an independent chain, are well stocked up when it comes to these kinds of records, and sales seem to be steady too. Music Zone continues to be a huge success story, while Plugd and Bunker Vinyl are two more crucial cornerstones of not only the vinyl market, but of the music scene in a wider context. We also now have 33RPM.

Many of these shops remain supporters of the music scene when it comes to putting on gigs, acting as a meeting place, or even acting as a refuge where a young musician or DJ can get some free advice from someone who knows the scene. We are blessed in Cork to have great people behind the counters, and this goes for our secondhand shops too.

The cost of living has gone crazy, so its amazing that so many people still buy records, which are now much more expensive than when I was a teenager. My own purchasing habits are far more limited these days, though I still try to buy my favourite new records every month or two, and I still grab the odd secondhand bargain.

I can measure my whole life through my record collection, and nearly every record holds memories, so its no surprise to me that other music lovers want to continue this beautiful relationship with something more tangible than an MP3. Well see where it goes, but for now, vinyl remains a popular, but very expensive format. It certainly outlasted CDs, thats for sure!
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

UAE's Minister of State and CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) Sultan Al Jaber speaks during the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 11, 2019. AFP via Getty Images

The selection of Sultan Al Jaber  head of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC)  by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to lead this years COP28 Climate Change Conference in Dubai has climate activists worried that heavy industry has too big a hand in the worldwide response to the climate crisis.

According to his office, Al Jaber  who is the Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the UAE, as well as its climate envoy  will assist with building a consensus during the conferences intergovernmental negotiations and help decide the agenda of the climate summit, reported Reuters.

[Al Jaber] is straddling two worlds. One of climate negotiations where we have to make a giant leap in emissions reductions and financing the move away from fossil fuel emissions; second, as head of Adnoc. UAE wants to be seen to be leading on food, technology, adaptation and potentially innovative finance but how can they carry that off while being fossil fuel polluters? said a veteran of the climate talks, who wished to remain anonymous, as The Guardian reported.

A major OPEC oil exporter, the UAE will be the second Arab state  after Egypt last year  to host the climate change conference. The UAE has made a pledge of net zero emissions by 2050.

Last years conference in Sharm el-Sheikh was criticized by some delegates, as well as climate activists, who said its emissions reduction objectives had been weakened by fossil fuel producers. Egypt  an exporter of natural gas  was also accused of giving producers of fossil fuels sympathetic treatment, which the president of Egypt has contested, reported Reuters. More than 600 fossil fuel lobbyists attended last years climate negotiations.

Like last years summit, were increasingly seeing fossil fuel interests taking control of the process and shaping it to meet their own needs, said global lead of climate justice at ActionAid Teresa Anderson, as Reuters reported.

Al Jaber was once in charge of a project to build a $22 billion carbon-neutral city on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, The Associated Press reported. The project was scaled back after the global financial crisis of 2008. Al Jaber also founded and currently serves as the CEO of renewable energy company Masdar, which stemmed from the project.

ADNOC owns 24 percent of Masdar, reported Reuters.

[If Al Jaber is appointed president of COP28, it will be] imperative for the world to be reassured that he will step down from his role as the CEO of Adnoc. He cannot preside over a process that is tasked to address the climate crisis with such a conflict of interest, heading an industry that is responsible for the crisis itself, said Executive Director of Climate Action Network International Tasneem Essop, as The Guardian reported.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

An oil derrick pump near a baseball diamond in the Wilmington Athletic Complex, in the Wilmington neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on Jan. 26, 2022. Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Oil company Warren Resources has sued Los Angeles this week after the city unanimously passed a ban on new oil and gas drilling. The oil company is arguing that the ban will shut down its operations, and the lawsuit aims to prevent the law from taking effect.

Warren Resources operates only in the Los Angeles area, with 244 wells and a 10-acre extraction site in the citys Wilmington neighborhood. The company extracts about 1,800 barrels per day, as reported by The Associated Press.

The ban, which passed in December, bans new oil and gas drilling in Los Angeles city limits and also includes phasing out existing wells over the next 20 years.

But Warren Resources says that the ban violates the California Environmental Quality Act, the Los Angeles General Plan and state and federal constitutions.

The City has failed to ask the necessary questions and obtain the required evidence at every turn, has rushed every legally required process along the way, and as a result has based its approval and adoption of the Ordinance on a woefully deficient environmental document, Warren Resources attorneys wrote in the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court, as reported by CNBC.

The lawsuit also argues that the ban will lead to more fossil fuel imports and increased emissions. The Los Angeles Times reported that four additional oil companies, E&B Natural Resources Management Corp.; Hillcrest Beverly Oil Corp.; E&B ENR; and Elysium Natural Resources, have filed a separate lawsuit against the city over the oil and gas ban.

Although oil companies are filing lawsuits over the ban, residents had praised the passing of the ordinance last month. Local communities have complained for years over the pollution and health impacts of local oil and gas extraction within the city.

Studies have found that close proximity to oil and gas development sites are linked to health problems, including asthma, pregnancy complications and increased risk of cancer, and one study noted that these sites expose populations to known carcinogens.

A report from nonprofit Communities for a Better Environment further found that Wilmington, where Warren Resources operates, has very high rates of asthma, cancer, heart problems, respiratory illnesses, low birth weights and miscarriages and is also the site with the highest concentration of refineries in the state.

This is a baseless lawsuit to delay common sense protection for vulnerable communities, Bahram Fazeli, research and policy director for Communities for a Better Environment, told the Los Angeles Times. The city has the right to determine its land-use priorities and to make communities whole and healthy.
Foreign Minister Park Jin / Yonhap



The top diplomats of Korea and Japan held phone talks Friday to discuss pending issues, including ways to compensate Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor under 2018 court rulings, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.



The previous day, the ministry formally floated the idea of using a public foundation based in Korea to pay the compensation for several Koreans who won lawsuits against two Japanese firms  Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel.



But the victims and supporting civic groups have rejected the plan, calling for Japan's apologies and direct involvement by the companies in the compensation process.





Members of a civic group seeking compensation from Japanese firms over forced labor during World War II and opposition lawmakers stage a rally in front of the National Assembly in Seoul to voice their opposition to the government's reported resolution to the issue that lacks the direct involvement of related Japanese firms, Jan. 12. Newsis
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

In the last session, nearly all of the proposed bills for stricter regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or forever chemicals, failed in the U.S. Congress. Companies lobbied successfully against PFAS regulations, despite public health officials warnings of the links between PFAS and human health problems.

PFAS are a group of thousands of synthetic chemicals found in many everyday items, from makeup to non-stick cookware to waterproof clothing and gear. PFAS are everywhere, including in water and soil and even in human blood. Even with tighter restrictions on PFAS, as some companies and governments around the world are setting stricter standards or outright bans on PFAS, these chemicals will remain in the environment indefinitely, since they do not easily break down.

As such, bills proposing bans on PFAS in food packaging, cosmetics, clothing and other products as well as proposed legislation for stricter standards on cleaning up these chemicals from the environment were considered over the U.S. Congress last session.

But a lack of support from Republican party politicians alongside strong campaigns from industry lobbyists led most PFAS-related bills to fail.

[The chemicals] industry is basically battening down the hatches, digging their trenches for defense, and shooting their salvos to stop anything that would significantly control PFAS, Erik Olson, the senior strategic director for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), said, as reported by The Guardian.

Two small proposals that included industry subsidies became law, including the Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act and the Protecting Firefighters from Adverse Substances Act, both of which focus on PFAS in firefighting foams, another common source of these chemicals.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted some restrictions on PFAS, but proposed bills such as the failed PFAS Action Act, would have offered stricter legislation that could not easily be reversed in a Republican administration.

Although progress on limiting has stalled in the U.S. Congress, states are introducing and passing their own regulations and bans on forever chemicals. In 31 states, over 200 PFAS-related bills have been introduced, according to Pew Charitable Trusts. In 2021, Maine became the first state to ban PFAS in all products by 2030.

Several new bans and restrictions on PFAS go into effect in multiple states starting this year, including Maine, New York, California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Vermont, Bloomberg Law reported.

The EPA also continues working on its PFAS Strategic Roadmap for 2021 through 2024, including a recently announced test order on PFAS to gain toxicity data on trifluoro(trifluoromethyl)oxirane (HFPO), which is used in plastic manufacturing, as well as the release of new PFAS Analytic Tools for communities.




A traditional custom associated with the Chinese calendar states that one's personality is determined by the year they were born in. Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by an animal known as the Chinese zodiac sign. According to this tradition, you are supposed to have the same traits as the animal that represents the year you are born in. For instance, the lunar year 2023 which starts on January 22 is the year of the Rabbit. Last year, 2022, was the year of the Tiger, and 2021 was the year of the Ox.



If you were born in the year 1982 then you have the characteristics of a dog, if you were born in 1974 you have the traits of a tiger, etc. The Chinese zodiac is woven into the cultural fabric of many Asian cultures and is used to "determine your fortune for the year, marriage compatibility, career path, best times to have a baby, and so much more." (CNY)





In the spirit of celebrating



Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, always falls on a date between January 21 and February 20. In 2023, Chinese New Year will fall on Sunday, January 22. Besides China, several other Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year including Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, as well as Asian communities all over the world.A traditional custom associated with the Chinese calendar states that one's personality is determined by the year they were born in. Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by an animal known as the Chinese zodiac sign. According to this tradition, you are supposed to have the same traits as the animal that represents the year you are born in. For instance, the lunar year 2023 which starts on January 22 is the year of the Rabbit. Last year, 2022, was the year of the Tiger, and 2021 was the year of the Ox.If you were born in the year 1982 then you have the characteristics of a dog, if you were born in 1974 you have the traits of a tiger, etc. The Chinese zodiac is woven into the cultural fabric of many Asian cultures and is used to "determine your fortune for the year, marriage compatibility, career path, best times to have a baby, and so much more." (CNY)In the spirit of celebrating cultural diversity and love of world cultures, I went ahead and prepared this list of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals that you can share with you students and help them learn more about Chinese New Year and its traditions. The two main sources I drew on are National Geographic Kids (NGK) and Chinesenewyear.net (CNY).

Chinese Zodiac Animals












Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin, right, and his Lithuanian counterpart, Gabrielius Landsbergis, pose for a photo ahead of their talks at the foreign ministry in Seoul, Jan. 13. Yonhap



Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin met with his Lithuanian counterpart Gabrielius Landsbergis on Friday to exchange views on their bilateral ties, according to his office.



During their talks in Seoul, Park stressed that relations between the two sides have consistently deepened in various fields on the basis of "common values" they shared, such as freedom, democracy, market economy and human rights."



"We hope to exchange productive dialogue in today's meeting to discuss detailed ways to further expand bilateral cooperation," he was quoted as saying.



Landsbergis extended appreciation to Korea for participating in global sanctions against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and showing support to the warn-torn country. He also expressed hopes that the two countries could "continue on this path together."



"We are pleased not only to see the two countries commemorate their cooperation for the past 30 years, but also expanded cooperation in politics, culture, economy and trade in recent years," he said.



He added that the Ukrainian war has brought "like-minded partners around the world closer together." (Yonhap)


Mercedes will reportedly drop the EQ brand to prepare for an all-electric future You could see EQ-less EVs as soon as 2024.

Don't worry if Mercedes' insistence on EQ branding for electric cars seems arbitrary  the naming scheme might not last much longer. Sources speaking to the German daily Handelsblatt claim Mercedes will drop the EQ brand as soon as late 2024, when it's expected to debut its next wave of compact cars. Simply put, the company won't have much use for the label when more and more of its cars will be electric.

Mercedes first used the EQ name on production cars with 2019's EQC SUV. Since then, the company has applied the branding to both electrified versions of conventional designs like the EQB as well as unique models like the EQS SUV. Concept cars like the long-range EQXX have similarly stuck to the nomenclature.

In a statement to Reuters, a Mercedes spokesperson said it was "too early" to divulge plans. However, the representative said the automaker would "adapt" the use of the EQ brand as it transitioned to an all-EV lineup by 2030. The identification still plays a key role in the company's current electric vehicle strategy, the spokesperson added.

If the report is true, the rethink won't come as a surprise. While car manufacturers have frequently used names to highlight electric powerplants, such as the Chevy Bolt and Ford Mustang Mach-E, they're starting to rely on more traditional monikers as EVs become more commonplace. Chevy's upcoming electric Blazer is one example. EVs will eventually become the default, and companies won't get to use the presence of an electric motor as a selling point.
It says Voyager Labs used more than 38,000 fake Facebook user accounts to collect data from profiles, groups and pages.

Meta sues surveillance company for allegedly scraping more than 600,000 accounts It says Voyager Labs used more than 38,000 fake Facebook user accounts to collect data from profiles, groups and pages.

Meta has filed a lawsuit against Voyager Labs, which it has accused of creating tens of thousands of fake accounts to scrape data from more than 600,000 Facebook users' profiles. It says the surveillance company pulled information such as posts, likes, friend lists, photos, and comments, along with other details from groups and pages. Meta claims that Voyager masked its activity using its Surveillance Software, and that the company has also scraped data from Instagram , Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Telegram to sell and license for profit.

In the complaint , which was obtained by Gizmodo , Meta has asked a judge to permanently ban Voyager from Facebook and Instagram. "As a direct result of Defendants unlawful actions, Meta has suffered and continues to suffer irreparable harm for which there is no adequate remedy at law, and which will continue unless Defendants actions are enjoined," the filing reads. Meta said Voyager's actions have caused it "to incur damages, including investigative costs, in an amount to be proven at trial."

Meta claims that Voyager scraped data from accounts belonging to "employees of non-profit organizations, universities, news media organizations, healthcare facilities, the armed forces of the United States, and local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as full-time parents, retirees, and union members." The company noted in a blog post it disabled accounts linked to Voyager and that filed the suit to enforce its terms and policies.

"Companies like Voyager are part of an industry that provides scraping services to anyone regardless of the users they target and for what purpose, including as a way to profile people for criminal behavior," Jessica Romero, Meta's director of platform enforcement and litigation, wrote. "This industry covertly collects information that people share with their community, family and friends, without oversight or accountability, and in a way that may implicate peoples civil rights."

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In 2021, The Guardian reported that the Los Angeles Police Department had tested Voyager's social media surveillance tools in 2019. The company is said to have told the department that police could use the software to track the accounts of a suspect's friends on social media, and that the system could predict crimes before they took place by making assumptions about a person's activity.

According to The Guardian, Voyager has suggested factors like Instagram usernames denoting Arab pride or tweeting about Islam could indicate someone is leaning toward extremism. Other companies , such as Palantir , have worked on predictive policing tech. Critics such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation claim that tech can't predict crime and that algorithms merely perpetuate existing biases .

Data scraping is an issue that Meta has to take seriously. In 2021, it sued an individual for allegedly scraping data on more than 178 million users. Last November, the Irish Data Protection Commission fined the company 265 million ($277 million) for failing to stop bad actors from obtaining millions of people's phone numbers and other data, which were published elsewhere online. The regulator said Meta failed to comply with GDPR data protection rules.
A real estate consultant surnamed Shin accused of a massive housing rental scam leaves the Seoul Central District Court after a court hearing, Jan. 12. Newsis



Police said Friday they have arrested 78 people in a massive housing rental scam that caused a combined unpaid sum of 8 billion won ($6.5 million) in deposits belonging to dozens of tenants.



An investigation came as the tenants were unable to reclaim their housing deposits after their landlord  referred to as a "villa king" by local press for owning hundreds of properties  died before paying his tenants back.



Among the suspects are a real estate consultant surnamed Shin who allegedly masterminded the purchase of 628 properties in Seoul and the surrounding area between July 2017 and September 2020 under the names of the deceased villa king and another king, surnamed Kim, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA).



All of the properties were small-sized residential buildings that are more commonly known as villas in Korea and are usually three to five stories high and cheaper than apartment complexes.



The SMPA said the properties were rented through an agreement called "jeonse," in which tenants give their landlord a large amount of upfront deposit instead of paying monthly rent. Then, the landlord earns interest off the deposit and returns the deposit at the end of the lease.



The SMPA said the suspects were unable to return deposits to a total of 37 tenants, as the properties were purchased with the deposits paid by other tenants.



The suspects each had a role in the organized scam, such as searching for a property and finding a tenant, and they earned criminal proceeds totaling 800 million won, the SMPA said. (Yonhap)


The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has suggested a climate change risk assessment framework integrating top-down and bottom-up approaches for measuring climate hazards, exposure, and vulnerability. The multiplicative impact of these three determinants has led to socio-economic pathways, adaptation actions, and governance.

The United Nations (UN) Climate Action cell conjectures that a significant drop-off in global agricultural yields of up to 30% by 2050 can be avoided if more farms install solar-powered irrigation, cultivate climate-resilient crop varieties, can access weather-smart technologies, and adaptive measures. So, adaptation measures by developed and developing countries entail strengthening governance for adaptation and its finance, which are one of the key agendas in 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), in addition to broadening and deepening adaptation measures, preserving biodiversity, and attaining net zero emissions.
Jeju International Airport is crowded with foreign nationals preparing to leave Korea under a special amnesty program, in this March 8, 2020, file photo. More than 32,000 undocumented foreign nationals living here returned to their countries under the program in 2022, an official told The Korea Times. Yonhap









By Jung Min-ho







More than 32,000 undocumented foreign nationals living in Korea left the country last year under a special amnesty program. Speaking to The Korea Times recently, an official at the Ministry of Justice said 32,026 undocumented foreign residents  about eight percent of the estimated 410,000 undocumented foreigners living here  returned to their countries throughout the year.







The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the ministry's law enforcement operations to reduce the number of undocumented residents over the past three years. In an effort to keep the number at a manageable level, the ministry ran the program extensively in 2022  between January and June as well as an additional few weeks leading up to the end of the year.







The current program that has been running since Nov. 17 will end on Feb. 28.







Those who left Korea voluntarily under the program have been exempt from paying fines  up to 30 million won ($24,000)  and will be allowed to return.







The goal of the amnesty is to reduce the burden on immigration officials, who are struggling with a sharp increase in the number of undocumented residents, mainly for economic reasons, and to build trust with the foreign community here.







During the pandemic, the ministry's focus has been on conducting anti-virus-related inspections, such as encouraging undocumented residents to receive COVID-19 vaccines. As such rules ease, the ministry plans to crack down on undocumented residents, the official said.







The statement comes amid growing calls to strengthen controls on unauthorized residents. According to ministry data, the number of undocumented residents has climbed to more than 412,000 after reaching the 400,000 mark for the first time last September. Only 10 years ago, it was below 180,000.







Earlier this week, Rep. Yoo Sang-bum of the ruling People Power Party called on the ministry to look over its inspection system following revelations that more than 150 foreign visitors who had entered Korea via Yangyang International Airport through a visa-waiver program disappeared from the radar over the last six months.







Such news has raised concerns among some Koreans, who consider themselves ethnically homogeneous despite a population of over 2 million residents of foreign nationality. On Thursday, an appellate court in Daejeon upheld the original verdict that convicted a man from Kazakhstan of sending about $1,000 to a terrorist group in Central Asia in 2020. He had been staying here without a visa. The same week, a Nigerian woman was arrested on charges of using other people's IDs. She was also staying here illegally.







In a different case, it was recently found that a man who died during a demolition accident in Jeonju two weeks ago was an undocumented worker from Thailand.







All this presents a challenging task for Korea, which seeks to embrace more foreign workers and visitors while minimizing social problems that may follow.







The ministry has been preparing to set up a new agency to comprehensively handle migrant-related policies. When asked when it will be launched, the ministry said in a statement that details, such as its size and specific roles, will be announced by the end of June.


South Korea unveiled a plan to compensate victims of Japan's wartime forced labor through its own public foundation - instead of using funds from Japanese companies - prompting backlash from the victims and their families.
In yet another high-profile resignation since Adani Group taking management control of NDTV, Group President Suparna Singh has put in her papers. Arijit Chatterjee, Chief Strategy Officer and Kawaljit Singh Bedi, Chief Technology and Product Officer have also quit.

The information was shared by the company with BSE.

The company is in the process of putting up a new leadership team which will set a fresh strategic direction and goals for the company, the communication from NDTV to BSE read.

The news was further shared by CEO & Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia with NDTV employees in an internal mail.

As an update, three of our colleagues: Suparna Singh, Arijit Chatterjee and Kawaljit Singh Bedi have submitted their resignations and have decided to move on from NDTV. They have been the pillars of strength for the group and have played important roles in getting the company back to profitability. We wish them the very best in their future endeavours," he reporetdly wrote in the mail.

"In line with the thoughts I shared during the town hall, the Adani Group is committed to transitioning NDTV into a new-age, global digital media organisation. As I interact with many of you at NDTV, I am more than convinced that we have the value system, mindset, capability and credibility to make our aspirations come true soon. We shall work together and keep you updated at all stages," he said.

Suparna spent 25 years with NDTV, including various functions: editorial in both broadcast TV and internet, revenue and cost management. She is credited with creating and running NDTV Convergence.

Read more news about (internet advertising India, internet advertising, advertising India, digital advertising India, media advertising India)
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Snow likely. High near 35F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 90%. 1 to 3 inches of snow expected..

Tonight

Cloudy early with partial clearing expected late. Low 19F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Applications for the 2023 British Guild of Agricultural Journalists training course have opened, marking the start of this year's search for the next generation of talented reporters.

The free course has been running since 1991 and has helped to produce some of the leading editors, correspondents, and communications leaders working in the industry today.

The 2023 course will return this summer from 2-4 July at John Deere's UK & Ireland headquarters in Langar, Nottinghamshire.

It sees 10 selected applicants given an immersive introduction to the world of journalism and is open to any aspiring communicators, whether they are from an agricultural background or not.

After the course, attendees will complete a work placement with a national farming publication, an agricultural public relations agency, or within the communications department of a business which works with farmers.

Each course member will then enter their best piece of work to be judged with the winner taking home the overall John Deere Training Award and 250 first prize.

A runner-up also receives 100. Both prize-winners are invited to be guests at the BGAJ's flagship Harvest Lunch event in London.

"The John Deere Training Award has been completed by many of the top agricultural journalists in the sector and we are really proud to have played a part in shaping their careers," said Chris Wiltshire, tactical marketing manager at John Deere.

"Agriculture is poised to enter a period of unprecedented change and challenges, therefore the needs to recruit top-notch journalists to communicate the work our industry undertakes has arguably never been more important."

The course is led by experienced journalists, with practical exercises covering the main media sectors.

Special guest speakers will address the group during the course, and participants will get the opportunity to put John Deere's tractors and all-terrain utility vehicles through their paces with a driving experience.

Chairman of the Guild, Johann Tasker said: "Attracting talent to agricultural communications is vital, and this training course has been delivering fresh recruits into the industry for more than 30 years.

"It's a brilliant opportunity to learn how journalism works, meet like-minded people, and get a real insight into the career opportunities in front of you."

Applicants, who must be studying and/or a resident in Great Britain, have until Friday 31 March 2023 to return a completed application form .
Farmers with unresolved banking disputes are being encouraged to register their case with the Business Banking Resolution Service (BBRS) before its closure next month.

A free-to-use, independent service, the BBRS resolves disputes between small-to-medium sized businesses and their bank.

The service, which closes for complaints on 14 February 2023, can make both financial and non-financial awards when a complaint is upheld.

Businesses going through will be assigned a dispute resolution specialist known as the customer champion who acts as a single point of contact and offers practical support.

The BBRS historical scheme covers banking complaints first registered in the period from 1 December 2001 to 31 March 2019.

Businesses may qualify for support if they had turnover between 1m and 6.5m per annum at the time of their complaint, and their case has not already been settled, been subject to an independent review, or gone to court. This includes businesses which have since closed, merged or been sold.

The BBRS can also assess more recent unresolved complaints through its contemporary scheme, which covers cases for the period from 1 April 2019 onwards.

It is open to businesses with turnover up to 10m per annum, and total assets up to 7.5m, which are not eligible to take their complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Since the BBRS went live in February 2021, it has resolved a range of disputes from both the historical and contemporary schemes.

Some of these cases have received an adjudication, which, when upheld in the customers favour, recommends what the bank can do to put things right.

The BBRS has also seen multiple examples of cases being resolved outside the formal adjudication process, with banks and customers resolving their complaint via a settlement or mediation.

In these cases, the service plays a key role in getting the two sides around the table to reach a resolution.

Businesses with outstanding historical banking disputes are urged to see if they can apply for support using a quick online tool as the deadline for historical complaint applications is just 6 months away, closing on 14 February 2023.

Dirk Paterson, customer director at the BBRS said: We want as many businesses as possible to have the opportunity to use the BBRS service.

"This includes businesses, trusts, charities, friendly societies, and co-operative societies. It includes directors of businesses no longer operating.

"We urge them to see if they qualify for our help and, if so, to register. If theyre unsure, businesses can check online or contact us to find out more.

Farming businesses interested in using the service can register online.
Northern Irish farmers are being reminded that the deadline to submit records of slurry and all other organic manures exported from farms during 2022 is fast approaching.

Any farm exporting slurry, chicken litter or manure to another farm must submit this information online to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

The form must be submitted by the end of January 2023, the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) explains.

Under the Nutrients Action Programme (NAP) for NI farmers must be able to show they meet the 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare limit over a year.

This is effectively a stocking limit and while in NI over 90% of farms are working under this limit, those that are over the 170kgN/ha/year must take action to ensure cross compliance penalties are avoided.

The UFU says farmers can choose to export slurry in order to meet this limit however, they must record and submit this information online by 31 January.
Kwon Soo-jin. Courtesy of JINJIN Pictures





By Lee Yeon-woo







Kwon Soo-jin, 25, has lived a double life for as long as she can remember.







Over the past four years, she was a communications student at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. She spent her weekdays, like other students, attending lectures, writing papers, and taking mid-terms and final exams.







On weekends, however, she transformed into a shaman popular among those who are curious about their future, or those who are facing critical life decisions and want to consult with somebody who can read their future and give them advice.







After graduating, Kwon is now a full-time shaman.







But she still sometimes finds it tough to strike a balance between her two very different realities one as a fun-loving young woman and another as a person who tells people's fortunes.







Time management is not her only issue. The real problem she is grappling with is people's stereotyping of her job.







"One day, I visited a hospital and overheard a group of women talking about how a shaman they know accurately predicted the future. As the conversation went on, one woman brought up a story about marrying a shaman. Then the other woman was strongly against that because she believed (a shaman) would be a problem for the family," she told The Korea Times.







Their conversation hurt her. "We are not criminals. Reading people's past and future is part of our job. We don't harm people," she said.







Kwon said she is all too familiar with people's insensitive words about shamans as she has experienced it so many times since her childhood years.







Such experiences didn't help her build a thick skin to protect her from judgmental people as she still gets hurt by such harsh words.







Kwon was raised by her grandmother since she was an infant after her parents divorced. Her grandmother was also a shaman.







When Kwon turned four, she "felt the spirits." She read the future of her grandmothers' clients. Her "unique talent" sometimes made her vulnerable to blunt remarks. She was hurt when some of her friends teased her openly, saying she can see ghosts.







Kwon said the media are partly responsible for her traumatic childhood and adult life, claiming that shamans are frequently misrepresented.







"It is commonly seen in dramas or movies that shamans shout or write something when they read other people's future. And when the media portrays 'gut' (a Korean shamanic ritual), most of the time the shaman shudders to show that her body is possessed by a spirit," she said. "I do 'gut,' if necessary, but I don't shudder that much."







She said this depiction of shamans makes audiences feel fear and promotes misunderstanding.







Poster of the documentary "A Girl Who Dreams About Time." Courtesy of JINJIN Pictures





Kwon chose to break that stereotype and show the Korean public who shamans really are. So she said yes to documentary filmmaker Park Hyuk-ji's offer, to capture a shaman's real life. Park filmed Kwon for seven years from 2015 to 2022.







The documentary, "A Girl Who Dreams About Time," portrays her desperate effort to balance her split life as a shaman and a student. From the time she was a teenager, she read her clients' futures on weekends and went to school on weekdays. The toing and froing continued until her college life.







"Even though being a shaman was my life since I was a baby, I always held thoughts in my childhood, such as 'why do I have to do this? I want to play too, I want to go to a friend's birthday party.'"







But while she struggled with her identity, she was still experiencing conflicts with her grandmother, working hard on her studies and having to deal with day-to-day issues  like a frozen boiler in winter.







"I wanted to show people what concerns we, shamans have in our daily lives," Kwon said.







All she wants from the documentary is to simply give people a better understanding of her job, and show that shamans are also human beings.







"I'm not asking you to be fond of us. I believe people should hold reasonable suspicion of this job. I just don't want them to look at us as if we are creatures from other planets," Kwon said.







The documentary hit local theaters on Wednesday.


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE: WDGY) (OTCQB: WDGRF) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), announces that it has completed the first of three payments in connection with the definitive agreement (the "Transaction") to acquire certain West Texas, Permian Basin, oil and gas production assets (the "Project") (announced December 19, 2022).

The Company completed a payment to the arm's length vendors of US$250,000 with additional payments of US$500,000 (on or before February 28, 2023) and US$750,000 (on or before March 31, 2023) scheduled to meet closing conditions of the Transaction.

On closing of the Transaction, the vendors will relinquish operators status and transfer title to the leases and ownership of related surface facilities and equipment to the Company's wholly owned Texas subsidiary, Wedgemount Texas Corp. ("WTC"). Concurrent with closing, WTC will have earned a 100% working interest in the leases comprising the Project subject to underlying royalties averaging 19%.

Conditional to closing, WTC will be credited by the vendors with an amount equal to the net oil and gas revenue from the Project for the period commencing January 1, 2023 and up to the date of closing of the Transaction (the "Interim Period") which amount will be reconciled by vendor via a settlement statement rendered within 60-days of closing of the Transaction. During the Interim Period, the vendor will conduct operations at the direction of WTC. WTC is responsible for oil and gas production taxes as well as property taxes during the Interim Period.

Separately, the Company determined that it would not proceed with its option on the red claims located in north central British Columbia (the "Cookie Property"). The Company completed exploration work on the claims comprising the Cookie Property in 2021 after which it determined not to proceed further. The Company continues to hold mineral claims comprising greater than 10,000 hectares in the vicinity of the Cookie Property.

About Wedgemount Resources Corp.

Wedgemount Resources is a junior natural resources company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, discovery and advancement of natural resource projects in North America.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

WEDGEMOUNT RESOURCES CORP.

Mark Vanry, President and CEO

For more information, please contact the Company at:

Telephone: (604) 343-4743

info@wedgemountresources.com

www.wedgemountresources.com

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements made in this news release include the anticipated completion of the acquisition and the proposed timing of thereof, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the potential for gas production and production from additional zones on the Project, and potential additional acquisition opportunities in the area of the Project. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, availability of funds, personnel and other resources necessary to conduct exploration or development programs, successes of the Company's exploration efforts, availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/151215
At the 2023 World Economic Forum, WIR Group and Eiger, together with the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, will promote the adoption of interactive technology in the Indonesian retail sector.

Jakarta, Indonesia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - PT WIR Asia Tbk (WIR Group) - a leading technology-based company in Southeast Asia for augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence - together with the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, has been selected for the fourth time to participate in the 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) to be held in Davos from the 16th - 20th January, 2023. On this occasion, WIR Group will collaborate with PT Eigerindo Multi Produk Industri, a company that oversees the EIGER Adventure brand, an Indonesian outdoor equipment provider that will soon open its first offline store in Switzerland.





During the media briefing (1/10), WIR Group and Eiger expressed their excitement in exploring interactive technology within the scope of the Indonesian retail sector.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8907/151237_3ad177e21448a9c7_001full.jpg

At WEF 2023, WIR Group and EIGER will showcase prototypes of future interactive technology adaptations. This technology allows users to interact with digital content in a more immersive and realistic manner, using gestures, voice commands, and other forms of input.

The Ministry of Investment/BKPM once again invites WIR Group to collaborate on the Indonesia Pavilion as a side event at WEF, an event initiated by the Indonesian government in collaboration with KADIN in Davos 2023, as this local and national company has global competitive value that is able to build a foundation for various sectors to adopt digital technology. "We have confidence in WIR Group as a technology developer and also a reliable partner to be an example of Indonesia's success in high-tech development," said Nurul Ichwan, Deputy for Investment Promotion, Ministry of Investment/BKPM.

At this annual event, WIR Group's presence is expected to support activities in the Indonesia Pavilion. "The Indonesian government is promoting the development of digital economy which is represented in the collaboration between government and business owners in the Indonesia Pavilion. In WEF Davos 2023, WIR Group and EIGER are pushing for the acceleration of the digital economy and supporting the implementation of strategic plans for developing the digital economy ecosystem in Indonesia," added Nurul Ichwan, Deputy for Investment Promotion, Ministry of Investment/BKPM.

"We feel honored to be trusted again to fill the Indonesia Pavilion at the WEF 2023, once again we will show the world the strength of digital technology development and the prospect of digital transformation in Indonesia, including by showcasing snippets of interactive technology and its application to all industries, especially retail," cheered Gupta Sitorus, Chief Sales and Marketing of WIR Group.

This year, WIR Group highlights the theme of, "The Future of Interactivity." The presence of this interactive technology allows users to interact with digital content in a more natural, intuitive and immersive way.

"Interactivity is an important aspect of modern technology, and it seems it will continue to be so in the future. As technology advances, we may see more and more devices and interactive systems that are able to respond to human input in a more natural and intuitive way, like approaches to technology and significant advancements in interactivity including virtual and augmented reality as well as other interactivity," added Gupta.

Christian H. Sarsono, CEO of PT Eigerindo Multi Produk Industri, explained that EIGER's presence at the World Economic Forum 2023 in Davos is a global leap for EIGER as well as a move towards digital transformation as advocated by the government across all industries.

"EIGER welcomes the efforts to develop digital technology adoption in the retail industry. This is embodied by EIGER by joining the multinational event at the World Economic Forum 2023," said Christian.

EIGER's presence at WEF 2023 is also a step in preparation towards opening its first store in Switzerland.

"The EIGER name is inspired by the name of a mountain in Switzerland, Mount Eiger. We were also inspired by the high standards of quality that are part of the Swiss lifestyle. Jumping off of that, EIGER's step to open a store in Switzerland will push us to continue to create high quality products," said Riadi Suwarno, Marketing General Manager of PT Eigerindo MPI. Riadi added that at the WEF 2023 event, EIGER will introduce its offline store in Switzerland and will officially open in March 2023.

Subsequently, at the peak of the WEF 2023 event in Davos, the Ministry of Investment/BKPM in collaboration with WIR Group and EIGER will showcase efforts in the adoption of future interactive technology.

Digital Experience General Manager of PT Eigerindo MPI, Jason Wuysang explained that EIGER is currently developing a new division, the Digital Experience, as one way to adapt to technological advancements, with the intention that EIGER can provide the best experience for consumers. One of the initiatives currently being developed is the utilization of Web 3.0 technology.

"We appreciate the collaboration with WIR Group in Davos as one of the steps towards digital transformation that EIGER has taken. Hopefully, we can reach a wider global market through digital interactive technology, so that we can provide the best experience for Eigerians (consumers) wherever they are," uttered Jason.

WIR Group is constantly striving to collaborate with various parties to develop the national digital ecosystem and support the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in realizing inclusive, empowering, and sustainable digital transformation.

About PT Eigerindo Multi Produk Industri

PT Eigerindo MPI is a company that oversees the EIGER Adventure brand, an Indonesian provider of outdoor equipment that has supported outdoor enthusiasts since 1989. Focusing on "Tropical Adventure," EIGER Adventure offers 3 main activity categories that include various outdoor activities, namely EIGER Mountaineering, EIGER Riding, and EIGER 1989.

Currently, EIGER Adventure already has more than 7 flagship stores and 215 stores in 27 provinces throughout Indonesia. In 2023, inspired by Mount Eiger and the high quality standards of Switzerland, EIGER Adventure will open its first global store in Switzerland. EIGER Adventure is also now available through various online marketplace platforms and on their website www.eigeradventure.com

About WIR Asia

WIR Group is a company group based on the immersive technologies augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) in Southeast Asia that has built solutions for foreign industries. In carrying out its business activities, WIR Group has a vision to provide a 'smart society' solution and the world of O2O (Online to Offline) metaverse for everyone in entering the web 3.0 era.

Since 2009, with its 'Software As A Service' (SAAS)-based software, WIR Group has completed thousands of projects and served clients in more than 20 countries including the United States, Spain, Nigeria, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar and many others. In addition, WIR Group has also received numerous international recognitions including the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2022, German Design Award 2020, AR Best Campaign in the annual Auggie Awards at the Augmented World Expo 2015 and 2016 in Silicon Valley, Innovation 40 Companies awarded by a British media outlet at the London Stock Exchange Studio, featured as one of Metaverse Tech Companies to Watch in 2022 according to Forbes Georgia, and represented the technology sector in the Indonesian contingent for SXSW Texas in 2017 and the World Economic Forum in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

The Company and its Subsidiaries ("WIR Group") has completed numerous projects in the field of education, retail, media and gaming. In 2015, WIR Group expanded its scope to offer media/advertising services through its technology unit DAV and retail trade service through Mindstores in 2016. In 2019, the Company established Minar technology unit through PT Mata Nilai Republik to develop AR geolocation-based gaming. On April 4, 2022, PT WIR Asia Tbk officially listed its shares on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) under ticker symbol WIRG.

For further information please contact:

Kurniati

Head of Communication, PT WIR Asia Tbk

Phone: (021) 5367 8064

Fax: (021) 5367 4611

Email: communications@wirglobal.com or info@wirglobal.com

Website: www.wir.group

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151237
AHF Eswatini, one of AIDS Healthcare Foundation's thirteen programs on the African continent, is starting off the new year on a high note celebrating its 15th anniversary under the theme "Keeping the Promise." In 2007, AHF started providing free lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) to people living with HIV in the Kingdom of Eswatini (then Swaziland).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005861/en/

As part of its commemoration of 15 years in the country, AHF Eswatini will unveil its newly constructed state-of-the-art LaMvelase Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Manzini City Council on Jan. 13. (Photo: Business Wire)

As part of its commemoration, AHF Eswatini will unveil its newly constructed state-of-the-art LaMvelase Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Manzini City Council (who provided the land on which the clinic sits). The new edifice, which costs more than SZL 31M (about $1.8M) will house the AHF Country Program Office and a more expanded HIV prevention, care and treatment and other related services space for the over 15,000 patients it serves. Amenities include a laboratory, consulting, and counselling rooms, a pharmacy with automated pill dispensing rooms, conference rooms, TB treatment unit, cervical cancer screening and treatment unit, and a play area, among others.

Over the years, the organization's foray and expansion in the country have been characterized by a rich history of impressive partnerships at the individual, national, and local levels with the entry and startup of the program in Eswatini spearheaded by two of AHF's Board Members (Dr Condessa Curley and Anita Williams). In 2006, AHF signed a public-private sector partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to establish a service point to care for people living with HIV including the provision of ART at the LaMvelase Help Centre. By the following year, AHF entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the Manzini City Council, Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS), Population Services International (PSI) and Alliance of Mayors' Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL) to establish the LaMvelase Clinic in Manzini.

"Today started as a dream seventeen years ago, at the height of the HIV epidemic in Swaziland, when the Medical Non-Profit Founders working in Swaziland, Anita Williams, Dr Condessa Curley, and Madam Mhlanga of the Swaziland Ministry of Health called Mr. Michael Weinstein (AHF's President and Co-Founder), asking if AHF would please open a clinic in this wonderful country called The Kingdom of Swaziland," recalled Anita Williams and Dr Condessa Curley, Members of AHF's Board of Directors. "Seventeen incredible years later, we celebrate that extremely successful dream Michael and AHF, we all thank you for saying YES!"

From Manzini in 2007, AHF has expanded its footprint across the country, with a presence in Nhlangano, Mbabane, Piggs Peak, and Matsapha, serving over 33,000 patients as of January 2023. Additionally, the program's model and services have continued to receive national recognition while recording many firsts. AHF's LaMvelase and Matsapha clinics have continued to bag top awards for service delivery. AHF (with Medecins Sans Frontieres) was the first to introduce TB LAM for patients with advanced HIV disease in the country and the first to offer third line drugs and HIV resistance testing to a few patients when treatment costs averaged SZL 3,000 a month.

"Today's dual celebration is a testament to AHF's commitment to the national HIV/AIDS response and providing quality, patient-centred care to the communities we serve," said Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF Africa Bureau Chief. "However, these accomplishments and growth we have recorded in Eswatini would not be possible without the tireless efforts of our staff, the support from the Manzini Municipality, the patient community, and the collaborations with government and partners all these years, and for that, we are grateful."

"Eswatini has made great strides towards eliminating HIV as public health threat by 2030, and we are proud as AHF to have been part of this in a major way," added Dr Nkululeko Dube, Country Program Manager, AHF Eswatini. "Fifteen years of service later, this iconic building and Centre of Excellence is a recommitment to Keeping the Promise, and the spirit of partnership continues till this day, with Georgetown University committing to provide furniture, equipment, and an extra $5,000 for the new clinic."

AHF Eswatini will host a day-long celebration welcoming government and civil society partners, stakeholders, community leaders, and our HIV clients at LaMvelase Centre of Excellence in Manzini.

WHAT AHF Eswatini 15th Anniversary and Center of Excellence opening WHEN 13th January 2023 9.00 a.m. 1.00 p.m. Clinic Opening

Clinic Opening 6.00 p.m. 9.00 p.m. Gala Dinner WHERE LaMvelase Centre of Excellence in Manzini WHO Mama Angelina Wapakabulo AHF Board Member /Global Vice Chair

Dr Condessa Curley AHF Board Member

Anita Williams AHF Board Member

Dr Penninah Iutung AHF Africa Bureau Chief

Hon. Minister of Health

Hon. Minister for Housing and Urban Development

Manzini Regional Administrator

Manzini City Council

Although providing treatment was AHF Eswatini's foremost priority, it has attained much more in over a decade. Highlights include taking over the Matsapha clinic in 2017 during MSF's departure saving 7,500 patients and about 40 jobs, opening a new LaMvelase wing in 2014 with extensive renovations to the tune of R2.5M (about $146.927) and implementing HIV prevention services, including condom promotion and distribution and men's health and wellness awareness. AHF Eswatini also runs AHF's transformative Girls Act program, which empowers young women and girls to thrive and stay healthy through information, education, services, and skills building; it is currently advocating for access to free sanitary pads for girls.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1.6 million people in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Europe. We are currently the largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005861/en/

Contacts:

ESWATINI MEDIA CONTACT:

Thulani Mtetwa, Prevention Program Coordinator

AHF Eswatini

+268 7802 5311

thulani.mtetwa@ahf.org

AFRICA BUREAU MEDIA CONTACT:

Oluwakemi Gbadamosi, Director Advocacy, Policy Marketing, AHF Africa

+234-91-21-500-600

oluwakemi.gbadamosi@aidshealth.org

US MEDIA CONTACT

Denys Nazarov, Director of Global Policy

Communications, AHF

+1 323.308.1829

denys.nazarov@ahf.org
Robert August, an online retailer of luxury European-made footwear, has announced its new individual custom design option for its saddle shoe collection.

Chicago, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2023) - Robert August's new customization option is now available on the brand's men's saddle shoes, so named for the contrasting separate cut of leather on the waist of the shoe. Robert August believes that by offering its shoppers the combination of the classic saddle shoe style with the ability to choose the color, finish, sole style, laces and toe shape, it can create the best in both timeless and unique design.

More information is available at https://augustapparel.com/product-category/mens/mens-dress-shoes/saddle-shoes







Handcrafted Custom Design Saddle Shoe Collection Announced By Robert August

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The launch of Robert August's custom design option coincides with a recent article on Foreign Policy magazine about the rising popularity of custom footwear. As they explained, American shoppers are increasingly looking for tailor-made shoes because they look and feel unique, are sized perfectly, offer greater comfort and generally represent a better long-term investment because they tend to be of higher quality.

With the company's new their new online shoe design interface, shoppers can see their shoe being created. They can now select between colors like black, brown, navy blue, burgundy and cognac, and pick standard leather or genuine alligator or python skin. Finishes like an artisan hand patina are also now available through the 'Design Your Own' option.

One popular new saddle shoe is Robert August's The Lincoln Ave. Saddle Shoe No. 8109, which comes with a combination of camel and rich brown suede and matching taupe laces. Shoppers can choose to purchase this handmade shoe as is, or to customize it.

All of the shoes from Robert August's latest collection are handmade to measure in their boutique factory in Almansa, Spain. This town has been internationally renowned for artisan shoemaking since the 18th century.

A spokesperson for the online retailer said, "Our saddle shoes are the perfect way to add a touch of style to any outfit. Their distinct two-color look is a timeless classic that looks great with both casual and formal styles. Part of our iconic Chicago Collection, these versatile shoes get their name from the saddle-shaped piece that goes across the lace area. Our shoes are renowned for their style and quality, and no two pairs of Robert August shoes are alike because they are all handcrafted to order."

More details can be found at https://augustapparel.com/product-category/mens/mens-dress-shoes/saddle-shoes

Contact Info:

Name: Robert Baum

Email: robert@augustapparel.com

Organization: Robert August

Address: 1 E Erie St. Suite 525-4647, Chicago, IL 60611, United States

Website: https://augustapparel.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151143
LONDON and TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alphawave IP Group plc (LSE: AWE) ("Alphawave", the "Company"), today will host its inaugural Capital Markets Day for investors and financial analysts in London. At the event, the management team will present the Company's long-term business strategy and financial targets as it enters the next stage of technology leadership in connectivity for digital infrastructure markets. The company also announced a rebrand of its corporate identity, including a new logo, updated visual brand elements, and a new company brand: Alphawave Semi.





Following a period of investment into the expansion of the team and capabilities in alignment with the goals outlined during the Company's IPO in 2021, Alphawave plans to create long-term shareholder value by:

Extending and expanding its technology leadership in connectivity silicon technology;

Transforming into a vertically integrated semiconductor company by further monetising its IP through business opportunities in custom silicon and other connectivity products;

Addressing more of the customer's connectivity needs in high-growth digital infrastructure markets, including data centers. Alphawave estimates its addressable market will grow at 20% CAGR over the period 2023-2026; and

Maintaining a disciplined capital allocation and a strong focus on improving operational efficiency over the next two years.

Despite the uncertain macroeconomic environment, our growing pipeline reflects positive secular growth trends in data infrastructure markets and the continued investment in next generation connectivity solutions. This combined with our talented team and strong balance sheet gives us confidence in our future.

For the full year 2023, Alphawave expects to maintain its high-growth trajectory while completing the integration of the recent acquisitions. The Company expects for the FY 2023:

Revenue within a range of US$340m to US$360m

to Adjusted EBITDA of approximately US$87m at the mid-point of the revenue guidance range, representing an adjusted EBITDA margin of c.25%

By FY2025, Alphawave targets operating within the following financial model:

Revenue CAGR in line with its addressable market of approximately 20%, representing approximately US$500m revenue run rate by 2025

revenue run rate by 2025 Gross margin of c.60%

Adjusted operating expenses as a percentage of revenue of c.30%

Adjusted EBITDA margin of c.30%, representing approximately US$150m adjusted EBITDA1

1 Calculated based on US$500m revenue

Tony Pialis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alphawave said: "We are building a leading connectivity business on the foundations of our high-performance IP. Our focus is on executing our vision with an expanded connectivity portfolio addressing more of our customers' connectivity needs. With a team of almost 700 employees, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and the long-term potential of the business."

John Lofton Holt, Executive Chairman of Alphawave, added: "Today we announced a new brand for our company, Alphawave Semi, which reflects our ambition since IPO - to build the leading vertically-integrated semiconductor company focused on connectivity solutions. We are committed to generating shareholder value and we are confident that all of our stakeholders will be rewarded as we successfully execute our long-term strategy and continue to deliver for our customers."

Capital Markets Day

The Company is today hosting its first Capital Markets Day in London.

Live Broadcast

The event will be broadcast live from 09:00 am GMT via:

https://www.lsegissuerservices.com/spark/ALPHAWAVEIPGROUP/events/7aadd13f-2514-47e1-8281-baced5bae5e8

A recording of the event will also be available to view in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website Results, Reports & Presentations - Alphawave Semi

About Alphawave Semi

Alphawave Semi is a global leader in high-speed connectivity for the world's technology infrastructure. Faced with the exponential growth of data, Alphawave Semi's technology services a critical need: enabling data to travel faster, more reliably and with higher performance at lower power. We are a vertically integrated semiconductor company, and our IP, custom silicon, and connectivity products are deployed by global tier-one customers in data centers, compute, networking, AI, 5G, autonomous vehicles, and storage. Founded in 2017 by an expert technical team with a proven track record in licensing semiconductor IP, our mission is to accelerate the critical data infrastructure at the heart of our digital world. To find out more about Alphawave Semi, visit: awavesemi.com

Alphawave Semi and the Alphawave Semi logo are trademarks of Alphawave IP Group plc. All rights reserved.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements which are made in good faith and are based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future events. You can sometimes, but not always, identify these statements by the use of a date in the future or such words as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "intend", "plan", "should", "may", "assume" and other similar words. By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive and speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

CONTACT: Alphawave IP Group plc: John Lofton Holt, Executive Chairman, Jose Cano, Head of IR|ir@awaveip.com, +44 (0) 20 7717 5877; Brunswick Group: Simone Selzer, Sarah West, alphawave@brunswickgroup.com, +44 (0) 20 7404 5959; Gravitate PR: Lisette Paras, Wynton Yu, alphawave@gravitatepr.com, +1 415 420 8420

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Regulatory News:

TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) announces the start-up of the Deutsche Ostsee LNG import terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG). Operated by Deutsche ReGas and located in Lubmin on the German Baltic Sea coast, the site's official inauguration will take place tomorrow, attended by German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. This project, to which TotalEnergies is contributing a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) and supplying LNG, will make the Company one of Germany's main LNG suppliers.

In December 2022, TotalEnergies delivered the Neptune one of the Company's two floating storage and regasification units) to Deutsche Regas. The vessel has an annual regasification capacity of 5 billion cubic meters of gas, enough to cover about 5% of German demand.

Following Deutsche Regas's open season procedure, in October 2022, TotalEnergies also contracted regasification capacity of 2.6 billion cubic meters of gas per year and began to deliver LNG from its global integrated portfolio to the Lubmin terminal.

"Europe is facing a historic gas supply crisis caused by the sharp drop in flows from Russia. Since the beginning of this crisis, TotalEnergies has mobilized its LNG portfolio, which is broad and flexible, to send available LNG to Europe and to use its 18 Mt/y regasification capacity. Thanks to the start-up of the Lubmin terminal, TotalEnergies will be able to add to this effort and increase its imports to Europe to over 20 Mt/y, or about 15% of the continent's regasification capacity. We are pleased to support this project, which will allow Germany and Europe to further secure gas supply, said Stephane Michel, President Gas, Renewables Power at TotalEnergies.

TotalEnergies, the world's third largest LNG and Europe's leading regasification player

TotalEnergies is the world's third largest LNG player with a market share of around 10% and a global portfolio of about 40 Mt/y thanks to its interests in liquefaction plants in all geographies. The Company benefits from an integrated position across the LNG value chain, including production, transportation, access to more than 20 Mt/y of regasification capacity in Europe, trading, and LNG bunkering. TotalEnergies' ambition is to increase the share of natural gas in its sales mix to 50% by 2030, to reduce carbon emissions and eliminate methane emissions associated with the gas value chain, and to work with local partners to promote the transition from coal to natural gas.

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).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005929/en/

Contacts:

TotalEnergies

Media Relations:+33 (0)1 47 44 46 99l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR

Investor Relations:+33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com
DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Ukraine House Davos and TIME announced that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will be interviewed by TIME Editor-in-Chief Edward Felsenthal on Wednesday, January 18th at 18.30 CET at Ukraine House Davos alongside the World Economic Forum.

As the one-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, the conversation between President Zelenskyy and Felsenthal will address the President's leadership and vision for the future. The interview, which will be conducted by remote video, marks Zelenskyy's third consecutive year joining Ukraine House Davos.

TIME named President Zelenskyy and the spirit of Ukraine as the 2022 TIME Person of the Year. Of the choice, Felsenthal wrote, "For proving that courage can be as contagious as fear, for stirring people and nations to come together in defense of freedom, for reminding the world of the fragility of democracy-and of peace-Volodymyr Zelensky and the spirit of Ukraine are TIME's 2022 Person of the Year." President Joe Biden applauded President Zelenskyy for this recognition during his recent trip to Washington, D.C.

The interview will be livestreamed on the Ukraine House Davos YouTube channel.

To register to attend this limited capacity event and learn more about Ukraine House Davos, which opens its doors on Monday, January 16th at 5PM CET through Thursday, January 19th at 10PM CET, visit: www.ukrainehousedavos.com.

Follow the event via social media at:

Twitter: @UKRHouseDavos

Facebook: @ukrainehousedavos

Instagram: @Ukraine.House.Davos

LinkedIn: UkraineHouseDavos

YouTube: ukrainehousedavos

Hashtags: UkraineHouseDavos

Media contact:

Nikita Bernardi, nb@ashbright.com or media@ukrainehousedavos.com

Tetyana Bega, +380684481625, tbega@horizoncapital.com.ua

ABOUT UKRAINE HOUSE DAVOS

Ukraine House Davos is led by a new Executive Director, Ulyana Khromyak and co-organized by Western NIS Enterprise Fund, Victor Pinchuk Foundation, and Horizon Capital. The Ukraine House Davos Organizing Committee is comprised of four women who volunteer their efforts to produce this event: Jaroslawa Johnson, President and CEO, Western NIS Enterprise Fund; Svitlana Grytsenko, Member of the Board, Victor Pinchuk Foundation; Lenna Koszarny, Founding Partner and CEO, Horizon Capital; Ulyana Khromyak, Executive Director, Ukraine House Davos.

ABOUT TIME

TIME is the 99-year-old global media brand that reaches a combined audience of more than 100 million around the world through its iconic magazine and digital platforms. With unparalleled access to the world's most influential people, the trust of consumers and partners globally, and an unrivaled power to convene, TIME's mission is to tell the essential stories of the people and ideas that shape and improve the world. Today, TIME also includes the Emmy Award-winning film and television division TIME Studios, a significantly expanded live events business built on the powerful TIME100 and Person of the Year franchises, an industry-leading web3 division, an award-winning branded content studio, the website-building platform TIME Sites, the sustainability and climate-action platform TIME CO2, and more.

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Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Friday ordered the defense ministry to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of a soldier during a winter training course.







The instruction came a day after the Army private was found dead at a tent while training in cold weather in the northeastern city of Taebaek, Gangwon Province.







"Because it is a case that took place while fulfilling a duty of national defense, (the defense ministry) must thoroughly investigate the cause and disclose it transparently," Han said in a statement.







Circumstances of the soldier's death have not been established. (Yonhap)




BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - China's exports declined at a faster pace at the end of the year as the global demand weakens amid fears of a recession, and also due to the domestic pandemic-related restrictions that continued to disrupt the industrial activity.



The annual decline in exports worsened to 9.9 percent in December from 8.9 percent in November, the General Administration of Customs reportedly said Friday. The year-on-year fall was almost in line with economists' forecast of -10.0 percent.



At the same time, imports eased 7.5 percent from a year ago, which was slower than the 10.6 percent drop registered in November, and also the expected decrease of 9.8 percent.



As a result, the trade balance showed a surplus of $78 billion, which was larger than the forecast of $76.2 billion.



With the economic growth outside of China slowing, exports are set to continue to contract until the middle of the year, Capital Economics economist Zichun Huang said.



However, the economist said the rapid fading of virus disruptions as China adapts to living with COVID-19, along with broader policy support, will drive a sharp recovery in domestic demand that will lift imports.



Despite the weakening demand from the US and Europe, China's exports increased 7 percent from a year ago, taking the trade surplus to a record $877.6 billion. Imports grew only 1.1 percent in 2022.



The Purchasing Managers' survey, released on January 5, showed that Chinese business activity shrank for the fourth consecutive month in December and overall new export business contracted the most since September.



Earlier this week, the World Bank said activity in China remains vulnerable to a prolonged drag from the real estate sector and continued pandemic-related disruptions. The lender forecast China's economy to expand 4.3 percent in 2023 and 5.0 percent next year.



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Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
GDANSK, Poland, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SentiOne , a Polish company creating AI-powered social listening and automation solutions, today announced the launch of SentiCharts , their new social listening project.

SentiCharts is a constantly-updating leaderboard tracking the online performance of more than 700 brands across all major social media platforms and public websites, blogs, and forums. Each day, it collects around 150 million mentions, from which it creates its daily ranking update. It is the first such project in the social listening industry.

"SentiCharts is a revolutionary new approach to marketing, brand management, and content creation. It's a public source of social listening data which allows anyone, for instance, to research how much a PR crisis influenced a brand's online presence." said Wojciech Luszczynski, SentiOne's Head of Marketing. "SentiCharts is much more than just a popularity ranking - the data we offer, such as the Brand Health Index or emotional sentiment breakdown, used to be considered difficult to obtain."

SentiCharts is a continuation of the company's annual Social Index report, which ranked the social media performance of the top 100 brands in ten different categories, ranging from consumer electronics, through automobile manufacturers, to e-commerce companies. The new leaderboard tracks various metrics for each brand, such as the number of mentions, emotional sentiment, language breakdowns, and more.

The brands are ranked according to SentiOne's own Social Index score, which considers the number of online mentions and their emotional sentiment and source.

"We want SentiCharts to be for social listening what the Billboard Hot 100 was for music", said Mathilda Hartnell, SentiOne's Content Manager.

Right now, the ranking tracks over 700 brands globally. Starting this year, its functionality will be extended to track even more companies across regional markets.

SentiCharts is now available to the public.

SentiOne is a Polish company specializing in AI-based social listening and automation solutions. Founded in 2011, the company has succeeded with Listen, its online monitoring platform, and Automate its chatbot and voice bot creation platform. The company's products have been used by clients such as Procter&Gamble, Beiersdorf, Tesco, Huawei, Starcom, Mindshare, Mediacom or Saatchi&Saatchi, and many others.

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View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sentione-introduces-charts-the-first-social-listening-leaderboard-301720711.html
Anglian Water (Osprey) Financing Plc - Exercise of the Issuer's call option

Anglian Water (Osprey) Financing Plc

(incorporated in the England and Wales with limited liability with registered number 07476767)

(the "Issuer")

(LEI: 21380072JDZ74GW9ZY87)

NOTICE TO THE HOLDERS OF THE OUTSTANDING

Anglian Water (Osprey) Financing Plc



210,000,000 5 per cent. Guaranteed Secured Fixed Rate Notes due 2023

unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by, inter alios,

OSPREY ACQUISITIONS LIMITED

under the 10,000,000,000 Guaranteed Secured Medium Term Note Programme

(ISIN: XS1223283091; Common Code: 1223283091)

(the "Notes")

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the holders of the above Notes of the exercise of the Issuer's call option (the "Issuer Call Option") pursuant to Condition 6(d) of the Conditions of the Notes. The Issuer will redeem the Notes pursuant to such Issuer Call Option on 30 January 2023 (the "Redemption Date") at par of each Note plus interest accrued (but unpaid) to and including the Redemption Date.

Following the redemption of all outstanding Notes on the Redemption Date, the Issuer will request the UK Financial Conduct Authority to remove any reference to the Notes from the Official List.

Terms used in this notice and not defined herein shall have the same meaning given to them in the Master Definitions Agreement dated 16 June 2021 (as amended) between, amongst others, the Issuer and Deutsche Trustee Company Limited as Note Trustee.

This Notice is given by Anglian Water (Osprey) Financing plc. For further information, please contact:

Fraser Campbell

Group Treasurer

Lancaster House, Lancaster Way

Ermine Business Park

Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire

PE29 6XU

Tel: 07890 965226
Austria is ramping up its budget to support solar, on top of new measures aimed at simplifying approval processes for the deployment of PV systems.From pv magazine Germany The figures are still not final, but there are indications that Austria installed more than 1 GW of solar in 2022. Despite this growth, the Austrian federal government plans to further accelerate the expansion of photovoltaics with a record budget of 600 million ($650 million) in subsidies, according to PV Austria. In addition to the higher subsidies, the government plans to simplify approvals for PV systems. Thus far, the ...

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.
BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- While there is no standardized definition of micro EVs, it is generally used to describe small vehicles that can seamlessly navigate highly populated urban areas. Micro EVs are designed for short trips of only a few kilometers and travel at low speeds, typically under 80 kilometers per hour (with various regional exceptions). These vehicles do not rely on internal combustion engines, and many are powered by electric motors.





Electric two- and three-wheelers are the 'low hanging fruits', as these are used by the masses in India, China, and Southeast Asia for last-mile connectivity due to their low cost of operations. Urbanization in these countries has been, and is, increasing rapidly - a trend correlated to a rise in the demand for personal mobility and the emergence of local e-commerce businesses. This leads to sales of electric two-wheelers for the individual and the use of three-wheelers as ride sharing or cargo delivery.

Microcars are an important piece of the puzzle as well. Offering more space, power and protection than two- and three-wheelers, these tiny vehicles come at an affordable price and are designed for an urban environment. Most car trips are short trips carrying just one person. Most of the energy is wasted on carrying the vehicle's own weight. Oversized vehicles are the root cause of urban congestion, pollution, and wasted energy, material, and public space. As cities everywhere move toward a high-density, low-speed, low-impact model, it calls for a new type of personal vehicle to be created for people to conveniently get around in - this is where microcars are trying to fit in.

The latest report from IDTechEx, "Micro EVs 2023-2043: Electric Two-Wheelers, Three-Wheelers, and Microcars", covers the key global regions that are the hotbed for micro EV adoption - India, China, Southeast Asia, the EU and the UK, and the USA. For each region, the local mobility culture is identified and popular micro EV models are benchmarked based on specifications like motor power, battery capacities, and price. Market shares of leading players are also included for each region.

Micro EV characteristics. Source: IDTechEx - "Micro EVs 2023-2043: Electric Two-Wheelers, Three-Wheelers, and Microcars"

A US$180 Billion Market Opportunity

Electric two-wheelers will continue to be the most popular micro EV segment. Their popularity can be attributed to their low price, ease of use, and small form factor, making them ideal for use in dense urban centers. Electric three-wheelers (E3W) remain a crucial part of the micro EV spectrum. Most of their sales come from China, where they are an essential means of cargo and passenger transportation. The electric microcar market will also pick up traction as compact cars become popular due to their low price but will remain small in volume compared to two- and three-wheelers. The market for electric two-, three-wheelers, and microcars combined will reach around US$180 billion by 2043, according to IDTechEx forecasts.

Lithium-ion to Replace Lead-Acid

Lead-acid batteries currently dominate the electric two- and three-wheeler markets due to their low price and ease of availability. However, policies in major markets like India and China are now incentivizing the use of Lithium-ion, which will experience a gradual uptake to become the preferred choice of battery. Lithium-ion offers better energy density, cyclical performance, faster charging, and longer lifetimes. Microcars use lithium-ion exclusively due to the nature of their operation, which are more energy intensive.

Overall, the latest IDTechEx report, "Micro EVs 2023-2043: Electric Two-Wheelers, Three-Wheelers, and Microcars", provides a commercial and technical overview for the various micro EVs by region with over 45 forecast lines spanning unit sales, battery demand, and market values.

To find out more, including downloadable sample pages, please visit www.IDTechEx.com/microEVs.

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

Images Download:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/dwxnu0y510y5pby145oks/h?dl=0&rlkey=d7pavmshw8ahemy1vrk31z2m2

Media Contact:

Lucy Rogers

Sales and Marketing Administrator

press@IDTechEx.com

+44(0)1223 812300

Social Media Links:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDTechEx

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/IDTechEx

Facebook: www.facebook.com/IDTechExResearch

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DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CBPE Capital LLP ("CBPE") and Snigel Web Services Limited ("Snigel") are pleased to announce that CBPE has made a significant investment in Snigel, a leading advertising technology company that helps online publishers (website owners) monetize their traffic through programmatic advertising.

CBPE is excited to support Snigel's significant expansion plans as the company builds on the market-leading results that Snigel's technology and ad management teams deliver for publishers.

Headquartered in Dublin, Snigel is a global advertising technology business that enables publishers to grow their ad revenue while optimizing the user experience and solving all data privacy requirements. Snigel's leading results are driven by its proprietary technology platform, AdEngine, which leverages Machine Learning to match the optimal ad to each available impression, resulting in better outcomes for both publishers and advertisers. Snigel continues to build on its technological lead with a new wave of product releases, including AI-powered ad setup optimization tools, automated UI customization, and data analytics. Snigel also offers dedicated support and customized ad setups to each of its publisher customers through its global Ad Operations team.

The business was founded in 2012 by former Google executives and has established itself as the trusted monetization partner to a fast-growing cohort of premium websites. The business is driven by a clear focus on publishers, contributing to a healthy AdTech ecosystem, and a collaborative culture of excellence. This, along with the deep technological expertise of Snigel's team, has led to rapid revenue growth of over 40% CAGR since 2020. Snigel has been featured on Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 list for three years in a row.

CBPE's investment will allow Snigel to expedite growth in its core markets of Europe and the United States whilst expanding its market-leading technology offering.

The investment in Snigel continues CBPE's successful track record of partnering with technology software and services companies and their management teams, including current investments in Mindera and The Key and past investments such as Xceptor.

The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, but the founders will remain the largest private shareholders as they stand behind the long-term growth potential of the business. CBPE will enter as the majority shareholder.

Christian Jeschko and Ben Rycroft, Co-CEOs of Snigel said:

"This exciting step for Snigel enables us to accelerate investment in our technology and commercial infrastructure to deliver even more value for our publisher partners. Publishers continue to be the core focus at Snigel. We are determined and inspired in our mission to drive long-term revenue growth and better user experiences for publishers so they can focus on creating great content and growing their audiences. While we spoke to many potential partners, our shared vision for growth with the CBPE team along with the collaborative and productive relationship we established together made them the ideal partner to support our ambitious growth plans."

Richard Thompson, Partner, CBPE, said:

"Snigel has excellent technology, a strong and collegiate management team and a great culture. We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with Snigel at such an exciting time for the business, supporting the next stage of its growth journey to invest further to expand across existing and new geographies both organically and inorganically. We believe Snigel is ideally placed to take advantage of the high levels of market demand driven by the ongoing growth in Digital Marketing spend."

The deal was led by Richard Thompson with support from Tom McDonnell and Maximilian O'Connell. Richard Thompson and Tom McDonnell will join the Snigel Board from CBPE.

CBPE was advised by JEGI Clarity (M&A and Debt), Proskauer Rose and William Fry (Legal), BDO (Financial & Tax), PwC (Commercial), Intechnica (IT), and Howdens (Insurance). Snigel was advised by Deloitte (M&A) and Philip Lee (Legal).

Media inquiries:

ira@snigel.com

About Snigel:

Snigel is an award-winning advertising technology company that helps online publishers (website owners) maximize their ad revenue through programmatic advertising. Founded in 2012 by two former Google executives, Snigel made it into the Financial Times' top 1,000 fastest-growing European companies index in 2021 and Deloitte Ireland's Fast 50 index in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Over 100 of the world's largest websites rely on the market-leading results from Snigel's monetization technology and their veteran team of ad operations experts. Snigel's headquarters are in Dublin, with remote teams spread across Austria, Portugal, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and the UK.

For further information, visit www.snigel.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cbpe-investment-in-snigel-301721213.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2023) - Li-FT Power Ltd. (CSE: LIFT) (FSE: WS0) ("Li-FT" or the "Company") is pleased to report it has filed a technical report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Yellowknife Lithium Project, Northwest Territories, Canada" with an effective date of December 30, 2022 (the "Technical Report").

The Technical Report was prepared for the Yellowknife Lithium Project by Dr. Thomas Hawkins (P.Geo, PhD), an independent consultant and qualified person.

The Technical Report was prepared in accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), and may be found at www.li-ft.com or under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

About Li-FT

Li-FT is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium pegmatite projects located in Canada. The Company's flagship project is the Yellowknife Lithium Project located in Northwest Territories, Canada. Li-FT also holds three early-stage exploration properties in Quebec, Canada with excellent potential for the discovery of buried lithium pegmatites, as well as the Cali Project in Northwest Territories within the Little Nahanni Pegmatite Field.

For further information, please contact:

Francis MacDonald

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: Canada: +1.778.322.8705

Tel: Germany: +49.1522.1073741

Email: francis@li-ft.com

Website: www.li-ft.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.

Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, including the effects of COVID-19. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the statements will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

THIS NEWS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151235
GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Minesto, leading ocean energy developer, announces today that the company has received its first historic sales order of site development services for Dragon Class tidal energy powerplants to a major corporation in the Asian offshore energy sector.

Minesto has been contracted to support a leading Asian corporation in the offshore energy sector for evaluation of a tidal-current site targeting deployment of Minesto Dragon Class tidal energy powerplants. The work is planned to be completed in the first quarter of 2023 and has an initial order value of EUR 35 000.

Minesto offers a structured approach to site identification and evaluation based on hands-on experience from existing sites in Wales, U.K. and the Faroe Islands.

"Given the unique production site characteristics of our technology, it is vital that we now offer these services to third-party project developers, in addition to our own ongoing site development activities," says Dr Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto.

Site development is the initial step for the offshore energy sector to enter the ocean renewable value chain. Offshore operators also bring complementary strengths to Minesto with their established marine operations and experience in large energy infrastructure projects.

"It is most valuable for us that site identification and feasibility services engage independent project investors and energy project developers. Willingness to procure site identification and assessment is key to our product sales and large-scale build out. A milestone has been reached in the Asian market," says Dr Martin Edlund.

For additional information please contact

Cecilia Sernhage, Communications Manager

+46 735 23 71 58

ir@minesto.com

The information in this press release is such that Minesto AB (publ) shall announce publicly according to the EU Regulation No 596/2014 on market abuse (MAR). The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 13:00 CET on 13 January 2023.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/14621/3697112/1778731.pdf Press release

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/minesto-reaches-commercial-milestone--sale-of-site-development-services-in-asia-301721253.html
Scientists in Indonesia have developed a vacuum technique to lower the temperature of PV modules below the ambient air temperature. They applied it to a solar module in a casing that is resistant to negative pressure.Researchers at the Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang in Indonesia have proposed the use of vacuum pressure to reduce the operating temperature of PV modules. "Our vacuum technique is still in the development stage," researcher Suryanto Suryanto told pv magazine. "but our plan is to bring it to the market at some point." The passive cooling method involves a casing to apply negative ...

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2023 / Noram Lithium Corp. ("Noram" or the "Company") (TSXV:NRM)(OTCQB:NRVTF)(Frankfurt:N7R) announces that Peter A. Ball, President and Chief Operating Officer of Noram will be leaving the Company effective January 31, 2023 following a hand-over period to Noram's new CEO, Greg McCunn.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Peter for his hard work and dedication over the past year and wish him well in his future endeavours," stated Mr. Sandy MacDougall, Founder and Executive Chairman of Noram. "With Mr. McCunn now in place as our new Chief Executive Officer, we are looking forward to an exciting year for Noram".

Noram Lithium's Current Management Team:

Mr. Greg McCunn, Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McCunn brings 30 years of extensive experience in mining in both the base metal and precious metal industries. A Professional Engineer with an MBA, Mr. McCunn has led multiple junior mining companies from the exploration stage through the transition to project development, permitting, financing, construction and into operations. He was formerly the CEO of a number of TSX and NYSE listed public companies including Alio Gold and Galiano Gold and has over a decade of experience as a Chief Financial Officer. As an executive, he has raised over $600 million in equity and debt financing from the Canadian and US capital markets, completed over $1 billion in merger and acquisition transactions, and put three mines into production on three different continents.

Ms. Anita Algie, Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Algie has over 17 years of experience in management, listings, compliance, corporate structure and development for exploration and resource-based public companies. She is the former President, CEO and Director of American Lithium Corp. (LI-TSXV) and First Cobalt Corp. (FCC-TSXV) and has served on numerous boards during her career in the public markets and specializes in sourcing, acquiring and developing non grass roots properties. Ms. Algie has also successfully completed several CPC Qualifying Transactions with the TSX Venture Exchange. She has been the CFO of Noram since 2018.

Mr. Brad Peek, CPG, Vice President Exploration. Mr. Peek has more than 40 years experience in project management, mineral exploration and in computer applications in the mineral exploration and mining as well as eleven years' experience with a water engineering consultant firm. Mr. Peek received a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Nebraska and a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Alaska. He also is a member of the Society of Economic Geologists, the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, and AIME American Institute of Professional Geologists. Brad has overseen all six Phases of exploration and definition drilling on the Zeus Property.

Mr. Simon Studer, Vice President Corporate Development. Mr. Studer holds a Masters in Earth & Energy Resources Leadership from Queen's University, Canada. He brings over 15 years of industry and sustainable business experience with a special focus on the Americas within the resource industry. Simon has worked with numerous publicly traded and private junior resource companies in various leadership roles, is currently based in Switzerland, and is fluent in German, English and Spanish.

About Noram Lithium Corp.

Noram Lithium Corp. (TSXV: NRM | OTCQB: NRVTF | Frankfurt: N7R) is focusing on advancing its 100%-owned Zeus Lithium Project located in Clayton Valley, Nevada an emerging lithium hub within the United States. With the upsurge in the electric vehicle and energy storage markets the Company aims to become a key participant in the domestic supply of lithium. The Company is committed to creating shareholder value through the strategic allocation of capital and is well-funded to advance through to the Definitive Feasibility Study.

The Zeus Lithium Project contains a current 43-101 measured and indicated resource estimate* of 363 million tonnes grading 923 ppm lithium, and an inferred resource of 827 million tonnes grading 884 ppm lithium utilizing a 400 ppm Li cut-off. In December 2021, a robust PEA** indicated an After-Tax NPV (8%) of US$1.3 Billion and IRR of 31% using US$9,500/tonne Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE). Using the LCE long term forecast of US$14,250/tonne, the PEA indicates an After-Tax NPV (8%) of approximately US$2.67 Billion and an IRR of 52%.

Please visit our web site for further information: www.noramlithiumcorp.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sandy MacDougall

Chairman

C: 778.999.2159

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may contain forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes statements regarding, among other things, the completion of a pre-feasibility study and ongoing development at the Zeus Lithium Project. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, regulatory approval processes. Although Noram believes that the assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, including that all necessary regulatory approvals will be obtained in a timely manner, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Noram disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

*Updated Lithium Mineral Resource Estimate, Zeus Project, Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA (August 2021)

**Preliminary Economic Assessment Zeus Project, ABH Engineering (December 2021).

SOURCE: Noram Lithium Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735168/Noram-Lithium-Announces-Management-Changes




The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol has allowed local broadcaster MBC's reporters to board the presidential jet for his upcoming overseas trip, officials said Friday, after banning them earlier over controversial coverage.







MBC reporters were informed of the decision late Thursday ahead of Yoon's trip to the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland, which starts Saturday.







"It was President Yoon's instruction to maximize reporting opportunities for the presidential office correspondents during this trip to ensure their reporting is not restricted, and to make sure seating is comfortable," a senior presidential official said.







In November, the office banned MBC reporters from boarding the presidential jet to cover Yoon's trip to Cambodia and Indonesia, citing the company's repeated "distorted" coverage.







MBC had broadcast a subtitled video of Yoon, which made it appear that he was using vulgar language to refer to U.S. President Joe Biden and Congress during a September event in New York. (Yonhap)


AR WAYFINDING SDK is now available as a SaaS Solution

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2023 / ARway Corporation ("ARway" or the "Company") (CSE:ARWY)(OTC PINK:ARWYF)(FSE:E65) is disrupting the Augmented Reality ( AR) Wayfinding market with a no-code, no beacon spatial computing platform enabled by visual marker tracking. ARway is bringing many new technologies together into one platform including; AI, AR, ML, LIDAR digital twins, 3D models and more. ARway is pleased to report its first quarter financial results, ending November 30, 2022. The company finished the quarter with an ending Q1 cash balance of $1.5 million.

Arway Corp.'s first post spin out quarter went in accordance with the Company's plan as set out in the spin out information circular. For more details on these results please visit ARway Corp.'s investor page at the www.arway.ai or visit www.sedar.com

CEO Evan Gappelberg commented, "As our first quarter as a public company is now behind us we are looking forward to an exciting and dynamic 2023 with big name contracts annocements. In the first quarter we achieved a tremendous amount of technical milestones with the highlight being able to map a 400,000 sq ft mall and the recent release of our V2.0 SDK Saas solution. He continues "we are seeing a tremendous amount of organic demand for our disruptive indoor wayfinding solution with a no-capex no-opex and no-BLE beacon AI powered platform we believe we have disrupted the $40 billion dollar indoor Wayfinding market."

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

As at November 30,

2022 August 31,

2022 Assets Current assets Cash & cash equivalents $ 1,535,280 $ 1 Receivables 2,834 - Prepaid expenses 41,488 -

1,579,602 1 Non-current assets Intangible asset (Note 4) $ 4,986,111 - Total assets $ 6,565,713 $ 1 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 5) $ 75,952 $ - Total liabilities 75,952 - Share capital (Note 6) 6,657,352 1 Reserves 203,657 Accumulated other comprehensive income - Deficit (371,248 ) - 6,489,761 1 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 6,565,713 $ 1



Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS Three months ended November 30, 2022 Revenue $ 4,352 Operating expenses: Sales and marketing (Note 8) 31,848 General and administrative (Note 8) 61,206 Research and development (Note 8) 65,000 158,054 Other expense (income) Stock based compensation (Note 6) 203,657 Amortization (Note 4) 13,889 217,546 Net loss and comprehensive loss from operations $ (371,248 ) Income (loss) per common share Basic and diluted loss per common share (0.04 ) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding

Basic and diluted 10,534,828



Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows



Three months ended November 30, 2022 Cashflows from operating activities Net loss $ (371,248 ) Items not affecting cash Amortization of intangible assets 13,889 Stock-based compensation 203,657 Changes in non-cash working capital balances Receivables (2,834 ) Prepaid expenses (41,488 ) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 75,952 Cashflows from operating activities $ (122,072 ) Cashflows from financing activities Proceeds from exercise of options and warrants - Proceeds from private placement 1,657,351 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities $ 1,657,351 Change in cash during the period 1,535,279 Cash, beginning of period 1 Cash, beginning of period 1 Cash, end of period $ 1,535,280 Supplemental cash flow information Taxes paid - Interest paid - Interest received 1,130

Company Highlights

ARway Corp. recently announced a significant upgrade to its spatial computing Software Developer Kit (SDK) with the release of version 2.0. Launching the SDK and its latest updates contributes to the expansion of ARway as a major player in the spatial computing and wayfinding market.

The launch of version 2.0 SDK marks the completion of the last major component of the AR wayfinding and spatial computing platform. The full ARway platform offering consists of the ARway app - for spatial mapping, The Creator Portal - for content management and analytics , and The ARwayKit SDK - for custom apps and integrations. The ARway SDK is being offered as a SaaS platform or can be used in limited ways for free with the ARway watermark.

To learn more about ARway, please follow on Social Media: Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, and visit our website: www.arway.ai

For further information, please contact:

Investor Relations Contact

Julia Viola

investor.relations@arway.ai

ARway Corporation

Evan Gappelberg

CEO and Director

866-ARITIZE (274-8493)

About ARway Corp

ARway is a no-code spatial computing platform for the real-world Metaverse. It enables AR-enhanced indoor navigation and wayfinding solutions for large, multi-purpose venues enabled by marker-based tracking using QR codes. Visitors can access a venue map by scanning a QR code with their smartphone upon entering the venue to navigate to any Point of Interest (POI) with step by step directions, learn information about those POIs, and interact with rich AR content and experiences along the way.

The ARway offering has an unlimited number of use cases for augmenting physical spaces in the metaverse, consisting of indoor navigation with AR activations to improve the visitor experience in large and complex spaces. With value propositions spanning multiple industries and use cases, ARway leverages Nextech's 3D/AR technology solutions to new substantial markets, for use by creators, brands, and companies.

The ARway Platform Includes:

Web Creator Platform

The Web-Based Creator Platform provides 'advanced' authoring capabilities compared to the mobile app, including the ability for creators to upload their own OBJ/GLB files, and create their own 3D objects. Placing content in a large area using only mobile app required the user to physically be in the specific location which was unscalable. The web studio allows the user to place and author content remotely and at scale.

Mobile App

With the ARway mobile app, anyone can spatially map their location within minutes using their smartphone, and populate it with interactive 3D content, augmented reality wayfinding, audio, text, images, and more. Nextech AR provides several pre-loaded 3D objects which creators can leverage to populate their metaverse.

Download the Mobile App

Apple iOs - click here

Google Play Store - click here

ARwayKit SDK

The Software Development Kit contains code libraries and API information that allows developers to build their own white label & private label mobile apps on both iOs and Android leveraging ARway's technology and creator tools to build AR wayfinding and spatial experiences. Creators will be able to develop white label and private label apps and access ARway APIs to author maps using the Web Creator Portal. The SDK features the latest and greatest of the ARway mobile app.

Nextech AR Solutions

On October 26, 2022, ARway Corp. was spun-out from its parent Company, Nextech AR Solutions (OTCQX:NEXCF) (CSE:NTAR) (FSE:EP2). Nextech AR retained a control ownership in ARway Corp. with 13 million shares, or a 50% stake. Nextech AR Solutions is a Metaverse Company and leading provider of augmented reality ("AR") experience technologies and 3D model services. Nextech's AI-powered 3D modeling platform, "ARItize3D" has contracts with; AMZN, KSS, CB2, Genuine Parts & many others. To learn more about Nextech AR, visit www.nextechar.com

Forward-looking Statements

The CSE has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "will be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements regarding the completion of the transaction are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. ARway Corp. will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: ARway Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735148/ARway-Corp-The-Spatial-Computer-Platform-for-the-Metaverse-Announces-Q1-Financials
Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2023) - Finxeed held the grand launching for STOT - World's First Certified Digital Asset Prop Firm, in conjunction with Southeast Asia Digital Transformation Summit 2023. Over 1000 attendees took part both in-person and virtually.

STOT grand launching was successfully initiated by Mr. Jaz Pee - CEO of Finxeed, Mr. Kenn Woo - Co-Founder of Finxeed, Mr. Gary - CMO of Finxeed and Mrs. Jasmine - Regional Manager of Finxeed. Finxeed's core team was accompanied by two core partners, Dr. Samuel - Senior Financial Advisor of CBFG and Mr. Eric - Founder of Maneki.

STOT 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. It will feature a variety of tools and resources to help traders improve their trading abilities and credibility and make more informed decisions. Participants in STOT will have the chance to trade as STOT alumni on behalf of the Partnered Trading Platform. Finxeed hopes that STOT will become a hub for traders to learn, grow, collaborate, and most importantly build trust.

"As a certified STOT trader, you can take part in our funds' management program, and you don't have to look for investors to invest in you, because our fund's management program will act as a bridge to connect certified traders with qualified investors. STOT will go through a rigorous process to help traders review the funds before allocating them to traders" highlighted Mr. Hanson - Head of Product of Finxeed.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was carried out between Mr. Jaz Pee - CEO of Finxeed and Dr. Samuel - Cuyo Bank and Financial Group (CBFG), to further strengthen the position of STOT in communities of traditional finance and to develop an on-chain carbon exchange that would introduce a whole new asset class for certified STOT traders.

Finxeed also came to an agreement with Maneki to further expand into the Web 3.0 communities by co-developing a launchpad and exchange that will enable certified STOT traders to participate in and launch certified projects in the non-fungible token space.

"I appreciate the engagement of partners and communities in shaping the future of digital transformation. We can't wait for you guys to experience STOT with us, as we believe in driving change for the betterment of the community, together," stated Mr. Jaz Pee - CEO of Finxeed.

Finxeed plays an important role with investors and consumers and the Web 3.0 community as one of the key communicators to develop an expansive, healthy, and trusted market together. The conception of STOT spans from Finxeed's belief that empowering trust within the DeFi community starts with digital asset traders.

About STOT

STOT 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. It will feature a variety of tools and resources to help traders improve their trading abilities and credibility and make more informed decisions. Participants in STOT will have the chance to trade as STOT alumni on behalf of the Partnered Trading Platform. Finxeed hopes that STOT will become a hub for traders to learn, grow, collaborate, and most importantly build trust.

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: MingYue Lee

Contact: (60) 18 663 0882

Email: stot@finxeed.com

Website: www.finxeed.com/stot





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QED-backed fintech consolidates offering and adopts name of its flagship product to support underserved businesses

TeamApt Incorporated, the leading business banking platform in Nigeria, has adopted the name of its flagship product Moniepoint, a testament to its success as the all-in-one digital banking solution for businesses across Nigeria. The Moniepoint brand is already an established and trusted name among its customer base in Nigeria, and adopting it as the name means one less layer between the brand and the people it intends to serve.

The shift to the Moniepoint brand marks the next step in the business's expansion strategy, accompanied by relocating its headquarters to London.

Despite a rocky turn for financial markets globally in the second half of 2022, TeamApt's Moniepoint has seen unprecedented success as a digital banking solution for small and medium businesses. It currently processes the majority of the POS transactions in Nigeria with an annualized Total Payments Volume (TPV) of more than $170 billion and a customer base of over 600,000 businesses which enabled it to more than double its annual revenues in 2022. The ubiquity of this product saw it win the National Inclusive Payment Initiative Award by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The platform also launched a credit offering in 2022, which has already disbursed over $1.4 billion in working capital loans.

Profitable since 2020, the company is backed by world-leading institutional investors, including QED Investors, Novastar, Lightrock, BII, FMO, Global Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst and New Voices Fund. The company became QED Investors' first investment into Africa in July 2022.

Tosin Eniolorunda, co-founder and CEO of Moniepoint said: "When we started out in 2015, we were primarily providing back office payment infrastructure for banks and needed an apt team, hence the name TeamApt. Since then we have evolved significantly and our flagship business banking solution, Moniepoint, has become our core focus and where we see the future. Now as we head into our next step in our journey, we've changed our name to reflect the company's commitment to enable a world where any business has access to the digital tools and capital needed to grow, no matter its stage, size or location, and as Moniepoint we believe we can achieve this."

Brian Waswani Odhiambo, Partner of Novastar Ventures said: "Moniepoint is uniquely positioned to accelerate the digitization of banking for underserved businesses. Its leadership team has deep sector knowledge and an enviable track record in the financial services space, which is evident from Moniepoint's ongoing success. Since partnering, Moniepoint has already displayed amazing growth and we're excited to see the evolution of the business, as it sets out to deliver best-in-class banking and business solutions."

Ravi Sharma, Partner at Lightrock, commented: "We are very pleased with TeamApt's move to Moniepoint. Recognized by millions, this brand reflects the company's focus on innovation and customer-centricity, while also positioning the business for continued growth in Nigeria and across Africa. We look forward to working with Tosin and the talented Moniepoint team as they go from strength to strength."

- ENDS -

About Moniepoint Inc.

Moniepoint is an all-in-one digital financial services platform for businesses. Since 2019, Moniepoint's technology has powered over 600,000 businesses, offering all the payment, banking, credit and business management tools they need to succeed. It aims to power the dreams of entrepreneurs by providing them with the financial technology tools they need to grow, no matter their digital literacy level.

Moniepoint currently processes the majority of the POS transactions in Nigeria, processing over $170 billion in annualized TPV. It is profitable and, in 2022, became QED Investors' first investment into Africa.

For more information, please visit: https://moniepoint.com/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005208/en/

Contacts:

Media contact:

MHP Group on behalf of Moniepoint

moniepoint@mhpgroup.com
Consumer sector focused fund employs a unique hedge fund and private equity hybrid strategy

Funds seeks to optimise returns with a combination of a long/short equities portfolio and long-term private equity investments

LONDON, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cleavemoor, the consumer sector specialist investment advisor, is pleased to announce the launch of its headline fund, Cleavemoor 10. The fund is open ended, a segregated portfolio within a segregated portfolio company ("SPC"), registered in the Cayman Islands. Cleavemoor Limited is an appointed representative of Panima Capital Management Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The fund's fundamentals are based on Cleavemoor's unique proprietary Agile Horizon Strategy. This blends a consumer sector long/short public equities portfolio, which offers potentially faster returns, strong resilience and liquidity, with longer-term consumer private equity investments that provide unique opportunities with significant potential upside.

The fund, limited exclusively to professional investors, offers two share classes. Class A, which gives exposure to the long/short equities portfolio and the private equity investments, and Class B, which give exposure only to the long/short equities portfolio. With the Class A shares there is a five year lock up of the funds, with redemption options bi-annually, while with Class B, there is no such lock up and redemptions are available with 90 days' notice.

The firm's management team, led by founder Ewan Mitchell, formerly a member of the globally ranked Consumer Staples equity research team at Barclays Investment Bank, has identified a market gap for investors looking to balance long term, high growth potential of private equity investments with the greater liquidity and more immediate returns of the public markets.

Cleavemoor 10 is now open for investment, as of 12thJanuary 2023.

Ewan Mitchell, Founder of Cleavemoor, said: "I am very excited to launch our headline consumer-sector focused fund Cleavemoor 10. We firmly believe our unique investment strategy, fund structure, and strong team offer investors an excellent opportunity to secure robust returns from our hybrid long/short equities and private equity model. The consumer sector has always performed well in a broad variety of scenarios and with the current economic and market uncertainty it is again a sector on which investors should focus."

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/investment-advisor-cleavemoor-launches-its-headline-fund-cleavemoor-10-301721295.html
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - While the Labor Department released a report on Friday showing an unexpected increase in U.S. import prices in the month of December, the report also showed a much steeper than expected nosedive in export prices. The Labor Department said import prices rose by 0.4 percent in December after falling by a revised 0.7 percent in November. The rebound surprised economists, who had expected import prices to decrease by 0.8 percent compared to the 0.6 percent drop originally reported for the previous month. Meanwhile, the report said export prices plunged by 2.6 percent in December after declining by a revised 0.4 percent in November. Economists had expected export prices to decrease by 0.5 percent compared to the 0.3 percent dip originally reported for the previous month. 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.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2023) - BELGRAVIA HARTFORD CAPITAL INC. (CSE: BLGV) ("Belgravia Hartford", "Belgravia" or the "Company") provides an update on the debt owed by Zonetail Inc. (TSXV: ZONE) ("Zonetail") and its litigation with Zonetail.

Zonetail Debt

Payment of the debt owed to Belgravia by Zonetail under the promissory note (the "Debt") in the current amount of approx. $506,125 including interest at 18%, continues to remain outstanding. Zonetail paid an interest payment on the Debt outstanding of $32,500 to Belgravia on November 23, 2018. The Debt matured on November 1, 2019.

Zonetail Litigation

Further to the Company's press release dated December 20, 2022, the Trial Date has been scheduled to commence on June 17, 2024 in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List).

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/151217
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2023) - E-Power Resources Inc. (CSE: EPR) ("E-Power" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's common shares (the "Shares") have been approved for listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") and that trading of the Shares is expected to commence at market open on January 13, 2023.

The Shares will trade under the symbol "EPR" and the ISIN and CUSIP numbers of the Shares are, respectively,

CA26886Q1063 and 26886Q106.

About E-Power Resources Inc.

E-Power Resources Inc. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of graphite properties in Quebec. Its flagship asset, the Tetepisca Graphite Property, is located in the Tetepisca Graphite District of the North Shore Region of Quebec, approximately 215 kilometers from the Port of Baie-Comeau. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or contact the Company by email at info@e-powerresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Jamie Lavigne

President, Director

+1 (438) 701-3736

info@e-powerresources.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the date on which the Shares are expected to begin trading on the CSE are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151250
Wells Fargo announces Invest Native, a $20 million commitment to advance economic opportunities in Native American communities in Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

SAN FRANCISCO, SF / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2023 / Wells Fargo today announces a $20 million commitment to advance economic opportunities in Native American communities working with Native-led organizations. The Invest Native initiative aims to address housing, small business, financial health, and sustainability among Native American communities in Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The program is designed as a grantmaking initiative - to support a more equitable and prosperous future for Native Americans.

The announcement represents a continuation of philanthropic support of Native American communities, building on the company's five-year, $50 million commitment to address American Indian and Alaska Native communities' unique economic, social and environmental needs, which launched in 2017 and was completed in 2022. "Invest Native is the latest chapter in Wells Fargo's long-standing commitment to indigenous communities," said Otis Rolley, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation.

"We are looking to build on relationships cultivated over many years and to strengthen the capacity of Native-led organizations so they can serve more people. We heard from many Native leaders that growing operational infrastructure was just as important as expanding essential programs that build economic stability and independence."

Over the next two years, Invest Native will:

Create positive outcomes for families, small businesses, and communities, including more single- and multi-family housing construction, access to capital for small businesses and consumers, and financial health programs

Strengthen infrastructure for Native-led organizations by funding projects that improve their technology and systems so groups can be more efficient in assisting families and small businesses

Invest in asset-building tools, peer-to-peer learning and training, and research that sheds light on the distinctive needs of Native communities and prepares staff to utilize best practices in their work

Putting intent into action with nonprofit organizations

Invest Native begins with three grantees, each of whom will receive $500,000 grants:

Lakota Funds will work with South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, or SDNHOC, on expanding access to housing and preserving community housing to significantly increase homeownership in Native communities across South Dakota.

Native Community Capital is partnering with New Mexico Tribal Homeownership Coalition to strengthen homeownership throughout the state. The long-term objective is to build a campaign around model mortgage lending and homeownership activities that address the unique status of tribal trust lands. The New Mexico Tribal Homeownership Coalition's sole purpose is to advance homeownership in tribal communities.

Four Bands Community Fund will team up with Mountain | Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition to increase capital to Native entrepreneurs and drive small business growth.

Tawney Brunsch, executive director of Lakota Funds, said, "With our past Wells Fargo grant, Lakota Funds provided financing to a young enrolled tribal member to purchase a seamless steel siding franchise. The Wells Fargo capital has enabled the young Lakota man to provide a quality product with quality service to the Pine Ridge reservation and surrounding communities. This business venture also created five new jobs as well as provided an income to this young man to support his family. This is the type of work we want to be expanding to others."

Native Community Capital CEO Dave Castillo stated, "The Wells Fargo Foundation's prior grant to us provided a lifeline to our small business borrowers as they navigated the COVID economy. Forbearance and forgiveness funds allowed businesses to catch up on their financial obligations while pivot loans helped businesses adapt to a new reality. Entrepreneurs solve problems every day; Wells Fargo Foundation dollars were critical in making the difficult transition possible. This year we're excited to utilize Wells Fargo Foundation dollars to work alongside the New Mexico Tribal Homeownership Coalition and invest in tribal homeownership initiatives."

Lakota Vogel, executive director of Four Bands Community Fund, added, "In the past few years, I have witnessed Wells Fargo invest in fostering a more informed strategy about the racial wealth gap in Indian Country. The investments from Wells Fargo have amplified indigenous stories about our own experiences of wealth and our understanding for wealth building."

Wells Fargo is also working with Enterprise Community Partners and its Native-led and experienced Tribal Nations team. Enterprise is the longest-standing national intermediary working with Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, Native community development financial institutions, and Native nonprofits with a national footprint to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging. Enterprise will provide thought leadership and strategic guidance, technical assistance and training, peer convening, and program evaluation to support this multi-year effort and foster maximum impact.

For more than 60 years, Wells Fargo has supported community-based programs serving the needs of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. As the leading provider of capital and financial services to tribes and tribal-owned enterprises, the company works closely with tribal nations and business entities to achieve financial sustainability and prosperity. Currently, Wells Fargo provides services to more than 400 tribal entities through its 50+ branches on or near tribal lands across 12 states. To learn more about Invest Native and the philanthropic impact to Native-led organizations and the communities they serve, please visit Wells Fargo's Native Communities website.

About Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets, proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of small businesses in the U.S., and is a 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. 41 on Fortune's 2022 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 www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter: @WellsFargo.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Wells Fargo on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Wells Fargo

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/wells-fargo

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Wells Fargo

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735175/Wells-Fargo-Launches-20-Million-Invest-Native-Initiative-for-Native-American-Communities
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2023) - Nevada Silver Corporation (TSXV: NSC) (OTCQB: NVDSF) ("NSC" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that Mr. Oliver Lennox-King has been appointed to the NSC board as Non-Executive Chairman, with immediate effect, replacing Mr. John Kutkevicius who has held the position in an interim capacity since the summer of 2022.

Mr. Lennox-King has had a long and distinguished career in the mineral resource industry and has a wide range of experience in financing, research, and marketing. Since 1992 he has held senior executive and board positions with a number of junior exploration and mining companies. Most recently, Mr. Lennox-King was the Chairman of Roxgold Inc from 2012 until its acquisition by Fortuna Silver Mines Inc in July 2021. In addition to Roxgold, other notable Chairmanships included Pangea Goldfields, Aurora Uranium and Fronteer Gold, the latter until acquired by Newmont Mining Corp.

NSC CEO, Gary Lewis said, "We are delighted to welcome Oliver to the Board and will benefit greatly from his board experience and deep knowledge of the mineral resources industry.

The Board of Directors wishes to thank Mr. John Kutkevicius for his time and stewardship as Interim NSC Chairman. John helped steer the Company through a challenging period and we will be forever grateful for his service. John will remain on the board as a Non-Executive Director."

The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Megan McElwain as Non-Executive Director. Since earning a B.A. in Communications at Ryerson University in 2000, Ms. McElwain has had a successful and diverse business career. She has produced content for Fox Television in Los Angeles, A&E Television Networks in New York and then Alliance Atlantis, CTV News, Discovery Channel, BBC, National Geographic and Global News from Toronto. In 2018, Ms. McElwain joined the Fraser Institute, an independent public policy research and education organization, as Director of Development. Two years later, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce offered Ms. McElwain the Vice President & General Manager position Ms. McElwain was appointed President & COO of KWG Resources in January 2022.

Mr. John Kutkevicius said "Megan will bring a new level of perspective and experience to the Board of Directors, and we look forward to working with her."

NSC also announces that Dr. Ian Pringle will be stepping down from the Board to take up a dual role as Chairman of the NSC Technical Committee and President and Director of the Company's wholly owned subsidiary North American Silver Corporation. In addition to a more hands-on role with the NSC Nevada silver assets, Dr Pringle will be retained as a key technical consultant to the NSC Board.

The Company also advises that it has granted an aggregate of 3,650,000 stock options to certain directors, officers and consultants of the Company. These stock options were issued in accordance with, and subject to, the provisions of the Company's stock option plan and are subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. Each stock option entitles the holder to purchase one Common Share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.25 per share for a 5-year period.

Mr Lewis said, "Having recently announced plans for a corporate name change to Electric Metals USA Limited, to reflect the entirety of our value proposition as a developer of battery and technology-related minerals, the board changes announced today will provide for a diversity of ideas and experience as we take the company forward into an exciting new period of growth and development. And with the recently closed $3.5m financing, NSC is well funded to advance its exploration and development plans at its Emily Manganese project in Minnesota, USA."

About Nevada Silver Corporation

Nevada Silver Corporation (TSXV: NSC) (OTCQB: NVDSF) is a multi-commodity resource company with battery and technology-related mineral resource projects in the USA. NSC's principal asset is the Emily Manganese Project in Minnesota, which has been the subject of considerable technical studies with US$24 million invested to date and North America's highest grade manganese resource. In addition, NSC owns the Corcoran and Belmont Silver Projects in Nevada. Both Emily and Corcoran have been the subject of National Instrument 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimates.

For further Information please contact:

Nevada Silver Corporation

Gary Lewis

Group CEO & Director

T: +1 (657) 846 5299

gl@nevadasilvercorp.com

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 statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Nevada Silver to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors " in the Filing Statement dated as of April 20, 2021 which is available for view under the Company's profile at www.SEDAR.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and Nevada Silver disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. 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, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Nevada Silver's operations could be significantly adversely affected by the effects of the widespread global outbreak of a contagious disease, including the outbreak of illness caused by COVID-19. It is not possible to accurately predict the impact COVID-19 will have on operations and the ability of others to meet their obligations, including uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, and the length of travel and quarantine restrictions imposed by governments of affected countries. In addition, a significant outbreak of contagious diseases in the human population could result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn that could further affect operations and the ability to finance its operations.

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.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF UNITED STATES SECURITIES LAWS



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151251
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.
China's auto exports surge 54.4 pct in 2022

Xinhua) 14:52, January 13, 2023

People visit the booth of Chinese carmaker BYD during the China Motor Show (Tianjin) 2022 in north China's Tianjin, Nov. 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)




Police raided the home and the office of Rep. Lim Jong-seong of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Friday as part of an investigation into bribery allegations.







The National Police Agency (NPA) probing the case sent investigators to obtain relevant documents from a total of five locations.







Rep. Lim is under suspicion of receiving a corporate credit card from an executive of a construction company based in his constituency in Gwangju in Gyeonggi Province, police said.







The NPA found evidence the lawmaker used the card for months, and the monetary value of alleged corporate card usage is said to reach tens of millions of won. (Yonhap)


NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2023 / Henkel

Smallholder farmers, defined as family-owned enterprises with up to 10 hectares of agricultural land, make up about three-quarters of all farmers worldwide. Images courtesy of Henkel and Solidaridad.

Originally Published On triplepundit.com

Henkel, a global leader in consumer goods and adhesive technologies, and the nonprofit Solidaridad have worked together for almost a decade to scale up sustainable palm oil production and help smallholder farmers improve and diversify their incomes. Their work since 2012 set a high bar, which has been raised with a new three-year grant from Henkel brand Dial.

The partnership, which aims to help smallholder farmers in Central and South America earn a living wage while connecting the farmers to a global supply chain, has proven to be beneficial for both partners. "If every partner were like Henkel, we could move much faster in addressing the challenges we face in the world," said Michaelyn Baur, managing director for Central America and Mexico at Solidaridad, in a recent interview with TriplePundit.

Building a more sustainable palm oil supply chain

Like many corporate partnerships, it all started when Henkel was looking for new ways to improve product sustainability. The company makes consumer brands including All and Persil laundry detergents and Dial personal care products, and palm oil is a common key ingredient in soaps like these.

When Henkel first surveyed the market in 2012, the company turned to Latin America, where it could, in effect, help support the evolution of a laboratory for how smallholding, sustainable palm oil could be produced-once it found the right partner on the ground.

Palm oil in Latin America is not a driver of deforestation to the extent it has been in other parts of the world. Instead, well-managed oil palm plantations can serve to restore landscapes that have been ravaged by decades of environmental degradation.

Enter Solidaridad, a global nonprofit with deep Dutch roots that works to build sustainable - and profitable - supply chains in more than 40 countries. Having already established programs on the ground in Honduras, the nonprofit was positioned to get its living laboratory off the ground, funded by Henkel. From the start, it was a trust-based relationship, Baur told 3p. "It's been an overwhelmingly positive, productive and responsive relationship," she said. "It continues to evolve based on changing conditions in the world, the state of the palm oil markets, and shifts in the donor sphere where priorities are constantly changing."

From concept to reality: Making a positive impact on smallholder farmers

Smallholder farmers, defined as family-owned enterprises with up to 10 hectares of agricultural land, make up about three-quarters of all farmers worldwide. For individual farmers, increased income can lead to investments in education, health, access to global markets and raw materials of higher quality. And when rural smallholders earn more, the benefits often reverberate through their entire communities - for example in the form of new public services like daycare centers or healthcare clinics.

In Honduras, the palm oil farming industry began when a series of 1970s land reforms granted smallholders plots of land after worker strikes in the banana industry. The farmers initially started growing corn and beans, but as their families struggled to survive on these crops alone, they looked to palm oil as a new source of income.

By 1985, Fausto Martinez and other Honduran palm oil farmers co-founded Hondupalma, an organization representing 30 associated groups and hundreds of independent partners and producers across the country.

Around 20,000 smallholders in the northern zone of Honduras now cultivate palm oil, which Hondupalma's leaders say has reduced poverty in the region. Since only about 2 percent of palm oil plantations in Mesoamerica were established on land that was forest in 1989, based on a recent report. According to Solidaridad, the growth of smallholders over the past 30 years has also served to restore some local ecosystems.

"He built economic resilience," Baur said of Martinez, "and also landscape resilience" through training, producer exchanges, and multi-stakeholder dialogues convened and led by Solidaridad. Hondupalma producers like Martinez were also at the forefront of the push for a national zero-deforestation agreement for palm oil - an effort that could soon extend to coffee and other commodities in Honduras.

In 2012, Solidaridad began working with Hondupalma and other smallholder producer organizations and companies to promote the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) standard in Honduras, with support from Henkel and the Netherlands government. Since then, Soliaridad's Mesoamerican Palm Oil Alliance has expanded the effort into a regional learning and exchange platform for sustainable, smallholder-sourced palm oil. After listening to palm companies, producer cooperatives in Honduras and Guatemala, Solidaridad formally requested the RSPO Board of Directors to open a regional workshop to respond quickly to the requests of its members and register new interested parties in the certification.

"We are now running programs in Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua as well," Baur said, "and we have the potential to work in other countries like Panama and Costa Rica to transform the sector, not just create one-on-one efforts." Elsewhere in the world, Solidaridad has expanded its work on palm oil in West Africa and parts of Asia. The partnership with Henkel has made it possible to scale and implement new projects in these regions.

Henkel brand Dial strengthens its commitment to Solidaridad

Building on their nearly 10-year relationship, Henkel and Solidaridad recently announced a new set of programming with personal care brand Dial. The brand will provide a grant to Solidaridad through 2025 for a project in Colombia to create 35,000 acres of farmland for certified sustainable palm oil production and provide 250 farmers with training and access to additional financial support.

The certified sustainable palm oil will be used in Dial soap made in Colombia, and the project also "offers a great opportunity to tell a story that could really inform consumers about an ingredient that is mostly hidden," Baur told 3p.

"Most people only think of Indonesia when they think about palm oil, but the story of palm oil is changing, projects and efforts are global, in less well-known corners of the world," she said. "The emphasis is focusing on smallholder palm oil producers and helping them increase their productivity - and doing it in a way that diminishes environmental impacts, builds more inclusive business models, and increases visibility and knowledge about the impacts of palm oil."

The work with Solidaridad also helps Dial to "learn about the people that help make our product and how it's done," said Molly Bombonato, associate brand manager for Dial. "Though it seems 'simple' to create something like a bar of soap, there's a community of people and a variety of processes that make this product come to life," she said. "By partnering with NGOs like Solidaridad, brands can make a bigger environmental and social difference with larger projects."

Baur sees the partnership as a way to not only build a traceable supply chain coming from smallholders, but also potentially change consumer mindsets around sustainability and smallholder agriculture. "Our partnership with Dial comes out of a long-term partnership [with Henkel], and the trust that has been built," she said. "If more partnerships had this level of trust, it would be a game changer."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Henkel on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Henkel

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/henkel

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Henkel

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735179/Supporting-Smallholder-Farmers-on-the-Way-to-a-More-Sustainable-Palm-Oil-Supply-Chain
Memorandum of Understanding signed with four Dutch companies - Port of Amsterdam , SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam, and Zenith Energy - related to development of green hydrogen supply chain through Amsterdam

- Green hydrogen could be used for sustainable aviation fuel, steelmaking, shipping, and wider offtake opportunities

ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Masdar, one of the world's leading clean energy companies, Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam and Zenith Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a green hydrogen supply chain between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam to support Dutch and European markets.





The MoU was signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Managing Director for the Port of Amsterdam, Maarten van Dijk, Chief Development Officer of SkyNRG, Bart van der Meer, Business Development Manager, Evos, and Ellen Ruhotas, Managing Director New Energies for Zenith Energy. The agreement was signed in the presence of HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, and Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands.

HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, said, "This agreement builds upon the existing relationship between the UAE and the Netherlands and demonstrates our mutual commitment to exploring low- and zero-carbon energy solutions. The UAE aims to play a central role in the emerging green hydrogen economy and this partnership with the Port of Amsterdam and associated players in the green hydrogen space would help position Abu Dhabi as a key hub for green hydrogen development."

Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands, said, ""The Netherlands is keen on developing green hydrogen corridors with major future exporting countries like the UAE. Our country is well positioned to become a hydrogen hub for the Northwestern European market. I welcome the collaboration between Dutch and UAE businesses in the field of hydrogen and look forward to further intensifying the cooperation between our two countries."

Under this MoU, the parties will join their efforts to develop a green hydrogen supply chain, focusing on production in Abu Dhabi and export to the Netherlands through the port of Amsterdam. The exported green hydrogen will be delivered to key European sectors - sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), steelmaking, and bunkering for shipping - and will also be supplied to new, emerging European offtakers, via pipeline, truck and barge. Together, the parties will explore several hydrogen transportation methods, with a focus on liquid organic hydrogen carriers and liquid hydrogen.

Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said, "Masdar believes green hydrogen to be a promising energy source for hard-to-abate sectors in support of global decarbonization, which is why we launched our dedicated green hydrogen business last month. We are pleased to partner with Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam, and Zenith Energy to leverage our synergies in the fuel and logistics sectors to see how green hydrogen can help us achieve our shared goals for decarbonization and sustainable economic growth."

Port of Amsterdam, the operator of Europe's fourth-largest port, is committed to scaling up green hydrogen capabilities and is working closely with commercial parties active in its port on green hydrogen development. SkyNRG, a global leader in SAF, is developing a network of SAF production facilities that require green hydrogen as input. Zenith Energy and Evos Amsterdam are the operators of some of the most prominent blending and storage terminals in the port, with Zenith developing a liquid hydrogen supply chain, while Evos Amsterdam is working on a liquid organic hydrogen carrier supply chain.

Koen Overtoom, CEO, Port of Amsterdam, said, "We are very pleased with this new collaboration. SkyNRG, Evos and Zenith Energy are driving forces behind the hydrogen developments in the port of Amsterdam and they are key in our goal of importing at least one million tonnes of green hydrogen annually. Joining forces with a party as renowned as Masdar, will bring this goal that much closer to realization. Together, we can bring the envisioned Abu Dhabi-Amsterdam connection to fruition."

Green hydrogen is produced with green electricity from renewables like wind or solar, in a process that separates water into oxygen and hydrogen via electrolysis. The International Renewable Energy Agency has stated that hydrogen will be an essential component of a net-zero energy system and has a key role to play in decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy industry and long-haul transport[1]. The global green hydrogen market is projected to reach US$72 billion by 2030, while PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), has estimated that by 2050, hydrogen demand could be between 150 to 500 million metric tonnes per year[2].

Last December, Masdar announced its new shareholding structure and green hydrogen business unit, with a goal of achieving 100 GW renewable energy capacity and green hydrogen production of 1 million tonnes per annum annually by 2030. Masdar is actively involved in a number of projects related to green hydrogen production. Last year, Masdar signed agreements with leading Egyptian state-backed organizations to cooperate on the development of green hydrogen production plants in the country, targeting an electrolyzer capacity of 4 gigawatts by 2030, and output of up to 480,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.

About Masdar

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is the UAE's clean energy champion and one of the largest companies of its kind in the world, advancing the development and deployment of renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies to address global sustainability challenges. Established in 2006, Masdar is today active in over 40 countries, helping them to achieve their clean energy objectives and advance sustainable development. Masdar is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), and under this ownership the company is targeting a renewable energy portfolio capacity of at least 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and an annual green hydrogen production capacity of up to 1 million tonnes by the same year.

For more information please visit: http://www.masdar.ae and connect: facebook.com/masdar.ae and twitter.com/masdar

About Port of Amsterdam

Port of Amsterdam aims to be a leading European seaport at the forefront of the transition to a sustainable society. The port is a logistics hub for international and national trade flows, as well as local urban distribution. The port focuses on growth of bio- and synthetic fuels, hydrogen activities, circular industry and manufacturing. Western Europe's fourth port delivers added value by employing 68,000 people at port and port-related companies. By innovating, the port is working towards a smoother and more transparent shipping process and reduced CO2 emissions from port and shipping. Port of Amsterdam is working intensively with clients and partners to make the port operate faster, smarter and cleaner. So a little better every day.

For more information, please visit www.portofamsterdam.com

About SkyNRG?

Since 2009, SkyNRG has been a global leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuels. The company is dedicated to increase SAF demand and production capacity for the industry to meet its 2050 net zero commitment. SkyNRG has supplied SAF to over 40+ airlines and 70+ corporates across the world and is now developing dedicated SAF production facilities to support the transition from fossil jet fuel to sustainable aviation fuel. SkyNRG does not compromise when it comes to sustainability; we are a globally recognized Certified B Corp, our operations are certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), and we are advised by an independent Sustainability Board, as well as a worldwide NGO network to ensure we make the right sustainability decisions across all of our operations.

For more information, please visit www.skynrg.com

About Zenith

Zenith Energy is a world-class midstream company that owns and operates over 5 million cubic metres of renewable fuels, crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals and gas storage across North American, Europe and Latin America through its subsidiaries Zenith International and Zenith U.S. The Company's focus is on building a sustainable, independent liquid storage terminals business that provides safe and reliable solutions for its customers in the years to come. The entities share a common management team and headquarters in Houston, as well as core values, including Safety First and Environmental Protection.

For more information, please visit www.zenithterminals.com

About EVOS

Evos is a leading liquid energy and chemicals storage company. It operates a network of leading tank terminals in strategic locations across Europe, with a combined storage capacity of 6.3 million cbm. The terminals are located in the Netherlands (Amsterdam (2x), Rotterdam, Terneuzen), Belgium (Ghent), Germany (Hamburg), Malta and Spain (Algeciras). Evos was founded in 2019 and is owned by investment funds managed by Igneo Infrastructure Partners, a long-term oriented infrastructure asset manager. Evos has a total headcount of 720 employees.

For more information, visit www.evos.eu

[1] https://www.irena.org/publications/2022/May/Global-hydrogen-trade-Cost#:~:text=Vast%20green%20hydrogen%20potential%20exists,depends%20on%20the%20land%20available.

[2] https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/energy-utilities-resources/future-energy/green-hydrogen-cost.html

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1973446/Masdar_Logo.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1983193/Masdar_Green_Hydrogen.jpg









View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/masdar-signs-agreement-to-explore-exporting-green-hydrogen-from-abu-dhabi-to-europe-301721410.html
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 20223 / The Home Depot

Originally published on Built From Scratch

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity transforms communities through neighborhood revitalization, education, innovative development and partnerships. Since its launch in 1983, the nonprofit affordable home developer has served more than 2,400 families (6,000+ individuals) with its first-time home purchase, rehab and critical home repair services, and education programs.

The Home Depot Foundation is proud to announce a $1 million grant to Atlanta Habitat for Humanity to build 10 homes in the next two years.

"As Atlanta's home prices continue to rise, The Home Depot Foundation is committed to ensuring more people have access to stable, affordable housing through our decades of work with Atlanta Habitat. These 10 homes in the innovative Browns Mill Village community will provide opportunities for homeownership to more of our neighbors here in The Home Depot's hometown. We're proud to partner with Atlanta Habitat and honored to help kick off its 40th anniversary celebration this year." - Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation.

The Home Depot was among the first group of corporations to make significant contributions to Atlanta Habitat homeowner education programs and community repair initiatives 20 years ago. This grant is the latest in a series of major gifts from The Home Depot Foundation through the years, making it possible for Atlanta Habitat to continue its mission of transforming generations through home ownership and neighborhood revitalization.??

Atlanta Habitat built 28 new homes last year. The organization plans to continue addressing the affordable housing gap by building a total of 40 homes in 2023 to honor their 40 years of service.?

"Atlanta Habitat has a rich legacy of empowering generations to build and grow as homeowners - now we are poised to help even more families thrive by increasing the number of homes we build and by amplifying our programming in the communities we serve." - Candice Jordan, chief development officer of Atlanta Habitat for Humanity.

These efforts further The Home Depot Foundation's commitment to its nonprofit partners. Over the last decade, The Home Depot Foundation has invested millions to support Atlanta communities with affordable housing, education opportunities, restored parks and other community development and outreach projects.

To learn more, visit?HomeDepotFoundation.org.

Keep up with all the latest Home Depot news! Subscribe to our bi-weekly news update and get the top Built from Scratch stories delivered straight to your inbox.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Home Depot on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: The Home Depot

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/home-depot

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: The Home Depot

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735188/The-Home-Depot-Foundation-Celebrates-40th-Anniversary-of-Atlanta-Habitat-for-Humanity-Announces-1-Million-Grant
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

For immediate release

13 January 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 250,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 867.34 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 12,686,092; 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 212,305,211.

The figure of 212,305,211 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
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2023 / Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation announced today that it has moved into the No. 3 overall spot on Newsweek's 2023 list of America's Most Responsible Companies (up from No. 4 overall in 2021). The annual recognition, acknowledging the top 500 most responsible companies in the United States across 14 industries, is presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The full list can be viewed here.

This public recognition ultimately reflects our lifelong passion for "doing the right thing" ever since our company was founded 111 years ago."

"We feel incredibly honored and humbled to be named among the three most responsible companies in America," said Marc Bitzer, Chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. "While a tremendous amount of work has been done over this past year in the area of environmental sustainability, governance and social responsibility, this public recognition ultimately reflects our lifelong passion for "doing the right thing" ever since our company was founded 111 years ago."

America's Most Responsible Companies were selected based on publicly available key performance indicators derived from Social Responsibility Reports, Sustainability Reports, as well as an independent survey. The results are focused on company performance across environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and corporate governance while the independent survey asked U.S. citizens about their perception of company activities related to corporate social responsibility. This year, Whirlpool Corporation received its exemplary ranking due in part to continued progress on its ESG commitments.

During 2022, Whirlpool Corporation built on its decades long commitment to sustainability, citizenship and Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, and received several external recognitions for those efforts, including:

Named one of Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for the 12th consecutive year

Named to Forbes' 2022 List of "World's Best Employers"

Received a perfect 100 score on Human Rights Campaign Foundation's annual assessment of LGBTQ+ workplace equality for the 19th year

Recognized as a leader in creating an inclusive workplace in Seramount's 2022 Inclusion Index

To learn more about Whirlpool Corporation and its ESG strategy, approach and progress on commitments, please see its Corporate Sustainability Report here.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Whirlpool Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Whirlpool Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/whirlpool-corporation

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735217/Whirlpool-Corporation-Ranks-Number-Three-in-Newsweeks-List-of-Americas-500-Most-Responsible-Companies-for-2023
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - The Switzerland stock market failed to retain early gains and ended flat on Friday as investors chose to take some profits, cashing in recent gains. The benchmark SMI, which advanced to 11,342.60 in early trades, ended the session at 11,290.79, up 2.97 points or 0.03%. Sonova climbed 1.34% and Alcon gained 1.19%. Roche Holding ended nearly 1% up, while Lonza Group, Novartis, UBS Group and Nestle gained 0.3 to 0.5%. Partners Group, Logitech and Credit Suisse lost 3.1%, 2.7% and 2.2%, respectively. Geberit, Givaudan, Zurich Insurance Group and Swisscom ended lower by 1.1 to 1.6%. Swiss building materials firm Holcim Group ended 0.8% down. The company said its Swiss team GO CIRCULAR is ready to set sail in The Ocean Race for its first round-the-world regatta. In the Mid Price Index, Zur Rose rallied more than 6%, Straumann Holding gained 3.78% and VAT Group climbed 1.3%. Clariant ended 2.28% down. AMS, Swiss Prime Site, Tecan Group, Galenica Sante and Georg Fischer also ended notably lower. 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.
CARE's Ignite Program is one such gender-focussed programme, and it proved to be a salvation for Vietnam-based Thao when the storefront floristry business she opened in 2018 was hit hard by the pandemic. She didn't have the funds to make the pivot needed to survive. Through CARE's Ignite Program - a partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth - Thao was able to obtain affordable financing through the programme's access to essential digital tools and training, which helped her expand her business to online sales.

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2023 / Canadian North Resources Inc. (the "Corporation") (TSX-V:CNRI; FSE:EO0, which is "E-O-zero") announces that further to its news release issued December 22, 2022 (the "December 22nd News Release"), there was an error in the disclosure of the number of common shares issued on the second tranche of its offering of common shares ("Flow-Through Shares") on a flow-through basis pursuant to the Income Tax Act (Canada). The number of Flow-Through Shares indicated in the December 22nd News Release was 218,520 Flow-Through Shares and should have been indicated as 429,520 Flow-Through Shares. The total gross proceeds raised on the Flow-Through Offering was $4,841,704.80.

About Canadian North Resources Inc.

Canadian North Resources Inc. is an exploration and development company focusing on the metals for clean-energy, electric vehicles, battery and high-tech industries. The Corporation is advancing its 100% owned Ferguson Lake nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium, and platinum project in Nunavut, Canada.

Forward-Looking Statements

The information and statements in this news release contain certain forward-looking information. This forward-looking information relates to future events or the Corporation's future performance. In particular, this document contains forward-looking information and statements regarding the use of proceeds of the Flow-Through Offering. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. This forward-looking information is subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking information. These assumptions include that, in respect of the use of proceeds, historical costs and expenses will be representative of future costs and expenses. The Corporation's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking information, and accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur or, if any of them do, what benefits that the Corporation will derive from them. The Corporation's forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

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.

For further information contact:

Dr. Kaihui Yang, President and CEO

Phone: 905-696-8288 (Canada) 1-888-688-8809 (Toll-Free)

SOURCE: Canadian North Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735227/CORRECTION-Canadian-North-Resources-Inc-Announces-Error-in-Prior-News-Release
Shake Roofing Company, Braswell Construction Group, transforms homes with elegant Brava Roof Tile Shake & Slate Roofing and wins Brava Excellence Award for Shake Roof Installed on a Custom DreamBuilt Lake Oconee Home.

LAKE OCONEE, GA / ACCESSWIRE / January 13, 2023 / One of the largest Brava contractors in the nation, and one of the only preferred Brava contractors in the Southeast, Braswell Construction Group (BCG), is honored to receive Brava's Excellence Award for 2022. Brava awarded BCG for the quality and craftsmanship of the 'Lake Forest Shake' roof they installed on a custom DreamBuilt home located in Reynolds, Lake Oconee. This immaculate and newsworthy home by Lake Oconee's top builder DreamBuilt, with Shake roof by Braswell Construction Group, was the first home built in the new luxury development of Homesteads which is part of Reynolds Lake Oconee. Not only was this the first home to be completed in this 5-star development, but the home has paved the way for other homes in Homestead to have the luxury look of synthetic slate and shake.

Braswell Construction Group is recognized in Georgia as the top roofing specialist for real cedar shake, real slate and synthetic shake/slate roofing, and prides itself on its high-quality service. One attribute that separates BCG from other Georgia roofing contractors is that they are one of very few installers of Brava Roof Tile that is certified. Additionally, BCG has recently been awarded 'Brava Preferred Contractor' making this the first roofing company recognized for this honor in the state of Georgia. Once named as a 'Brava Preferred Contractor', the provider is considered among the best in the industry known for their experience and commitment to quality roofing.

More information about Brava products can be found on the company website via: https://www.braswellconstructiongroup.com/brava-roofing

BCG offers premium shake and slate roofing options for customers wanting to improve the look and function of their home. The expanding category of synthetic roofing products cater to homeowners, builders, and remodelers who prefer renewable resources that come with the advantage of extreme durability and longevity yet want the look of natural slate or shake roofs. Braswell Construction Group explains that synthetic slate roofing is a mixture of recycled rubber and plastic put into molds that are taken from real slate and shake roofing. As contrasted to real slate & shake roofing, this is less costly, lighter, and is much more resilient and durable because it can be installed without the concern of damaging the product. And just like the real slate & shake roofing, its life expectancy can also last a hundred years.

Advanced materials and manufacturing technologies give the synthetic products better resistance to weathering, greater durability, and longer lifespans than real slate or cedar, according to manufacturers. "The material is mimicked to obtain efficiency and also longer life over the natural product," says Chris Braswell, owner of BCG. "Other composite roofing materials pale in comparison to Brava. We use Brava products because they perfectly resemble the natural beauty of cedar shake roofs and slate roof shingles, but without the drawbacks and upkeep."

More information about BCG's Brava Roofing specialty slate and tile options can be found at: https://bravaroofer.com

About DreamBuilt

Founded in 1999, DreamBuilt was created with the mission of enhancing the lives of their clients and shaping a better lake community. With an approach focused on thoughtful design, quality construction, and craftsmanship of their work, DreamBuilt homes stand out in the landscape of Lake Oconee.

The four original DreamBuilt partners chose to move to the lake with their young families from various design and construction backgrounds in Atlanta. Jim and Paige Ruhl & Derek and Ann Welch set out to foster partnerships in the community with clients and trades to create a reputation of uncompromising excellence, always. As the lake community has grown, DreamBuilt has expanded its partnership to grow alongside it. The addition of Jep Pound and Haley Ruhl has allowed their business to continue to serve all clients - past, present and future - to the exceptional standard of personal attention and thoughtfulness that DreamBuilt was founded on.

About Braswell Construction Group

Braswell Construction Group is a leader in specialty roofing and in addition to being a Brava Preferred Contractor, the top Georgia Roofing Company is also a DaVinci Roofer Masterpiece Contractor, and Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor.

BCG has been locally owned and operated since 2002, and prides itself on its high-quality craftsmanship, exceptional customer service, and professional acumen. They have a reputation for always completing its roofing and restoration projects on time and on budget while providing customized service, top-notch customer service, and unparalleled workmanship.

Braswell Construction Group has been featured dozens of times in Yahoo Finance, ABC, FOX, CBS, Atlanta Leader among many others as an industry leader and the top Roofing Contractor in the state of Georgia.

Braswell Construction Group operates from four Georgia locations to service homeowners with all their roofing and restoration needs in Greensboro/Lake Oconee, Covington/Conyers, Stone Mountain, Atlanta, and their respective surrounding areas.

For more information, please visit https://www.braswellconstructiongroup.com

Contact Info:

Name: Michelle Bird

Email: info@braswellconstructiongroup.com

Organization: Braswell Construction Group, Inc. Roofing & Restoration

Address: 1051 Village Park Dr, Greensboro, GA 30642

Phone: (678) 283-2551

SOURCE: Braswell Construction Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/735238/Brava-Shake-Roof-Specialist-Braswell-Construction-Group-Receives-2022-Excellence-Award-for-Shake-Installation-on-Lake-Oconee-Georgia-Custom-DreamBuilt-Home
Vancouver, British Columbia and Johannesburg, South Africa--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2023) - Platinum Group Metals Ltd. (TSX: PTM) (NYSE American: PLG) ("Platinum Group", "PTM" or the "Company") reports the Company's financial results for the three months ended November 30, 2022 and provides an update and outlook. The Company is focussed on advancing the Waterberg Project located on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex in South Africa (the "Waterberg Project"). The Waterberg Project is planned as a fully mechanised, shallow, decline access palladium, platinum, gold and rhodium ("4E") mine and is projected to be one of the largest and lowest cost underground platinum group metals ("PGM" or "PGMs") mines globally.

The Company's near-term objectives are to advance the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision including the arrangement of construction financing and concentrate offtake agreements. The Company is also advancing an initiative through Lion Battery Technologies Inc. ("Lion") using platinum and palladium in lithium battery technologies in collaboration with Anglo American Platinum Limited ("Anglo") and Florida International University ("FIU").

For details of the condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended November 30, 2022 (the "Financial Statements") and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the three months ended November 30, 2022 please see the Company's filings on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or on EDGAR (www.sec.gov). Shareholders are encouraged to visit the Company's website at www.platinumgroupmetals.net. Shareholders may receive a hard copy of the complete Financial Statements from the Company free of charge upon request.

All amounts herein are reported in United States dollars unless otherwise specified. The Company holds cash in Canadian dollars, United States dollars and South African Rand. Changes in exchange rates may create variances in the cash holdings or results reported.

Recent Events

On November 10, 2022, the South African Supreme Court of Appeal (the "Supreme Court") dismissed an August 31, 2022 application by Africa Wide Mineral Prospecting and Exploration Proprietary Limited ("Africa Wide") seeking leave to appeal the June 14, 2022 South African High Court (the "High Court") ruling dismissing their challenge to the 2018 sale of the Maseve Mine and awarding costs to the defendants. The Supreme Court determined that there was no reasonable prospect of success in an appeal and there was no other compelling reason why an appeal should be heard. Costs were again awarded to the defendants. Africa Wide has no further avenues of appeal or review. Africa Wide had filed an earlier application to the High Court seeking leave to appeal, which application was denied by the High Court on August 1, 2022, also with costs awarded to the defendants.

On November 1, 2022, preparations began for an infill drilling program at Waterberg. This work is a component of the Initial Budget as defined below. Details of work completed to date is provided below in the section entitled "Outlook".

On October 18, 2022, the directors and shareholders of Waterberg JV Resources (Pty) Ltd. ("Waterberg JV Co.") approved in principle a pre-construction work program (the "Work Program") for the Waterberg Project amounting to approximately $21.0 million over a 23-month period ending August 31, 2024. From the Work Program an initial budget (the "Initial Budget") of approximately $2.5 million was approved for expenditure by March 31, 2023, and this work is underway.

On October 13, 2022, the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy ("DMRE") ruled to dismiss a series of appeals filed in 2021 against the grant of the Waterberg Mining Right. In its ruling the DMRE provided the regulatory reasons why each appeal was denied and confirmed the DMRE's assessment that Waterberg JV Co. has complied with Black Economic Empowerment requirements and Social and Labour Plan community consultation procedures.

On October 4, 2022, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued FIU a fourth patent, No. 11,462,743 B2, entitled "Battery comprising a metal interlayer". The patent involves the use of palladium as interlayer in batteries to stabilize and enable lithium metal anodes in various existing and emerging lithium battery technologies. Further patents are currently applied for. Under the Sponsored Research Agreement, Lion has exclusive rights to all intellectual property being developed by FIU including the patents granted.

On July 27, 2022, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with BMO Nesbit Burns Inc. (the "Canadian Agent") and BMO Capital Markets (the "U.S. Agent" and together with the Canadian Agent, the "Agents") for a new at-the-market equity program (the "2022 ATM") to distribute up to $50.0 million (or the equivalent in Canadian dollars) of Common Shares (the "Offered Shares"). The Offered Shares will be issued by the Company to the public from time to time, through the Agents, at the Company's discretion. The Offered Shares sold under the 2022 ATM will be sold at the prevailing market price at the time of sale. The net proceeds of any such sales under the 2022 ATM will be used for general working capital purposes, including the Work Program as described above. As of January 13, 2023, the Company has issued 1,043,569 Common Shares, through the U.S. Agent on the NYSE American pursuant to the 2022 ATM, at an average price of $1.82 for net proceeds of $1.85 million after directly attributable fees and expenses $0.05 million.

On June 21, 2022, the Company filed a final short form base shelf prospectus (the "Shelf Prospectus") with the securities regulatory authorities in each of the provinces and territories of Canada and a corresponding registration statement on Form F-10 (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC, under the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System established between Canada and the United States. Pursuant to the Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement, the Company may offer and sell Common Shares, debt securities, warrants, subscription receipts, or a combination thereof up to an aggregate initial offering price of $250 million (or its equivalent in Canadian dollars) from time to time, separately or together, in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined based on market conditions at the time of the offering and as set out in an accompanying prospectus supplement, during the 25-month period that the Shelf Prospectus and the Registration Statement remain effective.

On February 11, 2022, the Company repaid the remaining principal balance due and outstanding interest on a $20 million senior secured loan facility with Sprott Private Resource Lending II (Collector), LP and the other lenders party thereto. After this repayment, the Company became debt free and the pledge of its South African assets as security was fully released.

On February 11, 2022, the Company completed a non-brokered private placement of 3,539,823 Common Shares at a price of $1.695 per Common Share to existing major beneficial shareholder, Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited ("HCI"), resulting in proceeds to the Company of $6.0 million (the "Private Placement"). Pricing of the Private Placement was consistent with the equity consideration paid by the Company to purchase and cancel its outstanding $19.99 million 6 7/8% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes ("Convertible Notes") as described below. The Private Placement allowed HCI to return to a near 26% interest in the Company, as it held prior to the purchase and cancellation of the Convertible Notes.

On February 11, 2022, the Company reported the privately negotiated purchase and cancellation of the Company's Convertible Notes maturing on July 1, 2022. The Company issued to the holders, on a private placement basis, an aggregate of 11,793,509 Common Shares of the Company at a price of $1.695 per share in consideration for the $19.99 million principal outstanding balance of the Convertible Notes. The Company paid accrued and unpaid interest on the Convertible Notes in cash.

Results For The Three Months Ended November 30, 2022

During the three months ended November 30, 2022, the Company incurred a net loss of $1.61 million (November 30, 2021 - net loss of $3.32 million). The current period loss was lower primarily due to interest expense being $Nil in the current period versus $1.07 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2022 as the Company has repaid all of its remaining debt in fiscal 2022. General and administrative expenses during the current period were lower at $1.17 million (November 30, 2021 - $1.3 million). Share based compensation was $0.83 million (November 30, 2021 - $0.68 million). The foreign exchange gain recognized in the current period was $0.25 million (November 30, 2021 - $0.14 million loss) due to the U.S. Dollar increasing in value relative to the Canadian Dollar and the South African Rand during the current period.

At November 30, 2022, finance income consisting of interest earned and property rental fees in the period amounted to $0.14 million (November 30, 2021 - $0.03 million). Loss per share for the current period amounted to $0.02, as compared to a loss of $0.04 per share for the three months ended November 30, 2021.

Amounts receivable at November 30, 2022 (including 2022 ATM Offering proceeds receivable of $0.14 million) totalled $0.67 million (August 31, 2022 - $0.38 million) while accounts payable and accrued liabilities amounted to $1.19 million (August 31, 2022 - $1.12 million). Amounts receivable were comprised mainly of value added taxes repayable to the Company in South Africa. Accounts payable consisted primarily of Waterberg engineering fees, infill and geotechnical drilling costs, accrued professional fees and regular trade payables.

Total expenditures on the Waterberg Project, before partner reimbursements, for the three months ended November 30, 2022 were approximately $1.06 million (November 30, 2021 - $1.26 million). At November 30, 2022, $41.5 million in accumulated net costs had been capitalized to the Waterberg Project (November 30, 2021, $41.4 million). Total expenditures on the property since inception from all investor sources to November 30, 2022 are approximately $81.5 million.

For more information on mineral properties, see Note 3 of the Financial Statements.

Outlook

The Company's key business objective is to advance the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision. PTM is the operator of the Waterberg Project as directed by a technical committee comprised of representatives from joint venture partners Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. ("Implats"), Mnombo Wethu Consultants (Pty) Ltd. ("Mnombo"), Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (formerly Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation) ("JOGMEC") and Hanwa Co., Ltd. ("Hanwa"). Before project financing and a construction decision can be undertaken, arrangements will be required for project concentrate offtake or processing.

On October 18, 2022, Waterberg JV Co. approved in principle the pre-construction Work Program (as described above) of approximately $21.0 million over a 23-month period ending August 31, 2024. The Work Program will focus on project infrastructure including initial road access, water supply, essential site facilities, a first phase accommodation lodge, a site construction power supply from state utility Eskom and advancement of the Waterberg Social & Labour Plan. An update to the 2019 Waterberg Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS Update") is also planned, including a review of cut-off grades, mining methods, infrastructure plans, scheduling, concentrate offtake, dry stack tailings, costing and other potential revisions to the project's financial model.

From the Work Program the Initial Budget of approximately $2.5 million was approved for expenditure by March 31, 2023, and this work is underway. The Initial Budget includes an infill drilling program targeting near surface, modelled Inferred Mineral Resource blocks that have good potential for conversion to higher confidence levels, thereby allowing them to be added to early mine plans, potentially reducing early capital expenditure and the period to first mining. Several geotechnical holes are also planned. To date 16 planned T Zones holes have been completed and 6 of 16 planned F Zone holes have been completed. Mineralized material recovered from the drill program will be assayed and the remaining material will be processed to determine dry-stack tailings characteristics and provide additional concentrate metallurgical data. If dry stack tailings methods are implemented, it is estimated that mine water consumption could be reduced by 40% to 50%.

The Initial Budget for the Work Program is to be funded pro rata by the joint venture partners and was coordinated to match fiscal year and budgetary periods for JOGMEC and Hanwa. Subsequent expenditures in accordance with the Work Program are subject to expected approvals for sequential time periods ending on August 31, 2024.

The Company continues to work closely with regional and local communities and their leadership on mine development plans to achieve optimal outcomes and best value to all stakeholders.

The Company is considering commercial alternatives for mine development, financing and concentrate offtake. Obtaining reasonable terms for Waterberg concentrate offtake from an existing smelter/refiner in South Africa is considered the preferred option and discussions with such parties are ongoing. As an alternative to a traditional concentrate offtake arrangement, studies are also underway to assess the economic feasibility of constructing a matte furnace and base metal refinery to process Waterberg concentrate. The NI 43-101 definitive feasibility study technical report for the Waterberg Project entitled "Independent Technical Report, Waterberg Project Definitive Feasibility Study and Mineral Resource Update, Bushveld Complex, South Africa" dated October 4, 2019, stated that "Additional smelting capacity may need to be constructed in the industry to be able to treat the flotation concentrate from Waterberg and the other potential Platreef miners". A matte furnace and base metal refinery as described above is envisioned as a separate business from Waterberg JV Co. that could provide concentrate offtake terms to Waterberg JV Co. and possibly to other PGM miners. Discussions with potential participating partners and investors have occurred and are planned for the future.

As the world seeks to decarbonize and look for solutions to climate change, the unique properties of PGMs as powerful catalysts are being applied to various technologies as possible solutions for more efficient energy generation and storage. The Company's battery technology initiative through Lion with partner Anglo represents a new opportunity in the high-profile lithium battery research and innovation field. The investment in Lion creates a potential vertical integration with a broader industrial market development strategy to bring new technologies to market which use palladium and platinum. Research and development efforts by FIU on behalf of Lion continue. Technical results from Lion's research may have application to most lithium-ion battery chemistries and the scope of Lion's research work is being expanded.

Environmental, Social and Governance

Platinum Group recently received its second annual Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") disclosure report from Digbee Ltd. ("Digbee"), a United Kingdom based company that has developed an industry standard ESG disclosure framework for the mining sector providing a right-sized, future looking set of frameworks against which they can credibly disclose, track, compare and improve their ESG performance. Digbee ESG has been developed in consultation with mining companies, ESG specialists and capital providers and is endorsed by leading financial institutions, producing mining companies and other industry stakeholders. Digbee's reporting framework is aligned with global standards, including the Equator Principles.

Regulatory

As well as the discussions within this news release, the reader is encouraged to also see the Company's disclosure made under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended August 31, 2022 ("AIF") as filed with Canadian securities regulators and annual report on Form 40-F for the year ended August 31, 2022 ("Form 40-F") as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

Qualified Person

Rob van Egmond, P.Geo., a consultant geologist to the Company and a former employee, is an independent qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Mr. van Egmond has reviewed, validated and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release and has previously visited the Waterberg Project site.

About Platinum Group Metals Ltd. and the Waterberg Project

Platinum Group Metals Ltd. is the operator of the Waterberg Project, a bulk underground palladium and platinum deposit located in South Africa. The Waterberg Project was discovered by Platinum Group and is being jointly developed with Implats, Mnombo, JOGMEC and Hanwa.

On behalf of the Board of

Platinum Group Metals Ltd.

Frank R. Hallam

President, CEO and Director

For further information contact:

Kris Begic, VP, Corporate Development

Platinum Group Metals Ltd., Vancouver

Tel: (604) 899-5450 / Toll Free: (866) 899-5450

www.platinumgroupmetals.net

Disclosure

The TSX and the NYSE American have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this news release, which has been prepared by management.

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "may", "plans", "postulate" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the success of the Company's objective to advance the Waterberg Project to a development and construction decision, the completion of the various phases of the Work Program, the planned DFS Update, the plan for and development of the Waterberg Project and the potential benefits and results thereof, financing and mine development of the Waterberg Project, potential commercial alternatives for mine development financing and concentrate offtake, financing and mine development of the Waterberg Project, the size and cost of the Waterberg Project, the economic feasibility of establishing a Waterberg matte furnace, the possible implementation of dry stack tailings methods and results on water consumption, work with local communities, the development of new battery technologies and the potential benefits of utilizing palladium and platinum therein, the commercialization thereof and Lion's development of next generation battery technology, a return to strength in the market for PGMs, the success of Lion's and FIU's research and development efforts, the expansion of Lion's research work into additional battery chemistries, the Company's ability to better access capital markets due to its ESG practices, the outcome of the Company's pre-construction drill program at the Waterberg Project, , and the Company's other future plans and expectations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including possible adverse impacts due the global outbreak of COVID-19, the Company's inability to generate sufficient cash flow or raise additional capital, and to comply with the terms of any new indebtedness; additional financing requirements; and any new indebtedness may be secured, which potentially could result in the loss of any assets pledged by the Company; the Company's history of losses and negative cash flow; the Company's properties may not be brought into a state of commercial production; uncertainty of estimated production, development plans and cost estimates for the Waterberg Project; discrepancies between actual and estimated mineral reserves and mineral resources, between actual and estimated development and operating costs, between actual and estimated metallurgical recoveries and between estimated and actual production; fluctuations in the relative values of the U.S. Dollar, the Rand and the Canadian Dollar; volatility in metals prices; the uncertainty of alternative funding sources for Waterberg JV Co.; the Company may become subject to the U.S. Investment Company Act; the failure of the Company or the other shareholders to fund their pro rata share of funding obligations for the Waterberg Project; any disputes or disagreements with the other shareholders of Waterberg JV Co. or Mnombo; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and South Africa; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in South Africa, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the NYSE American or the TSX if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described in the Company's most recent Form 40-F annual report, AIF and other filings with the SEC and Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov and www.sedar.com, respectively. Proposed changes in the mineral law in South Africa if implemented as proposed would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and potential interest in projects. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

The technical and scientific information contained herein has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, which differs from the standards adopted by the SEC. Accordingly, the technical and scientific information contained herein, including any estimates of mineral reserves and mineral resources, may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies subject to the disclosure requirements of the SEC.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151181
Na Kyung-won, former lawmaker of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), answers questions from reporters as she leaves the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Na Kyung-won, former vice chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy, is at a crossroads in her bid for the chairpersonship of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) after President Yoon Suk Yeol removed her from two ministerial positions. She had offered to resign from one of the posts, Friday.



She voiced her intention to resign through a text message sent to Chief of Staff Kim Dae-ki, Tuesday, and submitted her official resignation to the committee, Friday. Some pundits interpreted the resignation as her intention to run in the upcoming PPP leadership contest in March.



It remains uncertain what the president has in mind. But some speculate that Yoon's dismissal means that he does not want the judge-turned-politician to run in the PPP's leadership contest. One thing that is certain is that if Na, a veteran lawmaker and the first female floor leader of the conservative party from 2018 to 2019, declares her bid for the leadership contest, her presence will certainly endanger male candidates who are close to the president.



Na's action came after the presidential office said it cannot process her resignation as she had not officially submitted a letter of resignation. Na was expected to speak about her decision, but remained quiet and her aide submitted the resignation on her behalf.



Despite the reactions from the presidential office, Na remains in the top spot in opinion polls among supporters of the PPP for the position of new party leader.



According to a survey conducted by Hangil Research between Jan. 7 and 9, Na won 30.7 percent of the votes among PPP supporters, surpassing Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon (18.8 percent), who is said to have the support of Yoon's confidants, and Ahn Cheol-soo (13.9 percent), the former presidential candidate who had dropped out of the race to rally behind Yoon.



Instead of accepting Na's resignation, the president dismissed her from the position of vice chairperson of the low birthrate committee and ambassador for Climate and Environment Friday afternoon and immediately named replacements for both posts, a day before he embarks on a state visit to the United Arab Emirates and Switzerland.



Senior presidential secretary for press affairs Kim Eun-hye said Yoon dismissed Na from her two posts and appointed Kim Young-mi, a member of the committee, as her replacement as vice chair, and Cho Hong-sik, a law professor at Seoul National University, to replace her as the climate ambassador.



"The two nominees will be subject to review at a Cabinet meeting presided over by Han Duck-soo, next week and once approved, President Yoon will officially appoint them through an electronic approval system during his trip," Kim added.





Senior presidential secretary for press affairs Kim Eun-hye leaves the stage after briefing reporters on the dismissal of Na Kyung-won from the posts of vice chairperson of the Presidential Committee on Aging Society and Population Policy and ambassador for Climate and Environment, at the presidential office in Yongsan, central Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
Astro-Energy Technology, a Beijing, China-based provider of household new energy products and systems, riased an undisclosed amount in Seed funding.

The round was led by CAS Venture Capital, followed by Asia Green Fund and Ningbo Angel Capital Guiding Fund.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate R&D and production of the photovoltaic micro-inverter, as well as the development of key production equipment for flexible thin-film solar cells.

Led by Liu Xiangxin, Founder, Astro-E Astro-E has developed a domestic micro-inverter (power manager) which is specialized in various thin-film solar cell modules. The microinverter TM-LV2000MI and other products suitable for silicon solar cell modules will be put on the market in early 2023. Products are oriented to high-end new energy markets such as distributed photovoltaic, building energy-saving power generation, electric vehicles, mobile energy, and aerospace.

The technology 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.

FinSMEs

12/01/2023
Buildout, a Chicago, IL-based developer of a commercial real estate (CRE) platform, acquired Oval Room Group, a national CRE visual media solutions company.

The amount of the deal, executed in conjunction with Buildouts primary investment partner, The Riverside Company, who invested in the company in July 2020, was not disclosed.

With the acquisition, Buildout will expand its offerings to include a single source for all visual media services, an important factor to property sales and leasing marketing campaigns.

Led by Alex Taylor, CEO and founder, Oval Room Group is a national commercial real estate visual media solutions company that delivers dynamic visual experiences through immersive and innovative media. Its services boast fast turn-around times for the creation of stunning and impactful CRE visual media ranging from aerial visuals, photography, videography, concept plans, renderings, virtual tours and more. The company has completed over 2,000 projects representing over 250M square feet of commercial space and impacting over $100B in project value.

Led by Kris Krisco, Buildout is the developer of a commercial real estate (CRE) platform used by one-third of brokers across North America to find, win, market and transact listings. The platform provides a hub that scales out to form an integrated, full-lifecycle deal-generation engine that powers research, prospecting, marketing, matchmaking, transaction management and deal closing.

FinSMEs

13/01/2023
RefAssured, a Walnut Creek, CA-based staffing software startup, raised an undisclosed Pre-Seed financing round.

The round was led by Bullhorn Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate its product development, deepen automation capabilities, advance integrations with partners, and expand its customer base.

Led by CEO Brian Vesce, RefAssured provides a data-backed automated reference checking solution for the Staffing Industry, supporting customers ranging from regional to national staffing firms.

FinSMEs

12/01/2023
Sena Health, a Philadelphia, PA-based home care company providing a technology platform, received an investment from Regal Healthcare Capital Partners.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

The company intends to use the funds to develop its tech platform and facilitate additional expansion.

Led by Dr. Anthony Wehbe, Founder and CEO, 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 delivery of hospital-level services into patients homes according to patients needs and preferences. The company also provides consulting services, program launch support services, and the staffing and technology to support each patient. Sena offers support services to developers of advanced at-home care across six states with a strong growth trajectory.

FinSMEs

12/11/2023
Flagler College acts as the backdrop for the St. Augustine Film Festival

For 13 years, independent filmmakers, actors, and producers come to our historic city for an experience celebrating the art of cinematic storytelling.

With three days of programming, the St. Augustine Film Festival showcases emerging and recognized talent in the independent filmmaking industry while attracting visitors to explore our community. Flagler College acts as a host for film screenings and events throughout the weekend festival.

Students and employees are encouraged to take advantage of their free entry into all film screenings in the Lewis Auditorium with a Flagler ID. Tickets for screenings in the Gamache-Koger Theater and the Alcazar Room in the Lightner Museum are available here.

Saturday, American actress Karen Allen will visit the Lewis Auditorium to introduce the film she is featured in A Stage of Twilight, with a Q&A session. Allen can be seen in classic favorites like Indiana Jones, The Sandlot, and Animal House. This exciting session is open to all students and employees.

Take advantage of this robust cultural event in our backyards that highlights the skills of independent and foreign filmmakers and offers fresh insights into different cultures, the common bonds that link us, and the emotional art of storytelling.

Check out this full schedule of films screening across campus this weekend:

Friday, Jan. 13

5:00 p.m. | Abuelas Family: The Sangiving episode  Comedy  Lightner, The Alcazar Room

8:45 p.m. | Ground Swell: The Other Side of Fear  Documentary  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

Saturday, Jan. 14

10:30 a.m. | Bridge to the Other Side  Action/ Drama/ Suspense  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

12:00 p.m. | Florida Short Films  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

Lioness | Connection | The Unintended | Deliverance

12:15 p.m. | Wild Beauty: Mustang Spirit of the West  Documentary  Lightner, The Alcazar Room

12:30 p.m. | Ghost of Richard Harris  Documentary  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

12:45 p.m. | Tiger #24  Documentary  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

2:15 p.m. | Shes the One  Romantic Comedy  Lightner, The Alcazar Room

2:30 p.m. | Chasing Dream Redux  Documentary  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

3:00 p.m. | A Stage of Twilight  Narrative/ Drama  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

4:15 p.m. | The Drop  Dark Comedy  Lightner, The Alcazar Room

4:30 p.m. | Camino Al Exito  Comedy/ Drama/ Suspense  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

4:45 p.m. | The Grump in Search of an Escort  Comedy  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

6:15 p.m. | Trader  Mystery/ Suspense  Lightner, The Alcazar Room

6:30 p.m. | All Man: The International Male Story  Documentary  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

7:00 p.m. | Ride Above  Historical Drama/ Action/ Suspense  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

8:30 p.m. | The Mistress  Horror/ Mystery/ Suspense  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

9:00 p.m. | Territorio Africano  Documentary  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

Sunday, Jan. 15

10:30 a.m. | The Forger  Historical drama/ Thriller/ Suspense  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

12:00 p.m. | Tidal Alert  Documentary  Lightner, The Alcazar Room

12:45 p.m. | Nostalgia  Mystery/ Thriller/ Suspense/ Drama  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

1:00 p.m. | One More Story  Romantic Comedy  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

1:15 p.m. | When we were Shuttle  Documentary  Lightner, The Alcazar Room

2:30 p.m. | El Club de Los Cantineros  Documentary  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

3:00 p.m. | Corner Office  Dark Comedy/ Mystery  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

3:15 p.m. | The Long Rider  Documentary  Lightner, The Alcazar Room

4:00 p.m. | Fruits of Peace  Documentary  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

5:00 p.m. | D.O.A.  Mystery/ Suspense  Flagler, Lewis Auditorium

5:15 p.m. | Ramona  Romantic Comedy  Lightner, The Alcazar Room

6:00 p.m. | Heavy Vibes  Documentary  Flagler, Gamache-Koger Theater

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Korea plans to have 30 percent of local companies adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technologies by 2030 to beef up competitiveness of local industries, the industry ministry said Friday.



The target marks a sharp rise from the current estimate of 1 percent, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.



"In a mid-and-long term perspective, (the government) plans to proactively find and foster future industries and seek a great transformation that can fundamentally revamp the country's industrial system," Industry Minister Lee Chang-yang said.



Lee added that the AI sector holds the key for the "digital transformation" of local businesses.



In detail, the industry ministry plans to help connect AI service providers with local businesses, including manufacturers, to help create customized solutions.



In 2023, the industry ministry plans to allocate 1 billion won ($801,000) to five projects, with the size of the program set to expand next year under cooperation with the Ministry of Science and ICT.



Korea will also foster at least 100 companies that supply AI solutions worldwide by 2030, the industry ministry added. (Yonhap)


Mr. President,

China voted in favor of the draft resolution of the Security Council on extending the authorization for cross-border humanitarian assistance to Syria. We welcome the efforts by Brazil and Switzerland as co-penholders, as well as the previous efforts by Norway and Ireland. At the same time, we hope that the Security Council and relevant UN agencies will seize the opportunity of the extension to comprehensively sum up the experience and shortcomings in the implementation of the resolution in the past six months, so as to ensure its full and effective implementation in the future and make greater contributions to continuously improving the humanitarian situation of all Syrians.

First, the sovereignty of Syria and the ownership of the Syrian Government must be fully respected. Cross-border assistance is a temporary arrangement made under special circumstances, and should ultimately transition, in an orderly manner, to cross-line assistance, so that the latter will become the main channel for humanitarian assistance to Syria. To this end, the frequency and the size of convoys of cross-line assistance in northwest Syria must be significantly increased, and cross-line assistance to the Rukban refugee camps should resume as early as possible. All parties should ensure adequate supplies and funding for cross-line assistance, and step up coordination with relevant parties, in particular the parties in de facto control of northwest Syria, so as to effectively improve the access environment for cross-line assistance.

Second, vigorous efforts must be made for quality and efficiency gains in early recovery projects. At present, the overall funding for early recovery projects needs to be improved. Early recovery projects in different sectors are seeing mixed progress, and there are major differences in project implementation among different regions. China urges all donors to put the well-being of all Syrians first, and promptly and properly resolve the aforementioned problems. The removal of explosive remnants of war is important for restoring the normal work and life of the Syrian people, and should be included in the scope of early recovery as quickly as possible,

Third, unilateral sanctions impede humanitarian access in Syria, restrict its access to humanitarian resources, and run counter to the efforts by the Council and the international community to improve humanitarian access in and increase humanitarian resources for Syria. The Secretary-Generals report also points out that unilateral sanctions inhibit humanitarian agencies from procuring supplies and disbursing funds. China once again urges the relevant countries to immediately and fully lift the unilateral sanctions on Syria.

Thank you, Mr. President,
On January 11, 2023 local time, Foreign Minister Qin Gang refuted the groundless allegation that China is creating a "debt trap" in Africa in a joint press conference with the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat.

Qin Gang noted that African countries have in recent years been actively working to promote economic and social development, but lack of funds has become a major bottleneck to Africa's prosperity and revitalization, and how to balance development financing with debt growth is an issue that all countries must face head-on in the course of pursuing development.

Qin Gang said that as good brothers sharing weal and woe, China and Africa have forged ahead side by side on the path of common development. China has always been committed to helping Africa ease its debt burden, actively participated in the Group of 20 (G20) Debt Service Suspension Initiative, signed agreements or reached consensuses with 19 African countries on debt relief and suspended the most debt service payments among G20 members. China has also been actively engaged in the case-by-case debt treatment for Chad, Ethiopia and Zambia under the G20 Common Framework. President Xi Jinping announced at the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation that China would channel to African countries 10 billion U.S. dollars from its share of the International Monetary Fund's new allocation of Special Drawing Rights, and this work has seen initial progress. Relevant reports from the World Bank have shown that multilateral financial institutions and commercial creditors hold nearly three-quarters of Africa's total external debt. They take a larger share of Africa's debt, and they can and should take more robust actions to relieve the debt burden on African countries. China calls upon all parties concerned to contribute to alleviating Africa's debt burden in line with the principle of common actions and fair burden-sharing.

Qin Gang emphasized that Africa's debt problem is essentially an issue of development. The solution to the problem requires addressing not only the symptoms but also the root causes by means of debt treatment, among others, so as to enhance Africa's independent and sustainable development capacity. China's financing cooperation with Africa is mainly in fields such as infrastructure development and production capacity, with a view to enhancing Africa's capacity for independent and sustainable development. The so-called China's "debt trap" in Africa is a narrative trap imposed on China and Africa. Projects and cooperation carried out by China in Africa contributed to Africas development and the improvement of peoples lives. The African people have the biggest say in this. China will continue to respect the will of the African people, and bring tangible benefits to the African people through China-Africa cooperation based on the realities in Africa, so as to achieve better common development.
On January 12, 2023 local time, President Ali Bongo Ondimba of Gabon met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Libreville.

Qin Gang first conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to President Bongo. He said that the China-Gabon friendship, which was jointly forged by the older generation of leaders of the two countries, has stood various tests and remained rock-solid. China and Gabon have firmly supported each other in safeguarding their respective core interests and major concerns, upholding basic norms governing international relations, and defending international fairness and justice. China is ready to work with Gabon to implement the important common understandings reached between the two heads of state, consolidate strategic mutual trust, and expand pragmatic cooperation, so as to elevate the China-Gabon comprehensive cooperative partnership to higher levels.

Qin Gang briefed President Bongo on the essential requirements and distinct features of Chinese modernization. He stressed that China will continuously support Gabon in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions, increase experience sharing on state governance, seek greater synergy between development strategies, pursue high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and help Gabon advance the "Gabon Emergent" strategic plan, so as to realize win-win cooperation and common development.

Bongo asked Qin Gang to convey his best wishes to President Xi Jinping, and expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Chinese side for its all-round and strong support for Gabon's economic and social development. He said that the Gabon-China friendship had been upgraded as the two sides worked to promote common development and safeguard common interests. Gabon highly endorses China's development approach, and expects to deepen cooperation to bring more benefits to the two peoples. Gabon appreciates the fact that China speaks up for justice in the international community and fulfills its responsibilities as a major country. He said that Gabon will always be a trustworthy friend of China, and expressed readiness to strengthen coordination and collaboration with the Chinese side to jointly safeguard the legitimate interests of developing countries and work for a greater say of African countries in international governance.

During his visit to Gabon, Qin Gang also held talks with Gabonese Foreign Minister Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya. The two sides said that China and Gabon will continue to firmly support each other, further tap the potential for cooperation, and forge more cooperation highlights.
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By Ko Dong-hwan







Seoul Metropolitan Government on Friday launched a new incubator for digital financing startups.







Seoul Fintech Lab II was unveiled in the city's western Mapo District by the city government's Economic Policy Office. It follows Seoul Fintech Lab I in Yeouido that in 2019 absorbed the city's first fintech startup support center launched in Mapo District in 2018.







Kim Tae-gyun, the chief of the economic policy office who was at the opening event for the new lab, said the new addition will support the city's fintech and blockchain companies that are at the pinnacle of digital financing and give a boost to companies in the industry with high potential for growth.







"Together with Yeouido Fintech Lab, we will operate it as Seoul's leading fintech startup support center," Kim said at the Friday event. Planning and Economy Committee President Lee Suk-ja from the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Korea Fintech Industry Association Chairman Lee Geun-joo and Korea BlockChain Forum Chairman Kim Ki-hong also attended the ceremony.







Last December, the Seoul Metropolitan Government selected 21 startups from those who applied to move into the new lab. The startups that opened less than three years are to receive extensive business support to develop them into unicorn companies, from studying their true business capabilities to understanding their potential clients, specifying in detail their products or services and analyzing their possible revenue models.







Common Lounge inside Seoul Fintech Lab II in Mapo District, Seoul / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government





The lab leases its office space to the selected companies at what it says are affordable rates and provides them with marketing, business consultation and advertisement assistance. Each of the companies can renew their rental contracts every year for up to three years.







The lab also selected 16 additional blockchain startups with up to seven years of experience in the industry from among the applicants as "member companies" and gave them a separate space apart from the other 21 companies. The lab is to provide the member companies with the same perks as the selected startups, including technical mentoring and blockchain education.







Apart from the 37 startups, the city government also plans to move into the new lab with separate professional investors as partner firms to provide the startups with accelerator and venture capital assistance to help them grow further.







The city government plans to run the new Mapo lab and the existing Yeouido lab together so that startups there can grow together yet on separate tracks. The new lab will be responsible for those businesses in the early stages of development, while more mature startups will be at the Yeouido lab, particularly with a focus on expanding to overseas markets.






KL Saberi slot machines in Kangwon Land Casino / Courtesy of Kangwon Land



By Kim Jae-heun



Kangwon Land will export slot machines to the Sheraton Manila Bay Hotel in Manila, after signing a sales contract with RGB, the largest slot machine retailer in Southeast Asia, the company said Tuesday.



The company will first manufacture 30 slot machines and send them to the casino in the Philippines through RGB, where they will be installed for use by April.



"The slot machine manufacturing business is a highly anticipated project with many advantages such as fostering small and medium-sized domestic companies, creating jobs in local communities and earning foreign currency. We plan to make it a new growth engine of Kangwon Land," Kangwon Land CEO Lee Sam-kul said.



It is Kangwon Land's first overseas sale since it started producing the machines in 2017. The company said its contract with RGB is meaningful as it has built a base to enter the Asian market. The company also expects to take the opportunity to escape from its sluggish business affected by COVID-19.



Kangwon Land has been developing the overseas sales network for its slot machine brand KL Saberi with RGB since they inked a supply deal in 2019. So far, the company has exported 38 slot machines to five casinos in the Philippines under a trial contract.



The trial contract refers to a deal where casinos test new slot machines for a certain period of time and decide on purchasing the product if it has high marketability.



KL Saberi slot machines are currently in use at Kangwon Land Casino. The company has supplied 260 of its own machines to save 8.2 billion won ($6.58 million). It also supplied 13 units to Grand Korea Leisure in Seoul, a casino exclusively for foreigners, and six units to Golden Crown Casino in Daegu.


A day after President Joe Bidens much-publicized, long-delayed visit to the U.S. Mexican border, a bipartisan Senate group made a less publicized visit that could ultimately have greater impact on easing the toxic immigration problem.

The group, headed by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., included several lawmakers who helped to pass last years bipartisan legislative successes like the infrastructure, CHIPS and gun safety bills.

Their approach provided a welcome contrast with the politics surrounding Bidens announcement last week of new border measures and Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts denunciation of Sundays visit as a stage-managed photo-op.

Despite persistent political barriers, Cornyn expressed some optimism that a bipartisan deal on the long-stalemated issue was possible. But any effort needs to overcome the new House Republican majoritys focus on investigating Bidens border policies and strengthening security, rather than seeking a broader solution.

Most of the time when you come to the border, its kind of shirts vs. skins, Cornyn told Punchbowl News Andrew Desiderio, who accompanied the group. Its all Republicans and everybodys sort of egging each other on but not actually trying to fix the problem.

He said he was encouraged the group included Sinema and Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy, who have a history of doing bipartisan things and solving problems. So, I think thats a great place to start.

Actually, the starting point for any renewed legislative effort is last years proposal by Sinema and North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Similar to prior bipartisan measures, it combined enhanced border security measures with a path to citizenship for the Dreamers brought to this country illegally as children.

That is clearly the formula for getting something done legislatively that could at least ease a problem that has bedeviled administrations of both parties. Strong feelings on both sides have killed all recent efforts.

In 2018, former President Donald Trump discussed a package providing additional protection for the "Dreamers" and funding for his controversial border wall at a White House meeting with senators from both parties. But Trumps hard-line advisers persuaded him to reject the plan.

And in 2013, the Senate actually passed a bipartisan bill to add up to 40,000 border patrol agents, revise the visa system to encourage entry of skilled workers, and provide a path to legal status and ultimately citizenship for many of the 11 million undocumented workers in the United States.

At the time, many analysts thought some form of that measure could also command a bipartisan House majority. But Republican Speaker John Boehner, heeding the views of GOP hard-liners, invoked his partys policy of only considering measures with support from a majority of Republicans.

That could be a barrier again in the new Republican-controlled House. Speaker Kevin McCarthy said last June that any measure offering amnesty to those here illegally is a nonstarter. It wont be taken up by a House Republican majority.

The new House will consider several enforcement measures under the rules package it approved Monday, Forbes reported. They include bills to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of aliens and require the FBI to alert Immigration and Customs Enforcement and state and local enforcement officials whenever anyone here illegally tries to buy a firearm.

According to Sinema, the bipartisan group hopes to broaden a House-passed border security bill into a more comprehensive measure that could get the 60 votes needed to pass the Senate. That might depend on whether it secures support from GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, who was crucial in last years enactment of bipartisan bills.

While thats theoretically possible, it wont solve the problem of potential House rejection of  or even debate on  a comprehensive bill, despite the GOP majoritys avowed new goal of allowing more open debates.

Meanwhile, Bidens latest effort to deal with the thousands of asylum-seekers who have been overwhelming border crossing points has drawn a mixed reaction, underscoring the difficulty of finding compromise solutions to the complex problem.

His plan will admit up to 30,000 monthly from Haiti, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela if they apply from their home countries and have financial supporters in the United States. It will also use so-called Title 42, the Trump administrations COVID-era measure to block potential entrants on health grounds, to return up to 30,000 asylum-seekers to Mexico.

Migrants seeking asylum on humanitarian grounds will need to submit proof of an eligible sponsor and pass background checks before being allowed to travel elsewhere in the United States. And Biden will provide additional resources to stressed border agencies.

Immigrant rights groups condemned the continued enforcement of Title 42, pending a ruling on its legality expected this spring from the Supreme Court, while Republicans condemned Bidens moves as too little too late.

Abbott, who has stationed National Guard troops and Public Safety officers on the border and taken other measures to block migrants, presented Biden in El Paso Sunday with a letter declaring that chaos there is the direct result of your failure to enforce the immigration laws that Congress enacted. He demanded the president end the practice of unlawfully paroling aliens en masse, aggressively prosecute illegal entry between ports of entry and resume construction of Trumps wall.

Efforts to pass bipartisan immigration legislation have failed for more than 30 years. But the situation on the Southern border demands that compromise-minded lawmakers like Cornyn and Sinema keep trying.




Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin pays tribute to his father, Lotte founder Shin Kyuk-ho, at the third-anniversary memorial for his death held at Lotte World Tower in Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Lotte Group
KT CEO Ku Hyeon-mo delivers his New Year's address at the company's headquarters in Seoul, Jan. 2. Courtesy of KT



By Park Jae-hyuk



The KT board's plan to reappoint CEO Ku Hyeon-mo is causing an intensifying conflict with the National Pension Service (NPS), the telecom firm's largest shareholder under government control, according to industry officials, Friday.



Earlier this month, the NPS lowered its stake in KT to 9.99 percent from 10.12 percent.



Its decision was attributed to the regulation that forces shareholders with more than a 10-percent stake to return their short-swing profits to companies they invested in, if those shareholders change the purpose of their investments to "interference in management."



Although the financial authorities allow public pension funds to be exempt from the rule so that they can more actively meddle with the management of companies for the sake of minority shareholders, such exemptions still require approval from the financial authorities and strict reviews.



The NPS, therefore, seems to have unloaded its KT shares in order to vote more freely against Ku's reappointment, regardless of the financial authorities' approval.



After KT's board of directors announced late last year that Ku was recommended as the final and sole candidate to lead the company for the next three years, the NPS officially opposed the decision, claiming that the recommendation procedure was unfair and not transparent.



"KT's recommendation of the incumbent CEO as the sole candidate does not accord with the basic principle of election," NPS Chief Investment Officer Seo Won-joo said in a press release issued a few hours after the KT board's announcement. It was unusual for the state-run pension fund to release a statement to level criticism at a privately owned company's decision.



NPS Chairman Kim Tae-hyun also questioned the leadership of KT and other Korean firms without controlling shareholders, saying their CEOs have been reappointed based on preferential treatment.



Such a negative stance by the pension fund on the incumbent KT CEO is widely interpreted as an attempt by the Yoon Suk Yeol administration to interfere with the company's management, so as to expel the chief executive who was appointed under the previous Moon Jae-in government.



Lee Kang-chul, a nonexecutive director of KT, who offered to resign lately, also reportedly attributed his resignation to a political reason.



The former presidential aide to late President Roh Moo-hyun, a close friend of Moon, is said to have told other directors that he decided to leave the company to prevent the ruling bloc from regarding Ku as an ally of the previous administration.



Some liberal civic groups, however, supported the NPS, saying in their statements earlier this month that it is inappropriate to reappoint Ku, who is on trial for his alleged embezzlement and violation of the Political Funds Act.



"The NPS is obligated to oppose Ku's reappointment in order to prevent the 'Korea discount' resulting from opaque governance structures," People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy said in a statement on Jan. 8.



Even if the NPS votes against Ku's reappointment, KT is still able to accomplish its plan, as it has strengthened ties with its second-largest shareholder, which has a 7.79-percent stake, Hyundai Motor Group, and its third-largest shareholder, which has a 5.48-percent stake, Shinhan Bank.



However, the NPS is the largest shareholder of Shinhan Financial Group and the second-largest shareholder of Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Mobis.



It is therefore difficult to rule out the possibility of Hyundai Motor and Shinhan following the pension fund's decision. In addition, votes from minority shareholders can also affect the result.



Amid the lingering conflict, KT delayed its annual executive reshuffle and organizational reform, according to industry officials.



The telecom firm was initially expected to reshuffle its executives this week, but Ku reportedly told KT executives that the reshuffle will be carried out after the Lunar New Year holidays. It is still uncertain whether the reshuffle will take place in February or March.


DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Greece tourism market is expected to generate a revenue of US$ 548.0 million by 2032, scaling up from US$ 265.9 million in 2022. The target market is set to record a healthy CAGR of 7.5% from 2022 to 2032. Factors such as an elevated number of travelers to Greece in 2022- around 8 million in the first half of the year- account for the thriving tourism industry in Greece. The countrys popularity as a global heritage site, rich culture, and magnificent views further aid the growth of the Greece tourism market during the forecast period.



Greece, popular for its green valleys and lush forests, is a famous tourist destination. Apart from the magnificent view, the country is also famous as a heritage site and for its rich culture. Greece also has excellent nightlife and all of these considerations, along with its beautiful mountains and exotic beaches, attract travelers from all over the world. Greek tourism, thus, caters to both: those who want to experience a quiet time on the beaches and those who want to enjoy an active party lifestyle. Many tourists also want to experience the feel of an exotic European location. These attributes strive to create a thriving environment for tourism in Greece.

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The countrys cultural and traditional aspect also contributes to a prosperous tourism market. Its cultural richness is displayed through its rural environment and its uniqueness also entices travelers. Moreover, its rich history is quite appealing to historians, associated enthusiasts, and amateurs. The recent development of different sectors of Greece's economy also bolsters its tourism revenue and is anticipated to continue this trend. Further, the diverse delicacies and cuisines in the country attract a significant number of culinary aficionados.

Beginning with the popular Moussaka to traditional meatballs, the culinary specialties of Greece also present its culture and local cuisines in a very appealing manner to tourists from all over the world. Additionally, other tourism activities like medical tourism, destination tourism, religious tourism, ecotourism, and others continue to attract huge amounts of tourists to the country. All of these factors will stimulate the Greece tourism market during the forecast period.

Key Takeaways:

Rich history supported by young enthusiasts is expected to spur the demand for the Greece tourism market during the assessment period.

A dearth of tourism infrastructure may hamper the growth prospects for Greece's tourism market.

In terms of age group, the 36 to 45 category will likely account for a considerable share of 29.5% of Greece tourism.

Based on tour type, independent travelers will hold about 30.8% share in Greece tourism as a result of greater penetration of the internet and advancements in technology.

Online booking channels will also make a substantial contribution to the overall market growth as it is convenient and expedite the booking process.



Competitive Landscape

Leading market players are focusing on employing strategies that will assist with attracting particular demographic consumers. A few of these market participants offer discounts on tour packages and in-advance reservations. These businesses also employ various growth strategies to retain a competitive edge.

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More Insights into Greece Tourism Market

In its latest report, FMI offers an unbiased analysis of the global Greece tourism market, providing historical data from 2017 to 2021 and forecast statistics for 2022 to 2032. To understand the global market potential, growth, and scope, the market is segmented on the basis of age (under 18, 18 to 25, 26 to 35, 36 to 45, 46 to 55, over 55), visit purpose (business and professional, leisure, recreation, and holidays, healthcare, religious travel, others), demographic (male, female, kid), nationality (domestic, international), tour type (corporate, family, couples, youth groups, single tourists), tourism type (religious tourism, cultural/ heritage tourism, medical tourism, others) and region.

According to the latest FMI reports, based on segmentation, the 36 to 45 age group is anticipated to dominate the global marketplace. With a market share of 29.5%, this segment comprises primarily of the working-class population and has the ability to take foreign tours. The 36 to 45 age group will be closely followed by the 46 to 55 segment. In terms of tour type, single tourists or young couples with access to the internet and advancing technology will lead the market growth.

In short, the popularity of Greece as a historically rich, heritage site with diverse cuisine and beautiful vistas will propel the Greece tourism market forward during the forecast period.

Greece Tourism Market by Category

By Age:

Under 18

18-25

26-35

36-45

46-55

Over 55

By Visit Purpose:

Business & Professional

Leisure, Recreation & Holidays

Healthcare

Religious Travel

Other



By Demographic:

Male

Female

Kid



By Nationality:

Domestic

International

By Tour Type:

Corporate

Family

Couples

Youth Groups

Single Tourists



By Tourism Type:

Religious Tourism

Cultural/Heritage Tourism

Medical Tourism

Others

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Table of Content

1. Executive Summary

1.1. Greece Market Outlook

1.1.1. Who Is Travelling?

1.1.2. Travel Gross Bookings

1.1.3. Travel Gross Revenue

1.1.4. How Much Do They Spend?

1.2. Greece Tourism Evolution Analysis

1.3. FMI Analysis and Recommendations

1.4. GDP Share by Sector

2. Consumption Trends in Greece Tourism

2.1. Websites used for Destinations Research

2.1.1. Online Travel Agency

2.1.2. General Search

2.1.3. Travel Review Sites

2.1.4. Travel search engines/apps

2.1.5. Vacation rental site

2.1.6. Other Players

2.2. Website used for Comparing and Choosing Travel Products

2.3. Preferred Website for travel Booking

2.4. Opportunities from New Courses

Complete TOC with Report Preview: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/greece-tourism-market

Have a Look at Related Research Reports of Travel and Tourism

U.S. Outbound Tourism Market Forecast: The U.S. outbound tourism market is estimated at US$ 101,697.0 Mn in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 458,986.8 Mn by 2032, with overall demand accelerating at 16.3% CAGR throughout the forecast period 2022-2032.

Music Tourism Market Demand: The global music tourism market is forecasted to be appraised at US$ 11.3 Bn by 2032, up from US$ 5.5 Bn in 2022, advancing at a CAGR of 7% during the forecast period.

Cruise Tourism Market Outlook: The global Cruise Tourism market is forecasted to be appraised at US$ 17.4 Billion by 2032, up from US$ 5.3 Billion in 2022, advancing at a CAGR of 11.97% during the forecast period.

Theme Park Tourism Market Growth: The Theme Park Tourism Market is estimated at US$ 49.1 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 166.67 Billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 13% from 2022 to 2032.

Philippines Tourism Market Size: The Philippines tourism market is estimated to reach US$ 10.8 Bn in 2022. As per the report, sales are forecast to increase at a robust 10.9% CAGR, with the market valuation reaching US$ 30.4 Bn 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.

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Birmingham, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance Market" is the title of a new report from Data Bridge Market Research. Key growth strategies, drivers, opportunities, key segments, Porter's Five Forces analysis, and competitive environment are all dissected in detail in the research. The transparent, trustworthy, and extensive market information and data included in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance business reports will definitely help develop business and improve return on investment (ROI). The market report estimates the region that is foretold to create the most number of opportunities in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance Market . It figures out whether there will be any changes in the market competition during the forecast period. These insights are often critical to key business processes such as product planning, new product development, distribution route planning, and sales force development. This market research report really serves to be a proven solution for businesses to gain a competitive advantage.

Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the artificial intelligence (AI) in the insurance market was valued at USD 3.64 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach the value of USD 35.77 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 33.06% during the forecast period. In addition to the market insights such as market value, growth rate, market segments, geographical coverage, market players, and market scenario, the market report curated by the Data Bridge Market Research team includes in-depth expert analysis, import/export analysis, pricing analysis, production consumption analysis, and pestle analysis.

Available Sample Report in PDF Version along with Graphs and Figures @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-insurance-market

Artificial intelligence (AI) has brought an innovative change in how the insurance sector performed in the last few years. Insurance was generally associated with time-consuming meetings, filing complicated claims, loads of paperwork,, and waiting months for a decision. Artificial intelligence (AI) in insurance has brought in automation that has continuously rebuilt insurance providers' trust. Moreover, insurance automation such as artificial intelligence (AI) helps lower risks and fraud, encouraging business growth and automating numerous business processes to lessen overall costs.

Artificial intelligence (AI) will transfigure the insurance industry. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies such as machine vision, natural language processing (NLP), machine learning and deep learning, and robotic automation have the potential to reimagine the overall insurance lifecycle from customer procurement to claims processing.

Opportunities

Numerous advantages associated with artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) will increase critical insurance operations such as risk assessment, claims processing, asset management, and prevention. For instance, the image processing function of artificial intelligence (AI) in Insurance may be used to estimate property damage. This same machine may be utilized to make an educated choice on smart system expenditures. Thus, As a result of all these factors, the demand for the artificial intelligence (AI) increase, which will be expected to create immense market growth opportunities.

Key Market Players:

Microsoft (U.S.)

Infosys Limited (India)

Tractable Ltd (U.S.)

Insurify, Inc. (U.S.)

Slice Insurance Technologies Inc., (U.S.)

Google (U.S.)

Oracle (U.S.)

Amazon Web Services Inc. (U.S.)

IBM (U.S.)

Avaamo (U.S.)

Cape Analytics (U.S.)

Wipro (India)

Acko General Insurance (India)

Shift Technology (France)

Quantemplate (U.K.)

Zurich (Switzerland)

Lemonade Insurance Agency, LLC (U.S.)

We can add or profile new company as per client need in the report. Final confirmation is to be provided by the research team depending upon the difficulty of survey.

Access Full PDF Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-insurance-market

Key Growth Drivers:

Increasing usage of artificial intelligence (AI) in chatbots

The artificial intelligence (AI) in the insurance sector has brought a revolutionary change in the level of customer service. Chatbots are the simplest and easiest way to start the process and further distribute the information to the next aligned process without any human interference. This makes the process quick, smooth, and error-free. AI based chatbots can upsell and cross-sell products based on the customers history and profile.

Insurance claims management and investigation

Regulating all the procedures of authorizations, approvals, payment tracking, data capturing, claims creation and recovery tracking through artificial intelligence (AI) can be paired with other applications to reorganize the fraud detection process, thus saving costs and time. Artificial intelligence in insurance claims can decrease processing costs by 50-65%, claims regulation prices by 20 to 30%, and processing time by 50-90% while improving the customer service experience.

Critical Insights Related to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance Included in the Report:

Exclusive graphics and Illustrative SWOT analysis of some of the leading companies in this market

Value chain analysis of prominent players in the market

Current trends influencing the dynamics of this market across various geographies

Recent mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, and partnerships

Revenue growth of this industry over the forecast period

Marketing strategy study and growth trends

Growth driven factor analysis

Emerging recess segments and region-wise market

An empirical evaluation of the curve of this market

Ancient, Present, and Probable scope of the market from both prospect value and volume

Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance Market Scope

By Component

Hardware

Software

Services

By Technology

Machine Learning and Deep Learning

Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Machine Vision

Robotic Automation

By Deployment Model

0n-Premises

Cloud

By Enterprises Size

Large Enterprises

SMEs Enterprises

By Application

Claims Management

Risk Management and Compliance

Chatbots

By Sector

Life Insurance

Title Insurance

Auto Insurance

Read the Detailed Index of the full Research Study @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-insurance-market

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance Market Regional Analysis/Insights

Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance market is analyzed and market size insights and trends are provided by country, application, material, color, connector application, type, voltage, sales channel and vehicle type, as referenced above.

The countries covered in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance market report are the U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America.

North America dominates the artificial intelligence (AI) in insurance market in terms of revenue and market share due to the increasing adoption of new technologies to numerous AI solution providers in the region.

Asia-Pacific will continue to project the highest compound annual growth rate during the forecast period of 2023-2030 due to the increasing government initiatives supporting digitalization. Moreover, growing investments on advanced technologies such as IoT and AI are raising the demand for AI across the insurance sector which will likely to enhance market growth within this region.

Table of Content:

Part 01: Executive Summary

Part 02: Scope of the Report

Part 03: Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance Market Segmentation By Component

Part 04: Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance Market Segmentation By Enterprises Size

Part 05: Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Insurance Market Segmentation By Technology

Part 06: Five Forces Analysis

Part 07: Customer Landscape

Part 08: Geographic Landscape

Part 09: Decision Framework

Part 10: Drivers and Challenges

Part 11: Market Trends

Part 12: Vendor Landscape

Part 13: Vendor Analysis

To check the complete Table of Content click here: @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-artificial-intelligence-ai-in-insurance-market

Customization Options

All segmentation provided above in this report is represented at country level and can be customized according to needs.

All products covered in the market, product volume and average selling prices will be included as customizable options which may incur no or minimal additional cost (depends on customization).

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Health Insurance Market , By Type (Product, Solutions), Services (Inpatient Treatment, Outpatient Treatment, Medical Assistance, Others), Level of Coverage (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), Service Providers (Public Health Insurance Providers, Private Health Insurance Providers), Health Insurance Plans (Point of Service (POS), Exclusive Provider Organization (EPOS), Indemnity Health Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (QSEHRAS), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Others), Demographics (Adults, Minors, Senior Citizens), Coverage Type (Lifetime Coverage, Term Coverage), End User (Corporates, Individuals, Others) Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Financial Institutions, E-commerce, Hospitals, Clinics & Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-health-insurance-market

Digital Insurance Platform Market , By Component (Tools, Services), End-User (Insurance Companies, Third-Party Administrators and Brokers, Aggregators), Insurance Application (Automotive and Transportation, Home and Commercial Buildings, Life and Health, Business and Enterprise, Consumer Electronics and Industrial Machines, Travel), Deployment Type (On-Premises and Cloud), Organization Size (Large Enterprises, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, 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, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) htt ps://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-digital-insurance-platform-market

Asia-Pacific Health Insurance Market , By Type (Product, Solutions), Services (Inpatient Treatment, Outpatient Treatment, Medical Assistance, Others), Level of Coverage (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), Service Providers (Public Health Insurance Providers, Private Health Insurance Providers), Health Insurance Plans (Point of Service (POS), Exclusive Provider Organization (EPOS), Indemnity Health Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (QSEHRAS), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Others), Demographics (Adults, Minors, Senior Citizens), Coverage Type (Lifetime Coverage, Term Coverage), End User (Corporates, Individuals, Others) Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Financial Institutions, E-commerce, Hospitals, Clinics, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-health-insurance-market

Europe Health Insurance Market , By Type (Product, Solutions), Services (Inpatient Treatment, Outpatient Treatment, Medical Assistance, Others), Level of Coverage (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum), Service Providers (Public Health Insurance Providers, Private Health Insurance Providers), Health Insurance Plans (Point of Service (POS), Exclusive Provider Organization (EPOS), Indemnity Health Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements (QSEHRAS), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Others), Demographics (Adults, Minors, Senior Citizens), Coverage Type (Lifetime Coverage, Term Coverage), End User (Corporates, Individuals, Others) Distribution Channel (Direct Sales, Financial Institutions, E-commerce, Hospitals, Clinics & Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-health-insurance-market

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New York, US, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR),  Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market Research Report Information By Sales Channel, Vehicle type, Application - Forecast 2030, the global market is poised to touch a valuation of USD 13.22 BN by 2030, with a 26.96% CAGR throughout the assessment period (20222030).

Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market Overview

The automotive active health monitoring system, also known as driver monitoring system (DMS), enhances passenger and vehicle safety, combining integrated advanced technologies with a safe and secure real-time operating system (RTOS). Active health monitoring systems can detect problems early and transmit the data to the control room through a telematics device.

These systems help address the growing safety risks caused by distracted and drowsy drivers. Global vehicle manufacturers strive to add DMS features to meet regulatory requirements by enhancing user experience and safety. Automakers are increasingly facing challenges associated with the complexity of DMS software and hardware platforms, as well as the specific requirements for safety, security, performance, cost, and time to market.

Key players active in the Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market are

Acellent Technologies (US)

TATA Elxsi (India)

Kritikal Solutions Pvt. Ltd (US)

Plessey Semiconductors (UK)

Faurecia (France)

Qualcomm Technologies (US)

DotNetix (South Africa)

Oceanit (US)

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The automotive active health monitoring system market is likely to garner significant traction over the next few years. Their easy installation helps OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to reduce the time, cost, and complexity of developing and deploying their systems integrated with compliant ADAS systems, complying with global safety and security standards. These systems comprise biometric feedback sensors placed near the driver's seat/on the steering wheel to monitor the driver's health continuously.

Industry Trends

The rapid increase in EV and luxury vehicle sales is a key driving force boosting the adoption of automotive active health monitoring systems. Besides, rising concerns over passenger safety and the increasing mortality rate due to road accidents push the market growth. Growing investments by driver health monitoring providers to install more features in their existing health monitoring systems influence the market value.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are witnessing increasing sales worldwide, led by the rising awareness about the adverse effect of fossil fuels on the environment and subsidies & schemes governments offer to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. Moreover, government initiatives, such as developing charging infrastructures and increasing vehicle range, help promote EV adoption.

Due to emerging trends such as driverless or autonomous cars, the automotive active health monitoring system market is assessed to witness tremendous demand in the near future. The rise of the internet and communication over various networks is expected to substantiate the market size further. With the proliferation of the internet and digitization across the transport and logistics industry, the automotive active health monitoring system has gained immense importance.

Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market Report Scope:

Report Metrics Details Market Size by 2030 USD 13.22 Billion CAGR during 2022-2030 26.96% Base Year 2021 Forecast 2022-2030 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Key Market Opportunities Rising adoption in developed countries Development of semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles Key Market Drivers Increase in sales of EV and luxury vehicles Rising concerns regarding safety and security Increasing deaths due to road accidents

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Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market Segments

The market report is segmented into sales channels, vehicle types, applications, and regions. The sales channel segment is sub-segmented into aftermarkets and OEMs. The vehicle type segment is sub-segmented into passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

The application segment is sub-segmented into pulse rates, blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and others. The region segment is sub-segmented into Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Rest-of-the-World.

Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market Regional Analysis

Europe dominates the global automotive active health monitoring system market. The well-established automotive sector and infrastructure in the region, alongside the increased awareness about road safety and rapid economic growth, drive the market growth. Also, the presence of leading OEM players and technology enablers substantiate Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market revenues.

Besides, high spending on automotive convenience & safety features, increasing demand for feature-rich vehicles, and investments, particularly in luxury cars, are major driving forces. Growing transportation & logistics industries push the region's market share. Germany, France, and the UK are leading markets for automotive active health monitoring systems.

North America is another promising market for automotive active health monitoring systems. Large technological advances and the increased demand for commercial vehicles integrated with advanced driver health monitoring systems escalate the Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market value.

The strong presence of major active health monitoring technology providers and high spending on automotive active health monitoring systems boost the market size. Additionally, the increasing awareness of driver safety & accident prevention and government regulations to improve road safety in the region are other key trends bolstering Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market revenues.

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Automotive Active Health Monitoring System Market Competitive Analysis

Highly competitive, the automotive active health monitoring system market appears fragmented with several well-established players. These players incorporate strategic approaches such as mergers & acquisitions, collaboration, expansion, and product/technology launches to gain a larger competitive share. They make substantial investments to drive R&D activities and expansion plans.

Industry players form partnerships with multinational automakers to help them expand commercial fleet EV strategy with their active health monitoring system that can help reduce downtime. The market is likely to witness relentless innovations and new products, eventually intensifying competition among manufacturers.

For instance, on Jun 23, 2022, Hyundai Mobis announced the development of an integrated vital signs controller for safe driving named Smart Cabin. The new healthcare tech can analyze the vital signs of drivers, posture, heart rate, and brainwaves, helping them drive safely. With its four sensors and software logic, the Smart Cabin measures the vital signs of occupants and analyzes the CO2 level in the cabin, and pulls off if the driver is stressed, switching to autonomous driving.

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The embedded technology applies biotech to mobility, enabling the vehicle to switch to a moving health check-up center. The Smart Cabin Controller can analyze vital signs that change in real-time. With this new controller, the company is now working to realize safety technology focused on the occupants rather than vehicle performance.

Related Reports:

Telematics in automotive Market , by application, systems, Type, vehicle type, distribution channel, region - Forecast till 2030

Automotive Remote Diagnostics Market Research Report: Information by Product Type, Connectivity, Vehicle Type, Application - Forecast till 2030

Automotive Sensors Market Research Report: Information By Sensors Type, Technology, Vehicle Type - Forecast till 2027

About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis regarding diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.
Dublin, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Wearable ECG Devices Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global wearable ECG devices market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 19.32% from 2021 to 2027



MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Increasing Usage of Advanced Sensors & Artificial Intelligence in Wearable ECG Devices



a) Artificial intelligence (AI) and wearable sensors are two rapidly evolving healthcare technologies poised to transform cardiac care. Together, these technologies enable high-quality electrocardiogram (ECG) acquisition and automatic signal interpretation with cardiologist-level accuracy. Various arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation (AF), are detectable, and their diagnosis has important therapeutic implications and may improve patient outcomes.



b) Mobile ECG sensors are integrated into wearable devices like smartwatches (Apple Watch, AliveCor Kardia), patches (iRhythm Zio), bands (Fitbit Sense), necklaces (toSense CoVa), clothing, rings, and other wearable forms. Key considerations for device selection include electrode type and configuration, storage capacity, power consumption, battery life, signal processing electronics, and wireless communication capabilities. Most mobile RM devices use a 1-lead ECG configuration for ease of use, but six or more lead configurations (such as the AliveCor KardiaMobile 6L) are also available. The emergence of advanced sensors, AI, ML, and DL in wearable ECG is boosting the wearable ECG devices market.



The Emergence Of Smartwatches Equipped With ECG



a) One of the biggest health features in smartwatches today is the ECG feature. EKG stands for Electrocardiogram and is sometimes abbreviated as EKG. A medical procedure that measures heart activity to check for abnormalities. An electrocardiogram taken in a hospital would require a more detailed reading. Still, the advantage of equipping smartwatches with similar hardware is that the owner can take an electrocardiogram at any time and provide that data to the doctor. The Apple Watch (Series 4, 5, and 6) features an FDA-cleared ECG app that captures 30-second electrocardiogram segments and then analyzes normal rhythm and AF using the user's smartphone.



b) Similarly, the Fitbit Sense is another smartwatch-type device with FDA clearance for AF detection. The Samsung Galaxy Watch3 and Galaxy Watch Active2 also include an FDA-cleared ECG monitoring function that includes screening for AF. With the help of built-in connectivity technologies and apps, smartwatches frequently combine ECG data with monitoring other physiologic indicators. They also feature streamlined data storage and transmission capabilities. Such integration of ECG with smartwatches contributes to the growth of the wearable ECG devices market.



The Paradigm Shift from Conventional ECG Towards Ambulatory ECG



a) Ambulatory monitors enable a new paradigm in healthcare by collecting and analyzing long-term data for a reliable diagnosis. These devices are becoming increasingly popular for continuous cardiac monitoring. Advances in hardware and software have created new devices that are convenient and affordable. This allows vulnerable people to be monitored from the comfort of their own homes while providing critical alerts about events requiring urgent medical attention or hospitalization. The essential advantage of wearable ECG devices is that one can continue daily activities while the heart is being monitored.



b) Wearable ambulatory monitoring devices, including Holter monitors, are mainly embedded with electrocardiogram sensors for monitoring irregular heartbeats. It is challenging for the HCPs to detect arrhythmic disorders with conventional ECG due to their characteristic of intermittent short episodes. Holter monitors can overcome the challenge faced by conventional ECG devices of low successful diagnosis outcomes. Owing to the benefits of ambulatory monitoring, wearable ECG devices market players are significantly focusing on developing user-friendly, safe & accurate ambulatory ECG devices. For instance, introducing the latest-generation patch-based Holter monitors can be worn up to a few weeks instead of 24/48 hours while offering the greatest patient comfort.

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 280 Forecast Period 2021 - 2027 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2021 $12.28 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2027 $35.45 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 19.3% Regions Covered Global





Segmentation By Product

Smartwatch-Based ECG

Mobile Cardiac Telemetry

Holter Monitoring

Cardiac Event Monitoring



Segmentation By Frequency

Episodic & Adhoc

Continuous



By Geography

APAC

China

India

Japan

South Korea

Australia

Europe

Germany

Italy

Spain

France

UK

North America

US

Canada

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Argentina

Middle East & Africa

Turkey

South Africa

South Arabia

ECG-Based Smartwatches: Key Company Profiles

Apple

Alphabet

Samsung Electronics

Withings

Other Wearable ECG Devices: Key Company Profiles

Boston Scientific

GE Healthcare

iRhythm Technologies

Hill-Rom

Koninklijke Philips

OSI Systems

Other Prominent Vendors

BPL Medical Technologies

Bardy Diagnostics

Bittium

CardiacSense

Cortrium

FUKUDA DENSHI

Masimo

Medicalgorithmics

Advanced Instrumentations

AMEDTEC MEDIZINTECHNIK AUE

ASPEL

Hangzhou Beneware Medical Equipment

Biotricity

Borsam Biomedical Instruments

BTL

Contec Medical System

Custo Med

Oy Diagnostic Devices Development - DDD

DMS-Service

EB-Neuro

Edan Instruments

Forest Medical

Holter Supplies

Labtech

LPU Medical

LIVEWELL

Lumed

medical ECONET

Medicomp

Meditech KFT

Meditech Equipment

Midmark

Monitor

Nasan Medical Electronics

Nasiff Associates

Neurosoft

Norav Medical

Northeast Monitoring

Recorders & Medicare Systems

Scottcare Cardiovascular Solutions

Schiller

Shenzhen Biocare Bio-Medical Equipment

Suzuken Company

Trimpeks

UPOLife

VivaLNK

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED



1. How big is the wearable ECG devices market?

2. What is the growth rate of the global wearable ECG devices market?

3. Which region holds the most prominent global wearable ECG devices market share?

4. Who are the global wearable ECG devices market's key players?

5. What are the growth opportunities in the wearable ECG devices market?





Key Topics Covered:



1 Research Methodology



2 Research Objectives



3 Research Process



4 Scope & Coverage



5 Report Assumptions & Caveats



6 Market at a Glance



7 Introduction



8 Premium Insights



9 Market Opportunities & Trends



10 Market Growth Enablers



11 Market Growth Restraints



12 Market Landscape



13 Product



14 Frequency



15 Geography



16 North America



17 Europe



18 APAC



19 Latin America



20 Middle East & Africa



21 Competitive Landscape



22 ECG-Based Smartwatches: Key Company Profiles



23 Other Wearable ECG Devices: Key Company Profiles



24 Other Prominent Vendors



25 Report Summary



26 Quantitative Summary



27 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/sa5vvp

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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LAS VEGAS, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last year at CES 2022, Fog Hashing was the world's first company to release a product tailored for decentralized home or office mining. That product immediately harvested public attention and went on hot sale afterward.

After one year of research and development based on the C1, Fog Hashing was back at CES 2023 with its latest product, the C2. In addition to the sleek aesthetics inherited from C1, four universal wheels have been added to C2, allowing it to travel around more easily. The sleek 1.35-inch OLED screen allows both touchscreen control and real-time display of the system's operating status, making this hardcore mining machine more like a well-designed modern home appliance.

Besides its appearance, the C2 model is more pragmatic. As an upgraded model from C1, it optimized more than 30 details. The most eye-catching aspects are:

The improved cost-effectiveness.

The lowered noise.

The enhancement of leakage protection.

The optional integration with solar mining or heat recovery technology reduces the cost of mining.

Fog Hashing comes with its consumer end products, the C1, C2 and B6D, filling the gap in the consumer market.

A Mind-Blowing Product You May Never Have Seen Before

Apart from deep cultivation in the emerging decentralized consumer end market, Fog Hashing also devotes itself to the large-scale centralized commercial mining market.

Fog Hashing's B6 and B24 tanks are all easily expandable for massive warehouse deployment, and the BC20 and BC40 mega mining containers have two options of external cooling systems to suit various climate environments, from the humid jungles in the Amazon to the dry Sahara, from the freezing Canadian tundra to the blazing Arabian Peninsula.

And the most mind-blowing product is the newly announced M6-56, a milestone in the entire mining industry.

Fog Hashing's M6-56 will cure a headache that mining farms are facing nowadays - the refitting of current air-cooling models to immersion cooling costs labor and time expenses. More consequentially, it leads to the void of warranty.

Born to be the world's first all-in-one immersion miner, Fog Hashing's M6-56 is deeply integrated with Whatsminer's M56, its first pure immersion mining rig. Some highlights are:

The official immersion mining warranty.

Up to 30% of the maximum overclock ratio.

Remote monitoring and control by Fog Hashing's SaaS platform.

Dynamic power adjustment to save energy cost.

Support the Demand Response program with a fast and safe batch operation.

Unprecedented Momentum in the Mining Industry

Though still at a young age, this Singaporean company has operated globally. Its supply chain management office in China provides customers with low-cost products, while its strategic development office in Silicon Valley, USA, not only equips Fog Hashing with state-of-the-art technology but also enhances its cooperation with multiple other companies in or beyond the mining industry.

Fog Hashing collaborated with iBeLink and co-developed the world's first official immersion cooling miner, the iBeLink U series. A joint appearance of Fog Hashing and iBeLink released the latest products, BM-K3 and BM-N3 series, air-cooling models for now, but the immersion cooling version will be available soon.

The cooperation with Whatsminer on the M6-56, of course, can't be ignored. Other cross-industry contributions include petrochemistry (the coolant) and chip-making (the next-generation chips targeting the cryptomining industry). Fog Hashing is holding an online launching event to release more information.

The past year has been challenging for everyone, but Fog Hashing still seems dynamic and ambitious. ''We will continue to innovate and bring more valuable products to our customers,'' says Paul Li, CEO of Fog Hashing.

What innovations will Fog Hashing bring to the mining industry at CES 2024? Let's wait and see!

Contact Information:

Corsun Hu

Marketing Manager

bd@foghashing.io



Related Images











Image 1: Fog Hashing at CES 2023

















Image 2: Fog Hashing Immersion Cooling Tank C2

















Image 3: Fog Hashing M5-56 Immersion Cooling All-in-One Miner

















Image 4: Fog Hashing Immersion Cooling Kit C1 in Intel's Laboratory









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LOS ANGELES, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Woman Foundation is delighted to announce NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS) as the official headline partner of the World Woman Davos Agenda during the World Economic Forum week on Jan. 19 in Davos Switzerland. World Woman Davos Agenda is built on the philosophy of collaborative, multistakeholder impact, providing a unique environment to redefine and rewire our understanding of a new era of global responsibility and cooperation to make #EqualityMoonshot a reality.

For nearly 90 years, the NYU SPS has been a deeply respected institution of higher education grounded in applied learning, including helping to close the gender gap in industries such as real estate, sustainability, global sports, and hospitality. The School offers a broad range of industry-aligned programs including individual courses, certificates, degrees, and executive education programs that train young women through the C-suite to ensure equal access and career-oriented opportunities. For example, NYU SPS, as part of its MS in Global Affairs, offers a concentration in Global Gender Studies to equip students to develop policies and programs that promote and support gender equality.

Carolyn Kissane, clinical professor and associate dean of the NYU SPS Center for Global Affairs, will deliver opening and closing remarks at the World Woman Davos Agenda event and host a fireside conversation with Helen Clark, former prime minister of New Zealand. At the event, Dr. Kissane will also lead the Europe, Middle East, Global Co-Operation, and Future of Workforce Equality Moonshot agenda. Dr. Brianna Newland, clinical associate professor and academic director of undergraduate programs at NYU SPS Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport, will lead the Health Equity Moonshot agenda to deliver a healthier planet and sustainable world that works for all.

"As countries are tackling a growing series of economic and political shocks, the risk of equality for women and girls is at the highest risk. It is our pleasure to partner with NYU SPS as the official academic partner to deliver an inclusive and forward-thinking agenda to reimagine gender equality in a bold new way. We can't wait for 300 years to close the global gender gap," said Rupa Dash, CEO of the World Woman Foundation.

"We are honored to be part of this history-making event for gender equity," said NYU SPS Dean Angie Kamath. "This inaugural World Woman Davos Agenda will be an important event in supporting and shining a spotlight on women leaders and their accomplishments across a myriad of global industries, including technology, sustainability, energy, the environment, healthcare, and many others."

The headline speakers for World Woman Davos Agenda include Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Ghada Owais, Lebanese broadcast journalist, Al-Jazeera; Sonia Singh, Editorial Director, NDTV Group; Dr. Nono Simelela, Assistant Director-General for Strategic Priorities Cervical Cancer Elimination. Women's Health. Youth. Health Rights, WHO, and Federica Marchionni, CEO, Global Fashion Agenda.

Global leaders from 30+ countries will join World Woman Davos Agenda during the World Economic Forum Week in the heart of Davos to launch a bold new gender equality agenda for women and girls. Two hundred delegates will attend the conference. Find more about the conference here and join the forum on January 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by the World Woman Hero awards and reception from 6:30 pm onwards at the Hard Rock Hotel Davos.

Contact Information:

Stephanie Ecike

Director

stephanie.ecike@worldwomanfoundation.com

(510) 990-4275



Related Images











Image 1





Carolyn Kissane (left) and Dr. Brianna Newland (right)









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Visiongain has published a new report entitled Biosimilars and Follow-on Biologics 2023-2033. It includes profiles of Biosimilars and Follow-on Biologics and Forecasts Market Segment by Type of Manufacturing (In-House, CMOs), Market Segment by Type (Monoclonal Antibodies, Fusion Proteins, Insulin, Erythropoietin, Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor, Interferon, Growth Hormones, Fertility Hormones, Others), Market Segment by Application (Blood Disorders, Oncology Diseases, Chronic & Autoimmune Diseases, Growth Hormone Deficiencies, Others), Market Segment by Technology (RDNA Technology, MAbs Technology, Bioassay Technology), plus COVID-19 Impact Analysis and Recovery Pattern Analysis (V-shaped, W-shaped, U-shaped, L-shaped), Profiles of Leading Companies, Region and Country.



The biosimilars and follow-on biologics market is valued at US$19,668.3 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 31.14% during the forecast period 2023-2033.

Digital Transformations as a Key Enabler to Strengthen Research in Biosimilars Industry

As a consequence of quick technical advancements, alterations in the market environment, and changes in stakeholder behaviour as a result of the pandemic, the potential for digital & analytics applications in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector has expanded considerably in recent years. The biosimilars sector might benefit significantly from digital advancements across the whole value chain.

In spite of the lack of frequent face-to-face interactions, technology has already been crucial in keeping the sector, healthcare professionals, and pharmacists engaged. Digital engagement models are increasingly being used to augment traditional, face-to-face detailing-based marketing tactics, and this trend is projected to continue. This will not only help the industry strengthen its ties and boost the adoption of biosimilar medicines, but it will also give the industry a financially sound way to quickly expand its reach into regions that would otherwise be untapped because of the limitations of the representative-based economic model.

By enhancing productivity, producing higher-quality outcomes, and establishing a setting with zero variation, digital and analytics have the potential to considerably enhance capacity on the backend. Future medication development and product transfers may be significantly sped up with the use of simulations and in-silico batch modelling.

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How has COVID-19 had a Significant Impact on the Biosimilars and Follow-on Biologics Market?

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated how susceptible and vulnerable global supply networks are to disruption. Because of this, several governments have intensified their attempts to build up local production capacities and on-/near-shore supplies for a variety of drugs. While these initiatives may speed up localised production in a number of economies around the world, they run the risk of reinforcing protectionist (an economic policy that restricts imports from other countries) trends, which could have a significant impact on overall product availability and economic viability. In addition to a loss of scale that would raise prices for patients, fragmenting the production footprint of a product among numerous sites might make it very challenging to maintain standards of high quality and compliance. On the other hand, these continue to be high on the regulatory agenda and have steadily rising requirements. Negative inspection findings have, as in the past, led to supply disruptions in addition to an increase in the industry's cost base. Environmental standards are getting more stringent due to rising investor, consumer, government, and employee demand. This has significant ramifications for the whole pharmaceutical sector.

How will this Report Benefit you?

Visiongains 336-page report provides 127 tables and 154 charts/graphs. Our new study is suitable for anyone requiring commercial, in-depth analyses for the biosimilars and follow-on biologics market, along with detailed segment analysis in the market. Our new study will help you evaluate the overall global and regional market for Biosimilars and Follow-on Biologics. Get financial analysis of the overall market and different segments including Type of Manufacturing, Type, Application, and Technology capture higher market share. We believe that there are strong opportunities in this fast-growing biosimilars and follow-on biologics market. See how to use the existing and upcoming opportunities in this market to gain revenue benefits in the near future. Moreover, the report will help you to improve your strategic decision-making, allowing you to frame growth strategies, reinforce the analysis of other market players, and maximise the productivity of the company.

What are the Current Market Drivers?

Increasing Demand for Biosimilar Drugs Due to Their Cost-Effectiveness

A biosimilar's cost-effectiveness is determined by its relative efficacy since it is anticipated to be less expensive than the biological counterpart. The American Journal of Managed Care reports that the cost of biosimilars is around 30% less than that of their parent or branded counterparts. Biosimilars offer patients access to highly effective therapies while also saving money. In comparison to innovator biologics, the cost of developing biosimilars is cheaper. The price of a biosimilar will be cheaper since R&D expenses will be reduced. Due to manufacturer pricing rivalry, less expensive biosimilars frequently cause reference biologics to cost less. In the upcoming years, demand for biosimilar medications is anticipated to rise due to its notable cost-to-benefit ratio.

Incentivizing Providers to Adopt Biosimilars

Provider incentives, like those for other medical products, may affect the usage of biologics and biosimilars. Internal reference pricing is a significant strategy for promoting the adoption of lower-cost medications in Europe. The current status quo condition of Medicare and most other U.S. insurance plans, where payment rates are unique to each product, provides a far greater incentive to move to lower-cost biosimilars.

Doctors in European nations have also been given biosimilar prescription goals, which are often accompanied by financial incentives to encourage physicians to prescribe biosimilars. Consider the following scenario:

In the UK, specific prescription goals & incentives encourage doctors to utilise biosimilars as part of a quality-improvement programme run by the National Health Service (NHS). Providers that use 90% of the best value generics/biologics for new patients within a quarter of the time advice is available, and 80% for current patients within a year of the time guidance is published, will get a 1% incentive on high-cost medicines.

In France, three molecules have recently been approved for shared savings or "gainsharing" agreements between hospitals and the Social Security department that covers medical costs: adalimumab, insulin glargine, and etanercept. For each biosimilar prescription, hospitals get 20-30% of the savings above reference product costs under these agreements.

Gainsharing agreements have been put in place in Germany to encourage doctors to adopt biosimilars. For example, some regional physicians group & payer group has agreed to share the savings realised by substituting infliximab for Remicade in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. These regionally negotiated agreements have led to the country's high biosimilar adoption rate.

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Where are the Market Opportunities?

Companies Can Use Information of Original Innovator thus Shorten Development & Approval Processes

Biosimilars are not biologically identical to the original version, but they are "very similar" to it. This suggests that companies may make extensive use of the data produced by the first innovative firm during regulatory reviews. This might reduce development and approval times by many years. For instance, an enhanced comparative quality study is frequently accepted in place of thorough clinical and non-clinical research to support product registration. By 2023, the patents on the majority of formulations will have expired, creating the perfect environment for the development of biosimilars.

Competitive Landscape

The major players operating in the biosimilars and follow-on biologics market are 3SBio, Inc., AMEGA Biotech, Amgen Inc., Apotex, Inc., BIOCAD, Biocon Limited, Biogen, Inc., Celltrion Healthcare Co.,Ltd., Coherus BioSciences, Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd., Eli Lilly and Company, Gedeon Richter PLC, Intas Pharmaceutical Ltd., Mabxience SA, Viatris Inc. (Mylan NV), Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Samsung Bioepis Co. Ltd., Stada Arzneimittel AG, and Teva Pharmaceutical. These major players operating in this market have adopted various strategies comprising M&A, investment in R&D, collaborations, partnerships, regional business expansion, and new product launch.

Recent Developments

In November 2022, STADA Arzneimittel AG and Xbrane Biopharma AB announced that the European Commission granted a marketing authorization for Ximluci(ranibizumab), a biosimilar candidate referencing Lucentis.

In July 2022, Sandoz announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted its biologics license application (BLA) for a proposed first-of-a-kind biosimilar natalizumab, developed by Polpharma Biologics.

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CALGARY, Alberta, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peyto Exploration & Development Corp. (TSX: PEY) ("Peyto") confirms that the monthly dividend with respect to January 2023 of $0.11 per common share is to be paid on February 15, 2023, for shareholders of record on January 31, 2023. The ex-dividend date for the January dividend is January 30, 2023.



Dividends paid by Peyto to Canadian residents are eligible dividends for Canadian income tax purposes.

Shareholders and interested investors are encouraged to visit the Peyto website at www.peyto.com to learn more about what makes Peyto one of North Americas most exciting energy companies. The website also includes a monthly report, which discusses various topics chosen by the CEO and includes estimates of monthly capital expenditures and production. For further information please contact:

Jean-Paul Lachance

President and Chief Executive Officer

Phone: (403) 261-6081

Fax: (403) 451-4100

Certain information set forth in this document, including management's assessment of Peyto's future plans and operations, contains forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond these parties' control, including the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of reserve estimates, environmental risks, competition from other industry participants, the lack of availability of qualified personnel or management, stock market volatility and ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Peyto's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Peyto will derive therefrom. The Toronto Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.
Lotte Chemical Vice President Shin Yoo-yeol / Courtesy of Lotte Group

By Park Jae-hyuk



Lotte Chemical Vice President Shin Yoo-yeol, the oldest son of Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, has drawn attention recently, due to his frequent attendance at the conglomerate's important events, according to industry officials, Friday.



Some consider his recent moves a signal that Lotte is accelerating its efforts to train him as the next leader to inherit control of the business group from his father.



Shin, also known by his Japanese name, Satoshi Shigemitsu, participated in Thursday's Value Creation Meeting (VCM), a meeting of the Lotte Group chairman and the CEOs of the group's affiliates at Lotte World Tower in Seoul.



This was the first time for him to accompany the chairman to the VCM in person, although the heir apparent had held meetings with high-ranking executives of the group last year and accompanied his father on his trip to Vietnam.



Earlier this month, the younger Shin accompanied Lotte Chemical CEO Kim Gyo-hyun on his visit to the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. They visited the exhibition booths of Lotte Group's affiliates and looked around the pavilions of SK, Samsung and LG.



During his visit to the world's most influential tech event, the Lotte Chemical vice president encountered several Korean reporters. The Japanese national, who does not have Korean citizenship, however, did not respond to the reporters, arousing questions about his fluency in Korean.



Born in 1986, he graduated from a college in Japan and got an MBA from Columbia University. Before joining Lotte Chemical, he also worked for Nomura Securities and Lotte Japan.



Last year, a local news outlet reported that Lotte's top executives briefed him on the company's businesses in English.



When the Lotte Group chairman was in conflict with his older brother, former Lotte Holdings Vice Chairman Shin Dong-joo, over the inheritance of the group's control from their father, late Lotte founder Shin Kyuk-ho, the public sentiment in Korea was more favorable to the founder's second-eldest son, as he spoke Korean better than the eldest son.



Industry officials therefore believe that the chairman's son is learning Korean, as he must have learned a lesson from the sibling feud involving his father and uncle.



The heir apparent is also expected to be naturalized as a Korean citizen after 2024, when he turns 38 years old. At this age, one can acquire Korean citizenship regardless of the completion of military service.



His father, who had both Korean and Japanese citizenship, gave up the latter when he turned 41 years old, because men younger than 40 were not allowed exemptions from the military service at that time.



Once the heir apparent becomes a Korean citizen, he is expected to increase his stake in Lotte affiliates in Korea.



Lotte Group, however, remains cautious of speculations about the managerial succession.



Before the VCM on Thursday, the Lotte Chemical CEO told reporters that the vice president will be tasked with looking for ways to collaborate with Japanese companies having advanced technical skills. Shin is currently in charge of managing the raw material business at Lotte Chemical's Tokyo office.






A former official of McDonald's Korea and two others were acquitted Friday on charges of lying about the amount of tainted patties in its inventory in an attempt to avoid administrative measures.







An appellate division of the Seoul Central District Court reversed an earlier conviction of a 5 million-won ($4,000) fine handed down to the former executive director of the global fast food giant, surnamed Kim.







In the same ruling, two former officials of a burger patty supplier for McDonald's Korea were also acquitted of their charges.







The three were charged with obstructing an official duty of a public officer by lying that there weren't any leftover beef patties after some patties were found to have contained toxins in June 2016. There were more than 45 million tainted beef patties in the inventory at the time.







Their indictments came after a group of local consumers filed complaints with the prosecution, claiming they or their families suffered from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) after eating McDonald's burgers served with undercooked patties. (Yonhap)


MTN Ghana disputes GH8billion tax liability

Kwame Larweh Business News Jan - 13 - 2023 , 17:45

Scancom PLC, owners of MTN Ghana has pushed back on an alleged tax infringement placed on the company by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) between 2014 and 2018.

The telecommunications company says it is a tax compliant corporate citizen and the tax liability notice of GH8,209,603,842.14 (US$773 million) issued against it by the GRA is unacceptable.

The assessment of GH8,209,603,842.14 includes penalties and interest charges.

In this regard, from the base component of the Assessment (that is, excluding penalties and interest), on MTN Ghanas analysis, the GRA infers that MTN Ghana under declared its revenue by more than approximately 30 percent over the 5-year period - 2014 to 2018.

Assessment notice

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) issued MTN Ghana with a notice of assessment of tax liability (the Assessment) dated January 10, 2023.

MTN says it received the notice on January 11, 2023.

On January 13, 2023, GRA issued a temporary withdrawal of the Notice of Assessment for 21 days to allow for further engagements.

In a press statement issued in Accra today (Jan 13, 2023), MTN Ghana welcomed the further engagement decision by the GRA to further assess the matter.

"MTN Ghana believes that taxes due have been paid during the period under assessment," it said.

Background

The GRA audited MTN Ghana for the period 2014-2018, using a third-party consultant as well as a new methodology based on call data records (CDR), recharges, and other data.

The audit which commenced in 2019 had the objective to give assurance on the reliability and completeness of revenues declared by MTN Ghana for the purpose of tax computation for the period 2014 to 2018.

MTN Ghana says it "strongly disputes the accuracy and basis of the Assessment, including the methodology used in conducting the audit."

In May 2021, after consultations and discussions between MTN Ghana, MTN Group, the Ministry of Finance and the GRA, the parties agreed to an independent review by a global professional services firm which, MTN says it fully co-operated with in September 2021 under the auspices of the GRA.

The independent review found that it was unable to support the conclusions reached by the GRAs third-party consultants as the basis for the Assessment, the release stated.

MTN noted that the GRA had not issued it with any prior guidelines and standards relating to the new CDR sequence-based methodology used for the audit.

In this regard, from the base component of the assessment; that is, excluding penalties and interest, on MTN Ghanas analysis, the GRA infers that MTN Ghana under declared its revenue by more than approximately 30% over the 5-year period 2014 to 2018, the statement said.

According to MTN, it is a responsible corporate entity with absolute commitment to transparency, good corporate governance, and compliance.

MTN Ghana and MTN Group says they will provide further information at an investor conference call to be held on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 13.00 (GMT).
Lets try Alans agenda: its not late

Enimil Ashon Opinion Jan - 13 - 2023 , 10:45

Sometimes I wonder: is God taking us through a school of pain? For how long, despite the countless number of National Days of Prayer and Repentance?

Looking at the array of people offering themselves for President, my fear is that the pains are not about to end soon.

Why, people who have fared miserably when entrusted with one only ministry want to convince me to trust them with the whole Ghana! As if incompetence was not enough, we are having to choose between politicians, some of whom have nothing to offer other than foul language. There are things money cannot change; they include the leopards coat.

Do you have Presidential ambitions? How many delegates have looked you in the eyes and told you, you are good material? Are you sure of their sincerity? The Romans used to say, Stulti est se decipere, to wit, Self-deception is the mark of the fool. Arent you thinking more highly of yourself than you should?

Presidential address

Having said all of above, I must confess Alan Kyerematens first Presidential Address was impressive.

For a first speech to a people who are acquainted with disappointment and therefore cringe at words, however, my advice would have been to avoid being pedantic. Words such as macro-economics scare us now. Also, who doesnt know that our economy is highly dependent on the export of commodities with little or no value addition. Words!

His speech writer should have anticipated how many people would switch off their sets on hearing economic analyses based on COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

If there is one thing Ghanaians are tired of, it is excuses.

Finally, which Ghanaians do not know that Planting for Food and Jobs, only ended us up at the ministries to buy plantain and yam brought with government-fuelled transport? We are still importing tomatoes from Sahelian Burkina Faso. Thats failure!

Great speech, though. It was written by a man who knew that his umbilical cord was tied to Akufo- Addos government but was wise enough to note that there are things that could have been done differently.

Transformation

Welcome, the launch of the promised GREAT TRANSFORMATIONAL PLAN (GTP) OF GHANA spanning the period 2025 to 2030. Particularly welcome is the New Agricultural Revolution (NAR) for Ghana.

For my money, give me a President who will lead the private sector to establish licensed food distribution and marketing companies throughout the country at the district level, to constitute a vital link between farmers and market queens in the urban and peri-urban areas. I must confess I dont know how digitalised food distribution and marketing online platform work; all I care about is the feasibility of connecting producers to buyers and consumers.

It is refreshing to hear a Presidential hopeful promise to de-regulate the cocoa sector by deepening private sector participation in the buying and marketing (including export) of cocoa. Thats the nail on the head, right there! Arent we tired borrowing money every year to buy cocoa? Borrow, perhaps, yes; but Alan says it must not be by government?

I welcome the OPERATION OWN A FARM proposal for all Ghanaians. To succeed, however, Alan (or his Agricultural Minister) must read Frank Apeagyeis call for a KIBBUTZ revolution. Mark the words of this PR guru: farming will fail if the farmer does not own the land on which he or she farms. Thats the first one. The second is that you cannot make a farmer out of a salaried worker. Period!

By far the greatest point in the Alan agenda is his plan of promoting private sector financing for public infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports and harbours, water supply systems, public housing But why for Alan? Can we begin even now?

For the average Ghanaian, however, the big take-away is Alans promise to down-size government; that under him the architecture of government will be overhauled by consolidating some existing ministries, departments and agencies.

Welcome the ALAN K PRIME TIME TALK SHOW. Cut out propaganda on that programme when it comes on stream. After 31 years of Fourth Republican lies and corruption, Ghanaians know when they are being deceived.

For a candidate who has been perceived, since 2007, to be so wealthy that he literally sprinkles money around, it is instructive; indeed, a good sign that the man we all call Allan Cash is going around with cup in hand to solicit coins from the masses, saying ketewa biara nsua to wit no amount is too small.

News flash just at the time of submitting this article to Daily Graphic Agric Minister has also resigned.

We are waiting for Joe Ghartey, but it looks like we must deem him as having indirectly declared already. Remember his warning in the Daily Graphic last year, that anybody who thinks (the contest) is a done deal for Bawumia or Alan is fooling himself.
Ravages of Bawku conflict

Matthew Betiat Opinion Jan - 13 - 2023 , 15:27

I was upbeat about the week and the beckoning Christmas break on the morning of Monday 19 December 2022 when I got to work. As part of my morning rituals at work, I picked up the Daily Graphic Newspaper to read. One of the major stories ruined my day and I couldnt recover from it. It read 7 killed in new Bawku clashes. It cast a pall on the rest of my day.

When I was about 12 years, I remember people flocked to Bawku Market to trade. Bawku became a renowned commercial town in part because it is close to two major bordersTogo and Burkina Faso. Traders from these countries and even Mali and Niger always chose Bawku market as the destination of their merchandise. The market was especially known for livestock and farm produce. At my age, the one thing that I looked forward to was the goodies my mother brought from the mighty Bawku market every Tuesday. And it was so among my peers in the village (Sakogu), about 90 kilometres away.

One day, while we were waiting for our weekly goodies, we received a rather disconcerting news about some violence that had broken out and got people killed. Our expectations changed from waiting for the goodies to earnestly wishing to see our mothers return home safe and sound. The Bawku conflict had taken a mighty turn for the worse.

Years later when I started SHS, I befriended a lady from Bawku and we became study mates until we completed. I found out she had lost her only brother in one of the many bouts of violence that had broken out. It was so hard for her to come to terms with the gruesome details that surrounded her brothers death. She said the family had such high hopes for her brother. Their mother couldnt recover from it until she passed on two years later. She was devastated. The deep sorrow of having lost the two most loved ones in her life in two years was writ large on face.

Academic year

Just before we returned from one of the vacations which marked the commencement of an academic year, my younger brother was placed at the Bawku Senior High Technical School. My parents loathed the idea of him going to the school. The volatility of the town was of great concern to them. He ended up at another school.

From then, no one from my village went to Bawku market anymore. All the market women and men rarely talked about the market. The urge that caused BECE candidates to chomp at the bit to attend Bawku Senior High Technical School haltingly died out. My SHS friend who lost her brother and mother to the conflict scratched and clawed her way to get her first degree. And thence literally vowed not to visit Bawku again.

Still the froth between the warring factions has not thawed. Today, I wonder if the little ones from my village will even know there once was a great market at Bawku, a competitive Senior High School and a hospital that people, far and near, so ardently wanted to visit and attend. I wonder how many people have lost their loved ones and have not been able to recover from it. Or how many dreams and potential have been decimated by the brute powers of the bullet.

Statistics

These statistics may forever remain unbeknownst to me. But one thing that I certainly know is that, as long as the conflict protracts and grinds on and people lose their lives, loved ones and property, the town of Bawku loses at large. Whatever it is that drives the conflict will be useless for the last man standing. The chieftaincy will be meaningless if there are no people to rule over. The victor and the vanquished will both be left with nothing. Conflict, no matter how justified is an expression of human folly. With everything I have witnessed, I just cannot help but ask the same question Lucky Dube did. The cats and the dogs have forgiven each other, what is wrong with us?
News: Rev Lartey Adotey School holds graduation ceremony for learners

By Priscilla Asantewaa Obeng Junior News Jan - 13 - 2023 , 12:15

The Rev Lartey Adotey Memorial School has held a graduation ceremony for 49 learners.

Twenty Junior High School (JHS) students who wrote this years Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and 29 Kindergarten (KG)Two pupils graduated.

They received certificates and Bibles, while students and pupils who excelled in various subjects were awarded.

It was on the theme, Educating the Ghanaian child holistically, the God factor.

The Overseer of the Apostolic Church, Ghana, Cape Coast Dr Ebenezer Gyamerah asked parents to support teachers to nurture children to be responsible adults in the future.

According to him, the education of the children was a shared responsibility among parents, teachers, the government and the church and each has to play its part.

He said stakeholders have to help in providing holistic education for children by making it more practical so they will grow up to solve societal problems with the knowledge they had acquired.

In her report, the Headmistress of the school, Mrs Georgina

Addington-Frempong said the school had progressed tremendously as a result of the continuous inculcation of the fear of God into students.

She said the school, which currently has an enrolment of about 400 students, attained 100 per cent distinction in last years Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).

She, therefore, expressed her gratitude to her parents for their cooperation in ensuring the progress of their children.

She appealed to authorities and other stakeholders to support the school with computers, a refurbished library, a science laboratory, and a Basic Technology Design (BDT) workshop.
Ghana Education News

2021 District League Table: Ga West municipality remains best performing in education

Juliet Akyaa Safo Education Jan - 13 - 2023 , 14:36

The Ga West municipality in the Greater Accra Region maintained its position as the best performing Metropolitan, Municipal and District (MMD) in the education sector with a score of 90.16, per the 2021 District League Table (DLT) Report.

In 2020, Ga West municipality scored 95.54 where it emerged as the best-performing MMD in the education sector.

The Awutu Senya East municipality in the Central Region and the Kpone-Katamanso municipality in the Greater Accra Region followed closely with a score of 86.53 per cent and 84.64 per cent respectively.

The key indicator used to measure their performances in the education sector included gross access rate to kindergartens, final exam pass rate at the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), Net enrolment rate at KG, primary and junior high school (JHS) and the completion rate at primary and JHS.

The indicators were assessed under seven sectors, namely; health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation, governance and energy.

The 2021 DLT Report was launched by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) in partnership with UNICEF Ghana in Accra.

The report was aimed at measuring the impact of service delivery across the countrys 261 districts and providing the government and other development actors with evidence to ensure a more equitable allocation of resources.

It was also to ensure that the government recognises that they still have the responsibility to address the imbalances in well-being across the country.

MMDs performance in education sector

According to the report, the top 10 MMDs in education were the Ga West municipality, Awutu Senya East municipality, Kpone-Katamanso municipality, Ablekuma West municipality and Adentan municipality.

The rest were Gomoa East District, Atwima Kwanwoma District, Kwabre East municipality, Atwima Nwabiagya North District and Ga Central municipality.

The report indicated that the top 10 were concentrated in the Greater Accra, Central and Ashanti regions.

Lowest ranked

However, the report also noted that the lowest-ranked MMD in education was the Ayawaso North municipality in the Greater Accra Region.

Ayawaso North municipality was also the lowest ranked MD in education in 2020, an indication that there are important structural and persistent problems that need to be addressed and specific policies developed for the people in the municipality.

Again, the net enrolment ratios for both primary and JHS for Ayawaso North municipality were as low as 47.4 per cent and 23.7 per cent, compared to the country's average of 105.8 per cent and 51.3 per cent, respectively, the report stated.

It further indicated that the completion rates for primary and JHS in the municipality were 31.7 per cent and 26.1 per cent, compared to the average of 115.9 per cent and 86.4 per cent.

Four MMDs, concentrated in the Greater Accra Region, also obtained scores greater than 80 per cent while the majority of the MMDs with the low scores of less than 20 per cent were in the Savannah, Upper East, Bono East, and Volta regions.

The Savannah Region maintained its 2020 position, as the least ranked region, with a further drop in index performance from 15.5 per cent in 2020 to 14.5 per cent in 2021.
Ghana Education News

Police deployed to University of Ghana campus to enforce new accommodation policy

Rosalind K. Amoh Education Jan - 12 - 2023 , 21:19

Armed policemen were Thursday (Jan 12, 2023) deployed on the campus of the University of Ghana, Legon as continuing students reported to begin the semester.

The intervention was to prevent continuing students at particularly, Commonwealth Hall, from entering the hall following their objection to being reassigned to other halls.

Reassigning the continuing students to other halls follows a new residential policy arrangement announced by the university last December, for the former to occupy other accommodation facilities provided by the university in a bid to curb clashes between students of some of the traditional halls.

Unhappy with the directive, some students of the Commonwealth Hall secured an interlocutory injunction on January 6, 2023, restraining the management of UG from implementing the residential policy.

However, the management of UG argued that the directive had taken off long before the injunction was secured, indicating that about 83 per cent of students who will not be allowed back into the traditional hall had agreed to other accommodation facilities provided by the university.

Situation

On Thursday when Graphic Online's Rosalind Amoh visited the Legon campus, police presence at the various entry points and also around the Commonwealth Hall and Mensah Sarbah Hall areas were seen.

The situation also created some nervousness among some of the freshmen who were trying to also solve their accommodation problems and were confused to see such significant police presence.

Some continuing students who had reported for school and wanted to access their traditional halls were prevented from doing so.

Those who had not paid heed to the directive to make arrangement at the reassigned halls were left stranded with their belongings.

Some students from Commonwealth Hall, usually referred to as Vandals, who spoke to Graphic Online said they did not know that directive was in place because of the injunction.

We came here and the schools security said they will not allow us to enter the halls, and the police are assisting them to enforce that, a Level 300 student said.

Another also said earlier in the week, he tried to get a room at one of the diasporan halls, but he was yet to be assigned a room so he wanted to temporarily leave his belongings at Commonwealth Hall for safekeeping until he sorts his accommodation out, but the security would not allow me.

It is unfortunate that the school is going against the ruling of a court. The injunction says let the status quo remain, so why would management do the contrary and then bring the police around to intimidate us, another asked.

Policy

The University Council on December 12, 2022 decided to implement the recommendations from the Residence Board and the Academic Board regarding changes to student residence arrangements.

It said these changes were requested by Council following repeated incidences of violence involving students.

The measures which took effect from the beginning of the 2022 academic year, were to prevent future occurrences of violence.

Continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and Mensah Sarbah Hall are not returning to these halls, or to any of the traditional halls.

Rather, they have randomly been assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels.

Continuing female students of Mensah Sarbah Hall and students with special needs in both halls are exempted by this measure.

Also from the 2022/2023 academic year, only Level 100 and graduate students (Masters and PhD level) will be assigned to Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth Halls and subsequently, undergraduate students will vacate the halls at the end of Level 100 and could secure accommodation in the private hostels from Level 200 until completion.

For Level 100 students who opt for traditional halls, they will be randomly assigned to the halls and progressively, all the traditional halls (Mensah Sarbah, Commonwealth, Volta, Legon and Akuafo halls) will be reserved for Level 100 and graduate students only, culminating into a full in-out-out-out policy by 2025/2026.

To improve upon security on campus, the university council said it was installing CCTV cameras and Electronic Access control systems in all halls.
Ghana Education News

Year in Review: Education sector challenging

Emmanuel Bonney Education Jan - 13 - 2023 , 13:53

The education sector is one area that is critical to the development of every country. This is because it is the sector that produces the human resource that would steer the affairs of the development of the country.

Indeed, the failure of the sector to jell, can, therefore, have a negative impact on its human resources. It is in view of this that the citizenry pays critical attention to sector so it delivers and meets the expectations of the people.

In Ghana, the sector was quite eventful in the year 2022, as it witnessed a series of activities in and outside the classrooms.

The activities included the demands for better conditions of service by teachers, the performance of students, the placement of Basic Education Certificate Examination candidates into second cycle schools, the inclusion of technical vocational education and training (TVET) under the free senior high school programme, Ghana Accountability for Learning Outcomes Project (GALOP), feeding of students at the first and second cycle level, among other things.

The year 2022 started with the country beginning the academic year for all the educational levels for the second successive year in January.

This was because it is yet to recover fully from the nine-month closure of schools occasioned by the outbreak of the COVID-19 on the sector which compelled the government to announce a new schedule for reopening with the academic year beginning in January.

Under the previous arrangement, the academic year started in September/October and ended in June/July the following year.

Academic calendar

However, following the release of the academic calendar, with basic schools resuming on January 18 and SHS opening their gates to students on February 7, 2022, the issue of the introduction of the semester system at both the first and second cycle level popped up.

This was received with public outcry and protests by stakeholders in education and they included the teachers, parents and civil society organisations.

For instance, they just could not imagine that kindergarten pupils would go to school from January 18, 2022 to June 9, 2022 with a midsemester break from April 12 to 18, as was stated, among other things on the calendar.

The stakeholders who thought that implementing such a calendar would be too much for pupils at the basic educational level, therefore, called for a reversal to the trimester system.

The Ministry of Education subsequently heeded to the protest of the stakeholders and reinstated the trimester educational calendar for basic schools (kindergarten, primary and junior high school JHS).

The ministry explained that the reversal from the proposed semester calendar was a result of further consultations on the issue, following teacher unions and public outcry over the decision to introduce the semester system at the basic level.

A statement signed by the Press Secretary to the Minister of Education, Felix Baidoo, stated that after further consultations on the issue, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, directed that the calendar for kindergarten to junior high school for the academic year be reverted to the trimester system.

On March 26, 2022, the Ghana Education Service released the computerised placement for persons who sat for the 2021 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) after the results of the examination were released on February 28, 2022.

The Ministry of Education also announced that the free technical and vocational education and training (TVET) initiative introduced by the government had been operationalised for the 2022 academic year.

Consequently, it said all qualified BECE candidates who chose to pursue TVET at any government-approved senior high school (SHS), senior high technical school (SHTS) or any TVET institution were going to enjoy all the benefits of the free SHS initiative.

It said 186 TVET institutions, fairly and strategically located across the country, were ready to run the free TVET system up to the Certificate II level.

A total of 571,892 candidates wrote the 2021/2022 BECE, after which 555,353 candidates qualified to pursue further education at the second-cycle level.

Strikes

The educational sector also saw a series of strike actions by the various unions. They included the three pre-tertiary teacher unions comprising the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), Coalition of Concerned Teachers-Ghana (CCT-GH) and the Teachers and Educational Workers unions (TEWU).

The others at the tertiary level included the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Technical University Teachers' Association of Ghana (TUTAG) and Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG).

One of the longest strikes was by UTAG which directed its members to withdraw teaching and related activities with effect from Monday, January 10, 2022, until further notice.

According to UTAG, the strike action was in response to the worsening Conditions of Service (CoS) of the university teacher and the failure of the employer in addressing the plight of UTAG members within the agreed timelines.

Students of public universities later heaved a temporary sigh of relief as the nearly five-week strike by the UTAG was put on hold by an Accra High Court.

The Labour Division of the Accra High Court put an injunction on the strike after it upheld an interlocutory application by the National Labour Commission (NLC).

Per the decision of the court presided over by Justice Frank Aboadwe Rockson, UTAG was to suspend its strike immediately and go back to the lecture halls.

UTAG and the three other unions - declared a strike action from Monday, October 17, 2022, over what they said was a "unilateral" variation of their agreed conditions of service.

The others were the Tertiary Education Workers Union of Ghana (TEWU-GH), Senior Staff Association of the University of Ghana (SSA-UoG) and Ghana Association of University Administrators (GAUA).

Issues

The conditions of service being referred to are in relation to fuel, vehicle maintenance and off-campus allowances.

"As a result of this development, we write to communicate that the intended strike action of all Labour Unions in the public universities in Ghana is to commence from Monday, October 17, 2022, as the employer has, once again, failed to adhere to the directive of the NLC", a statement signed by leaders of the four unions released on October 16, 2022, said.
By Kim Hyun-bin







Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) Chairman Huh Chang-soo expressed his intention to resign after his term ends next month, according to industry officials, Friday.







Huh announced his intention last week while having a meal with the vice chairman of the FKI at a hotel in Seoul. The dinner was attended by Kolon Group Honorary Chairman Lee Woong-yeul and Hanjin Group Chairman Cho Won-tae. Kwon Tae-shin, the full-time vice chairman of the FKI, also offered to resign.



FKI Chairman Huh Chang-soo





The FKI has seen its status decline after four major conglomerates  Samsung, Hyundai Motor, SK and LG  withdrew their membership after the business lobby group was embroiled in a massive corruption scandal that ended up landing former President Park Geun-hye behind bars.







Since 2011, Huh has served as the chairman of the FKI for six consecutive terms. He is the longest-serving chairman of the entity and will end his sixth two-year term next month. The FKI, a non-profit organization, must appoint the next chief at a general meeting held in February.







Huh strongly expressed his intention not to serve again in 2017, 2019, and 2021, but continued to hold the chairmanship because there was no suitable candidate to replace him. One source in the business community said that the chairman believes the FKI should begin a full-fledged reform with his resignation.







Huh also asked the vice chairmen of the FKI to recommend candidates for the next leader. Speculation has mounted over Huh's resignation after he decided not to accompany President Yoon Suk Yeol's economic delegation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), citing scheduling conflicts.


2 Students sue Association International School over transcripts

Justice Agbenorsi Jan - 13 - 2023 , 11:51

Two former students of the Association International School (AIS) have sued the school over its decision to withhold their transcripts until they settle their outstanding school fees.

In a suit to endorse their right to education at the Human Rights Division of the High Court in Accra, the students  Sewenam Avle and Selikem Avle  who are suing through their mother, Nana Akua Hayford Avle, alleged that after paying GH100,000 out of GH141,560 as school fees, when they were ready to pay the rest, the school informed them that the balance of GH41,560, equivalent to $8,593 at the time of first payment, was now GH111,709 due to depreciation of the Ghana cedi at the time of paying the second instalment.

When they disagreed with the school on the outstanding amount, they alleged that the AIS communicated to them that they must stay at home due to their inability to pay the remaining fees, as communicated by the school.

By that action, the students, in their affidavit in support of the motion, said the applicants felt ashamed, embarrassed and humiliated by the directive to stay home by reason of the fact that there was a disagreement between me and the school regarding outstanding amounts.

Transcript

As a result of the disagreement, the students mother, who had sought a different school for them, needed their transcripts as part of the admission process to the new school.

Upon request for the transcripts, the students alleged that AIS refused the request to release their transcripts, in spite of several subsequent requests.

That AIS has failed to provide a compelling reason to justify withholding the transcripts and results of the applicants for the years already completed and fees paid for should be allowed as a reasonable limited to the applicants legal educational developments, the students averred in their application, which has the Attorney-General as the second respondent.

Reliefs

The applicants are asking the court to declare as a violation of their fundamental human right the schools refusal to release their transcripts.

They are also seeking a declaration that there is no lawful basis for AIS to interfere with the applicants right to education based on fees owed the school.

An order directed at AIS to immediately release the transcripts and results of the two students, they said in their application.

Apart from seeking damages for constitutional violations, inconvenience and waste of time, the students are also asking the court to direct AIS to pull down all pictures of the applicants that it uses on its website.

AIS response

Meanwhile, in a response, the AIS contended that as a private liability company, it had no constitutional mandate and obligation to provide the students with an avenue to realise their rights of education unless the applicants could meet the terms and conditions set out by the school.

It is the case of the school that the students mother was made to sign a re-enrolment contract to comply with the terms and conditions of the school at the beginning of the academic year, but later said her children were no longer returning to the school due to economic hardships.

The school added that as part of its policy, once a student leaves the school with outstanding schools fees, the student and his or her parents access to the platform is blocked until payment of the school fees in full.

The applicants, according to the school, owed it $18,382.57, and that was acknowledged by their mother, adding: That it does not accord with sound reason, good conscience and equity for the applicants to access education and use the expensive facilities of the school and refuse to pay school fees.

The applicants have failed, refused and neglected to even adhere to their own payment plan they sent to the school through their mother.

They and their parents had access to the school's main platform called 'Managebac' like all other parents while they were in the school and could access all reports and transcripts, the school said in its defence, filed on January 10, 2023.

It said until the students paid all their outstanding financial obligations to the school, particularly when they had terminated their contract of enrolment on their own accord, it could not be compelled to release their transcripts to them.

The school also described the application as grossly incompetent, as the applicants failed to notify the Attorney-General, who is party to the suit, 30 days before the commencement of the action, adding: The application is incompetent, frivolous and vexatious and discloses no reasonable cause of action.

History of Association International School

The AIS was founded by the late Col George E. Amuah in 1963 as a private school and stamped with his educational values, transforming it into a nationally recognised institution.

It was, however, made a model public school in 1984, after the government had seized the assets of the school, and although it maintained its name and original site since conception, the vision of providing transforming education changed.

In 2009, 25 years later, then President John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor released and returned all of the confiscated assets of the school to the rightful owners, the Amuahs.

Following the reinstatement, students under the Ghana Education Service had to be transitioned and transferred to another government school in 2010 as the institution underwent a major facelift.

The newly renovated private international school opened its doors to the public again on September 11, 2011.
Alan Kyerematen courts Asantehenes support on industrial city project

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Jan - 13 - 2023 , 12:36

THE outgoing Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, and traditional leaders in the Ashanti Region to support President Akufo-Addos vision to create an industrial park in the region.

He said the park, to be known as the Greater Kumasi Industrial City and Special Economic Zone, would be sited in the Ejisu municipality and would be one of the legacy projects of the government.

Already, he said, a 5,000-acre land had been secured for the establishment of the zone.

The World Bank is supporting the project with $30m, which will include the development of an off-site infrastructure.

Mr Kyerematen made the appeal when he led a delegation that included some officials of the World Bank to pay a courtesy call on the Asantehene and seek his support for the successful implementation of the project.

The delegation included the World Bank Country Director, Pierre Laporte, and some members of staff of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Collaboration

Mr Kyerematen said the project was a collaboration between the government and the World Bank, and that the objective was to create an economic zone to create jobs and spur the growth of the country.

The purpose of this visit is to inform you about the landmark project which the Ministry of Trade and Industry has initiated, with the support of the World Bank, to establish a Greater Kumasi Industrial City and Special Economic Zone.

We want this new project to be the prime investment destination and manufacturing hub in the country, he added.

In addition to the contribution of the World Bank, he said, the government was also seeking a $150-million loan from South Korea to invest in the off-site infrastructure of the project.

Location

Mr Kyerematen explained that the government selected the region for the project due its strategic location as the confluence of almost nine regions in the country.

It pulls together not just the Ashanti, Western and Eastern regions, part of the Central Region and beyond Ghana; it is also a transit corridor to some neighbouring countries, such as Niger, Mali and Chad, he said.

He further said the industrial zone would be strategically located close to the Boankra Inland Port site to open up the area for industrialisation.

We are going to establish an agro-industrial hub which will concentrate on producing many items, including fruit juice.

There is also going to be a pharmaceutical park and a technology innovation centre to replicate the Silicon Valley concept, Mr Kyerematen added.

Presidential ambition

The outgoing minister also used the opportunity to inform the Asantehene about his resignation from the government to concentrate on his presidential ambition.

Mr Kyerematen said he would formally go to Otumfuo to seek his blessings to lead the NPP at its presidential primary this year.
Cardinal Baawobr demise big void in Ghana  President Akufo-Addo

GNA Jan - 13 - 2023 , 11:08

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has eulogised the late Richard Cardinal Kuuia Baawobr saying his death has created a big vacuum in the country that will be difficult to fill.

He said his impact on the social and spiritual lives of the people of Ghana, especially the Catholic community, was immense and could not be measured.

Our nation has lost one of the finest citizens, one who will be difficult to replace, President Akufo-Addo said in Wa yesterday when he attended the final funeral rites and Requiem Mass of Cardinal Baawobr, the then Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wa.

News of the death of Richard Cardinal Kuuia Baawobr brought considerable sadness not only to me and to the Catholic Church in Wa but also to all well-meaning Ghanaians, he added.

President Akufo-Addo said the news of the elevation of Cardinal Baawobr to a cardinal brought great joy not only to the Catholic community in Ghana and the people of the Upper West Region but also to the government and the nation at large.

Deep regret

He said to show solidarity for his elevation, the government sent a presidential delegation of high-ranking government officials to Rome to witness his investiture and to express Ghanas appreciation for his elevation.

The death of the cardinal is a matter of deep regret to me, it is a matter of deep regret for our country, and it is a matter of deep regret for the church, the President said.

Condolence

President Akufo-Addo expressed condolence to the church of Wa, the universal Catholic Church, and all the people of Wa, who had suffered a great loss due to the departure of the faithful servant.

Prayer

The Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana, Most Reverend Henryk Mieczylaw Jagodzinski, prayed that God may grant Richard Cardinal Baawobr eternal repose.

Cardinal Richard fell asleep in the Lord after a life spent entirely for the church  with the meekness and serenity of the saints, he said.

He also eulogised the late Cardinal as someone whose figure has had great importance in the life of the church in Ghana, in Africa, and the universal church.

He said under the guidance of the late Cardinal Baawobr, the Diocese of Wa carried out an intense work articulated on evangelisation in the sacrament, in human promotion, and in ministries.

The death of our brother in Christ saddens us, but it is also an encouragement to all of us to continue with humility and simplicity in faithful service to the gospel, Most Rev. Jagodzinski said.

Solemn gathering

Cabinet ministers, Council of State Members, Members of Parliament, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, the Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery, and Regional Ministers among others accompanied President Akufo-Addo to the funeral.

Also present at the funeral were representatives from the Missionaries of Africa, the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference and priests from other countries, the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, and the Muslim community in Wa among others to pay their last respects to the late Cardinal Baawobr.

The Cardinals funeral was solemn while the homily was by the Very Rev. Fr Stanley Lubungo, Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa .

The funeral had been described as one of the best organised and well patronised, which drew mourners from across the country, especially the five northern regions.

President Akufo-Addo donated GH100,000 to support the funeral rites of the Cardinal, while the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament donated GH50,000 on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament.

Cardinal Baawobr died on Sunday, November 27, last year, in Rome after he was made a Cardinal by Pope Francis on August 27, last year.
Court discharges 2 in arms trafficking case

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Jan - 13 - 2023 , 14:14

The Accra Circuit Court has discharged two of the nine persons accused of illegally dealing in firearms and ammunition.

Michael Akwasi Sakyi and Nancy Ashong were discharged by the court, presided over by Rosemary Baah Tosu, after the prosecution dropped the charges of conspiracy to commit crime and illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition against them.

The two had pleaded not guilty to all the charges and had consistently maintained that they were innocent.

With the two discharged, the prosecution has filed a new charge sheet with the seven others which includes a soldier as the accused persons.

They are Cpl Arafat Kunde, Mahama Makabool, Alex Dotse, ex-Lance Corporal Ato Rahman Iddrisu, alias W.O. Rahman, a retired soldier (at large), James Mawuena (at large), Akwesi, aka Upgrade (at large), and Joseph Papa Quansah (at large).

Surveillance

Presenting the facts of the case when the case was initially called, the Prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sylvester Asare, said in January last year the police received information about some group of persons who were illegally dealing in firearms and ammunition.

The police, he said, mounted surveillance which led to the arrest of Ashong on February 18 last year.

A search, he said, revealed 24,000 rounds of AK 47 ammunition in her kitchen.

DSP Asare said Ashong, upon interrogation, mentioned one Makbool, also in police custody, as the person who kept the boxes in her kitchen.

A search in Makbool's room also revealed one pistol with serial number FBU 2848.

After police interrogations, Makbool mentioned one Captain Arafat Kunde of the Ghana Armed Forces as the person who supplied him with the boxes of AK 47, he said.

He said Captain Kunde also supplied Makbool with two SMG assault rifles.

According to the prosecutor, Captain Kunde, during interrogation, then mentioned two of the accused persons  Akwesi and Dotse  along with others who are currently on the run as his source of supply.

He said Akwesi, during investigation, stated that Captain Kunde was his bodyguard although he remained silent on the source of the weapons and ammunition.

DSP Asare continued that preliminary investigations by the police also revealed that when Captain Kunde was in custody, Akwesi arranged with one Novor to discharge the remaining five boxes of AK 47 ammunition kept in Captain Kunde's rooms at Spintex Road.

Efforts are, however, being made by the police to apprehend the others at large, he added.
Ghana, Greece to deepen relations

Doreen Andoh Jan - 13 - 2023 , 14:42

Ghana and Greece have committed to collaborate in a number of areas for mutual benefits.

Also, the collaboration is expected to strengthen the ties between the two countries.

The two made the commitment when the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Nikos Dendias, called on his Ghanaian counterpart, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, in Accra yesterday to discuss areas for mutual collaboration.

The areas discussed included trade and industry, defence, culture, youth and sports.

At the meeting, which was preceded by a closed-door meeting between the two Foreign Affairs ministers, Mr Dendias expressed happiness that the two countries had already signed a memorandum of political consultations.

They will also sign three others, which were already before Ghanas Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, pending inputs to facilitate their signing and execution.

Touting the contribution of Greek businesses in the country, he pledged to promote more Greek businesses and investments in the country for the enhancement of bilateral relations between both countries.

Mr Dendias said he took time to visit the St Nicolas School, Tema New Town, funded by Greek charity and businesses active in the country, to boost education and culture locally.

"The new reality is that Africa is the fastest growing economy and population, making it an investment hopeful," he said.

Hope

Mr Dendias said Africa had become the hope of the world and so the European Union must invest in Africa.

He said the Mediterranean and the Atlantic should not be seen as a border but rather a bridge connecting the two continents to facilitate collaboration, investments and relations.

He again pledged Greece's support on the management of the Gulf as it wielded the highest maritime fleet.

"We feel at home here and we look forward to have more of these deliberations," he said.

Response

Welcoming the Greek Foreign Minister, Ms Botchwey said she was delighted to meet Mr Denidias for the second time to enhance collaboration between both countries.

She thanked the visiting minister for delivering on his promise at their first meeting to become an advocate for the country and Africa within the EU and beyond.

On the issue of Greece having the biggest maritime fleet and being a member of the EU, Ms Botchwey said the country, having assumed the chairmanship of the Gulf of Guinea, would need the support of Greece to resolve the piracy on the waters.

She said the Gulf of Guinea would be undergoing restructuring under Ghanas chairmanship and would require collaborations and partnerships from countries such as Greece.

Ms Botchwey assured him that she would follow up on the proposed MoUs before the Attorney-General.

While reiterating the country's commitment to collaboration with Greece on areas agreed on, she appealed for the facilitation of more Greece trade and investment visibility in the country.

"Because our country hosts the African Continental Free Trade Area headquarters, we will want to see your private sector use our country as a stepping stone into Africa," the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, said.

After the meeting, which was attended by officials from both countries, the two ministers went back into a closed-door meeting.
GNPC obtains licences for exploration

News Desk Report Jan - 13 - 2023 , 13:39

The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), has obtained reconnaissance licences to explore the countrys onshore and offshore basins.

Consequently, it is currently exploring the hydrocarbon prospectivity of the countrys onshore sedimentary basin (Voltaian basin) under a reconnaissance licence through a mix of geophysical, geological and geochemical techniques and is looking to crown our efforts by drilling a well between Q4 2023 and Q1 2024.

Additionally, GNPC operates the shallow water GH-WB-01 block under reconnaissance licence. Over the next two years, GNPC will acquire, process and interpret 3D seismic over the block to evaluate hydrocarbon potential and drill one well, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GNPC, Opoku Ahweneeh Danquah, said.

He said this when he presented a paper on GNPC; A Strategic Partner for Delivery of Available E&P Projects, at the 2023 Ghana Oil and Gas Roadshow in London.

Mr Danquah noted that the GNPC was continuously evaluating opportunities to leverage its technical competence and financial strength in unlocking much needed hydrocarbon potential of our sedimentary basins.

Participants

He encouraged the participants to consider the opportunities available at the roadshow and assured them that in GNPC they had a dependable technical and commercial partner working together to execute work programme leading to much needed oil and gas discoveries.

GNPC, he said, had over the years conducted regional studies on its own as well as commissioning third-party experts such as Robertson CGG and De-Goyler and Macnaughton to deepen its understanding of the Ghana sedimentary basins.

GNPC is seeking to utilise our wealth of knowledge and expertise of the Ghana sedimentary basins in collaboration with new partners in unlocking remaining hydrocarbon potential for our mutual benefit, he said.

Our growth strategy led to the establishment of GNPC Explorco, a registered subsidiary, with participating Interest in six Exploration and Appraisal licences in our offshore basins. Our strategic entry into these licences is underpinned by our knowledge-based conviction of hydrocarbon prospectivity and commercial assessment of financial exposure and risk.

As a paying partner, Mr Danquah said Explorco formed part of the contractor party and contributed experience and lessons learnt from other exploratory licences with the aim to enhancing exploration success and reducing project delivery timelines.

Interest

In 2021, he said, GNPC through its subsidiary acquired commercial interest in Jubilee and TEN fields to increase participation and revenue from both fields.

The GNPC CEO said in the early 2000s, the corporations focus was amended to solely operate within the upstream energy sector, relinquishing previous downstream operations.

Prior to the establishment of Petroleum Commission Ghana in 2011, GNPC in addition to our core mandate played pseudo-regulatory roles in assisting the Ministry of Energy in chartering the path to commercial discoveries in Ghana.

Subsequently, GNPC has transformed into a fully commercial state-owned entity with strategic objective of leading the sustainable exploration, development, production and disposal of the petroleum resources of Ghana, by leveraging the right mix of domestic and foreign investments in partnership with the people of Ghana, he said and that GNPCs role is to ensure the efficient supply of natural gas from our oil and gas fields to Ghana National Gas Company to meet Ghanas increasing energy needs by efficiently negotiating gas sales from our producing fields.

Mr Danquah said as a partner in all petroleum licences, GNPC had developed diverse competencies across the entire value chain to support partners in the execution of agreed Work programmes.

Having worked with different operators over the years, he said the GNPC had developed a highly skilled and adaptable workforce embracing new technology and operating strategies of prospective partners.

He said the corporations strategic objective within the energy transition climate was to accelerate responsible exploitation of Ghanas oil and gas resources to meet growing energy demand as it continued to embrace and develop green energy projects.
Gory accident: Seven perish at Gomoa Antseadze

Shirley Asiedu-Addo Jan - 13 - 2023 , 07:11

Seven people perished in a gory road accident at Gomoa Antseadze near Apam in the Central on Thursday evening.

Eight others including an infant sustained injuries.

The accident involved a Sprinter mini bus with registration number GW7920-22, which was traveling from Mankessim towards Accra.

The bus reportedly veered off the road into the bush.

Fire service personnel at the Apam Fire Station responded after a passerby reported the accident at about 8pm.

Trapped passengers

According to the Central Regional Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Division Officer III, Abdul Wasiu Hudu, the station quickly dispatched the rescue team to the scene and observed a Sprinter mini bus was involved in an accident with a number of the passengers trapped in the vehicle.

He said the fire personnel extricated them and handed over to the Ghana Ambulance Service.

He said the police carried the dead to the morgue.
Man in court over threat of death

Justice Agbenorsi Jan - 13 - 2023 , 14:21

A 24-year-old unemployed man who broke into a pensioners home and threatened to kill him in an attempt to steal his belongings has been charged at the Accra Circuit Court.

The accused, Samuel Nii Ayi Lartey, was slapped with three counts of unlawful entry, attempted stealing, and the threat of death when he appeared before the court yesterday.

He has, however, denied the charges and has been admitted to bail in the sum of GH 70,000 with three sureties two of whom must be public servants earning not less than GH 1,000 every month.

Prosecutions facts

According to the Prosecutor, Superintendent Augustine Yirenkyi, on January 5, 2023, at 2:30 a.m., the complainant was in bed when he heard an unusual noise in the room.

Upon hearing the noise, the prosecutor said, the complainant was attracted to the unusual noise but on getting closer to where he heard the noise, he could not see anyone and, therefore, went back to sleep but a few minutes later he heard the noise again.

The prosecutor further told the court that the complainant went round the room and saw the accused person hiding in his washroom.

She told the court that the complainant got to his door only to detect that the accused person had burnt his trap door net, opened it and forced open the main door before entering the room.

She said the complainant managed to lock his door again with the accused inside, pleading for forgiveness.

The complainant then called a witness that he had arrested a thief in his room so he should come and assist him to take the thief to the police station.

Based on that, the accused person pulled a pair of scissors on the complainant and threatened to kill him if he refused to open the door for him, she said.

Complainant

The prosecutor added that the complainant, who became scared, opened the door for him and he went away.

The witness, she said, while going to the aid of the complainant, met the accused person about 15 metres from the complainant's place.

The accused, she said, had knelt before the witness confessing that he was the one found in the complainant's room.

The witness then sent him back to the complainant's room to ascertain the truth and the accused person again pleaded with them that they should let him go but later came to make a report to the police, the prosecutor said.

On January 7, 2023, the accused person, the prosecutor said, was arrested in another case and brought to the police station and after investigations, he was charged and brought before the court.
Minister directs GES to vary Chiana SHS girls' dismissal after President's intervention

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Jan - 13 - 2023 , 08:01

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has intervened in the case of the eight senior high school students of Chiana who have been dismissed by the Ghana Education Service (GES) for insulting the President.

This was after the President's attention was drawn to it.

Consequently, the Minister of Education, Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum has directed the GES to consider an alternative disciplinary action instead of dismissal.

The spokesperson for the Education Minister, Kwasi Kwarteng disclosed the latest development in a press statement dated Friday, January 13, 2023.

The GES on its part has referred the subject matter to the schools Disciplinary Committee to explore alternative sanctions other than dismissal.

The affected students are to report to the Headmistress of the School for further directions.

What happened?

The female students were dismissed by the GES for insulting President Akufo-Addo in a video they recorded and shared on social media.

They are students of the Chiana Senior High School in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region and 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.

The video was in reaction to the President's national address on the economy on November 30, 2022, the address which later popularly came to be referred to as largent naime pas le bruit, to wit, money does not like noise, sika mp dede.

After the dismissal letters were handed over to them, the students have been seen in another video apologising for their comments.

The GES also apologised to the President and the general public on behalf of the students and school.

GES refers matter to schools Disciplinary Committee to explore alternative sanctions

Meanwhile. the management of GES has referred the subject matter to the schools Disciplinary Committee to explore alternative sanctions other than dismissal.

A statement issued by the GES Friday evening (Jan 13, 2023) said the affected students were dismissed based on a recommendation from the schools Disciplinary Committee.

"Thus, management has referred the matter to the schools Disciplinary Committee to explore alternative sanctions other than dismissal."

In the meantime, the affected students are to report to the Headmistress of the School for further directions, the statement added.

"Management acknowledges the interest of stakeholders in ensuring that these students are reformed in the best possible way," it added.

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Population Council reviews reproductive health education policy

Rebecca Quaicoe Duho Jan - 13 - 2023 , 13:06

Statistics available to the Ghana Health Service (GHS) suggest that the country records over 100,000 teen pregnancies annually.

The figure, it said, contributed significantly to maternal and child mortality and morbidity, as well as a high prevalence of HIV among young people from 15 to 24 years.

The Executive Director of the National Population Council (NPC), Dr Leticia Adelaide Appiah, made this known at a Reproductive Health Education (RHE) Policy Review Meeting for religious bodies in Accra in December last year.

The RHE policy review meeting became necessary because it was essential for young people to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy, HIV and sexually transmitted infections, promote values of tolerance, mutual respect and non-violence in relationships and support a safe transition into adulthood.

To this end, the policy calls for an age-appropriate comprehensive RHE, which is essential for young people to be assertive, protect and respect themselves and others.

It is therefore to help address these and other health-related issues, that Ghana, like many other African countries, launched 'the Comprehensive Sexuality Education Guidelines for both in and out-of-school children, but which received opposition from some Ghanaians.

So as part of efforts to address the concerns, the NPC organised a stakeholder meeting to review policy guidelines on RHE in the country.

The objectives of the review was to solicit the inputs and buy-in of religious leaders into the National RHE guidelines.

According to Dr Appiah, the implications of data to the health, education, employment, social lives, national security, and sustainable development, warrant individual, community and national attention.

Hence, she said our quest to continue this dialogue till we arrive at a consensus where each stakeholder plays its part to achieve our common goal of healthy population from childhood through adulthood for sustainable development.

Further quoting the 2021 PHC, she said, over 85 per cent of the population had religious affiliation hence religious authorities were major stakeholders in the dialogue.

She said as religious leaders they were best resources who could come out with effective honest communication to share knowledge, understand new points of view and to be understood saying, ignorance, misinformation and disinformation were burdens none should be allowed to carry in a 21st century world where knowledge abounds as a common good.

Dr Appiah said physical, mental and psychological health could not be achieved and maintained in misinformation hence the need to constantly communicate to improve knowledge and skill for individual and shared well-being.

She said all the negative barriers frustrated efforts in translating youthful opportunity into performance or desired human capital to promote sustainable development.

Age appropriate education

The Consultant, who is a Senior Lecturer, University of Cape Coast, Dr Joshua Amo-Adjei, who gave the Ghana Education Services (GES) position on RHE said pupils and students needed some form of RHE framed in culturally sensitive, socially acceptable and morally and age-appropriate.

He said faith-based organisations also should be actively involved in formulating the curriculum especially, those on sociocultural and moral dimensions

On the age appropriateness of the document, he said the starting age had been changed from four years to six where children would be taught values and society, and personal norms.

The policy ends at age 24 where he said young adults would be taught pregnancy-related issues and childbirth, building healthy relationships, avoiding violence within relationships among others.
Vietnam to cooperate with China to facilitate entry following reopening

Xinhua) 15:19, January 13, 2023

HANOI, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Vietnamese local authorities are working closely with their Chinese counterparts to implement cooperation activities in the interests of both sides after China's optimization of COVID-19 response policies on Jan. 8, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Thursday.

Vietnamese nationals who wish to travel to other countries, including China, should follow the updates on visa policies, immigration and COVID-19 regulations of the countries, deputy spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang told a press briefing.

Regarding collaboration between Vietnam and China to ensure the flow of goods, Hang said authorities of both countries have maintained regular exchanges and made efforts to ensure trade activities and supply chains are maintained smoothly while implementing a joint statement made during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong's visit to China last year and in the spirit of high-level discussions.

During the Lunar New Year, a number of Chinese border gates will apply measures to facilitate customs clearance including customs clearance by prior appointment, she noted.

Localities and local enterprises need to update themselves on this information, and work with their Chinese partners to develop a plan for transportation and customs clearance of goods, Hang said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Tesla logo is seen at the company's store in Denver's Cherry Creek Mall on Feb. 9, 2019. AP-Yonhap



Negotiations between Indonesia and Tesla are still ongoing, a senior minister said on Thursday, following a report that the U.S. automaker is nearing a preliminary deal to build production facilities with a capacity of one million units.



Luhut Pandjaitan, who has been leading the talks with Tesla, declined to disclose further details, citing a non-disclosure agreement.



Bloomberg News also reported that the Indonesia talks include plans for production facilities and to facilitate the company's supply chain, citing people familiar with the matter.



"I can't comment, we're still talking," Luhut told Reuters, adding that he had just recently held another round of talks with Tesla.



Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.



Chief Executive Elon Musk tweeted on Wednesday, "Please be cautious about writing articles citing 'unnamed sources', as they are frequently false," in a comment on a tweet referencing the report.



Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous country, has long courted the U.S. company to build facilities to produce electric vehicle (EV) batteries and electric cars. President Joko Widodo met with Musk to discuss a potential deal last year.



Indonesia's nickel ore can be processed for use in EV batteries and the country is keen to develop a downstream industry at home leveraging its rich nickel reserves, after banning ore exports since 2020.

Musk last month said Tesla was close to picking the location of its new "Gigafactory" following media reports that it could announce a new factory in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon as soon as December.



Tesla currently makes its electric cars in China's Shanghai, Germany's Berlin, and Austin and Fremont in the United States.



Meanwhile, Indonesia has managed to attract other automakers to invest in EV production.



Hyundai Motor and SGMW Motor Indonesia, part of a joint venture of SAIC Motor Corp, General Motors and Wuling Motors Holdings have built assembly facilities in the Southeast Asian country.



Indonesian authorities have said Japanese firms Toyota Motor Corp and Mitsubishi Motors Corp have pledged investments in EV production.



Companies that have invested or expressed interest in investing in EV battery making include South Korean's LG Energy Solution, China's Contemporary Amperex Technology , Taiwan's Foxconn and Germany's BASF, Indonesia's investment ministry said.



Jakarta plans to incentivise EV purchases to make them more affordable this year and encourage sales, government officials have said. (Reuters)




Predecessors Awards Worldwide launches maiden book of honoree S.K. Ampiah

Jayne Buckman-Owoo Jan - 13 - 2023 , 07:07

At age 98, Elder Samuel Kofi Ampiah, a renowned Ghanaian music composer of hundreds of popular songs has been honoured with the launch of his maiden book by the Predecessors Awards Worldwide - a network of Relevant Achievers Impacting Nations (RAIN Foundations).

Titled RETROSPECT: 21 Epistles of a Hero, the book takes the reader on an inspiring journey of discovering over sixty years of the honoree's experiences, gleaning lessons to enlighten the paths of younger generations.

Hosted last Saturday, January 7, 2023, by Rain Foundations, the book launch attracted people from all walks of life. Including delegates from The Apostolic Church - Ghana where Elder S.K. Ampiah has served for over sixty years.

The Global President of Rain Foundations - Mr. George Kingsley Acquah ESQ, President of the Predecessors Awards Worldwide - Mr. Dennis Agyeman and his Vice President - Madam Ruby Okine took their turns to address the guests.

Speaking to the Founding President of Rain Foundations and bestselling author Raphaelle Antwi, he said, "This is the beginning of many book launches to come". He explained that a significant part of the Prestigious Annual Predecessors Awards was to immortalize the legacies of the honorees andnd that necessitated the writing and publishing of books that told the stories of these heroes.

The organization would thus be publishing and launching many more books for various predecessors this year - in Ghana and abroad.

The Prestigious Annual Predecessors Awards will be held this year in Ghana, France, UK, South Africa, and USA.
Suspected robbers remanded over GH900,000 robbery

Justice Agbenorsi Jan - 13 - 2023 , 14:18

Two suspected robbers have been put before an Accra Circuit Court for conspiring with two others to rob a businessman of his GH 900,000 at Maamobi in Accra.

George Ayitey Mensah, 32, and Hakim Seini, 27, pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy and robbery when they appeared before the Court presided over by Samuel Bright Acquah.

The two have since been remanded in police custody to reappear on January 19, 2023.

Meanwhile, two other accused persons are currently on the run.

Prosecutions facts

The facts as presented by the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Benjamin Benneh, were that on January 3, 2023, the Nima Divisional Patrol team chanced on a group of people on the Mallam Addo Mosque road.

The prosecutor said the team was informed of a robbery that had just occurred.

The team, he said, moved onto the main Nima-Maamobi highway where the victims were identified as Mensah, an okada rider, and Seini, a businessman, who was the pillion on Mensahs bike.

According to the prosecutor, Seini said he was transporting an amount of GH  900,000 from Rawlings Circle, Accra to Maamobi, and he contracted Mensah, the Okada rider, to convey him, together with the said money, to his destination.

The prosecutor added that the two rode to the National Theatre area, to Ridge Hospital area and onto the Kanda highway and further got to Kawukudi traffic light, turned and entered the Maamobi community.

According to them, two young men on an unregistered motorbike wearing full face helmets, all armed with pistols crossed them on the Mallam Addo Mosque road, fired some shots and robbed them of the said amount.

Seini claimed ownership of the money involved but it turned out that he was not the lawful owner, the prosecutor said.

Mensah, he said, was captured on a CCTV footage signalling robbers to cross the victim a few metres to the crime scene.

The two, he said, contradicted each other during interrogation, adding: There is a very high suspicion that the two and the robbers, now at large, conspired to commit the crime.

C/Insp. Benneh added that the case was under investigation.
Vea irrigation scheme rehabilitation: No work done 11 months after sod cutting

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Jan - 13 - 2023 , 10:20

Almost 11 months after the sod-cutting ceremony for rehabilitation works to begin on the water supply dam and irrigation scheme at Vea in the Bongo District in the Upper East Region, work is yet to begin.

The work, which was expected to commence on March 31, last year, and completed in three years, includes the restoration of the eroded downstream slope of the dam embankment to improve the dams stability, as well as the rehabilitation of the irrigation canal.

The project, to be executed by Messrs Rann Luuk Limited, involves drainage works, farm road works and perimeter fencing of the irrigable area.

Funding of what has been described as the urgent rehabilitation of the irrigation scheme was part of the budget allocations of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) and its agency, the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA)

Contractor not on site

However, the contractor has not been on site after the sod-cutting ceremony, compelling farmers and community leaders in the beneficiary communities to call on the government to expedite work on the project for them to reap its full benefit.

During a visit by the Daily Graphic to the project site to follow up on the progress of work, the contractor was not on site and no activity was observed as there was no equipment on site.

There was no indication on the ground to suggest that actual rehabilitation works on the water supply and irrigation scheme would commence soon, with barely two years left for the completion of the project.

Review of cost

The Managing Director of ICOUR, Dr Benedict Bonaventure Aligebam, told the Daily Graphic that the commencement letter of the contractor which delayed the project had been received and work on the project would begin soon.

He noted that the contractor had already renovated a building on the premises of ICOUR in Gworie to use as his office, saying due to hikes in prices of goods and services the contractor and GIDA were reviewing the cost of the rehabilitation works to be done.

Background

The Vea Dam was constructed between 1965 and 1980 and also serves as the source of drinking water for residents of Bolgatanga and its many surrounding communities and towns.

Similarly, it supplies water to about 4,000 farmers in communities in the Bongo District and Bolgatanga Municipality, namely Vea, Bongo, Nyariga, Yorogo, Dindubisi, Bolgatanga, Zaare, Yikene, Gowrie and Sumbrungu, respectively.

Since its completion, the facility has not seen any comprehensive rehabilitation works. Although the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has made some maintenance intervention on the dam, it has not been enough.

The irrigation infrastructure, namely canals, drains, among others, are almost completely broken, preventing users of the 850 hectares of farmland from irrigating during the dry season.

The Irrigation Company of Upper East (ICOUR) manages the Vea and Tono schemes. Although it was the desire of the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) to rehabilitate both dams, it did not have enough funds to undertake the rehabilitation works on the dams.



Sod-cutting

At a ceremony to hand over the site to the contractor in March 2022, the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, said the Vea irrigation scheme, established about 42 years ago had not seen major rehabilitation works, resulting in its breakdown.

He said as a result of the deplorable nature of the structure in the past, about 4,000 farmers had lost their livelihood, which had negatively affected their standard of living.

He said between 2007 and 2015, the amount spent on the importation of rice rose from $151million to $1.2billion, saying, the Vea irrigation project alone has a total of 850 hectares of land under rice cultivation, comprising 350 hectares of rice of lowland and 500 hectares of upland for rice production.



Not heard anything

The Assembly Member for the Vea Electoral Area, Robert Ayariga, said the people felt disappointed as they had not heard anything about the contractor after the sod-cutting ceremony to hand over the site to the contractor.

Due to the delay, I, together with the chief of Vea, Naba Thomas Azubire II, went to the offices of ICOUR to enquire about the state of the project and we were informed that the contractor would be on site on November 10, 2022.

We came back with high hopes but our hope has been dashed since the contractor is still not on site as I speak to you today, Mr Ayariga said, adding  we are even planning to go back after the new year break to find out the cause of the delay in the execution of the project.



Dont farm

The assembly member disclosed that farmers along the project area were asked not to plant their crops in the dry season which usually started from November, in readiness for the commencement of the project.

Although the farmers heeded this directive, the contractor failed to come to site to commence the project, leaving the thousands of farmers very disappointed. If we knew the project would still not commence in the dry season, farmers would have planted their crops, he said.

A farmer at Gowrie, Maxwell Adongo, called on the government to resolve all bottlenecks to pave the way for the contractor to be on site to execute the project to increase agricultural production in the area.

Another farmer at Nyariga, Isaiah Azubire, called for the swift execution of the project to improve the lives of the farmers and increase their crop yield.
Well support you to fulfil your mandate - Abu Jinapor assures Boundary Commission

Timothy Ngnenbe & Dela Russell Ocloo Jan - 13 - 2023 , 12:51

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has assured the Ghana Boundary Commission that his outfit will ensure that the commission carries out its mandate successfully.

The commission has the responsibility of ensuring the reaffirmation, demarcation and delimitation of the countrys international land and maritime boundaries, as well as settle boundary disputes between Ghana and neighbouring countries.

However, inadequate fund and the lack of permanent office accommodation have been identified as major setbacks in the commissions quest to fulfill its mandate.

Mr Jinapor, who paid a working visit to the commission in Accra yesterday, said it was part of his series of engagements with agencies under the ministry, as well as stakeholders in the mining sector.

Discussions at the meeting centred on the financial challenges confronting the commission, the lack of permanent office accommodation and other logistics to facilitate its work.

Significance

Mr Jinapor said the successful execution of the commission's mandate had a far-reaching impact on the stability and peace of the country and the West African region.

"This is why the commission's work is so important. I am impressed with the work it is doing here and will work with the Director-General and the management to resolve those challenges to make it fit for purpose," he said.

The minister said the petrochemical and mineral resources, as well as the land and maritime boundaries of the country, would be firmly demarcated, delimited and reaffirmed when the commission was given the needed support.

Provision of funds

The National Coordinator of the commission, Major General Emmanuel Kotia, said the provision of funds for the commission's activities, including getting permanent office accommodation, was crucial.

He said in spite of the challenges, the commission had made inroads in the implementation of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) ruling and the reaffirmation of land and maritime boundaries.

Again, Maj. Gen. Kotia said, the commission had lined up a number of initiatives with its Ivorian counterpart aimed at addressing the challenges of illegal mining at Dollar Power, a community in the Bole Bamboi District in the Northern part of Ghana which shares a border with Cote dIvoire.

"The two countries will meet at Dollar Power in April this year to do an assessment of how best the various dimensions could be made to look like in line with the cross-border population, he added.

Maj. Gen. Kotia further said following the limitations in the commission's work, a proposed draft bill was being worked on, in partnership with the Lands Ministry, to enable the commission to take up additional roles of resolving internal boundary disputes, including those associated with electoral boundaries.
GHS appoints district directors

Doreen Andoh Health Jan - 13 - 2023 , 13:09

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has charged 60 newly appointed District Directors of Health Service (DDHS) to strive to improve quality and access to healthcare services at the primary care level.

It said improving access at the primary care level was critical to accelerating the delivery of Universal Health Coverage in the country.

Addressing the directors, who qualified out of 300 applicants who took the maiden selection examination at an orientation and capacity-building meeting in Accra, the Director-General of the GHS, Dr Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, said improving access included 24-hour service delivery at the sub-district level.

The three-day orientation and capacity-building programme was to equip the DDHS with the requisite knowledge and understanding of all relevant areas of their mandate to enable them to settle quickly to deliver.

Participants would be taken through a presentation on diverse topics, including leadership and effective service delivery at the district level; living above routine audit queries and the expected role of DDHS; basic financial management skills for the new DDHS and the expected role of DDHS in drugs management skills.

Model facilities

Dr Kuma-Aboagye recommended that the DDHS identified model facilities in their areas where residents could access quality health care all day.

He said hospitals often had to deal with situations that were within the capacity and jurisdiction of the primary health care levels due to lack of access and quality.

When we improve quality and access, it will culminate into better health outcomes," he said.

He said the GHS had the mandate to provide and prudently manage comprehensive and accessible healthcare services with special emphasis on public health at the national, district and sub-district levels in line with approved national policies.

Implications

Dr Kuma-Aboagye said the above responsibilities, undoubtedly placed them in a strategic position as their actions and inactions had an effect on the realisation or otherwise of the mandate of GHS.

He, therefore, appealed to them that, as they took office, their performances would regularly be monitored while they would also be required to render an account of their stewardship at the end of every performance cycle.

Dr Kuma-Aboagye said considering the fact that their continuous stay in office as DDHS was dependent on their performance, they had to take all sessions of the capacity building seriously to make the best out of that golden opportunity of serving as District Directors.

The Director of Human Resource at the GHS, Peter Obiri Yeboah, and the recruitment process for the first time included a written test, which he said would remain an integral part of subsequent recruitment exercises.

I believe that the modified process has helped the service to select the best among the numerous qualified applicants, he said.

A former Director-General of the GHS, Dr Ebenezer Appiah-Denkyira, commended the management for ensuring no political interference in the selection process.
Kyerematen informs Otumfuo of bid to contest NPP flagbearership

Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor Politics Jan - 13 - 2023 , 06:42

Outgoing Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, has formally informed the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, about his resignation and his bid to contest the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership.

Mr Kyerematen, on January 5, tendered in his resignation as a minister to concentrate on his presidential ambition.

He will officially bring his service to the current government to an end on January 16, 2023.

Mr Kyerematen, who was at the palace last Wednesday with a delegation from the World Bank, said as one person who supported the governments One-District One -Factory (1D1F) programme and other policies of the ministry, it was courteous and appropriate that he informed the Asantehene personally about his resignation and also thank him for his support for the ministry.

He said the Asantehene did not only support the 1D1F programme verbally but also got involved in it and established a fruit juice factory under the programme to create jobs for his people.

Resignation

Mr Kyerematen resigned to focus on his presidential ambition in accordance with the constitution of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He told the Asantehene that at the appropriate time, he would come for his blessings as he embarked on his vision to lead the NPP and the country.

The delegation was at the palace to seek the support of the monarch in the governments vision of establishing an industrial city and economic zone in the Ashanti Region.

The project is a collaboration between the government of Ghana and the World Bank to create jobs for the people.

The World Bank has invested an initial 30 million dollars to develop the off-site infrastructure to attract investment for the project.

The project, which is to be known as the Greater Kumasi Industrial City and Special Economic Zone, is sited on a 5,000-acre land in the Ejisu Municipality and close to the Boankra Inland port.
Our promise to regularise Okada still stands  NDC

Samuel Duodu Politics Jan - 13 - 2023 , 06:58

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) 2020 electioneering campaign promise to regulate and legalise the operations of motorbikes for commercial purposes (Okada) in the country still stands, a National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the party, Cecilia Asaga, has said.

Consequently, she said the next NDC government would establish cooperatives for all Okada riders to enable them access loans and overdrafts for their business.

Under the scheme, they would also be provided with insurance cover and be made to contribute towards their retirement, old age among others.

Ms Asaga stated that when she presented some food items and soft drinks to members of the Okada Riders Association at Borteyman in the Tema West Constituency last Tuesday for the new year celebration.

The gesture was to show her appreciation to the members of the association for their support during her campaign to become a NEC member of the NDC party.

The NDC 2020 presidential candidate, former President John Dramani Mahama, gave that promise during the 2020 electioneering campaign to regulate and legalise commercial motorbike business if voted into power.

Ms Asaga, therefore, called on them to vote for the NDC to win the 2024 general elections to bring that promise into fruition.



National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the party, Cecilia Asaga

An enabling environment

Addressing the Okada riders, Ms Asaga said that promise still stood and the next NDC government would create an enabling environment for their business to be regularised as it would be one of the means to create jobs and solve the massive unemployment situation in the country.

What I can assure you is that, that promise still holds and the next NDC government will create an enabling environment for your business to be regularised as it will be one of the means to create jobs and solve the massive unemployment in the Ghana, Ms Asaga added.

Deception

The NDC NEC member stated that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government in an attempt to discredit the popular campaign promise of legalising okada said they would provide them with taxis on work and pay terms but that promise did not materialise.

This is a clear manifestation that the NPP is a deceitful government. Some politicians come to you during an election year to make all manner of promises to you and when they win power, they abandon you, I am not such a politician and the NDC will never abandon you when we win power, she assured.

Ms Asaga, who said she sometimes patronised the services of okada, said she could attest to the fact that it was fast, affordable and its ability to reach inaccessible routes made it a preferred choice and means of transport.

Revenue mobilisation

If we regulate and legalise the okada business, we wouldnt need the e-levy because you will willingly pay your taxes and levies, wouldnt you? she asked the riders.

Ms Asaga said the country was faced with serious challenges when it came to domestic revenue mobilisation, yet the NPP government did not have a clue as to how they could mobilise revenue domestically.

Can you imagine the amount that can be raised in taxes from okada riders? she asked.

The fact is that if you create an enabling environment for the okada business to thrive, the riders will willingly pay their taxes like what pertains in Kigali, Rwanda and other jurisdictions, Ms Asaga observed.
Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC, a provider of heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell engines for on- and off-road mobility, signed a memorandum of understanding with Netherlands-based clean technology engineering company Urban Mobility Systems (UMS). The MOU includes the initial sales of Nuvera E-Series Fuel Cell Engines to UMS and an agreement to explore the development, sales and support of standardized zero-emission fuel cell powertrains for commercial applications.

As part of the MOU, UMS will work closely with Nuvera on the development, testing, and deployment of Nuveras 125 kW fuel cell engine. Nuvera currently offers 45 and 60 kW systems.





Nuvera E-Series fuel cell engine includes 8th-generation Nuvera fuel cell stack, engine control unit, water management algorithm, air compressor, coolant pump, coolant thermostatic valve, hydrogen ejector, bleed resistor, power output electrical contactor, and power output pre-charge circuit.

Nuvera also recently sold two Nuvera E-60 Fuel Cell Engines to Nexus Energy, a sustainable innovation company based in the Netherlands that is developing modular zero emission solutions for maritime and on-shore applications. Nexus Energy will use the 60 kW hydrogen fuel cell engines in the development of a common modular powerpack for maritime and on-shore use, for both stationary and heavy-duty applications.

Urban Mobility Systems BV, founded in 2016 by Lars Kool, is a clean-tech engineering, developer and supplier of electric powertrains for heavy-duty and off-road vehicles. Urban Mobility Systems develops and manufactures battery electric and hybrid (fuel cell) drivetrains to replace the diesel engine traditionally used heavy-duty on- and off-road vehicles.

Focused on series production for OEM customers, Urban Mobility Systems supports leading manufacturers and importers with zero-emission motive power and educational solutions. The modular electrification system developed by Urban Mobility Systems won the 2022 CES Innovation Award in the Smart Energy product category.

Nuvera is a subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Group, Inc., which designs, engineers, manufactures, sells, and services a comprehensive line of lift trucks and aftermarket parts marketed globally primarily under the Hyster and Yale brand names. Hyster-Yale Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.
Then-Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Robert Hur speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, in this July 27, 2017 file photo. AP-Yonhap



Robert Hur, a former U.S. attorney for Maryland nominated by then-President Donald Trump, will serve as special counsel to investigate the presence of documents with classified markings found at President Joe Biden's home in Delaware and at an office in Washington.



Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Hur's appointment Thursday, shortly after Biden acknowledged 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. Hur is set to begin his work on the investigation soon.



''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,'' Garland said.



Hur's appointment comes as the political ramifications surrounding the investigation intensify. The Justice Department has spent months looking into Trump's retention of more than 300 documents with classification markings found at his Florida estate. That discovery sparked outcry from Biden and other top Democrats, while the developments around Biden have drawn sharp criticism from Republicans.



Hur said Thursday that he won't be swayed by politics.



''I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial, and dispassionate judgment,'' he said in a statement. ''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 is a graduate of Harvard as well as Stanford Law School, and he studied philosophy at King's College in Cambridge in the United Kingdom. He clerked for Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist and also for Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.



Andrew DeVooght, who worked with Hur when they were both law clerks for Rehnquist, called him an ''incredibly good person'' and said that, although it sounds trite, the public is lucky that someone like Hur is willing to serve in such an important position.



''You'd be hard pressed to find a better combination of brilliance, work ethic and integrity,'' DeVooght said.





President Joe Biden speaks during a memorial service for former Defense Secretary Ash Carter at the Washington National Cathedral, Thursday, Jan. 12. AP-Yonhap



Hur served as U.S. attorney in Maryland from 2018 to 2021, winning unanimous Senate approval after Trump nominated him. His predecessor in the post was Rod Rosenstein, who held the position for more than a decade before becoming the Justice Department's No. 2 during the Trump administration.



Hur is taking the job 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.



Prior to becoming U.S. attorney, Hur was principal associate attorney general under Rosenstein at the Justice Department. Hur is also a former partner at the Washington law firm King Spalding, where FBI Director Christopher Wray was once also a partner.



Stephen McBrady, co-chair of the law firm Crowell Moring LLP's Government Contracts Group and a longtime friend, called Hur ''one of the smartest people in Washington.''





Former President Donald Trump stands on stage after announcing a third run for president as he speaks at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., in this Nov. 15, 2022 file photo. AP-Yonhap
With the groups first meeting of the new year, the Sweetwater County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees discussed a number of topics Tuesday night, including a revised public documents policy and a funding decline the district will see in the next school year.

The trustees approved a revised policy for people seeking public documents from the school district, which includes a revised fee schedule.

Wyomings public records laws allow for local governmental agencies to charge for the time and resources used in producing a document as a means of recouping those costs. However, a person has the right to inspect public documents, without having a copy made, free of charge under Wyoming law.

According to the districts policy, after the request is made and fulfilled, the person seeking a review of those documents has one month to inspect the documents in person or request an electronic or physical copy of those records before the request is closed.

According to the policy, the production and construction costs for electronic public records includes $15.50 per hour for clerical staff time, $30 per hour for information technology staff time, $40 per hour for professional staff time, as well as the actual costs associated with computer services and the legal fees related to a review of documents for potential confidential information. A supervision fee related to a third-party making copies of the districts public documents could also be incurred, based on the type of employee supervising.

Additionally, the district set up a per-page fee for physical copies of documents. The policy requires the district to provide an estimate of the costs associated with creating or copying the requested documents, with the person seeking those documents required to prepay prior to their creation. Any overage from the actual amount will be refunded. Additionally, the district will prioritize requests at or below a $180 threshold.

While speaking about the policy Tuesday night, Assistant Superintendent Jason Fuss said the district did not hear feedback about the policy prior to its passage. The last time the policy was revised was Oct. 10, 2017.

Also discussed at the meeting was an upcoming funding cut the district will be forced to contend with. Despite an increase of 41 students from last year, Sweetwater County School District No. 2 anticipates a $500,000 loss in funding from the state due to a historic decline in enrollment.

According to Superintendent Craig Barringer, the district will see that decline impact next years budget.

The districts enrollment has declined from a high point 2,729 students during the 2013-2014 school year, to 2,406 in the current year. The most significant drop occurred between the 2019-2020 and the 2020-2021 school years, which saw a decline in 185 students. In total, the district now has 323 fewer students than the 2013-2014 high point.

The school district is the 11th largest in the state. Its largest class is the 10th grade at Green River High School, which is made up of 224 students. The smallest is the districts fourth grade, which is made up of 163 students.
Jim Jensen of Sturgis died after a brief illness on December 25th, he was 78. Jim and his wife, Jolene made their retirement home with their horses on 10 acres above Hog Heaven Campground, where Jim oversaw operations for 15 Rally seasons.

Jim raised his family in Green River, Wyoming. Jim, Jolene, and their children Julie, John and Jess all competed in rodeo across the state and beyond. Jim and his best roping buddies packed up his motorhome and horsetrailer every January bound for Arizona to jackpot teamrope in the sun. When hunting season came around, Jim, his sons and friends rode deep into the Hoback and Grey's River mountains of northern Wyoming for trophy elk. Jim was a well-known Ford man in Sweetwater County for 25 years.

Jim and Jolene (Bonomo) Jensen met in Green River and married in 1969. Jim was raised in Rapid City, SD and a flight engineer in the Navy. His straight talking style and sharp wit was well-loved by his hundreds of Harley riding and cowboy friends alike. He is preceeded in death by his wife Jolene, and surived by his children Julie, John and Jess Jensen.
On January 7, 2023 Kirk Blake left us to be with his heavenly family after a prolonged battle with disease. He was born on August 2, 1951 to Donald and Olive Blake in Hayden, Colorado. The oldest of 3 brothers, Kirk and his brothers grew up on the family ranch, just outside of the town of Hayden. Kirk graduated from Hayden High School in 1969 and in July 10, 1976, married Donna Martin in Craig, CO.

Kirk and Donna had two sons Cody and Austin. In 1981 they moved to Rock Springs, WY when Kirk took the job to be a control room operator at Jim Bridger power plant. Kirk and Donna divorced in 1998. Kirk opted for early retirement in 2006 and remained in Rock Springs for the rest of his life. He made many friends in his time there and loved to share his home with them. He always enjoyed the company of others, and had a big heart for those in need. One of his proudest moments was when his only grandson Oliver was born. His family was always one of the most important aspects of his life.

Kirk loved the outdoors. Growing up in Colorado and living in Wyoming, he loved to hunt and fish with his friends and family, as well as his sons. Even if his trips were not successful, he loved being in nature and enjoying God's creation. The only thing that rivaled his love of nature, was his love of cars and racing, especially NASCAR. Whether he was at the races or watching them on TV, he could tell you about every aspect of the sport.

Kirk will be missed by all of his family and friends. He was preceded by his father Donald, mother Olive, brothers Doug and Steve, and his son Austin. He is survived by his son Cody (Kiki), grandson Oliver, sister-in law Holly Blake, niece Stephanie (Aaron) Haskins, and nephew Hayden Blake.

His memorial service with be at the Hayden Congregational Church in Hayden, CO on January 14, at 2:30 p.m.

Condolences may be left at http://www.foxfh.com.
When our society finds a better way to archive public records for the people, it will have the full support of this newspaper.

Public notices (legals) are the surest way to let the citizens know how their tax dollars are being spent.

They also create a permanent and secure record of the business of your government and they have run in these pages since this newspaper began.

That wont always be the case.

Publishing on-line has been a boon to getting news into the hands of more people, and in getting government information to its citizens.

But on-line dissemination of information is tragically flawed, precisely because it is so accessible and therefore susceptible to corruption.

Real news and credible information still come from trusted sources, primarily your hometown newspaper.

The First Amendment to the Constitution of these United States created a bulkhead against government abuse, ensuring the Freedom of the Press and thereby creating a Fourth Estate to serve as a watchdog over the other three, the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of our government.

Which is why, for two-and-a-half centuries, your elected officials have been required to spend a tiny fraction of their budgets to keep you informed of how they are spending the lions share of your tax dollars.

This newspaper has existed for generations because generations of this community have recognized it as a trusted source of information.

We recognize the potential of a world-wide web and so we harness it responsibly, by placing public notices there.

Most all print newspapers do this, in addition to providing printed-on-paper records. Those paper records are archived by newspapers, libraries and museums.

These safeguards make the public notices as accessible as humanly possible, while protecting the integrity of the information.

Now imagine a community where the governments business is posted solely online, destined to be lost in the infinite internet.

How would you know what government action may adversely affect you? Worse, how would you know when and where to look for that information?

It may as well not be posted at all.
This week, my local hospital in Laramie made masks optional, rather than required, for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Although COVID is still a threat to the community, there is room for celebration. This mask optional sign at the hospital had me thinking back to the hardest times of the pandemic, when we all turned to the arts to add beauty to the world around us. We read books, watched movies, binged TV series, all of which we have to thank the creative minds of authors, screenwriters and actors. The irony of the world turning to the arts during the pandemic is that the arts and cultural sector was substantially impacted by COVID, as the sector was one of the first to close and last to reopen. According to new data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, Wyoming lost over 1,000 jobs in the arts and cultural sector during the pandemic. This number could have been significantly higher without the federal and state relief funding that the Wyoming Arts Council was able to provide through the National Endowment for the Arts and leadership of Governor Mark Gordon. We heard from many artists that this relief funding helped feed families and keep citizens from moving out of state. As we move into a new year, here are a few of the reasons that we should continue to invest in the arts.

Economy

The arts are a driving economic force for cities and rural communities across the state. Wyoming accounts for over 10,500 jobs in the arts and cultural sector. The arts help drive tourism as those who travel for the arts stay longer and spend more. A vibrant arts community helps recruit businesses and retain our youth.

Health and Wellbeing

Arts and creativity are one of the most effective treatments for trauma, depression, and anxiety. Arts programs focused on aging adults help build community and connections needed for people to be active members of society.

Building Strong Communities

Arts and creativity foster the entrepreneurial spirit communities need to survive and thrive. Downtowns are more inviting with murals, and art and music festivals help bring people together from all walks of life, helping find common ground in divisive times.

Education/Building a Workforce

An education in the arts helps build valuable skills for all economic sectors. At the recent Governors Business Forum, the keynote speaker talked about the most sought out skills by business leaders. At the top of the list was critical thinking and creativity, both skills that are inherent to an education in the arts.

Beauty and Grace

Just like we turned to the arts to help us find beauty during the pandemic, we can turn to the arts to help us enrich our lives, make our communities more vibrant, and our ideas more vital. Now is a time where we as a state can help support our communities by recognizing the value of the arts to build a more promising future for our communities.
Applications due in the respective offices by March 31

The deadline is March 31 for Sweetwater County graduating seniors to apply for three Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County college scholarship opportunities.

The purpose of all three scholarships is to provide financial assistance to students who choose to pursue post-secondary education within the healthcare field.

Sweetwater Memorials General Medical staff will award one scholarship to a high school senior from Sweetwater County School District No. 1, and one scholarship to a high school student from Sweetwater County School District No. 2.

Both scholarships are $3,000 each  the medical staff contributes $1,500 per scholarship and the hospital matches that donation.

A third scholarship is provided by the hospitals Marketing Department on behalf of all Sweetwater Memorial employees. The $1,500 scholarship is awarded annually to a Rock Springs High School Health Academy student.

For a copy of the scholarship applications, go to the News tab at sweetwatermemorial.com. Click on the story headlined MHSC to award three scholarships. Information on where to send the applications is listed on each form.

For more on this and all Sweetwater Memorial has to offer, go to sweetwatermemorial.com.
Corrections and clarifications: The beach advisory graphic has been updated with the correct date.

Swimmers are advised that jellyfish are predicted for Guam's waters this weekend, according to the Guam Environmental Protection Agency.

The agency also issued its weekly warning, with 25 beaches found to be polluted above acceptable bacteriological standards.

A total of 42 samples were taken by the agency Wednesday. According to a Guam EPA news release, the areas identified as being polluted above standards are:

Hagat: Bangi Beach, Nimitz Beach, north of Hagat Marina, south of Chaligan Creek, Togcha Beach, Hagat Cemetery, Namo.

Asan: Adelup Beach Park, Adelup Point Beach (west), Asan Bay Beach.

Chalan Pago: Pago Bay.

Dededo: Tanguisson Beach.

Hagatna: Hagatna Bayside Park, Padre Palomo Park Beach; West Hagatna Bay  park, west storm drain.

Inalahan: Inalahan Bay.

Malesso': Merizo Pier  Mamaon Channel.

Piti: Piti Bay, Santos Memorial Park.

Talo'fo'fo': Talo'fo'fo' Bay.

Tamuning: Dungca's Beach, Sleepy Lagoon, East Hagatna Bay  Alupang Tower, Trinchera Beach.

Humatak: Toguan Bay, Humatak Bay.

Guam EPA warns that swimming, fishing or playing in unsafe waters may result in minor illnesses, such as sore throats or diarrhea, as well as serious illnesses, such as meningitis or encephalitis.

Children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of illness, the release stated.

Jellyfish

In addition to the polluted beaches, the release stated that jellyfish are predicted Jan. 14-16.
Dangerous surf and rip current conditions will continue for Guam and Rota, while a gale warning has been issued for the Saipan and Tinian.
By William Schwartz | Published on 2023/01/12

On January 13th "Lover - Drama" confirmed that Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-jin had been cast for the lead roles. Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-jin had been the only actors discussed in connection with "Lover - Drama" since the historical romance was announced last July. However, alongside the confirmation of their involvement with the project, MBC now has more information about the characters they will play.

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Namkoong Min will take on the role of Lee Jeong-hyeon, who mysteriously shows up in a social environment one day during a time of war, with natural joking charm yet hiding some sort of dark secret. Ahn Eun-jin will play Yoo Gil-chae, the daughter of a noble house. Ahn Eun-jin is described as self-centered due to the attention she receives from men, but that she changes throughout the war to become a more mature figure.

"Lover - Drama" is being written by Hwang Jin-yeong of "Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People" from 2017 and director Kim Sung-yong of "The Veil" from 2021. Kim Sung-yong's last project also starred Namkoong Min in the leading role, though Namkoong Min did "One Dollar Lawyer" in the intervening period. Ahn Eun-jin's last television drama was "The One and Only" from 2021. "Lover - Drama" is expected to begin airing on South Korean television in the second half of this year.

Written by William Schwartz
Published on 2023/01/12 | Source

New stills added for the Korean drama "Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist - Season 2" (2022).

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Adapted from a novel and follow-up to "Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist"

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Broadcast starting date in Korea : 2023/01/11
Published on 2023/01/13 | Source

New stills added for the upcoming Korean documentary "BTS: Yet To Come in Cinemas" (2022)

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Directed by Oh Yoon-dong

Narrated by RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V,...

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BTS' concert 'BTS in BUSAN' was enjoyed in 229 countries/regions around the world with cheers from ARMYs.

Close-up views of the members who couldn't be seen in the live broadcast, ScreenX that captures the entire performance on three screens, and 4DX that shows the public performance perfectly!

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Release date in Korea : 2023/02/01
Simultaneously differences in learning outcomes have increasingly become attributable to the social backgrounds of learners and differences between genders have widened to become  exceptionally large  in international comparison.

LEARNING OUTCOMES in Finland have declined at a particularly rapid rate in global comparison, reveals a so-called bildung review published by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The Ministry of Education and Culture admitted that the reasons for the deterioration of learning outcomes are largely unknown and underscored the need to identify them.

As learning outcomes continue to decline, it is necessary to critically evaluate both the development and our previous assumptions about the reasons for good learning outcomes, Anita Lehikoinen, a permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education and Culture, wrote in the preamble of the review published on Thursday.

Many of our traditional strengths, such as the widespread autonomy and high education level of teachers, have only improved in the 2000s, but learning outcomes have declined.

The Ministry of Education and Culture pointed out that the national education sector underwent strong growth between the 1960s and 1990s, with learning outcomes topping industrial countries. The long-term positive development came to a halt by the end of the millennium, however, after funding for the sector had begun to decline during the recession of the 1990s, falling from 4.6 per cent of gross domestic product in 1990 to 4.4 per cent in 2020.

While Finnish pupils received the highest score for reading in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2000, their reading proficiency has declined by an amount that equals almost a full year of learning since 2006.

The decline in learning outcomes has coincided with a decline in educational attainment. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in October published a report revealing that Finnish young adults are less educated than the average among its member states, with the share of 2534-year-olds with a university-level degree falling below 40 per cent.

The percentage leaves Finland between Chile and Turkey. Finland has adopted the official objective of raising the share of 2534-year-olds with a university-level degree to 50 per cent by 2030.

Lehikoinen pointed out that people born in 1975, who completed upper-secondary education in 1994, remain highly educated at a higher rate than any other age group in Finland.

Today we find ourselves in a situation where the increase in education level achieved with decisions made in previous decades is coming to a stop and the age groups that are retiring are almost as highly educated as those entering the labour market. This slows down the increase in education level significantly, she said.

It is a socio-political challenge that clearly more comprehensive measures are needed for the change today than in previous decades if the intention is to restore Finland as a country where education levels among the population are globally high.

Officials at the Ministry of Education and Culture pointed out that learning outcomes have declined particularly rapidly in lower socio-economic groups, indicating that the reasons for the decline are linked to a general widening of socio-economic disparities.

There has been some positive development, too, toward the end of the 2010s. Educational attainment among 28-year-olds increased between 2010 and 2020, suggesting that education level among people born in the 1990s can surpass that of people born in late 1970s.

The review also speculates that learning outcomes may have been affected by social and technological development that have shaped, for example, how people read. Borrowing from libraries has decreased markedly since 2006, a development that has likely intensified as their book collections have shrunk.

The share of people who borrow from libraries fell from around half to one-third between 2006 and early 2020s.

The Ministry of Education and Culture reminded that education provides various benefits for both the individual and society. Education tends to correlate with income, with a higher-education degree boosting the career earnings of men by 550,000 euros and women by 400,000 euros compared to those with upper-secondary vocational qualifications.

Education in Finland also correlates strongly with the employment rate, and the much-discussed labour shortage applies especially to employees with higher education qualifications.

Labour supply can impose limitations on employment and business growth, the review notes.

Experts concur that the reasons for the decline in learning outcomes are multi-faceted, Helsingin Sanomat reported on Thursday.

Katariina Salmela-Aro, an academy professor at the University of Helsinkis Department of Education, estimated that diminishing resources at schools have clearly had an impact on learning outcomes.

Some schools are starting to be short on good teachers. That creates differences between schools, she said to the daily newspaper. The well-being of the entire school has an impact on learning outcomes. A motivated teacher motivates pupils.

One should also not overlook the effects of qualities such as curiosity, motivation, perseverance and resilience, as well as the general well-being of children and youth, according to Salmela-Aro.

When youre anxious and exhausted, you wont learn, become interested or excited, she summed up.

Hannu Lehti, a researcher of sociology at the University of Turku, expressed his concern about the widening performance gap between boys and girls. In Finland, the development has continued to the point that girls are better than boys even in maths. That isnt too common internationally. This raises the question, what has happened in schools that has made boys outcomes drop.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The Academy of Finland has taken decisions on the latest round of PROFI funding, a funding scheme aimed at bolstering the research profiles of Finnish universities. The decisions were made in two stages: on 13 December 2023 and 12 January 2023. The total amount applied for by the universities was 175 million euros, and the Academys funding totals 100 million euros. The granted sums range from 2.2 million euros to 30.1 million euros. Funding was granted to nine universities.

The aim of the funding is to accelerate the strategic profiling of Finnish universities and support the improvement of the quality of research across the university landscape based on international peer review.

One of the typical profiling measures for which funding was applied for was the recruitment of researchers. For universities, recruitment is a way to strengthen the research environment by, for example, bringing in new expertise and increasing and diversifying domestic and international networks. According to the panel that reviewed the PROFI applications, successful recruitment often plays a crucial role in advancing the universitys action plan.

Johanna Myllyharju, Chair of the Academy Board, and Riitta Maijala, Vice President for Research, said: Like other funding granted by the Academy of Finland, PROFI funding is applied for in open competition. Regardless of the size of the university, applications that presented a credible, insightful and well-structured plan did very well in the peer review carried out by the international panel.

Sustainable development and resilience in focus

In the PROFI applications, universities applied for funding in accordance with the policy lines set out in their strategies. The priorities of the policies are often thematic and multidisciplinary research areas that combine several disciplines.

Sustainable development and resilience were highlighted in the themes of the applications. The topics concerned, for example, security, health, nature and materials.

The funding decisions were made by the Academys General Subcommittee. The applications were reviewed by an international panel of experts, whose members consisted of heads of European universities.

Table of funding granted, by university

HT

Source: The Academy of Finland
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban in Afghanistan have subjected women to a brutal regime of oppression, whilst the whole population has been plunged into an abyss of hunger, disease and misery. Now, women have been excluded from education, leading to renewed protests. Hundreds of brave women have taken to the streets of Kabul and other cities, fully in the knowledge of the risk to their lives in doing so. In this video, the comrades of the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA  the youth wing of the IMT in Pakistan) send their solidarity.

The regime of the Taliban is a direct product of imperialist meddling. The fundamentalist groups that would later form the Taliban were directly funded by the CIA in order to undermine the Soviets in the 1980s. The twenty-year war waged by US imperialism and its allies, beginning in 2001, cost hundreds of thousands of lives, and in the end only paved the way for the return of the Taliban.

The oppressed masses of Afghanistan can rely for their liberation upon no one but themselves, and upon the solidarity of the working class of the region, particularly the working class of Iran and Pakistan who are engaged in a day to day struggle against their own oppressive ruling classes.
Looking forward to higher-level space cooperation with China: South African engineer

15:47, January 13, 2023 By Eugene Avenant ( People's Daily

As Chinese astronauts recently completed China's first in-orbit crew rotation, China's space station has entered an era of long-term manned residence.

China's space industry is developing at an admirable speed. 2022 marks the 30th anniversary of China's manned space program. Over the past three decades, China has independently developed its manned space program, completed the construction of its space station, and made leapfrog achievements in space technology.

The country has also launched lunar and planetary exploration missions, making continuous breakthroughs in space science. It is one of the most dynamic players in the space field.

Photo shows Eugene Avenant (left), chief engineer for the South African National Space Agency Space Operations division. (People's Daily/Zou Song)

The rapid development of China's space industry comes from the country's ever-growing capability in science and technology as well as innovation. China has constantly expanded the size of its aerospace personnel and stepped up its efforts to become a world center for talent and innovation in the aerospace field. Besides, its manufacturing sector also offers strong support for the development of its space industry.

China actively advances international cooperation and exchanges in space and promotes space technology to better benefit people around the world.

Space and satellite technology can significantly improve the modern development of African countries in climate monitoring, seed breeding, disaster prevention and relief, communication and other fields.

China has not only assisted African countries in the manufacturing and launch of satellites on many occasions, but also fully supported them to foster the capability to independently develop the space sector. Offering high-quality training for African researchers in the designing, manufacturing, launching and controlling of satellites, China has nurtured a batch of space talents on the African continent.

At 7:33 a.m. on Nov. 30, 2022 (Beijing time), the Shenzhou-14 crew opened the hatch to welcome the Shenzhou-15 crew. Photo shows Shenzhou-15 and Shenzhou-14 crew taking a group picture after a historic gathering in space. (Photo from the China Manned Space Agency)

South Africa has launched in-depth space cooperation with China.

A China-Brazil earth resource satellite has established a ground data receiving and processing system in South Africa, which provides various services for countries in Southern Africa in the management of water and soil resources, disaster monitoring and urban planning.

In 2021, the South African National Space Agency and the Chinese side inked a Memorandum of Understanding between the Parties for Satellite Navigation Cooperation for Peaceful Purposes, which marked another important step taken by the two sides in advancing South Africa-China cooperation in the application of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.

Batches of Chinese taikonauts have entered space, becoming heroes for many African teenagers. The Talk with Taikonauts event held in September 2022, during which three Chinese taikonauts talked from space with the youth from eight African countries via video link, has planted a seed of space dreams in the heart of many African adolescents.

A memorandum of understanding between China and South Africa for satellite navigation cooperation for peaceful purposes is signed online during the Workshop on BDS-GNSS Applications in China and South Africa, Dec. 1, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Chinese Embassy in South Africa)

I sincerely congratulate China on its outstanding achievements in space and am looking forward to higher-level space cooperation between South Africa and China.

The South African space industry hopes to launch closer personnel exchanges and more intensive scientific cooperation with China, and to further expand the two sides' cooperation on the application of space technology, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

I believe South Africa and China will surely enjoy broader cooperation in space.

(Eugene Avenant is the chief engineer for the South African National Space Agency Space Operations division)

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming)
Les membres du gouvernement ont pris note quun MoU sera signe entre lEconomic Development Board et le MP Industrial Development Corporation of Madhya Pradesh, dun Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement entre le pays et les Emirats arabes unis, de lextension de la date limite des cartes Sims est maintenant le 31 decembre 2023, de lextension drl Environment Protection (Control of Single Use Plastic Products) Regulations 2020

au 14 janvier 2025 entre autres.

1. Cabinet has agreed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the MP Industrial Development Corporation of Madhya Pradesh, India and the Economic Development Board. The objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding are as follows:

(a) exchange and dissemination of non-confidential information on all economic and commercial matters, including specific industrial sectors;

(b) exchange of professional experience relating to services rendered to their members facilitating development of mutually beneficial relationship;

(c) active promotion of investments/joint ventures and exchange of business delegations;

(d) support for the organisation of activities such as seminars, conferences, road shows by specialists in Madhya Pradesh and in Mauritius, as well as trade fairs and exhibitions; and

(e) development and promotion of linkages between industries in both countries.

2. Cabinet has agreed to the Terms of Reference that establishes the principles, methodology and scope for the negotiation of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the United Arab Emirates and Mauritius.

The CEPA would include, inter alia, Chapters on Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Customs Administration and Trade Facilitation, Trade Remedies, Investment Facilitation, Trade in Services, Transparency in Government Procurement, Intellectual Property Right, Innovation and Technology Transfer, Economic Cooperation, Competition and Dispute Settlement.

3. Cabinet has agreed to the promulgation of the Information and Communication Technologies (Registration of SIM) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 so as to postpone the effective date of the Regulations to 30 June 2023 instead of 16 January 2023, and the deadline for registration of existing SIM cards from 31 July 2023 to 31 December 2023 in order to enable the operators to connect their system with all the stakeholders concerned at the same time. The Information and Communication Technologies (Registration of SIM) Regulations 2021 were promulgated in December 2021 to control the sale and use of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards in line with the recommendations of the Report of the Commission of Inquiry on Drug Trafficking published in 2018.

4. Cabinet has agreed to the Environment Protection (Control of Single Use Plastic Products) Regulations 2020 being amended to extend by two years, that is, from 15 January 2023 up to 14 January 2025, the moratorium for the banning of the following non-biodegradable single use products:

(a) plastic bowls and plastic cups used solely for the packaging of food products such as dairy products; and

(b) plastic trays used solely for the Modified Atmosphere Packaging of food such as fresh meat and pre-cooked/cooked food products.

Challenges are still being encountered by the local manufacturing industries, particularly regarding the packaging of certain foodstuffs. Pending a complete ban on the non-biodegradable single-use plastic bowls, cups and trays for these products, local manufacturing industries would be urged to send their plastic wastes to recyclers and to participate in clean-up campaigns.

5. Cabinet has agreed to the Agricultural Marketing Board being designated as the sole importer of onions and potatoes for year 2023 in order to have control over the total supply of these strategic products and ensure continuous availability of same on the local market at competitive prices for the public at large. No import permits would be issued to other importers for the year 2023, similar to years 2021 and 2022.

6. Cabinet has agreed to the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping authorising the extension period for the importation of Capitaine fish (Lethrinus sp.) until the end of February 2023.

7. Cabinet has taken note of the status regarding the implementation of the Premium Visa regime as at 31 December 2022. Some 4,313 applications were received from mid-November 2020 to 31 December 2022, out of which:

(a) 3,282 applications have been approved;

(b) 600 applications have not been entertained for not fulfilling the required criteria;

(c) 375 applications were incomplete and awaiting missing documents; and

(d) 56 applications were set aside as applicants were no longer interested in the Premium Visa scheme.

8. Cabinet has taken note of the programme of activities being organised in the context of the National Spring Festival 2023 by the United Chinese Associations, the Chinese Embassy and the China Cultural Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage, namely:

(a) the Annual Spring Festival Banquet on 18 January 2023 at the Hua Lien Club, Trianon. A cultural show would be held during the Banquet with the participation of local artists;

(b) a Float Parade on 03 February 2023, highlighting Chinese traditions such as the plugging of Foong Pao and fireworks as well as portraying the Chinese culture; and

(c) a recorded Folklore Cultural Programme to be broadcast on MBC on 22 January 2023.

9. Cabinet has taken note that the price of sugar for Crop 2022, inclusive of the value of molasses by-product has been fixed as follows:

Growing Side  Rs21,917/T of sugar @ 98.5% Pol

Milling Side  Rs21,000/T of sugar @ 98.5% Pol

The new prices have already been communicated to the Sugar Insurance Fund Board, for the determination of the general insurance premium for that crop year and the compensation to be paid in case of declaration of Event Year.

10. Cabinet has taken note of the National Action Plan on the Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in the Republic of Mauritius for Years 2023 to 2027 developed by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and various stakeholders.

The National Action Plan provides a roadmap for collaborative and complementary actions to reduce the impact of STIs in the Republic of Mauritius. The plan sets forth a clear national vision with goals, objectives, strategies, actions and indicators to drive the national response under four priority areas across the STI continuum of care, namely prevention, testing, treatment as well as ongoing care and support to populations who are particularly vulnerable to STIs, including the youths, pregnant women, mobile population (seafarers, migrant workers, foreign workers and foreign students) and other key populations.

11. Cabinet has agreed to Mauritius hosting the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) Workshop on Tax Governance, Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) from 26 to 30 January 2023.

The objectives of the Workshop are:

(a) sharing experiences and best practices from Member States to train a critical mass of experts who can provide support for capacity building on Tax Good Governance and AML/CFT in interested OACPS countries;

(b) engagement in a high-level dialogue between the OACPS Ministers and the EU Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union; and

(c) envisaging possible partnership agreements between countries on Tax Good Governance and AML/CFT.

The Workshop would be attended by some 34 OACPS Member countries.

12. Cabinet has taken note of developments with regard to the technical assistance being provided by the European Union under the Migration EU Expertise (MIEUX+) initiative to enhance the capacity of the Mauritian authorities to combat Trafficking in Persons.

The MIEUX+ team would organise a workshop from 23 to 26 January 2023, aiming at developing Standard Operating Procedures on investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases and for the management of shelters for male adult victims. The objective of the workshop is to enable the participants to develop, with the support of the MIEUX+ experts, the structure for various Standard Operating Procedures.

13. Cabinet has taken note that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) would conduct an Integrated Nuclear Security and Support Plan (INSSP) Review Mission for Mauritius from 06 to 10 February 2023 and a one-day national workshop to raise awareness on nuclear security for senior Government officials on 06 February 2023. The main objectives of the Review Mission are to:

(a) raise awareness on nuclear security and to provide a broad overview on how to develop, maintain and sustain a national nuclear security regime;

(b) identify and consolidate our nuclear security needs into the INSSP for Mauritius, that includes the necessary nuclear security improvements, based on the IAEAs Nuclear Security Series publications, to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of our national nuclear security regime; and

(c) provide a customised framework, within the INSSP for Mauritius, for coordinating and implementing nuclear security activities conducted by the State concerned, the IAEA and other partners.

14. Cabinet has taken note that the Data Protection Office would organise a Conference on 30 January 2023 to celebrate the Data Protection Day 2023. The theme would be The protection of personal data across all economic sectors in Mauritius.

The objective of the Conference would be to underscore the importance of protection of personal data in the conduct of business to build trust among data subjects. Organisations dealing with personal data would be encouraged to strengthen their data protection implementation framework and would be motivated to embark on Data Protection Certification. A newly completed e-services of the Data Protection Office, namely the e-DPO would be officially launched to showcase the increasing number of online services provided by Government to ease the life of citizens and organisations.

15. Cabinet has taken note of the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic prevailing in Mauritius. As at 11 January 2023 there were 40 active cases of COVID-19, out of which 12 were admitted at the New ENT Hospital. Over the period 05 to 11 January 2023, one death was attributed to COVID-19.

16. Cabinet has taken note that there was no suspected case of mpox in Mauritius during the period 05 to 11 January 2023.

17. Cabinet has taken note of the outcome of the Extraordinary Council of Ministers of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) which was held recently in a virtual mode. The main issues raised at the meeting were, inter alia:

(a) Observer Status of IOC with the African Union;

(b) the 5th IOC Summit of Head of States and Government to be held in 2023;

(c) Maritime Security;

(d) Reglement Interieur of the IOC; and

(e) Plan de Developpement Strategique (PDS) 2023  2033 and COI Horizon 2030 which is meant to fund the PDS over the next four years and to enable a restructuring of the Secretariat.

18. Cabinet has taken note of the election of Mr Mahendranath Busgopaul and Mr Vinesh Chintaram as Deputy Chairperson (Eastern Africa region) and Member of the 4th Permanent General Assembly of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), respectively in December 2022. Mr Busgopaul is the Secretary General of the Halley Movement and Mr Chintaram is the CEO of VISIOArchitecture.

19. Cabinet has taken note of the reconstitution of the Board of the Higher Education Commission with Dr Abdess Salem Saumtally as part-time Chairperson.

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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.

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.
Marriott International, Inc. has appointed San Francisco Bay Area hotel veteran Clif Clark as General Manager of The Westin St. Francis and Area General Manager of San Francisco. As the leader of The Westin St. Francis, he will guide the strategy and vision for the 1195-room property, inspiring a culture of uncompromising excellence while driving exceptional guest experiences and financial performance. He will also be responsible for directing operations for five additional Marriott properties located in San Francisco including Marriott Marquis, W San Francisco, JW Marriott, The Clancy, and Marriott Union Square.

Clark's outstanding 38-year career at prominent hotels on the west coast includes nearly three decades in the role of general manager at top-performing Marriott properties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. He joins The Westin St. Francis after four years leading the acclaimed Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Previously he was General Manager of the Airport Marriott Waterfront where in addition to his many duties, he oversaw a complete renovation of the property.

Clif Clark began his hospitality career 1984 as a management trainee at the Westin Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Over the next 12 years, he held management positions in the front office, operations, and food and beverage, learning all aspects of the hotel industry. In 1996, he became General Manager of the Oakland Marriott City Center. In this role, one of his top achievements was successfully negotiating a contract with the City of Oakland that granted the hotel permission to manage the adjacent Convention Center.

Throughout his esteemed career, Clark has also been Hotel Manager of the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, the second largest hotel in San Francisco, and the pre-opening General Manager of the San Jose Marriott. At both properties, he generated exceptional profits, elevated the service standards, and inspired passion and commitment from his teams.

Clark's impressive local leadership history includes serving on the Executive Board of Directors for the Hotel Council of San Francisco, the San Francisco Travel Tourism Improvement District Board, and Chairman of the Board for the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau. He serves on the Marriott Global General Manager Advisory Council and is the Marriott Business Council Guidance Team Leader for the business councils in San Francisco, Sacramento, Portland, and Seattle.

Clif Clark holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from Washington State University. While studying abroad at the University of Munich, he assisted in the research of a European hotel management textbook written by Dr. Lother Kreck.
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 hotels 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 Sonestas 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
ATLANTA  Legacy Ventures, an Atlanta-based hotel & restaurant management, and development company, assumed management of the 46-acre Lively Beach Resort on Mustang Island in Corpus Christi, Texas. Lively Beach is a unique 68-unit resort that provides guests with exclusive accommodations ranging in size from a studio to a two-bedroom, three-bathroom complete with kitchen and private decks with gulf views. This beachfront resort features an outdoor pool, scenic dunes boardwalk, nature walk, beach club, private beach access and rooftop communal spaces which provide 360-degree views of Corpus Christi Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The resort was developed by Tortuga Dunes Holding Company, LLC. whose vision was to create a unique balance between upscale amenities with an eco-friendly touch while preserving 85% of the natural resources.

We are very pleased to expand our footprint into Corpus Christi, TX and to partner with an organization that shares the same passion we have for delivering great product, service and culture. Kevin Richards, President  Legacy Ventures  Hotels

Legacy Ventures  Restaurants currently manages multiple restaurants in nearby Cinnamon Shores in Port Aransas, Texas, for related party.

Legacy Ventures  Hotels is a Hotel Management Company with a portfolio of 11 properties, comprising of 7 different brand flags, with more than 2,100 rooms, in 4 states.

ABOUT LEGACY VENTURES

Founded in 1996, Legacy Ventures specializes in hotels, restaurants, and mixed-use developments. Projects range in size from $10 million to $100 million and often involve complex financial structures or public-private collaborations. Legacy Ventures has an in-house design and construction team that includes architects, interior designers, engineers, and general contractors. Through the Legacy Ventures' promise, "Thoughtfully Enhancing the Built Environment." , it manages seven dynamic full-service properties representing 1,500+ guest rooms and ten distinctive restaurants. Legacy's portfolio encompasses a multi-disciplined approach to creating timeless places. For more information visit: LVmgt.com

Frank Phair

Legacy Ventures
Coffee - so much more than just a drink - more a way of life. The director David Lynch is famously quoted as saying that even a bad cup of coffee is better than no coffee at all. While the amount that is either good or bad for your health is still unresolved, coffee remains the most popular beverage in the world with more than 400 billion cups consumed each year. More important than the sun rising in the sky, once the taste and kick are floating around in your blood system, it seems that the day is ready to start. Senior lecturer in Food & Beverage Management, EHL's Alain Berruex takes us through some lesser known coffee facts and explains the love story between EHL and this luxuriant beverage.

Coffee origins

The first coffee trees were found in Ethiopia on a high plateau in Kaffa province, close to the Great Rift Valley. Legend says that coffee was discovered by Kaldi, a young shepherd, who saw his goats eating the berries and noticed them getting very lively. So he tried it, felt stimulated and revitalized, and brought his discovery to some Sufi monks living in Ethiopia. Originally from Yemen, the monks took the berries, trees and habit of drinking coffee back to their country.

The port of Al-Makha (Mocha) in Yemen is essential to the spread of coffee. Beans were imported from Ethiopia and then sent to the Red Sea to sacred Muslim cities, such as Mecca, Medina and Jeddah. Thanks to the pilgrims visiting those cities and returning home, coffee quickly spread to all the Arab countries and become a daily drink for Muslims. Coffee helped them stay awake and focused during night prayers. They gave the name Arabica to the bean.

At that time, merchants would walk the city streets with pushcarts and sell coffee to passersby. People used to stop, have a coffee and start chatting. This created the convivial, social link between people and the ritual of drinking coffee. Then coffee became so important that the first coffee houses opened simultaneously in two very important cities, Damascus and Aleppo, in present-day Syria. Gradually, coffee spread to other great cities, such as Istanbul, Cairo, Beirut and so on.

The first Europeans to trade coffee with the Arabs were the famous Venetian traders. They imported coffee drinking and spread it throughout Italy and Europe. The first European coffee house opened in Venice between 1645 and 1683. When coffee arrived in Europe, it was considered a luxurious, expensive and rare product. The Dutch were the first Europeans to grow coffee. They started in Sri Lanka, bringing coffee trees to Indonesia on Java Island.

The French, who also got their hands on a few coffee trees, started to grow coffee in Martinique. Then the French Governor offered a plant to the British Governor of Jamaica. Jamaica started to produce the famous Blue Mountain Grand Cru and, subsequently, the British participated in the spread of coffee around the world.

The main producers are now located in what we call the coffee belt, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Brazil is the main producer in terms of quantity per year with approximately 33% of worldwide production. It is followed by Vietnam with 16%, Colombia and Indonesia with 7%.

Source: EHL

Types of beans

Up to 124 species of the Coffea plant are known, but not all of them are edible. Only a few of them are grown to produce coffee, specifically Coffea arabica that gives us the sweeter tasting Arabica bean and Coffea canephora that produces the stronger, higher caffeined Robusta bean.

Arabica is much more delicate than Robusta. Delicate first in terms of growing: the tree cannot be exposed to too much sun, it has to grow in high altitudes and needs rich soil, such as old volcanic soils. We can feel it in the taste, Arabica beans have aromatic, fruity and delicate notes, and make up for between 60-80% of the worlds coffee production.

Conversely, Robusta trees are cheaper and easier to grow. They have deeper roots in order to get their nutrients and dont need high altitudes, just a lot of sun. In terms of taste, Robusta has earthy, strong and slightly bitter notes. Most of the time, the two beans are blended so to achieve the right balance between the delicacy of Arabica and the strength of Robusta, with a respective ratio of 80/20 being the most popular.

The fruit of the coffee tree is called a cherry. When ripe, it is opened and two beans are found in it. The beans are wet, sticky and soft. They need to be cleaned, washed and dried. After this process they are called green beans, or green coffee. This is how the beans are sold on the market, because it is easier to preserve them. Finally, the beans need to be roasted to arrive at the beautiful brown/black color we all know, and to develop their aromas. Studies have shown that a green coffee bean contains approximately 200 aromatic molecules. The same bean can show up to 800 aromatic molecules after roasting!

Source: EHL

Essential coffee tips

The coffee itself. Make sure it is well-sourced and high quality. Its good to research the Arabica/Robusta ratio that suits you best.

Make sure it is well-sourced and high quality. Its good to research the Arabica/Robusta ratio that suits you best. Grinding size. Depending on what equipment you are using, a smaller grind usually transmits a better flavor.

Depending on what equipment you are using, a smaller grind usually transmits a better flavor. Infusion time. The amount of time the coffee is in contact with the water will impact the body and aroma. For a fuller flavor, let the coffee sit a while.

The amount of time the coffee is in contact with the water will impact the body and aroma. For a fuller flavor, let the coffee sit a while. Coffee/water ratio. This affects everything about your cup of coffee. A higher coffee ratio can produce a prestigious, densely inky Ristretto, whereas a watery Caffe Lungo, considered an anathema among most Italians, looks like dull ditch water.

This affects everything about your cup of coffee. A higher coffee ratio can produce a prestigious, densely inky Ristretto, whereas a watery Caffe Lungo, considered an anathema among most Italians, looks like dull ditch water. Water flow. This refers to the speed with which the water hits the coffee. Water thats slowly injected into the coffee is better for taste and transmitting the coffees deepest personality.

This refers to the speed with which the water hits the coffee. Water thats slowly injected into the coffee is better for taste and transmitting the coffees deepest personality. Water quality and temperature. Hard water thats full of limescale will negatively alter the way the coffee molecules are released. The softer the water, the better the taste. Rainwater is supposed to be the best! Its useful to remember that the best water temperature for coffee is between 88 and 92, or just under boiling.

Some popular coffee brewing methods

Boiling

Also known as decoction (or cowboy coffee because its so easy to make). Ground coffee is placed in cold water and is slowly brought to a boil. Then you can either filter it or let the grounds settle at the bottom. Popular in countries like India, Vietnam, Turkey and Cuba, where exotic extras are often added (e.g. very sweet condensed milk or charcoal for an extra smokey flavor). The best tip here is not to over boil the water, keeping it around 90 degrees will avoid any bitterness in the taste, and do not stir the sediments at the bottom.

Source: EHL

Immersion

Often associated with the French Press coffee maker. This is the coffee experts favored method because all the aromatic molecules are given time to open up and expand smoothly and naturally at their own pace. Like tea, water is heated - (as usual, just below boiling is best)  then added to the coffee and left to brew for 2 to 5 minutes. After stirring, the famous pressing down then occurs which serves to remove the coffee grounds and tiny particles. The press also serves to squeeze out all the flavor and character from the coffee, ensuring all essential oils and antioxidants are evenly diffused.

Source: EHL

Pressure

Often associated with the 3 piece Moka pot, (also known as the stovetop espresso), and the typical espresso machine we see in Italian bars. With the Moka pot, water heats in the bottom section creating steam that rises and, under pressure, shoots up the funnel to the middle section which holds the coffee grounds. This makes the coffee wet and starts to release its aromas. After a few seconds the brewed concoction is then sucked up into the top section from which the coffee is poured. Unlike the French Press, here its best to use slightly coarser coffee grounds. The espresso machine applies much more pressure to the process thanks to its motor-driven apparatus which is responsible for the light, frothy crema around the perimeter of your cup of coffee.

Source: EHL

Storing coffee

Purists argue that ground coffee is something that should never be stored, it should be consumed ASAP once the beans have been freshly roasted and ground. However, back in the real world: air, moisture, heat and light are the things to be avoided when it comes to storage.

Its best to keep coffee in an opaque, airtight container at room temperature. Surprisingly, the fridge is not the best place for coffee in any form, ground or whole bean, even when sealed. It is simply not cold enough to keep your coffee really fresh, (its better off in the freezer), and because coffee works as a deodorizer, it will absorb all the aromas in your fridge- which will definitely have a negative impact on your morning cup!

It is recommended not to keep roasted coffee beans for more than one month. It is better to regularly buy freshly roasted coffee in small amounts and do your grinding at home just before brewing. This way, your coffee will taste better and you will be more tempted to try out new varieties.

Coffee trends

Coffee balls. Combining great flavor with sustainability, Switzerland's largest supermarket chain, Migros, has just launched a new patented brewing machine, 'CoffeeB', that uses fully compostable coffee balls individually wrapped in natural fibers. Goodbye to aluminium capsules!

Combining great flavor with sustainability, Switzerland's largest supermarket chain, Migros, has just launched a new patented brewing machine, 'CoffeeB', that uses fully compostable coffee balls individually wrapped in natural fibers. Goodbye to aluminium capsules! Coffee bags. Rather like a tea bag that contains freshly ground coffee (not instant!), this easy to use format is quick, convenient and compostable. Launched by UK tea producers, Taylors of Harrogate, the coffee bag is popular with those who don't want to invest in fancy new coffee gadgetry but just like to put the kettle on.

Rather like a tea bag that contains freshly ground coffee (not instant!), this easy to use format is quick, convenient and compostable. Launched by UK tea producers, Taylors of Harrogate, the coffee bag is popular with those who don't want to invest in fancy new coffee gadgetry but just like to put the kettle on. Superfood coffee. Coffee with vital fungi (reishi, maitake, hericium) or special spices like curcuma, lucuma or maca (Peruvian ginseng) to enhance a variety of health benefits.

Coffee with vital fungi (reishi, maitake, hericium) or special spices like curcuma, lucuma or maca (Peruvian ginseng) to enhance a variety of health benefits. Snapchilled coffee. A new variation on the theme of iced coffee where a special machine, the 'Snapchiller' rapidly chills freshly brewed hot coffee without compromising flavor, i.e., the coffee is not diluted by cold water or ice.

EHL: We love coffee!

There are many reasons that explain the fact that EHL staff and students are BIG coffee lovers. Some might argue that everyone on campus is purpose-driven with busy daily agendas that require much va-va-voum in terms of focus and energy. Others might say that it's the EHL emphasis on human interaction - part of its DNA - that fuels the need to meet over regular convivial cups of coffee, e.g., hatching plans over an espresso helps to oil the wheels of business exchanges and partnerships. It's worth noting that EHL campus Lausanne starts early and closes late - it is quite simply a place where things happen!

Here are some stimulating coffee facts that help to understand the depth of the love affair between EHL campus Lausanne and this special beverage:

For the past eight years, EHL has been coming up tops as the biggest coffee consumer in Suisse Romande (the French-speaking part of Switzerland). Nestle are 2nd place; Philip Morris are 3rd; UEFA are 4th.

EHL is the third biggest coffee consumer in all of Switzerland after Zurich-based Google in 1st place and Fifa in 2nd.

In 2021, EHL consumed 4.5 tonnes of coffee. This translates as 225,000 cups of coffee compared to only 25,000 cups of tea.

There are 28 coffee machines on EHL campus Lausanne.

EHL is currently drinking the Dallmayr coffee brand, after years of drinking Lavazza. Coffee contracts usually last three years and involve not only the ground coffee but the brand's cups and general merchandise.

The Nestle Roastelier machine is arriving soon on campus. This will make in-house roasting simple and accessible for an even more intense coffee flavor.

EHL students receive in-depth lessons in coffee during their preparatory year.

Coffee generates one of the biggest profits in the F&B sector, so it is essential to manage it well!

Last word

Just remember that a real coffee maker is no more than a crazy scientist! Alain Berruex

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

View source
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The Earthshot Prize, a global environmental prize to discover, accelerate, and scale ground-breaking solutions to repair and regenerate the planet, has begun its 2023 search for breakthrough solutions to solve the globes biggest environmental challenges.

MultiChoice (www.MultiChoice.com), the official African broadcast partner and member of The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance, is issuing a call for entries from African organizations, businesses, governments, and individuals who are doing scalable and impactful work in this capacity. Potential nominees can enter into any of the five categories of the Earthshot Prize, including: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean our Air, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World and Fix our Climate. The Prize is awarded annually to five winners, each receiving a US$1.2 million/ R 20 million (1 million) prize grant to scale their projects.

Each year, The Earthshot Prize launches a global search for breakthrough solutions, with a worldwide network of more than 350 nominating individuals and organizations from 66 countries tasked with ushering the process through. As an official nominator, MultiChoice has established an official entry portal (https://bit.ly/3X3Rr8Q) and asks that all submissions be submitted by 27 January 2023. Representatives from MultiChoice will then review these entries and officially nominate selections directly to The Earthshot Prize.

By entering this prestigious prize, African innovators will be afforded the platform to pitch their solutions, inspire other corporates to join the fight against climate change and motivate governments to prioritize climate change as part of their national agendas, said Imtiaz Patel, Chairman, MultiChoice Group. If you have a worthy intervention whose solution makes significant progress towards achieving any of the five Earthshots, we urge you to send in your nomination and be part of the solution.

When The Earthshot Prize was first launched in 2021, three African organizations were selected as finalists namely, Sanergy (from Kenya), Reeddi Capsules (from Nigeria) and Pole Pole Foundation (from the Democratic Republic of Congo).

On December 2, 2022, Prince William and The Earthshot Prize revealed the 2022 winners. African based Mukuru Clean Stoves, a start-up providing cleaner-burning stoves to women in Kenya to reduce unhealthy indoor pollution and provide a safer way to cook, won the coveted environmental prize during the inspirational awards ceremony hosted in Boston.

In addition to the US$1.2 million/ R 20 million (1 million) prize, Mukuru Clean Stoves will benefit from a global network of professional and technical support to scale their work.

This includes access to resources across numerous professions and sectors including manufacturing, retail, supply chains, legal advice, digital technology, business strategy and government relations via The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance. The Prize will allow Mukuru Clean Stoves to create an even cleaner stove that burns ethanol, and within three years, they hope to reach one million customers. Within the decade, they hope to expand their impact to ten million people all over Africa.

The final five winners were selected from a group of 15 finalists from 10 different countries

by The Earthshot Prize Council  a global team of influential individuals committed to championing positive action in the environmental space.

The five Earthshot Prize Winners for 2022 are:

Protect and Restore Nature: Kheyti, India: A pioneering solution for local smallholder farmers to reduce costs, increase yields and protect livelihoods in a country on the frontlines of climate change.

Clean our Air: Mukuru Clean Stoves, Kenya: A start-up providing cleaner-burning stoves to women in Kenya to reduce unhealthy indoor pollution and provide a safer way to cook.

Revive our Oceans: Indigenous Women of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia: An inspiring women-led programme that combines 60,000 years of indigenous knowledge with digital technologies to protect land and sea.

Build a Waste-free World: Notpla, United Kingdom: A circular solution creating an alternative to plastic packaging from seaweed.

Fix our Climate: 44.01, Oman: Childhood friends who have developed an innovative technique to turn CO2 into rock, and permanently store it underground.

At MultiChoice, we are driven by our Purpose to Enrich Lives, therefore the future of the African continent, its natural resources, and our communities require that we work together with our partners to create a world where everyone thrives for generations to come. It is for this reason that we are not only urging African innovators to enter the environmental prize, but we have also partnered with The Earthshot Prize to help accelerate and spotlight the ingenuity and ambition of innovators, activists and scientists across Africa who are working to address the climate crisis on the African continent and around the world.

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Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej and H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana, and Ambassador of Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com) More Than a Mother along with 12 African First Ladies of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Angola, and Central Africa inaugurated 9th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022.

More than 10,000 participants including healthcare providers, policymakers, researchers, academia, and media representatives from 70 English, French, Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries attended the hybrid Luminary  onsite and online. Botswana First Lady together with Senator Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and other 12 African First Ladies marked together the 5th Anniversary of Merck Foundation and 10-year journey of their development programs by sharing the impact of their partnership programs with Merck Foundation to build healthcare capacity, support girl education and break infertility stigma. Watch the overview of the 2-day Hybrid 9th Edition of the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022 here: https://bit.ly/3GZ0mCL

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, conducted their annual conference, the 9th Edition of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary on 15th & 16th November 2022, as a hybrid conference (onsite and online). The conference was inaugurated by Prof. Dr. Frank Stangenberg-Haverkamp, Chairman of both of Executive Board of E.Merck KG and Merck Foundation Board of Trustees, and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and Chairperson of Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary, and H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of the Republic of Botswana & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother amongst 12 other African First Ladies of: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Angola and Central Africa.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, I am very proud of our partnership with my dear sister, H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of the Republic of Botswana and Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother, since 2018. We had a long meeting during 9th edition of our luminary to discuss our joint programs and strategy and report its impact. We were very proud that in a very short span, we have made a great impact together through our programs. We have provided 31 scholarships to young Botswanan doctors in many critical and underserved specialties like Diabetes, Endocrinology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Oncology, Respiratory Medicines, Acute Medicines and Sexual and Reproductive Medicines and more. Together we are transforming patient care landscape in the country.

H.E. Mrs. NEO JANE MASISI, The First Lady of Botswana & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother shared, Our partnership with Merck Foundation started in 2018 and since then, we have achieved very important milestones. Other than providing 31 scholarships to our local doctors in many important specialties, which is a big achievement for us, we also introduced many innovative programs that engage different sectors to raise awareness about sensitive social and health issues such as Stopping GBV, Breaking Infertility Stigma, Supporting Girl Education, Ending Child Marriage & FGM, Empowering Women, prevention & early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension.

We launched together a Poster Contest on Stop GBV initiative to end Gender-Based Violence in Botswana and Merck Foundation provided 20 Sewing Machines to the women groups who suffer GBV across Botswana to be able to generate monthly income.

We have also closely worked together to create childrens storybook with the aim to stop GBV and support Girl education and end child marriage.

Watch the video of The First Lady of Botswana & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation Africa Asia Luminary 2022 here: https://bit.ly/3ZGtFS2

Watch the meeting between Merck Foundation CEO, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej and Botswana First Lady, H.E. Mrs. Neo Jane Masisi: https://bit.ly/3XtVXxf

Merck Foundation also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of Botswana for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.

Together with Botswana First Lady, Merck Foundation has provided 1 Scholarship to a doctor for Oncology Fellowship program in India. She successfully completed the course and back to the country to serve the people.

Merck Foundation has also provided 16 scholarships for PG Diploma and MSc in Diabetes and PG Diploma in Endocrinology to young doctors from different provinces in Botswana to strengthen diabetes care in the country.

4 scholarships for PG Diploma and MSc in Acute Medicine and 1 scholarship for Respiratory Medicine have also been provided, along with 1 scholarship for PG Diploma in Dermatology and 1 scholarship for PG Diploma in Gastroenterology.

Considering the limited number of Gynecologists in Botswana, and to significantly improve Womens Health in general and Reproductive Health in particular, Merck Foundation provided 7 scholarships for PG Diploma and MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Medicine. The expertise of trained doctors will help to add significant value to womens health and enhance the ability of the doctors in addressing fertility and infertile couples across Botswana.

Merck Foundation has always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity and has been working for it since 2012. We will continue to provide medical training to Botswanan doctors in various medical specialties in partnership with the First Lady of Botswana, assured Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

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MCLA Panel to Explore Art, Race, Nationality and Gender

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.  Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Arts & Culture (MAC) will host a panel discussion, "Modes of Relationship," focused on art, race, nationality, and gender on Jan. 26, 2023, with artist-in-residence WANG Chen and Mikayla Patton, artist-in-residence at The Studios at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).

The discussion will take place at 5 p.m. at the MCLA Design Lab on 49 Main St. The event is free and open to the public.

The panelists will reflect on the contemporary art world that insists on the ideas of authenticity and identity in their work. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Eunice Uhm, Assistant Professor of art history and museum studies at MCLA.

According to a press release:

"Modes of Relationship" question what it means to work as an artist with marginal identities and how identities inform artistic practices. The topics stem from the narrative Patrick Flores questions, "how can women's art be deterred from reiterating the logic of objectification if it is to change it by reiterating its subjectivities?" Or Joan Kee's question, "are affiliations of nation, race, and gender more important than those chosen by the artist or her work, even to the point where the latter is displaced by the former?"
Lanesborough Police/Ambulance Building Estimated at $5.9M

LANESBOROUGH, Mass.  The new estimated cost for the town's proposed combined police and ambulance facility is $5.9 million, which is lower than what the committee expected for the project.

Police Station Committee Chair Kristen Tool presented the estimate, which includes about $4.7 million in fixed costs and $750,000 in soft costs, to the Select Board on Monday. She said architect Brian Humes of Jacunski Humes Architects based the estimate on the proposed site plan the committee shared at the beginning of last December.

"Everything in this process has worked out better than I expected it to, to this point," she said. "... It's a long process, it's a big scary number, but it's not going to be the full amount on the taxpayers."

Tool said the estimate, which plans for a 12-month construction period, is actually lower than what she had expected for the project cost. She said this amount does not include a $1 million earmark for the project from the state and potential grant funding.

"Originally, Brian had told us that it would be between $6.5 and $7 million, he was expecting," she said. "So for it to come back at $5.9 million already is great."

Regarding grants, Tool said the committee will focus on state funds first. She said she planned to meet with state Sen. Paul Mark continue discussions of the project and the new cost estimates.

"He knows what kind of money I'm going to be asking him to help us find. And so now we can really start, in earnest, looking for that money," Tool said, noting the project could benefit from American Rescue Plan Act funds, which need to be allocated by the end of next year.

Additionally, Tool noted that the water district voted to waive the $3,000 hookup fee for the building.

"Little bits coming in here and there, it all makes a difference," she said. "It all speaks to the community support for this project."

The final location for the project is still not public, as the Select Board continues to negotiate with a property owner on a finalized agreement for a parcel. The Baker Hill Road District has given the town $150,000 to purchase land for the building, which still has to be approved by a taxpayer vote.

Board member Michael Murphy said he feels the town is ahead of the curve compared to other communities looking to expand their police and emergency service buildings.

"We're striking while the iron is hot, I believe," he said, inviting anyone with questions, comments or concerns to reach out. "We're doing our due diligence, and the effort of you as the chair, your committee members, the community who are in support of this; very very important."

In other business:

Town Accountant Katie Lemanski and Lynne Lemanski provided an update on several issues regarding town finances. Lynne said she expects the town's free cash to take longer to certify, noting that things had been slowed because of turnover in town staff last year.

"We didn't actually get the final numbers until December, so we're kind of crunching now to try to get everything done," she said, noting she expects free cash to be certified sometime in March. "We just wanted to let everybody know because free cash will not be certified probably as soon as it was in the past because we had those holdups."

Murphy thanked the two for working on fixing finance issues and discussing the topic in a public meeting.

Kirt Maryland, of Housatonic Solar LLC, provided the board an update on the town's solar agreement with EDF Renewables, with the board voting to approve it. He said EDF has two years to get permitting and other work done, otherwise the contract terminates.

"It gives them the right to file for interconnections, start the permitting, go through all that," he said. "They still gotta go through all the local boards and that's where you're going to get a lot of the details worked out."

In October last year, the board voted to pick EDF to design, permit, install, finance, own, operate and maintain two solar photovoltaic systems in town. The lease amount is $116,000 a year over 25 years.

Finance Committee member Stephen Wentworth came before the board to ask to be put on a future agenda to discuss the town budget process for the upcoming year.

"We've had our tax classification hearing, we have a new town administrator coming, and we have the start of the budget process in the near future," he said. "I have put together a chart that makes a projection on where our average tax will be in a half-dozen years, and I'd like to speak to it."

Board member Timothy Sorrell asked if it would be better for the Finance Committee to meet with department heads, which Wentworth said they discussed at their last meeting.

"I fully support that because I think it's the way that it should be done," Sorrell said.
One of 2022s near-perfect films is now in limited theatrical release in the U.S., with a two-week run at the Gene Siskel Film Center.

Saint Omer marks the narrative feature debut of the French documentary filmmaker Alice Diop. Set mostly in the northeastern French town of the title, it concerns a Paris professor following a murder trial there as primary research for her next book. That book, whose working title (which her publisher doesnt like) is Medea Castaway, ties into the legacy of the Euripidean Medea myth and a forbidding question for the ages: How does a dramatist effectively humanize the act of infanticide?

A woman who has killed her baby cant really expect any sympathy, says the accused murderer, a Senegalese emigrant living in France in Saint Omer, explaining what she has experienced in prison since her arrest. She speaks with calm, unsettling certainty; shes at once resigned and resolved to speak the truth. Then she adds: I shared their horror.

Diops film, which won awards at the Venice Film Festival, is set up Janus-style as a mirrored consideration of two main characters, the accused and an increasingly invested observer. Working with screenwriter Amrita David, co-writer and director Diop, born of Senegalese parents, begins with a visual premonition. At night, on the beach, the accused murderer played by Guslaigie Malanda walks along the sand with her 15-month-old daughter wrapped in a blanket. The woman dreaming this, the academic and novelist played by Kayije Kagame, is envisioning what shes about to learn: the story of how that mother got to this point in her life, and why.

On trial in the courtroom, Malandas fiercely contained character, Laurence, reveals details of the horror, coaxed by her empathetic defense attorney (Aurelia Petit) and badgered by the prosecutor (Robert Cantarella). An aspiring Ph.D. student in philosophy, Laurence believes she was cursed by her family for becoming, in her words, an Oreo, learning to speak and act like a white Parisian woman with colonialist airs.

Twice her age, a weak and self-serving man still married to someone else, Laurences lover (Xavier Maly) apparently kept Laurence, and then their unwanted child, squirreled away from the rest of his life. This isolated, invisible woman, as the counselor calls her, turned inward, started hallucinating and finally killed her child at high tide.

Novelist Rama watches this trial unfold in her own, related state of suspended animation. She too has a fraught relationship with a Senegalese mother. She too knows the ever-present Othering of being a Black woman praised (tolerated?) by white colonialist traditional France for being so well-spoken and intelligent. There are other links between the women as well.

In so many instances, films about someone forever changed by someone elses tragedy have a way of selling the someone-else short in dramatic terms. Not here. Saint Omer balances screen time, and our appreciation of Laurence and Rama, with unerring shrewdness. By the end, with Nina Simones version of the Rodgers & Hart standard Little Girl Blue accompanying images of the empty streets of Saint Omer, Diop has turned a straightforward premise into the stuff of unassuming, unexpected and authentic poetry.

The movie is inspired by a real case, one which Diop herself followed very closely to the point of obsession. Saint Omer proceeds with a steady rhythm that never feels studied; the courtroom sequences play out in widely varying stretches of screen time, the first and longest running 40-plus minutes, not a minute wasted. Diops work as a documentarian, best known for the panoramic French societal portrait Nous, serves her well here. And this is a film without a speck of faux-documentary fakery, deployed all too often to impart a lazy sense of urgency and realism. Saint Omer relishes the opportunity to observe someone in closeup, listening, processing, remembering.

The judge in the fictionalized movies court of law, played with remarkable concentration and command by Valerie Dreville, gradually joins the crucial faces and voices in the drama unfolding. So much in the courtroom, and in Ramas time away from it, back in Paris or lunching with the accuseds mother, circles the matter of mothers and daughters, outsiders and insiders, immigrants in modern-day France facing bone-deep cultural dislocation. Those issues are part of everything in the narrative, but above all Saint Omer is a singularly moving courtroom drama. It bodes extremely well for this filmmakers next feature.

Saint Omer  4 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: PG-13 (brief strong language and some thematic elements)

Running time: 2:02

How to watch: Premieres in Chicago Jan. 13, continuing through Jan. 26 at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St; siskelfilmcenter.org.

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune
Allentown School Board appointed a community nonprofit leader and a higher education administrator to serve on the board in a Thursday special meeting called to fill two vacancies left by recent resignations.

Andrene Brown and Evelyn Santana  both district parents  will fill vacancies left by now-state Sen. Nick Miller and longtime board Director Charlie Thiel. They were appointed in a 7-0 vote after being chosen as the boards top two out of eight candidates.

Miller announced his resignation last month ahead of his term as state senator. Thiels resignation became public Wednesday when it was listed on the meetings agenda. In his resignation letter, Thiel cited professional obligations as the reason for his departure. He was not present at Thursdays meeting, and has not responded to requests for comment.

Brown and Santana will be sworn in at the next board meeting Jan. 26 and serve as school directors until December 2023. To serve past then, they will have to run in the November election.

I thought that both individuals showed knowledge and background of the kind of community service that we provide, board President Audrey Mathison said of the new board members.

Andrene Brown, founder and executive director of Fine Feather Foundation, was appointed to Allentown School Board Thursday, January 12, 2023. She will serve until December 2023, and must run in the November election if she wants to serve on the board longer.

Brown is executive director of Fine Feather Foundation, a nonprofit that works with Allentown youth to encourage mental wellness through arts programming. Brown said she will use this experience to help the district seek out more grants, donations and untapped funds.

She has two children in Allentown middle schools and has lived in the city for a decade. She is originally from Jamaica and previously lived in New York. Before founding her nonprofit, Brown worked as a business manager contracted to work with retailers like Bloomingdales. She has 20 years of business management experience in finances, personnel and customer service.

Brown recently applied for a seat on Allentown City Council vacated by state Rep. Josh Seigel in December, but was not appointed.

Im excited to be able to serve in this capacity, Brown said after being appointed to the school board. Weve been serving from the ground level with our organization doing after-school programming and summer camp, and I think being able to assess the needs of students on that level will further help me to be able to serve on this board and be effective at it.

Evelyn Santana is an Allen High School graduate and former 5th-grade teacher in the district. She is a first-generation American. Her family is originally from the Dominican Republic, and she moved to Allentown from New York with her family as a teenager. She is also the parent of a district student.

Santana is also a first-generation college graduate, who went on to earn her doctorate in higher education, leadership and innovation. She wrote the dissertation, Factors that Effect Retention and Graduation in Minority Students in College.

Santana works as an executive director at Harcum College, a private two-year college, where she sits on the presidents cabinet and serves as a committee member for the schools board of trustees. Her career has given her insight into finances, strategic planning, enrollment, policy and program approval, she said.

Evelyn Santana, an executive director at a two-year college, was appointed to Allentown School Board on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. She will serve until December 2023, and must run in the November election if she wants to serve on the board longer.

I am eager to get into the district and be hands on to see what changes I can bring, Santana said after being voted onto the board. A lot of my experience is higher education, but I initially started K-12, and I really do think with new initiatives and innovations we can really change things around for the district, so Im really looking forward to just getting started.

Including Brown and Santana, eight applicants were interviewed publicly for the vacancies Thursday. All the applicants were current or former district parents, or district graduates themselves.

The applicants were asked the same questions to gauge their opinions on charter schools, board ethics, district unions, finances, student academic achievement, staff professional development and overall perceived district strengths and weaknesses.

Browns top priorities are arts programming in schools, mental health awareness, school safety and addressing the impacts of the opioid epidemic.

The defining role of my life is being a mother, being a community leader and also being a community advocate, she said during her interview.

Brown said she sees the boards role as one of hiring and managing the superintendent, overseeing the budget and implementing policies and procedures. She said transparency with the community is essential.

The new board members will likely help the district choose a permanent superintendent, following the controversial exit of former Superintendent John Stanford. The board has not yet announced a timeline for the superintendent selection process, and Carol Birks continues to serve as acting superintendent.

Brown also wants to see the district collaborate with local organizations and be more proactive in addressing issues, instead of reactive. We are reacting to fires, we are reacting to issues, she said.

The districts greatest strength is its teachers, she said. Brown thinks student academic achievement can be bolstered through arts and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Students are not using both sides of their brain, she said. Statistics show that if students are using the left and the right, they do well academically.

When it comes to charter schools, Brown said the district could keep students in neighborhood public schools by offering programs families seek out through charters, such as arts and innovation programming, as well as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programming.

I think she has an understanding of what its like not only as a parent, but as a community leader, school Director LaTarsha Brown said of Andrene Brown. They are not related. She comes out to the meetings and speaks her truth, and I appreciate that.

In her interview, Santana said she sees the board as responsible for total district oversight, including school policies, curriculum, budget decisions and discipline.

Santana said she needs to learn more about how charters operate, but knows district dollars follow students to these schools in the form of charter tuition payments. She didnt express her opinion on how charter schools impact the district.

As for district strengths, Santana pointed to diversity. That diversity is coming right back into the community, she said. In her work in higher education, shes seen how a lack of diversity can hinder students. She said staff diversity training is essential to continue fostering this strength.

When it comes to challenges, Santana said one of the biggest district concerns is parent engagement. She said parents need to know how important education is for students; she wants to see the district offer workshops for parents.

I dont think that we are doing the best job that we could be doing for students after they graduate high school and go out into the workforce or college or whatever it is theyre going to do, she said, noting students have to be prepared to contribute to society whether its by going to college or not.

In addition to Santana and Brown, other interviewees included: Louis Holzman, Karen Ocasio, Shellie Santiago, Kiara Santos, Zaleeae Sierra and Ana Tiburcio. Applicant Milagros Canales, president of the Old Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association, was not present Thursday and did not interview before the board.

The board informally shared their top two choices to fill the vacancies before jointly voting to appoint Brown and Santana because the two were informal favorites shared by the majority of the board. There was no public discussion of the interviews by the seven board members; they simply shared their top two choices to fill the vacancies.

All board members besides Jennifer Lynn Ortiz listed Brown in their top two choices. Ortiz listed Santana and Tiburcio, a district graduate and parent who has worked as a tax preparer for a decade. Tiburcio also translates district information into Spanish for community members, she said.

Santana was also a top-two choice for Mathison, Wilt and school Director Lisa Conover, along with Brown.

School Directors Phoebe Harris and LaTarsha Brown also included Tiburcio in their top choices, along with Brown.

Palmer was the only board member to place Ocasio in his top two choices, along with Brown. Ocasio is an ASD graduate and parent who works for the city of Allentown as a benefits manager.

Of the remaining applicants, Holzman is a district graduate and business development manager at Altitude Marketing in Emmaus; Santiago is a district graduate and a former teacher who runs her own business, Lettering for Freedom, through which she designs hand-lettered signs and gifts; Santos is a district graduate and store protection specialist at Ross in Whitehall; and Sierra is a 2021 district graduate who works as a youth coordinator with Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley.

I dont want anyone to be discouraged, Conover said of the applicants, noting they should consider running in future school board elections. We want those persons who did not get chosen to join us, follow us, dont stop just because you werent chosen tonight.

Morning Call reporter Jenny Roberts can be reached at 484-903-1732 and jroberts@mcall.com.
Japanese global apparel retailer UNIQLO launches UNIQLO at Work this January, highlighting their roster of comfort work pieces, giving quality and comfort for professionals looking to elevate their everyday work wear.

Local entrepreneur Vanessa Caro, content creator and model Joaquin Tiu, host Angela Tan and celebrity stylist Bea Constantino onstage discussing their favorite UNIQLO work wear pieces

UNIQLO hosted the first leg of their Style Talks Series in Festive Walk Iloilo last January 11. Ilonggos were given tips on how to style their different UNIQLO work wear pieces that can fit any type of workplace setting from smart to business casual.

The event was hosted by Angela Tan, together with celebrity stylist Bea Constantino, as well as entrepreneur Vanessa Caro, and content creator and model Joaquin Tiu. The speakers highlighted their own work styles and needs, and how they utilize and style their own favorite LifeWear pieces.

Celebrity stylist Bea Constantino showcasing how to style and layer the different LifeWear pieces

Your style is definitely something that you can build on over time. Invest in quality pieces that you feel good in, as well as dont be afraid to bend the rules; experiment with color, different shapes and silhouettes, says Bea Constantino.

I think the most important thing is feeling good in what you wear. Comfort and style can definitely go hand in hand. With my favorite UNIQLO LifeWear pieces, I always feel stylish and confident when I go about my everyday activities, says Vanessa Caro.

In my line of work, I want my outfits to represent my style and who I am as a content creator. UNIQLO allows me to sport stylish but comfy everyday attire that I can bring from shoots to events, to going out on my off time with my friends and family, says Joaquin Tiu.
Shark Tank India 2 returned to television, encouraging Indians to listen to their entrepreneurial instincts. The sharks have heard various pitches for almost two weeks since the show aired.

The business began in a kitchen that was just 200 square feet in size.

Geeta, fondly known as Patil Kaki, began making handmade snacks in 2017. Due to the pandemic, she launched her own business in 2020 under Patil Kaki.

She did so directly because of the overwhelmingly positive feedback from her friends and family. She makes a variety of delicious snacks, some of which are Puran poli, modak, karanji, ladoo, and shankarpali, among many others.

SonyLiv

"We started by serving breakfast at the BMC office. Impressed by our cooking, the employees got a letter from the ward office, allowing us to serve them at the office. However, when the lockdown started, the problems started again. Thats when I started with snacks like chakli, chivda, etc.," said Patil on the show.



According to The Better India, Geeta Patil was motivated to start selling her handmade meals after hearing stories about how her aai or mother made tiffins for 20 people daily.

She has been cooking and selling meals out of love before 2016. But after that, she developed it into a legitimate business as she had to run the home.

Instagram/Patil Kaki

"I couldnt afford to take it easy any longer. The first order came from a family in Khar. The best part is that even today, we get orders from them regularly," shared Geeta with The Better India.



Gradually, requests from workplaces began trickling in as well. The pandemic, however, prompted her also to make and sell dry snacks.

Geeta told Indian Express that she had been overwhelmed by the support she has received since the episode aired on Shark Tank India.

Her son Vinit, who is now 21, added that his mother has become famous and that people frequently ask to take pictures with her.

Zeal to grow + Trusted Payments Partner = A successful high-growth business.



Having powered Patil Kakis growth journey with their robust payments stack, heres how Cashfree Payments celebrated their deal on Shark Tank India Season 2. pic.twitter.com/T348mAEocd  sonytv (@SonyTV) January 12, 2023

He said their success shouldn't be judged by how many people share their content on social media but by how many people visit their website.

This #PatilKaki pitch on Shark Tank was so wholesome. Also 21 year olds helping their moms set up businesses is the India Im rooting for :)  punkster (@Punkster101) January 6, 2023

"Our website crashed after the episode, proving that people wanted to try our products," he shared.

CEO of Sugar Cosmetics, Vineeta Singh, offered 40 lakhs for 10% equity valuing Patil Kaki at four crores.

web screen grab

Almost immediately, boAt co-founder Aman Gupta surpassed by tripling her offer: 40 lakh for 5% ownership, valuing the company at eight crores.



Instagram/AmanGupta

Peyush Bansal, co-founder of Lenskart, and Anupam Mittal, co-founder of Shaadi.com, offered Kaki an offer he couldn't refuse: 40 lakh for 4% equity, with a valuation of 10 crores.

The founders of Patil Kaki decided to accept a joint offer from Bansal and Mittal rather than a similar offer from Gupta, who had offered the same amount.



To contact Patil Kaki and place an order, please visit this link.



(To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment)


An Indian-origin doctor, Manish Shah, has been awarded two more life terms by a UK criminal court in addition to the three he was already serving for the sexual abuse of 28 women over four years.



The 53-year-old doctor was handed two life terms, a minimum of 10 years each after he was convicted in a trial last month of 25 sexual assaults against four women at his clinic in east London, BBC reported.



Twitter

115 offences against 28 women

Shah was already serving three life sentences for 90 previous offences and the further jail terms will run concurrently with the earlier sentences.



Owing to the new sentencing, the medical professional is now convicted of 115 offences of sexual assault against 28 women aged between 15 and 34.



During the trial, it was alleged that Shah, using high-profile cases of celebrities, coaxed his female patients to undergo undue intimate examinations for his sexual gratification over four years from 2009.

Doctor remained 'danger to women'

At the Central Criminal Court sentencing, Judge Peter Rook stated that Shah remained a "danger to women" and his behaviour caused "long-term psychological damage" to his victims.

Representational Image

In the December trial, the court heard that Shah maintained his image as a caring and considerate doctor, prepared to go "above and beyond" for his patients by performing extra examinations.



But prosecutor Riel Karmy-Jones KC elaborated on how Shah "manipulated and abused" women.



'He preyed on the vulnerable'

Shah's youngest victim, aged 15, in her impact statement, said that Shah told her that she was his "favourite" and "would do well in modelling". At the same time, he also warned her of cancer risk.

Unsplash/Representational Image

She sought the doctor's acknowledgement for the "mind-blowing" damage he induced by his "sick and twisted" conduct.



Another victim said Shah's failure to admit his misdeeds made things worse.

"He just put me through more and more trauma. He preyed on the vulnerable," she said.

Doctor termed assaults as ' defensive medicine'

During a 2020 trial, Shah denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the assaults were "defensive medicine".



In 2020 Shah was given three life sentences for 90 sexual assaults on female patients.



At an earlier trial in 2018, he was convicted of offences relating to 18 people, bringing the total number of violations to 90 relating to 23 patients.



The December trial brought the number of victims to 28.



(With PTI inputs)

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


To the congregations of three Lutheran churches in Bethlehem, a merger seemed like a natural choice.

As is the case with churches across the country  less than half of U.S. adults are churchgoers, down 20 points compared with 1999  their membership had declined over the years.

So around three years ago, the congregations of St. Johns Windish Lutheran Evangelical Church, Light of Christ Lutheran Church and St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran began negotiations to combine their three churches. Members formed a unity team and a transition team, and began holding joint worships.

Youre not sure when you set out on a journey where youre going to go, but on every step of the way, it seemed like the right thing to do, said Carol Henn, a congregation member and media spokesperson for St. Johns Windish. The people in all three congregations are wonderful and have blended very nicely together.

That process was scheduled to culminate last weekend in a vote to officially merge congregations and sell the three churches and a parking lot owned by St. Johns Windish.

But the process ground to a halt when the Bethlehem Parking Authority threatened to take the parking lot, on East Fourth Street across the road from the church, via eminent domain.

The parking authority has since backed down on the threat, but its unclear how and when the sale and merger will move forward. And to South Side Bethlehem residents, the legacy of a church that has been central to many of their lives is unknown.

As three churches come together, dispute centers on St. Johns Windish

St Peters on Vine Street was founded by German immigrants more than 120 years ago. The stone church building, with its ornate stained glass window just above the main doorway, is just one block from Lehigh Universitys campus.

St. Johns Windish traces its roots back more than 110 years, to the influx of immigrants from the former Austro-Hungarian empire, specifically the Windish people, who come from Prekmurje, a mountainous region in modern-day Slovenia. Its another historic building, stretching over nearly half the city block with a steeple that rises toward the top of Bethlehems skyline.

Light of Christ is on the citys North Side and is a product of another merger of Bethlehem churches  St. Matthews Lutheran and Messiah Lutheran, which combined in 2017. The building, in a northeast Bethlehem neighborhood, is red brick and more modest than the two historic south Bethlehem churches.

St. Johns Windish church  and its parking lot  have been at the center of the ordeal.

To many South Side neighbors, St. Johns is more than just a church. Its a fixture in a tight-knit neighborhood known for its diversity, even to those who arent members of the congregation.

St. Johns has always been part of the community, said Rachel Leon, a Bethlehem City Council member and longtime South Side resident. My story isnt St. Johns story, but you cant tell the story of Rachel without telling the story of St. Johns.

You talk to any South Side resident and they have some story, whether they go there to vote, went to a birthday party there, went to a resources fair at the gym or a summer camp, said Anna Smith, a south Bethlehem resident and executive director of Community Action Bethlehem.

The church parking lot on East Fourth Street extends across an entire city block. Its a notable plot of land as one of the only open spaces in the densely built and populated South Side neighborhood.

That is why the parking authority intervened, according to Executive Director Steve Fernstrom. The dense neighborhood could not afford to lose that many parking spaces: the authority has leased sections of the lot for use as public parking for over 20 years.

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.

The eminent domain threat put the entire deal into jeopardy: Lawyers advised church officials that threat could lead to all three of the church properties being seized, according to a news release from the churches.

But the parking authority will not pursue eminent domain, after all; in a letter dated Jan. 11, the authority said it will not stand in the way of a future sale of the three properties. Instead, the authority said it expects the future property owner to abide by the authoritys lease with the church, which expires in 2026.

Bethlehem Parking Authority Chair Dino Cantelmi did not say why the parking authority switched course but said he supports the churches.

My roots run deep in Bethlehem, I know a lot of the people that are involved and I certainly, personally do not want to stand in their way, and neither does the parking authority, Cantelmi said.

St. Johns Windish Lutheran Churchs parking lot in Bethlehem is seen Wednesday. The merger and sale of three Bethlehem churches was placed on hold after a notice from the Bethlehem Parking Authority that it would try to take the parking lot by eminent domain. The authority backed off that threat Wednesday.

Lehigh University or Bethlehem? Competing bids show rift

St. Johns deep-rooted legacy in the community is why news of the sale and merger brought mixed feelings for many neighbors.

The three churches received bids from Lehigh University and the city to buy the properties. Bethlehem originally bid $3.5 million while Lehigh University bid $3.7 million, but the city later announced it would match Lehighs offer.

Several residents have publicly urged the churches to sell to the city over Lehigh University. Their lack of trust is rooted in Lehigh Universitys history on the South Side.

In the 1950s, Lehigh University took advantage of the federal governments urban renewal policies to raze a south Bethlehem neighborhood and expand its campus.

That history of Bethlehems lost neighborhood is detailed in a 2013 Lehigh University project, called Still Looking for You, put together by the schools library and technology team.

Leon said she is skeptical about Lehighs bid for St. Johns Windish in particular, as it is far from the bounds of Lehigh Universitys campus. She worries it could be a further effort to encroach on the south Bethlehem community.

There is a history here between south Bethlehem and Lehigh, and it is not a good one, Leon said.

Lehigh University officials, although they have not detailed how they plan to use the space, said the school is committed to a community-driven process if it acquires the properties.

Weve entered this process in good faith and we see this purchase as creating opportunities for Lehigh to collaborate with the community, local and regional officials, and a range of neighborhood organizations, university spokesperson Lori Friedman said in a statement.

Even with Lehighs commitment, neighbors see the city as a better choice for one reason: accountability. While Lehighs board of trustees is accountable to the students and university stakeholders, Bethlehems city council and mayor are elected by and accountable to Bethlehem residents, some argued.

Lehigh is governed by a board of trustees who are charged with advancing the universitys mission, Smith said. Their board of trustees has no obligation to consider the impact of their actions on surrounding community.

Bethlehem has said the city is likely to use the properties for affordable housing; city advocates have long called for the city to expand its affordable housing stock.

Remaly said the sale, which is still indefinitely postponed, could still go either way. Though the individual councils initially voted to accept Lehigh Universitys offer, the full congregation could make a different decision.

The St. Johns Windish congregation held a meeting session last Sunday where local neighbors were invited to share their thoughts on the sale. Several, including Leon and Smith, urged the church to sell to the city instead of the university.

Ive never seen that, where the church would open their doors and let the community be part of the conversation, even though their future isnt on the South Side, Smith said. It was a beautiful moment that this church did this outreach and let us come in.

Remaly said the congregation took those public comments to heart. But it also must weigh the priorities of the community with the needs of the church; the amount the merged congregation receives from the sale will determine where its new church is located and allow it to continue programming.

It was quite enlightening to hear from the community on South Side Bethlehem, and that didnt fall on deaf ears, Remaly said.

We understand that what we do will possibly dramatically impact what happens on the South Side of Bethlehem, he added. But we have a delicate balance to make, because we also have a responsibility to the three congregations that are trying to merge together.

Morning Call reporter Lindsay Weber can be reached at liweber@mcall.com.
In a shocking incident, a man in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar kidnapped and assaulted a policeman after he was stopped from continuously honking his car's horn.

Representational Image

On Wednesday, Chandrahas alias Hallu Dangi, brother of a local BJP leader, abducted the Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police (ASI), Ramlal Ahirwar, Free Press Journal reported.



Cop was on duty during abduction

As per the report, ASI Ahirwar, a cop at the Gourjhamar police station, was doing duty at the bus stand when the incident occurred.



In the area, ASI Ahirwar spotted Chandrahas, who was continually honking the vehicle's horn - personalised as a police siren. Upon this, Ahirwar prevented him from doing so, which resulted in an argument.

After that, the argument escalated and Chandrahas took ASI Ahirwar with him in his four-wheeler. In response, the other police officers accompanying Ahirwar started chasing the vehicle.



Representational Image

The accused took ASI Ahirwar to Barkoti village and assaulted him. Following the attack, he left Ahirwar on the spot and fled.



When the officers chasing the vehicle arrived at the spot, they found Ahirwar in an injured condition.



Case registered against accused

A case has been registered against Chandrahas under relevant sections for assault, kidnapping and obstructing official work.



Based on ASI Ahirwar's complaint, a case was lodged under sections 353, 186, 332, 365 of the Indian Penal Code and the SC/ST Act.



"We have registered a case against the accused and are searching for him. The accused is an alcohol addict. He belongs to Barkoti village but resides in Makronia. His family owns private buses in the area," said Brijmohan Kushwaha, Gourjhamar police station in-charge.

The police also revealed that the accused is BJP leader Rajkumar Barkoti's brother.

Raj Kumar served as the vice president of the district panchayat in 2000.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.


We have long-serving employees and a leadership group that has grown up in the company, which results in decision-making based on the long-term strategic direction of the company, the EVP said. We apply disciplined due diligence before launching new products or entering new markets, and if the results arent what we expect, we adjust in a responsible way and time frame for both the customer and broker.
Quizzed about Gore Mutuals transparent approach to its transformation, the insurance head added: It was important for us to be open to our brokers and customers because we know that with transformation comes disruption. And we know it can be a challenge. We wanted to be open about what we were doing. We didnt want it to be behind closed doors, to do things that may upset brokers or customers, or to make our intentions unclear.
More than 20 years ago, a 13-year-old girl stood up before Allentowns City Council with a problem  it was hard to remember to take her terrible-tasting fluoride pills.

And, she pointed out, not everyone could afford them, according to minutes from the Jan. 20, 1999, meeting.

I usually drink a lot of water so it would not be a hassle any more if the citys water had fluoride, she said.

She was among dozens of residents at the meeting, including a brother and sister who made banners to represent more than 380 city kindergarteners with tooth decay that could have been prevented, arguing that the city should fluoridate the drinking water to protect residents teeth.

The bill was adopted with the vote split with five in favor and two against. It came almost 30 years after Bethlehem decided to fluoridate its drinking water, adopted through a resolution in March 1970.

Decades later, Lehigh Valley municipalities still have mixed support for fluoridated water despite what experts say is a cost-effective way to protect the dental health of all residents, including those with lower income who dont have access to regular dental care.

Most recently, Catasauquas Borough Council in August voted to transition to a nonfluoridated water system, citing the cost-cutting measures.

Borough leaders have not responded to multiple requests from The Morning Call seeking comment for this story.

Denise A. Johnson, acting secretary of health and state physician general, sent a letter to borough officials urging them to reconsider their decision. She also wrote an open letter to residents, asking them to work to bring fluoridation back.

Removing fluoride in your water supply could have long-term consequences for your health, she said.   Basing the decision solely on expenses ignores multiple long-term economic evaluations confirming the cost benefits of community water fluoridation.

Helen Hawkey, executive director of PA Coalition for Oral Health, said the costs borough managers cited for the system, between $90,000 and $150,000, seem abnormally high compared to other, similar water systems.

However, the coalition shared a $50,000 grant opportunity with borough officials to help cover the costs and keep fluoridation.

But they did not seek to apply for those, she said.

Everybodys going to have contact with it

Hawkey said fluoridation is the single most important thing that a community can do to benefit their residents oral health.

As of 2020, 56% of Pennsylvanians served by community water systems receive fluoridated water, which means that 49% of all Pennsylvanians receive fluoridated water, according to the coalition.

Fluoride is an extremely common additive to public drinking water that has been used in the U.S. for 75 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  as experts generally agree on its benefits.

Drinking fluoridated water keeps teeth strong and reduces cavities (also called tooth decay) by about 25% in children and adults, the CDC says. By preventing cavities, community water fluoridation has been shown to save money both for families and for the U.S. healthcare system.

The CDC estimates that for every $1 invested in community water fluoridation, residents can save $32 in annual dental care costs.

Kate Karalunas, assistant professor of dental hygiene at Northampton Community College, agrees.

With water fluoridation in particular, its going to be one of the most cost effective measures to reduce dental decay across every lifespan, every population, Karalunas said. Everybodys going to have access to it; everybodys going to have contact with it.

Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in water and many vegetables, she said. Even if a resident is trying to avoid fluoride, theyre probably still ingesting it without knowing.

While fluoride can have negative effects, including changing the color of teeth or weakening the enamel, it would take a very, very large dose, she said.

But this is like if someone were to eat three tubes of toothpaste and swallow it down with a bottle of fluoridated mouthwash, Karalunas said. Its never going to be the amount that would be in a water supply.

While there arent many communities rolling back their fluoridation programs, Karalunas said there have been recent instances.

I would say in the last two years, Ive gotten three or four different communities that have chosen to remove fluoride, she said. Its not uncommon, but its not super common.

The decision was made years ago

Several Valley municipalities have no plans to fluoridate their water anytime soon. But, instead of citing costs or other arguments against fluoridation, it just isnt a topic of discussion, leaders said.

Emmaus Borough Manager Shane M. Pepe said the decision to not fluoridate residential water predates him by at least 40 years.

There is nobody in the borough that can speak to that decision at this point, he said. We have had no discussions about fluoride in our system at this point.

Its a similar situation in Upper Saucon Township.

The decision was made years ago, said Thomas F. Beil, township manager. There are no current discussions regarding this issue.

Wondering if your community has fluoridated water? The states rural health office has an interactive map. The PA Coalition for Oral Health has one, too.

Water operators prevent way more cavities than dentists do

If a resident doesnt have access to fluoridated drinking water, home care becomes even more important, Karalunas said.

Brushing twice a day, flossing routinely, using fluoridated toothpaste or mouth rinse, as well as just being mindful of what I call the form and the frequency of what youre eating, she explained.

Fluoride supplements might help, but are generally used for children, she said. A pediatrician should be consulted before giving a child fluoride tablets.

I think water operators dont realize what they can do to really help a community out, Hawkey said. And we often say that water operators prevent way more cavities than dentists do.

And, if a resident wants fluoridated water in their community, they need to make their voices heard.

My advice to a community would be to talk to your water system and convince them to go back to an optimally fluoridated system, Hawkey said. What we have found in these areas is that you can present all the science, you can present all the facts to a water system, but if the community that theyre serving isnt speaking up, then nothing changes.

Morning Call reporter Molly Bilinski can be reached at mbilinski@mcall.com.
Irfan is one of Canadas leading insurance brokers and has been the top broker for Billyard Insurance Group for many years, said Stephen Billyard. As the managing partner, Irfan quickly built Mississauga East into the top producing branch in the company. We could not be prouder to partner with Irfan on this new venture. He has proven to be an industry leader and will surely make My Hunter one of the top insurance brokerages in the country."
The UK economy may avoid tumbling into recession until later this year as consumers kept spending through the worst cost-of-living squeeze in memory.

Gross domestic product unexpectedly rose 0.1% in November, the Office for National Statistics said on Friday. Economists had expected a small decline after growth in October.

Novembers figures mean the UK economy probably avoided a recession in the final months of 2022. The ONS said Decembers GDP figure would have to fall about 0.5% to deliver a contraction for the fourth quarter.

The figures may strengthen calls for further interest-rate rises as the Bank of England debates how to rein in inflation, which is lingering near the highest in four decades. The central bank had anticipated a recession was already underway in the latter half of 2022 that would last until 2024.

Todays better-than-expected data will be encouraging for businesses, but may also cause a cautious Bank of England to continue raising rates unnecessarily, said Kitty Ussher, chief economist for the Institute of Directors. The risk now is that rates will rise too far.

Despite the surprise boost in November, monthly GDP is now estimated to be 0.3% below its pre-coronavirus levels. Economists and the central bank warned that a squeeze on incomes will depress activity in the economy, setting up one of the longest slumps on record.

Novembers figures may have been helped by the reversal of a tax rise on payrolls, giving a boost to disposable incomes during the month. Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks government is both trying to fight inflation and cushion consumers from rising energy bills.

We have a clear plan to halve inflation this year - an insidious hidden tax which has led to hikes in interest rates and mortgage costs, holding back growth here and around the world, said Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt.

World Cup football matches boosted consumer-facing businesses and helped offset the impact of strikes, the ONS said. Services as a whole rose quicker than expected, driven by recruitment agencies that saw a monthly gain of 2.1%. Those factors helped the economy shrug off a sharper-than-expected slump in manufacturing.

Strikes directly hit activity in the postal and railway industries but also spilled over to a wide range of other sectors, including wholesale trade and jewellery. While it said it could not put an exact figure on the economic blow from industrial action, the impact could be larger in December when walkouts spread.

Output in the transport and postal sectors fell by 4.7% and 3.1% respectively in November, hinting at the impact of strikes which rocked the UK.

Other service sectors that saw strong growth included telecoms and computer programming, social work and hospitality as people went out to watch the World Cup matches.

However, sport activities saw a fall in output as people watched games rather than played them.

Separate figures on trade also helped the GDP figures. The UKs trade deficit, excluding precious metals, narrowed by 6.5bn (7.32bn) to 20.2 billion (22.73bn) in the three months to November after the slump in energy prices dragged down goods imports from non-EU countries.

Bloomberg
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said this week that his department is continuing to explore possible options to support all the 46,000 farmers who applied for the new agri-environmental scheme ACRES late last year.

Speaking after Mr McConalogue confirmed this at the Irish Farmers' Association's farming and climate summit in Thomond Park, IFA rural development chair Michael Biggins said this was positive, however, clarity is needed on how farmers will be supported.

There is an expected intake of 30,000 participants in this tranche of ACRES, leaving the rest who applied "in limbo".

Weve known for some time now that the department is looking into some form of gap payment for those who have applied for tranche 1, but are not successful," Mr Biggins said.

"However, as to what that looks like, how much it will be, or how it will be administered, that has yet to be decided.

Farmers cannot be left in limbo wondering if they will receive a payment at the end of the year."

Family farm income

Mr Biggins said that agri-environmental scheme payments make up a "substantial part" of family farm income each year, particularly for low-income drystock farmers.

"Weve raised and highlighted the issue with the department for some time, and while its welcome that all options are being explored, farmers need greater clarity, and quickly, so they can plan for the months ahead," he said.

"Whatever form of gap support materialises must be simply administered and tangible, not purely token support and a box-ticking exercise.

Every farmer who has made a valid ACRES application in tranche 1 must receive a payment in 2023, whether thats a tranche 1 ACRES payment or a similar-sized gap/upfront tranche 2 payment, similar to the way REPS payments were in the past."

He added that with pressure on the sector to meet its climate ambitions, "it's important that farmers on the ground do not lose out".
Sean and Joe

First up (after Mateo has to run out and collect him, he missed the door) is Sean from Charleville, who is looking for someone tall who can act as big spoon in the leaba.

Hows the date scene down in Cork, Neil the barman asks conversationally.

Obviously not well anyway if I am up in Dublin, Sean drawls.

Ironically enough, hes paired up with a fellow Cork man, Joe from Crosshaven. At six foot four, hes got the tall bit down from Seans checklist anyhow. So far, so good.

I am the dinner guest from hell, Joe laments, vegetarian and gluten free.

Everything from Spike Island to the gay walk is covered on the date  which seems to run over as First Dates waitress Alice is forced to come over and give them the nudge, We do need the table back...

Its yes from both to another date  and to a night out on the town after.

John and Bernie

Bernie: I think sometimes I get invited to barbeques and parties because of my guitar.

Next through the Gibsons doors is John... with his Gibson. The 75-year-old from Slane says his appearance on First Dates is all down to his daughter who signed him up for it without his knowledge.

I didnt know anything about this till I got a call... I thought it was a scam.

But, now that hes here, hes open to finding someone who lights up a room.

Someone that Eric Clapton had in his arms when he said youre wonderful tonight... you remember that song?

Enter, 65-year-old Dubliner Bernie, who is in the happiest stage of her life and has nothing to lose.

The pair hit it off on the right note as Bernie is also music-mad and likes to bring her guitar along with her fine self wherever she goes.

I think sometimes I get invited to barbeques and parties because of my guitar.

Thankfully, John isnt intimidated by meeting his match  in fact, he says what most of us really want in love is someone like ourselves.

By the end of the night, the two are truly enchanted by each other.

[A] beautiful lady in every respect, John gushes. Genuine, sincere, life experience, grounded, sportsperson, musical... my goodness, where did you get her?

Bernie, meanwhile, says John is a true gentleman and she felt they were like old friends.

We were in tune, she says.

Unsurprisingly, its a yes from both for a sophomore release.

Fiona and Philip

Fiona: I just didnt feel there was a romantic spark

Our next pairing is Fiona, 42, from Tallaght, and Philip, also 42, and also from Tallaght.

Bubbly Fiona has been warned by her mother not to let her hyena laugh out, but she says shes just going to be herself tonight.

"If they dont like me, they dont like me, she shrugs.

No-filter Philip is of a similar view.

What you see is what you get, he says If she likes it, she likes it.

Both have children with previous partners, and Philip says it was his daughter who made him put himself out there.

My daughter would be saying daddy, mammy has a boyfriend. Why dont you have a girlfriend?

And I said Baby, I cant just walk into a shop and pick her off a shelf.

But when his little girl said daddy, I want to see you happy," he said it gave him that extra push to go out and find someone to make memories with.

The former army man comes across as a real gent on the night, bringing his date a rose and commenting on her sparkling eyes. When Fiona tries to wave away the compliment (sparkly eyeshadow) he doesnt let her away with it. No, inside."

But, despite all the compliments, Fiona says no to another date.

Youre a really lovely guy, she says, choosing to speak to him rather than the camera, Honestly, its been my first date in years and I had the best date. Youre so much fun, youre really handsome.

I just didnt feel there was a romantic spark there.

I would have thought different, Philip admits.

Rebecca and Jack

Jack: I keep a bucket and gloves in the back of my car.

Rebecca from Laois is looking for someone whos not afraid to be themselves and a bit weird.

Well, she definitely got what she asked for.

The 25-year-old jewellery maker is paired up with Jack, 25, from Leitrim who enjoys cleaning roadkill for his skull collection.

I have some fox skulls, some badger skulls, Ive done two stags, he says, I keep a bucket and gloves in the back of my car.

To be fair to Jack, that all looks a lot worse in print, though there is a brief pause when he first admits this to his date.

Theres a moment where she looks like shes about go what? but quickly changes it to lovely...

Shes a better woman than us when he starts talking about cleaning his rat skulls...

When it comes time to open up about her interests, she admits she spends a lot of money on crystals.

I am skeptical when it comes to the power of crystals, Jack starts. Another momentary pause from Rebecca.

You cant say its not a thing, but you cant say it is a thing, she says.

Theres a conversation about energy and crystals that ensues but honestly, we got a bit lost. All we know is at the end of the night, Rebecca gifts Jack a handmade crystal bracelet and he seems genuinely delighted despite any doubt about the science behind crystals.

I feel bad I didnt bring anything for you, maybe Ill make you a rat skull necklace? he offers.

Its a yes from both parties to another rendezvous. Sure theres someone out there for everyone as our mother says.
A man in his 40s has been charged in relation to threats to burn down a hotel where asylum seekers are being accommodated, as hundreds of people attended anti-refugee demonstrations in Cork and Dublin last night.

Stephen ORourke (43), of Athy, appeared before Naas district court and was given bail. He is due to appear in court again on February 14.

He was arrested and questioned on Thursday in relation to alleged threats made on Monday relating to the hotel on Stanhope Street in Athy. A group of refugees had arrived at the hotel on Monday.

Meanwhile, in East Wall in Dublin, around 100 demonstrators marched from the former ESB building that is being used to accommodate asylum seekers to a junction at the exit of the Port Tunnel.

Protesters blocking traffic at Dublin Port Tunnel as they continue protests against an asylum seeker accommodation centre in East Wall. Picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

The demonstrators, bearing placards with messages such as Irish Lives Matter and East Wall says no, blocked the road in every direction for over 20 minutes, before marching onwards to block the East Link Bridge beside the 3Arena.

Activist Malachy Steenson addressed the crowd, calling for a change in immigration policy.

From there, the demonstrators marched back down to the former ESB building before dispersing.

There was no visible garda presence at either the Port Tunnel junction or the East Link Bridge during this demonstration.

Another protest in Ballymun drew approximately 80 demonstrators who blocked the M50 for a period of time, while a rally in Clondalkin drew a number of counter-protestors.

In Cork, a group of about 50 anti-asylum seeker protesters blocked the main road through Fermoy during their rally in the town, causing lengthy tailbacks for about 10 minutes.

Gardai, who had been monitoring the protest discreetly, intervened quickly but the protestors insisted they had a right to protest and they refused to move.

Derek Blighe speaking at the anti-asylum seeker demonstration in Fermoy Co Cork tonight. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

One worried mother, who had a sick child in the back of her car, left her vehicle and approached the main protest organisers to explain her plight.

As she ran back to her car, the protestors agreed to move to the side of the bridge and traffic began to flow again.

The main speaker, far-right activist Derek Blighe, spoke at length, criticising the government and the media.
Three Ireland wrongly charged more than 1,600 phone users for data roaming when they travelled outside the EU and demanded almost 30,000 from a customer after two days in Monaco, a court has heard.

The mobile operator pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court on Thursday to eight charges of breaking Article 15 of the EU roaming regulations.

It follows an investigation by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) in response to eight customer complaints.

Judge Anthony Halpin refused to accept a charity donation instead of the Probation Offenders Act to spare the firm a recorded conviction. The offences carry a maximum fine of 5,000 per charge.

Despite an abundance of mitigation factors, including refunds and genuine remorse, he noted that many people had been greatly upset.

The judge recorded convictions against the phone giant and imposed fines totalling 2,400.

System errors

The breaches, caused by system errors commencing in 2018, related to a failure to implement a cap when customers reached 50 of charges for data roaming and a failure to send informational notifications as they reached 80% and 100% of the 50 limit.

Three Ireland identified 1,640 customers impacted by at least one of the issues, though many experienced more than one.

The total value of the charges to affected customers was about 632,000, or an average of 385.

The company wrongly billed more than 120 customers over 1,000 and eight others in excess of 10,000.

The issue primarily impacted customers who travelled outside the EU.

The court also heard that the Covid-19 pandemic reduced the effect of the problem because fewer people went outside the bloc.

The court had previously spared the company criminal convictions after it donated sums to charity in a 2015 prosecution by ComReg and other cases brought by the Data Protection Commission.

Amelia Nahum, an authorised officer with ComReg, agreed with Remy Farrell SC, prosecuting, that without the cap, the company charged 16.99 per MB in roaming charges outside the EU.

Giving two illustrative examples, she said using a connected device to look at The Irish Times homepage would cost 25.

Or a customer could have been charged 26,700 if they watched a 40-minute, 1.6 GB episode on a streaming site such as Netflix.

It also impacted customers not actively using their phone apps, which could still download and use data.

The court heard how it affected the eight complainants, most of whom had been on holiday when they incurred the improper charges, and Three Ireland cut them off. None of them had to come and give evidence due to the guilty plea.

The first case involved a woman on a break in France who went on a day trip to Monaco, a non-EU member nation, in November 2021. She used her phone twice for about five minutes to find her way around. However, that resulted in being billed for 1,485 for data.

The next complainant also took a day trip by bus from France to Monaco in December 2021. Three Ireland charged 376, even though her phone "never left her bag".

A married couple was on a Mediterranean cruise from Spain to Italy in February 2022, and the wife got charged 495 because the boat went into international waters. She also got disconnected, and they quit the trip three days early and flew home at extra cost because they did not want to be without a phone in case they became separated.

Three Ireland overcharged the fourth complainant by 170 because she travelled to and from France via Geneva in Switzerland in February last year.

The company demanded an extra 407 from a musician when he travelled to New York for work in December 2021.

A businessman who had to spend two days in Monaco for work "got a shock" to find he had been charged 29,298, and his service was suspended.

The court heard that another Three Ireland customer was holidaying in France in early 2021, but after a day trip to Monaco, she was billed an extra 170 for data use.

The final charge involved a man who went with his family to New York in November 2021 and used data to navigate his way around. He was charged 557.

Pleading for leniency, Ronan Kennedy SC stressed that Three Ireland complied fully with ComReg's investigation and handed over comprehensive information, which formed the basis of the prosecution.

He said the company was "deeply embarrassed" and offered a sincere, heartfelt, and unqualified apology to customers for the lack of appreciation when they came forward.

Counsel asked the court to note that the guilty plea spared the court from holding a lengthy hearing.

Mr Kennedy said Three Ireland identified five significant system errors, which have all been resolved, compensated all affected customers and paid ComReg's costs.
A verdict of medical misadventure has been recorded in the death of a woman with an unusually healthy heart after she suffered a cardiac arrest while undergoing a routine procedure at a dental clinic in Dublin two and a half years ago.

An inquest into the death of Margaret ODoherty, 72, five days after becoming ill during surgery for seven dental implants at the Dublin Specialist Dentistry in Sandyford heard evidence the most likely cause of her sudden cardiac arrest was the effect of a sedative drug, midazolam, used during the surgery.

The two-day hearing at Dublin District Coroners Court was informed Ms ODoherty and her family had alerted two dental surgeons during several consultations in advance of the procedure that she was extremely sensitive to sedative medication.

However, the claim was disputed by oral surgeon Seamus Rogers and prosthodontist Maurice Fitzgerald, who said they were unaware before the surgery that she had any issue with sedatives.

Following her verdict, the coroner, Clare Keane, said she would recommend to the Dental Council of Ireland to urgently review its existing guidelines on conscious sedation which date back to 2005 and to ensure the existing guidelines were robustly adhered to.

Dr Keane said she would particularly ask the Dental Council to publish standards for treatments that involved more than one dose of a sedative.

A family photo, two weeks before her death, of the Margaret O'Doherty. Picture Colin Keegan/ Collins

The coroner also acknowledged she had no doubt that everyone involved in Ms ODohertys care had the best intention. A pathologist who carried out an autopsy on the deceaseds body, Tom Crotty, said Ms ODoherty had an unusually healthy heart for a woman of her age and found no evidence that she had any cardiac disease that could have caused her death.

Dr Crotty said the autopsy results showed she died from a lack of oxygen to the brain due to the cardiac arrest.

Questioned by the coroner, Clare Keane, Dr Crotty said he believed what happened to the patient was most likely linked to her sedation with a drug known to cause slow and ineffective breathing as well as cardiac arrest in rare cases.

While the pathologist acknowledged Ms ODoherty had a narrowing in a small area of a coronary artery, Dr Crotty said it was unlikely that was enough to explain her sudden death.

Ms ODoherty, a mother of three from Merrion, Gorey, Co Wexford, died in St Vincents University Hospital in Dublin on August 23, 2020  five days after undergoing surgery at the Dublin Specialist Dentistry.

Members of her family explained she had asked about seeking a more conservative form of treatment for injuries to her teeth suffered in a fall in the driveway of her home in February 2020.

However, they were told the proposed procedure was the best option and her daughter, Clodagh ODoherty, said her mother had also been reassured as Dr Fitzgerald told her his own mother, who was of a similar age, had undergone the same surgery.

The deceaseds husband, Michael ODoherty, a GP who runs the Gorey Medical Centre, told the inquest he was amazed to learn there was nothing in the clinics notes about his wifes issue with sedatives as they had laboured the point during consultations with Mr Rogers and Dr Fitzgerald.

Dr ODoherty said his wife had suffered a previous fall in 2019 after taking a dose of Night Nurse and would not even take a Panadol because of her sensitivity to such medicine.

Counsel for the ODoherty family, Sara Antoniotto SC, said they believed she had been given too much midazolam during the procedure and she had suffered all the complications associated with the drug.

Pathologist Dr Tom Crotty told Dublin District Coroner's Court he believed what happened to the patient was 'most likely' linked to her sedation with a drug known to cause slow and ineffective breathing as well as cardiac arrest in rare cases.

However, Mr Rogers claimed he had only heard about Ms ODohertys issue with sedatives for the first time on the day before the inquest.

I would not have given sedatives to someone who told me they were sensitive to them, said Mr Rogers.

Dr Fitzgerald also claimed he had no recollection of the couple raising the issue and said a concern about sedatives would have raised a large red flag if mentioned.

Counsel for Mr Rogers, Nathan Reilly BL, claimed the complexity of the case warranted a narrative verdict.

In other evidence on Friday, a consultant in emergency medicine at St Vincent's, Derek Barton, said the patient was a healthy woman who had suffered a severe hypoxic [lack of oxygen] brain injury which he felt was linked to her being given midazolam which was known could cause respiratory depression and cardiac arrest.

A consultant in intensive care medicine at St Vincent's, Donal Ryan, said midazolam could lead to the obstruction of a patients airway but it was not an issue by the time Ms ODoherty arrived at the hospital.

However, he said it was the most likely cause to explain her cardiac arrest.

A consultant anaesthetist who was called as an expert witness, Tom Schnittger, said dental practitioners should carry out a health assessment before any procedure to check a patient did not have any cardiac or respiratory problems.

Dr Schnittger said it was important they should also be aware that top-ups of midazolam should only be given after the previous dose had reached its maximum effect, while the drug could also have a bigger impact on patients aged over 60.

He said there was often quite a wide variation in how patients reacted to midazolam, while smaller quantities could be given to those aged over 60.

The inquest heard the time taken for the elimination of the drug from the body of those aged over 60 could be up to four times as long as in younger adults, which normally takes between 1.5 and 2.5 hours.

Mr Rogers told the inquest he gave Ms ODoherty an original 3.5ml dose of midazolam followed by a 1.5ml top-up two and a half hours later.

Dr Schnittger also said the administration of the drug intravenously should only ever be carried out by two people as it was not suitable to be done by just one person.

He said existing standards recommended that practitioners should have appropriate training in sedation and resuscitation, while he understood the recommended inspection of dental surgeries to ensure staff had adequate training and equipment for emergency situations was not currently being conducted.

Welcoming the verdict of medical adventure, solicitor for the ODoherty family Rachael Liston said her clients questioned if it was appropriate that such difficult and lengthy surgery should be carried out in a community setting.

Ms Liston said the Dental Council also needed to ensure that there was adequate monitoring of the breathing and vital signs of patients under conscious sedation.

Dr ODoherty, who was accompanied by his three children, Clodagh, Niamh and Cian  who are also doctors  said: Losing my wife has been an extremely devastating event for my family and I. It was tragic and we believe avoidable.

He said they wanted lessons to be learned from what had happened to ensure that this never happens to any other family.

Deaths like this should be investigated, he added.

Dr ODoherty also praised staff at St Vincent's for their care of his wife which he said was compassionate, considerate and professional, and made this dreadful experience more bearable.
Modular sofa

More than 40 years later, the Togo modular sofa from French brand Ligne Roset is still at home with us. Designed by Michel Ducaroy, its all softness  definitely no hard bits  as you sink into its caterpillar-style structure for relaxation at its best. Price depending on size and configuration from Ligne Roset, Dublin.

Coffee curves

The curves on the Kuklos coffee table from www.sazy.com means no one stubs their shin bone on a low-lying corner. Sitting on a base of three solid travertine stone orbs, this beauty is lightened up by a bean-shaped tempered glass top; 783.50.

Heron floor lamp

Think leggy birds perched on Irish riverbanks with the Heron floor lamp. Made from warm copper piping and industrial fittings, its softened with a base made from storm-fallen beech trees in Wicklow. It is 420 at www.copperfish.ie.

Backs to the wall

Bookcases no longer have their backs to the wall with the Miniforms Palinfrasca by Italian Studio Fabio Fantolino. Available in a choice of colours and sizes, its perfect for deploying as a room divider for broken-plan living and for having an array of books and board games nearby; 692.66 at www.gomodern.co.uk.

Wallpaper art

Wallpaper keeps evolving from a simple decorative wall treatment to art style, evoking places and atmospheres and bringing life and visual interest to otherwise simple surroundings. The Koralian Aquamarine design is from the Sundance Villa collection from www.mindtheg.com is priced at 195 per roll.

Drinks trolley

Drinks trolleys are now the staple for gatherings of friends and family. Citing vintage styling, the Kara circular model has shelves for drinks and glassware, set on castors for easy wheeling around. It has a price tag of 425.81 at www.madaboutmidcenturymodern.com.

Underfoot

For snuggly comfort underfoot, theres the Volcano circular rug by Louis de Poortere in a coral hue with a flatweave design, making it ideal for sitting under furniture. It is priced at 945 for 240cm by 240cm from Rugs.ie.

Getting cosy

The combo of two armchairs and a sofa is back but not the three-piece suite we knew. Now theyre independent pieces but in complementary colourways. Ercols Marinello sofa gets cosy with a pair of Marino chairs in complementary grey and yellow for a modern look with nods to mid-century. Sofa from 2,990, chairs from 1,900 at www.ercol.com.
German police continued the clearance of a village that is due to be demolished to accommodate the expansion of a coal mine  with activists still holed up in one building, in tree houses and a tunnel.

Ahead of a demonstration to be held nearby on Saturday, Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg visited the tiny village of Luetzerath and took a look at the neighbouring Garzweiler open coal mine.

Joined by others, she held up a placard demanding: Keep it in the ground.

Luetzerath has become a flashpoint of debate over Germanys climate efforts.

Police officers clear a camp of climate activists at the village Luetzerath (Michael Probst/AP)

The operation to evict climate activists holed up in the village 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.

Police started clearing the last occupied building on Friday, and police said that some other activists would then have to be taken down from tree houses, German news agency dpa reported.

There were also two activists in a tunnel. Regional police chief Dirk Weinspach took a look at the shaft and decried the risks they were taking, dpa reported, but he said he didnt believe there was any acute danger to them.

He said specialised rescuers would have to bring them out.

Environmentalists say bulldozing the village to expand the Garzweiler 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 have 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.
Burma Myanmar Junta Cronies Turn Out for Regimes Independence Day Bash

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During the recent Independence Day commemoration, with all eyes on Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaings attempts to masquerade as the countrys legitimate president, one group of guests went mostly overlooked: the junta cronies who attended events related to the ceremony and accepted honors from the regime leader.

The Irrawaddy has learned that dozens of cronies were invited to the event commemorating the 75th anniversary of independence and a related dinner reception on Jan. 4 in Myanmars capital Naypyitaw.

They included powerful ones like U Aung Ko Win, chairman of KBZ Group; U Khin Maung Aye of CB Bank; U Zaw Zaw of Max Myanmar; Serge Pun of FMI Holding; U Htay Myint of Yuzana Group of Companies; U Zaw Win Shein of Ayeyar Hinthar Holdings Company Limited; Myanmar Rice Federation chairman U Ye Min Aung; and U Aung Myo Min Din, the founder of Amazing Hotels & Resorts Group.

Though the event was covered heavily by junta media, the cronies names were not included in lists of attendees, conceivably to protect them from social punishment and consumer boycotts by the Myanmar people, as well as from Western sanctions.

One of the cronies who missed the lavish event was U Tay Za, arms dealer and chairman of Htoo Trading Group, who is under US and UK sanctions.

Also missing from the event was Tun Min Latt, one of the juntas arms brokers, who has deep ties with Min Aung Hlaings family, as he is now in custody in Thailand facing charges of drug trafficking, money laundering and transnational organized crime.

Naypyitaw ritual

Myanmar tycoons have traditionally been close to the military and its top leaders, particularly since the previous military government era, which ended in early 2011.

Under the former regime they would shuttle between Yangon and Naypyitaw to pay respects to then dictator General Than Shwe and his powerful deputies, General Maung Aye and General Tin Aung Myint Oo.

When the military proxy civilian government came to power in March 2011, the tycoons rushed to visit then president and ex-General Thein Sein, as well as current coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, in his capacity as military leader, a post he still holds.

Apart from occasional visits to pay their respects, it has also become a ritual for them to flock to Naypyitaw on occasions like Independence Day or Union Day celebrations. This years Independence Day was a more elaborate affair, given that it was the diamond jubilee, and Min Aung Hlaing marked it on a grand scale. The cronies responded eagerly to their invitations, lining up to attend.

From past experience, they know that showing up at such events is time well spent, as they are often rewarded with highly lucrative business concessions.

For this years Independence Day celebration, both KBZ and CB received contracts to provide fireworks, decorations, catering services and displays at the event. The fireworks cost over US$2 million alone.

KBZ chairman U Aung Ko Win has deep ties with former and current military leaders including Gen. Than Shwe and Gen. Maung Aye. He was known to be a protege of the latter.

When several tycoons who were deemed close to the NLD government were interrogated and briefly detained following the coup, the KBZ chairman was untouched. NLD-linked tycoon U Chit Khine, the chairman of the Eden Group of Companies, was charged with corruption by the regime last year.

CB Banks U Khin Maung Aye disappeared from public view after the coup and was rumored to be living abroad; his son studies in the US. However, he later quietly returned to Myanmar and began working with the regime. He was a neighbor of former president Thein Sein and is close to several top generals.

Among the cronies who attended the regimes Independence Day celebration, there were also some new faces like U Aung Myo Min Din and U Zaw Win Shein.

A rising star among the new cronies, U Aung Myo Min Din of Amazing Hotel and Resort Group is close to the regime leaders family, having built hotels for their businesses. The Ananta Hotel in Bagan was built for Aung Pyae Sone, son of Min Aung Hlaing.

Another new kid in town is U Zaw Win Shein. He is an adopted son of former Major General Soe Maung, who was a key Presidents Office minister when the military proxy Thein Sein administration was in power. Most of the capital for his Ayeyar Hinthar Holdings Co. Ltd. came from Thiha Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo, a former general and vice president during the Thein Sein administration. U Zaw Win Shein owns A Bank and now also owns Qatari telecom Ooredoos operation in Myanmar.

U Zaw Win Shein was among those who received honorary decorations from Min Aung Hlaing, lauded for their outstanding services for the good of Myanmar.

According to a list released by the junta, other recipients of the award include well-known Kachin businessman and leader of the Peace-Talk Creation Group Yup Zaw Khaung; U Zaw Min Win, ex-president of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI); and Serge Pun of FMI Holdings, which owns Yoma Bank. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, divested from Yoma Bank after its ties with military companies were exposed.

At the Independence Day dinner, witnesses saw expensive wines and imported whiskies served at tables where cronies sat and mingled with generals and other guests, sharing laughs and exchanging smiles and loud toasts of Cheers!to Independence Day, but also to new business opportunities.
Rapper Meek Mill says Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf granted him clemency on a 15-year-old drug and weapons possession charge in his last round of pardons issued on Jan. 12.

The pardon is one of 369 pardons Wolf issued in January, bringing his total to over 2,540 over the course of his eight years in office, the most of any Pennsylvania governor.

Mill  whose government name is Robert Rihmeek Williams  posted what appears to be a redacted official letter from the governors office dated Jan. 12 on Instagram that clears him of charges of marijuana possession and carrying a firearm in Philadelphia.

Im only going to do more for my community, the rapper wrote on Instagram, ending with the hashtag #NewLevelsUnlocked.

Wolf has yet to respond to a request for comment confirming the authenticity of the letter.

The fallout from the charges has followed Mill throughout his career, entangling him in a difficult legal battle that partially led to the reassignment of one judge who presided over his case. After serving eight months in jail for the charges incurred when he was a teenager, Mill was sentenced to prison three times in the following years for probation violations. Racial justice advocates say Mills subsequent incarceration illustrated the burden placed on Black defendants in the justice system.

The past 11 years have been mentally and emotionally challenging, but Im ecstatic that justice prevailed, Mill said in 2019 after a Pennsylvania appeals court overturned the initial charges. Since then, his organization REFORM alliance has lobbied to pass bills in 16 states that increase educational opportunities for inmates, decrease the length of probation and create pathways for people to exit court supervision.

Wolf surpassed former Gov. Ed Rendell, who last held the record for pardons with over 1,100. More than 600 of the pardons Wolf issued come from Expedited Review Program for Nonviolent Marijuana-Related Offenses and the PA Marijuana Pardon Project, a duo of initiatives aimed at decreasing the number of people tied up in the legal system with nonviolent marijuana possession charges.

Every single one of the Pennsylvanians who made it through the process truly deserves their second chance, and its been my honor to grant it, said Gov. Wolf in a news release. I firmly believe that with restored rights, pardoned Pennsylvanians prove themselves by stepping up and giving back to our communities.
Burma Myanmar Junta Jets Bomb Church, Killing Child, Mother, and 2 Pastors

Lay Wah village church lies in ruins after being bombed by junta air force jets on Thursday. / Supplied

Five people, including a child and two pastors, were killed when junta warplanes bombed a village church in Mutraw district, Karen State on Thursday, according to the Karen National Union (KNU) and residents.

Two regime jet fighters attacked Lay Wah village, which is controlled by the KNU, at around 1pm, forcing hundreds of residents to flee.

This is totally a war crime, said KNU spokesperson Padoh Saw Taw Nee, confirming that clerics and a child were killed in the attack.

It is very important to stop the supply of fuel for the junta militarys aircraft. Thus, I ask again that the international community take more effective action against the junta, he added.

Residents said the jet fighters clearly targeted the church in the attack, killing a young boy, his mother, the two pastors and another villager on the spot.

The attack coincided with regime airstrikes on the headquarters of the Chin National Front (CNF), the political wing of the Chin National Army (CNA), which killed five CNF members, injured many others and destroyed a medical clinic on Wednesday and Thursday.

The civilian National Unity Government (NUG) released a statement condemning the junta airstrikes on Thursday.

We convey our condolences to all those who have lost their lives from the ethnic communities by these atrocities and pledge that we will do our utmost to bring justice for all those lives lost, be it national or international, the statement said.

The junta has repeatedly bombed civilian targets in Karen and Kachin states and Sagaing and Magwe regions.

The bombing campaign has killed at least 460 civilians, including many children, according to the NUG.

The juntas military council continues to target civilian areas and religious sites and has practically admitted to committing war crimes. Therefore, we want the UN Security Council to also implement its resolution on Myanmar immediately, said Padoh Saw Taw Nee.

The resolution, passed in December, calls for the cessation of violence in Myanmar, respect for the democratic will of the people and human rights, and accountability for those who violate them.
Burma Myanmar Regime Forces Kill Three Civilians, Torch Shelters and Food in Sagaing

Charred remains of two slain civilians in Kantbalu Township / Kantbalu Revolutionary Force

Myanmar junta forces killed three civilians in Kantbalu Township, Sagaing Region earlier this week, before burning their corpses. Regime forces also torched the makeshift shelters and food supplies of displaced people, according to locals.

Three men including two brothers encountered junta forces while fleeing a raid. They were held hostage and then killed. Their bodies were discovered earlier this week, said a local resident.

The three men ran into a combined force of Myanmar military and Pyu Saw Htee militia coming from Kyunhla Township. The body of one of the men, a 40-year-old, was found on January 10. He had been killed and set alight on a cart. The bodies of the two other men, who were 30 and 27, were found the following day. They were burned beyond recognition, said the resident.

Some 150 troops, including soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 368 overseen by the 10th Military Operations Command and junta-affiliated Pyu Saw Htee militia, torched two villages in Kyunhla Township on January 6, before abducting the three men as they entered the north of Kantbalu Township.

Military regime troops torched over 40 makeshift tents housing displaced people on January 9 and 10, as well as huts and food supplies.

Because of frequent junta raids, we stored some food and utensils in makeshift huts in the forest so that we dont lose everything when they torch our villages. But they have torched our huts along with rice, oil, salt, clothes, and other items. So now we have nothing to eat or wear, a displaced local told The Irrawaddy.

Over 40,900 liters of paddy and 6,137 liters of rice were torched in the junta arson attacks, according to local residents.

Over the past week, regime soldiers killed five men in Kyunhla and Kantbalu townships. They torched Kyar Takan and Htanbingon villages in the east of Kyunhla on January 6. Some 52 out of more than 400 houses were razed in Htanbingon. Kyar Takan Village has over 100 households, but it is still unclear how many houses were torched there.

Influential monk U Wasawa, from the ultranationalist Association for the Protection of Race and Religion, better known by its Burmese acronym Ma Ba Tha, has been forcibly conscripting male villagers in the region into the Pyu Saw Htee. Some 44 villages in Kantbalu, as well as eight villages each in Kyunhla and Taze townships, have now been turned into Pyu Saw Htee strongholds.

With the Myanmar military suffering high casualties and unable to attract new recruits, the regime is increasingly using Pyu Saw Htee militia from Kantbalu, Kyunhla and Taze townships in its raids on villages in the region.

The growing presence of Pyu Saw Htee militia has created logistical challenges for local resistance groups.
War Against the Junta At Least 15 Myanmar Junta Forces Killed in Three Days of Resistance Attacks

A resistance fighter carries an improvised rocket-launched explosive in Kanbalu Township. / Lin Yone Ni- Kanbalu

At least 15 Myanmar junta forces were killed in the last three days as Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) continued to attack regime targets across the country.

PDFs burned down a police outpost in Mon State and a junta-run immigration office in Upper Myanmar.

Incidents were reported in Sagaing, Magwe and Bago regions and Mon State.

The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs.

Some military casualties could not be independently verified.

Regime forces ambushed while torching houses in Sagaing

Resistance group Black Wolf Army claimed it and another PDF group, Who Am I, jointly attacked regime forces torching houses and rice storage buildings in Kan Gyi Taw Village in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region on Thursday.

After suffering casualties in the shootout, the regime forces retreated to their base in Hanlin Pyu Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

PDF fighters put out the fires set by the regime forces in the village, the PDF group said.

Six junta troops killed in PDF mine ambush in Sagaing

At least six regime forces were killed in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region on Wednesday when six PDF groups used improvised land mines to ambush two 12-wheeled vehicles carrying soldiers, said resistance group Black Wolf Army, which took part in the ambushes.

After being tipped off by sources in the military, the PDF groups ambushed two vehicles carrying regime forces on the Shwebo-Kyauk Myaung road.

During the mine ambush, a vehicle was forced to stop and another escaped from the ambush site. The regime forces, including the bodies of killed or injured soldiers, were transported out of the area in a military vehicle, according to the resistance groups.

PDF groups also seized some military equipment and burned the damaged vehicle abandoned by the regime forces.

Three pro-regime militia members killed in PDF attacks in Sagaing

At least three pro-regime Pyu Saw Htee militia members were killed in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region on Thursday when three PDF groups used ten 40mm explosives to attack 50 militia members from the pro-regime village of Taw Pu, said Area 71 PDF Monywa, which was involved in the attack.

The militia groups were attacked while preparing to secretly transport rations on a road. All PDF fighters retreated from the area without any casualties despite the militia forces responding with heavy explosives.

A PDF video shows resistance fighters launching explosives.

Regime forces shelled in Sagaing

Some regime forces are believed to have been killed or injured in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region on Wednesday when PDF groups used 60mm and 120mm improvised mortar rounds to bombard regime forces stationed at Sabal Nanthar Village, claimed Kanbalu Underground Warriors, which conducted the attack.

Junta forces attacked in Sagaing

Resistance group True Arrow Special Task Force-Ayadaw claimed it and four other PDF groups used improvised mortar shells to attack regime forces in Wetlet Township, Sagaing Region on Tuesday night.

After being attacked, regime forces randomly responded with firearms. However, military casualties were unknown.

Two regime soldiers killed in PDF ambush in Sagaing

Two regime forces were confirmed killed in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region on Thursday morning when Zero Guerrilla Force used mines to ambush regime forces on motorbikes in the township, said the PDF group.

The PDF group used three heavy mines to ambush regime forces on two motorbikes traveling between two villages while they were going out to buy breakfast for their senior officers at a military command base.

The PDF fighters retreated from the area without any casualties despite regime soldiers on another motorbike randomly opening fire.

Military battalion attacked in Bago

At least three junta soldiers were killed and some others injured in Htantapin Township, Bago Region on Wednesday when Taungoo District PDF Battalion 3501 used 30 M79 bombs to attack Military Battalion 73, said Bago Region PDF.

The group said it was part of Operation Nann Htike Aung launched against regime targets.

On the same day, Tharyarwaddy District PDF Battalion 3802 assassinated pro-regime Pyu Saw Htee militia member Kyaw Kyaw in Oakpho Township, Bago Region, according to Bago Region PDF.

The victim, who was a relative of a military member, was notorious for collaborating with regime forces to raid PDF camps and extort money from civilians, the PDF group claimed.

Police outpost seized, burned down in Mon State

Local resistance group Ye Guerrilla Force claimed to have seized and burned down the police outpost in the town of Lamine in Ye Township, Mon State early on Wednesday.

During their raid, policemen abandoned the outpost without defending it. At 6:30 a.m. on that morning, the resistance group continued to attack the regime camp at Kyotadar Village in the township. In the raid, some regime forces are believed to have been killed, the PDF group said.

All PDF fighters stopped fighting and retreated from the area when they were attacked with heavy explosives by military Infantry Battalion 588 nearby.

The resistance group also claimed to have killed police senior inspector Hlaing Min Thant in the town of Ye on that morning. The police officer was notorious for oppressing and extorting money from civilians.

Junta immigration office seized, burned down in Magwe



Resistance fighters of Yesagyo PDF torch the junta-run immigration office in the town of Yesagyo early on Thursday. / Yesagyo-PDF

Yesagyo-PDF group claimed that it and another PDF group jointly seized and burned down the junta-controlled Immigration Department office in the town of Yesagyo in Magwe Region early on Thursday.

The office was attacked for extorting money from civilians and preparing for the juntas sham election.

The PDF group said it captured four immigration staff and released them later.
War Against the Junta Myanmar Junta Voter Registration Sites Bombed by Resistance Forces

Junta forces in Yangon in February 2021. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmar resistance forces launched bomb attacks on voter registration sites in Mandalay on Thursday, as a final warning to people aiding the military regimes preparations for the sham general election it plans to stage later this year.

The non-deadly bomb attacks came as the junta began forcibly collecting voter data nationwide this week.

Urban guerrilla Peoples Defense Force (PDF) No More Dictatorship conducted bomb attacks on Thursday in five Mandalay venues where the junta has been compiling household registrations for its planned poll.

No More Dictatorship said that the bomb attacks were deliberately non-lethal as they were intended as a final warning to people working on the juntas election, which will prolong the military dictatorship.

However, the PDF warned that future attacks will be potentially lethal and urged the public to stay away from regime officials.

At least two bomb attacks were reported this week in Yangon, one at the municipal office in Mingaladon Township on Tuesday and another in Tamwe Township. No casualties were reported, as the attacks were intended as warnings.

Resistance groups who claimed responsibility for the attacks said that the non-lethal bombings are a final warning to people working on the election, and said that they will take deadly action if people continue to help the junta by collecting data.

On Monday, the military regime began gathering household registrations for its planned election, a process expected to continue until the end of the month. In some areas, administrative bodies and immigration officers, the stooges of the regime, started compiling voter lists via door-to-door data collection.

The parallel National Unity Governments (NUG) Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration warned on January 9 that it will take action under the Counter-Terrorism Law against anyone who assists or takes part in junta efforts to hold an illegitimate election.

Several ethnic armed organizations and PDFs across the country have also announced that they wont allow the junta, which is killing and terrorizing innocent people, torching civilian houses and committing war crimes, to hold elections in their regions. They also urged people not to participate or collaborate in the juntas preparations for the poll.

Following those announcements, Launglon PDF and Dawei Guerilla Revolutionary Force in Tanintharyi Region launched the first attack on a team of junta-appointed administrators and Myanmar military troops collecting household data. One junta soldier was killed during the attack and resistance fighters seized an AK-47 rifle and ammunition.

On Thursday, Yesagyo PDF, along with another Magwe-based PDF, seized and burned down the regime-controlled immigration department office in Yesagyo Town in Magwe Region.

The office was attacked for extorting money from civilians and preparing for the fraudulent election.

The NUG, other revolutionary forces and democracies around the world have denounced the juntas plan to stage an election as a sham. Both the United States and the United Nations have said that any planned election by the regime will be neither free nor fair.

In Myanmar, the proposed election is widely viewed as an attempt by the junta to tighten its grip on power following its 2021 coup.
Analysis New ASEAN Chair Promises Hope for Myanmar

Indonesia's President Joko Widodo receives the gavel from Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) as the ASEAN chairmanship is passed to Indonesia at the closing ceremony of the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits in Phnom Penh on November 13, 2022. (Photo: AFP)

On the last day of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 13, 2022, Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Sen, ASEAN chair for 2022, handed over the gavel to Indonesias President Joko Jokowi Widodo as he assumed the ASEAN chair for 2023.

We have heard much noise and argument regarding ASEANs handling of the Myanmar crisis prompted by the Myanmar militarys coup on February 1, 2021.

ASEAN approached Myanmar with a narrative of coordination and reconciliation and first came up with the Five-Point Consensus, a peace plan which junta chief Min Aung Hlaing promised to follow.

Key to implementing the plan are negotiations with the ousted leaders of the former National League for Democracy (NLD) government, principally State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. But the military regime has failed to do this. Nor did the junta allow ASEANs special envoy on Myanmar to meet with Suu Kyi or ousted President Win Myint.

At the same time, the regime has continued to suppress civilians brutally. Civilian casualties were already high before the Five-Point Consensus. They became even higher after the junta agreed to abide by the plan.

Around two million people in Myanmar have fled their homes because of junta attacks and fighting, while about 40,000 homes have been burned down nationwide.

Over 2,700 people have been killed by the junta since the coup. Around 2,000 of them died after the junta chief promised to implement the Five-Point Consensus. So it is clear that the regime has showed a real lack of respect for ASEANs agreements.

ASEANs struggles with the junta

We cant say that ASEAN does not do anything [for the people of Myanmar]. The junta was forced to withdraw from ASEAN meetings. It is a huge success, isnt it? That has never happened in ASEANs history before, Miemie Winn Byrd, a retired US lieutenant colonel and professor at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, told The Irrawaddy in a recent interview.

But it is obvious that ASEAN has been too slow to respond to the crisis, as Debbie Stothard, a human rights activist from ALTSEAN-BURMA, a network of human rights and democracy groups in the ASEAN region, told The Irrawaddy.

ASEAN only met in the third week of April 2021. At first ASEAN made some statements and expressed its disappointment at the coup, but they did not take any strong action, she said, blaming ASEAN for believing that Min Aung Hlaing would abide by his promises.

When Min Aung Hlaing said that the post-coup situation would be under control by Thingyan [the Myanmar Water Festival held in mid-April], they [ASEAN] waited until Thingyan 2021. Then they realized that wasnt the case, said Stothard.

By the time ASEAN held its first meeting on the Myanmar crisis, its leaders had seen more resistance and protests over the coup and it was clear that the junta couldnt control the crisis.

Min Aung Hlaing said yes in front of ASEAN [to the Five-Point Consensus], but no when he returned to Naypyitaw and the situation was getting worse and worse, added Stothard.

In her opinion, the Five-Point Consensus is too general, does not have political substance and is only concerned with reducing violence in Myanmar.

Also Brunei, the ASEAN chair in 2021, was at a loss to deal with the situation as it does not have the experience to deal with such crises. Brunei, too, has little interest in Myanmar and its influence in ASEAN is weak.

Cambodia, the 2022 ASEAN chair, had a much better relationship with the Myanmar military but placed too much trust in the junta leader. Hun Sen thinks that if he goes and talks to Min Aung Hlaing, Min Aung Hlaing will listen to him, said Stothard, adding that Min Aung Hlaing did not listen to him even when Hun Sen met the junta chief in Naypyitaw.

Hun Sen has ruled Cambodia as a dictator for 37 years and he thought only of negotiating with the military regime as a solution to the crisis. He did not consider meeting the forces opposing the junta.

Democracy and human rights activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi said that the Five-Point Consensus is ASEANs greatest achievement as a roadmap for Myanmar. But, in essence, it does not meet the demands of the Myanmar peoples revolution.

The Five-Point Consensus does not even consider the direction of Myanmars revolution. Min Aung Hlaing cold-shouldered the Five-Point Consensus, while the Myanmar people dont like it very much, said Thinzar Shunlei Yi.

Ultimately, Cambodia surrendered to the junta. Cambodias foreign minister Prak Sokhonn, who was ASEAN special envoy on Myanmar in 2022, confessed that he gave up on Myanmar. I am just a special envoy, I am not Superman .. I think that even Superman cannot solve the Myanmar problem, he told the media at the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Phnom Penh on August 6, 2022.

ASEAN and the NUG

With a combined population of over 685 million people, ASEAN is a huge community politically and economically. Thinking about democracy and human rights in ASEAN is much more nuanced than a straightforward black and white situation.

To achieve legitimacy and diplomacy, ASEAN needs to talk to the parallel National Unity Government (NUG). The most valuable part of the NUG is that it offers legitimacy and diplomacy and handles foreign affairs. This is important, said Miemie Winn Byrd.

Liaison with ASEAN is mainly carried out by the NUGs Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The NUGs foreign minister Daw Zin Mar Aung met with Malaysias foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah in Washington on May 14, 2022. Other NUG ministries have also worked with ASEAN members.

US support for Myanmar

On December 23 last year, US President Joe Biden signed and approved the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the fiscal year 2023. The NDAA includes the 2022 Burma Act, which allows for technical and non-lethal support to be given to the NUG. The NDAA demonstrates that supporting revolutionary forces is important for the United States.

Its not been easy to achieve, but now the United States recognizes the NUG and the Peoples Defense Forces (PDF), said Miemie Winn Byrd about the passing of the NDAA, adding that it was a huge success for the NUG and ethnic armed organizations.

Because of the NDAAs approval, it is clear that the United States supports those who are rebelling against the junta. ASEAN will not be able to do that so blatantly. But they will see the impact of the NDAA, said NUG human rights minister Aung Myo Min.

Eyes on Indonesia

Indonesia is a hardliner in ASEAN. They [Indonesia] are tough and, along with Malaysia and Singapore, they think that Min Aung Hlaing disrespects ASEAN, noted Miemie Winn Byrd.

NUGs human rights minister Aung Myo Min revealed that he expects more from Indonesias chairing of ASEAN in 2023 than Brunei and Cambodia achieved, and to see better decisions on Myanmar made.

With Indonesia in charge, we must try to bring significant changes to Myanmar, Aung Myo Min said, since Laos will take over the ASEAN chair in 2024.

ASEANs most prestigious events are its summits. The military council was not invited to represent Myanmar at the summits. Thats pretty much all ASEAN can do right now, Aung Myo Min said, adding that he thinks that ASEAN is not yet ready to allow the NUG to attend its summits. However, the NUG is working hard to improve its relationship with ASEAN.

Activist Thinzar Shunlei Yi said that the NUG is going to urge ASEAN, along with other Myanmar democracy activists and civil society organizations from ASEAN and across the world, to revise the Five-Point Consensus as it does not meet the needs of Myanmars people, and to come up with a better practical road map while Indonesia is chair of ASEAN.

Conclusion

Myanmars struggle for democracy is ongoing and given impetus by the loss and sacrifices of the Myanmar people. Having enjoyed civilian government under the NLD, the return of the junta has revived ugly and painful memories of previous military regimes.

The Myanmar military and its leaders are responsible for the current situation. The lives and homes of Myanmar people have been lost in the struggle for justice and democracy. But the dream to build a land of freedom and justice continues and Myanmar expects new action from ASEAN in 2023.

Athens Zaw Zaw is a freelance journalist.
Analysis On Myanmar Junta's Planned 2023 General Election

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Myanmars junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has yet to announce a date for a general election that he plans to hold in August this year amid armed conflict across the country.

But Min Aung Hlaing appears determined to secure the presidency and is expected to push ahead with an election by any means.

The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) would only require 26 percent of parliamentary seats to form a majority with 25 percent of seats designated for military officers under the 2008 Constitution.

What Min Aung Hlaing has said about an election?

In an interview with Russian news agency RIA, Min Aung Hlaing said an election depends on peace, economic recovery and stability. In his New Years message and Independence Day address on January 4, he promised to hold an election and transfer power to the winning party.

The regimes governing body, the State Administration Council, says it will abide by the 2008 Constitution and hold an election at the end of emergency rule.

The regime might hold a staggered election because of numerous armed conflicts across the country. After independence, three general elections were held between 1951 and January 1952 because of the civil wars that came with independence.

When will the regime announce election day?

The election law does not say how early a date must be announced, only that constituencies must be announced one month prior to voting.

Election days were announced between three to six months before the 1990, 2010, 2015 and 2020 elections. When emergency rule is due to end this month, the National Defense and Security Council is constitutionally obliged to hold a general election within six months. An announcement can therefore be expected by April or May.

An election could take place in May before the rainy season.

The previous State Law and Order Restoration Council regime held the 1990 general election in May. The referendum on the military-drafted 2008 Constitution was also held in May 2008 despite catastrophic Cyclone Nargis claiming more than 100,000 lives days before the referendum.

The junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) says it will use proportional representation (PR) rather than the first-past-the-post electoral system. It has also amended the 2010 Political Parties Registration Law, updated voter lists and trained electoral staff. It has invited tenders to supply voting materials.

On January 9, UEC chairman U Thein Soe told a training session of election commission officers to ensure there are no electoral errors.

The regime is asking Yangon residents to attend ward administration offices with their household registration certificates to allow the UEC to update voter lists.

The voters choices

The USDP has been meeting party members and other pro-military parties and nationalist groups.

The National League for Democracy will boycott any junta election but the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party led by Sai Ai Pao and the Arakan Front Party led by U Aye Maung as well as Mon, Kachin, Chin and Karen parties are keen to run because of the introduction of PR.

New political parties are also likely to emerge.

The NLD, the civilian National Unity Government and some EAOs oppose any regime election.

The US has urged the international community to reject any sham election, saying it will be neither free nor fair. Malaysia has urged fellow ASEAN members to reject any election.

An election will not be free or fair and not take place nationwide due to fighting but the final decisions will be made by Min Aung Hlaing.
Two fishermen who had been missing for over a week were found dead in Pikes Creek Reservoir in Luzerne County on Thursday morning, state police said.

Daniel Fisk, 67, of Noxen, and his brother Kris Fisk, 58, of Harveys Lake, were found with fishing poles in the water, and their deaths are not considered suspicious, Trooper Bill Evans said.

Police said the brothers had not been seen or heard from since Jan. 4. Investigators found Daniel Fisks blue Subaru Crosstrek unoccupied at the reservoir on Tuesday.

Authorities launched a search featuring a helicopter, aerial and water-based drones and a police dog.

On Thursday morning, with help from the Germania Dive Team and the Lake Winola Fire Company, authorities found both mens bodies.

The causes of death were not immediately known and autopsies were planned.

Police said the deaths did not appear suspicious.
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. High 81F. Winds WNW at 10 to 15 mph.
China endeavors to promote high-level development of its relations with Central Asian countries

16:15, January 13, 2023 By He Yin ( 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.

Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2022 shows large machinery transferring containers at China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Base in Lianyungang city, east China's Jiangsu province. (People's Daily Online/Wang Jianmin)

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.

Building a China-Turkmenistan community with a shared future is an endeavor that enables the two sides to further deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, better accommodate each other's concerns, and reinforce their everlasting friendship on the basis of mutual respect, candor, mutual trust, and mutual benefit.

The two sides should support each other on issues concerning their core interests and respect each other's pursuit of a development path suited to their own national conditions.

It is important for the two countries to synergize their development strategies at a faster pace, make full use of such mechanisms as the China-Turkmenistan Cooperation Committee, and continue to expand the breadth and depth of cooperation, in order to create underpinnings for bilateral relations with tangible cooperation outcomes.

The two sides should deepen cooperation on law enforcement, security and bio-security, and jointly crack down on the three forces of terrorism, separatism and extremism, to build strong security shields for the development of both countries.

The two sides also need to increase exchanges in various fields and at all levels, advance people-to-people cooperation, and strengthen the emotional bond between their peoples, so as to consolidate the popular and social foundation for the sustained and sound development of bilateral ties.

These efforts are conducive to the two countries' national development and rejuvenation and can help improve the well-being of their people.

The further elevation of the China-Turkmenistan relationship mirrors the high-level development of the relations between China and Central Asian countries.

Thirty-one years ago, China took the lead in establishing diplomatic ties with Central Asian countries, opening the door to bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Over the past 31 years, China and Central Asian countries have blazed a new trail of good-neighborly friendship and win-win cooperation, and set a good example of fostering a new type of international relations.

As Xi pointed out at the Virtual Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Central Asian Countries, which was held last January, no matter how the international landscape may evolve or how developed China may grow, China will always remain a good neighbor, a good partner, a good friend, and a good brother that Central Asian countries can trust and count on.

The establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and each of the five Central Asian countries and their jointly pursuing a community with a shared future for mankind at the bilateral level help safeguard regional peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

Photo shows the Kamchiq Tunnel of the AngrenPap railway line in Uzbekistan. (File photo)

The China + Central Asia (C+C5) cooperation mechanism, as a new mechanism established for promoting cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, is open and transparent, mutually beneficial, equitable, and pragmatic. It has provided an important platform for deepening all-round cooperation between China and Central Asian countries.

The success of the first C+C5 summit will bring into fully play the guiding role of the head-of-state diplomacy, promote new progress in the relations between China and Central Asian countries, and help both sides better cope with common challenges.

Central Asia is where the BRI was first proposed. Upholding the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, China and Central Asian countries have empowered the BRI to bear rich fruits in Central Asia, bringing tangible benefits to local people of the region.

Under the framework of the alignment of the BRI with the development strategies of Central Asian countries, China and Central Asian countries have made a series of historic, landmark and groundbreaking achievements.

The China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, the longest of its kind in the world, delivered more than 400 billion cubic meters of natural gas to China as of June 2022; the completion of the Kamchiq Tunnel of the AngrenPap railway line in Uzbekistan has utterly changed the way of traveling of more than 10 million people; the establishment of the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center and the China-Kazakhstan International Logistics Base has opened the door to the Pacific Ocean for Central Asian countries; and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway has officially opened to traffic, becoming an unimpeded international transport artery that passes through lofty mountains.

The two sides' efforts to continue promoting the high-quality construction of the BRI and accelerating the alignment of their development strategies will further boost economic development, improve people's well-being, consolidate friendly ties, and enhance mutual trust in the region.

As a Chinese saying goes, neighbors wish each other well, just as loved ones do to each other. Acting on the principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness and the policy of forging friendships and partnerships with its neighbors, China strives to enhance friendly ties, mutual trust, and converging interests with its neighboring countries.

By renewing their friendship, advancing cooperation, and working together to build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future, China and Central Asian countries will make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Du Mingming)
An Allentown man scammed the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission out of about $1 million in tolls by creating phony E-ZPass transponders and selling them to truckers, authorities said.

Sergio Jara, 37, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of fraud charges, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Jara and 43-year-old Duvany Zambrano of Hamilton, N.J. were indicted Jan. 4 by a federal grand jury after an FBI investigation.

According to the statement, the scheme began in 2018 when Jara, Zambrano and others began buying thousands of transponders from retailers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

They registered the transponders using false personal and credit card information and sold them to truckers in New Jersey who hauled material on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the statement says.

Trial for both men will begin March 4 before U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner.
A view of Sutherland Park and the former Tolko mill site. The 16-hectare site is slated for redevelopment but is also listed as a possible route for a future second bridge across Okanagan Lake.
A union representing education workers in Ontario is calling on the government to hire more support staff to help students and address a recent rise in violence in and around schools. Laura Walton, the president of CUPE's Ontario School Board Council of Unions says trained and available mental health workers and teacher assistants should be available on site in every school to support to students who are struggling. Walton speaks to the media in Toronto on November 16, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Atlanta Mayor helps kick off Kennesaw States celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.

KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 13, 2023

Andre Dickens Students, faculty and staff who attended Kennesaw State Universitys annual Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Breakfast on Friday were encouraged by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to engage in creating a stronger community.

Dr. King spoke about our inescapable network of mutuality  a connection that we all share, Dickens told a large audience gathered in the KSU Convocation Center. Connections are a good thing, and I want you to consider your connections to the overall community.

In addition to the welcome from the Mayor and Student Government Association President Bethany Fortson, the event featured remarks from KSU President Kathy Schwaig, Interim Chief Diversity Officer Sonia Toson, student leaders Nicole Brock, Brenden Dailey, Austin Harvey, Jamisen Winters and Calabria Atkins, music from the Kennesaw State Gospel Choir, as well as a moving keynote address by the lead researcher of KSUs Radow Institute for Social Equity, Roslyn Satchel. The Institute is housed in the Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences named for longtime KSU benefactor Norman J. Radow and his wife, Lindy.

Roslyn Satchel In her keynote, Satchel encouraged those in the audience to share the responsibility of making quality education, equitable curricula, and freedom from racially motivated violence accessible to all.

Removing barriers to access is key to the work of social equity, said Satchel. This morning, you dont have to do it alone. It is indeed the work of social equity that requires that we see people as they are, in light of their history, their ability, their differences. And notice what their needs are and how we can make sure that their needs are met so that they can pursue, and be successful at, the opportunities that present themselves.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Breakfast honors the civil rights leader and pastor of Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church who was assassinated in 1968. The event is the first of several upcoming MLK Week events, hosted by KSU Cultural and Community Centers and other campus partners.

 Abbey OBrien Barrows

Photos by Judith Pishnery and Darnell Wilburn

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.
The doctor and medical expert who conducted the autopsy of Julie Jensen the day after her death in 1998 testified in Kenosha County Circuit Court Thursday evening at the end of the second day of the jury re-trial of Mark D. Jensen.

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 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.

Dr. Michael Chambliss, a highly respected forensic pathologist, testified Thursday evening about the state of Julie Jensens corpse. He's conducted thousands of autopsies during his respected career throughout Wisconsin and other states.

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 had been positioning into something long enough."

The examination into Julie Jensens internal organs and rib cage also showed evidence of hemorrhages, he testified. Photos of such reported things were shown on three television screens to the jury.

Prosecutors allege Mark Jensen turned Julie Jensen over in their bed and shoved her face into a pillow and suffocated her. They allege he traumatized her over many years because of an affair she engaged in and marital strife.

Photos shown to the jury Thursday included Julie Jensen turned over and dead in her bed, her distorted face and nose, and autopsy photos of her ribs and heart.

Special Prosecutor Robert Jambois, who successfully prosecuted Mark Jensen in 2008, warned the nine men and seven women of the jury Thursday they would see upsetting images of Julie Jensen's body before and after the autopsy was conducted. None of these images were shared on the live stream television and internet feed used for broadcasters.

Jury selected in Mark Jensen homicide re-trial A jury has been selected in the re-trial of Mark D. Jensen, the Pleasant Prairie man accused

Jury selection underway for high-profile Mark Jensen trial in Kenosha County Jury selection got underway Monday in the new homicide trial of the man accused of killing h

Jury selection in Mark Jensen re-trial enters second day in Kenosha Jury selection in the re-trial of the Pleasant Prairie man accused of poisoning and suffocat
Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Catch up on old episodes!

Lets ask which elements of our system support this and promote and enhance those elements. If anything takes time or focus away from the main principle, lets remove or replace it. Whether its the EMR, payment models, prior authorizations, or even automated phone systems, lets rethink things so the two main people  the patient and the physician  are supported, and excellent care is allowed to be delivered with compassion, care, and time. Only then will we truly heal what ails us.

Reeta Achari is a neurologist.

She shares her story and discusses her KevinMD article, The physicians real problem isnt burnout.

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.

At Nuance, we are committed to helping physicians do what you love  care for patients  and spend less time on clinical documentation. The Nuance Dragon Ambient eXperience, or DAX for short, is an AI-powered, ambient clinical intelligence solution that automatically captures patient encounters securely and accurately at the point of care. Physicians who use DAX have reported a 50 percent decrease in documentation time and a 70 percent reduction in feelings of burnout, and 83 percent of patients say their physician is more personable and conversational.

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We began with terminally ill patients, but the slippery slope is alive and well, smothered in oil. The Western world is increasingly advocating for the advancement of legal euthanasia, and this is a huge mistake. In their quest, advocates for legally assisted suicide by way of a physician are redefining the definition of immense suffering. For example, Canada is considering including mental health disorders as eligible for legally assisted euthanasia. Excuse my French, but this consideration is a pathology of reason in itself! Are we really going to agree that depression is eligible for legal suicide? We still consider suicidal intent or ideation as a symptom of psychopathology. When did this change? I do not think it has.

Furthermore, when did absolute patient autonomy become the apple of the medical establishments eye? As a psychiatrist, I see the dire consequences of personal autonomy every day, and it is not all rosy and clean (and thats OK!). We dont redefine addiction as a physiologic response to stressors within the realm of healthy behavior. Why would we treat suicidal ideation for plagues of the body and mind posing no immediate (less than six months) lethal threat as healthy, physiologic, and rational?

The medical establishment has been shaking off its ancient traditions for several decades now, for better or for worse. But this is a clear example of academic appeals to emotion going much too far. To paraphrase the great Dostoevsky, all things may be legal, but this does not make them good. I can sympathize with the liberty of advocating for total patient autonomy, but psychiatrists are commonly in the business of doing exactly the opposite. It is within the scope of the psychiatrist, the pathology of the mind, where patients autonomy is in precise opposition to what we intrinsically know is good.

But critics will point to my last sentence, rightfully so, as being relative and imprecise  I agree. This brings me to the final point of this critique: we are in the midst of a cultural battle to define the good. As the profession that determines the normalcy of the mind, and given the prolific use (or rather, misuse) of our axioms in the language of everyday people, going back to the famous neurologist Sigmund Freud, psychiatrists have a significant role to play in the definition of what is good. Additionally, in a separate but related topic, we must reject the current postmodern craze that calls all things relative. A society will be doomed to repeat its mistakes if it throws out tradition in favor of radical change for the sake of change. Without going into more detail, we can at least agree on this: we know good when we see it, and state-sanctioned, physician-assisted suicide is not it. I believe it is in the nature of treating our patients to be humane; not killing them. I urge my colleagues to cut through the euphemisms like medical assistance in dying and call our actions what they are. For those with mental disorders, acquiescing to pleas for assisted euthanasia is not humane, nor is it medicine. For the sake of our humanity and the sake of our patients, I urge each one of us to stand against this egregious practice.

Nicholas S. Tito is a medical student.
Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

Windy with sunshine. High around 85F. Winds S at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph..

Tonight

Clear. Gusty winds diminishing after midnight. Low 57F. Winds SSE at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.
Iran summons Swedish envoy over European officials' "meddlesome" remarks

Xinhua) 16:32, January 13, 2023

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."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
On December 20 lawmakers unveiled legislative text of a massive full-year government funding bill that Congress hopes to pass to avert a shutdown at the end of the week.
Soldiers with the 270th Military Police Company are en route to aid San Luis Obispo County Sheriffis Department with their search of missing 5-year-old Kyle Doan. Over 100 Cal Guard members are already on the scene aiding the search efforts.
Both drivers and two young children who were passengers in the vehicle in the foreground refused medical treatment following a two-vehicle crash that occurred just after 4 p.m. Thursday in the 1500 block of C.R. 56 south of Garrett, the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office said.
BTS and BLACKPINK are nominated for 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! The two groups stood out on various categories, alongside popular international artists.

Read more for further details.

BTS, BLACKPINK Nominated for 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards

On January 11, multiple nominations for 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards went to K-pop groups, BTS and BLACKPINK.

The event announced their full list of nominees consisting of popular artists such as Bruno Mars, Imagine Dragons, OneRepublic, and many more.

In the list, BTS snagged several nominations for the event. Starting with the "Best Music Video" category, the group earned the place with title track "Yet To Come."

Additionally, BTS' youngest member Jungkook, earned a solo nomination in association with Charlie Puth's track, "Left and Right."

Not only did BTS themselves gain nominations, but ARMYs did too, making their spot on the category, "Best Fan Army."

BLACKPINK also made it on the list of nominees. The girl group is up for four separate awards, including Best Duo/Group of the Year and three popular vote categories, including "Favorite Use of a Sample," "Best Music Video," and "Best Female Artist."

On the "Favorite Use of a Sample" category, the place went to BLACKPINK's "Pink Venom" which sampled songs such as 50 Cent's "P.I.M.P," Rihanna's "Pon de Replay," and Biggie's "Kick In The Door."

For "Best Music Video" category, BLACKPINK's "Pink Venom" joins the list.

Their fandom, BLINKs, were also nominated on "Best Fan Army."

BTS Wins Two Trophies at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards

In other news, BTS won two prizes at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

On March 22, the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards was held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. The award ceremony was streamed on Fox, together with the show's official Facebook page and YouTube channel.

BTS won trophies for two of the three categories at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards. For their three-year streak, they won "Best Music Video," with "Butter."

Furthermore, the group also won "Best Fan Army" for the fifth time.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: BTS Bags Two Trophies at the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards

On March 23, iHeartRadio posted BTS' acceptance speech. In the video, BTS thanked the awards show and everyone who supported them.

"Thank you iHeartRadio Music Awards and ARMY for the Best Music Video and Best Fan Army awards." "Your love and support brought us these awards, and it means everything to us that we have ARMY." "Thank you for loving 'Butter' and our music." "We have always been together, and ARMY you are always amazing."

On a previous note, BTS and BLACKPINK were also nominated in the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards.

Both K-pop acts have received lots of recognition after being nominated, and it shows that the artists have completely captured the attention of the world's largest music market.

Congratulations to BTS and BLACKPINK for their nominations!

Read KpopStarz for more K-pop news.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: BTS and BLACKPINK Earn Multiple Nods in the 2021 iHeart Radio Music Awards

KpopStarz owns this article

Written by Israel Monte
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Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], January 13 (ANI/NewsVoir): Collabera Digital, a leading provider of digital and software engineering services, recently hosted its annual business summit and gala event, Blaze 2023. The series of events, which took place at Vadodara, brought together employees from across the company, including the Executive Leadership team, all the business and vertical heads, and the practice area leaders from Collabera Digital's 25+ global offices across Europe and APAC. The events were orchestrated over multiple sessions including leadership workshops, keynote sessions, networking sessions, and an awards ceremony. This was the first in-person global event organized by Collabera Digital post the pandemic.

The event kickstarted with a keynote speech by Mehul Shah, Founder and Managing Director, of Collabera Digital who announced the organization's renewed set of core values to all the employees. The company recently rebranded itself to Collabera Digital revealing its fresh brand identity representing the 360-degree transformation the company has undergone and its shift in its core strategy and focus. The new core values further reinforced Collabera Digital's focus on client-centricity, its people-first culture, and its commitment to continuous innovation.

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With a series of strategic discussions, the summit featured sessions from Collabera Digital's Executive Vice Presidents, Anil Snehi and Vijayaraghavan Srinivasan, who shared their collective vision of the company's way forward and roadmap. Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops conducted by the practice area leaders in Cybersecurity, Application Engineering, Data & Analytics, Cloud Engineering, CX & Automation, Digital Operations, and Talent Transformation as well as roundtable discussions, where they could share ideas and collaborate with their peers. The summit was the perfect platform for the employees to come together, interact with the leaders, and understand the organization's strategic mission.

The events ended with an extravagant gala night, Blaze, where the company recognized and celebrated the achievements of its top performers and honored them with accolades. Awards were presented to the exemplary performers by Mehul Shah for their outstanding contributions to the company.

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"It was a pleasure to see the entire Collabera Digital family, across the world, under one roof after 3 years," said Mehul Shah, Founder, and Managing Director, of Collabera Digital. "While we have had hybrid events in the last few years, nothing can surpass the joy of having a physical summit, where we get to meet everyone and felicitating the top performers of the company in person. And this year the enthusiasm and celebrations were manifold because of Collabera Digital's transformation in the past few years and the extremely positive response we have been getting from our clients since our brand relaunch. I am really excited for 2023," added Mehul.

Collabera Digital is committed to fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. The events provided a perfect platform for the entire Collabera Digital to come together and celebrate their achievements and success stories and further take formidable steps towards crafting impactful and innovative solutions and elevating the future of work.

Established in 2010, Collabera Digital excels in bringing innovation at every stage of business to transform and help its clients accelerate their digital journeys. With over 25 offices in more than 11 countries across APAC and Europe, Collabera Digital caters to over 300 clients, including Fortune 500 companies. Committed to enabling future-forward organizations realize their digital dreams, it provides software engineering services, including Data & Analytics, Cloud Engineering, CX & Automation, Application Engineering and Digital Operations.

For more information, please visit collaberadigital.com.

This story has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 13 (ANI/BusinessWire India): Today, most people are aware of first aid tips for heart attack and stroke-related concerns, yet there is not much awareness of the emergencies one may face daily. The emergency specialists at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital provide in-depth insights into dealing with emergencies that may occur in everyday life. An emergency is a word that scares most of them. Generally, people associate the word "emergency" with something huge, for example, a major road accident or even a severe cardiac attack. However, an emergency need not be linked with something major; it can occur at any time and even at one's home. Being alert and aware of every situation can help overcome the situation without panic or worry. Well, emergencies at home might sound a bit strange. But they are quite common and occur even due to the slightest negligence. Third-degree burns, snake bites, dog bites, insect bites, and fractures are the most common emergencies seen daily. The experts at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital (https://www.sriramakrishnahospital.com/) have shared insights on how emergencies that occur in daily life can be managed expertly. Here's the breakdown of emergencies: Third-degree burns: Burns can occur while working in a kitchen or even due to external factors. Although all burns are not considered emergencies, second-, and third-degree burns require medical help. By the time medical help reaches, performing first aid can prevent damage to the further layers of the skin. As soon as there is a burn and if the burn is deep, immediately call for help, before the help following the below tips can help:

- Move the affected person away from the fire's source and ensure that the person is in a secure area.- Clean the area with normal water, do not run it over tap water; obtain gentle ways to bring down the temperature of the burn area.- Do not rub ice over the injury.-Try to remove the clothing around the area; if it's stuck to the wound, do not try to pull it, as it can cause pain to the person. Leave it to professionals to carefully remove it without any pain.- Take off the jewellery from the burn area before the area swells.- Do not burst any blisters if they are formed, as they can spread infection.- Cover the area with a clean cotton cloth and avoid touching the injury.- Avoid applying external ointments, butter, or greases unless the doctor approves. Emergency management for snake bite: Snakebite, as people hear this word, panic fills, and they believe it to be life-threatening. However, all snake bites are not life-threatening; only about 15 per cent of the snakes are venomous and require medical help if a person experiences a bite. Reach out for help as a person experiences a snake bit, especially if the bite area changes colour or swells. These tips can help while waiting for medical help

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- Leave the area immediately after the bite has occurred, as the snake is likely to strike again. And if it is caught with a tool, let it go.- Calm the person down, as panic can only make the situation worse.- Stressing out or panicking can increase the blood flow and make the venom pass much faster.- If there is any tight clothing or any ornaments like rings, or bracelets, remove it as they can cause damage if the skin swells.- Try reassuring the victim, and keep the air calm to avoid panicking.Avoid using traditional methods to apply pressure above the bite area, as it can only worsen the swelling.- Avoid trying herbal mixes or medicines as they can cause reactions and lead to complications.- Keep an eye on the victim's breathing and ensure that the victim is responding. Tips for managing a dog bite: Dog bites can be painful and also dangerous. An alarming fact is that India alone is responsible for 36 per cent of rabies deaths that happen in the world. The number seems quite high, right? To avoid fatalities, having the right sense of mind and knowing basic first-aid can help reduce fatality.

- If there is a dog bite, especially by a stray dog, stay as calm as possible and move away from the dog to avoid a second bite.- Wash the area of the bite with warm water and mild soap to avoid the spread of bacteria.- If there is bleeding, try to control it using a clean cloth.- Visit a medical facility or hospital to get a rabies vaccine to avoid the chance of getting affected by rabies. Things to keep in mind during an insect bite: Not all insect bites are venomous or dangerous, so it is important to confirm the insect responsible for the bite before confirming the bite. Following these steps can help reduce inflammation and prevent the spread of venom.

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- Check if the sting protrudes from the skin; try removing it with clean hands or tweezers if possible; ensure to remove it gently without pulling so excess venom is not leaked from the stinger.- The discomfort and swelling can be alleviated by using an ice pack.- If the stinger is not removed, seek medical help to get it carefully removed. Important Takeaway: Emergencies, when handled the right way without panic, can increase the chances of speeder recovery and reduce the chances of complications. Every emergency is different, and the first step of coming out is moving to a safe place and seeking medical help immediately. Following basic first aid tips can save the victim from complications or life-threatening situations. For the residents of Coimbatore, in case of any emergency, one can consult the best emergency care specialists in Coimbatore at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. The doctors are available round the clock and treat emergencies effectively. Care at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital is on par with that provided anywhere in the country, so patients may rest assured that they will receive the best treatment possible there.

This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Jan 13 (PTI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday said 6,000 temporary employees would be regularised soon in the state.

Our government is continuously taking pro-people decisions. Another such decision has been taken on the auspicious occasion of Lohri festival, Mann said in a tweet in Punjabi.

Also Read | Delhi High Court Allows Foreign Hindu-Christian Couple To Register Marriage in National Capital.

More than 6,000 temporary employees would be regularised. Details will be shared soon, he added.

In October, a notification relating to regularisation of the services of nearly 9,000 contractual teachers had been issued by the AAP government.

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Earlier this month, Mann had said his government has fulfilled its major promise by providing a record 25,000 jobs in around nine months of its tenure. The state was on the threshold of witnessing revolutionary changes in education, employment and health sectors in 2023, he had said.

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New Delhi, January 13: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed condolences over the demise of socialist leader and former Union Minister Sharad Yadav.

"Saddened by the demise of former Union Minister Sharad Yadav. I had a very deep relationship with Sharad Yadav ji. I am shocked and saddened by the news of his demise. He was a strong socialist leader. His demise has caused an irreparable loss in the social and political field. May his soul rest in peace," tweeted the Bihar Chief Minister. Sharad Yadav Dies: A Socialist Leader and Former Union Minister Whose Political Journey Saw Turns, Splits and Alliances.

Yadav breathed his last on Thursday at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram where he was rushed after he collapsed at his residence in Delhi. The veteran leader was suffering from kidney-related issues for a long time and regularly underwent dialysis.

The family members paid respects to the former Union Minister at his residence in Delhi's Chhatarpur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the demise of the veteran politician and founder-member of Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U).

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Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr Lohia's ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti." Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati also condoled the demise of Sharad Yadav. Sharad Yadav Dies: Former Union Minister Passes Away at 75, Confirms His Daughter.

"The news of the demise of Sharad Yadav, a prominent face in the country's politics, who was a member of both houses of Parliament and a former minister for a long time, is very sad. My deepest condolences to his family and all his loved ones. May nature gives them all the strength to bear this sorrow," tweeted Mayawati.

Sharad Yadav was born on July 1, 1947, in Babai Village in Madhya Pradesh's Hoshangabad. A socialist leader who remained a prominent figure for a large part of his political life, especially in the peak era of coalitions, Sharad Yadav forged several alliances and turns of the journey saw friends turning into foes and then again returning back to forge partnerships.

In his political life spanning nearly five decades, Sharad Yadav served as a Union Minister, convenor of the National Democratic Alliance and the president of Janata Dal-United. He was a prominent leader from the socialist block in parallel with other socialist leaders like the late Mulayam Singh Yadav and George Fernandes.

Sharad Yadav's political career rose during the anti-Congress movement in the 70s. The year was 1974, it was his Lok Sabha by-poll win from Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur as the opposition candidate against the Congress which boosted its political fight against the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

After Emergency, he won again in 1977 and marked himself counted among several leaders to have come out of the anti-Emergency movement.

In 1979 Yadav became the national general secretary of the Lok Dal. Eight years later, in 1987, he was involved in the events that led to the founding of the Janata Dal (JD) in 1988, under the leadership of V.P. Singh. When Singh became prime minister of a short-lived coalition government (1989-90), Yadav was inducted into the cabinet as head of the Textiles and Food Processing Industries Ministry.

Sharad Yadav served as a minister in the VP Singh government in 1989, but his highpoint came after a decade in the late 1990s, when he was in the fray against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in Madhepura, a parliamentary seat dominated by voters from the Yadav caste, and drubbed the latter which earned him a ministerial berth in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.

In 1997 Yadav became president of the Janata Dal. However, in 1999 a spilt happened in the party when he chose to make the Janata Dal a component of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government. A faction led by H.D. Deve Gowda strongly opposed that move and left the Janata Dal to form a new party that became known as Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S). Yadav remained the head of his own faction, which took the name Janata Dal-United (JD-U). He served in the NDA cabinet as the minister of civil aviation, labour, and consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.

The JD(U) was reconstituted as a new party in 2003 after smaller parties merged with it.In 2006, Yadav was elected party president. He was again elected to the Lok Sabha from Madhepura in 2009. But after the JD(U)'s defeat in the 2014 general elections, Sharad Yadav's relations with Nitish Kumar saw a change.

In the Bihar assembly elections of 2017, when the JD(U) under Nitish Kumar realigned with the BJP (the two parties had been partners in the 2004 and 2009 general elections), Sharad Yadav refused to follow. Yadav who had launched his own party Loktantrik Janata Dal, merged with Lalu Yadav's outfit RJD in March 2020 which he said was the "first step towards a united opposition". (

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Patna, Jan 13 (PTI) The Bihar government on Friday dismissed 64 doctors from service for remaining absent from duty without authorisation for over five years, officials said.

The decision to this effect was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday, following a proposal by the health department.

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The doctors were posted in different districts, including Araria, Aurangabad, Banka, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur and Darbhanga.

Sixty-four erring medical officers (doctors), who remained absent from duty without authorisation, have been dismissed from service.

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Before taking this step, employees concerned were given several opportunities to clear the reason for their absence, but they did not submit their replies. Government officials cannot remain absent from duty for more than five years in an unauthorised manner, said S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat).

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New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) The Ministry of Education has constituted a joint review mission to visit West Bengal this month to review the implementation of centrally sponsored scheme PM POSHAN, officials said on Friday.

According to sources, the decision was taken following complaints of irregularities.

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The joint review mission comprises nutrition experts and officers from the Centre and the state government.

"A joint review mission has been constituted to visit West Bengal to review the implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme, Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), in the month of January, 2023," a senior MoE official said.

Also Read | Winter Vacation: Haryana Government Extends Holidays in Schools Till January 21 in View of Prevailing Cold Weather Conditions.

The team will review the implementation of the scheme, formerly known as the mid-day meal scheme, in the state and district and school levels for a specified period of time on defined parameters.

The team will review the fund flow from state to schools or implementing agencies, coverage of the scheme, management structure at state, district, block levels, delivery mechanism of food grains from state to schools, construction of kitchen-cum-stores, procurement or replacement of kitchen devices, among others.

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New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) The tussle between Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal refused to die down even after the two met for over an hour on Friday with the latter alleging that according to the 2018 Supreme Court judgement, the LG has no independent decision-making power.

Rebutting Kejriwal's statements, a Raj Niwas official said all the statements made by him attributing to the LG were misleading, patently false and fabricated and twisted to suit a particular agenda.

Also Read | Kerala: Higher Secondary School Teacher Held for Sexually Assaulting Students in Kannur.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Kejriwal alleged that for the last few months, the interference of the lieutenant governor in the elected government's working has increased day by day.

He said that for the meeting, he had even carried copies of the Constitution, Motor Vehicles Act, GNCTD Act, School Education Act, all relevant judgments of the Supreme Court to discuss with him.

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Kejriwal requested the LG not to politicise the life and survival of Delhiites", saying it is not a good precedent for the times to come.

"The kind of interference we are facing from the LG is not only obstructionist but also a strong deterrent in the fulfilment of the needs and ambitions of the people of Delhi. I had met with the LG to discuss such matters of concern today. My intention behind the meeting was to weed out any personal differences or any misinterpretation or misunderstanding of the Constitution and the subsequent court orders, laws and other statutes, he said.

Explaining the scenario in the national capital, Kejriwal said there is a clear division of power in Delhi and subject matters have been divided into two categories with police, land and public order falling under the LG and every other subject matter being under the elected government of Delhi.

"The three subjects that fall under the LG and as per the Constitution, he has all the might to act upon them. They are called Reserved Subjects, as in, they are reserved for his discretion. But it is very clear that no other subject falls under him. These subjects that include but are not limited to education, healthcare, electricity, water, etc. are called Transferred Subjects because the authority to act upon them has been transferred to the elected government," Kejriwal said.

On July 4, 2018, the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court had passed an order saying that "the Lieutenant Governor has not been entrusted with any independent decision making power (in context of the transferred subjects)".

Further the order states once again that "there is no independent authority vested in Lieutenant Governor to take decisions, except on matters where he exercises his discretion as a judicial or quasi-judicial authority under any law, implying that the LG only has an independent authority in cases where the LG may be required to act like a judge who resolves conflicts between people, he said.

Kejriwal said that he cited the order during their meeting, and stressed that it also means that the LG's order to seal the office of Dialogue and Development Commission (DDC) vice chairperson Jasmine Shah, his appointment of the presiding officer and 10 aldermen to the civic body, his order for recovery of Rs 164 crore from AAP for political advertisements, his order stopping the Finland Training Tour of teachers were all illegal and unconstitutional.

"I showed all of this to LG. I asked him to read the court order. What was extremely shocking to me was that upon being shown all these facts, the LG said the 'court's order is merely an opinion'. He said 'I am the Administrator of Delhi and the Administrator can do anything he wishes', Kejriwal said.

Accusing the LG of apparently believing that he has unsurmountable power over Delhi, Kejriwal alleged that the LG said he is the Administrator of Delhi and he will drive the government in whatever direction he wants.

He said he can issue any kind of instructions and directives he wants. When I brought up the division of reserved and transferred subjects, he said that he doesn't believe in the demarcation. I asked him if the President could act in the same manner with PM Modi as the LG is acting with me. He said that that is a separate case, I am the supreme power of Delhi, I am not inclined to believe the word of the Supreme Court because I am the Administrator and I believe the Court is only giving an opinion'. I was shocked to see his behaviour, Kejriwal alleged.

Kejriwal said he told the LG how payments across all the departments in the last three months have been stopped by the officers.

All funds of the Delhi Jal Board have been stopped by the finance department. It has resulted in the work of all the WTPs, STPs being stopped. They have stopped all tests, medicines, salaries of doctors and rent in Mohalla Clinics. Bus Marshalls have not been paid for three months. When confronted, the officers say that the LG office indirectly pressured them to do so. All of this happened three months before the MCD elections to harm the AAP. I asked him why he did so, but he refused involvement in it, he added.

Kejriwal urged the LG to appoint a capable and learned constitutional advisor in his team so that there is someone to tell him that Supreme Court orders are binding upon him.

Refuting Kejriwal's claims, a Raj Niwas official said in a statement: "All statements attributed by the CM to the LG in his press conference after the meeting, with regard to orders of the Supreme Court, powers as administrator, supremacy over all subjects and directions to officers are misleading, patently false and fabricated and twisted to suit a particular agenda."

"These statements are categorically denied. The CM will also be well advised to function in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution, Parliamentary Acts and Supreme Court's judgments and refrain from running down an existing law just because it has been challenged in the Court of Law," the official said.

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New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): The Congress will hold a follow-up programme to the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra, the 'Hath se Hath Jodo Yatra' from January 26 in which the party leaders will go door-to-door with Rahul Gandhi's letter, said party general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Friday.

From January 26, we will start the Hath Se Hath Jodo program, in which we will go door-to-door with Rahul Gandhi's letter and go to every panchayat, every block of the village. A charge sheet will also be brought against the Modi government," said the Congress leader.

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He further said that Rahul Gandhi's letter will also be written in regional languages.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, will end at Srinagar on January 30, with Rahul hoisting the Tricolour there.

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The yatra is currently in the Punjab leg.

The march has so far covered Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and is presently in Haryana.

It is the longest march on foot by any Indian politician in the history of India, the Congress claimed earlier in a statement.

Bharat Jodo Yatra is getting support from various political parties and social organizations across the country.

Notably, all the party MPs, leaders and workers, along with Rahul Gandhi, are in containers. Sleeping beds, toilets and ACs are also installed in some of the containers. The arrangements have been made keeping in view the intense heat and humidity with the change of places.

The Congress suffered a debacle in the assembly polls held earlier this year and the Yatra is seen as an attempt to encourage the party rank and file for the upcoming electoral battles. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): The Delhi Government will give an ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 crore each to the families of 14 COVID warriors who lost their lives during the COVID-induced pandemic while serving the patients and society. The decision was taken in the meeting of the group of ministers chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday.

During the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said, "COVID warriors of Delhi worked selflessly during the pandemic and sacrificed their lives to protect humanity and society without caring for their own lives. Delhi government salutes their spirit. No amount can compensate for the loss of the family of the deceased COVID warriors, but their families will definitely get a means to live a dignified life through this amount. The government stands with the families of COVID warriors in their every need" a release said.

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Deputy CM said, "Thousands of COVID warriors including doctors, medical staff, support staff, and sanitation workers worked day and night to fight this unprecedented pandemic and many of them were martyred while serving the people. Under the leadership of CM Arvind Kejriwal, the decision was taken to provide all the required support to the families of COVID warriors in Delhi."

"Through the ex-gratia amount of Rs 1 crore, the government is trying to help families get their lives back on track. CM Arvind Kejriwal will always stand as a brother and a son with the families of these martyred COVID warriors," he added.

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Sisodia also said, "this scheme of the Delhi government gives confidence to the families of COVID warriors that the government and society are always with them. It is to be noted that the government has earlier approved Rs 1 crore ex-gratia amount to the families of 59 deceased COVID warriors." (ANI)

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Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], January 13 (ANI): Amid severe weather conditions in the area, all flights at Srinagar were cancelled on Friday, as informed by the airport officials on Twitter.

"All flights for today at our airport have been cancelled due to continuous bad weather," Srinagar airport tweeted through their official Twitter handle.

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The airport officials informed that the passengers of the cancelled flights will be accommodated in the next available flight at no extra cost.

"The passengers of the cancelled flights shall be accommodated by the respective Airlines in the next available flight at no extra cost," reads the tweet. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): As the UP government gears up for the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors' Summit 2023, scheduled from February 10 to 12, leading industrialists from India and abroad appreciated the "development-oriented vision" of the state government.

Delegations of the Uttar Pradesh government held a roadshow in the national capital on Friday wherein the investors, who came to participate in the event, appreciated the opportunities being created in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

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Terming the state as an 'expressway of development', they lauded the policies of the Yogi Adityanath government.

During the roadshow, Managing Director at Umeandus Technologies India Private Limited Rajeev Chanan, said, "We are bringing more and more investment to UP as it has huge development potential. The state is making tremendous progress in infrastructure, railway connectivity, and airway connectivity. The entire focus of the UP government is development."

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Lava International's Chairman, Hari Om Rai, said, "After coming to UP, I have realised that UP is the only state that is able to attract industrialists on a very large scale."

He also said, "The changing atmosphere in UP today under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath has boosted the confidence of the business community and industrialists. A lot of work has been done in the field of infrastructure at UP. Roads and electricity are crucial for setting up any industry, and we are happy that the UP government is doing commendable work in this direction."

Industrialists signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth thousands of crores of rupees.

Uttar Pradesh is scripting a new saga of economic development under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Prestigious group's Chairman Hemant Sateja said that the work which could be done in 75 years is being done now.

"Earlier, it was impossible to think about the network of expressways and defence corridors, but now they are being prepared under the administration of UP CM Yogi Adityanath. The way the law and order situation has improved in UP has strengthened not only the confidence of people but also of investors like us. UP is moving towards making a big contribution to the development of the country," he added.

After conducting roadshows abroad, the UP government organised the roadshow in Delhi on Friday as part of its mission to develop the state into a USD 1 trillion economy through the Global Investors Summit from February 10-12.

Meanwhile, according to government officials, as many as four companies from Japan and South Korea are going to invest Rs 18,350 crore in Uttar Pradesh. (ANI)

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New Delhi, January 13: Delegates and participants arriving in India to participate in G20 events in the country will be exempted from the 2 per cent random Covid testing rule for international arrivals, according to a top government official.

"This has been noted on the request of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to the Ministry of Health Family and Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation has been asked to inform all stakeholders at airports," the official told ANI. G20 Presidency: India To Set Agenda Amid Global Challenges Including Russia-Ukraine War.

The Government of India has decided to exempt the delegates and participants arriving to attend the G20 meetings in the country till November 2023, from 2 per cent mandatory random Covid-19 testing at the airports, a top government official said.

India is hosting the G20 summit this year after taking over the presidency of the G20 Forum from Indonesia. The MEA had on Wednesday requested the aviation ministry for this exemption on Wednesday to grant this exemption till November 2023

The ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) has informed all airports and their operators, the official said. India's Health Ministry recently issued an advisory to all the stakeholders to mandate 2 per cent random Covid-19 testing for international passengers as a sudden global surge in the cases of coronavirus infection was reported.

As per the issued advisory, the passengers arriving in India from designated high-risk countries [China, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Japan] would have to fill out an Air Suvidha form along with a negative RT-PCR report with 72 hours of their arrival in India . G20: First Meeting of Development Working Group to Be Held in Mumbai From December 13 to 16.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has termed the G-20 presidency as "a big opportunity for India". All the G20 countries-- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union-- are set to attend the meetings and events in India.

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New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) Hate speeches are a "complete menace", the Supreme Court observed on Friday and rued the lack of regulatory control on TV news content, saying it wants "free and balanced press in India".

The top court said nowadays everything is driven by TRP (television rating point) and channels are competing with each other and creating a division in society. It wondered why can't a TV news anchor, if they become a part of the problem of propagating hate speech, be taken off air.

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It said unlike for print media, there is no Press Council of India for news channels, and observed "We want free speech, but at what cost".

A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna, which was hearing a batch of petitions seeking a curb on hate speech incidents across the country and action against the culprits, said, "Hate speech has become a complete menace. It has to stop."

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Expressing concern over media trial, the bench pointed to the recent incident of a man allegedly urinating on an Air India flight, saying, "He was called names. Media people should understand he is still under trial and he should not be denigrated. Everyone has dignity."

Justice Joseph said TV channels are competing with each other as news coverage is TRP-driven.

"They sensationalise everything and create divisions in society because of the visual element. Unlike the newspaper, the visual medium can influence you much more and unfortunately, the audience is not mature enough to see these kind of content," he said.

He said many a time during live debates the anchors became part of the problem as they either mute the voice of the person sitting in a panel or don't allow them to present a counter view.

Justice Nagarathna said if TV channels are found to be violating the programme code by indulging in propagation of hate speech, action can be taken against their management.

"We want free and balanced press in India," she said.

The counsel representing the News Broadcasters Association claimed that thousands of complaints have been received in the past year and action taken against the channels.

"In a live programme, the key to fairness of the programme is held by the anchor. If the anchor is not fair, he would not allow the counter view to come by either muting the speaker or by not asking the question to the other side. This is an insignia of bias.

"How many times action has been taken against the anchor? Media people must learn that they are occupying positions of great strength and they have an impact on society. They cannot be part of the problem and speak their mind whichever way they want," the bench said.

Justice Joseph said if action is taken against the news anchor or their management, all will fall in line.

The court told Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, appearing for the Centre, that freedom of speech and expression is a very important and delicate thing and the government has to take some action without actually interfering with it.

Nataraj said the Centre is aware of the problem and is contemplating bringing amendments in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to deal with the problem of hate speeches.

Justice Nagarathna, who recently gave a dissenting verdict on speeches made by public functionaries where she dealt with the issue of hate speech said, "Ultimately, it all comes down to the content of the speech. Freedom of speech and expression comes with great responsibility."

Nataraj agreed with the view of the bench and said State cannot subscribe to hate crime or hate speech, and these cannot be ascribed to any particular religion.

The bench told him the government has to act against broadcasts that impact the nation and affect fraternity and harmony carefully within the domain of law with some out of the box solution.

Justice Nagarathna said, TV has been now in India for decades but still it has no regulations and has become free for all. You don't have something like the Press Council of India for channels like newspapers."

The bench recalled a recent incident where a Delhi police officer was stabbed by a snatcher in front of a crowd but no one intervened, and said, "Several people were there but no one wants to stick their neck out."

Deputy Advocate General of Uttarakhand Jatinder Kumar Sethi said several cases of hate speech were registered including 23 that were lodged by police suo motu (on its own) as per the last order of the court.

Additional Advocate General Garima Prashad, who represented Uttar Pradesh, said more than 500 such cases have been filed, including 160 suo motu cases, where action has been taken and people have been arrested.

On October 21 last year, the apex court had asked Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi to crack down hard on those making hate speeches, observing, Where have we reached in the name of religion, what have we reduced religion to is tragic".

Holding that the Constitution of India envisages a secular nation, the court had directed the three states to promptly register criminal cases against the offenders without waiting for a complaint to be filed.

The apex court warned any delay on the part of the administration in taking action on this "very serious issue" will invite the court's contempt.

(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 13 (ANI): A Foreign-origin pilot of Alliance Air was recently detained for a few hours by Indian Air Force (IAF) security personnel at Rajasthan's Uttarlai Air Force Station for allegedly taking pictures and videos at airport's prohibited area.

The pilot has been de-rostered, the airline said in a statement.

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"Safety for Alliance Air is paramount and such occurrences are viewed seriously by Alliance Air. The said pilot has been de-rostered pending investigation. We ensure that all required corrective actions are in place," stated the Alliance airline.

"We would like to reiterate that Alliance Air as an airline adheres to the procedures/policies. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our esteemed guests on board," the statement further added.

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Alliance Air operated a charter flight from Delhi to Uttarlai Air Force Station on 9 January. After landing, the pilot clicked several pictures and made videos following which the IAF detained him.

IAF has lodged a complaint with the regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). (ANI)

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Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 13 (ANI): The University of Bangalore issued a circular on Thursday warning its staff and students living on the campus to restrict their movement at night amid the sighting of a leopard in the campus.

The videos of the leopard were being circulated on social media and media post which the notification was issued.

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The notice read, "In view of reports appearing in the media and social media platforms about the leopard sighting on the campus, all the students of the university, especially those staying in the university hostels, teaching faculties and other staff are hereby directed that they should be cautious and avoid moving around in the night."

The notification also directed all the students and staff of the University to inform their superiors as soon as they noticed the leopard roaming on the campus anywhere.

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The forest department has been informed regarding the sighting of the wild animal and has been asked to take appropriate action to capture the leopard, said the circular.

In December, the Andhra Pradesh forest department captured a leopard at the Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati after setting up traps including two cages in the jungle.

The leopard was reportedly roaming in the university premises, following which the forest officials used six cameras and traps along with two cages at two different places to capture the leopard. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has upgraded the security cover of Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai from 'Y' to 'Z' category, sources said on Friday.

As per recent MHA order, Annamalai will be accorded 'Z' category Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) round-the-clock armed security cover during his stay in Tamil Nadu and his journey outside the state.

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The CRPF commandos provided 'Y' category security to the BJP leader earlier.

The MHA's direction to the CRPF came following a recent threat analysis report submitted to the ministry by the Intelligence Bureau.

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With the new security change, the 38-year-old IPS officer-turned-politician will be guarded by CRPF commandos and a pilot and escort vehicle will be in his convoy during his travels across India, said the sources.

Under Z category security cover, a team of about 30 commandos provides round-the-clock security cover to the protectee in shifts. The protection cover covers the residential premises of the protected as well as his movement across the state and outside. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed condolences over the demise of veteran politician and founder-member of Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) Sharad Yadav.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr Lohia's ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."

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Sharad Yadav passed away on Thursday, informed his daughter Subhashini Sharad Yadav through a social media post.

Yadav who had launched his own party Loktantrik Janata Dal merged with Lalu Yadav's outfit RJD in March 2020 which he said was the "first step towards a united opposition".

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The condolence messages also came from Congress with the party president Mallikarjun Kharge.

"I am saddened by the demise of Sharad Yadav, a senior leader of the socialist stream of the country, former JDU president. Serving the country as a former Union Minister and an outstanding Parliamentarian for decades, he strengthened the politics of equality. My deepest condolences to his family and supporters," Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted in Hindi.

"Deeply saddened by the demise of my friend, veteran leader and our colleague in Parliament Sharad Yadav. He was a distinguished student leader who rose to the highest heights in public life. He was an outspoken leader and deeply committed to an inclusive India," Congress Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma said on his official Twitter handle.

Sharad Yadav was a former union minister in various governments.

Sharad Yadav had formed Loktantrik Janata Dal in 2018 miffed with Janata Dal (United) returning to an alliance with the BJP in Bihar. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): Ahead of the Union Budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday while interacting with economists at NITI Aayog, said that to seize opportunities arising as a result of the emerging global environment, the public and private sectors need to leverage synergies and think out of the box.

"While there were risks, the emerging global environment offers new and diverse opportunities in areas such as digitization, energy, health care and agriculture. To seize these opportunities, public and private sectors need to leverage synergies and think out of the box," PM Modi said.

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Prime Minister Modi held an interaction with noted economists and experts at NITI Aayog earlier today.

The deliberations were based on the theme "India's Growth & Resilience Amidst Global Headwinds".

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Underscoring Nari Shakti as a key driver of India's growth, Modi urged to continue making efforts to further enable and boost women's participation in the workforce.

In the ongoing International Year of Millets, Prime Minister highlighted the need to promote millets in view of their potential to transform the rural and agri sector, with their attributes such as being carbon neutral, conducive to natural farming, and an affordable source of nutrition.

Prime Minister applauded the success of the India Digital story and the rapid adoption of fintech across the country, and the potential for inclusive growth and development it promises.

Participants in the meeting offered practical measures on ways in which India could prudently sustain its development momentum.

Ideas and suggestions were shared with the Prime Minister on diverse topics ranging from agriculture to manufacturing by the participants.

"Recognizing that the underlying global headwinds are likely to continue, strategic recommendations were also shared for further strengthening India's resilience. There was agreement that due to its resilience, India has emerged as a bright spot on the turbulent global stage," NITI Aayog said in a statement, adding that it was also suggested that new growth impulses would need to build upon this foundation through holistic development across all sectors.

The Budget Session of Parliament is likely to begin on January 31 and is expected to conclude on April 6 with a recess in between, government sources had said on January 2.

Union Finance Minister, Minister of State for Planning (I/C), Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Members of NITI Aayog, Cabinet Secretary, Chief Economic Adviser and CEO, NITI Aayog were also present at the meeting. (ANI)

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Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the world's longest river Cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, in Varanasi via video link on Friday and inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several other projects here.

An official of Port, Shipping and Waterways told ANI that World's longest River Cruise MV Ganga Vilas is the first-ever cruise vessel to be made in India. This is the symbol of Self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in the River Cruise Sector. Ganga Vilas Luxury Cruise Reaches Varanasi, to Be Flagged Off by PM Narendra Modi on January 13

MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and travel 3,200 km, in 51 days, to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh. Ganga Vilas, Worlds Longest River Cruise, to Be Flagged Off By PM Narendra Modi on January 13, Check Route and Other Details

The flag-off ceremony will be in the presence of Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways - Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, besides other Ministers and senior officials from various Ministries & Departments.

Union Minister for Port Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal told ANI that on its maiden voyage, MV Ganga Vilas will carry 32 tourists from Switzerland across 27 river systems and will cruise through various prominent destinations located along the river banks in Varanasi, Patna, Kolkata, Bangladesh, Guwahati and Sibsagar/Dibrugarh.

"The journey will give the foreign tourists an opportunity to embark upon an experiential voyage and indulge in the art, culture, history, and spirituality of India and Bangladesh," Sonowal said.

Union Minister further said that this cruise is a culmination of PM Narendra Modi's vision of making waterways a source of development for the nation. More than 100 waterways are being developed at various locations across India to facilitate the development of the waterway's ecosystem which will lead to more cruise tourism, boost local businesses along the river banks and lead to the growth of the local economies.

Built to cherish Indian and international design, the modernist ship is 62 meters in length and 12 meters wide and requires a draft of 1.4 meters. With 18 suites and all associated amenities, the vessel has a total carrying capacity of 36 passengers.

PM will release a document - "River Cruise Vision Document 2047" which encapsulates the vision of the progress and growth of River cruise by 2047.

During the event, the PM will also inaugurate Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal, 4 floating community jetties in Uttar Pradesh, the Skill Development Centre at Guwahati in Assam

In order to facilitate the growth of Water Transport in India, IWAI has undertaken several projects, one of which is the Haldia MMT. Haldia is an industrial port city located on the confluence of River Hoogly and the Bay of Bengal in the state of West Bengal. The geographical advantage of Haldia provides a competitive logistics edge with the waterways. It provides the opportunity to export and import the products at quite affordable rates. Developed over an area of 61 acres in the Purba Medinipur District of West Bengal under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) has a cargo handling capacity of 3.08 MMTPA. The berths are designed to handle vessels up to 3000 DWT

"Floating community jetties will be inaugurated at Saidpur (Ghazipur), Chochakpur (Ghazipur), Zamania (Ghazipur), and Kanpur (Ballia) in Uttar Pradesh. More than 60 community jetties is being constructed along river Ganga across the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal to boost the economic activities and improve the livelihoods of the local community," the Ministry official said.

An official of Port, Shipping and Waterways further said that the community jetties aim at inclusive growth and would play a key role in improving the livelihoods of people by providing simple logistics solutions for small farmers, fishery units, an unorganised farm-producing unit, horticulturists, florists and artisans focussing on economic activities in & around the hinterland of river Ganga.

With the rapid development & growth of the IWT sector, skilled manpower is the need in the industry. As skill development is one of the major aspects of the growth of any sector, a skill development centre has been developed in Guwahati for Inland Vessels's Navigation and Engineering Personnel. This centre will provide courses on I.V. Master, I.V. Engineer, fairway development, safety etc. - with the help of IIT, Guwahati and National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI), Patna.

The skill centre at Guwahati will help people of the North-eastern Region to increase their proficiency and employability in the IWT sector.

In addition to this, PM will also lay the foundation stone for a ship repair facility and an elevated road at Pandu Terminal. The elevated road will provide direct connectivity to NH 27. The Ship Repair will save a lot of valuable time as it takes more than a month for a ship to be transported to the Kolkata Repair facility and back. Moreover, it will also mean a lot of savings in terms of money as the transportation cost of the ship will also be saved.

"In line with the vision of PM to make Waterways a source of the development of the Nation, IWAI is and will continue to contribute towards developing the National Waterways and making them more and more efficient," the official added. (ANI)

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New Delhi [India], January 13 (ANI): A woman Commissioner from Rajasthan has accused IAS Pawan Arora of running a sex racket and harassing her, the National Commission for Women (NCW) said on Friday.

"The Commission has come across several media reports in which a commissioner from Rajasthan accused Pawan Arora, an IAS official from the state, of operating a sex racket," NCW said in a statement.

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Taking cognizance of the matter, a three-member fact-finding team headed by NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma will visit Rajasthan to probe the matter.

The woman has also claimed that Minister Shanti Dhariwal is shielding Pawan Arora, who she claims has been harassing her.

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"The Commission has taken cognizance of the matter. A three-member fact-finding team headed by Chairperson Ms Rekha Sharma will be visiting the State to inquire into the case," it said.

The panel has also written to the Rajasthan Director General of Police to look into the matter and ensure that a fair and time-bound investigation is accomplished, the NCW said.

The Commission has also sought that relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code must be invoked if the allegations are found to be true. (ANI)

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New Delhi, January 13: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on the plea of NCPCR challenging an order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which said a Muslim girl after attaining puberty is competent to enter into a contract of marriage with a person of her choice under the Muslim Personal Law.

A bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha issued notices to the respondents in the case on the plea of the National Commission For Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

The top court directed that the order of the High Court, which held that a Muslim girl aged 15 years can enter into legal and valid marriage as per personal law, should not be relied on as a precedent in any other case.

It further appointed senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao as amicus curiae in the case to assist the court. Spain's Supreme Court Drops Sedition Charges Against Catalan Separatist Leader.

The bench in its order stated, "We are inclined to entertain these writ petitions. Issue notice. Pending further orders, impugned judgment (of High Court) shall not be relied upon as precedent."

At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended that Muslim girls who are 14, 15, and 16 years old are getting married. He said, "Can there be a defence of personal law? Can you plead custom or personal law as a defence against a criminal offence?"

Earlier, the National Commission for Women (NCW) had approached the top court to make the minimum age of marriage for Muslim girls the same as that of persons belonging to other religions.

The minimum age for marriage in India is currently 18 for women and 21 for men. However, the minimum marriage age for Muslim women is when they attain puberty and 15 years is presumed to be that age.

The NCW said that allowing Muslims to marry at the age of puberty (around 15) is arbitrary, irrational, discriminatory, and violative of penal laws. The plea said even the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) does not provide for those under 18 to consent to sex.

It said the PIL was filed for enforcement of the fundamental rights of minor Muslim women to bring Islamic personal law in consonance with the penal laws applicable to other religions. The High Court in June in its order had cited the provisions of the Muslim Personal Law on marriage to rule that a 15-year-old Muslim girl was competent to enter into a contract of marriage with a person of her choice. LG Saxana Finds Delhi CM's Statement Regarding Him Misleading, Twisted; Kejriwal Holds His Ground.

The NCPCR sought to ensure the proper implementation of statutory laws specifically in place to protect children below the age of 18 years. The Commission highlighted the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (PCMA) 2006 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) to put forth its reasons for challenging the High Court ruling.

NCPCR said the order is violative of PCMA which, the petition said, is a secular law that is applicable to all. It further said that the provisions of POCSO say no child below the age of 18 years can give valid consent.

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New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) Godrej Properties on Friday said it has acquired a 60-acre land in Chennai to develop a residential project, as it seeks to expand business amid rise in housing demand.

In a regulatory filing, the company informed that it has purchased the land on an outright basis in the micro market of Oragadam Junction, Chennai.

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The company did not disclose the deal value.

"Spread across 60 acre, the proposed project is estimated to have a developable potential of approximately 1.6 million square feet of saleable area, comprising primarily of residential plotted development," the filing said.

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Gaurav Pandey, MD & CEO, Godrej Properties, said, the acquisition of this land parcel fits with its strategy of deepening the company's presence across India's leading cities.

"We will aim to build an outstanding plotted development project in Chennai that creates long-term value for its residents," he added.

Godrej Properties, a part of business conglomerate Godrej Group, is one of the leading real estate developers in the country.

It mainly focuses on four cities -- Delhi-NCR, Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), Bengaluru and Pune.

Godrej Properties has set a target of Rs 10,000 crore of sales bookings for 2022-23 as against Rs 7,861 crore registered during the last fiscal year.

It has already clocked a 60 per cent growth in sales bookings during the first half of this fiscal year at Rs 4,929 crore as against Rs 3,072 crore in the year-ago period.

Early last year, Godrej Properties Executive Chairman Pirojsha Godrej had announced that it would invest USD 1 billion on future development of projects.

It is aggressively acquiring land parcels either outright or in partnership with land owners.

As per the plan, Godrej Properties has already added around 12 land parcels this fiscal year with an estimated sales potential of more than Rs 20,000 crore.

With three months still left in 2022-23 fiscal year, Godrej Properties might add another Rs 5,000-10,000 crore worth projects in its portfolio.

Recently, the company bought a 9-acre land in Gurugram for around Rs 300 crore to develop a housing project.

Last month, Godrej Properties purchased about 62-acre land in Kurukshetra, Haryana for over Rs 100 crore to develop a plotted residential project.

In December only, Godrej Properties bought a 18.6-acre land at Kandivali in Mumbai to develop a premium housing project with an estimated sales revenue of Rs 7,000 crore.

It also partnered with landowner for joint development of 14.27 acre of land in Gurugram and expects around Rs 3,000 crore sales revenue from development of a housing project on this land.

In November, Godrej Properties won two adjacent land parcels through an auction totalling 12.4 acre in Noida for Rs 377 crore.

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New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) Shares of HCL Tech declined nearly 3 per cent in morning trade on Friday after the company narrowed its current fiscal growth guidance.

The stock fell 2.78 per cent to Rs 1,042 on the BSE. At the NSE, it dipped 2.86 per cent to Rs 1,041.

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The stock was the major laggard among the Sensex and Nifty components.

The 30-share BSE benchmark was trading 242.4 points lower at 59,715.63.

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IT company HCL Tech on Thursday reported a 19 per cent increase in the consolidated net income to Rs 4,096 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2022 driven by growth in services revenue.

It had posted a net income of Rs 3,442 crore a year ago, the company said.

"HCL Tech delivered an all-rounder performance in Q3. Across the metrics, the company reported a big beat. The company did narrow its revenue and margin guidance but it remains in line with the expectations. Overall, the company has delivered a strong show in Q3," said Veer Trivedi, Research Analyst, SAMCO Securities.

The company has for the first time crossed Rs 5,000 crore of net income before interest and taxes and Rs 4,000 crore of profit after tax in a quarter.

The consolidated revenue grew 19.56 per cent to Rs 26,700 crore during the quarter from Rs 22,331 crore in October-December 2021.

"The strong revenue growth is attributed to both the momentum in our services business as well as our software business," HCL Tech CEO and Managing Director C Vijayakumar said.

HCL Tech narrowed the current fiscal growth guidance in the range of 13.5-14 per cent for the overall revenue in constant currency terms and margin to 18-18.5 per cent.

The company had increased guidance in the last quarter from 12-14 per cent to 13.5-14.5 per cent.

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Mumbai, January 13: The Bombay High Court on Friday pulled up a Pune-based bike taxi aggregator for operating without procuring a licence from the Maharashtra government and directed it to suspend the services immediately.

A division bench of Justices Gautam Patel and S G Dige warned Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited (Rapido) to either suspend its bike taxi services immediately or the court would have to issue directions to the state authorities to permanently exempt the company from getting any licence. Bombay High Court Raps Law Firm, Imposes Rs 5000 As Fine for Disclosing Rape Victim's Name in Petition.

The bench noted that in the absence of licence, the company cannot run its services in an unregulated manner. Roppen Transportation Services Private Limited had moved the court against a communication issued to it by the state government on December 29, 2022, refusing to grant a bike taxi aggregator licence.

The state government had in its letter cited that there was no state policy on licensing of bike taxis and there was no fare structure policy. The company assured to suspend its services till January 20 when the court would hear the matter further. Advocate General Birendra Saraf had told the court that the company's petition ought to be heard only after they discontinue their services. Bombay High Court Terms Open Manholes As Death Traps, Directs BMC To Cover Them Immediately.

"They can't come to this court while running the services illegally, he said. Saraf added that the government has formed a committee to study the issue and explore formulation of guidelines for bike taxis. We are also in the process of issuing prohibition and initiating prosecution against entities which are operating bike taxis without licence, Advocate General Saraf added.
Washington, Jan 13 (PTI) US President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are all set to meet at the White House on Friday, which the administration officials indicated would take bilateral alliance to an altogether new level.

Being held a day after the two countries announced plans to expand their security alliance to space, the meeting is being held against the backdrop of an aggressive China posing threat to regional and global security architecture, one that has forced Tokyo to massively expand its defence spending.

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"From our perspective, the message is absolutely clear. Japan is stepping up and doing so in lockstep with the United States. Our investment in our alliances is paying huge dividends and we look forward to celebrating that tomorrow," John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, told reporters at a news conference here on Thursday.

Kishida arrives in Washington after a set of extensive discussions with European partners from Italy to the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Kirby hoped that the two leaders going to have the opportunity to debrief on those discussions as well.

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"We modernize the alliance by announcing that attacks too from and within space could lead to the invocation of Article 5 of the US-Japan Security Treaty. Expanding bilateral exercises between our two countries in training, which includes Japan's Southwest islands," Kirby said.

"And of course, deepening cooperation in the region to include trilateral training and exercises with Australia and increasing cooperation with the Republic of Korea on ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare and maritime security," he told reporters at a White House news conference.

"All these moves are not only going to strengthen our combined ability to defend Japan, but also will allow the United States and Japan together to provide for the peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and bolster deterrence in the region and globally," he said.

"I do think that tomorrow will also give President Biden an opportunity to discuss with Prime Minister Kishida progress that we're going to be able to make together in this coming year on a range of national security and economic issues. Japan holds the G-7 presidency," he said.

Japan has just taken a seat on the UN Security Council. "And while we're going to be hosting the APEC this year as well as seeking to make swift progress on the Indo-Pacific economic framework, there's a lot of overlap there and we're looking forward to that. We'll discuss how we're going to align these agendas going forward," Kirby said.

Last month, Kishida released Japan's new national security strategy and committed to boosting Japan's defence spending to two per cent of their GDP, and that includes investments in new defence capabilities. "That's a historic commitment by Japan," 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)
Kathmandu, Jan 13 (PTI) Nepal's central bank on Friday barred Nepalese nationals from investing in foreign countries, warning that such a move would invite strict punishment.

According to a notice issued by Nepal Rastra Bank, the country's central bank, Nepalese nationals are not allowed to purchase land, house, property, debenture and deposit money in foreign banks and financial institutions abroad.

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Except under the provision specifically mentioned by the bank, no one shall engage in making this kind of payment in a foreign country, the notice said.

The central bank urged citizens not to do any work related to payment abroad, except as per the prescribed rules.

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The notice also warned that if anyone is violating the rules, strict action will be taken under the prevailing laws.

In April last year, Nepal's central bank announced the ban on the import of vehicles and other luxury items citing liquidity crunch and declining foreign exchange reserves, despite government assurances that the economy will not go into a tailspin like Sri Lanka.

Nepal's total foreign exchange reserves rose marginally, by about 3 per cent in mid-December to touch USD 9.82 billion -- enough to cover 8.7 months of imports -- from mid-July levels, according to the central bank data.

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Kabul [Afghanistan], January 13 (ANI): Expressing concerns about the current developments in Afghanistan, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called on the Taliban to reconsider the decision to ban women from working for NGOs.

OIC called the ban on women from working in NGOs and education is "in violation of the purposes of Islamic law and the methodology of the Messenger of Allah", TOLOnews reported.

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The statement was issued by OIC in its final communique of the Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee on "The Recent Developments and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan."

The 57-member states group also expressed grave concerns over "the worsening humanitarian and human rights situation in Afghanistan" and called on Islamic Emirate to respect human rights, including the rights of women and children.

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In an earlier statement, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim stressed that the OIC has been following with deep concern the developments of the "unfortunate events" in Afghanistan.

He noted that "we conveyed, through my special envoy, messages to the de facto authority in which we emphasized the importance of the government's fulfilment of its previous promises to open schools for girls in light of the solid and clear foundations of the Islamic religion that encourage education."

These remarks came in the speech of the OIC Secretary-General before the emergency meeting of the open-ended Executive Committee, which convened on January 11 in Jeddah, to discuss developments and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

This meeting was convened in light of the recent measures imposed by the de facto authority in Afghanistan to close schools and universities to girls and women in addition to the suspension of women's work in national and international NGOs.

On December 24, the Taliban issued a decree banning women from working in NGOs. This came after they had already suspended university education for women and secondary schooling for girls until what they termed further notice.

In a press statement this month, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tur called on the Taliban to revoke a raft of policies that target the rights of women and girls, noting both the "terrible, cascading effects" on their lives and the destabilizing risks such policies pose to Afghan society.

The Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021 and imposed policies severely restricting basic rights--particularly those of women and girls, according to Human Rights Watch. (ANI)

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Lima, Jan 13 (AP) A 16-year-old shot during a protest in the southern Peruvian region of Puno died on Thursday, bringing the death toll to 49 in more than a month of unrest following the ouster of President Pedro Castillo.

Relatives of the teen, who Peruvian officials only identified by the initials B.A.J., say he had been hospitalised in critical condition for two days after being shot in the head.

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His passing raised the number of deaths during protests in hard-hit Puno region, home to Lake Titicaca, to 19.

Among the dead are a policeman who was attacked and burned to death by a group of protesters. Across Peru, the death toll amid the protests stands at 49.

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The Ombudsman's Office said Thursday that there were mobilisations, strikes and roadblocks in 35 provinces, most of them in the southern regions of the Andean country.

In Lima, hundreds of people marched through the city's centre demanding the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, the closure of Congress and immediate elections. Some called for the release of Castillo, who remains in prison.

The governors of Puno, Cusco and Apurimac have called for Boluarte's resignation.

In Cusco, the region where the Inca citadel of Machu Picchu is located, a group of protesters tried to set fire to the police headquarters, but officers managed to put out the flames, and other protesters entered the Antapaccay mining camp and set fire to two vehicle.

In Apurimac, another southern region, residents protested at the entrance to the Las Bambas copper mine.

A delegation from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights arrived in Puno to gather information on the protests and the social crisis.

The unrest began in early December following the destitution and arrest of Castillo, Peru's first president of poor, rural roots, following his attempt to dissolve Congress and head off his own impeachment.

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.

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. (AP)

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Hero Gayab Mode On actor Abhishek Nigam is all set to replace Sheezan Khan in the show 'Ali Baba: Dastaan-e-Kabul'. He will start shooting next week for the role of Alibaba which was played by Sheezan. However, no official announcement has been made. A source close to the show told IANS: "Abhishek has been roped in for the role of Ali Baba and he will be starting shooting for the show from next week." Abhishek Nigam Replaces Sheezan Khan in Ali Baba  Dastaan Ek Kabul Following His Arrest in Tunisha Sharma Suicide Case  Reports.

The makers and the casting team have not given any confirmation on how they are going to introduce Abhishek in the show. As far as Tunisha's replacement is concerned nothing is yet finalised: "We are thinking of removing her character Mariam from the show for the time being until we get a new face," the source added. After the sudden demise of Tunisha Sharma and arrest of Sheezan Khan, the makers of the show 'Ali Baba: Dastaan-e-Kabul' are being questioned about the replacement of lead actors. There was also a buzz that the show might go off-air. Tunisha Sharma Death Case: Accused Sheezan Khans Bail Plea Rejected by Vasai Court.

However, now it is confirmed that the show is not going off-air and the makers are all set to continue it with a new face for Alibaba. Meanwhile, Sheezan, who was arrested because of a complaint filed by Tunisha's mother Vanita Sharma, is currently in judicial custody.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 13, 2023 05:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Hyderabad, January 13: Death of two women after delivery at a government-run hospital in Hyderabad sparked protest by their relatives on Friday.

Alleging that negligence by the doctors led to the deaths, relatives of the deceased sat on a dharna in front of the government area hospital in Malakpet. They lodged a complaint with the police, demanding action against the doctors responsible for negligence. Tamil Nadu: Pregnant Woman Allegedly Denied Admission at District Hospital in Tumakuru, Dies With Newborn Twins.

Both the women died while undergoing treatment at the government-run Gandhi Hospital, where they were shifted after their condition became critical Mahesh, a driver from a village in Nagarkurnool district had admitted his wife Sri Venella (23) to the hospital on Monday.

She delivered a baby on Wednesday by cesarean section. He said a few hours later she started shivering but nobody took care. The next day he was informed that he condition was not good as pulse rate has come down and heartbeat has increased. Karnataka Shocker: Woman Delivers Twins at Home in Tumakuru After Hospital Refuses To Admit Her, All Three Die; Locals Stage Protest.

When her condition turned critical, the staff shifted her to Gandhi Hospital. He said doctors at Gandhi Hospital told her that she had dengue fever for five days and platelets had dropped. She succumbed while undergoing treatment. Holding her newborn daughter in his arms, Mahesh was inconsolable. He demanded authorities to do justice to him.

Jagadish, a software engineer from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, had admitted his wife Shivani to the hospital on January 10 for delivery. The next day she delivered a baby through caesarean section. Subsequently, her sugar and BP levels slumped and doctors asked him to take her to Gandhi Hospital for observation. However, her condition had already turned critical and she died a few hours later. Jagadish was distraught over losing his wife within hours after delivering their first child.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 13, 2023 12:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Parliament's Budget Session will begin from January 31 with President Droupadi Murmu's address to the joint sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The Session will have 27 sittings and will continue till April 6 with a month-long recess to examine the budget papers Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 13, 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.)
New Delhi, January 13: Ride-hailing major Ola has started to lay off 200 employees from its Ola Cabs, Ola Electric and Ola Financial Services verticals as part of the "restructuring" exercise. The layoffs, which were first announced in September last year, happened across the teams.

The company told IANS that it is "centralising operations and is undertaking a restructuring exercise to minimise redundancy and build a strong lateral structure that strengthens relevant roles and functions". Alphabet Layoffs: Robot Software Firm Intrinsic Sacks 40 Employees Amid Global Macroeconomic Conditions.

The layoffs constitute 10 per cent of its 2,000-strong engineer workforce "as part of a larger restructuring exercise towards its electric dream". "Currently, the company has around 2,000 engineers and aims to increase its engineering talent pool to 5,000 over the next 18 months," according to the ride-hailing company. The Bhavish Aggarwal-run company has nearly 1,100 employees in its core ride-hailing business.

Earlier, restructuring exercises impacted employees across product, marketing, sales, supply, tech, business, and operations verticals at the company, affecting nearly 500 employees that "were a result of restructuring in the cars and dash businesses". Amazon Layoffs: Tech Giant Begins Firing Employees in India, Informs Sacked Staffers Via Email; Pune Labour Commissioner Reacts to Sackings.

The ride-hailing major last year shut down its used vehicle business Ola Cars, as well as its quick-commerce business, Ola Dash, as the company shifted focus on its electric two-wheeler and car verticals.

Ola said it plans to hire 5,000 engineers as it doubles down on new engineering verticals and strengthens capabilities across vehicle, cell, battery, manufacturing and autonomous streams.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 13, 2023 02:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The arrest of Ovidio Guzman, son of El Chapo, has thrown a Mexican city into carnage. Members of the Sinaloa Cartel have continued their rampage in retaliation to the drug lord's arrest, and reports indicate that over 100 people have already disappeared.

The disappearances were reported in the city of Jesus Maria, Sinaloa, according to Fox News. Protests have erupted outside of a government palace in the city, and they claimed that 140 people have already disappeared since the drug lord's arrest.

The arrest operation for one of Mexico's most notorious drug lords resulted in an intense firefight between the cartel and government forces. This led to the deaths of 29 people, including 10 military personnel and 19 suspected Sinaloa Cartel members. The notorious drug gang blockaded roads and burned vehicles, as well as attacked an airport in an effort to free their capo.

However, Ovidio Guzman, one of El Chapo's sons, was already airlifted to Mexico City.

While the Mexican government claims that no civilian was killed in the melee, dozens of people, mostly young men and women between 12 and 35 years old, are now missing.

Mexico Citizens Deem Ovidio Guzman Arrest a Success

Despite the protests and increased military presence, however, a majority of Mexicans seem to think that Ovidio Guzman's arrest was a success, according to Mexico News Daily.

Mexican Newspaper El Pais and radio station W Radio conducted the poll, and around 67% of the respondents said that they believed the operation was a success. They also said that the arrest of the Sinaloa Cartel boss also benefited the Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador administration.

READ MORE: El Chapo Sons Throw a Narco Christmas Party

However, those from Culiacan said otherwise. While 67% represented the entirety of Mexico, the results from Culiacan may have brought down the overall as only 51% thought it was a success. Culiacan was where Ovidio Guzman was captured, and this was also where Sinaloa Cartel members launched their assault to free their boss.

When asked if they felt safer now that one of the members of Los Chapitos has been arrested on a national level, 42% said they felt safer. However, 29% said that there was no change in the security perception. The results in Culiacan are also different, as only 17% said they felt safer, while 47% felt less safe.

Mexicans also seem to trust Lopez Obrador more after the operation, with 60% of the people polled saying that they trust him more. Again, the results are different in Culiacan, where the fighting took place, as only 51% favored the president.

El Chapo Son Arrest Also a Win for the United States

The arrest of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel leader was also a big win for the United States and its ongoing battle against fentanyl, as Ovidio Guzman headed the cartel's fentanyl division, per ABC-7 News.

Illinois has been one of the hardest hit states by the Sinaloa Cartel in terms of fentanyl smuggling and overdose deaths. Chicago's former DEA agent in charge has stated that "full press" is already underway for all of the members of Los Chapitos, who each have a bounty worth $5 million.

READ MORE: Ovidio Guzman Arrested as Sinaloa Cartel Members Attack

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: El Chapo son arrest followed by ongoing street warfare in Mexico - ABC 7 Chicago
Georgia Democrat Rep. Hank Johnson has indicated he is not ruling out the possibility of foul play in the Joe Biden classified documents scandal.

"Alleged classified documents showing up allegedly in the possession of Joseph Biden... I'm suspicious of the timing of it," Hank Johnson told Hillary Vaughn of Fox News Thursday following the discovery of the second batch of documents in Biden's garage in Wilmington, Delaware.

He also said that he was aware that objects could be placed on people or hidden in strategic locations before being discovered.

"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," he continued.

Biden told Peter Doocy, the White House correspondent for Fox News, that he knew the documents were in his garage, despite Hank Johnson's suggestion that they may have been planted.

Doocy asked the president if the documents were locked in the garage, to which Biden answered: "Yes, as well as my Corvette."

READ NEXT: Classified Documents Found in Joe Biden's Former Office

Trump-Appointed Ex-Federal Prosecutor To Investigate on Joe Biden Classified Documents Scandal

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Robert Hur, a former federal prosecutor chosen by Ex-President Donald Trump Thursday, to investigate the Joe Biden Classified Documents Scandal.

While making the statement, Republicans demanded that Garland apply the same standard to Biden that he did to Trump, where he appointed a special prosecutor to supervise the investigations in November.

Garland's announcement came as pressure on the White House mounts to explain how the documents ended up in Biden's possession, why their presence was not publicized until after the midterm election, and what is being done about it.

Richard Sauber, the White House special counsel, said about Hur's appointment that they were sure that a thorough review would establish that these records were unintentionally misplaced. The president and his lawyers moved immediately upon learning of this mistake.

This event may prove to be a turning point in Biden's presidency, per The Daily Mail.

While Republicans have focused on his son Hunter Biden's business connections and established a special committee to investigate the "weaponization" of the federal government, he has managed to avoid any legal trouble so far.

Pres. Joe Biden Claims He's Not Aware That Government Records With Classified Documents Were Taken to His Private Office

Biden claimed on Tuesday that he had no idea that confidential materials from his tenure as vice president had been moved to his private office after he left public service.

While in Mexico City for a trilateral summit with the leaders of Mexico and Canada, Biden was asked by a reporter about the possibility of any federal records having been transported to an office there.

"I was surprised to learn there were any government records that were taken there to that office," Biden answered.

Biden stressed that he had no idea what was found in his office at the University of Pennsylvania's honorary professorship building in Washington, DC.

Citing two sources familiar with the case, CNN reported earlier that Biden and his White House legal staff do not know what is contained in the classified documents since they have not reviewed them.

A different source familiar with the situation told CNN that some of the classified documents are US intelligence memoranda and briefing materials covering themes like Ukraine, Iran, and the United Kingdom.

One source familiar with the situation said Biden did not know the records were there and did not find out until his lawyers contacted the White House counsel's office.

A source explained the president does not know what is in the documents because the White House does not want to appear to meddle with the Justice Department's investigation.

Biden's lawyers uncovered the records in November while packing files, and the counsel's office then informed the National Archives and Records Administration, according to the White House.

It also said that Biden's attorneys turned over the records to the National Archives the day after they were discovered.

They continue to cooperate as the U.S. attorney in Chicago investigates the situation.

READ MORE: Joe Biden's Son Hunter Biden Business Dealings

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Fresh Scandal Hits President Joe Biden Over Classified Document Leak | Trump | Biden Documents Leak - From Firstpost
After putting away several leaders of the far-right armed militia group, the Oath Keepers, the Proud Boys are now next in the government's sights. The trial for its leader, Enrique Tarrio, has now started as he faces charges of seditious conspiracy.

In his opening statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason B.A. McCullough stressed that Tarrio assembled a "fighting force" of Proud Boys on January 6 in an effort to stop the peaceful transfer of power as mandated by the U.S. Constitution.

He added that the Proud Boys leadership knew that Trump's hopes of a second term were fading fast, and then invoked the former president's own words during his debate against Joe Biden, saying that on January 6, "They did not stand back. They did not stand by." Instead, McCullough stated that they mobilized.

Experts regard the trial of Tarrio and four other Proud Boys leaders as one of the most consequential to emerge from the January 6 Capitol insurrection, according to the Associated Press. It will provide a deeper look at the far-right extremist group that has gone on to influence Republican politics.

Enrique Tarrio and Proud Boys Used as a Scapegoat by Donald Trump, Says Lawyer

The Justice Department painted the Proud Boys as the ones who led the charge on January 6, arguing that if it had not been for them, the rioters' charge might not have been as successful.

However, the defense attorneys for the far-right extremist group's leaders argued that they have been made the scapegoats of the entire thing, and after showing much reverence and loyalty to the former president, the group now blamed Donald Trump for egging them on, per the Washington Post.

READ MORE: Oath Keepers Founder Steward Rhodes Takes the Stand in January 6 Trial

Tarrio lawyer Sabino Jauregui also accused prosecutors of "deceptively stitching together offensive online messages." He argued that his client was actually trying to keep the Proud Boys members out of fights as he can often be seen talking to police before rallies.

The attorney did acknowledge that the Proud Boys members, who describe themselves as "Western chauvinists," have previously shared "offensive" messages but argued that it was the former president who ultimately unleashed the mob into the Capitol, damaging government property and vandalizing the "People's House."

"It's too hard to blame Trump," the Tarrio attorney said. "It's easier to blame Enrique as the face of the Proud Boys."

Who Are the Other Proud Boys Leaders on Trial?

The attorney for Proud Boy leader Ethan Nordean, Nicholas Smith, argued that his client and other members have already told federal authorities that they did not have any plan on January 6 and added that even government witnesses are corroborating it.

The other defendants include Joseph Biggs of Ormond Beach, Florida, Zachary Rehl, president of the Proud Boys Philadelphia Chapter, and Dominic Pezzola from Rochester, New York.

McCullough presented a photo of Pezzola with a message that Tarrio posted on social media that they were "Lords of War" with the hashtag "#J6." However, the prosecutor stated that these "Lords of War" were to stop the peaceful transfer of power.

The case is expected to resume on Friday.

READ MORE: January 6 Committee Subpoenas Donald Trump

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Proud Boys wanted 'revolution' on Jan. 6, prosecution says in seditious conspiracy trial opener - WUSA9
Keenan Anderson, Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors' cousin, died hours after he was repeatedly tased by LAPD officers in the streets of Los Angeles.

Anderson was a 31-year-old teacher and father. He died at a Santa Monica hospital.

Los Angeles Police Department has released body camera footage of the incident that occurred on January 3, showing Anderson begging for help as LAPD officers hold him down, per BBC News.

Anderson shouted at one point that the LAPD officers were trying to "George Floyd" him. He was referring to the May 2020 murder of a black man in Minneapolis, Minnesota by Derek Chauvin, a former policeman now convicted for the murder of the Black man.

Anderson's cause of death was not yet officially determined.

LAPD officers who tased Anderson were called to the scene at around 3:00 p.m. in response to a reported traffic accident.

Anderson had been reported to commit a felony hit-and-run in a traffic collision, according to LAPD Chief Michel Moore.

Moore noted in a news conference that Anderson attempted to flee the scene by trying to "get into another person's car without their permission."

READ NEXT: Ex-Minneapolis Cop Derek Chauvin Gets 22.5 Years in Prison for George Floyd's Murder

Keenan Anderson Death

Moore noted in a news conference that officers tried to use force to restrain Anderson. He added that officers were investigating whether Anderson was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement that they have absolutely "no tolerance for excessive force," noting that they must "reduce" the use of force in general.

One officer, who has yet to be identified, saw Anderson running in the middle of the street and showing "erratic behavior."

The officer reportedly spoke to Anderson and requested backup for a DUI investigation, according to police.

Police body camera footage and bystander cellphone video showed Anderson complying with the officer's commands at first, then fleeing.

Moore said that Anderson was tased multiple times. The police chief added that there is no limit on the number of times an officer can use a stun gun under the department's policy. However, officers should generally avoid repeated or simultaneous activations to avoid injury.

Hours after the struggle, Moore said a "medical emergency" happened. It was then followed by Anderson's death at the hospital.

Moore claimed that a preliminary toxicology report from police found cocaine and cannabis in Anderson's system.

Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Patrisse Cullors

Cullors accused the LAPD of being responsible for Anderson's death during a traffic stop.

The Black Lives Matter co-founder took to Instagram to announce Anderson's death.

Cullors wrote on her Instagram account that her cousin deserved to be alive right now, citing Anderson's child deserving to be "raised by his father."

The BLM co-founder further noted that they will continue to "fight for you" and their loved ones affected by the state violence.

The LAPD said that Anderson was given medical attention by the Los Angeles Fire Department and was transported to the hospital.

Anderson went into cardiac arrest in the hospital and died.

READ MORE: Derek Chauvin Trial Moves Forward, Video of George Floyd's Final Moments to Be Played

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: BLM co-founders cousin Keenan Anderson dies after being tased by cops | NY Post - from New York Post


The magnitude of the damage caused by January 8 Brazil attack in which a mob of Jair Bolsonaro supporters stormed government facilities is only now becoming apparent, AP noted.

The National Artistic Heritage Institute conducted a thorough investigation of the destruction and produced a 50-page report on Thursday evening, the most of which is a photographic inventory of the destruction.

There was extensive damage to modernist furniture, paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. Sprinkler water and urine were found absorbed into carpets throughout the buildings.

The report claims that Jair Bolsonaro's avid supporters scratched the famous marble ramp to the presidential palace, leaving some scars up to two feet in length.

Supporters of Bolsonaro, who frequently strained against the checks of the Supreme Court, etched "Supreme are the people" into a historic wooden table at the court.

A Balthazar Martinot clock from the 17th century that had been donated to the Portuguese King by the French royal court was destroyed.

On the third level of the presidential palace, the shards of a 60-year-old bronze sculpture of a flutist by Bruno Giorgi were scattered over the room.

Rocks were thrown through the canvas of an Emiliano Di Cavalcanti mural by vandals.

Although paintings of this size typically sell for five times as much at auction, the presidential palace claimed in its statement that "As Mulatas" was worth around $1.5 million.

Yet, it is still being determined how much money will be needed to cover the damage.

The president of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco, estimated that the damage to his chamber alone was in the millions.

READ NEXT: Jair Bolsonaro Fanatics Destroy Brazil Congress

Dems Pressure U.S. To Push Jair Bolsonaro Back to Brazil

Jair Bolsonaro fled to the United States a few days before Lula took office as president on January 1.

A supporter in the Orlando, Florida, area has offered him their condo to stay in. However, there is mounting demand for him to leave.

On Thursday, more than 40 Democratic senators petitioned President Biden demanding that the government cancel Bolsonaro's visa.

The letter also requested that federal authorities investigate the possibility that the Brazil attack was funded or organized in the United States.

Lawmakers and media outlets have speculated that Bolsonaro visited the United States using a visa designated for foreign diplomats, but the State Department has refused to confirm this.

Meanwhile, the political future of Bolsonaro and his far-right movement, say analysts, was severely damaged by the Brazil attack, NPR reported.

On the other hand, if politicians from all parties - and countries - express solidarity with Brazil in the wake of the riots, Lula's immediate political outlook may gain a boost.

Lula da Silva to Get Rid of Jair Bolsonaro Loyalist Within Brazil Security Forces Following Rampage

During a press conference on Thursday, Brazilian President Lula da Silva blamed members of the security forces for allowing an anti-government crowd to ransack the seat of power in Brasilia and vowed to purge the ranks of his predecessor's most ardent followers, according to Reuters.

His top advisors have indicated that identifying and excluding such people will be difficult work.

Still, investigations into who allowed supporters of deposed president Jair Bolsonaro to attack and vandalize the presidential palace have already begun.

"There were a lot of people who were complicit in this among the military police. There were many people from the armed forces who were complicit," Lula told journalists. "I am convinced that the door to the palace was opened to allow these people in, because I did not see that the door was broken."

Lula da Silva has also increased his criticism of the military for doing little to dissuade the Bolsonaro supporters who have been camping out outside the army's headquarters for two months, demanding that the military change the result of the October elections.

There was silence from the Brazilian military in response to interview requests.

READ MORE: Jair Bolsonaro Ally Attacks Police

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Brazil Culture Minister assesses damaged Planalto art - From Associated Press
President Joe Biden's classified documents scandal continues with a second batch of classified materials found in his garage in Wilmington, Delaware.

The classified documents were believed to be from Biden's time as vice president under Barack Obama's administration.

Email records showed that Hunter Biden, who is currently under federal investigation for possible tax and foreign lobbying violations, may have access to where the classified documents were found, Fox News reported.

According to the report, the president's son listed his father's Wilmington address as his own permanent address for his credit card and Apple account in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Donald Trump Jr. tweeted that Hunter might have access to the garage and the classified documents, given his business relations with China, Russia, and Ukraine.

The White House has already confirmed that the second batch of classified materials were found at Biden's private residence in Wilmington.

Biden acknowledged on Thursday that the classified documents were found in his personal library at his home in Delaware, while other government records were found in his garage next to his Corvette.

READ NEXT: Joe Biden Under Scrutiny as Another Batch of Classified Documents Found at New Location

President Joe Biden's Classified Documents Scandal

Joe Biden's attorneys found the initial batch of government records in early November.

The first batch of classified documents was found at his former think tank office at the University of Pennsylvania in Washington. Biden had previously worked there while serving as a vice president.

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 under the Obama administration.

Special counsel to Biden, Richard Sauber, said the administration immediately contacted the Justice Department and turned over the materials to National Archives.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has already asked John Lausch Jr., the U.S. attorney in Chicago, to review the matter.

CNN reported that Lausch has completed the initial part of his inquiry and 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.

The discovery of the classified documents drew a comparison from the case of former President Donald Trump.

One of the differences between Biden's and Trump's cases of classified documents was how they were 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 documents were missing and requesting 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.

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. Biden called Trump's handling of classified documents "irresponsible."

However, Rep. Lauren Boebert, a close Trump ally, asked in a tweet how many more batches of classified documents would be found before Biden gets "raided by the FBI."

Classified Documents Handling

The Justice Department is currently probing Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago documents, appointing Jack Smith as its special counsel to oversee the investigation.

Trump and his aides resisted the government's efforts to retrieve all the documents from his administration while Biden's lawyers reported the issue.

The White House noted that it has fully cooperated on the matter, with searches conducted in Biden's Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach houses.

Trump's government files were found at his Florida club and residence when he left office, with some stored in a locked storage closet.

Meanwhile, Biden's legal team found the documents in a locked closet in an office at a Washington think tank office. Some of the materials found with the classified documents were personal records.

It is unclear how the government records from the Obama administration ended up in the think tank office and the president's home.

Biden earlier said he was "surprised to learn" that there were government records in his office.

READ MORE: Classified Documents Found in Joe Biden's Former Office as U.S. Vice President Being Reviewed by DOJ

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: More Classified Documents Found in Biden's Offices - From ABC News




To ease crowding at the southern border, the United States launched an online system on Thursday that will allow migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border to apply for asylum online.

To get exceptions from pandemic-era limits on asylum, migrants can use the CBP One app launched in 2020 with limited English and Spanish functionalities.

The Biden administration recently updated the app to make it easier for migrants at the border to apply for asylum.

This comes after the president announced new measures to reduce the number of migrants from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba coming to the U.S.-Mexico border to seek asylum from there.

According to the official Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website, the app is free to download. The CBP said the app will enable non-citizens migrants to apply directly to the agency before a government official determines who gets in.

The CBPOne is reportedly replacing Title 42, which allows U.S. border officials to immediately expel migrants and asylum seekers on public health grounds.

READ NEXT: Joe Biden Announces Tougher New Immigration Policy

New Online Applications to Replace Title 42

With the Trump-era Title 42 rule about to end, the CBP is looking to replace it with online applications through CBPOne, the Associated Press reported.

Before the app became the main way of dealing with migrants asking for asylum, the CBP arranged exemptions through advocates, churches, attorneys, and migrant shelters. These advocates choose who gets in, though the CBP still has the final say.

This new system, however, will allow the migrants themselves to apply to the CBP directly, and it will be a government official who will determine who gets to come into the country after an appointment.

After applying, they must meet with a government official for an appointment, which can be done at one of eight border crossings.

In Texas, these are in El Paso, Hidalgo, and Laredo. For Arizona, it is in Nogales, while for California, it will be in Calexico and San Diego.

This is a different measure from the new Biden policy regarding migrants from Venezuela, Nicaragua, Haiti, and Cuba, as this deals with migrants already at the border rather than those still planning to leave their country and cross via the U.S.-Mexico border.

Online Application for Asylum Draws Mixed Reactions From Migrants, Catches Advocates Off-Guard

Following the rollout of this new online application policy, several migrants at the border spoke with the news outlet DW. They revealed that many did not have any smartphones in the first place, so they could not use the app.

However, those who own a smartphone said the app sometimes does not work. The app requires a smartphone, an email address, and reliable internet, and it was not available in Haiti's main languages, Creole and French.

Immigration advocates were caught off-guard by the sudden announcement of the new policy. However, the Biden administration had already been signaling that they would introduce CBPOne for asylum seekers already at the border.

Priscilla Orta, a lawyer for the Lawyers For Good Government's Project Corazon in Rio Grande Valley, noted that the new policy resulted in "utter and complete confusion."

She said officials only told them last Friday that the app would be ready within a month but suddenly informed them on Monday that the rollout would be happening this week.

READ MORE: Venezuelan Migrants Decrease After New Biden Policy

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: US Immigration pathway: 30000 Visa/month, EAD for 2 years, Parole, Asylum, DHS Sec Mayorkas Announce - From US Immigration
Peru's new president Dina Boluarte and key ministers are currently facing a genocide inquiry over weeks of protests and clashes that have left dozens of people dead.

According to BBC, Boluarte and other officials are being investigated by the country's top prosecutor on charges of "genocide, qualified homicide, and serious injuries."

The attorney general's office announced its decision to investigate Boluarte, Prime Minister Alberto Otarola, along with the defense and interior ministers on Tuesday.

A protester recently died, with at least 19 Peruvian police officers injured in the anti-government clashes in Cusco.

There were dozens injured in Juliaca during what was considered to be the most violent day so far. Many of the victims had gunshot wounds.

Authorities accused the protesters of trying to overturn Juliaca's airport and a local police station, which prompted officials to impose an overnight curfew in the region.

READ NEXT: Peru Closes Down Andahuaylas Airport Amid Deadly Protests; New President Dina Boluarte Names Her Cabinet

Widespread Protests in Peru

Around 47 people have been reported dead since protests started a month ago in Peru against Dina Boluarte's government.

Cusco health officials recorded 16 civilians and six police officers injured. It was reportedly during protesters' alleged attempts to take over the city airport.

Protests and road blockades were done against Boluarte as a show of support for ousted President Pedro Castillo.

The demonstrations started in early December after the arrest of Castillo. Peru's first president of poor was ousted after he attempted to dissolve Congress and head off his own impeachment.

The protests were mainly clamoring about the immediate conduct of elections, Boluarte's resignations, and Castillo's release.

Protesters also called for justice for the demonstrators killed in clashes with police.

Peru's Ombudsman's Office noted that 39 civilians had been killed in clashes with police, while another seven died in traffic accidents related to road blockades.

Relatives of the killed protesters clamored that democracy in Peru "is no longer a democracy." The marchers also yelled "murderers" when they passed a police station.

Peru's New President, Dina Boluarte

Dina Boluarte replaced Pedro Castillo in December. She was the country's former vice president.

Boluarte was born in the southern town of Chalhuanca and was the youngest of 14 children. She had first planned to study nursing in Cusco but decided that she wanted to take up law.

Boluarte worked for Peru's public records office for 17 years and started to launch her political career when she ran for the post of mayor of the district of Surquillo in Lima.

She unsuccessfully ran for Congress in 2020 for the left-wing Peru Libre party. After a year, she became Castillo's vice-presidential running mate.

When Castillo was impeached and inaugurated as the new president, Boluarte called for a "political truce" to have national unity.

Peru's Congress is known to be combative and has a reputation for engaging in political infighting.

Castillo is being investigated on charges of rebellion and conspiracy, denying all accusations against him. He also insisted that he remains to be the country's "legitimate president."

READ MORE: El Salvador Culture: What It Looks Like Living in the Central American Nation

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: What's Behind the Deadly Anti-Government Protests in Peru - From CBS News
More than 40 people associated with a Mexican drug cartel have been charged in a drug trafficking case known as "Las Senoritas," according to South Carolina's Attorney General Alan Wilson.

WYFF reported that the probe was named "Las Senoritas" as several of the main targets were women who fled to Mexico to evade prosecution in the U.S.

Wilson announced Thursday that the South Carolina State Grand Jury had issued indictments with 170 charges against 43 defendants.

The attorney general noted that drug trafficking involving drug cartels happens in South Carolina, and they are fighting to stop it.

He then mentioned the partnership between state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute trafficking conspiracies.

The attorney general said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and local law enforcement started making arrests Tuesday as part of the investigation.

The probe focused on a drug trafficking organization operating in Pickens, Greenville, Anderson, Laurens, and Oconee counties.

READ NEXT: El Mencho's Notorious Jalisco Cartel Hands Out Christmas Gifts to Children

'Las Senoritas' Defendants Linked to a Mexican Drug Cartel

Investigators noted that six defendants who fled to Mexico are now living among Jalisco cartel members and are sourcing drugs directly from the Mexican drug cartel.

The women reportedly coordinated with inmates at the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) through contraband cell phones to deliver drugs, mostly methamphetamine, to co-conspirators.

Prosecutors said the co-conspirators would then drive to Atlanta and other locations to pick up kilos of methamphetamine and distribute them in the Upstate of South Carolina.

The six accused were identified as Chelsie Marie Anderson, Jennifer Nicole Burns, Amy Deanna Cobb, Marcy Dawn Vickers, Michael Pardi, and Kelli Edwards.

SCDC inmates Darrell Foster McCoy, Jr. and his brother, Matthew David McCoy, have been reportedly involved in drug trafficking since 2011.

They have been imprisoned at SCDC since 2015 and have allegedly continued trafficking methamphetamine from jail using contraband mobile phones.

The 43 co-conspirators were charged with trafficking 400 grams or more of methamphetamine, which carries a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

A South Carolina circuit court judge has denied bond for 23 of the 32 defendants.

Jalisco Cartel of Mexico

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel or Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) of Mexico is also reportedly operating in other countries.

U.S. officials said the cartel controls the movement of more than a third of all drugs consumed in the U.S. and has expanded into Central and South America, Europe, and Asia.

The Jalisco cartel had risen to power after former Sinaloa Cartel capo Ignacio Coronel, known as "Nacho," was killed in July 2010 by Mexican security forces.

Nacho's death resulted in the split of the Sinaloa Cartel into two factions, the "La Resistencia" and "Torcidos." The "Torcidos" became what is now the Jalisco cartel, which has since expanded rapidly.

Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, who currently heads the Jalisco cartel, continues to evade capture.

The U.S. government has already offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest. However, he remains to be the most elusive criminal, and he is reportedly hiding in Mexico.

READ MORE: Rafael Caro Quintero's Wife Denies Legal Battle With Guadalajara Cartel Founder

This article is owned by Latin Post

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: 43 People Associated With Mexican Drug Cartels Charged in South Carolina. AG Says - From WYFF News 4




Steve Bannon is facing fraud charges over his border wall fundraising scheme, dubbed "We Build the Wall." However, his lawyers on the case are reportedly quitting after he allegedly ghosted them.

During Thursday's hearing, the attorneys for the former Trump campaign strategist and administration adviser told Judge Juan Manuel Merchan that they want to leave the border wall fraud case over "irreconcilable differences."

Bannon's lawyers, David Schoen and John Mitchell, also said their client was unwilling to speak with them directly and have a different view on how to proceed in the case, the Associated Press reported.

Merchan then said the right-wing radio host has until February 28 to find new attorneys willing to work with him, and Schoen and Mitchell must stay on the case until then.

"His approach could well be the right one, but he deserves a lawyer in sync with his view of the case. It is nothing personal. It is his case, and he should have it handled in the manner he wants," Schoen noted, as the AP reported.

The case is temporarily on hold as Bannon seeks new lawyers. No trial date has been set so far.

The former Trump administration official is charged with money laundering, conspiracy, fraud, and other charges relating to his border wall fundraising scheme.

In July, Bannon was convicted of contempt for defying a subpoena from the House panel investigating the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. He was sentenced to four months in prison but remains free while he appeals.

READ NEXT: Steve Bannon Sentenced to Four Months in Prison

Judge Blasts Steve Bannon Over 'Obvious Delaying Tactics'

Judge Juan Manuel Merchan called out Steve Bannon over his "obvious delaying tactics," but still gave him at least seven weeks to find himself some new lawyers, according to the Daily Beast.

"Although a defendant has the constitutionally guaranteed right to be defended by counsel of his own choosing, this right is qualified in the sense that a defendant may not employ such right as a means to delay judicial proceedings," the judge noted.

The judge also scolded Bannon's current lawyers, asking David Schoen if this was a delaying tactic.

The hearing also got heated at one point, with the judge cutting off Bannon's attorney midsentence and asking both counsels to approach the bench.

As the lawyers were walking away from the judge's bench, Mechan then told Bannon's lawyers sarcastically, "I'm sorry you feel like you were dragged into this courthouse."

He added, "You and your client will be treated the same as any other defendant in this courthouse."

What Was Steve Bannon's Border Wall Fraud Scheme All About?

Donald Trump faced many legal hurdles in building the border wall he promised. This was when Steve Bannon launched a GoFundMe campaign to ask Trump supporters if they could pay for the border wall instead.

However, the money reportedly went to Bannon and several allies instead of going into the construction of the wall.

Instead of facing prosecution, Bannon was pardoned by Trump following a federal probe. The Manhattan district attorney's office is now going after him.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said they will be holding him accountable for allegedly ripping off hundreds of Manhattan residents.

Bannon is facing a maximum of 15 years in prison for his alleged fraud scheme, though the Trump ally has pleaded not guilty.

WeBuildTheWall, Inc., the nonprofit behind the project, was also charged, and the company also pleaded not guilty, according to the Associated Press.

READ MORE: Steve Bannon Openly Defied U.S. Government

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Steve Bannon Found Guilty - From C-Span
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Swedish furniture retailer, IKEA is launching a new design service in Laois.

A new IKEA Plan and Order Point is planned for Portlaoise.

Two of the offshoot interior design centres are currently open, on Dublins St Stephens Green and in Naas, Co Kildare.

They have proved so popular that IKEA now intends to open another this spring in Drogheda, Co Louth, with Portlaoise and Cork to follow.

Laois Chamber Alliance has welcomed the announcement.

"Great news for Portlaoise; a new IKEA Plan and Order Point is planned for the town," they said.

The service will offer customers a chance to consult with IKEAs experienced home interior designers. They will have a free, personalised, one-on-one consultation with a designer, who will help and guide them in planning their dream kitchen, living room or wardrobe.

Customers can also order products from across the full IKEA range. All products are delivered to where the customer prefers, but no products are available to be taken home immediately.

Ireland was one of only eight countries worldwide to pilot this new service. Naas was the first town in the world to serve as a location, with all other pilots running in city centre locations.

Meanwhile the main Ballymun IKEA has proven to be the world's busiest IKEA by volume. It sells 5% more items than a store in Stockholm where the company was founded.

Ballymun generated sales of 216.7m in the year to the end of August 2022, up 14pc on the previous period. It employs 730 people and this year is expected to welcome its 40 millionth visitor.

Martyn Allan is Market Manager in Ireland.

We are so proud that Ireland is part of this pilot, offering us the opportunity to move closer to our customers in towns and cities currently without IKEA stores. This new service allows us to bring our home furnishing expertise to the many, with bespoke design solutions that best reflect our customers unique style and design challenges. At the same time, we get the opportunity to listen to and learn from our customers to continue to develop our store formats.

The new services house some of IKEAs much-loved room sets, showcasing design solutions and furnishings.

Appointments need to be made in advance via the online booking system.

Once the booking is confirmed, the customer will receive a message to alert them to anything they may need to bring with them to the appointment such as photographs, measurements, etc. What is needed will depend on the service chosen e.g. kitchen, living room or wardrobe.

At the consultation, the customer and the designer will work together to design an interior plan perfect for the customers needs and lifestyle. This may take up to two consultations before a plan is finished. Each consultation is free of charge. The designers will use 3D design technology to give customers a real feel for what their design will look like. These 3D images will also be accessible to the customer up to five days after the consultation on the IKEA website.

Once the interior plans have been agreed, IKEA offers an assembly and installation service.
The High Court has awarded 2,500 each to three men jailed for trying to acquire weapons for the Real IRA for the period of their incarceration found by the Irish Courts to have been unlawful.

In his judgement Mr Justice Cian Ferriter held that Fintan O'Farrell, Declan Rafferty and Michael McDonald who are all from Co Louth, were entitled to succeed in their claim for false imprisonment and were entitled to the damages award.

However, the judge said the men were not entitled to substantial damages on grounds including that the sentences they had originally received for terrorist offences from an English court had never been invalidated.

The three men had attempted to source arms and the financial support of the Iraqi Government and were arrested by Slovakian police in July 2001 after they had met with who the men believed were Iraqi arms dealers.

The 'dealers' were undercover British security agents. Following their arrest, all three were extradited to England.

In 2002 they all pleaded guilty, before a London court, to conspiracy to cause explosions as well as charges under the UK's 2000 Terrorism Act and ultimately received prison sentences of 28 years.

In 2006 they were transferred to Portlaoise Prison.

In 2014 the High Court found that the continued detention of O'Farrell, Rafferty with addresses in Carlingford, and McDonald from Dundalk was unlawful, and their release was ordered.

This was because of differences between the UK's and Ireland's sentencing systems including that prisoner in Ireland are entitled to one quarter remission of their sentences whereas in the UK one third remission normally applies, and the court directed that they be released from custody.

The courts, arising out of an earlier unrelated case held that the warrants allowing their transfer form a UK prison to Ireland were defective in referring to the men's 28-year sentences and not the term they should have served, which was 18 years and 8 months.

The warrants should have referred to a definite term of two thirds of the sentences they received in the UK, the Irish courts further held.

The three sought damages for the time that they spent in prison which the Irish courts deemed to be unlawful.

The period of false imprisonment, they claimed, amounted to breaches of their constitutional right to liberty.

The men, represented by Micheal O Higgins SC, David Conlan Smith SC and Declan Higgins Bl instructed by solicitor John Quinn had brought their claims against the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General and the Governor of Portlaoise Prison.

They claimed the defendants were negligent on grounds including that they allowed the men to be imprisoned on foot of an order that was invalid and failed to observe their rights to liberty.

The men claimed that they spent eight years in Portlaoise Prison, which they described as an old facility with poor heating and where they had to 'slop out' their cells every morning.

The defendants opposed the claims and had argued that they were not entitled to damages.

In his decision the judge said while the errors in the process leading to the defective warrants were not merely trivial the judge said he found no evidence of the defendants having been party to a knowing breach of the plaintiffs rights.



The judge said he did not accept as well-founded the defendants submission that the three mens conduct would justify the court not awarding them damages.

Such an approach could lead to the "complete negation of the important role of vindication of the constitutional right to liberty which is fulfilled by an award of damages in a false imprisonment case," he added.

However, the effect of the finding that the warrants were unlawfully issued was "not to invalidate the underlying English sentences," he said.

As a result of their admitted conduct in committing serious terrorist offences, the plaintiffs had no lawful entitlement to serve less than 18 years 8 months in prison.

"Any equitable approach to damages cannot ignore the fact that the plaintiffs through their conduct and through the passing of English sentences which have never been invalidated stood to serve over 18 years in prison subject to remission," he said.

As matters transpired, they spent only just over 13 years in prison, the judge added.

In my view, any approach to the assessment of damages for their false imprisonment has to reflect that reality. the judge said.

All three, he said, were entitled to 2,500 damages each.

The judge said he had arrived at that figure based on facts including that the three were detained in Portlaoise prison on foot of an invalid Irish detention order for an eight year period of which he said just under four years was actionable.

Other facts the court took into consideration when arriving at the level of the awards included that the men's conduct for extremely serious terrorist offences meant that their interest in liberty before the expiry of the sentences handed down by the English Courts "was attenuated to negligible levels."

As a result of their release the plaintiffs spent less time in prison as a whole than they were lawfully sentenced to serve by the English courts, the judge said.

Had they remained in England, they would not have been released before their sentences, less any period for remission, had been completed.

Their claims of suffering personal inconvenience, stress, and frustration on missing out while in Portlaoise prison on key life events counted for little or nothing in the scales of what an equitable award would require in the circumstances, Mr Justice Ferriter added.
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.
Rishi Sunak must stand up to the Brexit purity cult of Eurosceptics on the Tory benches to find a solution to the Northern Ireland Protocol issues, Sir Keir Starmer will say.

The Labour leader will use a speech in Belfast to urge the Prime Minister to take on the European Research Group (ERG) in order to resolve the issues over Northern Irelands post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Sir Keir will say he will offer political cover at Westminster if Mr Sunak can deliver an agreement with the European Union which is in the national interest.

The time for action on the protocol is now. The time to stand up to the ERG is now, Sir Keir will say on Friday.

The time to put Northern Ireland above a Brexit purity cult, which can never be satisfied  is now.

There was a small window of opportunity to resolve the issue before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in April.

Weve got to use the anniversary to fix minds, get the country and its political process moving forward again  deliver for the people of Northern Ireland, he will say.

Any deal seen as conceding too much to Brussels could trigger a revolt on the Tory benches, but Sir Keir will offer Labour support to Mr Sunak.

Whatever political cover you need, whatever mechanism in Westminster you require, if it delivers for our national interest and the people of Northern Ireland, we will support you, he will say in the speech at Queens University.

The Labour leader will call on the Prime Minister to recognise the mistakes made by some Tory ministers who had viewed the Irish government as adversaries on Brexit.

That has damaged the political process here in Northern Ireland  no question. And its certainly not the spirit of 1998.

The Northern Ireland Protocol was agreed by then-prime minister Boris Johnson to avoid a hard border with Ireland but the DUP is 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.

Labour has suggested a new veterinary agreement for trade in agricultural products between the UK and EU, which it claims would eliminate many of the checks, while a trusted trader scheme could also avoid some bureaucracy.

Sir Keir will also use the speech to hail the Good Friday Agreement as the greatest achievement of the Labour Party in my lifetime, without question.

But of course, the real achievements  the real pride  belongs to the people and communities here in Northern Ireland, he will say.
Sir Keir Starmer urged the Prime Minister to face down Tory Eurosceptics over the Northern Ireland Protocol as he predicted Boris Johnson may lead opposition to a compromise deal with the EU.

The Labour leader used a speech in Belfast to tell Rishi Sunak that he will offer him political cover to strike an agreement with Brussels, to resolve the impasse over the post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Sir Keir said there would be siren voices on the Conservative benches warning the prime minister against making any compromises, but he said Mr Sunak needed to stand up to the Brexit purity cult and take on the European Research Group (ERG) in order to resolve the issues over Irish Sea trade.

The opposition leader predicted that any Conservative revolt against a deal might be led by those who negotiated the protocol in the first place.

The protocol was struck by the then prime minister Mr Johnson and the EU in 2019 as a means to unlock the deadlock on delivering Brexit.

In order to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, it moved customs and food safety checks and process to the Irish Sea, creating economic and administrative barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The protocol is vehemently opposed by many unionists and the DUP is currently blocking the functioning of a devolved government in Belfast in protest at the arrangements.

The regions main unionist party claims the protocol has undermined Northern Irelands place within the Union without the consent of the unionist community.

Sir Keir told an audience at Queens University that unionist anger about the protocol was more than justified as he pledged to support any deal Mr Sunak could reach with the EU that reduced the Irish Sea checks.

But he predicted the prime minister will face opposition from those within his own ranks who want to see the protocol scrapped altogether.

Draft legislation introduced by Mr Johnsons government, which would empower ministers to unilaterally rip up the arrangements without the approval of Brussels, is currently making its way through Parliament.

However, UK-EU relations appear to have improved since Mr Sunak became Prime Minister and both sides have been talking up the potential of an agreed deal to resolve the impasse.

It remains to be seen whether any agreement between London and Brussels would be enough to convince the DUP to return to powersharing.

The UK and EU are keen to see devolution restored before Aprils landmark 25th anniversary of Northern Irelands historic Good Friday peace agreement.

In the coming weeks, its possible there will be siren voices in Westminster that say again, there is another path, a path that doesnt require compromise on the protocol, said Sir Keir.

In fact, its possible those siren voices will include, may even be led by, the very people who created the protocol, that were cavalier with the constitutional settlement of this United Kingdom, that came to this island and acted, to be blunt, in bad faith.

You can listen to those voices, of course, its not for me to determine the interests of any community here.

But I would counsel that the example to follow is not theirs, but the spirit of negotiation, of conciliation, of courage, that in the end is always the force which moves Northern Ireland forward towards the future.

Thats what I want to do in April  look forward.

Sir Keir added: So I say to the Prime Minister, if there is a deal to do in coming weeks  do it.

Whatever political cover you need, whatever mechanisms in Westminster you require, if it delivers for our national interest and the people of Northern Ireland, we will support you.

The time for action on the protocol is now. The time to stand up to the ERG is now.

The time to put Northern Ireland above a Brexit purity cult, which can never be satisfied, is now.

We can find ways to remove the majority of checks  a bespoke SPS (sanitary and phytosanitary) agreement, a monitoring system that eradicates checks on goods that will only ever be sold in Northern Ireland.

The opportunity for these reforms is there and they would deliver for communities and businesses across these islands.

Northern Ireland can be prosperous under the protocol but it requires leadership from you, Prime Minister.

The Labour leader met the leaders of the five main Stormont parties in Belfast on Thursday.

He used his speech in Belfast to deliver a message of reassurance to unionists.

I want to reach out on this, speak to all unionist communities, he said.

There are legitimate problems with the protocol and these must be recognised in any negotiations.

Delighted to welcome the Labour Party Leader @Keir_Starmer to Stormont. The Protocol caused the collapse of the NI Executive, it must be replaced with arrangements that restore our place in the UK. Stable devolution needs solid foundations supported by unionists & nationalists. pic.twitter.com/CQlFM3iUYM  Jeffrey Donaldson MP (@J_Donaldson_MP) January 12, 2023

And as for the process that got us here, to this point, I think your anger about that is more than justified.

I said this yesterday, I will say it here and I want every community in Northern Ireland to hear it  the Labour Party will always be a good faith guarantor of the constitution and the principle of consent.

That commitment is written into the agreement we want to celebrate in April  it stands above politics, it should stand above Brexit negotiations as well.

I think people know we would have done things differently, and that we will stand by those values when in Government.

During his speech, Sir Keir also urged the Government to normalise and strengthen relations with the Irish Government.

Sir Keir called for a change of direction from the Prime Minister, telling the audience: The British Government must normalise and strengthen relationships with Dublin.

Honestly, relations should never have been this strained.

Brexit was a rupture in the UKs diplomatic stance, a call to change in every area of our society, which had to be recognised.

Ive been very clear about this. My government will make it work.

He said that nothing has been more self-defeating than the determination of some Conservative ministers to see our friends in Dublin as adversaries on Brexit. That has damaged the political process here in Northern Ireland, no question.

Its certainly not the spirit of 1998.

The Government said it hopes there can be a broad range of agreement over any deal with the EU on the problems with the protocol.

A No 10 spokesman said they were still working with Brussels to resolve the outstanding issues.

We continue to work closely with our EU counterparts. It remains our ambition to try to reach an agreement as soon as we can with the EU, the spokesman said.

As the Prime Minister said before, of course he wants to have a broad range of agreement over the issues we know the protocol is facing.

After delivering his speech at Queens University, Sir Keir visited Spirit AeroSystems in Belfast.
A Laois woman braved the icy cold spring waters this January in the Slieve Bloom mountains, for a good cause.

Linda Kehoe Dunne from Mountmellick, originally Athy, jumped into a freezing mountain river, in aid of Women's Aid.

The Catholes is a spring fed swimming spot in the mountains, popular in summer when even then the water is very cold.

"It was baltic," she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Linda's husband Martin Dunne took photos and sent one into weatherman Deric O h'Artagain on the IrelandAM television show, in hopes of drumming up more money for the great cause.

Linda is planning to get back in, in support of her niece Anneka Harvey from Mountmellick who is also preparing for the challenge.

She explains why she is raising money for Women's Aid.

"Simply to raise funds and awareness around Women's Aid Ireland and the vital support they give both single women or women with families," she said.

Her Cold Swim Challenge for Women's Aid fundraiser remains open. So far Linda has raised 460. See it here to donate.

One in four women experience some form of domestic abuse in Ireland and Womens Aid is there to listen, believe and support women every day on the 24hr National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 and through one to one support services.

Below: Linda enjoying a warming drink after her challenge.

They can also link women in with local support services near where they live. Last year, they answered over 21,000 calls from women from all across Ireland whose partners or exes were emotionally, physically, sexually and/or financially abusive.

Women also told them that their children were exposed to the abuse by their father.

The 24hr National Helpline is a lifeline for women who need support. A safe, confidential and non-judgmental space to talk through what is happening at home or in relationships and get practical support and information.

For more information on all the services Womens Aid provide and on our work to end domestic violence in Ireland visit www.womensaid.ie.
A man appeared in Naas District Court on Thursday, January 12, charged with a threat of criminal damage and two counts of trespassing at a property in Athy.

The accusations relate to Stephen O' Rourke, with an address listed as 1 Castle Park in Athy.

It was alleged that the 43-year-old was confronted by gardai at The Abbey in Athy on January 9 last, which will soon be used to house 94 asylum seekers, mostly made up of women and children.

Gardai claimed that Mr O' Rourke was recording himself on the property, and streaming himself on Facebook Live.

It was heard that he allegedly got into an argument with gardai on the site, and it was claimed that he said he would 'light it (the building) up like a Christmas tree.'

He allegedly returned to the property the next day, which gardai claimed would have constituted a trespassing offence.

A garda told Judge Desmond Zaidan that when he was cautioned, he replied 'no comment' in response to all three counts leveled against him. Garda Sergeant Brian Jacob also noted to the judge that a property that was recently proposed to house displaced Ukrainians in Kill burned down last November.

Judge Zaidan decided to accept jurisdiction over the case, and granted bail for Mr O' Rourke under a number of conditions.

The accused must stay at least 500 metres away from The Abbey, must keep the peace and be of good behaviour, he must have no direct or indirect contact with the staff, management or residents at The Abbey, and he must refrain from mentioning the staff, management and residents on his social media platforms.

Mr O' Rourke's solicitor, Brian Duffy, said his client would abide by all the listed conditions.

His case will return to Athy District Court on February 14.
Minister for Finance Michael McGrath has said the resignation of Damien English underlines the need for reform of ethics in public office.

Mr English resigned from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on Wednesday night after it emerged he had failed to disclose ownership of a property on a planning application.

Fine Gaels Neale Richmond has replaced him, it was confirmed on Friday.

Mr Richmond, TD for Dublin Rathdown, will take on the role as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was very happy to nominate Mr Richmond, describing him as an exceptionally capable politician.

On Friday morning, Mr McGrath said the incident that led to Mr Englishs resignation damages public trust and confidence in politicians and politics.

Speaking in Cork, Mr McGrath said the Government will bring forward legislation this year to give more powers to the ethics watchdog, the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo).

The Fianna Fail minister said the legislation would overhaul ethics in public life, adding that it has been 20 years since legislation was first brought in.

Asked whether Mr English should face further investigations by Meath County Council, Mr McGrath said: Its a matter for the respective authorities now as to whether they wish to carry out investigations and take the matter further, and they will do their business independently.

For the Government and the Oireachtas, I think it does underline the need for reform in the area of ethics and public office.

During my time as Minister for Public Expenditure we did complete a comprehensive review of Irelands statutory framework for ethics in public life. I secured approval of Government last month for bringing forward legislation to overhaul this area. Because it is now 20 years since legislation was brought in.

It does need to be modernised. We have a whole series of recommendations going back to various tribunals of inquiry, and we have annual recommendations being made by Sipo itself as a body and so the Oireachtas does need to take this seriously.

I believe that legislation will be brought forward by the Government over the course of this year and we do need to finally update and modernise and strengthen the framework for ethics and public life because events like this only serve to damage public trust and confidence in politicians and politics.

Thats not good for our country.

Mr English, TD for Meath West, apologised after he admitted failing to declare his ownership of a house in Castlemartin to Meath County Council when he applied for a local needs planning permission in 2008.

Sipo has previously made recommendations to strengthen its powers and resourcing in its annual reports.

Mr McGrath said he has identified this as a priority.

It is an issue that was flagged in the Programme for Government. Officials undertook a very comprehensive review of the full suite of Irelands ethic and public office legislation, he added.

It took longer than I would have liked, but it did get completed towards the end of last year and I brought the matter to cabinet and secured cabinet approval for legislation to be brought forward.

The review involves examining all of the Sipo recommendations, and I believe that very many of them will be adopted, will be brought forward with legislation.

Sipo needs further powers and they also need further resources. So we will have a new consolidated piece of legislation brought forward this year.

The Oireachtas does need to take this issue seriously and I can assure people that the Government will lead on this issue on the back of the comprehensive report that has now been completed.

Mr McGrath said ministers are well aware of their obligations in public life in declaring property interests.

On Thursday, Mr Varadkar said Mr English paid a big political price.

He described his Fine Gael colleague as an extraordinarily decent person, saying it was a difficult day for Mr English, his family and supporters.
This Saturday, January 14, is a very special day for McGuires of Rooskey. They will be marking the first anniversary of the re-opening of the filling station and shop originally operated by their father Frank.



The last 12 months have been hugely successful for Frank's sons, Francis and John, who have seen the business successfully grow in these tough economic times while also making plans for the future with the planned opening of an off licence later this year, subject to planning permission.



McGuires has been a landmark in the area for decades but last year saw the unveiling of a magnificent state of the art premises, featuring fuel and forecourt, a convenience store, bakery and deli, complete with an attractive seating area overlooking the magnificent Shannon.

Pictured above right is Francis and John receiving Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Small) Silver Winner by Shelf magazine



Business if flying at the moment, John McGuire said. It is going better than we thought. The local people have been really supportive and were really happy when we re-opened. It has woken up the village up a bit, given it back a bit of life.



McGuires of Rooskey was formerly run by their father Frank but unfortunately it closed over a decade ago.

Poignantly, the renowned business re-opened just over a year after the death of Frank, who first developed the family business after acquiring the property back in 1979.



His sons were delighted to take on his legacy 12 months ago as John recalled that it was always their father's wish to re-open the business but he never had the chance.



The two decided to give it a go but had plans for a much smaller operation.

However, as these plans developed they grew into what is currently in operation today.



The decision to re-open their father's business was not an easy one for John and Francis. Francis had been living in Norway prior to this and came home in 2021 to join his brother. He had been working as a plumber and John had been working as a panel beater. However the two ended up doing much of the construction work themselves and as they say... the rest is history.

Along with the successful filling station and shop the family pride itself on their deli and bakery.



John explains that they always try to offer something new in the deli and make sure to cook in smaller batches to ensure freshness throughout the day.



The array that the bakery offers is impressive with all goods, such as scones, apple tarts and pound cakes, all baked freshly on the premises.

They also offer a full car wash and valeting service.



Perhaps a sure affirmation of their tireless work was the awarding of the Forecourt Retailer of the Year (Small) Silver Winner by Shelf magazine.



The McGuires, on marking one year in business, would like to thank and pay tribute to their staff and all their loyal customers. They also thanked Jason McEvoy of Sweeney Oil, David Mayne from Gala and Brian Tuffy of Tuffy Cash and Carry for their assistance and continued support.



McGuires of Rooskey is open seven days a week, from 7am - 10pm, except on Sundays where they are open from 9am - 9pm. To mark their anniversary they are promoting a special raffle in-store.



Frank Snr would surely be very proud to see his legacy continue to grow from strength to strength.
South Africa: Eskom granted 18.65% tariff hike

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on Thursday granted Eskom an 18.65% tariff increase.

Eskom had requested a 32% tariff hike.

Announcing its decision, NERSA said the 18.65% increase was based on its approved tariff of 146.48c/kWh in the 2022/23 financial year.

The NERSA-approved revenue is R334bn for the 2024/25 financial year, which translates to a tariff of 195.95c/kWh, resulting in a 12.74% increase based on the tariff of 173.80c/kWh NERSA approved tariff for the 2023/24 financial year.

The decision, said NERSA, was based on the information at its disposal and the analysis of Eskoms fifth Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD5) revenue application for the 2023/24 and 2024/5 financial years.

NERSA spokesperson, Charles Hlebela, in a statement said: The allowable revenues must be recovered from both Eskom standard and non-standard tariff customers (Negotiated Pricing Agreements and international customers) based on the previously approved tariff principles and structures using the Eskom Retail Tariff Structural Adjustment (ERTSA) Methodology, as approved by NERSA.

He said Eskom's application for the 2023/24 financial years revenue was R351billion, including Regulatory Clearing Accounts (RCAs) and court orders.

NERSA's approved allowable revenue is R318 billion after considering adjustments for inefficiencies and prudency reviews.

For the 2024/25 financial year, Eskom applied for revenue of R381 billion, including RCAs and government injection, as per the court order. The NERSA-approved revenue is R352 billion after considering adjustments for inefficiencies and factoring the RCA as per the Energy Regulator decision of 14 December 2022, reads the statement.

NERSA approved a total revenue of R300 billion for the 2023/24 financial year, which translates to a tariff of 173.80c/kWh.

The NERSA-approved revenue is R334 billion for the 2024/25 financial year, which translates to a tariff of 195.95c/kWh, resulting in a 12.74% increase based on the tariff of 173.80c/kWh NERSA approved tariff for the 2023/24 financial year, the regulator said.

The Energy Regulator said it would consider the ERTSA for the 2023/24 financial year following the submission of an application by Eskom.

It said it would subject all customer costs to further extensive prudency reviews, efficiency tests and performance thresholds.

The Energy Regulator said it made its decisions after conducting the due regulatory process, which included publishing Eskoms revenue application and inviting written comments from stakeholders. It also conducted public hearings to solicit comments from interested and affected stakeholders.

As a result, NERSA received approximately 2000 written comments from stakeholders, who raised concerns about affordability.

It is important to note that Eskom's revenue application for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years was considered against various challenges that are affecting the South African economy. Accordingly, the Energy Regulators decision provides a balance between the sustainability of Eskom and the economic well-being of the consumers and the economy, it said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2023-01-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Russia welcomes China's optimization of COVID-19 response

Xinhua) 16:42, January 13, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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.
The number of houses available to rent for people accessing the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) stood at a low number of 41, according to the latest report from the Simon Community.

The Simon Communities Locked Out of the Market report for December shows this was a 17% increase from the 35 available in September 2022.

Some 40 of these properties fell within discretionary HAP limits and only one property was available to rent under a standard HAP rate.

This was a one-bedroom property in Kildare suitable for singles or couples, the report states.

The number of properties available to rent increased for the first time in two years.

There were 757 properties available to rent at any price within the 16 study areas, over the three dates surveyed.

This represents a 93.1% increase from the previous Locked Out of the Market report, but still down 43.8% from the 1,349 properties available in December 2021.

As seen in many recent reports, the properties within HAP limits were predominantly available in Dublin.

More than half were found in the three Dublin areas examined, including Dublin City Centre, Dublin City North and Dublin City South.

In Dublin, the discretionary rate allows up to an additional 50% on the standard rate; this is 35% elsewhere in the country.

Some 11 of the 16 study areas had no properties available to rent in any household category within standard or discretionary HAP limits.

These were Athlone, Cork City Centre, Cork City Suburbs, Galway City Suburbs, Galway City Centre, Co. Leitrim, Limerick City Suburbs, Limerick City Centre, Sligo Town, Portlaoise, and Waterford City Centre.

The report found 11 properties affordable under the discretionary HAP rates for both single people and couples.

Wayne Stanley, executive director at the Simon Communities of Ireland, said: Our most recent report sees a small increase in the number of properties available for those on HAP.

There were 35 in the last report and now 41. While any improvement in the context of the current crisis is welcome, it is sadly not possible to call this an improving situation.

The frontline experience of the Simon Communities working across Ireland, supporting people to move on from homelessness, reflects this.

41 properties available in the context of 11,542 people seeking to exit homelessness is a chronic situation that requires an emergency response.

Illustrating this is a recent report from Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) which found that in October, only six families and nine single people exited homelessness into a HAP property  the lowest figure seen in about five years.

Our Locked Out report found just 24 properties affordable through HAP in the Dublin areas examined.

We need affordable housing options and policies that will help people exit homelessness.

The Government has taken the important and welcome step of bringing in the moratorium on evictions.

Actions taken while this moratorium is in place will go a long way and what we need to see is momentum on the provision of secure affordable accommodation to those in homelessness throughout 2023.

In the short term, we need to look at the allocation of current local authority housing.

If we are to ensure secure affordable homes are in place to address the homelessness crisis, we need to see the full potential in modular build, in vacancy and dealing with dereliction delivered on and brought into the public housing system.
Irish volunteer Sean Binder, on trial with Sara Mardini, during a demonstration demanding that charges be dropped, in Athens, November 15, 2021. REUTERS / LOUIZA VRADI

A Greek court on Friday, January 13, dropped espionage charges against 24 activists involved in rescuing migrants, after a lengthy trial denounced by rights groups as a sham.

In the ruling read to the chamber, the court admitted procedural faults, including insufficient translation of prosecution documents and a lack of access to interpreters for the defendants. The activists are still facing an investigation on charges of human trafficking, money laundering, fraud and the unlawful use of radio frequencies.

The ruling came just hours after the United Nations called for the charges to be dropped. The European Parliament has branded the trial, which began in November 2021, as "the largest case of criminalization of solidarity in Europe."

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Sarah Mardini, Syrian swimmer turned Netflix heroine, goes on trial in Greece

Among those charged is Syrian swimmer Sarah Mardini, whose family story and dramatic crossing of the Aegean Sea in 2015 inspired the Netflix film The Swimmers. Some 50 humanitarian workers are currently facing prosecution in Greece, following a trend in Italy, which has also criminalized the provision of aid to migrants.

Greece's conservative government, elected in 2019, has vowed to make the country "less attractive" to migrants. Part of that strategy involves extending an existing 40-kilometer wall on the Turkish border in the Evros region by 80 kilometers.

Tens of thousands of people fleeing Africa and the Middle East seek to enter Greece, Italy and Spain in the hope of better lives in the European Union.

Despite in-depth investigations by media and NGOs, alongside abundant testimony from alleged victims, Greek authorities have consistently denied pushing back people trying to land on its shores.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes The EU is more divided than ever on immigration

Le Monde with AFP
Beninoise President Patrice Talon speaks during the inauguration of a symbolic exhibition to showcase artifacts looted by French colonial soldiers returned to the country, at the presidency in Cotonou on February 19, 2022. PIUS UTOMI EKPEI / AFP

Benin's pro-government parties won a majority of seats in parliament, the country's constitutional court said Thursday, in a vote marking the return of the opposition after four years of absence.

Parties supporting President Patrice Talon, the Republican Bloc and the Progressive Union for Renewal parties together won 81 out of 109 seats in parliament, said Razaki Amouda Issifou, president of the constitutional court. The opposition Democrats party gained 28 seats, he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Democrats party leader Eric Houndete had denounced "flagrant" ballot box stuffing, rigging and vote buying by the two pro-government parties, without providing immediate evidence. "The Democrats party rejects this result, which does not reflect the will of the people to make our party the first political force in our country," Mr. Houndete said.

Read more Benin opposition returns to parliament with 28 seats

Results can be contested for a period of 10 days following the official proclamation of results. Sunday's vote, which went ahead peacefully, was a test for the West African state where Mr. Talon has promoted development but critics say his program has come at a cost to Benin's once thriving multi-party democracy.

It was the first time the opposition was participating in elections since Mr. Talon came to power in 2016. Voter turnout was 37.79% according to the constitutional court.

Jailed opponents

In 2019, opposition parties were effectively barred from participating in a legislative ballot due to stricter election rules, resulting in a parliament dominated by government supporters. That vote was marred by deadly clashes in an opposition stronghold, a historic low turnout and an internet blackout, rare events in Benin.

Read more In Benin, the opposition finds its way back to the ballot box

Most of Mr. Talon's key opponents have also been jailed or gone into exile since the cotton magnate came to office. This year's legislative elections were key for the opposition in preparation for the 2026 presidential election when candidates will need lawmaker support to be registered.

Parliament also plays a role in the composition of the constitutional court, which oversees rulings on election disputes. Its mandate ends this year and four new judges will be appointed by lawmakers while three are chosen by the president.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes 'France is not truly supportive of Benin when it turns a blind eye to the persecution of opposition leaders'

Le Monde with AFP
President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C. on January 12, 2023. ANDREW HARNIK / AP

The unease is escalating into a crisis. On January 9, the news broke that classified documents had been found in an institute created by Joe Biden after he left the White House in 2017. According to the administration, others were discovered in a second location on Thursday, January 12. This was at Mr. Biden's residence in Wilmington, Delaware. Richard Sauber, the American president's special counsel, reported that "a small number" of the documents were found in a garage storage unit. A one-page document was also found in a nearby room, which Mr. Biden himself described as his personal library.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the matter in a formal statement to the press. The special counsel is Robert Hur, a former Maryland prosecutor and executive in the department who also worked in the private sector. Mr. Garland explained the course of events since the discovery of the first set of documents on November 2, a dozen notes tucked away in a cabinet in the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, in the heart of Washington.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes US Republicans determined to track down Hunter Biden scandal

For an administration that claims to be above reproach, this timeline is crucial. The National Archives alerted the attorney general after being informed by the White House on November 4. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began its assessment on November 9. Mr. Garland asked John Lausch, a Donald Trump appointee, to review the documents in question on November 14. Finally, on December 20, Mr. Biden's legal advisors notified the judiciary that additional classified documents had been discovered in his garage. It wasn't until Thursday morning that the final discovery from the library was revealed. However, no evidence was found at the family's home in Rehoboth Beach. It was the last possible destination dating back to when Mr. Biden's things were moved from the White House, where he spent eight years as Barack Obama's vice president (2009-2017).

The Republican Party denounces the administration's silence

Mr. Garland appointed a special advisor on Mr. Lausch's recommendation. This recourse, in the short term, adds more weight to the crisis and reinforces the suspicion of negligence in the handling of confidential documents. There is no information available on what level of classification the files are, how many there are and when they were taken or what subjects they address. It is also not known what their exact trajectory was, over six years, nor why the White House waited until January 9 to confirm the first discovery made two months earlier. This is one of the most persistent arguments from the Republicans, who denounce this silence from the administration before the midterm elections on November 8.

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A LIMERICK COUNCILLOR called for resources to be moved from other departments into returning council properties to use in the midst of the housing crisis.

Cllr Martin Ryan put down a question at the last meeting of the Cappamore-Kilmallock Municipal District in 2023 asking what dates voids in the electoral area will actually be returned to use.

The council reply read: There have been 10 vacant units refurbished and returned to the housing stock in the municipal district since the start of 2022. Fourteen houses remain vacant of which 11 have been inspected and are in various stages of procurement, planning and refurbishment. The remaining three are due for inspection.

Cllr Ryan said it was a vague answer. We are in our fourth year  I know of houses empty since I got elected. We need to make this a priority, he said.

Cllr Ryan also submitted a motion calling on council management to conduct a review of staff and current projects in order to allocate all possible staff and skills to housing construction and return of voids by prioritising all construction projects.

If you got one or two people from each department to work on voids and break the back on the backlog, said Cllr Ryan, who asked if works on footpaths, for example, could be postponed for six or nine months and have all hands on deck into making council properties habitable.

Brendan Kidney, senior executive engineer, said the council was prioritising voids.

Brian Kennedy, director of transport and mobility, said they cant take staff who work on footpaths and put them into upgrading houses because that isnt their skillset.

Mr Kennedy added that funding they get for roads must be spent on roads and cant be used on housing.

Cllr Ryan received the backing of his fellow councilllors with Cllr Ger Mitchell saying: We are in a housing crisis. We have to turn around voids  it doesnt seem to be happening. Ive seen houses vacant for two / three years.
A LIMERICK politician has called for the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) to take a stand against "career criminals" who are "living way beyond their means" within the city.

Speaking at a meeting of the Limerick Joint Policing Committee, Cllr Tom Collopy (SF) said that residents living in King's Island have lost all confidence in the criminal justice system.

He said: "I sit on six or seven localised organisations. There is a perception by law-abiding citizens that there is a revolving door court system that looks after career criminals."

Cllr Collopy stressed that some of these people have between 40 to 50 convictions and that his constituents are seriously questioning sentencing policies.

He alluded to local discussions on two "very high-profile" crimes where questions were asked of why mitigating circumstances are leading to reduced sentences in serious crimes.

He stated: "Some of these people have never worked a day in their life and they are going around in high-end cars. They are living in these estates. You can actually pick out their houses."

It's a crying shame that law-abiding citizens are putting their eyes up to heaven in resignation, Cllr Collopy added.

Maurice Quinlivan TD echoed his party colleague's sentiments and asked senior gardai to bring in CAB to investigate how these individuals amassed their wealth.

"A lot of kids are becoming drug movers in these areas and are moving them very young. They are seeing it as a good lifestyle, seeing the main dealers with flashy cars and on a lot of holidays," Deputy Quinlivan stated.

He added that one Christmas a woman rang him up when her neighbour was being raided. She said it was like a "gift from god" as "some of these people think they are untouchable."

In response, Superintendent Aileen Magner said that drugs have been in these communities for close to 40 years.

"We will still be talking about it in 40 years. Life has changed and we have to deal with the cards we are dealt with. There must be a multi-agency approach to this," she said.
THE OPERATOR of the Limerick Tunnel has announced plans to install dozens of solar panels at both entrances to the facility.

Direct Route, which operates the tunnel, has signalled its intention to apply to Limerick City and County Council to install up to 220 of these panels, mounted on the floor.

The company says up to 110 of these devices will be installed at each end of the tunnel  at the northern access in Coonagh and the southern access at Castlemungret.

These panels, the company says, would generate around 51,000 watts per minute.

Following the publication of Direct Routes two planning notices in this weekends Limerick Leader newspaper, the company now has a fortnight to supply further documentation to the local planning authority.

Upon the receipt of this, a decision will be made within six weeks.

Opened in 2010, the tunnel measures 675 metres underneath the River Shannon on the outskirts of the city.

Chargeable to vehicles accessing it, it forms part of the N18 Limerick southern ring road.

The then Taoiseach of Ireland Brian Cowen was on hand at the time to officially open the facility.

Direct Route did not respond to requests for comment from Limerick Live.
THE FUNERAL of the man who died in Limerick Prison on Thursday will take place next week.

Edward Woodland, aged 23, of Greenmount Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, passed away suddenly on Thursday morning. His funeral Mass will take place in the city next Thursday followed by burial in Mount St. Oliver Cemetery.

The Irish Prison Service has confirmed to Limerick Live that "there was a death of a person in the custody of the Irish Prison Service on January 12 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," said the spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service.

A day earlier, Mr Woodland was sentenced at Ennis Circuit Court to five years in prison with the last 12 months suspended for his role in a burglary at an isolated farmhouse in County Clare on January 5, 2018.

His father Patrick Woodland, aged 48, of Greenmount Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston; John Woodland, aged 44, of Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston and Paul Kiely, aged 35, of Glencairn, Dooradoyle were co-accused.

The court was informed three of the burglars - Patrick Woodland, Edward Woodland and Paul Kiely - fled from the farmhouse after discovering that the sole occupant, 97-year-old James (Jimmy) OConnor was asleep in his bed.

The court heard that as part of the planned burglary, one member of the gang - John Woodland - lured James OConnors son, Vincent OConnor, away from his home to a nearby field on the pretence of buying silage as part of "a clever decoy".

Nothing was taken in the burglary and Judge Eoin Garavan accepted there was no threat of violence and that violence was not used.

Imposing sentence, Judge Garavan stated that the burglary offence carried out by the gang "is of intense social concern" and there must be a deterrent.
Tata group is considering setting up plants in India and Europe to produce battery cells for electric vehicles, the chief financial officer of its auto unit said in an interview to Reuters on Thursday.

India's Tata Motors dominates the country's EV market with total sales of 50,000 electric cars to date. The company has also outlined plans to launch 10 electric models by March 2026.

It expects electric models to make up a quarter of its total sales by 2025 from around 8% now.

On the sidelines of India's Auto Expo car show in Greater Noida, Tata Motors' PB Balaji said that localizing cell manufacturing for EV batteries is key to increasing local components in electric cars and will help the automaker develop a local supply chain too.

Tata is evaluating two production bases, the other one is in Europe, so that the battery cell needs of its luxury car unit Jaguar Land Rover - which has a manufacturing facility there - can also be met, Reuters reported.

Balaji said that the investment in cell manufacturing will be made by its parent company Tata Sons but did not elaborate on the quantum or timeline.

"We should announce it sooner rather than later," he said.

India's car market, set to become the third-largest in the world, is tiny compared to its population, with electric models making up just 1% of total car sales of about 3.8 million last year, but the government wants to grow this to 30% by 2030.

Tata expects its EV business to be cash flow positive by 2025 while the company is also focused on boosting profitability of the business, Balaji said.

Tata's new models will include a wider driving range and higher price points as Tata Motors looks to cement its lead at a time when rivals such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Warren Buffet-backed BYD and SAIC Motor's MG Motors have lined up EV launches.

(With Reuters inputs)
After Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress party will launch yet another massive follow-up campaign Hath se Hath Jodo Yatra from January 26. In this yatra, the party leaders will go door-to-door with Rahul Gandhi's letter.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, We will start the Hath Se Hath Jodo program from January 26, in which we will go door-to-door with Rahul Gandhi's letter and go to every panchayat, every block of the village. A charge sheet will also be brought against the Modi government."

He further informed that Rahul Gandhi's letter will also be written in regional languages, according to the news agency ANI.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra, which started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7, will end at Srinagar on January 30, with Rahul hoisting the Tricolour there. The yatra is currently in the Punjab leg.

So far, the march has covered Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and is presently in Haryana. It will now reach Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district on January 20 and will conclude in Srinagar on January 30.

It is the longest march on foot by any Indian politician in the history of India, the Congress claimed earlier in a statement.

The Bharat Jodo Yatra is getting support from various political parties and social organizations across the country.

Notably, all the party MPs, leaders and workers, along with Rahul Gandhi, are in containers. Sleeping beds, toilets and ACs are also installed in some of the containers. The arrangements have been made keeping in view the intense heat and humidity with the change of places.

The Congress suffered a debacle in the assembly polls held earlier this year and the Yatra is seen as an attempt to encourage the party rank and file for the upcoming electoral battles.

(With ANI inputs)
International Monetary Fund's (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has said that the international community counts a lot on India's leadership of G-20, at a time when the world is faced with continued economic slowdown and social distress.

While speaking to reporters during a media roundtable, she said, "India, which is the president of G-20 countries, remains among the countries that perform better than global average and by a good percentage."

India formally assumed the G20 (Group of 20) Presidency on 1 December. The next G20 Leaders' Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on 9-10 September in New Delhi.

"We count a lot on India's leadership of the G-20. Because it is such a critical time for the world to protect its own wellbeing by protecting the integrated global economy. I hope that India will do that huge global service keeping us together," she said.

Georgieva also lauded India for embracing digitization.

"What we see us working extremely well for India is how the country has taken digitization that was accelerated by COVID-19 to be a strong comparative advantage, both for public policy and for private sector growth," the IMF Managing Director said in response to a question.

For public policy, because the combination of digital ID and digital public infrastructure allows India to move policy support on a digital platform and to target extremely well those who are recipients of the support as well as to become a bright example of vaccinations done in a prioritized and highly effective manner, she noted.

"On the private sector side, because that has become a fertile ground for very rapid expansion of branded financing and enterprises. And that India intends to take to the G-20 as an area to build comparative strength," she said.

According to Georgieva, one of the priorities in the G-20 is how to make digitization built on a public platform, public infrastructure that allows everybody to plug in and significantly reduces costs of digitization; how that can be a source of growth and employment. So that is definitely one area.

India, she noted, has done some painful reforms which are now paying off. The country, she said, faces difficulties on the climate front, very dramatic impact on agriculture because of very severe vulnerability of climate shocks, especially droughts and high temperatures.

"India is of course impacted by developments in Asia. One of the countries -- Sri Lanka is a neighbour, Pakistan is a neighbour -- these are countries that are volatile. And, of course the fact that China has slowed down so dramatically, it has seen impact for the whole of Asia.

"If I'm in India today, I would worry more about what is happening in the rest of the world and how this is going to impact me, than what are the domestic factors." Georgieva said.

Georgieva also said that said 2023 would be another "tough year" for the global economy, and inflation remained stubborn, but she did not expect another year of successive downgrades like those seen last year, barring unexpected developments. IMF is not expected to downgrade its forecast for 2.7% growth in 2023, the head of the global lender said on Thursday. It noted that the concerns about an oil price spike had failed to materialize and labor markets remained strong

Earlier, IMF Deputy Managing Director Antoinette Sayeh had said that the country is a relative bright spot in the world economy today, growing at rates significantly above its peer average.

(With inputs from ANI)
The G20 delegates and participants arriving in India will be exempted from the 2 per cent random Covid testing rule for international arrivals, top government official told news agency ANI on 13 January.

While speaking to ANI, official said, "This has been noted on the request of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to the Ministry of Health Family and Welfare (MoHFW) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation has been asked to inform all stakeholders at airports."

The government has decided to exempt the delegates and participants arriving to attend the G20 meetings in the country till November 2023, official said.

India is hosting the G20 summit this year after taking over the presidency of the G20 Forum from Indonesia. The country formally assumed the G20 (Group of 20) Presidency on 1 December. The next G20 Leaders' Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on 9-10 September in New Delhi.

As per official, the MEA had on Wednesday requested the aviation ministry for this exemption until November 2023.

The ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) has informed all airports and their operators," they said.

On 12 January, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that more than 200 air passengers tested Covid-19 positive with BF.7 variant, which is behind the massive rise in cases in China, during the random sampling at the airports.

The health ministry had, on January 9, said 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.

The 2 percent of random coronavirus test began on 24 December when the Health Ministry issued an advisory to all the stakeholders to mandate the same. This came to prevent the sudden global surge in the cases of coronavirus infection was reported.

As per the issued advisory, the passengers arriving in India from designated high-risk countries like China, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Thailand and Japan would have to fill out an Air Suvidha form along with a negative RT-PCR report with 72 hours of their arrival in India .

Meanwhile, PM Modi has termed the G-20 presidency as "a big opportunity for India". All the G20 countries-- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union-- are set to attend the meetings and events in India.

(With inputs from ANI)
Tight security arrangements are in place ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on Friday. Shah will meet the families of twin terror attack victims in Rajouri, said officials.

Multi-tier security arrangements have been made in the district's Dhangri hamlet where roads have been repaired and CCTV cameras installed, they said as quoted by news agency PTI.

The Union Home minister is also scheduled to chair a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, they said, adding that senior officers of different forces and intelligence agencies will be part of it.

The twin terror attacks had left seven people of minority community, including two children, dead and fourteen others injured in the Dhangri hamlet.

Shah is scheduled to reach Rajouri in the morning and will move straight to the Dhangri village. He will then meet members of all three families who have suffered loss in the terrorist attack, they said.

Officials said massive security arrangements have been put in place in Rajouri district ahead of the Union minister's visit and the entire Dhangri area of Rajouri has been turned into a restricted zone.

Restrictions will also be put in place on normal movement of people on Friday morning till late afternoon hours, they said.

Officials said a multi-tier security cover has been put in place comprising of security personnel of the police and the CAPF, while troops of Indian Army will also guard the higher reaches.

They said heavy deployment, both on roads of the VVIP movement as well as the Dhangri village has been made.

CCTV cameras have also been placed at a number of locations in the Dhangri village to ensure close surveillance of the area, they said.

Senior police and CAPF officers also visited the area on Thursday evening and reviewed the security arrangements ahead of the Home minister's visit.

(With PTI inputs)
Mainland Chinese travelers are heading to Hong Kong for mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, which are not available on China's mainland as the country grapples with a surge in infections, according to the news agency Reuters.

On Thursday, a private hospital in the special Chinese administrative region of Hong Kong welcomed the first batch of mainland people. This came after five days China reopened its borders for the first time in three years.

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 told Reuters after she received her jab.

China abruptly dropped its "zero-Covid" approach last month after three years of enforcing some of the harshest anti-pandemic restrictions in the world that also unleashed a wave of infections that has packed hospitals and overwhelmed crematoriums.

According to official figures, only 37 Covid-related deaths have been recorded in China since last month out of a population of 1.4 billion.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) reiterated the need for China's Covid data. It has repeatedly voiced concern that China's official statistics are not showing the true impact of its current surge in Covid cases.

"WHO still believes that deaths are heavily underreported from China," its emergencies director Michael Ryan told media persons.

He Beijing's narrow definition of what constitutes a Covid death, and also pointed to "the need for doctors in the public health system to be encouraged to report these cases, and not discouraged."

(With Reuters inputs)
The civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. waves to supporters on Aug. 28, 1963 on the Mall in Washington D.C. (Washington Monument in background) during the "March on Washington." (Image credit: CNP/Getty Images)

Martin Luther King Jr. was a pastor, humanitarian and leader in the American civil rights movement of the 1960s. In numerous speeches, marches and letters, he fought for racial and economic justice and was lauded for his nonviolent approach to civil disobedience. Assassinated in 1968 at the age of 39, King made an incredible impact on the country's racial, cultural and intellectual landscape.

Martin Luther King's early life

King was born on Jan. 15, 1929, to the Rev. Michael King and Alberta Williams King in Atlanta, Georgia. His birth name was Michael King Jr. The King family had deep roots in the Atlanta Black community and the African-American Baptist Church. Both his grandfather and father served in succession at Ebenezer Baptist Church (down the street from King's childhood home), and established it as a major congregation in Baptist circles. They were also both leaders in the Atlanta branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Michael King Sr. changed his name and his son's name to Martin Luther in 1934 to honor the 16th-century German religious reformer.

King attended segregated schools and graduated from high school at age 15, and in 1948 he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Morehouse College in Atlanta in 1948. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania and a doctorate in Philosophy of Systematic Theology from Boston University. While in Boston, King met music student Coretta Scott. The two eventually married and had two daughters and two sons.

King contemplated an academic career but ultimately followed his father and grandfather to the pulpit. In 1954, he accepted the position of pastor at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

Martin Luther King's ministry and civil rights leadership

In Montgomery, King stepped up as a prominent leader in the civil rights movement.

In 1955, when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man and was arrested, local leaders formed an organization to protest Parks' arrest and chose King to head the group. In this role, he became the primary spokesperson for what would become the 382-day Montgomery Bus Boycott. During the boycott, King was abused and arrested, and his house was bombed, but he remained a stalwart and committed leader.

Related: 7 reasons America still needs civil rights movements

King's activism, leadership and ministry drew heavily on his Christian principles as well as the nonviolent teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. King skillfully drew upon a wide range of theological and philosophical influences to mobilize Black churches and communities and to appeal for white support. He turned from an untouchable view of God to a more supportive, reassuring concept, describing God as "a living reality that has been validated in the experiences of everyday life."

After the Supreme Court outlawed bus segregation, King helped expand the civil rights movement throughout the South. He was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and moved back to Atlanta to be closer to the organizations headquarters and to become co-pastor with his father at Ebenezer Baptist Church. He also traveled and spoke widely, spreading the message of nonviolent protest; wrote five books; organized voting drives; led peaceful protests and marches; and was arrested more than 20 times.

Related: 13 significant protests that changed the course of history

A portrait of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. (Image credit: Walter Bennett/Getty Images)

Martin Luther King's 'Letter from Birmingham City Jail'

In 1963, King led a nonviolent protest in highly segregated Birmingham, Alabama. The campaign was met with brutality from the police, who attacked demonstrators with dogs and hoses. King was arrested and, in a cell, drafted his famous "Letter from Birmingham City Jail (opens in new tab)," which became a manifesto for civil rights and civil disobedience. The letter combined ideas from the Bible, the Constitution and other respected texts.

Related: How to actually stop police brutality, according to science

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. embraces his wife Coretta and children, Marty and Yoki after he is freed from jail under a $2,000 appeal bond at the airport in Chamblee, Georgia. (Image credit: Bettmann/Contributor via Getty Images)

March on Washington and 'I Have a Dream' speech

On Aug. 28, 1963, about 250,000 people marched in Washington, D.C., in the largest demonstration of its kind in the city. At the Lincoln Memorial, King delivered the inspirational and oft-quoted "I Have a Dream (opens in new tab)" speech. The speech's most famous phrases include:

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal 

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

Related: A dream deferred: America's changing view of civil rights

The speech inspired the nation and solidified King's status as a national civil rights leader. After the march, King and other leaders met with President John F. Kennedy to discuss equal rights and an end to segregation.

Two days after the speech, the FBI wrote a memo detailing their suspicions that King was a communist. While FBI surveillance failed to find communist ties, the agency did find evidence that King was having extramarital affairs. FBI Domestic Intelligence Chief William Sullivan decided to use this information against King, and wrote an anonymous letter to him in 1964 urging King to kill himself, Yale historian Beverly Gage (opens in new tab) reported in The New York Times (opens in new tab) in 2014, after she found an unredacted version of the letter.

"There is only one thing left for you to do. You know what it is," the letter said.

However, King suspected that the letter came from the FBI, as it was no secret that its director, J. Edgar Hoover, wanted to discredit King.

Martin Luther King's Nobel Peace Prize

Following the March on Washington, Time magazine named King its "Man of the Year." The next year, in 1964 at the age of 35, King became the youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize. He donated the winnings to the civil rights movement. King received hundreds of other awards and several honorary degrees.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking before crowd of 25,000 Selma To Montgomery, Alabama civil rights marchers, in front of Montgomery, Alabama state capital building. On March 25, 1965 in Montgomery, Alabama. (Image credit: Stephen F. Somerstein/Getty Images)

Martin Luther King's later work and assassination

In addition to his work on racial issues, King became an activist for economic justice and a critic of the Vietnam War. He formed an organization called the Poor People's Campaign, which was unpopular among some Black activists who wanted to take more radical approaches to social change, such as those advocated by the Black Power campaigns.

Related: What was the Black Panther Party?

On April 3, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn., King delivered a poignant speech, intoning, "I've been to the mountaintop [and] I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land."

The next day, while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, King was assassinated. White supremacist James Earl Ray was convicted of the crime, though the identity of King's murderer was the subject of some controversy.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial stands on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Martin Luther King's legacy and memorial

King had a profound impact on the United States. The March on Washington was influential in the passing of the landmark Civil Rights Act, which essentially made segregation illegal. The Voting Rights Act was passed as the result of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March.

In 1968, Coretta Scott King founded the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. She also led the effort to make Kings birthday a national holiday, first celebrated in 1986.

Related: The environmental movement's debt to Martin Luther King Jr. (Op-Ed)

On Aug. 28, 2011  the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington  a memorial to King was dedicated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The memorial consists of a 30-foot-tall (9 meters) statue of King carved into the "Stone of Hope" breaking through two boulders representing the "Mountain of Despair."

Additional resources

This article was originally published on Jan. 16, 2014. It was updated on Jan. 15, 2021 by Live Science reference editor Kimberly Hickok and on Jan. 13, 2023 by Live Science editor Laura Geggel.
The Trump Organization was fined $1.6 million -- the maximum possible penalty -- by a New York judge Friday for running a decade-long tax fraud scheme.
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Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: January 13 2023

Companies that sell ghost gun parts and kits present a clear danger to all New Yorkers, said Attorney General James.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against ten national gun distributors, demanding that they immediately stop selling and shipping illegal unfinished and/or unserialized frames and receivers, or ghost gun parts, to New York consumers. Attorney General James is asking a federal court to order these businesses to immediately stop selling, shipping, distributing, or supplying unfinished frames or receivers to any person or entity with a New York address. Todays action builds on the lawsuit that Attorney General James filed against these companies in June 2022 and is part of the Office of the Attorney Generals (OAG) ongoing efforts to stop the flow of illegal and dangerous ghost guns into New York.

Companies that sell ghost gun parts and kits present a clear danger to all New Yorkers, said Attorney General James. These deadly weapons are unregistered, untraceable, and do not require any background check to purchase, which means they can easily end up in dangerous hands. Once again, we are taking action to stop the flow of ghost guns into New York and to protect our communities from gun violence.

Attorney General James is seeking a preliminary injunction against ten national gun distributors that were named in her lawsuit filed in June 2022 that unlawfully sold tens of thousands of unfinished frames and receivers to New Yorkers violating several laws, including New Yorks licensing laws, by selling weapons to felons and others without a background check. Between May and June of 2022, six of the ten Defendants  Arm or Ally, LLC, Brownells Inc., Salvo Technologies, Inc. (a/k/a 80 P Builder or 80P Freedom Co.), Indie Guns, LLC, Rainier Arms, LLC, and Rock Slide USA, LLC  were caught shipping one or more unfinished frames or receivers to undercover investigators in New York, and several defendants advertised ghost gun components for sale and shipped their products to individuals who went on to commit crimes involving ghost guns in New York State.

This case is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and Attorney General James asserts that these businesses sell these unfinished firearms with the understanding that their customers will convert them into working weapons and have even offered instructions on how to do so. They routinely sell their products inside a jig, a plastic structure that guides the users tools through the simple steps required to finish the frame. By Defendant 80 Percent Arms own admission, the jigs make it ridiculously easy for a non-machinist to finish their [handgun frame] in under 1 hour with no drill press required. This process is designed to work around federal gun serialization, recordkeeping, and background check requirements. Once turned into a working firearm, these illegal weapons have been used to commit crimes and harm New Yorkers.

This litigation is led by Special Counsel James Thompson, Special Counsel Monica Hanna, Assistant Attorneys General Abigail Katowitz and Matthew Conrad, with support from Data Scientist Kenneth Morales, Director of Research and Analytics Jonathan Werberg, all under the supervision of First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. The investigation was conducted by investigators Chad Shelmidine, Peter Schottenfeld, and Paul Matthews, all under the supervision of Deputy Chief Investigator Jonathan Wood and Deputy Chief Investigator Edward Carrasco.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: January 13 2023

Defendant Jordoni Dalrymple, 35, is charged with Robbery 3rd Degree (Attempted) and Menacing 3rd Degree.

Third Squad Detectives report the arrest of a Queens man for a Robbery that occurred on Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 11:25 pm in East Meadow.

According to detectives, a female employee, 26, was returning to Nassau University Medical Center located at 2201 Hempstead Turnpike, when she was approached by an unknown male on the east side of the building.

The subject requested money and the victim explained that she did not have any. The subject became angry and proceeded to aggressively approach her. The woman continued walking to avoid the subject who grabbed the victim by the shoulders, pushed her against a fence, and demanded money. The victim screamed for help and the subject fled on foot.

No injuries were reported.

A short time later, Jordoni Dalrymple, 35, of 21917 Edgewood Avenue, Laurelton, was arrested.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: January 13 2023

Defendant and Co-Conspirators Used Multiple Schemes to Steal Over $1 Million from Non-Profit Agency Devoted to Assisting Developmentally Disabled Youth.

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Senior United States District Judge Edward R. Korman sentenced Wafa Abboud to a term of imprisonment of 33 months. As part of the sentence, Judge Korman also ordered Abboud to forfeit $836,000 and pay $1,415,000 in restitution to Human First, Inc. (Human First), the nonprofit agency that Abboud led for more than five years. Abboud was convicted following a two-week jury trial in July 2019 of theft from programs receiving federal funds, bank fraud, and conspiracies to commit those crimes.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the sentence.

Stealing taxpayer money earmarked for developmentally disabled youth to pay for vacations, cosmetic surgery, and luxurious vacations is shameful, stated United States Attorney Peace. Today, the defendant has been held accountable for betraying the most vulnerable among us whom she was entrusted to serve and treating the non-profit organization bank accounts as though they were her own.

Mr. Peace thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, for its investigative work on the case.

From January 2011 until her termination on May 27, 2016, Abboud was the Executive Director of Human First, a non-profit corporation that provided services to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. In that capacity, Abboud exercised nearly complete control over the charitys finances. During Abbouds tenure, Human First received tens of millions of dollars annually from the New York State Office for People with Development Disabilities, which is funded in significant part by the Medicaid program. The money was disbursed to Human First to support its mission of providing residential, rehabilitative, and other services to developmentally disabled youth.

Abboud entered into an agreement with co-defendant Marcelle Bailey whereby Abboud caused Human First to pay Baileys company MPB Management Services LLC (MPB) approximately $16,000 per month in purported consulting fees. Bailey deposited approximately half of each monthly disbursement into bank accounts that were controlled by Abboud, who used the money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including expensive international vacations, visits to luxury spas and high-end beauty salons and restaurants, and elective cosmetic surgeries. Abboud also withdrew approximately $120,000 from the accounts in cash and wired tens of thousands of dollars in the account overseas. In total, Abboud stole approximately $420,000 between May 2011 and February 2016 through the MPB embezzlement scheme.

Abboud also conspired with co-defendant Rami Taha to steal over $400,000 through a scheme in which Abboud deliberately issued overpayments to contractors performing work on Human First properties with the knowledge that the overpayment would be kicked back to her. The overpayments were disguised through the use of inflated invoices submitted to Human First, and the payments to Abboud were hidden by transferring the funds through a number of sham bank accounts before ultimately depositing them into accounts controlled by Abboud. Abboud used the stolen money to finance the down payment and renovation of her residence. To conceal the true source of the funds, Abboud lied to her mortgage lender, falsely claiming that the funds were a settlement payment she had received for damage caused to her previous home.

Bailey pleaded guilty to embezzlement and bank fraud in December 2017 and was sentenced by Judge Korman in August 2021 to 33 months in prison. Taha pleaded guilty in May 2019 to embezzlement. A fourth defendant, Arkadiusz Swiechowicz, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in September 2018. Taha and Swiechowicz are awaiting sentencing.
Caracal Gold PLC - East Africa-focused gold producer - Non-Executive Chair Simon Games Thomas steps down with immediate effect. Says a replacement chair will be appointed in due course and says it is in advanced discussions with a potential candidate.

Current stock price: 0.50 pence, down 4.8%

12-month change: down 60%

By Greg Rosenvinge, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Queen Letizia of Spain has gained a global reputation for her style and on Thursday night in Minorca, she stole the show at a gala concert, wearing a stunning 80 euro black-and-white paisley dress from Mango while King Felipe opted for a grey pinstriped suit.

It is the first time the couple were seen since the death of King Constantine of Greece, Felipes uncle and the brother of his mother, the former Queen Sofia.

Greeces former King Constantine II, who died on Tuesday night aged 82, will be buried privately at a former royal estate north of Athens, the Greek government said.

Deposed by military rulers and spurned by his subjects who voted to ditch the monarchy in 1974, Constantine II was the only son of King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece.

He suffered from chronic heart and mobility problems and had been treated in an Athens hospital since last week.

Constantine II, godfather to Prince William and a second cousin to King Charles, would be buried privately in Tatoi, the summer palace of the former Greek royal family, where his ancestors are also laid to rest, the government said.

The funeral procession will be held on Jan. 16 at the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens, his office said.

Constantine II, who was regular visitor to Mallorca, was 27 years old and had only recently ascended to the throne, in 1964, when he was forced into exile with a young family in late 1967.

He would not return for decades to Greece, where he was deeply unpopular for his decision to swear-in the colonels who seized power in April 1967. He would briefly cooperate with them before staging a failed counter-coup.

The military junta forced him to flee the country and abolished the monarchy in 1973. In another referendum after the fall of the junta a year later, Greece rejected monarchy again, making Constantine the last Greek monarch.

Constantine was married to Princess Anne-Marie, the youngest daughter of King Frederick IX of Denmark, and had five children. Constantines elder sister is Queen Sophia of Spain.

Known as The Ex or just Glucksberg - from the German House of Glucksberg which has connections with royalty throughout Europe - Constantine spent almost 50 years in exile in Italy and London, before quietly returning to settle in Greece in 2013.

The eventful journey of the former King Constantine marked and was marked by turbulent moments in Greeces modern history, wounds healed by the choices, the free conscience and the maturity of our people, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, offering his condolences to the former kings family.

Constantines death, he said, is the formal epilogue of a chapter that has been definitively closed with the 1974 referendum.
Tatjana Patitz, a Vogue supermodel who rose to popularity in the 1980s and 1990s and went on to appear on several fashion magazine covers during her 40-year career, has passed away at 56 years old.

At her Santa Barbara, California, home, the legendary catwalk stunner's representative, Corrine Nichols, confirmed on Wednesday that she had passed away from breast cancer.

Patitz was perhaps most recognized for her work in Vogue. She also appeared with Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista in George Michael's "Freedom! '90" music video.

She was born and raised in Sweden by her German father and Estonian mother, and at the age of 17, she won third place in a modeling competition held in Stockholm. A trip to Paris and a brief modeling contract were the winnings, and the rest is history.

The chief content officer of Conde Nast and the global editorial director of Vogue, Anna Wintour, remembered Tatjana as "always the European symbol of chic, like Romy Schneider-meets-Monica Vitti."

"She was far less visible than her peers - more mysterious, more grown-up, more unattainable - and that had its own appeal," Wintour continued.

A force to be reckoned in the modeling world

After her time in Paris, Tatjana was unemployed for a year, but, according to Vogue, she quickly rose to prominence in the modeling industry. Her "unique" appearance and acting experience helped her succeed in many ways.

In a 1988 story titled "Tatjana: Million Dollar Beauty," she stated that "people always said that I looked special; that I didn't look like anyone else."And I was going to make it because of that."

She appeared in several films and brief television guest spots in addition to music videos for Korn and Duran Duran.

She collaborated with some of the most well-known photographers in the business, including as Peter Lindbergh, whose cover photo for British Vogue in January 1990 featured Patitz, Evangelista, Turlington, Crawford, and Naomi Campbell and served as the "birth certificate" of the supermodel era.

According to Vogue, she is survived by her 19-year-old son Jonah, whom she referred to as her "source of happiness."
This Saturday, January 14, the 71st Miss Universe competition will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The event will feature nearly 90 women from around the world vying for the position of Miss Universe, through the process of personal statements, in-depth interviews, and various categories, including evening gowns and swimwear.

The evening will end with the 70th Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu, handing over the crown to her successor.

What you should know about Miss Universe

It is a contest founded in 1952 in the United States, which became popular due to its reach through television broadcasts and audience interest.

Ownership of the competition has been passed through several proprietors including the Trump brand.

As Infobae points out, the concept of the beauty pageant is to be inclusive, celebrating the presence of women in all cultures and environments. The competition is focused on empowering women, directing them on their path to success, as well as challenging them to fulfil their dreams through enriching experiences.

But in addition to Miss Universe, another important beauty pageant is Miss World.

What is Miss World?

It is a competition that is widely accepted in Europe and Asia. The contest was founded in 1951 by a British family named Morley. unlike the Miss Universe pageant, the ownership of the Miss World competition has remained constant according to Infobae.

One of the main characteristics is the profile of its candidates, who must be associated with the objectives of the organization, which stands out for its social commitment. The contest is defined by how the applicants expose their role in society explaining what their objectives are and how to achieve it while improving the communities they serve.

Miss Universe vs Miss World, which has the greatest impact?

Both contests are considered important. In the case of Miss Universe, it is very popular in Latin America, the United States, Canada, the Philippines, and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. While the Miss World pageant is better known in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the English-speaking Caribbean.

To be the winner of Miss Universe, you must be between 18 and 27 years old, while Miss World must be between 17 and 24.

There are no restrictions for the participants in terms of competing in both contests and there are even cases where they have done so during the same year's editions.

There have also been cases where the losers from one contest won the other. Like in 2001 when Miss Universe semi-finalist Agbani Darego from Nigeria, won Miss World that same year.
WASHINGTON  Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to investigate the presence of documents with classified marking found at President Joe Bidens 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 departments 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 Bidens 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 presidents 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."

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 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 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.

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.

___

Associated Press writers Nomaan Merchant and Kevin Freking contributed to this report.
The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing to beef up its presence in the Pacific with an 11th vessel for the Hawaii-based District...
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida held wide-ranging talks at the White House on Friday as Japan looks to build security cooperation with allies in a time of provocative Chinese and North Korean military action.

The two administrations were also ready to seal an agreement to bolster U.S.-Japanese cooperation on space with a signing ceremony by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Affairs Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa.

The Oval Office meeting and signing ceremony at NASA's Washington headquarters will cap a weeklong tour for Kishida that took him to five European and North American capitals for talks on his effort to beef up Japan's security.

Biden welcomed Kishida to the White House on Friday morning for the prime minister's first visit to Washington since he took office in October 2021. Inside the Oval Office, the U.S. president praised Japan for its historic increase in defense spending and pledged close cooperation on economic and security matters.

We meet at a remarkable moment, Biden told Kishida, adding later, The more difficult job is trying to figure out how and where we disagree.

Kishida, speaking through an interpreter, said the two nations share fundamental values such as democracy and the rule of law and stressed that their joint role on the global stage is becoming even greater.

It all comes as Japan announced plans last month to raise defense spending to 2% of gross domestic product in five years, a dramatic increase in spending for a nation that forged a pacifist approach to its defense after World War II. Japan's defense spending has historically remained below 1% of GDP.

Blinken said this week that the U.S.-Japan space cooperation framework was a decade in the making and covers everything from joint research to working together to land the first woman and person of color on the moon.

He added that the U.S. and Japan agree that China is their "greatest shared strategic challenge and confirmed that an attack in space would trigger a mutual defense provision in the U.S.-Japan security treaty.

Before Friday's meeting of the two leaders, U.S. and Japanese officials announced an adjustment to 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 region. Japan is also reinforcing defenses on its southwestern islands close to Taiwan, including Yonaguni and Ishigaki, where new bases are being constructed.

The leaders discussed Japans push to step up defense spending and coordination that comes as concerns grow that China could take military action to seize Taiwan and that North Korea's spike in missile testing could augur the isolated nation's achieving its nuclear ambitions.

Biden and Kishida also discussed intrusions by Chinas military vessels into Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. The uninhabited islets are controlled by Japan but claimed by China, which calls them Diaoyu.

Kishida's sit-down with Biden is the final face-to-face in a week of talks with fellow Group of Seven leaders that focused largely on his efforts to increase Japan's defense spending and urge leaders to improve cooperation.

With Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, he cemented Japans first defense agreement with a European nation, one that allows for the two countries to hold joint military exercises.

Kishida also discussed with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron his hopes to improve security cooperation between Japan and their respective nations. Germany was the lone G-7 country not on Kishida's itinerary.

Japan last month announced plans to buy U.S.-made Tomahawks and other long-range cruise missiles that can hit targets in China or North Korea under a more offensive security strategy, while Japan, Britain and Italy unveiled plans to collaborate on a next-generation jet fighter project.

Just a few years ago, there would have been some discomfort in Washington with a Japan that has this kind of military capability, said Chris Johnstone, a former National Security Council official in the Biden administration who is now the Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Those days are gone.

Biden administration officials have praised Japan for stepping up in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Japan was quick to join the U.S. and other Western allies in mounting aggressive sanctions on Moscow, and Japanese automakers Mazda, Toyota and Nissan announced their withdrawal from Russia.

The White House has made the case that China is paying close attention to international efforts to coalesce behind Ukraine as it weighs action on Taiwan.

We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, anywhere in the world, the leaders said in a joint statement following their meeting.

The Biden administration officials have been pleasantly surprised by Japan's intensified effort to reconsider its security.

A senior administration official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss negotiations with the Japanese, noted that historically negotiations involving U.S. force posture in Okinawa have been unbelievably fraught, incredibly challenging and difficult and often took years to complete. But, the official said, negotiations before this weeks meetings were completed with striking speed.

Biden had been expected to raise the case of Lt. Ridge Alkonis, a U.S. Navy officer deployed to Japan who was jailed after pleading guilty last year to the negligent driving deaths of two Japanese citizens in May 2021.

Alkonis family says he suddenly fell unconscious behind the wheel during a family trip on Mt. Fuji. He veered into parked cars and pedestrians in a parking lot, striking an elderly woman and her son-in-law, both of whom later died.

The Navy officer was sentenced in October to three years in prison, a sentence that the family and U.S. lawmakers have called unduly harsh considering the circumstances. Alkonis also agreed to pay the victims $1.65 million in restitution.

The official added that the Biden administration was working to find a compassionate resolution thats consistent with the rule of law. Neither Biden nor Kishida responded to shouted questions about Alkonis at the White House, and outside its gates, about two dozen demonstrators called for Alkonis' release.

Kishida met with Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday before his meeting with Biden.

Associated Press writers Tracy Brown and Seung Min Kim in Washington and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.
One day after the Pentagon issued the long-awaited parental leave policy, the Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard implemented the guidance, allowing airmen, Guardians and Coasties to take advantage of the time off almost immediately.

But the Army, Navy and Marine Corps were still in a holding pattern Friday, leaving thousands of service members who are planning to grow their families in limbo. Most troops will have to use existing leave policies.

"The Army's implementation guidance is being finalized and we expect it to be published in the near future," Madison Bonzo, an Army spokesperson, told Military.com in a statement. "Eligible soldiers may continue to request leave under the previous parenthood, pregnancy, and post-partum policy and, when the new policy is published, they may extend their leave accordingly."

Read Next: This Week's Top Military Photos: The Warwax Makes an Icy Rescue

The Navy was still working to implement its guidance for sailors. That delay was, in turn, holding up the Marine Corps. Military.com requested comment from the Navy, but it did not respond Friday.

The Marine Corps is "implementing guidance for the expansion of the military parental leave program [which] is in final development and will be published once approved for release," Maj. Jordan Cochran, a Marine Corps spokesman, told Military.com on Friday.

Cochran's statement also highlighted the fact that the Corps needs the Navy to put out its policy so that it can, in turn, publish its own.

"Upon receipt of the Department of Navy policy, the Marine Corps will finalize and publish implementing guidance via a Marine Corps bulletin and Marine administrative message," Cochran said.

Typically, both Marines and sailors have to wait for a guidance memo to be published before a Pentagon-driven policy like this can be utilized.

Cochran did, however, hint at the possibility that there would be a period of retroactive approval of more leave for Marines who have already started their parental leave periods.

One Navy spouse, who spoke to Military.com on condition of anonymity because she wasn't authorized to speak to the media, said the delay and uncertainty will cause stress for families.

"I'm a little nervous about how long it's going to take to issue guidance," the spouse said. "I do think that [permanent change of station] season is coming up, and that makes a difference. Families who are looking to take [parental] time off for leave between assignments may be left in the lurch."

The Pentagon's new parental leave policy grants new mothers and military fathers 12 weeks of paid leave. It was signed into law by President Joe Biden in December 2021, and the Defense Department was supposed to put it into effect within a year.

It released the rules at the last minute this month. Now, the services need to issue specific guidance to their formations before the rules can be used by the rank and file -- what is largely a copy-and-paste policy job.

And many in the Army and Navy reserves, as well as some National Guard components, were left wondering whether the parental leave applies to them.

A Jan. 5 memorandum from the Department of the Air Force made it clear that the new parental leave policy applies to airmen in the reserves and the National Guard. But a lack of communication from the other services is causing worry.

An Army Reserve captain, who spoke to Military.com on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said the soldiers who answer to him are worried they won't receive much-needed time with their new kids.

"When we saw the Pentagon policy, we were wondering why it didn't include the reserves," the captain said. "I had a soldier who missed the birth of his daughter because he was deployed, and he's waiting to see if he gets that time with his newborn, and that time is critical."

In the private sector, less than 25% of American workers have access to paid parental leave, while federal law mandates companies with more than 50 employees provide unpaid family leave, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The U.S. is one of the only developed countries in the world without paid parental leave mandated by law for private-sector employees.

The military services seemingly did not work in tandem with Defense Department policymakers and did not have the leave policy ready to go as intended by the new law. The Army has roughly 400,000 parents, including reserve components, with about 6,000 soldiers pregnant at any given time, according to service data.

The slow rollout comes after recent strides in quality-of-life boosts for soldiers. A new policy last year grants up to 42 days of convalescent leave after a miscarriage for men and women, and commanders can also authorize additional time off for physical and emotional recovery. Last year, the National Guard kicked off a limited pilot program granting child care for troops during their drill weekends.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that the Coast Guard has implemented its guidance.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: The Female Soldier Insurgency that Helped Rewrite the Army's Rules on Parenthood
BELGRADE, Serbia  A senior U.S. envoy expressed strong concern Thursday about the activities of the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group and its alleged attempts to recruit soldiers in Serbia and elsewhere in the world.

U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said he voiced these concerns during talks in Belgrade with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

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.

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. The group has reportedly announced the opening of its offices in Belgrade, something that was later denied.

Moscows propaganda portal RT, which recently started its Serbian-language online news site in Serbia, has published Wagners recruitment advert seeking fighters in Ukraine, saying the group offers more than attractive incentives.

Chollet said Wagner Group is in action in terrible ways throughout the world, whether it is in Libya, the Central African Republic or right now in Ukraine.

The group which reportedly includes a large contingent of convicts recruited in Russian prisons has spearheaded the attacks in eastern Ukraine, including the fierce battles in Soledar and Bakhmut.

Prigozhin and his group have been under U.S. sanctions for years and the U.S. has recently taken additional steps to try to control Wagners access to weapons.

Wagner Group mercenaries have also been accused by Western countries and UN experts of numerous human rights abuses throughout Africa, including in the Central African Republic, Libya and Mali. Earlier this month. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced he has designated the Wagner Group as an entity of particular concern for its activities in the Central African Republic.

Chollet also urged Serbia to introduce sanctions against its traditional Slavic ally Russia.

We believe that countries should sign on to the sanctions, and the reason why we believe that is because Russias actions do not only have to be condemned, they have to be punished, he said. Russia every day is prosecuting a brutal, unjustified war against Ukraine. We need to stand together, to ensure that this behavior, its clear that this behavior is unacceptable.

The U.S. envoy this week launched a tour of several Balkan nations in a visit focused on international efforts to help normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia after weeks of heightened tension. The former Serbian province declared independence in 2008, something Serbia and Russia don't recognize.
A Marine secures the landing zone during a Visit, Board, Search and Seizure exercise in Virginia. (Cpl. Matthew Romonoyske-Bean/U.S. Marine Corps)

Related: Marines Fire Commander of Assault Amphibian School After Vehicle Mishap

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ride motorcycles as part of the New Years Jump exercise in Japan. (Staff Sgt. Ryan Lackey/U.S. Army)

Related: Motorcycles Are Saving the Lives of Wounded Veterans

A firefighter with the 673rd Civil Engineer Squadron conducts an ice rescue in Alaska. (Airman 1st Class Julia Lebens/U.S. Air Force)

Related: Military Service and Firefighting

The Air Force awarded Air Medals to airmen assigned to call sign REACH 823 for their efforts during Operation Allies Refuge during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. (Lan Kim/U.S.Air Force)

Related: Air Force Awarding 96 Flying Crosses, 12 Bronze Stars for Afghanistan Evacuation Efforts

An Army paratrooper free falls out of a Marine KC-130J Hercules aircraft during an exercise in Arizona. (Lance Cpl. Samantha Rodriguez/U.S. Marine Corps)

Related: More Than a Dozen Special Operations Soldiers at Center of Drug Trafficking Probe

The U.S. flag is draped over a casket during a disinterment ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii. The ceremony is part of the militarys efforts to disinter the remains of service members lost on the Enoura Maru, a Japanese cargo ship used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. (Staff Sgt. John Miller/U.S. Army)

Related: Military Funeral Honors

-- Drew F. Lawrence can be reached at drew.lawrence@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @df_lawrence.
If aliens actually invaded Earth, the United States would be ready. As far back as the 1985 Geneva Summit, the U.S. and Russia agreed to set aside their differences and join forces in case of an alien invasion. There are those working in the U.S. military who believe the Pentagon actually developed a plan if that ever happens.

Aliens aren't invading, but the reports of unidentified flying objects in sensitive airspace have increased, especially in sensitive areas, according to a declassified report from the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office. The objects were mostly balloons and "sky garbage" that created safety risks in those skies.

Read: Troops Saw More UFOs, But New Pentagon Report Provides Few Answers

It's probably a good thing they aren't aliens, because our would-be Russian allies aren't ready for interstellar war.

In 2013, the head of Russia's Aerospace Defence Force was asked whether the country's "space troops" were prepared for an alien invasion. During a press conference at the Titov Main Test and Space Systems Control Centre near Moscow, deputy chief Sergey Berezhnoy replied that Earth's defense wasn't their mission.

"So far we are not capable of that. We are unfortunately not ready to fight extraterrestrial civilizations," he explained. "Our center was not tasked with it. There are too many problems on Earth and near it."

Russia's Aerospace Defence Force was created in its current form in 2011 to control the country's missile defense systems, strategic air warfare and control of outer space, especially satellites. There were only about 1,000 soldiers assigned there in 2013. Now fighting in Ukraine, the force is either "dominating" the skies over Ukraine or is "a good supplier of scrap metal" to the Ukrainians.

Our longtime allies for earthly combat are equally unprepared. Although British defense experts agreed the prime minister would call together a special war cabinet, they were unsure of what the outcome of that meeting might be. As of 2017, Britain's Ministry of Defence had no plans for an imminent alien invasion.

"You might find it useful to note that the MOD does not have any expertise or role in respect of the existence or otherwise of extraterrestrial life forms," the New York Post reported.

Using publicly available documents, YouTube's The Infographics Show recreated a possible alien attack scenario. If it came down to the United States fighting aliens alone, it could be in pretty good shape. Years of preparation for nuclear war with the Soviet Union created one of the most "resilient" nations on Earth, one that might be able to retaliate against an alien first strike.

Though the video makes a lot of assumptions, America's most likely plan is to make the invasion so costly for the aliens in terms of manpower and resources, that they won't be able to complete a total invasion. The United States would make the best use of its own manpower and weapons to bleed the aliens before the invaders inevitably destroy us.

But they can't destroy all of us. Humans will rise from the ashes and rebuild, and if aliens come back, they'll have a surprise waiting for them.

-- 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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Looking southeast from the neighborhood of the public square in Dahlonega, the attention is arrested by a large open cut, running along the north side of Findley Ridge, near its top. This cut is on the east side of lot 1,035, 12th district, its east end stopping abruptly, about the middle of the north and south lot-line, between this and the Findley mine lot, No. 1,048. This cut constitutes what is known as the Bast mine, named for Mr. Emanuel Bast, of Ashland, Penn., one of it former owners and operators. The cut is 650 feet long by about 60 feet wide. Its south wall is about fifty feet high, and its north wall, about twenty feet, in the present condition of the cut; though, in places, the original bottom is said to be covered, by about twenty feet of debris. Along its longitudinal axis, the cut has a direction, N. 76 E., approximately the trend of the belts. In fact, the cut has been made by excavating the yellow belt, nearly to the point, where the saprolitic condition gives place to the unaltered schist. Still, a portion of the yellow saprolite remains in place, dipping under the large dike, and averaging, probably, fifteen feet thick. The north wall, in the west end of the cut, presents an excellent exposure of the hornblende-schist, the most of it, in an almost completely altered condition, but the remainder, showing all stages of alteration. About midway of the north wall of the cut, a drain was cut through the hard, unaltered hornblende-schist, through which the ore could be flooded to the mill. The large dump-pile, resulting, furnishes, in abundance, all the variations of this rock, from the holocrystalline to the aphanitic schist.



Third in the series of these belts, as they lie in this cut, is a belt of the black slates, which forms the south wall of the cut, and dips under the belt of yellow schists. The strike of these slates, taken in the east end of the cut, was N. 65 W., and their dip 55 to the northeast. The strike of the hornblende-schists is N. 80 W., and their dip, 45 to the northeast.



Lying between the yellow and black belts, is an auriferous quartz vein, known as the "Big Sand Vein." The trend of this vein is N. 50 to 60 E., which approximates that of the yellow and black belts. The ore from this vein is said to have yielded $11.00 or $12.00 of gold per ton. In the west end of the cut, the vein is about fifteen feet wide; but, at the point, where my sample for assay was taken, 150 feet east, it is only two feet wide. Beyond this, in an eastward, direction, it is covered by the weathered material, which has fallen in, from the walls; but, near the drain cut, where it is twenty feet under this soft material, it is said to be eight feet wide.



Only a few feet from this vein, was another, in the yellow belt. A prospect shaft, about ten feet deep, has recently been driven through the unaltered schists, along the clip of this vein. The hard schists, which surround the vein, are pearl-gray, and consist, chiefly, of a hydrous mica, the species of which has not yet been determined. These schists, which, as I have before stated, are, evidently, in part, at least, the unaltered material of the yellow belts, arc, by no means, so quartzose, in character, as the underlying slates of the black belt, at the Findley mine. The vein, which is of hard, white quartz, containing considerable of the hydromica-schist, in layers longitudinal with the vein, is about eighteen inches thick; and it clips with the slates about 40 to the northeast, striking northwesterly. The ore, taken from the shaft, is highly pyritiferous; and I saw quite a number of specimens, which showed liberal quantities of free gold in plates, with the pyrite. This seems, though, to have been local; as the sample for assay, taken by me, only a few feet below, proved to be of low grade.



In the east end of the cut, a vein has been followed by a tunnel, sixty feet long, into the Findley mine lot, adjoining; and, just opposite, on the other side of the cut, is another tunnel, running 100 feet, in a southwest direction, on the Bast lot. These tunnels have been abandoned, for some time; and they were not in condition for examination, at the time of my survey of the mine.

Select Mineral List Type Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Detailed Mineral List:  Gold Formula: Au Reference: Minerals of Georgia: Their properties and occurrences GGWRD Bull 92 Yeates, W. S., McCallie, S. W., and King, F. P. (1896), A preliminary report on part of the gold deposits of Georgia: Georgia Geological Survey Bulletin 4-A; 364-371.  'Hornblende' Reference: Yeates, W. S., McCallie, S. W., and King, F. P. (1896), A preliminary report on part of the gold deposits of Georgia: Georgia Geological Survey Bulletin 4-A; 364-371.  'Hydromica' Reference: Yeates, W. S., McCallie, S. W., and King, F. P. (1896), A preliminary report on part of the gold deposits of Georgia: Georgia Geological Survey Bulletin 4-A; 364-371.  'Limonite' Reference: Yeates, W. S., McCallie, S. W., and King, F. P. (1896), A preliminary report on part of the gold deposits of Georgia: Georgia Geological Survey Bulletin 4-A; 364-371.  Pyrite Formula: FeS 2 Reference: Minerals of Georgia: Their properties and occurrences GGWRD Bull 92 Yeates, W. S., McCallie, S. W., and King, F. P. (1896), A preliminary report on part of the gold deposits of Georgia: Georgia Geological Survey Bulletin 4-A; 364-371.  Pyrolusite Formula: Mn4+O 2 Reference: Minerals of Georgia: Their properties and occurrences. Robert Cook GGWRD Bull 92  Quartz Formula: SiO 2 Reference: Yeates, W. S., McCallie, S. W., and King, F. P. (1896), A preliminary report on part of the gold deposits of Georgia: Georgia Geological Survey Bulletin 4-A; 364-371.

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification Group 1 - Elements  Gold 1.AA.05 Au Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts  Pyrite 2.EB.05a FeS 2 Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides  Pyrolusite 4.DB.05 Mn4+O 2  Quartz 4.DA.05 SiO 2 Unclassified Minerals, Rocks, etc.  'Hornblende' -  'Hydromica' -  'Limonite' -

List of minerals for each chemical element O Oxygen O  Pyrolusite Mn4+O 2 O  Quartz SiO 2 Si Silicon Si  Quartz SiO 2 S Sulfur S  Pyrite FeS 2 Mn Manganese Mn  Pyrolusite Mn4+O 2 Fe Iron Fe  Pyrite FeS 2 Au Gold Au  Gold Au

References

Sort by Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A) In-text Citation No.

Yeates, W. S., McCallie, S. W., and King, F. P. (1896), A preliminary report on part of the gold deposits of Georgia: Georgia Geological Survey Bulletin 4-A; 364-371. Jones, S. P., (1909), Second report on the gold deposits of Georgia: Georgia Geological Survey Bulletin 19; 190-191. Pardee, ]. T., and Park, C. F., (1948), Gold deposits of the southern Piedmont: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 213, 126.

Other Databases

Link to USGS MRDS: 10240720

External Links

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality
How to use the mindat.org media viewer

Click/touch this help panel to close it.

Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image)

Controls - all media types

Zoom in and out of media using your mousewheel or with a two-finger 'resize' action on a touch device.

Use the mouse or your finger to drag the image or the view area of the image around the screen.

< and > at the left and right hand side of the screen move forwards and backwards for the other images associated with the media you selected. Usually this is used for previous/next photo in a gallery, in an article or in search results. Keyboard shortcuts: use shift + the left and right arrow keys.

< and > in the bottom center are used for switching between the photos of the same specimen. Keyboard shortcuts: use the left and right arrow keys.

> in the bottom center, raises the information box giving details and further options for the media, < at the top of this box then hides it. Keyboard shortcuts: use the up and down arrow keys.

? opens this help window. Keyboard shortcuts: use the H key or the ? key.

Other keyboard shortcuts:

1 Fit image to screen 2 Fill screen with image 5 Display at full resolution < Make background darker > Make background lighter space Hide/dim titles and buttons

Scalebar

If the field of view (FOV) is specified for the photo, the scalebar appears in the left bottom corner of the viewer. The scalebar is draggable and resizeable. Drag the right edge to resize it. Double click will reset the scalebar to it's default size and position. If the scalebar is in default position, double click will make it circular.

Controls - Video

Video files have a standard set of video controls: - Reset to start, - Skip back, - Play, - Pause, - Skip forwards. Keyboard shortcuts: You can stop/start video play with the P key.

Controls - Animation (Spin Rotation)

Animation (usually 360 degree spin rotations) have their own controls: - enable spin mode. Note that while images are loading this option will not be available but will be automatically activated when the animation has loaded. Once active you can spin the image/change the animation by moving your mouse or finger on the image left/right or by pressing the [ or ] keys.

The button switches to move mode so that you can use your mouse/fingers to move the image around the screen as with other media types.

The button, or the P key will start playing the animation directly, you can interrupt this by using the mouse or finger on the image to regain manual movement control.

Controls - 3D Stereoscopic images

If a stereoscopic 3D image is opened in the viewer, the 3D button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "3D settings" menu. The 3D images can be viewed in several ways:

- without any special equipment using cross-eyed or parallel-eyed method

- with stereoscope

- with anaglyph glasses.

- on a suitable 3D TV or monitor (passive 3D system)

For details about 3D refer to: Mindat manuals: Mindat Media Viewer: 3D

To enable/disable 3D stereo display of a compatible stereo pair image press the 3 key. If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them.

Controls - photo comparison mode

If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu.

Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder.

Summary of all keyboard shortcuts
Reception held to mark 40 years of China-Angola diplomatic ties

Xinhua) 16:55, January 13, 2023

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.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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Michael Blackson has said despite having recently become an American citizen, he is not yet prepared to lead Ghana in any political position.

This, came after several online users encouraged the comedian to run as an independent candidate when he inaugurated his new school in the Central Region.

The Ghana youth wants me to run for president, and I just became an American. Let me enjoy being an American shit. I didnt even get on welfare yet, Modasuckas, he tweeted on January 10, 2023.

His post followed another tweet in which he expressed gratitude for thinking of him as a better candidate.

However, Michael claims that he is not even acquainted with the 16 regions of the country.

Ghana, I appreciate this but not right now; I dont even know all the 16 regions in Ghana, lol, he added.

On January 3, 2023, Michael Blackson commissioned his newly built school in his hometown, Agona Nsaba, in the Central Region.

Pictures of the facility, which seeks to offer free education for all students, have been splashed on the internet, and this has stirred congratulations from netizens.

The three-story complex, named "The Michael Blackson Academy," has been equipped with lots of classrooms and other amenities.

Earlier in 2020, the 49-year-old actor cut the sod for the construction of the edifice, and a

Watch the video below for more


The Head Pastor of the 7th Day Pentecostal Assemblies, Elder Enoch Ofori Jnr has stressed the need for Christians to renew their faith in Christ as they enter the new year.

Elder Enoch Ofori Jnr made the call on Friday, December 30, 2022 when he was preaching at the 2022 end-of-the-year camp meeting organized by the 7th Day Pentecostal Assemblies at Feyiase in the Ashanti Region.

The program under the theme "I have Loved thee with an Everlasting Love" is quoted from the book of Jer. 31:3.

It was attended by the entire 25 branch churches across the country. Dignities who graced the impressive occasion include chiefs, religious leaders, and journalists among others.

The man of God indicated that as the year 2022 comes to an end, people, especially Christians need to correct their past mistakes and approach the new year with a renewed mindset and faith.

Elder Enoch Ofori noted that though many people called themselves Christians, they have little or no faith when they are confronted with challenges.

He said instead of putting their trust in the Lord they rather allowed themselves to be swayed by the devil.

Speaking to the congregants, the man of God encouraged them to always bear in mind that the Lord cannot forsake His people who trust in Him.

"Be reformed and do not allow yourselves to be deceived by the elements of the darkness whose focus is to destroy the works of God," Elder Ofori Jnr advised.

FALSE PROPHECIES

Elder Enoch Ofori Jnr stressed that in the end time, things will be made difficult to force Christians to lose faith in the dependable God.

He said the agents of the devil will come in the form of prophets just to deceive God's people.

"And for such are false apostles, deceitful workers transformed into angels of lights. And no wonder Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light," he stated.

Such quake prophets he indicated hardly preach salvation or repentance.

Elder Enoch Ofori noted the fact that God never despises prosperity. According to him, God wants His followers to prosper however, some churches have made up their minds to preach only prosperity messages.

"Prophets should be ordained and a person who intercedes between man and God for peaceful coexistence and not one who uses false prophecies to enrich themselves as we shamelessly see in the country today," he laments.

He indicated that the only way to salvation, prosperity and happiness is to believe and rely on the word of God.
The Minerals Development Fund through the Local Management Committee in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region has donated furniture/desks to selected schools in the Talensi District to support and improve the condition of teaching and learning in the district.

Residents in the Talensi District express appreciation to Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited, the only large-scale mining company in Northern Ghana currently contributing to the Minerals Development Fund.

The Minerals Development Fund through the Talensi Local Management Committee (LMC) has provided 365 dual desks to eight (8) primary and Junior High Schools in the district. The beneficiary communities include Gaare, Gbane, Yameriga, Zanwore, Tola, Datuku, Wakii and Bapella. Also, 16 Hexagonal desks were provided to Tola, Datuku and Bapella kindergartens.

Early 2022, the Talensi LMC constructed several water systems across some mining communities in the district from the minerals development fund to improve the livelihoods of residents in the mining communities in Talensi.

The Minerals Development Fund (MDF) is a public fund set up by Act 912 of Parliament in 2016. The source of the fund is principally twenty percent (20%) of mineral royalties that are received by the Ghana Revenue Authority on behalf of the Republic.

The funds are mainly sourced from holders of mining leases in respect of their mining operations. The purpose of the Fund according to the Act is to provide financial resources for the direct benefit and advantage of mining communities. It is also to equip traditional and local government authority within a mining community. The MDF fund also sets aside a portion of moneys for the Institution responsible for the development of mining  Land and Natural Resources.

"For now, Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited is the only large-scale mining company in the Talensi District that is contributing to the fund and we have so far disbursed the funds that came to the Local Management Committee at the District level in the area of water and education which are of major concern to our people, Samuel Kuug, Chairman of the Talensi Local management committee said.

Mr. Samuel Kuug continues," As part of the challenges in the educational sector in the district, we have decided to provide furniture to some primary, Junior High schools and Kindergartens to help address the furniture deficit in the schools. This forms part of the first phase of furniture distribution and we are optimistic and confident that, all basic schools will be provided with furniture through the Minerals development fund, kind courtesy of Earl International Group Ghana Gold Ltd."

Apart from the companys regular royalties contributions to the Minerals Development fund, he added that the Ghana Revenue Authority collects taxes and fees from the company. Through the Minerals development fund some of the royalties paid by Earl International Group Ghana Gold Ltd are returned to the host communities of the Mine and managed by the local management committee for the benefit and development of communities affected by mining operations.

The Public Relations Officer of Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited, Ebenezer Bognaab, on royalties paid to government said, "The company is committing to support the government to provide basic social amenities and infrastructure to our host mining communities and for that matter, as a company, we do not renege on payment of royalties and taxes to the government though we have undertaken some projects in the district under our corporate social responsibility and we will continue to support our host communities in the district."

Many residents this portal spoke to said, the operation of Earl International Group Ghana Gold Limited as a large-scale mining company is a blessing to the communities because thousand of the youth in the area have been employed directly and indirectly and this has totally improved their livelihoods.

On the issue of the furniture, parents and teachers at the beneficial schools are very excited with the provision of the furniture saying this has come to improve the academic performance of pupils and students who used to learn on their stomachs and sat on bare floors in the classrooms.

"As a teacher, I always get demoralised anytime I get prepared for school to teach due to how we teachers struggle to teach by bending down to monitor and supervise our pupils and students during class lessons. With this new furniture, I can now go to school with confidence and am happy for my pupils," a teacher shared his excitement.

"As part of the school PTA, we were planning to contribute some money to provide few furniture for at least the JHS two and three students so they can prepare well ahead of the BECE, but we thank the Earl Group mining company for their contributions to the Minerals Development Fund and today our primary, Junior High school and kindergarten have received enough furniture," a parent and PTA member expressed his joy to our news team.
Samson Kambalu is a Malawian conceptual artist, writer and academic, whose sculpture Antelope was installed on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square in London in September 2022. The Fourth Plinth was originally designed for a large scale equestrian statue of a British monarch but is now reserved for a contemporary sculpture, chosen every two years. This is is the most significant public sculpture award in the UK. Antelope is a bronze sculpture depicting two figures: John Chilembwe , a Baptist preacher and Pan-Africanist who in 1915 led the first uprising against the British occupation and colonial rule of Malawi (then Nyasaland), and his friend, a British missionary named John Chorley. Its sheer scale and subject matter provide a powerful counterpoint to the imperial iconography of Trafalgar Square. Historian Susan Williams discusses the work with Kambalu.

How did you arrive at the choice of Chilembwe?

Chilembwe's photograph from 1914 chose me. When I moved to Oxford to pick up a professorship at Ruskin School of Art, the first thing I did was to visit Weston Library , where British colonial bureaucrats deposited documentation of their lives in the colonies. The Malawi-related archives produced the mysterious photograph of Reverend John Chilembwe, of Providence Industrial Mission, wearing a white hat, standing next to a white man, John Chorley, of Zambezi Industrial Mission.

I had wondered why Reverend Chilembwe drew attention to his hat. He is wearing it sideways for effect. It turns out that Africans were forbidden to wear hats in the presence of white people during colonial times, and Chilembwe had created this photograph at the opening of his church as an act of defiance, with support from his friend. Africans were also forbidden to run a mission. Chilembwe would be killed months later, in an uprising against colonial injustices.

When the London Mayor's office got in touch asking me to propose for the Fourth Plinth, I had the photograph as wallpaper on my phone. I immediately decided that I would propose a work based on the photograph. For me, it is his killing by colonial police months later that dictated the final look of the sculpture. Chilembwe looms over his white friend like a ghost.

Why is it called Antelope?

Chilembwe's name means antelope. It alludes not only to the animal, but also to the Chewa principal mask, Kasiya Maliro, a womb disguised as an antelope. For the Chewa people of Malawi, it's a symbol of radical generosity. Chilembwe's photograph very much recalls aspects of Nyau masking , a Chewa secret society marked by prodigious gift giving through play, the Gule Wamkulu. Often transgressive, their purpose is to speak truth to power. Chilembwe hangs on to his African heritage even as he steps forward as a modern Malawian.

Malawi society, where I'm from, is heavily inspired by masking, and Nyau masking is all about critical thinking. When the masks come out from their secretive workshops (or dambwes) in the ancestral graveyards, received knowledge is questioned in unorthodox performances and prodigious gifts, opening up new ways of looking at the world.

Antelope shares Trafalgar Square with other statues which celebrate Britain's imperial and military conquests, such as Nelson's Column. The iconography of Antelope might be anti-imperialist, but it is also very much a piece of British history.

What remains of Chilembwe's memory?

Chilembwe features on Malawi's banknotes and he is remembered in a public holiday every year on 15 January  Chilembwe Day. But as I grew up in Malawi, the then President for Life, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, rendered Chilembwe as a peripheral figure in the fight for Malawi's independence.

A revisiting of Chilembwe during the research for this sculpture revealed to me a man who was much more critical to the birth of Malawi as a nation. He was the first Malawian to resist colonial rule beyond tribal lines.

Why does this work of art matter today?

The statue will remain on the Fourth Plinth for two years. After that I think it would look good at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington DC. Chilembwe was sponsored by many black churches in America, and taking this sculpture to America after its stay on Trafalgar Square would be Chilembwe returning the gift of liberty, freedom, to the American people. I'd like a copy too in Malawi, and another copy in Britain, and in Europe.

Chilembwe, who trained as a Baptist minister in the US before returning to Nyasaland in 1901, is believed to have influenced Pan-Africanists such as Marcus Garvey. But whereas they are widely known, Chilembwe has remained an obscure figure outside Malawi. I think Antelope will change this.

I hope we can now begin to detail the African colonial experience beyond generalisations of African or black.

Susan Williams ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possede pas de parts, ne recoit pas de fonds d'une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n'a declare aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.

By Susan Williams, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, School of Advanced Study
The French and German foreign ministers on Thursday hailed success in implementing an Ethiopian peace agreement signed last year to end two years of brutal war, on a joint visit to Addis Ababa.

The trip by France's Catherine Colonna and Annalena Baerbock of Germany began a day after Tigrayan rebels announced they were starting to hand in their heavy weapons, a key component of the November 2 deal to silence the guns in the north.

Colonna welcomed "good progress which we encourage to continue," at a press briefing with Baerbock.

"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 urged the establishment of a transitional justice mechanism to punish abuses during the conflict.

The pair, on a two-day visit, met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and are set to hold talks with other ministers as well as African Union officials and human rights campaigners.

They also visited a World Food Programme distribution centre, which held 50,000 tonnes of wheat donated by Ukraine to Ethiopia and Somalia.

War-torn Ukraine has donated 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Ethiopia, with support from France and Germany. By Amanuel Sileshi (AFP)

"It is remarkable that Ukraine, which is under attack, is donating this grain to Ethiopia and Germany and France are supporting the Ukrainian grain donations by organising and financing its transport here," said Baerbock.

The German minister said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "using grain, using food as a weapon," which she said had "exacerbated the already difficult situation" in countries like Ethiopia.

Exports from Ukraine -- a critical supplier of grains, oilseeds and vegetable oils to global markets -- were cut off by a Russian naval embargo after Moscow's forces invaded the country in February.

That sent prices for agricultural products skyrocketing worldwide, hitting wheat importers in the Middle East and Africa especially hard.

EU priorities, Chinese influence

A diplomatic source said before the trip that 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 devastating war 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.

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 this week.
The Ethiopian army announced the withdrawal of a regional force from a key Tigrayan city on Thursday under a peace deal to end two years of war as visiting European ministers said there could be no reconciliation without justice.

France and Germany's foreign ministers visited Ethiopia 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 Africa's second most populous country.

And on Thursday the Ethiopian army said the Amhara special forces -- a regional force which backed the government in the war -- had withdrawn from the strategic Tigray city of Shire, meeting another key part of the peace deal.

The conflict in northern Ethiopia between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has claimed untold numbers of lives.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said she welcomed "good progress which we encourage to continue" in the peace process.

"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 her German counterpart Annalena 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 new Chinese 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.
M23 rebels have agreed to continue an "orderly withdrawal" from conquered territory in the restive east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya's former president Uhuru Kenyatta said Thursday.

Kenyatta met M23 leaders in his role as mediator in the conflict on behalf of the seven-nation East African Community regional bloc, according to a statement from his office.

The Tutsi-led M23 has captured swathes of territory in North Kivu province in recent months and advanced towards its capital Goma.

But under heavy international pressure, it pledged to retreat and last Friday it gave back a key Congolese army base just 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Goma.

"In demonstration of goodwill and the willingness to work towards the settlement of the situation in North Kivu, the leaders of the M23 agreed to continue with an orderly withdrawal and to adhere to a strict ceasefire," Kenyatta said in the statement after the meeting in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa.

"They further agreed to continue to respect and cooperate with the East African Regional Force that has now begun to take control of the areas vacated by the M23," he added.

M23, whose name stands for "the March 23 Movement", again took up its weapons against the government in late 2021, accusing Kinshasa of failing to respect promises to reintegrate the rebels into the army.

'Increased stability'

The return of the Rumangabo camp followed a similar handover at a base in Kibumba last month, although the rebels have gained ground elsewhere, raising doubts about the future of the year-long conflict.

But Kenyatta's statement said the meeting noted that there had been "increased stability and security over the past four weeks" across the eastern DRC.

"Many people who had been previously displaced from their homes have now begun to return to their homes."

M23 meanwhile also urged Kenyatta to ensure that "all local and foreign armed groups" cease fighting or attacking the rebels, and called for an end to "hate speech", the statement said.

The resurgence of the M23 has soured relations between the DRC and its smaller central African neighbour Rwanda, which Kinshasa accuses of backing the rebels.

The United States, several European countries as well as United Nations experts agree that Rwanda is assisting the M23.

Kigali denies the charge, and accuses the Congolese government of colluding with the FDLR -- a descendant of Rwandan Hutu extremist groups that carried out the 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda.
Government communications team member, Eric Okyei Baffour has urged NPP members to unite behind the party in order to end the eight-year electoral cycle.

In comparison to what the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has done, he claimed that the NPP solved many of the country's problems whenever it was in power.

He urges members of the party to be united and support the executive from the constituency, regional to national levels to ensure that the party wins the 2024 elections.

Eric Okyei Baffour stressed the need for a united front to enable the NPP to 'break the 8', saying: "Our responsibility is to do whatever is necessary to make sure that victory is forthcoming. We have to continue our way forward in Ghana. We cannot accept the backsliding that takes place every now and then. It doesn't benefit our nation.

He urged members of the party to go out and propagate the good works of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the ordinary Ghanaian to appreciate and vote massively for the NPP to continue managing the country.

He asserted that the NPP administration would lead Ghanaians to a better life and support companies despite the country's current economic difficulties.

Speaking with Kwaku Owusu Adjei on Adwenekasa on Accra-based Original FM91.9 he said, "Hold on, don't give up, hope is near."
Mr. Alan Kyerematen, the outgone Minister for Trade and Industry, has finally launched his bid to lead the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 December Presidential Elections.

In a sort of nation address on national television and other private networks, Alan Cash, as he is affectionately called, declared his intention to contest the presidential primaries of the NPP.

His declaration speech was one of alienation from what went on in the Nana Addo administration for the past six years, indicating that things could have been better done, and underscoring that all was not yet lost.

He asserted that he was the best person to take over the button from Nana Addo and finish what he has started by building a super structure on this foundation that will bring prosperity to our nation

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, the Minister for Agriculture, has also resigned from his ministerial post in order to fully launch preparations for the upcoming NPP presidential primaries.

These intentions of the two gentlemen cannot be said to being sprang upon Ghanaians. Apart from any official declarations pertaining to their presidential ambitions coming from them, there is sufficient evidence to the fact that they have prepared enough  financially and logistically - to pursue their political intensions.

Posters of the two gentlemen indicating their presidential aspirations appeared way back in late 2021 across the country. So also was the organization of groups of people to prosecute the agenda.

These folks for the past six years have held the same political portfolios, and cannot be said to have not exploited the financial and logistical advantages such appointments could have given them when it came to such pursuits as presidential ambitions.

One would wonder, for instance if not for greed, why should somebody like Afriyie Akoto, who is almost an octogenarian, be considering ascending to the highest office in the land?

Has he got the strength to meet the demands of such an endeavor or is he just organizing a bargaining chip for favours of financial gains rather than the noble quest to serve his countrymen?

To start with, what has been his performance in office for the past six years, given the advantage of the duration of period for holding the same portfolio? Dr. Afriyie Akoto, who holds a PHD in Agriculture, has been handed over an appropriate and exciting policy vision, dubbed Planting for Food and Jobs. This vision if properly executed, would have alleviated the ongoing economic crisis that has seemingly obliterated the successes chalked by the Nana Addo government before the crunch.

The reality of the day is that Dr. Afriyie has missed the opportunity to make history, and for that matter has no single reason to dare dream about running for the presidency of this country called Ghana, especially when things have become this bad.

Alan has not done any better than Akoto in terms of rising up to the opportunity to lay the foundation for Ghanas industrialization through the One District One Factory (1D1F) concept, which according to the President is one means of transforming the economy from the hitherto unproductive and restrictive one, he descriptively, tagged as the Guggisberg economy.

The 1D1F programme cannot be said to have been passionately prosecuted, considering the enthusiasm and the hopes the President generated at the onset of his administration. This I blame on Alan Cash who was handed the programme to prosecute.

Alan, I can say for sure did not or has not grasped the far-reaching effects of this developmental policy. This can be seen in what has been achieved so far with the policy.

Corruption, greed and partisanship are the viruses that have gripped and plagued the planting, nurturing and blossoming of this policy which would have provided a strong foundation for Ghanas industrialization.

A lot of indigenes with wonderful proposals have been denied access to financial assistance to fund their projects because of demands of the usual 10% commission upfront, which they find improper and destructive.

A case in point for example is a gentleman from the North with groundbreaking ideas in agriculture, and holding 30,000 outgrower farmers, who has been incredibly denied financial assistance to fund his project, despite the fact that he has been given approval.

This gentleman, I hear, nearly commited suicide because of the debts he has incurred by the preparations he had to go through to be able to present his documents for the approval of the project.

His case is not an isolated one. There are others who have or are going through the same torture. Meanwhile, the Trade Minister had led some foreigners to Ghana to access loans or assistance to the tune of as much as $20million for this programme.

Alan has done very little in ventilating the importance of the IDIF POLICY as a national developmental project beyond political propaganda. One serious scenario relative to the above observation is that that there seems to be no project, in line with this policy, in the Volta Region, which is arguably the stronghold of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Fellow Ghanaians, what do these two folks  Alan and Akoto  have for us? Iam tempted to say these guys are the typical greedy politicians who are looking for an opportunity to line up their pockets with state money. They should be ignored.

They have simply amassed money from their engagements as ministers over the past six years, and greedily want to multiply these fortunes further by their attempts to hold the ultimate office of the land.

If not so, can they candidly subject themselves to an honest declaration of their assets as required by the 1992 CONSTITUTION?
On Thursday, January 12, 2023, the Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen launched the new Ghana Automotive Development Centre and inaugurated Ghana Automotive Industry Development Council.

The council consists of 35 representatives of relevant stakeholders from both the public and private sectors aimed at:

1. To promote the harmonious and integrated development and growth of Vehicle Assembly, Automotive Components Manufacturing and their related trading activities in Ghana and externally, in collaboration with the key stakeholders in the industry.

2. To make recommendations to the government on the implementation of the Ghana Automotive Development Programme, including but not limited to the Incentive and Regulatory Framework, Access to Industrial Infrastructure, Vehicle Financing, Training, Technology Upgrading, Supplier Development, and Standards and Safety.

3. To make recommendations to the government to speed up graduation OEMs Assembly Plants from Semi Knocked-Down (SKD) and Enhanced Semi Knocked-Down to Complete Knocked-Down (CKD) Assembly to increase local content in Vehicle Assembly.

As part of the operationalisation of the Ghana Automotive Industry Development Council, the Ghana Automotive Development Centre has been established to serve as an Office Complex to among others host the Secretariat of the Council and provide offices for Policy Support, Vehicle Financing, Investment and Customs Facilitation, Training and Skills Development, Vehicle Testing and Certification as well as a showroom for exhibiting locally assembled vehicles.

Speaking at the inauguration in Accra, Hon. Alan Kyerematen said, the Automotive Assembly and Component Manufacturing Industry are universally recognized as a key strategic sector for stimulating economic growth and transformation, and as a powerful driver of employment, foreign investment, innovation and technology transfer.

As part of the governments efforts to develop an integrated automotive value chain, he stated that the Ministry has drafted the Ghana Automotive Component Manufacturing Policy to provide incentives and a regulatory regime to attract component manufacturers into Ghanas Automotive Industry whilst taking advantage of the existing resource.

"One of the components and a requirement under the Ghana Automotive Development Policy was the establishment of an Automotive Industry Development Council to 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 explained.

In conclusion, the outgoing minister appealed to all players in the industry to continue to work together to promote the development and competitiveness of the players in the auto industry in Ghana and position their companies to take full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

President of the Automotive Assemblers Association of Ghana Mr Jeff Oppong Peprah in his remarks commended the government for tremendous work in the automotive sector.

Adding that, the private sector will continue to work with the government and is committed to developing innovative schemes to create skilful and well-paying jobs for young men and women.

On his part, Co-chairman of the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Association, Mr Clement Boateng commended Hon. Alan Kyerematen for his efforts in the automotive industry in the country.

He said the spare parts dealers are poised to partner with foreign companies to at least, start manufacturing servicing parts in the automotive industry.

"It is against this background, we called on the government to assist us to make this dream a reality".

Background:

It would be recalled that, in 2018, the Ministry of Trade and Industry commenced the design of Ghana Automotive Development Policy aimed at making Ghana the automobile manufacturing hub in the subregion.

Subsequent to that, the ministry, in the year 2020 launched the Ghana Automotive Development Policy after a successful engagement with all relevant Stakeholders in the Industry. The Policy seeks to provide an incentive and regulatory framework to guide the development of a vibrant automotive industry in Ghana.

Under the Policy, Nine (9) auto assembly companies are producing various models of their brands using local Engineers and Technicians.
Beniam Yetbarek didn't even know his cousin was alive when the phone rang on Christmas Eve, and a voice he hadn't heard in two years crackled down the line from Tigray.

Calls to family in the embattled Ethiopian region hadn't gone through since November 2020, when phone and internet services were largely disconnected at the outset of war, and Tigray was cut off from the world.

But following a ceasefire, phones are starting to ring again, bringing joy but also grief and anger as Tigrayans like Beniam reconnect with loved ones who suffered through one of the world's deadliest conflicts.

"My initial reaction was -- thank God you're alive. I don't know how he survived these last two years, but I'm just glad he's alive," said the 30-year-old photographer of the call with his cousin in the city of Axum on December 24.

Any relief was short-lived, though.

Beniam's family had already lost a relative to the war and hung on every word as the cousin spoke of fear and hunger in Axum, Eritrean troops on the streets, and a sick uncle unable to find diabetes medication.

Huddled around the phone, they learned a beloved great-aunt had also died in the months without contact, while a cousin was missing and presumed dead.

"It took the air out of the room," Beniam told AFP from Seattle.

"My aunt started crying. Two of my cousins were silent... We were trying to pull it together while the line was active, but once he hung up, we just started all quietly praying."

Joy and grief

Phone services were briefly restored in parts of Tigray in early 2021 before being disconnected again in June that year.

The communications blackout meant family outside Tigray struggled to reach their loved ones in the region during the war. By Yasuyoshi Chiba (AFP)

Dormant phone lines came back to life in December last year, a month after a ceasefire halted a conflict that Western nations estimate killed anywhere between 100,000 and half a million people.

The truce paved the way for re-opening Tigray, a region of six million people, and the lifting of what internet advocacy groups said was among the world's longest government-imposed shutdowns.

In Mekele, crowds were thronging phone stores day after day to reconnect their old numbers, said a 29-year-old woman who flew to the city after flights resumed on December 28.

"My mother cried when she heard my voice after all these months. I also cried," said a 42-year-old man in Addis Ababa, who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity, citing security concerns.

Others, however, have received devastating news.

"They killed him just outside his house," said Meharit Gebreyesus of her uncle, one of seven relatives she was told were executed by Eritrean soldiers near Adwa in late October.

Her aunt was safe in Adwa, having taken refuge after her village was looted and razed.

Map of Ethiopia locating Tigray region.. By Aude GENET (AFP)

A high-profile story of tragedy came from World Health Organization boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who said he learned that an uncle was also killed by Eritrean soldiers.

Tigray remains off-limits to foreign journalists and AFP cannot independently verify these accounts.

But all sides to the Tigray conflict have been accused by independent observers of atrocities, and charges of ethnic cleansing and deliberate starvation have been made.

Agonising wait

Beniam said not knowing the fate of his family in Axum -- where hundreds of civilians were massacred in November 2020 -- was agonising.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent the army into Tigray in November 2020 in an effort to topple the region's leadership, who had been challenging his authority for months and whom he accused of attacking military bases. By Yasuyoshi Chiba (AFP)

"I wouldn't wish the last two years on my worst enemy," he said. "The weight of the suspense kills you alone."

A 25-year-old Tigrayan woman told AFP she was "speechless" when her sister rang out of the blue from Shire, a city heavily bombed in October, to say the family was safe.

But she was angry, too, at being kept in the dark so long.

"I cannot believe that in this century, I had to dream... just to speak to family (and find out) whether they're alive or not."

More than two months after the warring sides signed a peace deal, service remains patchy even in major cities, with calls cutting out after a few minutes, or not connecting at all.

"Without exaggeration, we had to call more than 100 times for that one phone call to go through," said a 40-year-old woman who spoke with her parents on January 3 for the first time in 18 months.

The state utility said Tuesday that electricity would be fully restored in Tigray within two weeks.

Commercial flights resumed between Tigray and Addis Ababa in December, leading to emotional reunions. By - (AFP/File)

A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told AFP that critical infrastructure had been repaired and telecom services restored in 51 towns in Tigray, but did not offer a timeline for the full resumption of communication services.

Inquiries to Ethio Telecom, the state telco, went unanswered.

Meharit, meanwhile, still cannot reach her 65-year-old father or six sisters in Negash, in southern Tigray, and can do little but pray they answer the phone.

"I don't know if he's alive or not," she told AFP.
The spokesperson of the Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr. Yaw Opoku Mensah has advised students to conduct themselves well.

Speaking about the eight (8) Chiana SHS students, the GES spokesperson said their dismissal should serve as a lesson to others in school.

In an interview with Accra-based JoyNews, Mr. Opoku Mensah urged students to always abide by the rules and refrain from negative behaviours.

This should be a clarion call on all of us, especially students everywhere that we need to take a cue from this and advise ourselves to desist from activities that would not create a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning.

Every SHS student immediately you enter form one you are taken through an orientation process conducted under the guidance and counselling unit of the school where the dos and donts of the school are spelt out clearly to them.even if you take the exeat book the dos and donts are still spelt at the back of the exeat book with the appropriate punishment printed in the book, he said.

According to him, the GES did its own investigation and found out that, unlike what the students claimed, their acts were intentional, so they needed to sanction them to avoid similar situations in the future.

We cannot say we are not aware or we did not know the consequences of their actions. They knew what they were doing and we have no option than to apply the sanctions that comes with it.

Investigations went as far as establishing whether there was an influence in that, what motivated the student to engage in that or to do that but the investigation has been well established that they did that on their own accord. What it means is that they were aware of whatever they were doing, he noted.

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.
Emmanuel Macron has said he will not "ask for forgiveness" over France's colonisation of Algeria but intends to continue working towards reconciliation between the two countries. The French president hopes to welcome his counterpart Abdelmajid Tebboune in 2023.

In an interview for Le Point magazine published Wednesday, Emmanuel Macron said: "It's not up to me to ask for forgiveness, that's not what this is about, that word would break all of our ties.

"The worst thing would be to decide: 'we apologise and each go our own way'.

"Work on memory and history isn't a settling of all accounts," he added.

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 colonisation of Algeria and the 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".

Reconciliation

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 colonised 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.

(with AFP)
President Nana Akufo-Addo has hinted that Ghana will probably secure the financial bailout it is seeking from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by the middle of February 2023.

He said everything that is required of Ghana to do or submit in order to reach an agreement with the Fund has been done, and he is optimistic the processes should be finalized by next month.

Speaking at a meeting with some African-American students from the Harvard Business School at the Jubilee House, president Akufo-Addo said Ghanas economy has suffered greatly in recent times compelling Ghana to run to the IMF for the bailout.

Weve had difficulties in the past few years trying to reposition our economy to grow again. Some basic statistics that all of you are familiar with have pushed us back; the energy sector crisis, the global food crisis, and many others and Ghana is yet to escape from all of these crises.

We are going through the processes with the International Monetary Fund right now and hopefully by the middle of this month or February, a full-blown IMF programme will be put in place which will help us repair our public finances which took a big hit from external forces.

The government in December 2022 reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as part of processes leading to a bailout.

Ghana is seeking to secure $3 billion from the IMF to complement the revenue shortfalls and to service its external debt.

Ghana has gone to the IMF for the seventeenth time seeking to get help to solve the countrys balance of payment challenges.

By Citi Newsroom
The Koforidua High Court has slapped an interlocutory injunction on the Electoral Commission in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality of the Eastern Region from conducting the District level election which is scheduled to be held on January 17, 2023.

The applicants Michael Tetteh, and Angel Agyemang, both residents of Agormanya and Asitey respectively are restraining the respondent, the Electoral Commission, and its agents or officers from conducting the District Level Elections.

The move is to determine the conclusion of the case on the violation of their constitutional right to vote in the upcoming elections according to article 33 of the 1992 constitution of Ghana.

The applicants noted that the commission has failed to conduct voter registration exercise to enable them to register having attained 18 years.

Paragraph 8 of the affidavit by the applicants states that since turning 18, we have not had any opportunity to register to vote or be qualified to be elected as Assembly Members in the Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly.

It added that we have been further advised and believe same to be true that our right to vote is likely to be contravened if the Respondent is allowed to conduct the district level elections in Lower Manya Krobo district.

The applicants prayed the court to restrain the Electoral Commission from conducting the elections until the commission conducts the voter registration exercise per article 45(a) of the constitution.

The Electoral Commission is mandated to compile the register of voters and revise it at such periods as may be determined by law.

The municipality was therefore scheduled to hold the district-level election on January 17, 2023, in which a total of 127 male candidates are vying to represent their electoral areas whilst 280 are contesting the Unit Committee polls.

The district-level elections were not held for eight years in Lower Manya Krobo due to a dispute between the Municipality and Dangme West District, now known as Shai-Osudoku over 11 electoral areas created at Akuse.

The dispute which started with the defection of some Akuse assembly members to the then Dangme West District, was, however, settled by a Supreme Court ruling in favor of Lower Manya Krobo.

The election of Assembly members and unit committee members was immediately held in 2013 and subsequent periods however the election has not been coterminous with the national calendar of the electoral commission.

Meanwhile, the Konor of Manya Krobo Traditional Area, Nene Sakite in a petition dated 12 December 2022, called on EC to reconsider mainstreaming the district-level elections in Lower Manya Krobo with the national routine.

we wish to kindly plead and appeal to the Electoral Commission of Ghana to reconsider its decision in the conduct of the Lower Manya Krobo District Level Elections in January 2023 to enable the district to join the nationwide District Level Elections in 2023.

DGN online
The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo has intervened in the dismissal of some eight (8) students of Chiana SHS.

They were dismissed by the Ghana Education Service (GES) for insulting the President in a viral video.

The President has directed the GES to reverse its decision and call them back to school.

A statement signed by Mr. Kwasi Kwarteng, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education and released on Friday, January 13, reads, The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo has intervened in the above subject ( referring to the dismissal of the students) after his attention was drawn to it.

It concludes, Consequently, the Minister for Education Dr. Yaw Osel Adutwum has directed the Ghana Education to consider an alternative disciplinary action instead of dismissal.

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.

The parents and the students have been on their knees, calling on the President to forgive them and allow the students to write their final exams.
The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has given an update on the engagements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a bailout.

According to the President, Ghana will have a full-blown programme either this month or in the middle of February.

He has shared that through the programme, Ghanas finances will be repaired to put the economy back on track to recovery.

Weve had difficulties in the past few years trying to reposition our economy to grow again. Some basic statistics that all of you are familiar with have pushed us back; the energy sector crisis, the global food crisis, and many others and Ghana is yet to escape from all of these crises.

We are going through the processes with the International Monetary Fund right now and hopefully by the middle of this month or February, a full-blown IMF programme will be put in place which will help us repair our public finances which took a big hit from external forces, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said.

The President disclosed this when he had a meeting with some African-American students from the Harvard Business School at the Jubilee House, on Thursday, January 12.
Majority Caucus in Parliament anger has been heightened following oversight responsibility given to the embattled Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta as caretaker Minister of the Ministry of Trade and Industry by President Nana Akufo-Addo

The caucus would be holding a crunch meeting when parliament returns from recess to determine their next line of actions on their demand for the removal of Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta says Majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu.

According to him, the caucus would also engage the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, after the meeting to know his stand for their next set of action.

The decision for Ofori-Atta's removal was a caucus decision As a leader, I will be talking to the MPs on an individual basis, and we will put together their reservations.

We still must have a caucus meeting (upon return) after which we will meet the president. And I believe that the right thing will be done, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs said while speaking in an interview with Oyerepa TV.

This comes after leadership of the NPP had an agreement with the Members of Parliament of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), somewhere in November 2022 to make themselves available for the reading of the 2023 budget by Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta.

The agreement reached indicated that Ken Ofori-Atta, will be supported in presenting the budget, the passing of its appropriation, and to lead government in its negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The meeting was after the NPP MPs, threatened to boycott the budget presentation if Ofori-Atta presented it.

Interestingly, in asmuch as the Majority want Ofori-Atta out, the President has given him additional responsibility as a caretaker minister for the Ministry of Trade and Industry after Alan Kyerematen's resigned.

DGN online
The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Mr. Sulemana Braimah has reacted to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos decision to intervene for the dismissed students of Chiana Senior High School (SHS).

In a press release from the Ministry of Education, it said the President had stepped in to reverse the dismissal of the eight female students and directed Minister Dr. Yaw Adutwum to see to it that other disciplinary actions are considered.

The President of the Republic, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo has intervened in the above subject after his attention was drawn to it. Consequently, the Minister for Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has directed the Ghana Education to consider an alternative disciplinary action instead of dismissal, part of the press release from the Ministry of Education said.

Reacting to the Presidents intervention, Sulemana Braimah has commended the president, insisting that he has taken the right decision on the matter.

Dear President Akufo-Addo, thank you very much for listening to the appeal to reverse the decision by GES to dismiss the 8 girls from the Chiana High School. As a father and leader, you have made the right decision, the MFWA Executive Director said in a Twitter post.

The eight female students of Chiana SHS got themselves into trouble after a video of them insulting the President went viral.

Following their dismissal by the Ghana Education Service this week, they have shown remorse and pleaded for mercy from President Akufo-Addo.

Following the intervention of the President, they are now expected to return to school to continue with their education.
The Executive Director of Africa Education Watch (EduWatch), Kofi Asare has argued that the decision by President Akufo-Addo to step in for the dismissed students of Chiana Senior High School (SHS) is an interference in the work of schools and the education system.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Friday intervened in the dismissal of the eight female students.

Consequently the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum directed the Ghana Education Service to consider an alternative disciplinary action instead of dismissal.

Speaking on the matter, Kofi Asare says although the President has the right to step in, he is interfering with the work of schools and the education system.

The President has the right to intervene but I believe it amounts to interfering in the work of the schools and education system, he told Joy FM in an interview.

According to Kofi Asare, people must not be emotional about the matter but must allow the education system to work.

Let's not be emotional, let's get the fact and know the history of the students, but until then we don't rubbish the decision of the school.

It is premature for anyone to simply say that the GES action is not consistent or out of context, the EduWatch Executive Director shared.

The eight female students of Chiana SHS got themselves into trouble after a video of them insulting the President went viral.

Following their dismissal by the Ghana Education Service this week, they have shown remorse and pleaded for mercy from President Akufo-Addo.

Following the intervention of the President, they are now expected to return to school to continue with their education.
Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has taken a swipe at the General Secretary of the NDC, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey over his tribal comment.

While Speaking at a regional retreat organised 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, Mr Kwetey reportedly said no sensible Voltarian will vote against the NDC.

He is reported my ModernGhana News to have said the region must adore the opposition party and see it as their religion.

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 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 called on his members to help fix the issues within the corridors of the party to help it win power in 2024.

Your Religion may not be the best, 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 noted.

Reacting particularly on the part where Mr. Kwetey allegedly said any sensible person in the Volta region will not vote against the NDC, the Nsawam Adoagyiri legislator described it as repugnant and ugliest.

According to him, Mr. Kwetey shouldnt have stooped so low as to take the countrys beautiful ethnic and religious for granted.

In a post on his Twitter page, Mr. Annoh-Dompreh told him to reverse the dangerous lane he is charting.

My friend Fifi Fiavi Kwetey descended to this lowest ebb? We cannot take the beautiful Ethnic & Religious tolerance in this country for granted.

This is repugnant and ugliest. I am shocked and disappointed. You are charting into a dangerous lane, reverse forthwith, he stated.

According to him, he spent a significant part of my formative years in the Volta Region: Bishop Herman College at School in Ho the Regional Capital, growing up as a boy. The General Secretary of the NDC just misfired with his call on voltarians. Fifi Kwetey must grow up and put an end to this!
The Secretary General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr. Yaw Baah has expressed appreciation to government on behalf of public sector workers following the increment of base pay for 2023.

On Thursday, January 12, the Minister of Employment and Labour Relations announced the increment in a meeting with labour unions.

Since August last year, we started meeting to determine the base pay for 2023.

This was after in July, we had worked together to grant a COLA of 15 per cent, being a relief for hardships that the Ghanaian worker was enduring. It was our hope to have completed this negotiation by December 2022.

Unfortunately, we were not able to finish but thankfully, today, we have worked together to come to a conclusion.

I am happy to announce the outcome of our engagements. The base pay has been increased by 30% for the 2023 financial year.

The effective date is 1st January 2023. As I said this brings to an end the 2022 COLA of 15% of base pay salary, Mr. Baffuor-Awuah said.

At the meeting, Dr. Yaw Baah speaking on behalf of the labour unions stressed that although they wanted a higher increase, they are content with the 30% and thanked the government for its effort.

Even though the 30 per cent is not what ideally we wanted, it will create that opportunity for us to speak one language and work together to make sure our country recovers to where we were before the Covid.

On behalf of my people, I will like to say a big thank you to government for this offer, we are very grateful, the TUC Secretary-General noted.
A story as read on gbcghanaonline headlined '8 Chiana SHS students who slandered President Akufo-Addo dismissed'. The story read in part "Eight female students of the Chiana Senior High School in the Upper East Region who were caught on video allegedly insulting President Akufo-Addo have been dismissed, according to the Ghana Education Service (Okyere, 2023)".

The videotape which went viral in November 2022 which I had a copy and shared same on mine fatherhood page "Beyond Fatherhood" on Facebook. The viral video caused agitations on social media and also questioned indiscipline in schools which lead to the identified students being suspended.

Yesterday, 12th January, 2023, the Ghana Education Service (GES) announced that "Its investigation into the incident established that the said students used words of vulgarity against the President of the Republic, further describing the actions of the students as very undesirable, and contrary to the acceptable standards of the conduct generally required of any student in Ghanas educational system (Okyere, 2023).

By virtue of this, the 8 girls have all been dismissed for such an action. This has generated a lot of consternation and debate as to the propriety of the action of GES vis-a-vis the rights of the 8 girls to education. The rights issue even though important isn't my focus for now but, how did we get here is my primary focus.

The Bible says in Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it". This dictum is well known and an accepted cliche. How have these girls been trained by their fathers, society and the school itself to be able to muster courage to insult the first gentleman of the land and to record same in a video? Indeed, the uncultured tone and the gestures these 8 girls used in denigrating the President in the viral video is even more sickening.

This demonstrates palpable failure on the part of all of us as fathers including our president who has unfortunately been slandered disrespectfully by these uncouth girls. In this beautiful country of ours, people insult our presidents with reckless abandon and nothing happens to them. Social media has made such debauched habits even more popular and the use of intemperate language has gained currency and has become fashionable. What have we done as fathers or what laws have the powers that be enacted to control how we use social media or how we insulate our leaders or elders in general from such verbal attacks?

To support my position that fathers have failed in shaping the moral fabric of our society, I reference an article published on 11th September, 2019 on peacefmonline titled "Rawlings, Akufo-Addo Biggest Victims Of Politics Of Insults - Prof. Karikari". In the said article he was quoted to have said among others "In my estimation, the two people who have fallen victim to this kind of thing (insults) most profoundly are Jerry John Rawlings and Nana Akufo-Addo. They have been the biggest victims of political insults. Which people engage in such insults?

The former Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) added Of course the biggest politically insulted personality has always been Kwame Nkrumah, but in our time these two people (Rawlings and Nana Akufo Addo?) have had the worst of the political communication that has been in the airwaves for some time.

From the above, it goes to show that we are and have become a people who have lost our way and culture. Indeed, if the first president of our land is the most slandered in our history and in the fourth republic, Nana Akufo-Addo and J. J. Rawlings are, then fathers have failed in standing up to be countered. "The most insulted and sabotaged President in the contemporary history of Ghana" is a title for an article written and published by Rockson Adofo on modernghana.com in 2021. In the said article, Nana Addo-Dankwah Akufo Addo, the current president, was the victim.

In trying to put together this write up, news broke out that, the president has pardoned the 8 girls and the Ministry has directed GES to allow the girls to go back to school. That to me as a Fatherhood Advocate, is commendable because according to the GES report all the 8 girls are second year students of the Chiana Senior High School, putting their maximum age, in my estimation at about 17, thus being minors.

All these funfair associated with the 8 Chiana Senior High School girls are needless. The state should be at the forefront in instilling moral discipline into our schools and that should be a matter of deliberate policy. Our country by now should be thinking about how to enact laws that insulate our presidents and or our leaders from unnecessary public opprobrium and ridicule.

Fathers have failed miserably because Senior High School students aren't allowed to take phones to school. How were the girls able to record the video and with whose phone? How come the teachers in the school have failed to be doing thorough search in order to seize such gadgets? Who bought such phones for the girls (their fathers, sugar daddies, boyfriends)?

In Ghana's 8th parliament, there are only 40 women MP's out of the total 275. That is about 11%. In the Executive arm and Judiciary, males dominate. Thus, if things go awry, as Fatherhood Advocate, I'm tempted to blame fathers for failing to address such challenges.

In sum, let all fathers bow down their heads in shame for the despicable level of moral decay our society has sunk into. Traditional leaders, academicians, politicians and the clergy have all failed our motherland. For minors to muster such courage and blatantly malign our president when they knew it was being recorded, is a reflection of our society. The absurd show of bravado by these girls in the video, is in itself stupendous.

I thank the president for vetoing the decision of GES' sacking of the 8 girls, but, apart from that public show of sympathy he should be seen to be putting in place policies, programmes and laws to promote our culture which develops our moral ethos.

If we all agree that there is moral decay especially among the youth, then, the time to act is now and men (fathers) must lead the charge.

BY DC KWAME KWAKYE,

THE FATHERHOOD ADVOCATE
The Establishment of Independent Institutions of the Constitution

The author of Working with Rawlings claims credit for the ability of the first Government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under the Fourth Republican Constitution to meet the deadline provided under Articles 166, 216 and 231 of the Constitution, and subsequently reinforced in Section 9 of the Transitional Provisions (TP) to the Constitution for the establishment of the independent Constitutional institutions by Act of Parliament within six months after the assumption of office of the President.

The above provisions of the Constitution mandated the establishment of the National Media Commission, the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, and the National Commission for Civic Education. The provision of each of them required the establishment by Act of Parliament and the appointment of their membership within six months of Parliament first meeting after the coming into force of the Constitution.

The framers of the Constitution also provided for the establishment of the Electoral Commission under Article 43, and the District Assemblies Common Fund and its Administrator under Article 252(1) and (4) as independent constitutional bodies without providing for the period within which they were to be established by Act of Parliament. The omission was detected after the Consultative Assembly had approved and adopted the Draft 1992 Constitution for printing by the Assembly Press but before the Consultative Assembly negotiated within itself for the content of the Transitional Provisions to the 1992 Constitution.

Consequently, the issue of ensuring that the first Parliament established and provided for the appointment of the members of the Electoral Commission and the District Assemblies Common Fund by Act of Parliament within six months of the coming into force of the Constitution was hammered out by the Sub-Committee of the Consultative Assembly set up to settle the terms of the Transitional Provisions. It was during the negotiation process of settling the terms of the Transitional Provisions that the issue of ensuring the establishment and appointment of a chairman and other members to the National Tertiary Education Council howsoever described was advocated and eventually accepted for incorporation into the Transitional Provisions.

This is how Section 9 of the Transitional Provisions of the 1992 Constitution approved at the Referendum held on 28th April 1992 came about and to place upon the first President under the Fourth Republican Constitution who was to assume office on 7 January 1993 the obligations stated in that provision of the Transitional Provisions. Section 9 of the Transitional Provisions of the Constitution was, therefore, primarily to cure omissions in the Constitution.

The Chairman of the PNDC, Jerry John Rawlings won the 3 November 1992 presidential elections on his own steam. After the Presidential elections, the PNDC was busy canvassing for votes for the parliamentary elections on 6 December 1992. The question is when did the

PNDC commission the Political Committee of the PNDC, chaired by Justice D. F. Annan including the author to prepare the necessary six draft Bills to be laid before Parliament as soon as it commenced business?

The Fourth Republic came into being on 7 January 1993 with the assumption of office of Jerry John Rawlings as the First President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana. Earlier in the day Mr. Justice D. F. Annan had been elected the first Speaker of the first Parliament of the Fourth Republic before the President could be sworn into office. The PNDC ceased to exist at the close of 6 January 1993.

How then does the author explain his assertion that in anticipation of the setting up of the six independent constitutional institutions within six months upon the coming into force of the constitution:

the Political Committee of the PNDC as part of the transitional arrangements, had set up a Legal Sub-Committee chaired by Justice Annan and including myself to prepare the necessary draft Bills to be laid before Parliament as soon as it commenced business.

The Legal Sub-Committee was able, to working day to day, to finalise all the six draft Bills

and for them to be laid, debated and passed by the House before the expiry of the six months deadline.?

What does one make of an author who does not realize the incoherence and inconsistency in his narratives? Was it the PNDCs Political Committee and its Legal Sub-Committee that finalized the draft Bills for them to be laid, debated, and passed by Parliament at a time when the PNDC had ceased to exist and the first Government of the Fourth Republic had assumed the reins of government?

The foregoing demonstrates that in trying to expropriate the collective efforts of the first Government of the Fourth Republic under President Rawlings to meet its constitutional obligations under Section 9 of the Transitional Provisions, the author fabricated his involvement with Mr. Justice D. F. Annan and the Political Committee of the PNDC forgetting that the PNDC had ceased to exist when the First President assumed office. The author, unfortunately, did not advert his mind to the fact that Mr. Justice D. F. Annan, who assumed office as the first Speaker of the First Parliament of the Fourth Republic, could not at the same time be chairing a Legal Sub-Committee of a PNDC Political Committee let alone supervise a Legal Sub-Committee even of the Cabinet of the NDC Government for the purposes the author states in his book. In any case, the Legal Sub-Committee of the Political Committee of the PNDC that ceased to exist on 7 January 1993 was made up of several qualified legal practitioners in the art of legislative drafting and one wonders about the motive and the necessity of including the author alone as a member without naming the other more qualified members.

The Attorney-General was under both the PNDC Establishment Proclamation, and Article 88 of the 1992 Constitution the principal legal adviser to the Government. The Attorney-General has always had under his office the Legislative Drafting Division headed by a Director (enrolled on the Roll of Lawyer in Ghana) with the conditions of service of a Justice of the

Court of Appeal. The Legislative Drafting Division of the Attorney- Generals Department puts together draft legislation upon drafting instructions received from the appropriate Ministry or the Government through the Attorney-General. The Attorney- General on his own or upon advice from the Director of the Legislative Division may recommend to the Government or Ministry the consideration of legislation to fill a perceived vacuum. This is a summation of a function that has always been exercised by the Attorney- Generals Office in all commonwealth jurisdictions.

Any responsible Attorney-Generals Office and its Director of Legislative Drafting always look ahead to fulfill their obligations to the governments they serve. In the case of the Consultative Assembly and the transition to democracy under the 1992 Constitution, the Director of Legislative Drafting and the Deputy Attorney-General were an integral part of the Consultative Assembly that drafted the 1992 Constitution. As direct participants and contributors to the framing of the draft 1992 Constitution they knew of the mandatory provisions of Articles 166, 216, and 231 which required the establishment by Act of Parliament and the appointment of members to, the National Media Commission, the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice, and the National Commission for Civic Education within six months of the coming into force of the Constitution and what necessitated the filling of the gap by the provisions of Section 9 of the Transitional Provisions.

The Director of Legislative Drafting of the Office of the Attorney-General and her staff who assisted in the making of the Constitution were instructed by the Attorney-General to start the preparation of draft Bills for the mandatory constitutional bodies expected to be established within six months after Parliaments first meeting after the coming into force of the Constitution, soon after the approval of the 1992 Constitution at the referendum. They reported through the Deputy-Attorney General to the Attorney-General.

The 1992 Constitution which had been approved at the referendum to come into force on 7 January 1993 contained sufficient drafting instructions as to the substantive content of the proposed Bills. There were also precedents under the existing laws that dealt with some of those institutions established under previous Constitutions to guide the initial drafting processes. The various PNDC Secretaries under which the subject matter fell were also available for consultation and discussion in the initial drafting process. These preparations by the Attorney-Generals office were to expedite and lessen the work of the in-coming government and potential subject matter Ministers under which each of the proposed mandatory legislations fell for the finalization of each Bill for the consideration of Cabinet and submission to Parliament. No appointee under the PNDC was guaranteed continuation of political office after 6 January 1993.

There were several other laws which the Attorney-Generals Office had to prepare and finalize for the signature of the Chairman of the PNDC to come into force before 7 January 1993 to bring some of the existing laws to be consistent with the provisions of the in-coming Constitution.

Consequently, between the referendum on 28 April 1992 and 6 January 1993, these processes went on and were discussed between the Attorney-Generals Office, the sector PNDC Secretaries, and Mr. Justice D. F. Annan who apart from being the Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy, was also the PNDC Member who acted as the liaison between the Ministry of Justice and the PNDC. Draft Bills from the Attorney-Generals Office which had gone through the Legal Sub-Committee of the Committee of Secretaries of the PNDC had to be eventually approved by the Committee of Secretaries and the PNDC before they became law.

However, in the case of the transition to Constitutional rule, the Cabinet of the first Government under the 1992 Constitution was the body responsible for the final approval of the six Bills dealing with the mandatory requirements under the Constitution and Section 9 of the Transitional Provisions. After Mr. Justice D. F. Annan was elected the Speaker of the First Parliament under the Fourth Republic on 7 January 1993 he ceased to be an active player in the executive branch of government.

The author, however, claims that in anticipation of meeting the mandatory provisions of Section 9 of the Transitional Provisions of the Constitution:

. the Political Committee of the PNDC as part of the transitional arrangement, had set up a Legal Sub-Committee chaired by Justice D. F. Annan and including myself to prepare the necessary draft Bills to be laid before Parliament as soon as it commenced business. The Legal Sub-Committee was able, working day to day, to finalize all the six draft Bills and for them to be laid, debated, and passed by the House before the expiry of the six months deadline.

The foregoing narrative of the author leaves so many provocative questions unanswered: When was the Political Committee of the PNDC set-up to deal with transitional matters? What was its composition? When did it cease to exist? Did Mr. Justice Annan continue as Chairman of the Legal Sub-Committee of the PNDCs Political Committee after assuming office as the Speaker of Parliament? If not, then how could that Legal Sub-Committee have finalized all six draft Bills for them to be laid, debated, and passed by the House under the 1992 Constitution before the expiry of the six months deadline as claimed by the author?

I was the Deputy Attorney-General throughout the two governments of President Rawlings under the Fourth Republic and know, as a matter of fact, that the six draft Bills were approved by the Cabinet after the nomination, approval, and appointment of the Ministers of State in the first Government. The sector Minister responsible for each draft Bill presented the Bill to Cabinet for approval and submission to Parliament. The Hansard of Parliament will confirm that each of the six Bills was signed by, tabled, and taken through Parliament by each newly appointed Minister for the appropriate sector responsible for the subject matter dealt in each Bill. The narrative by the author do not, therefore, correspond with the facts on how the National Media Commission Act, 1993 (Act 449); the Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451; the National Commission for Civil Education Act, 1993 (Act 452); the National Council for Tertiary Education Act, 1993 (Act 454); the District Assemblies Common Fund Act, 1993 (Act 455); and the Commission on Human Rights and

Administrative Justice Act, 1993 (Act 456) were enacted within six months after the first President assumed office under the 1992 Constitution.

Composition of the membership of the Electoral Commission

The author also seeks to take credit with Captain Kojo Tsikata for the composition of the membership of the Electoral Commission after the enactment of Electoral Commission Act, 1993 (Act 451). Mr. Justice Josiah Ofori-Boateng who became the Chairman of the Interim National Electoral Commission (INEC) was the spouse of the Director of the Legislative Drafting Division of the Attorney-Generals Department whose precondition for agreeing to his appointment to the Interim Electoral Commission was an undertaking to allow him to return to the bench after the 1992 elections. His return to the Court of Appeal was, therefore, expected after President Rawlings won the 1992 presidential election.

Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan was the Deputy Electoral Commissioner (Operations) and the most active member of the Commission during the 1992 elections. Coming out of the conflicted presidential and parliamentary elections of November and December 1992 it was only prudent that one of the Deputy Electoral Commissioners be elevated to the Chairmanship of the Commission. Mr. Dixon Kwame Afreh who was a replacement appointee to the INEC had been appointed subject to a precondition to appoint him to the bench. Consequently, out of the existing two Deputy Commissioners at the time Act 451 was enacted, Dr. Afari-Gyan was the only longest serving Deputy Commissioner of INEC available for consideration to chair the Commission.

The decision to elevate Dr. Afari-Gyan to the position of Chairman of the Electoral Commission was based solely upon the assessment of his competence and capabilities during the previous elections and to avoid the contested political issue of finding someone entirely new to election administration for the job. One cannot state the persons privy to the decision to elevate Dr. Afari-Gyan without breaching the trust and confidentiality expected of public appointees in the discharge of their duties. Suffice it to say that the ultimate decision rested with President Rawlings in appointing Dr. Afari-Gyan as the Chairman of the Electoral Commission. The appointment was not based on the patronage of Captain Tsikata and the author, Kwamena Ahwoi.

The authors modus operandi, as shown in the narrative of his book, is to associate himself with any important decision made by President Rawlings as though he was the alter ego of the President without whom the President could not have succeeded in administering the country.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Obed Asamoah had taught at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana with Mr. D. K. Afreh (as he then was). Mr. Afreh had also taught almost all the qualified lawyers in the PNDC government who obtained their Qualifying Certificate under the Legal Professions Act, 1960, (Act 32) from the University of Ghana. The University of Ghana at one stage conducted both the LL. B degree for the University of Ghana, and the Qualifying Certificate in Law (Q.C.L) on behalf of the General Legal

Council. Mr. D. K. Afreh taught criminal law at the undergraduate level and criminal procedure and practice, and/or company law at the postgraduate qualifying certificate level.

Chairman Rawlings knew Mr. D. K. Afreh personally as he served under the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council before he assumed the appointment as the Director-General of the

Pan-African News Agency (PANA). Most of us, PNDC appointees, who were once Mr. D. K. Afrehs students both at the undergraduate LL. B degree programme and the Qualifying Certificate under the Legal Professions Act had the honour of interacting with him when he returned from The Gambia to Ghana. Mr. Ato Dadzie, then PNDC Secretary to the Office of the Chairman of the PNDC and Nii Okaija Adamafio, the PNDC Secretary for the Interior both enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers in Ghana knew Mr. D. K. Afreh. In the case of Nana Ato Dadzie, Mr. Kwamena Ahwoi and me, he was also our Hall Master in Commonwealth Hall.

Mr. D. K. Afreh was more than qualified to be appointed the Deputy Chairman of the Interim National Electoral Commission in his own right without his nativity. Mr. D. K. Afrehs preference was to be appointed to the bench. There was no vacancy at that time and he was persuaded to accept to serve on the Interim National Electoral Commission pending the availability of vacancy on the bench. Consequently, he accepted that appointment at the INEC subject to the precondition he made. The author wrote about him devising a formula which got the salary arrears and other emoluments owed Mr. Afreh by PANA paid by the organization without stating what the formula was. The author knows just as some of us do that without the approval of Chairman Rawlings the exchequer could not have been accessed to meet those obligations.

In view of the surrounding circumstances of the return of Mr. D. K. Afreh and his eventual acceptance to temporarily be the Deputy Chairman of INEC it looks cheap and unethical for the author to abuse the confidentiality of the discussion he was privy to in his capacity as a public officer on an ego raising spree in his Working with Rawlings.

President Rawlings kept his promise of appointing Mr. D. K. Afreh to the bench which he did in 1994 upon recommendation of the Judicial Council. Mr. D. K. Afreh was at that time more than qualified to have been appointed to the Supreme Court where students he had taught in the University of Ghana and the Ghana School of Law were already Justices of the Supreme Court. It is interesting that the author refuses or fails to write about the circumstances that informed the appointment of Mr. Afreh to the Court of Appeal or why the promise that he was soon to be recommended for promotion to the Supreme Court never materialized under the NDC Government over which he claims so much control for the decisions and actions of President Rawlings. The consequences of the failure to honour the promise to promote Mr.

Justice Afreh to the Supreme Court from the Court of Appeal played out after the NDC loss the 2000 presidential election leading to his elevation to the Supreme Court by the NPP Government in 2001.

Between 1988 and 1993 Mr. David Adenze Kanga was a member of the National Commission for Democracy and later of the Interim Electoral Commission. It was the

competence and capability of Mr. Kanga on the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) that earned him a place as a member of the Interim National Electoral Commission. Mr.

Kanga chaired the session of the regional fora on Evolving a True Democracy organized by the NCD in his capacity as a member of the NCD. His elevation from a member of the INEC to a Deputy Chairman (Operations) of the Electoral Commission was earned in his own right by virtue of his sterling services on the INEC. These are verifiable facts available to any researcher and scholar competent enough to undertake social research in the writing of a book intended to teach future leaders the art of governance. The author, Kwamena Ahwoi has

made references to NCDs Evolving a True Democracy in his book. He was one of the signatories to the preface to that NDC document and had no reason, except incompetence in the art of research, and/or mischief making, not to have known that Mr. D. A. Kanga was also a signatory to the same document in his then capacity as a member of the NCD at the time he chaired a session of the regional fora on Evolving a True Democracy organized by the NCD referred to by the author at page 101 thereof.

Coming to terms with Constitutional Governance

The author who claims to own everything Rawlings achieved as Chairman of the PNDC and the first President of the Fourth Republic stated that President Rawlings appointed a Cabinet of seventeen Ministers made up of named persons: The author places Dr. Obed Asamoah at number 2 as Minister for Foreign Affairs and again at number 3 as Minister for Justice and Attorney-General. No rational person could have fathomed such a concurrent appointment of Dr. Obed Asamoah under the first Government under the 1992 Constitution.

First and foremost, the Constitution mandated the appointment by the President of Ministers of State with the prior approval of Parliament and Dr. Asamoah was nominated, approved, and appointed to the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs by the first Parliament and not Minister of Justice and Attorney-General or both. President Rawlings nominated and later appointed Mr. Anthony Forson from Captain Kojo Tsikatas National Convention Party (NCP) as the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General. Commonsense and a good memory which are supposed to be attributes of erudite professors of law should have guided the author from misrepresenting facts which are available from the Hansard of Parliament for the relevant periods. Dr. Obed Asamoah was given additional responsibility for the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General when Mr. Anthony Forson resigned as Attorney-General in September or October 1993, which did not need further Parliamentary approval.

It is a shame that the author would so demean the intellect of the Chairman of the PNDC, and the first President of the Fourth Republic who gave him the opportunity to serve this nation and to be known by the public to the extent of questioning his understanding of limited constitutional governance. All Armed Forces the world over are creatures of and limited by their national Constitutions and laws. One cannot be commissioned as an officer of the Ghana Armed Forces without having internalized the Constitutional law and history of Ghana, otherwise the obligations placed on officers and men to defend the Constitution would have been hollow. This is why even the enlisted men of every armed force are taught the structures

and limits of their national constitutions and other international law requirements of their vocation.

Captain Tsikata whom the author appears to so revere and the Chairman of the PNDC, Flt. Lt Jerry John Rawlings were both products of the Ghana Military Academy. But for inexplicable personal reasons Flt Lt. Jerry John Rawlings, who had twice been Head of State of Ghana before he founded the 1992 Constitution is insultingly portrayed by Kwamena Ahwoi as a person who was incapable of appreciating an executive presidency limited by constitutional structures.

How, except for malicious motives, could the new government be confronted with a serious reality of how to get President Rawlings to appreciate the facts of an executive president

limited by constitutional structures when the author himself admits that: It appeared, however that Rawlings himself had anticipated this problem and prepared himself for it.

Having failed to paint President Rawlings as ignorant about constitutionalism and

constitutional governance, the author resorts to conjectures to justify President Rawlings ability to appreciate that the Constitution placed limits on his exercise of executive power.

The author refused or failed to recognize that President Rawlings was an accomplished statesman and had developed management and governance skills more than any academic in the art of governance. Consequently, he attributes President Rawlings respect for and abidance with the limits placed on the exercise of his constitutional authority to the speculation that: It is possible, and most likely that the strategy to get President Rawlings to appreciate the connotational limitations on his presidential powers was worked out between Justice D. F. Annan and Captain Kojo Tsikata.

Admittedly, Justice D. F. Annan was a person properly called to the United Kingdom Bar and subsequently enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers in Ghana and became a retired Justice of the Court of Appeal when Chairman Jerry John Rawling gave him the privilege to serve his nation. Mr. Justice Annan would not have claimed the credit the author sought to bestow upon him, since it would have been unethical for him to do so. Captain Kojo Tsikata owed his position and popularity within the PNDC structure to Chairman Rawlings who gave him the privilege to serve his nation and would not as a disciplined retired military officer have looked down on his Commander-in-Chief.

VAT, Kumi Preko and all that!

The author, Kwamena Ahwoi, wrote Working with Rawlings as a professor of law. This was a person who presented himself moments previously as trying to get President Rawlings to appreciate the limitations of the constitutional structure of governance. One would suppose that an author who presents himself to his readers as knowledgeable in constitutional law and governance would respect one of the core principles and conventions of constitutional limits and good governance  the principle of collective responsibility of the Cabinet and Government.

But here we have the acclaimed professor of law at page 104 of Working with Rawlings disclosing contributions of his fellow cabinet ministers at Cabinet meetings when he writes that:

In Cabinet, Dr. Obed Asamoah and a few others who argued for the postponement of the implementation of the VAT lost out in the debate. Finance Minister Dr. Kwesi Botchwey was confident that the VAT could be successfully implemented. He therefore pushed the VAT Bill through the de facto one-party Parliament where it was passed without opposition. President Rawlings duly assented to the Bill which became the Value Added Tax Act, 1994, Act 486.

Everybody who lived through that period knew that the Dr. E. A. (Kwesi) Botchwey submitted the Value added Tax Bill, 1994 to Parliament in the name and on behalf of President Rawlings after it had been approved by the Cabinet. The deliberations of every cabinet under the 1992 Constitution are secret to afford Ministers of State the opportunity to speak freely on matters contained in the agenda. The Cabinet oath binds every Minister to keep what transpires in Cabinet secret.

The author, Kwamena Ahwoi, took the Cabinet oath before President Rawlings and swore, inter alia,: that I will not directly or indirectly reveal such matters as shall be debated in Cabinet and Committed to my secrecy . He also took the Oath of Minister of State and the Oath of Secrecy provided for in the Second Schedule to the 1992 Constitution. But here we have a professor of law who purports to reveal what took place in Cabinet selectively for his own undisclosed purposes. Could Dr. Kwesi Botchwey (aka Dr. Edward Andrew Botchwey) have sent the Bill to Parliament without the approval of the Cabinet? Was Cabinet not collectively responsible with the President for the Bill submitted to Parliament and passed into law? What then was the necessity for the author to breach his Cabinet oath in alleging without proof who supported and who opposed what when the Bill was debated in the Cabinet?

Upon what constitutional authority did Kwamena Ahwoi have to state at page 105 of his Working with Rawlings that:

At a sober and somber Cabinet meeting at which I was present. The Cabinet decided and President Rawlings approved that the VAT should be suspended and the sales tax reintroduced at 15 per cent. This was on 15th June 1995.

This is a Cabinet Minister who is distancing himself from the collective decision of the Cabinet of which he was part. How can such an author be trusted to make a narration which is objective when his life is guided by self-interest and self-importance in taking credit only where things turn out well and good?

Rawlings Ministers are investigated

What is the authority upon which the author, Kwamena Ahwoi, a Minister of Local Government appointed at the pleasure of President Rawlings disclosed in his Working with Rawlings, a meeting and decision arising therefrom that President Rawlings held with some of his trusted comrades over the issue of private newspaper stories of alleged corruption

and illegal acquisition of properties by his Ministers and other appointees.? The author narrates his unconstitutional and unlawful disclosure as follows:

Nana Ato Dadzie and I were among the comrades. After exhaustive discussions, it was decided to refer the matter to the newly-established CHRAJ. But there was a snag. The CHRAJ Commissioner, Mr. Emile Short, was new, and even though he had been appointed by President Rawlings, he was not really known to the President and his politics were also unknown. Some rumours had it that he was even anti-NDC and could use the opportunity of the investigations to damage Jerry Rawlings and the NDC Government.

Nana Ato Dadzie and I were sent to go and source him out. We visited him at his residence, had a very long chat with him and left convinced that he would do a fair job. President Rawlings therefore referred the four of his political appointees who had been the subject of adverse publications in the Chronicle to the CHRAJ for investigations. 

Nana Ato Dadzie is mentioned in the preface to the book to have been amongst the persons that reviewed the book. He is not known to have disassociated himself from the above narrative of events by the author. Nana Ato Dadzie is enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers. The author, try as he did both in the United Kingdom and in Ghana could not attain that honour even though by his conduct and deeds he passed himself in the public eye as having done so. Be that as it may, President Rawlings knew and told some of us, comrades of the revolution, at whose behest he appointed Mr. Emile Short. The author and Nana Ato Dadzie know that as a fact.

I interviewed former President Rawlings in the presence of Group Captain Richard Forjoe, on the authors narrative after the publication of Working with Rawlings. President Rawlings did not remember any decision that delegated Nana Ato Dadzie and the author to source Mr.

Emile Short out before the referral to the CHRAJ would be made. President Rawlings did not think that that was a moral and decent thing to do as that would have amounted to fishing for an arbitrator who is supposed to be independent. In view of President Rawlings disclaimer in his lifetime, the narration by the author compromises the integrity of the work so ably undertaken by Mr. Emile Short.

The lawyers of the suspected Ministers who were referred to the CHRAJ were entitled to a full disclosure that the Commissioner had been sourced by Nana Ato Dadzie and Kwamena Ahwoi before the referral was made to the CHRAJ to have enabled them to ask Mr. Emile Short to have recused himself from the hearing of the referral. As things stand by the authors belated disclosure, what is the guarantee that the content of the report of the CHRAJ was not sourced with Nana Ato Dadzie and the author before it was issued? I do not doubt Mr.

Shorts integrity but the proper thing for him to have done if he was sourced by Nana Ato Dadzie and the author before the referral was made to the CHRAJ was to have either refused the referral or recused himself from the hearing. After sourcing the Commissioner of the CHRAJ before the referral the author is able to conclude with a straight face in his book that: The CHRAJ findings after an 11-month investigation were fairly fair. without any remorse that he had interfered with the independence of the CHRAJ in the conduct of its constitutional mandate.

The responsibility for reading the report of the CHRAJ and writing the manuscript of the White Paper on it was delegated to me as the Deputy-Attorney General. The manuscript which was in my own handwriting before it was typed out is still somewhere in the cloud. I discussed the findings and recommendations with the Acting Attorney-General, Dr. Obed Asamoah and I called his attention to slips and omissions in the findings and recommendations. We took professional legal decisions on the findings and recommendations, including the omission by the CHRAJ in referring to the monetary worth of a reversion in a lease which was the subject matter of one of the suspects under investigation. The Government statement on the CHRAJ report was purposefully called a White Paper with constitutional and legal justifications for doing so.

It should be naive to think that the Director of Legislative Drafting had the White Paper on the CHRAJ report printed in error or without legal authority. We waited for anybody who disagreed with the implications of making a White Paper on the CHRAJ report to take the Attorney-General to court and nobody did so.

There are ethical reasons why the author should have been more circumspect in writing about the referral of this matter to the CHRAJ for investigation. I am unable to discuss them for ethical and professional reasons.

Rawlings, Foreign Policy and I

The author was given the privilege by the Chairman of the PNDC and later President of Ghana, Flt. Lt. J. J. Rawlings, to act in place of the Minister of Foreign Affairs anytime the substantive minister was out of the country. As acting Minister for Foreign Affairs the author was bound by the oath of a Minister of State and the Oath of Secrecy unless excused to make public matters that came to his notice or attention when he acted in that capacity. The author, whose book is to teach future leaders the art of governance, throws caution to the wind and tells his readers to ignore the principles and convention of state secrecy governing international relations and discourse by narrating his observations in the execution of state responsibilities as an acting Foreign Minister in relation to what he calls the Liberia Project; the Sierra Leone Project; and The Gambia Project.

The salutation and first paragraph of the late Professor J. C. De Graft-Johnson, then the Head of the Department of Economics, University of Ghanas opening address to the Workshop On the ACP-EEC Convention of Lome organized by the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana in January 1976 contains a summation of the agony and self-restraint every dedicated public servant must exercise in the disclosure of information that comes into his or her possession in the execution of his official duties as a public officer. The Workshop was organized by the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana which teaches undergraduate law students the importance of client-lawyer confidentiality and privilege when they eventually qualify to practice the profession of the law in Ghana. At the time of the Workshop the Faculty of Law of the University of Ghana also conducted the Qualifying Certificate in Law (Q.C.L) examinations under the Legal Profession Act, 1960 (Act 32) on behalf of the General Legal Council for enrollment of lawyers on the Roll of Lawyers.

The author of Working with Rawlings uses materials and information which came into his possession in relationship of trust with the PNDC and NDC Governments without clearance from the appropriate governance apparatus. This contrasts sharply with the admonitions contained in the first paragraph of Professor J. C. de Graft-Johnson after his salutation to the workshop attendees to deserve being quoted as part of the critique of Kwamena Ahwois Working with Rawlings.

Professor J. C. de Graft-Johnson stated as follows:

Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen,

When I was invited by Mr. S. O. Gyandoh, Jnr., to deliver the Opening address in this Workshop on the ACP-EEC Relations, I found myself in some difficulty about what material I could or could not use. Even though my confidential dispatches from Brussels had been published on the orders of the former Prime Minister for limited circulation, as someone who received my Civil Service training in White Hall between 1946 and 1948, I still felt that I could not make use of any part of the published dispatches in this lecture. Second, I was not sure whether I could make use of any of the reports submitted to the N. R. C. as the Chairman of the Technical Team on Ghana and the Enlarged European Economic Community. I was however sure that I could make use of any part of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, November, 1969 anniversary address which had been vetted by the Foreign Office.

Mr. S. O. Gyandor, Jnr., acknowledges the typical public service attitude exhibited by Professor J. C. de Graft-Johnson when he stated, inter alia, in his introduction to the Special Volume: Workshop on ACP-EEC Convention of Lome that: From the largely non- committal opening remarks of Prof. J. C. de Graft-Johnson, ., we get a kaleidoscopic spectrum of the essential perspectives from which the Lome Convention may be intelligently and usefully be viewed.

The manner the late Professor J. C. de Graft-John refused to be baited by the temptation put in his path to disclose confidential state matters in which he participated or came to his attention in the discharge of his duties as a public officer is the moral standard required of all public officers unless they are expressly permitted by law to do so. The philosophy of research, and research methods also teaches that an ethical researcher or scholar must not use materials that are privileged without obtaining the necessary permission to do so. The insistence that researchers and scholars must obtain the informed consent of subjects if they intend to use conversations or interactions with them for purposes of publications are intended to protect the confidentiality of academic discourse. The author, Kwamena Ahwoi, leaves one with the impression that he has serious deficiencies in his understanding of the ethical standards required of academics and scholars with whom he pretends to form a part.

Be that as it may, the author had no right to make the derogatory comments he made at page 110 of his Working with Rawlings about the age and mannerism of Captain Valentine Esegragbo Melvine Strasser, the Chairman of the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) of Sierra Leone. Is it the business of an acting Foreign Minister of Ghana to tell Sierra Leoneans who is qualified by age and mannerism to be their Head of State? Were there not more elderly citizens of Sierra Leone who served under Captain Strasser as Head of State

of Sierra Leone? The author should have known that his insults were directed at all Sierra Leoneans.

The author at page 112 of his books seeks to create the erroneous impression that he was personally instrumental in Ghana seconding judges and prosecutors to The Gambia. I was Deputy-Attorney General and know, in fact, that the request for assistance with judges and prosecutors was made through the normal diplomatic channels. The Justices of the Superior Court who were seconded to The Gambia could not have done so without the knowledge and consent of the Chief Justice, and the Judicial Council of Ghana over which the Chief Justice chairs. The Attorney-General has always been a member of the Judicial Council in Ghana.

The Attorney-Generals office dealt with the secondment of Mr. Bright Akwetey from the Attorney-Generals Department. The other person the author refers to as an Assistant Special Prosecutor with the Public Tribunals was not a qualified legal practitioner to be sent to The Gambia as prosecutor in 1994. He had been held out by the author when he had oversight over the Public Tribunal system and held himself out as having been enrolled on the Roll of Lawyers in Ghana. The Ghana School of Law confirmed in writing to me that he had been unsuccessful in his bar exams a number of times and had not been enrolled as a lawyer. I threatened to prosecute him for impersonation. Like the author, he held a University of Ghana

LL. B degree but could not make the grade at the Q. C. L examinations for enrolment at the time he worked under the author with the Public Tribunal system. He purged his sins and I will not for ethical reasons name him.

Mr. Justice J. B. Akamba was a Justice of the High Court, (and not of the Attorney Generals Department as claimed by the author), at the time he was released by the Judicial Council on secondment to assist the Government of The Gambia as Director of Public Prosecutions. He later became the Attorney-General of The Gambia, and a Justice of the Court of Appeal of The Gambia before he returned to Ghana. During his sojourn in The Gambia he was elevated by the Government of Ghana to the Court of Appeal in 1995. Somehow, he remained in The Gambia and was not sworn into office as a Justice of Appeal in Ghana. Consequently, upon his return from The Gambia after the change in regime in 2001, instead of being sworn into the Court of Appeal he was punitively posted to the Northern Region as a Justice of the High Court. It took some time for the injustice to be ratified for him to be sworn into the Court of Appeal.

The highest court in The Gambia, at the time it requested for judicial assistance from Ghana, was The Gambian Court of Appeal. Mr. Justice G. R. M. Francois was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Ghana at the time he went to The Gambia and not a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Ghana as stated by the author. He retired from the Supreme Court of Ghana on 4 August 1994. Mrs. Justice Akoto Bamfo was released in 1994 to The Gambia on secondment for two years as Chairperson of the Assets Commission. She returned and was appointed a Justice of the Court of Appeal in 1999, where she remained until she was elevated to the Supreme Court in 2009. The narrative contained in the authors Working with Rawlings is, therefore, either misleading or fabricated as usual, and unbecoming of any person professing to be a professor of law.

It is in the public interest that the foregoing misrepresentations and/or fabrications of the factual data upon which the author, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, wrote his book are demonstrated to be deficient in standards of scholarly research and content analysis of the materials upon which he wrote Working with Rawlings.

Rawlings and Vice President Arkaah: An Uneasy Presidential Relationship

The author is either lying as to the genesis of the Rawlings and Vice President Kow Nkensen Arkaah relationship and the eventual open disagreement and conflict or he is as usual bent on fabricating his research data or twisting his memory to achieve a predetermined conclusion. I stated in my immediate past critique of the authors Working with Rawlings that:

The danger the PNDC faced by January 1991 was not whether to have a non-partisan or a partisan democratic constitutional order. The hidden controversy and danger was whether or not Chairman Rawlings should just hand over power to a chosen political party and walk

away.

I also stated that the author chose to forget the fact that the first steps to form or back a political party was initiated by Captain Kojo Tsikata which was the genesis of the inter-group conflict between the Captain Tsikata faction and the 31 December Revolution Rawlings faction which will manifest in the NDC Government after the demise of the PNDC on 7 January1993. I concluded the analysis with the statement that:

After the National Democratic Congress was born it became clear that Chairman Rawlings was going to be its candidate for the 1992 Presidential elections. The National Convention Party (NCP) of Captain Kojo Tsikata was to nominate a Vice Presidential candidate. Hon.

Kwaku Boateng who had expected the PNDC to handover to the National Convention Party of Captain Kojo Tsikata refused to be Chairman Rawlings running mate from the NCP. In his place the NCP substituted Mr. Kow Nkensen Arkaah as Chairman Rawlings running mate.

Kow Nkensen Arkaahs emergence as the leader of Captain Kojo Tsikatas NCP and running mate to President Rawlings under the banner of the NDC was an alliance of convenience which was bound to implode sooner than later. The author strains the facts when he states that: . Arkaahs Party, the National Convention Party (NCP), had earlier merged with the Convention Peoples Party (CPP) to form the Peoples Convention Party (PCP). What happened was that having failed to hand over the reins of government from the PNDC to the NCP as was covertly planned, the NCP which was formed at the Bluegate under the supervision of Captain Kojo Tsikata eventually went back home by merging with the Peoples Convention Party (PCP) in 1996 and became the reformed Convention Peoples Party. Kwamena Ahwoi does not even know the verifiable fact that it was the NCP and the PCP that merged in 1996 to become the CPP.

The Discovery of Professor Mills

The question that comes to mind when one reads the authors narration of the processes leading to his discovery of Professor Mills is whether he had the informed consent of

Professor George Benneh and Professor Samuel Kwasi Agyepong to use the confidential interaction between them and the Government for his book?

What stands out from the authors narration of his discovery of Professor Mills is that the authors brother, Ato Ahwoi and him were the architects of finding a running mate for President Rawlings for the 1996 elections. Harry Sawyerr, who first lamented about the inability of Professor Mills to be the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana at a Cabinet meeting, Dr. Obed Asamoah who bought into the authors suggestion of Professor Mills as a possible candidate and convinced President Rawlings of the suitability of Professor Mills, and President Rawlings decision to accept Professor Mills to be his running mate were relegated to the central role of the Ahwoi brothers in the process.

When one examines and analyzes the authors Working with Rawlings as a whole one does not escape the conclusion that the author perceived himself and his elder brother as owning the nomination of Professor Mills as the running mate of President Rawlings for the NDCs 1996 elections and its success. From the point where President Rawlings accepted Professor Mills as his running mate for the 1996 elections the Ahwoi brothers from the authors narrative became the puppet masters of Professor Mills.

Professor Mills was a humble and self-effacing gentlemen who worked with the Government as the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Department and was known to President Rawlings prior to being proposed for nomination as his running mate. He scarcely would hurt a fly and was, therefore, a perfect fit to be President Rawlings running mate. He trusted friends to a fault. As the author writes in relation to Professor Mills reaction to a sea of people who had been mobilized to welcome him at the Tamale airport:

This was Professor Mills political baptism of fire and in his politically naivete he asked me: Is something happening in Tamale today? Why are there so many people at the Airport? When I told him that they were there to welcome him, he slowly muttered: Oh my God!

What have I let myself into?.

President Rawlings had only one term left if he won the 1996 election which the NDC was confident he was going to win whosoever became his running mate. The transition to an NDC Government in the future without Rawlings begun with the nomination of the Professor Mills as Rawlings running mate. The Ahwois hedged their bets as the main pillars behind Professor Mills Vice Presidency and his future. Rawlings trust for his comrades blinded him from seeing the double agency in the behaviour of the Ahwois. The Ahwoi Capture of Professor Mills that will affect and influence the future relationship between President Rawlings and Professor Mills had begun.

Campaigning with Professor Mills and a Second Rawlings Victory

The victory of the Progressive Alliance of NDC, Egle Party and the Democratic Peoples Party at the 1996 elections was indeed won on the back of very hard work by the collective efforts of the Progressive Alliance. Every incumbent government always carries baggage from the moral and unlawful conduct of its political appointees and operatives. The author had himself referred to the referral of the Governments appointees to the CHRAJ for

investigations and the outcome. And indeed: The campaign was particularly gruesome because having lost the previous presidential elections to the Progressive Alliance, the revived opposition was determined to win the election by hook or crook. But at all times the integrity and forthrightness of President Rawlings in the management of the affairs of the nation endeared him to the vast majority of Ghanaians such that he could easily win any elections on his own steam.

The author fails, as the academic and scholar he claims to be, to assign any qualitative or quantitative research evidence to support his sweeping assertion that:

.The publication of The Stolen Verdict by the NPP in 1993, as well as their other extra- parliamentary activities such as the 1995 Ku Me Preko demonstration, and the several Supreme Court cases they had won, including New Patriotic Party v. Inspector General of Police [1993-1994] 2 GLR 459 (the Public Demonstrations case), New Patriotic Party v.

Attorney General [1993-1994] 2 GLR 35 (the 31st December Holiday case) and New Patriotic Party v. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation [1993-1994] 2 GLR 354 (the Fair Opportunity for All Political Parties case), had convinced their supporters that they did not lose the 1992

presidential elections. (see page 125 of Working with Rawlings).

The only anecdotal opinion the author purports to produce to support his assertion is that:

Because all these cases were defended by the Attorney-General, an NDC appointee, the NPP rank and file appeared to have formed the view that the NDC Government has lost the cases. NPP supporters therefore believed that with a little more effort they could win the 1996 presidential election. Thus they entered the 1996 campaign with equal, if not more, determination and vigour.

The 1992 presidential election was not lost by the New Patriotic Party by a decision of the Supreme Court to have any correlation with winning the cases referred to by the author in Court. But the axiom underpinning the authors bald contention is that between the assumption of office of the President on 7 January 1993 and the presidential election on 6 December 1996 the Attorney-General lost several cases giving rise to the NPP rank and file appearing to form the view that the NDC Government lost those cases and therefore they could win the 1996 elections with little efforts. The contention by Kwamena Ahwoi, the Minister for Local Government and Rural Development in the NDC government is, simply not borne out by the facts and decided cases. The three cases the author, Kwamena Ahwoi, referred to were decided between 23 July 1993 and 29 December 1993.

A fourth case was decided by the Supreme Court against the Government around this period on 16 September 1993 in New Patriotic Party v The Electoral Commission and Another [1993-94] 1 GLR 124. This case involved a government decision taken upon the advice of the author as the Minister for Local Government for the election of district chief executives provided by Article 242 of the Constitution under the provisions of the Local Government Law, 1988 (PNDCL 207) as amended by the Local Government (Amendment) (No 3) Law, 1992 (PNDCL 272) and the Local Government (Amendment) Law, 1993 (PNDCL 306). The Supreme Court decided that the Assemblies provided for under Article 242 of the Constitution were different entities in character, composition, and terms from those under

PNDCL 207 and upheld the Plaintiffs claim. There were no other cases in the Supreme Court in which the New Patriotic Party won judgment against the Republic between January 1993 and the 6 December 1996 presidential election to constitute the several Supreme Court cases they won as stated by Kwamena Ahwoi and quoted hereinbefore.

Lawyers advocating Constitutional cases before the Supreme Court are primarily officers of the Court to assist the Supreme Court to arrive at a fair and impartial interpretation of the Constitution and the law. The Attorney General does not advocate cases in the Court as a politician but as a lawyer bound by the ethics of the legal profession in which he has been enrolled to practice law. The same obligation is placed on other lawyers advocating cases before any court. The ordinary person in the street understands that it is the Court rather than the lawyers appearing in a suit who decide the outcome of the case. It is therefore strange that the author will assert without proof that because the Republic lost constitutional cases in the Supreme Court, NPP supporters believed that with little more effort they could win the 1996 presidential election against the NDC.

An examination of the four cases decided by the Supreme Court in favour of the NPP as the plaintiff in 1993 will assist an understanding of their impact on the fortunes of the NDC in the 1996 presidential election. The New Patriotic Party v. Inspector General of Police [1993- 1994] 2 GLR 459 (the Public Demonstrations case), decided on 30 November 1993, involved a declaration that Sections 7, 8, 12(a) and 13 of the Public Order Decree, 1972 (NRCD 68) which gave the Minister for the Interior certain powers in relation to public order are inconsistent with and a contravention of the 1992 Constitution, especially Article 21(1((d) and therefore null, void, and unenforceable. The law that was challenged was not a PNDC Law. It had survived the 1979 Third Republican Constitution into the Fourth Republic as an existing law under Article 11 of the 1992 Constitution. Section 30 of the Transitional Provisions of the 1992 Constitution empowered the first President within twelve months after assuming office as President, by constitutional instrument, to make such provision as may appear necessary for repealing, modifying, adding to, or adapting any law to bring it into accord with the provisions of the Constitution or otherwise give effect to the Constitution.

The disagreements giving rise to the commencement of this action in the court took place in February 1993, barely two months after the coming into force of the Constitution.

The exercise of discretion by the police under Section 8 of NRCD 68 which gave rise to the application to the Supreme Court to interpret and enforce the provisions of Article 21(1)(d) of the 1992 Constitution took place in Sekondi in the Western Region and Kyebi in the Eastern Region in February 1993, less than two months after the assumption of office of the President. The Supreme Court of seven justices unanimously struck down the provisions of Sections 7, 8, 12(a) and 13(a) of NRCD 68 as being unconstitutional. The Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Archer, whose appointment the opponents of the PNDC had opposed concurred with the lead judgment of Mr. Justice Charles Hayfron-Benjamin and recommended that: Finally, I would urge the whole of NRDC 68 should be reviewed and modernized in its entirety to enable the Police Service to carry out its duties effectively without contravening any provision in our current Constitution, 1992. President Rawlings oversaw the enactment of

the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491) which he assented to on 30 December 1994 that governs the subject matter to date.

I was the Deputy Attorney-General who represented the Republic in the Supreme Court and I have no regrets for performing my duties as an officer of the Court in putting forward the strenuous arguments made to the Court that assisted in the outcome of the decision. I was also responsible for supervising the Legislative Drafting Division in the preparation and finalization of the Public Order Bill, 1994 submitted by the Minister for the Interior which was eventually enacted as the Public Order Act, 1994 (Act 491) long before the 1996 elections took place. It is difficult to understand how the outcome of this case and the passage of the Public Order Act, 1994 could give the perception to supporters of the NPP that with little effort they could win the 1996 presidential election.

New Patriotic Party v. Attorney General [1993-1994] 2 GLR 35 (the 31st December Holiday case) decided on 29 December 1993 (with reasons reserved and delivered on 8 March 1994) decided that the anniversary of the 31 December Revolution could not be celebrated as a public holiday and with public funds. The judgment did not abolish the celebration of 31 December Revolution. It was a narrow decision of five justices against four justices. I represented the Republic in this case as the Deputy Attorney-General. A memorandum submitted to President Rawlings by the Attorney-Generals Office under my signature advised against applying for a review of the decision. The President endorsed the advice. The anniversary of the 31 December Revolution continues to be celebrated by supporters of that revolution.

At the time this case was decided the case of Bilson v Attorney General which was challenging the constitutionality of the 4 June Revolution was also pending. In my memorandum on the 31 December Holiday case to the President which I naively and regrettably copied to Mr. P. V. Obeng, the Presidential Adviser, I stated reasons for the expectation that the Republic could prevail in the 4 June Revolution Holiday case to negate the effect of the 31 December Holiday case. The memorandum was leaked to the other side who promptly applied and withdrew the case from the Supreme Court in spite of protestations from the Republic to have the case decided on the merits because the pleadings had closed and the case was ripe for judgment. This explains why the NPP and its surrogates never contested the constitutionality of June 4 as a public holiday again during the tenure of the President Rawlings. The NPP had to enact the Public Holidays Act, 2001 (Act 601) to remove the celebration of June 4 as a public holiday. It received presidential assent and was gazette the same day, on 1 June 2001.

New Patriotic Party v. Ghana Broadcasting Corporation [1993-1994] 2 GLR 354. The Court gave its ruling with accompanying orders in this case on 22 July 1993 and reserved its reasons to a later date. The Court gave its reasons on 30 November 1993. The defendant having refused the plaintiffs application to be given time on the radio and television to also express its views on the 1993 budget brought an action against the defendant for (a) a declaration that under Articles 55(1) and 163 of the Constitution, 1992, the defendant, a state- owned media, had a duty to allow the plaintiff fair opportunity and facilities to present its

views on the budget especially as those views diverged from those of the government or of the National Democratic Congress, the party forming the government and which sponsored the appearance of the Finance Minister; and (b) an order directing the defendant to afford the plaintiff equal time on television to present its views on the 1993 budget. The Supreme Court granted the reliefs sought by the plaintiff. The defendant obeyed the order of the Court and the judgment has since inured to the benefit of all political parties under the 1992 Constitution.

The fourth case decided by the Supreme Court on 16 September 1993 was New Patriotic Party v The Electoral Commission and Another [1993-94] 1 GLR 124 invalidating the proposed election of district chief executives of district assemblies under PNDCL 207 after the coming into force of Article 242 of the Constitution - already referred to and examined above. As a result of that judgment, the government announced the next day, 17 September 1993, that the same nominees had been appointed District Secretaries under Section 21(1) of PNDCL 207. The Plaintiff commenced action in New Patriotic Party v Rawlings and Another [1993-94] 2 GLR 193 against the President and the Attorney General for a declaration of inconsistency and contravention of specified provisions of the Constitution. The Court

dismissed the plaintiffs action.

I have carefully gone through the Ghana Law Reports, the Supreme Court of Ghana Law Reports and the unreported Supreme Court decisions for the period January 1993 and 6 December 1996. The facts do not bear out the sweeping allegation of the several Supreme Court cases they [NPP] had won in 1993 or between 1993 and 1996 and convinced their supporters that they did not lose the 1992 presidential elections and . therefore believed that with a little more effort they could win the 1996 presidential election.

The other case the NPP brought as plaintiff directly against the Attorney General as representing the Republic of Ghana during the period was New Patriotic Party and Another v Electoral Commission: Tehn-Addy v Attorney-General and Another [1995-96] 1 GLR 187, decided by the Supreme Court on 16 July 1996. The NPP was an interested party with the Attorney General in Ekwam v Pianim (No 2) [1996-97] SCGLR 120, decided on 2 April 1996 and Ekwam v Pianim (No 3) [1996-97] SCGLR 431, (a review application by Mr.

Pianim on his eligibility to contest the NPP presidential primaries as a presidential candidate for the NPP for the 1996 presidential election) decided on 10 July 1996. Ghana Bar Association v Attorney General , Supreme Court, 7 February 1995, unreported, the Republic v Mensa-Bonsu and Others: Ex Parte Attorney-General [1995-96] 1 GLR 377, decided on 21 February 1995, and Ghana Bar Association & Justice Abban v Attorney General , [1995-96] 1 GLR 598 also decided by Supreme Court, on 5 December 1995, were other cases the NPP had vested interest in and were conducted by the core of the usual NPP lawyers as part of the oppositions lawfare against the Government within the period under review. The Supreme Court gave judgment for the Republic in all the above cases.

The results of these cases and the remedial actions taken by the Government of President Rawlings to cure the defects pointed out by the Court, rather than affecting the fortunes of President Rawlings in the 1996 elections demonstrated his understanding of democratic

governance, the rule of law and constitutionalism. After President Rawlings tenure as President three legal practitioners became Presidents of Ghana, one of whom is the incumbent. History will, hopefully, absolve President Rawlings as having respected the Constitution, democracy, and the rule of law better than any of his successors, who were qualified legal practitioners in Ghana. President Jerry John Rawlings never packed the Supreme Court to obtain a favorable judgment in any review application to the Supreme Court as other Presidents who were qualified legal practitioners in Ghana have done under the Constitution.

Rawlings, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman and the Radio Gold interview

But our dear author and scholar, Professor Kwamena Ahwoi, was out to fabricate the data for his predetermined conclusions based on his role in the nomination of Professor Mills as running mate to President Rawlings and his contribution to the Rawlings/Mills victory in 1996 through . the mother of all interviews granted to Radio Gold by Rawlings, which was conducted by one of the greatest interviewers of all time, Dr. (now Professor) Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman.

The author unscrupulously reduces the victory won on the back of very hard work and a particularly gruesome campaign to his self-conceited involvement in orchestrating the

mother of all interviews conducted by one of the greatest interviewers of all time by stating without an iota of proof that: The next day, the media were full of praise for President Rawlings and his performance. His rating soared and we entered the 1996 presidential election confident that Rawlings and the NDC would win.

The 1996 presidential and parliamentary elections were won on the back of the very hard work of President Rawlings himself and his dear wife, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, as always, the national, regional, constituency, branch and unit executives of the Progressive Alliance including Members of Parliament, Ministers of State, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, the 31 December Womens Movement, Cadres of the 31 December Revolution and other political operatives of the government. It is an insult to the gruesome and arduous work contributed by all these gallant people for their contributions towards the victory of the Progressive Alliance at the 1996 elections to be attributed to one single interview which could not have been heard by the vast majority of voters throughout the country  Radio Gold did not have nationwide coverage. Speaking for myself, I never

listened to the mother of all interviews or heard about it until I read of it in Working with Rawlings.

One would fathom that if the author had any statistical data for his conclusions on the

mother of all interviews he would not have failed to refer to them or quote them to support his thesis. In my interaction with former President Rawlings on the mother of all interviews after the publication of the authors Working with Rawlings he felt deeply insulted that the success of the 1996 elections had been stolen by the author and attributed to one particular interview instead of the people of Ghana who placed their trust in his government and voted for the Progressive Alliance.

Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman reviewed and edited Working with Rawlings and also wrote the foreword to the book without a disclaimer. I have already written and published a critique of some aspects of this narrative of the author and need not repeat them. Suffice it to say that by the time Working with Rawlings was published in or about July 2020, Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, the Radio Gold surrogate for the mother of all interviews had been nominated the running mate to former President John Dramani Mahama for the 2020 presidential election. Ironically, Kwamena Ahwois one of the greatest interviewers of all

time, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyeman, could not use her dexterity and skills for her side to win the 2020 presidential election.

Martin A. B. K. Amidu
The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have taken steps to address the differences between aspirants and supporters in aftermath of the just-ended national delegates conference.

As part of the reconciliation moves by the party, some national executives, led by their newly elected chairman, Jonhson Asiedu Nketiah met some malcontents of the party in the Ashanti Region to settle any grudges they hold against other party members.

The delegation engaged in a dialogue with the Ashanti Regional Executives, Members of the Ashanti Caucus, Regional Council of Elders and other identifiable groups within Ashanti NDC aimed at uniting the base of the party and building peace as the party prepares for the must-win 2024 general elections.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia after the meeting on Thursday January 11, 2023, told this reporter that the party has made significant progress towards reconciliation in the Ashanti Region.

He described the Ashanti Region as one of the most important areas for the NDC, adding that they will work hard to win more votes come 2024 general polls.

"We take Ashanti Region to be a very important area going into the 2024 polls. We as NDC executives believe the party can not afford to leave any situation of conflict unresolved in the region", he said.

He added, "When have been here since morning, sat through a series of meeting to ensure the party is united more than ever, and am happy to report we have chalked significant success as far as reconciling in the region is concerned."

The NDC chairman bemoaned the abysmal performance of the governing New Patriotic Party NPP and urged party members to rather focus on winning power in the 2024 polls.

"The Akufo-Addo and Bawumia government has supervised the worst economic conditions in several decades and brought to Ghanaians hardship, that the very reason why the NDC must unite more than ever win power in 2024".

The team, which was led by Johnson Asiedu Nketia, together with other senior party elders such as Hon. Kofi Totobi Kwakye and Col. Rtd. Larry Gbevlo Lartey.

Others include the General Secretary, Hon. Fifi Fiave Kwetey, Deputy General Secretary, Hon. Barbara Serwaa Asamoah and Deputy National Organizer, Kobby Barlon. Also present at the meeting were Chairmen from eight other Regions.
The far-right French polemicist and politician Eric Zemmour has been sentenced to pay a fine of 4,000 for racist insults made during a television debate in 2018. He referred to the first name of fellow speaker Hapsatou Sy as an "insult to France".

The former presidential candidate, president of the Reconquest! movement, absent during the judgment on Thursday, was also sentenced to 3,000 in damages and 2,000 in legal fees.

His lawyer, Olivier Pardo, has announced that he is appealing "against this decision which has no legal meaning".

"It's a great satisfaction", on the contrary, estimated Antoine Vey, lawyer for Hapsatou Sy.

"Behind Hapsatou Sy's fight, there is probably the recognition of a whole section of the French population," he told French news agency AFP.

On her Twitter account, Sy wrote "It is a great pride to have stood firm during all these years and to have been able to condemn Eric Zemmour for insulting a racist nature. My first name is my identity, my origins are my strength, and behind me, I hope that many other French people will feel liberated".

Born in France to parents of Senegalese and Mauritanian heritage, Sy is an accomplished entrepreneur and television presenter.

Her legal complaint was filed with regards to remarks made during the public recording of a television program in September 2018 on the C8 a channel, in the Canal + group.

In the sequence, Hapsatou Sy, a former presenter for the channel, repeats her first name to Eric Zemmour who replies: "Your mother was wrong".

"And what would you like my name to be?", Sy asks. "Corinne", replies Zemmour.

'Insult to France'

The rest of the face-to-face conversation, cut during the editing, was caught on tape by a make-up artist.

Sy declares: "What you have just said is an insult to France".

"Mademoiselle, it's your first name which is an insult to France", Zemmour replies.

Following the incident, Sy, broadcast the video social networks and filed a complaint.

The firebrand politician has been investigated 16 times in the past for his inflammatory comments, notably on immigration and Islam.

In January 2022, the Paris Criminal Court handed Zemmour a 10,000 fine for racist hate speech after he called unaccompanied child migrants "thieves, murderers and rapists."

He was sentenced in 2016 to a fine of 3,000 euros for provoking religious hatred.

Zemmour will be the subject of eight trials in Paris in 2023 after complaints related to comments he made.

(with wires)
In its latest news report on Nigerias February 2023 presidential election, London-based The Economist magazine has assessed and described the retired General Muhammadu Buhari presidency as "eight dismal years"

Complaints of insecurity and unemployment are made additionally remarkable by the fact that Buharis political party All Progressives Congress' Vice-Presidential candidate in the election, Kashim Shettima, concedes that Mr. Buhari has done only modestly well.

The Economist which endorsed Buhari during the polling when he was first elected in 2015, stated pointedly that "he has floundered on almost every measure. Between 2015 and 2020 the average income per person (adjusted for local purchasing power) slid from $5,400 to $4,900 a year. The share of Nigerians living on less than $1.90 a day, which had fallen from about 43% to 37% in the previous five years, increased to almost 40% in 2019, before covid-19 hit. Violence has spread across the country. Last year jihadists, bandits, and separatists hit at least 550 of the countrys 774 local government areas (see map.) More than 3,000 people were kidnapped last year, an almost 30-fold increase on 2016. Many were children."

The colonial era and post-colonial rulers and leaders of Nigeria are very familiar with The Economist, first issued in September 1843.

Significantly, in December 2021, President Buharis Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, in his rejoinder to a scathing Comment/Editorial of December 12, 2021, titled Life has lost its value under Buharis Nigeria, by the Daily Trust newspaper based in Kaduna, referenced the British international publication, in these words:

The Economist magazine in a recent publication wrote about The Next Afghanistan, warning the global community of the horrifying security in our neighborhood, citing specifically the states of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Of course, the world is aware of the collapsing/collapsed security capacities of the famous giant of Africa.

It was evident a few weeks ago at the White House-sponsored U.S-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington, DC., from December 13-15, 2022. It was attended by U.S President Biden, Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi and several others.

The major, defining headline read: Insecurity, violence in Nigeria obscure Buharis promises at U.S-Africa Summit.

To be sure, Nigerians know the realistic truths and combustion of their existential realities, embattled and bloodied lives, daily. They know!

The presidents propagandists cannot spin those, credibly no matter how hard they try.

On February 25, 2023, millions of Nigerians will go to vote for a President, Buharis successor, hopefully, in the consequential contexts of the seemingly intractable problems for Buharis 8 years, especially, in the areas of insecurity, jihadists violence and gunmen attacks, corruption, nepotism, economic hardships, lack of necessary infrastructure, lack of good roads and electricity, unemployment, ethnic clashes, religious bigotry and escalating regional schisms.

Those are drowning any viable, significant and credible legacy claims by President Buhari & Co! They have already, exponentially, escalated the number of items and complication of tasks awaiting the next President.

Sadly, Buharis home State of Katsina has been wracked by assorted attacks and kidnappings and crimes and agonizing brutalities than they ever knew! Its almost the same tales of woes and wickedness across the country!

 Dr. Chido Nwangwu , author of the forthcoming 2023 book, MLK, Mandela & Achebe: Power, Leadership and Identity. , is Founder of the first African-owned, U.S-based newspaper on the internet, USAfricaonline.com , and established USAfrica in 1992 in Houston, Texas. Follow him @Chido247
It amazes me that every good Christian wants to go to heaven but knows very little about heaven. The goal of the Christian is not about living well on this present earth but to be guided by the counsel of God and afterward go into glory. The psalmist says the earth has nothing I desire besides you. The book of Ecclesiastes says, 'When I surveyed all things my hands had done, and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, chasing after the wind, nothing was gained under the sun.' The good and the wise Christian knows that life lived under the sun is profoundly unsatisfactory, punctuated by pain and suffering because of sin, impermanence, and death.

The early Christians faced the chronic danger of persecution from the authorities, yet they marched on and were ready to die to see the face of the Lord. They kept the faith only because they were looking forward to New Jerusalem. The ultimate goal of the Christian is to be with the Lord and enjoy him forever. The apostle said, "If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." The question is: Why is it that Christians know little about heaven if that is their ultimate goal or the place for the resurrected saints? Are we worried about our loved ones who have died before Christ's coming and where they are, as the Thessalonian Christians were concerned about theirs? If heaven will be the eternal destiny of Christians, then why don't they care much about it? Did you think about heaven when your loved one passed away? Have you worried about your life after death?

What is heaven, and where is heaven? Simply defined, heaven is where God is: It is the presence of God. Heaven is an endless dynamic of joy where we will be ourselves and become what we were meant to be. Heaven is seeing God or basking in the presence of God, or what has sometimes termed the beatific vision: the seeing that will make us happy. To the Christian, heaven is where Christ is. Going to heaven is not about going to a higher space above because heaven is not the space above us or below us but the entire presence of an invisible or non-corporeal being. In other words, heaven is God's realm or domain of the created order (Genesis 1, 1; Psalm 115:16, Matthew 6:9). Whereas our world is one of space, time, and matter, that is not presently the case for heaven, unless God providentially reveals it to us, as he did for the servant of Elisha, at Elisha's request ( 2Kings 6:17), or as he revealed to John on the Island of Patmos in (Revelation chapters 1, 4, and 5).

Unlike the Greek platonic idea that had infiltrated Christianity that a human soul is imprisoned in a body and free after death when it escapes, Christianity teaches that our souls will finally be reunited with our bodies. The Bible declares that God is a spirit. So the idea of heaven at present is not about space but God's presence. People have asked: Do souls go to heaven? No, souls are not ultimately destined for heaven; the Christian tradition speaks about the body and soul going to heaven. The souls of departed Christians without the body are in what theologians call the intermediate state. The intermediate state is the state of the soul between the time a Christian dies and the time the soul is reunited with the resurrected body. N. T. Wright quotes John Polkinghorne, a physicist and a priest, "God will download our software onto his hardware until the time he gives us new hardware to rerun the software for ourselves." That gets to two things nicely: the period after death is when we are in God's presence but not active in our bodies, and the more important transformation will be when we are again embodied and are Christ's kingdom.

So heaven is not where we go after we die, but it is a place that God has prepared for our resurrected bodies to live eternally. Heaven is not an ethereal, otherworldly place for disembodied spirits. Heaven will be a restoration of our physical universe or cosmos. God will not throw away his creation but will restore or renew it for its intended purpose. Listen to how Paul describes that state in 2 Corinthians 5, "For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling because we will not be found naked when we are clothed. For a while, we are in this tent; we groan and are burdened because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life."

Please pay particular attention to the apostle's words here, "Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked." Why is he naked? Because he is in an intermediate state without his body.

The Christian message is about the resurrection of the body, the complete human being with the Lord. The Bible says, "In this very body we shall rise." The resurrected body will be identical to this present one that eats fish, just as the resurrected Christ did. It will be a different body because it will be a glorified body that will be recognizable. The glorified body will be freed from its present limitations and possess the qualities of completion and fulfillment.

In the resurrection, the omnipotent God will resuscitate and reanimate our bodies, recall all portions of our bodies consumed by beasts or fire, or parts of our bodies that have been dissolved into dust or ashes or have decomposed into water or evaporated into the air will be restored. We will have spiritual bodies, for our current bodies will be transformed into spiritual bodies. Whatever has been taken from the body will be restored to it. In addition, what has remained in the grave, shall rise again, transformed from the old animal body into the newness of a spiritual body and clothed in incorruption and immortality.

If resurrected bodies must live in heaven, then heaven must be a place. The Bible declares that this present world will be transformed and sanctified: Paradise regained. Thus heaven will be paradise regained where God's real presence will be experienced. The Anglican bishop and eminent New Testament scholar, N.T. Wright writes, "Heaven is not the place we go to when we die, but rather the place God has our future bodies already in store for us." In 1 Corinthians 15:47-49, the apostle talks about the new body suited for the soul in heaven. "The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; as is the heavenly man, so are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man."

The apostle points out that our present body is earthly since it is made of earthly materials. In contrast to our present body, our new body, animated by the Spirit, is suited for heaven. So, folks, the soul and body will inherit heaven. We are not leaving the cosmos behind and entering an ethereal realm somewhere. Instead of us going to some unknown space above us, it is heaven that will come to join the recreated cosmos. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. The New Jerusalem will come down from heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. (Revelation 21:2-3.).

A better understanding of what heaven will be will significantly impact public policy about the environment. Many Christians have a negative attitude towards global warming or the environment because they do not see the cosmos in God's redemptive plan. Some Christians think that the earth and its contents will be thrown away so we can do anything to the environment. They think they will live in an abstract space somewhere. Paul talks about the renewal of the cosmos in Romans 8:22-23. I will not have time to do a lengthy exegesis on these Scriptures, but I will ask readers to read good commentaries on these verses.

The apostle says, "the creation was subjected to futility (to frustration), not of its own will, but on account of him who subjected it in hope." He refers to the whole of creation, animals and birds, trees and flowers, rocks, the sea, rivers, and soil groaning or travailing in anticipation of our glorification. Paul intended to alert us that human sin affected humans and all creation. They are in expectation of their redemption when human redemption takes place. He is drawing our attention to the fact that creation has a place in our redemption.

Heaven will be a real place, but not an imaginary realm. It is not just a state of mind, psychological reality, or a place for Spirit. The inhabitants of heaven will never experience death again; sadness, pain, and suffering will be banished from heaven forever. The believers will be glorified, exalted, and seated with Jesus in heaven. They will be with the savior enjoying His fellowship face to face. Still, someone will ask: what will happen after we are clothed in immortality and spiritual bodies? We cannot confidently say what will happen, for the scripture says, "We know in parts, and prophesy in part until that which is perfect comes."

However, we know that we will enjoy that most beautiful city of God with angels, with Christ, and with our fellow saints. Now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face. The scripture says we shall be like Him when He appears, for we shall see him as He is. In heaven, we may see not only with our bodily eyes but with our spiritual bodies or eyes. Remember that Elisha saw his servant who had followed Naaman, the Syrian, not with his natural eyes but his spiritual eyes.

In heaven, we will be equipped to see God face to face. Job was shaken to the core when God revealed himself to him. He said, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see you wherefore I abhor myself and melt away." We will have the eyes of our hearts illuminated. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." We will enjoy the peace that passes all human understanding: there will be total harmony with no opposition. All parts of our bodies will coexist harmoniously, family members will live in concord, and neighbors will exist without opposition.

While we all yearn for happiness on this earth, none of us has obtained it, but there will be real happiness in the city of God because it shall lack no good, and there will be no evil in it. We will continually praise God. All the organs of the redeemed bodies will be devoted to praising God. And God will be all in all. Scripture says, "I will be your God, and ye shall be my people." God shall be all we have honorably desired-life, health, nourishment, plenty, glory, honor, and peace.
13.01.2023 LISTEN

What is Ghana Education Service saying? That the kids insulted our president and so they have lost their right to access public education?

Like did they think deeply before arriving at such a decision? Is Nana Addo in support of this decision or he hasn't heard of it? This is time to score some points, Nana Addo has to intervene, it's been a while since we called him show boy.

In this country, the least opportunity people get, they throw stones. Give people the chance to invigilate and they will act like they have been assigned to guard terrorists, give them terrorists and they will go to sleep. A judge will give the one who stole the plantain 10 years imprisonment and give the bank robber the chance to pay the money he stole over time and go home.

Yes, what the girls did is shameful, a dent on their parents and one that would be with them for a long time. I accept that they should be corrected, there are several ways to do this. What has been prescribed is to destroy them and to be honest, the verdict was devoid of wisdom.

Kids are products of society; they learn from us adults. Do we by chance think these kids don't watch Kevin Taylor, Twene Jonas, Afia Schwarzenegger or Captain Smart? We even have one vying to become president of Ghana, we have them in Parliament, we have them as Political Party executives. Do we think they don't pick pointers from these people?

The kids need fixing, not a nail in their coffin, they need fixing for the bad seed we have planted in them.

When kids go astray, check the adults.

At a time when we are priding ourselves with giving prisoners, including hardcore criminals the opportunity to pursue education, what is the motivation behind dismissing the children over a wrong that only exposes the poor upbringing and exposure they are not responsible for? This affords us the opportunity to educate Ghanaians on the right use of the camera and phone. It has become the norm now for people to pick up the phone and start hurling insults at others. If they are not insulting, they are twerking for social media reactions.

Our wrong use of social media platforms and mobile phone devices is simply preparing for us a generation without morals./.

To think that expelling them from the very system that should fix them is an unforgivable blot in wisdom. They need to be in school to learn civility, they need to learn the right ways to express grievances. When the popular examples they see are insulting adults get promoted, then the kids are not to blame.

Isaac Kyei Andoh
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) in the Ashanti Region, has begun investigating the source of the stench that has taken over the Central Business District of Adum.

This comes on the back of complaints by traders in the Central District that human excreta from a septic tank belonging to the Kumasi Prison has been leaking into gutters in the Adum area and causing a stench.

Speaking to Class 91.3 FMs Ashanti Regional Correspondent, Elisha Adarkwah, Friday, 13 January 2023, when the Assembly embarked on a cleaning exercise to clean the human excreta discharged into the gutters, the Metro Environmental Director Yaw Ofori said: Im going to investigate and then bring you the feedback.

He cautioned persons who discharge excreta into the gutters against the practice.

Im warning them this is their last chance. Were in Greater Kumasi, now we want to prevent the outbreak of certain diseases.

Those who have formed the habit of discharging into the public gutter should stop.

He noted that such persons if caught will be prosecuted.

Parts of Adum is stinking of human excreta mixed with refuse.

According to traders at the Central Business District, the stench is as a result of human excreta leaking from the septic tank belonging to the Kumasi Central Prison which flows through the gutters and spreads onto the streets of the business centre.

Traders and passers-by were compelled to cover their noses to avoid breathing in or smelling the stench emanating from the area.

Some traders who spoke to Elisha Adarkwah while wearing nose masks, bemoaned the health implications of the stench.

The traders also noted that all efforts to get the authorities to address the situation has not yielded any positive results.

Even when youre sitting in a vehicle that passes through this place, you have to cover your nose, you cant open your mouth. There are lots of houseflies hovering around here, theres human excreta all over, from the prisons.

Lots of dignitaries use this road but no one is doing anything about the situation. The whole place stinks and you cant complain. When you complain they have the guts to serve you a notice that you have been summoned because the entrance of your shop is untidy, were waiting for them to come again, a male trader at the Central business district said.

Another male trader explained the effect of the stench on their businesses.

The excreta is gushing out like a pipe. This whole place is choked. This started about 3 weeks ago. Lots have people have fallen into it, about 7 people fell in it yesterday, today 5 people have fallen inside, 1 even left her things there after falling inside.

You cant do anything here, you cant eat, even the customers have refused to come. We cant lock our shops too. Instead of the KMA doing something about it, all they do is to summon us to court, he noted.

Source: classfmonline.com
THE GHANA Police Service is expected to convey Iddrisu Abass, alias Jango, one of the suspects involved in the NDC Congress melee last year at Cape Coast in the Central Region, to Accra.

This was after the police and some opinion leaders met at Wenchi in the Bono Region over the issue.

Jango was arrested on Sunday at Wenchi but some irate youth in the town tried to resist his transfer to Accra, this paper gathered.

The suspect, as at yesterday, was still receiving treatment at the Wenchi Methodist Hospital under heavy police guard. This was after he sustained injuries in the leg when the police attempted to arrest him at Wenchi Wangara Line.

Three other suspects whose names were not immediately available at the time of filing this report, are to accompany him. They were all arrested at Wenchi and are to assist the police in their investigation in connection with the violence at the NDC Youth and Women's Congress.

The agreement was struck during a meeting attended by DCOP Mohammed Suraji, Commissioner in charge of Police Operations, Sheikh Issah Ibrahim, the Wenchi Municipal Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdul Rahman Umar, Wangara Chief of Wenchi, Adama Sulemana, the Member of Parliament for Tain and some NDC leaders.

DAILY GUIDE sources said after the consensus, the police withdrew some of their men on the ground though there were still a sizeable number of uniformed men patrolling Wenchi and the Wenchi Hospital where the suspect was receiving medical attention.

On January 8, 2023, at about 4am, some policemen stormed Wenchi Wangara Line and effected arrest of Abass Iddrisu, alias Jango, after the service issued a statement for his arrest. The suspect was among others who were placed on police wanted list in connection with the violent disturbances on December 10, 2022 in Cape Coast.

Following the notice for his arrest, eyewitnesses told this paper that about 300 policemen descended on Wenchi and arrested the suspect. They initially wanted to transfer him to Accra but the youth of the town amassed at the Wenchi Hospital premises and prevented the transfer.

In order to maintain peace and order in the community, the police brokered an agreement with the aforementioned stakeholders to enable them transfer the suspect to Accra, to help in further investigation on the issue.

-Daily Guide
The opposition National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament (MP) for Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah has given GHC20,000 to Bonzo Kaku Senior High School (BOKASS) and Kamgbunli Uthman Bin Affan Islamic Senior High School (UBAISH) to support the development in their schools.

The MP made the kind gesture to the two schools during this year's "My First Day at School".

Management of Bonzo Kaku SHS is expected to use the GHC10,000 to renovate some rooms of their Boys' Dormitory.

Kamgbunli Uthman Bin Affan Islamic SHS on other hand is expected to use its GHC10,000 to repair its school bus.

Making the presentation, Emmanuel Armah Kofi-Buah disclosed that he observed during his previous visit that Senior High Schools in Ellembelle Constituency were facing a lot of challenges and promised to support them.

He said at Bonzo Kaku SHS he promised to support the school management to renovate the Boys' Dormitory in the school.

"The last time I visited this school I got a tall list of challenges facing the school and I'm sure the school has seen some progress. I made a commitment to support the school to renovate its Boys' Dormitory because it was important to me and I have come to support the school with GHC10,000 (100 million old Ghana Cedis) to renovate its Boys' Dormitory," he stated.

He pledged to do everything possible to support the school address its challenges despite the economic hardship the country was facing.

"A friend told me that even Akufo-Addo and appointees are suffering and what about you in opposition what can you make the school and their parents very proud?

"...despite all those projections that the economic hardship would be worsened in 2023, you students will survive and this school will be the best school in the whole of the Western region", he said.

He added, "Take your studies so so seriously to make your parents very proud. Know that you can become doctors, teachers, headmasters, engineers, lawyers, journalists so be serious with your studies."

He emphasized that "majority of you here are like me because when I was in secondary school I struggled to pay my school fees and also got money to buy food because my parents were poor, I remember my mother had to cook coconut oil to sell to get money to take care of me but one thing was to study hard, I didn't joke with my books so if you learn hard you will make it, you have few years in this school so learn harder to pass and pass well".

The Ellembelle Lawmaker took the opportunity to call on government to provide food items to the Senior High Schools in his area.

"Government must make sure schools get enough and regular food to feed the students because I know for sure that as of now government has not supply the various Senior High Schools with food items", he appealed.

On her part, the Headmistress of Bonzo Kaku Senior High School, Madam Augustina Essel Cudjoe commended Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah for being the first officer to visit the school this year to support them with GHC10,000 for the renovation of the school's boys' dormitory.

She took the opportunity to appeal to the MP to lobby for the school to get a pick-up vehicle for the office of the Headmistress.

"We thank Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah for giving us GHC10,000 to renovate our boys' dormitory. In fact, Hon Armah Kofi-Buah has done a lot for the school, the last time he came here, he gave the students margarine, and the students enjoyed it and they even requested more", she said.

"I will use this platform to appeal to Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah to lobby for the school to get a pick-up vehicle for the office of the Headmistress because as the Headmistress I don't have any vehicle to do my official travels, anytime I want to embark on an official travel, I have to use Okada and in fact, I'm suffering so I will appeal for a vehicle", she made a passionate appeal.

Some of the students who interacted with the media gave thanks to the MP, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah for visiting them to support their school.
The French and German foreign ministers called Friday on Africa to condemn Russian aggression in Ukraine, while pressing for deeper ties between the European Union and countries across the continent.

"It is important to remember that there is an aggressor and an attacked and it is important that everyone tells the aggressor that he must stop," French minister Catherine Colonna said.

"We have common interests and we have expectations of our African friends," Colonna told a press briefing at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The call was echoed by her German counterpart Annalena Baerbock who said that peace in Europe was under attack.

"We need you, we need Africa to defend peace," Baerbock said.

Ukraine and Russia are major suppliers of wheat and other cereals to Africa, and the war's impact has been felt across the continent with sharp increases in the price of fuel, grain and fertiliser.

But many African nations have shown a reluctance to condemn Russia's invasion.

In November, many African countries abstained from a vote at the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution calling for Russia to pay war reparations to Ukraine.

"We see the effect of this brutal Russian war all over the world and especially in the Horn of Africa," Baerbock said, adding that Russia was using grain as a weapon.

The Paris and Berlin envoys spoke at a press conference alongside African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat at the conclusion of a two-day visit to Ethiopia.

"We want to intensify the relationship between the EU and the African Union," said Baerbock. Colonna also advocated for "better integration of the African continent into global governance".

Faki welcomed the "support" of France and Germany in the AU's quest for permanent seats at the UN Security Council.
Dorcas Afo-Toffey, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro Constituency in the Western Region has constructed a potable drinking water project for the pupils and staff of Allengenzule Catholic Basic School.

Allengenzule is a fishing community near Tikobo Number One and its public school has been lacking potable drinking water for many years.

The water project was in fulfillment of a pledge the MP made to the school management during her visit to the school in 2021.

According to the school management, school children have been crossing the major road to far distances to fetch water for the school.

They said the school was established in 1946 and since its establishment, no politician has provided the school with such a life-changing project.

Commissioning the potable water project yesterday, the MP commended the community members and the school management for their commitment, hard work and sacrifices in ensuring that the project came to a successful completion.

She also thanked the contractor for completing the on time.

"Let me thank the contractor for completing the project on time and also thank my Constituency Executives for rallying behind me to execute this important project for the school", she said.

She noted that the major problem facing school children has come to an end. According to her, the school children would no longer cross the major road to fetch water for the school.

"The school management told to me that the school lacks potable water and since its establishment in 1946 students have been crossing the major road to fetch at far distances and no politician has come to their aid and I was touched so I promised to construct a potable water project for the school and today I have come to hang over to the school to be used", she stated.

She added, "I'm very happy that finally the major problem facing the school children has been resolved and now our school children here will no longer cross the road to search for water every blessed day".

She, therefore, tasked the school management to take proper care of the project and pledged to come to their aid whenever it develops any major fault.

Dorcas Afo-Toffey took the opportunity to pledge her commitment to continuing to develop the Jomoro Constituency with or without any court case against her.

"It does not matter I'm an opposition MP and they have taken me to court, I will continue to do my best to develop Jomoro Constituency because I have come to develop Jomoro and I'm the hope of the Constituency. I will therefore need your support and prayers to actualize my dreams for the constituency," she emphasized.

Dorcas Afo-Toffey seized the opportunity to urge schoolchildren to take their studies seriously and stay away from things that would jeopardize their education.

The headteacher of Allengenzule Catholic Primary School, Mr. Augustine Ebulley commended Dorcas Afo-Toffey for the kind gesture and pledged to see to it that the project is maintained to last longer.

He took the opportunity to appeal to the MP to assist the school to complete its ongoing school building.

On his part, the Tufuhene of Allengenzule, Francis Kwasi Buah thanked Dorcas Afo-Toffey for coming to the aid of the school.

He stated that despite the court case the MP was going through, the MP has showed great love to them.

He took the opportunity to commend the MP for supporting the community with GHC1,000 to celebrate their annual festival in December 2022.

He called on his people to rally behind the MP to support the community and the school.

He also appealed to some parents who took their children from the school due to the water problem to return their children to the school.

Moreover, the school children and their parents expressed their happiness for what the MP has done for them and asked God to protect her to do more for the constituency.

The school children pledged to take their education seriously to become like the MP, Dorcas Afo-Toffey in future.
Mr Kwasi Amoako-Atta, Minister of Roads and Highways, says the 2.4- kilometre Ofankor Barrier to Pokuase road dualisation, will be completed in March this year.

After an inspection tour, he said he was impressed with the rate of work, the organisation and the safety precautionary measures taken.

That portion of the Accra to Nsawam road is part of the Rehabilitation of the Ofankor-Nsawam Road Project, a 33.4 kilometre road to be dualized.

Mr Amoako-Atta had toured the project site in the company of some road engineers and directors at the Ministry as part of a visit to some major projects in Accra.

The Minister, who had earlier inspected the project last year November, said: Government attaches so much importance to this project as it has overarching benefits and it is part of the entire Accra-Kumasi dualization.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, he said he was convinced per the progress he saw and the assurances he had that the March deadline given was feasible.

I want to urge the contractor, Maripoma Enterprises Ltd, to keep on with such good works and Government is solidly behind the company and all other companies. Mr Amoako-Atta said.

He urged his directors, contractors and other agencies to liaise and work together without fear or favour to compensate those affected.

Mr Thomas David Arthur, Resident Engineer, said the Contractor had been working day and night to ensure the completion of the 2.4 km stretch with a railway bridge.

So overall, the work done is about 30 per cent and we are far ahead of schedule. We are working day and night and by that approach, we would finish ahead of time, he told the Ghana News Agency.

The Rehabilitation of the Ofankor-Nsawam Road Project started in September 2022, and it is scheduled to be completed in 24 months.

The entire project when completed would have four interchanges with eight lanes from Ofankor Barrier to Pokuase Interchange and 10 lanes from Pokuase Interchange to Nsawam Junction.

Whilst the Ofankor Barrier to Pokuase dualisation would have two lanes of main carriageways and two service lanes, the Pokuase Interchange to Nsawam Junction would have three lanes of main carriageways with two service lanes.

The Minister also inspected works on a flyover over the Motorway from Flowerpot Side View and the interchange at Junction Mall, Nungua, part of the La Beach Road Completion Project.

GNA
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Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joe Ghartey has assured ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor and by extension the entire 'elephant family' that he will not work to divide the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) during his campaign for the party's flagbearer position.

He gave the assurance when he visited the former President at his Aburi Residence in the Eastern Region on Thursday, January 12, 2023.

Announcing to Mr. Kufuor his intention to contest the upcoming presidential primaries of the NPP, Hon. Ghartey says he will not disparage any of the other candidates in the race.

Hon. Ghartey pledged to promote unity in the NPP before, during and after the Presidential Primaries.

Mr. Kufuor was visibly delighted that Hon. Ghartey has visited and informed him about his presidential ambition.

Hon. Ghartey served as Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice and subsequently substantive Minister of Justice under former President Kufuor.

Mr. Kufuor who ruled Ghana from 2001 to 2009, seized the opportunity during the visit to tell how happy he was with the performance and professionalism of Hon. Ghartey as Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Mr. Kufuor appointed Hon. Ghartey as Minister of Justice in 2006.

He recounted how before becoming Attorney-General in 2006, Hon. Ghartey was his mother Obapanyin Ama Dapaah's lawyer first and subsequently lawyer for his elder sister, Nana Durwaa.

Commenting on the conduct of the upcoming primaries, Mr Kufuor cautioned that all the candidates should show sportsmanship and that at the end of the race, whoever wins should be supported by all.

He reminded Hon. Ghartey that NPP as a party does not belong to any single individual and further urged that it was important at all times to protect the integrity of the Party.

According to Mr. Kufuor, he was still confident that the NPP was a better option when it came to the governance of Ghana.

He expressed the hope that the party will work hard and win the 2024 general elections.
Persons with Disabilities numbering about 122 in the Offinso North District of the Ashanti Region have received cash and items ranging from GH1,000 to GH3,304 to help support their businesses and also to improve upon their living standards.

In all, two (2) deep freezers and two fufu pounding machines among others were distributed amounting to GHS9,338.00.

The Assembly also disbursed a total of GHS51, 500.00 cash to some PWDs in the area.

The District Coordinating Director for Offinso North Madam Victoria Akyaa, who on behalf of the Assembly and the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development did the presentation, noted that government intends to sustain such support programmes to mitigate the vulnerability PWDs face in society to improve their livelihood as part of other plans.

She said the 3% of the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) was allocated to enhance PWDs activities.

Madam Adomako opined that the assembly will continue to provide such support to persons with disabilities every year in order to alleviate poverty in the area.

She said previously, monies were given to PWDs, but instead of using the monies for economic ventures, they spent it. As a result of that the government decided to provide kits and equipment to them to undertake economic ventures, depending on their request.

Madam Adomako therefore, advised beneficiaries not to sell the items given to them because first of all the items have been marked and it will also be prudent for them to use the items for economic ventures where they can earn a living.

The chairman for the physically challenged who doubles as the representative for Ghana Federation of Disables Mr. Paul commended the government and also thanked the Assembly for their kind gesture.

He, therefore, pledged that the items would be used for the intended purpose to generate income for their daily bread.
The Sempe Muslim Akwashongtse, Nii Adotey Odaawulu I, has commended the President of The Tijjaniya Movement of Ghana, Sheikh Abdul Wadud Harun Ciessey and the organizers for a successful annual Maulid (Birth of Holy Prophet).

The Sempe Muslim Akwashongtse made the commendation when he and his entourage joined the National Chief Imam of Ghana, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Shaributu, Sheikh Muneeri from Katsina State, Nigeria, a Muslim cleric and well-known philanthropist within the Muslim Communities in Ghana, Malam Alhassan Abokin Ango and among other prominent Muslim personalities across the world to mark the celebration.

The Sempe Muslim Akwashongtse described Sheikh Abdul Wadud Harun Ciessey as a very humble and respectable Muslim leader with a unique leadership quality that calls for all leaders to emulate. This years annual Maulid celebration he said has been one of the best and has brought together prominent Muslims from around the world under one umbrella to foster unity and development within the Muslim Communities in Ghana. The Maulid has been described by many as unique due to measures put in place by the organizers and its related events that seek to promote the good image of the Muslim Communities in Ghana and the world.

Nii Adotey Odaawulu I, revealed that the celebration of Maulid was aimed at preaching the seera of the Holy Prophet and it requires that the people practice the deeds of the prophet in their daily activities. He called on Muslims especially the youth to practice good habits and ensure that they propagate Islam at all times adding that Islam is peace and for that matter the need to ensure that peace prevails when dealing with others. The youth were advised to be assertive and diligent since they are the cornerstone of society. The Sempe Muslim Akwashongtse prayed to Allah seeking his blessings, peace, unity, religious co-existence and prosperity for the country. He finally prayed for Allahs mercy and forgiveness to the souls of departed ones.

The Ashanti Regional annual Maulid took place last Saturday under the leadership of the President of the Tijjaniya Muslim Movement of Ghana, Sheikh Abdul- Wadud Harun Ciessey aiming to bring all stakeholders together to promote unity and togetherness. The event was interspersed with lectures, thanksgiving to Allah and praises to Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him). The occasion was also graced by Zongo Chiefs, Imams, women groups, Youth Groups and among others.
Governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers State, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe has said the people of the state irrespective of their ethnic nationalities need to work together to create the state they all dream about.

This he said if elected as governor of the state, his administration will ensure fairness and justice for every part of the state.

Abe spoke in Port Harcourt, the state capital while addressing candidates from other political parties, who came together to endorse him.

The SDP Governorship Candidate said: "What you have asked is that we should treat Rivers people fairly, treat them justly and do justice in this land so that people can enjoy in their own laughter.

"That is all I have been talking about. I also want to ask Rivers State people because by now it is clear to all that if it is by voting and it will be by voting I will be the governor on the 29th of May.

"I also want to ask of Rivers people, the governor alone cannot change our State. The governor alone cannot alter our destiny. Even all of us together cannot turn us into Dubai.

"We will need the grace of God but most importantly we will need to work together as one. From the 29th May there is no Ogoni, Ikwerre, Kalabari, Etche, Ogba, Abua-Odual, Egbema, Wakirike, Andoni, Opobo, Oyigbo, Ekpeye, Igbani. There will be one Rivers State.

Abe thanked the people of the state for the massive support so far given to him, saying that such has never happened in the history of the state.

He said: "I am rarely short of words, but these days increasingly I'm being put into situations where I don't think that anything I say will be adequate or sufficient. What has happened today is unprecedented in the history of politics in Rivers State.

"What has been happening since we started this race has also been unprecedented. Never in the political history of Rivers State have I seen the kind of support and momentum that Rivers people are giving to me in this place.

"This day when I pray to God I don't pray to win because I know that you are with me. I pray to God that God in heaven should not allow me to disappoint you people. It's a very sad thing to happen because the kind of love and support that Rivers people have shown to this course, the kind of faith that is making people to do the things they are doing to ensure that we emerge victorious in this race is uncommon and is divine.

"It is only God that can do this kind of thing. No human being, no matter how strong, no matter how wealthy, no matter how powerful can do what is happening in Rivers State and nobody can stand in front of what is going on.
US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Donald Lu has recently been mentioned frequently in the media while talking about US relations with South Asian nations. This time his visit to Dhaka has generated a buzz in the diplomatic community against the backdrop of unease in Bangladesh-US relations. According to a diplomatic source, he will come to Bangladesh on January 14 to talk about a number of important topics, including trade, business, and collaboration in the areas of security and human rights.

We already knew that US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter Haas unexpectedly visited the residence of a controversial leader of a political organization in Shaheenbagh, Dhaka, on December 14. Soon after his arrival, a group called "Mayer Kanna" attempted to deliver a memo to him, which has forced the US ambassador to depart that area in an awkward scenario. Donald Lu brought up the security issue of the US Ambassador to Bangladesh at that time with the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Washington. Lu's trip to Dhaka is particularly relevant from that perspective.

Who is Donald Lu?

Donald Lu is the main driver of US foreign policy regarding South and Central Asia. He is a foreign service officer with more than 30 years of US government service. During his long diplomatic career, he has served as a political officer in the Peshawar Consulate of Pakistan, a consular officer in Tbilisi, Georgia, and a special assistant and political officer to the ambassador in New Delhi, India. A former US ambassador to Kyrgyzstan and Albania, he has also served as deputy chief of mission in the US embassy in New Delhi from 2010 to 2013. Lu became assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs in the Biden administration in September 2021.

Lus role in South Asia

When Nepal was dragging its feet on ratifying the US-led controversial Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact for the last few years, Lu had warned Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba that there could be "cuts on US aid and assistance" and that the US could deny support and investment that Nepal is receiving from various bilateral and multilateral agencies if the MCC compact was not ratified. Lu had conveyed the same warning to CPN-UML chairman K.P. Sharma Oli and Maoist Center chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda. This was the first strong message to the Nepali political leadership from Washington since Nepal and the US established diplomatic relations in 1947.

Donald Lu has visited Nepal twice since the beginning of the political impasse that started with the dissolution of the parliament in the middle of 2021. Amidst the political upheaval and election atmosphere, he met then Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and Foreign Minister Narayan Kharka in November. Within three months of this visit, the Millennium Challenge Cooperation Project, the largest in the history of Nepal, which has been stalled since 2012, received the approval of the Nepali Parliament.

It is no longer a secret that the United States and India see the Ukraine crisis differently. After the start of the Russia-Ukraine war in February, the West imposed a series of sanctions on Moscow. Despite this, India maintains trade relations with Russia by purchasing fuel oil there. Against this backdrop, Donald Lu visited India in September 2022, where he led the US delegation that participated in the Two Plus Two meeting with the partner countries of the Quad Alliance. After that, in October last year, Donald Lu visited Sri Lanka, which was devastated by the economic and political crisis, and offered full support to the Ranil Wickremesinghe government.

However, Donald Lu's name has been discussed the most after the ouster of Imran Khan in Pakistan. Former PM Khan accused Donald Lu of sending threatening letters and conspiring to oust him. Khan even suggested in an interview with CNN that Lu be fired for interfering with Pakistan's domestic politics and for "bad manners and sheer arrogance." Furthermore, Pakistan's National Security Council (NSC) issued a "strong demarche" over the "threat letter," terming it "blatant interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan."

Undeniably, given South Asia's growing strategic significance for the US, it has taken aggressive or proactive diplomacy to get governments in the region to toe their line. But, these forms of coercive diplomacy may cause "anti-Americanism" to spread in South Asian countries, which may harm the US's long-standing relations with those states.

Bangladesh case and message to Lu

In light of the shifting global environment, a closer relationship with the United States is in both countries' best interests. Bangladesh believes in the USs free and open Indo-Pacific strategy and is looking into the "pros and cons" of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) to determine if the country will benefit from joining it. Bangladesh made it clear that, if it is in Bangladesh's best interests, it will join the US-led Indo-Pacific Business Forum. The United States should extend its hand of friendship to Bangladesh as a major partner in this undertaking.

Since the inception of diplomatic ties, bilateral relations between the two countries have come a long way and improved to a great extent. Washington and Dhaka have extensive cooperation in regional and global security, counterterrorism, and climate change. With regard to trade, education, travel, investments, and other areas, it goes without saying that Bangladesh has closer ties with and more communication with the United States.

Chinese influence in Bangladesh must not be a cause for concern for the US. Because Dhaka is skillfully balancing relations with major nations, especially China, and is aware of and sensitive to the USs concerns in the region, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has openly said that Bangladesh has no military aspirations and sees China, a regional adversary of the US, as a development partner.

It is illogical for Bangladesh to get involved in any power struggles, given geopolitical calculations and high development goals. Dhaka could become a pawn in a global confrontation if it participates in any geopolitical rivalries. Bangladesh thus upholds its foreign policy guiding concept of "friendship to all and malice to none" and supports peaceful coexistence in the area.

Bangladesh expects that Donald Lu would contribute positively to elevating the bilateral relations to a new height where Bangladesh will be taken into account on its own merits. Apart from economic benefits, a strategic partnership with Bangladesh can help the US achieve its goals in South Asia and beyond. In order to clear up misunderstandings and clarify each other's perspectives, both nations must strengthen dialogue and communication at all levels.

Finally, given Donald Lu's unfavorable reputation in the region, his visit to Bangladesh offers him a second chance to demonstrate that promoting regime change in the region is not his assigned task. Instead, it is his duty to maintain cordial relations with the countries. The misperception that he was the mastermind behind the region's regime change can be dispelled if he plays a constructive role in enhancing US-Bangladesh relations.

BY Sufian Siddique

Independent researcher and freelance columnist, Dhaka
A Ghanaian-American family based in the US is mourning the passing of their son who died at a military base in Alabama.

The news has left the family and close friends of the deceased soldier in trauma and shock.

According to the military, the 21-year-old soldier, Pvt. Abdul-Nafsu Latifu was killed in an altercation with another soldier at the Alabama Army post, Fort Rucker, where he was training to become an Army air traffic control operator.

A source revealed that news about his demise was published on local websites in Alabama as early as 11:30 am CST, even though his next-of-kin was officially called four hours later to report that he had been hospitalised and in critical condition.

Pvt. Abdul N. Latifu, until joining the US Army, lived in New York.

He is described as very smart and respectful by all who have encountered him.

As relatives, friends and neighbours visit his New York home to mourn with the family, eulogies and questions continue to pour in.

He was full of life and one of the smartest lads Ive come across, a neighbour said. I cannot seem to comprehend this news because Latifu will not fight anyone for any reason, at best he walks away. So, Im dumbfounded, to say the least, another maintained.

Something is not right about this; someone needs to start saying what really happened, not what theyre feeding us, what are they covering up? a teary friend of the deceased lamented in disbelief.

Preliminary comments from Jimmie Cummings, a Fort Rucker Public Information Officer, only speak to events surrounding the hospitalisation of the deceased following injuries sustained during the supposed altercation.

The communication also suggested the detention of another soldier involved in the incident but falls short of identifying him or her.

The alleged attacker is said to have used an Army-issued steel folding shovel in the assault that caused Pvt. Latifu his life.

A follow-up statement issued by the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker said no formal charges have been filed, but Army Criminal Investigation Division agents are probing the incident.

Maj. Gen. Michael McCurry, the commander of Fort Rucker stated, On behalf of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker, I extend our deepest condolences to Pvt. Latifu's family, friends and community, McCurry said in a statement. Together we mourn the loss of a promising young soldier.

Pvt. Latifu was a trainee in the Armys Advanced Individual Training programme at Fort Rucker where he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, 1st Aviation Brigade.

Loved ones and close friends of the murdered soldier say the communication from the military smacks of a seeming cover-up. It is unclear how far investigations have gone in the murder of the 21-year-old son, brother, uncle and promising soldier, but the army maintains it is conclusively probing the matter.

Source: ClassFMonline.com
The Omanhene of Dormaa, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II says the killing of one person at Bomaa near Duayaw Nkwanta last weekend during the installation of a new chief of the town cannot be attributed to any violent clashes between any feuding parties.

He says there was no violent clash between two families leading to the death of one person but rather a disagreement within one family.

According to Osagyefo Agyeman Badu, those creating the impression that there was violence in the town may have done so as a ploy to get authorities to impose a curfew in the area.

In an interview, the Dormaahene, who also doubles as the President of the Bono Regional House of Chiefs, explained that historically, customarily and traditionally, Bomaa has no royal house by virtue of the fact that Dormaahemaa automatically is also the queen of Bomaa.

He further explained that becoming the chief of Bomaa, per Dormaa custom, is purely by appointment and not by succession and that was how the newly installed chief of Bomaa Barimah Kyeremeh Gyanaa was chosen.

There is nothing like a royal family in Bomaa. Dormaahemaa is the Bomaahemaa because Dormaahene was staying at Bomaa before he moved to Abesim, moved to Jaman, and later to Cote DIvoire, and came back to Dormaa Ahenkro so that has been the case. So, Bomaa doesnt have a queen. Its the Dormaahemaa who is also the queen of Bomaa, Osagyefo Agyeman Badu II clarified.

He added, Initially, it was the Abakomahene (Head of the Royal House) of Dormaa who also served as the Bomaahene but later it was decided that there was the need to install a chief there and that brought in the late chief."

The chief noted that Bomaa has been under the Dormaa stool for over 400 years and questioned the basis for anyone to suggest that the town belongs to a different stool, adding that Barimah Kyeremeh Gyanaa, the newly installed chief of Bomaa is the duly recognized chief of the town and that should settle the matter.

Bomaa became part and parcel of Dormaa in and around 1670 and since then, it has remained under the Dormaa stool and there is no dispute about this.

Around 2007, the then chief of Bomaa passed away after which he was later buried alongside his funeral and so there was the need to install a new chief. So, we began the process as custom demands but some aggrieved family members were against the installation of a new chief," he stressed.

He also expressed worry about some comments purported to have been made on the matter by the Asantehene, Otumfuor Osei Tutu II, as customarily wrong.

According to Dormaahene, he was shocked to hear the Asantehene on tape, after he (the Asantehene) had met with some of the aggrieved persons at Manhyia, telling them that: you know you are lost and you are coming.

Do you know what that means? It means he (Otumfuo is encouraging them to rebel against the customary hold of Bomaa by Dormaa. I realized that it was improper but because I was focused to perform the funeral of my brother who had died. I decided to keep quite because I knew nobody can prevent me from doing what custom permits me to do.

He condemned attempts by some disgruntled persons in the town to rewrite the history of Bomaa and advised everyone to respect the customs and traditions of each paramountcy.
The just-concluded COP27, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, brought together more than 35,000 people from across the globe to deliberate on important actions for addressing the climate.

COP27, dubbed African COP and Implementation COP, raised expectations that decisions from previous conferences, reflecting the needs and priorities of the most vulnerable countries, will begin to be implemented.

After two weeks of negotiations, COP27 adopted the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan "SHIP" as the main decision for guiding ambitious climate actions.

Many see the plan as a way to advance efforts from previous conferences, such as the loss and damage fund. Others, however, feel it falls short in mitigation ambitions.

The highlight of COP27 was the historic decision to establish a fund for responding to loss and damage. It is a significant milestone because it comes after almost three decades of asking and it sets a precedence for climate justice.

"The highlight of COP27 was the historic decision to establish a fund for responding to loss and damage."

Yet to be resolved, however, is the design and operationalization of the fund to support the most vulnerable, especially in the Least Developed Countries and Small Islands Developing States.

The conference did not achieve much success around mitigation. It was unable to reach agreement, for example, on phasing out of coal and other fossils fuel or setting emission peaking periods.

This impedes efforts to limit the average global temperature increase to 1.5c (above pre-industrial levels). To reach this target, we need rapid, deep and sustained reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent (compared to 2010 levels) by 2030.

As they have for many years, participants voiced concerns on delivery of climate finance commitments, especially for adaptation. COP15 delivered only a quarter of its commitment to provide $100 billion a year to developing countries for adaptation.

Authorities expect to advance a process for establishing both the new quantified climate finance goal and the adaptation goal next year. This should be guided by scientific reports and reflect actual needs of the most vulnerable countries.

For the first time in its 27-year history, the conference dedicated a day to the theme of agriculture.

"We, therefore, must urgently and boldly act to save the existence of humanity now and for generations to come."

A key outcome was the launch of the Food and Agriculture for Sustainable Transformation initiative. The initiative aims to improve the quantity and quality of climate finance contributions to transform agriculture and food systems by 2030.

The role of non-state actors was again recognized  notably youth, local communities, indigenous people, cities and civil society. All have been playing important roles in urging governments to deliver on their promises.

As the cliche goes, the end of one COP is the start of preparations for the next one. Countries and non-state actors, therefore, will need to regroup, assess the key outcomes from COP27 and identify priorities for COP28.

Their priorities should surely include designing and operationalization of the loss and damage fund, finalizing the establishment of the adaptation goal and advancing a new quantified climate-finance goal process.

Just as important, they will expect delivery on climate finance commitments and enhanced emission-reduction goals through National Determined Contributions and other bilateral and multilateral alliance efforts.

With the first global assessment expected to take place in the next COP, it will be crucial for countries to assess and eventually enhance their actions and support as per their obligations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

As the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says, "Our planet is still in the emergency room and humanity is on a highway to climate hell."

We, therefore, must urgently and boldly act to save the existence of humanity now and for generations to come.
Jean-Paul Adam is the Director for Technology, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management at the UN Economic Commission for Africa. At COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh in November 2022, Mr. Adam very actively advocated Africas needs. In this interview with Africa Renewals Kingsley Ighobor, Mr. Adam discusses Africas gains at COP27 as well as lingering issues, particularly on loss and damage:

What are the key takeaways for Africa from COP27?

It's a mixed result. Many people have focused on the principle of a facility on loss and damage. We should not underestimate how much of a game changer this is because it's a recognition that the most vulnerable countries will require urgent financing to address the immediacy of the climate crisis.

The other side of the coin is that the various COPs, including COP27, have been very process-oriented.

While the establishment of the fund is a victory, the fact is that resources are not going to flow immediately. There is still a huge debate about how it will be funded and who will pay into the fund. And these issues are fundamental to an effective operational modality that will allow funding to flow to those who need it the most.

We have seen floods in Nigeria and in Pakistan. We see the drought in Somalia and the Horn of Africa. All these issues are costing lives and property, and there is no mechanism at present to quickly provide resources to address the reality of the climate crisis for the most vulnerable. That sums up a little bit where we are with the COP27 outcome.

Africa has shown ambition in terms of where it wants to act but doesn't have the resources.

From Africas perspective, was COP27 a net positive or a disappointment?

It depends on expectations beforehand. Personally, I was pessimistic before COP27 and the adoption of the facility on loss and damage was a pleasant surprise. If you had asked me before COP27 if we will get it, I would have said no.

I think that we take progress where we can get it.

We must recognize the fantastic leadership of African negotiators and the COP27 Presidency.

But we should not let a victory distract us from the immediacy of the problem. We should not just fall into the same cycle of previous COPs where a lot essentially goes into the process for another year.

On loss and damage, the UN Secretary-General [Antonio Guterres] has called for a global windfall tax on fossil fuel companies. This can be done immediately and would generate resources for loss and damage in the interim.

We have seen the value of climate advocacy at the individual level. The majority of voters around the world now see climate change as a major issue, and politicians are trying to respond to that. In the worst-case scenarios, politicians are paying lip service to climate change issues and trying to sit on the fence. In the best-case scenarios, they are moving to real action. There's a real value in citizens making sure that governments stick to the promises that they have made.

Many countries are looking to tax these companies for their own treasuries, but we need global solidarity.

The other positive is that I saw a lot of ambition and determination from African countries seeking to implement climate resilience on their own terms, based on the resources that they have; whether in terms of adopting energy pathways that are more resilient and sustainable or actually investing in climate adaptation.

I also saw that the interest in carbon credit markets is not only about raising finance, it's also because to claim the credits you have to invest in real projects that benefit people. A number of countries are looking at this precisely through that double-benefit prism. It's not just about the money you can raise, it's about channeling the resources to people who need them the most.

From Africas perspective, what needs to be done at the regional and national levels to move the needle on the key issues?

There are a few urgencies. The first one is around energy because energy will support Africas transformation. I choose the word transformation rather than transition because I think in Africa, we have to be looking at how we move the needle, not just in terms of our commitments under the Paris Agreement, but what it means to transform the economies of African countries. And that starts with energy access.

We have 24 countries out of 54 that have less than 50 per cent of their population without access to electricity. The first step to transforming these economies is energy access.

From the perspective of what is the most affordable and direct way to achieve energy access in the majority of countries, renewable energy is now actually the cheapest form of energy. We have to be realistic though, to address the issues of intermittency in some countries.

Some countries have hydro and some geothermal, but the focus must be on investment plans that are realistic and that allow access to energy and sustainable industrialization.

That's priority number one for Africa.

The most important thing that citizens can do is to demand action at the level of individual governments because it starts with asking that they act in the context of the Paris Agreement.

Secondly, it's about channeling investment into adaptation, which allows countries to deal with resilience and support populations on the frontline of climate change. This is dealing with things like agriculture, coastal fisheries - bread and butter issues. It's about properly securing the supply chain around food production within the continent.

We need to look at how we can use the levers of the African Continental Free Trade Area [AfCFTA] to better connect food producers and consumers on the continent and have a sustainable food production and consumption model that is aligned with the principles of a circular economy. That will make us more sustainable in terms of climate and will help improve livelihoods.

The third aspect is the mobilization of resources that can be invested to create this virtual circle. There has to be continued advocacy for the countries that have caused the damage to uphold the commitments they made under the Paris Agreement and provide the resources.

There is also a lot to be said for domestic resource mobilization opportunities and this includes tapping into carbon credit markets. It involves how we can refinance existing debt, in some cases debt suspensions or debt cancellations, refinancing existing debt on more affordable terms.

It's also about using emerging facilities such as the Resilience and Sustainability Trust of the IMF and mobilizing the developmental opportunityhaving more resources through banks such as the African Development Bank (AfDB).

A focus on these issues will simultaneously contribute to commitments under the Paris Agreement and transform African economies.

You just mentioned there are many lingering issues in the loss and damage conversation. Do you think these issues can be resolved between now and COP28?

It's possible. People who have attended many COPs tend to sometimes see the negative because we get bogged down in the process. I think the pandemic and the armed conflict in Ukraine have shown us the limitations of multilateralism.

There is a big dose of geopolitics affecting every decision taken at the global level. This is leading to a certain amount of inertia and worse, it is also leading to a lack of solidarity. But the reality is that on climate change, and certainly on the current trajectory, everyone loses.

Nonetheless, I remain optimistic because it is very hard to get countries to agree on anything in this environment. The deal on loss and damage is, nonetheless, an indication that multilateralism is still alive and we just have to make sure that the process does not become the goal.

For people who are not climate negotiators and who don't necessarily make the policies, what should they do between now and COP28 to move the conversation forward in a meaningful way?

Many things. We have seen the value of climate advocacy at the individual level. The majority of voters around the world now see climate change as a major issue, and politicians are trying to respond to that. In the worst-case scenarios, politicians are paying lip service to climate change issues and trying to sit on the fence. In the best-case scenarios, they are moving to real action. There's a real value in citizens making sure that governments stick to the promises that they have made.

The most important thing that citizens can do is to demand action at the level of individual governments because it starts with asking that they act in the context of the Paris Agreement.

Are you seeing any impact in Africa of such citizen activism?

Absolutely. Of course, there's still a lot to be done in terms of ensuring that everyone fully understands the complex and multifaceted issues around climate change.

I think there is now more awareness of how the climate crisis impacts our everyday life and how it will impact our future. And there is a lot of anger in Africa that African countries and citizens contribute the least to this issue but are paying the most in terms of impact on their daily lives.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
January 13, 2023

Ukraine Open Thread 2023-12

Only for news & views directly related to the Ukraine conflict.

The current open thread for other issues is here.

Please stick to the topic. Contribute facts. Do not attack other commentators.

Posted by b on January 13, 2023 at 14:43 UTC | Permalink

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January 13, 2023

Why Didn't Biden Just Burn Those Classified Documents?

On Monday CBS launched a story about classified papers found in a former office of president Biden. I am curious why the story came out and why it came out now.

U.S. attorney reviewing documents marked classified from Joe Biden's vice presidency found at Biden think tank

Attorney General Merrick Garland has assigned the U.S. attorney in Chicago to review documents marked classified that were found at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington, two sources with knowledge of the inquiry told CBS News. The roughly 10 documents are from President Biden's vice-presidential office at the center, the sources said. CBS News has learned the FBI is also involved in the U.S. attorney's inquiry. The material was identified by personal attorneys for Mr. Biden on Nov. 2, just before the midterm elections, Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president confirmed. The documents were discovered when Mr. Biden's personal attorneys "were packing files housed in a locked closet to prepare to vacate office space at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C.," Sauber said in a statement to CBS News.

The story was kept under the wraps for more than two month. Biden's lawyers, who allegedly found the documents, informed the National Archive which took possession them the next day. It then informed the Attorney General who assigned a U.S. attorney and involved the FBI.

That is at least how the story is told.

But I am curious on how much back and forth there was between Biden's lawyers and the White House after the find. That the lawyers did not ask Biden or his handlers how to proceed with the documents before informing the National Archive can be excluded. The alleged find was easy to hide. The National Archive is said to not have known anything about the documents. The lawyers were bound by their attorney client privilege that would have prohibited them from talking about the issue.

By informing the National Archive, which then involved others, it was made inevitable that someone would let the media know about this.

So why weren't those documents just burned up? Why not avoid the scandal that has now been reinforced by a second find of such documents, this time in a garage at Biden's home in Wilmington? Who made these decisions?

Biden is not an honest man when it comes to political issues. He is not a stranger to covering things up.

The decision to let this out, to not cover it up, is so far unexplained. The whole thing can only hurt Biden. It also disables the Democrats of using Trump's withholding of classified papers as a weapon against him.

Was it the very special content of the classified documents that made this move necessary? Or is there something else that we do not yet know about? Something that led to the judgment that the current limit hangout of some dirty linen is better than to have a real scandal come to the public's knowledge.

The whole thing is puzzling.

Posted by b on January 13, 2023 at 14:34 UTC | Permalink

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TUESDAYS RUTHERFORD COUNTY SCOREBOARD BASEBALLBlackman 7, Oakland 3Siegel 5, Riverdale 1La Vergne 13, Cane Ridge 2Stewarts Creek 5, Smyrna 1Eagleville 4, Middle TN Monarchs...

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The City of Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee Electric have finalized the property swap for land along Veterans Parkway that includes a proposed park in the western portion of Murfreesboro, according to a news release from the city.

The property previously owned by the city is located along Veterans Parkway, Burnt Knob Road, Vaughn, and Blackman roads near I-840. The property is designated for a future Commercial Highway /Business Park.

The property previously owned by MTE is in West Murfreesboro one mile south of the city property along Veterans Parkway. Previously, MTE planned to develop the site as its headquarters but now is investing in redevelopment of its campus on New Salem Highway to accommodate current and future needs.

The agreement exchanges property owned by the city for property owned by MTE for equal price. The City Council approved rezoning the MTE property to Commercial Highway and Gateway Design Overlay-1 that will enhance its use for economic development. The city commits to extend sewer to the MTE property north of I-840, which is already in planning and design.

The City Council voted last June to approve an exchange of property with MTE for land that will include a park and other public and community uses.

The land the city acquired from MTE is better positioned for a community park in the western part of the community that will include parkland, green space, walking trails, and recreational amenities, Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland said in the news release.
Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford has named Brittney Urso as hospital administrator for the new Westlawn Neighborhood Hospital that will serve Murfreesboros Blackman community.Most recently she was Interdisciplinary Director of the Clinical Decision and Medical/Surgical Units at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford. She has been with Ascension Saint Thomas since 2015.It is an honor to transition into the Hospital Administrator role as []
Chinese premier stresses implementation of policies supporting market entities

Xinhua) 17:02, January 13, 2023

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang chairs a symposium during an inspection of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), Jan. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has underlined efforts to implement policies properly in order to help market entities overcome difficulties, as well as deepening reforms to spur market vitality and public creativity.

Li made the remarks during an inspection of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on Monday. He also chaired a symposium on the same day.

While listening to a report at the National Intellectual Property Administration, Li learned that the average time taken by the patent review process has been cut by one third compared with five years ago.

He urged efforts to provide services with higher quality and efficiency to accelerate the application and transformation of innovation and promote industry upgrade.

At a data analysis center of the SAMR, Li learned that China's market entities have increased in number from 55 million 10 years ago to 169 million now, while there are more than 110 million self-employed individuals. Efforts should be made to continue fostering market entities, Li said.

China has made use of the combination of reforms and preferential policies to nurture and foster market entities in recent years, Li said at the symposium. The moves have played a key role in maintaining the stable operation of the economy, he added.

Li said that market entities, especially the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as self-employed individuals, are facing difficulties and some new problems. In view of this, he emphasized efforts to maintain policy stability and continue implementing the previously-introduced package of policies to stabilize the economy and the follow-up measures thoroughly.

Efforts should also be made to respond to the concerns of market entities, help them with problems relating to labor, credit funds, the supply of raw-materials and other issues, and prompt a quick resumption of work and production after the holiday, according to Li.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visits the National Intellectual Property Administration on Jan. 9, 2023. Li also chaired a symposium during an inspection of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on Monday. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talks with staff members during an inspection of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), Jan. 9, 2023. Li also chaired a symposium at the SAMR on Monday. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang learns about the development trend of market entities at a data analysis center during an inspection of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), Jan. 9, 2023. Li also chaired a symposium at the SAMR on Monday. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Readers, happy Friday the Thirteenth!

Bird Song of the Day

Snowy-throated Kingbird, Santuario Historico Bosque de PomacRuta de la Cortarrama, Lambayeque, Peru. And I hope the Peruvian general strike is going well.

* * *

Politics

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51

Heres food for thought, had Ahab time to think; but Ahab never thinks; he only feels, feels, feels Herman Melville, Moby Dick

So many of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in fact a rational management of symbolic capital. Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles

Capitol Seizure

The Failures of the January 6 Report [Jeet Heer, The Nation]. But the report issued by the committee also has a broader purpose: to establish a convincing account of the coup attempt that can shape public memory. Harvard historian Jill Lepore, writing in The New Yorker, offered a scathing critique of the report, convincingly portraying it as a narrowly focused indictment of Donald Trump that ignores broader political forces that created the coup. In 2016, Donald Trump ran on the boast I alone can fix it. The January 6 report merely flips the script by saying Trump alone can break it. A truer account of the origins of January 6 that tried to move beyond Trump could find genuine bipartisan responsibility if it focused on shared policy failures. The Clintonian embrace of neoliberalism in the 1990s wreaked economic havoc on the working class that made Trumps demagoguery more persuasive. Bipartisan support for the Global War on Terror after 9/11 helped legitimize the xenophobia that Trump would come to exploit and created a nation fearful of the world. The failure of the Obama administration to push for a strong stimulus in 2009 and 2010 ensured a lost economic decade, again driving desperation. Lepore doesnt address any of these salient issues of policy. Her focus is on blaming partisan rhetoric and social media.

Biden Administration

GOP races to suggest Trump equivalency in Biden-linked classified docs [Politico].  Whenever you see the word races in a headline, think not organic. The cause of the race is always orthogonal to the story, and almost always not presented within it.

2024

McCarthy says he will look at expunging Trump impeachment [The Hill]. In the last Congress, a group of more than 30 House Republicans led by Rep. Markwayne Mullin put forward a resolution to expunge Trumps impeachment in the wake of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. The resolution was supported by the fourth-ranking Republican in the House, Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (N.Y.). A smaller group, again led by Mullin, also introduced a resolution to expunge Trumps December 2019 impeachment for allegedly attempting to withhold military aid from Ukraine in an effort to pressure the country to investigate the business dealings of President Bidens son Hunter Biden.  Hmm.

Republican Funhouse

Rep. George Santos finances are raising questions. Heres what public records show [USA Today]. In his first disclosure to the House, filed in May 2020, Santos reported a commission bonus worth somewhere north of $5,000 from a New York company called LinkBridge Investors. The same day, he filed an amendment to the disclosure saying he made $55,000 from LinkBridge in 2019.  Most of this raises the more interesting question of why this oppo was never done in the first place (or if it was done, why it wasnt conveyed to Santoss opponent). I cant get into a moral panic about campaign finance, my bad. House Republicans Cant Even Tolerate the Word Labor [Ed Kilgore, New York Magazine]. But the committees rechristening as the House Committee on Education & the Workforce reflects a tradition of Republican labor hostility that has grown more remarkable as the GOP has come to think of itself as the party of working people with white* non-college-educated folk at the core of its electoral coalition. The GOPs self-identification with the horny-handed sons and daughters of toil is central to its claim that the Democratic Party is now a vassal of woke coastal elitists with Ph.D.s, whose ground troops are Big Government leeches and the immigrants who want to join them at the welfare trough But deep-seated Republican fidelity to the interests of capital, as opposed to labor, keeps bubbling up to the surface, not least in GOP refusal to countenance the very term labor. Just as they did when they took over the House in 2010, and before that in 1995, Republicans immediately got labor out of the committees title.  NOTE * Wrong. Its well-known that Trump increased Republican vote share in what Democrats used to call the coalition of the ascendant (i.e., non-whites). Now, I see the qualifier GOPs self-identification, but self-identification of party apparatchiks will follow the votes.

Democrats en Deshabille

Patient readers, it seems that people are actually reading the back-dated post! But I have not updated it, and there are many updates. So I will have to do that. lambert I have moved my standing remarks on the Democrat Party (the Democrat Party is a rotting corpse that cant bury itself) to a separate, back-dated post, to which I will periodically add material, summarizing the addition here in a live Water Cooler. (Hopefully, some Bourdieu.) It turns out that defining the Democrat Party is, in fact, a hard problem. I do think the paragraph that follows is on point all the way back to 2016, if not before: The Democrat Party is the political expression of the class power of PMC, their base (lucidly explained by Thomas Frank in Listen, Liberal!). It follows that the Democrat Party is as unreformable as the PMC is unreformable ; if the Democrat Party did not exist, the PMC would have to invent it. If the Democrat Party fails to govern, thats because the PMC lacks the capability to govern . (PMC modulo class expatriates, of course.) Second, all the working parts of the Party reinforce each other. Leave aside characterizing the relationships between elements of the Party (ka-ching, but not entirely) those elements comprise a network  a Flex Net? An iron octagon?  of funders, vendors, apparatchiks, electeds, NGOs, and miscellaneous mercenaries, with assets in the press and the intelligence community. Note, of course, that the class power of the PMC both expresses and is limited by other classes; oligarchs and American gentry (see industrial model of Ferguson, Jorgensen, and Jie) and the working class spring to mind. Suck up, kick down. * * * Democrats identification as liberal at new high in Gallup polling [The Hill]. While more than 6 in 10 white Democrats identify as liberal, only 39 percent of Black Democrats and 41 percent of Hispanic Democrats also do so. Both figures for the latter two groups still represent almost 20-point increases since 1994. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pledges to put aside differences with Democratic leadership after Republican concessions to far right [WSWS]. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, confronting growing left-wing opposition to her subservience to the Democratic Party, gave an explanation which was as revealing as it was pathetic. I see some people say Dems should negotiate to get concessions, she said in a social media post this week. We do, but what we dont do is bring them publicly in order to empower not just Republicans but the fascist flank of the Republican Party. This statement tracks with her record in Congress: The class struggle must be suppressed for the sake of the institutional security of the imperialist Democratic Party and the Biden administration. For this same reason Ocasio-Cortez and the DSAs congressional representatives illegalized the rail strike and denounced left-wing criticism of Biden as privileged and racist.  Thomas Frank is right on this. The Democrat Party as presently constituted cannot defeat fascism.

Realignment and Legitimacy

Justice Has Finally Prevailed: Former Student Celebrates Shutdown of Fundamentalist School Where He Says He Was Abused [The Roys Report].  There must be a study out there that compares various Christian denominations for levels of abuse; but Ive never seen it. However, it doesnt seem to me that Christianists and Catholics differ much in that regard.

#COVID19

Lambert here: I am but a humble tapewatcher, but unlike Eric Topol, Im not calling a surge, because the last peak was Bidens Omicron debacle, and after an Everest like that, whats left? Topols view is the establishment view: Hospital-centric. Mine is infection-centric. I do not see the universal acceleration or doubling in cases that I would expect to see based on past surges.

I am calling a Something Awful. Its gonna be bad, in some new way, and we dont know how, yet (but see here for immune system dysregulation, which is looking pretty awful). We are now two weeks away from holiday travel, so we should have a result. See below at case data.

Stay safe out there!

* * *

 U.S. Public Health Professional Routinely Mislead the Public about Infectious Diseases: True or False? Dishonest or Self-Deceptive? Harmful or Benign? [Peter Sandman]. From 2016, highly germane. Ive run this before, but never gotten a reaction, so Ill try once more, because its important. Long, and quoting one passage:

It is important to say that the dishonesty of public health organizations and practitioners typically is not entirely conscious. They dont twirl their moustaches and tie maidens to railroad tracks. They dont say to themselves: Now were going to mislead the public. We know were doing it. We know why. Weve decided integrity matters less than the outcome we have in mind. I think that kind of self-aware dishonesty is comparatively rare. 17. On the other hand, public health dishonesty is not entirely unconscious either. Somewhere in the middle realm between deception and self-deception is a place where we dont feel were being dishonest because were not focusing on the truth were hiding. If you catechized us or cross-examined us on the facts of the situation, yes, we do know that X and Y are true, and we do know that what we said gave the impression that X and Y are false  but no, we werent intentionally deceiving anyone. 18. Until 2011, the CDC routinely claimed that the flu vaccine was 7090% effective. When CIDRAP was documenting that this was a wildly optimistic claim, Mike [Osterholm] and I had many debates about whether CDC, ACIP, and the rest of the flu vaccine leadership were misjudging the data or intentionally misrepresenting the data. I think the truth was somewhere in the middle. When they put their minds to it, they sort-of knew that 7090% was too high even for healthy young adults in a year with a good match  and way too high for people my age and older in a year when the match was suboptimal. But when they said 7090%, full stop, they mostly imagined that they were simplifying the science, not misstating the science. I call this misoversimplification. And they almost surely thought that claiming high vaccine efficacy was a crucial path to achieving high vaccine uptake. Almost singlehandedly, CIDRAP forced them to change their efficacy claims. Interestingly, flu vaccine uptake did not collapse as a result.

The issues were seeing with scientific communication and organization behavior are not new, at CDC or elsewhere (remember that public health is primarily a local responsiblity. So where was New York when XBB.1.5 was growing like kudzu all over everything?). Bourdieu, of course, would look at professionals and see professionals grasping their accumulated symbolic capital like grim death, their basic view being that the public is not educable. (This is, of course, false, as citizen science in Long Covid and citizen engineering in Corsi-Rosenthal box manufacture shows.)

 Its interesting to think that one of CDCs social functions is to determine the boundaries of acceptable pro-social behavior:

I was on a committee for our Sunday school, and I tried to push safety guidelines that asked families to test prior to attending school, if theyd had a known covid exposure. And it was rejected. They said that it was unacceptable to ask anyone to do more than CDC guidelines.  Open Windows, #DoNotHotboxChildren (@LaTriSarahtops) January 12, 2023

Of course, when youre dealing with people who have talked themselves into believing that a policy of mass infection is pro-social, that could be a problem.

* * *

 The role of delusion (organic or engineered) in public affairs is often over-estimated:

I just don't understand how anyone could believe that masks make you sick while a virus that invades the lining of every organ in your body doesn't.  tern (@1goodtern) January 12, 2023

Tuchman might call delusion folly, but I think her March of Folly is primarily an account of how the great and the good think, if think is the word I want.

* * *

 WaPo Reporter Adds Value:

Great article in the Washington Post on making a #corsirosenthalbox. (Don't miss the video!) The last line of the article is a classic  " P.S. Making pie crust is harder!" https://t.co/3UAxMoI1Pc  Jim Rosenthal (@JimRosenthal4) January 13, 2023

I dont wish to seem churlish, but three years in?! (I suppose the interval between the invention of the Corsi-Rosenthal box in August 2020 and WaPo taking notice in January 2023  thats [breaking out my calculator] 29 months  is a good metric for the length of time an idea takes to penetrate the PMC hive mind; although acceptance takes longer. Thats almost six Friedman units!

* * *

Case Data

The latest BioBot data:

Lambert here: If we take wastewater data as the best proxy for case data (ignoring the clinical data portion of this chart, which in my view goes bad after March 2022), then were on the downside of a less-than-Biden surge, much like 2021, which also unexpectedly dropped after holiday travel in January. It looks like such data as we have  positivity, New York hospitalization, and MWRA wastewater  confirms this. (I watch New York and Boston so closely because they are both the source of major previous outbreaks and both have international airports, and Boston has lots of students.) Its good that we didnt have a major outbreak, but a return to our previous plateau of mass infection is not good. (This national scenario does not rule out regional surges at all.) Of course, the future lies ahead. Lets wait and see.

Lambert here: The situation with what seems to have been our latest narrow escape reminds me of this passage from H.P. Lovecrafts The Shadow over Innsmouth (similar in theme to Ionescos Rhinoceros come to think of it). The protagonist is in his hotel room at night:

After a time I seemed to hear the stairs and corridors creak at intervals as if with footsteps, and wondered if the other rooms were beginning to fill up. There were no voices, however, and it struck me that there was something subtly furtive about the creaking. I did not like it, and debated whether I had better try to sleep at all. Then, after a long, dreary interval, and prefaced by a fresh creaking of stairs and corridor, there came that soft, damnably unmistakable sound which seemed like a malign fulfilment of all my apprehensions. Without the least shadow of a doubt, the lock on my hall door was being triedcautiously, furtively, tentativelywith a key. After a time the cautious rattling ceased, and I heard the room to the north entered with a pass-key. Then the lock of the connecting door to my room was softly tried. The bolt held, of course, and I heard the floor creak as the prowler left the room. After a moment there came another soft rattling, and I knew that the room to the south of me was being entered. Again a furtive trying of a bolted connecting door, and again a receding creaking. This time the creaking went along the hall and down the stairs, so I knew that the prowler had realised the bolted condition of my doors and was giving up his attempt for a greater or lesser time, as the future would shew. I heard a muffled creaking on the floor below, and thought I could barely distinguish voices in conversation. A moment later I felt less sure that the deeper sounds were voices, since the apparent hoarse barkings and loose-syllabled croakings bore so little resemblance to recognised human speech

We are the protagonist; the noises are the fragmentary data; the monster making the noises by rattling the doors and croaking hoarsely is Covid; and the darkness is the collapse of our public health system. It has been, and continues to be, a very nervous time (or, to pre-empty and convert away from a living in fear trope, a theme of the work is that the protagonist is making a personal risk assessment (debated whether I had better try to sleep), and that the results of said assessment are, well, unexpected.

Transmission

Here is CDCs interactive map by county set to community transmission (the red map, which is the map CDC wants only hospitals to look at, not you.) The map is said to update Monday-Friday by 8 pm:

The previous map:

NOTE: I shall most certainly not be using the CDCs new Community Level metric. Because CDC has combined a leading indicator (cases) with a lagging one (hospitalization) their new metric is a poor warning sign of a surge, and a poor way to assess personal risk. In addition, Covid is a disease you dont want to get. Even if you are not hospitalized, you can suffer from Long Covid, vascular issues, and neurological issues. That the green map (which Topol calls a capitulation and a deception) is still up and being taken seriously verges on the criminal.

Positivity

From the Walgreens test positivity tracker, published January 13:

-3.8.%. Still heading down, faster.

Wastewater

Wastewater data (CDC), January 9:

Thats a lot of red!

January 8:

And MWRA data, January 10:

Lambert here: Unmistakably down, north and south. However, not all the students are back; BU classes begin January 19; Harvards January 22.

Variants

Lambert here: Its beyond frustrating how slow the variant data is. Does nobody in the public health establishment get a promotion for tracking variants? Are there no grants? Is there a single lab that does this work, and everybody gets the results from them? [grinds teeth, bangs head on desk]. UPDATE Yes. See NC here on Pango. Every Friday, a stately, academic pace utterly incompatible with protecting yourself against a variant exhibiting doubling behavior.

NOT UPDATED Variant data, national (Walgreens), December 30:

Lambert here: BQ.1* still dominates, XBB moving up fast. Note all the BQ subvariants; its almost like somethings encouraging them, like maybe a policy of mass infection. Sure hope none of em get lucky, like XBB.

Variant data, national (CDC), December 24 (Nowcast off):

BQ.1* takes first place. XBB coming up fast. (For BQ.1/XBB and vaccine escape, see here.) Here is Region 2, the Northeast, where both BQ.1* and XBB are said to be higher, and are:

Holy moley, XBB.1.5! (Makes clear that Region 2 (New England) varies greatly from the national average. Wouldnt it be interesting if we ended up with different variants dominating different parts of the country.

 As a check, since New York is a BQ.1* hotbed, New York hospitalization, updated January 12:

A retreat from the steady rise I have found so concerning.

 Hospitalization data for Queens, updated January 8:

Deaths

Death rate (Our World in Data):

Total: 1,124,399  1,123,466 = 933 (933 * 365 = 340,545 deaths per year, todays YouGenicist number for living with Covid (quite a bit higher than the minimizers would like, though they can talk themselves into anything. If the YouGenicist metric keeps chugging along like this, I may just have to decide this is what the powers-that-be consider mission accomplished for this particular tranche of death and disease).

Lambert here: Deaths lag, so we have a nice little jump here as a consequence of whatever it is weve been going through.

Its nice that for deaths I have a simple, daily chart that just keeps chugging along, unlike everything else CDC and the White House are screwing up or letting go dark, good job.

Stats Watch

There are no statistics of interest today.

* * *

Finance: Holy high rollers: prosecutors take down phony pastors who targeted immigrants in $28 million Ponzi scheme [MarketWatch]. Im everything you imagine me to be, as long as its good and its Godly. Thats how Dennis Jali, a South African self-proclaimed finance guru sold his Christian-themed program of financial success to crowds of mainly African immigrants at churches and banquet halls in and around Baltimore and Washington, D.C. But while Jali claimed he could multiply their money by as much as 35% through cryptocurrency and foreign exchange investments, prosecutors say it was simply an unholy scam. Not only were Jali and his accomplices not pastors like they claimed, they never made any investments with their clients money, instead using it to finance lavish lifestyles of private jet travel, luxury homes and fleets of fancy cars.  How anybody could read the Bible and imagine Jesus wants them to be rich astonishes me.

* * *

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 62 Greed (previous close: 57 Greed) [CNN]. One week ago: 47 (Neutral). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Jan 13 at 1:38 PM EST.

Under the Influence

A strong dynamic, not only imposing itself on influencers:

Followers want a fantasy girl/guy living in a fantasy world without COVID- and anything that reminds them is an unfollow. You've got folks literally unable to do anything but lie in bed all day, restricting fluids just so they can fake being lean for a 30sec wiggle on video.  Naomi Wu  (@RealSexyCyborg) January 13, 2023

Health Care

Health Care Giants Are Making Millions off of Unfair Medicare Overpayments [Jacobin]. his year, for the first time, a majority of seniors eligible for Medicare will be on privatized Medicare Advantage plans. Now, the insurance companies raking in giant profits from these for-profit plans are mounting a pressure campaign and planning to sue the government to protect years of overpayments theyve extracted from Medicare. A cash cow for big insurers, the for-profit version of Medicare has not been a great deal for the American public. Medicare Advantage plans cost the government more per beneficiary than traditional Medicare, and often wrongfully deny care. Whats more, federal audits have found Medicare Advantage plans systematically overbilling the public  mostly by billing as if patients are sicker than they really are, a scheme known as upcoding. Officials estimate that the private plans collected $650 million in overpayments from 2011 to 2013. The Biden administration is expected to finalize a rule next month to try to recoup some of these overpayments  but Medicare Advantage insurers are threatening to sue if the rule moves forward as written, according to Stat News. If insurers sue, it could further delay the governments efforts to claw back excess payments stretching back more than a decade, as well as future overpayments. The health insurance industry argues that regulators should allow for some level of payment errors  and should only apply new rules to audits moving forward, instead of retroactively punishing past misconduct.  Because of course they do. If only there were some way to deliver health care to without going through the insurance companies at all! Maybe some Democrat elected could hold hearings or sumpin. NOTE On upcoding see NC here, here, and here. Coding is for billing; it has to do with health data only tangentially. Medical coding is a solid and well-paid professional job, even if as presently constituted it should not even exist.

Class Warfare

NUGW union with United Electric, Radio and Machine Workers of America authorized following two-day election [The Daily Northwestern]. The [graduate student] union was authorized after a majority (1,644 to 114) voted in favor of the union.  Holy moley!

The bishops profitable sex workers [Wellcome Collection]. Pursuant to KDs comment here: Although the medieval Church condemned vice, they also viewed sex work as a necessary evil that protected respectable women from the lusts of men. St Augustine (354430), for example, is quoted as saying: Suppress prostitution, and capricious lusts will overthrow society. Medieval brothels were commonly known as stews or stewhouses, as they were once bathhouses where you could literally stew yourself in the hot water. Considerable evidence survives about life in the Southwark stews because of a remarkable document, drawn up in the 15th century, which allowed the Bishop of Winchester to sanction and profit from sex work in his jurisdiction. The Ordinances Touching the Government of the Stewholders in Southwark under the Direction of the Bishop of Winchester sets out 36 regulations for those working in the stews, and the fine each infraction would incur. So profitable did this venture prove that the sex workers of Southwark came to be known as Winchester Geese.'

News of the Wired

Does anybody know ground zero for the gas stove moral panic? It randomly appeared on timeline, but I have no idea what triggered it:

BREAKING: The phrase now were cooking with gas has been added to Stanfords list of harmful language  Joel Berry (@JoelWBerry) January 12, 2023

* * *

Contact information for plants: Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) find out how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal and (b) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. From CW:

CW writes: We had a pretty big snow fall the week before the big Xmas storm. Readers will see some young beech trees with leaves still attached as discussed recently.

Readers, I could use just a few more plants!

* * *

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Yves here. The Los Angeles Police Department has a long-standing, very bad relationship with the community, particularly the black community. Even though this story indicates a suspect decided to leave the scene of a car accident, the police had him on the ground and completely under their control when they Tasered him to death. This is an execution, pure and simple. I hope the police officers who did this rot.

By Jake Johnson, staff writer at Common Dreams. Originally published at Common Dreams

Harrowing video footage released this week shows officers with the Los Angeles Police Department forcibly restraining and repeatedly using a Taser on 31-year-old Keenan Andersona high school teacher and cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullorsfollowing a traffic accident.

Soon thereafter, Anderson was transported to a local hospital where he suffered cardiac arrest and died.

Footage of the incident shows one LAPD officer holding Anderson down with an elbow on his neck while another, wielding a Taser, yells orders for Anderson to turn over.

I cant, Anderson says as he struggles to breathe. Theyre trying to George Floyd me.

Seconds later, one of the officers uses the Taser on Anderson several times as he pleads for help.

Watch (warning: the video is disturbing):

They are trying to George Floyd me  Keenan Anderson English Teacher, friend, mentor and so much more tased to death by the LAPD in this encounter:pic.twitter.com/EHgrFUx9dX  Isaac G. Bryan (@ib2_real) January 12, 2023

Anderson, who was visiting Los Angeles on winter break, was a 10th grade English teacher at the Digital Pioneers Academy in Washington, D.C.

In a statement, the school said it is deeply saddened by Andersons death and called the details of the police encounter as disturbing as they are tragic.

Keenan is the third person killed by the Los Angeles Police Department in 2023, and were 12 days into the new year, the statement notes, referring to the police killings of 45-year-old Takar Smith and 35-year-old Oscar Sanchez earlier this month.

Last year, U.S. police killed at least 1,176 people, the highest number on record. A Reutersinvestigation published in 2017 showed that more than 1,000 people in the U.S. have died after police stunned them with Tasers, and the stun gun was ruled to be a cause or contributing factor in 153 of those deaths.

Keenans family deserves justice, the Digital Pioneers Academy said in its statement. And our students deserve to live, to live without fear, and to have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.

Cullors, the Black Lives Matter co-founder, said in an interview with The Guardian that my cousin was asking for help, and he didnt receive it. He was killed.

Nobody deserves to die in fear, panicking and scared for their life, Cullors continued. My cousin was scared for his life. He spent the last 10 years witnessing a movement challenging the killing of Black people. He knew what was at stake and he was trying to protect himself. Nobody was willing to protect him.

Summarizing the video footage released by the LAPD, The Guardians Sam Levin reportedthat an officer who first arrived to the car collision at around 3:30 pm at Venice and Lincoln boulevards found Anderson in the middle of the road, saying, Please help me.'

The officer told him to go on the sidewalk, and issued commands, saying, Get up against the wall,' Levin noted. Anderson held his hands up, responding, I didnt mean to. Im sorry. Anderson complied with the officers commands and sat down on the sidewalk. After a few minutes, he appeared to be concerned with the officers behavior, saying, I want people to see me, and Youre putting a thing on me. Eventually, Anderson started to flee, at which point the officer chased him on his motorcycle, shouting, Get down to the ground, now, and Turn over on your stomach. Anderson repeatedly responded, Please help me, and Theyre trying to kill me, as multiple officers arrived and held him down.

In a statement issued Wednesday following the release of the video footage, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she has grave concerns about the deeply disturbing tapes.

Full investigations are underway, said Bass. I will ensure that the citys investigations will drive only toward truth and accountability. Furthermore, the officers involved must be placed on immediate leave.

No matter what these investigations determine, however, the need for urgent change is clear, the mayor continued. We must reduce the use of force overall, and I have absolutely no tolerance for excessive force.
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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(Natural News) President Joe Biden is now planning to ban gas stoves as part of his administrations proposal to control so-called climate change. But critics like InfoWars founder Alex Jones think it is a part of a larger plan to control peoples lives.

Theyre systematically claiming theyre replacing your stoves and your cars and the coal plants and everything else in your farms with sustainable things. Now they make up the atmosphere. It gives them the pseudoscience excuse to take control of everything and make you go on to the replacement, Jones said.

The proposal comes as state and local policymakers are also making parallel efforts to target natural gas usage in buildings in a push to deal with climate warming emissions like methane that supposedly exacerbate climate change.

At least 100 cities and counties in the United States have already adopted policies requiring or encouraging a move away from fossil fuel-powered buildings. The most significant of these proposals is an ordinance passed by the New York City Council in 2021 banning natural gas hookups in new buildings smaller than seven stories. Another proposal passed by the California Air Resources Board banned the sale of natural gas-fired furnaces and water heaters beginning in 2030.

More recently, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul sneaked a proposal into the New York Housing Compact banning the sale of new gas stoves, and mandating that all new construction be zero-emission starting in 2025 for small buildings and 2028 for large buildings.

The federal governments potential ban on gas stoves is supposedly due to the harmful indoor air pollutants emitted by those appliances, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), who claimed that gas stoves can cause a variety of respiratory and other health problems. (Related: Study: Gas stoves can emit dangerous chemicals that can cause CANCER.)

This is a hidden hazard, said Richard Trumka Jr., a CPSC commissioner, in an interview. Any option is on the table. Products that cant be made safe can be banned.

In a later clarification, the Trumka said the CPSC isnt coming for anyones gas stoves and that any new regulations passed would apply only to new products.

Increased ventilation  not ban on gas stoves  is the key to improve indoor air quality while cooking

About 40 percent of homes in the U.S. use natural gas-powered stoves. The CPSC claims these stoves emit dangerous air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and fine particulate matter at levels both the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization have declared unsafe and linked to respiratory illness, cardiovascular problems, cancer and other health concerns.

There is about 50 years of health studies showing that gas stoves are bad for our health, and the strongest evidence is on children and childrens asthma, said Brady Seals, a manager for clean energy group RMI. By having a gas connection, we are polluting the inside of our homes.

In a statement, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers said a ban would be very ill-advised, as it would remove an affordable and preferred technology from more than 40 percent of homes across the country.

A ban would fail to address the overall concern of indoor air quality while cooking, because all forms of cooking, regardless of heat source, generate air pollutants, especially at high temperatures, said the group. A focus on increased use of ventilation is an effective solution to improve indoor air quality while cooking.

Learn more about climate policies passed by governments around the world at GreenTyranny.news.

Watch this clip from InfoWars as host Alex Jones discusses Bidens possible ban on gas stoves and how this is the next step in the Great Reset lockdown on energy use.

This is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

Natural gas prices in Southern California SURGED 128% since December.

California bans gas-powered water heaters and furnaces to push green agenda.

Now the climate greenies are going after natural gas, want it eliminated from homes nationwide.

US cities banning natural gas connections to new buildings in an all-electric shift, increasing burdens on the power grid.

Climate lunatics are working to ban natural gas stoves, forcing consumers to rely on electric burners that are mostly powered by coal.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Bloomberg.com

NYPost.com

NBCNews.com
(Natural News) Chinese journalist David Zhang warned that China is preparing to launch an invasion of Taiwan and that it could come as early as 2024.

Zhang made this statement during an interview with Brannon Howse on his Worldview Report program, Worldview Radio with Brannon Howse. According to Zhang, it is possible that China wants to launch an invasion by the end of 2024 due to it being an election year. (Related: Biden commits to sending American troops if China invades Taiwan.)

I think it will be around the earliest  I just think that the timing would work out really well, will be around the 2024 presidential election in the United States, he said. Because thats when you have instability in terms of switching administrations, or if you have a second Biden administration, but I think that will be a good time.

Zhang added that 2024 is also an election year for Taiwan, with the island nations presidential election scheduled before April 2024. Current President Tsai Ing-wen, who has positioned herself as an opponent of Beijing and against unification with the mainland, is ineligible for a third term due to term limits.

Recent war game shows China still unprepared for Taiwan invasion

A recent war game report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) noted that China is still woefully unprepared for an invasion of Taiwan. According to the think tanks report, if the U.S. and Japan militarily backed Taipei, the invasion would fail  but it would come at a high cost for all parties involved.

In the report, titled The First Battle of the Next War: Wargaming a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan, CSIS experts noted that a military alliance between Taiwan, the U.S. and Japan could defeat a conventional amphibious invasion by China and maintain the island nations independence.

Unfortunately, such a defense would come at the cost of dozens of ships, hundreds of aircraft and tens of thousands of service members. In most scenarios run by the CSIS wargaming team, the U.S. lost approximately 3,200 troops, two aircraft carriers and between 10 to 20 large surface ships.

China, however, would also suffer heavy losses, with some 10,000 troops killed and 155 aircraft and 138 major ships destroyed. Japan is also predicted to lose at least a hundred aircraft and dozens of ships.

The CSIS report noted four factors that need to be met to defeat an invasion: First, Taiwanese forces must not capitulate. Second, the U.S. must bring troops to defend Taiwan. Third, the U.S. must take advantage of its military bases in Japan and use them for combat operations. Fourth and last, the U.S. must be willing to strike the Chinese fleet quickly to grind down the communist nations capability of landing soldiers in Taiwan.

Zhang noted that 2024 is only the earliest possible date for a Chinese invasion, and it could come as late as 2027.

I think were looking at the later half of this decade [for an invasion date], he said. Thats when things will start to go bad, especially if were considering the fact that if theres going to be a recession in the next six months because of bad policies, reckless spending and all that, I think the world will be in a different state than what were seeing now.

Learn more about conflicts around the world at WWIII.news.

Watch this episode of Worldview Radio with Brannon Howse as he interviews Chinese journalist David Zhang on the possibility of China invading Taiwan as early as 2024.

This video is from the Worldview Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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(Natural News) Once again, another Democratic governor virtue signaled to the tyrannical gun control lobby and signed a bill banning so-called assault weapons in the largely rural state of Illinois, despite the fact that, by far, most gun homicides in places like out-of-control Chicago involve handguns.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a measure that bans not only such weapons, but also high-capacity ammunition magazines  you know, because criminals so pay attention to such laws.

As reported by CBS News:

The legislation took effect immediately with Pritzkers signature.

Before signing the bill, Gov. Pritzker raised the memory of the July 4th parade massacre in Highland Park last year  which left seven people dead and 36 injured, and left a 2-year-old boy parentless and wandering around.

The shooter used a legally-purchased semiautomatic weapon. Pritzker said the massacre was allowed to happen all because our state and our nation have been held hostage by the NRA and their allies time and time again.

Thugs using handguns shoot and kill scores of people on a daily basis in Chicago, but Pritzker and his ruling Democratic Party cant be bothered with that.

After nearly every mass shooting, weve seen efforts to ban dangerous weapons thwarted  and then leaders send their thoughts and prayers, while they throw their hands up  resigning themselves to the idea that gun violence is a sacrifice that Americans must accept, Pritzker said. But it doesnt have to be that way.

The authoritarian governor whined that he and the Democrat-controlled state General Assembly have been trying to pass this kind of overly restrictive gun legislation for years with only modest success, but the banning of the class of rifles now outlawed, as well as the high-capacity magazines, had been unattainable before.

Gun violence is an epidemic that is plaguing every corner of this state and the people of Illinois are demanding substantive action. With this legislation we are delivering on the promises Democrats have made and, together, we are making Illinois gun laws a model for the nation, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, Senate President Don Harmon, and Gov. Pritzker said in an earlier joint statement Monday night after majority Democrats approved the measure.

It should be said that this legislation was passed in a lame-duck session, just ahead of new members being sworn in  again, typical behavior from Democrats.

But its not at all clear the law will stand: Federal courts have already struck down similar legislation in other states, and the current Supreme Court is one of the most Second Amendment-friendly in a century.

Those already owning guns on the assault weapons list will be allowed to keep them, but would have to register them with the Illinois State Police. It would still be legal for current owners to possess such weapons on their own private property, at gun ranges, in designated hunting areas, and in other locations, CBS News reported (the word allowed was italicized for a reason since our founders never intended for government to allow citizens to exercise the rights recognized in the Constitution).

Republicans were the realists during debate, noting that criminals are just that, criminals, and laws mean nothing to them.

People who break the law, people who commit violent crime are not going to register their firearms, are not going to turn in their magazines. This will not stop that crime. What will happen is law-abiding gun owners will be yet again impacted by laws in this General Assembly, yet again have their Second Amendment rights restrained, Illinois State Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) said during Tuesdays debate, according to CBS News.

Some Republicans were outright defiant.

We will not comply, and youre not going to do a darn thing about it, because the law, the Constitution, and the founding principles are on our side, said Illinois State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City).

Sources include:

CBSNews.com

SecondAmendment.news
(Natural News) Air travel delays are starting to ease a day after all U.S. flight departures were halted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) due to a pilot safety alert system failure, but questions abound regarding the cause of the incident.

Issues with the Notice To Air Mission system, or NOTAM, began on Tuesday afternoon. The problem is believed to have originated from a damaged database file. The FAA rebooted the system after failing to fix it and then ordered that all departing flights be halted. The order was in place until 9:00 on Wednesday morning.

This spurred a chain reaction of flight delays that ultimately saw more than 10,000 flights delayed and more than 1,300 flights canceled. So far on Thursday, a day after the incident, nearly 900 flights to, from and within the U.S. have been delayed and 91 have been canceled.

The nationwide ground stop, although rare, is a reminder of just how easily Americas aviation system can be brought to a screeching halt, causing significant inconvenience for hundreds of thousands of people.

Just a few weeks earlier, an internal platform at Southwest Airlines became overloaded in the wake of a slew of weather-related cancellations. The fiasco led to several days of delays and cancellations that are expected to cost the airline more than $800 million.

The FAA claims there is no evidence of a cyber attack, but this type of incident illustrates how someone with bad intentions could easily wreak havoc on the nation. It is interesting to note that both the primary and backup systems had somehow been fed the corrupted data file, a source told CNBC. The FAA said in a statement that it is continuing a thorough review to determine the root cause of the NOTAM failure.

Underfunded FAA struggling to keep up with modern travel needs

Critics have long maintained that the FAA, which is tasked with safely managing the nations commercial air traffic, is underfunded and overworked. Among other issues, the agency has faced challenges updating aging processes and systems to stay on top of the latest advances in technology and keep pace with increased air travel. They also suffer from a lack of sufficient air traffic controllers and safety specialists.

The outage led to questions from lawmakers across the political spectrum, and it is expected that there will be hearings regarding providing the regulator with additional funding. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg promised to investigate, telling reporters: When theres a problem with a government system, were going to own it, were going to find it and were going to fix it.

In this case, we had to make sure that there was complete confidence about the safety of flight operations, which is why there was the conservative but important step to have that pause and make sure everything was back up and running.

Experts believe that the ripple effect of yesterdays outage will be felt at least through Friday, and some airlines, such as United Airlines, are already warning travelers to continue looking out for further cancellations and delays.

Canadas NOTAM system also experienced disruptions

Interestingly, Canadas NOTAM system, which is operated by a private nonprofit known as Nav Canada who has been hired to run the countrys air traffic control system, also experienced a brief disruption on Wednesday that rendered it unable to send airlines any new updates. No delays occurred as a result. While Nav Canada is pinning the issue on a computer hardware failure and says that it does not think its outage is related to the one in the U.S., it is a remarkable coincidence that these normally very dependable systems failed in separate incidents in two neighboring countries on the same day.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

Forbes.com

CBC.ca
(Natural News) The House voted to create an Anti-CCP select committee on Tuesday, in an effort to assess and scrutinize Chinas military, economic and technological actions.

(Article by Alex Timothy republished from ThePostMillennial.com)

The committee will be headed by Wisconsin Rep. Mike Gallagher, who is steadfastly critical of China. Lawmakers voted 365-65 to establish the panel, Politico reports.

Heres the good news: There is bipartisan consensus that the era of trusting communist China is over, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said.

This decision shows that there is growing bipartisan distrust with the Asian nation, whose economy is the second largest in the world behind the US. McCarthy promised that Americans will win this competition with Beijing.

The establishment of this committee was the second measure passed by the GOP-led House.

Both Bidens and Trumps administrations had singled out China as the most significant long-term threat to the countrys national security. The creation of this committee comes as Congress has approved massive military spending increases, and as the Chinese military threatens an invasion of Taiwan.

China launched a massive air and sea combat exercise around Taiwan on Sunday, fueling speculation that Beijing was looking to invade the island nation. Bidens National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is hopeful that a war with China over the fate of Taiwan can be avoided, but that it would take hard work.

Lawmakers also authorized billions in military aid for Taiwan in response to Chinas threatening behavior.

Gallaghers plan for the committee is to help separate the United States from its trade and economic ties with China, increase the US military posture, and to eliminate the theft of US intellectual property.

It is time to understand the urgency of the threat. It is time to reclaim our economic independence in key areas, Gallagher said. The select committee will expose the [Chinese Communist Party]s coordinated whole-of-society strategy to undermine American leadership and American sovereignty while working on a bipartisan basis  to identify long-overdue, commonsense approaches to counter CCP aggression.

He is hoping to build a bipartisan consensus on China, with the plan being to put party lines to the side and work together to prevent World War III from breaking out and to win this new Cold War with Communist China.

Read more at: ThePostMillennial.com
(Natural News) Independent news host Kristi Leigh remarked that House Speaker-elect and California congressman Kevin McCarthy is in a straitjacket after agreeing to concessions that secured him the third highest position in the land.

Enough concessions were made to put McCarthy in a straitjacket, she said in a recent episode of her podcast. Those include reducing the number of members needed to initiate a speaker recall to one, and limiting McCarthy and his super PACs (political action committee) meddling in the House GOP primaries.

The former KMPH-TV anchor said McCarthy is officially transitioning to his new role as speaker, which took a historic 15 rounds of voting. The California congressman sealed the deal on Jan. 7 after America First lawmakers from the Republican Party caused the delay.

She pointed out, however, that reservations about the new House speaker are justified because Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell gave his support to McCarthy. The newly-elected leader of the lower chamber of Congress also appears to be well-respected by the World Economic Forum and well-funded by money from the disgraced FTX cryptocurrency exchange. (Related: Tucker Carlson hammers house GOP leader Kevin McCarthy: A puppet of the Democratic party.)

27 GOP lawmakers voted to fund expansion of IRS

Leigh also mentioned that Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz almost instigated a brawl on the House floor after a confrontation with the California congressman. According to a Breitbart report, Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers was on the brink of going after Gaetz during the 14th round of voting. Other GOP lawmakers, however, managed to restrain the Alabama congressman.

The Breitbart report named North Carolina Rep. Richard Hudson as one of the congressmen who intervened to diffuse the tension. As Rogers leaned over to get in the Florida congressmans face, Hudson came behind Rogers and put his hand over the Alabama lawmakers mouth to restrain him. The North Carolina congressman then pulled his agitated colleague away.

The podcast host mentioned that McCarthys first House bill will repeal funding for 87,000 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents. But she mentioned that 27 GOP lawmakers voted in favor of the $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill that includes funding to expand the tax agency. The approval of the omnibus spending bill, Leigh remarked, was tantamount to the GOP and the Democrats betraying American taxpayers.

She also cited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who, according to her, was happy about McCarthy getting the speakership.

The Ukrainian leader was quick to congratulate McCarthy and, at the same time, issue a not-so-discreet reminder to keep the funding for Ukraine going.

Congratulations to [McCarthy] on his election as the Speaker of [the U.S.] House of Representatives, Zelensky tweeted. U.S. support in all fields has been vital for Ukraines success on the battlefield. Were counting on your continued support and further assistance to bring our common victory closer.

VoteRepublican.news has more news about the Republican Party.

Watch the full episode of Kristi Leighs podcast below where she talks about McCarthy being restrained due to the concessions he agreed upon in pursuit of the speakership.

This video is from the KristiLeighTV channel on Brighteon.com.

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(Natural News) In Sept. 2009, Pfizer pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $2.3 billion to settle civil and criminal allegations levied against the Big Pharma company for illegally marketing its arthritis drug for unapproved off-label use.

The drug in question is Bextra, known by its generic name valdecoxib. Bextra was manufactured primarily by Pfizer subsidiary Pharmacia & Upjohn. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Bextra in 2001 for treating arthritis and menstrual cramps.

The FDA did not approve Bextra for treating acute pain. Studies showed it was not more powerful than ibuprofen. Regardless, Pfizer still instructed its sales representatives to lie to doctors and tell them that Bextra could be used to treat acute and surgical pain at doses well above those approved by the FDA. (Related: Pfizer has a shockingly long history of engaging in illegal activities and human experimentation.)

Pfizer was also aware of certain adverse effects associated with taking higher doses of Bextra. These included risks to the kidney, heart and skin. Pfizer did not tell its sales representatives to inform doctors of these potential side effects. In fact, these side effects convinced the FDA to withdraw the drug in 2005, just six years after it was unveiled and just four after it was approved by the FDA.

Among other things, Pfizer did the following: Pfizer invited doctors to consultant meetings, many in resort locations. Attendees expenses were paid; they received a fee just for being there, said Michael K. Loucks, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts at the time and the lead prosecutor of the case.

Pfizer paid $1.3 billion in criminal and $1 billion in civil fines

The $2.3 billion fine was, at the time, the largest healthcare fraud settlement in the history of the Department of Justice. The fine included a criminal fine of $1.195 billion paid by Pfizer. At the time, it was the largest criminal fine ever imposed for any matter. Pharmacia & Upjohn also agreed to forfeit $105 million, pushing the total criminal resolution to $1.3 billion.

In addition to this, Pfizer agreed to pay $1 billion to resolve civil allegations under the False Claims Act for illegally promoting Bextra and three other drugs  Geodon, an anti-psychotic drug; Zyvox, an antibiotic; and Lyrica, an anti-epileptic drug.

This illegal marketing scheme caused false claims to be submitted to Medicare and Medicaid programs for uses that were not medically accepted indications and therefore were not actually covered.

Of the $1 billion civil settlement, the federal government received $668,514,830 for how much the federal Medicare program paid for off-label Bextra purchases. State Medicaid programs received the remaining $331,485,170.

Among the factors we considered in calibrating this severe punishment was Pfizers recidivism, said Loucks. When Pfizer was fined $2.3 billion in 2009, it was Pfizers fourth settlement with the U.S. government over illegal marketing activities since 2002.

As part of the settlement, Pfizer also agreed to enter into a corporate integrity agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. This agreement was intended to put in place procedures and reviews to prevent this kind of conduct from appearing again.

The size and seriousness of this resolution  reflect the seriousness and scope of Pfizers crimes, said Loucks. Pfizer violated the law over an extensive time period. Furthermore, at the very same time Pfizer was in our office negotiating and resolving the allegations of criminal conduct by its then newly acquired subsidiary, Warner-Lambert, Pfizer was itself in its other operations violating those very same laws.

Learn more about the illegal activities of Big Pharma companies like Pfizer at BigPharmaNews.com.

Watch this episode of the Zolna Report as host Gabe Zolna talks about how the FDA approved Pfizers Bextra and then pulled it from the market a few years later.

This video is from the ZolnaReport.com channel on Brighteon.com.

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NEVER FORGET: Pfizer drug trial that killed 11 Nigerian children exposed Big Pharmas MURDEROUS experiments.

NEVER FORGET: In 1994, Pfizer paid $20 million after LYING about defective heart valve that killed hundreds.

Pfizer paid the largest criminal fine in U.S. history  lawsuit details.

Remember when Pfizer paid out $2.3 billion to settle the largest healthcare fraud case in history?

Sources include:

Justice.gov

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Brighteon.com
(Natural News) A young priest revealed that he began suffering cardiac issues after getting injected with the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

Fr. Edward Looney, 33, detailed his battle with cardiac issues since he got vaccinated in a 25-minute video. The priest received two doses of the COVID-19 shot, but has not taken any boosters. According to him, he felt pressured to get vaccinated in February 2021 because hospitals and nursing homes told priests that those who were not fully vaccinated cannot visit.

[After] that very first shot  I get home and I realized that my heart rate was higher than it normally was, Looney shared. But after the second dose, the priests heart rate was even higher  even reaching 180 beats per minute (bpm) at one time. A normal resting heart rate for adults ranges from 60 to 100 bpm.

Since getting injected with the second dose, Looneys heart rate has remained above 100 bpm. (Related: Ohio student developed severe heart problems after second dose of Pfizer vaccine.)

When he initially went to the hospital to seek treatment, the local emergency room dismissed his concerns and told the priest to just have someone observe him and not come in for care. The doctors the priest visited in December 2021 said nothing can be be done to lower his heart rate. Other medical professionals told him they had no idea why he had heart problems, the priest added.

The heart problems have left Looney tired and in need of regular naps. Just walking at 3.5 miles per hour, my heart rate would get up to 150 bpm, he revealed.

Thankfully, Looney recently got in touch with a doctor who put the pieces together. This doctor told him that the post-vaccination issues would seem to point to a causal relationship. No 33-year-old should be resting in bed due to an elevated heart rate, the doctor added.

The priest also shared that he is not the only one suffering the same predicament, as he knows another person who has developed heart problems after their COVID-19 vaccination.

Head of Catholic Church calls COVID vaccination an act of love

While Looney admitted to being pressured to get the COVID-19 vaccine that caused his heart problems, Pope Francis  the overall head of the Catholic Church  would have lauded him for doing so.

Back in August 2021, the pontiff called on people to get the COVID-19 vaccine, arguing that doing so was an act of love. The Jesuit pope from Argentina made this call in a video that featured cardinals from the U.S., Mexico, Honduras, Brazil, El Salvador and Peru.

Thanks to Gods grace and to the work of many, we now have vaccines to protect us from COVID-19, Francis said in his native Spanish. Getting vaccinated is a simple yet profound way to care for one another, especially the most vulnerable.

Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez of El Salvador argued in the video that getting the COVID-19 vaccine helps protect the most vulnerable. Our choice to get vaccinated affects others, he remarked, adding that doing so is a moral responsibility.

The Argentinian pontiff later emphasized COVID-19 vaccination as a moral obligation in January 2022.

Vaccines are not a magical means of healing, yet surely they represent  in addition to other treatments that need to be developed  the most reasonable solution for the prevention of the disease, he said.

Francis also lamented the increasing ideological divides that he claimed were preventing people from getting their COVID-19 vaccine doses. He remarked: Frequently, people let themselves be influenced by the ideology of the moment  often bolstered by baseless information or poorly documented facts.

Visit VaccineInjuryNews.com for more stories about people suffering cardiac issues after COVID-19 vaccination.

Watch this video of a priest, believed to be vaccinated, dying in the middle of a Mass.

This video is from the Free4eva Media channel on Brighteon.com.

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(Natural News) Russian forces in Ukraine have suffered a string of defeats in recent weeks, but a noted paramilitary force that operates with the permission of Moscow, the Wagner Group claims to have captured a key objective in the Ukrainian town of Soledar in the eastern region of Donetsk.

According to reports, the head of the organization, Yevgeny Prigozhin, admitted in social media comments on Tuesday and Wednesday that fighting continues in the region. But, he claimed, Units of the Wagner private military company have taken the entire territory of Soledar under their control, and Ukrainian forces are now surrounded.

The city center has been surrounded, and urban warfare is underway. The number of captives will be announced tomorrow, Prigozhin noted. No units other than Wagner PMC fighters were involved in the storming of Soledar.

The Amsterdam-based Moscow Times and Agence France Presse emphasized: If confirmed, the capture of Soledar would mark Russias biggest success in its war on Ukraine following months of retreats elsewhere.

But that said, Prigozhins emphasis that it was only Wagner forces that captured the region and no regular forces managed any success in Soledar has led to consternation and anger among the Russian military chain of command.

In its daily briefing, the British Ministry of Defense (MoD) acknowledged that the majority of the town, or whats left of it, is under the control of Russia.

(1 of 5) In the last four days, Russian and Wagner forces have made tactical advances into the small Donbas town of Soledar and are likely in control of most of the settlement.  Ministry of Defence ?? (@DefenceHQ) January 10, 2023

In the last four days, Russian and Wagner forces have made tactical advances into the small Donbas town of Soledar and are likely in control of most of the settlement, the MoD said in a Twitter thread. Soledar is 10km north of Bakhmut, the capture of which likely continues to be Russias main immediate operational objective.

Russias Soledar axis is highly likely an effort to envelop Bakhmut from the north, and to disrupt Ukrainian lines of communication, the assessment from the MoD continued. Part of the fighting has focused on entrances to the 200km-long disused salt mine tunnels which run underneath the district. Both sides are likely concerned that they could be used for infiltration behind their lines.

Despite the increased pressure on Bakhmut, Russia is unlikely to envelop the town imminently because Ukrainian forces maintain stable defensive lines in depth and control over supply routes, the thread concluded.

Reuters noted further:

Soledar is also home to cavernous salt mines that are owned by state-owned enterprise Artemsil, which completely dominated the Ukrainian market until it halted production a few months after Russia invaded. The enterprise has produced more than 280 million tonnes of salt since it was founded in the late 19th century. The mines go down to a depth of 200-300 metres and have tunnels with a combined length of 300 km (186 miles), according a local tourist website.

The enterprise was once considered one of the largest in Eastern Europe and exported salt to 20 countries. A hot air balloon was once flown inside one of the mines to demonstrate their depth.

Russia is continuing to have difficulty pacifying even a small part of Ukraine, but a change in leadership made this week by President Vladimir Putin may indicate he is preparing to escalate the conflict.

According to Business Insider, Russias Ministry of Defense on Wednesday announced that Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the longtime chief of the general staff of Russias 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.

It could be said that Gerasimovs appointment wasnt the smartest thing to do, either, considering how long hes been in charge of all of Russias armed forces and how poorly they have performed in Ukraine. Time will tell.

Sources include:

BusinessInsider.com

Reuters.com

ThreadReaderApp.com
(Natural News) An amateur archaeologist has deciphered what experts dubbed as the first known writing in the history of Homo sapiens.

British newspaper the Times reported that 67-year-old furniture restorer Ben Bacon has spent his nights examining photographs of cave paintings. In the course of his examination, Bacon managed to decipher code inscriptions that appear in at least 400 caves throughout Europe.

The inscriptions dating from the Ice Age have puzzled scientists since being found nearly 150 years ago. But according to the Cambridge Archaeological Journal (CAJ), Bacons hobby led to the first specific reading of European Upper Paleolithic communication.

The said inscriptions, present in more than 600 images found throughout caves in Europe, show a history of information and references to a calendar in place of recorded speech. The sequences of dots, shapes and other markings appear beside drawings of species such as reindeer, wild horses, fish, bison and extinct cattle called aurochs. (Related: Man and his dog: A new discovery of carved rock images showing dogs on leashes are estimated to be 9,000 years old.)

The CAJ article outlining Bacons findings said paleolithic hunter-gatherers would store information about the animals they needed to kill for sustenance by means of the drawings. They used codes to describe the animals breeding cycle, according to the lunar cycle that starts in spring.

For instance, a line or a dot would mean months  so four dots or lines would represent the fourth month after the start of spring. A symbol representing the letter Y was used to mean to give birth, and its position between the dots or lines would suggest a due date.

Findings can change peoples understanding of prehistoric hunters

The London-based Bacon spent numerous hours of his free time looking at examples of cave paintings and examining data to decode what the markings meant. He then approached academics with his theory, which they urged him to pursue. The furniture restorer then went on to collaborate with professors from Durham University and University College London (UCL).

According to Bacon, the discovery had the power to change peoples understanding of Stone Age communities.

The signs are actually a scientific observational database of information that they build up over many years and sometimes decades, he told the Times. Theyve conventionally been thought of as superstitious people who try to use hunting magic to kill animals.

Durham professor Paul Pettitt said Stone Age hunters sharing knowledge of their preys breeding season would have been important because it meant huge herds of animals could be forming. He added that their findings proved that Ice Age hunter-gatherers were the first to use a systematic calendar and inscriptions to record information about major ecological events.

UCL honorary professor Tony Freeth, meanwhile, said he was stunned when Bacon approached him with his underlying idea that the numbers of spots or lines on the animals represented the lunar month of key events in the animals life-cycles.

Employing the birth cycles of similar animals today as a reference, the team composed of Bacon, Pettitt, Freeth and two others concluded that the marks were a record of when the animals were breeding.

Discoveries.news has more stories about new discoveries in different fields around the world.

Watch this video explaining why the Altamira cave paintings in Spain took more than 20,000 years to finish.

This video is from the Kim Osbl  Copenhagen Denmark channel on Brighteon.com.

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(Natural News) Ben Armstrong of the New American magazine exhorted every American censored for sharing information about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine to sue the government.

Every American citizen should have a case  because if the government told Twitter or Facebook to censor information that is being shared [and] that you yourself retweeted or put out, thats illegal, he said during the Jan. 10 episode of The Ben Armstrong Show.

Every American thats been censored should have a lawsuit. They should be able to jump into a lawsuit; there should be an allowance for everyone to sign on.

According to the New American journalist, Americans sharing something negative about the COVID-19 shots on social media will surely be censored or shadow-banned. Even if the information went though, only a few people will be able to see it if it wont be completely blocked.

He added that social media companies set up algorithms to look for certain keywords linked to anything negative about the vaccine, and then theyll censor these posts that go against the official narrative at the behest of the Democrats.

Armstrong cites Tucker Carlsons censorship as an example

Armstrong cited the case of Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson, who was censored by Facebook at the order of the White House over the deadly COVID-19 vaccines. (Related: Tucker Carlson slams US government for hiding the truth about the coronavirus.)

The National Review shed light on Carlsons banning, citing email correspondence made public via a lawsuit filed by Louisiana Attorney General (AG) Jeff Landry and his Missouri counterpart, AG Eric Schmitt. It said the Tucker Carlson Tonight hosts banning came as a result of a phone call between White House officials and representatives of the social media platform.

Following the said phone call, Facebook confirmed to White House Digital Media Director Rob Flaherty that it demoted Carlsons video about the COVID-19 vaccine to 50 percent, pending a seven-day fact-checking period. The Big Tech firm also promised in April 2021 that Carlsons video would continue to be demoted, even though it was not ultimately fact-checked.

Armstrong then played the said video of Carlson talking about the dangers of the COVID-19 shots on his program.

It was never really a secret that there were huge problems with the COVID-19 shots, and we knew this because the Biden administrations own VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) database indicated that from the beginning, the Fox News host said.

A lot of people were being injured, but the media suppressed that news. We tried to point it out more than a year ago not because we have a problem with vaccines or anti-vaxxers, but because if youre going to force people to take something  you probably ought to know what it is and what effects it may have.

Carlson also revealed in the same video that Flaherty had emailed Facebook about his negative comments on the COVID-19 vaccines. The White House official also pressured the social media platform to follow its censorship policy.

Tucker could have helped save more lives if he wasnt censored, Armstrong concluded. But the White House tried to make sure that more people died from getting the vaccine by censoring the truth about the vaccines. Just simply the truth that the vaccines werent working  as simple as that.

Watch the Jan. 10 episode of The Ben Armstrong Show below where Armstrong talks about Carlsons censorship over his COVID-19 vaccine comments.

This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com.

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Ben Armstrong: The federal government lied about COVID and vaccines.

T1ucker Carlson criticizes Facebook for censoring interview with Chinese virologist.

Tucker Carlson slams US government for hiding the truth about the coronavirus.

Lawsuit uncovers bombshell connection between CDC and social media companies to bury COVID-19 truth from the public.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

NationalReview.com
(Natural News) You have probably never heard of it, but there is a parallel Supreme Court, of sorts, called the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) that General Michael Flynn warns is operating in almost total secrecy.

A judicial panel that oversees American intelligence agencies in surveillance matters involving American citizens living in the United States, FISC first came on the publics radar during the investigation that was launched against the 2016 campaign of former President Donald Trump.

FISCs involvement in that investigation helped produce the falsified information that was used by the FBI to illegally surveil the Trump campaign. This led to the Russia collusion allegations that ultimately cost Flynn his position as national security adviser at the start of the Trump administration.

In the coming months, among other serious problems (& there are many), we are going to learn the FISC has become a parallel Supreme Court but operates in almost total secrecy, Flynn tweeted in a five-part series about the shadowy group. (Related: Learn more about how to fight back against deep state tyranny through jury nullification.)

Flynn wants to see more Frank Church-type representatives take a stand against deep state spying and surveillance of Americans

FISC operates as a type of secret police, Flynn further insinuated with a quote from former Sen. Frank Church (D-Id.), who back in the 1970s said that hiding evil is the trademark of a totalitarian government. Church further stated that:

There is no more pernicious threat to a free society than a secret police  operating beyond the law  if these abuses had not been uncovered and had the agencies gone unchecked, we might well have seen a secret police develop in the United States. Once that begins, the Constitution is in very real danger.

It turns out that Church was right, and his warnings came true. At the dawn of the year 2023, technological advancements, among other things, have allowed the federal bureaucracy to massively expand  its tentacles now reaching into every crevice of American life.

With that has come the progressive creep of deep state corruption, which was on full display after Trump launched his run for the presidency. Every dirty trick in the book was used to derail his administration, as well as probe those connected to it.

Everyday Americans have also lost their right to privacy as the federal behemoth has grown to such great proportions that the Fourth Amendment barely even exists anymore.

During his heyday, Sen. Church led the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities into deep work uncovering government spying operations on Americans. Flynn would love to see another Church-like committee form today to do the same type of thing. He wants there to be serious reforms to Americas intelligence agencies, or else the complete disbanding of all of them.

Flynn concluded his Twitter series by stating that Americans need to demand fully compliance & accountability from what he described as an increasingly rogue security state shadow government.'

The hope is that newly elected representatives will have the moral fiber, integrity & guts to call out & then do the right thing, Flynn says.

Doing the right thing is really hard. America has sacrificed so much for so many, our fallen & our founders deserve the city on the hill to shine once again!

Roberts selected all judges on the FISC, wrote a commenter about the matter. That is a problem. That court is not merely a shadow. It would seem to be more powerful when it can accept lies to allow illegal investigations to continue.

In the meantime, SCOTUS wont even hear real and legally gathered evidence of voter fraud, suppression and other manipulations of rigged elections.

More of the latest news about the shadow government can be found at DeepState.news.

Sources for this article include:

WesternJournal.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) In the lame-duck session of Congress ahead of Republicans taking over the House after retaking control during the November midterms, the Democrat-controlled chamber included billions more dollars in a massive $1.7 trillion dollar omnibus spending package to hire a small army of IRS agents and staff  87,000, to be exact  over the next decade.

The reason, party members claimed, was so that the federal government would be better equipped to go after wealthy tax cheats who allegedly plot every year how to cheat the government (and the American people) out of tax money.

Thats a lie, of course, and a demonstrable one, as a study published earlier this week by researchers at Syracuse University has proven; turns out the Biden regime, especially, uses the IRS as a weapon against working men and women. More on that later.

To prevent that kind of abuse, however, a Republican lawmaker from Georgia, Rep. Earl L. Buddy Carter, has introduced legislation that would essentially neuter the IRS and dramatically reduce the size (and power) of the agency because of a massive simplification of the tax code, which now is extremely complex and has led to the creation of an entire industry of tax professionals whose job it is to sort it all out.

Carter, on Tuesday, introduced H.R. 25, the Fair Tax Act, to replace the current tax code with a national consumption tax known as the Fair Tax, according to a press release from his office.

Cosponsoring this Georgia-made legislation was my first act as a Member of Congress and is, fittingly, the first bill I am introducing in the 118th Congress, said Carter. Instead of adding 87,000 new agents to weaponize the IRS against small business owners and middle America, this bill will eliminate the need for the department entirely by simplifying the tax code with provisions that work for the American people and encourage growth and innovation. Armed, unelected bureaucrats should not have more power over your paycheck than you do.

Several of the bills co-sponsors also offered their thoughts on the measure.

As a former small business owner, I understand the unnecessary burden our failing income tax system has on Americans. The Fair Tax Act eliminates the tax code, replaces the income tax with a sales tax, and abolishes the abusive Internal Revenue Service. If enacted, this will invigorate the American taxpayer and help more Americans achieve the American Dream, added Rep. Jeff Duncan.

I support the Fair Tax because it simplifies our tax code. This transforms the U.S. tax code from a mandatory, progressive, and convoluted system to a fully transparent and unbiased system which does away with the IRS as we know it. It is good for our economy because it encourages work, savings, and investment. Thank you to my colleague Rep. Buddy Carter for leading this effort to simplify the system for American taxpayers, Rep. Bob Good offered.

Im very proud to once again co-sponsor the FairTax Act, Rep. Kat Cammack noted as well. Weve seen a continued growth of the IRS and a persistent punishment of hardworking Americans via the tax code. What were calling for is a simplified and fair code that works for all, not just some. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation that fights back against the weaponization of the IRS and stops punishing those who work hard to succeed.

As for the Syracuse study, Fox News reported that the IRS behaves exactly the opposite of what Democrats claim, which is typical:

A study of 2022 IRS tax audit data found that a taxpayer in the lowest income bracket is five times more likely to face an audit than would a member of the highest income bracket.

Translation: Poorer working Americans got their tax returns audited five times more often than millionaire earners, proving again that Democrats are the party of tyranny, power, and money.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

BuddyCarter.House.gov
(Natural News) So far, Americas legal system is siding with the Biden regime against numerous state attorneys general who are accusing it of collusion with Big Tech to censor unapproved content from the internet.

The courts say that little evidence exists to prove that White House staffers, including former Press Secretary Jen Psaki and Director of Digital Strategy Rob Flaherty, ever pressured social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to censor information  though newly revealed documents suggest otherwise.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit recently blocked the deposition of Psaki and Flaherty in an ongoing lawsuit filed by attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri. The three-judge panel overturned the deposition order in the case, arguing that Psakis deposition does not meet the extraordinary circumstances necessary to depose former and current top government officials.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Republican, responded by stating that he has no problem with the courts request, adding that he and his team look forward to obtaining more discovery. (Related: Donald Trump and the Republicans failed to deal with Big Tech censorship when they still had the chance).

Some of that discovery includes a leaked email to an undisclosed Facebook employee in which Flaherty openly berated the Mark Zuckerberg-run social media platform for not engaging in enough censorship, in his opinion.

I still dont have a good, empirical answer on how effective youve been at reducing the spread of vaccine-skeptical content and misinformation to vaccine fence sitters in the now-folded lockdown,' Flaherty whined in the email, demanding that more be done to silence free speech.

Flaherty threatened Facebook, YouTube to enact more censorship protocols

In another email, Flaherty demanded that Facebook provide assurances that its existing censorship measures at the time not be rolled back any further, even though the scamdemic was rapidly falling apart at the time when he was corresponding with the platform.

Well look out for the top trends that youve seen in terms of misinformation around the vaccine, Flaherty further wrote in threatening language.

Flaherty also took issue with Google-owned YouTubes funneling of people into hesitance and intensifying peoples hesitancy. According to Flaherty, YouTube needed to get a better handle on censorship by working toward making the problem better.

This is a concern that is shared at the highest (and I mean highest) levels of the WH (White House), so wed like to continue a good-faith dialogue about what is going on under the hood here, Flaherty admitted. Im the [sic] on the hook for reporting out.

These emails will surely be added to the discovery put forth by Landry and the others in pursuing justice against the Biden regime. The Trump regime reportedly also pressured social media platforms to engage in funny business concerning the free flow of information during the early stages of the plandemic, but these Republican-led lawsuits are focused specifically on Democrat collusion.

The consequence of all this censorship was widespread uptake of covid vaccines and obedience to lockdowns and mask mandates, which destroyed businesses and lives in the name of public health. Both regimes are to blame for this, though the Biden regime arguably took the tyranny to a whole new level.

The elites are downright dirty, corrupt, and full of deceit, wrote a commenter at Natural News about the matter. One prophecy in Isaiah 59 talks about how they hatch the eggs of vipers and weave a spiders web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched.

More related news coverage about the deeply embedded corruption at the highest levels of American government can be found at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

NaturalNews.com

TheReaderApp.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Newly-inaugurated Democratic governor of Arizona, Katie Hobbs, has proposed providing a $40 million scholarship program for illegal immigrants to attend state universities and colleges.

In her inaugural address, Hobbs promised to expand the Arizona Promise Scholarship Program, a program that helps talented low-income students pay tuition fees to attend universities in the state. She also promised to create a separate scholarship program specifically meant to benefit illegal immigrants, known as the Promise for DREAMers Scholarship Program that will cover all students, regardless of immigration status, who attend a public university.

The new governor noted that this proposal was in line with the will of Arizonas voters in passing Proposition 308 this past November.

Proposition 308 was a legislatively-referred ballot measure that repeals a previous proposition that barred non-citizen students from receiving in-state college tuition.

This means Arizona students, regardless of immigration status, will now be eligible for taxpayer-funded financial aid at state universities and community colleges and in-state tuition if they graduated from and attended a public or private high school, or home school equivalent, for two years in Arizona. (Related: Infrared camera catches small army of migrants illegally entering U.S. as Republicans consider impeaching DHS chief.)

Scholarship program for illegals taking taxpayer money to fill up college slots

Arizona is home to nearly 275,000 illegal immigrants, according to the Migration Policy Institute. What Proposition 308 and Hobbs new scholarship program mean is that $40 million worth of taxpayer money will be funneled away from essential services and into a program that will grant illegal immigrants privileged access to limited spots at state universities and colleges.

An estimated 2,000 students in Arizona who are not citizens stand to benefit from this program that could just as easily have provided 2,000 citizen students of Arizona similar fully funded spots at state universities and community colleges.

For citizen students looking to further their education in Arizona, the cost to attend college is prohibitively expensive. Average in-state tuition is about $4,554 per semester, with this figure going up to more than $20,000 when taking into account the cost of room and board, textbooks and other supplies.

Graduate degree programs cost even more for American students, with in-state costs per semester being nearly $12,000 and rising to over $27,000 when taking into account room and board, textbooks and other supplies.

This means that the taxpayer dollars being funneled into the scholarship program for illegals could be used to fully fund the four-year college education of approximately 250 Arizonan citizens.

Meanwhile, university systems across the U.S. rely on billions of dollars of money paid to them directly by foreign students, including several thousand illegal immigrants currently attending higher educational institutions in the country. These university systems generate about $9 billion of revenue annually via tuition and fees from these non-citizen students.

Roughly 182,000 of the more than 400,000 illegals enrolled in American universities and colleges are eligible or enrolled in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. They make up a significant portion of the revenue earned by university systems across the country.

Learn more about illegal immigrants in the U.S. and the policies affecting them at Migrants.news.

Watch this clip from Next News Network discussing how illegals are finding new ways to sneak into America  and its not by crossing the southern border.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

El Paso mayor: 20K illegals waiting to surge across southern border once Title 42 ends.

No soup for you: Americans in need being turned away from homeless shelters as they fill up with Bidens illegal migrants.

Revealed: Internal Twitter communications reveal AZ Democratic Gov.-Elect Katie Hobbs campaign colluded to suppress political opponents.

Video clips show illegal border crossers jumping over 30-foot fence and dashing across busy Texas highway.

Arizona secretary of state Katie Hobbs winning Arizona Governorship is like a casino pit boss winning a fortune on her own roulette table.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

AZCentral.com

JustTheNews.com

Politico.com

CollegeTuitionCompare.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) The so-called Trusted News Initiative (TNI) faces a new lawsuit from Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and multiple other plaintiffs who say the self-described industry partnership colluded with Big Tech firms and the legacy media to censor online news content.

First launched in March 2020 at the onset of covid, the TNI worked alongside social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, as well as numerous legacy media outlets, to silence peoples free speech, which is unconstitutional and violates antitrust restrictions, the suit alleges.

The BBC, The Associated Press (AP), Reuters, and The Washington Post, among others, are all members of TNI, and are thus named as defendants in the suit.

Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas-Amarillo Division, the suit claims that the defendants are guilty of colluding with Big Tech to collectively censor online news, including stories about covid and the 2020 presidential election that defied the official narrative.

Plaintiffs in the suit include Childrens Health Defense (CHD), Creative Destruction Media, Trial Site News, Ty and Charlene Bollinger (founders of The Truth About Cancer and The Truth About Vaccines), independent journalist Ben Swann, Erin Elizabeth Finn (publisher of Health Nut News), Jim Hoft (founder of The Gateway Pundit), Dr. Joseph Mercola and Ben Tapper, a chiropractor.

(Related: Remember when Google banned any mention of covid vaccines from its survey platform?)

Systematically silencing certain viewpoints is discriminatory and anti-First Amendment

All of the aforementioned plaintiffs joined the suit because they claim they were among those who were censored, banned, de-platformed, shadow-banned, or in some way penalized by the Big Tech firms that are partnered with TNI. Being accused of spreading misinformation and disinformation, they say, resulted in loss of visibility and revenue.

TNI is also accused of using an early warning system targeted specifically against the plaintiffs and others to discriminate against their content. Big Tech also used this early warning system along with legacy media partners to engage in a group boycott against the plaintiffs.

My uncle, President Kennedy, and my father, the attorney general, sought to prosecute antitrust laws that are still on the nations books, with vigor, remarked Kennedy about the suit.

As private enforcers of those laws, we are confident that the federal court in Texas will vindicate our bedrock freedom to compete with legacy media in the marketplace of ideas.

Mary Holland, CHDs president and general counsel, added that she is thrilled this case is starting to move through the system. Holland hopes that it will be given a fair hearing and hopefully lead to justice.

To have a free society, you have to have free speech, you have to have a diversity of views, she said. We dont have the same views as all of the other plaintiffs by far  but we want to protect the marketplace of ideas.

If, in fact, the government and the corporations they collaborate with can engage in censorship and propaganda nonstop, and there are no alternative voices, democracy is dead.

The United States is a constitutional republic as opposed to a democracy, just to be clear, but Hollands sentiment is still worthwhile. If free speech becomes taboo, then the Constitution effectively becomes null and void  and we cannot allow that to happen.

Plaintiffs in the case are requesting a jury trial and treble damages based on allegations of rule of reason violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act. This is based on direct and circumstantial evidence of horizontal agreement and economic collusion among the defendants and their Big Tech partners.

If you enjoyed reading this story, you will find more like it at Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) As you may have seen, there were a lot of problems with the airlines this week, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is blaming on computer problems.

On Wednesday, every flight in the country was grounded for several hours due to what the FAA described as a mass system failure. Another similar grounding took place in Canada not long after that, and for the same mysterious reason.

All of this occurred just days after Southwest had to cancel many of its flights due to, you guessed it: more system failures. What is going on, exactly?

According to reports, the nationwide grounding on Wednesday started around 6:30 a.m. EST. The online flight tracker FlightAware estimated that 760 flights were either coming into or leaving the United States at the time, with another 90 flights listed as canceled.

Most of the delays occurred along the East Coast but gradually spread west throughout the morning. Some flights, including international flights to Miami, were still allowed to land during the grounding.

Air travelers both domestic and abroad ended up being stranded for hours on end as they awaited information about what was going on and what to expect. Many were stuck inside on tarmacs unable to deplane.

On Twitter, the FAA eventually released an update stating that:

The FAA is working to restore its Notice to Air Missions Systems. We are performing final validation checks and reloading the system now.

Operations across the National Airspace System are affected.

We will provide frequent updates as we make progress.

(Related: Shutting down air travel is a key agenda of the Green New Deal.)

Trans. Sec. Pete Buttigieg says everything is just fine

Apparently, the FAAs NOTAM system had failed the morning of all the groundings  this system containing information that is essential to workers who are involved in flight operations.

Technicians are currently working to restore the system and there is no estimate for restoration of service at this time, the agency said about it.

The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas also tweeted that the FAA had experienced a system outage that caused ground stops at AUS and other airports across the country.

Arriving & departing passengers can expect delays this morning & through the day, AUS added. Please stay in contact with your airline & check your flight status before heading to AUS.

Later in the day, the FAA provided another update stating that final validation checks were taking place, adding that it was repopulating the system for restoration.

We will provide frequent updates as we make progress, the authority added.

As all of this was going on, Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg issued a reassurance to America that there was nothing to worry about because the FAA was working swiftly to rectify its issues.

I have been in touch with FAA this morning about an outage affecting a key system for providing safety information to pilots, Buttigieg tweeted. FAA is working to resolve this issue swiftly and safely so that air traffic can resume normal operations, and will continue to provide updates.

Despite all the excuses and cover stories, something is just not adding up concerning the state of our country and world. By all appearances, the economy is breaking down piece by piece  what do you think?

Here is what one commenter had to say about the shadiness of the matter:

The government had the audacity to chastise Southwest Airlines, yet the government cant even get their own computers to work. Morons run our government.

Another wrote that all of this is why he does not want the federal government in charge of health care  because you know that would be a disaster, too.

To keep up with the latest, visit Collapse.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) In a clearly political move that makes no sense considering the timing, the Pentagon has formally ended its covid vaccine mandate for military servicemen.

Even though most members of the armed forces are already fully jabbed because of said mandate, the Pentagon has decided  with a little legal prodding from Congress  that now is a good time to stop discharging troops who refuse the shot.

A legislative bill signed into law back on December 23 gave Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin 30 days to completely rescind the mandate, though in practice it had already stopped being enforced even at that time.

That same memo gives commanders some discretion, we are told, in deciding whether or not to deploy unvaccinated troops. (Related: When the militarys jab mandate was still in full swing, a digital tool was used to systematically deny exemption requests.)

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.

That last bit about the shots supposedly protecting the force is what the Biden regime plans to use to compel unvaccinated servicemen to get jabbed, as they could be denied deployment due to being unhealthy in the eyes of the state.

The mandate drop does not include other vaccines, it is important to note. All other injections will still be mandatory in order to serve.

Pentagon praises itself for forcing covid jabs on military, says many lives were saved

According to the Associated Press (AP), more than 8,400 troops in the United States military refused to get injected for covid throughout the scamdemic. The AP called this refusing to obey a lawful order when they declined to get the vaccine.

How the AP decided that it was ever lawful to force deadly drugs on the military remains unknown, but this is the narrative the mainstream media is going with to continue vilifying purebloods with natural immunity.

Austins initial decision to force the injections on the military came after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to authorize their use under a state of emergency. His view is that forcing the shots on the unwilling would protect the health of the force, to quote the AP.

Congress eventually fought back by voting to rescind the mandate now that roughly 99 percent of active-duty troops in the Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps have already gotten at least two doses.

About 98 percent of the Army and more than 90 percent of the National Guard and Reserve are fully injected.

The Pentagon, meanwhile, is praising itself for forcing the jabs right up until the time Congress intervened. In a statement, the Pentagon bragged that its covid jab mandate will leave a lasting legacy in the many lives we saved, the world-class force we have been able to field, and the high level of readiness we have maintained, amidst difficult public health conditions.

As for those who were discharged for refusing covid injections, they are now free to petition their military service for a change in the characterization of their discharge. It has not yet been stated what possible corrections could be awarded.

Lawmakers who supported ending the mandate say they hope it will help with recruiting as numbers are majorly down  not just because of medical fascism but also because of wokeism, which has infested and taken over Americas armed forces.

I will always respect those who served, died for us, but have lost my respect for the institution, one commenter wrote.

The latest news about Fauci Flu shots can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

APNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) With Democrats now aggressively pushing a coordinated fear porn campaign to try to convince Americans that gas cook stoves are suddenly deadly and must be banned, the so-called progressives have cemented their position as being anti-progress. In fact, they are anti-civilization, and they want to take away fire and anything that combusts: Cook stoves, vehicles, firearms, furnaces and so on.

On top of this, in some Democrat-controlled states, you no longer have the right to flush a normal-capacity toilet. Water restrictions require low-flow toilets that barely do the job, and if you install a regular toilet, you may face punitive fines.

NY Gov. Hochul has just announced she wants to ban all gas stoves by the year 2030, forcing New Yorkers to switch to electric ranges. But since the power grid fails in many storms, such a move would leave potentially millions of New Yorkers with no way to cook or heat during storm outages. This would only worsen the public health / public safety crisis that seems to follow every major snow storm or radical weather event.

In California, Gov. Newsom has announced that combustion engine vehicle sales will be banned by 2035. The State of Washington will ban them by 2030. In New York, a similar ban takes effect in 2035. In these states and others, transportation options will collapse, leaving private individuals and businesses with few practical options while overburdening the power grid to the point of a meltdown, thanks to both electric ranges and electric vehicles pulling high power demand across a lackluster electrical grid infrastructure.

Democrats are rolling back their states to the 18th century

As the bans pile up, it doesnt take long to realize that Democrat-run states are engaged in de-civilization rollbacks of modern advances. They are taking away the combustion engines, clean energy sources like natural gas and reliable water abundance. This is going to produce a two-tiered nation where:

BLUE states will be backwards, collapsed, crime-ridden hellholes with very little access to functioning power sources, transportation, heating, air conditioning, grocery foods or other basic necessities. With producers leaving, their economies will collapse into ruin, populated by welfare recipients, criminals, addicts and anyone too poor to afford a way to flee.

RED states will be advanced, modern and highly desirable, with abundant access to energy, vehicles, affordable gas, water, transportation, food and more. Economies will rapidly expand with the availability of energy and the importation of entrepreneurs and laborers who are fleeing collapsing blue states.

Living in a blue state will soon be a lot like living in the 18th century, while red states will function as modern, successful societies with all the advantages of power, energy, modern transportation, heating, cooking, water and other resources.

In a world of planes, trains and automobiles, in other words, Democrat-run states are determined to have NO planes, NO trains and NO automobiles. Just masses of enslaved, censored, obedient, vaccinated voters who are effectively imprisoned in giant state-sized prison camps.

In the 1980s, there was a great movie starring Steve Martin and John Candy called Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Today, that movie would star AOC and Al Gore and be called NO Planes, NO Trains and NO automobiles:

Flee the prison camp states or make your own new state if you hope to survive

All this explains why so many people are fleeing Democrat-controlled states like California, New York and Illinois. Any entity run by Democrats  a city, a county or a state  will collapse into ruin, plagued by violent crime, homelessness, rampant substance addiction, corruption and despair. No life is sustainable under Democrat rule, as they are destroyers of civilization (and families, logic, reason, language, money, fairness, knowledge, freedom, privacy, etc.). Those who wish to live with anything resembling freedom and abundance will either have to flee the blue states or break away from them and form their own new states (such as the New California effort already under way).

Failure to flee will mean being sucked into the vortex of destruction and doom that Dems now embrace. With violent crime skyrocketing in Dem-controlled cities, even grocery retailers are shutting down and exiting, leaving many areas of these cities with few food options. In New York, for example, food retailers say they are going to start locking up the meat due to rampant retail theft. If that doesnt solve the problem, they will just leave the blue cities altogether. As Fox News reports:

The National Supermarket Association represents independent grocery stores in New York City. Its statistics show that 30% of its membership has left the city over the past few years.

Its now abundantly clear that Democrats are anti-humanity and anti-civilization. They oppose everything necessary to drive a modern society, and they actively seek to not just destroy the infrastructure that keeps people alive, but to annihilate human populations at the same time. Hence Democrats breathless pimping of the mRNA infertility / depopulation jab that has already killed over a million Americans (and counting). Note too that they are anti-family, anti-woman, anti-motherhood and are enemies of language, reason, logic and parenthood. The University of Southern California recently banned the word field from its allowed language, claiming that field is, by itself, racist and anti-immigrant. So anyone who now attends the university to gain knowledge in the field of science will be considered a racist bigot, especially if they study electromagnetic fields or similar phenomena.

Learn more about all this in todays Situation Update podcast, which also features a fascinating interview with Randall Carlson about comet impact theory and Earths hidden history:

 Democrats are pushing civilization backwards by banning stoves, cars, gas, water and more

 America will be divided into two tiers: Democrat-run collapsed Mad Max vs. free, modern states

 More Americans will FLEE collapsing blue states as DE-CIVILIZATION accelerates

 Entire US air traffic system riding on a single broken computer at the FAA

 Why Pete Buttigieg should be called the Secretary of TRANS, not -portation

 There is ZERO REDUNDANCY at the FAA, systems can fail at any time

 Illinois sheriffs defy unconstitutional assault weapons ban

 Tesla pumping $775 million more into massive facility expansion in Austin

 Is Tesla actually building an underground tunnel transport hub? A future spaceport?

 Fascinating interview with Randall Carlson about Earth catastrophes

Brighteon: Brighteon.com/b3ade768-a2eb-43f6-816b-ea5ba2a4cbf2

Rumble: Rumble.com/v259ljl-situation-update-11323-no-trains-no-planes-no-automobiles-and-no-gas.html

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(Natural News) One of the biggest cheerleaders for vaccination is Dr. Paul Offit, the Director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. As a member of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, Offit helps the FDA make decisions on vaccine approval for the population.

Historically, there isnt a vaccine that Paul Offit doesnt like. He is all for the 70+ doses of vaccination for adolescents. He often refers to biologics as immunizations even when evidence shows that the vaccine causes waning immune responses, serious acute reactions, and chronic health issues. When the covid jab was rolled out, Offit was ready to celebrate this modern miracle of science, this savior of mankind.

Paul Offit becomes anti-booster, as FDA and CDC push out ineffective covid jabs

However, the failure of the covid jabs is so miserably blatant, that even Dr. Offit has come to admit that he fell for a big lie. I was angry to find out that there was data that was relevant to our decision that we didnt get to see, said Dr. Paul Offit, Decisions that are made for the public have to be made based on all available information  not just some information, but all information.

The FDA and CDC have a duty to protect the American people from vaccine fraud and propaganda, and they failed miserably. As the public rejects deadly covid jabs, Offit is trying to point the finger at the vaccine manufacturers for not providing enough data.

Funnily enough, Offit and the advisory committee received all the normal information that is required of vaccine manufacturers. According to slide presentations presented by Moderna, the CDC and the FDA reviewed all the typical immunogenicity data, which shows that the vaccine elicited antibodies in participants blood work. Vaccine approval is primarily determined by these short-term gains in antibodies. Toxic adjuvants are often used in vaccines to force the body to make a higher level of antibodies, to make the vaccine look more effective. For the latest booster, the experts determined that the antibodies were sufficient to fight off the Omicron strain of SARS-CoV-2, and so they rushed the vaccines to market.

A month after study participants take the booster, we essentially see no difference between antibody levels in those who took the new or old booster shots, said Dr. David Ho, a professor of microbiology and immunology at Columbia whose team authored one of the studies. The antibody data was used to promote the effectiveness of the new booster, yet those antibodies wear off in a month.

FDA and CDC approve new vaccines based on limited data, short term antibody studies

When the 21 FDA advisors met on June 28, an overwhelming majority (19) voted to approve the new bivalent booster. After the approval, the U.S. government spent nearly $5 billion of taxpayer funds to get the new jab out to the public. Pfizer received another $3.2 billion from taxpayers and Moderna received an additional $1.74 billion.

When the full data was released, Offit and other members of the advisory committee found out that study participants contracted covid-19 at nearly twice the rate when they took the new bivalent booster, compared to taking the original booster. Exactly 1.9% of the study participants who received the original booster became infected during the short-term study. A much higher percentage (3.2%) became infected after receiving the updated bivalent vaccine during the short-term study.

Strangely enough, six of the FDA and CDC advisors told CNN that the new infection data wouldnt have changed how they voted, had they received the information in a timely fashion. In other words, new vaccines that provide even less protection than their predecessors, are still considered effective and should be approved for the entire population!

Not only do the FDA and CDC make recommendations on vaccination using incomplete data, but when they receive new data about the ineffectiveness of a vaccine, they still recommend the shots. Even when these short-term antibody studies fail to hold up after the first month, the FDA and CDC committees pridefully stand by their approval.

Sources include:

12Feet.com

NaturalNews.com

FDA.gov

12Feet.com
(Natural News) A scientific paper showed that Europes temperature will drop slightly for the next 15 to 20 years. It also pointed out that the next warming phase will begin by 2050, contradicting the doomsday predictions of climate alarmists.

The study published July 13 last year in NPJ Climate and Atmospheric Science explained that this temperature drop is a consequence of the diminishing strength of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO).

Fritz Vahrenholt, former chairman of the German Wildlife Foundation (DWS) and erstwhile environment senator of Germanys Hamburg state, put in his two cents on the studys finding. According to him, this natural cycle of the NAOs weakening has nothing to do with carbon dioxide. Global warming is going to pause as the North Atlantic cools.

The unusually mild weather at the turn of the year in Central Europe has strengthened the belief of many in Germany that CO2-induced global warming is in full swing, Vahrenholt said.

Vahrenholt noted that the last solar cycle from 2008 to 2019 was the weakest in 100 years. The current cycle so far is shaping up to be just as weak. The one-dimensionality of the climate and energy debate, culminating in the claim that CO2 emissions alone determine our climate, is quite frightening.

The former environment senator for Hamburg lamented that not a single German daily newspaper reported on the good news that the climate is actually not going to fry the Earth. According to Vahrenholt, the reason why hardly anyone questions the false global warming narrative  something he called the apocalyptic delusion of the last generation  is because funds from U.S. foundations are bankrolling it.

Those who suppress such news about an impending cooling are making themselves complicit in the politically induced destruction of our community, he added.

Climate alarmists demonizing CO2, the elixir of life

Contrary to what the climate alarmists claim, CO2 is actually the elixir of life. It makes virtually all life on Earth possible, and has supported the growth of plants for hundreds of millions of years. In fact, high CO2 levels can actually help alleviate many of the stresses plants experience during heat waves. (Related: Carbon dioxide isnt a pollutant causing global warming, its the elixir of life itself.)

Heat stress can cause a multitude of challenges to plant growth and survival, including dehydration and oxidative damage to bio-membranes from elevated reactive oxygen species. Elevated levels of CO2 have been shown to lessen the severity of this stress, said Craig Idso, founder and CEO of the Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change.

I am celebrating CO2 not just for the greenhouse produce it feeds, but for enabling and enriching life on our planet, said Vijay Jayaraj, a research associate at the CO2 Coalition in Arlington, Virginia. To demonize this elixir of practically all living things is pure insanity.

Meanwhile, a peer-reviewed paper found that the sun could be the main cause of warmer temperatures in recent decades. Its finding contradicted assessments by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that CO2 from human emissions are to blame for higher temperatures. The scientists behind the paper dubbed the IPCCs condemnation of CO2 as premature, adding that blaming human emissions for global warming was based on narrow and incomplete data about the suns total irradiance.

Dr. Ronan Connolly, the studys lead author, told the Epoch Times in a video interview: Depending on which published data and studies you use, you can show that all of the warmings are caused by the sun. But the IPCC uses a different data set to come up with the opposite conclusion,

Visit ClimateAlarmism.news for more news related to false claims and predictions by climate alarmists.

Watch political scientist Jerome Corsi discuss the truth about energy, global warming and climate change below.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Global warming statistically insignificant: Climate emergency is imaginary.

ALL official climate models radically over-predict warming, analysis reveals.

CO2 is not causing global warming  the sun is.

U.S. following in Europes footsteps: Bout of cold weather this winter could result in BLACKOUTS due to energy shortages, expert warns.

Sources include:

Expose-News.com 1

Expose-News.com 2

TheEpochTimes.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) USCs School of Social Work is removing the word field from its curriculum and practice, arguing that it could be considered anti-black or anti-immigrant to say someone is going into the field or conducting field work. The university explains, our goal is not just to change language but to honor and acknowledge inclusion and reject white supremacy, anti-immigrant and anti-blackness ideologies.

(Article by Alana Mastrangelo republished from Breitbart.com)

We have decided to remove the term field from our curriculum and practice and replace it with practicum. This change supports anti-racist social work practice by replacing language that could be considered anti-black or anti-immigrant in favor of inclusive language, a letter from the Practicum Education Department read.

The letter was shared by Houman David Hemmati, a board-certified MD Ophthalmologist and Ph.D. research scientist, who said the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work will no longer use the word field (as in conducting field work) because its perceived as racist.

Today, @uscsocialwork sent out this letter announcing that they will no longer use the word field (as in conducting field work) because its perceived as racist. Is this with merit or empty virtue signaling? @elonmusk @IngrahamAngle pic.twitter.com/kgM9p4MAb5  Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD (@houmanhemmati) January 10, 2023

Language can be powerful, and phrases such as going into the field or field work may have connotations for descendants of slavery and immigrant workers that are not benign, the letter continued.

The department went on to say our goal is not just to change language but to honor and acknowledge inclusion and reject white supremacy, anti-immigrant and anti-blackness ideologies.

Vassilios Papadopoulos, the Interim dean of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, attempted to clarify the situation, telling Fox News that USC is joining other universities in making this change.

Because the Office is not an academic department, its name change was not subject to a formal review process, the interim dean said. The university does not maintain a list of banned or discouraged words.

As an institution of higher education, we will continue to use words  including the word field  that accurately encompass and describe our work and research, while also continuing our efforts to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all, Papadopoulos added.

USC is not the only school to raise eyebrows over claiming that certain mundane words are racist and suggesting their replacements.

Last month, Stanford University became a national laughingstock after its IT Department published an Elimination of Harmful Language Initiative, which labeled certain words and phrases racist, violent, ableist, and culturally appropriative, among other pejoratives.

In one example, the word American was deemed harmful, with Stanfords IT Department suggesting that U.S. citizen be used in its place.

Read more at: Breitbart.com
(Natural News) The discovery phase of a lawsuit against the Biden regime brought by the Republican attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana has revealed a stunning bombshell  the White House has been busted for being directly involved in pressuring social media companies to censor Americans over COVID-19 vaccine views and facts the regime did not want anyone to hear.

One of the people the Biden administration wanted to be censored was top-rated Fox News host Tucker Carlson, one of several people who were singled out by the regime within a few months after Joe Biden was installed in the Oval Office, according to documents that the attorneys general have discovered and revealed.

GOP AG Jeff Landry of Louisiana released a document last week showing clearly that the regime pressured Facebook to censor Carlson after he said in no uncertain terms what most Americans knew  that the COVID-19 vaccines dont work, as evidenced by the fact that so many vaccinated people caught COVID again, including many of our elected leaders (and Biden).

Since weve been on the phone  the top post about vaccines today is [T]ucker Carlson saying they dont work. Yesterday it was Tomi Lehren [sic] saying she wont take one, White House Director of Digital Strategy Rob Flaherty said in an April 14, 2021 email, which the AG posted on Twitter.

This is exactly why I want to know what Reduction actually looks like  if reduction means pumping our most vaccine hesitant audience with [T]ucker Carlson saying it doesnt work then  Im not sure its reduction! Flaherty continued, revealing fully that he wanted Carlson to be censored.

Rob Flaherty tells facebook to censor @tuckercarlson pic.twitter.com/mxUT2C8nna  AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) January 6, 2023

Conservative Brief noted further:

Landry and then-Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, now a U.S. senator, sued the Biden administration in May, alleging that officials worked with social media companies to suppress information regarding the 2020 election, the pandemic, and other issues.

A federal court ordered the Biden administration to hand over relevant documents in July.

In response, the unknown Facebook employee said they were running this down now.

On his shows Facebook page, Carlson wrote in September 2020: Facebook is working hard to make sure youre unable to see our latest post regarding a coronavirus whistleblower. They dont want you sharing the video, and they are limiting the number of people who can view it. This is censorship.

But its no wonder Facebook was bending to this pressure. In December, Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to Facebooks parent company, Meta, demanding new censorship and appearing to threaten the company with new regulatory legislation if the platform followed Elon Musks direction in reducing censorship protocols for Twitter.

The letter shocked Georgetown University law professor and attorney Jonathan Turley.

With the restoration of free speech protections on Twitter, panic has grown on the left that its control over social media could come to an end. Now, some of the greatest advocates of censorship in Congress are specifically warning Facebook not to follow Twitter in restoring free speech to its platform, he wrote in a column for Fox News.

In a chilling letter from Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Andre Carson, D-Ind., Kathy Castor, D-Fla., and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Facebook was given a not-so-subtle threat that reducing its infamous censorship system will invite congressional action. The letter to Metas president of global affairs, Nick Clegg, is written on congressional stationery as part of our ongoing oversight efforts,' he added.

With House Republicans pledging to investigate social media censorship when they take control in January, these four Democratic members are trying to force Facebook to recommit to censoring opposing views and to make election censorship policies permanent. Otherwise, they suggest, they may be forced to exercise oversight into any move by Facebook to alter or rollback certain misinformation policies,' Turley noted further.

Got that? Democrats, not Republicans, are the party of tyranny, censorship, and unconstitutional limits on speech, as they have once again proven.

Sources include:

ConservativeBrief.com

FoxNews.com

Facebook.com
According to a recent report, hybrid rice strains could help improve rice production and help low-income farmers.

Although the process could be difficult, new research said that it managed to succeed in propagating the hybrid strain as clones.

Rice serves as a global food. It is an essential part of daily living in many countries. Therefore, many types of research have been developed to improve rice performance and production.

Farmers also faced many challenges in rice yields.

In a recent report, NPR.org explained that farmers encountered more problems: shortages in irrigation water supply, human-caused climate change, natural disasters, and shipping delays.

Ultimatelty, farmers' challenges could result in low production, affecting the supply chain, or making prices soar.

Commercial Hybrid Strains

As a result, research has been significant in addressing the problems in global supplies.

Commercial hybrid strains and rice production could produce more strains that are disease resistant and affordable to farmers.

The study was published in the Nature Communications journal.

The report from the Phys.org website showed that researchers discovered to propagate the hybrid rice strain.

It would be as a clone through seeds, revealing a 95 percent efficiency. In addition, the report explained that it could potentially lower the cost of hybrid seed.

The hybrid rice seed could boost rice production, helping feed billions of people globally.

According to the report on Phys.org, researcher Gurdev Khush explained that rice hybrids are yet to reach farmers globally.

Khush is also an adjunct professor emeritus at the University of California -Davis.

The report said that the researchers looked into how to clone hybrid rice strains, which could have the same efficiency and production.

With continuous efforts and commitment to the project, researchers Venkatesan Sundaresan and Imtiyaz Khanday achieved the difficulty of apomixis in rice.

In 2019, they reached 30% of rice seeds as clones.

Both are from the Departments of Plant Biology and Plant Sciences - at the University of California (Davis).

Also Read: Conservation of Animals is Key to Forest Recovery Efforts and Growth, New Study Reveals

The report explained that the apomixis process in rice plants would be helpful to become accessible worldwide, especially to farmers.

However, the process was not easy.

The process could unveil commercial hybrid plants that could thrive in extreme conditions.

In addition, the seeds could still grow. The report also added that the process and results apply to different crops, which could supply and meet global needs.

Global food supply

On the other hand, a recent Reuters report last year explained that the global supply of rice could be affected due to extreme weather events affecting exporters in Asia.

As a result, low yields could result in rice prices surging.

Meanwhile, the research in Nature Communications added that researchers achieved 95% in the efficiency of clones for hybrid rice strain.

The report said clonal efficiency could help the increasing need for rice globally due to the population boom.

Because rice is a global staple and the population is growing, extreme weather events could affect rice yields, affecting countries and economies.

Related Article: Advanced SWOT Sattelite To Help Communities Prepare for Water-Related Disasters

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
Wildlife in Madagascar has suffered from climate change and habitat loss, in which some animals have become critically endangered.

New research raised concerns over the possible impact of extinction on Madagascar's biodiversity, showing that 23 million years of evolution would need to restore if wildlife there reaches a point of extinction.

Madagascar has been home to rare and unique wildlife, which some could only find there.

The ecosystems in Madagascar are important to many animals and plants. The rich area helps them to repopulate.

According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Madagascar is on the east coast of Africa and is a place for extraordinary wildlife systems.

The report said that Madagascar is the size of France. Meanwhile, WWF added that it seemed the size of Texas.

The population reaches 21 people from different cultures and ethnic groups.

The island has different plants and animals. WWF explained that there are about 11,000 endemic plant species there.

It is still a place for discovery as many biologists and scientists unlocked more species. The report noted that about 615 new species were unveiled in Madagascar from 1999 to 2010.

Although the place is abundant in biodiversity, many animals face threats of extinction and are listed as critically endangered.

For example, the Silky Sifaka is considered a unique animal, but at the same time, the mammal is critically threatened.

23 million years of evolution needed to restore

Published on the Phys.org website, the report explained that about 120 are considered endangered in Madagascar.

The country is also a place for lineages on Earth.

Although the island is rich in biodiversity and evolution, extinction could be the main concern for many researchers and scientists.

WWF explained that the region suffers from deforestation, forest degradation and rampant illegal wildlife trade threats.

As a result, the researchers looked into how the looming problem of extinction could affect the ecosystems in Madagascar and how many years it would take to restore the endangered animals.

Also Read: Small Turtles Sold Online in US Raising Concerns Since Having Them As Pets Cause Health Risks

The study came up with datasets of known species of mammals that managed to live with humans in the said country for about 2,500 years.

The report had 219 alive mammal species, and 30 were considered extinct for many years.

From the gathered datasets, the study looked into how long the biodiversity could evolve to restore or replace the species of extinct mammals in Madagascar over 2,500 years.

The results of the datasets are alarming and surprising.

According to the models, it would need 23 million years to replace or rebuild the diversity in the region if endangered species become extinct.

Conservation efforts

The research raised concerns over the impact of endangered species and the urgent measures to conserve and protect them from threats of extinction.

Wildlife conservation in Madagascar is important because the area is rich in biodiversity and evolution.

However, the challenges that the researchers considered are the socio-economic and politics in Madagascar that could slow down or prevent the conservation of endangered animals.

The research was also published in Nature Communications journal.

Related Article: Conservationists Raise Concerns Over Deaths of Endangered Dolphins in Cambodia, Calling for Urgent Law Enforcement

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The climate crisis contributed to extreme weather events that unleashed globally, causing record-breaking heat, heatwaves, prolonged drought, relentless rain and severe weather conditions.

Human-caused climate change has been the main concern of researchers and scientists due to its impact on extreme weather events.

Many of the extreme events resulted in catastrophic aftermath or widespread damage.

In the United States, NOAA and CNN's recent report showed that the U.S. suffered from severe to extreme natural disasters aggravated by climate change.

In addition, the report raised concerns over the impact on human lives, biodiversity and economies.

Based on the 2022 records, extreme weather disasters in the United States cost about $165 billion in damage.

For the past seven years, CNN reported it reached $1 trillion in damages. In addition, many families were displaced or relocated.

Meanwhile, a previous report from The Guardian revealed that European countries recorded the warmest beginning of the year.

The report said that the Netherlands, Poland, Latvia, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and Denmark had the warmest January 2023.

The warm conditions in Europe forced ski resorts to close due to a lack of snow temporarily.

Climate Crisis

NOAA climate scientist Stephanie Hering explained the alarming rate of extreme natural events, especially extreme heat.

According to The Guardian, the analysis in 2021 and 2022 revealed that global heating played a crucial role in extreme events that unfolded.

News reports in the United States noted the prolonged drought in California.

In addition, AccuWeather reported that the region experienced two weeks of relentless storms unloading heavy rain and damaging winds.

However, the BBC explained that the storms in California could only offer short-term relief, noting that the drought could be addressed by years of severe wet weather.

The climate crisis worsens the problem of drought in Nevadah and California.

Meanwhile, the report added that the United Kingdom suffers from excessive to extreme rainfall due to the issue of global heating.

In China in February 2021, human-caused climate change aggravated the hot weather.

Moreover, the main culprit is human-caused climate change which influences extreme weather events.

Using advanced technology, the report noted that scientists and experts could point out the impact of climate change on disasters.

This year, it is expected that more extreme weather events could unleash globally. Therefore, the commitment of countries and stakeholders is crucial in mitigating the impact of climate change.

Disaster-preparedness

The cooperation to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions is key, as experts explained that human-induced climate change plays a key player in natural disasters.

Poorer countries would be more vulnerable to the threat of climate change and natural disasters.

They could suffer the most because they lack the important technologies for disaster preparedness. The cost of extreme weather events could affect lives, economies and properties.

Using climate models, conserving and protecting trees and the world's oceans is essential to mitigate the worst impact of climate change and global warming.

Related Article: Heavy Rain and Flooding Unlikely to Achieve Big Impact on Prolonged Drought in California

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
The latest report revealed a worrying result: the world's oceans reached the hottest on record in 2022, suffering from prolonged human-caused climate change. Researchers raised concerns over the potential impact on marine ecosystems and natural disasters.Read more here.

For many years, oceans have been crucial in fighting and mitigating the impact of climate change. It traps the excess heat, which reaches a whopping 90%. It helps the environment and humans by addressing human-caused climate change and global warming.

However, oceans are not also safe from the effect of global warming and climate change. According to a recent analysis published on The Guardian's website, the report emphasized that oceans reached the hottest record in 2022.

Ocean Warming

The warming of world oceans could impact marine ecosystems. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explained that any change in ocean temperatures could affect weather patterns and aquatic animals.

EPA added that oceans are crucial the mitigate the impact of climate being a large storage of carbon dioxide. However, increasing ocean temperatures and dissolved carbon could affect the water, making it more acidic.

Many organisms and species in the oceans could not deal with rising temperatures, resulting in widespread damage to corals and marine biodiversity.

Climate change and extreme weather events

Moreover, The Guardian explained that oceans could influence weather patterns. For example, the warming of oceans could unload intense and frequent storms and hurricanes. EPA report added that warmer waters in oceans could unleash damaging storms.

Meanwhile, NOAA said that ocean warming could impact the sea ice. The warmer temperatures could disrupt the ice. Meanwhile, the melting of ice could affect ocean circulation.

The report noted that oceans absorbed more at a whopping ten zeta joules of heat in 2022 than the records in 2021.

The researchers employed new instruments to determine the impact of warming oceans. The international team behind the study explained that greenhouse gases affect the water cycles in the world.

Professor John Abraham, the researcher, explained that extreme weather events unfold due to the ocean, affecting many countries and wildlife. Abraham is also from the University of St Thomas in Minnesota.

Also Read: Cost of Extreme Weather Disasters in United States Reached $165 billion in 2022, NOAA Report Shows

Warming waters could help unfold more hurricanes with damaging storms and winds. The report from the US NOAA highlighted how the climate crisis contributed to extreme weather events globally in 2022.

The research was also published in Advances in Atmospheric Science journal.

Meanwhile, the NOAA's recent report emphasized that the severe and extreme weather events in the United States were worrying as the climate crisis continued to unload extreme events in the United States.

Climate change has contributed to weather disasters in the U.S. A recent repors from CNN and NOAA explained that the cost of extreme weather in the U.S. was $165 billion in damage in 2022. Hurricanes resulted in widespread damage, travel disruptions and casualties.

Related Article: Isolated Tornadoes, Hail and Flooding Downpours Expected in Southern US This Week, Forecast Warns

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
When following a trail up a mountain, cave, or hill, rock towers are typical sights. Recently, though, the National Park has asked hikers to stop doing anything illegal, including knocking down or building rock towers.

Although the typical view from the top of a trail is worth the effort, IFLScience reports that the summit of a hiking trail is also most of the time covered in lots and lots of stacked rocks, rock towers, or cairns. Cairn is derived from a Scottish Gaelic word that means "heap of stones."

Rock Towers or Cairns vs. GPS

These types of rock cairns are frequently erected along well-known trails such as the Camino de Santiago to guide hikers on particularly perplexing routes. But recently, cairns have started to appear everywhere on hiking trails, frequently in groups and typically by specific landmarks or rest areas.

Cairns can help people who are traveling in similar directions feel more connected to one another and can even guide those who have a poor sense of direction. The US National Park Service contends that the ornamental ones might confuse visitors who are unfamiliar with the area and frequently lead them in the wrong direction. Additionally, creating cairns goes against the idea of leaving no trace, which is a fundamental aspect of being outside or in nature. Bearfoot Theory also agrees with and emphasized this concept in their feature article.

Also Read: Cave Exploring Gone Wrong: 10 Horrific Accidents of People Trapped in Caves

A small animal living beneath a rock may have been accidentally disturbed when the rock was moved from one location to another. Moving stones can also exacerbate soil erosion or ruin the delicate microhabitats that support plant and animal life. Additionally, shifting a rock to increase the height of a cairn could make the entire structure collapse, defeating the purpose.

On the other hand, proponents of cairns contend that they are useful because they direct hikers and stop them from wandering off course and damaging protected areas. However, the US National Parks Department asserts that trekkers are becoming baffled by the unauthorized cairns because their number has grown so significantly. Those planning to do lots of hiking should always carry wayfinding tools such as GPS or maps to navigate, rather than depending on rock towers or cairns.

Bates Cairn

It is believed that Waldron Bates, the principal author of an island path map released in 1896, is responsible for the creation of cairns. He wrote a manual to set guidelines for how things should be handled because he was passionate about keeping hiking trails in good condition. In addition, he established the Bates cairn construction method, which is very different from the contemporary simple stacks.

Why It is Illegal

The National Parks Service advises against tampering with, constructing upon, or enhancing existing rock cairns or towers. Kicking over a rock tower is also unadvisable. To further clarify, moving the rocks could be considered to be vandalism, which is prohibited by law, IFLScience reports.

Related article: New Mysteries Unlocked as Hell Hole in California Explored by Cavers
Cats always land on their feet, but how do they do it? Their unusual sense of balance has more in common with humans than one might think.

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology are studying cat locomotion to better understand how the spinal cord works to help humans with partial spinal cord damage walk and maintain balance

Cat locomotion could unlock better human spinal cord injury treatment

The researchers show that somatosensory feedback, or neural signals from specialized sensors throughout a cat's body, helps inform the spinal cord about ongoing movement and coordinates the four limbs to keep cats from falling when they encounter obstacles using a combination of experimental studies and computational models, as per ScienceDaily.

According to research, the animal can walk even if the connection between the spinal cord and the brain is partially fractured by using motion-related sensory signals.

Understanding the mechanisms of this type of balance control is especially important for the elderly, who frequently have balance issues and can injure themselves in falls.

The researchers hope that this will eventually lead to a better understanding of the role of somatosensory feedback in balance control.

It could also lead to advancements in spinal cord injury treatment because the research suggested that activating somatosensory neurons can improve spinal neural networks' function below the spinal cord damage site.

Cats Who Worked Together

Although genetically modified mouse models have recently become dominant in research on neural control of locomotion, the cat model has a significant advantage.

Mice remain crouched when they move, which means they are less likely to have balance issues even if somatosensory feedback fails.

On the other hand, humans and cats cannot maintain balance or even move if sensory information about limb motion is lost.

This suggests that larger species, such as cats and humans, may have a different spinal neural network organization controlling locomotion than rodents.

Georgia Tech collaborated with researchers from the University of Sherbrooke in Canada and Drexel University in Philadelphia to learn more about how sensory neuron signals the coordinated movement of the four legs.

The Sherbrooke lab trained cats to walk on a treadmill at a pace consistent with human gait before stimulating their sensory nerves with electrodes.

The researchers concentrated on the sensory nerve that connects the top of the foot to the spinal cord.

Researchers electrically stimulated this nerve to simulate hitting an obstacle and observed how the cats stumbled and rectified their actions as a result.

Stimulations were used at four different points during the walking cycle: mid-stance, stance-to-swing change, mid-swing, and swing-to-stance transition.

They discovered that the stimulation increased activity in muscles that flex the knee and hip joints, joint flexion, toe height, step length, and step duration of the stimulated limb during the mid-swing and the stance-to-swing transition.

Also read: German Town Bans Cats From Going Outdoors to Save Endangered Crested Lark

Computational Model in cats

Georgia Tech and Drexel University researchers are using observations from these Canadian lab experiments to develop a computational model of the cat's musculoskeletal and spinal neural control systems.

The data gathered are used to compute somatosensory signals related to length and velocity, and produced a force on muscles, as well as pressure on the skin in all limbs.

This information generates motion sensations in the animal's spinal cord and helps the spinal neuronal networks coordinate interlimb movement.

"We need to understand how the entire system works to help treat any disease," Prilutsky said.

"That was one reason why this study was performed, so we could comprehend how the spinal channels coordinate muscle activity and create a realistic computational model of spinal control of locomotion. This will help us understand how the spinal cord regulates locomotion," he added via Newswise.

Related article: Cats Imitate Owners' Habits, Says Study
The latest weather report warned that multiple tornadoes outbreaks unloaded in Alabama, causing significant damage and road travel challenges.

In previous reports, residents in Alabama suffered from tornado outbreaks last year in the Mississippi and Louisiana.

Recently, the weather forecast raised concerns over the severe weather conditions in the Southern United States.

Nature World News alerted residents and motorists of damaging winds and isolated tornadoes.

This week, forecasts should stay updated with the weather updates as severe weather conditions could be concerning.

Meanwhile, AccuWeather's latest weather report on January 13, at 6:16 A.M. explained that severe weather conditions and tornado outbreaks occurred in Alabama and Georgia, issuing a state emergency as tornadoes could become extremely violent and dangerous.

Tornado outbreaks

Families should seek a secure and safe place if tornadoes emerge, especially at night.

The CDC advisory on natural disasters noted that tornadoes could put anyone in a life-threatening situation, adding safety concerns outdoors.

The tornado outbreaks in Alabama became extremely dangerous and violent. AccuWeather reported that six fatalities were recorded in Autauga County, as local reports confirmed.

The National Weather Service in Birmingham alerted people of a life-threatening tornado emergency and advised them to take shelter.

In Selma, dangerous tornadoes were reported (As of Thursday), causing significant damage and fear among residents. The weather report also said the area suffered from downed power lines, causing power outages.

In Central Alabama, the report said that structural damages were seen, and downed trees were blown away by tornadoes.

Portions of Oroville, Alabama, on Highway 22 also reported tornado emergence.

The AccuWeather report and the National Weather Service also explained that tornadoes were spotted in portions of Kentucky, especially in Boyle County.

Also Read: Portions of Atlanta, Georgia and Alabama to Expect Threat of Severe Thunderstorms and Damaging Winds Starting Wednesday

The severe weather conditions in the southern United States unloaded rain and damaging wind gusts.

Local authorities in the affected states immediately deployed assistance and clearing operations that could become difficult in travel and delivery of services.

Meanwhile, the City of Selma assured residents of immediate assistance as emergency responses were ready.

The advisory also advised residents and motorists to remain calm. Being alert during tornado outbreaks is important because every minute counts.

The early weeks of January became chaotic in Alabama as tornadoes resulted in significant damage.

As tornadoes wreaked havoc in Alabama and major roadways in Joffrey and Old Kingston, motorists could expect slowed commutes and significant travel disruptions, especially on County Road 68.

Tornado Safety

As mentioned, tornado safety is crucial as it could bring high risks. Knowing how to act is important. The life-threatening situation could rampage and cost lives.

Here are important reminders during tornado outbreaks.

Bring your family to a safe place in your house. Keep away from windows, ensuring that you close t. Cover your head as you hide in secure areas.

It is best to ensure that mobile phones and radios are functioning to inform your situation and location.

Every home should have an emergency kit with flash flight, basic food necessities, a power bank, battery-powered radio and medicines.

Related Article: Isolated Tornadoes, Hail and Flooding Downpours Expected in Southern US This Week, Forecast Warns

For more similar, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The Met Office predicted that rain and strong winds will 'dominate' as we approach the weekend.

However, it will be followed by a return of wintry showers and colder weather on Monday and Tuesday.

One of the driving forces behind the sudden drop in temperatures is a jet stream.

Wet and Wild Weekend with Strong Winds In the UK

"There is the potential for what could be a widespread snow event across large parts of the country,"' Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden told the Express.

"This could be heavy in places and lead to accumulation, disrupting roads and travel networks."

Amid the chaos, schools were closed and councils ran out of grit.

The Met Office's Aidan McGivern also forecasted an "unpredictable" weather for many in the coming weeks.

He stated that the jet stream has become more amplified and is approaching the UK from the northwest rather than the west as in recent days, as per Metro.

This subtle shift into the beginning of next week will bring colder weather, and instead of continuous bouts of rain from the west, most likely to see rain and showers from the northwest.

'These showers from the north could fall as snow over high parts of Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland later this weekend, and as we move through next week, often below-average temperatures could support a mix of rain, hail, sleet, and snow.

The majority of any snowfall will most likely fall in higher parts of the northern UK.

People looking for last-minute ski trips this month could travel north, where heavy snow is expected at the Cairngorms and Glencoe mountain in Scotland.

Forecasters predict that Snowdonia in Wales could receive up to 14cm of snow, while the Pennines could receive up to 8cm.

Also read: Heatwave to Hit the UK in April and Climate Change is to Blame: Met Office Forecast

A -12C Polar blast will cause the worst January deluge in a decade

The gates to the Arctic will fling open this weekend spilling icy winds across Scotland and northern England, as per Express

While Scotland and northern Britain are in the path of the worst of the weather, widespread snowfall is possible.

According to Exacta Weather forecaster James Madden, there is the potential for a widespread snow event across large parts of the country.

The snow will most likely fall first in the north, but we now expect some snow in the south during this period.

Furthermore, the risk of snowfall is increasing, which could produce images similar to the historic snow events of 2009 and 2010.

Temperatures are expected to plummet this weekend, according to independent forecasters, so Britons should dig out their winter coats.

Weather models predict a near-nationwide sow risk next week, but experts say this is likely to be exaggerated.

Northern Britain, Scotland, and Wales, on the other hand, are on the hit list, with the entire country bracing for the bitter bite.

According to Jim Dale, a meteorologist for British Weather Services, the cold weather will likely begin to arrive from the northwest this weekend, before it really bites next week as winds from the northwest arrive.

Because of the low pressure, there will be some moisture, which will result in wintry showers.

These will primarily affect the country's north.

He added that the cold spell will last until the middle of next week before the weather returns to milder and more volatile.

Government forecasters have also issued a warning, predicting that the relentless wind and rain this week will eventually give way to colder weather.

The more immediate risk, however, is from heavy downpours on saturated ground, which increases the risk of flooding.

Related article: UK Weather: August Bank Holiday Will Be Expected With Heavy Rain While 26C Heatwave Returns Next Week

Stay Tuned To Nature World News For More Weather News
Fish consumption in monkeys was thought to be a rare occurrence, possibly occurring accidentally.

However, evidence of fish-eating among Japanese macaques in the Kamikochi area has been suggested through fecal studies.

The frequency with which fish DNA has been found in feces suggests more than just feeding on dead or dying fish.

Fish-hunting and eating behaviors confirmed in Japanese macaques

Further investigation using film and sensor cameras revealed 14 documented cases of these macaques fishing for food, with an additional six cases of fish capture and feeding being highly likely, as per ScienceDaily.

These cases were documented in at least three different groups of macaques and appear to occur regardless of the time of day or weather conditions, despite the fact that the study only lasted from January to March of 2022.

This behavior is important for future research into survival behaviors, how they were acquired in the first place, and how they might be passed down to future generations.

Recently published findings back up the original report, which was published in the same journal in November 2021 and hypothesized these fish-seeking efforts.

The findings were published in Scientific Reports on November 29, 2022.

This catching and feeding behavior appears to be an extension of previously documented feeding behaviors on vegetation growing above the snow's surface as well as aquatic plant matter and, by extension, insects found on these plants.

Because the streams containing these aquatic plants are also home to many cold-water salmonids, it's natural to speculate that the macaques may switch from an insect to a fish meal.

These "pre-adaptations" are the proposed mechanism for the observed fish-hunting and eating behaviors, though evolutionary pressures due to the harsh winter conditions could also contribute to the unusual behavior observed in this area's macaques.

Following the confirmation of fishing behaviors in Japanese macaques in the Kamikochi region, the next step is to learn more about why and how these behaviors evolved.

Also Read: Long-tailed Macaques Sent to the United States For Laboratory Experiment Die During Plane Journey

The Silver-Haired Primates in Indonesia

Last 2008, researchers from The Nature Conservancy and the Great Ape Trust observed groups of long-tailed macaques scooping up small fish with their hands and eating them along rivers in Indonesia's East Kalimantan and North Sumatra provinces four times in the last eight years.

The species had previously been observed eating fruit and foraging for crabs and insects, but had never been observed fishing from rivers.

"It's exciting to see new behavior after such a long time," said Erik Meijaard, one of the authors of a study on fishing macaques published in the International Journal of Primatology last month. "It demonstrates how little we know about the species," as per the BBC.

The Nature Conservancy's senior science adviser, Meijaard, said it's unclear what prompted the long-tailed macaques to go fishing.

However, he stated that it demonstrated a trait of the monkeys that researchers are well-aware of: the ability to adapt to changing environments and shifting food sources.

The paper's other authors are The Nature Conservancy volunteers Anne-Marie E. Stewart, Chris H. Gordon, and Philippa Schroor, as well as Serge Wich of the Great Ape Trust.

Other primates that have shown fishing behavior, according to Meijaard, include Japanese macaques, chacma baboons, olive baboons, chimps, and orangutans.

Agustin Fuentes, an anthropology professor at the University of Notre Dame who studies long-tailed macaques, or macaca fascicularis, on the Indonesian island of Bali and in Singapore, said he was "heartened" to see the discovery published because such details can reveal the "complexity of these animals."

Fuentes claimed to have observed long-tailed macaques foraging for frogs and crabs in flooded paddy fields in Bali.

He believes that their ability to thrive in urban and rural environments from Indonesia to northern Thailand can teach endangered species a thing or two.

Related article: Macaques in Yamaguchi Form Aggressive Monkey Gang Responsible for Over 50 Attacks
Ants escaping from rising floodwaters were responsible for causing widespread power outage in Broome, Western Australia, which left residents without electricity for several hours amid inclement weather in recent days, according to local sources.

The claim indicated that the insects might have disrupted the electricity supply in the town by allegedly damaging cable wirings linked to power lines.

Western Australia Rain and Flooding

Several parts of Australia experienced heavy rain and flooding in the past several weeks since December 23 last year when Tropical Cyclone Ellie formed off the west of Northern Territory.

The same storm was responsible for bringing floods in some parts of Western Australia, according to reports earlier this week.

What used to be dominated by warm weather and dry conditions, Western Australia was inundated with raging floodwaters.

According to local news outlet 9 News, outback towns and rivers across Western Australia's Kimberley region faced record-breaking floods which cut off access to towns, forced road closures, and transformed the landscape into a sea.

Also Read: Worst Record-Breaking Flooding in Western Australia: Heavy Rain Unloaded and Many Residents Were Evacuated

Ant Infestation and Outages

The recent adverse weather led to power outages due to various weather hazards.

However, local electricity service provider Horizon Power reportedly said the reason behind the large-scale electric supply disruption is caused by an ant swarm, confirming on Thursday that major flooding and outages occurred across Kimberley.

In a Facebook post, the Broome Advertiser on Thursday cited a statement from Horizon Power that an "ant infestation" is at the center of the Broome blackout which left its inhabitants without air conditioners for around five hours overnight.

Can Ants Cause Power Outages?

Experts said ants can cause power outages, especially when they destroy crucial components of the electric infrastructure, as some cases reported in the past.

In addition, some gadget owners and pest control companies before also attributed ants for damaging mobile gadgets and other electronic equipment in the house.

Back in 2002, the Midland region in the US suddenly experienced a power outage as some parts of the country, including Michigan, faced severe storms in July that year.

However, spokesman of Consumers Energy Co. Kevin Keane that time said ants were to blame for the afternoon power outages which left over 100 customers without power, stating that the ants filled and ate the inside of the pole, according to Midland Daily News.

Keane added that the hollowed Michigan cedar pole was already old and was not treated with chemicals initially used to protect newly-installed poles.

In 2013, pest exterminator named Mike Matthews received a call because a home's air-conditioning underwent short-circuit due to "crazy ants," according to NBC News, which reported that Matthews has seen the ants disable multiple air-conditioning units near Austin, Texas.

The ant swarm storms in the interior of the units, causing them to short-circuit and prevents them from tuning on again.

Multiple reports also said that such swarm could consist of thousands of ants and overwhelm even the largest electronics.

Related Article: Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Hit Northern Australia, Fire Weather Reported in the Western and Southern Regions
The saga of the Indian Armys intelligence failures is long starting with the Pakistan Army supported raiders surreptitiously entering Kashmir in 1947 reaching the gates of Srinagar near Badgam when these were beaten back towards Muzaffarabad.

by Rahul K Bhonsle

General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army in his customary media briefing ahead of the 75th Army Day outlined the significant challenge faced by the worlds second largest army that of assessing the enemy intent on the other side of the hill.

Thus, referring to the Northern borders with China, the Army Chief General Pande said, In the northern borders the situation is stable and under control yet unpredictable. You are aware of the ongoing talks (both at military as well as diplomatic levels) wherein weve been able to resolve five out of seven issues that were there on the table.

General Manoj Pande, Chief of Army Staff of the Indian Army in his customary media briefing assessed the enemy intent on the other side of the hill. [Photo Credit: security-risks.com]

Clearly this was an admission of the military being blind on the intelligence front which is a failing that is not new to the Indian armed forces and is frequently made up by the blood and toil of soldiers on the ground and junior officers who demonstrate commitment and vigour to notch up many operational successes.

The saga of the Indian Armys intelligence failures is long starting with the Pakistan Army supported raiders surreptitiously entering Kashmir in 1947 reaching the gates of Srinagar near Badgam when these were beaten back towards Muzaffarabad.

The momentous failure of 1962 War against China is shrouded in the mystery of the Henderson Brooks Report which has never been officially released yet excerpts from the same have been quoted from time to time.

In 1971, the success of Liberation War in Bangladesh may have been different had General later Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw not insisted on launching operations at a time of his choosing despite significant pressures from then Prime Minister Ms Indira Gandhi.

Thereafter from Kargil in 1999 to the large scale terrorist attacks in Uri and Pulwama military intelligence failures have continued which have been made up by unleashing operational capability be it Operation Vijay in 1999 to so called, surgical strikes, in 2016.

The story has been familiar in recent years with the Army failing to anticipate Chinas intrusions across selected points on the Line of Actual Control. But for the saga of the Galwan incident of 15 June 2020 when skirmishing Indian Army and Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) clashed with casualties to both sides, these intrusions may not have gathered national attention.

However, by establishing a post on the high Kailash Range in the summer of 2020, the military partially made up for the losses. The Yangtse incident on December 09 this year is an indicator that lessons are being learnt fast and the military is now anticipating possible actions by the PLA.

Yet the surge of attacks in Rajauri sector in Jammu and Kashmir in January 2023 brings to light concerns that the rise in awareness of adversary intention remains a question mark. The killing of four soldiers in August 2022 should have been warning enough of infiltration of groups in this sector but the military perhaps believed that the counter infiltration grid was impermeable.

The Statement by the Army Chief that the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) was uncertain, is another marker of the intelligence dilemma faced by the Army.

By making huge investments in drones and UAVs as reports indicate apart from other resources the Indian Army Forces hope to make up for the deficit.

However, this is not likely to lead to removal of, uncertainty, vis a vis China or Pakistan.

Understanding the Long Game

Developing intelligence of enemy, Intent, is a complex process the principal feature of which is understanding the Long Game of the adversary.

Chinas aggressive proclamations of regaining territorial sovereignty was evidently ignored at the national as well as military level, with belief in diplomacy at the high table.

While China has abandoned the agreements for peace and tranquility on the LAC made during a period when there was obviously a need felt in Beijing for keeping the ghosts of the past under cover, the present regime under President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping is no longer shackled by constraints of the past and is unwilling to, bide the time and never take the initiative, sayings of the Deng era.

Galwan is thus a symptom of the disease of a blinkers down approach, and here the Army alone cannot be faulted.

But where the blame directly rests on the military is in discontinuing vigil on the LAC which was the express charge of the Army and prevent intrusions regardless of ongoing diplomacy.

Why the commanders in the field were complacent will never be clear, yet the Army seems to have learnt the lessons well if Yangtse is any example.

Understanding China and Pakistans Long Game is therefore important, what that is will be a subject of another discussion.

Character of Wars and Insurgencies Transforms

Yet another indicator of knowing the Intent of the enemy is to track the way he will fight in the light of his Long Game.

It is an oft known maxim that while nature of war is constant the character of wars and insurgencies changes based on application of violence by an adversary.

The next war will be different from the previous one and an agile aggressor as Pakistan will continue to strive to change the pattern of terrorism in J & K catching the security forces off guard.

For crystal gazing, investing in mastering the many techniques of futures assumes importance.

Brigadier (Retired) Rahul K Bhonsle, MSc, MPhil, MBA is an Indian army military veteran with 30 years active field experience in counter militancy and terrorism operations. He is presently Director of Sasia Security-Risks.com, a South Asian security risk and knowledge management consultancy which specializes in future scenarios, military capacity building and conflict trends in South Asia.
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.
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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."
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.
I really liked the cluster model, but because of the pandemic and the disruption and all those things, it was not the time to do something like that. Its just not fair to our students, its not fair to our community, Superintendent Shelia Boozer said.
Says Mark McKinnon: I think by the end of 2023, it will become obvious that neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden can be the nominees of their parties. There is a reason most corporations force out leadership by 65 or 67."
Ryan Hutchison, left, listens Friday as Judge Brett Olmstead explains the criminal charges and possible penalties he faces for an alleged Thursday spree that started in Indiana and ended in north Champaign. He is guarded by court security Officer Bryce Good.
Ethan Simmons is a reporter at The News-Gazette covering the University of Illinois. His email is esimmons@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@ethancsimmons).
The usual six-month long cease fire between the Shia rebels and the Yemen government and their Arab (mainly Saudi Arabian) allies has been somewhat unusual in that fighting has not returned to pre-ceasefire levels, probably because the rebels are having resource and personnel problems. The Saudis are mostly concerned with rebel missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and shipping in the Red Sea. The key to the ceasefire was the rebels halting their attacks on Saudi Arabia and Red Sea traffic while the Saudis halted their use of air and artillery strikes against rebel targets everywhere in Yemen. The STC (South Transitional Council) and many government troops spent the ceasefire period going after Islamic terrorist groups AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) and ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) in the south. The major reason the rebels agreed to a ceasefire was a decline in Iranian support due to lack of funds plus unrest at home. The Iranian weapons, cash, advisors and smuggling network supercharged the Shia rebels, enabling them to keep fighting the more numerous and better armed force arrayed against them. Iran has been openly supporting the Shia rebels since 2014 and later admitted that less visible support had been supplied since 2011.

Growing economic sanctions on Iran and eventual Saudi and American success in discovering details of the Iranian smuggling operation finally worked. By 2021 the Shia rebels became more interested in negotiating than fighting. The rebels were losing and were forced into survival mode. They were not giving up, the Yemeni Shia have never done that, but their effort to conquer and rule all of Yemen was suspended. The Iranian situation got much worse after September 2022 when nationwide anti-government protests began and have continued. The Yemeni government accuses the rebels of turning to looting of government facilities in areas they control. For a long time that worked but now it doesnt because the loss of Iranian financial support put an end to the understanding that prevented or limited looting.

Even without being officially renewed, the ceasefire is continuing because neither side wants to risk the heavy casualties a resumption of full-scale fighting would mean. Iran is technically at war with most of the Arab oil states as well as Israel, the United States and anyone else who gets in their way. Given the growing number of countries that oppose Iran or are losing patience with Iranian troublemaking, there is something of a deathwatch attitude towards Iran. At least for the rest of 2023 not much is expected to change in Yemen.

There are older, more persistent problems that beset Yemen. These currently include;

The North-South Divide. This one is centuries old and was last mended in the 1990s. The possibility of a split has returned because the UAE (United Arab Emirates) has been in charge of security (and aid delivery) in the south since 2015 and supported formation of the STC. This group is composed of southern tribes that want autonomy but are willing to fight and defeat the Islamic terrorists as well as the Shia rebels first. Aidarous al Zubaidi, the STC leader, is seen as more popular in the south than Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, the most recently elected president of united Yemen. Hadi has only briefly visited Yemen a few times since becoming president in 2015 and spends most of his time in the Saudi capital. This is for Hadis safety, given the number of assassinations going on in Aden, where the Hadi government was moved to in 2015. The Saudis and the UAE do not agree on dividing Yemen once more but for the moment it is more convenient to support the STC and efforts to defeat the Iran backed Shia rebels. After that, who knows?

The Shia Tribal Autonomy War. This has been going on forever as well and is all about the traditional autonomy some of the northern Shia tribes long enjoyed but was taken away several times in the last century. The tribes always manage to regain it but this time they are trying to revive an autonomy they lost over fifty years ago and are doing it with the backing of Saudi archenemy Iran. The Shia tribes are persistent because they see themselves on a Mission From a Shia God sponsored by Iran.

The Saleh Loyalists. Ali Abdullah Saleh and his clan lost national power in 2012 and wanted it back. Saleh demonstrated that he could not be ignored and sided with the Shia rebels. Saleh ruled Yemen for decades before the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings unified his many opponents. Unfortunately, Saleh decided to switch sides again in late 2017 and was negotiating a deal with Hadi when the rebels found out and killed him in early December 2017. Tarek Mohamed Abdullah Saleh, the brigadier general nephew of Saleh, united the many pro-Saleh factions who were willing to switch sides. This weakened the Shia rebels, but not fatally so. The Saleh clan is still out there, but not as powerful as it was when the elder Saleh was still alive.

Al Qaeda. Yemen has always been full of Islamic conservatives and radicals and many of those who founded al Qaeda came from Yemen or Yemeni families that had moved to oil-rich neighbors in the last fifty years and prospered economically but not mellowed theologically. From al Qaeda came AQAP (Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula) and in 2013 ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant). ISIL and AQAP are technically enemies but have established a truce in Yemen while both concentrate on terror attacks. The massive losses ISIL suffered worldwide during 2016-17 caused many surviving members to return to more moderate groups like AQAP. Despite that ISIL has been seen surviving and perhaps even gaining strength in Yemen.

The Sunni-Shia War. This one is mainly between Iran (the largest Shia nation) and the Sunni-dominated GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council, the Arab oil states in the Persian Gulf). Iran wants to replace Saudi Arabia as the guardian of the most holy Islamic sites in Mecca and Medina in western Saudi Arabia near the Red Sea. The GCC and Iran are using Yemen as a battlefield and no one likes this. But for Iran it is a cheap way to annoy and demean the Saudis. The Saudis are most at risk here because the Shia rebel homeland is a northern Yemen province on the Saudi border. The Saudis cannot afford to have an Iran-backed Shia faction on their southern border.

Failed State

Its not just the many conflicts that make Yemen such a mess. There are other, more fundamental problems. The Saudis have no problem with Yemen fragmenting. Many Yemenis insist that the country is not becoming a failed state, because modern Yemen has always been a failed state. The problems of tribalism, religious radicalism and corruption make it impossible for Yemen to function as a country.

The continued popularity of dividing the country in two is partly about what little oil Yemen has, as it is in the south and thats where the Sunni separatists are. Islamic terrorists (mainly AQAP) are also in the south and willing to help the separatists. Most southerners just want peace and some prosperity. There are enough devoted separatists in the south to provide sanctuaries and support for Islamic terrorists. Most southerners realize that a new (separatist run) government in the south would be as corrupt as the one they have now and the ones Yemen has had for thousands of years. As a result of all this and years of fighting, it is more difficult to bring foreign aid into the south, which needs it the most, because AQAP believes such aid, even though most is from Moslem countries, is tainted and should be prevented.

The basic problem is that too many Yemenis dont want to be Yemenis. The country was a patchwork of independent tribes and cities when the English East India Company took control of some Yemeni ports in the 1830s and 40s to support and protect ships moving between Britain and India. The Ottoman Turks maintained their control over most of northern Yemen until 1918, when the Ottoman Empire collapsed. Britain took over from the Ottomans and established the borders of modern Yemen. But Yemen was still not a unified country. When the British left Yemen in 1967, their former colony in Aden became one of two countries called Yemen. The two parts of Yemen finally united in 1990, but a civil war in 1994 was needed to seal the deal. That fix didn't really take, and within a decade the north and south were pulling apart again.

All this corruption and lack of unity is related to the fact that Yemen has always been a region, not a country. Like most of the rest of the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa (northeast Africa) region, the normal form of government, until the last century or so, were wealthier coastal city states, nervously coexisting with interior tribes that got by on herding or farming or a little of both. This whole "nation" idea is still looked on with some suspicion by many in the region. This is why the most common forms of government are the more familiar ones of antiquity such as kingdom, emirate or modern variation in the form of a hereditary dictatorship. Yemen is still all about the tribes. The national government is a bunch of guys who deal with foreigners, and try to maintain peace among the tribes. Controlling the national government is a source of much wealth, as officials can steal part of the foreign aid and taxes on imports or royalties from oil.

This lack of nationalism means a lack of cooperation or willingness to act in the public interest. Much of the Yemeni agricultural crisis is caused by the fact that Yemen's economic situation has been rapidly deteriorating since the late 20th century. This is largely because the government has done nothing to address the problems of overpopulation, water shortages and Khat. The last item is a narcotic plant that is chewed fresh, requires a lot of water to grow and is worth a lot of money in Saudi Arabia where it is illegal and has to be smuggled in.

There is little willingness to cooperate. Feuding, fighting and blaming others for the mess are the preferred methods for dealing with the problems. Before oil was discovered in Arabia nearly a century ago, Yemen had long been the most populous, powerful and pleasant part of Arabia because it was the only part of Arabia with regular rains. This was thanks to the annual Indian Ocean monsoon. Most of the oil deposits were at the north end of the Persian Gulf and Yemen lost out there. Yemenis had long despised the less affluent Arabians to the north, but since oil arrived the Yemenis have become despised and they did not take it well. Resentment, envy and a sense of entitlement have combined with the lack of unity to produce Yemen that is a nation in name only. Few others in the region have much sympathy for the Yemenis who are seen as the main cause of their own problems and the main obstacle to solving them. Since that is all you have to work with, it is no wonder that Yemen came to be such a perennial disaster area.

The concept of a unified Yemen was largely created by Cold War politics and how Britain handled a threat to their seaborne trade in the early 19th century. That was when Britain took control of Aden. This was partly to shut down the many pirates operating out of there, who were increasingly going after British ships traveling between Asia (India, Southeast Asia and China) and Britain. Only Aden was needed but the British made deals with the tribes that occupied most of southern Yemen coast and had long depended on Aden and other southern ports for supplies and such. Britain made Aden and the smaller southern ports more prosperous with new trading opportunities and provided more benefits for the interior tribes. Most importantly the tribes still had their autonomy, as well as British protection from outsiders. The Suez Canal opened in 1869 and over the next few decades larger, more efficient, steam powered metal vessels supplanted and replaced wooden sailing ships. That meant a lot more trade moving past. Aden and South Yemen became more prosperous.

When the British left in the early 1960s, as part of a widespread abandonment of colonies by European nations, there was some unrest and fighting in the newly independent South Yemen. This was because Aden was much less religious and traditional with a better educated population and it was no surprise that Aden and some other South Yemen cities were dominated by local communists. From 1970 until the fall of European communism in 1989, South Yemen was a communist state, subsidized by the Soviet Union, and the only such one in the Arab world.

Most of that enthusiasm for communism was centered in Aden and its suburbs. This is where most of the South Yemen population lived and where an even larger proportion of its GDP came from. A few other coastal cities had the same type of population and political attitudes, giving the urban population control of politics as well as the economy. The tribal minority, out in the desert and semi-desert inland areas, was much more religious and traditional. But over the centuries the urban and tribal populations had learned to get along and respect each others customs.

It was different in northern Yemen, where the urban population was not as dominant and the tribal population was economically better off and about as religious and conservative as their southern counterparts. The problem was the northern and southern tribes saw each other as foreigners. This is a common situation in tribal cultures, which includes the rest of the Arabian Peninsula. Yet even then there was some enthusiasm for a united Yemen in the north and south.

With the collapse of European communism and the Soviet Union between 1989 and 1991 the Russian subsidies stopped and unification was suddenly much more appealing. After a few years of haggling, and occasional fighting, Yemen was united by 1994. At that point there were still factions in the north and south who believed unity was overrated and that two Yemens was preferable. That is no longer the case, not with most of the population surviving on foreign food aid. Many of those hungry Yemenis have to pay Shia rebels for this free food. The foreign aid NGOs (non-government organizations) and the UN complain about this but the Shia rebels are armed and dangerous and the UN is not. Not armed that is.

There is resistance to admitting that Yemen is a failed state, one of those areas, like Somalia and Afghanistan, that were never united for long and are basically several smaller entities that are not really interested in unity with their neighbors who are supposed to be their countrymen. And then there is the corruption problem. Yemen has long been recognized as one of the most corrupt places on the planet and the civil war has not changed that because Yemen has long been at the bottom of the list.

The most corrupt nations are usually North Korea, Yemen, Syria, South Sudan and Somalia. The least corrupt at the top of the list are New Zealand and Denmark, Finland, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Netherlands, Canada and Luxembourg, followed by the industrialized states that are democracies, or at least well-run monarchies. A classic example of the impact of a socialist police state versus free market democracy is Korea. North Korea is one of the most corrupt while South Korea is closer to the top of the list.

January 11, 2023: The Shia rebels lost eight men in a clash with government forces on the ceasefire line. Five of the dead were described as leaders (as two colonels and five lieutenants), which indicates an ambush or a surprise attack using artillery.

January 6, 2023: In the south (Abyan province) seven STC militiamen were killed and many more wounded by a roadside bomb. It was apparently AQAP members who placed and detonated the bomb. The STC forces have been very active in Abyan province seeking AQAP personnel and their hideouts.

An American warship intercepted another smugglers boat traveling Iran to the Red Sea coast of Yemen controlled by the Shia rebels. This was a dhow (traditional wooden cargo ship) that was found to be carrying 2,116 AK-47 rifles for the Shia rebels in Yemen. This is the third such interception in three months. There is a naval blockade of the Yemen coast and the Americans provide an interception force closer to the Iranian ports the smuggling boats leave from with their hidden cargoes. The Americans appear to have improved their intelligence on how the Iranian smuggling to Yemen operates. Information may also be coming from inside Iran where a lot of Iranians are seeking to overthrow their government and halt expensive overseas operations like the civil war in Yemen. Were it not for Iranian support, the Yemeni rebels would have been defeated long ago. The Iranian aid to the Yemeni rebels is not subtle. There are many Iranians specialists from the IRGC Quds Force in Yemen. These are led by a retired Quds Force general who is the Iranian ambassador to rebel controlled Yemen, which is about a third of the country, including the capital. The rebels are on the defensive because Iranian aid has been sharply reduced in the last year because of the blockade and increased economic sanctions on Iran.

January 5, 2023: The United States announced a $5 million reward for information on the location of Ibrahim Al Banna (aka Abu Ayman Al Masri), one of several senior leaders of AQAP, which has been based in Yemen since it was founded in 2009. Al Banna is the last of the founding members of AQAP. Back then he was middle-management but has slowly moved up the ranks because so many senior leaders have been killed. For example, in early 2021 AQAP confirmed that their leader, Qassim al Rimi, a personal friend of al Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden, was killed by an American airstrike in November 2020, along with two of his associates. Khalid Batarfi was named the new (and current) AQAP leader. AQAP has been less active since 2017, waiting to see how the civil war will end. Yemen became the new headquarters of AQAP when Saudi Arabia was no longer safe for the terrorists after 2007. Then came ISIL and then an invading army of troops from oil-rich neighbors. ISIL forces in Yemen are even fewer and also less active. Banna has been recognized as one of the key AQAP members since 2014 and counter-terrorism agencies have kept detailed records on his activities.

Since 2017 AQAP has been under heavy attack by the Americans and the Arab coalition and AQAP responded by shifting more of their attacks from Shia rebels to the government and Arab coalition forces. ISIL and AQAP were fighting each other a lot after mid-2018 and since early 2020 ISIL has not been very active. ISIL lost this war and some ISIL factions are known to be hiding out in Shia rebel territory. That requires offering some cooperation with the Shia rebels and that apparently includes useful intel on what is going on in the rest of Yemen, where ISIL still has fans. ISIL and AQAP are both trying to rebuild, especially after the losses (including defections) during its battles with each other.

December 3, 2022: An American warship intercepted another fishing boat traveling Iran to the Red Sea coast of Yemen controlled by the Shia rebels. Over 50 tons of munitions were found and removed.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday sued the six major companies that dominate the U.S. insulin market, ratcheting up the state's assault on a profitable industry for artificially jacking up prices and making the indispensable drug less accessible for diabetes patients.

The 47-page civil complaint alleges three pharmaceutical companies that control the insulin market  Eli Lilly and Co., Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk  are violating California law by unfairly and illegally driving up the cost of the drug. It also targets three distribution middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers: CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and OptumRx.

"We're going to level the playing field and make this life-saving drug more affordable for all who need it, by putting an end to Big Pharma's big profit scheme," Bonta said at a news conference after filing the lawsuit in a state court in Los Angeles. "These six companies are complicit in aggressively hiking the list price of insulin, at the expense of patients."

In the lawsuit, Bonta argued that prices have skyrocketed and that some patients have been forced to ration their medicine or forgo buying insulin altogether. The attorney general said a vial of insulin, which diabetics rely on to control blood sugar, cost $25 a couple of decades ago but now costs about $300.

A 2021 U.S. Senate investigation found that the price of a long-acting insulin pen made by Novo Nordisk jumped 52% from 2014 to 2019 and that the price of a rapid-acting pen from Sanofi shot up about 70%. From 2013 to 2017, Eli Lilly had a 64% increase on a rapid-acting pen. The investigation implicated drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers in the increases, saying they perpetuated artificially high insulin prices.

"California diabetics who require insulin to survive and who are exposed to insulin's full price, such as uninsured consumers and consumers with high deductible insurance plans, pay thousands of dollars per year for insulin," according to the complaint.

Eli Lilly spokesperson Daphne Dorsey said the company is "disappointed by the California attorney general's false allegations," arguing that the average monthly out-of-pocket cost of insulin has fallen 44% over the past five years, and the drug is available to anyone "for $35 or less."

OptumRx, a division of UnitedHealthcare, said it welcomes the opportunity to show California "how we work every day to provide people with access to affordable drugs, including insulin." And company spokesperson Isaac Sorensen said it has eliminated out-of-pocket costs for insulin.

Other companies targeted in the suit, and the trade associations that represent them, did not immediately respond to inquiries seeking comment, or declined to comment on the lawsuit. Instead, they either blamed one another for price increases or outlined their efforts to lower costs. Costs for consumers vary widely depending on insurance coverage and severity of illness.

California follows other states, including Arkansas, Kansas, and Illinois, in going after insulin companies and pharmaceutical middlemen, but Bonta said California is taking an aggressive approach by charging the companies with violating the state's Unfair Competition Law, which could carry significant civil penalties and potentially lead to millions of dollars in restitution for Californians.

If the state prevails in court, the cost of insulin could be "massively decreased" because the companies would no longer be allowed to spike prices, Bonta said.

Bonta joins fellow Democratic leaders in targeting the pharmaceutical industry. Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched an ambitious plan to put the nation's most populous state in the business of making its own brand of insulin as a way to bring down prices for roughly 3.2 million diabetic Californians who rely on the drug.

"Big Pharma continues to put profits over people  driving up drug prices and restricting access to this vital medicine," Newsom spokesperson Brandon Richards told KHN. "That is why California is moving towards manufacturing our own affordable insulin."

California is going to make its own insulin. It's simple. People should not go into debt to get life-saving medication. pic.twitter.com/yB4mpGjtQO -; Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 7, 2022

By launching an aggressive attack against the pharmaceutical industry, California is also wading into a popular political fight. Many Americans express outrage at drug costs while manufacturers blame pharmacy middlemen and health insurers. Meanwhile, the middlemen point the finger back at drugmakers.

Edwin Park, a California-based research professor with Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families, said California's push to enter the generic drug business, while also suing the pharmaceutical industry, could ultimately lead to lower patient costs at the pharmacy counter.

"It can put downward pressure on list prices," Park said, referring to the sticker price of drugs. "And that can lead to lower out-of-pocket costs."

There isn't much transparency in how drug prices are set in the U.S. Manufacturers are predominantly to blame for high drug costs, because they set the list prices, Park said. A growing body of research also indicates that the pharmaceutical middlemen are a prime driver of high patient drug costs. To lower prices, it's critical to target the entire supply chain, experts say.

"The list price has definitely gone up," said Dr. Neeraj Sood, a professor of health policy, medicine, and business at the University of Southern California who has studied drivers of high insulin costs. "But over time a larger share of the money is going to the middlemen rather than the manufacturers."

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.
Rats and mice have been the backbone of biomedical research for decades -; including 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 research -; a positive result in its own right, and one that could also lower costs and accelerate results.

Radiologist and nuclear medicine physician Jan Grimm, MD, PhD, 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 inflammation -; a 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 physiology -; what 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.

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 hornworms -; which are actually caterpillars -; are 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 animals -; especially mammals -; used 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, PhD, 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.

What's next?

We are working on potential applications for studying cancer using these hornworm larvae as a model organism.
One of the most important classes of human enzymes are protein kinases -; signaling molecules that regulate nearly all cellular activities, including growth, cell division, and metabolism. Dysfunction in these cellular pathways can lead to a variety of diseases, particularly cancer.

Identifying the protein kinases involved in cellular dysfunction and cancer development could yield many new drug targets, but for the vast majority of these kinases, scientists don't have a clear picture of which cellular pathways they are involved in, or what their substrates are.

We have a lot of sequencing data for cancer genomes, but what we're missing is the large-scale study of signaling pathway and protein kinase activation states in cancer. If we had that information, we would have a much better idea of how to drug particular tumors." Michael Yaffe, David H. Koch Professor of Science at MIT, director of the MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, member of MIT's Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, and one of the senior authors of the new study

Yaffe and other researchers have now created a comprehensive atlas of more than 300 of the protein kinases found in human cells, and identified which proteins they likely target and control. This information could help scientists decipher many cellular signaling pathways, and help them to discover what happens to those pathways when cells become cancerous or are treated with specific drugs.

Lewis Cantley, a professor of cell biology at Harvard Medical School and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and Benjamin Turk, an associate professor of pharmacology at Yale School of Medicine, are also senior authors of the paper, which appears today in Nature. The paper's lead authors are Jared Johnson, an instructor in pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Tomer Yaron, a graduate student at Weill Cornell Medical College.

"A Rosetta stone"

The human genome includes more than 500 protein kinases, which activate or deactivate other proteins by tagging them with a chemical modification known as a phosphate group. For most of these kinases, the proteins they target are unknown, although research into kinases such as MEK and RAF, which are both involved in cellular pathways that control growth, has led to new cancer drugs that inhibit those kinases.

To identify additional pathways that are dysregulated in cancer cells, researchers rely on phosphoproteomics using mass spectrometry -; a technique that separates molecules based on their mass and charge -; to discover proteins that are more highly phosphorylated in cancer cells or healthy cells. However, until now, there has been no easy way to interrogate the mass spectrometry data to determine which protein kinases are responsible for phosphorylating those proteins. Because of that, it has remained unknown how those proteins are regulated or misregulated in disease.

"For most of the phosphopeptides that are measured, we don't know where they fit in a signaling pathway. We don't have a Rosetta stone that you could use to look at these peptides and say, this is the pathway that the data is telling us about," Yaffe says. "The reason for this is that for most protein kinases, we don't know what their substrates are."

Twenty-five years ago, while a postdoc in Cantley's lab, Yaffe began studying the role of protein kinases in signaling pathways. Turk joined the lab shortly after, and the three have since spent decades studying these enzymes in their own research groups.

"This is a collaboration that began when Ben and I were in Lew's lab 25 years ago, and now it's all finally really coming together, driven in large part by what the lead authors, Jared and Tomer, did," Yaffe says.

In this study, the researchers analyzed two classes of kinases -; serine kinases and threonine kinases, which make up about 85 percent of the protein kinases in the human body -; based on what type of structural motif they put phosphate groups onto.

Working with a library of peptides that Cantley and Turk had previously created to search for motifs that kinases interact with, the researchers measured how the peptides interacted with all 303 of the known serine and threonine kinases. Using a computational model to analyze the interactions they observed, the researchers were able to identify the kinases capable of phosphorylating every one of the 90,000 known phosphorylation sites that have been reported in human cells, for those two classes of kinases.

To their surprise, the researchers found that many kinases with very different amino acid sequences have evolved to bind and phosphorylate the same motifs on their substrates. They also showed that about half of the kinases they studied target one of three major classes of motifs, while the remaining half are specific to one of about a dozen smaller classes.

Decoding networks

This new kinase atlas can help researchers identify signaling pathways that differ between normal and cancerous cells, or between treated and untreated cancer cells, Yaffe says.

"This atlas of kinase motifs now lets us decode signaling networks," he says. "We can look at all those phosphorylated peptides, and we can map them back onto a specific kinase."

To demonstrate this approach, the researchers analyzed cells treated with an anticancer drug that inhibits a kinase called Plk1, which regulates cell division. When they analyzed the expression of phosphorylated proteins, they found that many of those affected were controlled by Plk1, as they expected. To their surprise, they also discovered that this treatment increased the activity of two kinases that are involved in the cellular response to DNA damage.

Yaffe's lab is now interested in using this atlas to try to find other dysfunctional signaling pathways that drive cancer development, particularly in certain types of cancer for which no genetic drivers have been found.

"We can now use phosphoproteomics to say, maybe in this patient's tumor, these pathways are upregulated or these pathways are downregulated," he says. "It's likely to identify signaling pathways that drive cancer in conditions where it isn't obvious what the genetics that drives the cancer are."

The research was funded by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the National Institutes of Health, Cancer Research UK, the Brain Tumour Charity, the Charles and Marjorie Holloway foundation, the MIT Center for Precision Cancer Medicine, and the Koch Institute Support (core) grant from the National Cancer Institute.
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, a biweekly peer-reviewed scientific journal that covers all areas of biology.

Researchers have been wondering what happens to the synapses that form after we have a fearful experience. 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." Hye Yoon Park, co-lead author of the study and associate professor in the University of Minnesota Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

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).

The research was funded by the National Honor Scientist Program of Korea and the Samsung Science and Technology Foundation.

In addition to Park, the research team included Seoul National University researchers Chaery Lee, Byung Hun Lee, Hyunsu Jung, Chiwoo Lee, Yongmin Sung, Hyopil Kim, Jooyoung Kim, Jae Youn Shim. Ji-il Kim, Dong Il Choi, and Professor Bong-Kiun Kaang.
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 the journal 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 mechanisms-;but 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. 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." Evan Witt, First Author

Evan Witt was a former graduate student in the lab and now a computational biologist at Biomarin Pharmaceuticals.

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 mechanism-;a 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 novo-;arising in the individual fly's germline-;they 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 approach-;inferring genomic mutations from single-cell RNA sequencing and then comparing them to the genomic data-;allowed 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 occur-;and 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."
This is shaping up as a critical year in the country's battle over abortion rights, as both sides struggle to define a new status quo after the Supreme Court struck down the nearly half-century-old constitutional right last year.

It is important not to misread what happened in 2022. After a 6-3 majority of justices overturned Roe v. Wade, voters in six states were asked to choose between preserving or reducing abortion rights. In all six  Kansas, Michigan, California, Kentucky, Montana, and Vermont  voters sided with abortion rights.

Anti-abortion politicians have fared well in recent elections, contributing to a wave of anti-abortion legislation in many statehouses. But when voters are asked to consider a direct ballot question about abortion access  as opposed to weighing in on a candidate, whose anti-abortion position may be one of many stances they hold  voters strongly favor abortion rights.

Many pundits were shocked by last year's results, particularly in Kansas, where voters have backed the Republican candidate in nearly every presidential election since 1940. Less than six weeks after the court's decision, Kansas residents  including a large, mostly female contingent of newly registered voters  rejected an amendment to the state constitution that was put on the ballot by anti-abortion state legislators in an effort to overturn a 2019 decision by the Kansas Supreme Court.

It was unquestionably a big deal that the abortion-rights side won by 18 percentage points, particularly since the measure appeared on the ballot during the state's August primary, when its backers anticipated lower and Republican-leaning voter turnout.

But was the defeat of their effort to limit abortion truly a surprise? Not if you look at the history of state-level ballot measures related to abortion.

According to the website Ballotpedia, there have been 53 abortion-related ballot measures in 24 states since 1970. Of the 43 questions supported or placed by anti-abortion groups or legislators, voters approved 26% and rejected 74%. Of the 10 questions supported by abortion-rights backers, voters approved 70% and rejected 30%.

In other words, the abortion-rights side has won nearly three-quarters of the ballot measures.

More than a few of these ballot questions have been in states where Republicans have even more control than in Kansas. In South Dakota, for example, voters in 2006 overturned a sweeping abortion ban passed by the legislature, which was designed to prompt the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade. Two years later, South Dakota voters also rejected a second, slightly less draconian ban.

Even in Mississippi, historically one of the most conservative states, voters in 2011 rejected a "personhood" amendment that would have added language to the state constitution stating that life begins at fertilization. Voters demurred after it was pointed out that such a law could outlaw some common types of birth control and in vitro fertilization.

And many of the anti-abortion ballot measures that were approved dealt with issues that have long enjoyed considerable public support  such as banning public funding of abortion and requiring parents to be involved in a minor's abortion decision.

That is in stark contrast to the more recent success of candidates who oppose abortion, whose numbers have dramatically increased at both the state and federal levels in recent years. Conservative Republicans won control of so many governorships and state legislatures in 2010 that it led to a landslide of anti-abortion legislation in the following years.

Abortion isn't the only issue for which voters have split ballots, weighing in on a ballot initiative while backing a candidate with an opposing viewpoint. Expanding Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act is another example. So far, in seven states where Republican governors, lawmakers, or both have refused to extend Medicaid coverage to certain moderate-income residents, voters have approved expansion over those objections.

What explains how some of the same voters who elect and reelect candidates opposed to abortion also support abortion rights in stand-alone ballot questions?

One reason is that until 2022, abortion was not among voters' top priorities when choosing whom to vote for. As recently as 2016  when Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump promised to work to ban abortion, while Democrat Hillary Clinton vowed to protect abortion rights  only 45% of voters said abortion was "very important" to their vote, compared with 84% who cited the economy and 80% who said their top issue was terrorism. Out of 14 top issues that year, abortion ranked 13th in the poll from the Pew Research Center.

What does it mean for the future? In 2022, according to an analysis by KFF pollsters, support for abortion rights may have helped Democrats soften their expected midterm losses. As abortion has surfaced more in headlines, the issue has become more salient for voters of both parties.

State and federal lawmakers, emboldened by the court's decision, may need to be more careful in deciding how to legislate on abortion-related matters in 2023. The voters are watching.

HealthBent, a regular feature of Kaiser Health News, offers insight and analysis of policies and politics from KHN's chief Washington correspondent, Julie Rovner, who has covered health care for more than 30 years.
State lawmakers from both parties have shown support for a plan to stop the practice of committing people with Alzheimer's disease, other types of dementia, or traumatic brain injuries without their consent to the troubled Montana State Hospital and instead direct them to treatment in their communities.

But a budget estimate attached to the proposed legislation raises questions about whether Montana communities, many of which are still reeling from past budget cuts and insufficient Medicaid reimbursement rates, will have the capacity to care for them by July 2025, when involuntary commitments would cease under the plan.

Health department officials essentially acknowledged as much in the fiscal note accompanying House Bill 29, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Jennifer Carlson. Health officials wrote in the unsigned fiscal note that 24-hour skilled nursing facilities are often the only appropriate settings for such patients, and that few of those facilities "are willing to take these individuals as an alternative placement to the Montana State Hospital."

As a result, health department officials anticipate having to transfer patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's, other dementia, or a traumatic brain injury from the Montana State Hospital to the state Mental Health Nursing Care Center, a long-term, 117-bed residential facility in Lewistown for people with mental health disorders, if the bill passes. The health department says the facility is for people who "require a level of care not available in the community, but who cannot benefit from the intensive psychiatric treatment available at Montana State Hospital."

Department officials expect to move 24 patients from the state hospital to the Lewistown facility between fiscal years 2025 and 2027 if the bill passes. The cost of caring for those patients at the Lewistown facility would start at $181,062 per patient, per year, for a total cost of about $10 million over three years. The beds they vacate at Montana State Hospital would likely be immediately filled by other patients, so there would be no expected cost savings there, according to the fiscal note.

Department of Public Health and Human Services spokesperson Jon Ebelt did not immediately comment on the document outlining the expected transfers.

Carlson said she was surprised health department officials expected to relocate patients to another state-run facility when the point of the bill is to facilitate community treatment.

But, she added, that cost would be lowered if the state raised its Medicaid reimbursement rates. If the state raised its reimbursement rates to nursing homes to $300 per patient, per day, from its current $208 rate, those same 24 patients could end up costing the state a lot less, she said.

Carlson said some dementia patients are committed to the state hospital as a last resort because there are no other options for providing the intensive care they need.

"But that excuse is not good enough for me," Carlson said. "There should be somewhere else for them to go."

Carlson's bill is just one of several measures to overhaul operations at the Montana State Hospital.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services revoked the hospital's certification after an investigation into a series of deaths and injuries there, leading to the loss of federal funding. The hospital has been strained by high rates of staff vacancies and employee turnover, leading to a reliance on higher-priced temporary staff and contributing to the hospital's waiting list for admissions.

The bill's goal of removing patients with dementia or traumatic brain injuries from the Montana State Hospital and into community care has bipartisan support. The Children, Families, Health, and Human Services interim committee voted unanimously last summer to forward the bill to the full legislature. Carlson's HB 29 was scheduled for its first hearing on Jan. 13 in the House Human Services Committee.

Matt Kuntz, executive director of Montana's chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said there is broad agreement that the state hospital isn't the place for Alzheimer's patients. The reason the state is in this situation is that community centers don't have the capacity to care for a growing Alzheimer's population, he said.

"The positive thing is at least someone's moving proactively and saying this isn't right," Kuntz said of the bill.

Kuntz said the health department is probably right that some patients would end up at the Mental Health Nursing Care Center in Lewistown if the bill passes. But, he added, the bill is meant to reduce institutionalization, not raise the cost of institutionalization.

"Institutionalization of a patient is incredibly expensive and needs to be avoided whenever possible, and that is the crux of Carlson's bill," Kuntz said.

Democratic House Minority Leader Kim Abbott said the health and safety of the most vulnerable members of the community is a top priority for the Democratic caucus.

"Community-based care that's closer to family makes a lot of sense, but we want to make sure that we're giving it a good vetting," Abbott said.

Carlson said HB 29 does two things: First, it ends the involuntary commitment of people who shouldn't be in a mental institution, she said, unless they are an immediate threat to themselves or others. Second, the measure outlines a plan to provide appropriate care within the patients' communities.

Kuntz said the bill's 2025 deadline for ending involuntary commitments gives room for officials and legislators to figure out ways to improve it.

The bill would create a transition committee made up of legislators, governor appointees, and state employees with expertise in nursing facilities, Alzheimer's and other types of dementia, and traumatic brain injuries. The panel would be tasked with finding answers to some big questions, such as where patients can go for care instead of the hospital and figuring out the logistics of relocating patients already in the state hospital. The panel also would track the progress of developing community-based services until involuntary commitments end in 2025.

Gov. Greg Gianforte's two-year budget proposal, the starting point for legislative budget writers, also includes spending $300 million on behavioral health and improvements to the Montana State Hospital.

Carlson's bill also directs the health department to give geriatric state hospital residents or those with Alzheimer's, other forms of dementia, or traumatic brain injuries priority admission to nursing homes.

"This is a mandate that we improve our community-based systems," Carlson said.

But those nursing homes face problems of their own, with 11 announcing closures last year amid staffing vacancies and Medicaid reimbursement rates too low to cover the cost of care. A study commissioned by the state government recommended raising those rates to $278.75 per patient, per day. But Gianforte's budget proposal includes funding for only a portion of that recommended increase: $238.77 per patient, per day, by 2025.

The Montana Health Care Association represents the state's nursing homes. Executive Director Rose Hughes said nursing homes are probably the places that should be caring for these patients. But there has to be a step between ending involuntary commitment and transitioning all the patients to community centers that can't yet support them, she said.

"For it to be successful, there really has to be an effort made to support the community providers," Hughes said.

She doesn't believe there should be a hard deadline to end involuntary commitments until those community resources are in place. But, she added, there will be another legislative session before the 2025 deadline for lawmakers to extend the process if needed.

"It may not be enough time to solve the problem," Hughes said. "But I don't think the problem is going to be worked on unless there is a deadline."

Keely Larson is the KHN fellow for the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Newspaper Association, and Kaiser Health News. Larson is a graduate student in environmental and natural resources journalism at the University of Montana.
Chinese commerce minister calls for normalized Sino-U.S. economic, trade ties

Xinhua) 17:19, January 13, 2023

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese commerce minister has called for U.S. efforts to bring bilateral economic and trade ties back on the right track at an early date, according to a statement of the ministry on Friday.

The remarks were made on Thursday when Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with U.S.-China Business Council President Craig Allen via video link.

China and the United States have extensive common interests and space for cooperation, Wang said, adding that bilateral economic and trade cooperation is beneficial to the well-being of the two peoples and plays a pivotal role in global economic growth.

Wang pointed out that the U.S. government has defined China-U.S. relations by "strategic competition" and adopted a series of trade and investment restrictions and protectionist practices against China, which have harmed the interests of businesses and people of both countries.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China stressed that China will unswervingly open wider to the outside world and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, Wang said.

He hoped that the U.S. side will correctly view the opportunities China's development brings to the United States and the world, saying that the modernization of China, with a population of more than 1.4 billion, means great opportunities for global companies, including U.S. firms.

"China is willing to listen to the views of foreign enterprises, including those from the United States, on a regular basis, and will continue to improve a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment," Wang said.

In his remarks, Allen hoped that the two sides will proceed from some specific issues to enhance communication and cooperation and boost mutual trust, saying that the council will continue to support the cooperation between Chinese and U.S. enterprises and nurture a favorable environment for pragmatic cooperation, according to the statement.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Patients considering LASIK vision correction surgery should weigh the risks as well as benefits and see a doctor who can assess whether they are a good candidate for the procedure, according to an ophthalmologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

At UT Southwestern, we use a patient-specific approach to LASIK with technology that calculates the precise pattern of a patient's eye, like a fingerprint, and adapts the treatment to those measurements. This level of customization is one of the keys to reducing the potential for side effects." William Waldrop, M.D., Assistant Professor, UT Southwestern's Department of Ophthalmology

New guidelines proposed by the Food and Drug Administration would require physicians to provide better communication about the risks associated with LASIK, which can include dry eyes; visual phenomena such as glare or halos; decreased vision in low-light settings; eye pain; and temporary distortions in vision. Many of these side effects dissipate after three to six months.

Each year, an estimated 700,000 patients in the U.S. undergo LASIK to reduce their dependency on glasses or contact lenses. The procedure, which has been available in the U.S. since 1998, is fast, painless, and in most cases, provides improved vision for 10 years or longer.

"From the beginning, LASIK outcomes have been outstanding, and we've continually improved the procedure to allow for a higher likelihood of better vision and higher quality vision," Dr. Waldrop said. "Ultimately, though, the answer may be 'no' to LASIK, and sometimes that is the safest choice. LASIK isn't always the best or only option for vision correction."

Dr. Waldrop said patients considering LASIK should focus first on choosing the right surgeon. UTSW ophthalmologists are skilled in a variety of vision correction surgeries, including advanced surface ablation and refractive lens exchange.

"You want a surgeon who will take the time to do a thorough examination and pre-surgical workup to determine if it's appropriate for your unique characteristics," he said. "Has wearing contacts changed the surface of your eye? How thick is your cornea? What is the likelihood of your cornea taking on an irregular shape after surgery? Those are all factors that can impact the success of your surgery.

"If you aren't a suitable candidate for LASIK, you want your surgeon to be upfront with you and offer an alternative," Dr. Waldrop said.
In a recent article published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, researchers collated the findings of studies relating original antigenic sin (OAS) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) evolution. Furthermore, they showed the impact of this phenomenon on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes and vaccine design.

Background

Thomas Francis first used the term OAS to describe the negative clinical impact of influenza virus infection. It exerts a varying degree of clinical impact(s) in the context of other viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), dengue virus, and some bacterial infections.

In general, immune memory recall is a positive process wherein reexposure to antigens (from pathogens or other sources) encountered earlier in life induces memory immune cells (B and T cells) faster and in a larger magnitude, increasing the protection from infection.

Though the memory B and T cells also initiate a response to neoepitopes, B and T cell clones that offer broad protection against previously encountered and related infections are selected on priority by natural selection processes, a phenomenon termed immune imprinting. Immune imprinting progressively narrows immune response toward a new antigen.

However, it also raises a possibility of turning OAS into a positive phenomenon termed back-boost, suggested for designing preemptive vaccines against future influenza strains. Thus, it should be possible to develop similar COVID-19 vaccines that exert positive effects on back boost. However, it would require a more intensive investigation into the effects of heterologous priming and boost by the current COVID-19 vaccines.

Antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2

New variants of SARS-CoV-2 have continuously evolved and replaced their predecessors, making them virtually extinct. For instance, new Omicron (sub)lineages, like BA.4 and BA.5, have established global dominance in populations preimmune to SARS-CoV-2 due to vaccination or prior infection with preceding strains. They carry an unexpectedly high mutation load, thanks to which they evade pre-existing immunity, and their origins are largely unknown. Detailed insights into the genetic changes that have caused these immune escape mutations in these viruses are crucial to understanding the changing efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Studies have evidenced that the antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) resembles influenza HA, though both bind to different host cell receptors, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and glycans, respectively. Perhaps that distinguishes their speed of evolution and the rate at which emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants have incorporated them in their S proteins.

Nevertheless, the accumulation of mutations in S of these new Omicron (sub)variants points to antibody neutralization driving the antigenic evolution of SARS-CoV-2 S. Thus, an infection with an antigenic drift variant might preferentially induce non-neutralizing antibody clones, which could increase the risk of OAS.

Different levels of serum antibody cross-neutralization titers could help define antigenic drift variants, especially how farther apart they are "antigenically," visualized using antigenic maps. When combined with whole genome sequencing data, antigenic maps could yield information about the molecular determinants of antigenic change. Likewise, plaque reduction neutralization tests have successfully helped ascertain the antigenic relatedness of different coronavirus (CoV) variants.

Antigenic maps of SARS-CoV-2 variants have revealed that Omicron is currently the most distant lineage from Wuhan-Hu-1. Perhaps, this is why Omicron and its subvariants continue to escape vaccine-induced immunity. Thus, it appears to be one of the most important aspects to consider while designing next-generation universal vaccines against CoVs, including SARS-CoV-2.

Another thing that antigenic cartography helps decipher is cross-neutralization potential. The order and type of exposure (infection or vaccination) induce a hallmark antibody repertoire termed antibody landscape. It is susceptible to change with exposure to a new antigenically related strain. The antibody landscape evoked by an individual upon infection with a new variant virus potentially affects OAS, immune imprinting, and back-boost.

OAS in SARS-CoV-2 immunity and its effect on COVID-19 outcomes and vaccine development

Due to OAS, neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers adequate to cross-neutralize yet-to-emerge SARS-CoV-2 variants might be attained for a brief period, post-vaccination or boosting with original S antigens. Moreover, homologous boosting of S antigen-specific responses by recurrent vaccination or reinfections by ancestral strains might trigger their immune imprinting resulting in an OAS-like response upon exposure to new variants. Likewise, the relatively attenuated response of vaccinated individuals infected with the Delta/Alpha variants upon exposure to variant-specific epitopes might be due to OAS.

On the other hand, hybrid immunity acquired by vaccination and infection raises the overall nAb titers that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron, compared with vaccination. Thus, mild breakthrough infections might offer adequate immune protection against circulating and future SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, relying alone on this protection poses risks for high-risk populations, such as immunocompromised individuals.

Here it is also noteworthy that most of the research evaluating the SARS-CoV-2 variant's neutralization potential in individuals with hybrid immunity has been performed early after infection. The processes like germinal center (GC) reactions, plasmablasts clonal expansion, and antibody maturation are usually ongoing at this stage. Moreover, memory B cell response at immune convalescence potentially takes at least six months or longer. Thus, longer follow-ups are required to determine the exact effects of hybrid immunity on protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants in the long term.

Conclusions

Amid the continuous emergence of antigenic drift variants of SARS-CoV-2 with immune evasion potential elicited by vaccination and infection, future vaccination strategies must accommodate the potentially negative effects of OAS. The currently used messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine platform is highly flexible. Thus, raising the possibility of conveniently using it to evaluate combinations of vaccine doses to minimize immune imprinting effects and maximize effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 variants with complex antigenic properties.

However, so far, many such aspects remain unexplored. For instance, the potential of mRNA vaccine platforms to activate dendritic cells, with implications for imprinted immunity, has not been compared yet. More importantly, studies have not evaluated how to better temporally space the homologous and heterologous COVID-19 vaccines to improve the quality of triggered immune response.

Understanding the effects of the potential interference of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines with human CoV immunity is crucial before using vaccines that offer broad protection against all variants. Antigenic cartography could help design vaccines that cover all circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants as antigens with adjuvants.
A recent study published in Microbial Genomics analyzed the molecular evolution of the variola virus (VARV).

VARV, the causal pathogen of smallpox, has been a significant cause of mortality in human history. Edward Jenner pioneered vaccination for smallpox in 1796 and intensified efforts in the twentieth century to eradicate it in 1980, when only P-I and P-II lineages were circulating. VARV belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus under Poxviridae, which has several viruses infecting humans and mammals.

Monkeypox virus causes a similar, less severe disease than smallpox. Taterapox virus (TATV), which infects gerbils, and camelpox virus (CMLV) are most closely phylogenetically related to VARV. According to historical sources, smallpox was present in Asia and Egypt 3,500 years ago, while molecular dating suggested a more recent origin for VARV.

Genome sequencing of ancient VARV (aVARV) indicated that viral strains from the Viking age and those (historical VARV [hVARV]) from seventeenth/eighteenth-century remains were extinct. Molecular dating suggested that VARV lineages became extinct before vaccination began. It is being recognized that the time-dependent rate phenomenon (TDRP) can affect molecular dating analyses with a profound impact on events from the distant past than on recent events.

About the study

In the present study, researchers analyzed VARV genomes and re-evaluated the timeframe of its emergence by accounting for TDRP. Modern VARV (mVARV) genomes (P-I and P-II) were obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database; those from ancient/historical remains were collected from published works. The researchers aligned whole genomes, analyzed nucleotide diversity, and computed Tajimas D.

The population structure was analyzed taking into account biallelic parsimony-informative sites only, selected from positions with at least half the sequences having non-missing information. The team also evaluated the strength of linkage disequilibrium (LD) by testing for independent assortment by estimating the number of loci where each haplotype pair differs.

Finally, a time estimate phylogenetic reconstruction was performed. Specifically, the molecular dating of VARV was re-assessed by accounting for TDRP. To this end, the recently-developed prisoner of war (PoW) model was applied to the VARV dataset along with the whole genome sequences of CMLV and TATV.

Findings

The dataset included 48 mVARV, two hVARV, four aVARV genomes, and two specimens with controversial date estimates and analyzed 4013 parsimony-informative variants. They found a moderate level of LD, which was unlikely to be attributed to recombination since it was uncommon in the dataset. Instead, it was likely due to mutation or uneven selective pressure.

Population structure analyses revealed three sub-populations segregated as aVARV, P-I, and P-II genomes. The two controversially-dated samples clustered with P-I and P-II genomes. Conversely, hVARV genomes had the contribution of all ancestral sequences. The lowest drift from a hypothetical common ancestor was for aVARV.

The P-II lineage showed intermediate drift between P-I and aVARV. VARV lineages drifted progressively, and a minor proportion of Viking age ancestry was present until the eighteenth century. The P-I lineage experienced a more extreme bottleneck than the P-II lineage, which was confirmed by calculating nucleotide diversity and Tajimas D.

Further, the investigators analyzed which aVARV variants were present in the hVARV sequences and found 47 variants with a high probability of aVARV ancestry in hVARV genomes. The time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) for mVARV and hVARV clades and P-I and P-II clades was similar to previous estimates from other research groups.

Nevertheless, TMRCA of all VARV genomes was around 4000 years ago, and VARV split from the CMLV/TATV lineage more than 7,700 years ago. The CMLV/TATV split occurred approximately 3800 years ago. The team verified that time estimates were not influenced by the inclusion of TATV and CMLV by re-analyzing molecular dating with only VARV sequences, which revealed similar time estimates as those obtained from the extended phylogeny.

Conclusions

In summary, the time frame of the emergence of VARV and CMLV, the possibility of smallpox in ancient Egypt, and the likely presence of the ancestor of VARV, TATV, and CMLV in gerbils, are concordant with the origin of VARV in Africa or the Middle East. The studys limitations include the limited sequences for aVARV and mVARV genomes, their biased geographic origin, and the complex passage history.

Overall, these findings provided novel insights into the origin and evolution of VARV, indicating that VARV emerged around 2,000 years before the previously estimated time, in agreement with historical records.
The stress of following daily political news can negatively affect people's mental health and well-being, but disengaging has ramifications, too, according to research published by the American Psychological Association.

There are strategies that can help people manage those negative emotions -- such as distracting oneself from political news -- but those same strategies also reduce people's drive to act on political causes they care about, the research found.

When it comes to politics, there can be a trade-off between feeling good and doing good. Protecting oneself from the stress of politics might help promote well-being but it also comes at a cost to staying engaged and active in democracy." Brett Q. Ford, PhD, Assistant Professor of Psychology, University of Toronto

The research was published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Previous research and polling data have found that politics can be a major stressor in people's lives, according to the researchers. However, most of that research has focused on major political events such as presidential elections. Ford and her colleagues wanted to explore the emotional and mental health effects of everyday political news and how people use different strategies to manage those negative emotions.

"Politics isn't just something that affects people every four years during election season -- it seems to seep into daily life. But we just don't know much about the day-to-day impact politics might have," Ford said.

To learn more, she and her colleagues began by asking a politically diverse sample of 198 Americans to answer a series of questions each night for two weeks about the political event they thought about most that day, the emotions they felt in response, how they managed those emotions, their general psychological and physical well-being that day, and how motivated they felt to engage in political action.

Overall, the researchers found that thinking about daily political events evoked negative emotions in participants -- even though the survey question had not asked participants to think of negative political events. Participants who experienced more politics-related negative emotions reported worse day-to-day psychological and physical health on average -- but they also reported greater motivation to act on political causes by doing things such as volunteering or donating money to political campaigns.

The survey also asked participants about several strategies they might have used to manage their negative emotions, including distracting themselves from the news and "cognitive reappraisal," or reframing how they thought about a news event to make it seem less negative. Participants who successfully used these strategies to manage their negative emotions reported better daily well-being, but also less motivation to take political action.

Next, the researchers replicated these results over three weeks with a larger group of 811 participants that included not only Democrats and Republicans but also people affiliated with a different political party or no party.

In a second set of experiments, Ford and her colleagues asked participants to watch political news clips from the highest-rated liberal and conservative-leaning news shows rather than simply asking them to report on politics they had encountered. In these experiments, participants watched a clip from either the Rachel Maddow Show (for liberal participants) or Tucker Carlson Tonight (for conservative participants). In a first experiment, the researchers found that participants who watched the political clip experienced more negative emotions than those who watched a neutral, non-political news clip, and reported more motivation to volunteer for political causes or take other political action. The effect held true for participants across political parties.

In a final experiment, the researchers asked participants to try out several different emotion regulation strategies as they watched the clips -- distraction, cognitive reappraisal or acceptance of their negative feelings. Replicating the results from the diary studies, the researchers found two of the strategies, distraction and cognitive reappraisal, consistently reduced participants' negative emotions which in turn predicted better well-being, but indirectly reduced the likelihood that they would want to take political action.

Overall, the results suggest that politics have a significant daily effect on many Americans' health and well-being, according to the authors.

"Modern politics -- its daily controversies, incivility and ineptitude -- puts a regular emotional burden on Americans," said Matthew Feinberg, PhD, a coauthor of the paper and professor of organizational behavior at the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

This has important implications, particularly for activists who wish to get people involved in advocating for political causes without harming their mental health, according to the researchers.

"In a way, this is a trade-off between individual wellness and collective wellness," Ford said. "We are working toward identifying strategies that people can use to protect their own well-being without coming with costs to the broader collective. This paper begins to address this by studying emotional acceptance -- a strategy that is linked with greater well-being for individuals in daily life, and which doesn't seem to come with consistent costs to collective action. It is important that people have a variety of tools they can use to manage the chronic stress of day-to-day politics while also maintaining the motivation to engage with politics when needed."

Further research should examine the effects of politics on well-being in different countries, the researchers suggest. "The U.S. faces high levels of political polarization in a largely two-party

system and a media often revolving around inciting moral outrage," Feinberg said. "It would be interesting to see the extent to which daily politics would affect citizens from in other countries that are less polarized or with different political systems."
The Obesity Society (TOS) and Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) have collaborated to issue a statement on the new Clinical Guideline for Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Obesity published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

On Jan. 9, 2023, AAP published its first clinical practice guideline on the treatment of childhood obesity, replacing recommendations last made in 2007. The new recommendations emphasize the need for an intensive and comprehensive approach that includes assessing risk factors, evaluating for comorbidities and offering treatment options using shared decision making with the child and family. The guidelines recommend four treatment options: motivational interviewing, intensive health behavior and lifestyle intervention, anti-obesity medications and bariatric surgery, used singly or in combination to combat this complex chronic disease. The need to confront bias and stigma is emphasized as a potential barrier to access to care.

TOS and OAC support the evidence-based view of obesity presented in the guideline. The Obesity Society's Pediatric Obesity Treatment Task Force emphasizes that pediatric obesity is a disease. Experts note that early intervention can reduce the risk of persistent obesity as well as end organ damage from long-standing comorbidities. In fact, treating obesity also treats the comorbidities.

Daniel S. Hsia, MD, a member of The Obesity Society's Pediatric Obesity Treatment Task Force and associate professor, Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, La., commented "obesity is a chronic disease that requires treatment across the lifespan, including for children. As with other chronic diseases like asthma, hypertension and diabetes, we need a range of treatment options depending on the patient, and for obesity, that includes lifestyle modifications, medications and surgery."

Task Force members Ihuoma Eneli, MD, MS, FAAP, professor of pediatrics, The Ohio State University in Columbus and Denise Wilfley, PhD, Scott Rudolph University professor of psychiatry, Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., offer perspective on the behavioral and lifestyle component: the foundation of all comprehensive obesity treatment is helping the child and family adopt nutrition, physical activity and behavior changes while recognizing the environmental context. Intensive health behavior and lifestyle treatment (IHBLT), although not universally available, is the most effective known behavioral treatment for childhood obesity.

Pediatricians and other primary care providers should provide or refer children aged 6 years and older-;and may provide or refer children 2 through 5 years of age-;with overweight and obesity to IHBLT. The behavioral treatment includes a focus on nutrition, physical activity and behavioral change support. The intervention helps families turn newly-learned healthy behaviors into habits by practicing in all the places the child learns and plays, including at home, school and in the community. Children who participate in these kinds of programs show improvements in social emotional health and physical health.

Eneli and Wilfley emphasize that pediatricians and other primary health care providers should familiarize themselves with resources and actively collaborate with other specialists and community programs. Lifestyle programs that engage the whole family can help support healthier weight and improve the health and well-being of children who have obesity.

Four anti-obesity medications are now approved for treatment in adolescents starting at age 12 -; Xenical/Alli (orlistat), Saxenda (liraglutide), Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate ER) and Wegovy (semaglutide) -; and one, phentermine, for adolescents older than age 16. Another medication, Setmelanotide (imcivree), has been approved for children age 6 and older who have Barde-Biedl syndrome, a genetic disease that causes obesity.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Pediatric Committee found metabolic and bariatric surgery is safe and effective in adolescents. Given the higher risk of adult obesity that develops in childhood, metabolic and bariatric surgery should not be withheld from adolescents when severe comorbidities, such as depressed health-related quality of life score, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis exist.

Pharmacist Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA, who is a policy advisor to TOS, emphasizes the importance of respectful care for families and youth with obesity. "Obesity is a chronic disease that has its roots in a child's physiology and the interaction with their environment. None of this is a matter of choice. However, families can cope with the challenges they face, if they have access to skilled and empathetic medical care."

The guidelines identify the need for policies, structural and environmental changes to support treatment.

It is essential that our health systems and especially health insurers strive to make access to obesity care equitable. Too often, families are denied the care they need." Joseph Nadglowski, OAC President/CEO

More than 14 million children and adolescents are impacted by obesity, according to the AAP. Despite the complexity of the disease, TOS and OAC are confident that the new AAP clinical guideline will help steer pediatric obesity physicians to develop the best, comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plans for their patients.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low -1F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%..

Tonight

Cloudy with snow showers mainly during the evening. Low -1F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 50%.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa has stressed the need to continue upgrading the digital infrastructure supporting the telecommunications and IT sector to consolidate its competitiveness and benefit the national economy.

He stressed the innovative digital technologies and solutions provided by this vital sector that support various economic sectors. Shaikh Salman, also chairman of Mumtalakat, made the statement during a ceremony to announce the launch of Beyon, the largest telecommunications and IT company in the Kingdom.

Beyon will be the parent company for both Batelco, Beyon digital companies and Batelco International Investments. The launch ceremony was also attended by Supreme Council for Health (SCH) President Lt. Gen. Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, and senior officials and businessmen.

During the ceremony, the company officially launched its new logo unveiled and displayed on the screen in the main hall. Beyons logo has also been displayed in several locations in Bahrain, including the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, the Bahrain International Circuit, and the companys headquarters building in Hamala.

Batelco and Beyon Chairman Shaikh Abdulla bin Khalifa Al Khalifa delivered a speech hailing His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Ministers keenness on developing the telecommunications and IT sector. He expressed delight at launching Beyon as part of a strategy that yielded four new digital companies within last year  Beyon Money, Beyon Solutions, Beyon Cyber, and Beyon Connect.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Raising peoples standards of living and purchasing power formed the crux of the Government Action Plan (GAP) that received a unanimous nod from parliamentarians yesterday.

The approval came during an urgent extraordinary session that saw more than five hours of heated debates, discussions and amendments.

During the session, the GAP also set other priorities, which include attaining justice, security and stability, economic recovery and sustainable development, improving quality and making government services more competitive.

The session set these priorities after reaching consensus on six themes: Raising the standards of living, the sovereign and legislative theme, infrastructure and environment, economic recovery and financial sustainability, community services, government performance and digital transformation.

All these will be implemented through the policies and initiatives included in the Government programme, said Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister, chairing the session that saw MPs proposing several amendments and their approval.

Shaikh Khalid assured MPs that the government is committed to making citizens the priority and theme of the 2023-2026 Work Programme.

The aim is to boost the efficiency of public services, achieve financial balance, and enhance private sector partnership, added Shaikh Khalid.

The decisions came after discussions on reports by specialised committees and their proposals regarding priorities in the GAP in parallel with the Fiscal Balance Programme.

Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid, further said the improvement of the governments four-year action plan embodies the Representatives Councils confidence in it, noting that all ministries and government departments will begin implementing the Programmes priorities, policies and initiatives immediately, in line with HM the Kings visions and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Ministers directives.

Budget to reflect all decisions: Finance Minister

The Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, told the MPs that all the agreements reached in the House of Parliament - giving priority to citizens, improving their living standards, raising wages and purchasing power - would be reflected in the upcoming decisions and laws, especially in the general budget.

Creating promising opportunities for citizens calls for following the spirit of one Bahrain team and focusing on all sectors, which also calls for proper training and correct investments, the minister said, saluting Bahraini workers for boosting the economy.

Emphasising his pride in all Bahrainis in various positions, the minister said that the employment plans should include not only new entrants but jobs for all, and their career development.

What has been achieved yesterday is a good start, the minister stressed, reminding that mutual trust is crucial in going forward. The general budget, the minister said, is decided only through a consensus with the representatives. The minister also told the session that the amendments made yesterday reflect the agreement of the two authorities.

It is a greeting to every Bahraini in the Kingdom, the minister said, indicating new plans to create more job opportunities.

Set BD850 minimum salary: Al Salloum

MP Ahmed Al Salloum yesterday proposed creating 30,000 jobs for citizens in the private sector, with average salaries, as a radical solution to improve living standards.

Raising the salaries, Al Salloum said, will help Bahrainis fulfil their needs without government intervention, which they currently fail to achieve for their low income. The growth rates also reflect this, he said, calling for the ceiling of the minimum wage to be set at BD850 or BD1,000.

Representatives Council Speaker, Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, extended deepest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the approval of the Government Programme, commending the prominent role played by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in attaining such a national accomplishment.

Speaker Al-Musallam also praised the constructive cooperation of the government team, led by Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, who, he said, responded positively to the remarks and visions of the Representatives Council.

He also thanked the parliamentary committee in charge of studying the Government Programme, and Secretariat-General for reaching a consensus on the government blueprint.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

Many residents in Bahrain, especially top executives, who frequently travel to Saudi Arabia are pleading with the authorities to have a separate document for stamping their entry and exit visas to avoid frequent renewals of their passports.



One of the top executives in the Automobile Industry said, I hold a British passport with 52 pages. Unfortunately, the emigration officer stamped the entry visa on a new page, ignoring my request to stamp it on a used page.

One of my friends who also faced a similar problem recently applied for a Schengen visa and was forced to renew his passport due to the shortage of a new page for stamping the Schengen visa.

Most often, Saudi Emigration takes long hours to verify the documents. When they have all the information in their system, why do they take so much time to process a visa? Bahrain has a very efficient system, and the biometric system is very convenient, easy, and comfortable.

While speaking to another frequent traveller to Saudi Arabia, he said that I often meet a lady officer at emigration, and she is very supportive. She makes sure to stamp visas on the same page to save more space in my passport.

It depends on the officer in charge. If you get a nice person, they can help the travellers. It is always better if the authorities concerned can issue an additional document or a causeway passport exclusively for a Saudi trip.
SASKATOON, SK, Jan. 13, 2023 /CNW/ - Dias Geophysical Limited and Discovery International Geophysics Inc. announced today that Dias is acquiring Discovery. This acquisition is a very positive change for the two companies, employees, and clients, providing a broader offering of leading technologies.

We are excited to provide better service to our clients in the search of metals and minerals in such great demand. Tweet this Dias expands their leading technologies with the addition of Discovery (CNW Group/Dias Geophysical)

Dias, headquartered in Saskatchewan, with offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Chile and Mexico, offers ground and airborne geophysical survey services to the mineral exploration, energy, engineering and environmental markets around the world. Dias has developed and deploys several unique technologies, including DIAS32 (ground 3D DCIP), QMAGT (airborne full tensor gradient mag), QAMT (passive airborne EM), and DIASMT (MT, CSAMT).

Discovery, founded in 1996 by Dennis Woods and Brent Robertson, has a long history of innovation, including early use of HT and LT SQUID EM systems in partnership with IPHT & Supracon AG of Germany, the HeliSAM system in partnership with GAP Geophysics of Australia, and their patented HeliWinder system. Discovery also provides borehole EM services.

"We are extremely pleased to hand over the reins of the company we started 26 years ago - an extremely capable group of geoscience and mineral exploration professionals at Discovery, to new leadership at Dias. Dias continues to focus on geophysical innovation and is taking this to a higher level of technological excellence." says Dennis Woods, former President of Discovery, and Director of Dias.

Dias and Discovery are two very compatible companies with a long history of collaboration, friendship, and shared values of transparency and integrity.

"We are very excited about the opportunity that we have as a larger and more comprehensive geophysical survey company to provide better service to our clients in the search of those metals and minerals that are in such great demand for the energy transition," says Jonathan Rudd, President of Dias.

About Dias Geophysical Limited

Dias is an industry leading geophysical survey company with patented and unique ground and airborne technologies that product robust data for mineral exploration. Dias has offices in Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico and Chile, with head office in Saskatoon. Dias has carried out commercial surveys all over the world.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/9506381

SOURCE Dias Geophysical

For further information: Jonathan Rudd, [email protected], +1 (416) 795-1263; Glenn Chubak, [email protected] ,+1 (306) 291-3460
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has identified the major issues Nigerias next president must address upon assuming office.

Obasanjo disclosed that the countrys next president must address the issue of insecurity, like banditry and kidnapping.

Speaking at a virtual engagement organised by Africa Leadership Group, the former president said Nigeria must move beyond think-tank to do-tank.

Obasanjo said Nigerias next president must understand the countrys economy.

The former president said Nigerias next president should be critically, clinically sound and should have the right character and skills to turn things around.

According to Obasanjo: I hope the man who will be the next president, will be the type of leader, who will understand the economy, and thats very important.

If he understands the economy, there are many things he must do including; doing something on fuel subsidy. Also, the countrys debt is not too good; something has to be done.

The amount of petroleum products being stolen in the country is mind-boggling. The level of corruption in other areas too is mind-boggling. Also, banditry and kidnapping have become the order of the day.

People wont invest in a country that is not secured, where travelling by road or train is unsafe. Unless theres investment, there wont be growth in the economy.

Many Nigerians lack political education. It doesnt matter if youre fully educated or have a university degree.

This is coming a few weeks after Obasanjo endorsed the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Obasanjos endorsement was contained in a letter to the Nigerian youths, where he advised them on the choice of leaders to settle for in the forthcoming elections.
The Labour Party (LP) has urged youths in the country to avoid being distracted by the Big Brother Titans (BBTitans) ahead of the general election.

Nigerians will go to the polls on February 25 to elect a new president.

BBTitans is scheduled to start on January 15  about 40 days before the elections. It will run for 77 days and end on April 2.

According to NAN, Yunusa Tanko, the spokesperson for LP presidential campaign committee, (LP-PCC), spoke at a briefing in Enugu on Wednesday.

Tanko claimed the show is targeted at distracting the youths from casting their votes on the election date.

Tanko also alleged that the reality show was sponsored by one of the major opposition parties to distract the youths from voting for their preferred candidate.

The essence of this press conference is to alert the ever vibrant Nigerian youths of the hidden agenda behind the new reality show tagged: The Titans, he said.

We have credible information that its being sponsored by one of the major opposition parties to distract the Nigerian youths from changing the leadership that has placed them in perilous times laced with abject poverty.

As a party with the sole aim of turning our dear country into a place where poverty, unemployment, japa will be seen as a taboo is being threatened by an opposition that hates the Nigerian youths with passion.

Big Titan or whatever they may call it will distract the youths from taking what belongs to them now.

The Big Brother Naija ended not long ago, why the Titans now that we are facing a major election that will determine the future of the Nigerian youths?

As a party, we are not against reality shows because it helps the Nigerian youths to break the poverty line but for now, for the common good of all it should be shifted to another convenient date. This should be after the general elections must have been concluded.

Those putting together a reality show at this time when we are counting days to the general elections are enemies of the Nigerian youths and by extension all well meaning Nigerians.




Former Arsenal winger, Perry Groves has noted that Chelsea are now just too enjoyable to play against.





The Blues have now been defeated six times out of their last eight games under the former Brighton boss.





Thursdays loss at Craven Cottage left them 10th in the Premier League and 10 points behind fourth place.





Willian scored against his former club in the first half, but defender Kalidou Koulibaly levelled for the visitors shortly after the break.





Joao Felix, who made his debut after finalising his 9 million loan move from Atletico Madrid and was their best player on the night, was then shown a red card in the 58th minute, while Carlos Vinicius gave the host the winner in the 73rd minute.





There are not enough leaders in this Chelsea side at all, there are not enough players who want to take responsibility, Perry Groves told talkSPORT.





All of the elite managers have a bit of edge and nastiness about them, theyre dictators. Jurgen Klopp, Mikel Arteta has got that edge on the touchline, Pep Guardiolas got that edge, Erik ten Hag at Manchester United has that edge.





Chelsea are enjoyable to play against, he said.
Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), says President Muhammadu Buhari was right to grant a state pardon to Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, former governors of Plateau and Taraba states.

Dariye and Nyame were released from the correctional facility in Kuje council area, federal capital territory (FCT), on August 8, 2022.

The development comes almost four months after the former governors were granted state pardon.

During a council of state meeting presided over by President Buhari in April 2022, Dariye and Nyame were among 159 inmates pardoned.





The two former governors, jailed for fraud, were pardoned on the grounds of age and ill health.

Speaking at the 18th edition of the administrations scorecard series on Thursday, Malami said it was within the constitutional powers of the president to grant state pardon.

He said Buhari only considered the eligibility of those pardoned and not the amount of money embezzled.

There are no different set of laws but there could be variation in terms of volume of the certain matters involved and ingredients of the exercise of the situation, he said.

So, in essence, there has been in place a legislation that tolerated and accommodated pardon. It is the discretion of the president to exercise pardon.

The question is whether the president has exercised the powers vested in him constitutionally or statutorily, and my answer is regardless of the volume of the money involved, the major consideration is the judicious exercise of the power by the president.

And my answer is Mr president has been exercising the powers statutorily vested in him as relates to pardon without having necessary regard to the volume involved.
Nigerian printers under the Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria have threatened to drag the Independent National Electoral Commission to court for allegedly printing a large chunk of its electoral materials overseas.





The agency said this was illegal and a violation of the CIPPON Act 24 of 2007 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.





The council is charged with the duty of regulating, controlling, managing and administration of printers, the business of printing and other printing related-matters in Nigeria.





Speaking with newsmen on Thursday, the President of CIPPON, Mr Olugbemi Malomo, admitted that the electoral body had been awarding printing jobs to local printers, but he insisted that outsourcing contracting printing contracts to foreign firms was a violation of the law.





Malomo explained that by law, INEC was obligated to award the printing of all electoral materials, including ballot papers to local printers through CIPPON.





He cited Section 23b of the CIPPON Act, which states, In regulating the registration of printing practitioners, the council ensures that no firm or partnership shall practise as printers in Nigeria unless it is registered by the council.





Malomo stated that there was an improvement in the awards of contracts to Nigerian printers after the CIPPON council visited the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, in Abuja last year.





The CIPPON President said, There was an increase in patronage of our members. To that extent, that advocacy was meaningful. The second point is what percentage were we able to get? We have not been able to collate that.





Was there any percentage (in INEC printing jobs) that was taken out? Certainly, but we dont know what percentage that was taken out. The next level of advocacy, we are thinking of doing and I want you to quote me on this; is that we need to approach a court to interpret the law because the Act that established us says, If you are not our member, you cant get a printing job in Nigeria.





But we are aware that they patronise people who are not our members, so, we will eventually seek an interpretation of that (in court). But by and large, more people are patronised but we cant say at what level or how many people were patronised.





But with the help of the fourth estate of the realm (the media) and for the benefit of all Nigerians, we all need to work together. People are taking the jobs out of the country and I can tell you it is not because of lack of capacity, it is because of other interests.





Responding to insinuations that Nigerian firms may not possess the capacity to deliver the job on time at the required time, Malomo argued that ballot papers had been demystified by the transition to electronic voting.





Stressing that no single company could deliver the quantum of ballot papers and other material needed for the election, he said the excuse of lack of capacity usually levelled against Nigerian printers had also been eliminated by the amended Electoral Act, which had given INEC adequate time to prepare for elections.





He noted, About four, five elections we have had. Im not talking about presidential elections; election has moved away from ballot papers to card readers and electronic voting. The election is now one man, one vote.





In other words, people who were compromising ballot papers, even if you give them a million ballot papers now, it doesnt count anymore. So, when you talk about capacity, there is no single printing company in the world that can take up this (INEC) job at the required time.





Capacity is also a function of time. The Electoral Act was also amended to give more time for printing. So, the excuse of lack of capacity has also been reduced or eliminated.





INEC is one of the biggest users of paper, in particular, this election. We held a paper conference so that the issues of paper can be addressed so that we can use locally produced paper. How can we talk about capacity when the biggest spender is not even interested in an Olympic solution to the challenges it is having? Rather, it is taking the easy way out by going abroad because somebody is going to make more dollars.





The council president said money should be spent to develop local capacity as is the practice in developed countries.





The American government will give you some grants and ask you to spend them on your company because they know what they are doing. That is why we have this post-election session a few years ago to talk about the future and learn a lot of lessons, he submitted.





When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanmi, declined comment.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has denied planning to scuttle Nigerias 2023 elections.

Some publications claim he wrote to the United Kingdom to back off the polls and allow Nigerians to decide the outcome.

Obasanjo allegedly warned the UK authorities against interference, adding that it will not be business as usual.

The former Head of State allegedly recalled that in 2002, the British government wanted to remove him.

He allegedly said the European nation wanted to install a Fulani man whom they can control, but he overpowered them.

Obasanjo allegedly told the UK that the problems Nigeria is facing is a result of the Fulani man they emplaced.

A statement Thursday night by his media aide, Kedinde Akinyemi denied the purported letter.

The trending story on the alleged plan by the former President to collude with the electoral body in the Presidential election of February 25 is completely false, he noted.

The spokesperson added that apart from the January 1 letter to youths, and the other to Prof. Toyin Falola on his 70th birthday, there has been no other public or private letter written to anybody.

The reading public is for the umpteenth time reminded that only a statement duly signed by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo or by his Media Assistant, Kehinde Akinyemi are to be allowed into the media space.

If need be, necessary checks can be made to confirm the authenticity of such documents before publication to avoid any embarrassment, the statement added.




There was panic in Ilorin, Kwara State capital early hours of Friday over the rumoured abduction of an Ilorin-based Muslim Cleric, identified as Mohammadu Buhari Jamiu.





A video clip with the inscription of Buhari Omo Musa in the background, now viral reportedly claimed he was abducted at his residence in Ilorin early hours of Friday.





Findings by newsmen, however, revealed that the real popular and prolific preacher, Buhari Omomusa is safe, hale and hearty contrary to speculation that he had been kidnapped.





The voice of the alleged abducted clerics wife could be heard in the background of the video clip which has gone viral requesting assistance to enable the family to pay the N5m ransom demanded by the unknown kidnappers.





Another male voice from the video clip gave the impression that the unknown kidnappers allegedly demanded N30m ransom but was scaled down to N5m after negotiations.





The kidnap incident threw fans of Buhari Omomusa into confusion as they expressed concern and prayed for his safe release from the abductors.





While some members of the public view the development as a case of mistaken identity resulting from identical names, others described it as a scam designed to swindle the public and government.





Reacting on the radio channel, Buhari Omomusa debunked the report saying he is safe and that no kidnap incident happened to him.





When contacted on phone on Friday, the spokesman of the state Police Command, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, described the video clip as fake.





He said The Alhaji Tunde Buhari that was kidnapped in Oluwalose Community in Oko-Olowo area of Ilorin, had been rescued and made public.





Even the second victim kidnapped alongside Tunde Buhari has also been rescued, he added.





The two rescued victims were reportedly abducted at the Oko-Olowo area of the Ilorin metropolis in the state capital recently.




Pastor Albarka Bitrus, the Jos-based cleric who staged his kidnapping and collecred ransom from church members, has revealed the reason for his action.





The police explained that Bitrus was apprehended on Wednesday following a vigorous investigation.





The police observed that the pastor, of ECWA Church Jos, had on several occasions staged his kidnapping and collected ransom, in collaboration with a gang to commit the crime in order to get his money.





While speaking at the headquarters of the command, the pastor explained that financial challenges made him to stage his kidnapping.





He, however, said he regretted his action.





He confessed, I put myself into these activities because of the financial challenges I am facing. When I did the first one, I felt guilty. When I went out, the money with me got 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 further explained that he burnt the vehicle of his senior pastor because he was guilty of what he did, adding that he was confused and did not know what came over of him.





He, however, confessed of what he did, saying, I am sorry for what I have done. I am really sorry.





The police explained that the suspect collected the sum of N400,000 on November 14, 2022 and on November 30, he staged another kidnapping of himself and collected the sum of N200,000 from his sympathizers, who are members of his church.
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is scheduled to speak at Chatham House, the United Kingdom, on Monday.

Chatham House, in a statement on its website, tagged the event as Nigerias 2023 elections: A vision for policy change and institutional reforms.

The LP candidate is expected to speak on his plans for policy and governance reforms in Nigeria.

The event will be hosted by Alex Vines, the managing director of the Africa Programme at Chatham House.

Nigeria is scheduled to hold presidential and national assembly elections on 25 February as well as governorship and other subnational elections on 11 March, the post reads.

The elections end President Muhammadu Buharis two terms in office since his election in 2015 and mark the first time he is not a candidate in a presidential election in 20 years  an important marker in Nigerias trajectory of democratic consolidation.

Nigerias Electoral Act, enacted in February 2022, has contributed to improved hope around the election process, reflected in the addition of 12.29 million new voters, 9.51 million of which were then validated, in Nigerias voter registration exercise, bringing the total number of registered voters to more than 93 million.

Nigeria stands at a critical juncture, having suffered from two recessions in the past six years, unprecedented levels of physical and food insecurity, persistent fuel scarcity, and high levels of crude oil theft.

Civic fatigue also remains an important challenge and Buharis three main policy pillars of security, economy, and corruption continue to be defining issues for citizens.

Peter Gregory Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, discusses 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.

Obis scheduled visit to Chatham House comes weeks after Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), visited the institution.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja dismissed the bid by members of the family of the late General Sani Abacha to stop moves by the Federal Government to reopen the criminal forfeiture proceedings against the ex-Head of State.

The fresh government move to reopen the fraud probe is targeted at some family members over their alleged complicity in looting the nations treasury during Abachas administration.

In his judgment, Justice Emmanuel Agim of the Supreme Court dismissed the suit brought before the Apex Court for want of merit and substance.

The Supreme Court upheld the judgments of both the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal, which had earlier endorsed the power of the Federal Government to reopen criminal forfeiture proceedings against the family.

The appeal marked: SC/641/2013 was filed by the eldest surviving son of the late Abacha, Mohammed and his brother, Abba (for themselves and on behalf of the family of Gen. Abacha).

Listed as respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), DCP P. Y. Hana (Chairman, Special Investigation Panel), the National Security Adviser (NSS) and Magistrate Sonja Nachbaur (of the Principality of Liechtenstein).

Details later.
Dr Osagie Ehanire, Minister of Health, has urged Nigerians to vote wisely and to make progress on election day.

Ehanire said this on Friday in Abuja at the Healthcare Transformation coalition (HTC) Symposium with the theme Repositioning The Healthcare Sector: Creating the Pathway to an Effective Health System.

The minister said it was time again in the political cycle of nations when citizens were called upon to elect their leaders and representatives for the next four years.

Our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has fairly and squarely chosen standard bearers for the upcoming election, in primaries that brought Bola Ahmed Tinubu and running mate Shetima to the fore.

He said the candidates were high-profile politicians with cognate experience in governance and leadership.

With the great respect we have for our party and the peoples choices and wishes, we must throw our weight behind our candidates, who emerged from a transparent and democratic primary process.

But that phase was only the preamble to the actual election battle we faced against formidable opponents and for which we are called upon to join hands in reaching out to convince voters that APC and the illustrious candidates are the right choices for them to make, he said.

According to him, It is our responsibility as members and leaders of thought of the party, to design and present to the public, the agenda we have crafted for them, which they can trust our candidates to faithfully execute and build upon.

He said that the great benefits of voting APC were a firm assurance of continuity of programmes, with no hiccups, so that the country would not be taken backwards to begin all over again.

The other advantage is that our country will be in the most assured of hands among all contestants.

The APC administration agenda is what we will be dwelling on in todays symposium.

We know healthcare as the cornerstone of Human Capital Development; it is, therefore, fit and proper to devote this prime time to it, he explained.

Ehanire said that the laudable initiative addressed a work in progress, underpinned by the ongoing Health Sector Reform of the current administration, with a mission to build a resilient and sustainable health system.

He said that the objective was first of all, Universal Health Coverage that would provide geographic and financial access to healthcare for 95 per cent or more residents of Nigeria and offer a basic minimum package of health services to citizens, even in remote and rural areas, without suffering financial hardship.

He said that the second was a commitment to continuous improvement of the quality of healthcare offered at all levels and the third was the creation of a robust and sustainable health

Mrs Chika Offor, Chairperson, Health Sector Reform Coalition, said that budgeting for health was beyond allocation, stating that the next regime must ensure better implementation, utilisation of funds and evaluation to achieve a vibrant sector.

Offor said that funding is a very critical part of reforming the nations healthcare system.

According to her, to improve the primary care system, there is a need to develop and implement systems that will enable the private sector to join the reform agenda.

She said that any major challenge bedevilling the health system is the fact that there is a trust deficit and that should be resolved to enhance the rapid reformation of the healthcare sector in the country.

Dr Bulama Garuba, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, (NPHCDA), Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, highlighted that health was created at home and the hospital did the repairs.

Garuba said that the agency had five principles of primary health care  accessibility, public participation, health promotion, appropriate skills and technology  and intersectoral cooperation.

He said that the goal of nursing practice was to improve the health of clients.

Meanwhile, the host, Dr Jide Idris, also the immediate past Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, said that HTC canvassed for the APC flag bearer Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to harmonise sustainable change in the various aspects of the Nigerian healthcare system in the country.

Were at a point where the 21st century style of leadership is aptly needed to drive sustainable and unconventional change in the Nigerian healthcare system in terms of policy making, implementation, and sustainability, he said.

Idris said that it was important that the reins of leadership fell into the most competent hands evidenced by proven track records. (NAN
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Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health, speaks about COVID-19 on Nov. 22, 2022. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/TNS)
Mardi Gras season krewes looking to restore the full length of their parade routes in New Orleans this year learned new details Thursday of what City Hall requires.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell had already announced that krewes would need to find law enforcement officers to supplement the understaffed Police Department, and that City Hall would pay for the extra staffing. Administration officials, including chief administrative officer Gilbert Montano and interim Police Chief Michelle Woodfork, told the Mayor's Mardi Gras Advisory Committee on Thursday that supplemental officers:

Will be paid $50 per hour for crowd control along parade rates before Fat Tuesday, and $75 on Mardi Gras.

Must come from Louisiana and be certified by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

Will be housed at public expense.

The Mardi Gras 2023 season has already begun: Watch 5 short videos Jan. 6 was the traditional start of the Mardi Gras season, which is more properly called the

New Orleans' 30-plus float parades were reduced in length in 2022, due to police and service personnel shortages. The deadline to gather the necessary officers for this year's parades is Jan. 23.

The number of extra officers necessary to restore parades to their former lengths varies with the parade starting point.
Former state Sen. Karen Carter Petersons 22-month prison sentence for one count of mail fraud marks the low point of her long career in local, state and national politics, but by Petersons own account it will not be the low point of her life. That, she says, came during her years with a compulsive gambling addiction. Now, she says, her life has a new purpose.

In one unusual sense, Your Honor, appearing before you for sentencing has been a blessing, Peterson told U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance on Jan. 11. For far too long, I struggled to tackle my addiction. I made many attempts but failed time and time again with relapses  This criminal case against me is what it took for me to finally take on full accountability and effect real change in my life.

The 22-month jail term imposed by Vance is significantly more lenient than the 41-51 months behind bars requested by federal prosecutors  and recommended by parole officials using federal sentencing guidelines. On the other hand, its considerably harsher than the home confinement or probation requested by Petersons attorneys, who argued that putting her in jail would undo the significant progress she has made since entering a recovery program.

Peterson abruptly resigned her Senate seat last April and acknowledged a decades-long compulsive gambling addiction. She says that addiction drove her to divert more than $140,000 from her campaign account and from the Louisiana Democratic Partys account to cover some of her gambling losses.

Peterson, who led the state Democratic Party from 2012 to 2020, has repaid the diverted funds. Vance took note of that as well as Petersons work as a peer support specialist who now counsels other gambling addicts, but the judge rejected Petersons claim that her crime resulted from diminished mental capacity brought on by her addiction.

Though she declined to sentence Peterson to home confinement or probation, Vance nonetheless departed downward from the sentencing guidelines in a big way. She said a long prison term would be inappropriate in light of Petersons recovery efforts. Vance also fined Peterson $115,000 and ordered her to serve three years of supervised probation  which includes abstention from gambling  after her release from jail.

Peterson and dozens of family members and friends in the courtroom hugged and wept after the sentence was imposed. The next day, she texted an upbeat message.

More work ahead to heighten awareness of this particular addiction, she wrote, adding, And now with lived experience and credibility having paid the consequences. God is working.

Petersons fall is a cautionary tale of what gambling opponents warned as Louisiana made its initial foray into the world of legalized gambling more than 30 years ago  that crime, addiction and other social ills would take a heavy toll on the state and its people. Since then, Louisiana has legalized just about every form of gambling.

The state Department of Health says almost 3% of Louisianas adult population suffers from gambling addiction. When she returns from prison, Peterson will truly have more work ahead to heighten awareness of that addiction  and its costs.
Two suspects crashed this car in the 400 block of Terrytown Parkway in Terrytown after leading Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputies on a chase across the West Bank on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. One of the men carjacked a second vehicle to escape the scene, authorities said.
Louisiana State Police arrested an insurance adjuster Thursday on charges of pocketing more than $592,000 that he obtained on behalf of seven Hurricane Ida victims in Orleans, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and Tangipahoa parishes.

Police said the state Insurance Department tipped them in August to misconduct by Andrew Mitchell, 43, whose Mitchell Adjusting International LLC is a licensed public adjuster in Louisiana. Property owners hire public adjusters to negotiate claims with insurers.

"The investigation revealed that during the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, Mitchell began soliciting victims of property damage throughout various parishes in Louisiana," State Police said. "After obtaining a greater settlement, Mitchell deposited the funds and failed to provide the monies to the homeowner. In multiple situations, Mitchell forged the homeowners signature to obtain the funds."

Hurricane Ida came ashore near Port Fourchon on Aug. 29, 2021, and caused damage estimated at $80.2 billion in Louisiana and Mississippi. It is the sixth-costliest hurricane in U.S. history.

Mitchell lives in Clear Lake Shores, Texas, between Houston and Galveston. Calls to a telephone number associated with him and to Mitchell Adjusting International yielded recordings saying the numbers were no longer in service.

State Police said they booked Mitchell on Thursday with two counts of theft in St. Charles Parish, and have warrants to book him in:

St. John Parish with three counts of theft and three counts of forgery

New Orleans with one count of theft and one count of forgery

Tangipahoa Parish with one count of theft and one count of forgery

State Police asked that anyone with information on this scheme or other insurance fraud email them at lsp.insurance.fraud.unit@la.gov.
For years, Opelousas residents have complained about their citys antiquated water system, in which leaks under streets cause potholes and brown water flows from their faucets.

Now, those residents have confirmation that their water system is failing. The citys water utility was one of 64 in Louisiana to earn an F grade in the Louisiana Department of Healths new grading system for community water systems.

In addition to the 64 Fs, 66 systems earned D grades. The 130 systems supply water to 450,000 residents, according to LDH data.

These preliminary grades, published Jan. 1, are assigned to the 954 community water systems in Louisiana. The vast majority of the grades were good: 776 of the 954 water systems graded, covering some 3.9 million people, earned an A or B, according to LDHs data.

Most major cities  including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport  had water systems that received at least a C. But Jefferson Parishs west bank water system, which serves about 160,000 customers, received a D. It was the largest system to receive a failing grade.

The water systems were graded in a number of weighted categories, including water quality violations, infrastructure and operations and maintenance. A failing grade, LDH notes, does not mean the water is unsafe. Rather, it indicates the system may not be viable long-term.

These grades are not final; water systems have until the end of this month to submit data on financial sustainability and customer satisfaction. That data will be reviewed by a team from LDH before final grades are issued May 1, according to Kevin Litten, an LDH spokesperson.

What grade did your water system get? Here's how Louisiana residents can find out On Jan. 1, the Louisiana Department of Health released preliminary grades for 954 community water systems around the state. The grades are par

Opelousas resident Brandi Smith Zeringue has seen the citys water problems up close.

On Dec. 23, Zeringue posted a picture on Facebook showing a test tube full of murky brown water.

The post garnered nearly 80 comments, many from others frustrated for the same reason. Since then, her Facebook feed has been peppered with people making similar posts.
Interview: Xinjiang going forward in right direction: World Muslim Communities Council leader

Xinhua) 17:23, January 13, 2023

URUMQI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The rapid development of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region proves that the region is moving in the right direction, said Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the World Muslim Communities Council, during a recent visit to Xinjiang.

From 1990 to the end of 2016, separatists, religious extremists, and terrorists have plotted and carried out thousands of violent terrorist cases and incidents in the Xinjiang region, resulting in the killing of many innocent people.

Al Nuaimi, who also visited Xinjiang in 2019, has a deep memory of the region's history of fighting terrorism and extremism.

He said that terrorist forces do not respect the laws of any country, do not recognize human and civil rights, and kill innocent people as they have done in some other countries.

China is right to do everything it needs to do to protect its national interests and people, the chairman added.

Citizens of a country, regardless of their religious beliefs and ethnicity, should all develop the right concept of national identity, advocate peaceful coexistence, respect the country's constitution and laws, they also have the responsibility to protect their country from terrorism and extremism, Al Nuaimi said.

It is not only the responsibility of the government but also the responsibility of everyone, he said. Muslims in China also need to be loyal to the country, contribute to social development, live in harmony with others, and take pride in being Chinese, he said.

Al Nuaimi said there has not been a single violent terrorist activity in Xinjiang in the past few years, and the region has eradicated absolute poverty, which are great achievements that have brought tangible benefits to the local people.

In January, Al Nuaimi led a delegation of world-renowned Islamic religious figures and scholars to visit Xinjiang again, going into the local bazaars to observe the lives of the people.

Compared with 2019, Xinjiang's social development has reached a new level, and relations among various ethnic groups have become more harmonious, he noted, adding that Xinjiang is going forward in the right direction.

For some time now, the U.S. and the West have been trying to smear China's policy on Xinjiang under the guise of "human rights," while trying to sow discord between China and the Islamic world.

Al Nuaimi said there have never been bad intentions against Muslims or Islamic civilization in the Chinese cultural tradition. He emphasized that Chinese and Islamic civilizations have a long history of relationship, characterized by friendly cooperation and close ties.

The world needs a secure, stable, and prosperous China, and even more so for the vast majority of developing countries, he noted.

He stressed that he led the delegation to Xinjiang again to promote the Islamic world's understanding of the region.

Al Nuaimi called for putting aside political manipulation and ideological differences and respecting each other's differences. "We have to have the courage to speak loudly what we believe," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Official images of the Galaxy S23 Ultra have surfaced online, just over two weeks before Samsung presents the Galaxy S23 series. Not only does the leak showcase what the Galaxy S23 Ultra looks like, but it also offers insights into its launch colours and how it differs from the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

4 Reviews

Yesterday, Roland Quandt leaked Galaxy S23 marketing images, confirming the device's design, its launch colours and how it differs from the Galaxy S22. Now, NieuweMobiel has done the same for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which will be available in the same colourways as the Galaxy S23. For reference, Samsung has called these colours Botanic Green, Cotton Flower, Misty Lilac and Phantom Black. Incidentally, Samsung has brought the latter colour across from the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

While the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy S23 Ultra look identical at first glance, Samsung has made a few design adjustments. On the one hand, Samsung has increased the lens size of the latter's primary, ultra-wide-angle and 10x telephoto cameras. Conversely, the second telephoto camera remains unchanged. It remains to be seen whether these lens changes will affect image quality or whether they are aesthetic. Potentially, Samsung could have altered their design to reduce the chances of the lenses scratching, with the four rear-facing camera protected by the Gorilla Glass back panel.
MANZINI  A man accused of stealing livestock and household items reportedly died at the hands of those who were disciplining him.

The deceased, Wonder Magagula (22) was alleged to have been beaten with a leather whip (siswebhu) on his buttocks and other parts of the body.

According to impeccable sources, Magagula was purportedly assaulted near a mountain at Madlangampisi on Thursday morning following complaints that he was stealing a variety of items. He was said to have bled profusely and, at some instance, requested for water. It was gathered that the assault on Magagula started at about 4am, following complaints that he was responsible for stealing a variety of household items and livestock in the area.

Confessed

The sources claimed that the deceased would frequently ransack nearby compounds and steal valuable items. During his assault, it was purported that Magagula confessed to, among other things, selling a goat he had stolen in the area at Mahlabatsini in Matsapha. Mahlabatsini is a peri-urban settlement characterised by accommodation targeting low-income earners working in two towns sandwiching it, which are Manzini and Matsapha. It is in close proximity to Phocweni Army Barracks and Kahlobile.

Following the demise of Magagula, three suspects were arrested. The suspects were charged with murder and yesterday they appeared at the Piggs Peak Magistrates Court, where they were remanded in custody. The suspects are Jones Maseko (52), Siboniso Charles Mkhwanazi (37) and Mzwandile Sifiso Mtsetfwa (30). They are all subjects of Chief Mdvuba of Madlangampisi. According to the charge sheet, they were accused of allegedly killing Magagula on January 11, 2023. It is worth noting that the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) in its Second Quarter Report, stated that murder statistics increased by 93 per cent in the country.

Crime

The report stated that crime continued to be on an upswing and the situation needed to be brought under control lest the socio-economic stability of the country was compromised. The nations concerns about crime have become strident, and the police service within its operational framework that is itself characterised by a host of challenges and incessant multiplication and diversification of responsibilities is doing its utmost to stem the tide against crime, read the report in part.

It was reported that in terms of serious crimes that were proving to be a serious cause for concern, these were headlined by murders, armed robberies, sexual and gender-based violence cases, theft of copper cables, as well as the unrelenting arson attacks on both private and public property.
MBABANE  The Trade Union Congress of Swaziland (TUCOSWA) is calling upon the government to unconditionally withdraw the criminal charge against Sticks Nkambule.

In a statement yesterday, TUCOSWA Acting Secretary General Winile Mlotsa said they were of the view that the charge against Nkambule, who is Secretary General (SG) of the Swaziland Transport, Communications and Allied Workers Union (SWATCAWU), was politically motivated and could not be put to an individual in this instance.

Engage

She stated that they would soon engage in the Hands off Sticks campaign in solidarity with Nkambule. Mlotsa said her federation would soon announce the programme and the details of the campaign. Our members are invited to get ready for action to defend one of our own, said Mlotsa. Nkambule was reportedly wanted by the police for alleged contempt of court.

On Wednesday, the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) published a notice on their official social media pages seeking public assistance in locating Nkambule. Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed that police were looking for Nkambule, following that investigators attempted to find him, but in vain. Vilakati said a warrant of arrest had been issued againt Nkambule.

When sought for comment by this publication on Wednesday, Nkambule said police had his mobile phone number, hence they should call him if they wanted him.

In the statement issued yesterday, Mlotsa highlighted that on or about December 29, 2022, they learnt of armed police officers who allegedly invaded the village homestead of Nkambule, without announcing the intentions of their invasion. She alleged that the mission of the police officers was solely to victimise Nkambules family, specifically his parents and members of the community. She said despite this, the police at all material times, were aware of his direct contact details. The police were alleged to have pounced and questioned every relative of Nkambule, purporting to be searching for him. This is victimisation and intimidation in its highest level, which requires strong condemnation, she said.

Essence

Mlotsa added that Nkambule, in essence, was being sought for arrest for communicating a resolution of the members of his union to embark on a stay-away from work to improve terms and conditions of their employment, which were being eroded by the political tension resulting from the arrest of Members of Parliament (MPs) Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube. Mlotsa added that it was common knowledge that the public transport sector was the most affected during such resolutions. This then result in the workers not being remunerated, Mlotsa added. The also alleged that the isolation of Nkambule from the collective leadership of SWATCAWU was a calculated move to personally victimise him. She said the federation viewed the assault on Nkambule as an attack on the entire trade union movement.
Northwest Medical Group opened its first pulmonary and critical care office in LaPorte.

Board-certified pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine specialist Marvi Bikak joined Northwest Health, the partly doctor-owned health care system with hospitals in Valparaiso, LaPorte and Knox.

She is now seeing patients at the first pulmonary and critical care medical specialty office in LaPorte at 401 NewPorte Blvd.

Bikak earned her medical degree at Aga Khan University in Pakistan, completed a fellowship in sleep medicine at Rush University in Chicago and did a pulmonary and critical care medicine fellowship and an internal medicine residency at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.

By adding pulmonary and critical care services for LaPorte County and surrounding communities, we now offer our patients easier access to this much-needed specialty closer to home, said Keith Nichols, CEO of Northwest HealthLaPorte and Starke Hospitals. Dr. Bikak is a welcome addition to our community and our medical staff.

She can treat patients for a wide array of pulmonary issues like asthma, allergies, COPD, sleep disorders and interstitial lung disease. She will treat patients suffering from respiratory failure and other life-threatening conditions in the Intensive Care Unit at Northwest HealthLaPorte Hospital in LaPorte.

Bikak accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans at the new office.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 219-575-6244.
Few fast food restaurants are mythologized to the extent of In-N-Out Burger.

The California hamburger stand, known for its secret menu and animal-style burgers, has a rabid cult following. Its burgers are often ranked among the best in the country and are considered a must-try when visiting its home base in the Los Angeles metro.

Region restaurants like Beer Geeks in Highland and Royale with Cheese in Michigan City do their own versions of the iconic In-N-Out Burger.

But the family-owned chain that started in 1948 has been slow to grow, not expanding outside of California until it came to Arizona in 2000.

The Irvine, California-based chain now has locations in Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Colorado. People have long clamored for it to come to their city or town, with an April Fool's Day prank story about In-N-Out Burger coming to the Region even going viral on social media last year.

But that's more realistic now that In-N-Out Burger is expanding to Tennessee, where it will open an Eastern territory office in Franklin.

We are very excited to provide Tennesseans with our quality burgers, fries and shakes, said Lynsi Snyder, In-N-Out owner, president and sole granddaughter of founders Harry and Esther Snyder. In every decision I make, I always consider what my family would want. I have no doubt that my grandparents, dad and uncle would be proud of this decision to grow our Associate family and serve even more amazing Customers beginning in Nashville and the surrounding areas.

Marking its 75th anniversary this year, In-N-Out Burger has grown slowly mostly in western states because it wants all restaurants to be within a day's drive of its warehouses to ensure freshness and quality control. Freshness is key to the company's brand with burgers made-to-order with American beef, with whole chucks bonded and ground by its own butchers, and French fries made from whole potatoes that are hand-diced minutes before they are eaten.

It never freezes any of its products at all 385 of its locations.

A presence in Tennessee would place In-N-Out within a day's drive of Indiana and the Region, making it possible for it to eventually open restaurants in the Hoosier State and ship fresh food here. Franklin, Tennessee is only a seven-hour drive from Merrillville.

But for now, In-N-Out Burger is focused on Tennessee.

"While our expansion to the Nashville area will put us closer to many states that have traditionally been out of reach for In-N-Out, the state of Tennessee will be the focus of our growth in the region for quite some time," Chief Operating Officer Denny Warnick said. "We have received many thoughtful requests from our customers in the east since our recent announcement, including from Indiana, and were grateful for all of them."

In-N-Out only has company-run stores. It never franchises in an effort to ensure quality.

The chain plans to open its first Tennessee restaurants by 2026.

This expansion is significant for our company, Lynsi Snyder said. For many years, weve heard requests from our customers in Tennessee to consider opening locations near them, further east than weve ever been. Our customers are our most important asset at In-N-Out, and we very much look forward to serving them in years to come, and becoming part of the wonderful communities in The Volunteer State.
Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill will soon celebrate its grand opening at Shops on Main in Schererville.

The first 50 guests in line at the fast-casual restaurant at 79 U.S. 41 on Jan. 18 will eat for free. The grand opening will begin at 10:30 a.m. with the Schererville Chamber of Commerce and members of the Town Council scheduled to attend.

Were so excited to officially welcome in the community for our grand opening and celebrate Middle Eastern food and culture, said owner and operator Kam Patel. We cant wait for everyone to discover, delight and share Naf Nafs authentic handmade dishes with family and friends as we celebrate our big debut in Schererville."

Naf Naf is a rapidly growing chain with many locations in Chicago. Using Old World recipes, it specializes in pita sandwiches and customizable bowls with bases like salad greens, couscous, basmati rice, hummus and Baba Ghanoush. They're topped with proteins like chicken shawarma, Middle Eastern steak or crispy chicken schnitzel and the customer's choice of sauces and toppings like pickles, purple cabbage, sumac onions and tomato cucumber salad.

It roasts its shawarma on a vertical spit, bakes its pita bread in the store and freshly grounds its falafel. The quick-service restaurant, where customers order on a Chipotle-like assembly line to choose exactly what ingredients they want, aims to cater to the culinarily adventurous.

The Chicago-based chain aims to have 40 locations nationwide by the end of the year. The Schererville restaurant is just its third location in Indiana.

Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill is open daily in Schererville from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, visit nafnafgrill.com or call 219-227-8153.
U.S. Steel plans to withdraw the unfair-labor-practice complaint it filed against the United Steelworkers during a contentious round of negotiations.

In September, Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board against USW and USW Local 1066 in Gary, which represents workers on the west side of the Gary Works steel mill. It charged that the company was bargaining in good faith but did not receive a response to its proposal, which it said was "best for all."

The union held out for a better deal in line with what Cleveland-Cliffs workers got and ultimately negotiated one that workers overwhelmingly approved. The four-year deal includes 5% raises for each of the next four years, or more than 21% compounded over the life of the contract, as well as a lump-sum bonus of $4,000.

"From the start of negotiations with the United Steelworkers, our goal was to reach an agreement that was responsible and served the interests of all stakeholders including employees, the communities in which we operate, our customers and shareholders," U.S. Steel spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said.

"There was a period of 28 days in which the USW did not return to the bargaining table. The union had a legal duty to bargain an agreement with U.S. Steel at reasonable times and places throughout this time frame but refused. After we filed the complaint, the USW quickly returned to negotiations, and we were able to reach a satisfactory agreement  albeit later in the year than originally anticipated."

U.S. Steel said the complaint is no longer necessary because an agreement was reached.

"Now that the agreement is ratified, we believe withdrawing the charge is the best decision so our employees and management can focus on continuing to deliver profitable steel solutions that are best for people and planet," Malkowski said.

The National Labor Relations Board must still agree to withdraw the filing.

The union dismissed the charges as "frivolous and shameful," saying "it was USS who said that we were too far apart and they could not respond" and "we've made it clear we're available to meet and bargain fairly."

The sides had been at a stalemate long after the USW reached a deal with Cleveland-Cliffs, with U.S. Steel proposing lower wages than the pattern agreement, which the USW said went against decades of precedent and refused to accept.

The new deal runs through September 2026 and covers 11,000 steelworkers at 13 union locals across the United States, including at the Gary Works steel mill and the Midwest Plant in Portage.

It includes an additional holiday, new parental leave, improved vacation, stronger retirement benefits and improvements to health care with no premiums. It preserved the profit-sharing plan that got steelworkers tens of thousands of dollars more in their pockets in recent years.

USW members at Northwest Indiana mill will continue to get 7.5% on profits between $10 and $50 of profit per ton shipped and 15% on profits above $50 a ton.

U.S. Steel also pledged to invest $1 billion in its steel mills over the next four years, an investment the union seeks in such agreements to ensure job security, with the thought that the company wouldn't walk away from capital it has sunk into its facilities.
MBABANE  Government has lived up to its promise.

Yesterday, government started delivering stationery to a number of primary schools in the country. It was a busy day for some head teachers yesterday, as official preparations for the 2023 academic calendar got underway in full swing. The release of the 2022 external results for Junior Certificate (JC) and Eswatini Primary Certificate (EPC), meant the start of the new academic year was around the corner.

Yesterday, it was a busy day at Mater Dolorosa (MDS) Primary School, in Mbabane, as almost 200 primary schools in the Hhohho Region collected stationery for learners. Government supplies stationery to various schools. The distribution of free stationery is part of the free primary education (FPE) programme. Government provides teaching and learning materials like textbooks, workbooks, exercise books and other forms of stationery for the learners.

Feeding

Government also provides grants that cover the schools operational costs such, as school fees, feeding schemes and to run administrative activities.

The MDS Primary School yard was a hive of activity yesterday, as the Ministry of Education and Training was using the school as a collecting station for schools in the Hhohho Region. Around 11am, primary schools representatives and head teachers were at the school collecting boxes of stationery for learners. Hundreds of boxes were stacked in the school yard. Each primary school in the region had its own stack of stationery prepared for them.

According to some of the representatives and school head teachers who were found at the MDS school yard, their learners were supposed to fetch the stationery as early as this week or next week for some. Before collecting the boxes containing exercise books and other pieces of stationery, they signed a form. Before loading their stationery, they queued for registration and verification, whether the stationery complemented the number of learners the schools had. After signing, they then loaded the stationery into motor vehicles.

In as much as the stationery was provided by government, the transportation costs were covered by the schools, said Mbuso Gamedze, who was one of the people ensuring that there was no mix-up in the stationery allocated to every school. As an extra precaution, some school representatives had people looking after their allocated stationery.



Gamedze said it was crucial for schools to have more than one person to look after their allocated stationery because in the past there were instances where some of the stationery went missing because some had mistakenly taken boxes belonging to other schools. Throughout the day, school representatives collected the stationery, while other officials ensured peace and order. Each of the boxes were marked with the name of the school and the numbers of the boxes were equivalent to the stationery that was required by that school.

Ensure

Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Training Lady Mabuza, said government was working around the clock to ensure that by the time schools opened on January 24, 2023, all study materials would have been delivered. She said all primary schools would be having stationery by the end of the week. She added that next week, they would have delivered food to most primary schools and they were finalising the payment of FPE grants.

The weeks postponement will give the ministry, schools and parents enough time to prepare for the opening, she said.
VALPARAISO  A 31-year-old Burns Harbor woman faces seven criminal counts of fraud in the wake of accusations from across the Region and other states that she cheated people through online purchases of collector Pokemon cards, jewelry, clothing and other items, according to a newly-filed charging document.

Burns Harbor police said when they confronted Ashley Bissonette about the allegations, she became defensive, saying "she has proof that she is an honest seller."

The cases, which were investigated during November and December, according to the 24-pages of charging details, include a Montana man who told police the Pokemon cards advertised by Bissonette were not the ones sent in his purchase. That transaction alone amounted to $1,300, police said.

A woman told police she purchased through Facebook Marketplace what she thought were diamond earrings from Bissonette as a graduation gift for a granddaughter. But following the $125 transaction in May, she learned from a jeweler in Georgia that the earrings were not diamonds.

Other transactions that police say were fraudulent included more purchases of Pokemon cards, Halloween decorations and hunting pants. Police say when buyers requested refunds, Bissonette refused, did not reply and/or blocked messages from the buyers.

One buyer told police when he confronted Bissonette after paying $350 for what turned out to be a replica Pokemon card valued at $8, she claimed that was not the card she sent him, according to a charging document.

Bissonette then blamed the buyer and called him "pathetic," police said.

The case is pending before Porter Superior Court Judge Christopher Buckley.
HAMMOND  Purdue University Northwest celebrated the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. on Thursday at its Hammond and Westville campuses, ahead of the national holiday Monday.

The event kicked off with a series of conversations  one about voter suppression and another about racial inequality in Northwest Indiana  by students, faculty, staff and members of the community meant to provoke reflection about many of the issues that King stood for.

In Hammond, the voter-suppression discussion was led by Barbara Bolling-Williams, president of the NAACPs Indiana State Conference and a member of the NAACP national board of directors; Yesenia Rosales-Avalos, PNW's associate director for student success and retention; and David Bolton, PNW student president and president of the PNW Black Student Union.

Highlights from that conversation included discussion about a lawsuit seeking to stop the state from shutting down early-voting locations in predominately Black area of Northwest Indiana; how a multiracial coalition of voters came together to elect President Barack Obama in 2008; and how police violence against Black communities in Chicago spurred voters to seek change at city hall.

"The notion of voter suppression seems to have a long history in the formation of what's known as the United States," said Maceo Rainey, PNW's director of TRIO and a participant in the discussion. Rainey pointed out that many of the voting-freedom laws in this country came because "after the Civil War, the African American population needed shelter, mostly from the Klu Klux Klan and other white supremacists that made life miserable in the South."

The other discussion in Hammond, on racial inequality, was led by Danny Lackey, who serves on the board of directors for the Urban League of Northwest Indiana, and PNW students Deana Boozer and Kelia Malone. Highlights from that conversation included discussion about how Northwest Indiana is diverse but still segregated; differences in educational resources between different areas of the Region; and imagining a more racially equitable society.

Student Theodore Mantis opened up about the discrimination he's faced as a Mexican American before talking about how he eventually came to cherish his heritage and how we as a society should celebrate our respective heritages.

"For a long time, I had the idea that for me, I should be ashamed of who I am," he said. "We should be able to celebrate, every day, our differences."

After the discussions, the audience heard a keynote speech from Carol Anderson, a notable African American studies professor at Emory University and the author of multiple books, including "One Person, No Vote: How Voter Suppression Is Destroying Our Democracy" and "White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide."

Her speech, which was given over online video chat, was about "the right to vote," which she pointed out was "one of the key pillars for Reverend Martin Luther King's struggle."

Anderson began with the story of Maceo Snipes, a Black military veteran in Georgia, who in 1946 was determined to vote in Jim Crow Georgia.

"There was a gubernatorial election going on where one of the men running for office had made it clear that he did not want Black folks voting," she said. "Maceo Snipes, though, was like 'I fought in World War II. I fought fascists. I fought for democracy. I'm going to get some of that democracy for myself.'"

Anderson explained how Snipes went to vote but saw a sign that said "The first negro that votes, that'll be the last thing he ever does."

He successfully voted and everything seemed fine. Until a few days later, when a group of white men arrived at his door with guns and shot him.

"It took him days to die," she said. "But the message was clear: You vote, you die."

Still, his vote counted, but he was the only Black person to vote in the county that year.

Anderson told a series of other stories that culminated in the present day, when voter suppression is still occurring.

One of several examples she gave of modern-day voter suppression took place in Indiana during the 2008 presidential election; the red state flipped blue and voted for Obama.

"You have the Legislature saying 'How did this happen? Lord, how did this happen?' It happened, they figured out, because Black folks came out in droves during the early-voting period in order to elect Barack Obama."

She explained that the Legislature created a law that said counties with more than 325,000 residents can only have one early-voting site unless you have a unanimous vote by a bipartisan board; counties that have fewer can have more early-voting sites.

"There are only three counties in Indiana that have more than 325,000 people: Lake County, with Gary, Indiana; Allen County, with Fort Wayne; and Marion County, Indianapolis," she said. "Almost 70% of the state's Black population are in those three counties."

In Marion County, early voting went down by 27%.

Using that and other examples, Anderson said voter suppression still targets ethnic minorities, the poor and other marginalized communities.

PNW will wrap up its Martin Luther King Day celebrations Monday with a day of volunteer service.
MICHIGAN CITY  Republican Duane Parry announced he is seeking a second term as Michigan City mayor.

"Four years ago, I pledged I believed in accountability entering into the position as mayor with a deficit of over 3 million dollars," he said in a prepared statement.

"I entered my term 'tightening the purse strings' and bringing our city out of this hole. I can proudly say the deficit is gone and the city budget is now more efficient and streamlined.

"I believed in accountability then, and still believe in it now as we enter into the 2023 election. I want the best for our citys future, concentrating on public safety, our neighborhoods, jobs, housing, businesses, and economic development, but mainly our quality of life."

Having worked most of his careers as a project manager, Parry said he is accustomed to see a job through to completion.

"With this being said, I am proud to announce that I will be running for mayor in the 2023 primary as 'The job's not done'."
Lisa Marie Presley, who as the only child of Elvis Presley kept her famous last name in the media spotlight with four weddings and three albums of her own, died on Thursday at the age of 54.

She was married briefly to Michael Jackson, and even more briefly to Nicolas Cage. Here is some of what Presley, who owned her fathers Graceland estate in Memphis, said about navigating her birthright of celebrity and fame:

Her Father

Presley, who was 9 when her father died of a heart attack at age 42, once recalled how he had flown her on a private jet to Idaho so she could see snow for the first time. They spent half an hour in the powder and left to go home.

He was so extraordinary a presence  not even as an entertainer, just as a person, she once told The New York Times. Yes, he sang well, and, yes, the songs were great, but that was him coming through the music. He was bigger than life.

In an interview with Larry King, she said her fathers soul had come through in his voice.

Everything you saw and people appreciated about him, he was that or more offstage, and there was nothing contrived or preconceived about anything he was about or did, she said. And I think people feel that genuineness, and that doesnt happen very often anymore.
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.
The Republicans who now control the House will soon try to slash Social Security and Medicare. They plan to achieve this by holding the economy hostage, threatening to create a financial crisis by refusing to raise the federal debt ceiling. The interesting questions are why they want to do this, given that it appears politically suicidal, and how Democrats will respond.

Before I get into the puzzles, let me start by pointing out that the plot against the social safety net isnt a conspiracy theory. The general shape of the scheme has been widely reported for months. The arithmetic is also clear: It isnt possible to achieve huge reductions in the budget deficit, while depriving the I.R.S. of the resources it needs to go after tax cheats, without deep cuts in popular social programs.

And beyond all that, we now have it in black and white  well, blue on blue. CNN has obtained a screenshot of a slide presented at a closed-door Republican meeting on Tuesday. The first bullet point calls for balancing the budget within 10 years, which is mathematically impossible without deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. The second calls for reforms to mandatory spending  which is budget-speak for the same programs. And the final point calls for refusing to raise the debt limit unless these demands are met.

So the plan isnt a mystery. I would add only that if Republicans try to assure currently retired Americans that their benefits wouldnt be affected, this promise isnt feasible  not if theyre serious about balancing the budget within a decade.
OpenAI is led by Sam Altman, who became well known in Silicon Valley as the head the start-up builder Y Combinator. Mr. Altman, 37, and his co-founders created OpenAI in 2015 as a nonprofit. But he soon remade the venture as a for-profit company that could more aggressively pursue financing.

A year later, Microsoft invested $1 billion in the company and committed to building the supercomputer technologies OpenAIs enormous models would demand while becoming its preferred partner for commercializing its technologies. OpenAI later officially licensed its technologies to Microsoft, allowing the company to directly add them to Microsoft products and services.

With backing from Microsoft, OpenAI went on to build a milestone technology called GPT-3. Known as a large language model, it could generate text on its own, including tweets, blog posts, news articles and even computer code.

Clunky to use, it was mostly a tool for businesses and engineers. But a year later, OpenAI began work on DALL-E, which allowed anyone to generate realistic images simply by describing what they want to see. Microsoft incorporated GPT-3, DALL-E and similar technologies into its own products.

GitHub, a popular online service for programmers owned by Microsoft, began offering a programming tool called Copilot. As programmers built smartphone apps and other software, Copilot suggested the next line of code as they typed, much the way autocomplete tools suggest the next word as you type texts or emails.

For many, it was a jaw dropping moment that showed whats possible, Mr. Boyd, of Microsoft, said.

Then, at the end of last year, OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT. More than a million people tested the chatbot during its first few days online. It answered trivia questions, explained ideas and generated everything from school papers to pop song lyrics.
Government should be here to help you, not go after you, Mr. McCarthy told reporters.

Democrats and historians see darker historical parallels. They liken the Republican zeal to pursue nebulous allegations of deep-state conspiracies to the red scare days of a McCarthy from an earlier era: Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, Republican of Wisconsin.

Blocking Judges: An objection from a Republican senator from Mississippi to a Biden nominee has intensified calls to An objection from a Republican senator from Mississippi to a Biden nominee has intensified calls to strip senators of effective veto power over judicial candidates from their states.

Uncomfortable Revelations: Democratic lawmakers reiterated calls to tighten ethics rules for the Supreme Court after ProPublica reported that Justice Clarence Thomas Democratic lawmakers reiterated calls to tighten ethics rules for the Supreme Court after ProPublica reported that Justice Clarence Thomas had accepted luxury gifts and travel from a major conservative donor without disclosing them.

A Divisive Plan: A proposal to tighten work requirements for food stamps and other government assistance programs A proposal to tighten work requirements for food stamps and other government assistance programs has generated fissures among Republicans

Staring Down a Debt Crisis: As Speaker Kevin McCarthy works to unite the fractious Republican majority and avert a catastrophic default, he As Speaker Kevin McCarthy works to unite the fractious Republican majority and avert a catastrophic default, he has little trust in the man tasked with delivering a budget framework.

Both the McCarthy hearings in the 1950s and investigations by the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1930s and 1940s have come to be seen as sordid, painful chapters in the congressional past, a series of communist witch hunts that needlessly destroyed lives. Lawmakers unleashed unfounded allegations in pursuit of sensational headlines and nonexistent infiltrators and traitors, and Democrats warn that the same could happen again.

The Republicans are the party of law and order, and now they are out to destroy law and order as long as they think the agencies of law and order are conspiring against them and not working for them, said Representative Jerrold Nadler of New York, the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee.

Democratic skepticism has been fueled by the fact that the new panel  and granting it authority to look into continuing criminal investigations  was among a host of demands that far-right Republicans made of Mr. McCarthy in exchange for their eventual votes for him in a historically drawn-out election for the speakership. Language in the resolution setting up the committee gave it the open-ended mission of investigating how executive branch agencies work with, obtain information from and provide information to the private sector, nonprofit entities or other government agencies to facilitate action against American citizens.

This seems less Church and more McCarthy, said Beverly Gage, a history professor at Yale and the author of a 2022 biography of J. Edgar Hoover, the longtime head of the F.B.I. known for his own misuse of the agency to pursue those he opposed politically.
WASHINGTON  Robert K. Hur, appointed on Thursday to oversee the investigation into President Bidens handling of classified documents, has two attributes that suit the task  years of prosecutorial experience and a vivid understanding of the perils inherent in high-wire special counsel investigations.

Mr. Hur, 49, was President Donald J. Trumps pick to run the U.S. attorneys office in Maryland, where he earned bipartisan praise for his handling of violent crime and public corruption cases. But it is his 11-month stint as the top aide to the deputy attorney general, Rod Rosenstein  as Mr. Rosenstein oversaw the appointment of a special counsel, Robert S. Mueller III, to investigate Mr. Trumps dealings with Russia  that might be most critical.

Mr. Hur helped run the day-to-day operations of the department at a time of major tumult in the department: From mid-2017 to late 2018, Mr. Rosenstein was under relentless political pressure, under threat of being fired by Mr. Trump over his decision to appoint Mr. Mueller, which the president considered a personal betrayal.

We were coming under tremendous criticism from the commentators  and the president  and Rob kept his head down, pushed ahead and never lost his sense of humor, Mr. Rosenstein said in an interview after Mr. Hurs appointment was announced.
WASHINGTON  New York Republicans are ready to rid themselves of Representative George Santos, the newly elected congressman from Long Island who has admitted to fabricating parts of his resume and is under multiple local and federal investigations into his yearslong pattern of political deception.

House Republican leaders, not so much.

Amid mounting calls for his resignation from Republican members of Congress from New York and state party officials, Mr. Santos still has the backing of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other House Republican leaders.

In a news conference at the Capitol on Thursday, Mr. McCarthy made it clear that he had no intention of barring Mr. Santos from congressional committees or otherwise penalizing him for winning election under false pretenses.

The voters of his district have elected him, Mr. McCarthy said. He is seated. He is part of the Republican conference.
MANZINI  As the mad rush for spaces begins, most urban schools are already full.

Subsequent to the release of the external results for both the Eswatini Primary Certificate (EPC) and Junior Certificate (JC) on Wednesday, by the Minister of Education and Training, Lady Mabuza, parents flooded schools seeking spaces for their children. This is because Grade VII and Form III are completing classes in their curriculum; hence pupils seek to enrol in the best performing schools or those located in urban areas, as they are deemed to have adequate infrastructure. In light of this, a large number of the best performing schools in towns are flooded with learners and their guardians, who are seeking spaces for them. This publication engaged head teachers of urban schools, seeking to establish if they had spaces to accept learners who were seeking enrolment.

Admission

According to some of the head teachers of prominent and best performing schools in the Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini and Shiselweni regions, they completed the admission processes for Form I and IV in November 2022. A majority of the head teachers said they had conducted interviews for these classes in order to admit prospective pupils around October 2022. Albert Sihlongonyane, the Head teacher of St Theresas High School, which is one of the best performing schools and with learners in the Top 50, said there were no spaces in Form I and IV as the admission process was completed towards the end of 2022.

However, he was quick to mention that there could be few spaces available after the registration exercise, which would be done on Monday. This, he said, was because usually, some of the pupils they had admitted did not show up for registration, supposedly because they had opted to register with other schools. Due to this, we end up having one or two spaces available after the registration process, Sihlongonyane said. Also, Salesian High School Head teacher Petros Horton, said even though they had completed admitting pupils last year, few spaces might be available in Form I.

Horton said there were none in Form IV because they now had two streams due to the introduction of the four-year compressed syllabus for high schools. He said some pupils no longer wrote JC.

Filled

Manzini Nazarene High School Head teacher Phindile Makhanya, on the other hand, said on paper, they had already filled all spaces in the two classes. Like the other head teachers, Makhanya said this was done towards the end of last year. However, she said they would conduct the practical admission and registration on Monday and that would be when they would know if all those who were admitted were still interested in taking up the spaces. Even if those who had been admitted did not show up, she said, there would still be limited spaces available.

Meanwhile, the Head teacher of Hillside High School, Mcebo Mwelase, said he was currently attending to learners who had applied for spaces and were admitted in 2022. Mwelase said as a school, they were optimistic that there would be limited spaces available and once determined, they would then start to entertain walk-in applicants. He supposed that this could be from Tuesday, after the completion of the registration process for those who were admitted last year.

Limited

Also, the Head teacher of Mpaka High School, Mfanizile Bhembe, said the school had limited spaces for non-commuting learners (boarders), as most of the admissions for this academic year were done last year. The school which, had an 86 per cent pass rate, according to Bhembe, had limited spaces for the other classes also for learners who were strictly set to reside in their boarding facility.

On the other hand, Manzini Central High School Head teacher Celucolo Dlamini, said they would start admitting today at 9am and were anticipating taking about 120 pupils in Form I, as they had three streams of classes. In Form IV, the head teacher said they would admit only 30 pupils. He added that almost all the Form III pupils had passed and there would be limited spaces. Mjingo High School Deputy Head teacher Mbhekile Khumalo, who was speaking on behalf of the administration, said they would also start admitting pupils in Form I and IV at 9am. He said they had about 110 available spaces for both classes.

Available

The administration of Lamawandla High School said admissions for Form I were completed in November last year and available spaces would be determined by the number of their learners who had passed JC. Khumalo said this would be done when schools open and it was most likely that there would be no admissions to Form IV, as there were 120 who passed Form III, which was basically three classes. In the Lubombo Region, this publication gathered that schools in Siteki and surrounding areas completed admissions to Form I last year. Siteki Nazarene High School, which produced the top performing JC pupil in the 2022 results, completed admitting for Form I in 2022. The schools Head teacher, Bonginkosi Dlamini, said they turned away about 500 pupils after meeting the admission quota of 150 pupils.

The head teacher said next week, the school would be registering the admitted pupils and monitoring if some had chosen to attend to other schools. He said they had some of the pupils on a waiting list, that would be considered if it was established that some of those who had shown interest in enrolling with them last year had secured spaces in other schools. We almost turned back 500 pupils last year and only admitted 150, he said.

Monitor

At Lubombo Central High School, his counterpart Pilate Vilane, said they also completed the admission exercise in 2022. Vilane said 120 learners were admitted; but they would monitor if all those who had shown interest would register next week.We are now registering those we admitted and if some dont show up, then those on our waiting list would be next, he said. On the other hand, the Office of the Lubombo Regional Education Officer (REO) Richard Dlamini was a hive of activity yesterday, as head teachers of primary and high schools in the region came in numbers to collect results transcripts for pupils.
In December 2021, an Indiana urogynecologist named Ryan Stewart put out a request on Twitter. He was redesigning his office and seeking suggestions from patients on what they would like to see.

Over 3,000 responses flooded in. Many had me nodding empathically: gowns for all body types. Exam rooms that are warmer than subarctic. No news reports blaring from waiting-room TVs. Less harsh lighting.

Some commenters asked for more inclusive medical illustrations. Make sure if you have pictures/pamphlets, they include depictions of people of color, wrote Padma Kandadai, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine.

All the information tools we have, like pamphlets, always feature older white women, Dr. Kandadai said when I called her. That doesnt apply to the people I take care of, and theyll see that, and say, Dont people of color have these problems?
Western officials increasingly fear that Ukraine has only a narrow window to prepare to repel an anticipated Russian springtime offensive, and are moving fast to give the Ukrainians sophisticated weapons they had earlier refused to send for fear of provoking Moscow.

Over the last few weeks, one barrier after another has fallen, starting with an agreement by the United States in late December to send a Patriot air-defense system. That was followed by a German commitment last week to provide a Patriot missile battery, and in the span of hours, France, Germany and the United States each promised to send armored fighting vehicles to Ukraines battlefields for the first time.

Now it looks likely that modern Western tanks will be added to the growing list of powerful weapons being sent Ukraines way, as the United States and its allies take on more risk to defend Ukraine  especially as its military has made unexpected advances and held out against withering assaults.

While Ukraine has been requesting sophisticated tanks since the start of the war, the push to satisfy those pleas gained speed this week as the British and Polish governments publicly urged a change in the Western alliances stance. The British signaled that they were close to agreeing to send a small number of tanks, and the Polish government said it would happily send some of its German-made tanks, though Berlin would need to allow it.
And, when I took the job, I found my wonderful conductor colleagues Andrews Sill and Clotilde Otranto very kindly had annotated the scores for me, indicating Lights Up  Go and all the tempos. That was an invaluable help.

One of the things Ive discovered in this job is that on a first night, everybodys nervous, so take things carefully. By the third performance, you can really go!  taking it faster. In one performance in the fall season, Jonathan Stafford [City Ballets artistic director] told me I was being too kind on the dancers in taking one piece of the music relatively slowly, and that I should speed it up. He was right. Ive already learned where they need something faster than they think they want it. Everything depends on the night, though.

For dancers, nothing is more vital than tempo, but that, alas, is why ballet companies take many scores slower than called for. What about City Ballet?

One of the central rewards of this job is that, on the whole, Balanchine [the companys chief choreographer, teacher and reason for being from its inception until his death in 1983] really knew what the proper tempo was. By proper tempo I mean something close to what the composer can be said to have in mind. With much 19th-century music, we cant tell about tempo. Balanchine understood that, and he respected the tempos he grew up with; he was a very fine musician  and that made the difference. Where the composer did indicate a tempo, Balanchine almost always respected that.

There are a few interesting exceptions, where Balanchine hedged it a bit and where you cant take the tempo that the score requires. The inner movements of Stravinsky Violin Concerto [which returns on Jan. 17] for example, are far slower than the score; and theyre slower than any previous account of the music we know.

In Balanchine, what is it like to handle the divergences between the rhythm of a musical score and the dance rhythm?
On Tuesday night, Priscilla Presley and her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, sat side by side at their table at the Golden Globes and watched with emotion as Austin Butler won an award for his portrayal of Elvis in the Baz Luhrmann film of the same name.

Thank you for opening your hearts, your memories, your home to me, Butler said in his acceptance speech, as mother and daughter looked on. Lisa Marie, Priscilla, I love you forever.

Just two days later, Priscilla Presley shared a wrenching message about her daughter on social media, along with a photo of the two of them together. My beloved daughter Lisa Marie was rushed to the hospital, she wrote on Thursday. 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.

A few hours later came the announcement that Lisa Marie Presley had died at the age of 54. It was another loss for Priscilla, 77, in what has been a lifetime punctuated with extreme highs and lows, almost always playing out in the public spotlight.
Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous nights highlights that lets you sleep  and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now.

Car-a-Lago

Late night hosts ribbed President Biden on Thursday after additional classified documents were uncovered in his care, this time in the garage of his Delaware home.

No! Stephen Colbert cried at the top of his monologue. Say it aint so, Joe!
Analysts cautioned that a victory in Soledar would be unlikely to change Russias fortunes.

Russia has overexaggerated the importance of Soledar, which is at best a Russian Pyrrhic tactical victory, said the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based research group. It added that the battle would have contributed to Russian forces degraded combat power and cumulative exhaustion.

Russias Defense Ministry said in a statement that Soledar was of great importance for continuing successful offensive operations in the Donbas region, and that its troops had completed their capture of the town overnight.

This is not true, said a spokesman for Ukrainian troops in the east. The fighting is ongoing.
The tech mogul Barry Diller was one of the first billionaires to experiment with digital journalism in the 2000s, teaming up with the longtime editor Tina Brown to start The Daily Beast, a scrappy tabloid for the budding online era.

Now, Mr. Dillers 14-year run as owner of the internet muckraker may be coming to an end.

IAC, the holding company founded by Mr. Diller that owns digital properties including People, Better Homes and Gardens, and Southern Living, has hired the advisory firm Whisper Advisors to explore the sale of The Daily Beast, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.

The sale process is in the early stages, the people said, and it may not result in a deal. The price The Daily Beast might command in a sale is not clear.

An IAC spokeswoman declined to comment.

The Daily Beast has had journalistic successes, churning out scoops on the media industry and political and national security issues over the years. Last year, it broke the news that Herschel Walker, the Republican nominee for Senate in Georgia, was the father of children he had not previously mentioned publicly.
We asked nearly 400 people to tell us how much they earn. Here are two dozen who actually spoke to us.

Image

Julia Rothman and

Jan. 13, 2023

Do your co-workers know how much money you earn? Do your friends? Does your family? Salary transparency is a hot topic  new laws have recently gone into effect around the country requiring employers to disclose salary ranges as a way to tackle pay inequities.

Curious how individuals feel about this movement toward transparency, we approached nearly 400 people on the sidewalks of New York late last year to see if anyone would tell us how much they make. A small fraction of the people we flagged down spoke to us. Here are 27 of them.
Can you help us understand when you knew things were going really wrong around Christmas?

We plan days and days in advance for storms, hurricanes  all those things. We watch the operation every day; our leaders are on many calls a day just to understand how were doing. Im on multiple calls a day, on a normal day. All that was going on.

When you have a big event, it typically takes an airline three to four days to recover because it just takes that long to get fresh crews into the network  that kind of thing. And until the 22nd or 23rd, it looked like we were recovering pretty normally.

You get into the 24th, and it looks like were beginning to have a tougher time. I think it was really Christmas Day that we decided were in a different place here in terms of level of disruption. On the 25th, we activated everybody here on site. We took a more radical approach that night to canceling and setting up for the 26th.

When we woke up on the 26th  actually, I dont think anybody went to sleep  that was the point at which we said, Its going to take a larger set of actions to get ourselves back to normal. Youre thinking a lot of things, but No. 1, all of the time, is be safe. If we need to stop the airline, stop the airline, because we must be safe.

On the 26th, it was obvious that we need to take more action; we werent going to be able to operate our way out of this. Its really hard to decide to take the schedule down 60 percent for three days because you know how many people youre going to disrupt and how hard thats going to be. But until you get yourself back to normal, youre going to continue to disrupt people.

So I had to give our terrific operators permission to take more drastic steps. And we had folks that went away, and in hours they redesigned the network to then deploy on the 27th, 28th and 29th. And it worked beautifully. We were 95 percent on time on the 29th. Theres all kinds of movement to get crews and aircraft in place to start the 30th at full tilt. Im really proud of our folks. Not to dismiss the fact that we really messed up for a lot of customers.
A Swedish mining company said this week that it had found Europes largest known deposit of coveted rare earth metals, critical to many green technologies including electric vehicles, in a far northern part of the country within the Arctic Circle.

The worlds production of rare earths is dominated by China. The discovery by LKAB, a state-owned company, creates the prospect that Europe could over time develop a domestic source of these minerals.

This is good news, not only for LKAB, the region and the Swedish people, but also for Europe and the climate, Jan Mostrom, the companys chief executive, said in a statement.

Finding the deposit, estimated by LKAB at more than a million tons, is one thing, and extracting the metals is another. LKAB said it could take 10 to 15 years or more before the metals were delivered to market because of the lengthy environmental studies and other work required to open a mining facility in Europe.
2023 Global Tech Summit in Vizag to Revolutionize Frontier Science : DST Head Dr Aggarwal

Hyderabad, Jan 13 (UNI) Department of Science and Technology (DST) Head Dr. Anita Aggarwal on Friday praised the 2023 Global Tech Summit to be held in Vizag from Feb 16-17, as a "very good platform" for technology professionals. individuals, entrepreneurs, and start-ups to present their work and take advantage of opportunities for commercialization.

Speaking at a meeting held with the Global Tech summit leader here, Dr Anita said the Summit in Vizag is a gathering of some of the world's leading experts in science and technology from universities, IITs, DSTs, and CSIRs, has accomplished great things by fostering collaboration and driving economic growth through the transformation of science into technology.

"The Summit team is collaborating with India's top technology transformers from IIT, DST, and CSIR, It's a great opportunity for scholars and start-up entrepreneurs to further advance their cooperation in science, its transformation into technology, and its commercialization." Dr Anita added.
My grandmother in India cooked for many years with coal, then with a tank of liquid petroleum gas. As a child in California, I lived in an apartment with an electric stove, then in a house with a gas connection. In London, last summer, I stayed in an apartment with an induction stove that glowed red in an instant. In Kenya a few years before that, I spent hours talking to women cooking dinner in smoky kitchens, over charcoal.

I say all this to remind us that cooking fuels change all the time. Change is normal. Rarely is it as political as it has been this week in the United States, with a firestorm over gas stoves.

Ive been trying to piece together why, and also, beyond the rhetoric, what impact gas stoves have on our health and the health of the planet.

Regular readers of Climate Forward will know that by gas, I mean what is often called natural gas, whose main ingredient is methane, a potent greenhouse gas responsible for global warming.
Both store-bought and from-scratch wrappers can be pinched into endless shapes. While the neatly tucked look of ingots are ideal for deep-fried wontons, a free-form fold is best for wontons in soup. A corner of the wrapper should be pleated over the marble of filling, and the remaining dough should flow off the end like the train of a wedding gown. When boiled, then floated in soup, that golden wrapper will ripple on the surface and taste like the most delicate slip of a noodle. In Cantonese, wonton translates to swallowing a cloud, and these look and taste that ethereal. Add long, wiry wonton noodles to the bowl and you have a complete meal, along with the promise of longevity for the new year.

The dessert most often offered after a Cantonese meal is fresh fruit. For Chinese New Year, mandarin oranges are served because their name is a homophone for gold in Cantonese, symbolizing prosperity, and theyre often chased with candied nuts and seeds. But to follow simple, traditional wontons, heres a simple twist on tradition: sesame shortbread that bake the nutty black sesame seeds found in Chinese New Year candies and sweets, like tang yuan, into buttery cookies.
First introduced by a brand called My-T-Fine in 1918, instant pudding mix  whose key ingredients are sugar and cornstarch  was a product of the post-World War I manufacturing boom, according to the 2012 book, Pudding: A Global History by Jeri Quinzio. The rise of supermarkets in the U.S. and the growing number of women entering the work force drove the products popularity as a shortcut dessert. A 1941 advertisement for Jell-O instant pudding mix  which debuted in the 1930s  in Ladies Home Journal claimed it could recreate Grandmas creamy, deep-flavored pudding, quick as a scat.

Home cooks helped popularize using the mixes in desserts other than pudding, like cakes and trifles, said Ms. Goldstein, the food historian. Community cookbooks from the 1960s to the 1990s contain recipes for lemon cake, cheesecake and blitz torte, all made with instant pudding. Some cooks swear by pudding for softer, chewier chocolate chip cookies.

These days, instant pudding mix is not flying off store shelves. Sales of gelatin and pudding mixes declined by 5.9 percent in December 2022 compared with the year prior, according to IRI, a market research firm. Baking cookbooks extolling the values of convenience foods arent as common anymore, said Darra Goldstein, a food historian and cookbook author.

I feel like the ethos is more from-scratch baking and trying to go back to pure flavors, she said.

But people more often crave familiar flavors, not pure ones, and instant pudding helped shape American palates, said Stella Parks, the author of BraveTart: Iconic American Desserts. What is the flavor of butterscotch? she said. Butterscotch pudding is going to hit that on the nose for people. It would be their first and only exposure to a flavor like that.
Ms. Ryan and her team then choose the photographers who will bring the best eye to a project, whose vision, passions and life experience will fit well with a certain subject for us, she said. The right photographic approach to a story  whether it be conceptual, portraiture or documentary reportage  can vary just as greatly as the different subjects the magazine is known for covering. On any given week, Ms. Ryan says, her team might be photographing actors in a studio while also working with a photographer covering the war in Ukraine.

She says that her job today presents different challenges than it did when she started in 1987. She and her team are competing against the cascade of imagery arriving through the phones in peoples pockets every day.

I feel like we have a responsibility to do something different, she said. Anything we can do to make it interesting, provocative, merit a second look, a third look  thats what we should be doing. Anything but boring.

Below, read Ms. Ryans personal accounts of her approach to some of last years most memorable magazine projects. Her responses have been edited and condensed.

Gaining Behind-the-Scenes Access

We had Philip Montgomery photograph the story that looked inside the Jan. 6 committee. Two writers had deeply reported it, and we were going to be making the pictures after the reporting was finished. How do you take a bunch of committee members in meetings and make that look exciting?
The twists arrive a mile a minute in this lavishly directed, elaborately plotted thriller by the Spanish director Oriol Paulo. Set in the 1970s, the film knits together the tropes of many a detective mystery  a slippery femme fatale; a psychiatric hospital buzzing with secrets; a private detective with tricks up her sleeve  into a continually surprising narrative of fickle allegiances and blurry truths.

Things are not quite what they seem right from the beginning, when the elegant, dyed-blonde heiress Alice Gould (Barbara Lennie) arrives at an asylum; she brings with her a doctors letter warning of her penchant for lying and accusing her of having tried to poison her husband. Alice claims the opposite  that her husband tried to kill her for her fortune  but soon suggests that her entire story might be a grand red herring; apparently, shes a for-hire investigator whos entered the institution to find the truth about a mysterious recent death.

The haunting camerawork, beguiling performances from an ensemble cast and endless cascade of revelations and flashbacks ensures, however, that nothing is certain. Is Alice caught up in her own delusional fantasies, or is she a victim of an elaborate gaslighting scheme? This is a pulpy affair that shocks and entertains, while also reckoning with the often draconian ways in which the state and medical establishments handle mental illness.
One program that he wants to trim, at least in monetary terms, is the citys free preschool initiative for 3-year-olds. I asked Emma G. Fitzsimmons, our City Hall bureau chief, to explain what he has in mind and how families will be affected.

One of the largest cuts in the mayors new budget is for free preschool for 3-year-olds, known as 3-K for All. How much does he want to cut and what does it mean for the program?

The mayor wants to reduce the budget for 3-K by $567 million. The program was expected to become universal this year, and now thats not happening. Some families with young children are really disappointed.

Why is the mayor cutting the 3-K funding?

The program was a top priority under Mayor Bill de Blasio, but he didnt identify a permanent funding source. Now Mayor Adams is arguing that federal pandemic aid is running out and the city is facing a budget deficit, and we cant afford to keep expanding 3-K. The Adams administration has also said that not all of the current seats are being used, and thats due in part to an uneven distribution of centers among different neighborhoods.

What does this mean for families?

Free 3-K can be life-changing for parents, who often spend more than $20,000 per year on child care. Mayor de Blasio publicly promised that every 3-year-old would have a seat this September, and families were hoping to get some financial relief in a city that is very expensive. If they dont get a 3-K offer, theyll have to continue to pay for private child care or one parent might not be able to return to work. One of my sons is turning 3 soon, and were hoping that he can start 3-K this fall.
Their plight became clear after the humanitarian relief center set up on Randalls Island for the bused immigrants last fall was left half empty. Many of the expected arrivals, who were predominantly Venezuelan, were turned away at the border by the Biden administration.

When news spread that the refuge center had room, a number of migrants from West Africa showed up. Many said they had not been aware of the existence of the facility at first. Although they too had arrived from the southern border, they had taken a different route and arrived in the city with little notice.

Many Venezuelans arrived at Port Authority, in Midtown, where they were greeted by public officials and civic groups. Their African counterparts tend to arrive by plane  their tickets paid for by African community organizations  or on Greyhound buses to Chinatown, where they stepped out on their own. Most had the name of only one contact: Imam Omar.

The journeys of Black and African migrants have been no less perilous than the routes taken by migrants of other ethnic groups, even those who have traversed the Darien Gap. But according to immigration advocacy groups, Black and African migrants can face longer detention and higher bail amounts, which are left to the discretion of immigration judges, compared with what their non-Black counterparts can face. Some Black migrants have to pay as much as $35,000 to be released from detention, according to community organizations that help them financially.
If Raikins article is a particularly vivid critique of bureaucratic euthanasia, Richard Hananias subsequent essay in defense of Canadas euthanasia regime is a striking progression through different briefs in the systems favor.

Hanania starts by defending the Canadian system in terms familiar from the moderate, cautious case for assisted suicide, which seeks to make it legal only as an exceptional form of end-of-life mercy, clearly separated from the way society attends to most forms of mental and physical suffering. He notes that even with the sharp increase in assisted deaths, the vast majority of the people being euthanized are terminally ill, and that the share of Canadian MAID recipients under 45 is still extremely small  with the implication being that the cases discussed by Raikin are still outliers, exceptions to the normal rule.

But Hanania goes further. First, he takes a more expansive libertarian position, critiquing any legal or medical presumption against assisting with a suicide, because it arrogates to the state the power to decide on the right conditions for making an exit from this life, instead of just letting the suicidal person make the decision for themselves. From this perspective, one might agree with Raikin that the health bureaucracy isnt competent to determine Rosina Kamiss true motivations for suicide  or anyone elses for that matter  and still take the view that the state should err on the side of stated desires, and let personal liberty run its chosen course. So the fact that the Canadian program is increasing rapidly does not by itself mean that anything is going wrong. It could just as easily indicate that people are too willing to infringe on individual liberty and force others to suffer against their will, and Canada is more morally advanced than the rest of the world in this area.

And then  responding, in part, to some prodding from me on Twitter  Hanania goes further still, to a position that treats the suicides of people who might feel themselves to be burdens on their family or the rest of society as a not merely acceptable but potentially noble choice:

Since when do we denounce people considering how their actions will affect others?  I dont like inconveniencing others, and for many parents the possibility that one day they could be a burden on their children scares them much more than death. I think this is a noble sentiment, and would gladly sacrifice myself when Im old so that those I care about can live better and more fulfilling lives. If were going to talk about human dignity, I could think of nothing less dignified than ending a proud and successful life in diapers and with your brain rotting away, making your children miserable and preventing them from reaching their full potential  Suicide is in many cases a noble and heroic act, and it should therefore have state sanction.

Whats more, he concludes, lots of people agree with him on this, judging by both polls and pop-cultural depictions of assisted suicide: The Romans had a concept of patriotic suicide in which death was preferable to dishonor, and despite two millenniums of Christian influence we can still be inspired by the idea.

There is a lot to be said about Hananias argument, but I just want to take the last line and run with it for a moment, because it ties together with points I made in my original column. That piece started by discussing the video that a Canadian department store produced to celebrate assisted suicide  a watery, holistic, spiritual tribute to a 30-something woman who killed herself to escape her suffering from Ehlers Danlos syndrome. Part of my argument was that the videos spiritual aspect wasnt a coincidence, that the mass acceptance of euthanasia probably wont replace the Christian prohibition on suicide with a libertarian or secular neutrality. Rather, a society that encourages euthanasia will eventually tend to sacralize it, reaching for pre-Christian or post-Christian narratives in which the decision to kill oneself is not just permissible but holy.
By midsummer, airlines had canceled or delayed more than 100,000 passenger flights in 2022, for which, in many cases, they had sold tickets despite knowing they would be unable to staff them. This was a result of early retirement incentives offered by the airlines during Covid; despite a taxpayer bailout of $54 billion, the airlines sought to limit labor costs to favor investment compensation even though they were nearly insolvent.

The airlines have no spare capacity, and passenger loads are at record highs, which means that one failure will cascade across the system. Despite having the authority to investigate and fine airlines for unfair and deceptive practices, the Department of Transportation and its subsidiary the F.A.A. have deferred to the private sector for decades, and have done little to rearrange market incentives that lead to these problems.

Our existing political and regulatory system around the airlines likewise does not provide many pathways for addressing these problems. The airlines are not a consistently profitable industry, shown by their need to come hat-in-hand for a bailout at any sign of economic turbulence. Yet it is to the airlines and their executives we often defer for solutions.

The private sector is a core part of the dysfunction. Airlines for America, the industrys main lobbying group, has consistently stated it supports NextGen in principle but has frequently lobbied against it, arguing it would require investments in upgrading equipment on aircraft. Airlines have been lobbying against the upgrades to F.A.A. satellite-based systems, often wanting to avoid making the capital investments in aircraft that comply with the new system.

Many on the right and in the industry will call for the privatization of the F.A.A. as a result of this outage. But that doesnt get at the problems weve seen in the private sector that are similar, and in many cases, worse. In both the airline industry and the regulators overseeing it, we jump from crisis to crisis without solving any underlying problems. Last summers mass cancellations, the Southwest meltdown, numerous other airline I.T. outages, and now this F.A.A. outage show we need to rethink how we do air travel in the United States.
Two years ago, in Atlanta, 22-year-old Rico Marley was arrested in a Publix supermarket. He was wearing body armor and carrying six loaded weapons, including a semiautomatic rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun. Prosecutors, as my newsroom colleague Richard Fausset reports in a recent story, charged Marley with 11 felonies, including six counts of possession of a weapon during commission of or attempt to commit certain felonies.

The charges didnt stick. They were dropped the next year, although Marley was soon booked again in a separate incident, in May 2022, on lesser counts of reckless conduct. The reason Marley was released from jail initially, though, was that he hadnt actually committed a felony. And in fact, as of 2022, under a law signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, any Georgian eligible or licensed to carry a weapon and not otherwise prohibited from owning one is permitted to carry both handguns and long guns either concealed or in the open.

As Fausset notes in his piece, this whole episode speaks to a uniquely American quandary: In states with permissive gun laws, the police and prosecutors have limited tools at their disposal when a heavily armed individuals mere presence in a public space sows fear or even panic.

To this I want to add a related point and make an argument: Permissive gun laws and ubiquitous open carry are more than a challenge to law enforcement; theyre a challenge to the very possibility of an open, democratic society.
Makers of PS 2 unveil lyrical video of Shivoham 12 Apr 2023 | 7:05 PM New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) Mani Ratnams magnum opus film PS-2 has unveiled the third enchanting song Shivoham which features a powerful and intense chant, the narrative showcases Madhurantakan, played by actor Rahman, vying for the Chola throne and forms alliances with the Kalamugars headed by a fierce leader played by Makarand Deshpande. see more..

Hrithik Roshan undergoes simulation training for Fighter 12 Apr 2023 | 6:21 PM New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) Leaving no stone unturned to get into the skin of his character as a fighter jet pilot for his upcoming Siddharth Anand directorial Fighter, Hrithik Roshan has been undergoing simulator training. see more..

Music School': 'Teri Nigaahon Ne' shows Shriya-Sharmans refreshing chemistry 12 Apr 2023 | 5:32 PM New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) After the upbeat and foot-tapping first song 'Padhte Jao Baccha', Ilaiyaraaja's multi-lingual musical on Wednesday unveiled the melodious and soulful romantic ballad 'Teri Nigaahon Ne' in three languages- Hindi, Telugu and Tamil. see more..

Disney+Hotstar unveils teaser of Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo 12 Apr 2023 | 3:29 PM New Delhi, Apr 12 (UNI) Disney+ Hotstar on Wednesday released a hatke teaser of its upcoming hardcore action drama Saas Bahu Aur Flamingo. see more..
Hannes Keller, a Swiss mathematician and inspired amateur explorer, planned his audacious deep ocean dive for more than a year. In December 1962, he intended to descend deeper than anyone before him: 1,000 feet down, off Santa Catalina Island, near Los Angeles, in a diving bell called the Atlantis.

If a man could go, for instance, to 1,000 feet down and do practical work, Mr. Keller wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald, then all the continental shelf zone could be explored, a total of more than 16 million square miles.

He and his expedition partner, Peter Small, a journalist and a veteran diver, knew that critical to the mission would be how well the gas they breathed mitigated the possibility of getting the bends  the potentially deadly decompression sickness caused when bubbles of nitrogen form in divers bodies during rapid ascents.

Mr. Keller enlisted the help of a cardiopulmonary specialist in Zurich and an IBM computer to conceive a secret formula of oxygen, nitrogen and helium, as well as a plan to dispense it at different mixtures at different depths.
Gary LeRoy Allinger and Onofre Duran, who is known as JR, first spotted each other during a bus tour of bars in Las Vegas that each had taken in December 2007.

I was smitten immediately, Mr. Allinger said, after their eyes had locked. He looked up at me from under his Stetson cowboy hat with the most amazing smile and brown and hazel eyes.

Each was in Vegas with his own chapter of the Imperial Court System, a nonprofit fund-raising organization that supports L.G.B.T. communities, for an annual coronation event. The two men were introduced by a mutual friend but didnt interact past the introduction. It would be nearly a year, on Nov. 2, 2008, that they would see each other again. This time they were in Dallas, where Mr. Duran lived.

We met the old-fashioned way  in a bar, said Mr. Allinger, a professional drag queen with the stage name Penny Cilyn, who was living in Omaha.
After Jay Shetty left his life as a monk at a Hindu ashram, he began dating again. Driven by insecurity, he quickly found himself falling into detrimental, old dating habits.

In this weeks Modern Love essay, Date Like a Monk, Mr. Shetty explains how he used his experiences as a monk to better connect with himself and with women.
When William Edwin Wildman III first saw Parker Calin Kennedy in March 2015 at the pool in the condominium complex where they both lived in Oxford, Miss., Mr. Kennedy was drinking a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Champagne with friends.

It was around 9 a.m. and the last day of spring break at the University of Mississippi, where Mr. Wildman was a junior and Mr. Kennedy a sophomore. My friends and I were scoffing, What is he doing? Its ridiculous, Mr. Wildman said. But I was intrigued. He had this sense of occasion. I had to find out who he was.

As it turned out, Mr. Kennedy was known for toting around bottles of champagne: He worked as an events manager for Debutante Farmer, a catering and events company founded by Elizabeth Heiskell, the Today show food contributor, and would often receive freebies at the end of a job.

Though the two never talked at the pool, Mr. Wildman later sent a direct message to Mr. Kennedy on Instagram. They began chatting and a couple of days later, on a rainy afternoon, Mr. Wildman came over to Mr. Kennedys apartment to watch films.
Last month, he invited friends over for dinner. It was an opportunity to get together before the onslaught of more elaborate holiday celebrations, and to test out some of his recent designs  a low-slung white oak table and four one-of-a-kind stools. Prieto, 41, who grew up in northern Mexico, spends part of each year in Mexico City, which is home to two of his other ventures: the Casa Bosques art bookstore and, above it, the Casa Bosques Pension, a three-room guesthouse for which he designed the chairs, beds and armoires, drawing from the work of the architect Le Corbusier and the artist Franz West, though he doesnt like his references to be too obvious. Theyre democratic pieces that arent trying to yell design, he says. He also has a line of bone-shaped lights, Marrow, with his boyfriend, the artist Loup Sarion. But the table and stools, the latter consisting of slightly raised platforms inspired by his experience sitting on tatami mats during a nearly monthlong trip to Japan  it humbles you to be so close to the ground, he says  are among the first proper furniture designs that hes put up for sale (theyre available now at his studio and will be, starting next week, at 180 the Store on nearby Duane Street).
Your Sexts Are ____: Older Better Letters

Through Sunday. Running time: 1 hour.

The art of talking dirty has withered of late. Or so Rachel Mars sets out to demonstrate in Your Sexts Are Shit: Older Better Letters, her filthy, funny yet eventually cloying performance piece dressed in the incongruous drag of a lecture.

As evidence of the downturn, Mars compares some cherry-picked examples of epistolary smut with actual sexts she has solicited online. But do electronic acquaintances really stand a chance against the likes of James Joyce in full flower? Especially when the acquaintances are present only in the form of screenshots and Joyce gets rapturously read aloud?

Though occasionally non-gross (If you were here rn in my car what would we be doing?) and on several occasions eliciting clever responses (Probably arguing), the sexts arent very sexy. Instead, as Marss presentation makes plain, they are dully goal-oriented, like Slack messages setting up meetings. They take no interest in the process of arousal or the way exquisite, elaborate and even embarrassing language can be part of it.

Joyce, on the other hand, writing in 1908 to his lover (and later wife) Nora Barnacle, spins arias of sexual and scatological rapture that go so far past pornography as to crash the gates of literature. The man seems to have been unblushable  and the woman, too, though her responses have been lost and can only be imagined (as the show in fact does) by implication.
Frankly, as we look at what weve left our next generation, they have a lot of reason to be pretty upset with us, whether its climate change or billions of dollars of unfunded liabilities in pension obligations, or a whole host of other things. It seems to me that its the investment that we make in their future thats going to be our greatest legacy.

Lets talk about homelessness. In 2013, the year before you were elected, there were approximately 4,770 people in San Jose who were homeless. As of 2022, there are around 6,740.

I think, for every big city in the western United States, this is enormously daunting. And there are much bigger forces at work here than those within City Hall. The two largest forces appear to be supply and demand. What we know from the data is that lots of high-poverty cities dont have a lot of homelessness. But really expensive cities like San Jose and San Francisco and L.A. have horrific levels of homelessness. So that should tell us something about the extent to which the supply and demand of affordable housing has a really large role here.

Fundamentally, for cities, the task has to be how do we dramatically expand that inventory of accessible housing. And thats a bigger problem than any one city can solve alone. Theres no question we need a much larger role for the state and the federal government to embrace this as a national crisis if were really going to tackle it.

Do you see homelessness as your successors biggest challenge?

Yes, thats the largest crisis for every big city in the West. Were not unique in that regard. The challenge of our generation is this growing economic divide, and homelessness is one very severe symptom of that growing divide. That divide is driven by very large forces  globalization of technology, of automation. We can all see that more and more of our residents are being left behind in an economy that does not value the same skills as it did 30 years ago, and as a result more will struggle unless we can dramatically accelerate our investments in people. So I think that is going to be the generational challenge for our city, and for every tech-heavy city in the country.
Another variable is that some of the water that will be captured in cisterns might have been captured elsewhere in the past, said Tony Zampiello, the water master of the main San Gabriel River Basin. He is the executive director of a court-appointed organization enforcing decades-old judgments that allocate water to 192 rights holders.

It isnt new water if it would have entered the system somewhere else, he said. Another question, he said, is how much of the water captured in new wells will actually filter down into the aquifer.

The answer depends on Los Angeles Countys complex geology, which varies greatly through its watersheds. The San Gabriel River empties out of the mountains into a highly permeable gravel and sand riverbed. As a result, 98 percent of the flow is captured in settling grounds  designed areas to accelerate infiltration  and percolated into the groundwater basin for later use.

The Los Angeles River is the opposite. It starts in the San Fernando Valley and over the next 40 miles descends as much as the Mississippi River does over 2,500 miles. It goes over highly impermeable ground and little room exists in its urban path for building spreading grounds. As a result, about 90 percent of its flow ends up in the ocean.

Nowhere are the upcoming small-scale projects more important than in the Los Angeles River watershed, where they can prevent runoff into the river and theoretically recharge groundwater basins, Zampiello notes.
Casey Hayden, an important organizer for the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee during its push for civil rights in the early 1960s and the co-author of two papers that called out sexism within that organization and in society in general  documents that are credited with helping to inspire second-wave feminism  died on Jan. 4 at her home in Tucson, Ariz. She was 85.

Her death was confirmed by her daughter, Rosemary Lotus Boyce, who did not specify a cause.

Ms. Hayden, a native Texan, was a graduate student at the University of Texas in Austin in early 1960 when she joined Black students in anti-segregation protests. According to newspaper accounts at the time, she was one of the first white students to do so.

Later that year she was a delegate to the United States National Student Association Congress at the University of Minnesota. The congress, Ms. Hayden wrote in an essay in Hands on the Freedom Plow: Personal Accounts of Women in SNCC (2010), consisted mostly of white students, many from the South and all for law and order. A contingent of Black students representing the newly formed Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee was not finding much sympathy and went looking for a pro-sit-in white Southerner to add to a panel on civil disobedience. Ms. Hayden took the assignment.

Twenty-two years old, I had a strong Southern drawl and hardly spoke above a whisper, she wrote. But her words resonated.
Spain to train over 200 Ukrainian soldiers

Madrid, Jan 13 (UNI) Spain will receive more than 220 Ukrainian soldiers for military training, the Spanish government announced.

"Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles will receive 225 Ukrainian soldiers and combatants at the Torrejon Air Base, who will be trained in Spain over the next few weeks," the government said on the website.

Some 200 Ukrainian soldiers, most of them are mobilized civilians without any military experience, will participate in basic combat training at the Toledo Infantry Academy, while the remaining 20 soldiers will take a basic course in the anti-aircraft artillery regiment at the El Coopero military base to receive training on handling HAWK missile defense systems.
WASHINGTON  President Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan vowed Friday to work together to transform Japan into a potent military power to help counterbalance China and to bolster the alliance between the two nations so that it becomes the linchpin for their security interests in Asia.

Were modernizing our military alliance, building on Japans historic increase in defense spending and new national security strategy, Mr. Biden said as the two leaders sat in the White House Oval Office in front of a fireplace with a roaring blaze. Let me be crystal clear: The United States is fully, thoroughly, completely committed to the alliance.

Mr. Kishida was making his first trip to Washington since his election in October 2021, and one month after his government announced plans to strengthen its military capabilities and significantly increase military spending in the face of Chinas rising power and repeated missile tests by North Korea.

Japan was infuriated by Chinas lobbing of missiles around Taiwan in August, five of which landed in waters by Japan, the first time this had happened. And Japan is increasingly anxious over greater maritime activity by the Chinese military in the East China Sea and around the Senkaku Islands, which is disputed territory between the two governments.
WASHINGTON  Representative Eli Crane, Republican of Arizona, was still weeks away from being sworn in to Congress for the first time when Donald J. Trump, the former president, called to try to persuade him to support Kevin McCarthy for speaker.

Mr. Trump had endorsed Mr. Crane during his campaign, helping him emerge victorious in a crowded Republican primary. The Congressional Leadership Fund, a political action committee aligned with Mr. McCarthy, had donated to his campaign. The pressure to fall in line, Mr. Crane said, was immense.

Thats always a tough situation, when you have a lot of respect and admiration for somebody, and the commitments that youve made to your voters, Mr. Crane recalled in an interview in his new office this week, just days after he voted against Mr. McCarthy 14 times in a row.

Mr. Crane, 43, a former member of the Navy SEALs and a contender on Shark Tank, last week was the sole newly elected congressman to vote against Mr. McCarthy until the bitter, drawn-out end  typically a perilous position for a freshman who harbors any ambition to serve on a powerful committee or play a role in legislating.
WASHINGTON  Two years ago, President Biden joined the worlds most exclusive club. This week, he joined a less exalted club  but, in the modern era, one almost as large.

The appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents in Mr. Bidens home and private office makes him the latest occupant of the Oval Office to be scrutinized by a special prosecutor.

Indeed, since the dark days of Watergate, when a special prosecutors inquiry drove Richard M. Nixon out of office, every president but one has faced such an investigator looking into them or their associates, the lone exception being Barack Obama. For some, the political damage proved modest. But for others, the investigations came to consume and even threaten their presidencies, at least for a time.

The allegations ranged from the tawdry (an aide supposedly snorting cocaine in a New York nightclub) to the even tawdrier (a president receiving sexual favors from a former intern); from the geopolitical (a White House trading arms for hostages and using the proceeds to finance rebel soldiers) to the cinematic (a candidate suspected of collaborating with Russia to win an election).
Russell Pearce, the Arizona state senator who fathered the nations most unforgiving legal sanctions on illegal immigrants  including what came to be known as the show me your papers law  only to have some of the legislation revoked and find himself removed from office, died on Jan. 5 at his home in Mesa, Ariz. He was 75.

His wife and children announced the death on social media. They said he had become ill earlier in the week, but they did not specify a cause of death.

A fiery critic of congressional policies on immigration, Mr. Pearce emerged more than a decade ago, a shooting star on the national stage from a state roiled by debates over the governments efforts to stem the influx of undocumented refugees from Mexico.

While his stardom would prove short-lived, his legislative strategy to rid his state of undocumented immigrants  attrition through enforcement was how he described it  culminated in 2010, when he successfully sponsored Senate Bill 1070, which inspired copycat bills across the country.
One of the countrys most prominent far-right extremist groups, the Proud Boys have embraced a violent version of patriarchal nationalism since forming in 2016 and aligning themselves with former President Donald J. Trump.

But the five Proud Boys on trial in Federal District Court in Washington, facing charges of seditious conspiracy in connection with the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, are less well known as individuals.

The trial began this week with opening statements and over the next two months or so, the spotlight will fall on each of the defendants. They include Enrique Tarrio, the groups former leader, and four of his subordinates: Joseph Biggs, Ethan Nordean, Zachary Rehl and Dominic Pezzola.

Here is a look at all five men and what the jury may hear about the roles they played in what prosecutors have described as a plot to stop the lawful transfer of presidential power after the 2020 election.
MARBURY, Ala.  William Lambert could see the funnel forming outside his front door. As the tornado descended on his home in central Alabama, he ran into a bathroom with his son while his wife crowded into a closet with their three grandchildren.

It was just that quick, come and gone, Mr. Lambert said.

His home still stood. It was one of the few mobile homes on County Road 140 in the unincorporated community of Marbury that was intact after the storm tore through on Thursday. When he walked over to check on a neighbors house, he found his body on the ground by his truck. A day later, Mr. Lambert remained shaken. I hate to see it, he said.

At least nine people were killed after powerful storms unleashed tornadoes and shredding winds across the South, and many others were only beginning to grapple with the devastation on Friday.
For the casual student of U.F.O. history, the modern idea of life beyond our planet usually dates to 1947, when a top-secret U.S. military balloon crashed in the desert near Roswell, N.M. The wreckage prompted decades of conspiracy theories and gave rise to the idea that Roswell was the site of an alien crash landing.

Now, thanks to a new congressional spending bill, U.F.O. enthusiasts may look to 1945 as the beginning of that era.

An amendment tucked into this years $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act, which funds the Defense Departments annual operating budget, requires the department to review historical documents related to unidentified aerial phenomena  government lingo for U.F.O.s  dating to 1945. That is the year that, according to one account, a large, avocado-shaped object struck a communication tower in a patch of New Mexico desert now known as the Trinity Site, where the worlds first atomic bomb was detonated that July.

Experts said the bill, which President Biden signed into law in December, could be a game changer for studying unidentified phenomena.
SEOUL  South Korean officials on Friday concluded their investigation of the Halloween crowd crush that killed nearly 160 people in Seoul, blaming the police and other government agencies for failing to take precautionary measures to avoid such a disaster and for bungling rescue operations.

The crush, one of the worst peacetime disasters in South Korean history, took place on the evening of Oct. 29, when throngs of Halloween partygoers squeezed into a narrow, sloping alleyway from both ends in Itaewon, a popular nightlife district in central Seoul.

Three days later, the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol formed a special investigative unit, which has since raided dozens of police, fire department and other government offices, scrutinized reams of surveillance camera footage and interviewed hundreds of witnesses.

The unit has so far asked prosecutors to indict 23 people, about half of them police officers, on criminal charges. Most of the officers were accused of contributing to the deaths through negligence of official duty or fabricating or trying to destroy official documents that may include criminal evidence.
Feeling inspired, Ms. Chen began to write. But before she had a chance to finish, Mao started rounding up the critics who had dared to speak out, accusing them of producing poisonous weeds instead of fragrant flowers.

Critics were executed or sent to labor camps for re-education. Petrified that her manuscript would reveal poisonous thoughts, Ms. Chen lit a match to it. I scattered that manuscript like ashes, she said.

The act would come back to haunt her.

By burning the first draft of her own story, Ms. Chen participated in what Orville Schell, a China scholar, has referred to as the destruction of historical memory. Some academics have questioned whether Ms. Chens accounts can be trusted, or if she has exaggerated her access to party officials such as Zhou Yang, who, she said in her memoir, asked her for advice on how to handle Mr. Hus case.

This is one of the perils of the Chinese Communist Partys destruction of historical memory, said Mr. Schell, the Arthur Ross Director of the Center on U.S.-China Relations at the Asia Society. Like others, Ms. Chen, he said, had to write her memoir sort of stripped of all of her resources except her memory.

Many of the scenes in Ms. Chens memoir come from books that she and her husband wrote years ago, as well as earlier manuscripts. Recently, in her small but sunny apartment on the south side of Hong Kong Island, she stood over books and old manuscripts piled atop a dining table.
The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to get it by email. This weeks issue is written by Natasha Frost, a reporter with the Australia bureau.

The pavlova crowns the New Zealand holiday table. Named for the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, it is a towering pile of whipped cream, meringue and fruit, altogether bearing a resemblance, accidental or otherwise, to the frothy tulle of its namesakes tutu. (Save yourself the trouble and dont ask whether the dessert originated on Australian or New Zealand soil.)

New Zealanders might have a pav, as the dish is known, at a family gathering, to mark some special occasion or just because someone has some egg whites to use up. At Christmas meals, it is all but compulsory  a final hurrah after slices of hot ham, or roasted potatoes with a leg of lamb.

This year, many families went without their Christmas pav because they simply couldnt get the eggs.

Since November, New Zealanders have been left scrambling after an egg shortage gripped the country. Supermarket shelves in some areas are bare of eggs, and a clutch of 12 now costs about 6 New Zealand dollars, up 16 percent from the year before, according to the Stats NZ Food Price Index. In some places, supermarkets have limited purchases to two packs per customer.
China mulls plan to improve balance sheets of good-quality developers

Xinhua) 17:42, January 13, 2023

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have drafted an action plan to improve the balance sheets of good-quality real estate developers, sources from relevant government departments told Xinhua.

The plan has specified 21 tasks to prevent risks from spreading to good-quality real estate firms and improve their operating and financing cash flows with comprehensive measures, said the sources.

Financial authorities will encourage financial institutions to negotiate with good-quality developers over financing extensions on a reasonable basis, increase financing support via loans and bond issuance, and provide policy support on foreign exchange management.

Under the plan, a supporting scheme will be introduced to provide 100 billion yuan (about 14.86 billion U.S. dollars) of loans for rental housing by encouraging some cities to pilot market-based bulk purchases of existing housing stock to boost rental housing supplies.

While stepping up the implementation of previously announced policies to secure the delivery of pre-sold housing, China will also set up a special refinancing scheme for national financial asset management companies, so that they will participate in the sector's restructuring and mergers in a market-based way to clear risks, according to the plan.

The action plan will target good-quality developers with a relatively large scale of operation and certain systemic importance. It did not give specific names of the developers, and financial institutions are allowed to make their own decisions on the firms.

At a symposium earlier this week, China's central bank and top banking regulator stressed the implementation of city-specific housing loan policies, enhancing financial support for rental housing, and providing housing-related financial services for the new citizens and young people.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Ankara, Jan 13 (UNI) Turkey's Foreign Ministry summoned Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrstrom to protest the "terror propaganda" against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.



The ministry conveyed Turkey'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 on Thursday.



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.

UNI/XINHUA PRT
She survives him, as do their five children: Alexia, Pavlos, Nikolaos, Theodora and Philippos; nine grandchildren; and two sisters, Sofia, the former queen of Spain, and former Princess Irene.

In exile he lived mostly in London, where he is said to have developed a close relationship with his second cousin, Charles, now King Charles III. He was chosen to be one of the godfathers to Prince William, heir to the British throne.

Constantine did not return to Greece until 1981  to bury his mother, Queen Frederica  but afterward he made increasingly frequent visits until relocating there permanently in 2013, first to Porto Heli, on the Peloponnese peninsula, and then to Athens. His public appearances were rare.

His relationship with the Greek authorities after his dethroning remained prickly. In 1994, the Socialist government passed a law stripping him of his nationality and expropriating the former royal familys property. Constantine took the case to the European Court of Human Rights, which in 2002 ordered Greece to pay him and his family nearly $15 million in compensation, a fraction of what he had sought. He accused the government of acting unjustly and vindictively.

They treat me sometimes as if Im their enemy, he said in 2002. I am not the enemy. I consider it the greatest insult in the world for a Greek to be told that he is not a Greek.
KAZBEGI CHECKPOINT, Georgia  Each day, a caravan of trucks stretches for miles along a mountain highway in Georgia, near the border with Russia. Each day, the line seems to get longer.

The trucks wait for days with their cargo  car parts, industrial materials, chemicals, even the paper for tea bags  to cross the frontier on a journey that usually starts in Turkey and ends in Russian towns and cities where Western goods are in high demand.

The war in Ukraine abruptly cut many of Russias trade links to Europe, but the countrys economy quickly made adjustments, finding alternative routes for imports. Over the past 10 months, Georgia  a former Soviet republic of 3.6 million that fought its own painful war with Moscow in 2008  has emerged as a convenient logistics conduit between Russia and the outside world.

The surge in commerce has meant an unexpected boon for truck drivers like Murman Nakashidze, a 48-year-old Georgian who owns a small transportation company of four trucks carrying cargo from Turkey to Russia  everything from electronics to construction materials. After many European companies shut down trade with Moscow, in protest of the war or in adherence to Western sanctions, his business flourished.
A Russian claim of victory on Friday in a town in eastern Ukraine exposed a growing rift in Moscows war effort, as the Russian military and a private mercenary group contradicted each other publicly about who should get credit for the gains.

Russias Defense Ministry said in a statement that its troops had taken control of the town, Soledar  which would be Russias largest battlefield success in months  but made no mention of the Kremlin-affiliated Wagner private military company, which has ordered waves of troops into fighting in the region.

Shortly after the Defense Ministry issued the statement on Friday, Andrei Troshev, a senior Wagner commander, accused the ministry of stealing other peoples achievements. Three days earlier, Wagner claimed that Soledar had fallen to its fighters, pointedly saying that the Russian army was not involved, only to have the Kremlin dispute the statement.

After months of intense combat and heavy casualties, who actually controlled Soledar remained unclear on Friday. The Ukrainian military said its troops were still holding onto parts of the town, but that Russia had deployed significant forces in the area and that the situation was dynamic.
For the earned-income tax credit, available to low- and moderate-income workers, a qualifying taxpayer with no children who received about $1,500 in 2021 would now receive $560, according to the I.R.S. And the child and dependent care credit, available to those who need care for family members while they work, returned to a maximum of $2,100, from $8,000 in 2021.

The changes could shrink refunds, or possibly result in a balance due in some cases.

Kathy Brown, president of the National Association of Enrolled Agents, a group for federally licensed tax preparers, said some taxpayers may be disappointed if they are expecting the same refund as last year.

Ms. Brown said she heard from a client who was eager to have her return processed so she could use her refund to take her child on a Disney vacation. Ms. Brown advised her to hold off on booking the trip, cautioning her that the refund wont be as large as it was last year.

Some people who typically get small refunds or break even often file for an automatic filing extension, since they dont feel a sense of urgency, Ms. Brown said. But this year, she said, filers shouldnt assume they wont have a tax bill. They may not get a refund, and they may actually owe tax. In that case, getting an extension may cost them interest and a late-payment penalty because an extension allows more time to file, but not to pay.

Taxpayers may also see reduced refunds this year because of the end of Covid relief stimulus payments, also known as economic impact payments. The third and final payment, of $1,400, went out to most eligible people automatically starting in March 2021. But those who didnt receive it could claim it as a recovery rebate credit on their 2021 tax return, so it would reduce their tax bill or be included in their refund when they filed their return in 2022. But there were no stimulus payments last year, so no recovery rebate credit is available on 2022 returns, said Kathy Pickering, chief tax officer at H&R Block. There have been a lot of changes, with the expiration of Covid relief programs, she said.
Online commerce businesses in China are reportedly using male models to showcase womens lingerie in order to exploit a legal loophole.

Live stream commerce is very big in China. From makeup and apparel to food products and tools, businesses rely on this model to significantly boost their sales. However, a couple of years ago, the Chinese authorities started cracking down on the live stream industry in general, imposing a series of rules and guidelines that make it possible for Big Brother to immediately and permanently ban channels that break them. For example, mukbang, the South Korean earing show genre was banned for promoting food waste. Similarly, women wearing lingerie on stream risk being charged with spreading obscene information

That last one really hit the live stream sales of lingerie businesses hard. Being unable to model the garments really impacted sales, but breaking the law by having a woman wear them on stream risked having the entire channel immediately and permanently banned. But some channels found a loophole.

Chinese legislation clearly specifies that women are forbidden from wearing female lingerie on live stream, but they say nothing about men. According to popular Twitter account @xiaojingcangxue, several live stream commerce channels are now turning to slender male models to show off womens lingerie to avoid breaking the law.

The post, which went viral earlier this month, also features two stream stills featuring two guys wearing womens lingerie. The post got mixed reactions from Twitter users, with many joking on the matter, but some lamenting the fact that businesses have to use this sort of tactic to avoid serious repercussions.

Considering how the Chinese Government feels about the feminization of its male population, its probably a matter of time before this loophole gets closed, especially if this weird trend starts to spread.
Fernando Cuevas, a Spanish priest from the city of Valencia, has been dubbed the Tinder Priest because of his impressive matchmaking record  270 marriages and no divorces.

Father Fernandos matchmaking career began 14 years ago. he was walking with a young practicing Catholic man named Salva, when he was approached by a group of young women. Impressed by the beauty of the girls and knowing that they shared his Catholic values, Salva asked the priest to play matchmaker and introduce him to one of them. Five months later, Salva married one of the girls, Geles, a Fine Arts student, and Fernando Cuevas career as Tinder Priest began. He has been taking his role as a matchmaker for practicing Catholics very seriously ever since.

Realizing that Western society was becoming increasingly secularized, and that practicing Catholics were finding it difficult to meet romantic prospects who shared their core values and beliefs, Fernando Cuevas took it upon himself to help them.

Photo: Fernando Cuevas

People who are very committed to their faith look for someone who is the same, the priest said. It is not something secondary that has no importance, it is something fundamental. But the society is very secularized and people have tremendous religious ignorance and lack of interest. They have no interest in the things of God because they have not been brought up that way. Those who do want to live their faith attach great importance to it and want to find someone like that.

Over the years, Father Fernando put together a special form that he asks people to fill out in order to maximize their chances of meeting someone suitable. It contains details like name, surname, age, year of birth, height, studies, current job, hobbies, virtues, shortcomings, things youre looking for in a partner, and, obviously, degree of commitment to the Church.

Some of those things sound way more important than others, but the Tinder Priest claims that the two most essential factors to a successful match are height  the man has to be taller than the woman  and place of residence. No matter how good a match looks on paper, if the candidates live far away from one another, the relationship is unlikely to work.

Father Fernando spends much of his time analyzing such forms, paying close attention to personality traits and interests, and once he spots a good match, he sends each candidate a file with the other persons information and pictures, and if they both approve, he gives the man the womans number so they can get in touch. As far as he is concerned, thats where his job as a matchmaker ends.



The Tinder Priest has built quite a reputation among single practicing Catholics not only in Spain, but in other Latin countries in Central and South America. He gets about 20 daily requests from people looking for love, and he tries to help all of them. He claims to have made thousands of matches in the last 14 years, and he is proud to be the matchmaker behind 270 happy marriages, with 0 divorces on record.

Fernando Cuevas doesnt take responsibility for the happiness of the couples he matched. He only had the inspiration to introduce them to each other, but he never counseled them on relationships or marriage, so the merit is all theirs. He is convinced that the success of his matches is due to the fact that these are very spiritual people and they are very used to giving and giving themselves.
Liang Zhao

It's no secret that many challenges and barriers can stand in the way of success for women in public relations. However, for Asian women, these challenges can be even more pronounced, with many facing significant discrimination and prejudice to a lack of representation and opportunities in the workplace.

One major hurdle many Asian women in public relations face is the stereotype of being submissive or passive. According to the American Psychological Association, Asian women in the US are thought of as faceless, quiet, invisible or sexual objects, in addition to the myth of the model minority and the forever foreigner stereotypes.

These stereotypes can lead to Asian women being passed over for leadership roles or not being given the same level of respect and recognition as their non-Asian counterparts. To combat this, Asian women must actively seek out leadership opportunities and assert themselves in the workplace. This can include speaking up in meetings, seeking out mentors and sponsors who can help advocate for them, and amplifying wins and successes.

Another challenge Asian women in public relations often face is the lack of representation and diversity in the field. The Race and Ethnicity in Public Relations Report (Source: DAA) found that out of 2,203 executives, less than five percent identified as AAPI, without a single AAPI individual out of 125 agency CEOs and CCOs. This leads to a lack of role models or mentors who can provide guidance and support, which can also make it difficult for Asian women to feel like they belong in the industry.

To increase inclusivity, it is important for Asian women to seek out supportive networks and communities, whether online or in-person, and to actively work towards building a more inclusive and diverse industry. This can include joining professional organizations, engaging with other AAPI women in the industry, advocating for diversity in the hiring process.

Asian women may also face cultural barriers that make it difficult for them to fully integrate into the workplace. The assumption that Asian women do not speak fluent English or are not proficient in English can lead to a lack of challenging assignments or being passed over for promotions because of a perceived lack of language skills. For those with foreign names, it can be particularly challenging, with companies assuming possible employee sponsorship. These barriers can often lead to misunderstandings as well as potentially hindering career advancement.

To reduce the impact of these hurdles, Asian women should be proactive in their career development, speaking up and advocating for themselves in the workplace, and making sure that their voices are heard and their ideas are considered. Additional education or training, networking with industry professionals, and building a strong personal brand will also add benefits for individuals as well as for the collective population. By strategically investing in their own careers, Asian women can increase their chances of success and make it more difficult for discrimination and prejudice to hold them back.

While it is ultimately the responsibility of individuals to advocate for themselves, companies can also play a role in addressing and reducing these barriers. Here are some steps that companies can take to support and empower Asian women in their workforce.

Provide diversity and inclusion training: It is important for all employees to understand and be aware of the experiences and challenges that different groups face in the workplace. Providing diversity and inclusion training can help employees recognize and address biases and microaggressions that may be directed towards Asian women. This training can also help create a more inclusive and welcoming workplace culture for all employees. Increase representation at all levels: One major hurdle that Asian women face is a lack of representation in leadership positions. Companies can take steps to increase representation of Asian women at all levels of the organization by implementing diversity hiring practices and offering leadership development programs specifically for women of color. Foster a culture of mentorship and sponsorship: Mentorship and sponsorship can be crucial for career development and advancement, yet Asian women may not have as many opportunities for these types of relationships. Companies can encourage employees to become mentors and sponsors, and also provide structured mentorship programs that pair Asian women with experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support. Offer flexible work arrangements: Many Asian women may face cultural or family obligations that can make traditional 9-to-5 work schedules difficult to maintain. By offering flexible work arrangements such as telecommuting or flexible hours, companies can make it easier for Asian women to balance their work and personal responsibilities. Encourage open communication and feedback: It is important for companies to create a culture of open communication and feedback, where employees feel comfortable speaking up and voicing their concerns. This can help Asian women feel more supported and empowered in the workplace, and allow them to advocate for themselves more effectively.

Ultimately, addressing the career hurdles that Asian women face in the workplace requires a multifaceted approach that involves both individual efforts and structural changes. By implementing these strategies, Asian women can overcome the challenges they face in public relations while companies can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for Asian women to succeed and thrive in their careers.

***

Liang Zhao is CEO and founder of Vansary, a full-service digital events and marketing agency.
The University of Regina, which is in Saskatchewan, is looking for a communications partner to build awareness of programs designed to meet the mental health needs of people most affected by the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finn Partners is working with Enterprise Ireland to promote Ireland as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship and to showcase the impact that Irish companies have in the US.

The one-year contract, which went into effect on Jan. 1, carries a monthly fee of $15K.

It requires Finn to provide Enterprise Ireland 70 hours of staff time per month.

Additional hours will be billed at Finns hourly rates, which range from $500 per hour for its founding partner to $90 for a partner-in-training.

Finns activities for Enterprise Ireland will include thought leadership, media relations, fam trips, social & digital content, support for Irish government officials visiting the US and Saint Patricks month festivities.
The guests have been revealed for tonight's Late Late Show on RTE One.

Popular actor Brian Cox, Tradfest musicians, and money management guru Santis O'Garro will lead this week's (January 13) Late Late Show.

Succession, Braveheart and Bourne Identity star Brian Cox will speak about his connection to Ireland, the fans who ask him to curse at them, and why he dreams of an independent Scotland.



In 2018, Santis OGarro was a single mother with a mountain of debt, yet a year later she cleared that debt with no safety net and no financial training. Shell explain to Ryan how she did it, why money is a taboo subject in Ireland and how you can make 2023 the year you take control of your money.



Ryan will also be looking at some of the historical objects that tell the story of modern Ireland as the country went through a revolution and found its identity politically, socially and culturally after independence, with Lynn Scarff, director of the National Museum of Ireland.

Irelands largest festival of traditional music, TradFest Temple Bar, returns later this month, and the show will kick start the celebrations with craic agus ceol from some of Irelands most talented musicians and vocalists.

These include Mike Hanrahan, Aoife Scott, Tommy Hayes, Frankie Gavin, Aisling Lyons, Sorcha Costello, BLANID, BRIDIN, Segun Akano, Niwel Tsumbu and Steo Wall.

Plus, Ryan will welcome back Toy Show stars Cuckoo's Nest for a performance as well as a catch-up on life since their debut back in November.

Catch the Late Late Show on RTE One on Friday January 13 at 9.35pm.
Upworthy 24 Jan 2023

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Russia said on Friday that its forces had taken control of Soledar in eastern Ukraine, in what would be a rare success for Moscow..
NEW YORK (AP)  The stiffest penalty Donald Trumps company could receive when it is sentenced Friday by a New York judge for helping its executives dodge taxes is a $1.6 million fine  not even enough to buy a Trump Tower apartment.



Neither the former president nor his children, who helped run and promote the Trump Organization, are expected to be in the courtroom for the sentencing hearing. The company will be represented by its lawyers.



Because the Trump Organization is a corporation and not a person, a fine is the only way a judge can punish the company after its conviction last month for 17 tax crimes, including charges of conspiracy and falsifying business records.



By law, the maximum penalty that can be imposed by Judge Juan Manuel Merchan is around $1.6 million, an amount equal to double the taxes a small group of executives avoided on benefits including rent-free apartments in Trump buildings, luxury cars and private school tuition.



Trump himself was not on trial and denied any knowledge of his executives evading taxes illegally.



While a fine of that amount isn't likely to affect the companys operations or future, the conviction is a black mark on the Republicans reputation as a savvy businessman as he mounts a campaign to regain the White House.



Besides the company, only one executive was charged in the case: former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty last summer to evading taxes on $1.7 million in compensation.



He was sentenced Tuesday to five months in jail.



Trump has said the case against his company was part of a politically motivated witch hunt waged against him by vindictive Democrats. The companys lawyers have vowed to appeal the verdict.



The criminal case involved financial practices and pay...
After days of heavy fighting in Soledar, Russia's Defense Ministry has now said it has captured the eastern Ukrainian town  although Kyiv has not yet confirmed. DW has the latest.
Germany is calling on Russian authorities to provide "urgent" medical care to Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. The dissident has said he is being denied access to basic medical treatment, despite being sick.
Germany is in talks with Iraq over the possibility of importing natural gas from the oil-rich country, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said..

Upworthy 13 Jan 2023
The climate activist gave her backing to protesters ousted from a nearby huge coal mine that is due for expansion. Germany's reliance on fossil fuels remains a divisive issue amid the energy crisis.
Turkish prosecutors have launched an investigation into the incident, which occurred during a Kurdish demo in Stockholm. Sweden said the act was an attempt to sabotage its bid to join NATO.
Police in Romania have carried out raids on seven more homes as part of their investigation into social media influencer Andrew Tate.
Lisa Marie Presley, 54, Elvis' only child, has been rushed to a Los Angeles hospital after being treated for suspected cardiac arrest, reports say.


Lisa Marie Presley  the only child of Elvis Presley  was hospitalized Thursday, her mother said in a statement. Paramedics were dispatched to a Calabasas home following a report of a woman in full cardiac arrest, according to Los Angeles County officials.
Upworthy 14 Jan 2023

Former President Donald Trump has said his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida is like an "armed fort" as he slammed the..
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, less than three months after promising to seek pardons for COVID-19 health violators, says she will now let justice take its course while also announcing she is regularly contacting Crown prosecutors about these cases.
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A couple who went missing with their newborn child have been captured on CCTV arriving in London.
France is hoping to deliver light combat tanks to Ukraine in two months' time. Meanwhile, NATO is relocating several of its surveillance planes currently stationed in Germany to Romania. DW has the latest.
Upworthy 13 Jan 2023

Actor Kevin Spaceywho was already set to stand trial later this year for other charges pleaded not guilty Friday to seven..
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..
Ukrainian officials disputed Russia's assertions and said the fight for the small salt mining city, in the eastern Donetsk region, was still underway.
Moments after the Biden Administration blasted Ron DeSantis' move to activate the national guard, the Republican governor shares that the U.S. Coast Guard asked for the state's assistance in dealing with the migrant surge.
Mondaq 24 Jan 2023

On January 12, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit upheld most of a district court's injunction blocking the..
Karine Jean-Pierre refused to answer a question asking if the White House will release visitor logs to President Biden's Wilmington, Delaware, residence after classified documents were found there.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida vowed that nobody would be "taking our gas stoves away," after a CPSC commissioner suggested a ban was "on the table."
President Biden said nothing to the press pool Friday as he entered the White House with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan amid questions about his handling of classified documents.
Rep. Jim Jordan's first investigation as the head of the House Judiciary Committee is an investigation into President Biden's "mishandling" of classified documents.
Eurasia Review 24 Jan 2023

Reports that Justice Department investigators on Friday seized more than a half-dozen documents, some of them classified, from..
THE Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) has called on government to activate its state security institutions for thorough investigation of the politically motivated violence witnessed in Murehwa.

Only one suspect, a 67 year-old, has been arrested since a video of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters being flogged by alleged Zanu PF youths made rounds on social media last week.

In a statement shared Thursday, ZCBC, a powerful unit in the Roman Catholic church, said the age of those being abused in the video was one of the most disturbing things at a time they should be enjoying fruits of their independence.

"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," said the ZCBC.

"The people's fundamental rights should be respected at all times. 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."

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The ZCBC said Zimbabwe had for long been plagued by contested elections and hope was that this year's will be different.

Added the statement: "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. It's not the casting of ballots that ascertains that, it's the environment we create before, during and after elections.

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"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 as the one captured on the 'Murehwa video' should be condemned by all parties.

"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."

The CCC has blamed utterances by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his deputy Constantino Chiwenga for an attack on its supporters , arguing their calls for opposition supporters to be killed, crushed like lice and be treated as sellouts are what have resulted in their members being targeted.

Zanu PF on the other hand has dismissed any association with those recorded on the video.
A Nassau County Democratic lawmaker called on New York voters to confront Republican Rep. George Santos and "make his life a living nightmare" at a protest outside Santos' Queens office Friday.
Baghdad (AFP) Jan 12, 2023



Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani left Thursday for Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and discuss projects to address chronic power shortages, the premier's office said. Despite its oil riches, Iraq is beset by crumbling infrastructure, endemic corruption and decades of war. Dependent on its powerful neighbour Iran for much of its energy needs, Baghdad seeks t
The company is already said to be in talks with key government and commercial stakeholders in the UK to make a return to the region.
MI Cape Town batter Ryan Rickelton is hoping to assert himself as T20 player following his performance against Paarl Royals in the ongoing inaugural SA20.
By Shyamika Jayasundara-Smits*



Sri Lanka entered 2022 beset by economic crisis and political upheaval. The economic crisis culminated in Sri Lanka defaulting on payment for the first time. This led to the government being completely cut off from most sources of international funding, including from official multilateral and...
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...
Last months U.S.-African Leaders Summit aimed to compete with China, Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other nations for influence in Africa, a continent that is growing in prominence. According to the New York Times, China, which recently gave a whopping $60 billion in aid and loans to African...
A man who killed his own mom was released from a penal colony to fight with the Wagner Group in Ukraine. He was buried with military honors in Russia.
A New York judge on Friday sentenced Donald Trump's namesake real estate company to pay a maximum $1.61 million criminal penalty after it was convicted of scheming to defraud tax authorities for 15 years.
Intelligence organs have arrested a man in Salaama, a Kampala suburb suspected to be an agent of Allied Democratic Forces and at his two bedroomed house was an explosive making laboratory and an assortment of weapons.

The bomb squad and counter terrorism units of the police together with their Forensic directorate on Thursday surrounded the home of Muhammad Kayemba also known as MK in Kigagga zone, Salaama in Makindye division as they combed the two bedroomed house for any material evidence .

The house which was not secluded but rather near the main road didn't have any home appliances but rather items including those commonly found in laboratories.

According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, Kayemba is believed to be a suicide bomber for ADF and that the home was the laboratory where improvised explosive devices were being made from.

"He is suicide bomber who had been assigned duties to blow up himself and the targets were government officials in convoys, security personnel and in case the two failed the third alternative was to go where there is jam to blow up himself," Onyango said.

He said intelligence had got information about a suspected suicide bomber and they followed the leads leading to Kayemba's arrest who later led them to the house.

"The bomb making site is a two roomed house with not home appliances, beddings or anything that can be used at home but only bomb making equipment and materials. Here they were preparing and making their IEDs."

Recovery

At the house, several items including an AK47 rifle whose but had been cut for concealment, two locally made pistol, a bag of falcon pellets, jericans of hydrogen peroxide solution, sulfuric acid, lead nitrate and several powders that security said are ingredients in the making of improvised explosive devices.

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"We also recovered one SMG, three magazines, 88 live ammunition of AK47 , 88 live ammunition of pistols and others. All the recovered items will be subjected to forensic examination," Onyango said.

Locals

Some of the locals neighbouring the house but preferred not to be named for fear of reprisal indicated that they had never seen anyone live in the house.

"We were surprised to see security cordon it off and later several items recovered," said one of the local leaders.

Operations

Since 2021 when twin bombings happened in Kampala, Ugandan security has launched several operations targeting ADF sleeper cells in the country.

Several suspects have been arrested in the process.

Late last year, the Crime Intelligence Directorate launched a man-hunt for a group that was targeting security personnel including police posts and stations to rob guns.

Consequently, one Ali Katende alias Mao, suspected to be the leader of the group was arrested in a sting operation carried out in Nyendo, Masaka City.

It was found out that Katende would coordinate the attacks on police stations and posts around the country by moving from Masaka and join other colleagues in Matugga and Maganjo where they had created smaller terror cells to avoid detection.

He was found with nine guns including a PK machine gun, a Russian made belt-fed general-purpose machine gun, chambered for the 7.6254mmR rimmed cartridge.
Donald Trumps company was fined $1.6 million Friday as punishment for a scheme in which the former presidents top executives dodged personal income taxes on lavish job perks  a symbolic, hardly crippling blow for an enterprise boasting billions of dollars in assets. A fine was the only penalty



#manhattan #juanmanuelmerchan #atlanta #democrat #joshuasteinglass #fbi #w2 #trumporganizations #trump #bragg
Donald Trump's family business has been fined the maximum $1.6 million for carrying out a 15-year scheme to defraud tax authorities. New York Judge Juan Manuel Merchan handed down the fine after The Trump Organization was found guilty of 17 counts of tax fraud and other financial crimes following



#trumpfamily #allenweisselberg #letitiajames #trumppayrollcorp #manhattan #donaldtrump #trumporganization #juanmanuelmerchan #trump #ivanka
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



#universityofmichigan #massachusetts #newjersey #influencemap #parisagreement #cornelluniversity #fayeholder #nataliemahowald #maurahealey #universityofmiami
Tamworth Herald 24 Mar 2023

Keenan Anderson's shameful criminal past was unmasked today as he was jailed for life alongside three other killers
The Liberian Business Association (LIBA) has commended the Ministry of Commerce & Industry for halting the Lebanese-owned L'Oven Bakery from manufacturing ice cream, one of 16 businesses reserved for Liberians under the 2010 Liberian Investment Act.

Under the law, foreigners can only produce ice cream if they partner with a Liberian and invest a minimum of US$500,000 in external capital specifically for ice cream.

L'Oven Bakery, which has been in the Buzzy Quarter Community for years, relocated to 15th Street (the site of the old City Builders), in December. The sign on the new location advertises ice cream as one of the items to be produced along with bread, pastries, sandwiches, and coffee.

James M. Strother, LIBA's president said Commerce Minister Marwine G. Diggs shut down the bakery during the two-week Christmas break and told the owners that they are licensed to only sell bread, not ice cream. The ministry locked the front of the bakery and ordered the owners to remove ice cream from the sign.

The bakery reopened, but they are not producing ice cream. So far, the bakery is in violation of the ministry's order and has not removed ice cream from its signage.

"We must protect the businesses that are reserved for Liberians," Strother said. "If we Liberians do not fight for our rights, who will?"

Mr. Strother praised Eyvonne Bright, the CEO of Shark's Ice Cream and Catering for always alerting the government when she sees foreigners entering the ice cream business.

Ms. Bright has been fighting to protect the ice cream industry as a Liberian business since 2015. ERA Supermarket abandoned its quest to manufacture ice cream after Mrs. Bright filed a complaint.

"One-day people will come to recognize that businesses set aside for Liberians should be left alone," she said. "I want to thank Minister Diggs for making a strong statement about protecting Liberian businesses."

Implementation of the Liberianization policy has been a major challenge. Ice cream, Ms. Bright said, is protected for Liberians in the same way the legal profession is reserved only for Liberians.

"What would happen if foreigners started practicing law in this country? We need a concerted effort by all Liberians, from citizens to the Liberian Revenue Authority (LRA), the business registry, and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. If we don't protect Liberian businesses, there will be nothing left for us and our children."

He added "Eagle Electrical has been in Liberia since the 1960s. The people running it are not the ones who started it. It's run by their children and family members. The Lebanese protect their businesses for their children. It's time Liberians start doing the same."

When President Weah was sworn in as president in 2018, he said Liberians will not be "spectators in our own economy."

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"We agree that we will not be spectators in our own economy,' Ms. Bright said. "We worked through the war years, and we are determined to keep working. We are just asking them to respect this aspect of the law. "

Liberian women, she said, are pioneers in the ice cream business, she said. Some of the prominent Liberians who produced ice cream include Eugenia Cooper Shaw, Euphemia Weeks, and Sophie Dunbar.

Despite the challenges, Ms. Bright has persevered. Shark's ice cream is sold in most supermarkets in Monsterrado and five other counties. Two years ago, Ms. Bright opened a factory in the Industrial Park on Somalia Drive.

In Ghana, the government protects locally produced items by imposing high tariffs on imported items.

"Our forefathers understood that Liberians may not have the capital to do other kinds of businesses, so they reserved some for Liberians," Ms. Bright said.

Some of the other businesses reserved for Liberians include water sachet, sand mining, ice, block making, peddling, travel agency, retail sale of rice and cement, tire repair shops, auto repair shops with investments of less than $550,000, shoe repair shops, retail of timber and plank, gas stations, video clubs, taxi operation, importation or sale of used clothing and importation and sale of used cars.

LIBA encourages citizens to report violators of the law. "If you know of a foreigner who is operating a business that is exempt, bring it to the attention of LIBA and the Ministry of Commerce, Strother said. 'We have to fight this war together."
Paducah, KY (42003)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon. High around 80F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable.
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Global Fund handed over last week a batch of equipment and drugs to the Malian Ministry of Health, worth more than 1
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Li,byan ground services company has signed a contract to provide ground and handling services to the Egyptian company, Air Cairo, official sources told PANA here Friday
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA)  African leaders failed to tackle widespread abuses against civilians by state security forces and non-state armed groups and insufficiently prioritised justice efforts for victims of atrocities across the continent, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday in its World Report 2023
Teachers have resumed teaching, ending their industrial, in response to the call of the Gambia Teachers Union (GTU). According to the GTU, the reason for calling off the strike is because they have finally reached an agreement with the central Government and MoBSE on their nine demands that the authorities initially rejected.

The four day strike commenced on Wednesday 4th January 2023 and ended on Monday 9th January 2023, and all the teachers who spoke to this reporter said they hope the government respects their agreement with the GTU.

"In many instances, the government will accept our demands but will not fulfil them," some of the teachers remarked.

The strike, according to the union, is as a result of the 'inconsistency' in the payment of allowances to personnel of the Education Sector, since the introduction of the new pay scale, reflecting 30% salary increment and other technical demands.

A teacher at Serrekunda School who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity, alleged that teachers' rights are violated by the government and their welfare is not prioritised.

"For teaching to be effective and efficient, teachers need to be respected. We deserve to live a better life like other civil servants," he said.

The teacher also decried that the teaching fraternity is losing teachers daily to other sectors because the profession is not lucrative.

"It is the responsibility of the government to make the trade lucrative. Teachers don't benefit from any opportunity, so our take away home needs to be looked at," he said.

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He said teachers value their student's education and will not necessarily stay home without a genuine cause.

In all the public schools visited, all the teachers who spoke to this reporter said the government needs to look into their welfare and give them their due in terms of take away home and other opportunities.

The demands that were made by the Teachers' Union include re-classification of schools, including senior secondary schools that are mature to be managed by Boards of Governors; paying of RED auxiliary staff, caretakers and payment of double shift staff in both public schools and subvented institutions who were missed out on the 2019 50% salary increment including payment of drawbacks; all non-teaching staff at REDs, including teachers yet to be re-designated but serving as Cluster Monitors or Education Officers should be paid double shift; in lieu of the demand for re-linking percentage-based allowances, Graduate and Retention Allowances should be reviewed to cater for the GTs receipt of both allowances and the upward revision of the Retention Allowance; Invigilation Allowance for WASSCE and GABECE shall be paid after MoBSE and GTU worked on the modalities; the proposed expansion of the Hardship Scheme will be reviewed for consideration, and the Civil Service Revolving Loan Scheme will be open to all teachers in subvented schools.
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Due to the impact of food and nutrition crises caused by natural hazards such as drought, floods and epidemics, nearly three million people, including two million children, will be in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned here Friday
Photo: (Photo : Mario Tama / Getty Images)

A 9-year-old girl found a Megalodon tooth on Christmas morning.

The girl, Molly Sampson, found one of the most magical and coolest things she could add to her fossil collection.

In Calvert Beach, Maryland, the 9-year-old girl was out with her family looking for shark teeth.

She discovered it while walking along the shore, and it is thought that the tooth belonged to a Megalodon shark.

Molly has amassed a collection of more than 400 shark teeth. However, this was the student's most significant find to that point.

9-Year-Old girl finds a Megalodon tooth

According to USA Today, the shark hunting on Christmas morning started when Molly Sampson asked her parents for a pair of insulated wading boots as a Christmas present.

Molly told her parents that she wanted the insulated boots as they would help her go to the beach for fossil hunting.

And her parents, Bruce and Alicia Sampson, also fossil hunters, generously gifted her just that.

When she got her present on Christmas morning, the family decided to go fossil hunting despite the below-freezing temperatures.

Molly was giddy and excited to go to the Calvert Cliffs State Park to test out her new gift and was joined by her father Bruce and older sister, Natalie.

Alicia told NBC Washington she stayed in that morning to keep herself warm. She thought the temperature was too cold to go in the water, and she'd rather drink coffee at home.

However, after her family went off to their destination, Bruce sent her a photo of Molly holding a giant tooth.

The mother was also impressed by how quickly she found it; they were just on the hunt for not even 30 minutes, and yet, Molly was able to find the largest tooth they had ever collected.

Read Also: America Continues to Experience Declining Birth Rates

Fossil hunting with her family

The Sampsons were confident that they had discovered a tooth belonging to a megalodon since they had spent many years searching for fossils.

However, Alicia sent a picture to the curator of paleontology at the Calvert Marine Museum, Dr. Stephen Godfrey, so that he could verify the information.

Godfrey informed the family that he would return to the museum on January 3.

On that particular day, the family arrived at the museum as soon as it opened and showed the tooth Molly had discovered on Christmas morning.

After examining the tooth, the curator provided the family with additional information regarding its age. In addition, Godfrey verified that the shark tooth belonged to a Megalodon.

The Museum also shared the discovery of Molly on its Facebook page to let others know of the new fossil. Numerous people in the comments section sent positive messages and congratulations to Molly on her achievement at such a young age.

The Ocean describes the species as a prehistoric shark that inhabited the ocean around 23 to 3.6 million years ago and could be found in almost every part of the ocean.

An Otodus megalodon is a prehistoric megalodon shark that has now become extinct. The name Megalodon originates from a Greek term that can be translated as "big tooth."

Scientists believe that it might have grown to be between 50 and 60 feet long, making it the largest shark that had ever lived until it went extinct.

Related Article: Selena Gomez Rocks Red Carpet With Younger Sister Gracie Teefey
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(Click on image to Greatly Enlarge) - Update: 8:00 a.m.: a new rumor emerges on who will make the microLED display for Apple Watch

On Wednesday, Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple is reportedly planning to start using its own Custom microLED Displays for Apple Watch and iPhones in the next few years." Bloomberg reported that Apple aims to begin by swapping out the display in the highest-end Apple Watches by the end of next year.

As expected, the news was met with deep skepticism in Korea, home to Samsung and LG displays that are Apple's current key display suppliers. Yi Choong-hoon, CEO and top analyst of Seoul-based display market tracker UBI Research, told The Korea Herald that "The yield management for microLEDs is still extremely immature and unstable. Even if Apple does come up with its own microLED screens, it will be hard to completely commercialize the technology in such a short time."

Yi Choong-hoon predicted little impact on the current suppliers, saying it would be difficult for Apple to end its existing ties so abruptly.

Last week, Ming-Chi predicted that Chinese display maker BOE, by 2024, would be the main supplier of LTPO displays and overtake Samsung as the largest display supplier for the iPhone.

While there was no news about microLED displays for Apple Watch, an industry source told The Korea Herald that "BOE is planning to invest about $400 million to build two factories in Vietnam. While the facilities are designed to mainly produce OLED panels, the report said, some production lines could be dedicated to microLED for Apple.

To blur the lines even further, a new report published today by ETNews states that Samsung Display started their microLED display development project for smart watches in late 2022. Samsung Display has set a goal for commercialization for 2024, exactly when the Apple Watch Ultra is to reportedly introduce its microLED display.

Samsung Display is focusing on micro LED as its next-generation product, and is targeting smart watches as its first product.

A microLED display refers to a panel using micrometer ()-sized subminiature LEDs as pixels. It excels in brightness, contrast ratio, and color reproduction, and has exceptionally good visibility under sunlight. With low energy consumption, the micro LED display is expected to be a display technology that will become a 'game changer' in mobile devices such as smart watches and smartphones. Despite using LEDs as pixels increased the production cost and made manufacturing very difficult, Samsung Display seems to have found a solution that exceeded a certain level.

An industry insider familiar with the topic said, "Having too many challenges to overcome to make microLEDs go commercial, Samsung Display has set the goal to begin with a highly marketable product such as a smartwatch." It seems that a smartwatch display is more suitable to manufacture with microLED and expects a high probability of growth since the size of the smartwatch display is around 2 inches.

Once Samsung Display successfully completes its development within this year, it is expected to target the premium smartwatch market, such as Apple and Samsung Electronics. Apple is the No. 1 company in the global smartwatch market. For more on this read the full ETNews report.

Clearly microLED displays will first enter the market for smartwatches and both Apple and Samsung are likely to introduce them in the 2024-25 timeline. The only question is whether Apple will make a deal with Samsung Display for the Apple Watch Ultra or choose an alternative source. Wikipedia lists BOE, Sony and others on a short list of microLED display suppliers.

It should be fully expected that the Korean press will continue to promote Samsung's move into microLED displays and continually hint that Apple will be adopting their displays for the Apple Watch Ultra. On the flipside, Bloomberg and Ming-Chi Kuo are likely to ramp up the rumor mill with more details as we move into 2024.

So stay tuned, as the picture for the microLED display OEM for the Apple Watch Ultra 2024 remains a little blurry.

Update 8:00 A.M. PST: It didn't take time for the rumor mill to start cranking out yet more information to blur the line as to who will be producing the microLED display for Apple Watch Ultra in 2024-25. The tweet below is from display analyst Ross Young.
Up today on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: Conference Talks: Answering New Atheism and Seeking a Sure Knowledge of God, given by Amy L. Williams

In these remarks, which were delivered in 2013, Dr. Williams describes and counters the arguments of the New Atheism, a loose movement that some have characterized as espousing the belief that religion should be actively countered, criticized, and exposed by rational argument. She also describes the role of faith and verifiability in scientific inquiry and in Latter-day Saint theology.

***

I recently read a book by a Protestant evangelist named Richard Sigmund, who died permanently in 2010: Richard Sigmund, My Time in Heaven (New Kensington, PA: Whittaker House, 2004). Its the kind of book on near-death experiences that I dont like because I cant trust it. Its simply too much. Too neat. Too full. The narrative is too long and too detailed. And theres too obviously a potential for self-aggrandizement in it. (I never read Betty Eadies phenomenally successful Embraced by the Light for pretty much that reason, despite spending time with her and a few others in a mutual friends house on the very weekend that her book hit the New York Times bestseller list.) There were, though, some elements in it that I liked. Here are a few quotations:

I cant explain it. I can only tell you what I saw. And language fails. It really is indescribable: the sights, the sounds, the sizes, the colors, the smells. How can on describe a place called heaven? I remember knowing things there that I cant remember now  or am not supposed to remember. I was allowed to see many things, but there was much more that I was not allowed to see. Many others have had similar experiences of heaven, and some of the things they saw were the same as what I saw. Others were not. And if you were shown a place call heaven, you would see different things, too. Everybody who has an experience like this is going to see it differently. Many of the things that I saw and witnessed would probably not be the things that another person would see because we are each individuals, and God deals with us in individual ways. (13)

So far so good. What Sigmund writes in the passage above seems plausible to me, and familiar from what others have reported. (Learning things during the experience that he cannot later recall [as above, and at 31, 36, 63, 64, 86, 104]But Im not sure that he himself really had the experience that he claims. (I notice that the frequency with which I mark passages in his book decreases as I go further into it, and as my skepticism increases.)

I had been driving down the road in my van, but all of a sudden, I was in a veil. It was like a thick cloud. . . . Behind me, I could hear people talking. They were only a few inches away. There were sirens. Lots of noise. And I heard the words, Hes dead. A force was drawing me through a glory cloud, and on the other side of the cloud I could hear people singing. There was laughter with great joy, and I was in total peace. (16)

Again, his account sounds believable to me. So does this, which reminds me rather curiously of the Latter-day Saint temple experience:

The veil extended as far to the left and right as I could see. I had the impression that it was hundreds of miles long in each direction. And every few feet, there was a path leading into heaven. Everyone who came through the veil had a path unique for him or her. And I had a path  the path was for me. (20)

The idea that children who die in infancy will remain infants, to be raised by their mothers in the next world (18), is reminiscent of the teaching of Joseph Smith.

Sigmunds claim that nobody arrives in heaven alone (19)) is something upon which the late Elisabeth Kubler-Ross insisted.

His references to foliage of indescribable colors and astonishing vitality (e.g., at 22-23, 124) resonate with similar references in scores of other accounts.

He speaks of travel at the speed of thought (26; compare 84), as Brigham Young (who had his own near-death experience) also did.

He also speaks of great enhanced sensory perception (e.g., at 62), which is fairly commonly reported in other near-death accounts.

And he claims to have seen God the Father in enormous but clearly anthropomorphic form. (Im currently reading a book by the Catholic biblical scholar Mark Smith  How Human is God?  who specifically discusses the enormous cosmic body of God reported by some biblical writers and mystics.

I liked this part of his description of the other place (clearly, Hell), which accords nicely with Latter-day Saint views:

There was no one there who was not old enough to know what sin was. There were no babies. (117)

So Im left wondering whether Sigmund really had the experience that he describes (which I doubt), whether he made it up based upon the accounts of others, or whether, perhaps, a real core experience undergirds the book  but one that he greatly embroidered for publication. I simply dont trust the book, and would never build anything substantial solely on the basis of what Sigmund says.

***

Some of you might find this of interest: The War in Ukraine and the Book of Mormon: If President Zelenskyy sought guidance from a sacred text, would Ukraine capitulate or continue the fight?

***

In yesterdays blog entry, I quoted a 2016 article from Fox News according to which [John] Dehlin calls himself a liberal member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are collectively referred to as Mormons. Im being criticized, though, for closing that blog entry with a passing and oblique reference to the Mr. Dehlin of 2016 as a purported Latter-day Saint. Im alleged to be engaging in the contemptible practice, which is alleged to be common among still-believing members of my Church, of denigrating, demeaning, defaming, and dismissing people who have left the Church, of retrojecting their loss of faith into their past and falsely claiming that they were never really believers in the first place.

But this is not the situation with regard to my comment about John Dehlin, and Im more than happy to call the attention of any readers that I might have here to documentation that will serve to flesh out what I meant. I was aware of this material already in early 2012, and it was made fully available to the general public in 2017:

Gregory L. Smiths Review of Mormon Stories

I dunno. It seems to me that somebody who publicly declares that there is probably no God, who is publicly agnostic as to even the mere historical existence of an actual Jesus of Nazareth, who publicly asserts that the concept of a redeeming divine atonement is nonsense (to choose just three illustrative items) may, arguably, not be a believer. And if that person has also been excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (as, in fact, John Dehlin was in 2015) it seems pretty accurate to describe him as being (in 2016) a purported Latter-day Saint. Mr. Dehlin was no longer a liberal member of the Church in 2016. In fact, even calling him a nominal Latter-day Saint during that period simply wouldnt have been accurate.

ETA: The Fox News article that I cite above is dated very specifically to April 8, 2016 6:32pm EDT. But it was apparently published originally in 2011. That obviously doesnt affect my three illustrative items at all, which are sufficient in and of themselves to make my point. The article describing Mr. Dehlin as a liberal member of the Churchdid, in fact, appear (though evidently not for the first time) in 2016.

***

Finally, here are a couple of stories that Ive drawn from the Christopher Hitchens Memorial How Religion Poisons Everything File:

Church Donates Mammography Digitizer to Fight Breast Cancer in Uruguay

Mother and Son Experience True Joy Fostering Self-Reliance in African Refugee Camp: We loved God, and we loved our neighbor, said Charity Ramos

I hope that they provide some delicious and much-needed horror for those among my readers who live to be outraged by theists and Latter-day Saints and by theism more broadly.
Scott Pierson has kindly called my attention to this article from todays Jerusalem Post about an important recent research discovery. I was already aware of the discovery and will probably write something about it for Meridian Magazine, but I had not seen this particular article, which provides a very accessible summary of the find: Written records of biblical King David discovered by researchers: The stele was discovered in fragments in 1868 roughly 15 miles east of the Dead Sea and currently resides in the Louvre museum in Paris.

For some background information about a separate but related find, please see this short blog entry of mine from 31 May 2019: Tel Dan tells a lot.

And, quite unconnected, this too is worthy of a look: Biblical site where Jesus healed blind man excavated for public view: Affirms Scripture: The Pool of Siloam and the Pilgrimage Road are among the most inspiring archeological affirmations of the Bible'

***

Good grief: The USC Trojans Come Out of the Locker Room and Line Up on the Practicum And The Death of Words and You Cant Say That at Stanford and Stanfords Silly Effort at Language Control. And  well, why not?  Critical Essays: The Purpose of Newspeak. Double plus ungood, in my atavistic and reactionary opinion. Ancient Dan, indeed.

***

Intriguing: James Webb Space Telescope discovers its first exoplanet. Heres why thats significant

And, while that subject is on my mind, I think that Ill return briefly once again to creating some draft notes based upon or, at some points, inspired by my recent reading of Michael Guillens Believing is Seeing: A Physicist Explains How Science Shattered His Atheism and Revealed the Necessity of Faith (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Refresh, 2021).

The Italo-American scientist Enrico Fermi, who had received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1938, is probably best known for demonstrating the first human-created, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction at the University of Chicago very near the end of 1942. In 1950, though, he famously asked an important question, which is now remembered as the Fermi Paradox: The Universe is inconceivably vast  astronomers current estimates put the number of stars or suns in our Milky Way Galaxy alone at somewhere between 100 billion and 400 billion, and estimate the number of galaxies more or less like ours to be around 100 billion or 200 billion. Given numbers so incredibly large, surely there must be intelligent life forms out there, somewhere. It seems only reasonable. So, Fermi asked, where are they? Why havent we heard from them? Why have we seen no sign of them?

Michael Guillen earned his doctorate from Cornell University, where he studied under, among others, the once-prominent astrophysicist, astronomer, science writer, and television star Carl Sagan (1934-1996) and the astronomer and astrobiologist Frank Drake (28 May 1930-2 September 2022). Professors Sagan and Drake were both deeply involved in SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

Frank Drake is particularly associated with what is often called the Drake Equation, which some have described as the second most famous equation in all of science after Einsteins E = mc2:

where

N = the number extraterrestrial of civilizations with which communication might be possible (i.e. which are on the current past light cone);

and

R  = the average rate of potentially life-sustaining star formation in our Galaxy f p = the fraction of those stars that have planets n e = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets f l = the fraction of planets that could support life that actually develop life at some point f i = the fraction of planets with life that actually go on to develop intelligent life (civilizations) f c = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space L = the length of time oveer which such civilizations release detectable signals into space

Professor Drake created the equation not so much to derive a precise actual value for N as to generate discussion.

The fact is, though, is that we seem to be no closer to the discovery of intelligent extraterrestrial life  or even, perhaps, to the discovery of extraterrestrial life in any form at all, though some tantalizing hints arise from time to time  than we were nearly three quarters of a century ago when the Fermi Paradox was first publicly asked.

Why not?

In an article for the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, a group of researchers at the University of Oxford argued that people have been assigning overly optimistic values to the variables in the Drake Equation, probably out of a desire for an encouraging result. (Some had estimated no fewer than 1,000  and perhaps as many as 100,000,000  intelligent civilizations per galaxy.) So the Oxford team assigned what they regarded as more realistic values to the seven factors in the equation and came up with a median predicted number of as low as 0.00000000000000000000000000000000008  put into words, an eight preceded by thirty-four zeroes. Dr. Guillen comments as follows:

[T]he authors concluded, We find a substantial probability that we are alone in our galaxy, and perhaps even in our observable universe. If any LGM [Little Green Men] do exist out there somewhere, the authors add, theyre somewhere over the rainbow  quite possibly beyond the cosmological horizon and forever unreachable. (155)

Dr. Guillen believes that our failure to contact or be contacted by intelligent extraterrestrial life forms suggests the sheer improbability of random abiogenesis in the first place:
Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya's former president and facilitator of the East African Community-led peace process in eastern DR Congo, has met with Bertrand Bisimwa, president of the M23 rebel group.

The meeting was held in the Kenyan coastal town of Mombasa, on Thursday, January 12.

In December 2022, the M23 rebels started withdrawing from positions they had earlier captured in an effort to give peace a chance.

ALSO READ: M23 rebels withdraw from Rumangabo military base

Kenyatta's office said, in a statement, that the rebels agreed to continue their withdrawal.

Press Release: Meeting between H.E. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, Former President of the Republic of Kenya and Facilitator of the EAC led DRC Peace Process and the Leadership of M-23 pic.twitter.com/Wr4uYxHvTT-- Office of the 4th President of Kenya (@4thPresidentKE) January 12, 2023

"In demonstration of goodwill and the willingness to work towards the settlement of the situation in the North Kivu, the leaders of the M-23 agreed to continue with an orderly withdrawal and to adhere to a strict cease-fire," the statement reads.

The rebels' vacated positions of Kibumba town and Rumangabo military camp which are now occupied by the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) deployed in eastern DR Congo since November 2022.

"The leaders of the M-23 urged President Kenyatta to assist in assuring that there is safety in the DRC and that citizen rights are upheld and recognized," the statement said.

There are more than 120 local and foreign armed groups in eastern DR Congo.

The rebel leaders demanded that all the militias lay down their arms, cease any fighting or attacks on the M23 positions and seek resolution of the conflict through peaceful means.

It was also agreed that the withdrawal process would continue to be verified by both the East African Regional Force and the ICGLR Verification Mechanism to ensure the safety and swift return of all the displaced citizens and refugees to their homes.

ALSO READ: Rwandan NGOs condemn 'acts of genocide' in DR Congo

Bisimwa appealed for an end to the on-going hate speech in DR Congo. Kenyatta accepted to get personally involved in curbing the use of inflammatory language that could jeopardize the peace process.

In November, the United Nations special advisor on genocide prevention, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, warned that the violence especially targeting Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern could escalate into genocide.
Tom Hanks didnt just call me to pitch me a part, but it sure sounds like it.

Ever since PCWorld began covering the rise of various AI applications like AI art, Ive been poking around in the code repositories in GitHub and links within Reddit, where people will post tweaks to their own AI models for various approaches.

Some of these models actually end up on commercial sites, which either roll their own algorithms or adapt others that have published as open source. A great example of an existing AI audio site is Uberduck.ai, which offers literally hundreds of preprogrammed models. Enter the text in the text field and you can have a virtual Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Peggy Hill, Daffy Duck, Alex Trebek, Beavis, The Joker, or even Siri read out your pre-programmed lines.

We uploaded a fake Bill Clinton praising PCWorld last year and the model already sounds pretty good.

Heres a model of our former President sitting down with PCWorld and a snack. Its fake, of course.

Training an AI to reproduce speech involves uploading clear voice samples. The AI learns how the speaker combines sounds with the goal into learning those relationships, perfecting them, and imitating the results. If youre familiar with the excellent 1992 thriller Sneakers (with an all-star cast of Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, and Ben Kingsley, among others), then you know about the scene in which the characters need to crack a biometric voice password by recording a voice sample of the targets voice. This is almost the exact same thing.

Normally, assembling a good voice model can take quite a bit of training, with lengthy samples to indicate how a particular person speaks. In the past few days, however, something new has emerged: Microsoft Vall-E, a research paper (with live examples) of a synthesized voice that requires just a few seconds of source audio to generate a fully programmable voice.

Naturally, AI researchers and other AI groupies wanted to know if the Vall-E model had been released to the public yet. The answer is no, though you can play with another model if you wish, called Tortoise. (The author notes that its called Tortoise because its slow, which it is, but it works.)

Train your own AI voice with Tortoise

What makes Tortoise interesting is that you can train the model on whatever voice you choose simply by uploading a few audio clips. The Tortoise GitHub page notes that you should have a few clips of about a dozen seconds or so. Youll need to save them as a .WAV file with a specific quality.

How does it all work? Through a public utility that you might not be aware of: Google Colab. Essentially, Collab is a cloud service that Google provides that allows access to a Python server. The code that you (or someone else) writes can be stored as a notebook, which can be shared with users who have a generic Google account. The Tortoise shared resource is here.

The interface looks intimidating, but its not that bad. Youll need to be logged in as a Google user and then youll need to click Connect in the upper-right-hand corner. A word of warning. While this Colab doesnt download anything to your Google Drive, other Colabs might. (The audio files this generates, though, are stored in the browser but can be downloaded to your PC.) Be aware that youre running code that someone else has written. You may receive error messages either because of bad inputs or because Google has a hiccup on the back end such as not having an available GPU. Its all a bit experimental.

The Tortoise Collab. Click the Connect button to get started, then click the small play icon next to each block of code in turn. Mark Hachman / IDG

Each block of code has a small play icon that appears if you hover your mouse over it. Youll need to click play on each block of code to run it, waiting for each block to execute before you run the next.

While were not going to step through detailed instructions on all of the features, just be aware that the red text is user modifiable, such as the suggested text that you want the model to speak. About seven blocks down, youll have the option of training the model. Youll need to name the model, then upload the audio files. When that completes, select the new audio model in the fourth block, run the code, then configure the text in the third block. Run that code block.

If everything goes as planned, youll have a small audio output of your sample voice. Does it work? Well, I did a quick-and-dirty voice model of my colleague Gordon Mah Ung, whose work appears on our The Full Nerd podcast as well as various videos. I uploaded a several-minute sample rather than the short snippets, just to see if it would work.

The result? Well, it sounds lifelike, but not like Gordon at all. Hes certainly safe from digital impersonation for now. (This is not an endorsement of any fast-food chain, either.)

But an existing model that the Tortoise author trained on actor Tom Hanks sounds pretty good. This is not Tom Hanks speaking here! Tom also did not offer me a job, but it was enough to fool at least one of my friends.

The conclusion? Its a little scary: the age of believing what we hear (and soon see) is ending. Or it already has.
The Individual Bond Holders Association of Ghana (IBHAG) has cautioned the government against the inclusion of its members investments in the government debt restructuring process without engaging with them. IBHAG warns that any disregard of this caution will be met with the most fierce resistance yet from its members.



The association further advises all individual bond holders, irrespective of whether they are members of IBHAG or not, to resist the temptation of signing onto the voluntary exchange of their existing bonds with the new ones floated by government, the veiled threats from the Minister of Finance notwithstanding.



According to IBHAG, most of its members are pensioners, traders, teachers, public servants, and individuals who have lost their jobs due to the unfavorable policies of the government.



Some are unemployed. Members have been able to make some savings from their sweat and toil, and have invested from as little as GHC500 in bonds, only for government to rob them of their hard-earned savings  both interest and principal  using such an unconscionable debt restructuring process, which targets the individual.



The association wonders what considerations went into the earlier exemption of individual bond holders from the local debt restructuring, only to replace the pension funds with them, after labour had threatened a strike action.



We cannot be made to suffer for the recklessness and greed that characterized Ghanas excessive borrowing, which largely is the reason why we are where we are. Government appointees at the Ministry of Finance cannot make millions of dollars as transaction (borrowing) advisors and go and enjoy with their family and friends, whilst we are denied of the means to purchase our medications and pay for health care. Our inclusion means we cannot pay our childrens school fees, pay for our rent and many other critical essentials. All these hardships are being thrown at us just to protect the greed of those appointees, a pensioner

who is a member of the association said.



Furthermore, IBHAG maintains that the Akufo-Addo led-government continues to overspend by maintaining a bloated government machinery made up of party boys and girls with outrageous pecks. Whilst they continue to enjoy, the individual bond holder is being robbed by the government of his or her hard-earned savings in broad daylight, whilst the pecks of the party boys and girls are protected.



The IBHAG calls on parliament, the Council of State, professional associations, religious bodies, Civil Society Organisations, the media and all well-meaning groups and individuals to join the advocacy against the looting of individual investments that the government has planned.



Meanwhile, we urge all members as well as new ones to remain calm  even as they refuse to sign onto the voluntary exchange of bonds  as IBHAG continues to seek audience with government on these vexed issues.

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Absa bank is living up to its promise of bringing the possibilities of its customers to life. With over a century 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.



From today, new and existing customers do 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.



Customer needs are changing globally, fueled 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.



In Ghana, the pandemic paved the way for dynamic ways of engaging customers. 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 new service by Absa drastically simplifies the account opening process and provides a 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.



Absas 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.



New customers can now access the digital account opening web-portal via the Absa Ghana website onhttps://www.Absa.com.gh/personal/bank and click on Tell Me More to begin the process.

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The former President of the Student Representative Council (SRC) of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Joseph Osei Mensah, has threatened to sue the institute in court for failure to implement the committees recommendation to the latter.



According to the GIMPA SRC President for the 2018/19 academic year, Himself and his executive board were accused by the then Dean of Students, Prof. Anthony Mawuli Sallar, of embezzling GH70,000 prior to the end of their tenure in office and as a result, withheld his certificate with the news widely circulated and published in the media but failed to publish same when he was exonerated by an ad-hoc committee.



The other affected executive members of the 2018/19 group included Kwadwo Yeboah Darkwah - Vice President, Felix Kwasi Donkor - Treasurer, Jeffred Okoe Aryeetey - Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ashaley Djanie - Finance Committee Chairman, and Bright Ayi Junior- Social & Planning Committee Chairman.



Mr. Osei Mensah narrated that after his vilification, the succeeding SRC administration of 2019/2020 independently investigated the happenings, with an outcome vindicative that the erstwhile administration properly and transparently handed over an audited account.

The students leadership as a result, issued a press statement on February 4, 2020, to clear the former SRC president of the allegations stating that the SRCs financials was intact and there was no embezzlement as reported by the then dean of students, Prof. Sallar.



However, management was unsatisfied and, as a result, set up a committee led by Prof. Philip Osei Duku, the then Deputy Rector with other members being the then secretary of the Institute, Julius Atukpui retired, Dr. Lord Yevugah Mawuko, head of the department for public school, James Abrah, Director of Finance, and Charity Hayford, secretary to the committee to probe the issue further.



After three months of investigations, the committee submitted its report in August 2020. The outcome also exonerated the accused and recommended the immediate release of all withheld academic certificates, payment of some GH16,717 as outstanding due to their tenure of administration, as well as a publication of retraction and apology to clear their names of the unfortunate news reportage.



Speaking to Mr. Osei Mensah Joseph, popularly known as OMJ, he bemoaned the feet-dragging tactics by the management of GIMPA saying, It is important to note that the recommendations as captured in the committees report, was further tabled at the Central Administration Committee of the institute, chaired by then Rector, Prof. Phillip Bondzi-Simpson and was further affirmed, which gave the Secretary of the Institute the green light to proceed with the full implementation of the committees recommendations. Unfortunately, close to almost a three-year run on this matter, the management of GIMPA has failed to faithfully carry up the full implementation of the recommendations.



With this backdrop, he has threatened court action against the institution for libel and denigration if management fails to act swiftly as directed by its independent committee, three years on.



He added that after persistent calls by his lawyers, the institute, only on the 18th of August 2022, released a sum of GH16,717 outstanding which was due to the SRC administration under his tenure, as recommended. This gives a sharp contrast against the claims as alleged by the Dean of Students, to begin with.



I and the other executives have been very much affected by these baseless accusations. Of course, it is a good feeling to have our certificates released immediately after the last sitting of the committee, and now payment of outstanding monies made. Nonetheless, I place a premium on a good name and not riches. He noted.



Unfortunately, management, by all indications, has refused to publish the retraction and apology, which was the final recommendation to be implemented from their own committees report. This, I find as a total disregard to us the persons involved. Hence, a court action might be the next option within the shortest possible time, the former SRC President reiterated.



Mr. Mensah further tabled some of the challenges faced and surmounted by his administration but only to be dealt with unfairly.



We were an administration who came, gave up everything we had, and sometimes went beyond our reach amid financial difficulties to ensure we delivered on our mandate to the students.



He continued, We most of the time had to find alternative means of funding certain projects and programs approved by the General Assembly (i.e., the highest decision-making body), mainly because the Dean of Students who by practice, happened to be co-signatory to the SRC bank account, wouldnt cooperate and countersign cheques meant for approved programs if we did not kowtow to his dictates.



We are touted as one of the best, if not the best, in the history of the GIMPA SRC administration. Our pro-activeness, the dedicated and hardworking people God gifted my administration made that possible. He said.

















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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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Head of Psychology at the University of Ghana, Professor Joseph Osafo has expressed worry over the behavior of the youth today, particularly about how they respond to the elderly.



He bemoaned the insults and vituperations that have crept into the moral fabric of the society whereby young people have no shame and can boldly use abusive language on elders.



Professor Joseph Osafo believed this has become possible in the Ghanaian society because parents, guardians and teachers have abandoned their core duty of training children to learn moral values and the right behaviour.



He made this comment in reaction to the conduct of some students of the Chiana Senior High School in the Kassena-Nankana West District of the Upper East Region who shot a video making derogatory statements against President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.



Professor Joseph Osafo blamed the media as well for living a bad example noting there are some media organizations that encourage insults and the exhibition of bad behaviors instead of sanitizing the airwaves.



He also cautioned against the abuse of social media.



"They forget that that thing you are doing, it is data you are churning out. It will remain there and some day be used to judge you . . . So, our value space or spaces have corrupted over the period of time".



"Every freedom comes with a cost . . .There is no freedom without a responsibility. We always say freedom of speech and that the media landscape should be free and allow people to speak their minds but you must know when you make any comment, be responsible for the comment. So, if we want to sanitize those spaces, we must begin a new conversation and this is what some of the media gurus do where they don't encourage certain issues for discussions."



He called on parents and teachers to train the minds of the youth to adopt good behaviours.



"We need to chart a different path and I think it begins now and has begun...this path is heavily important but I've seen that we are more concentrated on Science and Technology education than we will teach our children values, living the right lifestyle, adopting good character, respecting people; good citizen behaviour.



"The quality of human behaviour is not in the many programs we have. It's in the quality of the expressions of our behaviours, our thoughts, our opinions, our ideas . . . so, going forward, we must start value training very well," he said during an interview on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show Friday morning.





The Ghana Education Service (GES) has condemned the student's attitude and dismissed eight who engaged in the act.The GES explained they have been sacked for conduct that is very undesirable, and contrary to the acceptable standards of the conduct generally required of any student in the educational system of Ghana.However, the students have publicly apologized to the President and the GES tearfully begging for them to return to the school.

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Integrated marketing communications company, Global Media Alliance, has launched the 7th edition of Ghana Beverage Awards (GBA) 2022 in Accra, thereby, paving way for the nominations period from 13th of January to 26th of February 2023.



Held at the Silverbird Cinemas, the launch brought together patrons, stakeholders and relevant players in the Ghanaian beverage industry.



Over the years, the awards scheme in accordance with its theme Inspiring Excellence in Ghanas Beverage Industry, has contributed significantly to spotlighting compelling beverage brands within the local beverage industry. In addition, it has contributed greatly to the advancement of knowledge and the adoption of modern technology amongst industry players by ensuring that they continually equip themselves with knowledge of the latest beverage production trends while complying with the highest standards of production.



Birthed on the back of the See Ghana, Eat Ghana, Wear Ghana & Drink Ghana Campaign, the Scheme has over the years not only supported the efforts of government in promoting the local beverage industry but has gradually gained traction among relevant stakeholders and has grown to become the reference point for identifying beverage companies who are in touch with the ever-changing needs of consumers.



Speaking at the launch, Chief Executive Officer for Global Media Alliance, Ernest Boateng lauded players in the beverage industry for their contribution to the growth of the nations economy.



For many years, our beverage industry has played a significant role in contributing to the overall development of the Ghanaian economy. Additionally, beverages have been a source of joy during festivities held in Ghana, especially during the December period when most concerts and events were held.



It is thus imperative that we recognize and reward the hard work in the industry through avenues such as the Ghana Beverage Awards. We hope the recognition will continue to spur players in the industry to exude more excellence, Mr. Boateng stated.



He further encouraged the public and beverage industry players actively contribute to celebrating excellence in the industry by partaking actively in the nominations.



As part of efforts to build excitement ahead of the awards night, Global Media Alliance will organize the first-ever Beverage Industry Forum on the theme Strengthening the Presence of the Ghanaian Beverage Industry on the Global Market. This event will provide the opportunity for thought-provoking conversations on relevant issues geared toward the growth and advancement of the Ghanaian beverage industry. Conversations at the forum would evolve around the themes of local certification and global standardization, consumer influence, and market dynamics, leveraging opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area to ensure maximum success on international markets, among others.



GBA 2022 would also feature two new categories -the Beverage Campaign of the Year and the Indigenous Beverage Brand of the Year to honour deserving beverage companies for their innovation and creativity in the crafting of unique marketing campaigns which have influenced consumer behavior significantly and to highlight the transformation which our indigenous beverages have undergone.



GBA is proudly supported by the Food and Beverage Association of Ghana (FABAG), Consumer Protection Agency (CPA), Food Research Institute (FRI) under CSIR, Silverbird Cinemas, Perception Management International (PMI), Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA). It is partnered by Happy FM, Citi FM, YFM, Neesim FM Bolga, Neesim FM Tamale, nydjlive.com, Ghanaweb, eTV Ghana, Business and Financial Times and Daily Guide on the media front.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has expressed hopes of his government closing a deal with the International Monetary Fund in February.



According to the President, the deal aside enabling the economy to bounce back and repair the countrys public finances will as well, rebuild the confidence of outsiders in our economy and our own self-confidence in the manner in which economy can proceed.



We are going through that process with them (IMF) right now, as we speak and hopefully by the end of this month or latest by the middle of February, a full-blown IMF agreement will be put in place, the president said while interacting with some students from Harvard University in the United States at the Jubilee House.



The government of Ghana at the latter part of 2022 reached a staff-level agreement with officials of the IMF for a $3 billion loan facility.



According to the president, the government is committed to achieving the requirements of the staff-level agreement in order to attain an agreement by the IMF board.



We will succeed in implementing the various considerations of the staff-level agreement that will enable us to have a full IMF agreement, the president is quoted in a report by Myjoyonline.com as having said.



The government of Ghana announced a Debt Exchange Programme after its staff-level agreement with the IMF.



However, there have been concerns about the success of the IMF agreement as the Debt Exchange Programme has received widespread rejection by government bondholders.



Anybody whos been contacted by your bank, write, back to your bank saying you will not accept it. Anybody who has his money in any of the funds, whether it is the data bank, M fund, or a balance fund, etc do not accept it. It does not augur well for your good or that sort of economy, you are under no compulsion to accept it, Convener of the Individual Bondholders Forum, Senyo Hosi recently said in the media.



The Debt Exchange Programme forms a part of the requirements on the government for an IMF board approval.



The government of Ghana is hoping to receive the loan to salvage the countrys severely challenged economy.







Source: ghanaweb.com









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By ZHAO RUINAN

Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida and Britain's Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak walk through the Tower of London after signing a defence agreement on January 11, 2023 in London, England. [Photo/Agencies]

Experts say deal risks exacerbating mistrust between Asia-Pacific nations

The Tokyo-London defense agreement signed on Wednesday, seen as "a bilateral version of NATO", will stir tensions in the Asia-Pacific and undermine regional peace and development, experts have warned.

The Reciprocal Access Agreement signed by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida creates a legal basis for the deployment of British and Japanese troops on each other's territory for training and other operations.

Zhou Yongsheng, a professor at the Institute of International Relations, China Foreign Affairs University, said the pact would exacerbate regional tensions and undermine stability.

"The deal is no doubt a bilateral version of NATO," he said, explaining that, according to the agreement, the UK, a NATO member, can send troops to Japan. This is tantamount to Japan bringing more NATO defense forces into East Asia, further mixing NATO forces with Japan's military presence in the region, and further building the US-Japan military alliance, he said.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday that the pact 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. "The Asia-Pacific is an anchor for peace and development, not a wrestling ground for geopolitical competition."

The pact also allows Japan and the UK to hold joint military exercises. The deal had been in the works for years and was discussed when Kishida met with former prime minister Boris Johnson in London in May.

Zhou warned that the pact would set a bad example that could lead to a more chaotic Asia-Pacific, which over the past year has seen the spillover of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and Pyongyang's all-too-frequent missile launches.

"Is it possible that other NATO countries want to follow suit and deploy troops to Japan? That would be terrible," the professor said.

Also on Wednesday, Japan's defense and foreign ministers met with their US counterparts in Washington and vowed to strengthen their military alliance in the Asia-Pacific region.

The talks finalized a plan by the United States to send a so-called Marine Littoral Regiment, a more agile unit that can operate both sea and air defenses, to Japan's southern island of Okinawa. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the unit would be in place by 2025 after a reorganization of an existing artillery regiment.

Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the US-Japan alliance has slid into military deterrence, which can only exacerbate the mistrust between countries in the region.

'Cold War mentality'

"It's clearly a Cold War mentality that provokes more confrontations in the region. It's irresponsible and runs counter to peace and development, the theme and trend of our time," Xu said.

Kishida is on a weeklong trip to G7 countries including France, Italy, Canada and the United States. He will meet US President Joe Biden on Friday.

Wednesday's agreements also follow Japan's announcement in December that it will increase its defense spending to 2 percent of GDP over five years, a benchmark adopted by NATO members in 2014. That would also make Japan's defense budget the third largest in the world.

"The country's move to revise defense regulations and increase its military spending is illegitimate in essence," Zhou said.

"In the past, Japan was more cautious and restrained in expanding its military capacity, but now it is using the Ukraine crisis and rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula as excuses to grow its influence on the region," said Zhou, adding that this desire to expand could push the region to the brink of fresh conflict.
The Chinese community in Rwanda gathered on Thursday, January 12, to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

According to the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the new year 2023 will begin on January 22, but the Chinese community decided to hold early celebrations.

ALSO READ: Chinese medics treat over 12,000 Rwandan patients

In Chinese tradition, each year is named after one of 12 animals, which feature in the Chinese zodiac: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.

So the animals will have a year dedicated to them once every 12 years, in a cycle.

This year is the year of the rabbit.

The celebrations for ushering in the new year were held at the Chinese embassy, attended by Chinese nationals living in Rwanda, diplomats, as well as Rwandans including government officials.

Speaking at the event, the Ambassador of China to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun, said the celebration dates back to more than 3000 ago, bearing Chinese people's aspirations for a better life and pursuit for harmony, happiness, peace and prosperity.

"I would like to extend sincere new year greetings and best wishes to all our guests and, through you, to all friends in Rwanda, to fellow Chinese community, wishing everyone happiness and success in the coming year," he said.

Reflecting on last year, Wang said it was a significant one for his country as the Communist Party of China (CPC) successfully convened its 20th National Congress and elected a new Central Committee with President Xi Jinping at its core, and drew an ambitious blueprint for building a modern socialist country in all respects through a Chinese path to modernization.

"It is a clear call for all Chinese people to forge ahead on a new journey. During the year, the Chinese economy has remained the second largest in the world, with GDP expected to exceed 17.4 trillion US dollars," he noted.

"China successfully hosted the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. China's 3 space station was fully completed. China's first large passenger aircraft, C919, was delivered. And the Baihetan hydropower station, the second largest in the world, went into full operation," he added.

Talking about China-Africa relations, Wang noted that during the last year, cooperation has been elevated across the board with the implementation of "the nine programs" of China-Africa cooperation, and 4 supported Africa's self-sustained development.

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"We have taken the lead in publicly supporting the inclusion of the African Union in G20 and have continued to encourage Africa to play a bigger global role. The past year also witnessed fruitful cooperation between China and Rwanda in various sectors, including trade, infrastructure, agriculture, technology, health, education, and culture. China cancelled a debt of 7.1 million US dollars to support Rwanda's growth," he said.

In the same year, China partnered with Rwanda to start construction works to expand Masaka Hospital, which will become one of the biggest hospitals in Rwanda.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Vincent Biruta, who was the guest of honour at the event told the attendees praised the relationship between Rwanda and China, saying it has advanced into a great friendship that has brought about countless initiatives between the two countries.

"Rwanda considers China as a strong partner that has contributed to the social economic development of the country in various sectors that are of key priority including infrastructure, health, energy, education, to mention a few," he said.

"In terms of trade and investment, China is one of the top partners of Rwanda with imports and exports equivalent to close to one billion US dollars in 2022," he added.
Two high-profile inmates have escaped after spraying chilli powder in the eyes of guards escorting them back to prison in south-western Ethiopian town of Alaba, police have said.



They were two of four who made the bid to break free.



"Out of four inmates who escaped, one was killed, another injured and two are still at large, Deputy Commander Taju Negash of Southern Nations regional state police told the BBC.



It's unclear where the inmates got the chilli from.



The killed inmate was facing another charge of throwing a grenade at police officers while in prison.



Police say its members were not harmed by the chilli powder attack.



Red pepper is used in Ethiopian cuisine and Alaba is famous for its cultivation.



The authorities said the inmates on the run are dangerous and that they are planning to release their mugshots so the public can assist in the search.

Source: BBC









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The President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has intervened in the matter of 8 senior high school students dismissed for insulting the president.



According to a release dated Friday, January 13, 2022, the Ministry of Education said the president intervened in the matter after his attention was drawn to the dismissal of the eight final-year students of Chiana Senior High School.



The President of the Republic, H. E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has intervened in the above subject matter after it was drawn to his attention.



Consequently, the Minister for Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum has directed the Ghana Education Service to consider an alternative disciplinary action against the students, parts of the statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Ministry, Kwasi Kwarteng said.



The eight students were captured in a video that went viral on social media in November 2022 making several disparaging remarks about the president.



Consequently, the Ghana Education Service in a statement dated Wednesday, January 11, 2022, approved the dismissal of the 8 students after it was recommended by their school.



Portions of a statement by GES read, Management of Ghana Education Service (GES) has given approval for the dismissal of eight students with immediate effect to serve as deterrence to other students.



The statement also described the act of the dismissed students as unacceptable and an abuse of the codes of conduct in Ghanas educational system.

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The Member of Parliament for the Assin Central constituency, Kennedy Agyapong, has revealed the spontaneous instinct that triggers his emotions.



The parliamentarian said that one of the things he cannot comprehend is someone considering him unimportant. He added that the act of someone looking down on him easily ruffles him.



Speaking to some Ghanaians abroad in a video posted by Smart Ghana Update TV, Kennedy Agyapong cautioned individuals who look down on him to stop doing so.



So, for me, I respect everybody, and the only time you will see me angry is anytime someone looks down upon me, for me, if you look down upon me, that one I will deal with you equally. Every human being is importantand what inspires me is where I came from and where I have reached, he said.



The lawmaker added that Ghanaians living overseas should call their families to solicit their votes during elections.



As I stand here, my first request is that you people always speak to Ghanaians, so I'll beg you to call your family members and urge them to vote for me because considering the state of the nation, only Kennedy Agyapong can save it, he added.





Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The minority caucus of Parliament has said that the decision of the government to dismiss the 8 Chiana Senior High School students, who were captured in a viral video insulting President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is too harsh.



According to Peter Nortsu Kortoe, the Ranking Member of the Education Committee of Parliament, even though the behaviour of the students was appalling, sacking them can not be the best punishment.



He called on the Ghana Education Service to reverse its decision since it could destroy the future of the students.



As a Minority, we condemn the conduct of the students. We will not encourage any student to insult those in higher positions for any reason at all. The behaviour of the student is condemnable, but we are of the view that the punishment meted out to the students is harsh.



Suspension could be a better option because when they are suspended, they would have learnt some lessons. But to dismiss them, its going to have an effect on their future lives. So [GES] can recall the students and rather suspend them,



The 8 students were sighted in a video in November 2022 on social media, abusing the president verbally for the economic hardship in the country.



The Ghana Education Service (GES) on Wednesday, January 11, 2022, approved the dismissal of the 8 students after it was recommended by their school.



Portions of a statement by GES read, Management of Ghana Education Service (GES) has given approval for the dismissal of eight students with immediate effect to serve as deterrence to other students.



The statement also described the act of the dismissed students as unacceptable and an abuse of the codes of conduct in Ghanas educational system.















Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A professor of history and political studies at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi,says Ghanas Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, possesses a power of personality that extends beyond the confines of his party.



Professor Adu Gyamfi, speaking on the state of the NPP Presidential primary, said Bawumia is in control of the race due to his transcendent personality whilst former Trade Minister Alan Kyeremanten and other candidates play catch-up.



The professor made his comments during an appearance on TV3s Midday Live on Friday, January 6.



Reacting to the resignation of Trade and Industry Minister, Alan Kwadwo Kyeremanten, Adu-Gyamfi said the Minister should have resigned earlier because Bawumia has an iron grip on the primaries.



Professor Adu-Gyamfi said the Vice President has a personality that transcends the party, adding he has put in tremendous grassroots work.



He cited Bawumias frequent visits to various churches and mosques as part of his outreach.



Recently, the Vice President was in the news for refurbishing the historic Tamale Central Mosque.



Bawuwmia funded the renovation of the ground floor, second and third floors, the minarets, the penthouse, lighting, painting, and other works.



He was mobbed after returning to Tamale to officially hand over the finished project to the mosques authorities.



This points towards the Veeps veneration of the needs of the religious community, which is also reflected in the time he spends as a special guest at numerous church programs, all of which undoubtedly informed the Professors analysis.



Professor Samuel Adu-Gyamfi is the first trained Social historian of medicine from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi-Ghana.



He lectures in the Department of History and Political Studies of same university. He is currently the Head of History and Political Studies of KNUST.









Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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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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The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Crime Investigation Department (CID) police officer Nerbert Kamanga.

ACB's Principal Public Relations Officer, Egritta Ndala has confirmed the development through a media statement.

She said CID officer from Chikwawa police has been arrested for corruptly demanding money from suspects who were allegedly found in possession of Charcoal.

"The suspect corruptly demanded MK100,000 and received MK70,000from Mary Masamba and Innocent Kavalo in order to release two charcoal sellers from police custody after belong found in possession of Charcoal illegally," reads the statement

The suspect Kamanga has been charged with corruptly soliciting and receiving advantage and abuse of public office, contrary to sections 24(1) and 25B(1) of the Corrupt practices Act.
Juba  The Ministries of Foreign Affairs in Sudan and Republic of South Sudan issued today statement on the meeting of His Excellency the President of the Sudanese Transitional Sovereignty Council, Chairman of the current session of IGAD, General Abdel Al-Fattah Al-Burhan and His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan on strengthening the relations between the two countries,

SUNA publishes below the full text of the statement:

1/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of South Sudan are honored to issue this joint statement on behalf of the presidents of the two countries, His Excellency President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who met in South Sudan today, corresponding to January 12, 2023. This was in response to a kind invitation from President Salva Kiir Mayardit to his brother, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

_ Security in the two countries is the highest priority, as the state of instability and security in either country is transferred to the other country. Therefore, the talks focused on supporting stability in the two countries through political, economic and security cooperation.

- The two presidents affirmed their political commitment to ensuring freedom of movement, residence, ownership and work for the citizens of the two countries, and the two presidents called on the concerned authorities in the two countries to expedite the required steps.

-The two presidents acknowledged that these freedoms are essential to support stability in the two countries. In this regard, the two presidents referred to the activation and revitalization of the cooperation agreements that were signed in September 2012, and directed that all technical mechanisms be reviewed and activated within one month.

-The two presidents stressed the importance of maintaining stability and security along the border and promoting peace and prosperity in the two countries. Bearing this in mind, they agreed to form a joint security force to prevent the infiltration of illegal weapons and to fight negative forces on the common borders. In addition, the two presidents directed the concerned security sectors to start immediately as quickly as possible.

-The two presidents affirmed that the task of establishing internal peace in each of the two countries is the first and only task of the national security forces. The two presidents acknowledged that the bilateral cooperation approach would contribute to addressing security and internal issues with high efficiency in the two countries, and that the two countries would hold periodic meetings for the concerned national security forces in order to exchange intelligence information and coordinate actions to face potential challenges. The presidents of the two countries pledged their ability to address security challenges internally. The two countries will also assume their responsibilities towards enhancing security and stability, and the two heads of state will involve the countries of the region if necessary.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sudan Governance South Sudan By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

-To ensure that the border is a source of strength and prosperity for Sudan and South Sudan, the two presidents called on the existing mechanisms related to the Abyei region to redouble their efforts to determine the final status of the region and to enhance economic, developmental and societal cooperation, calling on the mechanisms to hold joint meetings in accordance with the meeting held in Khartoum on the twenty-fourth of October 2022. - The two presidents pledge their commitment and readiness to work together to serve the interests of the peoples of the two brotherly countries and the peoples of the region. - Issued on January 12, 2023 - Juba - Republic of South Sudan.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High 77F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely. Low 62F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
Ministry of Energy has assured the nation that 25 megawatts power will be online by 14th February 2023.

Principal Secretary (PS) for Energy, Alfonso Chikuni, made the assurance after his ministry alongside Electricity Generation Company (Egenco) met members of the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change in Lilongwe on Tuesday.

He said they are using already existing structures to start generating at least one of the four of the machines.

Chikuni said the project has been delayed because of the design that the World Bank agreed with Egenco which involved a lot of design work.

"More importantly, the environmental impact assessment took long because of the procedures the bank normally follows," he said.

Chikuni said the designs were completed in November but there was no time to start construction in order to finish by 22nd December, 2022.

He said the target was missed and the work could not been done because they entered into rainy season where they experienced challenges and delays.

This means that the works will take longer as anticipated, he said.

Chikuni further said the new date of completion is now the month of May for a half capacity and September for two thirds of the capacity.

Chairperson for Natural Resources and Climate Change, Welani Chilenga said the committee was disappointed with lack of commitment by government to take into consideration the recommendations the committee earlier made.

When Kapachira Dam was washed away in January, 2022, Engine demanded funds amounting to K10 billion to rehabilitate the dam to at least reach a certain level where they could have started running with one or two machines to generate at least 25MW.

"We made the recommendation but government opposed opting to go by using the world bank way," he said.

Chilenga added that Parliament authorized government to fund Kapichira but up to now the bank's project is moving at a snail's pace.

Currently, he said, government is going back to the original idea of using Malawi Rural Electrification Program (MAREP) funds which the committee suggested to government.

Chilenga said the development shows lack of seriousness by government to take recommendations otherwise the country could have moved forward economically.
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."
Dominion Energy South Carolina will add renewable power to its portfolio under an agreement announced this week with an alternative energy firm that's planning to invest $200 million in the Midlands.

Southern Current said this week the utility giant has agreed to purchase all the electricity and as well as energy storage capacity from the proposed Lone Star Solar farm in Calhoun County.

Financial details and other terms of the contract were not disclosed. The power purchase agreement was signed Dec. 27, according to a filing last week with the S.C. Public Service Commission.

The 572-acre Midlands facility is expected to begin generating power from the sun in 2024. The site also will feature one of the largest battery systems in the Carolinas  and the biggest on Dominion's South Carolina network, according to a statement.

The Public Service Commission in Columbia and other regulators must sign off on the proposal. If approved and built, the huge Calhoun County array will be able to power the equivalent of about 17,000 homes and businesses, according to Charleston-based Southern Current, which was sold last year to privately held energyRe of Houston and New York City.

Lone Star Solar is expected to generate $10 million in local property taxes over the life of the project and create 185 temporary construction jobs.

This agreement will stimulate significant local investment, job creation and emissions reductions across the region," energyRe CEO Miguel Prado said in prepared remarks.

Dominion expanded into the state when it acquired South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. and its parent company four years ago this month. The Richmond, Va., utility's Cayce-based division serves more than 772,000 power customers from the Midlands to the coastal area south of Georgetown County.

Through the first nine months of last year, Dominion Energy South Carolina paid $12 million to purchase electricity from its solar affiliates, flat with the same period of 2021, according to the most recent quarterly filing with Securities and Exchange Commission.

The company did not respond to requests for comment about the Calhoun County project Thursday.

The Solar Energy Industries Association has reported that $2.6 billion has been invested in solar installations in the state.
As the Charleston Library Society heads into its 275th year, it will also see the departure of a game-changing leader, one who elevated the institutions profile in ways that have ensured its continued vitality.

At the end of January, Anne Cleveland will retire from her role as executive director, figuratively handing over the keys to 164 King St. to the incoming leader, Laura Pelzer.

During her 14-year tenure at the society, Cleveland ushered in a new era shaped by the vision of the library as Charlestons cultural and intellectual living room.

It was an approach that succeeded in swinging open the double doors atop the librarys grandly stepped entrance to initiate scores of new members and devotees to a then-subdued organization.

Since launching the initiative, culturati from near and far have poured into the 1914 Beaux Arts building for heady immersions, rousing concerts, lively celebrations and more.

Jerry Mitchell, president of the board of trustees of the Charleston Library Society, commended the departing leader for her contribution to Charlestons cultural landscape.

Anne Cleveland did it all: expanded membership, acquisitions, programming, music and restored and updated our historic King Street building," he said. "And she did it with intelligence, charm, hard work and a sense of what cultural Charleston needed.

She so effectively demonstrated the enduring appeal of bringing together thought leaders and knowledge-seekers that the library hosted hundreds of events annually, covering topics from politics to fiction while hosting whisky tastings to chamber music performances.

Within weeks of taking the position, Cleveland set out to reconfigure the Main Reading Room space, clearing bookcases and repositioning the card catalog to accommodate meetings, lectures, concerts and social gatherings. The shift was a dynamic nexus of intellectual life in Charleston.

The result was that we have been able to host remarkably diverse programs, open them up to the public, and widen our profile as a significant asset to Charleston, she explained in a communication about her tenure.

For that music, the music-loving leader reasoned a piano might play well the Main Reading Room. After first bringing in her grandmother's baby grand piano, the library ultimately set aside funds to purchase a Steinway and launched its popular music series.

Cleveland, who earned the nickname Hurricane Anne for her nonstop impulse to enhance the organization, then set about to revitalize fallow space on the buildings first floor by creating a bindery and archival lab, which now operates under the guidance of conservator James Davis.

When I learned that a newly established independent bookstore run by Polly and Julian Buxton was looking for new space, I realized that having it on campus would create extraordinary programming opportunities, said Cleveland.

The resulting storefront, which is on the librarys campus at 160 King St., has contributed to the revitalization of lower King Street, while also augmenting social and intellectual gatherings through its frequent author events and signings.

The raised awareness was also a key factor in a recent $6 million renovation, which has modernized, shored up and prettified the building. Such upgrades have rendered it more suitable for the expansion and conservation of the organizations extensive collection, one that Cleveland did much to expand during her time there, particularly in replacing seminal historic texts that were among the thousands lost in the librarys 1778 fire, as well as in the addition of the Igoe Shakespeare Library.

With creativity, endless energy and perhaps some magic, Anne resuscitated an almost moribund circulating library, said Ginny Bush, former president of the board of trustees. Its no exaggeration to say that Anne reinvented the Library Society as a vibrant hub of cultural, intellectual and social activity. It still has books, but it now offers far more to a far larger community.
MANNING  In a rural Pee Dee city of less than 4,000 people, someone was supposed to get a delivery of four human skulls from Mexico.

Rumors have circulated around Manning for two weeks among locals after the Mexican National Guard announced Dec. 30 that officers had seized the bones during a search at the Queretaro Intercontinental Airport in central Mexico. The package was sent from one of Mexico's most violent areas and destined for the Clarendon County seat some 65 miles east of Columbia.

We've had everything from 'is it a threat from the cartel, is it somebody who's collecting skulls, is it somebody who's doing some kind of satanic worshipping?'  Clarendon County Sheriff Tim Baxley said.

Both the sheriff and Manning Police Chief Keith Grice say the only information they've received about the mailed skulls has been through the media. Baxley said he found out about the skulls when he tuned in to a Columbia television newscast right before New Year's.

No official reports have been sent to local law enforcement  not even the address in Manning where the package was headed.

All the sheriff has to work with is one photo that the Mexican National Guard shared on Twitter. The photo shows the four skulls which had been wrapped in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

In Baxley's opinion, the bones appeared to have been buried.

"I've seen fresh skulls," Baxley said, pulling up the photo on his phone. "These are not fresh."

The S.C. Law Enforcement Division said it is not involved. U.S. Customs and Border Protection could not discuss specific cases and attempts to reach the Mexican National Guard were not successful.

And if Mexican authorities had not seized the package, the skulls very well could've ended up in Manning. The United States has no requirements on importation on human bones.

The skulls have residents in the town near Lake Marion known for an annual striped bass festival guessing.
Columbia, SC (29201)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High 79F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 62F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
GREENVILLE  A Clemson University graduate and Marine Corps veteran is the first recipient of money from a newly announced fund by Greenville's entrepreneurial support organization, NEXT.

Michael Middleton will receive over $500,000 from the NEXT Founders Fund  announced on the morning of Jan. 12  to help grow his helicopter landing pad software startup he founded in Greenville in 2018.

After graduating from Clemson, Middleton joined the Marines where he flew helicopters and did aviation mission planning at both the battalion and squadron levels before moving all the way up to fly for former President Barack Obama at HMX One.

The Greenville High School graduate returned to the Upstate about nine years ago and launched a consulting business in 2013.

He realized during his time in the armed forces there was scant technology being used to ensure the safety of helipads, landing zones and heliports, so in 2018 he started Safe Helipads to mitigate this risk.

"We're already a revenue and profit-generating business," Middleton said. "So we've already established ourselves. We've got great clients. So now that we have proven market viability, now we want to scale and grow."

"Our belief is that this can be a significantly sized company and employ a lot of folks here in Greenville in the technology space," NEXT board chair Scott Millwood said. "That is yet to be seen, but our growth plans are high."

The Founders Fund was the brainchild of serial entrepreneurs Millwood and Shay Houser. This past summer, the two chatted about what each planned to do after exiting another of their businesses. Both were unsure if they could start another business from scratch again.

Rather, the duo identified a pattern experienced by early-stage founders where they often lack capital and access to talent and wanted to put their efforts together to solve the problem.

Over a 12-week span, Millwood and Houser pulled together nearly 40 experienced Greenville founders and CEOs as limited partners and created a $6 million fund.

The fund will invest in about seven to eight companies over the next 18 months. Each will each receive between $500,000 to $800,000.

"It is Greenville founders, investing in Greenville founders, the next generation," Millwood said.

The fund focuses on capital-efficient technology companies in the software-as-service space who occupy a niche.

When it comes to which company will be picked next, Millwood said NEXTs continuous interaction with startups already "gives us a way as investors and as limited partners in that fund to be able to get to know the founder before making the investment decision.
GREENVILLE  The city's historically Black neighborhoods are disappearing as redevelopment pressures force longtime residents from their homes, a recently published Furman University research project found.

Black residents in the Upstate's largest city have been disproportionately impacted by Greenville's changing economic landscape.

It's a troubling trend rooted in prejudiced housing policies  like racially restrictive deed covenants that barred selling homes to Black buyers and government infrastructure investment funneled into the suburbs.

The policies prevented Black families from building generational wealth and for decades syphoned them into pockets of concentrated poverty. The exodus of White residents beginning in the 1960s with desegregation left Black families behind and property values deflated with public and private disinvestment.

More Information To read more stories in the series about growth and development, go to postandcourier.com/boomandbalance/.

Now, a boom in private and public investment across the city has been driving established Black residents from Greenville as more affluent White people have moved in over the past three decades, researchers with Furman's Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities found.

Nowhere has that pattern been more pronounced, a recently published Furman study found, than in Greenville's "special emphasis neighborhoods"  historically majority-minority, low-income communities.

The city created the special emphasis designation so that those neighborhoods could be eligible for federal community development grants and aid in the creation of community master plans intended to guide responsible and equitable growth.

It's a goal the city has so far been unsuccessful in reaching, according to the study, a part of Furman University's Seeking Abraham Project, which began as an exploration of the school's own connections to slavery.

The study's findings in many cases are staggering.

Greenville as a whole has seen a 22 percent decline in its Black population since 1990, while the city's overall population has risen by more than 12,000 in that time, or about 21 percent.

But using block-specific data from the U.S. Census to home in on demographics within communities, the Furman researchers found the special emphasis neighborhoods as a whole have lost 53 percent of their Black population.

This comes as the number of White residents has roughly doubled across those 13 communities.

Housing values in those neighborhoods continue to climb alongside median income, accelerating the ongoing displacement and widening the already extreme wealth gap between the city's White and Black residents.

The median White family in Greenville makes close to three times that of the median Black family.

"Racially restrictive covenants in the '30s and '40s were opening up homeownership possibilities to White families that were largely denied to Black families for another 30, 40 years," said Ken Kolb, a Furman sociology professor and one of the project leads. "So White families got in on homeownership and intergenerational wealth gain two generations before Black families could. And wealth begets wealth. That's how you get these huge disparities."

Throughout the special emphasis communities, private dollars have followed public investment, with projects like Flour Field in the West End and Unity Park in the Southernside neighborhood igniting new investment.

Kolb gave an overview of the study's findings to Greenville City Council on Jan. 9.

Following the study's publication, Mayor Knox White told The Post and Courier that while each of the 13 neighborhoods has a unique story, the revitalization of Greenville that the city played a major part in has been a significant driver in the displacement happening in those neighborhoods.

"People want to be near a walkable, safe downtown, so it's become an attractive neighborhood to be in," he said, referring specifically to the West End, one of the city's most-transformed special emphasis neighborhoods. "In the areas that have not been restabilized before 2010, those were the most vulnerable."

The special emphasis designation itself was created in part to assist established low-income residents in marginalized communities remain in place as the city grew, he said.

In partnership with neighborhood leaders, the city made an effort to stabilize parts of Black neighborhoods that had experienced decades of neglect and disinvestment, including assisting in the addition of 400 new homes in West Greenville.

But, as reflected in the Furman data, the city's efforts have not been enough to stave off the displacement of working-class people, pushed from their homes when the value of the ground beneath their feet skyrocketed.

"Where we did stabilize, when we go back to those neighborhoods, they've pretty much withstood gentrification," White said. "It's really more where they were not fully stabilized. Income levels, Black versus White, means we have to work harder to get more true affordable housing."

Where each of the neighborhoods stands in the ongoing process of gentrification varies.

Those closer to downtown Greenville  the hub for investment where property values have exponentially ballooned  are further along in the process. Those in less-advanced stages are seeing the pressures radiating out from downtown.

For communities like Haynie-Sirrine and the West End, which have effectively become extensions of downtown, the process is largely complete.

The Black population in those neighborhoods dropped 84 percent and 73 percent, respectively, between 1990 and 2020. In the same time period, the number of White residents jumped 166 percent in Haynie-Sirrine and increased about 12-fold in the West End.

Both neighborhoods are now majority White by a wide margin.

The area median incomes in those neighborhoods have risen steeply, with Haynie-Sirrine reaching an AMI of about $70,000 a year in 2019. That neighborhood no longer meets the previously established criteria for a special emphasis neighborhood.

Other communities that sit farther from Greenville's central business district are not as far along, but the changes they are experiencing are undeniable and deeply painful for existing residents.

In Brutontown, just north of the affluent North Main community, the White and Black populations have both dropped by about 60 percent since 1990.

"Brutontown is right where Southernside was in 1990 or in 2000," Kolb said. "You get depopulation, rising vacancy rates, and that drives property values down to the floor, as far as they'll go. I imagine it's already started to rebound, but we'll find out in a couple of years."

Gentrification accelerated in Southernside, West Greenville and the West End when vacancy rates started to drop, "because that means people are picking the low-hanging fruit," Kolb said.

Falling in between on the racial makeup are neighborhoods like Nicholtown and West Greenville, where low-income people of color remain in the majority but are rapidly losing ground.

The demographic shifts in the Sterling neighborhood roughly reflect the average across all 13 special emphasis neighborhoods  a 53 percent drop in Black residents and close to double the number of White residents in the past 30 years.

Sterling Neighborhood Association President Dot Russell reviewed the data published by Furman shortly after it was released and wasn't surprised by the findings. She sees them reflected in her everyday life, as her neighbors, facing Greenville's surging growth, are forced from their homes.

Rents go up, and properties leased by legacy residents decay as landlords in her community see development opportunities.

The community association does what it can to save displaced residents from homelessness, coordinating with local nonprofits and volunteering to find them a place they can afford.

But the neighborhood association can't help people if they don't know they're in trouble, and Russell said it's common for the group to make contact with residents after they've been pushed out of their homes.

With nowhere else to turn, Russell said many of her former neighbors have been forced into extended-stay motels.

"We look at the number of homeless people in our community, and it's continuously growing because people have nowhere to go," she said. "To say 'send them to another county, another place,' it's just disheartening. It's not the Greenville I know."

In an effort to address the growing problem, Kolb said Furman University in March is hosting a forum with Greater Good Greenville to explore possible solutions.

Kolb said it is unclear at this point exactly what form those recommendations will take, but in broad terms they will likely be exploring a combination of how public resources can be used to incentivize developers to provide lower rents, subsidize housing costs for low-income residents and use economic development tools to narrow the racial wealth gap.

In 2018, the city established the Greenville Housing Fund to address its growing need for affordable homes, and the nonprofit has seen success since, helping to add close to 1,500 reduced-cost units within the city limits.

But given the wide wealth disparity between Black and White residents, reduced rents based on the city's overall area median income remain out of reach for many Black residents.

The Housing Fund receives $2.5 million a year from the city and has been tasked with solving a problem that continues to worsen.

White said a $26 million bond to bolster the city's affordable housing efforts is in the works, and he expects it to become a reality at some point this year.

The Housing Fund's annual allotment from the city would remain the same, but would be used to service the bond debt.

Tina Belge, the nonprofit's advocacy and community engagement manager, said frontloading those resources, in combination with private contributions, would allow the Housing Fund to accelerate its efforts and offer more diverse affordable options, including homeownership programs.

In Sterling and neighborhoods like it, Russell said the daily reality has been frustrating and often tragic to witness. Still, she holds out hope for change.

"I really believe that somehow, some kind of way, that Greenville is going to shake itself awake," she said.

To learn more about the Furman University study, visit communitygvl.org.
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo which was scheduled to be held next month has been extended by a month, organisers have said.

This year's expo was set to be held February 8 - 11 but has now been postponed to April 26 - 28, 2023 and according to Uganda Tourism Board, the rescheduling of the event will allow a comprehensive engagement and participation of stakeholders.

According to the UTB board chairperson, Daudi Migereko,this year's edition seeks to reposition destination Uganda through transformational marketing of all the country's tourism offering post the pandemics.

He added that the one month extension will enable a comprehensive arrangement that provides sufficient time for participation.

"Over the years, POATE has given stakeholders of the tourism industry a unique chance to network, meet new clients and discuss business opportunities," he said.

The expo will feature national, regional and international exhibitors, business to business and business to consumer meetings, hosted buyer familiarisation trips, among many activities.

UTB CEO Lilly Ajarova explained that with the expo, closer ties between Uganda and the major international tourism source markets will be fostered.

"It will open up new tourist markets for both intra-African and international travel. The participation from a wide range of tourism trade partners, hosted buyers, local and international media, tour operators, travel agencies and other tourism-related organisations is important to the growth of the sector," Ajarova said.

The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo is an annual signature event for Uganda that offers a platform to market and propel growth of the tourism sector.

Uganda Tourism Board anticipates participation of over 100 hosted buyers, 300 exhibitors that include tourism boards and corporate entities.

The expo also envisages to host more than 5,000 trade visitors and consumers to attend over the three days.
A deteriorating house in downtown Charleston will see new life, but first it will move around the block.

The Charleston Board of Architectural Review on Jan. 11 approved a proposal to relocate a 112-year-old home from 15 Radcliffe St. to a vacant lot at 120 St. Philip St.

The house was originally constructed in 1910 for the Rev. Henry W.B. Bennett, a prominent leader in African Methodist Episcopal churches in the area. He died not long after the house was built, but his wife, Chloe Bennett, and their six children lived there. His wife later rented out rooms in the home to Black Charlestonians.

The house eventually fell into disrepair due to heirs property disputes and was sold in 2020 for $500,000.

The current owner, Frank Brumley, plans to restore the home once it is moved to St. Philip Street. But surrounding neighbors in Racliffeborough are concerned by the rationale behind the shift.

At its current location on Radcliffe Street, the aging home is entirely surrounded by a large parking lot, also owned by Brumley. In his application to the BAR, Brumley mentions potential plans to build a parking garage on the adjacent lots. When he first requested permission to move the house in August, the BAR requested more information about how the house would be preserved after it is moved.

Taking the house to St. Philip Street means it will be surrounded by other homes rather than concrete, giving it more of a neighborhood feel, architect Joe Schmidt said at this week's BAR meeting. Schmidt, who presented the plans to the BAR on Brumley's behalf, added that he had a letter of support from some of the family members. No additional family members spoke out against the relocation.

"It will put the house back in a residential context," he said.

But Radcliffeborough resident Randall Grussing said he would prefer to see the house preserved at its original location and the parking lot converted back into a residential block.

"It would be nice if that area was ringed with single-family homes," he said. "It would be nice if it could transition into a neighborhood again."

He was one of over a dozen residents who submitted written comments or spoke at the meeting.

Many expressed concerns about the potential for a parking garage to replace the house but according to the BAR's bylaws, board members are not allowed to consider what may happen to a lot after a building is relocated or demolished.

"It's the elephant in the room," said one public commenter.

In this case, the board members were only tasked with determining if Brumley had a solid preservation plan for the house and if the new location is fitting.

"Our charge is, is it appropriate to move this house from point A to point B? And I think it is," said board member Eddie Belo. "Unfortunately, it is currently surrounded by parking lots."

Board member Seaton Brown disagreed. Although the board couldn't discuss future plans for the lot, he said he did not see any compelling reason why the house needed to be relocated in order to preserve it.

"The merit of moving the house just to move the house, I can't square," Brown said.

After lengthy debate, the board ultimately voted 3-2 to approve the relocation. The members who supported the idea did so because they said the new location is nearby and will return the house to a historically appropriate neighborhood, rather than leaving it isolated in a sea of pavement.

Any plans for a parking garage on the former property will need separate approvals from multiple city agencies.
COLUMBIA  A 60-year-old man who crossed the border between South and North Carolina in search of child molestation victims has been sentenced to 14 years in prison, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Columbia.

Jonathan McKinney Rion, of Woodruff, S.C., and Charlotte, N.C., was sentenced after pleading guilty to enticement of a minor for sexual activity and false statements to the FBI.

Once he completes the prison term, which must be served without the possibility of parole, Rion will be on supervision for the rest of his life. He must also register as a sex offender.

In March 2021, according to evidence presented in court, Rion enticed an underaged boy into sexual conduct. He met the victim through an online social media application. Through an internet-based cell phone application, Rion arranged to travel from Charlotte to the Columbia area to pick the minor up and to take him back to Charlotte. In North Carolina, he sexually abused the minor and provided him with money and gifts.

In April 2021, Rion spoke with a person whom he believed was a 14-year-old. In truth, Rion was speaking to an undercover FBI agent. Rion attempted to recruit the purported 14-year-old to travel to his residence in North Carolina or to a hotel in South Carolina, where Rion intended to give the minor gifts or money in exchange for sex, according to the U.S. Attorney's news release.

Evidence also indicated Rion had exploited as many as six children between 2018 and 2021, many of whom he met online. Rion provided money, gifts, a place to stay, and other things of value. In exchange, he sexually abused the victims. He also obtained explicit photos and videos of the minor victims. Some victims reported non-consensual sexual contact, according to the news release.

When approached by the FBI, Rion falsely denied engaging in sexual contact with one victim and engaging in any sexual conversations with minors. Evidence also indicated Rion had made false claims to a state court related to one victim.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys Offices, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  A Summerville handyman who gleefully exclaimed the policemen have been overwhelmed as he stormed the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, will spend 21 days in jail for his part in the historic riot.

U.S. Judge Beryl Howell also sentenced Chad Clifton, 47, to 90 days of house arrest, three years of probation and $1,100 in fines and restitution after a hearing Jan. 13 in Washington.

Cliftons punishment comes two years after he joined a protest over supposed 2020 election fraud that devolved into a violent march toward the halls of Congress.

The sentence matches the punishment prosecutors from the U.S. Department of Justice recommended for Clifton. It is also nearly identical to the sentence Judge Howell handed Cliftons neighbor and co-defendant, suspended Summerville attorney David Johnston.

Clifton himself did not attack police or vandalize the buildings sacrosanct halls, prosecutors acknowledged in court filings. But the Charleston native  wearing a red Trump 2020 hat  was among the front lines of the mob and was one of the first to enter the Capitol that day.

Clifton enjoyed himself throughout the incident, charging documents state. He took a hit from a marijuana joint once inside the building. And he watched and reveled as other rioters clashed with police, recording and narrating videos as the mayhem unfolded.

I just stormed the (expletive) Capitol he shouted in one of the videos, prosecutors wrote.

Cliftons defense attorney, Charleston lawyer Nathan Williams, said house arrest and probation alone would be more appropriate than prison for the self-employed construction contractor.

Clifton quickly acknowledged his guilt and cooperated with investigators, and his wife and six children rely heavily on him for income, Williams said.

He wanted to take accountability, the attorney added.

During the hearing, Clifton apologized to the judge and his family for his part in the uprising. He said he had moved on from the beliefs and conspiracies that led him to Washington that day.

Clifton becomes the 10th South Carolinian to be sentenced in connection with the Jan. 6 uprising. One other  suspended Citadel cadet Elias Irizarry  has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing in March. Criminal charges remain pending against eight others.

Court records and social media profiles show Clifton and South Carolinas 18 other Capitol defendants were fierce supporters of then-President Donald Trump who trekked to D.C., to attend the Florida Republicans Stop the Steal rally.

There, Trump and other speakers touted unfounded and since-disproven claims that Democrats had stolen the 2020 presidential election with widespread voter fraud in key battleground states.

Thousands then marched from the rally to the Capitol. They overpowered the small police force guarding it and swept into the building, prompting members of Congress to flee. Rioters battered police with fists, flagpoles and makeshift clubs, injuring more than 100 officers.

They smashed windows, broke doors and ransacked congressional offices, causing more than $2.8 million in damage.

Cliftons attorney said his client only recently became interested in politics and was swept up in the furor surrounding Trumps defeat in the November 2020 presidential election.

Clifton became engrossed in election fraud conspiracy theories he found on social media, including TikTok, even as his wife warned him not to believe everything he read online, prosecutors wrote in court filings.

Investigators alleged Clifton showed no remorse in the weeks after the riot. Instead, he continued to send incendiary social media posts and messages, court filings state.

In post-Jan. 6 texts to his co-defendant, Johnson, Clifton threatened a day of reckoning.

We are running out of time and it is time to take action in the fullest force needed to complete this mission, Clifton wrote.

Williams, Cliftons attorney, stressed in court filings that his client has behaved honorably since his arrest and deserves leniency.

Since his arrest, Chad has done everything he can to atone for his actions on January 6 and hopes this court will see this as a reflection of who he is and how his actions on January 6 were an aberration, Williams wrote.

Federal probation officials will decide where Clifton spends his jail time. One option is the Charleston County detention center.
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.
COLUMBIA  Legislation providing parents $6,000 toward private K-12 tuition is the first priority in the GOP-dominated South Carolina Senate, as Republicans who have fought for private school choice for two decades intend to get a voucher program across the finish line this year.

Debate for the 2023 session will open on the Senate floor next week over a bill that almost made it into law last year only to fall apart at the end of the session over disagreement between the chambers about student testing.

The bill advanced Jan. 12 by the Senate Education Committee would provide scholarships (vouchers) to a maximum of 5,000 eligible students statewide the first year, double to 10,000 the second year, then cap out at 15,000 students once fully phased in the third year.

That means an eventual price tag of up to $90 million annually, depending on participation and how much the Legislature allocates in the state budget.

Noting the eventual cap represents just 2 percent of the children in South Carolina's public schools, Senate Education Chairman Greg Hembree discounted the yearslong argument from opponents that the program will drain resources from public education.

"It's a question of choice. It's a private school option for children in poverty," said the Little River Republican. "Wealthy people already have choice."

Eligibility involves qualifying for Medicaid. In South Carolina, children qualify for the government health insurance program if their parents' income falls below 209 percent of the federal poverty level. That's about $38,000 for a single mother and child, or $48,000 for a family of three, according to 2022 guidelines.

Recognizing that any lack of transportation would keep poorer families from participating, senators allowed up to $750 of each scholarship annually to be spent toward getting the child to and from school. Hembree said that could include an Uber-like arrangement.

The idea of using tax dollars to help parents pay for private tuition has divided the GOP since Gov. Mark Sanford first launched the effort in 2004. A limited program for students with disabilities, approved a decade later, remains South Carolina's lone K-12 private choice program. It involves tax credits for tuition, rather than direct payments.

But the last two election cycles, which gave both chambers their biggest GOP majorities since Reconstruction, coupled with parental outrage over school closures and virtual-only offerings amid COVID intensified the push for options outside the public school system. Some schools didn't fully reopen until legislators forced them to in April 2021.

"The frustration that resulted from COVID is whats pushed a lot of people over the edge to getting something like this done," said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield. "Ive had more constituents asking me for more options than before COVID, and lot of it is because of that. Even though schools are back open, theres still a lot of interest in having more educational choices."

The version sent to the Senate floor Jan. 12 reverts to what senators approved last March, rather than a tentative deal with House Republicans that died three months later.

Senators said they wanted to start the 2023 debate with what their chamber fully vetted. The 25-15 vote along party lines may not change, but it will likely speed up the process.

"Deja vu sometimes isnt a bad thing," Hembree said.

The testing piece will likely still be a hang-up between the chambers.

Massey was adamant last year that students attending private schools with taxpayer-funded scholarships take the same end-of-year standardized tests as their peers in public schools, providing a true comparison for both parents and taxpayers.

Democrats don't like the legislation period, but they agree with that piece, realizing that Republicans have the votes to push through some version of the bill.

"Youve got to take the same tests so we can measure whether were getting anything for our money," said Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto, D-Orangeburg.

The state's largest teachers' advocacy group agreed.

"Beyond that, if the theory is to allow the family to choose the best school for their child, part of making a good choice is having adequate information," said Patrick Kelly with the Palmetto State Teachers Association. "It's the same as shopping. I need information to make a good choice. Families need information on academic performance to make an informed choice in an apples-to-apples comparison."

Gov. Henry McMaster's budget recommendations for the fiscal year starting July 1 assume he will sign a voucher program into law.

His proposal includes $25 million for the scholarships, paid for by lottery profits.

"These funds will allow low-income parents to choose the type of education environment and instruction that best suits their childs unique needs," reads his executive budget for 2023-24.

But even if Republicans get a compromise to his desk, a lawsuit is expected.

In October 2020, the state Supreme Court blocked McMaster's attempt to spend $32 million in federal COVID aid on vouchers to private schools holding in-classroom instruction when most public schools weren't. The justices unanimously found the program violated the state constitution's ban on using public funds to directly benefit private schools.

Legislators believe a voucher program they created will fare better before justices than McMaster's unilateral pursuit. They compare it to lottery-backed scholarships that high school graduates can use for tuition at private colleges and the state's full-day 4-year-old pre-kindergarten program that includes private day cares.

Another possibility is deleting that clause from the state constitution, though that would take voters' approval.

House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, has filed legislation that would put that question on the November 2024 ballot. Getting it there would require two-thirds approval in both chambers.
Khartoum  The President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, concluded today a one-day visit to Juba, Republic of South Sudan, in response to an official invitation extended by President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit.

He was received at Khartoum Airport by a member of the Sovereignty Council, Dr. Al-Hadi Idris, Lieutenant General Muhammad Al-Ghali Ali Youssef, Secretary-General of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, and a number of state ministers.

During the visit, the President of the Sovereignty Council held talks with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, during which they agreed to activate the joint agreements between the two countries in a way that serves the interests and aspirations of the peoples of the two brotherly countries.

Al-Burhan, during the visit, met at his residence in Juba with the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Dr. Riek Machar, and the Vice President, Dr. Hussein Abdel-Baqi, separately Where the meeting touched on the necessity of preserving the peace achieved in the Republic of South Sudan and working to enhance joint cooperation between Khartoum and Juba for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries.

The TSC President was accompanied, during the visit, by Lieutenant General Yassin Ibrahim Yassin, the acting Minister of Defense and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dafallah Al-Haj Ali, and the Deputy Governor of the Bank of Sudan.
Beer-maker International Breweries has appointed a new company secretary/general counsel to take the place of Muyiwa Ayojimi, who gave up the role on 31 December, 2022, the firm said Thursday in a notification to the Nigerian Exchange.

Mr Ayojimi was the principal legal officer of the brewer for more than ten years, a service the board said he executed with unalloyed, steadfast dedication and professionalism.

He will be replaced by Ayokunle Ayoko beginning from 16 January, 2023.

Mr Ayoko previously held the same position at FBN General Insurance Limited (now Sanlam Insurance Limited), FBN Insurance Limited and FBN Insurance Brokers Limited. He was the company secretary/legal adviser of Berger Paints Nigeria Plc prior to his appointment by International Breweries.

A graduate of Law from University of Ibadan, Mr Ayoko holds an executive diploma in International Law & Diplomacy from Kingsland Foundation, Abuja. He has also a certificate in Global Governance & Diplomacy from the European School for Leadership Development.

In addition to being a chartered secretary, Mr Ayoko is a certified management consultant and a certified compliance analyst as well.

Ayo holds fellowships from both the Institute of Management Consultants, Nigeria (FIMC) and the Global Academy of Finance and Management, USA, the document said.

He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSAN), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Institute of Directors (IoD), and the Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria (SCGN).

He received the 2019 Nigerian Legal Awards 40 under 40 award from Esq Magazine, Lagos and is a recipient of the 2022 Africa Forty Under Forty Awards (Xodus Communications/Ministry of Arts and Culture, Ghana).

The lawyer also took the 2020 Modern Governance 100 award and the 2022 Global & Ethics Leader award presented by Diligent Corporation, New York.

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Edo State Government says the state now has 26 confirmed cases of Lassa fever, with the three reported fresh cases.

The Commissioner for Health, Obehi Akoria, disclosed this at a news briefing on Wednesday in Benin.

Ms Akoria, a professor, described the rising cases of the disease in the state as worrisome.

She, therefore, charged the residents to observe preventive measures to protect themselves and their loved ones from contracting the disease.

She gave a breakdown of the patients on admission to include 10 adult males, nine females and seven children.

She said they were being treated at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.

The commissioner said that all the patients were stable and responding to treatment.

Lassa fever is preventable, she said.

Edo no longer has the highest burden of the disease in the country.

This is proof that our interventions are working and that Lassa fever can be prevented.

Lassa fever is a viral illness caused by the Lassa virus and is transmitted to humans through contact with the urine or faeces of infected rats.

It can also be transmitted through direct contact with the blood, urine, semen or breast milk of infected humans, she said.

Ms Akoria listed the symptoms of the disease as fever, headache, malaise, weakness, muscle pain, chest pain, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea and hemorrhage in severe cases.

She admonished residents to avoid bush burning, indiscriminate waste disposal and maintain high standard of communal hygiene.

She also called on healthcare providers to desist from managing illnesses beyond their scope.

They should promptly refer such cases because early treatment is key to the survival and containment of the spread, she said.

(NAN)

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The Supreme Court, on Friday, dismissed an appeal challenging the emergence of Umar Namadi as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State for the 2023 elections.

Mr Namadi is the deputy governor of Jigawa State.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Aliyu, challenged the APC primary election held on 26 May which produced Mr Namadi as the partys governorship flagbearer for the 11 March poll.

Delivering its judgement on Friday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court said Mr Aliyus appeal lacked merit.

The appellant (Mr Aliyu) failed to prove the declarative reliefs he sought. This appeal lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed, Ibrahim Saulawa who read the lead judgement by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said.

The apex court struck out Mr Namadis cross-appeal on the grounds that the main appeal had been dismissed.

Background

In the appeal filed, Mr Aliyu challenged the 4 November 2022 decision of the Court of Appeal in Kano, which dismissed his earlier appeal.

The appellate court in Kano had upheld Mr Namadis nomination as the governorship candidate of the APC in Jigawa State for the 11 March governorship poll.

A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Ita Mbaba, in the 4 November verdict, unanimously dismissed Mr Aliyus appeal against the 13 September 2022 judgement by Hassan Dikko of the Federal High Court, Dutse, Jigawa State, for being unmeritorious.

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The judge at the trial court held that Mr Aliyu lacked the right to have sued the governorship candidate, adding that he failed to prove his case with credible evidence.

Meanwhile, Mr Namadi challenged a portion of the Court of Appeal judgement upturning the trial courts decision that Mr Aliyu lacked the right to have filed the suit which did not qualify as a pre-election case.

Arguments

In arguing the appeal on Thursday, Mr Namadis lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi, urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Mr Aliyus suit and allow his clients cross-appeal

Mr Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) contended that the appellate court erred when it exercised jurisdiction over Mr Aliyus appeal, which arose from an action improperly constituted.

However, Aliyus lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, a SAN, prayed to the apex court to allow his clients appeal.

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The Supreme Court, on Friday, dismissed an appeal filed by family members of a former Nigerian dictator, the late Sani Abacha, seeking to stop proceedings aimed at recovering more loot traced to them.

Mohammed Abacha, son of the deceased dictator, sought to stop the re-opening of the criminal forfeiture proceedings against his fathers assets and those linked to some members of his family regarded as the proceeds of the looting of the nations treasury during Abachas draconian rule.

Mr Abacha, who died in office, ruled Nigeria between 1993 and 1998.

In a unanimous judgement read by Emmanuel Agim, the Supreme Court held that the lower courts concurrent findings of facts in the matter were unassailable.

Consequently, Mr Agim dismissed the appeal and ordered the parties to bear the cost of the legal action.

The appeal marked: SC/641/2013 was filed by the eldest surviving son of the deceased dictator, Mohammed, and his brother, Abba, for themselves and on behalf of their family.

The Abachas sued the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), DCP P. Y. Hana (Chairman, Special Investigation Panel), the National Security Adviser (NSA) and Magistrate Sonja Nachbaur (of the Principality of Liechtenstein).

The appeal was against the 25 July 2013 judgement of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, which affirmed the judgement given by the Federal High Court in Kaduna on 26 June 2009, rejecting a suit by the Abacha family.

According to the trial courts decision, the Abachas lack the right to approach the court on the subject matter of the case.

Backstory

Former President Olusegun Olusegun Obasanjos administration in 1999 alleged criminal misappropriation of funds against the late Abacha, members of his family and some companies linked to them.

Following the allegations, the then AGF, the late Bola Ige, acting for the federal government, made a request to the government of the Principality of Liechtenstein for mutual assistance and to initiate criminal proceedings of forfeiture against members of the Abacha family and companies in which they had interests.

At a point in the proceedings before the Princely Court of Liechtenstein, the government of Liechtenstein requested the relocation of the court sitting to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in Nigeria to enable Magistrate Sonja Nachbaur to take further evidence from some identified Nigerian witnesses.

Following the Nigerian governments granting of the request for the proceedings to be moved to Nigeria, DCP P. Y. Gana issued summons to witnesses to appear before Magistrate Nachbaur (a Magistrate of the Principality of Liechtenstein), who was to sit as a court in the territory of Nigeria.

Mr Obasanjos regime reportedly recovered over $2 billion of the Abacha loot.

by the time I left office in May 2007, over $2 billion and 100 million had been recovered from the Abacha family abroad, and N10 billion in cash and properties locally, Mr Obasanjo confirmed this fact when he stated in the second volume of his book titled, My Watch.

Also, former president Goodluck Jonathans administration reportedly recovered $226.3 million and 7.5 million from Liechtenstein. Some 22.5 million was also repatriated to Nigeria from the Island of Jersey while $322 million and 5.5 million from the Abacha loot were reportedly returned to the government.

President Muhammadu Buharis regime also recovered several millions of dollars of Abacha loot since assuming office in May 2015, including $321 million from Switzerland, and $300 million from the US and Jersey.

In recent years, the Nigerian government recovered humongous amounts of looted funds, a large portion stolen by Mr Abacha and stashed abroad while in power.

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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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The governorship election petition tribunal in Osun State has adjourned for judgement after counsel to the parties adopted their final adresses.

The chairman of the tribunal, Tertsea Kume, on Friday said the adjournment date will be communicated to the parties.

The sitting which commenced at 10:34 a.m. and ended at 7:24 p.m. was conducted under tight security.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Gboyega Oyetola who is the partys governorship candidate are challenging the victory of Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The tribunal consisting of three members started hearing the election petitions case in August 2022.

The main arguments of the petitioners are that Mr Adeleke allegedly forged the academic credentials which he submitted tfor the election and that there were over-voting in 749 polling units during the election.

For over five months, counsel to both parties had argued on the issues surrounding the petitioners case

At Fridays sitting, both parties adopted their final written addresses.

BVAS machine

The counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Paul Ananaba, told the tribunal that the petitioners were not accurate with reports of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

Mr Ananaba said that the BVAS reports tendered by the petitioners were incomplete because the INEC server had not completed the synchronization process when it was issued to them.

He, therefore, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petitioners claims of over-voting using BVAS machines as a basis.

But counsel to the APC, Lateef Fagbemi, said the issue of synchronization is unknown to the electoral law.

Mr Fagbemi said analysis of the election results and reports of the BVAS machines showed that there were over-votings in some polling units.

He also prayed to the tribunal to reject the respondents claim.

Forgery

Onyechi Ikpeazu, counsel to Ademola Adeleke, argued that the forgery claims of the petitioners have not been proven with documentary evidence.

He told the tribunal that the petitioners in their cross-examination ought to have invited someone who attended or works at the institution that Mr Adeleke claimed to have graduated from in the United States for them to ascertain that he truly graduated.

But, Akin Olujimi, counsel to Mr Oyetola, said the testimonial tendered by Mr Adeleke does not show that he attended Muslim Grammar School in Ede.

Mr Olujimi noted that the testimonial was issued in 1988, three years before Osun State came into existence.

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On January 5, 2023, Congolese authorities detained Sylvain Kiomba, editor-in-chief of the privately owned radio station Shilo FM, and Joseph Ebondo, a reporter at the station, in the city of Lubao in the country's south-central Lomami province, according to Ebondo, who spoke to CPJ by phone, and a report by the local press freedom organization Observatory of Press Freedom in Africa (OLPA).

Yangoba Katanga Yangozo, head of the DRC's National Intelligence Agency (ANR), invited Kiomba for questioning on January 5 and detained him when he appeared at Yangoba's office in Lubao, according to those sources. Ebondo told CPJ that he was detained later on January 5, when he went to Yangoba's office to seek information about Kiomba's status.

Both journalists were released unconditionally on January 7, according to Ebondo and that report.

According to a report by the U.N.-sponsored broadcaster Radio Okapi and a letter condemning the arrests by the local chapter of the National Union of the Congolese Press, ANR agents accused Kiomba and Ebondo of defamation and questioned them about a January 4 Shilo FM broadcast of a statement by a local civil society leader, who alleged that the ANR operated secret illegal holding cells in Lubao.

CPJ called and messaged Lomami Governor Nathan Ilunga and his deputy, Jean-Claude Lubamba, but did not receive any response. CPJ called Yangoba, but the call did not connect.
A member of the House of Representatives, Shamzudeen Danbazzau, says the emergence of a third force in the 2023 presidential race will impact positively the chances of the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu.

Mr Danbazau, a member of the APC from Kano State, said the presence of Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party will provide what he termed a spoiler effect that will ultimately pave the way for Mr Tinubu to emerge victorious in the 25 February election.

According to him, the votes that will be garnered by the duo will divide the votes that ought to go to Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmaker said this on Thursday during a press briefing at the National Assembly.

Both Messrs Obi and Kwankwaso were members of the PDP before defecting to LP and NNPP respectively to pursue their presidential ambitions.

Mr Obi, who served as running mate to Atiku in 2019, is securing large followership in the South-east and South-south  two zones believed to be strongholds of the PDP.

Also, Mr Kwankwaso, a two-term governor of Kano State, has a cult followership in the state and other neighbouring states in the North.

Speaking on the spoiler effect, Mr Danbazzau said other candidates will draw votes from the same source, clearing the path of victory for Mr Tinubu.

The spoiler effectif you are not familiar with the spoiler effectthe spoiler effect will give Asiwaju Tinubu the win. When you have two parties going toe to toe, and you introduce a third wheel, and that third wheel is popular, that person that is introduced, the attention will be shifted from the second strongest to the third wheel, he said.

He dismissed the speculations on the health status of Mr Tinubu, insisting that he is fit to rule the country.

Tinubu is healthy. There is nothing wrong with him. If you remember last night, Kashim Shettima even mentioned that he is diabetic and has hypertension. But Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no ailment. He is very fit. Did you not see him dancing Buga? He is well. There is nothing wrong with him, he said.

The lawmaker said the same spoiler effect will be applicable in Kano State, where APC governorship candidate Nasir Gawuna is facing Abba Yusuf of the NNPP, Shaban Sharada of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and others in March.

Mr Danbazau, who briefly defected to the NNPP in 2022 after he lost the APC primary, said the effect of Mr Kwankwaso will not stop the APC from winning the elections in Kano.

On the state of security in the country, Mr Danbazau said the situation has improved under the current administration. He noted that bombs are no longer going off in Abuja and other places.

We have made progress now because I recall that between 2014 and the end of 2015  for that period I refused to go for any Eid-el prayer. I used to go for Friday prayers, I stayed at home or went to the barracks to pray. But now since around 2016, I have not missed any Eid-el prayer, and I have not missed a Jumaat prayer. So that speaks a lot.

I remember there was a time there was an explosion at Banex. We dont have this kind of occurrence anymore. We can name so many instances like what happened in Karu, Louis Edet House, the United Nations (office in Abuja), Zaria, Kaduna, and Emirs Palace in Kano. All these types of occurrences have stopped. Now the insecurity has become something that is in isolated pockets, but it is still being addressed, he said.

The lawmaker stated that there have been significant investments in military hardware to aid the fight against insurgents and other criminals.

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Alex Ikeme, a professor in the Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has called for interdisciplinary research in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr Ikeme made the call at a two-day International Conference of Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, on Wednesday with the theme: Post COVID-19 Resilience: Role of Biosciences.

He said that lack of interdisciplinary studies also contributed to the slow response in stemming the tide of COVID-19 in the country.

According to him, Bioscientists need to up their games in providing solutions to the possible prevention and control of disease outbreaks, COVID-19 inclusive.

The COVID-19 pandemic gripped the world with shock and overwhelmed the health system of most nations, causing global social disruption by limiting global social relations.

Bioscientists and medical professionals discovered that the virus had the propensity to kill more than 50 million people worldwide, which led to research for a vaccine and how to build resilience against the spread.

But, there had been a resurgence of Coronavirus in some countries and the Federal Government has intensified surveillance and sensitisation on vaccination and adherence to COVID-19 protocols.

The fight against COVID-19 should be a collective responsibility.

There is a need to bring together Bioscientists of related disciplines to find appropriate solutions for controlling and managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interdisciplinary cooperation could help to handle the consequences of the pandemic and to avoid the recurrence of future pandemics, he said.

Also, Charles Esimone, the Vice-Chancellor, NAU, decried the recent upsurge of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Mr Esimone, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Frederick Odibo, urged Bioscientists to search for solutions to mitigate COVID-19 immediate and post effects.

Nigeria and indeed the sub-Saharan Africa are being plagued by diseases such as Ebola and Lassa Fever, which are virulent.

Our scientists should be well-equipped to find lasting solutions to these outbreaks

Bioscientists here at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, are well-equipped and endowed to provide solutions to the challenges of the time, he said.

In his remarks, Stanley Udedi, the Dean, Faculty of Biosciences, NAU, said the conference was aimed at discussing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic with emphasis on survival strategies.

The conference will strategise and repackage the role of teaching, research and community service by showcasing what the Faculty can offer in the face of the global challenge, Mr Udedi said.

(NAN)

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The police in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, said they have rescued a kidnap victim in the state.

The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said the victim was rescued on Thursday at about 7 a.m. by police operatives along Uga-Akokwa Road in Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

He did not disclose the identity of the victim and when he was abducted by the attackers.

He said the victims SUV was recovered during the operation.

How the victim was rescued

Mr Ikenga said the police operatives, while on routine patrol along the area, sighted a motionless vehicle in a bush along the Uga-Akokwa Road opposite a fuel station.

The police operatives, approaching the vehicle, discovered a man struggling for breath and with marks of violence all over his body, he said.

The police spokesperson said the victim was subsequently rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention.

He said the police had begun investigations to track down the abductors.

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 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 their involvement in the attacks.

The separatist group is leading agitation for an independent state of Biafra which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria.

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Access Holdings will proceed no further with the bid to acquire a controlling stake in Sidian Bank Limited, headquartered in Kenya, Nigerias biggest lender said on Thursday, pulling the plug on a deal first announced barely half a year ago.

The corporation set out to purchase an interest of 83.4 per cent in the East African bank when, in early June, it said that it would actualise the plan through its commercial banking unit, Access Bank.

Centum Investment Company Plc, from which the stake was to be bought, is the parent company of Sidian Bank, with the deal estimated at $37 million. It was a binding agreement.

Consummating the bargain hung on either meeting some prerequisites or waiving them ahead of the Long Stop date, according to the terms.

Although regulator have all been supportive in engagements around the transaction, certain conditions precedent needed to prudently complete the transaction have not been met, Access Holdings said in a regulatory filing.

The corporation noted that the parties were unable to reach agreement on the variation of these conditions in a manner to deliver the desired outcome for the parties.

Until the deal fell through, the group had expected to combine the target with its Kenyan operation, Access Bank Kenya, in hopes of gaining more traction in that market.

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A Nigerian private tertiary institution, Fountain University, Osogbo, has appointed Ramota Karim, a Professor of Food Science and Technology, as its first female vice-chancellor.

Mrs Karims appointment was announced by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the universitys Governing Council, Awa Ibraheem, after an emergency meeting of the Council on Monday.

This was contained in a statement by the Registrar and Secretary to the Governing Council, Adenekan Sheriff.

The university, owned by the Nasrul-Lahi-Il-Fatih Society (NASFAT), was established in 2007.

About new VC

Mrs Karim begins her four-year tenure as the fourth substantive vice-chancellor of the university on 1st March, succeeding Amidu Sanni, also a professor, whose tenure ends on 28 February, Mr Sheriff said.

Dr Ibraheem praised the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Prof Amidu Sanni for his passion, forthrightness and dedication to duty, all of which were not only second to none but made the working environment so conducive, he said.

While congratulating Prof Karim on this well-deserved appointment, the pro-chancellor urged her to be steadfast by providing her very best towards uplifting the university to the next level.

Mrs Karim was born and brought up in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State where she attended her primary and secondary education.

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In 1992, she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). She got her Masters in the same field in 1995 at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, and her PhD in Food Science and Technology (Food Processing and Quality Control) from FUNAAB in 2005.

While working as a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, she became a full professor in 2014.

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The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, says election has become very difficult to rig in Nigeria with the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The governor described the BVAS as a laudable development in the nations electoral process.

The BVAS is a critical component of the new Electoral Act 2022 signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr Akeredolu spoke in his office on Thursday while playing host to the retiring Resident Electoral Commissioner in the State, Rufus Akeju.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for deploying technology to strengthen the electoral process and reinforce confidence.

The governor, who stressed that technology has made rigging difficult, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will always emerge victorious in every election.

He declared that the APC is the most popular party in the country, adding that the party will always enjoy the support of the people through massive votes at the poll.

He said: I am happy that its getting more and more difficult for anybody to influence INEC to rig the election. I have been involved in so many elections and I keep telling people election is difficult to rig.

It has become more difficult now, because whether we like it or not, INEC has improved on its work over time, and I want to congratulate you and the chairman for the good work you are doing.

The governor also lauded the retiring REC, noting that no election was inconclusive during his time in the state.

He further suggested that INEC should find a way to add more value to the PVC aside from its usage for voting, so as to make it more attractive for the people to collect.

Earlier, the retiring REC Mr Akeju appreciated the Ondo State Government and all citizens of the state for their support and cooperation during his tenure.

I thank God for our lives just as it looks like I started here just like yesterday. I can say without any doubt in my mind that I have enjoyed maximum support from the State Government and all citizens in this state.

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Present at the event were Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; the Secretary to the State Government, Oladunni Odu; the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, among others.

Like in other states of the federation, it is expected that BVAS will be deployed by INEC in the conduct of the presidential, national assembly and state assembly elections in the state. No gubernatorial election will be held till 2024.

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A group has praised President Muhammadu Buhari over his recent composition of the new management board of the NDDC.

The NDDC, an interventionist agency, created by an Act of the parliament, is meant to fast-track development in the nine mandate states that make up the Niger Delta.

President Buhari recently sent a list of 16 nominees to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation as chairman, managing director, and executive director for projects and finance, among others of the NDDC board.

The Senate subsequently screened and confirmed the nominees despite some objections, including legal impediments, from some concerned stakeholders who have issues with some of the nominations.

The nominees, after their screening and confirmation, have since been sworn in and now discharging their responsibilities.

The new board is chaired by Lauretta Onochie, a former special assistant to President Buhari on new media.

Commendation for Buhari

The national president of Southern Youths Development Forum Inc in a statement commended Mr Buhari for appointing Lauretta Onochie as the chairperson of the NDDC.

The statement was issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers States, on Thursday, after a stakeholders meeting of several representatives of Niger Delta youth groups for the 2023 general elections

The forum in the statement appealed to the youths in the region not to allow themselves to be used against the region, especially during the elections.

We want to say a big thank you to Mr President for listening to the voices of our people, we equally thank him for considering one of the Amazon of the region Ms Laureta Onochie as chairman of the NDDC.

According to the forum, the chairperson is a true daughter of the South-south who knows the terrain very well having worked in Cross River state for years as a teacher, and her experience in the United Kingdom and also working with Mr president will be brought to bear in the transformation of the region.

This is one appointment that has given hope to us. We are very confident that she will perform creditably and the region will see great changes on infrastructure, security, human capacity, and women and youth development. In fact, a letter of appreciation will be sent to Mr President and Hon minister of Niger Delta Affairs, the statement noted

The forum urged the new NDDC board to urgently implement the master plan of the region, treat the audit report immediately to enable the region benefits, tour the states and have good views of the projects and interactions with the stakeholders.

The group also appealed to the people in the mandate states that NDDC governs to support the chairperson and the new board because there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The forum promised to sensitise the youth groups in the region to support the board.

The meeting was chaired by Bassey James, Eneke Simon and Stephen Maduka.

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The Ondo State House of Assembly says its impeached deputy speaker, Iroju Ogundeji, is no longer a member of the house.

The House stated this despite a judgement of the state high court ordering the reinstatement of Mr Ogundeji.

The lawmakers said Mr Ogundeji was expelled from the House last year at a plenary and cannot be reinstated as deputy speaker, as ordered by the court.

The assembly on Thursday filed an appeal against the judgment ordering the reinstatement of Mr Ogundeji, who was impeached in 2020 over charges of misconduct.

He ran into trouble with his colleagues after leading some of them in opposing the impeachment of the then deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi.

Mr Ogundeji went to court to seek redress and the court on Wednesday declared that he was unlawfully removed having not been given a fair chance to defend himself.

He was expelled with some other members who also challenged the decision in court.

The spokesperson of the Assembly, Olugbenga Omole, in a statement on Friday, said the judgement of the lower court was an interference in the affairs of the House.

Consequently, we wish to reiterate that Iroju Ogundeji was validly impeached by members in line with extant rules and procedures and replaced with Rt Hon Samuel Aderoboye, he said.

We have taken necessary steps to remedy the situation by Challenging the High Court ruling at the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, Akure Division to set aside the judgement, filled a process for an order staying the execution of the judgement pending the hearing and determination of the appeal filed against the decision of the High Court, and an order of injunction pending appeal restraining whosoever from giving effect to the judgement pending the determination of the appeal before the Court of Appeal.

It is pertinent to inform the public that as at yesterday 11th January, 2023 when the ruling was made Iroju Ogundeji is no longer a member of the Ondo State House of Assembly following the unanimous resolution of members on the 31st March,2022 which declared his seat vacant as lawmaker representing Odigbo Constituency 1 in the Assembly.

It should be noted that Iroju Ogundeji is currently challenging that decision in the court.

We wish to enjoin Iroju Ogundeji and his co travelers to exhaust the judicial process up to the highest point of adjudication rather than resort media propaganda.

The courts are yet to fix dates for hearing of the processes filed by the assembly.

Those expelled with Mr Ogundeji were Success Torhukerhijo, representing Ese-Odo and Favour Towomewo, representing Ilaje II.

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Gunmen have killed an intending couple in Imo State, south-east Nigeria.

The victims, Martins Ifechukwu and Gloria Mba were killed on Tuesday in Arondizuogu, a community in the Ideato North Local Government Area of the state.

The gunmen also killed Mr Ifechukwus brother, who was driving the would-be couple in his tricycle during the attack, according to a report by the Punch newspaper.

The intending couple were billed to hold their wedding on 18 January, according to information on the wedding invitation card seen by PREMIUM TIMES.

A resident, who asked not to be named, told the Punch that they had complained to the police in the state about the rising cases of killing and kidnapping in the area, but only received promises from them to address the security situation.

But since then, the killing and kidnapping have been happening every day. The people of Arondizuogu did not come back for Christmas and New Year.

The few that came could not move around in their cars. As we speak, there was a mass exodus of people from Arondizuogu this morning (Wednesday) after the incident of last night, the resident stated.

He added that the hoodlums usually target flashy cars and kill the owners if they refuse to release them.

READ ALSO: IPOB denies responsibility for the murder of army couple in Imo

We are no longer safe in Arondizuogu. Students are afraid of going to schools; our mothers no longer go to markets for fear of the unknown.

The police spokesperson in the state, Michael Abattam, has confirmed the incident, the paper reported.

Worsening insecurity

Like other states in Nigerias South-east, security has deteriorated in Imo State with frequent attacks by armed persons.

The attacks often target security agencies, government officials and facilities.

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 their 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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The Chinese man standing trial for the murder of his Nigerian girlfriend, Ummukulsum Buhari, has said he spent N60 million on his deceased lover.

Geng Quandong, 47, opened his defence on Wednesday and Thursday at a Kano High Court, at Miller Road.

Mr Quandong was charged with culpable homicide for the death of Ms Buhari.

Mr Quandong allegedly murdered Ms Buhari, 23, at Janbalu quarters for allegedly refusing to marry him and for exploiting him.

On his first defence on Wednesday, Mr Quanrong said he spent N60 million on his deceased lover in the two years they were dating.

He said, Besides huge amounts of money I used to spend on her, I used to take her out to places like Bristol Palace and Central Hotel to eat food.

I bought her house worth N4 million, a car worth N10 million; N18 million as capital to start a business, and spent N500,000 worth of bags and shoes on her new shop and N1 million worth of laces and wrappers and a house in Abuja which she started building.

I bought her gold wears worth N5 million, N6 million to go and process her certificate at Sokoto University and N1 million to install the solar system in their house.

When we started preparing for a wedding, I bought her wedding dresses worth N1.5 million, sweets and other dresses they will wear on their wedding day and Asoebi for her friends and N700,000 new notes for spraying on the wedding day.

I went to Sokoto to see her family members where I spent N700,000.

On the 13th of 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.

Since then, she stopped answering my calls because she thought I am broke, Mr Guangdong said through an interpreter.

The judge, Sunusi Maaji, thereafter postponed the hearing for the continuation of the defence on Thursday.

Thursdays sitting

On Thursday, Mr Quandong said he was attempting to save his life when he stabbed his girlfriend to death.

According to the suspect, the deceased picked a knife and attempted to stab him but in the process, he gained possession of the knife and unknowingly stabbed her while trying to escape from the deceased who, he said, tried to suffocate him by grabbing his neck.

I do not know where I precisely stabbed her but was told by the deceaseds neighbour, Aminu, who visited me in the police custody after three days that I stabbed her on her shoulder and leg which resulted to her death.

He said: On 16th September 2022, I called her (Ummu) severally but she didnt pick up the calls. Around 8:30 pm, I called her again, through WhatsApp call and she didnt pick up the call.

Later, she told me to stop disturbing her life since I couldnt afford to satisfy her financial needs. She asked me to return her pet dog, Chalie, which she gave me as a gift. Anytime she was missing the dog, she ask me to bring the dog for her or she comes to my house to see the dog. And that was why I took the dog along and on my way, I told her I was coming with the dog.

When I arrived, I sent a message to her through WhatsApp that I was outside and she replied saying I was stupid. All the message conversation is on the phone and Whatsapp which have been handed over to my lawyers.

Later, she sent her sister, Asiya, who came and picked up the dog from the car and shut the door on me and left me standing for close to 30 minutes under the rain. I was wet and cold. I knocked severally but nobody answered.

Their neighbour, Mustapha, approached me and called her sister, Asiya on the phone but she didnt pick up. Finally, the deceaseds mother, Fatima, open the door for me and I went inside to pick up the dog which ran to me.

After picking up the dog, I wanted to go out but Ummukulsum rushed out from the living room and locked up the door preventing me from going out.

She started abusing me in English and Hausa. She slapped me many times and called me an idiot, animal Chinese fool and some I couldnt understand.

This was not the first time she slapped me. She slapped me four different times, in the presence of her family and her friends. She is hot-tempered and gets angry easily and when she is angry the family members dont intervene because they are afraid.

When she was beating and abusing me, the mother asked her to stop but she was not listening as she continued. At that time, I stood there and held the dog in my hand.

At that time, she was still angry as if she was mad, she rushed back to the living room and grabbed the knife and rushed at me. I was scared when I saw her carrying a knife and so I dropped the dog on the ground.

When she attempted to stab me with a knife, I held her hand and collected the knife from her. While attempting to regain possession of the knife, she bite my left arm and finger. She continued abusing, fighting and calling the name of my mother which is the highest insult in the culture of Chinese.

At that moment, I was still in possession of the knife and she used her hand to grab my private part and was pulling it. I felt pain and had to succumb.

The deceaseds mother told her to stop but Ummu called her sister, Asiya to call the police that I wanted to rape her (Ummu). And that she will not allow me to leave until when the police come and arrest me and the Nigerian Immigration Service will deport me.

They pulled me into their living room and mercilessly slapped and abuse me. In the process, my glasses got lost and couldnt see clearly.

I wanted to stand up but couldnt as she pulled me down. She pushed me onto the bed and grabbed my neck with her two hands. I felt I was suffocating and scared and was trying to get out of her hand but didnt succeed.

The light in the room was not so bright and so Icould not see because no glass on my face. I dont have the intention to harm her but wanted to escape from her firm grip. In the process, I used a knife in my possession to stab her but dont know where until after three days when her neighbour, Aminu, visited me in the police and told me it was in her shoulder and leg and afterwards broke the news of her demise to me. I felt sad and cried bitterly, the Chinese national narrated.

The counsel to the Defendant, Mohammad Danazumi, told the court of pending electronic exhibits the defence intended to tender before the court and sought an adjournment. The lead prosecution counsel and Kano State Attorney General, Musa Lawan, did not object.

The judge, Mr Maaji, adjourned the matter to 7th and 8th February 2023 for the continuation of trial.

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On December 31, 2022, and January 1, 2023, supporters of Zambia's ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) raided two radio stations and disrupted broadcasts by Chilufya Tayali, president of the opposition Economic and Equity Party, according to news reports and journalists who spoke to CPJ.

On December 31, a group of about 10 people who identified themselves as UPND supporters raided the privately owned Kokoliko FM radio station in the city of Chingola, while it aired a sponsored program by Tayali, according to a statement by the Zambian chapter of the regional press freedom group Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), a Facebook post by station director Charles Mubonda, and radio station staffers who spoke with CPJ on condition of anonymity, citing fear of reprisal.

UPND supporters shoved station manager Eunice Phiri and used abusive language against the other journalists there, according to the staff and the MISA statement.

After the station complied with their demands and ended the interview, the UPND supporters ordered Tayali to leave the studio and get into his car, and then they got into their own vehicles and escorted him out of Chingola, according to the MISA statement and a video shared on Tayali's personal Facebook page.

Police later warned two of those UPND supporters about their disruption of the radio program, according to news reports, which said Mubonda planned to file charges against the supporters for trespassing, harming his business, and making threats.

On January 1, a group of about 25 UPND supporters, led by acting youth UPND chairperson Kennedy Sikazwe, surrounded the privately owned Mafken FM radio station in the neighboring town of Mufulira and made their way into the studios, where they threatened to burn down the station if they broadcast a sponsored radio program featuring Tayali, according to a video posted on the station's Facebook page and station manager Nchimunya Chilwalo and presenter Barnabas Chisha, both of whom spoke to CPJ via messaging app.

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"It was Mr. Sikazwe who made the threats about burning down the radio station," Chilwalo told CPJ. "He even boasted to say, 'Even if you inform the police, nothing will happen because those are our people.'"

As UPND supporters surrounded the radio station to block Tayali, Sikazwe and others remained inside until they all left the premises about four hours later, Chilwalo added.

When CPJ called Sikazwe for comment on January 9, he promised to return CPJ's call, but did not do so and did not answer follow-up calls.

"When I asked in what capacity they were stopping us from running the program, they said in their capacity as UPND youths, and that they have the right to stop the program," Chisha said.

On January 2, UPND National Youth Chairman Gilbert Liswaniso apologized to the radio stations during a media briefing and told his cadres to stop harassing journalists.

CPJ repeatedly called and texted Liswaniso for comment but did not receive any replies.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Cross River State, said 54 people lost their lives from 106 road traffic crashes recorded in the state in 2022.

The Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Abdullahi Hassan, said this Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar.

Mr Hassan said 158 vehicles were involved in the crashes while 258 people sustained injuries.

He attributed most of the crashes to speeding and loss of control by drivers.

He told NAN that in the period under review, the Command apprehended 14,345 drivers for various offences.

He added that 8,376 offenders were booked for various traffic offences and brought to the command for sanctions.

He listed the non-use of seat belt, speeding, overloading, wrongful overtaking, and use of mobile phone while driving amongst the offences.

The sector commander said the offenders were educated by officials of the corps on the need to obey traffic rules and proper use of the road.

In the period under review, we held 332 rallies in motor parks, public places and government offices to sensitise motorists on the proper use of the road when driving.

We are always at the top of our activities in educating motorists on the need for proper road usage.

When we arrest any offender, we educate and enlighten him/her on the proper use of the road and the essence to know the traffic rules and regulations, he added.

He advised motorists in the state to have a change of attitude towards road traffic regulations and offences, adding that it was one of the ways of keeping the roads safe from crashes.

(NAN)

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has extended the deadline for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by one week.

INEC had previously said it would end the PVC collection on 22 January, 2023 having started the process on 12 December, 2022.

But after deliberation at the commissions headquarters on Thursday, its Commissioner for Voter Education, Festus Okoye, announced a new deadline for the PVC collection.

In a statement he released on the same day, Mr Okoye said the PVC collection now ends on 29 January.

The Commission is encouraged by the turnout of registered voters and the surge in the number of collected PVCs across the country, he said.

He said the extension was approved to provide Nigerians with more time to get their PVCs ahead of the general elections coming up in 43 days.

After a week of distributing the PVCs at Local Government Offices, INEC took the distribution exercise to the Registration Areas/Wards from 6 January.

The distribution at the ward level, earlier schedule to end on 15 January, has been extended to continue until 22 January, when the exercise would be taken back to the local government offices.

At the local government office, the exercise continues until 29 January, he added.

Mr Okoye said INEC is impressed by the turnout of Nigerians in collecting their PVCs at the Ward level.

In some of the states, as many as 100,000 PVCs were collected in the last five days since the devolution to ward level started on Saturday 6th January 2023, he said.

Meanwhile, the Commission said it is investigating allegations of extortion by officials and some unscrupulous voters trying to circumvent the process at some of the collection centres.

Those found culpable will face disciplinary action and/or prosecution, it said.

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The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has urged residents of South-east not to listen to former President, Olusegun Obasanjo and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, on who they should vote for in 2023.

Mr Tinubu stated this during the APC presidential campaign rally in Enugu on Wednesday.

Messrs Obasanjo and Atiku served as president and vice-president of Nigeria respectively under the platform of PDP between 1999 and 2007.

Mr Atiku has been appealing to Nigerians including Igbos to vote for him as president in the 2023 presidential election.

The former vice president, in December during his rally in Anambra State, asked residents of South-east to vote for him, assuring that he would be a stepping stone to the emergence of Nigerian president from the region.

Mr Obasanjo, in an open letter to young Nigerians on 1 January, endorsed the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as his preferred choice for president in the 2023 general election.

But Mr Tinubu told a crowd of Igbo during the rally not to believe the duo because they had deceived the region in the past.

Dont listen to them. Dont believe them anymore. They have fooled you several times since 1999, he said.

The APC candidate claimed that Mr Obasanjo and other successive presidents who governed the country under the platform of the PDP failed to build the Second Niger Bridge despite repeatedly promising to do so.

He claimed Messrs Obasanjo and Atiku were at some point abusing and accusing each other of siphoning funds while they were still in office.

They didnt do it (Second Niger Bridge) for 16 years. They ate your money, abused themselves, Mr Tinubu said of the past presidents under the PDP platform.

If you have forgotten, let me remind you: that bridge is completed by APC (government), he stated.

The APC candidate suggested that some unnamed PDP members deceived Mr Obi to exit the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and join the PDP and later the LP to contest for president.

They feel they want to vote Obi. They want to come back (to power). Thats how they deceived your brother when he left Okokorokoo and joined Labour (Party), he said.

READ ALSO:

Okokorokoo is an Igbo expression for the crowning of a cock which announces a new day. The expression is often used by the APGA faithful.

A cock in a circled yellow background is the logo of the APGA.

The former governor of Lagos State appealed to the people to ditch other political parties and join forces with the APC to use a broom to sweep away the dirty men and bloody foes in the country.

Continue sweating, no praise until you deliver victory

Mr Tinubu told leaders of the APC in the South-east that although they were sweating and working hard for the forthcoming election, he would like them to sustain the effort to achieve results.

There will be no praise for anybody until the party wins the election, he said.

I want you to sweat well for this party, until you deliver victory. Until Bola Tinubu became the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We will not give you but a slight clap or a soaked slice of bread, the APC candidate said.

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The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has asked Nigerians not to hand over a sick country like Nigeria to a sick person.

Mr Obi stated this on Thursday when he visited the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in continuation of his nationwide campaign ahead of the 25 February presidential election.

This country is sick and should not be handed over to a sick person. I am not saying that anyone is sick. We have been here for over two hours. We dont want people who cant stand for 30 minutes, he said while interacting with UNN Business School and heads of the institution.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Bola Tinubu, are among the major candidates in the forthcoming election.

There have been concerns about the health conditions of Messrs Tinubu and Atiku lately.

Many claimed that Mr Tinubu regularly seeks medical treatment abroad, and is not coherent with his speeches, and sometimes experiences shaky hands.

Mr Atiku, on the other hand, was reported to have been flown to London recently over health challenges with many suggesting that he was critically ill. The PDP has since denied the report.

Criteria for leadership

Mr Obi said character and trust are the main attributes to consider in recruiting Nigerian leaders to avoid plunging the country into further mess, stressing that the identity of whoever wants to lead Nigeria must be known and thoroughly examined.

In United States, during elections, they go for debates. Somebody once asked Barack Obama questions that are personal and he answered.

But here in Nigeria, somebody wants to contest elections, we dont know his real name, we dont know his real age, we dont know the schools he attended. Nobody knows his real identity and he is pushing to lead everybody, he said.

READ ALSO:

My name is Peter Obi. I can say I went to Christ the King College (Onitsha), went to University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Both the vice-chancellor today, the deputy vice-chancellor today  these are my school mates.

We came into the university the same year and left the same year. The people I went to school with, I can see them here today- my seniors and juniors. How come we now have people who do not have classmates? This is very important, the LP candidate added.

He stressed that although everybody must not acquire formal education, peoples records must be straight.

Although Mr Obi did not mention names, he is believed to be referring to Mr Tinubu, whose personal details, including his age and real name, have been subject of controversy lately.

Corruption fight

The former governor of Anambra State said that people should check the records of those who promise to fight corruption to know how they fared in the past in that regard.

If you say, you will fight corruption, lets go to the road you have and see what is remaining there after you left, Mr Obi said.

He reiterated that this years election must be based on competence because it requires physical and mental energy.

It is not a retirement job, he stated.

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A leadership tussle in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State between former Governor Emeka Ihedioha and the states chapter of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) is tearing the party apart in the state.

While the states Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council, Greg Egu, is blaming Mr Ihedioha of frustrating campaign plans, the spokesperson of the party in the state, Collins Okpuruzo, dismissed the allegations against the former governor.

The tussle is complicated by the crisis between the National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu and Mr Ihedioha.

The campaign council director-general told reporters in Owerri that Mr Ihediohas actions could jeopardise Mr Atikus campaign in Imo.

Mr Egu said since his emergence as the director-general, Mr Ihedioha had done a lot to frustrate the entire campaign management of the Imo PCC.

All the 41 candidates of the PDP in Imo have found it difficult to campaign for Atiku because of the body language of Ihedioha who is playing a double-faced game.

One cannot be working hard for Atiku and at the same time be painting his campaign structure in bad light in the estimation of the public.

All that Ihedioha has been doing is to further his ambition to be Imo governor a third time and that is why he is frustrating the PCC, Mr Egu said.

He alleged that rather than ensure a cohesive campaign structure, Mr Ihedioha had been side-tracking the PCC and frustrating the harmonious function of council members to further his governorship ambition.

He said there was no reason for Mr Ihedioha to continue to convene meetings in his residence when the PCC had a befitting campaign building in Owerri.

There is a party secretariat in Owerri where he can convene meetings, if he doesnt like the Atiku/Okowa campaign building.

All Ihediohas nominees within the presidential campaign council have also refused to attend meetings of the council.

I called meetings on December 24, 2022, January 7 and January 11, and not a single loyalist of Ihedioha in the Imo PCC attended.

We warn Ihedioha to desist from unilaterally convening meetings of his selected nominees in his private residence in the name of the Imo PCC because we cannot guarantee his true intentions, he stressed.

Mr Egu said the Imo PCC had resorted to media campaigns and was engaging support groups to facilitate Atiku/Okowa victory.

We have constituted Atiku/Okowa teams at the ward levels and collation centres.

These measures are complementary to the structures set up by the state executive council of PDP and those contesting elections into other offices, he said.

A chieftain of the PDP and member of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, at the news conference, Myke Ikeoku alleged that Mr Ihedioha had refused to invest in the partys PCC.

It is obvious that the state executive council of the party had turned itself into the re-election campaign organisation of Ihedioha because every action they have taken with respect to PCC promotes the personal interest of Ihediohas governorship ambition.

Atikus campaign in Imo is in trouble because Ihedioha has been using Atiku/Okowa Campaign in the state to campaign for his governorship aspiration. This will destroy the opportunity Atiku has in Imo, Mr Ikeoku said.

Allegations not true  Party official

The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Imo State, Collins Okpuruzo has, however, dismissed the allegations against Mr Ihedioha.

READ ALSO:

Mr Okpuruzo said the former governor is the leader of the party in the state.

He said Mr Ihedioha was genuinely committed to the victory of Mr Atiku and the 41 candidates of the party in Imo.

I can confirm today that most of the activities carried out for our presidential candidate are being funded by Ihedioha.

The publicity programmes we have and the billboards, advertorials and jingles that are everywhere are directly sponsored by Ihedioha.

He has also deployed his transportation network, contacts and loyalists into the field to aggressively mobilise for the victory of Atiku Abubakar.

Anybody that accuses Ihedioha of not supporting or working for the victory of Atiku Abubakar is only playing to the gallery and only being dishonest, Mr Okpuruzo said.

(NAN)

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Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is scheduled to speak at Chatham House, the United Kingdoms foreign and policy think-tank institute.

The event will take place on 16 January, according to the schedule of events on the organisations website.

Chatham House, in a statement, tagged the event as Nigerias 2023 elections: A vision for policy change and institutional reforms.

Mr Obi, a former two-term governor of Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, is expected to speak on his vision for policy and governance reforms in Nigeria in an event that is expected to last for an hour  between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

The event will be hosted by Alex Vines, the managing director of ethics, risk and resilience, Africa programme.

The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has also been to the Chatham House to speak on his grand plans for the country if elected as President in the forthcoming presidential election, slated for 25 February.

READ ALSO:

The policy think-tank institute is also expected to invite two other leading presidential candidates  Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the NNPP, to speak of their plans and policies before the general elections.

Atiku had appeared at the institute in 2018 ahead of the 2019 elections in which he contested as the candidate of the PDP but lost to the outgoing incumbent, Muhammadu Buhari, then candidate of the ruling APC.

About Chatham House

As obtained from its website, Chatham House is a world-leading policy institute with a mission to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world.

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President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to consider the requests for assistance made by Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, who was at the State House on a thank you visit.

The governor, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said he had come to appreciate the president for providing a level playing field in the election that held in July last year.

Mr Buhari is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Adeleke said: I had waited patiently for this appointment, and was praying fervently for it to happen. Its a dream come true for me to see you, and have a handshake.

 I am a beneficiary of the new Electoral Law you signed, as it paved the way for free and fair elections, ruling out ballot box snatching and stuffing.

The security agencies followed your instruction to be fair and firm, and I am so proud of you. You are a true father, regardless of political party differences.

The governor believed that free and fair elections would be one of the greatest legacies Mr Buhari would bequeath to the country, as the development was already being applauded at home and abroad.

He gave his priorities in the state as the development of agriculture, education, and investment drive.

READ ALSO: Ondo Assembly appeals judgement reinstating deputy speaker

Among the requests Mr Adeleke made were; support for infrastructure development, a proposed new economic city and free trade zone, tax credit, and other federal facilities in Osun.

The governor, who later spoke to State House correspondents, lauded Mr Buahri for giving his assent to the new Electoral Act, which he said paved the way for free and fair elections in the country.

Mr Adeleke, who was at the State House for the first time since assuming office in November last year, believed that the adoption of the new electoral law led to his election as governor of Osun.

According to him, the introduction of the new Electoral Act has changed the global perspective on Nigeria.

He said: I am happy to tell you that I just saw our president, looking so well, looking so good and Im happy about that.

Since my election, I feel like I should come and say hello to Mr President and thank him for signing that Electoral Act because I benefited from it.

That paved way for free and fair elections and the international community is applauding Nigeria that Nigeria is set for democracy.

So that is why Im here today; to see him, thank him and wish him well in his remaining time in office.

He said Osun was expecting support from the federal government, following his visit to the seat of power.

We discussed nothing much, thats the main reason. We just greeted some of the other things I already submitted and I will see the Chief of Staff for us to discuss on the way forward for the federal government to assist Osun State, he added.

(NAN)

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The Jersey City Medical Centre, an RWJBarnabas Health facility in the United States of America. has announced the appointment of Ijeoma Akunyili, as the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO).

Effective 2 January, Ms Akunyili, the first daughter of the late Dora Akunyili, a former Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), is the first African American medical professional to serve in that role, according to a statement released on the official website of the medical centre on Wednesday.

In his remark, the MD, Executive Vice President/Chief Medical and Quality Officer at RWJBarnabas Health, Andy Anderson, said her experience managing multi-speciality physician groups in integrated health care systems will help support Jersey City Medical Centre in providing comprehensive health care throughout the community,

Also in the statement, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Centre, Michael Prilutsky, said Ms Akunyili has a wealth of experience and knowledge, and as our Chief Medical Officer, we look forward to creating a world-class experience for every patient at Jersey City Medical Center.

I am confident that Hudson County will benefit in a great way from her leadership, and that her presence will have a tremendous impact, he added.

About Akinyuli

Giving a breakdown of her achievements, the US hospital noted in the statement that Ms Akunyili served as the Regional Medical Director for TeamHealth, Northeast Group, where she had strategic, operational, and clinical oversight of nearly 20 emergency departments, critical care, and hospitalist service lines in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania.

It added that she led an unprecedented fourfold expansion of service lines with a specific focus on medical services and access to care for underserved populations, and previously served as the chair of emergency medicine at Waterbury Hospital, a Level II trauma teaching hospital.

She was awarded the 2019 Medical Director of the Year Award for the impressive turnaround of the Waterbury Hospital Emergency Department.

In addition to her executive experience, it added that Ms Akunyili has vast leadership and advocacy experience and is currently serving as the President of the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians (CCEP), where she also served for several years on the board of directors.

She was an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and she is currently a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at Yale University.

Akunyili speaks

Ms Akunyili was quoted as saying I am grateful for this opportunity, and I look forward to serving the residents of Hudson County and continuing to provide safe, innovative, efficient, and equitable care.

It is a true privilege to lead the clinical effort at Jersey City Medical Center and to create sustainable health outcomes for our community.

Ms Akunyili graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania and attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She completed her emergency medicine residency at the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.

She earned an MPA in international development from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

Her mother, the late Dora Akunyili served NAFDAC from 2001 to 2008. She was later appointed Nigerias Minister of Information and Communications.

She died in 2014 after a two-year battle with cancer.

About Jersey City Medical Center

Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, is healing, enhancing, and investing in Hudson County. It is a comprehensive full-service acute and sub-acute care 348-bed teaching hospital.

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The hospital is a not-for-profit health institution and the medical centre is a state-designated Level II Regional Trauma Center with close to 16,000 admissions and over 80,000 Emergency Department visits annually. The hospitals speciality services include womens health, orthopaedics, heart and vascular care, and behavioural health.

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The Supreme Court, on Friday, left members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State in a state of uncertainty by deferring judgement in the partys governorship candidacy legal battle indefinitely.

Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, leading a five-member panel of the court, had after taking arguments from parties in the appeal on Wednesday, fixed judgement for Friday.

The appeal was filed by Farouk Aliyu against Umar Namadis emergence as APC governorship candidate for Jigawa State.

Mr Namadi is the deputy governor of Jigawa State. The governor of the state, Abubakar Badaru, is serving out his second term as governor.

But on Friday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court headed by Emmanuel Agim asked lawyers to parties in the appeal to await further directives concerning when the verdict would be delivered.

At Fridays proceedings, Mr Agim had announced that judgement in the suit was going to be delivered later at 3 p.m. but later notified the parties that the judgement was not ready.

The appeal filed by Mr Aliyu, a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, is challenging the nomination of Mr Namadi as APCs governorship flagbearer in Jigawa State for the 11 March poll.

Mr Aliyus appeal challenges the 4 November 2022 decision of the Court of Appeal in Kano, which dismissed his case and upheld Mr Namadis candidacy.

A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal led by Ita Mbaba in the 4 November verdict, unanimously dismissed Mr Aliyus appeal against the 13 September 2022 judgement by Hassan Dikko of the Federal High Court, Dutse, Jigawa State, for being unmeritorious.

The judge at the trial court held that Mr Aliyu lacked the right to have sued the governorship candidate, adding that he failed to prove his case with credible evidence.

Meanwhile, Mr Namadi challenged a portion of the Court of Appeal judgement upturning the trial courts decision that Mr Aliyu lacked the right to have filed the suit which did not qualify as a pre-election case.

Arguments

Arguing the appeal before the Supreme Court panel on Wednesday, Mr Namadis lawyer, Lateef Fagbemi, urged the court to dismiss Mr Aliyus suit and allow his clients cross-appeal

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Mr Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), contended that the appellate court erred when it exercised jurisdiction over Mr Aliyus appeal, which arose from an action improperly constituted.

However, Mr Aliyus lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu, a SAN, prayed the apex court to grant his clients appeal.

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The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Bola Tinubu, cannot govern Nigeria.

Mr Obi spoke during the LP presidential campaign rally held at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu on Thursday.

The former governor of Anambra State suggested that Mr Tinubu and Atiku were too old and lacked the requisite energy to govern Nigeria in 2023.

The LP candidate said he and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, remain the best pair among the candidates for the 2023 general election given that they are younger than others and have the needed energy to lead the country.

He noted both the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu (76) and that of the PDP, Iyorchia Ayu (70), were also older than their LP counterpart, Julius Abure (52).

Of all the major presidential candidates  we are three. Two have come (to the South-east) and gone. If you go and check their age, the first one is in his 70s, the second one, nobody knows his actual age, he said.

Although the LP candidate did not mention names in his remarks, he was apparently referring to Mr Tinubu and Atiku.

Atiku is 76 years old while Mr Tinubu said he is 70 years old, although his age has been a subject of controversy lately, with many suggesting he is older than he admitted and that he allegedly changed his age repeatedly.

But if you compare them with two of us (Obi and Baba-Ahmed) if you merge our age and divide it by two, we are in our 50s, Mr Obi stated, suggesting that he and his running mate were much younger than the two other candidates.

Aso Rock is not a retirement home. We have said it. Let people who are old look for retirement homes elsewhere.

When I came to Enugu, I visited the Enugu campus (of UNN) and then went to Nsukka Campus, before coming here. After here, I will travel to Onitsha. They cant do it.

This (presidency) job requires energy, he said.

Mr Obi also said Mr Baba-Ahmed was also young and capable of working for the country, unlike other vice-presidential candidates.

This person standing here has gone to Kano. He has gone to Kaduna, he said of Mr Baba-Ahmed.

They cant do it, the former governor insisted, indirectly referring to Mr Tinubu and Atiku.

Agenda for Nigeria

Mr Obi said he would unite and secure Nigeria if elected president in 2023.

The LP candidate also said he would end the recurring strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities to prevent disruption of academic activities in the countrys university system.

We will go into mass production which will create jobs for our teeming unemployed youths.

The former governor added that his administration would end police harassment in Nigeria and focus on recruiting youths into various levels of the countrys security agencies to fight insecurity.

We will recruit Nigerians into all levels of security agencies, pay them well and provide them with insurance cover so that they can do their work, he stated.

Datti and I are wealth creators. We have created wealth from the scratch. All we want is an opportunity to build Nigeria. I am contesting because Im the best candidate, Mr Obi stated.

The first civilian governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, asked people of the state and the South-east to vote for Mr Obi, saying his candidacy was in line with equity, justice and fairness.

Obi will restore many years the locusts have eaten, heal the land and build a new Nigeria, he said.

On his part, Nnia Nwodo, a former President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said different regions in Nigeria have endorsed Mr Obi to become the countrys next president in 2023.

Mr Nwodo, who is also the Coordinator of Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt Forum, said the massive endorsement of the LP candidate was not only because he is an Igbo man but also as a handiwork of God.

Residents speak

Afam Ugwuani, a resident of Enugu State told PREMIUM TIMES that the LP candidate has the capacity to deliver on his promises to the people.

People are following him because of what he did as governor of Anambra State. We believe that he will do more as president of Nigeria, Mr Ugwuani said.

Cyprian Eze, another resident, said although Mr Obi has been enjoying growing popularity, there are chances he might not fulfil all the promises to the people if he wins the presidential election.

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If we are to be realistic, the LP is unlikely to have majority in the national assembly. And every president needs the cooperation of Senators and the House of Representatives (members) to do well.

So, how can he guarantee that he will get the backing of the federal lawmakers to carry out some of the great ideas he has for Nigeria? Lets hope that if he wins, his victory can help make enough Labour Party national assembly candidates to win too, he said.

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The Suez Canal tunnel construction project ... It is the largest tunnel project in the history of Egypt and the Middle East, it was done with Egyptian hands, in addition to that it was completed in record time, and the Suez Canal tunnels are the largest in the history of Egypt and in the Middle East in terms of lengths, diameters and volume of works, and the standard time plan for implementation through accurate scientific studies and work done with 100% Egyptian arms and experience., To give the greatest examples of the ability of the Egyptian citizen to defeat the challenge, at the time when companies confirmed The Egyptian company completed 5 tunnels in half the term in only 6 years .

What are the new Suez Canal tunnels?

A few years ago, specifically in 2014, the Suez Canal Authority submitted a plan to develop the Suez Canal axis, which included building a new canal parallel to the old Suez Canal to facilitate navigation in the canal, digging a number of tunnels under the canal, establishing a technology valley that is linked to Ismailia, East Bridge and West Bridge, establishing a number of floating bridges with the aim of increasing the country's income from hard currency, and increasing demand for the canal as a global shipping corridor by increasing its capacity to reach 97 ships. by 2023 and reduce the cost of the navigational voyage, as well as make Egypt a global commercial and logistics hub. Its cost was estimated at 60 billion Egyptian pounds, equivalent to 8.2 billion dollars.

The work sites were received by the end of February 2015, where the arrival of tunnel boring machines continued from November 2015 until May 2016, and the tunnel boring machines were assembled at the work sites by Egyptian engineers, technicians, and workers.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi launched the signal to start implementing the Suez Canal tunnels project in July 2016, to carry out construction, excavation, construction and finishing of the Suez Canal tunnels by Egyptian hands, in an epic epic carried out by 3,000 Egyptian workers and engineers, to complete the construction of the tunnels in just 3 years.

These tunnels (Ismailia Tunnels and Port Said Tunnels) consist of two directions so that they allow passage back and forth. Each tunnel has two car lanes with a width of 3.7 meters per lane. The tunnels are equipped with surveillance cameras, speed radars, fire systems, emergency rooms and checkpoints. The two Suez Canal tunnels were also connected to several repeated transverse passages with a length of 500 meters for each passage.

The Suez Canal tunnels, whether Port Said or Ismailia tunnels, were implemented under the supervision of the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces, and with Egyptian hands, through 4 national companies: Petrojet and Concorde, to implement the tunnels north of Ismailia, and the Arab Contractors and Orascom to implement the tunnels south of Port Said.

The location of the tunnels in the city of South Port Said was chosen to create a traffic axis that started from the city of Salloum to the city of Rafah in the east through the international coastal road through the tunnels, and the location of the tunnels was chosen in the north of Ismailia to connect the city of Salloum and Jaghbub in the west with Al-Awja in the east.

4 tunnel boring machines from (Herrenknecht) were provided complete with auxiliary equipment, which is one of the best international companies in this field.

International companies and offices have been contracted to provide engineering and technical consultations to achieve added value to the project.

Project Implementation stages

Factories and auxiliary stations have been established and equipped from the two tunnel sites as follows: a factory for the production of concrete rings with a production capacity of 15 rings per day, two separation and purification plants (bentonite) with a capacity of 2800 cubic meters per hour, concrete mixing plants, two injection material mixing plants around the tunnel body with a capacity of 30 cubic meters per hour, two electric power plants with a capacity of 18 megawatts per station, and two compressed air stations to support soil balance during drilling with a capacity of 11 bar per station, in addition to the construction of 4 tanks Ground water each with a capacity of 6000 cubic meters.

The implementation of open drilling and civil works for the entrances and exits of the tunnels began in parallel with the supply and installation of drilling machines and the establishment of auxiliary stations to shorten the time.

Drilling using tunnel boring machines was carried out in June 2016 with the first machine, in the tunnels of North Ismailia and then the second machine in August 2016, and the third and fourth machines were entered in the tunnels of South Port Said in November and December 2016 respectively.

Each group of tunnels consists of two car tunnels, each tunnel serves one traffic direction consisting of two lanes, and the length of one tunnel in the north of Ismailia is 5820 meters, where 4830 of them were implemented by tunneling method, and 990 meters by open excavation method, while the length of one tunnel in the south of Bursai d is 3920 meters, 2851 meters were implemented by tunneling method, and 1069 meters by open excavation method.

The inner diameter of the tunnels is 11.4 meters, while the outer diameter is 12.6 meters, and the net height above the traffic lanes is 5 and a half meters, and the distance between the two tunnels is 12.6 meters, and the maximum depth of the tunnels from the surface of the earth is 70 meters, and from the surface of the water under the Suez Canal 44 meters.

The tunnel body is lined with reinforced concrete rings, one ring consists of 9 pieces with a total weight of 112 tons per field, and the two tunnels are connected by transverse passages every thousand meters used in evacuation operations for individuals in emergency situations.

Each tunnel has another underneath, emergency corridors, and firefighting systems, and the highest drilling rate in the world was reached at about 36 linear meters in just 24 hours, and it was surprising to the machine manufacturers, who asked for continued cooperation after such huge rates of implementation.

The Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces supervises the process of constructing the tunnels of Ismailia Governorate, in cooperation with the Egyptian national companies, where the company "Petrojet" undertakes the construction of the southern tunnel, and the company "Concor" is responsible for the construction of the northern tunnel, with a labor size of 3 thousand consultants, engineers, technicians and workers, under the supervision of the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces, and the tunnels project consists of three tunnels: Two car tunnels and a third railway tunnel. The three tunnels pass under the Suez Canal in the northern area of Ismailia, and the two tunnels dedicated to cars connect the ring road in Ismailia and the road "Ismailia / Port Said" in the west by Ras Sidr, through surface roads and free intersections through overhead bridges, and the length of one tunnel is about 5 kilometers, and contains 4 corridors to escape in case of emergency, and this technique is based on the possibility of escaping from one of the tunnels to the other, through corridors in every kilometer, and it was implemented with a technique that is done for the first time In Egypt, and that the establishment of corridors between the northern and southern tunnels is a very difficult process, because there is groundwater between the two tunnels whose strength is very terrible, and to make openings between the two tunnels, this water had to be frozen by injecting it with a liquid that turns the water into rock salt, and the water was frozen to a temperature of 35 degrees below zero, where the water turned into ice, and it was disposed of to open the passages between the two tunnels, and one of the German companies was responsible for the process Injection and freezing with the help of materials manufactured in Germany, but using Egyptian labor.

The diameter of the machine that works in drilling up to 13 meters, and the net tunnel from the inside is 11.8 meters, and after finishing the diameter of the tunnel reached 6.3 meters, that is, it consists of two lanes that accommodate two cars comfortably, and there are administrative buildings for inspection, where there are 16 checkpoints in both directions, and the inspection will be at a distance of three kilometers from the tunnel body, and the citizen will be at a distance of not more than 300 meters from The new city of Ismailia, immediately after exiting the opening of the southern tunnel, which transports movement from Ismailia in the direction of Sinai, and the tunnel accommodates all heavy cars and owners of all kinds, and each of these tunnels under it is another tunnel called "service tunnel". Through 25 emergency rooms in each tunnel, it is possible to move in the event of problems or emergencies through these rooms to the emergency corridors, from which it is possible to move from one tunnel to another, as there are in each tunnel Anti-fire systems, telephone networks.

All precautions have been taken to prevent the leakage and occurrence of water leaching, and the places where subsidence is expected are injected, and this is determined by the surveyors in the project, and the drilling machine, which is 184 meters long, and its path is determined by surveying experts, and it is directed by laser, and pumping certain materials into the soil dissolve the soil of any kind, then the drilling output is directed through pipes to a station called "separation station" Outside, where water and dirt are separated, then the separation material returns back to the machine, and then cars transfer the drilling output after that.

The number of guides from the Egyptians in the field of tunnel boring machines increased, and all of them are young men, and the role of the engineer was to lead the "drilling auger" and give orders to his assistants through a computer-operated control room, and for information, the process of changing the teeth of the drilling auger, for example, is difficult and witha very high risk, and when it is damaged, a trained worker is placed in a capsule to enter a dangerous area, which is the distance between the auger and the wall that will be drilled in the place of the dam, and this capsule Equipped with oxygen and when an emergency occurs, he exits immediately, and this worker is medically examined before and after the implementation of the operation for its danger, and receives a large reward for carrying out this dangerous task.

The most difficult and dangerous place in the new tunnels is the area that passes under the old and new Suez Canal, where it reaches a length of 24 meters, and the distance between the tunnel and the bottom of the Suez Canal is 16 meters, and this thickness has been calculated according to accurate engineering standards.

Tunneling experiments around the world indicate that no tunnel of this size has been constructed in at least 5 years. The concrete rings factory was established next to the Ismailia tunnels area to make the necessary rings for the tunnel body instead of transporting them from their places of manufacture and wasting time unnecessarily.

Although it is the first time that Egyptian workers have assembled the drilling machine, they were able to assemble the machine in two months instead of the supposed 6-month date of assembly, which was surprising to foreign experts.

The foreign experts working on the project had other expectations about the Egyptians, but these expectations changed completely, starting with the installation of the machines, which took only two months to assemble, to the rest of the implementation.

Challenges

Soil subsidence process: Drilling in unstable clay soil was successfully carried out by modifying its properties by adding a mixture of tooth and sand, to make it ready for the transfer of workers and equipment on it.

- Difficulty in directing the giant drilling machine, as it has a design for movement in a certain path "above, below, north and right" and modifications were made to the drilling machine due to the presence of a percentage of methane gas in the soil.

Drilling Machine

The drilling machine has very large weights, and it has been assembled in two stages:

First Stage:

It was carried out outside the tunnel by Egyptian workers and engineers under the supervision of the German manufacturer of the machine.

Second Stage:

Assembled at the beginning of the tunnel route, the number of workers inside the machine is 25 specialists, working in shifts every 12 hours.

Concrete factory for tunnels

A factory has been equipped to prepare and equip ready-mixed concrete and "signal" pieces that are used to create the "cylindrical tunnel" under the local course of the Suez Canal, and these pieces have already been produced, and are now assembled and deformed in open warehouses near the path of the tunnel opening, so that they are close to the drilling machine.

The cement used in the preparation of concrete is considered a type of cement that is resistant to all external factors that may occur on the soil, whether from groundwater or leaks from the navigational waterway. The cement for the project is manufactured in the Egyptian factories in the Sinai and Valley region and is supplied to the project at special prices.

These pieces are supported by rebar with high efficiency and "thickness", which makes them able to withstand the pressure of the soil and heavy loads, and the pressure of the waters of the Suez Canal that lies underneath. The concrete plant is equipped with two production lines capable of producing more than 80 concrete rings per day, equivalent to 30 linear meters.

Tunnel Detection & Security Systems

Among the advanced devices and equipment used to secure the crossings leading to the Sinai Peninsula in the navigational course of the Suez Canal are:

1- Detection systems for cars and trucks of the type (as&E Z- porta) from the American company "Rapiscan" and works to scan trucks and cars with (X-ray) rays to reveal their content, and the device can scan more than 250 trucks per hour.

2- The Eagle P-60 system provided by the American company "Rapiscan" for security solutions, and contains an (x-ray) imaging system with a capacity of 6 megavolts, enabling it to examine the contents of trucks and cars with a number of 180 vehicles per hour.

Economic, developmental, security, strategic and social feasibility of the new tunnels:

Undoubtedly, there is an economic, security, strategic and development feasibility of this giant project, which some have referred to as the second most important project after the High Dam:

Geographically, the tunnels linked the Sinai Peninsula to the Nile Delta and the rest of Egypt's governorates through 20 points of contact, after the Martyr Ahmed Hamdi 1 Tunnel and the Peace Bridge in Ismailia, in addition to several ferries who are the points of contact and connection between the Sinai Peninsula and the Nile Delta. Therefore, geographical connectivity has many advantages, for example, social, economic and security.

From a social point of view, the tunnels facilitate the movement of individuals, especially Sinai people, and the movement of vehicles and cars, as well as reduce congestion and congestion considering the increasing rates of movement and navigation. In addition, they reduce travel time from days to days; sometimes cars lock up to five kilometers and trucks carrying goods look for five days at peak time before digging the tunnels. As Lieutenant General Osama Rabie said During the opening of the Martyr Ahmed Hamdi 2 tunnel, more than 5 million vehicles passed through the tunnels from January 2021 to August 2021. Also, 6 million and 695 vehicles crossed over floating bridges and ferries, and the ease of movement in the Republic's work, especially in the Sinai Peninsula, which has suffered from marginalization for decades, creates a state of cohesion among the people of the homeland and enhances the sense of ownership and citizenship among the people of Sinai because of the state's interest in them like other citizens. The importance of the Martyr Ahmed Mansi Floating Bridge in Area No. 6 in Ismailia, for example, is to achieve integration with several ferries and tunnels under the canal. This ensures the ease of movement of citizens between the east and west of the canal, and furthermore, it enhances the concept of food security considering the state's tendency to establish fish farming projects in the sedimentation basins east of the Suez Canal, which in turn leads to the promotion of many other industries that will provide job opportunities for the people of the country, including meat and fish processing and feed production.

From an economic point of view: The feasibility of these tunnels is:

Creating job opportunities for Egyptians, especially the people of the Sinai Peninsula and the Canal cities, as a result of urban expansion and as a result of the state's keenness to attract more investments through the establishment of a road network linking the governorates of the Republic to each other in light of other national projects, as these tunnels and floating bridges facilitate the movement of trade by providing the supply of raw materials to industrial facilities on an ongoing basis.

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It helps to establish new industrial parks, especially with the presence of new cities such as the new city of Ismailia, which drives development to progress. They also facilitate the movement of trade due to the ease of transporting goods. It enhances the chances of success of the Suez Canal Axis Development Project, which aims to make Egypt a logistical, navigational, and global transport center by linking the ports of East and West Port Said, El-Arish Port, Adeeba City, Sokhna Port, Technology Valley in East Ismailia, and the Industrial Zone in the northwest of the Gulf of Suez.

Contributes to increasing export rates from the Suez Canal Economic Zone.

It contributes to the development and promotion of investments in the Suez Canal area, which has 6 ports and 4 industrial zones, as the tunnels are only five kilometers away from the industrial zone of East Port Said, in addition to its proximity to the Russian industrial zone and the ports of Port Said and East Tafria on the Mediterranean Sea, which facilitates the movement of foreign trade.

It helps to extend the commercial activity of the companies affiliated with the Suez Canal Authority in the Canal axis, which drives economic growth, and it also enhances the tourism revenues on which the Egyptian economy depends greatly, as it facilitates the movement of tourists because it facilitates access to important tourist cities such as Sharm El Sheikh, Taba, Nuweiba, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, and Saint Catherine. It can be said that linking the Sinai Peninsula with the rest of the governorates of the Republic will maximize the various tourism revenues, within the framework of the state's plan to develop tourism by opening new horizons such as yacht tourism, medical tourism, developing archaeological sites, reviving cultural heritage, and building museums of international standards, as they are tourist destinations.

From a strategic , security and military point of view, the feasibility of the tunnels is to enhance the strategic depth of Egypt:

East Port Said tunnels that reach North Sinai connect Rafah to the east to Salloum in the west via the coastal road, which ensures the connection between Egyptian governorates, ports, and airports such as the Salloum land port, Jarjoub port, El Alamein and Borg El Arab airports, the seaports of El-Arish and East Port Said, Ghalioun farm and Damietta Furniture City.

The Ismailia tunnels, which reach central Sinai, connect the border cities of Salloum and Jarjoub to Al-Awja through the Dabaa axis, the regional ring road, and the Ismailia Road

The Martyr Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel 2, it connects the western borders, Cairo, and tourist cities such as Sharm el-Sheikh, and from there to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

This geographical connection with the rest of the Republic and the creation of a network of roads and axes linking the Canal axis with other new projects not only helps to maximize the economic benefit as a result of the transport of people and goods, but also helps to enhance the security presence as a result of urban expansion, which in turn leads to extending the wave of development of the Sinai Peninsula by attracting investments, including foreign direct investment, and establishing economic projects in the east bank of Egypt. Thus, drying up the sources of terrorism and eliminating any ambitions in Sinai, as well as eliminating any projects aimed at spreading chaos and fragmenting the country. It will also raise Sinai's share of national income, considering Egypt's move to revive and establish economic and regional entities such as the Egyptian, Jordanian, and Iraqi tripartite axis, as well as promote trade in the Mediterranean region.

These tunnels are not limited to being a road connection project, but they are a model for an integrated development project that considers the economic aspects, which in turn affect the social and security aspect. It is also a model for the application of the comprehensive concept of security, which includes the human, security, economic and food dimension. It will also make Egypt a global tourist, logistics, and commercial center and a regional energy center because of the unique geographical and strategic location linking the three continents, which maximizes the national income from hard currency considering Egypt's endeavor to expand industrial activities in the Suez Canal axis, such as car assembly, electronics, light metal industries, ship supply and maintenance, manufacturing and maintenance of containers, etc. All this will also contribute to reducing imports and localizing various strategic industries.
The Lagos PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor), on Friday said he remained committed to faithfully deploying state resources to ease the burdens and hardship of residents and end their worries.

Mr Adediran in the company of party leaders made the pledge when his campaign train landed in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos, in continuation of his tour of the 245 wards of the state.

The governorship hopeful, in interactive sessions with various artisans, religious and other groups in the council, said that his ambition was not personal but for the interest of the masses.

According to him, God has so much blessed the state with huge resources and he will utilise the states wealth to address various challenges facing the residents if elected in the forthcoming elections.

I dont want to run a government that people I am ruling do not know me. I never knew there was no mechanic village and workshop in Somolu for mechanics, vulcanizers, technicians and other artisans.

I will provide solutions to all your challenges. I will create enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

The government we are going to lead is for the masses. People will have means of livelihood, hooliganism will end, thuggery will end. Relax your mind.

The government will not allow affliction and oppression of the people of Lagos state. I have the political will to end all anomalies and hardship in the state.

God has blessed Lagos so much to ease the burden of residents and bring happiness for the mass majority of the people, Mr Adediran said.

He said that his administration would empower women and youths to do business rather than giving consumable items like noodles.

According to him, his government will ensure free and compulsory education with free school uniforms.

Adediran said the presidential elections remained the most important on 25 February, hence the need for the people to vote for the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

He urged the people not to be deceived to vote along ethnic lines, stressing that being related by blood does not guarantee help to anyone.

He said if Atiku wins, other state elections would be easy for the party to win.

Earlier, the leadership and members of the MotorMechs and Technicians Association of Nigeria (MONTAN), Somolu/Bariga Branch, who gave Adediran and his team a rousing welcome, decried the lack of mechanics village in the council for them to do their work.

Speaking, Samson Olukunle, the chairman of MONTAN, Somolu/ Bariga, who lamented that there was nowhere dedicated to mechanics across the council, said: there are many things to say but we have to say few words.

Mr Olukunle, who noted that whoever God wanted to use, no one could stop, urged the party leaders and members to embark on a house-to-house campaign.

Also, the Chairman of the Lagos State Vulcanizer Association, Somolu/ Bariga Branch, Jacob Oludare, who noted that only the Will of God would prevail in the poll, said: We are working for the progress of Nigeria.

Mr Oludare urged the party members to work harder in the grassroots campaigns ahead of the elections.

Similarly, Mr Adediran, at the interactive session with the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Bariga LCDA, assured the people that no section or religion in the society would be neglected in his government.

Commending CAN for receiving him, the PDP candidate said that poverty, flooding, traffic jam, out-of-school children and other challenges facing the state did not know the religion nor spared anyone.

We should not sit on the fence because we are church leaders. It is about time that all of us must be determined to see to the state of our state. We have come to seek partnership from you rather than campaigning.

We must come together and rescue our state now. We have the resources to ease the burdens of the people of the state.

We want to sit down with the body of Christ to better our tomorrow. Even if you have decided not to vote for us, please pray for me, that is enough, he said.

According to him, with trust in God, he is determined to end the reign of APC in the state to run a masses-oriented government with the fear of God.

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Mr Adediran said that he had solutions to resolve youth restiveness in the state if elected.

Earlier, the CAN Coordinator, Bariga LCDA, Moses Elebute, said: Our church members belong to different parties, so we recognise all political parties.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the candidate and his deputy on 19 October 2022 embarked on a tour of the 245 wards in the state for stakeholders engagement in each council.

(NAN)

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Troops of 177 Guards Battalion, in conjunction with troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, have raided and neutralised two bandits in their enclaves in Idu, Chikara, along the boundaries of Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Abaji FCT and Koton Karfe in Kogi.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations for the Guards Brigade, Godfrey Abakpa, in a statement on Friday said the operations were conducted in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Nasarawa State.

Mr Abakpa said the troops subdued the bandits with superior firepower and neutralised two of them while several others escaped with gunshot wounds.

He added that the troops also rescued 30 civilians who had been held captive by the bandits.

According to him, a member of the CJTF sustained a minor injury in the encounter and is currently receiving proper medical care at the hospital.

Troops also recovered one Rapid Propelled Grenade Tube from the criminals and several military uniforms.

The rescued civilians have since been profiled by the Nigeria Police Division in Toto LGA while the State Govt had facilitated their safe reunion with their communities and families respectively.

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As the operations continue, troops of the Brigade remain resolute and will continue to synergise with security agencies to rid the FCT and environs of all criminal elements.

The brigade remains alert at all times to keep the federal capital and its environs safe, he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

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The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, says he visited President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on Friday to thank him for assenting to the 2022 Electoral Act.

Mr Adeleke said he benefitted from the law in his bid to become governor.

The president signed the Electoral Act in February 2022.

The law has been praised for certain provisions that tend to improve the electoral process.

Mr Adrleke said he benefitted from the law in his run for governor

He said the Act paved the way for the 2022 governorship election in Osun State to be conducted free and fair.

Mr Adeleke said this to journalists after he visited the president at the State House.

I am happy to tell you that I just saw our president, looking so well, looking so good and I am happy about that.

Since my election, I feel like I should come and say hello to Mr President and thank him for signing that Electoral Act because I benefited from it. That paved way for free and fair elections and the international community is applauding Nigeria, that Nigeria is set for democracy, Mr Adeleke said.

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He added that the visit also provided him with the opportunity to discuss federal assistance to Osun State with the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari.

We just greeted and some of the other things, I already submitted and I will see the Chief of Staff for us to discuss on the way forward for the federal government to assist Osun State, he said.

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The Court of Appeal Abuja, on Friday, reinstated the nomination of Shehu Umar as the validly nominated candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Bauchi South Senatorial District in the forthcoming 25 February election.

A three-member panel of judges, in two separate judgments, nullified the 21 November 2022 judgment by Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja which had voided Mr Umars nomination.

Ridwan Abdullahi, who delivered the lead judgments, on Friday, held that the trial court erred when it nullified the victory at the partys primary held on 29 May, 2022.

The first appeal, marked: CA/ABJ/CV/1335/2022, was between Shehu Umar and Ibrahim Zailani and two others, while the second appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/1341/2022 was between APC and Mr Zailani and two others.

The appellate court upheld the arguments by Mr Umars lawyer, Jibrin Jibrin, that the trial judges decision was not supported by the evidence led by Mr Zailani, who was the plaintiff in the suit.

The judge said the two appeals filed by Mr Umar and the APC succeeded on merit.

Consequently, the appellate court made an order setting aside the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Mr Abdullahi restored Mr Umar as the duly nominated candidate of the APC for Bauchi South Senatorial District.

I wish to add here that the failure or refusal of the first respondent (Mr Zailani) to exhaust the appellant (APC)s internal mechanism as provided  in the APC Constitution; and Paragraph 20(c), 27(c), (d) and (f) of the APC Guidelines for the Nomination of Candidates for the 2023 General Election, being condition precedent, is fatal to the commencement of action against the appellant by the first respondent, I so, hold, Mr Abdullahi held.

The judgement comes less than two months to the election scheduled to hold on 25 February. Any party that is displeased with the Court of Appeals judgement can still appeal against it at the Supreme Court.

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I spoke to some people with inside information and was told essentially that the whole charade is some drama. By law, only the mint can now print our currency. However, the capacity of the mint is minuscule in relation to the volume of new notes required, as such everybody in the CBN, banks and government, know the plan will not work simply because of the capacity limitation we have. Nonetheless, we have to pretend it will work because there is a nice narrative to sell.

Nigerian policy makers and implementors love fiction and we as citizens play along. I just remembered that our next census is going to be in April, immediately after the elections in February and March. If there is need for a run off presidential election, it would happen just as the census is taking off. No sane country would roll out two massive, high-cost events that require enormous logistics and security arrangements within just days apart. Sanity says that they simply cannot happen in the same year. In Nigeria, no one cares because we all know it is make belief and will not happen as planned. The elections will hold as they have to but the census will be pushed forward until the incoming government can work out how to plan, finance and roll it out in the coming years.

In fact, although the census is in the government plan, it is not even in the 2023 budget, most probably because government could not find the source for the N533 billion it needs to borrow to count Nigerians. The 2023 population and housing census would be the first digital count that will occur in Nigeria. It requires a massive geographic information system to cover the entire county, to provide geocodes for each house in the country, and it needs to be covered by satellite imaging. Digital maps of all habitations will have to be generated and software would play a key role in analysing the data. All IDPs in the country will have to be captured and the housing element will capture sanitation data for all households in the country, to allow us meet SDG Six. All these are to happen in two months time but government has not even done the appropriation required, because everyone knows it will not happen as scheduled. Nonetheless, the National Population Commission is under obligation to say that everything is going according to plan and it will happen as programmed.

Currently, we are supposed to be in the process of changing our old naira to new naira notes, which involves another massive logistics challenge. Just six weeks were allocated for the change from 15 December to 31st January. To convince us that it is for real, President Buhari was displayed on television launching the new notes. When 15th December came and banks did not have the new naira notes to distribute, except for a few samples, the take-off date was pushed to 9th February. In conformity with the six-weeks allegedly needed for the swap, the end date should have been adjusted, but it was not; hence, what needed six weeks will now be done in three weeks. Two days ago, the Central Bank warned banks to ensure they put enough new notes in their ATM machines for customers. Encouraged, I went to my bank, only to find out that they still do not have the new notes. I drew their attention to the warning of the Central Bank that they would be dealt with if they dont give out the new notes, and the manager laughed. The Central Bank does not have the notes to give them, so the warning is just a public relations exercise, because the banks would all be afraid to expose the lies from the Central Bank for fear of repercussions, he explained.

In the coming days, people will start rejecting the old notes, as the end date approaches, but there will be serious scarcity of the new ones. The pressure will mount on government and a two-month extension for the withdrawal of the old notes will be announced and repeated, again and again. Everybody knows that will be the eventual outcome, so we just love living in our narratives of delusion.

I spoke to some people with inside information and was told essentially that the whole charade is some drama. By law, only the mint can now print our currency. However, the capacity of the mint is minuscule in relation to the volume of new notes required, as such everybody in the CBN, banks and government, know the plan will not work simply because of the capacity limitation we have. Nonetheless, we have to pretend it will work because there is a nice narrative to sell  that the currency swap will expose corrupt politicians who have stolen government money to give bribes during the coming elections, and the government is committed to its anti-corruption policy, as such it is a smart policy move to deal with corrupt politicians.

The real story is something else  some people will make a lot of money in the printing process. Central Bank staff will preside over the distribution of the scarce new notes and many will have to bribe them massively to get access to the new notes. Meanwhile, the crisis will soon become serious when markets start to breakdown as the countdown to the withdrawal comes closer. In the coming days, people will start rejecting the old notes, as the end date approaches, but there will be serious scarcity of the new ones. The pressure will mount on government and a two-month extension for the withdrawal of the old notes will be announced and repeated, again and again. Everybody knows that will be the eventual outcome, so we just love living in our narratives of delusion.

I will end with my most fascinating make-believe story of the past few weeks. The President has been repeatedly telling Nigerians that the security situation in the country has improved remarkably under his stewardship. Its excellent fiction but as is usually the case, Nigerians know the real story. Long live policy fiction in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the back story is the most fascinating one. Just as the policy implementation was starting, the main implementor, the Governor of the Central Bank, followed the President to the United States, then disappeared from the return flight, and apparently went into exile. The security agencies, it turned out, were trying to detain him just as the President was publicly asserting his support for the Governor. Government has refused to speak to the concerns of Nigerians of whether the CBN Governor is a terrorist financer or is being framed unfairly. The parliament has called the acting CBN Governor to find out whether enough notes have been printed and she said she did not know. The CBN Governor has not sent a press release from London to reassure Nigerians. The only thing we all know is that there is an intense process of lobbying going on for a new CBN Governor to emerge. MAYBE, just maybe, that might be the real story of printing the new currency. Someone will get a juicy job.

I will end with my most fascinating make-believe story of the past few weeks. The President has been repeatedly telling Nigerians that the security situation in the country has improved remarkably under his stewardship. Its excellent fiction but as is usually the case, Nigerians know the real story. Long live policy fiction in Nigeria.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.

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Ana Belen Montes returned. Captured spies are usually killed, imprisoned for life without the possibility of parole, or used in prisoner exchanges. But the 65-year- old American super spy who, based on her principles, worked free for Cuba, has returned to resettle within American society.

But this was not owing to the generosity of the American establishment, which wanted the death penalty, but rather to Montes incredible negotiation skills, as she, despite her arrest, did not panic and correctly read the situation.

She knew the case against her was circumstantial and that the government may not be able to secure a conviction or a long jail term without her cooperation. So she entered a plea bargain in which the death penalty was off the table, and she got not more than a 25-year sentence despite her quite devastating 17 years of snooping for the Cubans while the American government picked up her bills.

Despite being imprisoned with those considered the worst female prisoners in a special 20-room prison in which the inmates are given the impression they need mental assistance, Montes kept her cool and worked towards release for good behaviour after 20 years.

I had read about Montes in a book I bought in Uyo on October 4, 2012. It is titled: Enemies: How Americas foes steal our vital secretsand how we let it happen. by Bill Gertz. She was considered such an efficient and useful spy that the Americans gave her ten special awards. Montes was so crafty that the American government in 1993 paid for her visit to Cuba, where she met her Cuban handlers.

As her due release date of January 8, 2023 drew near, I dedicated my December 16, 2022 column to her in a piece titled: Ana Montes: An American Super Spy Who Worked for Cuba. I did not expect the avalanche of responses that followed, with many, including Americans, expressing surprise that such a super spy exists.

Perhaps the most surprising response was a message I received on January 2, 2023, from an American radio programme Voices With Vision. broadcasting in Washington on Tuesday mornings. I featured on the programme the next morning to speak on Montes, during which I made a case for her to be released as scheduled and for arrangements to be made not just to receive her, but also to ensure she has accommodation and some upkeep to ease her reintegration into society.

As it turned out, perhaps to prevent welcoming crowds at the facility, the prison officials released her two days early. Montes flew to her native Puerto Rico, a territory that has been forcibly occupied by America since July 25, 1898, 124 years ago. She will be the second-highest-ranking Puerto Rican political dissident returning home.

The first was a 79-year-old liberation fighter, Oscar Lopez Rivera, who had been imprisoned for 38 years before his May 2017 release. I had written about him on December 3, 2021, in my column titled: Rivera: Thirty eight years in US prison for freedom. Later that year, I was privileged to have an electronic discussion with Rivera from his Puerto Rican home, during which he accepted my invitation to visit Nigeria.

When Montes arrived in Puerto Rico, she released a statement partly saying: After two rather grueling decades and in need of earning a living again, I would like to pursue a quiet and private existence. Therefore, I will not participate in any media activities. I encourage those who wish to focus on me to instead focus on important issues, such as the serious problems facing the Puerto Rican people or the US economic embargo on Cuba The pressing need for global cooperation to halt and reverse our destruction of our environment also deserves attention. I as a person, am irrelevant. I dont have any importance

Spies intrigue me. Being embedded in places, cases, or situations, or pretending to be someone you are not, can be difficult, if not terrifying. Every spy is potentially a hero or villain, depending on the analyst.

Humans find spies attractive. This could explain why Ian Flemings fictional character, James Bond 007, a secret service intelligence officer, has been featured in over 25 films.

One of the most intriguing spies is a 12th Century African woman, Moremi Ajasoro from Offa, Kwara State. She lived in ancient Ile-Ife at a time when the city was continually invaded by strange figures, the Ugbo. The Ifes assumed the invaders, who were covered from head to toe with raffia leaves, were spirits, fled before the invaders, who captured prisoners and looted.

Moremi decided to infiltrate the invading army by allowing herself to be captured. The Ugbo ruler, who could not resist her beauty, married Moremi. She seemed a model wife, and nobody suspected she was gathering intelligence. She discovered that the invaders were humans and could easily be defeated if the Ifes used fire torches to set them ablaze.She later escaped, revealed the secret of the invaders, who were defeated when they next invaded Ife.

Biblically, one of the oldest professions is spying. In Numbers 13, the Lord ordered Moses to send out men to spy on the land of Canaan. A dozen spies were sent, and two, Joshua and Caleb, returned with positive reports that: it flows with milk and honey, that its security can be breached, and that with Gods help, the Israelites could conquer and possess it.

To me, the most successful spy in contemporary history, was Harold Adrian Russell Kim Philby, leader of the Cambridge Five, a spy ring that included Sir Anthony Frederick Blunt, the Art Curator of Queen Elizabeth II.

Philby was a senior British intelligence officer and a double agent for the Soviet Union who was appointed an officer of the Order of the British Empire, OBE in 1946. He was so confident, believable and successful that four years after two of his fellow spies, Donald Maclean and Guy Burgess, had been unmasked and fled to Moscow, and Philby had been publicly accused in parliament of being a double agent, the British government publicly exonerated him. It was not until January 1961, he defected to Moscow, and it became known that he was a Colonel in the KGB.

Back in the 1930s, Philby, then a Soviet agent working as a journalist, was so successful in penetrating the fascist regime of Spanish General Francisco Franco that the latter personally awarded him the Red Cross of Military Merit on March 2, 1938. Three years later, he joined the British M16 intelligence agency. With Montes, I now ask myself: who, between her and Kim Philby, is the greatest of all time, and the most successful spy in history?

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.

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Two farmers have been reportedly kidnapped by gunmen in Ileogbo area of Osun State.

The farmers, identified as Samuel Oladotun and Fashola Tobiloba, were reportedly abducted on Wednesday while returning from their farms.

A security source who requested not to be named said the farmers were travelling alongside seven others when the kidnappers attacked their vehicle in Oke Osun area, Ileogbo.

The source further added that the other seven victims escaped but the kidnappers went away with the two farmers.

A family source who also pleaded anonymity for security reasons said the kidnappers contacted the victims family on Thursday and requested a N10 million ransom.

The Field Commander of Amotekun in Osun State, Amitolu Shittu, confirmed the incident.

Mr Shittu said the Amotekun personnel were combing the forest linking Ileogbo area for the victims and their abductors.

I have been away since morning, I have been outside Osogbo. Some people were kidnapped yesterday. Since morning we have been around the Gbongan area in search of those that were kidnapped the Amotekun commander said.

Yemisi Opalola, the police spokesperson in the state, also confirmed the farmers abduction.

Mrs Opalola said the police were working to rescue the victims from their abductors, assuring that they will be rescued.

We are already working on the incident. They will be rescued, the police spokesperson added.

This is the first kidnapping case to be reported in the new year in Osun State. In 2022, there were several cases of abduction along the Gbongan-Ibadan express road and Ilesa-Osogbo highway.

Kidnapping cases were also recorded in some parts of Osogbo and Ilesa. At Ilesa, the kidnappers target had always been foreign gold miners.

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There is heavy presence of security personnel at the Osun State High Court as the states governorship election petition tribunal resumed sitting on Friday for the adoption of final written addresses.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and Gboyega Oyetola are challenging the victory of Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the July 16 governorship election.

On Thursday, the Director of Media and Information of the Osun APC, Kola Olabisi raised an alarm of sn alleged plan to unleash violence when the sitting resumes on Friday.

Information has it that some people are preparing to cause violence , information has it, I am relying on that statement which I issued, he said.

Adekunle Akindele, State Caretaker Chairman of the PDP, condemned the alleged plann for violence.

But Mr Akindele said it was the APC that is behind the plan rather than his party.

The counter claims from the two parties have raised fear among residents of the state.

However, the police and other security agencies have pledged to ensure security at and outside of the tribunal venue.

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When our reporter arrived at the court Friday morning, personnel of the State Security Service, police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) were at the court gate.

The security officers who were armed with guns were also stationed in strategic places within the court premises.

They stopped , questioned and searched visitors and vehicles coming inside the court premises.

Party loyalists were issued numbers and ordered to file into the courtroom on a long queue.

As of 10:05 a.m. when this report was filed, the tribunal sitting had not commenced but counsel for both parties had taken their seats.

Many of the party loyalists who were not allowed into the tribunal sitting were ordered to go outside the court premises.

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The Ondo State of Assembly has filed an appeal against a judgement of the state high court, ordering it to reinstate Iroju Ogundeji as its deputy speaker.

The court in Akure had on Wednesday nullified the 2020 impeachment of Mr Ogundeji by members of the Assembly.

The judgement, delivered by Justice Akintan Osadebey, also ordered the House to pay the withheld salaries and allowances of Mr Ogundeji.

But the assembly, through the states Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, rejected the judgement and filed an appeal at the Appeal Court.

The assembly also filed an application at the high court for an order of stay of execution of the judgement pending the determination of the appeal.

The Bamidele Oleyelogun-led house had impeached Mr Ogundeji in the wake of the crisis that attended the 2020 governorship election, accusing him of gross misconduct,

Mr Ogundeji and some of his colleagues had refused to sign an impeachment notice against the then deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, who then was running against Governor Rotimi Akeredolu

Mr Ogundeji, who represents Odigbo Constituency 2, was immediately replaced by Samuel Aderoboye.

A statement from the office of the Attorney General, on Thursday, said the assembly had appealed the judgement .

The appeal which was filed on behalf of the House of Assembly by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State, Sir Charles Titiloye ksm FCArb, is seeking to set aside the Judgment of the High Court dated 11th of January 2023 removing the Deputy Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Aderoboye from office and reinstating the Impeached Deputy Speaker, Hon. Deji Iroju, read the statement signed by Kola Adeniyi, the Special Assistant to the Attorney General.

The Attorney General in the notice of Appeal dated 11th of January, 2023 faulted the Judgment of the trial Court which was based on the allegation that Hon. Deji Iroju was not accorded fair hearing before his impeachment when actually the lawmaker failed to avail himself of the various opportunities to be heard and defend himself before he was removed from office on the ground of gross misconduct.

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The Learned Attorney General urged the Court of Appeal to set aside the Judgment of the High Court which heavily relied on the evidence of the claimants marred with inconsistencies and contradictory evidence.

The House of Assembly in another application before the trial Court urged the Court to stay the execution of its Judgment pending the determination of the appeal before the Court of Appeal.

The application further sought for an injunction restraining the Claimants/Respondents from giving effect to the said judgment by resuming in office as the Deputy Speaker of Ondo State pending the determination of the appeal before the Court of Appeal.

Mr Ogundeji had, on several occasions after his impeachment, sued the assembly for refusing to pay his salaries and denying him other benefits due to him as a lawmaker.

Other lawmakers who were suspended as a result of the crisis, had also gone to court to seek redress.

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Workers will only return when being escorted by "already overstretched" law enforcement officers

Residents of Philippi, Cape Town are yet again having to bear the brunt for the actions of a few brazen criminals after the City of Cape Town withdrew its workers from the township this week. This was not the first time the City has had to withdraw services from the community due to safety concerns.

According to residents, the year had appeared to get off to a good start with council workers cleaning the drains as many streets were overflowing with sewage and faeces. This came to a halt on Monday after criminals robbed sanitation workers doing maintenance near Browns Farm.

Ward councillor Melikhaya Gadeni confirmed that five workers were robbed of their cellphones and wallets. He said that the City has informed him that maintenance teams will only return to Philippi when law enforcement officers are available to escort them.

"These robberies must stop. Not only for workers' safety, but also in the interest of service delivery to our most vulnerable communities," said Gadeni.

The City's Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason told GroundUp that Philippi is a known "crime hotspot". Dyason said: "Having to protect City staff going about their vital routine maintenance work on infrastructure is a burden that already overstretched officers will now have to contend with."

He said officers already provide this service to staff doing "critical maintenance and will continue to do so for as long as it is required".

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Resident Azile Njomane's home is in Siyahlala informal settlement along Sheffield Road where a blocked drain is overflowing with faeces and maggots. "There is only one drain for over 500 people. There are three different informal settlements here and people dump their waste here. The City should fix these drains twice a month," said Njomane.

Community leader Xola Faku, who lives in Umsingizane Street, said, "This has been going on for years. The underground drainage system cannot cope with the demand in this area. People are also [discarding] foreign objects which results in blockages."

Ncumisa Jaxa said she has been encouraging other residents to help guard City workers when they are in the area. "When the workers come, we keep guard of them so that opportunistic criminals cannot take advantage. As residents, we should not fold our arms and watch. We must act against these criminals," said Jaxa.
Hyundai IONIQ 6 awarded 'Best in Class' of 2022 by Euro NCAP in the 'Large Family Car' category

Hyundai's Electrified Streamliner recently achieved maximum five-star rating in Euro NCAP safety test

Newest model in Hyundai's all-electric IONIQ line-up brand excelled in 'Adult Occupant', 'Child Occupant' and 'Safety Assist' categories

OFFENBACH, Germany, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) has announced the best-rated cars of 2022 in terms of safety. Last year was the independent vehicle assessment organisation's busiest-ever year, as it tested 66 new passenger cars. In a further demonstration of Hyundai's EV leadership, the company's IONIQ 6 Electrified Streamliner was awarded 'Best in Class' in the 'Large Family Car' category.

Hyundai IONIQ 6 awarded Best in Class of 2022 by Euro NCAP in the Large Family Car category

"This latest Euro NCAP 'Best in Class' 2022 title for IONIQ 6 follows on from last year's maximum five-star safety rating, and proves that it is one of the safest EVs on the European market," says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Vice President Marketing, Product and PR at Hyundai Motor Europe. "Hyundai is committed to providing all road users with the highest level of safety, while at the same time offering innovative mobility solutions to our customers. This latest accolade by Euro NCAP underscores our industry-leading position in the field of future mobility."

To define the Euro NCAP 'Best in Class', a calculation is made of the weighted sum of the scores in each of the four areas of assessment: 'Adult Occupant Protection', 'Child Occupant Protection', 'Vulnerable Road User Protection' and 'Safety Assist'. This sum is used by the organisation as the basis for comparison of the vehicles. Cars qualify for 'Best in Class' based only on their rating with standard safety equipment. Additional ratings based on optional equipment are excluded.

IONIQ 6's victory in the 'Large Family Car' category follows on from its successful Euro NCAP safety test last year. In November 2022, it was announced that the latest model of Hyundai's all-electric IONIQ line-up brand was awarded with the maximum five-star rating.

More information about Hyundai Motor Europe HQ and its products is available at www.hyundai.news.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982905/Photo__hyundai_ioniq_6_euroncap_best_in_class_2023.jpg

SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company
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

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

SOURCE Spiro
ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As families in all 50 states celebrate K-12 learning, Alaska parents, students, school board members, and community leaders will gather to show their support for school choice at the state's flagship rally on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Hosted by National School Choice Week and Brave Nation in collaboration with Alaskans for Choice in Education, the celebration will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Anchorage's ballroom.

Parents, students, and educators will join the celebration, exploring vendor booths, discussing Alaska's K-12 educational options, and raising awareness about learning choices from local public schools to learning pods. Guest speakers will include prominent Alaskans such as Kelly Tshibaka and Nick Begich, home educator and community activist Stephanie Taylor, teacher and parent Dawn Bockleman, and Brave Nation founder Leigh Sloan.

The event will also feature a performance by Ladies of the Pacific Dance Academy and honor winners of a student essay contest on what school choice means and why it is important for Alaska students. Free coffee and refreshments will be provided.

The rally marks the second year in a row that Anchorage families have come together for a large-scale celebration of school choice. The event is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states, including school fairs, landmark light-ups, and student showcases.

"School choice is about empowering Alaskan families to stand with them in support of the choices they make according to their values, their needs, and their lifestyles," said Leigh Sloan, founder of Brave Nation.

Alaska is a unique state both in its physical terrain and in its education choices, which include distinctive options such as homeschool allotments. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has issued an executive proclamation for School Choice Week in Alaska, noting that "we must exercise creativity in providing a multitude of excellent educational options for parents to choose from due to our state's unique geographical challenges."

The Sheraton Anchorage Hotel & Spa is located at 401 E. 6th Ave.

For more information, go to alaskaschoolchoice.com.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The Corporate Reputation of Pharma in 2021- The Patient Perspective - Autoimmune Edition - The Views of 293 Patient Groups (138 of these respondent patient groups specialised in arthritis) " report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The 'Corporate Reputation of Pharma' survey-Autoimmune Edition, is now in its 4th year, and two years into the Covid-19 pandemic. Between November 2021-February 2022, the survey collected the opinions of 293 autoimmune patient groups on the performance of the pharmaceutical industry during 2021.

Patient groups - and autoimmune patient groups especially - possess a deep and unique understanding of the patients they represent and express the collated views of these patients. Patient-group perspectives have become increasingly important to regulators that demand patient input into trial design and conduct (as well as into the evaluation of clinical outcomes).

At the same time, many patient groups are also familiar with the complexities of the pharmaceutical industry's business. From their vantage point, therefore, patient groups are both able to assess pharma, and recommend ways in which companies can improve - all from a patient perspective.

The report provides details on:

How the analyst measures pharma's corporate reputation from a patient perspective;

The companies included in the 2021 autoimmune analysis;

The headline results of the 2021 survey, from the perspective of autoimmune patient groups; and

The profiles of 2021's respondent autoimmune patient groups.

The 27 companies included in the autoimmune arm of the 2021 'Corporate Reputation of Pharma' analyses:

AbbVie

Amgen

AstraZeneca

Bayer

Biogen

Boehringer Ingelheim

Bristol Myers Squibb

Eli Lilly

Ferring

Gilead Sciences

GSK

Janssen

LEO Pharma

Merck & Co/MSD

Merck KGaA/EMD Serono

Mylan

Novartis

Pfizer

Roche/Genentech

Sandoz

Sanofi

Takeda/Shire

Teva

UCB

Summary of Results

FINDINGS AT INDUSTRY-WIDE LEVEL

2021's respondent autoimmune patient groups ranked the pharma industry's corporate reputation as higher than that of all other healthcare sectors (including biotech, retail pharmacists, generic drug, and medical-device companies); 63% rated the pharma industry's corporate reputation as "Excellent" or "Good". This figure has risen from 47% during the four years in which the autoimmune arm of the 'Corporate Reputation' survey has been running.

On Covid-19

The perceived increase in the pharma industry's corporate reputation by autoimmune patient groups is inevitably due, in part at least, to the industry's efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic. 79% of 2021's respondent autoimmune patient groups rated the pharma's industry's response to the pandemic as "Very effective" or "Effective" (noticeably up on 2020's figure of 61%). Autoimmune-conditions patient groups played a key role in keeping the patients they represent informed and supported during the pandemic, and they clearly valued the help industry provided them at the time.

An Argentinian national patient group specialising in the care of people with multiple sclerosis told the 2021 'Corporate Reputation' survey: "Many [pharma companies] supported patient organisations for the dissemination of information, but were not initiatives of theirs directly.'

On innovation and treatments

The majority of 2021's respondent autoimmune patient groups also thought the pharma industry "Excellent" or "Good" at:

Innovation (57%);

Making high-quality products (61%)

Ensuring patient safety (56%)

The past decade has seen a rapid increase in the approvals of new treatments for rheumatoid arthritis - the latest being so-called Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, that tackle inflammation associated with the disease. JAK inhibitors may, additionally, have the potential to treat other autoimmune diseases.

On pricing and access to medicines

But respondent autoimmune patient groups were far more negative about pharma's pricing policies, and about patients' ability to access autoimmune medications. Only 33% of 2021's 293 respondent autoimmune patient groups believed the pharma industry to be "Excellent" or "Good" at ensuring access to medicines.

And just 12% of 2021's respondent autoimmune patient groups rated the pharma industry "Excellent" or "Good" at fair pricing policies. These scores for the industry by autoimmune patient groups have remained consistently low over the past few years.

The most-recent innovations for autoimmune diseases belong to a class of drugs known as biologics, 'targeted' therapies which work on different aspects of the immune response. However, because these are made using biotechnological techniques, they have proved more costly than their conventional chemical predecessors. As a result, cash-strapped healthcare systems have been rationing the use of newer treatments, not least because of the high prevalence of autoimmune diseases among populations.

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the rising number of patients with autoimmune diseases has meant a fourfold-plus increase in global spending on treating autoimmune conditions in the period 2011-20. The WEF states that the total hit $107 billion in 2020, and is forecast to climb still further by the end of 2022, to $140 billion. Such rapid growth in both patients and costs highlights the ongoing need for pharma to find ways of making autoimmune treatments more affordable.

Although the cost of biologics is anticipated to fall as patents on the original treatments expire, and cheaper, lookalike biosimilars are introduced, patient groups are advocating for policymakers to review rationing procedures, especially since patent expiry on newer drugs is years away. In addition, some autoimmune patient groups feel that pharma is neglecting autoimmune patients who are on older, less profitable, drugs.

A UK arthritis patient group commented: "All of them [pharma] are trying to do the same thing - which feels like a 'tick-box' exercise to make them look good. Most pharma will only offer support beyond the medications to those on their drug. What is truly needed is public awareness about early diagnosis - and, ideally, supporting those people who are not on the really-expensive drugs. There only seems to be investment from the companies that have the advanced therapies, not the regular DMARDs that are not making them much money."

In summary

2021's respondent autoimmune patient groups collectively cover a broad range of autoimmune conditions, yet show remarkable consistency in their feedback to the 'Corporate Reputation' survey. While making clear how much they value the investment and success the industry has had in developing new drugs for many autoimmune conditions, they also enunciate their desire to be more involved in research and development.

They hold strong views on how pharma can be better partners with autoimmune patient groups, and they express concerns over the pricing of new autoimmune products. These sentiments are not unique to patient groups in the autoimmune-disease area, but do provide valuable insights, given the significant economic and lifestyle impact that long-term autoimmune conditions have on patients, and on society as a whole - worldwide.

COMPANY RANKINGS IN THE FIELD OF AUTOIMMUNE CONDITIONS

The top-three pharma companies out of 27 companies, ranked for their overall corporate reputation in 2021, as assessed by respondent autoimmune patient groups familiar with the company: Pfizer, 1st - AbbVie, 2nd - Novartis, 3rd.

The top-three pharma companies out of 23 companies, ranked for their overall corporate reputation in 2021, as assessed by respondent autoimmune patient groups working with the company: Pfizer, 1st - AbbVie, 2nd - Takeda, 3rd.

The top-three 'big-pharma' companies out of 13 companies, ranked for their overall corporate reputation in 2021, assessed by respondent autoimmune patient groups familiar with the company: Pfizer, 1st - AbbVie, 2nd - Roche, 3rd.

The top-three 'big-pharma' pharma companies out of 13 companies, ranked for their overall corporate reputation in 2021, assessed by respondent autoimmune patient groups working with the company: Pfizer, 1st - AbbVie, 2nd - Takeda, 3rd.

Who Should Read this Report?

Customer Types (Organisations)

Pharma companies

Biopharma companies

Regulatory authorities (e.g EMA, FDA)



NGOs and health charities (usually FOC) including Patient Groups



Research and academia

Job Titles/Functions for Pharma and Biopharma Organisations

Core:

Patient Relations

Corporate Reputation

Public Affairs

Professional Affairs

Patient Advocacy

Communications

Market Research

Secondary:

R&D

Health economics

Outcomes Research

Medical Affairs

Marketing

Brand teams

Market Access

Regulatory

Key Topics Covered:

Executive summary

Relationships that autoimmune patient groups have with pharma, 2021

Industry-wide findings, according to respondent autoimmune patient groups, 2021

Rankings of 27 pharma companies, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent autoimmune patient groups familiar with the companies

Rankings of 23 pharma companies, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent autoimmune patient groups working with the companies

Rankings of 13 'big-pharma' companies, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent autoimmune patient groups familiar with the companies

Rankings of 13 'big-pharma' companies in Autoimmune, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by

respondent autoimmune patient groups working with the companies

Profiles of the 27 companies, 2021 (v. 2020)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mfmv0u

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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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

SOURCE Research and Markets
Greg Mellors and Jennifer Schmidt Promoted to Executive Team

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Burke & Herbert Bank announced the promotion of Greg Mellors and Jennifer Schmidt to the Bank's Executive Leadership Team as Executive Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Risk, respectively.

"I am pleased with the role these two individuals have played in moving us forward as we continue to execute on the Bank's strategic vision. With the formation of our holding company, and recent growth initiatives, we are excited to now have Jennifer and Greg's involvement at the senior leadership level," commented David Boyle, President and Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Burke & Herbert Financial Services.

Greg Mellors joined the Bank in early 2021 as Senior Vice President and Head of Commercial & Industrial Lending. With more than 20 years of commercial C&I and CRE lending experience, Mellors has focused on growing the Bank's commercial business and diversifying its risk. Key leaders on the Bank's C&I and CRE teams, including Mellors, were instrumental in the Bank's recent market expansion to Fredericksburg, Loudoun, and Richmond in Virginia and to Bethesda, MD.

Jennifer Schmidt joined the Bank in 2014 as the Chief Compliance Officer and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2021. With an extensive background in financial services and as an engineer and consultant, she brings a holistic approach to her role. Schmidt has worked diligently to ensure the Bank's compliance risk programs are best in class. In her new role she is charged with taking an enterprise wide view of risk and will continue to lead the Bank's compliance team.

Burke & Herbert Financial Services Corp . is the bank holding company for Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company . Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company is the oldest continuously operating bank under its original name headquartered in the greater Washington DC Metro area. The Bank offers a full range of business and personal financial solutions designed to meet customers' banking, borrowing, and investment needs and has over 20 branches throughout the Northern Virginia region and commercial loan offices in Fredericksburg, Loudoun County, Richmond, and in Bethesda, Maryland. Learn more at www.burkeandherbertbank.com.

Member FDIC; Equal Housing Lender

Media Contact:

Jane Petty, 703-216-5491, [email protected]

Investor Contact:

Roy E. Halyama, 703-549-2304, [email protected]

SOURCE Burke & Herbert Bank
TEMCO joint venture will expand market access and open new opportunities for U.S. farmers

ST. PAUL and MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CHS Inc. and Cargill, two of the nation's leading agribusinesses, announced today the intent to expand the scope of their joint venture, TEMCO LLC, by adding the Cargill-owned export grain terminal in Houston, Texas. The addition of the Houston terminal will expand the joint venture's export capabilities, providing shipping access for grains, oilseeds and byproducts through the port of Houston.

CHS Inc. and Cargill, two of the nations leading agribusinesses, announce intent to expand the scope of their joint venture, TEMCO LLC, by adding the Cargill-owned export grain terminal in Houston, Texas. (Photo credit: Cargill)

TEMCO currently operates three facilities in the Pacific Northwest: Portland, Ore.; Kalama, Wash.; and Tacoma, Wash. These three facilities distribute grain to global markets, primarily located in the Asia-Pacific region. Through TEMCO, both companies look forward to building on 24 years of successful partnership to expand global grain market access for U.S. farmers to help meet the increasing global need for food.

"We're pleased to continue to build upon our successful relationship with Cargill to expand the reach of TEMCO," says John Griffith, executive vice president of ag business for CHS. "In keeping with our purpose of creating connections to empower agriculture, access to the Houston terminal provides additional options for area cooperatives and farmers to participate in the global marketplace, helping to advance CHS growth strategy for the region and open new opportunities for U.S. farmers."

The Houston terminal is located approximately 40 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico via Galveston Bay. With six million bushels of storage and capacity for 350 rail cars, the facility handles up to 250 million bushels annually. The terminal receives both trucks and railcars with a variety of commodities for global export.

"We look forward to expanding our joint venture by integrating the Houston terminal and leveraging the successful operating model that's in place today with TEMCO," said Sheryl Wallace, president of North America Grain for Cargill. "We are excited to provide additional market access and opportunities for our farmer customers and to better serve our global demand customers."

"The TEMCO team is excited to integrate the Houston terminal into our operations," says Brian Kubik, general manager for TEMCO. "This expansion will create efficiencies and opportunities for TEMCO and its employees."

About Cargill

Cargill helps the world's food system work for you. We connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients and families with daily essentialsfrom the foods they eat to the floors they walk on. Our 160,000 team members around the world innovate with purpose, empowering our partners and communities as we work to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, sustainable way. From feed that reduces methane emissions to waste-based renewable fuels, the possibilities are boundless. But our values remain the same. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing. It's how we've met the needs of the people we call neighbors and the planet we call home for 157 yearsand how we'll do so for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About CHS

CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com) is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States. Diversified in energy, agronomy, grains and foods, CHS is committed to creating connections to empower agriculture, helping its farmer-owners, customers and other stakeholders grow their businesses through its domestic and global operations. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, seed, crop protection products, grain marketing services, production and agricultural services, animal nutrition products, foods and food ingredients, and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries and pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products.

This document and other CHS Inc. publicly available documents contain, and CHS officers and representatives may from time to time make, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on CHS current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of its businesses, financial condition and results of operations, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of CHS control. CHS actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause CHS actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are discussed or identified in CHS filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the "Risk Factors" discussion in Item 1A of CHS Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022. These factors may include: the inability to consummate the transaction described in this press release; changes in commodity prices; the impact of government policies, mandates, regulations and trade agreements; global and regional political, economic, legal and other risks of doing business globally; the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine; the impact of inflation; the impact of epidemics, pandemics, outbreaks of disease and other adverse public health developments, including COVID-19; the impact of market acceptance of alternatives to refined petroleum products; consolidation among our suppliers and customers; nonperformance by contractual counterparties; changes in federal income tax laws or our tax status; the impact of compliance or noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations; the impact of any governmental investigations; the impact of environmental liabilities and litigation; actual or perceived quality, safety or health risks associated with our products; the impact of seasonality; the effectiveness of our risk management strategies; business interruptions, casualty losses and supply chain issues; the impact of workforce factors; our funding needs and financing sources; financial institutions' and other capital sources' policies concerning energy-related businesses; uncertainty regarding the transition away from LIBOR and the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate; technological improvements that decrease the demand for our agronomy and energy products; our ability to complete, integrate and benefit from acquisitions, strategic alliances, joint ventures, divestitures and other nonordinary course-of-business events; security breaches or other disruptions to our information technology systems or assets; the impact of our environmental, social and governance practices, including failures or delays in achieving our strategies or expectations related to climate change or other environmental matters; the impairment of long-lived assets; and other factors affecting our businesses generally. Any forward-looking statements made by CHS in this document are based only on information currently available to CHS and speak only as of the date on which the statement is made. CHS undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE CHS Inc.
A global tea industry event called the 2023 Keemun Dialogue  focusing on the world's top three high-fragrance black teas  was held in Qimen county, administered by Huangshan city in Anhui province on Jan 9.

The event attracted experts from India, Sri Lanka and China to explore the development trends of the international black tea industry.

Experts gather in Qimen county to explore the development trends of the black tea industry. [Photo/WeChat ID: gh_fddd8e6b4139]

Keemun is the old spelling of Qimen. It is said that Qimen Black Tea is among the favorite black tea varieties of the British royal family and is known for its distinctive and fruity taste.

A tea plantation in Qimen county, Huangshan. [Photo/WeChat ID: gh_fddd8e6b4139]

The area under tea cultivation in Qimen county last year reached an estimated 190,000mu(12,666 hectares). A total of 7,300 tons of tea was produced in 2022, worth 5.52 billion yuan ($813.42 million).

"I hope the Qimen black tea industry will take this event as an opportunity to bring tea drinking back into fashion," said Wang Qing, president of the China Tea Marketing Association.

An innovation and development alliance of the world's top three high-fragrance black teas is established on Jan 9 in Qimen county. [Photo/WeChat ID: gh_fddd8e6b4139]

In addition, a series of new products related to Qimen Black Tea made their debuts and the first batch of new product distributors signed contracts at the event.
press release

The humanitarian crisis triggered by clashes between the Congolese army and fighters from the March 23 Movement (M23) in Rutshuru territory, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, continues to be a cause for concern. At sites providing shelter to displaced people, the scale of need remains vast. A number of humanitarian organizations are responding to the dramatic situation. At the end of December, the International Committee of the Red Cross distributed food to 47,950 people and cash aid to 44,910 people.

Kamyaruchinya, in Nyiragongo territory, North Kivu province, in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

As in all of our operations, we focused on listening to and engaging with communities affected by the conflict to better understand their needs, vulnerabilities and capacities, as well as to hear what they viewed as priorities, in order to respond to them. Our teams interacted with displaced families before, during and after the distribution of food. This transparent communication enabled us to provide aid to meet the real needs of people affected by the security crisis in Rutshuru territory.

Many of the families who had moved to the camp in Kanyaruchinya following the escalation of the conflict between the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Congolese army in Rutshuru last October, had not yet received any food. People were desperately waiting for aid to arrive.

With the help of volunteers from the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we distributed goods to 47, 280 people (displaced people and host families). Each family received a 25 kg sack of rice, 12.5 kg of beans, 5 litres of oil and 1 kg of salt. We also provided the same type of aid to 670 people in the town of Goma.

Thousands of displaced people had made their way to the foot of Mount Nyiragongo, where food was being distributed. With patience and discipline, they followed the instructions given by volunteers from the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Aid was distributed on the basis of lists drawn up during the registration process carried out beforehand.

"My ordeal started when I fled here from Kisigari just over two months ago. Because I have a disability, I am struggling to feed my family", explains Jean de Dieu Kasiki, a recipient of food aid, putting on a brave smile.

Here we've no fields to tend: it's really tricky. The war needs to end so that we can go home.

Given Jean de Dieu's disability, volunteers from the Red Cross Society of the Democratic Republic of the Congo helped him to transport the food aid he received to the hangar where he and his family have found shelter.

"We sleep on the floor in here. We don't even have a mat," he sighs.

Daily life is tough for people living on the site: when they fled the armed violence, they were forced to leave almost everything behind - fields, livestock, food and essential goods. They scramble to make ends meet with no means of subsistence. Many have taken on jobs as day labourers. However, this kind of work is becoming increasingly scarce, given the exponential growth in the number of displaced people. As a result, the income of households (internally displaced people and host families) remains low. The cost of food consumption does not exceed an average of 2,000 Congolese francs (approximately 1 US dollar) per day.

This particular camp, which hosts thousands of displaced people, is just a stone's throw from another camp providing refuge to people who had fled the eruption of Mount Nyiragongo in June 2021. The conditions here are far from sanitary, and only get worse when it rains. Rainwater frequently floods the small makeshift huts that serve as shelters for people unable to find space in schools, churches or other camps, leaving the occupants vulnerable to disease. Indeed, cases of cholera have been reported at the site.

Kanyabayonga, sud du territoire de Lubero, province du Nord-Kivu, est de la RDC.

In this region, the delivery of aid was hampered by a different set of difficulties. It had not been possible to obtain guarantees of safe access to a number of areas and mudslides during the rainy season had made roads impassable. These access and security problems made it difficult to provide assistance in kind. We therefore opted to provide cash to 44,910 people (displaced people and host family members).

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Kambale Muhindo, a local authority representative (chef de quartier) for the neighbourhood of Kikyo, in southern Lubero, tells us with relief: "This financial aid will help to reduce existing tensions between displaced people and host families. The displaced people will not have to rely on the authorities or the local population. They will become more autonomous."

"It's quite a weight off my mind", exclaims Kavugho Kifukutu as she checks the contents of the envelope she has received as part of the cash aid programme organized by the ICRC.

She took in eight people who had fled Kiwanja (Rutshuru territory) following clashes between the Congolese army and M23. Providing for her own family and the newcomers had become a heavy burden for the widow.

"I used to help out in other people's fields to earn 2,000 Congolese francs (USD 1) per day. The little food we bought was used to feed the children, who are more vulnerable," she says.

With the cash she has received, Kavugho plans to start a small business, acquire her own field and buy some household goods.
OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A Qualitative Research Study accomplished by Data Bridge Market research's titled as "Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market" with 100+ market data Tables, Pie Charts, Graphs & Figures spread through Pages and easy to understand detailed analysis. The transformation in market landscape is analysed in the superior Dissolved Gas Analyzer market report which is mainly observed due to the moves of key players or brands which include developments, product launches, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions that in turn change the view of the global face of the industry. Proficient and radiant forecasting techniques used in the report are identical with accuracy and correctness. The report provides classification by companies, region, type and end-use industry. While preparing dissolved gas analyzer market research report, customer satisfaction has been kept on the utmost priority which makes clients rely on us confidently. Businesses can assertively use the data, statistics, research, and insights about the market covered in the superior market report to make decisions about business strategies and to achieve maximum return on investment (ROI).

During the forecast period, manufacturers involved in the dissolved gas analyzer market likely benefit significantly from increased awareness of the advantages of dissolved gas analyzers and investments in the construction of utility infrastructure. Data Bridge Market Research analyses that global dissolved gas analyzer market will grow at a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030.

Available Sample Report in PDF Version along with Graphs and Figures @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-dissolved-gas-analyzer-market

Gas analysers from WITT determine gas concentrations in gas mixtures quickly and precisely and are highly versatile. State-of-the-art sensors and intuitive controls allow easy handling of the gas analysers, guarantee exact analysis results and ensure the quality of your processes. Depending on the type of application, the gas analysers can be supplied separately or integrated into gas mixing systems.

Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) is the study of dissolved gases in transformer oil. It's also known as a DGA test. When a transformer is subjected to anomalous thermal and electrical stressors, various gases are created as a result of the degradation of the transformer oil. When the defect is severe, decomposing gases accumulate and are collected in a Buchholz relay. However, suppose the abnormal thermal and electrical stresses are not excessively severe. In that case, the gases produced by the disintegration of transformer insulating oil will have adequate time to dissolve in the oil.

Key Market Players:

Doble Engineering Company,

General Electric Company,

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.,

Qualitrol Company LLC,

Siemens,

SDMyers,

Vaisala,

Weidmann Electrical Technology AG,

Camlin Ltd,

Hitachi Energy Ltd.,

SRI Instruments,

MM Tech,

HV Hipot Electric,

MTE Meter Test Equipment AG,

Ap2e,

Yokogawa Electric Corporation,

Sieyuan Electric Co., Ltd.,

Thermo Fisher Scientific,

Drallim Industries Limited,

Agilent Technologies among others.

We can add or profile new company as per client need in the report. Final confirmation to be provided by research team depending upon the difficulty of survey.

Recent Development

In January 2020 , SDMyers announced a new working relationship with Camlin Power , a remote transformer monitoring equipment manufacturer. This brings the latest 5- and 9- gas monitoring technology. This helped the company to expand its presence in the North American industrial market

Access Full PDF Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/checkout/buy/enterprise/global-dissolved-gas-analyzer-market

Opportunities

RISE IN DEMAND FOR ZERO POWER DOWNTIME AND POWER FLUCTUATION

Unexpected power interruptions not only cause machine losses in productivity but may also cause unforeseen damages with serious consequences. Various problems happen due to transformer failure because of the unavailability of a dissolved gas analyzer. This leads to the lack of zero power downtime in various sectors.

STRATEGIC ALLIANCES & PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN ORGANIZATIONS

Coordinating and integrating various technologies is essential for achieving sustained environments in various industries. For this reason, the government is also striving through partnerships and acquisitions to accelerate the appropriate use of existing technologies like Dissolved Gas Analyzers (DGA) and transformer-monitoring systems. This not only helps to make awareness and profit of the organization but also creates scope for a sustainable environment. Furthermore, this helps both companies to be recognized in the premium market. Therefore, an increase in merger and acquisitions between organizations are creating many opportunities for the dissolved gas analyzer industry to grow extensively.

Critical Insights Related to the Dissolved Gas Analyzer Included in the Report:

 Exclusive graphics and Illustrative SWOT analysis of some of the leading companies in this market

 Value chain analysis of prominent players in the market

 Current trends influencing the dynamics of this market across various geographies

 Recent mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, and partnerships

 Revenue growth of this industry over the forecast period

 Marketing strategy study and growth trends

 Growth driven factor analysis

 Emerging recess segments and region-wise market

 An empirical evaluation of the curve of this market

 Ancient, Present, and Probable scope of the market from both prospect value and volume

Industry Drivers

INCREASING CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE

The construction industry is an important sector that contributes more to the economic growth of the country. The construction business is also stated to be an investment-driven industry in which the government shows high interest. They enter into contracts with the construction industry to build infrastructure in the health, transportation, and education sectors.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS IN TRANSFORMER/ GRID PROTECTION

Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) is one of the most effective technologies available to asset managers for determining the health of their transformers. It is can be used to discover problems early on and manage them as the condition progresses. The quantity and relative composition of gases measured can be used to classify developing issues. Overheating of paper (cellulosic materials), overheating of the dielectric liquid (mineral oil or other), partial discharge activity or arcing are examples of issues. In recent times many companies are coming up with their latest and high-end grid solution, transformer protection and monitoring.

INCREASING ELECTRICITY DEMAND ACROSS EMERGING NATIONS ON ACCOUNT OF RAPID URBANIZATION

High levels of air pollution are forcing people inside to consume more electricity, subsequently causing even greater environmental problems by increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity demand is set to increase further because of rising household incomes, with the electrification of transport and heat, and growing demand for digitally connected devices and air conditioning. Moreover, rising electricity demand was one of the key reasons why global CO2 emissions from the power sector reached a high record in the past few years. The electricity demand follows two unique trajectories. Improvements in energy efficiency substantially counter future growth in advanced economies connected to increased digitization and electrification. Rising earnings, greater industrial output, and a growing services sector are all boosting demand for electricity in developing economies.

Global Market Scope: Dissolved Gas Analyzer Industry

By Type

Smoke Alarms

Early Warning DGA Monitoring

Comprehensive DGA Monitoring

Laboratory Services

Database Software

Portable DGA Devices

By Gas Type

Single Gas

Multi-Gas

By Technology

Gas Chromatography

Photo Acoustic Spectroscopy

By Product Type

Online

Portable

Laboratory Use

By Extraction Type

Vacuum Extraction Or Rack Method

Headspace Extraction

Stripper Column Method

By Power Rating

100 - 500 MVA

501-800 MVA

801-1200 MVA

Read Detailed Index of full Research Study @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-dissolved-gas-analyzer-market

Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The Dissolved Gas Analyzer market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by country, service, application and industry vertical as referenced above.

The countries covered in the Dissolved Gas Analyzer market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America.

Asia-Pacific dominates the region due to the market due to growing infrastructure.

Challenges:

DISRUPTION IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN INDUSTRY

The war for semiconductors, specifically contested by Information and Communications Technology (ICT), is one of the biggest global issues affecting supply chains in specialized industries. The Covid-19 pandemic, which shut down auto manufacturing while skyrocketing global consumption of domestic electronics, was the conflict's major cause. However, the source of the problem predates the global lockdown.

OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES AND MALFUNCTION OF THE DEVICE

Achieving and maintaining continuous, reliable performance in dissolved gas analyzers depends critically upon the proper design, application, operation, and maintenance of the transformer and DGA equipment. While there are many advantages to using DGA, the major problem is that it requires a long time to complete a test and is expensive. The DGA operator faces many other challenges. It also needs frequent calibration with the system and auxiliary gas to perform the task, which costs very high.

Table of Contents:

Introduction Market Segmentation Executive Summary Premium Insights Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market: Regulations Market Overview Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, By Type Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, By Gas Type Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, By Technology Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, By Product Type Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, By Extraction Type Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, By Power Rating Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, By Region Global Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market: Company Landscape SWOT Analyses Company Profile Questionnaires Related Reports

To check the complete Table of Content click here: @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/toc/?dbmr=global-dissolved-gas-analyzer-market

Key Insights in the report:

Historical and current market size and projection up to 2030

Market trends impacting the growth of the global taste modulators market

Analyze and forecast the taste modulators market on the basis of, application and type.

Trends of key regional and country-level markets for processes, derivative, and application

Company profiling of key players which includes business operations, product and services, geographic presence, recent developments and key financial analysis

Customization Options

All segmentation provided above in this report is represented at country level and can be customized according to needs.

All products covered in the market, product volume and average selling prices will be included as customizable options which may incur no or minimal additional cost (depends on customization).

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North America Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, , By Type (Smoke Alarms, Early Warning DGA Monitoring, Comprehensive DGA Monitoring, Laboratory Services, Database Software, And Portable DGA Devices), Gas Type (Single-Gas And Multi-Gas), Technology (Gas Chromatography, Photo Acoustic Spectroscopy, And Others), Product Type (Online, Portable, And Laboratory Use), Extraction Type (Vacuum Extraction Or Rack Method, Headspace Extraction, And Stripper Column Method), And Power Rating (100-500 MVA, 501-800 MVA, and 8001-1200 MVA) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/north-america-dissolved-gas-analyzer-market

Middle East and Africa Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, By Type (Smoke Alarms, Early Warning DGA Monitoring, Comprehensive DGA Monitoring, Laboratory Services, Database Software, And Portable DGA Devices), Gas Type (Single-Gas And Multi-Gas), Technology (Gas Chromatography, Photo Acoustic Spectroscopy, And Others), Product Type (Online, Portable, And Laboratory Use), Extraction Type (Vacuum Extraction Or Rack Method, Headspace Extraction, And Stripper Column Method), And Power Rating (100-500 MVA, 501-800 MVA, and 8001-1200 MVA) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/middle-east-and-africa-dissolved-gas-analyzer-market

Asia-Pacific Dissolved Gas Analyzer Market, By Type (Smoke Alarms, Early Warning DGA Monitoring, Comprehensive DGA Monitoring, Laboratory Services, Database Software, And Portable DGA Devices), Gas Type (Single-Gas And Multi-Gas), Technology (Gas Chromatography, Photo Acoustic Spectroscopy, And Others), Product Type (Online, Portable, And Laboratory Use), Extraction Type (Vacuum Extraction Or Rack Method, Headspace Extraction, And Stripper Column Method), And Power Rating (100-500 MVA, 501-800 MVA, and 8001-1200 MVA) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/asia-pacific-dissolved-gas-analyzer-market

Europe Dissolved gas analyzer Market, By Type (Smoke Alarms, Early Warning DGA Monitoring, Comprehensive DGA Monitoring, Laboratory Services, Database Software, And Portable DGA Devices), Gas Type (Single-Gas And Multi-Gas), Technology (Gas Chromatography, Photo Acoustic Spectroscopy, And Others), Product Type (Online, Portable, And Laboratory Use), Extraction Type (Vacuum Extraction Or Rack Method, Headspace Extraction, And Stripper Column Method), And Power Rating (100-500 MVA, 501-800 MVA, and 8001-1200 MVA) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/europe-dissolved-gas-analyzer-market

Blood Gas Analyzer Market, By Product Type (i-Stat, ePOC, GEM Premier, ABL Flex, Cobas, RAPID Series, Others), Modality (Portable, Bench-top), End Users (Hospital, Diagnostics Centers, Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers, Educational Institutes, Others) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-blood-gas-analyzer-market

Gas Sensors Market, By Technology (Electrochemical, Photoionization Detectors, Solid State or Metal Oxide Semiconductor, Catalytic, Infrared, Laser, Zirconia, Holographic and Others), Gas Type (Oxygen, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, Ammonia, Chlorine, Hydrogen Sulphide, Nitrogen Oxides, Volatile Organic Compound, Hydrocarbons, Methane and Hydrogen), End User (Water and Wastewater Treatment, Medical, Oil and Gas, Automotive and Transportation, Food and Beverages, Metals and Chemicals, Mining, Consumer Electronics, Power Stations and Smart Cities), Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, France, Italy, U.K., Belgium, Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Switzerland, Rest of Europe, Japan, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific, U.A.E, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, South Africa, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa) https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-gas-sensors-market

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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
BELLEVILLE, Mich., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Viral Social Media Influencer, Pastry Chef unveils the highly anticipated event for entrepreneurial women to learn, network, and indulge in business and delicious treats!

Jasmine Mitchell, the founder of J.Carmel's pastry shop, is hosting nationwide pop-ups to help entrepreneurial women succeed in business. She's hosting the Influence-Her Summit , a networking event for businesswomen to celebrate the release of her new cookbook, "All Things Cake, Your Guide to Creating Cakes That Will be the Life of the Party."

Jasmine Mitchell Influencer Stephanie Starr and Jasmine Mitchell Collaborate for Influence-Her Summit

"Sharing my recipes that have gone viral and how I grew my business is important to me. I want others to succeed, and there's room for all of us at the success table. When I planned the Influence-Her Summit, I collaborated with experts to address and remove the online business roadblocks women face. The Influence-HER Summit is a business networking event to promote their confidence," said Jasmine Mitchell, Founder & CEO of J.Carmel's .

Mitchell said, "I've had tremendous business growth over the last year on social media and in real life, but what good is growth if you can't bring other women along with you?"

Today, attendees can register for the exclusive Influence-Her Summit by visiting J.Carmel's Instagram for upcoming events, product launches, and collaborations. To learn more visit JCarmels.com .

The cookbook features viral dessert recipes from J.Carmel's Instagram account , including the famous Peach Cobbler Pound Cake. Mitchell wants to help other women succeed and remove online business roadblocks.

Inspired by the followers of the J.Carmel brand, the launch of the cookbook and the Influence-Her Summit came as women own *42% of all U.S. businesses, nearly 13 million, according to Incfile. In addition, a *Harvard Business Review report recently found that *17% of Black women are starting or running new businesses, and J.Carmel is here to help. The January event brings Growth, Branding, Business, Marketing, and Confidence to get started while networking with experienced power players in the room.

About J.Carmel's

J.Carmels is a Belleville, Michigan-based pastry shop whose viral desserts lead almost 100,000 home-based bakers to make tasty and beautiful treats confidently. To learn how to bake desserts that are the life of the party, or grow your business through social media, follow her on Instagram .

Stats: IncFile Dispatch Harvard Business Review

For more information about JCarmel's, please visit jcarmels.com. Join us on Instagram, and YouTube.

Kirby Wilkerson | The Impact Kind | 734-812-9032 | www.impactkind.com

SOURCE Jasmine Mitchell
As world leaders convene on the state of the world and its priorities, Filecoin Foundation is bringing together the world's brightest minds across business and government

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHO: Filecoin Foundation , which facilitates governance of the Filecoin network, funds research and development projects for decentralized web technologies, and supports the growth of the Filecoin ecosystem and community, today announced the Filecoin Sanctuary in Davos, hosted by Filecoin Foundation and brought to you by CNBC International.

WHAT: Located across from the gates to the Congress Centre, the location of World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting, the Filecoin Sanctuary will be open for networking and insightful programming from world-class speakers from January 17-19.

At the Filecoin Sanctuary, programming will explore topics including: digital transformation and how decentralized storage can power a more resilient and secure web; sustainability and how open data can enhance public trust in sustainability initiatives; and distributed infrastructure and how a distributed web can foster growth on many frontiers  from the metaverse to outer space.

Notable speakers include:

Marta Belcher , President and Chair, Filecoin Foundation

, President and Chair, Filecoin Foundation Suzanne DiBianca , Chief Impact Officer & EVP of Corporate Relations, Salesforce

, Chief Impact Officer & EVP of Corporate Relations, Salesforce Bjorn Wagner, CEO, Parity Technologies

Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General, Digital Cooperation Organization

Guy Diedrich , Global Innovation Officer, Cisco

For more information, please visit https://events.fil.org/davos/.

WHEN: January 17-19, 2023

WHERE: Scalettastrasse 1, 7270 Davos Platz, Switzerland

About Filecoin Foundation

Filecoin Foundation (FF) facilitates governance of the Filecoin network, funds research and development projects for decentralized web technologies, and supports the growth of the Filecoin ecosystem and community. Its mission is to preserve humanity's most important information.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jordan Fahle

Filecoin Foundation

[email protected]

SOURCE Filecoin Foundation
Educational Pathways Academy set to rename school after Doris Frey on January 21st, 2023

NAPLES, Fla., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frey & Son Homes (www.freyandson.com) announced today that it will honor family matriarch, Doris Frey, in a private campus dedication ceremony to take place on January 21, 2023 at Educational Pathways Academy (www.educationalpathwaysacademy.com), 1351 Pine St., Naples, FL 34104. The school's founding campus, located near Davis and Estey Boulevard, will be named after Mrs. Frey, commemorating her faithfulness, service and generosity to children and education during her lifetime. The renaming is an act of gratitude by Educational Pathways Academy for recent donations of $1.6 million by Frey & Son Homes President, Barry Frey, and his wife, Grace.

Educational Pathways Academy Student Body

Founded in 2017, Educational Pathways Academy (EPA) quickly became a beacon of hope in the Naples, FL, community, providing students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities with high-quality, faith-based educational opportunities. The school provides innovative academic, social and emotional programming for its students, centering its mission on the Bible verse Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God's Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

With a rapidly growing need to support youth development and education in this specialized area, EPA quickly outgrew its founding campus location, and has also recently purchased a second campus in Estero, Florida near Coconut Point. Barry and Grace Frey's generosity has enabled the school to not only establish a permanent, secure sanctuary for students at the Doris Frey Campus in Collier County, but also expand its mission and services northward across Southwest Florida, now into Lee County.

Barry Frey is the President of Frey & Son Homes, a Southwest Florida home-building company that has been a staple of the area for five decades. Frey & Son Homes has built over 5,000 homes throughout the Southwest region of the Sunshine State and is known for crafting custom homes that exhibit exceptionally current designs and unwavering attention to detail, including numerous residences in Naples, Cape Coral, and Marco Island.

Barry is not just passionate about providing customers with exceptional homes, but he is equally passionate about education, which stems from his family's close ties to the field. Barry's mother was a teacher, his father was a college professor, and his grandfather was a principal and school superintendent. Barry's daughter also attends EPA, which made his decision to contribute to the school that much easier.

Barry Frey speaks about the significance of the campus dedication:

"The Frey family has deep roots in education, and we believe it is the foundation of success on so many levels. We work hard every day to exemplify this by supporting, training and furthering the education of our Frey & Son Homes team members, and doing our part to make quality education accessible in our community," he says.

The renaming ceremony will take place on January 21st, 2023, and will be attended by both Barry and Grace, as well as several other family members and close friends. EPA's Board of directors, faculty and staff will also be in attendance.

Molly Arthur, Founder and Head of School at Educational Pathways Academy shares:

"When many of our students arrive at EPA for the first time, they often require emotional and social healing before they are ready to re-engage academically. In fact, our students have unique talents and capabilities, and many are gifted, despite processing language differently. Our staff specializes in holistically nurturing all aspects of our students' well-being, delivering the emotional, social, and academic services they need to be successful. Today, our ability to fulfill our mission into the future has been dramatically impacted by the Frey family's generosity."

While the primary purpose of the event is to pay homage to the matriarch of the Frey family, it also represents a significant step forward in the growth of Educational Pathways Academy. Thanks to the contributions of Frey & Son Homes, EPA is expanding its mission to serve both current and future students across Southwest Florida, now from two permanent sanctuaries at the Doris Frey Campus (Collier County) and North Campus (Lee County).

About Frey & Son Homes

Founded in 1972 by Doris and Bill Frey, Sanibel Homes was launched on the eponymous Sanibel Island. When their son Barry joined in 1985, Frey & Son Homes was born, and since then, the team has been building homes for clients all over Southwest Florida, from Marco Island to Cape Coral, earning rankings such as America's Best Builder and being honored as one of the nation's 50 leading luxury builders. Frey & Son Homes continues to impress clients, making them a staple in the Southwest Florida home-building industry.

About Educational Pathways Academy

Educational Pathways Academy is a private, Christian school designed for students with language-based learning disabilities, such as dyslexia. The school's founding was inspired by "Masterpiece" Bible verse Ephesians 2:10. EPA ultimately seeks to provide permanent places of refuge, protection and safety for students with learning differences, many of whom have been underserved and misunderstood by past academic experiences. In the past 6 months, EPA has dramatically strengthened the future of students across Southwest Florida with the purchase of two campuses (one in Collier County and one in Lee County), with thanks to the generosity of Barry and Grace Frey and Frey & Son Homes.

SOURCE Frey & Son Homes
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A latest research report [115+] pages with 360-Degree visibility, titled "Smart Agriculture Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report by Component (Hardware, Software, Services); By Application; By Regions, Segments & Forecast, 2022  2030" published by Polaris Market Research in its research repository.

According to the research study, the global smart agriculture market size & share was valued at USD 13.17 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow USD 32.1 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 10.4% during the forecast period.

What is Smart Agriculture? What is Expected Size & Share of Smart Agriculture Market?

Report Overview

Smart farming is the management concept that offers the agricultural industry the infrastructure to leverage progressive technology such as big data, the cloud, and IoT. The rapidly rising demand for smart agriculture market can be attributed to the combination of expanding global population, the growing demand for high crop yield, and the need to use natural resources efficiently.

They are increasing the automation of commercial greenhouses and expanding the application of the controlled environment agriculture concept in greenhouses so that a higher yield is obtained and optimum growing conditions are maintained. Cultivators understand the possible benefits of growing plants inside a greenhouse which has led to the development of commercial greenhouses.

Request Sample Copy of Smart Agriculture Market Research Report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-agriculture-market/request-for-sample

(The sample of this report is readily available on request. The report sample contains a brief introduction to the research report, Table of Contents, Graphical introduction of regional analysis, Top players in the market with their revenue analysis and our research methodology.)

Our Sample Report May Includes:

2030 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis

115+ Pages Research Report (Inclusion of Updated Research)

Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Request

2022 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends

Includes Updated List of table & figures

Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis.

Smart Agriculture Market Report Highlights

In 2021, North America dominated the smart agriculture market. The reasons for leading this market are attributed to high market penetration in the U.S., key players supported by extensive R&D activities, and the presence of a proper regulatory environment in this region.

dominated the smart agriculture market. The reasons for leading this market are attributed to high market penetration in the U.S., key players supported by extensive R&D activities, and the presence of a proper regulatory environment in this region. During the forecast period, Asia Pacific countries like Singapore , India , and Japan are expected to experience the highest growth rate due to rising support from the government and the entering of many new players.

countries like , , and are expected to experience the highest growth rate due to rising support from the government and the entering of many new players. The impact of Covid 19 pandemic had remain moderate for this sector. Factors playing against the growth of this market are labor supply shortages and supply chain disruptions due to lockdowns implemented by the government. But stringent government regulations regarding food safety and increasing awareness of health boost the need for adopting smart agricultural solutions.

In the forecast period, software segment is anticipated to dominate the market due to increasing technological advancements and their implementation. The growth for this segment has been attributed to the rapid adoption of smartphones globally and greater investments in IT solutions from private players.

Some of the Top Market Players Are:

AG Leader Technology

AGCO Corporation

Trimble Inc.

Precision Planting Inc.

AgJunction Inc.

Agribotix LLC

Deere & Company

The Climate Corporation

Autonomous Solutions Inc.

Drone Deploy

CLAAS Group

CNH Industrial

To know an additional revised list of top market players, request a sample report, 2023 - 2032: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-agriculture-market/request-for-sample

Growth Driving Factors

Intelligent network infrastructural health sensors for maintenance in real time to push the market

Key technologies propelling the market demand include livestock biometrics such as RFID and GPS to assist cultivators in automatically obtaining information regarding livestock in real time. Additionally, infrastructural health sensors are used for monitoring material conditions and vibrations in building, factories, bridges, farms, and other infrastructure. The smart agriculture market size is expanding as, together with an intelligent network, infrastructural health sensors offer information for maintenance in real-time.

Agricultural robots are being used to automate farming processes such as soil maintenance, weeding, fruit picking, harvesting, planting, plowing, and irrigation, among others. Smart agriculture market sales are soaring to sustain profits, and farmers are growingly adopting more innovative and efficient agricultural technologies to deliver high-quality products to the market in sufficient quantities. Mobile technology helps in offering innovative services and applications that are used across the agricultural value chain.

Directly Purchase a copy of report with TOC @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/checkouts/3681

Recent developments

In March 2022 , John Deere offered new stepless Electric Variable Transmission (EVT) in their 8 and 9 series tractors for the model year 2023 and enhanced transmission performance, reliability, and increased efficiency.

Segmental Analysis

The hardware segment is expected to dominate the market

Based on components, the hardware segment is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period. Smart agriculture market demand is on the rise due to the growing demand for automation of agriculture which will give rise to growth in the manufacturing of several innovative agricultural tools, dairy products, and other remote sensing devices, which are the main driving factors of this segment shortly.

Smart greenhouse application segment to witness a significant growth

Based on application, the smart greenhouse application segment is also expected to grow significantly due to the escalating need for well-developed irrigation infrastructure and increasing environmental concerns. Smart agriculture market trends include the prominent applications for smart greenhouses to offer substantial heating and ventilation to the crops amidst these growing environmental worries, pushing the market's growth.

Inquire more about this report before purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-agriculture-market/inquire-before-buying

(Inquire a report quote OR available discount offers to the sales team before purchase.)

Smart Agriculture Market: Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Revenue forecast in 2030 USD 32.1 Billion Market size value in 2022 USD 14.52 Billion Expected CAGR Growth 10.4% from 2022 - 2030 Base Year 2021 Forecast Year 2022 - 2030 Top Market Players AG Leader Technology, AGCO Corporation, Trimble, Inc., Precision Planting, Inc., AgJunction, Inc., Agribotix LLC, Deere & Company, The Climate Corporation, Autonomous Solutions, Inc., Drone Deploy, CLAAS KGaA mbH, and CNH Industrial Segments Covered By Component, By Application, By Region Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options

Geographic Overview

Escalating population density to drive the North American market

North America held the largest smart agriculture market share due to growing government initiatives and escalating population density. Favorable guidelines for expanding this market and tax incentives are some of the other key drivers. Initiatives are taken, such as offering subsidies for the betterment in the applications of smart irrigation, forming a platform, "The North America Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance (NACSAA)," for educating and equipping the cultivators for sustainable agricultural productivity and rebate on smart controllers.

Among the emerging economies, the Asia Pacific countries are anticipated to grow in the forecast period. Countries like India, China, and Japan are in the early stage of adoption for this market and have been adopting these technologies speedily. Growing demand for food and increasing pressure on farmers to enhance yields with limited resources are significant drivers for these emerging markets.

Browse the Detail Report "Smart Agriculture Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report By Component (Hardware, Software, Services); By Application; By Regions, Segments & Forecast, 2022  2030" with in-depth TOC: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-agriculture-market

For Additional Information OR Media Enquiry, Please Mail At: [email protected]

Polaris Market Research has segmented the global Smart Agriculture market on the basis of component, Application and region:

By Component Outlook

Hardware

Software

Services

By Application Outlook

Precision Farming

Yield Monitoring

Soil Monitoring

Irrigation System

Fish Farming

Horticulture

Livestock Monitoring

Smart Greenhouse

Others

By Region Outlook

North America (U.S, Canada , Mexico )

(U.S, , ) Asia-pacific ( China , Japan , India , Rest of Asia- pacific )

( , , , Rest of ) Europe ( Germany , UK, France , Italy , Rest of Europe )

( , UK, , , Rest of ) Latin America ( Brazil , Middle East & Africa )

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https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/global-b2b-ecommerce-in-agriculture-market Agriculture Analytics Market: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/agriculture-analytics-market

About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for PMR's clientele spread across different enterprises. We at Polaris are obliged to serve PMR's diverse customer base present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide PMR's customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities. Adept with a highly competent, experienced and extremely qualified team of experts comprising SMEs, analysts and consultants, we at Polaris endeavor to deliver value-added business solutions to PMR's customers.

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DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Highly Potent API Market Outlook" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Highly potent active pharmaceutical ingredients (HPAPIs) are a growing area for pharmaceutical companies.

This report provides an overview of the current market dynamics for high containment manufacturing as well as an outlook on what our survey respondents - all HPAPI manufacturing decision-makers at sponsor organizations - predict the marketplace will look like five years from now.



Key statistics include respondents' categorizations of their companies' high containment assets and the proportion of their small molecule portfolio that requires high containment manufacturing, the number of compounds requiring high containment that are in respondents' development pipelines and on the market, which therapeutic areas they are designed to target, and the outsourcing prevalence of each type of high containment asset.

As a drug innovator, discover how industry peers are selecting service providers and which aspects of the manufacturing process have been most challenging. As a CDMO, determine how your capabilities and marketing messaging stack up against what highly potent manufacturing outsourcers regard as important as well as the main reasons CDMOs lose the bid for an HPAPI project.

What you will learn:

Drug Developers:

Gain insight into where the highly potent drug substance industry is heading over the next five years with respect to the outsourcing penetration across different manufacturing activities and types of high containment compounds

Understand the CDMO usage patterns of industry peers to identify whether additional outsourcing advantages can be obtained for your organization

Learn the criteria used by peers to help scientifically and strategically evaluate CDMOs for highly potent drug substance projects

Contract Manufacturers:

Pinpoint which CDMO attributes have led to successful outsourcing relationships, those that have caused service providers to lose bids and what truly drives sponsor satisfaction, then internally assess your company on these metrics

Identify changes in demand for outsourced activities and services in order to prepare for future needs

Better position your company to win business by understanding the dynamics of different buyer groups and developing targeted marketing to speak directly to their unique needs

Major Topics:

Market Dynamics

Outsourcing Practices

Trends, Predictions, Preferences

Study Data

Demographics

Key Topics Covered:



How to Use this Report



Analysis Note: High Containment Requirement



Introduction



Methodology



Respondent Demographics and Qualifications

Participant Geography

Participant Company Size

Participant Criteria

Major Sections



Market Dynamics

Primary Section Takeaways

High Containment Pipeline and Portfolio

Proportion of Small Molecule Assets that are Highly Potent

Small Molecule Assets

Types of Highly Potent Assets

Highly Potent Product Requirements

Therapeutic Areas Targeted

Dosage Forms

Occupational Exposure Limits

Outsourcing Practices

Primary Section Takeaways

Outsourcing Drivers

CDMO Use by Stage

Likelihood of Outsourcing High Containment Manufacturing

Outsourced High Containment Manufacturing Current and 5 Years Out

Highly Potent Assets Outsourced

Highly Potent Outsourced Manufacturing Activities

CDMO Usage Rates for HPAPI

Annual Outsourcing Expenditure

Provider Selection and Perceptions

Primary Section Takeaways

CDMO Selection Timing

Department Influence on CDMO Selection

Use of Preferred Providers

Top 5 CDMO Selection Attributes

CDMO Satisfaction Drivers

Reasons CDMOs Lose Bids

Trends, Predictions, Preferences

Primary Section Takeaways

Areas of Difficulty

Biggest Outsourcing Challenge - Unprompted

Technology and Infrastructure Investments

Study Data

Likelihood of Outsourcing High Containment Manufacturing

Proportion of Small Molecule Assets that are Highly Potent

Highly Potent Assets Projection

Highly Potent Assets Outsourced

OEL Limit

Highly Potent Classification

Highly Potent Product Requirements

Process Analytical

Highly Potent Dosage Forms

Therapeutic Areas Targeted

Outsourcing Drivers

Outsourced High Containment Manufacturing Current and 5 Years Out

Highly Potent Outsourced Manufacturing Activities

CDMO Usage Rates for HPAPI

Use of Preferred Providers

CDMO Use by Stage

CDMO Selection Timing

Importance of Using the Same CDMO for Development and Commercial

CDMO Selection Attributes

CDMO Satisfaction Drivers

Biggest Outsourcing Challenge

Areas of Difficulty

Department Influence on CMO Selection

Technology and Infrastructure Investments

Reasons CDMOs Lose Bids

Annual Outsourcing Expenditure

Demographics

Company Size and Revenue

Office Location

Molecule Involvement and Assets

Decision-making Responsibility

Highly Potent Compounds in Development

Highly Potent Compounds on Market

Involvement by Molecule Type

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/i0d995

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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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Arrington Brings 10+ Years of Student Health Expertise

CINCINNATI, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As HORAN celebrates its 75th year helping companies and educational institutions provide innovative and valued health and wealth benefits, it is expanding the education specialty practice with the addition of a student health industry leader. HORAN is proud to welcome Phillip Arrington as Vice President of Campus Health Solutions. In this new role, Arrington will be a critical contributor - optimizing the client experience and driving strategic market growth across the country.

Phillip Arrington, VIce President, Campus Health Solutions, HORAN

HORAN Campus Health Solutions partners with colleges and universities to offer high-value student insurance plans at a fair price, create awareness of services and health resources available to students, and reduce the overall administrative burden. The approach is rooted in engaging students to proactively manage their physical, mental, and behavioral health leading to successful personal and academic outcomes.

"One of our core fundamentals at HORAN is 'Embrace Growth,' and our Campus Health team has proven they are ready to do just that by welcoming Phillip, an accomplished leader in the student health space," said Terence L. Horan, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We're committed to serving the collegiate population and guiding students and their families on their health journeys as they pursue their academic dreams."

Arrington brings more than 10 years of experience in the student health industry, most recently as a top-performing Sales Account Executive for Anthem Student Advantage.

"Since our first introduction, Phillip has been a trustworthy partner in support of the growth of HORAN Campus Health," said Chris Mihin, Vice President and Managing Principal of Campus and Individual Health Solutions. "Our values and fundamental beliefs regarding approach and service are well-aligned. We are beyond excited that Phillip was inspired by the opportunity to join HORAN and look forward to bringing our unique service model to colleges and universities across the country."

Arrington earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at The University of West Florida and resides with his family in San Diego, CA.

For 75 years, HORAN has served as an independently owned trusted advisor providing dedicated service, support, and partnership in employee benefits and retirement plan consulting wealth management, and life insurance for estate and business planning. The company is headquartered in Cincinnati OH, and operates regional offices in Dayton, Columbus, and in Northern Kentucky. For more information, visit HORAN's website or on LinkedIn.

Contact Susanna Max, Director of Marketing

513-260-8628 or [email protected]

SOURCE HORAN
BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Is this the year of rapid graphene sales? Is the market slipping deeper into a disillusionment phase? Who will emerge as the market leaders? Is consolidation inevitable? 2023 will be a telling year for the industry.

IDTechEx has provided the most comprehensive independent market report on graphene and other 2D materials for more than 10 years. An overview of the commercial activity for nanocarbons in 2022 was provided in this article; here, IDTechEx looks at what to watch out for in 2023.

2023 will present a fascinating year for the graphene industry. IDTechEx expect some great successes as key orders arrive, but this will not be the case for all manufacturers, and a challenging year ahead looms for some as a result. With the collapse of XG Sciences in 2022, there is blood in the water. In the long run, this will not be the only casualty of legacy graphene manufacturers, many of whom have over a decade of operation. IDTechEx has for many years stated the inevitable consolidation of the graphene industry; just look at equivalent mature markets. Even as start 2023, the future of one such longstanding companies, Applied Graphene Materials, looks uncertain. Success is anything but guaranteed and highly dependent on a company's cash position; for many, it is time to turn the promise of graphene into revenue.

Entering 2023, capacity comfortably outstrips demand. However, this will not stop more facilities being announced and coming online. Graphene is a broader material family than many appreciate. Those planning expansions may feel their material can offer something alternative or that they hold other competitive advantages through their process, partnerships, geographic location, or upstream & downstream integration. There will be clear graphene market leaders in the future, but who they are today is less clear. IDTechEx has begun to see some players progress beyond their peers, but the race is still at the early stage. The leading unbiased report from IDTechEx provides a comprehensive appraisal of the key graphene companies.

The question many have is, where will the successes be seen? The potential applications for GNPs, GO, and rGO are extensive, from industrial coatings to consumer headphones. Certainly, there will be an ever-increasing role for graphene in thermal management applications and more notable orders to come for its multifunctional role as a polymer additive. Do not be surprised to see more commercial activity related to graphene textiles and membranes; two areas that have been on the rise in recent years and with a strong early commercial potential.

Sustainability and decarbonization will remain key market drivers in every sector and prepare to see more from graphene players promoting their credentials and capabilities in this space. These will be drivers for many of those applications stated above (such as polymers and membranes), but also for two applications with a large market potential: energy storage and concrete. 2023 has immediately started with such announcements, including the debut at CES of Project Arrow's EV prototype using VoltaXplore's graphene-enabled batteries. Concrete was the epicenter for graphene hype in 2022 with lots of demonstrations and partnerships; expect to see more of these announcements rather than high-volume orders throughout 2023. January has already provided a clear indication of this, with Nationwide Engineering raising 8m in seed funding and First Graphene entering a JDA with Suvo Strategic Minerals.

These successes will be good news for the industry, but IDTechEx do not expect them to be as large as many hope. Patience will be critical, but there may be a question if it will be granted from those providing the necessary investment.

So far, this article has only focussed on graphene and graphene oxide as a powder or flake. The other area is a bottom-up approach to graphene growth, predominantly producing graphene wafers or transparent films. The key area here in 2023 to keep an eye out for will be in sensor; this is evident through the likes of Cardea Bio targeting the production of their millionth biosensor in the upcoming year. The potential revolutionary applications for graphene in the electronics space remain at an early stage, but with a sustained research funding, prepare to see more publications shedding new light on this field.

Beyond graphene, the broader 2D material family will still predominantly remain in the academic domain. TMDs and BN have started their commercial journey but will remain largely under the radar as more exploration is required. Most of the developments will be in electronic applications but do not overlook other areas, such as in filtration, which has already started in 2023 with news of a seed funding round for Molymem and their MoS 2 membrane technology. An exception may be in MXenes, which may gather some headlines as they take some of their first commercial steps and gain interest in applications ranging from supercapacitors to EMI shielding.

Meanwhile, Keep a Close Eye on the Carbon Nanotube Market

As has been discussed extensively by IDTechEx, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have found their killer application as a conductive additive in the cathodes of lithium-ion batteries. Given the booming demand, policy implications, huge investments, and supply chain evolutions for LiBs, the impact on MWCNTs will be significant. Leading manufacturers and manufacturing sites are predominantly in China and Korea, which will continue to grow with key expansions already planned. In 2023, it will be of note to see (a) what happens in Europe and North America, (b) if other applications emerge given the greater supply and price reductions, and (c) the impact of next-generation battery technology and market trends.

As for SWCNTs, prepare for a more uncertain year ahead. The research field will certainly continue and likely accelerate in critical fields such as advanced semiconductors and quantum computing. However, the question of high-volume commercial adoption will likely remain further afield. In 2023 it will be 2-year since the largest manufacturer, OCSiAl, announced new funding and a valuation of US$2 billion. In 2022 the company got the green light to build their Luxembourg facility (not due until 2025), but given the geopolitical situation, they also announced a new facility in Serbia, aiming to be online in the first half of 2023; the main current facility (and overall worldwide capacity) is in Russia. The main play for OCSiAl is again in batteries (including for silicon anodes), but even if high-volume success is to be seen, it will not be anytime soon. Hybrid products, high-aspect-ratio tubes, DWCNT/TWCNT, and nanotubes in other form factors will continue to climb the technology readiness level scales in a range of applications.

For more information on the nanocarbon industry, see the IDTechEx reports on the topics: "Graphene Market & 2D Materials Assessment 2023-2033" and "Carbon Nanotubes 2022-2032: Market, Technology, Players".

About IDTechEx

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact [email protected] or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

Media Contact:

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SOURCE IDTechEx
DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global System Infrastructure Software Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report by Type (Network & System Management, Storage, and Security), Application, End-use, Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global System Infrastructure Software Market size is expected to reach $237.8 billion by 2028, rising at a market growth of 8.4% CAGR during the forecast period.



System infrastructure software is a business software or program made to improve an organization's IT performance. It offers businesses a range of solutions, including internal services and processes, commercial transactions, and workforce support. Many industry verticals utilize this software to run business operations quickly and effectively.



In order to connect individuals and equipment within an organization, enable optimal job performance, ensure the effective completion of business activities, share information, and handle contact points with suppliers and consumers, infrastructure software is utilized. This kind of software is more operations-related, ensuring that corporate processes and applications can continue to function properly.



This software is not related to marketing or commercial activities like the sale of goods and services. Based on their present actions and job status, infrastructure software could even be programmed to automatically notify users about best practices and pertinent discoveries. This group includes knowledge systems and expert systems.



This software is the data management and integration software that also includes data integration tools, data quality tools, and database management systems. To achieve the data consumption needs of all business processes and applications, the practice of data integration entails the architectural techniques and tools for achieving constant access and information delivery across the enterprise's range of data subject fields and types.



The tools' traditional focus was on customer data cleansing in favor of CRM-related tasks, but they have since broadened significantly, and forward-thinking businesses are starting to see their value in other domains of data. Data that normally has predetermined forms and structures are stored and organized using a database management system (DBMS), a product. The fundamental structures of DBMSs and, to a certain extent, their deployment or use, are used to classify them.



The leading players in the market are competing with diverse innovative offerings to remain competitive in the market. The below illustration shows the percentage of revenue shared by some of the leading companies in the market. The leading players of the market are adopting various strategies in order to cater demand coming from the different industries. The key developmental strategies in the market are Acquisitions.



COVID-19 Impact Analysis



Due to rigorous lockdown measures implemented by governments of many nations to stop the virus' spread, the emergence of COVID-19 hindered the expansion and distribution of system infrastructure software. However, the market began to experience noticeable development in early 2021 as a result of a rise in the utilization of system infrastructure software by businesses to digitize their business operations and enhance the digital experience of their customers. A few firms had already begun the transition to hybrid multi-cloud IT even prior to the pandemic, which was accelerated by the outbreak.



Market Growth Factors

Improved Associated Customer Care and Significantly Reduced Cost And Time



The quality of IT and commercial services is determined by their underlying infrastructure. Increasing user and customer satisfaction by enhancing the performance of the IT infrastructure, and delivering faster provisioning are some of the understood aspects of better customer service. Performing service-related modifications quickly and reliably and decreasing downtime through expedited maintenance operations are other aspects that are also taken care for managing cost and time effectively.



Enabling Properties Offered By The Systems Like Constant Monitoring



Monitoring the IT infrastructure and applications proactively allows businesses to spot issues before they become severe. IT infrastructure services allow companies to respond fast, ensuring minimal business interruptions. Additionally, businesses may limit any hazards by getting access to IT specialists. If a company is not currently regulating and monitoring the IT environment, it is likely that it would not know how it is behaving or operating unless a disaster compels the company to do so.



Marketing Restraining Factor

Insufficient Data Structure Architectures and Computing Challenges



The vast quantities of data available presently are one of the greatest challenges for IT managers. High-performance processing of these massive data loads will require automation and virtualization to avoid hiring more personnel. For IT administrators, the main challenge is to simplify and expedite these tasks. Today, cloud technology has mostly superseded local storage. Despite being a scalable and cost-effective data storage alternative for IT administrators, system infrastructure software lacks the data storage architectures required to serve a wide variety of applications.

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 270 Forecast Period 2021 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2021 $134262 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $237763 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 8.4 % Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology



Chapter 2. Market Overview

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Overview

2.1.1.1 Market Composition and Scenario

2.2 Key Factors Impacting the Market

2.2.1 Market Drivers

2.2.2 Market Restraints



Chapter 3. Competition Analysis - Global

3.1 The Cardinal Matrix

3.2 Recent Industry Wide Strategic Developments

3.2.1 Partnerships, Collaborations and Agreements

3.2.2 Product Launches and Product Expansions

3.2.3 Acquisition and Mergers

3.3 Market Share Analysis, 2021

3.4 Top Winning Strategies

3.4.1 Key Leading Strategies: Percentage Distribution (2018-2022)

3.4.2 Key Strategic Move: (Acquisitions and Mergers : 2020, Feb - 2022, May) Leading Players



Chapter 4. Global System Infrastructure Software Market by Type

4.1 Global Network & System Management market by Region

4.2 Global Storage Market by Region

4.3 Global Security Market by Region



Chapter 5. Global System Infrastructure Software Market by Application

5.1 Global Data Center Infrastructure Market by Region

5.2 Global Building Management Market by Region

5.3 Global Integrated Communications Market by Region

5.4 Global Cloud Integrations Market by Region



Chapter 6. Global System Infrastructure Software Market by End-use

6.1 Global IT & Telecom Market by Region

6.2 Global BFSI Market by Region

6.3 Global Retail Market by Region

6.4 Global Manufacturing Market by Region

6.5 Global Transportation & Logistics Market by Region

6.6 Global Healthcare Market by Region

6.7 Global Others Market by Region



Chapter 7. Global System Infrastructure Software Market by Region

Chapter 8. Company Profiles

8.1 IBM Corporation

8.1.1 Company Overview

8.1.2 Financial Analysis

8.1.3 Regional & Segmental Analysis

8.1.4 Research & Development Expenses

8.1.5 Recent Strategies and Developments

8.1.5.1 Acquisition and Mergers

8.2 Microsoft Corporation

8.2.1 Company Overview

8.2.2 Financial Analysis

8.2.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

8.2.4 Research & Development Expenses

8.2.5 Recent Strategies and Developments

8.2.5.1 Acquisition and Mergers

8.2.6 SWOT Analysis

8.3 Oracle Corporation

8.3.1 Company Overview

8.3.2 Financial Analysis

8.3.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

8.3.4 Research & Development Expense

8.3.5 SWOT Analysis

8.4 Amazon Web Services, Inc. (Amazon.com, Inc.)

8.4.1 Company Overview

8.4.2 Financial Analysis

8.4.3 Segmental Analysis

8.4.4 Recent Strategies and Developments

8.4.4.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements

8.4.5 SWOT Analysis

8.5 BMC Software, Inc. (KKR & Co., Inc.)

8.5.1 Company Overview

8.5.2 Financial Analysis

8.5.3 Recent Strategies and Developments

8.5.3.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements

8.5.3.2 Acquisition and Mergers

8.6 Dell Technologies, Inc.

8.6.1 Company Overview

8.6.2 Financial Analysis

8.6.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

8.6.4 Research & Development Expense

8.6.5 Recent Strategies and Developments

8.6.5.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions

8.6.6 SWOT Analysis

8.7 Broadcom, Inc.

8.7.1 Company Overview

8.7.2 Financial Analysis

8.7.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

8.7.4 Research & Development Expense

8.7.5 Recent Strategies and Developments

8.7.5.1 Partnerships, Collaborations, and Agreements

8.7.5.2 Acquisition and Mergers

8.7.6 SWOT Analysis

8.8 Cisco Systems, Inc.

8.8.1 Company Overview

8.8.2 Financial Analysis

8.8.3 Regional Analysis

8.8.4 Research & Development Expense

8.8.5 Recent Strategies and Developments

8.8.5.1 Acquisition and Mergers

8.8.6 SWOT Analysis

8.9 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company

8.9.1 Company Overview

8.9.2 Financial Analysis

8.9.3 Segmental and Regional Analysis

8.9.4 Research & Development Expense

8.9.5 Recent Strategies and Developments

8.9.5.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions

8.9.6 SWOT Analysis

8.10. Tibco Software, Inc. (Vista Equity Partners)

8.10.1 Company Overview

8.10.2 Recent Strategies and Developments

8.10.2.1 Product Launches and Product Expansions

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/527aq0

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Addis Abeba  Ethiopian Ministry of Mines announced that the government is holding consultations with petroleum production companies from Russia, China and the United Arab Emirates over potential partnerships on extracting the country's gas resources.

During a briefing to government media on the ministry's six months performance report, Takele Uma, Minister of Mines & Petroleum, said Thursday that the Ethiopian Government has been consulting with renowned petroleum companies ever since Ethiopia received the first gas reserves certificate stating the presence of seven trillion cubic feet (TCF) in the Ogaden Basin, located in Somali regional state. The American company Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc (NSAI), a petroleum property analysis and consulting firm with offices in Dallas and Houston,Texas, conducted the study and provided the gas reserves certificate.

Details on who the companies are and how far the talks have progresses hasn't been provided.

It is to be recalled that in September last year, Ethiopia had terminated its long-standing contract with the Chinese POLY-GCL Petroleum Group Holding Limited, which has been engaged in oil exploration in Ethiopia. It followed a warning letter issued by the Ministry in March of the same year with a list of conditions to be met by POLY-GCL related to its years of activities in the Ogaden Basin. AS
IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jennifer Keller, a nationally prominent trial attorney at Keller/Anderle LLP, has been ranked the #2 attorney in all of Southern California by 2023 Southern California Super Lawyers (out of over 100,000 practicing attorneys in the region).

Ms. Keller has been ranked either #1 or #2 attorney in Southern California by Super Lawyers for five consecutive years, from 2019 to 2023. She is listed in the categories of Business Litigation, Intellectual Property, Professional Liability, and White Collar Criminal Defense.

Jennifer Keller is one of America's most successful trial attorneys. She represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of high-stakes commercial litigation and white collar cases. She has litigated numerous high-profile cases over the years, resulting in statewide, national and international recognition.

Chambers USA and Chambers Global rank Jennifer among the top commercial litigators in the nation, quoting sources who describe Jennifer as "widely regarded as one of the best trial lawyers in California." "She has uncanny instincts, a wonderful courtroom demeanor and she's an extremely clear and effective communicator."

Jennifer is a Fellow of the invitation-only American College of Trial Lawyers, considered to be among the highest honors a North American trial attorney can receive. The Legal 500, among the most prestigious international legal directories, recommends Jennifer as one of just 68 "leading trial lawyers" in the entire United States. Benchmark Litigation lists her as one of the "Top 100 Trial Attorneys in America."

Awards within the state have included a 2018 induction into the California Lawyers Association Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, one of only 36 attorneys so honored throughout the years. "Revered for her versatility and ease in front of a jury  the go-to trial attorney for difficult cases" is how Jennifer is described by The Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals, ranking her as a "Top 100 Lawyer in California" for over 10 years in a row. In three separate years (2019, 2018 and 2012), in starkly different subjects, Jennifer's trial victories have led to California Lawyer Magazine Attorneys of the Year (CLAY) awards for extraordinary achievements in litigation.

Contact: Kay Anderle

Managing Partner

Address: 18300 Von Karman Ave., Suite 930

Irvine, California 92612-1057

Ph. 949.476.8700

[email protected]

www.kelleranderle.com

SOURCE Keller/Anderle LLP
ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lipogems, a clinical stage- global medical technology company, announces the first patient enrolled on January 13, 2023, in the ARISE U.S. FDA IDE study, which aims to examine MicroFat versus corticosteroid injection for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (OA).

LIPOGEMS ANNOUNCES FIRST PATIENT ENROLLED IN THE U.S. ARISE STUDY FOR THE TREATMENT OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS Tweet this Dr. Yogesh Mittal, Orthopaedic Surgeon, enrolls the first patient in the Lipogems ARISE Study, which aims to examine MicroFat versus corticosteroid injection for the treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

"This is an exciting moment! We screened the first patient on December 30, 2022, and I'm proud to have enrolled the first patient for this trial," said Dr. Yogesh Mittal, Board-Certified and Fellowship Trained Total Joint Surgeon at The Orthopaedic Clinic in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and a site for NextStage Clinical Research. "Many of my patients suffering from Knee OA are not ready or do not qualify for a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and I have very limited options to offer them after they have tried conservative therapies such as corticosteroids, HA injections, physical therapy, and activity modification. Lipogems provides these patients a single injection procedure that may help treat their knee OA or delay the need for TKA."

Knee OA patients that have tried conservative options with limited relief may suffer from debilitating pain, reduced quality of life, develop other chronic diseases manifested by the lack of physical activity, and may suffer from inactivity and depression for 9-20 years.1

Lipogems' ARISE FDA IDE Study is designed to test the safety and efficacy of the Lipogems system to obtain a specific indication in Knee OA. Up to 20 sites in the U.S. will participate in the study, which will examine the effect of a single autologous, intra-articular injection of Lipogems' proprietary MicroFat versus corticosteroid injection for the treatment of pain and function for patients with moderate Knee OA.

"The ARISE study should prove we can effectively help patients with Knee OA, which is especially significant as these patients live longer, busier, and more highly active lives.", said Carl Llewellyn, CEO and President of Lipogems USA, "Backed by a growing body of clinical evidence, Lipogems has established itself as the leader in autologous adipose tissue transfer in orthopaedics. We are currently commercially available for broad use in orthopedics, but a specific Knee OA indication will permit us to better focus on this underserved patient base and help them manage this debilitating disease."

Reference:

1. London NJ et al. Clinical and economic consequences of the treatment gap in knee osteoarthritis management. Medical Hypotheses. 2011; 76:887-892.

About Lipogems

Lipogems is a privately held medical device company that uses adipose tissue solutions to help maintain or restore patient lifestyles and to improve quality of life and recovery times. Lipogems' products are used in a diverse range of areas, including orthopaedics, general surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, exploring products for wound care and more. Lipogems is available in 29 countries and the aim is getting patients back to their lives through our global reach and scientific excellence.

SOURCE Lipogems
VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Maverix Metals Inc. ("Maverix" or the "Company") (NYSE American: MMX) (TSX: MMX) is pleased to announce the voting results from its special meeting of shareholders conducted today (the "Meeting").

At the Meeting the resolution approving the acquisition of Maverix by Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. ("Triple Flag") by way of plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "Arrangement") was approved by 98.378% of the votes cast by shareholders present (virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting and by 98.336% of the votes cast by shareholders present (virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting, excluding the votes cast by certain persons required to be excluded pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. Votes at the Meeting were taken by poll online, and proxies were received by Maverix prior to the Meeting.

Mr. Geoff Burns, Chair of the Board commented, "I would like to personally thank all of our shareholders for their support of Maverix, and in particular their overwhelming support of the transaction with Triple Flag. I would especially like to acknowledge our long term strategic shareholders, Newmont, Pan American Silver, and Kinross for the trust they placed in us. Lastly, I am truly excited by the bright future that lies ahead for Triple Flag, with the Maverix portfolio now added into its already growing and diversified asset base."

Maverix also reports that the Canadian Competition Bureau has issued a "no action" letter clearing the Arrangement under Canadian competition law. As well, the waiting period in respect of Maverix's filing under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, has expired.

Maverix is also pleased to report the results of the election shareholders have made for their consideration under the Arrangement. Under the Arrangement, shareholders of Maverix were able to elect to receive either US$3.92 in cash or 0.360 of a common share of Triple Flag per Maverix share held. In both cases the consideration was subject to pro-ration such that the cash consideration will not exceed 15% of the total consideration and the share consideration will not exceed 85% of the total consideration. Maverix shareholders that did not make an election by the extended election deadline of January 11, 2023 were deemed to have elected the default consideration of 0.360 of a Triple Flag share per Maverix share held. A total of 38,309,854 shares will be tendered for cash consideration representing approximately 26% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Maverix and a total of 7,323,240 shares will be tendered for share consideration, which combined with 101,746,260 common shares that did not make election and defaulted to being tendered for share consideration, represents approximately 74% of the total issued and outstanding shares of Maverix.

The completion of the Arrangement is subject to final approval of the Arrangement by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) and the satisfaction or waiver of the other customary conditions to completion of the Arrangement. Further to Maverix's press release of January 6, 2023, the deadline to elect consideration under the Arrangement expired on January 11, 2023. Maverix and Triple Flag are working towards an expeditious closing of the Arrangement slated to occur prior to the end of January. Following the closing, Shareholders will receive their elected form of consideration, subject to applicable proration.

Following the completion of the Arrangement, Maverix expects to delist its common shares (the "Shares") from the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") and the NYSE American. Maverix will also apply to the Canadian securities regulators for it to cease to be a reporting issuer in the applicable jurisdictions following completion of the Arrangement and intends to deregister the Shares under Section 12 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Details regarding the terms and conditions of the Arrangement are set out in Maverix's management information circular filed and mailed to shareholders, which, together with definitive documentation, including a copy of the letter of transmittal and election form for registered shareholders, is available under Maverix's profile at www.sedar.com.

Questions

If you have any questions about the information contained in this press release in connection with the Meeting, please contact our proxy solicitation agent and strategic shareholder advisor, Laurel Hill, at 1-877-452-7184 (North American Toll Free), 416-304-0211 (Calls Outside North America) or by email at [email protected].

About Maverix

Maverix is a gold-focused royalty and streaming company with a globally diversified portfolio of over 140 assets. Maverix's mission is to increase per share value by acquiring precious metals royalties and streams. Its shares trade on both the NYSE American and the TSX under the symbol "MMX".

Cautionary statements to U.S. investors

Information contained or referenced in this press release or in the documents referenced herein concerning the properties, technical information and operations of Maverix has been prepared in accordance with requirements and standards under Canadian securities laws, which may differ from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("S-K 1300"). The terms "mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" used in this press release or in the documents incorporated by reference herein are mining terms as defined in accordance with NI 43-101 under guidelines set out in the Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Council. While the terms are substantially similar to the same terms defined under S-K 1300, there are differences in the definitions. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report under NI 43-101 will be the same as resource estimates prepared under the standards adopted under S-K 1300. Because the Company is eligible for the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System adopted by the SEC and Canadian Securities Administrators, the Company is not required to present disclosure regarding its mineral properties in compliance with S-K 1300. Accordingly, certain information contained in this press release concerning descriptions of mineralization and mineral resources under these standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by U.S. companies subject to reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC.

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

This release contains certain "forward looking statements" and certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "continue", "plans" or similar terminology. The forward-looking information contained herein is provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking statements and information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the completion of the Arrangement (including the timing for and receipt of all required regulatory, court and stock exchange approvals and other conditions precedent thereof); the delisting of the Shares; and the reporting status of the Company. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual actions, events or results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: the impact of general business and economic conditions; the absence of control over mining operations from which Maverix will purchase gold and other metals or from which it will receive royalty payments and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine construction and operations, actual results of mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents, equipment breakdowns, title matters, labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions in operations; problems inherent to the marketability of gold and other metals; the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the price of the primary commodities mined at such operations, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and fluctuations in interest rates; government entities interpreting existing tax legislation or enacting new tax legislation in a way which adversely affects Maverix; stock market volatility; regulatory restrictions; liability, competition, the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 on Maverix's business, operations and financial condition, loss of key employees, as well as those risk factors discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Maverix's annual information form dated March 16, 2022, available at www.sedar.com. Maverix has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Maverix undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available.

SOURCE Maverix Metals Inc.
DENVER, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Morris Animal Foundation is now accepting proposals that will catalyze development of new tools to prevent, detect and treat canine hemangiosarcoma. Grant applications are due by April 5, 2023, 4:59 p.m. ET.

This request for proposals is part of the Foundation's Hemangiosarcoma Initiative, a multiyear commitment to dedicate funding, people and resources to advance the prevention, detection and treatment of, and potentially cures for, this deadly cancer of dogs.

"Hemangiosarcoma is a devastating canine cancer, and the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study has seen an exceptionally high rate of this disease," said Dr. Kathy Tietje, Morris Animal Foundation Vice President, Scientific Operations. "Historically, few advances have been made in treating hemangiosarcoma, and we want to accelerate development of diagnostic tools and therapies by using the samples and data collected from the Study. We hope this initiative will change the outcome for all dogs prone to this disease."

Hemangiosarcoma is one of the deadliest forms of canine cancer. The cancer tends to favor areas of abundant blood supply such as the heart and spleen, making sudden rupture and severe hemorrhage a common, life-threatening complication. The average survival time for dogs diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, even with treatment, is four to six months. Few dogs survive longer than one year, and even fewer are cured.

Grant applications that propose using Golden Retriever Lifetime Study specimens and data are strongly encouraged, though proposals leveraging other samples and data may be submitted. Academic and industry collaborative projects are encouraged to accelerate translation of results to practice. Proposed use of laboratory animals in research studies will not be accepted under this RFP.

Applications will be reviewed and rated based on impact and scientific rigor by a scientific advisory board made up of subject matter experts. Interested researchers should download the proposal guidelines, and can apply for the award on the Foundation's Grants page.

About Morris Animal Foundation

Morris Animal Foundation's mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding more than $149 million in nearly 3,000 critical studies across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.

SOURCE Morris Animal Foundation (MAF)
BUSAN, South Korea, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

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.

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 made available online in Thinking Skills and Creativity on September 15, 2022, and subsequently published in Volume 46 of the Journal in December 2022.

"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.

We hope her dreams are very close to realization!

Reference

Title of original paper: How complex systems get engaged in fashion design creation: Using artificial intelligence

Journal: Thinking Skills and Creativity

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2022.101137

About Pusan National University

https://www.pusan.ac.kr/eng/Main.do

Contact:

Jae-Eun Lee

82 51 510 7928

[email protected]

SOURCE Pusan National University
MIAMI, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Miguel "Mike" B. Fernandez Family Pediatric Trauma Center at Nicklaus Children's Hospital Emergency Department has received reverification as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee (VRC), an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes the trauma center's commitment to providing life-saving care to children throughout South Florida. Nicklaus Children's is the only hospital in South Florida to achieve Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verification.

Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the COT's Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the necessary hospital resources for trauma care, but also a spectrum of care to address the needs of all injured patients.

Nicklaus Childrens is the only hospital in South Florida to achieve Level I Pediatric Trauma Center verification. Tweet this

This reverification allows Nicklaus Children's to continue operating as a Pediatric Trauma Center through 2025. The hospital was also verified as a Level 1 Trauma Center by the ACS Committee in 2018, making Nicklaus Children's the only hospital in South Florida to achieve Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center verification at the time.

"We are pleased to have earned this reverification. It is a testament to our team of doctors, nurses and support staff who are committed to providing every child treated at our trauma center with exceptional care," said Perry Ann Reed, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Nicklaus Children's Health System and President at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

The Miguel "Mike" B. Fernandez Family Pediatric Trauma Center at Nicklaus Children's Hospital Emergency Department is one of only two freestanding pediatric trauma centers in the state of Florida and the only freestanding trauma center in South Florida The Trauma Center currently includes four trauma treatment bays within the Emergency Department capable of treating up to eight traumatically injured patients and serves children from birth to under 16 years of age, with outstanding outcomes.

About Nicklaus Children's Hospital

Founded in 1950 by Variety Clubs International, Nicklaus Children's Hospital is South Florida's only licensed specialty hospital exclusively for children, with approximately 800 attending physicians, including more than 500 pediatric subspecialists. The 309-bed hospital, known as Miami Children's Hospital from 1983 through 2014, is renowned for excellence in all aspects of pediatric medicine with many specialty programs routinely ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since 2008. In the 2022-2023 U.S. News ranking, the hospital tied with two other hospitals as the number one children's hospital in Florida. The hospital is also home to the largest pediatric teaching program in the southeastern United States and since 2003 has been designated an American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet facility, the nursing profession's most prestigious institutional honor. For more information, please visit www.nicklauschildrens.org

For more information:

Rachel Bixby

305-898-9165

SOURCE Nicklaus Children's Health System
Nearly 1,000 acres of tallgrass prairie will be preserved with rsted's gift to The Nature Conservancy

PARIS, Texas, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, rsted, a leading clean energy company, announced a collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to protect almost 1,000 acres of native prairie in northeast Texas. Less than one percent of the original tallgrass prairies of Texas survive today, and less than five percent remains nationally. The rsted-TNC conservation effort will be the largest preservation effort on record for this type of native prairie and rsted's first biodiversity initiative in the U.S.

The rsted-TNC conservation effort at The Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland is the largest preservation effort on record for this type of native prairie.

rsted is developing the 471 MW Mockingbird Solar Center in Lamar County, Texas, on approximately 4,900 acres. This acreage includes the Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland, the largest contiguous remnant of a rare and threatened type of native prairie found in only a few counties in north Texas. The prairie is an important ecosystem that is rich in biodiversity.

"We need to deliver green energy for this generation while protecting natural habitats for the next. That is why we've prioritized the Smiley-Woodfin Prairie in Texas as our first biodiversity initiative in the United States," said Daniel Willard, Biodiversity Specialist at rsted. "We want to thank The Nature Conservancy for working with us on this conservation effort. Drawing on both internal expertise and outside guidance, we will continue to look for opportunities to protect the prairie and ensure that native plants and pollinators thrive."

rsted will purchase almost 1,000 acres of prairie on site for the purpose of donating it to TNC to manage, preserving the habitat from future development. The land to be preserved will be transferred to TNC before the solar farm enters operations and begins delivering clean energy to the community. Construction is scheduled to begin in January and will be completed in 2024.

"The Nature Conservancy has long recognized the unique significance of the Smiley-Woodfin Prairie," said TNC State Director Suzanne Scott. "Our goal is to manage the native prairie conveyed to TNC to maintain and enhance its biological and botanical diversity. In collaboration with rsted, we aim to reduce impacts on native vegetation within the remaining property and provide guidance on how to steward this land going forward."

Prairies are valuable, productive ecosystems that provide numerous benefits, from flood prevention and water filtration to carbon storage. Native prairies provide habitat for populations of birds, monarch butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.

rsted initiated a biodiversity review to assess the project's land impact and identified areas to preserve for highest conservation value. This includes locations of unusual plant species and natural structures that contribute to plant diversity, characteristic of native grasslands in Texas. rsted will also implement guidelines and recommendations from TNC to minimize the development impacts of the solar farm.

"Through negotiations between rsted and the private landowner, we will be able to achieve an important conservation outcome  preserving a remnant of one of the rarest plant communities in Texas," said TNC Land Protection Strategy Director David Bezanson.

With this preservation effort, rsted will set aside the most undisturbed portion of the Smiley-Woodfin Prairie to highlight the critical nature of grassland conservation throughout the United States and to build on the company's ambition that all its renewable energy projects have net positive biodiversity impact from 2030 onward. rsted's global biodiversity platform includes programs that range from regrowing coral and monitoring crustacean habitat, to seagrass restoration and oyster reintroduction.

"We are very pleased that construction on the Mockingbird Solar Center is set to commence next week. The Mockingbird Solar Center will bring new construction and maintenance jobs to the area and new tax revenue for our community and school districts over the life of the project. We look forward to working with rsted as a partner in our community in the decades ahead," said Maureen Hammond, Executive Director of the Paris Economic Development Corporation.

Mockingbird Solar Center will produce enough clean energy to power more than 80,000 homes. In addition to generating power and preserving rare and threatened habitat, rsted's Mockingbird Solar Center will provide a significant economic boost to the local community in Lamar County over the life of the project. These benefits include at least 200 jobs during construction and additional ongoing work during operations and maintenance, as well as tax revenue for Lamar County and North Lamar & Chisum Independent School Districts. Over the life of the project, Mockingbird Solar Center is expected to inject over $215 million dollars into the local economy.

About rsted

A global clean energy leader, rsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and land-based wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, and bioenergy plants. rsted is the only energy company in the world with a science-based net-zero emissions target as validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. Four years in a row, the company was ranked the world's most sustainable energy company by Corporate Knights.

In the United States, the company has approximately 650 employees and a growing portfolio of clean energy assets and partnerships that includes offshore wind energy, land-based wind energy, solar, storage technologies and e-fuels. A leader across the renewable energy sector in the United States, rsted holds the top position in offshore wind energy with approximately 5 gigawatts in development and operates America's first offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Block Island. rsted has a total U.S. land-based capacity of 5 gigawatts across wind, solar, storage technologies and e-fuels. To learn more about the rsted U.S. business, visit us.orsted.com or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@rstedUS).

SOURCE rsted
Key Finding: New Platform Solutions Significantly Improve Speed and Accuracy While Delivering a More Culturally-Nuanced Experience

REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pactera EDGE, a world-class digital solutions provider for the data-driven, intelligent enterprise, released today a new white paper on the State of Localization that details new platform solutions that are redefining the industry.

Pactera EDGE Issues State of Localization White Paper Offering New Solutions from the Industrys Leading Subject Matter Experts

Compiled using real-life insights from five leading subject matter experts, the white paper shows how new tools and platform solutions  many of them powered by artificial intelligence  are dramatically improving traditional translation services. According to the white paper, localization has evolved beyond performing translations and can now effectively nurture "lovable" customer experiences that "translate" into business growth and increased sales.

"Done poorly, localization can significantly undercut a brand's global growth by alienating potential customers," said Jonas Ryberg, Senior Vice President of Globalization for Pactera EDGE. "Fortunately, the next generation of solutions, like Pactera EDGE's OneForma platform, allow businesses to scale their efforts to deliver human-centric, intelligent experiences that have proven effective in seamlessly introducing a brand to new markets."

The white paper details how online tools, such as localized chatbots, are becoming smarter and able to provide increasingly complex email and chat support services in a more human, empathetic, and precise way. The report explains how AI-empowered localization is helping companies achieve stronger levels of customer satisfaction, which manifests in stronger social media ratings/reviews that make up the emerging Feedback Economy that can make or break a brand with consumers.

"One powerful differentiator with these innovative solutions is that Pactera EDGE has globally collected critical data from in-market subject matter experts who have first-hand insights into local, colloquial forms of expression because they live the language every day," said Venkat Rangapuram, CEO of Pactera EDGE. "This global pool of talent is the engine behind Pactera EDGE's game-changing localization service offerings  and our clients are now reaping the rewards from it."

The white paper goes on to explain how the ability to expand into other markets is one of the few ways businesses can affect growth in an otherwise down economy, concluding effective localization is the all-important key to opening the door and establishing a prosperous presence in those new markets.

"Businesses can't afford to ignore quality localization," concludes Ryberg. "Globalization is as strong as ever, and as businesses increase their presence across hundreds of countries, being able to communicate with customers who do not speak the same language is a fundamental business need."

Contributors to the State of Localization white paper are:

Sergio Bruccoleri , Director of Platform and Innovation

, Director of Platform and Innovation Giovanna Conte , Head of Global Quality Management

, Head of Global Quality Management Alba Guix , Vice President and Head of Europe

, Vice President and Head of Jonas Ryberg , Chief Globalization Officer

, Chief Globalization Officer Vincent Swan , Vice President of Technical Solutions

, Vice President of Technical Solutions Wei Zhang , AVP of Localization Technology

To read a copy of this white paper, visit: https://www.pacteraedge.com/state-localization

Pactera EDGE works with top Fortune 500 clients with an array of customer experience, data, intelligence, and globalization services, delivering award-winning solutions on an enterprise scale.

To learn more about Pactera EDGE and its services, visit: https://www.pacteraedge.com

For media inquiries contact: [email protected]

About Pactera EDGE

Pactera EDGE is a global organization with offices in the US, Europe, India and Asia-Pacific. Clients include 100+ of the Global 500 companies, with industry concentration in Software and Technology, CPG, Retail, Logistics, Financial Services, Insurance, Healthcare, Food & Beverage, and Travel & Hospitality

With a core focus on Data, Intelligence and Experience, Pactera EDGE helps clients achieve new levels of performance, while adding brand new digital business capabilities to drive relevance, revenue, and growth. With clarity of vision, technological expertise, operational excellence, and a global footprint, Pactera EDGE is the partner of choice for enterprises that want to run smarter  and for those that want to change the race.

Press Contact:

Lynn Munroe,

8455481211,

http://www.pacteraedge.com

SOURCE Pactera EDGE
A roundup of the week's most newsworthy technology industry press releases from PR Newswire, including tech predictions for 2023, Deloitte's new Greenspace Tech, and more.

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the business technology industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

PR Newswire Weekly Technology Press Release Roundup, Jan. 9-13, 2023. Photo provided by Shutterstock, Inc. https://prn.to/3isg28l

Read more of the latest business technology releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNtech on Twitter.

Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News

These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists.

Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features:

Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more.

Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story.

Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles.

Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more.

About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists

For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages.

PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals.

For questions, contact the team at [email protected].

SOURCE PR Newswire
CHICAGO , Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global 5G FWA market is expected to be valued at USD 29.4 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 153.0 billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 39.0% during the forecast period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The increasing adoption of advanced technologies such as machine-to-machine (M2M) & IoT and the rising use of millimeter-wave technology for 5G FWA is expected to drive the growth of the 5G fixed wireless access market. However, the high costs of infrastructures and the adverse impact of millimeter-wave technology on the environment are restraints for market growth.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=41266711

Browse in-depth TOC on "5G Fixed Wireless Access Market"

135  Tables

52  Figures

217  Pages

The 5G FWA market includes major Tier I and II players like Nokia (Finland), Samsung Electronics (South Korea), Huawei Technologies (China), Ericsson (Sweden), Inseego (US), and others. These players have a strong market presence for 5G FWA across various countries in North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW.

Growing use of millimeter-wave technology in 5G FWA

The growth of the 5G fixed wireless access market is expected to be driven by the increased wireless network capacity and high speed offered by high-frequency millimeter waves. Millimeter waves occupy a relatively unused portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between 30 GHz and 300 GHz, which offers excellent throughput and increased capacity. The 5G fixed wireless access technology provides large bandwidth, high resolution, low interference, cost-efficiency, and high security. It enables the development of miniaturized components for use in several commercial applications. 5G fixed wireless access is expanding to fixed communication, medicine, remote sensing, and consumer electronics applications. This includes using millimeter waves for IPTV, a prospective replacement of the Wi-Fi Alliance standards (802.11n), and wireless video transmission.

Customer premise equipment (CPE) is expected to hold the highest market share during the forecast period.

FWA broadband connections are set to surge, with 5G-enabled FWA lining up to be a major use case for driving adoption and bridging the digital divide challenge worldwide. Ericsson's most recent 5G Mobility report predicts FWA connections will grow 17% annually through 2028. The number of FWA connections is expected to reach 300 million by 2028, out of which 5G FWA will represent almost 80% of the total FWA connections. High-speed 5G-based FWA connections will drive most of that growth, through 4G LTE technology will remain an important connection source across developing countries until 2024. Higher volumes of 5G FWA in large, high-growth countries such as China can drive economies of scale for the overall 5G FWA ecosystem, resulting in affordable CPE that will positively impact low-income markets. Chinese operators are also looking to increase the number of 5G base stations to 2 million collectively by the end of 2022 to widen their 5G network coverage. This will increase the demand for CPE deployment across the region.

Industrial Application to hold the highest CAGR during the forecast period

5G FWA technology is expected to play an integral role in improving the overall performance of industries such as automotive and transportation, energy and utilities, and mining. IoT and M2M communication are the key technologies used in industrial automation. Applications based on these technologies require high-speed networking, low-latency communication, ultra-fast response times, and many simultaneously connected smart devices. 5G networks are the key enablers for the deployment of IoT as they provide a platform to connect all devices to the Internet using high-speed data transmission and process.

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5G FWA market in US for North America to hold the highest market share during the forecast period

The US is one of the major adopters of advanced technologies and strives to implement automation technologies across end-user sectors. For instance, it is among the top three spenders on smart city initiatives. It is also among the top five countries in terms of investments in industrial automation. All these factors have resulted in the adoption of wired and wireless technologies. Most companies operating in the 5G FWA market in North America are based in the US. The strong economy and high disposable income have increased the demand for modern technologies in the country, which is expected to account for more mobile connections than 4G by 2025 and lay the groundwork for accelerated growth in the FWA broadband and IoT services sectors over the next three years.

Nokia (Finland), Samsung Electronics (South Korea), Huawei Technologies (China), Ericsson (Sweden), Inseego (US), Verizon Communications (US), Siklu Communication (Israel), Vodafone (UK), CableFree (UK), CommScope (US), Gemtek Technology (Taiwan), Airspan Networks Holdings (US), Vantiva (France), Orange (France), Telus Corporation (Canada), AT&T (US), Telefonica (Spain), Swisscom (Switzerland), Hrvatski Telekom (Croatia), Singtel (Singapore), D-Link Corporation (Taiwan), Netgear (US), ZTE Corporation (China), Sunrise Communications AG (Switzerland), and T-Mobile US (US) are among the many players in the 5G FWA market.

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Browse Adjacent Market: Semiconductor and Electronics Market Research Reports &Consulting

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5G Chipset Market with COVID-19 Impact by Type (Modem, RFIC), Frequency (Sub-6 GHz, 24- 39 GHz, Above 39 GHz), End-Use (Telecommunication Infrastructure, Mobile Devices, Non-mobile Devices, Automobile), Process Node & Geography - Global Forecast to 2027

5G Infrastructure Market by Communication Infrastructure (Small Cell & Macro Cell), Core Network (SDN & NFV), Network Architecture (Standalone & Non-standalone), Operational Frequency (Sub 6GHz & Above 6GHz), End User & Geography - Global Forecast to 2027

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IoT Chip Market by Hardware (Processor, Connectivity IC, Sensor, Memory Device and Logic Device), Power Consumption, End-use Application (Wearable Devices, Consumer Electronics, Building Automation and Retail) and Region - Global Forecast to 2025

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About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

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.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact:

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Addis Abeba  The Foreign Ministers of Germany and France, Annalena Baerbock and Catherine Colonna, respectively, arrived in Addis Abeba today for two-days official visit during which they "want to explore how Germany, France and the EU can support the country and its people on the path to lasting peace."

According to the official itinerary, the two Foreign Ministers will hold talks on this issue with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen, Minister of Justice Gedion Timotheos and the country's President Sahle-Work Zewde. PM Abiy Ahmed tweeted that the "in-depth & fruitful discussions" he held with the two Foreign Ministers were "reflective of the strong relations Ethiopia holds with both France and Germany." The two have already met with President Sahle-Work earlier today.

The German Press Agency, DPA, quoted FM Baerbock as saying that it was important that Europe now "quickly shows its face" in the wake of the peace agreement signed between the federal government and officials of the Tigray region to end the two-year war that devastated northern Ethiopia.

"Another focus of the talks will be the question of human rights. According to UN reports, most severe human rights crimes were committed by all parties during the conflict. The Ethiopian Government is currently working to establish a transitional justice mechanism to investigate these crimes and bring perpetrators to justice. At the same time, an international commission of experts has also been mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to investigate the crimes," the statement said.

DPA's report also said that both Baerbock and Colonna will visit a UN World Food Program (WFP) complex in Adama city in Oromia region, this afternoon, where grain delivered from Ukraine is stored. It is the largest WFP warehouse in Ethiopia with a capacity of 218,000 tons.

Germany and France supported the transport and distribution of 50,000 tons of the wheat donated by Ukraine for Ethiopia and Somalia to a tune of US$14 million each through the WFP. Germany covered the costs for the delivery to Ethiopia while France will covered the costs for the delivery to Somalia. AS
Dr. Javad Sajan Reviews Episode Two of Plastic Surgeon Podcast

SEATTLE, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On his podcast, the Plastic Surgeon Podcast , Dr. Javad Sajan sits down with his patient, Victoria, who underwent a botched tummy tuck in Peru. After returning to the United States, Victoria knew something wasn't right and eventually sought out a tummy tuck revision surgery with Dr. Sajan.

In the episode, Dr. Sajan, who has performed many plastic surgery revisions, explained why revision surgeries are higher risk, "When you do a revision surgery, all of the risks are more. Potentially more scarring, more blood collection, more fluid collection, more infection. And, the one thing that I was worried about the most during your surgery was skin death or necrosis. Because when you've had one tummy tuck the blood supply can be compromised."

To account for the patient's previous surgery, Dr. Sajan created a customized plan that included liposuction and using specialized stitching techniques to allow the skin to heal better. Dr. Sajan says, "Our goal with your surgery was to lipo to get rid of leftover fat in the upper abdomenThe scar was way too high, the incisions on the side of your body were skewed way up almost into your waist. And the waist wasn't liposuctioned at all. I could feel all the fat there. So what my concern was, how low can I get it while letting it heal?"

Then, when about scarring, Dr. Sajan says, "If you don't stitch it with low tension and very precisely [using] eversion, you get very thick scars. And, in people like me and you who have brown skin, you can get what's called the hypertrophic scar."

Using his knowledge and expertise, Dr. Sajan successfully performed Victoria's tummy tuck and gave her an amazing result. Listen to Victoria's experience and Dr. Sajan's insights in Episode 2 of the Plastic Surgery Podcast.

About Dr. Javad Sajan: Dr. Javad Sajan is a plastic surgeon and medical director of Allure Esthetic Plastic Surgery . With years of surgical and non-surgical experience in the aesthetic field, Dr. Sajan frequently performs revision surgeries of all kinds for patients around the world. He shares his insights and patient stories on the Plastic Surgeon Podcast. Find Dr. Sajan and more information about the fundraiser on Instagram .

Contact: realdrseattle

Phone: 206-787-0784

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Allure Esthetic
MENLO PARK, Calif., Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Almaden Inc . is proud to announce the latest update to Collective IQ, bringing integration with Microsoft Teams to help enterprises optimize their workplace.

Collective IQ, Almaden's patent-pending digital employee experience solution, utilizes artificial intelligence technology to provide a solution for understanding and improving the journey of office and remote user interactions with their devices and applications.

CIQ - Microsoft Teams Experience Score

One of the standout features of the update is integration with Microsoft Teams, which enables IT Teams to quickly identify performance and productivity issues with this widely used collaboration tool. Collective IQ collects data from users' audio, video, screen sharing, call quality and experience to derive Teams user experience scores and pinpoint unreported issues.

Suppose a Microsoft Teams user is experiencing frequent problems with audio or video during meetings or calls, or glitches while using the platform. This can disrupt workflows and hinder the efficient completion of tasks. CIQ is the key to quickly spotting and resolving issues to maintain productivity and continue working effectively.

"The importance of communication and collaboration platforms to keep operations connected and productive is clear. Microsoft Teams is now a corporate mainstay with over 270 million users daily. By monitoring and correlating technical data with user sentiment, CIQ integration with Microsoft Teams will enable IT Staff to quickly spot and resolve bad experiences across the company." Leandro Silva, Almaden Inc. COO

Another significant addition is Alma, Almaden's virtual concierge. Users can now send a message to Alma through Microsoft Teams chat to report issues or request help. Proactively, Alma can detect problems and suggest through the chat what the user could do to resolve issues. For example, Alma identifies that a user is having a bad experience with an app, then suggests possible actions (such as closing browser tabs to save memory). This saves the Helpdesk time and money while boosting user confidence in IT.

"As a Hardware as a Service (HaaS) provider, we know that a positive user experience is a powerful sales tool. With Collective IQ, we are investing in the digital experience of our customers, increasing their adoption, driving satisfaction, and ultimately boosting loyalty". Renan Torres, Arklok VP.

Almaden is dedicated to providing businesses with the tools and resources they need to succeed, and our digital employee experience solution is a crucial part of that mission. We look forward to continuing to innovate and improve Collective IQ to meet the needs of enterprises across various industries.

About Almaden Inc.

Almaden, Inc. is headquartered in Menlo Park, California, USA. We help IT teams deliver an optimal digital employee experience, in the office and remotely, by continuously analyzing quantitative systems data and user sentiments and resolving issues through continuous learning and automation.

Visit our website to understand all that Almaden can offer to maximize your organization's Digital Employee Experience.

SOURCE Almaden, Inc.
"ATA's advocacy efforts are best served by being close to where decisions are made," said ATA President Chris Spear.

In addition to hosting workspaces for nearly 150 of ATA's professional staff, the new office at 80 M Street SE features a state-of-the-art broadcast studio, multi-purpose conference area and a commercial-grade kitchen.

Visitors to ATA are welcomed by imagery representing the trucking industry including an actual truck in the 8th floor lobby donated by Ruan Transportation. A longtime ATA member and supporter of the Federation, ATA's Capitol Hill Office was previously named the Ruan Transportation Center in 1997 and the truck honors Ruan's legacy of support for the association.

A time-lapse video of the truck's assembly in the ATA lobby can be seen here.

"We are proud to have our truck as a centerpiece of the lobby to welcome people to ATA's headquarters," said ATA Chairman Dan Van Alstine, Ruan president and COO. "As our industry transports goods to every corner of the country, this truck is a visual representation of the critical role our industry plays, and the countless stories like Ruan's, that keep our economy moving every day."

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.

SOURCE American Trucking Associations
SHANGHAI, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited (the "Company"; NYSE: "CEA"; SEHK "0670"; SSE "600115") announces that it has notified the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on 13 January 2023 (U.S. Eastern Time) of its proposed application for voluntary delisting of its American depositary shares (the "ADSs") from the NYSE and deregistration of such ADSs and the underlying overseas listed foreign shares (the "H Shares", with a par value of RMB1 each) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Taking into consideration the following commercial factors: (i) the fact that the underlying number of H Shares represented by the ADSs is relatively small as compared to the total number of H Shares of the Company; (ii) the limited trading volume of the ADSs of the Company as compared to the worldwide trading volume of H Shares of the Company; (iii) the considerable costs associated with maintaining the listing of the ADSs on the NYSE and the registration of the ADSs and the underlying H Shares with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and complying with the periodic reporting and related obligations under the Exchange Act; and (iv) the fact that the Company has never utilized the NYSE for any follow-on financings while the Company believes that The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange") and the Shanghai Stock Exchange are sufficient alternatives for the Company's future financing needs, the board of directors (the "Board") of the Company approved the delisting of the ADSs from the NYSE and the deregistration of the ADSs and the underlying H Shares under the Exchange Act.

As such, the Company intends to file a Form 25 with the SEC on or around 23 January 2023 to delist its ADSs from the NYSE. Such delisting is expected to become effective ten days after the filing of the Form 25. The last trading day of the ADSs on the NYSE is expected to be on or about 2 February 2023. On and after such date, the ADSs will no longer be listed on the NYSE and whether or not the ADSs will be traded on the over-the-counter market thereafter will depend on the actions of shareholders and independent third parties, without the Company's involvement.

After the delisting becomes effective, once the Company satisfies the conditions for deregistration, the Company intends to file a Form 15F with the SEC to deregister the ADSs and the underlying H Shares under the Exchange Act. Thereafter, the reporting obligations of the Company under the Exchange Act will be suspended unless the Form 15F is subsequently revoked or rejected. The deregistration and the termination of the reporting obligations of the Company under the Exchange Act are expected to become effective 90 days after the filing of the Form 15F. Upon the filing of the Form 15F, the Company will make available the information required by Rule 12g32(b) under the Exchange Act on its website at www.ceair.com. The Company, as a listed issuer, will also continue to comply with its financial reporting and other obligations under the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Listing Rules").

The Company intends to terminate its ADSs program in an appropriate manner in accordance with the deposit agreement in due course after the delisting of the ADSs from the NYSE. The H Shares of the Company will continue to be traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

The Company reserves its right in all aspects to postpone or withdraw the above filings prior to their effectiveness; if necessary, the Company will make further announcements as required by the Listing Rules and other applicable laws.

SOURCE China Eastern Airlines
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America reported its fourth-quarter 2022 financial results today. The news release, supplemental filing and investor presentation can be accessed at Bank of America's Investor Relations website at https://investor.bankofamerica.com/quarterly-earnings.

Investor Conference Call information

Chief Executive Officer Brian Moynihan and Chief Financial Officer Alastair Borthwick will discuss the financial results in a conference call at 9:30 a.m. ET today. For a listen-only connection to the conference call, dial 1.877.200.4456 (U.S.) or 1.785.424.1732 (international), and the conference ID is 79795. Please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

Investors can also listen to live audio of the conference call and view the presentation slides by visiting the Events and Presentations section of the company's Investor Relations website.

Replay information for Investor Conference Call

Investors can access replays of the conference call by visiting the Investor Relations website or by calling 1.800.934.4850 (U.S.) or 1.402.220.1178 (international) from noon on January 13 through 11:59 p.m. ET on January 23.

Bank of America

Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 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.

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Investors May Contact:

Lee McEntire, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.388.6780

[email protected]

Jonathan G. Blum, Bank of America (Fixed Income)

Phone: 1.212.449.3112

[email protected]

Reporters May Contact:

Bill Halldin, Bank of America

Phone: 1.916.724.0093

[email protected]

Christopher P. Feeney, Bank of America

Phone: 1.980.386.6794

[email protected]

SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Battery Swapping Market is projected to grow from USD 1.7 billion in 2022 to USD 11.8 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 46.9% during the forecast period, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets.

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Battery swapping is an alternative method of powering an electric vehicle and involves exchanging discharged batteries for charged ones. This swap method removes the direct relation between the vehicle and the battery, thus decreasing the initial cost of buying an electric vehicle. Battery swapping is mostly eligible in 2 & 3-wheelers, as these vehicles are integrated with small batteries, which makes it easier to swap the battery in them. Compared to conventional charging, battery swapping saves time, space, and money, especially when the system is used efficiently. Additionally, battery swapping offers sustainable and innovative business models, such as "Battery-as-a-Service" (BaaS), in which a service provider does not charge upfront costs for batteries and offers daily or monthly subscription-based rental plans that allow the EV drivers to swap batteries multiple times a day.

The automated segment is estimated to have significant share of the Battery Swapping Market during the forecast period

Battery swapping requires an electric car that is suitable and has a battery architecture built for the swap. In an automated battery swap station (BSS), customers can not only swap out their electric vehicles but also schedule the battery swap ahead of time to ensure that a battery pack will be available. When a vehicle arrives at the BSS, the process officially begins.

The electric vehicle (EV) is placed in the right place in the right direction in an automated battery swapping station and the vehicle is turned off. In the next step, the EV is lifted with the vehicle lift (as shown in the figure below) and the jack pads are drawn by the lift sheets to offer help in the lifting mechanism. When the vehicle is lifted, the bottom of the vehicle covering the battery is loosened up, giving access to the battery that sits underneath the vehicle. The battery lift is lifted till it touches the underside of the battery pack, which helps in battery removal. When the battery pack is positioned accurately above the lift, the battery removing process starts. Next, battery transport is brought underneath the battery lift. The used battery is brought down by the lift, and this battery is swapped for a new one from a battery rack. This charged battery is then lifted and placed under the vehicle. The battery is again positioned and placed accurately. With all the bolts locked and the underbody cover fixed again, the battery is good to go.

Government initiatives and policies for passenger vehicles will drive the Battery Swapping Market

Given that the vehicles in this category make up a sizable portion of the entire fleet and differ significantly from one another, the passenger vehicle segment is likely the broadest and most complicated group. It is hard to identify the optimum answer for every user of passenger vehicles because their needs are so varied from one another. Instead, it is necessary to find the optimal trade-off. Users of large vehicles who frequently travel long distances by car require powerful batteries that ensure good performance and take up a lot more room within the vehicle, as well as very high autonomy levels and fast charging (working on battery cell density is important). On the other hand, city car owners typically travel short distances with their vehicles, thus their priorities are entirely different. To partially charge their vehicles, they primarily need a capillary infrastructure network to cover the city. They also need their vehicles to be light in weight and small, which prevents the use of large and heavy batteries to improve performance.

Battery swapping made a comeback in China as a popular technology to be developed, and in 2020, the Chinese government stepped up efforts to establish uniform standards in the industry. The objective is to standardize the procedure so that it can be performed on any automobile, battery, or system and allow for replacement in just three minutes.

Some of the major players offering battery swapping for passenger vehicles are NIO Power, Gogoro, SUN Mobility, Immotor, and others. Gogoro started out in Taiwan but has since announced several significant alliances that would allow it to expand its battery-swapping network and/or scooter sales into countries like China and India as well as more niche markets like Israel.

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The Asia Pacific region is estimated to be the largest market for battery swapping in 2022

Asia Pacific is the largest market for green technologies in the world. The governments in this region are setting renewable energy targets backed by favorable policies such as the Kyoto Protocol. The largest markets for battery swapping in this region are China, India, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Asia Pacific has been the dominant regional market for battery swapping since 2018 due to the increased demand for electric vehicles. Geely, the China-based automobile manufacturer, has set up 39 battery swap stations in China with ambitions to add 200 by 2023 and as many as 1,000 through existing arrangements. Geely's head of battery swapping, Mr. Yang Quankai, claims that by 2025, there will be 5,000 battery swap stations operating throughout China.

To guarantee battery compatibility among the various cars in the ASEAN region, a regulation for swappable battery design is essential. Lack of regulation at this early stage might lead to a number of incompatible systems or technologies patented by foreign entities, which would prevent the local manufacturing of batteries, charging stations, or even automobiles that could use swappable batteries. Vehicles with swappable batteries will eventually need to use battery swapping protocols that are globally interoperable.

Key Market Players

The Battery Swapping Market is dominated by players such as NIO Power (China), Gogoro (Taiwan), Immotor (China), Aulton (China), and Sun Mobility (India).

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Browse Adjacent Market: Automotive and Transportation Market Research Reports & Consulting

Browse Related Reports:

Electric Vehicle Market - Global Forecast to 2030

Electric Commercial Vehicle Market - Global Forecast to 2030

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EV Battery Market - Global Forecast to 2027

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

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.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

To find out more, visit www.MarketsandMarkets.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Contact:

Mr. Aashish Mehra

MarketsandMarkets INC.

630 Dundee Road

Suite 430

Northbrook, IL 60062

USA: +1-888-600-6441

Email: [email protected]

Research Insight: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ResearchInsight/battery-swapping-market.asp Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As School Choice Week kicks off nationwide, Orlando families will connect with local schools and afterschool programs  and enjoy food, music, and free school supplies  at a community fair celebrating school choice on Saturday, Jan. 21.

From private schools to afterschool programs, more than 20 schools and community vendors will showcase their offerings at the event, which takes place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Eastland Baptist Church. Attendees can jumpstart their search for next school year, or simply show their school spirit and enjoy an afternoon of family fun. The fair will feature food trucks, face painting, and a school supply giveaway, where families can receive pens, notebooks, and other supplies for their students.

This event is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. Additional flagship events in Florida include a student showcase in Miami and a library celebration of learning in Homestead.

The Eastland Baptist Church is located at 9000 Lake Underhill Rd., Orlando, FL 32825

This event is hosted by Americans for Prosperity Foundation - Florida, which is dedicated to the belief that every person has a unique set of gifts and the ability to contribute to society in their own way.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The Corporate Reputation of Pharma in 2021 - The Patient Perspective - USA Edition - The Views of 240 USA Patient Groups" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The 'Corporate Reputation of Pharma' Survey - US Edition, is now in its 9th year, and two years into the Covid-19 pandemic. Between November 2021-February 2022, the survey collected the opinions of 240 US-based 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 highlights on:

How the analyst measures pharma's corporate reputation from a patient perspective

The headline results of the 2021 USA survey

The companies included in the 2021 US analysis

The profiles of 2021's respondent US patient groups

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

FINDINGS AT INDUSTRY LEVEL

The 240 US patient groups responding to the 2021 survey rated the pharma industry more favourably for corporate reputation than their predecessors in previous years. 67% of 2021's respondent patient groups stated that the industry had an "Excellent" or "Good" corporate reputation, against 57% saying the same in 2020.

The positivity of 2021's respondent patient groups appears to be largely driven by the pharma industry's response to the Covid-19 pandemic - specifically, the success some US companies have had at developing vaccines and treatments. In total 81% of 2021's respondent patient groups stated that pharma was "Very effective" or "Effective" at providing support to patients during the pandemic, the same percentage as in 2020.

During 2021, the Covid-19 pandemic continued to monopolise public life in the USA. Prior to the pandemic, other, longer-term problems - particularly health inequities, rising drug pricing and pharma's perceived lack of transparency - dominated political debate in the field of healthcare. For patients with chronic diseases, these issues have not gone away.

Already, the analyst's 2021 figures indicate a growing impatience with pharma among US patient groups. 2021's 240 respondent US patient groups registered significant drops in their approval ratings when asked in the 'Corporate Reputation' survey about specific pharma activities of importance to patients and patient groups - especially patient safety, patient centricity, patient information, and integrity.

COMPANY RANKINGS

The top-three pharma companies out of 41 companies, ranked for their overall corporate reputation in 2021 (assessed by respondent patient groups familiar with the company): ViiV Healthcare, 1st - Horizon Therapeutics, 2nd - Pfizer, 3rd.

The top-three 'big-pharma' companies out of 13 companies, ranked for overall corporate reputation in 2021 (assessed by respondent patient groups familiar with the company): Pfizer, 1st - Genentech (Roche), 2nd - and Janssen, 3rd.

Key Topics Covered:

Executive summary

US patient-group relationships with pharma, 2021

Industry-wide findings in the USA , 2021

, 2021 Rankings of 41 pharma companies in the USA , 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar with the companies

, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar with the companies Rankings of 34 pharma companies in the USA , 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups working with the companies

, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups working with the companies Rankings of 13 'big-pharma' companies in the USA , 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar with the companies

, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar with the companies Rankings of 13 'big-pharma' companies in the USA , 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups working with the companies

, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups working with the companies Rankings of generic pharma companies in the USA , 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar with the companies

, 2021 v. 2020, as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar with the companies Profiles of the 41 companies, 2021 (v. 2020)

Each company is profiled by the following measures:

The number of respondent US patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021.

The profile of the respondent US 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 US patient-group partners, 2021.

Company performance in the USA at the individual indicators of corporate reputation in 2021-as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar, and working, with the company.

at the individual indicators of corporate reputation in 2021-as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar, and working, with the company. Competitors' relationships in 2021 with the company's respondent US patient-group partners.

Overall rankings in the USA for the company-as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021 v. 2020.

for the company-as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021 v. 2020. Company rankings in the USA for each of the indicators-as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021 v. 2020.

for each of the indicators-as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021 v. 2020. Snapshot view: where the company sits in the US corporate tiers for each of the indicators (in the higher, the middle, or the lower tier)-as assessed by respondent US patient groups familiar, and working, with the company, 2021.

Overall rankings of the company in the USA , 2016-2021-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 the US 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 US patient groups familiar with the company.

Profiles of the 41 companies, 2021

AbbVie

Acorda Therapeutics

Amgen

Astellas

AstraZeneca

Bayer

Biogen

Boehringer

Bristol Myers Squibb

Chiesi Farmaceutici

CSL Behring

Daiichi Sankyo

Dr Reddy's

Eisai

Eli Lilly

EMD Serono (Merck KGaA)

Ferring

Genentech (Roche)

Gilead Sciences

Grifols

GSK

Horizon Therapeutics

Ipsen

Janssen

Lundbeck

Merck & Co (MSD)

Mylan

Novartis

Novo Nordisk

Octapharma

Otsuka

Pfizer

Sandoz

Sanofi

Servier

Sun Pharma

Takeda

Teva

UCB

Vertex

ViiV Healthcare

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/94pckt

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Collaboration in the "Material Bank Japan" sample marketplace for order fulfillment of interior design, architectural, and construction materials

Locus Robotics has deployed innovative, ESG-friendly AMRs at more than 250 sites world-wide and has picked more than 1.3 billion items

WILMINGTON, Mass., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DesignFuture Japan, the Japanese arm of Material Bank, the world's largest marketplace for aggregating and sending out material samples, and Locus Robotics, the leader in Autonomous Mobile Robotics (AMR) for logistics and distribution warehouses, announced today that they will collaborate to deploy LocusBots at Material Bank Japan in their distribution warehouse.

"The reason Material Bank(R) in the United States has grown into a service used by 100,000 designers in just three years is none other than the fact that it greatly contributed to streamlining operations related to sample requests," said Tsuyoshi Nakazawa, CEO of DesignFuture Japan. "Survey results show that designers in the United States spend nearly 40% of their time requesting samples, but in interviews with Japanese designers, we hear that they spend more time than that. We believe that how quickly we can deliver samples is also important for resolving industry issues. Locus Robotics, which has built a strong partnership with Material Bank in the United States, supports the rapid and efficient logistics that make this possible. We are very pleased to be able to start this demonstration project in Japan in collaboration with this company."

The two companies will deploy 25 Locus AMRs, to the Material Bank Japan distribution facility in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture to deliver high productivity logistics and order fulfillment. This will improve both the working environment and sustainability through automation and streamlining of picking operations, as well as enhance the customer experience for Material Bank Japan users.

This is the first deployment for Locus in the Japanese market and the third country in the APAC region following recent deployments in Singapore and Australia.

"Locus Robotics is proud to partner with DesignFuture Japan and Material Bank, sharing our commitment to bring highly effective, scalable and efficient robotics solutions to enable designers and architects in Japan," said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. "This partnership expands our existing US-based relationship with Material Bank, bringing our innovative technology to the Japanese region for the first time. We look forward to working together to deliver eco-friendly, cutting-edge robotics technology that will drive significant operational efficiency and productivity gains."

Locus Robotics currently operates more than 10,000 AMRs at over 250 sites in the United States, Europe, and Asia. In addition to Material Bank, Locus's global customers include DHL Supply Chain, GEODIS, Radial, Ryder eCommerce, and VF Corporation. In 2022, the company achieved the industry-first milestone surpassing over 1.3 billion units picked. Locus averages more than three million units picked per day around the world.

Material Bank Japan provides a material sample marketplace where designers and professionals engaged in interior design, architectural design, display design, etc. can quickly search for and order material samples from a variety of manufacturers on a single site and then receive samples in a single box as early as the next morning.

According to a survey by Material Bank in the U.S., designers spend nearly 40% of their working hours searching for and ordering building materials. In addition, centralizing samples from multiple manufacturers in Japan will reduce the environmental impact of logistics by approximately 70%; with the reuse of samples that are returned reducing landfill and waste.

DesignFuture Japan has set the goal of reducing environmental impact in the Material Bank Japan facility while providing a high level of service. It aims to achieve these goals through collaboration with Locus Robotics' AMRs to not only improve worker productivity 2X vs. traditional fulfillment methods but with Locus's ESG-friendly sustainability engineering. The LocusBots can have virtually unlimited lifespans, significantly lowering environmental impact.

Japan represents the world's 4th largest ecommerce market and the need for flexible and scalable automation has dramatically increased to offset an aging population and a growing shortage of available labor. Locus is expanding into Japan with a proven track record of high productivity with Material Bank in the U.S. with its proven, flexible, cost-effective, and scalable robotics automation solutions for the entire warehouse.

Role of LocusBots in Material Bank Japan

Building material samples placed by designers through the Material Bank Japan website are sent from the Material Bank Warehouse Management System (WMS) to the Locus solution. Locus optimizes the orders and sends them to the LocusBots which autonomously travel to each pick location in the 6,000 m2 distribution center. Workers, collaborating with the LocusBots, pick the specific samples and LocusBots then deliver them to the shipping facility for delivery to customers.

LocusBots are equipped with a highly flexible and configurable platform where the containers and shipping boxes samples are placed. Workers simply follow the LocusBots' onscreen display information to pick the sample(s) from the appropriate shelves and place them into the designated box. This eliminates unproductive walking time and reduces worker fatigue. LocusBots can carry multiple orders (boxes) at the same time, significantly increasing worker productivity, speed, and order accuracy. The UI is also able to change to the worker's preferred language, further helping to ensure order accuracy.

The Material Bank US has grown to the scale of 100,000 users in just three years and their service has significantly contributed to enhanced efficiencies related to architectural and interior design sampling materials. In the US, designers spend almost 40% of their time researching samples of design products for their projects, while in Japan, this number is even higher.

About Material Bank Japan

Material Bank Japan is a building material sample marketplace for designers and building material manufacturers. With its multi-brand cross search and batch request system and established logistics facilities, Material Bank Japan provides designers with a free and efficient way to order samples. In addition, it provides building material manufacturers with tools for direct communication with designers and information on projects when requesting samples, making it easier than ever for them to make proposals that meet their needs.

Material Bank Japan's original sample shipping trays are not only designed to maximize the quality of the building can also be used as a return box with sustainability in mind. In the U.S., designers request building materials from an average of four companies per sample request, so by replacing shipping from each manufacturer with bulk shipping from Material Bank Japan, the number of items shipped can be reduced by approximately 75%, which is expected to reduce environmental impact.

About Material Bank USA

MATERIAL TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION operates the world's largest building materials sample marketplace. It was established and launched in 2019 based on the conception launched by Adam I. Sandow, who runs SANDOW, an American media company that publishes magazines for interior designers, as one of the company's businesses. The company's unique system, which combines a multi-brand cross-search and bulk billing system with established logistics facilities, enables next-day delivery of orders placed before midnight to anywhere in the U.S. In the three years since its establishment, it has grown to a scale of over 100,000 participating designers and 450 manufacturers handled.

About DesignFuture Japan Inc.

DesignFuture Japan is the operator of Material Bank Japan, the Japanese version of the world's largest sample marketplace, with the vision of "creating a technology infrastructure that connects designers and materials. Since the company's establishment in 2021, we have been researching the market and determining how best to localize the service in order to make it easier for Japanese building materials manufacturers and Japanese architects and interior design professionals to use. The company name, DesignFuture Japan, reflects our desire to solve problems in the design industry and create a better future, starting with the Material Bank Japan business.

Head Office: VORT AOYAMA II 5F, 2-1-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo URL: https://soon.materialbank.jp

About Locus Robotics

Locus Robotics' revolutionary, multi-bot solution incorporates powerful and intelligent autonomous mobile robots that operate collaboratively with human workers to dramatically improve piecehandling, case-handling, and pallet-moving productivity 2X3X, while optimizing labor and making efficient use of warehouse space. Locus helps retailers, 3PLs, and specialty warehouses efficiently meet and exceed the increasingly complex and demanding requirements of fulfillment environments. Easily integrating into large-scale new and existing warehouse infrastructures without disrupting workflows, Locus transforms productivity without transforming the warehouse.

Headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts, Locus's EMEA presence is centrally located in Amsterdam, with APAC presence located in Singapore.

In 2022 alone, Locus Robotics has won more than 17 industry awards, including being named to the Inc. 500 for the second year in a row and a 2022 IFOY Award for its Autonomous Mobile Robot Solution in the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV/AMR) category.

Headquarter Location: Wilmington, MA U.S.A. URL: https://locusrobotics.com/

Material Bank is a trademark or registered trademark of Material Technologies Corporation

SOURCE Locus Robotics
Multiple nutritional benefits of consuming dried mushrooms are raising the demand for it, which in turn, is driving the growth of the global dried mushroom market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Dried Mushroom Market by Type (Button, Shiitake, Oyster, Other), by Application (Food Service Industry, Retail, Industrial), by Sales Channel (Business to Business, Business to Consumer): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031". According to the report, the global dried mushroom industry generated $3.9 billion in 2021, and is anticipated to generate $8.6 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 8.6% from 2022 to 2031.

Download Free Sample Report: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/32077

Prime determinants of growth

Multiple nutritional benefits of consuming dried mushrooms are raising the demand for it, which in turn, is driving the growth of the global dried mushroom market. However, restricted availability of dried mushroom products for retail sales and less knowledge about the benefits of dried mushrooms among consumers are expected to restrain the market growth.

Covid-19 Scenario

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the global dried mushroom market, owing to implementation of the global lockdown.

People were restricted to stay at their homes to stop the spread of the disease which led to a decline in the sales of retail dried mushrooms.

Food processing units stopped their production and reduced their workforce to restrict the spread of the coronavirus, which significantly affected the production of dried mushrooms.

Furthermore, during the COVID-19 period, stagnated export and import activities, closures of the hotel, restaurants and fast-food outlets, which are considered to be highest dried mushroom end users, negatively impacted the global dried mushroom industry in 2020.

The shiitake segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on product type, the shiitake segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for more than two-fifths of the global dried mushroom market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. Shiitake mushroom helps in reducing the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and certain kind of cancers as it contains vitamin D which is essential for health. Owing to its medical benefits, it is considerably used in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the oyster segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 9.8% from 2022 to 2031. One of the most common types of cultivated mushrooms in the world is oyster mushrooms. Dried oyster mushroom is considerably used in food processing industries for making ready-to-eat supplement products. To generate value-added products, various processing procedures for fresh and dried oyster mushrooms have been standardized.

The food service industry segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on application, the food service industry segment held the highest market share in 2021, accounting for around two-fifths of the global dried mushroom market, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. The dried mushrooms are increasingly used in restaurants and hotels, owing to their high durability as compared to fresh mushrooms. However, the retail segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 10.1% from 2022 to 2031. The retail use of mushrooms will grow in upward direction till 2031. As a result of COVID-19, people have changed their lifestyles. They are trying to consume food that is home made. Due to this reason, consumers are trying to use mushrooms for residential use. As people demand authentic home-made food, the residential use of mushrooms tend to propel the mushroom market in a positive way through the retail segment.

For Purchase Enquiry: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/32077

Europe to maintain its dominance by 2031

Based on region, Europe held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2021, accounting for more than one-third of the global dried mushroom market, and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period. This rise is expected to be driven by shifts in European consumers' consumption habits. This includes the increasing interest in replacing vegan food and animal protein. Increased interest in medicinal mushrooms will be a further driving force as they are rich in micronutrients and support the immune system. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 10.0% from 2022 to 2031. Growing food service industry and food processing industry in Asia-Pacific countries, especially in India and China, coupled with the increased demand for dried mushrooms to be used in western and Asian cuisines are likely to spur the growth of the Asia-Pacific dried mushroom market during the forecast period.

Leading Market Players: -

Monterey Mushrooms, LLC

Banken Champignons Group

Sun Hing Foods, Inc.

Fresh Mushroom Europe

Borde

Monaghan Group

Sabarot Wassner

Weikfield Foods Pvt. Ltd.

White Prince Mushrooms

Sapna Foods, Inc.

Roland Foods, LLC

Hughes Mushrooms

Merchant Gourmet

Renaud Champignons

Ann Miller's Specialty Mushrooms Ltd.

Want to Access the Statistical Data and Graphs, Key Players' Strategies: https://bit.ly/3XmR8We

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We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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Cooperation agreements between Rwanda and Turkey lay ground for a promising trajectory towards needed development across various sectors, according to diplomacy experts.

Rwanda and Turkey on Thursday, January 12 signed three new cooperation agreements in areas of general cooperation, culture, as well as science, technology and innovation.

ALSO READ: Turkey and Rwanda enjoy good bilateral relations

At the signing ceremony, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Rwandan counterpart Dr. Vincent Biruta pointed out that this is yet another step in strengthening bilateral ties between their countries.

Overall, about 24 cooperation agreements have so far been signed, according to Biruta. They cover sectors including trade and investment, education, defense and security, visa exemption, as well as culture and diplomacy.

Charles Murigande, former Rwandan ambassador to Japan, said that the signing of such agreements means that Rwanda is seen as a trustworthy and reliable partner because a country first assesses what has been achieved from the existing partnership that Rwanda has with other countries and decides to take a step forward to making a deal.

"These agreements are creating a favourable ground for us to acquire what we need to fast track our development. Be it in terms of knowledge transfer or the very much needed technology," he said.

Murigande noted that it is important for local players and the government to have a common ground of engagement to understand the content of the agreements so as to make the most of every framework in place.

Joy Murekatete, an exporter of flowers to Europe, said trade is easy and safe among countries with cooperation agreements in terms of transportation and product pricing.

"This increases our sales because the Rwandan market is different from Europe. The market there is huge and demand is high as they value flowers compared to Africans. If there is an agreement between two countries, one is also confident in the friendship ground created."

According to available data, Rwanda's exports to Turkey have increased from $31 million in 2019 to $178 million in 2022.

Cavusoglu noted that the annual business forum between both countries organised by the private sector is a major driver of increased trade volumes and Turkish companies are very much interested in infrastructure projects in Rwanda.

"The current level we have reached in trade is not satisfactory. Yes, five times increase in three years but the potential is huge and we should set new targets by $1 billion trade for the future," he said.

Biruta said that Rwanda will sign a host country agreement for the Turkish Maarif Foundation which will invest in TVET training in the country. The Foundation serves as a gateway to the international educational arena of Turkey.

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Turkish firms have been part of the construction of different projects such as the Kigali Convention Centre, BK Arena, the ongoing renovation of Amahoro Stadium, as well as the construction of three luxury resort hotels.

During his working visit in Rwanda, Cavusoglu visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. He also met with President Paul Kagame to discuss further ways to strengthen existing partnerships between both countries.

READ ALSO: We have to do something very good for Rwanda - Turkish tycoon

While in Kigali, in June 2022, Ferit Sahenk, one of the richest people in Turkey, promised that his multinational's operations will "do something very good for the country." The Chairperson of the Dogus Group was speaking during a panel discussion on investing in Rwanda at the Commonwealth Business Forum.

His Dogus Group is one of the largest private-sector conglomerates in Turkey. In October 2021, officials from the Dogus Construction Group were in Kigali and agreed on a framework of a partnership to accelerate infrastructure development in Rwanda.

Dogus Construction - a world-class leader in the construction sector - committed to establishing a regional office in Rwanda and bringing on board the teams to assess all necessary technical aspects of the projects in the various sectors as a move to fast track the implementation process.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it plans to build a freestanding, 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Johnston, Rhode Island. The hospital will be located at 2109 Hartford Avenue and is expected to begin serving patients in 2024.

"We are excited to expand our rehabilitation services in the Northeast through this project, which will serve as Encompass Health's first hospital in the state of Rhode Island," said Pat Tuer, president of Encompass Health's Northeast region. "We look forward to improving access to high-quality, individualized rehabilitative care and allowing more residents to receive specialized care close to home."

Complementing local acute care services, this hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. In addition to 24hour nursing care, this hospital will offer physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. Care will be provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians.

The hospital will feature all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies and an activities of daily living suite, cafeteria, pharmacy and therapy courtyard.

About Encompass Health

Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 153 hospitals in 36 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For and Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the likelihood, timing and effects of the completion of this hospital project, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Encompass Health's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the regulatory review and approval process, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against the Company; the possibility this project will experience unexpected delays; the ability to successfully complete this project consistent with Encompass Health's growth strategy, including realization of anticipated revenues and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; disease outbreaks, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread; the actions to be taken by Encompass Health in response to disease outbreaks; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; the hospital's ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's information systems; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on Encompass Health's labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021 and Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2022.

Media contact:

Danielle Hall | 205-970-5912

[email protected]

Investor Relations contact:

Mark Miller | 205-970-5860

[email protected]

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.
Free event to feature food, games, family fun, and dozens of public charter schools

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Discover your school spirit next week at an Albuquerque education fair celebrating National School Choice Week. This year's event will feature 37+ local schools, giving attendees an exclusive opportunity to meet with school representatives and explore public, private, online, and homeschool options  all in one room.

The free fair takes place 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. While parents meet school leaders, ask questions, and receive information, children can enjoy a photobooth, a DJ, face painting, brownies, cookies, lemonade, and balloon art.

From classical schools to leadership schools, from public charter performing arts schools to private religious schools, the fair will offer a taste of the diverse options Albuquerque families can choose. Besides meeting local schools, attendees will have the chance to learn about a 529 Education Saving Plan that can help families fund future education expenses, and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a project to deliver school choice information and tools in Spanish.

The goal of the event? To celebrate learning and offer support to Albuquerque families in the school search process. The fair is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states.

"Every child is unique and all children learn differently. Families deserve to attend the school that is best for their child," said Matthew Pahl, executive director of Public Charter Schools of New Mexico (PCSNM). "We're excited for Albuquerque families to learn about the options available to them, including many great free, public charter schools."

Join more than 400 community members for the fair at the Albuquerque Convention Center, located at 401 2nd St NW. The fair will take place in Ballroom C.

This event is hosted by Public Charter Schools of New Mexico, the primary entity supporting and advocating for charter schools in the land of enchantment.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
In its second year, Female Disruptors has added MBA Scholarships, FREE ticket options, and internationally recognized female disruptor Sandy Carter to keynote speakers.

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Female Disruptors is leveling the playing fields for women with its Unstoppable 2nd Annual Virtual Summit to be held on January 18, 2023 ( https://female-disruptors-virtual-summit-2022.heysummit.com/ ).

This 2023 program features exclusive added benefits, including a chance for attendees to win four MBA scholarship opportunities from Ducere Business School , a world-class global business school.

Female Disruptors is leveling the playing fields for women with its Unstoppable 2nd Annual Virtual Summit to be held on January 18, 2023 (https://female-disruptors-virtual-summit-2022.heysummit.com/ ). This 2023 program features exclusive added benefits, including a chance for attendees to win four MBA scholarship opportunities from Ducere Business School, a world-class global business school. Sandy Carter Joins Female Disruptors as Keynote Speaker From TEDx, SXSW, CES, and now Female Disruptors, internationally bejeweled Senior VP & Channel Chief at Unstoppable Domains and founder of Women in Web3, Sandy Carter, is joining the Web3 keynote roster.

The Female Disruptors UNSTOPPABLE event features

30+ influential and diverse women from GENZ to Boomers

35+ talks on relevant topics curated to help the future of females be unstoppable .

. All Access Passes are available to purchase online for $299 - including all recordings and exclusive benefits.

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Underlines Higher Education for Women

This one-of-a-kind female-founded and focused event brings education to the forefront by offering scholarships to women attendees, crypto domains, free premium sessions, and top panels in every sector of business, from crypto to health/wellness.

"Female Disruptors is a global brand dedicated to creating equitable and inclusive opportunities for women through education, empowerment, and inspiration," said Female Disruptors' Founder, PR Entrepreneur and Author Lisa Buyer.

"Our goal is to reach one million women this year and make our content more accessible. We could not do it without sponsors and partners, with special gratitude to Ducere Business School and partners. With their support, we can offer more women the opportunity for inclusion in our events without income barriers," continued Buyer.

Other sponsors include Goat Social Media, Social Media Pros

Female Disruptors UNSTOPPABLE categories include:

"F" is for FEMINISM Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

HER STATE Mental health and wellness

SHE MEANS BUSINESS in MarCom - Digital Marketing, PR, and Social Media

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GOLD DIGGER - Women, Law, and Money

TECH QUEENS - Web3, Metaverse, NFTs, and Beyond

Sandy Carter Joins Female Disruptors as Keynote Speaker

From TEDx, SXSW, CES, and now Female Disruptors, internationally bejeweled Senior VP & Channel Chief at Unstoppable Domains and founder of Women in Web3, Sandy Carter, is joining the Web3 keynote roster.

Limited FREE Ticket Option Gives More Women a Chance to Participate

Signing up for the Female Disruptors FREEmium experience offers access to Sandy Carter's keynote plus the SHE Means Business Track highlighting disruption in digital marketing, public relations, and social media.

About Ducere Global Business School

Ducere Global Business School is a recognized leader in universityenterprise collaborations to design and deliver degrees that have real career impact. Ducere partners with major universities across four continents, global corporations, government departments, NGOs, and as a member of the AACSB, Clinton Foundation, United Nations, and various global chambers. Ensuring that programs are current, relevant, and industry connections.

Ducere has a mission of both business and philanthropy and has funded and supported the activities of the Ducere Foundation across 27 African nations. With offices in the United States, Australia, the UK, and Africa, Ducere constantly strives to promote global equity and access to education.

About Female Disruptors

Female Disruptors https://www.femaledisruptors.com/ is a female-focused brand that aims to level the playing field, give women their fair share of the spotlight and reverse ageism, discrimination, and abuse of power.

What started as a magazine by Lisa Buyer in 2019 is now a movement building community and making a difference through education, collaboration, and inspiration.

Media Contact:

Lisa Buyer, Founder

Female Disruptors

[email protected]

561-703-8555

https://www.femaledisruptors.com/

SOURCE Female Disruptors
Surge in deployment of data centers, growing adoption of fiber-based internet connection by businesses, rise in data traffic, increasing demand for bandwidth and reliability, and developments in the fiber optic components ecosystem drive the global fiber optic component market growth.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Fiber Optic Component Market by Type (Cables, Amplifiers, Active Optical Cables, Splitters, Connectors, Transceivers, Others), by Data Rate (10 G, 40 G, 100 G, Above 100 G), by Application (Communications, Distributed Sensing, Analytical and Medical Equipment, Lighting): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031." According to the report, the global fiber optic component industry generated $23.6 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $53.6 billion by 2031, witnessing a CAGR of 8.8% from 2022 to 2031. The report offers a detailed analysis of changing market trends, top segments, key investment pockets, value chain, regional landscape, and competitive scenario.

Download Free Sample [email protected] https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/32078

Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

Surge in deployment of data centers, growing adoption of fiber-based internet connection by businesses, rise in data traffic, increasing demand for bandwidth and reliability, and developments in the fiber optic components ecosystem drive the growth of the global fiber optic component market. However, fragile nature of fiber optic components hampers the market growth. On the other hand, increase in telecom infrastructure is expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the market expansion in the coming years.

Covid-19 Scenario

The global fiber optic component market was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the extended lockdowns and unavailability of labor, manufacturing facilities were shut down and production activities came to a halt. Disruptions in the distribution channel caused difficulties in obtaining raw materials and machinery.

The market witnessed a steep decline during 2019-2020. Companies operating in the global fiber optic components industry temporarily experienced a slowdown, owing to lack of availability of skilled workforce to manufacture global fiber optic components, and this led to a decline in market revenue for the financial year 2020 to 2021.

However, with the introduction of vaccines, the severity of the pandemic reduced significantly and companies in the industry gradually resumed their normal operations.

The 100G Segment to Maintain a Progressive Growth during the Forecast Period

Based on data rate, the 100G segment was the largest market in 2021, contributing to more than half of the global fiber optic component market, and is expected to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. Moreover, the segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 9.49% from 2022 to 2031. This is due to the higher performance of 100G than previous switching technologies, and its low cost compared to 40G with 25% increase in performance.

The Communications Segment to Maintain its Leadership in Terms of Revenue During the Forecast Period

Based on application, the communications segment was the largest market in 2021, contributing to nearly three-fifths of the global fiber optic component market, and is expected to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. Manufacturers of optical transceivers are placing a greater emphasis on research and development in order to support various applications in the metro network, data center interconnect, long-haul applications, and other areas that call for optical transceivers to be compatible with the intricate network. On the other hand, the distributed sensing segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 10.1% from 2022 to 2031. Distributed fiber optic sensors are increasingly being used in the infrastructure sector, especially for monitoring structural health.

Interested to Procure the Data? Inquire Here (Get Full Insights in PDF - 249 Pages) @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/32078

The Cables Segment to Maintain its Leadership in Terms of Revenue During the Forecast Period

Based on type, the cables segment was the largest market in 2021, contributing to nearly one-third of the global fiber optic component market, and is expected to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. Fiber optic cables have higher capacity and can carry data over greater distances than conventional wires with little loss. On the other hand, the transceivers segment is projected to witness the fastest CAGR of 12.0% from 2022 to 2031, due to their high demand in the telecom and data center industries, owing to their energy-efficient features and inexpensiveness.

Asia-Pacific to Maintain its Dominance by 2031

Based on region, Asia-Pacific was the largest market in 2021, capturing nearly half of the global fiber optic component market, and is expected to lead the trail during the forecast period. Moreover, the same market is projected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 9.63% during the forecast period, owing to the continuous investment in data centers in Asia-Pacific. Also, due to the growing demand for data storage, some of the data center companies in the region look to rent or share data center facilities instead of owning them. The report also analyzes the North America, Europe, and LAMEA segments.

Enquire for Customization with Detailed Analysis of COVID-19 Impact in Report @ https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-for-customization/32078

Leading Market Players

Furukawa Electric

Sumitomo Electric Industries

Lumentum Holdings Inc.

Accelink Technologies Co. Ltd.

II-VI Incorporated

Broadcom Inc.

Acacia Communications, Inc.

Fujitsu Optical Components

EMCORE Corporation

Tongding Interconnection Information Co Ltd.

Key Benefits For Stakeholders:

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the fiber optic component market analysis and fiber optic component market outlook from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing fiber optic component market opportunity.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the digital film cameras market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global digital cinema cameras market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Fiber Optic Component Market Key Segments:

Data Rate

10 G

40 G

100 G

Above 100 G

Application

Communications

Distributed Sensing

Analytical and Medical Equipment

Lighting

Type

Cables

Amplifiers

Active Optical Cables

Splitters

Connectors

Transceivers

Others

By Region

North America (U.S., Canada , Mexico )

(U.S., , ) Europe (UK, Germany , France , Rest of Europe )

(UK, , , Rest of ) Asia-Pacific ( China , Japan , India , South Korea , Rest of Asia-Pacific )

( , , , , Rest of ) LAMEA ( Latin America , Middle East , Africa )

Buy this Research Report @ https://bit.ly/3ILnqpL

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Optical Fiber Market by Mode (Single Mode and Multi-Mode), Type (Glass Optical Fiber and Plastic Optical Fiber), and Industry Vertical (Telecom & IT, Public Sector, Healthcare, Energy & Utilities, Aerospace & Defense, Manufacturing, and Others): Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2018 - 2025

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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Popular Toledo celebration to feature K-8 schools, free family fun

TOLEDO, Ohio, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Considering a new school or curious about scholarship opportunities for elementary students? Metro Toledo families are invited to explore their school options firsthand  and enjoy face painting and free snacks  at a celebratory fair hosted by the Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund and School Choice Ohio next weekend.

Join more than 400 community members at the fifth annual fair on Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Franciscan Center, located on the Lourdes University campus. From 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., representatives from 30 K-8 learning options will share information with families and answer questions. Attendees will learn about traditional public schools, public charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling organizations, as well as Ohio's five state-funded scholarships and the Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund.

This year's fair will also have more family fun than ever before, including face painting, a photobooth, balloon art, a DJ, and cookies, coffee, and lemonade.

The Toledo School Fair is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. As part of the festivities, large school fairs will be taking place in dozens of major cities, including Houston, Colorado Springs, and Oklahoma City.

"School Choice Ohio is excited to be a part of the school choice fair. Finding the best type of education for your child is one of the biggest decisions a parent will ever make. This fair will give parents and guardians a chance to ask questions and learn about the many school choices available in Northwest Ohio," said Ann Riddle, director of provider outreach at SCO.

The Northwest Ohio Scholarship Fund is committed to offering educational choices to low-income families through privately funded scholarships. School Choice Ohio works to ensure that families across the state know about the education options available for their children.

The Lourdes University campus is located at 6832 Convent Blvd., Sylvania, Ohio

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Semiconductor Chips: Applications and Impact of Shortage " report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

In this report, the semiconductor chip market has been segmented based on type, end user and geography. The report provides an overview of the global semiconductor chip market and analyzes market trends. Using 2021 as the base year, the report provides estimated market data for the forecast period, 2022-2027.

Semiconductor chips are omnipresent and essential components of digital and digital products, devices and infrastructure, from smartphones and automobiles to healthcare, energy, communications and industrial equipment.

With the advent of digital transformation and highly automated vehicles, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, edge and quantum computing, supercomputers, industrial production automation, space and defense applications and economic and chips as strategic assets will only become more important.



The biggest problem for the semiconductor industry in 2021 was the supply and demand scarcity. This imbalance has led to chip shortages, impacting traditional chip-end markets (data centers and smartphones) and less dependent markets such as automobiles.

By the end of 2023, the severity of the chip shortage and its economic impact is expected to reduce through initiatives by chip manufacturers, distributors and end customers to increase production capacity and improve supply chain processes. Governments are also funding development of semiconductor industries.

Revenue forecasts for this period are segmented based on type, end user and geography. Market values have been estimated based on the total revenue of semiconductor chip providers.

The report covers the market for semiconductor chips with regards to user base across different regions. It also focuses on the major trends and challenges that affect the market and the vendor landscape. The report estimates the global market for marketing analytics in 2021 and provides projections of the expected market size through 2027.

Note: A large part of the report focuses on the global semiconductor chip shortage of 2021. The report analyzes the impact of this shortage across various end users and key countries.

The terms semiconductor chips, computer chip, microchip and integrated circuits are used interchangeably.

Report Includes

A detailed overview and an up-to-date analysis of the global markets for semiconductor chips and their commercial applications

Analyses of the global market trends, with market revenue (sales figures) for 2021, estimates for 2022 and 2023, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2027

Estimation of the actual market size and revenue forecast for global semiconductor chips market in USD billions, and corresponding market share analysis by type, end-user and region

Highlights of the upcoming market opportunities with respect to regions and applications of the semiconductor chip market, and major issues and trends affecting the shortage

Insight into the semiconductor chips market through an assessment of the current market size and forecast of market development in the coming five years, and an understanding of the reasons behind the present shortage of chips

Insight into the value chain analysis, demand-supply gap, and factors driving the shortage of semiconductor chips in 2021/2022, and analysis of the impact of this shortage across various end users and key countries

Identification of the major stakeholders and analysis of the competitive landscape based on recent developments, financial performance, and segmental revenues

Updated information on recent mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, agreements, partnerships, product launches, and expansions in the global semiconductor chips market

Descriptive company profiles of the leading global players, including SMIC, Advanced Micro Devices Inc., MediaTek Inc., Kioxia Holding Corp., Texas Instruments Inc., and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Study Goals and Objectives

1.2 Reasons for Doing the Study

1.3 What's New in this Update

1.4 Intended Audience

1.5 Information Sources

1.6 Methodology

1.7 Scope of Report

1.8 Geographic Breakdown

1.9 Analyst's Credentials

1.10 Custom Research

1.11 Related Research Reports

Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights

Chapter 3 Market Overview

3.1 Current Market Scenario

3.2 Overview of the Global Semiconductor Industry

3.2.1 Semiconductor Industry Value Chain

3.3 Introduction to Semiconductor Chips (Integrated Circuits)

3.3.1 Types of Integrated Circuits

3.3.2 Materials Used in Chip Manufacturing

3.4 Evolution of Integrated Circuits

3.4.1 Invention of Integrated Circuits (Ics)

3.5 Evolution of Process Nodes

3.6 Government Policies for Manufacturing Semiconductor Chips

Chapter 4 Market Dynamics

4.1 Market Drivers

4.1.1 Growth in High Performance Computing

4.1.2 Increasing Internet of Things (Iot) Adoption

4.1.3 Growing Use of Semiconductor Chips in Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Applications

4.1.4 Demand for Chips in 5G Applications

4.2 Market Restraints

4.2.1 Lack of Trained/Skilled Individuals and Scientists

4.2.2 Global Political, Economic and Financial Crises

Chapter 5 Overview of Semiconductor Chip Shortage

5.1 Microeconomic Factors of Semiconductor Chips Market

5.1.1 Impact of Covid-19

5.1.2 Impact of Russia/Ukraine War

5.2 Demand/Supply Gap

5.2.1 Semiconductor Component Lead Time

5.3 Semiconductor Chips Operating Models

5.3.1 Integrated Device Manufacturers

5.3.2 Fabless-Foundry Model

5.3.3 Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (Osat)

5.4 Factors Driving Semiconductor Shortage

5.4.1 Sudden Demand for Consumer Electronics Due to Covid-19 Pandemic

5.4.2 Disruption in Supply Chain Caused by Covid-19 Pandemic

5.4.3 Trade Wars

5.4.4 Drought in Taiwan

5.4.5 Other Incidents

Chapter 6 Market Breakdown by Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Memory Chips

6.2.1 Types of Memory Chips

6.3 Logic Chips

6.3.1 Microprocessors

6.3.2 Microcontrollers

6.4 Analog Chips

Chapter 7 Market Breakdown by End Use

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Computing

7.2.1 Impact of Chip Shortage on Computing End-users

7.3 Automotive

7.3.1 Significant Factors

7.3.2 Impact of Chip Shortage on Automotive End-users

7.4 Consumer Electronics

7.4.1 Impact of Chip Shortage on Consumers Electronics End-users

7.5 Industrial

7.5.1 Impact of Chip Shortage on Industrial End-users

7.6 Wireless Communication

7.6.1 Impact of Chip Shortage on Wireless Communication End-users

7.7 Others

Chapter 8 Market Breakdown by Region

8.1 Introduction

8.2 North American Market Outlook

8.2.1 U.S.

8.2.2 Canada

8.2.3 Mexico

8.3 European Market Outlook

8.3.1 Germany

8.3.2 U.K.

8.3.3 France

8.3.4 Rest of Europe

8.4 Asia-Pacific Market Outlook

8.4.1 China

8.4.2 Japan

8.4.3 South Korea

8.4.4 Taiwan

8.4.5 India

8.4.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific

Chapter 9 Competitive Landscape

9.1 Market Ranking of Market Players by Operating Model

9.1.1 Ranking of Semiconductor Integrated Device Manufacturers

9.1.2 Ranking of Semiconductor Foundry/Fab Companies

9.1.3 Ranking of Semiconductor Fabless Companies

9.2 Strategic Analysis

9.2.1 Product Launches and Developments

9.2.2 Agreements, Collaborations and Partnerships

9.2.3 Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and Expansion

9.2.4 Investments and Funding

Chapter 10 Company Profiles

10.1 Semiconductor Foundry/Fab Companies

Db Hitek

Globalfoundries

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Tower Semiconductor Ltd.

United Microelectronics Corp.

10.2 Top Fabless Manufacturers

Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

Apple Inc.

Broadcom Inc.

Mediatek Inc.

Nvidia Corp.

Qualcomm Technologies Inc.

10.3 Integrated Device Manufacturers

Infineon Technologies AG

Intel Corp.

Kioxia Holdings Corp.

Micron Technology Inc.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Sk Hynix Inc.

Stmicroelectronics N.V.

Texas Instruments Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gk9y6g

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
North Dakota families to hold more than 50 events during the thirteenth annual celebration of school choice

BISMARCK, N.D., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gov. Doug Burgum has officially declared Jan. 22-Jan. 28 to be School Choice Week in North Dakota. His official declaration of "North Dakota School Choice Week" marks the sixth year in a row that the Week has been formally proclaimed in the state.

Gov. Burgum's proclamation comes on the heels of a year of historic school choice expansions nationwide. The proclamation highlights the importance of having a diverse educational environment, dedicated teaching professionals, and commitment to continuously improving the quality of K-12 education. It also recognizes the contributions and hard work of teachers, parents, and community leaders who invest in local schools.

"North Dakota School Choice Week" is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week, a weeklong national celebration of K-12 education that takes place during the last week of January. The full text of the proclamation can be found on the School Choice Week website at schoolchoiceweek.com/proclamations-2023/ .

For the Week, parents, schools, and other organizers have planned 54 activities across the state of North Dakota open houses, school activities, and much more  all of which aim to spark conversations about the opportunities parents have, or want to have, for their children's education.

More than 25,000 events have been independently planned for the week nationwide, raising awareness about school choices of every type.

"North Dakota families want to know all of the education options available for their children. During School Choice Week, they'll have their best opportunity all year to make a great choice for their child's schooling," said Andrew Campanella, president and CEO of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. "Gov. Burgum's proclamation recognizes how important options are to families across the state, supporting the future of North Dakota kids."

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/north-dakota

SOURCE National School Choice Week
Greenlabs, an Agtech company selected as this year's WEF Global Innovator, will be delivering a speech at the Davos Forum on resolving food crisis through digital solutions.

The company plans to share its experiences with digital transformation for sustainable agriculture with leaders from around the world and discuss its global expansion plans.

SEOUL, South Korea and COLOGNY, Switzerland, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Greenlabs will present strategies to address the food crisis, which will involve digital transformation of agriculture with data, in front of global leaders. The CEO of Greenlabs, Mr. Sang-hoon Shin, will participate in the Davos Forum in Switzerland (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, WEF), which is a five-day event starting on the 16th.

On 19th, WEF has a scheduled session on " Feeding 10 Billion: How Will We Eat in 2050?" during which CEO Shin will be giving a speech on behalf of Greenlabs regarding the need for developing comprehensive and effective online solutions for all members of the agricultural community as the means to resolve the global food crisis. The aim of the event is to present ways to establish a sustainable food supply chain by forecasting supply and demand for agro-food products, maximizing resource efficiency and standardizing the agro-food system.

Additionally, Greenlabs will be having bilateral meetings with numerous officials from global agricultural companies, governments, and international organizations. The company will share information about its global platform services that involve farmers worldwide, and also talk about plans to expand services through collaborations with different organizations globally.

According to the CEO of Greenlabs, Mr. Sang-hoon Shin, he plans to "Promote ways to stabilize and establish the agri-food value chain by creating a global community through a digital platform." He also mentioned that "Greenlabs will play a significant role as a global innovator, acknowledged for its technology and ability to address the food crisis on the international stage."

The theme of this year's Davos Forum is 'Cooperation in a Fragmented World' with a special emphasis on energy and food issues. In the 'new era', raising awareness about ways to tackle energy and quantity shortages caused by various simultaneous crises such as climate change, COVID-19, and war in Ukraine, will be a major focus of discussion during the event.

About Greenlabs

With its vision of innovating humanity's food starting with agriculture, Greenlabs is taking the lead in digitalizing the agriculture and food industry for sustainable human life. It has transformed agricultural production and distribution and intends to convert all value chains from finance to trade so as to make them sustainable. Meanwhile, it is creating carbon-neutral solutions in the agrifood field so that it makes a better tomorrow for the world.

It has attracted investment about a cumulative total of 240 billion won in recognition of its success in digitalizing agriculture and its overwhelming potential in the market. The business operates the total agriculture data platform "Farm Morning," which has more than 900,000 members or over half of Korean farming households, and a platform for food material buyers called "Sinsunhi," which has over 30,000 members.

SOURCE Greenlabs
BRADENTON, Fla., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hi-Lite Airfield Services ("Hi-Lite"), a subsidiary of Frontline Road Safety ("Frontline"), today announced the acquisition of the airfield marking business of Axtell's, Inc. Frontline, a portfolio company of The Sterling Group ("Sterling"), is a family of operating companies that provides pavement marking and ancillary services to a variety of end markets and customers.

The Axtell's, Inc. transaction marks Frontline's ninth acquisition since the platform was established in July 2020. Headquartered in Jermyn, Pennsylvania, Axtell's, Inc. is a leading pavement marking business specializing in general airfield pavement maintenance. Hi-Lite and Axtell's, Inc. will operate as an integrated business going forward, with the same crews and leadership team members dedicated to providing customers with best-in-class airfield pavement marking and maintenance services.

"Hi-Lite and Axtell's, Inc. are a natural fit as both teams share an unwavering commitment to performing work of the highest quality, providing unparalleled levels of customer service, and operating with a 'safety-first' culture," said Chris Miller, President of Hi-Lite Airfield Services.

"Axtell's, Inc. has always taken great pride in the quality of services we provide to our customers. We are thrilled to partner with a business that has the same values," said Robert Butts, Vice President of Axtell's, Inc. "Partnering with Frontline and Hi-Lite will provide us with a tremendous opportunity to expand our reach and capabilities."

"We are excited to make this investment and look forward to adding additional best-in-class operations to the Frontline platform in 2023 and beyond," said Mitch Williams, CEO of Frontline Road Safety.

Over the last several years, Sterling has executed on its investment thesis to build a leader in the road safety and infrastructure maintenance industry. Through organic growth and further acquisitions, Sterling intends to continue building Frontline into the leading platform for road safety solutions with best-in-class local execution capabilities. Sterling has a long history of partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to support the growth of their businesses.

About The Sterling Group

Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 64 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $5.1 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.

SOURCE Frontline Road Safety
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hi2 Global is now a signatory of the United Nations (UN) Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the world's leading proponent of responsible investment.

Launched by the UN in 2006 under former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, PRI works to understand the investment implications of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, and support its international network of investor signatories in incorporating these factors into their investment and ownership decisions.

The PRI is independent and encourages investors to use responsible investment to enhance returns and better manage risks, but does not operate for its own profit. It is supported by, but not part of, the UN.

The PRI has grown consistently since 2006 with 3,826 signatories representing $121.3 trillion of assets under management (AUM) all over the world as of 2021.

The six Principles for Responsible Investment offer a menu of possible actions for incorporating ESG issues into investment practice, which include incorporating ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes, being active owners and incorporating ESG issues into ownership policies and practices, seeking appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities invested, promoting acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry, working together to enhance effectiveness in implementing the Principles, and reporting on activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.

In implementing them, a signatory contributes to developing a more sustainable global financial system. Hi2 Global founder and CEO Jerry Wang believes PRI frame could greatly improve transparency in the investment universe and be able to bring fund managers to the same level of commitments to responsibility. Hi2 Global is scheduled to release its first PRI report in 2024.

As a global asset allocation platform, Hi2 Global has been incorporating ESG into investment decision-making process since inception in 2014 in New York. The actively managed Hi2 Venture Fund, an early-stage venture capital fund, is committed to responsible investments by focusing on innovative early-stage companies in emerging sectors including fin-tech, consumer-tech, clean-tech and health-tech in the United States, and emerging markets in Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.

The first Hi2 Venture Fund launched in 2020 has supported a number of innovation- and tech-driven startups which are committed to generate positive social and environmental impact in emerging markets.

While it has been proven that our portfolio companies have produced plenty of positive outcomes, the following figures would better demonstrate how they are contributing to the welfare of local society  more than 800 jobs have been created in emerging economies including Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, Mexico; women make up 21% of founders and executives while minority founders make up more than 90%; 7 credit-tech startups and 2 digital banks in our portfolio are serving the huge unbanked and immigrant population across emerging markets in Middle East.

Looking forward, Hi2 Global will continue to incorporate ESG issues into investment practice by following the six PRI principles for responsible investment, with a particular focus on innovation-driven startups eyeing on transforming traditional sectors in emerging markets.

SOURCE Hi2 Global
Luanda  The Plenary of National Assembly (AN) rejected Thursday the request from the Parliamentary group of the opposition UNITA party, which wanted a protest vote "to the acts committed against the class of journalists".

This was during the 2nd Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the 1st Legislative Session of the V Legislature of the National Assembly.

Rui Falcao, MP with the ruling MPLA party, said that his Parliamentary group voted against the document (request) due to the opposition's intention to taking political advantage of the situations linked to the class of journalists.

He noted that his party is in solidarity with the victims of all the crimes that occur daily in the country, for whom, if the opposition wanted to have a serious debate on the subject, it should not do so in a point prior to the agenda, but take the issue to the meeting of Parliamentary leaders to register as a point and discuss everything.

"We do not engage in this type of behaviour that only aims to take political advantage of circumstances, if we want to debate journalism we will discuss it in a deep, serious way and draw conclusions. We are open to any type of debate, but not to political hypocrisy", he stressed.

In contrast, the MP Albertina Navita Ngolo, from UNITA, voiced outraged by the fact that the MPLA Parliamentary group had voted against the request for a protest vote, as she said, to the acts committed against the journalistic class.

"We have been insisting on this protest vote since the previous plenary, because we believe that we are representatives of the people in the National Assembly, which should not be silent about the acts committed against the journalistic class, which takes the work of Parliament to all houses and to the world", he pointed out.

According to the deputy, the National Assembly needs to send a message of comfort and solidarity to the journalistic class.
HONG KONG, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the signing of a cooperation agreement with the Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO) in November, Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group Limited (HKATG; 01725. HK) delivered another good news on January 9. The Group announced after the market closed, revealing that it had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Government of the Republic of Djibouti and Touchroad International Holdings Group ("Touchroad"). The three parties will jointly develop and operate the Djibouti spaceport. In addition to the land, the Republic of Djibouti will also fully cooperate with related projects.

Compound growth is expected to reach 15.3%

The Republic of Djibouti is an African country that has actively participated in the joint construction of the "Belt and Road" in recent years. The country is located at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, it is also on the waterway leading to the Suez Canal and connects the three continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe, which means it has an important strategic position. The signing of MOU not only has caught media attention, Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, and Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, Prime Minister (Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed) also met with representatives of HKATG in person and make an announcement on Twitter, showing the local government attaches great importance to this collaboration.

According to the data, Touchroad International Holdings Group is an enterprise that has been doing business in Africa for more than 20 years and has been involved in various industries and projects such as the development and construction of the Djibouti Special Economic Zone, mineral mining, international trade, and cultural tourism exchanges.

The MOU signed this time not only involves the construction of 7 satellite launch pads and 3 rocket testing pads, but also covers supporting projects such as power stations, water plants, aerospace ports, roads, and ports. The level is quite extensive.

The construction of the spaceport in the Republic of Djibouti is expected to take at least five years, that said, from a commercial point of view, the project is still of great benefit to the business of HKATG.

At present, most commercial satellites are launched in the new mode of "carpooling" of shared rockets, that is, "one rocket with multiple satellites" at the Wenchang Space Launch Site and China's Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. Facing the high demand for commercial satellite launches in China in recent years, the demand for launch pads has been far outstripping supply, the development of Djibouti's Spaceport will break the restrictions of the existing business model and have a positive impact on HKATG's business development.

The President of the Republic of Djibouti believes that the signing of the MOU will enhance Djibouti's technological capabilities and status. The local government expects that the spaceport project will stimulate the local economy and bring job opportunities to the local people. It is worth mentioning that in addition to focusing on infrastructure construction, all parties will also work together to set up research centers, and universities, and provide aerospace technology, products, services, and projects. This will further promote regional international cooperation and enhance HKATG's position in the international commercial satellite market.

According to the latest research report issued by Future Market Insights, Inc, the global satellite market is expected to flourish at a strong CAGR of 15.3%. By 2033, the market size will exceed US$55.9 billion, with emerging economies such as India and China experiencing the fastest growth. Many countries have been actively building different types of vehicles and launch pads in recent years and using reusable and biodegradable materials to minimize space waste.

HKATG is committed to building a commercial aerospace industry ecological chain. As early as May 2021, the company launched the overall construction plan for the HK Satellite Manufacturing Center, Satellite Telemetry, Tracking, and Control Center, Hong Kong Satellite Application, and Data Center. Last July, the Company also settled in AMC in Hong Kong and plans to build the first satellite manufacturing center in Hong Kong with an area of 180,000 square feet. Once Djibouti's Spaceport is completed, HKATG will become the one-stop commercial satellite manufacturing and launch services provider, the company is on the way to flourishing.

SOURCE Hong Kong Aerospace Technology Group
DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hospital Outsourcing Global Market Report 2022" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global hospital outsourcing market.

This report focuses on hospital outsourcing market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the hospital outsourcing market which will be shaping and changing our lives over the next ten years and beyond, including the markets response to the challenge of the global pandemic.

The global hospital outsourcing market is expected to grow from $281.37 billion in 2021 to $325.94 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.8%. The hospital outsourcing market is expected to grow to $526.86 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 12.8%.

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Create regional and country strategies on the basis of local data and analysis.

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Outperform competitors using forecast data and the drivers and trends shaping the market.

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Suitable for supporting your internal and external presentations with reliable high quality data and analysis

Major players in the hospital outsourcing market are AllScripts Healthcare Solutions Inc., Cerner Corporation, Sodexo S.A., LogistiCare Solutions LLC, The Allure Group, Aramark Corporation, Alere Inc., Flatworld Solution, Integrated Medical Transport, ABM Industries Inc., Abbott Laboratories, 3M Company (3M Health Information Systems), and TriMedx LLC.

The hospital outsourcing market consists of the sale of hospital outsourcing services by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that help hospitals focus on their core operations and services, including clinical diagnosis, medical care, and nursing support.

Hospital outsourcing is a process in which some processes of a hospital are assigned to another vendor or a smaller facility that has expertise and specialization in the specific area. This helps to provide support to hospital processes and smooth running of the hospitals.

The main types of hospitals in the hospital outsourcing market are private and public. A private hospital refers to a hospital that is not owned by the government, these hospitals provide various types of services and activities conducted for the development and smooth function of hospitals.

The various sizes of hospitals include small and medium hospitals and large hospitals that provide several services such as healthcare IT, clinical services, business services, transportation services, and others. The various end-users include nursing homes and assisted living, specialty hospitals, general medical and surgical hospitals, emergency and other outpatient care centers, and others.

North America was the largest region in the hospital outsourcing market in 2021. The regions covered in the hospital outsourcing market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The hospital outsourcing market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides hospital outsourcing market statistics, including hospital outsourcing industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a hospital outsourcing market share, detailed hospital outsourcing market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the hospital outsourcing industry.

This hospital outsourcing market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The increase in diabetic patient flow in hospitals is expected to propel the growth of the hospital outsourcing market going forward. Hospitals opt for outsourcing services when there is an increase in patients and the hospital infrastructure is not capable of handling a large number of patients. This is a result of the rise in chronic illnesses including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and others, which are increasing the number of patients being admitted to hospitals and, eventually, placing greater pressure on medical procedures

Technology advancements have emerged as the key trend gaining popularity in the hospital outsourcing market. Major companies operating in the hospital outsourcing sector are focused on introducing technological innovations to sustain their position in the market.

In March 2021, Omega Healthcare, a US-based company operating in outsourced revenue cycle management and other hospital support services, acquired Himagine Solutions Inc for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Omega Healthcare aims to expand its service capabilities and the ability to service clients globally with a more integrated end-to-end solution.

Additionally, Omega healthcare also aims to gain Himagine's expertise in clinical documentation improvement (CDI) for coding audits, and chart abstraction for medical registries including United States cancer and trauma registries. Himagine Solutions Inc. is a US-based company that provides hospital outsourcing services such as medical coding, coding audit, registry management, and others.

The countries covered in the hospital outsourcing market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Executive Summary

2. Hospital Outsourcing Market Characteristics

3. Hospital Outsourcing Market Trends And Strategies

4. Impact Of COVID-19 On Hospital Outsourcing

5. Hospital Outsourcing Market Size And Growth

5.1. Global Hospital Outsourcing Historic Market, 2016-2021, $ Billion

5.1.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.1.2. Restraints On The Market

5.2. Global Hospital Outsourcing Forecast Market, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

5.2.1. Drivers Of The Market

5.2.2. Restraints On the Market

6. Hospital Outsourcing Market Segmentation

6.1. Global Hospital Outsourcing Market, Segmentation By Hospital Type, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Private

Public

6.2. Global Hospital Outsourcing Market, Segmentation By Hospital Size, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Small and Medium Hospitals

Large Hospitals

6.3. Global Hospital Outsourcing Market, Segmentation By Services, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Healthcare IT

Clinical Services

Business Services

Transportation Services

Other Services

6.4. Global Hospital Outsourcing Market, Segmentation By End-Users, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

Nursing Homes and Assisted Living

Speciality Hospitals

General Medical and Surgical Hospitals

Emergency and Other Outpatient Care Centers

Other End Users

7. Hospital Outsourcing Market Regional And Country Analysis

7.1. Global Hospital Outsourcing Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

7.2. Global Hospital Outsourcing Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2016-2021, 2021-2026F, 2031F, $ Billion

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/guzb92

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Event to feature one-on-one application help, free admittance to zoo

HOUSTON, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A bilingual school fair at the Houston Zoo on Saturday, Jan. 21 offers families a chance to gather school information and enjoy special animal interactions, all in one morning.

With representatives from more than 50 local schools in attendance, the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. fair at the zoo's Masihara Pavilion will give parents easy access to learning about all types of K-12 education, including preparatory academies, Catholic schools, schools designed for children with dyslexia, and the largest public school system in Texas: the Houston Independent School District. To help streamline the submission of school applications, free, one-on-one school help will be available to attendees in English and Spanish.

Besides a robust array of local schools, the event will feature a bounce house, balloon twisting, a photo booth, a DJ, and free cotton candy and popcorn for the whole family. A lucky raffle winner will even win tickets to feed giraffes.

The first 600 people in attendance will receive free admittance into the zoo, making for a complete day of fun and learning. Attending the school fair is free, but RSVPs are required at bit.ly/3GwCKFd .

This event is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. Additional flagship events in Texas include a school fair in Fort Worth and a School Discovery Day in San Antonio.

"It is an honor for the Families Empowered team to provide free bilingual search services for families looking for schools," said Colleen Dippel, Families Empowered Founder & CEO.

"Partnering with National School Choice Week to create in person school fairs is a great opportunity to meet families where they are and make the process of finding and applying to a school fun and easy. Together our organizations are closing the opportunity gap for thousands of families."

The Houston Zoo is located at 6200 Hermann Park Dr. Families unable to attend in person are invited to use applyhouston.org to find schools and access application links.

This event is organized by Families Empowered, a non-profit parent service organization which brings families information so they can choose the education that works best for them.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Biogas Plant Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global biogas plant market size reached 18.72 GW in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach 28.6 GW by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.32% 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.



A biogas plant is a facility that offers oxygen-free conditions for the anaerobic digestion of municipal and industrial organic waste, agricultural biomass, and sewage sludge. It comprises a reception area, digester or fermentation tank, and gas holder to convert waste into sustainable energy and fertilizers.

It relies on an automatic process that replicates the natural process of anaerobic digestion in an artificial environment to make biogas production simple and carbon neutral. It prevents the release of methane (CH?) into the atmosphere during the production of biogas. In addition, the biogas plant is used to generate heat and electricity in various power plants while providing energy to power grids.



The growing awareness among the masses about the harmful impact of air pollution, along with the depleting fossil fuel resources, represents one of the key factors driving the market. Besides this, governments of several countries are undertaking initiatives to increase the production of biogas for reducing the increasing carbon footprints and greenhouse gas emissions, which is contributing to the growth of the market.

In addition, technological advancements and innovations in the biogas industry, such as dendro Liquid Energy (DLE), home Biogas, and BioBang, are offering lucrative growth opportunities to industry investors. Moreover, there is a rise in the demand for small-scale digesters due to their lower investment and infrastructure.

This, along with the growing utilization of small-scale digesters in rural areas for cooking and heating purposes, is positively influencing the market.

Apart from this, key market players are extensively investing in research and development (R&D) activities to introduce various technologies for converting cellulose-containing industrial waste streams into biogas, which is offering a positive market outlook. Additionally, the rising adoption of renewable energy sources around the world is bolstering the growth of the market.

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being AB Holding S.p.a., Agraferm GmbH, Air Liquide S.A., Ameresco Inc., BTS Biogas Srl/GmbH (Bioenergy Devco), Engie SA, EnviTec Biogas AG, Finn Biogas, IES BIOGAS S.r.l. (Snam SPA), NASKEO environnement, PlanET Biogas Group GmbH, Scandinavian Biogas Fuels International AB and Wartsila Oyj Abp.



Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global biogas plant market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global biogas plant market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the biogas plant type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the feedstock?

What is the breakup of the market based on the digestor type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

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 biogas plant 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 Biogas Plant Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Biogas Plant Type

6.1 Small-scale Digesters

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Medium-to-Large-scale Digesters

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Feedstock

7.1 Agricultural Waste

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Industrial Waste

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast

7.3 Sewage Sludge

7.3.1 Market Trends

7.3.2 Market Forecast

7.4 Others

7.4.1 Market Trends

7.4.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by Digestor Type

8.1 Wet Anaerobic Digestion

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Dry Anaerobic Digestion

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Application

9.1 Electricity Generation

9.1.1 Market Trends

9.1.2 Market Forecast

9.2 Biofuel Generation

9.2.1 Market Trends

9.2.2 Market Forecast

9.3 Heat Generation

9.3.1 Market Trends

9.3.2 Market Forecast



10 Market Breakup by Region

11 SWOT Analysis



12 Value Chain Analysis



13 Porters Five Forces Analysis



14 Price Analysis



15 Competitive Landscape

15.1 Market Structure

15.2 Key Players

15.3 Profiles of Key Players

15.3.1 AB Holding S.p.a.

15.3.1.1 Company Overview

15.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.2 Agraferm GmbH

15.3.2.1 Company Overview

15.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3 Air Liquide S.A.

15.3.3.1 Company Overview

15.3.3.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.3.3 Financials

15.3.3.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.4 Ameresco Inc.

15.3.4.1 Company Overview

15.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.4.3 Financials

15.3.4.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.5 BTS Biogas Srl/GmbH (Bioenergy Devco)

15.3.5.1 Company Overview

15.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6 Engie SA

15.3.6.1 Company Overview

15.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.6.3 Financials

15.3.6.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.7 EnviTec Biogas AG

15.3.7.1 Company Overview

15.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.7.3 Financials

15.3.7.4 SWOT Analysis

15.3.8 Finn Biogas

15.3.8.1 Company Overview

15.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.9 IES BIOGAS S.r.l. (Snam SPA)

15.3.9.1 Company Overview

15.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.10 NASKEO environnement

15.3.10.1 Company Overview

15.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.11 PlanET Biogas Group GmbH

15.3.11.1 Company Overview

15.3.11.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.12 Scandinavian Biogas Fuels International AB

15.3.12.1 Company Overview

15.3.12.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.12.3 Financials

15.3.13 Wartsila Oyj Abp

15.3.13.1 Company Overview

15.3.13.2 Product Portfolio

15.3.13.3 Financials

15.3.13.4 SWOT Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2thlk4

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

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[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global k-12 furniture market size is estimated to grow by USD 2,571.79 million from 2022 to 2027. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.45% during the forecast period. APAC will account for 55% of the market's growth during the forecast period - For more Insights on market size Request a sample report

Global K-12 Furniture Market - Five Forces

The global K-12 furniture market is fragmented, and the five forces analysis covers

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global K-12 Furniture Market 2023-2027

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!

Global K-12 furniture 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.

Global K-12 furniture market - Segmentation assessment

Segment Overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on the product (seating, storage, lab equipment, and others), application (classroom, library and labs, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The market share growth of the seating segment will be higher than the other segments during the forecast period. The need for K12 furniture will rise due to industry experts repeatedly emphasizing the necessity for chairs with backrests and seats that can adjust to a student's physical needs. In addition to minimizing slouching and discomfort from prolonged time spent in the lab or classroom, chairs assist children in maintaining appropriate posture. To meet the needs of students of all ages and heights, educational institutions are focused on using chairs with height and back adjustments. Therefore, during the projected period, all of these factors are anticipated to fuel market expansion for K12 furniture.

Geography Overview

By geography, the global k-12 furniture 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 k-12 furniture market.

APAC will account for 55% of the market's growth during the forecast period. The APAC global K-12 furniture market is being driven by factors including rising urbanization, bettering people's lifestyles, and expansion in the educational sector. Due to the high manufacturing of wood items compared to other materials, wood furniture is most prevalent in schools in the APAC region - Download a Sample Report

Global K-12 furniture market Market dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

The growing importance of K-12 education is notably driving market growth.

With more elementary schools opening up around the world and people becoming more aware of the value of education, there are now more kids, which raises the need for tables and chairs.

The market is expanding due to the creation of innovative products such as portable furniture and classrooms as technology develops, as well as the rising desire for eco-friendly furniture.

Furthermore, the rising demand for ergonomically designed furniture in educational institutions is propelling the growth of the international K12 furniture market during the forecast period.

Leading trends influencing the market

Technological advancement boosting market growth is the key trend in the market.

The educational sector is experiencing technological advancements, and outdated school furniture is being replaced with more modern and appealing pieces.

Modern dynamic teaching methods like blended learning and flipped classrooms call for adaptable, movable furniture that can be easily changed. As a result, there is a great need for school furniture that is not stacked and has an ergonomic design.

Additionally, when choosing classroom furniture, educational institutions all around the world acknowledge the value of ergonomics. They put a lot of effort into introducing furniture that can adjust to the height and age of the students. All these factors are expected to drive the growth of the focus market during the forecast period.

Major challenges hindering the market growth

Fluctuating prices of raw materials are the major challenge impeding market growth.

Large businesses are being forced by the rise in raw material costs to either adjust or risk losing consumers to rivals who offer the same things for less and sell their goods for more.

The rise in the price of raw materials used to make exquisite furniture could also be the result of changes in labor laws.

Plywood, chipboard, fiberboard, metal, laminate, and plastic are the primary raw materials utilized in the production of fine furniture. Climate and supply chain disruptions affect the price of raw materials needed to make K-12 furniture. Such factors will hamper the market growth during the forecast period.

Driver, Trend & Challenges are the factor of market dynamics that states about consequences & sustainability of the businesses, find some insights from a sample report !

What are the key data covered in this K-12 furniture market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the K-12 furniture market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the K-12 furniture market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the K-12 furniture market across APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , , 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 K-12 furniture market vendors

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Area Rugs Market by Product, Application, Distribution Channel, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027: The area rugs market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.48% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 4,532.96 million. The consumer shift toward interior design is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the high cost of raw materials may impede the market growth.

Outdoor Furniture Market by Product, End-user, Distribution Channel, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027: The outdoor furniture market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.28% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 5,207.76 million. The innovation in product design and portfolio expansion are notably driving the market growth, although factors such as the long replacement cycle may impede the market growth.

K-12 Furniture Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 150 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 5.45% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 2,571.79 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 5.19 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 55% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled Agati Inc., Ballen Panels Ltd., Chongqing Equipment Co. Ltd., Empire Furniture, Fleetwood Group Inc., Haskell, Haworth Inc., Hertz Furniture Systems LLC, HNI Corp., Infiniti Modules Pvt. Ltd., KI, Marco Group Inc., Metalliform Holdings Ltd., MillerKnoll Inc., Palmer Hamilton LLC, Paragon Furniture Inc., SSI Furnishings, Steelcase Inc., Virco MFG Corp., and VS America Inc. 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. 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 "Consumer Discretionary" 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 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 ($ 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 K-12 furniture market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global K-12 furniture market 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ million)

4.3 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Application 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 Seating - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Seating - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Seating - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Seating - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Seating - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Storage - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Storage - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Storage - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Storage - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Storage - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Lab equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Lab equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Lab equipment - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Lab equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Lab equipment - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.7 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Application

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 51: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 53: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Comparison by Application

7.3 Classroom - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Classroom - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Classroom - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Classroom - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Classroom - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Library and labs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Library and labs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Library and labs - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Library and labs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Library and labs - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 63: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 64: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 65: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 66: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.6 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 67: Market opportunity by Application ($ 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 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 (%)

9.4 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 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 81: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 83: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 84: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 87: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: 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 89: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 92: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 93: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 94: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 96: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 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 (%)

9.11 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 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 109: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 110: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ million)



Exhibit 111: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 112: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 113: 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 114: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2022 and 2027

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 115: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 116: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 117: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 118: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 119: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Agati Inc.

Exhibit 120: Agati Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 121: Agati Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 122: Agati Inc. - Key offerings

12.4 Fleetwood Group Inc.

Exhibit 123: Fleetwood Group Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 124: Fleetwood Group Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 125: Fleetwood Group Inc. - Key offerings

12.5 Haskell

Exhibit 126: Haskell - Overview



Exhibit 127: Haskell - Product / Service



Exhibit 128: Haskell - Key offerings

12.6 Haworth Inc.

Exhibit 129: Haworth Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 130: Haworth Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 131: Haworth Inc. - Key offerings

12.7 Hertz Furniture Systems LLC

Exhibit 132: Hertz Furniture Systems LLC - Overview



Exhibit 133: Hertz Furniture Systems LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 134: Hertz Furniture Systems LLC - Key offerings

12.8 HNI Corp.

Exhibit 135: HNI Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 136: HNI Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 137: HNI Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 138: HNI Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 139: HNI Corp. - Segment focus

12.9 KI

Exhibit 140: KI - Overview



Exhibit 141: KI - Product / Service



Exhibit 142: KI - Key offerings

12.10 Marco Group Inc.

Exhibit 143: Marco Group Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 144: Marco Group Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 145: Marco Group Inc. - Key offerings

12.11 MillerKnoll Inc.

Exhibit 146: MillerKnoll Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 147: MillerKnoll Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 148: MillerKnoll Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 149: MillerKnoll Inc. - Segment focus

12.12 Palmer Hamilton LLC

Exhibit 150: Palmer Hamilton LLC - Overview



Exhibit 151: Palmer Hamilton LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 152: Palmer Hamilton LLC - Key offerings

12.13 Paragon Furniture Inc.

Exhibit 153: Paragon Furniture Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 154: Paragon Furniture Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 155: Paragon Furniture Inc. - Key offerings

12.14 SSI Furnishings

Exhibit 156: SSI Furnishings - Overview



Exhibit 157: SSI Furnishings - Product / Service



Exhibit 158: SSI Furnishings - Key offerings

12.15 Steelcase Inc.

Exhibit 159: Steelcase Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 160: Steelcase Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 161: Steelcase Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 162: Steelcase Inc. - Segment focus

12.16 Virco MFG Corp.

Exhibit 163: Virco MFG Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 164: Virco MFG Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 165: Virco MFG Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 166: Virco MFG Corp. - Segment focus

12.17 VS America Inc.

Exhibit 167: VS America Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 168: VS America Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 169: VS America Inc. - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 170: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 171: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 172: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 173: Research methodology



Exhibit 174: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 175: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 176: 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.

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Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
$1.5 million donation creates pathways for undergraduate students and medical school residents

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, LCMC Health announced a $1.5 million gift to Xavier University of Louisiana to create and retain a diverse physician workforce in Louisiana. This gift will support select undergraduate students and medical school residents with direct financial assistance, making an immediate impact on the diversification of Louisiana's healthcare workforce.

According to the National Academies, the number of Black students in science, engineering, and medicine in the United States has remained disproportionately low over the past several decades. Several factors, including financial barriers, have contributed to these low numbers. By providing direct financial assistance to Xavier students and alumni, LCMC Health will help address this disparity.

"LCMC Health has a strong history of supporting our communities with the best possible care, which includes investing in the healthcare leaders of tomorrow," said Greg Feirn, CEO of LCMC Health. "Since our inception, we've been committed to taking on an active role in preparing young talent to become the future of healthcare. Building on our longstanding relationship with Xavier University's College of Pharmacy, our medical pathways program will expand our partnership efforts, allowing us to address inequities that exist in the physician workforce and increasing access to high-quality education and opportunities for students and young professionals."

LCMC Health has dedicated this gift in honor of Xavier University's President Emeritus, Dr. Norman C. Francis, a civil rights leader and icon in the world of higher education.

During Dr. Francis' 47 years as president of Xavier, his alma mater, the school's enrollment nearly tripled. The nation's only Black Catholic university became the leading producer of Black undergraduates who complete medical school and ranked first nationally in the number of Black students earning undergraduate degrees in biology and life sciences, chemistry, physics, and pharmacy. Dr. Francis is a U.S. Army veteran and the first Black graduate of Loyola University School of Law. As a civil rights leader, he showed moral courage and vision by housing the Freedom Riders at Xavier in the 1960s and representing civil rights activists as a young lawyer. During his four-decade tenure as Xavier's president, Dr. Francis advised eight U.S. presidents and earned more than 40 honorary degrees. As a civic leader, he co-founded Liberty Bank, where he remains chairman of the board. Dr. Francis also co-chaired the Louisiana Recovery Authority after Hurricane Katrina, while also leading Xavier's hurricane recovery efforts.

With this donation, Xavier University and LCMC Health continue the work of Dr. Francis with groundbreaking programs that eliminate barriers and create pathways to success.

"Xavier's continued success is best achieved with partnerships and the financial support of extraordinary and committed institutions like LCMC Health," said Dr. Francis. "When organizations like LCMC Health step up in such a meaningful way, Xavier students will have an immediate benefit that will make it more financially feasible for them to enter and graduate from two prestigious medical schools  Tulane and LSU  an extraordinary pathway for Xavier students who are committed to practicing medicine in Louisiana."

"We are thrilled and grateful that LCMC Health has honored Dr. Francis, and we are so excited for the talented pre-med students at Xavier who are beneficiaries of this extraordinary gift. We look forward to a continued relationship with LCMC Health," said Justin Augustine, Chairman of Xavier University's Board of Directors.

LCMC Health's gift will support three initial programs:

$500,000 for the LCMC Health Medical Pathways Program which will provide $15,000 to $20,000 in scholarships to support outstanding students who may not otherwise choose a Pre-Med track.





for the which will provide to in scholarships to support outstanding students who may not otherwise choose a Pre-Med track. $500,000 for the LCMC Health Medical Pathways Fellowships to provide $10,000 to $20,000 in graduate fellowships to exemplary Xavier Pre-Med students who have expressed intention to attend and complete medical school in Louisiana , and ultimately practice in the state.





for the to provide to in graduate fellowships to exemplary Xavier Pre-Med students who have expressed intention to attend and complete medical school in , and ultimately practice in the state. $500,000 for the LCMC Health Medical Pathways Home Stipends aimed at supporting Xavier alumni who have completed medical school in the U.S. and have been accepted into a residency program with either LCMC Health, LSU School of Medicine, or Tulane School of Medicine.

Xavier University of Louisiana is a nationally-ranked Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that has a rich history of guiding and nurturing students from undergraduate studies to graduate programs. LCMC Health is a growing healthcare system that provides exceptional patient-centered care at world-class facilities, including academic medical centers in partnership with LSU and Tulane University. Together, the two local organizations have consistently invested in the future of healthcare by enhancing education, increasing programming, and removing barriers to access that plague the New Orleans community.

SOURCE LCMC Health
MARYSVILLE, Ohio , Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Energy Solution (LGES; KRX: 373220) and Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) today announced the formal establishment of the joint venture (JV) which will produce lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EV) produced by Honda.

The JV will begin construction of a new battery plant early this year with the goal of completion by the end of 2024 and starting mass production of advanced lithium-ion battery cells by the end of 2025. The plant aims to have an annual production capacity of approximately 40GWh. All batteries produced by the new JV will be supplied exclusively to Honda plants in North America to power battery-electric vehicles sold in North America.

LGES and Honda have committed to creating 2,200 jobs to establish the new production facility. Tweet this

The new plant will be located approximately 40 miles southwest of Columbus in Fayette County, near Jeffersonville. LGES and Honda have committed to investing $3.5 billion and creating 2,200 jobs to establish the new production facility. The companies' overall investment related to the JV is projected to reach $4.4 billion.





Company name: L-H Battery Company, Inc. (tentative name) Location: Jeffersonville, Ohio, U.S.A. Capital: $ 210 million USD

(Percentage of ownership: 51% LGES, 49% Honda) Corporate officers: Robert H. Lee, CEO (Currently Executive Vice President, North America

Regional Group Leader of LGES)

Rick Riggle, COO (Previously Plant Lead of Anna Engine Plant of

Honda Development and Manufacturing of America)

Comments by Robert H. Lee , CEO of L-H Battery Company, Inc.

"LG Energy Solution has all the right assets to make this joint venture a success, including the financial stability, quality, competitiveness, and production capacity with global operational expertise," said Robert H . Lee. "With two companies' expertise combined, we will provide top quality batteries to ensure the successful launch of Honda EVs in North America , and grow with the community here in Ohio by creating high value jobs."





, CEO of L-H Battery Company, Inc. "LG H EVs Comments by Rick Riggle , COO of L-H Battery Company, Inc.

"The formal establishment of this joint venture between LG Energy Solution and Honda to produce EV batteries in Ohio is another major step toward our electrified future," said Rick Riggle . "We are excited to move forward with such a strong partner in LG Energy Solution and, together, we look forward to establishing a strong relationship with the community in Fayette County, Ohio ."

About LG Energy Solution

LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220), a split-off from LG Chem, is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems. With 30 years of experience in revolutionary battery technology and extensive research and development (R&D), the company is the top battery-related patent holder in the world with over 25,000 patents. Its robust global network, which spans North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, includes battery manufacturing facilities established through joint ventures with major automakers such as General Motors, Stellantis N.V., Hyundai Motor Group, and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. At the forefront of green business and sustainability, LG Energy Solution aims to achieve carbon neutral operations by 2050, while embodying the value of shared growth and promoting diverse and inclusive corporate culture. To learn more about LG Energy Solution's ideas and innovations, visit https://www.lgensol.com.

About Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) is responsible for the development, production and sales of automobiles, motorcycles, power products and aviation products worldwide. Honda now delivers over 30 million products annually through its three product lines. Honda and its partners build products in more than 60 manufacturing plants in 27 countries, employing about 220,000 associates globally. On a global basis by 2050, Honda is striving to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities, as well as zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda automobiles and motorcycles.

SOURCE Honda
Nine new products reveal elegant and sustainable options for the American kitchen

MIAMI, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than 65 years, Liebherr Appliances has been pushing the limits of technology, efficiency and design. With the debut of the newest models within the freestanding collection, Liebherr is once again showcasing its revolutionary technology and expertise within the refrigeration and freezing appliance category.

LIEBHERR TO UNVEIL THE FUTURE OF FRESHNESS AT KBIS 2023 Tweet this One of the newest products from Liebherr Appliances

Under its initiative of "shaping the future of freshness," Liebherr's products are geared towards achieving a more sustainable future. The new appliances have been developed with a goal of achieving high levels of energy efficiency, longer service life and reducing food waste through BioFresh technology, which keeps food fresher for longer than ever before. Liebherr will be unveiling the new products at the 2023 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show from January 31st to February 2nd, 2023 in Las Vegas.

"Liebherr is proud to be expanding the product portfolio for North America," said Alex Squarize, Divisional Director of Liebherr Americas, Appliance Division. "We look forward to showcasing our latest novelties at KBIS. These demonstrate the very best in food preservation while wrapped in European style design."

This year, Liebherr is showcasing the latest in technology within the newest models at KBIS:

BioFresh Professional , an enhanced version of BioFresh, offers a wider temperature range keeping food fresher, longer. Through customized temperature selection, specially designed for delicate items like fish and seafood.

, an enhanced version of BioFresh, offers a wider temperature range keeping food fresher, longer. Through customized temperature selection, specially designed for delicate items like fish and seafood. HydroBreeze creates a cool mist each time the door is opened to coat vegetables with a layer of protection, similar to your favorite local grocery store.

creates a cool mist each time the door is opened to coat vegetables with a layer of protection, similar to your favorite local grocery store. VarioTemp allows the freezer compartment to be converted to refrigeration, increasing capacity as needed, offering a wide temperature range from 28F to 57F, creating the ideal climate for preserving a range of items from seafood to root vegetables such as potatoes.

Two of the most exciting newest products from Liebherr can be installed side by side:

Peak Series All Refrigerator (SRB5290) include: BioFresh with HydroBreeze, LightTower, InfinitySpring split glass shelf and integrated bottle rack.

(SRB5290) include: BioFresh with HydroBreeze, LightTower, InfinitySpring split glass shelf and integrated bottle rack. Peak Series All Freezer (SF5291) include: the SoftSystem smooth-closing mechanism, LED freezer and the design-friendly IceTower, offering easy and convenient access to large storage capacity ice.

Additionally, to the freestanding new models, Liebherr is also introducing 2 new products and further expanding the fully integrated line.

Prime Series All Refrigerator (IRB5160) include: BioFresh, telescopic rails, LightTower, split glass shelf and integrated bottle rack.

(IRB5160) include: BioFresh, telescopic rails, LightTower, split glass shelf and integrated bottle rack. Peak Series All Freezer (SIF5181) include: the SoftSystem smooth-closing mechanism, LED freezer and the design-friendly IceTower, offering easy and convenient access to ice.

Liebherr's reputation as a world leader in technology and design stems from listening to what matters most to customers, then meeting their needs with sustainable technology, in the most attractive forms. Products are created to integrate seamlessly into all styles of American kitchens, providing energy efficiency, sustainable technology, and an elegant look with cutting-edge features.

Visit Liebherr at booth W3517 in the West Hall during KBIS 2023 in Las Vegas, from January 31 to February 2. The new products will be available in Summer 2023.

For more information on Liebherr and the latest products, please visit home.liebherr.com.

About Liebherr Appliances

Driven by innovation and characterized by sophisticated, elegant design, the family-owned and German-based Liebherr Appliances brings the best of European cooling to the Americas. With more than 60 years of expertise in premium refrigeration, Liebherr Appliances combines quality, design, and innovation to offer high-end refrigeration solutions for the modern home or business. Visit home.liebherr.com to learn more about Liebherr's full product line of freestanding, built-in and fully integrated refrigerators and freezers, wine and commercial units.

Media Contact:

Jonathan Barfell

[email protected]

SOURCE Liebherr Appliances USA
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Technavio, the global major home appliances market size is estimated to grow by USD 89.95 billion from 2023 to 2027. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period. APAC will account for 51% of the market's growth during the forecast period - For more Insights on market size Request a sample report

Global major home appliances market - Five forces

The global major home appliances market is fragmented, and the five forces analysis covers

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Major Home Appliances Market 2023-2027

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!

Global major home appliances 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.

Global major home appliances market - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on the product (refrigerators and freezers, washing and drying appliances, heating and cooling appliances, and cooking appliances), distribution channel (offline and online), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The market share growth of refrigerators and freezers will be higher than the other segments during the forecast period. The expansion of the market is being influenced by the increase in consumer expenditure as well as the launch of technologically improved models within the category. Furthermore, the modern living standards of customers and their fast-paced lifestyles, which make it challenging for them to keep track of the food products stored in their refrigerators, are two factors that have increased the need for smart refrigerators.

Geography overview

By geography, the global major home appliances 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 major home appliances market.

APAC will account for 51% of the market's growth during the forecast period. The rising middle-class population and the increasing income of people, which encourage them to spend more on household appliances, are primarily responsible for the market expansion in the area. Additionally, the evolving urbanization and changing lifestyle of the local population are fueling the expansion of the regional market.

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Global major home appliances market Market dynamics

Key factor driving market growth

Innovation and product launches are notably driving market growth.

In the global home appliance market, technology, performance, functionality, and design make up the majority of new product innovations. Customers are also looking for gadgets that use the least amount of resources while performing a variety of functions.

Suppliers are always enhancing their product lineup to satisfy the developing and shifting client demand. To ensure that the product sells well, some merchants also employ powerful marketing techniques and present tempting discounts.

Rapidly developing technology has made it necessary to improve product quality and user-friendly design. As a result, versatile compact home automation systems with easy-to-use software platforms are becoming more common. All of these factors will contribute to the market's expansion throughout the forecasted period.

Leading trends influencing the market

Smart and connected appliances gaining traction is an emerging trend in the market.

Growing consumer preference for smart gadgets to streamline daily tasks is a significant element anticipated to contribute to the market's optimistic growth prospects throughout the forecast period.

The industry is additionally impacted by the rise in consumer purchasing power, the rise in nuclear families, the popularity of modular kitchens, and changes in eating patterns, among other factors.

Major challenges hindering the market growth

Fluctuations in raw material prices and operating costs is a major challenge impeding the market.

Home appliance market prices are influenced by a variety of factors, including labor expenses, raw material costs, distribution costs, and marketing expenditures. In order to compete in the fierce market, vendors must invest in R&D to upgrade their products with the newest technologies.

The price of raw materials is another major obstacle for manufacturers because it immediately affects the cost of the final product and can lower their profit margins.

The cost of transporting raw materials and finished goods is also impacted by changes in oil prices. Thus, fluctuations in prices may hamper market growth during the forecast period.

Driver, Trend & Challenges are the factor of market dynamics that states about consequences & sustainability of the businesses, find some insights from a sample report !

What are the key data covered in this major home appliances market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the major home appliances market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the major home appliances market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the major home appliances market across APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , , 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 major home appliances market vendors

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Related Reports:

France Home Appliances Market by Product, and Distribution Channel - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027: The home appliances market in France is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.46% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 3.62 billion. The innovation and product launch driving growth is notably driving the market growth, although factors such as fluctuations in raw material prices and operational costs may impede the market growth.

Smart Kitchen Appliance Market by Product, Distribution Channel, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027: The smart kitchen appliance market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.4% between 2022 and 2027. The size of the market is forecast to increase by USD 13,293.08 million. The ease of use and convenience offered by smart kitchen appliances are notable driving the market growth, although factors such as lack of product and technology awareness, especially in developing regions may impede the market growth.

Major Home Appliances Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 163 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.9% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 89.95 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.03 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution APAC at 51% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled AB Electrolux., Beko Plc, Frigidaire, Fujitsu General Ltd., General Electric Co., Glen Dimplex Europe Holdings Ltd., Good Air LLC, Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd., Hisense International Co. Ltd., Koc Holding AS, LG Electronics Inc., MIDEA Group, Miele and Cie. KG, MIRC Electronics Ltd., Panasonic Holdings Corp., Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Transform SR Holding Management LLC, and Whirlpool Corp. 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. 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 "Consumer Staples" 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 Product



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel



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 major home appliances market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global major home appliances market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.2 Product Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Product Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.3 Distribution Channel Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  Distribution Channel 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 Refrigerators and freezers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Refrigerators and freezers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Refrigerators and freezers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Refrigerators and freezers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Refrigerators and freezers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Washing and drying appliances - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Washing and drying appliances - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Washing and drying appliances - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Washing and drying appliances - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Washing and drying appliances - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Heating and cooling appliances - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Heating and cooling appliances - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Heating and cooling appliances - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Heating and cooling appliances - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Heating and cooling appliances - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Cooking appliances - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 46: Chart on Cooking appliances - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 47: Data Table on Cooking appliances - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 48: Chart on Cooking appliances - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 49: Data Table on Cooking appliances - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.7 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 50: Market opportunity by Product ($ billion)

7 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 51: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 53: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

7.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 59: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 63: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ billion)

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 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 69: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 70: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 71: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 72: 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 73: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 74: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

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 North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 79: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 80: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.6 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 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

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 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 87: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 89: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 90: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

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 (%)

9.9 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 93: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 94: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 95: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 96: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.10 Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 97: Chart on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 98: Data Table on Japan - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 99: Chart on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 100: Data Table on Japan - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

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 (%)

9.12 France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 107: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 109: 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 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 AB Electrolux.

Exhibit 116: AB Electrolux. - Overview



Exhibit 117: AB Electrolux. - Business segments



Exhibit 118: AB Electrolux. - Key news



Exhibit 119: AB Electrolux. - Key offerings



Exhibit 120: AB Electrolux. - Segment focus

12.4 Frigidaire

Exhibit 121: Frigidaire - Overview



Exhibit 122: Frigidaire - Product / Service



Exhibit 123: Frigidaire - Key offerings

12.5 General Electric Co.

Exhibit 124: General Electric Co. - Overview



Exhibit 125: General Electric Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 126: General Electric Co. - Key news



Exhibit 127: General Electric Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 128: General Electric Co. - Segment focus

12.6 Glen Dimplex Europe Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 129: Glen Dimplex Europe Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 130: Glen Dimplex Europe Holdings Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 131: Glen Dimplex Europe Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings

12.7 Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 132: Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 133: Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 134: Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 135: Haier Smart Home Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

12.8 Hisense International Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 136: Hisense International Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 137: Hisense International Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 138: Hisense International Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 139: Hisense International Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

12.9 LG Electronics Inc.

Exhibit 140: LG Electronics Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 141: LG Electronics Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 142: LG Electronics Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 143: LG Electronics Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 144: LG Electronics Inc. - Segment focus

12.10 MIDEA Group

Exhibit 145: MIDEA Group - Overview



Exhibit 146: MIDEA Group - Business segments



Exhibit 147: MIDEA Group - Key offerings



Exhibit 148: MIDEA Group - Segment focus

12.11 Miele and Cie. KG

Exhibit 149: Miele and Cie. KG - Overview



Exhibit 150: Miele and Cie. KG - Product / Service



Exhibit 151: Miele and Cie. KG - Key offerings

12.12 MIRC Electronics Ltd.

Exhibit 152: MIRC Electronics Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 153: MIRC Electronics Ltd. - Key offerings

12.13 Panasonic Holdings Corp.

Exhibit 154: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 155: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 156: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 157: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 158: Panasonic Holdings Corp. - Segment focus

12.14 Robert Bosch GmbH

Exhibit 159: Robert Bosch GmbH - Overview



Exhibit 160: Robert Bosch GmbH - Business segments



Exhibit 161: Robert Bosch GmbH - Key news



Exhibit 162: Robert Bosch GmbH - Key offerings



Exhibit 163: Robert Bosch GmbH - Segment focus

12.15 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 164: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 165: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 166: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 167: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 168: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

12.16 Transform SR Holding Management LLC

Exhibit 169: Transform SR Holding Management LLC - Overview



Exhibit 170: Transform SR Holding Management LLC - Product / Service



Exhibit 171: Transform SR Holding Management LLC - Key offerings

12.17 Whirlpool Corp.

Exhibit 172: Whirlpool Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 173: Whirlpool Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 174: Whirlpool Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 175: Whirlpool Corp. - 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 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.

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Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
Donation lays foundation for long-term sustainable growth at innovative global institution

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Minerva University has announced that Netflix founder and philanthropist Reed Hastings will support the University with a $20M gift. With this generous donation, Hastings lays the foundation for Minerva University's long-term sustainable growth.

"Minerva University has accomplished so much in a short time: from innovative concept, to small pilot, to U.S. accreditation with over 600 students and nearly 600 alumni. I am excited to support Minerva into its next phase of global growth," said Hastings. "This gift is intended to set Minerva on a trajectory towards educating many more thousands of students from around the world and dramatically increasing its positive impact."

Recognized by WURI as the world's most innovative university, Minerva University prepares new generations of wise leaders and purpose-driven entrepreneurs. Students hail from more than 80 countries, experience immersive living and learning in seven countries and are exposed to complex global challenges across industries and cultural contexts. This global perspective enables students and alumni to develop effective solutions to the world's most intractable problems, such as the climate crisis, future pandemics, and geopolitical conflicts. From a Rhodes Scholar recipient focused on maternal health and a Diana Award recipient tackling accessible education, to entrepreneurs designing solutions for climate change, Minerva students and alumni are already driving meaningful societal change.

"I am honored that Reed Hastings recognizes the uniqueness of our approach at Minerva University and how we educate students to have a profoundly positive impact on the world," said Mike Magee, President of Minerva University. "Reed deeply supports access to quality education for all students, and this incredibly generous gift validates our efforts to provide global higher education for a better world."

"Minerva University proves that the world's most exceptional education can be accessible at half the cost of most selective U.S. universities to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds from around the world" said Ben Nelson, Minerva's Founder. "Reed's generous gift makes it possible for Minerva University to continue to scale, allowing many more students to obtain the best university education possible."

The $20M gift allows the university to focus on setting its plans for longer-term growth in motion, and to support students with high financial need with scholarships. President Magee looks to boost awareness and enrollment so the institution and its innovations can achieve increased global impact. Magee also intends to scale existing offerings to students and create new ones, ranging from academic programs to lab and research opportunities. Hastings' prior gifts to the institution supported 4-year scholarships for nearly 100 students.

"The more stories I hear about Minerva students and alumni, the more I am convinced that Minerva University should scale to create opportunities for more bold and purposeful students with promising trajectories," said Hastings. "Minerva graduates have a depth of global cultural understanding, intellectual skills that cross disciplines, and problem-solving abilities unique to higher education. I see incredible potential for Minerva University to increase its positive impact in the world."

Minerva also continues to seek partnerships with like-minded individuals, foundations, and organizations from around the globe to enhance the institution, drive innovation, support student scholarships, and increase positive impact for the sake of the world.

About Minerva University

Minerva University offers a reinvented university experience for the brightest, most motivated students from around the world. Named the World's Most Innovative University by World's Universities with Real Impact (WURI), Minerva's undergraduate program combines a pathbreaking cross-contextual interdisciplinary curriculum of the highest academic quality, a global immersive residential experience that encompasses seven countries, a cutting-edge digital learning environment, and an accomplished faculty versed in the science of learning. Minerva's graduate degree options incorporate our innovative approach to learning, offering advanced leadership, decision-making, and analytical thinking skills to professionals worldwide. Minerva University is an independent non-profit university accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges/Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

SOURCE Minerva University
Dundo  Nine thousand diamond stones of different carats were seized on Wednesday in Cuango municipality, north-eastern Lunda Norte province, national Police have said.

Releasing the information on Thursday in Dundo, the spokesperson for the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), Graciano Lumanhi, said the stones were in the possession of a 44-year-old national citizen.

He explained that the citizen intended to travel to the country's capital, Luanda, in order to sell the diamond stones.

The seized diamonds will be handed over to the Listing Commission of Transparency Operation "Operacao Transparencia", while the alleged trafficker will be forwarded to the Public Prosecutor's Office for subsequent steps.
UNION, N.J., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 350 New Jersey community members will explore local school options, buffet-style, at a school fair and family fun day at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 in Union. From face painting and balloon twisting to a photo booth and snacks, the free event will feature fun for all ages.

The fair, which kicks off School Choice Week in New Jersey, runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kean University's STEM Building. More than two dozen northern New Jersey schools will be present, including Montessori schools, Christian schools, bilingual schools, and even a new option opening in fall 2023: a public charter school focused on classical education.

New Jersey's education landscape is changing each year, and many families are not aware of all the opportunities now available to them. The second annual school choice fair aims to bring meaningful community support to parents, inviting them to connect with schools, receive information, and dive deeper into their learning choices. Raffle prizesincluding a free family Turtle Back Zoo membership!-- music, children's activities, cookies and lemonade will add to the celebration.

This event is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. Simultaneously with the Union event, school fairs will be taking place in major cities across the nation, including Houston, Colorado Springs, and Phoenix.

Steve Looney, E3 Trustee reports: "We can't believe the energy around this year's event! Parents in New Jersey are so supportive and looking for education options this year and the schools and students are charged-up to tell their great stories."

This event is organized by E3, a research and policy non-profit with the mission of closing gaps in educational achievement in New Jersey.

Kean University is located at 1075 Morris Ave. The fair will take place in the STEM Building Atrium.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
Detroit City Distillery's one-of-a-kind, limited-edition spirit, made with fresh raspberry paczki, goes on sale February 3

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready, paczki and vodka-lovers  Paczki Day Vodka is back and expected to sell out faster than ever. This year's batch of the ultra-unique, limited-edition alcoholic spirit, made with fresh raspberry paczki from Hamtramck's New Palace Bakery, will go on sale on Friday, February 3 at 8 a.m. online at detroitcitydistillery.com/shop. Bottles are $35 each. A public party will celebrate the release at the Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle Street in Detroit's Eastern Market, beginning at 4 p.m., where buyers can start picking up their online orders in-person. This year, a limited quantity of Paczki Day Vodka will also be available for direct-to-consumer shipping via DCD's partners in select states nationwide.

Detroit City Distillery's Paczki Day Vodka celebrates Polish culture; is distilled with raspberry paczki for Fat Tuesday Tweet this Paczki Day Vodka 2023 by Detroit City Distillery Michael Forsyth Talks Detroit City Distillery's Paczki Day Vodka for Fat Tuesday Paczki Day Vodka by Detroit City Distillery for Fat Tuesday

What started as an experiment five years ago has become a must-have sensation among those with Polish family ties. Last year, the Distillery sold out in under 72 hours. Due to requests already pouring in, DCD anticipates yet another fast sellout in 2023.

"It's been incredible to see Paczki Day Vodka become a tradition within Michigan's Polish community and watch the sensation grow nationwide," said Michael Forsyth, co-owner of Detroit City Distillery. "People travel from all over America to get their hands on this once-a-year spirit and celebrate with their Polish comrades. It's a special thing when a spirit brings people together. This year, we're excited to get Paczki Day Vodka to more Polish communities across the country via partnerships that support direct-to-consumer shipping so we can continue to gauge the demand nationwide."

Paczki Day Vodka is made by distilling fresh raspberry paczki in 100 percent potato vodka from Poland and Michigan in a 500-gallon copper pot still. The result is a crystal-clear one-of-a-kind, spirit that is smooth, buttery and has a distinct raspberry finish. It can be enjoyed chilled over ice, mixed in a cocktail or as a paczki chaser.

"There are only two ingredients: vodka and paczki. There are no artificial ingredients, flavors or sweeteners that you find in mainstream flavored vodka. The goal is to make a true craft spirit that highlights the taste of these perfectly handmade, glazed raspberry paczki from Hamtramck. It's like a Paczki Day Party in a bottle." added Forsyth. "At 88 proof, it's ultra-smooth, and you can really taste the raspberry and buttery pastry of the paczki."

Detroit City Distillery is known for their small batch artisanal whiskey, gin and vodka, using the finest local ingredients sourced directly from farms near the distillery. To learn more about Paczki Day Vodka and DCD's other products, visit www.detroitcitydistillery.com or follow them on social media at @detroitcitydistillery. Customers must be 21 to purchase alcohol.

Paczki Day Vodka goes on sale online at detroitcitydistillery.com/shop at 8 a.m., Friday, February 3. Patrons can begin picking up their orders the same day at 4 p.m. at the Detroit City Distillery's Tasting Room at the Paczki Day Vodka release party. Paczki Day Vodka will also be available at select liquor stores throughout Michigan and Illinois in February while supplies last. Limited quantities are also available for out-of-state shipping via direct-to-consumer shipping partnerships.

SOURCE Detroit City Distillery
The agency leads numerous impactful housing programs and continues to innovate

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2023, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is celebrating its fiftieth year of helping Pennsylvanians find and keep affordable, stable housing. The agency has special promotions planned throughout 2023 to recognize this landmark year and to celebrate its staff and retirees for its half century of service to Pennsylvanians.

"Our agency was started 50 years ago with eight employees and a singular focus on funding affordable rental housing," said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. "Today, PHFA has grown to 314 employees and proudly offers a broad range of programs intended to help renters, homebuyers and homeowners find and keep housing that best fits their needs."

"I think the legislative leaders and Governor Milton Shapp, who had the foresight to create the agency so many years ago, would be proud of how we have fulfilled their vision for providing affordable housing opportunities in Pennsylvania."

During the past 50 years, the agency's early focus on affordable rental housing has expanded to now include programs promoting homeownership, educating housing consumers, providing mortgage assistance during COVID, funding local housing initiatives, preventing home foreclosures, funding housing research, and much more.

"Time and again, PHFA has responded to changes in the housing marketplace with innovative and essential programs to address pressing needs, like offering affordable home loans that include down payment and closing cost assistance," said Governor Tom Wolf. "Anytime people need help with housing, PHFA should be the first place they go to take advantage of its many housing programs. Congratulations to PHFA on its 50th anniversary!"

During the early 1970s, when the agency was created, it was primarily focused on increasing the amount of affordable rental housing in the state by providing vital funding. In exchange for the funding, apartment owners agreed to keep their rental units affordable for several decades. Notably, during the past half century, PHFA has funded the construction or rehabilitation of 141,492 affordable rental units.

By the early 1980s, the agency's leadership saw the need for affordable home loans that could help low- and moderate-income families who were ready for the responsibilities of homeownership. Over the years, its home loan programs have evolved in response to changing market conditions and the needs of homebuyers. By the early 1990s, the agency began servicing its home loans in-house, as well. Today, the agency services more than 73,000 home loans. This year, for the first time, PHFA's portfolio of home loans was valued at more than $5 billion and currently has a value of $5.4 billion  an impressive achievement.

Also in the 1980's, the state legislature, in response to an economic downturn, created the Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, or HEMAP, and charged PHFA with managing the program. HEMAP helps people who, through no fault of their own, fall behind on their home loan. It provides them with financial assistance so they have time to get back on their feet and resume their mortgage payments. Since its start in 1983, HEMAP has made more than 50,740 foreclosure prevention loans with a combined value of $579 million. It also is widely recognized as a national model for effective foreclosure prevention and has been emulated by other states.

At the start of the new millennium, PHFA's leadership recognized that better informed housing consumers would make smarter housing decisions that stayed within their budget and provided stable housing solutions. As a result, it created a network of private sector housing counselors located statewide to educate the public and provide accurate information for guiding their rental and home purchase decisions. The counseling services provided by these agencies are offered at no cost, as they are underwritten by PHFA. Today, 66 agencies with counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offer their services to Pennsylvania consumers.

Most recently, in 2012, the legislature charged PHFA with managing the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE). This program was started to ensure housing affordability in the northern tier of the state when gas drilling associated with fracking began. Impact fees tied to gas production provide funding for a number of state programs, including PHARE. It has proven to be extremely popular with funding recipients because local organizations are given the freedom to determine how the money can best address their local housing needs. Since its start, PHARE has distributed more than $239.6 million to preserve and expand affordable housing in all 67 counties, leveraging more than $1 billion from other funding sources.

During its existence, PHFA has earned respect from its business partners and housing advocates by being innovative, staying responsive to community needs, and for continuing to be "the housing agency with a heart." Its establishment as an independent, state-affiliated agency and as a public corporation has given it the ability to stay nimble in the marketplace and to innovate with changing times. For instance, the agency is constantly adapting its home loan programs to respond to the shifting needs of the marketplace and consumers.

PHFA was created in December of 1972, at the end of the year. But its first board meeting wasn't held until January 1973, and it didn't become fully operational until September 1973. Knowing this history, the agency has elected to celebrate its 50th anniversary with events and special promotions planned for throughout 2023.

Its logo has been redesigned to promote its 50-year anniversary and will be featured on agency paper and electronic correspondence. Customer and staff testimonials will be shared via video on social media, and web postings about key agency milestones are planned during the year. A celebration event is set for late spring to spotlight the agency's accomplishments and share key historical moments. Additionally, PHFA staff have started work on a time capsule that will be sealed for opening by the agency on the occasion of its 100th anniversary in 2072-73.

The public is invited to regularly visit the agency's website and follow it's Facebook and Twitter channels for special messaging throughout the year highlighting key events from PHFA's history.

EDITORS: Historical photos from the agency's archives are available upon request to accompany your stories.

About PHFA

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $16.9 billion of funding for more than 191,870 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 141,492 rental units, distributed approximately $239 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 50,660 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

Media contact:

Scott Elliott

717-649-6522 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Historic gift will provide thousands more youth with a paid, professional mentor for 12+ years and establish a National Center of Excellence

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The national organization Friends of the Children announced today its network received a three-year, $33 million gift from philanthropists Gary and Christine Rood of Vancouver, Wash. Friends of the Children is the only national mentoring program in the country with paid, professional mentors called "Friends" who walk alongside youth for 12+ years, no matter what. This gift offers powerful sustaining momentum for the organization to serve thousands more children, many of whom are inor at risk of enteringfoster care.

"Gary and Christine have been generous supporters of Friends of the Children since 2018. But when we learned about this gift, and the timing, we were astonished and overwhelmed at their sincere generosity," said Terri Sorensen, CEO of Friends of the Children - National. "It is incredible to kick off both our 30th anniversary and National Mentoring Month with this extraordinary gift. This investment opens up unfettered opportunities for the network and the youth we serve and provides us the unique opportunity to establish the first-ever national learning hub for long-term mentoring."

Philanthropists Gary and Christine Rood gift $33 million to Friends of the Children Tweet this

Of the $33 million gift, $28 million will support expanding the organization's child and whole-family well-being services to thousands more children and families throughout the nation, including $5 million to be directly given to the Friends of the Children - SW Washington chapter located in the Rood's community. The remaining $5 million will establish the Friends of the Children National Center of Excellence, which will be named after its founder, Duncan Campbell, and his wife Cindy, and will be headquartered in the historic flagship building of Friends of the Children's first chapter at 44 NE Morris St. in Portland, Ore.

"Friends of the Children's proven track record and long-term commitment to youth deserves not just recognition but continued and sustaining investment," said 84-year-old Gary Rood, owner of Rood Investments in Vancouver, Wash. "We are deeply committed to giving generously now because so many children and families need support now more than ever. We also want to see the fruits of this gift within our lifetime. It will be an honor to witness how this gift may transform youth and their communities across the country in the next few years."

Initially, the Roods had planned to include Friends of the Children as a legacy gift of their estate but then chose to make a gift now so the couple could see the impact in their own lifetimes. The gift, which is the largest ever given by the Roods to a single organization, comes off the heels of philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's historic $44 million gift to the Friends of the Children national network in August of 2022.

Read the full press release here.

SOURCE Friends of the Children
MAASTRICHT, Netherlands, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pie Medical Imaging ("PMI"), a global leader in cardiac imaging, today launched CAAS Qardia 2.0, a new version of their innovative echocardiography software platform. CAAS Qardia leverages artificial intelligence driven workflows for performing key clinical measurements and ease-of-access.

The CAAS Qardia platform offers in-hospital deployment as so-called zero-footprint solution, meaning access from any PC within the hospital network via the web-browser.

The novel PMI echocardiography software platform (PRNewsfoto/Pie Medical Imaging (PMI))

A complete and flexible off-cart echocardiography analysis is within reach with the new version. CAAS Qardia excels at viewing and analysis, of, amongst others, myocardial strain analysis of left and right ventricles, stress-echo, diastology and (PISA) valve analysis.

A report containing all clinically relevant parameters is automatically created to be shared with colleagues.

Foreshortening of the heart's views negatively affects functional measurements including myocardial strain. CAAS Qardia aims to counteract this frequently unnoticed phenomenon by providing to the user quality control indices. Such functionality may give the user feedback on the appropriateness of the data.

Owing to the platform's vendor-neutrality, healthcare institutions can use CAAS Qardia for all their multi-vendor echocardiography image sets.

"With CAAS Qardia 2.0 Pie Medical Imaging underscores its commitment to simplify the cardiologist's daily practice with accurate and easy-to-use analysis tools" said Rene Guillaume, Managing Director.

CAAS Qardia is available in a server-based or classical stand-alone setup. CAAS Qardia is FDA cleared and CE marked.

About Pie Medical Imaging

Pie Medical Imaging BV is a world leader in analysis and visualization of cardiovascular images in Maastricht (The Netherlands), it hosts the global sales for the CAAS and 3mensio product lines. PMI and 3mensio Medical Imaging are part of the Esaote Group, leader in the biomedical equipment sector, in particular the areas of ultrasound, dedicated MRI and Medical IT. More information about PMI is available at www.piemedicalimaging.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981630/Qardia_2_0.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1981628/PMI_Logo.jpg





SOURCE Pie Medical Imaging (PMI)
Families to explore many types of schools in a family-friendly and multidimensional school fair

PORT ANGELES, Wash., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new event in Port Angeles promises to make school searching more manageable, and even fun, for the whole family. Join hundreds of community members in browsing local education options at the first Port Angeles School Fair on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles.

An array of educational institutions from across Port Angeles, Joyce, and Sequim, including public and private to homeschool and online  will deck out tables showcasing their offerings at the fair. Besides connecting families and schools, the free fair will celebrate learning with face painting, a photo booth, a DJ, cornhole and other games, and refreshments.

Olympic Christian School has led the way in planning the school fair, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hotel's ballroom. The goal of the event? To bring parents, educators, and students together to celebrate the importance of school choice.

This event is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. Gov. Inslee has officially proclaimed Jan. 22-28 to be School Choice Week in Washington State, noting that "quality education is critically important to the economic vitality of Washington and the wellbeing of individuals and families."

"We are so excited to host this education fair! As the principal of a private Christian school, I fully support and encourage raising awareness of school choice. When you factor in all of the amazing education options available to families today, public school, private school, home school, online school, and various hybrid options, education has never been so diverse and readily available to families as it is today," said Tiffany Gillespie of Olympic Christian School. "When parents are aware of all the educational options available to them, it empowers them to make the best choices for their children. Each child is unique, and so are their educational needs. Come to the fair and see what's available!"

The Port Angeles School Fair is planned by Olympic Christian School, a community Christian school serving Port Angeles and Sequim since 1992.

Join the fun at the Red Lion Hotel Port Angeles at 221 N. Lincoln St.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
HIGH POINT, N.C., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From visual arts schools to math and science academies, more than two dozen North Carolina public charter schools will showcase what makes them a good fit for families at a school fair in High Point on Saturday, Jan. 21.

All families are invited to jumpstart their search for next school year at the free community event, which takes place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Blue Heron Event Venue.

Parents can sip coffee while meeting school representatives and learning about the variety of local public charter options serving children from kindergarten through high school. Meanwhile, children can enjoy a photo booth, face painting, balloon art, raffle prizes, cookies, and lemonade.

This event is expected to draw more than 300 attendees and is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. Simultaneously with the High Point event, school fairs will be taking place in more than a dozen U.S. cities nationwide, including Las Vegas, Orlando, and Colorado Springs.

"Our schools are excited to showcase their unique educational programing. There is a school to meet your child's needs. Come see for yourself what North Carolina public charter schools have to offer," said Rhonda Dillingham, executive director of the NC Association for Public Charter Schools.

This event is hosted by the North Carolina Association for Public Charter Schools, which exists to advance quality educational opportunities for all North Carolina children by supporting and expanding successful charter schools.

The Blue Heron Event Venue is located at 4130 Mendenhall Oaks Pkwy.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
Manchester to join dozens of cities nationwide on "School Fair Saturday"

MANCHESTER, N.H., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From a microschool focused on farm and forestry to a public charter school with a business and law track, more than 50 K-12 schools and community vendors will bring information to families at a celebratory school fair next week. More than 700 community members are expected to attend the festivities on Saturday, Jan. 21.

The fair offers families the chance to get a head start on their school search, learn about scholarship opportunities in New Hampshire, and speak directly with public, private, homeschool, and online school representatives. As parents shop schools at the event, children can enjoy face painting, balloon art, a photobooth, snacks, music, and additional fun.

The New Hampshire school fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Armory Room in The DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown.

This fair is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. As part of the celebration, Jan. 21 will be "School Fair Saturday," and will feature school fairs in more than a dozen U.S. cities, simultaneously with the Manchester event.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown is located at 700 Elm St.

This event is hosted by Children's Scholarship Fund - New Hampshire. Children's Scholarship Fund - New Hampshire provides scholarships to empower low-income New Hampshire families to choose the education that best fit their children's needs, regardless of their income or zip code.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global REIT market size is estimated to increase by USD 333.01 billion between 2022 and 2027. The market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 2.8% during the forecast period - Request a sample report

Global REIT market  Vendor analysis

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global REIT Market 2023-2027

Vendor offerings -

Automotive Properties REIT - The company offers REIT for automotive dealership properties.

The company offers REIT for automotive dealership properties. CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust Management Ltd. - The company offers REIT for retail and automotive properties.

The company offers REIT for retail and automotive properties. Dexus Group - The company offers REIT such as Dexus Convenience Retail REIT and Dexus Industria REIT.

The company offers REIT such as Dexus Convenience Retail REIT and Dexus Industria REIT. Federal Realty Investment Trust - The company offers REIT for retail and mixed-use neighborhoods.

The company offers REIT for retail and mixed-use neighborhoods. For details on vendors and their offerings  Buy the report!

Vendor landscape 

The global REIT market is fragmented, with the presence of several global as well as regional vendors. A few prominent vendors that offer REIT in the market are Automotive Properties REIT, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust Management Ltd., Deutsche WohnenDeutsche Wohnen SE, Dexus Group, Federal Realty Investment Trust, FIBRA Prologis, Gecina REIT SA, GPT Management Holdings Ltd., Iron Mountain Inc., Japan Real Estate Investment Corp., Klepierre Reit SA, Link Asset Management Ltd., Mirvac Group, NorthWest Healthcare Properties, Omega Healthcare Investors Inc., RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, Segro Plc, STAG Industrial Inc., Stockland Corp. Ltd., and W. P. Carey Inc. and others.

The presence of a large number of competitors and a high scope for market growth increases the threat of competition among vendors. However, low product differentiation and high regulatory control reduce the rivalry. Thus, the competitive scenario is likely to be moderate in the market during the forecast period.

Global REIT 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 REIT market - Segmentation assessment

Segment overview

Technavio has segmented the market based on type (industrial, commercial, and residential) and application (warehouses and communication centers, self-storage facilities and data centers, and others).

The industrial segment will grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to factors such as the increasing demand for storage space in the industrial segment. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in online sales. Due to supply chain issues, companies were compelled to rent more warehouse space to store additional inventory. This increased the demand for occupancy and rental levels. Moreover, the increase in popularity of online shopping portals encourages e-commerce companies to set up warehouses and delivery centers near major cities. These factors will provide significant expansion opportunities, which, in turn, will boost the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Geography overview

Based on geography, the global REIT market is segmented into North America, APAC, Europe, 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 REIT market.

North America is estimated to account for 63% of the growth of the global market during the forecast period. The growth of industries such as manufacturing, food and beverages, chemical, and e-commerce is expected to fuel the growth of the regional market. The rent for storage and warehouse facilities in the US has increased due to the low vacancy rate of industrial spaces such as storage and warehouses. As self-owned warehouses are not very popular, many end-users prefer leased storage and warehouses for their businesses, which will drive the market in North America during the forecast period.

Download a sample report

Global REIT market  Market dynamics

Leading drivers - The increase in global demand for warehousing and storage facilities is driving the market growth. Manufacturers, importers, exporters, and logistics providers use warehouses to store finished and semi-finished products. Growth in warehouse and storage space will increase the demand for REIT during the forecast period, as building new warehouses is capital-intensive. In addition, high real estate costs increase construction costs in various end-user industries. Thus, increasing demand for storage and storage services will fuel the growth of the global REIT market during the forecast period.

Key trends - The emergence of self-storage as a service is a key trend in the market. The emergence of self-storage services is attributed to the growing demand for self-storage from the pharmaceutical, chemical, e-commerce, food and beverage, automotive, electronics, and other manufacturers. Different self-storage options are available based on the type and characteristics of the product. Thus, the development and growth of self-storage as a service will support the growth of the global REIT market during the forecast period.

Major challenges - Vertical integration by e-commerce companies will challenge market growth. Online shopping has grown in recent years, which has made it difficult for traditional retailers to grow. The rise in online sales globally has increased the number of goods sold through online channels. As a result, global e-commerce companies are opening their warehouses. For instance, in November 2021, Alibaba's logistics company Cainiao announced a long-term plan to build its smart warehouse network in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. Such investments will hinder 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 REIT Market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the REIT market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the REIT market and its contribution to the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the REIT market across North America , APAC, Europe , South America , and Middle East and Africa

, 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 REIT market vendors

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REIT Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 152 Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.8% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 333.01 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 2.6 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 63% Key countries US, Japan, Singapore, UK, and Germany Competitive landscape Leading vendors, market positioning of vendors, competitive strategies, and industry risks Key companies profiled Automotive Properties REIT, CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust Management Ltd., Deutsche WohnenDeutsche Wohnen SE, Dexus Group, Federal Realty Investment Trust, FIBRA Prologis, Gecina REIT SA, GPT Management Holdings Ltd., Iron Mountain Inc., Japan Real Estate Investment Corp., Klepierre Reit SA, Link Asset Management Ltd., Mirvac Group, NorthWest Healthcare Properties, Omega Healthcare Investors Inc., RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, Segro Plc, STAG Industrial Inc., Stockland Corp. Ltd., and W. P. Carey 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. 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 Type



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 REIT market 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 18: Historic Market Size  Data Table on Global REIT market 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.2 Type Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 19: Historic Market Size  Type Segment 2017 - 2021 ($ billion)

4.3 Application Segment Analysis 2017 - 2021

Exhibit 20: Historic Market Size  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 Type

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 30: Chart on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Type - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 32: Chart on Comparison by Type



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Comparison by Type

6.3 Industrial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 34: Chart on Industrial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Industrial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Industrial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Industrial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.4 Commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 38: Chart on Commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 39: Data Table on Commercial - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 40: Chart on Commercial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 41: Data Table on Commercial - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.5 Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 42: Chart on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 43: Data Table on Residential - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 44: Chart on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 45: Data Table on Residential - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 46: Market opportunity by Type ($ billion)

7 Market Segmentation by Application

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 47: Chart on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Application - Market share 2022-2027 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 49: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Comparison by Application

7.3 Warehouses and communication centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 51: Chart on Warehouses and communication centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Warehouses and communication centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Warehouses and communication centers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Warehouses and communication centers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

7.4 Self-storage facilities and data centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 55: Chart on Self-storage facilities and data centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Self-storage facilities and data centers - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Self-storage facilities and data centers - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Self-storage facilities and data centers - 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 ($ billion)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



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 Application

Exhibit 63: Market opportunity by Application ($ billion)

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 ($ 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 (%)

9.4 APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 73: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 74: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 75: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 76: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 77: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 78: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

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 (%)

9.6 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 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 82: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

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 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 85: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 86: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

and - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 87: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 88: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 89: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 90: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 91: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 92: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.9 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 (%)

9.10 UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

Exhibit 97: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 98: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)



Exhibit 99: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)



Exhibit 100: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.11 Singapore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 101: Chart on Singapore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 102: Data Table on Singapore - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 103: Chart on Singapore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 104: Data Table on Singapore - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.12 Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 Exhibit 105: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 106: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2022-2027 ($ billion)

Exhibit 107: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

Exhibit 108: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2022-2027 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 109: 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 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 Automotive Properties REIT

Exhibit 116: Automotive Properties REIT - Overview



Exhibit 117: Automotive Properties REIT - Product / Service



Exhibit 118: Automotive Properties REIT - Key offerings

12.4 CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust Management Ltd.

Exhibit 119: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust Management Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 120: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust Management Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 121: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust Management Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 122: CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust Management Ltd. - Segment focus

12.5 Dexus Group

Exhibit 123: Dexus Group - Overview



Exhibit 124: Dexus Group - Business segments



Exhibit 125: Dexus Group - Key offerings



Exhibit 126: Dexus Group - Segment focus

12.6 Federal Realty Investment Trust

Exhibit 127: Federal Realty Investment Trust - Overview



Exhibit 128: Federal Realty Investment Trust - Product / Service



Exhibit 129: Federal Realty Investment Trust - Key offerings

12.7 FIBRA Prologis

Exhibit 130: FIBRA Prologis - Overview



Exhibit 131: FIBRA Prologis - Product / Service



Exhibit 132: FIBRA Prologis - Key offerings

12.8 Gecina REIT SA

Exhibit 133: Gecina REIT SA - Overview



Exhibit 134: Gecina REIT SA - Business segments



Exhibit 135: Gecina REIT SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 136: Gecina REIT SA - Segment focus

12.9 GPT Management Holdings Ltd.

Exhibit 137: GPT Management Holdings Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 138: GPT Management Holdings Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 139: GPT Management Holdings Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 140: GPT Management Holdings Ltd. - Segment focus

12.10 Iron Mountain Inc.

Exhibit 141: Iron Mountain Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 142: Iron Mountain Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 143: Iron Mountain Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 144: Iron Mountain Inc. - Segment focus

12.11 Link Asset Management Ltd.

Exhibit 145: Link Asset Management Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 146: Link Asset Management Ltd. - Product / Service



Exhibit 147: Link Asset Management Ltd. - Key offerings

12.12 NorthWest Healthcare Properties

Exhibit 148: NorthWest Healthcare Properties - Overview



Exhibit 149: NorthWest Healthcare Properties - Product / Service



Exhibit 150: NorthWest Healthcare Properties - Key offerings

12.13 Omega Healthcare Investors Inc.

Exhibit 151: Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 152: Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 153: Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. - Key offerings

12.14 RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust

Exhibit 154: RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust - Overview



Exhibit 155: RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust - Product / Service



Exhibit 156: RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust - Key offerings

12.15 Segro Plc

Exhibit 157: Segro Plc - Overview



Exhibit 158: Segro Plc - Business segments



Exhibit 159: Segro Plc - Key offerings



Exhibit 160: Segro Plc - Segment focus

12.16 STAG Industrial Inc.

Exhibit 161: STAG Industrial Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 162: STAG Industrial Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 163: STAG Industrial Inc. - Key offerings

12.17 W. P. Carey Inc.

Exhibit 164: W. P. Carey Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 165: W. P. Carey Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 166: W. P. Carey Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 167: W. P. Carey Inc. - Segment focus

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 168: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 169: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 170: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 171: Research methodology



Exhibit 172: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 173: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 174: 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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Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
LOMPOC, Calif., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Supermodel and wild horse advocate Tatjana Patitz passed away from breast cancer on Jan. 10 in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Patitz became involved with Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation (RTF), a national nonprofit advocacy organization, after reading about RTF founder Neda DeMayo and her work with wild horses in People magazine in 2003. Patitz quickly became an active spokesperson for the organization and a close friend of DeMayo's.

Supermodel Tatjana Patitz died Jan. 10. Patitz was also a spokesperson for Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation. Tweet this

"Tatjana did what she could to shine her light on Return to Freedom, the many hundreds of horses and burros at our sanctuary and our advocacy work to end horse slaughter and change policies so that wild horses could remain free on the range," DeMayo said.

Considered one of the original supermodels, the Germany-born, Sweden-raised Patitz entered her first modeling contest at age 17 in Stockholm. She took home third place, but famed photographer Peter Lindbergh photographed her a few years later, in 1988, and her career started to blossom. She went on to appear on magazine covers around the world.

Return to Freedom was asked to create The Tatjana Patitz Legacy Fund (https://returntofreedom.org/tatjana-patitz/) to help support wild horse conservation, educational activities, and events.

Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation (RTF) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to wild horse preservation through sanctuary, education, conservation, and advocacy since 1998. It also operates the American Wild Horse Sanctuary at three California locations, caring for more than 450 wild horses and burros. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates about wild horses and burros on the range and at our sanctuary.

SOURCE Return to Freedom Wild Horse Conservation
Luanda  Angolan head of State Joao Lourenco and the chairperson of Toyota Tsusho Corporation discussed the rehabilitation of the Commercial Port of Namibe.

The issue was addressed during an audience the President Joao Lourenco granted to the CEO of Toyota Tsusho Corporation Thursday in Luanda.

Toyota Tsusho Corporation is in charge of the execution of the expansion works of the container terminal at the Port of Namibe and rehabilitation of the Saco-Mar mining terminal.

The rehabilitation works, expected to end in three-year period, are estimated at around USD 700 million.

Speaking to the press, at the end of the audience, Ichiro Kashitani said that the works were running smoothly and therefore they (works) are expected to meet the set deadlines.

The meeting also addressed issues related to renewable energies, export of Angolan products to Japan, among others of common interest.

The work will focus on the opposite side of the bay, where a new container terminal for the Port of Namibe will be built, a modern infrastructure equipped with means to improve the efficiency of the operation and increase the competitiveness of the enterprise.

At the Saco-mar mining terminal, the contract covers the northern part of Mocamedes Bay, (Namibe province) installing a maritime protection barrier to the north of the mouth of the Bero River.

Inaugurated in 1957, the Commercial Port of Namibe is one of the main ports in the country, being the largest in the southern region and the third largest in Angola.

The Saco-Mar Minerals terminal was built in 1967, with the aim of exporting iron ores exploited in the Cassinga mines, in the province of Huila, and operated for eight years. In 1973 it reached its highest export value, with 62 million tons.

Founded in 1887, the Japanese group Toyota Tsusho Corporation has more than 12,000 workers. The company is represented in 39 countries, 34 of which in Africa.
WARWICK, R.I., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Join hundreds of community members in exploring K-12 school booths, hearing an inspiring speaker, and snapping a photo booth picture at a school fair celebration in Warwick, RI this School Choice Week.

From noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22 at the Crowne Plaza (801 Greenwich Avenue), families can explore dozens of school exhibits, chat with school leaders, and receive community support while searching for the best fit for their child. A wide variety of educational options will be present at the fair, including private and religious-based schools, leadership academies, full-time online learning programs, career and technical centers and public charter schools all dedicated to best serving the needs of their student populations..

Besides learning about local options, attendees can enjoy music, face painting, balloon twisting, a photobooth, a chance to win raffle prizes, free snacks, lemonade, and coffee.

Keynote speaker Hera Varmah, tax-credit scholarship recipient and communications and events assistant at the American Federation for Children, will share her own moving story of educational opportunity during the fair.

The fair is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states.

"This fair is the first of its kind in Rhode Island. Come and see the many various different types of schools and options that have come together to demonstrate their programs available to you and your children," said Ed Bastia of Rhode Island Families for School Choice. "Bring the family! The fair promises to be a fun way to spend a winter's afternoon in little Rhody."

This event is hosted by National School Choice Week, in collaboration with Rhode Island Families for School Choice, the Diocese of Providence, and schools across the state.

Participating institutions include: Unity Community Achievement Possibility School (UCAP), Village Green Charter School, St. Mary School, Saint Philip School, St. Patrick Academy, St. Philomena School, Excel Academy, St. Rocco School, Davies Vocational Tech, Bishop McVinney School, Chesterton Academy of Our Lady of Hope, Providence Hebrew Day School, St. Teresa School, NEL/CPS Construction & Career Academy, Sora Schools, The Met School, Be Well Leadership Academy, Rhode Island Nurses Institute Middle College Charter High School, Immaculate Conception Catholic Regional School, Jewish Community Day School of RI, West Bay Christian Academy, School One, St. Mary Academy - Bay View, The Grace School, St. Peter School, Mount St Charles Academy, Academic Advantage, and Exeter Job Corps Academy.

The Crowne Plaza is located at 801 Greenwich Ave. The fair will take place in the Plaza Ballroom. Parking and Admission are both free.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
Industrial Product Supplier Adds FlexRNG Offering from Gas South to its Sustainability Program

DALLAS, N.C., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Roechling Industrial Gastonia, LP, an industrial product manufacturer specializing in stock shape thermoplastic products, announced a new commitment to sustainability. The company will start to use FlexRNG in 2023 to address their natural gas consumption with the goal to offset their greenhouse gas emission and targeting carbon neutrality by 2030. FlexRNG is a new and accessible energy option from Gas South.

Roechling has set a company-wide goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. By investing in FlexRNG, it will ensure there is no net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when it burns natural gas. FlexRNG is a multifaceted offering that works by offsetting natural gas emissions with verified carbon offsets and by displacing a portion of natural gas consumption with renewable natural gas (RNG). It includes verifying, tracking and retiring renewable thermal credits and carbon offset credits in the company's name.

"We are proud to partner with Gas South on our investment to reduce our environmental impact," said Tim Brown, President of Roechling Industrial North America. "We are making strides with our holistic decarbonization strategy and are energized by the vision of a carbon neutral Roechling Industrial."

Gas South, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation, is the largest retail natural gas provider in the southeastern United States. In addition to delivering renewable energy products like FlexRNG, the Atlanta-based company has invested $23 million in solar energy projects and plans to invest at least $15 million in renewable energy projects annually over the next three years.

"I applaud Roechling Industrial Gastonia for taking this impactful step towards achieving their carbon neutral goal. Adding FlexRNG to their emissions-reduction strategy will help them meet their targets within their budget," said Luke Nemes, Senior Originator for Renewables at Gas South. "This investment is also a huge step forward for Gas South. We pride ourselves on guiding sustainability-focused customers to emissions-reduction solutions that make a difference. I'm proud to be a part of this business, and I can't wait to see Roechling achieve their objectives."

For more information on Roechling Industrial, please visit www.roechling.com/us/industrial. For additional information on Gas South and FlexRNG, please visit www.GasSouth.com/Renewables.

About Roechling Industrial Gastonia:

The Rochling Group, made up of Industrial, Medical, and Automotive divisions, employs over 11,000 worldwide at 91 locations in 25 countries. Backed by a global network, Roechling Industrial Gastonia is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-quality semi-finished thermoplastics and engineering products. Featuring what they believe to be the most comprehensive product line within the United States and Canada, Roechling is committed to developing efficient, innovative, and sustainable solutions for their customers.

About Gas South:

Gas South is a leading provider of natural gas in competitive markets throughout the southeastern U.S. Following the acquisition of Infinite Energy in 2020, Gas South now serves more than 425,000 residential, business and governmental customers in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and 10 other states. Gas South offers simple and straightforward rate plans, outstanding local customer service, and a promise to give back 5% of profits to support children in need. Gas South is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, one of the country's largest electric cooperatives. For more information, visit www.GasSouth.com.

Media Contact: Bella Luna [email protected]

SOURCE Gas South
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces it has filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of the securities of Gaotu Techedu Inc. f/k/a GSX Techedu Inc. (NYSE: GOTU, GSX) between March 5, 2021 and July 23, 2021, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 28, 2023.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Gaotu securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Gaotu class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=2595 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than February 28, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose, among other things, that: (1) China was barring tutoring for profit in core school subjects and the policy change would restrict foreign investment in a sector that had become essential to success in Chinese school exams; and (2) the impact such regulations would have on Gaotu's operations and profitability and the value of Company securities. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Gaotu class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=2595 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm.

Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm's attorneys are ranked and recognized by numerous independent and respected sources. Rosen Law Firm has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for investors.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
2,000 community members, 80+ local schools to attend annual celebration

LAS VEGAS , Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An annual school choice fair returns to Las Vegas on Saturday, Jan. 21, bringing school booths, superheroes, and a scavenger hunt  and giving Nevada families the opportunity to better understand their K-12 education options.

This year's school fair will take place 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at IPEC Las Vegas and is expected to draw 2,000 community members. The popular event brings families and schools together to ease the school search process; parents can learn about traditional public, private, public charter, microschool, homeschool, online, and scholarship options all in one room. More than 80 schools and organizations, including Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a project to deliver school choice information in Spanish, will be present to answer families' questions.

While parents meet school leaders and learn about changes in Nevada's educational landscape, children can enjoy photo booths, balloon twisting, face painting, music, and free snacks. Upbeat student performances, a scavenger hunt, and photo opportunities with superheroes will spread school spirit and fun throughout the day.

The event is free to attend and planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. The Las Vegas School Fair will be the largest celebration of education options in Nevada during the Week.

"This year, we have received a record number of registrations from families in Las Vegas seeking more educational opportunities. We are thrilled to host this event annually and to observe its increasing popularity," said Valeria Gurr of the Nevada School Choice Coalition.

The Las Vegas School Choice Fair is planned by the Nevada School Choice Coalition, a project of the American Federation for Children. Families are encouraged to register in advance for the free event at bit.ly/3Z12Ibs .

The IPEC Las Vegas is located at 6590 Bermuda Rd and parking is free.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
School Choice Week celebration to shine a light on San Antonio learning options

SAN ANTONIO, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- San Antonio school options range from microschools to classical schools to science schools, and everything in between. To support families in exploring their choices and navigating applications, San Antonio Charter Moms is hosting a day of music, fun, and learning at The DoSeum this National School Choice Week.

The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The DoSeum's theater space and features music from The AM Project, representatives from more than two dozen schools, and information about school applications. By visiting different school booths at the event, families can fill up their scavenger hunt sheet and earn tickets toward a gift card raffle.

The School Discovery Day at The DoSeum on Saturday, Jan. 21 is the largest in a series of six Discovery Days that San Antonio Charter Moms is hosting this school year to connect families with local schools. Five hundred community members are expected to attend.

This event is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. In addition to the San Antonio School Discovery Day, Texans are celebrating with large school fairs in Fort Worth and Houston.

"Trying to wade through the wide array of charter and choice schools available in San Antonio can be an overwhelming process," said Inga Cotton, founder and executive director of San Antonio Charter Moms.

"Our School Discovery Day series is designed to give families a leg up by offering them the chance to meet with multiple school representatives in one convenient location so they can ask questions, get on interest lists and learn about application processes and deadlines," said Cotton. "We are thrilled to host our flagship event at The DoSeum, it is loved and respected by San Antonio families as a source of joyful learning and family fun."

San Antonio Charter Moms is a nonprofit that helps families find schools that are the right fit for their children and become advocates for quality education.

Schools participating at the School Discovery Day include Anne Frank Inspire Academy, BASIS Charter Schools, Brooks Academies of Texas, CAST Schools, Compass Rose Public Schools, Edgewood ISD Schools of Innovation, Essence Prep, The Gathering Place, Great Hearts Texas, Harmony Public Schools, IDEA Public Schools, Jubilee Academies, KIPP Texas-San Antonio, Legacy Traditional Schools-Texas, New Frontiers Public Schools, Pre-K 4 SA, Prelude Prep, Promesa Academy, Royal Public Schools, SA Prep, SAISD Choice Schools, School of Science and Technology, and Southwest Prep.

The DoSeum is located at 2800 Broadway in San Antonio. Families should head to the museum's theater space for the free event. Families who wish to explore The DoSeum's full 68,000 square feet of galleries can find ticket prices and more information at thedoseum.org/plan-your-visit.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
PHOENIX, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- School fair will meet student showcase at the Children's Museum of Phoenix on Saturday, Jan. 21. Students, parents, and educators will celebrate their school and get to know your local community better at an evening of fun, music, and learning from 6 to 8 p.m.

Arizona boasts some of the most varied school choice options for families nationwide, with many state programs to remove cost barriers for families. An array of those options will be present at the fair, which will feature more than 30 school booths and vendors. The evening will kick off with Junior ROTC students from a traditional public district school presenting the flags, followed by a charter school student leading the pledge of allegiance and a private school student singing the national anthem.

Besides exploring the museum, school booths and collecting information, families can enjoy face painting, balloon twisting, free snacks, a photo booth, a balloon drop and remarks from community leaders, and a performance by a student from a private school and the Phoenix Children's Choir. More than 500 students, parents, and community members are expected to attend. Information will be available for families in both English and Spanish through the involvement of Conoce tus Opciones Escolares, a project of the National School Choice Awareness Foundation.

This event is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week 2023, which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. In addition to the school fair, flagship events in Arizona include a student showcase in Chandler and a school choice carnival in Tucson.

"National School Choice Week is a time for families to recognize all the different options available to meet their student's needs. It is an occasion for schools to showcase what they do best for their students," said Barbara Duncan, vice president of quality schools at Choose a School. "It is an opportunity for leaders to see the schools in their districts in action and for everyone to evaluate the school choice options in their state to ensure all students have a right to an excellent educational option."

This celebration is planned by Choose a School Arizona, which uses social media, strategic events, and one-on-one parent outreach to help families find the best education for their children and help quality schools tell their stories and find students.

The Children's Museum of Phoenix is located at 215 N. 7th St.

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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sims Limited (ASX: SGM), a global leader in sustainability and an enabler of the circular economy, announced today that Heather Ridout AO will retire from the Sims Limited Board of Directors in 2023. Changes to the Board of Directors, the board committees and structure will be determined at a later date.

Heather's leadership, guidance and wisdom have been a major factor in navigating a demanding growth strategy. Tweet this Heather Ridout AO will retire from the Sims Limited Board of Directors in 2023

Ridout, the former chief executive of the Australian Industry Group from 2004 through 2012, joined the Sims Limited Board of Directors in September 2011. She is the chairperson of the Remuneration Committee, and she is also a member of the Safety, Health, Environment, Community and Sustainability Committee, the Risk Committee, and the Nomination/Governance Committee.

Geoffrey Brunsdon, chairman and independent non-executive director for Sims Limited's Board of Directors, said, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Heather for her outstanding service to the Sims Limited Board, our employees and our shareholders. Heather's leadership, guidance and wisdom throughout her 11 years of service have been a major factor in the company successfully navigating a demanding international growth strategy, as well as significant change. Both the Board of Directors and the executive leadership team will miss Heather's counsel, and we wish her every success in her new role."

Ridout was appointed as Australia's next Consul-General in New York on 20 December 2022. With an outstanding career spanning four decades, she is well-equipped to promote Australia's world-class and diverse creative industries, education and the arts in the United States.

"Sims Limited is a company I have known and admired for more than 25 years, and I was delighted for it to be a member of AI Group," Ridout said. "I look back on my tenure at Sims Limited with great pride in serving as a non-executive director. I am extremely confident the company will continue to grow, prosper and positively impact society," she concluded.

The precise date of Ridout's retirement will be determined by the commencement date for her new role.

About Sims Limited

Founded in 1917, Sims Limited is a global leader in sustainability and an enabler of the circular economy that employs 4,400 employees who operate from more than 200 facilities across 15 countries. The company's ordinary shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: SGM), and its American Depositary Shares are quoted on the Over-the-Counter market in the United States (USOTC: SMSMY). The company's purpose, create a world without waste to preserve our planet, is what drives them to constantly innovate and offer new solutions in the circular economy for consumers, businesses, governments and communities around the world. For more information, visit www.simsltd.com .

SOURCE Sims Limited
NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sims Limited (ASX: SGM), a global leader in sustainability and an enabler of the circular economy, announced today that Heather Ridout AO will retire from the Sims Limited Board of Directors in 2023. Changes to the Board of Directors, the board committees and structure will be determined at a later date.

Ridout, the former chief executive of the Australian Industry Group from 2004 through 2012, joined the Sims Limited Board of Directors in September 2011. She is the chairperson of the Remuneration Committee, and she is also a member of the Safety, Health, Environment, Community and Sustainability Committee, the Risk Committee, and the Nomination/Governance Committee.

Geoffrey Brunsdon, chairman and independent non-executive director for Sims Limited's Board of Directors, said, "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Heather for her outstanding service to the Sims Limited Board, our employees and our shareholders. Heather's leadership, guidance and wisdom throughout her 11 years of service have been a major factor in the company successfully navigating a demanding international growth strategy, as well as significant change. Both the Board of Directors and the executive leadership team will miss Heather's counsel, and we wish her every success in her new role."

Ridout was appointed as Australia's next Consul-General in New York on 20 December 2022. With an outstanding career spanning four decades, she is well-equipped to promote Australia's world-class and diverse creative industries, education and the arts in the United States.

"Sims Limited is a company I have known and admired for more than 25 years, and I was delighted for it to be a member of AI Group," Ridout said. "I look back on my tenure at Sims Limited with great pride in serving as a non-executive director. I am extremely confident the company will continue to grow, prosper and positively impact society," she concluded.

The precise date of Ridout's retirement will be determined by the commencement date for her new role.

About Sims Limited

Founded in 1917, Sims Limited is a global leader in sustainability and an enabler of the circular economy that employs 4,400 employees who operate from more than 200 facilities across 15 countries. The company's ordinary shares are listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: SGM), and its American Depositary Shares are quoted on the Over-the-Counter market in the United States (USOTC: SMSMY). The company's purpose, create a world without waste to preserve our planet, is what drives them to constantly innovate and offer new solutions in the circular economy for consumers, businesses, governments and communities around the world. For more information, visit www.simsltd.com .

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1605082/SLS_Logo_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Sims Limited
Company partnering with Mercy Chefs to provide restaurant-quality meals for disaster victims, volunteers and first responders

SMITHFIELD, Va., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. is has donated 35,000 pounds of food, equal to 140,000 servings, to help feed victims of the severe winter weather that recently engulfed Eastern Kentucky.

Smithfield delivered the food products to Mercy Chefs, which is currently stationed in Hazel Green, Kentucky, to provide disaster relief for local residents. The Portsmouth, Virginia-based nonprofit travels to disaster zones across the U.S. to serve free chef-prepared, restaurant-quality hot meals to local residents, volunteers and first responders. Smithfield products donated to this relief effort include lunch meat, bacon, fully cooked boneless ham, hickory smoked ham and smoked spiral sliced ham.

"The extreme winter weather in Eastern Kentucky left many residents with frozen pipes and entire towns without potable water," said Jonathan Toms, senior community development manager for Smithfield Foods. "We are grateful for our partnership with Mercy Chefs, which enables us to provide delicious, hot meals to help families get through this dire situation and get back on their feet."

Chef Gary LeBlanc, founder and CEO of Mercy Chefs, said, "Whenever and wherever we find people facing great need, Smithfield Foods is always there to stand with us as we set out to provide high-quality, chef-prepared meals in disaster zones across the country."

Mercy Chefs expects to cook 2,000-3,000 hot meals per day for residents in the area. To make a donation or find out how to volunteer locally, visit MercyChefs.com/easternky.

Smithfield has donated hundreds of millions of protein servings to food banks, disaster relief efforts and community outreach programs in all 50 U.S. states since 2008 through its Helping Hungry Homes program, and has pledged to donate an additional 200 million servings of protein by 2025.

The company recently donated 30,000 pounds of food, or 120,000 servings, to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore in December 2022, delivered 150,000 food servings to victims of Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers, Florida, last October, and contributed $2 million to Ukraine crisis relief efforts in March. Smithfield donated over 5 million pounds of protein, or 20 million servings, in 2022.

More information about Smithfield's ongoing work to strengthen our communities and fight food insecurity is available here.

About Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. With more than 60,000 jobs globally, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly." and serve as one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in our U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30% across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield, Eckrich and Nathan's Famous, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About Mercy Chefs

Mercy Chefs is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The organization exists to provide professionally prepared, restaurant-quality meals to victims, volunteers and first responders in natural disasters and national emergencies and partners with existing ministries with food service in underserved communities around the country. Since its founding, Mercy Chefs has served over 17 million meals. In 2020, Mercy Chefs founder Gary LeBlanc was recognized by Southern Living Magazine as a "Hometown Hero," and Mercy Chefs was named the 2020 Small Business of the Year in the nonprofit category by Inside Business and the Hampton Roads Chamber. For more information, visit MercyChefs.com.

SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc.
DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "South Africa Consulting Industry: A Research-based Proposition for Investment Purposes" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The management consulting and business advisory services industry forms part of the knowledge industry. It is forecasted to grow to US$20.11bn in 2022 and US$20.6bn in 2023 from US$19.5bn in 2021.

The sector has been affected by the pandemic, which limited in-person consultations and travel and resulted in several clients cancelling projects, as well as allegations that several big management consulting firms, including McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company, were implicated in corruption by the state capture enquiry. Some mid-tier and boutique management consultancies have been able to capitalise on the crisis.

Demand for consulting and business advisory services is rising, driven by clients looking for help with digital transformation, which increased during the pandemic. Enterprise and supplier development (ESD) and turnaround and business rescue consulting also represent growing opportunities for business consultants. Knowledge management is becoming increasingly driven by digital tools.

Management consultancies and business advisory firms form part of the broader consulting industry.

SA has a well-established consulting sector and regarded as mature based on global standards. As part of the knowledge industry, economic activity in the sector, centers on the provision of professional value-added information and knowledge-based services that seek to enhance the efficacy of business strategies and optimise operational processes and organisational performance.

Advisory firms and management consultancies provide services to businesses and organisations across all sectors of the economy including the public sector. External consultants are generally engaged on a temporary basis to provide objective advisory services and support in identifying, analysing and resolving issues. Consulting is a high margin industry, using various charging models incl project fees, hourly rates and retainers.

South Africa's business and management consulting industry is multi-dimensional and diversified in nature.

The sector is characterised by high levels of fragmentation and differentiation, with players ranging from freelance independent sole proprietors to major multinational consulting firms. It is not uncommon for independent practitioners to be engaged by their former employers.

Many university professors and lecturers also consult on matters in their fields of expertise. Smaller boutique consultancies, which tend to target specific niche markets, have generally adopted a more focused approach. Players in this segment include broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) management consultancies, sourcing advisory firms and environmental consultancies. The scope of the services offered by large established firms is generally much broader.

Management consulting comprises three main segments: operations consulting; strategy consulting; and human resources (HR) consulting/human capital advisory services. Business process improvement, operational problem solving and building sustainable competitive advantages are key elements of management consulting and business advisory services.

Key Topics Covered:

Introduction

General Consulting Market

The South African Consulting Industry

Ownership Distribution

Competitive Environment

Functional Analysis

Market Entry Modes

Opportunities Landscape

SA Local Government

Business Model

Company Structure

References

Companies Mentioned

A T Kearney (Pty) Ltd

Accenture ( South Africa ) (Pty) Ltd

) (Pty) Ltd Adept Advisory (Pty) Ltd

Alexander Proudfoot South Africa (Pty) Ltd t/a Proudfoot Consulting

(Pty) Ltd t/a Proudfoot Consulting AYO Technology Solutions Ltd

Bain and Company South Africa Inc

BDO South Africa Inc

Beesa Business Services (Pty) Ltd

Business Partners Ltd

Butterfly Effect Intelligence (Pty) Ltd

Columinate (Pty) Ltd t/a InSites Consulting South Africa

Dalberg Consulting CC

Datacomb (Pty) Ltd

DecisionInc (Pty) Ltd

Deloitte South Africa

Edge Growth Business Development (Pty) Ltd

Ernst and Young Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd

Fetola Mmoho Corporate Social Investment Consultants (Pty) Ltd

FeverTreeConsulting (Pty) Ltd

Free State Development Corporation

FTI Consulting South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Gauteng Growth and Development Agency SOC Ltd

Generation of Leaders Discovered Consulting (Pty) Ltd

Hoorah Digital (Pty) Ltd

IBM South Africa (Pty) Ltd

IQ Business (Pty) Ltd

IQVIA Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Knowledge Mentoring Institute (Pty) Ltd

Korn Ferry (Pty) Ltd

(Pty) Ltd KPMG Services (Pty) Ltd

Kreston SA (Pty) Ltd

ManpowerGroup SA (Pty) Ltd

McKinsey and Company Africa (Pty) Ltd

Mercer South Africa (Pty) Ltd

(Pty) Ltd Moore South Africa (Pty) Ltd

(Pty) Ltd Motlanalo Chartered Accountants and Auditors Inc

NMG C and A Holdings (SA) (Pty) Ltd

PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc

Raizcorp Enterprise Development (Pty) Ltd

Renaicance Consultants CC t/a Next Generation Consultants

Rifle-Shot Performance Holdings (Pty) Ltd

SizweNtsalubaGobodo Grant Thornton Inc t/a SNG Grant Thornton

Strategic Simulation Solutions BTS Africa (Pty) Ltd t/a BTS Africa

Tata Consultancy Services ( South Africa ) (Pty) Ltd

) (Pty) Ltd The Boston Consulting Group RSA (Pty) Ltd

The Eton Group (Pty) Ltd

The Franchise Firm (Pty) Ltd

Trade and Investment KwaZulu-Natal

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/qcvu25

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Luanda  National Assembly (AN) approved Thursday the draft Resolutions on the Execution Reports of the General State Budget (OGE) for the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2022.

The documents were approved with 122 votes in favour, 79 against and no abstentions, during the 2nd Extraordinary Plenary Meeting of the 1st Legislative Session of the V Legislature of the National Assembly.

The Minister of Finance, Vera Daves, said that she had taken good note of the contributions and constructive criticisms of the referred documents.

"We will continue to strive to report in the most timely, clear and transparent manner possible", she noted.

Vera Daves announced that a set of actions is under way "aiming to improve the performance of our systems and integrate them, as well as the mechanisms that motivate the different budget units to help this reporting exercise, providing all the information that is needed with faster".

The National Assembly unanimously approved the Draft Resolution for the election of Counselor Judge Vitoria Manuel Izata as vice-president of the Constitutional Court (TC), as well as the filling of the vacancy of a Counselor Judge of the TC, appointed by Parliament, which ie being held by Vitorino Hossi.
The Roanoke-based home services company urges the importance of gas safety during the month of January

ROANOKE, Va. , Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With winter in full swing, Southern Trust Home Services, a leading electrical, HVAC and plumbing company serving southwest Virginia, warns homeowners of the real threat of carbon monoxide poisoning and offers tips to prevent exposure to the harmful gas.

Southern Trust Home Services is encouraging homeowners to practice gas safety this month and take steps to keep carbon monoxide from entering their living spaces.

"January is the worst month for exposure to carbon monoxide because that's when it gets really cold and people start using their heating systems more," said Ted Puzio, owner of Southern Trust Home Services. "Add to that storm-related power outages that cause homeowners to look for alternative heating sources, and you have a recipe for potential disaster. Carbon monoxide (CO) is invisible and odorless so it can debilitate you before you know you've been exposed."

CO is a byproduct of burning gasoline, propane, wood, charcoal and other fuel. Puzio said that many heating methods that aren't designed for indoor use or faulty gas furnaces and fireplaces are the usual culprits of CO emissions.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 400 people die of CO poisoning each year and an additional 15,000 people are treated annually for exposure.

He provided the following tips to prevent or limit exposure to carbon monoxide:

Don't operate a gas-powered generator indoors or near an open window. Portable generators need to be used outside and far away from the house. Do not operate a portable generator inside the home. Even an open window does not provide enough ventilation. Don't use stoves and other appliances as a heating source. When the heat goes out, it is tempting to use gas ovens or propane camp stoves as temporary heaters, but this is dangerous. If the heat is completely out and there is no safe, alternative heat, call local emergency services for help. Put CO alarms on every level of the home. CO detectors can be purchased from any hardware or home improvement store and are easily installed. These alarms need to be tested frequently to ensure the batteries are in good working order. Have the heating system inspected. Furnaces, chimneys and flues should be inspected at least once a year. A professional can detect problems or potential problems with CO emissions during a routine heating system checkup. Don't warm up vehicles in closed spaces. Keep the garage door open or move the automobile outside while it warms. Even if it is warming up with the garage door open, it is a good idea to limit the time it idles as the gas can build up quickly.

"If you or a family member feels light-headed, dizzy, short of breath or nauseated and you suspect you've been exposed to carbon monoxide, call 911 immediately," Puzio said. "Take the victim to get fresh air while waiting for emergency service personnel. Exposure to carbon monoxide is not something to take lightly."

For more information on winter prep or to inquire about services, please contact Southern Trust Home Services at (540) 343-4348 or visit www.southerntrusthomeservices.com.

About Southern Trust Home Services

Founded in 1995 as Southern State Electric, Southern Trust Home Services provides residential plumbing, electrical and HVAC services and drain cleaning to homeowners in more than 60 cities throughout southwest Virginia. Trucks are ready and on stand-by for emergency services 24/7, and financing options and lifetime guarantees are also available. As Roanoke's first home services company to offer a lifetime guarantee on all recommended repairs, Southern Trust Home Services staffs dedicated, certified, licensed and insured, drug and criminal background checked technicians who provide timely, same-day services for a variety of home repairs, installations, and maintenance. An A+ Better Business Bureau accredited company since 2006, Southern Trust Home Services has financing available including 0% for 18 months, and Lifetime Repair Guarantee on stated repairs. To find out more, call 540-343-4348 or visit www.southerntrusthomeservices.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE Southern Trust Home Services
Odessa native Russ Krivor's efforts on behalf of Tikva Odessa helps Jewish adults and children impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To most people in the commercial real estate industry, Russ Krivor is best known as president and CEO of New York real estate development firm Sovereign Properties. But real estate means something different to those currently living in war-torn Ukraine. As a Tikva Odessa board trustee, Krivor works with the non-profit organization to help secure another type of real estate for these individuals  shelter, food and other essential services for adults and children who reside in Odessa, Ukraine.

"Because I was from Odessa, I wanted to be more involved... I knew this was my moment, and I needed to step up." Tweet this Russ Krivor at the Journey of Hope Gala in New York City, an event that generated approximately $1.65 million in donations for Tikva Odessa, a non-profit organization that provides shelter, food and other essential services for adults and children who reside in Odessa, Ukraine. Russ Krivor, president and CEO of Sovereign Properties, and Yanna Begelman, Director of Development at Tikva Odessa, at the 2022 Journey of Hope Gala.

A native of Ukraine, Krivor's interest in Tikva Odessa is highly personal. Launched in the early 1990s, the organization provides housing, education and assistance to Odessa's abused and abandoned Jewish children. As the largest Jewish orphanage in Ukraine, Tikva Odessa helps these children gain self-sufficiency and skills.

Krivor had been involved with the organization"on the periphery," he saidfor several years. Then, he told his friend, Yanna Begelman, Tikva Odessa's Director of Development, that he was interested in a more active position on the board.

"Because I was from Odessa, I wanted to be more involved," Krivor said, adding that he came to the United States when he was three years old. "I had a family who loved me and parents who provided [for] me," Krivor added. "I knew this was my moment, and I needed to step up."

When Russia invaded Ukraine, Tikva Odessa's mission expanded. According to Krivor, Tikva Odessa's Ukraine facility became a refugee facility to aid not just at-risk children, but the entire Odessa Jewish population.

"We have families living on our campus," Krivor said. "We also have a food kitchen for Odessa residents who have nothing to eat." Other services offered include an adult daycare component for the elderly, an education center for both children and adults, and a bomb shelter. Tikva Odessa also has an on-site center in Romania that aids Ukraine's Jewish refugees.

Mr. Krivor was recently honored at Tikva Odessa's Journey of Hope Gala in New York City, an event that generated approximately $1.65 million in donations, a portion of which Krivor raised from within the New York real estate community and from Mr. Krivor's own friends and family.

"Given the situation there, I want[ed] to do what I could to support this organization," Krivor explained. "I'm very thankful that the business community came together; everyone I know has been so incredibly generous and willing to help."

And help is definitely needed. Tikva Odessa's monthly budget is $2.5 million and is liable to grow as the Russia-Ukraine war continues. "We're currently housing and feeding 3,500 people, providing clothing to Ukraine refugees in Romania and are taking care of a massive community in war-torn Odessa," Krivor said. "Every little bit helps the population there; they need our support."

To learn more about Tikva Odessa and to donate, visit the website at www.tikvaodessa.org.

SOURCE Sovereign Properties
HONG KONG, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The stock price of Golden Century International Holdings Group Limited (00091.hk) ("Golden Century International"), a company specializing in coalbed methane gas exploration and exploitation, sale of electronic components, financial business, wealth management, comprehensive healthcare and proprietary investments, has remained largely steady over most of the past four years, helped largely due to the company's continued strong economic performance. However, in 2022, due to socioeconomic factors such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it saw a significant slump. However, with the Greater China region seeing an opening up in early 2023, the stock price has recently shot back up to retest all-time highs.

According to the 2022 Interim Report, the lion's share of the company's revenue came from the medical industry, making up 78% of the company's revenue. It is expected that post-COVID, and with there being a recovery in medical resources, this sector will bring in even more revenue than last year in 2023. The financial sector, by comparison, only made up 17% of the company's revenue, according to the report.

After considering the numerous socioeconomic factors, the company decided to undertake a restructuring of their staff structure in 2022. This reflects that the company always has a professional team that places the utmost importance on the reputation of the company.

The debt and total asset of the company have reached an equilibrium in the past two years. The company's total debts in the last two years saw a significant decrease, despite the COVID-19 pandemic making economic conditions even more challenging. This makes the company's economic performance even more remarkable. As a listed company, Golden Century International has a responsibility to their shareholders to deliver results, and it has done so resoundingly.

At the same time, the increase in liquidity is another significant stepstone to for the risk management strategy of the company. During the payback of debts, Golden Century International did not neglect to increase its liquidity, and as a result, it has seen a significant increase in the last two years.

The company has also decided to back out of the not profitable LNG project, another example of the company valuing fiscal responsibility more than anything else. Looking ahead to 2023, and on the back of soaring stock prices, the future looks bright for Golden Century International.

SOURCE Golden Century International Holdings Group Limited
Arguments in case arising from 2017 concrete strike presented to Supreme Court Justices on January 10, 2023

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It was a big week for Teamsters Local 174, and the American Labor Movement as a whole, as attorneys for Local 174 presented oral argument before the United States Supreme Court in a case with far-reaching potential implications for workers' right to strike. The case stems from a 2017 strike by members of Teamsters Local 174 against Glacier Northwest/CalPortland, which lasted for eight days and successfully won a contract for Teamster members at five concrete companies. The case, Glacier Northwest, Inc. d/b/a CalPortland v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union No. 174, Case No. 21-1449, addresses whether federal labor law permits employers to sue unions in state courts for ordinary product losses that result from employee work stoppages.

The company's position is that it should be allowed to sue the Teamsters in Washington state courts for the losses it incurred after drivers returned their concrete mixer trucks to the company's care, with the drums running, and then walked off the job to begin a strike  a federally protected and fundamental right for workers in the fight to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions. Glacier later disciplined the drivers who had concrete in their trucks at the time the strike began and returned to the yard without delivering it to customers, leading Local 174 to file an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) against the company.

Arguments in case arising from 2017 concrete strike presented to Supreme Court Justices on January 10, 2023... Tweet this

Despite the drivers' clearly protected strike conduct and the pending ULP charge against the company, Glacier argues that Local 174 "intentionally destroyed" its property  because the company was unable to deliver the concrete without its drivers, and ended up disposing it at a loss. If the Court were to agree with Glacier's theory, employers could sue unions or individual workers for the ordinary and inevitable result of workers exercising their right to strike. The harm this would cause to the entire Labor Movement would be incalculable, and would provide a windfall for employers.

"We are confident the Supreme Court will recognize that these companies' dream of saddling unions with the costs of their own refusal to bargain in good faith has no basis in the law," said Teamsters Local 174 Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hicks. "But, make no mistake  no matter how the Court rules in the specific case before it, we will never stop fighting for our members' rights, and taking those fights to the street when necessary to obtain better wages and working conditions."

Legal Background:

The 1935 National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) clearly protects workers' rights to strike, regulates the lawful limits of strike tactics, and protects unions from liability for the economic damage caused by those strikes. In fact, the right to engage in such strikes is at the core of the Act. The NLRA also gives the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) the exclusive authority to adjudicate labor disputes, including those arising from strikes. As the Supreme Court recognized in a 1959 decision called San Diego Building Trades Council v. Garmon, so long as the conduct is at least "arguably" protected or prohibited by the NLRA, employers and unions must wait for the NLRB to resolve the case before they can bring state court lawsuits based on the same conduct.

This deference to the NLRB's labor expertise is called "preemption." Under Garmon, Glacier's state court suit is obviously preempted. Glacier's challenge of Garmon amounts to a frontal assault on the century-old right to strike and on the Court's 60 years of settled law, giving the NLRB the first crack at resolving labor disputes.

As usual, the Teamsters have put up a major fight against corporate attempts to trample our rights. In addition to the oral arguments presented on January 10, Local 174 submitted a brief to the Supreme Court, as did multiple 'friends of the court,' including the State of Washington and 14 other states and the District of Columbia, which argued in favor of maintaining Garmon's deference to the NLRB. The Teamsters' brief also notes that Garmon is firmly grounded in the language of the NLRA and the intent of Congress when it drafted the Act.

A final decision from the Supreme Court is expected sometime in the spring.

Founded in 1909, Teamsters Local 174 represents 8,600 working men and women in Seattle and the surrounding areas. "Like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamstersLocal174.

Contact:

Jamie Fleming, (206) 441-6060

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 174
BOSTON, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The China Fund, Inc. (NYSE: CHN) (the "Fund") announced today that the Fund's annual stockholder meeting (the "Meeting") will be scheduled for Thursday, March 9, 2023, via a virtual forum at 11:00 a.m EST. Stockholders of record as of January 23, 2023 will be entitled to notice of, and to attend and vote at, the Meeting. The notice for the Meeting will be mailed to shareholders on or about February 10, 2023.

The Fund is a closed-end management investment company with the objective of seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities (i) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is in the People's Republic of China ("China"), or (ii) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is outside of China, or constituting direct equity investments in companies organized outside of China, that in both cases derive at least 50% of their revenues from goods or services sold or produced, or have at least 50% of their assets, in China. Shares of the Fund are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CHN."

For further information regarding the Fund and the Fund's holdings, please call (888)-CHN-CALL or visit the Fund's website at www.chinafundinc.com.

SOURCE The China Fund, Inc.
With "rewarding loyalty" the top priority for consumers but not for retailers in 2023, new research from Emarsys solidifies the value of omnichannel in connecting with customers

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Retailers and consumers are not aligned when it comes to preferences across the board - on everything from areas of improvement to when, how, and what consumers want to hear from retailers. That's according to research* released today by Emarsys, an SAP Company, ahead of NRF 2023: Retail's Big Show.

There are differing perceptions in priorities for both consumers and retailers in 2023. For consumers, rewarding customer loyalty (50%) tops the list of what they want to see from retailers in a year where purse strings are tight. This is followed by improving customer service (46%), understanding customers better (35%), connecting the online and in store experience (30%) and making the delivery process better (28%).

For retailers, the list is slightly different  with a huge focus on digital. Improving customer service (53.4%) is the top priority for retailers in 2023, followed by rewarding customer loyalty (53%), enhancing online experiences (50%), understanding customers better (49%) and providing more digital experiences (44%).

When it comes to frequency of engagement, a whopping 61% of retailers surveyed believe that their customers want to hear from them multiple times a week. In reality, only 31% of consumers agree, with the majority preferring contact once a week or less.

In fact, almost a sixth (15%) of consumers only want to hear from retailers when there are specials or deals and almost one in eight (12%) never want to hear from retailers  something realized by just 5% and 2% of retailers respectively.

The research reveals that, for retailers, it's not necessarily about cutting contact it's about getting it right and understanding exactly what customers want to hear from them, and where they want to hear about it.

While 45% of consumers would still like to hear about upcoming sales in-store, over half (51%) prefer to hear about upcoming sales via email, and 44% want to hear about them on social media. For new product announcements, however, in store (46.7%) tops the list of preferred channels, followed by on social media (46.3%) and via email (45%). These distinctions re-emphasize the need for marketers to be customer-obsessed and provide consumers with the most timely and personalized discounts and messages, in the right places.

Building trust is also important  as there's a current disconnect in belief between what is done with customer feedback. According to the research, the vast majority (82%) of retailers surveyed always review customer feedback in full and make adjustments accordingly. However, only 30% of consumers think that retailers really review the feedback provided, with 16% believing although their feedback is read, no real changes are made as a result.

With customer needs and preferences changing so rapidly, despite retailer's best efforts to stay connected, it can be hard to keep pace with customers.

One brand that's cracked the code is the iconic, American instrument brand, Gibson. The music giant is successfully navigating the retail landscape with an omnichannel approach that prioritizes consumer preferences to optimize customer experiences, both online, in-app and in-store. Listening and applying customer feedback is a key to their success.

Emarsys will welcome Josh Ehren, Global Head of Direct to Consumer, Gibson Brands on hand at the 2023 National Retail Federation Conference to discuss how they provide exceptional brand experiences for fans across digital, in-person, and on every channel in between.

Connecting with customers in the right way, with the right message, is crucial for retailer success in 2023  and the channels customers want to be kept informed via also varies wildly across topics.

"These research results are reflective of changing consumer demands and the need for retailers to align with their needs in order to remain competitive," stated Meghann York, Global Head of Product Marketing, Emarsys.

"In today's uncertain economic times, meeting customers where they are means everything. Retailers in 2023 need to be brave with their communications, undergoing a process of ruthless prioritization that leaves only the most meaningful, curated communications at the heart of their marketing. If you get your message right  your customers will not only want to hear from you, they'll want to engage with you. This is only achievable through an obsession with the customer; understanding exactly what they want to hear, at exactly the right frequency, and delivering that personalization everywhere they go."

It can be up to seven times more expensive to attract a new customer than to retain one. Emarsys gives these tips on rewarding customer loyalty, the number one priority for consumers in 2023:

Celebrate your customers. 30% of consumers surveyed by Emarsys said "I want to feel valued by retailers I shop with, not just another sales statistic"  so ensure you are treating your customers as individuals. Whether that's through showcasing your most loyal customers on your social channels, inviting them to become ambassadors or surprising them with a birthday gift.



Offer "firsts". Reward your most loyal customers and make them feel special by allowing them to be the "first" to try things - from getting early access to deals to being the first to be able to purchase new products.



Add value beyond sales. Introduce content and features that go above and beyond selling products so you can grow with your customers  whether that's instructional blogs on how to use your products, top tips via email or an engaging podcast series or app.



Offer discounts. Reward your most loyal customers with personalized discounts for the products they love.



Ask for feedback. Let your most loyal customers know how valued they are by asking for VIP feedback on their purchases and experiences and reward them for doing so  whether that's highlighting on your channels, turning them into a star by including them in your advertising, naming a product after them or gifting their next purchase. You could even make this an engaging in-person experience.

Introduce Loyalty Schemes. Great loyalty schemes can keep those customers coming back  so offer incentives, rewards and unique offers.



Make it personal. Sending surprise notes or gifts with orders is a great way to make your customers feel valued  whether it's to mark an anniversary, or just to show you care.



Open a conversation. If you're not sure how to best reward your loyal customers  then ask them! They'll appreciate being thought of, and then see that their feedback is being used and rewarded  plus, the key to customer-obsession is truly understanding your customers, and this is a great way to do so.

Emarsys and Gibson will be discussing what it means to be customer-obsessed and how customer-obsession drives true loyalty, as identified by the Emarsys Customer Loyalty Index , at NRF 2023 .

*Research conducted by Opinion Matters between 12.23.22 and 12.30.22 on 251 senior managers + retailers and 510 general consumers in the US

About Emarsys, an SAP company:

Emarsys, an SAP company, is the omnichannel customer engagement platform that empowers marketers to build, launch, and scale personalized, cross-channel campaigns that drives business outcomes.

We partner with more than 1,500 companies from global enterprises to fast-moving mid-market brands across industries.

Emarsys is purpose-built to give more power to marketers so they can:

Accelerate time to value by quickly onboarding data and channels to deploy cross-channel campaign

Deliver real-time, 1:1 personalization that builds trusted, loyal, and lasting customer relationships with every interaction

Succeed with proven guidance to make smart, quick decisions with data-driven insights and analytics

Produce measurable results that drive predictable and profitable growth throughout the customer lifecycle

SOURCE Emarsys
A roundup of the week's most newsworthy health industry press releases from PR Newswire, including new FDA approvals, a new app-enabled breast pump, and more.

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help journalists covering the healthcare industry stay on top of the week's most newsworthy and popular releases, here's a roundup of stories from the week that shouldn't be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

PR Newswire Weekly Health Press Release Roundup, Jan. 9-13, 2023. Photo provided by Kellogg Company. https://prn.to/3IwT1eL

Read more of the latest health-related releases from PR Newswire and stay caught up on the top press releases by following @PRNhealth on Twitter.

Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News

These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists.

Once they're signed up, reporters, bloggers and freelancers have access to the following free features:

About PR Newswire and PR Newswire for Journalists

Customization: Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more.

Create a customized newsfeed that will deliver relevant news right to your inbox. Customize the newsfeed by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more. Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story.

Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include with your next story. Subject Matter Experts: Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles.

Access ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in your articles. Related Resources: Read and subscribe to our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, for media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more.

For more than 65 years, PR Newswire has been the industry leader with the largest, most comprehensive distribution network of print, radio, magazine, television stations, financial portals and trade publications. PR Newswire has an unparalleled global reach of more than 200,000 publications and 10,000 websites and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages.

PR Newswire for Journalists (PRNJ) is an exclusive community that includes over 20,000 journalists, bloggers and influencers who are logging into their PRNJ accounts specifically looking for story ideas. PR Newswire thoroughly researches and vets this community to verify their identity as a member of the press, blogger or influencer. PRNJ users cover more than 200 beats and verticals.

For questions, contact the team at [email protected].

SOURCE PR Newswire
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Trulieve Cannabis Corp. (CSE: TRUL ) (OTCQX: TCNNF ) ("Trulieve" or "the Company"), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced, Rebecca L. Young, Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer of the Company, gave notice of her resignation to be effective as of March 10, 2023 in order to pursue other opportunities. The Company also announced that Joy Malivuk has been named Vice President, Accounting. Ms. Young will continue to serve in her role as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer of the Company through March 10, 2023 in order to allow time to transition her responsibilities to Ms. Malivuk.

Prior to joining Trulieve, Ms. Malivuk spent nearly 15 years at HSN, Inc., a subsidiary of QVC, Inc. Her career at HSN culminated as Director of Accounting where she oversaw the accounting function and was responsible for financial reporting, general accounting and SOX compliance. Previously, she served as HSN's Operational Vice President of Financial Reporting and SEC Compliance. Her career began at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Ms. Malivuk graduated from the University of Florida with both a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Accounting with a Specialty in Taxation.

About Trulieve

Trulieve is an industry leading, vertically integrated cannabis company and multi-state operator in the U.S., with established hubs in the Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest, anchored by leading market positions in Arizona, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Trulieve is poised for accelerated growth and expansion, building scale in retail and distribution in new and existing markets through its hub strategy. By providing innovative, high-quality products across its brand portfolio, Trulieve delivers optimal customer experiences and increases access to cannabis, helping patients and customers to live without limits. Trulieve is listed on the CSE under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol TCNNF. For more information, please visit Trulieve.com .

Facebook: @Trulieve

Instagram: @Trulieve_

Twitter: @Trulieve

Investor Contact

Christine Hersey, Vice President of Investor Relations

+1 (424) 202-0210

[email protected]

Media Contact

Rob Kremer, Executive Director of Corporate Communications

+1 (404) 218-3077

[email protected]

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As community nonprofits continue to confront a surging demand for services, U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union (USSFCU) of Alexandria, Virginia, announces seven nonprofits have received a combined total of $70,000 in donations. The funds will help further the tremendous impact these organizations have both in the metropolitan Washington region and nationwide.

Carpenter's Shelter check presnetation SOME (So Others Might Eat) check presentation Mattie Miracle check presentation Mattie Miracle meet & greet Alive! Alexandria warehouse discussion Alive! Alexandria check presentation American Red Cross check presentation Capital Area Food Bank check presentation Carpenter's Shelter meet & greet Capital Area Food Bank warehouse

"Giving back to the communities in which we live and work in has always been part of our mission," said USSFCU President and CEO Timothy L. Anderson. "Through these donations, we hope to show these organizations that we appreciate what they do on behalf of all of us to keep our communities strong."

Donations range from $5,000 to $20,000 and were primarily allocated to regional food pantries, shelters, and disaster relief programs. Each beneficiary was personally selected by USSFCU's leadership team and hold a meaningful place in the hearts and minds of credit union staff.

A series of check presentations began in early December when Anderson, along with a small group of USSFCU employees began visiting local locations, learning about the work being done there, and presenting a check. Local organizations that were presented with checks include:

In addition to donating to local charities, USSFCU made a $15,000 contribution to the American Red Cross to help with the recovery efforts for families impacted by Hurricane Ian. An additional $5,000 was given to Red Cross to help with post tornado rebuilding efforts in western and southern Kentucky.

About USSFCU

For over 85 years, USSFCU has provided the U.S. Senate and Capitol Hill communities with world-class financial stability, security, and service. Now a $1.2 billion credit union with 100 plus paths to membership, almost everyone has the opportunity to experience the USSFCU difference. Learn more at www.ussfcu.org.

View this and other press releases from USSFCU at ussfcu.org/press.

SOURCE US Senate Federal Credit Union
450+ community members to attend free event highlighting Utah education

LEHI, Utah, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- After a successful debut last January, a Utah school choice fair will return on Saturday, Jan. 21, bringing families a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore local schools and celebrate K-12 education.

The free event takes place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point. Featuring booths from more than two dozen schools and groups  from homeschool organizations to public charter science academies to private schools tailored to students with ADHD  the expo offers community members a taste of the many personalized learning opportunities available in the Salt Lake City-area.

Besides exploring boothes and meeting school representatives, families can enjoy student musical performances, face painting, balloon art, a DJ, refreshments, and surprise raffle prizes.

The school expo celebration is open to all community members and is planned by Freedom Preparatory Academy, in partnership with schools around Salt Lake City and Provo.

The school choice fair is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. At least 450 community members expected to attend the Utah school expo, making it the largest event in the state for School Choice Week.

"The Utah Schools Expo is a time where we can celebrate all education," said Hilary Cramer, community outreach and recruitment coordinator at Freedom Preparatory Academy. "In Utah, there are many options for our parents and students to find the best fit for any style of learning. This year we are celebrating School Choice Week with a school fair showcasing and celebrating as many schools as possible. We love living in a state where options are abundant, and where families have the power to choose what is best for them."

Thanksgiving Point is located at 3033 N. Thanksgiving Way.

Freedom Preparatory Academy is a tuition-free K-12 public charter school with campuses in Vineyard, Provo, and St. George.

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 home schooling. 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week
The cabinet held its weekly session at the PM's office in Villa Somalia on Thursday to discuss a range of issues touching the country's recovery goals.

Salah Jama, the deputy prime minister presided over the meeting that saw the approval of several bills, including The Somali Accountants Authority and the Establishment of the Immigration and Naturalization Directorate.

The ministers of defense and interior briefed the cabinet about the latest development in the security and military operations against Al-Shabaab, according to an OPM statement.

The council of ministers commended the success of the liberation efforts in Somalia and urged the army and community fighters to burn the candle at both ends to win the war.

The meeting comes as PM Hamza Abdi Barre is on an overseas trip. He has been in Cairo for the last three days for talks with the government of Egypt on bilateral relations.

Egypt developed closer ties with Somalia after the election of Hassan Sheikh as president in May last year, replacing a long-staunch Qatar ally - Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

Cairo was part of the Saudi-led Arab alliance which cut diplomatic relations with Qatar in June 2017 and imposes a sea, land, and air blockade on the tiny wealthy Gulf nation.
A rebuild of technical infrastructure optimizes the user experience, improving the way veterinary staff send and recommend patient therapies.

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vetsource , a pet health company designed to provide innovative pharmacy, technology and business services to those who care for pets, will preview its new scripting experience this week at the 2023 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), in Orlando, Florida. Vetsource's innovative business solutions  Prescription Management, Data & Insights (formerly VetSuccess), and Client Engagement (including the Vet2Pet client communication system)  will be represented for the first time as one united Vetsource brand at booth #1230.

New enhancements to the scripting experience will continue to drive efficiency to the nearly 10,000 practices that choose Vetsource for prescription management. The modern user interface will present a more intuitive way to place orders based on client preferences, give the ability to easily adjust patient information, and introduce functionality and workflows that ultimately give practices time back to focus on what matters most  their patients.

Vetsource will preview its new scripting experience this week at the 2023 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando. Tweet this

"We are confident that this new experience will be a welcome upgrade for customers," said Vetsource CEO Kurt Green. "We've leveraged user-testing and current customer feedback behind the scenes to ensure this update would be as impactful as possible to veterinary practices."

With a focus on a simple homepage and approval queue, compliance options through easy AutoShip setup and sidebar navigation capture the activity that practices complete on a daily basis. The new experience will seamlessly create a prescription request and complete the order, with products and patients all in one place.

"The new scripting experience makes sense and it feels easy, more intuitive," said Dr. Laura Johnson, DVM of San Diego's Santaluz Animal Care, who provided feedback about the scripting experience ahead of launch.

Current Vetsource customers will have the choice to opt-in to the new experience beginning early February.

In addition to the new scripting experience, Vetsource also announced a change to their retail compensation program, now titled Digital Processing Program (DPP). With this, practices can receive compensation for their efforts processing all third-party prescription medication and nutrition requests to which they electronically respond, whether approved or denied, within 24 hours.

Current prescription management customers are automatically enrolled in this program. Veterinary practices who wish to receive compensation through Vetsource may do so by enrolling with Vetsource for this specific program. Vetsource continues to be the only prescription management provider to offer a compensation program of this type.

"Our goal is to meet pet owners' expectations of retailers while keeping practices at the center of pet healthcare," said Sara Barstow, Vetsource's General Manager, Retail. "For practices reviewing prescriptions from retailers, we know their time is valuable and we want to recognize that with an updated compensation program that also helps pets get the products they need."

VMX attendees can visit Vetsource (booth #1230) to learn more about the new scripting experience, and take home a complimentary customized pet collar tag.

About Vetsource

Vetsource provides innovative pharmacy, technology and business services to the pet health industry. At Vetsource, we strive to be the most trusted advocate in a rapidly evolving world and constantly seek new ways to help our customers chart a course for a better, brighter future for pets and those who care for them. Our data-powered platform eliminates complexities and simplifies workflows to help veterinarians, retailers and others in the pet health industry foster engagement, loyalty and positive experiences that ensure strong relationships. Vetsource's solutions include prescription management, data and insights, and client engagement. Founded in 2008 to help veterinary practices compete in the online marketplace with a home delivery solution, Vetsource is now made up of more than 600 employees and is headquartered in Portland, Ore. Additional offices are located in Colorado, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Toronto, as well pharmacies in multiple locations.

SOURCE Vetsource
20 global early childhood leaders will engage in 18-month transformative leadership experience

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ZERO TO THREE, the leading nonprofit dedicated to ensuring all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life, proudly announces its 2022-24 Fellowship Class, welcoming 20 global leaders to the premier leadership development program in the early childhood field. The Fellows will embark on an intensive 18-month program to strengthen critical skills and deepen connections in their work to advance fair, equitable, and just change in programs, systems, and policies affecting the health and well-being of babies, young children, and families. This class was selected from the Fellowship's largest applicant pool in the program's 32-year history.

"I am honored to welcome such an esteemed group of leaders to the Fellowship and excited for the journey ahead," said Matthew Melmed, ZERO TO THREE Executive Director, "Each Fellow brings a vision for change and a deep commitment to advancing bold ideas that will not only improve the lives of babies but also make the world better and brighter for all."

"Each Fellow brings a vision for change and a deep commitment to advancing bold ideas." Tweet this

With expertise spanning infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) clinical services, program administration, research, and early childhood policy, these leaders serve urban, rural, and indigenous communities across the United States, Australia, Pakistan, and Myanmar.

"We are proud to provide an intellectual, professional and developmental home that supports a new generation of change makers," said Lynette Aytch, Director of the ZERO TO THREE Leadership Development Institute. "Their focus over the next 18 months will address critical issues with effective solutions that are inclusive, equitable, culturally relevant, and attainable. It is a privilege to be on this journey of professional and personal growth with them."

Upon completion of the Fellowship, the 2022  2024 class will join more than 300 national and international leaders as members of the esteemed Academy of ZERO TO THREE Fellows Alumni Network.The 2022-24 Fellowship Class includes:

Valeria Atanacio, Oregon, serves as the Tribal Affairs Director within Oregon's Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) forming the agency's Office of Tribal Affairs and leading the co-creation of the Tribal Early Learning Alliance alongside tribal leaders from each of the nine federally recognized tribal nations within Oregon's borders. She is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde with ancestral ties to the Shoshone-Banook, Chinook, Northern Ute, Umpqua, and Tututni tribal bands. As the first tribal dedicated position within the organization, she has grown this role to be the primary liaison on tribal issues concerning early childhood education.

Pyae Phyo Aung, Myanmar, is a Child Development Specialist at Ministry of Health, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar. He also works as a specialist assistant at the pediatric neurology unit of the Children's Hospital, Mandalay. He is leading an early intervention team of child development clinics with the aim of holistic developmental services for children with special needs.

Amy Finlay-Jones, Australia, is the Head of the Early Neurodevelopment and Mental Health Team at the Telethon Kids Institute in Perth, Western Australia and a Healthway WA Senior Research Fellow. Dr. Finlay-Jones is a registered psychologist and health economist, and her research interests and expertise span the spectrum of clinical research through to health systems research, policy development, and economic evaluation. Her research focuses on promoting more equitable mental health and developmental outcomes for infants and young children. Dr. Finlay-Jones is interested in the design and implementation of accessible, culturally secure, and empowering infant mental health services and systems.

Yolanda Fountain Hardy, Georgia, is a licensed counselor in the states of Georgia and North Carolina, a clinical and play therapy supervisor and trainer, a mental health forensic consultant, and a sand therapy specialist. Over the course of her mental health career, Dr. Fountain Hardy has diagnosed, evaluated, and treated infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric clients with psychiatric disorders, histories of trauma, and experiences of complex grief in the public sector, private sector, higher education, and hospital settings. Dr. Fountain Hardy is the owner and executive director at Play Wellness LLC, the founder of the Child Loss Center Inc., and the President of the Georgia Association for Play Therapy.

Jessica M. Gordon, Florida, is currently a pediatric nurse practitioner at Pediatrics of Tampa Bay. Immediately after graduating with her undergraduate degree at the University of Arizona, she took to working with the high-risk obstetric and neonatal infant population in Tampa, Florida.

Marla Hatrak, California, is dedicated to ensuring that deaf babies have access to both American Sign Language and English literacy, so they are kindergarten-ready. She has since been involved with local, state, and national activities advocating for signed language acquisition and English literacy for all deaf children. Dr. Hatrak is co-founder of both the Alliance for Language and Literacy for Deaf Children (ALL for Deaf Children) and the Language Equity and Acquisition for Deaf Kids (LEAD-K), a California grassroots legislative effort to ensure that deaf babies get language milestones assessment starting at six months of age. The result was SB 210, currently a model for other states to pass their respective legislation. Dr. Hatrak co-edited The Road to Kindergarten Readiness: Language Policy for Deaf Children Ages 0-5, outlining the issues of language acquisition and development of deaf children that impacted their K-12 academic success.

Fatima Kadik, New York, is the Director of Early Childhood Mental Health Services at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Ms. Kadik leads efforts to strengthen early childhood systems and enhance access to specialized infant and early childhood mental health services for young children and families using a research-informed and equity-focused approach. Ms. Kadik oversees the NYC Early Childhood Mental Health Network (ECMH Network), publicly funded in 2016 to increase the availability of community-based early childhood mental health services. Under Ms. Kadik's leadership, the ECMH Network is incorporating a focus on perinatal mental health through service expansion, workforce development, and policy change, recognizing stable foundations start before birth.

Kelly McGlothen-Bell, Texas, is an Assistant Professor at UT Health San Antonio, School of Nursing. Her program of science focuses on leveraging parent-engaged research strategies to promote parent-infant mental health-related policy and eliminate health inequities. Dr. McGlothen-Bell 's research examines questions such as how intersectional stigma and individual and structural bias and discrimination impact parent engagement and early life stress for mother-infant dyads affected by mental health and substance use disorders. Using integrated approaches to dissemination and implementation science, as well as community-based participatory research (CBPR) methodologies, her work crosses health, justice, and social service sectors to ensure that family-centered interventions and policy reach mother-infant dyads in both clinical and community settings.

Andrea G. Oliveira, Massachusetts, is a clinical psychologist by training with 15 years of experience working with children and families both in Portugal and in the United States. Currently, she leads Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Policy and Initiatives at the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Under her leadership, she has focused on promoting IECMH awareness across all sectors, educating stakeholders on IECMH policies and bringing public and private partners to the table by breaking down silos and focusing on common goals that will promote well-being for children under 6 and their families. She has prioritized investment in workforce development initiatives, including Reflective Supervision to non-clinical professionals and enhancing early relational health competencies to a diverse group of professionals. As a Certified DC:05 Trainer, she has co-led the expansion of DC:05 training statewide, as well as the task force that developed the MA DC:05 Crosswalk.

Celeste Poe, California, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is a Clinical Instructor and Attending NICU and Perinatal Psychologist at Stanford University School of Medicine. In her role, Dr. Poe provides psychological consultation and psychotherapy to parents of infants hospitalized in the NICU, engages in research and program development, and provides supervision to students. In the perinatal clinic, Dr. Poe provides consultation and psychotherapy to women and families with a range of psychopathology and psychosocial risk factors, high-risk pregnancies, relational issues, parental psychopathology, and trauma.

Roop Zainab Rana, Pakistan, is CEO of The Healing Triad, an organization dedicated to the promotion of mental health and management of mental illness in Pakistan. She is a medical doctor, a psychotherapist and a consultant psychiatrist. Dr. Rana pioneered the Learning for All program with the largest public school system in Pakistan to make learning more inclusive in classrooms across the country. Dr. Rana has also run emotional literacy, anti-smoking campaigns and childhood trauma and treatment awareness program for both schoolchildren and parents.

Sylvan Ryder, New York, is the Director of Operations and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for the Columbia University Neonatal Growth and Development (GraD) Clinic, which cares for infants at increased risk for developmental delays, cerebral palsy and other developmental diagnoses due to premature birth or other medical conditions by providing multidisciplinary developmental assessments and ongoing care coordination to former NICU patients ages 0-3. The clinic serves a diverse population, including patients from all five boroughs of New York City, upstate New York and the tri-state area.

Leah Sanchez, California, is a nurse practitioner and serves as Program Manager for the Special Start program at the Alameda County Public Health Department. Located within the Department of Maternal, Paternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Special Start is dedicated to the support of families caring for a premature or medically fragile baby after discharge from the NICU. Through intensive home visiting services, a multidisciplinary team works to address the medical, developmental, and social support needs of a select population of families who are facing intense psychosocial and environmental stressors while also navigating the special needs of caring for a medically fragile baby.

Pamela Scorza, New York, is Assistant Professor of Reproductive Sciences at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and an early career researcher with over a decade of experience in global health research in the perinatal period. Dr. Scorza's research centers on pregnancy and early childhood as a unique window of opportunity for interrupting intergenerational transmission of health risk in populations exposed to concentrated adversity, including poverty, discrimination, and marginalization. She has conducted fieldwork with pregnant women and children in Ghana, Rwanda, Burundi, Peru, Argentina, and the United States, where she has implemented and evaluated perinatal mental health interventions and refined cross-cultural mental health measurement tools. Her current research examines behavioral (maternal-infant relationship quality) and biological (DNA methylation) markers of the upstream formation of infant health and developmental trajectories. She then incorporates these markers of intergenerational transmission in the perinatal period to assess the impact of perinatal interventions on child development.

Kellie Spilman, Tennessee, is the Director of the Early Success Coalition at Porter-Leath, a collective impact initiative that promotes shared, evidence-based practices proven to improve early childhood development and school readiness within Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee. She oversees the incorporation of evidence-based health promotion strategies to maximize impact in program design and works to build capacity of early childhood programs and professionals.

Danielle "Dani" Stamm Thomas, Oregon, is the Early Learning Hub Director for Clackamas County, Oregon. Over the last 12 years, she has worked with children from infancy up to 13 years old in various child care and early learning settings. Her biggest career challenge is finding solutions to make sure families with infants and toddlers have access to quality care settings that are affordable while making sure that the providers are skilled, supported, and sustainably compensated for their important work.

Aditi Subramaniam, Massachusetts, is a licensed mental health clinician and registered movement psychotherapist with more than fifteen years of experience in the field of mental health, in India and Boston. She works at the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) leading a statewide workforce development partnership between MSPCC and the Massachusetts Association for Infant Mental Health (MassAIMH) focused on enhancing, diversifying, and supporting the infant and early childhood mental health workforce with the goal of improving access to services for children age birth  six and their families. Under her leadership, Ms. Subramaniam collaborates with partners across the state to address gaps and opportunities in workforce needs in the early childhood system to result in better outcomes for all.

Jordan Thibodeaux, Louisiana, is a Senior Research Associate at the Kathleen Babineaux Blanco Public Policy Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His research focuses on the role of broad psychological assets (e.g., motivation, belongingness), and how personal and social-cultural growth experienced within non-academic contexts (e.g., sport) can contribute to optimal functioning in educational and youth programs. In his current role, he is focused on conducting policy research and managing program evaluation efforts in child welfare with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. Mr. Thibodeaux is also engaged in his field through peer-reviewed scholarship, as well as dissemination of research directly to early child practitioners working in government and community-based work across child welfare, family services, and education.

Callan Wells, Georgia, is the Senior Health Policy Manager at GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, where she specializes in helping to build the IECMH system of care in Georgia. Ms. Wells serves as Policy Advisor to the Georgia Association for Infant Mental Health: Birth to Five (GA-AIMH) and co-chairs the IECMH Task Force's Workforce Development Workgroup and the Interagency Directors Team's Prevention and Early Intervention Workgroup. In 2019, Callan worked with state leaders in the Georgia House of Representatives on the Infant-Toddler Social-Emotional Health Study Committee. In 2021, she received the Black Child Development Institute of Atlanta's Emerging Leader Award. In 2022, she received the Emerging Leader Award in IECMH Policy from ZERO TO THREE and the Friend of NAMI Award from NAMI-Georgia.

Shemika Whiteside, Kentucky, is the Founder/Executive Director of Zora's Cradle in Louisville, KY. Zora's Cradle is a perinatal nonprofit agency that addresses the gaps in maternity health services that discriminate against individuals from lower socio-economic demographics in Kentucky and result in higher maternal and child mortality rates by providing access to financial and health support pre- and post-pregnancy. The agency provides a plethora of services such as housing assistance, parenting classes, behavioral therapy, case management, and independent living skills to families. The agency operates a Milk Depot that promotes community health by expanding the safe use of human milk for all babies, especially premature and ill infants.

About ZERO TO THREE

ZERO TO THREE works to ensure all babies and toddlers benefit from the family and community connections critical to their well-being and development. Since 1977, the organization has advanced the proven power of nurturing relationships by transforming the science of early childhood into helpful resources, practical tools, and responsive policies for millions of parents, professionals, and policymakers. For more information, and to learn how to become a ZERO TO THREE member, please visit zerotothree.org, facebook.com/zerotothree or follow @zerotothree on Twitter.

MEDIA CONTACT

Chris McGurn

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SOURCE ZERO TO THREE
The Court of the Armed Forces of Somalia has sentenced to death a former army official - Sharif Mohamed Barkhadle Ayanle for his role in Mogadishu blasts.

Ayanle was a member of the National Army for many years before being brainwashed and recruited by the militant group. He facilitated car bombings that killed at least 27 people.

He was convicted of smuggling the IEDs-laden vehicles from the Al-Shabaab group to Mogafishu using his army ID and driving the VBIEDs to the intended targets.

The court said that he parked VBIEDs at the gates of several commercial areas in Mogadishu such as; Village Hotel, Afar Restaurant, Bar Italia, around Hamar-Weyne Mall, Cagaweyne Restaurant, Bilsan Restaurant, and other places in 2019.

He was also accused of selling two mortars and 40 rounds of ammunition to Al-Shabaab that was later used for shelling Mogadishu.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Ali Noor Shute, the chairman of the Court Ayanle has 30 days to appeal against the verdict and if failed he will directly face the firing squad.

Ayanle, a 53-year-old ex-member of the army reached the rank of captain in the SNA and served since 2000, according to the military court.
BEIJING, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- 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.
Minister of Mining Albert Mbawala has disclosed that his ministry needs K5 billion to start the establishment of a state-owned National Mining Company.

Mbawala made the remarks during Government Faces the Press where he updated the nation on the progress made in the mining sector.

He said the mining investment company shall promote the optimal development of the mineral sector as well as maximization of the national mineral revenue and social benefits.

"In order for this to materialize, the ministry require funds as the initial seed Capital for the company," he said.

To this effect, Mbawala said, the ministry submitted a budget to Ministry of Finance for consideration for approval during the 2022/23 Mid Year Budget Review.

Due to the country's other equally competing needs engendered by the lean resource envelope, he said, the ministry's request for the operationalization of the company was not granted.

Mbawala however said the ministry will continue lobbying with the Treasury for consideration for a budget line for the operationalization of the state-owned mining company in the upcoming Annual Budget for 2023/24 financial year.
United Nations, Jan 13 : Cuba has taken over from Pakistan the leadership of the G77, the group of 134 developing countries that work together on economic issues, while India was hosting a two-day virtual meeting of leaders of developing countries, The Voice of the South Summit.

India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to project itself as the leader of the developing world which can be a bridge to the developed countries as the chair of the G20, the more exclusive group of emerging and industrialised countries.

At least ten heads of state or government and about 120 ministers and other high-ranking officials participated in Modi's summit.

Inaugurating it, he asserted, "Your voice is India's voice and your priorities are India's priorities." Cuba's leadership of the G77, formally known as the "Group of 77 and China", could limit its effectiveness because of Havana's radical role in international politics.

Cuba's President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez did not attend the ceremony and neither did Pakistan's Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, and instead both sent pre-recorded messages.

Diaz-Canel set the tone for his country's leadership saying the "deeply anti-democratic order" is designed to "sustain the wealth of a few at the cost of the impoverishment of the majority and maintain our peoples at an economic and social disadvantage, permanently condemned to underdevelopment, poverty and hunger".

"We must come together today to build a tomorrow that we yearn for, to fight for the cause of those who are always excluded," he said.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, who was at the ceremony and formally took over the chair, said that the developing countries should unite to find redress for the "financial plunder of the South".

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres painted a bleak picture of a world marred by the threat of recessions, the ravages of climate change, rising poverty and widening inequality as it grapples with the fallout of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

"In many cases", he said, "we can draw a straight line between the hardships suffered by your people and the continued failure of developed countries and global institutions to support developing countries on multiple fronts".

"And in every case, these are challenges that could actually be solved by standing as one, in solidarity," he said.

Calling on developing countries to do their part, he said, "In an interconnected global economy, when developing countries win all countries win." The main feature of India's Voice of the South Summit, which distinguishes itself from the G77 - and India's own strident stances of the past - are the simultaneous specialised breakout sessions for foreign, finance, health, education, commerce and, energy ministers to look for common solutions to problems.

"The need of the hour is to identify simple, scalable and sustainable solutions that can transform our societies and economies," Modi said at its inauguration.

But he also harked back to the colonial struggle. "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," he said.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
United Nations, Jan 13 : India has called for international solidarity to hold responsible under international law the countries that use cross-border terrorism.

India's Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj told the UN Security Council on Thursday, "States that use cross-border terror to serve narrow political purposes must be held accountable".

"This is only feasible when all countries stand together against common threats such as terrorism and do not engage in double standards for political expediency," she said.

"The application of rule of law at the international level should protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States from aggression, including terrorism, and including cross-border terrorism," she said.

The remarks were directed at Pakistan, but without mentioning it by name.

The meeting on the role of rule of law in international peace was convened as the signature event of its presidency by Japan that succeeded India as the chair of the Security Council.

Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the "rule of law is the foundational edifice of modern nation States" and "it should be anchored in trust among nations".

"If agreements are not observed in good faith, then the rule of law does not exist and the world becomes a jungle of brute force and coercion," he said.

Calling "for further actions to end the aggression against Ukraine" by Russia, he said, "The rule of law never allows any country to rewrite borders by force or through the flexing of muscles".

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned, "We are at grave risk of the rule of lawlessness".

"In every region of the world, civilians suffer the effects of devastating conflicts, loss of human life, rising poverty and hunger," he said.

"From the illegal development of nuclear weapons to the illegal use of force, States continue to flout international law with impunity," he added.

He zeroed in on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which he said, "has created a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe, traumatised a generation of children, and accelerated the global food and energy crises." Kamboj did not directly refer to the Ukraine situation, but said, "Rule of law necessitates that countries respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as they would expect their own sovereignty to be respected." Echoing the calls for the reform of the Security Council, she said, "Strengthening the rule of law would also necessitate reforming international institutions of global governance, including those charged with the responsibility of maintenance of international peace and security." "Debates on strengthening rule of law while holding on to anachronistic structures that lack representative legitimacy would serve little purpose in our endeavour to strengthen the rule of law," she added.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)
Jammu, Jan 13 : Union Home Minister, Amit Shah is arriving here on Friday to meet the families of terror attack victims in Rajouri district and also for an assessment of the security situation on ground in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

During his day-long visit, top brass of the Union Home Ministry, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), intelligence agencies and those from the investigating agencies will accompany the Union Home Minister to Dhangri village in Rajouri district where seven civilians were killed by the terrorists on January 1.

Union Home Secretary A.K. Bhalla, CRPF DG Sujoy Lal Thaosen, who is also holding the additional charge of DG BSF, Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Tapan Deka, NIA chief Dinkar Gupta and RAW chief Samanta Goel will be with Shah when he visits Dhangri village to meet the families of the victims.

In the afternoon, he will chair a high level meeting at the Raj Bhawan here to review the security situation in the UT.

J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Mehta, UT Home Secretary R.K. Goyal and DGP Dilbag Singh will attend the security review meeting in addition to their presence at Dhingra village during Shah's visit.

J&K BJP chief, Ravinder Raina and Lok Sabha member from Jammu-Poonch constituency, Jugal Kishore Sharma will accompany the Home Minister to Dhangri village.

After his arrival at the technical airport here in the morning, Shah will fly to Dhangri village to meet the members of terror victim families. He will also meet other local villagers and panchayat members.

After reviewing the security situation in the UT at the local Raj Bhawan, Shah will return to New Delhi in the afternoon.
Ankara, Jan 13 : Turkey's Foreign Ministry has summoned Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrstrom to protest the "terror propaganda" against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The ministry conveyed Turkey'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, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ambassador was informed that Ankara condemned and protested "this heinous act" and demanded such acts not be allowed, said the report.

Ankara emphasised 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 2022. But Turkey, 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, 2022, Turkey, 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 TArkiye'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 Turkey's requests for extraditing anti-Turkish "terrorists", including members of PKK and YPG.

The PKK, listed as a terror organisation by Turkey, the US and the EU, has been rebelling against the Turkish government for more than three decades.
Jhansi : Uttar Pradesh Minister of state of secondary education Gulab Devi has slammed Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar for his remark on Ramcharitmanas.

She said, "He does not know about Ramcharitmanas. Those who do not have knowledge about their sacred scriptures, can give no better statement. He has spoken as per his limited wisdom. They do not know that Ramcharitmans teaches us humanity and socialism." Chandrashekhar had recently said that "Ramcharitmanas spreads hatred in society".

The RJD leader had made the remarks when he was addressing the 15th convocation ceremony of Nalanda open university. Bihar Governor Phagu Chouhan was also present at the event.

The statement has drawn the ire of saints in Ayodhya.

Mahant Paramhans Das of Tapasvi Chhavni has announced a reward of Rs 10 crore on the education minister of Bihar.

He said that whoever brings Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar's tongue will be given a reward of Rs 10 crore. He said that such a minister should be sacked immediately.

Acharya Satyendra Das, the chief priest of Ram Janmabhoomi temple, has also expressed strong displeasure over this statement.

He said that if action is not taken against the minister, the saints and seers will not remain silent.

Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya has also demanded the dismissal of the minister from his post and said that the whole country is hurt by the minister's statement.

He has asked the minister to apologise for his remarks and said that the Ramcharitmanas is a book that connects people and establishes humanity.
Lucknow, Jan 13 : A group of men, posing as lawyers, forcibly drove away with a seized SUV from the Qaiserbagh police station in Lucknow.

The miscreants were wearing uniforms of lawyers.

The SUV was brought to the police station on a complaint of an advocate who had accused the owner of the SUV of using the designation of general secretary of Lucknow Bar Association and denting the image of the advocates.

A case has been registered in this connection and an investigation is underway.

The complainant sub inspector Ramkesh Singh, who was the day officer at the police station, said he was busy in work when constable Akhilesh informed him about the men who left the station on the SUV without informing the police.

"A Scorpio with General Secretary Bar Association embossed on the windscreen was bought at the police station on a complaint. The police were checking the registration papers of the SUV when the group of men reached there.

They drove away with the SUV saying the same belonged to them," the sub inspector said in his complaint.

Earlier, an advocate Govind Kanaujia of Husainganj had filed a complaint against unidentified persons whom he had accused of using the fake designation of general secretary of Lucknow Bar Association on a SUV.

On the complaint, a police team reached the scene, and the SUV was towed-in to the police station for investigation.

Govind, in his complaint, said that the miscreants were using the designation of the general secretary of Bar Association.

Yogesh Kumar, ACP, said that a probe is being done in the case.

The police have registered a separate case against around 12 people, who were in lawyers' dress, for forcibly taking away the vehicle from police custody.
Prayagraj : , Jan 13 (IANS) The Allahabad High Court has directed the authorities concerned to ensure regular monitoring of the quality of the Ganga water in Kanpur and Prayagraj, in view of the ongoing Magh Mela.

Hearing a PIL relating to pollution in the river, a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal, Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Ajit Kumar further directed the authorities concerned to ensure that during the Magh Mela, the waste -- either liquid or solid -- generated and collected in temporary toilets constructed in the Mela area was not discharged in the rivers Ganga and Yamuna.

"In any circumstances, there has to be a proper mechanism to collect and send the same to any of the STPs. If sewage is collected in septic tanks, it shall be ensured that it is removed at the end of Mela and not left at the banks," the court added.

The court further directed the authorities managing Magh Mela to ensure that the ban on single-use plastic was enforced in the mela area properly so that it is not dumped in the Ganga or Yamuna.

During the court proceedings, UP advocate general (AG), Ajay Kumar Mishra assured that the district magistrate and municipal commissioner, Prayagraj, are in touch with the authorities at Kanpur and Unnao to ensure that the tanneries set up there do not discharge any effluents without proper treatment in the Ganga.

The AG further assured that he will have a meeting of all the counsel, who are representing the petitioner in the present bunch of petitions filed in public interest, the amicus and the officers concerned to sort out the issues regarding collection and treatment of liquid and solid waste before the next Kumbh.

While taking the statement of the AG on record, the court has fixed January 19 as the next date of hearing of this PIL.
Melbourne, Jan 13 : A 41 year-old Indian-origin man, has been charged with four counts of dangerous driving causing the death of four men from Punjab in Australia's central Victoria province.

Harinder Singh Randhawa, who is recuperating in the hospital under police custody, was driving a Peugeot with four passengers inside when it collided with a Toyota Hilux ute at an intersection at Pine Lodge, near Shepparton earlier this month, the SBS Punjabi channel reported.

Randhawa will be appearing in Melbourne Magistrates' Court on June 8.

The four men died on the spot, the police said, adding that they are investigating whether they were wearing seatbelts.

The deceased men have been identified as Harpal Singh from the Mukstar, Bhupinder Singh from Jalandhar, Baljinder Singh and Kishan Singh from Tarn Taran.

"They belonged to the state of Punjab and were on visitor visas in Australia to see their extended families," Melbourne-based social worker Phulvinderjit Singh Grewal told SBS Punjabi.

Grewal told the channel that the families of the four men "were inconsolable".

Victoria Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Justin Goldsmith told media that early signs pointed to a "T-bone type collision", that is, when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a 'T' shape.

The driver of the Toyota Hilux, a 29-year-old, was not seriously injured and stopped by to assist the police.

He was later taken to Goulburn Valley Health Hospital in a stable condition with minor injuries, according to Ambulance Victoria.
Hathras : , Jan 13 (IANS) As many 17 people have been booked following a clash between police and Dalit locals over "removal of idols and pictures of Hindu Gods" at a religious function organised in Jatoi village under Sadabad police circle, police sources said on Thursday.

While members of the Dalits claimed that police misbehaved with them, police say they had reached the spot after they received complaints about an event being held without permission on Wednesday night.

According to police sources, a video, which went viral on social media, shows youths removing pictures of Hindu Gods from the walls of houses.

A youth with a sack can be seen and heard saying, "Have you seen any picture of Babasaheb or Gautam Buddha at the house of a Brahmin? Why have you people put these pictures inside this sack?" Taking cognisance of the viral video, police launched an investigation and reached the spot.

Ashish Kumar, SHO of Sadabad police station, said, "The police team was attacked when they enquired whether permission was taken to organise the religious event by Dalit youths. A Sub-Inspector and a constable sustained injuries in the attack.

Seventeen attackers and 50 unidentified people have been booked under various sections. A probe is on in the matter."
opinion

Hard-pressed consumers fear they're the ones who must tighten their belts yet again following President William Ruto's declared intention to increase tax revenues by Sh500 billion by June this year.

It is a stern challenge for the Kenya Revenue Authority, considering it collected Sh2.03 trillion in the 2021/22 financial year. That was the first time in history that KRA passed the Sh2 trillion mark as a series of tax increases began to bite.

The President, however, sees scope for yet more growth in state coffers. He said most of the increases can come from VAT taxes that are never submitted, adding that only 60 per cent of collectible VAT is currently paid to KRA.

Yet the illegal trade of counterfeit and smuggled goods in Kenya deprives the fiscus of more than Sh150 billion tax revenue a year and must be addressed as a top priority. An estimated one in every five products sold in Kenya is counterfeit and almost four million Kenyans are using counterfeit goods that include sugar, cigarettes, alcohol, bottled water, pharmaceutical products and cooking oil, posing a serious threat to health and security and depriving our economy of vital revenue.

New KRA chairman Anthony Mwaura has, so far, been very positive in his approach. He told the Star newspaper that, under his watch, there will be no leniency for those who try to avoid paying their taxes, stating that there will be no "untouchables" or "sacred cows" exempt from meeting their fiscal responsibilities.

"My immediate assignment is to seal all revenue leakages, which I have already identified," he said. "I know where we have been losing money, where we have not been doing very well, and where we need to pull up our socks and change the environment of both the taxpayers and our tax collectors."

Such an attitude is welcome and we must hope that it's not too late to properly combat sophisticated networks that are facilitating a proliferation of contraband in our economic eco-system.

An investigation last year revealed the deep-rooted involvement of law enforcement officers in the smuggling of illicit goods, ranging from cigarettes to sugar.

Insiders, filmed speaking on condition of anonymity, told of high-ranking officers running illicit trade cartels, the bribery of police and border officials and the deadly consequences for anyone who tried to blow the whistle on these destructive activities.

The Anti-Counterfeit Authority (ACA) says the trade in counterfeit or smuggled goods has reached unprecedented levels. It was worth more than Sh800 billion in 2018 and ACA fears that number has hit Sh1 trillion this past year.

The scale of the problem should prompt Government to consider amalgamating all state agencies handling various aspects of illicit trade into a one-stop oversight and regulatory authority.

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And the devastating impact of illicit trade on the fiscus should also be top of their minds as they plan the next financial year and the Medium-Term Budget.

Developing a national policy and legislation around beating illicit trade would go a long in easing the impending heavy tax pressure on ordinary Kenyans already caught up by the retiring of all subsidies on electricity, fuel and other key services.

Government should beware that yet more tax increases will simply drive more shoppers to seek supposed bargains in the black market, thereby boosting the profits of criminals involved in illicit trade.

Instead of hiking prices for honest, hard-working citizens, Government should be cracking down on illicit trade, strengthening enforcement at our porous borders and ensuring that tax-evading crooks feel the full force of the law.

That will be the fairest and most efficient method of filling state coffers and will go a long way to meeting President Ruto's tax challenge.

Stephen Mutoro is the Chairman, Stop Crime Kenya (StoCK).
Seoul, Jan 13 : South Korean police on Friday wrapped up a months-long into the deadly crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon neighbourhood last year, with 23 government officials referred to the prosecution on fatal professional negligence and other charges.

The special police investigation team concluded the crowd crush was a "man-made" disaster caused by authorities' failure to come up with disaster prevention measures and respond promptly to an emergency situation, reports Yonhap news Agency.

The crowd crush killed 159 people, many of them women in their 20s, on a narrow, sloped alley on October 29, 2022, as a massive crowd packed the path.

About 100,000 people were visiting the nightlife district for Halloween celebrations.

The 501-personnel investigation team went into operation on November 1, 2022 and had been looking into the district office and the police, fire and other related agencies in Yongsan, which administers Itaewon, to get to the bottom of the deadly accident.

The investigation team concluded that no proper emergency rescue or disaster control action was taken by each agency in accordance with relevant guidelines for emergency situations, leading to the high death toll.

Among those referred to the prosecution with detention were Yongsan Ward office chief Park Hee-young and former Yongsan Police Station chief Lee Im-jae, both on charges of professional negligence resulting in death.

Four other police and Yongsan Ward officials were also referred to the prosecution with detention, including a former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency (SMPA) official charged with deleting internal reports warning of Halloween overcrowding and a possible safety accident.

SMPA chief Kim Kwang-ho, two other SMPA officers in charge of emergency monitoring, Yongsan Fire Station chief Choi Seong-beom, the chief of the Yongsan community health centre and the chief of the Itaewon Subway Station were also among those referred to the prosecution without detention on fatal professional negligence or other charges connected to the bungled response.

Following the transfer of the cases, prosecutors are expected to conduct further investigation for potential indictments to decide whether to have them stand trial.

The police investigation team, meanwhile, decided not to hold any officials from the Interior Ministry, the Seoul city government or the national police agency accountable for the deadly accident, concluding those bodies are not legally responsible for crowd control duties.
Nashik, Jan 13 : At least 10 persons were killed and five injured when a speeding private luxury bus carrying Shirdi Saibaba devotees crashed into a truck near Patharde in Maharashtra's Nashik on Friday, police said.

The accident took place around 7 a.m. when the bus from Ambernath in Thane was heading to the temple town of Shirdi in Ahmednagar district.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed grief over the tragedy and announced a compensation of Rs 5-lakh to the kin of all the deceased and free medical treatment for all the injured victims.

Shinde also ordered a probe into the accident, the causes and related aspects, said an official.

Among those who perished in the accident are at least six women, a man and the rest are children.

The injured victims have been admitted to the Sinnar Rural Hospital and some serious ones have been rushed to Pune hospitals.
Bangkok, Jan 13 : Thailand's tourism authority on Thursday announced an annual plan to boost its economy through elevated and experience-based tourism.

Under the theme of "Amazing New Chapters", the new campaign aims for a full resumption of Thai tourism this year, which is expected to generate about 2.38 trillion baht ($71.12 billion), or 80 per cent of the pre-pandemic level, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Yuthasak Supasorn told a news conference.

The beyond-goal achievement of tourism last year, with a total of 11.8 million foreign arrivals and 189 million domestic trips, reflected very positive signs for the tourism recovery, Yuthasak said.

For other international markets, the TAT will move forward by focusing on new segments of tourists, easing airline seat shortages, and promoting overland journeys, Deputy TAT Governor Tanes Petsuwan told the briefing.

The TAT will be working with airlines to help resume flights between Thailand and China as there are about 70 per cent fewer flights compared to 2019, Tanes said.

According to the TAT, the Southeast Asian kingdom is expected to welcome around 25 million international arrivals this year.
San Francisco, Jan 13 : Apple CEO Tim Cook has taken a huge pay cut of $35 million, or more than 40 per cent of his compensation, amid challenging global macroeconomic conditions.

According to a new regulatory filing in the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), Cook's pay will drop from $84 million in 2022 to $49 million in 2023, at his own recommendation, reports The Verge.

The pay change is entirely from an adjustment in his equity value.

In 2022, that value was estimated to be worth $75 million. However, that drops to $40 million this year amid the economic slowdown.

Cook's base salary of $3 million and his annual cash incentive of $6 million will remain the same.

The compensation committee on Apple's board acebalanced shareholder feedback, Apple's exceptional performance, and a recommendation from Mr. Cook to adjust his compensation in light of the feedback received," read the SEC filing.

"Cook actually made $99.4 million in 2022, according to the filing," the report said.

Amid iPhone production challenges in China owing to Covid-related disruptions, Apple's market cap has dropped $1 trillion from its peak a year ago.

Like many other tech companies, Apple has been hit by supply chain issues.

Its manufacturing in China has taken a hit due to a fresh wave of Covid infections in the only major economy combating such a crisis.

While Apple's market value has declined significantly, other major technology companies have experienced steeper percentage declines.

Amazon and Facebook-parent Meta's shares have fallen by about 50 per cent and 63 per cent, respectively, over the past year, said the report.
San Francisco, Jan 13 : Alphabet, Google's parent company, has joined tech giants laying off employees amid global macroeconomic conditions, and the company's "Other Bets" division is the first to be impacted, the media reported.

Alphabet's robot software firm Intrinsic will be laying off 40 employees or 20 per cent of its total workforce, reports TechCrunch.

"Intrinsic's leadership has made the difficult decision to let go a number of our team members," a company spokesperson was quoted as saying.

"It will ensure Intrinsic can continue to allocate resources to our highest priority initiatives, such as building our software and AI platform, integrating the recent strategic acquisitions of Vicarious and OSRC (commercial arm Open Robotics), and working with key industry partners," the spokesperson added.

The job cuts at Intrinsic comes after Verily, the health-focused company under Alphabet, announced on Wednesday that it will lay off 15 per cent of its workforce in a restructuring move.

We've collaborated with distinguished healthcare and industry leaders including the Mayo Clinic, Swiss Re, Dexcom, L'Oreal, Otsuka, Highmark Health, iRhythm, Resmed and Sosei-Heptares, among many others.

"We have eliminated approximately 15 per cent of Verily roles due to discontinued programmes. Our most immediate priority is ensuring that these Veeps are given the support they need to ease their transitions," said CEO Stephen Gillett.

Verily will move from multiple lines of business to one centralised product organisation with increasingly connected healthcare solutions, he added.

Google is one big tech company that has avoided letting employees go to date. However, the search giant is expected to take harsh steps to reduce its headcount in early 2023.

Approximately 6 per cent of Google employees could be sacked over "not having enough impact," according to a report by The Information.

Google layoffs in 2023 could see as many as 11,000 employees lose their jobs.
Helsinki, Jan 13 : The learning outcomes and education levels among young people in Finland have weakened since the 1990s, according to a report published by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The report is the first review of the development of education and culture in the country over the past decades, reports Xinhua news agency.

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 per cent of the gross domestic product. In 2020 the corresponding share was 4.4 per cent.

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 favourable 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.
Kalaburagi, : Jan 13 (IANS) A fresh controversy has erupted in Karnataka after Sri Ram Sena leader Pramod Muthalik called upon Hindus to display swords at homes, saying it was not a crime to do so.

He made these remarks while addressing a convention of religious leaders at Yadrami in Kalaburagi on Thursday and the comments have gone viral on social media, raising concerns.

"Talwars (sword) should not be kept to attack others, it has to be kept for the protection of the religion and the country," he maintained.

Muthalik added that if the police come and question for the display, the people should ask them to file cases on Hindu deities Kali, Durga, Hanuman and Ram.

"Hindus used to worship weapons before. Now we are worshipping pens, books and vehicles. Police also worship their guns, they don't worship documents. Likewise, weapons should be kept at homes and they should be worshipped," he said.

"Keeping one talwar at home is not a crime. If a talwar is kept at home, no one will dare to exploit Hindu women."
Jerusalem, Jan 13 : 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 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, reports Xinhua news agency.

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 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 January 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 US.

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 January 6, the Israeli security cabinet decided to cut about $39.6 million 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 January 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.
Ahmedabad, Jan 13 : A woman and her paramour were arrested hours after they murdered the former's husband here, police said on Friday.

Both will be produced in the court later in the day.

Khokhra Police station officer said Thursday early morning police received a call of Rohit Bamaniya's death at his residence. Police team found that it was not a natural death, so they sent the body for the post-mortem.

During questioning of Rohit's wife, Anuradha, she was constantly changing her statement, said the officer. From the neighbours and relatives the police found that Anuradha had an affair with one Inzamam Khyar since the last five years, because of which there used to be frequent quarrels between the husband and wife.

Anuradha is said to have admitted before the police in further questioning, that Wednesday early morning she poisoned Rohit, and later strangled him to death, as he had become a thorn in her love life with Inzamam. Her lover had bought poison from Rajkot. Police Thursday evening arrested Anuradha and Inzamam, said the officer.
Islamabad, Jan 13 : The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has agreed to provide a $3 billion lifeline to Pakistan in the shape of a rollover of the existing debt and new financing -- helping Islamabad avoid defaulting on its loans for a couple of more months.

The development comes as Pakistan faces a daunting challenge to make $13 billion debt repayments in six months, The Express Tribune reported.

The Gulf state made the decision to defer the maturing $2 billion and hand over another $1 billion in additional loan to Pakistan during a meeting between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In a tweet late Thursday, Sharif said: "We express our profound gratitude to H.H. President Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed for his decision to roll over $2 billion & provide additional $1 billion. This support will help us tide over economic difficulties. We are deeply touched by kind gesture of our Emirati brothers & sisters." The $3 billion lifeline has provided some breathing space to Pakistan, but it has not permanently ended the threat of sovereign default due to huge external debt repayments with less than $4.3 billion reserves in hand, The Express Tribune reported.

Pakistan is required to make over $13 billion external debt repayments from January to June 2023 and the UAE's decision will lower the needs by less than one-fourth of the total.

The government will have to strive hard for the revival of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan programme if it wants the default threat to abate permanently.

Sources told The Express Tribune that during a meeting between Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and IMF Mission Chief Nathan Porter, the global lender told Pakistan to fulfil all assurances given to it in the recent past.

Of the total $13 billion six-month need, Pakistan has so far repaid about $1.2 billion and after the UAE rollover, the total requirement will be down to nearly $10 billion.

The $3 billion Chinese deposits are also maturing between March and June in this fiscal year.

Pakistan has repeatedly requested China to rollover this debt but there has been no progress so far.

China has also not yet rolled over around $325 million guaranteed debt that is maturing this month, The Express Tribune reported.

In addition, two Chinese commercial loans, totalling $1.4 billion, are maturing in the last quarter of the current fiscal year.
Bamako, Mali  Mali's 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 Mali's 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 Tuesday's 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 Mali's military government's working with Russian Wagner mercenaries, who have been accused of committing atrocities in the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, Syria, and Ukraine.

Mali's 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 Mali's main military camp, just 15 kilometers from the capital.
Sonipat, Jan 13 : Jindal Global Business School (JGBS) of O. P. Jindal Global University (JGU) produced an impressive 242 Scopus-indexed research publications during the calendar year 2022, thereby maintaining its lead in research over all twenty Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and many older and top-ranked private business schools in the country, as measured by the number of Scopus-indexed publications.

Managed by Elsevier, Scopus is the largest database of peer-reviewed literature and has been adopted by renowned business schools and universities across the world.

As a relatively young B-school, it is truly remarkable that JGBS now consistently leads over much older IIMs in research output as measured by the number of Scopus-indexed papers.

In comparison to JGBS's 242 Scopus-indexed research publications in 2022, IIM Ahmedabad published 215; IIM Bangalore 150; IIM Calcutta 85; IIM Lucknow 203; IIM Ranchi 194; IIM Kozhikode 166; and IIM Indore 165 Scopus-indexed papers.

Among the private business schools, MDI Gurgaon published 186, IMI Delhi published 60, IMT Ghaziabad published 98, SPJIMR (Mumbai) published 62, and ISB (all campuses) published 95 Scopus-indexed papers. The publication data was taken from Scopus database on January 2.

In terms of the quality of papers, more than 60% of the JGBS research papers published in 2022 were published in journals ranked by the prestigious Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC).

JGBS produced an extraordinary 8 papers in ABDC A-star ranked journals and 61 papers in ABDC A-ranked journals in 2022. Many of these papers were published in collaboration with international faculty members from five continents and over 15 countries, including Australia, China, the USA, the UK, Canada, Turkey, Ireland, the UAE, Vietnam, Oman, Taiwan, and New Zealand.

The research papers encompassed collaborations with multiple global universities of repute, including Penn State University, USA; Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Griffith University, Australia; the University of South Dakota, USA; Concordia University, Canada; the University of Manitoba, Canada; Renmin University of China; and Fordham University, Italy.

Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice-Chancellor, O. P. Jindal Global University, said, "Congratulations to JGBS for this remarkable achievement! I am extremely proud of the dedication and hard work of all faculty members of JGBS that has resulted in this milestone. This accomplishment is a testament to the outstanding quality of the research and scholarship at JGU, and it will have a positive impact on the knowledge ecosystem in India.

I have always believed that high-quality research has a direct correlation to teaching, and this will immensely benefit the students of JGBS and JGU. I congratulate the Dean, the Vice Dean (Research), and all faculty members of JGBS for their committed, continuing, and commendable efforts." The tremendous efforts of faculty members at JGBS towards this achievement speak volumes about their dedicated engagement with robust scholarship and research, significantly contributing to the emerging role of JGBS as the top research-driven business school in India. This remarkable research output by JGBS continues to contribute to cutting-edge management knowledge as part of JGBS's vision of being a "globally acclaimed business school developing transformative ideas and people." Professor (Dr) Mayank Dhaundiyal, Dean JGBS, stated, "As JGBS faculty members moved to an entirely physical mode after the pandemic, they have juggled varying kinds of responsibilities related to teaching and research. Amidst these changes, what has remained constant is their unwavering commitment to topical and impactful research. I am proud of my JGBS faculty colleagues and congratulate them for this extraordinary accomplishment. I am confident that JGBS's success will serve as a template for institutional excellence in management research and education, and will inspire other business schools and universities, in India and abroad, to strive for similar accomplishments. As part of its commitment to its vision of becoming a globally acclaimed business school, JGBS will continue to provide an ecosystem to its faculty members to do cutting-edge and meaningful research." This achievement emerges from the presence and participation of faculty in a carefully tailored ecosystem of policies and practices that prioritise their research, such as guarding the research space and time. JGBS has also established an Office of Research (OFR) dedicated to developing an enabling environment for research through diverse initiatives and interventions. The JGBS OFR has developed a comprehensive framework to mentor early-stage faculty members, equipping them to publish in high-impact journals. The JGBS OFR also hosted a number of faculty research seminars and colloquia to discuss faculty members' working papers.

Dean of Research at JGU, Professor (Dr) Indranath Gupta, congratulated the JGBS faculty members and said, "This great achievement by JGBS has been a true coming together of extraordinary, inspiring leadership and motivated scholars and researchers." Professor (Dr) Anirban Ganguly, Vice Dean (Research), JGBS, explained the school's efforts during the period. "Ever since its inception, one of the focal objectives of JGBS has been to establish itself as a research-centric business school. As a means of achieving this objective, JGBS brought together scholars presently at different points of their intellectual journey and working on various research initiatives. The faculty members and the administration at both JGBS and JGU firmly believe that breakthroughs through novel ideas and research have the propensity to make our lives better as well as have a significant societal impact. Our responsibility is to conduct research that aids all spheres of industry and academia. As a premier research institution in the country, we are committed towards creating a positive and meaningful societal impact, and the stellar number of publications for the year 2022 proves that JGBS is moving in the right direction."
Hyderabad, Jan 13 : Death of two women after delivery at a government-run hospital in Hyderabad sparked protest by their relatives on Friday.

Alleging that negligence by the doctors led to the deaths, relatives of the deceased sat on a dharna in front of the government area hospital in Malakpet. They lodged a complaint with the police, demanding action against the doctors responsible for negligence.

Both the women died while undergoing treatment at the government-run Gandhi Hospital, where they were shifted after their condition became critical Mahesh, a driver from a village in Nagarkurnool district had admitted his wife Sri Venella (23) to the hospital on Monday.

She delivered a baby on Wednesday by cesarean section. He said a few hours later she started shivering but nobody took care. The next day he was informed that he condition was not good as pulse rate has come down and heartbeat has increased.

When her condition turned critical, the staff shifted her to Gandhi Hospital. He said doctors at Gandhi Hospital told her that she had dengue fever for five days and platelets had dropped. She succumbed while undergoing treatment.

Holding her newborn daughter in his arms, Mahesh was inconsolable. He demanded authorities to do justice to him.

Jagadish, a software engineer from Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, had admitted his wife Shivani to the hospital on January 10 for delivery. The next day she delivered a baby through caesarean section. Subsequently, her sugar and BP levels slumped and doctors asked him to take her to Gandhi Hospital for observation. However, her condition had already turned critical and she died a few hours later.

Jagadish was distraught over losing his wife within hours after delivering their first child.
Davanagere : , Jan 13 (IANS) An accused government officer in the murder case of an RTI activist surrendered before the local court in Davanagere district of Karnataka on Friday.

A.T. Nagaraj, Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) attached to the Hiremallanahole Gram Panchayat is the accused person. The Second Additional District Court handed him over to the police custody.

Ramakrishna, 30, an RTI activist was killed on January 7 at a dhaba near Hosakere in Jagalur taluk in Davanagere district.

The gang had attacked him with iron rods and smashed his head with a stone. Later, investigations showed that one of the gang members involved in the murder was a relative of the accused PDO.

The family of the victim had alleged that the accused PDO was behind the murder. RTI activist Ramakrishna, a resident of Gowripura had a good reputation for exposing corrupt officials in the region.

Locals also explained that he had vowed to send the corrupt officers to the prison. The victim was attacked while having lunch at the dhaba.

The incident had raised concerns in the state and the family refused to conduct final rites until the police department assured action.

The police have arrested two persons in connection with the murder.

The police have formed a special team to nab other accused persons. The main accused is still absconding. Police probe has revealed that a 10-member gang attacked the RTI activist and killed him.
Los Angeles, Jan 13 : Actress Geena Davis has some horror stories to share from working with actor Bill Murray.

Speaking in New York magazine's 'On with Kara Swisher', Davis told two specific incidents where Murray made her extremely uncomfortable while working with him on the 1990 comedy, 'Quick Change', reports 'Deadline'.

In the first instance, Davis related how she was meeting with Murray and the Quick Change co-producers when the massage incident happened.

"I'm like, 'No, no, no, thank you.' And he keeps at it," Davis alleged. "And I keep saying 'No' to the point where I would've had to scream at him, 'Stop f-king 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 didn't ask how I liked it or anything. So I realised it was just to see if he could force me to do something inappropriate," Davis said.

"I looked to them hoping they would say, 'Come on, Bill, give it up' or something. But they didn't," Davis said.

She added that she later discovered that Murray -- worried that she would have an inflated ego, having just won an Oscar - was testing her.

The next day, Murray was still playing games with her, she alleged.

"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, 'We're ready for you to come to set'," said Davis.

"Well, costumes asked me to wait here one second. Can I do that, or should I come with you? He said, 'No, no, no.' The AD said, 'No, go ahead. Wait here'." That's when Murray allegedly stormed into her dressing room and screamed at her.

"'Get the f-k out there! What the f-k are you doing? Move! Move," Davis said, quoting Murray.

"And he got behind me and screamed in my ear, 'Move! Move faster! Move it!' And we're getting to this intersection where there's 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," she said.

Murray later asked her what was going on, she added.

"Talking about it actually, it's still -- it's very emotional for me because I felt so ashamed, you know, for somebody who wants to do things right. You know," said Davis.
Chennai, Jan 13 : The Joint Forum of Trade Unions and Associations (JFTU) in the four public sector general insurance companies reiterated their demand for discussions on restructuring after the full report is submitted by the consultancy firm EY, said a senior official.

He also said the management has agreed to maintain the status quo.

"Our primary demand at the meeting with the GIPSA (General Insurers' (Public Sector) Association of India on Thursday was to have the full report of EY before any discussion on the restructuring of the four companies," said Trilok Singh, Convenor-North Zone, JFTU told IANS.

The four public sector government insurers -- The Oriental Insurance Company Limited, National Insurance Company Limited, The New India Assurance Company Limited and United India Insurance Company Limited -- have hired consultancy firm EY to suggest rejig measures.

According to JFTU, EY has not given any report on the restructuring but only some power point (PPT) slides.

Based on the PPT slides, the companies are carrying out restructuring exercises like closure of offices, redeployment of staff and other aspects, Singh said.

"The same EY had earlier recommended the merger of the four companies into one, which the unions are also in favour of," Singh added.

The members of JFTU also opposed the forceful implementation of business development executive (BDE), business development manager (BDM) schemes and the irrational closure and merger of offices including the profitable ones, Singh said.

The management will come out with a revised BDE and BDM schemes with more benefits to motivate the staff to generate more business. The companies are also planning to appoint marketing staff on a fixed remuneration per month plus incentives on the business brought in.

The meeting on Thursday was held as per the understanding the management and the JFTU arrived at the conciliation meeting called by the Chief Labour Commissioner, Central earlier this month.

Last fiscal, the four insurers on the advice of Department of Financial Services/GIPSA had appointed EY to diagnose and identify the reasons attributed to the losses suffered by the companies and to design and implement the necessary changes to ensure profitability.

According to Singh, the management was initially reluctant to record the Thursday's discussions and exchange Minutes, but on insistence the former agreed.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Ride-hailing major Ola has started to lay off 200 employees from its Ola Cabs, Ola Electric and Ola Financial Services verticals as part of the "restructuring" exercise.

The layoffs, which were first announced in September last year, happened across the teams.

The company told IANS that it is "centralising operations and is undertaking a restructuring exercise to minimise redundancy and build a strong lateral structure that strengthens relevant roles and functions".

The layoffs constitute 10 per cent of its 2,000-strong engineer workforce "as part of a larger restructuring exercise towards its electric dream".

"Currently, the company has around 2,000 engineers and aims to increase its engineering talent pool to 5,000 over the next 18 months," according to the ride-hailing company.

The Bhavish Aggarwal-run company has nearly 1,100 employees in its core ride-hailing business.

Earlier, restructuring exercises impacted employees across product, marketing, sales, supply, tech, business, and operations verticals at the company, affecting nearly 500 employees that "were a result of restructuring in the cars and dash businesses".

The ride-hailing major last year shut down its used vehicle business Ola Cars, as well as its quick-commerce business, Ola Dash, as the company shifted focus on its electric two-wheeler and car verticals.

Ola said it plans to hire 5,000 engineers as it doubles down on new engineering verticals and strengthens capabilities across vehicle, cell, battery, manufacturing and autonomous streams.
Tokyo, Jan 13 : Japanese prosecutors on Friday indicted the man suspected of killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to local media.

The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported that the Nara District Public Prosecutors Office indicted the assailant, Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, on murder charges, reports Xinhua news agency.

He was also indicted for violating Japan's gun control laws, the report said.

The formal charges came following Yamagami undergoing an extended six-month psychiatric trial to determine whether he was mentally fit to be held criminally responsible for his actions.

Yamagami was arrested on the spot on July 8 last year after allegedly shooting the former Prime Minister at close range with a handmade gun while the latter was delivering a speech in the western prefecture of Nara, just two days ahead of upper house elections.

Yamagami, a former Maritime Self-Defense Force worker, allegedly held a grudge against the controversial Unification Church for financially ruining his family by soliciting huge amounts of money in donations from his mother.

This amounted to around 100 million yen ($774,000).

The killer reportedly believed Abe had links to and had promoted the dubious organisation and claimed this factored in to his reason for assassinating the former Prime Minister.
Kiev, Jan 13 : Ukraine is tightening up the defence of its border with Belarus, said Serhiy Nayev, commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces.

"We professionally perform the tasks assigned to us, and gradually increase our defence capabilities," Xinhua news agency quoted Nayev 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 US 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.

Belarus shares a border with Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest.

The commander's announcement comes ahead of planned Russia-Belarus joint aircraft unit training which will begin on January 16 and last until February 1.

While Belarus has not been involved with the ongoing war directly, it did allow Russian troops to use its territory to launch the invasion on February 24, 2022.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Bhopal, Jan 13 : The last rites of veteran socialist leader and former Union Minister Sharad Yadav will be performed at his ancestral village Ankhmau in Madhya Pradesh's Narmadapuram district on Saturday.

Sources told IANS that mortal remains of former Janata Dal(U) president Yadav (75) will be brought to his ancestral village called Ankhmau in Narmadapuram district, around 6 km from state capital Bhopal. (Last year, Hoshangabad district was renamed as Narmadapuram). The last rites will be performed around 3 p.m.

Born in a middle class family on July 1, 1947, Yadav had completed his degree in civil engineering from Jabalpur in 1974, and had chosen his career in politics during his college days.

After starting out as a student leader, Yadav's Lok Sabha by-election victory from Jabalpur in 1974 as opposition candidate against the Congress catapulted him into national politics.

Political leaders from across the party lines condoled the demise of Yadav, and a large number of people and politicians are expected to visit Ankhmau village to pay homage to the departed soul.

Expressing his condolence, senior advocate and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha said Yadav's demise is a big loss for Mahakaushal division. Jabalpur district, where Yadav won his first general elections, falls under Mahakaushal division in Madhya Pradesh.

"Mahakaushal has suffered a great loss due to the demise of Sharad Yadav. In the 70s, Sharad ji started the political transformation of Jabalpur and the country by providing leadership to the youth. Later, even though Jabalpur did not support him, Sharad ji always fought for it. Be it the facility of air services or the establishment of Qutub Express for Delhi, the railway zone has always been in the interest of Jabalpur. Jabalpur and Mahakaushal have lost their well-wisher and advocate," Tankha tweeted on Friday.

In his long political career, Yadav won Lok Sabha election seven times and was Rajya Sabha MP four times. Besides Jabalpur, he also won Lok Sabha polls from Badaun in Uttar Pradesh and Madhepura in Bihar, which was a rare achievement for any politician.

Madhya Pradesh Congress head and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath recalled Yadav saying the former Union Minister was his companion in public life. "Sharad Yadavji's demise is an irreparable loss in the fight for social justice... I deeply condole his demise. May God give his soul a place in his holy feet and give strength to his family members to bear this loss," Nath said.

State BJP president and Khajuraho MP V. D. Sharma tweeted, "Received the sad news of the demise of senior socialist leader, former JD(U) President, former Union Minister Sharad Yadav. He worked for the interests of the weaker sections throughout his life...RIP." The leader had breathed his last at a hospital in Gurugram on Thursday night.
Chennai, Jan 13 : Judicial officers in Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry have been directed to not accept gift hampers, sweet boxes or cracker boxes during the festive seasons.

Noting that some judicial officers have been accepting gifts from 'third parties' during festive seasons, the Registrar General of the Madras High Court in a circular dated January 11, opined that such acts bring disrepute to the entire judiciary.

Judicial officers comprise district judges and subordinate judges, including civil judges and magistrates.

The circular comes ahead of the Pongal festival, which is celebrated grandly in the two Tamil-speaking regions.

The Madras High Court reopens after the Pongal holidays which lasts a week, on January 19.
The Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) has decried the increased scrutiny of madrasas by security agencies accusing them of being breeding grounds for terrorism.

Also known as Koranic schools, madrasas are informal in setting and a source of Islamic theological teaching since Islam was introduced in Uganda in 1844.

A Madrasa can be set up at home, in a community hall or anywhere Muslims find space to teach Islamic theology. They are equivalent to Sunday schools for the Christians. Madrasas teach Arabic and other Islamic related curricula.

In 2015, police had threatened to close the madrasas claiming that learners are being kept incommunicado from their community and being indoctrinated in the guise of teaching Islam.

Sheikh Juma Bakhit Cucu, the UMSC Education Secretary at UMSC said It was a shock to Muslims as many schools were closed and many proprietors were arrested.

He made remarks as the UMSC based Islamic Theological Examination Board (ITEB) released the Islamic Primary Leaving Examination (IPLE) results for the 2022 academic year.

"So, research was conducted in 2016, and to our surprise, it was discovered that there were 15 conflicting curricula being used in such schools and some were misleading," said Cucu.

He explained that this pushed the department to come up with a single curriculum, examination board, and school certificate. "UMSC is the only one mandated to issue these certificates nobody else," he said.

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A survey that was conducted by the United Religions Initiative Great Lakes (URI-GL) in partnership with the US-based International Centre for Religion & Diplomacy (ICRD), Uganda Muslim Supreme (UMSC), Uganda Muslim Education Association (UMEA), and Uganda Koran Schools Association in 2021 indicated that at least 74% of the madrasas are informal and provide only one hour of secular studies weekly.

The survey unearthed a number of challenges affecting the Madrasa Education System in Uganda including lack of resources, dissatisfaction with government relations, varying structures of Madrasas, curriculum, capacities, and level of formalisation.

Cucu informed Muslims that they are free to establish madrasa schools provided they register, and follow the approved curriculum and learning materials.

He also explained how his department has strengthened its relationship with the Ministry of Education and other development partners.

Sheikh Ismail Kazibwe, IPLE board Secretary, noted that they had registered schools from 48 districts compared to 41 in previous examinations.

He explained that 4219 candidates registered for the examinations and that there was a tremendous improvement in performance to 97%.

The schools that emerged on the top are: Al Furqaan Primary Namabasa in Mbale, Sumayya International School in Masaka, Sahara Islamic in Kampala, Twawil Islamic and Quran Memorization Centre Wakiso, Al Ridhiwan Islamic Primary & Nursery in Busia, IBUN Hamis Secondary School in Luwero.

Others are: Lufuka Quality Islamic Primary School in Wakiso, Al Bayan Quran Memorization Centre in Iganga, Abrar Junior School in Wakiso and Ruwwab Education Center in Busia district.
Jammu, Jan 13 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived here on Friday to start his daylong visit to the UT.

Shah was received at the technical area of Jammu airport by Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha and senior civil, police and military officials.

Due to inclement weather, the Union home minister could not immediately fly to Rajouri district where he is scheduled to meet the families of victims killed by terrorists on January 1.

The home minister drove to the Raj Bhawan where he is now chairing a security review meeting attended by Lt. governor, Union Home Secretary A.K. Bhalla, the chief of IB and chief of RAW in addition to the director generals of CRPF, BSF and the UT police.

Senior intelligence and investigating agencies officers are also attending the meeting.

Official sources said the meeting was earlier scheduled to follow Shah's visit to Dhangri village in Rajouri where seven civilians were killed and 14 injured by terrorists on January 1, but was held earlier than the Rajouri visit which is still on hold due to bad weather.

"After the meeting is over, weather conditions will be reviewed so that Union home minister can visit Rajouri as scheduled. If weather does not permit, Shah's visit to Rajouri today would be cancelled," sources added.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Bus transport is the backbone of mass transit in India as it offers both affordability and convenience, benefitting all economic classes. The intercity bus travel in the country not just jumped back to normalcy (in terms of value) but also increased its coverage, going deeper into the length and breadth of the country in 2022.

As per estimates by world's largest online bus ticketing platform redBus, the intercity bus travel network reached 7,800 towns and villages, an 11 per cent increase over the 7,000 towns and villages covered in 2021. The number of intercity routes covered grew from 1.16 lakh in 2021 to 1.36 lakh in 2022.

redBus, with insights of working with 20 leading public transport companies and 3500+ private bus operators, supporting bookings for 52,000 buses daily, analyses key trends that emerged during the intercity bus travel in the year 2022.

The concept of buying bus tickets online is gaining ground in Tier 2 and 3 cities: An impressive 38 lakh+ travellers booked intercity bus tickets online for the first time on redBus in 2022. Tier 2 and 3 cities' contribution has consistently increased over the years, reaching 60 per cent in 2022, which is much higher than the 56 per cent share in 2019. The states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Gujarat witnessed the highest demand for intercity bus travel in 2022 on redBus Intercity travellers prefer overnight journeys in an AC bus: More than 64 per cent of the travellers boarded the intercity bus between 5.00 p.m. - 12.00 a.m. -- marking a distinct preference for night travel over the daytime.

It is important to note that the average distance covered by an intercity bus ride in India is about 416 km. Almost 70 per cent of the trips are up to 500 km, while 30 per cent cover distances beyond 500 km. Further, nearly 72 per cent of the bookings on the platform in 2022 preferred an AC bus, a marked increase from the 65 per cent share held by the AC buses in 2021 Diwali witnessed highest usage on the platform: A homebound movement is observed across the major festivals in India, with people returning to their homes to meet loved ones and celebrate the festivities. redBus witnessed the maximum number of people travelling on Diwali, October 21, 2022, when the demand was 45 per cent higher than an average day. Festivals such as Holi, Good Friday, Eid al-Fitr and Gurupurab, and Dussehra also saw a spike in usage on the platform. There is a 36 per cent spike in people travelling during these festivals compared to non-festival days Tirupati tops the list of most visited pilgrimage destinations: Tirupati, Madurai, Shirdi, Nashik, Haridwar, Varanasi, and Puri were the top pilgrim destinations booked on redBus in 2022. Haridwar and Ujjain witnessed a 3X and 2X increase in travel demand, respectively (compared to 2021) Goa is the favorite leisure destination of Indian bus travellers: In 2022, the top 5 tourist destinations booked on redBus across India were -- Goa, Pondicherry, Manali, Shimla, and Ooty, with 1 out of 8 leisure bookings happening for Goa. Maharashtra contributed a lion's share of 56 per cent of all bookings to Goa, followed by Karnataka (26 per cent) and Telangana (16 per cent) redBus is the world's largest online bus ticketing platform with operations in India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Peru & Colombia. In India, redBus works with 20 leading government and 3500+ private bus operators supporting bookings for 52,000 buses daily.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Three masked men set fire to a house in Delhi's Bhajanpura area, police said, adding that the residents managed to escape unhurt.

A motorbike and one bicycle were damaged in the incident which occurred in the early hours of January 8.

A video of the incident doing rounds on social media show the masked men walking towards a house with containers.

One of the men pours some liquid from the container and later another one lights matchsticks and throws towards the house leading to huge flames.

A senior police official said: "The house is owned by one Nafees Malik. A case has been registered under sections 427 and 435 of the IPC at the Bhajanpura police station and an investigation is underway.

"The family is not being able to give clues if anyone had an enmity with them or of suspects seen in the CCTV footage. CCTV footages of the incident and vicinity are being analysed to identify the assailants. Special teams have been roped in to assist the police team to solve the case."
Mumbai, Jan 13 : Veteran actress Asha Parekh recalled getting infected with typhoid during the shoot of her films 'Teesri Manzil' and 'Baharon Ke Sapne'. Despite her illness, she continued to shoot until one day she fainted on the sets.

Asha said: "I was shooting for two different movies at the same time, during those days, I used to shoot for 'Teesri Manzil' in the day-time, and at night, for 'Baharon Ke Sapne'. Since I was working round the clock, I got infected with typhoid, however, I still insisted on doing the shoot because a grand set was created for the song." Asha started working at a very early age and legendary director Bimal Roy cast her in his film, 'Maa' at the age of 10. Though she got some recgnition as a child actor, establishing herself as an actress was not easy and she faced rejections before the 1959 film 'Dil Deke Dekho' with Shammi Kapoor.

Later she did movies such as 'Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai', 'Teesri Manzil, 'Baharon Ke Sapne', 'Do Badan', 'Kati Patang', 'Mere Sanam', 'Love in Tokyo', and so on.

She recently made an appearance at the singing reality show 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs' for the special episode of 'Celebrating Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh.' The 80-year-old actress talked about shooting for a song 'Kya Janu Sajan' from the 1967 black and white film 'Baharon Ke Sapne'. However, she revealed that after recovering from her illness, she shot for this song at two different sets.

She continued: "Unfortunately, one day when I was shooting, I fainted around 1 at night and the shoot came to a halt. After that, I was on complete bed rest for approximately 15 to 20 days. And because only the beginning of the song was shot, the rest of the song was later shot at two to three different sets. While the whole film was black & white, we shot this song in colour format. It was beautiful." The singing reality show, 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Li'l Champs' judged by Shankar Mahadevan, Anu Malik and Neeti Mohan airs on Zee TV.
Auckland, Jan 13 : The multinational Cameron Norrie, who plays under the British flag, won 6-3, 6-4 against the American Jenson Brooksby in the semifinal to reach his second ASB Classic final here on Friday.

Norrie, born in South Africa, will play Richard Gasquet in Saturday's final after the Frenchman advanced via walkover when his compatriot Constant Lestienne pulled out with a pectoral strain.

Norrie improved to 6-0 on the 2023 season with a convincing victory against the tricky Brooksby, who was making his Auckland debut.

After converting on his sixth break point of the opening set, Norrie found himself an instant break down at 2-0 in the second set before breaking straight back to love. The World No. 12 then erased two break chances at 2-3 to start a run of 11 consecutive points, including a second break at love. Back in control, he cooly served out the match in one hour and 38 minutes.

"It was an absolute battle with Jenson. A lot of long rallies and I know how well he competes, so it was nice to get it done in straight sets. I'm glad the sun came out; everyone came out on a Friday. It was an amazing atmosphere and I really enjoyed it," Norrie was quoted as saying.
Washington, Jan 13 : Nearly 250,000 US children who entered kindergarten in fall 2021 are potentially not protected against measles, one of the most infectious pathogens on the planet, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

During the 2021-2022 school year, vaccination coverage among kindergarten students decreased again to approximately 93 percent for all state-required vaccines, Xinhua news agency quoted the CDC as saying.

Besides measles vaccination, the rate also continued decline in immunization for three other childhood vaccines that prevent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP), polio and chickenpox among kindergartners in 2021.

Despite widespread return to in-person learning, Covid-19-related disruptions continued to affect vaccination coverage and assessment for the 2021-2022 school year, preventing a return to pre-pandemic coverage, according to the CDC.

Increasing follow-up with undervaccinated students to reduce the impact of disruptions on vaccination coverage can help protect students from vaccine-preventable diseases, said the CDC.
Kolkata, Jan 13 : Stalemate continued at the bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha on Friday with a major section of the lawyers, known to be close to the ruling Trinamool Congress, still boycotting the bench.

The section of the boycotting advocates includes some public prosecutors and state government pleaders thus affecting the progress of cases where the state government is a party.

However, the scene of boycotting lawyers agitating in front of Justice Mantha's court and restraining their professional colleagues from entering the court, which was rampant on Monday and Tuesday, is no more evident for the last three days.

High court sources said since Friday morning, the counsels concerned for 35 cases remained absent during the time of hearing. As a result, the hearing for those matters had to be postponed to a later date.

State advocate general Soumendra Nath Mookherjee said that he had been participating in the hearing at the court where he is supposed to appear. "There is no bar for me to appear. However, I am unable to comment on why other public prosecutors are not appearing at the hearing," he said.

Meanwhile, the Bar Council of India has decided to send a three- member team to Calcutta High Court to investigate the protests by a section of the lawyers in front of Justice Mantha's court. The three-member investigating team will include Supreme Court advocate Ravindra Kumar Raizda, Allahabad High Court's Justice Ashok Mehta and Delhi High Court Bar Association executive committee member Vandana Kaur Grover. They will submit a report on January 17.

From January 9, a group of lawyers of the Calcutta High Court, known to be close to Trinamool Congress started boycotting Justice Mantha's bench, while some of them even blocked their colleagues from entering his court. The matter was finally settled on Wednesday, after Justice Mantha, on Tuesday issued a rule of contempt of court and also filed a suo motu petition in the matter.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : At the ongoing Auto Expo 2023, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) signed an MoU with the US Grains Council (USGC) on Friday in an effort to create ethanol awareness.

The SIAM is the apex body for the Indian automobile industry and the USGC is a Washington-based not-for-profit organisation developing export markets for ethanol globally.

The purpose of the partnership is to establish a framework of cooperation covering scientific, technical, and policy aspects of the production, blending, distribution and marketing of ethanol in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

This framework will not only help form national priorities, but also socio-economic development strategies and goals.

The MoU was signed by Vinod Aggarwal, President, SIAM, and Josh Miller, Chairman, USGC, in the presence of Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Gloria Berbena, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission and Counsellor, Embassy of the US, New Delhi, at the Auto Expo 2023.

Under the agreement, the organisations will work on key areas such as standards, regulations, and policy frameworks, blending and retailing, production and logistics as well as automobile compatibility.

SIAM President Aggarwal said: "SIAM highly appreciates the role and vision of the Council to develop long-term partnerships with Indian stakeholders, create opportunities and add value to the US-India trade relationship. The Council has had a presence in India for over 25 years and we look forward to working with the Council on the promotion and implementation of the government's ethanol blending mandate." Ethanol is a renewable and clean fuel which benefits the environment, health, and economy.

In June 2022, India achieved the target of supplying 10 per cent ethanol-blended petrol, five months ahead of schedule, up from 0.67 per cent blending in 2012.

The country aims to double the blend to 20 per cent by 2025-26, for which it will need an estimated 2.68 billion gallons or 10.15 billion litres of ethanol.

USGC Chairman Josh Miller said: "We believe in collaboration and are constantly exploring opportunities to support India to achieve its next target of 20 per cent blending by 2025. India is the second-largest importer of US ethanol for industrial purposes. This MoU reflects the excellent mutual relations between the countries and our collaborative efforts and shared priorities in this space." Meanwhile, Berbena remarked: "Through this MOU between SIAM and the USGC, I believe that biofuels will remain a critical tool for a stronger, more sustainable future for the US, India, and the world."
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday called for eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis three years ahead of the global target through the five-pronged roadmap by 2027.

Mandaviya was speaking at the National Symposium on India's Roadmap to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Dr V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog was also present at the event. Four States -- Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, and Bihar -- account for 60 per cent Lymphedema cases, while four States -- Odisha, Jharkhand,Uttar Pradesh and Bihar -- account for 80 per cent Hydrocele cases.

"For India, Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) is not a neglected disease as may be the case in some other countries, but a priority disease for elimination in a time bound manner. India is committed to eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027, three years ahead of the global target through mission mode, multi partner, multi sector, targeted drive for which we have drawn up the roadmap," said Mandaviya.

Reiterating India's resolve to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in a time bound manner, Mandaviya emphasized that despite the diverse geographical and social-economic dimensions of India, every region and partner has its strengths, which we aim to harness as we move ahead with an endgame strategy. India has demonstrated to the world that we can be Polio free through Jan-Bhagidari.

Mandaviya said that we have come up with a renewed five-pronged strategy for elimination that includes Multi-drug administration (MDA) Campaign twice a year, Early diagnosis and treatment, Integrated Vector Control with multi sectoral coordinated efforts, Inter sectoral convergence with allied departments and Leveraging existing digital platforms for LF and exploring alternate diagnostics.

"Lymphatic Filariasis elimination calls for the same approach where various Ministries, Departments across the Centre and States, NGOs, private sector through CSR, faith leaders, community influencers, etc., come together in a spirit of Sewa and Sahyog. Let us have our own 'India Model' based on identification of our priorities and leveraging our strengths to efficiently implement our plans," he added.

Reiterating India's philosophy of Antyodaya, Dr V.K. Paul said that Lymphatic Filariasis affects specific geographies and mostly the poor and downtrodden section of our society. Appreciating timely and re-energised intervention by the government, he said that the morbidity backlog needs to be cleared as soon as possible and urged for innovative practices to reach remotest parts of the country through special camps, private sector and development partners involvement for effective mitigation.

He also pushed for concurrent research through which local evidence-based decision making can take place and mass visibility campaigns at the national, state, district, sub-district and block levels.
Adelaide, Jan 13 : Daria Kasatkina and Belinda Bencic will square off for the Adelaide International 2 title on Saturday after both the players advanced via walkover in the semifinals.

No.9 seed Paula Badosa withdrew from her match against Kasatkina due to a right thigh injury, and No. 6 seed Veronika Kudermetova pulled out ahead of her clash with Bencic due to a left hip injury on Friday.

"Veronika Kudermetova has withdrawn from tonight's semifinal due to a left hip injury," the organisers said in a tweet.

The rivalry between Kasatkina and Bencic goes back to their junior days. At the pro level, Kasatkina leads the head-to-head 3-2, including their most recent meeting 6-2, 6-2 in the second round of Roland Garros 2021.

However, Bencic was the victor in their only previous outdoor hardcourt encounter -- also in Adelaide, when she won 6-4, 6-4 in the 2020 first round and went on to reach the final.

Spanish No.1 Badosa engaged in a gruelling quarterfinal match against Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia that stretched beyond two-and-a-half hours with a 74-minute first set followed by an even longer 81-minute second set.

The Spaniard, however, is still looking ahead to playing at the year's first Grand Slam, the 2023 Australian Open, which begins on Monday in Melbourne.

"I'm really disappointed that I had to withdraw today because I was really looking forward to the match," WTA quoted Badosa as saying. "Yesterday when I was playing against (Beatriz Haddad Maia), it was a very tough match, especially physical, so I felt a little bit in my abductor. I felt like I pulled it a little bit.

"Today I feel a little bit worse, so yeah, I have the Australian Open ahead, and I hope I can recover for that.

"Mentally, I was feeling very well, as well. I played three really good matches. I think that helps me, as well, with my confidence for the tournaments ahead. Now it's something that I cannot control, so it is what it is."
Send a Cow Uganda, which has worked with farmers across different parts of the country for 25 years has been relaunched on Thursday as Ripple Effect Uganda.

The rebranding is part of the organisation's ambition to expand its impact on poverty and hunger in rural areas.

Ripple Effect Uganda plans to reach 800,000 more people by 2030, according to the officials.

Guests and stakeholders at the launch of Ripple Effect Uganda

The Director of Ripple Effect Uganda, Pamela Ebanyat told the Nile Post that the organisation is expanding its work into the South Western, mid-western and Bukedi regions, specifically targeting women and girls, young people, orphans and vulnerable children, people with disabilities and refugees.

"These people are the poorest of the poor. We are aiming to achieve significant impact upon Uganda's national development goals, so this is where we must be working. Our new name reflects the effectiveness of our work," said Ebanyat.

"The farmers we work with learn more, grow more, and sell more. We know that for every family enrolled in our projects another three benefits, through peer farmer training, the sharing of skills, knowledge and resources, and the way that learnings are embedded in communities. This is our Ripple Effect, "she added.

She explained that the new name also enables the organisation to build on the depth of valuable experience it has developed since 1988.

Ripple Effect has sector leading expertise in three areas of work including sustainable agriculture, focused on agroecological principles that have a climate-positive impact, making land highly productive and biodiverse, the gender and social inclusion, ensuring that everyone benefits from rural development: women and men, young and old, and people with different needs and abilities

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The other expertise is enterprise development that helps farmers generate income, start small businesses, and build positive futures.

The Ripple Effect Africa Director, Dr Fred Ochieng said the results of their programmes have been remarkable over the years .

"Over the past five years alone Ripple Effect Uganda has worked with almost 1.3 million people in rural areas. But that is not enough. We are ambitious, and we aim to do more. We are expanding our reach by working with delivery partners who share our aims and methodologies," he said.

He explained that this is a cost-effective model for expanding their programmes. More importantly, it helps to ensure the long-term sustainability of our approach after projects come to an end, because skills are embedded with people who remain in the local communities.

"That is why donors, including an increasing number of Africa-based donors, want to fund our work," he said.
Lucknow, Jan 13 : Preparations for the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors' Summit 2023, scheduled from February 10 to 12, are being done on a war footing to make the event grand and a memorable one.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the event while President Droupadi Murmu is likely to attend the closing ceremony as the chief guest.

More than 20 Union ministers are likely to take part in the event including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

According to government's spokesman, the state government's departments have started preparing the framework for the the event.

A roster of participants from both, within the country and abroad, is being worked out and a session-by-session detailed schedule of the summit is being prepared.

There will be eight sessions every day, including the inaugural session. Other sessions will be dedicated to various sectors and partnership countries. Cultural events will also be organised at the end of the day.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has revised the target of attracting investment for the UPGIS-2023 from Rs 10 lakh crore to Rs 17.3 lakh crore.

Adityanath had sent eight teams abroad to hold international roadshows at 21 cities in 16 countries.

The state government has also held domestic roadshows in Mumbai and Chennai and more are scheduled in other major cities, including New Delhi, later this month.

The state government also proposes to hold divisional summits at eight divisional headquarters, besides the district-level summits.

According to the proposed agenda of the programme, on the first day, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Union Food Processing and Industries Pashupati Kumar Paras and Rajanath Singh will participate in separate sessions.

Air Chief Marshal (retired) RK Singh Bhadauria is likely to take part in the summit as well.

On the second day, many ministers and industry leaders will be present. They include Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal, Union AYUSH Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Fisheries and Animal husbandry Minister Parshottam Rupala, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Union Minister of State for electronics Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

Amit Shah is likely to be the chief guest at the concluding session on the second day.

A number of programmes are scheduled for February 12 as well.

Ministers of State for Commerce and Industry Anupriya Patel and Som Prakash are likely to be present, in addition to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Minister of statistics and programme implementation Rao Inderjit Singh.

Nirmala Sitharaman may also be present on the concluding day at a session on industrial financing.

There will be separate sessions for the partner countries at GIS-2023. The partner countries, including Singapore and the Netherlands, will have separate sessions on the first day while Denmark and Japan will have it on the second day.

The UK and Mauritius will have sessions on the third day. There will also be participation from the ambassadors and delegations of the relevant nations.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Vishva Hindu Parishad has demanded that Rahul Gandhi should apologise for "the hate-filled blood-soaked history of the Congress", and said that a conspiracy was being hatched to spread hatred by defaming and dividing the country once again.

VHP's Central Joint General Secretary Dr. Surendra Jain said in a statement on Friday that the Congress has a history of spreading hatred, dividing the society and causing massacres. Instead of blaming Hindu organisations, they should apologise for the great sins committed by the Congress to break the country.

Dr. Jain recalled that the Moplas, who killed 20,000 Hindus in Malabar, Kerala in 1920 due to the Khilafat movement, were not only promoted by the Congress but declared freedom fighters, and even after 75 years of independence their families were given pension. "India was partitioned because of the wrong policies of the Congress, and due to the wrong implementation of the partition policy lakhs of innocent people were killed and crores of Hindus had to stumble door-to-door as refugees.

"In 1948, it was this Congress that committed the heinous crime of attacking thousands of Chitpavan Brahmins, brutally killing hundreds and burning many Sangh workers alive by making baseless and false allegations against the Sangh for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. It is a well-known fact that in the 1980s, the Congress was responsible for giving rise to the Khalistani terror that was responsible for the killing of more than 22,000 Hindus and the displacement of lakhs of Hindus.

"Evidence is now being found that in 1984 more than 20,000 innocent Sikhs were mercilessly murdered at the behest of the Congress. Congress has been doing the work of honoring the terrorists who mercilessly killed hundreds of Hindus and made lakhs of refugees in the Kashmir Valley." Jain said, "All the forms of terrorism that have taken place in India after 1947 have been taking birth only because of the wrong policies of the Congress. Even today, be it the 'Tukde Tukde Gang' or the 'Sar Tan Se Juda Karne Wale Gang' who spread hatred, they all work on the instigation of the Congress leaders. How can the army of lawyers associated with Congress stand with Love Jihadis and terrorists without asking the Congress leaders?" He said that the whole world knows that Congress had also committed the heinous sin of defaming Hindus and giving patronage to Jihadis by propagating saffron terrorism. How can the Congress, which commits such crimes, keep its back clean? That's why this so-called young leader should introspect and atone for his sins and instead of blaming Hindu organisations, he should apologise for the great sins committed by Congress to break the country."
January 13 : India sustains a concoction of cultures. As it prepares to celebrate the warmth of Lohri fire, the jovial greetings of Pongal and Bhogi, and the divine sight of Makara Vilakku, the festivals mark the end of winter solstice.

Lohri Festival:

Image Source: Deepak Sharma/IANS Students in traditional Punjabi dresses during the celebration of lohri on the eve of the Lohri festival

The Lohri festival celebrates the beginning of the basant or the spring season when harvested grounds are lit with lohri bonfires. People dance and sing "Sunder Mundriye Ho" around the fire while they cast til and sesame into it and chant praises of Dulla Bhatti. Lohri celebrates the post-harvest ceremonies and enfolds other cultural significance in North India, predominantly in Punjab and in areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and in Pakistan.

Lohri 2023 falls on Saturday, 14th January, 2023.

Happy Lohri! Send Lohri greetings to your loved ones.

Pongal Festival:

Image Source: IANS Women celebrate `Pongal`

One of the most important harvest festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu, the Pongal festival commemorates the Sun God for an abundant harvest reaped. Pongal is observed as a four-day long festival commencing on the last day of the month of Margazhi with the festivities ending on the third day of the month of Thai. Bonfires are lit on Pongal eve into which Bhagi and old possessions are cast. Pongal rangoli designs emblazon the streets on this day. People, especially women chant 'Pongalo Pongal' as they boil rice in a pot of milk sweetened with jaggery.

Festivities of Pongal 2023 start on Saturday, January 14th, 2023.

Happy Pongal! Send warm Pongal wishes to your family and friends.

Bhogi Festival:

Image Source: IANS Bhogi celebrations

Bhogi is celebrated as the first day of the four-day long harvest festival of Pongal. Also known as Sankranti Bhogi, the day is dedicated to commemorate the blessings of Lord Indra for a fruitful harvest that brought wealth and prosperity. People abandon old possessions to start afresh. Women draw floral designs called 'kolams' with freshly harvested rice flour paste.

Bhogi 2023 falls on Saturday, January 14th, 2023

Makara Vilakku:

Image Source: IANS Devotees of Lord Ayyappan witness the 'Makara Jyothi' at Sabarimala in Kerala

Makara Vilakku is a grand annual harvest festival held in Kerala that falls on Makar Sankranti. People from all over South India throng Sabarimala to witness the Makara Jyoti. As it is believed, to behold the sight of Makara Jyoti, or the divine light that shines on Makara Vilakk day is propitious. Devotees gather in thousands to witness this event and they offer their prayers to Swamy Ayyappa, the deity at Sabarimala.

Makara Vilakku 2023 is observed on Saturday, January 14th, 2023.

Latest updates on New Year 2023
Mumbai, Jan 13 : Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mumbai visit, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde is busy packing his bags for a quick business trip to Davos, Switzerland, where the World Economic Forum (WEF) is scheduled between January 16 and 20.

Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, who was scheduled to accompany Shinde's 20-strong delegation, backed off and will make preparations for the PM's programmes in the country's commercial capital on January 19, and the foreign-returned Shinde shall join them.

For Shinde, this is his first trip abroad since coming to power on June 30 last year after unceremoniously toppling the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)'s ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray.

The Davos biz trip is crucial for Shinde-Fadnavis to make a lasting impression back home where the Balasahebanchi Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BSS-BJP) alliance is under machine-gunfire as several mega-projects have hopped off Gujarat and certain other states.

Even before boarding the flight, team Shinde has announced that the Maharashtra government "will sign MoUs worth around Rs 1.40 lakh-crore" with 20 global conglomerates at the picturesque Alpine ski resort of Davos - hosting the 2023 conference themed 'Cooperation In A Fragmented World'.

As per the CMO, Shinde and his entourage will fly to Zurich on Jan. 15 and on Jan. 16 (Monday), go to Davos - some three hours away - and inaugurate the Maharashtra Pavilion, which is right opposite the India Pavilion.

The pavilion will showcase Maharashtra's Coastal Road Project, Metro Projects in various cities, the HinduhridaySamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Mumbai-Nagpur Super Expressway, the longest tunnel for the Mumbai-Pune Expressway 'missing link', changing over to electric vehicles in public transport and other eco-friendly measures combing sustainable development adopted by the state.

There, some MoUs will be signed and then Shinde will meet top officials of the WEF and attend the main welcome function at the Congress Centre that evening.

On Jan 17, the CM will meet and say cheese with the Prime Ministers of Luxembourg and Jordan, Ministers of Singapore and Saudi Arabia, bankers and the Swiss-India Chamber of Commerce, and a few more MoUs shall be inked.

That afternoon, he will address a gathering in Congress Centre on the challenges posed by "changing climatic conditions to the development of cities and environment-friendly sustainable development".

After the hectic businesslike day, a relaxed Shinde would host a Maharashtrian banquet for around 150 Indian and international dignitaries from politics, industry and others attending the WEF and sell the concept of 'Magnetic Maharashtra' aimed to attract big investments.

Unconvinced, the Opposition MVA leaders have raised eyebrows over Shinde's brief Davos jaunt with sharp comments.

Nationalist Congress Party's Chief Spokesperson Mahesh Tapase urged the CM should ensure that "the proposed investments finally land in Maharashtra and not get diverted to Gujarat or some other state" and ensure good employment opportunities for the youth here.

Congress General Secretary Sachin Sawant said that owing to the PM's visit to Mumbai, the Dy CM (Fadnavis) cancelled his Davos trip and CM Shinde will cut short his tour, thus missing out a golden opportunity for getting good investment projects for the state.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Spokesperson and MP Sanjay Raut said that the Shinde-Fadnavis government is "illegal and unconstitutional" and hence not serious about investments or creating jobs in the state.

"This is the first physical WEF after the two years of pandemic. We have prepared a master plan to convey an impressive image of Maharashtra at the conference. The CM and Deputy CM have personally reviewed everything and guided the officials on all aspects," said an official here.

The annual WEF attracts around 2,500 top leaders in politics, business and economics and attracts the eyes and ears of the whole world, though Shinde may warily keep glancing over his shoulder to keep an eye back home.

Minister Uday Samant, top officials like Chief Secretary Manukumar Srivastava, Bhushan Gagrani, Harshdeep Kamble, Vipin Sharma and others will comprise the state delegation led by Shinde, and will return home late on Jan 18 - in time for the PM's visit.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Environment Ministers' Session as part of the two-day 'Voice of Global South Summit' was held on the topic of "Balancing growth with environment-friendly lifestyles". Ministers from fourteen countries of the Global South participated in the session.

Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav gave the opening remarks. In his address, Yadav said that there is a need for developing policies which are inclusive and sustainable to reduce inequality and contribute to the empowerment and improvement of the quality of people's lives. He mentioned the role of India in supporting and raising the voice of Global South in dealing with the issue of climate change and environment at various international fora.

The Ministers from the Global South raised various problems faced by the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Food security, rising sea level, coastal erosion, economic downturn due to COVID 19 pandemic were some of the common issues raised by them. The developing coastal countries also stated the catastrophic impacts of climate change. Many developing countries highlighted the role of the adaptation policies they are developing to tackle climate change. Use of green energy, renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable development, biodiversity conservation was some of the common attempts mentioned by the developing South. Many countries highlighted their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gases.

The Union Minister highlighted the role of the developed world in providing the financial and technological assistance to the developing countries. The problems faced by SIDS due to the climate change and the initiatives taken by India in this regard such as Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS), International Solar Alliance (ISA) etc. were also mentioned. The experience of India in tackling the natural disasters through the institutional mechanism was also highlighted. The G20 presidency and the topics of blue economy, circular economy and land restoration were mentioned to the ministers of the Global South.

The Union Environment Minister stressed that the environment-friendly actions (LiFE Actions), on a mass scale across the globe, can be a significant positive contributor to saving our common and the only world. He highlighted the importance of the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) in tackling the global issue of climate change.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has written a letter to the people of the country in a massive outreach programme of the party, promising cheaper petrol and diesel, gas cylinder at Rs 500, jobs and harmony.

The party on Friday announced that it will deliver Rahul Gandhi's letter to each house along with a charge sheet against the Central government from January 26. The letter is signed off as "aapka apna Rahul (your own Rahul)".

The letter is written in all regional languages and the exercise is an attempt by the Congress to reap the political benefits from the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Gandhi in his letter has tried to touch all the subjects. He mentions that this is written after completing the historic, 3,500 km long Bharat Jodo Yatra where millions of Indians walked with him from Kanyakumari to Kashmir.

"It was the most enriching journey of my life, and I am overwhelmed by the love and affection that every single Indian has showered on us. I heard intently, to all your stories along the way." He said there is a palpable economic crisis brewing - joblessness among the youth, unbearable price rise, severe farm distress, and a complete corporate capture of the country's wealth...People are worried about losing their jobs, their incomes are falling further, and their dreams of a better future are shattering.

"There is a deep sense of hopelessness across the country. Today, even our plurality is under threat. Divisive forces are attempting to turn our diversity against us - different religions, communities, regions are being pitted against each other. These forces, which are only a handful in number, know that only when people feel insecure and scared can they sow the seeds of hatred for the 'other'. But after this Yatra, I am convinced that this vicious agenda has its limits, and it cannot go on any longer." He wrote that he will fight to eradicate these evils -- from the streets to Parliament, every single day and determined to create economic prosperity for everyone -- right price for farmers' produce, jobs for our youth, fair distribution of the country's wealth, an enabling environment for MSMEs and entrepreneurs, cheaper diesel, a stronger rupee, and a gas cylinder for Rs 500.

"The people of our country realise that we cannot reach our full potential unless we embrace our diversity and work shoulder to shoulder. I strongly believe that India will reject hatred. We will rise above caste, religion, language, gender, and all other differences that cause rifts in a society. Our greatness lies in our Unity in Diversity. My message to each one of you - Daro Mat! Remove fear from your hearts, and hatred will vanish from within you." "The Yatra has renewed my vigour to fight for each one of you. It has been a 'Tapasya'.

"I understand that my personal and political journey is one -- to give voice to the voiceless, to be the weapon of the weak, to take India from darkness to light, from hate to love, from suffering to prosperity. I will carry forward the vision and values of those who gave us our extraordinary Constitution." "he Congress family has been working tirelessly for 137 years, first to free, then to unite and then further to build this country and have always brought the country together during the difficult times. Today, again, our country finds itself in a state of crisis.

"The 'Hath se Hath Jodo' Abhiyan is our initiative to spread the message of unity and brotherhood. Through this historic Abhiyan, the Congress party is extending its hand to you -- lend a hand, come together to put the country back on the path of building a 'Swarnim Bharat' -- where every single Indian has an equal chance to fulfill their dreams."
Jammu, Jan 13 : The 9-year-old boy, who was injured in mysterious firing in the Surankote area of J&K's Poonch district, succumbed to his injuries on Friday in the government medical college hospital in Jammu.

The boy identified as Irfan Ahmed of Sangla tehsil in the Surankote area was shifted to Jammu from Rajouri for specialised treatment.

On Thursday, the boy was injured near his residence while two other persons, heading to pay obeisance at a shrine, had miraculous escape in the incident.

Police have already registered a case and started investigation.
Chennai, Jan 13 : Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai's security has been upgraded by the Central government following an Intelligence Bureau (IB) threat assessment exercise, police sources said. The former IPS officer's security has been raised from 'Y' to 'Z' category.

Apart from escort vehicles provided by the TN police, the BJP leader who has been very vocal in Tamil Nadu politics, will now have a 28-member security detail that includes commandos from the NSG and the Security branch CID of the Tamil Nadu police, they said.

The security upgrade for Annamalai comes in the wake of the recent car bomb explosion in Coimbatore, and also incidents of Molotov cocktail bomb attacks targeting the Hindu organisations and leaders over the past several months. Annamalai has been stridently raising his voice against growing religious fundamentalism in Tamil Nadu.

This will be the second security upgrade for the BJP leader in less than a year. It was only in April last year that the MHA had enhanced his security from 'X' to 'Y' category.

Annamalai had recently announced a padayatra covering all 234 Assembly constituencies of Tamil Nadu from April.
Chennai, Jan 13 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday said the government will hold the Global Investors Meet next January.

Making the announcement in the Assembly, he said the meet will be held on January 10 and 11, 2024, and have participation from over 100 countries.

Stalin said his government is working towards the target of making Tamil Nadu a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and towards that several investors meets were held in places like Dubai and others.
Bhopal, Jan 13 : A school bus driver in Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur district was arrested on Friday for allegedly sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl student, police said.

When the minor girl was coming out of her school on Wednesday, the accused stopped her at the gate and took her into a bathroom where he allegedly molested her. As per police, he also threatened the girl of dire consequences if she told anyone.

On Thursday, the girl refused to go to school complaining about pain in her private parts. The frightened girl initially did not tell her parents anything, but then revealed the incident after she was convinced by her mother. She told her parents that "Sir had done a bad touch" with her, according to the police.

Subsequently, parents reached the local police station and filed a complaint. A police team reached the school for investigation. Subsequently, the accused, associated with the school as a bus driver for the last few years, was identified by the victim.

Additional Superintendent of Police, Narsinghpur, Sunil Shivhare told the that the girl was sexually assaulted on when she was returning home. "During the investigation, the accused was identified by the victim and he has been arrested," he said, adding that charges under the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act have been slapped on him.
At an activity assessment meeting the Ministry of Health branch in the Central Region conducted on 10 and 11 January, it was reported that in the past 5 years, HIV/AIDS infection in the region has declined by 64%.

According to a report presented at the meeting, the number of HIV/AIDS infections was 1.1% in 2017 and has declined to 0.4% in 2022.

Indicating that the cervical cancer vaccination program carried out at the national level was 98% successful, Dr. Mulugeta Haile, head of the Ministry of Health branch in the region, said that other non-communicable diseases have also significantly been reduced.

Dr. Mulugeta further noted that in 2022 no death due to delivery at health facilities has been reported and pre-natal treatment has increased by 62%.

Commending the activities carried out in 2022, Ms. Amina Nurhussein, Minister of Health, called for a double-fold effort for the implementation of programs of 2023.

Nr. Fesehaye Haile, Governor of the Central Region, on his part called for the sustainability of environmental sanitation activities in the city of Asmara with a view to prevent communicable diseases that could occur due to lack of sanitation.

In the Central Region, there are 26 health stations, 6 health centers, 3 community hospitals, and 1 regional referral hospital.
Kolkata, Jan 13 : Feeling betrayed, a 23-year-old youth hanged himself to death during a video call with his girlfriend in West Bengal's Nadia district.

Sujal Saha took the extreme step at his ancestral residence in Shantinagar Colony on Thursday evening when he was alone at home, District police sources said.

As his family members went to a relative's residence nearby, the victim locked himself in his room and made a video call to his girlfriend. During the course of conversation, he reportedly hanged himself from the ceiling fan while keeping the video calling on.

Local police have confiscated his mobile phone for further investigation.

Sujal's family members said that the victim was in a relationship with a local girl and both were about to get married.

However, tiff between the two started recently when Sujal spotted his girlfriend going with another youth.

Sujal had also seen the Facebook status of her girlfriend who had uploaded her picture with that youth there. Feeling betrayed, Sujal thought that her girlfriend was trying to sever the relationship.

The victim's family members have filed a complaint against the girl at Santipur Police Station accusing her of abetting Sujal's suicide.

His body has been sent for post-mortem to Ranaghat Sub-divisional Hospital.
London, Jan 13 : Vladimir Putin will nominate his chosen successor this year rather than risk being toppled as the Russian President's popularity continues to plummet amid a series of military defeats in Ukraine, his former ally has claimed, the media reported.

Putin will seek to hand over power to a chosen heir and retire to his 1 billion pounds Black Sea 'palace' rather than risk the ignominious fate of toppled tyrants like Muammar Gaddafi, said Abbas Gallyamov, Putin's former speechwriter, Daily Mail reported.

The Russian leader will seek to give up power to a technocrat successor who could negotiate an end to the war with Ukraine and the West, and probably not fight the 2024 election, he told Khodorkovsky Live You Tube channel.

Gallyamov said the despot will likely nominate a 'trusted underling' as president -- like the Mayor of Moscow, Sergey Sobyanin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, or his deputy chief of staff Dmitry Kozak, Daily Mail reported.

Putin's circle no longer see him as a 'guarantor of stability' and are alarmed by the rise of Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the well-armed Wagner private army, which is so far loyal to the Kremlin but could turn on an elite seen as failing in the war, Gallyamov said.

They fear being slaughtered with Prigozhin's sledgehammer -- the extrajudicial punishment given to his jail convict soldiers who refuse to fight or seek to defect to Ukraine, Daily Mail reported.

One of Prigozhin's former Wagner mercenaries, who changed sides in the Ukraine war, Yevgeny Nuzhin, 55, had his head taped to a brick wall and was beaten to death with a sledgehammer in November when he was captured by his former colleagues.

Prigozhin praised the defector's execution and said that a 'dog receives a dog's death' in response to the video of Nuzhin being bludgeoned to death.

Since Putin's war began, his allies like Prigozhin and Chechen warlord Ramzan Kadyrov have begun jockeying for power and prominence, suggesting that they could one day want to supplant him, Daily Mail reported.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Bengaluru, Jan 13 : Karnataka unit of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold an all-party meeting as he is visiting the state thrice in January.

Prithvi Reddy, the State President of the party has written a detailed letter to Prime Minister Modi in this regard.

"Our cadres from across the state have been calling, texting, messaging and informing us of their utter surprise that you (PM Modi) will be visiting the state of Karnataka three times this month," the letter reads.

"They had herewith been expressing dismay over your utter lack of interest in grappling with the state's entrenched issues. The recent issues that citizens have attempted to draw your interest include pot-holed roads in Bengaluru and surrounding areas resulting in the death of nearly 40 people - you must remember that you had campaigned for a double-engine government.

In fact, Bengaluru citizens gave you a third engine with power in the BBMP, but we regret to inform you that you have let down the citizens very badly.

Our cadres have been up in arms over the step-motherly treatment meted out to Kannada language which only received a meagre Rs 1 crore in 2017-18, Rs 99 lakh in 2018-19 and Rs 1.07 crore in 2019-2020.

This is extremely small as compared to Tamil which received Rs 10.59 crore in 2017-18, Rs 4.65 crore in 2018-19 and Rs 7.7 crore in 2019-20." He said that while Karnataka is duty bound to release 174.25 tmc of water to Tamil Nadu in terms of the CWDT and Supreme Court directions, the citizenry has noticed with alarm that over 400 tmc has been flowing into the sea through Tamil Nadu which has no mechanism to hold that water nor to utilise it.

"In this light, the people of Karnataka had been pleading for your intervention to resolve this issue in terms of the Supreme Court direction, yet, you have refused to entertain any all-party delegation from our State on the subject," it read.

"You will recall that your predecessors in office regularly entertained all-party delegations of this nature. It is noted with deep regret that despite wasting record amounts of water into the sea, Tamil Nadu has recently passed a resolution in its assembly objecting to the Mekedatu project which seeks to harness about 67 tmc of water for energy production and to serve in lean years," the letter further read.

With regards to the Mahadayi, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shri Prahlad Joshi tweeted an undated Office Memorandum being file number T-28027/2/2022-PA(S)DTE on 29th December, 2022 which appears to be the CWC Clearance for the Mahadayi Drinking water Project.

This is indeed a welcome development.

He said that it must be remembered that it was the Central Government which had accorded in-principle clearance to the project even after considering the misgivings of Goa on April 30, 2002.

It was the same BJP-led NDA that placed the in-principle clearance in "abeyance within 5 months of providing clearance on September 19, 2002." In 2006, Goa filed a suit in the Supreme Court in which the Centre constituted the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal on September 22, 2010 presided by Supreme Court Judge Justice J.M. Panchal. The MWDT, after detailed arguments from Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra decided the dispute by delivering a Judgment on August 14, 2018.

If BJP's claim of "double engine" efficacy were justified, the Centre ought to have provided CWC clearance to the project immediately after B.S. Yediyurappa unseated the Coalition Government and assumed office as Chief Minister on July 26, 2019.

However, the clearance has now arrived timed appropriately with the Karnataka Election.

"Now that you will be in Karnataka, can we expect an appointment on these subjects for an all party meeting including our party,?" he asked.
Nashik, Jan 13 : In a tragedy, 10 pilgrims were killed and 24 others were injured when a speeding private luxury bus carrying them to the famed Shirdi Saibaba Temple in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar, crashed into an oncoming truck near Patharde in Nashik district on Friday morning, police said.

The accident took place around 7 a.m., when the bus, with around 45 pilgrims from Ambernath town in Thane, was speeding to Shirdi via Sinnar-Shirdi state highway.

According to police, the bus crashed headlong into the truck coming from the opposite direction and then overturned, resulting in the huge disaster, said the police.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pain and grief over the tragedy and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families and the injured victims.

The PM also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 200,000 to the relatives of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.

In Mumbai, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde expressed shock over the tragedy and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of all the deceased besides free medical treatment for all the injured victims.

He also ordered a detailed probe into the accident, the causes and related aspects, said an official.

Among those who perished in the accident are 6 women, 2 men and 2 minors, all from Ambernath town, said the police.

They are: Pramila P. Gondhali, 45, Diksha S. Gondhali, 18, Naresh M. Ubale 38, Vaishali N. Ubale, 32, Shravani S. Baraskar, 30, Shraddha S. Baraskar, 4, Roshni R. Wadekar, 30, Balaji K. Mehti, 25, Ayushman P. Mehti, 5, and an unidentified teenaged girl.

Of the 24 injured victims - comprising 13 women - 20 are admitted to the Sinnar Rural Hospital, Matoshree Hospital, Yeshwant Hospital and Salunkhe Hospital, and four were treated and allowed to go by the Sinnar Rural Hospital.

Some who are seriously injured have been rushed to the Shirdi Superspeciality Hospital and the Vavi police have registered an accident case with the probe underway.

Soon after learning of the calamity, the shocked families, relatives and friends of the victims rushed from Ambernath to Nashik, with emotional scenes witnessed near the hospitals, while Maharashtra Minister Dada Bhuse called on the victims undergoing treatment.
Kolkata, Jan 13 : The Income Tax Department has summoned Trinamool Congress' Jangipur legislator Jakir Hossain, from whose residence and factories it had recovered Rs 11 crore on Thursday, to its Kolkata office, along with the documents related to the sources of the recovered cash next week.

Hossain, a two-time party MLA from Jangipur in West Bengal's Murshidabad and also a former minister, has also been asked to submit his detailed income tax returns, and income and expenditure documents to the department by next week.

The Income Tax Department has also summoned Trinamool councillor and the Member, Market, of Mayor-in-Council of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Amiruddin Bobby to be present at the office of the department next week with similar tax related documents.

Incidentally, from Wednesday afternoon till Thursday morning, the Income Tax Department also raided a hotel owned by Bobby at central Kolkata. However, there had not been any report of recovery of cash was reported in the case of Hossain's residence, 'bidi' factory, and rice mill.

Confirming that the Income Tax department has sought documents relating to his tax returns, income, and expenditure details, Hossain claimed that the notice has not mentioned that he will have to personally be present at the department's office in Kolkata. "I will be sending all the related documents through my lawyer," he said.

However, no reaction was available from Bobby on this count.

Meanwhile, the Trinamool Congress has stood by Hossain in the matter. State General Secretary and party spokesman, Kunal Ghosh, said that Hossain, besides being an MLA, is an established businessman too. "Is there any rule that a businessman cannot keep some cash at his residence," he asked.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) on Friday said it was "looking into" the allegation of indecent questioning by a member of its staff with an Indian woman at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, adding that it "has zero tolerance for misbehaviour and mistreatment", media reports said.

"We attach high importance to proper etiquette and behavior towards all visa and consular applicants.

"All our diplomatic staff is under strict instructions to conduct themselves professionally," FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement, the Dawn reported.

However, the FO spokesperson expressed surprise over the timing of the alleged incident and "the manner in which it has been raised".

"There are robust mechanisms in place for the redressal of all public grievances," she added, Dawn reported.

A Punjab based woman had accused two officials at the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi of molesting her when she visited the embassy for a visa last year while trying to lure her to write against the Indian government.

The woman also said that the officials even offered handsome remuneration to write articles which she refused.

The woman, who is a professor at a university in Punjab, talking to news channels said that she had booked an online visa appointment with the Pakistan High Commission and she had visited the embassy first in March 2021.

The woman has also filed a complaint with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar after she did not get any response from the Pakistan High Commission after raising the issue.

In her complaint, the woman said that she had to visit Lahore and deliver a lecture at Abbottabad University in Pakistan. However, the visa officer on March 15 denied her visa, citing a no-confidence motion moved against then-PM Imran Khan.

The woman was approached by a staffer on the pretext of another visa interview and took her to a room where he asked her about why she wasn't married. How does she live without marriage, what does she do for sexual desires? she was allegedly asked.

The woman further said that she even wrote to Pakistan Foreign Affairs Minister Bilawal Bhutto, and also shared screenshots of the WhatsApp chat with the Pakistan High Commission staffer.
Chennai, Jan 13 : Gold on Thursday got more sheen with the price of the 24 karat yellow metal touching Rs 56,290/10 grams.

According to Quantum AMC's Fund Manager- Alternative Investments Ghazal Jain, gold prices are on uptrend since November 2022 amid moderating US CPI numbers and nticipation of a less aggressive Federal Reserve.

The US dollar as well as US yields have begun to cool off, which has been supporting gold. Other secondary factors weighing on prices have been robust gold buying by global central banks and the potential positive impact on gold demand given the opening up of Chinese markets, Jain said.

"While we are currently at all time high prices, rate hikes by the Fed over the next few months will spur volatility in gold prices and give investors opportunity to accumulate gold and build their allocation," Jain added.
San Francisco, Jan 13 : With lung cancer the leading cause of cancer death around the world, researchers have tested an AI tool known as "Sybil" that accurately predicts its risk for individuals with or without a significant smoking history, a new study has shown.

Based on analyses of LDCT (low-dose chest computed tomography) scans from patients in the US and Taiwan, Sybil accurately predicted the risk of lung cancer for individuals with or without a significant smoking history, according to the study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

"Lung cancer rates continue to rise among people who have never smoked or who haven't smoked in years, suggesting that there are many risk factors contributing to lung cancer risk, some of which are currently unknown," said corresponding author Lecia Sequist, MD, MPH, a lung cancer medical oncologist at the US-based Mass General Cancer Center.

"Instead of assessing individual environmental or genetic risk factors, we've developed a tool that can use images to look at collective biology and make predictions about cancer risk," she added.

The team created Sybil, a deep-learning model that analyses scans and predicts lung cancer risk for the next one to six years, using data from the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) in the US, the study said.

"It was designed to run in real-time in the background of a standard radiology reading station which enables point-of-care clinical decision support," said co-author Florian Fintelmann, MD, of the Department of Radiology at the US-based Massachusetts General Hospital.

Sybil was validated using three independent data sets: scans from over 6,000 NLST participants who Sybil had never seen before, 8,821 LDCTs from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and 12,280 LDCTs from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan, according to the study.

The latter group of scans included people with a variety of smoking histories and those who had never smoked.

"Sybil can look at an image and predict the risk of a patient developing lung cancer within six years," said co-author and Jameel Clinic faculty lead Regina Barzilay, PhD, a member of the US-based Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research.
Los Angeles, Jan 13 : Rapper Kanye West has married Yeezy employee Bianca Censori in a private ceremony, though it is not believed to be legally-binding.

The 'All Day' hitmaker, who split from Kim Kardashian in February 2021 after seven years of marriage, recently exchanged vows with Bianca Censori in a private ceremony, though it is not believed that the union is legally binding as they haven't filed a marriage certificate, TMZ reports.

According to femalefirst.co.uk, Kanye was first pictured with Bianca, who has worked as an architectural designer at his company Yeezy for several years, at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills earlier this week, and he was wearing a wedding ring.

Sources told the outlet that the jewellery signifies the 45-year-old star's commitment to Bianca.

Meanwhile, Kim recently admitted that she is worried that people will be "scared" to date her because Kanye - the father of her children North, Saint, Chicago, and three-year-old Psalm - isn't the "easiest" person to deal with.

She said: "There's a part of me that is like, 'Oh my God, is everyone gonna be scared because I don't have the easiest ex?' I don't think that's fair for me to ever put someone in a situation or bring a new person in who could be super innocent.

"Then there's a side of me that's like, 'Why would I ever have to live that way?'" The 42-year-old beauty also cried on the podcast over the struggles of co-parenting with the rapper, but said she knows she will find her "forever" partner one day.

She said: "It's really f****** hard. I don't know if I'll get married again, but I'll have my forever partner. I know that. He's coming, absolutely. I'm at peace and I'm gonna have fun until that happens."Last year, Kim enjoyed a brief romance with Pete Davidson but the comic was subjected to numerous threats and online abuse from Kanye.

The 'Kardashians' star previously said: "Divorce is difficult enough on our children, and Kanye's obsession with trying to control and manipulate our situation so negatively and publicly is only causing further pain for all."
Hyderabad, Jan 13 : British Deputy High Commissioner to India, Christina Scott on Friday visited KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases and was all praise for its director consultant surgeon Dr P. Raghuram.

Accompanied by British Deputy High Commissioner to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and Gareth Owens, Scott commended Dr Raghu Ram for being a living bridge between the UK and India and replicating the best of British practices to improve breast healthcare in India.

"What he has achieved in a decade and a half is phenomenal and it is in recognition of his immense body of work that Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II appointed him as OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of British Empire), which is the second highest-ranking Order of the British Empire award (excluding a knighthood) for his outstanding services towards improving breast cancer care and surgical education in India and to UK-India relations," she said.

Dr B. Bhaskar Rao, Chairman & Managing Director of KIMS Hospitals said he gave a free hand to Dr Raghu Ram to develop a world class breast Centre and he achieved much more than what he promised when he met him 15 years ago.

"Due to lack of awareness and absence of a robust population based screening programme, more than 70 per cent of women with breast cancer were in the advanced stages with consequently poor survival. I wanted to make a difference to these statistics in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh," said Dr Raghu Ram.

He said since relocation from the UK to India in 2007, he had been working to ensure early detection of breast cancer by transforming breast cancer from a taboo issue to a much commonly discussed one through a number of innovative initiatives. This most certainly ensures long term survival from the most common cancer affecting women in the country.

His initiatives include establishing South Asia's' first dedicated comprehensive Breast Health Centre at KIMS Hospitals, founding a "not for profit" Breast Cancer Charity to raise awareness about the importance of early detection, spearheading South Asia's largest population based Breast Cancer Screening Programme in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and playing a pivotal role in the formation of The Association of Breast Surgeons of India - a dedicated organisation that brings together surgeons practicing the art and science of breast surgery under one platform.
Toronto, Jan 13 : In its latest Express Entry draw in nearly two months, Canada issued invitations to 5,500 candidates with a minimum Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score of 507.

The minimum CRS score -- which is used to rank skilled worker candidates who want to immigrate to Canada via Express Entry -- was 16 points higher than the previous draw, which took place on November 23.

The November 23 draw, which invited 4,750 candidates, saw the lowest minimum CRS score at 491.

The increase in CRS cut-off score was expected given the large gap between the draws, understood to have been caused by a computer glitch, according to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

With more frequent draws and the increase in the number of invitations issued, the minimum threshold score is expected to reduce further in the coming months, the IRCC said.

It issued 45,115 ITAs (Invitations To Apply) in 2022, and a record 114,431 ITAs in 2021 -- all to Canadian Experience Class and Provincial Nominee Program candidates. It beat the previous record of 107,350 set in 2020.

ITAs are issued to candidates who rank the highest in a round of invitations, based on their score in the CRS. According to the IRCC, the latest draw saw the tie-breaking rule implemented on December 6, 2022 -- if more than one candidate had the minimum CRS score, only those who submitted their Express Entry profiles before this date and time received invitations.

The Express Entry is the most popular immigration system offering Canadian permanent residence, introduced by the government in January 2015 to replace the old "first come, first served" process.

Canada will increase the number of candidates invited through Express Entry programs, based on the Immigration Levels Plan 2023-2025 released late last year. In 2023, 82,880 immigrants are set to be admitted to Canada as permanent residents via Express Entry.
Beijing, Jan 13 : Some 900 million people in China have been infected with coronavirus as of January 11, according to a study by Peking University, media reports said.

The report estimates that 64 per cent of the country's population has the virus, BBC said.

It ranks Gansu province, where 91 per cent of the people are reported to be infected, at the top, followed by Yunnan (84 per cent) and and Qinghai (80 per cent).

A top Chinese epidemiologist has also warned that cases will surge in rural China over the lunar new year.

The peak of China's Covid wave is expected to last two to three months, added Zeng Guang, ex-head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control.

Hundreds of millions of Chinese are travelling to their hometowns - many for the first time since the pandemic began - ahead of the lunar new year on January 23.

China has stopped providing daily Covid statistics since abandoning zero Covid.

But hospitals in big cities - where healthcare facilities are better and more easily accessible - have become crowded with Covid patients as the virus has spread through the country, BBC reported.

At an event earlier this month, Zeng said it was "time to focus on the rural areas", in remarks reported in the Caixin news outlet.

Many elderly, sick and disabled in the countryside were already being left behind in terms of Covid treatment, he added.

China's central Henan province is the only province to have given details of infection rates - earlier this month a health official there said nearly 90 per cent of the population had had Covid, with similar rates seen in urban and rural areas.

However government officials say many provinces and cities have passed the peak of infections.

The Lunar New Year holidays in China, which officially start from January 21, involves the world's largest annual migration of people, BBC reported.

Some two billion trips are expected to be made in total and tens of millions of people have already travelled.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said India endeavours to imbibe the requirements and need of Global South in its G20 health priorities.

"Our Prime Minister has said that our G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also our fellow-travellers in the global South", Mandaviya said while chairing Health Ministers' virtual session of 'Voice of Global South Summit - 2023' titled 'Cooperation to build resilient healthcare systems' here.

Mandaviya further said: "Hence, we will take the voice of the global South to G-20 and other international forums as partners in our development journey. Amalgamation of these efforts will ensure health equity at global level and particularly to Global South".

The session served as a platform to generate ideas from the developing world for holistic healthcare.

"India believes in value-based healthcare and is continuously striving to provide high quality and cost-effective healthcare to everyone. Aligned with its philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and our philosophy of perceiving health as a service, India has offered Co-WIN platform as a digital public good to any interested country. India has offered Co-WIN as a digital public health good to WHO through WHO's C-TAP initiative", said Mandaviya.

Welcoming participants, Mandaviya said: "It is need of the hour to focus on long-term measures to build stronger, more resilient health systems that can prevent, prepare for and respond to future health related challenges, while maintaining essential health services." Highlighting the significant milestones achieved by India through its journey of managing COVID-19 pandemic, he added that "we have administered more than 2.2 billion vaccines with 90 per cent 2nd dose coverage of 12+ population and 220 million precautionary doses. India's experience has reinforced the fact that capacity building of healthcare workers at various levels of governance, coupled with harnessing digital technology is the way forward." He also commended India's efforts in providing training to support countries in terms of capacity building of their healthcare professionals. The training included COVID-19 testing, clinical practices, case management, vaccine development & delivery for participants from Asian, South-East Asian, & African countries. India also shared its medical expertise by dispatching Rapid Response Teams to Kuwait and the Maldives.

The Union Health Minister highlighted that since 2015, the world has been observing the International Day of Yoga with huge participation. Around 170 out of 194 WHO Member States have reported the use of traditional medicine & their governments asked WHO to support in creating a body of reliable evidence & data on traditional medicine practices and products.

The session was attended by dignitaries from Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Royal Government of Bhutan, Republic of Cameroon, Grenada, Republic of Guatemala, Republic of Liberia, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Niger, Independent State of Samoa, Kingdom of Eswatini, Republic of Paraguay, and Dominica.
Panaji, Jan 13 : The villagers of Velsao in South Goa, on Friday staged a protest against the doubling of railway tracks, claiming that the portion of land on which the work was underway belongs to them, and not the Railways.

The protesting villagers submitted that Mormugao Deputy Collector had promised to carry out a joint inspection on Friday but he did not turn up at the site.

Former Environment Minister and ex-MLA Alina Saldanha said "there is evidence that it is private land and they (railway workers) are trespassing without a word to the owners".

"Is this the rule of the day to trespass on people's property without informing them," she questioned.

"Has the government carried out any study to find out the impact of the work (double tracking) on the life of people? Nothing is done. Why are we being treated as second class citizens," Saldhana, former Cortalim MLA, questioned.

She said that there are cases where one track is seen in front of the house and second is (proposed) behind the house. "How will these people stay in such situations? Are you a responsible government," Saldanha, who joined the AAP before the assembly elections after quitting the BJP, said.

Goencho Ekvott's founder member Orville Rodrigues, supporting locals of the area, speaking to IANS, said that the deputy collector was supposed to come to the site to check the documents of land, but he didn't turn up.

"Locals have all the documents to claim that the land belongs to them. Still the Railways are carrying out work of doubling the tracks," he said.

Locals who gathered to protest against the double tracking said that they will not go to government offices to show their property documents as they face harassment there.
Jammu, Jan 13 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that the security agencies have decided to wipe out militancy from the Jammu region by casting a 360-degree net around militants and the eco-system of terrorism.

Addressing a media conference here before ending his daylong visit, Shah also said that the probe into the killings in Dhangri village in Rajouri district has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

"In three months from now, the security grid across Jammu region will be strengthened further," he said.

On his visit to meet the families of Dhangri village victims, Shah said that he was supposed to visit the village and meet the families whose loved ones were killed on January 1 and 2, but bad weather prevented him from going there.

Giving details about the Centre's decision to hand over the Dhangri killings case to the NIA, the Home Minister said, "Jammu police will work jointly with the NIA and bring the culprits to justice.

"The NIA will also probe all the militancy-related incidents that took place in the region in the past one-and-a-half years. Security agencies in Jammu are alert and committed to wipe out terror, its ecosystem, the over ground workers' (OGWs) network and zero in on those who are providing logistic support to terrorists." Two unidentified militants had on January 1 evening attacked four houses in Upper Dangri village, killing four people, including a father-son duo, and injuring six others.

Asked whether he would stay in Jammu to meet the families of Rajouri attack victims, Shah said, "There is a bad weather advisory for the next three days. I will come again and surely meet the families of Rajouri attack victims. Today I spoke to the family members of the victims over phone and assured them all support. I am glad that despite losing their dear ones, they are ready to fight terror with full vigour." Asked about strengthening the village defence committees (VDCs) in Rajouri in the wake of recent attack, Shah said, "The decision to strengthen VDCs was taken in August last year. This need not be linked to the Rajouri incident." On terrorists targeting members of the minority community, Shah said, "Security forces are giving a befitting reply to the terrorists. The J&K L-G has taken a series of steps to protect the minority members as he has the powers to do so. If we go by the figures, minority killings are far less compared to previous years".A Talking about the overall security situation in J&K, he said the issues need to be seen right from the day when terrorism was born, asserting that the situation at present is much better than what it was before the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha co-chaired the security review meeting with Shah. All the top officers of the civil administration, police, paramilitary forces, central intelligence agencies and the army attended the meeting.
Mumbai, Jan 13 : 'Splitsvilla X4' contestant Honey Kamboj blamed Moose Jattana for the eviction of Kashish Ratnani from the show. He said that all her friends supported her, which led to the elimination of Kashish as they wanted Moose to make connections with him.

Honey said: "Today, for the first time, I pleaded with everyone to save my girl, but no one paid heed. I know why Amir Hossein, Pema Leilani, Hamid Barkzi, and Soundous Moufakir made this move. They wanted Kashish to move out and Moose to get a chance to pair up with me. After which they can try and get me to play from their side." When Moose entered the show she had a liking for Honey but he had already developed a connection with Kashish and thus was not much interested in Moose. However, her friends Amir, Prerna, Hamid, and Soundous got special powers to eliminate any one contestant and they took the name of Kashish so that Moose can come close to Honey.

He was extremely upset with Justin Dcruz and told him: "You are my friend. I really wish you had saved her, but I get that you would save Sakshi Shrivas first." In the coming episodes, Moose and Honey will be shown going for a date.

'Splitsvilla X4' airs on MTV.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : NSE has cautioned investors on persons named 'Swaraj Takale', 'Sameer Narvekar' and 'Neha Narvekar' associated with entity named 'Trade with Jazz (TWJ)'.

These are operating through mobile number '8882015566' and '7507770749' and Telegram channel 'Trade with Jazz' are collecting funds from public by providing securities market tips and investment plans assuring/guaranteeing returns on the investment made.

NSE said the investors are advised not to trade in the securities markets based on the tips/recommendations provided by unregistered investment advisers/ portfolio managers. The investors should not get attracted or lured by such trading tips and stock specific recommendations.

The investors are also cautioned and advised not to subscribe to any such scheme/ product offered by any persons/entity offering indicative/assured/guaranteed returns in the stock market as the same is prohibited by law, NSE said.

It may also be noted that the said persons/entity are not registered either as a member or authorized person of any registered member of the National Stock Exchange of India Limited.

Participation in such prohibited schemes is at investors' own risk, cost and consequences as such schemes are neither approved nor endorsed by the Exchange.

The investors may note that for any kind of disputes relating to such prohibited schemes none of the recourses will be available to investors.

These include benefits of investor protection under Exchange's Jurisdiction, Exchange dispute resolution mechanism and Investor grievance redressal mechanism administered by Exchange.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Meta has sued a scraping-for-hire service called Voyager Labs that created over 38,000 fake Facebook user accounts and used its surveillance software to gather data from Facebook and Instagram without authorisation.

The company filed the lawsuit in a federal court in California against Voyager Labs for creating fake accounts and scraping user data.

"We disabled Voyager's accounts, filed this action to enforce our Terms and Policies and asked the Court to ban Voyager from Facebook and Instagram," said the company.

Voyager developed and used proprietary software to launch scraping campaigns against Facebook and Instagram, and websites such as Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Telegram.

According to Meta, it designed its scraping software to use fake accounts to scrape data accessible to a user when logged into Facebook, including users profile information, posts, friends lists, photos and comments.

"Voyager used a diverse system of computers and networks in different countries to hide its activity, including when Meta subjected the fake accounts to verifications or checks. Voyager did not compromise Facebook, instead it used fake accounts to scrape publicly viewable information," said the tech giant.

The lawsuit alleged that Voyager has violated Meta's terms of service against fake accounts and unauthorized and automated scraping.

"We are seeking a permanent injunction against Voyager to protect people against scraping-for-hire services. Companies like Voyager are part of an industry that provides scraping services to anyone regardless of the users they target and for what purpose, including as a way to profile people for criminal behaviour," Meta stressed.

In 2021, Voyager Labs reportedly sold its services to the Los Angeles Police Department.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Delhi Police have arrested a 24-year-old man for making a hoax bomb call at the SpiceJet call centre in Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport, an official said on Friday.

A Pune-bound SpiceJet flight at the IGI airport was evacuated and thoroughly searched after a call about the presence of bomb in the aircraft was received on Thursday evening.

The accused has been identified as Abhinav Prakash, a resident of Dwarka, working as a trainee ticketing agent of British Airways at DLF Qutub Plaza, Gurugram, for the last seven months. He reportedly made the hoax call to delay the departure of his friends' 'girlfriends' who were on board the said flight.

The police said that the manhunt has been launched to nab two other accused persons, who are on the run.

According to Ravi Kumar Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI), information was received on Thursday evening at the SpiceJet call centre in IGI airport regarding a bomb 'planted' on a flight set to depart for Pune at 9.30 p.m.

"The CISF control room was immediately alerted, along with the IGI airport police station. Keeping in view the gravity of the call, the CISF personnel immediately swung into action and a coordination meeting of all the stakeholders was held as the bomb threat was specific," said the DCP.

The SpiceJet flight had 182 passengers and crew members on board, who were immediately taken to the isolation bay.

"All the passengers and their luggage were thoroughly checked by the CISF. The aircraft was also thoroughly checked, but no suspicious item or article was found. After securing the flight and ensuring the safety of all the passengers, the security personnel at the airport examined the SpiceJet officials," the officer said.

During probe, the police through technical surveillance obtained ownership of the number from which the hoax call had originated. It was registered in the name Abhinav Prakash, who was subsequently apprehended.

On interrogation, Prakash told the police that his childhood friends, Rakesh and Kunal Sehrawat, recently went on a road trip to Manali where they befriended two girls. Both the girls were departing to Pune in the same SpiceJet flight.

"Prakash's friends told him that they wanted to spend some more time with the girls and instigated him to find out a plan to somehow delay their departure from Delhi. In pursuance of the instigation, all the three formulated a malicious plan of making a hoax bomb call at the call centre of Spicejet with an ulterior motive of getting the flight cancelled," said the DCP.

Prakash made the call saying "there is a bomb in the flight", and when the Spicejet officials tried to reach him, he didn't answer their calls.

"The accused, to boost their false bravado, also contacted the girls, who were on board the flight. They even celebrated the execution of their malevolent act," the DCP said.

"When Kunal and Rakesh came to know that Prakash has been arrested, they fled from their addresses and are presently absconding. Efforts are on to nab them," the officer added.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : In a relief to the Jalan Kalrock consortium (JKC), the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on Friday approved the transfer of ownership of Jet Airways to it as well as giving it more time to pay the dues to the creditors.

Shares of the grounded Jet Airways rallied 5 per cent on Friday after the development.

The rulings followed two petitions filed by the consortium, including approval of transfer of ownership and extension of time for the payment of dues to the creditors.

The tribunal's Mumbai bench allowed the consortium's plea to transfer the ownership of the airline. A two-member bench of Pradeep Narhari Deshmukh and Shyam Babu Gautam said as the effective date of the resolution plan has been taken as November 16, the consortium will get six months from the said date to make the payments to the creditors.

After this order, the consortium will have time till mid-May this year to make the payments to all the creditors, including workmen and employees.

Counsel for the lenders Rohan Rajadhyaksha had sought a two-week stay on the order but the plea was rejected by the tribunal.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the consortium said the tribunal has ordered the transfer of ownership of the airline to it in compliance with the resolution plan the tribunal previously approved. "We await the detailed judgement that follows this order to provide further details, if any, on the matter," it said.

Jet Airways shut down in April 2019 over massive piling losses and debt. After the insolvency resolution process in June 2021, JKC was declared the winning bidder.

Relaunch of the grounded Jet airways is awaited after it received the air operator certificate from the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in May 2022.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice on a plea by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights against the Punjab and Haryana High Court order that a Muslim girl can marry a person of her choice after attaining puberty.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha said: "We are inclined to entertain these writ petitions. Issue notice." Solicitor General Tushar Mehta contended that Muslim girls who are 14, 15, 16 years old are getting married. "Can there be a defence of personal law? Can you plead custom or personal law as a defence against a criminal offence?" he said.

Mehta emphasised that the age of attaining puberty is 15 years according to applicable personal laws in Islam.

The bench said the high court judgment - which held that a Muslim girl aged 15 years can enter into a legal and valid marriage as per personal law - should not be relied on as a precedent in any other case. "Pending further orders, impugned judgment (of the high court) shall not be relied upon as precedent," it said.

During the hearing, the top court was urged to stay the high court judgment, but pointed out that if the judgment is stayed, the girl might be restored to her parents against her wishes.

It said that her parents wanted her to marry her maternal uncle and what will happen is, the moment the high court judgment is stayed, she will be restored to her parents, which she does not want.

The top court said it will issue notice to decide upon the question of law and add that the judgment may not be used as precedent.

The bench issued notices to the Haryana government and others and appointed senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao as amicus curiae in the matter to assist the court.A The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, in its plea, said the high court erred in ignoring the fact that sexual intercourse with a minor girl below the age of 18 years, is sexual assault as per Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and this legal position cannot be changed due to marital status of the child and that whether on the facts and in the circumstances of the case and in law.

It added, "the high court was justified in upholding that a minor girl, after attaining puberty after the age of 15, on her own willingness and consent, can enter into a marriage of her own choice while not considering the validity of a marriage with a minor all the while glossing over the fact that the impugned judgment would lead to endorsing child marriage which is illegal in India because POCSO Act applies to everyone".

The high court's order came on a habeas corpus petition filed by a 26-year-old man against the detention of his 16-year-old wife in a children's home in Panchkula. The high court noted that such a marriage would not be void in terms of Section 12 of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2006.
Mumbai, Jan 13 : Following a strong rap from the Bombay High Court, the "illegally run" Rapido Bike Taxi services disabled its app within an hour and suspended all services in Maharashtra till January 20.

The move followed an order by a bemnch of of Justice Gautam S. Patel and Justice Shivkumar G. Dige warning that if the company did not suspend services immediately, it would permanently bar it from getting a license and impose a heavy fine.

The irked court's order came in a petition filed by Rappen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd - which operates Rapido Bike Taxi in Mumbai and Pune - challenging a state government communication of December 29, 2022, refusing to issue it a bike taxi aggregator licence.

Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf informed the court that the state government has appointed a committee to examine the issue, and formulate guidelines on various aspects, including safety, before licensing.

However, he said that Rapido was operating illegally without a licence and said first it should discontinue the illegality before coming to the court.

The December 29, 2022 intimation declined the licence to the company on grounds that there is no state policy or fare structure on this mode of bike transport.

The annoyed judges also disagreed with the company's contentions that it had complied with the conditions and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.

When the state produced a list of aggregators whose licence applications were pending before the government, the judges said that the proposed policy would be equal for all aggregators to the extent that licences to ply such services would be given to all or to none.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) on Friday handed over the blood sample report of the accused persons arrested in connection with the death of a 20-year-old woman Anjali who died after being dragged for several kilometers by a car that hit her scooty in the early hours of January 1.

Officials said that the report will reveal if they were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. The FSL has also submitted the crime scene report to the police and will also soon hand over the viscera report of the victim.

Police have arrested seven accused -- Ashutosh, Ankush Khanna, Deepak Khanna, Amit Khanna, Krishan, Mitthun and Manoj Mittal.

Ankush was later granted bail by the court.

Sources said that Ashutosh, owner of the car and Ankush, brother of Amit had asked Deepak to claim that he was driving the vehicle at the time of incident.

However, the police came to know during the questioning that Amit was driving the car and Deepak was also not even in the car at the time of incident. Amit did not have a driving license.

Meanwhile, a total of 11 police personnel who were deployed on the route through which Anjali was dragged have been suspended.

"As approved by competent authority, a total of 11 policemen of Rohini district deployed on route at PCRs and pickets have been suspended in view of the Sultanpuri incident on January 1," said a senior police officer.

"A total of five personnel on two pickets and six personnel on 3 PCRs have been suspended and these include two Sub-Inspector (SI), four Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI), four head constable (HC) and one constable," said the official.

After taking cognisance of a detailed report submitted by Delhi Police's Special Commissioner Shalini Singh on the horrific death of Anjali in outer Delhi in the early hours of January 1, the Union Home Ministry recommended action against several local police officers, sources had said on Thursday.

Apart from seeking suspension of the staff of three PCR vans and two pickets and disciplinary action against them, the Ministry also issued several directives, including addition of murder charge under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, against the accused in the case.

The ministry has sought an explanation from the area's DCP on the security situation on the day of the incident, and also action, in case any dereliction of duty is ascertained.

It has also directed that the charge sheet against the accused be filed speedily with all necessary evidence so as to enable a stiff sentence for them. It has also asked the Delhi Police to ensure proper lighting in the area of the incident as well as its surrounding areas.
Chennai, Jan 13 : A Bill mandating a compulsory Tamil language paper for recruitment to Tamil Nadu government services was passed by the state Assembly on Friday.

The bill amends the Tamil Nadu Government Servants (Conditions of Service) Act, 2016 for the purpose.

Tabling the Bill, Finance and Human Resources Management Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan recalled that a compulsory Tamil language paper was introduced for direct recruitment to all competitive examinations in the state, through the government order of December 1, 2021. It was meant to protect the interests of Tamil youths, he said.

"To give statutory effect to the said executive order, the government have decided to amend the Tamil Nadu Government Servants (Conditions of Service) Act, 2016 (Tamil Nadu Act 14 of 2016) suitably and to validate any action taken or anything done based on the said order," he said.

The minister pointed out that unlike the legislation enacted by the erstwhile AIADMK government which permitted the candidates to clear the Tamil paper within two years from the date of recruitment, as per the legislation brought by the DMK government, the Tamil language paper is compulsory for recruitment.

The House adopted the Bill by voice vote and was later adjourned sine die.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : As the fight between Google and the Competition Commission of India (CCI) reaches the Supreme Court, the tech giant on Friday said India is at a juncture where the stakeholders must come together to bring down barriers to access and make safe and secure smartphones available to all, supported by a flourishing digital ecosystem.

Google said that foundational disruptions at this stage could set us back years and undo the deep investments and effort made by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), developers, and the industry overall.

"It is a crucial moment for India - and our hope is that we, along with all the stakeholders of this vibrant ecosystem, can continue to build on top of this foundation," said the company.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine an appeal by Google against a decision by the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), declining to stay a Rs 1,337.76 crore penalty imposed on it by the CCI for alleged anti-competitive practices.

Google said that the "directions in the CCI's order" strikes a blow at the ecosystem-wide efforts to accelerate digital adoption in the country.

"Google is appealing these directions before Indian courts. While there has been a lot of reporting and debate on the subject, it is critical that our users and stakeholders understand the full import of what lies at stake," the company said in a blog post.

The number of annual app downloads in India reached a new high of 29 billion in 2022, making it the second biggest app market after China, offering developers in India and elsewhere, a strong platform to establish viable businesses on Play.

"India has seen a huge acceleration in the number of people coming online via smartphones. As we look beyond the estimated 700 million users who are already online, safety, affordability and expanded use cases for the next wave of users will be the pillars that will determine digital adoption.

"Unfortunately, the ordered remedies on Android strike blows to these very areas," said Google, which are increased exposure to online harm and privacy risks, lack of robust and consistent security upgrades, predatory apps that expose users to financial fraud, data theft and a number of other dangers.

"Since incompatible Android forks will not support the security and user safety features that Google provides, security responsibilities for these devices will instead fall to the OEMs, who will need to invest extensively in creating consistent, all-year-round security upgrades themselves," explained Google.

This will result in higher costs for the OEMs, and consequently, more expensive devices for Indian consumers, it added.

Google moved the apex court after the setback at NCLAT, which did not stay the CCI order on abuse of dominant position in multiple markets in the Android mobile device ecosystem case.
Amaravati, Jan 13 : Andhra Pradesh ministers and other leaders of ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Friday hit back at actor and Jana Sena Party leader Pawan Kalyan for the "vitriolic" attack on Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.

They condemned the remarks made by Pawan Kalyan at a public meeting in Vizianagaram district on Thursday and reiterated the allegation that he is working for Telugu Desam Party (TDP) under a package.

Claiming that the Jana Sena and the TDP of having the same wavelength to betray people, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister Seediri Appalaraju said that Pawan Kalyan is protecting the TDP's interests.

"Pawan Kalyan is reading the script prepared by the TDP and is passing derogatory comments on the YSRCP government. Why is he talking about the backwardness of north Andhra after 2019 and not before while his ally TDP was in power? Did Naidu threaten to cut his package if he had raised his voice then?" he asked.

Roads and Buildings Minister Dadisetti Raja said that Pawan Kalyan's aspiration is to save and serve the TDP but not his cadre. "From the beginning of his political career, Naidu and Pawan Kalyan are on the same wavelength, betraying the people, justifying the adopted son title. Pawan Kalyan made it clear that he is not capable of competing with Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy," Raja said.

The minister reminded that only around Rs 11,000 crore investments per annum were brought by the TDP in 2014-19 but the YSRCP government has now raised the bar. "The investments now have increased to Rs 15,000 crore per annum and many works have been grounded in the YSRCP government, despite facing the Covid pandemic," he said.

Industries and Commerce Minister Gudivada Amarnath slammed Pawan Kalyan for giving false hopes to the Kapu community. "The Jana Sena leader has been behaving as if he has the patent to speak on behalf of the Kapu community while he is trying to pledge its interests to Chandrababu Naidu who abused Vangaveeti Ranga's family," the minister said.

He faulted Pawan for not criticising the TDP chief "who cheated every section of the society during his five year rule".

About the recent deaths in rallies of Chandrababu Naidu, Amarnath said: "Instead of consoling the families of people who died in stampedes during the TDP rallies, Pawan Kalyan has unabashedly consoled Naidu who was solely responsible for their deaths. Pawan may be a hero in movies but he is acting like a villain in politics." He added that "Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will remain a permanent hero in politics".

Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao also criticised Pawan Kalyan for being a seasonal politician and not being serious about his role. "The actor is imprudently quoting revolutionary poets like Sri Sri and balladeers like Vangapandu in his public meetings but he is criticising a leader like Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who has only been following their teachings in letter and spirit and implementing various welfare schemes for the weaker sections," Prasada Rao said.

"Pawan Kalyan has no locus standi to point fingers at the Chief Minister who has been relentlessly striving hard to provide self-respect to all weaker sections through welfare schemes," Rao said.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : To check air pollution in the national capital, the Aam Adami Party (AAP) government in Delhi had installed two smog towers after a Supreme Court ruling in August 2021. However, the much-hyped move has not yielded the desired result as the city's air pollution continues to fluctuate from 'very poor' to 'severe' category during the winter.

The Delhi government had on many occasions claimed that the smog tower installed at Cannaught Place has a 'noticeable impact' on reducing air pollution within a 300-metre radius.

However, on visiting the site at Cannaught Place, the tower was not found in running condition. On being asked about its status, the staff present at the site said that it has been stopped temporally just one hour back, as the humidity in the atmosphere has risen beyond a certain level.

"When the system indicates moisture, or humidity goes beyond 70 per cent, we stop the facility," one staff said.

"All the regulations and running criteria are being passed by a research team, which instructs us as per the deviation in the weather," he added.

However, environmental experts have different opinions on the effectiveness of smog towers, and they mostly dismiss the reports citing faults in the methodology.

On condition of anonymity, a senior scientist at a government facility told IANS that it is simple to understand that if the smog tower observes pollutants in that limited area, as being claimed, it also desecrates the same in Delhi's air.

"So, how it is going to help in curbing pollution," he asked.

"There is no scientific research or basis behind the functioning of smog towers. Whatever studies have been conducted so far on the effectiveness claim of smog tower have showed that they are not helping in curbing air pollution," Chandra Bhushan, CEO of iFOREST, an independent non-profit environmental research and innovation organisation, told IANS.

More than a technology to reduce pollution, Bhushan said, smog tower has become an object for the government to show that it is working to fight pollution.

"Such technology is not feasible in Delhi on two grounds - first, there is no scientific evidence, and the second is high cost. If Delhi government really wants to fight pollution, it should provide subsidised LPG to those living on the outskirts of the city who use wood and coal for cooking. Also, the government must invest in public transport so that pollution in the city can be reduced," Bhushan said.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Delhi High Court on Friday granted permission to two foreign nationals from Canada and the US, working in the national capital, to have their official wedding ceremony and register their marriage here.

A bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singhm, dealing with a plea filed by a Hindu-Christian couple seeking registration of their marriage in India, suggested the pair approach the Sub-Divisional Magistrate on January 17 to submit the form for solemnisation of marriage.

The couple, who has been living in India for six months, wants to marry and continue living here.

The couple was shown an error message and barred from proceeding further on submitting their particulars on the Delhi government's official website as under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, they were needed to register their marriage. The message read: "At least one party should be Indian".

The couple, however, questioned the authority concerned at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's office and said that no bar for foreign citizens to solemnise their marriage in India, especially when they have been residing in India.

The couple was told that if they apply for the same offline, there is no such procedure.

Meanwhile, the department's counsel submitted that it is considering making changes in the portal for the registration of the marriage.

The bench, moreover, directed the city government to place on record a status report on what steps are being taken to amend the guidelines and make changes to the e-portal.

As the guidelines and the e-portal had not been changed post 2019, the court directed the Secretary of the department to appear in court on January 19.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : Former IPL Chairman Lalit Modi on Friday revealed that he is on 24x7 external oxygen after contracting Covid-19 twice in two weeks and deep pneumonia.

The 59-year old took to social media to give updates about his health, saying that he was airlifted to London from Mexico after three weeks of confinement.

"After 3 weeks in confinement with a double Covid in 2 weeks accompanied by influenza and deep pneumonia - and post trying several times to leave. Finally landed via air ambulance accompanied by two doctors and superstar super efficient son who did so much for me back in london," wrote Lalit in his instagram post along with his picture from the hospital bed.

"The flight was smooth. Unfortunately still on 24/7 external oxygen. Thank u to all at @vistajet for going the extra mile. I am extremely grateful to all. Love to all. Big hug," he added.

In another post, he also mentioned about saviours -- two doctors-- who took care of him.

"With my two saviours. The two Drs seriously for 3 weeks monitored me treated. Me 24/7. 1 Mexico City based whose care I was under and the second my London Dr who specifically flew in to Mexico City to accompany me back to London. I have no words to describe of they sacrificed there time etc to get me out. Still need time to recover. Currently on 24/7 external oxygen," wrote Modi along with pictures of two doctors.

"I was I thought touch and go. But my children and thief friends and my close friend @harish_salve_ who were all with me 2 out of my three weeks fully by my side. They are all my family and part of me. God bless. Jai hind. Not to forget the @vistajet crew. Who were better then par excellence. Thank u my friend @thomasflohrvista," he added.

Last year, the businessman had made his relationship with Sushmita official on social media, with a note and an array of photos. However, the duo haven't been spotted much post making their relationship public, leading to various speculations.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : A high-level US delegation of the premier National Science Foundation (NSF) on Friday discussed and proposed deeper cooperation with India in areas like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, Quantum, Semiconductor, Clean Energy, Advanced Wireless, Biotechnology, Geosciences, Astrophysics and Defence.

The delegation on Friday called on Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science and Technology Jitendra Singh Head of the US delegation, Sethuraman Panchanathan, Director, National Science Foundation of US promised the Minister to carry this collaboration to the next level.

He was happy to note that this is his third meeting with the Union Minister for Science and Technology in the last six months and that points to the seriousness of the approach.

The Minister told the US delegation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the last 8 and half years took personal interest in Science, Technology and Innovation and tried pro-actively to implement social sector schemes through science based solutions to bring Ease of Living for Common Man.

The Minister said, the patronage received from Modi has opened new opportunities and possibilities in all areas of scientific endeavours, but more so in areas of space, biotech, geo-spatial and sustainable start-ups.

He pointed out that since 2014, in every Independence Day speech, PM Modi has flagged key scientific challenges and projects like Cleanliness, Hydrogen Mission, Digital Health Care system, Deep Ocean Mission, Clean Energy and Start-ups.

Jitendra Singh said, these are the best of the times for both India and America to forge a durable and strong bond for global leadership in fighting global challenges.

He said, there is much of ease in the relationships and a clear sign of willingness and optimism to achieve the desirable goals. The Minister hoped that the US will come to the aid of its natural ally (the oldest and largest democracies of the world) when it comes for technology transfer in critical areas, as there is no other option but to collaborate.

During the delegation level talks, Jitendra Singh said, both the sides have already identified the sectors and collaboration is on in areas like healthcare, technology, space, earth and ocean science and emerging technologies.
Washington, Jan 13 : A New York judge on Friday fined the Trump Organization $1.6 million for tax fraud.

The Trump Organization is former US President Donald Trump's company, which unlike him, is based in New York. It was held guilty earlier on 17 counts of tax fraud spanning years.

The fine is a symbolic slap on the writs for the former President and self-proclaimed billionaire who has announced a third run for the White House and it is likely to be used by his opponents - first in the Republican primaries and then in the general election - to question his character and integrity, which, it must be noted, had withstood several knocks before.

"While corporations can't serve jail time, this consequential conviction and sentencing serves as a reminder to corporations and executives that you cannot defraud tax authorities and get away with it," said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted the case.

A key witness in the case was Allen Weisselberg, the company's long-serving chief financial officer. Though he cooperated with the prosecutors he did not implicate the former President or his two adult sons Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, who have run the organisation after their father was elected President.

Weisselberg pleaded guilty all 15 charges brought against him and he was sent to jail for five months on Tuesday and fined $2 million. He accepted his role in conspiring with the company to evade taxes due from him by a luxury apartment rented for him him by the company and expensive cars and fees for his grandchildren at an expensive private school.

Former President Trump is personally facing several cases around the country, including one in Georgia state for trying to overturn the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. He is also being investigated for wrongly carting off to his personal property in Florida officials papers from the White House, including many that were marked confidential.
Taipei, Jan 13 : Private services offering Chinese travellers access to mRNA vaccines are attracting droves of mainlanders to Hong Kong and Macau seeking a booster shot that their government has refused to approve, according to a media report.

As part of its dismantling of the country's zero-Covid policy last month, China's government also lifted quarantine and other border restrictions, The Guardian reported It prompted a wave of interest in overseas travel, particularly for the upcoming lunar new year holiday later this month. However, there also appears to be a large contingent chasing the mRNA bivalent vaccines, the report said.

Throughout the pandemic, the Chinese government has allowed only domestically produced vaccines for its citizens, refusing to approve foreign-made jabs. Health experts and medical studies have raised concerns about the efficacy of China's vaccines, which use an inactivated virus, compared with the mRNA vaccines available elsewhere, The Guardian reported.

The appetite for the overseas vaccine is difficult to quantify, but a rash of services offering travel packages and self-funded shots in Hong Kong and Macau have sprung up in recent weeks. Clinics in Thailand and Singapore have also reported increased interest from Chinese travellers, the report said.

The BioNTech/Pfizer mRNA vaccine is free for the residents of Hong Kong and Macau. On Thursday, the Hong Kong government announced it would no longer provide free shots of any vaccine for non-residents from next week, in response to the "recent increase in demand".

On Chinese social media platforms, C3Hong Kong Life, a travel service for mainlanders, advertised bookings from 8 January for people to travel to Hong Kong and get the shot for HK$1,680.

It offered a full vaccination travel package providing "expert guidance, vaccine appointments, round-trip itinerary arrangements, border pickup and other services".

The Macau University of Science and Technology has a website for people to book a vaccine shot for prices beginning at HK$1,360. All appointments - about 100 a day - are booked until mid February, The Guardian reported.

Staff at one cross-border travel agency, xBorder, said they had facilitated "a lot" of people travelling to Macau - where entry restrictions were looser than Hong Kong - in the last quarter of 2022, and were getting a lot of interest from people wanting to go to Hong Kong.
Kolkata, Jan 13 : Two lawyers, who were in the panel for representing West Bengal government in different legal suits, were removed from the panel on Friday.

It is alleged that both these lawyers, Manika Pandit and Saugata Mitra, had to pay the price of not following the footsteps of their fellow public prosecutors in boycotting the bench of Justice Rajasekhar Mantha of the Calcutta High Court.

The Office of Legal Remembrancer, West Bengal, which handles the matter relating to empanelment of lawyers for representing the state government, has issued two separate notifications on this count on Friday, removing the names of Pandit and Mitra from the panel.

Mitra has alleged that his name was removed from the panel without citing any reasons.

"My request to the legal cell of Trinamool Congress to take note of the matter. A legal cell cannot function like this. I represented the state government in a case related to senior citizens, the hearing for which was at Justice Mantha's bench on Tuesday. I have not done any crime by that," Mitra said.

Although Pandit has refused to speak to the media so far in the matter, Calcutta High Court sources said that she also appeared at the bench of Justice Mantha on Tuesday only on behalf of the state.

Although the phase of obstructing fellow professionals by a section of the Trinamool lawyers that was rampant on Monday and Tuesday is over, a large section of the public prosecutors or the state government have continued boycotting the bench of Justice Mantha till Friday.

This has affected the progress of cases where the state government is a party, since the hearing in the matters had to be postponed to a later date.

Meanwhile, the Bar Council of India has decided to send a three-member team to Calcutta High Court to investigate the protests by a section of the lawyers in front of Justice Mantha's court. The team will include Supreme Court advocate Ravindra Kumar Raizda, Allahabad High Court's Justice Ashok Mehta and Delhi High Court Bar Association Executive Committee member Vandana Kaur Grover. They will submit a report on January 17.
New Delhi, Jan 13 : The Standing Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change met on Friday to discusse the challenges and approaches for sustainable development of national parks, sanctuaries, biosphere reserves and protection of marine bio-diversity.

However, as per sources, there was no discussion on the Joshimath disaster.

Committee Chairman Jairam Ramesh said: "The committee met to discuss challenges faced in protected areas - national parks, sanctuaries, and biosphere reserves - covering 5 per cent of India, from where more than 200 rivers originate, and is home to rich biodiversity." "They face severe threats," he added.
Jaipur, Jan 13 : The Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) on Friday demolished the house of Bhupendra Saran, the main accused in the paper leak of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC) teachers' recruitment examination.

At 4.15 p.m., the bulldozer brought down the front part of the house. The demolition work went on till 6 p.m. and will continue on Saturday.

Earlier, the hearing on this matter was completed in JDA's tribunal court, which asked JDA to demolish the illegal portion of the house and keep the approved portion safe.

The tribunal had given orders rejecting the petition of Saran. Saran's lawyer also accepted in the court that he had made illegal construction.

The court had directed JDA not to take action till the completion of the hearing.

On Thursday, Saran's wife Elchi Saran, his brother Gopal Saran and Gopal's wife Indubala Saran had challenged the notice by filing two separate appeals in the tribunal court. Earlier, a petition was also filed on behalf of Saran in the Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan High Court on this count.

The high court, while hearing the matter, had dismissed the petition and instructed the tribunal court to finish the matter at the earliest.
Shillong, Jan 13 : Voters living in the areas along the disputed border with Assam will be allowed to cast their votes in the upcoming Assembly elections in Meghalaya, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said here on Friday.

"We are alive to the situation and there is nothing to worry about. We have reviewed the situation and district officials from both sides of the inter-state border have had detailed meetings," Kumar told the media after a series of meetings with the political parties and officials on Thursday and Friday.

Assam and Meghalaya have disputes in 12 locations along the 884.9 km long inter-state border.

The two states had earlier signed a memorandum of understanding in March last year to resolve six of the 12 disputed areas, while discussions are going on to resolve the remaining six disputed areas.

Kumar, accompanied by two Election Commissioners -- Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel along with and senior EC officials -- said that all steps would be taken to ensure a free, fair and participative elections in Meghalaya The CEC said that 21,61,729 voters, including 10,92,326 females and 81,443 first-time electors, in Meghalaya are eligible to exercise their franchise in 3,482 polling stations covering 55 ST reserved seats and five general constituencies.

From Meghalaya, the Election Commission team went to Nagaland and held a series of meetings with the political parties and the state civil and security officials in Kohima.

Nagaland's Chief Electoral Officer V. Shashank Shekhar and state police nodal officers also gave a presentation on the poll preparedness during the meetings.

Later, the ECI team also had an interaction with the first-time voters.

After holding meetings in Nagaland, the EC team is likely to return to Delhi on January 14 or 15.
Bhopal, Jan 13 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday filed a supplementary charge sheet before a special NIA court here in connection with a case pertaining to the arrest of 10 active cadres of proscribed terrorist organisation JMB, including 6 illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Accused Ali Asgar alias Abdullah Bihari was charge sheeted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The case was initially registered on March 14, 2022 at police station STF, and later, the probe of the matter was taken over by the NIA.

The NIA had earlier filed a charge sheet against six accused on September 7.

"Investigations have established that accused, Ali Asgar alias Abdullah Bihari had been deeply influenced by the ideology of various proscribed terrorist organisations, such as JMB and Al Qaeda in Indian Subcontinent with an intention to further its activities in India. He entered into a criminal conspiracy with his associates to influence, radicalise, and motivate Indian Muslims to prepare for violent jihad against the Indian State. In pursuance of the said criminal conspiracy, accused Ali Asgar translated Jihadi literature from Urdu/Arabic to Hindi and uploaded it on social media groups for its circulation amongst impressionable Muslims," the NIA said.

The national anti-terror agency has learnt that the accused was involved in causing disaffection against India through false and distorted preachings that democracy was anti-Islamic and Muslims were being persecuted in India because of democracy.
Agartala, Jan 13 : As per their earlier announcements, the CPI-M and the Congress on Friday held discussions on seat adjustments and contesting the upcoming Tripura Assembly elections together.

Congress' Tripura in-charge Ajay Kumar, accompanied by state general secretary Prashanta Bhattacharjee, visited CPI-M Tripura state headquarters in Agartala on Friday night and held meeting with the Left leaders led by CPI-M Tripura state secretary Jitendra Chowdhury, also a former Tripura minister.

After the meeting, Kumar said that the Congress has been urging all the "anti-BJP parties" to come together to defeat the saffron party in the assembly polls in Tripura.

"Tripura needs jobs and freedom from fear and violence. BJP must be ousted from power," he told the media.

Chowdhury, also a CPI-M Central Committee member, without disclosing the details of the meeting with the Congress leaders said that the process for the seat adjustment just started and more such meetings would be held to finalise the seat adjustments between the two parties.

CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday said that his party is ready to make seat adjustments with Congress and the tribal based party TIPRA (Tipraha Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance) to defeat the ruling BJP in the upcoming assembly polls in Tripura.

Yechury had said that the prime target was to defeat BJP in the assembly polls and for this, formation of an alternative secular and democratic front was necessary.

"Seat adjustment aimed to pull maximum votes in favour of the secular parties. In the CPI-M's 23rd party Congress (held at Kannur in Kerala) a suitable electoral tactical policy was adopted to fight against the BJP and RSS. We are seeking secular parties' unity," the CPI-M general secretary told the media after the party's two-day state committee meeting.

Tripura along with Meghalaya and Nagaland would go to assembly polls in February end.
New Delhi, Jan 14 : Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das on Friday reiterated that crypto currencies are equivalent to gambling, as their perceived value is only make believe.

Addressing a media event here, Das called for a ban on cryptos, saying there is no underlying value in it. Those supporting it call it an asset or a financial product, but there is no underlying value in it, he added.

To counter the growth of cryptocurrencies, the central bank recently launched in pilot mode, its own e-rupee or central bank digital currency (CBDC).

"Every asset, every financial product has to have some underlying (value) but in the case of crypto, there is no underlying value. So anything without any underlying, whose value is dependent entirely on make-believe, is nothing but 100 per cent speculation or to put it very bluntly, it is gambling," he said.

"Since we don't allow gambling in our country, and if you want to allow gambling, treat it as gambling and lay down the rules for gambling. But crypto is not a financial product," Das added.

He said that CBDCs are the future of money and its adoption can help save on logistic and printing costs.
Dubai, Jan 14 : Skipper Rovman Powell with brilliant all-round performance (29-ball 48 and 2 wickets) led Dubai Capitals to a thumping 73-run victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the opening match of the inaugural International League T20 at the Dubai International Stadium, here on Friday night.

Powell's aim to win the campaigner opener was well supported by opener Robin Uthappa (43) and quick knocks of 26 runs each from opener Joe Root and all-rounder Sikandar Raza as Capitals posted an impressive total of 187 for 6 in 20 overs.

Thereafter, Powell (2 for 15) along with Akif Raja (2 for 20) and Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2 for 16) restricted Abu Dhabi Riders to 114 for 9 in 20 overs, for a massive win. Another highlight of Dubai Capitals' splendid win was Root's four catches.

Uthappa, opening the innings along with Root, put on 35 runs for the first wicket. Root was the first to go, falling to Ali Khan, the right-arm medium pacer from the United States of America. Khan forced Root to pull into the hands of UAE's Zawar Farid at deep square leg for 26.

Sri Lanka's star player Bhanuka Rajapaksa lasted only nine balls to score nine runs before giving an easy high catch to Sunil Narine off Russell. At the halfway mark, Dubai Capitals were 62 for 2 with skipper Powell joining Uthappa.

Skipper Narine, who bowled the 12th over, was pulled by Uthappa over mid-wicket for a six but Narine had him bowled with the last ball. Uthappa's 43 came off 33 balls with three boundaries and two sixes.

Then began the Powell show. He hit Ali Khan, who was introduced again in the 13th over, for 21 runs which included two sixes. At the end of the 15th over, Dubai Capitals were 120 for 3.

Narine bowled a tight 16th over giving away just five runs. Powell slapped Rampaul's first delivery to deep point for a six and also picked a boundary off the third. He fell to the fifth ball pulling into the hands of Colin Ingram at deep mid-wicket for 48 off 29 balls with three boundaries and three sixes. It was Sikandar Raza, who swelled the total through a quick 26.

Chasing a run rate of 9.35, Abu Dhabi lost an early wicket when Colin Ingram fell to the last ball of the first over from Isuru Udana, edging to Root at first slip for 1.

Ingram's opening partner Paul Stirling too would have fallen to the first ball of the second over from UAE medium pacer Hazrat Luqman had Bopara at overs not dropped him. Stirling celebrated his luck pulling Luqman for a boundary. Udana then bowled a tight third over giving away just seven runs.

Luqman yielded a six and a boundary to Stirling in the fourth over but Akif Raja who bowled the fifth over had Brandon King caught behind by wicketkeeper Uthappa for 8. Stirling kept the scoreboard moving despite two wickets down for 31 by pulling Raja for a six.

Zawar Farid who joined Stirling picked a boundary off Mujeeb Ur Rehman. Abu Dhabi at the halfway mark were 71 for 3 when Farid got out to Powell for 9, with the team requiring to score 117 from the last ten overs.

Stirling reached his half century in 36 balls but Powell struck again to remove the danger man in the 12th over. Stirling caught by Root at long-on for 54 and his knock off 38 balls had five boundaries and two sixes. When Sikandar Raza struck to remove Sunil Narine caught by Root for 4, half the Abu Dhabi side was back in the dug-out for 84.

All eyes turned towards Andrew Russell but UAE's Hazrat Luqman had him out caught by Root at long-off to end Abu Dhabi's hopes.

Brief scores: Dubai Capitals 187-6 in 20 overs (Rovman Powell 48, Robin Uthappa 43; Ravi Rampaul 2-36) beat Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 114-9 in 20 overs (Paul Stirling 54; Rovman Powell 2-15) by 73 runs.
Radcolube CLP 3IN1 is also the preferred firearm cleaner and lubricant of The Tactical Games (TTG) , Multi-Gun Competitors, Extreme Long Range Shooting Organization (ELRSO) and King of 2 Mile (KO2M) shooting organizations. Presenting at SHOT SHOW 2023 in booth 40022.

BML & Associates proudly announces a new 2023 firearms industry partnership to bring DOD Approved and Qualified Radcolube CLP 3 IN1 firearm cleaner, lubricant, and preservative to the commercial and retail sectors. BML & Associates will apply its extensive industry expertise to market Radcolube CLP 3IN1 to local retailers as well as the global marketplace, bringing this superior CLP to firearm enthusiasts everywhere.

Manufactured by Radco Industries (Batavia, IL), Radcolube CLP 3IN1 is the benchmark for cleaning, lubricating, and short-term preservation of small and large caliber firearm platforms. It is the trusted brand of the US Military, Law Enforcement, and Competitive Shooters across the globe.

Radcolube CLP 3IN1 is also the preferred firearm cleaner and lubricant of The Tactical Games (TTG) , Multi-Gun Competitors, Extreme Long Range Shooting Organization (ELRSO) and King of 2 Mile (KO2M) shooting organizations.

Brian Finch, President of BML & Associates, expressed his excitement over the marketing partnership with Radco Industries. Were thrilled to represent an innovative, standard-setting product like Radcolube CLP 3IN1 firearm cleaner. Im confident we will help take this high-performance product to new heights in 2023.

Radco Industries CEO Michael Damiani echoes Finchs enthusiasm, saying, We think BML & Associates offers the ideal team to bring our Radcolube CLP 3IN1 product to firearm enthusiasts worldwide. The companys industry experience and singular market focus will accelerate sales beyond what we could do ourselves.

The product line will feature sleek new retail packaging starting in January and will be on display at the 2023 SHOT SHOW (Booth #40022), along with the events New Product Showcase. Included in the product line and new packaging are a 2 OZ Needle Applicator, 6 OZ Pump Spritzer, 32 OZ Trigger Sprayer, Multi Caliber Cleaning Kit, Multi-Gun Competition Cleaning Kit, and Extreme Long Range (ELR) Cleaning Kit.

BML & Associates also plans to further promote Radcolube CLP 3IN1 through its growing relationships with TTG and ELRSO.

About BML & Associates

BML & Associates is a (Houston, TX) based company that markets products exclusively to the worldwide firearms industry, including both the retail and commercial sectors. This laser focus concentrates 100% of the companys experience and ability on bringing new and innovative products to the marketplace.

About Radco Industries

Radco Industries specializes in the manufacture of high-quality specialty fluids and lubricants developed for the military, industrial, energy, and solar markets. An engineering-based company, Radco also supplies expert technical support and an array of valuable services based on industry knowledge spanning more than 50 years.

http://www.radcolubeclp.com

http://www.instagram.com/radcolube_hp_clp
SGF-Cybersecurity Week 2023 | 15th-19th May Smart Grid Forums is on the leading edge of grid security.Don Miller, Chief Technology Evangelist - Network Perception

Recent research conducted by Smart Grid Forums among European power grid operators reveals that the sector is finally uniting in its fight against cybercriminals. Recent trends in WFH and BYOD as well as the Ukraine war have exacerbated the need for the interconnected European grid sector to collaborate, cooperate and exponentially increase its cyber defences as well as implement a more robust offensive cybersecurity strategy to protect Europe from the energy security risks.

As a result Smart Grid Forums have launched SGF-Cybersecurity Week 2023 a week-long conference, exhibition and networking forum, taking place 15-17 May 2023 at the Park Plaza in Amsterdam, providing a safe, secure and highly vetted environment for collaborative conversations around next generation grid security. This forum brings together utility CISOs with their IT and OT cybersecurity teams for an in-depth discussion around the impact of geopolitics on the evolving threat landscape, the emergence of new grid vulnerabilities in the context of increased grid innovation and interconnection, the latest IT and OT cybersecurity solutions on the market and in development, and the implications of multiple regulatory frameworks with competing demands underpinning cybersecurity strategies.

The week begins with a Risk Management briefing delivered by utility CISOs and their advisors to provide clarity on the strategic frameworks that guide technical efforts. The main 3-day conference provides a series of morning plenary sessions addressing the macro issues such as Regulation, Workforce Development, and Data Management, and afternoon technical tracks focused on next generation cybersecurity strategies and solutions in the IT and OT domains. The week wraps up with a practical workshop on Cloud Cybersecurity enabling utility cybersecurity teams to make the business case and establish a robust security strategy to guarantee data security and gain organisational buy-in for greater levels of cloud migration.

With 70% of sessions being addressed by utility cybersecurity representatives, this week-long programme provides a truly end-user driven conversation with insights into successes and setbacks as well as clear directions on future utility roadmaps. Alongside the case-study agenda is a solutions zone displaying the latest IT and OT prevention, detection, and response solutions. Weaved into the week-long programme are a series of facilitated networking sessions supporting more intensive collaboration between IT and OT security colleagues as well enabling more effective technology scouting and partnering activities.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Monday 15th May 2023: Risk Management Briefing

The week begins with this insightful briefing on the Risk Management priorities of utility CISOs, with presentations shared on the current regulatory landscape, the implications of new standards, securing on-going cybersecurity budget, driving workforce development, and spearheading collaboration. Participants will come away with a clear understanding of whats keeping the CISO awake at night, and how the entire cybersecurity team and ecosystem must align, to get the power grid ahead of the threat.

Tuesday 16th to Thursday 18th May 2023: IT & OT Cybersecurity Conference & Exhibition

The main conference is comprised of morning plenary sessions where all participants are in one room, addressing macro issues such as regulation, workforce development and data management, and afternoon technical tracks focused on the specific implementation issues impacting IT cybersecurity and OT cybersecurity teams. A combined programme of facilitated networking activities enable IT and OT colleagues to come together and share experiences, expertise, and gain insights into each others priorities. Running alongside the conference is an Exhibition area with a focused display of IT and OT cybersecurity solutions proven in the power grid environment.

Friday 19th May 2023: Cloud Cybersecurity Workshop

The week wraps up with this Cloud cybersecurity workshop helping you to clarify the risks and opportunities of Cloud and Hybrid-Cloud solutions for the power grid. Participants will come away from this day with a clear action plan for gaining investment, aligning the workforce, and driving the implementation of Cloud solutions across the power grid.

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

Hanne Hansen, CISO - Energinet

Annilisa Arge Klevang, CISO - SEV

Catherine Buhler, CISO - Energy Australia

Indrek Kunnapuu, CISO - Elektrelevi

Erki Guhse, CISO - Enefit Connect

Jeremi Gryka, Deputy CIO / ICT Security - PSE

Greg Blezard, Head of Information Security - ENWL

Michael Knuchel, Head of Substation Automation - Swissgrid

Shawn McBurnie, Director IT/OT Cybersecurity and Compliance - Northland Power

Siv Houmb, Senior Adviser - Statnett

Michael Ring, Information Security Officer - TenneT

Phil Litherland, Cyber Security - OT Security Product Manager - National Grid

Janus Ahrensbach, ICS Security Architect - Energinet

Tom Joran Ronning, Team Leader of Operational Security - Statnett

Luka Mocnic, ICT Infrastructure Architect - Elektro Gorenjska

Olivier Clement, Head of Cyber Security Anticipation & External affairs - Enedis

Sampo Turunen, Specialist Secondary Systems - Fingrid

Barry Coatesworth, Cybersecurity Adviser - Scottish Power

Janne Hagen, Special Adviser Contingency Planning - NVE

Aurelio Blanquet, Secretary General - EE-ISAC

Massimo Rocca, Cybersecurity Manager - EE-ISAC

Anjos Nijk, Senior Representative - ENCS

Chris Kubecka, CEO - Hypasec

Lukasz Kisielewski, Manager OT/ICS - Accenture

Isabell Neise, Head of Business Development - UNISS

Dmytro Cherkashyn, Head of Cybersecurity Development - UNISS

Venkatesh Gollapalli, Security Architect - EY

Tomasz Wysztygiel, Cybersecurity Manager - EY OT/IOT Hub

Leandros Maglaras, Professor of Cybersecurity - De Montfort University

Laszlo Erdodi, Associate Professor - NTNU

Ivo Maritz, Senior Adviser, Cyber Security - Maritz Consulting

Andy Bochman, Senior Grid Strategist National & Homeland Security - Idaho National Lab

Stephan Beirer, ICS/OT Security - GAI Netconsult

TESTIMONIALS FROM PAST EVENTS

Smart Grid Forums is on the leading edge of grid security.

Don Miller, Chief Technology Evangelist - Network Perception

"Great opportunity to learn from others how they handle the common problems allowing us to find the most effective and efficient solution. This is added value at its best!"

Michael Knuchel, Head of SAS Engineering  Swissgrid

"It was a relief to realise that SGN are not alone in their struggle to implement IEC 62443 requirements. The delegates attending the event were incredibly supportive and patient."

Jayne Crowley, E&I Engineering Policy Manager  SGN

This was a great opportunity to learn about the IEC 62443 concepts, controls and framework.

Anja Ivanovska, Info Sec Specialist - EVN

A refreshing insight and different angle on cyberthreats and possible measures for the OT domain.

Bas Mulder, Technologist OT  TenneT

Very informative to see how cyber-criminal activity is becoming very organised, which makes them even more dangerous.

John Milor, Cybersecurity Risk Consultant Expert - Pacific Gas & Electric

The overall presentation and subject matter discussed was awesome. I have enjoyed the in-depth insightful discussion of the presenters thoroughly.

Aninda Chatterjee, Project Engineer  Siemens

SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES:

Would you like the opportunity to raise your brand profile, demonstrate your products and services, and share your expertise with a highly concentrated and influential group of utility smart grid implementation leaders and decision makers?

Our adjoining exhibition area provides the perfect environment for you to do this and more! Capped at 30 stands we ensure a focused and relevant display of the latest Substation, SCADA, Telecom, and Cybersecurity solutions for our audience and maximum visibility and interaction levels for our exhibitors.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mandana White, CEO, Smart Grid Forums

Smart Grid Forums Ltd

PO Box 63594, London, N19 9FT, United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)20 8057 1700 | registration@smartgrid-forums.com

Smart Grid Forums is an independent conference production company serving the smart grid technical community. We monitor the market, conduct in-depth interviews with technical decision makers and translate this information into techno-commercial conferences that empower participants to accelerate their implementation plans and deliver exceptional results to their organisations. Our events are peer-to-peer exchanges. They are immersive, exhaustive and action oriented. We place the utility voice centre-stage and uncover the implementation insights that will enable you to benchmark your own digitisation strategy, fine-tune your own implementation plan, and deliver exceptional results to your own organisation.
Lab Alley, a national e-commerce provider of high-purity food and lab grade chemicals, and high-quality lab supplies, recently hit a milestone in 2022 with over 30,000 orders shipped nationwide. This also includes orders shipped to Alaska, Hawaii and even Canada.

Fred Elabed, CEO and co-founder of Lab Alley states I am really proud of the success we had in 2022. Shipping over 30,000 orders in the midst of product shortages and price increases within the chemical industry demonstrates that customers have confidence in Lab Alley to provide essential chemicals to their company."

With various shipping options available to their customers, Lab Alley is able to ship anything from a 100mL bottle to a pallet of chemicals such as Ethanol, Hydrogen Peroxide and Isopropyl Alcohol. All bulk orders, which include drums, totes, and pallets, will ship using freight carriers, whereas all smaller packed items travel via ground shipping. Customers that live in Hawaii and Alaska are able to purchase as well with a custom shipping option of air transportation.

Lab Alley offers their customers:

 99% product availability guarantee.

 Orders shipped within 24  48 hours.

 Discounted shipping rates.

 Fast delivery times.

Customers not only trust Lab Alley and rely on them for their high-quality essential chemicals, but they always have those products in stock and can ship orders quickly and efficiently. Their attention to detail paid in the packaging and shipping departments allows them to get customers their orders in one piece and in a timely manner.

About Lab Alley

Lab Alley is a thriving woman-owned essential chemical e-commerce company headquartered in Austin, Texas.

Our mission is to provide essential chemicals to make a better world. Our goal is to supply daily-use essential food and plant-based natural organic chemicals  on-budget and on-time, every time. We ship high purity chemicals and ingredients to our valued customers who are making a difference in all industries.

Lab Alley has been called the Amazon of Chemicals because we provide our customers with:

 Robust online experience

 The lowest prices in the market

 Well-stocked inventory

 Quick shipping

 Awesome customer service

For more information, please visit LabAlley.com.
Beau Lane, Local Business Leader, Joins Gainey Business Bank Board Providing a local banking option to address the needs of our growing Arizona business community is something I strongly believe in.  LaneTerralever Partner & Executive Chairman, Beau Lane

Gainey Business Bank, a financial institution committed to supporting Arizonas small and medium sized businesses, is pleased to announce the election of Beau Lane to its Board of Directors.

Beau Lane is a native Arizonan and currently serves as the Executive Chairman of LaneTerralever, LLC one of the largest and most successful marketing and advertising agencies in the region. After building E.B. Lane for nearly 20 years, in 2013 Beau led a successful merger with a leading national digital marketing firm Terralever to form LaneTerralever, LLC, going on to be named 2013 Ad Person of the Year by Phoenix Ad Club. Under his direction, the agency has received local and national recognition for years of award-winning work.

Beau continues to lend his leadership skills to support the vitality and economic future of Arizona through extensive service on community boards and committees including but not limited to Greater Phoenix Leadership, Phoenix Community Alliance, GCU Colangelo School of Business, ASU Cronkite School of Journalism and now, Gainey Business Bank. In 2022 he was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Arizona Secretary of State and continues to remain dedicated to the advancement of Arizona.

We are extremely pleased to have Beau join our Board with his extensive business leadership, marketing experience and commitment to our Arizona community, said Jim Unruh, Chairman of Gainey Business Bank. This is a valuable addition and complement to the experienced backgrounds of our existing board members.

Joe Stewart, President & CEO of Gainey Business Bank, commented, Beau Lane is a welcome addition to our already outstanding Board of Directors. He brings a tremendous background in something that is very important to Gainey Business Bank and any community bank, deep local market knowledge and longstanding business relations.

Beau Lane added, I am excited to join Gainey Business Banks Board and look forward to bringing my knowledge of the Valley to the Banks team. Providing a local banking option to address the needs of our growing Arizona business community is something I strongly believe in.

About Gainey Business Bank

Gainey Business Bank is an FDIC insured Community bank based in Scottsdale, Arizona. It commenced operations in July 2022 with a purpose to help the rapidly growing sector of Arizona based, small-to-medium sized businesses grow and prosper. To learn more about Gainey Business Banks efforts to serve Arizona, please visit our website: GaineyBusinessBank.com
Brent Dorrah and Brendan Hogan "It's been incredible to lead Transitions Group with the same values and principles our founder Bill Jackson instilled in me and to carry on our great company culture. I look forward to watching Brent and Brendan continue this legacy as they grow the company," said Barney Lehnherr.

Barney Lehnherr, President of Transitions Group, Inc., recently announced plans to retire after nearly 30 years of service. Consistent with the company's management succession plan, on January 1, 2023, Brent Dorrah, the company's current Vice President of Furniture Options, succeeded Barney as President. Brendan Hogan, the current Director of Operations for Furniture Options, will succeed Brent as Vice President of Furniture Options.

Transitions Group, Inc. is an employee-owned industry leader in temporary housing and furniture rental catering to people in transition. Barney served as the Vice President of Furniture Options for nearly 20 years before succeeding the company's founder, Bill Jackson, as President of Transitions Group, Inc. in 2016.

Barney, who will remain on the Board of Directors for Transitions Group, is planning to transition to retirement in 2023 while serving in an advisory role as Brent settles into his new role as President.

Brent Dorrah, celebrating 30 years with Transitions Group in January, said, "The company has benefited greatly from Barney's extensive knowledge of the industry and steadfast leadership. His many contributions to our operations have been instrumental in our company's success. I couldn't have asked for a better mentor. Barney will continue bringing a wealth of knowledge and value to our company and our employee-owners".

Brent joined Transitions Group in 1993, holding several positions, starting in the warehouse as a delivery drivers' helper to being promoted to Vice President of the Furniture Division in 2016. Brent said, "It's always been our company goal to promote from within our organization. We have an incredible team who, through their hard work and obsession for taking care of our customers, have built this great company".

Brendan Hogan, who has been with Transitions Group for over 16 years, will assume Brent's position as Vice President of the Furniture division. "Brendan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in all aspects of our operations. His years of experience with our company made him an excellent candidate for this position. I am very excited for him and the future of Furniture Options with Brendan leading the way", said Brent Dorrah.

Hired in 2006 for Inventory Control & Systems Specialist position at Furniture Options, Brendan Hogan excelled in that position, eventually moving to General Manager and then to Director of Operations in 2013. Brendan took on many additional operational duties at Furniture Options, including overseeing the IT Department. He has been vital in opening and growing Furniture Options in new markets. "His well-rounded experience makes Brendan a great choice for Vice President of Furniture Options. We are all excited for Brendan in this new role.", said Barney Lehnherr.

Barney Lehnherr said in his announcement, "I'm honored to have had the opportunity to work for such a wonderful organization, chocked full of very talented people." Barney continued, "It's been incredible to lead Transitions Group with the same values and principles that Bill has instilled in me and to carry on our great company culture. I look forward to watching Brent and Brendan continue this legacy as they grow the company in the future."

About Transitions Group, Inc.

Transitions Group is an umbrella company created in 1997. It is currently composed of Furniture Options, ExecuStay Midwest, and Viciniti Corporate Housing. It is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, and serves Austin, Baton Rouge, Dallas, Des Moines, Fort Worth, Houston, Kansas City, Little Rock, New Orleans, Northwest Arkansas, Oklahoma City, Omaha, San Antonio, Shreveport, St. Louis, Tulsa, and Wichita.
1,000th MILESTONE BIRTH Snowflakes provided us renewed hope in starting our family at a time when hope seemed lost. 

NCA Snowflakes Embryo Adoption, the only accredited embryo adoption program in the world, has announced the one-thousandth birth of a child resulting from the agencys efforts to match donated frozen embryos with adopting families.

Snowflakes babies one-thousand and one-thousand-one were born on December 23, 2022 to parents Rodney and Mary Leah Miller of Birmingham, Alabama, We are absolutely thrilled at the arrival of our blessings, Dalton and Mary Elizabeth, and cannot thank the people at Snowflakes enough for the role they played in this miracle. Snowflakes provided us renewed hope in starting our family at a time when hope seemed lost. We are grateful that we were able to provide our adopted embryos a chance to be the people the Lord created them to be. Because of the Snowflakes program Mary Leah was able to experience the joys of pregnancy. While our journey has been long, and not as we originally envisioned, we can now look back at how the Lord has guided each of our steps and honestly say we wouldnt change a single thing about it.

Snowflakes Embryo Adoption was established in 1997 to help families with remaining embryos from their IVF treatment choose a family to adopt and attempt to give birth to those adopted embryos. Many families who have had failed IVF cycles turn to embryo adoption and successfully give birth. The Snowflakes program helps families donate embryos and adopt embryos in all 50 states.

We are an adoption agency committed to helping children in all stages of their biological development. says Kimberly Tyson, Vice-President of Snowflakes. One-thousand babies born through the Snowflakes program is an affirmation of the viability of embryo adoption. It is an adoption choice that helps families with remaining embryos select an adopting family, rather than simply donating their embryos anonymously through a fertility clinic. Both donor and adopting couples are often unaware that embryo adoption is available. We are working hard to continually raise awareness on this important option for families.

According to Nightlight Christian Adoptions (NCA) president, Daniel Nehrbass, the NCA Snowflakes program not only helps couples build families in a unique way, but also helps other families who arent sure what to do with remaining embryos after successful rounds of traditional IVF, The 1000th Snowflake baby reminds us that you can give birth to your adopted child. Nightlight Christian Adoptions offers a way to give every embryo a chance at life and reduces the number of embryos in frozen storage. If a woman has difficulty conceiving, but is able to carry a baby, Snowflakes embryo adoption is probably the right adoption program for her.

For more information about the NCA Snowflakes Embryo Adoption program visit:

https://nightlight.org/snowflakes-embryo-adoption-donation/anniversary-landing-page/

https://nightlight.org
Were passionate about pursuing the perfect pour, and this recognition for a substantial number of spirits in our portfolio shows were delivering a high-quality tasting experience, said Ryan Lang, founder, CEO and distiller, Middle West Spirits.

Middle West Spirits has been awarded 12 medals in the PR%F Awards powered by Food and Beverage Magazine. Middle Wests Sherry-Finished Bourbon received two Century Awards, meaning it received a 100-point perfect score from all judges.

The competition includes two categories. Masked is the double-blind tasting competition where brands are judged on taste and sensory perceptions like color, aroma, taste, and finish. Its followed by the Unmasked competition where the judges evaluate each brand for its total packagethey see and feel the bottle, read the ingredients, hear the story, and see the overall marketing package. The rating system is Century Award (100 Points voted unanimously), Double Gold (96 to 99 points), Gold (91 to 95 points), Silver (85 to 90 points), and Bronze (79 to 85 points).

Middle West Spirits awards include:



Were passionate about pursuing the perfect pour, and this recognition for a substantial number of spirits in our portfolio shows were delivering a high-quality tasting experience, said Ryan Lang, founder, CEO and distiller, Middle West Spirits. We simply want to make the best product possible, and were proud the judges could taste the difference.

For more information about Middle West and its spirits, please visit MiddleWestSpirits.com.

ABOUT MIDDLE WEST SPIRITS

Middle West Spirits is built around a passion for crafting the highest quality spirits. Thats why Middle West hand-selects unique, local grains that go into every batch and controls every step of the production processfrom distillation to aging to packagingall in its Columbus, Ohio distillery. By always pursuing the perfect pour, Middle West delivers a difference you can taste. Its spirits have earned top honors by the 2022 ASCOT Awards, 2022 PR%F Awards, Beverage Tasting Institute, and more. Through its world-class distillery and production facility, Middle West has also built strategic partnerships to bring other celebrated spirits brands to life. In addition to the distillery, guests can enjoy the full Middle West experience at Service Bar, its acclaimed restaurant in Columbus. To learn more about Middle West Spirits, visit middlewestspirits.com, or follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

ABOUT PR%F AWARDS

PR%F Awards is the premiere spirits, wine & beverage awards program held annually in Las Vegas. Hand-selected judges, all buyers, from across the US rate and merit spirits, wine and beverages to win medals and accolades while giving our judges a chance to be introduced to hundreds of emerging new brands. PR%F Awards and PR%F-The Magazine are owned and operated by The Original Brand, LLC. Go to http://www.proofawards.com or call 888-959-7260.

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A new nonprofit organization will study deep borehole disposal of nuclear waste. The Center is ultimately about answering the age-old question: What about the waste? ... This is the question that weve got to answer. And that is what the Center was created to do. Ted Garrish, Launch Executive Director

A new Deep Borehole Demonstration Center will be publicly launched Feb. 27 at the Waste Management Symposia in Phoenix, Ariz. It was founded as a new nonprofit organization and is open to participation from governments, utilities, nuclear operators and research organizations interested in studying nuclear waste disposal technologies for worldwide deployment.

The nonprofits Board of Directors includes inaugural members from the National Radiation Protection Institute in the Czech Republic, U.S.-based utility Southern Company and Deep Isolations CEO. The Board has appointed Ted Garrish, former Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy, to serve as Launch Executive Director.

This is the beginning of being able to offer countries a new option: a deep borehole repository, Garrish said. This gives countries an alternative, and in some cases, boreholes could also work alongside mined repositories for particular waste streams, such as from advanced reactors. The Deep Borehole Demonstration Center will allow multinational and cross-organizational collaborations to begin the work of characterizing the entire system. This is how we get to the next stage.

The impetus for the Center was an international survey of waste management organization stakeholders published by Deep Isolation and the University of Sheffield in March 2022. Four-out-of-five stakeholders surveyed for the report said they want more international collaboration to advance deep borehole disposal and agreed overwhelmingly that the key next step is a demonstration of the end-to-end technology.

Our customers and prospective customers have been asking for something exactly like this  a facility designed to advance the development of the deep borehole repository concept so they can feel confident that, as they commission new nuclear power plants to meet net zero goals, they will be able to simultaneously plan for a flexible, affordable waste disposal solution, said Deep Isolation CEO Liz Muller, chair of the Centers board.

Using a membership-funded model, the Center will draw on international participation to demonstrate the viability of deep borehole technology and to develop improved guidance and international consensus around how regulators can best assess the safety case for deep borehole disposal.

The Centers mission is to advance the maturity of the safety case for deep borehole disposal and advance the technical readiness levels of the disposal concept, including characterization, construction, canister handling, emplacement and retrieval.

The Centers board also includes Jitka Miksova, Head of the RWM Division at the National Radiation Protection Institute (SURO), Czech Republic, and Dr. Richard Esposito, R&D Program Manager for Geosciences & Carbon Management at Southern Company. The Board is also establishing an independent science-driven Advisory Committee to assist in ensuring transparency and scrutiny of the Centers work.

Dr. Esposito of Southern Company said: Deep borehole disposal brings an important new option to the table for geologic disposal of nuclear waste. We look forward to working with public and private sector partners worldwide to both evaluate and demonstrate the viability of the technology through the new Deep Borehole Demonstration Center.

Miksova of SURO said deep borehole disposal is especially of interest to countries with small waste inventories where a conventional mined geological repository is not economically efficient.

The Center foundation is creating the right platform for the necessary demonstration of the feasibility of this disposal option, and its one through which international teams can contribute to improving the borehole disposal technology with respect to the environment and further adapting it to country-specific conditions and building public confidence, she said. On behalf of the Czech partners I am representing, we are looking forward to engaging in the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center work."

Further details of the government and industry organizations that are backing this work will be announced at Waste Management 2023. In the meantime, interested parties who would like to become members are welcome to contact the Centers Launch Executive Director.

Garrish said, The Center is ultimately about answering the age-old question: What about the waste? which is inevitably posed by governments considering the merits of nuclear power. This is the question that weve got to answer. And that is what the Center was created to do.

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About the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center

The nonprofit Deep Borehole Demonstration Center was established to provide interested entities and governments worldwide with an independent organization through which to commission projects that characterize and advance the technical readiness of deep borehole nuclear waste disposal technologies. To contact the Center, email info@deepboreholedemo.org.
Allen Yanity, a Michigan native, father, and grandfather, and Army veteran who raised his family with his wife, Jean in Alaska, moved to Washington State in 1979, and got into local politics and became fire commissioner before retiring and buying a vacation home in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, has completed his new book The Life and Times of Me, My Wife, and My Boys: a candid and engagingly written autobiography.

The author shares, This book is about jobs I had in my life, tricks and jokes I played, and adventures my wife and sons shared with me as we lived a good life. We were not always rich with money, but we were always rich with memories and love.

Published by Page Publishing, Allen Yanitys engrossing book is a heartwarming memoir celebrating three generations of a close-knit family and a life well lived.

Readers who wish to experience this engaging work can purchase The Life and Times of Me, My Wife, and My Boys 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 understands that authors should 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.


Dorian Redus, who currently resides in San Francisco, California, with his daughter, two granddaughters, and his new grandson-in-law, has completed his new book A Quotidian Quash: From Mental Hygiene to Mental Health 1969-2012: a fascinating read that details the authors time while being held within California state hospitals and puts forth two interesting cosmic theories designed by the author based on his own experiences.

[I have] looked into the cathode ray tube of his soul to find [my] way out of [my] commonplace silencing. (It is what A Quotidian Quash really means). Actually, in [my] book, the evolving cosmological TV energy of [my] puzzling psychiatric history from junior college years to decades as a psychiatric inpatient unfolds and jumps. A Quotidian Quash also puts forth two new cosmic theories, RCTVU (relativistic color television universe) and STS (space-time sphere), as [I] also blow the whistle on Californias Department of State hospitals for being a psychiatric minatorial minotaur masquerading as a menial mentor.

There is evidence of [my] many past psychiatrists paranoia in this book, but when [my] psychiatric future arrives, [my] tomorrow, comes to us as [my] RCTVU theory, pristine and virgin, it is excellent and okay as it puts itself in [my] creative hands. Moreover, it requires that we have learned something from our evolutionary yesterday or from God in and subtly outside of [my] books other speculative theory, STS theory.

This is a book of many therapeutic letters mostly to [my] California therapists. And in it, we learn that they were so very interested in recording something wrong with [me], their long-term psychiatric patient, that there became something very obviously paranoid and wrong with how all of [my] California therapists treated [me], their long-term psychiatric patient, from the start of [my] treatment to the finish of my treatment with them.

Published by Page Publishing, Dorian Reduss captivating and intriguing tale takes readers through the author's mind as he struggles for freedom from those that purposefully deemed there being something wrong with him in order to keep them under their control. After being freed by his daughters, Redus now shares his story in the hopes of opening ones eyes to the truths of the universe and the dangerous institutions that held him captive for so long.

Readers who wish to experience this mesmerizing work can purchase A Quotidian Quash: From Mental Hygiene to Mental Health 1969-2012 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.


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.
Ken Elchert has completed his new book Wapakoneta: In the BeginningThe Early History of the Shawnee Village That Became the Birthplace of Neil Armstrong: a fascinating work that covers the time period from 300 million years ago when this site was on the equator to 1832 and 1833 when the Shawnee Indians who lived there were removed to the Indian lands west of the Mississippi River.

Elchert writes, Wapakoneta, Ohio, is best known today as the birthplace of Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the surface of the moon. But few people know that the maternal grandparents home in which he was born in 1930 was on land, which was part of the Wapaghkonetta Shawnee Reservation a century before. In fact, the day he was born was just three days shy of the ninety-ninth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Wapaghkonnetta in which the Wapakoneta Shawnee ceded their reservation to the United States. The focus of the book, therefore, is on Wapakoneta and the Shawnee.

Published by Page Publishing, Ken Elcherts intriguing work talks about the great river that flowed through that area before the mile-thick glaciers terraformed the landscape into what it is today.

It then proceeds to provide the details of the earliest maps of the area made by the first explorers of European descent into the Ohio Country as well as the earliest French and British trading posts and forts in the Ohio Country. This includes information never published before about Fort Au Glaize built along the Auglaize River in 1748 in Wapakoneta.

It also provides details of the Ohio Indians focusing on the Shawnees and tracing their movements in Ohio up to the time they were placed on reservations. The Wapakoneta Shawnee Reserve was the site of two Shawnee council houses which are highlighted in the book.

Readers who wish to experience this captivating work can purchase Wapakoneta: In the BeginningThe Early History of the Shawnee Village That Became the Birthplace of Neil Armstrong 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.


Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the lawsuit against The Millennium Group of Delaware, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The San Francisco employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a lawsuit against The Millennium Group of Delaware, Inc. alleging the company violated Labor Code  2699, et seq. seeking penalties for DEFENDANTs alleged violation of California Labor Code  201-203, 204 et seq., 210, 218, 221, 226(a), 226.7, 227.3, 510, 512, 558(a)(1)(2), 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802. The lawsuit against The Millennium Group of Delaware, Inc. is currently pending in the Alameda County Superior Court, Case No. 22CV024223. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here.

According to the lawsuit filed, The Millennium Group of Delaware, Inc. allegedly failed to fully relieve Plaintiff and other Aggrieved Employees for their legally required thirty (30) minute meals breaks. Employees were also allegedly required, from time to time, to work in excess of four (4) hours without being provided the legally required ten (10) minute rest periods. The California Supreme Court defines off-duty rest periods as the time during which an employee is relieved from all work-related duties and free from employer control.

PAGA is a mechanism by which the State of California itself can enforce state labor laws through the employee suing under the PAGA who do so as the proxy or agent of the state's labor law enforcement agencies. An action to recover civil penalties under PAGA is fundamentally a law enforcement action designed to protect the public and not to benefit private parties. The purpose of PAGA is not to recover damages or restitution, but to create a means of "deputizing" citizens as private attorneys general to enforce the Labor Code.

For more information about the lawsuit against The Millennium Group of Delaware, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County, and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT***
Seeking Christ II: Can We Find Our Way?: an encouraging approach to learning where to start in the process of building an active spiritual experience. Seeking Christ II: Can We Find Our Way? is the creation of published author David A Jamadar.

Jamadar shares, Seeking Christ II is a how to book hopefully helping us to understand some of the practices that we can employ to move closer to our Holy Father. Mostly based on the experiences of the author, it starts with trying to understand why we should even want to get to know Christ, then it discusses what the Bible calls flesh and the old man, referred to in these pages as the ego. Most of the book describes methods or practices which suggest how we may move into relationship with Christ as we align ourselves with our Holy Father. Discussed are a powerful prayer of surrender, what it means to be born again, how one may see with the eye of the heart, and how we may function as optimal conduits for the gifts of the Spirit. Brief descriptions of surrender, mindfulness, and divine reading and the idea of hearing from God are included. Finally, some ideas are presented that have stymied and continue to challenge the author, ending with a summary of the authors understanding one perspective of who we truly are (the new man) and how we may optimize our efforts to be receptive to the wishes of our Holy Father as we function as a conduit for the gifts of the Spirit.

The author was encouraged to write this book by an encounter with the Holy Spirit over a week-long period of time and has included some testimonies and other interactions scattered throughout the text. The author has tried to offer a Biblical scriptural basis for his conclusions obtained mostly through study and prayer but also through interaction with the Holy Spirit. This book is offered in prayer with the hope that something in these pages may help the reader develop a stronger, intimate, and more loving relationship with our Holy Father.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, David A Jamadars new book will encourage readers as the author offers personal experiences and testimony to back up the thoughtful message within.

Consumers can purchase Seeking Christ II: Can We Find Our Way? at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Seeking Christ II: Can We Find Our Way?, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Matt O'Grady, President of the Americas, dunnhumby With six years of data under our belt, we have uncovered which retailers are positioned to thrive under these new market conditions. Our RPI will help grocers improve their competitive positions, while providing key findings for marketing and consumer preferences.

dunnhumby, the global leader in customer data science, announced today it will be previewing insights from the upcoming sixth edition of the dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index for U.S. Grocery on Monday, January 16, 2023 at NRF at 3:15 p.m. Eastern. Taking place during NRFs Exhibitor Big Ideas, dunnhumbys President of the Americas Matt OGrady and Director of Customer Strategy and Insights for North America Erich Kahner, will reveal what matters most to shoppers today and how retailers should be adapting to changing customer needs in today's fast-evolving and often unpredictable world.

The Retailer Preference Index provides powerful demographic, economic, cultural, and technological shopping trends that will unfold over the next few decades. While the last three years has been an extremely challenging time for consumers and retailers, it has provided the perfect laboratory for analyzing which grocers customer value propositions are best built for the long-haul, said OGrady. With six years of data under our belt, we have uncovered which retailers are positioned to thrive under these new market conditions. Our RPI will help grocers improve their competitive positions, while providing key findings for marketing and consumer preferences.

The dunnhumby RPI is the only approach that combines financial results with customer perception. It includes the largest 63 retailers in the industry that sell everyday food and non-food household items. The customer perception data is sourced from an annual survey of 10,000 American grocery shoppers. dunnhumbys expertise in the grocery industry ensures that the model design and interpretation reflects lessons learned from decades of serving hundreds of grocery retailers, thousands of consumer packaged goods companies, and billions of customers, globally.

Attendees of the session will learn:



What drives long-term retailer results

What attributes do first-quartile retailers share

What customer preference drivers are the most important for long term grocery success

What types of retailers are best positioned for long term success

Exclusive preview: Insights from the sixth dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index for U.S. Grocery produced by dunnhumby will be held on Monday, January 16, 2023 at NRF at 3:15 p.m. Eastern in Expo, Level 3, Expo Stage 5.

The sixth annual dunnhumby Retailer Preference Index will be published on January 31, 2023. Retailers included in the RPI that are interested in receiving their individual banner profiles can speak with their dunnhumby account executive, or contact dunnhumby at: https://www.dunnhumby.com/contact/.

About dunnhumby

dunnhumby is the global leader in Customer Data Science, empowering businesses everywhere to compete and thrive in the modern data-driven economy. We always put the Customer First.

Our mission: to enable businesses to grow and reimagine themselves by becoming advocates and champions for their Customers. With deep heritage and expertise in retail  one of the worlds most competitive markets, with a deluge of multi-dimensional data  dunnhumby today enables businesses all over the world, across industries, to be Customer First.

The dunnhumby Customer Data Science Platform is our unique mix of technology, software and consulting, enabling businesses to increase revenue and profits by delivering exceptional experiences for their Customers  in-store, offline and online. dunnhumby employs over 2,200 experts in offices throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas working for transformative, iconic brands such as Tesco, Coca-Cola, Meijer, Procter & Gamble and Raleys.


Around 7,000 brand professionals, entrepreneurs, and government officials from around the world are expected to participate in this years Meeting.

The International Trademark Association (INTA) has officially opened registration for the 2023 Annual Meeting Live+. The gathering will be the Associations 145th Annual Meeting, featuring an in-person event at Singapores renowned Sands Expo & Convention Center from May 16 to 20, followed by a virtual event from June 27 to 29. The Meeting reflects the many ways in which INTA events have returned to in-person and how they have been transformed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2023 Annual Meeting Live+ builds on the successes and experiences of the past few years, with three registration types available: Live+ (a combination of in-person and virtual), In-Person Only, and Virtual Only. Registration for the Virtual Only Meeting will open on March 13. Our goal is to give the global intellectual property (IP) community the opportunity to participate in the way that makes the most sense for them, explained INTA CEO Etienne Sanz de Acedo. Around 7,000 brand professionals, entrepreneurs, and government officials from around the world are expected to participate in this years Meeting  and with more than 1,000 attendees having pre-registered last year, were very confident about meeting this target.

Were also excited to finally make our way to Singapore, after a missed the opportunity in 2020 due to the pandemic, said Mr. Sanz de Acedo. This iconic city will be the perfect venue for a gathering of brand professionals looking to engage with a part of the world that is newly and increasingly opening up and where innovation and technology are at the forefront, while spending time in a city known for its extraordinary culture, food, and scenery.

Annual Meeting Co-Chair Zaheera Hashim (Procter & Gamble, Singapore) echoed this sentiment. It is an honor to welcome the global IP community to my home country and I am certain that everyone will have a fantastic stay. Singapore is incredibly safe, easy to navigate, and has so much to offer.

The theme this year is The Business of Innovation and features two curated educational tracks: an IP and Innovation track and a Business track. "The educational program speaks directly to the evolving role and expanding mandate of brand professionals today, said Annual Meeting Co-Chair Karina Dimidjian Lecomte (Casalonga, France). The IP and Innovation track covers many of the core topics we expect at an Annual Meeting but also includes other pertinent issues such as corporate social responsibility and the emerging technologies shaping the future of brands. Within this Innovation track, there will also be various programs organized by and for government officials and sessions focused on professional development, including how to foster innovation when leading a team and how to avoid a communication faux pas in the global ecosystem that we operate in.

On the other hand, the Business track is designed to broaden our horizons to consider such important issues as the value of intangible assets, innovation and intangible asset management, go-to-market and growth strategies, IP valuation, and IP for entrepreneurs, noted Ms. Hashim.

New this year, the Business track programming will take place in the Innovation Marketplace (formerly called the Exhibition Hall) and will feature short and dynamic dialogues with regional business leaders. This is in addition to the approximately 100 exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies in IP.

From more than 250 Table Topics to numerous immersive excursions around the vibrant city of Singapore, the educational program is complemented by various in-person and virtual Business Development activities.

I couldnt be more impressed and excited about the programming scheduled for this years Annual Meeting, remarked INTA President Jomarie Fredericks. There will be a terrific range of ways to engage, all of which will provide educational and networking opportunities for our wonderfully diverse community, who come from all over the world and who represent the present and future of IP.

Registrants health and safety is always a top priority and an on-going focus. As of right now, all visitors are welcome to Singapore regardless of vaccination status. Fully vaccinated visitors must show only proof of vaccination and are no longer required to conduct pre-departure tests, on-arrival tests, or quarantine. However, if travelers are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated, they will (1) need to show proof of negative PCR or Antigen test administered two days before departure, and (2) ensure they have travel insurance covering COVID-19, with at least S$30,000 of medical coverage. No other entry approvals, on-arrival tests, and quarantine upon arrival is required. Please check the Immigration Authority of Singapore (IAS) website regularly for updates.

Learn more and register for the 2023 Annual Meeting Live+: https://www.inta.org/events/2023-annual-meeting-live/

About the International Trademark Association

The International Trademark Association (INTA) is a global association of brand owners and professionals dedicated to supporting trademarks and complementary intellectual property (IP) to foster consumer trust, economic growth, and innovation, and committed to building a better society through brands. Members include nearly 6,000 organizations, representing more than 33,500 individuals (trademark owners, professionals, and academics) from 181 countries, who benefit from the Associations global trademark resources, policy development, education and training, and international network. Founded in 1878, INTA is headquartered in New York City, with offices in Beijing, Brussels, Santiago, Singapore, and the Washington, D.C., Metro Area, and representatives in Amman, Lagos, and New Delhi. For more information, visit inta.org.
Snowy Makes a New Friend: a delightful juvenile fiction with an important lesson for young readers. Snowy Makes a New Friend is the creation of published author Joni Jordan Hancock, who was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where she still resides. She has been happily married to her husband, Michael, for thirty-two years. They have two grown sons, Joshua and Jacob. Hancock has taught elementary school in the public schools for thirty-four years, and all but two of those years have been teaching kindergarten. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and Master of Arts in Teaching at Jacksonville University.

Hancock shares, When a shy snowy egret named Snowy is bullied by some crows, she reaches out to Old Man Wood Stork for advice on how to make friends. See what life is like living on a pond. Will Snowy take Mr. Wood Storks advice? Will she be brave enough to speak up and learn to make new friends? Whom will she meet? Will they tease her like the crows? Read about Snowys adventures on the pond. These photographs of beautiful water birds help to tell the story of Snowy Makes a New Friend.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Joni Jordan Hancocks new book tackles the hurtful nature of bullying and the uplifting connection one feels when friendship is reciprocated.

Hancock provides a uniquely engaging juvenile fiction that will entertain and delight through vibrant imagery and a charming narrative.

Consumers can purchase Snowy Makes a New Friend at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Snowy Makes a New Friend, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Ally's appointment as President of PRSA California Gold Coast Chapter is a testament to her dedication to the industry and her ability to lead and inspire her peers.

Bicoastal, award-winning marketing and public relations firm Marketing Maven is proud to announce that senior integrated marketing specialist Ally Bertik has been named president of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Gold Coast Chapter.

As president of the board, Bertik will lead the chapter in its mission to serve a diverse community of public relations and communications professionals while empowering them to excel in effective, ethical, and respectful communication on behalf of the organizations they represent. Shell also spearhead providing valuable resources and networking opportunities for the chapters members.

At Marketing Maven, we encourage our team to participate in educational experiences that will allow for growth in their role. Ally's appointment as President of PRSA California Gold Coast Chapter is a testament to her dedication to the industry and her ability to lead and inspire her peers, said Lindsey Carnett, CEO and President of Marketing Maven. On behalf of Marketing Maven, we are proud of her accomplishments and look forward to her continued success in this role.

Bertik will serve on the board through December 31, 2023, alongside six other communication professionals:



Ally Bertik  President

Natalie Hernandez  President-Elect

Emma Frawley  Past-President

Nancy Covarrubias Gill  Treasurer

Keith Pillow  Secretary

Kim Lamb Gregory  Director-at-Large, Membership

Kristen Steiner  Director-at-Large, Events

To learn more about PRSAGC or to attend an event, visit the chapters website at https://www.prsagoldcoast.org.

About Marketing Maven

With offices in Los Angeles and New York, Marketing Maven is an award-winning full-service international marketing and communications agency. Nationally recognized as a trusted communications partner, Marketing Maven specializes in public relations, brand strategy, social media, digital, media relations, event marketing, market research, minority marketing and search engine optimization. Marketing Maven leads the industry in utilizing advanced metrics to measure marketing reach and providing competitive analysis unparalleled in the industry. Offering strategic counsel, we see the big picture and use creative tactics to achieve results. For additional information about Marketing Maven, visit http://www.MarketingMaven.com.
By collaborating with RARE-X, we can help ensure we can support expanded data collection and interoperability between existing CoRDS registries and RARE-X, said Dr. David Pearce, president of Sanford Research.

RARE-X, the Global Genes patient-driven data collection platform, today announced a collaboration with Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford (CoRDS), enabling rare disease patients to better share their data and accelerate the development of diagnoses and treatments. In addition, patient advocacy groups already working with CoRDS will have the opportunity to expand and interconnect their data by leveraging RARE-Xs shared federated data platform.

With more than 10,000 rare diseases worldwide, rare disease groups struggle to compile rich, longitudinal patient data and clinical natural history data. This information is critical for patients and their doctors to understand their diseases better, entice researchers and biopharma to invest in their diseases, and help determine meaningful clinical endpoints. This collaboration will help break down data silos to make rich natural history data accessible to rare disease groups and researchers.

CoRDS already helps link patients to researchers and clinical trials that are available for them, said Dr. David Pearce, president of Sanford Research. By collaborating with RARE-X, we can help ensure we can support expanded data collection and interoperability between existing CoRDS registries and RARE-X.

RARE-X recognizes the many data gaps that exist in rare disease research and understands the importance of data sharing and data interoperability for researchers. RARE-X offers an automated and structured platform to support standardized data collection while enabling patient communities with proper governance, consent, and technology that can support a data ecosystem built for discovery.

We are collaborating with CoRDS to expand the gathering of patient-reported outcomes from their health data, said Charlene Son Rigby, CEO of Global Genes. CoRDS shares the same commitment to patients as we do, and we are honored to collaborate with them to provide patients the ability to interconnect their data, making it easily accessible for researchers, to accelerate disease understanding and therapy development.

About RARE-X

RARE-X is a program of Global Genes focused on supporting the acceleration and development of life-altering treatments and future cures for patients impacted by a rare disease. Enabled by best-in-class technology, patients, researchers, and other technology vendors, RARE-X gathers structured, fit-for-purpose data to share broadly, benefitting from 21st-century governance, consent, and federated data-sharing technology. Through RARE-X, Global Genes is building the largest collaborative patient-driven, open-data access project for rare diseases globally. For more information, visit http://www.rare-x.org.

About Sanford Health

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in Americas heartland. Headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the organization serves more than one million patients and 220,000 health plan members across 250,000 square miles. The integrated health system has 47 medical centers, 2,800 Sanford physicians and advanced practice providers, 170 clinical investigators and research scientists, more than 200 Good Samaritan Society senior care locations and world clinics in 8 countries around the globe. Learn more about Sanford Health's commitment to shaping the future of rural health care across the lifespan at sanfordhealth.org or Sanford Health News.

About Global Genes

Global Genes is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the burdens and challenges of rare diseases for patients and families globally. In pursuit of that mission, Global Genes connects, empowers, and inspires the rare disease community to stand up, stand out, and become more effective on their own behalf  helping to spur innovation, meet essential needs, build capacity and knowledge, and drive progress within and across rare diseases. Global Genes serves more than 400 million people around the globe, and nearly one in 10 Americans affected by rare diseases. If you or someone you love has a rare disease or are searching for a diagnosis, contact Global Genes at 949-248-RARE or visit the Resource Hub.

###

Tom Hume

Marketing Communications  Global Genes/RARE-X

tom.hume@globalgenes.org
Sandler Partners, the leading independent Technology Solutions Distributor, and one of the nations fastest-growing private companies, welcomes Jason Fontana as Director, Channel  Arizona, Utah, and Nevada. In his new role, he will help build and support the Western region market by assisting Partners in sourcing the ideal technology solutions for their customers.

Jason is well known in the channel with over a decade of experience representing recognizable technology brands, including CDW, GoTo, Vonage, and Avaya. During this time, he developed a deep set of skills and understanding of customer drives that allowed him to liaise and assist sales agents with developing solution approaches, demand generation activities, solution education, improved customer experience, and business development.

With Jason onboard we are increasing the level and quality of support were able to provide to our Partners in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, states Caleb Tucker, Senior Vice President. He brings specific knowledge  particularly on UC and CC  but also a well-rounded understanding of SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS that our community can leverage. Thats just the technical. His ability to connect with Small, Medium, and Enterprise scale organizations, across verticals, and motivate and energize Partners is what makes him a very exciting addition to the team.

Im looking forward to connecting and empowering all the Partners I already know, and contributing to our growth in Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, adds Jason. There is so much opportunity in this industry and in this community where I have invested my whole career. I promise my Partners that I will be with them to support, to whatever extent you may need, every deal development and deployment. Its exciting to think of how much we can do together! Hit me up, and lets talk!

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.
The additions to our senior team set the foundation for the next stage of Swans growth.

Swan, leading Bitcoin financial services firm, announces four new senior hires this month, to help lead the company's continued growth through the current economic downturn.

The additions to our senior team set the foundation for the next stage of Swans growth, said Cory Klippsten, CEO of Swan Bitcoin. Swan began as an app focused on making long-term Bitcoin accumulation safe and easy. We are now emerging as a large and diversified Bitcoin financial services company. Gaurav, Guilherme, Raphael, and Sheetal bring the deep experience and expertise we need for Swan to keep building a world-class organization.

Sheetal Ray joins as Swan's new Chief Operating Officer. She brings over twenty years of growth experience in Fortune 500 companies and startups. Sheetal previously assisted at Sequoia, NEA, and Goldman Sachs-funded SaaS company with preparations for an IPO. She also ran the financial operations of a $45B relief program aiming to fix damage from the 2008 Mortgage Crisis, and ran finance and accounting for an energy storage startup that is now a $3B public company.

Bitcoin is the only incorruptible money in existence today, and Swan is the company at the center of this space driving Bitcoin education and adoption, said Sheetal Ray. Can you imagine a world where your money doesnt lose value every year? Incorruptible money will give humanity a chance at progress by truly leveling the playing field.

Raphael Zagury has been hired as Chief Investment Officer and Head of Research at Swan. He was formerly the co-founder and CFO of Open Co, a leading lending fintech in Brazil funded by Softbank and Goldman Sachs. Prior to Open Co, Raphael founded One Partners, an investment banking and wealth management company in Brazil. Raphael also previously held executive positions in the New York offices of Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and Merrill Lynch, primarily focused on solutions for the ultra high net worth market.

Im excited to use my expertise in financial markets to help drive innovation and progress in the industry, said Raphael Zagury. As a passionate believer in the potential of Bitcoin to revolutionize the financial world, Im eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to Swan. No company is better positioned right now. Swan is not only at the forefront of Bitcoin education but is also committed to high-principled growth and development within the Bitcoin ecosystem.

Long-time Silicon Valley payments expert and leader Gaurav Gollerkeri is now General Manager of Swan Personal, responsible for the growth of Swan.com and the Swan App. Previously, Gaurav was GM of Payments at BlockFi, responsible for the launch of the worlds first Bitcoin rewards credit card, which paid out >1,000 Bitcoin to 90,000 cardholders in its first year. Gaurav also spent more than a decade at Visa in leadership roles, including running the Visa Direct real-time payments business for North America.

I'm excited to be joining Swan because we are a team of Bitcoiners, building for Bitcoiners, and doing what is good for Bitcoin, expressed Gaurav Gollerkeri. We have a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand the adoption and usage of Bitcoin by individuals, businesses and organizations, ushering in a bright orange future for everyone.

Guilherme Gomes is now the CRO at Swan. He brings over a decade of experience running strategy, business development, and growth initiatives for start-ups and large organizations. Most recently, he spent four years at Bridgewater Associates focused on market entry and business expansion in global wealth and insurance.

Guilherme Gomes said, "As an incorruptible form of money, Bitcoin will change the world as we know it. Although this breakthrough technology has been around for 14 years, we are still extremely early in the adoption cycle for Bitcoin. This is an inspiring mission, and I couldn't be more excited to join the team and help to drive it forward."

For media inquiries, please contact Sarah Cohen at (310) 260-7901 or Sarah(at)MelrosePR(dot)com.

About Swan

Swan Bitcoin is dedicated to helping people understand Bitcoin and what it represents for our future. Swan produces high quality Bitcoin education and takes pride in excellent, accessible customer service. Swan.com is the best way to accumulate Bitcoin with recurring and instant purchases. Swan Private Client Services helps high net worth individuals and entities build generational wealth around the world. Swans Advisor Services platform is an easy and secure way for financial advisors to provide their clients direct exposure to real Bitcoin. Future proof your business with the treasury and employee benefit programs from Swan Business. For more information, visit Swan.com.
Official logos of The Abbi Agency and the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Western Region. I am constantly astonished by the amount of passion and creativity that each member of the agency brings to every project they work on, said Abbi Whitaker, president and co-founder of The Abbi Agency.

The Abbi Agency, an integrated marketing communications agency specializing in creative, digital and public relations services, was named Advertising Agency of the Year ($10-50M) in the American Advertising Federations (AAF) Western Region Best of the West Media Awards. Specializing in the tech, travel & tourism, public affairs, healthcare, government and development & real estate industries, the agencys teams are experts in their respective fields.

The AAF Best of the West competition highlights companies that demonstrate excellence in service to their communities, large and small, for the quality of work and service within the markets they serve.

Founded in 2008 in Reno, Nevada, The Abbi Agency was built from the ground up, starting as a small public relations firm. In the 14 years since, the agency has grown intentionally with marketing integration at its core and has expanded to serve clients throughout the region, from California to Montana. Now it's being honored by one of the largest advertising organizations in the country after competing against some of the most respected agencies across the West Coast.

I am constantly astonished by the amount of passion and creativity that each member of the agency brings to every project they work on, said Abbi Whitaker, president and co-founder of The Abbi Agency. This award brings recognition to our entire team, validating the great work they do  day in and day out  and I couldnt be more proud.

Amongst all of the agency growth, The Abbi Agency has always stayed true to its values. As a B Corp, the agency leads with the philosophy of Be Bold. Be Boundary-Breaking. Be Big-Hearted. The agency drives behavior and social change with an entirely different perspective on environmental and community benefit than other public relations agencies. Do Good Sh*t, another agency philosophy, is designed to remind the team to seek out pro bono work for causes that need support and throw their backs behind what truly matters.

The Abbi Agency was also named the Bulldog PR Midsize Agency of the Year in 2022. The Bulldog awards recognize remarkable PR and communications campaigns and impressive individual and agency contributions to the industry. In addition to this, The Abbi Agency took home one gold and two platinum awards from the Hermes Creative Awards, an international competition that showcases innovative concepting, writing and design work in traditional and emerging media.

For more information about The Abbi Agency and their work as a digital marketing agency, visit http://www.theabbiagency.com.

####

About The Abbi Agency:

The Abbi Agency is an integrated marketing communications agency specializing in creative, digital and public relations services with offices in Reno and Las Vegas and employees worldwide. The agency has executed award-winning integrated marketing campaigns for clients including Visit Carmel, North Lake Tahoe, the Yosemite Conservancy, Plumas Bank, Nevada Health Link and Travel Nevada. The agency works extensively in the travel and tourism, healthcare, technology, public affairs, government and real estate and construction industries. The Abbi Agency is a Certified B Corporation and uses this foundational mission to make the agency a force for good, leading with a philosophy of "Be Bold. Be Boundary-Breaking. Be Big-Hearted." Learn more at theabbiagency.com.

About American Advertising Federations Best of the West Awards:

The Western Region of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), the nations oldest national advertising trade association, acts as the Unifying Voice for Advertising within the Western United States. The Western Region composed of five district operations supporting the states of Arizona, Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Each district serves a vital role in representing the interests and concerns of local advertising communities to protect and promote the well-being of advertising. The Western Region accomplishes this through a unique, coordinated grassroots network of advertisers, agencies, media companies, local advertising clubs and college chapters. They also set the framework for well-known industry programs like the American Advertising (ADDY) Awards and the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC).
1966 Volkswagen Micro Bus.

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, in partnership with the Hagerty Drivers Foundations National Historic Vehicle Register, will welcome a rotating selection from the Registers prestigious group of significant American automobiles. This special pop-up will showcase a new vehicle from the Register every six months. On January 14, the next vehicle to be featured is a 1966 Volkswagen Deluxe Station Wagon Micro Bus, the primary means of transportation for a couple at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in South Carolina.

In the 1940s, Esau and Janie B. Jenkins, a married couple from Johns Island, South Carolina, set forth to improve the lives of African Americans in their state. Motivated to make a difference, the Jenkins established the Progressive Club in 1948, a community center and co-op that provided everything from voter and literacy education to childcare and a place to purchase groceries.

Through the course of their work, the Jenkins helped register thousands of African American voters on the Sea Islands working with Civil Rights leaders Septima Clark and Bernice Robinson. The Jenkins, Clark and Robinson would go on to develop a Citizenship School at the Progressive Club in 1957the first of many in the South during the Civil Rights Movement. Among their countless acts of advocacy to uplift the community, the Jenkins went on to establish the Citizens Committee of Charleston County and founded the C.O. Credit Union to give African Americans access to fair financial services.

The 1966 Volkswagen became the Jenkins primary means of transportation and even sported Esaus motto: Love is Progress, Hate is Expensive. This phrase was hand painted on the rear engine cover and hatch and the words Citizens Committee covered the sides of the green vehicle. This Volkswagen became a fixture in the Charleston area and a symbol for change and social justice.

In 2014, the Jenkins family donated the rear panels with Esaus moto to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture.

In 2019, the Historic Vehicle Association (now the Hagerty Drivers Foundation) and the family decided to preserve the vehicle as an unrestored artifact rather than restore it to operating condition. Today, the vehicle remains in the care of the Jenkins family.

This special display is included with admission to Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. For more information, visit thf.org or follow The Henry Ford on social media @thehenryford.

About The Henry Ford

Located in Dearborn, Michigan, The Henry Ford, a globally recognized destination, fosters inspiration and learning from hands-on encounters with artifacts that represent the most comprehensive collection anywhere focusing on innovation, ingenuity and resourcefulness in America. Its unique venues include Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Greenfield Village, Ford Rouge Factory Tour, Benson Ford Research Center and Henry Ford Academy, a public charter high school. Together with its online presence at thf.org, its national television series The Henry Fords Innovation Nation and Invention Convention Worldwide, the growing affiliation of organizations fostering innovation, invention and entrepreneurship in K-12 students, The Henry Ford inspires individuals to unlock their potential and help shape a better future.

About The Hagerty Drivers Foundations National Historic Vehicle Register

The National Historic Vehicle Register records the important history of Americas significant automobiles, preserving their information for future generations in perpetuity at the Library of Congress. Following the model of preservation work and legislation that has existed at the federal level for significant buildings, bridges, and airplanes, but never cars, the Historic Vehicle Association (now the Hagerty Drivers Foundation) initiated a collaboration with the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2013 to include automobiles in the Historic American Engineering Record through a National Historic Vehicle Register program. Following criteria set forth by the Heritage Documentation Programs and the Secretary of the Interiors Standards, many more vehicles will be added in the future.
Frederick L. Jones, founder of the manga brand Saturday AM, considers himself a devout fan of the genre, having followed manga for decades. And while Jones lauds the inventiveness, dynamism, and character designs of manga, he has long sensed a missed opportunity for more diversity in the art form. For Jones, more inclusive manga is a natural evolution.

I think of manga as an institution and visual language for people around the world, Jones says. Likewise, diversity is not an alien or quirky concept to them; rather, its a reality. Many modern artists see no distinction in their works being considered manga, whether the main character is African, Latin American, Indian, and so on.

This desire to celebrate and promote global manga led Jones to launch Saturday AM digital manga in 2013. Jones says its a brand that operates in the spirit of the Japanese manga but with a focus on characters, creators, and settings that could hail from anywhere and feature anyone.

And with its ongoing publishing partnership with The Quarto Group launched in 2022, Saturday AM is reaching even more readers through a series of manga titles now published in print format. Under its art and design imprint, Rockport Publishers, Quarto published 10 Saturday AM titles in 2022 across seven serieswith an additional 10 to 12 titles coming every year. There is a natural competitiveness to all the series, Jones says.

The Rockport editions, which are slightly bigger than a traditional volume of Japanese manga, are mostly in black and white and will include select color pages. Clock Striker, Volume 1 by Jones along with Nigerien Issaka Galadima is a Saturday AM standout coming from Quarto this February. The book follows a Black female lead hero, Cast, in her quest to become a member of the SMITHS, the legendary warrior engineers.

From Nigerian author and artist Odunze Oguguoaka YouTubes Whyt Mangathe Apple Black series takes place in a fantasy world in which people gain magical abilities from a fruit called Black. Apple Black, Volume 3 will publish in May of this year. Oguguo too grew up reading manga and was particularly drawn to its cinematic storytelling style, but he wanted to see the art form broadened. As a Nigerian, I wanted to bring many ideas to the manga category, he says, so I designed my series to support various cultures, mythologies, and types of magic.

Also coming out this year are Saigami, Volume 2 by Hungarian artist Seny and Gunhild by Colombian artist Fred Tornager. Both feature fantastical settings with multilayered characters. More upcoming releases include Soul Beat, Volume 1 by Morganne Walker, Underground, Volume 1 by J. R. De Bard, and Henshin!, Volume 1 by Bon Idle, a kaiju-light story featuring a queer boy navigating his new role as a superhero.

Through its successful partnership with The Quarto Group, Saturday AM is representing a growing body of diverse artists. Its all in line with Joness original vision of creating ever-expanding, truly global manga. From our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters to those who are differently abled, have nonstandard body types, or have darker skin tones, everyone should be able to see themselves in manga, he says. Its been rewarding to see that people of all backgrounds have embraced many of our characters and creators as well as our overall mission.
We start this week with Book Riot and Kelly Jensen's weekly roundup of book bans and censorship-related news. Notably, Jensen offers her take on what book banners might target in 2023, which includes book award committees and other notable "best of" book lists. "In many libraries, those are automatic purchases for the collection given they have been deemed of important literary merit or they fulfill a need that can be hard to find," Jensen points out.

Via NPR, author George M. Johnson offers the latest in a series of interviews and essays by authors whose books are being challenged and banned across the country. "Now, on one hand, the bans in many ways have had a reverse effect as many who never knew my book existed were able to find it. Many who didn't know that there was a story for them in this world now share my story and are empowered to live their lives in their full truth and power," Johnson writes. "However, it has also forced many young adults to see the ugliest side of this country. The racist, homophobic side that continues to dehumanize LGBTQ people, specifically Black LGBTQ people."

Chalkbeat reports on a new study showing that book challenges in local school districts are having a chilling effect on future library acquisitions. "Schools in districts that saw book challenges in the 2021-22 school year were 55% less likely to have a title from a list of recently published LGBTQ books, according to the study, which analyzed the availability of hundreds of titles in over 6,600 public school libraries," reports Julian Shen-Berro.

With state legislatures back in session comes more news of bills that threaten the freedom to read:

Inforum reports on two new bills in North Dakota that would make it a crime for libraries to offer what state officials deem sexually explicit books. "Senate bill 2123 and House bill 1205 would make it a Class B misdemeanor for any business establishment where minors can go to offer books with images showing nudity or partial nudity," the report notes. This includes libraries. Kerrianne Boetcher, president of North Dakota Library Association, told reporters the bills were a "a blatant attempt to censor materials."

In Virginia, The Virginia Mercury reports on a bill up for debate during the 2023 session that would require local school boards to "develop policies for handling controversial instructional material" and would require "parental permission before any student could check out a book involving sexual content." In a blow to Governor Glenn Youngkin, who made such issues a centerpiece of his campaign, a senate committee voted the measure down by a narrow 8-7 margin.

In Nebraska, the Lincoln Journal Star reports on a new bill that would bar teachers from "discussing" the idea that individuals, by virtue of their race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, bear collective guilt and are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past." The bill would require school districts to "develop and adopt policies outlining how parents can inspect curriculum materials in an online portal and object to any learning materials they believe harm their 'firmly held beliefs, values, or principles,' and withdraw their children from those classes or activities."

Indianapolis-based WRTV.com reports on the The Black Caucus of the American Library Association decision to pull the upcoming National Convention of African American Librarians program from Indianapolis. The move comes after the Indianapolis Library Board declined interim CEO Nichelle Hayes the chance to do the job on a permanent basis. The actions of the Indianapolis Public Library Board are a reflection of what happens within our profession, where hardworking, talented, and qualified people are used to clean up messes, fix problems, and to just be seen enough that a diversity goal is ticked without any substantive change," reads a statement from the NCAAL conference committee. Our members deserve better.

The New York Times reports on a brewing battle between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council over proposed cuts of $13 million this fiscal year and more than $20 million next year to the city's public libraries. Library leaders say the cuts could force cuts to hours, workforce reductions, and programming at a time when the library is more essential than ever, as the city emerges from the pandemic. But with federal pandemic aid ending, the city is expected to have a deficit of nearly $3 billion next year.

And from Bloomberg Law, a rather optimistic take on the recently enacted (and somewhat controversial) Copyright Claims Board, billed by legislators as a kind of voluntary small claims court for copyright disputes. The report notes that 281 cases were filed from the CCB's launch in June through December 31, most involving visual artists. While the report suggests backers are encouraged by the number of cases filed, it notes that 134 of those cases were dismissed before they ever got to the board (most for filing deficiencies).

The Week in Libraries is a weekly opinion and news column. News, tips, submissions, questions or comments are welcome, and can be submitted via email.
Two pillars of Publishers Weekly's editorial team over the past quarter-century and more are leaving the company: Peter Cannon, senior reviews editor, and Calvin Reid, senior news editor, have retired after 23 and 36 years, respectively.

Both leave the publication as giants in their own genres and publishing segments. Cannon's keen eye for books in the crime, mystery, and thriller space has defined PW's industry-leading review coverage of those genres over the past decades, while Reid's early trade coverage of, and support for, comics and graphic novels as part of the trade book business helped cement both as a major part of today's publishing landscape.

Cannon joined PW in 2000 as a part-time mystery reviews editor, going full-time in 2003. When he started, he said, I knew virtually nothing about mysteries. I was a Sherlock Holmes fan and had read a few of the classics, but Id never, for example, heard of a cozy, in which typically the relationship between the sleuth and her cat is as important as the crime solving.

After adding thrillers to his purview in 2007, a publicist urged me to try Philip Kerrs Bernie Gunther series, about an honest Berlin police detective in Nazi Germany, which started a passion for the genre that now extends to such major contemporary authors as Lee Child and Anthony Horowitz. As a regular attendee at the annual Edgars and Thrillerfest awards ceremonies, and in my dealings with all the fine people at such publishers as Minotaur, Mysterious, Soho, and Pegasus, I came to appreciate the larger community of mystery and thriller writers, so welcoming and supportive of those starting out in the field, Cannon said. Its been my pleasure and privilege to be a part of that world.

Executive editor Jonathan Segura, who runs the reviews department at PW, said: Well never be able to replace Peter. Hes a legend here and in the mystery and thriller community, and hes been a mentor for many of the editors who have come through here. Having worked alongside him for many, many years, I can confirm hes also a great guy with a sharp, dry wit. Its impossible to overstate how much hell be missed.

Reid joined PW in 1987 as assistant news editor after working for nearly five years as a typist/production editor at PWs former sister publication, Library Journal. He worked as the assistant to longtime PW news editor Madalynne Reuter, and was promoted to associate editor in 1988; he continued to grow the magazines comics coverage with the help of freelance pop culture journalist Douglas Wolk, who was instrumental in the early expansion of PWs coverage of graphic novel publishing. In addition, Reid was active in covering small press and indie publishing (including editing the former Publishers Briefly small press column for several years) in addition to his longtime coverage of African American publishing.

By 2005, Reid was senior news editor. In that same year, he was named coeditor (along with Heidi MacDonald) of PW Comics Week, a weekly newsletter on graphic novel publishing, which later became PW Comics World, a twice-a-month newsletter. In 2011 Reid became cohost (along with MacDonald and producer Kate Fitzsimons) on More to Come, PWs weekly podcast on comics and graphic novel publishing. He edits PW's pop culture newsletter, the Fanatic, and will continue to write and edit for the publication.

This is my 30th year at PW, and during that entire time, Calvin has been a trusted friend and colleague, editorial director Jim Milliot said. He has covered every kind of publishing story imaginable and attended too many conventions and events to count, and along the way collecting thousands of friends. Happily, he will continue to freelance for us even as he reads even more graphic novels.
As unionized employees at HarperCollins Publishers prepare to mark their 50th day on strike next week, union representatives announced that a rally is planned outside the publisher's parent company, News Corp, in Manhattan at 12:30 p.m. on January 18. Since November 10 of last year, labor negotiations between the union and company executives have been stalled, and union representatives are hoping to put pressure on the publisher to return to the bargaining table.

Local 2110 of the UAW represents more than 250 HarperCollins employees in editorial, sales, publicity, design, legal, and marketing departments. Union representatives said negotiations have stalled over higher pay, a greater commitment to diversifying staff, and stronger union protection. Negotiations started in December 2021 and unionized employees have been working without a contract since April 2022.

The rally we held on December 16 saw amazing turnout from our members and supporters across the city, said Genessee Floressantos, an associate publicist in international sales. It was a huge boost for us to see such a big crowd despite the rainy and windy weather that day. This once again showed that our demands are very reasonable and worth fighting for, and that the whole industry stands with us in this fight.

Last December, strikers finished the year with a rally co-hosted by HarperCollins bestselling authors Rebecca F. Kuang and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. Other speakers included New York City Council Member Chris Marte, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, and NYS Senator Brad Hoylman.

On December 30, members of New York State Senate, Brad Hoylman, Cordell Cleare, Anna Kaplan, Liz Krueger, Julia Salazar, Shelley Mayer, Pete Harckham, Michelle Hinchey, Gustavo Rivera, Jessica Ramos, and Andrew Gounardes, sent a letter of support of the strikers to HarperCollins president & CEO Brian Murray.

HarperCollins employees have had a union for more than 80 years and it is one of the earliest unions of white collar workers in the country. It is part of Technical, Office and Professional Union UAW Local 2110. Contract negotiations with HarperCollins management began in December 2021 when a one-year pandemic extension of the contract was set to expire. Currently, HarperCollins is the only major book publisher in the U.S. to be unionized, though some smaller book publishers also have unions.
Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source!
If youve been paying attention to TV lately, youve probably heard people raving about HBOs adaptation of The Last of Us. The show has been praised both for its accuracy to the game and for some of the masterful deviations. One of these deviations highlights an important trend in media that cannot lose its momentum: The character Sam is deaf.
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, fans of the B-52s packed into the Classic Center Theatre in sequins, boas, glitter and wigs, dressed in every color of the rainbow. Both young and old, some had traveled minutes and others hours to see the worlds greatest party band end their Farewell Tour in the town where it all began.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Abundant sunshine. 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.
To the editor: The birth and legacy of Brattleboro Memorial Hospital by The Brattleboro Historical Society, published in the Jan. 13 Reforme
BENNINGTON  Main Street in Bennington is about to have an empty shop a few steps from the Four Corners. W. Collective is closing its doors at
Photographer / Multimedia Editor

Has been working as a photojournalist since 2007, before moving into newspapers, he worked with an NGO called Project HOPE. He then went to work for the Press and Sun-Bulletin in New York, and then in New England working for the Brattleboro Reformer.
The allegations come amid concern that officials want to push sales of a homegrown antiviral instead.

Chinese negotiators tried to get Pfizer to lower the price of its antiviral Paxlovid -- a front-line treatment in the ongoing wave of COVID-19 infections sweeping the country -- to just 200 yuan per box, an industry insider told Radio Free Asia.

Negotiations between China's National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) and Pfizer "failed because of the drug's high price," Chinas state-backed media newspaper reported last week.

The nationalistic tabloid Global Times accused U.S. "capital forces" of profiteering from the current wave of COVID-19, amid an ongoing shortage of antivirals and widespread reports of pneumonia since the lifting of restrictions last month.

The financial magazine Caixin quoted unnamed sources as saying that Pfizer hadn't lowered its price significantly beyond the 1,890 yuan (U.S. $280) it currently charges Chinese hospitals, while the Global Times said the drug hadn't been included in China's national medical insurance program due to the high price.

That claim was judged to be "misleading" following an investigation by the Asia Fact Check Lab, which is affiliated with Radio Free Asia.

Healthcare industry insider Zhang Ning said Chinese negotiators had already gotten Pfizer to reduce the price of a box of Paxlovid from the original price of 1,890 yuan to just 604 yuan.

"[But] the price they wanted to get it onto the medical insurance [approved list] was 200 yuan/box," Zhang said. "[Homegrown antiviral] Azvudine was entered into the medical insurance catalog at 270 yuan/box."

She said Azvudine, a broad-spectrum antiviral agent developed in China to treat HIV/AIDS and approved for use in the national medical insurance system last August, cost far less to produce than small molecule treatments like Paxlovid.

While Radio Free Asia was unable to verify Zhang's claims independently, they are similar to recent comments from Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, who recently said that negotiations broke down because the Chinese side wanted to sell Paxlovid at a price lower than Pfizer's price for low- and middle-income countries.

Lower than El Salvador

Bourla said on Jan. 10 that talks with China on future pricing for the treatment had broken off after China had asked for a lower price than Pfizer is charging for most lower middle income countries.

"They are the second highest economy in the world and I don't think that they should pay less than El Salvador," Bourla said in comments reported by Reuters at the time.

Zhang said it was unclear why the medical insurance bureau had insisted on such a low price for Paxlovid, given that Azvudine is still in clinical trials.

"The cost of the technology to produce small molecule drugs [like Paxlovid] is very high ... and the phase three clinical trials for Azvudine haven't even been completed yet," she said. "They have just recruited 1,000 COVID-19 patients for the trial."

Li Sha, chief pharmacist at the No. 2 Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, said Azvudine was mainly indicated for use in patients over 60 with underlying health conditions.

"[This is] because there have been a lot of adverse reactions, including damage to the nervous system and to liver and kidney function," Li said.

"It's not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, as well as patients with severe liver and kidney damage."

Zhang said the dispute comes amid a nationwide shortage of Paxlovid, which has been known to change hands on the black market for tens of thousands of yuan a box.

"There isn't any [Paxlovid] available at all, and there has been no sign even on the black market of any new supply during the past couple of days," she said. "So many people are waiting to buy them."

"Everyone is currently buying oxygen machines on the black market, snapping them up along with human serum albumin," Zhang said.

Black market

A Shanghai resident who gave only the surname Huang said human serum albumin is currently selling for several hundred yuan/dose in hospitals, and anything from 1,500-5,000 yuan on the black market.

According to Zhang, the albumin can only be sourced from human plasma, and the current shortage reflects an overall shortage of blood donors.

A recent investigation by the Asia Fact Check Lab suggested that the price of Paxlovid had little to do with the decision not to include it in the medical insurance list of approved drugs.

Paxlovid, also known as Naimatevir Tablets/Ritonavir Tablets, is a small-molecule antiviral oral drug that comes "strongly recommended" by the World Health Organization for the early and mid-term treatment of people at risk of severe illness after infection with COVID-19.

The U.S. government has already agreed to buy 10 million courses of the drug at a cost of around U.S.$530, or 3,700 yuan, compared with the 1,890 yuan/box price initially agreed for the Chinese market.

Germany has agreed to procure one million boxes at a cost of 500 Euro, or 3,640 yuan a box, the investigation found.

It found that Beijing had allocated sufficient funds to pay for Paxlovid, with the national health insurance fund currently enjoying a surplus of more than five trillion yuan, with revenues rising by 7.7% from January to November 2022, compared with the same period the year before.

It cited an economist as saying that Paxlovid wouldn't make enough money for the Chinese healthcare sector.

"It's never been about spending taxpayers money, and nor a question of whether [Paxlovid] is worth the money," the economist said. "The real question is who makes money."



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
Reinfected patients are presenting with more severe disease, with some only a month out from their first bout.

Elderly patients rest along a corridor of the emergency ward as they receive intravenous drips in Beijing, Jan. 5, 2023.

Healthcare workers across China are seeing large numbers of people who have been reinfected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19, putting a further strain on the country's beleaguered healthcare system, multiple sources told Radio Free Asia.

A healthcare worker surnamed Li in the northern city of Shijiazhuang said medics are now seeing a wave of secondary infections, due to the damage wreaked by COVID-19 on the immune system.

"We're hearing about a very large number of reinfections in out-of-town areas, due to the damage done to the immune system by the first infection with COVID-19," Li said. "People are presenting with pain that is five to 10 times worse than what they had during their first infection."

A doctor in the same city who declined to be named said patients are presenting with reinfections as early as one month after recovering from their first, and with immunity that has been weakened by the virus itself.

Her account was backed up by healthcare workers at hospitals in the northern city of Taiyuan and in the central province of Hunan, who spoke to Radio Free Asia on Friday.

"The incidence of reinfections with Omicron has increased significantly," an attending physician surnamed Chen at the No. 2 Affiliated Hospital of the Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine said.

"Some data show that around 100,000 people out of three million cases were reinfections, which is about 3%," Chen said.

Reports of infection rates of around 70% across much of China in recent days would mean an estimated 900 million people in China have been infected at least once with Omicron. If Chen's figure were to be extrapolated nationwide, that would mean the country is also seeing around 10 million reinfections.

Top internal medicine expert Zhang Boli warned the general public in an interview with the Science and Technology Daily newspaper to be on their guard against reinfection.

Virologists have long warned of the potential for reinfection with the Omicron variant of COVID-19. A study by researchers at London's Imperial College described Omicron as being highly capable of reinfecting people, even if they are triple-vaccinated.

Study lead author Rosemary Boyton said in June 2022 that getting infected with Omicron "does not provide a potent boost to immunity against reinfection with Omicron in the future."

Meanwhile, a Nov. 10, 2022 study in the scientific journal Nature found that "reinfection [with COVID-19] further increases risks of death, hospitalization and sequelae in multiple organ systems," both during the initial disease and in the months that follow.

Medical workers check on elderly patients arriving at the emergency department in a Beijing hospital, Jan. 7, 2023. Credit: Associated Press

'This isn't being reported on TV'

The family member of a COVID-19 patient revealed in an audio recording posted to social media in recent days: "The situation has changed a bit ... I'm at the hospital today, and beds are in short supply. Everyone here is on their second COVID-19 infection."

"This isn't being reported on TV," the person said. "These reinfected patients are all suffering from deteriorating autoimmunity, and are lying in hospital with only human serum albumin being administered twice daily."

A healthcare worker surnamed Liu at a hospital in Taiyuan said there are many different mutant strains of Omicron currently circulating in China.

"It's very serious because so many people got infected all at once the first time around," Liu said. "The data is changing incredibly fast right now."

"It's very easy for people to get reinfected by the virus when they're not even fully recovered from their first infection," she said.

Hunan-based doctor Chen said he is seeing a high proportion of severe disease in reinfected elderly people with underlying health problems.

"There is a high proportion of severe cases among reinfected elderly people with high blood sugar, high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease, emphysema, asthma and other underlying diseases," he said.

A medical supplies business owner surnamed Sun from the eastern province of Jiangsu said the peak of the current wave may have passed in China's bigger cities.

"I feel the peak has passed in the big cities but not yet in the second, third and fourth-tier cities," she said. "The rural wave hasn't really happened yet."

Hundreds of millions of people are currently heading back to their ancestral homes ahead of Lunar New Year on Jan. 22, sparking fears of a rural wave of COVID-19 infections peaking sometime in March.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
The agreement came at a meeting of both countries foreign and defense chiefs.

Japanese troops conduct a military drill next to an anti-ship missile unit, at Miyako camp on Miyako Island, Okinawa prefecture, April 21, 2022.

The United States and Japan have agreed to further boost their military alliance with a plan to deploy a new Marine unit to an island chain near Taiwan amid rising strategic challenges from China.

Top foreign affairs and defense officials from both countries on Wednesday held an unprecedented meeting of the U.S.Japan Security Consultative Committee, dubbed 2+2, which U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called another step toward tightening already incredibly strong bonds between the two countries.

The two sides announced a military alliance-updating plan that includes the deployment of a new mobile Marine unit in Japan's southern island of Okinawa.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a joint press conference that the new Marine Littoral Regiment, re-designated from an artillery regiment, is more lethal, more agile, more capable, and would bolster deterrence in the region and allow us to defend Japan and its people more effectively.

Okinawa, part of the Ryuku (Nansei) Islands, is located just 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Taiwan, the democratic, self-ruled island that China vows to reunify with the mainland.

The presence of the new Marine force on Okinawa will send a clear deterrent message to Beijing which is, in Blinkens words, the greatest shared strategic challenge that we and our allies and partners face.

The U.S. and Japan also said they would expand their security treaty to "attacks to, from or within space, amid concerns over rapid developments in Chinas space program.

Such attacks present a clear challenge to the security of the alliance" and could invoke Article Five of the U.S.- Japan mutual defense treaty.

Austin is meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada separately at the Pentagon on Thursday, before a summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (CR) and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (R) hold a press conference with Japans Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (CL) and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada (L) in Washington, Jan. 11, 2023. Credit: Reuters/Joshua Roberts

Shift in strategy and alliance

Washington has strongly endorsed Tokyos recent military buildup, the biggest since World War II and a remarkable shift from Japans post-war pacifism.

Last month Japan announced a five-year plan to double its defense budget to 2% of the countrys gross domestic product and focus on acquiring counterattack capabilities.

Tokyo also released a set of new national security strategies, in which China is identified as an unprecedented strategic challenge.

"We applaud the commitment to increase investment, to enhanced roles, missions and capabilities ... to closer cooperation not only between the United States and Japan but as well with other allies and other partners," Antony Blinken said.

He said that there is a remarkable convergence between our strategy  strategies  and Japan's.

This weeks events mark a significant change in the U.S.-Japan alliance, wrote analysts Zac Cooper and Eric Sayer in a commentary in War On The Rocks, a defense and security portal.

For the first time in decades, Tokyo and Washington are seriously preparing for the possibility of a major conflict in the near term, they said, noting that the U.S.-Japan alliance is shifting to a war footing.

Japan's anxieties about a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan have provided the context for this shift as for Tokyo containing China is a priority as evident in the Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept, said Jeff Kingston, a professor at Temple University in Tokyo.

The parallels between Putin and Ukraine and Xi and Taiwan could have helped to create a favorable environment for ramping up defense capabilities and shedding security constraints but a public backlash is likely when it is presented with the bill, according to Kingston.

I think that the surge in the defense budget with no firm plan for funding it and ill-considered plans for the splurge in outlays will come back to haunt Kishida, he said.

Chinas reaction

When asked about the new efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Japan military alliance, a Chinese spokesman said that military cooperation between the two countries must not harm the interests of third parties or undermine the peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile a newspaper affiliated to the Communist Party, the Global Times, ran a commentary slamming the U.S. and Japan for continuing to undermine regional peace and stability in 2023.

The paper quoted Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, as saying that the ostensibly closer U.S.-Japan alliance actually puts Japan in a riskier and more sacrificial position.

Washington is the last stop in Prime Minister Kishidas week-long diplomatic tour that also took him to France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Canada.

On Wednesday Kishida and his British counterpart Rishi Sunak signed a landmark defense pact allowing their forces to be deployed in each others countries.
Indonesian foreign minister says ASEAN can solve political crisis 'only through engagement with all stakeholders.'

UPDATED at 10:03 a.m. EST on 01-13-2023

Myanmars military junta has warned ASEAN not to interfere with its internal matters after the regional bloc signaled it could include the country's shadow National Unity Government, or NUG, in negotiations with the bloc to deal with the post-coup crisis there.

Indonesias Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi at a press conference on Wednesday pledged that as ASEAN chair her nation would establish a special envoys office and work according to the five-point consensus, or 5PC, referring to the blocs plan for putting Myanmar back on a democratic path, which analysts have termed a failure.

"Only through engagement with all stakeholders, can the 5PC mandate regarding facilitation for the creation of a national dialogue be carried out, said Retno, seemingly referring to the NUG.

In a press release, the juntas Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by saying that it would implement the five-point consensus in line with the fundamental principles of upholding its national interest, sovereignty and non-interferences of the internal affairs of the member states.

The junta also warned ASEAN not to engage with any terrorist groups and unlawful associations [recognized] by the Government of Myanmar, but did not mention any particular group in the release.

Myanmars military, which toppled an elected government on Feb. 1, 2021, reneged on the consensus that it had agreed to in April that year. The agreement was meant to be a roadmap that would restore peace and democracy in Myanmar.

The consensus called for an end to violence, the provision of humanitarian assistance, the appointment of an ASEAN special envoy, dialogue between all stakeholders, and mediation by the envoy.

Since the coup, the Burmese junta has carried out a widespread campaign of torture, arbitrary arrests and attacks targeting 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 the nearly two years since, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Many regional observers and analysts, as well as the previous foreign minister of Malaysia, have said it is time to junk the consensus and devise a new plan on a deadline that includes enforcement mechanisms.

However on Monday, Indonesian President Joko Jokowi Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reversed course and said the five-point consensus remains the best route to resolving the crisis in Myanmar.

Update adds context that Retno Marsudi was likely referring to engagement with the NUG.
Thai authorities arresting a Myanmar arms broker last year confiscated assets owned by the children of junta chief Senior 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 Prayut 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.

Prayut Chan-o-cha, 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 RFA Burmese 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 Myanamr 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. RFA-affiliated news service BenarNews was also unable to contact the spokesmen for the Royal Thai Police or the office of Prayut Chan-o-cha, despite multiple attempts to reach them by phone.

The Belle Grand Rama 9 complex in Bangkok, Thailand, where Min Aung Hlaings son, Aung Pyae Sone, owns a condominium. The title deed was found in Tun Min Latts possession. Credit: Justice For Myanmar

Military rule will only generate chaos

Responding to Justice for Myanmars report, Charles Santiago, ASEAN Parliamentarian on 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, who 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 Mon's decision to invest their money in Thailand shows just how comfortable they are with the SAC junta appeasement policies of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha 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. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
The reopened Myawaddy-Mae Sot Friendship Bridge will boost trade between the Southeast Asian neighbors.

The Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 1, which links Myawaddy in Kayin state and Mae Sot in Thailands Tak Province, opens Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

Myanmar and Thailand have reopened a major border crossing after a three-year hiatus.

The Myawaddy-Mae Sot Friendship Bridge, which connects Thailands western Tak province with Kayin states Myawaddy township in Myanmars east, resumed operations on Thursday for the first time since 2020, when the two countries closed their borders due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Several Thai and Myanmar officials met on the bridge at 7:30 Thursday morning for a reopening ceremony. Traffic across the bridge formally reopened at 8:30, according to the Myanmar National Portal website.

A resident who attended the event told RFAs Burmese Service that hundreds of people from both sides came to watch.

Nay Win, who was the first person to enter Thailand through the bridge on Thursday, said he was given a seven-day border pass to stay in the country after submitting his COVID-19 vaccination record, and 3,000 kyat (U.S.$1.43).

I am happy [to be back], he said.

A reopening ceremony was held for the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 1, which links Myawaddy in Kayin state and Mae Sot in Thailands Tak Province, on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. Credit: Kitimasak Aek Seeduan via Facebook

The reopening of the land border is expected to benefit the economy for both countries.

The important thing is that trade, education and healthcare will improve, said Thin Thin Myat, the president of the Thai-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce.

She said that there will be health centers to check for COVID at the entrance and exit of the two countries. Those who can show the proper documentation will be allowed to visit the other side for seven days.

The reopening is good for the people of Myanmar, according to Htoo Chit, a Myanmar labor rights advocate in Thailand.

During the closure, the migrants and visitors had to pay more than ten times the regular fees in order to come to Thailand, said Htoo Chit. Some had to enter illegally and ended up arrested, in jail or deported. Now they can come legally and officially.

A total of 786 border crossings occurred on the first day of reopening, with 40 Thais and 300 Burmese departing Thailand across the bridge, and 35 Thais and 411 Burmese entering Thailand, according to Thai immigration statistics.

Since the military coup in Myanmar, the Thai-Myanmar border town of Myawaddy has seen frequent bombings. On the night of Oct. 15, 2022, a bomb exploded near the Myawaddy-Mae Sot bridge and at least two cars were destroyed by fire.

Nay Win shows his passport stamp after being the first to cross the Myanmar-Thai Friendship Bridge No. 1 in three years. Credit: RFA

The long-anticipated reopening was originally announced for May 1, 2022, but was repeatedly delayed.

Before the bridge reopening, some workers and goods were able to pass through a second Thai-Myanmar bridge roughly 8 kilometers (5 miles) north under an agreement that sought to bolster Thailands labor market with workers from Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

However, advocacy groups said high fees from brokers to arrange paperwork for the process meant it was an insufficient opportunity for the masses looking for a stable income in the lagging economy.

Those unable to wait for the reopening were left to come through irregular routes across the 2,400 kilometer border, often with the aid of brokers.

Moe Kyaw of the Joint Action Committee for Burmese Affairs says creating more legal migration paths can help reduce risk and leave fewer people open to abuses.

Of the four permanent land borders, the only other open checkpoint is further south in Kawthaung, Myanmar. However, only locals with passes and access to a boat can legally come into Thailand.

Myanmar citizens living in Mae Sot see the border reopening not as an economic boon but as a chance to connect with loved ones theyve been separated from.

Samuel, who came to the opening ceremony on the Thai side, and asked to go by his first name only, has been watching preparations for the opening all week. Although he expects to stay in Thailand because of the coup, now he can at least visit his home country.

It will bring more convenience for Burmese people, Samuel said. Im trying to go to Myawaddy just to meet my friend.

Translated by Kyaw Min Htun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
A young child and two priests were among those who died in the airstrike.

The remains of the church destroyed in a junta airstrike on Jan. 12, 2023.

A junta airstrike on a village in Myanmars southeastern Kayin State killed five people, including a child of about three-years-old, according to David Eubank, a former US commander who founded the Free Burma Rangers.

A Baptist pastor and a Catholic bishop also died in Thursday nights raid on Lu Thaw townships Laywa village.

Many civilians were injured in the attack, according to locals, who said everyone had fled the village.

Eubank told RFA two fighter jets targeted a church and dropped two bombs.

"If it had been a school instead of a church, all the students would have died because the building had been completely destroyed," said Eubank, whose group trains ethnic pro-democracy groups to provide emergency care in conflict zones.

Lu Thaw township is in Hpapun district, close to the headquarters of the Karen National Union, in an area controlled by the KNU's military wing, the Karen National Liberation Army, which has fought numerous battles against junta forces in Kayin State.

On Jan. 4, KNLA joint forces attacked three military camps in Kayin States Kyainseikgyi township, claiming to have killed nearly 50 soldiers.

Last month, a week-long battle between junta troops and the KNLA in Kawkareik city left three civilians dead and forced more than a thousand to flee their homes.

The KNU/KNLA was one of four powerful armed ethnic groups to reject the offer of peace talks with the junta last year. The groups said there could be no negotiations unless they involved the ousted National Unity Government and its Peoples Defense Force.

Padoh Mahn Mahn, the leader of KNU Brigade 5, confirmed that five people were killed on Thursday. He told RFA the KNU is helping other villages in the area prepare for junta airstrikes to avoid casualties.

Saw Khin Maung Myint, Kayin States junta spokesman and economy minister, did not return RFA's calls seeking comment on the attack.

Myanmars military regime continues to conduct airstrikes despite a warning from the U.N. Security Council that they must end all acts of violence.

On Monday, a junta airstrike on the Chin National Front headquarters in Chin State killed five of its soldiers.

More than 2,700 civilians have been killed in junta crackdowns in the 23 months since the military seized power from the democratically elected government in a Feb. 1, 2021 coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
A delegation of more than 30 Islamic scholars and writers visits an exhibition in the Xinjiang International Convention and Exhibition Center in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang region, Jan. 8, 2023.

Rights groups and Uyghurs living abroad have strongly condemned a visit to Xinjiang this week by a delegation of Muslim scholars and clerics from developing nations who voiced support for Chinas policies in the far-western region, saying they turned a blind eye to the suffering of persecuted Uyghurs.

The group of more than 30 Islamic representatives from 14 countries  including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Serbia, South Sudan and Indonesia  arrived in Xinjiang on Jan. 8 to visit the cities of Urumqi, Turpan, Altay and Kashgar and to meet with government officials.

Statements by the head of the delegation, Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, sparked widespread anger from Uyghurs abroad and a strong reaction from U.S.-based Muslim organizations, including the Council on American Islamic Relations and Justice for All.

Al Nuaimi, chairman of the UAE-based World Muslim Communities Council, and others met with Ma Xingrui, Communist Party secretary of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and Erkin Tunuyaz, the regions chairman, who both thanked them for their support of Chinas Xinjiang policy.

Al Nuaimi was quoted by state media as praising efforts by Chinese authorities to eliminate terrorism and extremism in Xinjiang as the correct way to protect Chinas national interests and people.

Muslims in China also must be loyal to the country, contribute to its social development, live in harmony with others, and take pride in being Chinese, he said in an interview with Chinas Xinhua official news agency on Friday.

Here we look at all Muslims as Chinese. They should be proud of Chinese nationals, Al Nuaimi was quoted as saying in a report by Chinas CGTN on Wednesday.

Chinas Xinjiang policy has included intrusive surveillance, religious restrictions, the destruction of mosques, arbitrary arrests, and the detention of an estimated 1.8 million mostly Muslim Uyghurs and other Turkic peoples in a vast network of internment camps and prisons. Some have been subjected to sexual assaults, forced labor and forced sterilizations.

Though the United States and other Western nations have denounced Chinas actions, major Muslim countries have defended the Xinjiang policy, as a result of Beijings economic and diplomatic power and their increasing indebtedness to China, critics said.

Unfortunately, due to the benefit they get from China, the Muslim world is ignoring Chinas atrocity toward Uyghurs and not seeing its ethnic genocidal crime, said Mustafa Akyol, a Turkish writer and journalist who is a senior fellow at the Cato Institutes Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity.

They are willing to accept Chinas interpretation and trying to improve their relations with China," he said.

Maya Wang, associate director in the Asia division at Human Rights Watch, said the Chinese government has used Muslim governments and Islamic scholars to whitewash its abuses.

The fact that these governments and scholars seemed to turn a blind eye towards the their brothers and sisters right to practice their religion, namely Islam, is very disappointing, but then I think it is a symptom to the fact that the Chinese government exerts enormous political influence over these countries, governments, and even individuals careers.

In its World Report 2023 issued this week, which reviews human rights practices in nearly 100 countries, Human Rights Watch noted that while some Uyghurs have been released from internment camps, Chinese authorities have also sentenced an estimated 500,000 people, many of whom remain imprisoned.

Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, chairman of Justice for All, told RFA on Wednesday that the visit by the Muslim delegation is part of the Chinese governments effort to cover up its repression of the Uyghurs.

First of all, China is on a mission to confuse the Muslim world about what is happening to Uyghurs and other Muslim ethnic groups in China, he said.

Chinas organization of this visit is nothing but to cover their destruction of Uyghurs under the banner of opposing terrorism, radicalism and separatism, he said.

Ma Xingrui, Communist Party secretary of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region , meets with Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the World Muslim Communities Council, in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang region. Credit: Xinjiang Daily

'Still trying to deceive the world'

Others criticized Al Nuaimi directly for his comment supporting Chinas Xinjiang policy.

Robert McCaw, director of government affairs at the Council on American-Islamic Relations, told RFA that Al Nuaimis statements were disappointing and that he distorted reality.

His statement doesnt match the reality that Uyghur and other Turkic people are experiencing, McCaw said. These Arab and Muslim leaders participated in the Chinese-style Potemkin village propaganda visit.

We know the Chinese authorities continue to surveil Muslims, lock them up in prisons and concentration camps, continue forcing them to work as slave labor and assault them physically and sexually, he said.

RFA contacted Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi and Mohamed Bechari, general secretary of the World Muslim Communities Council, for comment, but did not receive a response.

Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress, condemned the scholars visit, calling it a betrayal of millions of suffering Muslims.

China, by inviting so-called World Muslim Communities Council leaders to the Uyghur region, is still trying to deceive the world, he said. It is a fact that China has been engaging in a genocidal policy toward Uyghurs, and at the same time, China declared war against Islam.

This delegation's visit is a betrayal of Islam [and] the holy book, the Qurans, teachings, he said.

Nury Turkel, chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom said the visit is a well-staged attempt on the part of the Chinese government to challenge and undermine international criticism of the governments human rights abuses in the region, including genocide and religious freedom violations.

The Chinese government could then use such a visit by foreign Islamic scholars to legitimize or even bolster its draconian policies in Xinjiang, he said in a statement.

The Unites States and the parliaments of some Western countries have declared China's abuses in Xinjiang amount to genocide and crimes against humanity. In an August 2022 report, the U.N.'s human rights office said serious rights violations had been committed in the context of counter-extremism strategies that may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.

Zumrat Dawut, a Uyghur now living in the U.S. who was interned in a re-education camp and was forcibly sterilized by authorities in Xinjiang, posted on her Facebook page comments by Uyghurs that she downloaded from the short video platform TikTok, expressing anger over the delegations visit and support for Chinese policies in the region.

Yeah, we are extremely happy! said one comment written in Chinese, as were the others. We are happy to death, said another. Praise to the government for doing successful propaganda, said a third.

Translated by RFA Uyghur. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin. Edited by Paul Eckert.
The group accuses the government of targeting mainstream environmentalists and international groups.

Environmental activist Nguy Thi Kahnh, winner of a Goldman Environmental Prize, who was sentenced to two years in prison on June 17, 2022 for failing to pay a 10% tax on her U.S.$200,000 prize money.

UPDATED AT 1:55 a.m. ET ON 1-13-2023

Vietnam stepped-up its crackdown on domestic and international non-governmental organizations in Vietnam last year, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2023.

As the country takes its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, the New York-based group of independent international rights experts accused the government under the dictatorial one-party rule of the Communist Party of Vietnam of cracking down on independent unions, human rights groups and political parties.

Human Rights Watch said these groups face harassment, intimidation and retaliation from the authorities, severely restricting their rights to freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, movement, and religion.

The government has also severely restricted online expression, blocking access to political websites and social media pages and putting pressure on site operators to remove material critical of the government and Communist Party, the group said.

Human Rights Watch highlighted the cases of journalists Mai Phan Loi and Bach Hung Duong; and environmental activists Dang Dinh Bach and Nguy Thi Kahnh.

Mai Phan Loi, is chairman of the Committee for Science Affairs at the Center for Media in Educating Community; Back Hung Duong is the centers director. Dang Dinh Back is director of the Research Center for Law and Policy for Sustainable Development; Nguy Thi Khanh the award-winning director of the Green Innovation and Development Centre

The four were sentenced to two to five years in prison in separate trials last year on what Human Rights Watch called politically motivated tax evasion charges.

In Nguy Thi Khanhs case, the environmental campaigner was charged with failing to pay 10% tax on the U.S.$200,000 prize money she won for the 2018 Goldman Environmental Prize and sentenced to two years in prison.

The Vietnamese governments blanket repression of rights activists and dissidents extended to include mainstream environmental leaders and international groups in 2022, said Human Rights Watch Deputy Asia Director Phil Robertson. Vietnams international donors and trade partners should speak out against the governments abusive practices.

The Vietnamese government has locked up more than 160 people for peacefully exercising their basic civil and political rights, Human Rights Watch said, at least 35 of them in 2022 alone.

World Report 2023 looks at human rights practices in nearly 100 countries.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn.

This story has been updated from the fifth paragraph to add details of jailed activists cited in the HRW report.
Welcome to The Azadi Briefing, a new RFE/RL newsletter that unpacks the key issues in Afghanistan. To subscribe, click here.

I'm Abubakar Siddique, a senior correspondent with RFE/RL's Radio Azadi. Here's what I've been tracking and what I'm keeping an eye on in the days ahead.

The Key Issue

The Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) has claimed credit for a deadly suicide attack on the Taliban government's Foreign Ministry building in Kabul.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement to AFP on January 13 that at least 10 people are believe to have been killed and another 53 wounded in the attack by the Islamic State offshoot, which has heightened its deadly campaign in Afghanistan. Some Taliban officials and diplomatic sources said the death toll was as high as 20. Most of the victims were civilians working for the ministry.

A diplomatic source said on condition of anonymity that the blast occurred as Taliban officials were meeting with their Chinese counterparts, a claim later rejected by a Taliban official. But the brazen bombing -- coming just a day before Russia's top diplomat for Afghanistan was to visit with Taliban officials in the same building -- put a spotlight on the isolated government's inability to stop IS-K attacks, even on highly secured targets.

The attack struck at the heart of the Taliban government and follows the recent assassination of a senior Taliban security official in the northeastern province of Badakhshan.

Why It's Important: The IS-K's escalating attacks on the Taliban government are part of its broader strategy to steer a nationwide insurgency challenging Taliban rule and are a clear signal that the extremist group aims to establish itself firmly as the Taliban's main jihadist rival.

While most of the IS-K attacks carried out since the Taliban seized power in August 2021 were against religious minorities and civilians, this one was at the struggling government's front door.

It is also a continuation of a recent campaign to undermine the Taliban's relations with regional powers and neighbors. Since September, the IS-K has targeted the diplomatic and commercial presence of Pakistan, Russia, and China.

The direct attack on a key ministry creates another major hurdle for the Taliban's hard-line Islamist government, which is not recognized by any country and has become further isolated due to its imposition of repressive policies, particularly its ban on women's education and work.

The attack also indicated that the Taliban's crackdown on the IS-K and Afghanistan's tiny Salafist community has not successfully eliminated the group or seriously undermined its capacity to foment violence. Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban has targeted Afghan Salafists in the belief that the community provides the bulk of IS-K's recruits. But most of IS-K's known members and leaders are foreign, and it has consistently deployed foreign fighters in high-profile attacks.

What's Next: If the Taliban doubles down in its effort to fight the IS-K through repression, it can expect to see an escalation in attacks. A change in the Taliban's oppressive policies of governance, however, could create an opportunity to take advantage of popular support against IS-K violence. It could also open the way for international help in countering the threat IS-K poses to regional security.

The Week's Best Stories

Afghans dependent on humanitarian aid for survival face an even more dire situation after major international aid agencies suspended their operations in Afghanistan in response to the Taliban's ban on Afghan women working for NGOs.

their operations in Afghanistan in response to the Taliban's ban on Afghan women working for NGOs. In a video report, we take you to Afghanistan's central province of Daikundi, where residents are struggling to heat their homes this winter amid soaring fuel costs.

report, we take you to Afghanistan's central province of Daikundi, where residents are struggling to heat their homes this winter amid soaring fuel costs. In another video report, we meet the growing number of homeless Afghan drug addicts in the southern province of Nimroz. Addiction rates in Afghanistan continue to soar as international assistance has dried up since the Taliban seized power.

What To Keep An Eye On

On January 11, the executive committee of the intergovernmental Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) met in the Saudi port city of Jeddah to discuss the Taliban's recent restrictions on Afghan women and the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan.

A communique issued by the 57 OIC members, all Muslim majority countries, expressed its "disappointment over the suspension of female education in Afghanistan and the decision ordering all national and international nongovernmental organizations to suspend female employees."

The OIC indicated that it would continue to engage with the Taliban to encourage it to rescind its discriminatory policies and adhere to universal human rights principles and standards.

Why It's Important: The OIC statement and the visit by a delegation of Muslim scholars recently sent to Afghanistan undermine the Taliban's claim that its treatment of Afghan women and other extremist policies are in keeping with Islamic Shari'a law.

A united Muslim diplomatic position deprives the Taliban of any credibility and legitimacy to claims that its policies and treatment of Afghans are compatible with its efforts to create an Islamic political system. It strengthens international pressure on the Taliban's unrecognized government to recognize that adhering to international norms of human rights and governance is the only way to end its current isolation.

The OIC stands indirectly strengthens the hand of more pragmatic voices within the Taliban against hard-line clerics led by the group's supreme leader, Mawalawi Haibatullh Akhundzada, who is behind most of the Taliban's extremist policies.

That's all from me for now. Remember to send me any questions, comments, or tips.

Until next time,

Abubakar Siddique

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday.
Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. To subscribe, click here. www.rferl.org/a/31793259.html



I'm RFE/RL correspondent Golnaz Esfandiari. Here's what I've been following during the past week and what I'm watching for in the days ahead.

The Big Issue

Iran appears to be making headway toward renewing official ties with Saudi Arabia and Persian Gulf states that in some cases have been publicly avoiding Tehran for decades.

The foreign ministers of Iran and Saudi Arabia held talks in Beijing on April 6 in a significant step toward restoring diplomatic relations, which were cut in 2016 after protesters attacked Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran following Riyadhs execution of prominent Saudi Shi'ite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Iran also accepted an invitation from Saudi King Salman for President Ebrahim Raisi to visit Riyadh, while Tehran said it will send a similar invitation to the Saudi king. Meanwhile, a Saudi delegation traveled to Iran on April 9 to discuss the reopening of the embassy in Tehran and a consulate in Mashhad. The trip came as Iranian media reported on April 8 that a street sign near the Saudi consulate in Mashhad provocatively named after Sheikh al-Nimr had been quietly removed. An Iranian delegation also arrived in Saudi Arabia on April 12 to pave the way for the reopening of Iranian diplomatic missions there.

Iran is meanwhile taking steps to improve ties with other countries in the region, naming an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and working to decrease tensions with Egypt and Bahrain.

Why It Matters: Iran and Saudi Arabia appear to be pursuing implementation of last months Chinese-brokered agreement, possibly clearing the way for Tehran to de-escalate tensions with other countries that followed Riyadhs lead on a rupture seven years ago.



What's Next: Tehran and Riyadh could move surprisingly swiftly toward normalization, but its no sure thing. Abdolrasool Divsallar, a visiting professor at the Catholic University of Milan (UCSC), told me that the political environment between the two regional rivals could encourage the start of military and security talks within months.

But Divsallar also warned that opponents at home and abroad could still undermine the agreement. Hard-liners in Iran may act as a spoiler rather than as a supporter of the deal, he said, adding that Israel could do the same.

The regional tensions between Israel and Iran, on one side, andbetween Iran, Saudi [Arabia] and the United States, on the other side, are two dynamics that make this process very fragile, he said.

Divsallar also suggested that any normalization between Iran and countries with less appetite for a quick restoration of ties, for instance Bahrain, could take longer.

They feel more secure under the current status quo rather than immediately normalizing their ties with the Islamic republic and losing their leverage, he said, adding, They may wait to see a major change of policies.

Stories You Might Have Missed

Irans civil aviation sector has for years been under Western sanctions that prevent it from purchasing new aircraft or spare parts for repairs. Now, Russia's oldest airline, Aeroflot, has sent one of its passenger planes to Iran for repairs for the first time ever. Aeroflot reportedly ran into obstacles at home stemming from Western sanctions over Russias ongoing, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The RBK media group cited an Aeroflot representative and sources close to the company on April 11 as saying that an Airbus A330-300 had been sent to Tehran on April 5 to be repaired by specialists from Iran's Mahan Air.

Iranian pensioners staged protests in more than a dozen cities across Iran, demanding higher pensions amid soaring prices. Protests were reported on April 9 in Tehran, Ahvaz, Mashhad, Isfahan, Arak, Qom, Shush, Tabriz, and several other cities where retirees complained of poor living conditions and chanted anti-government slogans. Labor protests in Iran have swelled as the economy deteriorates following years of mismanagement compounded by crippling U.S. sanctions.

What We're Watching

Prominent Iranian female religious scholar Sedigheh Vasmaghi has challenged Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over the Islamic republics mandatory hijab law.

In a letter published online, Vasmaghi asked about the reasoning behind Irans strict model for womens dress and said the Koran does not specify the need for women to cover their hair in public.

There is no evidence to show that during the time of the Prophet Muhammad women were harassed and punished for not covering their hair or even their bodies, Vasmaghi, who has published several books on Islamic jurisprudence, wrote.

Why It Matters: Vasmaghis letter is significant for its timing -- just days after Khamenei asserted that the removal of the hijab in public was religiously banned. But it is also important because it comes from a religious woman who wears the veil while opposing the mandatory hijab, which is seemingly being defied by a growing number of women.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you have.

Until next time,

Golnaz Esfandiari

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Wednesday.
The Russian forces who occupied Ukraines southern city of Kherson from March until November 2022 ran a torture center and other similar facilities at which they unlawfully detained and tortured Ukrainian civilians, Human Rights Watch asserted in a report issued on April 13.

The New York-based rights monitor said the purported torture center was located on Teploenerhetykiv Street, while other detention centers were allegedly located in a municipal building, a local school, and an airport hangar. According to victims interviewed by HRW, the occupation forces beat prisoners, subjected them to electric shocks and painful stress positions, and threatened them with death or mutilation.

Those responsible for these horrific acts should not go unpunished, said HRW senior Ukraine researcher Yulia Gorbunova. And the victims and their families need to receive redress for their suffering and information about those still missing.

Moscow did not immediately respond to the report, but has stated in the past that its forces in Ukraine have not committed war crimes or targeted civilians, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

WATCH: Kherson residents say that Russian forces used a pretrial detention center to interrogate and torture locals. Some say they heard screams coming from the building. Current Time correspondent Borys Sachalko visited Kherson and spoke with people about what life was like under Russian occupation.

HRW interviewed 34 locals about the alleged abuse of civilians in a follow-up to a similar report issued in July 2022.

Interviewees said the civilians were abducted on suspicion of providing or expressing support for the Ukrainian military or government or for fighting against Russia-backed separatists in parts of eastern Ukraine. One woman reported being held hostage until her fugitive husband surrendered himself.

Russian forces also allegedly took at least three detained civilians with them when they withdrew from the area in the face of a November 2022 Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The treatment of all Ukrainian citizens in occupied areas is increasingly alarming, Gorbunova said.

WATCH: Serhiy Mak says he spent 25 days locked in the cellar of an office building in Kherson, southern Ukraine, where he was tortured by a Russian man nicknamed "The Specialist." Mak spoke to RFE/RL after Ukrainian forces liberated the city from Russian occupation.

HRW said many of the alleged acts amount to war crimes. The report notes that all parties to the armed conflict in Ukraine are obligated to abide by international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions.

On April 4, 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 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
U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet stressed the importance of the formation of an Association of Serbian Municipalities during a visit to Belgrade aimed at clearing the way for progress in the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo.

Chollet was in Belgrade on January 12 for talks with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, one day after he met with Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti in Pristina. He told journalists that he and Vucic discussed the formation of an Association of Serbian Municipalities, saying this is a key move that must be made and said it is in accordance with the constitution of Kosovo.



"We discussed this with the officials in Pristina and our position is that it should be implemented," said Chollet.



The formation of the association was agreed within the dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina in Brussels, but the Constitutional Court of Kosovo found that some points of the agreement are not in accordance with Kosovos laws.



Chollet said there is a chance for a compromise between Kosovo and Serbia and that the European Union has made a proposal that is a good basis for conversation.



"What we wanted with this visit was to start those conversations. We hope that the negotiations will continue on the basis of that proposal," he said.



He also said that the dialogue on the normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo is very important for the stability of the region and Europe, especially amid the war in Ukraine.



He said that EU mediation on normalization is the best solution for the future of Kosovo and Serbia. The EU plan for improving relations between the two sides and achieving complete normalization was submitted to the authorities in Pristina and Belgrade at the end of the summer.



The plan, which RFE/RL has seen, states that the parties are aware that the inviolability of borders, territorial integrity, and sovereignty and the protection of national minorities are the basic conditions for peace. The plan also envisages the recognition of state symbols and a special arrangement for the Serbian community in Kosovo.



The plan was accepted by Kurti as "a good basis for further talks," while officials in Serbia expressed reservations on several occasions.



Chollet said during his meeting with Vucic that Belgrade and Pristina should focus on discussions on the proposal for Kosovo, as well as on the rapid formation of an Association of Serbian Municipalities, according to the office of the president.



In response to a journalist's question, Chollet said that he was concerned about the presence of the Russian Vagner Group in Serbia, particularly its attempts to recruit soldiers for the war in Ukraine, and is working with the government of Serbia and other countries to put an end to those activities.



He also urged Serbia to introduce sanctions against Russia.



"We believe that Russia's actions should not only be condemned but also punished. Russia launched a brutal and illegal war," he said, adding that Serbia is a partner, even though it has not joined the sanctions.



Washington understands the difficult position some countries are in, he said, noting that Serbia has taken significant steps and condemned the war at the United Nations.



Chollet met separately with Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic, and Serbian Defense Minister Milos Vucevic.



Branbics office said that Serbia remains committed to peace and stability and will continue to have a constructive approach through dialogue.
No diplomatic experience and a self-professed "sexologist-consultant." It's not your typical ambassador's resume. But nothing's typical right now about Ukraine and its relations with the outside world.

On a war footing since 2014 and under full-scale Russian invasion for nearly a year, Ukrainians and their unflinching president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, have waged a relentless battle for international support alongside the fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine.



The diplomatic stakes are particularly high in places like Bulgaria, whose long-running political and energy ties to Moscow and popular reexamination of NATO obligations have seemingly complicated its response to Russia's unprovoked attack.

Bulgaria also reportedly possesses large stores of the kind of Soviet-era weaponry that is already familiar to many Ukrainian troops and could thus play a key role in the country's defenses.



So fresh off a diplomatic and logistical triumph last month when Bulgaria's interim government and lawmakers OK'd the direct provision of military and military-technical aid to Ukraine, Kyiv might be eager to send a message to Sofia.



Seen in that light, some Bulgarian observers say Olesya Ilashchuk's appointment could turn out to be a shrewd response to perceived foot-dragging by Bulgaria and a blunt message to critics of Western military support for Ukraine like President Rumen Radev, a former military commander who accused lawmakers who approved the military aid of "warmongering."



"If the accusations that she's a highly unqualified person for this job turn out to be true, that could be interpreted as a demonstration by Ukraine of its attitude toward Bulgaria in general," Petar Karaboev, deputy editor in chief of the Sofia-based daily Dnevnik, told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service.



Surprise Pick



Kyiv's newest ambassadorial appointee Ilashchuk has had a turbulent three weeks since Zelenskiy's office announced her selection on December 23, 2022, via a barebones post with just her full name and new title.



Journalists quickly seized on information from a Facebook page that appeared to belong to Ilashchuk, describing "clinical psychologist, systemic family therapist, gestalt therapist, sexologist-consultant" among her professional credentials.



That Facebook page was quickly blocked, and Ilashchuk has vowed via a new Telegram account created days after her appointment that the official Ukrainian state website and embassy will publish her biography.



The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry took the unusual step of addressing questions about Ilashchuk in a press statement on December 26, 2022. It said that, according to its information, she "received a diploma with honors" from the international relations department of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University's history faculty. It also noted that she was a qualified translator and fluent in English.



Ilashchuk has sought to turn the image question on its head, mostly via the new Telegram account, in part by noting the exigencies of wartime.

On December 28, 2022, Ilashchuk cited "nonsense and outright lies on the Internet...aimed at discrediting my reputation and my work and calling into question the decisions of the president and government of Ukraine." She blamed an unspecified "enemy" for "trying to kindle the fire of enmity between us and our Bulgarian friends."



A day later, she asked, "Is my biography important to our soldiers right now?" and accused "poor 'journalists'" of "trying to 'hype' on conjecture, question the competence of decisions by the government and our president, and create chaos on the Internet."



More recently, she launched a dubious debate over "fair use" and copyright with "friends and journalists" who were using photos of her scraped from social media without permission. She demanded that they send $540 to Ukraine's armed forces for every time they used such an image.



Intentionally or not, the photos complaint appeared to indirectly confirm that the Facebook page citing the "sexologist" work was hers.



Ilashchuk and her defenders have also noted her purported management experience.



The questions from Ukrainian critics, however, have persisted.



"The appointment of the ambassador to Bulgaria just finished me," longtime journalist Tetyana Nikolayenko shared on Facebook on December 29, 2022. "Not because [she's] a sexologist. Not because [she's] from [the office of Zelenskiy's chief of staff Andriy] Yermak. [But] because the sexologist was sent to Bulgaria, where they are the most dependent on Soviet-style weapons."



Bulgarian Headwind



A former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States and France, Oleh Shamshur, told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service that "What Ukraine needs now is professionalism" and relationship-building skills, adding, "Unfortunately, the appointment of the ambassador to Bulgaria and this candidacy itself, in my opinion, does not meet all these criteria."



While acknowledging that it was speculation, he also alluded to Ilashchuk's reputation as a protege of presidential chief of staff Yermak. Shamshur said he "fully assumed that the main criterion used to determine this candidacy is personal acquaintance, personal closeness, and, obviously, loyalty."



But he also noted President Radev's "warmongers" remark and the harassment of a leading Bulgarian writer after he wrote critically of Russia's illegal occupation of Crimea as evidence that Kyiv faced specific challenges in winning over Bulgarians to their cause.



"This shows that Russophile sentiments are very strong in Bulgaria and in the Bulgarian political establishment," Shamshur said. "There are different currents there, and this is a reality that certainly makes it difficult to establish cooperation with that country."



Observers note that Bulgaria has girded its borders and cooperated closely with its NATO allies, as well as joined all of the EU's sanctions against Russia, even if its use of a loophole for a local refinery run by Russia's LUKoil has rankled some.

"The war, of course, changed the mood in favor of those who advocate for Ukraine," Bulgaria's former ambassador to Russia, Ilian Vasiliev, told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service. "But this process is not over yet. This process is taking shape, it is in a dynamic balance, with the advantage held by those who advocate for Kyiv, for Ukraine."



Bulgaria has around 55,000 Ukrainian refugees officially registered in the country, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, tiny in comparison to Poland's 1.6 million and a fraction of any other country included in the UN-assisted Regional Refugee Response Plan except Hungary.

Still, elements like the nationalist, anti-Western Revival party have made sympathy for Russia and the rejection of Ukrainian refugees key aspects of their appeals for public support.



Still En Route



The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has already noted that the appointment of ambassadors from outside the ranks of career diplomats is "common international practice," and said the Bulgarian government had already signaled consent.



Asked by RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service, the Ukrainian Embassy could not say when she would arrive in Sofia.



Editor Karaboev said there is little publicly available information about her but added, "I don't rule out that this display [as a sign of frustration with Sofia] is also among the [possible] scenarios. Bulgaria deserves such an interpretation."



He also noted that such an appointment would be far from unique and "it is quite possible that Zelenskiy is simply surrounding himself with loyal people and not [just] those who are presented to him as great professionals."



After all, he said, "the great professionals in Ukraine's diplomatic corps turned out to have also failed to prevent the war."

And Karaboev said that while "she's not trained in the highest forms of political and diplomatic aerobatics," she could turn out to be a great choice to cope with the Bulgarian political reality.



"We have to see her 'style,' because it may prove to be suitable for the Bulgarian political class," Karaboev said.



Activist and high-profile Bulgarian political blogger Asen Genov, whose Kontrakomentar show has about 15,000 subscribers on YouTube, suggested that Ilashchuk's appointment is more interesting from the Bulgarian perspective than from Kyiv's view.



He called it "a completely reciprocal response from Ukraine," given that Bulgaria hasn't had an ambassador in Kyiv since Kostadin Koyabashev was evacuated early in the 10-month-old Russian invasion. It also no longer has a consul general in Odesa.



"We ourselves seem to have neglected our diplomacy with Ukraine," Genov told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service. "If we expect a senior professional with a long career in diplomacy to be sent to us as ambassador, the question is whether we adequately meet the same professional standard."

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Bulgarian Service correspondent Vidka Atanasova and RFE/RL Ukrainian Service senior editor Rostislav Khotyn
I'm Steve Gutterman, the editor of RFE/RL's Russia/Ukraine/Belarus Desk.

Welcome to The Week In Russia, in which I dissect the key developments in Russian politics and society over the previous week and look at what's ahead. To receive The Week In Russia newsletter in your inbox, click here.

With tens of thousands of soldiers killed or wounded and internal tensions rising following a year of battlefield struggles and setbacks, President Vladimir Putin reshuffles the military command for Russias war on Ukraine. At home, his imprisoned opponents remain defiant as the oppression persists.

Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.

War Is Not Over

By tradition and by the calendar that was used until 1918, tomorrow is New Years Day in Russia -- known now as the Old New Year. And while Russians rang in the New Year along with the rest of the world on January 1, theres a sense that it doesnt really begin until January 14.

What 2023 will bring for Russia and its people may be less clear than at any time since around 1918, or World War II, or the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. By ordering a large-scale invasion of Ukraine last February, Putin cast dark clouds over Russias future, short-term and long.

For now, of course, Russia's unprovoked invasion has had a far more momentous effect on Ukraine, destroying cities and towns, killing tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, torturing, raping, and abusing peaceful citizens of all ages, and driving millions of people from their homes -- some of them, including children, taken to Russia against their will. It has also strengthened the unity and national identity of Ukrainians -- clearly an undesired effect for Putin, who has repeatedly and groundlessly suggested that Ukraine is not a real country, and who launched the assault to subjugate it.

For both countries, one thing seems grimly certain: The war will continue well into 2023 and possibly into 2024, or longer. There is no sign that it will end soon, as a result of either negotiations or battlefield victories -- and Putins shake-up of the military command this week, while it may seem aimed to bring Russia a breakthrough after numerous setbacks in 2022, is further evidence that the war will persist for the foreseeable future.

In what U.S.-based military analyst Dara Massicot called a story that has it all: infighting, power struggles, jealousy, the longtime chief of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, was named to replace General Sergei Surovikin, who had been overall commander for what Moscow calls the special military operation in Ukraine for just over three months.

Surovikin -- whose appointment in September had been seen as both an effort by Putin to turn the tide after a series of setbacks and to assign responsibility for the imminent Russian retreat from the southern city of Kherson squarely on his shoulders -- becomes one of three deputies to Gerasimov, who will be under pressure to produce results.

A 'Creeping' Loss

A big part of Putins strategy, Russia analyst Mark Galeotti suggested, is demonstrating to the West that Russia is in this for the long haul, and hoping that we will lose the will and unity to continue to support Kyiv.

I think Putin will be disappointed, but he has to believe this -- it's his only real shot at some kind of victory, he wrote on Twitter shortly after the shake-up was announced on January 11.

Galeotti wrote that the reshuffle provided confirmation, if we needed it, that there will be serious offensives coming, and that he suspects Putin has unrealistic expectations again about what Russia can achieve in the war -- in which he is widely believed to have expected to bring Kyiv to heel within days of the February 24 invasion.

With Gerasimov in charge, if this is indeed permanent, I think the possibility of the Russians asking their tired force to do something that it cannot handle rises exponentially, Massicot, a senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, wrote in a thread on January 11.

And Russian political expert Tatyana Stanovaya also indicated that the shake-up is unlikely to produce the results Putin would like to see.

The conclusion is that Putin is looking for effective tactics in the conditions of a creeping loss, R.Politik, the analysis firm Stanovaya founded and heads, wrote on Twitter following the Russian Defense Ministry announcement.

He is trying to reshuffle the pieces and is therefore giving chances to those who he finds persuasive. Today, Gerasimov turned out to be persuasive. Tomorrow it could be anybody else, R.Politik wrote. But in reality, the problem is not with the people, but with the tasks at hand.

Russia Behind Bars

If the war in Ukraine seems certain to persist for months or more, so does the oppression inside Russia, where a clampdown that can be traced back at least 12 years was ramped up early in 2021 and again last February, when Putin ordered the large-scale invasion and moved to further crush dissent.

With the next presidential election due to be held in March 2024, Putin will want to maintain as much control as he possibly can, whether he runs for a fifth term -- as is widely expected, barring changes even bigger than those the war has brought -- or not.

On January 11, associates of Aleksei Navalny, whose return to Russia two years ago following treatment for a nerve-agent poisoning he blames on Putin precipitated a further tightening of the screws, said that prison authorities have refused to transfer the opposition leader from punitive confinement to a prison infirmary despite flu symptoms.

A day earlier, dozens of Russian physicians published an open letter urging Putin to stop torturing Navalny, who is serving sentences of nine years and 2 1/2 years following convictions at trials he contends were politically motivated.

The doctors who signed the letter wrote that Navalnys state of health is worsening and that the refusal of prison authorities to pass medicine along to him is threatening his life.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Kremlin opponent and critic of Russias war on Ukraine, has been jailed since April and could be sentenced to more than 20 years in prison if convicted of treason, one of several charges that he dismisses as politically motivated.

In a January 11 announcement of an initiative titled Without Just Cause, aimed at raising international awareness and to advocate for the release of people worldwide who are detained unfairly, the U.S. State Department called on Moscow to free Kara-Murza and more than 500 other political prisoners in Russia.

A day earlier, Human Rights First and other groups urged U.S. President Joe Bidens administration to impose sanctions on people involved in Kara-Murzas detention.

Kara-Murza has been unjustly detained for nine months and faces a growing list of unfounded charges for his courageous advocacy and criticism of the Putin regimes war of aggression in Ukraine and its utter disregard for human rights, Human Rights First President and CEO Mike Breen said in a statement.

Ilya Yashin, an opposition politician who was sentenced to 8 1/2 years in prison in early December for remarks on what he has called Russias monstrous war in Ukraine, was sent by train from Moscow to a jail in Udmurtia, a region known for bleak, tough prisons, shortly before the New Year.

In a Telegram post on December 30, Yashin said hes doing fine and made clear he hasnt changed his views.

Id like to remind you that the criminal war with Ukraine must be stopped, Putin must go, and Russia must be free and happy, he wrote.

That's it from me this week. If you want to know more, catch up on my podcast The Week Ahead In Russia, out every Monday, here on our site or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts).



Yours,



Steve Gutterman

RFE/RL intern Ella Jaffe contributed to this report.
Hong Kong: Private equity central to success: FS

Financial Secretary Paul Chan

With significant relaxation of anti-epidemic measures, and more importantly the reopening of our boundary with the Mainland and the world, Hong Kong is fully open for business.

This is a golden opportunity for speedily gearing up ourselves to maximise the opportunities ahead. We are determined, let me add, to strengthen our competitiveness in a wide and welcoming range of sectors. That very much includes the asset and wealth management sector.

At the end of 2021, Hong Kong's asset and wealth management holdings exceeded US$4.5 trillion. And 65% of that was sourced from non-Hong Kong investors. Hong Kong, in short, is Asia's premier asset and wealth management hub.

Private equity (PE) is central to our success. At the end of September last year, assets under management by our PE firms were close to US$200 billion. That put Hong Kong second in Asia, only after the Mainland.

But competition among financial centres is very keen. We know we must work persistently to strengthen our competitive advantages so as to maintain our leading status. Indeed, this Government has been working to boost that enviable standing in a variety of ways, including modernising and diversifying our fund structures, ensuring an enabling tax environment, expanding fund distribution networks and developing Hong Kong's family office business.

We have also been working to enhance the legal and regulatory environment conducive to the development of the PE industry. For example, the series of listing reforms in recent years, including the listing of new economy companies with weighted voting rights structure and pre-revenue/pre-profit biotechnology companies in 2018, as well as the introduction of special purpose acquisition companies last year, have all contributed to developing a vibrant PE ecosystem.

We are also taking full advantage of the national policy of the Greater Bay Area development, to help the sector to capture opportunities in the region. For example, in collaboration with the Shenzhen Qianhai Authority, we rolled out 18 measures to support Hong Kong's PE firms to access the bay area market.

I do not have to tell you that family offices present great promise for Hong Kong, creating fresh funding sources and co-investors for our PE and venture-capital industry. That means for you and your business.

To that end, we introduced a bill into the Legislative Council last month to provide tax concessions for family-owned investment holding vehicles managed by single family offices in Hong Kong, effective from the 2022-23 year of assessment.

Ladies and gentlemen, all the efforts and developments outlined above have demonstrated the strong promise and bright prospects of your sector. I am sure you will hear more enlightening perspectives on various dimensions of the sectors development in Hong Kong, the Mainland and beyond from distinguished speakers in this forum.

In just over a week, we welcome the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit, I am told, symbolises "peace and prosperity." That sounds like my kind of year - a year of hope and promise for us all.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan gave these remarks at the Hong Kong Venture Capital & Private Equity Association Asia Private Equity Forum 2023 on January 13.

This story has been published on: 2023-01-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
* 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)
Kim and Mark Olinger, with their dog Daisy, are closing their family-owned paint store in Vista, Dura Paint, after 58 years, in order to retire. Marks father and grandfather bought the downtown Vista building in 1958.

Since 1958, the family-run Dura Paint store has been doing business at the corner of Main Street and South Citrus Avenue in downtown Vista. But by February, that 58-year tradition will come to an end.

Second-generation owner Mark Olinger and his wife, Kim, are closing the store, hopefully by the end of January, with plans to retire to Colorado before the snow thaws. Olinger said that since he sent out a going out of business sale email several weeks ago, hes been deluged with visits from longtime customers and well-wishers.

Everyone is coming in here saying how sad they are. I just tell them these are the happiest days of our lives, he said. We just feel like its time to go.

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The closure of Dura Paint is the latest in a string of renovations and tear-downs that have brought new life and heavy traffic to Vistas historic downtown, which experienced its first wave of building in the 1920s and 30s. Over the past year, a long-shuttered bank branch near the Avo Playhouse has reopened as the Belching Beaver Tavern & Grill and the buildings formerly occupied by Altura Paint Center and Kings & Queens hair salon have been torn down to create a parking lot to accommodate the crowds drawn to the citys thriving breweries and restaurants.

Olinger, 62, said the downtown revitalization hasnt helped his business, which never fully recovered from the recession. Since 2009, he and Kim have been looking forward to retirement and the lucky alignment of numbers  the 58-year-old store opened in 1958  seemed the right time to make it official.

Kim Olinger shows some old Christmas advertisements, likely from the 1970s, showing three generations of Olingers at the store. (Peggy Peattie / San Diego Union-Tribune / Zuma Press )

The family got into the paint business after Olingers grandfather, Pete, moved to Vista from his native Minnesota in the mid-1950s. He saw that the paint store at 347 Main St. was up for sale because its owner had died, so he called his son, Dick, then a salesman for what would became Dutch Boy Paints. Father and son purchased the building and eventually Dick bought out his fathers share and ran the shop with his two sons, Mark and Barry.

Mark started mixing paints in the store in 1971 when he was just 17 years old. Hes now marking his 45th year in the shop. His brother Barry left the business 20 years ago to move away. Their father, Dick, continued to walk to the store every morning until the day he died in 2006. He was 86. Six months later, Marks wife, Kim, came to work at the shop to help him keep up with what was then a booming business. Then the recession hit.

One of the store items that wont be sold when Dura Paint closes in January or February is a 100-year-old cash register that has been in the family for many years. (Peggy Peattie / San Diego Union-Tribune / Zuma Press )

For many years, Dura Paint has been a dealer for Benjamin Moore Paints, but when the economy collapsed, so did the stores exclusivity. Benjamin Moore expanded its store list to include two other nearby merchants.

At the same time, Lowes and Home Depot stores were drawing away more and more customers looking for lower-priced paint. Eventually, Olinger started a custom-framing business in the back room to bolster his dwindling sales.

Longtime customer Mike Thayer, a retired truck driver and now handyman, was at the shop on Wednesday picking out several gallons of paint and deck stain. His family has been shopping at the store since they moved to Vista in 1960. He said in all the years hes shopped at Dura Paint, hes never had to return a drop for remixing because Olingers skill at color-matching is so precise.

You cant beat these mom-and-pop businesses. Theyre being driven out by the big commercial businesses and thats a real loss for everyone, Thayer said. What you get here is one-on-one personal service.

Another aspect of the stores personal touch is Daisy, a 12-year-old white-haired Chihuahua who has been greeting customers at the store for many years.

We literally have customers call us up to ask if Daisys working today before theyll come in, Olinger said.

Kim Olinger said they first considered closing the store in 2007, when a real estate investor offered to buy the building because he foresaw the future revitalization of downtown.

The deal collapsed as the recession deepened, but the experience planted the seed in the couples minds about moving away. Unfolding a well-worn map of Colorado on the store counter, Kim said she has spent years studying maps, weather patterns, housing and demographics that convinced them to retire to the Woodland Park area of Colorado. She and Mark love to hunt and fish, Mark has a sister near there, and the housing and land prices are affordable.

The couple plan to sell their inventory as well as all the shelving and fixtures, hopefully by the end of January. Then theyll put their Vista home on the market, with the goal of selling and moving to Colorado by mid-April.

The building, which is owned by the Olinger family trust, will be put up for lease before they leave. When asked if he hopes the store could possibly carry on as another paint store, Mark shrugged.

I dont think a business like this can survive anymore, he said. People come in here and Ill spend an hour-and-a-half giving them advice and sending them off with paint chips. Then I never see them again. When it comes time to buy their paint, they go down the road to get whatevers cheapest.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
Seventy-three years ago, Blaine Briggs parachuted from a burning B-24 bomber, broke his shoulder in a hard landing in the Italian Alps, was nearly shot to death by his German captor and then spent more than six months starving half to death in a prison camp.

Yet for all the hardship he endured and the millions of lives lost during the years-long conflict, the 92-year-old Briggs said he believes the war experience shaped him into the man he became. His time in the military and the camaraderie of the prisoners in the camp taught him lessons in courage, self-reliance, teamwork and trust. In short, he calls it the greatest educational experience of his life.

Every person should have the same opportunity I had to train and work and help my fellow man. I wouldnt trade it, he said.

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Blaine Briggs and his wife of 70 years, LaVerne, pose for photos at their home in Carlsbad, California. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Now retired with his wife of 70 years, LaVerne, Briggs lives in a hilltop home inside the La Costa Glen retirement community in Carlsbad.

Two years ago, the couple was honored by The Patriots Initiative with the inaugural Lifetime Patriot Award. The award honored both his service in the military and the couples lifetime of philanthropic service to military veterans and others.

Born in 1924, Briggs was the son of a Methodist minister who moved from congregation to congregation, so his family lived in a number of Midwestern towns before settling in Des Moines, Iowa, when he was 16.

On Dec. 7, 1941, he and his family were enjoying lunch at home after Sunday morning services when news of the Pearl Harbor attack came on the radio. He couldnt wait to join the Army, but at 17 was too young to apply. Eight months later, on his 18th birthday, he enlisted.

His two older brothers also signed up, one joined the Marines and became a correspondent in China, the other served in the Navy on a battleship. All three returned home safely.

A 1944 Telegram sent to the family of Blaine Briggs, who was a navigator on a B-24 plane in World War II. His plane was shot down and he was captured by the German army. His family didnt know he was alive for several weeks. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune )

Because Briggs was a college student when he signed up, he was eligible for officers school. After two years of training in Texas as a navigator for the Army Air Corps, 2nd Lt. Briggs and his B-24 crew shipped out on June, 3, 1944, to join the 451st Bombardment Group in Europe. Together, they flew 26 successful bombing missions over Germany, but their 27th mission was star-crossed from the start.

On Oct. 16, 1944, their plane was assigned to lead the 15th Air Force on a bombing raid but their plane wasnt cooperating. After they took off, the planes nose wheel wouldnt retract and the bomb bay doors didnt open properly.

German ground guns shot out one engine, but they were able to manually open the bomb doors and drop their payload before a second barrage of gunfire took out their second engine and set the plane on fire in the foothills of the Italian Alps.

When the captain gave the order to abandon the plane, we were happy to do it, he said. My main thoughts at the moment was to get the hell out of that plane.

The navigators seat was at the front of the plane below the cockpit, just a few feet from where the broken nose wheels bay was wide open, so Briggs dropped through the hole at an altitude of 11,000 feet and fell like a stone with the orders to open his chute as close to the ground as possible to avoid detection by German search crews. He pulled the cord at 2,000 feet and broke his shoulder when he hit the ground.

Over the next two days, he made his way alone down the mountain in the hopes of escaping into Italy. He came upon a German village where two homes had Christian creches in their front yard.

As a ministers son, he considered asking the families for sanctuary but worried that the villagers would pay too steep a price from their government for showing mercy, so he moved on.

Eventually he was caught by a German officer and private on foot patrol. The private put a gun to Briggs forehead and prepared to shoot, but the officer stopped him. During two interrogations by Gestapo officers, Briggs learned that 10 of his fellow B-24 crew members survived. The flight engineer, whose hands became frozen while trying to save the plane, is believed to have died in the crash.

Photo of a German document obtained by Blaine Briggs that details his capture as a POW during World War II. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune )

The men were taken to Germanys Stalag 3 prison camp just four months after an infamous mass escape of more than 50 British POWs that was later chronicled in the book The Great Escape.

Most of those escapees were shot dead, but Briggs said he and the American officers he was imprisoned with were treated well. In fact, at a reunion some 20 years after the war, the prisoners invited their German guard to join them because they thought he treated them fairly.

By November it was obvious Germany was losing the war. The Russians were closing in from the east, so the prisoners were marched 100 miles to another camp near Munich.

Food was so scarce, the prisoners survived on bread made with sawdust and watery stew with little meat. Briggs dropped 40 pounds before the camp was liberated by U.S. troops in May 1945. He and a buddy walked to an abandoned Germany air base and stole a Jeep that they drove to Frankfurt and caught a transport plane to Paris on the very day the citys electricity was restored.

That was the night the lights came back on in Paris, Briggs said. Ive never kissed so many girls in one night in my life.

Briggs returned to the U.S. on a freight ship that dropped its gangplank on June 3, 1945, exactly one year to the day since he left for Europe. He was greeted with a heros welcome in Des Moines and returned to his political science studies at Drake University, where he soon met LaVerne at a local roadhouse.

This beautiful woman came in and she was carrying a fifth of whiskey, he said. I went over and talked to her and fell in love in 30 minutes. When I got back to my table I told my friends thats the girl Im going to marry. 

A 1948 photo of Blaine and LaVerne Briggs on a trip in Colorado Springs visiting family. They married in 1946 and have been married nearly 71 years. (Eduardo Contreras / San Diego Union-Tribune )

And they did, a year later, and had two sons. Their youngest, Jim, died at age 16 from leukemia but their oldest son, Bob, now 66, is a Memphis pilot who once set a Guinness World Record for being certified to fly 104 different aircraft.

After the war, the Briggses ran a suburban newspaper for a few years, then a large printing operation until the 1960s, where all of their male employees were veterans or active servicemen. Later they ran one of the nations largest medical records businesses. They retired to Rancho Santa Fe in 1980 and moved into La Costa Glen nine years ago.

Since retiring, the Briggses have underwritten a rehabilitation clinic at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, served on several charitable foundations and support La Costa Glens boxes overseas program for deployed military. It was these efforts that earned them the Lifetime Patriot Award.

Briggs said his war experiences positively shaped the man that he would later become and he owes a great debt to his country. He said the America he returned to in June 1945 was far different from todays troubled world, which makes him especially appreciative of his time in uniform.

Were not very political but we do have great concern for where the world may be going in the next 20 years, he said. Were blessed that we spent our lives the way we did.

pam.kragen@sduniontribune.com
Winter storms that have dented the drought across much of California have also boosted reservoir levels in several San Diego County lakes  especially those fed by storm runoff.

At Lake Hodges south of Escondido, sparkling blue water is now visible from the Interstate 15 bridge, which for years has only spanned a sad-looking forest. Lake Henshaw near Warner Springs, Loveland Reservoir near Alpine and El Capitan Reservoir near Lakeside have also seen big gains in their water levels over the past few months.

Don Smith, director of water resources for the Vista Irrigation District, which owns Lake Henshaw, said the difference is significant.

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In November we were down around 3,000 acre-feet and now weve got just shy of 10,000 acre-feet of storage, he said. Thats all good.

In just the past four months, water stores in Lake Hodges went from 11,447 acre-feet to 16,031 acre-feet, a 40 percent increase; Loveland Reservoir went from 7,073 to 12,195 acre-feet, a 72 percent increase; and El Capitan Reservoir went from 23,971 to 32,615 acre-feet, a 36 percent increase.

An acre foot equals about 326,000 gallons, or enough to supply the household needs of two four-person families for a year.

Officials say the boost has come from a particularly strong rainy season. By Feb. 18, San Diego International Airport had recorded 9.12 inches of precipitation since Oct. 1  2.7 inches above normal. The average for the entire year is 10.34 inches.

That doesnt mean there isnt room for more. According to the San Diego County Water Authority, Lake Hodges was at 54 percent capacity as of last week, up from 34 percent capacity in May 2015. The last times Hodges reached capacity and water spilled over the dam was in 2011 and, before that, it was in 2005.

Smaller reservoirs in the county havent seen such dramatic increases in water levels this year, primarily because theyre controlled storage lakes filled mostly with imported water  they werent designed to capture significant storm runoff.

Local water runoff hasnt provided enough water to meet all the countys water-supply needs since 1947, according to the Water Authority. About 50 percent of the regions water is now imported from the Colorado River, about 30 percent comes from the Bay Delta, and about 20 percent comes from local sources like reservoirs, groundwater, recycled water and the Carlsbad Desalination Plant.

San Vicente Reservoir, the largest in the county by far, received a huge influx of imported water in 2015, following a project that more than doubled the lakes capacity. The reservoir can now hold 249,358 acre-feet of water and is currently about 74 percent full.

But the reservoirs are mostly an insurance policy against emergencies, such as a significant disruption in supply from the north  for example if an earthquake were to destroy an aqueduct.

According to the Water Authority, seven major stream systems  that originate in the mountains of San Diego County and flow to the Pacific Ocean  create watersheds that supply 24 reservoirs  such as Hodges and Henshaw  with a combined capacity of about 746,000 acre-feet.

Henshaw, which provides water to Vista and Escondido, also gets water from underground pumps spread out over thousands of acres of nearby watershed land owned by the district.

Smith said that last time so much water was in Lake Henshaw was in 2010, before the drought began. Hes hoping Mother Nature has a few more storms in her this season.

Despite how the rest of the state feels, we could still use more rain this season, Smith said. Wed like to see some more water in there.

Weve been pumping continuously for five years, he added. Were hoping to turn off the well field this year and rely on surface water runoff. Whether we can do that or not really depends on what the next few months brings.

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jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones
Libya: Briefing and Consultations

Tomorrow morning (16 December), the Security Council will convene for an open briefing, followed by closed consultations, on Libya. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Abdoulaye Bathily is the anticipated briefer. A draft press statement proposed by the UK (the penholder on Libya) is apparently under silence until tomorrow at 9 am EST.

This month will mark one year since the postponement of national elections planned for 24 December 2021 and seven years since the signing of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA). The leadership stand-off continues between incumbent Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, elected in February 2021 to head the interim Government of National Unity (GNU), and former Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha, who was elected interim prime minister by the House of Representatives (the Libyan legislature based in Tobruk) on 10 February. The protracted political stalemate continues to contribute to political, economic and security instability.

At tomorrows briefing, Bathily is expected to highlight key aspects of the Secretary-Generals latest UNSMIL report, dated 9 December. The report covers political, security and economic developments and provides an overview of the human rights and humanitarian situation as well as the activities of UNSMIL since his 19 August report. (Resolution 2656 of 28 October, which most recently renewed UNSMILs mandate, reverted to requesting the Secretary-General to report on the missions activities every 60 days, instead of every 30 days.)

Bathily may underline, as noted in the Secretary-Generals report, that only minimal progress was made during the reporting period towards agreeing on a pathway to elections, despite the resumption of talks between Speaker of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh and President of the High State Council Khaled Mishri, who met in Rabat on 21 October. A meeting between Saleh and Mishri due to be held under UN auspices in the north-western city of Zintan on 4 December was cancelled due to logistical reasons, the report notes. The meeting had been expected to set in motion a process towards the holding of elections, including the finalization of the constitutional basis.

On the security track, UNSMIL continued to support the work of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission, including to facilitate implementation of the 2020 ceasefire agreement. The Secretary-Generals report says that the agreement continues to hold, although the security situation remained tense throughout the country during the reporting period. Bathily may note that UNSMIL also continued to support the establishment of an effective Libyan Ceasefire Monitoring Mechanism. In this regard, he may report that eight UN ceasefire monitors arrived in Tripoli between 18 August and 26 September and that the chief and deputy head of the UNSMIL Ceasefire Monitoring Component have also deployed, as noted in the report. The Security Working Group for Libya, co-chaired by France, Italy, Turkiye, the UK, the AU, and the UN, met in Tunis on 8 December.

On the economic track, as noted in the report, efforts to implement reform and reunification measures for the Central Bank of Libya, recommended by the UN-facilitated international audit, remained stalled since May due to ongoing divisions within the Central Bank.

The humanitarian and human rights situations remain alarming, as violations against migrants and refugees continue with impunity, including arbitrary detention in inhumane and degrading conditions in both official and unofficial centres managed by state and non-state actors, the report says. As at 27 November, 4,001 migrants were being held in government-operated detention centres, it says.

At tomorrows briefing, Bathily is expected to outline similar priorities to those he presented during his last briefing to the Council, which took place on 15 November at Russias request. At that briefing, he emphasised the need to hold elections as soon as possible and urged the Council to send an unequivocal message to obstructionists that their actions will not remain without consequences. He informed members that in the next weeks and months, UNSMIL will endeavour to facilitate a conversation between the key institutional players in Libya as a step towards overcoming their differences and moving forward towards the organisation of free and fair elections. He also underlined the need for accompanying support and pressure from the international community, particularly the Security Council. (For more information, see our 14 November Whats in Blue story.) At tomorrows meeting, Bathily may also describe some of the exchanges with stakeholders that he has had since his last briefing to the Council, including during his travels to Egypt, Qatar, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates from 14 November to 1 December.

In their statements tomorrow, members are expected to reiterate strong support for Bathily. They are likely to stress the urgent need for a Libyan-led inclusive political process and the holding of elections, which have been delayed for close to a year. Members may also highlight the precarious security situation, including that the protracted political stalemate continues to generate security threats. In this regard, they might call for progress not only on the political track, but also on the security and economic tracks. Some members may also seek to highlight the deteriorating living conditions across the country and the humanitarian and human rights conditions, including the situation of migrants and refugees. Members may also refer to the situation of women and girls, including survivors of gender-based and conflict-related violence. In this context, Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, is currently visiting Libya from 14 to 19 December, at the invitation of the GNU.
Government-backed financial institutions from Japan, the US, and Australia have pledged to support Vietnam's efforts to cut carbon emissions, according to the chairman of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).

JBIC Chairman Tadashi Maeda revealed the plan at an Indo-Pacific business forum in Tokyo on January 12, NHK reported.

JBIC, together with the US International Development Finance Corporation, and Export Finance Australia, will launch a new framework for support.

In consultation with the Vietnamese Government, they will help the Southeast Asian nation switch to thermal plants fueled by liquefied natural gas and expand the use of renewable energy.

They also aim to create business opportunities by introducing technologies for decarbonisation.

Vietnam has set a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. However, it faces the difficult challenge of maintaining economic growth while reducing its reliance on coal for power generation, according to NHK.
Visiting Speaker of the Republic of Korea (RoK)s National Assembly (NA) Kim Jin-pyo has remarked that Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) has made active contributions to the sound development of the nations relations.

Hosted by Chairman of the municipal Peoples Committee Phan Van Mai on January 13, Kim thanked the southern metropolis for its support of the RoK community living and working there.

He proposed the local authorities further create favorable conditions for the expansion of the Korean International School in the city; facilitate Korean firms to fulfill their tax obligations; and support the RoKs bid to host the World Expo 2030 in Busan.

Agreeing with such proposals, Mai hoped the RoK legislative leader and parliamentarians will help the city cultivate its cooperation with the East Asian nation in a host of sectors such as investment, tourism, culture, sport, people-to-people exchange, digital transformation, urban management, and climate change response.

HCMC authorities always attach importance to removing obstacles and difficulties facing Korean enterprises and communities in the city, the leader stated, adding that the city is ready to participate in the World Expo 2030.

Kim recommended that the southern economic hub learn from and cooperate with Busan in digital transformation, smart city building and urban management, among others.

While in the city - the first destination in his ongoing official trip to Vietnam, the speaker and his entourage are scheduled to visit a number of Korean-invested enterprises. The RoK is currently the fourth biggest foreign investor of HCMC.

Speaker Kim Jin-pyo is paying an official visit to Vietnam from January 12-18 at the invitation of Chairman of the Vietnamese NA Vuong Dinh Hue.
Speaker of the Republic of Koreas National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of the countrys parliament arrived in HCMC yesterday.

Speaker of the Republic of Koreas National Assembly Kim Jin-pyo started an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Chairman of the Vietnamese NA Vuong Dinh Hue.



This is the first of such visit to Vietnam by Kim since he took office in July 2022 and also the first by a senior leader of the RoK since the two countries upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022.

With a solid foundation and high hopes for bilateral relations, including parliamentary ties, Speaker Kims visit is expected to continue promoting cooperation between the two legislative bodies in an increasingly effective and substantive manner, thereby greatly contributing to the Vietnam - RoK relations.
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Emergency conditions persist in California, which has been deluged with storms, flooding and mudslides during the last two weeks. Widespread road closures, snowstorms, mudslides and power outages have made it difficult for employees to get to work and for businesses to continue operations, especially in transportation or delivery.

We've gathered articles on the news from SHRM Online and other trusted news sources.

State of Emergency

On Jan. 11, the White House authorized direct federal assistance to an additional 14 counties in California, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said. The federal state of emergency now covers 31 of the state's 58 counties.

Crews across California raced to get highways and public transit cleared and restored after mudslides, fallen trees and surging water have snarled travel in the past few days. State transportation officials reported more than 40 road closures, stretching from Siskiyou County on the state's northern edge to Orange County in the south. Forecasters this week warned residents to expect more storms to pound the northern part of the state in the coming days.

(Roundup of events from The New York Times)

More to Come

California has experienced six atmospheric rivers in recent weeks and is bracing for as many as three more, with the wild weather set to continue for at least another week, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Jan. 10 from Santa Cruz County, where raging ocean water damaged an iconic wooden pier. The storms have poured a tremendous amount of water on the state, especially in central California, including the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento Valley.



(AP News)

Economic Losses

California's flooding rains and heavy snows have killed at least 17 people and caused more than $30 billion in damages and economic losses, according to AccuWeather Inc. Those calculations are based on direct and indirect impacts of the storm, including damage to property and crops, job and wage losses, evacuation costs, airline delays, lost business and supply chain interruptions. The heavy rains follow three years of severe droughts in California.

(Bloomberg)



Business Impact

Businesses have been moving perishable foods to nonflood-prone restaurants, raising furniture off the ground to prevent water damage and bringing in employees to help clear properties. Amid the business closures, little to no revenue is coming in to help offset the added expense. In some locations, when the power goes out, so do the elevators, the hot water, the heat and the exterior building locks.

(North Bay Business Journal)

Resources for Dealing with Weather Emergencies

For employers coping with power outages and other storm-related emergencies, SHRM offers resources on a hub page, including some information specific to California.

(SHRM Online)


The highest education is that which does not merely give us information, but makes our life in harmony with all existence- Rabindranath Tagore

The desire to study at a renowned International university would be possible in India. For the first time, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has released an important draft regulation on the Setting up and Operation of Campuses of Foreign Higher Educational Institutions (FHEIs) in India and invited feedback from stakeholders. Despite the national and international geographical divisions, indeed, this would be an excellent move towards the harmony of the global education system. Though, it was envisaged in the National Education Policy, 2020.

According to the UGC's draft, a foreign university among the top 500 global rankings or a foreign educational institution of repute in its home jurisdiction is allowed to apply to the UGC to establish a campus in India. The campus would have the independence to develop its admission process, fee structure, and criteria to admit domestic and foreign students. The draft reads, the fee should be " reasonable and transparent". The flexibility to recruit faculty and staff from India and abroad would certainly give a big opportunity for the students. However, the universities and colleges are not allowed to offer any such programme of study which jeopardizes the national interest of India or the standards of higher education in India. They will also be allowed cross-border movement of funds.

The objective is to provide an international dimension to higher education, enable Indian students to obtain foreign qualifications at a reasonable cost, and make India an attractive global study destination with the entry of FHEIs into India.

UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar has declared that in keeping with the National Educational Policy 2020, a step forward to the internationalization of Indian higher education would be granting permission to foreign universities to set up campuses in India. As mentioned in NEP 2020, A legislative framework facilitating such entry will be put in place, and such universities will be given special dispensation regarding regulatory, governance, and content norms on par with other autonomous institutions of India.

Foreign Universities' interest in India

According to UGC Chairman, M Jagadesh Kumar, several European nations have expressed interest in establishing campuses in India. A poll conducted by The National Institute of Education Planning and Administration discovered that eight foreign universities were interested in setting up international campuses in India. One each from the UK, Australia, and Canada, and five are from the United States.

When it comes to scaling up the quality of higher education, every institution has pushed its limit. Likewise, this has been the experience with Indian institutes of repute trying to broaden the pyramid. Establishment of the foreign institutions in India would enrich the Indian education system.

Well, online learning platforms have contributed a lot to gaining the trust of learners for international institutions. Even though it took its peak during the pandemic, it became a boon for many to learn and educate themselves. Though, the released draft focuses more on offline mode. UGC Chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar stated that foreign universities with campuses in the nation can only offer full-time programs in offline mode and not online or distance learning. After taking into account comments from all interested parties, the final rules would be released by the end of the month.

After all, the world has witnessed how the Indian Talent pool has enriched the global economy, despite any particular industry. For instance, the common thing among Adobe, Google, and Microsoft, apart from the fact that they are all tech giants, is that they are led by Indian technocrats! Well, Proud of the Indian Talents! Now, the UGC's decision on higher education would increase the standard of Indian education and decrease the outflow of Indian talents.

Experts' opinion

Academics and business experts held contrasting opinions about the UGC's draught regulations for the establishment and operation of foreign universities in India. Some professionals showed their concern that these institutions would find it difficult to manage particular issues facing the Indian educational system. Others have thoughts about adequate physical infrastructure, there would be a major inflow of foreign investment into the country.

Abha Dev Habib, a professor at Delhi University, responded to the UGC head's announcement by questioning how the panel, which the NEP-2020 is supposed to demolish, is creating the standards. "It is only unfortunate that UGC, which is going to be dismantled, is making all the reforms. The very fact that the government does not have the will to discuss them as bills in Parliament is the reason why the government is getting them introduced through the UGC," she stated. "The UPA had tried to bring the Foreign Universities Bill but it was shelved by the Rajya Sabha standing committee around 2012-13 and at that time, the BJP and Left had opposed it. But the BJP is now doing it," she added. (Source: India Today Web Desk)

Meritorious students who were unable to travel overseas because of financial constraints or visa issues will continue to study in India. This may result in Indian industry having access to a larger pool of highly skilled people, which is needed to help the Indian economy grow rapidly, said Rahul Chadha, Managing Partner at Chadha & Co, a corporate and commercial law firm based in New Delhi. (Source: Money Control)
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If the problem with hagiography is that it uproots people from history, holding them aloft as solitary stars from the vast constellation of influences that forged them, then the same is true of vilification. A monster, like a saint, is someone made radically unique by extracting them from their social, intellectual, and political context. Both lack an intimate life  for villainy or genius is a lonely pursuit  and their ideas are ennobled or debased by being utterly dissimilar from anybody elses of their era.

John Macarthur, whether remembered as the ingenious Mr MacA, the father of Australian fleece or most recently, by writer Kate Grenville, as a colonial monster, a bully, or the most difficult man on the planet at that time has swung wildly between both extremes.

For this reason, Alan Atkinsons superb biography, tellingly entitled Elizabeth and John: The Macarthurs of Elizabeth Farm is a welcome contribution to Australian history, written in a manner not simply accessible, but poetic and abidingly pleasurable, for the scholar or intelligent reader alike.

Alan Atkinson explains that the story of John Macarthur (left) must also be a story of his wife, Elizabeth (right).

Atkinson explains that the story of John must also be a story of his wife, Elizabeth, which is in turn a story of a marriage, a family, and friends; of the intimate ties that made imperial expansion possible. Far from uprooting the Macarthurs, Atkinson grounds them in an archival forest of voices, taking the reader on a gentle stroll to inspect the environment  the soil, air, and climate  in which their ambitions took seed and the imprint of Enlightenment philosophy on their habits of mind, their structures of feeling and Johns political interventions.
Lisa Marie Presley has died after being rushed to hospital following a full cardiac arrest.

The 54-year-old only child of Elvis Presley had been transported to hospital and put on life support after her housekeeper reportedly found her unconscious at her home in Calabasas, California.

The 54-year-old sole child of Elvis Presley died after a suspected cardiac arrest. Credit: Wolter Peeters

In a statement her mother, Priscilla Presley, said, 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.
People come and stay at this time of year. Houseguests well call them, though mine are better described as lazy bastards whove mistaken me for a valet. They all enjoy napping. Over the holiday season the nap becomes a rite and a right. Some of them drink at lunchtime, while others are tired out by their own crucial, unique contribution to world affairs.

Always surprising to me that people should be exhausted by being total nobodies, but my houseguests are. They swoop for my sofas and chaise longues and curl up and say, Im just going to close my eyes for five minutes. But its never five minutes. Its an announcement that a room, verandah, courtyard or deck is being commandeered indefinitely by a comatose holidaymaker in pineapple print shorts.

At this time of year any shared room in my house might harbour some goofball wallowing in annual leave and napping as agreeably as a tipsy centenarian. And rousing these nappers is like stepping on a king brown  they come up with their yellow fangs bared, full of the kind of reptilian animosity that Morpheus holds for the waking world.

Credit:

What do you want? a son-in-law whos repurposed my living room for a hermits slumber party will ask me, while blinking angrily at me from my sofa at noon. Its as if hes caught me creeping up on him to take a snap of his latest tattoo to send to other old blokes whove fallen off the edge of the zeitgeist.
Police are searching for the driver of a white sedan that allegedly dropped off a woman with a gunshot wound at Bankstown Hospital on Thursday.

The 37-year-old woman arrived at the hospital just before 1pm. Police believe she was shot inside a home at Condell Park, in Sydneys south-west.

A file photo of the emergency department building at Bankstown Hospital. Credit: Kate Geraghty

She underwent surgery for the wound to her torso, and is in a stable condition. The man who allegedly dropped her off left the hospital on foot before police began their investigations.

Investigators seized the car, swabbed it for forensic evidence, and are appealing for information from the public to locate the man.
Police have released footage of the moment a woman was grabbed and pulled to the ground while jogging in Sydneys west last month, in a random attack that police have labelled vicious and strange.

About 6.50pm on December 29, the woman was jogging along Railway Parade in Lidcombe when a man not known to her grabbed her from behind and assaulted her. She alerted police and an investigation was launched by Auburn police area command.

Detectives have now released footage of the moment the woman was attacked in a bid to try to identify the attacker.

In the clip, the man can be seen running behind the woman before grabbing her neck and face. The man shoves the woman to the ground before he runs away, leaving the woman bewildered. The woman did not suffer any serious injuries.
Surgeon banned after performing 'incomplete' colonoscopies

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The rate of incarceration in Victoria has been steadily rising over the past 10 years, with the number of Aboriginal inmates almost doubling in that time. Meanwhile, the state government has been actively trying to recruit new corrections staff to tackle the shortage. During a visit to the Marngoneet Correctional Centre on Wednesday, the CPSU observed heightened agitation among prisoners particularly over the extended period of time they were expected to remain in their cells. One prison officer, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed prisoners were now locked down from 5pm to 8am, making it harder for some to contact their families. Prisoners have allegedly expressed demoralisation as conditions begin to shift closer to those seen at maximum security prisons. They are saying whats the point of behaving, the officer said. We are turning out worse citizens. The corrections system is going backwards.

Opposition corrections spokesman Brad Battin  who was a prison officer for two years  said staffing shortages impacted both the physical and mental wellbeing of prisoners, particularly when it results in increased isolation within cells. It makes it harder to recover, makes it harder for rehabilitation. The potential of then returning people back to the community worse than they were when they went in is a real possibility, he said. This in turn puts remaining staff at risk, Battin said. If they [prisoners] get built-up anger from sitting in their cell, they could retaliate to say were sick of being locked down. Tensions are rising among prisoners at the Marngoneet Correctional Centre amid staff shortages. Credit: Craig Abraham Sarah Schwartz, principal managing lawyer at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services Wirraway practice, said as the number of prison staff falls, prisoner populations were rising.

Staffing issues within Victorias prisons reflect the fact that there are too many people in Victorias prisons, she said. Loading No one in prison should have their human rights breached because of staffing shortages. Reducing the prison population is the best result for everyone. Vice president of Liberty Victoria, Michelle Bennett, said a lack of trained staff could be a life or death issue for prisoners, and that time in cells should be strictly limited. For prisoners, increased isolation limits their opportunities for rehabilitation and, accordingly, their ability to successfully reintegrate into the community, she said.

In an effort to promote job retention, the CPSU is negotiating new rosters for a number of medium security prisons which would protect take-home pay for correctional officers and other prison staff. Consultation is currently underway with affected staff and the CPSU which will consider any implications for staff remuneration and conditions. This will be a problem everywhere in frontline staff, the spokesperson said, noting that similar staffing challenges currently faced youth justice, child protection and public health. Battin echoed this, adding that prisons had the extra challenge of promoting a job that has, at times, been described as 99 per cent boredom and 1 per cent sheer terror. There are more jobs than there are people now, Battin said. How does the government or Corrections Victoria encourage people to come to work in the prisons when people can work wherever they want at the moment? How do they make it look like less of a job and more of a career?

Loading A Department of Justice and Community Safety spokesperson said they regularly reviewed and updated their operational management to ensure a safe environment for both staff and prisoners. Like many industries, we are managing staffing pressures at some of our medium security prisons and are putting in place appropriate arrangements to ensure the safety, security and good order of the system. The shortage comes as a new maximum security prison  the Western Plains Correctional Centre  is about to be opened, not far from the Marngoneet and Barwon correctional facilities. Completed in November, the 1248-bed centre  which cost the state government $1.119 billion  is now under the management of Corrections Victoria, which is working to secure the facility before it becomes fully operational.
A Perth man has been sentenced to five years behind bars for causing third-degree burns to a young girl in his care which were so severe she lost three fingernails, the burns reaching below all layers of the skin down to the tendon.

Jaycob Anfernee John Yarran, 25, was caring for the two-year-old girl and her older sister in Maddington in September 2019 when the toddler had her hands immersed in boiling hot water in a pot over the stove.

Jaycob Yarran has been jailed for burning a two-year-old girl. Credit: Facebook

Yarran initially denied causing the injuries, and said during a trial last year the girl had accidentally burned herself while trying to cook two-minute noodles.

He did not call an ambulance, but did call his partner, a relative of the two girls, who then took them to hospital.
High-speed rail will revolutionise Australia socially and economically, with the potential to transform the nations capital into a global tourist attraction, Japans ambassador to Australia says.

As the federal government pushes ahead with a plan to develop high-speed rail on the east coast after decades of debate and delay, ambassador Shingo Yamagami said Japan could offer important lessons from its much-admired Shinkansen, or bullet train, network.

Japanese ambassador to Australia Shingo Yamagami says high-speed rail could be a symbolic project of co-operation between Australia and Japan. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

High-speed rail is not only a mode of transport, it is a mode of transformation, he told this masthead in an interview.

Once introduced, it will completely change both [the] economic and social landscape in Australia because that is what we experienced in Japan.
His colleagues were well aware he did not support such a measure. Elliott stayed out of it until last week, when he was asked for his views at an unrelated press conference. He was unequivocal. While agreeing problem gambling was a significant issue, Elliott stressed he did not want poker machines to be demonised or singled out as the only damaging form of gaming. Loading His comments, the first he had made on the issue, stunned many people (Perrottet included). Several days later the Herald was alerted to a LinkedIn profile of Elliotts son, who is an employee of the gambling technology giant Aristocrat. The Herald ran the story that Elliott would recuse himself from cabinet to ensure no conflict of interest. Elliott was incandescent with the Herald and Perrottet, who he blamed that night on Channel Sevens 6pm news bulletin of planting the story as payback for his poker machine comments. Herald editor Bevan Shields said the story did not originate from Perrottet. This was just good journalism, he said. There is no conspiracy here. The Herald has been leading the charge on coverage of poker machine reform, and a senior cabinet minister recusing himself from discussion about a policy he has expressed strong opposition to is a no-brainer story in my book. Several days later, Elliott phoned Perrottet on Tuesday night to tell him about a rumour that had been swirling on social media since Christmas. That rumour was that an incriminating photo of Perrottet at his 21st was going to be released by some of his Liberal opponents within his own Right faction.

Perrottet has not divulged the details of his conversation with Elliott (although he has stressed it was not threatening), but a source with knowledge of the conversation said Perrottet was dumbfounded. He had no idea of the rumour, and he immediately felt sick. It was enough to force the premier to publicly reveal a humiliating secret he had harboured for two decades. Over the next 24 hours, and after a sleepless night, Perrottet knew he had to front the media and reveal his horror mistake before someone else beat him to it. His closest cabinet colleagues had no idea until he delivered the bombshell, although he told the treasurer and moderate powerbroker Matt Kean, who was by his side, just hours before he made the revelation. Perrottet also called the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies before the press conference. Despite the recent bad blood between Perrottet and Elliott, it was unlikely the transport minister had intimate details of the rumour because he is no friend of the Right faction. That faction in Perrottets home patch of Sydneys north-west had ended Elliotts political career, so it made no sense that he would have teamed with them to hurt the premier. Former NSW Liberal leader Peter Collins, who once employed Elliott as a media adviser, agrees with that assessment, insisting the transport minister had an obligation to alert Perrottet of a looming problem.

Theres no way David Elliott should be made a scapegoat, he was doing his duty of giving the premier early warning of a negative story, Collins said. Loading Rather, in what is a far bigger concern for Perrottet, it was his own faction who was working on a plan to damage him, according to several senior right-wing figures, who spoke to the Herald on the condition of anonymity. The unrest has been brewing for some time and much of the internal woes, which one right-wing figure described as savage, is centred around bitter preselections. The faction is split. In a bid to avoid a repeat of the federal election, Perrottet wanted more Liberal women on the upper house ticket. He tasked his right-wing lieutenant and conservative elder Finance Minister Damien Tudehope to land a deal with the moderates.

After one false start, that deal was sealed on December 27. The ticket would have three women, but their inclusion would come at the cost of three sitting male MPs, including two right-wingers, Lou Amato and the upper house president Matthew Mason-Cox. Fury erupted. Loading Discontent had also been bubbling in the conservative wing of the Liberals after the nomination of a right-wing candidate for the lower house was blocked by the partys nomination review committee. Conservative lawyer Noel McCoy had been favoured to win preselection in the ultra-safe Liberal seat of Castle Hill, but had his nomination disallowed because he criticised the Berejiklian governments pandemic lockdowns. An appeal to the state executive in late December was also rejected. McCoy had been expected to win the coveted seat after using his support in the hard-right faction to edge out centre-right rival and sitting member Elliott. McCoy told allies that Perrottet had wanted him to be the Castle Hill candidate and his experience further angered right-wingers.
Vladimir Putin has accused a Russian minister of fooling around and failing to order enough military and civilian aircraft for the Ukraine war.

The rare outburst was directed at Denis Manturov, his trade and industry minister, who was given the task of overseeing Russias weapons industry last year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin leads a cabinet meeting via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, Russia, on Wednesday. Credit: AP

As Manturov delivered his report during a video conference call with leading government ministers on Wednesday, Putin fidgeted and made notes before interrupting him.

When will there be contracts? Directors have told me that they have no contracts, the Russian president said, referring to efforts to acquire new aircraft. You are not trying hard enough, a visibly angered Putin said. He later raised his voice and said: Why are you playing a fool?
Washington: Raymond Arroyo was fed up. As Prince Harry continued his media blitz this week to promote his tell-all memoir, the American author took to his weekly TV segment with Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham to lament the fact there was no escaping the Duke of Sussex.

Laura, hes in everything! Arroyo cried, as a strap line appeared on the bottom of the TV screen that read: Prince Harry Peddles His Story of Woe.

Copies of the new book by Prince Harry called Spare are displayed at Shermans book store in Freeport, Maine, US. Credit: AP

The problem is, there are only so many ways to claim victim status and trash your family. Whether youre sitting opposite [US journalists] Michael Strahan or Anderson Cooper, its the same routine.

Its been two years since Harry and his wife Meghan Markle embarked on their campaign to speak out against the royal family, beginning with the infamous Oprah Winfrey interview and its explosive revelations about the concerns and conversations over the colour of their sons skin.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- On January 20 and 21, a unique conference on corporate governance will take place at the initiative of the Government of Sint Maarten. This two-day conference is organized by NR Governance and VANEPS; the conference venue is Sonesta Maho Beach Hotel.

The conference is intended for everyone in Sint Maarten who holds or aspires to a management or supervisory position and aims to further professionalize their knowledge and skills.

Representatives from all sectors are invited: organizations ranging from the (semi-)public sector to financial institutions and organizations in tourism, welfare, and health.

Questions that will be discussed at the conference are, for example: how should you, as a supervisor or supervisory director, properly fulfill your employer's role vis-a-vis the board? What is the best way to navigate when the organization is in dire straits? What skill requirements can you place on directors and supervisory directors and how should you evaluate supervisors and directors effectively? How can we on St. Maarten really take a step forward in governance and supervision in our corporate and semi-public sector? These types of questions will be addressed intensively and interactively (among others in break-out sessions/working groups) in the course of this conference.

Ten eminent speakers have been invited by the Government of Sint Maarten from Sint Maarten, the Netherlands, and from Curacao. In this way, all the wide experience can be pooled and exchanged.

There will be Opening addresses by Prime Minister, Ms. Silveria Jacobs and the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ardwell Irion. Keynote speeches will be given by former Governor drs. Eugene Holiday, by governance expert Miguel Mike Alexander and by Minister of State and former Minister of Justice, Winnie Sorgdrager.

Working group leaders include Frank Kunneman (VAN EPS), Joane Dovale (Primarium), Hugo Reumkens (Van Doorne), Hans Bedet (EvaLite), Aubrich Bakhuis (Themis Institute for Governance & Leadership), Hans van der Molen (Berenschot) and Kamla Besancon (KB-legal).

The investment for this intensive two-day course is $825 per person all-in. All participants will receive a copy of the recently published book Toolkit for supervisory directors Dutch Caribbean.

In case an organization sends more than two persons, the investment is $750 per person. Boards and supervisory directors of small-size (social) foundations with very limited resources are invited to reach out to discuss possibilities for partial sponsorship of the participation fee.

Participants will receive a certificate upon completion.

Registration is available with Stephanie Kits (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ). More information may be obtained from Frank Kunneman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).
PHILIPSBURG:--- Twenty-four tenants of Buildings C, D, E, and F of Low Estate, Belvedere received the keys to their apartments in a Key Giving Ceremony hosted by the Minister VROMI Egbert J Doran and the Sint Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) on January 10, 2023. The keys were the second set handed over, following the finalization of Buildings A & B in October. Some of these units catered to the differently abled residents whose homes were modified to accommodate their accessibility needs. Concerning the handover ceremony, Minister Doran said, 'This is a great feeling to finally have the residents back in their homes. They (residents) were ecstatic as well to be back in their homes.

According to Minister Doran, this is the first time since the initial construction of the buildings in Belvedere that they have received such a major overhaul. I would like to thank all the stakeholders involved, namely the Dutch Trust fund that is managed by the World Bank, the Ministry of VROMI, the NRPB staff, and every single stakeholder. A special mention must be given to the Sint Maarten Housing Development Foundation for the hard work that they put into making this a reality.

The renovation and repairs to sixty-four (64) apartment units in the six residential towers officially began on January 26, 2022. To date, all 64 units have been completely renovated and returned to the residents while some others have received minor repairs and maintenance work. There are greater things to come. I mentioned that 2023 is a year of change and forward movement. That is the intention and the commitment from the Ministry of VROMI, stated Minister Doran.

Based on a budget of almost US $5.5 million, the planned works include structural repairs, roof, and electrical work, and installation of doors, windows, ceiling tiles, and plumbing fixtures.
PHILIPSBURG: --- The Sint Maarten Library in preparation for the Memorial and Liberation Day joins the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean countries to commemorate and reflect on World War II by distributing over 700 copies of the Caribbean Think Book to all primary School Students of group 7.

Since 2018, the National Committee May 4 and 5 sends educational material for each student individually to have a personal copy of the Caribbean Think Book.

The National Committee offers instruction books for teachers to guide their students in introducing the local history and the role that the Dutch Caribbean played during the aforementioned war.

The Caribbean Think Book covers what happened in the Dutch Caribbean Countries and what were their consequences. Sint Maartens Students are challenged to reflect on the true meaning of freedom caused by the May 4 and 5 liberations.

The distribution of the Caribbean Think Book will take place from Monday, January 16 through January 20, 2023, during the morning hours to all primary schools.

The books serve as a precursor and preparation for the National Observation to May 4 and 5, 2023, Memorial and Liberation Day of the Netherlands and the Dutch Caribbean Countries being freed from the Nazi (Germany) occupation after World War II.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Recently the Governor of Sint Maarten, his Excellency Mr. Ajamu Baly, paid a courtesy visit to the White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation (WYCCF). The Governor was given a presentation and tour of the different departments of the foundation, as well as a presentation about the foundations history and future plans. The Governor spoke with the management and board of the WYCCF and several clients and staff. On his tour of the Sister Basilia Center (SBC) Day Activity Center (DAC), he stopped to take part in a game of musical circles with the SBC clients, to the delight of the clients. The visit concluded with a refreshing iced tea at the new therapeutic pool. The Governor expressed being very impressed with the work and the many different types of care the WYCCF provides. Bregje Boetekees, WYCCF manager of operations:  it was an honor to welcome Governor Baly into our Foundation and to show him all the care that we offer.

At 9:30 AM, the Governor arrived at the entrance of St. Martins Home, where the board and management of the WYCCF welcomed him. Bregje Boetekees, WYCCF manager of operations, gave a short presentation about the foundation, its history, and future plans in the board room. Once the presentation was concluded, the physical tour commenced and started in the St. Martins Home (SMH) dining room, where the clients were enjoying a game of Bingo. In the absence of SMH department manager Macfolda Gumbs, the tour was given by the Nursing Home Care Unit Leader Ludricia York. She explained to the Governor that the SMH includes several types of care, of which Nursing Home Care is one. The SMH also has a hospice, where palliative care is offered, and a complete rehabilitation center where the tour is headed next. The coordinator of the Paramedical Team, Mrs. Petra Peut, explained the types of care that the Rehabilitation Center offers and for what types of diagnoses rehabilitation can be beneficial. Nurse Lakeisha Jones of the Rehabilitation Center then toured the Governor around in the Center.

The tour continued to the Sister Basilia Center, where Mireya Torrenga-Maria showed Governor Baly, several different groups. She explained that this department is specialized in the care of persons with an intellectual disability, and many clients also have physical disabilities, impacting their mobility. The SBC currently has 76 clients divided over three different of care products. The SBC Day Care Activity (DAC) provides meaningful activities during weekdays for clients who either live at home (43 clients) or in the SBC Residence (22 clients). The third SBC care product is located in Hope Estate, the Guided Living department. This provides care for 11 clients who live semi-independently with the guidance of the professional SBC staff. The Governor met with the SBC DAC and Residence clients and enjoyed a game of musical circles with the clients, to their great excitement. The Governor was led through the building, where he met different groups of clients. The clients are all unique and have different capabilities to which the type of activities is catered.

Next to the Sister Basilia Center lies the St. Martins Home Elderly Care department, consisting of three large buildings with newly installed solar panels, which during the day powers the many different departments. Each building has 10 studios where the senior clients live semi-independently with on-site nursing care and support. Governor Baly was greeted enthusiastically by the Elderly Care clients who were sitting on the porch, where one client said: So this is the new Sheriff in town!

The new outdoor heated therapeutic saltwater pool of WYCCF is located right behind the Elderly Care facility, where several SBC clients were enjoying their water therapy. The Governor enjoyed a cool drink under the gazebo next to the pool while talking to the WYCCF board, staff, and management about challenges in healthcare, such as sourcing sufficient staff and adequate insurance coverage of all care products. After a great two-hour visit, many shaken hands, and even more impressions, the visit came to an end.

The Governor said: I am very impressed with the organization and the many different types of care offered. Being familiar with the Nursing Home, I had not yet seen some of these other departments, such as the Sister Basilia Center. The WYCCF cares for vulnerable groups in our society, which is important. 

Bregje Boetekees: The White & Yellow Cross Care Foundation is very grateful for the visit of Governor Baly. His interaction with our clients and staff was great, with a warm and open interest in all that we offer here at WYCCF. We are happy and proud to showcase the trusted care that we provide here at the WYCCF and look forward to welcoming him again in the future.
Uranium Energy Corp Files S-K 1300 Technical Summary Report for Shea Creek Project in Saskatchewan

br />This TRS filing for Shea Creek is the first Saskatchewan resource estimate reported by the Company since its acquisition of UEX Corporation (aUEXa) in August of 2022.

Combined Shea Creek resources of 95.63 million lb. U3O8 on a consolidated basis are comprised of 67.57 million lb. at 1.491% U3O8 in the indicated resource category and 28.06 million lb. at 1.015% U3O8 in the inferred category, respectively.

UEC attributable share of combined resources are 46.95 million lb. U3O8, comprised of 33.18 million lb. indicated and 13.78 million lb. inferred (Table 1).

Uranium Energy Corp (NYSE American: UEC, the aCompanya or aUECa  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/uranium-energy-corp/) is pleased to announce that it has filed a Technical Report Summary (aTRSa) on EDGAR disclosing updated mineral resources for the Companya?s Shea Creek Project (the aProjecta or aShea Creeka). UEC indirectly owns 49.0975% of the Project and Orano Canada Resources (aOranoa) 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 (aS-K 1300a);

S-K 1300 was adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the aSECa) 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 aMaterial Documenta 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., UECa?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 Oranoa?s past-producing Cluff Lake mine and 50 km north of NexGena?s Arrow and Fission Uraniuma?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% U3O8 / 0.4 m.A 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% U3O8.A A total of 2,056,000 tonnes containing 67.57 million pounds of U3O8 at an average grade of 1.491% U3O8 have been estimated in the indicated mineral resource category.A A total of 1,254,000 tonnes containing 28.06 million pounds of U3O8 at an average grade of 1.015% U3O8 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.A On average, indicated resource blocks were located within eight m of a drill hole and inferred blocks within 16 m.A Mineralized wireframes of the Colette, 58B, Kianna and Anne zones bound perched, unconformity, and basement mineralization was prepared at a 0.05% U3O8 mineralized threshold to constrain the mineral resource estimate at each deposit area.A The estimate was completed by ordinary kriging using Gemcom software with block sizes of five by five by five m.A 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 (aICP-MSa) for all samples with grades lower than 1,000 ppm U3O8 and using Inductively Couple Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy for samples determined by ICP-MS to contain uranium concentrations higher than 1,000 ppm U3O8.A 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.A Probe results were calibrated using an algorithm calculated from comparison of probe results against geochemical analyses in previous holes in the Shea Creek area.

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 (aISRa) mining uranium projects inA the United StatesA and high-grade conventional projects inA Canada. The Company has two production-ready ISR hub and spoke platforms inA South TexasA andA 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 U3O8; (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.

For additional information, please contact:

Uranium Energy Corp Investor Relations

Toll Free:A (866) 748-1030

Fax:A (361) 888-5041

E-mail:A info@uraniumenergy.com

Twitter: @UraniumEnergy

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

Stock Exchange Information:

NYSE American:A UEC

Frankfurt Stock Exchange Symbol:A U6Z

WKN:A AAJDRR

ISN:A US916896103

Safe Harbor Statement

Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented in this news release constitutes aforward-looking statementsa 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 aexpectsa or adoes not expecta, ais expecteda, aanticipatesa or adoes not anticipatea, aplans, aestimatesa or aintendsa, or stating that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta or awilla be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and should be viewed as aforward-looking statementsa. 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 Companya?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.
IsoEnergy Announces Winter 2023 Exploration Program

IsoEnergy Ltd. (aIsoEnergya or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/isoenergy-ltd/ ) (TSXV: ISO; OTCQX: ISENF) is pleased to announce that exploration plans have been finalized for the winter 2023 season.

Highlights:

Diamond drilling at Larocque East and Hawk totalling 6800m in 12 drill holes

Ground geophysical surveys at Larocque East and Geiger

Tim Gabruch, President and Chief Executive Officer commented: aThis winter, IsoEnergy will continue to explore its diverse portfolio of prospective projects. The team is mobilizing now, and diamond drilling at Larocque East will follow-up on the encouraging basement alteration zone intersected in the summer of 2022. IsoEnergy will also complete its first drill program at the Hawk Project, which covers 10 km of a highly underexplored conductive trend in the infrastructure-rich eastern Athabasca Basin. Geophysical programs at Larocque East and Geiger will generate and refine drill targets, ensuring a steady stream of exploration for several seasons to come. Having recently completed our $18.3 million financing in December, IsoEnergy is well positioned to undertake this exciting exploration program and development work at a time when the nuclear industry and the uranium sector in particular looks incredibly strong as we move into 2023 and beyond.a

Larocque East Project

Six diamond drill holes totalling 2000 m are planned at Larocque East to follow up favourable results on the eastern Kernaghan Trend. The 3.5 km of this conductive trend covered by the Larocque East project has only been drilled on a single fence, where historical drilling intersected anomalous uranium geochemistry and chlorite in the lower sandstone and defined over 40 m of unconformity relief on section. Following up the historical results, IsoEnergya?s summer 2022 drill hole LE22-144 intersected a broad zone of illitic and hematitic alteration associated with a basement-hosted structure. The structure and alteration are located in the 265 m gap between the historical drill holes. Winter 2023 drilling is planned as a series of systematic step outs along strike of LE22-144 to evaluate the extent of the alteration zone and test for the presence of mineralization. Figure 2 shows the planned drill hole locations.

Two lines of ground electromagnetic (EM) surveying are planned along the approximately 15 km long interpreted western extension of the Kernaghan Trend. This work will generate drill targets for first-pass evaluation of this undrilled portion of the Kernaghan Trend. Figure 2 shows the survey line locations.

Hawk Project Diamond Drilling

Six diamond drill holes, totalling 4800 m, are planned at IsoEnergya?s Hawk project during the winter 2023 season. Drilling will follow-up results from the 2022 EM survey which identified multiple moderate to strong basement conductors in each of the three surveyed areas. Winter 2023 drilling will consist of first-pass testing of each area to assess for the presence of significant alteration, structure, and geochemistry. Figure 3 shows the planned drill hole locations.

Hawk is interpreted to cover at least 10 km of prospective conductive strike with depths to the unconformity interpreted to be between 600 and 750 metres. The single historical drill hole completed within the project, OR11-06, failed to intersect conductive basement; therefore, the prospective stratigraphy is considered to remain untested. Relogging of OR11-06 in 2022 by IsoEnergy identified pervasively bleached and locally desilicified lower sandstones above pervasively sericitized basement, which is suggestive of hydrothermal alteration in the vicinity.

Geiger Project Geophysics

A ground EM survey is planned at Geiger to follow-up a trend of anomalous drilling results and generate additional drill targets along strike of weak historical mineralization. IsoEnergya?s summer 2022 drill hole GG22-31 intersected a zone of pervasive argillic alteration extending 55 metres into the basement associated with graphitic gneisses. Located 1.7 km along strike to the north of GG22-31, historical drill hole Q23-003 intersected a zone of basement alteration similar to that in GG22-31. A further 2.8 km north, Fission 3.0 Corp.a?s drill hole ML22-006 is reported to have intersected basement-hosted radioactivity associated with graphitic fault structures. These anomalous results are interpreted to occur along a 4.5 km long trend of which 3.4 km lies within the Geiger project. Importantly, only GG22-31 and ML22-006 are interpreted to have intersected the targeted conductors, leaving the remainder of this trend inadequately tested.

A ground EM survey is also planned north of historical drill hole Q24-001 which intersected 0.11% U3O8 over 0.3 m (259.6 a 259.9m) at the unconformity within an alteration zone spanning the unconformity. Q24-001 was followed up on section and along strike to the south but remains open to the north.

Figure 4 shows the planned Geiger survey areas.

Qualified Person Statement

David Thomas, P.Geo., IsoEnergya?s Technical Advisor, is the aQualified Persona (as defined in NI 43-101 aA Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects) for the Company and has validated and approved the technical and scientific content of this news release. All \-GG\- and \-LE\- series drill holes were completed by IsoEnergy, and geochemical analyses were completed for the Company by SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. All other drill holes were completed by previous operators and geochemical assay data has been compiled from historical assessment reports or provided by the previous operator(s).

For additional information regarding the Companya?s Larocque East Project, including its quality assurance and quality control procedures applied to the exploration work described in this news release, please see the Technical Report titled aTechnical Report on the Larocque East Project, Northern Saskatchewan, Canadaa dated August 4, 2022, on the Companya?s profile at www.sedar.com.This news release refers to properties other than those in which the Company has an interest. Mineralization on those other properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Companya?s properties.A

About IsoEnergy

IsoEnergy is a well-funded uranium exploration and development company with a portfolio of prospective projects in the infrastructure-rich eastern Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. In 2018, the Company discovered the high-grade Hurricane Deposit on its 100% owned Larocque East property in the Eastern Athabasca Basin. The Hurricane Deposit has Indicated Mineral Resources of 48.61 Million lb U3O8 based on 63,800 tonnes grading 34.5% U3O8 and Inferred Mineral Resources of 2.66 Million lb U3O8 based on 54,300 tonnes grading 2.2% U3O8 (July 8, 2022). The Hurricane Deposit is 100% owned by IsoEnergy and is unencumbered from any royalties. IsoEnergy is led by a Board and Management team with a track record of success in uranium exploration, development, and operations. The Company was founded and is supported by the team at its major shareholder, NexGen Energy Ltd.

Tim Gabruch

President and Chief Executive Officer

IsoEnergy Ltd.

+1 306-261-6284

info@isoenergy.ca

www.isoenergy.ca

Investor Relations

Kin Communications

+1 604 684 6730

iso@kincommunications.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

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 release.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities referenced herein have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the aU.S. Securities Acta), and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements thereunder.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains aforward-looking statementsa within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and aforward-looking informationa within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. aForward-looking informationa includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, planned exploration activities. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as aplansa, aexpectsa, ais expecteda, abudgeta, ascheduleda, aestimatesa, aforecastsa, aintendsa, aanticipatesa, or abelievesa or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results amaya, acoulda, awoulda, amighta or awill be takena, aoccura or abe achieveda or the negative connotation thereof.

Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including among others, that the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price of uranium, the anticipated cost of planned exploration activities, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Companya?s planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known mineral reserves or resources, the limited operating history of the Company, the influence of a large shareholder,A alternative sources of energy and uranium prices, aboriginal title and consultation issues, reliance on key management and other personnel, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, availability of third party contractors, availability of equipment and supplies, failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.A The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.
Victoria Gold: 24.69 g/t Au over 6.5m from 2022 Lynx Exploration Program

Victoria Gold Corp. (TSX-VGCX) (aVictoriaa or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/victoria-gold-corp/ ) 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 (ama) 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:

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A 63.32 g/t Au over 2.5m from 172.0mA A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

2.46 g/t Au over 27.2m from 70.3m in LX22-040C, including:

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A 83.90 g/t Au over 0.5m from 70.3m, and

A A A A A A A A A A A A A A 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 TRLX22-030C

1.06 g/t Au over 10.0m from 16m in TRLX22-031C

0.62 g/t Au over 44.0m from 22m in TRLX22-032C

aExploration at Lynx in 2022 has demonstrated consistent gold mineralization across a large target area,a commented Paul Gray, VP Technical Services of Victoria.A aThrough the Lynx campaign multiple strong gold intercepts were observed and mineralization was established across 750m of strike length and over 300m in width.a

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 a 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.

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 Victoriaa?s 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 Golda?s 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 Victoriaa?s intrusion related mineralization model.

Analytical Method

All 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 MSALABSa? 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 Person

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul D. Gray, P.Geo., as the aQualified Persona as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About the Dublin Gulch Property

Victoria Gold\-s 100%-owned Dublin Gulch gold property (the aPropertya) 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 a2019 Eagle Technical Reporta). 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 Statements

This 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 aplana, aexpecta, abudgeta, atargeta, aprojecta, aintenda, abelievea, aanticipatea, aestimatea and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions amaya, awilla, acoulda or ashoulda 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 (aCOVID-19a) on each of the foregoing. In this respect, the Corporation has assumed that production levels will remain consistent with managementa?s 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 McConnell

President & CEO

Victoria Gold Corp

Tel: 604-696-6605

ceo@vgcx.com

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

A
Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Thursday that it has lodged stern representations about the UK's latest Six-monthly report on Hong Kong. The report distorted facts, grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, and seriously violated the basic norms governing international relations, said a spokesperson of the embassy.

The following is a readout of the spokesperson's comments on the report:

Question: On 12 January, the British government published its 51st Six-monthly report on Hong Kong, commenting on China's policy in Hong Kong and criticizing the National Security Law. What's your response?

Embassy Spokesperson: China's position on Hong Kong-related affairs is consistent and clear. In disregard of China's solemn stance, the UK went ahead to publish the so-called Six-monthly report on Hong Kong. It distorted facts, grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, and seriously violated the basic norms governing international relations. We are strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to it, and have lodged stern representations with the British side.

Since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the central government of China has fully and faithfully implemented the policy of One Country, Two Systems under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. Improvement of Hong Kong's electoral system reflects the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong. Today, Hong Kong residents enjoy far more rights and freedoms according to law than under British colonial rule. Facts have fully proved that the democratic system of the special administrative region conforms to both the policy of One Country, Two Systems and the region's constitutional status. It is in the interest of Hong Kong residents' democratic rights and the region's prosperity and stability. One Country, Two Systems is the best institutional arrangement securing enduring prosperity and stability for Hong Kong after its return.

China's enactment and implementation of the National Security Law has helped Hong Kong enter a new stage in which it has restored order and is set to thrive. This has been widely welcomed and sincerely supported by all sectors in Hong Kong. The interpretation by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the relevant provisions of the National Security Law is conducive to clearing up doubts and quelling disputes, helping to standardise the judicial procedures for hearing cases under the National Security Law, and helping to maintain the rule of law in Hong Kong and stable economic and social development there. This is what the majority of people in Hong Kong desire. It is a necessary action to fully and accurately implement the National Security Law and effectively maintain national security in accordance with the law. It will only strengthen the rule of law in Hong Kong and better safeguard the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.

The core content of the Sino-British Joint Declaration is to ensure China resumes exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. It does not give the UK any responsibility over Hong Kong after its return. By repeatedly citing the Joint Declaration as an excuse to make irresponsible remarks on China's policy in the Hong Kong SAR, the UK is grossly disrupting and undermining the development of democracy in Hong Kong. Whatever cards the British side may play, be it the BNO passport or the leaving of British judges, it cannot hold back Hong Kong's transition from chaos to stability and prosperity, or China's resolve in unswervingly implementing the One Country, Two Systems, defending national security and upholding Hong Kong's rule of law.

Hong Kong has long been returned to China, and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs that allow no foreign interference. We urge the UK side to recognise the reality and major trend, discard the colonial mindset, and respect China's sovereignty and unity. The UK must stop violating basic norms governing international relations, stop any interference in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, and stop undermining Hong Kong's democracy, rule of law and prosperity and stability.
Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhaylo Mudryk drops a hint that he could be nearing a move to Arsenal, with talks ongoing over a potential transfer.

Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk has dropped a hint that he could sign for Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta is believed to be keen to bolster his attacking options, with Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson currently sidelined through injury.

The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for Mudryk, who has emerged as one of the club's main transfer targets.

Alongside Arsenal, Chelsea have been credited with showing an interest, but Joao Felix's recent arrival at Stamford Bridge could dissuade them from continuing their pursuit.

Arsenal are believed to have had bids of 55m and 62m rejected for the attacker, with Shakhtar said to be holding out for their 88m asking price.

 Reuters

Although a deal is yet to be agreed, there is a belief that Arsenal are making progress in their attempts to sign the Ukraine international during the current transfer window.

A recent report has claimed that the Gunners have submitted a fresh offer, with the two sides allegedly close in their valuations.

With the interested parties seemingly working hard to reach an agreement, Mudryk has taken to social media to hint at a possible move.

The 22-year-old uploaded a photo of his cat to Instagram alongside a caption that read "my biggest cheerleader", but in the background, there appeared to be a mock-up image of Mudryk wearing an Arsenal shirt with a sign that featured his name.

 Mykhaylo Mudryk's Instagram story today. 



( ig/mmudryk10) pic.twitter.com/1nNQPwwTKe  Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 12, 2023

Mudryk has been attracting interest after putting in a number of impressive performances for Shakhtar, registering 10 goals and eight assists across 18 appearances this season.

In total, he has scored 12 goals and 17 appearances in 44 games for Shakhtar, and he is currently under contract until December 2026.

Mudryk has also made eight appearances for Ukraine, although he is yet to open his goalscoring account for his national side.

As well as targeting a move for Mudryk, Arsenal have been considering alternatives should they fail to land the winger, with Real Madrid's Eden Hazard and Porto's Pepe identified as possible options.

After beating Oxford United 3-0 on Monday to set up an FA Cup fourth-round tie with Manchester City, the Premier League leaders are currently preparing for a North London derby against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
On Thursday, January 12, local author Pete Melby spoke to the Friends of Starkville Library to talk about his book, Third in Line.
As we start to gear up for the release of The Mandalorian season 3 on March 1, 2023, were taking a look back at each episode of the show so far through the lens of concept art. This will be a weekly series of reviews until the premiere of season 3. You may find our previous entries in this series here.

While we will be revisiting all of the artwork displayed in the episodes credits, bear in mind that this is not a fully conceptualized review of the episode. We still have those from each episode, and well link to them at the end.

Chapter 14 might still be my favorite episode of The Mandalorian, as it encapsulates everything the show stands for  a father-son story between Mando and Grogu, where the former takes care of the latter so that the latter can learn more about himself (and in the process, Mando also learns about himself), that is also interconnected with previous episodes and the Star Wars galaxy at large. Plus, it finally made Boba Fett cool for me.

Right away, we go to Tython, where Rosario Dawsons Ahsoka told Mando to bring Grogu so that he can finally connect with other Jedi.

Following Star Wars tradition, Mando is able to find just the spot hes looking for on the entire planet in less than two minutes, and he quickly sits Grogu on the seeing stone. In this episode, Din Djarin quickly becomes the annoying, impatient father as he expects something to happen as soon as they reach the stone. When something doesnt go his way, he needs Grogu to finish his business and leave.

An unexpected ship shows up  its Boba Fett! Though we dont really learn that for another bit. And hes brought a friend too: Fennec Shand.

Din is very confused, but he must buy Grogu some time. He goes to confront his new soon-to-be companions and quickly learns they are not his enemies  though his enemies are on their way.

Two squads of stormtroopers show up on Tython, forcing Mando, Boba Fett, and Fennec to team up and fight them. Its interesting that we dont really have concept art from the fight, though director Robert Rodriguez has already explained why  the script he was given was very short on descriptions, and it was Rodriguez who came up with the entire sequence on his backyard with the help of his son, playing with their action figures.

While they are able to knock out every stormtrooper on that hill, it doesnt really matter because Moff Gideon has two aces up his sleeve. First, he destroys the Razor Crest, giving the title to the episode. Then, he deploys his secret weapon: the Death Troopers.

Grogus kidnapping might have been a tragedy for Mando too, but we, as the audience, know that theyll get him back. The Razor Crest, though, is another story

This piece of concept art above is quite interesting, since it hints that the energy field that Grogu created around him on the seeing stone was still up when the Death Troopers arrived. Its unclear whether or not this is from a different version of the script, or if this is just the concept artist having some fun.

Moff Gideon wins this one when the Death Troopers take Grogu with him with no effort.

Boba Fett and Fennec Shand tell Mando that they are in debt with him and will help him get Grogu back.

But first, they must make some recruitments, starting with Cara Dune and Mayfeld.

We close the episode with Grogu and Moff Gideon spending some quality time together after The Child knocked out every stormtrooper sent to watch over him. Gideon has plenty to discuss with him, starting with his shining Darksaber.

If you are interested, you can find our original review for Chapter 14 of The Mandalorian right here.

Our Countdown to The Mandalorian Season 3 series will continue next week, when well be revisiting Chapter 15!
The first and last pictures of poet Mihai Eminescu will be exhibited, for the first time together, at the Cesianu-Racovita Palace, on the National Culture Day, informs Artmark.

According to the same source, the original photographs, considered pieces of history, of museum value, will be exhibited only one day - Sunday, between 10.00 am and 8.00 pm, thus marking the 173rd anniversary of the birth of the national poet, told Agerpres.

Artmark shows that Mihai Eminescu, universal representative of Romanian culture, was captured, throughout his life, in only four known and certified pictures. The first of them was taken when the poet was only 19 of age, in Prague, in 1869, in the workshop of photographer Jan Tomas, on his way to Vienna, to study. It is the most famous photograph of the great poet, recognized even by children. After this photo, two other versions were produced in Romania by photographers from Iasi, Bernhard Brand and Nestor Heck. The image of the young Mihai Eminescu was repeatedly associated with his works, being illustrated in school textbooks, vintage posters or vintage postcards.

Along with the first picture of Mihai Eminescu, the last one of the great poet is also exhibited, the one taken by photographer Jean Bielig, in 1887. The last of the series of four photographs of Mihai Eminescu was captured when the poet was 37 years old, probably in November, when he was in the care of his sister, Harieta. It is a photograph in which Eminescu appears ill, in the period when he lived on the Sfantul Nicolae Street in Botosani.

Artmark specifies that the story of Eminescu's penultimate photograph is interesting, being taken only with the help of a hoax. His friends convinced him to take a group photo, but they discreetly agreed with the photographer and, when he was preparing to take the photo, the friends withdrew, leaving only Eminescu in the frame.

The visitors who will come to the Cesianu-Racovita Palace, on Sunday, will have the opportunity to admire a collection of princeps editions and rare books - including Mihai Eminescu's 'Poems,' but also other historical documents, collection manuscripts, old maps or accompanying photographs of the holographic signature of famous personalities or capturing rare historical moments.
Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft with the NATO Airborne Early Warning and Control Force will land on January 17 at RoAF 90th Airlift Base in Otopeni, near Bucharest, the Ministry of National Defense (MApN) informed on Friday.

The AWACS aircraft are stationed in NATO Air Base (NAB) Geilenkirchen, Germany, and their transport to Romania takes place "in the context of the application of measures to strengthen the defensive posture of the Alliance in the Black Sea region," stated MApN.AWACS aircraft will perform, in the next period, reconnaissance and surveillance flights on the territory of NATO member countries.NATO has increased its military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance in response to Russia's illegal aggression in Ukraine with additional fighter jets, surveillance aircraft and tanker aircraft.Since February last year, AWACS aircraft have carried out regular patrols in Eastern Europe and the Baltic Sea region to track Russian aircraft near NATO borders.
Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Transformation Sebastian Burduja said in Alba Iulia on Friday that from July the civil servants who ask citizens to produce hard copies of documents issued by Romanian state institutions or ring binders will face disciplinary investigation, told Agerpres.

"The law that I initiated as a lawmaker and that has reached maturity, was voted on by the Parliament and promulgated by President Iohannis, set bans on central and local public administrations and on institutions of public law - universities, utility companies. What bans are we talking about? They are no longer allowed to request hard copies of documents issued by Romanian state institutions, they are not allowed to keep photocopiers on the premises of their institutions, (...), they are not allowed to request ring binders any longer or any other office supplies. You might say that it is a minor yet symbolic matter...," Burduja told a news conference.

He added that there is a six-month implementation deadline.

"So, from July citizens who get such a request from officials can point to the provisions of the law, and the asking officials will be guilty of violating the law. So, they can face disciplinary investigation and, depending on how serious the offence is, whether or not intentional, further steps can be taken," said Burduja.

To a journalist who said that at the moment it might be impossible to implement this law in some institutions as there may be no digital circuit between certain departments, the minister pointed out that public procurement procedures have been launched for the creation of a governmental cloud, which it will also include a national interoperability platform.

"The interoperability law, also passed by Parliament and promulgated, includes for the first time penalties to be faced by the institutions that do not interconnect their databases. It is true, it will not be possible in the short term. At the same time, the institutions that still keep physical archives instead of asking the citizens for hard copies, they will take the documents issued by the Romanian state, the original documents, and their officials will make the copies. (...) It is a small gain. But until we solve the technical side, the governmental cloud, the interoperability platform, life will be a little better for the citizens, in the sense that the state makes the copies according to the documents issued by the state itself (...)," said Burduja.

He added that 2026 is the deadline under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) for the operationalisation of this governmental cloud, but that the first data centre and the first cloud applications are expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

"But in order for the Romanians to actually feel that they no longer have to chase counters, 2026 is a reasonable time horizon," said Sebastian Burduja on working visit to Alba County on Friday.
The Coca-Cola Romania Company will collaborate with Romania's National Consumer Protection (ANPC) in an investigation started for the verification of three Fanta products in all EU member states to detect an alleged double standard and will provide arguments and evidence to substantiate the company's position in relation to the accusations, told Agerpres.

"We have been cooperating with ANPC in this matter since June 2022 and will continue to provide arguments and evidence to substantiate our company's position in relation to the allegations made in this investigation. We are dedicated to our firm commitment to provide consumers with beverages at the best high quality standards in every country where we operate. At the same time, some recipes can be adapted for legitimate reasons, such as local regulations or consumer preferences, in accordance with the legislation in force," Coca Cola Romania told AGERPRES on Friday.

Also, the company claims full transparency of the ingredients and nutritional values of the products used, offering consumers clear information, both on the packaging and online (on www.coca-cola.ro), enabling them to get an informed choice.

According to an ANPC press statement of Thursday, Romania has requested the verification of the labels on three Fanta products in all EU member states in order to detect and combat what it calls the unfair commercial practice of differentiated quality as extremely different ingredients or concentrations of a particular ingredient have been detected depending on the EU member state where these products are marketed.

If it is established that there has been a violation of the legislation at the cross-border level, the double standard will be penalised according to the legal provisions in force by a fine to the amount of up to 4% of the turnover of the producing and distributing company, which, in the case of Romania alone, could amount to over 20 million euros, according to ANPC.

Five months ago, Romania, through ANPC - as the Single Liaison Office and competent authority under the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Regulation (EU 2017/2394) sent an alert to the Internal Market Information system of the European Commission requesting the verification in the European Union member states of the Fanta Portocale, Fanta Portocale Zero Zahar and Fanta Lamaie product labels.

On Thursday, January 12, 2023, Romania requested the initiation of a coordinated action by Romania, at the EU level, a joint verification together with the competent authorities of other member states that have powers to identify the alleged violation on a large scale of the provisions of Directive (EU) 2019/2161.

"This is practically pioneering work in detecting and combating, as an unfair commercial practice, differentiated quality - the so-called 'double standard' - for the three products largely consumed by European citizens," according to ANPC.
Cultural figures and institutions, including Irina-Margareta Nistor, Eugenia Voda, the Peles National Museum, and the Sibiu National Theatre House, were decorated on Friday at a National Culture Day ceremony that took place at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, told Agerpres.

President Klaus Iohannis welcomed, during the ceremony, the operationalisation of culture and cultural heritage funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), showing that he also wants the funds intended for the rehabilitation of cultural institutions to reach their goals as soon as possible and to the greatest extent possible.

"The global challenges that we have to face show us how important it is to strengthen and modernise the institutions and mechanisms that contribute to the defence of the values that culture establishes, supports and develops in a society. Therefore, I welcome the operationalisation of culture and cultural heritage funds under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). I would also like the funds intended for the rehabilitation of cultural institutions to reach their goal as soon as possible and to the greatest extent possible," said Iohannis.

President Iohannis stated that the troupes of the Radu Stanca National Theatre House in Sibiu, the Liviu Rebreanu Company of the Targu Mures National Theatre House and the Csiky Gergely Hungarian State Theatre in Timisoara have over the past decades offered the public interesting perspectives of the fascinating universe of human diversity.

"Romania is recognised as a space of creative might and freedom that is displayed for the world to see every year at the great Sibiu International Theatre Festival. Performing arts, like the entire Romanian culture, enjoys the important contribution of national minorities. It finds its valuable expression in institutions and their projects, including the Csiky Gergely Hungarian State Theatre House in Timisoara. In the fruitful paradigm of intercultural dialogue, you, the collectives of the national theatres in Targu Mures and Sibiu, have given exceptional mastery examples of dramaturgical discourse," said Iohannis.

Iohannis said that the decorations awarded to Iosif Ion Prunner, the conductor of the George Enescu Philharmonic Choir, and pianist Axia Marinescu are intended to reward the honourable mission they undertook on national and international stages to serve beauty through music and peace. He added that the members of the Moldova Philharmonic Orchestra have for eight decades been bringing famous musical names to the Iasi public and others. At the same time, he said that the medal bestowed on the Peles National Museum is a recognition of the selflessness and professionalism that the museum's specialists have displayed in the preservation and interpretation of and capitalisation on the museum's exceptional historical and artistic heritage.

Iohannis mentioned that also awarded are Romfilatelia Director General Cristina Popescu, film critics Irina-Margareta Nistor and Eugenia Voda and visual artist Puiu Manu for their long professional careers through which they have moved education, film, literature, history, sciences, and cultural heritage closer to younger people through excellent communication of culture to the general public.

"Over the last two centuries, our cultural elites have inspired the Romanian society to walk the path towards Western modernisation and democratisation. Romanians are proud of the figures whose works have not only enriched spirituality and national and universal heritage, but also led us to take up fundamental values and national objectives," said President Iohannis.

He said that ahead of January 15, the National Romanian Culture Day, he promulgated a law that dedicates the year 2023 to honouring the works of Dimitrie Cantemir and Ciprian Porumbescu, adding that the events that will be dedicated to them will contribute to a better understanding of history, as well as the role played by culture in the development of our society. The chief of state also said that he decided to grant his High Patronage to the Timisoara - European Capital of Culture 2023 cultural programme.

Iohannis also mentioned the war in Ukraine, saying that in Romania it generated exceptional displays of solidarity, including cultural initiatives and that Romania will continue to provide support to public officials and citizens of Moldova, including in the areas of culture and education.

"I welcome the results of our joint cultural projects and proudly mention having successfully approached UNESCO to have the Romanian blouse with embroidery on the shoulder included in the intangible cultural heritage of humanity," said Iohannis.

Prunner said that the award received is a sign that culture in Romania is at a very high level.

"Culture is a spearhead for our country," said the conductor of the George Enescu Philharmonic Choir.

Constantin Chiriac thanked for the award and recited from Mihai Eminescu, saying that "personality is the supreme good."

President Iohannis awarded a Faithful Service Officer medal to Cristina Popescu, general director of Romfilatelia; a For Merit Knight medal to Eugenia Voda, a film critic and television producer, and also to choir conductor Prunner.

A Cultural Merit Knight medal music category went to pianist Axia Ioana Cora Marinescu; a Cultural Merit Knight medal visual arts category went to visual artist Puiu Manu; a Cultural Merit Knight medal culture promotion category went to film critic Irina-Margareta Nistor and a similar one to Florica Zaharia, founder of the Museum of Textiles, Baita, Hunedoara County.

President Klaus Iohannis bestowed a Cultural Merit Commander medal performing arts category to the Radu Stanca National Theatre House of Sibiu; a Cultural Merit Officer medal performing arts category to the Csiky Gergely Hungarian State Theatre House of Timisoara and the Liviu Rebreanu company of the Targu Mures National Theatre House; a Cultural Merit officer medal national cultural heritage medal to the Peles National Museum; and a Cultural Merit officer medal culture promotion category to the Moldova Philharmonics of Iasi.

The attendees included Culture Minister Lucian Romascanu; Chairman of the Romanian Culture Institute (ICR) Liviu Jicman, and presidential advisors.
Romania is interested in increasing the percentage of renewable energy in the share of the energy mix, including through the production of offshore wind energy, the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, said on Friday, during a meeting he had with the head of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Francesco La Camera, told Agerpres.

"Today I also had a working meeting with Francesco La Camera - the head of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), of which our country is a member, on the occasion of my participation in the 13th session of the Assembly. I conveyed that Romania is interested in increasing the percentage of renewable energy in the share of the energy mix, including through the production of offshore wind energy," the Minister of Energy wrote on his Facebook page.

According to him, other concerns are related to the regulation and application of innovative solutions for decarbonization and cooling, as well as new technological solutions for transport decarbonization, to be included in the work plan of IRENA.

"And all these solutions should be detailed in workshops to be organized in partnership with IRENA, including in Bucharest, together with international partners and from our region. We also discussed the plans and goals that we committed to reach as a country, to produce and consume as much green energy as possible. The general director of IRENA told me that he supports Romania in this endeavour," Popescu also noted.
The policemen with the Bacau Criminal Investigation Service, together with special forces and forensic specialists, carried out two house searches, in the town of Garleni, for carrying out a European arrest warrant in a case of theft with particularly serious consequences, setting up an organized criminal group and money laundering, deeds committed in France, told Agerpres.

The spokesperson for Bacau Police stated that at one of the locations searched, a 32-year-old man was identified, suspected of committing the deeds and with a European arrest warrant on his name.

"In fact, the French judicial authorities are investigating the fact that, on the night of November 23/24, 2019, within the radius of a French town, a theft of 55 car catalyst converters was allegedly committed at the expense of a company specialized in vehicle maintenance Until now, the judicial authorities in France have identified a total number of 110 theft crimes, which represent about 500 catalyst converters, with a total damage assessed at more than one million EUR," said the spokesperson for Bacau Police, sub-commissioner Catalina Paduraru.

On the occasion of the home searches, several material means of evidence that are of interest in this file were identified and seized.

The suspect was taken to the headquarters of Bacau Police, and later he was presented to the Prosecutor's Office with the Bacau Court of Appeal, for serving the European arrest warrant issued in his name.
Social Democratic Party (PSD) president, Marcel Ciolacu, said on Friday that labor taxation must be reduced and capital taxation must be increased in order to return to "social equity", told Agerpres.

"Social equity is our aim to do and not the aim of the Right. This does not mean that we come with higher taxes, this means that we will have to reduce the taxation of labor and we will have to increase the taxation of capital. We will have to explain these things very clearly and let's create the levers that lead to narrowing the discrepancy between the poor and the rich. If we continue without a socially fair policy, at some point we will return to a social crisis. (...) These are not extra taxes, it is social equity that we need to establish and explain very well to Romanians. If we, the Social Democratic Party and the largest party in Romania, do not do this, no one else will," said Ciolacu.

He said that massive investments are needed, and agricultural producers and construction companies must be helped with state aid schemes.

"It is necessary to recognize that we need massive investments, having in the two years of rightist government the largest trade deficit in food products, with Romania being one of the largest agricultural producers. We must come up with state aid schemes for producers to increase their capacities so that we no longer have to import so much. We need to come for the construction companies with aid schemes to produce their construction materials in Romania, half of the construction materials used at the moment, from highways to the repairs of nurseries or kindergartens, they are imported. We must help the Romanian capital," Ciolacu said.
EXPANDING

Apparel brand Gyal Bashy will launch its Caribbean-inspired, sustainably/ethically sourced apparel line nationwide at Whole Foods Markets starting this spring.

HELPING OUT

Reinsurance Group of America Inc. pledged $500,000 in grants to 50 global charitable organizations in honor of the companys 50th anniversary.

OPENINGS

Ellie Mental Health opened a new clinic:

400 North Fifth Street, Suite 201, St. Charles

New + Found opened a new event space, The Smith at the MOTO Museum, with capability to seat up to 450 or up to 1,000 standing:

3408 Locust Street, St. Louis

Sugarfire Smokehouse opened a new location:

2204 Michigan Avenue, Arnold

MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS

Sunnen acquired Hommel Prazision GmbH to help serve its German market.

MORE BUSINESS

Midas Enterprises, through its hospitality division Midas Hospitality, was named the management company for Courtyard by Marriott Dallas Northwest.

NEW NAME

St. Vincent Home for Children rebranded as the Core Collective at St. Vincent.

PROJECTS

Helmkamp Construction wrapped up construction of Principia Schools new $31.4 million Simon Athletic Complex, which includes an 87,000-square-foot field house and fitness center, as well as baseball, field hockey, soccer and multipurpose fields. Hastings+Chivetta served as the projects architect.
ST. LOUIS  The employees at St. Louis Public Radio took a step toward unionizing on Thursday.

Workers said they submitted a statement of interest in joining a bargaining unit, which would be represented by Communications Workers of America. They are pushing for better pay, more communication between management and staff, and continued improvements in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Rachel Lippmann, local politics and criminal justice reporter, said the unit would include reporters, talk show hosts, part-time announcers, front desk workers and membership support staff. That's estimated to include 42 people.

Lippmann said she expects management and workers' interests will align most of the time.

"When they don't," she said, "we're going to disagree without being disagreeable."

The radio station is licensed to the University of Missouri and operates at part of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Lippmann said she expects the decision to recognize the bargaining unit will be made by either the university or the system.

The United Media Guild represents reporters at the Post-Dispatch. The guild is a member of CWA.
Celebrations, discussions and programs are scheduled across the region this weekend, leading up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday.

Here are some of them. All of the events are free of charge.

Saturday

Fountain Park celebration

When: 9 a.m. start; 9:30 peace march

Where: March begins at Fountain Park near Centennial Christian Church, 4950 Fountain Avenue

The sixth annual Fountain Park MLK Celebration starts at the Martin Luther King Jr. statue in Fountain Park and will include an address and parade.

History Museum celebration (day 1)

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard, Forest Park

Youth activism workshops, conversations about race and social justice, craft workshops, storytelling and service opportunities, among others.

Youth Fest

When: Noon-3:30 p.m.

Where: Betty Jean Kerr Peoples Health Center, 5701 Delmar Boulevard

The youth fest includes music, a dance performance by St. Louis Dazzling Diamonds, lunch, prizes and panel discussions and workshops for both youths and adults on violence and crime.

Sunday

History Museum celebration (day 2)

When: 2-5 p.m.

Where: Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard, Forest Park

Sunday afternoon includes a keynote address by Lynne Jackson, the great-great-granddaughter of Dred and Harriett Scott, a musical performance, and a gospel yoga class for all levels.

Boots to the Streets

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

Where: 3900 Lincoln Avenue, East St. Louis

Join grassroots activists to clean up East St. Louis streets and lots. The activist group Empire 13 is also looking for signatures on a petition to the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate local authorities handling of environmental racism and illegal dumping in the area.

Monday

St. Louis Symphony MLK tribute

When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Powell Hall, 718 North Grand Boulevard

The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, led by music director Stephane Deneve, are joined by the In Unison Chorus and its director, Kevin McBeth, to perform a free, one-hour concert honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Reservations required.

Mid-County parade and program

When: Parade at 9:45 a.m., program at 11:30 a.m.

Where: Barack Obama Elementary School, 3883 Jennings Station Road, Pine Lawn; program at Normandy High School, 6701 St. Charles Rock Road, Wellston

This eighth annual celebration, presented by Young Voices with Action along with the communities of Pine Lawn and Wellston, includes a parade and a program featuring speakers Greg Robinson II, who is a civil rights leader and community organizer, and Rita Heard Days, who is the St. Louis County Council chair. Their talks will address achieving justice in America. RSVP required for indoor program.

Washington University commemoration

When: 2-3:30 p.m.

Where: Graham Chapel, Washington University Danforth Campus, 6475 Forsyth Boulevard

For the 36th year, Washington University will commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. The event will include a keynote speech from Geoff Ward, a professor of African and African-American Studies, and director of the Washington University and Slavery Project. There will also be a performance by Black Anthology, Washington Universitys student-run production group celebrating Black culture, and the Washington University Concert Choir.

History Museum celebration (day 3)

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Boulevard, Forest Park

The last day in the weekend of events.
ST. LOUIS  Children seen at one of the St. Louis regions busiest pediatric hospitals suffered a significant increase in firearm injuries and deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study by the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia.

The study looked at pediatric patients cared for at St. Louis Childrens Hospital. Researchers compared the firearm injury rates during the five years before the start of the pandemic to rates from March 2020 through March 2022.

The monthly injury rate from firearms (including both fatal and non-fatal injuries) increased by nearly 52% during the pandemic, the study found. Firearm deaths increased by 29%.

Before the pandemic, we saw six to seven children shot per month. And during the pandemic, that went up to over 10 per month on average, said the studys lead author, Dr. Mary Bernardin, assistant professor of clinical and pediatric emergency medicine.

Dr. Lindsay Clukies, a Washington University pediatric emergency physician at St. Louis Childrens Hospital, said that equates to a child coming into the emergency room every two to three days after being shot.

That is the same frequency or incidence that we see a child coming in with something common like appendicitis, said Clukies, a co-author of the study. We are seeing children shot at that same rate unfortunately.

The study also found that the children suffered more devastating injuries after COVID-19 hit.

Not only did the rate of shootings go up, but the lethality went up as well, Bernardin said. A lot more children that were shot needed to go to the operating room because of their injuries and needed the pediatric intensive care unit because of their injuries.

Bernardins team found that the escalation was driven by an increase in firearm assaults and homicides (from 71% to 80% of injuries), where the children were either the targets or innocent bystanders hurt by a stray bullet.

Black children were predominantly affected by the trend. They made up 78% of the injuries before the pandemic, which increased to 88% after.

The children were hurt in 28 different ZIP code areas. But just two ZIP codes  63136 and 63115  accounted for 22% of pre-pandemic and 25% of pandemic injury locations.

The 63136 area includes parts of north St. Louis along Interstate 70 and the northern suburbs of Jennings, Ferguson and Dellwood. Just south of there is 63115, which mostly includes the citys Penrose neighborhood.

Some things remained unchanged after the pandemic hit: The average age of the injured children was 13 years old, and around 85% were male.

In total, researchers reviewed firearm injuries to a total of 672 patients ages 19 and under at the childrens hospital: 413 in five years before the start of the pandemic, and 259 in the two years after. The numbers do not include children who died at the scene or treated at other area hospitals.

The study was published in October in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery.

Various studies have shown significant increases in firearm injures among adults during the pandemic, mainly driven by violent attacks on others. The findings have been attributed to various causes, from an increase in gun purchases to worsening economic disparities.

But despite firearms in 2017 surpassing motor vehicle accidents to become the leading cause of death among children and young adults, few studies have evaluated the impact of the pandemic on pediatric gun violence. And those that have are limited, researchers say.

The studies either only included the first several months of the pandemic, only looked at victims under the age of 12, lack demographic information or do not include information about the cause or severity of the injuries.

The University of Missouri study may also be the first study to show potential correlations between pediatric firearms injuries and surges in COVID-19, Bernardin said.

The findings revealed that three spikes in injuries occurred within three months of a surge in COVID-19 deaths.

This trend is particularly noteworthy because as surges from future COVID-19 variants are likely to occur, one may infer that these surges may be related to future spikes in firearm injuries, Bernardin said. This threat highlights the need for increased violence-intervention services, particularly amongst marginalized communities more likely to be seriously affected by firearm violence.

Researchers also found that during the seven years of the study, 12 children were treated more than once for firearm injuries.

This is really the first time in recent years that Ive seen children come back to our ER again, Clukies said. I really cant recall years ago having people shot multiple times and presenting with multiple different injuries and coming back with more trauma.

Trends remain worrisome, Clukies said. While St. Louis Childrens Hospital saw a record 150 children coming to the emergency department with firearm injuries in 2020, the hospital surpassed the record in 2022 with 163.

Thats why studies like this one done at Childrens are important, she said. Gun violence prevention has been politicized, and funding for research has been limited.

We are just starting to catch up with all this data to create a knowledge base on how to intervene and how to target these children in different ways and with different support in order to prevent these injuries from happening, Clukies said.

St. Louis Childrens Hospital has since 2018 paired victims of violence and their families with a mentor to address their needs after leaving the hospital.

And with data from across Missouri also showing an increase in unintentional shootings, Clukies said, the hospital began in October 2021 to provide gun locks and safe storage information to families coming into the emergency room with access to a gun.

If you were to name a disease that caused more deaths for kids than anything else, we would all be up in an uproar, she said. We would be doing all this research and coming up with the best medicine and all these interventions to save them, and I think thats how we need to approach firearm injuries. They kill more kids than anything else.
Aisha Sultan Aisha Sultan is a columnist and features writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Aisha Sultan Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

A Southwest Airlines gate agent made a tempting offer for travelers in St. Louis right before all heck broke loose.

On Dec. 22, we were waiting to board a flight to Houston, where we planned to spend the winter holidays with my parents and siblings. The flight was overbooked. The gate agent asked for two volunteers to give up their seats to be rebooked on a later flight. Each volunteer would get $1,500.

That was an eye-popping number. My daughter and I looked at each other, possibly having similar thoughts. We had taken advantage of getting bumped on this same route a few years ago. We waited four hours for the next flight, and the airline gave us each $500 in future travel funds.

That looked like chump change compared to the $3,000 on the table now. I started imagining beach getaways during the upcoming winter months.

Should we take it? I asked. My daughter, who shares my love for a bargain, volunteered to stay back with me. Our current circumstances  three days before Christmas, with a winter storm predicted that evening  were considerably different than the last time this risk paid off. The chances of making a later flight looked iffy, at best. On the other hand, we were about to board a 5 a.m. flight. Surely, there would be a few more chances to make it to Texas before the weather got too dicey.

My spouse immediately quashed my desire to gamble on the holidays.

No way, he said. Its not worth it.

He pointed out the worst-case scenario: What if we couldnt make it there for days? Would it be worth the time lost with my family?

In hindsight, this advice seems even wiser than it did in the moment. I agreed that the potential for hassle and regret seemed higher than I cared to risk.

We had no idea how bleak air travel on Southwest was about to become.

Later that same day, the winter storm caused massive disruptions and flight delays. The problems at Southwest escalated due to antiquated crew-scheduling technology that hadnt been updated in decades. The airline canceled 15,000 flights around Christmas, stranded tens of thousands of passengers and lost truckloads of luggage. It took eight days for the airline to recover from a meltdown never before seen in the industry.

Its hard enough to admit your spouse made the right call when you were wavering. Its even harder when the news is continuously blaring evidence of that rightness.

Marital scorekeeping aside, I learned some surprising things from the Southwest fiasco. I had no idea I had been flying regularly in aircraft that rely on technology from the 1990s to get where they need to be. We used pay phones and StreetFinder maps in the 90s. I had visions of Southwest pilots answering rotary telephones to get flight instructions. The airline hasnt made any promises of when these systems would be updated, but it did pass out 25,000 frequent flyer miles (equal to a base fare value of around $300) as a gesture of goodwill for all the holiday plans they wrecked.

I also learned that airlines are required to compensate travelers who are involuntarily bumped from a flight. But airlines do not have to compensate passengers if a flight is delayed or canceled because of bad weather, air traffic delays or mechanical issues.

While Southwest continues to work on refunding customers and rebuilding its reputation, another unprecedented snafu grounded all domestic flights temporarily. An FAA system failure caused more than 6,500 flights to be delayed in or out of the United States on Wednesday.

Given the potential impact on our lives and economy, updating systems and technology ought to be a higher priority for government and commercial air carriers.

For the rest of us, when dealing with difficult situations largely outside of our control, its a chance to model patience and resilience for our children. Its never the poor gate agent, ticket counter worker or customer service representative who decides to cancel a flight.

Our own near-miss with the Southwest meltdown reminded me its not worth gambling on special family moments.

Those days ended up being worth much more than $3,000.
Tony Messenger Tony Messenger is the metro columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

St. Louis Circuit Court Judge David Mason has a lot of reading to do.

Mason is mulling a decision in the innocence case of Lamar Johnson, who has been in prison in Missouri for nearly three decades for a murder he says he didnt commit. The prosecuting attorney in St. Louis  the office that put Johnson in prison  now agrees with him. Since 2019, Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has been seeking a hearing, which she finally got in December, to vacate Johnsons conviction.

Every step of the way, Gardner has been stymied by the Missouri Attorney Generals office.

To that end, among the hundreds of pages of briefs and transcripts that Mason will read before he makes a decision, there are a couple of paragraphs that magnify the story of criminal justice in Missouri. They are in a brief filed by Gardners special prosecutors, Charlie Weiss and Jonathan Potts, in response to the attorney generals argument to keep Johnson behind bars.

The factual inaccuracies and misstatements of the law within the AGOs brief are too numerous to address or correct as a practical matter, the circuit attorneys brief reads.

That shouldnt surprise Mason. During the December hearing, he became visibly upset with the attorney generals office or its witnesses, including former St. Louis prosecutor Dwight Warren and former city police detective Joe Nickerson, over their obfuscation.

But this is the paragraph that really matters because it explains how Johnsons case is much larger than the innocence of one man.

The AGO opposes every post-conviction innocence case, regardless of the strength of the evidence presented, Weiss and Potts wrote. Over the past decade, in every instance where an innocent person was freed from custody, the AGO objected to a merits hearing and opposed relief.  The AGO is doing to Johnson what it has always done  no matter the evidence, no matter the law, no matter what is just. The justice and its Constitution demands more.

This has been true when the attorney general in Missouri was a Democrat  Jay Nixon and Chris Koster  or a Republican  Josh Hawley, Eric Schmitt and now Andrew Bailey. The office has consistently opposed freedom for people in Missouri prisons even when the evidence of innocence is overwhelming.

There is nothing in the law that says prosecutors  or attorneys general  must defend all convictions come hell or high water. Thats why so many prosecutors, including Gardner, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell and Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, have developed units to investigate old cases where justice may not have been served. Its a trend across the country.

Why? Because bad convictions erode trust in society, never mind the injustice of an innocent person wasting away in prison.

There were audible gasps in the courtroom during Johnsons hearing last month when Warren defended the use of an eyewitness whose identification of Johnson was clearly suspect at the time. Or when Nickerson admitted that he didnt do anything to investigate Johnsons alibi, and that the only witnesses he talked to were white.

The case was mishandled from the beginning, and thats not just hindsight. The record shows that much of it was evident at the time. But it was passed over by public officials rushing to get a conviction.

When Gardner in 2019 first began seeking to free Johnson, legal scholars from around the country and from the nations most prestigious law schools wrote a supporting brief defending her attempt to seek justice.

Prosecutors have a duty to seek justice, which includes a duty to seek to rectify wrongful convictions, the legal scholars wrote.

That argument applies to the attorney generals office, too, even if political pressures push the holders of that office to defend convictions when they are clearly bad.

When I first spoke to Johnsons personal attorney, Lindsay Runnels, she made me a promise.

Lamar Johnson will eventually come home, Runnels says. Of that I have no doubt.

I believe shes right. That freedom would send a message to St. Louisans that the system can correct itself. It is meaningful that at least some prosecutors in Missouri have joined the cause of justice by trying to correct old mistakes. Its unfortunate that the attorney generals office takes a dimmer view of constitutional rights.

Johnson cant get his lost years back. But Mason, in writing the words that will explain his decision, has an opportunity to stand up for justice  not just for one man, but for others like him who await their days in court.

Photos: Lamar Johnson wrongful conviction hearing
ST. CLAIR COUNTY  A Belleville man charged with murder on Friday was caught after a traffic stop in a stolen vehicle that led police to discovering a deceased woman in a home two days earlier in Freeburg.

Authorities did not release many details about the investigation, but Scottie R. Lambert, 33, is also charged with home invasion, armed robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle.

He was being held at the St. Clair County Jail.

The murder of Linda Waller, 55, is the first homicide investigation in decades for Freeburg, a town of about 4,500 people.

Lambert was pulled over in a silver Ford pickup truck on First and West Main streets in Belleville by Belleville police for an improper turn on Wednesday.

Officers said Lambert appeared to be "extremely nervous," and he consented to a search of his vehicle when asked by police.

While searching, they found evidence that led them to believe a violent crime had been committed" at a residence in Freeburg, police say. Belleville authorities alerted Freeburg's police to search the residence, a trailer on Deerfield Court, where Waller's body was discovered.

Schutzenhofer, who said the woman wasn't shot, did not confirm any other details pending an autopsy.

Belleville police and Illinois State Police also assisted with the investigation.

Lambert was paroled in 2021 after he was sentenced in 2014 for burglary. He was previously found guilty of aggravated vehicular hijackings, aggravated discharge of a firearm and burglary.
ST. LOUIS  More than 25 evidence markers littered the ground one day last spring as homicide detectives scoured North 25th Street in the citys Hyde Park neighborhood. The medical examiner hauled away the body of Michael Kelly, a St. Ann resident who was shot dead while inside his truck.

Kelly was outside his mortgage business in north city and was shot once in his head. A man was charged with murder in his death and is scheduled to stand trial in April.

Its an increasingly familiar scene in St. Louis: Crime tape blocking off a section of the city as investigators stand among a blizzard of shell casings marked by bright yellow evidence markers.

Police in recent years have seen a sharp rise in both semi-automatic guns and higher caliber ammunition in St. Louis  so shooters fire more rounds in a short amount of time, with guns that are more likely to be loaded with bullets that do more damage upon impact. Thats a grim recipe for a city that consistently has one of the highest homicide rates in the nation.

When I was a young policeman on a shooting scene, there might be six or eight cartridge casings lying on the ground, St. Louis police Lt. Col. Michael Sack said at a recent media briefing. Now it is not uncommon to find scores of cartridge cases on the ground.

St. Louis police said they do not have a system that tracks the number of shell casings found at crime scenes, so they cannot compare that number to previous years. But just over 90% of the 2,656 guns confiscated by the department last year were semi-automatic  guns that require a shooter to pull the trigger for each shot and dont require manual reloading after each shot. Thats up from 75% seven years ago, according to a Post-Dispatch analysis.

The share of pistols seized by the department has seen a similar spike, from 72% of all seized guns in 2015 to 90% in 2022. Most of those pistols are semi-automatic and can hold more rounds than other guns because their magazines  which store ammunition and feed it into the guns chamber  can be extended beyond the frame of the gun.

That matches what police see on the street, too: Police encounter semi-automatic handguns more today than in years past, a department spokesperson said, and they are the easiest firearms to conceal.

The share of seized revolvers, meanwhile  guns that use a revolving cylinder that stores only five to eight rounds and are not typically manufactured as semi-automatic  has plummeted from 14% to 3% over the same period.

If youre shooting somebody with a 35-, 40-, or 50-round drum (magazine), you may not be accurate, but instead of hitting them two or three times you might hit them 12 times, Sack said. So, every shooting is a potential homicide.

In all, city police have seized more than 20,000 guns from people in the city since 2015, according to data from the department. The number of yearly seizures in the city increased gradually each year from 2015 to 2021, topping out at 2,934 in 2021  40% more than were seized six years earlier.

What were seeing nationwide is the shift to the pistol, said Philip Cook, a professor emeritus of economics at Duke University who has studied gun policy and firearm issues throughout his career. But its also a shift to ever more powerful weapons that are intrinsically deadlier.

Deadlier guns

The increase in semi-automatic pistols concerns experts, who agree there are three main variables that make a gun more deadly: magazine capacity, caliber of the bullet, and velocity of the bullet. The first two, according to the Post-Dispatch analysis, have both increased significantly over the past seven years.

We see more wounds per body than we did see 10 years ago, St. Louis chief medical examiner Dr. Michael Graham said. The fact that the magazines hold more than they used to in the old days makes a difference.

Cook, meanwhile, has studied bullet calibers influence on wound lethality. He published a study that found if smaller caliber bullets were used in every shooting in Boston between 2010 and 2014, the citys homicide rate would have been 40% lower. The higher the caliber, he said, the more likely the bullet does enough damage to kill the victim.

In St. Louis, the use of small-caliber guns is declining. The Post-Dispatch found that the percentage of guns seized by police using ammunition with a diameter of 0.32 inches or smaller dropped from 18% in 2015 to 12% in 2022.

You virtually never see small caliber anymore, said Daniel Webster, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he directs the Center for Gun Violence Prevention and Policy.

The number of homicides in the city stayed relatively steady over the past eight years, around 200 per year, excluding a large jump in 2020.

But aggravated assaults, which include non-lethal shootings, routinely trended up between 2015 and 2020, according to FBI data. Data from 2021 was incomplete.

Dr. Douglas Schuerer, a trauma surgeon and director of trauma at Barnes-Jewish Hospital said he has worked at the hospital for about 20 years and has seen an upward trend in total gunshot wounds.

Schuerer said the emergency room sees about 800 gunshot wound patients each year, and estimated about 95% of them survive.

Growing concerns

Public mass shootings in America  and the guns used in them  have led to a common misconception about the prevalence of assault-style rifles in street crime, Cook said. By far the most common gun used at the street level is still the semi-automatic pistol.

The assault weapons, including rifles, are the predominant weapon you see in public shootings, Cook said. And those are the ones that get the most attention. So when people read about the latest horrific incident at a school or in public, what they are typically reading about is somebody that (used) an AR-15 assault weapon or the equivalent.

Fully automatic guns, too, are of growing concern to police.

According to data from the ShotSpotter gunshot detection system, which uses microphones to pinpoint gunfire throughout the region, Sack said there were 66 incidents of fully automatic gunfire in 2021. In 2022, that number jumped to 409.

Automatic guns function differently than their single-shot and semi-automatic counterparts: Single-shot guns require a shooter to reload and pull the trigger after each shot, while semi-automatic guns require a shooter to pull the trigger for each shot and dont require manual reloading after each shot. Fully automatic guns spray as many bullets as the magazine holds with a single depression of the trigger.

Automatic guns can be purchased legally, but are heavily taxed and regulated.

St. Louis police seized 20 fully automatic guns in 2022  less than 1% of all guns seized, but still a jump from previous years.

And local and federal law enforcement warned earlier this month of the increasing popularity of illegal attachments that make semi-automatic guns fully automatic.

The devices, often called switches, allow a shooter to fire dozens of rounds in a matter of seconds with one continuous pull of the trigger. But they also make the gun much harder to aim, decreasing a shooters accuracy after the first bullet is fired.

These things are dangerous to our officers because of the rate of fire of these weapons, Sack said at a news conference. Theyre also dangerous to everybody in the neighborhood because of their inaccuracy.

Schuerer, the trauma surgeon, noted his emergency room sees occasional spikes in gun violence during particularly tense times, like social unrest and the coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals hope the spikes will then retreat to previous levels.

But they rarely do.

And thats whats disappointing to us, he said. Like, how come it just keeps getting worse?

Editor's note: This story was updated to reflect the charges filed in Michael Kelly's killing.
CLAYTON  A St. Louis County man was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder in a 2019 quadruple shooting after a trial temporarily delayed by a claim of jury intimidation.

A jury found Anthony Tate Jr., 27, of Ferguson, guilty of the murder charge along with two counts of first-degree assault and six weapons offenses.

Jurors concluded Tate shot and killed Timothy Simmons, 19, and injured two others when he opened fire Dec. 12, 2019, in the parking lot of a strip mall on Lewis and Clark Boulevard in Moline Acres. One other person was injured in the shooting, but jurors acquitted Tate of two charges related to that assault Thursday.

The fourth day of trial was delayed for two unusual developments Thursday: One of 12 jurors was removed and replaced by an alternate after reporting feeling uneasy when someone attending the trial approached and made a comment to them outside of court. Defense attorney Michael Hufty also reported to the judge Thursday that his car had been stolen the night before with all his trial documents inside, but Hufty opted to go forward with the case.

Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Allison Gensch led the prosecution, presenting evidence that showed Tate was arrested several weeks after the shooting after fleeing from police in a Ford Edge used in the crime. Upon arrest, police found him with a backpack that held a gun matching the murder weapon. One of Tates cell phones was also tracked to the vicinity of the shooting scene. Photos he posted on social media showed him both holding what appeared to be the same gun and wearing the same sweatpants worn by the shooter in surveillance images.

Tate testified in his own defense, arguing that he didnt know Simmons or any of the other victims.

Im innocent, Tate told the jury.

He argued he wasnt in the car the day of the shooting and didnt have the flip phone linked to the scene. He told the jury he shared the phone with a man he sold marijuana with who died in a car accident after the shooting.

So the only other person who used the phone is dead. Thats pretty convenient for you, Gensch said on cross-examination. She questioned Tate about why he never mentioned a second person who used his phone or told police about a second personal phone until his testimony in court.

Gensch also presented jurors with Tates criminal history: A jury in St. Louis County found Tate guilty of second-degree assault on Feb. 8, 2017, stemming from a 2014 arrest in University City. He was sentenced to seven years in prison, but the sentence was suspended and he was ordered to five years of probation.

Tates first-degree murder conviction carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole. He is scheduled to be sentenced in March in the case.
ST. LOUIS  Police exchanged gunfire with a woman who reportedly threatened a federal office downtown Friday morning before taking her into custody.

Officers with Homeland Security checked on a beige minivan parked near North 16th and Locust streets around 8:20 a.m. Wednesday because they said a woman in the van said she was going to shoot up the nearby Social Security Administration building, St. Louis police Lt. John Green said.

When St. Louis police officers tried to coax the woman out of the car, she opened fire on officers and police fired back, Green said. No one was hit.

The woman eventually surrendered to police custody. She is about 40 years old, lives in the minivan and is known to police because the vehicle is often downtown, Green said.

More than a dozen gunshots rang through downtown, and the womans minivan, covered in marker writing, was blocked off near City Museum around 9:30 a.m. The vehicle had several bullet holes in its side, and more than 25 evidence markers littered the street. Among the writing on the van was the phrase gun on board.

A witness, James Sherrell III, captured video of police outside the van just before gunshots ring out.

Sherrell saw police outside the van as he walked into the Social Security building. Security immediately locked the doors and advised people inside of a potentially hostile situation, he said.

When I noticed that they were locking the doors and everything, a little red flag started flying in my head, Sherrell said. Im still in shock.
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.
ST. LOUIS  La Salle Middle charter school will close in June for failing to meet academic goals, school leaders said Friday.

The decision came despite what school leadership characterized as significant progress in recent years and signs that improvements would continue through 2023.

La Salle Middle School is well managed, safe, financially stable and had been making very good academic progress between 2017 and 2019. Despite the terrible impact COVID had on our academic progress, and through the hard work of our teachers and school leadership, we are on track to make some incremental academic improvements by the end of this year, said Marcia Sullivan, chair of the board of La Salle Charter Schools Inc., in a statement.

Yet the schools test scores were not high enough to meet expectations of their sponsor, Missouri Charter Public School Commission, Sullivan said.

There are so many positive aspects of the education we provide that arent simply about test scores: wrap-around services such as tutoring, social emotional behavioral support, free meals and groceries, counseling and healthcare, graduate support, etc. While we believe these additional student support services distinguish us from other schools and benefit the children enormously, the metric were primarily judged upon is academic and we have lost the confidence of our sponsor and the state, she wrote.

The school in the Carr Square neighborhood of north St. Louis was founded in 2001 as De La Salle Catholic middle school and converted to charter status in 2015. Charter schools are publicly funded and privately operated by boards independent of the school district.

The 118 sixth through eighth graders will be provided counseling in the search for a new school for fall 2023.

De La Salle Middle School opened in 2001 in the Ville neighborhood as a Catholic school focused on sending children from the high-poverty neighborhood to top high schools with tuition assistance from the La Salle Foundation.

After converting to a charter school to attract government funding and add students and teachers, La Salle moved to north Jefferson Avenue and Carr Street in the former Central Catholic School.

In 2016, the landmark St. Bridget of Erin Catholic church was demolished to make way for an expansion of the school, drawing outcry from preservationists.

The school did not outperform St. Louis Public Schools on standardized tests, a requirement for its survival. Last spring, 7% of students tested proficient in reading and 3% in math.

Because we dont have an elementary feeder school where we can begin building a continuum of learning, many of our kids came to us two, three, or four grade levels behind, reads a message about the closure on the schools website. COVID made it worse, as it did for districts everywhere. We did not bring them up to grade level in the one, two, or three years they were with us, which is the expectation of our sponsor. It is not their fault nor is it the fault of our teachers and administrators.

Enrollment hovered around 120 students in a school built for 300. Nearly all La Salle students are Black and living in poverty, including 8% who are homeless.

La Salle was part of a wave of new charter schools under the former Mayor Francis Slay administration that have had mixed results. La Salle is the fourth charter school to close in the city in four years, following St. Louis College Prep, Carondelet Leadership Academy and Arch Community School.

Unfortunately, all the love, hard work and passion for educating our students is not enough to keep our doors open, reads the message from La Salle.

Updated at 4:15 p.m.
The Lees Summit R-VII School District spent $72,824 last year fighting the Missouri Attorney Generals Office.

It is the last district standing in an onslaught of civil suits former Attorney General Eric Schmitt brought against school districts who enforced mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nearly all the lawsuits were dismissed, most at the request of the attorney general. Schmitt  who left office last week after he was sworn into the U.S. Senate  tried to drop the suit against Lees Summit as well. But the district had already filed a countersuit seeking to establish the extent of the attorney generals authority over local school districts.

There are no hearings yet on the case calendar as filings ping pong between sides.

Chuck Hatfield, a longtime Jefferson City attorney who previously served in the Attorney Generals Office under Democrat Jay Nixon, said the case could establish an important precedent.

The biggest issue that Lees Summit is getting at is: Do we or do we not have the authority to control our own district? he said. Thats what theyre really trying to get to, and they want the court to tell them.

Its unusual, Hatfield said, for the attorney general to sue or issue orders to another government entity, and the countersuit has the ability to guide whether it may happen more in the future.

This is about mask mandates, he said. Next time, it might be transgender athletes.

A spokeswoman for Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who replaced Schmitt, did not respond to a request for comment.

CostsThe Independent filed requests under Missouris Sunshine Law to the 47 districts targeted by the Jan. 21 lawsuits asking for invoices of attorney fees relating to fending off the litigation.

Of the districts who responded, many had insurance that covered their costs.

Costs for without insurance or in-house counsel ranged from $126 in the Holden R-III School District to $23,965 in the Special School District of St. Louis County.

Lees Summits expenses vastly exceeded other districts sued by Schmitt as the only defendant to file a countersuit.

Schmitt filed the original lawsuit against the Lees Summit district a year ago, arguing that school districts did not have the authority to issue health mandates.

The lawsuit contends masking as prevention has no empirical or rational basis despite studies connecting community mask wearing to a reduction in COVID-19s spread. Schmitt rejects those studies, calling them unreliable and suggests mask wearing may even be counterproductive in preventing the spread of disease.

A study of schools in two Arizona counties concluded that schools without mask mandates were 3 times more likely to have a COVID-19 outbreak. This data was publicized by the federal Centers for Disease Prevention and Control in October 2021.

The Attorney Generals Office argued the district should not have a mask mandate, but a group of Kansas City-area physicians urged the district and others in the area to enforce masking during the 2021-2022 school year.

Litigation

Lees Summit filed a counterclaim against the Attorney Generals Office last February. It contends Schmitts office did not have the authority to order the district to end its mask mandate and only filed his lawsuit to boost his campaign for U.S. Senate.

With the original lawsuit by the Attorney Generals Office dismissed, only a counterclaim by the district remains.

Unless checked by the courts, the attorney general will feel further emboldened to intrude into matters that are reserved by Missouri law to locally elected school boards. To that end, the board is committed to defending its authority, Joseph Hatley, an attorney representing the district, wrote in a Feb. 18, 2022, filing in the case.

Both the school district and the Attorney Generals Office declined comment on the litigation.

In its countersuit, the district argues a Dec. 7, 2021, letter from the attorney general ordering an end to the mask mandate was used as a weapon of intimidation against teachers and administrators by some parents who disagreed with the policy. Meanwhile, Schmitt posted his efforts on social media and encouraged parents to report districts that did not follow his order.

The counterclaim also points to actions by Missouri Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick, who made school districts certify their compliance with Schmitts demand before completing bond issues.

The Attorney Generals Office believes Lees Summit is not eligible for injunctive relief since the district has suspended its mask mandate and was not planning on refinancing with the help of the treasurers office.

Speculation that someday the district might seek to issue bonds, that another global pandemic might be occurring at the same time, that the district might have in place policies that whoever is then attorney general might believe violate state law, that whoever is then attorney general might send another cease-and-desist letter to the district, and that whoever is then state treasurer might require the district to certify compliance with the letter as a condition for issuing bonds is plainly insufficient to establish that the district is in immediate danger of injury, wrote James Atkins, general counsel in the attorney generals office.

Jackson County Circuit Court Judge Marco Roldan has not granted nor denied either request for summary judgment.

A trial date is not scheduled. Roldans latest action was denial of the attorney generals offices request for records from the district  records the district said were unrelated to the suit that pertained to topics such as critical race theory, school curriculum and gender identity issues.

Roldan also denied the attorney generals request to dismiss the countersuit.

Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com. Follow Missouri Independent on Facebook and Twitter.
JEFFERSON CITY  Private religious schools across Missouri have received nearly all $9.3 million in state tax credits diverted through a new education voucher program.

Since launching in July, the MOScholars program has awarded more than 1,300 vouchers worth up to $6,375 for private school tuition and other eligible expenses.

Now state lawmakers like Rep. Josh Hurlbert, R-Smithville, are looking to expand eligibility and funding for the program.

Hurlbert has first-hand experience with MOScholars as a scholarship coordinator for the Smithville-based Herzog Tomorrow Foundation, the largest beneficiary of the tax credits with nearly 600 vouchers awarded. Bills filed by the lawmaker would expand the program statewide and remove eligibility restrictions based on income and geography.

Herzog is one of six religious groups certified by the state treasurers office to collect, manage and distribute the tax-credit donations to students.

Hurlbert declined an interview to discuss the proposed legislation that would benefit his employer, which must award scholarships worth at least 90% of its tax donations that reached close to $4 million this month.

A spokeswoman for the Herzog Foundation said Hurlbert has been a champion for school choice for years, and that the organization used about 4% of its donations for marketing and administrative costs.

State Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, D-Kansas City, credits her public school education in Smithville with her success and said she was concerned about the rollout of the MOScholars program and Hurlberts involvement.

When I found out that the Herzog Foundation was opening up in the very community where I came from, it really shook me to my core, she said. I believe that their very purpose of existing in our state is to continue to persuade lawmakers to dismantle public schools as we know them today.

We have a representative serving in the Missouri House who is not only working for them, but actively pushing legislation that benefits him, Nurrenbern said.

The lawmaker isnt the only Herzog leader with ties to MOScholars. John Elliott, a Herzog board member, is a co-founder and adviser to Northland Christian Education System in Kansas City, which received 29 vouchers last fall  sixth most of any school in the state.

The school with the most voucher students  46  is St. Joseph Christian School, whose longtime benefactor was the late businessman Stanley Herzog, the namesake of the foundation that seeks to catalyze and accelerate the development of quality Christ-centered K-12 education so that families and culture flourish, according to its website.

The group Liberty Alliance USA, which has ties to Herzog chairman Todd Graves, tweeted that because of MOScholars, families all across the Show Me State have been able to escape failing government-run schools.

But most of the students receiving vouchers in Missouri this fall were already attending private schools or entering kindergarten and first grade, according to the Missouri treasurers office, which oversees MOScholars. Only 35% of the voucher recipients this fall attended public schools last year.

Its exclusively pitched and marketed as educational opportunity and freedom, but its just a tax break for people who are already using these programs, said Josh Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University. Religious schools are getting government bailouts.

The MOScholars program allows residents and businesses to receive a credit of up to 50% of state tax liability for donating to the scholarship granting organizations. The funds are distributed to eligible families to use for tuition or other educational expenses, prioritizing low-income and special needs students. All but 10 of the 140 schools receiving voucher students this fall have religious affiliations, mostly Catholic and Christian along with four Jewish schools.

Several of the participating schools have policies that discriminate based on religion, sexual orientation or learning disabilities:

 Northland Christian requires students and parents be an active member of a local Christian church as validated by a pastor at that church.

 Gloria Deo Academy in Springfield, which had the third-highest number of tax-credit scholarship students with 31, selects students for philosophical compatibility and academic performance. Students with less than average academic ability may not be able to succeed in the robust curriculum, reads the school handbook.

 At Heritage Academy in Columbia, parents must provide a home environment that reflects Biblical morality including the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.

Leaders of the MOScholars granting organizations met recently with incoming state treasurer, Republican Vivek Malek, to discuss the future of the program.

Its been such an exciting, breathtaking six months, said Julie Soffner, executive director of the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation at the Archdiocese of St. Louis, which has awarded close to 200 scholarships.

The discussion centered around expanding the program statewide. Currently the scholarships can only go to students in charter counties or cities with more than 30,000 people, including St. Louis city and St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson counties.

Expansion is the goal, Soffner said. Going into those more rural areas to capture a broader base of applicants would be a dream come true. Any other considerations for loosening up the criteria would be fantastic.

Torah Prep Jewish school in University City had 41 voucher students enrolled in the fall, the most in the St. Louis region and second highest in the state. The students receiving vouchers make up about 20% of the schools enrollment in kindergarten through eighth grade.

The community that were in is very big on education, big believers in education and big believers in the tradition within the community, said Hillel Anton, who directs the MOScholars program for Agudath Israel of Missouri, which has distributed 70 vouchers among four Jewish schools in St. Louis County. They know what the importance is for the future of any child.

The Missouri Constitution bars public funding for religious schools, setting up a potential legal challenge over the tax-credit vouchers. The Kentucky Supreme Court struck down a similar voucher law last month in that state in a ruling that stated tax credits amount to government spending on private education.

The new political action committee St. Charles County Families for Public Schools uses vouchers as a litmus test for candidates it will support, said co-founder Ted House.

We oppose the diversion of public funds from public schools, said House, a former Democratic state senator and circuit judge from St. Charles County. Its so important to have schools available to everybody, kids with special needs, people with all beliefs and creeds and religions. Public schools are what brings us together and to me, thats where the states emphasis should be.

Josh Renaud of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.

Originally posted at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12.
JEFFERSON CITY  Former state Rep. Shamed Dogan isnt finished with politics after his surprise loss in the August Republican primary for St. Louis County executive.

On Friday, he announced his next job after his last term in the Legislature expired this month: organizer for Missouri Agrees, a group that plans to introduce a ballot question for 2024 to usher in approval voting in Missouri.

The goal is really to give the people more opportunities to vote for candidates that they like, Dogan told McGraw Milhaven on KTRS (550 AM).

Dogan described how approval voting would work: If you have several candidates on the ballot, instead of having to vote for one of them, and choosing between the lesser of five evils, you get to vote for all the candidates you support.

In the end, the candidate with the most votes would win, he said.

He said under Missouris current system, there are candidates who are just trying to appeal to that really narrow, narrow slice of the Democratic or the Republican base, and thats harmful for our democracy.

The city of St. Louis first began using a similar system in the 2021 city elections, with the two top candidates in the race for mayor  now-Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and Alderwoman Cara Spencer  advancing to a runoff election.

Dogan said that if voters ratify the constitutional amendment, approval voting would be used from city to state races in Missouri, and in primaries and general elections. He said runoff elections arent currently a part of the Missouri Agrees plan.

The Missouri Agrees campaign follows a failed effort last year to place a ballot question for ranked-choice voting on the 2022 ballot.

The ranked-choice campaign brought together Missouri political consultants from both sides of the aisle, including Republican John Hancock and Rosetta Okohson-Reb, a Democratic consultant who has worked for Jones.

Hancock, a former chair of the Missouri Republican Party, also worked for Dogans county executive bid last year.

Dogan told the Post-Dispatch Hancock and Okohson-Reb were not involved in this campaign, and he stressed that approval voting was not the same as ranked-choice voting, saying it would come without the bureaucratic headaches a ranked-choice election would bring.

The ranked-choice campaign generated big-dollar out-of-state support, but Dogan said Missouri Agrees would focus on attracting Missouri donors and on grassroots organizing.

We have a cross-partisan coalition of reformers, and its people around the state, its you know, both sides of the aisle, Dogan said.

Approval voting, Dogan said, doesnt require changing any of your election systems.

He said voters already choose multiple candidates in local school board races.

Candidates are more likely to get 50%, because you do have people having the ability to vote for more candidates, Dogan said.

Candidates would also be forced to appeal to more voters  not a small plurality that can lift a candidate to victory in the party primary, Dogan said.

You want to try and get all their votes because you can get all their votes now, he said. Whereas before, you were very limited.

Dogan pointed to the failed U.S. Senate campaign of former Gov. Eric Greitens, a Republican, as an example.

I dont think you would see candidates doing what we saw Eric Greitens do, which is threatening to kill people who didnt vote for you in your primary, threatening to hunt people down, Dogan said.

The campaign has yet to file a proposed ballot initiative with Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, a Republican.

The Missouri Agrees political action committee registered with the Missouri Ethics Commission in late December and has yet to report any contributions.

The group is accepting public input at MissouriAgrees.org through Sunday and intends to file an initiative with Ashcroft on Tuesday, according to a news release.
JEFFERSON CITY  As Missouri Gov. Mike Parson prepares to deliver his annual State of the State address next week, his office and state lawmakers are keeping his priorities close to the vest.

Earlier this week, the Republican governor met with GOP leaders from both chambers of the Missouri General Assembly to talk about this years legislative session. So far, those who attended the meetings have remained mum on what Parson plans to propose.

But, during his time in office, Parson has had two major priorities: workforce development and infrastructure  such as improving roads and bridges. Those priorities are likely to be recurring themes in his final two years as governor. Missouri is sitting on a massive $6 billion budget surplus, which could offer Parson an opportunity to get some of those priorities across the finish line.

Hes drilled in on that workforce development, infrastructure narrative for as long as hes been there, Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Columbia Republican, told The Star. I would assume his last two years will look a lot like his first four as he starts to wrap this up.

On top of setting his administrations priorities for this years session, Parson will also likely look to solidify his legacy in the coming years. He will have to balance that legacy with the priorities and desires of the lawmakers in the Missouri General Assembly.

The thing that will be most interesting to me is to see how much it aligns with what weve heard from leadership out of the House and Senate and how those priorities work together moving forward in the next few years, said Jean Evans, a former executive director of the Missouri GOP. If they all make it a priority, its probably going to get done.

Infrastructure has long been a priority for Parson, and the Republican governor has spoken broadly about spending more on projects in the coming years. During last years budget rollout, Parson proposed massive new spending on infrastructure and college and university buildings.

And even as Parson touted a strong economy and workforce development programs last year, he asked lawmakers for more investments in the states workforce. He has referred to Missouris high rates of teacher turnover as unacceptable and called for lawmakers to increase state worker and teacher pay.

Those issues will likely be recurring themes this year. Kelli Jones, Parsons spokesperson, said in a text to The Star she couldnt reveal Parsons priorities ahead of his State of the State address on Jan. 18, but offered a brief preview.

Workforce and infrastructure! the text said.

Highway projects and the workforce

Rowden told The Star that he would like to see the governor prioritize large, one-time infrastructure investments, such as highway projects and improvements. He pointed to the states historic amount of unspent revenue as an opportunity for generational stuff thats going to matter.

Nows as good a time as any to do that with the surplus dollars that we have, he said.

House Majority Leader Jonathan Patterson, a Lees Summit Republican, said he expects Parson to focus on workforce issues, health care, education and transportation.

I think youre going to see us using the funds that we have for transportation to work on a number of projects, most significantly, I-70, Patterson said.

While he said he does not expect the entirety of the interstate  which connects Kansas City and St. Louis  will be part of a project, parts of it will likely be.

House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat, said that she is tuned into efforts to improve I-70, but hopes broadband is part of infrastructure discussions too.

For us, it goes beyond just the roads and bridges conversation with infrastructure, Quade said.

Patterson said Parson is also focused on getting high school students into the workforce if they do not want to pursue a college degree. Parson does not have a college degree.

The Republican governor has already signaled that increasing state worker pay will also be one of his priorities this session. Parson on Wednesday rolled out a $152 million plan that would give all state employees an 8.7% cost of living raise by the end of March. He touted the proposal as necessary to fill the more than 7,000 open positions in state government.

There is no question that the recruitment and retention of state employees have been a severe problem for our state and we must do better, he said in a statement.

State Rep. Peter Merideth, a St. Louis Democrat, said Parsons recommendation is a strong indicator that he understands the emergency situation with state worker staffing.

Thats a pretty hefty increase, Merideth said. I think it is a really great start and I hope that he looks to do even more in the full budget for the next fiscal year.

Child care and tax cuts?

During his time as governor, Parson has had to strike a balance between lawmakers desires for new spending and tax cuts. The Republican governor has previously spoken in favor of some cuts, but has cautioned lawmakers to use some of the unspent revenue on infrastructure projects and supporting the states workforce.

During a special session last year, Parson secured an income tax cut that lowered the states top income tax rate from 5.3% to 4.95%. But Republican lawmakers are calling for more this session.

If we give it back to the people of the state, they spend the money and they drive the economy  thats one of the great things about doing some tax cuts, Parson previously told The Star. But the thing that we really isolate all the whole time is workforce development infrastructure. Those are the keys to how the states prosper.

If Parson does propose tax cuts this session, he will face significant opposition from Democrats, who say the states budget surplus offers an opportunity to address areas that have been neglected. Democrats have called for state money and legislation to increase both state worker and teacher pay.

Parson told Democratic leadership that he is satisfied with the tax cuts approved in last years special session, and is looking forward to discussing issues like child care and raising teacher pay this year, Quade said.

I am hopeful that he will remain true to his word on that front, and that he wont be pushing any more tax cuts, but instead focusing on investing that money in Missourians, Quade said.

State lawmakers from both parties say they are hopeful that Parson will propose a plan to improve access to child care services statewide at the State of the State. If he does, Parson and Republicans will likely frame the issue of child care as a business issue.

Patterson said he expects Parson to prioritize tax credits and incentives for businesses that help employees with child care. He also highlighted legislation filed this session that would increase the number of pre-K students allowed into preschool.

The bipartisan push comes as the state is losing out on millions in tax revenue due to parents who leave the workforce because of child care issues. The difficulty in finding affordable care in rural areas has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In last years budget, lawmakers approved, and Parson signed, $10 million in federal COVID-19 money last year to help businesses add child care services or partner with child care providers.

While both Democrats and Republicans have filed several bills this year related to expanding child care services, several lawmakers said they were waiting to see what Parson proposes for the budget next week.

Merideth, the St. Louis Democrat, said he hopes Parson will set aside partisan politics in the last years of his term to focus on practical investments because he is not running for office again.

I think he has a real chance to make his legacy trying to invest in the workers and the needs of the state, he said.
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Dexus Finance Pty Limited: Appointment of non-executive directors



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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 Governments 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 Dexuss 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

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About Dexus Dexus (ASX:DXS) is one of Australias 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 Dexuss capabilities. The groups $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)

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After two years of testing the U.S. Air Force has found that its new F-15EX fighter exceeds expectations in terms of number and tonnage of weapons carried. The F-15EX has been tested carrying and launching up to 12 air-to-air missiles. Previously the most missiles carried suspended from the wings was eight and six was more common. The F-15EX can carry up to 13.6 tons of weapons, more than any other F-15 model. After a year of flight testing the first deliveries were made to fighter squadrons. Up to 140 F-15EX aircraft are to be delivered in the next few years. Initially squadrons that perform air defense missions in the United States will receive these aircraft. The F-15EX is cheaper to buy and operate than the F-35 and, for missions that do not depend a lot on stealth, the F-15EX is cheaper and more capable. New versions of the F-35 close that gap but for now the F-15EX is here and the new F-35A Block 4 models have been delayed because of problems with the new software. That has halted efforts to reduce the F-15EX orders from 140 to 80. The F-15EX has met or exceeded all its capabilities.

In early 2021 the air force received the first eight F-15EX fighter-bombers it ordered in mid-2020 for $150 million each. This is an upgraded F-15E that will replace elderly F-15Es that will soon have to be retired or flown a lot less because of heavy use during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq,. The initial eight F-15EX were used for testing and verifying that all the new capabilities worked as expected. That proved to be the case. This was remarkable for a new aircraft that first flew in February 2021, and was delivered so quickly because the manufacturer had been developing variants of the F-15E for several foreign customers that included some of the new features in the F-15EX. For example, the EX will have an improved EPAWSS (Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System) which provides radar warning of enemy radar signals, including a display showing what the threat is and where it is coming from. There are automatic and pilot activated counter-measures like jamming or spoofing (modifying the return signal of enemy radar transmissions). EPAWSS is smaller than previous systems and was designed to be easily upgraded for new threats. The EX also has a new glass cockpit using touch displays to provide aircraft information and enable quick response by the pilot. Digital cockpits have been around for several decades and undergone steady improvement based on user experience. EX also has a new ADCAP II mission computer to ease the work burden on the pilot as well as fly-by-wire flight controls for the mechanical aspects of the aircraft. All this enables the single-seat F-15EX to perform the same bomber functions as the two-seat F-15E and carry 14 tons of weapons including the new hypersonic missile. Initial F-15EXs will have two-seats but use only one pilot. This is a 37-ton (max takeoff weight) aircraft that weighs only a ton more than the F-15E. What makes the EX worth the cost is because it is built to last for 20,000 flight hours at a cost of $29,000 per hour. This is one third the operational cost of the F-35, which costs about $100 million each.

Ultimately the air force wanted to buy as many as 400 F-15EXs to replace retiring F-15Cs and Es. The entire program is supposed to cost no more than $23 billion and deliver new F-15EX aircraft at a cost of about $88 million each. That fixed price is still in force for production models even though the air force is only committed to buying 144 F-15EXs initially.

The original F-15 entered service in the 1970s and the last one was built in 1989. The two-seat F-15E fighter-bomber entered service in 1989 and only 236 were built over the next 15 years. After that new models of the F-15E were developed and built for export customers. These included Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Qatar and Israel. All have entered service except the Qatar and Israeli models. The Qatari F-15QA made its first flight in April 2020 and the F-15EX is based on the QA which Qatar is buying 36 of.

As of early 2019 the U.S. Air Force planned to buy two models of the new F-15; the single seat F-15CX fighters to complement the new F-35 and (unofficially) make up for the fact that the air force is not getting as many F-35s as it believes it needs. There were to be a smaller number of two-seat F-15DX. Normally the two-seat version is for training but in this case the EX-version provides the option to provide a GIB (Guy in the Back) to help with the use of the F-15EX as a bomb truck for F-35s and F-22s. The air force soon realized that the improved flight and weapons control systems in the F-15EX enabled all of them to operate with only one pilot on board and may eventually be built as a one-seat aircraft. The F-22 and F-35, have demonstrated the ability to remain silent (few radio and radar transmissions) while finding and identifying targets while using less stealthy aircraft (or missile units on the ground) to launch weapons at new targets. Israeli F-35s, the only ones with combat experience, have already demonstrated this technique over Syria. The problem is, when flying in full-stealth mode the F-35 can carry only 2.6 tons of bombs and missiles internally. It became obvious that an F-15EX carrying more weapons and receiving targeting information from a stealthy F-35 would be very useful.

The air force soon realized it could save a lot of money on development by just buying two-seater F-15EX models. Basing this aircraft on the existing F-15QA saved a lot of time and development costs. Because of this the first F-15EX order was placed in record time, the first of these were flying as planned in early 2021 and they were able to enter service by late 2022 or early 2023. A growing number of the elderly F-15Cs and overworked F-15Es will be grounded unless replaced or put through an expensive refurbishment. It is more cost-effective to go with the F-15EX.

Theres another factor. On paper, the F-35 will eventually (5-10 years) become cheaper to maintain and operate than the F-15C. The F-15EX will have a cost advantage immediately because as a new aircraft it is cheaper to operate than an older model, and EX also use new tech that reduces maintenance costs. The manufacturer is willing to produce them at a fixed cost (about $88 million each) and absorb any unforeseen costs. The manufacturer has additional incentives to make the F-15EX work; export sales.

Meanwhile, the F-15E continues in service and demonstrates how well an updated F-15 design can work. But the production of the F-15E is scheduled to end by 2023 and the EX keeps F-15 production going as a more advanced F-15E. This willingness to produce the EX should not be a surprise as there have been signs for a long time that an updated F-15 would be useful. As of 2008 the air force planned to operate its 36-ton U.S. F-15E for at least another ten years, and probably longer. In service for twenty years now, the F-15E can carry up to 11 tons of bombs and missiles, along with a targeting pod and an internal 20mm cannon. It's an all-weather aircraft that can fly one-way up to 3,900 kilometers. It uses in-flight refueling to hit targets anywhere on the planet. Smart bombs made the F-15E particularly efficient. The back seater handles the electronics and bombing, and the F-15E remains a potent air-superiority fighter, making it an exceptional combat aircraft. This success prompted Israel, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Singapore and Qatar to buy it, paying about $100 million per aircraft. In the U.S. Air Force, the F-15E is one of the most popular aircraft for combat pilots to fly, even more so than the new F-22. The F-15EX is cheaper to operate, carries more bombs and can also carry the new hypersonic missile, which is too heavy for any other fighter and was designed to be launched from heavy bombers. With the F-15EX the air force has a lot more aircraft that can handle the hypersonic missile.

The F-15E entered service in 1989 and within a decade Russia decided this novel fighter-bomber design was worth emulating. Russia developed its own F-15E, the 45-ton Su-34, which was yet another variant of the 33-ton Su-27. Su-34s cost $36 million each (less than half the cost of an F-15E) and included a full set of defensive and offensive sensors (radars, targeting cameras, laser designators) and electronic warfare gear, and can carry eight tons of missiles and smart bombs. Although development work began in the late 1990s, the Su-34 did not enter service until 2014 and proved capable in Syria but vulnerable in 2022 when the Su-34 had to face its first airborne threat and combat losses in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the older F-15s, which entered service in 1976, are falling apart. In 2009 the air force retired the last of its 384 F-15A fighters. Long flown only by reserve units, these were old aircraft and all built in the 1970s. Air force reserve units got the F-15As in the 1980s and 1990s, as active-duty units got the new F-15C. But by 2009 the F-22 was entering service, and more F-15Cs were going to the reserves. Many of those F-15As flew for over 30 years.

Unfortunately, the later model F-15s are not aging well. In 2007 the air force grounded all of its 442 remaining F-15As and Cs (and the smaller number of two-seat B and D trainer models) for 18 days, then grounded them again, all because of suspicions that portions of the aircraft structure have been weakened by stress (lots of maneuvering during combat training).

Before that, the air force halted non-critical flights of its F-15C (the interceptor version) fighters after a National Guard F-15C crashed. It appeared that the crash was the result of structural failure. In 2002 an F-15C traveling at high (over 2,000 kilometers an hour) speed crashed when its left tail fin broke off. At the time the F-15Es operating in Afghanistan were not grounded initially, but soon were when it was realized that the problem might be a design flaw, not age, that caused the 27-year-old F-15C to go down. The F-15Es were restored to flight status after about a week, once each aircraft had undergone an extensive structural examination that took about 13 man-hours each. Most F-15Es were less than ten years old. But some F-15Cs were over twenty years old.

This time around, the F-15Es were not grounded, because metal stress in the older F-15s would not occur in the F-15E, which is somewhat different in its internal structure and was designed to avoid the fatigue problems the F-15A and C models encountered. Structural failure is more common in older fighters that have lots of flight hours (over five thousand) on them. When originally designed, the F-15 was believed to have a service life of only 4,000 hours. But new materials and design techniques increased that to 8,000. In peacetime, F-15s are in the air 250-300 hours a year. But because of the 1991 Gulf War, the 1990s "no-fly-zone" patrols over Iraq, and the operations after 2001, the F-15 fleet piled up the hours more quickly, and many reached the 8,000-hour mark much more rapidly than planned.

The F-15E faced a similar problem as it was used far more after 2001 because of the war on terror. Peacetime use was no more than a few hundred flight hours a year. Under wartime conditions the popular and versatile F-15E flew 500 to 1,000 hours a year. While the F-15E wasnt engaging in violent maneuvers it was regularly carrying heavy bomb loads and these stressed the airframe. Thats why the more recent F-15Es ended up as worn out as the older F-15Cs. Most of the F-15Cs are used as interceptors to defend the continental United States plus Hawaii, Alaska and some overseas areas where a lot of American troops were based.

The stressed structural components have long been a problem. If weak components are detected, they can be replaced with stronger ones, made of materials not available when the F-15 was originally built. But you want to find the weak components before they fail. While scanning technology has improved, it's still not good enough to detect all the F-15 components possibly weakened by years of use. As a result, flying an F-15C became a bit more stressful from then on. To some in the air force, this situation has a bright side. One can now make a more compelling case to build more F-22s, to replace F-15 that are wearing out faster than expected. That did not happen and the delays in getting the F-35 into mass production kept the idea of designing an improved F-15 to fill the gap. Because of that, the F-15EX was not a recent idea but the accumulation of proposals that have been showing up for over a decade.

Another area that is getting a lot more attention from engineers than journalists is the impact of heavy and sustained stress on combat aircraft. This component failure problem is not unique to the F-15 and has been occurring with increasing frequency among aging fighter aircraft all over the world. The end of the Cold War in 1991 led to the cancellation of many combat aircraft replacement programs. Air forces were compelled to make do with thousands of increasingly older aircraft. Whenever an aircraft goes down because of a structural failure, you have to ground all planes of that type until you know exactly what caused the loss, and make any needed repairs to other aircraft of that type. Pilots are a pretty sharp lot, so governments don't dare try to play games with this. If the pilots suspect they are being set up to fly dodgy aircraft, they will not fly them, or not fly them in a useful (stressful) way.
In a research note on US e-commerce stocks Friday, Goldman Sachs analyst Eric Sheridan told investors they see the most attractive risk-reward skew in Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN).

However, Sheridan warned that the company's fiscal Q4 2022 EPS is critical for Amazon's management to "frame the multi-year pathway on a return to more normalized eCommerce margins as we move further from the demonstrable headwinds from the past 2  years."

The analyst explained that Amazon continues to reflect the firm's "preference for: a) profitable and scaled players with higher growth profiles, b) resilient models supported by platform breadth, category diversification and more favorable end-market exposure, and c) our expectation of continued market share consolidation within eCommerce over time."

"We adjust our estimates in a number of ways to reflect our broader industry work and inject greater levels of conservatism in forward estimates: 1) lowering the growth profile for AWS (cloud computing) to +21% YoY growth in Q4 with further deceleration into 1H 2023; 2) continued modest assumptions for Intl eCommerce growth (especially driven by European exposure); and 3) lowering our 2023 GAAP Operating Income assumptions to $22bn in 2023 and $31bn in 2024," the analyst writes.

Goldman Sachs also notes that Amazon has seen positive trends in its unique visitors/viewers count in recent months.

Amazon shares are up 2% Friday.

By Sam Boughedda
According to the flight tracking website FlightRadar24, a China Southern Airlines flight on a Boeing (NYSE: BA) 737 MAX took off on Friday. This marks the first passenger commercial service on the 737 MAX by a Chinese airline in nearly 4 years.

The 737 MAX, Boeings best-selling aircraft, gained U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in March 2017. However, two plane crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia that took place in 2018 and 2019 paved the way China's aviation regulator becoming the first in the world to ground the MAX.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also grounded the 737 MAX in March 2019 before removing the grounding order in November 2020.

Returning to China was always one of Boeings top priorities. For Wolfe Research analyst Myles Walton, it was about when and not if.

That when certainly took longer than we would have thought a year ago and was delayed in part by zero-covid policies that stalled the need for the capacity. China airline schedules have been holding toward a robust bounce back in 1Q23 making the need for capacity more clear. That capacity need is going to have to be, at least in part, fulfilled by Boeing aircraft, Walton said in a client note.

The analyst adds that investors may beat the companys management in recognizing the China upside potential.

Boeings $10B targeted FCF in 2025/26 was signaled to be excluding China. Optimism on incremental China demand returning likely wont prompt management to change their outlook near-term, but it wont stop the market from gaining upside optimism to the $10B. This is particularly the case as long only positioning remains offsides on the name and buyers are searching for an incremental reason to buy with the stock up 70% since the Fall, Walton added.

Boeing stock is down over 1% in pre-market Friday.

By Senad Karaahmetovic
NAGOYA, Japan--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 2nd STREET USA, Inc. a subsidiary of GEO Holdings (TOKYO: 2681), will open 2nd STREET Dumbo, its first store in Brooklyn, New York, on January 14, 2023.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221227005078/en/

Interior view of a 2nd STREET store (Photo: Business Wire)

2nd STREET USA, Inc. buys and sells used clothing and accessories. After opening its first store in Melrose, California (in Los Angeles County) in January of 2018, it has expanded to twenty different locations. 2nd STREET Dumbo will be the twenty-first location in the United States.

2nd STREET Dumbo will carry approximately 10,000 items for reuse, including mens and womens clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. Those items will include selections from Japanese designer brands as well as internationally popular luxury brands. The array of items will include selections from designer brands and boutiques in the United States and Europe as well.

Dumbo, where this shop is opening, is located in Brooklyn, New York, and is visited by many tourists as a scenic spot near the famous Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge. It is a popular spot with a lineup of apparel shops, as well as trendy cafes and restaurants.

The shop will open along Front Street. The surrounding area includes not only cafes and restaurants, but also various shops such as home improvement and sporting goods stores.

2nd STREET USA will continue to open new stores and expand in the United States.

About 2nd STREET Dumbo:

Address: 70 Front St Brooklyn, New York, 11201

Hours of Operation: 11:00-20:00/year-round (local time)

Floorspace: Just over 2,277 square feet

Products Available: A total of approximately 10,000 items, including clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories.

2nd STREET USA, Inc.

Address: 1679 S. Dupont Hwy., Suite 100, Dover, Delaware 19901

Capitalization: USD3,000,000

Date of Establishment: November 19th, 2015

Director: Masahiro Kikuchi

Business Description: Reuse sales within the United States

2ND STREET USA, Inc., URLs

Shop https://2ndstreetusa.com/

EC https://ec.2ndstreetusa.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/2ndstreetusa/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/2ndstreetusa/

Twitter https://twitter.com/2ndstreetusa

GEO Holdings

GEO Holdings is a retail business, listed in the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with 300 billion yen in annual turnover. It manages more than 2,000 shops and EC stores in a wide variety of business formats, including GEO Shops that sell and rent DVDs, CDs, as well as buys and sells video games, 2ND STREET shops that handle the purchase and sales of a comprehensive selection of used clothing, furniture, and appliances, as well as bargain shops and discount stationery stores. GEO Holdings began expanding 2nd STREET outside of Japan in January of 2018, opening shops first in the United States and then in Malaysia and Taiwan.

See http://www.geonet.co.jp/english/ for more information.

The original source-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the source-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221227005078/en/

Direct media inquiries to

Wakasa Mizuno

[email protected]

Tia Vanlandingham

[email protected]

(646) 460-3026

9am-6pm EST

Source: GEO Holdings Corporation
MANZINI, Eswatini--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AHF Eswatini, one of AIDS Healthcare Foundations thirteen programs on the African continent, is starting off the new year on a high note  celebrating its 15th anniversary  under the theme Keeping the Promise. In 2007, AHF started providing free lifesaving antiretroviral treatment (ART) to people living with HIV in the Kingdom of Eswatini (then Swaziland).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005861/en/

As part of its commemoration of 15 years in the country, AHF Eswatini will unveil its newly constructed state-of-the-art LaMvelase Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Manzini City Council on Jan. 13. (Photo: Business Wire)

As part of its commemoration, AHF Eswatini will unveil its newly constructed state-of-the-art LaMvelase Centre of Excellence in partnership with the Manzini City Council (who provided the land on which the clinic sits). The new edifice, which costs more than SZL 31M (about $1.8M) will house the AHF Country Program Office and a more expanded HIV prevention, care and treatment and other related services space for the over 15,000 patients it serves. Amenities include a laboratory, consulting, and counselling rooms, a pharmacy with automated pill dispensing rooms, conference rooms, TB treatment unit, cervical cancer screening and treatment unit, and a play area, among others.

Over the years, the organizations foray and expansion in the country have been characterized by a rich history of impressive partnerships at the individual, national, and local levels  with the entry and startup of the program in Eswatini spearheaded by two of AHFs Board Members (Dr Condessa Curley and Anita Williams). In 2006, AHF signed a public-private sector partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH) to establish a service point to care for people living with HIV - including the provision of ART - at the LaMvelase Help Centre. By the following year, AHF entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the Manzini City Council, Family Life Association of Swaziland (FLAS), Population Services International (PSI) and Alliance of Mayors Initiative for Community Action on AIDS at the Local Level (AMICAALL) to establish the LaMvelase Clinic in Manzini.

Today started as a dream seventeen years ago, at the height of the HIV epidemic in Swaziland, when the Medical Non-Profit Founders working in Swaziland, Anita Williams, Dr Condessa Curley, and Madam Mhlanga of the Swaziland Ministry of Health called Mr. Michael Weinstein (AHFs President and Co-Founder), asking if AHF would please open a clinic in this wonderful country called The Kingdom of Swaziland, recalled Anita Williams and Dr Condessa Curley, Members of AHFs Board of Directors. Seventeen incredible years later, we celebrate that extremely successful dream - Michael and AHF, we all thank you for saying YES!

From Manzini in 2007, AHF has expanded its footprint across the country, with a presence in Nhlangano, Mbabane, Piggs Peak, and Matsapha, serving over 33,000 patients as of January 2023. Additionally, the programs model and services have continued to receive national recognition while recording many firsts. AHFs LaMvelase and Matsapha clinics have continued to bag top awards for service delivery. AHF (with Medecins Sans Frontieres) was the first to introduce TB LAM for patients with advanced HIV disease in the country and the first to offer third line drugs and HIV resistance testing to a few patients when treatment costs averaged SZL 3,000 a month.

Todays dual celebration is a testament to AHFs commitment to the national HIV/AIDS response and providing quality, patient-centred care to the communities we serve, said Dr. Penninah Iutung, AHF Africa Bureau Chief. However, these accomplishments and growth we have recorded in Eswatini would not be possible without the tireless efforts of our staff, the support from the Manzini Municipality, the patient community, and the collaborations with government and partners all these years, and for that, we are grateful.

Eswatini has made great strides towards eliminating HIV as public health threat by 2030, and we are proud as AHF to have been part of this in a major way, added Dr Nkululeko Dube, Country Program Manager, AHF Eswatini. Fifteen years of service later, this iconic building and Centre of Excellence is a recommitment to Keeping the Promise, and the spirit of partnership continues till this day, with Georgetown University committing to provide furniture, equipment, and an extra $5,000 for the new clinic.

AHF Eswatini will host a day-long celebration welcoming government and civil society partners, stakeholders, community leaders, and our HIV clients at LaMvelase Centre of Excellence in Manzini.

WHAT: AHF Eswatini 15th Anniversary and Center of Excellence opening WHEN: 13th January 2023 9.00 a.m.  1.00 p.m. Clinic Opening

Clinic Opening 6.00 p.m.  9.00 p.m. Gala Dinner WHERE: LaMvelase Centre of Excellence in Manzini WHO: Mama Angelina Wapakabulo  AHF Board Member /Global Vice Chair

Dr Condessa Curley  AHF Board Member

Anita Williams  AHF Board Member

Dr Penninah Iutung  AHF Africa Bureau Chief

Hon. Minister of Health

Hon. Minister for Housing and Urban Development

Manzini Regional Administrator

Manzini City Council

Although providing treatment was AHF Eswatinis foremost priority, it has attained much more in over a decade. Highlights include taking over the Matsapha clinic in 2017 during MSFs departure  saving 7,500 patients and about 40 jobs, opening a new LaMvelase wing in 2014 with extensive renovations to the tune of R2.5M (about $146.927) and implementing HIV prevention services, including condom promotion and distribution and mens health and wellness awareness. AHF Eswatini also runs AHFs transformative Girls Act program, which empowers young women and girls to thrive and stay healthy through information, education, services, and skills building; it is currently advocating for access to free sanitary pads for girls.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is a global non-profit organization providing cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to over 1.6 million people in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Europe. We are currently the largest non-profit provider of HIV/AIDS medical care in the world. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005861/en/

ESWATINI MEDIA CONTACT:

Thulani Mtetwa, Prevention Program Coordinator

AHF Eswatini

+268 7802 5311

[email protected]

AFRICA BUREAU MEDIA CONTACT:

Oluwakemi Gbadamosi, Director Advocacy, Policy & Marketing, AHF Africa

+234-91-21-500-600

[email protected]

US MEDIA CONTACT

Denys Nazarov, Director of Global Policy &

Communications, AHF

+1 323.308.1829

[email protected]

Source: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of a (Excellent) of South China Insurance Co., Ltd. (South China Insurance) (Taiwan). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect South China Insurances balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

South China Insurances risk-adjusted capitalisation remained at the strongest level at year-end 2021, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR). The companys adjusted capital and surplus, including special reserves provisioned for the non-compulsory auto liability insurance business, continued to grow organically in 2021 through partial profit retention and favourable capital gains, while its statutory solvency ratio remained at a healthy level. The companys investment portfolio remained liquid and diversified with a majority of its assets held in investment grade bonds and cash. The company continues to manage currency risk in its investment portfolio through currency hedging. AM Best notes that the company is exposed to a low and controlled level of ultimate claims arising from pandemic-related insurance products. Although the company experienced unrealised capital losses during the first three quarters of 2022, AM Best expects its BCAR and balance sheet strength will remain supportive of the current ratings over the short to intermediate term.

South China Insurance continued to be profit generating in 2021, as supported by positive underwriting and investment results. The companys business continued to expand in 2021 with a gross premium written growth of 7.6%, while net combined ratio improved by 3.2 percentage points to 95.2%. The companys positive investment results continued to support the companys overall operating performance in 2021 through a stable stream of interest and dividend income. South China Insurance remained profitable during the first three quarters of 2022.

South China Insurance remains a medium-sized insurer in Taiwans non-life market. The companys underwriting portfolio remains moderately diversified with motor dominating its business. While motor business continued to generate most of the premium growth in 2021, fire, as well as personal accident and health business also exhibited good growth momentum. The company continues to source its revenue from a diversified distribution network while leveraging cross-selling opportunities more broadly with its affiliates in Hua Nan Financial Holdings Co. Ltd.

Although South China Insurance is well-positioned at its current rating levels, negative rating actions may occur if there is a material decline in the companys risk-adjusted capitalisation, or if there is a continued deteriorating trend or an increased level of adverse volatility in its operating performance.

Ratings are communicated to rated entities prior to publication. Unless stated otherwise, the ratings were not amended subsequent to that communication.

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/20230113005297/en/

James Chan

Associate Director, Analytics

+852 2827 3418

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

[email protected]

Christie Lee

Senior Director, Analytics

+852 2827 3413

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of A+ (Superior) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of aa- (Superior) of AXA France Vie (France), a subsidiary of AXA S.A. (AXA) (France). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable. Concurrently, AM Best has withdrawn the ratings as AXA France Vie has requested to no longer participate in AM Bests interactive rating process.

The ratings of AXA France Vie factor in the entitys strategic importance to AXA as its main carrier for life and health business in France, and reflect AXAs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, very favourable business profile and very strong enterprise risk management.

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/20230113005390/en/

Pierre Tournier, FSA, CFA, CERA

Associate Director, Analytics

+31 20 308 5423

[email protected]

Dr. Mathilde Jakobsen

Director, Analytics

+31 20 308 5427

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5098

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces it advised Flagstop Car Wash (Flagstop) on its recapitalization and growth capital investment by Garnett Station Partners, LLC (Garnett Station). Flagstop is a rapidly expanding express car wash platform with 14 locations in Central Virginia. The transaction was led by Jershon Jones and Matt Williamson of the Harris Williams Transportation & Logistics (T&L) Group.

This transaction represents another marquee deal in the highly attractive car wash sector. Flagstop is a premier regional platform that is well-positioned for long-term growth. We are incredibly excited about the partnership between Flagstop and Garnett Station and look forward to seeing their continued success together, said Jershon Jones, a managing director at Harris Williams.

Flagstop was founded over 40 years ago in Chester, Virginia by Bob Schrum. Jamie Nester, Craig Marable, and Derek Haynes acquired the company in late 2016 and have successfully grown Flagstop into the leading express car wash platform in the greater Richmond, Virginia market with 14 existing locations. The company is fueled by a highly recognizable brand and a multi-pronged growth strategy that has driven tremendous results. Flagstop is well-positioned to continue to capitalize on strong industry tailwinds and its market leadership.

Garnett Station is a principal investment firm founded in 2013 by Matt Perelman and Alex Sloane that manages $1.85 billion of assets. Garnett Station partners with experienced and entrepreneurial management teams and strategic investors to build value for its portfolio of growth platforms. The firm draws on its global relationships, operational experience, and rigorous diligence process to source, underwrite, and manage investments. Core sectors include food and beverage, health and wellness, automotive, and business services. Garnett Station's culture is based on the principles of entrepreneurship, collaboration, analytical rigor and accountability.

Harris Williams is a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services. Clients worldwide rely on us to help unlock value in their business and turn ambitious goals into reality. We approach every engagement with boundless collaboration, pooling expertise and relationships across industries and geographies to uncover the unique story of each company.

The Harris Williams T&L Group serves as a trusted partner to investors and company leaders worldwide, helping them to unlock value in their businesses. Our clients count on our deep experience and thoughtful advice to understand the transportation and logistics M&A landscape so that they can turn ambitious goals into reality. Whether it's the recession-resistant automotive aftermarket or the cross-industry criticality of third-party logistics providers (3PLs), our industry offers value creation opportunities for a wide range of investors. We have deep expertise across a broad range of sectors such as the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket, third-party logistics, and transportation infrastructure.

Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 8th Floor, 20 Farringdon Street, London EC4A 4AB, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: [email protected]). Geschaftsfuhrer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams & Co. Ltd and Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business.

For media inquiries, please contact Julia Moore at [email protected].

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005303/en/

Julia Moore

[email protected]

Source: Harris Williams LLC
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE: INSW) (the Company or INSW), one of the largest tanker companies worldwide providing energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products, announced today that it will participate in Capital Links Corporate Presentation Series.

On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at 10:00 am ET its senior management team, Lois Zabrocky  CEO and Jeffrey Pribor  CFO, will go through a presentation on the company's current operations, business development, growth prospects and outlook of the tanker sector.

You can register for the webinar below:

Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Time: 10:00 am ET

Register: https://webinars.capitallink.com/2023/company_presentation/

On the registration page, please register for the presentation slated for January 17, 2023, at 10 am ET.

An email confirmation will be sent back and will include the link to the Company presentation.

LIVE Q&A SESSION - Submitting Questions

Participants can submit their questions either during the webinar through the online platform or can email our team at [email protected].

1x1 MEETINGS WITH COMPANY MANAGEMENT

Institutional Investors can request follow up meeting(s) with INSWs management through the 1x1 Meetings Section on the Registration Page or by emailing [email protected].

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL SEAWAYS, INC.

International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE: INSW) is one of the largest tanker companies worldwide providing energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products in International Flag markets. International Seaways owns and operates a fleet of 77 vessels, including 13 VLCCs (including three newbuildings), 13 Suezmaxes, five Aframaxes/LR2s, eight LR1s and 38 MR tankers. International Seaways has an experienced team committed to the very best operating practices and the highest levels of customer service and operational efficiency. International Seaways is headquartered in New York City, NY. Additional information is available at https://www.intlseas.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company may make or approve certain statements in future filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in press releases, or in oral or written presentations by representatives of the Company. All statements other than statements of historical facts should be considered forward-looking statements. These matters or statements may relate to the consequences of the Companys merger with Diamond S and plans to issue dividends, its prospects, including statements regarding vessel acquisitions, expected synergies, trends in the tanker markets, and possibilities of strategic alliances and investments. Forward-looking statements are based on the Companys current plans, estimates and projections, and are subject to change based on a number of factors. Investors should carefully consider the risk factors outlined in more detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2021 for the Company, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2022, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2022, and in similar sections of other filings made by the Company with the SEC from time to time. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements and written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or its representatives after the date of this release are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this paragraph and in other reports previously or hereafter filed by the Company with the SEC.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005325/en/

Investor Relations & Media:

Tom Trovato, International Seaways, Inc.

(212) 578-1602

[email protected]

Source: International Seaways, Inc.
Long to provide strategic employee benefits solutions to a diverse portfolio of public entity clients

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Benefits consultant Nick Long has joined Alliant Insurance Services as Senior Vice President within its Employee Benefits Group. Based in Texas, Long will leverage his diverse experience with public entity clients to provide employee benefits solutions that optimize productivity and reduce healthcare spending.

For more than 15 years, Long has helped businesses and municipalities efficiently manage their employee benefits by designing, implementing, and managing programs that meet todays challenges. Long is also active in his local community and serves as Mayor of the City of League City, as well as serving on the University of Texas Chancellor's Committee. These appointments give him unique access to both public and government institutions and provide insights that inform and guide his work in the benefits field.

Nicks extensive experience in the public sector adds additional depth to our team as we continue to grow our footprint in the public entity space, said Kevin Overbey, President, Alliant Employee Benefits. Nick understands how the right benefits programs can make a difference for public entities and their employees in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.

Prior to joining Alliant, Long was an Area Vice President for a global insurance brokerage and consulting firm. He earned his bachelors degree and MBA from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.

Long can be reached at (281) 773-8954 or at [email protected].

About Alliant Insurance Services

Alliant Insurance Services is one of the nations leading distributors of diversified insurance products and services. We operate through a network of specialized national platforms and local offices to offer our clients a comprehensive portfolio of solutions built on innovative thinking and personal service. The business of managing risk is getting more complex, and Alliant is meeting this complexity head-on, not with more layers of management, but with more creativity and agility. Alliant is changing the way our clients approach risk management and benefits, so they can capitalize on new opportunities to grow and protect their organizations. Visit us at alliant.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005034/en/

Nick Kopinga

Vice President

Corporate Marketing and Communications

(949) 260-5004

[email protected]

Source: Alliant Insurance Services
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rockefeller Capital Management (Rockefeller or the Firm) today announced the addition of Ladage, Smith, Garcia Wealth Partners to its Rockefeller Global Family Office  the firms first private advisor team to be headquartered in Austin, Texas.

The team is led by Managing Directors and Private Advisors Alex Ladage, ranked on Forbes Best In-State Wealth Advisors list, and Landon Smith. The five-person group, joining from UBS, includes Senior Vice President and Private Advisor Jorge Garcia as well as Vice Presidents and Senior Client Associates Monica Vallejo and Carl Pavlich. The team reports to Michael Armondo, Central Division Director.

We are delighted to welcome Ladage, Smith, Garcia Wealth Partners to Rockefeller Global Family Office, said Armondo. The teams proven expertise and deep relationships strengthen our ability to provide strategic wealth management advice and solutions to discerning clients, families and businesses across Texas.

As weve expanded the reach of Rockefeller across the United States, we see significant opportunity to deliver premium and differentiated wealth management services to clients and prospects in Greater Austin and beyond, said Christopher Dupuy, Co-President of Rockefeller Global Family Office. Alex, Landon and their team exemplify the quality of top-tier advisors being attracted to Rockefeller as it grows.

The team brings extensive financial services industry experience. Ladage, a graduate of West Point and a former Army Airborne Ranger, leads one of the most highly regarded private wealth practices in Texas. Previously, he worked at UBS and Merrill Lynch. A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Smith previously worked in partnership with Ladage at both UBS and Merrill Lynch. Both Ladage and Smith are Certified Exit Planning Advisors.

Garcia has over 15 years experience in wealth management, most recently with UBS. He is a graduate of the University of Texas, Austin and is also a Certified Exit Planning Advisor. Vallejo has five years of experience in various operations and service roles at UBS and Merrill Lynch and is a native of Austin. Pavlich brings more than 40 years of experience in operations and management positions at a number of firms, among them UBS and Morgan Stanley.

Ladage, Smith, Garcia Wealth Partners adds to Rockefellers 13 private advisor teams in Texas providing premium wealth management services to clients, families, and businesses. To learn more about Ladage, Smith, Garcia Wealth Partners, click here.

About Rockefeller Capital Management

Rockefeller Capital Management was established in 2018 as a leading independent financial advisory services firm. Originally founded in 1882 as the family office of John D. Rockefeller, the Firm has evolved to offer strategic advice to ultra- and high-net-worth individuals and families, institutions, and corporations from 40 locations across the United States. Early in 2022, the Firm opened an office in London. As of December 31, 2022, the Firm was responsible for approximately $98 billion in client assets across its three businesses, Rockefeller Global Family Office, Rockefeller Asset Management and Rockefeller Strategic Advisory.

This information has been prepared by Rockefeller Global Family Office, a division of Rockefeller Capital Management and provided solely for informational purposes only. The information and opinions herein should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any securities, to adopt any particular investment strategy, or to constitute accounting, tax, investment or legal advice. The views expressed are those of Rockefeller Global Family Offices senior investment professionals as of a particular point in time and are subject to change without notice. Such views may differ from or conflict with those of other divisions in Rockefeller Capital Management. Actual events or results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated herein. The information herein does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy interests in any Rockefeller Capital Management investment vehicle or product or service and should not be interpreted to constitute a recommendation with respect to any security or investment plan. Although the information and opinions presented herein have been obtained from, or are based on, sources believed to be accurate and reliable, they have not been verified. This information herein is based on financial, economic, market and other conditions prevailing as of the date of this material and is subject to change. Forward-looking statements, including those presented here, are inherently uncertain, as future events may differ materially from those contemplated, and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Investing involves risk, including risk of loss. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or avoidance of loss. All indices are unmanaged. You cannot invest directly in an index. Although the information provided is carefully reviewed, Rockefeller Capital Management is not responsible for any direct or incidental loss resulting from applying any of the information provided. This material may not be copied, reproduced, or distributed without Rockefeller Capital Managements prior written consent and is not valid without a consultation with a representative of Rockefeller Capital Management.

Any information presented is general in nature and is not intended to provide personal investment advice. The information herein does not take into account the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person who may receive it. Investment decisions should be made based on an investors individual objectives and circumstances and in consultation with his or her advisors.

Rockefeller Capital Management is the marketing name of Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. and its affiliates. Investment advisory, asset management and fiduciary activities are performed by the following affiliates of Rockefeller Capital Management: Rockefeller & Co. LLC, Rockefeller Trust Company, N.A., The Rockefeller Trust Company (Delaware) and Rockefeller Financial LLC, as the case may be.

Rockefeller Financial LLC is a broker-dealer and investment adviser dually registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Member Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA); Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). The registrations and memberships above in no way imply that the SEC has endorsed the entities, products or services discussed herein. Additional information is available upon request.

 2023 Rockefeller Capital Management. All rights reserved. Does not apply to sourced material. Products and services may be provided by various affiliates of Rockefeller Capital Management. RCMID 1428079438-2347

The Forbes rankings discussed above were designated in 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019 and last for a period of one year until new rankings are released. Each advisorselected by SHOOK Researchis chosen based on an algorithm of qualitative and quantitative criteria, including: in-person interviews; industry experience; compliance records; revenue produced; and assets under management. No compensation has been provided in connection with obtaining or using this award.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005342/en/

[email protected]

Source: Rockefeller Capital Management
Just 2  miles from the shoreline, 36 spacious new townhomes in Redondo Beach, CA

REDONDO BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This Saturday, January 14th, Shea Homes invites you to the Grand Opening of The Foundry, an exciting new coastal community of townhomes located in Redondo Beach, California. Situated in one of the South Bays most popular areas, The Foundry presents 36 modern, two-story residences, with professionally designed model homes now available for touring.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005082/en/

The Foundry by Shea Homes, located approx. 2.5 miles from the shorelines of Redondo and Hermosa Beaches, includes private rooftop decks and mezzanines with every residence. (Photo: Business Wire)

With its prime location just 2  miles from the shorelines of Redondo and Hermosa Beaches, buyers will love the easy access to ocean breezes and beach town vibes  not to mention all the excellent shopping and dining options nearby, said Karen Ellerman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Shea Homes.

The Foundrys beautifully flowing floorplans range from approximately 1,871 to 2,251 square feet, with two to four spacious bedrooms and up to three baths. Thoughtful flex rooms and lofts create seamless spaces for home offices or workout areas and attached two-car garages offer added convenience and extra storage. Private rooftop decks and mezzanines come standard with every residence, a unique perk that sets The Foundry apart. Home shoppers will discover The Foundry is the place to enjoy California living at its finest, added Ellerman. Pricing is anticipated to start from the $1.1 Millions.

In addition to the local beaches and attractions, The Foundry is located just a half mile from the historic Columbia Park, a 52-acre recreational space, six miles from renowned Rancho Palos Verdes, and 19 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

The Information Center at The Foundry is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Information Center and professionally decorated model homes are located at 2901 Fisk Lane, Redondo Beach, CA 90278. Find more information and directions, visit www.SheaHomes.com or call 949.528.1056.

Shea Homes is one of the largest private homebuilders in the nation. Since its founding in 1968, Shea Homes has built more than 100,000 homes. Over the past several years, Shea Homes has been recognized as a leader in customer satisfaction with a reputation for design, quality and customer service. Shea Homes builds new homes in California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Washington, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Texas. For more information about Shea Homes and its communities, please visit the companys website at www.SheaHomes.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005082/en/

Randy Carver / Kovach Marketing

949.280.9300 / [email protected]

Source: Shea Homes
PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- During the 2022 Employee Giving Campaign, employees at Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) pledged $1.8 million benefiting more than 2,168 schools and nonprofit organizations across the nation. After a two-for-one match by The Standard and parent organization Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company, total contributions from the campaign will exceed $5.5 million.

More than 1,600 employees pledged support during the campaign. These contributions, which are in addition to The Standards corporate and foundation giving, will be distributed to nonprofit organizations and schools during 2023.

A culture of caring is at the core of our company and how we show up for our customers and community, said Dan McMillan, president and CEO at The Standard. The challenges of the past year remind us of the importance of our nonprofit and school partners for the resiliency of our communities, and I am humbled by the generosity of our employees and retirees.

During the Employee Giving Campaign, The Standard also celebrated the 16th anniversary of the Denim Impact Fund. The fund allows employees to make $100 pledges to collectively help a cause in their community. This year is focused on youth behavioral health and crisis intervention. The Denim Impact Fund program alone raised more than $358,000 for five nonprofit organizations: National Alliance on Mental Illness in Arlington, Virginia; Trillium Family Services in Portland, Oregon; Lines for Life in Portland, Oregon; Lighthouse Youth & Family Services in Cincinnati, Ohio; Mental Health Association of Westchester in White Plains, New York; and HumanKind in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, the Employee Giving Campaign transitioned to a year-round program allowing employees the flexibility to obtain the company match any time during the year. The Standard and Meiji Yasuda will continue to double match employee contributions up to $5,000.

These are among the many organizations receiving support in 2023 from The Standards giving campaign:

Trillium Family Services $205,000 Oregon Food Bank $142,000 Oregon Humane Society $60,000 Lines for Life $58,000 National Alliance on Mental Illness $51,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington $49,000 Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette $43,000 Habitat for Humanity Portland Region $35,000 Central City Concern $34,000 St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital $34,000

For more information about community involvement at The Standard, visit www.standard.com/community.

About The Standard

The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping customers achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. In business since 1906, we are a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individuals. Our products include group and individual disability insurance, group life, dental and vision insurance, voluntary (employee-paid) benefits, absence management services, and retirement plans and annuities for employers and individuals. For more information about The Standard, visit www.standard.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries: Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., StanCorp Mortgage Investors, Inc., StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., StanCorp Real Estate, LLC, and StanCorp Equities, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005086/en/

Bob Speltz

971.212.9549

[email protected]

Source: The Standard
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

In accordance with Article 5 of EU Regulation n 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information is available on the website of Tikehau Capital (Paris: TKO): https://www.tikehaucapital.com/fr/shareholders/regulatory-information

Disclosure of shares repurchases from 6 January 2023 to 12 January 2023 Name of the issuer Issuer Identity Code (LEI) Trading Day ISIN Aggregated volume

per day (number of

shares) Weighted

average price

per day Market (MIC

Code) TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 06/01/2023 FR0013230612 4,000 24.5912 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 09/01/2023 FR0013230612 3,886 24.7347 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 10/01/2023 FR0013230612 2,000 24.5762 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 11/01/2023 FR0013230612 2,000 24.5899 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 12/01/2023 FR0013230612 1,829 24.5505 XPAR TOTAL 13,715 24.6240

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005318/en/

Tikehau Capital

Source: Tikehau Capital
Research publication is accepting submissions for a special edition hosted by Center for Educational and Instructional Technology and focused on adult learners in online higher education

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies is accepting submissions to its Phoenix Scholar academic research journal, for a special issue focused on adult learners in online higher education. Online education provides more flexible opportunities for adult learners to continue their education; however, there are still factors challenging them to engage in the educational process and succeed, and this edition of the journal will be dedicated to exploring these challenges.

Adult learners have unique life and work experiences that inform their learning strengths and opportunities, states Mansureh Kebritchi, Ph.D, chair, Center for Educational and Instructional Technology (CEITR) at the College of Doctoral Studies, and special edition editor of Phoenix Scholar. We have many experts here at University of Phoenix focused on the experience of adult learners and wanted to open up this special edition to a diversity of thought and community.

This Special Edition is hosted by CEITR and will focus on exploring adult learners challenges and innovative approaches to address those challenges. The journal editors are interested in contributions that explore innovations to improve online education and better serve adult learners, and welcomes manuscripts focusing on the current issues, challenges, and innovations related to adult learner educational success, curricula, teaching and learning strategies, technologies, learning management systems, and institutional supports and policies in online higher education.

The Phoenix Scholar journal is the academic research publication of University Phoenixs College of Doctoral Studies and serves as the scholarly platform for communicating the results and outcomes of university research endeavors, and their relationship to the broader scope of learning and scholarship.

College of Doctoral Studies research centers contribute to the Phoenix Scholar content, including the University of Phoenix Career Institute, a research center focused on studying American workforce dynamics through the Career Optimism Index study, the Center for Leadership Studies and Organizational Research (CLSOR), the Center for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Research (CWDIR) and CEITR. As long-time leaders in online education, the university utilizes research to develop solutions in the core areas of leadership, workplace diversity, and instructional technology to enhance student outcomes, improve communities and to help students, faculty and alumni grow in their career aspirations.

The editorial deadline for consideration is Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

Complete information about the call for paper is available here.

The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) by the U.S. ISSN Center at the Library of Congress for the Phoenix Scholar journal is online format ISSN 2771-6503 and print format ISSN 2771-6422.

About the College of Doctoral Studies

University of Phoenixs College of Doctoral Studies focuses on todays challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The Colleges research program puts students in the center of an effective ecosystem of experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005381/en/

Sharla Hooper

University of Phoenix

[email protected]

Source: University of Phoenix
An independent panel of journalists recognized the companys data leadership and innovative integrations

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions market-leading technology and thought leadership have continued to attract industry recognition  this time with a bronze Company of the Year plaudit bestowed by the 2022 Best in Biz Awards North America. The companys ongoing thought leadership series, LegalVIEW Insights, was also celebrated as Marketing Campaign of the Year by an independent panel of journalists hailing from some of the medias most distinguished publications.

ELM Solutions award-winning submission to Best in Biz North Americas Company of the Year: Business-to-Business category highlighted the successful launch of the TyMetrix360 Office Companion module, which allows users of the companys SaaS-based e-billing and matter management solution to manage matter related emails, documents, and notes directly from Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. It also touted another pivotal 2022 milestone that saw ELM Solutions expansive LegalVIEW database cross the threshold of more than $155 billion in real legal invoice data, powering AI-based solutions such as the companys LegalVIEW BillAnalyzer spend management solution to even greater degrees of nuance and accuracy.

The same database provides the foundation for ELM Solutions LegalVIEW Insights thought leadership program. A series of quarterly reports offering in-depth analysis of such pivotal topics as law firm vendor usage or the effect of very large matters on outside legal costs, the LegalVIEW Insights program has been celebrated by the Best in Biz North America panel with a bronze Marketing Campaign of the Year award.

At a time of great change within the legal industry, I would like to offer my sincerest thanks to the judges of the 2022 Best in Biz Awards North America for honoring ELM Solutions ongoing efforts to provide our clients with the innovative technologies and market-leading intelligence they require to thrive throughout 2023 and beyond, said Barry Ader, Vice President of Product Management and Marketing at Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions.

Now in its twelfth year, the Best in Biz Awards is an independent business awards program judged entirely by editors and reporters hailing from leading publications across the globe. The 2022 panel includes judges based at publications such as AdWeek, Forbes, and Smart Business magazine.

ELM Solutions, part of Wolters Kluwer GRC, is a market-leading global provider of enterprise legal spend and matter management, contract lifecycle management and legal analytics solutions. The company provides a comprehensive suite of tools that address the growing needs of corporate legal operations departments to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs. Corporate legal and insurance claims departments trust its innovative technology and end-to-end customer experience to drive world-class business outcomes.

Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions was named a leader in both the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise Legal Spend Management 2020 Vendor Assessment and IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Enterprise Matter Management 2020 Vendor Assessment. The companys award-winning products include Passport, one of the highest rated ELM solutions in the latest Hyperion MarketView Legal Market Intelligence Report and TyMetrix 360, the industrys leading SaaS-based e-billing and matter management solution. CLM Matrix, meanwhile, was named a strong performer in The Forrester Wave: Contract Lifecycle Management For All Contracts, Q1 2021 report. ELM Solutions LegalVIEW portfolio of legal analytics solutions is based upon the industrys largest and most comprehensive legal spend database, with more than $155 billion in invoices.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (AEX: WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the healthcare; tax and accounting; governance, risk and compliance; and legal and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with specialized technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2021 annual revenues of 4.8 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,800 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005032/en/

Media Contacts for Wolters Kluwer GRC

(Including Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions, Wolters Kluwer CT Corporation, Wolters Kluwer Compliance Solutions and Wolters Kluwer Finance, Risk & Regulatory Reporting)

Paul Lyon

Senior Director, Global Corporate Communications: Global Marketing, Communications & Planning

Governance, Risk & Compliance Division

Wolters Kluwer

Office +44 20 3197 6586

[email protected]

Frank Ready

Senior Specialist, Corporate Communications, Legal Services

Governance, Risk & Compliance Division

Wolters Kluwer

717-205-3647

[email protected]

Source: Wolters Kluwer
Ahead of NRF 2023, the retail industry's largest event, Google Cloud today introduced four new and updated AI technologies to help retailers transform their in-store shelf checking processes and enhance their ecommerce sites with more fluid and natural online shopping experiences for customers.

A new shelf checking AI solution, built on Google Cloud's Vertex AI Vision, utilizes Google's database of facts about people, places and things, giving retailers the ability to recognize billions of products to ensure in-store shelves are right-sized and well-stocked. Furthermore, in an update to its Discovery AI solutions, Google Cloud introduced a new personalization AI capability and new AI-powered browse feature to help retailers upgrade their digital storefronts with more dynamic and intuitive shopping experiences. Finally, Google Cloud's Recommendations AI solution launched new machine learning capabilities that empower retailers to dynamically optimize product ordering and recommendations panels on their ecommerce pages and deliver personalized suggestions for repeat purchases.

"Upheavals over the last few years have reshaped the retail landscape and the tools retailers need to be more efficient, more compelling to their customers, and less exposed to future shocks," said Carrie Tharp, VP of Retail and Consumer, Google Cloud. "Despite uncertainty, the retail industry has enormous opportunity. The leaders of tomorrow will be those who address today's most pressing in-store and online challenges with the newest technology tools, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning."

New shelf checking AI helps retailers improve product availability

The problem of low or no inventory on in-store shelves is a troubling one for retailers. According to a NielsenIQ analysis of on-shelf availability, empty shelves cost U.S. retailers $82 billion in missed sales in 2021 alone. While retailers have tried different shelf-checking technologies for years, their effectiveness has often been limited by the resources needed to create reliable AI models to detect and differentiate productsfrom the different flavors of jam and jelly, to the dozens of types of toothbrushes.

Now available in preview globally, Google Cloud's new AI-powered shelf checking solution can help retailers improve on-shelf product availability, provide better visibility into what their shelves actually look like, and help them understand where restocks are needed. Built on Google Cloud's Vertex AI Vision and powered by two machine learning modelsa product recognizer and tag recognizerthe shelf checking AI enables retailers to solve a very difficult problem: how to identify products of all types, at scale, based solely on the visual and text features of a product, and then translate that data into actionable insights.

Retailers don't have to expend time, effort, and investment into data collection and training their own AI models. Leveraging Google's database of billions of unique entities, Google Cloud's shelf checking AI can identify products from a variety of image types taken at different angles and vantage pointsan especially difficult task. Retailers will have a high degree of flexibility in the types of imagery they can supply to the shelf checking AI. For example, a retailer can use imagery from a ceiling-mounted camera, an associate's mobile phone, or a store-roaming robot on shelf-checking duty.

Now in preview, this technology is expected to be generally available to retailers globally in the coming months. Importantly, a retailer's imagery and data remains their own and the AI can only be used for the identification of products and price tags.

AI transforms the digital window shopping experience

People don't always know what they want. That's why they window shop or browse through websites, looking for inspiration.

To help retailers make the online browsing and product discovery experience more modern, faster, intuitive, and fulfilling for shoppers, Google Cloud today introduced a new AI-powered browse feature in its Discovery AI solutions for retailers. The capability uses machine learning to select the optimal ordering of products on a retailer's ecommerce site once shoppers choose a category, like "women's jackets" or "kitchenware."

Over time, the AI learns the ideal product ordering for each page on an ecommerce site using historical data, optimizing how and what products are shown for accuracy, relevance, and likelihood of making a sale. The feature can be used on a variety of ecommerce site pages, from browse, brand, and landing pages, to navigation and collection pages.

Historically, ecommerce sites have sorted product results based on either category bestseller lists or human-written rules, like manually determining what clothing to highlight based on seasonality. This browse technology takes a whole new approach, self-curating, learning from experience, and requiring no manual intervention. In addition to driving significant improvements in revenue per visit, it can also save retailers the time and expense of manually curating multiple ecommerce pages. The new tool is now generally available to retailers worldwide supporting 72 languages.

More personalized search and browsing results with machine learning

Research commissioned by Google Cloud found that 75% of shoppers prefer brands that personalize interactions and outreach to them, and 86% want a brand that understands their interests and preferences.

To help retailers create more fluid and intuitive online shopping experiences, Google Cloud today introduced a new AI-driven personalization capability that customizes the results a customer gets when they search and browse a retailer's website. The technology turbo-charges the capabilities of Google Cloud's new browse offering and existing Retail Search solution.

The AI underpinning the new personalization capability is a product-pattern recognizer that uses a customer's behavior on an ecommerce site, such as their clicks, cart, purchases, and other information, to determine shopper taste and preferences. The AI then moves products that match those preferences up in search and browse rankings for a personalized result. A shopper's personalized search and browse results are based solely on their interactions on that specific retailer's ecommerce site, and are not linked to their Google account activity. The shopper is identified either through an account they have created with the retailer's site, or by a first-party cookie on the website.

As with all Google Cloud solutions, customers own and control their datainformation on customer preferences stays with the retailer. This technology is now generally available to retailers worldwide.

AI increases retailers' bottom line with better recommendations

Product recommendation systems are now a critical component of any retailer's ecommerce strategy for good reason: online retail sales are expected to reach more than $8 trillion by 2026. However, retailers have long had difficulty determining which panels to display on their websites, how to effectively arrange them, and how to coordinate content that is both relevant and personalized. Google Cloud's Recommendations AI solution uses machine learning to help retailers bring product recommendations to their shoppers.

New upgrades to Recommendations AI, announced today, can make a retailer's ecommerce properties even more personalized, dynamic and helpful for individual customers. For example, a new page-level optimization feature now enables an ecommerce site to dynamically decide what product recommendation panels to uniquely show to a shopper. Page-level optimization also minimizes the need for resource intensive user experience testing, and can improve user engagement and conversion rates.

In addition, a recently added revenue optimization feature uses machine learning to offer better product recommendations that can lift revenue per user session on any ecommerce site. A machine learning model, built in collaboration with DeepMind, combines an ecommerce site's product categories, item prices, and customer clicks and conversions to find the right balance between long-term satisfaction for shoppers and revenue lift for retailers. Finally, a new buy-it-again model leverages a customer's shopping history to provide personalized recommendations for potential repeat purchases.

Compared to baseline recommendation systems used by Google Cloud customers, Recommendations AI has shown double digit uplift in conversion and clickthrough rates in experiments controlled by retailers using the technology. The new page-level optimization, revenue optimization and buy-it-again models are now globally available to retailers.

Technology availability and Google Cloud at NRF

Google Cloud's shelf checking AI tool is now in preview globally. The new ecommerce technologies, including the personalization AI capability, browse feature, and updates to Recommendations AI (page level optimization machine learning model, revenue optimization model, and buy-it-again model) are all now globally available to retailers. NRF event attendees can learn more about the latest, AI-driven innovations for retailers at Google's event booth #5607.

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud accelerates every organization's ability to digitally transform its business. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google's cutting-edge technology  all on the cleanest cloud in the industry. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/google-cloud-unveils-new-ai-tools-for-retailers-301721298.html

SOURCE Google Cloud
Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. (NYSE: TFPM) is pleased to provide an update on its previously announced acquisition of Maverix Metals Inc. (Maverix) by way of a plan of arrangement under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the Arrangement).

As reported by Maverix earlier today, the resolution approving the Arrangement was approved by 98.378% of the votes cast by Maverix shareholders present (virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at a special meeting of Maverix shareholders conducted today (the Meeting) and by 98.336% of the votes cast by Maverix shareholders present (virtually) or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Meeting, excluding the votes cast by certain persons required to be excluded pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. Votes at the Meeting were taken by poll online, and proxies were received by Maverix prior to the Meeting.

Triple Flag also reports that the Canadian Competition Bureau has issued a no action letter clearing the Arrangement under Canadian competition law. As well, the waiting period in respect of the filing under the U.S. Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Act Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, has expired.

The completion of the Arrangement is subject to final approval of the Arrangement by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) and the satisfaction or waiver of the other customary conditions to completion of the Arrangement. Triple Flag and Maverix are working towards an expeditious closing of the Arrangement slated to occur prior to the end of January. Following the closing, Maverix shareholders will receive their elected form of consideration, subject to applicable proration.

Details regarding the terms and conditions of the Arrangement are set out in Maverixs management information circular, which is available under Maverixs profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
A shopping cart is seen at a Bed Bath & Beyond store in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., June 29, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

(Reuters) - Bed Bath & Beyond Inc is in talks with private equity firm Sycamore Partners for the sale of its assets, including its buybuy Baby stores, as part of a possible bankruptcy process, the New York Times reported on Friday citing people familiar with the matter.

The company is also in talks with other suitors about possible deals, the report added.

Bed Bath & Beyond said it does not "comment on speculation of this nature" and reiterated a previous statement that it was exploring multiple paths. Sycamore Partners declined to comment.

Shares of Bed Bath & Beyond were down about 4% at $5.02 in morning trading amid weakness in the broader market. The stock rallied for four consecutive sessions this week and closed 50% higher on Thursday.

The troubled home goods retailer posted a bigger-than-expected quarterly loss and a plunge in sales on Tuesday, after saying last week it was exploring options, including bankruptcy, as it struggled with a dwindling cash pile.

The Union, New Jersey-based company had earlier considered selling its buybuy Baby stores after shareholder pressure, but held off on hopes it could fetch a higher price later, Reuters reported.

The company's buybuy Baby chain, which sells products for infants and toddlers, helped Bed Bath & Beyond obtain a loan worth $375 million last year.

New York-based Sycamore invests in consumer goods firms and retailers. It hit the headlines last year with its takeover bid for department store chain Kohl's Corp.

(Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza, Saumyadeb Chakrabarty and Krishna Chandra Eluri)
FILE PHOTO: A general view of a new crude distillation unit under construction at Exxon Mobil's refinery in Beaumont, Texas, U.S., November 23, 2022. REUTERS/Erwin Seba

By Erwin Seba

(Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp in coming days will sharply boost gasoline and diesel production at its Beaumont, Texas, refinery, people familiar with the matter said, completing a $2 billion expansion first considered nine years ago.

Initial startup of a 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) crude distillation unit (CDU) at the 369,000 bpd refinery is expected by Jan. 31, the sources said, making the Beaumont refinery the second largest in the United States.

It is the first major expansion to U.S. oil processing in nearly a decade, adding the equivalent of a mid-sized refinery, and coming online as scheduled at a time when U.S. President Joe Biden has been urging refiners to produce more fuels, or face penalties.

An Exxon spokesperson declined to discuss the date of the unit's initial startup. Exxon has previously said the unit will start production in the first quarter of this year.

"Construction of the new crude unit is completed. We have initiated startup procedures and commissioning is underway," said Exxon spokesperson Chevalier Gray in an emailed statement. "The unit will add 250,000 barrels per day of all new supply for the refined products market."

U.S. stockpiles of diesel and gasoline are near five-year lows, and profit margins for producing motor fuels in the U.S. Gulf Coast region are near record levels.

Refiners are earning about $35.40 per barrel using the industry's crack spread, a profit measure which compares the cost of crude oil to sale prices for gasoline and diesel, according to Refinitiv.

"Right now, margins are sensational," said Garfield Miller, president of refining investment banker Aegis Energy Advisers Corp. "These margins tell you that as far as the U.S. Gulf Coast is concerned, there is plenty of demand relative to supply."

SHALE OIL TO DIESEL

The new CDU, called BLADE for the Beaumont Light Atmospheric Distillation Expansion project, was under consideration as early as 2014 and formally approved in 2019. It is planned to process Exxon's crude oil pumped from the Permian shale field in West Texas and New Mexico.

Exxon said on Friday the total cost of BLADE is $2 billion. In a filing posted on Sept. 28 with the Texas Comptroller's office in support of property tax reductions, the company said its total cumulative investment was $1.2 billion.

Turning on the new equipment will not immediately generate big new volumes of gasoline and diesel. Exxon plans to bring the new CDU up slowly to deal with potential startup problems, the people said.

The new CDU, which will be the third at Beaumont, will increase the refinery's capacity by 68%. CDUs do the initial work of turning crude into feedstocks for all other units at the refinery.

BLADE was constructed from modular sections over four years, a period that included the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020's massive decline in motor fuel demand that led to a record annual loss for the No. 1 U.S. oil firm.

Operators at the Beaumont refinery this week were purging the new CDU of air in preparation to introduce its first crude, the people familiar with the matter said.

The new CDU will make up for the refining capacity to be lost at the end of this year when Lyondell Basell Industries shutters its 263,776 bpd Houston refinery, said analysts.

Up until COVID, the U.S. added the equivalent of a world scale refining facility to existing capacity every year through expansions, de-bottlenecking, and tweaks, Aegis Energy Advisers' Miller said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, six U.S. crude oil refineries have closed dropping U.S. capacity from 18.98 million bpd to 17.9 million bpd, according to a U.S. Energy Information Administration report issued in June.

POST-PANDEMIC MILESTONE

Exxon's Beaumont expansion marks a return to an era of steady refining capacity gains through processing tweaks and adding new equipment to existing plants.

There are several major oil companies adding refineries outside the United States, said Matthew Blair, managing director of refiners, chemicals and renewable fuels research at energy banking firm Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co.

Overall, there are quite a number of new refineries on the docket this year, Blair said, citing projects in Kuwait, Mexico, Nigeria and China.

This will help rebalance global markets and bring down product cracks, he added, using the industry term for processing margins.

(Reporting by Erwin Seba; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Subsequently, the IACHR members met indistinctly with representatives of parties: Accion Popular (Popular Action), Peru Democratico (Democratic Peru), Podemos Peru (We can Peru), Peru Bicentenario (Bicentennial Peru), and Fuerza Popular (Popular Force).

Besides, IACHR delegates spoke with Bloque Magisterial de Concertacion Nacional (Magisterial Bloc of National Agreement), Cambio Democratico-Juntos por el Peru (Democratic Change-Together for Peru), Alianza Para el Progreso (Alliance for Progress), Peru Libre (Free Peru), Somos Peru (We are Peru), and non-grouped legislators.

The representatives of Renovacion Popular (Popular Renewal) and Avanza Pais (Go on Country) benches did not participate in the aforementioned meetings.

Junto a la Mesa Directiva del Congreso, recibi la visita de una delegacion de la @CIDH quienes han expresado su preocupacion por las personas que han fallecido durante las violentas protestas que se vienen registrando en el sur del pais. pic.twitter.com/VkG68Xd7tm
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during her interview with Reuters in New Delhi, India, November 11, 2022. REUTERS/Altaf Hussain

By Kanishka Singh and David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Friday the United States will likely hit the $31.4 trillion statutory debt limit on Jan. 19, forcing the Treasury to launch extraordinary cash management measures that can likely prevent default until early June.

"Once the limit is reached, Treasury will need to start taking certain extraordinary measures to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations," Yellen said in a letter to new Republican House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other congressional leaders.

She urged the lawmakers to act quickly to raise the debt ceiling to "protect the full faith and credit" of the United States.

"While Treasury is not currently able to provide an estimate of how long extraordinary measures will enable us to continue to pay the government's obligations, it is unlikely that cash and extraordinary measures will be exhausted before early June," the letter said.

Republicans now in control of the House have threatened to use the debt ceiling as leverage to demand spending cuts from Democrats and the Biden administration. This has raised concerns in Washington and on Wall Street about a bruising fight over the debt ceiling this year that could be at least as disruptive as the protracted battle of 2011, which prompted a brief downgrade of the U.S. credit rating and years of forced domestic and military spending cuts.

The White House said on Friday after Yellen's letter that it will not negotiate over raising the debt ceiling.

"This should be done without conditions," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters. "Theres going to be no negotiation over it."

House Republicans are planning to move a "debt prioritization" measure by the end of March that would call on the U.S. Treasury to continue making certain payments once it reaches the debt ceiling, but details have not been finalized, a person familiar with the plan told Reuters. The proposal was first reported by the Washington Post.

The Republican plan will call on the Treasury Department to keep making interest payments on the debt, the Post reported, citing sources. It may also stipulate the Treasury should continue making payments on Social Security, Medicare and veterans benefits, and fund the military, the newspaper said.

The plan was part of a private deal reached this month to resolve the standoff between right-wing hardliners in the House and McCarthy over his election as House speaker, the Post said.

Yellen's estimate expressing confidence that the government could pay its bills only through early June without increasing the limit marks a deadline considerably sooner than forecasts by some outside budget analysts that the government would exhaust its cash and borrowing capacity - the so called "X Date" - sometime in the third quarter of calendar 2023.

Analysts have noted that some Treasury bills maturing in the second half of the year are sporting a premium in their yields that may be tied to elevated risk of a default in that window.

"You could read this partly as trying to get Congress to act sooner rather than later," said Bipartisan Policy Center economics director Shai Akabas, adding that Treasury was being conservative in its approach.

Yellen said that there was "considerable uncertainty" around the length of time that extraordinary measures could stave off default, due to a variety of factors, including the challenges of forecasting the government's payments and revenues months into the future.

PENSION INVESTMENTS SUSPENDED

As of Wednesday, Treasury data showed that U.S. federal debt stood $78 billion below the limit, with a Treasury operating cash balance of $346.4 billion. The department on Thursday reported an $85 billion December deficit as revenues eased and outlays grew, particularly for debt interest costs.

Yellen said in her letter that the Treasury this month anticipates suspending new investments in two government retiree funds for pensions and healthcare, as well as suspending reinvestments in the Government Securities Investment Fund, or G Fund, part of a savings plan for federal employees. The retirement investments are restored once the debt ceiling is raised.

"The use of extraordinary measures enables the government to meet its obligations for only a limited amount of time," Yellen wrote to McCarthy and other congressional leaders.

"It is therefore critical that Congress act in a timely manner to increase or suspend the debt limit. Failure to meet the governments obligations would cause irreparable harm to the U.S. economy, the livelihoods of all Americans, and global financial stability," Yellen wrote.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and David Lawder; Additional reporting by David Morgan, Richard Cowan and Ismail Shakil; Writing by David Lawder and Tim Ahmann; Editing by Diane Craft, Andrea Ricci and Grant McCool)
Detroit, Michigan, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., (the Company) (OTCPK:AITX), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions for enterprise clients, along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), today announced that it has made an investment in Circadian Risk, Inc., headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Circadian Risk develops software that gives security professionals the power to proactively reduce potential risks to individuals and assets. Their industry-leading vulnerability assessment tools provide a complete detailed analysis, as well as corrective actions for every issue that may arise.

The investment by AITX in Circadian Risk is via a SAFE. A SAFE (Simple Agreement for Future Equity) is an instrument that many startups use to raise capital. The SAFE is a legally binding agreement that allows the investor to buy a specific number of shares for an agreed-upon price at some point in the future.

We are embarking on our first investment into what should be a mutually beneficial relationship, said Steve Reinharz, CEO of AITX and RAD. Circadian Risk has developed the security industrys most elite risk assessment Software as a Service model. Going forward, there are significant opportunities for collaboration and integration and represents a milestone for both organizations."

The even closer relationship that is developing between Circadian Risk and AITX will help reshape and disrupt the conventional approach that exists to security and risk analysis said Michael Martin, CEO of Circadian Risk. Neither company is satisfied with the current state of the industry, and we are both bringing innovation, experience, and passion to solving age-old issues." Martin has been on RADs Board of Advisors since its inception and has played a significant role in promoting RAD's awareness and reaching new clients and channel partners within the industry.

At this time, there are no formal agreements between our two companies, Reinharz added. There is certainly the intent to strengthen the relationship with specific projects that may develop in the future.

Martin added, Together with the team at AITX, we hope to create new solutions for corporate security, schools, universities, and public institutions that are weary of the pay more / get less approach to problems. The time is now to adapt, change, and embrace where the future of physical security and risk analysis is going.

"RAD is fundamentally a software company that has developed specialized AI-powered hardware to run its software," said Mark Folmer, President of RAD. "We are confident that our channel partners and corporate clients will be eager to see the potential outcomes of our collaborations with Circadian Risk in revolutionizing the way security is measured and implemented."

AITX and its three subsidiaries collectively have 85 employees spread across 7 departments, sales, marketing, hardware development, software development, production, client services, and administration.

AITX through its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), is redefining the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide a cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industrys existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers this tremendous costs savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house.

RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time.

CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSThe information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the "Company"). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as an indication of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX)AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staffs and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai, www.stevereinharz.com, www.radsecurity.com, www.radgroup.ai, and www.radlightmyway.com, or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz.

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Steve Reinharz949-636-7060@SteveReinharz

Attachment

Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. AITX and wholly owned subsidiary Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD) has made a SAFE investment in Circadian Risk, a leading developer of risk assessment software.

Source: Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arctic Fox Minerals Corp. (CSE: FOXY) (the Company or Arctic Fox) is pleased to announce the appointment of Milos Masnikosa as its new interim chief executive officer, effective immediately. Mr. Masnikosa replaces, Robert Gietl, who has served as CEO since September 2022.

The Company would like to thank Mr. Gietl for his service as CEO and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

About the Company

Arctic Fox is a resource exploration company specialized in precious metals exploration in the Northwest Territories. Arctic Fox is currently advancing the Uptown Gold Project 4 km outside of Yellowknife adjacent to high grade past producing mines. The Property is a high grade Archean lode gold prospect adjoining the Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The Property consists of 4 claims covering over 2,000 hectares and borders the west side of the Giant Mine leases. The Property centre is approximately 6km north from downtown Yellowknife, and adjoins TerraX Minerals' Yellowknife City Gold Property. The Property is road accessible year-round via the Ingraham Trail (Territorial Highway 4) which runs through the eastern portion of the claims. Gold was discovered on the Property in 1960 and two targets were explored intensively from 1963 to 1966. Small-scale high-grade mining was conducted at the Rod Vein in 1979.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Milos Masnikosa

Interim CEO and Director of Arctic Fox Minerals Corp.

[email protected]

FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any 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.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Source: Arctic Fox Minerals Corp.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CHATHAM, ONTARIO and TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Signed LOI to acquire an Israeli licensed cannabis Trading House, to serve as a hub for imports to Israel

Signed second LOI to acquire two pharmacies licensed to dispense medical cannabis

Atlas Global Brands Inc. (Atlas Global) (CSE: ATL), (formerly Silver Phoenix Resources Inc. Silver Phoenix CSE: SP), a global cannabis company with expertise across the cannabis value chain, today announced that, through its Israeli subsidiary, signed a binding letter of intent (the LOI) at an arms length with no finders fee, on January 11, 2023, to acquire 51% of the outstanding securities of the following entities (the Proposed Transaction):

An Israeli licensed cannabis Trading House, strategically located in Tel Aviv. If the transaction is completed, the Company plans to use this Trading House, as its hub for the import, storage and distribution of cannabis in Israel. A Trading House is an entity licensed to purchase, trade and store cannabis. To the best of Atlas knowledge, this is the only Trade House in Tel Aviv, and it will give Atlas the ability to store cannabis for pharmacies in the greater Tel Aviv area and provide them with a just-in-time supply of cannabis. Ownership of a Trading House adds another element to the Atlas value chain. Two pharmacies licensed to dispense medical cannabis, one in Tel Aviv and the other in Jerusalem, in prime locations. Unlike most cannabis pharmacies in Israel, these pharmacies were designed from the outset for the sale of cannabis. If the transaction is completed, these dispensaries will help position Atlas as a premium supplier of cannabis in the Israeli market and expand Atlas retail presence in Israel.

The Proposed Transaction will be structured as a share exchange pursuant to which the vendors will be issued an aggregate of 2,699,472 common shares in Atlas at a deemed price of $1.00 per share and at closing will make an inter-company loan to the purchased entities in the amount of ILS 1,000,000 (approximately CAD $391,000). The final structure of the Proposed Transaction will be determined by the parties following receipt of tax, corporate and securities law advice.

The parties intend to enter into a definitive agreement in respect of the Proposed Transaction (the "Definitive Agreement") by February 9, 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 Transaction is expected to close early in Q1 2023. following completion of the due diligence process and satisfying conditions precedent. Upon entering into the Definitive Agreement, the Company intends to issue a further press release which will disclose the finalized terms of the transaction.

Investing in the infrastructure to expand our supply and distribution capabilities in Israel strengthens our global footprint in a core market, said Sheldon Croome, Interim CEO of Atlas Global. These transactions enable us to meaningfully scale our distribution, while introducing more products and brands, both in house and from brand partners. We are incredibly excited for the future of Atlas and look forward to continued growth in key markets around the world.

About Atlas Global Brands

Atlas Global is a licensed 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 a well-established, diversified business model. 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 includes statements regarding: 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 forwardlooking 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 forwardlooking 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.

Source: Atlas Global Brands Inc.
TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BLUETTI, a well-known solar generator brand, puts another modular solar generator-- the AC500 & B300S on sale on its Canada website on Jan. 12, two days after it starts its early promotion, "The Sun Shines Wherever You Go", which will end on Jan. 25. Besides, the company is holding an open call for "BLUETTI Heroes" among its global users.

AC500+B300S - Customizable Backup PowerPulling in $11 million on Indiegogo, this popular generator is finally available on the Canadian online store. The 5,000W inverter AC500 with B300S packs can reach a max capacity of 18,432Wh. Supported by two separate efficient MPPT controllers, the AC500 allows for a 3,000W max solar input in addition to its 5,000W AC input, together, for 8,000W dual inputs. Quick switchover, full-time UPS and smart App connectivity all make the AC500 a standout backup power source for home use or off-grid living.

Now, BLUETTI offers an early bird price for single unit or bundles for a limited time.

New Solar Panels PV68 BLUETTI has recently released the most portable PV68. Made of monocrystalline silicon and coated with ETFE to ensure a 23.4% conversion efficiency and longer life and weighing only 3.4kg and producing 68W power from sunlight, the PV68 can be carried around for outdoor activities.

AC300+ B300-Modular Power Backup SystemWith a modular and stackable approach, the AC300&B300 combo allows for easy upgrade to an all-house power system for every need, maxing out at 12,288Wh. The AC300 inverter can comfortably power all regular household appliances with up to 3,000W continuous output and 6,000W surge capability. Its recharging rate can top 5,400W if combining 3,000 AC input and 2,400 solar input, which is supported by two separate MPPT controllers.

AC200MAX All-in-one Power BeastA successor to the popular AC200P, the AC200 Max ramps up the technology and offers expandable options with additional battery modules, such as two B230 to 6,144Wh and two B300 to 8,192Wh. Even standalone, it has 2,048Wh power in the belly and can deliver 2,200W to multiple devices via its 14 outlets, plus two wireless charging pads on top. There are seven ways to top up this all-around power beast, including 1,400W AC and solar dual charging.

BLUETTI Hero Recruitment All BLUETTI users can apply to be a BLUETTI hero this year. About 15 applicants will be selected to participate in the filming of documentaries. After the publication of the documentaries, every hero can pick any BLUETTI product priced at US $1,000 as a gift.

About BLUETTIFrom the very beginning, BLUETTI has tried to stay true to a sustainable future through green energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use while delivering an exceptional eco-friendly experience for everyone and the world. BLUETTI is making its presence in 70+ countries and is trusted by millions of customers across the globe.

For more information, visit BLUETTI online at https://www.bluettipower.ca/.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluetti.ca/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluetti_canada/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bluetti_incYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@BLUETTIOfficial

Contact Information: Amanda Yan Integrated Marketing for BLUETTI [email protected] +8615013559696

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New York, NY, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (GTII: OTCQB) Global Tech Industries Group, Inc. (GTII or The Company), www.gtii-us.com, announced today that it has received a letter update from UHY, LLP, a PCAOB auditing firm, based in Sterling Heights, MI, advising the Company that it is on track to complete the audit of Wildfire Media Corps (Wildfire) 2020 and 2021 year-end financials and issue a written report before the end of January, 2023. The PCAOB two-year audit is a due diligence condition in order to close the acquisition of Wildfire and the 1-800-LAW-FIRM brand. As part of the process and to keep the agreement current, the Company signed an extension with Wildfire to March 31, 2023.

About GTII: GTII is a publicly traded Company incorporated in the state of Nevada, specializing in the pursuit of acquiring new and innovative technologies. Visit GTII here https://gtii-us.com/

Please follow our Company at: www.otcmarkets.com/stock/GTII

About Wildfire Media Corp: Wildfire Media licenses 1-800-LAW-FIRM and other brands to a national network of law firms committed to protecting the rights of clients in areas as diverse as consumer protection, environmental hazards, civil rights, and criminal defense among other areas. Top of FormFounded in 1996, Wildfire Media provides performance-based marketing and technology solutions that enable law firms to concentrate on what they do best. Wildfire Media has established a Legal Support Organization (LSO) so that law firms are equipped to combine advances in the latest technologies along with best operational practices, both provided by our LSO.

Harbor Forward-Looking Statements:This press release may contain forward looking statements that are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties are further defined in filings and reports by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Actual results and the timing of certain events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Among other matters, the Company may not be able to sustain growth or achieve profitability based upon many factors including but not limited to the risk that we will not be able to find and acquire businesses and assets that will enable us to become profitable. Reference is hereby made to cautionary statements set forth in the Companys most recent SEC filings. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses in our development stage, noting that there is no assurance that we will generate enough revenues to offset those costs in both the near and long term. New lines of business may expose us to additional legal and regulatory costs and unknown exposure(s), the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time.

Words such as estimate, project, predict, will, would, should, could, may, might, anticipate, plan, intend, believe, expect, aim, goal, target, objective, likely or similar expressions that convey the prospective nature of events or outcomes generally indicate forward-looking statements. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of this press release. Unless legally required, we undertake no obligation to update, modify or withdraw any forward-looking statements, because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Global Tech Industries Group, Inc.511 Sixth Avenue, Suite 800New York, NY 10011[email protected]

Source: Global Tech Industries Group, Inc.
Human Interest has secured approximately $500 million in funding to date

NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Human Interest and BlackRock today announced the firms will join efforts to expand access to retirement plans to small and medium-sized businesses across the United States. BlackRock Inc. (NYSE: BLK) is making a minority investment and leading a financing round to support the next phase of Human Interests growth.

According to the AARP, approximately 57 million peoplenearly half of all employees ages 18-64 in the private sectordo not have access to an employer-provided pension or retirement savings plan.1 This lack of access skews heavily to small and medium businesses that do not offer retirement plans due to high costs, complexity, and administrative burden.

Human Interest is tackling this problem using technology to make setting up and administering a retirement plan easy and affordable for businesses of all sizes. Human Interest was named a Leader in the 401(k) software category by G2.2

Human Interest has seen over 400% growth in the number of customers and revenue since the initial closing of the companys last announced financing in 2021. BlackRocks investment will help the business continue to enhance its technology platform capabilities and mature its operational processes and infrastructure. In addition, BlackRock will share its experience and expertise to help Human Interest fulfill its important mission.

BlackRock has an amazing team focused on providing high-quality retirement saving and investment options. We are excited to work with BlackRock to find ways to bring retirement within reach of millions of additional workers in the coming years, said Jeff Schneble, CEO of Human Interest.

Getting people on a path to a secure retirement is core to BlackRocks purpose, from pioneering target-date funds 30 years ago to managing retirement assets for more than 40 million Americans today.3 We look forward to helping Human Interest close the access gap, said Anne Ackerley, Head of BlackRocks Retirement Group.



About Human Interest

Human Interest is an affordable, full-service 401(k) provider that seeks to make it easy for small and medium-sized businesses to help their employees save for retirement. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in San Francisco, Human Interest helps employees in all lines of work access retirement benefits and a path to financial independence. For more information please visit humaninterest.com or follow us on LinkedIn .

About BlackRock

BlackRocks purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate.



Human Interest Media Contact

Maura Lafferty

415 848 9175

[email protected]

BlackRock Media Contact

Barbara Williams

646 231 1626

[email protected]
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The general membership of NAFA, the National Association for Fixed Annuities, approved the slate of candidates presented for its 2023 board of directors at the association's annual meeting held recently in Santa Monica, Calif. Nominations were received from the membership at large, and candidates were vetted by the current board before being proposed during the association's 14th annual Annuity Distribution Summit.

By unanimous decision, six new members and two members re-elect will join forces with current leadership to capitalize on significant growth happening in the fixed annuity marketplace, while working to protect and promote the products and professional advice consumers need to retire more securely. The board will also work to strengthen relationships with state and federal lawmakers, including new governor and Congressional appointees, and educate stakeholders about the role of protected lifetime income in retirement planning.

Newly appointed board members include: Jeff Barnes of EquiTrust Life Insurance Company; Emily Cramer of Simplicity Group; Jason Gould of Carlton Fields; Matt Johnson of American Equity; Luke Loewen of Gradient Annuity Brokerage; and Igor Zamkovsky of BlackRock. Tad Fifer of Lincoln Financial Group and Ryan Lex of Ibexis Life & Annuity Insurance Company will each begin serving a second three-year term.

Mike Morrone of Nationwide will assume the role of chairman of the board of directors, taking over for immediate past chair Heather Kane of EquiTrust Life Insurance Company. Kevin Mechtley of North American Company will roll up to vice chair and David Wolfe of Advisors Excel to secretary, while Andrew Payne of CreativeOne was elected to join the executive operating committee as its newly appointed treasurer.

"Amid continued economic and financial uncertainty, consumers are increasingly turning to the safety, predictability and guarantees inherent in fixed and fixed index annuities. NAFA will continue to rely on our three pillars of advocacy, education and integration to underscore the value of these products in helping clients achieve their long-term planning goals," said Chuck DiVencenzo, NAFA president and CEO. "We intend to build on the work we have been doing for the last several years, ensuring uniform adoption of insurance rules and regulations nationwide while ushering in commonsense bipartisan retirement reform at the federal level. We'll also continue championing the celebration of June as National Annuity Awareness Month and diversifying our membership to include more stakeholders who design, distribute, sell and support fixed annuities. This board is representative of that commitment, and I'm thrilled to see what we can accomplish together."

Newly elected members join a board roster that also includes the following current members: Dan Acker of SILAC Insurance Company, Jay Brown of Delaware Life, Wes Gilbreath of Annexus Group, Maureen James of Summit Compliance Group, Brendon Kelly of Ash Brokerage, Paul Kruth of Western & Southern Financial Group, Darcy Matz of Allianz, Brian Peterson of TruChoice Financial Group, Janet Sipes of Amerilife, Tiya Stanley of F&G Life and Annuities, Eric Taylor of Corebridge Financial, Mike Tripses of Annua Profectus and Mark Williams of Brokers International.

On behalf of the NAFA staff, board and membership at large, DiVencenzo recognized the contributions of exiting board members Bruce Donaldson of Simplicity Group Holdings, Jason Krohnke of American Equity, Nate Lucius of Gradient Financial Group, Matt Tarkenton of Tarkenton Financial and Tamiko Toland formerly of CANNEX Financial Exchanges Ltd., who received commemorative plaques in honor of their time and talent.

###

About NAFA

NAFA, the National Association for Fixed Annuities, is the premier trade association exclusively dedicated to fixed annuities. Our mission is to promote the awareness and understanding of fixed annuities. We educate annuity salespeople, regulators, legislators, journalists, and industry personnel about the value of fixed annuities and their benefits to consumers. NAFA's membership represents every aspect of the fixed annuity marketplace covering fixed annuities sold by independent agents, advisors and brokers. NAFA was founded in 1998. For more information, visit www.nafa.com.

Contact Information: Chuck DiVencenzo President & CEO [email protected] 414-332-9306

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TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Noranda Income Fund (TSX: NIF.UN) (the Fund) today issued the following statement setting the record straight regarding comments made on January 10, 2023 by unitholders Riverstyx Capital Management and LM Asset Fund Limited Partnership.

As part of the Funds active and ongoing communications with its unitholders, the Fund values constructive input from unitholders and takes all unitholder views seriously. The recent comments of the activist unitholders distract from the real choice in front of unitholders, which is to either realize immediate and optimal cash value for their units by way of the privatization of the Fund by Glencore Canada Corporation (Glencore) or attempt an uncertain alternative path which would lead to an erosion of value for unitholders coupled with ongoing uncertainty as to the future cash distributions to unitholders.

Every Option Explored

For almost two years now, the Independent Committee of the Board of Trustees of Noranda Operating Trust (the Independent Committee), comprised entirely of Trustees who are independent of both the Fund and Glencore, has been engaged in an extensive and meaningful process to identify and consider any and all alternatives that would allow for the Fund to remain a going concern and deliver value to unitholders, including a sale to parties other than Glencore.

The process began with a robust evaluation by an external consultant of the current state of the Funds performance, including an evaluation of alternative operating structures. Following this, an independent financial advisor was retained to review the Funds financial situation, capital structure and working capital, and then review potential alternatives available to the Fund to address the financial, liquidity and leverage challenges facing its business. Alternatives identified and considered by the Independent Committee during the process included:

the possibility of amendments to commercial agreements,

debt financing for the capital investment requirements necessary to ensure the processing facility is operational over the long term,

the possibility of a sale to a third party,

attempting a financing by way of a rights offering, back-stopped by Glencore, which may be dilutive if unitholders did not fully participate,

a court supervised restructuring under the CCAA, and

the shutdown and closure of the processing facility including costly site rehabilitation followed by a sale of the Funds assets.

Following the extensive review process undertaken by the Independent Committee, none of the above options were deemed viable to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Fund and realize meaningful benefits for unitholders, for reasons including notably the Funds unique structure and the inherent contractual restrictions embedded in the material contracts of the Fund in place since its inception, the Funds highly leveraged capital structure, significant working capital requirements and fluctuations thereof and difficulties generating cash. It is important for unitholders to remember that the Fund only has one asset, with no mines or trading desk to bolster cash flows which is unique in the zinc smelting industry.

Deferral of Processing Facility Investments Not an Option

As previously announced, the Fund is facing pressing capex needs. Capex investments estimated at US$100M in October 2022 are required in order to complete a refurbishment of the cellhouse, including cell and overhead crane replacements, which is necessary to stabilize and improve operating conditions at the processing facility. These investments are not optional and cannot be deferred.

Furthermore, it is noted that the US$100M capital expenditure only reflects necessary, mandatory capital expenditures to ensure continuity of operations at CEZ. In light of the very same challenges that have hampered the Fund in most recent years, including disappearance of predictable local feed, additional material capital expenditures would need to be made if there is any hope of modernizing the facility sufficiently to allow it to succeed going forward.

The Choice in Front of Unitholders

The Independent Committee was confronted with a choice  to recommend the relative certainty of an all-cash privatization or be left with no other option than to attempt a US$100 million rights offering in order to raise the capital necessary to make the required capex investments, as debt financing is not an option due to the Funds capital structure, leverage and cash flow profile. A rights offering would have a potentially dilutive effect on the priority unitholders if such unitholders did not participate and would require US$75M aggregate investment on the part of priority unitholders to maintain pro rata equity holdings.

After a thorough evaluation of the challenges facing the Fund and all of the options available to the Fund in light thereof, the Independent Committee is of the view that the privatization of the Fund by Glencore is the best avenue in order for priority unitholders to realize the best value reasonably available for their units. The sale price has been evaluated, backed by an independent valuation, to be within the range of fair market value of the priority units and two independent fairness opinions indicate that the consideration to be received by the priority unitholders is fair, from a financial point of view, to such unitholders. The Independent Committee therefore recommended to the Board and the Board, with Glencore representative Trustees abstaining, is recommending to priority unitholders that they vote for the privatization of the Fund by Glencore. The special meeting of the Funds unitholders to consider and vote on the proposed privatization is expected to be held on or about February 28, 2023.

The Independent Committee remains convinced that the proposed privatization of the Fund by Glencore is in the best interests of the Fund and its unitholders and is an attractive offer for the Funds priority unitholders in the face of the challenges that remain on the horizon for the Fund.

The Independent Committee remains available to speak with unitholders, including the activists, in order to ensure they are receiving all of the information they need to make an informed choice at the meeting.

Attention Unitholders: If you have questions or want to ensure you receive the latest updates directly to your mobile device please call or text Kingsdale Advisors at 1-888-213-0093. Kingsdale Advisors can also help you by email at [email protected].

Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this press release, including statements regarding the proposed privatization of the Fund by Glencore, profitability prospects of the Fund and prospects for raising capital, the cost of and financing of a full cell and crane replacement and the unitholder meeting, are forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable as of the date of this press release, 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 information, including but not limited to the factors described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the Funds Annual Information Form dated March 30, 2022 for the year ended December 31, 2021 and the Funds other periodic filings available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Fund; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Fund expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

About the Noranda Income FundNoranda Income Fund is an income trust whose priority units trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NIF.UN. Noranda Income Fund owns the electrolytic zinc processing facility and ancillary assets (the Processing Facility) located in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec. The Processing Facility is the second-largest zinc processing facility in North America and the largest zinc processing facility in eastern North America, where the majority of zinc customers are located. It produces refined zinc metal and various by-products from sourced zinc concentrates. The Processing Facility is operated and managed by Canadian Electrolytic Zinc Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Glencore Canada Corporation. Further information about Noranda Income Fund can be found at: www.norandaincomefund.com.

For more information: Andrew SidnellVice President, Special SituationsKingsdale Advisors647-265-4522 [email protected]

Source: Noranda Income Fund
BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PartsBase and PBEXPO 2023  Innovating Aviation announce the all-new Airline Pavilion, a unique and exclusive setting designed to connect aviation industry suppliers with purchasers and key decisionmakers from some of the worlds most recognizable airlines. PBEXPO continues to add airline participation to the 2023 roster.

Airline representatives at PBEXPO 2023 include:

Aerolinas Argentinas

Air Canada

Air Wisconsin

Delta

DHL

Etihad Airways

Jazz

MESA Airlines

Republic Airways

South African Airways

Viva Aerobus

Volotea

PBEXPO 2023 will be held on Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida.

PBEXPO was created with the goal of bringing together buyers and sellers from across the aviation, aerospace, and defense supply chain to expand the virtual community into a live, interactive tradeshow  showcasing innovations that drive the industry forward.

PBEXPO 2023 is free to attend, and online registration is open. Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are still available for a limited time.

To find out more about PBEXPO, please visit: https://bit.ly/pbexpo-press.

About PartsBase:

PartsBase is the worlds most comprehensive network of aviation parts and services. Featuring cutting-edge technologies designed to streamline workflows, the PartsBase database hosts over 15B+ aviation parts with a 99% search success rate. Today, PartsBase is the largest online community of aviation and aerospace businesses and professionals across 200+ countries and territories. Trusted by companies including Gulfstream, Lufthansa, Lockheed Martin, Collins Aerospace, and Delta, youre in good company.

Source: PartsBase, Inc.
Ante la comunidad internacional, la mandataria aseguro que el Peru seguira apostando por el multilateralismo, la vigencia del Estado de derecho y la preservacion de una democracia que atienda las necesidades ciudadanas mas urgentes, en especial de los mas vulnerables. pic.twitter.com/eteN3vMdGj
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ProStar Holdings Inc. (ProStar or the the Company) (OTCQB: MAPPF) (TSXV: MAPS) (FSE: 5D00), a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions, is pleased to announce the City of Weslaco, Texas adopts ProStars solution, PointMan, as its system of record.

With our increased population growth, the demand for new utilities such as fiber optic, and the need for major improvements to our water and sewer systems, it became apparent that we needed to find a more efficient and accurate method for managing our city's assets," stated Alberto Aldana, City Engineer Weslaco. After exploring what solutions could meet our needs, it became quite apparent that PointMan was the best choice.

Weslaco was founded in 1919 and is located at the southern tip of Texas along the Rio Grande and Mexican border. It is home to over 41,000 residents and three nature parks. Weslaco is known for its international trade and thriving agricultural communities.

A large number of the over 50,000 small municipalities in the U.S. still rely on paper map systems to manage their critical assets, including buried utility systems, stated Page Tucker, CEO of ProStar. The digital era is upon us, and we are well positioned to help these small municipalities make the digital transformation with an affordable and easy-to-use cloud and mobile GIS solution.

About Weslaco:Weslaco is a city in Hidalgo County, Texas, and is located at the southern tip of Texas in the Rio Grande Valley near the Mexican border, across the Rio Grande from the city of Nuevo Progreso, Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas. Weslaco derives its name from The W.E. Stewart Land Company and is the hometown of Harlon Block, one of the Marines photographed raising the flag at Iwo Jima. During World War II, sandbag production peaked in Weslaco, and the town declared itself the "sandbagging capital of the world". Weslaco is a dynamic, growing city with easy transportation, plenty of shops, restaurants, and cultural arts.

About ProStar:ProStar is a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions and is creating a digital world by leveraging the most modern GPS, cloud, and mobile technologies. ProStar is a software development company specializing in developing patented cloud and mobile precision mapping solutions focused on the critical infrastructure industry. ProStars flagship product, PointMan, is designed to significantly improve the workflow processes and business practices associated with the lifecycle management of critical infrastructure assets both above and below the Earths surface.

ProStars PointMan is offered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) and seamlessly connects the field with the office and provides the ability to precisely capture, record, display, and manage critical infrastructure, including roads, railways, pipelines, and utilities. Some of the largest entities in North America have adopted ProStars solutions, including Fortune 500 construction firms, Subsurface Utilities Engineering (SUE) firms, utility owners, and government agencies. ProStar has strategic business partnerships with the worlds leading geospatial technology providers, data collection equipment manufacturers, and dealer networks.

The Company has made a significant investment in creating a vast intellectual property portfolio that includes 20 issued patents in the United States and Canada. The patents protect the methods and systems required to digitally capture, record, organize, manage, distribute, and display the precise location of critical infrastructure, including buried utilities and pipelines. ProStars Executive management team has extensive experience in the management of both early-stage and Fortune 500 technology companies in the private and public sectors.

For more information about ProStar, please visit www.prostarcorp.com.

On behalf of the Company,Page Tucker on sales / corporate news releases, CEO and Director

Contact:Joel SutherlandInvestor Relations970-822-4792[email protected]

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Such information includes, without limitation, information regarding the terms and conditions of the Companys future plans. Although the Company 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 actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking information as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to: the state of the financial markets for the Companys securities; the state of the technology sector; recent market volatility; the COVID-19 pandemic; 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 reader is referred to the Companys recent Annual Managements Discussion & Analysis filed on SEDAR on April 14, 2022, for a more complete discussion of applicable risk factors and their potential effects, copies of which may be accessed through the Companys issuer page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Source: ProStar
MIAMI, Jan. 12, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quantum Temple, the Web3 platform dedicated to preserving cultural heritage, has announced $2 million in pre-seed funding led by Borderless Capital, with participation from Algorand Foundation, Outliers Fund, Shima Capital, New Moon Ventures, and NxGen, as well as other strategic angel investors.

Quantum Temple is using blockchain technology and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to preserve cultural heritage and facilitate equitable exchanges between collectors and ancestral communities. With the help of a multidisciplinary team of advisors, Quantum Temple has created a decentralized platform that documents and funds expressions of cultural heritage through digital, physical, and experiential NFTs. By taking on the important task of preserving the knowledge and traditions of at-risk ancestral communities, Quantum Temple is helping to ensure that these cultural expressions are not lost due to inequitable wealth distribution, conflict, and forced migration.

The creation and exchange of NFTs enable new revenue streams for local artists and cultural keepers by co-creating and distributing physical and digital artifacts that preserve their cultural heritage on the blockchain and drive regenerative funding for their communities. It incentivizes younger generations to stay involved in their family traditions, protect their cultural heritage, and raise awareness, transparently distributing NFT royalties directly to the cultural keepers in perpetuity.

Quantum Temple is truly based on a multi-disciplinary alliance between culture keepers, government institutions, civil society, curatorial anthropologists and content creators to tokenize tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The initial board of advisors includes:

J. Stephen Lansing is an American anthropologist, external professor at the Santa Fe Institute and the Complexity Science Hub Vienna; a visiting scholar at the Hoffman Global Institute for Business and Society at INSEAD Singapore, and emeritus professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona. He is especially known from his decades of research on the emergent properties of human-environmental interactions in Bali, Borneo and the Malay Archipelago; social-ecological modeling, and complex adaptive system;

Vibeke Sorensen is an artist and professor working in digital multimedia. Her research at CASBS will include explorations of musical and calendrical polyrhythms from Bali to Kauai using digital media, and on the emergence of Jungian archetypes from dream networks;

Eva Maria Duringer Cavalli is an Austrian fashion designer, former Creative Director for Roberto Cavalli and Miss Austria title holder;

Dr Mario Hardy Ex-CEO of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). PATA is the largest non-profit, non-political organization in the field of travel and tourism;

Alexandra de Royere is a senior business advisor and Harvard Business school senior researcher with over 30 years experience in developing sustainable luxury and fashion brands. She is a collector and advocate for modern art, member of the international foundation ArteBA and Tokyo Art Club.

Quantum Temple is using blockchain technology not only to enrich our collective understanding and appreciation of cultural heritage, it also generates revenue for artists and artisans who are stewards of precious cultural resources. This represents the promise of Web 3 technology: Benefitting the many and not just the few commented Matt Keller, Director of Impact & Inclusion at Algorand Foundation.

Quantum Temple is one of the very few Web3 projects that create social innovation and social impact at a global scale, commented Poseidon Ho, Founding Partner of Outliers Fund and early investor of Quantum Temple.

Were committed to building a transparent and regenerative funding model to preserve cultural heritage. Were committed to using blockchain as regenerative finance infrastructure to allow a new transparent and equitable funding model to preserve cultural heritage and positively impact ancestral communities working in the sector. said Linda Adami, CEO of Quantum Temple. To achieve our mission, were connecting philanthropists and culture patrons who are committed to protecting cultural heritage and its role in maintaining our collective identity, beliefs, and purpose.

Philanthropists, pioneers, and conscious travelers can become founding members of the Quantum Temple community through the Cosmic Egg Membership NFT with an Impact Fund to drive Web3 inclusion and culture heritage preservation for ancestral communities. To be followed by multiple series of NFT collections for cultural heritage, artifacts and experiences. For more information about Quantum Temple and Cosmic Egg Memberships, please visit quantumtemple.xyz

About Quantum TempleQuantum Temple is the Web3 platform preserving cultural heritage. Our platform enables equitable exchanges between conscious collectors and ancestral communities to protect and share knowledge, traditions, and art forms of cultures around the world in perpetuity through blockchain technology. For more information visit quantumtemple.xyz. For updates, follow Quantum Temple on Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, TikTok and Medium.

About BorderlessBorderless Capital is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investing in web3 and crypto. With a portfolio of over 200 investments, Borderless has offices in Miami, Orlando, Denver, Madrid, New Delhi and Mumbai. The firm is actively making new investments out of a family of funds across EdgeFi, Algorand, and xChain Funds. Borderless has launched global accelerators across five continents and has a strong commitment to actively work with and support founders. The firm was founded by Arul Murugan and David Garcia, serial entrepreneurs turned VC investors. https://www.borderlesscapital.io/

About Algorand FoundationThe Algorand Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling the global promise of blockchain technology by leveraging the Algorand protocol and open source software, which was initially designed by Silvio Micali and a team of leading scientists. Learn more at www.algorand.foundation.

About Outliers FundOutliers Fund was founded by research scientists, angel investors and venture builders from MIT in 2016. Outliers Fund I (2016-2018) / Outliers Fund II (2018-2021) returned 16x / 11x respectively. Outliers Lab has incubated 10 Web3 startups with $100M+ raised collectively, three being acquired and two filing IPO. Outliers Fund III (2022-2026) has been deployed on Ethereum through Syndicate for all benefits of a venture DAO, while maintaining the legitimate structure of GP / LP. Outliers Fund was known for investing through scientific research and collective intelligence with its 100+ community members.

For press inquiries, please contact Katy Wagner at [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0648a885-d4fe-4ec2-a547-52967ede9b8b

Quantum Temple Image Bali is one of the first ancestral communities to benefit from Quantum Temples model for the preservation of heritage for future generations through Web3.

Source: Quantum Temple, Inc.
FILE PHOTO: A Wendy's sign and logo are shown at one of the company's restaurant in Encinitas, California May 10, 2016 . REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

(Reuters) -Trian Fund Management, run by activist investor Nelson Peltz, said on Friday it will not pursue a takeover of Wendy's Co, months after the company's largest shareholder said it was considering a potential bid for the burger chain.

Shares of Wendy's, which had fallen about 5% in 2022, were down about 1% in premarket trading.

Trian said in May last year it was exploring taking over Wendy's, either on its own or with others, almost two decades after Peltz invested in the company.

On Friday, Wendy's separately announced a new $500 million share buyback plan and doubled its quarterly dividend to 25 cents per share.

The hedge fund in a filing said the company's move to return additional capital to shareholders through share repurchases and increased cash dividends "was the appropriate path to enhance shareholder value at this time."

The firm added it believes Wendy's is well positioned to deliver significant long-term value for shareholders.

Wendy's said in an emailed statement to Reuters that it looks forward to continuing its partnership with Trian and "are pleased with Trian's confidence in our growth strategy."

The company has had a long history with Peltz and Trian after the firm first invested in Wendy's in 2005 and began pushing for changes in late 2008.

According to a latest regulatory filing, Peltz, along with Trian and affiliates, owns a 19.35% stake in Wendy's.

Peltz on Thursday also formally launched a battle for a board seat at Walt Disney Co, seen as a serious challenge to Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger, who recently returned from retirement to lead the company for a second time.

(Reporting by Ananya Mariam Rajesh in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza and Shailesh Kuber)
Renewable energy facilities developer Vision Energy Corporation is dedicated to developing green and low-carbon fuel resources, with current focus on construction of multiple hydrogen production-via-electrolysis facilities in Europe

The company announced a cooperative agreement last month with global industrial gases and engineering company Linde Engineering to initiate design of a planned green energy terminal site in the Netherlands

Vision Energy announced this month that the agreement is expanding to accelerate the development of the site for the storage of ammonia/LPG and other green and renewable products

A final investment decision (FID) is expected by Q3 of next year on the project, which would be Northwestern Europes first import, storage, and handling terminal designed exclusively for hydrogen carriers, renewable energy products, and low-carbon fuels

Green and low-carbon fuel asset developer Vision Energy (OTCQB: VENG) announced recently that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Linde Engineering, a leading global industrial gases and engineering company, to expand their collaboration on services associated with designing and operating clean energy infrastructure in Northwestern Europe.

Vision Energys wholly owned subsidiary, Evolution Terminals BV, partnered with Linde last month for preliminary Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) services for Visions

Read More>>

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to VENG are available in the companys newsroom at https://ibn.fm/VENG

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At the 2023 World Economic Forum, WIR Group and Eiger, together with the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, will promote the adoption of interactive technology in the Indonesian retail sector.

Jakarta, Indonesia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - PT WIR Asia Tbk (WIR Group) - a leading technology-based company in Southeast Asia for augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence - together with the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, has been selected for the fourth time to participate in the 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) to be held in Davos from the 16th - 20th January, 2023. On this occasion, WIR Group will collaborate with PT Eigerindo Multi Produk Industri, a company that oversees the EIGER Adventure brand, an Indonesian outdoor equipment provider that will soon open its first offline store in Switzerland.





During the media briefing (1/10), WIR Group and Eiger expressed their excitement in exploring interactive technology within the scope of the Indonesian retail sector.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8907/151237_3ad177e21448a9c7_001full.jpg

At WEF 2023, WIR Group and EIGER will showcase prototypes of future interactive technology adaptations. This technology allows users to interact with digital content in a more immersive and realistic manner, using gestures, voice commands, and other forms of input.

The Ministry of Investment/BKPM once again invites WIR Group to collaborate on the Indonesia Pavilion as a side event at WEF, an event initiated by the Indonesian government in collaboration with KADIN in Davos 2023, as this local and national company has global competitive value that is able to build a foundation for various sectors to adopt digital technology. "We have confidence in WIR Group as a technology developer and also a reliable partner to be an example of Indonesia's success in high-tech development," said Nurul Ichwan, Deputy for Investment Promotion, Ministry of Investment/BKPM.

At this annual event, WIR Group's presence is expected to support activities in the Indonesia Pavilion. "The Indonesian government is promoting the development of digital economy which is represented in the collaboration between government and business owners in the Indonesia Pavilion. In WEF Davos 2023, WIR Group and EIGER are pushing for the acceleration of the digital economy and supporting the implementation of strategic plans for developing the digital economy ecosystem in Indonesia," added Nurul Ichwan, Deputy for Investment Promotion, Ministry of Investment/BKPM.

"We feel honored to be trusted again to fill the Indonesia Pavilion at the WEF 2023, once again we will show the world the strength of digital technology development and the prospect of digital transformation in Indonesia, including by showcasing snippets of interactive technology and its application to all industries, especially retail," cheered Gupta Sitorus, Chief Sales and Marketing of WIR Group.

This year, WIR Group highlights the theme of, "The Future of Interactivity." The presence of this interactive technology allows users to interact with digital content in a more natural, intuitive and immersive way.

"Interactivity is an important aspect of modern technology, and it seems it will continue to be so in the future. As technology advances, we may see more and more devices and interactive systems that are able to respond to human input in a more natural and intuitive way, like approaches to technology and significant advancements in interactivity including virtual and augmented reality as well as other interactivity," added Gupta.

Christian H. Sarsono, CEO of PT Eigerindo Multi Produk Industri, explained that EIGER's presence at the World Economic Forum 2023 in Davos is a global leap for EIGER as well as a move towards digital transformation as advocated by the government across all industries.

"EIGER welcomes the efforts to develop digital technology adoption in the retail industry. This is embodied by EIGER by joining the multinational event at the World Economic Forum 2023," said Christian.

EIGER's presence at WEF 2023 is also a step in preparation towards opening its first store in Switzerland.

"The EIGER name is inspired by the name of a mountain in Switzerland, Mount Eiger. We were also inspired by the high standards of quality that are part of the Swiss lifestyle. Jumping off of that, EIGER's step to open a store in Switzerland will push us to continue to create high quality products," said Riadi Suwarno, Marketing General Manager of PT Eigerindo MPI. Riadi added that at the WEF 2023 event, EIGER will introduce its offline store in Switzerland and will officially open in March 2023.

Subsequently, at the peak of the WEF 2023 event in Davos, the Ministry of Investment/BKPM in collaboration with WIR Group and EIGER will showcase efforts in the adoption of future interactive technology.

Digital Experience General Manager of PT Eigerindo MPI, Jason Wuysang explained that EIGER is currently developing a new division, the Digital Experience, as one way to adapt to technological advancements, with the intention that EIGER can provide the best experience for consumers. One of the initiatives currently being developed is the utilization of Web 3.0 technology.

"We appreciate the collaboration with WIR Group in Davos as one of the steps towards digital transformation that EIGER has taken. Hopefully, we can reach a wider global market through digital interactive technology, so that we can provide the best experience for Eigerians (consumers) wherever they are," uttered Jason.

WIR Group is constantly striving to collaborate with various parties to develop the national digital ecosystem and support the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia in realizing inclusive, empowering, and sustainable digital transformation.

About PT Eigerindo Multi Produk Industri

PT Eigerindo MPI is a company that oversees the EIGER Adventure brand, an Indonesian provider of outdoor equipment that has supported outdoor enthusiasts since 1989. Focusing on "Tropical Adventure," EIGER Adventure offers 3 main activity categories that include various outdoor activities, namely EIGER Mountaineering, EIGER Riding, and EIGER 1989.

Currently, EIGER Adventure already has more than 7 flagship stores and 215 stores in 27 provinces throughout Indonesia. In 2023, inspired by Mount Eiger and the high quality standards of Switzerland, EIGER Adventure will open its first global store in Switzerland. EIGER Adventure is also now available through various online marketplace platforms and on their website www.eigeradventure.com

About WIR Asia

WIR Group is a company group based on the immersive technologies augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) in Southeast Asia that has built solutions for foreign industries. In carrying out its business activities, WIR Group has a vision to provide a 'smart society' solution and the world of O2O (Online to Offline) metaverse for everyone in entering the web 3.0 era.

Since 2009, with its 'Software As A Service' (SAAS)-based software, WIR Group has completed thousands of projects and served clients in more than 20 countries including the United States, Spain, Nigeria, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar and many others. In addition, WIR Group has also received numerous international recognitions including the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2022, German Design Award 2020, AR Best Campaign in the annual Auggie Awards at the Augmented World Expo 2015 and 2016 in Silicon Valley, Innovation 40 Companies awarded by a British media outlet at the London Stock Exchange Studio, featured as one of Metaverse Tech Companies to Watch in 2022 according to Forbes Georgia, and represented the technology sector in the Indonesian contingent for SXSW Texas in 2017 and the World Economic Forum in 2019, 2020 and 2022.

The Company and its Subsidiaries ("WIR Group") has completed numerous projects in the field of education, retail, media and gaming. In 2015, WIR Group expanded its scope to offer media/advertising services through its technology unit DAV and retail trade service through Mindstores in 2016. In 2019, the Company established Minar technology unit through PT Mata Nilai Republik to develop AR geolocation-based gaming. On April 4, 2022, PT WIR Asia Tbk officially listed its shares on the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) under ticker symbol WIRG.

For further information please contact:

Kurniati

Head of Communication, PT WIR Asia Tbk

Phone: (021) 5367 8064

Fax: (021) 5367 4611

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Website: www.wir.group

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151237
Europe's premier mining investment event comes to Miami

Mines and Money Miami Event listing:

" February 23rd & 24th, 2023

" James L. Knight Center, Miami, FL

" www.minesandmoney.com/miami

Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2023) - Mines and Money Miami is pleased to bring Europe's premier mining investment event to Miami in February 2023.

For more than 20 years, Mines and Money has introduced tens of thousands of investors to 2,000+ publicly traded companies via live and interactive executive management presentations.

In May of 2021, Mines and Money Connect was launched as Europe's newest mining investment event to welcome investors, miners and financiers in a business focused event, with the core goal of connecting mining investments and deal-making.

In February of 2023, Mines and Money Miami will welcome investors, mining corporates and financiers to a wholly business focused event, with the same core goal - that of developing and fostering mining investments and deal-making, bringing attendees together to participate in hundreds of lucrative meetings and two invaluable networking days.

Combining the advantages of a relevant agenda with a packed meeting and networking arena, a tried and trusted meeting planner and a social networking agenda, this event attracts qualified institutional and professional investors actively looking to find investment partners.

60 mining companies: Access 60 mining company CEOs, from a range of ASX, TSX, NYSE and private companies





250 investors: Access 250 investors from across EMEA & North America attending and actively seeking meetings with mining companies that interest them





Concierge support: The Mines and Money Miami concierge team will plan your agenda for you, scheduling pre-arranged meetings for you with the mining corporates most relevant to you or your firm both pre-event and onsite to ensure your meeting schedules run smoothly





Pre-booked meetings between mining companies and qualified EMEA & US based investors

Mines and Money Miami is designed to give investors, brokers and fund managers a better understanding of current investment opportunities in mining.

Whether you are an investor looking for exciting new projects, or a mining company hoping to raise capital and make new connections, this is a must-attend for investors and participants in the global mining industry.

Quick reference links and information

Dates: February 23rd & 24th, 2023

Location: James L. Knight Center, Miami, FL

Website: www.minesandmoney.com/miami

Ticket Link: https://minesandmoney.com/americas/register

Phone +61 3 9008 5946

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3139641/admin/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinesAndMoney

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MinesandMoney

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/minesandmoney

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151191
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 12, 2023) - Wedgemount Resources Corp. (CSE: WDGY) (OTCQB: WDGRF) ("Wedgemount" or the "Company"), announces that it has completed the first of three payments in connection with the definitive agreement (the "Transaction") to acquire certain West Texas, Permian Basin, oil and gas production assets (the "Project") (announced December 19, 2022).

The Company completed a payment to the arm's length vendors of US$250,000 with additional payments of US$500,000 (on or before February 28, 2023) and US$750,000 (on or before March 31, 2023) scheduled to meet closing conditions of the Transaction.

On closing of the Transaction, the vendors will relinquish operators status and transfer title to the leases and ownership of related surface facilities and equipment to the Company's wholly owned Texas subsidiary, Wedgemount Texas Corp. ("WTC"). Concurrent with closing, WTC will have earned a 100% working interest in the leases comprising the Project subject to underlying royalties averaging 19%.

Conditional to closing, WTC will be credited by the vendors with an amount equal to the net oil and gas revenue from the Project for the period commencing January 1, 2023 and up to the date of closing of the Transaction (the "Interim Period") which amount will be reconciled by vendor via a settlement statement rendered within 60-days of closing of the Transaction. During the Interim Period, the vendor will conduct operations at the direction of WTC. WTC is responsible for oil and gas production taxes as well as property taxes during the Interim Period.

Separately, the Company determined that it would not proceed with its option on the red claims located in north central British Columbia (the "Cookie Property"). The Company completed exploration work on the claims comprising the Cookie Property in 2021 after which it determined not to proceed further. The Company continues to hold mineral claims comprising greater than 10,000 hectares in the vicinity of the Cookie Property.

About Wedgemount Resources Corp.

Wedgemount Resources is a junior natural resources company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, discovery and advancement of natural resource projects in North America.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

WEDGEMOUNT RESOURCES CORP.

Mark Vanry, President and CEO

For more information, please contact the Company at:

Telephone: (604) 343-4743

[email protected]

www.wedgemountresources.com

Reader Advisory

This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements made in this news release include the anticipated completion of the acquisition and the proposed timing of thereof, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, the potential for gas production and production from additional zones on the Project, and potential additional acquisition opportunities in the area of the Project. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, availability of funds, personnel and other resources necessary to conduct exploration or development programs, successes of the Company's exploration efforts, availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/151215
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 13, 2023) - ZEB Nickel Corp. (TSXV: ZBNI) (OTCQB: ZBNIF) ("Zeb" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that Mr. Alex Spiro and Mr. Anthony James Nieuwenhuys have been appointed to the Zeb Nickel Corp Board of Directors.

Mr. Nieuwenhuys joins the Zeb Board of Directors as Non-executive Chairman, and Mr. Spiro joins the board as a Director.

Mr. Nieuwenhuys has previously held several senior positions, and is currently Chief Executive Officer at Eurasia Mining PLC, a PGM and battery metals company, listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), focussed on Russian PGE and battery metals assets. Mr. Nieuwenhuys was the Chief Operating Officer at Polyus Gold, Russia's largest gold miner; and formerly the Chief Executive Officer at South African Lesego Platinum Mining Limited. James has an engineering background and has also held senior executive positions at a number of EPC organisations, including SNC Lavalin and Bateman Diamonds.

Mr. Nieuwenhuys has significant experience in greenfield and brownfield exploration projects and transitioning these projects into world-class mines, and in his role as Non-executive Chairman, Mr. Nieuwenhuys will be instrumental in advancing the Zeb Project.

Mr. Spiro is a well-known litigator and successful investor. Mr. Spiro has been a partner at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP since October 2017. Prior to that, Mr. Spiro had been an attorney at Brafman and Associates in New York City since July 2013. Mr. Spiro is a former prosecutor and the former coordinator of an autism children's program at McLean Hospital, Harvard's psychiatric hospital. Mr. Spiro is a graduate of Harvard Law School where he continues to teach. He has lectured and written on a variety of subjects related to psychology and the law. Mr. Spiro serves as a board member and strategic advisor to a number of public and private companies. Mr. Spiro serves as the Chairman of Glassbridge Enterprises. We believe Mr. Spiro is qualified to serve on our Board of Directors because of his significant analytical and overall business leadership skills.

Mr. Greg Mckenzie and Mr. Anton Drescher have resigned from the Zeb Board of Directors. The Company thanks Mr. Drescher and Mr. Mackenzie for their valued contribution towards the Company, and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

Wayne Isaacs, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Zeb Nickel, commented: "We believe that the appointment of both Mr. Nieuwenhuys and Mr. Spiro to the Board will assist in the Company in rapidly advancing the Zeb Project towards production. Mr. Nieuwenhuys' experience in mine development, combined with Mr. Spiro's leadership and management skills, adds an enormous amount of value to the Company."

About the Company and Project

Zeb Nickel Corp is focused on exploring for and developing world-class mineral deposits, with a focus on metals that are critical in the production of rechargeable batteries, such as nickel, graphite, lithium, cobalt, manganese, copper and aluminum. The Company is currently focused on developing its flagship Zeb Nickel Project, located in Limpopo, South Africa. The Zeb Nickel Project is a developing Class 1 nickel sulfide project strategically located in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. The Zeb Project Contains a historical NI 43-101 compliant resource over 3.9 million tons of contained sulfide nickel, ranking it number 8 in the global top ten nickel sulfide resources (Mudd, G. M., & Jowitt, S. M. (2014). A detailed assessment of global nickel resource and trends and endowments. Economic Geology, 109(7), 1813-1841).

For further information, please visit http://www.zebnickel.com/ or contact:

Zeb Nickel Corp.

Wayne Isaacs

(Chief Executive Officer)

email: [email protected]

phone: +1 416 628 3100

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information that may constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, drill results relating to the Zeb Project, the potential thereof, timing of economic studies and mineral resource estimates, the ability to classify the historical resource as a current mineral resource, the ability to sell marketable materials, strategic plans, including future exploration and development results, and corporate and technical objectives. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of 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 information. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities (known and unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals, and the impact of COVID-19 related disruptions in relation to the Company's business operations including upon its employees, suppliers, facilities and other stakeholders. 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 information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/151261
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Blockchain Capital, LLC announced the promotion of Kinjal Shah to the role of General Partner. Since joining Blockchain Capital in 2018, Kinjal has become a key investment team member, leading the firm's research content strategy and working closely with founders to offer post-investment support.

During her time at Blockchain Capital, she has played an integral role in the growth of the firm and has made a number of successful investments. Kinjal co-led the seed funding round of Opensea, the first and largest marketplace for non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and led the funding round of Upshot, an NFT analytics platform. She also created the firm's Research Scholar Program, where college-age candidates have the ability to work closely with the investment team to develop a deep understanding of blockchain technology and venture capital.

"In her five years at the firm, Kinjal has consistently demonstrated her commitment to bringing value to our founders," said Bart Stephens, Founder and Managing Partner of Blockchain Capital. "Her technical depth and expertise in the blockchain industry, along with her track record of investments, have made her an invaluable member of our team. We couldn't be prouder to continue growing alongside Kinjal as a General Partner."

As General Partner, Kinjal will be responsible for driving the overall strategy and direction of the firm, as well as leading the due diligence process and working closely with portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Blockchain Capital, Kinjal was a Senior Consulting Analyst at Fidelity Investments and holds a B.S. in Quantitative Economics from Tufts University.

About Blockchain Capital, LLC

Based in San Francisco, Blockchain Capital is one of the first dedicated venture capital firms to invest exclusively in the blockchain technology sector. Founded in 2013 by Bart and Brad Stephens, Blockchain Capital has funded over 170 startups and is dedicated to working with founders on the principal mission to build world-class companies and projects based on blockchain technology.

CONTACT: [email protected], 415-677-5340

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blockchain-capital-announces-promotion-of-kinjal-shah-to-general-partner-301718483.html

SOURCE Blockchain Capital
LONDON and TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Alphawave IP Group plc (LSE: AWE) ("Alphawave", the "Company"), today will host its inaugural Capital Markets Day for investors and financial analysts in London. At the event, the management team will present the Company's long-term business strategy and financial targets as it enters the next stage of technology leadership in connectivity for digital infrastructure markets. The company also announced a rebrand of its corporate identity, including a new logo, updated visual brand elements, and a new company brand: Alphawave Semi.

Following a period of investment into the expansion of the team and capabilities in alignment with the goals outlined during the Company's IPO in 2021, Alphawave plans to create long-term shareholder value by:

Extending and expanding its technology leadership in connectivity silicon technology;

Transforming into a vertically integrated semiconductor company by further monetising its IP through business opportunities in custom silicon and other connectivity products;

Addressing more of the customer's connectivity needs in high-growth digital infrastructure markets, including data centers. Alphawave estimates its addressable market will grow at 20% CAGR over the period 2023-2026; and

Maintaining a disciplined capital allocation and a strong focus on improving operational efficiency over the next two years.

Despite the uncertain macroeconomic environment, our growing pipeline reflects positive secular growth trends in data infrastructure markets and the continued investment in next generation connectivity solutions. This combined with our talented team and strong balance sheet gives us confidence in our future.

For the full year 2023, Alphawave expects to maintain its high-growth trajectory while completing the integration of the recent acquisitions. The Company expects for the FY 2023:

Revenue within a range of US$340m to US$360m

Adjusted EBITDA of approximately US$87m at the mid-point of the revenue guidance range, representing an adjusted EBITDA margin of c.25%

By FY2025, Alphawave targets operating within the following financial model:

Revenue CAGR in line with its addressable market of approximately 20%, representing approximately US$500m revenue run rate by 2025

Gross margin of c.60%

Adjusted operating expenses as a percentage of revenue of c.30%

Adjusted EBITDA margin of c.30%, representing approximately US$150m adjusted EBITDA1

1 Calculated based on US$500m revenue

Tony Pialis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alphawave said: "We are building a leading connectivity business on the foundations of our high-performance IP. Our focus is on executing our vision with an expanded connectivity portfolio addressing more of our customers' connectivity needs. With a team of almost 700 employees, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and the long-term potential of the business."

John Lofton Holt, Executive Chairman of Alphawave, added: "Today we announced a new brand for our company, Alphawave Semi, which reflects our ambition since IPO  to build the leading vertically-integrated semiconductor company focused on connectivity solutions. We are committed to generating shareholder value and we are confident that all of our stakeholders will be rewarded as we successfully execute our long-term strategy and continue to deliver for our customers."

Capital Markets Day

The Company is today hosting its first Capital Markets Day in London.

Live Broadcast

The event will be broadcast live from 09:00 am GMT via:https://www.lsegissuerservices.com/spark/ALPHAWAVEIPGROUP/events/7aadd13f-2514-47e1-8281-baced5bae5e8

A recording of the event will also be available to view in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website Results, Reports & Presentations - Alphawave Semi

About Alphawave Semi

Alphawave Semi is a global leader in high-speed connectivity for the world's technology infrastructure. Faced with the exponential growth of data, Alphawave Semi's technology services a critical need: enabling data to travel faster, more reliably and with higher performance at lower power. We are a vertically integrated semiconductor company, and our IP, custom silicon, and connectivity products are deployed by global tier-one customers in data centers, compute, networking, AI, 5G, autonomous vehicles, and storage. Founded in 2017 by an expert technical team with a proven track record in licensing semiconductor IP, our mission is to accelerate the critical data infrastructure at the heart of our digital world. To find out more about Alphawave Semi, visit: awavesemi.com

Alphawave Semi and the Alphawave Semi logo are trademarks of Alphawave IP Group plc. All rights reserved.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This document may contain forward-looking statements which are made in good faith and are based on current expectations or beliefs, as well as assumptions about future events. You can sometimes, but not always, identify these statements by the use of a date in the future or such words as "will", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "project", "intend", "plan", "should", "may", "assume" and other similar words. By their nature, forward-looking statements are inherently predictive and speculative and involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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SOURCE Alphawave IP Group Plc
Many changes to the genomes of early humans had opposing effects from each other, possibly because of a delicate balance between improved cognition and psychiatric disease risk

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Humans and chimpanzees differ in only one percent of their DNA. Human accelerated regions (HARs) are parts of the genome with an unexpected amount of these differences. HARs were stable in mammals for millennia but quickly changed in early humans. Scientists have long wondered why these bits of DNA changed so much, and how the variations set humans apart from other primates.

Now, researchers at Gladstone Institutes have analyzed thousands of human and chimpanzee HARs and discovered that many of the changes that accumulated during human evolution had opposing effects from each other.

"This helps answer a longstanding question about why HARs evolved so quickly after being frozen for millions of years," says Katie Pollard, PhD, director of the Gladstone Institute of Data Science and Biotechnology and lead author of the new study published today in Neuron. "An initial variation in a HAR might have turned up its activity too much, and then it needed to be turned down."

The findings, she says, have implications for understanding human evolution. In additionbecause she and her team discovered that many HARs play roles in brain developmentthe study suggests that variations in human HARs could predispose people to psychiatric disease.

"These results required cutting-edge machine learning tools to integrate dozens of novel datasets generated by our team, providing a new lens to examine the evolution of HAR variants," says Sean Whalen, PhD, first author of the study and senior staff research scientist in Pollard's lab.

Enabled by Machine Learning

Pollard discovered HARs in 2006 when comparing the human and chimpanzee genomes. While these stretches of DNA are nearly identical among all humans, they differ between humans and other mammals. Pollard's lab went on to show that the vast majority of HARs are not genes, but enhancers regulatory regions of the genome that control the activity of genes.

More recently, Pollard's group wanted to study how human HARs differ from chimpanzee HARs in their enhancer function. In the past, this would have required testing HARs one at a time in mice, using a system that stains tissues when a HAR is active.

Instead, Whalen input hundreds of known human brain enhancers, and hundreds of other non-enhancer sequences, into a computer program so that it could identify patterns that predicted whether any given stretch of DNA was an enhancer. Then he used the model to predict that a third of HARs control brain development.

"Basically, the computer was able to learn the signatures of brain enhancers," says Whalen.

Knowing that each HAR has multiple differences between humans and chimpanzees, Pollard and her team questioned how individual variants in a HAR impacted its enhancer strength. For instance, if eight nucleotides of DNA differed between a chimpanzee and human HAR, did all eight have the same effect, either making the enhancer stronger or weaker?

"We've wondered for a long time if all the variants in HARs were required for it to function differently in humans, or if some changes were just hitchhiking along for the ride with more important ones," says Pollard, who is also chief of the division of bioinformatics in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UC San Francisco (UCSF), as well as a Chan Zuckerberg Biohub investigator.

To test this, Whalen applied a second machine learning model, which was originally designed to determine if DNA differences from person to person affect enhancer activity. The computer predicted that 43 percent of HARs contain two or more variants with large opposing effects: some variants in a given HAR made it a stronger enhancer, while other changes made the HAR a weaker enhancer.

This result surprised the team, who had expected that all changes would push the enhancer in the same direction, or that some "hitchhiker" changes would have no impact on the enhancer at all.

Measuring HAR Strength

To validate this compelling prediction, Pollard collaborated with the laboratories of Nadav Ahituv, PhD, and Alex Pollen, PhD, at UCSF. The researchers fused each HAR to a small DNA barcode. Each time a HAR was active, enhancing the expression of a gene, the barcode was transcribed into a piece of RNA. Then, the researchers used RNA sequencing technology to analyze how much of that barcode was present in any cellindicating how active the HAR had been in that cell.

"This method is much more quantitative because we have exact barcode counts instead of microscopy images," says Ahituv. "It's also much higher throughput; we can look at hundreds of HARs in a single experiment."

When the group carried out their lab experiments on over 700 HARs in precursors to human and chimpanzee brain cells, the data mimicked what the machine learning algorithms had predicted.

"We might not have discovered human HAR variants with opposing effects at all if the machine learning model hadn't produced these startling predictions," said Pollard.

Implications for Understanding Psychiatric Disease

The idea that HAR variants played tug-of-war over enhancer levels fits in well with a theory that has already been proposed about human evolution: that the advanced cognition in our species is also what has given us psychiatric diseases.

"What this kind of pattern indicates is something called compensatory evolution," says Pollard. "A large change was made in an enhancer, but maybe it was too much and led to harmful side effects, so the change was tuned back down over timethat's why we see opposing effects."

If initial changes to HARs led to increased cognition, perhaps subsequent compensatory changes helped tune back down the risk of psychiatric diseases, Pollard speculates. Her data, she adds, can't directly prove or disprove that idea. But in the future, a better understanding of how HARs contribute to psychiatric disease could not only shed light on evolution, but on new treatments for these diseases.

"We can never wind the clock back and know exactly what happened in evolution," says Pollard. "But we can use all these scientific techniques to simulate what might have happened and identify which DNA changes are most likely to explain unique aspects of the human brain, including its propensity for psychiatric disease."

About the Study

The paper "Machine learning dissection of human accelerated regions in primate neurodevelopment," was published in the journal Neuron on January 13, 2023.

Other authors are Kathleen Keough, Alex Williams, Md. Abu Hassan Samee, and Sean Thomas of Gladstone; Fumitaka Inoue, Hane Ryu, Tyler Fair, Eirene Markenscoff-Papadimitrious, Beatriz Alvarado, Orry Elor, Dianne Laboy Cintron, Erik Ullian, Arnold Kriegstein, and John Rubenstein of UC San Francisco; Martin Kircher, Beth Martin, and Jay Shendure of University of Washington; and Robert Krencik of Houston Methodist Research Institute.

The work was supported by the Schmidt Futures Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (DP2MH122400-01, R35NS097305, FHG011569A, R01MH109907, U01MH116438, UM1HG009408, UM1HG011966, 2R01NS099099).

About Gladstone Institutes

To ensure our work does the greatest good, Gladstone Institutes focuses on conditions with profound medical, economic, and social impactunsolved diseases. Gladstone is an independent, nonprofit life science research organization that uses visionary science and technology to overcome disease. It has an academic affiliation with the University of California, San Francisco.

Media Contact: Julie Langelier | Associate Director, Communications | [email protected] | 415.734.50001650 Owens Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 | gladstone.org | @GladstoneInst

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SOURCE Gladstone Institutes
In its second year, Female Disruptors has added MBA Scholarships, FREE ticket options, and internationally recognized female disruptor Sandy Carter to keynote speakers.

ORLANDO, Fla., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Female Disruptors is leveling the playing fields for women with its Unstoppable 2nd Annual Virtual Summit to be held on January 18, 2023 (https://female-disruptors-virtual-summit-2022.heysummit.com/).

This 2023 program features exclusive added benefits, including a chance for attendees to win four MBA scholarship opportunities from Ducere Business School, a world-class global business school.

The Female Disruptors UNSTOPPABLE event features

30+ influential and diverse women from GENZ to Boomers

35+ talks on relevant topics curated to help the future of females be unstoppable .

. All Access Passes are available to purchase online for $299 - including all recordings and exclusive benefits.

A limited FREE track.

Underlines Higher Education for Women

This one-of-a-kind female-founded and focused event brings education to the forefront by offering scholarships to women attendees, crypto domains, free premium sessions, and top panels in every sector of business, from crypto to health/wellness.

"Female Disruptors is a global brand dedicated to creating equitable and inclusive opportunities for women through education, empowerment, and inspiration," said Female Disruptors' Founder, PR Entrepreneur and Author Lisa Buyer.

"Our goal is to reach one million women this year and make our content more accessible. We could not do it without sponsors and partners, with special gratitude to Ducere Business School and partners. With their support, we can offer more women the opportunity for inclusion in our events without income barriers," continued Buyer.

Other sponsors include Goat Social Media, Social Media Pros

Female Disruptors UNSTOPPABLE categories include:

"F" is for FEMINISM Diversity, Equity, and InclusionHER STATE Mental health and wellnessSHE MEANS BUSINESS in MarCom - Digital Marketing, PR, and Social MediaGROW GIRL - Empower and TransformSHE CEO - Leadership is Your LOVE LanguageGOLD DIGGER - Women, Law, and MoneyTECH QUEENS - Web3, Metaverse, NFTs, and Beyond

Sandy Carter Joins Female Disruptors as Keynote Speaker

From TEDx, SXSW, CES, and now Female Disruptors, internationally bejeweled Senior VP & Channel Chief at Unstoppable Domains and founder of Women in Web3, Sandy Carter, is joining the Web3 keynote roster.

Limited FREE Ticket Option Gives More Women a Chance to Participate

Signing up for the Female Disruptors FREEmium experience offers access to Sandy Carter's keynote plus the SHE Means Business Track highlighting disruption in digital marketing, public relations, and social media.

About Ducere Global Business School

Ducere Global Business School is a recognized leader in universityenterprise collaborations to design and deliver degrees that have real career impact. Ducere partners with major universities across four continents, global corporations, government departments, NGOs, and as a member of the AACSB, Clinton Foundation, United Nations, and various global chambers. Ensuring that programs are current, relevant, and industry connections.

Ducere has a mission of both business and philanthropy and has funded and supported the activities of the Ducere Foundation across 27 African nations. With offices in the United States, Australia, the UK, and Africa, Ducere constantly strives to promote global equity and access to education.

About Female Disruptors

Female Disruptors https://www.femaledisruptors.com/ is a female-focused brand that aims to level the playing field, give women their fair share of the spotlight and reverse ageism, discrimination, and abuse of power.

What started as a magazine by Lisa Buyer in 2019 is now a movement building community and making a difference through education, collaboration, and inspiration.

Media Contact:

Lisa Buyer, FounderFemale Disruptors[email protected] 561-703-8555https://www.femaledisruptors.com/

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SOURCE Female Disruptors
ATLANTA, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) has announced that Grady Health System's president and CEO, John M. Haupert, FACHE, is the recipient of the 2023 Gold Medal Award.

The Gold Medal Award is the highest honor given to outstanding leaders by ACHE. The award identifies Fellows of the American College of Healthcare Executives who exemplify leadership at the organizational, local, state, and national levels. The Gold Medal Award recognizes individuals who contribute to improving healthcare outside their organization.

"It's an absolute honor to be recognized by ACHE, an organization that is committed to integrity, lifelong learning, and cultivating leaders dedicated to advancing health, a mission that has resonated with me throughout my entire career," said Haupert.

Haupert has served as president and CEO of Grady since 2011. Grady is Atlanta's only Level 1 trauma center and home to several nationally recognized clinical services, like the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center, the Georgia Cancer Center for Excellence, and one of the nation's largest infectious disease programs.

Haupert is also chair of the American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees, serving as the top elected official for the organization, which represents America's hospitals and health systems and works to advance health in America.

Before his tenure at Grady, Haupert was executive vice president and COO of Parkland Health & Hospital System in Dallas. He also served as the ACHE Regent for TexasNorthern from 20102011.

Haupert will receive his award on March 20 at the Opening Session during ACHE's 66th Congress on Healthcare Leadership.

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SOURCE Grady Health System
Acquisition will enable Johnson Controls to provide high-temperature heat pumps in rapidly growing district heating and industrial markets, especially in Europe

Patented technology can achieve temperatures greater than 100 degrees Celsius using ultra-low-GWP natural refrigerants

Expansion of temperature range offering extends the company's growing industrial heat pump portfolio

CORK, Ireland, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announced that it acquired Hybrid Energy AS, a growing provider of high-temperature energy management solutions with a focus on heat pumps for district heating and industrial processes. The unique technology of Hybrid Energy will provide new, cost-effective solutions to customers while addressing decarbonization and sustainability efforts in Europe and beyond.

Hybrid Energy solutions can achieve temperatures greater than 100 degrees Celsius using ultra-low-GWP refrigerants.

"It's an exciting time in our industry as we come together to bring the next generation of safe, sustainable energy management technologies to market," says Claude Allain, president, Johnson Controls HVAC/R and data centers. "Hybrid Energy is well positioned in its ability to deliver extremely high-temperature process heating while maintaining energy efficiency  and with the reach and resources of Johnson Controls, we will be able to solve the challenges of more customers. As we help reduce the energy consumption in buildings, our customers will benefit from a single, trusted source for heating solutions."

Hybrid Energy, based in Lysaker, Norway, will add to the ability of Johnson Controls to address high-temperature heating requirements with a hybrid heat pump as its core. Through patented technology, Hybrid Energy solutions can achieve temperatures greater than 100 degrees Celsius using ultra-low-global warming potential natural refrigerants. With rapidly increasing market potential, solutions such as those of Hybrid Energy will help the European Union reduce greenhouse gas emissions 55 percent by 2030 and achieve the Green Deal of being climate neutral by 2050, all while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

"With many countries diversifying energy sources, now is the time for clean energy technologies to become available for use on a global scale," said Rune Rinann, chief executive officer of Nordic Technology Group AS. "Between Hybrid Energy's unique heat pump technologies, the reach and capability of Johnson Controls and the collective brain power from both, we'll help advance a sustainable future by setting the standard for high-temperature industrial heat pumps."

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Johnson Controls International plc Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Johnson Controls International plc has made statements in this communication regarding the acquisition of Hybrid Energy that are forward-looking and therefore are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements in this document other than statements of historical fact are, or could be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "should," "forecast," "project" or "plan" and terms of similar meaning are also generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Johnson Controls cautions that these statements are subject to numerous important risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond Johnson Controls' control, that could cause the expected impact of the acquisition of Hybrid Energy to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, include, among others, risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the possibility that expected synergies will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time frame; delays in the successful integration of Hybrid Energy and its technologies; unfavorable reaction to the acquisition by customers, competitors, suppliers and employees, disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; significant transaction costs; and unknown liabilities.

Other factors that could cause Johnson Controls' actual results to differ materially from those expressed include, among others risks included in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Johnson Controls' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2021 fiscal year filed with the SEC on November 15, 2021, which is available at www.sec.gov and www.johnsoncontrols.com under the "Investors" tab. The description of certain of these risks is supplemented in Item 1A of Part II of Johnson Controls' subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Shareholders, potential investors and others should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and should not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date of this document, unless otherwise specified, and, except as required by law, Johnson Controls assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this communication.

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world's largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @JohnsonControls on social platforms.

Visit here to learn more about Hybrid Energy.

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SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc
Memorandum of Understanding signed with four Dutch companies  Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam, and Zenith Energy  related to development of green hydrogen supply chain through Amsterdam

 Green hydrogen could be used for sustainable aviation fuel, steelmaking, shipping, and wider offtake opportunities

ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Masdar, one of the world's leading clean energy companies, Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam and Zenith Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a green hydrogen supply chain between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam to support Dutch and European markets.

The MoU was signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Managing Director for the Port of Amsterdam, Maarten van Dijk, Chief Development Officer of SkyNRG, Bart van der Meer, Business Development Manager, Evos, and Ellen Ruhotas, Managing Director New Energies for Zenith Energy. The agreement was signed in the presence of HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, and Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands.

HE Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, said, "This agreement builds upon the existing relationship between the UAE and the Netherlands and demonstrates our mutual commitment to exploring low- and zero-carbon energy solutions. The UAE aims to play a central role in the emerging green hydrogen economy and this partnership with the Port of Amsterdam and associated players in the green hydrogen space would help position Abu Dhabi as a key hub for green hydrogen development."

Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands, said, ""The Netherlands is keen on developing green hydrogen corridors with major future exporting countries like the UAE. Our country is well positioned to become a hydrogen hub for the Northwestern European market. I welcome the collaboration between Dutch and UAE businesses in the field of hydrogen and look forward to further intensifying the cooperation between our two countries."

Under this MoU, the parties will join their efforts to develop a green hydrogen supply chain, focusing on production in Abu Dhabi and export to the Netherlands through the port of Amsterdam. The exported green hydrogen will be delivered to key European sectors  sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), steelmaking, and bunkering for shipping  and will also be supplied to new, emerging European offtakers, via pipeline, truck and barge. Together, the parties will explore several hydrogen transportation methods, with a focus on liquid organic hydrogen carriers and liquid hydrogen.

Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said, "Masdar believes green hydrogen to be a promising energy source for hard-to-abate sectors in support of global decarbonization, which is why we launched our dedicated green hydrogen business last month. We are pleased to partner with Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam, and Zenith Energy to leverage our synergies in the fuel and logistics sectors to see how green hydrogen can help us achieve our shared goals for decarbonization and sustainable economic growth."

Port of Amsterdam, the operator of Europe's fourth-largest port, is committed to scaling up green hydrogen capabilities and is working closely with commercial parties active in its port on green hydrogen development. SkyNRG, a global leader in SAF, is developing a network of SAF production facilities that require green hydrogen as input. Zenith Energy and Evos Amsterdam are the operators of some of the most prominent blending and storage terminals in the port, with Zenith developing a liquid hydrogen supply chain, while Evos Amsterdam is working on a liquid organic hydrogen carrier supply chain.

Koen Overtoom, CEO, Port of Amsterdam, said, "We are very pleased with this new collaboration. SkyNRG, Evos and Zenith Energy are driving forces behind the hydrogen developments in the port of Amsterdam and they are key in our goal of importing at least one million tonnes of green hydrogen annually. Joining forces with a party as renowned as Masdar, will bring this goal that much closer to realization. Together, we can bring the envisioned Abu Dhabi-Amsterdam connection to fruition."

Green hydrogen is produced with green electricity from renewables like wind or solar, in a process that separates water into oxygen and hydrogen via electrolysis. The International Renewable Energy Agency has stated that hydrogen will be an essential component of a net-zero energy system and has a key role to play in decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy industry and long-haul transport[1]. The global green hydrogen market is projected to reach US$72 billion by 2030, while PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), has estimated that by 2050, hydrogen demand could be between 150 to 500 million metric tonnes per year[2].

Last December, Masdar announced its new shareholding structure and green hydrogen business unit, with a goal of achieving 100 GW renewable energy capacity and green hydrogen production of 1 million tonnes per annum annually by 2030. Masdar is actively involved in a number of projects related to green hydrogen production. Last year, Masdar signed agreements with leading Egyptian state-backed organizations to cooperate on the development of green hydrogen production plants in the country, targeting an electrolyzer capacity of 4 gigawatts by 2030, and output of up to 480,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year.

About Masdar

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is the UAE's clean energy champion and one of the largest companies of its kind in the world, advancing the development and deployment of renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies to address global sustainability challenges. Established in 2006, Masdar is today active in over 40 countries, helping them to achieve their clean energy objectives and advance sustainable development. Masdar is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), and under this ownership the company is targeting a renewable energy portfolio capacity of at least 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and an annual green hydrogen production capacity of up to 1 million tonnes by the same year.

For more information please visit: http://www.masdar.ae and connect: facebook.com/masdar.ae and twitter.com/masdar

About Port of Amsterdam

Port of Amsterdam aims to be a leading European seaport at the forefront of the transition to a sustainable society. The port is a logistics hub for international and national trade flows, as well as local urban distribution. The port focuses on growth of bio- and synthetic fuels, hydrogen activities, circular industry and manufacturing. Western Europe's fourth port delivers added value by employing 68,000 people at port and port-related companies. By innovating, the port is working towards a smoother and more transparent shipping process and reduced CO2 emissions from port and shipping. Port of Amsterdam is working intensively with clients and partners to make the port operate faster, smarter and cleaner. So a little better every day.

For more information, please visit www.portofamsterdam.com

About SkyNRG

Since 2009, SkyNRG has been a global leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuels. The company is dedicated to increase SAF demand and production capacity for the industry to meet its 2050 net zero commitment. SkyNRG has supplied SAF to over 40+ airlines and 70+ corporates across the world and is now developing dedicated SAF production facilities to support the transition from fossil jet fuel to sustainable aviation fuel. SkyNRG does not compromise when it comes to sustainability; we are a globally recognized Certified B Corp, our operations are certified by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), and we are advised by an independent Sustainability Board, as well as a worldwide NGO network to ensure we make the right sustainability decisions across all of our operations.

For more information, please visit www.skynrg.com

About Zenith

Zenith Energy is a world-class midstream company that owns and operates over 5 million cubic metres of renewable fuels, crude oil, petroleum products, chemicals and gas storage across North American, Europe and Latin America through its subsidiaries Zenith International and Zenith U.S. The Company's focus is on building a sustainable, independent liquid storage terminals business that provides safe and reliable solutions for its customers in the years to come. The entities share a common management team and headquarters in Houston, as well as core values, including Safety First and Environmental Protection.

For more information, please visit www.zenithterminals.com

About EVOS

Evos is a leading liquid energy and chemicals storage company. It operates a network of leading tank terminals in strategic locations across Europe, with a combined storage capacity of 6.3 million cbm. The terminals are located in the Netherlands (Amsterdam (2x), Rotterdam, Terneuzen), Belgium (Ghent), Germany (Hamburg), Malta and Spain (Algeciras). Evos was founded in 2019 and is owned by investment funds managed by Igneo Infrastructure Partners, a long-term oriented infrastructure asset manager. Evos has a total headcount of 720 employees.

For more information, visit www.evos.eu

[1] https://www.irena.org/publications/2022/May/Global-hydrogen-trade-Cost#:~:text=Vast%20green%20hydrogen%20potential%20exists,depends%20on%20the%20land%20available.

[2] https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/energy-utilities-resources/future-energy/green-hydrogen-cost.html

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1973446/Masdar_Logo.jpgPhoto - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1983193/Masdar_Green_Hydrogen.jpg

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SOURCE Masdar
WATERLOO, Wis., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, OVATION FOODS, a leading provider of healthy, nutrient-dense foods, announced a donation of 37,000 high protein chicken and egg snacks to the Midwest Food Bank of Normal, IL. These snack sticks contain Eggsentials, a unique whole food egg ingredient that allows for a shelf stable solution to help fight hunger and malnutrition in the United States. The snacks also include 175mg of Choline, which is essential for brain development during pregnancy and early life.

OVATION FOODS Donates 37,000 High Protein Chicken and Egg Snacks to Midwest Food Bank

According to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an estimated 50 million Americans, including 17 million children, struggle with food insecurity. OVATION FOODS' charitable arm, One Another, is partnering with the Midwest Food Bank to bring nourishing foods to those in need. "Midwest Food Bank of Normal is grateful for the generous donation of Protein Sticks from Ovation Foods. Quality protein foods are a blessing to serve to the 500 nonprofits and food pantries we supply. Feeding those facing hunger is a cooperative endeavor. Ovations Foods is an ally in that mission."  Tara Ingham, Executive Director, Midwest Food Bank of Normal, IL

Midwest Food Bank ("MFB") is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. As a faith-based organization, it is the mission of Midwest Food Bank to share the love of Christ by alleviating hunger and malnutrition locally and throughout the world and providing disaster relief; all without discrimination. Our vision is to provide industry-leading food relief to those in need while feeding them spiritually.

OVATION FOODS is dedicated to creating naturally nutritious and beneficial foods through the use of innovative food technologies and techniques. The company is committed to doing good for the environment and supporting charitable initiatives, such as One Another, which works to combat hunger on a global scale. Visit at OVATION FOODS.

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SOURCE Ovation Foods, Inc
Detroit City Distillery's one-of-a-kind, limited-edition spirit, made with fresh raspberry paczki, goes on sale February 3

DETROIT, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Get ready, paczki and vodka-lovers  Paczki Day Vodka is back and expected to sell out faster than ever. This year's batch of the ultra-unique, limited-edition alcoholic spirit, made with fresh raspberry paczki from Hamtramck's New Palace Bakery, will go on sale on Friday, February 3 at 8 a.m. online at detroitcitydistillery.com/shop. Bottles are $35 each. A public party will celebrate the release at the Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle Street in Detroit's Eastern Market, beginning at 4 p.m., where buyers can start picking up their online orders in-person. This year, a limited quantity of Paczki Day Vodka will also be available for direct-to-consumer shipping via DCD's partners in select states nationwide.

Detroit City Distillery's Paczki Day Vodka celebrates Polish culture; is distilled with raspberry paczki for Fat Tuesday

What started as an experiment five years ago has become a must-have sensation among those with Polish family ties. Last year, the Distillery sold out in under 72 hours. Due to requests already pouring in, DCD anticipates yet another fast sellout in 2023.

"It's been incredible to see Paczki Day Vodka become a tradition within Michigan's Polish community and watch the sensation grow nationwide," said Michael Forsyth, co-owner of Detroit City Distillery. "People travel from all over America to get their hands on this once-a-year spirit and celebrate with their Polish comrades. It's a special thing when a spirit brings people together. This year, we're excited to get Paczki Day Vodka to more Polish communities across the country via partnerships that support direct-to-consumer shipping so we can continue to gauge the demand nationwide."

Paczki Day Vodka is made by distilling fresh raspberry paczki in 100 percent potato vodka from Poland and Michigan in a 500-gallon copper pot still. The result is a crystal-clear one-of-a-kind, spirit that is smooth, buttery and has a distinct raspberry finish. It can be enjoyed chilled over ice, mixed in a cocktail or as a paczki chaser.

"There are only two ingredients: vodka and paczki. There are no artificial ingredients, flavors or sweeteners that you find in mainstream flavored vodka. The goal is to make a true craft spirit that highlights the taste of these perfectly handmade, glazed raspberry paczki from Hamtramck. It's like a Paczki Day Party in a bottle." added Forsyth. "At 88 proof, it's ultra-smooth, and you can really taste the raspberry and buttery pastry of the paczki."

Detroit City Distillery is known for their small batch artisanal whiskey, gin and vodka, using the finest local ingredients sourced directly from farms near the distillery. To learn more about Paczki Day Vodka and DCD's other products, visit www.detroitcitydistillery.com or follow them on social media at @detroitcitydistillery. Customers must be 21 to purchase alcohol.

Paczki Day Vodka goes on sale online at detroitcitydistillery.com/shop at 8 a.m., Friday, February 3. Patrons can begin picking up their orders the same day at 4 p.m. at the Detroit City Distillery's Tasting Room at the Paczki Day Vodka release party. Paczki Day Vodka will also be available at select liquor stores throughout Michigan and Illinois in February while supplies last. Limited quantities are also available for out-of-state shipping via direct-to-consumer shipping partnerships.

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SOURCE Detroit City Distillery
Capriotti's Fans Can Get their Hands on Award-Winning Sandwiches in Roanoke

ROANOKE, Va., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Capriotti's Sandwich Shop, known for its award-winning, hand-crafted cheese steaks, turkey subs and more, will debut a new location in Roanoke at 3951 Brambleton Avenue on January 14. Capriotti's brings the Roanoke community its 47-year tradition of slow-roasting whole, all-natural turkeys in-house and hand-pulling them every morning along with other favorites all made with fresh ingredients.

Capriotti's is known for its wide array of sandwiches including The Bobbie, made with fresh oven-roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing and mayo, the Capastrami, made with hot pastrami, Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and homemade coleslaw and the cheesesteak is made with premium steak, chicken or Impossible plant-based meat and melted cheese plus hot or sweet peppers. The Roanoke Capriotti's will offer a convenient order-ahead option, in addition to third-party delivery services. The new shop will bring 20 new jobs to the Roanoke community.

At 18-years-old, Kris Waldoch found his passion for the restaurant industry as a server before quickly working his way up to management. Waldoch helped open several prominent restaurants in Atlanta, served as the Director of Food and Beverage for Sheraton, and was the Regional Director for another franchise throughout his successful career in hospitality. The Roanoke Valley resident is prepared to bring the community its first Capriotti's. He is ready to share his enthusiasm for the high-quality sandwiches with the rest of his town as an involved business within the community.

"When deciding to invest, I fell in love with the culture and food quality of Capriotti's," said Waldoch. "I really enjoy the conversations I get to have with guests at a restaurant and am looking forward to being a family driven place in Roanoke."

Roanoke Capriotti's fans can download the CAPAddicts Rewards app on iOS and Android to earn and redeem rewards and score free food. The Roanoke Capriotti's will offer a convenient order-ahead option, online ordering, and third-party delivery services. Capriotti's in Roanoke offers catering for any event, from corporate events to birthday parties, with items such as party trays with cold subs, box lunches, or a hot homemade meatball bar.

Capriotti's is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. For additional information, visit www.capriottis.com or call the location at 678-576-4372.

About Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

Founded in 1976, Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is an award-winning national franchised restaurant chain that remains true to its 47-year tradition of slow-roasting whole, all-natural turkeys in-house every day. Capriotti's fresh ingredients, homemade subs, and unique menu items have won numerous accolades including being named one of the "10 Great Places for a Surprising Sandwich" by USA Today and many "Best of" awards across the country. Capriotti's cold, grilled and vegetarian subs, cheese steaks, and salads are available at more than 170 locations across the U.S. Capriotti's signature sub, The Bobbie, was voted "The Greatest Sandwich in America" by thousands of readers across the country and reported by AOL.com. Capriotti's fans can also download the CAPAddicts Rewards app for iOS and Android, where they can earn and redeem rewards. For more information, visit capriottis.com. Like Capriotti's on Facebook, follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Media Contact: Seth Goodman, Fishman PR | [email protected] | 847-945-1300

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SOURCE Capriotti's Sandwich Shop
CANTON, Mass., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- School of Rock, the leader in performance-based music education, was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, with the brand claiming the top ranking in the children's enrichment category, for the third year in a row.

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. School of Rock's position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

"We are honored to be recognized in the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 and ranked number one in the children's enrichment category for the third year. This achievement is a tribute to the dedication and experience of our franchise partners and school teams," said Rob Price, the CEO of School of Rock. "Our mission is to inspire the next generation of artists by providing them with a solid foundation in music education and unmatched performance opportunities. We plan to reach new milestones in 2023 and develop the next generation of creators."

In Entrepreneur's continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company's 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.

"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."

To view School of Rock 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 January 17th.

School of Rock provides students of all ages an exciting and engaging music education experience, which includes bass lessons, guitar lessons, singing lessons, drum lessons, and piano lessons. Drawing from all styles of rock and roll, School of Rock students learn theory and techniques via songs from legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, and Led Zeppelin. Thanks to the school's performance-based approach, students around the world have gained superior musical proficiency, with some moving on to record deals and larger platforms such as American Idol, The Voice and Broadway.

About School of RockSchool of Rock helps aspiring musicians master skills, unleash creativity, and develop tools they need to thrive in life. Founded as a single school in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1998, School of Rock has become a rapidly growing international franchise with over 500 schools open and in development across 15 global markets. Since 2009, School of Rock has grown its student count from 4,000 to nearly 60,000. School of Rock offers a wide variety of music lessons, including guitar lessons, singing lessons and piano lessons. The company also sells musical instruments and music gear through its GearSelect program. School of Rock is proud to support Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock), the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), and the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide (SPTS). School of Rock was awarded US Patent 10,891,872 in 2021 for its innovative music education method. School of Rock also has garnered the following industry awards: 2022 and 2021 Global Franchise's Awards Best Children's Service and Education Franchise; 2023 Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 Top Children's Music Enrichment Brand; 2021 Franchise Innovation Award for Most Innovative Use of Customer-Facing Digital Tools; Franchise Business Review's 2023 Top 200 Franchises and Culture 200 list; 2020 Entrepreneur Magazine's Top 200 Franchise and the #1 Child Enrichment Franchise; and 2018 Forbes # 2 Best Franchise Medium-Level Investment Award and the #1 Music Franchise in America.

Follow School of Rock on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SchoolofRockUSA and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SchoolofRockUSA.

For more information on School of Rock visit www.SchoolofRock.com or call 866-695-5515. To learn more about School of Rock franchise opportunities head to http://franchising.schoolofrock.com/

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SOURCE School of Rock
The expansion of radiation oncology services is part of TGH Cancer Institute's vision of improving health through innovative technologies, compassion and multidisciplinary cancer care for all.

TAMPA, Fla. , Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its commitment to offering the most advanced technology for cancer treatment, the Cancer Institute at Tampa General Hospital (TGH) announced today that it is expanding its Radiation Oncology program to include the addition of new cancer treatment technology and enhanced locations under the direction of world-renowned physicians. Additionally, to continue expanding access to cancer treatment, Tampa General Hospital and the Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) are working in a collaborative partnership to build the first proton therapy center in the Tampa Bay region.

"Establishing a world-class cancer institute at one of the country's leading academic medical centers comes down to its people and innovative technologies and science. In radiation oncology, under the leadership of Dr. Richard Tuli, we have recruited a cadre of physicians and physicists from premier academic institutions. This experienced team, along with our investment in state-of-the-art technologies such as proton therapy and in clinical trials, is well-poised to transform the radiation oncology field in our region and beyond," said Dr. Eduardo M. Sotomayor, director of the TGH Cancer Institute.

"As one of the nation's leading academic medical centers, we are focused on driving innovation to deliver world-class, advanced treatment options to the Tampa Bay region and beyond," said Dr. Abraham Schwarzberg, executive vice president of Network Development and chief of the TGH Cancer Institute. "Our Radiation Oncology enhancements, including our collaborative partnership to develop Tampa's first proton therapy center, is an example of initiatives that bring the most advanced resources to our patients."

TGH Radiation Oncology Program

The TGH Cancer Institute's expanded Radiation Oncology platform offers a full complement of radiation oncology services to treat all types of cancers, offering evidence-based, multidisciplinary care incorporating cutting-edge radiation therapies such as the CyberKnife System, the TrueBeam system, high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy and radiopharmaceuticals, among others.

"The expansion of the TGH Radiation Oncology program represents TGH Cancer Institute's latest investment in providing world-class care by leveraging technology to improve diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes," said Tuli, professor and chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, deputy director of the TGH Cancer Institute, and director of Radiation Oncology at Tampa General Hospital. Tuli joined TGH from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, N.Y.

The TrueBeam system, available within the TGH Cancer Institute, is an advanced medical linear accelerator capable of fast and precise image-guided radiation therapy. "Our linear accelerator machine dramatically decreases treatment time from 30 minutes to two minutes while maintaining accuracy, precision and safety through enhanced low-dose imaging and motion compensation," Tuli said. Additionally, the CyberKnife S7 radiosurgery system  a non-invasive alternative to surgical treatment for cancerous and non-cancerous tumors  will be installed at the TGH Cancer Institute on the main TGH campus in summer 2023.

HDR brachytherapy is a highly specialized cancer treatment and involves careful and temporary placement of radioactive material inside the body in direct contact with tumors. This allows much higher doses of radiation to be delivered safely compared to external radiation by lowering dosages to the surrounding normal tissues and organs. This highly effective treatment can often be delivered in one to three treatments.

Proton Therapy Center

Through the collaborative partnership with FCS, plans call for the proton therapy center to be located in the academic medical center's Medical and Research District adjacent to downtown Tampa and in a highly specialized and comprehensive three-story, 44,000-square-foot building at the intersection of W. Kennedy Boulevard and S. Fielding Avenue.

"Through our partnership, we will have the opportunity to treat our patients with the most advanced form of cancer-fighting technology available to date," Tuli said. "Proton therapy is a highly innovative and precise form of radiation treatment, which can be ideal when a cancerous tumor is close to a vital organ such as the heart, brain stem or the spinal cord." It has been proven to be an effective and recommended therapy in treating a wide range of adult tumors, both cancerous and benign.

Radiation Oncology Physician-Scientists

Alongside Tuli, TGH Cancer Institute's radiation oncologists combine their medical expertise with the use of state-of-the-art technology to deliver the best outcomes for patients.

Dr. Brian T. Collins is a professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and director of the Radiosurgery Program at TGH. He specializes in cutting-edge radiation techniques and tools and is a world-renowned expert in CyberKnife radiotherapy technology. Prior to joining Tampa General Hospital, he served as the Chief of the Department of Radiation Medicine and director of both the Proton Therapy Center and ZAP-X radiosurgery center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C. Collins is a frequent contributor to scientific publications, books and journals in his areas of expertise.

is a professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and director of the Radiosurgery Program at TGH. He specializes in cutting-edge radiation techniques and tools and is a world-renowned expert in CyberKnife radiotherapy technology. Prior to joining Tampa General Hospital, he served as the Chief of the Department of Radiation Medicine and director of both the Proton Therapy Center and ZAP-X radiosurgery center at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington D.C. Collins is a frequent contributor to scientific publications, books and journals in his areas of expertise. Dr. John David is an assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, director of Brachytherapy Services and lead physician of Radiopharmaceuticals at Tampa General Hospital. Prior to joining TGH, David worked alongside physicians at the New York Proton Center, where he gained experience in proton therapy. He completed his residency training at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif.

is an assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, director of Brachytherapy Services and lead physician of Radiopharmaceuticals at Tampa General Hospital. Prior to joining TGH, David worked alongside physicians at the New York Proton Center, where he gained experience in proton therapy. He completed his residency training at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Calif. Dr. Alexander Engelman, medical director of radiation oncology at Florida Urology Partners and a radiation oncologist with TGH Cancer Institute, is an expert in the research and treatment of genitourinary cancers. He was the first physician in the United States to perform a Barrigel procedure, which is an injectable, flexible, biodegradable material that provides a barrier between the prostate and rectum to protect the healthy tissue during radiation therapy treatment for prostate cancer. For his residency training, Engelman attended the University of Maryland Medical Center, and the Maryland Proton Treatment Center, Baltimore, with additional time at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.

TGH Cancer Institute Expansion

To help make cancer care more accessible, the TGH Cancer Institute recently opened an Infusion Center at the TGH Brandon Healthplex, where an additional TrueBeam linear accelerator will also be available in July 2023. In December 2022, Tampa General announced that it had earned a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program established by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Ranked among the top 10 percent of U.S. hospitals for cancer care according to U.S. News & World Report's 2022-2023 rankings, the Tampa General Cancer Institute provides comprehensive care via groundbreaking therapies and advanced diagnostic imaging tools and is part of the hospital's vision to be the safest and most innovative academic health system in America.

Through the TGH Cancer Institute, Tampa General and USF Health physicians offer a highly coordinated, interdisciplinary approach to quality patient care and provide a wide range of multidisciplinary specialties such as hematologic malignancies, bone marrow transplant, cell therapy, neuro-oncology, thoracic oncology, breast, colorectal and gynecologic oncology. Advanced subspecialties include liver and hepatobiliary oncology, otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat), and genitourinary (reproductive system and genitourinary tract). For more information about the TGH Cancer Institute, visit www.tgh.org/cancer.

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 USF HEALTH

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 and Rehabilitation Sciences, the Biomedical Sciences Graduate and Postdoctoral Programs, and USF Health's multispecialty physicians' group. The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News & World Report's national university rankings than USF. For more information, visit health.usf.edu.

Media Contact: Beth HardySenior Communications Specialist (813) 844-7322 (direct)(727) 510-6363 (cell) [email protected]

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SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) conducted a parachute drop training at the Narashino Training Area in Chiba Prefecture on January 8, and paratroopers from the US, UK and Australia also participated in the training, according to Japanese media reports. Japan has recently held many joint military exercises and carried out frequent defense exchanges and cooperation with European and American countries. This trend of violating the "exclusively defensive defense" principle and seeking offensive military power deserves the attention of the international community.

It is reported that around 1,000 GSDF personnel and about 100 American, British, and Australian soldiers participated in this military exercise. It is an actual combat drill aimed at handling the incidents on the so-called "Senkaku Islands" (Diaoyu Islands and its affiliated islands). Yin Zhuo, a military observer, believes that the scale of this exercise is not large, and Japan intends to bank on the support of the US, UK and Australia to embolden itself.

The drill claimed to "take back the outlying islands". In addition to the four main islands that make up the Japanese mainland, Japan has more than 6,800 islands and they are all called outlying islands. The largest outlying island is the Ryukyu Islands with Okinawa at its core. Japan counts the Diaoyu Islands as part of the Ryukyu Islands. Now, Japan feels a lack of strength in the direction of the Diaoyu Islands and that is the reason why it is trying its best to pull the US to this area.

Paratroopers from the British and Australian armies participated in the drill for the first time. According to Yin's analysis, Britain and Australia's participation aims to pledge allegiance to the US and demonstrate the political posture of following the US.

Japan's parachute drills, especially the annual drill that has been based on the scenario of retaking a remote island, have nothing to do with the UK or Australia. The participation of those two countries is to show their support for Japan and their allegiance to the US.

Yin pointed out that the new Australian government follows the US as its predecessor did in terms of s ecurity. After Brexit, the UK strove to restore its status as a major European power and its special relationship with the US and firmly sided with the US on Asia-Pacific security issues. The UK and Australia have limited military power and lack the capability to project large ships, so they can't do much for Japan on the Diaoyu Islands. However, the two countries will take more military actions in the Asia-Pacific region in the future to support the US and Japan.

The Japanese government adopted a new version of the National Security Strategy and other security policy documents at the end of 2022. Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida went to Europe and North America to carry out intensive diplomacy. Yin believes that Japan's recent actions aim to seek international support for its new security documents, which further exposed its ambitions for offensive military power and "national normalization."

Japan's Fumio Kishida government is eager to amend the pacifist constitution and persuade the US and other Western allies to support Japan's pursuit of greater military strategic autonomy, thereby helping Japan take an important step towards becoming a political power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Japan's strategy is to develop into a "normal country" while strengthening its own military offensive capabilities. Japan is trying to achieve this goal through sausage cutting tactics and frog-boiling effect.

Editor's note: Originally published on military.cnr.cn, this article is translated from Chinese into English and edited by the China Military Online. The information and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of eng.chinamil.com.cn.
19:00 | Lima, Jan. 12.

"We are clear about our mandate; we know what we have to do and what we cannot or must not do," he expressed.

"I want to say it absolutely clear, the Madam President of the Republic will not resign ; that is not going to happen," Otarola emphasized.

Remarks were made during a press conference held following aat the Government Palace in Lima.

The Prime Minister announced that some measures will be announced soon, which can lay the foundations for a broad dialogue process in the country to emerge and for violence to cease.





"But I would like to reiterate that we are absolutely committed to ending violence (...) and the commitment is also (made) to the 33 million Peruvians to protect their lives, their integrity, as well as public and private assets, and allow them to move freely, which is another problem that has been generated due to these mobilizations," he said.





Otarola seemed confident that the efforts being undertaken by the Executive Branch and all institutions including the organized civil society and the Church in the near future will allow the foundations for a broad dialogue process to be laid.





Regarding the investigation that the Public Ministry has opened into the deaths during social mobilizations , the Cabinet chief indicated that the Government will actively collaborate on the case and provide all the information that is required.





"Not only do we have the obligation to do so, but we are the most interested in the progress and completion of the investigation," he said.





Along the same lines, Otarola expressed his support for the formation of an investigative commission at the Congress of the Republic for this case, "because the truth must be known."
BARTLESVILLE, Okla., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Four more African countries have been added to the list of the world's most dangerous and difficult places to follow Christ.

VOM added four African countries to their list of the world's most dangerous and difficult places to follow Christ.

The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) added and designated Benin, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique and Niger as "hostile" nations in their annual 2023 Global Prayer Guide.

The VOM 2023 Global Prayer Guide is designed to equip and encourage Christians to pray more specifically by providing in-depth information about the plight of persecuted Christians around the world. The VOM 2023 Global Prayer Guide is free and available to anyone who requests a copy at www.persecution.com/prayerguide.

Since 1997, VOM has tracked persecution of Christians and designated nations or areas where followers of Christ regularly face persecution as either "restricted" or "hostile" in their annual prayer resource.

Benin, a small country bordering western Nigeria, is considered the birthplace of voodoo. The country is about 30 percent Christian, but Christianity is viewed by many in the north as a threat to their traditional beliefs.

The church in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is under immense pressure. Islamist groups severely persecute Christians there, raiding villages, destroying churches and brutally killing hundreds of believers.

Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. It's also one of the most dangerous because an Islamic insurgency that started in 2019 continues to create chaos and instability in the northern province of Cabo Del Gado.

In Niger, radical Islamists from countries that surround the nationsuch as Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria are attacking Christians inside the country with increasing frequency.

"The first thing that persecuted Christians ask Christians in free nations to do for them is to PRAY. With this newly updated VOM Global Prayer Guide, every Christian can be equipped to pray with a real understanding of the needs and specific ways to pray," said Nettleton.

VOM offers other prayer resources as well, including the new VOM app for iOS and Android which gives users a daily reminder to pray and a specific prayer request for that day.

About The Voice of the Martyrs

Founded in 1967, VOM is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions organization serving persecuted Christians in the world's most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. For more information, visit VOM.org.

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SOURCE The Voice of the Martyrs
MEXICO CITY, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Uk University has closed a $75 million Mexican pesos financing round with Altum Capital. The funds will be used to create new online bachelors and masters programs and for expansion throughout Latin America and the US hispanic market.

Uk University is a leading and innovative 100% online university based in Mexico, that is dedicated to providing high-quality education to working adults who are seeking a practical and affordable way to earn an accredited degree and improve their employment opportunities. With a focus on flexibility and convenience, Uk University offers a wide range of online bachelor and master programs that are designed to meet the needs of busy professionals.

Working in partnership with Coursera for Campus, Uk University offers its students access to a wide range of high-quality programs from top international institutions.

Gonzalo Pulit, CEO of Uk University, commented on the transaction, saying, "We are thrilled to have closed this financing round with Altum Capital. Their expertise and financial support will be invaluable as we work to expand our online offerings and reach more students in Latin America and the US Hispanic markets. We understand that working adults have unique needs and challenges when it comes to pursuing higher education. That's why we have designed our programs to be accessible and flexible, so that our students can balance their studies with their work and personal commitments."

Francisco Salas, partner at Altum Capital, also commented on the transaction, saying, "We are pleased to support Uk University in their efforts to expand their online offerings and reach more students throughout spanish speaking markets."

About Uk University

Uk University is one of the fastest growing online universities in Latin America. In 2023 it expects to serve over 15,000 students. Altum Capital joins existing investors Potencia Ventures, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Zoma Capital.

Gonzalo Pulit (CEO)[email protected]+52 (55) 5130 9850https://universidaduk.com

About Altum Capital

Altum Capital is a leading Private Debt Fund Manager, based in Mexico. In its history of almost 9 years, Altum Capital and its team have structured and financed around 200 loans to SMES throughout Mexico and LATAM, and have lent more than 12.3 billion pesos. Currently, Altum has a loan portfolio of more than 4.5 billion pesos, diversified in 67 structured loan investments in different sectors.

Miguel Gomez[email protected]Altum Capital  Financiamiento para Empresas

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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended

OR

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ______ to ______.

Commission File Number: 000-52403

CNBX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada 46-5644005 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (IRS Employer Identification No.) #3 Bethesda Metro Center , Suite 700 Bethesda , MD 20814 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(877) 424-2429

(Registrants telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered N/A N/A N/A

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $.0001 Par Value

(Title of class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company," and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company x Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x

As of January 14, 2023, the registrant had 1,257,927 shares of its Common Stock, $0.0001 par value, outstanding.

When used in this quarterly report, the terms CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc., the Company, we, our, and us refer to CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, G.R.I.N Ultra Ltd.

CNBX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

FORM 10-Q

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

INDEX

2

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including in Item 2, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere herein may address or relate to future events and expectations and as such constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements which are not historical reflect our current expectations and projections about our future results, performance, liquidity, financial condition, prospects and opportunities and are based upon information currently available to us and our management and their interpretation of what is believed to be significant factors affecting our business, including many assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding, among other things:

 the size and growth of the potential markets for our products and the ability to serve those markets;  our expectations regarding our expenses and revenue, the sufficiency of our cash resources and needs for additional financing;  the rate and degree of market acceptance of any of our products;  our expectations regarding competition;  our anticipated growth strategies;  our ability to attract or retain key personnel;  our ability to establish and maintain development partnerships;  regulatory developments in the U.S. and foreign countries, especially those related to change in, and enforcement of, cannabis laws;  our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our products; and  the anticipated trends and challenges in our business and the market in which we operate.

Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies, and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words may, should, would, could, scheduled, expect, anticipate, estimate, believe, intend, seek, or project or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Actual results, performance, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations, prospects and opportunities could differ materially and perhaps substantially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements as a result of various risks, uncertainties and other factors. These statements may be found under the section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2022 (filed on November 29, 2022) entitled Risk Factors as well as in our other public filings.

In light of these risks and uncertainties, and especially given the start-up nature of our business, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained herein will in fact occur. Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changed circumstances or any other reason.

3

PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CNBX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

November 30, August 31, 2022 2022 Unaudited Audited ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 21,600 $ 117,515 Prepaid expenses and other receivables 78,085 80,772 Total current assets 99,685 198,287 Available for sale Investment 116,217 176,087 Equipment, net 393,607 436,792 Total assets $ 609,509 $ 811,166 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 596,913 $ 461,128 Convertible loan 1,763,244 1,758,702 Due to a related party 223,645 223,645 Total current liabilities 2,583,802 2,443,475 Stockholders' equity (deficit): Preferred stock, $ .0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding   Common stock, $ .0001 par value, 900,000,000 shares authorized, 1,257,927 shares issued and outstanding at November 30, 2022 And outstanding at August 31, 2022 124 124 Additional paid-in capital 18,107,426 18,031,869 Issuance of warrants 3,459,510 3,459,510 Other comprehensive loss ( 2,634,716 ) ( 2,574,846 ) Accumulated deficit ( 20,906,637 ) ( 20,548,968 ) Total stockholders' equity (deficit) ( 1,974,293 ) ( 1,632,311 ) Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 609,509 $ 811,166

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

CNBX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended November 30, November 30, 2022 2021 Unaudited Operating expenses: Research and development expense $ 62,888 $ 440,044 General and administrative expenses 283,902 670,305 Total operating expenses 346,790 1,110,349 Loss from operations ( 346,790 ) ( 1,110,349 ) Other (Loss) Income Financial (Loss) ( 10,879 ) ( 212,670 ) Net loss ( 357,669 ) ( 1,323,020 ) Loss from available for sale assets ( 59,870 ) ( 281,211 ) Total comprehensive loss $ ( 417,539 ) $ ( 1,604,231 ) Net loss per share - basic and diluted: $ ( 0.33 ) $ ( 0.01 ) Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic and Diluted 1,257,927 131,105,839 *

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

* On May 12, 2022, the Company effected a reverse-split of its common stock on a 1:120 basis.

5

CNBX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit)

Unaudited

Common Stock Additional Paid In Other Comprehensive Accumulated Total

Stockholders Equity Shares Amount Capital Warrants Gain Deficit (Deficit) Balance, August 31, 2022 1,238,659 $ 124 $ 18,031,869 $ 3,459,510 $ ( 2,574,846 ) $ ( 20,548,968 ) $ ( 1,632,311 ) Share based payment   75,557    75,557 Other comprehensive loss     ( 59,870 )  ( 59,870 ) Net loss      ( 357,669 ) ( 357,669 ) Balance, November 30, 2022 1,238,659 $ 124 $ 18,107,426 $ 3,459,510 $ ( 2,634,716 ) $ ( 20,906,637 ) $ ( 1,974,293 )

Common Stock Additional Paid In Other Comprehensive Accumulated Total

Stockholders Equity Shares Amount Capital Warrants Gain Deficit (Deficit) Balance, August 31, 2021 144,747,587 * $ 14,475 $ 17,063,363 $ 3,459,510 $ ( 1,905,715 ) $ ( 16,825,718 ) $ 1,805,915 Issuance of common stock for services   425,737    425,737 Other comprehensive loss     ( 281,211 )  ( 281,211 ) Net loss      ( 1,323,020 ) ( 1,323,020 ) Balance, November 30, 2021 144,747,584 * $ 14,475 $ 17,489,100 $ 3,459,510 $ ( 2,186,926 ) $ ( 18,148,738 ) $ 627,421

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

* On May 12, 2022, the Company effected a reverse-split of its common stock on a 1:120 basis.

6

CNBX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended November 30, November 30, 2022 2021 Unaudited Cash flows from operating activities: Net Loss $ ( 357,669 ) $ ( 1,323,020 ) Adjustments required to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation 43,185 51,823 Convertible loan valuation 4,541  Share based payment 75,557 425,737 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Decrease (increase) Accounts Receivable and prepaid expenses 2,687 26,203 Increase (decrease) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 135,784 22,944 Net cash used in operating activities ( 95,915 ) ( 599,545 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Net increase (Decrease) in cash ( 95,915 ) ( 600,058 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the Period 117,515 1,386,472 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the Period $ 21,600 $ 786,414

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

7

CNBX PHARMACEUTICALS INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Note 1 Nature of Business, Presentation and Going Concern Organization CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company), was incorporated in the State of Nevada, on September 15, 2004, under the name of Thrust Energy Corp. On September 30, 2010, we increased our authorized capital to 900 million shares of common stock (par value $0.0001) and 100 million shares of preferred stock (par value $0.0001) and effected a 20-for-1 reverse split of our issued and outstanding common stock. As a result of the reverse split, our issued and outstanding common stock was reduced from 13,604,000 shares to 680,200 shares and 5,000,000 preferred shares. On April 25, 2014, the Company experienced a change in control. Cannabics, Inc. (Cannabics) acquired a majority of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company in accordance with stock purchase agreements. On the closing date, April 25, 2014, pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, Cannabics purchased 41,000,000 shares of the Companys outstanding restricted common stock for $198,000, representing 51%. On May 21, 2014, the Company changed its name, via merger in the state of Nevada, to CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc. The Companys principal offices are in Bethesda, Maryland. The Company changed its course of business to laboratory research and development. On June 19, 2014, FINRA granted final approval of Change of Name & Ticker Symbol of the Corporation from American Mining Corporation to CNBX PHARMACEUTICALS INC., with the new Ticker Symbol of CNBX. Said approval was predicated upon CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc.s filing of Articles of Merger with American Mining Corporation with the Nevada Secretary of State on May 21, 2014. Under the laws of the State of Nevada, CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc. was merged with and into the Registrant, with the Registrant being the surviving entity. The Merger was completed under Section 92A.180 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 92A, as amended, and as such, does not require the approval of the stockholders of either the Registrant or CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc. On August 25, 2014, the Company organized G.R.I.N. Ultra Ltd. (GRIN), an Israeli corporation, as a wholly-owned subsidiary. GRIN will provide research and development activities for the Companys products in Israel. On July 24, 2017, the Company announced its establishment of a genetics laboratory to develop diagnostic tools based on human genome, tumor genetics and specific cannabinoids. On August 20th, 2020, the Company announced the creation of a new division for its anti-tumor drug candidate RCC-33, for the treatment of colorectal cancer. This is the result of the Companys focus on a clinical validation path, including in-vivo experiments, collaborations with key medical centers, and the preparation of a product dossier with which the company plans to schedule a Pre IND-Meeting with the US FDA. On October 18th, 2022, the Company filed 2 new provisional patent applications on compositions and methods for treating cancer, including colorectal cancer and early intervention therapy for colorectal cancer patients. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial statement presentation and in accordance with Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required in annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations and cash flows. The results of operations presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any other interim period or for the entire year. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with our August 31, 2022 annual financial statements included in our Form 10-K, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on November 29th, 2022. 8 Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and GRIN. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Going Concern The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The Company has incurred a net loss of $ 357,669 for the three months ended November 30, 2022; and has incurred cumulative losses since inception of $ 20,906,637 . These conditions raise substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent upon its abilities to generate revenues, to continue to raise investment capital, and develop and implement its business plan. No assurance can be given that the Company will be successful in these efforts. Research and Development Costs The Company accounts for research and development costs in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 730 Research and Development (ASC 730). ASC 730 requires that research and development costs be charged to expense when incurred. Research and development costs charged to expense were $ 62,888 and $ 440,044 for the three months ended November 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Reclassifications Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on reported losses, total assets, or stockholders equity as previously reported.

Note 2  Related Party Transactions During the three months ending November 30, 2022, the Company recorded $ 113,870 in salaries expenses, including socials benefits, to two directors, compared cash paid of $ 125,815 for the three months ending November 30, 2021. As of November 30, 2022, the Company had 5 employees, two of which were our Directors Gabriel Yariv and Eyal Barad, which along with our counsel and CFO were given monthly salaries. Aside from counsel, all employees reside in Israel. The Company had a balance outstanding at November 30, 2022 and at November 30, 2021 of $ 223,645 payable to Cannabics, Inc. The advance is due on demand and bears no interest. During the three months ending November 30, 2022, the Company recorded a non cash expense of $ 75,557 as share-based expense, to the board chairman, board members and to an advisor. As of November 30, 2022, the Company had a balance outstanding payable to two directors: Gabriel Yariv and Eyal Barad in the total of $ 310,557 under Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Note 3  Stockholders Equity (Deficit) Authorized Shares The Company is authorized to issue up to 900,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share. Each outstanding share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a stockholder vote. All shares of common stock are non-assessable and non-cumulative, with no pre-emptive rights. 9

Note 4  Commitments and Contingencies We lease the property of our laboratory in Rehovot, Israel, the monthly lease is $ 6,500 per month. Our current lease terminates at the end of February 2024, though we have a two additional one-year option, which management intends to execute prior to that time.

Note 5  Subsequent events On November 8th, 2022 the Company announced that it has acquired controlling interest in TaGeza Biopharmaceuticals Ltd. The TaGeza research team remains committed to the Company and co-founder Prof. Benjamin Dekel (MD, PhD) will continue to serve as the Company Chief Scientist; Gabriel Yariv, to assume deposition of TaGeza Biopharmaceuticals CEO. To the report date, the two companies continue in their collaboration, though no definitive agreement has closed to date. On December 9th, 2022, the Company sold her holdings in Sativusin in consideration of $24,200 On December 27th, 2022, the Company withdrew its Form S-1 Registration Statement. On December 29th, 2022, the Company filed an 8-K announcing the Resignation of a Board member. On January 4th, 2023, the Company issued 32,236 shares of its common stock to an investor as a result of a convertible loan exercise in the sum of $50,000. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued and filed with the SEC and has determined that there are no other such events that warrant disclosure or recognition in the financial statements.

10

Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Our Business:

We are a pre-clinical-stage, platform technology biopharmaceutical company which has developed proprietary innovative medicines in areas of significant unmet medical needs in oncology, with a current focus on colorectal cancer ("CRC"). Our drug candidate under development for colon cancer is RCC-33, a first-in-class therapy being developed primarily in two settings: one to reduce tumor cell activity in colon cancer patients as a standalone in neoadjuvant treatment or "window of opportunity" at the time after colonoscopy, prior to cancer staging; and another for patients with refractory to therapy and adjuvant to surgery also at the time after colonoscopy. The Company hopes to start first in human Phase I/II clinical trials in 2023. Neoadjuvant treatment is the administration of a therapy before the surgical treatment to improve patient outcome, and our business strategy is to advance our programs through clinical studies including with partners, and to opportunistically add programs in areas of high unmet medical needs through acquisition, collaboration, or internal development.

CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company primarily focused on the development of novel cannabinoid-based products and innovative technologies for the treatment of cancer.

The company is currently preparing to launch Phase I/II (a) clinical study in 2023, for the evaluation of its lead drug candidates Cannabics SR for the treatment of patients with advanced cancer and cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome (CACS) and RCC-33 for the treatment of colorectal cancer. The companys activities are centered around the companys biological laboratory facilities located in Rehovot Israel, where our scientific team leads the companys research and development efforts.

Our companys core activities consist of:

 Drug Discovery: development of novel molecular formulations and drug candidates;  Intellectual Property: filing of corresponding IP to protect our products; and  Regulatory Affairs: initiation of the regulatory pathway for each drug candidate in our development pipeline

Our current business model is to undertake an FDA regulatory pathway for each of the new drug candidates under IND (Investigational New Drug) classification and complete a successful Phase I/II(a) clinical study (toxicity and proof of concept in humans). In reaching this milestone, where an initial feasibility in humans was demonstrated, the company will have gained several commercial opportunities for capitalizing on each such product candidate, including entering into commercial agreements with larger pharma corporations. Accordingly, our company does not engage in any manufacturing, distribution, or sales of products, nor is it foreseeable to expect that we will in the near future.

2. Development pipeline:

2.1. Cannabics SR for Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome

Overview

We are developing Cannabics SR as a product candidate for the treatment of CACS. Cannabics SR is a sustained-release oral capsule containing a standardized compound of cannabinoids that has demonstrated a clinically significant weight increase in CACS patients in a peer-reviewed pilot study conducted by Dr. Gil Bar-Sela of the Rambam Hospital Health Care Campus, Division of Oncology, in Haifa, Israel. Our patent-pending technology provides for a convenient, once or twice daily administration, with rapid onset and a steady state of therapeutic effect for a 6 to 8-hour duration.

Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome

CACS is a common complication of cancer associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is a complex metabolic syndrome in which a persistently elevated basal metabolic rate is not compensated for by adequate calorie or protein intake, causing involuntary and progressive weight loss leading to increasing functional impairment in cancer patients, especially in advanced stages of the disease. Once established, CACS cannot presently be reversed using available pharmacological or nutritional support techniques.

11

Unlike starvation, body-weight loss in CACS patients arises mainly from loss of muscle mass, characterized by increased catabolism of skeletal muscle and decreased protein synthesis. This weight loss is associated with important clinical outcomes such as increased morbidity, diminished effectiveness of chemotherapy, muscle wasting, inflammation, fatigue, and reduced survival expectations. The impact of CACS on the patient is not, however, limited to the effect of weight loss. Quality of life, functional abilities, symptoms, psychological outcomes, and social aspects are all affected by CACS.

According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly one-third of cancer deaths can be attributed to the severe weight loss and metabolic mutiny associated with CACS, and more than 50% of patients with cancer die with cachexia being present. The overall prevalence of CACS is currently estimated to range from 40% at cancer diagnosis to 70-80% in advanced phases of the disease (Source: Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 2013;88(3):625-636), while the overall prevalence of weight loss in cancer patients may be as high as 86% in the last 1-2 weeks of life (Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 2007;34:94104).

The cause and subsequent development of CACS is still poorly understood, but several factors and biological pathways are known to be involved, including inflammation, decreased secretion of anabolic hormones, and altered metabolic response. While there have been important advances in the study of CACS over the past decade, including progress in understanding its mechanisms and the development of promising pharmacologic and supportive care interventions, there is presently no effective pharmacologic therapy for CACS.

Current treatments for CACS are generally based on nutritional support and CACS pathophysiology-modulating drugs, with the most common being the progestogens, megestrol and medroxyprogesterone, and corticosteroids. Progestogens appear to stimulate appetite and improvements in body weight by increasing adipose tissue, but have not been confirmed to augment lean body mass. Megestrol also carries an increased risk of mortality and thromboembolism. Nonetheless, megestrol is the only FDA approved treatment option for CACS and no drug to date has been shown to be superior to it in efficacy and tolerability. Corticosteroids are also considered effective in stimulating appetite and reducing fatigue but should only be used for short periods and in selected cases because of side effects from longer term use, such as insulin resistance, fluid retention, steroidal myopathy, skin fragility, adrenal insufficiency, and sleep and cognitive disorders. Other drugs are being investigated or are in development. Given the dearth of approved therapies, we believe that CACS remains a significant area of unmet medical need.

Cannabinoid Therapies for CACS

Cannabis has long been suggested as a well-tolerated, safe, and effective option to help patients cope with cancer related symptoms with fewer serious side effects than most prescription drugs currently used as anti-emetics, analgesics, and the like. As such, cannabinoids are finding application in palliative care for reducing nausea and vomiting, alleviating cancer pain, and stimulating appetite, as well as improving quality of life in cancer patients. Dronabinol (Marinol) and nabilone (Cesamet), two drugs based on synthetic cannabinoids, have each been approved by the FDA for the treatment of chemotherapy-related nausea in patients who do not respond to conventional antiemetic therapy. Another drug, nabiximols (Sativex), a specific cannabis extract, is approved in Canada and the United Kingdom for symptomatic relief of pain in advanced cancer patients.

Despite interest in cannabinoid-based therapies as a treatment for CACS, their use has been limited by impediments beyond the legal status of cannabis. The most significant obstacle is the lack of clinical research demonstrating their efficacy. While there is evidence that cannabinoids improve appetite, body weight, body fat level, caloric intake, mood, and quality of life in cancer patients, the few studies on these effects have yielded mixed and inconclusive findings. In addition, some of these studies have suffered from methodological constraints that limit any ability to draw firm conclusions.

The therapeutic use of cannabinoids has also been inhibited by limitations associated with traditional administration routes that reduce their effectiveness. Smoking and ingestion of cannabis suffer from wide variability in potency due to a lack of standardized and reproducible formulations. The ingestion of unformulated cannabis has also been associated with poor absorption and low bioavailability versus other administration routes, requiring higher doses and a greater risk of negative side effects. Additionally, the lack of available information on cannabinoid strains has made it difficult for healthcare providers to establish dosing rates. In our experience, however, the principal concern of patients with respect to medical cannabis lies in the undesirable side effects, such as disorientation and dizziness, which result from significant variability in peak blood levels of active cannabinoids soon after administration. We further believe that these side effects, which are common among immediate release methods, are a significant factor in the failure of patients to adhere to recommended treatment regimens and are therefore a pervasive threat to their health and wellbeing.

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Cannabics SR

Cannabics SR is an oral composition in the form of a hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) capsule containing a patent-pending formulation of cannabinoid extracts suspended in a lipid emulsion. It provides a relatively rapid onset of action, typically within 30-40 minutes, followed by a gradual and sustained release of active cannabinoids, resulting in a steady state level of beneficial effects for up to 6 to 8 hours with each capsule. Cannabics SR provides a consistent, predictable concentration of cannabinoids with an absorption profile and bioavailability of active ingredients that we believe to be superior to other oral cannabinoid administrations. We believe that the multifactorial benefits of the active pharmaceutical ingredients in Cannabics SR address an unmet medical need for a safe and effective treatment of CACS, leading to improved patient adherence and better health outcomes.

Cannabics SR capsules contain only food grade materials without any artificial additives. The active ingredients of each capsule are standardized in composition, formulation, and dose, and are comprised of only pure, natural extracts of active cannabinoids from selected strains of medical cannabis. All excipients are recognized by the FDA as Generally Regarded as Safe.

In addition to the therapeutic potential of Cannabics SR as a treatment for CACS, we believe that our SR technology may be formulated to serve the unique needs of patients suffering from other indications for which a sustained release of a cannabinoid formulation may be beneficial.

Clinical Development

In 2016, we commenced a two-year pilot study to evaluate the influence of Cannabics SR capsules on CACS, and, in particular, on weight loss in advanced cancer patients. The study was led by Professor Gil Bar-Sela, the former Deputy Director of the Division of Oncology at Rambam Health Care Campus, Head of the Palliative and Supportive Oncology Unit, and Head of Service for Melanoma and Sarcoma Patients.

Patients were administered 2  10 mg of Cannabics SR per 24 hours for six months. During the study, after some patients reported several psychoactive side effects, the dosage of each capsule was reduced to 5 mg. Almost no side effects were reported with the 5 mg dosage. Participants were weighed at each physician visit. The primary objective of the study was a weight gain of 10% from baseline. Of 24 patients who agreed to participate in the study, 17 started the Cannabics SR treatment, but only 11 received the capsules for more than two weeks. Three of six patients who completed the study period met the primary end-point. The remaining three patients had stable weights. In quality-of-life questionnaires patients reported less appetite loss after the Cannabics SR treatment (p=0.05). According to patients self-reports, improvement in appetite and mood as well as a reduction in pain and fatigue was demonstrated.

Despite various limitations, the preliminary study demonstrated a weight increase of 10% in 3 out of 17 (17.6%) of patients with doses of 5 mg  1 or 5 mg  2 capsules daily, without significant side effects. The remaining patients had stable weights. Also, all patients who remained in the study for at least 4.5 months reported an increase in appetite, as did 83% of the patients who completed the study. For 50% of the patients who completed the study, there were reports of pain reduction and sleep improvement. Additional results showed a significant decrease of appetite loss complaints among 83% of the patients who completed the study. (See Bar-Sela, Gil et al. The Effects of Dosage-Controlled Cannabis Capsules on Cancer-Related Cachexia and Anorexia Syndrome in Advanced Cancer Patients: Pilot Study. Integrative Cancer Therapies vol. 18 (2019): 1534735419881498. doi:10.1177/1534735419881498.)

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Figure 1: Appetite loss among the six patients who completed Cannabics SR treatment, as reported on European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLC-C30)

Commercialization

The results of our planned pilot studies may permit us to commercialize Cannabics SR in Israel under license by the Israeli Ministry of Health. If we are granted such a permit, we intend to engage a GMP manufacturer in Israel to produce Cannabics SR capsules for national distribution.

On May 13, 2020, the Israeli Ministry of Economy signed a Free Export Order, authorizing the export of GMP certified medical cannabis products from Israel. We are currently evaluating our export opportunities and optimal commercialization path for Cannabics SR across all available international markets, particularly with regard to the European Union, Canada, and Australia.

Cancer and Cancer Anorexia Cachexia Syndrome (CACS) Market Analysis

The dynamics of the cancer cachexia market are expected to shift in the coming years as a result of the positive outcomes of some of the rare candidates during the development stage by key players that are in the early stages of clinical development have the potential to create a significant positive shift. The emerging therapies are projected to be launched during the forecast period. In addition, the dearth of effective therapies for this condition presents a great opportunity for pharma companies to create novel drugs because there is less competition in the cancer cachexia market. Moreover, the rising awareness about the condition is also impacting the growth of the cancer cachexia market positively.

The Global Cancer Cachexia Market Size is projected to reach USD 2.93 billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period [2020-2027].

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https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/cancer-cachexia-market-103262

North America region holds the largest market share of the global Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome Drug North America is expected to hold a large market share in the global Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome Drug Market due to the growing incidence of cancer cases. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) claims 13 million new cancer cases worldwide. The World Cancer Report provides that the incidence rate of new cancer cases is increased by 50% to 15 million in 2020. The existence of a highly developed healthcare system, the high degree of acceptance by medical practitioners of novel products, the total availability of advanced technological tools, FDA approval of new drugs and many companies are developing oncology products ( https://www.datamintelligence.com/research-report/ cancer-anorexia-cachexia-syndrome-drug-market)

2.2 RCC-33: colorectal cancer treatment drug candidate:

Our anti-neoplastic flagship product under development, RCC-33, is an antitumor drug candidate for the treatment of colorectal cancer, which is the 3rd most diagnosed and 2nd most lethal of all cancers, with approximately 2M new cases being diagnosed annually worldwide and a current market estimated at $12B, and which is expected to reach $17B by 2027.

The RCC-33 proprietary formula consists of a specific synthetic cannabinoid molecular composition that has demonstrated the potential to reduce colorectal cancer tumor volume by over 30% in repeated in-vivo studies performed.

Overview

Cancer and Cannabinoids

Cancer is a general term used to describe a group of more than 100 related diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells, leading to the development of a mass commonly known as a tumor, followed by invasion of the surrounding tissues and subsequent spread, or metastasis, to other parts of the body. Despite enormous investment in research and the introduction of new treatments, cancer remains a critical area of unmet medical need. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, responsible for an estimated nearly 10 million deaths in 2021. As of January 1, 2019, there were more than 16.9 million people with a history of cancer living in the United States, with 1.9 million new cases and 609,360 cancer deaths expected in 2022 (Source: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2022).

Over the past decade, there has been growing interest in the therapeutic value of cannabinoid compounds in oncology. Cannabis has long been suggested as a well-tolerated, safe, and effective option to help patients cope with cancer related symptoms by reducing nausea and vomiting, alleviating cancer pain, stimulating appetite, and improving quality of life. Beyond their palliative benefits, however, cannabinoids have also been receiving increased attention for their anti-cancer potential, which we believe may one day revolutionize cancer therapy.

Cannabinoids are a diverse class of chemical compounds that occur naturally within cannabis plants and are pharmacologically similar to cannabinoids produced by the human body, known as endocannabinoids. Endocannabinoids form part of the human endocannabinoid system (ECS), a complex biological network that also includes cannabinoid receptors and enzymes involved in cannabinoid formation, transport, and degradation. The ECS is regarded as an important endogenous system implicated in regulation of the most vital biological processes to maintain homeostasis, assisting the body to remain stable and balanced despite external, or environmental, fluctuations (Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2016;22(12):1756-1766).

Dysregulation of the ECS owing to variation in the expression and function of cannabinoid receptors or enzymes or the concentration of endocannabinoids has been associated with several diseases, including cancer (Source: International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020;21(3):747). Indeed, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of the ECS as well as the processes that it regulates include practically every pathway important in cancer biology. Expression of the ECS is altered in numerous types of tumors, compared to healthy tissue, and this aberrant expression has been related to cancer prognosis and disease outcome, depending on the origin of the cancer (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology, 2018;175(13):2566-2580). Recent studies suggest that endocannabinoids contribute to maintaining balance in cell proliferation and that targeting the ECS can affect cancer growth (Source: Canadian Urological Association Journal, 2017;11(3-4):E138-E142).

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Cannabinoids can interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the ECS, sometimes with a higher affinity than endocannabinoids. As a consequence, all the processes regulated by endocannabinoids are susceptible to interference by cannabinoids. The ability to use cannabinoids to modulate the ECS encompasses several attractive pharmacotherapeutic targets for systemic anti-cancer treatment and has sparked considerable research examining cannabinoid action on cancer cells (Source: Pharmacological Reviews, 2006;58(3):389-462).

Cannabinoids have demonstrated selective anti-tumor properties in preclinical studies, exerting anti-proliferative, proapoptotic, anti-angiogenic, and anti-metastatic and anti-inflammatory effects depending on tumor type and specific setting (Source: Cancer Medicine, 2018:7(3):765-775). These effects appear to be more pronounced when cannabinoids are used together versus being administered separately, a mechanism known as the entourage effect. We believe, therefore, that cannabinoid combinations may hold promise for an improved anti-proliferative strategy for cancer management.

In addition to their potential role as anti-cancer agents, cannabinoids have been observed to act synergistically with some conventional antineoplastic drugs, such as chemotherapeutic agents, enhancing their effectiveness (Source: Cancer Medicine, 2018;7(3)765-775). This raises the potential for combinational therapies that may increase the range of chemotherapeutic options available to patients and enable targeting of tumor progression at different levels while also permitting dosages of cytotoxic drugs to be dramatically reduced without compromising efficacy.

Figure 2: Synergistic effects of cannabis extracts and chemotherapies on cancer biopsy after treatment with the same extract and three different chemotherapy combinations

As of the date of this filing, we are not aware of any cannabinoid-based therapies approved for the anti-cancer treatment.

Our lead product candidate is RCC-33, which we are developing as a treatment for CRC. RCC-33 is an oral capsule containing a proprietary formulation of cannabinoids that have demonstrated synergistic efficacy in reducing the viability of human colon cancer cell lines in preclinical studies.

Colorectal Cancer

CRC is one of the more common forms of cancer worldwide, representing a significant challenge to the global healthcare system. According to the World Health Organization, CRC is the third most diagnosed cancer in the world and the second-leading cause of cancer-related mortality. In the United States, there were approximately 1,369,005 people living with CRC in 2019(Source: National Cancer Institute. Cancer Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer). In 2022, an estimated 151,030 cases of colon cancer and 44,850 cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in the US, and a total of 52,580 people will die from these cancers (Source: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2022).

Most CRCs begin as a noncancerous growth called a polyp that develops on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. The most common kind of polyp is called an adenomatous polyp or adenoma. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated one-third to one-half of all individuals will eventually develop one or more adenomas. Although all adenomas have the capacity to become cancerous, fewer than 10% are estimated to progress to invasive cancer. The likelihood that an adenoma will evolve into cancer increases as it becomes larger or when it acquires certain histopathological characteristics. Adenomas that become cancerous, called adenocarcinomas, comprise nearly 96% of all CRCs (Source: American Cancer Society. Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2020-2022). Adenocarcinomas may grow into blood vessels or lymph vessels, increasing the chance of metastasis to other anatomical sites.

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CRC usually develops slowly, over a period of 10 to 20 years. The complex sequence of events occurring during initiation, development and propagation of adenocarcinomas is likely the result of a lifelong accumulation of mutations caused by both genetic and environmental factors known as the adenoma to carcinoma sequence. While the specific cause of any particular case of CRC is often unknown, more than one-half of all cases and deaths are attributable to lifestyle and environmental factors, such as smoking, unhealthy diet, high alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and excess body weight (Source: American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2020).

CRC does not usually cause symptoms until the disease is advanced, therefore early detection of adenomas by screening is vital. If not treated or removed, an adenoma can become a potentially life-threatening cancer.

Current Standard of Care

Treatment options for CRC patients depend on several factors, including the type and stage of cancer, possible side effects, and the patients preferences and overall health. Surgical removal of the tumor is the most common form of treatment, particularly in the early stages of malignancy. Patients with more advanced stages of CRC may be given adjuvant chemotherapy to kill any cancer cells remaining after surgery, though standard chemotherapy is associated with severe side effects and provides marginal benefit to the majority of patients. While radiation therapy is often used to treat rectal cancer, it is not generally recommended for colon cancer patients except in the later stages of the disease (Source: American Cancer Society. Treating Colorectal Cancer).

CRC is a heterogeneous disease with distinct clinical, molecular, and pathophysiological characteristics. As a result, the response to treatment is variable between patients, even when they are diagnosed at the same clinical stage. Such heterogeneity remains an obstacle to the optimization of treatment for each individual. Researchers are continuing to investigate new treatment options, such as immunotherapy and targeted therapy, that focus upon the genes, proteins, and other factors in a particular tumor (Source: American Cancer Society. Advances in Colorectal Research).

Immunotherapy uses the bodys own immune system to kill cancer cells. There are already several FDA-approved immunotherapy options for CRC, such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda), nivolumab (Opdivo), and ipilimumab (Yervoy). Many immunotherapies that have shown promise in addressing other types of cancer are also being tested for CRC. While immunotherapy has had some encouraging results, significant limitations remain. Its efficacy is often unpredictable, and the treatment can lead to the body becoming resistant or result in off-target toxicities where the bodys immune system attacks healthy tissue. Immunotherapy may take longer than other protocols and it is substantially more expensive than classical treatments (Source: Pharmacy & Therapeutics, 2017;42(8):514-521).

Targeted therapy uses drugs to target specific molecules inside cancer cells or on their surface to slow the growth of cancer, destroy cancer cells, and relieve cancer symptoms. There are different types of targeted therapy drugs, each working differently depending on what molecule the drug is targeting. A treatment is chosen based on the types of molecules expressed on the patients tumor cells, which allows doctors to tailor cancer treatment for each person. Several targeted therapy drugs, such as bevacizumab (Avasin) and cetuximab (Erbitux), are already used to treat advanced CRC. Despite showing clinical promise, targeted therapy has challenges, such as tumor heterogeneity, off-target toxicity, and acquired resistance (Source: Medical Research Journal, 2019;4(2):99-105). The lack of biomarkers by which to identify patients having a high probability of response is also a particularly significant obstacle. As with immunotherapy, the cost of targeted therapy is substantially higher than classical treatments.

We believe that there is no magic bullet to cure cancer and that a personalized combination of cancer treatments may be the best course for long term survival benefits in each case. To that end, the development of more prevention strategies and novel agents will be essential.

Cannabinoids and Colorectal Cancer

One area of increasing interest in the treatment of CRC lies in the development and use of cannabinoid therapeutics. The ECS is regarded as an important regulatory system in the gastrointestinal tract, being involved in several important functions such as motility, secretion, sensation, inflammation, and carcinogenesis. Recent studies advocate that the ECS plays a critical role in the development of CRC and should therefore be considered as an appropriate target for CRC inhibition (Source: Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2016;7:361). The expression of ECS components in CRC has been found to be increased and associated with poorer prognosis and advanced stages of disease (Source: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2018, 3(1):272-281). For example, cannabinoid receptors have been found to be overexpressed in tumor cells of the colon and this up-regulation has been postulated to be an indicator of cancer outcome (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology, 2018; 175(13): 2566-2580).

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Research on the effects of cannabinoid compounds on CRC has demonstrated an ability to reduce the viability of CRC cell lines in vitro (Source: Cancer Medicine, 2018;7(3):765-775), while there is also convincing scientific evidence that cannabinoids are able to prevent or reduce carcinogenesis in different animal models of colon cancer (Source: Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 11:10, 871-873).

We believe that cannabinoids are a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of CRC. We have conducted several in vitro unpublished studies using our bioinformatics platform to confirm that cannabinoids cause necrosis in colon cancer cells. While many cannabinoids demonstrate levels of toxicity on cancer cells, we have found that certain cannabinoid extracts and combinations show increased levels of toxicity relative to other isolated or combined cannabinoids. These findings have spurred the development of RCC-33, our product candidate for the treatment of CRC.

Figure 3: Synergistic effects of different cannabinoid combinations on viability of a colon cancer cell line.

RCC-33

We are developing RCC-33 as an oral capsule or solution containing high concentrations of the cannabinoids CBDV and CBGA in a novel formulation, which we believe may be effective in the treatment of adenocarcinomas of the colon. The cannabinoids in RCC-33 have demonstrated complex synergistic anti-tumor effects in combination, with no psychoactive effect. In our preclinical in vitro studies evaluating the influence of 15 different cannabinoids on human colon cancer cell lines (RKO, HCT116), alone and in combination, RCC-33 demonstrated clear efficacy in reducing the viability of colon cancer cells versus alternative cannabinoid combinations. Importantly, we could detect significant reduction effect on tumor development in mice inoculated with human colorectal cancer cells.

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Development Plan

The company is currently preparing to launch Phase I/II (a) clinical study in 2023, for the evaluation of its lead drug candidates Cannabics SR for the treatment of patients with advanced cancer and cancer anorexia cachexia syndrome (CACS) and RCC-33 for the treatment of colorectal cancer. We plan to conduct further preclinical studies to establish the safety and efficacy before proceeding with first-in-human clinical testing.

Preclinical Studies

We plan to conduct non-clinical safety studies following Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) to evaluate the systemic and local toxicity of escalating doses of RCC-33 and establish dosing parameters. The results of these preclinical studies, which are expected in 2023, will guide our planned Phase I/II(a) clinical trial. The non-clinical requirements to support the development program will be verified with the FDA at a pre-IND meeting. Such studies may include repeated dose toxicity studies, male and female fertility studies, embryofetal development studies, animal abuse related studies, pharmacokinetics studies, drug-drug interaction studies, and others.

Clinical Trials

We plan to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic properties of Cannabis SR and RCC-33 in a Phase I/II(a) ascending dose clinical trial in CRC patients, commencing in the first quarter 2023. The clinical trial will examine the tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy of multiple doses of RCC-33 in CRC patients. We are currently identifying potential contract research organizations and clinical trial centers to conduct the Phase I/II(a) human proof of concept study, which is estimated to cost $6,500,000. As of the date of this filing, however, the Company does not have sufficient funds to complete the Phase I/II(a) study.

Subject to the results from our Phase I trials, we plan to submit an IND to the FDA for RCC-33 with the clinical protocol for a Phase II double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial evaluating RCC-33 in patients with CRC at various dosing levels versus placebo. The outcomes from the planned Phase II human proof of concept trial will inform our decision regarding further steps in the clinical development of RCC-33.

Our Pipeline:

In addition to RCC-33, our colorectal cancer treatment drug candidate, the company has several other drug candidates under development, including PLP-33 for the local treatment of Lateral Spreading, or Sessile, colorectal polyps during colonoscopy, BRST-33 for the treatment of breast cancer, MLN-33 for the treatment of Melanoma and PRST-33 for the treatment of prostate cancer. These additional drug candidates are in the early stage of development and the company expects to complete the in-vivo research for each product by end of 2023. (see Fig. 4).

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Fig. 4

2.3 Product lines currently not actively developed:

The company has several product lines that are currently not being actively developed following companys decision to focus its resources and attention exclusively on the development of its FDA route drug candidates, and SR Capsule described above. The product lines not actively developed include:

Cannabics CDx (evaluate) Drug Sensitivity Test

Cannabics CDx is an ex-vivo drug sensitivity test under development to provide healthcare providers with clinical decision support data from which they can identify, for a particular cancer patient undergoing cannabinoid therapy, which cannabinoids or cannabinoid combinations may have the most beneficial anti-cancer effects, and which cannabinoids may be contraindicated.

Company may revisit this decision at a later stage after launching the first in human clinical studies for the validation of its colorectal cancer treatment drug candidate RCC-33.

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3. Market opportunity for cancer treatment drug candidates:

3.1. Neoadjuvant therapy:

According to the National Cancer Institute, Neoadjuvant Therapy is a "treatment given as a first step to shrink a tumor before the main treatment, which is usually surgery.

Limitations:

 Mild to severe side effects  Suppressed immune system  Potential resistance of tumor residues to postoperative chemotherapy *

* nCRT increases ITGH and may result in the expansion of resistant tumor cell populations in residual tumors.

Frontiers in Oncology. 2019

The Effects of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Locally Advanced Rectal CancerThe Impact in Intratumoral Heterogeneity.

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3.1.1 Neoadjuvant therapy in rectal cancer

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has become the standard treatment for locally advanced rectal cancer. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy not only can reduce tumor size and recurrence, but also increase the tumor resection rate and anus retention rate with very slight side effect. Comparing with preoperative chemotherapy, preoperative chemoradiotherapy can further reduce the local recurrence rate and downstage. Middle and low rectal cancers can benefit more from neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy than high rectal cancer.

3.1.2 Neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer

In early breast cancer, surgery is the mainstay of curative treatment. Complementary local radiotherapy and systemic - adjuvant endocrine therapy or chemotherapy treatments are associated with the aim of reducing the risk of relapse according to the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumor. However, the possibility of administering these therapies prior to surgery in neoadjuvant setting offers several advantages:

 reduction in tumor size to improve respectability,  increased rate of conservative surgery improving esthetic results,  reduction in the extent of axillary surgery,  early treatment of micrometastatic disease

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Fig5. Asco Guidelines for neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer

According to ASCO guidelines most of the patients are eligible for neoadjuvant chemotherapy and are the end consumers of BRST-33, while the current treatment regimen negates severe side effects.

Side effects and risks of standard of care:

 nausea or vomiting  hair loss  nail or skin changes  appetite loss  weight changes  diarrhea or constipation  mouth sores  fatigue

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3.2. Cannabinoid Neoadjuvant Therapy

For some time now, the FDA has promoted clinical studies on Cannabinoids as a growing range of stakeholders has expressed interest in development of drugs that contain cannabis and compounds found in cannabis. Recent legislative changes have also opened new opportunities for medical cannabis clinical research. As this body of research progresses and grows, the FDA is working to support drug development in this emerging scientific arena.

RCC-33 & BRST-33  Potential safe drugs improving rectal and breast cancer neoadjuvant standard of care

RCC-33 & BRST-33 anticipated advantage over standard of care:

 Non-Suppressed immune system  potential low toxicity which is even more important in neoadjuvant treatment since patients will suffer less side effects. Since the two drug candidates are based on two natural molecules (cannabinoids) found in the Cannabis plant, the safety of the molecules in the short and long run is potentially lower. Not like in a new drug entity in which toxicity could not be predicted.  Overcoming Potential resistance of tumor residues to postoperative chemotherapy

3.3. Cancer Immunotherapy:

Our business strategy is to advance our programs through clinical studies with partners, and to opportunistically add programs in areas of high unmet medical needs through acquisition, collaboration, or internal development. Despite significant advances in oncology, there is still a large unmet need in treating patients with solid tumors, especially those with advanced disease who are refractory or unresponsive to currently available drugs. A business and clinical synergism of CNBX Pharmaceuticals and Tageza Pharmaceuticals is advancing towards unique therapeutics and optimizing their combination to expand oncology treatment options to cancer patients. The team work will be a unique collaboration of experienced scientist, physicians and exceptional healthcare research professionals. Within the partnership, CNBX Pharmaceuticals leverages its the cutting-edge infrastructure platform to support Tageza at various stages of drug development, including, target validation, compound validation and pre-clinical and clinical trial optimization. From Tageza Pharmaceutical partnership side, the clinical experience from one of the biggest Oncology Centers, access to data and insights as a result of large cohorts of patients during treatment, can be validated to determine patients who are most likely to benefit from novel cannabinoid treatments. The two companies continue in their collaboration, though no definitive agreement has closed to date.

Patients undergoing most of currently existing treatments benefit a reduction in tumor size but often relapse and develop more aggressive disease. The residual population of chemotherapy-resistant tumor cells is enriched by Tumor Initiating Cells (TIC) previously known as cancer stem cells (CSC). The TaGeza technology is targeting TIC/ CSC by re- purposing small molecules and generating specific antibody generation for targeted immunotherapy ADC (Antibody drug conjugates).

CSCs were first found in colorectal cancer. Because of its heterogeneity, drug resistance etc., it was difficult to completely eliminate CSCs using traditional treatment methods. The remaining CSCs can cause tumor recurrence and invasion, and ultimately the death of the patient. Therefore, developing a therapy that can effectively target CSCs will greatly promote the treatment of GI cancers (Sun, Y., Li, B., Cao, Q. et al. Targeting cancer stem cells with polymer nanoparticles for gastrointestinal cancer treatment. Stem Cell Res Ther 13, 489 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-022-03180-9)

Antibody Drug Conjugates ADC

Antibodydrug conjugate (ADC) is a new emerging class of highly potent pharmaceutical drugs, which is a great combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Antibodydrug conjugate (ADC) is typically composed of a monoclonal antibody (mAbs) covalently attached to a cytotoxic drug via a chemical linker. It combines both the advantages of highly specific targeting ability and highly potent killing effect to achieve accurate and efficient elimination of cancer cells, which has become one of the hotspots for the research and development of anticancer drugs. Since the first ADC, Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin), was approved in 2000 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there have been 14 ADCs received market approval so far worldwide. Moreover, over 100 ADC candidates have been investigated in clinical stages at present. This kind of new anti-cancer drugs, known as biological missiles, is leading a new era of targeted cancer therapy. The target antigen expressed on tumor cells is the navigation direction for ADC drugs to identify tumor cells and it also determines the mechanism (e.g., endocytosis) for the delivery of cytotoxic payloads into cancer cells. Hence, an appropriate selection of target antigen is the first consideration for the designation of ADC. In order to reduce off-target toxicity, the targeted antigen firstly should be expressed exclusively or predominantly in tumor cells, but rare or low in normal tissues.22 The antigen is ideally a surface (or extracellular) antigen (Fu, Z., Li, S., Han, S. et al. Antibody drug conjugate: the biological missile for targeted cancer therapy. Sig Transduct Target Ther 7, 93 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-022-00947-7) The ADC Market indicators

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Global sales of currently marketed ADCs are forecast to exceed US$16.4 billion in 2026. The market for ADCs is set to grow further beyond 2026, as novel agents enter clinical practice across several oncology indications. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41573-021-

4. Outsourced GMP manufacturing and commercial operation:

4.1. Outsourced GMP manufacturing

Our current position is that all of our Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC) required for the approval process of our drug candidates is to be outsourced. The RCC-33 formulation, as well as all additional drug candidates in our pipeline, while inspired by natural molecules, could consist only of formulations made from chemically synthesized molecules, or APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients). Our Company is not engaged in the development of any botanical or botanically based product/s. Additionally, in view of our upcoming submission of a pre-IND meeting request with the FDA, the Company the company will need to enter into an agreement with a manufacturer and supplier of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) grade APIs suited for Clinical Stage Products. There are a couple of large and long-established US corporation with a long track record of working with the FDA. Accordingly, the manufacturer will also need to provide support to CNBX throughout an IND filing process, including providing all necessary and related information concerning CMC in the form of a comprehensive technical package to be presented to the FDA. APIs supplied under said agreement will be used by Company in Phase I/II (a) clinical studies that it is planning to launch in 2023.

4.2. Commercial Operations

We have not established a sales, marketing, or product distribution infrastructure. We plan to commercialize any drugs we develop through licensing arrangements and strategic partnerships with established companies in the pharmaceutical industry having strong marketing capabilities and distribution networks. We generally intend to advance our drug candidates through Phase I and Phase II clinical trials as appropriate in order to establish their clinical and commercial potential before negotiating the terms of any licensing or collaboration. We believe that this approach will achieve the fullest marketing and distribution potential of any drugs or other products that we may develop in the short term.

5. Core activities:

5.1. Drug Discovery

Conduct all screening and pre-clinical research at in-house state of the art laboratory facilities

Our Research and Development:

To address these problems and improve clinical outcomes, CNBX Pharmaceuticals focuses on the development of diagnostics that monitor cancer progression and cannabinoid-cancer sensitivity tests to tailor treatment of cancer with cannabinoid medicine. Utilizing novel High-Throughput Screening (HTS) methods to perform studies on cancer cell lines and on circulating tumor cells (CTC) derived from cannabis medicated patients.

We aim to treat a wide scope of cancers both as the main treatment and as a conjugate to conventional chemotherapy. We believe a significant need remains for novel drugs for patients who do not respond to existing therapies or for whom these therapies bear undesirable side effects. We recognize the potential therapeutic applications of the synergistic effects of these active compounds thus building the methodology and procedures that decipher specific ratios of active compounds in regard to their antitumor activity.

Our government licensed laboratory operates a unique, custom designed and built research and development laboratory which combines high throughput screening, (HTS) capabilities with the most advanced data tools allowing us to enable miniaturization and automation of a variety of biological assays. The automated system is comprised of:

1. High Content Screening (HCS) Platform, which is an automated cellular imaging and analysis platform designed for quantitative microscopy.

2. Flow Cytometry, which enables multi-parametric single cell analysis.

3. Automated workstation, for liquid handling for dispensing accurate and reproducible volumes of liquids and compounds.

4. Multimode microplate reader, designed for fast measurements of numerous biological reactions/processes.

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The integration of these instruments is enabled via a robotic arm, which allows a continuous process which utilizes all instruments.

Readouts generated from these instruments provide us with insights to the effect of our cannabinoid library on parameters such as, proliferation inhibition, apoptosis induction, angiogenesis prevention and toxicity on cancerous cells.

These experiments will produce multiplexed data composed of images of cells, cell specific markers and the extent/signal of the biological response. The biological response will be measured using different concentration of cannabinoids and their combinations, thus determining the most effective cannabinoid treatment for a specific cancer type.

In vitro Studies  Drug Screening

We have a proprietary procedure of high throughput screening (HTS) and high content screening (HCS) for the detection of correlations between cannabinoid ratios, dosages and anti-tumor activity using a growing library of human cancer cell lines and creating an enlarged variety of Cannabis-based compounds. We examine the biological activity of these compounds on tumor cell lines of distinct tissue lineage and creating a highly valuable therapeutic data. We Screen for the most potent cannabinoid/natural extracts. Our goal in the invitro studies is to build a library of both shaulfied and natural cannabinoid extracts and to reveal their biological impact on a library of cancer cell lines. The HTS technology enables us to gain this data base in a faster manner and to reveal more mechanisms of action that are related to the genetics of the cancer. We are now in the process of merging our data with sophisticated data mining to help find meaningful insights of both treatment and outcome.

Our core technology is a continuously evolving bioinformatics platform that utilizes high-throughput screening technology, advanced data analytics, and proprietary methodologies to rapidly examine the physiologic effect of multiple cannabinoid compounds on tumor cells. This technology enables us to screen thousands of cannabinoid combinations, generating multiple datasets on the anti-tumor properties of different cannabinoid formulations and ratios. We conduct a broad range of preclinical research on cannabinoids through our bioinformatics platform, which informs the development of our product drug candidates.

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We have developed a continuously evolving preclinical bioinformatics platform that enables us to evaluate and classify the physiological impact of multiple cannabinoid compounds on various cancer cells. Utilizing state-of-the-art high-throughput screening and flow cytometry, our platform is capable of testing thousands of compounds weekly, allowing us to rapidly and effectively examine their interactions with a growing library of human cancer cell lines and biopsies. Through the large body of data generated by our platform, we are accumulating in-depth knowledge of the various therapeutic effects of cannabinoids and patterns of cannabinoid ratios that demonstrate meaningful physiologic impact on cancer.

Our bioinformatics platform includes the following:

 high-throughput screening, high content screening, flow cytometry, machine learning, robotics, and proprietary methodologies;

 a library of human cancer cell lines and thousands of different combinations and ratios of cannabinoid compounds in a costumed matrix;

 a growing database of biological response data;

 in-house extraction, processing methodologies, and analytical techniques that yield well-characterized and standardized extracts;

 collaborations with regulated cannabis producers that may expand our cannabinoid compound library and provide us with access for future proprietary cultivars;

 fully integrated in-house research and development; and

 regulatory expertise.

Once a series of potentially active cannabinoids is identified for a specific cancer type, we then test and confirm their activity through in vitro and ex-vivo evaluation studies to determine their potential activity. Through this process, we are able to assess their therapeutic potential. The results of our pre-clinical experiments provide starting points for our clinical development programs.

5.2. Intellectual Property

Expand and protect the technology, inventions, and trade secrets that are critical for business development.

Intellectual Property

Our success depends in significant part on our ability to protect the proprietary nature of our Product Prospects, technology and know-how, to operate without infringing on the proprietary rights of others; and to defend challenges and oppositions from others and prevent others from infringing on our proprietary rights, including our provisional patents described below.

We plan to continue to seek patent protection in the United States and other countries for our proprietary technologies. To date, our intellectual property portfolio includes three provisional patents, filed with the USPTO, related to our line of activity (pharmaceutical formulations; drug delivery; therapeutic uses of cannabinoids and other cannabis compounds and personalized cannabinoid diagnostics), as well as know-how and trade secrets.

Scientific Advisory Board:

The development of our drug candidates is taking place with the close guidance and support of our clinical advisory team consisting of world-renowned experts, including doctors and scientists with specific expertise in the fields of cancer research, cancer treatment, Oncology, Hematology, Melanoma, Gastroenterology, AI and FDA regulation. Our team of experts is highly qualified and respected worldwide, some members having numerous publications in their respected names, including in high authority peer reviewed publications such as The New England Journal of Medicine and Nature, to name only a few.

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Prof. Caroline Robert (MD)

Prof. Caroline Robert, M.D., Ph.D., is a world-renowned expert on Melanoma and is Head of the Dermatology Unit at Institut Gustave Roussy in Paris, France. She is also co-Director of the Melanoma Research Unit at INSERM 981 Paris-Sud University. Prof. Robert is the former Chair of the Melanoma group of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), and is currently a Board member of the European Association of Onco-Dermatology (EADO), the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO), the European Association of Dermato-Venereology (EADV) the French Society of Dermatology and Venereology (SFD), the American Society of Oncology (ASCO) and the American Association of Clinical Research (AACR).

Prof. Amos Toren (MD)

Prof. Amos Toren is the Director of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and BMT Department at the Sheba Medical Center since 2001 and a Professor in the division of Hematology, Sackler School of Medicine Tel-Aviv University. Prof. Toren is a specialist in Pediatrics, General Hematology and Pediatric Hemato-Oncology. He also has a PhD degree in genetics and qualified as a Master of Health Administration (MHA) at the Recannati Business School, Tel-Aviv University. Professor Toren runs numerous clinical studies, investigator initiated, company initiated, unicenter as well as multicenter. Prof. Amos Toren is the Director of Pediatric Hemato- Oncology and BMT department at the Sheba Medical Center since 2001 and a Professor in the division of Hematology, Sackler school of medicine tel-aviv university.

Prof. Zamir Halpern (MD)

Prof. Halpern, is a senior physician at the Gastroenterology Institute of the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel-Aviv, Israel, and current Chairman of the National Gastro Nutrition and Liver Diseases Council at the Israeli Ministry of Health. He has also served as Chairman of the Israeli Association of the Study of Liver, Chairman of the Israeli Gastroenterology Association and Chairman of the National Council for Food and Agriculture. Prof. Halpern, Senior Physician at the Gastroenterology institute in the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Prof. Noam Shomron (Ph.D.)

Professor Noam Shomron is passionate about using basic science to advance better healthcare. Professor Shomron heads the Functional Genomic Team at the Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, after training at MIT. Dr. Shomron leads a multidisciplinary team of scientists which develops computational methods for parsing big data in the bio-medical field using Artificial Intelligence. Shomron has over 30 patents and has published nearly 200 peer-reviewed publications on multiple genomic fields including medicine, agriculture, and business.

Dr. Sigal Tavor (MD)

Dr. Tavor currently serves as a Senior Physician at the Hemato Oncology Institute, Assuta Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel. Dr. Tavor currently conducts gene Therapy research at the Weizmann Institute, Israel. Dr. Tavor is the former Acting Head of tthe Leukemia Unit, Department of Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv. Dr. Tavor has two postdoctoral fellowships, at the Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of California Los Angeles, CA, and at the Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute, Israel. Dr. Tavor has published extensively on Leukemia in peer reviewed journals and is a member of the Israel Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion, the European Hematology Association (EHA), the American Society of Hematology (ASH), and the European Leukemia Network (ELN).

Dr. Yonina Tova (MD)

Dr. Yonina Tova (MD) is an internationally recognized Radiation Oncologist, certified by the American Board of Radiology (ABR), and currently serves as Director of the Radiotherapy Institute at Ziv Hospital in Israel. Dr. Tova obtained her Medical Degree from the College of Medicine, University of Illinoi, Chicago, in 1986, and specializes in treating cancer with radiation, using radiation therapy to treat a wide variety of cancers.

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Dr. Erez Scapa (MD)

Dr. Scapa earned his M.D. in 2000 at the Technion Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel, cum laude. He later held a Research Fellowship in Hepatology at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, as well as a fellowship in Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection at the NTT Medical Center in Tokyo, Japan. He is an expert in invasive endoscopy and has extensive experience in preforming colonoscopies and gastroscopies. He is proficient in both diagnostic as well as invasive endoscopic ultrasound and has served as the head of the Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection program in Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center since 2019. Dr. Scapa is a Senior Physician at the Gastroenterology institute in the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel-Aviv, Israel, who completed a Research Fellowship in Hepatology at the Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard University.

Dr. Ilan Hochman, VP R&D

Dr. Hochman holds a PhD in cancer Immunology from the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. Dr. Hochman brings more than 20 years of experience in versatile R&D leadership and management positions in Innovative biotechnology and startup companies.

Dr. Lior Eshdat, VP IP

Dr. Eshdat holds a Ph.D. in organic chemistry and brings over 14 years of experience in intellectual property practice. Before he became an Israeli Patent Attorney Dr. Eshdat held a post-doctoral research fellowship at the University of Boulder and was a senior chemist in Dynamic Organic Light which developed OLED display technologies in Colorado.

Dr. Dana Ben-Ami Shor (MD)

Dr. Ben-Ami Shor is a recognized expert in invasive endoscopy and gastroenterology in the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Dr. Ben-Ami Shor earned her M.D in 2009, graduating cum laude from the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University. She specialized in internal medicine and gastroenterology at the Sheba Medical Center, Israel. She also successfully completed an advanced endoscopy (ASGE) accredited fellowship within the Center for Interventional Endoscopy at AdventHealth, in Florida. Additionally, Dr. Ben-Ami Shor is proficient in both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Dr. Ben-Ami Shor is a recognized expert in invasive endoscopy and gastroenterology in the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Dr. Sigalit Arieli Portnoy (Ph.D.)

A Senior Advisor in the field of Regulation, Validation and Quality. Dr. Sigalit Ariely-Portnoy has over 17 years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. During this time, she has managed pharmaceutical and chemical plants at Taro pharmaceutical industries Ltd as Operation Group Vice president and in Teva Pharmaceutical industries Ltd as Kfar-Saba OSD plant manager. Dr. Ariely-Portnoy managed Teva's largest plant worldwide (9 billion tablets per annum and more than $2B revenues). During her career, she led more than 50 inspections by the US FDA, EMEA, Israeli MOH, and others. Dr. Ariely-Portnoy spearheaded the construction of a 200,000 sq ft pharmaceutical plant, several chemical plants and bio-warehouses, as well as many significant plant expansions for manufacturers of semisolids, liquids and oral solid dosage forms. Between the years 2003-2006, Dr. Ariely-Portnoy was the president of the Israel chapter of the PDA (Parenteral Drug Association). For the last 5 years, Dr. Ariely-Portnoy manages Gsap, a company which consults pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology companies in several major fields, including innovative product development, regulation, establishing quality systems and validation services. Dr. Ariely-Portnoy received her B.Sc., M.Sc., and D.Sc. from the Technion Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel, in the fields of Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Sigalit Ariely-Portnoy has vast experience in the pharmaceutical industry and managed pharmaceutical and chemical plants at Taro Pharmaceutical Industries LTD as Operation Group Vice President and in Teva Pharmaceutical industries LTD as OSD plant manager.

Prof. Benjamin Dekel (MD, PhD)

Prof. Dekel (MD, PhD) is the Head of the Israeli Stem Cell Society, and heads the Pediatric Nephrology Division and the Pediatric Stem Cell Research Institute at the Sheba Medical Center. He is also Associate Dean for Clinical Research Innovations and Development, and Chair of Nephrology and Director of the Center of Regenerative Medicine, at Tel Aviv University.

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Results of Operations

For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2022 and 2022

Operating Expenses

For the three months ended November 30, 2022, our total operating expenses were $346,790 compared to $1,110,349 for the three months ended November 30, 2021, resulting in a decrease of $763,559. The decrease is attributable to a decrease of $386,403 in general administration expenses, mostly due to the board share based expenses and a decrease of $377,156 in research and development expenses.

We incurred a financial loss of $10,879 for the three months ended November 30, 2022, compared to financial income of $212,670 for the three months ended November 30, 2021. The decrease in financial expense was mainly attributable to revaluation of a convertible loan of $4,542 compared to $196,768 for the three months ended November 30, 2021. As a result, the net loss was $357,699 for the three months ended November 30, 2022, compared to $1,323,020 for the three months ended November 30, 2021.

Net loss

Net loss decreased by $965,321 to $357,699 for the three months ended November 30, 2022, compared to a net loss of $1,323,020 for the three months ended November 30, 2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

As of November 30, 2022, we had $21,600 in cash compared to $786,414 on November 30, 2021. We expect to incur a minimum of $1,000,000 in expenses during the next twelve months of operations. We estimate that these expenses will be comprised primarily of general expenses including overhead, legal and accounting fees, research and development expenses, and fees payable to outside medical centers for clinical studies.

Liquidity and Capital Resources during the Three Months Ended November 30, 2022 compared to the Three Months Ended November 30, 2021

We used cash in operations of $95,915 for the three months ended November 30, 2022, compared to cash used in operations of $599,545 for the three months ended November 30, 2021. The negative cash flow from operating activities for the three months ended November 30, 2022, is primarily attributable to the Company's net loss of $357,699, an increase in accounts payables and accrued liabilities of $2,687 and a decrease of $135,784 in account receivables and prepaid expenses, depreciation of $43,185, convertible loan valuation of $4,542 and share-based payment of $75,557

We had no cash flow from investing activities during the three months ended November 30, 2022, compared to $513 cash flow from investing activities for the three months ended November 30, 2021.

We will have to raise funds to pay for our expenses. We may have to borrow money from shareholders, issue equity or enter into a strategic arrangement with a third party. There can be no assurance that additional capital will be available to us. We currently have no arrangements or understandings with any person to obtain funds through bank loans, lines of credit or any other sources. Since we have no such arrangements or plans currently in effect, our inability to raise funds for our operations will have a severe negative impact on our ability to remain a viable company.

Going Concern

Due to the uncertainty of our ability to meet our current operating and capital expenses, our independent auditors included an explanatory paragraph in their report on the audited financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2022, regarding concerns about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements contain additional note disclosures describing the circumstances that lead to this disclosure by our independent auditors.

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Our unaudited financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which assumes the realization of assets and settlement of liabilities in the normal course of business. Our ability to continue as a going concern is dependent upon our ability to generate profitable operations in the future and/or to obtain the necessary financing to meet our obligations and repay our liabilities arising from normal business operations when they become due. The outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with any certainty at this time and raise substantial doubt that we will be able to continue as a going concern. Our unaudited financial statements do not include any adjustments to the amount and classification of assets and liabilities that may be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern.

There is no assurance that our operations will be profitable. Our continued existence and plans for future growth depend on our ability to obtain the additional capital necessary to operate either through the generation of revenue or the issuance of additional debt or equity.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We currently have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Such estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on historical experiences and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. We continue to monitor significant estimates made during the preparation of our financial statements. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates and assumptions based upon historical experience and various other factors and circumstances. We believe our estimates and assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances; however, actual results may differ from these estimates under different future conditions.

See Item 7, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2022, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed on November 29, 2022, for a discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

The disclosure required under this item is not required to be reported by smaller reporting companies, as such term is defined by Item 503(e) of Regulation S-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company maintains a set of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act) designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In accordance with Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the Audit Committee, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures. The Audit Committee assessed, reviewed and determined that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures were effective as to this quarterly filing. Based on that evaluation, The Board accepted and ratified the findings of the Audit Committee that the Companys disclosure controls and procedures, as of November 30th, 2022, the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Companys management, including the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Audit Committee as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Since our previous (annual) report, the Company has maintained an Audit Committee to better review our internal financial reporting. There were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period ending November 30th, 2022, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

(c) Limitations on the Effectiveness of Internal Controls

Readers are cautioned that our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will necessarily prevent all fraud and material error. An internal control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our control have been detected. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any control design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

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PART II- OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We are a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act and are not required to provide the information required under this item.

Item 2. Recent Sale of Unregistered Securities

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

______________________________

* Filed herewith. ** Furnished herewith. *** XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc. Date: January 13, 2023 By: /s/ Eyal Barad Eyal Barad Title: Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) Date: January 13, 2023 By: /s/ Uri Ben Or Uri Ben Or Title: Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

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ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION

CERTIFICATION

XBRL SCHEMA FILE

XBRL CALCULATION FILE

XBRL DEFINITION FILE

XBRL LABEL FILE

XBRL PRESENTATION FILE

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16 OR 15D-16

UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

January, 2023

Commission File Number 1-15182

DR. REDDYS LABORATORIES LIMITED

(Translation of registrants name into English)

8-2-337, Road No. 3, Banjara Hills

Hyderabad, Telangana 500 034, India

+91-40-49002900

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  Form 40-F 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ______

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ______

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrants home country), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrants securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrants security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes  No 

If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-________.

EXHIBITS

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

DR. REDDYS LABORATORIES LIMITED (Registrant) Date: January 12, 2023 By: /s/ K Randhir Singh Name: K Randhir Singh Title: Company Secretary

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 99.1
United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of

January 2023

Vale S.A.

Praia de Botafogo n 186, 18 andar, Botafogo

22250-145 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

(Address of principal executive office)

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)

(Check One) Form 20-F x Form 40-F 

(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1))

(Check One) Yes  No x

(Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7))

(Check One) Yes  No x

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)

(Check One) Yes  No x

(If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b). 82- .)

Vale informs expected date for the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

Rio de Janeiro, January 13, 2023  Pursuant to Article 37, paragraph 2, of CVM Resolution No. 81/2022, Vale S.A. (Vale) informs that the expected date for its Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders is April 28, 2023, in accordance with the Annual Calendar of Corporate Events disclosed by Vale. Further information on the Annual General Meeting will be disclosed in due course.

For further information, please contact:

[email protected]

Ivan Fadel: [email protected]

Luciana Oliveti: [email protected]

Mariana Rocha: [email protected]

Samir Bassil: [email protected]

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Words such as will, intend, expect and similar expressions identify these forward-looking statements, which include but are not limited to statements related to the UK Claims, any related damage amounts and the response of the Company to (and impact on the Company from) the UK Claims, as well as any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, future events or performance of the Company. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including risks related to the UK Claims and any related damages, as well as other factors identified in this cautionary note and in the risk factors of the Companys Annual Report and any updates thereto in subsequent filings of the Company with the SEC. We caution you not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update this information. Any defined terms used herein have the same meanings as such terms disclosed in the Companys Annual Report.

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
RAF LAKENHEATH, England  An Air Force officer who was found guilty Friday on charges related to groping a colleague two years ago will be reprimanded and spend just over a month in jail.

A court-martial jury convicted Maj. Jorge Arizpe of two counts of abusive sexual contact and conduct unbecoming an officer, concluding a 5-day trial in which Arizpes lawyers accused prosecutors of overreach.

Military judge Lt. Col. Lance Smith ordered an official reprimand, forfeiture of $2,400 in pay and 35 days of confinement as punishment for Arizpe, who has been an Air Force nurse for 18 years, according to his civilian attorney, Sean Timmons.

The case against Arizpe resulted from two episodes in 2021, the first at a barbecue he hosted at his house in Bury St. Edmunds and the second a remark he made to a woman who is 20 years younger and married to a service member.

In the first instance, as the barbecue was winding down, Arizpe grabbed a female guest on one of her buttocks, the woman testified.

The woman, also an officer, pushed him away and said, thats enough.

She testified that Arizpe chuckled and told her I had to try before trying to hug her.

Maj. Jorge Arizpe violated me not only as a woman and colleague, but also irreparably broke my trust with my brothers and sisters in arms, the woman testified Friday before sentencing.

A few months after the barbecue, Arizpe and Samantha Mindack, wife of an active-duty service member, were discussing their respective activities from the previous weekend.

Mindack testified that she said she had gone dancing with her husband in London and that she showed Arizpe photos and videos.

She testified that Arizpe then told her, Im going to say something that might be cringe, but you are the type of girl I usually go for. But I know theres a line.

Prosecutors argued that Arizpe knew what he was doing in both situations and that his disregard or lack of remorse immediately afterward indicated that his actions were intentional.

After sentencing, Timmons said his client shouldnt have been put on trial. He added that this was the first time in his 15-year career that hes seen a conviction under the article of the Uniform Code of Military Justice related to sexual crimes that resulted in a such a relatively mild sentence.

The fact that the judge did not dismiss (Arizpe) from the Air Force after a conviction is a clear message that the governments evidence was insufficient, Timmons said.

Timmons said he intends to appeal the verdict.

Prosecutors declined to comment after the trial.
(Tribune News Service)  In an effort stop PFAS contamination before it reaches the Dayton water system, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base said engineers have built a 420-foot-long trench near a hazardous materials storage site on the base.

"The constructed trench will intercept impacted groundwater, and a downgradient-collection basin will catch affected surface water so it can be treated before it's discharged near the Dayton drinking water wellfield," the base said Thursday.

"We are very supportive of taking early actions like this that Wright-Patterson Air Force Base is doing," Bonnie Buthker, chief of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's Southwest District office, said in a statement on the project. "By installing this trench and collecting the contaminated groundwater and the rainwater from this particular site, they're preventing that contamination from impacting Dayton's production wells and also base production wells."

The city of Dayton sued the Wright-Patterson and the Department of Defense in May 2021 for (the lawsuit alleges) failing to stop contaminants from entering a source of the city's drinking water.

The lawsuit, first filed in Dayton's federal court, accuses the base of failing to stop per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as "PFAS," from entering a city water source.

The suit was moved to a federal court in South Carolina later that summer, where the case remains pending.

More recently, twenty-one wells at the base were found to have yielded water samples showing the presence of "forever chemicals" above EPA lifetime health advisory levels or regional screening levels, according to data the base released late last year.

Wright-Patterson Thursday said the trench project "targets" a hazardous materials storage facility on the base's Area B.

The base said the storage facility "accidently released a firefighting agent called aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on two occasions in 2008 and 2011."

Officials said the fire-suppression system at this facility used an earlier version of the firefighting foam before the EPA identified PFAS as risky.

"The released (firefighting foam) soaked into the soil and entered the ground and surface water near the site," the base said.

Last week, the Department of Defense released new requirements for firefighting foam used at military bases. "It marks a crucial step toward ending the use of foams containing the toxic 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS, which have long contaminated drinking water," the Environmental Working Group said in a statement.

The new firefighting foam standards are dated Jan. 6.

Questions about the release and the trench were sent Friday to a representative of the 88th Air Base Wing, the host unit that oversees Wright-Patterson, one of the nation's largest Air Force bases and the largest single-site employer in Ohio. Questions were also sent to a city of Dayton spokeswoman.

The 2-foot-wide trench extends about 30 feet below the surface, reaching bedrock, the base said, citing Ed Coggin, technical director of the water engineering group at Weston Solutions LLC, the contractor awarded the project in 2021 as part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rapid Response Program.

As groundwater seeps out the trench's sides, gravity will pull it through the gravel fill material and into a pipe, preventing groundwater from moving further from the site.

Then a collection pipe is supposed to convey water to a submerged pump to send 15 to 25 gallons of water per minute to the downgradient-treatment system, which will use an organically-engineered clay to filter out PFAS.

"The intercepted groundwater will be combined with captured surface water from the drainages south and west of the storage facility," said Greg Plamondon, base remedial project manager for the site. "All accumulated water will then be treated by a series of passive pretreatment and primary treatment beds before being discharged to the base stormwater network. This system will effectively reduce the concentrations of PFAS leaving the base."

(c)2023 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

Visit at www.daytondailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
STUTTGART, Germany  The U.S. Army will begin training an expanded cadre of Ukrainian soldiers as early as next week at ranges in Germany, where troops will learn how to fire and maneuver with new armored fighting vehicles, military officials said this week.

The stepped-up effort means about 500 troops will cycle monthly through the Armys training hubs in Germany, the largest of which is in the Bavarian town of Grafenwoehr.

The initial contingent of roughly 500 Ukrainian soldiers builds on other specialized training by U.S. forces since Russias full-scale invasion of the country in February, said Col. Martin ODonnell, spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

As of December, the Army in Europe had trained about 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

The training grounds in Grafenwoehr include more than 100 miles of tank and secondary trails as well as dozens of artillery and mortar firing positions, and aerial gunnery and close-air-support zones.

Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the top Pentagon spokesman, said Thursday the expectation is that Bradley armored vehicles, which were authorized for delivery to Ukraine earlier this month, will soon be operational in the war.

Were looking at weeks, not months, Ryder said.

The arrival of the Bradleys coincides with a pledge by Germany to send Marder infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. On Saturday, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised to provide Challenger 2 tanks and other artillery systems after speaking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Meanwhile, other allies, including Poland, have indicated they are considering deliveries of modern battle tanks to the country.

The U.S. has sent some $20 billion in assistance to Ukraine since the start of the war. During that time, the range of weaponry delivered has expanded from simpler equipment such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to longer-range artillery and more advanced systems.

Ukrainian troops will soon begin training in the U.S. on the Patriot missile defense system, which is among the most complex in the Armys inventory. Many months are required for mastery of it.

Meanwhile, the USAREUR-AF efforts in Germany will be overseen by the Security Assistance Group-Ukraine, which was established in Wiesbaden in November to coordinate support efforts for Ukraine.
Advocates for the U.S. Navy officer serving a three-year prison sentence in Japan have organized nationwide protests at Japanese embassies to coincide with Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas visit Friday with President Joe Biden.

Supporters of Lt. Ridge Alkonis plan to protest from 10 a.m. to noon outside the Japanese Embassy in Washington D.C., and at 17 other Japanese consulates across the country, according to the Bring Ridge Home and Alkonis supporter Andrew Eubanks accounts on Twitter.

Join us as we protest the wrongful imprisonment of Lt. Ridge Alkonis and call for his return to the U.S., the Bring Ridge Home page tweeted Thursday night.

Alkonis wife, Brittany Alkonis, who returned to the U.S. from Japan on Thursday, is joining the protest in D.C. Eubanks tweeted that day.

However, its unclear whether Biden and Kishida plan to discuss Alkonis case. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, in a Thursday press briefing, said he wouldnt preview or get ahead of the specific agenda.

We, certainly the president is aware of the lieutenants circumstances in Japan, as is leadership across the military in the Defense Department, Kirby said at the briefing.

Neither Eubanks nor Jonathan Franks, the Alkonis familys spokesman, responded to requests for additional comments by Friday in Japan.

Alkonis, 34, of Claremont, Calif., was convicted in October 2021 by the Shizuoka District Court of negligent driving causing the deaths of two people and injuring a third in May 2021.

A weapons officer formerly assigned to a destroyer at Yokosuka Naval Base, Alkonis was driving his family through Fujinomiya after a trip to nearby Mount Fuji when he fell unconscious and crashed into the victims outside a soba restaurant.

The protests Friday follow Congress approval Dec. 23 of the $1.7 trillion federal spending bill, which authorized payment of Alkonis pay and benefits during his incarceration, according to Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican. Lee sponsored the Alkonis amendment after the Defense Department refused Alkonis requests.

Alkonis prosecution gave rise to a movement aimed at having him returned to the U.S. A petition launched June 6 on Change.org has garnered nearly 85,000 signatures.

Supporters allege Alkonis rights under the U.S.-Japan status of forces agreement were violated, that he was treated unfairly by the Japanese legal system and received excessive punishment.

A country claiming to be a U.S. ally  and benefitting from a sizable U.S. military presence in that country  has imprisoned a U.S. Navy officer under circumstances that essentially NEVER result in prison time for its own citizens, Lee tweeted on Friday.

Alkonis three-year prison sentence is a statistical outlier. In 2020, 1,071 people were convicted of negligent driving resulting in death in Japan.

Of those, 70 were sentenced to prison time while 1,001 were given a suspended sentence, according to a December 2021 white paper from Japans Ministry of Justice.

Alkonis testified in October 2021 that a primary doctor and a neurologist at Yokosuka diagnosed him with acute mountain sickness, a result of his descent from Mount Fujis 5th Station at an altitude of 7,847 feet, according to a trial observer report released earlier this month by the secretary of the Navy. Alkonis remained at the 5th Station for approximately one hour, according to his testimony.

Shizuoka District Judge Kumiko Maesawa ultimately rejected this defense. During Alkonis sentencing, Maesawa said altitude sickness typically improves as a person descends. Alkonis reported in July to the Tokyo Detention Center after the Tokyo High Court denied his appeal.

At trial, Alkonis said he should have stopped his vehicle when he felt something wrong with my body; he answered yes when asked by his defense attorney if his negligence caused the incident, according to the trial observer report.

The diagnosis of acute mountain sickness, however, is questionable, according to Dr. Peter Hackett, a clinical research professor with the Altitude Research Center at the University of Colorado. He said the condition is the most common and least serious of altitude-related illnesses and cannot result in fainting or loss of consciousness.

However, conditions such as high-altitude cerebral edema or high-altitude syncope could result in fainting. The former requires at least 24 hours of exposure to an altitude of 10,000 feet or more, while the latter typically occurs at over 8,000 feet within the first 24 hours of exposure, Hackett said in an Oct. 8 email.

Due to Alkonis relatively brief exposure to high altitude, Hackett said his opinion is that the fainting was likely caused by some other issue.

The Defense Department, U.S. Navy and the Japanese government have denied requests from Stars and Stripes for copies of the medical reports and other documents related to the Alkonis case.
(Tribune News Service)  Federal court administrators have conducted a "review" of some of the circumstances behind the escape of Leonard Francis last September from a luxury home detention setup in San Diego but declined to provide additional details about the stunning breakout to a Republican senator.

A Dec. 19 letter to Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley from U.S. District Judge Roslyn R. Mauskopf, who also serves as the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts, continues a months-long pattern of federal officials refusing to provide details behind the escape of Francis, a Malaysian businessman known as "Fat Leonard" who has pleaded guilty to bribing dozens of U.S. Navy officials in a years-long fraud scheme.

Francis cut off a GPS monitoring bracelet on Sept. 4 inside a Carmel Valley-area mansion where he was living under a highly unusual medical furlough leave from federal jail. He was captured 14 days later in Venezuela, where he remains as the U.S. seeks to extradite him and as Francis simultaneously pursues asylum.

Mauskopf responded to a Nov. 1 letter from Grassley  the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee  that asked for specific information about Francis' escape, as well as the conduct of both the U.S. District Court in San Diego and the Pretrial Services agency that was tasked with monitoring him. One of the conditions of his furlough, granted in late 2017 because Francis had serious medical issues including cancer, was that he wear the monitor and pay for his own 24-hour security.

His release was under the supervision of Pretrial Services, an agency of the federal courts, which has so far declined to provide information about his arrangements to the Union-Tribune and other media. In her letter, Mauskopf wrote that the agency recently finished a review that included examining Francis' case file, data from his GPS tracker, and interviews with court staff and the company that provides GPS monitoring services to the government.

Some problems were found, but she declined to provide details. "Based on our review, we made several findings and recommendations pertaining to the offices' compliance with national policies and procedures, such as documenting supervision activities. However, I will note that there is no reason to believe these findings were directly related to  Mr. Francis' ability to abscond," she wrote.

She also wrote it would be "inappropriate" to give out specific information about Francis' release  such as the agreement he had with private security  because it was more important to protect the confidentiality of Pretrial Services processes. And she said that the courts do not specifically track how often private security is used, though she said "it does not appear to be often." The court also does not keep data or track how many people are granted a medical furlough as Francis was.

A spokesperson for Grassley said the responses were insufficient because they did not fully answer his questions and that follow-up is planned.

2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Visit sandiegouniontribune.com.

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YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. British authorities have updated their guidance on the arms embargoes in place on Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The United Kingdoms Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Export Control Joint Unit issued an update on January 10 to clarify that:

Supplies of military list equipment to other end-users; such as, humanitarian, peacekeeping, research or media organisations, will not be considered subject to the embargo, unless there is a clear risk of diversion to the armed forces, police or security forces of either state.

In February 1992, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) requested that all participating states should introduce an embargo on all deliveries of weapons and munitions to forces engaged in combat in the Nagorno-Karabakh area.

On 2 July 2014, the UK refined its interpretation of the arms embargo as covering the export, supply or delivery of all goods and items on the UK military list (which forms a part of the UK strategic export control lists) where this equipment could be used: in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, or on the land border between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  Japans Defense Ministry began construction this week on a new island military base that will one day host U.S. Navy carrier-landing practice, a ministry spokesman said Friday.

Work began Thursday on the $1.6 billion Self-Defense Force base on Mageshima, an island about 20 miles south of Kyushu, the southernmost of Japans four main islands, a spokesman from the Kyushu Defense Bureau told Stars and Stripes by phone. The bureau represents Japans Ministry of Defense on the island.

Approximately 30 workers with chain saws and other equipment arrived by boat that morning at the 3-square-mile volcanic island, the Asahi newspaper reported Thursday. They will first clear the site before starting on the runways and storage facilities.

The project is expected to take four years, the spokesman said. Some government officials in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

Since 1991, U.S. Navy and Marine pilots have practiced carrier landings on Iwo Jima, also known as Iwo To, according to the ministry website. Iwo Jima was the scene of a bloody but decisive battle near the end of World War II. Its distance from the main islands, its weather conditions and difficulty maintaining facilities there has led the Navy to seek an alternative site for years.

News of the Mageshima construction came the same day the ministry uploaded its environmental impact assessment to the bureau website. The assessment was the final step required before construction could begin.

The assessment calls for an 8,000-foot main runway, a 6,000-foot crosswind runway, a port and ammunition and fuel storage facilities. The runways and storage facilities will be built first.

Runway construction should be finished in two years, the assessment said.

The national government last month set aside just over $2.3 billion of its record $51.4 billion draft defense budget for fiscal 2023 to relocate carrier-landing practice, including construction at Mageshima, according to the budget document.

The Mageshima base is needed for both disaster relief and to protect the Nansei island chain, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Thursday. The Nansei, or Ryukyu, islands include Okinawa and run southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan.

Given the most severe and complicated security environment of the post-war era, the government will build this facility and begin its operation at an early date, Matsuno said during a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday.

He vowed to politely engage with the local community throughout the construction process.
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WASHINGTON  House Republicans plan to convene a hearing on Feb. 1 to probe waste, fraud and abuse in the government's roughly $5 trillion in coronavirus aid, as they seek to uncover how much theft targeted the nation's unemployment insurance program.

The hearing marks the first such gathering of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee under its new chairman, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), who stressed in a statement that his panel intends to focus in part this year on exploring "hundreds of billions of dollars in spending under the guise of pandemic relief."

At the height of the public health crisis, Democrats and Republicans enhanced federal jobless aid and expanded eligibility, helping millions of Americans who were unexpectedly thrust out of work overnight. But the government's generosity  and long-known gaps in the nation's unemployment insurance system  opened the door for as much as $163 billion in fraudulent or mistaken payments, The Washington Post found in its year-long investigation, the COVID Money Trail.

In response, Comer this week sent a battery of letters to the Labor Department, which oversees the aid program, as well as to its top watchdogs, to understand the extent of the misspending. He also pressed California, New York and Pennsylvania to turn over records related to their administration of federal unemployment benefits, citing cases where states paid out benefits to suspected criminals  including those who allegedly applied in the names of incarcerated individuals.

And the chairman invited a trio of federal officials, including Michael Horowitz, the chair of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, to testify at the Feb. 1 gathering, which appears set to focus more broadly on the fuller array of $5 trillion in federal COVID support.

"For the past two years, the Biden Administration has allowed fraud to run rampant in federal assistance programs and Democrats in Congress conducted little oversight. That changes with our House Republican majority," Comer said in a statement.

The hearing marks the first of many attempts to take aim at the Biden administration, as the new House Republican majority looks to wield its power  and subject the White House to uncomfortable political probes.

Earlier this week, Comer's panel opened an investigation into Biden and his family, and he requested that top officials from Twitter testify over their handling of a New York Post story from October 2020 about the president's son. House Republicans also chartered a COVID-focused subcommittee under Comer's watch to conduct other pandemic inquiries  including hearings on the origin of the virus, the development of vaccines and other issues raised by party lawmakers in recent years.

With coronavirus aid, though, the problems predate Biden's presidency.

Lawmakers approved the first bipartisan relief package in March 2020 under President Donald Trump, a tranche of money that permitted out-of-work Americans to collect an extra $600 each week in benefits. That law, known as the Cares Act, also expanded the program for the first time to allow gig economy workers to obtain weekly financial support.

The two initiatives helped save an economy facing the worst crisis since the Great Depression  but they initially proved difficult to implement. Some states took weeks to adapt to the new federal rules, process a crushing wave of applications and pay out benefits, as they confronted years of underfunding and aging computer systems running on roughly half-century-old code.

The gaps opened the door for fraudsters to lay siege to federal aid, collecting checks at times in the names of real Americans whose identities were stolen, The Post later found. By the time Biden took office, much of the damage already had been done, leaving it to the Labor Department, its inspector general and other state and federal law enforcement agencies to try to find and recover the money.

But that effort has proved slow, costly and, at times, riddled by bureaucratic hurdles. The top watchdog for the program repeatedly has clamored for federal funding that Congress long has refused to provide, even as the office wades through roughly 170,000 open investigations, The Post previously reported.

Taking aim at states, Comer's letters struck a sharp tone: The three that received information requests are run by Democrats, even though a wide array of states, including Florida and others, saw benefits disrupted and stolen at the height of the pandemic.

"Despite the unexpected and unprecedented nature of the coronavirus pandemic, California's problems cannot be blamed on COVID alone," Comer wrote, blasting state Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for trying to "deflect by blaming the federal government."
A strong majority of Americans continue to support sending arms and economic aid to Ukraine, according to a poll released Monday. But as the conflict drags into winter, Americans are divided over whether Washington should push Ukraine to reach a negotiated peace as soon as possible.

More than two-thirds of respondents back supplying Ukraine with weapons and economic assistance, and about three-quarters support accepting Ukrainian refugees and sanctioning Russia, according to the survey conducted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs last month.

While support among the American public for assistance to Ukraine remains robust, Republican backing for aid to Ukraine has slipped since the spring, with 55 percent of Republicans saying they support sending military aid, compared with 68 percent in July and 80 percent in March. Half of Republicans favored providing economic assistance to Ukraine last month, compared with roughly three-quarters in March, according to the Chicago Councils findings.

The United States announced its latest tranche of military aid to Ukraine last month  the 25th since August 2021. The $400 million package includes additional arms, munitions and equipment, the Defense Department said, and brings total U.S. military assistance to Ukraine to nearly $20 billion since President Biden took office.

The United States is also sending $53 million to help repair Ukraines electrical systems, which have sustained significant damage from Russian missile strikes in recent weeks.

With Russias war in Ukraine in its 10th month, and no end in sight, Americans are split over whether Washington should urge Ukraine to reach a peace settlement with Russia imminently, the survey found. A plurality  40 percent  said the United States should continue its current levels of support to Ukraine indefinitely. Fifty-three percent of Democrats favor this approach. In July, however, 58 percent of American respondents said the United States should help Ukraine for as long as it takes, even if that meant higher gas and food prices for American consumers. Now, 47 percent say Washington should push Kyiv to reach a peace settlement soon.

A plurality of Republicans, however, would opt to gradually withdraw U.S. support from Ukraine. Overall, 29 percent of respondents hold this view, while about a quarter said the United States and its allies should intervene militarily to help Ukraine win the war quickly.

Ukraine launched a major counteroffensive this fall, recapturing the northeastern Kharkiv region and forcing Russia to withdraw from the southern city of Kherson. Kyiv has vowed to press on with its counteroffensive, with the stated goal of returning all territory captured by Russia - including eastern Ukraine and Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014 - to Ukrainian control. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has accused Ukraine of refusing to negotiate but suggested that Russia will not budge from its demand for international recognition of the Ukrainian territories it claims to have annexed.

But obstacles threaten to slow the Ukrainian advance, and Russian positions are entrenched along a front line stretching hundreds of miles through southern and eastern Ukraine. Americans held differing perceptions of which side has the upper hand, the Chicago Council survey found. Around a third of Democrats say Ukraine has the advantage, compared with 23 percent of Republicans and 22 percent of independents. Overall, 46 percent of respondents think neither Ukraine nor Russia has the advantage.

If people think that Ukraine has the upper hand, theyre much more supportive of continuing aid to Ukraine, said Dina Smeltz, one of the researchers.

In October, Group of Seven leaders formally endorsed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys terms for a peace deal, which would require Russia to withdraw from all illegally occupied Ukrainian sovereign territory.

Last week, Biden said he is prepared to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin if Putin indicates he is interested in ending the war. He hasnt done that yet, Biden told reporters at joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Washington. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, meanwhile, has promised to keep helping Ukraine achieve its battlefield aims.

We have been very clear that the United States and countries around the world will never  never, never, never  recognize territory that Russia has illegally annexed, State Department spokesman Ned Price said at a news conference Friday.

But Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, suggested to reporters last month that the moment could be approaching for Ukraine to negotiate. He suggested to reporters that it was unrealistic to think Ukraine could recapture the 20 percent of its land occupied by Russia.

With Republicans soon to take control of the House of Representatives, ushering in an era of divided government, proposals for additional aid to Ukraine could face more resistance. Ahead of the midterm elections last month, some Republican candidates campaigned on ending financial support for Ukraine. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), the Republican nominee to be the next House Speaker, has said Republicans will not write a blank check for Ukraine.

The Washington Posts Isabelle Khurshudyan, Paul Sonne, Liz Sly and Scott Clement contributed to this report.
A dreary winters day can often be brightened by the mere thought of vacations on sunny shores and cultural hotspots. While cities such as Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona, and holiday destinations along Spain and Italys best beaches will never lose their allure, the travel industry tends to make much of its so-called "trending destinations," particularly at the start of a new year. Here are just a few of the places the travel press assures us are worthy of our precious days off and financial outlay in 2023.

Albania

From the end of World War II until 1992, Albania was led by a strict and cruel communist dictator who kept his people isolated from the rest of the world, and although its now open to visitors, the country retains its sense of an exotic otherness. Stunning natural landscapes and a culture of hospitality count amongst its strongest assets. Exploration of the country would logically start in capital Tirana, a city currently undergoing a major facelift. Here, cafe culture and a bustling nightlife scene come at prices that dont break the bank. Cities begging for exploration further afield include Gjirokaster, known for its gorgeous castle and Ottoman architecture; Berat, called the City of a Thousand Windows and Kruja, a town with stunning vistas over the Adriatic and a bustling bazaar. The term Albanian Riviera refers to a string of touristic coastal villages between Palasa and Lukove, of which Saranda is the main town. Those in search of pristine nature will find alpine landscapes, glaciers, forests and waterfalls in the Valbona Valley National Park.

Kalambaka, Greece

Kalambaka, also spelled Kalabaka or Kalampaka, is a town in central Greece known for a geological wonder, giant sandstone cliffs rising like extended fingers from the valley floor. Perched atop and around these 1000-foot-high rocks are caves showing evidence of human settlement dating back some 130,000 years. The areas biggest draw by far, however, are the monasteries built atop the soaring rock formations. Of the six still in existence, the largest and best known is the Holy Monastery of Great Meteoron, whose main church dazzles with a profusion of bling and with beautiful 16th-century frescoes. Back in town, dozens of bars, taverns and restaurants cater to the profusion of tourists. Hearty meat-based dishes feature prominently on local menus.

Malaga, Spain

Andalucias second-largest city after Seville lies along the ever-popular Costa del Sol, an area known for its mild climate even in winter. Among its most iconic sights are the Alcazaba de Malaga, a fortified palace, and its soaring cathedral, considered a gem of the Spanish Renaissance. Its attractive waterfront and Calle Larios, a chic pedestrian shopping street, bustle constantly with activity. In 2023, the city pays honor to its beloved native son Pablo Picasso upon the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his death. The Museo Casa Natal Picasso and Museo Picasso Malaga will host several exhibits of the creator of Cubisms works, while other institutions organize tours, lectures and musical performances.

Montenegro

This compact nation with a population of only some 620,000 souls enchants visitors with its wild mountain landscapes, deep-cut gorges, and a sparkling coastline. Top sights include Kotor, an extremely well-preserved fortified medieval town surrounded by the limestone cliffs of a narrow fjord; the Ostrog Monastery, built into a nearly vertical cliff, and Sveti Stefan, an island village connected to the mainland by causeway. Adrenaline-seekers are encouraged to make way to Tara Canyon, the worlds second-deepest canyon, for epic whitewater rafting trips, while lovers of dramatic scenery will swoon over the endless tunnels and bridges encountered along the 296-mile journey by rail from Bar to Serbias capital Belgrade. The city of Tivat, along the Adriatic coast, makes a convenient gateway city.

Vilnius, Lithuania

This cozy, understated capital celebrates a milestone anniversary in 2023, and everyones invited. Vilnius celebrates its 700th anniversary with a cultural calendar packed with art, music, performance and more. The first of major events takes place Jan. 25-28, as the Vilnius Light Festival counters darkness with the light of interactive art installations scattered throughout the Old Town. Another highlight is set for July 25, the feast day of St. Christopher, the citys patron saint. The As Young as Vilnius Music Festival is a day of free classical and popular contemporary musical performances at Vingis Park. From January through September, another initiative celebrates the citys longstanding connection with opera. Celebrations aside, first-time visitors will enjoy exploring the citys center, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for the extravagance of its Baroque architecture laid out according to a medieval street plan.

Visby, Sweden

This 12th-century Hanseatic town instantly charms with assets including an intact medieval ring wall, churches and moody ruins and its lovely setting on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, favorite pursuits of visitors here include photographing the winding cobblestone streets, stopping to smell the abundant roses, or shopping for handicrafts such as ceramics and woolen goods. Fans of fine dining enjoy feasting on specialties including lamb, flounder, salmon and locally sourced truffles, or sampling the citys signature dish, saffron pancakes with berries and cream. The island gets particularly busy in late summer, as the weeklong Medeltidsveckan, northern Europes largest medieval festival, unfolds; dates for 2023 are Aug. 6-14.
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan  Hope Carter, the spouse of a Marine Corps Community Services employee, said Thursday shes troubled by the Defense Health Agencys order restricting Defense Department employees access to military hospitals.

Carter, one of about 100 people attending a town hall Thursday at the MCAS Iwakuni chapel, said she suffers from an ongoing, or chronic, condition called polymyalgia rheumatica, an inflammatory disorder that causes muscle pain and stiffness, especially in the shoulders and hips. She depends on a steroid, prednisone, to ease her pain, she said at the meeting.

This is a matter of life or death for me, she said. A Japanese doctor will not give me prednisone for that condition because they just tell me to deal with the pain for a couple of years and it will go away.

For nearly two hours, Carter and others told the bases hospital commander the impact the DHA mandate will have on their medical care. MCAS Iwakunis is the third town hall at a U.S. base in Japan where hundreds have turned out for information and to protest the mandate. Earlier this month, Yokosuka Naval Base in December and Yokota Air Base held public forums where the DHA change was addressed.

As of Jan. 1, DOD employees like schoolteachers, contractors, federal agency employees and commissary and exchange workers are limited to urgent or acute care and some specialty clinics at base hospitals in the Indo-Pacific region. Some U.S. civilian employees of Stars and Stripes fall into this category.

DHA explained that federal law requires the agency to prioritize care for active-duty service members, their families and eligible retirees and relegates DOD civilians to space-available appointments.

For routine and ongoing care for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease or cancer, they are encouraged to seek Japanese health care providers.

At Thursdays town hall, Dr. James Demitrack, a Navy captain in charge of the Naval Family Branch Clinic Iwakuni, said he has delayed implementing the space-available policy until Jan. 23 and encouraged people to schedule appointments before that date.

Demitrack said he could not predict how many appointment slots would be available each day. DHA recommends that military hospitals in Japan post available slots each morning on their Facebook pages. For those that do, the number of slots range from a handful to none and are quickly booked.

So, its very difficult to predict because the demand is part of the equation, Demitrack said. We dont know on a given day how many appointments are going to be requested before 10 a.m. We have increased our appointments in primary care from about 90 in September per day to well over a 110 per day right now.

Four people said they may have to leave their jobs at MCAS Iwakuni because of inadequate access to medical care off base.

Iwakuni is a hardship location, Diane Pospisil-Kinney, clinical supervisor of the community counseling program, said at the town hall. Her program is one of the behavioral health services at the base clinic.

This is going to have a direct impact on our staffing, she said. The majority of staff members over at behavioral health are worldwide hires, civilians. If we cannot retain them and we cannot fill new positions, we are not able to provide behavioral health services for active-duty service members and their families.

The counseling program works to reduce suicide among service members, among its other responsibilities, Pospisil-Kinney said.

We are preventative, we do everything we can to keep the active-duty service member from going to the mental health clinic for suicide ideations and beyond, she said. If we are not there, we are going to see an increase and that is a huge concern.

Demitrack said the impacts of restricted health care on recruiting and retaining civilian employees are certainly something thats on everybodys mind, including mine.

Im in no position to answer that, he said. I agree this is going to present challenges for the entire community because everyone is connected.

The air station commander, Col. Richard Rusnok, like base and hospital commanders at Yokota on Jan. 5, commiserated with the group Thursday.

In the world we live in right now and the threats that we face, this is not something that we necessarily wanting to be dealing with right now, Rusnok said as the town hall concluded. We will do our level best.

He said DOD civilians provide the essential services that service members and their families rely on day to day.

You survive on the backs of your civilians for food chain, schools, food health programs, alcohol case support, victim advocacy, child care, gyms, child abuse support, even flight simulators, IT support, fuel service, Carter said. What happens if we all take our toys and go home?
TOKYO  Expect cherry trees to begin blooming across Japan this year about the same time that they typically start their annual displays, according to recent forecasts.

By March 22, blossoms should be opening in Tokyo, Kochi and Shimonoseki, followed by the Tokai and Kyushu regions, according to the first blossom forecast by the Japan Meteorological Corp., a private firm, on Wednesday.

The opening of cherry blossoms, or sakura, are a cause for spring festivity in Japan. Visitors jam city parks and other popular spots to picnic or party beneath the cherry trees, or simply enjoy the flowers during a stroll, practices called ohanami, or flower viewing.

Cherry blossom forecasts are widely reported in anticipation of the event and to plan for the blossoms, which last only several weeks.

Weather forecasts show average temperatures for the year, meaning the trees will break dormancy about the same time they have blossomed every year since the most common variety of cherry tree, the Yoshino, was introduced to Japan in the 17th century.

Trees should start to bloom around March 22 in Tokyo, two days earlier than an average year, and should be at full bloom around March 30, according to the Japan Meteorological Corp. forecast.

To the north, in Aomori, expect cherry blossoms around April 22, and full bloom around April 26, it stated.

In the south, blossoms should appear in Hiroshima by March 26, a day later than an average, and should be at full bloom around April 4. Nagasaki may see sakura by March 25, two days later than average, with full bloom around April 3.

Japan Meteorological Corp. predicts dates when Yoshino cherry trees start to flower and are expected to be at full bloom in approximately 1,000 locations from Hokkaido to Kagoshima, according to the forecast. Its next forecast is coming Jan. 26.

Another weather forecast company, Weathernews, estimated that Yoshino blossoms will appear on a similar timeframe, or even earlier, according to a company news release Thursday.

It is expected that in Honshu, where they began to bloom earlier than an average year in many areas last year, [flowers] will begin to bloom at about the same time, it stated.

Weathernews estimated that Yoshino trees will begin blooming in Tokyo on March 20, followed by Yokohama, Fukuoka, Kofu and Kochi on March 21.

Cherry blossoms should be on full display nationwide before Golden Week, a series of holidays from late April to early May, according to Weathernews. The first blossoms will open in western and eastern Japan in late March, followed by the Tohoku region in early April and Hokkaido in late April.

In 2010, the Japan Meteorological Agency stopped forecasting cherry blossom dates, which it had made annually since 1955, after private companies began putting out forecasts.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  A plan to compensate South Koreas wartime labor victims using money from a public foundation is being considered by Seouls Ministry of Foreign Affairs, according to a Yonhap News report published Thursday.

During a public forum at the National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday, Director-General for Asian and Pacific Affairs Seo Min-jung reportedly said individuals forced to work for Japan during World War II could be compensated by a third-party, rather than Japanese companies that benefited from their labor.

Seo said the Foundation for Victims of Forced Mobilization by Imperial Japan, a South Korean group funded by donations from domestic businesses, was a possible third-party candidate for the plan, according to Yonhap.

The foundation was established in 2014 to support the victims by bringing awareness to the wartime atrocities and providing financial assistance to the victims, according to its website. Roughly 1,815 forced labor victims were still living in 2022, according to a Korea JoongAng Daily report published Thursday.

Seo reportedly added that the plan has not been finalized and that it was predicated by Japanese companies reluctance to pay reparations for the victims.

South Korea should not be paying for reparations, said Democratic Party spokeswoman Lim Oh-Kyung in a statement on Thursday. She urged the ministry to withdraw its proposal and to stop submissive diplomacy immediately.

Japan's colonization of Korea lasted from 1910 to 1945. Around 53,000 people living in Korea were forcibly mobilized to support Japans military during WWII, according to the foundation.

Thousands of Korean women were also forced to become sex workers, also known as comfort women, for Japans military.

Reparations for South Korean wartime victims have caused diplomatic rows between Seoul and Tokyo for decades. Japans Foreign Affairs Ministry maintains that wartime labor issues with South Korea were settled completely and finally following a 1965 treaty that normalized relations between the two countries and saw $300 million in grants and up to $200 million in loans for Seoul.

In 2018, South Koreas Supreme Court in separate decisions ruled that Japans Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal must compensate victims for their labor.

The rulings prompted then-Foreign Minister Taro Kono to issue a statement on Nov. 29, 2018, calling the decision extremely regrettable and totally unacceptable.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has vowed to mend ties with Japan, and work with Tokyo to deter threats from North Korea.

"We have been rapidly restoring and developing ties with Japan, which was the worst relationship ever, Yoon said during a speech in August.
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SEOUL  Just 67 North Koreans arrived in South Korea last year, the Unification Ministry announced this week, marking the second year of record-low refugee arrivals as North Korea remains shuttered and more reclusive than ever in the coronavirus pandemic.

Most of those who arrived in the South in 2022 were not escapees fleeing North Korea directly but instead were people who were in China or Russia, according to groups who support defectors upon entering the country.

It is unclear how many people were able to flee North Korea in the past three years. The government data does not disclose where the North Koreans were living before their arrival.

The new figures are the latest example of an increasingly isolated North Korea, which sealed its border with China to tourists in January 2020 with the outbreak of the coronavirus. It also halted trade with China, its economic lifeline, sparking an acute shortage of food and medical supplies.

Those moves compounded efforts by Kim Jong Un's regime to crack down on North Koreans' escapes across the long border into China in search of food or freedom.

North Koreans typically escape by crossing the border into China. But both countries have imposed strict control measures, though some limited trade has resumed. North Korea also has cracked down on people traveling within the country, making it more difficult for people to reach the border. And now China is struggling with another dramatic COVID-19 surge.

Although countries around the world are finding their way back to normalcy three years into the pandemic, North Korea has shown no sign of easing its border measures anytime soon.

As a result, firsthand information from those who enter and leave the totalitarian country  including defectors  has dried up. Most international aid workers and foreign diplomats stationed there have since left.

Human rights advocates say they are increasingly concerned about the situation inside the country, one of the poorest in the world and one that struggles with chronic food shortages.

"The drop in defection has nothing to do with better living conditions inside the country, as it is purely because of tightened control and repression," said Yoon Yeo-sang, director of the Seoul-based Database Center for North Korean Human Rights.

Crackdowns along the China-North Korea border have become more pervasive than ever because of a high-tech surveillance system, making it hard for defection numbers to rebound to pre-pandemic levels even after coronavirus-related restrictions are lifted, he said.

Despite the heightened security, some North Koreans are still risking their lives to attempt an escape, according to Daily NK, a Seoul-based news outlet that runs an informant network inside the country. Sources inside North Korea and China told Daily NK that two men were caught attempting to escape in December and that a woman successfully crossed in November.

In 2021, more men than women entered South Korea for the first time since 2001. Of the 63 defectors that year, 23 were women and 40 were men. The same trend held in 2022, new data shows: In 2022, 32 were women and 35 were men.

Sparked by North Korea's deadly famine in the 1990s, the flow of escapees from the North continued to swell over the years and peaked in 2009, with nearly 3,000 arrivals in the South that year.

But in 2012, the number of defectors arriving in the South was nearly halved from the previous year to 1,502. The drop correlated with the beginning of Kim Jong Un's rule as the country's leader, said Kim Seok-hyang, North Korean studies professor at Ewha Womans University in Seoul. The leader sharply tightened controls on the North's long border with China and increased surveillance, erecting fencing and setting traps, she said.

The cost of defecting soared because the journey became more dangerous, the professor said. Yet the number of escapees entering South Korea continued to exceed 1,000 every year until the pandemic hit in 2020  then it plummeted to double digits.

Elizabeth Salmon, the U.N. special envoy for North Korean human rights, estimated that as many as 2,000 North Korean escapees were detained in China. On top of those, some are held at North Korean consulates in other countries amid prolonged border closures, she said in a speech in September.

The escapees are trapped in poor detention conditions and face the risk of repatriation when North Korea reopens its border, said Kim Suk-woo, who oversaw inter-Korean affairs as former vice minister of unification in South Korea.

On top of official and unofficial efforts to help the detainees, the South Korean government should publicly confront Kim Jong Un's regime on such human rights violations, he said. "In order not to anger Pyongyang while pursuing diplomacy, Seoul has long sidelined human rights issues, and the widespread abuses in North Korea only worsened over the years," he said.

Kim Suk-woo worked in the late 1990s on the establishment of the Hanawon resettlement center, where North Korea defectors get a crash course on life in the capitalist South. The state-run center with a capacity for more than 1,000 people currently accommodates only 30 or so North Korea escapees, according to government data.

While some South Korean lawmakers called for the downsizing of Hanawon because of the low occupancy, Kim Suk-woo said it should be sustained as a symbol that North Korea defectors are welcome in democratic South at all times.

The Unification Ministry said this week that Hanawon will maintain its operations, citing the possibility of recovery in arrivals from North Korea. It said the center provides not only onboarding support to newcomers but also vocational training and other care services to North Korea defectors who have already settled in the South.

Hanawon represents South Korea's "welcoming and inclusive attitude towards escapees and current residents of North Korea," the ministry said in a statement.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 12, ARMENPRESS. For the past five weeks, the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, sandwiched between Azerbaijan and Armenia, has been blockaded by Azerbaijan. As much of the world celebrated Christmas and New Year, over 120,000 Armenian residents of the regionthe oldest continuously inhabited Armenian homeland, dotted with Armenian churches and monasteries and monuments predating the spread of Christianity to Europe by decadeswere cut off from the world, former President of Armenia Armen Sarkissian said in an article for TIME magazine.

Below is the full article entitled The Humanitarian Crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh Is a Textbook Example of Ethnic Cleansing as published in TIME.

For the past five weeks, the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, sandwiched between Azerbaijan and Armenia, has been blockaded by Azerbaijan. As much of the world celebrated Christmas and New Year, over 120,000 Armenian residents of the regionthe oldest continuously inhabited Armenian homeland, dotted with Armenian churches and monasteries and monuments predating the spread of Christianity to Europe by decadeswere cut off from the world.

A group of Azerbaijani citizens identifying as environmental activists barricaded the Lachin corridor, a mountainous road that serves as the only path between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, since December 12. The flow of food and medicine fell to a trickle before the supplies essential for the continuation of normal life gradually disappeared altogether. A place that once received 400 tons of food and medical supplies daily now barely receives a few carloads on a good day. Hospitals have indefinitely put surgeries on hold. Children are going hungry. There is an acute shortage of fuel as temperatures drop to below -4C, and families are burning scraps to heat their homes.

Armenians, a people who endured a protracted genocide under the Ottoman Empire before being exposed to Soviet autocratic rule in the 20th century, are being subjected to collective punishment in the 21st century with the intent of driving them out of their home.

Nagorno-Karabakh, a historically Armenian territory, is known to Armenians as Artsakh. Despite its history and demography, it was handed to Soviet Azerbaijan in 1921 by Joseph Stalin, who implemented the imperial method of disrupting cohesive national and ethnic communities to keep diverse populations in check. In 1988, the people of Artsakh voted overwhelmingly in a referendum to dissolve Moscows artificial cartography, secede from Soviet Azerbaijan and assert their Armenian identity.

This defiant act of self-determination resulted in yet more massacres of Armenians, whose wish was not honored. Upon the USSRs collapse, Artsakh ended up inside the Soviet frontiers inherited by Azerbaijan. The Armenians, however, defeated Azerbaijan in the First Nagorno-Karabakh War, which lasted until 1994, when the region proclaimed its autonomy. Then, in 2020, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Azerbaijan launched a surprise offensivenow known as the Second Nagorno-Karabakh Warwith the open involvement and assistance of Turkey.

Azerbaijan wanted the landwithout the people who inhabit the land. Its battlefield gains were followed by a ruthless effort to raze all traces of Armenian history. While Armenia maintains a medieval mosque in its capital, has excellent relations with the Islamic world and welcomes people of all faiths, Azerbaijan has taken to disfiguring and destroying Armenian churches in the territory it took as a matter of policy. Hundreds of Armenian servicemen still remain in Azeri captivity.

The humanitarian catastrophe we are now witnessingor, more accurately, the world is refusing to witnessis a textbook enactment of ethnic cleansing. More than a dozen nongovernmental organisations, including Genocide Watch, have issued a stark warning that Azerbaijans blockade is designed to, in the words of the Genocide Convention, deliberately inflict conditions of life calculated to bring about the end of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group in whole or in part. All 14 risk factors for atrocity crimes identified by the UN Secretary-Generals Office on Genocide Prevention are now present.

The only lifeline for Armenians in Artsakh is that slender road that connects them to Armenia.

Volunteers at home and in Armenian diaspora communities are doing all they can to help. As the former president of Armenia, I have decided to give the pension set up for me in law to humanitarian causes in Artsakh. Such efforts cannot, however, succeed in isolation. HistoryArmenian historyteaches us that the success of genocidal campaigns is always dependent on the silence of the world. It is time for the international community to speak up.
An American man faces up to 20 years in federal prison for trying to travel overseas to fight for the Islamic State group in the Middle East, the Justice Department said.

Kevin Iman McCormick, 29, of Hamden, Conn., pleaded guilty Thursday to attempting to provide material support to a terrorist group.

I gotta fight, bro, McCormick said in a 2019 conversation, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. I need a rifle and I need some people. I need Islamic law.

A federal judge ordered that McCormick receive mental health treatment while awaiting trial, according to an October 2020 court filing.

McCormicks medical records showed a long history of mental health issues. He was unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense, the filing said.

McCormick suffered from psychosis, a condition in which some people have difficulty determining what is real, court documents said.

Doctors declared McCormick competent to stand trial in an October 2021 court filing, but they cautioned that his condition could deteriorate without medication.

Law enforcement began tracking McCormick in October 2019, according to an FBI affidavit.

Two Islamic centers he visited in the fall of that year became alarmed when he made statements supporting ISIS and expressed a desire to travel to Syria to fight, the affidavit said.

Members of the Islamic centers contacted authorities, who found that McCormick had been posting in support of ISIS on his Facebook page. The affidavit noted that McCormick likely had mental health issues.

McCormick started behaving erratically after losing his job as a driver in September 2019. Investigators said that after hearing he would be fired, McCormick tried to buy a gun and a knife.

His purchase was rejected after he said the items were not for an animal.

In October 2019, he attempted to board a flight to Jamaica but was prevented from flying by the Department of Homeland Security. An FBI informant began speaking with McCormick at this point, the affidavit said.

McCormick told the informant that he had planned to travel from Jamaica to Syria to fight, and he asked for weapons, such as an AK-47 and a machete.

The FBI source introduced McCormick to another informant. McCormick told the second informant that he was angry at his parents and that his fight was with the whole world, bro, according to the Justice Department statement.

Both informants met with McCormick on Oct. 19, 2019, and explained to him that they could smuggle him to Syria if he flew from Connecticut to Canada and then onward to the Middle East.

The two then videotaped him pledging allegiance to ISIS and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Before pledging allegiance, he spoke to the FBI informants about how he would have to be killed in a gunfight before he would be defeated, unlike other ISIS fighters who he said gave up.

Im not going to jail, bro, he said, according to the Justice Department statement.

On Oct. 21, 2019, McCormick and the informants traveled to a small private airport in New Haven, Conn. Federal agents arrested McCormick as he approached the plane, the affidavit said.

McCormicks sentencing is scheduled for April 6, 2023.
WASHINGTON  Eight military bases across the country will spend almost $260 million to repair damage caused by the tens of thousands of Afghan evacuees that the installations housed after American forces withdrew from Afghanistan.

The bases, which are in Texas, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Indiana, Virginia and New Mexico, were left with broken and vandalized furniture, depleted supplies, clogged water supply systems and other damage from providing temporary homes for the more than 120,000 refugees evacuated from Afghanistan, according to the Pentagons inspector general.

A report published last month found some of the damage to base buildings and barracks forced training exercises to be moved elsewhere and negatively impacted readiness.

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, asked the Defense Department this week to provide a timeline for the repairs and how the costs could shortchange other priorities. He also said he was alarmed some bases were denied reimbursement repair costs because they had started fixing damage before a restoration directive from the Pentagon was in place.

The efforts of these military bases to sustain their full operational capacity by making immediate repairs to damages caused by [Operation Allies Welcome] should not be cause for punishment because of the departments procrastination in issuing restoration directives, Gonzales wrote in a letter to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and other officials. While our military continues to feel the strains caused by the withdrawal from Afghanistan, it is essential that all affected entities are returned to their full operational capacity as soon as possible.

Afghans fleeing Taliban rule were airlifted out of the country by the Air Force in the last two weeks of August 2021. The mammoth effort  the largest humanitarian evacuation in the services history  first deposited evacuees to bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Italy, Bahrain and Germany.

From there, the refugees were sent to Fort Bliss in Texas, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, Fort McCoy in Wisconsin, Camp Atterbury in Indiana, Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, and Fort Pickett, Fort Lee and Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia.

At Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Air Force officials said guests broke tables, chairs and cots and ruined tents and cots with spray paint, human biological matter and holes. Officials said materials were completely depleted, such that no materials remain available for other real-world missions.

At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Air Force officials said guests caused extensive clogging problems by forcing large items into pipes, according to the inspectors general report. Officials described the damage as so excessive that it could not be repaired with conventional plumbing tools.

A training exercise for the Indiana National Guard had to be moved from Camp Atterbury to Fort Campbell, Ky., in March 2022 due to damage. The Defense Department approved $16 million for Camp Atterbury to replace mattresses and furniture and repair floors, doors, windows, plumbing, fire alarm systems and landscaping.

The inspector general noted some bases appeared to request money beyond the cost of damage. Fort McCoy officials asked for $145.6 million after housing 12,706 evacuees while Fort Bliss officials asked for about $570,000 after housing only slightly fewer refugees.

Refugees spent months at the military bases while awaiting visa processing and resettlement. The last Afghan evacuee left military housing in February 2022.
(Tribune News Service)  A defense contractor with a strong presence in Ohio and the Miami Valley will develop a new radar system for the F-35 Lightning II.

Northrop Grumman Corp. is developing an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the company said Wednesday.

The company today makes the AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array fire control radar, which Northrop called the cornerstone to the F-35s sensor suite. The new system will replace that.

Of the current system, Northrop Grumman on its web site says it provides long range capability allowing a pilot to "detect, track, identify and shoot multiple threat aircraft before the adversary detects the F-35."

The new radar will "incorporate some of the latest technologies available and help ensure air superiority," Northrop Grumman said. "This advanced sensor will provide unparalleled battlespace situational awareness that translates into platform lethality, effectiveness and survivability."

In addition to radars, the company makes the center fuselage and wing skins for the aircraft, produces and maintains several sensor systems, avionics, mission systems and mission-planning software, electronic warfare simulation test capability and low-observable technologies.

Northrop Grumman has more 900 employees in the Dayton region and across the state of Ohio, spokesman Vic Beck told this news outlet. The company has some 90,000 employees nationwide.

Responding to questions about the new radar system Thursday, Beck declined to elaborate beyond the release.

Last year, the F-35 Joint Program Office's Hybrid Product Support Integrator moved to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

"The capability of the F-35 advanced radar will enhance the DoD's ability to execute the National Defense Strategy in the future. Therefore, certain information will continue to be protected by enhanced security measures due to the critical nature of the technology," the Wright-Patterson office said in an email to the Dayton Daily News.

The new radar is planned for fielding in Lot 17 of the F-35s production and delivery schedule, said Russell Goemaere, an Air Force public affairs officer.

In December, the Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin announced a new agreement for 145 F-35s for Lot 15, 127 for Lot 16, and up to 126 for Lot 17. The current global fleet stands at 894 aircraft after 141 deliveries in 2022, the office and company said.

Contract details beyond Wednesday's announcement were not available, Goemaere said.

(c)2023 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

Visit at www.daytondailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. In an interview for Romania's TVR Info television channel, Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu said that the option to decouple Romania and Bulgaria for entry in the Schengen area has not been discussed. In his words, the option that was discussed was a temporary delay of Bulgaria but not decoupling.

"We have not wanted to, speaking in jargon, get rid of Bulgaria. We have not wanted to be decoupled. Bulgaria should be part of the Schengen area. The two countries have made tremendous effort to convince the European partners that they have made the necessary reforms and are ready for the border-free area," Aurescu commented.

In his words, the problem is that unlike Romania, Bulgaria has to convince not one but two countries - Austria and the Netherlands. The Netherlands has a series of requirements for Bulgaria concerning a new report on corruption and human rights or a new assessment under the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism. Bulgaria should put a series of efforts in this direction, and it has ways to do it despite the political crisis and the difficulties in forming a regular government, Aurescu said.
A court heard Anthony Fitzgerald had previously fallen foul of the inner city feud and was targeted in stabbings

A former boxer and relative of the Hutch family has been spared jail for punching a man during a violent street brawl.

Anthony Fitzgerald (37) got into a fighting stance and reacted with the punch when the other man approached him aggressively in inner city Dublin.

A court heard Fitzgerald had previously fallen foul of the inner city feud and was targeted in stabbings after he acted as pallbearer at the funeral of a murdered member of the Hutch family.

Judge Bryan Smyth gave him a six-month sentence suspended for a year.

Fitzgerald, a father-of-three from Gloucester Place Lower, Dublin 1 pleaded guilty to affray on January 11, 2019.

Sergeant Michelle Lynch told Dublin District Court an anonymous 999 caller reported a fight was breaking out on Railway Street.

Anthony Fitzgerald in the ring

Gardai viewed CCTV and Fitzgerald was clearly identified moving from James Joyce Street to the scene, where he was seen in a fighting stance with his hands raised and throwing a punch toward a man.

He could be seen leaving Railway Street and returning to his home.

The other man declined to make a statement. Defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury said the man had arrived at the scene on a bicycle and effectively started this.

He had approached her client in a fighting stance and my client punched him, she said, adding: The individual approached my client aggressively and my client reacted.

Anthony Fitzgerald in court. Photo: Paddy Cummins

The former professional boxer unfortunately fell foul of the feud in the inner city because he had been pall bearer at a funeral and people took umbrage at that and he became a target, Ms Bambury said.

He had been under threat ever since and was stabbed twice because of his family affiliations.

Fitzgerald helped carry the coffin of feud victim Gary Hutch after his murder in Spain in September 2015, and is a cousin of the Hutch family.
Ms Anderson was arraigned on the new charge of manslaughter and pleaded guilty in front of the jury that had been sworn to hear her trial.

Mum-of-three Christina Anderson has pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility for stabbing a man to death outside her home after spending over a month on trial accused of murder.

Ms Anderson, who has been a patient at the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) since shortly after she stabbed 39-year-old Gareth Kelly to death, had previously pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court.

This morning lawyers in the case revealed that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has spent this week considering a plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Ms Anderson was arraigned on the new charge of manslaughter and pleaded guilty in front of the jury that had been sworn to hear her trial.

Patrick McGrath SC, for the DPP, said the plea was accepted and the DPP intends to enter a "nolle prosequi" in relation to the murder charge at a sentencing hearing next April.

Michael O'Higgins SC, who acted for Ms Anderson, said that the plea decision was taken "after lengthy consideration and appraisal of this case".

He said there were "ongoing difficulties on the defence side" arising from a report by consultant psychiatrist Professor Harry Kennedy and the decision to plead guilty to manslaughter was informed by those difficulties.

The court has previously heard that Professor Kennedy disagreed with Dr Brenda Wright, a consultant psychiatrist called by the defence who said that Ms Anderson was suffering from bipolar affective disorder and as a result of her mental disorder she was unable to refrain from stabbing Mr Kelly.

Professor Kennedy, the court heard during cross examination of Dr Wright, had written a report in which he said that Ms Anderson's behaviour was better explained by cannabis intoxication. Intoxication cannot be used as a defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006.

Following today's plea, Ms Anderson began to cry as Mr O'Higgins told the court that his client's first instruction was to "apologise profusely" to the Kelly family for the events that led to Mr Kelly's death.

Mr O'Higgins said that she was unable to offer an apology earlier because of the trial process but it is a "matter of great regret" for Ms Anderson that the Kelly family had to sit through a rehearsal of the "most unpleasant facts" relating to his death.

Ms Justice Karen O'Connor will hear evidence and submissions relating to sentencing on April 17 when the Kelly family will also be invited to make impact statements to the court.

Ms Justice O'Connor thanked the jury for their service before discharging them. She told the jury that Ms Anderson was taking legal responsibility for the killing and that her plea was entered on the basis that her responsibility was substantially diminished due to a mental disorder, namely bipolar affective disorder.

The judge remanded Ms Anderson in custody after hearing that the accused will be taken to the Dochas women's prison before being transferred back to the CMH where she is undergoing treatment for her psychiatric condition.

Ms Anderson (41) of Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 22, stabbed Mr Kelly five times as he tried to start his car outside her home at about 7am on the morning of February 25, 2020.

Opening the trial last December, Mr McGrath told the jury that Mr Kelly had parked overnight in a space belonging to the Anderson home, something that happened from time to time to the annoyance of Ms Anderson.

Mr Kelly, who had never met Ms Anderson, was trying to start his car when she approached him and stabbed him before returning to her house. She then returned and stabbed him again.

At the beginning of the trial Ms Anderson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the charge of murdering Mr Kelly. Her lawyers called Dr Wright, who said that Ms Anderson has a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder and as a result she falsely believed that Mr Kelly was a threat to her and her family and that she was morally justified in killing him to protect her family. She said Ms Anderson was also unable to refrain from acting as she did against what she believed was an "immediate danger".

The court heard from friends and neighbours of Ms Anderson and from her husband Mark Anderson that her behaviour had become increasingly erratic in the days and weeks leading up to the stabbing. In particular, she had become obsessed with what she falsely believed to be a criminal conspiracy among her neighbours involving gardai and senior politicians.

Mark Anderson told the trial that he and his wife were cannabis users and would smoke two to three small joints to relax in the evenings after their children had gone to bed.

Because they were regular users, he said they had a high tolerance and found it relaxing.

From 2017 onwards there were times when Mr Anderson said he noticed that his wife's energy levels and enthusiasm "spiked" and she would become "very eager". "She is very creative and studied art and sometimes would get obsessed with an art project but not to the detriment of feeding herself or the kids or whatever. It was all in her free time."

On occasion she complained of feeling depressed and would go to a doctor and began seeing psychiatrists at the Mary Mercer clinic in 2017. She was prescribed medication and never had any problem taking it. "She saw it as managing her condition," he said.

On February 16, 2020 Mr Anderson traveled to Canada for work. He didn't notice anything wrong with his wife before he left but when he landed back in Dublin on February 23, two days before the stabbing, she "seemed to be delusional".

"The house was in disarray. It was much messier than usual with takeaway boxes and pizza boxes all over the place and a big pile of laundry. That would not be typical at all." When their children asked to go outside she screamed that it was dangerous.

He had never previously seen her act in a paranoid way but she began telling him about a "criminal conspiracy" involving their neighbours and said she was in fear for herself and the children. She attached some significance to a photograph she had found of Bertie Ahern and said that their solicitor was going to come to the house with Michael Jackson.

The following day, a Monday, she was still delusional but had periods of clear thinking, he said, during which she was aware that she was not well and was willing to go to the psychiatric unit. Mr Anderson called Mary Mercer hoping to bring her in that day but they said they didn't have psychiatric services on a Monday. They agreed to bring her scheduled appointment for the following afternoon forward to 9am.

To relax that night Mr Anderson said he put on an episode of Star Trek but his wife began saying things that did not make sense. She said that she was a goddess and that the whole family would become gods and goddesses. He had never heard her saying anything like that before.

He couldn't remember if they smoked cannabis that evening but said, "it's likely, it would have been normal for us."

They went to bed and the next morning Mr Anderson awoke when he heard the house alarm going off followed by a loud bang. He found that the alarm had been pulled off the wall and believed his wife had done it.

He did not know that his wife had stabbed someone until gardai came to the house a short time later.

Under cross-examination Mr Anderson told Patrick McGrath SC, for the prosecution, that he and his wife would spend about 200 to 250 per month on cannabis. He did not know how much his wife had been smoking while he was in Canada from February 16 until February 23.

The defence also called Dr Johann Grundlingh, a toxicologist. He told the trial that the effects of cannabis typically last from one to three hours. He said that if it is true that Ms Anderson smoked her final cannabis cigarette at about 10pm the previous evening and stabbed Mr Kelly at about 7am, then it is "extremely unlikely she would still have been intoxicated with cannabis".

Dr Grundlingh told Mr O'Higgins that cannabis intoxication does not explain her behaviour on the morning of the stabbing or in the subsequent weeks during which she was transferred to the Central Mental Hospital where she was found to be acutely psychotic.

Dr Wright said that Ms Anderson's behaviour was as a result of her bipolar affective disorder and not cannabis intoxication. She also found that Ms Anderson's capacity to form intent was impaired at the time of the stabbing.

Dr Wright detailed Ms Anderson's psychiatric background, saying she was first admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 2004 when she was aged 22. She was experiencing depressive symptoms brought on by stress at work and relationship difficulties. She was using cannabis weekly and occasionally other drugs including cocaine and ecstasy.

Following the birth of her third child in 2017 Ms Anderson showed "extremely depressive symptoms" and in 2018 she described being elated and impulsive and spoke about having an "alter ego" named Nicky.

Later in 2018 her mood was described as low and towards the end of that year she suffered from disrupted sleep and had thoughts of self harm. She reported increased irritability and abnormal perceptions.

She was diagnosed with schizo affective disorder in December 2018. By the end of 2019 Ms Anderson described having low moods and panic attacks which she attributed to a stressful situation with her neighbours. The court has heard that she filed a defamation case against one of her neighbours after a comment was made about her on a community WhatsApp group. In the weeks leading up to the stabbing she sent multiple texts and emails to friends, family members and her solicitor falsely alleging that her neighbours were involved in a criminal conspiracy.

Dr Wright said in the week leading up to the stabbing, Ms Anderson's mood was elevated, her sleep was disrupted and she continued to use cannabis daily. Her alcohol consumption increased from nine units per week to 4.5 units per day.

She warned her family and friends that she and her family were "in danger" and when interviewed later by medical professionals reported an increase in the intensity and frequency of auditory hallucinations.

She had a "persecutory delusion" that she and her family were going to die and she slept with a knife under her pillow. In the days before the stabbing she believed there was a sniper in her attic and her husband described her as "hysterical". She had grandiose delusions such as that she was a goddess, that Michael Jackson was going to visit her home or that she was a character from Star Trek.

Dr Wright said it is her view that Ms Anderson has bipolar affective disorder, which the witness said is a recognised mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006.

Dr Wright added that Ms Anderson did understand the nature and quality of her actions and she understood that what she did in stabbing Mr Kelly was legally wrong. However, she "harboured a psychotic moral justification for her actions - she delusionally believed her life and the lives of her family were in danger and that in killing Mr Kelly she was protecting them all."

She described this as a "persecutory delusional belief, a false belief with no rational basis."

When Mr O'Higgins asked if Ms Anderson was able to refrain from the act of stabbing Mr Kelly, Dr Wright said: "Ms Anderson delusionally believed the danger to her family she had been concerned with for days had become an immediate danger rather than a non-specific danger. In that context she was unable to generate an alternative way to behave and so was unable to refrain from acting as she did."

Mr O'Higgins has told the court that before the DPP accepted the manslaughter plea, Dr Wright had provided a supplemental report that was written up while the trial had been adjourned for the Christmas break.
Those arrested are currently being held at Garda Stations in south west Dublin

Some of the drugs seized this morning

Seven men have been arrested by gardai in Tallaght following a series of early-morning raids that also led to the discovery of 40,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine as well as 10,000 in cash.

A total of six residential properties in the West Tallaght area were searched by gardai from the Tallaght District at 7am this morning as part of ongoing investigations into organised criminal activity and anti-social behaviour

In the course of the searches controlled drugs, including quantities of heroin and crack cocaine (analysis pending) worth in excess of 40,000, and 10,000 in cash were also seized, gardai said.

Two males were arrested under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939 in connection with recent incidents involving firearms.

Four males, ranging in age from 20s to 40s, were detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 as part of investigations into the sale and supply of controlled drugs. One man (40) was arrested on foot of a warrant.

Those arrested are currently being held at Garda stations in south west Dublin.

Garda said the ongoing operation was led by the District Detective Unit and Community Policing Units at Tallaght Garda Station in collaboration with community stakeholders and South Dublin County Council.
Bounties have been placed on the heads of the Kinahans

Kinahan cartel ally Raffaele Imperiale has revealed how he invested as much as 30 to 40 million in solid gold as he attempted to launder the massive amounts of money he made from selling drugs.

At one stage the former King of the Narcos, who is now a State witness in his native Italy where he was extradited after his dramatic arrest in Dubai last year was buying up to 40 kilos  an estimated 2 million worth a week.

"I invested in gold bars, he has told prosecutors. I got the bars from a company, a foundry located near Venice.

For a period, in 2020, I bought gold at the Tari (a gold foundry) which I took to Germany. Up to 40 kilos a week. I reinvested a total of 30/40 million in gold.

Imperiale's arrest

Imperiale, who last month revealed how he was making 300,000 a MONTH from drug-dealing, told prosecutors his priority in recent years was to convert his ill-gotten gain into safe investments.

He explained how moving the money is the key and cleaning up the drug money is the priority.

Known in Italy as the Van Gogh boss after he had previously laundered money from drug trafficking by buying two Van Gogh paintings, he had become focused only on how to invest the millions made from the sale of drugs.

Having worked for so many years exclusively in the wholesale cocaine market, he was now planning to regenerate and change activities, and focus in particular on cash flows, according to a report in Italian media.

It was 2016 and Imperiale was financially down. He recovered with a 300-kilo load of cocaine that he brought in wholesale. But then a new business appeared on the horizon, one news reports states.

I changed activities, Imperiale told prosecutors.

I found a strong contact, a money changer and started working on money flows. My project, if I hadn't been arrested, was to gradually leave drug trafficking and work only on money flows. The money changers are the key to international drug trafficking, which would not exist without them.

However, having agreed to become a State witness in his home country, he explained how he now wants to set an example for my children and my family".

He relates how, in 2016, he took a look at the accounts and realised that I had squandered everything.

I rolled up my sleeves and started my business again, this time internationally. To start over, I contacted Rico Riquelme, currently detained in the Netherlands. I contacted him through cryptographic systems.

He gave me the opportunity to reintroduce myself into the system by entrusting me with 300 kg of cocaine and telling me that I could pay for it when I could, even in six/twelve months.

It was a substance bought in Spain at 25,000 per kg, so it was worth 7.5 million. And that I sold in the Neapolitan area for around 31,000 per kg, thus earning 9 million.

I kept these relationships directly (with the most important clans), always with encrypted telephones.

Bounties have been placed on the heads of the Kinahans

On European territory, today 2,500 are earned for each kg of cocaine, previously even 7,000 per kg. Ultimately, I received about 300,000 a month.

The insight into the crime bosss previous life are contained in evidence given to judges as part of what has been described as his willingness to collaborate with justice.

I intend to undertake a process of collaboration with the judiciary, answering every question and reporting every element in my possession useful for the reconstruction of the facts of which I am being investigated, Imperiale has declared.

"It is an opportunity to change my life, and I intend to exploit it, also to set an example for my children and my family.

Despite my intention to collaborate with justice, I currently do not intend to resort to a protection program or to undertake a collaboration in the form of the law on collaborators of justice, at least in the state".

Imperiale then described his rise in the world of drug trafficking.

Arrived in Dubai in 2010, I had 90/100 million in cocaine with Mario Cerrone, which was in Naples, on various sources, the proceeds of my business in Brazil.

This "work" from Brazil had been done without the knowledge of the Amato-Paganos, and I decided to sell that quantity in the Neapolitan territory, little by little, so as not to attract attention. At that time there were as leaders of the Amato-Paganos, first Mariano Riccio, then "aunt Rosaria" or Rosaria Pagano as the leaders had been arrested."

Imperiale was number two on Italys most wanted list when he was extradited from the UAE, where he attended Daniel Kinahans wedding in 2017.

He is now become State witness against the Camorra, the drug mafia he was a high-ranking member of for over two decades.

Court documents recently revealed that the cocaine kingpin blew through an astonishing 7 million as a fugitive in just three months.

He spent more than 3 million on personal expenses while on the run in Dubai.

After his extradition to Italy, Imperiale was arrested in his prison cell following a massive anti-mafia operation that led to the seizure of more than four tonnes of cocaine worth more than 800 million.

Imperiale later tried to claim his extradition from Dubai to Italy was a kidnapping and in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

But an Italian court said there was no grounds to bring a direct appeal to the Supreme Court.

It is believed his decision to become State Witness came shortly after he was arrested in his cell last October.

His co-operation and arrest is the latest blow to the Kinahan crime gang.

Despite a super cartel crackdown in Dubai, the Irish drug bosses have continued to evade law enforcement.

They are the most senior members of the cartel to have not yet been arrested.
This morning Gerard Cruise (49), originally from Drogheda but now living in Dublin 1, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Parkgate Street.

A SECOND man has pleaded guilty to helping a criminal gang carry out the murder of teenager Keane Mulready Woods in Drogheda three years ago.

The 17-year-old victim was last seen alive on January 12, 2020, and his dismembered body parts were spread across different parts of Dublin over the following days.

His murder was linked to a violent feud between two crime groups in the Louth town which claimed four lives and saw around 100 violent incidents including shootings, assaults and fire bombings.

This morning Gerard Cruise (49), originally from Drogheda but now living in Dublin 1, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Parkgate Street.

He was originally charged with the teen's murder and was due to stand trial this month but this morning was arraigned on a new charge.

It stated that between January 11 and 13, 2020, both dates inclusive, he facilitated a criminal organisation in the commission of a serious offence at 31 Rathmullen Park in Drogheda, namely the murder of Keane Mulready Woods.

Gerard Cruise

The offence is contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 and carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.

Gerard Cruise, wearing a wine jumper and navy jeans, stood up and replied guilty when the charge was read out to him by the registrar.

He had been on bail ahead of his murder trial but following his guilty plea was remanded in custody by Mr Justice Tony Hunt.

Cruise will appear before the non-jury court again on January 23 for sentencing with his co-defendant.

The court was told the other existing charges will be "dealt with" on that date.

Paul Crosby (27), of Rathmullen Park in Drogheda, last month also pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder of Keane Mulready Woods.

Crosby is a significant crime figure with over 40 previous convictions and was centrally involved in the feuding in the Louth town.

He is currently serving a three-year jail term over a mysterious arson incident for which he was arrested while under surveillance by heavily armed gardai investigating the feud.

Crosby is considered a key associate of the crime gang led by two brothers that were feuding with the Maguire organised crime group in Drogheda.

Gardai believe that Dublin criminal Robbie Lawlor carried out the teens savage killing but he was shot dead in Belfast in April 2020 before he could be arrested in relation to the investigation.

Another man, Gerard Ged McKenna (52), was imprisoned last year after admitting to cleaning up the crime scene at his home after the murder.

The father-of-eight, also from Rathmullen Park, was jailed for four years for impeding the apprehension of the persons involved by disposing of material evidence.

During that sentencing hearing harrowing details were given of the scene where the teen was murdered.

The court heard that a blood-stained ballistic vest belonging to Keane Mulready Woods was found in a nearby burn site along with rubber gloves, a Swiss Army knife, and a part of a sofa.

A car parked in a laneway at the back of McKennas house contained a blood-stained axe and a bone fragment. The keys to that car, a red Toyota Corolla, were also found in McKenna's house.

The Central Criminal Court heard he had been directed to clean up the house by a now deceased criminal of "very significant notoriety" linked to several murders including that of a "very close friend". It's understood this was in reference to Robbie Lawlor.

When gardai searched the property, it was covered in the teen's blood splatter and botched efforts had been made to clear evidence from the crime scene.
The Guardia Civil rounded up suspects from Ukraine, Germany, Spain and Morocco who are suspected of drug trafficking

A total 30 people have been arrested on Spains Costa del Sol after Spanish police busted a gang that was smuggling marijuana disguised as humanitarian aid destined for Ukraine.

The Guardia Civil rounded up suspects from Ukraine, Germany, Spain and Morocco who are suspected of drug trafficking, illegal possession of weapons and membership of a criminal organisation.

Nearly 800,000, six firearms and 2,500 cannabis plants were seized during house searches in Malaga, Granada, Cordoba and Seville.

The marijuana was grown in several places in Andalusia, and packed and hidden in cardboard boxes that were then transported in vans as part of an aid caravan in a bid to avoid police and border controls.

Cash is discovered in a car

The drugs would then be driven to markets north of the Pyrenees.

The Spanish police investigation identified a group of Ukrainian suspects who were believed to have been trafficking large amounts of marijuana on the Costa del Sol before sending them to various European countries.

One of the weed grow houses

These Ukrainians travelled to various places in Andalusia where they transported the already packaged marijuana under strict security measures and stored it in an apartment in the city of Malaga, it has been reported.

However, the Guardia Civil in Malaga arrested four occupants of two Ukraine-registered vans that were discovered to be carrying a total of 109 kilograms of vacuum-packed marijuana hidden in cardboard boxes.

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Police then carried out 11 raids in the Malaga region that led to the arrests of 11 suspects for drug trafficking, membership of a criminal organisation, illegal possession of weapons and electricity fraud.

Drug money is found

During the house searches, items including 740,400, $25,250 US dollars, 20 kilograms of cannabis buds, 1,000 cannabis plants, a firearm, body armour and GPS trackers were seized.

Another 14 suspects were arrested in a second police operation in the provinces of Granada, Cordoba and Seville.

In eight raids, the Spanish police seized 1,500 cannabis plants, 10 kilograms of packaged cannabis, five firearms and 15,000 in cash.
A number of highly valuable medals he had been awarded in his career were taken, along with sentimental jewellery items.

A well-known figure in national GAA circles was the victim of a 222,000 burglary when an organised crime gang broke into his home and stole a safe.

No arrests have been made but detectives believe they have identified potential suspects in relation to the burglary in the Milehouse area of Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, on Monday evening.

A number of highly valuable medals he had been awarded in his career were taken, along with sentimental jewellery items.

Sources said last night that despite the garda belief that the raid was carried out by a prolific burglary gang, officers suspect that the criminals did not have prior knowledge that such a huge cash haul was in the unoccupied property.

When contacted by the Irish Independent, the 62-year-old victim of the burglary, who is a former hurler, said he did not wish to comment.

A source said: There is no information to suggest that this gang knew that there was that amount of cash in the property. In a sick way, they hit the jackpot.

It is suspected the same four-man gang who were travelling in a black Audi on Monday night broke into an unoccupied house owned by a restaurant owner in the village of Killanne before driving 12km to Enniscorthy.

In the Killanne raid, it is estimated the gang escaped with more than 10,000 worth of cash and jewellery.

The same organised crime gang, whose base is believed to be in south-west Dublin but who have strong connections to the Gorey area, are also the suspects for four burglaries that happened last week in rural Co Wexford.

Small amounts of cash and jewellery were taken in these late-afternoon crimes in Caim and Kiltealy, where the black Audi suspected of being used in Mondays crimes was also observed.

Last night, sources said the Wexford divisional burglary response unit had increased patrols in the affected areas and pointed out that Co Wexford had one of the lowest burglary rates in the country last year.

What has happened in the past week is a matter of serious concern and a full investigation is in place. Proactive policing is in place to attempt to deter further burglaries, the source pointed out.

It is understood the highly respected GAA figure targeted in the burglary had left the property not long before it was raided.

The culprits gained entry to the home by breaking glass in a rear door of the property.

The house was ransacked before the thieves made off with the cash, which was in a safe in the house.

An appeal has been made by gardai for dash-cam footage from anyone who may have been in the vicinity of Milehouse, Enniscorthy, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Monday evening.
More than 100 protesters gathered outside the hotel on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and again last night in an anti-refugee demonstration.

People gather for a protest in Dublin's East Wall over temporary housing for refugees. Photo: Stephen Collins

A refugee fleeing homophobic persecution in his home country has described the fear and intimidation being inflicted upon asylum seekers staying in a Travelodge hotel in Ballymun, Co Dublin.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, said families and children staying in the hotel are afraid and being confined to their rooms because of the threats from ongoing protests.

They are aggressive, we dont know if they will hurt you or throw something at you, he said.

Fair enough we all try to fight for our rights, but there are a lot of families here and they have done nothing wrong.

These are people who are just waiting for a work permit. Most people are in families, some women are pregnant and others have kids. There are also young couples without kids.

More than 100 protesters gathered outside the hotel on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and again last night in an anti-refugee demonstration.

The refugee described how a group of teenagers attempted to gain access to the hotel on Wednesday.

They came here at night and they tried to get into the hotel and they tried to break the door, he said, adding that the group left when security staff intervened.

He said during the protests the refugee children are taken upstairs and attempts are made to distract them.

All the mothers keep the children upstairs in their rooms, they dont go downstairs, but they can see everything through the window and they are afraid, he said.

From 3.30pm we are not allowed to leave the hotel until around 9pm, not even for a smoke or to go to the shop.

The asylum seeker declined to disclose his home country, however, he said homosexuality is against the law, I would go to jail.

He decided to leave his home country after his father reported him to the police for engaging in a homosexual act.

My father told me that I deserve to die and I brought shame to the family, he said.

I dont have a home any more, I am so stressed that I cannot sleep at night. There is no future for me at my home.

The refugee previously worked in the construction sector in his home country and is currently waiting on a work permit.

I want to work but I need a work permit. I just want to get a job and leave here and live my life like a human being, he said.
One man attempted to drive through the protest but he was stopped as men surrounded the car

Around 100 people gathered in East Wall this evening outside an old ESB building to protest its current use as a centre to house refugees.

The crowd marched along East Wall Road shortly after 5pm while being monitored by a relatively small Garda presence in police cruisers and on pushbikes.

When the protesters reached the entrance to the Port Tunnel at around 5.30pm they blocked its entrance and exit as well as blockading traffic on the East Wall Road.

Chants of Irish lives matter and help the Irish were sporadically shouted from the centre of the crossing as dozens of commuters honked their horns in frustration at the gridlock during rush hour.

One man attempted to drive through the protest but he was stopped as men surrounded the car.

He eventually reversed and left the scene.

The entrance was blocked for 30 minutes, causing considerable tailbacks, but at 6pm the protesters eventually let traffic through.

They walked back towards the ESB building brandishing signs that read "caring about Irish people isnt far right and coming soon to an empty building near you.

This protest was the latest in a series of anti-immigration events held across the country.

Meanwhile, more than 50 people staged a march and protest in the north Cork town of Fermoy over Ireland's immigration policies.

The group marched from Christ Church by Fermoy Park to Kent Bridge on Thursday evening where traffic through the town was briefly delayed.

Protest organisers agreed to keep the demonstration off the roadway so as not to impede traffic when a number of motorists explained their plight and the urgency of their journeys.

Fermoy gardai monitored the protest which was organised one month after a major anti-racism rally in the town.

That rally was organised after anti-asylum seeker campaigners had protested outside a former convent in the town which is now being used to house international refugees.

Protestors tonight slated the Government and accused them of a shambolic response to the asylum seeker crisis which they warned has exerted unnecessary pressure on an already severe housing crisis in Ireland.

Protest organisers also accused the Irish media of being complicit with the Government and failing to highlight the consequences of what they claimed were excessive levels of immigration.
YEREVAN, JANUARY 13, ARMENPRESS. Luxembourg is ready to support the deployment of a humanitarian mission for helping the population of Nagorno Karabakh if the European Union introduces such an initiative, the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn said in response to a query from Luxembourg Member of Parliament, ADR party chairman Fernand Kartheiser.

In response to the legislators questions, the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg said that the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and in Nagorno Karabakh remains dangerous.

He said that Luxembourg is deeply concerned over Azerbaijans military actions.

Below are the questions submitted by MP Kartheiser and the Foreign Ministers answers:

Question: How dangerous is the situation in the region of Nagorno Karabakh bordering Armenia and Azerbaijan?

Answer: Azerbaijans attack , which took place in southern Armenia in September of 2022, shows that the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and in the Nagorno Karabakh region continues to be dangerous.

Question: How is it possible to stabilize the situation, which has made Armenia relatively appear in isolation?

Answer: It is very important that Armenia and Azerbaijan continue peace efforts. Imposing a military solution can in no way lead to lasting and sustainable peace.

Question: What concrete steps is the government of Luxembourg taking in international organizations aimed at ensuring fair treatment towards Armenia and de-escalating the situation?

Answer: Luxembourg is deeply concerned over the military actions launched by Azerbaijan against Armenia and has demanded the immediate cessation of hostilities. Luxembourg supports the EUs mediation efforts aimed for peace, with participation of all actors. The EU monitoring mission in Armenia ended on 19 December, 2022, and Luxembourg supports the initiative to send a new EU mission to Armenia, planning in 2023 to confirm the EU constructive presence in the region and contribute to dialogue. Regarding the OSCE, Luxembourg has always supported the efforts of the Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

Question: Is there any planned aid mission for the Nagorno Karabakh population that is cut off from Armenia?

Answer: If the EU initiates such an assistance mission, Luxembourg is ready to provide support.
A bus driver subjected to an attack while serving west Tallaght last month has told how she feared she might be raped or killed when a group of around 40 youths forced their way on to the bus.

Some of them tried to break open the security screens that were protecting her.

The woman, named Debbie, has been driving buses for more than two years, but an incident in Jobstown in Dublin 24 last month has now made her feel unsafe at work.

She is supporting the action by drivers to stop providing a service to west Tallaght after 6pm starting yesterday, and also supports calls for a dedicated transport police.

During the time of the snow last month I was waiting at the terminus at around 6pm one evening when I got a call from the control centre asking me to move out of the area, but when I tried to drive away a man came from across the road and stood in front of the bus, she said.

Then a crowd of mainly teenagers, but some a bit older, opened the front and middle doors from the outside and crowded on to the bus, down at the back and upstairs.

Then the guy who had been standing in front of the bus got on and started trying to open the screen beside me.

He was trying to pull it down and I was trying to hold it up even though it was locked. I was afraid of what would happen because if it opened he could pull me out and rape or kill me. You always think the worst.

He was very violent. Everyone was shouting. Then another guy joined him and got his hand around the screen and slapped me in the face with a snowball. They were trying to get me, but I didnt know for what.

They didnt seem to be trying to rob me. They wanted to have a go at me. They thought it was fun. Maybe it was because I was a woman and I was on my own.

She raised the alarm with her controllers from the cab, and Dublin Bus staff stayed in touch with her throughout the ordeal. An Garda Siochana was also notified.

There were other people at the bus stop but they couldnt do anything, and I dont blame them. Most of the crowd got bored and left after a while, Debbie said.

Gardai are continuing to investigate the incident. No arrests have been made.
Also there will be Sean's fiancee Holly McConnellogue from Derry

The family, friends and colleagues of tragic soldier Sean Rooney will come together in Co Donegal tomorrow for his Month's Mind Mass.

Private Rooney's heartbroken mother Natasha will lead mourners as they remember the 24 year old who was killed on December 14th last while on UN peacekeeping duties in Lebanon.

Also there will be Sean's fiancee Holly McConnellogue from Derry.

The couple had been due to marry in August of this year.

Sean Rooney's funeral mass

The mass will be held at 10am at All Saints Church in Newtowncunningham.

Although born and raised in Dundalk, Sean spent a number of years living in Newtown and is fondly remembered by all who knew him.

He attended St Eunans College in Letterkenny where he completed his Leaving Certificate before joining the army following in the footsteps of his late father Cormac.

A second mass will also be held at Holy Family Church in Dundalk on Sunday to remember Private Rooney.

Members of Sean's family as well as his fiancee Holly are expected to attend both masses.

A total of seven suspects have now been formally charged in connection with the death of Private Rooney.

He died when two UN army vehicles came under fire in the southern Lebanese village of Al-Aqibiya.

Sean's colleague, Shane Kearney, from Killeagh in Co Cork, suffered serious head injuries when the vehicle in which he was traveling crashed during the ambush.

He is recovering in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital and is no longer in a critical condition.
Gardai are not looking for anyone else in relation to this investigation

A man is being held over the suspected murder of a woman whose body was found in a flat in north Dublin this morning.

The man, who was detained under the Mental Health Act this morning, is the only suspect in the suspected stabbing murder of the woman.

Independent.ie has learned that the suspect was detained at a west Dublin bus stop where his erratic behaviour led to officers being called.

The scene in Ashtown   Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

The man, aged in his 50s, is currently being held at a west Dublin Garda Station.

After his arrest gardai carried out follow-up enquiries which led them to an apartment in Royal Canal Park, Ashtown, at around 10am.

It was at this location that they discovered the body of the woman aged in her 40s, who had suffered a number of fatal stab wounds.

She is known to the man who is being detained.

Gardai are not looking for anyone else in relation to the murder, it is understood.

In a statement this afternoon the force said: Gardai at Cabra continue to investigate the death of a woman (40s) whose body was discovered in an apartment at Royal Canal Park, Dublin 15 on Friday, 13th January 2023.

No arrests have been made at this time, but an adult male who was assisting An Garda Siochana with their enquires is now receiving medical treatment.

Gardai are not looking for anyone else in relation to this investigation.

The investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow.
Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle ONeill speak to the media at Stormont Hotel in Belfast on Thursday after talks with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Pic Colm Lenaghan/ Pacemaker

Michelle ONeill and Mary Lou McDonald have rejected a dinner invitation from the NI Secretary of State, after he defended a decision not to invite Ms McDonald this week to roundtable talks with Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.

Chris Heaton-Harris said on Thursday that he had extended an invite to dinner to the Sinn Fein party president, stating: "What happened yesterday happened yesterday. I'm much more focused on the big ticket items."

Responding to the dinner invitation, Ms O'Neill said: "We're not interested in dinner."

Mr Heaton-Harris has also said it may not have been wise to have Ms McDonald who is the leader of the opposition in the Republic, at discussions around the NI Protocol because she is a "representative of a parliament in an EU member state".

The UK Government and EU are currently involved in negotiations to resolve differences over the post-Brexit trading agreements in Northern Ireland.

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 it.

The Government has also suggested that due to diplomatic protocol Mr Cleverly could not meet Ms 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, and 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 that's a matter for the Foreign Secretary."

Speaking on Thursday, Ms McDonald said: "All of us know that the way that we make progress is together, that's how this works, that's 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 after noting his dinner invitation to Ms McDonald, Mr Heaton-Harris said: "Sinn Fein were invited, it is a shame (Sinn Fein vice president) Michelle (O'Neill) didn't 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."

Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry was asked about Mr Heaton-Harris's contention that it would have been unwise to invite Mrs McDonald to Wednesday's 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 I've said this before, boycotts do not work of any shape or form. So whether it's the DUP boycotting the executive or any other party boycotting talks, it simply won't work."

But DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson made the point that Ms O'Neill, Sinn Fein's Stormont leader, was invited to the talks and decided not to go.

He told the BBC: "If we are into a situation where Michelle O'Neill 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 O'Neill were to become the first minister."
FINE Gael TD Neale Richmond has been appointed the new Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise following Damien English's resignation.

The Dublin Rathdown TD's appointment as Minister of State for Employment Affairs and Retail Business and the Department of Social Protection was appoved by Cabinet ministers over the phone on Friday morning

It follows Mr English's resignation on Thursday after he admitted lying on a planning permission application for his family home.

Mr Richmond, a former senator, was first elected to the Dail in 2020 and is the second Fine Gael junior minister from the constituency where Josepha Madigan, the Minister of State for Special Education, is also based.

The constituency is also served at Cabinet level by Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin, who is the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said Mr Richmond is exceptionally capable and has been to the forefront of issues arising from Brexit.

He said Mr Richmond will work closely with enterprise Minister Simon Coveney and Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.

I have also asked him to continue his focus on ensuring that the work permits system is operating effectively and allowing essential staff to come to Ireland. He will also be responsible for seeing through the reforms I initiated as Minister including sick pay and the move to a National Living Wage, he said.

Neale has worked closely with Irish industry on preparing for Brexit and dealing with its impact on supply chains. As a Senator, he helped to steer the important Brexit Omnibus Bill through the Oireachtas. I know that he will be an excellent Minister of State in both of these important Departments.

More to follow...
Edward Hickey is back in custody after more than two decades unlawfully at large

Northern Irelands longest on-the-run prisoner is back in custody after more than two decades unlawfully at large.

Appearing at Ballymena Magistrates Court by videolink from police custody, 38 year-old Edward Hickey was charged with being unlawfully at large on February 2001.

A police officer gave evidence she believed she could connect Hickey to the offence and confirmed that he had been unlawfully at large since failing to return to prison following Christmas leave.

In 2000 at Belfast Crown Court, Hickey was handed a five year jail sentence for having a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

As defence counsel Craig Patton began to apply for bail, he revealed that Hickey still had time left to serve on his original offence.

Mr Patton indicated he wanted to clarify whether or not Hickey fell under the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement where some paramilitary offences resulted in prisoners being freed after two years.

Hickey, originally from Bangor but now with an address on the Monasterboice Road in Dublin, was remanded into custody and District Judge Nigel Broderick adjourned the case to Tuesday.
So thats when I decided, I'm gonna have a go here

An 72-year-old Irishman who has become a local hero after chasing an armed robber from his hardware shop in Bermuda with an axe has said he would do it again if he had to.

Michael Forde, who grew up in Ballina Co Mayo but is originally from Lahardane, told how he faced down the intruder who had entered his Bargain Hunters store that he runs with his wife on Somerset Road in the town of Sandys.

The unknown male, who had clothing covering his face, entered the store just after 2pm on December 31.

A police report said he had a concealed weapon that appeared to be intended to resemble a firearm.

Weve had this store here in Bermuda for about five years, Michael told Sunday World.

Because were in off the main road it had occurred to me before that there was always the possibility that we might get robbed.

You can never prepare for it but in my mind I thought that if it ever does happen, I'm gonna try and keep calm, I'm gonna go to the cash register, lock it, take the keys out and thrown them behind some shelving and stand back.

That was my plan. So this guy comes in and he has a plastic bag and he says, fill it with money.

He then went around to the other part of the counter and I thought, well, he doesnt have a gun because surely it would have made more sense for him to show it to me.

I went to the cash register and he thought I was going to get the money for him.

"But I took the keys out and threw them away. I looked at him, like, now what are you going to do? He went to where I had thrown the keys and thats when I grabbed the axe.

I actually have a hurley back there too but I grabbed the axe by mistake. And when he saw it, your man was gone, off down the road. I went after him but he was too quick.

Police confirmed that the attempted robbery was under investigation and urged the public not to resist an assailant, saying that while the impulse to protect property or merchandise might seem natural, doing so could pose a significant risk of serious injury or worse.

But Michael, whose exploits have been featured on local TV and radio stations, said he would have no hesitation in defending his property if another would-be robber fancied his chances.

Asked if he would do it again a defiant Michael declared: Absolutely.

And Ive made that very clear in the interviews Ive done over here. Were here five years and weve worked hard to build up our business from scratch. They can come again, with a gun or with a tank, but they're not gonna get anything from me.

"Its up to each individual person or business to decide what they are going to do. Im not telling them what they should do. But if businesses dont stand up for themselves, youre going to get robbed every day.

Michael settled in Bermuda with his wife after retiring as a bricklayer in London.

Its lovely here, it's very much like Ireland, except for the weather. It's only 24 miles square, so everybody knows everybody else.

Michael added that while Bermuda is not a violent place, like everywhere else, like every country in the world, it has its problems.
To the fools who are leaving these messages, do they not realise they are leaving a vile digital footprint of hate & homophobia

Brian Dowling (44) has slammed the vile messages that have multiplied since the birth of his baby daughter.

The TV star has said he expects a certain amount of nasty comments from being in the public eye, but the recent abuse has gone a step too far.

Brian has often called out the abuse he and his sister Aoife, who was the surrogate for his child, have received since baby Blake was born.

"I can handle comments saying I'm a sh*t TV host, saying I've ruined my face with botox, and comments regarding my fake accent, he told Instagram followers.

I can easily laugh all those off as we all know I have a FABULOUS Kildare accent.

Since the birth of his baby daughter last year, Brian has admitted the abuse has gotten increasingly worse.

"But recently, to be called a child trafficker, a perverted creep, womb rapist, accusing me of incest is a step too far, he continued.

"To the fools who are leaving these messages, do they not realise they are leaving a vile digital footprint of hate & homophobia.

"The majority of these people actually have children of their own, that's the scary part. Since becoming a dad, I must call out all forms of hate and encourage my daughter to be the best person she can be.

"It's no wonder on the new season of Winter Love Island that all contestants have been asked to disable all their social media while on the show. This is to prevent trolling & bullying.

Brian  who shares baby Blake with partner and Dancing with the Stars judge Arthur Gourounlian (42)  shared the post with a snap of him guest-hosting Ireland AM last weekend.

"So let's leave it here with this pic of me in my GORGEOUS jumper & my severely over-botoxed unrecognisable face, he joked.

Brian has been open about his and Arthurs surrogacy journey in the past.

Theres been a lot of shaming. The amount of homophobia that Arthur and I [get]... its been so odd. Aoife also put herself out there, he told Kate Ferdinands podcast Blended in November.

"Our journey to parenthood is very unique and with the lack of legislation in Ireland, who dictates who can have families and who doesnt?"

Brians sister Aoife was the surrogate to their baby, and all involved have been bombarded with questions about DNA and biology.

He said she is not the biological mother of baby Blake as they used an egg donor from Portugal.

"There was interest regarding who the dad is. People are obsessed with DNA and biology.

Aoife never thought the baby was hers. Aoife knows its her niece. We have eight other nieces and nephews and its the exact same relationship.

When we made this public, we got all this stuff like: how could she give her baby away? Shameful. She was like, Its not my baby.

"Aoife doesnt think motherhood is for her but as a woman, she wanted to experience pregnancy. She was very emotional when she gave birth."
We look ahead at the biggest movies and names to hit cinema screens in the coming months

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in The Barbie Movie   ?G??_/O??

The tale of Cocaine Bear, loosely based on a true story, was filmed in Ireland

Adam Driver stars as Commander Mills in Beck and Woods new movie 65

Guardian Of The Galaxy will return in Vol 3

Marvel superheroes, the iconic Indiana Jones and a rampaging, cocaine-ingesting bear are all headed to a screen near you.

We check out the big movie blockbusters coming to the screen in 2023.

Babylon (January)

Margot Robbie heads the cast of the new movie from Damien Chazelle (La La Land) set in the early heyday of Hollywood.

The movie traces the rise and fall of several characters in a time of decadence and depravity.

Margot Robbie   Variety via Getty Images

Tar (January)

Cate Blanchett has been winning all the awards  and is favourite to pick up her third Oscar  for this music drama set around a top orchestra. She plays Lydia Tar, a conductor at the top of her career, whose life begins to unravel dramatically.

Magic Mikes Last Dance(February)

Channing Tatum gets into the groove one more time in this sexy, fun and surprisingly sweet series. Left broke after a business deal fails, Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite (Salma Hayek) whos ready to make him an offer he cant refuse

Channing Tatum and Salma Hayek in Magic Mike's Last Dance

Cocaine Bear(February)

You might think a movie about a bear who consumes cocaine and goes on the rampage couldnt get any stranger.

But then Irish movie fans discovered that the movie was actually filmed in Ireland, with scenic Co Wicklow spots such as Powerscourt Waterfall standing in for US countryside.

The trailer for the movie  directed by Elizabeth Banks and starring the late Ray Liotta  caused quite a buzz for its depiction of a grizzly bear going on the rampage after ingesting cocaine.

Its based very loosely on news reports of a bear who ate cocaine dropped from a plane in the US.

The tale of Cocaine Bear, loosely based on a true story, was filmed in Ireland

65 (March)

Adam Driver gets into full-on action mode in this sci-fi thriller.

He plays a pilot from another planet who survives an accident, only to discover hes landed on a planet called Earth  65 million years ago.

Adam Driver stars as Commander Mills in Beck and Woods new movie 65

Creed 3(March)

Michael B Jordan returns to, and directs for the first time, the third instalment of this hit series.

The film focuses on Adonis Creeds return to the ring to take on a former friend just released from prison and eager to prove he deserves a shot in the ring.

Sadly the iconic Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) will not be returning.

Michael B Jordan as Adonis Creed

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3(May)

The Marvel Universes favourite group of misfits gathers to take on another challenge against malevolent forces.

Following the dramatic events of the last film, Peter Quill and his team must not only defend the universe but one of their own in their most dangerous mission yet.

Fast X (May)

The first of a two-part finale of the hit Fast and the Furious series speeds into cinemas as part of whats likely to be an emotional goodbye.

Vin Diesels Dom returns along with Michelle Rodriguez and Charlize Theron as the baddie Cipher.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse(June)

The sequel to the brilliant 2018 animated film Into the Spider-Verse reconnects us with Miles Morales and is set across a multiverse of alternate universes.

In the movie, Miles goes on a crime-fighting adventure with his new team of Spider-People, so well established in the first film.

Across the Spider-Verse

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny(June)

Though the plot is being kept strictly under wraps, a first trailer gave us an idea what to expect from Indys final adventure.

Harrison Ford has been de-aged for the movie, at least some of which is set during WW2. Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays his goddaughter Helene, in what is an intriguing piece of casting.

Harrison Ford as Indy

Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One(July)

Arguably the best series of action movies returns with a new adventure, thankfully with action king Christopher McQuarrie at the helm again.

The first of a two-part instalment, Tom Cruise returns as the IMF agent Ethan Hunt. Rebecca Ferguson and Vanessa Kirby join him to kick some ass.

Tom Cruise stars in Mission Impossible

Oppenheimer (July)

Our own Cillian Murphy (left) teams up again with director Christopher Nolan for this drama that revisits the events of the world-changing Manhattan Project.

The film is expected to tell the story of the development of the atomic bomb though the eyes of its title character.

Oppenheimer was a physicist who was key to the project and often described as the father of the atomic bomb. The cast includes Robert Downey Jr, Florence Pugh and Matt Damon.

Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer   BBC/Caryn Mandabach Productions

The Barbie Movie(July)

One of the most intriguing movies of 2023 is directed by Greta Gerwig (Ladybird) and stars Margot Robbie as the iconic doll and Ryan Gosling as her sidekick and boyfriend Ken.

The first trailer suggests it will be a highly satirical affair, with Gosling going full day-glo in stills from the film.

Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in The Barbie Movie   ?G??_/O??

The Marvels (July)

Brie Larson returns to play Captain Marvel  and is joined by two other superheroes  in a new addition to the Marvel Universe.

They are Monica Rambeau, who made her debut in the recent Wandavision, and Ms Marvel, who comes to big screen after appearing in her own TV series.

Brie Larson

Dune: Part 2 (November)

The second instalment of the sci-fi movie returns. It tells how Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen to avenge those who harmed his family. Denis Villeneuve returns to direct.

Wonka (December)

The latest Willy Wonka focuses on the young Wonka and how he first met the Oompa-Loompas in the early days. The big name cast includes Timothee Chalamet, Olivia Colman and Sally Hawkins.
A team of scientists from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research are aboard the research vessel Tangaroa for a six-week voyage to Antarctica.

Their mission is to better understand the ecosystem and ocean physics in the Ross Sea, as well as assess the impacts of climate change.

They will focus on the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area, which is the world's largest at 1.5 million square kilometres - more than five times the size of New Zealand - and protects some of the southern ocean's most productive ecosystems.

It was established five years ago in partnership with the United States, and protects the sea from unregulated fishing and exploitation.

Photo: RNZ / Lauren Crimp.

Ocean strategy manager Joshu Mountjoy is leading the voyage. He says it will reveal more information about the marine food chain and climate change impacts.

"This voyage will be the fourth in a series that's collecting data within the MPA to understand the base of the food web, essentially."

Mountjoy says research carries on 24 hours a day, with scientists rotating through 12-hour shifts - and even once they have gone, the data collection continues.

"We are leaving instruments there to continue to make measurements.

"These will be acoustic instruments listening for whales and seals, other acoustic instruments that are looking at fish populations, the oceanographic moorings and then hopefully going back to continue to sample with these type of instruments into the future."

Photo: Niwa / Peter Marriott.

Marine biologist Sadie Mills is aboard Tangaroa for the third time, leading a team focusing on collecting marine organisms.

She says the most exciting part of the trip was the unknown.

Photo: RNZ / Lauren Crimp.

"For me, it's always what might we discover.

"We're taking an Italian remotely operated vehicle with us, which is also really exciting, because it means you can get up close and look at some of the details of these animals living on the sea floor."

Photo: Supplied / Stuart Mackay.

That vehicle travels the sea floor collecting samples, controlled by the researchers on deck much like a video game.

"Animal and plant collections give us a library of the Earth's biodiversity, providing a valuable resource for research," says Mills.

"It's a crucial way to learn about the kind of amazing life these environments contain, so we can aid their protection and help them to thrive."

Other research focuses included mapping ocean currents, underwater video surveys, climate and atmospheric process sampling, and measuring fish and marine mammal distribution and abundance.

The New Zealand government is footing most of the multi-million dollar bill for the trip, with the Antarctic Science Platform and other international research partners also pitching in.

The 38-strong group on Tangaroa includes researchers, vessel crew, engineers, an ice pilot, a ship doctor, a cook and a steward.

Tangaroa leaves Wellington on Sunday after a precautionary Covid-19 isolation period. It will return to New Zealand shores at the end of February.

-Lauren Crimp/RNZ.
An open debate entitled The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security" chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hayashi Yoshimasa, took place at the UN Security Council on January 12.

January 13, 2023, 12:13 Armenia calls for resolute actions by UN to prevent Azerbaijans despotic plans to commit ethnic cleansing in NK

STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 13, ARTSAKHPRESS-ARMENPRESS: The debate featured briefings by the UN Secretary-General, the President of the International Court of Justice and representatives of over 70 UN member-states.

The Permanent Representative of Armenia to the United Nations Mher Margaryan delivered remarks at the debate, drawing the attention of the UNSC members and other attendees to the monthlong blockade of Nagorno Karabakh, emphasizing that by keeping the Lachin Corridor closed Azerbaijan is pursuing its policy of forcibly displacing the Armenians, the foreign ministry said in a press release.

Margaryan mentioned Azerbaijans continuous violation of international law and actions aimed at unlawfully seizing territories through war crimes, force and the threat of force, emphasizing that the lack of accountability for crimes against humanity leads to new violence.

The Armenian Permanent Representative underscored the importance of resolute actions by the UN to prevent the humanitarian disaster and Azerbaijans despotic plans on subjecting the population of Nagorno Karabakh to ethnic cleansing.
A newly amalgamated group will be patrolling the Western Bay of Plenty shoreline to make sure Bay of Plenty locals and visitors are enjoying their holiday break.

The iLine Construction Western Bay of Plenty Search & Rescue Squad is a group of surf lifesaving specialist search and rescue volunteers from four Surf Lifesaving Clubs along the BOP coastline (Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service, Omanu Surf Lifesaving Club, Papamoa Surf Lifesaving Club and Pukehina Surf Rescue).

They are working together to ensure all the beaches along our entire coast have specialist search and rescue coverage regardless of the time of day or year, says a statement from Surf Lifesaving NZ.

All squad members are volunteers and are Surf Lifeguards from four local clubs.

By combining forces the area has a larger talent pool to draw upon which will mean quicker response times, high-quality experienced responders, extensive area coverage, and better ability to scale up if situations require.

Local company iLine Construction has come on board as the major sponsor of the squad.

Their contribution will support the squad with vital equipment and training.

iLine Construction is a local construction company, specialising in Project Planning, Pre-construction, Design, Cost Management and Construction.

The funding we have received from iLine Construction is absolutely massive to us and hugely appreciated, says squad coordinator Stu Lowth.

Our team are all volunteers giving our time to help others. To have extra funds available to upskill our members and to provide vital rescue equipment so we can help others is awesome.

The after-hours coverage of the coastline that we now have with this call-out squad complements what our lifeguards already do when the flags are up on our local beaches so that regionally we can provide 24-hour coverage of all areas of the coast from Mt Maunganui down to Whakatane, says Surf Lifesaving Eastern Region Lifesaving manager Chaz Gibbons-Campbell.

iLine Construction director Paul Hammond says they are a local company, and are proud to be able to help our community where we can.

If our money can help save lives, then thats what matters.

The volunteers in the iLine Construction Western Bay of Plenty Search & Rescue squad are volunteering their time throughout the summer holiday period to help people in trouble and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

While the recent inclement weather has meant a quieter time on the beach, the squad were exceptionally busy earlier in the holiday period.

On January 29, they supplied additional volunteers to support paid lifeguards undertake 40 rescues and a further 40 assists at Mount Manganui.

People are asked to please ensure they keep themselves and their families safe in the water and let volunteers have a break these holidays.

Choose a lifeguarded beach, swim between the flags and check the conditions on www.safeswim.org.nz before deciding to swim, and if in doubt, stay out.

If you do see anyone in trouble in the water, call 111 and ask for Police who will activate surf lifesaving response teams.

For further information on how to keep yourself safe in the surf this summer, you can find the SLSNZ surf safety messaging on the following link https://www.surflifesaving.org.nz/stay-safe/beach-safety-messages/beach-basics
A Ukrainian surgeon has successfully removed a grenade from a soldier's chest after it became lodged near his heart, Kyiv officials have said.

Incredible photos shared online by military officials show what's believed to be a VOG grenade appearing on an X-ray inside the Ukrainian soldier's body. Another shows the surgeon holding the destructive device after surgery was performed.

The weapon is said to have been intact but "could have detonated at any moment" Hanna Maliar, Ukraines deputy minister of defence, shared online on Tuesday. The operation is said to have been performed by Major General Andrew Willow, "one of the most experienced surgeons of the Armed Forces of Ukraine", Ms Maliar said.

A Ukrainian surgeon removed a grenade from a soldier's chest. Source: Facebook/Hanna Maliar

Grenade remained explosive after removal

The operation was carried out safely without electrocoagulation  a common method to control bleeding during surgery  in fear of detonating the grenade. Two sappers  soldiers who perform military engineering duties  were also in the operating theatre to ensure the safety of medical staff, Ms Maliar said.

Anton Gerashchenko, Ukraines internal affairs ministerial adviser, said the team of sappers neutralised the munition, The Guardian reported. The grenade remained explosive even after being removed, Mr Gerashchenko reportedly said in a Telegram update on Thursday.

Soldier recovering after surgery

"The surgical intervention was successful and the injured serviceman was sent to further rehabilitation and recovery," Ms Maliar said. The sappers reportedly described the procedure as one that would "go down in medical textbooks".

It's not known where the serviceman was wounded, or where or when the surgery took place, but fighting has been ongoing throughout eastern Ukraine. The patient is believed to be about 28 years old, according to officials.

Story continues

Russia first invaded Ukraine almost one year ago. The total number of casualties has been difficult to determine, however, in Novemeber US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley, estimated each sides battle casualties were north of 100,000, New York Daily News reported.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play.
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The Auburn Rotary Club has announced the cancellation of its annual Party in the Park this summer.

The Deauville Island event began in 2018 as the Rotary Ribs, Rhythm & Blues Festival and returned after COVID-19 as Party in the Park last summer. It featured live music, food vendors and other special events.

In a statement to The Citizen, the club's board of directors said it has decided to cancel this year's event only. No decision has been made on the event for future years.

For more information, visit auburnrotaryny.org.
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sup? BHPian

Join Date: May 2013 Location: Bangalore Posts: 134 Thanked: 465 Times

Re: Greece in the winter



It was 6.30 in the morning when we were off the ferry and the small standalone car rental right opposite the port was open just like they promised just for us and another American family. This was the swiftest car rental we have ever done in our life. The guy took down the DL and passport and gave us the keys and closed his shop. The return was to be late in the night the next day and he said just leave the car here outside the shop and go. That was pretty amazing to hear. We got a Peugeot 208 hatchback and it was a strictly basic automatic car. However, for Santorini it was fine as the island itself is pretty small and we would be driving only around a 100 kms over all.



Santorini is famous for its whitewashed houses, some with blue domes in the village of Oia. The best views in Santorini are on the west side facing the Caldera from the villas built into the side of the cliffs. Most people just book a villa in one of Thira, Imerovigli or Oia. The reason that most people do this is because there is almost nothing else to do and the views from everywhere else are relatively ordinary. So, this is what we did too. It was the most expensive accommodation we had ever booked anywhere in the world, coming in at 13k INR. However, this was worth every penny as you will see from the pics. This was a villa called Villa Fegari and the host told us that we could check in only at 2 PM. So we had a few hours to kill and had added a nice 2 hour round trip hike to a archaeological site called Ancient Thira. It was up the side of a mountain from a beach called Perissa and gave great panoramic views of the Aegean. The highlight though was a Byzantine church that pops up around 1/3rd of the way up to the ruins. It was cute and photogenic. The hike was of moderate difficulty because of quick elevation gain to the top. My wife struggled up where as I was able to quickly run ahead, take some pics and wait for her. We took about 1.5 hours to get to the top. The views were good but not great. At the top though, there is another church and there was a small funeral going on which was well attended by the locals. They were all having some buns and hard cheese which made us hungry and they were kind enough to give us a couple of buns. Whether it was because we were tired or because the cheese was actually that splendid, we wolfed it down with a word of thanks to the man who handed the buns to us. By this time, we were done with the views and got back down to the parked car and had a further stop for coffee at a quaint cafe before heading to Villa Fegari for the checkin.



Start of the hike to Ancient Thira at Perissa beach





Byzantine church a third of the way up with views of the Aegean





Now, the Villa Fegari was in Thira and was a typical Santorini villa built into the side of the cliff high up with each villa opening up into a sit out with unobstructed views of the Caldera in the Aegean sea. I have no words to describe the views. All we did that day from 2 PM onwards was marvel at the views, enjoy probably the best sunset of our lives and wolf down maggi/snacks etc. Post sunset, the sit out got cold but the moon came out and lit up the ocean which made us brave the cold for another hour. Finally, we went to bed and the next morning, I was up early to soak in the sun rise. The sun rise views were as good as the previous evening and it was another blissful few hours before we had to check out and complete the rest of our itinerary in Santorini.

The only other things we wanted to do was to see a black beach and a red beach that were quite popular and we had plenty of time to do it in. We completed that quickly and they were nothing to write home about compared to the views we had experienced in Villa Fegari. We revisited the cafe from the previous day for an afternoon snack and coffee and headed to Oia village, the place of the famous blue domes and windmills that are plastered on images all over the world.



The view from the room in Villa Fegari





Typical whitewashed houses on the side of the West side cliffs





Sunset to begin





The sun is almost in the sea now





Post sunset lights





Just before sunrise





Imerovigli village lights up first in the morning





Pano of the view from our room





Early morning visitor who refused to go away



Sun is out in full force almost





Morning pictures come out better as the lens don't flare in the glare of the sun





Maggi with a view





Another brilliant day ahead of us





Final view from the room before checkout





Views from the road





Views opposite the cafe







The village of Oia was the very definition of quaint. And this was where we saw the maximum number of tourists apart from Athens. All the tourists on the island gathered in Oia probably and we spent an hour watching the sun go down. The sun actually hid behind clouds and some people were a little disappointed. We thanked our lucky stars for the previous evening's brilliant sunset.



Walking towards the sunset point in Oia





Another nice view on the walk along Oia





Famous blue domes in Oia





Post sunset views





With that done, we headed to Thira for the best and most expensive meal of our vacation at a Greek restaurant called Kipos. The Greek salad with feta and local olives and other veggies was heavnely and so was the Cretan pie they served. The pasta was just as good and we were so full we could barely walk back to our car. Our ferry this evening was very late at 11.30 PM and we made it in plenty of time. Santorini is often hyped up around the world but it actually is one of those places that lives up to its hype. Day 6 & 7, 27th and 28th December: The ferry from Piraeus (the ferry port in Athens) to Santorini was one of the few disappointing experiences. The lounge seats were dirty and we seemed to be the only ones who chose to use the lounge instead of booking a cabin in the entire ferry. It was not a good experience and in hindsight a flight would have been much nicer. However, the Crete ferry was splendid and this was probably the effect of the off-season that we got a bad ferry deal.It was 6.30 in the morning when we were off the ferry and the small standalone car rental right opposite the port was open just like they promised just for us and another American family. This was the swiftest car rental we have ever done in our life. The guy took down the DL and passport and gave us the keys and closed his shop. The return was to be late in the night the next day and he said just leave the car here outside the shop and go. That was pretty amazing to hear. We got a Peugeot 208 hatchback and it was a strictly basic automatic car. However, for Santorini it was fine as the island itself is pretty small and we would be driving only around a 100 kms over all.Santorini is famous for its whitewashed houses, some with blue domes in the village of Oia. The best views in Santorini are on the west side facing the Caldera from the villas built into the side of the cliffs. Most people just book a villa in one of Thira, Imerovigli or Oia. The reason that most people do this is because there is almost nothing else to do and the views from everywhere else are relatively ordinary. So, this is what we did too. It was the most expensive accommodation we had ever booked anywhere in the world, coming in at 13k INR. However, this was worth every penny as you will see from the pics. This was a villa called Villa Fegari and the host told us that we could check in only at 2 PM. So we had a few hours to kill and had added a nice 2 hour round trip hike to a archaeological site called Ancient Thira. It was up the side of a mountain from a beach called Perissa and gave great panoramic views of the Aegean. The highlight though was a Byzantine church that pops up around 1/3rd of the way up to the ruins. It was cute and photogenic. The hike was of moderate difficulty because of quick elevation gain to the top. My wife struggled up where as I was able to quickly run ahead, take some pics and wait for her. We took about 1.5 hours to get to the top. The views were good but not great. At the top though, there is another church and there was a small funeral going on which was well attended by the locals. They were all having some buns and hard cheese which made us hungry and they were kind enough to give us a couple of buns. Whether it was because we were tired or because the cheese was actually that splendid, we wolfed it down with a word of thanks to the man who handed the buns to us. By this time, we were done with the views and got back down to the parked car and had a further stop for coffee at a quaint cafe before heading to Villa Fegari for the checkin.Start of the hike to Ancient Thira at Perissa beachByzantine church a third of the way up with views of the AegeanNow, the Villa Fegari was in Thira and was a typical Santorini villa built into the side of the cliff high up with each villa opening up into a sit out with unobstructed views of the Caldera in the Aegean sea. I have no words to describe the views. All we did that day from 2 PM onwards was marvel at the views, enjoy probably the best sunset of our lives and wolf down maggi/snacks etc. Post sunset, the sit out got cold but the moon came out and lit up the ocean which made us brave the cold for another hour. Finally, we went to bed and the next morning, I was up early to soak in the sun rise. The sun rise views were as good as the previous evening and it was another blissful few hours before we had to check out and complete the rest of our itinerary in Santorini.The only other things we wanted to do was to see a black beach and a red beach that were quite popular and we had plenty of time to do it in. We completed that quickly and they were nothing to write home about compared to the views we had experienced in Villa Fegari. We revisited the cafe from the previous day for an afternoon snack and coffee and headed to Oia village, the place of the famous blue domes and windmills that are plastered on images all over the world.The view from the room in Villa FegariTypical whitewashed houses on the side of the West side cliffsSunset to beginThe sun is almost in the sea nowPost sunset lightsJust before sunriseImerovigli village lights up first in the morningPano of the view from our roomEarly morning visitor who refused to go awaySun is out in full force almostMorning pictures come out better as the lens don't flare in the glare of the sunMaggi with a viewAnother brilliant day ahead of usFinal view from the room before checkoutViews from the roadViews opposite the cafeThe village of Oia was the very definition of quaint. And this was where we saw the maximum number of tourists apart from Athens. All the tourists on the island gathered in Oia probably and we spent an hour watching the sun go down. The sun actually hid behind clouds and some people were a little disappointed. We thanked our lucky stars for the previous evening's brilliant sunset.Walking towards the sunset point in OiaAnother nice view on the walk along OiaFamous blue domes in OiaPost sunset viewsWith that done, we headed to Thira for the best and most expensive meal of our vacation at a Greek restaurant called Kipos. The Greek salad with feta and local olives and other veggies was heavnely and so was the Cretan pie they served. The pasta was just as good and we were so full we could barely walk back to our car. Our ferry this evening was very late at 11.30 PM and we made it in plenty of time. Santorini is often hyped up around the world but it actually is one of those places that lives up to its hype. Last edited by sup? : 12th January 2023 at 13:02 .
In five years, 40% of large organizations worldwide will be using a combination of Web3, AR cloud, and digital twins in metaverse projects aimed at increasing revenue, research and advisory firm Gartner predicted Monday at its IT symposium in Orlando, Fla.

Gartners metaverse prediction was part of a top 10 list of strategic technology trends released at the event.

The firm sees a metaverse as a collective virtual 3D shared space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical and digital reality. It is persistent and provides enhanced immersive experiences, it added.

A complete metaverse will be device independent and wont be owned by a single vendor, Gartner continued, and will have a virtual economy enabled by digital currencies and non-fungible tokens (NFT).

Gartners prediction raised eyebrows among some analysts. Its a bit aggressive, observed Mark N. Vena, president and principal analyst at SmartTech Research in San Jose, Calif.

The primary headwind to the metaverse in business is the arrival of genuine metaverse apps that will have broad appeal with enterprise accounts, he told TechNewsWorld.

Some of that does exist  and will continue to surface  in operational areas like inventory management, logistics, and other vertical areas, but until a metaverse app, or apps, that increases productivity arrives, I think 40% is a stretch, Vena added.

Metaverse or Metaverses?

Ross Rubin, the principal analyst at Reticle Research, a consumer technology advisory firm in New York City, also sees some challenges that could impede the spread of the metaverse into the enterprise.

On a core level, we need improvements in device size and power efficiency and broader applications beyond those in manufacturing, engineering, and other industrial applications that we see today, he told TechNewsWorld.

Beyond these AR-related improvements, however, there are open questions as to whether the metaverse will evolve as a single, broadly accessible platform, like the web, or whether companies will largely build out their own applications, as they do with cloud technology today, he continued.

However, Rubin added, we are starting to see some encouraging standards-setting here, such as the Metaverse Standards Forum.

Meta, the owner of Facebook, could also be contributing to metaverse traction problems, maintained Rob Enderle, president and principal analyst with the Enderle Group, an advisory services firm in Bend, Ore.

Facebooks efforts are so bad they are putting a cloud over the entire segment and, ironically, they are the biggest investor in it, he told TechNewsWorld.

Facebook is effectively putting a big sign over the segment implying it is fake, he added, even though Nvidias efforts are working far better and being well implemented by firms like BMW, showcasing the potential that Facebook appears to be destroying at the moment.

Patience Needed

Impatience could also play a role in a companys metaverse persistence, noted Quynh Mai, CEO of Qulture, a digital marketing agency in New York City.

As brands enter the metaverse, they often get discouraged upon arrival, not realizing that it is still a nascent but evolving platform, she told TechNewsWorld. They dont see a mass amount of users in metaverses like Decentraland or The Sandbox, and then retreat.

Perseverance is important as the technology driving Web3 is evolving quickly with developer activity increasing exponentially, so its important for brands to experiment now so they can scale their Web3 projects alongside its evolution, she said.

With the looming recession in the U.S. and the IMFs economic warnings, many brands are retreating from Web3 and focusing on short-term issues, she continued. However, just like during Web 1.0 and Web 2.0, brands that do not innovate will lag behind.

Web3 adoption will be powered by Gen Z, which is 25% of the worlds population, so brands that do not stay the course will not prosper or connect with this cohort in 2027, Mai added.

Superapps

Gartner also predicted that by 2027, 50% of the worlds population will be daily active users of multiple superapps.

Superapps combine the features of an app, a platform, and an ecosystem in a single program. In addition to having its own set of functionalities, it provides a platform for add-ons by third parties.

Although most examples of superapps are mobile apps, the concept can also be applied to desktop client applications, such as Microsoft Teams and Slack, with the key being that a superapp can consolidate and replace multiple apps for customer or employee use, Gartner Vice President and Analyst Frances Karamouzis explained in a statement.

Teams Virtual Meeting Space (Image Credit: Microsoft)

Multi-function apps have always had appeal to users, Enderle noted.

A single app that does a lot of things has always been attractive over multiple single-focused apps because folks dont want the complexity and learning curves associated with a prolific number of apps, he said. So relative simplicity, perceived cost, and the utility of superapps make them attractive.

Superapps have been in the news lately since Elon Musk said he wants to purchase Twitter as an accelerant for building one, Rubin explained.

The model for this is WeChat, in China, which is used for tasks as diverse as reading news, making payments, and hailing cars, he said. WeChat was able to grow its functionality in part because there were no dominant OS vendors and little competition from outside of China keeping it in check.

There are higher barriers to replicating its success outside of China, he continued. Still, Apple, for example, already supports playing games and sending money through its Messages app, and Telegram supports add-on bot applications that could deliver a lot of functionality beyond messaging.

Sustainable Technology

One strategic trend that traverses all the others is sustainability, Gartner noted. It cited one of its recent surveys where CEOs reported that environmental and social changes are now a top three priority for investors, after profit and revenue.

This means, it continued, that executives must invest more in innovative solutions that are designed to address [environmental, social, and governance] demands to meet sustainability goals.

[I]n 2023, delivering technology will not be enough, Gartner Vice President and Analyst David Groombridge said in a statement.

These themes are impacted by environmental, social, and governance expectations and regulations, which translate into the shared responsibility to apply sustainable technologies, he said in a statement.

Every technology investment will need to be set off against its impact on the environment, keeping future generations in mind, he added. Sustainable by default as an objective requires sustainable technology.
The conviction of former Uber Chief Security Officer Joseph Sullivan may pose a chilling reassessment of how chief information security officers (CISOs) and the security community handle network breaches going forward.

A San Francisco federal jury on Oct 5. convicted Sullivan of failing to tell U.S. authorities about a 2016 hack of Ubers databases. Judge William H. Orrick did not set a date for sentencing.

Sullivans lawyer, David Angeli, said after the verdicts announcement that his clients sole focus was to ensure the safety of peoples personal digital data.

Federal prosecutors noted that the case should serve as a warning to companies about how they comply with federal regulations when handling their network breaches.

Officials charged Sullivan with working to hide the data breach from U.S. regulators and the Federal Trade Commission, adding his actions attempted to prevent the hackers from being caught.

At the time, the FTC was already investigating Uber following a 2014 hack. The repeat hack into Ubers network two years later involved the hackers emailing Sullivan about their stealing a large amount of data. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, they promised to delete the data if Uber paid their ransom.

The conviction is a significant precedent that has already sent shockwaves through the CISO community. It highlights the personal liability involved in being a CISO in a dynamic policy, legal, and attacker environment, noted Casey Ellis, founder and CTO at Bugcrowd, a crowdsourced cybersecurity platform.

It begs for clearer policy at the federal level in the United States around privacy protections and the treatment of user data, and it emphasizes the fact that a proactive approach to handling vulnerability information, rather than the reactive approach taken here, is a key component of resilience for organizations, their security teams, and their shareholders, he told TechNewsWorld.

Troublesome Details

A growing trend is for companies victimized by ransomware to negotiate with hackers. But trial discourse showed prosecutors reminding companies to Do the right thing, according to media accounts.

According to published trial accounts, Sullivans staff confirmed the extensive data theft. It included 57 million Uber users stolen records and 600,000 drivers license numbers.

The DoJ reported that Sullivan sought the hackers agreement to be paid U.S. $100,000 in bitcoin. That agreement included hackers signing a non-disclosure agreement to keep the hack from public knowledge. Uber allegedly hid the true nature of the payment as a bug bounty.

Only the jury had access to the evidence of the case, so pontificating specific details of the matter is counterproductive, opined Rick Holland, chief information security officer and vice president of strategy at Digital Shadows, a provider of digital risk management solutions.

There are some general conclusions to draw. I am concerned with the unintended consequences of this case, Holland told TechNewsWorld. CISOs already have a challenging job, and the case outcome raises the stakes for CISO scapegoating.

Critical Unanswered Questions

Hollands concerns include how this trials outcome might impact the number of leaders willing to take on the potential personal liability of the CISO role. He also worries about dislodging more whistleblower cases like the ones that grew out of Twitter.

He expects more CISOs to negotiate Directors and Officers insurance into their employment contracts. That type of policy offers personal liability coverage for decisions and actions the CISO might take, he explained.

In addition, in the same way that both the CEO and CFO became responsible for corruption on the heels of Sarbanes Oxley and the Enron scandal, CISOs should not be the only roles guilty in the event of wrongdoing around intrusions and breaches, he suggested.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is a federal law that established comprehensive auditing and financial regulations for public companies. The Enron scandal, a series of events involving dubious accounting practices, resulted in the bankruptcy of the energy, commodities, and services company Enron Corporation and the dissolution of the accounting firm Arthur Andersen.

CISOs must effectively communicate risks to the companys leadership team but should not be solely responsible for cyber security risks, he said.

Twisted Circumstances

Sullivans conviction is an ironic role reversal of sorts. Earlier in his law career, he prosecuted cybercrime cases for the United States Attorneys Office in San Francisco.

The DoJs case against Sullivan hinged on obstructing justice and acting to conceal a felony from authorities. The resulting conviction could have a long-term impact on how organizations and individual executives approach cyber incident response, particularly where it involves extortion.

Prosecutors argued that Sullivan actively concealed a massive data breach. The jury agreed unanimously with the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

Instead of reporting the breach, the jury found that Sullivan, backed by the knowledge and approval of Ubers then-CEO, paid the hackers and had them sign a non-disclosure agreement that falsely claimed that they had not stolen data from Uber.

A new chief executive who later joined the company reported the incident to the FTC. Current and former Uber executives, lawyers, and others testified for the government.

Edward McAndrew, an attorney at BakerHostetler and a former DoJ cybercrime prosecutor and National Security Cyber Specialist, told TechNewsWorld that Sullivans prosecution and now conviction is groundbreaking, but it needs to be understood in its proper factual and legal context.

The government recently adopted a much more aggressive policy toward cybersecurity, he noted. This impacts white-collar compliance, where organizations and executives are increasingly cast into the simultaneous and disparate roles of crime victim and enforcement target.

Organizations need to understand how the actions of individual employees can expose them and others to the criminal justice process. And information security professionals need to understand how to avoid becoming personally liable for actions they take in responding to criminal cyberattacks, McAndrew cautioned.
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What just happened? The controversial deal between Microsoft and the US Army for the military branch to buy 6,900 HoloLens-based headsets at the cost of $400 million has been blocked by congress. As a consolation, the government approved $40 million for Microsoft to build a new and improved version that soldiers will hopefully hate less.

To recap, Microsoft was awarded a $480 million contract to provide the US Army with Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) headsets in 2018. The devices combine high-resolution night, thermal, and soldier-borne sensors into a heads-up display. Powered by Microsoft Azure cloud services, they also leverage augmented reality and machine learning to enable a life-like mixed-reality training environment.

The initial agreement was expanded in March 2021, ensuring Microsoft would provide finalized production versions, parts, and support in a deal potentially worth billions across a decade.

But the IVAS deal has been beset by problems from the start. There were the delays that pushed back orders by a year, a warning from a Department of Defense oversight agency that the whole thing could be a waste of taxpayer money, and, most worrying of all, reports that soldiers hated them as they can cause headaches, eye strain and nausea, symptoms that 80% of testers said appeared within three hours of use---and that's not even mentioning the devices' failure of essential functions. One tester said the headsets could get military personnel killed.

The latest setback comes in a defense appropriations summary (PDF) that reveals the IVAS program will not receive the $400 million in funding requested by the Army to buy 6,900 headsets; instead, it will get $40 million to go toward developing a new, better version.

Last month, the Army said it would place orders for completed IVAS version 1.2 headsets "after qualification and operational testing."

The Army has already ordered 5,000 IVAS units and handed Microsoft $125 million to create a revised model. It still plans to spend up to $21.9 billion over the next ten years for as many as 121,000 headsets.

Microsoft doesn't seem to be worried about congress' decision. A spokesperson told The Register, "The regular cadence of building and testing IVAS is a critical part of the development process. Ultimately, this cadence will help us refine and improve the technology to ensure it brings unparalleled protection and capabilities to America's Soldiers."
A Cayuga County Court jury needed about two hours to decide that Shameek Copes is guilty of murdering John Wesley Smith outside an Auburn bar nearly 10 months ago.

Copes showed no emotion as she faced the jury and listened to the foreperson deliver the verdict shortly before 2 p.m. Friday: guilty of second-degree murder and guilty of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

She was quickly whisked from the courtroom by security officers, while the sounds of people crying filled the air. A massive police presence was brought to the courthouse ahead of the verdict in an effort to prevent any violence from breaking out. Throughout the week, dozens of family members and friends of both Copes and Smith filled the courtroom.

While some shouting matches broke out on Genesee Street outside on Friday afternoon, there did not appear to be any physical fighting.

Friday's proceedings began when Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci and Copes' defense attorney, Rome Canzano, each delivered closing arguments Friday in the case stemming from the March 15 shooting death of Smith.

Copes, 28, of 1 Jefferson St., Apt. 1, is charged with second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for her role in the March 15 killing of Smith, 37, of Syracuse. Smith was killed in front of Swifty's Tavern on Perrine Street in Auburn around 1:40 a.m.

Grome Antonacci expressed appreciation for the jury's attention during the five-day trial.

We are pleased with the jurys verdict and commend them for the time and consideration they gave listening to and reviewing the evidence throughout the trial. We hope that this guilty verdict can finally bring Johns family a sense of closure and justice," Grome Antonacci said in a press release. We have seen too many senseless acts of gun violence, not only in our community, but across the state. Our office, along with our law enforcement partners, are committed to seeking justice in these cases. I commend the thorough investigation conducted by the Auburn Police Department, as well as by members of the New York State Police.

Canzano said the defense respects the verdict but will explore potential issues for appeal.

"We're disappointed with the outcome," he said. "She maintains her innocence."

The trial started Monday with jury selection, which continued into Tuesday morning. Opening statements and testimony began later Tuesday. The prosecution called about 20 witnesses and rested its case on Thursday afternoon. The defense did not call any witnesses.

In his closing remarks, which lasted about 40 minutes, Canzano reiterated his contention made in his opening statement that Copes' guilt has not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt because no witnesses have testified that they saw her possess a gun or shoot and kill Smith.

Canzano also addressed a prosecution witness in the case who testified that he provided a gun to Copes that night, at her request, seconds before Smith was killed.

Uncle says he gave murder defendant a gun, heard shots AUBURN  Another person charged with lesser crimes in connection with the deadly shooting outside an Auburn bar last year testified Wednesday 

Adrian Agee, of Auburn, who was arraigned in April on charges related to Smith's death, testified that he was at Swifty's that night celebrating Copes' birthday with a group of people when she started getting upset and asked him to get her a gun. He said he left the bar to retrieve a firearm for Copes and returned, went into the women's bathroom with Copes and gave her the gun. She loaded the chamber, Agee said, before leaving with the weapon.

But Canzano said Agee's testimony is undermined because he initially denied giving a gun to Copes when police interviewed him on March 15. And he said Copes' related case, in which he's pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon and hindering prosecution, compelled him to "tell a story" in order to get the best possible outcome in his own case.

"You must discount just about everything he said," Canzano said.

Canzano also pointed out that no DNA matching Copes was found on the gun that a ballistics expert determined fired the bullets that killed Smith, and he highlighted how the gun was determined nearly inoperable when later tested by police.

"You can't get beyond reasonable doubt by ignoring facts and by missing facts," Canzano said.

Prosecutors have said those two facts do not exonerate Copes because the gun was clearly damaged when it was left in a storm drain after the shooting, a situation that also likely removed any DNA from Copes brief time handling it.

Canzano also provided the jury an alternate theory of what happened that night. Noting that five shots were fired before three more shots were fired, he suggested that the case was an accident.

"I submit to you that John Smith was tragically caught in crossfire," Canzano said.

Grome Antonacci said evidence shows that the first five shots came from a third person charged in the incident, Junnell Copes, who is related to Shameek. Junnell was in a vehicle outside the bar at the time. Prosecutors have called Junnell Copes the "catalyst" for what happened. His weapon possession case is pending, and he did not testify at the trial.

In her summation, Grome Antonacci repeatedly referred to video evidence from bar circuit surveillance cameras as the key to showing Copes' guilt.

Video evidence debated in Cayuga County murder trial Both sides presented their opening arguments and six witnesses testified Tuesday in the Cayuga County Court trial of an Auburn woman charged w

Video clips show Copes going into the women's bathroom with Agee, then coming out and walking out of the bar's front door and turning left just before Smith, who was visible in a window to the left of the door, falls down. Three gun shots can be heard as that is happening.

Grome Antonacci also provided the jury with a zoomed-in still frame from a video camera positioned above the exterior of the front door showing an arm with visible tattoos holding a gun that appears to match Copes' arm.

"It tells you beyond all doubt that she's the shooter," Grome Antonacci said.

The prosecutor also addressed suggestions at Agee's testimony was not credible. What Agee told the jury about what happened in the bar, she said, is corroborated in the video clip.

Grome Antonacci asked the jury to dismiss any contention that the shooting of Smith was accidental.

"When you point a gun at somebody, and pull the trigger three times, that's an intentional act," she said, noting that a medical examiner testified that the shots were definitely "kill shots" and not indicative of someone being struck accidentally.

The absence of witnesses who definitely saw the shooting is not unusual in a murder case, Grome Antonacci said. People who were outside at the time have refused to cooperate with law enforcement investigation.

"Murders certainly don't happen in front of a bunch of nuns," she said.

The prosecutor wrapped up her closing remarks after about 30 minutes, and Judge Thomas Leone called for a short recess before instructing the jury. He took about 45 minutes to deliver those instructions, and the jury left to start deliberations around 11:45 a.m.

Copes faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life for the murder charge. Prior to the trial, she had rejected a plea offer in which the prosecution would have agreed to a sentence of 22 years to life on the murder charge.

Her sentencing has tentatively been scheduled for May 4. Grome Antonacci said she will be seeking maximum sentences.

Copes became the primary suspect in Smith's death early in the investigation. On March 21, APD issued a news release saying they wanted to speak with Copes, who was called a "person of interest" at that point. Days later, police declared Copes a suspect in Smith's shooting death, and she turned herself in to the Rock Hill Police Department in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on March 28 after an arrest warrant was issued.

Gallery: Guilty verdict for Auburn woman in shooting death of John Wesley Smith III
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Something to look forward to: Created by software developer Graydon Hoare while working at Mozilla Research in 2006, Rust keeps growing in popularity and winning new supporters among big tech corporations. Even Google is now looking at integrating the new(ish) language in its Chrome browser.

Rust was sponsored and supported by Mozilla as a way to build a new, more secure and better performing web browser. Now, Google will soon start using the language for its own Chromium project, which means Mountain View is seemingly preparing a more secure future for the ubiquitous Chrome browser.

Chrome Security Team member Dana Jansens announced the new development through Google's Security Blog. Moving forward, the Chromium project is going to support libraries written in Rust. The developers are already working on a production Rust toolchain to add to the Chrome build system, which should bring actual Rust code to Chrome binary files "within the next year."

Rust is a modern, general-purpose programming language that offers native performance for several types of compiled applications - from traditional computer software to low-resource and embedded appliances. Furthermore, Rust is designed to provide memory safety from the get go, eliminating many classes of bugs and potential vulnerabilities at compile time.

Google thanks Mozilla for the "huge contribution to the systems software industry," despite the fact that Chrome and Firefox are two competing browsers and Mozilla Foundation would essentially cease to exist without Google's money. "Rust has been an incredible proof that we should be able to expect a language to provide safety while also being performant," Jansens wrote.

As Rust and C++ are two programming languages born out of different designs, Rust integration in Chromium will arrive only through third-party libraries for the time being. Interoperability between the two languages could be an issue too, so Google developers will need to be extra cautious when making the two code types talk to each other.

Despite this and the burden of using two different programming languages for one huge project like the Chromium layout engine, Rust could be a huge help in making Chrome more secure. Memory safety flaws, which are the issues Rust programming is designed to eliminate, represent 70 percent of the worst security bugs discovered in Chromium.

"Memory unsafety is an industry-wide problem," Jansens remarked, and "making use of Rust is one part of a strategy to move the needle in this area."

Google is working on improving security in C++ code too, of course, as the 38-year old language is still used to write millions of lines in the Chrome code.

Image credit: Chris Ried
In brief: Russian media is reporting that Intel and Microsoft are allowing downloads of their respective software/drivers in Russia and Belarus, something that was prohibited in 2022 as a result of sanctions stemming from the Ukraine invasion.

In February and March last year, after Russia invaded Ukraine, Intel became one of the first companies to suspend all shipments to customers in the country; this was followed by a suspension of all business activities in Russia soon after.

Russian media outlets are now reporting that users can download Intel drivers once again. However, sources told Tom's Hardware that while Intel did block Intel Driver and Support Assistant (DSA) downloads in Russia last year, access was restored later in 2022---Intel said in a statement that it hadn't made any "recent" changes in regards to its Russia operations.

Intel has suspended all business operations in Russia.



The company continues to join the global community in condemning Russia's war against Ukraine and calling for a swift return to peace. https://t.co/8YYASW36tb --- Intel News (@intelnews) April 6, 2022

The company also said that access to these resources is part of Intel's warranty obligations. Russian media site CNews reports that it accessed the Intel download portal on January 11, 2023, though it had to get to the download section using a search engine such as Google or Yandex, as the main Intel Russia site remains inaccessible.

Another caveat for Russians is that downloading the drivers requires users to register and create a profile on Intel's Russia website, which is impossible to do from a Russian IP address, meaning the driver updates are only available through the automatic download tool.

Last summer also saw Microsoft ban Windows 10 and 11 ISOs and installation tools from its servers for anyone using a Russian IP. CNews reports that Microsoft then blocked access to updates and security patches in September, but access to Windows 11 updates in Russia was possible as of January 11, 2023, though the Windows distribution kit still can't be downloaded from the Microsoft website.

The publication also notes a large number of Intel and AMD processors are available from Russian online retailers, despite both companies no longer shipping products to the country. This is a result of the so-called parallel imports of certain foreign tech products that are used to evade restrictions. The Russian government allows this practice even when the manufacturers don't, essentially turning a blind eye to unofficially imported goods and intellectual property theft. Some of these chip imports come from China, though 40% of them are possibly defective.
Failure to Overturn

About 8,300 employees at Amazon's JFK8 warehouse on Staten Island voted in April 2022 to join the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), making it the company's first unionized site in the US.

Amazon fought to invalidate the election results, claiming the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) office in charge of the vote meddled in the unionization process. In addition, Amazon said that the ALU threatened its employees to vote for them.

A federal labor official had previously ruled that all of Amazon's objections should be rejected. On Wednesday, Jan. 11, Cornele Overstreet, head of the NLRB's Phoenix office, filed a statement saying he agreed with that decision.

After an election and the results are confirmed, an employer must begin bargaining in good faith with the winning union under US labor law. Delays are possible because the employer may want to postpone signing a first contract and because the parties need time to negotiate the finer points of the agreement.

Bloomberg Law found that the median time for an employer and newly unionized workers to reach a deal through collective bargaining was 465 days.

When employees at JFK8 chose to join the union, the ALU was ecstatic but has since failed to repeat the same level of success elsewhere.

Earlier in May 2022, workers at a neighboring plant on Staten Island voted against unionization, and last October, the ALU lost a union ballot at a warehouse in Albany.
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) has finally increased the monthly price of HBO Max by $1 two years after releasing the service.

Reports indicate that it is a part of the firm's future plans to fund new investments in content and improve the overall customer experience. However, it could also hint that the era of rapid expansion at any cost in the streaming industry is coming to an end.

First-time Price Hike

According to Variety's report, HBO Max ad-free monthly subscriptions in the US will raise the cost from $14.99 to $15.99 plus applicable taxes starting Thursday, Jan. 12. This represents an increase of about 7%.

Starting with the following payment cycle on or after next month's second Saturday, Feb. 11, the monthly pricing for existing HBO Max members who are paying $14.99/month will climb to $15.99/month.

"This price increase of one dollar will allow us to continue to invest in providing even more culture-defining programming and improving our customer experience for all users," the company stated.

WBD already hinted at an upcoming price increase for HBO Max before.

HBO Max's ad-free tier presents an "opportunity," according to JB Perrette, president, and CEO of worldwide streaming and gaming, who made this claim to investors back in November 2022.

He said that by 2023, "it will have been three years since pricing has moved, which we think is an opportunity, particularly in this environment."

Perrette added that they believe they have a pricing edge on the commercial-free HBO Max service and can raise rates from where they are now.

Saving Costs, Minimizing Losses

Warner Bros. Discovery, founded after Discovery's 2022 purchase of WarnerMedia, has made a number of programming cuts in an effort to save costs, thus the price increase.

Among these are the cancellations of HBO Max's Minx Season 2 and HBO's The Nevers. There was also the termination of several exclusive feature titles and original series, as well as 200 older Sesame Street episodes.

A total of 256 Looney Tunes cartoons and three seasons of The Flintstones were also taken off HBO Max.

When AT&T bought WarnerMedia, in May 2020, they released HBO Max at $14.99 per month.

WBD representatives did not immediately comment about whether the price of the ad-supported HBO Max package, which was launched in June 2021 at $9.99/month, would also be rising.

Also Read: US Embassy Fears Canada's Online Streaming Laws May Disadvantage American Firms

Further Projects

The media giant is also getting ready to roll out a new platform in the US that combines HBO Max and Discovery+ in the early months of 2023. The company has not yet released information about the product's price, packaging, or name, but "Max" seems to be the frontrunner.

Last month, WBD estimated the acquisition might cost them up to $3.5 billion in content impairment and development write-off penalties.

Also Read: Warner Bros. Discovery Sees 2023 Being a Year of 'Relaunching and Building' After Last Year's Tax Write-Offs, Layoffs

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Android phones come in many forms -- from budget-friendly flagship killers to high-end devices.

One of the obvious best options includes the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. But there are more noteworthy phones, such as the Google Pixel 7 Pro.

(Photo : JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)

A man walks past an advertisement for the Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone at the company's Seocho building in Seoul on April 28, 2022.

Best Android Phones for 2023

There are tons of Android phones these days, including top-notch offerings from tech giants, such as Samsung and Google, as per XDA Developers.

Other choices include flagship killers from phone makers like One Plus and Xiaomi. There are also new players in town, including the Nothing Phone.

Given that, searching for an Android phone to buy this 2023 is quite overwhelming. To make life easier, we have trimmed it down to the best offerings besides the obvious choices.

Best Overall Android Phones to Buy This 2023

Here are some of the best phones out there.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

The Galaxy S22 Ultra offers top-notch specs from photography to overall performance.

Tech Radar reports that it runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, along with 8GB of RAM and 12GB of internal storage. Its 6.8-inch display is stunning, supporting up to 120Hz of refresh rate.

For its camera, the primary snapper goes up to 108 megapixels (MP), while its selfie shooter is at 40 MP. The bonus here is the S Pen stylus.

The biggest downside for this Android phone is its expensive pricing, starting at $999, and battery life, which could have been better.

Google Pixel 7 Pro

On the other hand, XDA Developers notes that the Google Pixel 7 Pro shoots photos impressively, arguably one of the best out there. The primary rear camera spews up to 50 MP.

The Google Tensor G2, which powers the device, makes it smoothly responsive even when running heavy tasks.

(Photo : THOMAS URBAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Google Pixel 7 Pro phone is displayed at its launch in New York on October 6, 2022. - Once a minor player in the smartphone business, Google confirmed its new ambition to penetrate the highly competitive market.

Not to mention that this Android phone comes in various colorways that go beyond the traditional look, including Snow, Hazel, and Obsidian.

But much like the Galaxy S22, the battery life should have been longer. The charging time also needs some attention.

Read Also: Apple iPhone 14, Android Phone Battery Boost Hack: How to Restrict Background Data/Refresh

OnePlus 10 Pro

The OnePlus 10 Pro offers flagship specs, including a powerful chipset, impressive cameras, and a stunning display.

This Android flagship runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Its RAM could go as high as 12 GB, along with a massive 256 GB storage.

Tech Radar notes that its 6.7-inch screen is stunning. It supports a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which according to XDA Developers outperforms Samsung as it ditches the dropped frames.

The Android-based OxygenOS is what sets it apart, giving it better customizability and features. Not to mention that it is paired with the top-notch specs of the OnePlus flagship. However, the cameras could have been more consistent. For its $899 price, it is quite a bargain.

Related Article: Google Presents New Features For Android Auto at CES 2023: Spotify Integration, Revamped Media Card, and More

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Airbus and VDL Group are working together to make communication terminals much faster than ever.

The aerospace firm and the Dutch supplier are teaming up to create a laser communication terminal for aircraft, aptly named UltraAir.

(Photo : THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images)

This picture taken on November 4, 2022 shows a fenestron tail rotor of a H120 helicopter on the site of Airbus Helicopters, the helicopter manufacturing division of Airbus, in Dugny, northeastern suburbs of Paris.

Airbus and VDL Group are Working to Make Communication Terminals Faster

Interesting Engineering notes in its recent report that the two firms are working on its prototype and are preparing for its much-awaited demo in 2024.

By next year, Airbus and VDL are also looking to have it ready for its first-ever flight test.

The new laser communication terminal that the two firms are working on seeks to remarkably speed up the exchange of data among ground terminals, satellites, and aircraft.

The two companies unveiled their plans for UltraAir in a press release on Tuesday. It explains how the new technology seeks to accelerate communication terminals.

The statement notes that "UltraAir will enable the exchange of large amounts of data using laser beams in a network of ground stations and satellites in geostationary orbit at 36,000 km above the Earth."

The two firms highlighted that the laser beams would help speed up the transfer of massive data from ground stations to satellites in orbit. They touted that the all-new technology could support several gigabits-per-second (GBPS), which for typical internet users is way too fast.

VDL and Airbus noted that "this laser terminal will pave the way for data transmission rates that could reach several gigabits-per-second while providing anti-jamming and low probability of interception."

It is thanks to the "unparalleled technology," which includes "a highly stable and precise optical mechatronic system."

Military Aircraft and UAV Connection

A recent tweet by the official Twitter account of Airbus Newsroom expounded on the possibilities that the UltraAir brings once it rolls out.

Airbus Newsroom states that "UltraAir will allow military aircraft and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to connect within a multi-domain combat cloud thanks to laser-based satellite constellations."

The technology that Airbus and VDL Group are working on could greatly support military aircraft. It could potentially let them connect to a multi-domain combat cloud. Not to mention that it also works with UAVs.

Read Also: Airbus Unveils New Cryogenic Tanks 'Cold Hearts' for Future Hydrogen-Powered Flight

1000x More Data?

Besides supporting these two, advanced laser communication also seeks to offer a better alternative than the current technology. The Satcom radio-frequency bands are seeing some bottlenecks these days, no thanks to the massive demand.

The upcoming laser technology reportedly handles roughly 1,000 times more data than the traditional network nowadays.

On top of that, Airbus adds that laser communication is supposedly better at ditching interference. And it is less susceptible to being detected than traditional radio frequencies.

Related Article: Airbus' Zero Emission Development Centre Building Hydrogen Planes on Cryogenic Fuel Research
NASA has chosen several new experimental space technology concepts, according to the agency's blog post. NASA's Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) has chosen a total of 14 projects. However, not all will make it past the concept stage.

(Photo : David Becker/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 04: Former NASA Astronaut Cady Coleman speaks during a keynote address at CES 2023 at The Venetian Las Vegas on January 04, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Chosen Space Concepts

Fourteen research teams will be granted $175,000 each to help them further develop their concepts. The studies will help the space agency determine whether the futuristic ideas could set the stage for future space exploration and enable new missions.

The awardees will start with Phase I studies, which will last for around nine months. If successful, the team will earn more funds for a Phase II study.

One of the concepts that was chosen was the Titan hybrid boat-aircraft concept and lunar pipeline. The TitanAir concept is developed by the scientist Quinn Morley of Planet Enterprises.

The TitanAir can transform into a watercraft, allowing it to sail on Saturn's lakes of Titan. NASA is planning a Dragonfly mission to reach Saturn's moon titan, and TitanAir could take liquid samples of Titan's Earth-like rives, oceans, and lakes. If successful, this will help NASA gain insights into the moon.

Another concept is the pellet-beam propulsion concept by University of California, Los Angeles. It builds on existing light sail technology to transport heavy spacecraft and space cargo across the Solar System and into the interstellar space, according to Interesting Engineering.

The system uses a pellet beam of microscopic hypervelocity particles boosted by lasers to propel heavy loads. It can transport payloads to the outer Solar System in less than a year. Additionally, in three years, the system can travel distances 100 times than the Earth-Sun distance.

A proposed lunar pipeline for transporting extracted oxygen from the moon's ice supply is also on the table. It can be used for NASA's upcoming Artemis missions to transport oxygen to lunar habitats.

If successful, the concept can provide constant access to oxygen for lunar settlers and could cut costs that would otherwise be associated with transportation.

Also Read: NASA Funds 22 Awesome Space Exploration Ideas: Here's A Close Look At Them

Better Space Explorations

NASA's (NIAC) program helps fund and nurture creative, forward-looking proposals that could open the door to future space exploration. The program's goal is to spur innovation and the development of revolutionary concepts.

These concepts will help NASA create the needed tools to efficiently explore the Solar System. Additionally, they could bring us one step closer to one day colonizing other worlds.

The selected concepts come from a wide range of fields, including astronomy, space science, planetary science, human spaceflight, deep space propulsion and physics. The investments will help pave the way for future space exploration.

Related Article: Americans Want NASA To Focus On Saving The Earth, Not Space Exploration

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Microsoft Corp. will not be getting more orders of HoloLens Goggles from the U.S. Military, as congress blocked the $400 million purchase. This decision reflects several concerns from the authorities over field tests that disclosed "mission-affecting physical impairments."

(Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA - APRIL 8: U.S Army specialist Marcus Morris from Gardner, Massachussetts mans his machine gun atop a humvee as he participates in a driving patrol April 8, 2004 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The base serves as a detention facility for prisoners captured in the war in Afghanistan. On April 20, the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to consider whether the detainees can ask U.S. courts to review their cases.

Blocking HoloLens Goggles Purchase

Last December, Bloomberg reported that the US Army gave Microsoft a "task order" that costs $125 million to create a revamped HoloLens Goggles labeled version 1.2, which funding came from the appropriations from the previous year.

But even though the company promised to improve its technology, the United States Congress blocked the request of the US Army to purchase $400 million Microsoft HoloLens Goggles as they found "mission-affecting physical impairments" that 70 soldiers suffered during field tests.

As per Engadget's report, this includes headaches, eyestrain, and nausea during the three 72-hour scenarios simulating the conditions of the goggles. Aside from these, the system had too many failures of essential functions, and 80% of the soldiers reported discomfort.

The US Army was supposed to purchase $400 million from Microsoft for 6,900 pairs of combat goggles, which comes from the $1.75 trillion government funding bill. But since the request was blocked, Congress instead approved a $40 million funding for Microsoft to develop an improved version.

Despite this, the authorities still consider spending up to $21.9 billion for this deal in the next ten years, which totals up to 121,000 devices. CNET reported that his model will address "physiological" issues that will be identified during tests.

A spokesperson stated that they are "committed to working with the Army to further develop Integrated Visual Augmentation System technology.The regular cadence of building and testing IVAS will help us refine and improve the technology to ensure it brings unparalleled protection and capabilities to America's Soldiers"

Also Read: Microsoft's Army Goggles Fails 4 Out of 6 Field Evaluations, Caused Nausea to US Army Testers

Supplying US Army

The first batch of Integrated Visual Augmentation System goggles that was built with its HoloLens precursor's mixed reality was approved by the Army last September 2022. 5,000 goggles were cleared and delivered to the authorities despite seeing concerns about its performance.

During its early stages, employees also informed their executives that this deal had crossed the line as NPR reported that workers were describing the technology as "designed to help people kill."

Due to this, several employees demanded the company to end this contract with the military, hence, the delayed production and deliveries of the goggles. Microsoft then established an "Acceptable Use Policy," which a separate ethical review board looked through to ensure that this policy is being followed.

Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella stated that his position is based on his principled decision to protect the freedoms that they enjoy.

Related Article: Microsoft HoloLens 3 Cancellation Hints Its AR/VR Tech's Ending

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A grenade in a Ukrainian soldier's chest has now been removed after successful surgery, the deputy minister of defense of Ukraine confirms.

Having a grenade lodged in your chest sure is a life-and-death situation. However, the Ukraine military surgeons managed to remove an unexploded grenade from a soldier's chest.

(Photo : Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

OUTSIDE KREMINNA, UKRAINE - JANUARY 12: Members of Ukraine's 95th Air Assault Brigade defend an area near the front line of fighting on January 12, 2023 outside Kreminna, Ukraine. Kreminna, located on the western edge of the Luhansk region, has seen fierce fighting between Ukraine and the Russian forces who occupy it.

Unexploded Grenade in Ukrainian Soldier's Chest Successfully Removed

As per a recent report by Interesting Engineering, military surgeons managed to successfully remove an unexploded grenade from one of the soldiers of the country, Ukraine.

Hanna Maliar, the deputy minister of defense of Ukraine, posted a photo of an X-ray scan, which show the explosive weapon inside the soldier.

Miliar shared that "military doctors conducted an operation to remove a VOG grenade. The deputy minister of defense added that it did not break while the surgeons were removing it from the body of the Ukrainian soldier.

The Facebook post of Miliar went on to note that the operation included two sappers to ensure the safety of the military surgeons. After all, what they are dealing with is an explosive device.

Read Also: CES 2023 Bans Russian Companies from Exhibiting their Gadgets Due to Invasion of Ukraine

How Did They Carry Out the Operation?

The deputy minister of defense adds that the surgeons carefully considered the operation method that they are carrying out to handle the explosive weapon.

And as such, they had to move forward with the surgery without using "electrocoagulation." The Guardian explains that it is a method that should help control the bleeding during an operation.

The surgeons decided to skip this common method due to the fact that the "grenade could detonate at any moment," explains the deputy minister.

Meanwhile, The Guardian notes in its report that the internal affairs ministerial adviser, Anton Gerashchenko, said that the operation would "go down in medical textbooks."

Gerashchenko posted an update on the surgery on Telegram, announcing that the operation has been nothing but successful.

The Telegram update disclosed that "the grenade did not explode but remained explosive."

The internal affairs ministerial adviser adds that "there have never been such operations in the practice of our doctors."

So it looks like it is the first time that the surgeons of the Ukraine military have carried out such an operation, which ended up successful anyway.

Gerashchenko believes that the patient is only 28 years old, as he cited the communications adviser to the commander of the medical forces of the Ukraine military, Yevgenia Slivko.

The deputy minister says the soldier is currently undergoing further rehabilitation after the successful surgery.

Related Article: Ukraine Buys 1,400 Drones to Develop Combat Models That May Rival Russia's Exploding Drones

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The United States President, Joe Biden, wrote an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal, asking the country to "unite against big tech abuses."

Biden is now urging Republicans and Democrats to hold these tech giants accountable for their abuses together.

(Photo : Oliver Contreras/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 02: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on developing infrastructure jobs in the East Room of the White House on November 2, 2022 in Washington, DC.

Biden Wants US to 'Unite Against Big Tech Abuses'

As per a recent report by Reuters, the President of the United States is asking Republicans and Democrats to unite against giant tech firms to hold them accountable for their actions.

The POTUS wrote in his WSJ piece that he is "concerned about how some in the industry collect, share and exploit our most personal data." The US president added other issues that bother him, such as "polarization" and deepening "extremism," he believes further affect the country.

Biden notes that it not only "[tilts] our economy's playing field." It also violates "the civil rights of women and minorities, and even [puts] our children at risk."

And as such, he wants both parties to "pass strong bipartisan legislation to hold Big Tech accountable."

Biden also pointed out that social media firms should be held accountable for the "experiment they are running on our children for profit."

(Photo : MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

US President Joe Biden delivers remarks on lowering costs and creating jobs in the Hudson Valley, at IBM in Poughkeepsie, New York, on October 6, 2022.

While Democrats and Republicans usually disagree on various issues, both of them are seemingly parallel in seeing the problems with tech giants.

Reuters notes that both parties largely acknowledge problems with tech behemoths like Google and Facebook. However, the two mainly disagree on how they want to handle these issues.

The president admits this, saying that "there will be many policy issues we disagree on in the new Congress, but...let's unite behind our shared values."

Reform on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act

Tech Crunch notes in its report that Biden proposes the reformation of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

The POTUS goes on to say that these tech firms should "take responsibility for the content they spread and the algorithms they use."

Biden now wants the Republicans and Democrats to work hand in hand in reforming Section 230 to further address issues of content and algorithms.

Read Also: Biden says US will Send Patriot Missile Battery to Ukraine After Zelenskyy's Historic Visit

Bring Back Competition to Tech

On top of that, the US president also wants the Federal Trade Commission or the FTC to help. He wrote that they have "recently secured a significant funding boost for our antitrust enforcers."

Tech Crunch notes that the FTC chairperson, Lina Khan, among other folks, previously complained about the lack of funding of the commission. The chair also pointed out other issues, such as headcount and authority.

Biden pointed out that the country now needs to "bring competition back to the tech sector."

In other related news, senior Republicans are looking to focus on prioritizing tech censorship this 2023.

Related Article: US Plans to Build Offshore Wind Farm to Bolster Renewable Energy Use
Virgin Orbit, the space company owned by billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson, faced a significant setback in its efforts to launch satellites from the United Kingdom when its "Start Me Up" mission failed. A formal investigation is underway to determine the cause of the launch mishap.

Premature Shutdown

LauncherOne, the company's rocket, was destroyed when it tried to take off from Spaceport Cornwall's site at Newquay Airport in Cornwall. It was carrying nine small satellites for the Start Me Up mission.

According to the company, the rocket went into a "premature shut down" around 180 kilometers into space due to an "anomaly." The said issue is yet to be fully addressed.

"I am confident that root cause and corrective actions will be determined in an efficient and timely manner," Dan Hart, CEO of Virgin Orbit, said in a statement.

"We are continuing to process and test our next vehicle per our plan and will implement any required modifications prior to our next launch."

Read Also: NASA Chooses TitanAir and a Pellet-Beam Propulsion Among 14 Concepts That Could Change Space Exploration for Good

Express.co tells us that the launch was thought to be a significant step forward for the United Kingdom's space sector, which has grown in recent years but has yet to establish a substantial foothold in the space industry. However, the mission's failure has cast a pall over the sector and Virgin Orbit.

Early Investigations

According to a press release issued by the company on January 12, preliminary data indicate that the rocket's first stage performed as expected and that the 70-foot-long rocket reached space altitudes. However, the rocket's upper stage experienced an anomaly that ended the mission prematurely.

A modified Boeing 747, Cosmic Girl, took off from the runway with the LauncherOne rocket under its wing during the failed launch.

The plane flew thousands of miles into the sky before dropping the rocket in mid-air, after which the LauncherOne fired up its engines and shot out of the Earth's atmosphere. Instead of reaching orbit, the rocket crashed back to Earth and burned during atmospheric reentry.

Following the failed launch, Virgin Orbit's carrier aircraft and crew safely returned to Spaceport Cornwall. Along with the investigation, the company stated that talks have begun about a possible future return to Spaceport Cornwall.

Despite the setback, Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, expressed optimism about the UK's role in the space industry. "People may not know this [but] the UK produces more satellites than anywhere outside of California," he said.

About Start Me Up

The Royal Air Force, UK Space Agency, Virgin Orbit, and Cornwall Council worked together to create the project.

In order to become a major player in the development and launch of satellites, Britain is also building a spaceport on the Shetland Islands, which are north of Scotland.

The CAA gave Virgin Orbit permission to launch on December 21, 2022. This was the last legal hurdle to be cleared.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Virgin Orbit Fails to Launch First Satellites Into Orbit From the UK

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Competition in China's electric vehicle (EV) market has been ratcheted up a notch when premium automobile manufacturer Aito, sponsored by telecommunications equipment giant Huawei, cut down the prices of its M5 and M7 models.

This follows only one week after Tesla announced huge reductions in the world's biggest automotive market.

Latest Move

Aito was collaboratively launched in December 2021 by Huawei and EV producer Seres.

In a report by South China Morning Post (SCMP), it has reduced the price of three M5 and M7 models by as much as 30,000 yuan ($4,444). This brings the new costs down to between 289,800 yuan and 309,800 yuan, according to a statement made on Friday, Jan. 13.

The basic M5 model was dropped in price by 28,800 yuan, now costing 259,800 yuan. With a starting price of 259,800 yuan, the standard M5 model is 100 yuan less than Tesla's Model Y Long Range electric SUV.

China's EV Market

A previous protest at a Shanghai delivery center was sparked by Tesla's unexpected price drops over the weekend, with customers demanding refunds from the US automaker for failing to provide early notice of the markdowns.

As a result of layoffs in China's technology sector, interruptions in production, and the pandemic's effects on the economy, budget-conscious buyers have opted for cheaper EV models. This is, no doubt, shown by the significant price modifications made by Aito following Tesla's recent offers.

Even though China is still seven years away from the day when three out of every five new cars sold are totally electric, the EV industry in China is projected to lose momentum in 2023.

China's EV industry is very competitive, and Aito, which began deliveries in March 2022, has a lot of rivals.

More than 200 businesses have spent tens of billions of dollars researching, designing, and constructing EVs in the world's second-largest economy thanks to Beijing's effort to increase EV adoption countrywide.

Read Also: China's BYD Launches Luxury EV Brand

Financial Backers

Last year, Aito released two models, and Huawei assisted in selling them via its brick-and-mortar shops located around China. Seres, a Santa Clara, California-based automaker, is owned by Chongqing Sokon Industry Group, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Aito reported 76,180 EV sales at the end of last year. According to data, it came in at number six among Chinese EV startups in terms of sales. Neta of Hozon Auto, Li Auto of Beijing, and Nio of Shanghai headed up the list.

After being banned by the US government in 2019, Huawei is attempting to diversify its income streams by entering the EV sector in Shenzhen. Since Huawei had used up all of its sophisticated in-house built processors, the tightening of 2020 trade restrictions had a devastating effect on the company's once-profitable smartphone industry.

Read Also: China's Chip Sales Drop 21% Following a Continuous Sluggish Global Chip Demand

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The organic molecules found in a Martian meteorite that landed in Morocco 11 years ago have the potential to shed light on Earth's geological past and shed light on whether or not life existed on Mars.

To answer the question of whether or not life ever existed on Mars, researchers need a better understanding of the red planet's water, organic molecules, and reactive surfaces, according to Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin of Germany's Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum Munich.

Unraveling the Martian Meteorite's Compounds

Tissint, named after the Moroccan town where it was discovered, is one of only five Martian meteorites to reach Earth while being watched, Space.com reports. The rock, which originated on Mars hundreds of millions of years ago, was likely blasted into space by an explosively violent event and eventually crashed to Earth's surface.

Substances rich in carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur are known as organic compounds.

Organic chemicals are often thought of as being produced by living organisms. However, this is not always the case. Abiotic organic chemistry is a term used by scientists to describe the situation in which the discovery of organic chemicals does not prove the presence of life.

Andrew Steele is a researcher from the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, DC, who was part of the team investigating Tissint. He stated that understanding the mechanisms and sequence of events that produced this rich organic treasure will offer new insights about Mars' habitability and perhaps about the events that may lead to the creation of life.

The researchers carefully studied the organic inventory of Tissint. With this, they could compile the most extensive database of the organic compounds discovered in a Martian meteorite or in a sample recovered and studied by the Mars rover. They found that different chemical compounds and types may correlate with meteorite minerals.

Abiotic organic chemicals formed due to interactions between Martian rock and water were one focus of this discovery. It also shed light on the processes operating under the mantle and crust of the red planet and how they have evolved through time.

The team also discovered organic magnesium compounds in large amounts, something that had never been detected in Martian soil before. These molecules may help elucidate the geochemistry of Mars's deep core, which was formed by tremendous pressure and temperature.

This organic magnesium compound's prevalence may also indicate a link between Mars' carbon cycle and the development of its minerals.

See Also: China Zhurong Mars Rover Still in Hibernation After 2022 Dust Storm, Will It Still Wake Up?

Further Exploration of the Red Planet

Future missions, such as Mars Sample Return, a planned collaborative mission of NASA and the European Space Agency, would hopefully bring back samples of the red planet's surface to help fill in the geological gaps in the team's knowledge.

Such data might significantly advance our understanding of the conditions that contributed to the emergence, persistence, and transformation of organic molecules on ancient Mars.

This group's study was published in Science Advances on Wednesday, Jan. 11.

Also Read: Japan Seeks to Explore if AI-powered Robotic Seals Can Relax Astronauts

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AUBURN  Another person charged with lesser crimes in connection with the deadly shooting outside an Auburn bar last year testified Wednesday that he gave a gun to the Auburn woman charged with murder in the incident.

The testimony came during the third day of the Cayuga County Court trial of Shameek Copes, 28, of 1 Jefferson St., Apt. 1, who faces charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the killing of a Syracuse man outside Swifty's Tavern on Perrine Street. The prosecution has said Copes fatally shot John Wesley Smith III, 37, in the early morning hours of March 15.

Adrian Agee, of Auburn, who was arraigned in April on charges related to Smith's death, was the final person to testify Wednesday, and he'll be back on the witness stand Thursday morning to answer questions from Copes' defense attorney.

In answering questions Wednesday from Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci, Agee said he went to Swifty's the morning of March 15 and met with people to celebrate a birthday. The shooting took place on Copes' 28th birthday.

Agee, who said Copes is his niece by marriage, said Copes started getting upset at one point and asked him to get her a gun. Although he said he was initially reluctant to do so, he ultimately left Swifty's to retrieve a firearm for Copes and returned to the bar. Agee said he then went into the women's bathroom with Copes and gave her the gun. She "loaded the chamber," Agee said, before leaving with the weapon.

Saying that he stayed inside Swifty's while Copes walked through the front entrance of the bar, Agee testified that he began hearing gunshots.

"I didn't think she would do something like this," Agee later said on the stand.

Agee was originally charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence in connection with the investigation into Smith's death. Agee has pleaded guilty to the weapon possession and the hindering prosecution charges, and is facing prison time.

Agee also testified to driving Copes away from the bar after the shots were fired. He said Copes was still upset and he took her to Steel Street. Agee said he "kind of told (Copes)" he didn't want to touch the gun but admitted putting it in a storm drain.

Agee said police initially interviewed him later on the day of the shooting. Grome Antonacci asked Agee if he had been "less than truthful" with police at that time, and Agee noted he had been terrified at that moment. Agee was interviewed again on March 16, and he then took police to the storm drain on Steel Street where he had said he disposed of the gun.

Grome Antonacci showed Agee some video surveillance clips from Swifty's taken that night, including color footage where Copes is shown walking out through the bar's main entrance. Grome Antonacci asked him if he had noticed anything at that point, and Agee said he had heard gunshots.

Video evidence debated in Cayuga County murder trial Both sides presented their opening arguments and six witnesses testified Tuesday in the Cayuga County Court trial of an Auburn woman charged w

Another video shown was black-and-white video security footage from outside the bar in which gunshots are heard, and Agee identified Smith, a person he said he knew, in the video. When Grome Antonacci asked who the person seen in the footage fleeing the scene was, Agee replied, "That's Shameek."

Others who testified Wednesday included an employee of Swifty's at the time the shooting who was working that night and two bar patrons who admitted they were intoxicated but recounted seeing Copes raise her arm while she was exiting through the doorway.

Three Auburn Police Department detectives, Sean DeRosa, Adam Rivers and James Frost, also testified. DeRosa, lead investigator for the case, said Swifty's had at least four cameras with footage relevant to the case and said he viewed the footage.

"It appeared in the video that Copes appeared to shoot the victim," DeRosa said.

Through the video surveillance and other information gathered during the investigation, DeRosa said the APD determined Copes was the main suspect in the shooting. Copes' lawyer, Rome Canzano, told the jury during his opening statement on Tuesday that the defense believes the video evidence is not conclusive.

During Canzano's cross examination, DeRosa said he was not able to tie the guns determined to have been involved in the shooting to any particular person.

Following jury selection that took all day Monday and the first part of Tuesday, courtroom tensions occasionally ran high during the first two days of witness testimony. A couple of people in the gallery had outbursts and rushed out of the courtroom, and after court ended around 5 p.m. Tuesday, some people got into a verbal confrontation outside. Although the situation never became a physical fight, APD were called to the scene.

Judge Thomas Leone, who is presiding over the trial, addressed the tensions before proceedings began Wednesday. Standing up while speaking, the judge said while almost everyone was respectful, he saw Tuesday afternoon's confrontation from the large windows in the back of the courtroom. The judge said that while "I know emotions are running high," confrontations wouldn't help matters.

"Let's just get through this trial with minimum aggravations," Leone added.

The fourth day of Copes trial resumes Thursday morning with Agee set to take questions from Canzano.
Since its creation in 2018, this program has facilitated the return of 30,979 Venezuelans who were residing in some 25 countries.

in the early hours of Friday, 88 Venezuelan migrants returned to their country thanks to "Return to the Homeland" (Vuelta a la Patria), a program launched in 2018 by President Nicolas Maduro to help nationals living in precarious economic situations abroad.

A state-owned CONVIASA flight brought them to the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, in the state of La Guaira, where the Venezuelan authorities received them.

Venezuela welcomes you with open arms, the Bolivarian Foreign Affairs Minister Yvan Gil tweeted.

Since its creation in 2018, this program has facilitated the return of 30,979 Venezuelans who were residing in some 25 countries. That happened thanks to 186 flights and one sea transfer. To date, 9,761 Venezuelans have been voluntarily repatriated from Peru.

"It is worth recalling that Guaido and his acolytes have repeatedly endorsed US sanctions and have gleefully cheered for every single murderous measure levied against Venezuela. Of course, sanctions dont affect them the same as working-class citizens"https://t.co/FKqkUaK0u9  venezuelanalysis.com (@venanalysis) January 12, 2023

After their arrival at the Simon Bolivar airport, the returnees received the health protocol established by the health authorities to rule out COVID-19 cases.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for Latin America Rander Pena stated that Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro will expand the beneficiaries of social protection policies, one of which is the Return to Homeland program.

We are responding to the will of Venezuelans who have expressed their desire to return to their homeland and put all their potential to build the country we want," he said.
The complaint filed against the former President occurs a few days after his supporters stormed the headquarters of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches in Brasilia.

A group of 79 prosecutors and assistant prosecutors from the Federal Public Ministry sent the Brazilian Attorney General Augusto Aras a criminal request against former President Jair Bolsonaro for the crime of incitement.

The document demands that Bolsonaro be investigated in cases about fake news, which were disseminated by digital militias that called for actions against Brazilian democracy. These cases are currently under supervision of the Federal Supreme Court (STF).

Prosecutors point out that the far-right politician posted on his Facebook account in the early hours of January 10 and 11 messages that could be interpreted as "acts of incitement" that publicly encourage other people to violate the law.

Among other things, Bolsonaro posted a video questioning the results of the October 2022 presidential election, in which Workers' Party candidate Lula da Silva emerged victorious. In other words, he once again attacked electronic voting and hinted at an alleged fraud.

That video includes an interview in which a Mato Grosso do Sul state attorney asserts without presenting any evidence that there was fraud and electronic voting is unreliable. He also dared to say that the people did not elect Lula but the Supreme Court and the Electoral Tribunal.

Outra despesa curiosa no cartao corporativo do ex-presidente Jair Bolsonaro: no dia 23 de janeiro de 2019, seis despesas somando R$ 45.780,00 dao conta de hospedagens em dois hoteis no Rio de Janeiro. Neste mesmo dia, Bolsonaro discursava no Forum Economico de Davos, na Suica. pic.twitter.com/UfEaIzNh0e  William De Lucca (@delucca) January 13, 2023

The tweet: "Another curious expense on the corporate card of former President Jair Bolsonaro: on Jan. 23, 2019, six expenses for R$ 45,780 correspond to accommodation in two hotels in Rio de Janeiro. That same day, Bolsonaro was speaking at the Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland."

The complaint filed against Bolsonaro occurs a few days after his supporters stormed the headquarters of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches in Brasilia on January 8.

Regarding this attempted coup, Deputy Attorney General Lucas Rochas asked the Court of Accounts to block Bolsonaro's assets to compensate for the damage caused by his followers. This measure would also be applied to the governor of Brasilia Ibaneis Rocha and his Security Secretary Anderson Torres, who were dismissed from their posts this week.

On Friday, the Federal Police raided Torres' house and found a draft of a decree that would have allowed Bolsonaro to establish a "Defense State" at the Electoral Tribunal's headquarters.

This action was aimed at arbitrarily and unconstitutionally reversing the victory of Lula da Silva. Currently, Anderson weighs arrest warrant


Listen to the rest of Charlotte Perriand's story told by Virginie Girod. A free woman, a pioneer of modernity, she is one of the leading personalities of the design world of the twentieth century who helped define a new art of living. Free traveler, avant-garde, Charlotte Perriand has throughout her life nourished by her explorations, particularly Asian ones, to transcribe them in her works. In the 1920s, Charlotte Perriand joined the agency of the famous architect Le Corbusier. She quickly understood that the art world was ruthless with women. Often demoted to the rank of collaborator, Perriand decided to emancipate herself from her mentor. After the Second World War, France experienced a massive episode of rural exodus. For a city like Marseille, the lack of housing is felt. It was at this time that Le Corbusier recalled the designer for a major architectural project: the Cite radieuse, a housing unit considered the ancestor of the HLM. Virginie Girod continues her story in the footsteps of this great designer. 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.
Nearly 3,000 assaults were reported in New York state prisons in 2022, a record number that a corrections officers' union blames on the solitary confinement reform law that took effect last year.

The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision said there were 1,489 assaults on staff and 1,486 assaults on incarcerated individuals in 2022. DOCCS notes that "any attack by an incarcerated individual" is considered an assault, including "events where no physical injury occurs and events where any object, including a small object, is thrown at and hits another person."

Assaults on staff have been on the rise over the past decade. The previous high was 1,177 in 2021. Since 2017, attacks on staff have increased by more than 86%.

More than two-thirds of the assaults (1,015) occurred in maximum-security prisons, such as Auburn Correctional Facility. But there was a spike in assaults on staff at medium-security prisons  430, up from 284 in 2021.

Assaults on incarcerated individuals have fluctuated over the years. There was a decline from 2020 to 2021 (1,108, down from 1,205). But the number increased last year to a record level.

The rising number of assaults is despite a smaller incarcerated population and fewer correctional facilities. As of Jan. 1, prisons housed 31,329 incarcerated individuals, a nearly 57% decrease from a high of 72,649 in 1999. Since 2011, the state has closed 24 correctional facilities. There are now 44 state prisons in New York.

DOCCS has acknowledged the ongoing problem in correctional facilities. Anthony Annucci, the department's acting commissioner, wrote a memo in November calling the recent string of assaults "extremely disturbing."

The department's response to the escalating violence includes implementing a pilot program to deploy body-warn cameras, upgrading fixed camera systems within prisons and the DOCCS Office of Special Investigations now has more than 20 K-9 teams to search for drugs in prisons.

In a statement on Friday, a DOCCS spokesperson said "the safety and well-being of staff and incarcerated individuals is our top priority."

"The department has zero tolerance for violence within our facilities and anyone engaged in misconduct will be disciplined, and if warranted, incidents will be referred for outside prosecution," the spokesperson added.

But the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, a union representing corrections officers, believes the increase in violence is due to the Humane Alternatives for Long Term Solitary Confinement Act. The law, which took effect in April 2022, sets limits  no more than 15 consecutive days, or 20 days in a 60-day period  on how long an incarcerated individual can be placed in a special housing unit, or solitary confinement.

For more than a year, NYSCOPBA has urged state lawmakers to repeal HALT. However, the state Legislature that passed HALT will not repeal the law.

"The HALT Act has dismantled any semblance of safety measures for staff or incarcerated individuals alike by stripping the ability to separate violent predators from their prey for any meaningful amount of time and the data clearly reflects that," NYSCOPBA President Michael Powers said.

The union highlighted the assault statistics since HALT took effect in April 2022. Over a nine-month period, there was an average of 8.6 assaults per day, up from 6.6 assaults per day before the law's implementation.

Powers said the numbers are "alarming."

"HALT has created a new level of violence our correctional facilities has never experienced before," he added. "Despite what the sponsors of the HALT Act believe, HALT doesn't make our prisons safer, as it has only emboldened the most violent individuals who reside in our facilities."
Police said a Rochester woman intentionally forced a horse and buggy off a rural Cayuga County roadway before struggling with the occupants and trying to grab at a child.

Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck said in a new release Friday that the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the corner of Route 90 and Toll Gate Hill Road in the town of Locke.

Police said that Andreah N. Dejernett, 24, of 1946 Norton St., Rochester, intentionally forced a horse and buggy occupied by multiple people off the road but did not physically strike it.

Witnesses who called 911 reported that after the initial incident, Dejernett tried to hit the buggy with her vehicle and tried to attack the occupants.

The investigation also revealed, police said, that Dejernett tried to grab at a child inside the buggy, "however she never came into contact with the child due to bystanders preventing her from doing so."

Police said that two occupants of the buggy were transported to area hospitals with injuries that were not considered serious or life threatening. The horse was led from the scene following the incident and did not appear to be injured.

Dejernett was initially detained by the Moravia Police Department, which had responded to assist at the scene, before being taken into custody by the sheriff's office.

She was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of a child. She was processed and transported to the Cayuga County Jail.

Upon arraignment Friday morning, police said, Dejernett was released with a return date to Locke Town Court on Feb. 1.

Schenck said that the sheriffs office was assisted at the scene and during this investigation by the Moravia Police Department, New York State Police, Cayuga County 911, Four Town Ambulance, Groton Ambulance, Locke Fire Department, Moravia Fire Department, Three Town Fire, and the Cayuga County Emergency Management Office.
The Rev. Darlene Moore will address the United Women in Faith audience on Sunday.
Both sides presented their opening arguments and six witnesses testified Tuesday in the Cayuga County Court trial of an Auburn woman charged with murder in connection with a deadly shooting in March.

Shameek Copes, 28, of 1 Jefferson St., Apt. 1, is on trial for charges of second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Prosecutors have accused her of fatally shooting John Wesley Smith III, 37, of Syracuse, in front of Swifty's Tavern on Perrine Street in Auburn in the early morning hours of March 15.

Ten jurors were selected Monday on the first day of Copes' trial. Copes was back in court Tuesday, wearing a blue shirt instead of the Cayuga County Jail uniform she's worn during pre-trial proceedings.

Following jury selection that took all day Monday and about an hour on Tuesday morning, Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci began her opening arguments by saying that on March 15, Copes "fired three rounds" into Smith's body, killing him instantly.

Grome Antonacci added that Smith and Copes were not strangers to one another, and there were people they knew at the bar that night. Smith didn't know his time talking to people outside the bar would be "the last minutes of his life," she added.

Grome Antonacci said Copes was handed a gun by a relative, went outside the bar and shot Smith. Grome Antonacci also told the jury they would learn about how Copes "fled" the scene. Copes turned herself in to a police department in South Carolina in late March, days after an arrest warrant was issued in Cayuga County.

The district attorney said Swifty's had video surveillance that jurors would see during the trial that would show Copes' involvement in the shooting. She also said there were people at the bar that night who were "less than forthcoming" to law enforcement, adding that the DA's office did not want to bring forth such witnesses.

Grome Anotancci later told the jury "we are confident that after hearing the facts," they would convict Copes.

Rome Canzano, Copes' attorney, next gave his opening argument, telling the jury about information "the government" would be giving them and later saying "you will hear no witness say they saw Shameek Copes shoot anybody."

Trial starts for woman charged in deadly shooting outside Auburn bar Jury selection began Monday in the trial of an Auburn woman accused of murdering a Syracuse man outside a city tavern last winter.

Canzano addressed potential video evidence, as well, saying footage the prosecutors may present does not definitively show Copes committing the crime.

In addition, Canzano said there is a witness he believes prosecutors will call to the stand who was also involved in the case, but he said that person's credibility is questionable.

Canzano did not identify that potential witness, but there are two other people, Adrian Agee and Junnell Copes, both of Auburn, who were arraigned in April on felony charges related to Smith's death.

Agee was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, hindering prosecution and tampering with physical evidence, while Junnell Copes was charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

Agee has pleaded guilty to weapon possession and the hindering prosecution charge. During the investigation, prosecutors have said, law enforcement recovered an "unrelated weapon," a loaded pistol, on Agee's property, adding that law enforcement also determined Agee hid the murder weapon in a public storm drain.

Following an hour-long break for lunch, the jury heard from six witnesses: Ben Guzalak, deputy administrator for Cayuga County 911; Ann Marie Tomandl, co-owner of Swifty's Tavern; Luke Parker, officer and evidence technician with the Auburn Police Department; Don Laraway, identification officer with the APD; Joseph DiVietro, confidential investigator with the DA's office; and Lt. David Walters of the APD.

During his testimony, Walters said he was familiar with and could recognize people who had been at the scene, such as Smith and Copes, and said he also recognized Agee and Junnell Copes.

Walters talked about video surveillance footage from Swifty's, including color footage that he said shows Shameek Copes and Agee walk into a bathroom at the bar, and then Copes walking out of the bathroom and out of the bar. In the footage of the defendant walking out, Walters said, it appears that Copes has a firearm at this point.

Black-and-white video security footage from outside the bar was then shown in which gunshots could be heard, and Walters identifies a figure in the footage as Smith and a person running away from the area. Grome Antonacci asked who the figure in the video fleeing the scene was, and Walters said it was Copes.
Amedisys announced Thursday its board of directors authorized a stock buyback program of up to $100 million.

The Baton Rouge-based home health and hospice company said it may repurchase stock until the end of the year, in amounts and at prices that it feels are appropriate.
Growing up I was part of a Stuckeys family. When the eight of us traveled, we packed our drinks, sandwiches and snacks. Sometimes we would stop at a Stuckeys. Loved those pecan log rolls and the shakes were scrumptious.
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 Pacing around their home. Death threats. A mobile phone alarm going off. Until it doesnt any more. Silence. Michelle Liddle and Ben Beaumont have let their 15-year-old sons phone go flat. That was the only way to stop the ringing each morning. Their boy, Angus, was a tech kid after all, and not even the police got into his phone after his death. The ringing, which had once alerted their son to go to school or work, had become a reminder Angus was no longer with them. Angus Beaumonts mother, Michelle Liddle, on the day of his funeral. His parents say he was intelligent beyond his years, a boy with a size-15 foot who was taller than most, and who loved his food and rugby union.

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A boy with his whole life ahead of him, lost to a violent crime. It was all over in about 10 seconds, Ben says angrily. Michelle then manages to speak through her tears: It was the most brutal thing to watch [on CCTV]. Angus, left, with father Ben and brother Kelly. On March 13, 2020, on Anzac Avenue in Redcliffe, Angus was stabbed in the heart. His two killers were 14. The time was about 8pm. He was supposed to check in at 9pm, Michelles voice breaks. Being a mum, you know, I was ringing early.

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The attackers, 16 and 17 when they were sentenced in October for murder, received fewer than 10 years each in prison. One will be out as early as 2025. Both teenagers had long rap sheets. Both had been released on bail repeatedly before the night Angus died. And both have applied to appeal their sentences over his murder. Theyll be out in 2025, and well still have a dead child. Our family will still be ruined and Angus will still be gone. Michelle Liddle A court was told that on the fateful night, the two attackers argued with Angus friend. During the confrontation, Angus and another friend, a girl, ran off in a different direction. Angus stayed with the girl until his friend, who he had only met a few months prior, ran back to them at a later stage. Angus and his friend were followed by the two boys.

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Seconds before they attacked, Angus friend had handed him a knife. He didnt even know what to do with it, Michelle says. He wasnt a crim kid. He was a nerdy kid who got into Redcliffe High on excellence programs, he was a computer tech kid. Hed worked with [his father] since he was nine years old. He worked at the mower shop, hed done their stocktake online at 13. He helped his older brother with his tax. He was a smart kid, he was so intelligent, he was such a character. When wed go away on holiday he wanted to do everything, taste every food, he wanted to see everything, hed encourage his brother along. In late 2022, Angus family marked what would have been his 18th birthday.

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The killing of Angus, and those of North Lakes mother Emma Lovell and Gold Coast teenager Jack Beasley  all allegedly committed by juveniles  have triggered community uproar. Victims families are calling for changes to legislation and the court system. Some vigilantes are taking matters into their own hands. Residents in upmarket Brisbane suburbs have pooled money for private street security. Three days after Lovells home invasion death, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced measures to combat youth crime, pitched as an answer to the communitys cries for help.

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A lawyer acting for former Victorian MP Russell Northe says his client has been assessed by a psychiatrist and is not fit to stand trial over allegations of falsifying expense documents.

Northe, who did not recontest his seat of Morwell at last years state election, is facing 45 charges from Victorias Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission relating to allegations he falsified financial documents to obtain an audit certificate for office expenses.

Russell Northe in his electoral office in 2018. Credit: Joe Armao

The retired MP was previously a member of the Nationals but served his last term in parliament as an independent before retiring less than three months ago. The charges relate to his conduct while he was a serving parliamentarian.

He did not attend court on Friday.
A man has been charged with dangerous driving causing death following an alleged hit-and-run which resulted in the death of a cyclist in Melbournes south-east on Friday morning. Police said a 68-year-old Dandenong man on a bicycle was struck by a vehicle on Frankston-Dandenong Road in Bangholme, around 31 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD. The scene at Bangholme in Melbournes south-east, where a cyclist died following a collision with a car. Credit: Nine News The cyclist was found by passers-by on the side of the road just before 6am, but was declared dead at the scene. On Friday night, Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives charged a 37-year-old Cranbourne East man with multiple offences, including dangerous driving causing death and failing to render assistance.

Victoria Police detective sergeant Richard Wood said earlier in the day that investigators believe the driver did not stop following the crash, but instead returned home. Police spoke to the man at his residence before he accompanied them to Cranbourne Police Station. Police do not believe the driver was speeding at the time of the incident, with the 37-year-old man likely the only person in the vehicle at the time. I would like to emphasise the point that if anyone is involved a collision like this, they do need to stop and render assistance, Wood said. I think its important people drive to the conditions. If its dark, extra care and attention needs to be paid. According to Nine News, Victoria Police seized a Toyota Estima minivan from a Cranbourne property on Friday. The vehicles front windscreen was heavily damaged and a side mirror was broken.
Myki card readers on most trams, buses and train stations are capable of accepting credit card payments, but the operator has never enabled the feature, according to a company that has upgraded the same machines overseas.

Amin Shayan, chief executive of the Melbourne headquartered Littlepay, said the transport payment company could enable Melbournes Vix Technology myki card readers to operate on a system that accepts bank cards as it had done in Gothenburg, Sweden.

A myki pass being used on Melbourne public transport. Credit: Scott McNaughton

Shayan said Littlepay had previously approached Victorias Department of Transport about equipping its existing myki readers to accept tap-and-go bank card payments but was rebuffed.

Myki operates as a closed-loop system based on physical smart cards tied to prepaid accounts. Transport systems in London and Sydney use open-loop systems allowing passengers to tap on with a bank card or smartphone and links them to a personal account, which applies fare types and discounts based on travel patterns.
ALBANY  A former Republican county elections commissioner in upstate New York pleaded guilty Wednesday to applying for absentee ballots in the names of other registered voters.

Jason Schofield, who is from Troy, resigned last month from the Rensselaer County Board of Elections. He admitted that in 2021 he unlawfully used the names and birthdates of voters in connection with 12 absentee ballot applications he submitted electronically to the New York State Voter Absentee Ballot Application Request Portal, according to federal prosecutors.

Schofield, 43, admitted he falsely certified that he was the voter requesting each of the absentee ballots.

When Schofield was originally arraigned in September, his attorney said Schofield maintained he was innocent of the charges in the 12-count indictment.

Schofield is scheduled to be sentenced on May 12. He faces up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and supervised released of up to three years for each count.
Tom Sewell is one of the most odious individuals in Australia. He runs a Nazi cell, hes a racist and violent man who attracts other lost, violent men to his cause. This week he was sentenced by the Victorian courts after he entered a corporate building (the one I work in), made a pest of himself, then punched to the ground the Nine security guard who tried to escort him out  after Sewells mate had called the guard, who was born in the Dominican Republic, a monkey.

National Socialist Network leader Tom Sewell. Credit:

On Thursday, a magistrate sentenced Sewell to an 18-month community correction order. No jail time was ordered because Magistrate Stephen Ballek was not persuaded that the attack was racially motivated. Shortly afterwards, Sewell stood in front of the media, said: Australia for the white man, and flashed a Nazi salute.

The question for us at The Age was whether to publish a picture of that salute. The argument against was that Sewell wanted us to. He would gloat about it, use it as a recruiting tool. The argument for publishing was to show what a cretin he really is and to invite our readers to come to a similar judgment.

I dont like withholding a relevant fact (Sewells overt Nazism) from a large number of people because he might use it to win a small number of supporters. Of course, we described the salute. But, under a first do no harm approach, we reluctantly decided not to publish the picture. Im still not sure it was the right call. We also blur swastikas as a uniquely offensive symbol. Others did picture the salute, including the Herald Sun, the News Corp websites and at least one TV station - Nine.
The pugilistic style of Cardinal George Pell has put a lasting conservative imprint on the Catholic Church in Australia and one archbishop says his death will make no difference to the way the church operates.

Pells grip on the Australian Catholic Church loosened when he moved to Rome in 2014 but Dr Joel Hodge, a senior lecturer in theology at the Australian Catholic University, said he continued to give advice and assistance to the archbishops of Melbourne and Sydney.

Then-archbishop George Pell during Christmas Mass at St Patricks Cathedral in 1997. Credit: Ray Kennedy

Pell was a big-vision man who wanted to retain new members, Hodge said, but his pugilistic approach alienated many liberal-leaning Catholics. As with all major religions in Australia, its flock is declining: at the 2021 census, 20 per cent of Australians identified as Catholic, down from 22.6 per cent five years earlier.

Hodge said Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli and his Sydney counterpart, Anthony Fisher, were both very close to Pell and would continue his legacy of holding firmly to the churchs teachings, but that they would do so via a leadership style that reflected Pope Francis emphasis on pastoral engagement.
A company given $7 million in public funding by the Victorian government to redevelop a new harbour at Queenscliff has put the propertys lease up for sale, for more than $30 million.

Queenscliff Harbour Pty Ltd signed a 49-year lease with the Bracks Labor government in 2004, and a decade later, the Napthine Coalition government extended that lease until 2074.

Queenscliff harbour was privatised and redeveloped against the wishes of many locals. Now, its owners are hoping to sell the lease to the harbour for $30 million. Credit: Joe Armao

Building the harbour at the seaside town on the Bellarine Peninsula cost $20 million  $4.7 million of it from public funds. In 2018, the Andrews government put a further $2.3 million into restoring a wharf that is part of the facility.

Locals who opposed the harbours redevelopment say the proposed sale shows the public-private partnership, devised almost two decades ago, was a terrible idea in the first place.
Job well done is probably how Anthony Albanese feels about his two-day trip to Papua New Guinea this week. On Thursday, Australia and PNG issued a statement saying they had pledged to sign a new security treaty by the end of April that would help protect their independence, sovereignty and resilience.

Albanese and his PNG counterpart, James Marape, described the agreement as a natural progression in the existing security partnership, reflecting the two countries shared history, geographic proximity and common regional strategic outlook.

Anthony Albaneses enthusiasm for the visit to PNG has been evident for weeks. Credit: Nine

A good result for Australia, the proposed treaty not only reinforced our fraternal, occasionally troubled, relationship with PNG but pushed back against Chinas growing influence across the region. Most notably, it answered Beijings security pact with Solomon Islands last March, widely seen as a foreign relations disaster that should have been prevented.

That agreement, which blindsided the Coalition government of the day, empowered Solomon Islands to request China to send police, armed police, military personnel and other law enforcement and armed forces, allowed the Chinese navy to dock and replenish its ships and, some feared, would lead to China operating a major base on the islands that could threaten Australian and US interests in the region.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On January 12, Chinese automaker Changan Automobile held its 2023 CHANGAN Automobile Global Partner Conference in Chongqing city, disclosing the company's 2023 business deployment strategies.

Photo credit: Changan Automobile

To be specific, Changan Automobile aims to produce and sell 2.8 million vehicles in 2023, ensuring that the scale growth is more than 10 percentage points higher than the industry average. It should sell 1 million passenger vehicles the Changan brand this year. The Shenlan new energy vehicle-dedicated brand is set out to deliver 400,000 vehicles through 2023. Meanwhile, AVATR, the auto brand backed by Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL, is anticipated to reach an annual sales target of 100,000 vehicles this year.

This year, Changan Automobile will make full efforts to hit its sales targets, launch new products, produce innovative technologies, adopt new marketing strategies, strengthen its supply chain, and explore new markets. In 2023, the automaker will launch the Shenlan S7, C236, AVATR E12, and other heavyweight vehicle models. In addition, the companys other vehicle models, code named C928, C857, D857, C318, C390, B390, CD701, CD570, C916, E15, and E16, are also well underway.

Moreover, Changan Automobile also made clear its annual sales target in 2025 and 2030. By 2025, the automaker will strive to achieve an annual sales of 4 million vehicles, of which 3 million units should be under the Changan brand, 35% of the total sales should be from new energy vehicles, and overseas markets should account for 15% of the annual sales volume.

By 2030, Changan Automobile eyes a yearly sales volume of 5 million vehicles, 4 million units among which will be contributed by Changan-branded vehicles. New energy vehicles should account for more than 60% of the total sales volume while overseas sales take up 30%.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Geely Technology Group and GTA Semiconductor, a Chinese semiconductor chip manufacturer, signed an agreement on Jan. 12 to conduct all-around strategic cooperation on R&D, manufacturing, and market applications of automotive-grade chips, as well as talent development, according to a post on Geely Technology Group's WeChat account.

The new partnership was forged to boost the coordinated development of the automotive-grade chip industry, contributing to breakthroughs in the core technologies related to China-made semiconductors, and building a mature and stable ecosystem for automotive semiconductor industry.

Photo credit: Geely Technology Group

Through the cooperation, the two companies will jointly build China's first automotive electronics CIDM (cooperative integrated circuit manufacturing) alliance. They will set up a joint laboratory focusing on the R&D, joint technical debugging, and production processing of automotive MCUs (microcontroller units), power devices, SoC (system-on-chip), PMICs (power management integrated circuits), and other chips.

In addition, they will work on developing the advanced chip process capability and building an outstanding talent team to ensure safety and sustainability of automotive-grade chip supply chain.

GTA Semiconductor is one of the leading manufacturing foundries in China specializing in automotive IC (integrated circuits). The company provides customers with a full spectrum of technology platforms and portfolios for manufacturing microcontrollers, analog ICs, discrete power devices, and MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) in the application fields of automobile, industry, and high-end consumer electronics.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Volkswagen brand sold over 2.3971 million vehicles in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in the year 2022, representing a 1.3% drop over a year ago, according to Volkswagens announcement on January 13.

Photo credit: Volkswagen

The automaker sustained its strong momentum in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector, with a total delivery volume exceeding 180,600 units in the past year, indicating a year-on-year surge of 51.6%. Notably, 79.2% of the NEVs delivered in China were pure-electric models from the ID. family. Volkswagens overall market share in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong reached 11.4% through 2022.

Through 2022, Volkswagen sold 143,100 vehicles from its ID. electric-vehicle lineup in China, representing a 102.9% hike year-over-year. The ID.4 and ID.6 models ranked third in the compact and full-sized pure electric SUV segments in China, respectively. In order to give consumers a better reach of its products and services, Volkswagen expanded its ID. showroom network from 115 stores in 2021 to 401 stores in 2022.

With the ID. family accomplishing its 2022 annual sales target and see its yearly sales doubling from the same period last year, Volkswagen brand's share of the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong electric vehicle market was also strengthened. Besides, the German auto brand has already seen its cumulative sales in China hit the significant 40 million-unit milestone.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

ZEEKR launches global hiring spree

ZEEKR, the premium electric vehicle brand of Geely Holding, has launched a global hiring spree to bring on over 3,000 talents, which will work on such businesses as intelligent driving, software and electronics, and user growth in more than 30 cities worldwide, including Silicon Valley, Goteborg, Beijing, and Shanghai.

ZEEKR 001; photo credit: ZEEKR

Farizon Auto eyes annual sales volume of 150,000 units in 2023

Farizon Auto, the new energy commercial vehicle unit of Geely Holding, said it aims to sell 150,000 vehicles in 2023.

BYD-backed DENZA to ship first OTA upgrade for D9 MPV in Q1 2023

DENZA, the premium electric vehicle brand of BYD, plans to launch the first OTA update for users of the DENZA D9 MPV in the first quarter of this year, the automaker said on Jan. 12.

CATL's annual net profit in 2022 anticipated to soar 82.66%-97.22% YoY

CATL said on Thursday its annual net profit attributable to shareholders was anticipated to surge 82.66%-97.72% year on year to 29.1 billion yuan-31.5 billion yuan ($4.326 billion -$4.682 billion) in 2022.

VOYAH celebrates first batch of Zhuiguang sedans rolling off line

On January 13, Dongfeng Motor's premium new energy vehicle brand, VOYAH, saw the first batch of the Zhuiguang sedans roll off the production lines.

Volkswagen ID. family sees 2022 annual China sales more than double YoY

Volkswagen brand sold over 2.3971 million vehicles in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in the year 2022, representing a 1.3% drop over a year ago, according to Volkswagen's announcement on January 13.

Wuhan to expand road test area for driverless vehicles

On January 12, Wuhan, the provincial capital of Hubei Province, disclosed its plan to open up its fifth-batch intelligent connected vehicle test roads, which span roughly 344km in total.

Geely Holding, Alibaba Group ally on auto industry's digital transformation

On January 12, Geely Holding and Alibaba Group signed an agreement to form an all-around strategic partnership regarding the application of digital technologies and solutions in the automotive industry.

Geely Technology Group, GTA Semiconductor team up on auto-grade chip businesses

Geely Technology Group and GTA Semiconductor, a Chinese semiconductor chip manufacturer, signed an agreement on Jan. 12 to conduct all-around strategic cooperation on R&D, manufacturing, and market applications of automotive-grade chips, as well as talent development, according to a post on Geely Technology Group's WeChat account.

Baidu inks agreement with Wuhan city for unmanned driving scale commercial operation

On January 11, China's tech giant Baidu inked a cooperation agreement with the municipal government of Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, in the field of intelligent connected vehicles, specifically, the commercialization of self-driving vehicles.

Changan Automobile aims to sell 2.8 million vehicles in 2023

On January 12, Chinese automaker Changan Automobile held its 2023 CHANGAN Automobile Global Partner Conference in Chongqing city, disclosing the company's 2023 business deployment strategies.

Geely Holding records annual sales of over 2.3 million vehicles in 2022

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group announced on Thursday its annual auto sales exceeded 2.3 million units in 2022, rising 4.3% year on year.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- On January 11, Chinas tech giant Baidu inked a cooperation agreement with the municipal government of Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, in the field of intelligent connected vehicles, specifically, the commercialization of self-driving vehicles.

Baidu Robotaxi in Wuhan; photo credit: Baidu

The two sides will jointly launch large-scale commercial operation of fully autonomous driving services and build the world's top-notch operation zone for self-driving vehicle services.

Robin Li, chairman and CEO of Baidu, spoke highly of Hubei's industrial foundation, location advantages, and business environment, and introduced relevant information about the project. He said that he would make every effort to accelerate the implementation of the project, and jointly contribute to the high-quality development of Hubei Province through the deep integration of intelligent connected technologies to serve intelligent vehicles, intelligent transportation, and smart cities.

According to the agreement, Wuhan will actively and steadily promote the autonomous driving policy city-wide to gradually open up the applications of unmanned driving technologies in airports, highways, and other scenarios. In compliance to the regulations, the city will support Baidu Apollo and its affiliated parties in deploying large-scale commercial operation of self-driving vehicle services.
The China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) and the Birmingham C.A.S.E. Automotive Research & Education Centre successfully has held a roundtable on developments and advances for commercial vehicles and new energy at the University of Birmingham on the 10th January 2023, supported by Silverstone Technology Centre, the Northern Automotive Alliance, and UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers, with live streaming service provided by Gasgoo Automotive. The speakers included David Gregory, China Market Business Advisor, for the AMT sector of CBBC; Professor Jon Frampton, Vice-Chancellor and Director of the China Institute, University of Birmingham; Professor Hongming Xu, director of Birmingham C.A.S.E. Automotive Research and Education Centre; Richard Shillingford, consultant to BYD UK; Andrew Murphy, Advisor Future Mobility, BP; Mike Petch, Strategic Technical Director and Hydrogen Technology Specialist at Johnson Matthey UK; Roger Cracknell, a Senior Principal Specialist focusing on Combustion and Mobility at Shell; and Dr Jun Qiao, Group Chief Engineer at Changan UK R & D Centre. In addition, over 20 industry experts joined in the roundtable discussion, including Chris Harris, Head of Business Development at the Centre for Advanced Propulsion; Paul Jones, CEO of the Northern Automotive Alliance; and Jay Schofield, Marketing Director of Grainger & Worrall.

The experts delivered interesting presentations on future development of the new energy commercial, vehicle market and technology, followed by a Q&A session where attendees had in-depth discussions and exchanges with the speakers. The seminar was chaired by David Gregory and it was watched online by over 5,000 people across the network.

At the beginning of the meeting, David Gregory made an introduction to the Automotive Roundtable and extended a cordial greeting and warm welcome to the attendees. He pointed out that CBBC is a business membership organisation, that supports UK companies to succeed in doing business with China whether that be exporting goods, technology or expertise, operating within China or perhaps working together with Chinese companies. Professor Jon Frampton, also gave a warm welcome to the attendees with a report of current work of the China Institute with expectations for further cooperation and exchanges between the UK and China, and expressed his wishes for a successful event.

The presentation made by Professor Hongming Xu firstly introduced the C.A.S.E. Automotive Research and Education Centre at the University of Birmingham and called for collaboration using the information on the Website. Then he presented ongoing work in collaboration with auto field in China, starting from the recent 5 year project with Tsinghua University and Peking University in recent years. This was followed by the ongoing collaborative research and development projects with Suzhou Automotive Research Institute and with BYD on plug-in hybrid vehicles and dedicated hybrid engines. Finally, Professor Hongming Xu expressed his expectations for further cooperation with Chinese universities and companies in the future.

The following presentation was given by Richard Shillingford consultant to BYD UK, which focused on the development and challenges of new energy vehicles. Taking electric vehicles as an example, he pointed out the current challenges of operating new energy vehicles in the context of market data, introduced the importance of further development of battery technology and gave an outlook on the future development of BYD UK.





A presentation by Andrew Murphy, Advisor Future Mobility, for BP, focused on the decarbonisation of heavy transport. Combined with a graph of predicted CO2 emissions, he suggested that improvements in energy efficiency alone would not be sufficient to achieve carbon emissions targets. He set out three targets for BP by 2050, which are zero carbon in operations, zero carbon in upstream oil and gas production processes and a reduction in the carbon intensity of products sold to net zero. He noted that both hydrogen and purely electric vehicles will play an important role in furthering net zero in the future.

Next, Dr Mike Petch, Strategic Technical Director and Hydrogen Technology Specialist from Johnson Matthey UK, spoke on the use of hydrogen fuel cells in freight transport. By comparing the use of electricity with hydrogen energy, he pointed out that clean hydrogen energy will play an important role in the future. He also discussed the cost of hydrogen power systems in the context of government policy, which is lower than that of electric power systems and will eventually be lower than the cost of internal combustion engine systems. The company will build a safe and sustainable hydrogen energy supply chain in the coming years to achieve a cleaner and healthier environment.

Roger Cracknell, a Senior Principal Specialist for Combustion and Mobility, Shell, gave a presentation on the Joint Research Centre for Clean Energy, a collaboration between Shell and Tsinghua University. With a history of Shell's development in China and several achievements, the main objective of the Joint Research Centre for Clean Energy is to accelerate the process of driving zero emissions in China. He pointed out that the centre has four main components: core project research, policy and market research, campaign promotion and partnership seeking. He then reviewed the key activities carried out in China in recent years and gave an overview of the next project on all-weather tram charging technology.

Finally, Dr Jun Qiao, Group Chief Engineer from Changan UK R& D Centre shared his views on decarbonisation. He started by introducing the history and current status of Changan Automobile and pointed out that the company plans to become a low-carbon technology company and is gradually doing so. Next, he introduced Changan's development and low carbon research in the field of new energy vehicles with three of Changan's core products in recent years, IDD, Changan Deep Blue and AVATR, and expressed his expectation for further cooperation in international community in the future.

After the presentations, the attendees and audience actively asked questions and engaged in an in-depth exchange with the speakers on developments in China and the UK from different professional perspectives, followed by a group photo and a free-flowing networking during a working lunch. The participants have showed their interest in development of the C.A.S.E. Automotive Research and Education centre in Birmingham. They are interested to join the follow-up activities discussed during this event, to explore the possibility of collaboration with the University of Birmingham and CBBC. More communications will follow.
20 Obituaries Reported in Two Weeks at Peking University Health System

Obituaries fail to mention cause of death

A man walks outside the Peking University People's Hospital in Beijing on Feb. 21, 2020. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

Peking University Health Science Center released 20 obituaries between Dec. 20, 2022 and Jan. 7, 2023a little over two weeks. The deceased join a growing list of public figures whose deaths have been announced in recent weeks.

After China abruptly relaxed its zero-COVID policies in early December, it saw an overwhelming outbreak of the virus. Yet the reported death toll remains low, with new deaths each day said to be in the single digits.

However, the large number of prominent obituariesamong celebrities, academics, scientists, and business figuresis drawing worldwide attention as it undermines the official narrative.

Notable Deceased

Most of the deceased from the medical school were advanced in years; the youngest was 56 years old. Nineteen out of the 20 obituaries failed to mention a specific cause of death. The only exception was that of Tong Tanjun, a cytologist from the Universitys department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, who died after an accidental fall.

Notable were two prominent professors of public health, Lu Chunlin, 86, and Cao Jiaqi, 98. As part of a surgical team, both men participated in the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) efforts to provide aid to North Korea during the Korean War (referred to by the regime as the effort to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea).

In addition, Lu and Lin Kechun, 96, founder of Peking Universitys Department of Biophysics, were pioneers in the field of nuclear radiation pollution. According to Lins eulogy, the research was an important preliminary investigation into the environmental ecological impact of nuclear radiation.

All three professors were members of the CCP.

Leader in Organ Transplants

Peking University Health Science Center is the medical school of Peking University. The sprawling Peking University Health Science system includes 6 directly affiliated hospitals, 4 co-managed hospitals, and 11 teaching hospitals.

The Center is known as a leader in the field of organ transplantation. The dark side of its pioneering work in the field is its alleged involvement with forced organ harvesting. Several of the hospitals under its supervision have suspected connections to the practice.

Forced Organ Harvesting Allegations

The World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG), a U.S. based nonprofit, has been tracking Chinese involvement in the crime of live organ harvesting since 2006.

The focus of WOIPFGs efforts is Chinas use of Falun Gong adherents to supply its thriving transplant industry.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice based on the moral principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Introduced in May 1992, it quickly gained a huge following, with official estimates of 70 to 100 million practitioners.

In 1999, then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin launched a campaign against Falun Gong, with the goal of wiping out the practice. Since that time, hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong members have fallen victim to Chinas reeducation centers, psychiatric wards, and prisons.

There is extensive evidence, including first-hand accounts and recorded admissions by medical staff, that Falun Gong members are a primary source of organs for transplant, despite official statements to the contrary.

According to WOIPFGs investigative reports, nine hospitals in the Peking University Health system are suspected of participating in forced organ harvesting.

Three of Peking Universitys directly affiliated hospitals, two of its co-managed hospitals, and four of its teaching hospitals have medical personnel on WOIPFGs suspect list.

The Numbers Dont Add Up

In 2013, Zhu Jiye, director of the Hepatobiliary Surgery Program at Peking University Peoples Hospital, told China Economic Weekly that the hospital had performed 4,000 liver and kidney transplants in a one-year period.

Zhu claimed that all organs for the transplants were obtained from death-row prisoners. However, according to statistics published by Amnesty International, the number of executed prisoners in China between 2000 and 2005 averaged only 1600 per year, raising questions about the source of the transplanted organs.

According to the WOIPFG report, Peking University Organ Transplant Center has received an enormous amount of funding for its work in organ transplantation. Over 20 million yuan (about $2.8 million) flowed to the center in 2021, including funds from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Ministry of Educations Doctoral Program Fund.

Ironic Link for CCP Cadres

The extensive list of obituaries at the renowned medical school may not be coincidental. Loyal party members who form Chinas academic, scientific and medical elite have access to first-class health care. That world-class careunavailable to most Chinesefrequently includes organ transplants.

Although they sometimes bestow extended longevity on senior party members, organ transplants have their limits. When it comes to COVID-19, they may actually be a risk factor, as transplant recipients must take anti-rejection drugs that suppress their immune systems.

A U.S. study published last month in the journal Transplantation found that solid organ transplant recipients (kidney, heart, lung, liver) were four to seven times more likely to die of COVID-19.
7 Dead as Tornadoes Rip Through South, Governors Declare State of Emergency

A vehicle is upended and debris is strewn about follow a tornado that hit Selma, Ala., on Jan. 12, 2023. (Butch Dill/ AP Photo)

At least six people have died in central Alabama, and a seventh person was killed in Georgia after a powerful storm and tornadoes ripped through the South on Thursday.

A tornado claimed the lives of six people in Autauga County, Ala., 41 miles (66 kilometers) northeast of Selma, while around 40 homes were damaged or destroyed by a tornado, Ernie Baggett, the countys emergency management director, confirmed to Weather.com.

Baggett added that most of the deaths had occurred in mobile homes, and the communities of Marbury and Old Kingston had been the hardest hit by the tornado, which cut a path of about 20 miles (32 kilometers) across the rural communities.

Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the area.

In Georgia, a six-year-old boy was killed when a tree fell on the vehicle he was in with his mother on Haley Road and Highway 36, according to local reports. The Butts County Sheriffs Office confirmed that the mother was in critical condition but has since been released from a local hospital.

State of Emergency Declared

The severe weather prompted Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, to declare a state of emergency for six counties: Autauga, Chambers, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore, and Tallapoosa, which contains Selma.

I  along with my partners at the Alabama EMA  will continue monitoring to determine if an expanded state of emergency is needed, Ivey said on Twitter. I am ready to be a helping hand to our local officials. Please continue using caution, and stay safe out there!

Ivey also confirmed the deaths of six individuals, writing: My prayers are with their loved ones and communities. We are far too familiar with devastating weather, but our people are resilient. We will get through it and be stronger for it.

A damaged vehicle and debris are seen in the aftermath of severe weather, in Selma, Ala., on Jan. 12, 2023. (Butch Dill/ AP Photo)

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also declared a state of emergency on Thursday and ordered all relevant agencies to respond with an all-hands-on-deck approach to the affected communities, the Republican wrote on Twitter.

Throughout this evening, Martys and my thoughts will return to those impacted by todays severe storms and tornadoes, Kemp said, referring to his wife.

In a separate post, Kemp said he and his family were heartbroken over the death of the six-year-old boy. As we continue to monitor state response to these storms, we are praying for this family as they mourn this terrible loss, Kemp said.

Elsewhere, the storm appeared to have knocked a freight train off its tracks in the same county southeast of Atlanta, while cars were blown over and buildings were damaged, officials said

In Griffin, south of Atlanta, multiple people were trapped inside an apartment complex after trees fell on it, officials said.

Firefighters also responded to an incident in which a man in Griffin had to be cut loose after he was pinned for hours under a tree that fell on his house.

The roof of a local business is strewn about after a tornado passed through Selma, Ala., on Jan. 12, 2023. (Butch Dill/ AP Photo)

Trees Uprooted, Roofs Ripped Off

School buses were also canceled at four local middle schools, where officials determined the weather was too unsafe. The city of Griffin imposed a curfew from 10 p.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday.

Meanwhile, the sheriffs office in Carroll County, Ga., said on Facebook that one woman had narrowly escaped injuries after a tree limb smashed through the roof and onto her desk as she worked at her office in the community of Fairfield Plantation.

Photos showed the down tree with its limb hanging just above a desk.

Homes and businesses were damaged in Alabama, particularly in Selma, where the National Weather Service in Birmingham had warned residents around noon that a large and extremely dangerous tornado was moving through the city.

The area saw significant damage as the tornado ripped off roofs, uprooted trees, and flipped over vehicles while power lines were knocked down, local officials said at a news conference Thursday evening.

According to utility tracker PowerOutage.us, 33,523 homes and businesses are currently without power in Georgia as of 01:43 a.m. ET, while 24,789 are without power in Alabama.

Over 40 tornados have been reported, according to the National Weather Services (NWS) Storm Prediction Center.

Officials are hoping to get a better picture of the extent of the damage the severe weather has caused on Friday, when conditions are expected to improve.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Air Canada Customer Says AirTag Shows Missing Bag 8,000 Km Away, Airline Wont Retrieve It

Paul Kliffer of Victoria, B.C., has been back home for months after a November trip to Mexico. But his Apple AirTag tracking device shows his bag ended up in Madrid, Spain.

Though he can see where it is, he feels helpless, unable to retrieve it, he told Global News.

When he landed back in B.C., he checked the location of his AirTag. It said our bag was 4,000 km away, which didnt sound good, he said.

It was still in Mexico at that point, at the Mexico City International Airport. He said he contacted Air Canada immediately and was told they would retrieve his bag.

Two weeks passed and he still didnt have his luggage. He then saw that his AirTag was showing his bag at the international airport in Madrid, Spain, 8,000 km away.

He contacted Air Canada, but he did not receive the help he sought, he said. They would escalate the file up to a more important stage and I would be contacted in 48 hours. That never happened.

The Epoch Times did not receive a reply to inquiry from Air Canada as of publication. The airline told Global News, Given the time that has now passed without success recovering the baggage, we have advised the customer we are moving to compensation. The claim is currently being processed and we will be following up directly with the customer.

Kliffer said, If something goes wrong, youd expect that theyd take care of you.

Other AirTag Experiences

Apple released its AirTags product in 2021, at a cost of $39 each. Last year, an AirTag helped Florida police arrest an airport employee who had been stealing luggage.

A traveller had lost her luggage, containing items worth more than US$1,600and also containing an AirTag. The AirTag last showed as active in the area of Kathy Court in Mary Esther, Florida.

The police cross-checked the general location with airport employee addresses and found 19-year-old airline subcontractor Giovanni De Luca, who admitted to the crime.

They also found another travellers luggage at his home containing more than US$15,000 worth of jewelry.

Yet AirTags have also allegedly been used to track people without their consent.

Lauren Hughes of Texas filed a class action lawsuit against Apple in December, along with another woman identified only as Jane Doe. Hughes told CNN she was moving because her ex-boyfriend was allegedly stalking her.

She got a notification on her Apple Watch that an AirTag was following her. She searched and found it in the wheel well of her vehicle.

Apple says on its website, AirTag is designed to discourage unwanted tracking. If someone elses AirTag finds its way into your stuff, your iPhone will notice its travelling with you and send you an alert. After a while, if you still havent found it, the AirTag will start playing a sound to let you know its there.

The Epoch Times asked Apple for further comment on the matter, including how people who dont have an iPhone or other iOS device would know theyre being tracked. Apple responded with a reference to its Feb. 10, 2022 statement on unwanted tracking.

That statement says, We condemn in the strongest possible terms any malicious use of our products. It lists several steps Apple has taken to improve its unwanted tracking alerts, including giving earlier warning and precision finding.
Another NS Woman Dies After Extended ER Wait Time, Family Calls for Health System Reform

Another Nova Scotia woman has died after waiting for hours at an emergency room before she gave up and left. Now her family is gathering stories of similar cases to push for a change in the provinces health care system.

I was sad. But now? Now Im mad, said Katherine Snow on Nova Scotia Healthcare Crisis, a website she created after the recent death of her mother-in-law, Charlene.

Charlene visited the Cape Breton Regional Hospital in the early afternoon of Dec. 30, 2022, seeking treatment for jaw pain and flu-like symptoms.

It is our understanding she was triaged, said Snow, a resident of Port Caledonia, a small community in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. She said Charlene had been updating family and friends throughout the day about how busy it was in the ER.

After waiting for seven hours, Charlene at the time found it unbearable to remain in the ER. Inquiring about when she could see a doctor, Charlene was told that she would likely have to wait until the next morning, the website said.

The 67-year-old woman, however, died within the hour after her husband picked her up at the hospital and drove home, Snow said.

The idea that perhaps her life could have been saved adds an excruciating layer to the grief of a sudden death, Snow wrote, noting that she has requested a report on the decisions that led to the lack of assessment for Charlene on the evening of Dec. 30.

Snow said she understands the challenges for health care workers, and that mistakes are inevitable. But she said the health care system is broken and needs to be examined.

I cant imagine working in a system so broken with sweeping bureaucratic and policy changes at every turn, understaffed shifts and the tremendous responsibility of assessing the lives in the waiting room, she wrote.

We were robbedand its time that we are offered significantly better options for emergency care.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Cape Breton Regional Hospital for comment, but didnt hear back immediately.

Rising ER Deaths

Charlene is the second woman in Nova Scotia recently reported to have waited for an extended period of time at an emergency room and died from lack of treatment. Allison Holthoff, a 37-year-old woman, died in hospital on New Years Eve, after she waited seven hours after being taken to the emergency room at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Amherst, Nova Scotia.

Michelle Thompson, minister of Nova Scotias Department of Health and Wellness, said in a Jan. 9 statement that Holthoffs death was a tragic loss, and that an investigation was underway to determine what has happened.

Thompson has also sent condolences to Charlenes family, Global News reported on Jan. 12. An initial review to look into Charlenes case is also underway, according to Thompsons email statement to the news agency.
Apple CEO Tim Cook Accepts 40 Percent Pay Cut

Apple CEO Tim Cook announces a new lineup of products during a special event at Apple Park in Cupertino, Calif., on Mar. 8, 2022. (Brooks Kraft/Apple Inc./Handout via Reuters)

Apple CEO Tim Cook is taking a significant pay cut in 2023, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Thursday.

Cooks total compensation target for the year will be $49 million, which is 40 percent less than the previous year, according to the filing. Hell also get fewer restricted stock units if he leaves before 2026, according to the company.

Apples committee on executive compensation, comprised of Art Levinson, Al Gore, and Andrea Jung, said in the filing that the decision was made after taking into account shareholder feedback, Apples exceptional performance, and a recommendation from Cook himself.

Taking into consideration Apples comparative size, scope, and performance, the Compensation Committee also intends to position Mr. Cooks annual target compensation between the 80th and 90th percentiles relative to our primary peer group for future years, the committee said in the filing.

The companys compensation committee makes decisions about executive pay before the beginning of each fiscal year, and in 2022, the results of the Say on Pay advisory vote led to increased involvement from shareholders.

The committee said that the changes were made to respond to shareholder feedback, while still aligning pay with performance and recognizing Cooks outstanding leadership, according to the filing.

Package

According to the filing, the committee balanced a number of factors when determining Cooks much larger pay in 2022, including his leadership, the complexity of his role, the boards confidence in his strategic decisions, the companys financial performance, and shareholder feedback.

When determining his pay for 2023, these factors were weighed against a desire to provide performance and retention incentives for Cook, who supported changes to his compensation to reflect the feedback received from shareholders, the filing states. As a result, the committee maintained the cash components of Cooks 2023 compensation and reduced his target equity award grant value.

The total figure comprises his base salary of $3 million, which remains unchanged, his annual cash incentive of $6 million, which also remains unchanged, and his equity award value, according to the filing. This equity award value dropped from $75 million in 2022 to $40 million in 2023.

Besides lowering the overall goal, 75 percent of the shares that Cook will be able to acquire will be linked to Apples stock performance in 2023, as opposed to the previous 50 percent.

Since Cook became CEO, Apple saw a significant increase in its relative total shareholder return of around 1,212 percent by the end of 2022, which greatly exceeded the S&P 500 Indexs rise of roughly 290 percent during the same time frame, according to the company. In addition, Apples market capitalization grew to more than $2 trillion.

The majority of Mr. Cooks compensation has been delivered through long-term equity awards since his promotion to CEO in 2011, the filing states. The equity awards he has received over time align with Apples growth and success and the tremendous value delivered to our shareholders under his leadership.

Cook succeeded Steve Jobs as the CEO in 2011. He guided the company through a period of rapid growth, introducing new products such as the Apple Watch, the HomePod, and the AirPods. Under Cooks leadership, the company has also made significant investments in renewable energy and has been vocal on social issues such as privacy and inclusion.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Antonio Tajani, is in Ankara today, 13 January 2023, to meet Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu. The mission, which will provide an opportunity to take stock of bilateral relations in particular of the solid cooperation in the economic sphere, and to discuss the most pressing regional and international issues is part of the Italian Governments broader strategy to strengthen cooperation with the main countries in the enlarged Mediterranean and foster greater collaboration in the management of migrants.

The Government is working to solve the migration issue", commented Deputy Prime Minister Tajani. A strong commitment is needed from the countries in the area to counter the irregular departures of migrants and encourage more returns. Today, Minister Cavusoglu and I will discuss not only the Eastern Mediterranean route, through which many migrants arrive in Europe via the Balkans, but also Libya, which together with Tunisia is the other major departure basin".

A joint press-conference is planned at the end of the meeting.
At Least 3 Dead in Fiery Arizona Truck Crash

Authorities say at least three people were killed in a fiery crash involving semi-trucks on a freeway east of Phoenix early Thursday.

Arizona Department of Public Safety officials said the chain-reaction crash around 6 a.m. Thursday blocked multiple lanes of Interstate 10.

DPS said a big rig crashed into a passenger car that was pushed into another semi-truck and two other vehicles.

Two people inside the car died at the scene and the third victim was inside another vehicle, according to DPS.

The names and ages of the people killed werent immediately released by authorities.

Video from traffic cameras in the area showed the fiery scene and DPS said it took nearly 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze.
Australia and PNG Bilateral Security Treaty to Underpin Regional Security

Australia and Papua Sieze Chance to Strengthen Pacific Growth

A supplied image obtained on Friday, January 13, 2023, shows Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wearing a traditional headdress during a welcome ceremony in Wewak, Papua New Guinea. Mr Albanese is the first Australian leader to visit the country since 2018. (AAP Image/Supplied by the Prime Minister's Office)

Australia and its closest geographical neighbour Papua New Guinea (PNG), have agreed to a historic Bilateral Security Treaty (BST) that entwines both countries to each other and helps better secure the region.

In a joint statement on Jan. 12 by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape, both leaders noted that the BST was a natural progression for two counties that share such a long history, close geographical boundaries, bonds of friendship and a common strategic outlook that involves a stable and peaceful Indo-pacific.

As near neighbours, close friends, and equal partners, Papua New Guineas and Australias defence and security is deeply connected, the prime ministers said.

We share a mutual strategic interest in a safe, stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. We have a proud history of working together in the interests of the region.

Under the BST, Australia and PNG will look to cooperate on both traditional security areas, like defence and policing, and non-traditional areas, like climate change, cyber security, and economic development, which affect both nations strategic environments.

Speaking at a press conference after the announcement, Marape said that the Treaty reflected the shared regional outlooks of both countries.

We live in a shared region, shared environment. Challenges are quite common, Marape said. So, without compromising the integrity of our own bilateral relationship with others, our shared interests will be encapsulated in these security arrangements.

Meanwhile, Albanese said that due to Australia and PNGs unique relationship, the security interests of the two nations are indivisible.

By virtue of our geography, decisions taken in one country have an impact in the other, Albanese said. And thats why our security interests, in my view, are indivisible. Indivisible. Thats why it makes sense for us to have that breadth of security cooperation across the board.

PNG and Australia have deep historical ties going back to before European settlement in 1776 and are geographically close, with just 80 nautical miles (150 kilometres) between the coastlines of the two nations.

After parts of modern-day PNG became a British protectorate in 1884, it was administered by Australia for Britain. Then in 1905, the British territories were handed over to Australia, with the Australian government administration starting in 1906. In 1971, Australia moved to make the territory independent, and in 1975 it became an independent nation.

Chinas Pacific Push Under Renewed Pressure

The BST comes at a time when Australia is initiating a pushback against Chinas moves in the Pacific. In the past seven months, the Australian government led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has increased Australias security agreements with Pacific island nations, including new security pacts with Vanuatu and Fiji and security aid to Samoa, in the form of new naval vessels.

Australia has also increased aid packages to the Marshall Islands and Nauru, and provided a funding package to the Solomon Islands for the Pacific Games and deepened ties with Indonesia and East Timor.

Other Pacific nations like the U.S., New Zealand, and Japan have also been pushing back against Beijings Pacific expansion, which has seen Beijing already ink a security deal with the Solomon Islands that could allow it to establish military facilities at a key strategic location in the region.

Pivoting their foreign affairs focus to the region, and according to Rand Corporations senior defence analyst Derek Grossman, they are making headway.

Grossman argued in a post on The Rand Blog in 2022 said that Beijing is facing an uphill battle in its push into the region.

He notes that in 2022, there were numerous examples of multiple Pacific nations leaders stepping up their resistance to Beijings pushy diplomatic efforts.

For example, Tuvalu withdrew from a United Nations ocean conference because Beijing blocked Taiwans participation. When Beijing tried to push through its ChinaPacific Island Countries Common Development Vision through the Pacific Islands Forum, it generated intense criticism with Micronesian President David Panuelo calling the plan (pdf) a smokescreen for a larger agenda that would ensure Chinese control of traditional and nontraditional security of our islands.

The problem for China is that the United States, along with traditional neighbourhood friends, Australia and New Zealand, remain the dominant and likely preferred force, thus making it difficult for Beijing to break into the region and build its own influence, Grossman said.

It is incumbent on those who oppose Beijing in the Pacific to hone their engagement strategies to prioritize the existential challenge of climate change, pandemic recovery, and economic programs that align with Pacific Islander needs. Doing so should keep China comfortably in the rearview mirror.

Australia and Papua Look to Seize Economic Opportunities to Grow Both Nations

Meanwhile, both Australia and PNG are looking to use the enhanced ties to bolster both nations economy, with the Australian prime minister noting that both nations lived in the fastest growing region of the world in human history.

That presents an enormous opportunity for us if were capable of just seizing it, he said.

Albanese is looking to increase trade and economic migration between the two countries.

So, investing in capital and investing in labour, he said.

One of the ways that we can do that is by providing increased training opportunities in Australia for Papua New Guinea citizens, increased opportunities for people to get visas, come to Australia, get skills and make payments back here to PNG that assists with development.

If we do that, we develop industries. Ministers today were talking about value-adding. It was a conversation that could have been had in Australia as well, how we not just export the agricultural produce and other produce which is here, and then import it back when greater value has been given, but how do we make the PNG economy more resilient?

Echoing Albanese, Marape noted this would add value to the PNG economy and strengthen it.

It is a known fact that if PNG is weak, its a weaker region and an exposure to Australia. So, it is in their interest also, as well as our own domestic interest, that the economy is stronger and has strength and going forward, Marape said.

And that realisation has matured under this Labor Government and Pangu governments. We are working towards strengthening our countries economies. Today, the greater conversation was about the economy than security and other issues.
Canada Sanctions More of Haitis Political Elites, Bringing Total to 15

Former lawmaker Arnel Belizaire is escorted by national police to be presented to the press in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Dec. 4, 2019. (The Canadian Press/AP-Dieu Nalio Chery)

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has announced new sanctions against two more Haitian political elites.

Facing sanction are former MP Arnel Belizaire and Charles Saint-Remy, a businessman associated with former president Michel Martelly, who is among the 13 others Canada has already sanctioned.

The two will be barred from entering or undertaking financial dealings in Canada.

Jolys office says both have used their status to protect and enable the illegal activities of armed criminal gangs, including through drug trafficking and other acts of corruption.

Violent gangs have taken over the capital of Port-au-Prince, and Canada is seeking a consensus in Haiti on how it can help after the countrys unelected prime minister requested a military intervention.

Former Haitian prime minister Laurent Lamothe has gone to Federal Court to contest Ottawas decision to sanction him last November, and the government has not yet filed a response.
President Joe Biden confirmed more classified papers were found in his garage, and the Justice Department is announcing new action.

At the same time, Bidens job approval rating is at its highest in over a year. FiveThirtyEight just released the results of its aggregation of polls.

On Capitol Hill, the House passes a bill banning U.S. oil reserves from being sent to China or any entity controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

A potential ban on gas stoves is the latest flash point in Americas debate over energy. What does the White House have to say? Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) joins us to discuss this controversy.

A Navy veteran who was detained in Russia last year is now a free man. We look into where he was detained and how he got released.

NASA says it has discovered another planet that could have the potential for water and life. The planet is similar in size to Earth, but its 100 million light-years away.
China Is Heavily Underreporting Number of COVID-19 Deaths, Says WHO

Small figurines are seen in front of the World Health Organization logo in this illustration taken on Febr. 11, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has admitted that China is grossly underreporting the number of citizens who have died from COVID-19 infections, a criticism that comes at a time when the nation is said to be reeling under a massive increase in the number of infections and deaths.

The WHO is continuing to appeal to China for more information regarding its ongoing COVID-19 surge, according to a Jan. 11 news update. 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, said Dr. Mike Ryan, WHO Executive Director.

There is also a shift in the definition away from COVID pneumonia as the reporting disease, to COVID infection as the main basis for disease reporting. Ryan expressed hope that this will encourage more reporting to the agency regarding the true situation of the COVID-19 outbreak on the mainland.

In December, Beijing changed the definition of COVID-19-related deaths, counting only those involving COVID-caused respiratory failure and pneumonia.

The UN agency is working with Chinese authorities in understanding various aspects of the current outbreak in the nation, including increases or decreases in hospitalizations, differences in fatality rates between the rural and urban areas, and virus sequencing, it said.

Worsening COVID-19 Outbreak

China reported just 10 COVID-related deaths in December 2022 while health authorities have been reporting five or fewer deaths throughout January. These numbers have been contested by various groups.

A December report from health data firm Airfinity stated that roughly 9,000 people in China were dying each day due to COVID-19a number it expects to increase before the end of January. Airfinity is projecting 1.7 million COVID deaths in China during the four-month period from January to April.

A model by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington predicts 300,000 COVID-19 deaths in China by April 1 and 1.25 million by the year-end.

Documents from an internal CCP conference leaked last month showed that as many as 248 million people were infected in the first 20 days of December.

In an interview with NTDs Capitol Report, Yan Limeng, a Chinese virologist who accuses Beijing of covering up the pandemic, called the current situation in China very concerning. Yet, Beijing decided to reopen its border, she noted.

We dont know what exactly variants are circulating in China, although [the] government told people that [it] is Omicron. But the symptom is much more severe on average in the population, and transmission is very high, Yan said.

And also we see the death toll increasing like crazy, with a lot of more people having pneumonia, even [though] theyre the healthy adults.

Virus Data

The WHO had met with officials from China in a Dec. 30 meeting to discuss the COVID-19 surge in the country. The organization called for the strengthening of viral sequencing, clinical management, and impact assessment.

WHO again asked for regular sharing of specific and real-time data on the epidemiological situationincluding more genetic sequencing data, data on disease impact including hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and deathsand data on vaccinations delivered and vaccination status, especially in vulnerable people and those over 60 years old, according to a Dec. 30 news release from the organization.

As of Jan. 3, 773 viral sequences from mainland China have been submitted to the GISAID EpiCoV database, out of which 564 sequences were collected after Dec. 1.

In a media briefing on Jan. 11, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the need for sharing medical data related to COVID-19.

Only 53 out of 194 countries provide data disaggregated by sex and age, he revealed while stressing that the more data we have, the clearer a picture we have. He also admitted that there is under-reporting of COVID-related deaths in China.
China Note! EU-Member Sweden Locates Rare Earth Deposits

Reindeer herder Niila Inga from the Laevas Sami community walks across the snow as the sun sets on Longastunturi mountain near Kiruna, Sweden, on Nov. 27, 2019. (Malin Moberg/AP Photo)

KIRUNA, SwedenThe beginning of the end of Europes dependency on China for precious rare earth materials may lie buried deep under the rugged reaches of northern Sweden, well above the Arctic Circle.

Swedens iron-ore miner LKAB said Thursday it has identified significant deposits in Lapland of rare earth elements that are essential for the manufacture of smartphones, electric vehicles, and wind turbines.

The government-owned company that mines iron ore at Kiruna, almost 1,000 kilometers (nearly 600 miles) north of Stockholm, said there are more than 1 million tons of rare earth oxides.

According to LKAB, its the largest known deposit of its kind in Europe. But the company warned that it could take at least a decade before mining starts.

Swedish Industry Minister Ebba Busch called Sweden a gold mine following the discovery. Her announcement came as the European Unions executive, the European Commission, puts the finishing touches to a proposal for its Critical Raw Materials Act that should help developing reliable and solid supply chains.

Rare earths now reach into the lives of almost everyone on the planet, turning up in everything from hard drives to elevators and trains. They are especially vital to the fast-growing field of green energy, feeding wind turbines and electric car engines.

But the EU is lagging well behind competitors on the market, getting around 98 percent of its rare earth minerals from China, with none of them mined in Europe.

And according to the European Commission, the demand will increase fivefold by 2030 because of the digital and green transition of the blocs economy.

Internal market commissioner Thierry Breton has warned that the EUs ambition to become the first climate neutral continent is at risk without a secure and sustainable access to raw materials.

Our twin green and digital transition will live or die through the functioning of our supply chains, he said. Take China, with its quasi-monopoly on rare earths and permanent magnets and prices rising by 5090 percent in the past year alone. Supply of raw materials has become a real geopolitical tool.

The EU is also eager to learn from the past and reduce one-sided dependencies like the one it developed on Russia for oil and gas, only starting to cut ties recently after the war in Ukraine started with Moscows full-scale invasion on Feb. 24.

This must change, said Busch, as European commissioners traveled to Kiruna to mark the start of Swedens six-month rotating EU presidency. In the short run, we need to diversify our trade, but in the long run we cant rely on trade agreements only. Electrification, the EUs self-sufficiency and independence from Russia and China will begin in the mine.

LKABwhich also develops carbon-free iron ore projectssaid the deposits of rare earth were found close to the worlds largest underground iron ore mine it runs in Kiruna. Exploration wont start for years even if permits are delivered very fast.

If we look at how other permit processes have worked within our industry, it will be at least 1015 years before we can actually begin mining and deliver raw materials to the market, LKAB CEO Jan Mostrom said. We must change the permit processes to ensure increased mining of this type of raw material in Europe.

By Samuel Petrequin
Chinas Wolf Warrior Diplomat Zhao Lijian Is Reassigned

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian takes a question at the daily media briefing in Beijing on April 8, 2020. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)

News Analysis

Zhao Lijian, the spokesperson who best represented the Chinese regimes wolf warrior diplomacy, was recently moved to a new role, the deputy director general of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs. China experts say the move indicates that Beijing is adopting a new approach to its global diplomacy.

Zhao has disappeared from the foreign ministrys daily press briefing since Dec. 2, 2022. China observers say the new post is a demotion because it is not a typical career path for a foreign ministry spokesperson under the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Zhao was a deputy director general of the Information Department and the 31st spokesman appointed by the CCP, and now he has an obscure role in the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs.

A Wolf Warrior During the Pandemic

A CCP spokespersons career path is predictablemost get promoted and move up in the Party.

For example, Qin Gang, a former spokesman and Chinese ambassador to Washington will succeed Wang Yi as foreign minister.

Lu Kang, the spokesman from 2015 to 2019, was promoted to director of the North American and Oceanian affairs department in 2019, and is now the Chinese ambassador to Indonesia.

Geng Shuang, the spokesman from 2016 to 2020, is now the deputy permanent representative of the CCP to the United Nations.

Zhao Lijian started his role as a spokesman on Feb. 24, 2020, when the Chinese media highly touted him. Its noteworthy that he was in that role during the three years of the CCPs zero-COVID policy.

Zhao had demonstrated his wolf warrior role frequently. For example, he accused the United States of politicizing the issue of COVID-19s origins. He alleged the virus had originated in the U.S. Army biological defense laboratory at Fort Detrick in Maryland.

His disappearance from the daily foreign ministry press conference in December almost coincided with the CCPs opening up of Chinas borders and the surge of COVID-19 infections in Beijing.

Patients on stretchers are seen at Tongren hospital in Shanghai on Jan. 3, 2023. (Hector Retamal/AFP via Getty Images)

Why Was Zhao Set Aside?

Many Chinese netizens suspected that Beijing punished Zhao for his wifes comment about the shortage of over-the-counter drugs on Chinese social media.

She complained that she could not get any flu and fever medicines at local pharmacies for more than a week. Where did all these medicines go? she wrote.

Chinese netizens criticized her post and called it phony, saying its hard to believe that a privileged person has no access to medicines. Soon after, Zhaos wife deleted her post.

China affairs commentator Shi Tao believes that Zhaos demotion did not result from his wifes social media post, but it showed that CCP leader Xi Jinping has a different approach to wolf warrior diplomacy, he said in his Chinese-language YouTube video.

Ever since Xi secured an unprecedented third term as the CCPs leader at the 20th National Congress in October last year, Shi said that Xi feels entitled to do whatever he wants, such as rebuking Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Indonesia in November 2022, and abruptly ending the zero-COVID policy last month.

China affairs commentator Li Linyi recently told The Epoch Times that Zhaos demotion shows Xi is fine-tuning his global strategy and has recently softened his rhetoric. For example, in his New Years address, Xi said that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are members of one and the same family. Therefore, Zhaos wolf-warrior attitude is no longer appropriate for the CCPs diplomats.

However, she said that their nature of being a wolf warrior and being tough on various issues will not change. Qin Gang was once a famous wolf warrior many years ago. In recent speeches, Xi also frequently mentioned struggle.

Li believes the CCP is a wolf in sheeps clothing.

Xia Yu contributed to this report.
Chinese State Media Resort to Personal Attacks on New US House Speaker

House Speaker McCarthys good first step on US-China strategic competition

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is sworn-in after being elected as speaker in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 7, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Commentary

As many China watchers know, the relentless propaganda narratives conveyed by state-run Chinese media outletssuch as Peoples Daily, China Daily, and Xinhuaare almost invariably the opposite of the truth. Thus, when Chinese media vehemently condemn an action taken by the U.S. Congress in particular, the reality is that the Americans are over their target for a change and should continue all actions. That target, of course, is the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

In this case, the Chinese communist ire has been directed toward the bipartisan establishment of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party by the new Republican-controlled House of Representatives. And that means that the new select committee is exactly the right course of action to monitor and counteract CCP activities inimical to the interests of the American people.

Consider the Chinese regimes actions in recent years that demand an aggressive response by the United States: massive theft of U.S. intellectual property, thorough penetration of U.S. academia (including the scandal breaking at the University of Pennsylvanias Biden Center), exposure of Democrat staffers in Congress with CCP ties, relentless Chinese spying in the United States, the decades-long offshoring of U.S. manufacturing to China, Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) belligerence on the high seas, sourcing of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals from China, direct ideological and financial support for Black Lives Matter, increasing dependence on Chinese supply chains that highlight U.S. national security vulnerabilities, etc.

It is a wonder that this committee wasnt established years ago!

Is ire (that is, an intense and usually openly displayed anger) too strong a word in characterizing the Chinese state-run medias response to the new select committee? Here are some choice excerpts from a Global Times diatribe on Jan. 12:

This is a fire that Kevin McCarthy  set on China.

Various committees, offices, or groups targeting China have almost become corny in Washington. They are basically created to cater to the anxiety and even fear in the United States toward Chinas rapid development.

The committee will definitely try every means to make trouble out of nothing, magnify small matters, and seek every opportunity to create noise in China-US relations.

But the Chinese tabloids ultimate vitriol was directed personally at the new speaker of the House, Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), whom they castigate as the second coming of former Sen. Joe McCarthy (R-Wis.). The latter was chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Operations in the 1950s, which investigated and rooted out communists in the U.S. government and other American institutions.

Then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) speaks at a press conference in Washington on Sept. 30, 2020. Republicans China Task Force holds a news conference on the China threat. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

From Global Times: The name McCarthy represents a segment of Washingtons ugly history, a sinister wind of the Cold War.  The two share the same surname, but they are also highly similar in terms of discourse style, political posture, anti-communist logic, and ideological color.

But the communists get the comparison dead wrongas do most American leftists these days. Although censured for his excesses in intimidating witnesses before his committee, McCarthy actually underestimated the number of American Soviet spies working for the USSR in the FDR administration, according to Newsmax. Scholarly analysis of the Venona papers (decrypted Soviet diplomatic cables) has revealed over 500 known Soviet spies, whereas McCarthy predicted 205 existed at the time of his committee hearings. And that number doesnt account for Chinese communist spies and fellow travelers inside and outside the U.S. government over the years. In short, Bomber Joe McCarthy was right, and his critics were wrong about the deep penetration of the U.S. government by communist spies. Indeed, how many Chinese communist spies are still operational within the federal bureaucracy and other American institutions in 2023?

The vote in favor of the new committee was 36565, with only left-wing fringes like The Squad and others in the Progressive Caucus voting against its establishment, despite the ongoing hybrid war being conducted in broad daylight by the CCP against the United States for years (as noted here, here, and here). Did the 65 who voted no somehow forget their oaths of office, which includes the clause, I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic? For if the Chinese Communist Party is not a foreign enemy of the United States and its Constitution, then none such exists! Perhaps one of the first tasks of the new committee should be to investigate the bank accounts of the 65 to ascertain whether there are any CCP connections.

The significant bipartisan support for the committee undoubtedly shocked the communists, who have invested much in elite capture in the United States, including the Biden family, as noted by Scott Powell of the Discovery Institute in November 2022, and who probably expected a better return on their investmentor at least more debate in the House and more pro-China editorials in the legacy media.

To personally and publicly attack Kevin McCarthy during his first week as the new U.S. speaker of the House was perhaps a blunder on the part of the CCP. If anything, McCarthy will have been hardened by the insults.

Did the CCP expect that its supporters in the Democrat media complex would pile on and castigate McCarthy for the establishment of the new select committee? Certainly, some tried to play the racist card by inferring that the new committee would elevate racial tensions with Asian Americans. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus and a no vote, dutifully reminded committee members that this committee should not be used as an open invitation to traffic in blatant xenophobic, anti-China rhetoric we know results in physical violence against Asian Americans, according to CNSNews.

But it should be noted that the committee is properly directed at the Chinese Communist Party by its very name, not at the long-beleaguered and persecuted Chinese people with whom most Americans make common cause.

Concluding Thoughts

Americans are watching new House Speaker Kevin McCarthys actions very closely. Will he or wont he adhere to the agreements made with House conservatives that led to his election as speaker? That one of his first actions involved the establishment of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party is an excellent first step in the right direction. And that the Chinese state-run media are apoplectic about it and have resorted to personal attacks against the new House speaker is a good sign for the United States.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Internal Twitter Documents Show Prominent Democrats Pushed Russiagate Lie

The latest Twitter Files release shows how prominent Democrats had pushed a false Russiagate-related narrative about Russian bots promoting a key House Intelligence Committee memo that detailed efforts to spy on the Trump campaign.

The 14th installment of the Twitter Files was released on Jan. 12 by journalist Matt Taibbi, who explained in a series of posts that, at a key moment in the Trump-Russia investigation, Democrats alleged that Russian bots were spreading an explosive report from then-Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.).

At a crucial moment in a years-long furor, Taibbi explained in one of the posts, Democrats denounced a report about flaws in the Trump-Russia investigation, saying it was boosted by Russian bots and trolls.

Twitter officials were aghast, finding no evidence of Russian influence, Taibbi continued.

In support of this take, Taibbi shared screenshots of correspondence from Twitter executives to several Congressional Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), confirming that Twitter had not identified any significant activity connected to Russia with respect to Tweets posting original content to this [#ReleaseTheMemo] hashtag.

The #ReleaseTheMemo hashtag had spread like wildfire on Twitter, topping its trending list starting on Jan. 18, 2018 and reflecting the widespread call to publicly release a then-classified memo submitted by Nunes, who at the time was the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

Widely referred to as the Nunes memo (pdf), it was later declassified under then-President Donald Trumps order on Feb. 2, 2018.

The memo showed how the FBI under the Obama administration used unverified opposition researchthe infamous Steele Dossier funded by Hillary Clintons presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committeeto obtain a FISA warrant to spy on Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page as part of an investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

The claims made in the Nunes memo were confirmed by Justice Department Inspector-General Michael Horowitz in his report, released on Dec. 9, 2019.

Ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 19, 2019. (Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty Images)

Push From Democrats, Media Outlets

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) and Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) had introduced the #ReleaseTheMemo hashtag on Jan. 18, 2018, and on the following day, joined a group of 65 House Republicans calling for the declassification of the memo. Many of the lawmakers, who collectively represent millions of voters, also sent out the hashtag on Twitter.

Just days later, on Jan. 23, 2018, Democrat lawmakers, including Feinstein and Schiff, wrote an open letter to then-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to investigate allegations of Russian bots and trolls surrounding the #ReleaseTheMemo online campaign.

The letter from Feinstein and Schiff led Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to himself issue a letter (pdf) later that day that also alleged the hashtag was a part of Russian disinformation campaigns.

We find it reprehensible that Russian agents have so eagerly manipulated innocent Americans, he wrote in a letter issued later that dayeven though before the letters issuance, Twitters staff told the senators staffers they did not believe Russian bots were behind the hashtag, Taibbi reported.

Multiple legacy outlets also did the same, claiming Russian bots and trolls were behind the effort. All had cited the same sourcethe Hamilton 68 dashboard, a project with the Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD), an organization that tracks 600 Twitter accounts it claims are linked to the Russian government or repeat its news.

According to Taibbi, executives inside Twitter at the time complained that Hamilton 68 seemed to be everyones only source, and no one was checking with Twitter to verify the claims.

The headquarters for the social media company Twitter in San Francisco, on Nov. 11, 2022. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Twitter Internally Disputed Russian Bots Claims

Taibbi shared an email from Emily Horne, who was at the time the global policy communications director of Twitter. The email, shared internally on Jan. 23, said that it is extraordinarily difficult for outside researchers, who do not have access to our full API and internal account signals, to say with any degree of certainty that they believe an account is behaving suspiciously is 1) automated and 2) Russian.

Yoel Roth, who was Twitters trust and safety chief at the time, reportedly told colleagues: I just reviewed the accounts that posted the first 50 tweets with #releasethememo and  none of them show any signs of affiliation to Russia.

Taibbi reported that outside counsel from DC-connected firms like Debevoise and Plimpton had advised Twitter to respond to lawmakers by using language like: With respect to particular hashtags, we take seriously any activity that may represent an abuse of our platform.

According to an email screenshot shared by Taibbi, Twitter was also advised to say something to the effect of: Our initial assessment indicates that these [hashtag] trends are driven primarily by organic, non-automated activity [if true], but we are continuing to analyze the data and  will inform Congress about what we find.

Despite universal internal conviction that there were no Russians in the story, Twitter went on to follow a slavish pattern of not challenging Russia claims on the record, Taibbi wrote.

Absent any such challenge, [a]s a result, reporters from the AP to Politico to NBC to Rolling Stone continued to hammer the Russian bots theme, despite a total lack of evidence, he reported.

Russians werent just blamed for #ReleaseTheMemo but #SchumerShutdown, #ParklandShooting, even #GunControlNowto widen the divide, according to the New York Times, Taibbi added.

Meanwhile, inside Twitter, staffers acknowledged that both the #SchumerShutdown and #ReleaseTheMemo hashtags appear to be organically trending.

NBC, Politico, AP, Times, Business Insider, and other media outlets who played up the Russian bots storyeven Rolling Stoneall declined to comment for this story, Taibbi said. He added that staffers of Feinstein, Schiff, and Blumenthal also declined to comment.

Nunes, who has since departed Congress and is now the CEO of Trumps TruthSocial platform, told Taibbi: Schiff and the Democrats falsely claimed Russians were behind the Release the Memo hashtag, all my investigative work.

Nunes added: By spreading the Russia collusion hoax, they instigated one of the greatest outbreaks of mass delusion in U.S. history.

Taibbi remarked: This #ReleaseTheMemo episode is just one of many in the #TwitterFiles. The Russiagate scandal was built on the craven dishonesty of politicians and reporters, who for years ignored the absence of data to fictional scare headlines.

The Twitter Files disclosures are a series of revelations based on internal company communications provided to journalists by Elon Musk, who took over the platform several months ago and has pledged to reduce censorship and political bias on Twitter.

Correction: A previous version of this article attributed intent to prominent Democrats without evidence. It is unclear whether they had spread the claim that Russian trolls and bots were behind the #ReleaseTheMemo hashtag while knowing that the claim was not true. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Cold Case Arrest: Man Charged in 2004 Missouri Killing

ST. ANN, Mo.A man has been charged with murder and jailed in a case that baffled police for nearly two decadesthe death of a woman whose decapitated torso was found at a Missouri rest stop along Interstate 70.

Mike A. Clardy, 63, of Maryland Heights, Missouri, was charged Wednesday with second-degree murder and abandonment of a corpse in the killing of Deanna Denise Howland. His bail was set at $1 million.

Police say DNA evidence connected Clardy to the crime, and they say he confessed after his arrest, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The remains found on June 26, 2004, down a hill near a picnic area at a rest stop in Warren County were not identified for 12 years. In 2016, DNA samples determined that the victim was Howland, of Alton, Illinois.

DNA evidence also helped find the suspect. Police matched Clardys DNA to DNA fragments left on Howlands body and a knife found in a sewer near the rest stop, according to charging documents.

Officers who interviewed Clardy on Tuesday say he admitted killing Howland at his home before dismembering her and abandoning parts of her body in St. Louis County and Warren County. Clardy has no criminal record in Missouri, according to online court records.

Howland was a 35-year-old mother of four who struggled with drug addiction, her daughter, Ashley Kinnear, told the Post-Dispatch in 2016.
LOS ANGELESWicked Sensual Care was honored for Best Enhancement Manufacturer for the third consecutive year at the 2023 AVN Awards.

The event was hosted by Abella Danger and Reya Sunshine on Jan. 7 at Resorts World Las Vegas Events Center.

Having previously won AVNs Best Lubricant Manufacturer award in 2014, 2018, and 2020, Wicked Sensual Care is the first company to receive the award for three years in a row (2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively) in the categorys decade-long history.

A leading producer of intimate lubricants, enhancers and massage creams, Wicked Sensual Care cited the honor to its ongoing commitment to innovation, comfort and sexual wellness, placing it in the forefront of a heavily populated marketplace.

We are very grateful to receive Best Enhancement Manufacturer for the third year running, a company representative observed. As we see what we do as much more than manufacturing lubricants and enhancers, these accolades speak to the evolution of our journey from a leading lubricant line into a comprehensive lifestyle brand.

Our strategy is aimed at meeting a range of sexual wellness needs, as well as developing innovative new products and creating superior customer relationships while becoming a mainstay in peoples pleasure. We deeply believe in the destigmatization of lubes and enhancers, and we are grateful to AVN for continuing to acknowledge our efforts to deliver the best products possible.

Wicked Sensual Care president and owner Steve Orenstein echoed those sentiments, saying: We are thankful and honored to have won either Best Lubricant or Best Enhancement Manufacturer for six of the eleven AVN Awards Shows since Wicked Sensual Care began, he explained. Each year, we strive to grow and adjust to consumer needs in an ever-changing market, developing quality products that are integral to peoples sexual health and wellness. We thank AVN for recognizing our teams hard work and dedication year round, and our partners for their continued support.

In a prepared statement, the editorial staff of AVN announced, "In what has become the adult industrys longest standing, most iconic tradition, the AVN Awards recognize outstanding achievements in areas of production, retail, and product innovations in the past year.

For more information visit WickedSensualCare.com. For real-time updates, including sexual health and wellness tips from Wicked Sensual Care brand strategist and resident sex educator jessica drake, follow the brand on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Comer Oversight Panel to Focus 1st Hearing on Fraud, Waste in COVID Relief Programs

Ranking member Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) speaks at a hearing with the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on Nov. 16, 2021. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Hundreds of billions of dollars worth of suspected waste, fraud, and abuse in federal COVID-19 pandemic relief programs will be the focus of the first hearing convened by House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) in the 118th Congress.

Reports of hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits being paid to convicted murderers such as Scott Petersen, as well as thousands of other California prison inmates, including 144 on Death Row, are likely to be raised during the hearing.

We owe it to Americans to identify how hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars spent under the guise of pandemic relief were lost to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. For the past two years, the Biden Administration has allowed fraud to run rampant in federal assistance programs and Democrats in Congress conducted little oversight, Comer said in a statement announcing the hearing, which is scheduled to convene on Feb. 1.

Comer also published his Jan. 13 letter to Department of Labor Inspector General Larry Turner describing reports of waste and fraud in COVID-boosted unemployment insurance (UI) payments programs.

In July of 2021, your office estimated there was at least $87 billion in fraudulent and improper payments in the UI program. On December 21, 2021, the Secret Service announced it had more than 900 active criminal investigations totaling nearly $100 billion in potentially fraudulent activity in the UI program and Small Business Administration programs, he wrote.

On February 8, 2022, the Secret Service briefed Committee Republican staff that even conservative estimates show there was more than $100 billion of fraud in the UI program alone. On September 22, 2022, your office updated its estimates, now finding that 18.71 percent, or more than $163 billion of pandemic UI payments were improper.

Comer is especially concerned with apparent inaccuracies in the reporting of waste and fraud in UI programs by officials in California, New York, and Pennsylvania, citing multiple media and government reports pointing to state officials publicly underestimating the problem by tens of billions of dollars.

In a Jan. 13 letter to California Employment Development Department Director Nancy Farias, Comer described a series of reports concerning COVID-19 relief funds going to inmates in the California prison system.

Perhaps more disturbing are reports of unemployment benefits being doled out in the names of convicted murderers such as Scott Peterson and serial killer Cary Stayner. A California task force discovered that between March and August 2020, more than 35,000 payments were sent in the name of state prisoners, totaling over $140 million, with nearly $500,000 disbursed in the names of 133 death row inmates, Comer told Farias.

In a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, the task force wrote, the volume of fraud as well as the types of inmates involved is staggering. Additionally, according to the CEO of a major data and analytics company, 70 percent of the fraudulent claims paid by California left the state and went to transnational criminal groups that have used that money for nefarious purposes to harm our democracy. In other words, California is funding criminal organizations by failing to adequately prevent UI fraud.

Also likely to be discussed during the hearing is the timing of a report on UI problems by the New York state comptroller that Comer and other House Republicans think was held for release until after the Nov. 8 election in an effort to avoid embarrassing New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who was seeking reelection.

Described as damning and a wake-up call for Governor Hochul and legislators, your office did not issue the audit report until November 15, 2022, exactly one week after the 2022 election. The timing raises concerns that your office may have delayed the report to limit damage to Governor Kathy Hochuls campaign, Comer and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) told Thomas P. DiNapoli, the New York state comptroller in a Dec. 21, 2022, letter.

Witnesses invited to appear at the hearing include Pandemic Response Accountability Committee Chairman Michael Horowitz, whos also the inspector general at the Department of Justice. Others include Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, who manages the Government Accountability Office, and Roy Dotson, assistant special agent in charge for the National Pandemic Fraud Recovery Coordinator, U.S. Secret Service.

The Feb. 1 hearing on waste, fraud, and abuse in COVID-linked UI benefits will be the first of what is expected to be a continuing series of controversial investigations into the domestic and international financial dealings of President Joe Biden, his son Hunter Biden, and the presidents brother, Jim Biden.

The committee will also be investigating the presence of multiple classified documents by Biden that were found in recent months at three separate locations. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed a special counsel on Jan. 12 on the issue, but Comer said in a statement that the oversight panel will conduct its own separate investigation.

With or without a special counsel, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee will investigate President Bidens mishandling of classified documents and the Swamps efforts to hide this information from the American people, Comer said in the statement.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is the ranking minority member of the oversight panel. A Raskin spokesman couldnt be reached by press time for comment on Comers announcement.
Community Group Calls on Aussie Govt to Address Imperfections of Murray Darling Basin Plan

A community group is encouraging the federal government to call out and address the imperfections of the controversial Murray Darling Basin Plan while urging for a greater understanding of the plans environmental impacts.

Speaking on the National Rural news podcast on Jan. 12, Shelley Scoullar, Chair and co-founder of the Speak Up Campaignan advocacy group for Basin communities impacted by the Murray Darling Basin Plansaid that policymakers need to look at the reality of the Basin plan.

[W]eve ended up with a basin plan based on numbers and not on outcomes, Scoullar said.

The basin plan is a difficult topic or piece of legislation, and we feel that politicians know that there (are) flaws within the basin plan but yet, arent brave enough to call them out.

One major concern is the looming 2024 deadline for the Basin plans proposed targets.

Scoullar said that a number of advocacy and representative groups have highlighted the environmental issues surrounding the plan but are not brave enough to lose votes by addressing it publicly.

Were seeing some concerning ecological issues that have been raised in their heads since the implementation of the Basin Plan. In more blue-green algae blooms, were seeing more hypoxic Blackwater events. And weve got carp breeding at the moment out of control, and weve got all these issues that are about quality that needs to be addressed, Scoullar said.

Water Buybacks and Infrastructure Projects

Among the issues concerning the plan include water buybacks and projects that connect the Murray-Darling Basin to the floodplain.

Water buybacks have been a controversial issue since the Murray Darling Basin Plan was legislated in 2012, with Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), the federal opposition, National Farmers Federation and the National Irrigators Council staunchly against the move.

However, Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek, South Australian Labor Water Minister Susan Close and South Australia Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young have both voiced support for the water buybacks, with Hanson-Young saying that license holders should be allowed to sell the commodity should they have water to sell.

In October 2022, the federal Labor government released its budget in which funding allocations to meet water-saving targets in the form of water buybacks for the Murray-Darling Basin were undisclosed due to commercial sensitivities.

In a previous interview with The Epoch Times, Jan Beer, a representative from the Upper Murray River Catchment Association in Victoria, said that water buybacks will affect the countrys ability to produce food.

If they buy back that water or they take that further water out of the consumptive pool, then food production and food security will be greatly affected because the irrigators get the very last of whats left in the consumptive bucket of water, she said.

In November 2022, Beer called on NSW and Victoria to withdraw from the Murray Darling Basin plan saying that the economic impacts would be enormous.

Meanwhile, the chief executive of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Andrew McConville, said in November 2022 that another five to 10 years are needed so that projects, which connect the Murray to the floodplain, can be completed.

CEO of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Andrew McConville, speaks at the National Press Club in Canberra on Nov. 22, 2022. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

Under the Murray Darling Basin Planwhich received bipartisan support in 2012 under the Gillard governmentthe basin states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory agreed to remove 2,750 gigalitres of water from irrigated agriculture and relocate that back into the basin by 2024.

Over the past decade, more than 2,100 gigalitres have been relocated back into the environment.

Moreover, under the plan, an additional 450 gigalitres of water is to be recovered through efficiency measures, which is also expected to be completed by 2024.

But only two gigalitres of water have been recovered under this measure.

I think it will beI have to be honest with younext to impossible, given where were starting from [and] how far behind we are, Federal Water Minister Tanya Plibersek said in July 2022.

Currently, 634 gigalitres are still to be recovered across Australias largest river network under the basin plan.

Some Solutions for the Environment

Scoullar said that revegetating areas to filter runoff water is one solution out of many that should be looked at.

[W]e should be looking at fencing off the areas of riverbank to help reduce erosion, we should be really taking a look at wastewater management, and especially in some of our major rural townships along the Murray (River) and its tributaries.

[A]nd if that wastewater management is up to scratchwhere it should bewhy arent we investing in these kinds of things, rather than just recovering water from farmers?

A view of the Hume Weir at sunrise in Albury on February 23, 2007. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

She added that industry and farming groups need to work together to educate those that dont have an understanding of the reality of the impacts of the Basin Plan.

[W]eve been going for nearly seven years now, and its just really hard to crack those messages into the city. Its a struggle doing it on a shoestring budget.

The basin ministers are expected to meet again in February 2023.
Comprehensive Assessment Was Conducted Before Contracting Laith Marouf: Heritage Department

Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez prepares to appear at a Senate hearing on Bill C-11, in Ottawa on Nov. 22, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

The Department of Canadian Heritage says it conducted a comprehensive assessment prior to awarding a contract to a now-defunded firm that employed a consultant later found to have posted numerous antisemitic remarks online.

Montreal-based consultancy firm Community Media Advocacy Centre (CMAC) was approved for funding following a comprehensive assessment including both regional and national committees, wrote Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguezs department in a briefing note obtained by Blacklocks Reporter.

The subsidy should never have been approved, the note said, adding that grant applicants will now be required to swear an oath that they are not antisemitic.

CMAC received a federal grant of over $130,000 in 2021 for an anti-racism project, but the funding was pulled in August 2022 shortly after past Twitter posts by Laith Marouf, one of the firms senior consultants, were found in which he referred to Jewish people as white supremacists and bags of human feces.

Diversity Minister Ahmed Hussen was allegedly warned by Liberal MP Anthony Housefather of Maroufs antisemitic comments prior to the governments funding being released to CMAC.

I said the contract had to be cancelled. I alerted [Hussen] and I persistently communicated with the minister in his office, from the day I learned about it, until today, and aggressively demanded that action be taken, Housefather told the National Post on Aug. 23, 2022, adding that action could have been taken more quickly.

A day prior to Housefathers remarks, Hussen called on CMAC to explain how it hired Marouf and how it would rectify the situation.

Twitter suspended Maroufs account for hateful conductin 2021.

Begged Us

Marouf appeared on an American podcast in October 2022 and alleged that the Canadian Heritage Department had begged CMAC to take federal funding in 2021.

[Heritage Canada] begged us to apply within four days to receive funding to create a series of conferences across the country that bring together racialized and Indigenous broadcasters, media producers, academics, to discuss a strategy for anti-racism in the media, Marouf said on Oct. 23.

We were shocked because there were no funding packages open for us to apply to. We applied anyway and we got the money very fast. We did all this work.

Rodriguez said on Sept. 1 that CMAC should never have received a cent of taxpayer dollars.

Racism in any form has no place in Canada. I condemn the disgusting antisemitic comments made by Laith Marouf. I have no tolerance for this, he told The Canadian Press.

Conservative deputy leader Melissa Lantsman criticized Ottawas handling of the situation, saying someone in government mustve known about Maroufs history of racism and hatred.

Only a public inquiry with compulsory document production and evidence taken under oath can satisfy the Canadian public as to who in the government knew about the consultants history of racism and hatred and why they failed to act promptly and decisively, she wrote in a petition on Sept. 1.

The Canadian Press and Andrew Chen contributed to this report.
A group that commissioned a study that linked natural gas stoves to childhood asthma that was cited by a number of media outlets this week revealed that it does not assume or estimate a causal relationship between gas stoves and asthma.

The study, commissioned by the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) think tank, linked 12.7 percent of all childhood asthma cases to gas stoves and was cited by an official in the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) earlier this week when he floating a possible ban or regulation of gas stoves, used by tens of millions of Americans. However, some doctors and researchers have sounded the alarm on the studys conclusions and have noted that asthma is a complex disease with many different causes.

A manager with RMI, Brady Seals, told the Washington Examiner on Thursday that the study does not assume or estimate a causal relationship between the stoves and childhood asthma. Instead, the paper only reports on a population-level reflection of the relative risk given what we know about exposure to the risk factor. We appreciate that this analysis is semiquantitative, Seals added.

RMI has not responded to an Epoch Times request for comment.

During an interview with Bloomberg, CPSC official Richard Trumka Jr. said that in response to a possible ban of gas stoves, Products that cant be made safe can be banned. He added that agencies could set standards on emissions from the appliances.

My guiding duty is protecting consumer health and safety. Gas stoves can emit dangerous level of toxic chemicalseven when not in useand will consider all approaches to regulation, Trumka also wrote on Monday. But days later, another CPSC official, Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric, asserted that the agency is not looking to ban gas stoves and the CPSC has no proceeding to do so.

Trumka, the son of a powerful union boss, told CNN this week that we are not looking to go into anyones homes and take away items that are already there, and we dont do that.

If and when we get to regulation on the topic, its always forward looking, he said. You know, it applies to new products. Consumers always have the choice of what to keep in their homes and we want to make sure they do that with full information.

A natural gas plant in New York. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

But some states like California have taken steps to ban natural gas stoves and other natural gas appliances, including furnaces. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, also proposed a ban on gas appliances in new buildings in recent days, sparking outrage. New York Citys former mayor, Bill de Blasio, also signed a bill to ban natural gas in newly built buildings in the city in late 2021.

After the study was published and Trumkas comments circulated in the media this week, it was noted that RMIs donors include charities linked to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Virgin billionaire Richard Branson. Last year, the push to ban gas stoves was floated during a World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, last year, while RMI head Jon Creytswho is listed on WEFs websiteis scheduled to speak at the Davos forum later this month, according to the New York Post.

Not a True Representation

Several medical experts questioned the RMI study following Trumkas now-controversial remarks. Dr. Ran Goldman, a pediatrics professor at the University of British Columbia, told local media that the report was merely a calculation of what could be causing asthma in children.

This is not a true representation of what is happening and there is a huge uncertainty around how many children with asthma are truly because of those emissions. Asthma is a multifactorial disease, Goldman told GlobalNews. Its a disease were still studying because its so complex.

And a Harvard article by Wynne Armand in September 2022 stated that gas stoves can affect air quality inside and outside your home, circulating pollutants that raise risk for asthma and other illnesses. Later in the report, Armand wrote that observational studies cant prove that cooking with gas is the direct cause of asthma.

Armands article, however, strongly suggests that consumers switch their gas stoves to electric ones.

Cooking with gas stoves creates nitrogen dioxide and releases additional tiny airborne particles known as PM2.5, both of which are lung irritants. Nitrogen dioxide has been linked with childhood asthma, it said. During 2019 alone, almost two million cases worldwide of new childhood asthma were estimated to be due to nitrogen dioxide pollution.

Meanwhile, industry officials say that it isnt only gas stoves that affect air quality. Jill Notini, a vice president of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, told Bloomberg that electric stoves can have an adverse impact as well.

Ventilation is really where this discussion should be, rather than banning one particular type of technology, Notini said.

The American Gas Association said that natural gas bans make housing more expensive, stating that electric appliances can require costly retrofits.
Couple Sentenced in SD County Robberies Targeting Seniors

SAN DIEGOA husband and wife who prosecutors say targeted and robbed senior citizens in San Diego County were sentenced Jan. 10.

Daniel Miclescu, 30, and Simona Paun, 37, pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted residential burglary, and theft from an elderly person for robbing two people and trying to burglarize the home of a third in August and September of last year.

The San Diego County District Attorneys (DA) Office alleges the couple is part of a nationwide ring involving hundreds of suspects who have committed similar crimes against elderly victims.

Prosecutors say Miclescu and Paun pretended they were selling jewelry before robbing two victims of a Rolex watch and a purse containing $850 in cash. They also offered jewelry to a woman in a Mira Mesa parking lot, then followed her home after she declined and tried to force their way into her residence.

Miclescu was sentenced Tuesday to four years in state prison, while Paun was sentenced to a year in jail, plus probation.

Prosecutors say more than 75 reports of similar crimes in the San Diego region have been made since the beginning of 2021, with dozens of suspects involved. Over the past nine months, police have arrested 13 people in connection with the alleged crime ring, and numerous more suspects are currently under investigation and arrests are pending, the DAs Office said.

Prosecutors say the perpetrators typically operate by approaching victims in public, then asking for directions or claiming they were robbed and need help.

Once the victims begin talking to the suspects and letting their guard down, the suspects use distraction and sleight of hand techniques to steal necklaces, watches, rings, and cash, a DAs Office news release states. In some cases, when the suspect is unsuccessful, force is used to steal the jewelry.

Prosecutors said the majority of the crimes happened in shopping center parking lots. Senior citizens and a significant number of Asian victims in the Mira Mesa neighborhood and in National City were among the most common victims.
Chinas wave of virus deaths is expanding across the countrynow hitting smaller cities and rural areas.

Flight bookings are falling short in China, despite the upcoming travel season and Beijings newly-opened borders.

Classified documents were discovered at President Joe Bidens private office. At the heart of the scandal are the Penn Biden Center, the University of Pennsylvania, and its financial ties to China.

A grand jury in Boston indicted a Chinese student at Berklee. We look at the charge that could put the man behind the bars for a decade.

Another Chinese student recounts how he switched from a supporter of the Chinese communist regime to a leader of its opposition.

Topics in this episode:
Democrats Guilty of Hypocrisy, Republicans Should Do Better During Biden Investigation, Lawyer Jenna Ellis Warns

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers a message to the media as part of the '2023 North American Leaders' Summit at Palacio Nacional in Mexico City on Jan. 10, 2023. (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

Democrats are guilty of hypocrisy by rushing to defend President Joe Biden and his handling of classified information, and Republicans should avoid falling into the same trap, said lawyer Jenna Ellis in an interview, which aired Jan. 11 on Newsmakers by NTD and The Epoch Times.

Ellis is a Constitutional Law attorney, and former senior adviser and counsel to President Donald Trump.

Instead of presuming guilt, we need to presume hypocrisy, because thats what we have proof of, Ellis stated. Thats exactly what the Democrats are guilty of. And we as Conservatives and as Republicans shouldnt be guilty of the same thing.

According to Ellis, there are clear legal questions surrounding the discovery of alleged U.S. intelligence materials related to Ukraine, Iran, and the UK found in Bidens private office from when he was vice president. And Republicans would do well to focus on the legal questions instead of assuming Bidens guilt.

Lawyer Jenna Ellis at the Michigan House Oversight Committee in Lansing, Mich., on Dec. 2, 2020. (Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Specifically, Ellis said that while there are many claiming the classified documents were from when Biden was vice president and didnt have the authority to declassify them, Article Two, Section One of the U.S. Constitution allows the president to delegate some of his authority to other members of the executive branch.

Consequently, its possible that then-President Barack Obama took such actions while he was in office, and as a result, Biden isnt guilty of mishandling classified documents.

Here the legal question is not just solely that the president can declassify, but whether or not the vice presidentin this instance it would have been Joe Bidenwas exercising proper authority and process in declassification, Ellis said.

So, for the Republicans that are quick to suggest that only a president has the authority to declassify, thats not genuinely the legal situation. There are a lot of other executive agents that do have declassification authority.

Those qualifications, she said, are why [Republicans] have to answer the legal questions before we answer the political questions. If they instead assume Biden is guilty, which is also a violation of the rule of law, they themselves would be guilty of hypocrisy.

Avoiding Hypocrisy by Focusing on Disparity

According to Ellis, the media and politicians often rush to presume guilt or innocence instead of focusing on the legality of what happenedespecially when it concerns Trump. Ellis termed such actions as political optics and political theater.

When the media and politicians are looking at an instance, they typically will play political optics and political theater and answer the political questions instead of the legal and Constitutional questions, Ellis said.

The Democrats were rushing to judgment with President Trump, and now theyre trying to defend Joe Biden, where the exact inverse is happening, of course, with Republicans with regard to President Trump and Joe Biden.

Pivoting specifically to the treatment of Trump, Ellis said, if you look at MSNBC or CNN, youre going to see distinguishments between Trump and Biden. And then if you look at the more Conservative-leaning outlets, youre going to see, well, if Biden is guilty, then you know, they were calling for this investigation. Where are the raids? Where are all of these things?'

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), flanked by House Republicans, speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Nov. 17, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Ellis said that instead of assuming and focusing solely on Bidens guilt, pointing out the unequal treatment is a legitimate question and one Republicans would do well to investigate.

Thats the question. Why the disparate treatment here? Why the minimizing by Democrats, and also the DOJ and the FBI here? If they thought that it was proper and appropriate to go and raid a former sitting presidents residence? Why arent we seeing the same treatment of Joe Biden? I think thats a legitimate question, she said.

Ellis said that if Republicans focus on unequal treatment while simultaneously answering the legal questions without assuming guilt, theyll be able to reveal clear bias in the DOJ to the American public. Especially if the DOJ avoids using the same tactics against Biden that it used against Trump.

I think that will show evidence of a conflict of interest and an ethical appearance of bias on behalf of the DOJ, and specifically Attorney General Merrick Garland, Ellis said.

Its going to be very interesting to see what Merrick Garland does here because he is between a rock and a hard place.

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 Nov. 8 midterm elections.

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.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland is joined by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John Lausch during a news conference at the Justice Department to announce the appointment of a special counsel to investigate the discovery of classified documents held by President Joe Biden at an office and his home, in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/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, Richard Sauber, one of the Presidents lawyers, admitted in a statement released by the White House that Biden also allegedly stored classified documents at his residence in Wilmington.

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.
Dershowitz: Biden Classified Documents Finding Undermines Trump Prosecution

Retired Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz said that the discovery that President Joe Biden kept classified documents from when he was vice president undermines arguments to prosecute former President Donald Trump.

Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence in August was raided by FBI agents as prosecutors alleged that he kept classified records there. But this week, Bidens lawyers said that classified records were found at Bidens Delaware home and a Washington office that he had used, triggering a Thursday announcement from Attorney General Merrick Garland that he appointed a special counsel to investigate the matter.

You cannot have two systems of justice unless the claims against Trump passed what I used to call the Clinton-Berger test, Dershowitz told Just the News on Wednesday, responding to the two incidents. Now its the Clinton-Berger-Biden test. Unless his conduct is so much more egregious and unlawful than what the three Democrats were accused of doing, you cant have a criminal prosecution of Donald Trump.

Dershowitz then stated that Biden possessed these documents when he was vice president and, unlike Trump, did not have the authority to declassify. After last years FBI raid, Trump and former White House officials have said he declassified a range of materials when he was president.

We know for example presidents can declassify material when theyre in office, but not after they leave office, he said. We know that vice presidents cannot declassify material.

However, the former law professor and high-powered criminal defense attorney said that neither Trump nor Biden should be prosecuted over these documents.

Theres not enough for a criminal prosecution of either of them, Dershowitz told the outlet. Even if there was some inkling that maybe Trump should be prosecuted for Mar-a-Lago, its not going to happen now. Merrick Garland is not going to want to be perceived as somebody who applies the law differently to Democrats and to Republicans.

Attorney and law professor Alan Dershowitz is seen in Washington on Jan. 29, 2020. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

During an exchange with a reporter Thursday, Biden was asked about whether he knew those documents were in his garage. Biden said that he knew they were there.

So the documents were in a locked garage? Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked him. Yes, as well as my Corvette, Biden answered, also telling reporters this week that he is coopering fully with the Department of Justice.

White House Responds

This week, the White House has been scrambling to respond to the classified materials revelation, and Thursday was no different. In a news briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre fielded numerous questions about the reports and Garlands announcement, at times struggling to give cohesive answers.

Were trying to do this by the bookas I said yesterday, this was under review by the Department of Justice and the process is as such: when the presidents lawyers realized that the documents existed  they reached out to the archives, they reached out to the Department of Justicerightfully so, may I say. That is what youre supposed to do, as lawyers, thats what they didand they have fully been cooperating with the Department of Justice, she told reporters.

Later, Jean-Pierre declined to state if Biden was confident that there are no more classified documents in any other locations.

I can just refer you to what his team said  this search is complete, he is confident in this process, and I will leave it there, she said.

Garland Announcement

Earlier Thursday, Garland announced hes appointing a special counsel to probe the finding of those documents, naming Robert Hur, a former Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Maryland, to lead the investigation.

The extraordinary circumstances here require the appointment of a special counsel for this matter, Garland said, adding that Hur will investigate whether any person violated the law. 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 the facts and the law, Garland said.

Bidens 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.

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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Documents Found at Biden Office Raise Concerns of CCP Connection: Paul Kamenar

Paul Kamenar, counsel for the National Legal and Policy Center, speaks with NTD, in a still from a video released on Jan. 12, 2023. (NTD/Screenshot via NTD)

The discovery of potentially classified documents at President Joe Bidens former office space at the Penn Biden Center raises concerns in light of the centers ties to China and potentially to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to Paul Kamenar, an attorney for the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC).

In November, lawyers tasked with closing down Bidens office space at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagementa Washington office space Biden jointly operated with the University of Pennsylvaniadiscovered potentially classified documents in a locked closet. Following their discovery, the Biden administration lawyers reportedly contacted the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to turn over the documents.

The Biden administration publicly announced the discovery of these documents on Monday, Jan. 9, more than two months after they turned them over to NARA.

In an interview with NTD News, Kamenar raised concern about the discovery of these documents in light of the approximately $63 million the University of Pennsylvania has received from China in recent years.

There is a direct connection here because the Penn Biden Center is funded, of course, by the University of Pennsylvania, Kamenar said. And our investigation, in fact, our complaint against the Biden center with the Department of Education is that they are getting a lot of money from China, from the Chinese Communist entities there that are really unaccounted for.

In May 2020, NLPC filed a complaint, requesting that the Department of Education investigate the university and the Penn Biden Center over donations from anonymous Chinese sources.

Theres about $63 million that was given to the University of Pennsylvania over the last few years. Of that, $22 million is listed as anonymous. And theres one single donation of $14.5 million from one single anonymous source in China. That was given in 2018 when the Biden center opened, and theres more money given after Biden announced in 2019 that he is running for president. So the question is, how is this Chinese money getting to the Biden center? Kamenar told NTD News.

According to Kamenar, the University of Pennsylvania insisted the Penn Biden Center is funded through the universitys general treasury, but he said that answer avoids the question of are the anonymous Chinese donations to the university related to Bidens connection with the school?

The money coming from China to the University of Pennsylvania, where does that go? Its not given to the music department at the University of Pennsylvania. University of Pennsylvania has various Chinese-related institutes within the university system, and the Biden Center is one, Kamenar said. So it doesnt take a Sherlock Holmes to deduce that a lot of this Chinese money is being funneled to the Biden Center.

Discoveries Raise Questions of How and When Documents Were Moved

In addition to the initial discovery of documents at the Penn Biden Center on Nov. 2, the White House has admitted another set of documents was found at Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware on Dec. 20, 2022, followed by another discovery of documents at the home on Jan. 12, 2022.

Kamenar suggested that the Biden administration decided to delay disclosing their initial document findings until after the 2022 midterm elections.

The original set of documents were discovered on Nov. 2, six days before the midterm election so I could see why they kept it secret until after the elections. But now its two months later, and were finally learning about this. I think they were trying to keep this under wraps, Kamenar said.

The potentially classified documents found in Bidens former office space and in his home could have come from his time as the vice president before leaving office in 2017.

Kamenar said the document discoveries raise questions about when they were potentially removed from the White House and where they were stored during the time between Bidens term as vice president and when he returned to the White House as the president. Biden became an honorary professor at the University of Pennsylvania in 2017 and the Penn Biden Center opened in 2018.

In terms of when were these documents transferred from the White House would [be] when Biden left the White House in 2017, they apparently went to his home in Delaware, and from there, University of Pennsylvania, back to the Biden center here, Kamenar said.

Kamenar also questioned the timing of the decision to finally close down the Penn Biden Center in November of 2022about two years after Biden won the presidencyand the involvement of lawyers in that move.

Why was he moving his office here in the Biden center in November, when he was already out of office for two years? Why did it take him two years to say, hey, I dont need that office anymore at the Biden center, I should have moved? And then why is he having high-priced DC private attorneys do that moving? I mean, youre gonna move your office, you hire a moving company or some staffer or intern, say hey, move these boxes back' Kamenar said. So theres a lot that needs to be explored here.

Comparisons to Trump Mar-a-Lago Documents

Kamenar also addressed comparisons between the discovery of documents at Bidens office and home to the FBI raid of former President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago resort to recover potentially classified documents on that Florida property.

The attorney said theres not much of a fundamental difference between the Trump and Bidens cases.

They both involve mishandling classified information. And sure theres more documents at Mar-a-Lago. But thats not a legal distinction, he said.

Kamenar said the other distinction he sees is that Trump had the authority to declassify documents when he was president. Indeed, Trump has claimed he declassified the documents FBI agents recovered from his home in August.

President Trump had the authority to declassify the documents he took from the White House down to Mar-a-Lago, Kamenar said. Joe Biden, as vice president, did not have that authority. So he could not claim that, Oh, I declassified these documents. So thats a difference that actually favors Donald Trump.

Following the initial disclosure of documents found at the Penn Biden Center, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said Bidens team appear[s] to have taken immediate and proper action by notifying NARA after they found the documents.

Special counsel to the president Richard Sauber also said the documents likely ended up at Bidens home and office space by mistake.

Sauber said Biden takes classified information and materials seriously, adding that 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.

Kamenar praised Attorney General Merrick Garlands decision to appoint a special counsel to review the documents found at Bidens home and office to show that both Biden and Trumps cases are being treated seriously.

At the end of the day, it was important that there be a special counsel appointed to look into the Biden documents, because thats what they did with Trump and the American people needs to see that justice is being equally handled out here and [in] both cases, Kamenar said.

From NTD News
This week, we feature the ultimate depiction of the Titanics sinking and a heartfelt romance about two strangers exploring Vienna together.

New Release

Plane

When the commercial plane hes flying is struck by lightning, crack pilot Brodie Torrance (Gerard Butler) manages to save the passengers by landing on an island. But they soon realize that the island is occupied by dangerous forces, and Torrance must team up with an unlikely ally in accused killer Louis Gaspare (Mike Colter).

This is a fast-paced flick that features a good amount of righteous brute force. Fortunately, it doesnt seem to take its far-fetched premise too seriously and manages to revel in its own campy charm.

Action | Thriller

Release Date: Jan. 13, 2023

Director: Jean-Francois Richet

Starring: Gerard Butler, Mike Colter, Yoson An

Running Time: 1 hour, 47 minutes

MPAA Rating: R

Where to Watch: Theaters

Rated: 3 out of 5 stars

Indie Pick

Before Sunrise

American tourist Jesse (Ethan Hawke) is traveling by train to Vienna, where he plans to fly back to the United States. He meets French student Celine (Julie Delpy) and convinces her to get off the train and spend the day with him in Vienna. As an attraction develops between the two, they realize that they may never see each other again.

This film boldly diverges from many of the usual romances and features natural and realistic dialogue that doesnt seem contrived. Its a charming depiction of a romance that develops organically.

Drama | Romance

Release Date: Jan. 27, 1995

Director: Richard Linklater

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Julie Delpy, Andrea Eckert

Running Time: 1 hour, 41 minutes

MPAA Rating: R

Where to Watch: HBO Max, Redbox, Vudu

Rated: 3.5 stars out of 5

A Mesmerizing Tale of Honor and Vengeance

Lone Wolf and Cub

This famous Japanese film series was originally based on a manga series. Ronin Ogami Itto (Tomisaburo Wakayama) wanders the lands of feudal Japan with his sole remaining relative, his very young son Daigoro (Akihiro Tomikawa), after having been betrayed by his own scheming clan.

In this entrancing saga, Wakayama shines as a grim yet principled figure bent on revenge. Everythingthe set design and pacing, the direction and actingis impeccable. A note: The film contains mature subject matter.

Action | Adventure | Drama

Release Date: 19731974

Directors: Various

Starring: Tomisaburo Wakayama, Akihiro Tomikawa, Fumio Watanabe

Running Time: approximately 1 hour, 25 minutes

Not Rated

Where to Watch: HBO Max, Vudu, Apple TV

Rated: 4 stars out of 5

The Ultimate Titanic Disaster Film

A Night to Remember

Based on author Walter Lords book of the same name, this gripping film tells the tragic tale of the supposedly unsinkable RMS Titanic after it collides with an iceberg and lacks sufficient lifeboats to facilitate its passengers.

Barring a few technical flaws here and there, this is the most definitive version of the infamous maritime mishap. Its a true disaster-movie classic.

Drama | History

Release Date: Dec. 16, 1958

Director: Roy Ward Baker

Starring: Kenneth More, Ronald Allen, Robert Ayres

Running Time: 2 hours, 3 minutes

Not Rated

Where to Watch: Apple TV, Criterion Channel, Amazon

Rated: 4 stars out of 5
EXCLUSIVE: Documents Show FBI and ATF Warrantless Surveillance Through Gun Background Checks

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been tracking gun owners without a warrant in a coordinated system with the FBI, according to documents exclusively reviewed by The Epoch Times.

Hundreds of pages of documents produced to Gun Owners of America from a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit show ATF agents telling the FBI to daily monitor specific people through the federal background system when they lawfully purchase guns.

The records show dozens of ATF agents requesting the monitoring of law-abiding people through the FBIs National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) The FBI calls this secret system with the ATF the NICS Monitoring Services. This is a manual, daily check of firearm sales to see if a specific person buys a gun for as long as the ATF agent wants.

They are basically trackingwithout a warrantevery gun purchase by these people, Rob Olson, an attorney for Gun Owners of America (GOA), told The Epoch Times. Theres no legal process here. At best, this is highly questionable, if not outright unlawful.

Erik Longnecker, an ATF spokesman, told The Epoch Times via email: ATFs investigative techniques are in compliance with federal laws, however we are unable to discuss specific techniques utilized in criminal investigations.

The FBI did not respond to a request for comment.

No Probable Cause

The NICS system is supposed to be used only to ensure that those prohibited from possessing a firearm are stopped at the point of sale. Yet the ATF and FBI are using it to find fugitives and to track those they suspect of being straw purchasers.

The secret system works by agents emailing the FBI a completed document called ATF Investigations Information Form for Monitoring Firearms Purchasers in the NICS. The agents are instructed that they may request monitoring gun purchases of people who are under criminal investigation for violations or potential violations of law.

That means they are monitoring people who buy guns but have not broken the law. The people put in the NICS Monitoring Services are never notified and seemingly have no way to appeal being watched without a warrant.

If they had probable cause, they could seek a warrant from a judge, but they arent doing that, explained Olson. They are just deciding they have some reason to believe a certain persons exercise of Second Amendment rights needs to be monitored. And its their own system so they make up their own standards. There doesnt appear to be any oversight here.

The records turned over by the ATF are all from 2020 and 2021. The GOA first uncovered in 2021 that the FBI and the ATF coordinated using NICS to monitor the firearm purchases of those they suspect of criminal activity.

Permanent Surveillance

The requestor agent gives the FBI a reason for the request and the length of time they want the suspect monitored for buying a gun, ranging from 30 to 180 days.

However, one of the newly released documents from the GOAs FOIA that is buried in the hundreds of pages turned over by the ATF shows that there is no limit to how long the FBI will monitor a persons gun purchases.

I will monitor your suspect for 180 days, at the end of 180 days I will contact you and ask if you would like to continue for another hundred days and keep repeating this process until such time as you wish the investigation stop, an FBI official emailed an ATF agent.

Olson said the ATF is misusing the FBIs background check system so that they can keep gun purchase records that would otherwise be destroyed. Federal law dictates NICS records for completed, approved gun purchases must be deleted from the government database within 24 hours. This is why it takes daily monitoring by the FBI to keep the suspects under watch for buying a gun for as long as the ATF agent wants.

Minorities Targeted

The NICS monitoring form includes the suspects name, date of birth, social security number, gender, race, place of birth, and state of residence.

ATF records obtained by GOA and reviewed by The Epoch Times reveal that the suspects being monitored by the FBI are overwhelmingly minority. For example, out of 19 completed forms in March and April of 2021, only three people were listed as white. The races of the others being watched were black, Hispanic, and Asian. Two of the 19 were women.

Monitoring During Chauvin Verdict

One of the documents from the FOIA shows an ATF agent requesting NICS monitoring for a man attempting to buy a shotgun in Minnesota 30 minutes after the guilty verdict for former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin for murdering George Floyd.

The agent did not even claim in the April 20, 2021 email that his suspect could be a straw purchaser. He just said he may use a gun for rioting.

The ATF agent wrote that the request for monitoring the man was due to his behavior and appearance at the gun store. He wrote that the suspect had his hood up, acting strange, and making statements of do anything to get the shotgun tonight are indicative of influencing an [Federal Firearm Licensee] and obtaining a firearm for nefarious purposes.

In my professional observation and review of various law enforcement bulletins stemming from the Chauvin trial, officer-involved shootings, and general unrest during the last year, groups will use various means to incite violence to further ideologies, to include the use of firearms against government entities, persons, and property, wrote the FBI agent.

It is assumed all monitoring requests in the documents were granted by the FBI because NICS officials email back and forth with the FBI agents until records requests are completed properly.

Suspicion Over Women Buying Shotguns

Another form shows the ATF had the FBI monitoring NICS in 2021 for a black male suspect because he stated he was purchasing the firearms to provide to female family members during the COVID-19 quarantine. The agent wrote that he found this reasoning to be suspicious because the man purchased a shotgun and rifle.

The agencys theory as to why a woman would not use a rifle or shotgun for self-defense is not provided. Of note, Pres. Joe Biden said he owns shotguns and advises his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, to use them for self-defense.

When he was vice president in 2013, Biden was asked at a White House town hall if his efforts to ban guns would make people more vulnerable to criminals.

If you want to protect yourself, get a double-barrel shotgun, Biden replied. As I told my wife  we live in an area thats wooded and somewhat secluded  I said, Jill, if theres ever a problem, just walk out on the balcony here, walk out, put that double-barrel shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house. I promise you, whoevers coming in is not going to.

The man who the ATF reported was buying for a female relative was also surveilled because he purchased numerous firearms of the same make/model/caliber over a short time frame. Its unclear how the ATF knew of the mans previous gun purchases. All the other details are hidden behind the large parts of black redacted information on the next pages.

Finances Monitored with Gun Purchases

There is no legal limit on the number or monetary value of guns that can be bought. Nevertheless, a black woman in Arizona was NICS flag approved for being a possible straw purchaser because the agent reported her income for 1st Qtr totals $1,948.67. Its unclear how the ATF knew the womans income. Lets expedite considering her criminal history and considering 9mms are weapons of choice for the cartel, the special agent emailed NICS on Aug. 6, 2020. Much of the document is redacted.

A black woman in Ohio was put on NICS monitoring for at least 90 days in July 2020 due to her finances. The ATF agent wrote: Permission for NICS flag, income is [redacted] for the quarter & she has spent over $8500 on firearms between 2/7-7/22 and referred to an attached ROI. It is unclear how this alone provided sufficient cause to monitor this womans gun purchases.

A white man in Texas was put in the system for six months because he is suspected of firearms trafficking for purchasing $40,000 worth of guns with no verifiable income. The agent wrote that the type of gun, which is not given, is known to be firearms commonly trafficked domestically and in furtherance of cartel related activities in Mexico. There is no minimum income for buying guns.

Illegal ATF Power?

Gilbert Ambler, an attorney who represents the GOA, told The Epoch Times: The FBI-ATF expansion of the NICS program to maintain records relating to firearm purchasers who have passed the background check is clearly contrary to the intent of the law, which seeks to prevent government agencies from violating the privacy of gun owners through the construction of such a database.

Ambler said that it is illegal for the FBI and ATF to maintain a database of people who they are suspicious of but who pass a background check.

The attorney cited one law that prohibits using NICS to establish any system for the registration of firearms, firearm owners, or firearm transactions or dispositions, except with respect to persons prohibited from receiving a firearm.

In addition, Ambler pointed to another federal law that prohibits using NICS for the registration of firearms, firearm owners, or firearm transactions or dispositions except for people who are prohibited from receiving a firearm. Yet, the people in the secret NICS monitoring system are not prohibited from buying guns.

When GOA filed a FOIA request to get information on its NICS Monitoring Services, the FBI responded immediately. The ATF, however, did not respond at all. GOA filed a lawsuit for records on any ATF efforts to utilize NICS for the covert surveillance of individual American citizens, by monitoring their firearm purchases. The ATF sent 14 files (some with over 100 pages) to GOA on Jan. 9. Five of the files are marked final, but the agencys production of records to GOA is ongoing.

Editors Note: This story has been updated with a post-publication comment from ATF.
Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Biden Administration COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

On Jan. 12, a federal appeals court in Ohio upheld a lower courts ban on forcing federal contractors to ensure that their workers in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee are vaccinated against COVID-19.

A panel of the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Cincinnati affirmed a lower courts 2021 ruling that said the Biden administrations mandate requiring workers contracting with the federal government to wear face masks and be vaccinated for COVID-19 was unconstitutional.

The panel in its opinion (pdf) found that Biden lacks the statutory authority to enforce the vaccination mandate for federal contractor workers, pointing to the presidents alleged authority to do so under the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act, also known as the Property Act.

We decline the governments invitation to construe  121(a) as authorizing the President to ignore the limits inherent in the Property Acts operative provisions in favor of an anything goes pursuit of a broad statutory purpose, the panel wrote in its ruling.

Even if we were to indulge the governments reliance on the Property Acts declaration of purpose, we would still conclude that the contractor mandate is unlawful, the judges wrote.

Judges Modify Scope of Injunction

In the governments view, the Act empowers the President to prescribe policies and directives that the President considers necessary to provide the Federal Government with an economical and efficient system for procuring  property and nonpersonal services, and performing related functions including contracting.  Yet the governments justifications for the mandate center not on how it would make contracting more efficient, but how it would make contractors more efficient, the ruling stated.

The court did, however, agree with the Biden administration that the lower courts injunction against the mandate was overbroad in that it extended relief to non-party contractors in the plaintiff states.

When the lawsuit was filed in 2021, the states of Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee had argued if the injunction did not extend to non-party contractors, the federal government could simply choose to do business with those against whom it could enforce the mandate.

However, the judges on Thursday ultimately modified the scope of the injunction to prohibit the federal government from enforcing the contractor mandate against the parties only.

Because an injunction limited to the parties can adequately protect the plaintiffs interests while the case is pending disposition on the merits, the district court abused its discretion in extending the preliminary injunctions protection to non-party contractors in the plaintiff States, the judges wrote.

Vaccine Mandate on Hold

The parties agree that federal courts should not issue relief that extends further than necessary to remedy the plaintiffs injury, the ruling noted. We, therefore, take seriously the federal governments complaint about the overbreadth of the district courts injunction.

The Biden administration unveiled details of its federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate on Nov. 4, giving a Jan. 4, 2022, deadline for federal contractors and health care employees who work at Medicare- and Medicaid-funded facilities to be fully vaccinated by then.

The attorneys general of Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee promptly announced they would take legal action against the White House over the rule in November 2021 and filed a lawsuit (pdf).

That lawsuit alleged that the vaccine mandate for federal workers was unlawful and unconstitutional.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a Republican who is currently running for governor, praised the courts ruling in a statement on Twitter on Thursday.

The Sixth Circuits decision is a resounding victory against unlawful federal overreach into the personal medical decisions of Kentuckians, Cameron said. For over a year, the Biden administration has fought against us but the court has agreed with our legal arguments and has halted the federal contractor vaccine mandate for Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Bidens federal vaccine mandate is not being enforced while litigation against the rule plays out across the country.

The Epoch Times has contacted the White House for comment.
Florida Whale Strands Itself in Palm Coast

Giant mammal is first stranded orca in decades in Southeast U.S.

A 21-foot, approximately 5,000-pound killer whale stranded itself on the beach in Flagler County, Fla., on Jan. 11, 2022. (Courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriff's Department)

A killer whale stranded itself Wednesday and died on a beach in Palm Coast, Florida.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 11, the massive orca stranded itself on the beach in Flagler, County, Florida, about 30 miles north of Daytona Beach.

Messod Bendayan, public affairs officer for the Flagler County Sheriffs Office, said removing the 21-foot, approximately 5,000-pound mammal from the beach took quite an effort.

It required a few Bobcats and some other specialized equipment, Bendavan told The Epoch Times, adding that the female orca was removed from the beach and taken to the SeaWorld facility in Orlando, where a necropsy was performed to investigate the cause of death.

There was nothing obvious on the body to indicate why she died, Bendavan said. He believes the animal may have been alive when it initially beached itself, but only briefly. Unfortunately, he said the whale died soon after rescue team members arrived in an effort to save her.

The body of a 21-foot, approximately 5,000-pound killer whale, which stranded itself on the beach in the area of Jungle Hut Park Drive in Flagler County, Fla. is carried to a flat-bed truck for transport, on Jan. 11, 2023. (Courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriffs Department)

Blair Mase-Gutherie, Marine Mammals Stranding Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Southeast region, confirmed that the whale was a geriatric female and died as a result of illness.

Members of multiple rescue organizations work to remove the body of a 21-foot, approximately 5,000-pound killer whale that stranded itself on the beach in Flagler County, Fla., on Jan. 11, 2022. (Courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriffs Department)

This whale was an older female, almost geriatric, and she did have a lot of illness going on in her body, local news station WESH-2 reported Mase-Gutherie saying. We could rule out potential human interaction, we could rule out trauma. It looks more like something going on as an illness. It looks like an illness impacted this whale.

A Particularly Unique Event

The Epoch Times spoke with Erin Fougeres, Marine Mammal Stranding Program Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office. Fougeres said the operation was a large, multi-agency response.

We pulled out all the stops and brought in as many partners as we could in response, Fougeres said, saying that the agency wants to make sure it learns as much as possible from the stranding.

We had partners in the Southeast Region Stranding Network, such as Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, Flagler County law enforcement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Blue World Research Institute, she said.

Volunteers from the Volusia County Marine Mammal Stranding Team also participated in the rescue-turned-recovery effort.

Erin Fougeres, Marine Mammal Stranding Program Administrator at NOAA Fisheries

Southeast Regional Office, performs a hearing test on a dolphin. (Courtesy of Erin Fougeres)

It was a particularly unique event, Fougeres said.

While killer whales are often associated with the Pacific Northwest, she explained that there are two stocksor identified populationsin the waters around Florida: the Western North Atlantic stock and the Northern Gulf of Mexico stock.

However, she said it is rare to find the giant mammals in U.S. waters, as they are typically found much farther offshore.

The body of a 21-foot, approximately 5,000-pound killer whale on the beach in Flagler County, Fla., on Jan. 11, 2022. (Courtesy of the Flagler County Sheriffs Department)

A Very Unique Opportunity

We know theyre out there, she said. But to have a killer whale strand [itself] is a very unique event.

The whale is the first orca to be stranded on the Florida Coast since 1956, according to a statement by SeaWorld on Jan. 12.

National Geographic describes the killer whale, also known as an orca, as the largest of the dolphins and one of the worlds most powerful predators. Weighing up to six tons, orcas range in size between 23 to 32 feet and can live between 50 to 80 years in the wild. They travel and hunt in pods that number up to 40 individuals and are considered to be at the top of the food chain.

While the event was very sad because the whale could not be saved, Fougeres said it presents an opportunity.

There are few specimens that have stranded in the Atlantic, she noted, so there is a lot of interest in learning as much as we can about this individual animal, to help us know more about the species and to do comparisons with killer whales that may be threatened or endangered on the west coast or in Alaska. Although it is a sad event, we are hopeful we will be able to learn as much as we can from this whale to help us better understand killer whale populations throughout the United States.

NOAAs Mase-Gutherie said the orcas skeleton will ultimately be on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

First, however, the orcas remains will be taken to the University of Florida, where it will be buried. After the natural process of decomposition strips the whale bones of any remaining tissue, it will be excavated.

Update: This story was updated with clarification that the killer whale stranding was the first since 1956, and a statement by SeaWorld to that effect.
Special Counsel in Biden Document Case Is Former Trump Appointee Who Previously Worked Under Christopher Wray

Described as 'a prosecutor of the highest caliber and integrity'

United States Attorney Robert Hur speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Attorney's Office, on Sept. 19, 2018 in Baltimore, MD. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

A Trump-appointed former federal prosecutor experienced in dealing with litigation involving classified information has been tapped to lead the federal probe into President Joe Bidens alleged mishandling of top secret documents.

United States Attorney General Merrick Garland on Jan. 12 announced that Robert Kyoung Hur, 50, will serve as special counsel in overseeing the U.S. Department of Justices (DOJ) investigation.

The probe was initiated following the discovery of classified documents in the garage of Bidens home in Wilmington, Del., and in his former office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington.

A recipient of the Attorney Generals Distinguished Service Award for superior performance and excellence, Hur is the second special counsel appointed to lead high-profile DOJ investigations into mishandling of classified documents. Garland in November appointed Jack Smith to spearhead the probe into former President Donald Trumps alleged mishandling of classified documents.

Hur received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1995 before spending two years studying philosophy at the University of Cambridge in England. He earned his law degree at Stanford University, where he was executive director of the Stanford Law Review.

Following this 2001 law school graduation, Hur clerked for Judge Alex Kozinski in the U.S. Ninth Circuits Court of Appeals 2001-02 before moving to Washington to clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist 2002-03.

Between 2003-05, Hur was a special assistant and counsel in the DOJs Criminal Division, prosecuting corporate fraud and counterterrorism. He worked under Christopher Wray, who is now FBI Director.

Hur worked as an associate with Washington-based King & Spalding 2005-07, representing clients in criminal and regulatory litigation dealing with federal agencies and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).

In 2007, he rejoined the DOJ as an assistant U.S. Attorney in Maryland, where he investigated and prosecuted illegal firearm possession, drug trafficking, violence, public corruption, fraud, computer network intrusions, tax offenses, intellectual property theft, and white-collar offenses until 2014, when he joined Washington-based King & Spalding as a partner specializing in special matters and government investigations.

In 2017, Hur again returned to the DOJ as a Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General. In November 2017, Hur was nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as U.S. Attorney for Maryland. He was confirmed by the Senate in a voice vote in March 2018.

Hur was nominated in the same wave of seven judicial candidates that included John Durhams elevation to U.S. Attorney for Connecticut. In 2020, Durham was tapped as special counsel to investigate the origins of the FBIs discredited Crossfire Hurricane probe into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives in the 2016 elections.

During more than a decade as an assistant U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney in Maryland, Hur handled numerous cases involving classified and sensitive government documents and investigations because many federal agencies, including the National Security Agency, are based in that jurisdiction.

The DOJ noted in a Jan. 12 press release regarding Hurs special counsel appointment, that he was responsible for setting strategic priorities for and supervising one of the largest and busiest U.S. Attorneys Offices in the nation.

During his years as a Maryland federal prosecutor, Hur headed investigations that led to convictions of Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh, Baltimore Police Commissioner Darryl De Sousa, and state Del. Cheryl Glenn on various corruption charges.

U.S. Attorney Hur has been a great and effective partner at holding violent offenders accountable, especially with his work in addressing gang violence and intimidation, Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said in a statement after Hurs resignation in late 2020.

In February 2021, Hur resigned from the DOJ and joined Washington-based Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as a partner. He was working in that capacity when he accepted the special counsel post offered by Garland.

Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan appointed Hur to the states University System Board of Regents and named him as chair of the Asian American Hate Crimes Workgroup.

In a statement posted on Twitter, soon-to-be-former Gov. Hogan said, Former Maryland U.S. Attorney Rob Hur is a prosecutor of the highest caliber and integrity. I have faith in his ability to get the facts and hold power to account. In this country, no one is above the law.
Growing State Freedom Caucus Network Faces ResistanceFrom GOP Establishment

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, here gaveling-in a July 2021 special session in Austin, Texas, was re-elected speaker on Jan. 10 for the 2023 legislative session in a 145-3 vote. (Tamir Kalifa/Getty Images)

The vote went quickly without a hitch and the incumbent was reelected House Speaker amid near-total bipartisan consensus and hand-shake pledges to work together in the legislative session to follow.

The 1453 tally to reinstall Rep. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) to a second term as speakerthe most powerful position in the Texas Houseon Jan. 10 was surely a sign that, while Lone Star state lawmakers have differences and divisions, they discard them to get things done.

This is Austin, they said, not Washington. There would be no disturbances here like the discord millions witnessed on live TV on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives days before.

There would be no weeklong, 15-vote hullabaloo among Texas Republicans just to appoint one of their own as speaker. And outnumbered Democrats would go along unanimously with the procedural slam-dunk because they know whats good for them.

The cohesion, collaboration, cooperative spirit was good news in the capital city. It represented everything that is right about the nations second-largest state in both size and population with a legislature so cohesive, so collaborative, so cooperative, it need only meet every other year.

It also represented all that is wrong in Texas, and in State Houses across the country, according to organizers of a nascent network of conservative lawmakers unhappy with the order of things in legislatures, regardless which party is in control.

There are no Republicans in state capitals, not really, said State Freedom Caucus Network (SFCN) President Andrew Roth. There are 50 state legislatures and 50 swamps.

Speaking with Glenn Beck on his Jan. 11 radio show, Roth said Texas is no different, despite being an allegedly deep red state dominated by Republicans who tout conservative credentials while campaigning, but become part of the uni-party, the establishment cartel when they convene.

For example, he said, GOP lawmakers hold an 8664 advantage in the chamber but approved a House rules package that allows Phelan to appoint Democrats as committee chairsa relatively unique Texas tradition.

All the Democrats came aboard and supported this Republican to be speaker. Ask yourself, Why? Roth said, noting that Phelan named Democrats to lead 14 of the Houses 39 committees in 2021, including Rep. Harold Dutton, Jr., (D-Houston) as House Public Education Committee chair.

We wonder why Texas doesnt have school choice. Its because a Democrat runs the legislatures most important education panel, he said. [Phelan] is going to give Democrats committee chairs again.

Conservatives get elected to change the order of things but, ultimately, as part-time lawmakers, they are no match for the entrenched bureaucracies that run woke-ified agencies, special interests, and full-time lobbyists with offices that ring state capital complexes, Roth said.

When meeting in fast-paced legislative sessions, They dont have the time to read the bills being jammed down their throats, he said. They have no staff, no help. We wonder why we are losing to the establishment.

Outmannedeven within their own partyand outmaneuvered by deep states within state capitals, Roth said the SFCN was created to support conservative lawmakers and disrupt the order of things that have dominated legislatures for decades.

Former South Carolina U.S. Senator and current Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) President Jim DeMint headlines the founding of the State Freedom Caucus Network in Atlanta, Ga., in December 2021. (Mike Theiler/AFP via Getty Images) Creating a Cross-State Conservative Caucus

Fashioned after the 30-plus member U.S. House Freedom Caucus established in 2015, the SFCN was founded in December 2021 in Atlanta with the creation of the Georgia State Freedom Caucus.

The 501(c) (4) entity is supported by the Washington-based Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI), which provides state caucuses financial assistanceincluding paying state director salariestraining, networking events, and policy development through its State Freedom Caucus Foundation.

Lawmakers from Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming attended the Atlanta event. It was headlined by former South Carolina U.S. Senator and Heritage Foundation president, Jim DeMint, who founded the CPI and is its president, and former North Carolina U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, who served as one of former President Donald Trumps White House chiefs of staff.

Roth, a former Club for Growth executive director who spent 20 years on Capitol Hill as a Republican strategist, coordinates SFCN activities with former U.S. House Freedom Caucus Executive Director Justin Ouimette.

After the seminal Georgia caucus was created, conservative lawmakers in Arizona, Illinois, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and South Dakota formed affiliated caucuses.

During their first legislative sessions, the state freedom caucuses registered significant victories, amending a Georgia mental health bill that would have allowed a clinic to perform transgender surgeries on minors, and killing a Mississippi bill that would have created an agency with the capacity to levy taxes and seize property through eminent domain.

Their successes did not go unnoticed by Congressional conservatives. U.S. House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) said in a January statement to Fox Digital that the network has empowered state-level conservatives to fight against local issues that directly affect their daily lives.

The SFCN is critical in providing conservatives the resources to challenge the status quo, hold the establishment accountable, and serve as the conservative conscience in State Houses across the country, Perry said. I look forward to continuing our efforts at the state and federal level to promote liberty, safety, and prosperity for the American people.

Growth and Resistance From Within

In January, conservative lawmakers in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho formed freedom caucuses, boosting the network to 10 member states.

In announcing the creation of the Montana State Freedom Caucus, chair Sen. Theresa Manzella (R-Hamilton) said in a Facebook post that its 14 members will focus on school choice, medical freedom, judicial reform, election integrity, redistricting, and restricting the capacity to amend the states constitution.

The men and women of the Montana Freedom Caucus are built out of conservative steel, Roth said in an accompanying press release. Were delighted to work with them to help expand freedom and limit the size of government in the Treasure State.

Wyoming state Rep. John Bear (R-Gillette), chair of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, said, Numerically, Republicans have a supermajority  [but] if you examine legislative output, it doesnt look that way at all. (Wyoming House of Representatives photo) The Wyoming State Freedom Caucus is a new iteration of the Wyoming House Freedom Caucus, but now better resourced, chair Rep. John Bear (R-Gillette) said in a statement.

The Wyoming Freedom Caucus exists as a reflection of the God-fearing, self-sufficient, liberty loving people across our state, Bear said. Numerically, Republicans have a supermajority in Wyoming, but if you examine legislative output, it doesnt look that way at all.

Roth said on the Glenn Beck Show that there are now 10 state freedom caucuses and it is growing with more than 100 state lawmakers signed on. SFCN hopes to establish freedom caucuses in another 10-to-15 states in 2023.

But there is resistance to the conservative network within the GOP in states where Republicans rule, including in Texas, Utah, Alabama, and Tennessee, Roth said.

After meeting with Alabama Republicans, We can say with no uncertain terms, that there are no conservatives in that legislature.

Roth said many alleged conservatives in Alabama play a shell game with voters, citing a 2022 bill that allows local governments to raise taxes that passed in, like, a 6-0 vote. All of them (Republicans) ducked the vote. They do not want to be seen as raising taxes.

That seems to be a long-established pattern in Alabama, he said. Looking at voting rolls, the average Alabama House member ducks 70 percent of the votes. One Alabama senator hasnt voted in three years, he said. It is absolutely corrupt. The media outlets that do cover the capital, they dont mention it.

Roth said SFCN met in Tennessee in a room with the most conservative members to explain here is what we do in a freedom caucus. We dont support things like subsidies for a Ford plant, the woke-iest of corporations, which the Tennessee Legislature did in 2022.

There was a lot of head-scratching in that room of alleged Tennessee conservatives, he said, as if theyd never heard of such standard conservative policies.

There was a lady in the back, she was against school choice. Another supported the hotel/motel tax. We wondered, Are we in the right room? Roth recalled. They thought they were really good. Some of them said, Well, gosh, we got to start voting better.

When 19 South Carolina conservatives formed their state freedom caucus in 2022, they faced backlash from GOP leadership demanding they sign a loyalty oath pledging not to help or encourage someone to challenge our incumbents in primaries, he said.

This is typical of what the Republican establishment is doing in South Carolina, Roth said, adding that state freedom caucus members signed the loyalty oath but crossed out all the things they didnt likesort of a middle finger to leadership.
Gun Buyback Pilot on Prince Edward Island Not Going Ahead: Report

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino arrives at the Public Order Emergency Commission, Nov. 22, 2022 in Ottawa. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

The federal governments plan to start its firearms buyback program on Prince Edward Island as a pilot project is not going ahead, according to a news report.

The information was first reported by Maritimes media group Saltwire Network on Jan. 12, and was commented on by Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro.

Just two days after [Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicinos] plans to use PEI as a training ground for their firearms confiscation program were exposed  the federal Liberals have already backed down, Shandro tweeted on Jan. 12.

Now its time to push the feds to back down from going after all Canadian firearms owners.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Public Safety Canada and P.E.Is Department of Justice and Public Safety to confirm the news, but neither replied before publication time.

A note posted on the Public Services and Procurement Canada website on Dec. 29 said the pilot phase of the gun buyback program would be starting in December 2022.

Prince Edward Island (PE) will be used as a pilot and will be the first point of collection based on the smaller number of firearms, it says.

As a result, lessons learned, gaps analysis and risk assessment would inform the phase 2 national roll-out.

This national roll-out would then take place in the spring of 2023, according to the note.

Audrey Champoux, press secretary for Mendicino, told Saltwire the P.E.I pilot was one of many options on the table and should be considered out of date.

A spokesperson for P.E.I.s Department of Justice and Public Safety told Saltwire the province had been informed of the buyback pilot last summer.

However, discussions were paused in the fall during federal, provincial and territorial discussions. At this time, the Province is still awaiting further details from the federal government on how their buy-back program may be implemented, said Vicki Tse.

The federal government added 1,500 firearms to the prohibited schedule on May 1, 2020, a few days after the mass shooting in Portapique, Nova Scotia.

Lawful owners have several ways to part with their firearm, such as delivering it to police for destruction, exporting it legally, or selling it back to the government.

The Liberal government is attempting to increase the number of prohibited firearms by adding amendments to its Bill C-21.

The two track approach includes adding new models to the prohibited list and creating an evergreen definition to capture all firearms the Liberals call assault-style.

Opposition parties, First Nations, and interest groups have pushed back on the amendments which will come under more scrutiny at the Commons public safety committee once the House resumes sitting at the end of the month.

Meanwhile the Federal Court has approved on Jan. 11 the Province of Albertas application to receive intervenor status in six lawsuits challenging the 2020 firearms ban.

Alberta has also said it would not cooperate with Ottawas plan to confiscate firearms in the province.

The Trudeau government says that removing the weapons from circulation will help address gun violence.

Statistics Canada data shows that individuals who do not hold a valid firearms license were behind over 80 percent of homicides with a gun in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

The data doesnt necessarily say that the weapon used was legally obtained, only whether the perpetrator had the right to purchase and own firearms.
Gun Fired Inside Washroom During Altercation at Toronto High School, Police Say

Gun was fired after a fight involving six individuals

A Toronto Police Services logo is shown at headquarters, in Toronto on Aug. 9, 2019. (The Canadian Press/Christopher Katsarov)

A gun was fired inside a bathroom at a Toronto high school after a fight involving six individuals broke out there on Jan. 12, police said.

The incident, which slightly injured an outreach worker who tried to stop the fight, happened at East York Alternative Secondary School at about 1.10 p.m.

The school was placed under lockdown following the incident but was lifted by evening. Students were also allowed to leave, said Jason Albanese, deputy inspector at the Toronto Police Service, who was at the scene.

The inspector confirmed one bullet was discharged from the firearm.

It was fired into the ground area and ricocheted off the wall and the projectile ended up inside the workers shoe, he told reporters.

The outreach worker suffered very minor injuries [but] was taken to a local hospital for precaution.

Albanese said the six individuals fled before police arrived. They were last seen on foot eastbound on Cosburn Avenue, where the school is located.

He added that police are already looking into their identities. We do believe some of the people were school students here, but were just trying to piece together if they all were or were just some of them.

We Are Very Fortunate

Police have not recovered a weapon involved in the incident, Albanese said.

We are very fortunate that nobody was seriously injured in this incident, but having said that every time something like this happens it is very concerning for the police, it is very concerning for the Toronto District School Board and for the students alike, he said.

Just because someone was miraculously safe from further injury in this doesnt mean it is any less concerning for us.

About 130 students attend East York Alternative Secondary School, which runs from Grade 9 to 12, according to Ryan Bird, spokesman for the Toronto District School Board (TDSB). I think just around 60 today were present at the school.

Bird said members of TDSBs professional support services team will be at the school on Jan. 13 for anyone that wants to talk about this [incident].

We are very happy that everyone is okay after this incident this afternoon. We are going to make sure that we are supporting our students and staff here, the spokesman said.

The shooting is the latest addition of violent incidents that occurred at a Toronto school in recent months.

On Oct. 31, 18-year-old Jefferson Peter Shardeley Guerrier was found dead after being shot outside Woburn Collegiate Institute in Scarborough. Another 15-year-old boy was injured.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
An American doctor is joining the calls for the withdrawal of the messenger RNA COVID-19 vaccines, pointing to new research that highlights a connection between the shots and adverse events.

Dr. Joseph Fraiman, a doctor based in Louisiana who also conducts research on COVID-19 and other health issues, says its time to halt the administration of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines until new clinical trials prove the benefits from the vaccines outweigh the harms.

The new research, including a reanalysis of the trials for the vaccines, raise concerns about whether the benefits from the vaccines outweigh the harms, according to the doctor.

I dont see how anyone couldnt be certain that the benefits are outweighing the harms on a population level, or even in the high-risk groups. I dont see the evidence to support that claim, Fraiman told The Epoch Times. But I also cant say that theres evidence to support that its potentially more harmful, but theres also uncertainty here.  Given that scenario, I believe that people should not be given the [vaccines] outside of a clinical trial, because we need to figure out  if their benefits outweigh harm or if harm outweighs benefits.

The only thing that can answer that question is going to be a randomized trial, he added.

Pfizer and Moderna did not respond to requests for comment.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which cleared the shots and has never stopped promoting them, did not return an inquiry.

The Data

Fraiman led a study that reanalyzed the original Pfizer and Moderna trials. He and his colleagues concluded in a study published following peer review that the vaccinated were at higher risk of serious adverse events.

Thats one data point. Another is the identification of safety signals, or adverse events, that are potentially caused by the vaccines but require further study. The FDA revealed in December 2022 that the Pfizer vaccine was linked to blood clotting in elderly individuals. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommends the vaccines for virtually all Americans, found hundreds of other signals in its research, according to records obtained by The Epoch Times.

Several serious problems that can lead to death have been causally linked, or proven to be caused by the vaccines. They include myocarditis, or heart inflammation.

While U.S. health officials have repeatedly downplayed the severity of myocarditis and a related condition, pericarditis, German researchers who dug into the deaths of 25 people who died suddenly at home after vaccination ruled out every potential cause except for vaccination for five of the people. They reported their results in a study that was published after peer review in late 2022.

Given alternative causes are unlikely to cause myocarditis within one week of vaccination, this is essentially conclusive evidence that were seeing sudden cardiac deaths from the vaccines, Fraiman said.

Fraiman also noted that excess mortality, or deaths from all causes, have risen during the pandemicwith spikes correlating with the introduction of the vaccines. Vaccines may not have caused the additional deaths, he says, but some researchers, including British professors Norman Fenton and Martin Neil, have examined the data and found a signal that the vaccines were linked to at least some of the excess deaths. U.S. officials say some of the deaths may be from COVID-19.

Initial Thoughts

When the vaccines were first introduced, Fraiman backed giving them to the elderly and others at high risk from COVID-19, or people of all ages with serious underlying health conditions. He says he also did not recommend against vaccination for any ages, though he told younger family members he was not sure if it was a good idea to get a jab.

Fraiman also says the vaccines likely reduced hospitalizations in the first two quarters of 2021, recalling how he did not see a single vaccinated person in his hospital until June of that year.

When he and the other scientists discovered the vaccinated were at higher risk of serious problems, he shifted to a stance of the harms likely outweighing the benefits among healthy people.

With the new evidence of harm, along with Omicron being less dangerous and more likely to evade vaccine immunity, Fraiman questions whether the benefits outweigh the serious harms even among the elderly and otherwise infirm.

I see the likelihood that the harm could outweigh the benefit in the group who stood to benefit the most from the vaccine, he said.

Standards Fall

Clinical trial data on the vaccines have been hard to come by, especially trials not run by the vaccine makers themselves, and the standards for the trials have been lowered over time.

The FDA authorized shots for children based on immunobridging, or trial data that found the vaccines triggered a similar antibody response in kids than that in adults. For the new bivalent boosters, created because the original vaccines have been providing much lower levels of protection against Omicron and its subvariants, no clinical data, not even antibody measurements, was provided at all. Months later, that data is still not available to the public.

Some observational studies have estimated the boosters provide subpar protection against infection and solid protection, at least initially, against hospitalization. Randomized, controlled trials are typically considered superior.

Fraiman recommends withdrawing the vaccines and U.S. officials going to the vaccine makers and asking them to demonstrate the benefits outweigh the harms in light of the changed dynamics of the pandemic. The trials should feature investigators looking closely at each COVID-19 hospitalization to distinguish whether they were caused by COVID-19, or the COVID-19 diagnosis was incidental. That distinction is known widely as being hospitalized, or dying, with COVID-19 versus from COVID-19.

The trial would take five or six months, similar to the original ones, Fraiman says.

Other Calls

Some countries, such as Denmark, meanwhile, have stopped offering booster shots to certain segments of the population. A growing number of experts, meanwhile, are calling for the administration of the Moderna and Pfizer shots, which are by far the most administered in the United States, to be halted.

The group includes Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a British doctor who turned against the vaccines in 2022 due to the growing evidence of side effects. Malhotras citations included the Moderna and Pfizer trials, which showed no reduction in mortality or severe disease, and the research led by Fraiman.

Linda Wastila, director of policy and research of the Peter Lamy Center for Drug Therapy and Aging at the University of Maryland, said she agrees with Fraiman, pointing to the research as well as data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. Reports of thousands of post-vaccination deaths have been lodged with the system, in addition to hundreds of thousands of injuries.

Im a data scientist, and Im overwhelmed by the congruence of all these data coming together so rapidly, all painting a horrific picture of vaccine harms that really cannot be ignored, Wastila told The Epoch Times via email.

Wastila called for the removal of the vaccines from the market immediately, at least until safety signals identified by the CDC and FDA are closely studied.

In not doing so, FDA and the rest of government agencies pushing these products are not only placing millions at risk for injury or death, they also are successfully encouraging rapid distrust of the institutions that are supposed to protect us, she said.

There are other experts, such as Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo, who have recommended against certain populations getting vaccinated, such as healthy young men, because theyre at higher risk of one or more side effects and stand to gain little benefit against a disease that already poses minimal risk to them. Still, other experts continue to back the vaccination of virtually all people, including Dr. Ashish Jha, coordinator of the White House COVID-19 response.
Most people who experience so-called long COVID as a result of mild COVID-19 infection see the symptoms fading away after a year, a large study suggests.

For the study, published on Wednesday in The BMJ, a team of Israeli scientists looked at the records of 1,913,234 patients from Maccabi Healthcare Services, a nationwide health care organization in Israel. Those patients were tested for COVID-19 from March 2020 to October 2021, before Omicron became the dominant variant of the virus.

To investigate long COVID in patients with mild infections, the researchers identified 299,870 patients who met the criteria. They then matched each patient with a person who tested negative for COVID-19 and had similar age, sex, time of test, and vaccination status, and followed the pairs health conditions for a year.

When compared to their non-COVID counterparts, patients with mild COVID were found to have a significantly increased risk of conditions throughout the year of follow-up, including loss of smell and taste, breathing difficulties, weakness, palpitations, strep throat, dizziness, and concentration and memory impairment popularly dubbed brain fog.

For most of the patients, according to the findings, their long-COVID problems were resolved by the end of one year. Records also showed that children had fewer post-COVID symptoms than adults, and recovered from most of them in months.

In addition, the researchers found that vaccinated patients were less likely to develop breathing problems after breakthrough infections than those who didnt get the vaccine, although the risk for other conditions was similar in both vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.

Maytal Bivas-Benita, a researcher at Israels KI Research Institute and the studys co-author, told Agence France-Presse that she was encouraged by the findings, particularly after fears over long-lasting post-COVID symptoms.

The vast majority of patients will be OK after a year, Bivas-Benita said.

The researchers did note that their study has some limitations. For example, they relied on the electronic health record and had no access to those in free text format, so these data might not completely reflect diagnoses and outcomes reported. Another weakness is the potential underreporting of symptoms in the later periods, when patients failed to continue reporting their conditions after their COVID-19 diagnoses.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains that long-COVID conditions can last for years.

People with post-COVID conditions can have a wide range of symptoms that can last weeks, months, or even years after infection, the agency says on its website. Sometimes the symptoms can even go away or come back again.
Data indicates Pfizers new COVID-19 vaccine could cause a type of stroke in elderly people, two U.S. health agencies said on Jan. 13.

The threshold for a safety signal was met for Pfizers bivalent booster in the Vaccine Safety Datalink, a monitoring system run by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The signal was for ischemic stroke, a type of stroke caused by blood clotting.

The signal was triggered for people aged 65 and older, the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a joint statement.

Safety signals are triggered when an adverse event such as stroke happens at a certain rate following vaccination.

Signals suggest a connection between an adverse event and a vaccine but further study must be done to verify a connection.

All signals require further investigation and confirmation from formal epidemiologic studies, the CDC and FDA said. Often these safety systems detect signals that could be due to factors other than the vaccine itself.

Unlikely a True Clinical Risk

The agencies did not say when the signal was detected other than saying it happened after the updated shot became available, which was in early September 2022. Neither agency returned a request for comment.

Other systems monitored for vaccine safety, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have not shown a signal for ischemic stroke among the elderly or other age groups, according to U.S. authorities.

Although the totality of the data currently suggests that it is very unlikely that the signal in VSD represents a true clinical risk, we believe it is important to share this information with the public, as we have in the past, when one of our safety monitoring systems detects a signal, the agencies said.

CDC and FDA will continue to evaluate additional data from these and other vaccine safety systems. These data and additional analyses will be discussed at the upcoming January 26 meeting of the FDAs Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee.

The FDA will meet with the panel, which advises it on vaccines, to consider whether and how the composition for primary doses of the currently available COVID-19 vaccines should be modified and how and whether the composition and schedule for booster doses should be adjusted moving forward, according to an earlier release.

Dr. Ramin Farzaneh-Far, a cardiologist, said it was hard to take the CDCs word given how the agency repeatedly dismissed reported links between myocarditis and COVID-19 vaccines before eventually acknowledging a causal link.

The CDC and FDA should make stroke data public, he wrote on Twitter.

Ischemic stroke, also known as embolic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain, according to the National Library of Medicine. The blockage typically prevents blood from flowing to the brain and quickly leads to brain cells dying. Other COVID-19 vaccines are believed to have caused ischemic stroke.

There is no evidence to conclude that ischemic stroke is associated with the use of the companies COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer told news outlets in a statement. It produces the vaccine with BioNTech, a German company.

Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the CDC and FDA must rapidly investigate, in an open and transparent manner, whether or not the vaccine may have contributed to the reported strokes.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., on April 23, 2020. (Tami Chappell/AFP via Getty Images)

Recommended Without Clinical Data

Pfizers new booster, which targets the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants in addition to the Wuhan strain, was authorized and recommended in late 2022 without any clinical data. Months later, no clinical data has been made available by Pfizer, the CDC, or the FDA.

A recent FDA study identified an increased risk of pulmonary embolism after Pfizers original vaccine in the elderly. That condition, a lack of oxygen to the heart, is also caused by blood clotting.

The CDC, meanwhile, flagged hundreds of safety signals for the original Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, according to monitoring results obtained by The Epoch Times. The monitoring was done on reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, which authorities describe as the nations early warning system for vaccines and which is co-run by the CDC and FDA.

Experts said there was a high probability that the vaccines caused some of the adverse events, including hepatic cirrhosis.

Ischemic stroke, labeled ischaemic stroke, was one of the signals that were identified.

Two hundred and seventy-four reports of ischemic stroke after Pfizer vaccination have been reported to the reporting system as of late 2022.

The CDC and FDA have aggressively promoted COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic, and the stroke signal was not changing that stance.

CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages 6 months of age and older stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccination; this includes individuals who are currently eligible to receive an updated (bivalent) vaccine, the agency said.

The Vaccine Safety Datalink is a CDC-managed group of 11 sites, including multiple Kaiser Permanente locations, that provide electronic health data such as date of vaccination and hospitalization details.

The stroke signal was not detected for the updated Moderna vaccine, according to the CDC and the FDA.

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been confirmed to cause multiple side effects, including myocarditis, a form of heart inflammation.

Calls for Withdrawal

The revelation comes after a growing number of experts call to withdraw the messenger RNA shots made by Pfizer and Moderna.

Dr. Joseph Fraiman, based in Louisiana, became one of the latest to call for a pause in administration until new clinical trials can be run showing the vaccines are safe and effective.

Fraiman pointed to data including a reanalysis of the original trials that he and others conducted. They concluded that the vaccinated were at higher risk of severe adverse events.

The fact that the Omicron variant and its subvariants are also less virulent, leading to fewer hospitalizations and deaths, and the waning effectiveness of the vaccines also contributes to the building opposition to vaccinating all or portions of the population until better data is made available.

Correction: A previous version of this article inaccurately reported on the results from the monitoring of VAERS. Ischemic stroke, labeled ischaemic stroke, was one of the signals identified. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
In a corner between a desk and a bookshelf in Sarah Benatars Cherry Avenue office is a light-gray play mat showing a big white butterfly stretched on its surface. Its flanked by several toys, quietly present in the office of the youngest county treasurer in the state.

Benatar recalls she was on the phone with the Coconino County Attorneys Office for a work call only about eight hours after giving birth to her daughter. When she was 6 weeks old, Benatars little one had staked her claim on the real estate inside her mothers office, where Benatar worked a job for which she had passion  a job she never really planned to have.

I dont think anyone comes in and says, I want to be the county treasurer! she said of her position in the office most associated with property tax collection. Its not something I ever thought I would do. It came to a point where I wanted to make changes in the community.

This is our home, this is where were raising our little one. I met my husband here. He and I are not originally from Flagstaff, but I think thats common. A lot of us arent from Flagstaff, but weve made it our home. Wanting to make it a better place for generations to come has just been a passion and its something Ive been able to do here.

Benatar was working at United Way of Northern Arizona, overseeing finance and the finance committee when she was approached by then-Coconino County Treasurer Bonny Lynn.

I was kind of ready for something new. Ive always been in public service, whether nonprofit or government, Benatar said.

With Lynns encouragement, she applied for the appointment in 2014 and got it. She was 27 at the time.

Later, Benatar was elected to the post in 2016 and 2020.

Shes only 36.

Benatar might be the youngest treasurer for Coconino County to date, but that is not her only distinction. As of Jan. 1, shes now the president of the Arizona Association of Counties (AACo).

The Arizona Association of Counties represents all counties and county elected officials  assessor, recorder, treasurer, justice of the peace, constable, board of supervisors, explained Benatar.

All 15 Arizona counties are members of the AACo and have a county-elected official present as a representative. The group works to represent county interests at the Arizona Capitol, bridging the gap between county officials and state legislators.

Benatar said, as a county treasurer, she was happy to join AACo.

Now shes the youngest county representative to serve as board president since AACos founding in 1967, and the first woman from Coconino County to hold the position.

In the treasury role, we touch on a lot of things. We get to see what every taxing district does  whether thats the fire district, the school district, the hospital districts. Being able to help in that way has been really meaningful and impactful for me, being able to kind of step up into having a voice for our community, not just locally but statewide and nationally, she said.

Occasionally there is a disconnect between the on-the-ground work overseen by county elected officials and the policy ideas of state lawmakers, Benatar said.

Thats really where AAoC comes in.

State legislators have their ideas of how they think things should be done. They introduce bills, and a lot of times on a local level its not always beneficial for a number of reasons. A big chunk of what we do is actually defensive work, Benatar said.

AACo will advocate against bills that dont align with county interests. It also spends a lot of time helping lawmakers understand county operations. Benatar has helped organize a Treasurer Advocacy Day for walking lawmakers through the work of being a county bank, showing them how the process of collecting and handling property taxes looks.

She also worked with Coconino County Recorder Patty Hansen and Yavapai and Yuma county officials to invite legislators to examine ballot boxes and learn firsthand how elections are run in Arizona.

So, its education. [We wanted] to show them, this is how elections are actually run, this is what a drop box looks like  its actually bolted to the ground. Walking them through the process, Benatar said. Every two years theres an election. Every two years youve got new legislators coming in, some of which have some experience working with counties, some dont  some, its very new to them.

This year Arizona will be welcoming a large batch of freshman lawmakers, and the first Democratic governor  Katie Hobbs  in more than a decade.

We have this change in statewide leadership that we havent seen, honestly, since the early 2000s. Even then, you did have different leaders in the Republican Party at the time. It was a very different Republican Party than it is now. ... I think were going to see a lot of bills that are going to require a lot of defensive strategies from counties. Everything from changing our elections to a reduction in revenue for counties and tax districts, Benatar said.

She said shes optimistic about the new governor because of her background in social work. All the same, advocating on behalf of county officials means keeping an eye on the ever-evolving political landscape.

When Gov. Hobbs budget comes out, she said, usually this week or next week, itll be interesting to see where her priorities are going to be and how much thats going to change compared to what the legislature is, because that is still Republican-run. Where is the compromise going to be?

Getting involved in broader politics and working at the Arizona Capitol was important to Benatar. She joined AACo, representing Coconino County back in 2014.

Its a role thats really important to make sure that we have positive relationships with legislators, that we are advocating for our counties, that were making sure they understand the issues our communities are facing, Benatar said. We are considered a rural county, a medium-sized rural county up here. Oftentimes Coconino isnt represented in these roles down at the capitol. Our voice is not always heard.

She was elected president of AACo by her peers more than a year ago. She said shes both honored to fill the role, and eager to get started.

The way it works is, she said, you can only have one officer per county. In theory, you could have all the officers be sheriffs, just from different counties. Coconino hadnt had a president in quite some time. When I came in it became pretty apparent that we needed to be down there. We needed to be present and active with legislation, so that was something that I had made a priority.

Its been successful. Weve been able to kill some really bad bills. Along those lines, I got to know the different sheriffs, recorders, the different elected officials across the state. Then being able to go, Hey, Ive got this working relationship with these legislators, would you like to connect with them?

As a young mother and woman of color, Benatar is a trailblazer  which comes with its own set of challenges. Its evidenced in a few discoveries the young treasurer has made.

Down at the capitol, they dont have changing tables at either chamber. The only changing table is actually at the capitol museum, Benatar said.

Between advocating for policy change, Benatar has had to change her daughters diaper on the floor of the bathroom at the capitol.

For her, its important that families are visible at the capitol for multiple reasons.

In general in the workplace, families should not be a barrier to where you want to go career-wise and the changes that you want to make, said Benatar. If people see you doing it, hopefully theyll go back to wherever theyre from and think, Hey, this is OK to have! or maybe Im meeting with a legislator and theyll think, I should be a little more supportive of bills that support families.

Benatar is the daughter of a working mom, too. Her mothers strengths and struggles helped shape some of the new AACo presidents passions.

My family comes from Guatemala, Benatar said. My dad passed when I was 2. So I had a single mom, not from this country. She had to get a GED. My mom did suffer from a lot of depression. Behavioral health is not something that is very embraced in the culture. Theres a lot of stigma around it. How can we break down these barriers? How can we break down barriers to access? I want to make sure that we can bring down these barriers. Its become a passion of mine.

In addition to the AACo officership, Benatar works on the groups health steering committee.

The committee has led a number of mental health advocacy efforts  including working on a letter to Congress that recommends amending or repealing the Medicaid Inmate and Institution for Mental Disease Exclusion Policies, and providing funding to support local efforts in crisis response and behavioral health workforce.

If youre on Medicaid you actually dont get access to the things you would have had if you were not in jail or if you were in prison.  Ive been able to be a part of those conversations and put things together, so that weve got the tools across the country for counties, whether thats funding for grants, or signing off on letters to members of congress, etc., Benatar said.

Her mother inspires more than just her drive to work on mental health-related policy. Benatars mother didnt become a U.S. citizen until 2014. She was deported when Benatar was in high school.

For the young mother and county official, facing adversity as a first-generation American was one of the major motivators in her journey to public service. She said she has tried never to take an opportunity for granted, and to always give back to the communities she became a part of.

In her Flagstaff office, Benatar is surrounded by the trappings of motherhood. Theres a baby Yoda toy next to the laptop Benatar uses to Zoom into meetings about legislative priorities. When she tells you, I love what I do here, its clear that she means doing it all.
On April 2, 2020, a paddle boarder was chased by authorities and taken into custody. This event should have caused unanimous outrage over the absurdity of what happened  law enforcement arrested a lone paddle boarder on Santa Monica Bay for the crime of flouting coronavirus closures.

Traditional voices that could have questioned unscientific authoritarian policy instead provided cover. The Los Angeles Times justified law enforcements ridiculous response by quoting a scientist who made the claim (presumably with a straight face): ..[SARS-CoV-2] could enter coastal waters and transfer back into the air. Setting aside the absurdity of this and every other justification for closing beaches, hiking trails, and parks, think of the narrative it perpetuated  the virus is so insidious that even those who dared to paddle board alone on the ocean might somehow spread it to the rest of us.

The paddlers arrest was an early indication that something had changed in our country. A new normal was spawning from the chaotic, unscientific, politicized pandemic messaging mainly coming from biased news media and the once venerable Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Dr. Anthony Fauci. The result was bitter contempt between two sides of the COVID-19 debate that metastasized into a deep distrust for science.

In an understatement of the century, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky recently summed up her agencys role in promoting distrust in science by stating that they did not reliably meet expectations. Thus, its pretty clear that for their part, nothing much will change. Dr. Fauci proclaimed that because he represents science any criticism of him is a direct attack on science. Translation, we shouldnt expect any productive capitulation from him either.

Although the CDC acknowledged playing a role in the growing distrust in science, none of their professed forms of atonement, such as promising to share data faster and doing a better job of translating science into policy will restore trust without a process that includes honest debate.

Over the past two years, the CDC cherry-picked data from articles rushed to print in their own journal (Morbidity Mortality Weekly Report) to justify a lot of bad policy, including masking schoolchildren, which is still happening today, or pushed the completely unscientific assertion that vaccine immunity is superior to natural immunity.

On the other hand, they buried data showing that upon reinfection, vaccinated people without prior COVID-19 diagnosis were at greater risk of hospitalization than the unvaccinated with prior COVID-19.

Dr. Walensky also boldly stated that, Our data from the CDC today suggests that vaccinated people do not carry the virus, dont get sick. The untruthful messaging that vaccination stopped infection and transmission was justification for an appalling trend of people mocking the COVID-19-related deaths of the unvaccinated.

Its unlikely the families targeted by such attacks will hear any apologies, even though Dr. Faucis four shots did not protect him from reoccurring COVID-19, or that Dr. Birx admitted that inflated vaccine efficacy claims were based on hope, not science.

At the start of the pandemic, Dr. Fauci told us not to buy masks because they do not work. When the politics changed, Fauci reversed himself and became the proponent of wearing not just one mask  but several. Dr. Faucis excuse for the flip-flop was his only truth on the matter  he admitted that he lied, albeit nobly.

For his encore, Dr. Fauci confidently opined on the level of vaccine uptake required for herd immunity. Eventually he admitted to guessing at numbers to frighten people into compliance. To be clear, Dr. Fauci used deception, not science, to support his version of public health policy.

Anybody who was on the fence about trusting Fauci, the self-proclaimed embodiment of the science, should have been forcefully pushed off after his attempts to obfuscate when testifying to Congress on whether the US government funded gain of function research that very likely created SARS-CoV-2.

The loss of trust was greatly amplified by activist scientists and most of the news media. Dr. Fauci refused to say anything critical of the nationwide social justice protests that might have discouraged people from participating in behaviors known to spread respiratory viruses.

However, scientists and news sources eagerly reported alleged death tolls purportedly caused by Trump rallies, while claiming no evidence of protest spread.

How could scientists determine whether the protests caused any disease transmission or death if contact tracers were not allowed to ask if someone attended a protest?

The weaponization of science to censor, persecute, delegitimize, and threaten those who had differing opinions has never happened on this scale in this country.

Fig. 1. Comparison of daily per capita cases between Texas (orange), which lifted its mask mandate in March 2021, California (red), and New York (Green), which continued their masking policies.

Even President Biden capitalized on the politicization of mask-wearing by accusing the elected leader (and by extension the citizens) of Texas of Neanderthal thinking for removing the mask mandate in 2021. Meanwhile, states such as California and New York were praised for following the science.

A simple comparison of the epidemic curves between these states did not justify the divisive rhetoric (Fig. 1). But rather than have these conversations, it was easier to just slander dissenters and censor intelligent discussion.

As the old saying goes, a lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on. Thankfully, the truth finally has its boots on and is catching up on many fronts, such as the questionable effectiveness of mask mandates.

The Neanderthal thinking jab was uttered around the time the news media, outraged by Governor Ron DeSantis steady leadership in Florida, hoped to get Ron DeathSantis trending on social media.

Not surprisingly, the data told a different story about Florida (Fig. 2). Its clear that follow the science was just a slogan. Politics, lies, and vindictive moral superiority are baked into our nations COVID-19 policy.

Fig. 2. Age-adjusted COVID-19 deaths in Florida and California. The circles are proportional to state population. Although these states adopted dramatically different policies, they had comparable outcomes.

Trust in science might never be restored in people who lost their livelihood to unscientific lockdowns or vaccine mandates. But, heres some advice for people like Dr. Walensky and Dr. Fauci to get back some of the trust.

1) Go back to the basics of Public Health: Voluntary measures are more likely to induce cooperation and protect public trust than coercive measures, and are more likely to prevent attempts to avoid contact with the healthcare system.

2) Invite dissenting experts to the table for open policy debate. Excess malaria and opioid deaths in young people, while millions of children were thrusted into acute starvation, are examples of significant COVID-19 policy failures. Great Barrington Declaration scientists warned about such collateral damage, but were maligned and censored. At the very least, the public would have benefitted from a different perspective on the risk of catching COVID-19 from ocean spray.

3) Vindictive moral superiority is terrible public health messaging. Heed the advice from an article in The Atlantic: Viruses are not moral agents, and infection is not a personal failure.

4) Sincerely apologize to people who were fired, maligned, censored, or physically harmed, then tell us your justification for ignoring counter data and continuing policy that encouraged these unnecessary outcomes.

5) none of the above will matter if public health officials do not tell the truth, including the nuance, and trust that the American people can handle it. George Santayana famously said, Those that cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Lets hope weve learned from our mistakes, because given the state of the world right now, we cannot afford to repeat them.

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. Epoch Health welcomes professional discussion and friendly debate. To submit an opinion piece, please follow these guidelines and submit through our form here.
How the Passing of a King Tells of Our Moral Strength

Greek and Olympic flags wave at half-staff as the Hellenic Olympic Committee commemorate Greece's former king Constantine II, in Athens, on Jan. 11, 2023. Greece's former king Constantine II, who has died at age 82, will have a private funeral next week and be buried at the former royal estate of Tatoi, his family and officials said on Jan. 11, 2023. (Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

The passing of King Constantine II of the Hellenesa former king who had been removed from the throne for almost a half-centurywas not unanticipated; he was old and in poor health, with declining mobility.

But how the Greek government handled the death of a former head of state was another matter. It showed callous expediency rather than statesmanship, all in the name of second-guessing the impact the event might have on parliamentary elections in Greece in July 2023.

Constantine II, 82, the former and last king of Greece, died at the Hygeia Hospital in Athens on the eve of Jan. 10. His grandfather, Constantine the Soldier, had died 100 years earlier on the same day, but one.

Significantly, the current conservative government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (Nea Dimokratia: ND) declined to hold a state funeral for the late king because the government feared a backlash from communist and left-wing elements in the run-up to the 2023 elections. The king will be buried in a private ceremony in Tatoi, the summer palace of the Greek royal family, where his ancestors are also laid to rest. The funeral service will be held on Jan. 16 at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.

He was, as a former head of state, entitled to a state funeral. Even the nominally-conservative government of Mitsotakis would not have dared to have denied a state funeral for, say, a former communist or socialist head of state of Greece. The Greek electorate has probably taken note of the fear that governed Mitsotakiss decision not to give a state funeral for the king.

The former King of Greece Constantine and his wife Anne-Marie arrive at the Ritz hotel in London on Nov. 14, 2002. (Alastair Grant/AP Photo)

Unsurprisingly, Mitsotakis will not attend the funeral; he will send the deputy prime minister and culture minister. But King Constantine attended the funeral of Mitsotakis father, despite being severely ill, and wept for the politician.

Conservative and monarchist voters (and there are many of those in Greece) would have noted that the prime minister abandoned the king as a means of pandering to the left. The left voters would have noted that Mitsotakis worried about them to the point where he would sacrifice even more moral principles to win their vote and, therefore, could be pressured further.

Senior members of the British royal family were to attend. It was expected that the private funeral would attract the attendance of royalsregnant or otherwisefrom around Europe. It is clear that the Greek government would quietly facilitate their visits and offer security and logistics to them and other foreign officials attending the private funeral.

Constantine was born in Athens on June 2, 1940. He was the second child and only son of King Paul (Pavlos) I and Queen Frederica. A 101-gun salute was fired from Lycabettus Hill to announce his birth. He was christened at the Athens Palace (now the Presidential Palace) on July 20, 1940, with a delegation of the armed forces as sponsors.

He served as King of the Hellenes from March 6, 1964, to June 1, 1973, when the military junta of April 21, 1967 (the Revolution of April 21) abolished the monarchy and adopted the constitution of a presidential-parliamentary republic. This was ratified by the referendum of July 29, 1973. Constantine had two sisters, Sophia and Irene. Sophia was the queen of Spain from 1975 until the abdication of her husband, King Juan Carlos I, in 2014 and the accession of their son Philip VI to the Spanish throne.

The royal family, the government, and the leadership of the armed forces, on the eve of the Nazi advance on Athens, evacuated via Crete to Egypt, where they formed the [Hellenic] Government of Egypt and became heads of Greek battalions fighting in Africa against the Axis. He later resided in South Africa. They returned to Greece in 1946 with the return of King George II. A year later, in 1947, after the sudden death of George II, his father ascended the throne, and Constantine was named heir.

He was given the title of Duke of Sparta in 1955. Constantine attended the National School of Anavryta in Maroussi and courses at the military schools of Evelpidon and the Law School of the University of Athens, as well as a number of other courses and foreign language classes. After coming of age, he was awarded the ranks of infantry lieutenant, navy ensign, and lieutenant (June 28, 1958). He won a gold medal for sailing at the Rome Olympics on Sept. 8, 1960.

On Sept. 18, 1964, hundreds of thousands of people flooded the main streets of Athens to attend the wedding of the worlds youngest royal couple: 24-year-old Konstantinos and 18-year-old Anna-Maria. On Feb. 20, 1964, King Pavlos, in deteriorating health, issued a decree transferring his powers to Constantine, who became the viceroy of Greece. His swearing-in took place before the parliament, and on the same day, he was sworn in as head of the armed forces with the highest ranks of the military hierarchy (stratarch, chief admiral and chief general).

On March 6, 1964, King Paul died of cancer and was succeeded by King Constantine II of Greece. On Dec. 13, 1967, Constantine attempted to overthrow the military junta, which had taken over Greece and failed. He then went into exile, first in Italy and then in Great Britain, and in the last yearsthe military junta having long gonehe was able to settle permanently in Greece.

After the collapse of the dictatorship and the restoration of democracy on July 24, 1974, the government of Constantine Karamanlis called a referendum, held on Dec. 8, 1974, and abolished the monarchy.

The king made some mistakes during his reign and paid the price for them. What Greek politician has not made major mistakes that led the country into decades of strategic mediocrity, poor economic performance, or compromised security? At its core, however, was the reality that the colonels coupthe April 21 Revolutionwas illegal itself and set in train a series of actions that compromised the Hellenic world (Greece and Cyprus, essentially) to this day. This is acknowledged by most Greek analysts of all political persuasions. The military juntas referendum on July 21, 1973to declare Greece a republicwas considered invalid when the military government collapsed in 1974.

King Constantine had been forced to flee the country on Dec. 13, 1967, following an unsuccessful countercoup against the junta. Still, he remained legally as head of state in exile until the junta abolished the monarchy on June 1, 1973.

The new (conservative) government of Prime Minister Constantine Karamanlis, which came to power on July 24, 1974, decided to hold another referendum on the matter, given that acts by the junta were considered void. But Karamanlis was jealous of the power and wanted a politician as head-of-state; he wanted a political republic.

Greek military officers hold Greek flags during a military parade at the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, on Oct. 28, 2021. (Giannis Papanikos/AP Photo)

That shaped how the referendum would be waged.

Karamanlis banned King Constantine from returning to Greece to campaign in the referendum and was allowed only to make a televised address to the nation. As well, how the referendum was shaped was designed to merely rubber-stamp a proposal by Karamanlis to affirm the politicians republic, and the proposal was approved by 69.2 percent of voters with a turnout of 75.6 percent.

In that regard, Karamanlis was just a politician who was glad that the military junta did the dirty work for him. He could appear to have clean hands in approving the seizure of legitimacy and the guardianship of constitutional guarantees from the crown.

Karamanlis had no love for the royal family, especially Constantines mother, Frederika, who he felt was too involved in politics. Karamanlis himself had gone into self-exile in 1963 after a clash with the palace and subsequently took every opportunity to slander the king, particularly Queen Frederika, because of her German heritage and even though she had worked tirelessly for disadvantaged Greeks.

The Wikipedia entry on the matter showed the politicians argument: The final straw for Karamanlis Government was his clash with the Palace in Summer 1963, over the projected visit of the royal pair to Britain. Karamanlis opposed the trip, as he feared it would provide the occasion for demonstrations against the political prisoners still held in Greece since the Civil War. Karamanlis relations with the palace had been declining for some time, particularly with Queen Frederika and the Crown Prince [Constantine], but the Prime Minister also clashed with King Paul over the latters opposition to proposed constitutional amendments that would empower the government, the [untrue claim of] extravagant lifestyle of the royal family, and the near-monopoly that the King claimed over control of the armed forces. When the King rejected his advice to postpone the trip to London, Karamanlis resigned and left the country.

The new (2022) Australian government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is watching with great interest the handling of the funeral arrangements for King Constantine, for Mr. Albanese has already said that he hopes to use a referendum to dispose of Australias monarchy, despite polling in Australia that shows the overwhelming popularity of the Australian monarchy.

Albanese, like Karamanlis, knows it is all about how referenda are worded. Certainly, Greek Australians are watching this double situationthe handling of the funeral of King Constantine and the impending thrust by Albanese to replace Australias monarchy and its governor-general with a politicianwith interest. And significantly, Melbourne in Australia is the third largest Greek city after Athens and Thessaloniki.

The bitter taste of the passing of King Constantine is not merely sadness at the passing of someone who devoted his life to his country, regardless of position or ideology; it is the bitterness of ignoble political expediency, which is sadder than death.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Illegal Immigrant Sentenced for Attempted Murder of Border Patrol Agent

Illegal immigrants wait in line to be processed by the U.S. Border Patrol after crossing through a gap in the U.S.Mexico border barrier in Yuma, Ariz., on May 21, 2022. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

An illegal immigrant who admitted to trying to kill a U.S. Border Patrol agent near the U.S.Mexico border has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison.

Rey David Marquez-Jimenez, 23, received a prison sentence of 85 months during a hearing in Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 12.

Marquez-Jimenez, a native of Mexico, also was sentenced to three years of supervised release following the prison term and ordered to pay $99 in restitution for expenses related to the agents medical care.

Our colleagues in the United States Border Patrol have a difficult and sometimes dangerous job, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Gary Restaino, a Biden appointee, said in a statement.

Most noncitizens who enter the United States do so peacefully, and with the intention of seeking a better life for their families, he added. To the small number of undocumented aliens who ignore law enforcement commands and engage in aggressive behavior, be warned: We will vindicate the rights of Border Patrol agents by prosecuting violent offenders commensurate with their unlawful actions.

According to court documents, Marquez-Jimenez attacked a uniformed Border Patrol agent near Hereford, Arizona, on Jan. 26, 2022. The assault came as the agent tried to handcuff a different person.

Marquez-Jimenez punched the agent multiple times, tried to take control of the agents firearm, and slashed at him with a knife.

When the agent gained the upper hand, Marquez-Jimenez tried to flee before being apprehended by border agents.

The struggle lasted about five minutes and was captured by surveillance cameras.

Marquez-Jimenez has been detained since. He was ordered held pending trial by the court in light of factors including that he is illegally in the country and does not have sufficient ties to the community.

A grand jury found that Marquez-Jimenez did willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation and malice aforethought, attempt to unlawfully kill the Border Patrol agent.

The defendant pleaded guilty to attempted murder in October 2022 in exchange for other charges being dropped.

In a plea agreement, the defendant admitted to doing something that was a substantial step toward killing the agent and that when he took that step, he intended to kill the agent.

The attempted murder charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison. Under the plea agreement, based on sentencing guidelines, the ceiling for Marquez-Jimenez was set at 108 months.

Prosecutors, calling the attack unprovoked and vicious, said in a sentencing memorandum that were it not for the agents physical endurance and prior military training, the defendant would have killed him. They also said Marquez-Jimenez had no explanation for what he did. But they noted the mans lack of criminal history in Mexico and his being employed before illegally entering the United States.

Prosecutors asked for 97 months in prison.

Benjamin Aguilera, an attorney representing Marquez-Jimenez, said the attack was the most significant mistake of his clients relatively young life. He said that the illegal immigrant is sincerely apologetic and hopes one day the agent will forgive him.

He has never assaulted anyone before and has never been in so much as a fistfight in his lifetime. His unfortunate decision to physically engage the agent in this case set forth a course of action that has forever changed the lives of many people. He is ashamed and embarrassed to find himself before this Honorable Court and humbly asks for forgiveness, Aguilera said in a sentencing memo.

Marquez-Jimenez attacked the agent in seeking to free his travel companion from the agents control, according to his lawyer.

The defense asked for a prison sentence of no more than 108 months in prison.
Iowa Wife of Elected Official Arrested for Voter Fraud Scheme

Voters wait in line to cast their ballots on the final day of early voting for the 2020 presidential election in a file photo. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

The wife of a Woodbury County, Iowa, supervisor was arrested on Jan. 12 and charged with more than 50 counts of voter fraud, the Department of Justice announced.

Kim Phuong Taylor, 49, of Sioux City, is married to Jeremy Taylor, who unsuccessfully ran in the Republican primary for Iowas Fourth Congressional District to replace Rep. Steve King in 2020.

She appeared in court on Thursday where she was charged with 26 counts of providing false information in registering and voting, three counts of fraudulent registration, and 23 counts of fraudulent voting, according to the DOJs press release.

If found guilty, she faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count.

According to court documents, prosecutors allege that Phuong Taylor perpetrated a scheme to generate votes in the primary election in June 2020, when her husbandwho is not explicitly named in the press releasewas an unsuccessful candidate for the Fourth Congressional District, and subsequently in the 2020 general election in November, when her husband was a successful candidate for Woodbury County supervisor.

Jeremy Taylor had resigned as a supervisor earlier in the year after the county auditor ruled that he did not live at the address listed on his voter registration, according to local reports, but won his seat back later in the year.

Taylor allegedly submitted or caused others to submit dozens of voter registrations, absentee ballot request forms, and absentee ballots containing false information, prosecutors said. For example, although these documents required the signer to affirm that he or she was the person named in them, Taylor signed them for voters without their permission and told others that they could sign on behalf of relatives who were not present.

Phuong Taylor Deprived Iowa Residents of Fair Election Process: DOJ

According to an 11-page indictment (pdf), prosecutors allege that Phuong Taylor, a U.S. citizen, perpetrated the scheme to illegally generate votes through a variety of means, including by approaching residents of the Vietnamese community in Sioux City, Iowa who had limited ability to read and understand English and offering to help them vote.

Prior to both the primary and general elections in 2020, Phuong Taylor visited numerous households within the Vietnamese community in Woodbury County encouraging residents to fill out voter registration forms and absentee ballot request forms that she brought with her for each election, prosecutors allege.

In some instances, Phuong Taylor assisted the residents with filling out the forms or filling them out herself, according to prosecutors. She then took the forms with her and either mailed them to the Woodbury County Auditors Office or placed them in one of the countys drop boxes, they said.

Phuong Taylor also signed voter registration forms and absentee ballot request forms for residents who were not present at the time or told residents who were there that they could sign the forms for their other family members, prosecutors allege.

Prosecutors accuse Phuong Taylor of having knowingly and willfully deprived, defrauded, and attempted to deprive and defraud the residents of the State of Iowa of a fair and impartially conducted election process, by the procurement, casting, and tabulation of ballots that were known by Taylor to be materially false, fictitious, and fraudulent under the laws of the State.

Jeremy Taylor finished in third place after garnering just over 6,400 votes in the GOP primary for Iowas Fourth Congressional District. However, he was successful in the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors race and currently serves as the boards vice chairperson.

The FBI Omaha Field Office and USPIS Denver Division are investigating the case, according to the DOJ release.

Phuong Taylors lawyer declined to comment on the charges when contacted by The Epoch Times.
Italian Reverend Pleads for Release of Hong Kong Political Prisoners Before Lunar New Year

Italian Catholic Reverend Franco Mella holds a sit-in pleading for the Hong Kong government to release all political prisoners from the Hong Kong Protests outside Stanley Prison in Hong Kong on Jan. 9, 2023. (Sung Pi-Lung/The Epoch Times)

Italian Roman Catholic priest and human right activist reverend Franco Mella held a sit-in protest outside Stanley prison in Hong Kong on Jan. 9. He pleaded to the Hong Kong government to release all detained protesters and political prisoners from the 2019 anti-extradition protest, so they could be home to be with their families for the Lunar New Year.

Mella arrived in Hong Kong in 1974 and is a member of the Pontifical Institute of Foreign Missions.

He put up banners outside the prison that read, Family Reunion. Basic Rights for Humanity and Freedom For All.

Speaking to The Epoch Times, The roman preacher wished that the authorities would release prisoners using various means and channels, such as amnesty, court procedures, and discussions with the Beijing government.

He specifically mentioned that many arrestees used to dedicate themselves to society, for democracy, for their freedom, for the workers, and the poor. Now that Jimmy Lai, Lee Chuek-yan, Eddy Chu, Joshua Wong, Benny Tai, and Leung Kwok-hung are now all locked up, the father stated that no one in the community would care about those who were weak and in need anymore.

He responded to the governments complaint of Hong Kong needing to go back to normal. The reverend argued the Hong Kong government was referring to stimulating the economy, reopening borders, or convincing the outside world to have confidence in Hong Kong again.

Mella added, the main issue is that there are still thousands of people in jail. Many nameless young people are still detained in prison. The reverend believed detaining political prisoners was also why people chose to leave Hong Kong, and maybe Hong Kong could return to normal again if the detained prisoners were set free.

I came for a sit-in outside the prison in 2020 and 2021. I went to Shek Kong Prison in the summer of 2022.

This year (2023) would be his fourth year of sitting to protest, and Mella truly hoped that the Hong Kong government would take everything into account and release the political detainees.

Mella said the only way Hong Kong could go back to normal is if the government would release all the political and freedom-fighting prisoners.

When asked how effective a sit-in would be for achieving his pleas, the reverend said he had to speak up, not only once, but consistently to resolve issues.

Mella also talked about Cardinal Joseph Zen, the honorary bishop of the Diocese of Hong Kong. The authorities recently returned Zens passport and allowed him to attend the funeral of the late Benedict XVI at the Vatican for five days. When he returned to Hong Kong, Zen had to return his passport to the Hong Kong Police.

Mella questioned the rationale behind the arrangement since the authorities knew very well that Zen would never abandon Hong Kong.
Japan Signs Agreements With US to Secure Defense Supply Chains

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada to the Pentagon in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The United States and Japanese defense chiefs signed two memorandums of understanding on Jan. 12 to expand cooperation in advanced technologies and defense supply chains as both nations seek to step up their alliance.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada signed the agreements during a meeting at the Pentagon, which Austin described as a consequential moment for the U.S.-Japan alliance.

The first memorandum aims to support efforts to improve defense capabilities using advanced technologies, such as high-power microwaves, autonomous systems, and counter-hypersonics, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

They agreed to exchange reciprocal priority support for defense-related goods and services under the second memorandum, allowing either side to request expedited handling of industrial resources to resolve supply chain disruptions.

On January 12 (EST), #DMHamada held a meeting with @SecDef Austin in the U.S. Based on the 2+2discussion, they had candid discussions on concrete measures of bilateral defense cooperation under their new strategies.#JMOD #JSDF @DeptofDefense Readouthttps://t.co/O2DxK91FD3 pic.twitter.com/YJWIEtqVVg  Japan Ministry of Defense/Self-Defense Forces (@ModJapan_en) January 13, 2023

To support U.S. forces and enhance alliance corporation towards these ends, the United States and Japan must focus our efforts to collaborate on sharpening the competitive edge of the alliance to meet future force requirements and sustained logistics, Austin said.

Both sides agreed to initiate intensive discussions on the roles and missions of the U.S.-Japan alliance, particularly on the operation of counterstrike capabilities under the bilateral cooperation, following Japans reinforced defense capabilities, according to Japans Ministry of Defense.

Japan approved three key defense documents in December, including the National Security Strategy, which refers to communist China as Japans greatest challenge. Japan seeks to have the ability to counterattack, a move widely seen as a departure from the nations post-war constitution.

Austin expressed full support for Japans National Security Strategy. He underscored U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan, including U.S. extended deterrence provided by the full range of conventional and nuclear capabilities.

The ministers affirmed that the alliance is stalwart in the face of challenges and steadfast in support for shared democratic values and norms that underpin the rules-based international order, Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

US Willing to Use Nukes to Defend Japan

The talks came a day after a two-plus-two security meeting in Washington between the U.S. and Japanese foreign and defense ministers, during which they agreed to optimize U.S. force posture in Japan.

Austin said at the security meeting that the United States would reorganize the 12th Artillery Regiment into the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, in line with the U.S. Marine Corps current restructuring, aimed at improving combat effectiveness in dispersed amphibious regions against major powers.

The new formation would be equipped with advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as anti-ship and anti-transportation systems relevant to the current and future threat environments, he said.

Austin reiterated that the United States is committed to the defense of its ally and would use any means necessary to defend it from attack, including nuclear weapons.

Moreover, he said, the United States recognizes Japans claim to the Senkaku Islands as part of this pledge. Japan has mostly controlled the Senkaku Islands, which lie in the East China Sea, since 1895, but the Chinese regime began asserting its right over the islands in the 1970s and called them the Diaoyu Islands.

Japan and the United States remain united in the face of Chinas destabilizing actions, Austin said.

I want to reaffirm the United States iron-clad commitment to defend Japan with the full range of capabilities, including nuclear, and underscore that Article Five of the Mutual Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands.

Article 5 of the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the two countries maintains that the United States will defend Japan if it is attacked by a third party.

Japans constitution limits its military to a self-defense role. While Japans constitution does not outright ban nuclear weapons, the nation does not maintain any type of nuclear weapons due to longstanding policies.

Andrew Thornebrooke contributed to this report.
Jennifer Sey on the Courage to Stand Against Wokeism

Former Levi's top executive talks about fighting for children during the pandemic

Jennifer Sey, former Levi Strauss and Co. Brand President and author of Levi's Unbuttoned: The Woke Mob Took My Job but Gave Me My Voice," in Denver on Nov. 20, 2022. (Jack Wang/The Epoch Times)

I was a traitor to what has become almost a religion.  I was a traitor to my class, which maniacally upheld these ideals that COVID restrictions were for the good of the masses, when in fact, they were doing such great harm, Jennifer Sey says.

In this recent episode of American Thought Leaders, host Jan Jekielek sat down with Sey, who was poised to become CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. after working her way up the corporate ladder at the company to Levis brand president. Her advocacy against COVID-19 restrictions, especially school closures, changed all that. Shes the author of Levis Unbuttoned: The Woke Mob Took My Job but Gave Me My Voice.

Jan Jekielek: Lets start with your story. Give us the background of how we got here.

Jennifer Sey: I worked at Levis for almost 23 years, a brand that people around the world love. I love the product. Im wearing it now. But in 2020, I pushed back on the school closures in my city of San Francisco. This went against the woke ideology and the Democratic leadership in my city and state and at the national level.

I pushed back for two years. Ultimately, I was pushed out of the company because I was foolish enough or perhaps courageous enough to say, This is a lie. This is benefiting no one, and, in fact, is harming many people and children. But I was a traitor to what has become almost a religion. And certainly, I was a traitor to my class, which maniacally held that COVID restrictions were for the good of the masses, when, in fact, they were doing such great harm.

Mr. Jekielek: You were sending your kids to public school, which was atypical of your peer group.

Ms. Sey: In the two or three employee levels below me in the corporate hierarchy, you probably couldnt find a single soul who sent their kids to public school, not in San Francisco. By and large, I was in the vast minority.

So over the course of my two years of kicking and screaming about how wrong this was and how children were being harmed, my peers all sent their kids back to school, because their kids went to private schools. Thats when I thought the light bulb would come on, and people would see the hypocrisy if I just made it clear in a calm, nice way, but they didnt, because this wokeness is a cloak the left-liberal elite wraps around itself to say, I care about social justice. Im a good person. If you threaten to expose that, you need to be banished.

As Sam Bankman-Fried, the now notorious founder and [former] CEO of FTX, said in an exchange with a Vox reporter, Its a game we woke Westerners play so that people like us. I couldnt say it any better than that.

Mr. Jekielek: When did you first notice something was off?

Ms. Sey: March 13, 2020, the day that everything locked down in San Francisco. The fear and panic were already being generated. But I was obsessively reading the data, along with my husband, that was coming out of Italy, in which the median age of death was older than 80.

Nobody was bothering to look at actual data or adhere to the pre-pandemic playbook, which states that you never shut schools down for more than a couple of weeks. And so, my alarm bells went off from the beginning. From day one, my husband and I both said, Hell no, this is wrong. People are going to be harmed.

I was outspoken from the very beginning about the school closures.

It wasnt until September 2020 when our head of corporate communications said: You might want to think about not doing this. When you speak, you speak on behalf of the company.

By December 2020, I started to lead rallies with my husband and a few friends, but they were sparsely attended. People were afraid to push back against this religion because you experienced tremendous reputational harm if you did. You were called everything from a teacher-killer to a racist to a eugenicist. People would dare to say to me, while sending their own kids to in-person schools, You cant advocate for poor children to be in school.

I still dont understand it. It lacks empathy. Its cowardly. I dont like fighting, and I like to be liked, but I couldnt stop, because the hypocrisy enraged me.

By December 2021, I was told, Theres no longer a place for you. You cant become the CEO because of the things youve been saying and doing. You need to leave.

I was offered severance. I decided I wouldnt take that because that comes with the signing of a nondisclosure agreement that would require me to never speak about the terms of my ousting. I wasnt okay with that because I was increasingly alarmed at the illiberalism that had taken hold of this institution and other corporate entities across the country.

Mr. Jekielek: You put your money where your mouth was too, because you would have gotten at least $1 million or something like that if you had played along.

Ms. Sey: I wouldve gotten $1 million if I had signed the non-disclosure and never spoken of this again.

Mr. Jekielek: You became even more outspoken after leaving, writing a book and so forth. Along the way, what has happened to your friends and peer group? How has that changed?

Ms. Sey: None of my friends and colleagues at Levis stood by me during the course of those two years. Ive heard from a few since who say, Im probably not supposed to talk to you, but I hope youre well. These are people I knew and worked with for 20 years. With my friends outside of work, its more like, Well, were really confused by the things you say and do. We wont banish you completely, but we find you upsetting.

And then there are family members that I have no contact with because they deemed what I said to be evil and dangerous, which is what Ill never truly understand in my heart of hearts. Why couldnt we all just disagree on the best path forward? Why did I have to be the incarnation of all things evil, even in my own family?

But Ive also made many new friends, lots of moms from across the country who pushed back on the restrictions and this unfairness directed at children. We come from all walks of life and all sides of the political aisle. Ive never really had a group of friends so diverse in their upbringing. Theyve been a tremendous support to me.

Mr. Jekielek: Has your view of humanity changed at all through this?

Ms. Sey: It has. I try to be optimistic, but I feel sad mostly. People seem more interested in fitting in with the group than doing the right thing. I didnt believe that before about my friends. I thought they were critical thinkers who believed in questioning authority and challenging the narrative.

But when it came down to it, 90 percent of people went with the story they were told and were willing to ostracize and demonize their own friends and family members. Theyre true believers. They believed in this bigger cause and couldnt allow the facts to creep in.

Mr. Jekielek: In your book, you observe that people high up on the corporate ladder are quite influenced by their kids, who have been going to schools where theyve been indoctrinated with this woke ideology. That had never occurred to me.

Ms. Sey: Its part of this whole trend toward Im your friend, not your parent. Parents want to be in good with their kids. And the kids feel guilty. Theyve had every advantage under the sun since forever. They have unimaginable wealth. They have trust funds. They feel very guilty about it, and they want to overcome that guilt.

They do it through the presentation of themselves as social justice warriors. Theyve learned this in their woke elementary schools. They went to woke colleges. They come home and tell their parents about this, and their parents lean in because theyre the friends, not the parents. They take guidance from their children. They take fashion advice from their children, as well as moral and ethical advice. Its insane.

Mr. Jekielek: As were finishing here, tell me what you hope people can get out of your book, which, frankly, covers a lot of bases.

Ms. Sey: Its my fondest hope that it gives people a little nudge and a dose of courage to stand up and do the right thing and say what they really think. Its really the only way to pierce this bubble, this hypnotic bubble we seem to be in, of wokeism. Stand up for your friends and neighbors who use their voices, and use your own. Its the only way, and its the only way we can pierce this mass hypnosis, what appears to be mass hypnosis.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Kellyanne Conway: Writing Off Trumps 2024 Chances so Soon Is a Fools Errand

KellyAnne Conway, senior adviser to President Donald Trump, speaks to media at the White House in Washington on March 15, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Former White House counselor Kellyanne Conway wrote Friday that its foolish to write off former President Donald Trumps 2024 chances amid investigations and other legal troubles as well as the rise of other Republicans.

Shrugging off Mr. Trumps 2024 candidacy or writing his political obituary is a fools errandhe endures persecution and eludes prosecution like no other public figure. That could change, of course, though that cat has nine lives, Conway, a Fox News contributor, wrote in an opinion article published by The New York Times.

Conway noted that while Trump has advantages over his GOP peers, he also has significant political baggage.

A former 2016 campaign adviser to Trump, Conway was likely making reference to investigations into Trumps handling of records at his Mar-a-Lago resort, the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol breach, and a New York case against the Trump Organization. Trump has maintained that such probes are politically motivated.

At the same time, it would also be foolish to assume that Mr. Trumps path to another presidency would be smooth and secure, she added. This is not 2016, when he and his team had the hunger, swagger and scrappiness of an insurgents campaign and the history be damned happy warrior resolve of an underestimated, understaffed, underresourced effort. Its tough to be new twice.

Elaborating, Conway wrote that Trump would have to potentially change his strategy for the 2024 election cycle. In 2016, Trumpa political newcomeroften eschewed traditional presidential campaign strategies and used his outsider status to gain a populist following to defeat Democrat rival Hillary Clinton.

Then-President Donald Trump, followed by then-Counselor to the President Kellyanne Conway, left, walks into the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

For Mr. Trump to succeed, it means fewer insults and more insights; a campaign that centers on the future, not the past, and that channels the peoples grievances and not his own; and a reclamation of the forgotten Americans, who ushered him into the White House the first time and who are suffering economically under Mr. Biden, she argued.

Trumps presidential campaign is sure to be initially more difficult than his 2020 bid because he will have to face a slate of GOP opponents, according to Conway. The former president became the first Republican to announce a presidential bid on Nov. 15, and no other Republicans have declared their candidacies yet.

Many consider Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to be Trumps top primary challenge, although the governor has not indicated whether he will seek the presidency in 2024. Some recent opinion polls have shown DeSantis ahead of Trump, but many show that Trump appears to remain the most popular Republican.

Other possible candidates include former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. Several current and former Republican governors like Arkansas Asa Hutchinson and former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan have said they may run.

Conway also warned that Trumps 2024 campaign would prove more difficult than 2020 because he will no longer be alone on the debate stageteasing that future announcements may not be far off.

Trump, Conway wrote, could obtain more support by targeting the current administrations handling of crime, immigration, and the economy. He could also tout past accomplishments in how he dealt with the economy, national security, and other sectors while president.

It is true that limiting the name-calling frees up time and space for persuasion and solutions, she stated. Still, it may not be possible to have one without the other.

Conway served as Trumps campaign manager in 2016, later becoming his top counselor when he was president from 2017 to 2020. Conway is not working on Trumps current campaign.

Trump has not publicly responded to Conways opinion piece.
LAHSA Announces Changes to 2023 Homeless Count After Criticism Over Accuracy

LOS ANGELESFollowing some criticism over the accuracy of its annual homeless count, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) announced some changes Jan. 11 for its count this year.

The changes include a new app to count unsheltered people, built by a new vendor with years of experience developing apps for similar counts, according to a news release.

The agency also plans to hire a demographer and two data scientists for data analysis and ensure that those countings have access to paper maps and tally sheets for counts if there are issues with connecting to the internet.

LAHSA said it would deploy make-up count teams to make sure every census tract is counted, and consider tracts that do not have data to be uncounted. Volunteer training will also be offered both in-person and online.

The count is an opportunity to reflect on the life-saving impact of our collective investments, the challenges we continue to tackle together, and the humanity of the homelessness crisis, said Stephen David Simon, interim executive director of LAHSA.

The count, which will take place on the evenings of Jan. 24-26, began in 2016 to provide Los Angeles County with analysis and trends of people experiencing homelessness. The count will encompass the 4,000 square miles in the county.

Volunteers will work in groups of four to count the number of unsheltered individuals, tents, vehicles, and makeshift shelters in their census tract.

The 2022 homeless count by LAHSA revealed 41,980 unhoused people in the city of Los Angeles, up 1.7 percent from 2020, and a 4.1 percent increase in the number of unhoused people in Los Angeles County.

The count begins Jan. 24 in the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys, followed by East and West Los Angeles on Jan. 25 and the Antelope Valley, Metro, and South Los Angeles on Jan. 26.
Lawmakers Call for Investigation Into Recent FAA System Outage

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Chief Steve Dickson pilots a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on return from an evaluation flight at Boeing Field in Seattle on Sept. 30, 2020. (Mike Siegel/File Photo/Pool via Reuters)

Lawmakers from both parties are calling for an investigation into the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAAs) recent computer system failure that caused the first nationwide ground stop of U.S. flights since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Officials from President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to Republicans in the House and Senate have asserted that there must be an investigation to find out what occurred to prevent it from happening again.

Buttigieg has faced criticism because the FAA is an agency under the Department of Transportation (DOT).

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg speaks at the port of Long Beach, Calif., on Jan. 11, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Questions about the safety of air travel were prompted after the FAAs Notice to Air Missions system (NOTAM) stoppage, which caused thousands of flight delays and cancellations.

This gives us a really important data point at a really important moment to understand what were going to need moving forward, Buttigieg told reporters about the outage.

Congress oversees the FAA through various committees, including the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which have the authority to hold hearings, review and approve budgets, and pass legislation related to aviation.

Promise to Investigate

Several lawmakers, including Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), made statements about investigating the FAAs computer failure.

Cantwell, who chairs the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which has oversight into the aviation industry, promised that her committee would look into the failure.

The No. 1 priority is safety. As the committee prepares for FAA reauthorization legislation, we will be looking into what caused this outage and how redundancy plays a role in preventing future outages, she said shortly after the ground stop caused almost 10,000 flights to be affected.

The public needs a resilient air transportation system.

Fellow Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee member Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) took aim at Buttigieg over the failure, saying the FAAs problems were evidence of huge weaknesses in the system.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol to discuss immigration at the southern border in Washington on June 22, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The Texas Republican demanded that the FAA be fully audited and that reforms be implemented before lawmakers reauthorize the agency this year.

The most recent five-year reauthorization, passed in 2018, was a rare bipartisan measure passed early in the Trump administration.

The flying public deserves safety in the sky, Cruzs office stated in response to The Epoch Times inquiry about the issue. The FAAs 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 years FAA reauthorization legislation. This incident also highlights why the public needs a competent, proven leader with substantive aviation experience leading the FAA.

Republicans are particularly frustrated with the agency, which currently doesnt have a Senate-confirmed administrator. The FAA announced in March 2022 that Billy Nolen was named to serve as acting administrator.

Billy Nolen has extensive expertise in aviation and a deep understanding of the vital role the FAA plays in ensuring the safety of the traveling public, Buttigieg said at the time, according to the FAA.

Former Administrators Resignation

Former FAA Administrator Steve Dickson resigned from the post at the end of March 2022, citing a desire to spend more time with his family post-pandemic.

Dickson, a former Air Force and Delta Air Lines pilot who had worked his way up to the airlines senior vice president of flight operations, was appointed by former President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate to serve as FFA administrator for five years.

Since Dicksons exit, the agency has been directed by Nolen. The position was meant to be temporaryas Biden nominated Phillip Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport, to lead the FAA in July 2022.

The nominee hadnt received a confirmation hearing as of late December 2022, as The New York Times reported.

United Airlines planes taxiing at San Francisco International Airport on Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

Washingtons close affiliation with Biden doesnt appear to have garnered enough goodwill among even Democrat lawmakers to see him through to confirmation. He co-chaired Bidens campaigns infrastructure policy committee and led the transition team for the DOT.

The majority of Democrats on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation were reportedly silent when asked by reporters from The New York Times if they supported Washingtons confirmation.
LMEs Plan to Restart Asian Trading Halted Amid Nickel Chaos

A sign for the London Metal Exchange (LME) on a wall by the new Ring, the open trading floor of the LME following its relocation in central London on Feb. 18, 2016. (Leon Neal/AFP via Getty Images)

On Jan. 10, the London Metal Exchange (LME), owned by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. and located in London, England, released the final report of an independent investigation into last years nickel meltdown. On Jan. 12, the media revealed that UK regulators had questioned the LMEs ability to halt its plans to restart Asian trading hours.

On Jan. 10, the LME published on its website the final report of an independent review by Oliver Wyman into the March 8, 2022 nickel scandal, along with the LMEs response. The independent review concluded that two factors led to the suspension of nickel trading in March last year, namely, the lack of understanding by the LME of the large number of short positions that had already accumulated in the market prior to the event.

Short position means an investor borrows stocks that they sell and then buy when the stock price falls. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a commodity at an agreed time and price. The seller of a futures contract would be in a short position.

The first factor was that the fragmentation of counterparty positions held on and off by the LME reduced the visibility of risk. The second factor was that the LME required members to provide information on their positions, but the restrictions were too lenient to prevent the accumulation of large positions. The report also suggests that the LMEs control of nickel price volatility is flawed and lacks a meltdown mechanism to stop price spikes.

The independent review devoted a quarter of its report to the March 2022 nickel meltdown and the related events leading up to and following it. In short, last year, nickel prices surged from about $27,000 per ton in three trading days to more than $100,000 per ton on March 8, an increase of 270 percent.

In its official response to the independent review, the LME listed the recommendations it received as three-fold: first, to expand the mandate of its risk control function and tighten the regulations to monitor over-the-counter (OTC) risks; second, to improve its ability to manage and control extreme events, such as the ability to control large price fluctuations and to establish mechanisms for how to operate during extreme events; and finally, to rebuild market confidence, involving improving member perceptions, improving the resilience of clearing proceeds, and providing a clear vision of how the LME will handle events and reshape liquidity. The LME also reiterated the scope of the independent review it had commissioned from Orwell Consulting, which did not include the processes and management of the LME and its clearing house (LME Clear) in handling the incident, that is, there was no investigation into why trades were suspended and canceled during the nickel meltdown incident.

On April 4, 2022, the UKs Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) issued a joint statement that the FCA would review the LMEs handling of the March 8 nickel meltdown incident, while the PRA would review LME Clear (the LME clearing house).

No Mention of the Protagonist in the Nickel Meltdown

The independent review does not directly mention who held the large short positions (making a large profit by short-selling a stock) in the nickel meltdown, other than citing Bloombergs Feb. 14, 2022 report that Tsingshan Holding Group and several of its Chinese counterparts were the industrys mystery holders, holding large short nickel positions and at risk of a run on them. So far, various global media outlets reported that Tsingshan Holding Group is the main protagonist in the incident.

As reported by the CCPs state media First Financial, the nickel meltdown incident was the biggest crisis since the establishment of Tsingshan Group. On March 9, 2022, First Financial also reported that after the nickel meltdown, Chinese and foreign investment banks were required by the CCP regulators to report their overseas exposures.

On Dec. 6, 2012, Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEx) acquired the LME at a premium, and Charles Li, then CEO of HKEx, called the acquisition a once-in-a-century opportunity.

The major shareholders of HKEx (00388. HK) are the Hong Kong regime and JPMorgan Chase & Co. By the end of 2021, the Hong Kong regime held more than twice as many outstanding ordinary shares as JPMorgan Chase. HKExs board of directors is appointed by the Hong Kong government.

Plans to Restart Asian Trading Hours Halted

In an LME response document released on Jan. 10, the LME said that it was committed to taking all necessary steps to restore confidence in the market. Two days later, Reuters released exclusive news revealing that the UK financial regulator had halted the LMEs plans to restart trading in nickel futures in the Asian trading hours due to doubts about the LMEs ability to still operate a stable Asian trading hour in the early morning hours in London. As a result of this news, the price of nickel fluctuated, and on one occasion, by more than 8 percent.

As early as Nov. 28 last year, the LME expressed its hope to restart Asian trading hours in two weeks. Currently, in the LMEs electronic system LME Select, copper, aluminum, zinc, and lead futures trading starts at one a.m. London time, but nickel futures open at 8 a.m. London time, which corresponds to 4 p.m. Beijing time, making arbitrage trading more difficult and nickel prices more volatile.

In a March 30, 2022 report on the consequences of the LMEs handling of the nickel meltdown, the Chinese website China Observer said, In this nickel futures fight on the LME, the Tsingshan Holdings Group survived, but the LMEs 100-year reputation was ruined. In addition, the report also summarized several aspects that needed to be improved for the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) to replace the LME in the future.

The LME suspended nickel trading from March 9, 2022, and simultaneously canceled all over-the-counter and LME Select screen trading at 00:00 a.m. UK time on March 8, 2022, and thereafter. In addition, the LME has postponed all nickel contracts signed before the resumption of trading on March 16, 2022, and for settlements between 16 and 22 days, until March 23, 2022. Settlement is a futures term that refers to the closing of a transaction after delivery and payment.

The LMEs emergency suspension of nickel trading has been described in the Chinese media as unplugging, that is, restricting user trading at a critical time, which is tantamount to saving Tsingshan Holdings Group.
Malaysia Says It Could Stop Palm Oil Exports to EU After New Curbs

A worker pushes a wheelbarrow of fresh fruit bunches of oil palm tree during harvest at a palm oil plantation in Kuala Selangor, Selangor, Malaysia, on April 26, 2022. (Hasnoor Hussain/Reuters)

KUALA LUMPURMalaysia said on Thursday it could stop exporting palm oil to the European Union in response to a new EU law that strictly regulates 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 EUs 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.

Rokas added that he looked forward to meeting Fadillah to ease Malaysias 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 worlds third-largest palm oil consumer, according to Malaysian Palm Oil Board data. It accounts for 9.4 percent of palm oil exports from Malaysia, taking 1.47 million tonnes in 2022, down 10.5 percent from a year earlier.

By Mei Mei Chu
Man Charged with Running Down 3-Year-Old Girl in Westminster

SANTA ANA, Calif.A 26-year-old Westminster man was charged with a misdemeanor Jan. 10 for allegedly fatally striking a 3-year-old pedestrian while driving without a license.

Marco Antonio Decastilla was charged with a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter without gross negligence and was ticketed for driving without a license, according to court records.

Decastilla is accused of killing Briauna Arias of Westminster Friday night, according to authorities.

The child was struck about 6:30 p.m. Friday at Goldenwest and 21st streets, according to Westminster police Cmdr. Kevin MacCormick.

Police attempted to revive the toddler before she was rushed to Childrens Hospital of Orange County, where she died, MacCormick said.

Decastilla remained at the scene, MacCormick said.

According to the criminal complaint, Decastilla is accused of failing to yield to a pedestrian.
Man Gets 15 Years in Prison for Killing Girlfriends Baby in Orange

A guard escorts an immigrant detainee from his 'segregation cell' back into the general population at the Adelanto Detention Facility in Adelanto, Calif., on Nov. 15, 2013. (John Moore/Getty Images)

SANTA ANA, Calif.A 31-year-old ex-Marine was sentenced Jan. 13 to 15 years to life in prison for killing his girlfriends 17-month-old daughter in the city of Orange.

Christopher David Recio pleaded guilty July 7 to second-degree murder.

Recio killed his girlfriends daughter, Claire Frickenschmidt, Jan. 5, 2019, in the mothers apartment at 3099 W. Chapman Avenue, according to grand jury testimony.

Firefighters were called about 5:30 p.m. that day and took the girl to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead, according to Sgt. Phil McMullin of the Orange Police Department. The baby sustained trauma to the head, McMullin said.

Recio, who was arrested Jan. 16, 2019, was given credit for 1,459 days in custody, which is about four years.

Claires grandfather, Steve Ramsay, told Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Menninger that more than 100 people attended the girls funeral service. He said, To this day it still feels like a nightmare.

Ramsay said one of the paramedics who carried Claire to the ambulance is still brought to tears when passing by the apartment complex.

Claire would have turned 5 in August of 2022. She would have started kindergarten, Ramsay said.

Claire touched many lives in the 17 months she was here, Ramsay said. Claire knew how to make someones day with a wave and a smile everywhere.

He recounted how the baby once brought an elderly woman to tears of happiness when she smiled and waved at her at a Costco.

Claire loved music and would pound out a rhythm with her hands, Ramsay said. She was a happy and content child.

Ramsay said he has cried more in the last four years than he ever has in the years leading up to Claires death.

He and the girls mother moved out of Orange County to get distance from all of the familiar places that triggered heartbreaking memories.

I cant even imagine the depth of pain of my daughter every day, Ramsay said.

Recio deserves to never get out of jail, Ramsay said. He has shown no remorse.

Recio declined to make a statement before his sentencing.

Menninger told the babys mother and grandfather, Theres nothing I can say to make you feel better Its so senseless. Theres never an excuse. Its never OK.  Its a hole that will last forever.

She told the defendant, I hope you have thought about this.  This is a senseless killing of a baby and I hope you take that to heart.
Mayor Eric Adams Announces Plans to Convert NYC Offices Into 20,000 Apartments

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks onstage during NYC & Company Foundation Visionaries & Voices Gala at The Plaza Hotel in New York on Dec. 5, 2022. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for NYC & Company Foundation)

Mayor Eric Adams on Monday unveiled plans to convert vacant office space in New York City into new apartments to help relieve the citys affordable housing crisis.

Following the recommendations in a report from a city-led task force that was established in July of 2022, the mayor is making 11 recommendations that would make changes to state laws and city zoning requirements to ease regulations across 136 million square feet of office space.

While property owners will ultimately decide whether or not to convert their buildings use, the laxing of regulations could potentially create as many as 20,000 homes for 40,000 New Yorkers over the next decade.

We have a roadmap to deliver on a vision for a more vibrant, resilient, prosperous, and affordable city, said Adams in a statement.

The need for housing is desperate, and the opportunity offered by underused office space is clearwe know what we need to do. These concrete reforms would clear red tape and create the incentives to create the housing we need for New Yorkers at all income levels.

Manhattan skyline in New York City on June 13, 2019. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The 32-page report (pdf) from the Office Adaptive Reuse Task Force is headed by Dan Garodnick, chairman of the City Planning Commission, and another 11 housing experts. The report targets two main issues that the city is facing: a housing crisis and a slow return to in-office hours following the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan would likely benefit both causes while also tackling the citys zoning laws.

Our ability to remain a global leader in a rapidly evolving and changing economy will depend on our ability to adapt, Garodnick said. Working closely with the City Council and our colleagues in Albany, we will build clear rules and set this city up for success.

Adams office conversion proposal would target Midtown Manhattan, as well as other commercial districts, like Downtown Flushing and Bronx Hub.

Enabling more offices to convert to housing will help us bring back our commercial districts while also addressing our housing supply crisis, said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer.

The recommendations in this report will set us on the path to achieving these critical goals, and I look forward to partnering with our colleagues in Albany and the City Council to Get Stuff Built.

There have been similar efforts to convert office spaces into housing units in the past, but they have met with limited success due to the lack of incentives for landlords to convert their office spaces into housing units.

The plan that Adams proposed aims to change this by offering tax breaks and other incentives for landlords who are willing to convert their properties into housing units.
McCarthy Says He Would Consider Expunging Trumps Impeachments

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, Republican of California, holds a press conference in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) revealed Thursday that he would be open to the idea of expunging one or both of former President Donald Trumps impeachments.

When asked about the possibility of erasing the impeachments during a Jan. 12 press conference at the Capitol, McCarthy replied that he would have to look at the situation, saying, I understand why members would want to bring that forward.

Our first priority is to get our economy back on track, secure our borders, make our streets safe again, give parents the opportunity to have a say in their kids education, and actually hold government accountable, he added. But I understand why individuals want to do it, and wed look at it.

Trump was first impeached by the House in December 2019 over a phone call he had with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He was charged with abuse of power for allegedly pressuring Zelenskyy to investigate a political opponent, and with obstruction of Congress, but was ultimately acquitted of those charges by the Senate.

In 2021, Trump was impeached again for alleged incitement of insurrection following the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. Again, he was acquitted.

Previous Expungement Attempts

Last year, then-Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) led House Republicans attempts to expunge Trumps impeachment record, introducing a resolution to erase the former presidents 2019 impeachment in March.

So, what were doing with the resolution is just simply saying, Hey, listen, Congress made a mistake, Mullin, now a senator, said at the time. We impeached a president under Article One, Section Two, that shouldnt have ever taken place.

In May, Mullin followed up the first bill with a second resolution to expunge Trumps 2021 impeachment. That bill (pdf), citing 2020 election irregularities and the impeachments rushed nature, held that the impeachment process had failed to prove that the former president had committed high crimes and misdemeanors or engaged in an insurrection.

Although both of Mullins resolutions garnered some Republican support, neither was ever considered by the Democrat-controlled House.

A Political Hoax

Trump, for his part, has maintained that both the impeachments and the Jan. 6 Select Committees subsequent criminal referrals were simply partisan attempts to sideline him and prevent him from holding elected office again.

The Fake charges made by the highly partisan Unselect Committee of January 6th have already been submitted, prosecuted, and tried in the form of Impeachment Hoax # 2, the former president noted on Dec. 19 after the committee referred him to the Justice Department for prosecution.

In February 2020, after his first acquittal by the Senate, Trump was asked by reporters about the potential of a future expungement.

Thats a very good question, he said. Should they expunge the impeachment in the House? They should because it was a hoax. It was a total political hoax.

At the time, it was McCarthy who floated the idea, vowing to erase the impeachment if the Republican Party regained control of the House and he became speaker.

I dont think it should stay on the books, McCarthy said.

Despite opposition from several Trump-aligned Republicans, McCarthy achieved his goal of becoming speaker of the Housewith Trumps backinglast week.

After a contentious week of intraparty negotiations, McCarthy secured the speakership in the 15th vote, attributing the victory to the former presidents support.

I do want to especially thank President Trump, he told reporters on Jan. 7. I dont think anybody should doubt his influence. He was with me from the beginning.

Only two other presidents in U.S. history have been formally impeached by Congress: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Richard Nixon also faced impeachment inquiries, but he resigned before a vote could take place.

Like Trump, neither Johnson nor Clinton was convicted by the Senate.

No president or other elected official has ever had their impeachment expunged, though in 1837, the Senate did expunge a censure of then-President Andrew Jackson over his plans to remove government funds from the Bank of the United States.

The Epoch Times has contacted the offices of former President Donald Trump and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) for comment.
Mexican Police Arrest Cartel Boss Charged with Murder-for-Hire of Lawyer in Texas

The FBI logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, D.C., on July 5, 2016. (Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images)

A Mexican cartel boss wanted for the murder of a lawyer in Texas, who was gunned down in broad daylight in a busy shopping center nearly a decade ago, was captured over the weekend.

On Saturday, Jose Rodolfo Villareal-Hernandez, also known as El Gato, was arrested by authorities in Atizapan de Zaragoza, Mexico, the FBI Dallas Field Office announced in a press release.

Villareal-Hernandez was one of the FBIs most wanted men, with a $1 million U.S. bounty on his head. He was wanted by the feds for ordering the murder of 43-year-old Juan Jesus Guerrero Chapa in 2013 at Southlake Town Square, in Southlake, Texas, as reported by multiple news outlets at the time.

Guerrero Chapa was a personal lawyer who represented Gulf cartel boss Osiel Cardenas Guillen, who is serving a 25-year prison sentence in the United States, The Dallas Morning News reported. He also was a U.S. government informant.

Villareal-Hernandez is charged with interstate stalking and conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, according to the unsealed indictment by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of Texas. Three other men were prosecuted and sentenced in 2016 for their connections in the case.

Murdered in Broad Daylight

Guerrero Chapa and his wife were out shopping at the time of the incident. After stopping at a frozen yogurt shop at about 6:45 p.m., the couple climbed into their Range Rover when a vehicle pulled up behind them and stopped.

A man wearing a hooded shirt and a covering over his nose and mouth got out of the vehicle and walked up to Guerrero Chapas SUV and began firing multiple shots into the closed window with a 9mm pistol. The victim died at the scene.

The bloody slaying shook the affluent community that sits about 25 miles northeast of Fort Worth. It was the first homicide recorded in more than a decade.

His arrest is the next step in achieving justice for the victims family as well as the citizens of Southlake, who were shocked by the brutal murder that occurred in their city, FBI Dallas Acting Special Agent in Charge James Dwyer said in the release.

Detectives discovered a GPS tracking device on Guerrero Chapas vehicle. The suspect is believed to have had a personal grudge against Guerrero Chapa.

The investigation, led by the FBIs Dallas Field Office, revealed the victim was stalked by a group of individuals beginning in March 2011, the release said. The investigation further determined this same group allegedly committed murder-for-hire on May 22, 2013, at the direction of Villareal-Hernandez, who allegedly holds an active leadership position in the Beltran Leyva drug-trafficking organization.

Villareal-Hernandez was named to the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List in October 2020. He is being held in Mexico pending extradition to the United States, the release said.
Mississippi Governor Bans TikTok From State Devices and Networks

A symbol of TikTok (Douyin) is pictured at The Place shopping mall at dusk in Beijing, on Aug. 22, 2020. (VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has joined more than 20 other states in banning TikTok from all state-issued government devices to protect critical infrastructure.

Its no secret that the Chinese Communist Party is actively trying to steal U.S. intellectual property and Americans personal information. Its a major threat to our national security and critical infrastructure, costs the U.S. economy hundreds of billions annually, and jeopardizes American jobs, Reeves, a Republican, said in a press release issued on Jan. 11.

Mississippi isnt going to sit around waiting for the Chinese Communist Party to steal our state government data, and thats why I issued this directive. It will help us better protect our states sensitive information and critical infrastructure, he added.

In addition to issuing a directive to have the app removed from state devices, Reeves directed state departments to enforce restrictions on employees downloading TikTok, or any other software developed by ByteDance Ltd., the company that owns TikTok and employs Chinese Communist Party members.

Furthermore, Reeves directed the Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services to block access to TikTok from state networks.

Legitimate concerns have been raised over TikToks extensive tracking of user data and the potential access and transfer of this data to the Chinese government, the press release states.

The next day, the governors from North Carolina and Wisconsin signed orders banning the app.

North Carolina and Wisconsin Follow

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, ordered the state chief information officer to work with the state department of information technology to develop a policy within 14 days that prohibits TikTok, WeChat, and any other application that presents a cybersecurity risk.

Its important for us to protect state information technology from foreign countries that have actively participated in cyberattacks against the United States, said Cooper in a press release. Protecting North Carolina from cyber threats is vital to ensuring the safety, security, privacy, and success of our state and its people.

In December, North Carolina Reps. Jason Saine and Jon Hardister, both Republicans, sent a letter to the Democrat governor (pdf) insisting that Cooper remove the Chinese video app swiftly and decisively, deeming it to be a matter of national security.

As we know, the Chinese government is constantly working to infiltrate our communications and access intellectual data within the United States, Saine and Hardister wrote. If sensitive data is breached, it could pose both an economic and security threat for North Carolina. We have a responsibility to prevent this from happening, which is why we are urging an executive order as soon as possible.

Saine and Hardister referenced past orders, such as the chief administrative officer for the U.S. House of Representatives issuing an order on Wednesday for all lawmakers to delete the app on all devices managed by the House.

The $1.7 trillion omnibus bill President Joe Biden signed into law in December includes legislation banning the social media app from government devices over national security concerns.

Also in December, Indiana became the 20th state to block TikTok from being used on state devices.

In addition, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican, filed two lawsuits against TikTok stating that the app made false claims.

The TikTok app is a malicious and menacing threat unleashed on unsuspecting Indiana consumers by a Chinese company that knows full well the harms it inflicts on users, Rokita said in a press release. With this pair of lawsuits, we hope to force TikTok to stop its false, deceptive and misleading practices, which violate Indiana law.
Mixed Reaction From Republicans as Special Counsel Announced to Probe Bidens Classified Documents

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, Republican of California, holds a press conference in Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the appointment of a special counsel on Thursday after lawyers for President Joe Biden found potentially classified documents at his former office space at the Penn Biden Center in November and in his Deleware home in December.

The Biden White House disclosed the discovery of documents at the Penn Biden Center on Monday and then disclosed the discovery of the additional documents at his home on Thursday.

On Thursday, Garland announced he had appointed former federal prosecutor Robert Hur as a special counsel to investigate the documents discovered at Bidens home and office space.

Several Republican lawmakers had called for Garland to appoint a special counsel in the lead-up to his announcement on Thursday.

Special Counsel, said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) via Twitter on Wednesday.

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) said more on Thursday via Twitter, just before Garlands announcement.

While Biden was sending his DOJ goons to RAID President Trumps home, HE HAD HIGHLY CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS IN HIS OWN GARAGE. In boxes next to his Corvette!! OUTRAGEOUS! A special counsel is needed NOW! Jackson said.

Damage Assessment

On Thursday, House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) called for the intelligence agencies to conduct a damage assessment of the potentially classified documents.

Turner also called on Garland and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines to provide briefings.

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 in letters to Garland and Haines.

Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), the top Republican on the House Intelligence Committee, speaks in Washington on Aug. 12, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Following the special counsel appointment, special counsel to the president Richard Sauber said the documents likely ended up at Bidens home and office space by mistake.

Sauber said Biden takes classified information and materials seriously, adding that 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.

McCarthy Says Congress Should Lead Investigation

Ahead of Garlands announcement on Thursday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said, I think Congress has to investigate this.

Contradicting some of the Republican lawmakers who called for a special counsel investigation, McCarthy said, We dont think there needs to be a special prosecutor.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) said the Republicans in the House would pursue their own investigation of the classified documents, regardless of the special counsels efforts.

With or without a special counsel, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee will investigate President Bidens mishandling of classified documents and the Swamps efforts to hide this information from the American people, Comer said.

The National Archives and Records Administration, the White House, and the Department of Justice were aware of the classified documents stashed in a closet at the Penn Biden Center before the election, and now weve learned classified documents kept in President Bidens garage were found in December, he said.

There are many questions about why the Biden Administration kept this matter a secret from the public, who had access to the office and the residence, and what information is contained in these classified documents.

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)

Some Republicans Question Special Counsels Motives

While some House Republicans signaled Congress would pursue its own investigation of Bidens handling of the documents, others appeared to question whether the special counsel would impede those Republican efforts.

And just like that, everything we request will be under investigation because of Merrick Garlands appointed special counsel and unavailable to Republican investigators, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said via Twitter.

Comments on the issue made by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) showed how some Republican lawmakers have grown distrustful of the FBI under the leadership of Christopher Wray.

The Special Counsel that AG Merrick Garland just appointed is FBI Director Christopher Wrays former assistant. Theyre all in on it, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) said via Twitter about Hurs appointment.

Robert Hur speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Attorneys Office in Baltimore, Md., on Sept. 19, 2018. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

In November, House Republicans released a more than 1,000-page-long report alleging the Department of Justice and the FBI of weaponizing their law enforcement authorities for political purposes.

Hur was the former Trump-appointed U.S. attorney in Maryland.

He was reportedly a close ally of former Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, a key figure in the FBIs investigations of allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Hur also worked as an adviser to FBI Director Christopher Wray in the Justice Department.

Hur has said he will perform his duties without bias.

I will conduct the assigned investigation with fair, impartial and dispassionate judgment, Hur 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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

From NTD News.
The White House confirmed Thursday that more classified documents from President Joe Bidens time as vice president were found in the garage of his home in Wilmington, Delaware. It came just hours before Attorney General Merrick Garland named a special counsel in the Biden documents matter.

Should Rep. George Santos resign? The newly sworn-in New York Republican has been under fire for fabricating large parts of his resume, especially for lying about being Jewish. Alan Bergstein, editorial editor of the Jewish Voice, sits down with Larry Elder to discuss his piece The Hypocrisy of Dems Demanding George Santos Resignation.

Who is the king of hate media? According to Daniel Greenfield of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, its the Comcast CEO who has used MSNBCs Hate Machine to divide and slander America.

The Larry Elder Show is sponsored by Birch Gold Group. Protect your IRA or 401(k) with precious metals today: http://larryforgold.com/
Many Asian people are raising a toast to 60-year-old actress Michelle Yeoh who won her first-ever statuette at the 80th Golden Globes on Wednesday. The Malaysian actress who has starred in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Crazy Rich Asians and Everything Everywhere All at Once stood at the center stage of Hollywood after what has been a long and arduous journey.

In her acceptance speech, Yeoh, whose movie career started in Hong Kong in the 1980s, reflected on her early years in Hollywood when she encountered racism. "We all know that it's so hard," she said at the awards ceremony. "I think any immigrant that comes here will tell you how difficult it is and of sometimes failing and not being able to find it."

For long, from the twentieth century up until now, Asians in Hollywood have been subjected to unfair stereotyping and under-representation. Racism and discrimination against Asians continue in the United States even today, with Hollywood being a good example of what that looks like. While racism against Asians is not as blatant as it used to be once, it still persists.

Movies play a huge role in human society, influencing the way people look at the world. Hollywood movies mirror the US society, reflecting the times the Americans live in and the things they value.

In 2021, a survey by USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative found that among the top 1,300 highest-grossing films released in the US from 2007 to 2019, only 44 movies had a lead character who was Asian, Asian American or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. Another study in 2021 found that Asian Americans were the butt of jokes and/or were disproportionately sexualized in the top-grossing movies from 2010 to 2019.

At a time when US society is seeing increasing discrimination against Asians, it is important to hedge the political confrontation through cultural communication. Movies could be a tool. While not as blatant and outright racist as they used to be, Hollywood has evolved and found subtle ways to work these stereotypes into the Asian characters they portray. Acknowledging and doing away with these stereotypes is important to move into a new era of Asian representation in Hollywood films.
Most Modern Slavery Claimants Arriving in UK Illegally by Small Boats Are Albanian

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)

More than half of the illegal immigrants who claimed to be victims of modern slavery after crossing the English Channel in the first half of 2022 were Albanian, newly released figures show.

In response to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests from Migration Watch UK, the Home Office revealed that 1,156 people were recorded as making such a claim between January and June 2022.

Of these, 591, or 51.1 percent, were from Albania, which the UK sees as a safe country. This was a significant increase on 2021 when Albanians made up 11.2 percent of those referred as possible victims of modern slavery.

Illegal immigrants who crossed the English Channel from France give V signs on UK Border Force boat Valiant as they arrive in the port of Dover, England, on June 14, 2022. (Chris Eades /Getty Images)

Some 116 other people claiming to be victims of modern slavery during this period were from Eritrea, 89 were from Sudan, 71 were from Iran, 69 were from Vietnam, and 46 were from Afghanistan.

Official Home Office figures show 12,747 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel by the end of June last year. This suggests around 9 percent of arrivals during that period claimed to be victims of modern slavery.

Huge Loophole

Alp Mehmet, chairman of Migration Watch, said illegal immigrants and people traffickers are taking advantage of a huge loophole in UK legislation.

He said: What these remarkable data show is that Albanians and their traffickers have identified a huge loophole in our legislation and are exploiting it to the hilt. Their gaming of the system is adding massively to the great pressure that the already overwhelmed system is under. The government has no option but to plug this gaping hole, and do it quickly.

Detainees inside the Manston short-term holding centre for illegal immigrants wave to members of the media outside, near Ramsgate, Kent, southeast England, on Nov. 3, 2022. (Daniel Leal /AFP via Getty Images)

The findings come as the Home Office said it removed 43 Albanians on a deportation flight on Thursday.

After the flight, immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: We are working around the clock to remove those with no right to be here. This is a crucial part of our plan to keep communities safe and to restore fairness to our asylum and immigration system.

Ministers singled out Albanians as accounting for more than a third of the 33,000 migrants who crossed the Channel in the first nine months of 2022a sharp increase compared with the 3 percent recorded in the whole of 2021.

Amendment Called For

Under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), people who claim to have been the victims of trafficking or modern slavery cant be deported until their claim has been investigated.

According to government figures released in November, 91 percent of Albanian small boat arrivals who claimed to be victims of modern slavery had been allowed to stay in the UK pending a full investigation of their claims by the Home Office.

According to the figures, the average application was taking 561 days to process, during which time the illegal immigrants are offered accommodation, food, legal aid, and counselling.

In November, more than 50 Conservative MPs signed a letter to UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak demanding emergency legislation be introduced to amend modern slavery laws which they say are being abused by illegal immigrants.

The letter, which was organised by former Brexit Secretary David Davis, demanded that economic migrants travelling from countries such as Albania, where there is no conflict or persecution, are returned immediately.

The signatories of the letter said that people claiming they have been unwilling victims of human trafficking or modern slavery should be sent back to their home countries.

If they have really been taken against their will, then they could not reasonably object to being returned to their own homes, the letter added.

The quirks in our modern slavery laws that prevent this are clearly in defiance of the aims of that law and should be removed, the letter stated.

Thousands to Be Deported

On Dec. 13, the prime minister told the House of Commons he expected to abolish the UKs asylum applications backlog by the end of 2023.

The changes will mean most claims from Albanians can simply be declared clearly unfounded, Sunak said, before unveiling a new deal with the Balkan country which contributed a third of all small-boat arrivals this year.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks during a major speech at Plexal, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London, on Jan. 4, 2023. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media)

Citing Albanias credential as an EU accession country, a NATO ally and a member of the same treaty against trafficking as the United Kingdom, Sunak argued the UK should stop accepting 55 percent of Albanian claims while Germany, France, and Sweden rejected almost 100 percent.

Caseworkers will be told Albania is a safe country and only those with objective evidence of modern slavery can be referred as potential victims, Sunak said.

A new dedicated unit with 400 new specialists is expected to expedite Albanian cases within weeks, returning thousands back home on weekly flights.

Regarding Albanian human-trafficking victims, Sunak said the Albania government had promised to protect genuine victims and people at risk of re-trafficking.

He also said the UK will embed Border Force officers in Tirana airport to disrupt organised crime under a new deal signed with the country.

Chris Summers, Lily Zhou, and PA Media contributed to this report.
Musk Reveals Twitter Censorship Was Bad, but YouTube Could Be Worse

Commentary

Since his purchase of Twitter, Elon Musk has been releasing more and more information laying out how Twitter has censored speech, as well as the governments role in that process. He recently emphasized that the censorship problem is by no means limited to Twitter.

Every social media company is engaged in heavy censorship, with significant involvement of and, at times, explicit direction of the government, Musk wrote on Twitter. Google frequently makes links disappear, for example.

Documents he revealed show that government agencies sought to suppress information on elections, Ukraine, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The truth is, theres likely a far worse problem at YouTube, which is owned by Google, and Facebook than at Twitter. Twitter had about 2,000 content moderators at the time that Musk took it over. YouTube has about 10,000, and Facebook has about 15,000. These employees in their 20s and 30s have the sole job of reading or watching posts and deciding if you should be allowed to see them.

At YouTube, one of the primary things theyre looking for is misinformation, according to their own community guidelines. One of the primary subject areas of misinformation upon which it focuses is related to COVID-19 and vaccines. Specifically, they ban information contradicting expert consensus on certain safe medical practices: Content that contradicts local health authorities or WHO [World Health Organization] guidance on certain safe medical practices.

Thus, the WHO, a global health information agency that has been shown to be under heavy influence from the Chinese Communist Party, cant be contradicted by Americans posting content on Americas largest audio and video streaming service.

I know, because it happened to me. YouTube made three episodes of my Hidden Truth show disappear and almost took down my show entirely. The content of the episodes they censored is eye-opening.

The first was posted in June 2021. My guest was Dr. Joel Hirschhorn, a former University of Wisconsin professor, congressional official, and author of the book Pandemic Blunder, in which he dares to assert that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health bungled their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He came on my show primarily to warn that if youve already had the virus, you shouldnt get vaccinated. YouTubes censors decided that this isnt a medical opinion that Americans should be allowed to hear.

Most of us have been raised to believe that its always wise to get a second opinion. But in todays world of government-controlled speech, this is no longer encouraged. If a doctor wishes to provide an opinion that contradicts that of a governmental authority, its censored.

The second episode that YouTube took down was in September 2021. It was an interview with actress Sally Kirkland. She came on the show to report that she had vertigo soon after getting the vaccine, which caused her to fall and break her wrist. (My mother also had vertigo for weeks after getting the vaccine.) She wasnt expressing a medical opinion, just her personal experience. However, because her actual experience contradicted WHO guidance on certain safe medical practices, YouTube censors didnt allow her to share it with others.

Because I had been warned by the censors before about misinformation, I received a strike for this episode. Three strikes and youre permanently banned from YouTube.

I received a second strike two weeks later. This time because I dared to interview the attorney representing Los Angeles firefighters who were opposing a vaccine mandate in court. He came on to express their view that the vaccine mandate is unconstitutional. Its permissible to present this view in court, just not on YouTube. (In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court later ruled that similar mandates by the federal government are, in fact, unconstitutional.)

I never received a third strike because, naturally, I chose to stop posting interviews pertaining to COVID-19 or the vaccine on YouTube. So I didnt lose my channel, but since getting the two strikes, my channels subscribers stopped growing. I dont know what YouTube did, but Musk has revealed what Twitter did to suppress users who fell out of favor from gaining new followers.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which was passed more than 25 years ago, states that an interactive computer service cant be treated as the publisher or speaker of third-party content. This protects these sites from being sued based upon something a user posts. The purpose was to allow these sites to be open to all posts without fear of being held legally responsible for things such as libel, as would a newspaper publisher. Without this protection, the sites may not have survived because of the legal costs.

What lawmakers clearly didnt envision was that despite this protection, sites would nonetheless censor content. Thus, nothing in the law prevents it. This has allowed them to censor with impunity.

Both Republicans and Democrats want to see the section amended, but for different reasons. For the left, including Joe Biden, the problem they see is that content isnt censored enough, and thus they want to take away any protection for the sites from lawsuits. For Republicans, the problem is too much censorship, and thus they want to see censorship restrictions added to Section 230.

Compromise is unlikely. This leaves us rooting for the success of Musks Twitter, which would at least give Google and Facebook an economic incentive to change. Laying off 90 percent of their content moderators would be a good start.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
A new Alzheimers treatment would cost patients an estimated $26,500 per year, said the drug developer.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Jan. 6 that it would grant accelerated approval to Biogen and Eisai, after the drug appeared to partially slow the development of mild cases of Alzheimers disease in clinical trials.

The same day, Eisai submitted an application to the FDA for the drugs full approval.

The federal agencys accelerated approval program allows experimental drugs to be expedited to patients with serious illnesses who lack better options.

The high expense of the new treatment Leqembi and its limited coverage by Medicare will mean that few seniors with Alzheimers disease will have access to the drug, according to Eisai, the pharmaceutical firm which co-developed the drug with Biogen.

Eisai, which is based in Japan, said that although Leqembi would generally cost an estimated $26,500 per year, the exact price tag would vary by patient.

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review separately found that the best cost-effective price for patients is between $8,500 to $20,600 per year, which was far lower than Eisais estimates, according to a preliminary report.

The FDA can give its full approval if test results confirm a clear clinical benefit, while the pharmaceutical companies continue with the clinical trials and could also remove the drug from the market if it fails to pass the test.

Alzheimers Patients Await Federal Approval to Make New Treatment Widely Available

Approximately 85 percent of patients who would benefit from Leqembi are insured by Medicare, Ivan Cheung, Eisais global Alzheimers disease officer, told The Wall Street Journal.

Most eligible seniors will have to pay for it out of pocket for now or wait, as Medicare coverage is restricted to patients participating in government-approved studies.

Cheung said that 100,000 patients are expected to be using the drug within three years, if federal officials happen to lift Medicare coverage restrictions.

The coverage limitations apply only to treatments using monoclonal antibodies that target a protein called amyloid, which can build up plaque in parts of the brain in Alzheimers patients.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) restricted coverage for experimental Alzheimers drugs entering the market back in April 2022, in compliance with the FDAs accelerated approval program.

FDAs Fast-Tracked Alzheimers Drug Trials Cause Concern

CMS implemented the coverage restrictions in the aftermath of the FDAs controversial early approval of Aduhelm in June 2021, which also happens to be developed by Biogen and Eisai, but the agency said it would consider expanding coverage based on further review.

A Congressional House investigation found the FDA approval process for Aduhelm to be inadequate and that it was approved and rushed, despite opposition from its independent review panel, reported CNBC.

The panel also found that the available study results for Aduhelm failed to demonstrate a clear clinical benefit.

Both Aduhelm and Leqembi reportedly have side effects, including brain swelling and bleeding.

CMS said in a statement that it would expand coverage for Leqembi only if it receives full FDA approval under the traditional process, but it is not known when this will happen.

The agency also said that it is examining available information and may reconsider its current coverage based on this review.
New Biden Administration Immigration Program Adds Loopholes to Title 42 Order

Customs and Border Protection agents check pedestrians as they exit Mexico into the customs area of the United States on the east side of the San Ysidro port of entry in Tijuana, Mexico, on Nov. 19, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

President Joe Bidens new immigration program includes loopholes that could enable would-be illegal immigrants to bypass expulsion under a public health order called Title 42.

One prong of the program enables immigrants located in Mexico to submit information on a mobile application called CBP One and to schedule appointments at ports of entry, or manned entry points at the U.S.Mexico border.

Title 42, which the Biden administration has been forced to keep in place, requires the quick expulsion of some illegal immigrants because of COVID-19 fears. It also allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis, including for humanitarian reasons.

When announcing the new program, DHS said it would let migrants claim certain vulnerability criteria on the CBP One app. The criteria werent detailed.

The Epoch Times used the CBP One app after it started accepting applications for appointments and found the criteria include simply being under the age of 21 or over the age of 70.

Other criteria include having a physical or mental illness, having a disability, being pregnant, having no access to safe housing or shelter in Mexico, and having been threatened or harmed while in Mexico.

If an immigrantor a person with whom theyre travelingmeets one or more of the criteria, they could be allowed into the United States as an exception to Title 42.

Meeting one or more criteria may make you eligible for an exception to the public health order, DHS states on the app.

(CBP One screenshot via The Epoch Times)

The Daily Caller first reported on the criteria details.

Rodney Scott, a former U.S. Border Patrol chief, told the outlet that the exceptions represent one more step by the Biden administration to undermine our existing immigration laws and open our borders.

While DHS says migrants should be prepared to substantiate meeting the criteria when they arrive at a port of entry, Scott suggested itd be impossible to validate claims of being threatened or not having safe housing in Mexico.

DHS didnt respond to a request for comment.

The agency said previously that a scheduled appointment is not a guarantee of exception. A Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will make a determination as to whether the immigrant meets the criteria. CBP didnt return an inquiry.

A number of groups were already exempted from Title 42 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including unaccompanied children or youth who illegally enter the United States without a responsible adult. The director of the centers issued Title 42 in 2020 during the Trump administration and later carved out exemptions.

The CBP One app can be used by noncitizens regardless of nationality, as long as theyre in Mexico when they apply. Appointments can be made as early as Jan. 18.

The CBP One app is an innovative solution we are using to facilitate the safe and orderly arrival of noncitizens who believe they meet certain vulnerability criteria and are requesting a humanitarian exception to the CDCs Title 42 Order, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, a Biden appointee, said in a previous statement.

The main feature of the administration is extending a parole program initially restricted to Venezuelan natives to nationals of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Haiti. Under the program, immigrants who find a sponsor already inside the United States and pass a background check can receive legal status for two years. Up to 30,000 such immigrants from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, or Haiti will be processed per month, according to the White House.

Already in Operation

The CBP One system has been in operation in Mexico for several months already, with shelters there helping to select migrants for the program and help them obtain the requisite paperworkoften assisted by teams of U.S. legal students, psychologists, activists, and the U.N. International Organization for Migration.

Todd Bensman, a senior national security fellow with the Center for Immigration Studies, reported on the process from three immigration shelters in Mexico that shepherded migrants through ports of entry into the United States under the program.

Bensman called it a highly unconventional idea far outside mainstream border management.

The migrant shelter system in Mexicali, Mexico, sends migrants to Calexico, California. Its current shelter system holds 3,000 migrants and is usually full, so the city is building an expansion to triple its capacity.

The CBP One program is currently operating in San Diego and Calexico in California; Nogales in Arizona; and El Paso, Eagle Pass, Laredo, Hidalgo, and Brownsville in Texas.

Once the Title 42 order eventually lifts, individuals will be able to use the CBP One application for scheduling an appointment to present themselves for inspection and to initiate a protection claim instead of coming directly to a port of entry to wait, the DHS said in a statement. This new feature will significantly reduce wait times and crowds at U.S. ports of entry and allow for safe, orderly, and humane processing.
New China Committee in Congress Challenges Regime in Beijing

Its not anti-Asian as some on the far left claim

U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) delivers remarks in the House Chamber during the second day of elections for House Speaker at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington on Jan. 4, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Commentary

Theres a new sheriff in town, and his name is Mike Gallagher. The congressman from Wisconsin will chair the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

The committee was established by a largely bipartisan vote on Jan. 10, and none too soon. Given the CCPs increasingly militaristic and genocidal policies, its time to stop mincing words. The war that the CCP threatens against Taiwan, for example, would be devastating not only for Taiwan and China, but likely for the U.S. military.

The committee is being cheered as a much-needed bipartisan effort to correct deficiencies in the U.S. strategy against the CCP, including by showcasing the need to increase U.S. military defenses, strengthen our economy, diversify supply chains, and decrease Beijings ability to profit off U.S. largesse.

I think a large part of what we need to do is explain to the American people, explain to our colleagues and by extension the American people, why this matters, Gallagher told the Voice of America. He wants to make clear that communist China isnt just a distant territorial threat over claims in the South and East China Sea, or some obscure discussion about microelectronics.

Gallagher said he wants to connect those broader geopolitical concerns to the day-to-day reality for Americans and explain why this is  the biggest challenge of our time.

The vote in favor of the committee, which included all House Republicans and more than two-thirds of House Democrats, promises a more energetic Congress on the China issue.

On Jan. 12, the House voted for a bill that would ban the sale of U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve oil to China or Chinese companies.

The Bryan Mound Strategic Petroleum Reserve, an oil storage facility, is seen in this aerial photograph over Freeport, Texas, on April 27, 2020. (Adrees Latif/Reuters)

The bipartisanship on China is even splitting the far-left Squad in the House. One of its members, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), voted for the committee. She has taken a strong stand supporting the Uyghurs, which may explain why she broke with other Squadistas.

Two from the far left who voted against the committee expressed positions in line with those of controversial think tanks and advocacy groups in Washington, which often carry water for foreign authoritarian regimes, such as Code Pink and the Quincy Institute, wrote Jimmy Quinn in the National Review.

Both groups praised Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.) for his vote against the committee.

According to Quinn, the two groups played a leading role in 2021 advocacy campaigns that sought to pressure lawmakers to vote against legislation sold as necessary to counter China.

Some on the far left cited concerns that the committee could foster anti-Asian hate, which is an increasingly tone-deaf argument that self-servingly conflates Asian Americans and the CCP in a manner that is itself arguably racist. By hyping the threat of anti-Asian hate, the far left has found yet another excuse to delay addressing racist threats from the CCP.

As shown through frequent revelations about the more than 100 Chinese police stations abroadincluding in the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, and Italythe true threat to Asians in North America and Europe is the CCP, not an anti-CCP committee that would attempt to restrain Beijing from prejudicially targeting and coercing ethnic Chinese on democratic soil.

Gallagher recognized as much in his floor speech about the committee. It is here at home that the partys extraterritorial totalitarianism terrorizes Chinese students studying at our universities and targets Americans of Chinese descent, he said.

The far lefts conflation of the CCP with Chinese Americans is likely not the only reason that significant segments of the Asian American population are starting to abandon Democrats. Many Asian Americans in New York, for example, are leaving the party for its failure to effectively address crime.

But lets also admit that members of both parties have kicked the can down the road for so long that Americans, and Asians in Asia, face a relatively unfettered and increasingly militaristic and abusive regime in Beijing. The worst anti-Asian hate comes from the CCP itself, in genocidal form against Uyghurs and practitioners of Falun Gong.

If we really want to stop the worlds worst hate crimes against Asians, we should start with the CCP, which targets an ethnicity and religion for total eradication, even if primarily through coercion rather than killing. That fits the U.N. definition of genocide, a definition thats purposefully broad to nip genocide in the bud rather than wait until its bloody end.

What should be called the new anti-CCP committee is an important bipartisan step in defending ourselves and others, before the CCPs genocides and militarism get any worse.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
New Pilot Contracts to Drive Up Costs at US Airlines

Ice is removed from a United Airlines jet after a cold weather front moved into General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee on Dec. 22, 2022. (Mark Hoffman/USA Today Network via Reuters)

U.S. airline profits are set to come under pressure in 2023 as they look to shell out more cash to retain pilots amid worries about the impact of a potential recession on travel demand.

Major carriers such as United Airlines Holdings Inc., American Airlines Group Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., and Southwest Airlines Co. have rushed to add staff after a faster-than-expected rebound in the U.S. travel market.

Some airlines have had to hand out bumper contracts to pilots, stoking concerns about a rise in costs as they recover from the pandemic when they were saddled with heavy debt loads.

Margins are set to take a hit in 2023 as airlines ratify new contracts with labor groups, Cowen analyst Helane Becker said last month.

We expect pilot pay, which represents approximately 40 percent of labor expense, will increase by 20 percent to 30 percent under the new agreements.

In a recent note, BofA Global Research estimated that the industry will need to hire about 5,200 pilots per year from 20242030.

The Context

Last month, Delta offered a 34 percent pay hike to pilots, which aviators at rival carriers termed as a new benchmark.

Deltas recent tentative pilot agreement, assuming it is ratified, could drive incremental unit costs higher by ~2 percent, and 2 percent to 3 percent higher for American, Southwest, and United, Barclays analyst Brandon Oglenski said on Wednesday.

While costs take center stage, robust travel demand, fueled by a pent up desire to venture out and household savings accumulated during the pandemic, could provide some relief.

Investors will be looking for commentary from executives on whether demand is holding up, beginning with Delta, which reports results on Friday.

American Airlines on Thursday forecast a higher fourth-quarter profit as the Texas-based carrier benefited from strong demand for travel during the key holiday season.

Shares of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines fell between 14 percent and 30 percent in 2022 on mass cancellations and economic worries.

Fundamentals

* Analysts estimate United Airlines Q4 revenue will rise by 49 percent when it reports results on Jan. 17; earnings per share is estimated at $2.15

* Analysts estimate American Airlines Q4 revenue will rise by about 35 percent when it reports in next couple of weeks; earnings per share is estimated at $0.60

* Analysts estimate Delta Air Lines Q4 revenue will rise by about 29 percent when it reports on Jan. 13; earnings per share is estimated at $1.26

* Analysts estimate Southwest Airlines Q4 revenue will rise by about 24 percent when it reports on Jan. 26; earnings per share is estimated at $0.33

Wall Street Sentiment

* For American Airlines two of 20 brokerages rate the stock buy or higher, 15 hold, and three sell or lower; their median price target is $15, according to Refinitiv data

* For United Airlines, 12 of 21 analysts rate the stock buy, six hold, and three sell; their median price target is $51

* For Southwest Airlines, 15 of 21 analysts rate the stock buy, six hold; their median price target is $44

* For Delta Air Lines, 18 of 20 analysts rate the stock buy, two hold; their median price target is $46

By Aishwarya Nair and Kannaki Deka
Legislators of Nassau County, New York, rally against Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) at 10:30 a.m. ET on Jan. 13 amid growing calls for his resignation.

The Epoch Times will livestream the event.
Newport Harbor Public Piers to Be Upgraded

A public pier at the harbor in Newport Beach, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.Nine public piers in Newport Harbor will receive upgrades, including updated dock floatation devices, and in some locations, new rope cleats, after the work was approved by the citys Harbor Commission on Jan. 11.

According to city spokesman John Pope, the work still needs approval from various regulatory agencies, which can be a lengthy process. He said he hopes the work can begin at the end of 2023.

The upgrades, he said, are considered routine.

The docks arent damaged, per se, Pope said, but are aging and near the end of their expected lifespan.

A public pier at the harbor in Newport Beach, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The affected piers are located here:

19th Street

15th Street

Fernando Street

Washington Street

Coral Avenue

Opal Avenue

Park Avenue

335337 E. Bay Front

546 S. Bay Front

On a recent day at the 15th Street pier, a couple loaded groceries onto a small wooden boat while another man arrived at the dock on an inflatable boat with a small motor.

I was not even aware any updates were on the way for the docks, a man named Dale told The Epoch Times. We have not had any problems with the docks but use them quite a bit.

Dale told The Epoch Times that the piers are used by some for daily commutes for those that live on boats moored in the middle of the harbor for quick commutes to shore.

Its much cheaper to lease out moorings in the harbor than renting or buying dock slips connected to the shore, Dale said. We actually really love it.

A public pier in the Newport Harbor of Newport Beach, Calif., on Jan. 12, 2023. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The last updates to pier flotation devices on the citys public docks occurred in the early 2000s.

Though cost estimates for the upgrades were not available, city officials told The Epoch Times they will be once project permits, design, and a winning bidder are selected for the project.

Other docks not affected, officials said, will remain accessible for public use.
Nine Nationally Acclaimed Chinese Medicine Experts Die Amidst Latest Wave of COVID-19 Infections

Covid-19 coronavirus patients lie on hospital beds in the lobby of the Chongqing No. 5 People's Hospital in China's southwestern city of Chongqing on Dec. 23, 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images)

From Dec. 5, 2022, to Jan. 8, 2023, nine prominent Chinese traditional medicine experts passed away in China, eight of whom were members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The World Health Organization (WHO) criticized Beijing for heavily underreporting deaths from COVID-19. Chinese authorities announced just 37 COVID-related deaths since last month, even when foreign journalists witnessed over-crowded hospitals and satellite images showed long lines outside crematoriums and funeral homes in major Chinese cities.

The growing number of public figures and celebrities who recently passed away has also become an indicator of the countrys actual death toll.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Celebrities

All these nine traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) experts who recently passed away were among the top in the medical field.

Wei Beihai, who passed away on Dec. 26, 2022, was the former director of the Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and one of the main promoters of the CCPs so-called integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. As a top expert, he regularly received special government allowance from the State Council.

Sun Dawu, who passed away on Dec. 19, 2022, was honored as the Leading Authority in Bone Injury Treatment.

Li Yefu, who passed away on Jan. 3, held the title of the Leading Authority of TCM Massage Therapy in China.

Xu Fusong, who passed away on Dec. 5, was one of the founders of modern TCM andrology.

Shi Xiaomo, Director of Beijing Tong Ren Tang Clinic, died in Beijing on Dec. 20, 2022, at the age of 78. Tong Ren Tang is a household name for Chinese people worldwide. The Tong Ren Tang firm operates thousands of retail shops and clinics across China; it also has a significant presence overseas, including in Singapore.

Shi dedicated his life to doing in-depth research into the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine and dialectical treatment, according to the Chinese media mouthpiece Youth Daily.

Only Suns eulogy mentioned that he passed away from COVID-19. The other eight obituaries did not mention a specific cause of death, most of which use the vague expression died of illness.

CCPs Destruction of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Author Zhen Dao penned an article in the Chinese-language Epoch Times in 2019 on the topic of traditional Chinese medicine, in which he pointed out that TCM originates from a divinely imparted culture and is in line with the Tao.

China has a glorious 5,000-year-old divine culture, of which traditional Chinese medicine is one of the gems, but because the Chinese Communist Party is ideologically at odds with traditional Chinese culture, traditional Chinese medicine has nearly fallen into oblivion under its rule, he said.

According to Zhen, the destruction of TCM by the Chinese regime has taken the form of altering Chinese medicine by imposing Communist Party culture and Western medicine into Chinese medicine, causing TCM to alter beyond recognition.

Some courses taught in TCM colleges in mainland China are, in fact, Western medicine, Zhen noted.

He worked closely with a TCM professor who is highly regarded at home and abroad. This professor treats his patients mostly using principles and methods from Western medicine, but he would apply a pulse diagnosis at the beginning.

He told me that the real purpose of his pulse diagnosis is to impress his patients that he is a TCM doctor, Zhen said.

His article concludes that the evil CCP has spared no effort in destroying traditional Chinese culture, which has put the Chinese nation in a serious crisis. Nonetheless, Heaven is bound to return and punish evil-doers. Things will develop in the opposite when they become extreme.
AB Labour Board Says No Bad Faith From Unions After Unvaccinated Members Allege Lack of Representation

A labour board in Alberta has ruled two unions acted in good faith after some members whom they represent, but who did not take the COVID-19 shots, filed complaints alleging that the unions did not represent them fairly.

Nothing in the material before the Board indicates the Union[s] acted arbitrarily, with serious negligence, or in bad faith, nor does it indicate the Union[s] discriminated against the Complainant[s], wrote William Armstrong, vice-chair of the Alberta Labour Relations Board, whose rulings were released on Jan. 11.

The complainants were Matthew McCarthy, Jason Guilbault, Greg Spry, and Sheila Smartall who ultimately lost their employment due to a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy introduced by their former employer ATCO Inc, a Calgary-based energy holding company, in the fall of 2021, as first reported by Blacklocks Reporter.

McCarthy, Guilbault, and Spry were represented by the Natural Gas Employee Association (NGEA) while Smart was by the Canadian Energy Workers Association (CEWA).

Allegations

The four alleged that their unions were in breach of the duty of fair representation under section 153(1) of the Labour Relations Code.

The board found that the circumstances, including their allegations, were similar to an earlier case last August whereby another ATCO employee, Steve Lewyk, also represented by NGEA, was dismissed due to non-compliance with the vaccine policy. The board based its decision using Lewyks case.

ATCO introduced its COVID-19 Workplace Vaccination Policy on Oct. 28, 2021, which required employees to receive two doses of vaccine by Dec. 31 of that year. Failure to comply would result in being placed on unpaid leave. The policy included the possibility of medical and religious exemptions but did not permit a testing option, Armstrong noted.

Among the allegations put forward by Lewyk included the failure of his union to file a religious exemption from ATCOs vaccine mandate policy on his behalf, and the failure to file a grievance alleging an improper denial of the exemption.

Lewyk also alleged that the arbitration process was rushed and not in the best interests of the members. He stressed that NGEA focused on arbitration decisions that found vaccine policies reasonable, and either was unaware of or ignored decisions in which the arbitrator found a policy unreasonable.

He added that NGEA should not have recommended employees to sign ATCOs release in order to receive severance pay.

Termination

Armstrong ruled that the unions had done their part representing the four, again using Lewyks case as foundation.

Both NGEA and another union representing some ATCO subsidiary employees, the [CEWA], filed policy grievances, the vice-chair said. CEWA sought an injunction from the arbitrator to prevent the policy from going into effect but was not successful.

The arbitration morphed into a mediation and the mediator made recommendations for settlement which were ultimately accepted by both Unions and ATCO, he added.

On Jan 1, 2022, a total of 59 HGEA members were put on unpaid leave. The union had 1,198 members at the time. On May 2, 2022, in accordance with the mediators recommendation, 21 were terminated without cause by ATCO. They were paid termination pay under the Employment Standard Code, and remained eligible for severance if they signed their employers form of release.

Minimal Chance of Success

The board noted that NGEA was under pressure from 95 percent of its members who took the shots.

The vast majority of NGEA bargaining unit members had complied with the ATCO vaccine mandate, the board said in its ruling on Aug 25, 2022.

Some of these members were vocal in opposing NGEA efforts to challenge the ATCO vaccine mandate and seek a testing option via the grievance. The members accused NGEA of not respecting their right to a safe workplace.

NGEA was entitled to weigh the benefits of accepting the Arbitrators recommendations against the minimal chance of success, the board added.

Armstrong said there should be a finality to the complaints filed.

The Board does not have infinite resources to address the many matters coming before it, he said. It would be inefficient to repeatedly canvas the same facts.

Smart disagreed. In her further submissions to the board, she said comparing her case to Lewyks complaint wasnt fair.

Steve Lewyk may sound like [a] similar complaint which I would say we share the same concerns. I would like to be fairly represented as an individual, and as a union member, she said.
With the Chinese Lunar New Year around the corner, the Yangtze River Bridge is crowded with vehicles and lined with red lanterns, bringing a festive atmosphere to Wuhan, central Chinas Hubei Province.

The Wuhan urban management commission recently launched a citywide landscape installation campaign for the upcoming Spring Festival. More than 21,500 sets of red lanterns and Chinese knots have been put up as decorations along 169 sections of the citys main roads, business complexes, and characteristic streets, and will remain there until Feb. 6, 2023.

These installations create an attractive cityscape, sending best wishes for the new year to residents.
Northern Queensland Braces for Flood as Rain Sets In

Northern Queensland residents are on alert for flash flooding as monsoonal rain sets in over a vast region.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe weather warning with flash flooding possible for the states coast between Cooktown to Mackay and the northern and central interior.

Torrential downpours are set to lash the region from Friday afternoon and following into the next week.

Flash flooding has hit areas north of Mackay after falls of more than 200mm in multiple places during the 24 hours to 9 a.m. on Friday.

The inland towns of Julia Creek, Hughenden and Richmond are on alert for a deluge with a major flood warning in place for the Georgina River in the states far west.

Rivers and creeks in at least 17 catchments already soaked by recent rain are at risk of breaking their banks.

The bureau said a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall was current for parts of northern Queensland amid likely flash and riverine flooding.

Moderate to major flood warnings are current for a number of river systems through northern Australia, and further warnings are possible in the coming days, it said.

Police posted pictures of flooding in Mackays northern beaches and Eton areas on Friday morning and issued a warning to people across the states north about the extraordinary weather over the next several days.

They urged people not to be complacent, to stay up to date with rainfall forecast maps and to avoid floodwaters.

Trying to navigate these hazards, either in vehicles or on foot, can be treacherous, as water levels rise and fall quickly, and very often with little or no warning, police said in a statement.

Emergency services are struggling to comprehend why some motorists ignore the notice signs and warnings that are erected on flooded roads.

The bureau has also warned that a tropical low could develop near the northeast coast over the weekend or early next week.
NSW Premier Apologizes for 21st Birthday Nazi Costume Before State Election

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet faces the media during a press conference at Ryde Hospital, in Sydney on Jan. 13, 2023. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet has become embroiled in a scandal before the upcoming state election in March after it was revealed that he wore a Nazi uniform at his 21st birthday party.

Perrottet said he received a call from a colleague about the incident and then decided to apologize publicly for it.

When I was 21, at my 21st fancy dress party, I wore a Nazi uniform. I am deeply ashamed of what I did, he told the media in a press conference on Jan. 13. 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.

At that age in my life, I just did not understand the gravity of what that uniform meant  it was just a naive thing to dothat was a terrible mistake from a 21-year-old who just had no depth or appreciation.

In 2003, 21-year-old Perrottet attended a fancy dress party for his birthday. He said no one else was wearing a Nazi uniform at the time.

The now 40-year-old premier said the day after the birthday party, his parents spoke to him and told him what he did was wrong and insensitive.

Im truly sorry for the hurt and pain that this will cause people right across the state, and particularly members of the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans, and their families. I am truly sorry for the terrible mistake, he said.

Im deeply sorry for a terrible mistake I made at my 21st birthday party. pic.twitter.com/ESnx8LwVjG  Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) January 12, 2023

Perrottet declined to say who the colleague was, but it emerged on Jan. 12 that it was Transport Minister David Elliott, one of the most senior ministers of the government who has had disagreements with the Premier in recent months over gambling reform proposals.

The premier denied that the incident showed that the Liberal Party was divided and said yes when asked if he was confident in his position as the Party leader.

Its not about politics. Its about doing whats right, he said.

Liberal Officials Showing Support

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, who stood by Perrottet at the press conference, said the premier still had the support of the Liberal Party for the upcoming state election on March 25.

The premier has just admitted that he made a terrible mistake a long time ago, Kean said. Hes apologised to community leaders. Hes apologised to the Jewish community. Hes apologised to the people of NSW.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Customer Service and Digital Government Minister Victor Dominello, who attended the press conference with Perrottet, said the premier still had their backing.

Without him doing the job that he did as part of the crisis cabinet as treasurer when we went through 2 years of our darkest times, it would have been a completely different outcome, Hazard said.

He has done an incredible job, and that is all I am prepared to say, and I am prepared to back him.

Dominello shared his support as well, saying that he absolutely backed the Party leader.

I was one of the five ministerial people on that crisis cabinet, and I saw Dom in the darkest days, and I saw how important the health of people were to the people of NSW, he said.

If you want vision, look at the courage he is doing in relation to gambling reform. This is generational leadership we are talking about, courageous leadership.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet faces the media during a press conference at Ryde Hospital, in Sydney on Jan. 13, 2023. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Jewish Community Responds

Prior to the press conference, Perrottet had spoken with Jewish community leaders to offer his apologies. He said he would also be contacting the RSL and other organizations.

In a joint statement on Jan. 12, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark and board president David Ossip said they appreciated the premier for contacting them to express his sincere regret.

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, the statement reads.

The premier has been a staunch supporter and friend of the 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.

A memorial stone at the former Nazi concentration camp Bergen-Belsen in Bergen, Germany, on Sept. 3, 2022. (Markus Schreiber/AP Photo)

Nazi symbolism is not to be taken lightly, and dressing as a Nazi is not a joke  the premier has acknowledged this, recognising that wearing the costume was offensive and will distress many in our community.

Opposition Criticizing Internal Brawl

The NSW opposition lashed the Liberal Party as a government that seems to be intent on destroying itself.

We have another internal Liberal Party brawl playing out in public, Deputy Labor leader Prue Car said in comments obtained by NCA NewsWire.

This government cannot govern itself; how can it govern the state in 71 days time?

Car criticized the Liberals for party politics at a time when the state is still recovering from COVID-19.

Now they seem to be threatening each other with photos from 20 years ago, she continued.

Is this a sort of government that the people of NSW deserve? Theyll have their chance to better have a say on that in 70 days time, she said.
The Justice Department on Jan. 12 appointed former U.S. Attorney for Maryland Robert Hur as the special counsel to investigate classified documents found at President Joe Bidens Delaware home and a think tank in Washington.

The main suspect in the murders of four Idaho students returned to court. Prosecutors in the case might pursue the death penalty.

Thousands of New York City nurses are back at work Thursday after a three-day strike. The union reached an agreement with the hospitals.

According to an exclusive Reuters report, U.S. and Brazilian lawmakers are looking for ways to cooperate on an investigation into violent protests in Brazilian governmental buildings.
The GOP-led House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 13 launched an investigation into President Joe Bidens classified documents. Committee chair Rep. Jim Jordan wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, vowing to look into the White House and Justice Departments handling of the scandal.

Former President Donald Trumps real estate company was ordered to pay a $1.6 million fine after it was convicted of scheming to defraud tax authorities. Trump has called the investigations into his business dealings part of an ongoing witch hunt by those who do not want him to run for president again.

A federal court judge in Oregon dismissed a lawsuit brought by a group of LGBT former students. The ruling means that an exemption to Title IX will stay in place and religious schools will continue to receive federal funding.
Officials Say 88 Million People in Chinas Henan Province Infected With COVID

Officials in Chinas central province of Henan have said that the COVID-19 infection rate in the region was 89 percent, as the country battles a surge of infections and communist authorities continue to conceal the true death toll figures.

Authorities in Henan, the countrys third most populous province, said at a Monday press conference that as of Jan. 6, the provinces infection rate was 89 percent, including 89.1 percent in cities and 88.9 percent in rural areas, provincial official media Zhengzhou Daily reported. Those figures mean that 88.5 million people out of the provinces total population of 99.4 million have been infected.

The figures align with other statements made by health officials about high infection rates in recent weeks. An official said in December that infections in large cities exceeded 50 percent, and hit 80 percent in Chinas capital Beijing. A leaked document from the countrys top health body also estimated that around 250 million Chinese were infected with COVID in the first 20 days of December.

Henan authorities also said that as of Jan. 7, 95 percent of hospital beds in the province were in use, and 82 percent of intensive care unit (ICU) beds were in use, and no serious shortages of medical resources occurred. The official remarks stood in stark contrast with widespread accounts from healthcare staff and Chinese citizens that hospitals have been overwhelmed and havent managed to accommodate the deluge of COVID patients.

The official also claimed that the region had passed the COVID peak smoothly.

On social media, Chinese residents questioned authorities claim about the lack of medical shortage, while criticizing the regimes lack of transparency.

Residents queue to undergo nucleic acid tests for COVID-19 in Anyang in central Chinas Henan Province on Jan. 26, 2022. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

A Henan food blogger wrote: Ive been diagnosed with pneumonia, and Ive been to four hospitals but couldnt get hospitalized because hospital beds run out. The inpatient department of every hospital does not admit patients, and therere hundreds of people registered waiting for a hospital bed. If this isnt a serious medical resources shortage, then what is? Yesterday (Jan. 8) I went for a reexamination, and the hospital run out of medicine.

Another netizen wrote: Where did the data come from? There is no PCR testing, no statistics, let alone reporting, where did you get 89%! And how could you say passed smoothly? Why dont you dare to publish the statistics of how many people died of COVID? My grandma died of it.

Jiao Yahui, director of the Department of Medical Affairs of Chinas Health and Medical Commission, in an interview with Chinas state broadcaster CCTV on Jan. 8, claimed that the percentage of COVID patients who developed pneumonia in the latest outbreak was relatively low, about 8 percent.

Ms. Wang, a member of the medical community in Shanghai, told Radio Free Asia on Jan.9, I have seen that the infection rates in many places are more than 70 percent, based on the 8 percent rate, then 80 million people across the country have developed pneumonia.

China observer Yue Shan wrote in his column for the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times that the communist regimes strategy was to let the virus rip through the population, without putting any healthcare measures in place, to achieve herd immunity. Such a plan, Yue said, has a total disregard for human life.

Paxlovid Not Covered

Meanwhile, Chinas National Medical Security Administration announced on Jan. 8 that it would not include Pfizers antiviral drug Paxlovid in the countrys medical insurance because Pfizers quoted price was too high.

Paxlovid, found to have reduced hospitalizations in high-risk patients by around 90 percent in a clinical trial, is in high demand with many Chinese attempting to get the drug abroad and have it shipped to China. Beijing has been largely resistant to western vaccines and treatments. Oral treatment Paxlovid is one of the few foreign ones it has approved.

In February last year, China approved Paxlovid, which was supposed to be largely available via hospitals, to treat high-risk patients in several provinces. Pfizer last month reached an agreement to export Paxlovid to China through a local company to make the medicine more widely available.

Due to severe shortages of antivirals as 1.4 billion Chinese battle infections, many have turned to underground channels to secure Paxlovid and other drugs, according to domestic media. Scalpers charge as much as 50,000 yuan ($7,260) for a box of Paxlovid, more than 20 times its original price of 2,300 yuan.

If the drug were covered by Chinas national medical insurance, patients would only pay 189 yuan per box ($28), according to mainland Chinese media Caijing.

COVID-19 treatment pill Paxlovid in boxes at Misericordia hospital in Grosseto, Italy, on Feb. 8, 2022. (Jennifer Lorenzini/Reuters)

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said on Jan.9 that talks with China for Paxlovid had broken down after China had asked for a lower price than Pfizer is charging for most lower-middle-income countries.

They are the second highest economy in the world and I dont think that they should pay less than El Salvador, Bourla said.

The cost of the drug in China is about half of the price charged in the United States.

Hui Huyu, a senior current affairs commentator, told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times on Jan. 9 that the Chinese Communist Party will not cover Paxlovid because it is unwilling to spend money for the lives of Chinese people.

When it is included in the national medical insurance, the government has to pay a large part of it, and the common people pay a small part. Then the governments medical insurance expenditure will be very large, Hui said.

The CCP regime has always been unwilling to invest a large amount of money in Chinese peoples medical insurance. Therefore, this drug cant be included in the medical insurance.

Reuters, Luo Ya, and Cheng Jing contributed to this report.
Ontario Student Protesting Transgender Use of Girls Washroom Files Religious Discrimination Appeal

A Catholic high school student in Renfrew, Ontario, has filed an appeal with his school board after being suspended over his interactions with transgender students. He alleges that the suspension constitutes discrimination against his religious beliefs.

Josh Alexander, a Grade 11 student at St. Josephs Catholic High School, told The Epoch Times he is standing up for girls at his school who feel uncomfortable with biological males who identify as females using the girls washroom. One such female student told The Epoch Times, for my own privacy and safety  I felt like I had to say something.

Alexander has also called the transgender students by their dead names (the names they used before transitioning) and has insisted in classroom discussions that there are only two genders.

His lawyer, James S.M. Kitchen, told the schools principal in an email (which Kitchen forwarded to The Epoch Times), [Alexander] cannot, due to his sincere religious beliefs, knowingly speak a falsehood, such as acknowledging the fiction that people can change from male to female (or vice-versa).

As a matter of his Christian beliefs, which happen to be consistent with biological truths regarding gender, Mr. Alexander believes all human beings, except in rare circumstances of developmental abnormality, are made by God as either immutably male or female.

Sophie Smith-Dore, co-founder of Arnprior Pride and mother of one of the transgender students at the school, told The Epoch Times in a written message, Trans folks and their loved ones (like most marginalized folks) are constantly doing this emotional work and its exhausting. We bear the burden of trying to protect our gender diverse kids.

She said Alexander and the adults who have rallied behind him belong to the far-right and are scrambling for an agenda.  It doesnt appear to matter to them that their casualties are children.

A panel of Renfrew County Catholic District School Board trustees will hear Alexanders appeal, and Alexander has requested the hearing be made public via videoconferencing as the matters involved are of public interest.

The schools principal, Derek Lennox, told The Epoch Times he cannot comment on the situation. In his communications with Kitchen, which the lawyer shared with The Epoch Times, Lennox acknowledged the appeal and set out conditions under which Alexander could return to school in the meantime.

Those conditionsor expectations, as Lennox called theminclude only attending half of his classes to avoid the ones with transgender students, and not using the dead name of any transgender students.

Second Suspension

Alexander refused to comply with those conditions. Your expectations, among other things, constitute unlawful religious discrimination, Kitchen told Lennox.

Kitchen works with the Christian conservative organization Liberty Coalition Canada, which posted a statement on its website saying, Josh not only has a right to express himself during class discussions and through public forums, he also has a right to not be discriminated against by his school for his sincere religious beliefs. Being suspended and excluded from classes is the height of discrimination.

Alexander was due to return to school after his suspension on Jan. 9. His suspension had begun on Nov. 23, two days before a protest and walk-out he organized at the school over transgender students using the girls washrooms.

Lennox told him not to return on Jan. 9 because he refused to comply with the conditions.

Alexander attended anyway and has, for that reason, been suspended again until Jan. 31.

He told The Epoch Times, Ive been kicked out of class for long enough.  They had banned me from doing my classes just because there were students who disagreed with my views in those classes. So I figured that was enough and  I decided to go back.

The vice principal followed him to his classes, Alexander said, and wrote down anything I said  and kept asking me to leave all day long.

Allegations

The school has alleged that Alexander is bullying and harassing the transgender students.

Lennoxs investigation report said Joshs actions were injurious to the moral tone of the school or to the physical or mental well-being of others in the school and were motivated by bias, prejudice or hate.

Alexander told The Epoch Times, Its a common tactic, theyre going to try to self-victimize, but Im simply just exercising my religious beliefs. I cant compromise on something like that. They can label me as they wish, but the truth is on my side.

Kitchen said the term bullying has come to mean something different than it used to.

Those who live in the real objective world, we have a pretty good grasp on what bullying is. Weve seen it with kids for decades, and  its really sad and unfortunate. But the woke world has taken it to mean something different, Kitchen said.

Theyve taken it out of actual harassmentsocial and physical, or even, or even sexualand they sort of added on to it or twisted it to mean that, well, if you have ideas that I find deeply offensive, or that bother me, or that challenge my notions of who I am, theneven though youre respectful and peacefully sharing those opinions and ideas and beliefsif you do that, its bullying to me.

Kitchen had told Lennox that Alexander would not intentionally intimidate or otherwise harass any transgender student. However, he will not be responsible for transgender students unreasonably experiencing subjective feelings of offence or being unsafe as a result of Mr. Alexander expressing his religious beliefs.

Lennox listed among Alexanders actions that warranted suspension that he made inappropriate comments with respect to trans students  on social media and used a derogatory term in reference to a trans student.

Alexander said Lennox must have meant the flier he posted for his protest last year, which says Remove males from the female washrooms. Keep the perverted agenda out of the education system.

He said he also used a word in a class discussion which he didnt realize was considered a derogatory term. The word wasnt used as an insult, he said.

Pastoral Approach

Mark Searson, director of education for the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board, told The Epoch Times in December he cannot discuss specific students with the press.

Searson said the board takes the pastoral approach with transgender students, in which principals and chaplains engage students in conversations.

Theres so much polarization in the world and in our community right now, in particular over this issue, Searson said. We want to do everything we can to bring everyone back together and ensure we can have some dialogue.

He said the schools in his board have gender-neutral, single-person washrooms in addition to the gendered washrooms. However, Searson said, The Ontario Human Rights Code has made it very explicit that individuals do have the right to utilize the restricted washroom of their lived gender identity.

Alexander said some girls at the school will talk to me, but they dont necessarily want to go public. And I dont really blame them after the hostile response I received.

One such girl, a Grade 11 student from St. Josephs, spoke to The Epoch Times in December. She said the first time she saw a transgender student in the girls washroom it really caught me off guard, because I didnt even really know at that point that he self-identified as female.

Josh said, Its just kind of disappointing to see that so many adults are afraid to speak out and theyre allowing both myself and female students to fight this battle on our own.

A date for the appeal hearing has not yet been set, and Alexander has not yet heard whether it will be open to the public via videoconferencing as requested. Kitchen said if the trustees dont rule in favour of Alexander, they will consider requesting a judicial review.
Orange County Supervisors Seek New Green Energy Agency

The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Jan. 10 to look into joining a new green energy agency, after abandoning the controversial Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) last month.

Such agencies are community choice aggregations, or CCAs, which allow local governments to procure power and sell it to residents and businesses, promising greener energy options.

While OCPA was not the right choice for our unincorporated areas, there are other existing CCA programs that may work, Supervisor Katrina Foley, who agendized the motion, said in a statement Jan. 10 sent to The Epoch Times. Todays vote is not a policy commitment, but a first step towards obtaining more information and research to make the right decision for our residents.

Criticism of the OCPA started after a June Grand Jury Report titled Orange County Power Authority: Come Clean, which raised concerns over an alleged lack of transparency and inexperienced management.

The supervisors decision to withdraw unincorporated areas from the OCPA, was largely due to the report and via its own audit of the agency, which revealed the authoritys prices were up to 7 percent higher for residential consumers, compared to its competitor Southern California Edison.

OCPA officials said last month, though, that its basic rates will be lower than Edisons by mid-January.

Foley suggested the county join San Diego Community Power. The agency was formed in 2019 and provides electricity to the City of San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, and National City, as well as San Diego Countys unincorporated regions.

There are successful CCA programs across the state of California that engage with their residents and give them a real choice when it comes to their electricity, Foley said.

She said her objective is to help meet the states emission goals by providing renewable energy and creating whats called a climate action plan, which would define environmental goals on a timeline.

The state has recently doubled down on climate actions after the California Air Resource Board voted unanimously in December to mandate carbon neutrality by 2045, in part through reducing fossil fuel demand by 86 percent.

If the county elects to join a new agency, residents within the countys unincorporated areas would be able to stay with their current energy provider or switch to the new one.
Penalties for Public Servants Who Wont Go Back to Office to Be Handled Individually

President of the Treasury Board Mona Fortier speaks in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Dec. 15, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Treasury Board President Mona Fortier says any repercussions for any federal public servants who refuse to return to in-person work will be handed out on a case-by-case basis.

On Monday all federal public servants still working from home will begin the transition back to in-person work.

Fortier is ordering all departments to bring employees back to the office at least 2 to 3 times a week by the end of March.

However Fortier did not specify a clear plan for penalizing any employees who dont meet that target.

Fortier says the return-to-office plan is needed because of inconsistencies in remote work policies across federal departments and tells The Canadian Press some departments are already working in person.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada union representing 165,000 federal workers filed a labour complaint in December about the return-to-work order but hasnt heard any updates about it since.
Pfizers Paxlovid Fails to Get in Chinas National Insurance Policy

Pfizer's Paxlovid is displayed in Pembroke Pines, Florida, on July 7, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Chinas National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA) announced on Jan. 10 that it will not include Pfizers Paxlovid in its national reimbursement plan due to its high cost.

The negotiation between China and Pfizer on Tuesday failed because Pfizer considered China a middle-income country, and the price proposed by Beijing was lower than what Pfizer would have accepted, according to several media outlets.

Under the current Chinese medical insurance policy, the reimbursement for Paxlovid will continue until the end of March, the NHSA said.

NHSA gave conditional approval of Paxlovid for treating COVID-19 in February last year, making it the first oral COVID treatment pill cleared in the country.

Pfizers Response

China is the worlds second-largest economy, and I dont think it should pay less than El Salvador, which is a poor country, said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, according to Nova.News.

Pfizer on Tuesday ruled out generic Paxlovid for China.

In August 2022, the drugmaker teamed up with Chinese firm Zhejiang Huahai to produce and sell Paxlovid exclusively in China for five years.

However, Zhejiang Huahai was investigated by the FDA in 2018 for a suspected carcinogen found in a blood pressure medicine it produced.

COVID-19 patients rest in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University in Chinas southwestern city of Chongqing on Dec. 23, 2022. (Noel Celis/AFP via Getty Images)

Cost Versus Life

According to the Chinese tabloid Global Times, sources familiar with the matter told Caixin News that Pfizer almost did not lower the price of 1,890 yuan [about $271] per pack during negotiations with the NHSA.

Regarding Beijings complaints about the high price, Henry Gao, a law professor at Singapore Management University, posted on Twitter: How much is a life worth in China? No more than 300 USD, or less than 100 USD if you dont believe in Global Times.

Cai Xia, a former politics professor from the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), commented on Twitter: The Xi administration failed to negotiate on the pretext that Paxlovid was expensive.  Look at the Chinese angrily condemning the Xi regime!

Several Chinese netizens complained that the CCP would send $60 billion to Africa, and invest $20 billion in the Philippines, but would not pay for the drugs that could save lives.

In 2015, Beijing pledged $60 billion in development assistance to Africa.

In 2018, Beijing offered an extra $60 billion in financing to African countries, in addition to canceling the interest-free loans due to mature by years end.

In 2021, Chinese officials announced that Beijing canceled interest-free loan debts worth $113.8 million that matured in 2020 for 15 African countries.

Recently on Jan. 5, Beijing pledged to invest $22.8 billion in agribusinesses and fisheries in the Philippines.

A Chinese netizen posted on Twitter: Stop throwing money away! Be nice to the people.

Zhang Ting contributed to this report.
Warning: This story contains images that some viewers may find distressing

A Brazilian birth photographer had a once-in-a-lifetime moment when she attended the cesarean section delivery of a baby boy who was born still inside his amniotic sac. In the brief moments before the sac was pulled away, she snapped a series of incredible photos for the family to cherish in years to come.

Former journalist Ludmila Braga Gusman Carvalho, 44, has been a birth photographer since she became a mother nine years ago. She currently lives with her husband and two daughters in the town of Muriae in Minas Gerais state, Brazil.

The birth of baby Nicolas at Hospital Sao Paulo de Muriae at 5:55 p.m. on Jan. 2 was Ludmilas second birth record of 2023. When pediatrician Dr. Larissa Felizardo indicated that Nicolas was emerging in his amniotic sac, otherwise known as an en caul or veiled delivery, Ludmila rushed to the side of the operating table.

She told The Epoch Times: It was an indescribable and wonderful feeling. Since I started photographing births, I dreamed of being present at a birth like this. I had already seen videos and photos of babies with veils, I had already learned a lot about it, but I didnt expect it to be in this delivery because the baby was big.

The moment I took that picture, it was so quick and automatic that I remember just positioning myself and clicking several times, Ludmila added.

Shortly after, obstetrician Dr. Luiz Claudio Lacerda safely broke and removed the sac. According to Ludmila, everything required a lot of attention and had to be done quickly. Regardless, she described the moment as fantastic.

Weighing approx. 7.45 pounds (3.38 kg) and measuring approx. 20 inches (51 cm) long, baby Nicholas entered the world to meet his parents, mom Reniara and dad Ellom.

When we saw the babys face, it was very euphoric, Ludmila said. All were enchanted by the scene. It was chilling!

While Ludmila and the doctors had witnessed the en caul delivery, neither parent saw Nicolas in his sac for themselves. Reniara was laying on the operating table with a sheet blocking her vision of the procedure, and the father stayed close beside his wife since it was a cesarean delivery.

When the baby was born we were so surprised that we didnt call the father, Ludmila said. Although he heard us talking and saw our excitement, he didnt get up.

However, both parents saw the images on Ludmilas camera while they were still in the delivery room.

En caul delivery is rare, occurring less than once in every 80,000 births. It is more common in Caesarean sections than normal delivery but it poses no risk to the baby or the mother according to Healthline. In fact, in some cultures, a baby born en caul is considered to be very lucky.

Ludmila believes that she got lucky too as she had the opportunity to start the year with such special images.

It was a unique and very emotional moment for me, Ludmila said according to Gazeta de Muriae.

Ludmila later shared her photos of Nicolass en caul birth on Instagram, where they went viral.

The mom of two says becoming a mother gave her the courage to approach hospitals, gain the trust of doctors, and secure her role as a birth photographer. She never expected her photos of Nicolas to gain such widespread attention going beyond the local press. She plans to submit her amazing shots to photography contests.

Without a doubt, I felt protected and blessed by God. I have so much faith, she told The Epoch Times, We live in a period of so much sad news that being presented with this image at the beginning of the year fills our hearts with hope. I felt chosen, blessed, as if God confirmed to me, Go on! Dont give up  this is your mission!'

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
When former Gov. Pete Ricketts declined to appoint himself to the U.S. Senate, he avoided a fraught political history.

Of the last nine governors nationally who appointed themselves to the Senate, eight failed to keep the seat in the next election.

But could there be any political peril in Ricketts being appointed to the Senate Thursday by the new governor he just helped put in office? Could that cause Ricketts any problems when he runs for the seat in 2024?

Not likely, said most political observers interviewed for this article.

(Ricketts) will be elected, and he will serve in the United States Senate as long as he wants, predicted Paul Landow, a longtime Democratic political operative in Omaha. Hes experienced now, hes very popular with Nebraska Republicans, he has the right profile for a Republican U.S. senator, and he has the money to run any kind of campaign he wants.

Perhaps in another state, such an appointment could prove problematic, said UNO political scientist Randall Adkins. But not Nebraska.

Just given the current political landscape in the state  where Republicans have prevailed in every race for Senate and governor since 2006  Adkins said he does not see either Senate seat leaving Republican hands anytime soon.

And Adkins said Ricketts has many political advantages over Democrats or any GOP rivals, including a well-known name, his experience in office and the unlimited ability to fund his own campaign.

Who wants to step into that? Adkins said.

Gov. Jim Pillens appointment of Ricketts to the Senate has been anticipated almost from the moment U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse emerged in November as the likely president of the University of Florida.

Not long after, then-Gov. Ricketts announced that he would leave the appointment of the new senator to his successor as governor, Pillen. Ricketts later announced he would apply for the position.

But the appointment comes with some questionable optics.

Ricketts was a key supporter of Pillens gubernatorial campaign. He campaigned for him. He donated $100,000 directly to Pillens campaign. And Ricketts and his family gave more than $1.4 million to the political action committee that ran attack ads against Pillens top opponents in the hotly contested GOP primary election.

Pillen repeatedly denied the selection was pre-determined and said Ricketts campaign support played no role in the appointment.

If Pillen was looking for someone to keep the seat in GOP hands, Ricketts was in many ways the logical choice.

Serving as governor has long been a political recipe for success for those with Senate aspirations in Nebraska. In the last half-century, all four Nebraska governors who later decided to run for Senate were victorious  J.J. Exon, Bob Kerrey, Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns. Exon, Kerrey and Nelson were Democrats; Johanns was a Republican.

The last man who was appointed to a Senate seat in Nebraska, Republican David Karnes, did fail to win election in 1988.

But Karnes had never served in office before Gov. Kay Orr appointed him. And he did win a contested GOP primary before running into a political buzz saw in Kerrey, who was very popular at the time. (Kerrey, who left the office after two terms, didnt fare as well in a comeback Senate bid in 2012.)

John Cavanaugh, a former Democratic congressman from Omaha and longtime state political observer, said he didnt see Ricketts as a Senate shoo-in in 2024.

Even though he was twice elected governor, Ricketts political following is not very deep, Cavanaugh said. And Cavanaugh said a quality candidate from either party could exploit the politics of the appointment.

It certainly doesnt look good to be appointed by someone who received a tremendous amount of money from the person he appoints, Cavanaugh said.

Cavanaugh and Democrats werent the only ones raising that issue Thursday. Charles W. Herbster, the Donald Trump-backed GOP candidate for governor who was the target of many of the Ricketts-funded attack ads, on Twitter Thursday suggested its now clear why Ricketts was determined to see his hand-picked successor win.

Others werent so sure voters would connect those dots and find the appointment problematic.

Do people just kind of shrug their shoulders and go, OK? said Ryan Horn, a GOP political consultant from Omaha. If Pete Ricketts does a good job in the Senate as people perceive it, and he works hard, theres a good chance people might forget about (the appointment) in two years.

Landow predicted voters will see the appointment as no issue whatsoever.

I think anyone who knows anything about politics knows that favors are traded, and they would have assumed  rightly so  that Ricketts would be appointed, Landow said.

But the biggest reason most said they expected Ricketts to prevail in 2024 is the current state of the Nebraska Democratic Party  which Kerrey recently described as pathetic.

Horn said it seemed Pillen barely had to campaign to win this falls governors race over Democrat Carol Blood.

The reason the seat is likely to stay in Republican hands is the Democratic Party doesnt have a brand that appeals to most Nebraskans, Horn said.

Adkins likewise noted that Republicans in Nebraska have recently been handily winning statewide. That can change, he said, but it would likely take time.

Until we have a fundamental shift in the politics of Nebraska, I just dont see Ricketts being beaten by a Democrat, he said.

Photos: Jim Pillen appoints Pete Ricketts to the Senate 011323-owh-new-senate-pic-cm01.jpg 011323-owh-new-senate-pic-cm02.jpg 011323-owh-new-senate-pic-cm03.jpg 011323-owh-new-senate-pic-cm04.jpg 011323-owh-new-senate-cm05 011323-owh-new-senate-pic-cm06.jpg 011323-owh-new-senate-pic-cm07.jpg 011323-owh-new-senate-cm08 011323-owh-new-senate-pic-cm09.jpg 011323-owh-new-senate-pic-cm10.jpg 011323-owh-new-senate-cm11 011323-owh-new-senate-pic-cm12.jpg
Police Offer $100,000 Reward for Whereabouts of Abducted Ontario Woman Elnaz Hajtamiri

A reward of $100,000 is being offered to anyone with information leading to the location of a woman who was abducted from a residence in Ontario a year ago, say the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Elnaz Hajtamiri has been missing for one year. On Jan. 12, 2022, she went missing from an address at Wasaga Beach. Police continue to investigate, and the OPP and York Regional Police are now offering a $100,000 reward for information on her location. If you can assist, please call Crime Stoppers or the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, OPP Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said in a video.

At a press conference announcing the reward on Jan. 12, OPP Det. Ins. Martin Graham said the fact that nothing has been seen or heard from Hajtamiri for an entire year since her abduction is incredibly rare.



My biggest hope is that she is alive. My greatest fear is that she is not, he said.

Police released sketches of two of her kidnappers for the first time on Jan. 12.

Graham described the first suspect as roughly six feet tall, with light brown skin and a long, narrow face. The second suspect is estimated to be five feet nine with darker skin, and was wearing white cream shoes with a plastic toecap. He also wore cotton black gloves and carried imitation handcuffs. A third suspect is about five foot nine inches with lighter skin, possibly of Middle Eastern origin, who was believed to be carrying a firearm in his jacket.

Hajtamiri was at a home in Wasaga Beach, Ont., when three men dressed in fake police gear barged in and arrested her. Footage shows three masked men putting Hajtamiri into a 2016 to 2022 model White Lexus RX-350, Graham said.

He said Hajtamiris ex-boyfriend, Mohamad Lilo, and two other suspects who were involved in a previous kidnap and murder attempt on Hajtamiri that occurred in Richmond Hill, north of Toronto, in December 2021, have been arrested by York Regional Police.

A month prior, Hajtamiri was allegedly assaulted with a frying pan in an underground parking lot in Richmond Hill, reported CTV. She suffered a head injury from the attack and reportedly required around 40 stitches to her forehead.

Lilo, 35, has been charged with attempted murder and attempted abduction in connection with that incident. Two others, Riyasat Singh, 23, of Mississauga and Harshdeep Binner, 24, of Brampton, were also arrested and charged in the attack. The two men were on a Canada-wide wanted list, according to CTV.

Lilo was also charged with abduction in relation to Hajtamiris January 2022 kidnapping, though the police are still on the lookout for the three other suspects.

Do the Right Thing

During the Jan. 12 press conference, Graham read a statement from Hajtamiris mother, Fariba, who urged anyone with information of her daughters location to do the right thing and share that knowledge.

It is difficult to face the fact that it has been one long painful year since we last saw our beautiful daughter Elnaz. We open our eyes every morning thinking this will be the day she calls to tell us she is alive and safe. But that day never comes, she said.

We are perpetually living in a limbo of emotions. And until we know what happened to her, we cant break out of this endless loop and move forward with the next stage of griefacceptance.

We know there are people out there who have information and who may be contemplating whether to come forward, Fariba added.

We pray that you will do the right thing and help us out of the suffering and bring justice for Elnaz.
Prominent Exchange and Token Issuer Crypto.com Slashing 20 Percent of Workforce

Representations of virtual cryptocurrencies are placed on U.S. dollar banknotes in this illustration taken on Nov. 28, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Crypto.com will be laying off about a fifth of its workforce in a second round of layoffs within six months, citing industry-wide issues, including FTX bankruptcy, in what looks like a trying period for the once-booming sector.

Although the company grew ambitiously at the start of 2022, the trajectory changed rapidly with a confluence of negative economic developments, said Kris Marszalek, chief executive of the Singapore-based crypto-exchange. The reductions we made last July positioned us to weather the macroeconomic downturn, but it did not account for the recent collapse of FTX, which significantly damaged trust in the industry.

According to the CEO, the company serves more than 70 million users worldwide and maintains a strong balance sheet. However, recent unforeseeable developments within the cryptocurrency sector has forced it to make additional reductions in the workforce.

Launched in 2016, the company employs around 4,000 people, although the number has not been verified, and the company has been letting go of workers since mid-2022. The issues with FTX started surfacing around November, but a series of crypto collapses were happening since May 2022.

The company has a crypto app, sells Visa cards, deals with non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and features an exchange and wallet, along with a coin token, Cronos. Based on social media, crypto.com has locations across Europe and Asia, with a base in Miami, Florida. Exchanges typically earn a fee for transactions done on the platform, but with low volumes in the sector, dampened by reduced token prices, the business viability of crypto exchanges has been shaken.

Earlier Mishaps

Last year, users of Crypto.com pulled out funds following the mishandling of a $400 million transaction. CEO Marszalek admitted the mistake and said that the currency transfer was sent to a wrong account type on another exchange.

The ETH [Ethereum] transfers that generated so much FUD [fear, uncertainty, doubt] & speculation on Twitter today were made over three weeks ago, on October 21st to http://Crypto.coms whitelisted corporate account at http://Gate.io, stated Marszalek in a tweet on Nov. 13.

Crypto.com proceeded to withdraw the funds back to its cold wallets over the following days. The entirety of ETH was successfully withdrawn by http://Crypto.com and returned to our cold storage, he added. Thats all there is to it. All our systems are operating normally.

However, Twitter users, who first commented on the wrong transfer based on publicly available blockchain transaction records, were not entirely satisfied with how the events turned out, especially with the FTX debacle.

Richard Lawler, news editor for the Verge, said in a response tweet, Normal being, the status where they occasionally send $400 million to the wrong place, thats normal?

Binance chief executive Changpeng Zhao said at the time in a tweet, which has since been deleted, If an exchange [has] to move large amounts of crypto before or after they demonstrate their wallet addresses, it is a clear sign of problems.

Since peaking in November, Cronos has since fallen more than 93 percent, and is currently trading at $0.0680 as of 11:47 a.m., Nov. 13, EST.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the exchange.

Not Just Crypto.com

Coinbase, another prominent crypto exchange platform, announced laying off nearly 20 percent of its workforce, around 950 positions for the quarter ending in March.

The company had already cut down 18 percent of its workforce last June, with the latest rounds expected to reduce expenses of $149163 million for the first quarter of 2023, according to chief executive Brian Armstrong.

Armstrong blamed unscrupulous actors in the industry, pointing to FTX as one of the reasons for the decline in the sector. However, he added that FTX collapse could end up benefiting Coinbase because a competitor is ultimately out of the picture.

Crypto-focused bank Silvergate said, earlier in January, that it would be cutting off 40 percent of its workforce.

Besides the layoffs, there are other issues plaguing the industry with increased regulations.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit late Tuesday against Gemini exchange and crypto lender Genesis Global Capital for allegedly selling unregistered securities.

Defendants offered and sold the Gemini Earn Agreements through the Gemini Earn Program without registering with securities regulators, according to the complaint. As a result, investors lacked material information about the Gemini Earn program that would have been relevant to their investment decisions.

Gemini co-founder Tyler Winklevoss responded in a tweet that the suit was a manufactured parking ticket.
Psychologist Leaves California as License Threatened After Questioning Transgenderism for Children

A California psychologist whose license to practice was threatened after she spoke out against teaching transgender ideology to third-grade students, as well as statewide lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic, said leaving the state was the best option.

Dr. Shannae Anderson, a clinical and forensic psychologist with 23 years of experience, was heckled by trans activists at a local school board meeting in Thousand Oaks, California, last June and harassed on social media. She said she received death threats and was targeted by leftwing extremist groups, including Antifa.

I got a phone call from a friend of mine who works for the FBI who said my name came across his desk because Antifa was creating a list of people to go after, she told The Epoch Times.

Anderson moved to Virginia in September to become the co-director for ethics and advocacy of the American Association of Christian Counselors, which bills itself as the worlds largest faith-based mental health organization.

Dr. Shannae Anderson, a clinical and forensic psychologist, in an undated photo. (Courtesy of Dr. Shannae Anderson)

School Board Controversy

Anderson, a native of Thousand Oaks, confronted the board at a Conejo Valley Unified School District meeting in June 2022, alleging that 8-year-olds were being exposed at school to sexual issues beyond their comprehension.

At that age, children operate with concrete thinking. They dont have abstract thinking, so they can only think in black and white. They dont understand gray, she told The Epoch Times. And so, if youre talking about these abstract concepts, such as transgender ideology, its just going to confuse them. Theyre not going to understand.

The following week, as Anderson was preparing for another meeting on June 20, she received a call from a local city council member alerting her to an email that showed a transgender activist who advises a school board committee had filed a 51-page complaint against Anderson to the California Board of Psychology.

The activist stated in the complaint obtained by The Epoch Times that Anderson presented an imminent risk of substantial harm to students and families within the school district and to all residents of Thousand Oaks and Ventura County and accused her of making claims about transgender people that reinforce bigotry, exclusion and harmful acts.

The same night, Anderson spoke at a Thousand Oaks City Council meeting and referred to the gender issues of a patient, whom she did not name, as a red herring. The complaint refers to a video of the meeting and accuses Anderson of actions perceived by the local community  to conflate all transgender people as suffering from a mental disorder.

She was also accused of citing clinical examples suggesting transgender children should be treated for mental disorders, contradicting policies of the American Psychological Association, according to the complaint.

Anderson later discovered the activist had not only filed the complaint to the licensing board but emailed it to local Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D-Camarillo), the school district superintendent, the entire Thousand Oaks city council, and the city attorney.

I was devastated, Anderson said. I have been licensed since 1999. I have had an impeccable record as a psychologist. Ive been trained by some of the best clinicians in the world. I now supervise and train others. Ive been a professor, and so to have my license assaulted like this was very upsetting.

A driver holds up a sign as hundreds of people gather to protest COVID-19 lockdowns at Californias state capitol building in Sacramento on April 20, 2020. (Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)

The Pandemic

At the height of the pandemic in 2020 in California, where the lockdowns were more severe than in many other states, Anderson warned about the effects of social isolation from the lockdowns and masking on children and expressed her concerns to the school board.

All of that was just creating a profound mental health crisis that I knew we were going to be seeing. We obviously are recognizing it now, she told The Epoch Times.

After consulting with friends and Pastor Rob McCoy at Godspeak Calvary Chapel in Thousand Oaks about the suffering she had witnessed from her clients during the pandemic, shelike McCoycriticized the state-imposed lockdowns, which she also believes were a violation of her religious freedom and right to worship.

I have a very high acuity patient load and so it was very difficult for me to go virtual, she said. I really only did virtual work for maybe about a month, and then I started seeing people back in my office, and I started noticing that the level of pathology just increased dramatically.

Anderson appeared weekly on McCoys fireside chats and scrutinized government policies banning large gatherings, including worshiping at churches, as well as mask and vaccine mandates.

Were not meant to be locked away and not have any interactions and not to see each others faces and not hug, she said.

Anderson also went to freedom rallies, including Reopen California, where she cited research showing physical touch boosts the immune system, while social isolation decreases immunity. She was later dropped by one of her patients who had seen her name listed as a speaker, she said.

I was quoting medical research that weve known for decades that due to this fear just got thrown out the window in the last few years. A lot of research has shown the lockdowns have caused an increase in anxiety, depression, trauma, eating disorders, substance abuse, all sorts of addictions, suicidality, self-harmyou name it, she said. Now were recognizing it [as] a mental health crisis in our country that weve never experienced before, and its a direct byproduct of the lockdowns.

Dr. Shannae Anderson, a clinical and forensic psychologist, speaks at a school board meeting at the Conejo Valley Unified School District in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on June 14, 2022. (Screenshot via Conejo Valley Unified School District)

Transgender Debate

Anderson, who holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Southern California, was recently asked to testify as an expert witness in a case involving parents who had been found guilty of child abuse for refusing to call their child by their preferred pronouns. She testified that refusing to use a childs preferred pronouns is not child abuse, and the parents won the case.

Despite the complaint against her license, Anderson spoke at another local school board meeting.

I really wasnt sure what I was going to do. It almost caused me to retreat, finding out that my license, which is my livelihood, could be in jeopardy. It did almost silence me, she said.

There were probably about 500 people outside the meeting, and inside the building, there were protesters [and] rumors of Antifa. There were people with signs screaming, yelling. I had to walk through a gauntlet of people screaming obscenities at me.

Anderson and her husband recruited a bodyguard from their church to walk them through the crowd to get inside the building, where she called out the school board for supporting the complaint against her, she said.

The Andersons called in two more bodyguards before they exited the meeting into the parking lot where activists were waiting as they approached their vehicle.

They were trying to doxx us, she said.

Later Anderson received fraudulent referrals from people asking if she did conversion therapy or non-affirming transgender therapy, she said.

I believe that people were calling to set me up because, in the state of California, youre not allowed to do non-affirming therapy, she said.

Gender-Affirming Care

Dr. Karl Benzio, a board-certified psychiatrist in New Jersey, told The Epoch Times many clinicians across the nation fear they could lose their licenses or face disciplinary action if they dare question the gender-affirming model of care, despite strong indications that Europe is shifting away from it.

There are people posing as fake patients just trying to see what a therapist will do in that process, he said.

Some proponents of gender theory have labeled non-gender-affirming care as conversion therapy, a practice once used by non-clinicians to help people quit smoking or deter same-sex attraction.

Its certainly not a practice of Christian clinicians, or faith-based clinicians, or any even non-faith-based clinicians to practice in that kind of way, he said. That is not the way clinical psychotherapy is done.

About a decade ago, California and New Jersey were among the first states to ban pro-heterosexual therapy to minors who felt uncomfortable with same-sex attraction impulses, Benzio said.

In the New Jersey court case, testimony from faith-based clinicians who wanted to talk about psychotherapy being a healing modality for somebody with unwanted same-sex attraction was not allowed, Benzio said.

So, were not even talking about somebody with wanted same-sex attraction, he said. They didnt even allow any testimony to be heard from many practitioners who were faith-based that presented an opposing viewthat this was a choice, and not an innate characteristic.

Because people suffering from sexual abuse and addictions often struggle to find purpose and identity, gender confusion is one of the repercussions that can happen as they search for love and a sense of belonging, Benzio said.

A mother takes part in a demonstration in Anaheim, Calif., on Oct. 8, 2022. (Brad Jones/The Epoch Times)

Instead of saying, Hey, lets look at the science and  our understanding of psychological dynamics that occur inside a persons inner being in their mind, weve said, Hey, lets just care for these people and because a six-year-old believes that theyre a female when they were born a boy, or that they believe theyre an animal when they were born a human, they must be right and we cant contradict that. We cant tell them no, he said. [W]e should be able to recognize that this is dysfunctional, not healthy.

Gender-affirming care and transitioning schoolchildren are not the answer, Benzio said.

We need to come alongside and provide them opportunities for healing, and those  certainly are not social transitioningletting them think that they are a different sex  with chemical transitioning [and] its incredible dangers, and then surgical transitioning, he said.

Good, sound psychotherapy can help people heal and to see a much clearer and healthier view of themselves, their sexuality, their gender, and relationships to be able to move forward in life, he said.

This is Not Normal

Because Anderson specializes in trauma, personality disorders, eating disorders, and addictions, she has seen many teenage girls who are struggling with a burgeoning sense of identity and experiencing body image issues.

Its just part of the process of what happens when you are raised in a highly objectifying culture where youre dealing with  how a woman is supposed to look, Anderson said.

Its common for teenage girls, especially those whove been sexually abused, to say they hate their bodies and wish they were boys, Anderson said. But, because teenagers dont have a fully formed prefrontal cortex, they often dont have the capacity to reason things out, she said.

Theyre very dramatic and very emotional, she said. They make claims in the moment that can change in two days.

In most cases, it doesnt really mean they want to undergo a gender transition, she said.

In the last two decades, Anderson has witnessed several harmful fads or contagions. Twenty years ago, the social contagion among girls and young women was eating disorders and 10 years ago it was cutting and self-mutilation, she said.

But today, it has become trendy for troubled teensespecially girlsto say they are transgender, or gender neutral, Anderson said.

They are now being told that their angst has a reason and a purposethat their body hatred, their depression, their confusion around identity and sense of self isnt just a natural part of adolescence or a byproduct of other psychological disorders. Its actually its own entity: transgender, she said.

While gender dysphoria is not her area of expertise, Anderson said gender identity has surfaced more frequently in her counseling sessions.

I am seeing it pop up in individuals who actually are presenting with eating disorders, personality disorders, and unresolved sexual abuse, she said. Theyre already experiencing psychological struggles, but what Im seeing is they want to pin all their problems on this issue.

In todays culture, its easier for some sexual abuse victims to say their body image problems are because theyre in the wrong body rather than connecting it with the trauma theyve experienced because transgenderism is presented as normal and healthy, Anderson said.

It makes them cool as opposed to having a mental illness, she said.

In this file photo, a man talks on his cell phone while riding on the back of a moving truck in Pacifica, Calif., on Jan. 26, 2016. (Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)

Leaving California

Andersons said she and her husband had contemplated leaving the state long before the controversy erupted.

We had been wanting to get out of California  but we really didnt feel that God had released us yet, because we were very active in the fight in California, she said.

With her livelihood threatened in a state that has been at the forefront of the push for gender-affirming care and facing escalating harassment and threats for more than a year and a half, the couple finally decided to leave the state last fall.

Anderson said she isnt backing down, but rather taking her fight for liberty to the national level.

I do feel like God is calling me to a bigger platform, she said. I know there are not many people who have been in this fight for religious freedom. There are not many psychologists or counselors nationwide that have been doing this.

She doesnt miss what she calls Californias cancel culture mentality.

It was nice to get away from the insanity, she said of her exit. People have no idea that this is going on, and they need to know. Im not special. The fact that theyve come for me means  theyre going to be coming for everybody else. This is just how it starts.
Public School Enrollment Drops by 1.4 Million Students, Posing Financial Challenges for Big Cities

A student waits at the building entrance of Middletown High School after dismissal in Middletown, N.Y., on Sept. 20, 2022. (Cara Ding/The Epoch Times)

Enrollment in U.S. public schools saw a one-year drop of 1.4 million students in the fall of 2020, hitting a 10-year low of 49.4 million students.

The sudden decline followed 3 percent growth over the preceding decade.

Although enrollment rebounded slightly in 2021, it remains at its lowest level since 2010, prompting some districts to consider school closures and other cost-saving measures.

New York Citys public school enrollment fell to 903,000 in 2022, according to the website Gothamist; thats about a 10 percent decline over three years.

An empty classroom at Yung Wing School P.S. 124 before the start of the school year in New York on Sept. 2, 2021. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

We have a hemorrhaging of families that are leaving the city, leaving the school system, New York Mayor Eric Adams said during an announcement in June 2022, expressing concern the loss of students would trigger the loss of federal funding to the citys public schools.

Enrollment in the Los Angeles United School District (LAUSD), the nations second-largest, has fallen to about 430,000 over the past 20 years from 737,000, and officials have said that they expect another 28 percent decrease by 2030.

We will have to navigate through difficult but important conversations and decisions in order not only to plan for the future but also to ensure that, during a very unstable and unsustainable set of practices and processes, we come out the other end on solid footing without compromising the viability of our school district, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho told the LAUSD Board of Education in May 2022, according to EdSource.

Enrollment in Chicago Public Schools has fallen by 82,000 over nine years to about 302,000 students. The citys Board of Education voted to close 50 schools in 2013.

State law now prohibits further closures or consolidations until 2025. Twelve percent of Chicagos public schools enroll fewer than 200 students.

Indianapolis Public Schools have just more than 28,000 students, with the capacity to handle roughly 46,000, leaving 60 percent of classroom space unused.

I think people should know that everything is on the table, Indianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Aleesia Johnson to the nonprofit media outlet WFYI in March 2022.

But that doesnt mean only closure is on the table. That means we could consider closures. We could consider consolidations; we could consider new buildingswhich I think theres certainly evidence that we need some new buildings; we could consider renovating.

In November 2022, the Indianapolis Public Schools Board of Education approved a reorganization plan that included closing six school buildings and changing the grade configuration of others.

Losses May Be Closer to 2 Million

The shift away from public schools may be even larger than total enrollment numbers show. Those figures include new enrollees, obscuring the actual number of students leaving public schools.

A 2022 report by Education Next indicates that between 2020 and 2022, enrollment in non-charter public schools declined to 76.5 percent of total school enrollment from 81 percent, while enrollment in public charter schools increased to 7.2 percent from 5 percent, private school enrollment rose to 9.7 percent from 8 percent, and homeschooling increased to 6.6 percent from 6 percent.

That indicates that nearly 2 million students left traditional public schools for other educational options.

A study by the CATO Institute shows similar findings, with more private schools gaining enrollment in 202021.

Keller Independent School District School Board trustees in Keller, Texas, on Dec. 12, 2022, voted to approve the Guardian Program to allow trained staffers to be armed on campus.

Fewer Students, Less Money

Public schools are generally funded on a per-student basis, making declining enrollment a significant financial challenge.

School districts have grappled with the problem in various ways.

Despite declining enrollment, New York City school officials have pledged not to reduce spending this year.

As we recover from the disruptions of the pandemic, we will ensure every student has the resources they need to thrive, David Banks, chancellor of the New York City Department of Education, said in a statement.

This investment will boost our schools that face continued enrollment challenges caused by the pandemic.

Denver Public Schools anticipates a funding shortfall of about $9 million by the end of the school year that will be covered with reserve funds, according to the districts financial report.

One factor was lower-than-expected enrollment. School officials project an additional 3.6 percent decrease in enrollment over the next four years.

Minneapolis Public Schools have the capacity to serve 40,000 students but have enrolled just 28,000. Projections show that the district will run out of money by 2025 without some intervention, and school closures are considered likely, according to StarTribune.

A year ago, Californias Oakland Unified School District closed seven schools because of a looming $50 million budget deficit and a decline in student enrollment.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states adopted hold-harmless policies that prevented schools from losing funding because of lower enrollment.

Public schools also received $190 billion in federal funding over the past two years through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Plan, created under the federal CARES Act in 2020 and added to the American Rescue Plan in 2021.

When those provisions run out, the reality of declining enrollment may have an even greater financial impact.
Reaching for Peace in Our Time Once Again

British statesman and prime minister Neville Chamberlain (1869 - 1940) at Heston Airport on his return from Munich after meeting with Hitler, making his 'peace in our time' address. (Central Press/Getty Images)

Commentary

Peace in our time is an aspiration all but the foolhardy would embrace. It is a superbly worthy goal.

The person to whom the words Peace in our time are accredited is a man who, full of noble ambition, had those words thrown back at him as the deal he had struck unravelled in the most dramatic and devastating fashion.

Neville Chamberlain, the United Kingdoms prime minister, had made a deal with Adolf Hitler, the fascist dictator of Germany, to allegedly secure peace and avoid war.

Others who were more hawkish were rightly wary and warned against complacency. One such person was the hero of World War II leadership, Winston Churchill.

With this salutary history lesson in mind, how should we view the recent thawing of relations between Australia and China?

Anything that can reduce tensions must, at its face value, be welcomed. So, visits by Australian ministers to Beijing are a step in the right direction.

Albeit some might wonder whether Australian dignitaries visiting China is a masterful diplomatic play by the communist dictatorship having the Australians come to them rather than meeting on neutral territory as equals. Time will tell.

Into this difficult and vexing area of regional relations, we have witnessed the Chinese Ambassador to Australia hinting at trade and peace in recent times.

Chinese ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian addresses the media during the New Years Press Gathering at the Chinese Embassy in Canberra, Australia, on Jan. 10, 2022. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

His toasting of the new year as an opportunity for new beginnings is a substantial shift of sentiment from his predecessor, whose belligerence became emblematic of the difficulties in Beijings approach to Australia and other democracies that had the temerity to question it over issues such as COVID-19, Uyghurs, and human rights generally.

Australia, for its principled stand, was slapped with tariffs on products from barley to wine to coal, punching a $20 billion (US$14 billion) hole in its trade and exports.

Seemingly oblivious to the still hefty wine tariff, Australian wine producers are courting the Ambassador Xiao Qian, who toasted the new year at his media conference with Australian wine.

The symbolism of this would not have been overlooked by the Chinese regime, which choreographs every event to the minutest detaila none too subtle reminder of who is holding the whip hand.

Interestingly, it is being suggested Australias ambassador has been invited to address a coal forum in China as a prelude to again opening Chinese ports to Australian coal, especially coking coal.

This would be a truly substantial boost to Australian trade. Coking coal is vital for steel making, which in turn is vital for the making of military hardware. The warier might consider this a motive on the part of the communist regime rather than their desire to normalise relations.

Unbridled Propaganda

While hinting at trade and peace, the ambassador nevertheless employed language suggesting that Beijing expects regional diplomacy to be one-way traffica submission to the communist dictatorship, with any questioning of its motives and actual activities being completely unacceptable.

His gratuitous and vitriolic attack on Japan was a clear indication that the communist dictatorship was not for shifting from its previously expressed positions.

Read More Chinese Ambassador Attempts to Break Strategic Alliance Between Australia and Japan

The ambassador reminded his audience that once someone makes a threat against you, they may do so again. For good measure, this was amplified by the recounting of events 80 years ago, when Imperial Japan bombed Darwin in Australia.

Message: Australia, be careful of the Japanese partner in the QUAD treaty between Australia, Japan, the United States, and India.

(LR) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for photos at the entrance hall of the Prime Ministers Office of Japan in Tokyo on May 24, 2022. (Zhang Xiaoyu/Reuters)

Its an attempt, one suspects, to divert attention from the most recent threats of retaliation by the communist dictatorship in Beijing to those countries, including Australia, which had put new COVID testing requirements on travellers coming from China.

This, of course, was a follow-up threat to previous ones emanating from Beijing and which were, in fact, implemented.

Taking the ambassador at his word, should we be expecting even more threats?

Attacks were also provided against Australias most significant defence deal in recent times, AUKUS, and the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines in partnership with the United Kingdom and United States.

To the dictatorship, AUKUS was not about Australia getting its defence posture correct and up to date, but indicative of Australia perceiving Beijing as a potential threat. The seeming lack of self-awareness on Beijings part apparently obviated the need to explain why Beijing was growing its navy and military at an exponential rate, and militarising of the South China Sea.

Any move by Australia to be fully equipped and defended against potential threats is to be treated as proof of sinister motives, whereas Chinas wholesale militarisation is to be seen one assumes as a self-sacrificial move to ensure world peace.

One might get away with such a forked-tongue approach in a country denied a free media and where the regime controls the dissemination of all public information.

In freedom-loving nations like Australia, this unbridled propaganda is immediately seen for what it isunbridled propaganda.

All that said, peace needs to be given a chance. For long-term peace, there has to be true mutual respect and understanding and a more mature, honest and open dialogue than that which has been forthcoming.

Principle and transparency, together with genuine goodwill, are vital components for any lasting deal. Time will tell whether that vital trifecta of ingredients is present in the current diplomatic rounds being undertaken between Canberra and Beijing.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Remote, Telework, or Hybrid: How About a Raise Just for Showing Up?

Commentary

Is the option of working from home for some employees coming to an end? It depends on who you ask.

Earlier this month, Forbes ran an article titled, Is remote work dying a fast death? while last month, the Los Angeles Times declared, Why the trend toward remote work isnt going to fade in 2023.

Forbes pointed to LinkedIn data from 2022, which suggests that remote/telework job postings have already peaked, despite an increasing demand for them:

US remote-job postings on LinkedIn reached an all-time high in February 2022, at 20% of all US jobsyet they attracted over 50% of all applications, according to LinkedIn. By September, remote-job posts fell to 14% of all posts, but got 52% of all US applications.

It is, perhaps, no surprise that most job applicants would prefer to work from home. Despite the obvious lure of days spent in fuzzy pajamas and a short commute time from bedroom to laptop, there are some not-so-selfish reasons that seem justifiedsuch as calculating the high cost of child care or gasolinethings needed for traditional jobs.

In New Mexico, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham took flak for rescinding New Mexicos telework option for state employees. (In most areas, remote and telework are used interchangeably, although technically there are slight differences.)

A recent article in the Santa Fe New Mexican exposed angry emails to the governor that were obtained under a public records request.

A sampling from those vehemently opposed to ending telework included a counselor for the deaf and hard of hearing, employed in the states Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, who was so upset that she would have to show up in person that she declared her intention to leave the state; multiple emails from people afraid of the ongoing spread of COVID-19; multiple emails arguing that telework saves the government on building costs; and a state employees spouse, who argued that rescinding telework would mean that they would have to spend more than they could afford to care for their pets.

Some of these protestations are downright offensive to many hard-working Americans, especially for those who have had the backbreaking work of shoveling their cars out of the snow only to be penalized for punching the clock two minutes late or those who have had to choose between their jobs and taking time off for a possibly life-saving medical screening or doctors appointment. (And, of course, they needed the job for the health insurance, so they were in a Catch-22.)

And yet, because I myself have questioned the logic of an 8-to-5 workaday worldsqueezed into cubicles and overseen by an omniscient, whip-snapping lion tamerI know we cant stand in the way of progress. There must be a better way, at least for some of the workforce.

Hybrid work may be the answer. Combining in-person attendance with working from home and offering a flexible schedule has the power to simultaneously make employees happy and boost productivity. If it can be administered with equal deference to employees needs while keeping the companys best interests at heart, it will be the way of the future; but employers have a lot of kinks to work out.

Over at woke Disney, CEO Bob Iger just told his hybrid employees that theyll soon be required to be in the office at least four days per week. Iger reportedly released a memo saying, As Ive been meeting with teams throughout the company over the past few months, Ive been reminded of the tremendous value in being together with the people you work with.

Iger follows Elon Musks earlier directives at Tesla and Twitter, and Tim Cook at Apple had to tread lightly just to get his employees into a hybrid schedule without triggering an all-out rebellion.

In June 2022, Fortune magazine documented how employees were rebelling against in-office mandates and said the battle was just beginning.

Indeed, the situation calls to mind the post-World War I song, How Ya Gonna Keep em Down on the Farm (After Theyve Seen Paree?)

Meanwhile, in the real world of health care, transportation, utilities, construction, retail, and restaurants, many people have never had the option of hybrid work. By todays standards, they all deserve a raise just for showing up.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Rep. Palmer Calls Out White House For Opposing Ban on Oil Sales to China

Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference CPAC held at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas on July 9, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

President Joe Biden is drawing criticism from lawmakers after the White House made negative comments about a bipartisan effort to curb the flow of U.S. oil to China.

The House of Representatives approved a measure on Jan. 12 that would block exports from the nations Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China and prohibit the sale of oil for the SBR under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party. The vote received widespread bipartisan support, passing by a margin of 33197.

In response, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates told Yahoo News that the measure was backwards, and characterized it as a Republican attempt to raise gas prices in order to make Biden look bad.

Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) said that the incident demonstrated the administrations lack of understanding of economics and the necessity of maintaining the nations strategic reserves, which are intended to assist the nation in times of crisis.

Its another example of how little he knows about economics and market principles, Palmer said during an interview with Capitol Report on NTD, a sister media outlet of The Epoch Times.

When youre sending your crude oil to another country where its going to be refined and consumed there and its not coming back here, it reduces the market supply, which increases price.

Helping China, Russia



Palmer is one of a growing number of lawmakers who are expressing discontent with the Biden administration for what they describe as its indiscretion in raiding the strategic reserves and selling them to corporations like Chinas state-owned Unipec, which maintains close ties with Chinas communist regime.

The administration has made every effort to undermine, avoid, and restrict oil and gas production in North America while at the same time moving to drain our strategic reserves in an attempt to offset the price increases caused by the presidents own policies, said Rep. Robert Latta (R-Ohio) shortly after the passage of H.R. 22, the bill to block such sales.

Similarly, Palmer said the Biden administrations policies had effectively weakened the United States and strengthened its adversaries.

By depleting the nations oil reserves to their lowest level since the 1980s and making the nation more dependent on processing from China and exports from Russia, he said, the administration was contributing to those regimes malign activities.

[Biden] stopped construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would have brought in over 800,000 barrels of crude oil per day from Canada, Palmer said. And instead, we were buying 600,000 barrels a day from Russia. We were literally providing the revenues to Russia to fund this illegal war that theyre carrying out in Ukraine.

This is one of the reasons why the war in Ukraine is so problematic. Ive told people it didnt create the energy crisis, it exposed it.

To that end, Palmer said that the administration ought to immediately halt the sale of strategic reserves to China and keep them in the American market where, if they needed to be sold, would keep prices down by keeping local supplies high.

Palmer noted that the oil shale in the Green River Formation of the Rocky Mountains held what amounted to three trillion barrels of crude oil, half of which might be extracted by the United States if it so desired.

As such, Palmer said, the administration could do better managing the reserves and its place as an energy giant, which he considered to be a national security issue for both the United States and its allies.

People need to understand that our energy resources are enormous, Palmer said. We are an energy superpower.

These energy resources are not only an economic security issue for us, theyre a national security issue for us. Our allies, and our friends around the globe depend on U.S. energy resources.

Nowhere was this more apparent, Palmer added, than in the advantage being given to Chinas communist regime by the sales of U.S. strategic reserves. Sales that Palmer said could assist the regime in displacing the United States as the worlds leading superpower.

China is not vying to just be an economic superpower, Palmer said. They want to be the power.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the White House for comment.
Republicans Ask Biden to Release Visitor Logs From Delaware Home

Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) at the Protect Children's Innocence press event outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Sept. 20, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Two Republican lawmakers are demanding President Joe Biden release visitor logs from his Wilmington, Delaware home, after classified documents from the Obama-Biden administration were found in his residences garage and an adjacent room.

Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas) and Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) each sent a letter to Biden on Jan. 12, telling the president that his handling of the documents is a matter of national security.

Given the vast amount of time President Biden spends at his Delaware property and the significant allegations of unethical behavior and influence peddling against members of his immediate family, the American people deserve to know who is influencing this Administration, Gooden wrote in his letter.

The Biden Administration has continuously promised to bring transparency and truth back to the government, yet your failure to disclose this information sends the opposite message, Gooden continued. I urge you to make good on this promise and release these visitor logs to the public.

Gooden emphasized that it was not enough for the White House to make its visitor logs available, given that Biden had spent roughly two hundred days of his presidency at his Wilmington residence.

The discovery of classified documents at your private residence violates your commitment to restore integrity, transparency, and trust in government, Gooden added. If you choose to honor your policy, I should expect to see visitor logs from your Delaware residence from January 20, 2021  January 12, 2023.

The Texas lawmaker noted how the Secret Service last year failed to find any records that identify visitors to Bidens Delaware residences. Biden has another residence in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

[T]his failure to identify visitors to your Delaware residence is another attempt to mislead the American people and potentially conceal meetings with special interest groups or foreign nationals, Gooden wrote.

Your decision to keep classified documents at your Delaware residence may also be regarded as a national security risk, Gooden continued. Storing classified documents in your garage and the Secret Services inability to confirm the existence of visitor logs is a potential national security breach of any information within these discovered documents.

Gooden ended his letter by asking Biden to answer several questions before Jan. 23, including whether any foreigners had visited the presidents Delaware properties and whether they had access to locations where the classified documents were kept.

Former White House press secretary Jen Psaki had previously defended the White House for not releasing visitor logs from Delaware.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre didnt answer when asked about when the White House will release a log of visitors to the Wilmington house.

United States Attorney Robert Hur speaks at a news conference at the U.S. Attorneys Office, in Baltimore, Md., on Sept. 19, 2018. (Zach Gibson/Getty Images)

Classified Documents

Biden has been under scrutiny since Jan. 9, when one of his lawyers, Richard Sauber, revealed that documents with classified markings were found at the presidents former office space at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement in Washington.

Sauber said the documents were turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) on Nov. 3, 2022, one day after they were found.

On Jan. 12, Sauber announced more classified documents were found. Bidens two Delaware homes are the other locations where files from his Vice Presidential office might have been shipped in the course of the 2017 transition, accordion to Sauber.

Only one of the two homesthe residence in Wilmingtonhad classified materials, Sauber added.

On the same day, Attorney General Merrick Garland named Robert Hur, a former federal prosecutor, as special counsel to oversee the Department of Justices investigation into classified documents found at Bidens former office and home.

Hurs appointment has since drawn mixed reactions from Republican lawmakers.

Sen. Ted Cruz (T-Texas), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement saying he has deep concerns in this DOJ to legitimately investigate this case without bias.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said in a statement that his committee would pursue its own investigation of Bidens classified documents, regardless of the special counsels efforts.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who serves on the House Select Committee on Intelligence, said House Republicans will conduct rigorous oversight and hold Joe Biden and the Biden Administration accountable, according to a statement from her office.

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, she added.

Letter

Buck called on Biden to release visitor logs from his Wilmington home from Jan. 20, 2017 to the present day, according to his letter obtained by Fox News.

The fact that classified and sensitive material was casually stored in your garage, apparently next to your Corvette, is deeply concerning, Buck wrote.

U.S. Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) questions witnesses at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on police brutality and racial profiling in Washington on June 10, 2020. (Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)

On Thursday, Biden was asked about the classified documents. Classified documents next to your Corvette? What were you thinking? a reporter asked the president.

Im going to get a chance to speak on all this, God willing, soon, but as I said earlier this week, peopleand, by the way, my Corvette is in a locked garage. OK? So, its not like theyre sitting out in the street, Biden responded.

So the material was in a locked garage? the reporter asked.

Yes, as well as my Corvette, Biden responded. But as I said earlier this week, people know I take classified documents and classified material seriously. I also said were cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Departments review.

Buck noted that Biden had made at least 60 trips to Delaware as president.

As a matter of national security and transparency, the public deserves to know who visited this residence and had access to these unsecured, classified documents, Buck wrote. I call on you to release the visitor logs for your Wilmington residence in light of this news and deliver on your promise of transparency to the American people.
The sold-out Centenary Hall during the Shen Yun curtain call on the evening of Jan. 11, 2023. (The Epoch Times)

FRANKFURT, GermanyOn the afternoon and evening of Jan. 11, Shen Yun Performing Arts performed for the second and third time this year at the Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt. The audience responded enthusiastically, and especially in the sold-out evening performance, during which there were repeated applause and cheers at the end.

In Frankfurt, a renowned international financial center, Shen Yuns performance attracted many prominent financial and business elites. Many businessmen said that they came out of their hectic work routine into the world of Shen Yun and saw the glorious culture of divine heritage and precious traditional values, which made for a relaxing and uplifting experience.

The performance also attracted many Asian faces: Ms. Kim has been in Germany for nearly 40 years and worked in the art field in China. She said the performance was very good and the actors had a very high artistic level.

Ms. Zhang, an accountant, praised the performance. She said that as a Chinese woman, she felt proud and encouraged by the performance.

A flight attendant said that the group of artists came to Frankfurt on a flight that she herself had accompanied. She said, I knew they were coming to Frankfurt, and I wanted to see the performance. That afternoon, she said, she had been given the message the group had told her about on the plane. She got to see a different side of China, which she found beautiful and inspiring, she said.

New York-based Shen Yun was formed with the mission of reviving 5,000 years of Chinese civilizationa China before communismthrough the universal languages of music and dance.

Since its inception in 2006, it has grown from one to eight companies, and become a global sensation. Shen Yun is the worlds premier classical Chinese dance company, and has put the art form on the map.

Right Up to Redemption

Norbert Wulff and his wife Barbara also found Wednesday afternoons performance very impressive. Mr. Wulff is a lawyer and worked for many years in the financial industry in the boardroom.

On the one hand, he particularly liked the combination of modernity with the history of 5,000 years of Chinese civilization, which neither of them had expected.

On the other hand, he was impressed by the presentation of Chinese culture, in which the spiritual side, the divinity play a big role. The fact that a great deal is derived from this, right up to redemption, which we saw in the last scene, was very impressive, said Wulff.

The Wulff couple has been following Chinas development very intensively over the past 30 years, the lawyer continued.

I had been to Beijing and Shenzhen on business in 1995. At that time, I had been very interested in how this old trading nation, which had suffered greatly under communism, was reviving under the innovations that were introduced at that time. At that time, the Chinese economy was flourishing, and its painful to see how thats all being curbed by the current Communist Party and how everything is falling back into the old ways.

Mrs. Wulff expressed her interest in traditional Chinese culture, which she had wanted to see for so long, but unfortunately is no longer possible in current China.

The stage design, the dances anyway, the fine motor skills, I really liked it all, she said. Outstanding performance.

Her husband emphasized how impressive it was to see how in all these nations that live under authoritarian rule, there are still quite a lot of people who stand up against it and have the courage to rebel against that authority.

At Shen Yun, he said, this happens with wonderful dance and wonderful choreography. It is, I think, not without danger, he added.

He wishes the artists would carry the message forward in that friendly Chinese way and he hopes that Chinese traditions can also be upheld.

Every nation explains itself in the present from the past, from tradition. If I understand it correctly, Chinese tradition is very divine and spiritual. It is essential to continue to cultivate that so that these values are not lost, he said.

His wife added that right today they will write a recommendation to the whole family to come and see the performance.

Worthy of Our Humanity

Bettina Wiesmann, former member of the Hessian parliament and current chairwoman of the CDU in Frankfurt, was at the Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt on the evening of Jan. 11 to see the third performance of Shen Yun in the city. She expressed her admiration for the artists courage in exposing the persecution of people by the Chinese Communist Party.

Ms. Wiesmann praised the skill of the Shen Yun artists, saying, Its a very challenging dance that involves many difficult techniques. Overall, it was a pleasure to watch. The mens dance, which is physically demanding with many jumps and flips, was of a very high level. The womens dance is also very good and requires a high level of body control and balance. I enjoyed it very much.

Ms. Wiesmann was also fascinated by music: What was also excellent, of course, was the accompaniment of the live orchestra playing music that matched the dance, and that also impressed me very much.

For the politician, it was a pleasure to learn about the sacred Chinese culture, which has a spiritual dimension, she said. It was a bit unusual for me, but I found it unforgettable and was happy to learn more about it.

Reviving traditional Chinese values and divine culture is Shen Yuns mission. Ms. Wiesmann said she thinks it is important for human beings to live up to their potential to live good and moral lives in charity and respect for others.

In the end, what matters is that we prove ourselves worthy of our humanitywith our intellect and our moral possibilitieson earth, she said.

For her, she said, there is a point at which Christianity and perhaps Chinese culture can have a touch: That human beings have a divine side and that they need to make use of it, though.

She continues, Ultimately, its about using our wisdom and morality in the world and proving our worth. And it doesnt matter so much what cultural background you have. Thats what we need to do here on Earth, and then we can help each other.

10 out of 10

For a father with a son, attending the Shen Yun performance in Frankfurt was also a special experience.

The splendor of colors and the variety were very admirable, said Torsten Mierdorf, who, as a fan of Asia, was happy to be able to see the old traditions and all these Chinese gods again.

Mr. Mierdorf works as a district manager in sales for a well-known battery company and also teaches the Korean martial art of taekwondo.

Im also a spiritual person, and I think the whole package was right, he continued. The flow, the whole time thingstarting with the gods and then the evolution to todayit was really top notch and inspired us. We will definitely come again!

His son Fabio was especially impressed with the dancers technique. I thought the backflips and the fight scenes were really good, he said, giving the performance 10 out of 10 points.

Mr. Mierdorf said the performance also brought attention to abuses in China.

We know, of course, that its not easy to change something there, but through such a performance you can already contribute to changing something in the world. I thought that was very nice.

Both sat in the front row and were also thrilled by the live orchestra, which they witnessed up close.

Really Unforgettable

Wonderful, flawless! said Gunter Weiss after seeing Shen Yun. The costumes were exquisite, and of course the precision [of the performance] was very memorable. It was incredible.

Mr. Weiss is the CEO of a century-old family business in Germany that specializes in pest control. He came accompanied by his wife, Ute Weiss.

They said they were pleasantly surprised and had no idea the show would be so good. The music and dancing were fantastic and very well put together. And I thought it was very brave that some of the positions were against the Chinese Communist Party, Ive never seen anything like that, the businessman continued.

Both thought the artistic level was excellent and praised the interplay between dancers and digital stage background, which would have to be carefully planned and made the experience really unforgettable.

Reporting by Nancy McDonnell.

The Epoch Times is a proud sponsor of Shen Yun Performing Arts. We have covered audience reactions since Shen Yuns inception in 2006.
Russia Releases US Navy Veteran Taylor Dudley After Almost a Year in Custody

Taylor Dudley (L) and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson hold a news conference at the National Press Club one day after Richardson helped negotiate Dudley's release from a prison in Kaliningrad, Russia, in Washington, DC. on January 13, 2023. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Dudley, who had been detained in Russia for nine months, was released on Thursday and was handed over to U.S. custody in Poland, according to former New Mexico governor Bill Richardson.

Dudley, from Lansing, Michigan, was taken into custody by Russian border patrol police in April 2022 after crossing from Poland into Kaliningrad, a Russian province sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania, and is the headquarters of the Russian navys Baltic Fleet.

The 35-year-old was attending a Poland music festival, and it remains unclear why he crossed the Russian border.

His release was negotiated for months and led by the Richardson Center for Global Engagement, a nonprofit led by former diplomat Bill Richardson.

According to Richardson, U.S. embassies in Warsaw and Moscow and several diplomats had played a role in securing Dudleys release at the Bagrationovsk-Bezledy border crossing.

Taylors safe return would not have been possible without the help of Ara Abramyan and Vitaly Pruss, who turned every stone in this joint effort. And the help of Steve Menzies, who offered tremendous support to this effort, said Richardson.

It is significant that despite the current environment between our two countries, the Russian authorities did the right thing by releasing Taylor today. And as we celebrate Taylors safe return, we remain very concerned for Paul Whelan, and are committed to continue to work on his safe return, as we have been for the last four years, as well as other Americans.

The detention had not been widely publicized before Thursday because Dudleys family wanted the negotiations for his release to remain private.

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.

We work on behalf of the families and at no cost to them. The Richardson Center is greatly appreciative of our partners, including many private individuals and foundations who support and enable our work as a non-for-profit, the organization said.

Contrary to Russias previous releases of imprisoned Americans, there was no swap for Dudley. The U.S. government hasnt categorized Dudleys detention as wrongful or claimed that it was arbitrary or based on discrimination.

Earlier today, Russian authorities released American citizen Taylor Dudley, a 35-year-old Navy veteran, across the Polish border to Gov. Bill Richardson, his team, and a representative from the U.S. embassy in Warsawa release the Richardson Center worked on diligently and quietly for more than six months, with significant assistance from the Steve Menzies Global Foundation, from Hostage U.S., and from the James Foley Foundation. The family will be forever grateful for the work of all three, said Jonathan Franks, a family spokesperson.

The past nine months have been difficult ones for the family, and they ask the media to respect their privacy and give them the space to welcome Taylor home.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
After analyzing previous harvest surveys, Wyoming Game and Fish is preliminarily recommending the number of nonresident general elk licenses be set at 4,325 for the 2024 elk hunting season.

Game and Fish is gathering public input on the proposal to remove the 7,250 cap on nonresident elk licenses and establish regions for nonresident general elk licenses. Comments will be forwarded to the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission for their review prior to their July 18-19 meeting in Wheatland. If the nonresident general elk license proposal is approved, it would take effect in 2024.
Russia Says It Took Soledar, Ukraine Denies Its Capture

Ukrainian army Grad multiple rocket launcher fires rockets at Russian positions in the frontline near Soledar, Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Jan. 11, 2023. (Libkos/AP Photo)

KYIV, UkraineRussia claimed Friday that its forces captured the fiercely contested salt-mining town of Soledar in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities said the fight for the town continued.

Since its invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Moscow has prioritized taking full control of the Donbasa region made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, where it has backed a separatist insurgency since 2014. Russia has seized most of Luhansk, but about half of Donetsk remains under Ukraines control.

There have repeatedly been conflicting reports over who controls Soledar. The Associated Press could not independently confirm either sides claim.

The liberation of the town of Soledar was completed in the evening of Jan. 12, said Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, the Russian Defense Ministrys spokesman, calling the development important for the continuation of offensive operations in the Donetsk region.

Taking control of the town would allow Russian forces to cut supply lines to Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut, and then block and encircle the Ukrainian units there, Konashenkov said.

But Serhii Cherevaty, a spokesman for the Ukrainian army in the east, denied the town had fallen, telling the AP there are still Ukrainian units in Soledar.

And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Friday, The tough battle for Donetsk continues. The battle for Bakhmut and Soledar, for Kreminna, for other towns and villages in the east of our state continues.

Zelenskyy told the Lithuanian parliament earlier in the day that Kyiv did not intend to give any breathing space to Russian forces, and that the coming months will be decisive for Ukraines fight to defend itself.

Just hours before Russias claim, Ukraine reported there had been a heavy night of fighting. In a Telegram post early Friday, Ukraines deputy defense minister, Hanna Maliar, said Moscow had sent almost all [its] main forces to secure a victory in the east.

This is a difficult stage of the war, but we will win, Maliar added.

Konashenkov said the storming of Soledar became possible thanks to massive air and artillery strikes and airborne troops maneuvers to envelop the city. He didnt mention the Wagner Group, which previously took credit for capturing Soledar. There have been signs of tensions between the army and the Wagner Group, led by millionaire Yevgeny Prigozhin.

After Prigozhin angrily accused the Defense Ministry of constantly trying to steal Wagners victory, the Defense Ministry changed course and acknowledged the groups courageous and selfless action to capture Soledar.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian central security agency announced Friday that it is holding counter-sabotage exercises along a section of the border with Belarus. The move comes amidst heightened concern about Belarus possible involvement in the war. The country has provided a base for about 10,000 Russian soldiers, and the two countries are to conduct joint military air exercises next week.
Second Amendment Group Rallies Members Against McCarthys First Gun Bill Aimed at Illegal Immigrants

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has a gun bill planned for a vote soon that is aimed at rounding up illegal immigrants through the federal gun background check system. The bill would utilize the FBIs National Instant Criminal Background Check System to attempt to find people who are in the United States illegally.

However, the Second Amendment advocacy group Gun Owners of America (GOA) alerted its members about legislation, warning that it would empower the FBI to target and conduct warrantless surveillance of law-abiding gun owners.

I could think of a thousand ways to target illegal aliens without harassing law-abiding gun owners named Rodriguez, GOAs attorney Rob Olson told The Epoch Times in an interview.

House GOP Priority

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) put the bill Illegal Alien NICS Alert Act on the public list outlining the legislation to be brought to the floor for a vote in the first two weeks in session. The bill was first introduced by Rep. Gregory Steube (R-Fla.) in January 2021. It has not yet been filed in the new Congress.

The National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is the federal electronic background check system run by the FBI to check if a person is legally prohibited from owning a gun. There are nine categories of people who are not allowed to buy or possess guns, including illegal or unlawful aliens.

This Republican priority bill would amend the Brady Bill of 1993 to direct the Department of Justice to transmit a persons information to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and state and local law enforcement every time NICS flags a firearm transferee as possibly in the United States illegally.

Alert

GOA sent out an alert to its members to have them email their representatives that the legislation is not progun.

As your constituent, I was appalled to hear that the very first gun bill the new House majority plans to vote onthe Illegal Alien NICS Alert Actis NOT a pro-gun bill, the email template says. NICS outrageous false positive background check denial rate will result in U.S. residents wrongly being reported to ICE and could have a chilling effect on the skyrocketing increase in minority gun ownership.

According to a 2019 FBI report, there were 1.7 million NICS denials over the previous two decades, but only 28,816 of those were for being illegal or unlawful aliens. Meanwhile, 2.4 million people were arrested for illegally crossing the border just in the 2022 fiscal year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

This is a ridiculous solution to illegal immigration that will do nothing to solve the underlying problem caused by this nations porous borders, said Olson. Yet this bill is all but guaranteed to infringe the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.

Broken Background Check System

A large percentage of NICS denialspeople who dont pass the background checkare wrong. John Lott, president of the Crime Prevention Research Center, has extensively researched this issue.

The problem with the NICS system is the overwhelmingly high error rate. The error rate is something around 99 percent, Lott told The Epoch Times. It is one thing to stop a felon from buying a gun, but it is another thing to stop someone who simply has a roughly phonetically similar name and similar birthday to a felons. The errors discriminate against black and Hispanic males.

Attorney Gilbert Ambler, who also represents the GOA, said the bill would likely lawfully amend the current Brady Bill as it relates to individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm.

The concern here, for me, is that with all of the other failures of the NICS system, rather than fix the system itself, the bill would encourage additional law enforcement action based on what we know is often erroneous data, Ambler told The Epoch Times.

Targeting the Border Crisis

My bill is commonsense, Steube posted on Twitter Jan 8. If an illegal alien attempts to purchase a firearm, ICE should be notified so they can take action. The Florida Republican linked to a statement on the website of the advocacy group Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), which supports this bill.

By requiring information sharing between relevant agencies, the bill would help ensure that unlawful purchases are prevented and also aid in removing those illegal aliens from the country and preventing further offenses, wrote Joe Chatham, FAIRs senior government relations manager. With border crossings already at a 22-year high and showing no signs of slowing down, now is not the time to get soft on crime.

However, FAIR is not going to go to the mat for this bill. A senior official at FAIR told The Epoch Times that his organization believes the GOAs concerns over this bill are overblown, but there are stronger pieces of legislation targeting illegal immigrants that the GOP could consider in its place. The official pointed to several bills that are just as narrow in scope, including legislation that prohibits illegal aliens from voting in Washington, D.C., elections.

Olson pointed out that even if one assumes the new proposed background check system worked perfectly, it is a drop in the bucket to the border crisis. Even if ICE arrested and deported every single person of the 1,400 yearly NICS denials for actual illegal aliens, that would only solve 1/2000th of the illegal immigration problem, the attorney said. Thats hardly worth sacrificing Americans Second Amendment rights.

Spokespeople for McCarthy, Scalise, and Steube did not respond to requests for comment.
Southwest Airlines Shareholders Sue After More Than 16,000 Flights Canceled During Holiday Travel Chaos

Southwest Airlines staff tend the counter in the check in area, at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, on Dec. 28, 2022. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images)

Shareholders of Southwest Airlines have filed a lawsuit against the company accusing the carrier of failing to publicly disclose serious shortcomings in its outdated flight scheduling software technology, which prompted thousands of flight cancellations in December.

The proposed class action lawsuit (pdf) was filed by the Rosen Law Firm on behalf of the shareholders, led by Arthur Teroganesian, in the Southern District of Texas on Jan. 12.

It lists former Chief Executive Gary Kelly, his successor Bob Jordan, and Chief Financial Officer Tammy Romo as defendants, as well as the airline itself.

Shareholders allege that the airline failed to disclose issues with its scheduling systems or downplayed them in quarterly reports, including in its report for the quarter ending June 30, 2020, which plaintiffs said ignored the serious risk that having outdated technology posed to the Companys business.

That report stated that air travel can be significantly impacted by general economic conditions, unemployment levels, changes in consumer behavior, global pandemics such as COVID-19, extreme or severe weather and natural disasters, and other factors beyond the companys control.

These and other factors, such as the price of jet fuel in some periods, the nature of the Companys fuel hedging program, and the periodic volatility of commodities used by the Company for hedging jet fuel, have created, and may continue to create, significant volatility in the Companys financial results, the report stated, without mentioning the carriers internal control issues.

Stranded travelers search for their luggage at the Southwest Airlines Baggage Claim at Midway Airport. in Chicago, Illinois, on Dec. 27, 2022. (Jim Vondruska/Getty Images)

Airline Made Materially False and Misleading Statements

Multiple other quarterly reports also failed to mention the issues with the airlines scheduling systems, or downplayed them, and how it could be worse affected than other airlines in the event of adverse weather conditions, according to the plaintiffs.

The lawsuit also points to media appearances by executives at the carrier, including by former Chief Executive Gary Kelly, during which he claimed that previous scheduling issues were down to human error, and not a lack of technological capability.

Plaintiffs said these statements, along with the inadequate disclosures, were materially false and misleading.

Additionally, the lawsuit states that Southwest made false or misleading statements about its unique flight structure.

According to the shareholders, the airline emphasized positive aspects of its point-to-point route structure, which differs from the hub-and-spoke structure at other large U.S. airlines but failed to mention that in adverse weather conditions, the point-to-point structure could leave Southwest Airlines more adversely affected than its competitors.

The complaint states that following reports detailing the airlines issues with its technology in December, Southwest Airlines stock dropped by more than 12 percent between Dec. 23 and Dec. 28.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit are thus seeking damages for investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Southwest shares between June 13, 2020, when the Baltimore Sun published an article about problems with the companys scheduling technology that caused significant flight delays, and Dec. 31, 2022.

Southwest airlines declined to comment on the litigation.

Stranded Southwest Airlines passengers looks for their luggage in the baggage claim area at Chicago Midway International Airport in Chicago, Illinois, on Dec. 28, 2022. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)

Holiday Travel Chaos

The lawsuit comes shortly after Southwest canceled more than 16,000 flights over the busy Christmas holiday period in December when a powerful storm hit much of the United States. At times, the cancellations totaled 60 percent of the airlines daily schedule.

The carrier largely resumed normal operations on Dec. 30, while other airlines were able to recover from the storm relatively quickly, although many passengers were left waiting for their misplaced luggage returned to them for days after.

Southwest Airlines initially blamed the weather and problems with its scheduling systemwhich have plagued the airline for yearsfor the thousands of flight cancellations, but Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg later said that the delays were actually due to circumstances within the airlines control.

The Dallas-based carrier estimates it lost around $825 million during the Christmas holiday meltdown, almost half of which comes from lost revenue and much comes from reimbursements to passengers.

In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Jordan said the airline has hired consultancy Oliver Wyman to investigate the disruption and failures and established a new Operations Review Committee to oversee management. General Electric Co. is also working on updating the companys software, Jordan said.

The company has since offered 25,000 frequent-flyer points to travelers who were affected by the ordeal.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Suspect in Japans Former PM Shinzo Abes Assassination Charged With Murder

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks to media after the summit between the United States and North Korea in Singapore, at Abe's official residence in Tokyo, Japan, on June 12, 2018. (Issei Kato/Reuters)

A Japanese man suspected of shooting Japans former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2022 was charged with murder and firearms law violations on Friday after undergoing psychiatric evaluation.

Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, was charged with the murder of Abe, Japans longest-serving leader. Abe was shot and killed during a campaign speech in Japans western city of Nara on July 8, 2022. Police arrested Yamagami on the spot.

Yamagami, who allegedly shot Abe at close range using a homemade gun, was also charged with violating Japans gun control law.

The Nara District Public Prosecutors Office decided that Yamagami is fit to stand trial for the crime following mental evaluation tests he underwent since July 2022, Kyodo News reported. The date of the trial was not specified.

We have to take it seriously that Mr. Abe was killed, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters on Friday, noting that Yamagamis violent act during an election campaign threatened Japans foundation of democracy.

Tetsuya Yamagami, suspected of killing former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, is escorted by a police officer as he is taken to prosecutors, at Nara-nishi police station in Nara, Japan, on July 10, 2022. (Kyodo via Reuters)

Yamagamis detention period for the psychiatric evaluation, which began in July 2022, ended on Tuesday.

Police also found explosives and cylindrical objects during searches at Yamagamis apartment in Nara in the past year.

Yamagami told police that he intended to kill Abe because he believed the former prime minister was connected to a religious organization that had bankrupted his family. Japanese news outlets identified the religious organization in question as the South Korea-based Unification Church.

Some Japanese have expressed sympathy for Yamagami, especially those who also suffered as children of followers of the Unification Church, which is known for pressuring adherents into making big donations and is considered a cult in Japan.

A mourner offers flowers next to a picture of late former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was shot while campaigning for a parliamentary election, on the day to mark a week after his assassination at the Liberal Democratic Party headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on July 15, 2022. (Issei Kato/Reuters)

Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas popularity has plunged over his handling of the church controversy and for insisting on holding a controversial state funeral for Abe, whose death has drawn condolences from across political divides and from around the world.

Kishida shuffled his Cabinet in August last year to remove ministers with church ties, but the subsequent release of an investigation by the governing party in September showed nearly half of its 400 national lawmakers had church connections.

Kishida, who said he has no relations with the church, promised that party lawmakers will cut ties with the group, and his government has begun an investigation that could lead to a revocation of the churchs religious status.

Abe served as Japans prime minister and as the president of Japans Liberal Democratic Party from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020 before resigning in August 2020 due to health concerns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Suspects Burglarize 9 Businesses in 3 Orange County Cities Early Wednesday

Three suspects were believed to have burglarized nine businesses in south Orange County on Jan. 11 between midnight and 2 a.m., according to authorities.

The targeted businesses were all food establishments within strip malls, Orange County Sheriffs Department spokesman Sgt. Mike Woodroof told The Epoch Times. He said five businesses in Rancho Santa Margarita, two in Mission Viejo, and two more in Laguna Hills were hit.

The same suspects are believed to have carried out all of the thefts, Woodroof said.

The alleged robbers used the same method for each break-in: smashing windows and opening cash registers, attempting to collect money before fleeing, Woodroof said.

Its just a crime of opportunity, he said. Smashing out one window, going in and sacking the cash register and then coming out, looking around, and believing they havent been noticed, and then they smash the window next door.

According to authorities, the two eateries burglarized in Laguna Hills were near the intersection of La Paz Road and Cabot Road. The two in Mission Viejo were near the Estanciero Drive and Marguerite Parkway intersection.

The five eateries in Rancho Santa Margarita were in the 30000 block of Avenida de Las Flores.

One of them was Selmas Chicago Pizzeria.

Mike Phillips, the owner, told The Epoch Times this is the second burglary since he opened the restaurant 20 years ago. The last incident occurred last year, where the thieves stole an even larger amount of cash, he said.

[This] is concerning, he said. Its going in the wrong direction.

Phillips said his restaurants security footage was able to capture video of two suspects who entered his store, with faces clearly visible.

I hope we catch them. I sent some video to the police, to the sheriffs department, and to the news stations, so hopefully with the videos I have we can identify them, he said.

The sheriffs department confirmed Phillys Best, located near Selmas Chicago Pizzeria, was also burglarized.

Next door, a Starbucks was also burglarized, a company spokesperson told The Epoch Times.
The Fall of Hong Kong Under the National Security Law

Commentary

At one point in time, Hong Kong was undeniably one of the worlds greatest cities. Low tax rates, proximity to other Asian countries, good for weekend getaways, and high life expectancy rate, to name a few attributes. Above all, Hong Kong boasted itself as one of the freest cities on eartha great international financial center in Asia. As a hedge fund professional who spent 20 years of my working life in Hong Kong until mid-2021, I wont dispute that front. That was the old Hong Kong model when things were still intact.

With the enactment of the National Security Law (NSL) effective June 30, 2020, the last 2 and a half years of changes in Hong Kong have been brutal. The extreme makeover politically drags down the city, and it has gradually turned itself into a police state. The rule of law in Hong Kong is destroyed, and the one country, two systems model is now more a myth and a joke. In the name of national security, the factotums of Hong Kong, as described by a recent opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal about media tycoon Jimmy Lais unjust trial, the totalitarian regime has brought down the reputation of the once famed financial city to an all-time low.

It astounded me when Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) announced that Next Digital, the parent company of Apple Daily, founded by media tycoon Jimmy Lai and a political detainee, will be delisted on Jan. 13, 2023. The international legal team of Jimmy Lai, with a presence in the U.K., recently requested a meeting with U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Lais trial is supposed to take place in September 2023. The Hong Kong government quickly responded after Lais U.K. lawyers and son Sebastian Lai met up with a U.K. foreign office junior minister. The Hong Kong government made a public statement saying that the international legal team of Lais from London wanted to undermine Hong Kongs rule of law and interfere with the citys judicial independence.

Nothing can be further from the truth. Lai is facing multiple charges under the National Security Law (NSL) because Lai is a prominent business and democratic figure that has been risking his life to resist tyranny. The propaganda machine from communist Hong Kong and communist China has discredited him and other prominent dissidents. The only crime that was committed by Lai was that they wrote thought-provoking pieces about the Chinese Communist Partys policies and called for the genuine one country, two systems to return. But we are dealing with a ruthless regime here. The ultimate goal is to silence all critics through fear, imprisonment, or confiscation of assets. The confiscation of passports to help the NSL police investigate means arbitrary arrests and detainment inside Hong Kong. The tactics of detention and harassment make the business community worry, and those who are doing international business with and inside Hong Kong have to assess carefully the different risks involved.

We are at the beginning of 2023, and the Chinese New Year is approaching. The Hang Seng Index, which measures the performance of the Hong Kong stock market, has recovered from the recent lows of 15,000 points in late October 2022 to the current trading index level of around 21,000. With the floodgate opening up from China to Hong Kong after the 180-degree turn in the COVID-19 policy, there is a general perception that mainland visitors to Hong Kong will boost the economy through lavish consumer spending. It is also reported that state-owned banks from China with Hong Kong subsidiaries are luring deep-pocket mainland visitors to open bank deposit accounts in the city. If your deposit is at least HKD$4 million (approximately $513,000), the mainland visitor receives a free COVID-19 mRNA jab of the Pfizer Biotech vaccine, which is generally unavailable inside mainland China. The first bank to promote this is China Citic Bank Corp, a state-owned bank. Looking further into Citic Banks promotions, wealthy visitors from the mainland can also enjoy a 15 percent discount at the famous Four Seasons Hotel, and one can test drive a luxurious Bentley. A pretty good gimmick to lure wealthy individuals from communist China.

In the new Hong Kong under the NSL, a high degree of autonomy no longer exists. The loyalists urge Hongkongers to embrace the new law, but at the same time, the rights of the people are further diminished. The city is not dead, it has transformed into something else. The Lion Rock Spirit of Hongkongers used to breed opportunities, and sadly, businesses are already turning to their Plan B to exit, fleeing in all directions, and setting up shops in Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan, where the rule of law is still intact.

Lastly, on a broader scale, Chinese leader Xi Jinpings relations with neighboring countries are not at their best. I am afraid a huge geo-political earthquake might unravel in Asia soon, with China being on the offensive, including the intention of taking back Taiwan by force. If China decides to attack Taiwan, what is the role of Hong Kong? Would Beijing trust the people of Hong Kong well enough, under the almost defunct one country, two systems, that the big bosses up north would regard Hongkongers as one of them? Because Beijing cannot prove every Hong Kongers allegiance, would there be a further crackdown in the city? If Taiwan is being attacked, the timing and final opportunity for Hongkongers to get out, assuming they can get out, should be carefully thought through. A doomsday scenario for Hong Kong should be on everyones mind before it is too late.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Tory MP Requested Feds Identify All Misinformation They Released Since 2016

Chris Warkentin waits to begin a session of the House of Commons Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics committee on Parliament hill in Ottawa, July 12, 2021. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

A Conservative MP has requested from the government a detailed rundown of instances where its departments and agencies provided misinformation since 2016.

With regard to misinformation or wrong information released by the government, since 2016, broken down by department, agency, Crown corporation or other government entity, and by year: (a) how many times did the government put out misinformation or wrong information, MP Chris Warkentin asked in a question requiring a return last October.

The MP, who serves as deputy party whip, asked for the details about each case and how the information was corrected.

The answer, containing 123 pages, was tabled on Dec. 14 by Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux, the parliamentary secretary to the government House leader.

The response is lengthy, but it turned out to be light in substance.

Most entities replied with a cookie-cutter response, stating they are responsible for providing timely, clear, objective, accurate, factual and non-partisan information and that the information requested is not systematically tracked.

The Health Portfolio concluded that producing and validating a comprehensive response to this question would require a manual collection of information that is not possible in the time allotted and could lead to the disclosure of incomplete and misleading information, wrote back Health Canada.

CBC replied that it maintains full journalistic and programming independence from government. The question refers specifically to misinformation or wrong information released by the government.

CBC/Radio-Canada as the public broadcaster does not release information for the government.

Some organizations did identify instances where incorrect information had been shared with the public, but most cases appear to be related to clerical errors.

The Canadian Grain Commission identified it had posted the Photo of incorrect type of moisture meter on Facebook and Twitter in December 2020 and proceeded to delete the posts.

The Bank of Canada said data on charts related to its Monetary Policy Reports had been plotted incorrectly in two instances and the information was subsequently amended.

The Epoch Times reached out to Warkentins office to find out what spurred the request.

The Liberal government has frequently used the term misinformation and disinformation when criticizing the Conservative Party or to justify tightening control on information.

Mr. Speaker, the price on pollution returns more money to average families across the country than it costs them, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in the House of Commons in late November. Conservatives continue to spread misinformation and disinformation on that.

The Trudeau government also funds projects and wishes to pass legislation to address the topic of misinformation and disinformation.
Treasury Secretary Warns Congress US Will Hit Debt Ceiling Within a Week

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is seated to testify before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on President Biden's 2023 budget, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 7, 2022. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

Treasury Security Janet Yellen warned the United States is projected to hit its $31.4 trillion debt borrowing limit by next week, according to a letter she sent to congressional leaders on Friday.

In a letter (pdf) to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Yellen wrote that according to projections, the country will hit the debt ceiling by Jan. 19. If that deadline passes without Congressional action to raise the borrowing limit, the Treasury would have to take certain extraordinary measures to avoid a default on its obligations.

Measures that could be implemented by the Treasury Department include temporarily redeeming existing and suspending new investments of the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund as well as the Civil Service, Retirement, and Disability Fund. The Department would also suspend investment into the Government Securities Investment Fund of the Federal Employees Retirement System Thrift Savings Plan, she said.

Failure to meet the governments obligations would cause irreparable harm to the U.S. economy, the livelihoods of all Americans, and global financial stability, she wrote in a letter that will trigger discussions and new proposals in Congress on whether to pass a debt limit increase. Some Republican members of Congress have said they would agree to a bill to raise the debt limit to pass additional spending cuts.

Yellen noted that the Treasury cannot estimate how long the extraordinary measures will enable the federal government to pay its obligations but asserted it is unlikely that cash and extraordinary measures will be exhausted before early June.

As of Wednesday, Treasury data showed that U.S. federal debt stood $78 billion below the limit, with the Treasury operating a cash balance of $346.4 billion. The department on Thursday reported an $85 billion December deficit as revenues eased and outlays grew, particularly for debt interest costs.

It is therefore critical that Congress act in a timely manner to increase or suspend the debt limit. Failure to meet the governments obligations would cause irreparable harm to the U.S. economy, the livelihoods of all Americans, and global financial stability, Yellen also wrote to McCarthy. Similar letters were sent to top Senate and House leaders.

What It Means

McCarthy and other top House Republicans have said he would tie actions to address the debt ceiling to spending cuts, although such measures may not pass in the Senate, where Democrats have the majority.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

If youre going to ask for an increase in the limit, at some point in time, youve got to sit down and say why are we hitting the limit? Why are we maxing out the credit card? House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told reporters this week.

By mid-year, Washington could have to stop borrowing altogether and rely solely on tax receipts to pay its bills. Because Treasury borrows close to 20 cents for every dollar it spends, Washington at that point would start missing payments owed to lenders, citizens, or both.

Yellen and other policy experts have called on Washington to eliminate the limit because it amounts to a bureaucratic stamp on decisions already made. However, the debt ceiling is supported by Democratic and Republican lawmakers alike and both have used it as leverage when their party doesnt control the White House, making it unlikely to be eliminated.

REPUBLICANS CAN GET ALMOST EVERYTHING BACK  BY SIMPLY PLAYING TOUGH IN THE UPCOMING DEBT CEILING NEGOTIATIONS, former President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier this week.

After Yellens letter was made public, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the debt limit should be raised without any conditions.

It should be done in a bipartisan way. And it should be done without conditions. That is important here, Jean-Pierre said Friday.

Some analysts have proposed that the Treasury can bypass the crisis by minting a multitrillion-dollar platinum coin and putting it in the governments account, an idea widely viewed as an outlandish gimmick. Others argue the debt ceiling itself violates the U.S. Constitution. If the Biden administration invoked that argument, a legal challenge would follow.

In a 2011 showdown, House Republicans successfully used the debt ceiling to extract sharp limits on discretionary spending from President Barack Obama. Spending caps stayed in place for most of the rest of the decade.

Some investors, meanwhile, have already started preparing for how the debt ceiling battle will play out.

The debt limit is going to be a problem, economists at Goldman Sachs said in a report issued on Monday. Fiscal deadlines will pose a greater risk this year than they have for a decade.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Trumps Companies Fined $1.6 Million for Tax Fraud

A security guard stands at the door of Trump Tower in New York City on March 7, 2021. (Kena Betancur/AFP via Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trumps two companiesthe Trump Corporation and the Trump Payroll Corp.have received the maximum possible sentence of $1.61 million on multiple tax fraud-related felony convictions.

While Trump himself wasnt charged in the case, his two companies were earlier convicted of over a dozen felonies, including a scheme to defraud, conspiracy, two counts of tax fraud, and falsifying business records.

The two companies are part of the Trump Organization, which is a group of around 500 businesses of which Trump is the principal or sole owner.

Today, former President Trumps companies were sentenced to the maximum fines allowed by law following historic convictions for a total of 17 felony crimes, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, said in a statement Friday.

While corporations cant serve jail time, this consequential conviction and sentencing serves as a reminder to corporations and executives that you cannot defraud tax authorities and get away with it, he added.

Trumps two companies intentionally committed a sophisticated tax fraud scheme for over a decade at Trump Tower offices, Braggs office said.

Workers install the final letter for a giant TRUMP sign on the outside of the Trump Tower in Chicago, Ill. on June 12, 2014. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Never-Ending Witch Hunt

In a statement released after sentencing, the Trump Organization denied any wrongdoing and said it would appeal.

These politically motivated prosecutors will stop at nothing to get President Trump and continue the never ending witch-hunt which began the day he announced his presidency, it said.

Shortly before the conviction was handed down at the beginning of December, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Bragg was fighting a political Witch Hunt for D.C. when he should be focused on prosecuting violent criminals.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Bragg said he wished the penalty had been bigger.

I want to be very clear: we dont think that is enough, he said. Our laws in this state need to change in order to capture this type of decade-plus systemic and egregious fraud.

Braggs predecessor, former Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, also a Democrat, brought the charges in 2021.

The criminal case against the two Trump Organization businesses involved financial practices and pay arrangements that were discontinued when Trump was elected president in 2016.

Former President Donald Trump arrives on stage during an event at his Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Fla., on Nov. 15, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Weisselberg

At trial, prosecutors presented evidence the companies defrauded authorities by labeling payments to top-level employees, including then-Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg, as personal expenses and not reporting them so as to avoid paying taxes.

Weisselberg received $1.7 million in unreported payments, including the payment of rent on an apartment in the borough of Manhattan.

During the trial, Weisselberg took full responsibility for the crimes, telling jurors from the witness stand that, It was my own personal greed that led to this.

Weisselberg pleaded guilty to 15 felony charges and just days ago was sentenced to five months in jail. He also had to pay back around $2 million in taxes, penalties, and interest.

Former Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg leaves the courtroom for a lunch recess during a trial at the New York Supreme Court in New York City on Nov. 17, 2022. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

The former CFO will serve his sentence at the Rikers Island jail complex in New York, with a judge saying he could be eligible for early release after three months on good behavior.

At trial, the Trump Organization argued that Weisselberg carried out the scheme in order to benefit himself.

The question here is not whether as a byproduct, the company saved some money, Susan Necheles, a defense lawyer, said in her closing arguments. His intent was to benefit himself, not the company.

Trump recently said that his family received no economic gain from the acts done by the executive.

Reuters and Zachary Stieber contributed to this report.
UK Could Ban New Gas Boilers Within a Decade Under Net Zero Proposals

A giant sand artwork adorns New Brighton Beach to highlight the forthcoming COP26 global climate conference on in Wirral, Merseyside, on May 31, 2021. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

New gas boilers should be phased out within a decade, the review on the UK governments net zero policy has urged.

The review, carried out by Conservative MP Chris Skidmore and published on Jan. 13, calls on the UK to phase out gas boilers by 2033, rather than 2035.

Under Skidmores proposals, the government should legislate for the Future Homes Standard so that no new homes will be built with a gas boiler from 2025.

He also urged the government to adopt a 10-year mission to make heat pumps a widespread technology in the UK and legislate for the end of new and replacement gas boilers by 2033 at the latest.

Undated photo of a heat pump. (Octopus Energy/Handout via PA)

The review also recommended plans to increase solar and onshore wind generation, including a target of increasing solar generation fivefold by 2035.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Skidmore said that the UK needs a new approach to net zero adding: There is an active, strategic choice to be made. Does the UK wish to compete in the net zero race, with the chance to lead, or do we wish to simply observe from the sidelines?

Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said he was grateful to Skidmore for his report, which he said, offers a range of ideas and innovations for us to consider as we work to grasp the opportunities from green growth.

Skidmore was commissioned by Liz Trusss government in September 2022 to consider how the country could deliver maximum economic growth and investment alongside the governments climate change ambitions, while also considering the need for energy security and the costs for the public.

High Cost of Heat Pumps

The UKs Climate Change Committee (CCC) projects that by 2050 all heating in British homes will be provided by low-carbon sources, of which 52 percent will be heat pumps, which run on electricity and work like a fridge in reverse to extract energy from the air or ground.

In November 2020, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced plans to install 600,000 heat pumps every year by 2028.

Critics have warned that the UK governments push to replace gas boilers with heat pumps will cost taxpayers dearly.

The governments three-year Boiler Upgrade Scheme came into force on April 1, 2022, which pays households 5,000 ($6,100) towards the roughly 18,000 ($22,000) bill of purchasing and installing a heat pump.

The government allocated 450 million to the scheme, which will cover around 90,000 households. But environmental activists have called for the scheme to be extended.

If it is extended to cover all 23 million homes currently using a gas boiler, the scheme could cost 115 billion ($140 billion), according to a study conducted by the TaxPayers Alliance (TPA), a UK pressure group campaigning for a low-tax society.

There have also been concerns over the effectiveness of heat pumps in heating homes.

The Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Committee of the House of Commons admitted in February 2022 that heat pumps may not be able to heat homes adequately if the homes are not sufficiently insulated.

The committee said failing to address the concerns could lead to scheme failure.

If people are encouraged to switch to low carbon heating sources without the knowledge or incentive for energy efficiency upgrades, then there are risks of scheme failure and loss of public trust if the new low carbon heating sources are not heating homes to the desired temperature and insulation, the report said.

Support For Net Zero

The UK has signed into law a policy to achieve net zero by 2050 with the Conservative government setting out a strategy called Build Back Greener to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy.

The UKs National Audit Office (NAO) said in December 2020 that the governments commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 is a colossal challenge that could cost hundreds of billions of pounds.

According to a YouGov poll conducted in November 2022, excluding dont knows, 62 percent of respondents wanted a referendum on UKs net zero policy as compared with 58 percent asked the same question in 2021, before the COP26 climate summit.

Car26, a group that commissioned the poll, is campaigning for a referendum on net zero and a pause in carbon-related regulations until such a ballot is held.

Car26 said that across all demographics, there was more support than opposition to holding a referendum.

The online poll conducted between Nov. 21 and 22 asked 1,661 people To what extent do you support or oppose holding a national referendum to decide whether or not the UK pursues a Net Zero Carbon policy?

Excluding dont knows, 66 percent of 2019 Labour voters backed a poll, compared with 60 percent of Liberal Democrat voters and 56 percent of Conservative voters.

Lib Dem voters were the keenest, with only 15 percent dont knows, compared with 25 percent for Labour and 24 percent for the Tories.

Remainers and Leavers supported a net zero referendum, at 58 percent and 61 percent respectively. Both sexes polled the same with 62 percent support.

Owen Evans and PA Media contributed to this report.
A Billings man accused of raping a teenage girl last month will make his initial appearance in court Friday.

Tyson Lee Garza, 39, has been charged in Yellowstone County District Court with one count of sexual intercourse without consent.

On Dec. 30, according to charging documents, a 14-year-old girl was at the Walmart on King Avenue West with her grandfather. She went into the store ahead of her grandfather, court documents said. Surveillance footage allegedly showed the girl and a man later identified as Garza walking out of the store and into the parking lot.

Gazra gave the girl the impression that he knew her grandfather, and he asked the girl to sit and his truck while he put away groceries, court documents allege. Garza then allegedly got in the truck with the girl and offered her drugs. Moments later, according to charging documents, he raped her.

The girl managed to escape the truck and walked into Walmart, court documents said, where her grandfather met her. They were apart for about 15 minutes, documents allege. She told her grandfather what happened, and officers with the Billings Police Department were dispatched to the Walmart. She provided police with a description of the man who assaulted her and his truck. While being examined at a local hospital, court documents said, the girls body showed signs of trauma.

BPD investigators allegedly obtained surveillance footage and purchase records placing Garza at the Walmart immediately before the attack.

On Wednesday, court documents said, Billings police stopped Garza in a truck for a traffic violation. County prosecutors alleged the truck matched the girls description, and he was booked into Yellowstone County Detention Facility that same day.

The investigation into the girls assault is still ongoing, and police have applied for warrants to search the truck and for Garzas DNA. If convicted, Garza could be sentenced from four to 100 years in prison.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network 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/.
US and Japan Sign Historic Defense Agreements, Extend Mutual Aid to Space

U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Jan. 13, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The leaders of Japan and the United States are expanding the nations alliance with a series of new commitments regarding defense spending, military modernization, and a new agreement that will extend their mutual defense treaty to apply to space.

President Joe Biden welcomed Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Jan. 13 to the White House, where the two leaders agreed to the historic expansions and enhancements of their nations alliance.

I dont think theres ever been a time when we were closer, Japan and the United States, Biden said shortly before the meeting. Rather than figuring out how we can work together, a more difficult job would be figuring out where we disagree.

The meeting followed a flurry of activity between the two nations last week at numerous levels of government, including an overhaul in the U.S.Japan defense posture and strategy, which will see an expansion of Japanese forces and a restructuring of U.S. Marine Corps forces stationed on and around Okinawa.

Were modernizing our military alliance, building on Japans historic increase in defense spending and new national security strategy, Biden said.

Let me be crystal clear. The United States is fully, thoroughly, and completely committed to the alliance.

The move will also start talks on developing a long-range missile capability for Japanese defense forces, which havent wielded such a weapon since World War II.

Such was necessary, the leaders agreed, because of the shifting security environment and emergent threats emanating from communist China, North Korea, and Russia.

Japan and the United States are currently facing the most challenging and complex security environment in recent history, Kishida said.

The role to be played by Japan and the United States, which share fundamental values such as democracy and the rule of law, is becoming even greater.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90) conduct a passing honors ceremony with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Murasame-class destroyer JS Ikazuchi (DD 107) and Kongo-class guided-missile destroyer JS Chokai (DDG 176) at the Philippine Sea on Sept. 19, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Haydn N. Smith)

A Steadfast Ally

Kishida came to the United States after embarking on a Europe tour in which he worked to more closely integrate Japans response with the West on the issue of Russias invasion of Ukraine and other global crises.

Notably, Kishidas government agreed in November 2022 to a historic increase to its defense budget, which will double Japans defense spending over five years to a total of 2 percent of GDP (gross domestic product).

That spending was included in Japans new national security strategy, which outlines plans to purchase long-range counterstrike abilities, presenting a historical development in post-war Japans defense policies.

Since the conclusion of World War II, Japans constitution has limited its military to an exclusive self-defense capacity, and the nation has consistently declined to pursue nuclear weapons of any kind.

The newly increased budget and assistance from the United States will now see Japan acquire conventional counterstrike capabilities that are designed to defend the nation from a foreign missile attack. Such long-range missiles are typically capable of striking targets that are about 900 to 1,800 miles away.

U.S. officials hailed Japans commitment to the alliance and the nations willingness to adapt to emerging threats despite longtime cultural and political precedents that render it cautious about expanding its military capabilities.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Japan is working with the United States on every facet of the effort.

Japan has proven a steadfast ally, ready to step up and do its part to advance our shared national security interests and values, Kirby said during a Jan. 12 press briefing.

From our perspective, the message is absolutely clear: Japan is stepping up and doing so in lockstep with the United States.

Kirby said the new agreements between Japan and the United States would meaningfully help to provide for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and deter aggression from other regional powers.

All these moves are not only going to strengthen our combined ability to defend Japan but also will allow the United States and Japan together to provide for peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and bolster deterrence in the region and globally, he said.

Modernizing Defense Alliance

Leaders from Japan and the United States capped off the busy week with the signing of a new space agreement that recognizes the two nations mutual interest in peaceful space exploration and use of the moon and other celestial bodies.

The U.S.Japan Space Cooperation Framework Agreement is designed to preserve and encourage the safe and responsible conduct of outer-space activities in Earths orbit, on the moon, and beyond.

Notably, the agreement clarifies that attacks to, from, and within outer space could invoke Article 5 of the U.S.Japan Security Treaty. This means that, should either nations assets or people be attacked by a foreign entity in space, the other would come to its defense.

Space unites us, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said during a press conference announcing the agreement.

In this era of space exploration, every announcement and advancement is not an achievement for just a single country. It is a victory for all of humanity, and that is how the U.S. chooses to lead this effort with Japan and others in the 21st century.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with his Japanese counterpart, Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, on Jan. 12 and signed documents that will further strengthen the U.S.Japan security alliance on Earth.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada to the Pentagon in Washington on Jan. 12, 2023. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

The two defense leaders signed a bilateral memorandum of understanding for research, development, and test and evaluation projects, as well as a bilateral and nonbinding security of supply arrangement.

The documents commit Japan and the United States to work together on emerging defense capabilities, including autonomous systems, microwave weapons, and systems designed to counter hypersonic missiles.

The arrangement also creates a streamlined mechanism for the defense departments of both nations to expedite requests for industrial resources in the event of unanticipated supply chain disruptions.

This year is an inflection point for our national security and defense strategies aligning closer than ever, Austin said after signing the documents.

And with our shared goal of a new era of alliance modernization, I strongly support Japans updated national security policies, including decisions to increase defense spending [to acquire] counterstrike capabilities.

A day prior, Austin and Hamada were joined by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi for the years first 2+2 meeting.

During that event, Austin announced that the United States and Japan had agreed to a historic decision to optimize U.S. force posture in Japan, which would forward more U.S. capabilities to bolster deterrence to help defend Japan.

The agreement will also modernize the U.S. presence in Japan, adapting its presence with more versatile, mobile, and resilient capabilities by reorganizing the 12th Artillery Regiment into the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment.

The new formation, Austin said, would be equipped with advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as anti-ship and anti-transportation systems relevant to the current and future threat environments.

The meeting was hailed by National Security Council Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell as an important event in the history of U.S.Japan relations and Indo-Pacific security.

It was one of the most consequential engagements between our two countries in decades, Campbell said of the 2+2 meeting during a roundtable discussion at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank on Jan. 12.

When countries sometimes set off on these journeys, they go alone, Campbell said. Not Japan. They have done this in the deepest possible consultation with the United States over months of painstaking discussions, not only in the State Department but [also] a lot of interaction at the White House and the level of the prime ministers office.
The percentage of school-aged American children whove received routine childhood vaccines, while still high, has dropped again during the past school year, a new government report says.

The report, released Thursday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), looked at the coverage rates of four vaccines mandated by state and local school entry requirements, including measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines; the diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines; and vaccines against poliovirus (polio) and varicella (chickenpox).

During the 20212022 school year, according to the report, the coverage among kindergarten children was approximately 93 percent nationwide for each of the four vaccines. It was around 94 percent during the 20202021 school year, and 95 percent during the 20192020 school year, when children were vaccinated before the COVID-19 pandemic.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia currently require children to take certain vaccines before going to public school, with limited exemptions. The report found that the number of students with exemptions remained steady, at 2.6 percent.

While the overall rate of vaccination is still very high, a one percent dip could mean hundreds of thousands fewer children are taking the shots, the CDC says.

MMR coverage of 93.5 percent translates to nearly 250,000 kindergartners who are potentially not protected against measles, the government researchers said in the report. Clusters of unvaccinated and undervaccinated children can lead to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

MMR vaccines have been widely available since 1971, and are required in 49 states and the District of Columbia for public school enrollment. Iowa is the only exception, as it mandates vaccination against measles and rubella, but not mumps.

The drop in childhood vaccine coverage might have to do with the COVID-19 pandemics disruptions to medical services and in-person schooling, said Dr. Georgina Peacock, director of the CDCs immunization services division, in a press briefing about the report.

Those who were hesitant about getting COVID vaccines might also now be hesitant about taking their children to get other vaccines, according to Peacock. Thats something that we are watching very closely, she said.

Loss of Trust in Public Health

Dr. Monica Gandhi, an expert in infectious diseases at the University of California, San Francisco, said the report reflects increasing distrust of government and public health, which she finds worrying.

We have to be super clear and transparent about our messaging what COVID vaccines do to help increase trust in other vaccines, Gandhi wrote on Twitter.

In an op-ed published last November in online magazine CommonWealth, the professor expressed concerns that the distrust surrounding the governments handling of COVID-19 has spilled over into vaccines that used to have a rather positive public image.

People who would have vaccinated their children in the past are starting to think differently about vaccines, she wrote. In addition to being a critical public health concern, this represents a serious issue with trust in public health authorities and their messengers.

In a 2022 poll (pdf) conducted by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard University among 1,305 American adults, only a little more than half of the respondents said they have a great deal of trust in the CDC.

The poll found other federal health agencies have even lower trust. Only 37 percent of respondents said they have a lot of trust in the National Institutes of Health or the Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, less than half of adults report having high trust in the American Red Cross (48 percent), their local health department (44 percent), and their state health department (41 percent).
USDA Approves Honeybee Vaccine to Target American Foulbrood Disease

A beekeeper looks at beehives from his apiary above his garage in Washington on Aug. 7, 2019. (Bendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted conditional use to the worlds first-ever vaccine for honeybees that could prevent colonies from getting infected with American foulbrood, a type of bacterial disease that affects the bees larvae.

Dalan Animal Health, the U.S.-based biotech company that developed the vaccine, announced the approval in a Jan. 4 statement.

We are committed to providing innovative solutions to protect our pollinators and promote sustainable agriculture, said Annette Kleiser, the companys chief executive officer, noting that the vaccine is a breakthrough in protecting honeybees.

Prior to the vaccine, the fatal bacterial brood disease could not be cured. If a beekeeper noticed one of their colonies was infected with American foulbrood, the infected hive would often be incinerated to prevent the disease from spreading, killing all the bees and equipment. In some Mid-Atlantic states, this practice is mandatory.

Another remedy involves treating the colony with antibiotics.

Bees play a crucial role in biodiversity for humans and animals as pollinators are directly linked to the food production chain. According to the United Nations Environment Program, of the 100 crop varieties that provide 90 percent of the worlds food, 71 are pollinated by bees.

In the United States, beekeepers lost an estimated 45.5 percent of their managed honeybee colonies between April 2020 and April 2021, according to a nationwide survey conducted by Bee Informed Partnership.

For the past 30-plus years, the population of pollinators in the United States suffered sharp losses due to invasive pests and diseases.

Incorporated Into Royal Jelly

Unlike traditional vaccines, it isnt injected via a syringe. Instead, it is administered by mixing it into queen feed, which is then consumed by worker bees.

The vaccine is incorporated into the royal jelly by the worker bees, who then feed it to the queen, the company stated. She ingests it, and fragments of the vaccine are deposited in her ovaries. Having been exposed to the vaccine, the developing larvae have immunity as they hatch.

Honeybees are a critical component of agriculture. A large percentage of the global food supply relies on pollination, and healthy commercial hives are essential to secure high crop yields.

Trevor Tauzer, a board member of the California State Beekeepers Association who also owns Tauzer Apiaries, said in a statement that the USDA issuing a conditional vaccine license is an exciting step forward for beekeepers.

We [beekeepers] rely on antibiotic treatment that has limited effectiveness and requires lots of time and energy to apply to our hives, Tauzer said. If we can prevent an infection in our hives, we can avoid costly treatments and focus our energy on other important elements of keeping our bees healthy.

According to a USDA notice that explains American foulbrood, the disease is one of the most widespread and the most destructive of the honey bee brood diseases.

At first, the population of an infected colony is not noticeably decreased and only a few dead larvae or pupae may be present, the agency stated. The disease may not develop to the critical stage where it seriously weakens the colony until the following year, or it may advance rapidly and seriously weaken or kill the colony the first season.

Although the vaccine was developed by Dalan, it is being manufactured in Iowa by Diamond Animal Health, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the animal healthcare company, Heska.

The vaccine will first be distributed by Dalan on a limited basis to commercial beekeepers, the company said, noting that it anticipates becoming available for purchase nationwide later this year.

Dalan also noted that the vaccine is not genetically modified and can be used in organic agriculture.

From NTD News
Washington Community Divided Over Gay Pride Flag in Schools

Sidney High School students sit through class under a U.S. flag in Sidney, Ohio, on Oct. 31, 2019. (Megan Jelinger/AFP via Getty Images)

Washington states Kennewick School District Board will hold a final vote this month on a policy limiting the size, number, and placement of all flags except the U.S. flag in school classrooms.

The action was prompted by parent and student complaints about the prominent display of the gay pride flag in some classrooms and has resulted in a spirited debate about the needs of LGBT students and the meaning of inclusion.

A draft of the policy was approved by a 4-1 vote of the board on Dec. 14, requiring that an American flag must be displayed in each classroom and that no larger flag may be displayed, nor any hung higher, covering a window, or in multiples.

A volunteer staffs an information table at the Hanford High School Equity Summit in Richland, Wash., on Feb. 5, 2022. (Courtesy of PFLAG Benton Franklin)

The policy will take effect if passed a second time on Jan. 25.

Proponents see the policy as a fair compromise. Opponents think it is unnecessary and harmful to the well-being of LGBT teens.

Regardless of the outcome, the vote represents a national increase in conservatives seeking school board election to battle what they see as the intrusion of political and social agendas into the classroom.

Initial Complaints

The controversy began in May when a student and parent complained to board member Gabe Galbraith that a large gay pride flag, hung over a classroom window, created a distraction for students.

In August, after a second parent and student complained and the matter spread to social media, Galbraith and fellow board member Micah Valentine sought a resolution.

We decided to have a discussion on the board and look for a solution that would be a compromise to satisfy as many as possible, Galbraith told The Epoch Times.

Some wanted flags removed. Others wanted the flags there for safety, meaning the well-being of LBGT students.

School board minutes and video recordings trace the progress of the debate as community members addressed comments to the board.

At the Aug. 24 board meeting, the parent of a high school student stated that a teacher had displayed a gay pride flag in the classroom and encouraged students to attend an LGBT club, actions that the parent felt demonstrated a lack of neutrality making it uncomfortable for her son to attend class.

A student said he had experienced backlash for stating his opinion about the presence of the flag and that teachers should not express their political or religious beliefs in school.

Another parent said that only the American and Washington state flags should be displayed in classrooms.

Mounting Controversy, Confusion

By the Sept. 14 board meeting, the issue had gained wider notice and 17 community members addressed the board, only one explicitly favoring board action.

Some who spoke were under the misapprehension that the board intended to ban the gay pride flag, possibly because an unofficial draft policy had circulated that would have banned all flags and posters concerning a political, quasi-political, or controversial issue.

The origin of the document is unclear as a copy obtained by The Epoch Times includes references to both the Kennewick School District and the neighboring Richland School District.

Weve never discussed banning any flags, ever, Galbraith said, speaking of the Kennewick School Board.

Those opposing board action stated a variety of reasons, including the need to make LGBT students feel accepted and the possibilities of causing negative outcomes including backlash in the community, the failure of a proposed tax levy for the district, and incurring costly legal challenges.

By Oct. 12, comments addressed to the board focused squarely on the safety of LGBT students.

Flags are displayed at Transgender Day of Remembrance at Uptown Theater in Richland, Wash., on Nov. 20, 2021. (Courtesy of PFLAG Benton Franklin)

The pride flag did not come first, high school teacher Joe Ansingh told the board. The bullying of and hatred toward our LGBT students did.

The pride flag hangs in my classroom as a symbol for the acceptance that the students will find there. Parents send their children to our school, to my classroom, and those kids encounter hatred, prejudice, bullying and are made to feel like they dont belong. The pride flag, in itself, is a simple thing but the weight it carries as a symbol to our LGBT students is paramount.

Forty-one percent of LGBT teens in Washington seriously considered suicide in the previous year and 12 percent attempted it, according to a 2022 report by the Trevor Project.

Nationally, about 20 percent of all teens seriously consider suicide and 9 percent attempt it according to the Centers for Disease Control.

Tense Public Forum

Through the fall, social media discussions on the topic intensified, Valentine told The Epoch Times. He held a town hall meeting on Oct. 5 to foster discussion. In good faith, I wanted to hear what they had to say.

The atmosphere at the two-hour session was tense according to one attendee, and the result left Valentine disappointed. I dont feel like people wanted to compromise. I felt like they wanted to attack.

Galbraith estimates public opinion on the matter is evenly divided, though most do not express their thoughts publicly.

We have those in the community who call or email and thank us for addressing this. And then we have the other side sharing their support for the flag at board meetings. Its a very vocal group sharing their feelings.

Public comments at the November board meeting shifted to the subject of inclusion as some speakers emphasized that the rainbow flag is a symbol of welcome while others said it had become a cause of division.

A combat veteran stated his belief that the American flag is the only truly inclusive flag.

Erika Weiskopf speaks at a Loudoun County School Board Curriculum and Instruction Committee meeting in Ashburn, Va., on Sept. 22, 2022. (Terri Wu/The Epoch Times)

Some community members, including Valentine, think the best solution would be to remove all flags from the school except the national and state flags.

A gay pride flag may make some feel included but make others feel excluded, he said.

He believes thats true of any symbol of identity or allegiance, including the thin blue line flag in support of police or the Black Lives Matter flag.

Others see the display of flags as constitutionally protected free speech and a symbol of acceptance for LGBT people and others who have been guaranteed civil rights under Washington law.

Its important for our school board to keep in mind state laws that protect LGBT flags and those representing other historically marginalized communities, Carly Coburn, chairperson of PFLAG Benton Franklin, an advocacy group for LGBT people, told The Epoch Times.

I hope that they [the board] will follow state laws and guidelines about protected people and classes in our state and that they will make the right choice to support their staff and students when so much anti-LGBT commentary is happening around the world and the country.

Attempt at Compromise

The December draft of the flag policy was intended as a compromise position according to Galbraith and Valentine. No side is totally happy with a compromise, but both sides can live with it, Valentine said.

I support this compromise because I think it follows the federal flag code very well, Elizabeth Vann-Clark told The Epoch Times.

Clark, an interested observer from the adjacent city of Richland, Washington, said the two communities often adopt similar school policies.

I think this policy is appropriate because it addresses concerns some community members have, it doesnt violate First Amendment rights, and it allows pride flags and other banners to continue to be displayed.

Galbraith and Valentine both expect some version of the compromise policy to be adopted this month.

Tensions have eased somewhat as community members recognized that a total ban on flags is unlikely.

Voters line up at a polling station in Georgia as seen in a file photo. (Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

The Kennewick flag policy typifies growing involvement in public education by conservatives.

Kennewick is symbolic of the grassroots movement across the nation focused on school boards and the eruption of parent groups to defend and protect children from harmful ideology, Liv Finne, director of the Center for Education at Washington Policy Center told The Epoch Times.

Finne likened the rise of parent advocacy groups such as Moms for Liberty and Parents Rights in Education to Mothers Against Driving Drunk, the organization started by a California mom that has been successful in influencing legislation related to impaired driving.

Galbraith and Valentine were elected to the board just over a year ago on a platform of opposition to school mask mandates, a controversial sex education referendum, and the teaching of critical race theory, which holds that racism is systemic in the nations institutions, ensuring the dominance of white people.

Both won handily, Valentine capturing 59 percent of the vote in his race and Galbraith receiving 62 percent against his opponent.

Acting on their campaign pledge, the two introduced a school policy, adopted by the board in August, stating that while students are taught that racism exists today, they will not be indoctrinated in the belief that the United States is fundamentally or systemically racist.

Getting Politics Out of Schools

Moreover, students will not be taught that their race determines their value or worth or that members of any race are inherently racist oppressors or victims.

Our goal is to get politics out of schools, Valentine said.

Some see the rise of conservative involvement in education as a nationally coordinated effort rather than a grassroots movement.

Critics say that groups like the 1776 Project, the American Principles Project, and other conservative organizations have poured money into local elections trying to insert their ideology into schools.

Yet Galbraith reports that 78 percent of his campaign funding came from donors within the Kennewick School District compared to 39 percent of his opponents funds and that he received no money from special interest groups.

I think what were seeing is a community responding to the woke agenda in a positive way, Finne said. Leaders have emerged in Kennewick that are restating basic fundamental principles about our country  No one is saying you cant discuss [controversial] issues, but the environment should be neutral.

The Epoch Times requested but did not receive comments from the Kennewick School District superintendent and remaining board members.
Weather and Industry Mostly to Blame for Travel Chaos, Transport Minister Tells Committee

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra rises during question period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Dec. 1, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Justin Tang)

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said at the opening of a Commons committee on Jan. 12 that his government was not hiding and that it would assume its responsibilities regarding the travel chaos that occurred over the holidays, but he mostly put the blame on the weather and the industry.

What do you want me to be responsible for? The weather or Sunwings bad decisions? Alghabra shot back at Conservative MP Luc Berthold.

Berthold had asked Alghabra where he was between Dec. 23 and Jan. 5 while Canadians were sleeping on airport floors.

You did not consider that it was severe enough for you, Mr. Minister, to intervene personally? You could have demonstrated leadership, you could have picked up the phone and called the airline companies, called the airports, Berthold said.

The committee heard that Alghabra had not been directly in touch with the airlines during the chaos that saw thousands of flights cancelled and passengers stranded abroad or inside airplanes sitting on the tarmac for extended time.

Its only on Jan. 5 that Alghabra would have talked directly to Sunwing.

The minister defended his record and said he had been involved throughout, and that his office had been in touch with airlines and airports daily.

Ive also issued public statements expressing my frustration of what was happening, and none of the airlines, including Sunwing, were clueless as to my feelings and my expectations, he said.

Alghabra also pushed back on assertions that the travel chaos experienced last summer, which saw Canadian airports being ranked worst in the world, was in any way related to what recently transpired.

We didnt see the long queues that we saw last summer at CATSA [Canadian Air Transport Security Authority] and CBSA [Canada Border Services Agency] screening lines, he said.

Kids Gloves

NDP MP Taylor Bachrach accused the government of treating the airlines with kids gloves and letting them walk over any semblance of passenger rights in this country.

Alghabra praised his governments effort for passing legislation that defends passengers rights and said upholding these rights was the responsibility of the airlines.

I would argue that its also the governments responsibility to uphold passenger rights, and unfortunately, the air passenger protection regime that youve created has massive loopholes in it, you could fly a 747 through these things, Bachrach replied.

Bachrach had asked Sunwing President Len Corrado during the morning meeting about emails received by the companys customers telling them they would not be compensated for their troubles.

Corrado said some travellers would not be compensated if the flight had been adjudicated outside the carriers control.

The manner in which complaints will be handled by the airlines in the coming weeks will test the current system, which is already severely backlogged.

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) that deals with disputes between passengers and airlines has 33,000 cases to process.

Sunwing executive Andrew Dawson had told the committee earlier that day that the company had so far received 7,000 complaints related to holiday travel.

Alghabra said he received a promise from Sunwing that it would proactively compensate its customers to avoid them having to file a complaint with the CTA, in possible contradiction to what Corrado had told the committee earlier.

While the minister commended his governments work to defend the rights of passengers, he identified three areas of improvement to speed up the CTA complaint process.

Alghabra said that some red tape could be removed, the rules could be clarified for the airlines to reduce the number of complaints ending up with the CTA, and the CTA should be provided with more resources.

He also said legislative changes could be brought if necessary to strengthen the rules.

Airlines told the committee earlier that they would support a review of the legislation, but to include shared responsibility for delays and cancellations.

We do not believe the priority right now should be additional penalties on the only group that has any accountability, said Andrew Gibbons, vice-president of WestJet.
White House Dodges Questions on Bidens Document Stash in Garage Next to Corvette

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a daily press briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, on Nov. 2, 2022. (Oliver Contreras/Getty Images)

For the second day in a row, the White House dodged questions about the discovery of a second batch of classified documents linked to President Joe Biden, with this tranche of sensitive materials found stored in the presidents garage.

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre declined to answer several questions on the document find during a press briefing on Jan. 12, including whether Biden was willing to be interviewed by federal investigators and about how many people may have had access to the classified materials, which the president confirmed were stored in a locked garage next to his Corvette.

Robert Hur, a former U.S. attorney, has been appointed as special counsel to investigate the handling of classified documents related to Biden.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement Thursday that he was appointing Hur and authorizing him to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law in connection with this matter.

Asked about whether Biden would speak to investigators, Jean-Pierre referred the matter to the Department of Justice (DOJ), citing the constraints of the ongoing review.

Jean-Pierre reiterated Bidens earlier remark that he was surprised that the classified records were found and that he doesnt know whats in them.

She added that Biden takes classified documents and information very seriously.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, on Dec. 9, 2022. (Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images)

Pressed by reporters about whether Biden was sloppy in the way he handled the materials given that they have now been discovered at multiple locations, the press secretary pointed to his lawyers statement.

We are confident that their thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, and the President and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake, Jean-Pierre read part of the statement, issued by Bidens lawyer, Richard Sauber.

Im going to leave it there, the press secretary said, adding that Bidens lawyers have been coordinating closely with the DOJ on the matter.

The press secretary was also asked about the timeline of the documents discovery and notification to the National Archives, how the materials got to where they were found, and whether the Biden administration has any idea just how many people could have gotten their hands on the materials.

She fielded the questions in much the same way.

Again, theres an ongoing process. Its being reviewed, she said. Dont have more to share.

Thursdays stonewalling was a continuation from the prior days press conference when Jean-Pierre delivered her first briefing since the first batch of documents was found on Monday at the Penn Biden Center in a locked closet.

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 at Wednesdays briefing, referring to Bidens comments on the matter while in Mexico.

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 added that he was not aware of the content of the documents, adding that his lawyers have suggested he not even ask what was in them and that his team is cooperating fully with the DOJs review.

President Joe Biden speaks to reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, on Jan. 11, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Also on Thursday, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy asked Biden at a White House event whether the second batch of documents was stored in a locked garage.

Yes, as well as my Corvette, Biden replied.

But as I said earlier this week, people know I take classified documents and classified material seriously, he continued, adding that his team is cooperating fully and completely with the DOJ probe.

Republicans Vow to Investigate

Republicans have pledged to investigate the matter, with Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the new chair of the House Oversight Committee, saying that the panel has already opened a probe.

The Committee is concerned that President Biden has compromised sources and methods with his own mishandling of classified documents, Comer wrote in a letter to White House counsel Stuart Delery (pdf), while pointing out that Biden has previously called the mishandling of presidential records totally irresponsible.

Comer separately wrote to NARAs Acting Archivist Debra Steidel Wall (pdf) to raise the question of political bias at the agency over what he described as inconsistent treatment of recovering classified records held by Biden and former President Donald Trump.

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, he wrote.

Meanwhile, NARA instigated a public and unprecedented FBI raid at Mar-a-Lagoformer President Trumps hometo retrieve presidential records.

Comer also said this disparate treatment raises questions about political bias at the agency.

The White House didnt respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times while NARA confirmed receipt of Comers letter but declined to comment further.

News of the discovery of the classified documents has emerged roughly five months after the FBIs raid on Trumps Mar-a-Lago residence, where agents seized thousands of documents, including roughly 100 marked classified and some marked top secret.

Lawyers for the DOJ have alleged that Trump could have violated several laws by keeping the documents, including the Espionage Act.

Trump has insisted he declassified the documents. Neither Biden nor Trump have been charged.

Republicans have argued that Trump has been treated more harshly over his document stash and that the DOJ and the mainstream media are handling Biden with kid gloves.

Is the White House going to be raided tonight? Comer said in a Fox News interview. Are they going to raid the Biden Center? I dont know.

This is further concern that theres a two-tier justice system within the DOJ with how they treat Republicans versus Democrats  certainly how they treat the former president versus the current president.

The Republican lawmaker noted that in his research after the FBIs search of Trumps home in August, he found that every president had accidentally packed documents that may or may not be considered classified, saying, but they werent raided.
WHO Says It Doesnt Fully Understand Whos Dying From COVID-19 And Why

A screenshot taken from a still video shows Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in an undated photo. (Reuters/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has admitted to not having a clear picture of why people are dying from COVID-19, and called for more data sharing among nations, as Beijing continues to see a mass spread of the virus while refusing to share accurate numbers.

Since February 2022, the number of deaths reported to WHO every week has dropped by almost 90 percent. However, the number of weekly reported deaths has remained between 10,000 and 14,000 since mid-September, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said during a Jan. 11 media briefing.

Most of those dying are at-risk groups, incl. older people. During the last 6 months of 2022, people aged 65 or over accounted for ~90% of all reported deaths. Once again the data we receive from countries is inadequate to give us a clear picture of who is dying & why, Tedros admitted.

Last week, around 11,500 deaths were reported to the organization, of which Americans accounted for 40 percent, Europe 30 percent, and the Western Pacific region 30 percent. This number is almost certainly an under-estimate due to the underreporting of COVID-19 deaths in China, the WHO chief said.

Out of the 194 nations in the world, only 53 provide data on deaths segregated by sex and age. Tedros asked all nations to provide such data, insisting that the more data they get, the clearer a picture we have.

COVID Variant Spread

The WHO chief also highlighted the need to continue with sequencing tests to detect and track the emergence and spread of variants like XBB.1.5. The world cannot close its eyes and hope this virus will go away. It wont, Tedros stated.

He asked countries that are currently facing intense COVID-19 transmission to increase sequencing and share those sequences. Since the peak of the Omicron wave, the number of sequences being shared has dropped by over 90 percent while the number of nations sharing sequences has fallen by a third, Tedros added.

During the week ending Dec. 3, the XBB.1.5 variant only made up 2.3 percent of COVID-19 infections in the United States, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By the week ending Jan. 7, this has jumped over ten times to 27.6 percent.

In China, the ruling regime claimed that only 10 people died from COVID-19 in December. However, this claim has been challenged by various groups. The WHO has accused the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of withholding data regarding the outbreak.

Leaked images of a report believed to have been from an internal CCP conference show that authorities believed that up to 248 million people were infected in the first 20 days of December. A report released by UK-based health data firm Airfinity last month estimated daily deaths in China at 9,000.

Vaccines and Deaths

There is also an alarming trend of COVID-19 deaths happening among the vaccinated population. According to an analysis by Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), roughly four in 10 COVID-19-related deaths by January 2022 were accounted for by individuals who had taken COVID-19 shots.

Analysis of CDC data by KFF showed that six out of 10 COVID-19-related deaths between April and August 2022 were among people who had some level of vaccination.

The data is suggesting that at this point, with the vast majority of the population having had contact with either the infection or the vaccine, the effects of the vaccine are marginal, Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, an expert in long COVID and post-viral chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, told The Epoch Times.

In a recent survey by Rasmussen Reports, 49 percent of American adults suggested that the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines likely accounts for a significant number of unexplained deaths, including 28 percent who think it is very likely.

Among respondents, 28 percent said that they personally know someone whose death they think might have been caused due to the side effects of COVID-19 vaccines.
Wisconsin, North Carolina Join 20 Other States to Ban TikTok From Government Devices

TikTok app logo in an illustration taken on Aug. 22, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Wisconsin and North Carolina have joined at least 20 other states to ban the Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok from state devices amid growing concerns over threats to national security.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said in a Jan, 12 statement, Its important for us to protect state information technology from foreign countries that have actively participated in cyberattacks.

Protecting North Carolina from cyber threats is vital to ensuring the safety, security, privacy, and success of our state and its people, he added.

WeChat, a messaging platform owned by a Chinese technology company was also added to the ban list.

The North Carolina governor did not rule out prohibition of other applications that pose an unacceptable cybersecurity risk, the statement read.

The ban came after two state representatives exerted pressure on the Democrat governor.

State Reps. Jason Saine and Jon Hardister, both Republicans, sent a letter to the Democrat governor (pdf) insisting that Cooper remove the Chinese video app swiftly and decisively, deeming it to be a matter of national security.

As we know, the Chinese government is constantly working to infiltrate our communications and access intellectual data within the United States, Saine and Hardister wrote. If sensitive data is breached, it could pose both an economic and security threat for North Carolina. We have a responsibility to prevent this from happening, which is why we are urging an executive order as soon as possible.

Saine and Hardister referenced past orders, such as the one the chief administrative officer for the U.S. House of Representatives issued on Dec. 28 for all lawmakers to delete the app on all devices managed by the House.

A Congressional omnibus bill passed on Dec. 23 last year includes legislation that would ban the social media app TikTok from federal government devices. Earlier, the No TikTok on Government Devices Act was approved unanimously by the Senate.

Congress also recently passed legislation to bar the app on government devices.

The two lawmakers said that Coopers inaction would prompt them to proceed to work in the 2023 legislative session to bring about a law that would ban TikTok from government-issued devices in North Carolina.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Wisconsin governor Tony Evers signed an executive order banning TikTok and other potential cybersecurity-threatening technologies on state-issued devices.

The ban list included Tiktok, WeChat, and other Chinese-owned technology brands including Huawei and ZTE Corp.

New and evolving technologies will continue to present risks to privacy, safety, and security, and this order ensures we will continue to be vigilant in monitoring these technologies while trusting the advice of these experts on evolving cybersecurity issues facing our state, Evers said in an interview with WISN 12 News.

The governor also pledged to continue evaluating and identifying other platforms and vendors that could pose a threat to cybersecurity.

TikTok a Weaponized Application

TikTok has long been the subject of congressional scrutiny due to its ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its practice of sending user data to ByteDance employees located in China.

Data is classified as a national resource under CCP rules, which require businesses with headquarters in China or that are majority-controlled by Chinese organizations to turn over all data, including proprietary source code and other intangibles, to the government upon request.

Security experts have described TikTok as a weaponized application for this reason and have said that the app siphons an immense amount of data from Americans that could be sent to the CCP. Such data includes not only browsing history, but also facial recognition information, keystroke input, passwords, bank information, and even whatever users have copied to their virtual clipboard.

Tool for Cognitive Warfare

Casey Fleming, CEO of intelligence and security strategy firm BlackOps Partners recently described the Chinese app as a tool for the CCPs effort at cognitive warfare.

Some folks call Tiktok digital fentanyl, because whats happening is folks are getting dopamine hits when theyre going on Tik Tok. And it keeps them on Tiktok looking at subversive messaging, psychological information, and it gets them addicted to it, he said.

Not only that, it reprograms their brains, so where theyre not critical thinkers or their critical thinking is reduced and so on, he added.

Fleming characterized TikTok as a weaponized military application aimed at weakening and dominating the minds of the adversarys population.

Likewise, FBI Director Christopher Wray has repeatedly said TikTok is a national security threat to the United States and that, among other concerns, ByteDances control of the apps algorithm makes it vulnerable to CCP manipulation.

The Chinese regime could use it to control data collection on millions of users or control the recommendation algorithm, which could be used for influence operations if they so chose, or to control software on millions of devices, which gives it opportunity to potentially, technically compromise personal devices, Wray said during a Nov. 15 hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee.

The Epoch Times reached out to Tiktok for comment but has not received a reply as of this date.

Matt McGregor, Andrew Thornebrooke contributed to this report.
The worlds last-known commercial fore-edge painter shares the secrets of his mesmerizing vanishing images, painted between the page edges of books, to help keep the magic of his dying craft alive.

London-born vanishing fore-edge painter Martin Frost paints on the page edges of gold-gilded books. The pages are fanned to reveal his delicate handiwork. Today, Frost, 72, lives in the seaside town of Worthing in southern England and works from home in his painting and book-binding studio.

Vanishing fore-edge painter Martin Frost in his home studio. (Courtesy of Martin Frost @foredgefrost1)

Im Blessed

From a young age, Frost had been familiar with the artistic world.

My father was a professional portrait painter, and my mom used to be the manager in an art shop, Frost told The Epoch Times.

Since painting and drawing were always going on at his home, Frost was encouraged from a very early age.

Kids at school are happy to paint, but later on in life, they become less confident, and as adults, they just dont do it anymore  theyre afraid to make a mistake, he said. I had no fear  Im blessed by my parents, Im lucky.

Frost attended art college with the intention of becoming a painter. However, he later discovered that he wanted to instead be a designer for a theater and thus headed in that direction.

While working as a set decorator in the theater during the 1970s, his neighbor and colleague Don Noble introduced him to fore-edge painting.

He showed me what he did, Frost said. And I was quite impressed.

Fore-edge paintings appear like magic when the pages are held just right. (Courtesy of Martin Frost @foredgefrost1)

Despite working for long hours at the theater, Frost decided to give the unique art a try. With the guidance of Noble, he picked up the art form fairly quickly as the technique was quite straightforward.

I happened to be quite skilled at drawing so I could make a reasonable image, Frost said. It was just a case of learning how to put it onto a book in such a way that it vanishes  thats the clever bit.

I did a few, showed them to a few book dealers and they said, Thats right, yes, we can sell this work. That work slowly took over my life and the theatre dropped out, Frost said. My wife was at work as well, both of us earning, so we made it work  most people get through a few jobs, but Ive stuck with this one for half a century!

A single commission can take Frost anywhere from 12 hours to a week, depending on its difficulty. (Courtesy of Martin Frost @foredgefrost1)

A Deliberate Craft

The earliest versions of fore-edge paintings hail from London, England, in the mid-17th century and it remains a British craft.

While one side of every page in a book is bound to the spine, the other three can be painted. Frost differentiates between single, two-way double, split double, and all-edge fore-edge painting, depending on how many images are painted and in what directions they are revealed.

Theres more elaborations, he said.

Two-way double FEP on The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. (Courtesy of Martin Frost @foredgefrost1)

Large edition of Don Quixote with all-edge paintings. (Courtesy of Martin Frost @foredgefrost1)

He also maintains that gold is the traditional way of hiding the painting.

Frost and his predecessors favor watercolor over oil and plastic-based paints since a light touch and soft pigment are needed to avoid weighing down the pages.

When Frost started fore-edge painting in his 20s, he worked with 19th-century leather-bound books with gold-gilded pages, perfect for hiding his handiwork.

In the past, Ive done all of the Bibles and prayer books with religious scenes, theyve been popular, Frost said. Quite a lot of my work goes on the early poets  sporting books, romantic books  at the moment its Harry Potter.'

Many of the books Martin Frosts works with are Bibles, poetry, or old leather-bound books. (Courtesy of Martin Frost @foredgefrost1)

Frost has produced 3,500 fore-edge paintings to date, across 50 years of honing his craft. A commission can take anything between 12 hours and a week to complete, depending on the size and complexity, and whether the book needs to be gilded and rebound. While Frost is a dab hand, his work isnt without challenges.

Im working on lots of bits of paper, its difficult to stop the paint from going in between each leaf, he said. If youre looking at a cross-section, theres almost a set of stairs  Im painting on those stairs, and the paint wants to go inside the book.

The other challenge is that some of the pages of old books can be greasy or spongy, and while watercolor is traditionally a very wet medium, Frost has to approach his painting differently.

It cant be wet because it doesnt work; it goes into the paper, it makes the paper wobbly, and it tends to take the gold off, he explained. It also means that you have to work slower, because youre putting down little bits of fairly dry paint, so its not a quick technique.

Fore-edge paintings must be done very carefully to keep the paint from seeping onto the inside of the pages. (Courtesy of Martin Frost @foredgefrost1)

Watercolor also isnt a forgiving medium.

You cant make a mistake, Frost said. When you make a mark, thats your mark, youre stuck with it. You cant overpaint it  you have to be very deliberate about what youre doing.

Critically-Endangered Craftsman

Frost shares his captivating craft on his website and on Instagram, where he said the most common response to his vanishing paintings is, Wow, we didnt see that coming  thats the magic, Frost said.

Most people are a bit confused and wonder if there is any battery that goes into it to make it work. However, he assures there isnt any such thing and its a physical painting.

Martin Frost has completed some 3,500 fore-edge paintings over a 50-year career. (Courtesy of Martin Frost @foredgefrost1)

My Instagram project is to put up an archive, a record of one mans work over his commercial lifestyle, which is a bit unusual; most fore-edge painters, we dont know who they were. They never signed their work  now, Im happy to talk about it and say its me, and all my work has a signature  a little symbol that I put onto the painting.

Frost has had the occasional critic ask him why he would make paintings that one cant see or deface an old book, but Frosts response is simple: his art is a loving homage to the words between the pages and the sole goal of his profession is to make people smile.

Frost has been listed as a critically-endangered craftsman by Heritage Crafts Association, but his biggest accolade to date was an Member of the British Empire (MBE) awarded at the royal Windsor Castle in England.

It was my daughter that really pushed it, Frost said. She thought it would be good publicity for me to try and get some sort of acknowledgment from the Palace on the basis that Im the last man standing. They came back and said, Yes, you qualify.'

Frost expected to receive his MBE from Prince Charles but when he arrived at Windsor Castle with his wife and daughter, he was met by the queen of England. Frost said: I came back on the same day in my full suit, with my medal on my chest, and I went into the nursing home [to see my mother]. She loved it; she told all of the other people in the home, Thats my son!'

A number of new craftspeople have started fore-edge painting in the past five years, Frost said, but none are making vanishing paintings. Since the once-thriving market has dwindled, Frost can handle the workload on his own.

Semi-retired, he has hopes of passing the baton. As such, he has run in-person workshops in many European countries such as Amsterdam, Belgium, France, and across the United States for 15 years, trying to encourage others to adopt the craft and help revive the market.

Nobody ever knew about fore-edge painting because theyre hidden away; you cant hang a painting on a wall, theyre not in galleries, Frost said. Its got to be me showing you  Im running out of time, although I will never retire so long as I can paint.

Watch the video:

(Courtesy of Martin Frost @foredgefrost1)

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Following two successful years of highlighting the construction industry, a cross-industry initiative started in Montana may soon expand across the country.

This week, representatives from Billings Public Schools, RDO Equipment, the Montana Contractors Association, or MCA, and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry accepted the Lester J. Heath award on behalf of the Build Montana program from the Associated Equipment Dealerships Foundation during their annual summit.

The program  a partnership of the MCA and its Education Foundation, and the Montana Equipment Dealers Association  was recognized for its success to date in both promoting career paths and training high school students in the heavy equipment industry.

The foundation is a nonprofit that works to address the shortage of skilled workers in the equipment distribution industry through a strategy that brings dealers, manufacturers, and educators together. The award is named after the foundations first president and given to a group or individual demonstrating outstanding contributions to this through workforce development.

Kind of shocked, actually, said MCA marketing and communications director Barry Houser upon learning they had received the award. Kind of shocked, kind of amazed that a small, little program out of Montana is getting some national love.

Among those in attendance to accept the award with Houser included School District 2 Superintendent Greg Upham, RDO Equipment vice-president Adam Gilbertson and store manager John Hurd and Sarah Swanson from the Montana Department of Labor & Industry.

It is the second national award the program has received following the National Chapter Workforce Development Award last year by the Associated General contractors of America.

Opening up opportunities

Build Montana came together following discussions at the MCAs annual convention when concerns over a shortage of incoming new workers and issues in generating interest were echoed across industry representatives.

The program began in Billings for its first year where local contractors RDO and Knife River partnered with SD2 to provide its high school students hands-on experience with heavy equipment operation and safety, giving them applicable job skills upon graduation.

Upham explained the district has offered a construction program at the Career Center for years now that gave students the opportunity to learn skills like house construction and electric wiring known as vertical construction. What they were unable to provide them were options for horizontal construction that uses heavy machinery.

We cant buy tractors and we cant buy bulldozers, he said of the school districts limitations.

That led to SD2s career and outreach director Bo Bruinsma contacting the associations who began Build Montana to express an interest in working with them, who then were able to come to agreements with local contractors and association members like RDO and Knife River Company.

The idea is a sort of trade-off where the schools provide the employers with the potential incoming workforce while the companies provide the machinery and training.

The program is divided into two portions over the course of the spring semester: 40 hours of course curriculum online through John Deere University and 40 hours of safety and operation training with machinery including tractors, caterpillars and various Volvo machines two days out of the school week.

While the schools and students benefit from the experience and access to private companies equipment, the benefits are mutual. Bruinsma explained the program is intended to be as much a networking opportunity for the students and potential employers in the industry as it is professional training.

He said that, along with presenting a better resume, students that complete the program already know who they would be working with while those who are hiring have already seen first-hand their potential.

These kids would have never known how to enter this field or who to reach out toor even what door to knock on, Bruinsma said.

The program has been successful thus far, having grown each spring both in terms of student sign-ups, business interest and expansion. Last spring, Kalispell began providing the program to its high school students and it was announced that Missoula, Lockwood and Huntleys high schools would start respective programs this semester.

Additionally, companies like Tractor and Equipment, Tri-State Truck and Equipment and Dick Anderson Construction have also begun partnerships with their local school districts for the program.

To date, around 20 students have taken the program with many of them continuing to pursue careers in the field. Bruinsma said one student has since gone on to enroll in a biodiesel mechanics program at a local community college. Former SD2 student OShay Birdinground landed a job with Knife River Construction in his first year following graduation.

Although he would eventually move on to start taking classes at the University of Montana, he said he appreciates what he took away from the program and that hes glad the construction industry is a career option going forward.

It was an amazing experience, he said. Sometimes I wish I could go back and just sit in my truck like I did when I was working with them.

A model easy to replicate

In addition to simply showing up for an award ceremony, representatives from all parties involved in the program were in attendance to explain the program to fellow industry leaders throughout the country.

We really had no idea until Adam told us that it was getting discussed on a nationwide basis, Houser said. But thats what I think the great thing about it is, which is that its easy to replicate.

Given the mission of the foundation and the success Build Montana has experienced to date, the hope is to share its approach with other states with the hopes of inspiring their own similar programs with similar success. Specifically, representatives fielded questions and detailed how local school districts can develop partnerships with local contractors and associations to share resources and how to utilize options made available through their respective governments.

In Montanas case, Upham pointed out that additional available resources through government policy like Transformational Learning grants can ease any potential financial hurdles and even encourage these programs success.

With all these societal pieces coming together outside of just the school system, Upham believes its a model that will continue to grow and thrive going forward.

Its re-thinking public education and its exciting, Upham said. "Its innovative, but its also common sense, you know?
Billings Police have named the man involved in the Sunday carjacking homicide and home invasion where he shot the homeowner during a birthday party.

Thomas Slevira Jr., age 32, has been jailed and faces charges of deliberate homicide and attempted deliberate homicide, according to police Lt. Matt Lennick.

He is expected to be arraigned later Friday.

Slevira is the suspect in the carjacking death of Carlos Delao, a single father of two teenagers. The suspect had been prowling the area near Avenue F and 1200 West at about 6 p.m. Sunday when he spotted Delao in his truck in the driveway of his home. Slevira allegedly shot Delao in the head, pulled him out of the truck, and drove away.

Nearby Slevira allegedly kicked in the back door of a home at 1207 Burlington, shot the homeowner, Erik Brady, and barricaded himself in the basement where he held off police for more than seven hours.

Members of an armed SWAT team entered the home at 1 a.m. and arrested Slevira.

Slevira has been previously sentenced for several violent crimes, according to Montana Department of Corrections records. Most recently, Yellowstone County District Judge Donald L. Harris sentenced him to five years in the DOC for partner or family member assault in January 2021.

He's also been convicted in the past of assaulting a police officer, and strangulation. Twice he's been convicted of failing to register as a sex or violent offender.

The homicide and subsequent break-in are still under investigation, Lennick said, and Slevira could face more charges.

This story will be updated
The Voice Nigeria contestants  Dapo Zacchaeus, Naomi Mac, and Kitay Okiemetue sit with the host of #WithChude, Chude Jideonwo, to discuss their music careers and the hustle it takes to make music in Nigeria.

On the show, Naomi Mac, shared how her contract with a record label was terminated because she got married. I have been doing music officially for like 20 years, and I had a record label. I remember when I decided to get married in 2017. In February, when I had my introduction, I got a message, and they were like, babe, you need to pause this wedding. I didnt want to call off the wedding, not because of me, but the wedding is about my partner and I. We both agreed to go on and that was when my four years contract stopped. The funny thing is that I didnt even know until after four years. I couldnt sign with anybody else, but I couldn't work. So, it was really crazy." She also spoke about her choice to go for The Voice Nigeria after being a part of Nigerian Idol Season 1, in 2011. It was a tough one for me, making a decision to even come out at all after about ten years. I didnt even think that people would accept me the way they did. And I am always super grateful for that acceptance, it really gave me a lot of encouragement and confidence.

Kitay Okiemute, after being a finalist in the MTN Project Fame season 9 and other reality shows, also participated in The Voice Nigeria 2021. On his getting into the show, he shared, My reaction at that last point of my blind audition got a lot of people talking, This boy is so rude, he is so proud, but the thing about me is that I like to look like (I have no emotions) when I am very scared. And when I was on stage, and they hit the button, in my head, I was like Omo, na so I for take go house, but a lot of people thought I was giving a reaction to Yemi Alade, like i no want you, and that got me a lot of insults.

The interview also had Dapo Zaccheaus sharing about getting on the show and the struggles he had before then. My Bolt app was on, just in case nobody turned. Then I looked at my dad, and I was like, why did I bring this man out of the house to come and watch this. My dad and I have been having that argument over the years, I am a mechanical engineering graduate, and as the only son, it took my dad a long time to accept that I am a musician. I told him, Daddy, I am going for The Voice Nigeria, and showed him videos of the past, and he was like Okay. That day came; I had been rehearsing, but there was a part of the song that required backup vocals, and I was like, how am I going to do this part, like 30% of everything I did, came on that stage'.

On navigating the music industry in Nigeria, Dapo shared, the part of the industry that I have been in is behind the curtains; there is a limit to what we can have access to in terms of information and structure. However, it is a sad story that the talented ones are usually behind. But I am also happy to state that that narrative is changing.
Nigeria is a gas-rich country with about 209 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) of gas reserves, according to figures from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) as of January 2022. The country ranks 9th in global gas production.

While the country has been making efforts to deepen domestic gas utilisation through initiatives such as the Decade of Gas program, National Gas Expansion Program (NGEP) and the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP), gas flare has remained a major problem.

Unlike in most gas producing countries where the forces of demand and supply determine prices, Nigerian government regulates domestic gas prices, which makes gas a bit unprofitable for oil exploration and production companies, thereby resulting in these companies flaring this gas

Despite its effort to curtail gas flaring, Nigeria flared 6,947.02 Billion Cubic Feet (BCF) of gas between April 2020 and April 2021, according to data obtained by Majorwaves from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited Monthly Financial and Operations Reports.

Gas flaring in Nigeria

Gas flare extermination history

Notwithstanding huge gas deposits, Nigerias economy largely depends on oil. According to some experts, this is because of the failures of successive governments in the country to focus and explore other natural resources, which the country possesses. This, unfortunately, has led to loss of revenues that could have been generated from gas, and other natural resources.

In an article, Nigeria: Gas Flaring In Nigeria: Challenges & Investment Opportunities, Aderonke Adejugbe and Bayo Onamade in an article stated: It is however worthy to note that whilst statistics may not be accurate, the quantity of gas flared in Nigeria exceeds over 40 percent of the gas flared annually across Africa, which amounts to about $7billion in waste.

Apart from economic waste being a consequence of gas flaring, flared gas is also known to contain toxic substances which cause respiratory diseases and air pollution, leading to depletion of the ozone layer, ultimately having an adverse effect on weather and climate.

In 1979, the country came up with its first regulatory framework aimed at promoting anti-gas flaring policies, known as the Associated Gas Reinjection Act, 1979. Under the Act, oil and gas producing companies in the country were required to submit to the minister for petroleum, detailed programmes in relation to the re-injection of produced associated gas or programmes for the use of produced associated gas.

The Act also provided for the deadline for gas flaring in the country as stipulated by the Federal Government to be 31 December 1974. Till date, this deadline is yet to be met despite several extensions through a succession of bills and amendments of laws.

In recent years, the Federal Government had initiated a number of actions to reaffirm its commitment to ending the practice of gas flaring in the countrys oil fields. As part of its commitment, the government ratified the Paris Climate Change Agreement, and is a signatory to the Global Gas Flaring Partnership (GGFR) principles for global flare-out by 2030. It also committed to zero flare of gas by year 2020, which unfortunately, did not come to realization.

The continuous flaring of gas in the country may not be unconnected with lack of political will on the part of successive government in the past; unavailability of the infrastructure required to control gas flaring; unavailability of market for domestic gas products; and the low price of gas in the country.

NGFCP



Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu

The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachukwu, on December 13, 2016, launched NGFCP, following an approval by the Federal Executive Council. This was in recognition that flared gas could be harnessed to stimulate economic growth, drive investments and provide jobs in oil producing communities and indeed for Nigerians through the utilization of widely available innovative technologies.

The NGFCP is designed as the strategy to implement the policy objectives of the FGN for the elimination of gas flares with potentially enormous multiplier and development outcomes for Nigeria. The objective of the NGFCP is to eliminate gas flaring through technically and commercially sustainable gas utilization projects developed by competent third party investors who will be invited to participate in a competitive and transparent bid process. The commercialisation approach has been considered from legal, technical, economic, commercial and developmental standpoints.

It is a unique and historic opportunity to attract major investment in economically viable gas flare capture projects whilst permanently addressing a 60 year environmental problem in Nigeria, NGFCP stated on its website.

The NGFCP will offer flare gas for sale by the Federal Government of Nigeria through a transparent and competitive bidding process. A structure has been devised to provide project bankability for the Flare Gas Buyers, which is essential to the success of the Programme.

Subsequently, Kachikwu in April 2019, inaugurated the Ministerial Steering Committee of the NGFCP to evaluate the bid for the 178 flared sites that have been identified in the country. This was after over 800 companies expressed their interest to manage the identified 178 gas flared sites. Each of the bidding companies was to make a compulsory payment of $1,000 fees to back their bids.

The Ministerial Steering Committee was to recommend the best governance structure prior to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) carrying on with the programme as a statutory function immediately after the first auction rounds.

However, nothing was done until after 10 months. The former Director of the Defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Engr Sarki Auwalu, disclosed at NGFCP bidders conference in February 2020, that 200 companies had been shortlisted, following the evaluation of statements of qualification. He subsequently declared that 45 gas flare sites would be put up for auction in the first phase of the programme.

In June 2020, the Department announced that the NGFCP is being delayed by six weeks due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, thus limiting the involved stakeholders ability to access to flare points. The first phase of the programme was expected to resume once travel restrictions eased.

In response to the prolonged lockdown due to Covid-19 Pandemic and the attendant consequences on daily business operations and commercial activities across Nigeria, the Department of Petroleum Resources has extended the NGFCP Bid Submission Due Date by a period of 1 month. Accordingly, all Qualified Applicants are hereby notified that the NGFCP Bid Submission Due Date has been extended to June 4, 2020, a statement dated June 4, 2020, signed by Dr Musa M. Zagi, on behalf of the defunct DPR , read partly.

Attributing the delay of the scheme to the 2020 oilfields marginal bid round, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, late May 2021, said that with the licensing round off the table, the government would focus on the NGFCP and see to its completion before the end of June 2021.

He assured that the Federal Government will award licences under the NGFCP to qualified bidders as part of efforts to meet zero gas flare target in the country and expand its gas footprint.

Early in May 2021, the World Bank listed Russia, Iraq, Iran, the United States, Algeria, Venezuela and Nigeria, as the top seven gas flaring countries in the last nine years.

Similarly, the Bretton Woods institution said the seven countries produce 40 per cent of the worlds oil each year but account for nearly two-thirds, representing 65 per cent of global gas flaring.

In 2019, about 320 billion Cubic Feet of Gas (BCF) was flared, while the Federal Government and local operators lost approximately 90.9 billion cubic feet of natural gas due to gas flaring in the period from January to May 2020. Authorities put the estimation of the financial loss at close to $230 million during the five months.

Nigeria is a signatory to the Paris Climate Change Agreement, and on paper adheres to the Global Gas Flaring Partnership (GGFR) principles for global flare-out by 2030. But this shaky start is already casting a shadow over the realisation of the 2030 target. The delay being witnessed in the bidding process of the NGFCP, appears to be more of a bureaucratic issue than unforeseen circumstances.

Impacts of gas flare on oil-producing communities

Gas flare has been a continuous practice in Nigeria for over 50 years, and the oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta are the ones bearing the brunt. As a result of gas flare and oil spillage, there are now some manifestations of the climate change crisis in the area, in the form of the disappearance of wildlife, fish in rivers, creeks, and fresh waters of the Delta, excessive heat, shrinking vegetation, which has affected farming.

A report by the Amnesty International in 2009, which examined oil spills, gas flaring, waste dumping and other environmental impacts of the oil industry, called the situation in the Niger Delta a human rights tragedy, saying that the people of the region have seen their human rights abused by oil companies that their government cannot or will not hold to account.

PIA



buhari signs PIA

As part of the renewed efforts to address gas flaring, the countrys new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) mandates a licensee or lessee who engages in upstream and midstream petroleum operations to within one year of effective date, or six months after the grant of licence or lease to submit for approval an environmental management plan in respect of projects which require environmental impact assessment to the Commission (Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission) or the Authority (Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority) as the case may be.

As a condition for the grant of a licence or lease and prior to the approval of the environmental management plan by the Commission or Authority, a licensee or lease shall pay a prescribed financial contribution to environmental remediation fund established by the Commission or Authority, as the case may be, for rehabilitation or management of negative environmental impacts with respect to the licence or lease, section 103 (1) of the Act states.

The Act also states that in determining the amount of the financial contribution, the Commission or Authority shall take into consideration the size of the operations and the level of environmental risk that may exist.

It further states that except in the case of an emergency, pursuant to an exception granted by the Commission, or as an acceptable safety practice under established regulations, a licensee, lessee or marginal field operator that flares or vents gas commits an offence under the Act and is liable to a fine.

NUPRC shortlists 139 companies for NGFCP 2022

.

The NUPRC re-launched NGFCP in October 2022, with the intention to drive down gas flaring in the country and harness flared gas for economic use.

According to a statement by the Commission, 300 bidders entered for the scheme. After review, the Commission has shortlisted 139 companies.

NUPRC is pleased to notify all interested parties, registered parties, the investor community, and the general public of the conclusion of the Request for Qualification (RFQ) phase of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP) 2022 in line with the accelerated delivery schedule.

You may recall that in furtherance to the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA), the NGFCP was restructured for enhanced value to investors, following in-depth assessment of current industry gas flaring situation and prevailing operational realities, coupled with changes in the socio-economic landscape since the NGFCP was initially conceived, NUPRC said in the statement.

The commission is pleased to announce that 300 companies registered their interest to revalidate their prequalification status and submit Statement of Qualification (SOQ) as existing bidders and new participants, respectively.

Following successful conclusion of the SOQ evaluation exercise conducted by the Bid Evaluation Team (BET), a total of 139 applicants were deemed successful and awarded the qualified applicant status in line with the provisions of the RFQ, the regulator stated.

The Commission informed that All qualified applicants shall receive further communications via their respective contact addresses and the NGFCP portal (ngfcp.nuprc.gov.ng) accordingly.
Your Excellency, we are a group of bipartisan progressives residing in Sokoto, who have convened to write you this letter, in order to draw your kind attention to issues of grevious importance to our state and by extension, our nation as a whole.

We recall, Your Excellency our collective struggles in 2015 and 2019 that installed you as the leader of our nation, out of the conviction and trust for your integrity. We, in Sokoto State stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of concerned Nigerians, braving hot and cold and stood in queues to cast our vote for what we believed was the change Nigeria craved for since nearly half a century!

As far as your personal integrity and incorruptibility are concerned, we have every reason to feel vindicated. For, even though parts of your administration are not without issues concerning corruption, you, Your Excellency has remained above board and exhibited the personal will to fight graft, in all it's ramifications.

Now, your tenure as President is coming to a close and you have never neglected to express your dedication to your vision of bequething a corruption-free, ethically upright Nigeria to your people.

We wish to therefore, draw the attention of Mr President to a clear and present danger, threatening the realization of your noble vision at least in Sokoto State. We do this, out of shared concern for the fate and future of our state and nation.

Your Excellency, It is no longer news that there is an ongoing probe by the ICPC and EFCC on the financial activities of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) which began sometime last year, during the tenure of the immediate-past Executive Secretary of the Fund, an indigene of our state, Ahmed Aliyu, who is the current All Progressives' Congress governorship candidate.

The investigation by ICPC, which involves N12 billion take off grant for award of contracts, seemed to have stalled when Ahmed Aliyu was Executive Secretary. We understand the Commission recently invited/arrested him in Abuja and subsequently released him on bail. We learnt that Ahmed Aliyu has another appointment with the EFCC on January 14, 2023.

Our concern is that certain stalwarts of the APC in Sokoto State, who also hold prominent positions in your government at federal level are scurrying around, trying to employ their offices to interfere with the ICPC/EFCC investigations.

One of the alleged Interlopers against lawful inquiry include the Senator of the Federal Republic for Sokoto North, and current Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, the Sokoto State APC leader, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, against whom there is an subsisting petition with the EFCC, which has obviously not been treated, since 2019.

Senator Wamakko is bringing his official status to bear on the investigation process, in an effort to in the instance, delay Ahmed Aliyu's appearance at the EFCC, until after the January 16 date for the campaign visit of PDP presidential candidate, Ahmed Bola Tinubu to Sokoto.

We are indeed perturbed for the wrong impression these posturing is creating for your integrity at the twilight of your tenure as President. These elements lobied to deliberately occupy strategic security positions at the national assembly in addition to the Minister of Police Affairs, who is also from Sokoto.You have repeatedly assured the international community and citizens of this country of your commitment to bequething credible elections in 2023. However evidences abound on their stubborn nocturnal manoeuvres to undermine your pledge. We view these posturings as serious infractions, and infringement on the course of justice, which stand against every fibre of the principle, for which Your Excellency is renoun. It is therefore, our firm belief that Mr President would not sanction, or even allow such brazen interference with the rightful course of the law.

Our object as concerned bipartisan Nigerians from Sokoto State, is for Your Excellency to intervene to ensure that lawful inquiry into this matter is not subverted for political expediency or any other reason.

It is our belief that the President has the obligation to weight into this matter in the interest of justice and the opportunity to unearth one of the causes of the ineffeciency of our security agencies in dealing with crime and breach of law and order.

The people of Sokoto State have a right to know the moral and ethical credibility of those, who aspire to lead them and sit in trust of their resources. Similarly, Mr President should as much as possible, endeavor to ascertain the integrity of the potential managers of the system you are leaving behind at all levels of governance.

SIGNED:

CONVENER

Barrister Muhammadu Mujtaba

cc:Chief Justice of the Federation

cc: Attorney-General and Minister of Justice

cc: National Security Adviser

cc: Inspector General of Police

cc: Chairman ICPC

cc: Chairman, EFCC

cc: All media Organisations


The Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke met with President Muhammadu Buhari for the first time after his inauguration in November.

The meeting which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, was held on Friday, 13 January 2023.

While speaking with State Correspondents after the meeting, the Osun governor said his visit to the president was to thank him for signing the Electoral Act, which without he would not have been elected governor.

Adeleke, who is a governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), noted that the presidents signing of the Act paved the way for free and fair elections in the Osun State.

The governor said the presidents action has made Nigerians and the International community applaud the conduct of the exercise.

Adeleke, who said the president was looking healthy and nice disclosed that his visit to the villa would equally give him the opportunity to discuss other issues of federal assistance with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

The governor added that beyond the visit he had already submitted some other things and would meet the Chief of Staff to discuss the way forward for the federal government to assist Osun State.

He said: Well, am happy to tell you that I just saw the president looking so well, looking so good and am happy about that.

Since my election, Ive felt like I should come and say hello to Mr President and thank him for signing the Electoral Act because I must have benefited from it.

That paved way for free and fair elections. And all the International community are applauding Nigeria, saying that Nigeria is set for democracy.

So, thats why am here today, to see him and thank him and wish him well for the remaining time in office.
Appeal to Phuket fishing fleet to find Marco Polo

PHUKET: Another appeal has been made for the local fishing fleet to keep an eye out for the missing 40-foot yacht Marco Polo, which disappeared from off Nai Harn Beach late last month.



By The Phuket News

Friday 13 January 2023, 10:05AM

UPDATE: See Suspicions raised over Marco Polo incident

Sitthipol Muangsong, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office, yesterday (Jan 12) reported that he had received a request from the yachts owner, 58-year-old German national Marco Ceferin.

Mr Ceferin, a long-term Phuket expat and well known in Phukets yachting and diving community, had requested that the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office publicise information seeking help in finding the missing yacht.

People who believe they saw the yacht or know any information about its whereabouts are urged to call Mr Cerefins wife, Khun Jane, at 090-3321806, Mr Sitthipol said.

A reward is being offered for information that leads directly to the recovery of the missing yacht, Mr Sitthipol added.

Mr Ceferin has been searching for his yacht after it was discovered missing, possibly stolen, from Nai Harn on Dec 28.

The Marco Polo is a Fountaine Pajot Lavezzi 40, estimated to be worth around US$300,000 (approximately B10 million) with the registration number 6451 00980.

An eye witness told Mr Ceferin that he had seen three people board the boat around 8:30am on the day before Mr Cerefin discovered it was missing.

Mr Ceferin immediately reported Marco Polos disappearance to Chalong Police Station who in turn liaised with Phukets Port Security Control Centre and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Region 3) to launch a search mission.

The authorities also contacted all fishing boats in the local area to help with the search by keeping a lookout for the missing yacht.

Anyone with any information that may assist in locating the yacht or who may happen to see it is urged to contact the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre (Region 3) on 1465.
Cambodian nabbed for peddling e-cigarettes

PHUKET: Phuket administration officers have arrested a Cambodian man for selling e-cigarettes to tourists at Kata Beach.

crime

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Friday 13 January 2023, 09:25AM

Danai Jaikeuk, the Chief Administrative Office (Palad) for Security at the Mueang Phuket District Office reported yesterday that the Cambodian man was arrested in the car park next to Karon Municipality at about 5pm on Wednesday (Jan 11).

Acting on complaints posted online, a team of officials from the Mueang Phuket District Office, accompanied by personnel from the Volunteer Defense Corps (OrSor), arrived at Kata Beach and observed him selling e-cigarettes to foreign tourists on sunbeds on the beach.

The officers then followed him up to the car park, where one of the officers presented himself to 44-year-old Cambodian national Mon Man and identified himself as an official.

Mr Man was found with 79 e-cigarettes (43 large, 26 medium and 10 small) in his brown shoulder bag. Officers also seized the B4,360 cash Mr Man had on him, presumed from selling the e-cigarettes.

Mr Danai said that the circumstances of the arrest were due to complaints that there are aliens (sic) patrolling and selling e-cigarettes along Kata-Karon beach, causing a lot of annoyance to tourists.

Mr Mon was very cooperative with officials, Mr Danai said. He openly admitted that he sold e-cigarettes to tourists. He added that he had been living in Thailand for 15 years.

Regardless, Mr Mon was taken to Karon Police Station and charged under the Customs Act for selling products prohibited from being imported into the country. He was also charged specifically for selling e-cigarettes under a regulation by the Consumer Protection Board

Mr Mon was also charged with working illegally in Thailand, and for entering and staying in the Kingdom illegally.
Free COVID tests for ill visitors, says Anutin

BANGKOK: The government is offering free COVID-19 tests to ill visitors and will vaccinate foreign tourists who request the service at reasonable prices, according to Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

ChineseCoronavirusCOVID-19healthIndianVaccinetourism

By Bangkok Post

Friday 13 January 2023, 08:32AM

Visitors from China arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport in Samut Prakan province on Monday (Jan 9). Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb

He also stressed that health insurance is still required for travellers from China and India, as the two countries require people going there to take COVID tests before their departure from Thailand, reports the Bangkok Post.

Either antigen or PCR tests for COVID-19 would be done on visitors with respiratory symptoms as part of normal disease surveillance measures, Anutin said after chairing a meeting of the National Communicable Diseases Committee yesterday (Jan 12).

Dr Tares Krassanairawiwong, director-general of the Department of Disease Control (DDC), said the COVID-19 tests for ill visitors would be free.

Because visitors from China and India are required them to show proof that they are COVID-free on their return, Anutin said they need to have health insurance coverage of at least US$10,000 to cover their possible treatment if they test positive while in Thailand.

Officials at communicable disease control checkpoints will randomly check if visitors have the health insurance, he said. Those who have no health insurance documents must buy health insurance before entering the country.

The health minister also said that COVID-19 vaccines for foreign tourists would be available on a voluntary basis at reasonable prices at specified locations. Initially the vaccinations will be offered at the following sites:

Bangkok: Institute of Dermatology Thailand, Nopparat Rajathanee Hospital, Lerdsin Hospital, Rajavithi Hospital, Bangrak Medical Center, Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, and the Institute for Urban Disease Control and Prevention.

Chiang Mai: Chiangmai Neurological Hospital

Chon Buri: Pattayarak Health Unit

Phuket: a service centre of the Phuket public health office.

Offering vaccines to foreign tourists would not affect COVID-19 vaccine availability for Thai people, Anutin said.

Dr Tares said more than 20 million doses were currently available for Thai people and visitors who want the shots. Most foreign tourists have already been vaccinated, he said. Locally, more than 77% of the population have had at least two shots, according to the DDC.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) found that some foreign tourists wanted the vaccinations, he said.

The latest details of all rules for foreign travellers entering Thailand can be found at the TAT Newsroom site.
Immigration officers linked to triad visa racket

BANGKOK: An investigation into corruption by senior Immigration Bureau (IB) officers has found clear evidence of officers helping foreign criminals, and even serving as owners of foundations that arranged visas for Chinese nationals.

immigrationcorruptionChinesecrimepolice

By Bangkok Post

Friday 13 January 2023, 12:00PM

Former massage parlour tycoon Chuvit Kamolvisit submits documents about Chinese nationals running grey businesses in Thailand at the Royal Thai Police headquarters on Dec 1. Photo: Apichart Jinakul / Bangkok Post file

One of the foundations had its headquarters in a chicken coop, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn said on Thursday (Jan 12), a day after presenting his findings to national police chief Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittiprapas, reports the Bangkok Post.

The investigative committee found clear proof of offences such as renewal of visas for Chinese nationals through foundations, visa applications by schools or falsification of signatures of a deputy governor, said Pol Gen Surachate. He did not give more details.

Some officers had used houses and even a chicken coop as offices for foundations set up to apply visas for Chinese nationals. Investigators found some IB officers were owners of foundations that hired agents to falsify documents, said Pol Gen Surachate.

The national chief has ordered drastic action against all of the officers involved, he said.

Police are expected to summon all of the accused officers, ranging from commanders and station heads to officers at the operational level, to hear the charges next week, he added.

The former massage parlour tycoon and politician Chuvit Kamolvisit for weeks has been supplying police and the media with documents said to detail links between corrupt officials and grey businesses run by Chinese triads in Thailand.

He has alleged that three former division commanders of the Immigration Bureau took bribes in exchange for approving non-immigrant visas for 3,325 Chinese nationals who had entered the country on tourist visas.

He said the cost of getting such an application approved by one of the commanders ranged from B100,000 to 300,000 per person. This prompted the national police chief to set up an inquiry panel.

In November, Mr Chuvit submitted information about the alleged financial activities of Chinese triads in Thailand to the Justice Ministry.

A number of arrests have since been made, the biggest being that of suspected crime boss Chaiyanat Tuhao Kornchanayanant, a Chinese national married to a police officer who is the niece of a former national police chief and deputy prime minister.

Mr Chaiyanat turned himself in on Nov 23 after the Bangkok South Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest for alleged involvement in the drug trade. While he denied all the charges, the court denied him bail and he has been in custody ever since.

The Office of the Narcotics Control Board has so far seized assets worth more than B1.1 billion from the suspect, according to secretary-general Wichai Chaimongkol.
Phuket officials warn against buying fake driving licenses online

PHUKET: The Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) has posted yet another clarification stating that the Department of Land Transport (DLT) is the only authority issuing genuine driving licenses in Thailand. The agency has warned against buying driving licenses online amid growing numbers of such offers for foreigners on social media.

transportcrime

By The Phuket News

Friday 13 January 2023, 02:46PM

The Department of Land Transport warns!!! People should not be fooled into making fake driving licenses online. We repeat, all steps must be performed by the apical in person and at the transport office only says a warning posted on the PLTO website yesterday (Jan 12).

The warning was posted along a digital leaflet repeating the same main thesis and providing some additional information, including current fees for licenses.

The PLTO reminded that in order to get a genuine Thai driving license for a car or a motorcycle the applicant should pass a physical fitness test, watch an educational video and have photos of them taken, which can be done only in person at the PLTO.

If the driving license is not converted from a foreign one but received from zero, the process also includes passing a theory test and and a practical driving test. A medical certificate and a Residence Certificate / Work Permit should be provided in all cases.

The process of issuing a driving license also includes adding corresponding information to the online database, which providers of fake driving licenses cannot do, the DLT says.

Thai authorities have been fighting the sale and use of fake driving licenses for years, but until recently the campaign has been aimed mostly at Thai people and is still conducted in Thai language only. Meanwhile, since Thailands reopening for tourism in 2022, the criminal service is widely advertised to foreigners and commonly marketed as assistance in getting a Thai driving license, but without having to pass any tests and even visit a DLT office (PLTO for Phuket).

In 2022, the DLT had posted several announcements clarifying fake news about various options to get a driving license without the need to follow all the prescribed steps. Yet, the DLT is yet to report a single arrest of a fake driving license provider or a fake driving license user. People with relevant information are asked to call the 1584 hotline.

The illegal providers of fake driving licenses also hurt the image of companies, offering legally acceptable assistance in getting a driving license. It could be expected from the latter to join the DLTs effort in suppressing the illegal business, but the law-abiding part of the industry remains silent.

Current fees for driving licenses, as per the PLTOs most recent announcement, are as follows:

Private motorcycle  B105 (temporary), B255 (permanent);

Private car/pickup  B205 (temporary), B505 (permanent).

People who need to renew their existing licenses can do their theoretical training in advance via the e-Learning system on www.dlt-elearning.com and bring evidence with them when coming to the DLT to proceed into action immediately, the DLT says.
Putin signals impatience over Ukraine war in commander switch

MOSCOW: President Vladimir Putins move to replace his top commander in Ukraine is a sign of military disarray and his growing impatience in a war Russia is not winning, analysts said.

RussianUkraineviolencepoliticsmilitary

By AFP

Friday 13 January 2023, 08:50AM

A Ukrainian tank fires at Russian positions near Kreminna, Lugansk region, yesterday (Jan 12). Photo: AFP

The defence ministry in Moscow said Wednesday (Jan 11) it had, again, replaced its top commander in Ukraine, putting army chief of staff Valery Gerasimov in charge.

His predecessor, Sergei Surovikin, a veteran of Moscows wars since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, will become Gerasimovs deputy, working alongside two other generals, it said.

Russian and Western observers said the move was a sign of Putin becoming exasperated by Ukrainian resistance, but also by fault lines in the Russian army command as it faces difficult demands which could include launching a possible major offensive within weeks.

Analysts said putting an army chief of staff in charge of an operation on the ground is highly unusual, as the job is usually removed from the battlefield, involving coordination, political contacts, threat evaluation and logistics choices.

Not going to plan

That Putin made the appointment anyway shows that things are not going to plan, said a Moscow-based defence analyst, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity.

The short legacy of Surovikin - famous for his shaved head and uncompromising scowl, and appointed only in October - was marked by missile attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, an apparent attempt to cow civilians into submission.

But that strategy has not shown signs of working, adding to Russias frustrations over its failure, nearly 11 months into the war, to beat Ukraines army, undermine its government or warn off Western countries increasingly willing to send sophisticated weapons to Kyiv.

Troop morale took a major hit when Russia suffered its worst military losses from a single Ukrainian attack with the death of at least 89 servicemen in Makiivka in eastern Ukraine over New Year.

Some analysts meanwhile questioned the wisdom of key changes at the helm while fierce fighting is ongoing around the frontline city of Bakhmut.

Its inconsistent to change the head of operations in the middle of a battle, said Tatiana Kastoueva-Jean, a researcher on Russia at IFRI, a French international relations think tank.

It doesnt send a good signal to unbalance the entire hierarchy from top to bottom, she told AFP.

Experts questioned by AFP said Moscows move may well herald intensifying military action, such as a fresh offensive and a possible new mobilisation drive.

It is obvious that there are plans to expand the scale of fighting, Alexander Khramchikhin, a Russian military analyst, told AFP.

He said the goal would be to gain full control of the four Ukrainian regions annexed by Russia on Sept 30 - Lugansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Russia currently does not control the full extent of the Ukrainian regions of Lugansk and Donetsk, while Russian forces pulled out of Kherson city in November. Russia has meanwhile never occupied Zaporizhzhia city.

Serious offensives coming

This is confirmation, if we needed it, that there will be serious offensives coming, and that even Putin recognises that poor coordination has been an issue, said Mark Galeotti, at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in the UK.

The brevity of Surovikins command meanwhile points to Putins growing impatience, although experts admitted that the motives behind the Kremlin masters opaque decision-making are often difficult to gauge fully.

Everyone seems to be in shock, tweeted Tatiana Stanovaya, an analyst specialising in Russian elites.

A great many knowledgeable people seem to not get the gist of this decision.

Especially since the Makiivka deaths, Putin has had to deal with long, sharp, emotional debates about the eternal Russian questions: who is to blame and what to do, she wrote.

Some observers said Putins personnel change in Ukraine was perhaps motivated by the desire for a loyal ally, but Galeotti said the basis for such trusted partnerships was dwindling.

If you keep appointing, rotating, burning your stars, setting unrealistic expectations, arbitrarily demoting them, thats not going to win loyalty, he said.

The Russian leader will also find it increasingly hard to assuage the doubts of parts of the Moscow elite and public opinion, Khramchikhin said, detecting discontent on why... (Russia) has not won this war yet.
A Billings man accused of killing a man outside of the Colonial apartments last month is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

Melvin Joseph Pretty on Top, 24, has been charged in Yellowstone County District Court with deliberate homicide and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. Prosecutors have alleged Pretty on Top shot and killed Troy L. Chaney apparently at random while Chaney sat in his van.

Pretty on Top told officers he shot Chaney for no reason other than his mother telling him to do so, court documents said.

Late on Dec. 22, Chaney was in a parked van on the 2600 block of Third Avenue South, according to charging documents, on the east side of the Colonial apartments. Surveillance footage recovered from a nearby building allegedly showed another man walking up to the passenger side of the van, opening the door and shooting Chaney. The man, who police allegedly identified as Pretty on Top, then pulled Chaney out of the van and drove the vehicle west on Third Avenue South.

About four minutes later, court documents said, Pretty on Top returned to where Chaney laid on the ground. Surveillance footage showed him getting out of the van. Pretty on Top allegedly shot Chaney two more times and kicked his body. A second person, identified as Pretty on Tops girlfriend, ran out of the Colonial apartments and joined Pretty on Top in the van as the two drove away.

Emergency crews transported Chaney to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Gazette previously reported.

Investigators with the Billings Police Department found Chaneys van the next morning just a few blocks away from the shooting on the 200 block of South 31st Street, according to charging documents.

Several people at a residence where the van was left allegedly identified Pretty on Top as the shooter, telling police he came to them the night before saying he just shot someone. That same day, officers found Pretty on Top and his girlfriend in a unit at the Colonial apartments, and took both in for questioning.

Pretty on Top allegedly admitted to shooting Chaney. He told BPD detectives he was in the Colonial apartments with someone he identified as his mother, court documents said.

(Pretty on Top) said they observed (Chaney) parked outside in his van and she told him to go outside and see what (Chaney) wanted, wrote Deputy Chief County Attorney Ed Zink in charging documents filed in Yellowstone County District Court. (Pretty on Top) said (Chaney) did nothing to cause him to shoot him.

He told police he went outside and shot Chaney twice before pulling him out of the van, according to court documents. When Pretty on Top drove the van to the residence on South 31st Street, he allegedly gave the gun to a woman to hide.

The investigation into Chaneys death is still ongoing, charging documents said, and police have not located the gun used in the shooting.

The death of Chaney, a Black man, was the 17th and final homicide investigation opened by Billings police in 2022. People of color and Indigenous people were the majority of the homicides investigated by BPD last year.

Hispanic, Native American and Black people make up about 13% of the population of Billings, according to U.S. Census data, while representing more than 75% of homicide victims in the city. Billings police officers shot and killed three people this year, a Hispanic man and two Native Americans.

Pretty on Top is scheduled to be arraigned in Yellowstone County District Court on Friday before District Judge Ashley Harada. If convicted of deliberate homicide, Pretty on Top could spend the rest of his life in prison. He is currently in custody at Yellowstone County Detention Facility.
TAT targets B2.38trn in tourism revenue for 2023

BANGKOK: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has released its 2023 strategic direction, launching its Visit Thailand Year 2023 campaign to attract more tourists and boost the countrys revenue to up to B2.38 trillion.

tourismeconomics

By The Phuket News

Friday 13 January 2023, 01:12PM

Despite global uncertainties, TAT Governor Yuthasak Supasorn is confident that this campaign will help stimulate the tourism industry, state news agency NNT reported.

The campaign, which was initially planned for 2021-2023, has been shifted to this year due to a number of problems in 2022, said the report.

In an effort to build high-value and sustainable tourism, the TAT plans to use strategies to stimulate tourism spending, it added.

Of the B2.38trn, 65% is projected to come from the international market and 35% from the domestic market, said teh report.

The TAT itself detailed the breakdown as B1.5trn from international tourism and B670-880 billion from domestic tourism.

The TAT has outlined three directions for tourism supply development: experience-based tourism, enhancing safety and service standards, and building a smart tourism ecosystem.

The agency has also asked the government to extend the 45-day stay for tourist visas until the end of 2023.

According to TAT, the short-haul market, which accounted for 67.6% of 11.8 million foreign arrivals last year, is expected to be key to the tourism recovery. The agency will focus on two strategic markets: China and countries with the potential to have more than 1 million visitors, such as Malaysia, South Korea, and India.

TAT is also planning to assist operators to increase chartered flights from secondary cities or regions that do not have direct flights to lure pent-up demand after the pandemic, the NNT report concluded.

TAT Governor Yuthasak announced the revised targets at a launch event in Bangkok yesterday (Jan 12).

The 2023 target is a result of a carefully planned strategy to continue the milestone achievement of 2022. The Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters campaign represents a commitment from TAT and all stakeholders in the public and private sectors, as well as the Thai people to maintain tourists confidence in Thailand as a preferred tourist destination, he said.

Through the Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters campaign, the TAT is placing emphasis on the promotion and development of high value and sustainable tourism in Thailand, the TAT reported through its own release.

This includes elevating the tourism supply (Shape Supply) with an aim to offer experience-based tourism, and leveraging the kingdoms 5F soft-power foundations  Food, Film, Festival, Fight and Fashion  to offer meaningful travel experiences in Thailand, it added.

The TAT explained its main strategies for attracting international tourists and for boosting domestic tourism as follows:

International Market

TAT is adopting the Great Resumption Episode II strategy for short-haul markets.

This includes:

1) China is back  Placing focus on tapping emerging segments and enhancing cooperation with the airlines to increase air access flights to cater to the increasing demands and promoting new modes of travelling, such as an overland border.

2) 7 Digits Target  Focusing on rapidly growing markets, such as China, Malaysia, India, and South Korea, as well as cooperating with partner agents and airlines.

3) Colour Your Life by Amazing Thailand  Seamlessly integrating the Amazing Thailand brand in the tourists slice of life through on-site and virtual marketing promotional events.

4) Responsible Tourism  Supporting CSR and responsible tourism projects, such as Reborn the Nature to advocate tourism sustainability.

5) 2 Tier, Second to None  Encouraging visitors to visit the emerging destinations, while sourcing new tourist segments from secondary cities in South Korea, China, India, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

For long-haul markets, TAT is adopting the A-B-C-D Fast Forward strategy.

A  Airline Focus to continue the collaboration with the leading airlines; such as, Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Oman Air to expand new routes and increase the frequency of direct flights.

B  Big Cities and Beyond to penetrate new markets in major and secondary cities; such as Bucharest in Romania, and Sofia in Bulgaria.

C  Collaboration is Key to work with new partners including airlines; such as, Delta Airlines, Air Canada, FlyDubai, and Aeroflot, and online travel agency; such as, Almosafer and SAGA Holidays.

D  Destination for All to promote Thailand as an All-year round Destination to meet the demand for visitors with regardless of seasons and with all segments including family, medical and wellness in the Middle East or the LGBTQ+ in Europe and America.

Domestic Market

The TAT is placing focus on Value over Volume under the new Travel Thailand in Limited Edition concept highlighting the 5F Soft Powers to cater to the various needs of domestic travellers.

Various events are being planned for 2023 to inspire domestic travel, including Travel 365 days in Amazing Thailand, Vijit Thailand 2023, and Amazing Thailand Festival Experience 2023.

TAT is also continuing its efforts to encourage domestic travellers to visit emerging destinations during weekdays to expand the expenditure and balance the capacity of the destinations.
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

Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 46F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Wells Fargo announced a $20 million commitment to advance economic opportunities in Native American communities working with Native-led organizations. The Invest Native initiative aims to address housing, small business, financial health, and sustainability among Native American communities in Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The program is designed as a grantmaking initiative  to support a more equitable and prosperous future for Native Americans.

Invest Native begins with three grantees, each of whom will receive $500,000 grants:

 Lakota Funds will work with South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, or SDNHOC, on expanding access to housing and preserving community housing to significantly increase homeownership in Native communities across South Dakota.

 Native Community Capital is partnering with New Mexico Tribal Homeownership Coalition to strengthen homeownership throughout the state. The long-term objective is to build a campaign around model mortgage lending and homeownership activities that address the unique status of tribal trust lands. The New Mexico Tribal Homeownership Coalition's sole purpose is to advance homeownership in tribal communities.

 Four Bands Community Fund will team up with Mountain | Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition to increase capital to Native entrepreneurs and drive small business growth.

Wells Fargo is also working with Enterprise Community Partners and its Native-led and experienced Tribal Nations team. Enterprise is the longest-standing national intermediary working with Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, Native community development financial institutions, and Native nonprofits with a national footprint to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging. Enterprise will provide thought leadership and strategic guidance, technical assistance and training, peer convening, and program evaluation to support this multi-year effort and foster maximum impact.


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After seeing the responses to my original letter, I feel the need to respond.

Firstly, I want to address the many hundreds of suffering girls who may have gotten hurt by the horribly insensitive and shameful comments that some have written. Please know that those commenting are just a few unpleasant people, while the vast majority of us feel your pain and want to help. They know that this situation is not your fault and that you are all amazing girls who deserve the best possible partner in life.

I would also like to address those who commented negatively by expressing dismay at my lack of apathy to the many hundreds, if not thousands, of girls who are struggling mightily to deal with this crisis. My appeal was to the hearts of Klal Yisroel to feel the pain and act upon it. Instead, sadly, it seems that the hearts of some are not only not pained, they are also ready to heap scorn and openly mock their suffering nieces, friends, and neighbors.

Regarding the topic at hand, I first want to clarify which crisis I am discussing. I am referring to the situation going on now in the yeshivish communities where a decent boy gets very many suggestions while a great girl (whose father is not wealthy or choshuv) gets very few suggestions. Such girls can literally wait months  and yes, sometimes years  to get a yes from a boy.

For these girls, the problem at hand is not them being selective. You need something to select from to be selective. The fact is that they are not being given even the most basic chance of finding a husband. There are girls in their twenties who never went out on a date!

This is a very real scenario playing out right now in hundreds of homes in Lakewood, Brooklyn, Monsey and in many out-of-town communities. Whoever has other issues that they want to discuss is welcome to pen a letter of their own, but I ask them to please not distract from the matter at hand.

To those who ridiculously question my not following Daas Torah, my response is: Do you not consider Rav Elya Ber Wachtfogel shlita to have daas torah? Did you see his interview with Mr. Gary Barnett before you wrote your comments? You also seemed to have missed the kol koreis signed a few years back by all the leading gedolim in both Eretz Yisroel and America urging bochurim to get married younger.

Furthermore, a substantial portion of the Roshei Yeshiva convincing bochurim to continue learning in their shiur for three plus years, thereby creating a larger age gap, are fine lamdonim in their forties and low fifties. I am pretty sure that all sane people would agree that saying a shiur to twenty-year-old bochurim does not automatically give a person the distinction of being the standard bearer of daas torah. They are fine people who are working hard to make their bochurim into lamdonim; however they are not gedolim, nor do they claim to be. They do not carry the achrayus for Klal Yisroel, nor do they claim to.

Moreover, I do not think there is any comfort for a girl or her family in knowing that the reason that she may rachmana litzlan stay single her whole life is because daas torah decided that this is what she deserves. This does not sound like the daas of the Torah that we accepted from our loving Father at Har Sinai,      .

To those   who said that there is no shidduch crisis and there is only a bitachon crisis, I would once again refer them to the above-mentioned interview with Rav Elya Ber. If these people feel that they understand bitachon better than Rav Elya Ber does, then I wish them well.

Inaction on the basis of bitachon makes as much sense as telling our brethren in Ukraine that we dont need to help them, and they should just stay in Ukraine and have bitachon! Of course, the person going through the tzarah has to strengthen their bitachon, but Klal Yisroel as a tzibur is transgressing      every moment that nothing substantial is being done.

To those who felt the pain in my letter, I want to confirm that the pain is there and it is very real. It is not my personal pain as I do not have an older daughter in shidduchim. Rather, it is the excruciating pain of my neighbors and friends that I feel so acutely, and I am appalled that others are seemingly oblivious to that pain.

To the distinguished YWN pollster, I would say the following. I too have a son who is just turning twenty-one and I have an extremely hard time entertaining the thought of marrying him off at this time. But I know that if we all jump in together to create this attitude change, we will be successful. It will be difficult at first, but the knowledge that through this we are saving the futures of our precious daughters will give us the courage to persevere.

To those who feel that boys at 20-21 are too immature to get married, I can testify that my son has some friends who are a bit chassidish and a few of them got married at age twenty. These boys went to the regular mainstream litvish yeshivos and they are not any more mature than my son, and bh they seem to all be doing fine. I do not believe that there is any credible statistic showing that the divorce rate is any higher by chassidim and litvish Israelis than it is by us. Change is not easy, but if its important enough for us to help our daughters, we will see it through, and Hashem will help us to see much nachas from all of our children.

To those who feel that girls should get married later, that may be a good suggestion, but I personally do not see how that can be enforced, whereas boys have roshei yeshiva who can easily effect change by structuring the yeshivas differently.

To summarize, this crisis is real, and it is very painful. The primary cause of it is clear to anyone who is willing to give five minutes of honest thought to our exponential population growth. Our society created the problem, and we must do everything to fix it. The time for debates and discussions is long over. Now is the time for action.

A noted Lakewood shadchan said in a recent magazine interview that he sees the situation for girls continuously getting worse. We must act now. We must reach out to all those who can have an influence on creating change and plead with them to please open their eyes and do all that they possibly can to bring about change immediately. We need to especially urge the young roshei yeshiva to not only focus on the shteiging of their talmidim, but to realize that they carry a huge achrayus for this agonizing situation that Klal Yisroel is facing.

Lastly, to all those who will post comments, I ask you to please read the letter carefully before you do so. Try to understand and absorb the message before shooting off your remarks. Please write with sensitivity, as people who are in pain will be reading your comments and your words are playing a role in a debate about a critical, personal, and painful topic.

A simple yid with a heart.

NOTE: The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of YWN.

DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE POSTED ON YWN? SEND IT TO US FOR REVIEW.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Lawyers for Tesla shareholders suing the electric vehicle makers CEO Elon Musk over a misleading tweet are urging a federal judge to reject the billionaires 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 arent 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 Musks lawyer, Alex Spiro, asked U.S. District Judge Edward Chen to transfer the case to Texas, the state where Musk moved Teslas headquarters in 2021 after spending nearly 20 years in its original Silicon Valley home. If the trial isnt 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 Musks buyout tweet occurred while Tesla was based in Palo Alto, California. Whats 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.

Chen has scheduled a hearing for Friday to hear further arguments about Musks effort to move or delay the trial. The judge already has determined that Musks 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, Teslas shares are now worth nearly six times more than at the time of Musks 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 Twitters 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 Twitters 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 Musks 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.

(AP)




A top U.S. intelligence official on Thursday urged Congress to renew sweeping powers granted to American spy agencies to surveil and examine communications, saying they were critical to stopping terrorism, cyberattacks and other threats.

The remarks by Army Gen. Paul Nakasone, director of the National Security Agency, opened whats expected to be a contentious debate over provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that expire at years end. The bipartisan consensus in favor of expanded surveillance powers in the years after Sept. 11 has given way to increased skepticism, especially among some Republicans who believe spy agencies used those powers to undermine former President Donald Trump.

The new GOP majority in the U.S. House has already formed a panel on the weaponization of the federal government. And progressive Democrats have pushed for more curbs on warrantless surveillance.

The NSA and other spy agencies use authorities under FISAs Section 702 to collect huge swaths of foreign communications, which also results in the incidental collection of emails and calls from Americans. The law prohibits spy agencies from targeting Americans and requires the FBI to seek a court order to access a U.S. citizens communications.

Section 702 was first added to FISA in 2008 and renewed for six years in 2018, when Trump originally tweeted opposition to the program but then reversed himself.

Nakasone argued the law plays an outsize role in protecting the nation and generates some of the U.S. governments most valuable intelligence on our most challenging targets.

He gave several broad examples of that work, including the discovery of attempts to steal sensitive U.S. technology, stopping the transfer of weapons components, preventing cyberattacks, and understanding the strategic intentions of China and Russia.

We have saved lives because of 702, Nakasone told a virtual meeting of the U.S. Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.

The general said he could not publicly share more details about the impact of that surveillance, acknowledging that also limited his ability to make his case. Civil liberties advocates have long criticized the secrecy of intelligence court proceedings and the power agencies have to collect years of incidental data on Americans.

Cindy Cohn, executive director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, said Congress had created an effective national security exception to the U.S. Constitution.

The American people and indeed people all around the world have lost the ability to have a private conversation over digital networks, she told the board. Section 702, Cohn said, was a mass monitoring infrastructure that subjects peoples communications to NSA review.

Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee and other national security hawks are expected to push GOP colleagues to support a renewal this year accompanied by still-unspecified changes.

Weve got to have a discussion within our own caucus, but I feel good about the groundwork weve laid, said Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican who will lead the Houses new select committee on China, in an interview this week. Theres serious and legitimate concern. And so part of the process of getting renewal is to put in place reform that gives people confidence that there wont be abuses in the future.

In December 2019, the Justice Departments inspector general found the FBI had withheld key information from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court as it applied for warrants to monitor the communication of Carter Page, a Trump campaign aide. But the inspector general did make clear the extent to which agents relied during that process on uncorroborated allegations compiled by a former British spy.

The chief judge of that court would issue an unusual rebuke to the FBI, saying it had made unsupported representations as it submitted the eavesdropping applications and had failed to provide other information that would have weakened the governments case for surveillance.

Responding to the scrutiny, the FBI announced a series of changes designed to ensure that its applications to the court, which approves warrants to eavesdrop on American soil on people suspected of being agents of a foreign power, are more accurate.

Congress in 2020 let expire three provisions of the Patriot Act that the FBI and Justice Department had said were essential for national security, including one that permits investigators to surveil subjects without establishing that theyre acting on behalf of an international terrorism organization. A bill renewing those authorities passed the Senate, but Democrats pulled legislation from the House floor after Trump and House Republicans turned against the measure and ensured its defeat.

(AP)




Steve Bannons lawyers want out of his border-wall fraud case, telling a judge Thursday that he is unwilling to speak with them directly and that they have irreconcilable differences about how to proceed.

Bannon, a conservative rabble-rouser and longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, has until a Feb. 28 hearing to find new counsel, Judge Juan Manuel Merchan said. His current lawyers, David Schoen and John Mitchell, must stay on the case until then, the judge said.

We just have a different view about strategy in the case and recognized that our differences about the approach to the case are irreconcilable, Schoen said. His approach could well be the right one, but he deserves a lawyer in sync with his view of the case. It is nothing personal. It is his case, and he should have it handled in the manner he wants.

Bannon, 69, has pleaded not guilty to duping donors who gave money to build a wall on the southern U.S. border. The case, brought by New York prosecutors in November, is a state-level version of a federal case cut short in 2021 by a presidential pardon.

Bannon is charged with money laundering, conspiracy, fraud and other charges related to the We Build the Wall campaign. No trial date has been set, and Merchan questioned whether the lawyer dispute was a delay tactic. The case is effectively on hold while Bannon hires new lawyers and those lawyers get up to speed.

Manhattan prosecutors working in conjunction with the state attorney generals office allege that although Bannon promised all donations would go to constructing the wall, he was involved in transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars to third-party entities and used them to funnel payments to two other people involved in the scheme.

In another case, Bannon was convicted in July of contempt charges for defying a congressional subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He was sentenced in October to four months in jail, but remains free while he appeals.

(AP)




A giant, swirling storm system billowing across the South killed at least six people Thursday in central Alabama, authorities said, and spawned a tornado that shredded the walls of homes, toppled roofs and uprooted trees in Selma.

Ernie Baggett, the emergency management director in Autauga County, Alabama, told The Associated Press he could confirm six fatalities were scattered across multiple homes in the Old Kingston community. Baggett said mobile homes and conventional homes were both damaged.

It seems to have been a couple of different houses where people were at home, Baggett said.

He said at least 12 people were injured severely enough to be taken to hospitals by emergency responders. Baggett said he didnt know the extent of their injuries.

Autauga County, Alabama, is 41 miles (66 kilometers) northeast of Selma.

Officials estimate that 40 to 50 homes were damaged or destroyed by storms that cut a strip across the county, Baggett said. He said crews were focused Thursday evening on cutting through downed trees to look for people who may be injured.

Search and rescue is really more whats going on right now, Baggett said.

In Selma, a city etched in the history of the civil rights movement, brick buildings collapsed, cars were on their side and traffic poles were strewn about in the downtown area. Plumes of thick, black smoke rose over the city from a fire burning. It was not immediately known whether the storm caused the blaze.

A few blocks past the citys famed Edmund Pettus Bridge, an enduring symbol of the voting rights movement, buildings were crumpled by the storm and trees blocked roadways.

Selma Mayor James Perkins said that no fatalities have been reported at this time, but first responders are continuing to assess the damage.

People have been injured, but no fatalities, Perkins said. We have a lot of downed power lines. There is a lot of danger on the streets.

A city curfew is being put into place, the mayor added.

The large and extremely dangerous tornado caused damage as it moved through the historic city, the National Weather Service said. There were confirmed reports of tree and structural damage in Selma and reports of damage in other counties, the agency said.

Nationwide, there were 33 separate tornado reports Thursday from the National Weather Service as of Thursday evening, with a handful of tornado warnings still in effect in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. However, the reports were not yet confirmed and some of them could later be classified as wind damage after assessments are done in coming days.

In Alabama, there is damage all over Selma, former state Sen. Hank Sanders said he has been told.

A tornado has definitely damaged Selma. In fact, it hit our house, but not head-on. It blew out windows in the bedroom and in the living room. It is raining through the roof in the kitchen, Sanders said.

Selma, a city of about 18,000 residents, is about 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of the Alabama capital city of Montgomery.

Selma was a flashpoint of the civil rights movement. Alabama state troopers viciously attacked Black people advocating for voting rights as they marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge on March 7, 1965. Among those beaten by law enforcement officers was John Lewis, whose skull was fractured. He went on to a long and distinguished career as a U.S. congressman.

After the tornado passed, Krishun Moore emerged from her home to the sound of children crying and screaming. She and her mother encouraged the kids to keep screaming until they found the two of them on top of the roof of a damaged apartment. She estimated the kids were about one and four years old. Both of them are OK, she said through Facebook messenger.

Malesha McVay drove parallel to the tornado with her family. She said it got less than a mile from her home before suddenly turning.

We stopped and we prayed. We followed it and prayed, she said. It was a 100% God thing that it turned right before it hit my house.

She took video of the giant twister, which would turn black as it swept away home after home.

It would hit a house, and black smoke would swirl up, she said. It was very terrifying.

The weather service had issued a tornado emergency for several counties just north of the capital city of Montgomery as the same storm system moved eastward. This is a life-threatening situation. Take shelter immediately, the weather service said of the reported tornado.

There were multiple tornado warnings issued Thursday in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee as the storm system moved through the region.

More than 50,000 customers were without power in Alabama, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.

In Georgia, more than 100,000 customers were without electricity just before sunset Thursday as the storm system carved a path across a tier of counties just south of Atlanta, according to PowerOutage.us.

The storm hit in Griffin, south of Atlanta, with winds damaging a shopping area, local news outlets reported. A Hobby Lobby store partially lost its roof, and at least one car was flipped in the parking lot of a nearby Walmart.

Damage was also reported west of downtown Atlanta in Douglas County and Cobb County, with Cobb County government posting a damage report showing a crumbled cinder block wall at a warehouse in suburban Austell.

In Kentucky, the National Weather Service in Louisville confirmed that an EF-1 tornado struck Mercer County and said crews were surveying damage in a handful of other counties. There were reports of downed trees, power outages and other scattered damage from storms that moved through the state.

(AP)




Talks between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia are continuing and could eventually restore diplomatic relations that were severed years ago, Irans foreign minister said Friday.

Hossein Amirabdollahian told reporters in Beirut Friday that he met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud during a conference in Jordan last month that was attended by Middle Eastern and European officials. The meeting between Amirabdollahian and Prince Faisal was the highest-level encounter between the two countries since they cut relations seven years ago.

Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Iran, which is majority Shiite, have been at odds since Irans 1979 Islamic Revolution, but relations worsened after the 2016 execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr by Riyadh. The incident set off protests in both countries. In Tehran, demonstrators set fire to the Saudi Embassy. Diplomatic relations soured after that.

Direct talks were launched in April 2021, brokered by Iraq, in a bid to improve relations. The mere existence of a dialogue was seen as important, even if the only notable result so far has been Iran reopening the countrys representative office to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in the Saudi city of Jeddah.

There was an agreement in our points of view to continue with the Saudi-Iran dialogue in what would eventually normalize relations between the two countries, Amirabdollahian said about his meeting with his Saudi counterpart in Jordan in December.

We welcome the restoration of normal relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Amirabdollahian said. The hope, he added, is that eventually we reach (an agreement on) reopening diplomatic missions and embassies in Riyadh and Tehran.

Amirabdollahian also praised contacts between Syrian and Turkish officials saying that such talks will have positive effects on the interests of those two countries.

The defense ministers of Turkey and Syria held talks in Moscow in late December, marking the first ministerial level meeting between Damascus and Ankara since relations broke down with the start of the Syrian civil war more than 11 years ago.

Turkey and Syria have been on opposing sides of the Syrian conflict, with Turkey backing rebels trying to oust Syrian President Bashar Assad. Damascus, for its part, has denounced Turkeys hold over stretches of territory in northern Syria which were seized in a series of military incursions since 2016 to drive away Kurdish militant groups.

In his first comments on the Turkish-Syrian dialogue, Assad said in a statement released by his office Friday following a meeting with Russian presidential envoy in Syria Alexander Lavrentyev, that the Russia-backed talks should aim to end occupation and the support of terrorism.

Assad was referring to Turkeys backing to insurgent groups since the conflict began in March 2011 and has killed hundreds of thousands of people.

(AP)




By Rabbi Yair Hoffman

One month ago, the Far Rockaway/Five Towns community lost an extraordinary woman. Rebbitzen Toby Weitman ah, was one of the builders of the Torah community in Far Rockaway and the Five Towns, who personified a regal and quiet dignity. The Bais Yaakov she had built side by side with her husband, the Torah Academy for Girls has, throughout six decades, educated several thousand bnos Yisroel  the great-grandmothers, the grandmothers, the mothers, and the young ladies of this community.

But aside from her work in building a remarkable Mossad of Torah, Rebbitzen Weitman ah was an extraordinary woman in and of herself. She was the paragon of a baalas chessed, and her warmth and care for every kind of Jew was awe-inspiring. What follows is just a small and inadequate glimpse of who this very special woman was.

Rebbitzen Weitman ah, nee Rosengarten, was born in Toronto in the early 1930s  during a time where a Torah education for girls did not yet exist. Her parents, however, were Bobover Chassidim from Cracow, Poland, who managed to arrive in Canada before the Churban. They imbued her with a love of Torah and its values. She was one of seven children that survived infancy.

Her parents provided their children with a remarkable chinuch. They taught her true dveikus bashem and to enjoy and appreciate davening and saying Tehillim. When Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky ztl arrived in Toronto, he became a strong influence on the family. Her mother would take the young Toby Rosengarten out every Friday night  and say, Lets go see a tzadaikkes and she would take her to Rebbitzen Kamenetsky. Even though her mother was chassidish and Rebbitzen Kamenetsky was litvish  she nonetheless considered her such a tzadaikes that she would bring her 8 year old- daughter to see her.

The chinuch she received was successful. Her dveikus bashem was awe-inspiring. Her Tehillim was constantly on her lips. But there was more. Rebbitzen Weitman was a throwback to a previous time  a time of sheer selflessness, of ahavas habrios and ahavas Yisroel. She greeted everyone with a saiver panim yafos that reflected this. Her genuineness and authenticity was readily apparent to anyone who came in contact with her.

The young Toby Rosengarten had a close friend growing up in Toronto, who was not shomer Shabbos  and yet because of her boundless ahavas Yisroel, she remained close to her for the majority of her life. She interacted with so many people on a very personal level. She took the time to get to know them.

As she was growing up, some three hundred and thirty seven miles away, in Montreal, a young and dynamic Rav, a student of Torah VaDaas and of Beis Medrash Elyon, started a day school and developed a reputation as a master pedagogue. They did not meet, however. Eventually, this young man, Rabbi Moshe Weitman, took a position in Monticello, New York as the Rav of the Monticello Shul known as the Landfield Avenue Synagogue. He was a dynamic Rav, but still single.

During the summer months, the young Toby Rosengarten did go to summer camp in the Catskills. She attended Rabbi Newhaus Camp Bais Yaakov for six years. Her father would bring her over the border to Buffalo, New York, every summer to attend. The first time she came, was in 1946 and she stayed with relatives until the camp started. Even at a tender age, her mannerisms and interactions with others reflected a maturity and commitment to Yiddishkeit far beyond her years. Rabbi Weitmans sister took notice of the young Toby Rosengarten and thought that she would make a remarkable life partner for her brother. A shadchan was found and soon, they got engaged.

Two years after he had taken his position as the Rav there, Toby Rosengarten married Rav Moshe Weitman in 1952, and became the Rebbitzen of the Monticello community that very day. During sheva brachos, her husband tended to a levaya and she was immersed immediately in her role as Rebbitzen  at the tender age of 18.

For fifty-six years, they worked together side by side, building Torah and building Klal Yisroel. Together, they built the ruchniyus and spirituality of the Torah community in Monticello. And together, they built the Monticello shul, in terms of its membership and even its physical plant. Eventually, many of these families in Monticello, moved to New York City and built very strong Torah homes.

In Monticello, some of the store owners  wanted late services on Friday nights. They wanted, it seemed, a hechsher on their chillul Shabbos. Her husband, however, would not budge. Soon a letter arrived in the mail. It stated that her husband had no job. The young Rebbitzen was expecting and was somewhat unnerved by the contents of the letter. Upon her husbands arrival home, she presented him the letter. He encouraged her and responded, A Rav who they dont want to fire, is not a Rav. They ignored the letter and immersed in their work ever deeper.

She interacted with yidden from all walks of life and yet with all of that never compromising her own Torah standards at all. She grew up in an extremely chassidish home and yet she was very beloved. Most of the congregants in Monticello were not yet Shomer Shabbos. Eventually, however, those that wanted to fire them became shomer Shabbos themselves. They sent their children to Yeshivos as well and today, many of those families are leading members of their Torah communities.

The Monticello community grew. Rav Weitman launched the Day School, and became the Rav of two shuls in Monticello. The Weitman family grew as well, and eventually, with five young boys, the Rebbitzen encouraged her husband that their childrens chinuch needs would require relocation.

In 1963, Rav Weitman and his Rebbitzen accepted the offer to head the fledgling new all-girls school, the Torah Academy for Girls in Far Rockaway. Far Rockaway at the time offered the dual advantage of being able to do for Klal Yisroel as well as being close in proximity to the type of Torah Chinuch that they required.

Their impact was immediate. The talmidos felt an unprecedented warmth emanating from Rabbi Weitman and his rebbetzin, who worked with him in the school. The students felt their deep and abiding ahavas yisroel.

Those that had brought him into TAG had assured him that he would only be in charge of the Chinuch and that the finances were up to them. This, however, was not exactly true, and as soon as he had moved in, he was informed that the fundraising was also up to him. When finances were hard in the very beginning  Rebbitzen Weitman had sheltered the children from it, and they never knew that anything was amiss. The right side of the kitchen was a white-painted wood and she could not fathom any reason to change it. Her son Reb Meyer recalled, We never felt a lack of anything.

Over the years, Rebbitzen Weitman served as a paragon of chessed, ahavas Yisroel, and yiras shamayim  inspiring many students and women toward a Torah life. She partook in everyones family events, and did so with such a simcha, that everyone could perceive her genuine love and happiness for them.

Their students graduated, married bnei Torah, and raised beautiful families. Second. Third, and fourth generation TAG students have become the norm. Rebbitzen Weitman would enjoy meeting former students and delighted in catching up with them. She also took the time to inquire as to how their former students were doing and was always concerned of their welfare  even for several years after they had graduated.

The Rebbitzen participated in every simcha of her wide circle of acquaintances, and rl every funeral or shiva as well. Her son recalled how she would so meticulously mark down dates of events, so that she could not only participate in their simcha, but also call their relatives and wish them a heartfelt mazel tov. People realized that she was very special and they gave her names to daven for. She davened for cholim, for shidduchim for others.

She had a special system with envelopes  she labelled them with a date, her daughter Tzini Oelbaum recalled. Sometimes, when she could no longer manage it on her own, she would send a child or grandchild to go in her stead. She took it so very seriously.

Rebbitzen Weitman expressed remarkable noseh bol chaveiro  sharing the burden with others. She had a long list of home-bound individuals in the neighborhood and beyond  visiting them on a regular basis. She shared their concerns and their worries.

The Rebbitzen was truly selfless and would avoid telling her family members things that would cause them to worry. She had Parkinsons disease for over ten years, but she never wished others to know. She was about everyone else but herself. Once, when she had suffered a stroke and fell down unable to get up, she expressed relief that her granddaughter who generally stayed with her was not present, she would have been so worried. But Bubby, I could have gotten help to you sooner had I been there..

She took in her father-in-law in her home for 7  years. She took extraordinary care of her father-in-law. She put on tefillin with him every morning. She davened with him. One time, they had gone away for Yom Tov and had made arrangements for her father-in-law to be well looked after. Nonetheless, she got an emergency call. Her father-in-law was on a hunger strike. She was the only one who could get him to eat.

Rebbitzen Weitman never wanted to trouble or to be matriach others. She would find rides to attend simchas, rather than have someone take her. Whether it was to Lakewood or to upstate New York, she was always pleasant company to whomever she would drive with. Once, my wife and I were giving her a ride to a TAG grade shabbaton upstate. My young daughter had fallen asleep on top of the Rebbitzen  feet and all. We tried to remedy the situation, but were unable to do so because the Rebbitzen herself protested even the thought of waking up a tired child.

The Rebbitzen took enormous pride in seeing the development of the young talmidos and hearing about their extraordinary chessed as well. The chessed that they did in school served as a training ground for their future lives.

Rebbitzen Weitman and her husband raised children imbued with that sense of achrayus, responsibility for Klal Yisroel that they had. They did so by example. Young ladies were taken into the school regardless of their familys ability to pay.

Rebbitzen Weitman would visit the sick in the community, even when it was physically difficult for her. She would walk significant distances and would manage treacherous stairs in her Mitzvah of bikur cholim. Even after her husbands passing, she continued coming into the school every day. She attended the high school grade-shabbatons and school retreats upstate.

She passed away on a Wednesday night. Tuesday, the day before her petirah, she was very uncomfortable. She knew, however, that family had come in to visit her from far away and had a simcha. She gave her trademark huge smile (that all the nurses and doctors loved her for). She could barely pull herself together, and yet she was able to give the m a heartfelt mazel tov. Her whole tzurah was chessed.

Rebbitzen Weitman and her husband aleihem hashalom physically altered the Torah landscape of the Far RockawayFive Towns community. The facts on the ground are the thousands and thousands of frum families that now live in the area. She has left a beautiful legacy. One Rav when he had heard of her passing remarked, We have lost a queen. Indeed, we have.

Her aide, Whelma, was with her for four years. At the levaya she came in tears and told the family members, She taught me so much, she was like my mom. She always asked me if I had slept. I will never have a patient like her.

She had a remarkable erlichkeit. She paid everyone on time. She was ready with a coat and cane so no one would ever have to wait on her account. She was constantly cheshboning and having everyone in mind.

When someone had a good hanhaga or thoughtful thing to do, she would adopt it completely. Some 25 years ago, she was informed that washing for melaveh Malka was an important inyan.. She adopted it immediately and continued adding good and proper hanhagos. She kept up washing for melaveh Malka until several weeks before she passed away.

The aveilim are Mr. Eliezer Weitman, Mr. Zev Weitman, Rabbi Yosef Weitman, Rabbi Meyer Weitman, Rabbi Yitzchok Weitman, and Mrs. Tzina Oelbaum. May Hashem comfort them among the other mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.

The author can be reached at [email protected]
Ocado will shine a light on changing shopping habits when it announces its trading update for the all-important festive period on Tuesday.

Investors will be hoping for more Christmas cheer after stellar figures from the likes of Tesco and M&S in recent days.

But their hopes could be dashed after a challenging year for the online grocer, which has struggled to maintain growth rates as pandemic-fuelled enthusiasm for online shopping wanes and cost-conscious shoppers hunt for bargains.

Hailed as the ultimate pandemic-winner, Ocado Retail  a joint venture between Ocado and M&S  saw sales boom as bricks-and-mortar retailers shut their doors.

But the tide quickly turned. Ocado's shares have slumped 55 per cent over the past year.

On Tuesday, analysts will be looking at whether customers at Ocado Retail  which sells Ocado and M&S products  are shunning its pricier range in favour of cheaper goods.

Updates on the retailer's tech arm will also be front of mind, including the rollout of microsites to support Ocado Zoom, its planned one-hour delivery service in the UK.

Sophie Lund-Yates, analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said average basket value at Ocado was expected to be down 6 per cent.

She added: 'The difficult conditions mean Ocado expects to see a small sales decline for the full year, and close to break-even cash profits.'

Investors will approach the update with trepidation after fellow online retailer Asos saw sales slip 8 per cent over Christmas.
Opting for ESG  environmental, social and governance  investments should be good for the soul, the planet and the wallet.

Lately, however, this has not been the case.

About $4trillion is invested in ESG funds worldwide. But performance has been less than life-enhancing, since most do not own the defence, mining and oil companies that have prospered amid the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine.

$4trn is invested in ESG funds worldwide, but performance has been less than life-enhancing

The MSCI World SRI index of socially-responsible stocks tumbled by 22 per cent last year, in a decline deeper than that of the broadly-based MSCI World Index.

This creates a tricky dilemma for investors who want to see growth but also value ethics and the regeneration of the eco-system.

As well as discontent about performance, there is also concern about fund managers allegedly 'greenwashing'  that is, exploiting the ESG label to attract customers. in the US, there are rows about whether companies and fund managers are letting progressive values get in the way of financial decisions.

Here, Terry Smith, of Fundsmith, has blasted Unilever for being too preoccupied with 'woke' concerns.

So should investors shun sustainability? Or ought they to bide their time in anticipation that ESG will pay off in the long run?

As an investor in a range of ESG funds, with a focus on energy storage and renewables, i am enthused about the benefits that could flow from 'green tech', which strives to cut energy consumption in homes, commercial premises and transport.

Fathom Consulting calculates that as much as $100trillion will be spent globally on this type of innovation over the next two decades. But I am also braced for further upsets, which Mike Fox, head of sustainable investments at Royal London Asset Management, warns are inevitable.

He says: 'investors are underestimating some of the headwinds that sustainable funds face in the short term.'

Among the headwinds are those 'greenwashing' charges. Shortly before the war in Ukraine, about $8.3billion of supposedly ESG funds were invested in Russian assets.

Terry Smith, of Fundsmith

Fortunately, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is attempting to address the greenwashing deception. As part of his post-Brexit City reforms, ESG ratings providers will be brought under the control of City watchdog the Financial Conduct Authority.

Research shows that many investors think funds should engage with companies to foster reform. But they would also like a great deal more openness about funds' strategies, such as 'tilting'.

Under this, some of your cash will be invested in companies with distinctly non-green characteristics to boost returns.

A 'best-in-class' strategy targets companies that are concentrating more of their efforts on ESG compared with others in their sector, such as BP and Shell, both of which are fast expanding their hydrogen, solar, wind and other renewables divisions.

Big Oil will always be anathema to some, however, which suggests that you should check whether your holdings align with your personal principles.

Some global ESG funds own US tech shares, which will raise a few eyebrows, although some, like me, take a pragmatic view.

For example, the largest holding at CT Responsible global Equity is Apple. Not the most obvious candidate for an ESG fund, perhaps, given its goal of persuading people to buy and upgrade electronic gadgets.

I am looking to diversify into Ct Responsible global Equity and other funds recommended by FundCalibre, including ninety One Global Environment and Liontrust Sustainable Future growth.

Peter Michaelis, of Liontrust, says it has just acquired a stake in the US quality control and testing group Agilent technologies, which ensures that 'the food we eat, the air we breathe and the water we drink does not contain harmful chemicals and contaminants'.

If you are building an ESG section of your portfolio and want similarly inspiring companies, Max Richardson, of Investec Wealth, suggests Nvidia, the US semiconductor group.

He also suggests Schneider Electric, whose systems aim to reduce greenhouse emissions from buildings. Schneider, a French company, is best known to UK investors for its recent bid to take over software developer Aveva.

Some leading shareholders disliked the deal and Schneider's links to China. In ESG investing, nothing is simple.
Gov. Doug Burgum has appointed South Central District Judge Doug Bahr to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Bahrs term begins Feb. 1. He replaces retiring Justice Gerald VandeWalle, 89, who has served over 44 years on the high court. VandeWalle was chief justice from 1993-2019, when he stepped back due to declining energy. He cited nerve, eye and heart issues in announcing his retirement in November, effective Jan. 31.

Finalists from the state's Judicial Nominating Committee to succeed VandeWalle included Bahr, North Central District Judge Stacy Louser and U.S. Assistant Attorney Jake Rodenbiker. Burgum announced his appointee on Monday.

Judge Bahr will make an excellent addition to the North Dakota Supreme Court with his broad legal background in the public and private sectors and his extensive experience at both the state and federal levels, Burgum said in a statement. His analytical skills, compassion, high integrity and character, sense of fundamental fairness and deep understanding of the law will serve our states highest court well."

Bruce Romanick, the presiding judge of the South Central District, said the Supreme Court is getting an excellent judge, adding that Bahr has presided over a number of big cases and has done a fine job handling them.

Hes deliberate, conscientious, and I dont just say that. He is the best choice, Romanick said.

Defense attorney Tom Dickson echoed Romanicks remarks, saying Bahr is well-known, well-liked and respected.

He will be a very fine justice on the Supreme Court, Dickson said.

Its common for attorneys to feel out a judge in an effort to pick up any ideological leanings, Bismarck attorney Josh Weatherspoon said. That wasnt easy with Bahr.

I was never able to pin him down on one spectrum or another, Weatherspoon said. He would always listen, give people an opportunity to make a case, then make a decision.

Bahr will be a very excellent judge at the appellate level, Weatherspoon said, adding that Every time he wrote an opinion it felt like it was a Supreme Court opinion."

'Very excited'

Bahr, whose chambers are in Bismarck, told the Tribune he's "very excited. I'm looking forward to working with the justices and serving the people of North Dakota. I've had the privilege of doing so for a total of about 30 years and looking forward to doing so more at a different position."

The outgoing district judge said he will discuss his transition with Chief Justice Jon Jensen and Romanick.

"I hope to talk to them as soon as possible so we can make the transition as smooth as possible," Bahr said. Burgum will appoint a successor for Bahr's judgeship.

Bahr, a 62-year-old Air Force brat born in Corvallis, Oregon, said he plans to run for the Supreme Court seat in 2026. He came to North Dakota in 1991, and raised his children in Bismarck.

He said his judicial ideology was created "from the many years I represented the state," addressing "a number of constitutional issues" and statutory challenges, "many things like that, which put me in the position to know and understand how those things are to be reviewed." He also cited appellate work, administrative hearings and trial work, but didn't cite specific cases.

Bahr background

Bahr served in the attorney generals office from 1991-2016, including nine years as an assistant attorney general and 16 years as state solicitor general and director of the offices Civil Litigation Division. He was in private practice in Bismarck from 2016-18.

Burgum in 2018 appointed Bahr as a state district court judge for the nine-county South Central Judicial District, which includes Burleigh and Morton counties. Voters elected Bahr, running unopposed, in 2020 and 2022.

Bahr earned a bachelors degree in family science in 1987 from Brigham Young University and a law degree in 1990 from the University of South Dakota School of Law. He chairs the North Dakota Courts Personnel Policy Board and is a member of the judicial Joint Procedure Committee. He also is a former president of the State Bar Association of North Dakota and its ethics committee, and a former bar association president for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Bahr also taught business law and government courses as an adjunct faculty member at Bismarck State College from 2008-16. He and his wife, Laura, have six children.

Bahr will serve on the Supreme Court through 2026, when he will have to run for an eight-year term to keep the seat. The court has five justices.

Its Burgums second appointment to the high court. He named Jensen to the court in 2017. The states judiciary elected Jensen chief justice in 2019, and voters elected him to a 10-year term on the court in 2020.

The annual salary of a justice is $169,162.

A retirement celebration for VandeWalle is set for 2-4 p.m. Wednesday in Memorial Hall of the state Capitol.
A 24-year-old Bismarck woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash 20 miles south of Mandan.

Kennedy Carry Moccasin was northbound on state Highway 1806 at about 9:30 p.m. Thursday when her 2001 Mercury Sable crossed the center line and collided with a southbound Ford F-150 pickup truck, the Highway Patrol said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 69-year-old Bismarck woman driving the pickup was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, the Patrol said. A 49-year-old New Town woman who was a passenger in the pickup was not hurt. The Patrol identified the driver as Suzie Mesteth and the passenger as Desiree Lockwood.

The crash is still under investigation, the Patrol said. The Morton County Sheriffs Office and Metro Ambulance also responded.
Ukraine said its troops were holding out against pro-Moscow forces in the eastern salt mining town of Soledar as more than 500 civilians including children were trapped there.

In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday thanked two units in Soledar that he said are holding their positions and inflicting significant losses on the enemy. He did not give more details.

Zelenskiy said he and senior Ukrainian commanders analysed the need for reinforcements in Soledar and nearby towns in the eastern industrial area known as the Donbas and next steps for the coming days.

Russias ultra-nationalist contract militia Wagner Group, run by an ally of President Vladimir Putin, claimed to have taken Soledar after intense fighting that it said left the town strewn with Ukrainian dead.

Moscow however, has held off officially proclaiming a victory, which would be its first significant gain in six months.

At the moment, there are still some small pockets of resistance in Soledar, Andrei Bayevsky, a Russian-installed local politician, said in an online broadcast.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the situation.

Donetsk governor Pavlo Kyrylenko told Ukrainian state TV that 559 civilians remained in Soledar, including 15 children, and could not be evacuated from the community that had a pre-war population of about 10,000.

DESERTED STREETS

Drone footage obtained by Reuters of a medical evacuation from Soledar by Ukrainian soldiers showed deserted streets where just a few ruined buildings remained standing, amid blasted trees and smouldering rubble.

A 24-year-old Ukrainian soldier, positioned outside Soledar, said: The situation is difficult but stable. Were holding back the enemy  were fighting back.

U.S. officials questioned the importance of a Russian victory in Soledar even if that were true.

Soledar lies less than 10 km (6 miles) northeast of the city of Bakhmut where fighting has raged for months in one of the wars bloodiest battles  dubbed the meat grinder.

Even if both Bakhmut and Soledar fall to the Russians, its not going to have a strategic impact on the war itself, U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the White House, and it certainly isnt going to stop the Ukrainians or slow them down.

Oleksandr Kovalenko, an analyst at Ukraines Information Resistance Military-political group, said the battle for Soledar had eased the pressure on the more strategic town of Bakhmut.

Soledar has already fulfilled its main role  drawing off

a large amount of Russian resources and destroying them. he said on the nv.ua media website.

Kovalenko said Soledars cavernous salt mines could prove lucrative for Russia, if its forces succeeded in taking the town.

He said Ukrainian forces controlled the southwest and centre of Soledar, but warned that maintaining that control comes at a cost of human lives.

ALLEGED WAR CRIMES

Moscows February invasion of Ukraine, the biggest land war in Europe since World War Two, has resulted in more than 50,000 reports of alleged war crimes, said Ukraines top war crimes prosecutor Yuriy Belousov.

The reports of alleged torture by pro-Moscow forces include electric shocks to genitals and other parts of the body, beatings, various forms of suffocation and sexual violence.

Moscow says it is conducting a special military operation in Ukraine to protect the security of Russia and denies committing war crimes or targeting civilians. Moscow in turn accuses Ukraine of war crimes and the West of ignoring them.

The United Nations in November said it had found evidence that both sides had tortured prisoners of war.

LEADERSHIP CHANGE

Kremlin-watchers were examining Russias latest switch of battlefield leadership, a day after Valery Gerasimov, chief of the militarys general staff, was unexpectedly given direct command of the invasion.

The previous commander of three months standing, Army General Sergei Surovikin, was effectively demoted to become one of Gerasimovs three deputies.

Moscow explained the decision  at least the third abrupt change of top commander in the 11-month conflict  as a response to the campaigns growing importance.

Across Ukraine, the front lines have barely budged since Russias last big retreat in the south two months ago. Kyiv hopes heavy armour from Western allies will allow it to resume advances.

Western countries have started to offer Kyiv advanced weaponry like the sophisticated U.S. Patriot missile system. The United States, Germany and France last week pledged armoured fighting vehicles and Ukraines latest requests have focused on battle tanks.

Polish President Andrzej Duda promised Ukraine 14 German-made Leopard battle tanks. Zelenskiy told Polish state-run broadcaster TVP Info that this could pave the way for other countries to do the same. Britain 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.

SOURCE: REUTERS
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday named a special counsel to investigate whether President Joe Biden improperly handled sensitive government documents, setting up a parallel inquiry to an ongoing probe of former President Donald Trump.

The inquiry, to be led by Robert Hur, could cast a shadow over the Democratic presidents expected run for re-election in 2024.

Garland said Hur, who served as the top federal prosecutor in Maryland under Trump, will act as a quasi-independent prosecutor to determine whether classified records stemming from Bidens time as vice president had been improperly stored at his residence in Delaware and a think tank in Washington. Garland said Hur will examine whether any person or entity violated the law.

The White House pledged to cooperate with the investigation.

We are confident that a thorough review will show that these documents were inadvertently misplaced, White House lawyer Richard Sauber said in a statement.

The news means that two likely 2024 election rivals now face inquiries from special prosecutors, who are typically appointed to politically sensitive cases to ensure a degree of independence from Justice Department leadership.

That does not mean the two cases are the same. Bidens attorneys said they turned over the relevant papers after finding them. Trump resisted doing so until an August FBI search, raising questions about whether he or his staff obstructed the investigation.

Garland said he decided a special counsel was necessary after an initial investigation conducted by John Lausch, a Trump appointee who serves as the top federal prosecutor in the Chicago region.

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 the facts and the law, Garland said during a Justice Department appearance at which he took no questions.

Hur, in a statement, said he would conduct the investigation impartially.

The White House on Monday disclosed that classified documents from Bidens vice presidential days were discovered in November at a think tank in Washington. A White House lawyer said on Thursday, hours before Garlands announcement, that a second set of classified papers from that time was found at a storage space at his Delaware home.

REPUBLICAN CRITICISM

Republicans called the new discoveries evidence of Bidens hypocrisy. Biden had called Trumps handling of classified documents totally irresponsible.

The fact that they called for special counsel for Trumps handling of classified documents, I dont see how they cannot appoint a special counsel with respect to Biden, said Representative James Comer, who will head the House Oversight Committee.

Comer said he would have preferred that his own committee lead the probe, saying that when special counsels are appointed, it limits our ability to do some of the oversight investigations that we want to do.

Garland named a special counsel, Jack Smith, in November to oversee Justice Department investigations related to Trump, including the Republican former presidents handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The announcement came after Trump said he would run for president again after being defeated by Biden in 2020.

About 100 documents marked as classified were among thousands of records seized during an August search at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Biden, 80, is expected to formally launch a re-election campaign in the coming weeks.

The president told reporters on Thursday that he will get a chance to speak on all of this soon.

As I said earlier this week, people know I take classified documents, classified material seriously. I also said were cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Departments 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.

Sauber, the White House lawyer, said 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 Bidens attorneys discovered fewer than a dozen classified records inside the office and turned over the material to the U.S. National Archives, the agency responsible for the preservation of government records.

Garland said the National Archives first contacted the Justice Department on Nov. 4 after the White House told it that documents marked as classified where found at the think tank.

Bidens personal counsel informed Lausch on Dec. 20 that additional documents marked as classified were identified at the presidents private residence, Garland said. Bidens lawyer called Lausch on Thursday morning to say an additional classified document was found at Bidens home, Garland added.

Trump during his presidency faced a special counsel, Robert Mueller, who found insufficient evidence to conclude that contacts between Trumps campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential race amounted to criminal conduct. Mueller did not exonerate Trump of obstruction of justice but then-Attorney General William Barr, a Trump appointee, subsequently cleared him.

Democratic President Bill Clinton was likewise dogged by an independent prosecutor, Ken Starr, who uncovered evidence of an extramarital affair, which led to Clintons impeachment.

SOURCE: REUTERS
Uganda on Wednesday declared the end of a nearly four-month Ebola outbreak that it briefly struggled to contain but was then able to swiftly bring under control despite the absence of a proven vaccine against the viral strain in question.

We have successfully controlled the spread of Ebola in Uganda, Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng said during a ceremony to mark the outbreaks end.

Aceng said this was Ugandas eighth Ebola outbreak since 2000, when the country recorded its first and most deadly one that killed more than half of the 425 people it infected.

The latest outbreak killed 55 of the 143 people infected since September, according to health ministry figures. Six of the fatalities were health workers.

Wednesdays declaration followed Ugandas completion of 42 days with no active cases, which represents two full incubation periods of the virus.

In the early weeks of the outbreak, cases spread beyond the epicentre of Mubende, 150 km (90 miles) west of the capital Kampala, to several other districts, including Kampala.

The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, praised Uganda for its response to 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, he said in a statement.

Ugandas President Yoweri Museveni said a two-week delay in declaring the outbreak after the first probable death from Ebola meant the opportunity for immediate quarantine of contacts was lost.

But health officials were able to turn the tide on the disease by November after imposing a lockdown on affected districts.

Ebola spreads through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and has a fatality rate of about 50%. More than 11,300 people died during the 2013-2016 outbreak in West Africa.

Unlike the more common strain of the virus, Ebola Zaire, which has been behind several recent epidemics in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, the strain behind Ugandas outbreak, Ebola Sudan, has no proven vaccine.

Even so, experts said Ugandas experience battling previous outbreaks of Ebola and its viral cousin Marburg helped its response.

Ugandas speed in ultimately containing cases, however, meant planned trials of vaccine candidates never got off the ground.

In December, Uganda received three vaccines  one by the University of Oxford and Serum Institute of India, another by the Sabin Vaccine Institute and a third by Merck (MRK.N)  for use vaccinating people in contact with confirmed cases.

But by that point, there were no new cases. The WHO said experts would meet on Jan. 12 to discuss the next steps for the vaccines.

Sabin chief executive Amy Finan said preparing for the trials had nevertheless taught health officials lessons for rolling out a trial in the future, including how to engage with communities.

Hopefully we wont have another outbreak soon, but if we do, well be better prepared than ever for it, she told Reuters.

SOURCE: REUTERS
The Iranian Embassy in Ireland has warned that "there might be third-party adverse interests in publicising and politicising the case" of a Tipperary man who has been in jail in the country since October.

Bernard Phelan was arrested while working for a tourism company in Mashhad, Iran's second largest city, which is near the border with Afghanistan.

His family has said that Mr Phelan has gone on hunger strike, and expressed serious concern for his health.

In a statement today, the Iranian Embassy warned against efforts "trying to derail the case from its judicial processes".

"There might also be certain political interests in abusing this case in the context of misinformation against Iran with a view to smear the image of the country", it said.

Speaking to RTE recently, Caroline Masse Phelan, Brendan's sister, said that her brother "just can't stand it anymore", and has also surrendered medication he needs for a heart problem, and a condition which affects his bones.

"The situation is just so bad for him in the prison, he just doesn't see any sign of getting out of there," she said.

Bernard Phelan was arrested for allegedly taking photographs of police officers and a mosque which had been burned.

He denies all charges against him.
Labour spokesperson on Agriculture, Alan Kelly TD has called for Coillte to adopt a new approach of both planting more publicly owned forests and of partnering with farmers to support them in developing new forestry on their own lands which will provide a long term sustainable income and help Ireland meet our climate targets.

Deputy Kelly said:

The proposed Irish Strategic Forestry Fund makes no sense and is causing concern for environmentalists and farmers. It is being seed funded by the State through the Irish Strategic Investment Fund, and future income payments will be bankrolled by the State through premia payments.

Under the reported proposal, Coillte will source the land for forestry, carry out the planting and management while it is private investments in the fund that will benefit from State grants and premia. The commercial focus of this fund will mean more monoculture forests, driven by profit, and will not boost biodiversity or support our agriculture sector to meet ambitious sectoral emission targets.

Pictured above: Tipperary Deputy Alan Kelly

If it is a State owned company that is doing all the work, and the State that is providing all the funds then it does not make sense for private investors to get all the financial benefits. Why isnt Coillte simply managing these proposed forests themselves, or partnering with farmers to provide expertise and support for them to plant their own lands?

If Coillte cannot meet the scale of investment needed, then the government should support it to do so directly through the ISIF or the investment of new capital, rather than outsourcing all the profits to the private sector. Further, if EU rules are a problem here blocking Coillte from planting more forests and receiving available grants, then the Minister should be pushing in Brussels for this to be changed so that the State can be a leader in forestry rather than outsourcing the profits to investors.

Even more importantly, the Government must clarify why Coillte and the Department of Agriculture are not encouraging farmers to plant their own forests on their own land, and provide them with a long term secure source of rather than having this outsourced to speculative investors. Coillte has expertise and scale that should be deployed to support farmers not investors.

If the purpose of this fund arrangement is to allow investors benefit from EU forestry grants and single farm payments which Coillte cannot access, then it is clear that these potential payments would be better off in the hands of farmers seeking to diversify then being pocketed by investment funds. This would provide farmers with a new long term source of income and ensure we also commit to most sustainable and biodiverse forestry.
A Detroit man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for his part in a drug trafficking organization that targeted American Indian Reservations in North Dakota.

Baquan Sledge, 34, is the final defendant to be sentenced in an investigation authorities called Operation Blue Prairie. A total of 26 defendants were charged and convicted in the case, including Sledges brother Daquan Sledge, who last week was sentenced to 30 years in prison.

A jury in June found Baquan Sledge guilty of continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, money laundering conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, and maintaining a drug-involved premise.

Operation Blue Prairie was named for the color of popular oxycodone pills the Sledges sold at a premium price in North Dakota. Authorities said the operation targeted areas short on law enforcement resources, and used local people and residences to sell the drugs.

This sentence is a final step in an extensive, successful effort to dismantle a drug trafficking ring that deliberately targeted North Dakota's tribal communities, U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider said. It is also a warning: Those who distribute dangerous drugs on reservations will be caught, prosecuted and sentenced to federal prison.

Investigating agencies were the Bureau of Indian Affairs Division of Drug Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Rolette County Sheriffs Department, Bottineau County Sheriffs Department, Ward County Narcotics Task Force, Lake Region Narcotics Task Force, Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Division of Drug Enforcement, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, North Dakota Crime Laboratory, Michigan State Police, Minot Police Department and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations.
January 12, 2023





Everyone loves free goodies from companies, but pens, pencils and mugs can appear a little outdated these days.

In response to that, we're presenting five unique freebie ideas to grow your audience. You can link potential customers to your email subscriptions with free items or initiatives, or use free content to engage your growing audience further. Let's go over our ideas below!







Physical Products

While pens and pencils can be tedious, they're a fantastic example of how to make your company memorable through physical freebies.

Physical items that catch people's attention will certainly be unique - for example, custom pins. Add your slogan or a fun, relevant message that links back to your company. An environmentally-minded company might issue a pin badge that looks like a globe, while a yoga brand may create a unique lotus flower. This type of image does double-duty: it markets your company while also remaining versatile enough that anyone would be happy to add it to their tote bag.

Online Classes

If you're in the creative sector, you're in a great place to use online workshops and master classes as an incentive to get customers on board. They needn't be live; you could record them beforehand and limit access to those who subscribe to your email content. Insider knowledge!

Even if in the traditional business landscape, you could create meaningful content around your products. Think about how consumers can make the most of their investments!

Alternatively, use audio content rather than visual content. Harvard Business School agrees that online courses are a big deal. When you've got top universities pushing students to engage in online classes, you know there is a market of people who will be interested.

Complimentary Subscriptions

Surely you've noticed how businesses use free trials to hook potential subscribers - maybe you've even been one of those customers!

When you offer a free trial, consumers often feel more confident in their purchase. People can try before buying, which infers that you are confident in your product. Forbes agrees that the show, dont tell' approach can be more profitable in the long run when trying to gain clients.

Indeed, the company discussed in their article saw increased customer satisfaction and a reduced need to sell aggressively.

Case Studies

You may share consumers' reviews and experiences to a certain extent already; the public loves to see authentic proof of others' satisfaction.

Try sharing those real-life insights via downloadable infographics and case studies. Take a look at how consumers respond to your online content, which will help you decide which format works best. Rather than a testimonial, a more in-depth document provides extra color and acts as a home for the positive feedback.

E-Books

Lastly, we love e-books. Try putting together a short e-book - only accessible to previous or new customers - that shares information on a particular product or concept. How-to guides teach customers essential information and ultimately create the idea that your brand is customer-centered.

Grow Your Audience (News - Alert)

Take what you've learned today, get inspired, and apply our recommendations to your business to reach a wider audience!
[January 12, 2023] INVESTIGATION ALERT: The Schall Law Firm Announces it is Investigating Claims Against Stem, Inc. and Encourages Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm

The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Stem, Inc. ("Stem" or "the Company") (NYSE: STEM) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Stem is the subject of a research report published by Blue Orca Capital on January 11, 2023. The report alleges that "undisclosed to investors, STEM is financing its flagship customer to purchase energy storage systems from STEM. Rather than a 'big win' and proof that STEM could compete for big utility scale projects, we think STEM won its supposed flagship deal by surreptitiously paying for it." he report also makes serious allegations about the Company's software services business, claiming that "almost all of this services revenue is not from software, but from a legacy business under which STEM leases hardware to customers in what it calls 'host customer arrangements.' These arrangements, which STEM are winding down, are akin to hardware leases with a small software and services component, yet STEM tries to claim that 100% of the revenues from these contracts are software. Incredibly, STEM does not even own the majority of the systems being leased. 87% of the systems are owned by unconsolidated special purpose vehicles, yet STEM uses an accounting gimmick to claim their revenue as its own."



If you are a shareholder who suffered a loss, click here to participate. We also encourage you to contact Brian Schall of the Schall Law Firm, 1880 Century Park East, Suite 404, Los Angeles, CA 90067, at 310-301-3335, to discuss your rights free of charge. You can also reach us through the firm's website at www.schallfirm.com, or by email at [email protected].

The class in this case has not yet been certified, and until certification occurs, you are not represented by an attorney. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. The Schall Law Firm represents investors around the world and specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and rules of ethics. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230112005872/en/

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[January 12, 2023] COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES NON-BROKERED PRIVATE PLACEMENT

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ CALGARY, AB, Jan. 12, 2023 /CNW/ - Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (TSXV: CHS) (the "Company" or "CHS") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement") of 20,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to $1 million. In its discretion, the Company may, in the context of the market, increase the size of the Private Placement in accordance with policies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Company reserved the price for the Private Placement by filing a price reservation form with the TSXV on December 15, 2022. The Private Placement is expected to close on or around January 30, 2023, subject to adjustment at the discretion of the Company and in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of CHS (a "Share") and a transferable warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will be exercisable for a period of 24 months from the date of issue of the Warrant (the "Exercise Period"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Share (a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for the first 12 months of the Exercise Period and at a price of $0.15 per Warrant Share between 12 and 24 months of the Exercise Period. The Company will pay eligible arm's length parties (each a "Finder") a cash fee equal to 7% of the aggregate value of the Units sold pursuant to the Private Placement in respect of subscriptions referred to the Company or directly sourced by the Finder and issued on closing (the "Finder's Fee"). The Company will also issue to each Finder that number of warrants, expiring twenty-four months from the date of issuance, to purchase that number of additional Warrant Shares equal to 7% of the number of subscriptions of Units referred to or directly sourced by the Finder to the Company (the "Finder Warrants") in connection with the Private Placement. Each Finder Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to subscribe for one Warrant Share at a price of $0.10 per Warrant Share for the first 12 months of the Exercise Period and at a price of $0.15 per Warrant Share between 12 and 24 months of the Exercise Period. The Company may complete the Private Placement via the closing of multiple tranches. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, approval of the TSXV and receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals. The securities issued under the Private Placement are offered by way of private placement in such provinces and/or territories of Canada as may be determined by the Company and to certain subscribers in the United States and outside the United States, in each case pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospctus requirements under applicable securities laws. All securities issued under the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period which will expire four months and one day from the date of the applicable closing of the Private Placement.



Certain insiders of the Company (the "Insiders") intend to participate in the Private Placement and their holdings of securities of the Company will increase as a result. The Company will rely on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Share Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of such insider participation. While not known at this time, pursuant to the policies of the TSXV, if proceeds obtained through subscriptions by Insiders exceed 25% of the total proceeds subscribed for pursuant to the Private Placement (the "25% Threshold"), the Insiders will pay a subscription price of $0.07125 per Unit  being the Discounted Market Price (as such term is defined under the policies of the TSXV) of the Shares as of January 12, 2023  that exceeds the 25% Threshold. For avoidance of doubt, each Unit subscribed for in relation to exceeding the 25% Threshold shall be comprised of one Share and one Warrant consisting of the terms enumerated above. The net proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for general corporate and working capital purposes and may also be used to fund the purchase price for the acquisition of Professional Benefit Administrators West, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company d/b/a Benveo (the "Benveo Acquisition"). For further details on the Benveo Acquisition, please refer to the Company's press releases dated September 22, 2022.

About Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta and is the parent company of Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (Delaware). The Company is a vertically integrated software as a services (SaaS) company focused on digitizing healthcare with Telehealth and Healthcare Benefits Administration solutions, providing reliable and high-volume transaction capable systems. The Company's state-of-the-art Novus 360 Healthcare Welfare and Benefits Administration (HWBA) SaaS platform is used by clients for all aspects of healthcare benefits administration (including self-funded employers, hospitals, doctors, and labor unions, through various corporations in which the majority shareholder has controlling ownership), providing healthcare administrative software, licensing and maintenance services. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "budget," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "scheduled," "forecast," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "to be," "could,", "would," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release include the: (i) completion of the Private Placement; (ii) the payment of the Finder's Fee and issuance of Finder Warrants; (iii) the participation by Insiders in the Private Placement; (iv) obtainment of approval from the TSXV; (v) the jurisdictions of the Private Placement; (vi) the intended use of the proceeds of the Private Placement; and (vii) the possibility of the Company increasing the size of the Private Placement. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the date they are provided, including assumptions that the Private Placement will proceed, that Insiders will participate in the Private Placement and that all necessary regulatory approval will be obtained. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: that Insiders do not participate in the Private Placement; that regulatory approval, including that of the TSXV, is not obtained; that the closing conditions for completion of the Private Placement are not satisfied; general economic, market and business conditions in Canada and globally; market volatility; unforeseen delays in the timelines for any of the transactions or events described in this press release; and the risk of regulatory changes that may impact the business of the Company. All forward-looking information is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. 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 Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc.

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[January 12, 2023] CRAIG CAMPBELL UPDATES MARKET IN RESPECT OF AVANTE LOGIXX INC. HOLDINGS

TORONTO, Jan. 12, 2023 /CNW/ - (TSXV: XX)  This news release relates to the common shares (the "Common Shares") of Avante Logixx Inc. ("Avante" or the "Company"). Craig Campbell announces that on October 19, 2022, Resilience Security Partners LP ("Resilience LP") through Resilience Security Partners GP Inc. in its capacity as general partner (the "General Partner"), distributed 2,726,100 Common Shares of Avante held by it as a return of capital (the "Distribution") in connection with the anticipated dissolution and wind-up of Resilience LP. Resilience LP is controlled by Mr. Campbell by virtue of his control over the General Partner, which is wholly-owned by Mr. Campbell. Prior to the Distribution, Mr. Campbell owned and controlled 294,500 Common Shares in his personal capacity and 60,000 Common Shares through Resilience Special Partner Inc. ("Special Partner"), a corporation wholly-owned by Mr. Campbell. Mr. Campbell also exercised control over 2,726,100 Common Shares held by Resilience LP. Prior to the Distribution, Resilience LP owned and controlled a total of approximately 10.3% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares and Mr. Campbell owned and controlled a total of approximately 11.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares (based on 26,489,48 Common Shares outstanding as disclosed in the Company's management discussion and analysis for the three and six month period ended September 30, 2022).



Following the Distribution, Resilience LP owns and controls nil Common Shares representing nil percent of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, and Mr. Campbell's ownership and control has decreased to less than 10% of the issued and outstanding securities of the Company. 1,092,560 Common Shares were distributed to Mr. Campbell by Resilience LP (through a transfer to Special Partner) as part of the Distribution. Mr. Campbell continues to own and control an aggregate of 1,447,060 Common Shares (comprised of the 294,500 Common Shares held by Mr. Campbell in his personal capacity, and 1,152,560 Common Shares held by Special Partner), or 5.5% of the Company's issued and outstanding Common Shares. Mr. Campbell's securityholding percentage is now below the reporting threshold prescribed by applicable securities laws. Resilience LP transferred the Common Shares it held in the Company as a return of capital to its limited partners and as such it did not receive any consideration for the Common Shares. Mr. Campbell continues to evaluate his holdings in the Company, including potentially disposing of additional securities in the ordinary course of business, but has no current plan or intentions which relate to any of the other actions requiring disclosure under the early warning reporting provisions of applicable securities laws. Depending on market conditions, Mr. Campbell's view of the Company's prospects and other factors Mr. Campbell considers relevant, Mr. Campbell may acquire securities of the Company from time to time in the future, in the open market or pursuant to privately negotiated transactions, or may sell all or a portion of its securities of the Company.

This press release is issued pursuant to National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take-Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues, which also requires a report to be filed with regulatory authorities in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company is a reporting issuer containing information with respect to the foregoing matters (the "Early Warning Report"). A copy of the Early Warning Report will appear with the Company's documents on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval at www.sedar.com. The Company's head office is located at 1959 Leslie Street, Toronto, Ontario M3B 2M3. SOURCE Craig Campbell

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[January 13, 2023] Vetsource Announces Enhancements to Scripting Experience

A rebuild of technical infrastructure optimizes the user experience, improving the way veterinary staff send and recommend patient therapies. PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 13, 2023 /CNW/ -- Vetsource , a pet health company designed to provide innovative pharmacy, technology and business services to those who care for pets, will preview its new scripting experience this week at the 2023 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX), in Orlando, Florida. Vetsource's innovative business solutions  Prescription Management, Data & Insights (formerly VetSuccess), and Client Engagement (including the Vet2Pet client communication system)  will be represented for the first time as one united Vetsource brand at booth #1230. Vetsource will preview its new scripting experience this week at the 2023 Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) in Orlando. New enhancements to the scripting experience will continue to drive efficiency to the nearly 10,000 practices that choose Vetsource for prescription management. The modern user interface will present a more intuitive way to place orders based on client preferences, give the ability to easily adjust patient information, and introduce functionality and workflows that ultimately give practices time back to focus on what matters most  their patients. "We are confident that this new experience will be a welcome upgrade for customers," said Vetsource CEO Kurt Green. "We've leeraged user-testing and current customer feedback behind the scenes to ensure this update would be as impactful as possible to veterinary practices."



With a focus on a simple homepage and approval queue, compliance options through easy AutoShip setup and sidebar navigation capture the activity that practices complete on a daily basis. The new experience will seamlessly create a prescription request and complete the order, with products and patients all in one place. "The new scripting experience makes sense and it feels easy, more intuitive," said Dr. Laura Johnson, DVM of San Diego's Santaluz Animal Care, who provided feedback about the scripting experience ahead of launch.

Current Vetsource customers will have the choice to opt-in to the new experience beginning early February. In addition to the new scripting experience, Vetsource also announced a change to their retail compensation program, now titled Digital Processing Program (DPP). With this, practices can receive compensation for their efforts processing all third-party prescription medication and nutrition requests to which they electronically respond, whether approved or denied, within 24 hours. Current prescription management customers are automatically enrolled in this program. Veterinary practices who wish to receive compensation through Vetsource may do so by enrolling with Vetsource for this specific program. Vetsource continues to be the only prescription management provider to offer a compensation program of this type. "Our goal is to meet pet owners' expectations of retailers while keeping practices at the center of pet healthcare," said Sara Barstow, Vetsource's General Manager, Retail. "For practices reviewing prescriptions from retailers, we know their time is valuable and we want to recognize that with an updated compensation program that also helps pets get the products they need." VMX attendees can visit Vetsource (booth #1230) to learn more about the new scripting experience, and take home a complimentary customized pet collar tag. About Vetsource Vetsource provides innovative pharmacy, technology and business services to the pet health industry. At Vetsource, we strive to be the most trusted advocate in a rapidly evolving world and constantly seek new ways to help our customers chart a course for a better, brighter future for pets and those who care for them. Our data-powered platform eliminates complexities and simplifies workflows to help veterinarians, retailers and others in the pet health industry foster engagement, loyalty and positive experiences that ensure strong relationships. Vetsource's solutions include prescription management, data and insights, and client engagement. Founded in 2008 to help veterinary practices compete in the online marketplace with a home delivery solution, Vetsource is now made up of more than 600 employees and is headquartered in Portland, Ore. Additional offices are located in Colorado, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Toronto, as well pharmacies in multiple locations. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vetsource-announces-enhancements-to-scripting-experience-301720891.html SOURCE Vetsource

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[January 13, 2023] Global Semiconductor Chips Applications Markets Report, 2021-2022 & 2027 with Profiles of Leading Players - SMIC, Advanced Micro Devices, MediaTek, Kioxia, Texas Instruments, and Samsung

DUBLIN, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Semiconductor Chips: Applications and Impact of Shortage " report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. In this report, the semiconductor chip market has been segmented based on type, end user and geography. The report provides an overview of the global semiconductor chip market and analyzes market trends. Using 2021 as the base year, the report provides estimated market data for the forecast period, 2022-2027. Semiconductor chips are omnipresent and essential components of digital and digital products, devices and infrastructure, from smartphones and automobiles to healthcare, energy, communications and industrial equipment. With the advent of digital transformation and highly automated vehicles, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud, edge and quantum computing, supercomputers, industrial production automation, space and defense applications and economic and chips as strategic assets will only become more important.



The biggest problem for the semiconductor industry in 2021 was the supply and demand scarcity. This imbalance has led to chip shortages, impacting traditional chip-end markets (data centers and smartphones) and less dependent markets such as automobiles. By the end of 2023, the severity of the chip shortage and its economic impact is expected to reduce through initiatives by chip manufacturers, distributors and end customers to increase production capacity and improve supply chain processes. Governments are also funding development of semiconductor industries. Revenue forecasts for this period are segmented based on type, end user and geography. Market values have been estimated based on the total revenue of semiconductor chip providers. The report covers the market for semiconductor chips with regards to user base across different regions. It also focuses on the major trends and challenges that affect the market and the vendor landscape. The report estimates the global market for marketing analytics in 2021 and provides projections of the expected market size through 2027. Note: A large part of the report focuses on the global semiconductor chip shortage of 2021. The report analyzes the impact of this shortage across various end users and key countries. The terms semiconductor chips, computer chip, microchip and integrated circuits are used interchangeably. Report Includes A detailed overview and an up-to-date analysis of the global markets for semiconductor chips and their commercial applications

Analyses of the global market trends, with market revenue (sales figures) for 2021, estimates for 2022 and 2023, and projections of compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) through 2027

Estimation of the actual market size and revenue forecast for global semiconductor chips market in USD billions, and corresponding market share analysis by type, end-user and region

Highlights of the upcoming market opportunities with respect to regions and applications of the semiconductor hip market, and major issues and trends affecting the shortage

Insight into the semiconductor chips market through an assessment of the current market size and forecast of market development in the coming five years, and an understanding of the reasons behind the present shortage of chips

Insight into the value chain analysis, demand-supply gap, and factors driving the shortage of semiconductor chips in 2021/2022, and analysis of the impact of this shortage across various end users and key countries

Identification of the major stakeholders and analysis of the competitive landscape based on recent developments, financial performance, and segmental revenues

Updated information on recent mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, agreements, partnerships, product launches, and expansions in the global semiconductor chips market

Descriptive company profiles of the leading global players, including SMIC, Advanced Micro Devices Inc., MediaTek Inc., Kioxia Holding Corp., Texas Instruments Inc., and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd.



Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 Study Goals and Objectives

1.2 Reasons for Doing the Study

1.3 What's New in this Update

1.4 Intended Audience

1.5 Information Sources

1.6 Methodology

1.7 Scope of Report

1.8 Geographic Breakdown

1.9 Analyst's Credentials

1.10 Custom Research

1.11 Related Research Reports

Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights Chapter 3 Market Overview

3.1 Current Market Scenario

3.2 Overview of the Global Semiconductor Industry

3.2.1 Semiconductor Industry Value Chain

3.3 Introduction to Semiconductor Chips (Integrated Circuits)

3.3.1 Types of Integrated Circuits

3.3.2 Materials Used in Chip Manufacturing

3.4 Evolution of Integrated Circuits

3.4.1 Invention of Integrated Circuits (Ics)

3.5 Evolution of Process Nodes

3.6 Government Policies for Manufacturing Semiconductor Chips Chapter 4 Market Dynamics

4.1 Market Drivers

4.1.1 Growth in High Performance Computing

4.1.2 Increasing Internet of Things (Iot) Adoption

4.1.3 Growing Use of Semiconductor Chips in Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Applications

4.1.4 Demand for Chips in 5G Applications

4.2 Market Restraints

4.2.1 Lack of Trained/Skilled Individuals and Scientists

4.2.2 Global Political, Economic and Financial Crises Chapter 5 Overview of Semiconductor Chip Shortage

5.1 Microeconomic Factors of Semiconductor Chips Market

5.1.1 Impact of Covid-19

5.1.2 Impact of Russia/Ukraine War

5.2 Demand/Supply Gap

5.2.1 Semiconductor Component Lead Time

5.3 Semiconductor Chips Operating Models

5.3.1 Integrated Device Manufacturers

5.3.2 Fabless-Foundry Model

5.3.3 Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (Osat)

5.4 Factors Driving Semiconductor Shortage

5.4.1 Sudden Demand for Consumer Electronics Due to Covid-19 Pandemic

5.4.2 Disruption in Supply Chain Caused by Covid-19 Pandemic

5.4.3 Trade Wars

5.4.4 Drought in Taiwan

5.4.5 Other Incidents Chapter 6 Market Breakdown by Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Memory Chips

6.2.1 Types of Memory Chips

6.3 Logic Chips

6.3.1 Microprocessors

6.3.2 Microcontrollers

6.4 Analog Chips Chapter 7 Market Breakdown by End Use

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Computing

7.2.1 Impact of Chip Shortage on Computing End-users

7.3 Automotive

7.3.1 Significant Factors

7.3.2 Impact of Chip Shortage on Automotive End-users

7.4 Consumer Electronics

7.4.1 Impact of Chip Shortage on Consumers Electronics End-users

7.5 Industrial

7.5.1 Impact of Chip Shortage on Industrial End-users

7.6 Wireless Communication

7.6.1 Impact of Chip Shortage on Wireless Communication End-users

7.7 Others Chapter 8 Market Breakdown by Region

8.1 Introduction

8.2 North American Market Outlook

8.2.1 U.S.

8.2.2 Canada

8.2.3 Mexico

8.3 European Market Outlook

8.3.1 Germany

8.3.2 U.K.

8.3.3 France

8.3.4 Rest of Europe

8.4 Asia-Pacific Market Outlook

8.4.1 China

8.4.2 Japan

8.4.3 South Korea

8.4.4 Taiwan

8.4.5 India

8.4.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific Chapter 9 Competitive Landscape

9.1 Market Ranking of Market Players by Operating Model

9.1.1 Ranking of Semiconductor Integrated Device Manufacturers

9.1.2 Ranking of Semiconductor Foundry/Fab Companies

9.1.3 Ranking of Semiconductor Fabless Companies

9.2 Strategic Analysis

9.2.1 Product Launches and Developments

9.2.2 Agreements, Collaborations and Partnerships

9.2.3 Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and Expansion

9.2.4 Investments and Funding Chapter 10 Company Profiles

10.1 Semiconductor Foundry/Fab Companies Db Hitek

Globalfoundries

Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Tower Semiconductor Ltd.

United Microelectronics Corp. 10.2 Top Fabless Manufacturers Advanced Micro Devices Inc.

Apple Inc.

Broadcom Inc.

Mediatek Inc.

Nvidia Corp.

Qualcomm Technologies Inc. 10.3 Integrated Device Manufacturers Infineon Technologies AG

Intel Corp.

Kioxia Holdings Corp.

Micron Technology Inc.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Sk Hynix Inc.

Stmicroelectronics N.V.

Texas Instruments Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/gk9y6g Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



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[January 13, 2023] TeamApt Reaches an Annualized Payments Volume of $170 Billion, Rebrands to Moniepoint

TeamApt Incorporated, the leading business banking platform in Nigeria, has adopted the name of its flagship product - Moniepoint, a testament to its success as the all-in-one digital banking solution for businesses across Nigeria. The Moniepoint brand is already an established and trusted name among its customer base in Nigeria, and adopting it as the name means one less layer between the brand and the people it intends to serve. The shift to the Moniepoint brand marks the next step in the business's expansion strategy, accompanied by relocating its headquarters to London. Despite a rocky turn for financial markets globally in the second half of 2022, TeamApt's Moniepoint has seen unprecedented success as a digital banking solution for small and medium businesses. It currently processes the majority of the POS transactions in Nigeria with an annualized Total Payments Volume (TPV) of more than $170 billion and a customer base of over 600,000 businesses which enabled it to more than double its annual revenues in 2022. The ubiquity of this product saw it win the National Inclusive Payment Initiative Award by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The platform also launched a credit offering in 2022, which has already disbursed over $1.4 billion in working capital loans. Profitable since 2020, the company is backed by world-leading institutional invstors, including QED Investors, Novastar, Lightrock, BII, FMO, Global Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst and New Voices Fund. The company became QED Investors' first investment into Africa in July 2022.



Tosin Eniolorunda, co-founder and CEO of Moniepoint said: "When we started out in 2015, we were primarily providing back office payment infrastructure for banks and needed an apt team, hence the name TeamApt. Since then we have evolved significantly and our flagship business banking solution, Moniepoint, has become our core focus and where we see the future. Now as we head into our next step in our journey, we've changed our name to reflect the company's commitment to enable a world where any business has access to the digital tools and capital needed to grow, no matter its stage, size or location, and as Moniepoint we believe we can achieve this." Brian Waswani Odhiambo, Partner of Novastar Ventures said: "Moniepoint is uniquely positioned to accelerate the digitization of banking for underserved businesses. Its leadership team has deep sector knowledge and an enviable track record in the financial services space, which is evident from Moniepoint's ongoing success. Since partnering, Moniepoint has already displayed amazing growth and we're excited to see the evolution of the business, as it sets out to deliver best-in-class banking and business solutions."

Ravi Sharma, Partner at Lightrock, commented: "We are very pleased with TeamApt's move to Moniepoint. Recognized by millions, this brand reflects the company's focus on innovation and customer-centricity, while also positioning the business for continued growth in Nigeria and across Africa. We look forward to working with Tosin and the talented Moniepoint team as they go from strength to strength." - ENDS - About Moniepoint Inc. Moniepoint is an all-in-one digital financial services platform for businesses. Since 2019, Moniepoint's technology has powered over 600,000 businesses, offering all the payment, banking, credit and business management tools they need to succeed. It aims to power the dreams of entrepreneurs by providing them with the financial technology tools they need to grow, no matter their digital literacy level. Moniepoint currently processes the majority of the POS transactions in Nigeria, processing over $170 billion in annualized TPV. It is profitable and, in 2022, became QED Investors' first investment into Africa. For more information, please visit: https://moniepoint.com/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005208/en/

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[January 13, 2023] Black Swan Media Co: Go Highlevel Surpasses Clickfunnels In User Count After Disastrous Clickfunnels 2.0 Launch

Las Vegas, Nevada, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Swan Media Co was created in 2017 by Bruno Souza to help businesses increase their website traffic, conversations, and sales through transparent reporting, lucrative ROIs, exceptional customer service, and access to a large lead generation and affiliate network. After formally using Clickfunnels, a funnel-building website that is designed to get people from sites like Facebook, Google, YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok and bring them to businesses online stores, Bruno Souza has now partnered with Go Highlevel after a disastrous Clickfunnels 2.0 launch. Bruno Souza claims, The Clickfunnels 2.0 release has been long overdue, giving way for software competitors like Highlevel to enter the market. Even with Clickfunnels 2.0, their software does not come close to beating Highlevel. Highlevel as a software is the dominant powerhouse beating out Clickfunnels in terms of functionality, user-friendliness, pricing, and features. Go Highlevel is a new-age marketing tool that attempts to consolidate the most useful marketing tools under a single umbrella with their all-in-one platform and Highlevel CRM (Customer Relationship Management) that offers marketers the essential tools to successfully grow their agency. What is Go Highlevel? After switching to Go Highlevel, Black Swan Media Co has created an in-depth Go Highlevel Review that details its features, key price points, and the advantages and disadvantages of the platform. Bruno Souza states in the opening of his review, Go Highlevel is the tool of the decade  completely replacing the previous titans like Clickfunnels for landing pages and Pipedrive/Hubspot for CRMs. The all-in-one platform that Go Highlevel uses allows marketers and agencies to efficiently manage their clients leads, websites, funnels, calendars, andthe other crucial methods to maintain a customer.



Go Highlevel also helps with the following: Client Acquisition

Link Building

Automating Businesses

Reputation Management

Increasing ROI on adspend and existing clients Additionally, Go Highlevel is cheaper than its competitors and has an easy-to-set-up interface that makes it simple to use by those not adept in technology.

Clickfunnels 2.0 Launch Clickfunnels was the original funnel builder and works by funneling customers to businesses websites to increase traffic and sales. In October 2022, the company launched the eagerly anticipated Clickfunnels 2.0 that introduced several new features and software updates that included hub access to your websites home page, cart, funnels, and customer center, as well as a new eCommerce site builder and Cart Funnels feature. Unfortunately, after a year of hype, the Clickfunnels 2.0 Launch fell flat. Most of the features customers were excited for were not accessible or live. The popular Clickfunnels templates were missing from the 2.0 version and Clickfunnels was charging to migrate funnels from 1.0 to 2.0. In Black Swan Media Cos detailed Clickfunnels 2.0 Review, Bruno Souza praised the company for its digital marketing education capabilities, naming it some of the most elite in the space. Although he found its increased price was unjustified when compared to platforms such as the more budget-friendly Go Highlevel, claiming Clickfunnels new features felt like they were still stuck in the beta stage and suggested using the company for their educational courses but use Highlevel for their software. Go Highlevel vs Clickfunnels 2.0 Launch As explained above, the new Clickfunnels 2.0 launch was supposed to bring an increase in features that offered its users a new single platform that allows them to host everything on Clickfunnels without the need to reconcile different sales platforms. When comparing Highlevel vs Clickfunnels, Black Swan Media Co found that while this new integration feature was useful, Go Highlevel was easier to use and favoured its Quick Start launch pad for new users that showed them not only how to use the tools on the platform but also how to make them profitable (such as with client acquisition, sales, and fulfilment.) Bruno Souza comments, I dont like sacrificing quality for a cheaper price, and Im happy that GoHighlevel, despite being less expensive, is actually an upgrade. Im also extremely excited for Highlevels integrations with Chat GPT 3 and love how theyre always innovating More information To find out more about Black Swan Media Co and Go Highlevel, please visit their website at blackswanmedia.co. Source: https://thenewsfront.com/black-swan-media-co-go-highlevel-surpasses-clickfunnels-in-user-count-after-disastrous-clickfunnels-2-0-launch/

Black Swan Media Co 2755 W Pebble Road Las Vegas NV 89123 United States https://blackswanmedia.co/ [email protected]

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[January 13, 2023] The Standard's Employee Giving Campaign Raises $5.5 Million for Nonprofits and Schools

During the 2022 Employee Giving Campaign, employees at Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) pledged $1.8 million benefiting more than 2,168 schools and nonprofit organizations across the nation. After a two-for-one match by The Standard and parent organization Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company, total contributions from the campaign will exceed $5.5 million. More than 1,600 employees pledged support during the campaign. These contributions, which are in addition to The Standard's corporate and foundation giving, will be distributed to nonprofit organizations and schools during 2023. "A culture of caring is at the core of our company and how we show up for our customers and community," said Dan McMillan, president and CEO at The Standard. "The challenges of the past year remind us of the importance of our nonprofit and school partners for the resiliency of our communities, and I am humbled by the generosity of our employees and retirees." During the Employee Giving Campaign, The Standard also celebrated the 16th anniversary of the Denim Impact Fund. The fund allows employees to make $100 pledges to collectively help a cause in their community. This year is focused on youth behavioral health and crisis intervention. The Denim Impact Fund program alone raised more than $358,000 for five nonprofit organizations: National Alliance on Mental Illness in Arlington, Virginia; Trillium Family Services in Portland, Oregon; Lines for Life in Portland, Oregon; Lighthouse Youth & Family Services in Cincinnati, Ohio; Mental Health Association of Westchester in White Plains, New York; and HumanKind in Lynchburg, Virginia. Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, the Employee Giving Campaign transitioned to a year-round program allowing employees the flexibility to obtain the company match any time during the year. The Standard and Meiji Yasuda will continue to double match employee contributions up to $5,000. These are among the many organizations receiving support in 2023 from The Standard's giving campaign:







Trillium Family Services $205,000 Oregon Food Bank $142,000 Oregon Humane Society $60,000 Lines for Life $58,000 National Alliance on Mental Illness $51,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon & SW Washington $49,000 Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette $43,000 Habitat for Humanity Portland Region $35,000 Central City Concern $34,000 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital $34,000

For more information about community involvement at The Standard, visit www.standard.com/community. About The Standard The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping customers achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. In business since 1906, we are a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individuals. Our products include group and individual disability insurance, group life, dental and vision insurance, voluntary (employee-paid) benefits, absence management services, and retirement plans and annuities for employers and individuals. For more information about The Standard, visit www.standard.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries: Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., StanCorp Mortgage Investors, Inc., StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., StanCorp Real Estate, LLC, and StanCorp Equities, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005086/en/

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[January 13, 2023] Retail Loss Prevention Leader ThinkLP Joins ASG to Accelerate Growth

Today, ThinkLP (the "Company"), a leading provider of loss prevention and safety case, audit, and analytics management software, announced that it will join Alpine Software Group (ASG), a portfolio company of Alpine Investors that buys and builds vertical SaaS companies. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005038/en/ Today's announcement marks ASG's 50th software acquisition. Since 2016, ASG has acquired 50 businesses across more than 10 verticals and partnered with over 70 founders to design exits that honor their legacies, take care of their customers and teams, and grow their businesses. Founded in 2013 by Doug Treleaven, ThinkLP is a SaaS company specializing in the retail loss prevention space. Headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, ThinkLP provides loss prevention software to innovative retailers globally, helping its clients manage incidents, conduct audits, and reduce inventory shrink with advanced AI-powered analytics. ThinkLP's platform differentiates from competing solutions through its extensive functionality, rapid flexibility to adapt to rapidly changing business requirements, user-friendly interface, and intuitive reporting features. In addition to these technical attributes, the Company provides customers with timely and effective customer support, often augmented by dedicated account representatives. "I founded ThinkLP with a passion to use business for good by helping companies operate with high ethical standards through empowering loss prevention teams with world-class software. It has been the honor of a lifetime to build one of Canada's fastest growing companies by serving our clients globally, creating the world's most innovative loss prevention software platform. As I thought about the next stage for myself and the business, I knew I needed a partner who understood how crucial TinkLP is to our clients' operational success and would continue building upon our vision for the entire loss prevention industry. I'm thrilled to have found that partner in ASG," said Doug Treleaven, Founder of ThinkLP.



Following the acquisition, Treleaven will transition out of day-to-day operations and Spencer Marzouk will become CEO. Prior to joining ThinkLP, Marzouk worked across the retail sector at both Amazon and Tupperware Brands Corporation. Additionally, he holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. "I am extremely impressed with the company Doug has built over the last decade, as ThinkLP has established itself as the leader in loss prevention software," said Spencer Marzouk, CEO of ThinkLP. "With organized retail crime and theft on the rise, there is an increasing need in the market for the technology ThinkLP provides, which is mission critical to the retail operation. I'm excited to join ThinkLP and work with this talented team in continuing to support our amazing clients."

"Since inception, ASG has been rapidly buying and building market-leading vertical SaaS companies. We've always given founders the freedom to design life-changing exits with the confidence of knowing that the companies and teams they spent years - sometimes decades - creating will be in expert and caring hands as they enter their next stage," said Mark Strauch, Chairman and Co-Founder of ASG. "We are elated to have reached the milestone of our 50th acquisition, which stands as a testament not only to the great work our team has accomplished, but also ASG's promising future." "I'm thrilled to welcome ThinkLP to ASG, and to celebrate this milestone. Our teams have thrived through all the challenges the past few years have presented. We believe the combination of our exceptional leadership teams and mission critical software have allowed us to continue to win. I'm looking forward to a bright future for ThinkLP and our entire ASG community in 2023," said Steve Reardon, CEO of ASG. BDO Capital Advisors, LLC served as financial advisor and Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP acted as legal counsel to ThinkLP. Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and Fasken served as legal counsel to ASG. About ThinkLP ThinkLP helps organizations of every size transform their Loss Prevention departments with leading cloud-based management software. ThinkLP is passionate about helping loss prevention teams succeed with awesome software, including case and incident management, compliance audit, and advanced analytics. Centralize your data, get immediate results, take action instantly, and work from any device. Request a demo at www.thinklp.com. About ASG ASG, backed by Alpine Investors, is a unique and fast-growing software business that buys and builds market-leading vertical SaaS companies. ASG believes deeply in the power of people and data to grow great organizations, and that sharing knowledge, expertise, and resources across its community of businesses drives exponential growth. Founders of leading SaaS companies continue to trust ASG to grow their businesses and build even stronger legacies for the future. For more information, visit www.alpinesg.com. About Alpine Investors Alpine Investors is a people-driven private equity firm that is committed to building enduring companies by working with, learning from, and developing exceptional people. Alpine specializes in investments in companies in the software and services industries. Its PeopleFirst strategy includes a talent program which allows Alpine to bring leadership to situations where additional or new management is needed post-transaction. Alpine manages over $8b in assets under management and has three offices in San Francisco, New York, and Salt Lake City. For more information, visit www.alpineinvestors.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005038/en/

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North Dakota's attorney general on Thursday urged state lawmakers to place the independent State Crime Lab under the state crime bureau's jurisdiction, but opponents say that could cast doubt on the credibility of evidence the lab processes.

Senate Bill 2131 deletes a single line from the North Dakota Century Code: The state crime laboratory must be administratively separated from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

BCI is an agency within the Attorney General's Office tasked with investigating and prosecuting criminal cases. Attorney General Drew Wrigley told the Senate State and Local Government Committee that having the ability to move the lab to BCI oversight would streamline the two agencies into one. Its a configuration used in more than 40 states and would help solve a years-in-the-making problem, Wrigley said.

Included in that problem are a backlog of rape test kits, the lack of firearms and latent fingerprint testing -- two services that were dropped five years ago -- and the slow flow of communication between the lab and state law enforcement agencies.

What remains untouched by this bill, and would always remain untouched, is the science, Wrigley said. The science must be objective. The lab must be a certified lab; it has to have certified personnel.

Keith Findley, president of the Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences nonprofit and professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Law, referenced a 2009 study and report by the National Academy of Sciences. It said scientific and medical assessment conducted in forensic investigations should be independent of law enforcement efforts either to prosecute criminal suspects or even to determine whether a criminal act has indeed been committed.

Analysts in a lab that is not independent are exposed to cognitive biases and distortions that can lead an analyst to unwittingly interpret data in skewed ways, the study said.

Justin Vinje, a Bismarck attorney who does a considerable amount of criminal defense work, said the bill is a step backward from a change to an independent lab made in 2003 by then-Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem. It would subject the crime labs work to unnecessary criticism and do nothing to fix what Vinje called the core issue -- funding.

This bill is going to make it harder for prosecutors to prove their cases in court, it will cast doubt upon criminal convictions decades after the trial, and its going to cost every single one of us tax dollars and time dealing with a completely avoidable problem, Vinje said.

Placing the lab under BCI oversight makes it part of that office, according to Vinje.

Suddenly you have two entities that really should be separate for the purity of the science, theyre working together, he said. Its going to cause problems either real or perceived, and that does no credit to our justice system.

Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner said putting the lab under BCI would put it back on track. His office has at times waited six months for DNA and fingerprint evidence. When law enforcement waits for a suspect to be identified that person can be victimizing others, Jahner said. Its extremely embarrassing to tell victims that the states lab may not be able to process evidence collected at a crime scene, he said.

If we do not address the crime lab or get a handle on this issue, we are soon going to be in a position where we can no longer investigate criminal activity, Jahner said.

Wrigley said he understands some might say the lab being under BCI could lead to comments that the lab will say whatever BCI wants them to say.

People watch too many movies, he said.

If an intentional human flaw were to be placed into evidence during investigation, it wouldnt be in a certified lab in tests done by certified personnel, the attorney general said.

The committee didn't immediately act on the bill.
[January 13, 2023] Universal Robots Predicts 2023 Automation Trends Helping Manufacturers Meet New-Year Goals

Gone are the days of manufacturers buying a robot arm only to struggle figuring out how to integrate it in an application cell. Turnkey robotic solutions, complete with all hardware, software, sensors and interfaces, will be powerful automation drivers in 2023, according to Universal Robots: This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005282/en/ Turnkey systems for cobot welding, as seen here at sheet metal manufacturer Raymath in Ohio, is one of the solutions Universal Robots predicts will drive automation in 2023. Raymath's CEO wrote the purchase order right after experiencing a hands-on programming demo. (Photo: Business Wire) "In 2023, cobot automation will become more sophisticated yet more straightforward to use," predicts Joe Campbell, senior manager of applications development and strategic marketing at Universal Robots (UR). "We are going to continue seeing phenomenal growth within complete robotic systems for applications such as welding, palletizing and machine tending, propelled by UR partners creating full solutions powered by our collaborative robot arms." Sales of UR cobots for integration in OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) solutions grew about 50% in 2022. UR enters the new year with more than 80 OEM partners integrating UR cobots in turnkey systems, and over 300 UR+ partners launching application kits and components certified to work seamlessly with the UR cobots. Cobot welders a key growth driver A significant share of new cobot-powered turnkey systems now handle welding applications. UR's welding channel grew over 80% in 2022 as new cobot welders hit factory floors in places such as Raymath, a sheet metal manufacturer in Ohio, where the company CEO was able to visit a local UR partner, THG Automation, offering cobot welding solutions.



"Within the four hours that I was there, we programmed 20 weld points," says Raymath CEO, Greg LeFevre. "I was actually practicing and sampling on the parts that I was going to make. It proved to me that if I can program this in four hours and actually have my parts running, there's no doubt this can work in our shop. I wrote the purchase order that same night." Raymath deployed four UR cobot-powered welders, that now handle hard-to-staff processes with half the number of operators, welding at twice the speed, resulting in 4X productivity improvement. Campbell explains that UR declared January National Cobot Awareness Month prompting more manufacturers to discover cobots. "We want to give businesses a head-start by sharing these inspiring 'aha moments' on how cobots can help them solve business challenges, offering them the opportunity to find a local UR partner and try a cobot firsthand," he says.

More modular production with higher payload and longer reach cobots As more companies move towards cobot automation, many will want to handle heavier payloads. In 2023, UR's new UR20 cobot becomes available to customers. The UR20 is built for 20kg payloads, with faster speeds and superior motion control all within a lightweight, small footprint system. "The 20 kg payload capacity will transform industries such as palletizing, while its 1750 mm reach is eagerly anticipated for use in welding and machine tending," says Campbell, explaining that the new robot is light enough to be unbolted and relocated or attached to a heavy base with wheels. "Modular automation is another key trend in 2023, I expect us to see more reconfigurable robotic work cells than ever before." Customers will be found at the heart of product development Although UR targets robot collaboration in the workplace, human collaboration is what drives innovation. The company recently reorganized its product creation teams to focus heavily on understanding the problems customers are facing before designing solutions. "Customers understand their own needs better than anyone else, and we will increasingly involve end-users in product development," says Campbell, predicting that co-development projects where UR and customers work together in developing specific solutions are bound to expand in 2023 and beyond. "Ultimately these collaborations allow customers to directly influence the product they are buying, while at the same time delivering valuable feedback - meaning we will be able to launch a product to the benefit of the whole market." Download images and video: here About Universal Robots Universal Robots aims to empower change in the way work is done using its leading-edge robotics platform. Since introducing the world's first commercially viable collaborative robot (cobot) in 2008, UR has developed a product portfolio including the UR3e, UR5e, UR10e, UR16e and UR20, reflecting a range of reaches and payloads. Each model is supported by a wide selection of end-effectors, software, accessories and application kits in the UR+ ecosystem. This allows the cobots to be used across a wide range of industries and means that they can be redeployed across diverse tasks. The company, which is part of Teradyne Inc., is headquartered in Odense, Denmark, and has offices in the USA, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Romania, Turkey, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Mexico. Universal Robots has installed over 50,000 cobots worldwide. For more information, please visit www.universal-robots.com or read our blog at blog.universal-robots.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005282/en/

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[January 13, 2023] Harris Williams Advises Flagstop Car Wash on its Recapitalization by Garnett Station Partners

Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces it advised Flagstop Car Wash (Flagstop) on its recapitalization and growth capital investment by Garnett Station Partners, LLC (Garnett Station). Flagstop is a rapidly expanding express car wash platform with 14 locations in Central Virginia. The transaction was led by Jershon Jones and Matt Williamson of the Harris Williams Transportation & Logistics (T&L) Group. "This transaction represents another marquee deal in the highly attractive car wash sector. Flagstop is a premier regional platform that is well-positioned for long-term growth. We are incredibly excited about the partnership between Flagstop and Garnett Station and look forward to seeing their continued success together," said Jershon Jones, a managing director at Harris Williams. Flagstop was founded over 40 years ago in Chester, Virginia by Bob Schrum. Jamie Nester, Craig Marable, and Derek Haynes acquired the company in late 2016 and have successfully grown Flagstop into the leading express car wash platform in the greater Richmond, Virginia market with 14 existing locations. The company is fuled by a highly recognizable brand and a multi-pronged growth strategy that has driven tremendous results. Flagstop is well-positioned to continue to capitalize on strong industry tailwinds and its market leadership.



Garnett Station is a principal investment firm founded in 2013 by Matt Perelman and Alex Sloane that manages $1.85 billion of assets. Garnett Station partners with experienced and entrepreneurial management teams and strategic investors to build value for its portfolio of growth platforms. The firm draws on its global relationships, operational experience, and rigorous diligence process to source, underwrite, and manage investments. Core sectors include food and beverage, health and wellness, automotive, and business services. Garnett Station's culture is based on the principles of entrepreneurship, collaboration, analytical rigor and accountability. Harris Williams is a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services. Clients worldwide rely on us to help unlock value in their business and turn ambitious goals into reality. We approach every engagement with boundless collaboration, pooling expertise and relationships across industries and geographies to uncover the unique story of each company.

The Harris Williams T&L Group serves as a trusted partner to investors and company leaders worldwide, helping them to unlock value in their businesses. Our clients count on our deep experience and thoughtful advice to understand the transportation and logistics M&A landscape so that they can turn ambitious goals into reality. Whether it's the recession-resistant automotive aftermarket or the cross-industry criticality of third-party logistics providers (3PLs), our industry offers value creation opportunities for a wide range of investors. We have deep expertise across a broad range of sectors such as the automotive and heavy-duty aftermarket, third-party logistics, and transportation infrastructure. Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 8th Floor, 20 Farringdon Street, London EC4A 4AB, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: [email protected]). Geschaftsfuhrer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams & Co. Ltd and Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business. For media inquiries, please contact Julia Moore at [email protected]. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005303/en/

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[January 13, 2023] With the Successful Launch of the Fourth Generation Engine, "Technology Chery" Shines Again in Australia

CANBERRA, Australia, Jan. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, G4G15, the first model of Chery's fourth generation engine, was successfully rolled off the production line, and the modified engine will be installed on the new mass production model in 2023. With the adoption of advanced technologies such as Miller cycle engine, double port fuel injection, stratified cooling of both cylinder block and head, dual thermostat, and exhaust gas recirculation, the G4G15 engine can achieve weight optimization of 30%, fuel consumption reduction of more than 12%, and low-speed torque increase of more than 10%. In fact, Chey took the engine as its main business first at the beginning of its establishment in 1997. In light of this, Chery has always stayed committed to arduous technological exploration and independent development in the following decades. Whether the ACTECO engine rolled off in 2005 or the third generation of ACTECO 1.6TGDI engine won the title of "China Best Ten Engine" in 2019, Chery has proved that it is not only the first automobile brand with independent intellectual property rights in China, but also boasts the world-class R&D technology of engine.



By force of its powerful technology, Chery's engines have been exported to the United States (John Deere etc.), Turkey, Germany and Japan (Kawasaki etc.) and other countries and regions. Arguably, thanks to Chery's focus on engine research and development, its products have been sold well in more than 80 countries and regions around the world, with a cumulative sales volume of more than 11,200,000 units, which can be deemed as a brilliant achievement. Given that Australia possesses a mature automobile market and has more respect for new technologies, it becomes a place where world-renowned automobile brands compete to enter. Absolutely, this is also a strategic market as well as the RHD market that Chery attaches particular importance to. Therefore, with the launch of the fourth generation engine, Chery intends to introduce products with new power into Australia in time, so that local users can experience the core charm of technology Chery at the first time.

SOURCE Chery

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[January 13, 2023] Government of Canada launches National Quantum Strategy to create jobs and advance quantum technologies

Strategy will see major investments in quantum research, talent and commercialization WATERLOO, ON, Jan. 13, 2023 /CNW Telbec/ - Quantum science and technologies are at the leading edge of research and innovation, with enormous potential for commercialization and game-changing advances, including more effective drug design, better climate forecasting, improved navigation and innovations in clean technologies. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting the continued growth of this emerging sector as it helps drive Canada's economy and supports highly skilled, well-paying jobs. Today, the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced the launch of Canada's National Quantum Strategy, which will shape the future of quantum technologies in Canada and help create thousands of jobs. Backed by an investment of $360 million committed in Budget 2021, the strategy will amplify Canada's existing global leadership in quantum research and grow Canada's quantum technologies, companies and talent. Minister Champagne was joined at the launch by Dr. Raymond Laflamme, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Canada Research Chair in Quantum Information at the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, and Dr. Stephanie Simmons, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Canada Research Chair in Silicon Quantum Technologies at Simon Fraser University and founder and Chief Quantum Officer of Photonic Inc. Drs. Laflamme and Simmons will serve as co-chairs of a new Quantum Advisory Council, which will provide independent expert advice on the implementation of the strategy. The National Quantum Strategy is driven by three missions in key quantum technology areas: Computing hardware and software to make Canada a world leader in the continued development, deployment and use of these technologies

to make a world leader in the continued development, deployment and use of these technologies Communications to equip Canada with a national secure quantum communications network and post-quantum cryptography capabilities

to equip with a national secure quantum communications network and post-quantum cryptography capabilities Sensorsto support Canadian developers and early adopters of new quantum sensing technologies The missions will be advanced through investments in three pillars: Research $141 million to support basic and applied research to realize new solutions and new innovations

$141 million to support basic and applied research to realize new solutions and new innovations Talent $45 million to develop and retain quantum expertise and talent in Canada , as well as attract experts from within Canada and around the world, to build the quantum sector

$45 million to develop and retain quantum expertise and talent in , as well as attract experts from within and around the world, to build the quantum sector Commercialization$169 million to translate research into scalable commercial products and services that will benefit Canadians, our industries and the world Efforts under the strategy are already under way. To reinforce Canada's research strengths in quantum science and help develop a talent pipeline to support the growth of a strong quantum community, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is delivering an investment of $137.9 million through its Alliance grants and Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) grants. Mitacs will deliver $40 million to support the attraction, training, retention and deployment of highly qualified personnel in quantum science and technology through innovation internship experiences and professional skills development. The Quantum Research and Development Initiative (QRDI), a new $9 million program coordinated and administered by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), is being established to grow collaborative, federal quantum research and development. QRDI will bring governmentoffering expertise and infrastructureand academic and industrial partners together to work on advancing quantum technologies under the three missions of the National Quantum Strategy. To help translate quantum science and research into commercial innovations hat generate economic benefits and support the adoption of made-in-Canada solutions by businesses, the NRC is receiving $50 million to expand the Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors Challenge program and roll out its Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program. As well, Canada's Global Innovation Clusters are receiving $14 million to carry out activities as part of the Commercialization pillar.



In addition, the government's flagship strategic procurement program, Innovative Solutions Canada, is receiving $35 million over seven years to help innovative Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises grow, scale up, develop intellectual property, export and create high-value jobs in the quantum sector. The quantum sector is key to fuelling Canada's economy, long-term resilience and growth, especially as technologies mature and more sectors harness quantum capabilities. Jobs will span research and science; hardware and software engineering and development, including data engineering; manufacturing; technical support; sales and marketing; and business operations. The government will continue working with Canada's quantum community to ensure the success of not only the National Quantum Strategy but also the Canadian scientists and entrepreneurs who are well positioned to take advantage of these opportunities.

Quote "Quantum technologies will shape the course of the future and Canada is at the forefront, leading the way. The National Quantum Strategy will support a resilient economy by strengthening our research, businesses and talent, giving Canada a competitive advantage for decades to come. I look forward to collaborating with businesses, researchers and academia as we build our quantum future."

 The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Quick facts According to a study commissioned by the NRC in 2020, it is estimated that, by 2045, the Canadian quantum industry, once quantum technologies take hold, will be a $139 billion industry (including all economic effects) and account for 209,200 jobs.

industry (including all economic effects) and account for 209,200 jobs. The Government of Canada has invested more than $1 billion in quantum since 2012. These foundational investments helped establish Canada as a global leader in quantum science.

has invested more than in quantum since 2012. These foundational investments helped establish as a global leader in quantum science. The National Quantum Strategy was developed following thorough public consultations through stakeholder roundtables and an online survey.

A number of investments have already been announced through existing government programs, and additional partners are preparing their quantum programs for launch.

Innovative Solutions Canada has awarded four contracts valued at a total of $2.1 million to test quantum sensing, communications and computing solutions developed by Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., CogniFrame Inc., Photon etc. Inc. and Zero Point Cryogenics Inc.

to test quantum sensing, communications and computing solutions developed by Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., CogniFrame Inc., Photon etc. Inc. and Zero Point Cryogenics Inc. To date, NSERC has awarded 17 grants valued at $1.5 million over three years and expects to announce further results of its quantum initiatives in the coming months, including the Alliance International Quantum grants, Alliance Quantum grants, Alliance Consortia Quantum grants and CREATE grants.

over three years and expects to announce further results of its quantum initiatives in the coming months, including the Alliance International Quantum grants, Alliance Quantum grants, Alliance Consortia Quantum grants and CREATE grants. The NRC has launched Challenge programs to support collaborations with academia and industry that help drive commercial innovation and build on Canada's position as a global leader in quantum technologies.

position as a global leader in quantum technologies. The Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors Challenge program is focused on developing revolutionary sensors that use the extreme sensitivity of quantum systems to enhance measurement precision and sensitivity rates and even expand the kinds of phenomena that can be measured.



The Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program is working to build capacity in quantum algorithms and software, as well as establish collaborative research and development projects with academia and industry to efficiently simulate complex physical systems, delivering new technologies for human health, climate change and advanced materials.

The governments of Canada and the United Kingdom have jointly launched a call for proposals open to organizations from Canada and the UK that wish to form project consortia for collaborative projects focused on developing innovative products, processes or technology-based services in the area of quantum technologies. The call is delivered by the NRC's Industrial Research Assistance Program and Innovate UK. Related products National Quantum Strategy

National Quantum Strategy Consultations: What We Heard Report Associated links Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience

Quantum programming by pillar Stay connected Find more services and information at Canada.ca/ISED. Follow @CDNScience on social media for Canadian science news: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook SOURCE Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

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[January 13, 2023]

Arctic Energy Champions Come Together to Learn and Share Expertise on Renewable Energy in the North

WHITEHORSE, YT, Jan. 13, 2023 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is committed to working in collaboration with Indigenous and northern partners to tackle climate change, accelerate the transition to clean energy and create impactful and local economic opportunities in the North and Arctic.

From January 15 to 21, eleven energy champions will meet in Whitehorse, Yukon, to acquire new skills, build collaboration networks, visit projects in Old Crow and Teslin, and share expertise on the integration of renewable energy resources for remote Arctic communities. Their goal is to gain the knowledge, tools and networks needed to develop their own clean energy projects in their communities to ensure a greener, cleaner and more prosperous region.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan, CanNor and Polar Knowledge Canada, today congratulated Gwich'in Council International and Polar Knowledge Canada on the successful delivery and planning of ARENA II to date.

This is the second cohort of the Arctic Remote Energy Networks Academy (ARENA), a unique circumpolar knowledge-sharing program combining community site visits with participant knowledge exchanges, presentations, demonstrations and mentorship. The objective of the program is to connect emerging energy champions and provide skills, knowledge and networks to develop clean energy projects in their own communities or regions. Additionally, the program aims to improve community energy resilience, enable sustainability in Arctic energy development and achieve balance between economic viability, energy security and environmental and public health concerns in the circumpolar Arctic region.

Building on the success of the initial program, and after delays due to COVID-19, the second cohort began the ARENA II program in 2022. Sessions were held in Fairbanks and Kotzebue, Alaska, in July, and in Reykjavik, Iceland, in October. They will reconvene in Whitehorse this weekend for the final sessions of the program.

Indigenous and Arctic leadership in the clean energy sector and in remote northern communities through ARENA has been successful in part to a combined contribution of over $281,000 from the Government of Canada for the design and delivery of ARENA II.

This investment demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to meaningful participation, ownership and decision-making by Indigenous Peoples in natural resource development as they expand innovative clean energy solutions to displace fossil fuels, advance self-determination and comat climate change.







Quotes

"Indigenous and Northern communities are on the forefront of the fight against climate change. I would like to congratulate the 11 energy champions participating in ARENA II, who are working to deploy clean energy and develop local solutions. The Government of Canada is pleased to support this important work."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Natural Resources Canada

"Our government is proud to support clean energy projects across the North and Arctic. Transformational initiatives like the Arctic Remote Energy Networks Academy program will help Canada meet its climate objectives and, more importantly, serve as the foundation for resilient and thriving northern communities. By reuniting emerging energy champions from different regions of the circumpolar North, this initiative nurtures scientific collaboration and brings positive outcomes for a greener and more prosperous region."

The Honourable Dan Vandal

Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan, CanNor and Polar Knowledge Canada

"Gwich'in Council International is pleased to co-lead this project as a pathway to energy self-sufficiency and sovereignty and to work in partnership with Canada to deliver the on-site in the Yukon. Energy is connected to economies, housing, food security, health, self-sufficiency and sovereignty. We need ways to address high energy costs, lack of infrastructure and dependence on diesel. Arctic communities are at the forefront of climate change but also at the forefront of innovation, and ARENA aims to share and apply this expertise."

Devlin Fernandes

Executive Director, Gwich'in Council International

Quick Facts

Natural Resources Canada provided $199,572 in funding from Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities (CERRC), a $453-million program that strives to reduce reliance on diesel in rural and remote communities by deploying and demonstrating renewable energy projects, encouraging energy efficiency and building local skills and capacity. The program is part of the government's Investing in Canada plan , a more than $180-billion investment in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and Canada's rural and northern communities.

in funding from (CERRC), a program that strives to reduce reliance on diesel in rural and remote communities by deploying and demonstrating renewable energy projects, encouraging energy efficiency and building local skills and capacity. The program is part of the government's , a more than investment in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes and rural and northern communities. To support Indigenous, rural and remote communities as they transition to clean energy, the Government of Canada has also created a single-window approach to access resources and energy funding. Building on reconciliation efforts, an Indigenous Council is being formed that will guide the programming and project approval process.

has also created to access resources and energy funding. Building on reconciliation efforts, an Indigenous Council is being formed that will guide the programming and project approval process. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada provided $81,725 in funding.

in funding. The Government of Canada recently proposed 30-percent tax credits for the deployment of clean technology in the 2022 Fall Economic Statement .

recently proposed 30-percent tax credits for the deployment of clean technology in the . To date, the Northern REACHE program has invested more than $39 million in 161 projects across the North. In Nunavut , 35 projects received $9.7 million in support.

in 161 projects across the North. In , 35 projects received in support. Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR) is a Government of Canada agency whose mission is to conduct world-class Arctic research, advance knowledge of the Canadian Arctic and strengthen Canadian leadership in polar science and technology. POLAR has a unique role to advance our collective understanding of polar environments by mobilizing current knowledge produced by others, in a meaningful and accessible way, to address the gaps and concerns of northern communities.

Related Information

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan ( http://twitter.com/nrcan )

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
[January 13, 2023] TYLin, Sam Schwartz Address Global Urbanization With 'City Solutions' Advisory Service

TYLin, a globally recognized full-service infrastructure consulting firm, announces 'City Solutions' advisory services. This service is led by Sam Schwartz, A TYLin Company to address the world's growing need for smart, connected cities that enhance human life and support our relationship to the natural world. Combining the creative ingenuity of Sam Schwartz with the global reach and expertise of TYLin, the formalized 'City Solutions' advisory service effectively broadens the combined firms' capabilities and positions them to better serve their growing roster of clients around the world. With urbanization on the rise globally, 'City Solutions' will address the most pressing needs for a growing, diverse population to thrive and positively impact a planet currently in crisis. "It's truly an exciting time to be in infrastructure and be part of this global alliance where a collaborative advisory like 'City Solutions' can take shape," said Matt Cummings, president, and CEO of TYLin. "Sam Schwartz is at the forefront of urban planning and mobility in North America; we are strengthened by their visionary approach to urban placemaking." "The complexities of our changing world demand big ideas and big action," said Michael A. Shamma, president of Sam Schwartz. "When insights gained from one city inform the solutions for another across the globe, in a way that makes it safer, more equitable, and more sustainable, that's the kind of problem solving our world needs. That's the power of this alliance and this advisory service." City Solutions is a whole-systems, end-to-end approach to creating ad adapting urban environments for the future. From research, insights, and visioning to planning, design, and implementation, all the way to operational excellence, the 'City Solutions' advisory service is a cyclical process where each component informs the other - and will ultimately make the world's metropolises smarter, more resilient, more equitable, and more attractive to people and investment.



About Sam Schwartz Since 1995, Sam Schwartz has been known as the transportation engineering, planning, and consulting firm that solves the industry's most challenging problems by combining technical expertise with creative approaches. Headquartered in New York, the firm has teams of professional across disciplines including transportation and environmental planning; transit; civil engineering; and community engagement. For more information, visit www.samschwartz.com.

About TYLin Founded in 1954, TYLin is a globally recognized, full-service infrastructure consulting firm committed to providing innovative, cost-effective, constructible designs for the global infrastructure market. With 3,200 employees working in 65 offices throughout the Americas, Asia, and Europe, the firm provides support on projects of varying size and complexity. TYLin is part of Dar Group, one of the world's leading architecture, engineering, project management and energy consultancy groups. For more information about the company, please visit www.tylin.com. About Dar group Dar Group is a leading, privately-owned professional services group with award-winning impact and global reach. As an engineering, architectural, and planning consultancy that values specialty expertise, the Group is united by a commitment to providing clients with multi-disciplinary solutions rooted in quality, innovation, collaboration, sustainability, and technology to deliver social and community impact. To learn more, please visit www.dargroup.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005336/en/

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[January 13, 2023] University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies Issues Call for Papers of Its Phoenix Scholar Academic Journal

University of Phoenix College of Doctoral Studies is accepting submissions to its Phoenix Scholar academic research journal, for a special issue focused on adult learners in online higher education. Online education provides more flexible opportunities for adult learners to continue their education; however, there are still factors challenging them to engage in the educational process and succeed, and this edition of the journal will be dedicated to exploring these challenges. "Adult learners have unique life and work experiences that inform their learning strengths and opportunities," states Mansureh Kebritchi, Ph.D, chair, Center for Educational and Instructional Technology (CEITR) at the College of Doctoral Studies, and special edition editor of Phoenix Scholar. "We have many experts here at University of Phoenix focused on the experience of adult learners and wanted to open up this special edition to a diversity of thought and community." This Special Edition is hosted by CEITR and will focus on exploring adult learners' challenges and innovative approaches to address those challenges. The journal editors are interested in contributions that explore innovations to improve online education and better serve adult learners, and welcomes manuscripts focusing on the current issues, challenges, and innovations related to adult learner educational success, curricula, teaching and learning strategies, technologies, learning management systems, and institutional supports and policies in online higher education. The Phoenix Scholar journal is the academic research publication of University Phoenix's College of Doctoral Studies and serves as the scholarly platform for communicating the results and outcomes of university research endeavors, and their relaionship to the broader scope of learning and scholarship.



College of Doctoral Studies research centers contribute to the Phoenix Scholar content, including the University of Phoenix Career Institute, a research center focused on studying American workforce dynamics through the Career Optimism Index study, the Center for Leadership Studies and Organizational Research (CLSOR), the Center for Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Research (CWDIR) and CEITR. As long-time leaders in online education, the university utilizes research to develop solutions in the core areas of leadership, workplace diversity, and instructional technology to enhance student outcomes, improve communities and to help students, faculty and alumni grow in their career aspirations. The editorial deadline for consideration is Wednesday, February 8, 2023.

Complete information about the call for paper is available here. The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) by the U.S. ISSN Center at the Library of Congress for the Phoenix Scholar journal is online format ISSN 2771-6503 and print format ISSN 2771-6422. About the College of Doctoral Studies University of Phoenix's College of Doctoral Studies focuses on today's challenging business and organizational needs, from addressing critical social issues to developing solutions to accelerate community building and industry growth. The College's research program puts students in the center of an effective ecosystem of experts, resources and tools to help prepare them to be a leader in their organization, industry and community. Through this program, students and researchers work with organizations to conduct research that can be applied in the workplace in real time. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005381/en/

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[January 13, 2023]

Canada and the Yukon Sign Agreement in Principle to Deepen Collaboration on Planting 2 Billion Trees Nationally

WHITEHORSE, YT, Jan. 13, 2023 /CNW/ - Tree-planting efforts across Canada have played a large part in tackling the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. As part of the Government of Canada's broader approach to nature-based climate solutions, trees planted as part of the 2 Billion Trees program will help restore nature, create healthy forest ecosystems and clean our air.

Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, and the Honourable Richard Mostyn, Yukon's Minister of Community Services, are pleased to announce that the Government of Canada and the Government of Yukon signed an Agreement in Principle (AiP) under the 2 Billion Trees program.

While the Government of Canada engages directly with individual organizations across the country toward planting trees under the 2 Billion Trees program, working closely with provinces and territories on shared planting plans is another way to strengthen the program and tailor results for local communities. AiPs are a vital first step in moving toward concrete agreements further supporting tree-planting initiatives across the country. With this agreement, Canada and the Yukon are leveraging their shared commitment to delivering social and environmental benefits for communities through tree-planting.

This summer, the Government of Yukon's Wildand Fire Management branch planted 78,000 aspen seedlings in areas of Whitehorse that were treated for wildfire risk. By replacing flammable conifers with fire-resistant deciduous trees near communities, the Yukon is reducing wildfire risk while protecting forest health.







Canada and the Yukon are collaborating to fight climate change, protect nature and important habitats, fight biodiversity loss, improve air and water quality and preserve our natural heritage for future generations.

Last month during COP15, Minister Wilkinson announced the launch of the third call for proposals of this program, ensuring additional long-term agreements with eligible partners, including Indigenous communities and partners, municipalities and for- and non-profit organizations, as we continue to advance our commitment to support partners in planting two billion trees by 2031.

Quotes

"Canada's commitment to plant two billion trees is a key part of our collective effort to tackle the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Agreement in Principle announced today between Canada and the Yukon will further advance efforts to expand our forests, helping to capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, improve air and water quality, restore nature and biodiversity, cool our urban centres and create sustainable jobs."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Canada

"The 2 Billion Trees program is helping Yukoners reduce wildfire risk by planting the seeds of fire-resistant aspen forests where they can do the greatest good to our communities. We appreciate this important partnership with the Government of Canada."

The Honourable Richard Mostyn

Minister of Community Services, Government of Yukon

Related Information

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan ( http://twitter.com/nrcan )

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada
[January 13, 2023] Michael Avanesian Officially Launches Avian Law Group

BURBANK, Calif., Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Personal injury attorney, Michael Avanesian, has established his own law firm, Avian Law Group, in the heart of his hometown, Burbank, California.

Avanesian began his legal career as a restructuring attorney. By use of chapter 11 bankruptcy, Michael would help companies reorganize their business as well as change their existing debt structure. In 2016 he joined his previous law firm as a Chief Restructuring Officer. Since this title gets a bad rep for failing to provide job security for its employees, they gave him the title of managing partner. In 6 years, Michael was able to transition the company from a civil litigation and foreclosure firm to one that is now entirely personal injury. He was also successful in multiplying the companys revenue by 40 and growing the employee count to well over 80. p>Unfortunately, Michael and the owner of the company did not see eye to eye. As a result, he branched out and created his own personal injury law firm, Avian Law Group.



Michaels vision for his company is to run a next generation law firm. His goal is to have a traditional law firm that embraces technology and innovative business models in order to better serve its clients and stay competitive in the changing legal landscape. This would entail using artificial intelligence and other tools to improve efficiency and reduce costs, implementing alternative fee structures, and adopting more flexible and remote work arrangements. Above all, Michael wants Avian Law Group to be known as a firm that puts its clients first, by putting its people first. As he always says, A happy firm produces happy clients.

About Avian Law Group: The team at Avian Law Group has handled thousands of claims in the United States and have won over $2.1 Billion in settlements. Avian focuses on finding your case's best possible outcome while closely understanding that legal challenges can have a significant financial impact on the lives of all the victims involved. Avian Law Group will go beyond the relief of your current needs to work together to improve your future. Contact Avian Law Group: https://www.avianlawgroup.com/contact-us/ [email protected]



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[January 13, 2023] Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, a Leading Securities Fraud Law Firm, Announces the Filing of a Securities Class Action on Behalf of Southwest Airlines Co. (LUV) Investors

Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM"), a leading national shareholder rights law firm, announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Southwest Airlines Co. ("Southwest Airlines" or the "Company") (NYSE: LUV) securities between June 13, 2020 and December 31, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Southwest Airlines investors have until March 13, 2023 to file a lead plaintiff motion. If you suffered a loss on your Southwest Airlines investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/southwest-airlines-co-1/. You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at [email protected] to learn more about your rights. On December 22, 2022, Southwest Airlines began to cancel flights in the aftermath of a winter storm. In the following days, the airline cancelled 15,004 flights - more than half of its typical flight schedule - and by December 28, about 87% of all cancelled flights in the US were from Southwest Airlines alone. The Transport Workers Union presient stated that she and other labor leaders had repeatedly told management that Southwest Airlines' scheduling technology is not good enough, with a "complicated" model for assigning flights and an "antiquated internal system" used for managing and staffing trips.



On this news, Southwest Airlines' stock price fell $2.15, or 10.8%, over two consecutive trading days to close at $32.19 per share on December 28, 2022, thereby injuring investors. Then, on December 31, 2022, The New York Times, published an article discussing the "open secret" within Southwest Airlines that it needed to modernize is scheduling systems, and that software shortcomings had "contributed to previous, smaller-scale meltdowns."

On this news, Southwest Airlines' stock price fell $1.70, or 3.2%, to close at $32.60 per share on January 3, 2023, thereby injuring investors further. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that 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 that: (1) Southwest Airlines continuously downplayed or ignored the serious issues with the technology it used to schedule flights and crews, and how it stood to be affected worse than other airlines in the event of inclement weather; and (2) it did not discuss how it's unique point-to point service and aggressive flight schedule could leave it prone in the event of inclement weather; and (3) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. If you purchased or otherwise acquired Southwest Airlines securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than March 13, 2023 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff. To be a member of the Class you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the Class. If you wish to learn more about this action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Charles Linehan, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to [email protected], or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005429/en/

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[January 13, 2023] European School Of Osteopathy Extends Multi-Year Agreement for YuJa Enterprise Video Platform and Video Conferencing Tools

Based in Maidstone, Kent, England, the European School of Osteopathy (ESO) has renewed its commitment to providing high-quality osteopathic course content both locally and internationally with the extension of its agreement to license the YuJa Enterprise Video Platform and Video Conference Platform through 2026. ESO merged with the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) under the parent company British College of Naturopathy & Osteopathy (BCNO Limited) and each operates at their respective campuses in Kent (ESO) and London (BCOM). When it first sought a Video Platform, administrators were looking for a solution to live stream osteopathic courses, as well as to manage and distribute content to faculty and students. The institution scaled its use with the Video Conference Platform, which can help create virtual classrooms, and provide webinars, office hours, and tutorials to students no matter where they're located. oth platforms integrate with the school's Learning Management System, Moodle and Single Sign-On tools used by the school.



"This contract extension speaks to YuJa's ease of use and ability to integrate with other tools," said Nathan Arora, Chief Business Officer at YuJa, Inc. "We're excited for instructors to continue using the constantly expanding toolsets to create engaging learning experiences for students." ABOUT THE EUROPEAN SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHY

Located near Maidstone, Kent, England, the ESO is renowned for the quality and depth of its osteopathic teaching. The ESO is dedicated to the provision of both undergraduate and postgraduate osteopathic training, emphasizing all essential elements of good practice, sound management and quality care. The ESO is closely associated with osteopathic organizations across Europe and is actively involved in improving academic and research standards and in achieving a degree of standardization of osteopathic education. ABOUT YUJA, INC. YuJa is a leader in ed-tech solutions. Our platforms provide organizations of all sizes with the tools to educate, engage, inspire and collaborate. We serve learning enterprises within all sectors, including higher-ed, K-12, government, healthcare, non-profit and corporate. We have legal headquarters in Delaware with primary U.S. offices in Silicon Valley, California, and Canadian offices in Toronto. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005461/en/

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He might be the last REAL conservative in Kansas and now AG Kobach will confront one of the greatest challenges of his career.

If he moves the wrong way . . . He might never get support from a lady voter again. If he argues successfully, he'll earn national right-wing love for all time.



Here's a hint at his game plan . . .



"Attorney General Kris Kobach said Wednesday that one reason for the Kansas Supreme Court to reconsider its 2019 ruling is the U.S. Supreme Courts decision in June overturning Roe v. Wade and declaring that the U.S. Constitution doesnt grant a right to abortion access. The Kansas court is set to consider that issue and others in two abortion cases on Jan. 30, though Kobach said he is likely to ask for a few weeks delay because he took office only Monday."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Social media history serves to disgrace an aspiring Kansas City politico . . .



From our vantage he's kind of a nobody and doesn't inspire much attention from TKC or the Universe . . . However, Northland conservatives are taking him to task for his blasphemy . . .



Religion is poison, Chris Gahagan, running for the councils open 1st District seat in Clay County, writes in another tweet from a Chr_IssuesKC account that has since been deleted.



The whole of religion needs to be re-examined, he writes in another tweet. At a minimum, its (sic) tax exempt status needs to be challenged  over and over. Lets put the crazies on the defensive.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
In this compilation we share the good, the bad and downright scary crime reporting stories from across the metro.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

The judge says Golubski potentially remains a serious risk to the community and pointed out his law enforcement background questioning if he still has contacts.



The judge also referred to a previous motion which accuses Golubski of keeping tabs on accusers even showing up in one womans hospital room.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Retired KCK detective Roger Golubski remains on house arrest KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Roger Golubski remains on home detention. A federal judge denied his motion asking for basic ankle-monitoring or possibly a curfew. The judge says Golubski potentially remains a serious risk to the community and pointed out his law enforcement background questioning if he still has contacts.

Lenexa police investigating after finding man shot to death on Interstate 435 KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police in Lenexa are investigating after finding a man shot to death inside a white Jeep Grand Cherokee in a ditch on Interstate 435. According to the department, officers responded to the area on reports of a single-vehicle crash at around 5:45 a.m. Thursday morning.

Missouri's first marijuana expungement cases laying the groundwork for reform HARRISONVILLE, Mo. - A Cass County courtroom could be one of the first places in the state to let someone out of prison by expunging a previous marijuana conviction. Previous convictions for people who have already finished sentences or have past felony and misdemeanor charges are automatically expunged over the course of the year according to the language in the Amendment Missouri voters passed in 2022.

Man charged after 2 people die following crash, KCKPD pursuit JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Kansas City, Kansas, man has been charged after two people died when he allegedly crashed into their vehicle while fleeing from police. The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office says 30-year-old Charles T. Matthews Jr. has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder or, in the alternative, first-degree involuntary manslaughter.

29 Cass County dogs ordered to Humane Society custody, with a catch A Cass County judge on Thursday ordered 29 dogs seized from a property south of Pleasant Hill into the custody of the Humane Society of Missouri. However, the order is suspended for five days, giving Kalen K. Kunkel, 67, time to produce more than $27,000 to pay for veterinarian bills after Cass County deputies seized the dogs in December.

Survivors, Kansas lawmakers hope to pass bill removing statute of limitations for child abuse victims TOPEKA, Kan. - Four brave survivors told their stories at the Kansas statehouse on Thursday, urging lawmakers to pass bills in both the Senate and the House that would remove the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse to seek justice. For survivors, a bill like this means agency; it means justice.

Police captain helps find man stuck inside quickly burning home KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) - Captain Osvaldo Navarro with the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department is being called a hero and has been credited with saving a life. On Wednesday, he rushed into action and helped firefighters find a man stuck inside a house that was on fire and burning quickly.

Developing . . .
Today is history.

A smallish American city dares to address the sins of Western Civilization and not only offers an apology but also considers financial restitution.

This might be what it felt like to live In Detroit in the late 1970s before everyone gave up on that formerly triumphant American metropolis as crime, corruption and ultimately bankruptcy destroyed what was once the greatest living example of capitalism, ingenuity and commerce the world had witnessed.

Shenzhen, China is now the global leader in technology, manufacturing and business.

Meanwhile, we could call modern-day Detroit, Michigan an experiment in "urban farming" but the reality is that the forest is slowly taking back the city.



Back to life in our cowtown . . .

It seems that few people or politicos REALLY understand the implications of enacting slavery reparations derived from revenue generated by Kansas City taxpayers.

A humble thesis we'd like to offer now and expand upon later . . .

Passing slavery reparations at the local level will doom Kansas City to an exodus greater or equal to the white flight we witnessed in the aftermath of the Civil Rights movement.

Public policy has very real consequences and this politically charged taxation predicated on racial demographics will have untold consequences.



As always, to be fair . . .

We share a quote from from proponents of this legislation.

Here's what Mayor Quinton Lucas had to say about the upcoming commission . . .



"We will have good, open, difficult but necessary discussion about how we can make sure we're making amends for concerns dating, perhaps, back to the founding of this city as the town of Kansas up through the present day. And now we can make this a better city for everyone who lives within it."

The vote to move forward with the commission was nearly unanimous.

Of those attending today's legislative session, Northland council member Heather Hall offered the only "no" vote.

Developing . . .


Consider . . . A recent lawsuit claims that the city manager encourages his subordinates to lie to the media.



Luckily . . .

He doesn't offer much insight or detail into his future plans should Mayor Q keep him around for a few more years . . . In fairness, here's part of his story . . .



"But what will help Kansas City prepare for 2023 is a "certainty of vision," City Manager Brian Platt said. On Wednesday afternoon, he updated the KC Downtowners group on the plan of action for Downtown and beyond."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link to paywall content that might be worth it . . .
A North Dakota bill would require residents who want to request public documents to give their name, address and contact information to government agencies if they want the records.

Rep. Mike Lefor, R-Dickinson, introduced House Bill 1198. If passed, government entities could ignore records requests if a person who asks for documents doesnt provide a valid name, address or contact information.

If you can do things anonymously, it makes me wonder why, Lefor said. Why wouldnt you declare what your name and address and so forth is?

With some exceptions, government records in North Dakota are public, meaning anyone can view or request copies of those documents. North Dakota law prohibits a public entity from asking for a persons identification.

Government agencies also cannot ask why a record is being requested, and the request doesnt have to be put in writing or made in person.

Forcing people to attach a name to a public records request destroys the basic purposes of open records laws in North Dakota, said Jack McDonald, an attorney for the North Dakota Newspaper Association and advocate for state sunshine laws. The law protects a citizens right to get a public record and use it however they want, he said.

This bill could prompt government officials to ask people what they plan to do with records they request, McDonald said. That could hinder investigative journalism and whistleblower laws if a government agency decides to take action to stifle efforts to obtain records, he claimed.

It really will destroy the open records law, McDonald said, adding a public record belongs to the public. Why do you need a name?

Lefor said the public has a right to access public records, but he feels that right has been abused when people have done it anonymously. Submitting multiple records requests with no names creates a lot of work for government agencies.

I know of one university that got 35 anonymous requests, and it took a tremendous amount of time and energy to process that information, he said.

People who ask for federal documents through a Freedom of Information Act request must submit their names, addresses and contact information, Lefor noted. He said he feels North Dakota law should line up with that.

Were not asking a lot, he said, adding that requiring identifying information would make the processing of open records requests more efficient.

McDonald questioned whether there is evidence the anonymous clause of North Dakotas open records law has been abused. He said he fears a public employee could face disciplinary action if a government agency finds out a worker requested information.

In Cass County, volunteer Deputy Ben Longlet made several open records requests to the Sheriff's Office as Code4 Media. He sent several public documents in October to media that revealed a deputy used his government-issued phone to send nude images of himself, including one that went to a co-worker.

The Sheriff's Office discovered Longlet was behind Code4 and placed him on administrative leave while it investigated his actions for policy violations. Longlet has asserted his right to remain anonymous under state open records laws was violated.

North Dakota has laws to protect whistleblowers from retaliation.
A recent news story noted the extreme temperatures we experience in an average North Dakota year. It is not uncommon for us to see a temperature range of 140 degrees from the hottest day of summer to the coldest day of winter.

These conditions can be difficult to deal with, especially if you live in an older home with inadequate protection against weather extremes - such as old windows, minimal insulation, or a furnace you can't count on.

So, it left me scratching my head when, just this last September, a North Dakota legislative committee voted to refuse $19 million in federal and state funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program in North Dakota.

As the director of a regional Community Action Agency, I have worked with the weatherization program for over 40 years, and I can tell you it is one of the most effective programs in the country.

Through this program we have weatherized over 28,000 homes in North Dakota since 1976, the year the program became operational, with the typical family saving over $370 in energy costs per year after their home has been weatherized. Weatherization prolongs the lifespan of existing housing stock and allows homes to remain affordable.

But the benefits of the program don't end there. Weatherization also means jobs. From weatherization staff to local contractors and vendors, economic benefits from weatherization ripple across the entire state. Improved housing conditions also reduce physical and mental health problems for families while freeing up dollars that can be used for prescriptions.

Clearly, funding the weatherization program is an investment in North Dakota's housing, economy, and its people. I encourage our elected officials to consider the many benefits of this program and support the $19 million in funding that was rejected this past September.

Perry Lundon, Devils Lake
Although the recent missile attacks on Ukraine were carried out mainly from Russia or temporarily occupied territories, the threat of attacks from Belarus remains in place.

According to Ukrinform, Yurii Ihnat, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force Command, said this on a Ukrainian TV program.

"We have seen in recent months that the main strikes came from Russia - from the Black Sea, from the occupied territory, from Russian territory from the eastern and northern directions. There was, of course, less use from Belarus. However, the territory of Belarus has been constantly used by Russian troops in order to conduct certain maneuvers there, to deploy there an aviation grouping of the Russian Aerospace Forces, special-purpose aircraft that provide radar support, etc. Therefore, the threat always remains," Ihnat said.

He recalled that it was from Belarusian territory that most of the ballistic missiles were launched at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, in particular, Iskanders, Tochka-Us, etc.

Ihnat also noted that Russian operational and tactical complexes and S-300, S-400 missiles currently remain in Belarus, so there is, of course, a threat of strikes from Belarus.
If you have to drive through Butler County, Pennsylvania, make sure to keep your eyes glued to the road. Look up, and you might fall victim to its repugnant, electronic billboard that displays alternating white supremacist messages such as an enormous swastika, or "GOD OVER GOVERNMENT," or "WHITES ARE UNDER ATTACK, STOP IT NOW!!"  and more (see video below).

The billboard (and its hate-signs) "along Route 422 in Summit Township" (an hour out of Pittsburgh) is privately owned, on private property, and thus perfectly legal in the "State of Independence." So, according to its county commission, there's nothing that can be done. But some folks in the community are fighting to prevent such hate-speech on billboards in the future.

From CBS:

However, those condemning the billboard say they're now motivated to do what they can to prevent another injection of unnecessary hate.  And that plan for prevention is already in motion. A meeting to talk about what can be done to eliminate hate speech in the Butler community and beyond was held Wednesday night. Dozens of people, including clergy members and advocacy groups, discussed how to counter the messages on the billboard.

[UPDATE: 10:33am  From WTAE/ABC4:

The billboard, paid for by local business owner John Placek, shows comments on political stances and beliefs as well as messages regarding race.  Placek spent $150,000 on the electronic billboard, and he has four more in Worthington. "I put my money where my mouth is. I am not making any money. I am spending money," Placek said. Placek said even though some community members want the billboard taken down, don't count on it. "Absolutely not. Never going to happen," Placek said.

A billboard on privately owned land at a busy intersection in Butler County, PA has a Nazi flag slide, and slides about CRT, Biden, and same-sex marriage. pic.twitter.com/FeJXstjgMI  Ron Filipkowski  (@RonFilipkowski) January 13, 2023

Front page thumbnail image: Henryk Sadura / shutterstock.com
The total amount of charitable contributions raised through the fundraising platform United24 reached more than UAH 10 billion.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his video address to the nation, Ukrinform reports.

Today we also opened a new direction in our state charity platform United24, he said.

According to Zelensky, in particular, funds will be used for property restoration for Ukrainians in the territories affected by Russian strikes and occupation.

As of this day, about half a billion hryvnias have already been raised through United24 from people from more than a hundred countries to restore housing. This is a tangible help to both local communities and the state. In general, more than 10 billion hryvnias have already been raised due to the state fundraising platform, the President said.

He thanked everyone who joined the United24 fundraising.

As reported, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and a government team visited the town of Irpin in Kyiv region on January 12. It is from here the government launches the first reconstruction projects within the United24 platform. As many as 18 residential buildings will be restored in Irpin, Borodianka, Hostomel, and the villages of Buzove and Myla.

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The Russian defense manufacturing sector is highly likely resorting to using convict labor in an effort to meet war-time production demands.

The UK Ministry of Defense said this in its latest intelligence update published on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

In November 2022, Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), Russia's largest tank manufacturer, told local media that it would employ 250 prisoners after meeting with the Federal Penal Service (FSIN).

According to the ministry, there is a long tradition of prison labor in Russia, but since 2017 forced labor as a specific criminal punishment was reintroduced.

With one of the highest rates of incarceration in the world, FSIN oversees a sprawling empire of over 400,000 inmates and has frequently been accused of extreme brutality and corruption.

"The prison population provides a unique human resource to Russian leaders to utilize in support of the 'special military operation' while willing volunteers remain in short supply," the update reads.

Convict labor will likely be particularly in demand from manufacturers of relatively low-tech weaponry such as UVZ, which are almost certainly under intense pressure from Moscow to increase their production.
Fighting was going on in the city of Soledar, Donetsk region, at night.

Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said this on the Telegram messaging app, Ukrinform reports.

"The night in Soledar was hot, battles continued. The enemy threw almost all the main forces to the Donetsk area and maintains a high intensity of offensive," Maliar said.

She noted that Ukrainian fighters are bravely trying to hold the defense.

"This is a difficult stage of the war, but we will win. There is no doubt," Maliar said.

On January 12, President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked all Ukrainian soldiers and praised the paratroopers and fighters who are holding their positions in Soledar and inflicting significant losses on the enemy.

Photo: Zelenskiy
Russia is trying to create an army of two million people.

That's according to the website of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Ukrinform reports.

"According to estimates by Ukraine's military intelligence, the scale of the mobilization measures being carried out by the aggressor country indicates that its leadership plans to create an army with the number of about two million people," the report said.

According to the intelligence agency, during the first wave of mobilization, 300,000 people were drafted into the Russian armed forces. After a short training, the mobilized are sent to the area of hostilities in Ukraine.

Ukraine's intelligence does not rule out that the Russian leadership will announce another wave of mobilization in the coming days. Another 500,000 Russians will join the armed forces, which will allow the terrorist country to create strategic reserves. Preparations for the announcement of the next wave of mobilization in Russia are already underway. At the legislative level, changes regulating mobilization are being made to Russian laws. The active preparation of training centers is also underway.
The enemy struck 11 settlements in the Bakhmut sector on January 13, and the battle for Soledar is going on.

According to Ukrinform, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in an evening update on Facebook on January 13.

"During the day, Ukrainian aircraft carried out nine strikes on areas of concentration of the invaders, and our units of rocket and artillery forces hit a command post, six personnel concentration areas, an anti-aircraft missile system and three ammunition depots of the enemy," the report reads.

According to the General Staff, Russian troops on Friday launched two missile strikes on the civilian infrastructure of Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, and eight air strikes on the positions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Also, the enemy launched more than 40 attacks using multiple launch rocket systems.

The threat of Russian air and missile strikes remains in place for the entire territory of Ukraine.

According to the General Staff, the invaders continue to suffer losses. It was established that combat medics of the Russian armed forces arrived at the Novotroitske Central District Hospital, located in the temporarily captured part of the Kherson region, to replenish the shortage of medical personnel. As of January 12, there were up to 160 wounded invaders in the hospital, equipped as a military hospital.

Between February 24, 2022 and January 13, 2023, the Defense Forces of Ukraine killed 114,130 Russian military personnel and destroyed 3,098 enemy tanks, 6,167 armored fighting vehicles, 2,086 artillery systems and other equipment of the invaders.
The United States supports the initiatives of allies and partners to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons, including tanks, but this also requires the ability to train Ukrainian soldiers on the equipment provided, sustain and maintain it.

We are absolutely supportive of any type of defense capabilities that our international allies and partners can provide to Ukraine to include tanks, General Patrick Ryder, Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Defense, said during a briefing at the Pentagon on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

According to him, one of the equations considered is the ability to train Ukrainians, sustain and maintain this equipment. In this context, he stressed: We're going to continue to keep all options on the table, when it comes to the capabilities that we provide to Ukraine.

The Pentagon Press Secretary expressed his belief that this issue will be discussed at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Ramstein, Germany, on January 20. At the same time, according to him, the meeting participants will also focus on Ukraines air defense capabilities and ammunition supply.

In addition, Ryder said preparations are currently underway for training the Ukrainian Armed Forces units on Bradley fighting vehicles, which will be transferred to Ukraine as part of the latest large-scale package of U.S. security assistance from the United States.

Those [combat] vehicles will go to Germany first so that the Ukrainians can train on them as part of the combined arms and joint maneuver training, the Pentagon representative specified.

He noted that the training is expected to begin in Germany next week.

As reported, on January 11, President of Poland Andrzej Duda announced that Poland would hand over a company of German Leopard heavy tanks to Ukraine. Later, President of Finland Sauli Niinisto expressed his readiness also to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine under certain conditions.

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In March, Italy intends to hold a large Ukraine restoration conference, to which both state-run and private companies will be invited to participate.

This is noted in the statement by the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy following the visit of minister Adolfo Urso to Ukraine.

"Urso informed his interlocutors that, in agreement with Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani, preparations are underway for a large restoration conference which will bring together Ukrainian and Italian authorities and business at the table," reads the statement.

Read also: Yermak discusses possibilities for new cooperation projects with Italian delegation

It is noted that the minister discussed in Kyiv the issues on the agenda of the upcoming conference.

"I confirmed Italy's full support for the early start of reconstruction, the continuation of humanitarian aid and the careful consideration of Ukraine's requests for the restoration of strategic infrastructure, such as power grids, both in a bilateral and European context," Urso said.

As a reminder, Adolfo Urso is the first minister of the new Italian government who visited Ukraine.

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Ukraine and Ghana are considering the possibility of implementing a joint project on the construction of logistics hub for food storage.

This was discussed during a meeting between Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Mykola Solskyi and Minister of Food and Agriculture of Ghana Owusu Afriyie Akoto, Ukrinform reports with reference to the press service of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy.

The parties discussed the issue of starting a joint project: the construction of a logistics hub for food storage. Such a hub will make it possible to store high-quality grain, contribute to the predictability of sales, and stabilize food prices.

The meeting participants agreed to consider in more detail the possibility of implementing a joint Ukrainian-African project in the field of logistics cooperation.

The ministers also discussed deepening agriculture cooperation and expanding international trade and economic relations.

The Republic of Ghana is the third country visited by the delegation of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine as part of the official tour of African countries.

As reported, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine signed a memorandum on agriculture cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Infrastructure, and Food Sovereignty of the Republic of Senegal during the delegations visit to the Republic of Senegal.

Ukraine will also consider the proposal of Nigeria to build a logistics hub for grain and food supplies.

Photo: Ministry of Agrarian Policy

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The release of three Ukrainian members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, who have been illegally detained by Russia for more than 10 months, is a matter of the authority of the OSCE and trust in this Organization.

Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the International Organizations in Vienna, made a corresponding statement at the OSCE Permanent Council meeting on January 12, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

The Ukrainian ambassador stressed that only three days ago, on January 9, a former staff member of the OSCE SMM and currently OSCE Secretariats official Mr. Maksym Petrov turned 43 years old in illegal Russian captivity.

Together with two other OSCE officials, Vadym Golda and Dmytro Shabanov, Maksym Petrov has been in illegal detention for over 10 months after being taken hostage by the Russian Federation, which is still sitting at the one table with us. The release of these people is about the credibility of OSCE, where Russia still unjustifiably keeps its seat, Tsymbaliuk said.

In addition, he noted, the rejection of a Renewed OSCE European Security Dialogue, closure of OSCE missions in Ukraine, blocking Organizations annual budget and the next CIO for 2024, unjustified reduction of the mandate of the OSCE mission in Moldova is the best illustration of Russias true hidden intentions with regard to our Organization.

Under the guise of a dialogue and demands to take into account its interests, Moscow will blackmail and destroy the OSCE from inside if the participating States do not accept its alternative vision of this Organization. What Russia wants is to shrink the OSCE to its cold war origins with zones of influences and great powers balance, the Ukrainian diplomat said.

As reported, four Ukrainians  national members of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission  were detained in Russian-occupied Donetsk and Luhansk after February 24. Later, one of them was released.

In September, Russian propaganda media outlets reported that two OSCE SMM members, Maksym Petrov and Dmytro Shabanov (interpreter and security assistant), were "found guilty of high treason and sentenced to 13 years in prison by the so-called "supreme court of LPR".

In an interview with Ukrinform in December 2022, OSCE Secretary General Helga Maria Schmid said that securing the release of SMM staff is one of the priorities of her agenda, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of SMM members.

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Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with the Italian delegation headed by Minister of Enterprises and of the Made in Italy Adolfo Urso on Thursday evening. The parties discussed the possibilities of developing new cooperation projects in various areas.

Andriy Yermak thanked the new government of Italy and, in particular, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for the strong support of Ukraine, the Presidents Office informs.

"We heard a very strong and principled statement of the Prime Minister at the G19 summit in Bali regarding the support of our Peace Formula and the Peace Summit. Ukrainians are extremely grateful for this, President Volodymyr Zelensky is extremely grateful," the Head of the President's Office noted.

Yermak suggested considering the possibility of launching new infrastructure, logistics, production and commercial projects with Ukraine, which will open new markets for the Made in Italy brand. For its part, Ukraine is interested in the development of the Made in Ukraine program and in supporting the promotion of Ukrainian exports to the Italian market.

Deputy Head of the Presidents Office Rostyslav Shurma told the Italian delegation in detail about the opportunities for UkraineItaly cooperation, in particular in metallurgy, energy, agro-industrial sector, woodworking, mechanical engineering, aerospace, light industry, pharmaceutical industry, etc. He noted that Ukraine has extremely powerful companies that work for the domestic market and have the potential to enter the European markets.

For his part, Adolfo Urso emphasized: Italy supports Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity, as it was repeatedly stated by Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni.

The minister stressed that today the Confindustria representative office starts its work in Ukraine, which testifies to the support from the leading companies of the Italian industry and their interest in participating in the restoration of the Ukrainian infrastructure.

"We are here to talk about cooperation in the field of production and technology, as well as participation in the reconstruction process, both as donors and contractors," said Urso.

He proposed to organize a large conference in Italy with the participation of representatives of the Ukrainian government and Italian business.

In addition, Andriy Yermak informed the representatives of the Italian government about the current situation on the frontline.

It was noted that the Italian government made a decision to provide Ukraine with the sixth package of security assistance. The parties discussed cooperation in this area. Italy will also provide Ukraine with generators to support the energy system, said Adolfo Urso.

The parties discussed the preparation and content of the upcoming visit of Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni to Ukraine.

The meeting was also attended by Ambassador of Italy to Ukraine Pier Francesco Zazo, Diplomatic Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Italian Republic Francesco Maria Talo, Diplomatic Adviser to the Minister of Enterprises and Production of Italy Mario Cospito, First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko, Head of the State Property Fund Rustem Umerov and Deputy Heads of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva, Andriy Sybiha, Roman Mashovets and Rostyslav Shurma.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also met with the Italian delegation. He awarded Adolfo Urso the Order of Merit of the III degree. The Head of State praised the role of the minister in supporting Ukraine in times of ordeals amid Russias full-scale aggression and in strengthening Ukrainian-Italian relations.

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I've been wanting to visit the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles for some time now, and finally was able to do just that! The La Brea Tar Pits are part of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, which provide an overview of the pits:

Right in the heart of L.A. sits the world's most powerful gateway to the Ice Age. The asphalt seeps at La Brea Tar Pits are the only active urban fossil dig site in the world. Plants and animals from the last 50,000 years are discovered here every day. Outside, you can watch excavators carve fossils out of the asphalt. Inside the museum at La Brea Tar Pits (established in 1977 as the George C. Page Museum), our staff prepares these discoveries in the see-through Fossil Lab. You'll see the final result in our exhibitions: extraordinary saber-toothed cats, mammoths, dire wolves, and mastodons, as well as the tiny, but scientifically significant, microfossils of insects, plants, mammals, and reptiles. The Tar Pits help us understand life around Wilshire Boulevard long before we got here, and what lies ahead as climate and habitats continue to change.

The main attraction of the outdoor pits is the mammoth family. Los Angeles Times explains that

The first fiberglass mammoth was driven to the tar pits in 1967 on a trailer pulled by sculptor Howard Ball's 1958 Volkswagen. Its baby and female companion soon followed.

The outdoor signage at the pits includes an image of that first mammoth making its way down Wilshire Boulevard. What a sight that must have been!

You can visit the outdoor sectionwhere the tar pits arefor free, but to see the fossils and exhibits, you'll need to pay to get into the museum. I found it all fascinating, so I recommend doing both. If you don't have the cash or the time to see the museum, a visit to the outdoor (free) pits is still worth the trek.
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic has said Croatia will continue to provide military assistance to Ukraine.

He stated this at a meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas in Tallinn, Ukrinform reports, referring to ERR.

"We do not publicize what we provide to Ukrainians, but it is a substantial military aid in line with what Ukrainians expect from their allies and partners. And we shall continue to do so, he said.

Plenkovic also noted that unfortunately, some of the Croatian MPs failed to make the right historic choices on the situation when it was a simple choice between good and bad.

As Ukrinform reported, Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas at the meeting also emphasized that more weapons must be provided to Ukraine. She added that it is important to lower the "price ceiling" for Russian oil and to continue searching for a way to use frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine.

On December 16, the Croatian parliament rejected a proposal for Croatia to join an EU mission in support of the Ukrainian military (EUMAM).

Photo: regnum

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President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed the solemn session of the Seimas of Lithuania on the occasion of the Freedom Defenders Day and the ceremony of awarding the Freedom Prize of the Republic of Lithuania.

Ukrinform provides the full text of the address, referring to the presidents press service.

Thank you very much!

Dear friends!

Gitanas, Mr. President! Madam First Lady Diana!

Madam Speaker! Madam Prime Minister!

Mrs. Paule Kuzmickiene, thank you very much for your words!

Ladies and gentlemen deputies of the Seimas! All attendees!

Dear Lithuanian people!

I am glad to greet you and I want to thank you at once for not betraying freedom for a single minute.

And not only during these 323 days of cruel, inhuman Russian war - when we constantly feel your support.

But for many years - when the free hearts of Lithuanians and the Lithuanian path to a united Europe inspired many people in different countries once enslaved by Russia.

Lithuania is and, I am sure, will continue to be one of the most sincere defenders of freedom. And this is the best way to honor the memory and feat of the heroes who defeated the empire on those winter days 32 years ago.

Your people did not just defend the buildings of the TV center, parliament and others. You defended your historical choice.

Now we are also heading to victory. To the final victory over that empire.

Russia will no longer be able to dictate anything to the peoples of Europe when we end this war with the unequivocal defeat of the aggressor.

Remember February last year. Remember the offensive of Russian troops on Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Chernihiv. It was much more than Russia's attempt to seize our territory.

Encroaching on our cities, they meant the cities of other independent states of Europe as well.

Attacking Kyiv, they dreamed of attacking Vilnius. And Riga, and Warsaw, and Prague, and Chisinau.

They wanted our freedom to fall.

But it is they who will fall.

And now they have less and less such dreams. They are losing the power they boasted about. They are only talking about whether they will manage not to lose.

However, this is not enough.

We must make sure that no aggressor will ever have the opportunity to dream of something similar and encroach on our freedom.

This is what we are fighting for. This is why our victory must be unequivocal now.

The one that cannot be confused with anything. The one that will not be forgotten in Russia. The one that cannot be manipulated.

The aggressor must be defeated.

On the Ukrainian land where he came. So that it wont be necessary to fight on the lands of other European nations later. And now - so that Russia does not get a break, does not have time to adapt and cannot restore its strength.

This year is crucial.

Back then, when your people had to defend their national life against Soviet revenge, it was impossible to protract it in time. It was necessary to act here, to act now - to defend yourselves.

Your people have done so. Lithuanian hearts were fully mobilized.

And this was the key to your victory at that time.

Now we need even greater mobilization - in the whole free world. This is the only way to put an end to full-scale aggression. Total terror. The energy of the struggling world must not diminish.

And I thank you for being ready to help us with this. I am sure, and I was convinced of this the day before yesterday when I spoke with Gitanas, with Mr. President, in Lviv.

We need urgent decisions by our entire anti-war coalition. New defensive decisions that will give Ukrainian warriors the opportunity to drive the Russian army out of our land. And this concerns, first of all, modern tanks and effective artillery.

We need new sanction decisions that will maintain constant and irresistible pressure on the aggressor state and on all economic actors that ensure the continuation of aggression.

And we need an international tribunal, which will bring to justice those whose evil minds gave birth to this crime, this war.

When the revanchists from present-day Moscow will face a fair trial, it will be a historic punishment for those revanchists who tried to break our freedom a generation ago.

Dear friends!

This day - Freedom Defenders Day - is the right time to remind that freedom is alive when the idea of its protection is alive. When there are people willing to fight for it. And when it is not just rhetoric, but real actions.

Actions that Ukraine sees from Lithuania invariably.

Actions that help us liberate our cities and villages from Russian occupation.

Actions that help us protect our people from Russian missiles and bombs - I want to thank you, Gitanas, I thank you and the entire Lithuanian people for the air defense equipment provided to us - from the first day to this day.

And also these are actions that bring closer the full integration of Ukraine and the institutions of the United, free, peaceful Europe. And we are looking forward to the NATO Summit in Vilnius. We know that it can become fateful for our entire Euro-Atlantic community. We will do everything to make it so. And we will do it together!

Because history is always the achievement of the free.

Thank you, friends! Thank you for this honorary award for all Ukrainians who are fighting for freedom!

I believe that we will win! I know that we will win!

Glory to Ukraine!

Photo: Presidents Office
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky has discussed with his Slovak counterpart Zuzana Caputova defense cooperation.

President Zelensky wrote this on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

Talked about further Ukraine-Slovakia defense cooperation with President of Slovakia Zuzana Caputova. Invited to join the implementation of the Peace Formula, Zelensky wrote.

The presidents also discussed joint international events.

As reported by Ukrinform, on November 15, 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the 10-step Peace Formula at the G20 Summit.

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba and Irish Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin have discussed the implementation of the peace formula and coordinated steps within international organizations.

In my call with Micheal Martin TD, I thanked Ireland for its unwavering support. We discussed the implementation of the Peace Formula and coordinated steps within international organizations. I reiterated that Russias permanent membership in the UNSC is illegitimate, Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

Read also: Kuleba meets with Italian minister of enterprise

As reported by Ukrinform, on November 15, 2022, President Volodymyr Zelensky presented the 10-step Peace Formula at the G20 Summit.

In addition, Ukraine initiated a process aimed at depriving Russia of its status as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and excluding it from the UN as a whole.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama have discussed Albania's support for Ukraine's peace formula.

According to Ukrinform, Zelensky said this in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

"Had a conversation with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama. Congratulated on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between our countries and noted the decision to open an embassy in Kyiv," he said.

In addition to supporting the peace formula, Zelensky and Rama discussed the situation on the frontline, the importance of increasing security assistance to Ukraine, and Albania's support for the Peace Formula.

Albanian Parliament Speaker Lindita Nikolla said at the first parliamentary summit of the international Crimea Platform last October that Albania supports the position and actions of Ukraine, as Russia in synergy with various authoritarian countries poses a threat to civilization in Europe and the entire planet.

On January 12, it emerged that on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Albania decided to open an embassy in Ukraine.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
The U.S. Department of the Interior, under the leadership of Secretary Deb Haaland, announced yesterday that it had renamed five places that used a racist term for a Native American woman. The places, located in California, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas, will no longer contain the word "squaw" in their names.

Secretary Haaland, the first Native American to hold a Cabinet position, stated that "Words matter, particularly in our work to ensure our nation's public lands and waters are accessible and welcoming to people of all backgrounds." and emphasized the importance of removing the term "squaw" which she deemed as "harmful."

This move follows similar actions taken by the Interior Department in 1962 and 1974, when derogatory terms for Black and Japanese people were removed from place names.

From NPR:
Why the Buffalo Angels invested in a San Diego startup

The Buffalo Angels are one of the newest investors in an online patient engagement platform for doctor's offices.

But the company, Well iQ, isn't based in Western New York. It's in San Diego.

The Buffalo Angels is a group of investors that put money into early-stage startup companies, typically in Western New York. So to invest in a company outside of the Buffalo-Niagara region is a "unique situation" for the angels, Buffalo Angels Executive Director Jack McGowan said.

Here's why the group decided to invest.

Well iQ has a strong upstate New York tie

Several physicians at Excelsior Orthopedics in Western New York approached the Buffalo Angels with the opportunity to invest in Well iQ.

Excelsior had been a customer of Well iQ, and the physicians were impressed with the results they saw. Since June 2021, patient reviews of Excelsior increased 1,300%.

"The doctors at Excelsior don't make these kinds of investments regularly," McGowan said. "So they approached us because we've got the process, we do the due diligence. We were able to negotiate the terms of the deal and the documentation. We facilitated the closing, and now we'll continue to have a relationship with the company and monitor their progress. We had that infrastructure, so they came to us and we said, 'Yeah, let's give it a shot,' and it worked out well."

The Buffalo Angels invested $145,000 in Well iQ, McGowan said.

This is the first time the angels invested in a company outside Western New York, McGowan said.

But other than Excelsior's positive experience with the company, Well iQ does have another connection to upstate New York.

Well iQ has a strong partnership with Medent, a medical software company in Auburn, outside of Syracuse. Medent has integrated the Well iQ survey app with its electronic health record platform.

In addition to the investment from Buffalo Angels, two Excelsior doctors, Jason Matuszak and Nicholas Violante, joined Well iQ's board of directors.

Buffalo Angels working to grow its membership

Angel investors are essential to any startup community. They provide the capital startups need to get off the ground and keep growing.

Western New York has a small but dedicated group of angel investors. Part of McGowan's role with the Buffalo Angels is to grow that group.

That's another reason the angels decided to invest in Well iQ.

"We're hoping that some of the doctors at Excelsior that invested will be interested in looking at other deals with us and become part of our network, as well," McGowan said. "It made sense to help to potentially expand our group, as well as provide our members the opportunity to invest in a company that obviously a number of them liked."

In 2022, Buffalo Angels invested in five deals contributing a little under $1 million, McGowan said.

Angel investors must meet certain criteria set by the federal government. They need to have at least $1 million in assets, excluding their home, or have earned at least $200,000 annually for the past two years as a single person or $300,000 as a married couple.

 Natalie Brophy

Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up:

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.

Western New York Impact Investment Fund reaches $12 million

The Western New York Impact Investment Fund has raised another $1 million from four new investors.

Five Star Bank, Evans Bank and Jim and Vicki Newman recently became investors in the fund  a for-profit entity that invests in local companies making a positive impact on the community. It launched in 2017 with around $8 million to invest.

Last year, the fund announced a second series of $11.5 million to invest in companies making a measurable social impact in areas such as workforce education, diversity and development, neighborhood revitalization, health and the environment.

After these latest investments, the fund now sits at $12.45 million, and the group said it has begun investing the money.

The fund has previously made investments in local companies such as Viridi Parente, Circuit Clinical and CleanFiber, among others.

"Were seeing high-quality investment opportunities that showcase the fortitude and innovative mindset of Western New York entrepreneurs," fund CEO Tom Quinn said. "Were coming in to light the match on those ambitions and to play a small part in a much bigger movement."

THE LATEST

Catch up on the latest news from the Buffalo Niagara economy:

What would Gov. Kathy Hochul's plan to spur housing developments across the state mean for the Buffalo Niagara region?

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership is laying out its priorities for this year.

Edwards Vacuum is seeking $17 million in tax breaks for its big plant in the Town of Alabama.

Frequentem Brewing Co., a Canandaigua-based brewery, will open in the former Barcalounger factory in the Old First Ward.

Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing a $1 billion initiative to improve access to mental health services across the state.

Opponents are taking a stand against a proposed apartment complex on Maple Road in Amherst.

Neighbors are criticizing Douglas Jemal's plans for a five-story building at Elmwood and Bidwell avenues in Buffalo.

West-Herr Automotive Group is buying some dealerships from Towne Automotive Group.

Nurses at the Veterans Administration hospital in Buffalo say management there needs to do better planning for disasters, like last month's blizzard, and to boost staffing.

People Inc. named a new CEO.

Delaware North bought a hotel near the Grand Canyon.

Remember A&W restaurants? One is coming back to Western New York.

The Aldrich & Ray building in Buffalo finally is getting the historic designation its owner has long sought.

Lackawanna officials are looking for developers for a two-acre site on Abbott Road.

The latest class of 43North winners is beginning to settle in.

Bison Botanics wants to branch out into new segments of the state's legalized cannabis market.

A state agency is doing stabilization work at the historic Hutchinson Chapel by the Peace Bridge.

Cornerstone Community credit union is looking to expand in Lockport.

A wind turbine components manufacturer is planning to bring some of its offshore production to a site in Lockport.

Rising costs are buffeting a project to bring new activity to the former John Kam Malt site.

The John R. Oishei Children's Hospital in Buffalo won a designation that it believes will play a big part in stabilizing its finances.

The United Way of Buffalo & Erie County is setting up a relief fund to aid nonprofit organizations that help community members impacted by last month's blizzard.

Spectrum Health and Human Services has a new CEO, and it's a familiar face.

Efforts to build up the region's workforce are getting a boost from $1 million in new state funding.

Father Sam's Bakery is looking to expand its East Buffalo bakery, and it wants tax breaks to help pay for it.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. Damar Hamlin's Chasing M's Foundation isn't so little anymore. With donations flowing in since the Buffalo Bills safety suffered cardiac arrest during a Jan. 2 game, the foundation now needs to make fundamental changes to manage and distribute its assets and to ensure the proper oversight, experts said.

2. For looted stores, a costly recovery: Stores looted during the December blizzard have been scrambling to reopen. But the process is involved and insurance doesn't always cover the costs.

3. Bounce back for Buffalo Niagara economy: The value of all the goods and services produced in the region, which dropped by 3.4% during the pandemic, came roaring back last year, with a 5.3% gain.

4. The Bills make me want to shop: How Buffalo Bills merchandise is flying off shelves this season.

5. How will Western New York's higher education institutions recover from Covid-19? Enrollment at some local schools is holding up, but others are struggling to attract students.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Deputy Business Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week.
A Buffalo teenager was taken into surgery Thursday at Erie County Medical Center after being stabbed at One Fountain Plaza, according to a Buffalo Police Department spokesman.

Police were called to the scene about 3:20 p.m., after which the teenage boy was transported to ECMC. No additional information was available at this time, the spokesman said.

In November 2021, two Emerson School of Hospitality students were stabbed during an argument as they were getting off an NFTA Metro Rail train at Fountain Plaza. The boys  who were 16 and 17 at the time  were taken to ECMC where they were both treated and released.

Buffalo Public Schools officials said three students at the Buffalo School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management on West Huron Street, across a parking lot from Emerson, which is on West Chippewa, were accused of instigating the "violent altercation" in that incident. Mayor Byron W. Brown told school officials that two patrol officers would be stationed in Fountain Plaza "as a preventative, calming presence until further notice," according to a school district spokesperson.
January 13 2023

The northern and eastern fringe of Glasgow city centre is to be the subject of a new public consultation from 20 January, as a 10-year regeneration plan governing planning and placemaking is devised for four key locations.

District Regeneration Frameworks (DRFs) are to be developed over the next 18 months for Cowcaddens, Learning Quarter, Merchant City and Townhead by a project team iheaded by MVRDV together with local consultant Austin Smith Lord, Arup and Gerry Grams.

The team will steer Townhead to develop as an urban neighbourhood while the Merchant City is positioned as an artistic centre. Sandwiched between the two the Learning Quarter would build on links to Strathclyde University while the priority for Cowcaddens is the repurposing of underoccupied buildings and land.

Councillor Angus Millar, commented: The eastern and northern areas of our city centre are home to some of our more established residential communities, learning institutions and businesses, but they also have so much potential for positive regeneration."

Five earlier DRFs have been developed for Blythswood, Broomielaw, Central, Sauchiehall/Garnethill and St Enoch districts; including a feasibility study for an M8 cap and a revamped George Square.
(@Abdulla99267510)

Consul General to Los Angeles Asim Ali Khan says the United States represents a significant and potential export market for Pakistan.

LAHORE: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Jan13rd, 2023) Pakistan Consul General to Los Angeles Asim Ali Khan visited LCCI on Friday to learn about the challenges being faced by the business community in doing business with United States of America.

The meeting with LCCI President Kashif Anwar continued for well an hour which was also attended by Senior Vice President Chaudhry Zafar Mahmood, Vice President Adnan Khalid Butt and Executive Committee Members.

The Consul General said that said that the United States represents a significant and potential export market for Pakistan. The Chambers of Commerce are responsible for informing the consulate of what may be done to advance trade between the two nations.

The Consul General said that United States is a huge market which is also called the land of opportunities. Pakistan Consulate in Los Angeles will extend every possible help to Pakistani business community to explore the trade and investment opportunities there. He said that the consulate has the access to 10 states including California.

He said that all the embassies of Pakistan have a commercial counselor and TDAP representatives. He said that the consulate will ensure B2B liaison between the two countries.

He said that the purpose of an embassy is that when the citizens of that country come there, they feel that they have an office there which can resolve their issues. He said that the consulate will do whatever it can according to the realistic expectations.

The consulate will convey event-related information to the concerned platforms. He said that if the business community will say that another country is getting a facility but not Pakistan, the matter will be resolved politically. He said that Pakistan is an open market and there are no export barriers. He said that Pakistani business community should be out of compliancy and see that what can they achieve through aggressive approach.

He further stated that the growth pattern of all the sectors in US is not as fast as the growth of IT sector. Pakistani businessmen should also focus this particular area.

LCCI President Kashif Anwar said that Pakistan has a very old diplomatic relationship with the US which started in 1947. Both the countries cooperate with each other in almost all spheres of life, including bilateral trade, defense, social and cultural relations.

He said that Pakistani exporters, who want to participate in the exhibitions in US, get appoint in the US Embassy in six to eight month.

In such a scenario, how can they explore the potential?

He said that we have to do work for tax net expansion, exports boost, imports reduction and increase in foreign remittances. He said that expatriate Pakistanis should be encouraged to invest in Pakistan.

He said that United States has been Pakistan's largest export destination for a long time, while still 20% of our exports go to America.

In this regard, these statistics are very important that from 2007 to 2018, the volume of Pakistan's exports to America was $ 3 billion which increased to a little over $ 4 billion in 2019 and 2020. For the first time in history, our export volume has reached about $6.8 billion in 2021-22 which is very encouraging.

The LCCI President said that in the last two years, there has also been an improvement in our imports from the US, which have increased from $2.5 billion in 2020-21 to $3.1 billion in 2021-22. It is imperative that we continue to maintain this positive trend. He said that the volume of exports to the United States can increase to at least 10 billion Dollars.

He said that Pakistan is in dire need of increasing its exports as our trade deficit has reached $17 billion in six months of the current financial year (Jul-Dec 2022). It has become inevitable for us to reduce imports, but in comparison to this, we urgently need to increase our exports.

Kashif Anwar said that for this purpose, the commercial sections of our embassies abroad should prepare survey reports about the markets of Pakistan and America and send them to the chambers of Commerce so that they can guide the business community of both countries.

He said that both countries have already signed the Trade & Investment Framework Agreement to promote trade and investment. Now we need to pave the way for the Free Trade Agreement.

He said that Pakistans Consul General to Loss Angeles will use his influence help increase the links between the private sectors of the two countries, the existing trade relations can be further improved. He said that the trade fairs and exchange of trade delegations can also play an important role in this regard.

Apart from this, the investors should also be encouraged to invest in energy sector, mobile device, electric vehicle and housing and construction sectors etc. in Pakistan, he said and added that America is considered a giant in terms of modern technology. We also need to strive for technology transfer. If a model like Silicon Valley is implemented in Pakistan, our IT Graduates will get opportunities to earn valuable foreign exchange for the country apart from employment.

The LCCI President said that it is important to mention here that the Lahore Chamber has a very good working relationship with the US Consulate in Lahore and the two institutions continue to meet from time to time. This helps us to further develop trade and investment initiatives.

Senior Vice President Chaudhry Zafar Mahmood called for a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries saying that Pakistani exporters face duty barrier in US while there is a zero rating for India and Bangladesh. Thats why Pakistani exporters have to export through third country.
(@FahadShabbir)

NEW YORK , (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2023 ) :At least six people were killed in the US state of Alabama as tornadoes swept through the southeast of the country, Governor Kay Ivey said on Thursday.

"I am sad to have learned that six Alabamians were lost to the storms that ravaged across our state," the governor said in a tweet.

"My prayers are with their loved ones and communities. We are far too familiar with devastating weather, but our people are resilient. We will get through it and be stronger for it," she wrote.

The governor declared a state of emergency for several counties hit hardest by the storms. Extensive damage was reported, with heavy rain and strong winds damaging homes and leaving tens of thousands of people without power in Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2023 ) :Hip-hop pioneers De La Soul are finally releasing their classic early hits on streaming platforms from Friday after decades-long battles over their samples.

The roll-out starts with the single "The Magic Number" from the platinum-selling 1989 album "3 Feet High and Rising". It got a new lease of life when featured on the soundtrack to 2021's "Spiderman: No Way Home".

The New York trio's first six albums, dating from 1989 to 2001, have not appeared on streaming platforms because their label, Tommy Boy, never tackled the huge legal task of clearing all the samples (there are some 60 to 70 on "3 Feet..." alone).

The group cleared the rights for sales of vinyl and audio cassettes, but streaming offers a much more lucrative and ongoing source of revenue that requires specific deals with each rights-holder.

De La Soul are well aware of the dangers of unlicensed sampling, having been at the centre of a landmark case in 1991 when the little-known band The Turtles sued them for sampling one of their songs and won a reported $1.7 million.

"That first album by De La Soul marked the end of sound sampling as it was practised before, with little concern for credits," journalist and rap expert Olivier Cachin told AFP. "The whole album was a mosaic of samples.

" - 'We were frustrated' - Known for their positive spirit, in contrast to the tough gangster image of West Coast rap at the time, De La Soul are now heralded as one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time.

But they recently told the industry magazine Billboard: "It almost felt like we were being erased from history because our music wasn't up (on streamers)." At one point in 2014 -- after they had reached a new generation of fans through their collaborations with Damon Albarn's Gorillaz and touring -- the trio even organised a free giveaway of their albums online.

"We were frustrated with people not being able to just get it," they told the New York Times at the time.

The situation was finally resolved after Tommy Boy was acquired in 2021 for a reported $100 million by rights company Reservoir Media, who set about signing all the necessary deals with sampled artists.

From March 3 -- 34 years to the day since the release of "3 Feet..." -- all six albums will be available to stream, including "De La Soul Is Dead" (1991), "Buhloone Mindstate" (1993), "Stakes Is High" (1996), "Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump" (2000) and "AOI: Bionix" (2001).

"We can't believe this day is finally here, and we are excited to be able to share our music with fans, old and new," they said in a statement.
Warsaw, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2023 ) :The number of irregular border crossings into the European Union increased by 64 per cent last year compared to 2021 to reach the highest level since 2016, Frontex said on Friday.

The EU's border agency said around 330,000 entries were detected -- 45 per cent of them through the Western Balkans.

"This was the second year in a row with a steep rise in the number of irregular entries," Frontex said, adding that Afghans, Syrians and Tunisians accounted for 47 per cent of the irregular crossings last year.

"The number of Syrians roughly doubled to 94,000", Frontex added.

The Central Mediterranean route accounted for the second-highest number of crossings, rising by more than half to over 100,000.

The agency said women accounted for fewer than one in 10 of the crossings, while the share of reported minors fell to around nine per cent of all irregular entries.
Edward "Terry" Parson Jr. didn't lose power in his apartment when the Buffalo blizzard hit on Dec. 23.

"I talked to him Christmas Day. He was all right. He sounded OK. He didnt express any difficulties. He had power. So he was good, said his younger brother, Preston.

But on Dec. 28, after Parson's sister could not reach him on the phone, a relative went to check on him at his apartment on Broadway.

They found Parson dead, in an unheated apartment that had lost its electrical power, said Preston Parson.

"He froze to death," Preston Parson said.

Newly identified people who died in the Buffalo blizzard The Buffalo News obtained an Erie County record that identified 35 people who died due last month's blizzard. These are the 20 victims on that list who had not previously been publicly identified and whose deaths The Buffalo News independently confirmed.

Parson, 74, was one of 35 people who died due to the blizzard whose names were on a list of blizzard fatalities that an Erie County official accidentally emailed Wednesday to a Buffalo News reporter. Twenty-four people on the list had not previously been publicly identified as blizzard deaths in any news accounts.

Ten of those people died like Parson, in an unheated Buffalo home that had lost electrical power during a storm that knocked out power to 108,000 National Grid customers in Western New York.

In all, at least 44 people died in Erie and Niagara counties due to the blizzard that paralyzed the Buffalo region beginning Dec. 23 and through Christmas, making it the second-deadliest single weather disaster in the United States in 2022, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration statistics. Hurricane Ian, which struck Florida Sept. 28, killed 144 people, according to the Florida Medical Examiner's Office.

Among the newly identified victims were gut-wrenching deaths, like that of Kennedi Gaines, a 3-year-old Buffalo girl who died Jan. 3, days after she was pulled unconscious from a pool at a hotel where her family had sought refuge after their home lost power. A funeral was held Thursday for Gaines, the youngest of the 44 blizzard victims. Her family created a GoFundMe fundraiser to help cover the cost of the funeral.

One person died under a bridge near Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park, according to the county's data. Another was found in the snow, and had been hit by a high lift snow removal vehicle.

A few of the victims died in Buffalo's suburbs. For instance, the county list said Dr. Michael Bloom was found outside his home in Amherst. Bloom, who had a family medicine practice for 42 years, died Jan. 2.

But like Parson, whose funeral is scheduled at noon Saturday at the Brian K. Lewis Funeral Home, nearly all of the newly identified blizzard victims died in Buffalo.

Erie County sought to block disclosure

Erie County has previously refused to release the names of blizzard fatalities but accidentally disclosed the names in an email to a reporter Wednesday. The Buffalo News sought to independently confirm those deaths and reach families of those who had not yet been identified.

The email was sent in response to a Freedom of Information Law request from The Buffalo News that sought the names and ages of people whose deaths were related to the blizzard. The News also requested the locations their bodies were found and, if known, how they died during the storm.

Other municipalities, including Niagara County and the Town of Amherst, have disclosed the names of blizzard victims.

Erie County Attorney Jeremy C. Toth said Wednesday he would provide some of that information, but not the names of the deceased. He said New York State county health law prevents disclosure of certain medical records and coroner's reports and the state Freedom of Information Law has an exemption for records that would constitute an "unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."

"Its a balancing act, and certainly a different administration or a different group of people or a judge might engage in a different balancing act, but we had multiple departments on this, and I think we've arrived at a pretty reasonable approach here," Toth said.

County officials provided a spreadsheet with the dates of death, whether they occurred in Buffalo or a surrounding suburb, and the age, gender and race of the dead people.

But in that same document, the county mistakenly provided The News with a second spreadsheet with the names of the deceased, the specific addresses where they were found and the suspected causes of death.

"Our intention was to not disclose the names," Toth said. "Now it turns out we released the names in error."

The county's list, which was created by the Erie County's Medical Examiner's Office and its Department of Health, was a work in progress, according to Toth and Poloncarz's deputy press secretary, Dan Meyer. The list did not include the names of eight people who died in Erie County due to the blizzard, including some who have previously been publicly identified by their relatives or police as blizzard fatalities.

3 days without heat

Asenith M. Musiel, 75, survived for three days without heat and electricity in an Erb Street apartment before succumbing to an apparent heart attack in her sleep, according to her son, Joseph, who found her dead on Dec. 26 when he went to check on her in the morning.

We did our best, but apparently from the cold weather she had got a blood clot and it broke free and caused her a heart attack, said Joseph Musiel.

He said he made sure his mother, who had prior health issues and received regular dialysis treatments, wore multiple layers of clothes, and he put a hat on her head and wrapped her in blankets.

The cold definitely affected her, he said. She was just saying, Im so cold. I said, 'I know mom, we gotta wait until the power come back on. You gotta fight it out.' 

Council member calls for investigation into Buffalo's response to blizzard Fillmore District Council Member Mitch Nowakowski called for the creation of a panel to address questions and concerns about the city's actions and response to the blizzard.

It wasnt possible for them to leave the apartment and find a place with heat, he added, because he recently had neck surgery and was unable to lift more than five pounds. So much snow had piled in front of their door, he couldnt get it open. And no one could get to them in the blizzard anyway, he said.

Its a no-win situation. But I never thought it was to the point that my mother was not going to make it through, he said.

Joseph Musiel said his mother worked as an aide at School No. 8 when she was younger and was a longtime volunteer at the African Cultural Center.

She was only 4-feet-8, but she was a big person. She was a bundle of joy. She loved to dance and she loved God, he said.

In addition to her son, shes also survived by a daughter, Precious Thompson; a son, Marcus Dennis; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Died on Christmas

Doris Williams, 91, died during the blizzard on Christmas Day at the Lyndon B. Johnson Apartments on Humboldt Parkway, where she lived 30 years. Her apartment had lost its heat and her death was cold-related, according to the county list.

Her daughter Kathy W. Lassiter, 67, on Thursday said Williams was born in North Carolina but moved to Buffalo at a young age. Williams was a homemaker who raised five kids  three daughters and two sons.

"The 91-year-old grandmother and mother will be remembered by family and friends as compassionate and caring," Lassiter said.

Williams lived a simple life, Lassiter said, the product of her humble upbringing  with no running water and outhouses instead of toilets  in the South.

Lassiter said her mother's Christian faith was deepened later in life through the Rev. Frederick A. Gelsey's One In Christ ministry and his "humble demeanor" when delivering Meals on Wheels to her apartment complex, which is run by the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.

"I loved my mother," Lassiter said. "I loved her with everything in my heart."

The News' FOI request

After learning that the list created by the Medical Examiner's Office and Health Department had been accidentally sent to The News, Toth and Meyer said they could not confirm or deny the accuracy of the information on its list, and they asked The News not to publish the names. They said the list was incomplete and was a working draft.

The News attempted to contact the families of all of the newly identified blizzard victims so that it could write about them. When it could not identify or locate relatives, it asked funeral directors to contact the relatives to let them know The News hoped to interview them.

The News was not able to independently confirm the deaths of four people who the county identified as blizzard fatalities on its list, so it is not identifying those four.

In its Freedom of Information request to Poloncarz, The News noted that it is common practice for governments to provide reporters and the public with the names of people who die in public  such as outside during snowstorms and other events  as well as in car crashes and homicides.

Niagara County, for example, released the name of its single blizzard-related death. Amherst also released the names and circumstances of three blizzard-related deaths in the town.

Police agencies throughout Western New York regularly provide such information.

Paul Wolf, president of the nonprofit New York Coalition For Open Government, said there is "no legitimate reason for the county to withhold the names of those who died."

In its request to the county, The News pointed out that providing such information could not only inform the public about the human cost of the storm, but also dispel rumors about alleged government cover-ups that were circulating on the 70,000-person Buffalo Blizzard 2022 Facebook group.

"There is a public interest in knowing the names of those who died in this terrible storm," Wolf said. "The names of those who die in accidents and homicides are routinely released by government officials. Why would the deaths from a storm be treated differently?"
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2023 ) :President Dr Arif Alvi has rejected the appeal of an accused of sexual harassment at the workplace in which he had requested for his another cross-examination after the engagement of a fresh counsel.

Rejecting the appeal, the president referred the case back to the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment at Workplace (FOSPAH) for final adjudication after appraisal of the evidence, a President House statement said on Friday.

The president endorsed Ombudsperson's observation that the filing of appeal by the accused was an apparent attempt to prolong the impugned case indefinitely to enhance the anguish and agony of the complainant.

It was further observed that the matter had already consumed sufficient time in the disposal due to the accused's miscellaneous applications and was tantamount to starting a new round of litigation which prima facie was against the spirit and scheme of the Act 2010.

President Alvi observed that the complainant who had filed a case of sexual harassment under section 8 of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010 before the Ombudsperson on May 27, 2019 had yet not been adjudicated.

The accused had filed a representation before the president against the order of September 23, 2021 for seeking permission to reexamine the complainant again by a fresh counsel which was rejected.

The president in his order observed that the complaint was filed under the Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010 before the Ombudsman on May 27, 2019.

The accused had earlier filed a representation before the president against interlocutory order dated September 23, 2021 for seeking permission for the cross-examination of the complainant which was rejected on January 26, 2022.

The accused filed another representation despite the fact that the proceedings of the complaint were pending before the Ombudsman and a decision in this regard had yet to be made after appraisal of the evidence on the question of whether the element of harassment has been established or otherwise.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jan, 2023 ) :Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al Maliki on Friday expressed pleasure and gratitude to Allah Almighty for the successful surgery of Iraqi conjoined twins in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Taking to his Twitter handle, he said, "In the humanitarian country - Saudi Arabia, the successful operation of conjoined Iraqi twins 'Umar and Ali' lasted 11 hours." According to the Saudi Press Agency, a specialist team of surgeons successfully completed the surgery to separate Iraqi conjoined twins Ali and Omar in Riyadh on Thursday.

The operation, which took 11 hours and consisted of six phases, was completed by a 27-member team of consultants, specialists, nursing, and technical staff, and based on directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The team managed to separate the twins, who were conjoined at the lower chest and abdomen and shared liver, bile ducts, and intestines.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the adviser at the Royal Court and supervisor general of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, said that "this operation comes in implementation of the generous directives of the Saudi leadership," making it the 54th such procedure of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme.

Al-Rabeeah, who is also head of the medical team, said the Saudi program had been able to operate on 127 conjoined twins from 23 countries during the past 32 years, and stressed the Kingdom's pioneering role in humanitarian work in general and medical work in particular.

He thanked the medical team who performed the surgery for their efforts adding that the achievement reflected the leadership's willingness to help people.

He said it was also an indication of Saudi medical excellence and was in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to develop the country's health sector and advance its quality and efficiency.

The Iraqi ambassador to the Kingdom Abdul-Sattar Hadi Al-Janabi appreciated the unlimited humanitarian support and efforts provided by the Saudi government and praised the efforts of the medical team led by Al-Rabeeah.

He also expressed his joy at the twins' successful separation surgery.

Ali and Omar's parents extended their thanks and gratitude to the king and crown prince for the surgery, and for providing their children with all necessary treatment.

Last week, the surgical team has also successfully separated Saudi conjoined twins who were attached at the hip and shared a spinal cord in an operation that lasted seven hours over seven stages.

The surgery, which was carried out under directives from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, required 28 consultants, specialists, and nursing and technical personnel.

Earlier last month, Nigerian conjoined twins Hassana and Hussaina arrived in Saudi Arabia for a 'delicate' separation procedure being carried out free of charge on the directives of King Salman.

Nigeria's envoy to the Kingdom Yahaya Lawal said the monarch had sent a flying ambulance to transport the twins and their parents to Riyadh, where the surgery would take place.

The twins, born in a hospital to a Nigerian couple, shared vital organs, including a liver.

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VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2023) Vienna supports Kosovo on its way to the European Union and the Council of Europe and is ready to mediate negotiations between Brussels and Pristina, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said on Thursday.

"Kosovo has shown that it is very much interested in becoming part of the European family. And therefore Austria supports Kosovo, as well as the Western Balkans in general, on the way to the EU. Therefore, Austria also supports Kosovo's efforts regarding the Council of Europe. We know that there is no unity in the EU on this issue," Nehammer said after his talks with Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

In this regard, the Austrian chancellor stressed the importance of Vienna's proposal that it "become a bridge" between Pristina and Brussels and "find a way" to convince opponents of this initiative.

Nehammer also recalled that visa liberalization with the EU for Kosovo would be adopted in 2024 and added "that this was made possible thanks to a rigorous check that the Kosovo government passed convincingly.

"

In 2008, the Kosovo-Albanian structures in Pristina unilaterally proclaimed independence from Serbia. Since then, Kosovo has been recognized by 100 UN member states. In 2016, the EU and Kosovo signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement, which confirmed Pristina's intention to join the bloc and its readiness to carry out the required political, economic, trade and human rights reforms.

In March 2022, the Kosovar parliament adopted a resolution urging the government to take all necessary steps to join NATO, the EU, the Council of Europe and other international organizations. In mid-December, Kurti handed over the application of Pristina to join the European Union to the Czech Republic presiding in the Council of the EU.

At the same time, out of the 27 EU countries, Kosovo's independence is not recognized by Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, and Romania.
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson confirms that he helped negotiate the release of US Navy veteran Taylor Dudley from Russian custody, his spokesperson told Sputnik on Thursday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 12th January, 2023) Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson confirms that he helped negotiate the release of US Navy veteran Taylor Dudley from Russian custody, his spokesperson told Sputnik on Thursday.

"Governor Bill Richardson and the Richardson Center are thrilled to announce that Navy veteran, Taylor Dudley, has been released from Russia today, January 12, 2023, at the Russia-Poland Bagrationovsk-Bezledy border crossing, and is currently with the Richardson Center team, on his way home, together with his mother Shelley," the spokesperson said.

"Taylor has been held in Kaliningrad, Russia, since April of last year."

Over the past year, Richardson's team travelled to Moscow and the region multiple times, liaising with their Russian counterparts and conduits on this matter, the spokesperson said. The negotiations and work to secure Taylor's safe return were done discreetly and with engagement on the ground in both Moscow and Kaliningrad and with full support from Taylor's family back in the United States, according to the spokesperson.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2023) Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is planning to visit Kiev in the coming months amid concerns among senior Conservatives that the trip may undermine the authority of incumbent Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, The Guardian reported, citing sources.

Johnson is intending to hold a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the newspaper reported.

Ukrainian sources also said that Johnson "had an intention" to travel to Kiev but they had "no concrete information" yet on the exact dates, according to the report.

In November, an Ipsos poll showed that voter support for the UK's Conservative Party has fallen to the lowest level in 15 years, reaching 26%, due to its controversial economic policy in the face of the economic crisis, though Sunak secured a relatively high rate of approval, with 47% of respondents saying they liked him.

Western countries have been actively providing Kiev with financial assistance since February 24, 2022, when Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine, responding to calls for help from the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. The United States, in particular, has provided several packages of emergency funding for Kiev. The funds have been allocated for both military support and humanitarian assistance.
ANKARA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2023) There is no progress in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Russia and the United Nations on promoting Russian food products and fertilizers to the world markets, Russian Ambassador in Turkey Aleksei Erkhov said on Friday.

"As of today, 17 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain have been exported.

However, we still observe distortions in the geographic distribution of recipients of Ukrainian food products. The situation with our products does not inspire optimism either. There is no progress in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Russia and the UN on normalization of Russia's agricultural export," Erkhov said, as quoted by the Yeni Safak newspaper.

The ambassador added that Russian producers of agricultural products and suppliers are still facing the blocking of payments via banks, high insurance rates, and limited access to sea ports.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2023) The number of illegal border crossings into European Union countries in 2022 was the highest since 2016, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) said on Friday.

"In 2022, around 330 000 irregular border crossings were detected at EU's external border, according to preliminary calculations. This is the highest number since 2016 and an increase of 64% from the previous year," the statement said.

The 2020 recession caused by the pandemic led to a sharp increase in the number of illegal border crossings for two years in a row, Frontex noted.

"The Western Balkan route accounted for nearly half of the total.

Syrians, Afghans and Tunisians together accounted for 47% of the detections in 2022. The number of Syrians roughly doubled to 94 000," the statement said.

The share of women was the lowest, accounting for less than one in ten illegal border crossings, the border agency said. The share of minors amounted to about 9% of the detections.

Nearly 13 million Ukrainian refugees have arrived at the EU's external borders from Ukraine and Moldova since the beginning of Russia's special military operation. They have not been included in these figures, Frontex said.
UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th January, 2023) Polish Ambassador to the United Nations Krzysztof Szczerski met with UN General Assembly (UNGA) Chairman Csaba Korosi and handed him a letter regarding Warsaw's demand for war reparations from Germany, UNGA spokesperson Paulina Kubiak said on Friday.

"UN General Assembly Chairman Csaba Korosi today met with Polish Permanent Representative (to the United Nations) Krzysztof Szczerski," Kubiak said. "The Permanent Representative shared a letter on reparations concerning World War II."

Earlier in January, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, a senior Polish official spearheading the demand for reparations, said that Warsaw had asked the United Nations to help the process to come to fruition.

Poland had already made similar appeals a month earlier to the Council of Europe as well as to UNESCO.

Relations between Poland and Germany have been strained by Warsaw's repeated claims of having suffered damages during World War II. The Polish authorities have estimated the country's losses caused by Nazi Germany to be $1.36 trillion.

Germany has said the Polish government had relinquished all demands for reparations under the agreement of 1953.
Each senior who graduates from high school can go on community college in New York State, but not many know about that.

Gov. Kathy Hochul may be changing that.

The governor, in her State of the State book released Tuesday, proposed that SUNY partner with school districts "so that all graduating high school seniors are accepted into their local community college, removing any barrier for high school graduates to postsecondary education."

Not many details are known about the proposal, which came in a 30-word sentence in Hochul's State of the State book that laid out her agenda for the coming year.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said it is a matter of making sure students see the opportunity in front of them.

"The idea is, if you get that individualized letter that has your name on it, that has a link for you to go on to see the programs that are available to you. That says to the first generation college student, 'There's a place for you,' " King said Thursday during a Buffalo News Editorial Board meeting. "It's always been true that the community colleges are available to all the graduating seniors, but that's different than each student knowing personally that that opportunity is is available to them."

"Any graduate within your service area is automatically accepted," said William Murabito, president of Niagara County Community College. "We don't do a very good job messaging that, so people don't understand that."

Students are not guaranteed their program of choice, he said. Admission into some programs, such as nursing, are dependent on high school performance.

"Students who have a high school degree are able to come here and enroll here," said Erikson Neilans, vice president for enrollment at SUNY Erie Community College.

Admissions officers at ECC work with area high schools and conduct "instant admission" days, where students can fill out an application and be admitted, said Erikson Neilans, vice president for enrollment at ECC.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's State of the State focuses on housing, crime, mental health In her first State of the State address as an elected governor, Kathy Hochul laid out a "groundbreaking strategy" to spur housing development across New York  one in which state government would seek to override local governments that prove resistant. Hochul is aiming to build 800,000 units of housing across the state over the next decade, and laid out a plan that almost certainly will face resistance from local governments and homeowners who dont want new development. Over the past decade, New York built just half the amount of Hochul's goal.

"When we go to instant admit days, students walk away with an acceptance letter here to the school, pending, of course, they complete their high school," Neilans said.

Bringing attention to the enrollment process and making it easier is good for students, he said.

And there is the hope that more attention to community colleges will boost enrollment, which has plunged in recent years. Enrollment at ECC dropped by nearly half from 2011 to 2022, and enrollment at NCCC was down 18% from 2018 to 2022.

Many Springville students enter two-year colleges after high school, Springville Griffith Institute Superintendent James E. Bialasik said.

"My first question would be around logistics," Bialasik said, but he added, "I think it gives students yet another option."

"Generally, reducing gatekeeping and barriers to acceptance at all levels of education, whether K-12 internally or to community college access is, I think, a good thing. It's part of a way that we can help to make sure more students are served," said Erie 2-Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES Superintendent David O'Rourke.
The Archbishop of Lima, Carlos Castillo Mattasoglio, expresses the Peruvian Church's concern about the violence that has claimed at least 44 lives in Peru.

By Stefano Leszczynski

As the situation in Peru continues to remain tense, Archbishop Carlos Castillo Mattasoglio of Lima said the Catholic Church has launched numerous appeals for dialogue and is asking authorities to take into account the legitimate demands of the poor.

The country has been wracked by massive demonstrations against incumbent President Dina Boluarte and congressmen that have left at least 48 people dead over the past month.

The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of all state offices and the calling of new elections after the ousting and arrest of President-elect Pedro Castillo in December.

Notwithstanding repression of the anti-government protests has been extremely harsh, rallies have spread to all the major cities in Peru and last Thursday also erupted in the tourist area of Cusco.

Who is Pedro Castillo?

Pedro Castillo, a socialist and trade unionist from one of the poorest areas of the Andes, was elected in June 2021, winning over a large number of candidates.

Considered an outsider in Peruvian politics and far from the centres of power in Lima, he had raised high expectations of social and economic improvement among the poorer segment of the rural areas with an indigenous majority.

After taking office, his figure was quickly tarnished by a series of scandals, infighting within the majority and strong opposition in Congress.

He was dismissed in mid-December 2022 after attempting to dissolve parliament, but his supporters consider him a victim of the political and corrupt elites that dominate the Peruvian political scene.

The position of the Church

The Peruvian Church has taken a stance in the face of the rampant violence in the country, launching numerous appeals for dialogue and a return to a situation of normality, and calling on the authorities in power to take into account the demands of the weaker sections of the population.

Speaking to Vatican News, the Archbishop of Lima, Monsignor Carlos Castillo Mattasoglio, described the reality of Peru as tragic due to increasing polarisation fuelled by the lack of institutional cohesion, deep-rooted corruption and the inability to provide adequate responses to the legitimate demands of the poorest.

Causes of impoverishment

Archbishop Mattasoglio emphasised the destabilising role of those with ambitions and interests in the management of the country's important economic and financial resources.

The Church therefore, he said, denounced the mafia groups and the power wielded by a few large Peruvian families that have put entire areas in check, especially by taking advantage of reforms aimed at decentralising power.

Narcotrafficking and corruption, he highlighted, are two of the great evils that have led to the impoverishment of large sections of society and growing exasperation among indigenous communities.

The appeal of the Peruvian bishops

The Bishops of Peru have gathered at the current session of the Bishops' Conference precisely to consider the possibility of making a series of proposals that would allow dialogue to be relaunched or at least reduce the social rift that has been created.

The only possible path, said Archbishop Mattasoglio, is always that of mediation and dialogue, setting aside prejudices, ambitions, and mutual accusations.

He lamented "a very serious educational problem" in Peruvian society that requires the capacity for a longer-term vision.

Our appeal, the prelate concluded, is that we must use all means to get the parties to clarify the fundamental points and get us all to work together as brothers, as Pope Francis says in his encyclical: This is the central thing.
Colleagues of the late Nate Thayer paid tribute to a fearless American journalist who went further than all of us in his search for answers about Khmer Rouge atrocities in Cambodia.

He was fearless in terms of his work style, and he was uncompromising when it comes to pursuing the truth, said Ker Munthit, who worked with Thayer at The Phnom Penh Post in the 1990s.

On a regular basis, he scooped the world with his stories on Cambodian political conflicts, Munthit told VOA shortly after Thayers death in early January at 62.

Thayer arrived in Southeast Asia in the late 1980s and worked as a stringer for The Associated Press. Over the next decade, he established himself with his coverage of the end of the Khmer Rouge regime and the emergence of modern Cambodia.

No series of scoops was bigger than Thayers reporting on the trial of Cambodian dictator Pol Pot in 1997 and his interview with the former leader a few months later. But he also broke stories on renegade combatants, heroin trafficking networks linked to Cambodias elite, and factional fighting that saw tanks return to the streets of Phnom Penh after a few years of relative peace.

Thayer was a sharp writer  filing lengthy dispatches for publications including the Far Eastern Economic Review. But his sources were what truly set him apart.

He went further than all of us, Kevin Barrington, an Irish journalist who worked with Thayer at The Phnom Penh Post, told VOA in a phone call. Hed go off on serious treks deep into Cambodia with guerillas. He had an appetite for risk.

Thayer nearly died during one of those trips. In October 1989, the vehicle he was in drove over two mines. The driver was killed, and Thayer suffered shrapnel wounds.

But he survived and kept covering the conflict, driven by a mission to track down the man who led the Khmer Rouge as it murdered and starved to death some 3 million Cambodians during its four-year reign in the 1970s.

Although he did many things in Cambodia, he never deviated from that mission that he had to find Pol Pot. And that was a complete obsession, Nayan Chanda, former editor of the Far Eastern Economic Review, told VOA.

The breakthrough came in 1997 when Brother No. 1, as Pol Pot was called, was arrested by rival Khmer Rouge commander Ta Mok. Thayer, along with television cameraman David McKaige, was invited to document the show trial that followed.

The trial was the first time the notorious war criminal had been seen by the Western world in decades. Thayers footage was broadcast on ABC News Nightline  beginning a yearslong legal dispute over rights.

A few months later, Pol Pot, who could barely walk without help, reached out through intermediaries to arrange an interview, Chanda recalled.

Thayer wrote for the Review that Pol Pot was chillingly unrepentant, willing to admit to mistakes made by the regime but blaming mass killings on others and arguing that were it not for his revolution, Cambodia would have become part of Vietnam.

That was the dictators last interview before his death the next year  which Thayer also scooped.

McKaige often teamed with Thayer on reporting trips into western Cambodia and along the Thai border, where democratic resistance forces  aligned with Khmer Rouge remnants against Hun Sens Hanoi-backed government  based their operations.

Now living in Singapore, McKaige told VOA that Thayer was a rare foreigner who didnt bring a political agenda to his work in Cambodia during a time when the country was a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions.

I think he provided some balance to an otherwise extremely left-liberal view of what happened in Cambodia, McKaige said. Both choices were bad.

And some of the hardest fighters in Cambodias decades of war opened up to Thayer.

Hes an incredibly open and authentic person, and that openness is reciprocated when he talks to people, McKaige said.

Barrington, who later worked for Agence France-Presse in Phnom Penh, told VOA that Thayers relationships with his Khmer Rouge sources made some of his colleagues uncomfortable. At times, other reporters felt he was too soft on senior leaders when he scored rare interviews with them, such as former head of state Khieu Samphan.

But I think this was all part of his uber plan to try and get to Pol Pot, Barrington said. When he did get to Pol Pot, he didn't back away from asking him tough questions.

Thayer worked hard and played hard, friends said. He often shared an anecdote about charging The Associated Press nearly $500 for gin and tonics, arguing it was a medical expense given the antimalarial quinine in the tonic.

But drinking would become a demon.

Anybody who did the stuff we did and continues to do it in the spirit of trying to bring horrible things to the world's attention [is] always going to be a little rough around the edges, McKaige said.

Thayer would go on to report from around the world, including Iraq, the former Yugoslavia, Cuba and North Korea. More recently, he returned to living in the United States.

Munthit recalled visiting him at his U.S. farmhouse in the early 2000s. He said Thayer slept until early evening, woke up to feed the ducks in a nearby pond, and spent the night working on his unfinished memoir, Sympathy for the Devil.

Un Sokhom, a former publisher of an opposition newspaper in Cambodia, said the country had lost a rare living witness to the man who oversaw the massacre of so many.

"We are very sad that the ideas and further publication that he wrote and prepared for release have not been released. It will be buried," he said.

Barrington said Thayers friends are discussing how they can finish the book that he never completed.

This story originated in VOAs Khmer Service. Sok Khemara contributed.
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.
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((PKG)) PAINTING ALTOID TINS

((TRT: 9:39))

((Topic Banner: Painting Altoid Tins))

((Reporter/Camera: Aaron Fedor))

((Producer: Kathleen McLaughlin))

((Editor: Kyle Dubiel))

((Map: Boulder, Colorado))

((Main character: 1 male))

((Sub characters: 3 female))

((BLURB: A Colorado painter, who paints miniature oil paintings in Altoid Tins, and uses social media to connect with fans and buyers in a big way.))

((NATS))

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

I started painting on Altoid tins after seeing other people doing it on Instagram and it reminded me of miniatures that I had already been doing

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

because I was already doing miniatures that were about the same size.

((MUSIC/NATS))

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

These are all watercolor paintings that I did in 2017, some of my earliest miniatures right before I started doing the ones that I'm known for. I kind of transitioned from watercolor to oil.

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

I think I first got into art when I was a little kid. I used to go to my dad's office

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

and he was an architect. He's dead now but he, I used to go to his office and just play with his colored pencils and his drafting templates.

And I think that like one of the biggest, one of the biggest things I learned as an artist was craftsmanship from my dad.

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

Watching him and seeing how, how he was careful with everything he did and sort of fastidious to some degree,

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

double checking things and making sure everything was the way that he wanted it.

Plus, I kind of had to unlearn some of that too, because like that can, that can sort of get in the way of getting stuff done sometimes if you're too precise.

((MUSIC/NATS))

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

I started a TikTok account and never posted, didn't post anything for about a year. It was just a blank account. And then one day I thought, you know, because I'd been making videos on Instagram. And then one day, I just put one of my Instagram videos on TikTok. Didn't even look at it until, I think I put it up in the morning. And then somebody said something about it like, Oh, you're going viral. And I thought they were joking. When I posted my first TikTok video,

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

there was one viewer and I had two followers. And then by the time the evening rolled around, I had 786,000 views on that one video and 22,000 followers. To this point on TikTok, I've got 321.4 thousand followers. I use social media now

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

in the way that I post artwork that I've made that is available to purchase and I sometimes post murals and other artwork that's not available. But typically, I post it online on my TikTok and on my Instagram that generates interest in my work. And then later on, at some point, I will post that Im selling my work on my website.

So then people will, who have seen my work, go to my website and they buy my paintings when they're available.

((Darcy Kitching

Collector))

I think that Remington produces art that not only speaks to what we love and live for here in Colorado, which is being outdoors, capturing the beauty of nature, but also just the whimsical spirit of, you know, a big imagination and really seeking the light, you know. I love how Remington always finds the right moment for each painting. So, he gets out there, whether it's

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

winter or spring or summer and captures just the right light, just the right moment.

((Shayna Larsen

Collector))

My daughter at the time was probably eight. She loves tiny things and she loves art. So, she asked if she could buy one and I said, Yeah, and she actually used some of her own money for it.

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

And then once she was buying one, I realized I have to have one for myself too.

The joy in this little box, it's not just his skill.

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

I actually felt the joy that that he felt potentially being there in this beautiful scene.

((Shayna Larsen

Collector))

And you cannot, you can't fake that.

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

Sometimes paintings only take like half an hour or 45 minutes because I have simplified everything in the scene and there's, maybe, there's nature scenes sometimes take less time. It all depends on what it is that I'm painting. This one, the one on the left, took maybe about 45 minutes. The one on the right took, maybe, two and a half or three hours.

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

I'm going to sign some of these paintings. I never signed them. Some of these miniature ones in the last few weeks.

Okay, this is a landscape of Boulder [Colorado]. There are the Flatirons [rock formations near Boulder, Colorado] right there, at sunset during a rainstorm. I was painting on the overlook off of Highway 93 in South Boulder.

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

You can see a little bit of rain coming down there.

((Remington Robinson

Artist ))

Also, I used to sign my paintings with a pencil and I've been lately signing my paintings with a thread breaker or something, but I've been just scratching my name into the paintings lately. It's more precise.

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

I think the number one thing that inspires my art is nature itself. But then I also am finding inspiration constantly through artists that I admire, as well as other artists on social media. Some artists I admire that I find inspiration through are, of course, Claude Monet. A lot of painters are really inspired by Claude Monet as am I. I'm inspired a lot by James Gurney. I'm inspired a lot by my great-grandfather, whose name was August Biehle. He was an impressionist painter in the Cleveland area in the 1900s.

((MUSIC/NATS))

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

Im just setting up my tin so I can start another painting. I think I've done four and this would be my fifth one. No, I think I, no, this would be my sixth one. I did three yesterday and I have done two so far today. This is a brand-new tin. I don't always use the same colors just because I like to, I like to kind of keep it fresh and experiment a little bit. I do have a certain set of colors that I typically go by, or I mean if I use all my colors, I go in a particular order.

((MUSIC/NATS))

((Lucia Detra

Step-daughter))

I like them because they're really small and compactable, so you can take them everywhere.

((MUSIC/NATS))

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

I think I've gone through about 50 cans of spray paint and four or five gallons of house paint. Altoid tins and murals seem very different, but they're really not that different. It's really just constructing an image. One just happens to be very small. One happens to be very large. There is a different process for getting a really large image because you have to get the scaling right. So, like you can use a projector. You can use a grid system. You don't really freehand large stuff like you can with a small image.

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

So, I think for younger artists starting out, what I would recommend is find a niche of something

((Courtesy: Remington Robinson))

that you like to paint but also something that sets you apart from other people. And whether you have a niche or not, it's important to keep creating what you're making and to make a lot of it. So, be prolific. If you really feel strongly about

((Remington Robinson

Artist))

your work and you like it a lot, then other people will like it too, I think.

((NATS/MUSIC))
After three years of closed borders under its strict zero-COVID policy, China reopened its doors to allow international travelers in  and Chinese with cabin fever out  a move with economic implications around the world, including in Africa.

On the continent, which counts China as its largest trade partner, African importers who sell cheap Chinese-made goods said they were itching to return to China to stock up while many African countries are also hoping to attract Chinese tourists.

While fears about the spread of COVID-19 caused some countries in Asia, Europe and North America to implement negative testing requirements for Chinese travelers, drawing the ire of Beijing, countries like Kenya and South Africa said they would not be implementing any travel restrictions for travelers from China.

African businesses eye Chinas reopening

Markets and stocks around the world shot up with Chinas reopening, and African businesses are also hoping to cash in on the worlds second largest economy.

We are open to going there now and we are looking forward to do that to make sure that we get our businesses back on track, Samuel Karanja, the CEO of the Importers and Small Traders Association of Kenya, told VOA, adding that the pandemic years have been a roller coaster for traders.

For the past three years, it has been a very difficult moment for those traders because they lost touch with their suppliers. Ideally, the traders could go to China, meet their suppliers or manufacturers, go with samples of the goods that they need to be produced for them, some of them could wait for even weeks to be able to see that the production is completed, and the goods are loaded in containers and theyre coming back to Kenya, he said.

Karanja said that was how business was done before the pandemic where Kenyan small and medium enterprise owners would travel to Chinese cities including Guangzhou, where they bulk purchased everything from electronics and motorbike spare parts to kitchenware and school stationery. After China implemented its zero-COVID policy however, the Kenyan businesses had to make purchases remotely, often with the help of unscrupulous middlemen who ripped them off.

Denis Juru, president of the International Cross-Border Traders Association in South Africa, echoed this, telling VOA that Chinas reopening has lots of advantages for his organizations members.

The opening of Chinese borders will boost the African economy as Chinese products are cheap. African traders new to the business will be able to go and make their choices physically. New companies in China will take this opportunity to convince traders from Africa by reducing prices, he said.

He noted that traveling to China is expensive but said while staying in-country and shopping online is easier and more economical some companies in China sell the wrong products online. Therefore, the process of exchange inconveniences African businesses.

Optimism with caution

As for large corporations that do business with China, Christo van der Rheede, CEO of Agri SA, South Africas biggest agricultural organization, was more circumspect about the pros and cons of Chinas reopening.

It remains to be seen how this is going to impact on South Africa. Remember, South Africas a big exporter of particular commodities, for example coal, iron ore, as well as other agricultural commodities to China. Hopefully this will increase the demand for South African commodities, he said.

He also noted South Africa needs to weigh the economic benefits with caution around the spread of COVID-19.

I think economically wise, weve seen how the clampdown, the zero(-COVID) policy, has impacted on the logistics, especially import and export logistics, and how that has driven up the cost of shipping throughout the world, he said. So hopefully well be able to manage it in a way that will boost our economy and our exports to China, but at the same time we need to manage any outbreak in South Africa very carefully.

Attracting Chinese visitors

So, what about travel from the other direction: Chinese coming to the continent either for business, to work on Belt and Road infrastructure projects or for tourism?

As soon as the country opened, Beijing was quick to send new Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on his first official visit to the continent on a five-country tour.

In a speech on his first stop in Ethiopia, Qin reassured Africa that China plans to strengthen trade ties and accelerate in-person exchanges.

First, let us intensify our in-person interactions and connectivity of ideas. The pandemic will be over, and we can see [the] light of hope ahead.  We will expand exchange and cooperation with Africa in various fields and at all levels, including between the governments, legislatures, political parties, militaries and localities, Qin said. African political leaders, AU Commission officials at various levels and Africans in the political, business and academic circles are most welcome to visit in due course.

We will encourage Chinese companies and people to come to Africa for investment and tourism. We will provide more facilitation to restore two-way personnel exchanges at a faster pace, he added.

In terms of Chinese visitors to South Africa, however, Rosemary Anderson, national chairperson of the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa, told VOA the current system leaves much to be desired.

The Chinese traveler to South Africa has to present themselves in person at an embassy or visa office in China and wait up to months for a visa to be supplied, she said, noting South Africa only attracted about 93,000 visitors before the pandemic in 2019, out of some 155 million Chinese who traveled abroad.

However, she noted that it was encouraging that Air China has recently started a direct flight between Beijing and Johannesburg.

Anderson said South Africa should do more to attract Chinese travelers, including public and private sector marketing initiatives aimed specifically at the Chinese market, ensuring destination and product information is available on Chinese search engines, and marketing on Chinese social media channels like Weibo and WeChat.

As China reopens to the world, showing that you are Chinese friendly by, for example, offering payment platforms like WeChat Pay and Alipay, keeping in mind Chinese holiday dates, learning a few key phrases in Mandarin and training tourist guides to speak Mandarin, would all be useful, she said.
WASHINGTON  Rep. George Santos hasn't bragged about them, at least not yet, but the embattled Republican resume embellisher from Long Island has plenty of Western New York connections.

Santos' 2022 campaign consultant was Chris Grant, a onetime aide to former Rep. Chris Collins and a political pro who established a Republican consulting firm in Clarence several years before moving to Florida last year. Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy, the longtime state Republican chairman, campaigned for Santos in 2020 and donated to his campaign last year. Rep. Claudia Tenney's political action committee gave money to Santos, too, as did prominent Allegany County Republican donor Charles Joyce.

None of them seem all that excited about Santos now, though. Contacted about New York Times reports that Santos had fictionalized his education and work history  while also falsely claiming to be the descendant of Jewish Holocaust survivors  neither Grant, Langworthy nor Tenney offered the apparent fabulist any words of support. Through a staffer at his office in Wellsville, Joyce declined comment.

Santos' campaign paid Grant's firm, Big Dog Strategies, at least $147,118 for its work to elect Santos to the open congressional seat in New York's 3rd congressional district last year, according to Federal Election Commission records. Some $93,118 of that went to pay for direct mail design and postage.

Those figures probably understate the amount of money that Big Dog Strategies got from the Santos campaign, given that late campaign expenses will be included in a federal campaign finance report that's not due until Jan. 31.

Asked for his reaction to the revelations about Santos, Grant replied with a written statement that focused on Santos' victory over Democrat Robert Zimmerman  in a district that backed Democrat Joe Biden for president in 2020  instead of Santos' trumped-up biography.

"Big Dog Strategies was hired to win one of the toughest seats for Republicans in the country and did just that  flipping a seat that Biden won by 8 points into a seat Republicans won by 8 points," Grant said. "In our republic, voters have the only say that matters on who represents them and protects their interests."

Taking office in Congress, Langworthy vows to be 'a serious legislator' Area representatives took office after a four-day, 15-vote drama that ended late Friday with the election of Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California as the speaker of the new Republican-led House.

Langworthy, long a friend and ally of Grant's, addressed Santos' self-invented woes more directly. Asked for his reaction to the initial reports of Santos' lies, Langworthy said: "Shocked. Flabbergasted."

In an interview Thursday  a day after calling on Santos to resign  Langworthy noted that as state GOP chairman, he made a routine campaign appearance for Santos during his first run for Congress in 2020. But he said he was never involved in the process that chose Santos as the Republican congressional candidate for the Long Island congressional seat both in 2020 and 2022.

"The endorsements are done at a very local level," Langworthy said. "I don't think he had to battle too hard (to get the Republican nomination) and the vetting probably wasn't too intense in 2020."

Local Republican officials on Long Island noted that Santos did surprisingly well in the 2020 race against an incumbent Democrat, Rep. Tom Suozzi, and so they went on to back him for another race in 2022, Langworthy said.

"George never stopped being a candidate," Langworthy said. "I mean, he was spending time at Mar-a-Lago, raising money in different circles. I would see things on Facebook of him traveling all over the place."

As for Santos' background, "no one would have had any reason to doubt him," Langworthy said.

Noting that Santos falsely claimed to have graduated from Baruch College, Langworthy added: "What I've said to people time and again is it's a pretty sad state of affairs if you think that a party leader should have to double-check that someone graduated from a non-prestigious institution."

Langworthy's campaign donated $1,000 to Santos' effort Sept. 30, federal records show. But on Thursday, Langworthy reiterated his call for Santos to resign.

"I think he's lost the ability to be effective in his district," said Langworthy, who now represents the newly redrawn 23rd congressional district, which includes outlying parts of Erie County and much of the Southern Tier. "He's lost the faith of any governing partners that he had on the local level."

Santos has refused to resign, but Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat, also said he should quit

"He should resign, given the enormous evidence of just a life of lies," Higgins said.

But Tenney, a Canandaigua-based Republican who represents the sprawling 24th district  which stretches from Niagara County to Watertown  stopped short of calling for Santos to resign.

"I am extremely disappointed with Representative Santos," Tenney said on Thursday. "He's admitted that he has not been forthcoming with the voters: outright lies, exaggeration of his resume."

However, Tenney said Santos should not be forced to resign unless and until it's proven that his conduct broke the law. "Right now it's up to the voters of the Third District" to decide Santos' fate.

Tenney's political action committee  "Tenacious PAC"  gave the Santos campaign $2,000 last June.

But then again, many prominent New York Republicans backed him. The PAC sponsored by then-Rep. Lee Zeldin, the GOP's 2022 nominee for governor, gave Santos $8,000 between 2020 and 2022, federal records. Rep. Elise Stefanik, who represents the North Country, gave him $4,000 last year. And Joyce, the prominent GOP donor from Wellsville, gave Santos $6,700 over three years.

And Santos' Western New York connections go beyond money.

By luck of the draw, his Washington office ended up being in Suite 1117 of the Longworth House Office Building  whose previous occupants include Collins, who resigned in October 2019 upon pleading guilty to federal insider trading charges that he had previously denied.

Newsday, the New York Post and other news outlets reported last week that Vish Burra, an aide to Carl P. Paladino's GOP primary campaign against Langworthy last year, was now serving as an aide to Santos.

And some joker or hacker took to the Legistorm website this week to list Santos' "staffers"  which supposedly included Paladino.

Contacted by Jeff Coltin of City & State NY, Paladino said he is not working for Santos.

"Somebody's (expletive) around," said Paladino, who, in his conversation with Coltin, used a different seven-letter expletive to describe Santos.
The Myanmar junta has revoked its pardon of Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was granted amnesty and deported last November.

The decision appeared in an unpublicized announcement dated December 6 which was leaked on social media recently.

Unfortunately, this is not fake  the junta has revoked my amnesty, and requested my arrest, Turnell confirmed to VOAs Burmese Service via text.

Turnell, who's based in Australia, which has no extradition treaty with Myanmar, said he understands his name has been submitted to Interpol.

It is risky for me to travel to Asia now, he said.

Claims of 'false statements'

Turnell, a former economic adviser to ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was arrested following the military coup in February 2021 that brought the junta to power.

The announcement said Turnells pardon was revoked because he had violated the terms of his probation, and that he would have to serve the remaining prison terms together with the new prison sentences if he commits an offense again.

The announcement also said that the economist made false statements about Myanmar via his social media accounts and in interviews with the media while he was still on probation.

VOA reached out to the juntas spokesperson but did not get a response, nor was any official comment made public as of this report.

After being detained in Yangons Insein prison for several months, Turnell was moved to another prison in Naypyitaw where he faced trial with Suu Kyi. The court sentenced him to three years imprisonment with a charge of possessing state secret information in September.

Turnell was released in November when the junta issued a mass amnesty, saying he was freed in consideration of bilateral relations and on humanitarian grounds.

Tun Kyi, one of the founders of the Former Political Prisoners Society, told VOA that the revocation of Turnell's amnesty is proof that the juntas words do not match their deeds.

Myanmar people welcome Sean Turnells disclosure of the truth from his own horrifying experience in prison and interrogation centers where he witnessed grave human rights violations by authorities, he said. Everything he said was true. The news of Sean Turnell receiving international media attention likely caused concern among the Myanmar military leadership due to their desire to keep these types of abuses out of the public eye.

A Muslim, Tun Kyi spent a combined 10 years in prison, first from 1989 to 1996, and then from 2006 to 2009. His organization, based inside Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, assists former political prisoners and collects data on human rights violations in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

Joy overshadowed by concern

Once back in his native Australia, Turnell took to Facebook to express his thanks to the government and fellow citizens. His joy was overshadowed, however, by his awareness that some 53 million people in Myanmar continue to suffer under a regime that is about as unrepresentative of them as is possible to imagine.

In interviews given after his return, Turnell expressed his concerns about the severe damage to Myanmars economy caused by the military regime and warned that the ruling generals will not easily relinquish power.

He also described the inhumane treatment he and other political detainees experienced in prison. Turnell encountered his long-time colleague and friend, Suu Kyi, during the trial process, and she urged him to tell the world about what was happening inside Myanmar.

It was a rare message from Suu Kyi, who has been effectively silenced since the junta cut off any communication between her lawyers and the media in the months after the coup.

Turnell worked closely with Suu Kyi before her arrest, Tun Kyi said. If you look at how much contempt they have for Aung San Suu Kyi, who was sentenced to 33 years in prison, you can imagine how much scorn they have for Sean Turnell as well, Tun Kyi said.

That is why the junta labeled Turnell, as an enemy, underserving of any respect or dignity, Tun Kyi told VOA.

This story originated in VOA's Burmese Service
U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday commended Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for boosting Japans military spending and drastically changing its defense posture, and he called out threats from China, North Korea and Russia as reasons behind the two countries decision to ramp up their collective security.

Biden conveyed this to Kishida in a White House meeting that underscored the deepening U.S.-Japan strategic alliance and Tokyos growing sense of vulnerability amid regional security threats, mainly from China, and Russias invasion of Ukraine.

"The United States is fully, thoroughly, completely committed to the alliance, Biden said. And more importantly, to Japan's defense.

In a joint statement released by the White House, the leaders called out actions inconsistent with the rules-based international order by China and provocations by North Korea as sources of the challenges faced in the Indo-Pacific, and Russias unjust and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

"We strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion, anywhere in the world, the statement said. Taken together, this landscape demands that the United States and Japan continue to strengthen our individual and collective capacity.

Change in defense posture

Ahead of the Biden-Kishida summit, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, along with their Japanese counterparts, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi and Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, launched a series of changes in defense posture, military training arrangements and command relationships, including plans to reorganize U.S. Marine Corps units based on Okinawa.

The changes, announced Wednesday in Washington, signaled that the two allies are taking more seriously the possibility of war in the Indo-Pacific in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan or North Koreas nuclear strikes. It puts in force Japans new National Security Strategy, released in December, that warns of the possibility that a serious situation may arise in the future in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in East Asia, and calls for long-range counterstrike capability that would enable it to reach targets in mainland China.

"Japan and the United States are currently facing the most challenging and complex security environment in recent history, Kishida said through an interpreter, touting his countrys national security strategy that he said would "ensure peace and prosperity in the region.

Kishidas government also plans to double Japan's defense budget to almost 2% of its gross domestic product by 2027, which would put the nation into the worlds top five in military spending.

The moves came with the blessing of the White House, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday in a briefing, underscoring that Japans national security strategy and commitment to boosting its defense will strengthen deterrence in the region in order to advance peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and globally.

While Tokyo has gradually been bolstering its defense capabilities over the past decade in response to ramped-up Chinese military activities in the South China Sea, the waters around Taiwan and the East China Sea  particularly around the Senkakus, a group of islands claimed by Japan, China and Taiwan  the announcements made within the past month surprised many observers.

Nobody thought it was going to happen this quickly, said Jeffrey Hornung, senior political scientist specializing in Japanese and East Asian security at the Rand Corporation, a global policy research group. Nobody thought it was going to happen under this prime minister, who is not known as a defense hawk by any means. And yet, he's essentially turning over Japan's postwar defense policy in a way that nobody had envisioned, Hornung told VOA.

Kishida is currently facing low approval ratings at home due to various scandals involving his Cabinet members.

War in Ukraine jars Japanese

A Chinese attack on Taiwan is still hypothetical, but Russias war on Ukraine has awakened the Japanese public to the possibility of one country invading another. That, combined with Chinas dispatch of its warships and fighter jets and firing of ballistic missiles around Taiwan in response to then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to the island last year, spooked people, said Zack Cooper, a senior fellow focusing on U.S. strategy in Asia at the American Enterprise Institute.

Those two actions by [Chinese President] Xi Jinping, by [Russian President] Vladimir Putin, have convinced many in Tokyo that, look, especially in these autocratic countries that are run largely by one leader, you just can't be that confident in the actions theyre going to take, Cooper told VOA. And so, Japan has to step up much more actively now than it had been prepared to do so before.

In the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan spilling over, Tokyo is seeking to bolster the capacity to protect itself and support the estimated 50,000 American troops operating in Japan. This would help the U.S. in its likely move to defend Taipei in a conflict with China.

For us to have any shot at trying to push back aggression, we need a very strong Japan, Hornung said.

Holding Russia responsible

Tokyos backing of U.S.-led efforts to place sanctions on Moscow and provide Ukraine with financial, humanitarian and nonlethal military support was instrumental in securing the support of other non-NATO partners, including South Korea, Australia and Singapore.

If Japan had not done this, those other countries would be much more hesitant. It would be seen much more as a trans-Atlantic response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, rather than a global response from leading democracies, Cooper said.

Before Washington, Kishida visited France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Canada to coordinate an approach to Ukraine and other agenda items for the Group of 7 summit in May that Japan will host. Officials say Japan will use its G-7 chairmanship and its two-year term at the U.N. Security Council to continue pressing Russia to stop its war.

Differences on trade

While the China and Russia threats have brought the allies closer, the U.S. and Japan have remained apart on trade since then-President Donald Trumps 2017 withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free-trade agreement pushed in 2015 by then-President Barack Obama and then-Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Japan went ahead with the deal, which eventually became the 2018 Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, an 11-country bloc representing one of the largest free-trade areas in the world.

Despite repeated urging by Tokyo, the Biden administration has not joined the CPTPP.

This is not an option we're exploring, Jean-Pierre said in Fridays White House briefing to reporters.

Any kind of free-trade agreement is viewed as politically perilous at home, where protectionist sentiment runs high, a reality that Japan understands, said Shihoko Goto, director for geoeconomics and Indo-Pacific enterprise at the Wilson Center, a global policy research group.

What will probably happen is CPTPP will be mentioned, but theres not going to be any push to have the United States join, Goto told VOA.

The U.S. and Japan launched the Economic 2+2 dialogue in July, but the talks have focused on increasing economic security, such as securing supply chains, rather than trade liberalization.

Tokyo is expected to follow Washingtons steps to impose export controls on advanced semiconductors and other sensitive dual-use technologies to lessen Chinese economic clout. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday that Beijing would "pay close attention to the relevant move and resolutely safeguard its own interest."

Iuliia Iarmolenko contributed to this report.
Police in Hungary said Friday one police officer was killed and two others injured when they were stabbed while responding to a disturbance at a Budapest apartment complex.

A Budapest police department statement said the officers responded to a call late Thursday at the building in the citys Ujbuda district and discovered a man trying to break down a door into an apartment.

Police said the suspect attacked the officers with a knife as they tried to detain him and ran into the street where a fourth officer fired at him, striking him in the leg.

The wounded officers and the suspect were all transported to a hospital. One of the officers, a 29-year-old police sergeant major, died from his injuries.

Budapest chief prosecutor Pal Furcht told a news briefing Friday the attack is not being investigated as a terrorist incident.

Speaking on state radio Friday, Hungary's Prime Minister Victor Orban said the government would provide assistance to the family of the slain officer.

Some information for this report was provided by the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong urged the British government to stop its "so-called half-yearly report on Hong Kong," state media reported on Friday local time.

A spokesperson at the ministry branch said Britain's report "grossly interfered with Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and seriously trampled on international law."

Britain criticized what it said was the systematic erosion of freedoms in Hong Kong by the Chinese government and a crackdown on free speech by authorities, in its latest report on the former British colony, announced in a written statement to parliament on Thursday. The reports are issued every six months.

In a separate statement, the Hong Kong government said late Thursday that it refuted the "slandering remarks and ill-intentioned political attacks" made in Britain's report.

"The Hong Kong special administrative region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China," the statement said, adding that the government urged Britain to "respect the basic norms governing international relations and stop interfering" in the city's affairs.
The fate of Soledar in Ukraines Donbas region was hanging in the balance Friday, with Russia claiming that its forces had seized the salt-mining town in eastern Ukraine and Ukraine saying the fighting continues.

If Moscows claims bear out, it would be Russias first big battlefield gain after multiple military setbacks.

Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesman for Ukraines eastern military command and a Ukrainian officer on the ground nearby both told Reuters that Soledar had not yet been captured.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify the situation in the town, which has become one of the bloodiest battlegrounds of the entire war, now in its 11th month.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Friday that fighting continued in the town as well as in other parts of Ukraines eastern Donetsk region.

The tough battle for Donetsk continues. The battle for Bakhmut and Soledar, for Kreminna, for other towns and villages in the east of our state continues, he said.

CNN was also reporting Friday that units of the Ukrainian military insisted the battle is ongoing.

Local battles continue in the city, the 46th Airmobile Brigade said Friday on Telegram. Orcs [Russians] are pressing from the outskirts to the center. Apparently, they are trying to bring down to the center those of our units who did not have time to leave the city. You will not succeed, Russians.

Ukrainian officials said Thursday more than 500 civilians were trapped inside Soledar, including 15 children.

If Soledars capture is achieved, military experts say it would allow Russian forces, and the Wagner mercenary group helming the operation, to more readily target nearby Bakhmut.

The fighting in the area also has spurred infighting between Russias defense establishment and the Wagner multimillionaire leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin. According to Reuters, he has criticized the failings of the regular Russian army, and he issued a premature claim earlier this week that Soledar had already fallen.

Prigozhin has also complained that Russias defense ministry has not given the Wagner Group credit for its fight in Soledar. On Friday evening, the ministry changed course and issued a statement acknowledging the groups role.

"As for the direct storming of Soledar's city quarters occupied by the armed forces of Ukraine, this combat task was successfully accomplished by the courageous and selfless actions of volunteers from the Wagner assault detachments," Russias defense ministry said.

The cracks within the Russian military command have widened after a reshuffle in military leadership earlier this week, when Russias Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov was placed in direct charge of Russias forces in Ukraine. Some analysts said the move was a slapping down of Prigozhin, while also lining up Gerasimov as the fall guy if the war continues to go badly for Russia.

Within Russia, victory in Soledar could boost the power of ultra-nationalist Prigozhin, whose Wagner Group of fighters-for-hire, including convicts recruited from prison with promises of pardons, has focused on the fight in that region.

Zelenskyy remarked Friday during his nightly address on how Russias invasion of Ukraine, now in its 324th day, reportedly is eroding the Russian military establishment.

They are already gnawing among themselves over who should be credited with some tactical advance. It's a clear signal of failure for the enemy. And it's another incentive for all of us to put more pressure on the occupier and to inflict heavier losses on the enemy, he said.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters Thursday at the White House that "even if both Bakhmut and Soledar fall to the Russians ... it's not going to have a strategic impact on the war itself. And it certainly isn't going to stop the Ukrainians or slow them down in terms of their efforts to regain their territory."

In a phone conversation Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba centered upon continuing robust security and economic assistance before the February anniversary of Russias unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine and beyond.

The top U.S. diplomat emphasized the United States enduring and unflinching support for Ukraine, as underscored by recent provisions of advanced air defense equipment and armored vehicles from U.S. stocks.

Finland has joined Poland in saying it could send German-made Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of a Western coalition apparently being assembled to supply them.

France also is hoping to deliver AMX 10-RC light-combat tanks to Ukraine in two months' time, French Armed Forces Minister Sebastien Lecornu said.

A Russian foreign ministry official said Belarus may enter the conflict in Ukraine on the side of Russia. Russia used Belarus as a springboard to invade Ukraine in February 2022, but the border area is now heavily flooded making an imminent attack from there unlikely.

Ukraines central security agency announced Friday that it was holding countersabotage exercises along a section of the Ukrainian border with Belarus.

In an interview with the BBC, Ukraines Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said Ukraine is a de facto NATO member.

I'm sure that in the near future, we'll become a member of NATO, de jure," he said.

Reznikov said his country has received the weapons and the training it needs to fight the Russian invasion.

Britains defense ministry said Russia's defense manufacturing sector is likely resorting to convict labor to meet wartime production demands, in an intelligence update Friday about Russias invasion of Ukraine.

In November 2022, the report posted on Twitter said, Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), Russia's largest tank manufacturer, told local media that it would employ 250 prisoners after meeting with the Federal Penal Service (FSIN).

Russia has a long history of prison labor and in 2017 forced labor as a specific criminal punishment was reintroduced, the ministry said.

The British defense ministry said, The prison population provides a unique human resource to Russian leaders to utilize in support of the 'special military operation' while willing volunteers remain in short supply.

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse, Reuters and The Associated Press.
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Russia claims to have captured Soledar; well hear from Moscow and Washington. Also, a look at investigating war crimes in Kherson. Plus a conversation with former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the importance of supporting Ukraine.
As the United States increases military assistance to Ukraine with advanced weapons like the Patriot missile defense systems and Bradley Fighting Vehicles, former U.S. State Secretary Condoleezza Rice tells VOA Ukrainian that Washington should provide all the military assistance Kyiv needs to push back Russian forces.

Rice believes that engaging in negotiations now would likely be fruitless or beneficial to Russia. In an interview Thursday, she also said other countries concerns about provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin should not deter them from assisting Ukrainians who are willing to fight for their country and for the international rules-based system.

Earlier this month, The Washington Post published an op-ed written by Rice and Robert M. Gates, a former defense secretary, arguing for the U.S. and its allies to dramatically increase military assistance, above all, with mobile armor, to enable Ukraine to push back Russian forces.

Rice is a director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, a public policy think tank. She served as national security adviser (200105) and as secretary of state (200509) in the administration of former President George W. Bush.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

VOA: You have called for Washington to provide Ukraine with more powerful weapons. Some in the U.S., including many Republicans, consider that the U.S. is already assisting Ukraine too much. What would you say to that?

Condoleezza Rice: I would say that we are assisting Ukraine greatly, and we have appropriated the monies through Congress to assist even more. It is more of a call for urgency that we need to get Ukraine the tools it needs to continue pushing back the Russian aggressor.

In fact, we probably could have predicted months ago that Ukraine would need air defenses because the only thing left for [Russian President] Vladimir Putin was to use terrorist tactics and have missile attacks against Ukrainian civilian centers. We could have predicted that.

So, let's be ahead of the curve and get Ukraine what it needs. The United States has to remember that every time we've waited, in 1914, 1941 and 2001, we've always had to enter. This time around, no one is asking for our troops. The Ukrainians are willing to fight and suffer to sustain an international system in which it is not acceptable to extinguish your smaller neighbor by military force; that is what is at stake here. America has a tremendous interest in sending a lesson to the Russians that it will not be allowed.

VOA: One of the main arguments against that position is that it can provoke Putin to escalate, including the nuclear option.

Rice: I don't know how much more you can provoke Putin. He's tried to extinguish his neighbor. He's engaged in terrorist tactics. They are engaged in war crimes. When I hear people say you might provoke Putin, I think, what more is there to do? When you think about nuclear, it's not a zero possibility, but I think that Putin does care, oddly enough, about his international standing. To do that would make Russia a large North Korea, a pariah state in the future. Not just have we warned Putin, but he's been warned by the Indians and by the Chinese that the nuclear option shouldn't even be considered. We cannot deter ourselves and the Ukrainians by trying to deter something that I think is unlikely.

VOA: Not on the official U.S. level, but at a certain level, there is a push for Ukraine to start negotiating with Russia at this point. You seem to think otherwise.

Rice: Yes, negotiations and diplomacy follow the situation on the ground, not the other way around. We need to make sure that when there are negotiations, and there will eventually be, Ukraine is in the strongest possible position. That is not now. We are seeing that the Russians are making a push in Donetsk [region] again. Vladimir Putin declared Donetsk and Luhansk to be Russian territories. He can't negotiate away Russian territory. To ask for negotiations now is likely going to be fruitless and to leave the Russians in a better position than they would otherwise be if we allow the Ukrainians to push them back further.

I would be the last person to say when negotiations should begin. I think we have to say that for the Ukrainian people  who have suffered war crimes, suffered the destruction of their territory and seen Ukrainian citizens taken away by the Russians  to tell them to negotiate now seems to me not something that we can defend as Americans.

Right now, our job is to help Ukraine to help us to reestablish that the kind of thing that the Russians did is simply not going to succeed in the world of 2023. If you look at those pictures, they look like they are from 1939. We did this once, and it did not turn out so well. So let us make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to fight our fight.

VOA: You met and you knew Putin personally. In your opinion, is he a rational actor now? Can he engage in a rational dialogue, or is he beyond that point?

Rice: He is rational in the sense that he understands what he is trying to do. We have seen shifting Russian priorities. At first, it was to go to Kyiv and overthrow the Ukrainian government, and then it dialed back to the east and the south to cut off Ukraine at Odesa. When that wasn't possible, they moved back again.

So, I think he's rational. But to be rational doesn't mean that you don't have ambitions that are ideological, that are emotional. I think this is about reconstructing the Russian empire, and you cannot have an independent Ukraine and reconstruct the Russian empire. There is something deeply emotional about this for Putin. That does not mean [it's] irrational.

But it does mean that it is something deeply emotional and perhaps right now not negotiable in his way of thinking. You have to help Ukraine, let him see that no matter how much he would like to achieve that, it's not going to happen. Then we will see whether rationality takes over.

VOA: You were secretary of state in 2008, during the Bucharest NATO summit when Georgia and Ukraine were denied the Membership Action Plan. In retrospect, do you think that was a mistake?

Rice: We in the Bush administration argued for Ukraine and Georgia to have MAPs at the Bucharest summit. But NATO is a consensus organization, and the consensus was not there. So, we did the next best thing, which was to express that Ukraine and Georgia would be a part of NATO one day.

I don't like leaving a vacuum in international politics. When you think about it, geographically, we have protected Poland and Romania, and others on the periphery of Ukraine, because they have an Article 5 guarantee. By not even giving Ukraine a pathway to NATO membership, perhaps that left a vacuum.

I think now, with the bravery of the Ukrainians, what one thing that Vladimir Putin has done is driving Ukraine closer to NATO, not as a member but as a beneficiary of everything NATO can provide short of troops.

Someone said Vladimir Putin managed to end German pacifism and Swedish neutrality within a year. I think we will see NATO with Sweden and Finland as members. I would never have dreamed of this when we were there in 2008. It has come at a great cost to the Ukrainian people, and I do not want to minimize it. When we succeed in helping Ukraine to repel Russian aggression, whatever that means, whatever that final settlement is, we will have changed the face of Europe for the better. For that, we have the Ukrainian people to thank.

VOA: What about now? Would you still argue for NATO to accept Ukraine even before the hostilities are over?

Rice: I think it is difficult to do that because it comes with a guarantee that I would not want to test, frankly, and give Putin a kind of moral victory. I think where we are now  if we are, as Bob Gates and I argued, fully committed to Ukraine's defense through what we can provide so that the Ukrainians can defend themselves  that's where we need to be.

Now, the time will come when  I think [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy has said this  when we have to think about how to secure Ukraine in the future and what kinds of security guarantees there need to be. But I think that is for another time. Let us do everything we can right now to repel the aggression and do it with a sense of urgency so that when we get to the reconstruction period after the war, Ukraine is in a stronger position.

VOA: There seems to be a good consensus between the Ukrainian and U.S. administrations about how the Ukrainian victory would look  restoring Ukraine's sovereignty over all its territory within internationally recognized borders - and holding Russia responsible for its actions. What would the Russian defeat look like?

Rice: I don't want to talk about the Russian defeat. I'm hoping that there is, from the Russian perspective, an understanding that they already have not achieved their goals. Since they have not already achieved that, there has already been a defeat. You know, people were talking about Kyiv falling in five days. We know that the Russians went with their dress uniforms for the parade in Kyiv. So much has already been accomplished when it comes to what Russian goals initially were. Now the Russian goal is to hang on to the territory they illegally annexed. That's the next goal that we need to have with pushing the Russians back from their intended ambitions. Then we'll see where it goes from there.

I think if we focus on the task at hand right now, it is to make sure that they cannot secure illegally the annexed territory. There is the battle going on in Donetsk [region] as we speak; that will be the battle for the south. By the way, they also didn't succeed in the south, which they had intended to do, you know  Kherson is under attack, but it's free. In a war, it's good to keep the long-term goals in mind, but winning the short-term goals is more important as you move forward.

VOA: Should the U.S. administration and expert community prepare for the possibility of Russian rupture so as not to repeat the situation in 1991?

Rice: No doubt, we ought to be planning for all contingencies, but I'm still hopeful that the time will come when a different Russia can emerge. There were signs of it. A lot of those people left Russia when this started  young entrepreneurs, people who wanted to be part of the knowledge-based revolution. Tatiana, I taught some of these Russians in my classes at Stanford. There will be a different Russia one day, and hopefully, it will come about peacefully.

VOA: Going back to 2008, do you believe that the response to Putin's aggression in Georgia should have been much stronger and then again in 2014 in Ukraine? Would you blame the Bush administration and the subsequent Obama administration for not responding strongly enough and thus creating conditions for Putin to go on the full-scale invasion?

Rice: I don't know what more we could have done about Georgia. Frankly, I believe we stopped the Russian ambition to take Tbilisi. They clearly wanted to overthrow [former Georgian President Mikheil] Saakashvili.

Let me use this as an opportunity to appeal to Georgia on behalf of Misha Saakashvili, who is ill and under arrest. He is a man who I would hope we would understand his historical role and the humanitarian circumstances there. But we did stop them from Tbilisi. Georgia remained an independent country. Yes, Russia was able to seize the territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but unfortunately, there were already peacekeepers there, which was a mistake made much earlier. I would have liked to see stronger sanctions after Georgia. Of course, we got into a financial crisis, and there were other economic issues.

Crimea, perhaps there could have been stronger sanctions. The one thing that I will say about Crimea is that the Ukrainians and we  Europe and the United States  used the time between the annexation of Crimea and now to build a very impressive Ukrainian defense force. The Ukrainian military fights like a modern military; they fight with deception and maneuver, which is partly why the Russians are having such trouble. They fight like a 20th-, 19th-century force.

I think Ukraine got stronger after the annexation of Crimea. I think Ukraine started to heal some of its internal conflicts, and clearly, a strong sense of Ukrainian national identity emerged, even with those in the east. While I would have hoped we would have done more, that time was not lost.

VOA: Were you surprised by the Ukrainian response, and is there anything you want to say to Ukrainians directly?

Rice: Everyone was surprised by the Ukrainian capabilities, maybe not by the response. I've been to Kyiv many times, and I have been to other parts of Ukraine. I know how strong the identity is of the Ukrainian people. I know how much they love their language, which is very different from Russian. I tell people I speak very good Russian. I can make mistakes in Ukrainian because they're not the same language. Yes, I know all of that. But you had to marvel at the unity of the country, the willingness to sacrifice, and the skill of the Ukrainian forces. I would say to the Ukrainian people: Thank you. Thank you for standing up for the principles and values that we have espoused for all of these years  of individual liberty, freedom and the right to determine one's future. America, I believe, is with you. Americans, I believe, are with you.

I'm just so grateful that Ukrainians have responded in the way they have. It's very tough, and it will undoubtedly continue to be tough. But I hope that the Ukrainian people also believe, as I do, that we will be there with you when the aggressor has been repelled and it's time to rebuild.
The foreign ministers of France and Germany have voiced support for Africa to receive two permanent seats on the powerful U.N. Security Council.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said she and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna added their support to an African push for permanent seats on the Security Council.

Baerbock spoke after she and Colonna met with African Union Chairperson Moussa Faki at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

"As European partners and I, as a German foreign minister, we see that the world in 2023 is not the same than that after World War Two, and therefore we are supporting two permanent seats for the African continent," Baerbock said.

African leaders have for years called for a permanent seat on the powerful U.N. body.

Outgoing African Union Chairman Macky Sall, also the president of Senegal, reiterated that demand at the September U.N. General Assembly.

He said Africa should also have a seat in the G-20 group of the world's largest economies.

U.S. President Joe Biden backed both efforts at the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington last month.

Currently, the Security Council has five permanent members  Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States. Other countries are elected to the Council for two-year terms by the U.N. General Assembly.

Having permanent seats on the Security Council would for the first time give African countries veto power over U.N. resolutions.

Meanwhile, Baerbock said Russia's invasion of Ukraine underscored the importance of relations between the European Union and the African Union.

"As Russia is attacking the European peace order this needs more support from our friends," Baerbock said. "We need you and we need Africa in defending our European peace order."

Baerbock on Thursday made a visit to a World Food Program warehouse storing donated Ukrainian grain and condemned Moscow for using food as a weapon of war.

She was referring to Russian forces blocking some Ukrainian grain exports as the Horn of Africa suffers through a record drought that has tens of millions struggling with hunger.

The two foreign ministers also met with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday and called for accountability for atrocities committed during the war in the northern Tigray region.

Rights groups accuse all sides of committing rapes, torture, and extra-judicial killings during the two-year war.

The EU suspended some support for Ethiopia over the abuses and says accountability in the war is a condition for normalizing relations.

French Foreign Minister Colonna's visit will include a grant of about 30 million U.S. dollars to aid people affected by the war.

The foreign ministers are in Addis to support a November peace deal between Ethiopia's federal government and Tigray authorities.

Since the agreement, Ethiopia has restored the flow of humanitarian aid and some basic services to Tigray, while Eritrea has withdrawn its forces from parts of the region.

On Tuesday, the Tigray People's Liberation Front began turning over heavy weapons to the Ethiopian army.
Iranian state media published a video on Thursday that they said showed British Iranian national Alireza Akbari, who is facing the death penalty for spying, played a role in the 2020 assassination of Iran's top nuclear scientist.

The video was aired a day after state media said a death sentence had been given to Akbari, who previously served as Iran's deputy defense minister, on charges of spying for Britain, which has demanded he be released.

Iran has not said when Akbari's sentence will be carried out. One hard-line news website said Akbari had been executed on Thursday, but there has been no official confirmation. A source told Reuters he had been transferred to a solitary cell typically used for those about to executed.

In the video of Akbari published by state media, he did not confess to involvement in the assassination of scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, killed in a 2020 attack outside Tehran, but said a British agent had asked for information about him.

In a separate recording broadcast by BBC Persian on Wednesday, Akbari said he had confessed to crimes he had not committed after extensive torture.

Britain's foreign office declined to comment on the videos. Speaking in parliament on Thursday afternoon about the Akbari case, British Foreign Office Minister Leo Docherty said: We have no news today, and it would be wrong of me to speculate about any future activities."

On Wednesday, British Foreign Minister James Cleverly said the planned execution was politically motivated and called for his immediate release. The foreign office also said Wednesday that its priority was securing his immediate release.

"Akbari was transferred to the isolation section of the prison on Tuesday night and his first-degree relatives had been asked yesterday to have the final visit with him," the source in Tehran told Reuters.

Akbari's wife also said authorities had told the family to make a last visit to see him in prison, the BBC reported Wednesday.

Spying charges

Fakhrizadeh was widely seen by Western intelligence as the mastermind of clandestine Iranian efforts to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denied that.

In the video, Akbari did not say what information, if any, he shared or with whom.

"They wanted to know about high-ranking officials depending on the major developments. ... For example, he [the British agent] asked me whether Fakhrizadeh could be involved in such and such projects, and I said, Why not" Akbari said in the video broadcast by Iran's state news agency IRNA, one of several clips broadcast on Thursday.

In the audio recording broadcast by BBC Persian on Wednesday, Akbari said he confessed to crimes he had not committed during months of torture in detention.

"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," Akbari said in the audio message.

Irans state media often airs purported confessions by suspects in politically charged cases.

Reuters could not immediately establish the authenticity of the video and audio or when or where they were recorded.

Ties between London and Tehran have deteriorated in recent months as efforts have stalled to revive Iran's 2015 nuclear pact, to which Britain is one of the parties.

Britain has also been critical of the Islamic Republic's violent crackdown on anti-government protests sparked by the death in custody of a young Iranian Kurdish woman in September.

Akbari was sentenced on charges of "corruption on earth and extensive action against Irans internal and external security through the transmission of information to Britain," the judiciary's Mizan news agency said.

It said the supreme court had rejected his appeal.

Ally of security official

Akbari was a close ally of Ali Shamkhani, secretary of Irans Supreme National Security Council, who served as defense minister from 1997 to 2005, when Akbari was his deputy.

"I was accused of obtaining top secret information from Shamkhani in exchange for a bottle of perfume and a shirt during [former President Hassan] Rouhani's presidency," Akbari said in the audio message.

In another video, aired by IRNA, a caption read, "Akbari moved to Britain after being briefly detained and released on bail in 2008." Another video showed Akbari blindfolded in a car.

Reuters could not immediately verify if Akbari had moved to Britain in 2008 or when he returned to Iran.

In his audio message, Akbari said he had returned to Tehran following an invitation by a senior Iranian diplomat involved in Tehran's nuclear talks with world powers.
Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed hope Friday during a visit to Lebanon that diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh could be restored through dialogue between the two regional archrivals.

Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in January 2016, after protesters attacked its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the second city Mashhad following Riyadh's execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Amir-Abdollahian told a news conference in Beirut "we are ready to restore ties," and such a move "would have positive repercussions on the entire region."

He also hailed a potential rapprochement between Iranian ally Syria and Turkey, after their defense ministers met last month.

Iran and Saudi Arabia back opposing sides in various conflicts in the region, including in Syria.

First steps

Amir-Abdollahian said the first steps should be resuming talks on reopening Iran's consulate in Jeddah and Saudi Arabia's consulate in Mashhad for citizens interested in religious travel.

"But as we see it, Saudi Arabia is not completely ready to work on... normalizing ties," he told reporters.

Since April 2021, Iraq has hosted a series of meetings between the two sides, but no meetings have been publicly announced since April 2022.

Last July, Amir-Abdollahian noted previous rounds of talks had mainly been at the level of security officials and said Iran was ready for talks at a higher-level "political stage."

But after nationwide protests in Iran erupted in September, Tehran accused Riyadh of "unfriendly behavior" and encouraging the movement.

Iran holds sway over political life in Lebanon and Iraq, where it also supports armed groups.

Amir-Abdollahian met Friday with Lebanese officials including his counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

He also held talks with Hassan Nasrallah, chief of the powerful pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah.

They discussed "possible threats arising from the formation of a government of corrupt people and extremists" in Israel, according to a Hezbollah statement.

Positive repercussions

In late December, Lebanon's southern neighbor inaugurated the most right-wing government in the country's history, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The move has sparked fears of heightened tensions between Israel and Palestinian groups, and of a potential military escalation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Syria's pro-government Al-Watan newspaper said Amir-Abdollahian was set to visit ally Damascus Saturday, at a time of warming ties between Syria and Turkey.

"We are happy with this dialogue that is taking place between Syria and Turkey," Amir-Abdollahian said.

"We believe that this dialogue should have positive repercussions benefiting these two countries."

Ankara had long backed rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

But after more than a decade of war that has seen Damascus claw back territory with Russian and Iranian support, ties between Syria and Turkey have begun to thaw.

In late December, Syrian and Turkish defense ministers held landmark negotiations in Moscow  the first such meeting since 2011.

Assad said Thursday that a Moscow-brokered rapprochement with Turkey should aim for "the end of occupation" by Ankara of parts of Syria.

The defense ministers' meeting is to be followed by talks between the three countries' top diplomats, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Thursday.

The mooted reconciliation has alarmed Syrian opposition leaders and supporters who reside mostly in parts of the war-torn country under Ankara's indirect control.
The longtime president of Forest Lawn, the pre-eminent Buffalo cemetery, remains on paid administrative leave as an investigation into his dealings with employees and others enters its sixth month.

While known for showing kindness and generosity to mourners, some former employees and a funeral home director told The News that Joseph Dispenza upset them with his profane and demeaning comments.

An administrative assistant said Dispenza called her "a failure and an embarrassment," leaving her in tears. A groundskeeper said Dispenza called him "every name in the book" and threatened his job. A funeral director said Dispenza berated him with curse words and threatened to have him arrested.

A statement from Forest Lawn's Board of Trustees said Dispenza is on leave "pending the results of an independent investigation of internal personnel-related complaints. Because this is an ongoing personnel matter it would not be appropriate for us to publicly comment further."

Trustees placed Dispenza on leave on June 21.

Terrence Connors, Dispenza's attorney, dismissed claims of bullying behavior leveled against his client, who earned $308,444 in 2021.

"Joe insisted that Forest Lawn staff adhere to the highest standards of professionalism," Connors said in a written statement. "After all, Forest Lawn employees are dealing with people at the most difficult time of their lives. My office did a separate investigation and found many who supported Joe's management style. Those who were upset were either disgruntled employees or those who were terminated."

The complaints and accusations from two former employees and a funeral home director who spoke to The News are at odds with the public profile of the man long associated with Forest Lawn, whose voice is a familiar one given all of the radio commercials over the years.

"I hated hearing the commercials, and about what a nice guy Joe Dispenza was. All of us knew otherwise," said Eric Williams, formerly a mechanic and groundskeeper. "He really could be generous. I can't take that way from him. But there were two sides to Joe, and he was always very cautious to not let the other side be seen by the public."

'Toxic work environment'

Meghann Surrett, who worked as Dispenza's executive assistant and served as the board's corporate secretary for 18 months, starting in September 2020, called her experience grueling and anxiety-ridden.

Employees "walked on eggshells in fear" of Dispenza, she said.

"He could be so mean and disrespectful," she said. "He was the first to place blame and the last to forgive."

Surrett recalled getting a call from Dispenza in her car on the way to the office, listening as he vented over something she had done.

"He told me had promoted me too quickly, and I was a failure and an embarrassment," she said.

After apologizing to him and promising to do better, "I sat in my car for 15 minutes and cried, and then sucked it up," she said. "I never let him see me cry. I never gave him that power because he would feed off of it."

Surrett said Dispenza more than once encouraged her to take a day off if she wasn't feeling well, only to castigate her for taking off when she returned to work.

During a Covid-19 video call, he lashed out at her when a technical problem arose, she said, though she told him she knew little about the technology.

"He berated and belittled me to the point that three separate people apologized for the way he spoke to me," she said.

Surrett said Dispenza would email messages written in capital letters as late as midnight and as early as 3 or 4 a.m., leaving her with a sense of dread.

"If you missed it and didn't reply in a timely enough manner, he would come down on you for that," she said.

Dispenza, who has worked at Forest Lawn for 33 years, the last 18 as president, is also a member of Forest Lawn's Board of Trustees.

During her time at Forest Lawn, several employees left their jobs, citing the work environment as a major reason, she said. Dispenza kept the board in the dark about that, she said.

"I know the board was not aware of the turnover because I was in board meetings and it was never brought up," Surrett said.

She said Dispenza operated with a sense of entitlement because of his long tenure and the many years of being the face of Forest Lawn, including being featured on the cemetery's commercials.

The stress and anxiety Surrett felt working for Dispenza caused her to lose 75 pounds in eight months, she said.

"It was a very toxic work environment. I was so happy to get out of there," she said. "I couldn't eat and I wasn't sleeping. It took a toll on me mentally and physically."

Surrett said she told her story to investigators hired by the board months ago.

Union confrontation

Williams, the former groundskeeper, was also the shop steward for Teamsters Local 449.

He recalled an unpleasant run-in with Dispenza in 2020 when he went to speak to the Forest Lawn president about a union matter.

"He called me every name in the book and threatened my job," said Williams, who now lives in Michigan and works for the Department of Homeland Security.

The union eventually reached a pre-arbitration settlement with Forest Lawn requiring the cemetery to reinstate Sunday premium rates that Dispenza had taken away and to restore pay to those who had lost it after his decision.

The union filed a complaint against Dispenza with the National Labor Relations Board over the confrontation, accusing him of having "threatened and coerced an employee" carrying out union responsibilities. The NLRB substantiated the claim and required Forest Lawn to post a "Notice to Employees" signed by Dispenza, stating their rights as union employees.

The posting stated union workers had the right to "form, join or assist a union," and management would not "interfere with, restrain, or coerce you in the exercise" of those rights or "threaten you with discharge if you engage in activities on behalf of the union."

Threatened with arrest

Funeral director Peter Stachowski has never met Dispenza in person.

But he said he will never forget the rude treatment he encountered on the phone on two occasions over funeral services at Forest Lawn.

In both incidents, Dispenza shouted a string of curse words at him, said Stachowski, who owns Buszka Funeral Home in Kaisertown and West Seneca.

The exchange prompted Stachowski to involve a lawyer.

The first incident occurred in 2020, during the pandemic, when grandchildren entered Forest Lawn apart from the procession to attend their loved one's graveside funeral.

Although the grandchildren wore masks and stood 6 feet apart, Stachowski said, they exceeded the 10-person limit. When a cemetery employee complained, Stachowski said he felt someone from Forest Lawn should have been at the gate to restrict entrance.

That led to Dispenza's first phone outburst, he said.

The second occasion occurred when Stachowski called ahead to reserve the chapel for a funeral service due to wintry conditions. The family had requested that grandchildren be allowed to place flowers on the casket, so given the weather conditions, doing that inside the chapel made more sense than trying to do so outside.

"When we arrived there, the lead-in man brought us to the grave," Stachowski said. "I said, 'What are you doing? it's a sheet of ice out there and it's a blizzard.' He said those were Joe's instructions."

Stachowski said his hearse driver fell. The family was paying over $1,500 for the service, and he said he couldn't believe Dispenza wouldn't open the chapel for a short service.

That led to another four-letter word-laced outburst over the phone from Dispenza, who told Stachowski that he would have the police arrest him the next time he came to Forest Lawn, Stachowski recounted.

"I have never, ever, at any cemetery, been talked to like this and I've been doing this 20 years," Stachowski said.

"I don't think it's normal for people to lash out like that at other people," Stachowski said.
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 Japan's 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 world's 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 later on Thursday.

A common threat

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.

Kishida's 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 Beijing's 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.

Expanding trade

Meanwhile, a regional trade deal launched in 2018 has helped both countries expand trade with each other's 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.

Watch related video by Cindy Saine:

"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."

Kishida told guests that liquefied natural gas will play a "crucial role" in Japan's energy transition, and that Canada's 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 cooperation 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.
A Kyrgyz blogger known for his critical reports of authorities has been detained after the Bishkek City Court canceled his three-year parole-like probation.

Adilet Ali Myktybek, known on social media as Alibek Baltabai, was sentenced to five years in prison in November on a charge of calling for social unrest via the internet, allegations he has called politically motivated.



The court ruled at the time that Myktybek would not have to serve his prison sentence immediately, but instead would be under a three-year parole-like probation period. If he served that period without any violations, the court said his five-year prison term would be canceled.



The blogger's lawyer, Taken Moldokulov, told RFE/RL that the Bishkek City Court's decision January 12 to send his client to a penal colony was made at the request of prosecutors who considered Myktybek's sentence too lenient.



Moldokulov added that the court annulled the probation part of the sentence leaving the five-year prison term without changes.



"The Penitentiary Service is expected to inform us where exactly Adilet Baltabai will be serving his term," Moldokulov said, adding that the court decision will be appealed.



Myktybek was detained in late June last year after he was questioned by Bishkek police for a third time since May about his coverage of rallies by civil rights activists.



Following his release in November, Myktybek continued his blogging activities and took part in a rally January 10 to express support for 26 jailed Kyrgyzstan politicians and activists arrested in October for protesting a border deal with Uzbekistan.



Myktybek has been known for actively covering anti-government rallies and pickets in the Central Asian nation.



He is also a freelance correspondent for the Next television channel, whose director, Taalaibek Duishembiev, was handed a suspended three-year prison sentence in September after a court found him guilty of inciting interethnic hatred by airing a controversial report related to Russias war in Ukraine.
Japanese prosecutors formally charged the suspect in the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe with murder, Japanese media reported Friday.

Tetsuya Yamagami was arrested immediately after allegedly shooting Abe with a homemade gun as the former leader was making a campaign speech in July outside a train station in Nara in western Japan.

Later that month, Yamagami was sent to an Osaka detention center for a nearly six-month mental evaluation, which ended Tuesday. Yamagami is back in police custody in Nara.

Prosecutors said results of his mental evaluation showed he is fit to stand trial. Yamagami was also charged with violating a gun control law.

Police have said Yamagami told them that he killed Abe, one of Japan's most influential and divisive politicians, because of Abe's apparent links to a religious group that he hated. In his statements and in social media postings attributed to him, Yamagami said he developed a grudge because his mother had made massive donations to the Unification Church that bankrupted his family and ruined his life.

Some Japanese have expressed sympathy for Yamagami, especially those who also suffered as children of followers of the South Korea-based Unification Church, which is known for pressuring adherents into making big donations and is considered a cult in Japan.

Thousands of people have signed a petition requesting leniency for Yamagami, and others have sent care packages to his relatives or the detention center.

The investigation into the case has led to revelations of years of cozy ties between Abe's governing Liberal Democratic Party and the church since Abe's grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, helped the church take root in Japan in the 1960s over shared interests in conservative and anti-communist causes.

Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's popularity has plunged over his handling of the church controversy and for insisting on holding a rare, controversial state funeral for Abe.
A New York man pleaded guilty Thursday to a hate-crime manslaughter charge for beating a Chinese immigrant who was collecting cans to earn money.

Jarrod Powell, 51, is expected to get a 22-year prison sentence for the 2021 death of Yao Pan Ma. The killing drew national attention as part of a rise in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in New York and around the country.

"This unprovoked attack took the life of Yao Pan Ma and took away a sense of security for so many in the AAPI community in New York," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement Thursday.

A message seeking comment was left for Powell's attorney.

Ma was abruptly attacked from behind, knocked to the ground and kicked and stomped in the head on an East Harlem street on April 23, 2021, authorities said. His attacker fled and left him unconscious; a nearby bus driver flagged down an ambulance.

Ma, 61, suffered a traumatic brain injury and never regained consciousness. He died from his injuries eight months later.

Powell was arrested four days after the assault. In pleading guilty, he acknowledged that he targeted Ma because the victim was Asian, according to Bragg's office.

Ma's loved ones approved of the plea agreement, family spokesperson Karlin Chan said.

"While this will not bring back Mr. Yao Pan Ma, it is a significant sentence that we can accept," Chan said, noting that the plea spares the family the pain of a trial.

Ma and his wife immigrated to the U.S. in October 2018 from China, where Ma was a dim sum chef, according to Chan. He has said Ma and his wife both lost their jobs  his as a kitchen worker, hers as a home care attendant  during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic shutdowns, and the couple then started collecting cans and bottles to return for refunds.
Annual tributes and commemorations of the life and legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., which begin nationwide on Friday, typically include a mix of politics, faith and community service.

For this year's celebration, the 37th since its federal recognition in 1986, a descendant of King hopes to spur progress by helping more Americans personalize the ongoing struggle for racial equity and harmony. Bernice King, daughter of the late civil rights icon, said people must move beyond platitudes and deepen their own commitments to the needed progress.

"We need to change our thinking," said King, who is CEO of The King Center in Atlanta.

Under the theme "It Starts With Me," the center launched its slate of Martin Luther King Jr. Day events on Thursday with youth and adult summits to educate the public on ways to transform unjust systems in the U.S.

The summits were streamed online and are available for replay on the center's social media accounts.

"It seems like we're going through these cycles, because we're trying to approach everything with the same mindset that all of this (racial inequity) was created," King told The Associated Press.

"Change can be very small," she said, "but transformation means that now we changed the character, form, and nature of something. That's something we have not seen yet."

Other King holiday weekend events include a statue unveiling in Boston, a symposium on police brutality in Akron, Ohio, and community service projects in many U.S. cities. The holiday kicks off another year of advocacy on a racial justice agenda  from police reforms and strengthening voting rights to solutions on economic and educational disparities  that has been stymied by culture wars and partisan gridlock in Washington and nationwide.

On Sunday morning, President Joe Biden is due to speak at a commemorative service at Ebenezer Baptist Church, the historic Atlanta house of worship where King preached from 1960 until his assassination in 1968. The church is pastored by the Rev. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who recently won election to a full term as Georgia's first Black U.S. senator.

And on Monday, the federal observance of the King holiday, commemorations continue in Atlanta, as well as in the nation's capital and beyond.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who got his start as a civil rights organizer in his teens as youth director of an anti-poverty project of King's Southern Christian Leadership Conference, will hold his annual King holiday events in Washington, D.C. and New York on Monday. Martin Luther King III, son of the civil rights icon, is expected to attend Sharpton's breakfast gala in Washington with his wife, Drum Major Institute president Arndrea Waters King, who will be honored alongside former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Monday afternoon in New York City, Sharpton, the founder and president of the National Action Network, is scheduled to convene more than 30 prominent state and local elected officials for a public policy forum at the House of Justice, his organization's headquarters in Harlem.

In the decades since its establishment, the King holiday has become an opportunity for elected officials and candidates seeking office to establish their civil rights and social justice credentials. Bernice King said partisanship among politicians has been a major obstacle to legislative solutions on civil rights.

Overcoming that is "going to require elevating to a place where your loyalty is to humanity, not to party," she said.

"If we don't find humane ways to create policies and implement practices out of those policies, we're going to continue in this vicious cycle of a downward spiral towards destruction and chaos."

Outside of establishment politics, many King holiday weekend events are opportunities for Americans to give back, reflect on the civil right icon's legacy or deal locally with racial discrimination in their own communities.

A massive monument to Martin Luther King Jr. is scheduled to be dedicated Friday in Boston, where the leader first met his wife, Coretta Scott King. In the early 1950s, he was a doctoral student in theology at Boston University and she was studying at the New England Conservatory of Music.

The $10 million sculpture called "The Embrace" consisting of four intertwined arms was inspired by a photo of the Kings embracing when King Jr. learned he had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. It was designed byHank Willis Thomas and MASS Design Group and was selected out of 126 proposals.

Imari Paris Jeffries, executive director of EmbraceBoston, the organization behind the memorial, noted the significance of the sculpture's placement at the Boston Common, America's oldest public park and a high traffic area with millions of city residents and visitors walking its paths every year.

"I think Boston has this reputation of being this city of heroes and abolitionists, like W.E.B. Du Bois and Frederick Douglas, simultaneously with this reputation of not being friendly and in some cases being described as racist. So there's this tension between these two images of Boston. Having the memorial there is part of our intention to transform our city's perspective."

In Akron, Ohio, the family of Jayland Walker, a 25-year-old Black man killed after police officers shot at him 46 times as he fled last July, will hold a symposium on public safety and mental health with local civil rights leaders on Saturday. Walker's case received widespread attention from activists, including from the King family.

And for the seventh year, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will mark a post-King holiday National Day of Racial Healing. On Tuesday, communities nationwide are scheduled to hold town halls to continue dialog on healing that the foundation says is needed to achieve racial equity.

"Regardless of who you are, there's a journey of healing that everyone must consider," said La June Montgomery Tabron, CEO of the Kellogg Foundation. "We've all been impacted by racism."
A military-backed court in Myanmar has reportedly sentenced 112 Rohingya Muslim refugees to jail terms after they were caught traveling outside refugee camps, as the entire group was on its way to Malaysia.

The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported on January 10 that the Bogale township court sentenced the group of Bengalis a pejorative the authorities in the country use to identify Rohingyas  to two to five years imprisonment on January 6 for traveling without legal documents.

The court gave jail terms of two years to five children who were under 13. Seven children older than 13 were sentenced to three years. The rest  53 men and 47 women  were sentenced to five years imprisonment, according to the report.

The group of 112 was arrested from around the shores of Bogale township in the southern Ayeyarwady region of Myanmar by the Ayeyarwady Region Police Force on December 20, after they had landed from motorboats, the state media reported.

Fleeing persecution

Upwards of 1 million Rohingya Muslims live in congested shanty colonies of Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, after fleeing persecution and violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

In Coxs Bazar, the Rohingyas live in prison-like conditions, with little opportunity for education or livelihood. Refugees from Bangladesh have for years sought to go to work and live in Malaysia. Using boats operated by human traffickers from Bangladesh, Rohingyas have traveled to Malaysia for many years along illegal sea routes.

Activist groups tracking the movement of Rohingyas report that in recent years many refugees from Bangladesh cross over to Myanmar during the first leg of their illegal journey to Malaysia. With the help of the traffickers, some among them traverse the entire stretch of the journey to Malaysia by land. Some others choose a mixed land-and-sea route to sneak into Malaysia.

However, it is not clear if all members of the group of 112  who were arrested in Bogale township and jailed  came from Coxs Bazar or if some in the group were from Rohingya villages or camps inside Myanmar.

According to Coxs Bazar-based Rohingya activist Mohammad Hossain, at least 5,000 Rohingya from Bangladesh entered Myanmar in the past two years, aiming to finally make it to Malaysia.

More than half of them were somehow arrested in Myanmar, and now all of them are in custody there. After being intercepted by police in Myanmar, sometimes traffickers pay bribes and manage to get the Rohingyas freed. But in situations where bribes do not come into play for several reasons, Malaysia-bound Rohingyas are ending up in jails in Myanmar, Hossain told VOA.

In Myanmar, the members of the community have not been regarded as citizens for decades. They have no way to get travel documents like passports or visas. So, they resort to illegal routes to enter Malaysia. By sending stateless Rohingyas to jail for not possessing official travel documents, Myanmar is giving them extremely unjustified punishments.

'The latest victims'

Daniel Sullivan, director for Africa, Asia, and the Middle East at Refugees International, said the Rohingya who are being sent to jail for traveling without proper documents are just the latest victims of the genocidal policies of the military junta in Myanmar.

It is the conditions placed on the Rohingya by the junta in Myanmar, including the denial of their citizenship, that has forced them into this predicament. The million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, while out of the direct line of fire of the military junta, are also facing dire conditions incentivizing them to risk dangerous journeys by sea, Sullivan told VOA.

Concerted global pressure in the form of targeted sanctions [including on oil and gas and aviation fuel], an arms embargo, and support for accountability measures is urgently needed to get at the root of the crisis affecting the Rohingya and so many other people of Myanmar.

The Myanmar authorities action to imprison Rohingya for not having identity documents is appalling and outrageous, Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, told VOA.

It is precisely the Myanmar government systematically denying the Rohingya access to official recognition and citizenship in the first place for which they are not in possession of identity documents. Furthermore, jailing children for simply accompanying their family on a voyage is so heartless and cruel that it really defies description, Robertson said.

Whats clear is the Myanmar junta doesnt view the Rohingya as being truly human, which is something incoming ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] chair Indonesia should be considering as it considers how to approach Myanmar to compel the restoration of democracy and respect for human rights," he said.
Ethiopias army says Amhara forces that allied with them in the war against Tigrayan rebels have withdrawn from a strategic city in the region as part of a November peace deal.

Ethiopias military in a statement said Amhara forces have started withdrawing from northern Tigray region.

The statement Thursday said the regional forces, which fought alongside the Ethiopian government against Tigrayan rebels, were ordered to leave the town of Shire and its surroundings.

Ethiopias defense force deputy army chief, General Abebaw Tadesse, was said to have witnessed the withdrawal.

There was no immediate comment on the announcement from Tigrayan authorities.

The withdrawal could not be independently confirmed, as Ethiopia has for more than a year not allowed journalists to enter Tigray.

If confirmed, the withdrawal would be another sign of progress on a key part of the November peace deal between the federal and Tigray authorities to end the brutal two-year war.

The African Union-brokered agreement includes the withdrawal of foreign forces from Tigray, the restoration of basic services and humanitarian aid, and the disarming of Tigray rebels.

The Tigray Peoples Liberation Front on Wednesday began handing over heavy weapons to the federal government.

Witnesses say Eritrean troops, who also fought against the TPLF, left two cities in Tigray last month.

It is not clear, though, whether they are withdrawing from the region entirely.
A recently published report in a U.S.-based magazine says Iran is likely using facial recognition technology to monitor womens compliance with the countrys hijab law.

While there are other ways people can be identified, Wired magazine says Irans apparent use of facial recognition technology against women is perhaps the first known instance of a government using face recognition to impose dress law on women based on religious belief.

Iran announced late last year that it would begin to use recognition technology to monitor its women.

Wired said that since the protests that have erupted across Iran following the death of a young women who was arrested for wearing her headscarf improperly, Iranian women are reporting that they are being arrested for hijab infractions a day or two after attending protests, even though they had no interaction with police during the protests.

Tiandy, a Chinese company blacklisted by the U.S., is a likely provider of facial recognition technology to Iran, although neither it nor Iranian officials responded to a request for comment from Wired.

The company has in the past listed the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corp and other Iranian police and government agencies as customers. Tiandy also boasted on its website that its technology has helped China identify the countrys ethnic minorities, including Uyghurs.
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After a long battle to elect Kevin McCarthy as House speaker, Republicans are looking ahead to their priorities in the 118th Congress. VOA Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson previews looming debates over border security, the debt ceiling and investigations into the Biden administration.
Amin Murad Manan recently received a phone call that he had been expecting since fleeing his native city of Afrin in 2018, when the Turkish military and its Syrian proxies invaded the Kurdish-controlled territory in northwestern Syria.

"The call was from my cousin, who still lives in Afrin, telling me that my family's agricultural land was now being turned into a settlement for Arabs from other parts of Syria," he told VOA in an interview.

Manan, 59, has been living as a displaced person in Qamishli, a Kurdish-majority city in northeastern Syria controlled by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces.

The Afrin district came under the control of the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, shortly after Syria's civil war erupted in 2011. But Turkish forces and allied Syrian proxies carried out a major offensive in 2018 and successfully ousted the Kurdish group from the region.

The Turkish government views the YPG as an extension of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which Turkey, the United States and the European Union consider a terrorist organization.

Since Turkey took control of Afrin, rights groups and Kurdish activists have accused the Turkish government and its allies of changing its demographics by settling Arab and Turkmen families in the predominately Kurdish region.

Last week, Turkish-backed groups in Afrin announced the opening of a new settlement that will ultimately have 200 residential units for displaced people, Syrian opposition news sites reported.

Manan said the 10 acres on which the so-called Ajnadeen village is built belongs to his family.

"This land has been owned by my family for generations," he told VOA, adding that "official Syrian government records prove that this is our land."

"When my cousin asked the groups that are currently ruling Afrin why they were building on a land that belonged to other people, their response was, 'We've seized this land because it belongs to the YPG.' "

Palestinian backers

The settlement in question was named after a Palestinian humanitarian organization that funded the construction project.

"We do humanitarian work, and we are not aware of complex political matters inside Syria," said Mohammed al-Khalid, a project manager at the Ajnadeen Charity group, based in the Gaza Strip.

The organization last week published photos on its website, describing the inauguration of the first phase of the project in Afrin.

"This land is for all Syrians, no matter who they are or where they come from," al-Khalid told VOA, adding that "what matters to us is alleviating the plight [of Syrians] as much as we can."

He said his group doesn't "discriminate between Kurds and Arabs, or Sunnis, Shiites and Alawites."

Nazmi Hazouri, the Palestinian consul general to Irbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region, on Tuesday told Kurdish news network Rudaw that the funding of such projects by a Palestinian group doesn't reflect the official position of the Palestinian Authority.

"There is no official Palestinian project to build residential complexes in Afrin or any other part of Syria," he said. "Some religious organizations have been using the name 'Palestine' in these projects."

In September, the Palestinian Authority's Foreign Ministry issued a statement denouncing the construction of Palestinian-funded settlement projects in northern Syria.

"We will not accept infringing the rights and properties of Kurdish families in Afrin and other Kurdish areas in northern Syria," Riyad al-Maliki, foreign affairs minister of the Palestinian Authority, said at the time.

Turkey blamed

Legal experts have blamed Turkish authorities for allowing such settlement projects to take place in Afrin.

"These local and international aid groups that are involved in building these settlements have open ties with the Turkish government, so they have the approval of the Turkish government," said Bassam Alahmad, executive director of Syrians for Truth and Justice, a Paris-based advocacy group that documents rights abuses in Syria.

"As an occupying force, the Turkish government is legally responsible for what happens in Afrin, including these illegal settlements," he told VOA.

VOA contacted Turkey's Foreign Ministry regarding this matter but has received no response.

Turkish officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have said that Turkey supports the building of residential units in northern Syria that would allow some Syrian refugees in Turkey to return home. According to the United Nations, Turkey has hosted about 3.5 million Syrian refugees since the beginning of Syria's conflict in 2011.

Metin Corabatir, president of the Ankara-based Asylum and Migration Research Center, told VOA that small numbers of Syrian refugees have been resettled in northern Syria.

"These are areas with mixed populations, so in addition to Kurds, there were Arabs there before the war, and some are now returning to their homes," he said. "So I don't think there is a general ethnic cleansing taking place in northern Syria.

"Some people left when the Turkish military took control of these areas, but it is not the entire population, and I don't think this is an ethnic cleansing type of situation."

Manan, the displaced man from Afrin, said that while he could not return to his hometown because he feared retribution from Turkish-backed groups, he would not give up his ownership rights to his land.

This story originated in VOA's Kurdish Service.
Sean Kirst Columnist Born in Dunkirk, a son, grandson and great-grandson of Buffalonians, I've been an Upstate journalist for more than 48 years. As a kid, I learned quiet lives are often monumental. I still try to honor that simple lesson, as a columnist. Follow Sean Kirst Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The news was of tremendous meaning to Charlene Le Fauve. As a senior adviser on scientific workforce diversity at the National Institutes of Health, her job centers on opening doors for young Americans of color to careers in medicine and other sciences.

She is also a native of Buffalo, where her late father, Samuel Woodard, was a longtime teacher. He died last month at 92 in Maryland, and Le Fauves voice still cracks with love and grief when she speaks of him. So it mattered to her to learn of what will happen at 9 a.m. Friday at City Honors School:

Woodard's name will be said out loud when the school resumes its in-person version of Keeping the Dream Alive, a longstanding, student-organized community tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In opening remarks that will reflect upon profound wounds endured by Buffalo in the last eight months, principal Bill Kresse intends to make sure every student in the hall understands Woodard's role in how King's holiday came to be.

"My father just valued education so much, and he instilled that as a fundamental principle in all of us," said Le Fauve, 57, who built her career around social justice and confronting disparities in health care.

Lum Smith, a Buffalo schools administrator who remembers Woodard as a teacher, describes him as "outstanding, very charismatic"  and a guy who would routinely speak of African American history his students never found in textbooks.

At City Honors, Keeping the Dream Alive was founded by the late Irene Taylor McVay, a Buffalo educator who  as a teenager  was an organizer of a 1951 school walkout in Farmville, Va., that became part of the nation-changing Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka decision.

Sean Kirst: After MLK's death, a Buffalo teacher led call for national holiday In 1968, Samuel Woodard, a former Buffalo teacher, picked up the telephone and called a newspaper to suggest a national holiday to commemorate Martin Luther King

McVay also brought together the African Dance and Drumming Troupe central to the Dream celebration. Nicole Ndayishimiye and Aubria Cooper, two senior class members of the troupe, say Woodards legacy fits seamlessly with their hopes for this years King gathering, which they helped organize for the last day of school before the formal observance.

Woodard was an educator in Buffalo until he left for Temple University. His importance in creating the holiday to honor King was acknowledged by Dorothy Butler Gilliam, the first African American female reporter at the Washington Post, who wrote a piece in 1983 celebrating a long-awaited federal embrace.

Gilliam described Woodard as one of the key figures who conceived of and dreamed of that holiday." In 1968, when King died, Woodard was an assistant professor of education at Temple, so new to Philadelphia after leaving Buffalo that he still was living out of a hotel room. When I spoke to him in 2018, he told me he sat on the edge of his bed weeping after learning King had been murdered by an assassin in Memphis.

He gathered himself, demonstrating what Le Fauve said was the great principle of his life. He called a friend at The Philadelphia Inquirer and said there ought to be a national holiday in Kings memory, an annual opportunity for the nation to step back and recommit to the mission of true equality.

Sean Kirst: Martin Luther King Jr.'s almost forgotten speech in Buffalo In 1956, at a celebration at the old Statler Hotel for the 50th anniversary of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, 27-year-old Martin Luther King inspired the crowd in a speech, The Birth of a New

What Id always believed, Woodard said in 2018, is that good could come from evil.

The idea has aching resonance in Buffalo. The King gathering at City Honors will be almost eight months to the day since May 14, when a racist killer murdered 10 African Americans who shopped or worked at a Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue.

Friday's event follows by only a few weeks the Christmas weekend blizzard that claimed at least 44 lives in Western New York, most in Buffalo itself, and a Dartmouth Avenue house fire in which five children died.

Student organizers say lingering sorrow cannot be separated from Keeping the Dream Alive, which will include an address by Buffalo poet laureate Jillian Hanesworth. But they also see the gathering as a statement on collective resolve and community, especially after two years of doing the event by Zoom.

Its just a different kind of power when were all together, Cooper said.

As for Woodard, the students say it is moving to know someone with close ties to Buffalo played such a pivotal national role. Ndayishimiye said that legacy meshes beautifully with an annual Honors performance of Happy Birthday, the Stevie Wonder tribute to King that became an anthem in the campaign for the holiday.

Le Fauve said her mother, Charlotte Murray, was raised in Buffalo. Le Fauve, born in 1965 at the old Deaconess Hospital, was the only one of Woodards four daughters delivered here, though she left the city in early childhood, not long before her parents divorced.

She still has reasons to return to Western New York. Le Fauve's husband, Beau, graduated from Amherst High School. They are devoted Bills fans, who worried with countless others when Damar Hamlin collapsed from cardiac arrest, and rejoiced in his subsequent recovery. And Buffalo itself will always be a reminder of Samuel Woodards ethic, built upon the barriers he faced and overcame in his own life.

Born in West Virginia, his father  a miner  died from the "black lung." Woodard was orphaned at 6 by the death of his mother. His older sister, Naomi, became the central figure in his life by honoring their moms deathbed request: Keep the family together.

His own experience of childhood scarcity and hunger led Woodard to the burning mission of his career: African American children, even when confronted with catastrophic circumstance, could rise to lives of profound meaning and achievement  though all too often many people in positions of authority could not see such potential.

King, then, served as an early beacon. Woodard was part of the March on Washington in 1963 and was there to hear Kings I Have a Dream speech, Murray said.

Sean Kirst: An image, a Bible, a Buffalo moment with MLK Fifty years ago to the month, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was here to speak in the wake of the riots of 1967, when violence erupted in impoverished Buffalo neighborhoods, as it did in dozens of cities across the

Im absolutely sure, Le Fauve said of King, that my father found inspiration in someone who manifested and articulated leadership and vision and change despite being the object of discrimination, violence and harm.

In that Philadelphia hotel room, overwhelmed by grief after learning of Kings death, Woodard offered his notion to a newspaper. King was a fraternity brother at Alpha Phi Alpha  he had addressed a national conference of the organization in 1956, in Buffalo  and Woodards notion of an Alpha-backed day of national honor and reflection swiftly was picked up by the wire services.

Other diligent champions shared the idea. It was finally signed into law in 1983, after a national tour by Stevie Wonder and poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron broke down lingering walls of resistance. That Woodard played a role of such magnitude does not surprise Le Fauve, whose dad always thought big. He was a visionary.

Woodard arrived in Buffalo in 1953, not long after graduating from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. He held down a shift for a while at General Motors, then became a school teacher  and later an administrator  while working toward advanced degrees at Canisius College and the University at Buffalo.

From Temple, he went on to the University at Illinois and then, in 1974, to Howard University. He built a reputation as a scholar, writer and what his daughter described as a transactional analyst, whose passion and focus involved the possibilities that ought to be within reach of African American children, when instead too many were sidetracked by monumental struggle.

Almost 55 years after Woodard was among the first to suggest a national holiday for King, hundreds of students, educators and members of the community will pack the City Honors auditorium Friday as part of the tribute Woodard helped create. Le Fauve has no doubt it would have mattered to her father, whose message to those young women and men would boil down to this:

At a time of incomprehensible loss in Buffalo, our greatest hope lies in the strength and potential in each of them  the treasure he spent his life helping to find.
Somalias public rally Thursday against the Islamist militant group al-Shabab was a much-needed show of unity, say analysts. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud rallied thousands of people in the capital to support the all-out war on the group he declared last year. The Somali army offensives, backed by local militias and foreign allies, have retaken territories the militants held for years. Analysts say regional politics are undermining the progress.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamuds call for Somalis to kick out al-Shabab militants from their neighborhoods and remain alert in the war against the Islamists was a welcomed show of unity, say analysts.

Addressing thousands of Somalis at Mogadishu Stadium Thursday, Mohamud said time was up for al-Shabab and that everyone should work to annihilate the group.

He says Benadir region, which includes Mogadishu, should stand against the khawarij, which means a deviation from Islam, and throw out the group's members. Mohamud says they are in your homes, at your neighbors, they rented your houses, their vehicles pass near your homes. From today, he says, he wants everyone to pledge to kick them out like bedbugs.

The rally came as Somalias army, with the support of clan militias and foreign allies, has been fighting an offensive against the group.

Seven months of fighting has seen al-Shabab pushed out of territory it has controlled for years.

But the militants have also been on the offensive.

Somali authorities say the group Saturday carried out attacks on government forces in central Hiran region, killing more than 40.

In October, twin car bombings claimed by the group at a busy Mogadishu market intersection killed 121 people and injured hundreds.

Samira Gaid is an independent, Mogadishu-based political and security analyst. She tells VOA the government needs to gain public support in the fight against the militants.

It's very important that operations are supported by popular support from the people, and I think that the government is ensuring that this is sustained by having the people involved," said Gaid. "And so I think it's a good idea to constantly have your pulse on the people and what they really want.

Gaid says the offensive against al-Shabab has slowed down in the last few weeks as resources are stretched and the government gathers more support.

Despite victories by the Somali army against the group, analysts warn that political infighting could undermine the progress.

The government of Puntland, a semi-autonomous state in northeast Somalia, said in a statement Monday it had suspended cooperation with federal authorities.

The statement said it would be its own government while waiting for Somalias federal constitution to be completed.

Mohamed Ibrahim Rashid is founder of Linking Governance, a policy and governance strategy consultancy in Mogadishu.

He tells VOA the declaration by Puntland could erode some of the security gains against the militants.

Rashid says the row between the federal government and Puntland could be a challenge to the federal government and the ongoing security efforts. He says any regional state having a dispute with the federal government could be a problem.

Somalias President Mohamud defeated Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni in last Mays election.

Tensions have since grown between the two leaders over distribution of power between the federal and state governments.

Its not the first time Somalias federal government has grappled for power with regional ones.

Somalias breakaway republic of Somaliland withdrew troops this month from the disputed town of Las Anod after deadly clashes between police and protesters.

Puntland claims the town run by Somaliland, which broke from Somalia in 1991.

Somalias regional states in August suspended cooperation with the federal ministry of finance, citing broken agreements by the federal government.

Despite the political wrangling, Somali authorities this week quantified its progress against al-Shabab.

Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Wednesday since the offensive began in July Somali security forces have killed more than 2,000 of the militants and closed more than 250 bank accounts linked to the group.
At least nine people died in tornadoes that destroyed homes and knocked out power to tens of thousands in the U.S. Southeast, local officials said on Friday, and the death toll in hard-hit central Alabama was expected to rise.

The storms on Thursday stretched from Mississippi to Georgia. At least five tornadoes touched down in central Alabama, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Jessica Laws. One of those twisters potentially tracked about 150 miles (241 km) from southwest Selma, Alabama, to the Georgia-Alabama state line, she said.

Rescue teams were searching for missing people in Alabama's Autauga County, where seven deaths have been reported, emergency management director Ernie Baggett said on MSNBC. He credited schools for saving more lives by not releasing students early.

County coroner Buster Barber told Reuters the number of casualties would rise.

"We are finding more bodies as we speak," he said in a phone interview. "We've got search teams out in the area."

Storms damaged as many as 50 properties in Autauga County, according to the local sheriff's office.

In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp confirmed two people had died in Thursday's storms. A 5-year-old child was killed after a tree fell on a car, leaving an adult passenger in critical condition as they were driving home, Butts County Coroner Lacey Prue said.

A state employee also was killed while responding to the storm, Kemp said.

Images from the severe storms showed widespread damage in Selma, a pivotal site of the U.S. civil rights movement. A tornado tore off rooftops and hurled debris. Multiple businesses and homes were destroyed, and trees were ripped from their roots.

Residents were visibly shaken by the experience, and some counted themselves lucky to be alive.

One woman began to cry as she described riding out the storm in her bathtub. She said the winds picked up her trailer, destroying everything inside.

Ray Hogg said he found shelter inside a country club.

"You could hear the roar, glass going everywhere," he said. "You could hear the roof literally being torn off right over our heads."

Officials confirmed four tornadoes touched down in Georgia, largely southeast of Atlanta but causing damage across the state, with winds peeling off roofs, knocking down houses and uprooting trees.

Just southeast of Atlanta, a freight train had three of its cars blown off the tracks, blocking traffic. No injuries from that incident were reported, officials said.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday declared a state of emergency for the six counties of Autauga, Chambers, Coosa, Dallas, Elmore and Tallapoosa.

Nearly 20,000 customers were without power in Alabama on Friday, according to PowerOutage.us. The storm also led to power outages in neighboring states of Mississippi and Georgia.

Tornado sirens in Monroe County in northeast Mississippi, where a twister made landfall, failed to activate as the storm moved through the area, local news reported.
The United States has announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of the alleged leader of the 2019 attack on Nairobi's Dusit D2 hotel complex. The attack in the Kenyan capital killed 21 people, including a U.S. citizen, and injured 30 others.

Kennedy Macharia was working at the complex on January 2019 when he heard gunshots. He and some of his colleagues barricaded themselves inside their office until police found them and led them out.

However, two of his colleagues were shot and killed.

Macharia welcomed Thursday's U.S. announcement of a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Mohamoud Abdi Aden, the alleged mastermind of the attack.

"I think the idea of looking for whoever masterminded the whole thing would be of great help, to serve justice to the families that lost their loved ones, some friends, some colleagues, some workmates," Macharia said. "I feel it will serve justice and maybe it will bring closure to the whole ordeal."

Mohamoud Abdi Aden is leader of the Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab. The U.S. State Department officially designated him as a terrorist in October.

U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman announced the reward offer, which is equivalent to more than 1.2 billion Kenya shillings. She said the U.S. is seeking information leading to Aden's arrest and conviction in any country, plus information on anyone else involved in the Dusit D2 attack.

"We encourage anyone with information on those responsible for the attack to contact Rewards for Justice on Signal, Telegram or Whatsapp via Kenyan and Somali tip lines displayed on the posters, Whitman said.

The U.S. reward offer is the third of its kind in three months.

In November, the U.S. offered $10 million for information leading to the capture of three al-Shabab leaders  Ahmed Diriye, Muhad Karate and Jehad Mostafa  alleged to be responsible for attacks in both Kenya and Somalia.

On January 5, the U.S. issued a reward offer for information on Maalim Ayman, believed to have planned an attack on Kenya's Manda Bay Airbase, which is utilized by the U.S. armed forces for counterterrorism training.

Security analysts such as Daniel Omondi say the U.S. rewards are signaling Washington's proactive efforts to nab terrorists in Kenya.

"Especially after the 1998 bombing of the U.S. embassies, the U.S. must keep on being on the forefront to help, especially with surveillance and enhancing efforts with regards to collection of information, which is very, very key in preventing further attacks in the region," Omondi said.

Kenya and the U.S. have formed a multi-agency investigation unit to counter terrorism and share information to avert attacks. Authorities from both countries say the unit has been a success.


As China has relaxed its zero-COVID policy and made it much easier for travelers to come and go, a surge of infections has prompted some countries, including the United States, to impose new testing requirements for anyone arriving from China.

Each Chinese traveler boarding a flight from mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than two days prior. Beijing has pushed back on the increased screening, even though each foreign traveler entering China must also present a negative COVID-19 test.

VOA Mandarin White House Correspondent Paris Huang spoke with Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, senior adviser for the White House COVID Response Team, about the newly implemented COVID restrictions on travelers from China. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

VOA: When we talk about the newly implemented COVID-19 restrictions on travelers from China, what type of test results will be accepted? Does it have to be from a reputable company like Abbott, with a QR code or lab or doctors note, or simply a photo of the test kit?

Dr. Nahid Bhadelia: What's required is a viral test that looks for current infections. It can be a nucleic acid amplification test such as a PCR or a rapid antigen test, as long as it's testing to see if you might currently be infected. And what passengers are required to do is to present the test results, which includes a certain amount of information: the sample collection date, the name of the entity or the lab that conducted the test, passenger information and the type of test that was used. Passengers can also use self-tests if they have a component which includes telehealth services associated with a manufacturer, which includes real time video and audio supervision. So, for example, when I've traveled globally in the past, I would do the self-test with the proctored telehealth service. I would then receive a test result in my email which I can then either take with me to the airport, or upload if the airline allows that beforehand. And there's a whole list of the accepted tests available and accepted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on their website.

VOA: So it has to be from a third party or a certified company providing that result? It cannot be just a photocopy or a photo of the test kit?

Bhadelia: Not a photo of the test kit. It has to be a test result that has the data that is required for the airlines to determine whether the test was conducted within the right timeframe by an entity who might be able to provide supervision on how the test was done.

VOA: Who will be checking those certificates? How will the Transportation Security Administration authenticate a legitimate test result and how will they identify a counterfeit test result?

Bhadelia: I think the important part is that airlines here will be looking for the test results to have that necessary information and they'll make a determination when, for example, a translation is required. So this is an important point if you're traveling and the test results that you have are in another language. You may want to call the airline beforehand just to ensure that it has information that you need to be able to be accepted for travel.

VOA: When the travelers land here at the airport in the United States, will the TSA ask them to produce the test results for a second verification?

Bhadelia: We ask that passengers keep their tests. They may or may not be asked, but that's not a requirement. But they should hold on to that test result during their travel.

VOA: What is the punishment if someone has fake test results? Anything beyond denial of entry?

Bhadelia: The CDC order mentions that activities such as providing inaccurate or misleading information to the government can be subject to criminal offense charges.

VOA: How do you trace someone traveling to United States through a third country, especially if they stay there for a couple of days before coming to the United States?

Bhadelia: This is important and it can be confusing for passengers. One of the things that the order requires is that if you are in one of the designated airports as a stopover before you come to the U.S., and you have been in either mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau, that you are going to get a test. And then in those designated airports, you will also be required to present a test that you've done before traveling the United States.

The three airports that are designated are Vancouver International Airport, Toronto Pearson Airport and Incheon Airport in South Korea. At those three airports you will also be required as someone who may have traveled to mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau to present a negative test.

VOA: What happens if the traveler produced a negative test result when entering the United States, but then tested positive? What's the next step?

Bhadelia: The big goal here is to identify patients or travelers who may be positive so we're able to slow the appearance of new cases, the genomic data for which we don't have enough background on.

If you do test positive after arriving, you should isolate at home and keep distance from others in your household, provide good ventilation in your home, follow all the good practices the CDC provides for isolation of patients who may be positive.

Here's an important part. You may qualify if you are a high-risk patient for treatment with oral antiviral medications that we know can help reduce severe disease or hospitalizations. So one of the other things that we ask patients to do is just to call your health care provider to make sure that you test yourself to see if you're eligible for those antivirals. Or if you don't have one, look at covid.gov, which can direct you to places where you might be able to get access to treatment.

VOA: Will foreigners still be able to get the health care they need?

Bhadelia: For visitors here in the U.S., I think its going to depend on your hotels proximity clinics, your national insurance and other factors. But yes, absolutely. Anybody who's sick should be able to seek care.

VOA: Can travelers from China get new mRNA vaccines? Would you recommend that they get the latest boosters here?

Bhadelia: Yeah, CDC recommends that everybody stays updated with vaccinations. We know that it helps reduce severe illness, hospitalization and, God forbid, death. And anybody who's interested in getting a vaccination when you arrive in the U.S., you can check vaccines.gov. And again, if you want to access tests, you can also look at covid.gov. It's the same thing with treatment. Anybody who's seeking medical care can look for more information available on those sites.

VOA: Who is paying for the treatment, vaccines and test kits? Taxpayers or travelers?

Bhadelia: Well, I think the way to look at this is that every positive case that we identify and isolate is allowing us to ensure that more community transmission is not occurring. And so it is actually in the interest of the greater global good to ensure that anybody who requires a test is tested, and if they identify themselves as positive, that they're able to isolate.
By Lungelo Ndhlovu

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - As lingering droughts hit southern Africa's hydropower dams, Zimbabwe faces growing electricity shortages - but connecting individuals and businesses that have installed private solar panels to the national grid could help fill some of the gap.

Farmer Kalani Ndlovu, for instance, wants to expand his 13 kilowatt (KW) solar mini-grid - used to pump well water to fill a farm reservoir - and sell the excess power to the state.

But Ndlovu - who has a farm in Umguza, in Matabeleland North Province - worries about the cost of the device he needs to connect his mini-grid to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), the state-owned distributor.

The grid-tied inverter would cost him at least $2,000, a significant outlay on top of the about $5,000 the commercial farmer spent on his solar power system back in 2019.

"Money to invest in solar equipment is lacking," he said in a telephone interview from his 840-hectare (2,000-acre) Mjayeli Farm, where he grows maize and soy and rears cattle.

"But I want to tap into the net metering project and supply the grid," he added.

Zimbabwe's net metering system, launched in 2020, allows people who produce private renewable energy to transfer their excess generation to the national grid in return for electricity credits they can use when they do not have sufficient renewable supply.

The southern African nation is suffering a prolonged power shortage, especially after its main Kariba hydropower plant last month cut electricity generation due to low water levels.

Today the plant is generating only about a third of its installed capacity of 2,000 megawatts (MW).

As climate change-fuelled droughts lead to water shortages at Kariba, the country's ageing coal plants also are frequently breaking down.

Blackouts of up to 20 hours a day are now common.

In response, the government has announced a variety of measures to boost power supplies - from harnessing more electricity from independent power producers (IPPs) to importing more energy from neighbouring nations.

The country has said it also wants more individuals like Ndlovu - as well as companies, IPPs, and even schools - to sell the excess power they generate via net metering.

However, Sosten Ziuku, director of renewable energy in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, acknowledged the high equipment costs for net metering users - especially individuals rather than IPPs that tend to operate on a larger scale.

"So we are looking at a situation where we can do bulk procurement of those meters to reduce cost," he said, referring to solar smart meters that measure the flow of energy in both directions.

But some analysts and lawmakers have questioned whether the net metering system - with 117 active users and a total power capacity of 4.9MW at present - can be relied upon or scaled up sufficiently to genuinely address the worsening energy crisis.

"You can put as many meters as you want but if the power is not there it's a waste of time," Tendai Biti, a politician and former finance minister, said in an interview.

"The primary challenge is generation and Zimbabwe needs to create urgently 2,000MW of fresh power," he added.

COSTS AND FUNDING

Under the country's net metering regulations - first laid out in 2018 - domestic users were to receive an electricity credit of 0.9 kilowatt-hour (kWh) for each kWh of power they exported to the national grid.

But the regulations were updated last year, and the value of the credit was reduced to 0.8 kWh.

Some solar sector players have criticised both slow progress in expanding net metering and how the system functions.

Taona Jakachira, chief technical officer at Distributed Power Africa - a renewable energy firm - said net metering was "not fully functional" due to issues with the billing technology that determines how many power units suppliers should receive.

Still, the system "will go a long way in complementing the government's effort to provide power to its people", he added.

But high costs remain a major stumbling block.

Mihlayifani Ncube, a technician at the firm Solar Village Renewable Energy Solutions, said it was pricey for individuals to even install solar grid systems, let alone afford the additional equipment required to connect to the national grid.

"Load-shedding (power cuts) has driven a lot of people ... to install solar systems to power their homes as back-up systems to use when there is no electricity - but not to supply the grid because of costly inverters and solar meters," Ncube said.

Zimbabwe last month launched a $30 million renewable energy fund as part of a United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) initiative. The government said it would provide support to regular small and medium-sized firms for renewable projects.

Ziuku said the money was earmarked for loans for "private sector players ... (to) come into renewable energy" and would support government efforts to increase national power supply.

In a separate development, Zimbabwe last month announced incentives to support $1 billion worth of privately-owned solar energy projects by IPPs, covering 27 projects with a cumulative capacity of about 1,000 MW.

Zimbabwe has a target of generating 1,100MW of clean energy by 2025, and 2,100 MW by 2030, but this has been hindered by a lack of investment by IPPs with the nation's economy reeling.

CHALLENGES AHEAD

Zimbabwe has in recent years sought to boost take-up of renewable energy through measures such as removing import duties on solar-energy-related products, requiring all new construction to include solar systems, and introducing net metering.

Biti, the politician, has been lobbying the government to remove all import taxes on equipment or components used for renewable energy, including the 15% value-added tax (VAT) rate.

But Abe Cambridge, chief executive of Sun Exchange, a South African renewables start-up that works in the region, said regulation was also a barrier to raising the nation's solar capacity.

There are challenges and costs associated with connecting to different municipal and network operators, Cambridge said.

He said solar system owners should be rewarded for providing "much-needed support to the grid at times of constraint", whether this was through electricity credits or money instead.

Potentially, the right incentives could pull in even smaller solar panel owners to help Zimbabwe's ailing grid, experts say.

In the southern city of Bulawayo, Buhle Siwela - whose husband has a business selling solar equipment - said their family had bought a system to power their home through blackouts.

"On a monthly basis I only use $15 worth of (grid) electricity for my home because I have a solar back-up system. You won't tell the difference when there is blackout at my house," she said.

Siwela said she was thinking about upgrading the system - bought in 2016 at a total cost of about $1,600 - to become a net metering user and supply excess energy to the grid.

"I'm considering adding two more batteries and some solar panels to one day feed into the power grid system. Solar energy has shown to be a dependable renewable energy source for me".

Originally published on:

(Reporting by Lungelo Ndhlovu. Editing by Kieran Guilbert and Laurie Goering. The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters
Mohamed Yusuf

NAIROBI, KENYA  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.
Kathy Short

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA  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.
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP)  Zimbabwe has brought in a law that bans health workers such as nurses and doctors from prolonged strikes, imposing punishments of up to six months in jail for defiant workers or union leaders, state-run media and a government spokesman said Wednesday.

The provision, signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week but made public now, stipulates that health workers can only strike for up to three days because they are considered an essential service.

Health professionals should continue providing emergency services during a strike, tweeted government spokesman, Nick Mangwana.

Other countries including neighboring South Africa and Zambia limit strikes by health workers but impose less severe punishments, such as dismissals, work suspensions or docking salaries.

Frequent and weekslong strikes by health workers have for years strained Zimbabwe's public health facilities, which are already in a poor condition due to dilapidated infrastructure and medicine shortages.

Public health workers argue that their salaries  around $100 a month for many  and lack of basic equipment make their jobs untenable.

The southern African country, which once boasted some of the best public health care facilities and personnel in Africa, is now struggling with brain drain as nurses and doctors seek better opportunities elsewhere, mainly in the United Kingdom.
Russia said Friday it has taken control of the Ukrainian salt mine town of Soledar. The Russian Defense Ministry said that Soledar was taken late Thursday.

Ukraine has not commented on Russia's latest claim.

The battle for Soledar has been raging for months and both sides have laid claim to control at various times.

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Thursday there was fierce fighting in Soledar but that Ukraine's forces were holding on.

Maliar spoke a day after conflicting claims about who controlled the town in eastern Ukraine.

The area is one of the most active in the conflict, making it difficult for an independent assessment of the situation.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov told the BBC that Ukraine is a de facto NATO member.

The minister said his country has received the weapons and the training it needs to fight the Russian invasion.

He said, "I'm sure that in the near future, we'll become a member of NATO, de jure."

Britain's Defense Ministry said Russia's defense manufacturing sector is likely resorting to convict labor to meet wartime production demands, in an intelligence update Friday about Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"In November 2022," the report posted on Twitter said, "Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), Russia's largest tank manufacturer, told local media that it would employ 250 prisoners after meeting with the Federal Penal Service (FSIN)."

Russia has a long history of prison labor and in 2017 "forced labor as a specific criminal punishment was reintroduced," the ministry said.

The British Defense Ministry said, "The prison population provides a unique human resource to Russian leaders to utilize in support of the 'special military operation' while willing volunteers remain in short supply."

"Convict labor will likely be particularly in demand from manufacturers of relatively low-tech weaponry such as UVZ, which are almost certainly under intense pressure from Moscow to increase their production," the ministry said.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War says Russian President Vladimir Puttin is likely seeking "scapegoats for the Russian defense industrial base's struggle to address equipment and technological shortages" after Putin publicly criticized a senior minister on state television.

Putin told Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov to "not play the fool" when Putin questioned Manturov about why some Russian agencies had not received state orders for staffing and production amid current "conditions" in Russia.

The institute said, "This incident is likely part of an ongoing Kremlin information campaign to elevate Putin's image as an involved wartime leader."

Some information for this report came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
THURSDAY, Jan. 12, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- A large, new study offers reassuring news for folks dealing with long COVID symptoms such as trouble breathing, mental fog and loss of taste or smell: Most of these issues resolve within a year for those who had a mild COVID infection.

The study provides the longest followup we have of long COVID-19 patients and offers some optimism that many of these symptoms  with support  will improve over about a year," said Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., and medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. He has no ties to the new research.

People with long COVID experience new, lingering or worsening symptoms for more than four weeks after the initial COVID-19 infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms run the gamut from fatigue, shortness of breath and cough to brain fog, dizziness and changes in taste or smell. As many as 1 in 5 adults in the United States may have long COVID.

For the study, a team at K.I. Research Institute in Kfar Malal, Israel, analyzed electronic health records of close to 2 million people in Israel tested for COVID through October 2021. They looked at COVID symptoms that lasted for more than one month, comparing conditions in vaccinated and unvaccinated people, with and without COVID-19.

What did they find? People with COVID were more likely to report loss of smell and taste, breathing issues, heart palpitations, dizziness and brain fog, but most of these symptoms improved within 12 months for those who had mild infections, the study found.

Vaccinated people who became infected had a lower risk for breathing difficulties and a similar risk for other conditions when compared with people who were unvaccinated when they got sick, the study showed.

A year is a long time, its not overnight, Schaffner said. The need to be vaccinated continues to be very important because that prevents severe disease.

Researchers arent sure why some people develop long COVID and others don't. Schaffner said there simply isn't good data that parses out which variant caused infection, whether and how much vaccination has occurred and how much time has elapsed since vaccination.

The good news is that with supportive care, including lifestyle changes, people can start to feel better, and long COVID symptoms dont seem to last forever, Schaffner said.

Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, also reviewed the findings.

Mild infection, especially in vaccinated patients, was associated with resolution of symptoms after one year, even symptoms that seemed to last months after infection, he said.

Not everyone is ready to celebrate the new findings, however.

David Putrino, director of rehabilitation innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, has been treating people with long COVID throughout the pandemic.

Put the cork back in the champagne, he said after reviewing the study.

Researchers still dont know enough about long COVID to draw any blanket conclusions about how long these symptoms will last, Putrino said. The study defined long COVID as symptoms that linger for four weeks after COVID infection.

This isnt necessarily long COVID, he said.

At four weeks, it may just be a long-tail recovery, so they will recover without intervention, Putrino said. Some viruses linger a while before you feel like yourself.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines long COVID as symptoms that persist or worsen for three months after initial COVID infection. This definition will catch more folks with true long COVID, Putrino said.

Some people with long COVID dont return to their health care provider for follow-up, but this doesn't mean they have recovered, he also pointed out.

For diseases like long COVID that are still routinely being miscategorized, misdiagnosed, and where patients are not carefully followed up, these large electronic health studies are harmful, Putrino said.

The findings were published Jan. 11 in the BMJ. Barak Mizrahi, a senior researcher at the Israeli Institute for Applied Research in Computational Health, led the study.

More information

The World Health Organization provides more information on long-COVID.

SOURCES: William Schaffner, MD, infectious disease specialist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tenn., medical director, National Foundation for Infectious Diseases; Len Horovitz, MD, pulmonologist, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City; David Putrino, PhD, director, rehabilitation innovation, Mt. Sinai Health System, New York City; BMJ, Jan. 11, 2023
From 716 to the world

Bill Zunner of Buffalo knew Bills Mafia was everywhere  but he didnt realize how far-flung fans are until his Twitter greetings to fellow Bills buffs by area code exploded this past week.

For more than a year, Zunner  aka @MrMojoRsn53  had a morning and evening routine of tweeting Good morning #716 and Good Night #716, often adding a #GoBills and #BillsMafia.

Social media can be toxic if you let it, and this was just a way to keep it positive by throwing some kindness out there, he said.

No big deal until about a week ago, a Twitter friend in Batavia replied to one of his 716 tweets, I feel left out! Can you mention #585?

Zunner obliged by adding the 585 (Rochester area) to his shoutouts. Then it started. A Bills fan from Wyoming asked him to add the 307, someone in Albany asked for 518, a Syracuse fan wanted 315. As of Friday, Zunners list of area codes to tweet was 250 and counting  including codes in the UK, Portugal and Nova Scotia.

Im a little taken aback, Zunner said. I did not realize this was going to turn international.

As the number of Bills fans asking him to include their area code blew up, Zunners twice-daily tweet thread has grown due to Twitters 280-character limit.

I take the previous days tweet, copy and paste it into a new tweet, save it and when someone sends me a new area code, I add it in, he said. The string now takes up five tweets.

The best request so far came from a former Buffalo Bill, retired lineman John Fina, who asked him to add his 520 area code for Tucson, Ariz.

Its awesome! Zunner said. It makes me feel so good. If I can start someones day with a smile, I have to.

Zunner, an accountant for St. Leo the Great Roman Catholic Church in Amherst, now spends part of his lunch hour adding new requested area codes to his list. A longtime Bills and Sabres fan, he said he has been to one game this year, the home opener against the Tennessee Titans (41-7 Bills). He also took his 5-year-old granddaughter to an open practice.

Asked what his family thinks of his 15 minutes of Twitter fame, Zunner said he has yet to tell his wife.

She tends to get upset because my face is always in my phone, he said. I figure Ill show her this article and say, Look, honey, Im doing something good. 

 Janet Gramza

A scary misjudgment

Prolific author Stephen King learned a lesson that many before him have learned the hard way: Do NOT make fun of communities in New York State.

The mind behind such literary classics as "The Shining" and "Carrie" maintains a regular presence on Twitter. When the GOP majority in the House of Representatives was taking days to decide who should be the next speaker  ultimately deciding on Kevin McCarthy  King made what he thought was a funny joke.

"The Speakership is like the old joke: First prize is a week in Utica. Second prize is TWO weeks in Utica."

That sound you heard was a collective, indignant gasp coming from just east of Syracuse.

After several Uticans let him know how they felt about the shot he took at their community, a chastened King came back to Twitter: "I sincerely apologize to all the people from Utica I offended. I guess I should have said Cleveland? Or Salt Lake City?" He ended with a laughing emoji.

He should be relieved he didn't say Buffalo. The guy who wrote "Misery" would have gotten a new lesson in what that word means.
MOSCOW  Russia plans to send up a new capsule next month to bring back three space station crew members whose original ride home was damaged, officials said.

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 Dmitri 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 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, said Russian Space Agency chief Yuri Borisov. 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.

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 a manufacturing defect. The resulting hole was less than one-tenth of an inch in size.

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.

Watch the historic liftoff of NASA's mightiest new moon rocket
Rome mayor presents Jubilee 2025 projects.

Rome has unveiled dozens of major infrastructural projects to be carried out ahead of the Vatican's Jubilee Year 2025 when millions of pilgrims are set to arrive in the Italian capital.

The city's mayor Roberto Gualtieri, who is also Italy's extraordinary commissioner for the Jubilee, presented the first phase of the plans to Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican on Thursday.

Later that day Gualtieri outlined the Giubileo 2025 plans at a news conference at Palazzo Chigi alongside Alfonso Mantovano, the undersecretary to Italy's prime minister.

The 87 "essential" projects will cost 2.3 billion, allocated as part of a government decree to allow the public works to get underway in time for the major religious event.

The total funding for the Jubilee projects is set to rise to 4 billion with the passing of a second government decree, according to Avvenire, the newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference.

The projects, set to be completed by December 2024, include the construction of underground carparks, pedestrian corridors and underpasses in the Vatican area, and the redevelopment of the area around the city's central Termini station.

Other maintenance and infrastructure works to be carried out include resurfacing roads and pavements, boosting public transport, improving street lighting and enhancing public toilet facilities.

Oggi e una giornata davvero importante per #Roma e per il suo futuro. Insieme al sottosegretario Mantovano abbiamo presentato il DPCM che dara il via al programma degli interventi per il #Giubileo2025. Roma e pronta a cogliere questa eccezionale occasionehttps://t.co/eFRsRWoGm9 pic.twitter.com/ITa56X97Lb  Roberto Gualtieri (@gualtierieurope) January 12, 2023

"Rome is ready to seize this exceptional opportunity", said Gualtieri who prior to his election identified Jubilee preparations as an important priority for the capital, along with its bid to host Expo 2030.

"Rome and the whole of Italy are preparing to celebrate an event that is inextricably linked to the identity of the Eternal City itself, which is the capital of Christianity and hosts the Vatican City State", said premier Giorgia Meloni.

"There's lots of work to do" - Meloni said - "but we will guarantee all the collaboration and effort needed, together with the Holy See and the city of Rome, to make sure that the capital and the nation are ready to host millions of pilgrims from all over the world".

Dpcm sulle opere essenziali e indifferibili per lorganizzazione del #Giubileo2025, la dichiarazione del Presidente @GiorgiaMeloni https://t.co/CAeLupzIh9  Palazzo_Chigi (@Palazzo_Chigi) January 12, 2023

Traditionally a jubilee year results in a major influx of visitors to Rome resulting in the need for the city, the Catholic Church and the Lazio region to pool resources, with priorities including health, transport, security, civil protection, tourism and hospitality.

Commentators suggest that the infrastructure and enhanced services being put in place ahead of Jubilee Year 2025 could prove pivotal in helping Rome win its bid to host Expo 2030.

What is the Jubilee Year?

Vatican jubilees take place every 25 years and are designed as a "special year of grace, in which the Church offers the faithful the possibility of obtaining a plenary indulgence", according to Vatican News.

There was an "extraordinary" Holy Year of Mercy in 2015, at the surprise behest of Pope Francis, while the last ordinary jubilee was in the millennium year of 2000 when around 25 million pilgrims and tourists thronged the capital.

The pope marks the event by opening the Holy Doors at St Peter's as well as the other papal basilicas of S. Giovanni in Laterano, S. Paolo fuori le Mura and S. Maria Maggiore.

Traditionally the Jubilee begins just before Christmas and ends on the Epiphany of the following year, according to Vatican News, with the doors remaining open until the end of the holy year.
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When I became supreme allied commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in 2009, I was the first naval officer assigned to the post, succeeding 15 generals going back to Dwight D. Eisenhower. As one of my friends said, only slightly in jest, I can see why they finally chose an admiral  they need someone to capture pirates!

Indeed, while I had plenty of responsibilities  the war in Afghanistan, tense peacekeeping operations in the Balkans, a recent Russian invasion of NATO partner Georgia, and lots of cyber activity  the chance to chase down Somali pirates off the east coast of Africa had my full attention.

Ships were being hijacked at an alarming rate, including the highly publicized capture of the Maersk Alabama, which was made into the film Captain Phillips  named for the merchant skipper who put himself in the grasp of the pirates in exchange for his crews freedom. The US Navy rescued Phillips in April 2009, a month before I took command of NATO, but his ordeal was a good example of what merchant ships were going through at the time.

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NATO and the European Union sent flotillas of warships to set up transit corridors to protect the merchant ships. I coordinated with the International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency in London that regulates commercial transit, bringing the militaries and the shipping companies together to create safety guidelines. Over time, we tried to address the conditions ashore  economic hardship and armed conflict  that were motivating the pirates to conduct such brazen attacks. I gave my team copies of the excellent 2011 book The Pirates of Somalia by Jay Bahadur.

Ultimately, the collective efforts of militaries and the shipping industry led to a dramatic reduction in successful attacks. We stood up Combined Task Force 151, based out of Bahrain, with extraordinary international contribution; today it is under Brazilian leadership. A combination of convoy operations, better individual security on the merchant ships (especially the use of armed security teams), intelligence sharing and aggressive actions ashore to go after pirate concentrations succeeded. The last successful attack in the region was in 2017, and before that it was in 2012, just as I was preparing to leave command of NATO.

Yet while the threat of piracy is greatly reduced from 15 years ago, it is not extinguished, and continued vigilance is warranted. This month, Task Force 51 is conducting an intensive group exercise, named Operation Mare Liberum, to simulate pirate attacks and to practice knitting together the intelligence, satellites, warships and aircraft for collective response. The stated goal is to ensure the free flow of navigation, develop capacity for regional leadership and reassure the international community.

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While we have not fully defeated global piracy  and as my Bloomberg Opinion colleague Tobin Harshaw points out, it has been increasing in West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea  Task Force 151 has been a remarkable success story. What lessons should we take away from it?

First and foremost, this is an international success. Over time, dozens of nations have participated in the operations off the coast of East Africa. I remember one operation where a French commando squad, flown in an Italian helicopter and refueled by a Danish frigate, while aided by US-provided satellite intelligence and a Portuguese long-range maritime patrol aircraft, captured a group of Somali pirates on a large dhow. Even Americas top global rivals  Russia, China and Iran  have helped in operations. Counterpiracy is a team sport.

Second, our efforts also benefited greatly from private-public cooperation. Working with the IMO, which was at the time helmed by a retired Greek admiral, allowed us to interact directly and continuously with the big shipping companies. Today I am a board member of the Onassis shipping company, and I see the industry from the civilian side. The major companies care deeply about the safety and security of their mariners and want to take the right measures to protect them.

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Third, counterpiracy efforts have to address root causes. It is an incredibly dangerous act for young Somalis to undertake  they do so because of extreme poverty and lawlessness across much of East Africa. A combination of hard power (going after the pirate bases ashore, which the European Union has done) and soft power (providing more economic opportunities) were key to our success. Piracy is simply a symptom of broader problems.

Finally, an unusual problem requires innovative solutions. We used new approaches, such as better equipment to prevent boarding (including barbed wire on ships decks), and strategic communications ashore: We made it widely known that potential pirates understood our determination to capture, kill or incarcerate any perpetrators.

There are many security challenges in the world today, ranging from great-power rivalries to the lingering efforts of terrorists like the Islamic State. But we can take comfort from the example of counterpiracy cooperation in East Africa, and draw some practical lessons learned as well.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Expect the Unexpected in 2023: Cyberattacks and the Next Covid: James Stavridis

 How to Sink the Pirates Plaguing West Africa: Tobin Harshaw

 Shippings Oil Era Is Coming to an End: David Fickling

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

James Stavridis is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. A retired U.S. Navy admiral, former supreme allied commander of NATO, and dean emeritus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, he is vice chairman of global affairs at the Carlyle Group. He is the author most recently of To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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Greta Thunberg once summed up world leaders empty climate promises with the words Blah blah blah. After the appointment of an oil executive as president of COP28, they will ring true to many climate advocates all over again. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The United Arab Emirates, host of the United Nations climate summit this year, has named Sultan Al Jaber, the UAEs minister of industry and technology, as COP28 president. Al Jaber is also the CEO of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC), the worlds 12th-largest oil company by production, and chairman of Masdar, the UAEs state-owned renewable energy company.

If theres anything that encapsulates the conflict at the heart of the Middle Easts stance on climate  the belief that you can pump oil and reduce emissions at the same time  it is Al Jabers resume.

The appointment has sparked concern among climate advocates that Al Jabers conflicts of interest will stymie commitments bold enough to avoid 1.5C of warming, a target the UN secretary general described as gasping for breath. Carbon emissions must fall by half within the next seven years if were going to have a chance of meeting it.

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The controversy follows COP27 in Egypt, another major fossil-fuel exporter, where a steep rise in attendance by oil and gas lobbyists provoked criticism and suspicion. There are arguments for not sidelining such parties at climate talks; they must also commit to decarbonizing, after all. But its hard to sell an acting oil CEO as an honest broker in the debate. And trust will be vital in forging a global consensus.

Al Jaber does have green credentials. Hes been the UAEs special climate envoy since 2010 and was the founding CEO of Masdar. It has ambitions to be the biggest green-energy company in the world, working toward 100 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030. Part of his mandate at ADNOC, which has a 24% stake in Masdar, is to drive the oil giants $15 billion decarbonization strategy.

Yet under Al Jabers leadership, ADNOC plans to increase its oil production to 5 million barrels a day by 2027 from 3 million. This jibes with the UAE climate envoy offices views on the energy transition. It doesnt see climate action as a matter of flipping a switch on fossil fuels. With energy demand increasing, some see natural gas and oil as a way to bridge the gap and maintain energy security while renewable infrastructure is put into place.

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In a statement on his COP28 appointment, Al Jaber says hell bring a pragmatic, realistic and solutions-orientated approach to the annual gathering. It might be pragmatic, but it still sets the pace for change  which scientists agree needs to be rapid  to slow. And many stakeholders will not see more oil as a reasonable solution, especially when the president setting the COP agenda has a commercial interest in growing his oil business for years to come.

Tasneem Essop, executive director of Climate Action Network International, warns Al Jaber being both COP28 president and ADNOC CEO will be tantamount to a full scale capture of the UN climate talks by a petrostate national oil company and its associated fossil fuel lobbyists. Its not hard to imagine the controversy becoming the main story of COP28. That may not be the impression the UAE wants to make, and its not conducive to the kind of climate meeting advocates want to have.

Between being a government minister, CEO, chairman and now president for COP28, Al Jaber is doing four full-time jobs. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, the president of COP27, faced criticism that he underestimated the time and effort required for the role, contributing to prolonged negotiations and a lack of bold agreements.

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A spokesperson for the UAE climate envoy said Al Jaber is focused on his new role and, despite his broad portfolio, has the right people around him to help manage those responsibilities. He is also not considering resigning from his position at ADNOC.

But the UAE may have trouble convincing the world COP28 wont be just another example of blah blah blah  more talk with entrenched interests limiting the action.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Nuclear Power Is a Critical Tool in the Climate Fight: Editorial

 Climate Progress Is Happening, Just Not Fast Enough: Michael Bloomberg

 Climate Costs Eat Up the Money to Avert It: David Fickling

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Lara Williams is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering climate change.

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This weeks battle of the stovetop was seemingly over almost as soon as it began. Within days of a Consumer Product Safety Commission official raising the concept of banning gas stoves to address indoor pollution, the agencys head and the White House itself scrambled to assure Americans that their kitchens were safe from the feds.

In Washington, however, the natural gas industry may have its eyes trained on the wrong adversary.

Roughly 40% of US households cook with gas, a practice that amounts to less than 0.5% of US consumption. As I wrote here, though, that belies the importance of cooking in fostering a personal affinity for what is, after all, an invisible fossil fuel. This weeks episode of range rage underscores how personal energy policy decisions can be for end-users, as Kevin Book of ClearView Energy Partners put it. Find a way to break that link, and gas demand writ large becomes more vulnerable in this era of climate change.

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Yet it is fanciful to believe that break will emanate from the federal government, especially one now incorporating this particular Republican-controlled House. The past year showed that, even with unified government, Democrats had to adopt a climate policy that was all carrots and no sticks, and even then passed only via budget reconciliation. Dont forget, too, this Supreme Courts eagerness to swat down federal agencies, as we also saw last year and where Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch already has form vis-a-vis the CPSC.

No, it is the states the gas industry needs to worry about. And that is mainly because of where the countrys gas stoves are installed.

The states where gas ranges are relatively popular  as in, above the roughly 40% national average  tend to be in the Northeast or out West. Conversely, electric stoves dominate the South and large swathes of the Midwest. This is largely a function of legacy. Older Northeastern and mid-Atlantic cities built early gas networks, including for street lamps, making stoves a natural market extension. Meanwhile, California, which leads the nation in both percentage and absolute terms for household gas cooking, produced a quarter of the worlds oil supply a century ago  and oil producers are always looking for someone to take their gas.

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That regional dispersion means those little flames warming up the dinner tend to be blue in more ways than one. To quantify this, I sorted the states in terms of the degree of unified control of their legislature and governors mansion, along with who they favored in the 2020 presidential election. Some 38 states have a Democratic or Republican trifecta, with virtually all of them selecting President Joe Biden or former president Donald Trump accordingly. Here is how that stacks up with regard to stoves.

More than half the nations households using a gas stove are in states with unified Democratic control and where Biden won. Throw in states where Biden won but government is divided, and the blue-ish share rises to more than two-thirds. New York alone, whose governor just proposed making it the first state to ban gas appliances and heating in new construction, is home to almost 1 in 10 US households with a gas stove. California, where Berkeley began the trend of cities enacting bans on new gas hookups, hosts 1 in 5. Indeed, the 16 bluest states account for a similar proportion of residential gas demand overall, at 52%.

Washingtons division, sharpened by the midterms, makes the states even more important battlegrounds over energy and climate policy. We see this in the flurry of anti-ESG legislation in redder states and ever more ambitious green agendas in their bluer counterparts. It is the latter that pose the bigger threat to gas demand via regulation, not merely because of their ambition but also because they are where those home fires burn most.

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 The Buffett Way to Profit From the Energy Crisis: Javier Blas

 What Fracking Can Tell Us About Future of Fusion: Liam Denning

 Shippings Oil Era Is Coming to an End: David Fickling

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Liam Denning is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering energy and commodities. A former investment banker, he was editor of the Wall Street Journals Heard on the Street column and a reporter for the Financial Timess Lex column.

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Like it or not, adapting to climate change will involve human beings retreating from places the weather has made too dangerous for habitation. This will be easier to accomplish in some places than others. On the most difficult end of the scale sits California. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight In a matter of weeks, the state has gone from being perilously dry to drowning in atmospheric rivers of water falling from the sky, in a series of storms likely to continue for another week. Mud and rocks are pouring down hillsides that recent wildfires swept clean of protective vegetation. Storm surges are flooding the coast.

In places like New Jersey, where the most obvious climate risk is the shore, the most obvious response is to move inland. In California, people living on the risky beach might not have far to retreat before they wind up living in a risky flood or wildfire zone.

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Climatologists warn the current disaster isnt even all that remarkable. California has a long history of flooding, including the Great Flood of 1862, also caused by an atmospheric river. It used to be seen as a once-in-1,000-years event, but climate change has taught us those intervals are shrinking.

Despite decades of droughts and floods, California still lacks the infrastructure to handle either. Farmers who spent the summer clearing away trees and plants that died of thirst are now complaining about a dearth of tools to capture and use the abundant rainfall.

The struggle to manage Californias water shortages made worse by climate change illustrates just how difficult it is to implement long-term solutions to the crisis. A proposed reservoir in Northern California that would collect floodwater and funnel it to farms and elsewhere has been in the planning stages for decades. But its controversial and wouldnt come close to solving all of Californias water problems.

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Keeping Californias citizens safe from disaster as environmental pressures build will be just as complicated. People love to live near beaches, rivers and unspoiled forests, and they have usually paid dearly for the privilege. More than 40 million Americans live in flood zones, including millions of Californians. When the inevitable disasters strike, they look for ways to cling to their property and lifestyles. So we try to make houses more flood- and fire-resistant and erect walls and barriers to keep the disasters at bay. But this is expensive, and eventually the only people who can afford to live in such places are the wealthy.

Flooding chased Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry, Ellen DeGeneres and many others from their homes in Montecito, in Santa Barbara County, this week. The lovely coastal town was the site of deadly mudslides less than five years ago, in another episode of the drought-wildfire-flood cycle now all too familiar.

Buying out residents of Montecito and many other vulnerable areas will be politically difficult and expensive. But it may be the only viable long-term solution. The next obvious question is where those people should go, given Californias long menu of possible disasters. Robert Freudenberg, vice president of energy and environmental programs at Regional Plan Association, a non-profit promoting climate resiliency in the New York area, suggests many will simply leave California altogether without better options to relocate within the state.

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That would be an unacceptable outcome for the worlds fifth-largest economy. It wont be easy, but California will have to find innovative ways to manage a planned retreat, including from some densely populated places. If theres a silver lining to these disasters, Freudenberg says, its that California might eventually come up with a managed-retreat model for the whole country to follow. It really has no other choice.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Nuclear Power Is a Critical Tool in the Climate Fight: Editorial

 Climate Progress Is Happening, Just Not Fast Enough: Michael Bloomberg

 Climate Costs Eat Up the Money to Avert It: David Fickling

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Mark Gongloff is a Bloomberg Opinion editor and writer of the Opinion Today newsletter. A former managing editor of Fortune.com, he ran the HuffPosts business and technology coverage and was a reporter and editor for the Wall Street Journal.

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Its harder to argue that your parents should leave you alone when youve just smashed up the car. As digital assets lost more than $2 trillion in value and a string of prominent ventures blew up in 2022, most notably the FTX exchange, the debate over cryptocurrency regulation shifted sharply. The turmoil also heightened the stakes in a battle that had already been brewing in Congress over which of the nations top market regulators, the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, should take the lead on crypto oversight. Separately, the SEC has made clear that it considers most digital assets to be securities, a designation that brings with it an extensive set of requirements, while the top US banking regulators issued a sweeping statement on the dangers of crypto.

1. How did the debate change?

The collapse of FTX and the charges of criminal fraud filed against its co-founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, led to widespread embarrassment in Congress and among regulators. He and several other top FTX executives had donated heavily to the campaigns of Democrats and Republicans and taken a leading role in an effort to craft a new regulatory regime that reflected the priorities of some in the crypto community. While regulators pointed to the fact that cryptos woes had not destabilized traditional financial markets, they faced criticism for not having taken actions to head off the industrys worst abuses.

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2. What had crypto leaders been pushing for?

Crypto executives and financial titans like Citadel Securities had joined a 2022 industry push for a Senate bill that would have given the CFTC, the US watchdog on futures and derivatives trading, more power to regulate crypto assets. Currently, the CFTC primarily oversees crypto futures. The biggest crypto trading platforms argued that the assets they list should be considered commodities  that is, items whose values rise and fall separate from the profitability of the venture producing them. After the fall of FTX, CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam said its implosion was an example of why his agency needs more power to oversee cryptocurrency trading.

3. Whats the case for the SEC?

Many opponents of the Senate bill said that the SECs rules offer more protections for small investors. The SEC was formed in the wake of the market crash of 1929 and sees its core mission as protecting investors by requiring copious disclosures by financial entities. SEC Chairman Gary Gensler, a former head of the CFTC, has responded to criticisms that traditional regulations dont match the realities of cryptocurrency by saying the agency could waive some of its rules to better suit digital assets, while also ensuring investors are protected, if exchanges work with the agency to register.

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4. What has the SEC been doing?

Its been making clear it thinks many digital assets look like the kinds of investor-funded ventures that are considered securities and so fall under its rulebook. Anxieties among crypto traders rose when the SEC took the unusual step in an insider trading case in mid-2022 of identifying nine crypto assets that it considered to be securities. In January, the agency sued crypto brokerages Genesis Global Capital and Gemini Trust Co., over a program that they had used to raise billions by letting customers loan out deposits in return for interest payments, something the SEC said amounted to a security.

5. What does it mean for something to be a security?

For the SEC, the question is whether something resembles a stock sold by a company to raise money. Specifically, the SEC asks whether a venture involves an investment of money in an enterprise whose profits will come from the efforts of others  a four-pronged assessment known as the Howey test, from a 1946 Supreme Court ruling. For instance, in 2020 the agency sued Ripple Labs Inc., claiming that the company was funding its growth by issuing the XRP digital tokens to investors who were betting that its value would rise. If a token is designated as a security, those creating it are subject to the same raft of rules that govern initial public offerings in the stock market, such as registration and reporting requirements. For crypto exchanges, the designation means they cant offer for public sale any token that doesnt meet those requirements, as well as imposing strict investor-protection requirements for platforms.

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6. What coins are or arent considered securities?

Theres a lot of ambiguity on that question. US regulators agree that Bitcoin, by far the largest digital asset, isnt a security. It was started by an unknown person or persons going by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto and does not exist as a way to raise money for a specific project. In 2018, Ether, the second-biggest token, was also deemed not to be a security: While the Ethereum Foundation initially issued Ether to raise money, it had grown into something sufficiently decentralized that it probably wasnt a security, a senior SEC official said  a position Gensler has declined to endorse. And when Ethereum switched in September to a new system for recording transactions that depends on coins being pooled or staked, Gensler asked whether the interest offered on such deposits could make staked coins a security.

7. What did the banking regulators say?

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The USs top banking regulators  the Federal Reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency  on Jan. 3 issued a joint statement raising concerns about the risks posed by digital assets, such as scams, legal uncertainties around custody and misleading statements from crypto firms. In a warning to lenders, they said its important that risks that cant be controlled arent allowed to migrate to the banking system.

8. Is this an issue elsewhere?

Yes. Rules adopted by the European Union that have not yet come into effect will seek to regulate tokens that reference another type of asset or act like a digital version of fiat money, like stablecoins. The UKs Financial Conduct Authority also regulates digital assets it considers investments that come with rights to repayment or a share in profits. But payment tokens like Bitcoin, or utility tokens that provide access to a service, remain unregulated in both regions. Singapore regulates both types but under different laws. It considers coins that are digital representations of other assets, such as unlisted shares, to be securities provided they are offered by an approved exchange. In 2022, the Monetary Authority of Singapore announced proposals to tighten access of crypto trading to retail customers after the crash in the digital token market. In Brazil, a new law was enacted in December that created the countrys first framework for cryptocurrency, with ground rules for brokerages that offer crypto as well as the assets day-to-day use. Brazils Congress acted after the FTX collapse increased interest in putting regulations in place.

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 A Treasury Department report on issues related to crypto regulation.

 A look at the crypto industrys push in Washington to avoid securities regulation.

 Gary Genslers first interview on crypto after taking over as SEC chair with Bloomberg Businessweek.

 A BGOV OnPoint of cryptocurrency legislation being considered by Congress.

 A Bloomberg QuickTake from 2018 shows how long these fights have been going on for.

 The executive order on crypto regulation signed by Biden.

 An article on the SECs fight with Ripple.

 The UK FCAs breakdown of regulated versus unregulated tokens.

--With assistance from Ben Bain.

(An earlier version of this article corrected the name of CFTC Chair Rostin Behnam.)

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Kevin McCarthys drawn-out humiliation at the hands of far-right tormenters as he sought to become House speaker dominated the news for understandable reasons: His inability to control his caucus is a big reason why Congress is shaping up to be a historic mess. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Partly for that reason, a concurrent development didnt get much notice, but ought to count as a hopeful sign that the Republican-led House might not immediately slide into chaos.

For all the attention lavished on destructionists like Reps. Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert as they made McCarthy bow and plead for support, a larger group of Republicans broke out of the Fox News bubble and started showing up on CNN and even MSNBC. And not just the shrinking handful of moderates such as Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania who need to maintain support beyond the Republican base to keep getting elected. Hardcore conservatives showed up, too. Boebert herself consented to an interview on MSNBC.

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According to CNN, more than 50 current and former Republican House members appeared on its airwaves during the last week of the McCarthy drama. Thats a striking turnaround from the Trump years, when the former presidents attacks on CNN as fake news led most Republicans to avoid it for the cozier confines of Fox News and Newsmax.

From what Ive gathered speaking to Republican strategists and pollsters, at least four factors are driving this new trend. First, Trump himself is a greatly diminished force, not just because his exile at Mar-a-Lago has let other figures eclipse him, but because Republicans poor performance last November shattered his mystique. He doesnt inspire the terror among Republican lawmakers that he once did.

Second, more House Republicans must answer to voters whose primary allegiance isnt to Trump or even to the GOP. Eighteen Republicans won House seats in districts that voted for Biden in 2020 -- twice the number in the last Congress. They know theyll be running again two years from now with Biden likely on the ballot; theyll need to win Democratic and moderate votes. So, with McCarthys speakership secure, a growing number of these Biden-district Republicans are turning on one of their own: Rep. George Santos of New York (whose district Biden carried 55% to 44%). In a world where Trump still ruled with an iron fist, Republicans might feel pressured to defend or at least ignore an absurd charlatan like Santos. Now, even Fox News feels comfortable lighting him up.

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Third, many of their own voters profess to desire something beyond endless partisan warfare. In a recent CBS News poll, 48% of Republican voters say they want the new Republican House majority to prioritize working with Biden and Democrats. While passing actual bipartisan legislation might be a stretch, showing up on CNN or MSNBC at least gives the appearance of reaching across the aisle.

Finally, the majority of the Republican House caucus that supports McCarthy without needing arm-twisting or personal phone calls from Trump understands that they must balance the chaos unleashed by the Never Kevins during the speaker fight with some semblance of normalcy that can win public support, since the next two years are going be a constant struggle for control of the caucus. Republican pollsters have been clear with their clients about the heavy drag Trump exerted on the partys fortunes in the last election. Nothing about the calamity of the speakers race suggests that those problems are going to vanish. The only way for mainstream Republicans to maintain even a tenuous grip over the House is to isolate the extremists. And its hard to paint your fellow Republicans as extremists if you limit yourself to appearing on Fox News and Newsmax -- outlets that arent, shall we say, tailor-made to recognize the distinction.

Anybody glued to cable news during the 15 rounds of voting it took to elect a speaker probably picked up on the culture shock that occurred when Republican House members ventured out into the mainstream media. Like travelers from a distant galaxy arriving on a new planet, their encounters didnt always go smoothly. Texas Rep. Troy Nehls marveled on air at the fact of his appearing on the Clinton News Network and addressed CNN host Erin Burnett as young lady, which earned him a public scolding.

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But overall, Republicans did an effective job of explaining their position and containing the insanity of the speakers race until McCarthy finally managed to limp across the finish line. Its doubtful anyone will put Rachel Maddows producers on speed dial. But at least some Republicans appear to recognize that McCarthys fate -- and their own -- hinges on overcoming their hostility to the mainstream media and instead using it to beat back their extremist fringe.

More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 Republicans in Congress Have an Ethics Problem: Julianna Goldman

 The Document That Separates Biden and Trump: Jonathan Bernstein

 A Trading Ban for Congress That Makes Sense: Timothy L. OBrien

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Joshua Green is a National Correspondent at Bloomberg Businessweek and the author of Devils Bargain: Steve Bannon, Donald Trump and the Storming of the Presidency.

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Rep. Nick Langworthy, the soon-to-be former chairman of the New York Republican Party, has hit the nail on the head: George Santos must go. Now.

Langworthy, R-23rd District, is among the too few Republicans calling for their newly-elected colleague to step down. By his own admission, Santos is a fraud whose actions have sparked multiple inquiries into his finances, campaign spending and campaign trail fabrications.

Rep. Claudia Tenney, meanwhile, has placed herself among the milquetoast Republicans who cant bring themselves to speak the obvious. .

Republican majority leader, Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., said party leadership would handle the Santos question internally, but said there were concerns. Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the third-ranking House Republican, equivocated when she told a Spectrum News reporter that this is going to play itself out.

Thats not good enough.

Based on the information reported by The New York Times, the 34-year-old from Long Island was elected to Congress based on a campaign of lies about his past. Those lies ranged from colleges he claimed to have attended (but didnt) to the Wall Street background he claimed to own (but didnt). Neither the higher education (Baruch College, where he claimed to have graduated in the top 1% of his class; New York University, where he claimed to have earned an M.B.A.) or financial institutions (Goldman Sachs, where he claimed to have more than doubled revenue as a project manager; Citigroup where he also claimed to have grown revenue) could find any record of Santos attendance, graduation or work history. Authorities in Brazil are claiming him, though. Santos faces criminal charges for check fraud in Brazil.

The fallout from the revelations of Santos past has created some political chaos at a time when the simple task of nominating a House Speaker proved exceptionally challenging. Note: Santos supported Kevin McCarthy for the position.

The Nassau County committee leaders are done with Santos. They moved to cut ties with Santos, called him a serial liar and demanded he resign from Congress. Committee Chairman Joseph G. Cairo Jr. held a news conference in which he said, We were duped here.

As the saying goes, Get in line. Rep. Anthony DEsposito, called Wednesday for Santos to resign. DEsposito represents a district to the south of Santos.

Santos is not the first politician who has enhanced his resume and, sadly, is unlikely to be the last. But the damage he has done with seemingly wide-ranging falsehoods threatens to harm the very constituents who elected him. Republican congressional leaders have promised to exclude him from daily functioning of government and critical assignments. How does that help his constituents? How is it helping New York State? It doesnt.

There is a lot unpack about Santos past in terms of what is true and what isnt. His constituents should not have to do this work.

DEsposito said it best when he said Santos violated the trust from not only the voters, but people across America.

Langworthy has it right. Santos should go.

  

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.
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Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn in Dec. 29 for a sixth time as Israels prime minister, in a right-wing coalition in which his Likud Party is the most moderate member. Once-fringe, far-right politicians are now a key part of the government. Though Netanyahu has pledged to rein in extremism, there are risks that the new governments actions will deepen tensions with Palestinians, erode Israels democracy, and strain relations with the countrys neighbors and allies, including the US.

1. Who are the most controversial players in the government?

 Itamar Ben Gvir. Named national security minister, Ben Gvir is the leader of the nationalist Jewish Power party. As a teenager, he led the youth wing of the Kach party, which campaigned for the expulsion of Arabs from Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. Kach was later banned from politics and designated a terrorist organization by Israel and the US. Ben Gvir was spared from a prohibition from political office because his participation in the party occurred when he was underage, but he says his involvement did result in his being barred from military service. He went on to train as a lawyer, and in 2021 he was elected to the Knesset, representing Jewish Power. In his 2022 campaign, he advocated the deportation of citizens who are disloyal to the state.

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 Bezalel Smotrich. The new finance minister is the leader of the Religious Zionism party representing Orthodox Jews. Hes a lawyer and a vociferous supporter of Jewish settlement in the West Bank, territory conquered by Israel in 1967 that the Palestinians hope to make part of a future independent state. Smotrich also has a junior position in the Defense Ministry that gives him some control over the settlements. He has defined himself as a homophobe, and in 2006 he helped organize a protest against the gay pride parade in Jerusalem.

 Aryeh Deri. Named to lead both the interior and health ministries, Deri is the veteran leader of Shas, a party representing ultra-Orthodox Jews particularly of Middle Eastern descent. The appointment of Deri, whos served in previous governments, was controversial less because of his politics than his criminal record. The new government amended Israels Basic Laws so that his 2022 conviction for tax fraud no longer disqualified him from becoming a minister. The Movement for Quality Government has gone to court to challenge his appointment. Deri also served 22 months in prison starting in 2000 for taking bribes.

2. What are the flashpoints with the Palestinians?

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 Police policy. Ben Gvirs appointment came with expanded authority under a new law to direct general policy over police. That includes the quasi-military border police who patrol the occupied territories alongside soldiers. Since taking office, he has ordered police to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces and has said police must arrest protesters who block roads.

 Settlements. Ben Gvir and Smotrich, both settlers themselves, support the expansion of settlements, which are a source of strife between Israelis and Palestinians. More than that, the two advocate annexing existing settlements to Israel. That ambition is included in the government coalition agreement though without a definite timeline. Annexing Israeli settlements, which Netanyahu proposed in 2020, would make any future Palestinian state a disjointed patchwork of enclaves, challenging its viability by impeding the development of infrastructure and the movement of people and goods. The US, Israels most important ally, has strongly condemned annexation as an impediment to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

 Jerusalem. Under long-standing arrangements between Israel and neighboring Jordan, the latter maintains control over the site in Jerusalem revered by Jews as the Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. Once the seat of the biblical temple, today it houses the Al-Aqsa mosque. The rules permit Jews to visit but not pray there, and violations have led to clashes between Israelis and Palestinians. After being named a minister, Ben Gvir made a high-profile visit to the site. A similar visit in 2000 by Ariel Sharon, then an Israeli opposition leader, helped sparked a four-year uprising among Palestinians.

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 Revenue. The Israeli government has withheld tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue from the Palestinian Authority, the body responsible for limited Palestinian self-rule; frozen construction by Palestinians in part of the West Bank; and canceled VIP travel permits for a number of Palestinian officials. This was in retaliation for the authority seeking a judicial review of Israels occupation by the United Nations.

3. Whats the threat to Israels democracy?

Business leaders, retired military officers, educators, opposition politicians and jurists have signed letters and taken part in street demonstrations expressing fear that the government imperils democracy. A bill proposed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a member of Netanyahus Likud party, aims to weaken the independence of Israels High Court, which in recent decades has played an active role protecting civil rights, including those of Palestinians, and the rights of minorities in Israel, including the LGBTQ community. The bill would allow the Knesset to override decisions of the court with a simple majority vote. And it would make members of the Knesset from the government coalition a majority on the committee that appoints the courts judges. Other changes planned in the legal system could eventually lead to the dropping of bribery charges against Netanyahu.

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4. How has the outside world reacted?

US President Joe Biden called Netanyahu my friend for decades when the government was sworn in. He noted common interests, including combating the threat of Iran, but also said the US would continue supporting the creation of a Palestinian state alongside the Israeli one to resolve the conflict between the two peoples. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said in December that a new government would be judged not by its personalities but its policies, and cautioned against moves to further marginalize Palestinians or diminish their horizon for hope. Jordans King Abdullah II warned that hes prepared to get into a conflict if Israel changes the status of the religious sites in Jerusalem that are under his countrys control. When four Arab states  the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan  began normalizing ties with Israel in 2020, it was clear that their relations with Israel were no longer strictly bound to the Palestinian cause. Still, tensions on that front are likely to color those ties. After Ben Gvirs Temple Mount gambit, the UAE postponed a planned visit by Netanyahu, citing technical reasons.

--With assistance from Daniel Avis and Marissa Newman.

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Some of the worlds largest central banks are joining the fight against climate change. Though melting glaciers may be a huge leap from monetary policy, policy makers say they must respond to threats that have the potential to disrupt the global economy. Some critics say climate policy is better left to politicians, however, particularly in countries where central banks are hemmed in by explicit government mandates. The US Federal Reserve remains a notable holdout.

1. What got central banks interested?

A mounting body of research suggests that climate change poses a threat to price stability and a risk to the financial system, two traditional purviews of central banks. Even if goals set in the 2015 Paris Agreement to limit global temperature gains are met, the fallout could include lower output on farms and construction sites, increased migration and more deaths from heat and other climate factors. Thats on top of property damage from extreme weather and coastal flooding that could total trillions of dollars by 2100. In addition, activists stage protests regularly outside central bank buildings and gatherings.

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2. What can monetary policy do?

Central banks can impose mandatory climate-risk disclosure rules, conduct stress tests of banks assets for climate-related risks and make it more expensive for banks to lend to companies at high risk. In purchasing bonds and other debt securities, central banks also can limit their exposure to industries with high greenhouse-gas emissions.

3. Who is doing what?

 The Bank of Japan is looking to spur private-sector efforts by providing funds for bank lending to climate-friendly businesses. Some 63 financial institutions were eligible as of early 2023, with 3.6 trillion ($27 billion) in total outstanding loans disbursed.

 The Peoples Bank of China provides direct investment in sustainable projects, encourages the sale of green bonds and is studying policy tools to provide cheaper funding to institutions supporting emission-cutting projects. Its also planning to beef up financial regulation and conduct stress tests tied to climate risks.

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 Policy makers at the Bank of England have signaled theyll take account of the governments environmental goals in buying assets in financial markets. In their first-ever stress test to assess how the financial services industry will cope with the transition, they found that UK banks and insurers face climate-related losses of as much as 334 billion ($405 billion) over the next three decades, depending on how quickly the economy is shifted toward net zero emissions.

 The European Central Bank adjusted its collateral policies and started tweaking its corporate-bond portfolio to favor issuers that pollute less. Initial efforts focused on the reinvestment of maturing debt, but Isabel Schnabel, one of the institutions most influential policymakers, suggested that the ECB could also consider offloading assets issued by big greenhouse-gas emitters. She also highlighted green-lending operations as a potential future tool. Separately, the ECB said banks have until the end of 2023 to reflect climate risks in their governance, strategy and risk management.

 Swedens Riksbank cleansed its reserves of assets tied to pollution and started mapping the carbon footprint of its corporate bond-purchase program. It also promised to conduct asset purchases and manage foreign-exchange reserves with sustainability in mind.

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4. Whats the view in the US?

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has faced competing political pressures over the extent to which the Fed focuses on climate change. In 2021, some Democratic lawmakers and left-leaning groups opposed his candidacy for a second term, saying he wasnt doing enough to combat global warming. But when the Fed does turn its focus to financial risks presented by climate change, it attracts criticism from Republican lawmakers. At an international conference in January, Powell sought to draw a line around how far the central bank will use its powers to promote a greener economy, vowing it will not be a climate regulator. Barring explicit orders from Congress, he said, it would be inappropriate for us to use our monetary policy or supervisory tools to promote a greener economy or to achieve other climate-based goals.

5. How is the financial system vulnerable to climate change?

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In 2015, Mark Carney, who was then governor of the Bank of England, raised alarm about sudden changes in pricing due to environmental changes. Such changes could take the form of physical damage that destroys the value of assets (such as waterfront properties), the imposition of new liabilities on companies (as shown by California utility giant PG&E Corp.s wildfire-driven bankruptcy) or sharp increases in insurance prices. Another risk is a sudden change in the value of certain holdings because of drastic government action, like the introduction of a steep carbon tax or regulations that keep fossil fuels in the ground, leaving them as so-called stranded assets.

6. Whats in the works?

The Riksbank will host a conference on Climate change and the financial system: Challenges and opportunities for central banks in May. The Swedes are part of a group of central banks and related organizations set up in 2017 by the BOE and a few others to swap research and potential policy solutions. The idea is to influence decisions by making measurable progress toward climate goals part of the fiduciary duty of lenders, investment banks and asset managers. At the United Nations COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021, Carney announced that banks and asset managers representing 40% of the worlds financial assets had pledged to decarbonize their operations by 2050 and also set more immediate goals for 2030. Some 550 firms, which represent a pool of roughly $150 trillion of assets, have signed up for the so-called Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero. GFANZ is co-chaired by Carney and Michael R. Bloomberg, the owner and founder of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP.

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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.
Three days before the rockets fell outside Damascus, a team of Syrian specialists gathered in the northern suburb of Adra for a task that U.S. officials say had become routine in the third year of the countrys civil conflict: filling warheads with deadly chemicals to kill Syrian rebels.

The preparations, as described by U.S. intelligence analysts, continued from Aug. 18 until just after midnight on Aug. 21, when the projectiles were loaded into rocket launchers behind the governments defensive lines. Then, at 2:30 a.m., a half-dozen densely populated neighborhoods were jolted awake by a series of explosions, followed by an oozing blanket of suffocating gas.

Unknown to Syrian officials, U.S. spy agencies recorded each step in the alleged chemical attack, from the extensive preparations to the launching of rockets to the after-action assessments by Syrian officials. Those records and intercepts would become the core of the Obama administrations evidentiary case linking the Syrian government to what one official called an indiscriminate, inconceivable horror  the use of outlawed toxins to kill nearly 1,500 civilians, including at least 426 children.

Pulling back the curtain on some of the United States most sensitive collection efforts, the Obama administration released on Friday its long-awaited intelligence assessment of the Aug. 21 event, explaining in rare detail the basis for its claim that Syria was behind the release of deadly gas, the grisly effects of which have been documented in more than 100 amateur videos.

The four-page assessment and accompanying map revealed for the first time how communications intercepts and satellite imagery picked up key decisions and actions on the ground.

Read the document U.S. assessment on alleged Syrian chemical-weapon attack Official U.S. government report on the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government against rebels on Aug. 21.

In choosing to release the document, White House officials anticipated the likely comparisons to the famously inaccurate intelligence reports from a decade ago that claimed that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was actively pursuing nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, in his remarks on the release of the intelligence assessment, said White House officials were more than mindful of the Iraq experience.

We will not repeat that moment, Kerry said. Accordingly, we have taken unprecedented steps to declassify and make facts available to people who can judge for themselves.

The document proposes a possible motive for the attack  a desperate effort to push back rebels from several areas in the capitals densely packed eastern suburbs  and also suggests that the high civilian death toll surprised and panicked senior Syrian officials, who called off the attack and then tried to cover it up.

We intercepted communications involving a senior official intimately familiar with the offensive, it says, who confirmed that chemical weapons were used by the regime on Aug. 21 and was concerned with the U.N. inspectors obtaining evidence.

The Obama administration has high confidence that Syria used chemical weapons to kill civilians based on a dossier of evidence, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Friday. (The Washington Post)

While unusually detailed, the assessment does not include photographs, recordings or other hard evidence to support its claims. Nor does it offer proof to back up the administrations assertion that top-ranking Syrian officials  possibly including President Bashar al-Assad  were complicit in the attack.

There is additional intelligence that remains classified because of sources and methods concerns, the report says. That is being provided to Congress and international partners.

Among the surprises in the report was the U.S. estimate for the dead and wounded. The new figure, 1,429, was about four times higher than a British casualty estimate released Thursday.

This assessment will certainly evolve as we obtain more information, the report said.

The material, prepared by senior intelligence officials, was said to reflect the judgments of the CIA, National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies involved in gathering information on the Syrian conflict. Using understated phrasing typical of bureaucratic reports, it asserts with high confidence that the Assad government launched a chemical weapons attack, using what it said was nerve agent, a class of chemical munitions that includes sarin.

Echoing the findings of a British intelligence assessment a day earlier, the report links the Assad government to multiple chemical weapons attacks in the past year, including a small-scale attack in the same part of the Damascus area that was struck Aug. 21.

It suggested that a relatively controlled use of chemicals had in recent months become part of the normal military strategy whenever government forces were unable to push back rebel offensives or break through defensive fortifications.

The Syrian regime has used chemical weapons over the last year primarily to gain the upper hand or break a stalemate in areas where it had struggled to seize and hold strategically valuable territory, it says. We assess that the regimes frustration with its inability to secure large portions of Damascus may have contributed to its decision to use chemical weapons on Aug. 21.

Indeed, in the week before the attack, government troops had been repeatedly frustrated in their efforts to dislodge rebels from dozens of villages east of Damascus, despite the use of aircraft, helicopters and heavy artillery barrages. The fighting appeared to have stalled when, on Aug. 18, U.S. intelligence agencies observed a team of chemical weapons specialists being activated in Adra, a northern suburb near an area that the regime uses to mix chemical weapons, including sarin, the document states. The ordnance team was attached to Syrias Scientific Studies and Research Center, a military-run institute linked to Syrias chemical and nuclear weapons programs.

On Aug. 21, regime forces were observed making further preparations for a chemical attack, including through the utilization of gas masks, according to the intelligence summary. Soon afterward, satellites and other surveillance aircraft picked up the flashes of rockets and artillery shells being fired from government positions toward rebel-held and contested villages east and south of the city. The first reports of a gas attack appeared on social-media sites soon after the projectiles landed.

As the scale of the civilian casualties was becoming clear, U.S. monitors made another key intercept, this time a message to a Syrian chemical weapons team that was directed to cease operations, the U.S. assessment says. Later that day, other Syrian troops began an intensified barrage on the same neighborhood using conventional artillery in an apparent effort to cover up the evidence.

In the 24-hour period after the attack, we detected indications of artillery and rocket fire at a rate four times higher than the ten proceeding days, the four-page document states.
The knives are out for Hector LaSalle.

Gov. Kathy Hochuls nominee for chief judge of Court of Appeals may not even get a hearing, let alone a fair one. If that happens, then the New York Democrats who control the State Senate and its Judiciary Committee will show themselves to be the mirror image of Mitch McConnells Washington Republicans.

Those are the people who denied Merrick Garland a hearing on his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Senate, then in Republican control, rejected President Barack Obamas nominee to succeed the late Antonin Scalia on the specious notion the decision should wait until after the upcoming presidential election.

But, at least they werent making questionable allegations about Garlands record. In LaSalles case, the charges by some Democrats are that the one-time prosecutor is anti-union, anti-abortion and too likely to be biased against New Yorkers charged with crimes. The evidence of these complaints appears to be dubious, but they could be illuminated by a fair hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, whose members include Sen. Sean Ryan, D-Buffalo.

It is surely odd  though not preposterous  for a group of senators to reject a nominee from a governor of their own party. Indeed, under the right circumstances, that can count as evidence of good government. It would be far worse for senators to act as a mere rubber stamp instead of performing their constitutional function.

But its not an either/or choice. The other option  the only correct one  is for senators to actually do their duty  to act like senators, not a lynch mob. That means holding a fair hearing, airing the allegations with open minds, being willing to get to the facts and making a decision based on them.

Reports credibly suggest that the complaints about LaSalles approach to the issues of abortion and labor are being mischaracterized. A fair hearing would likely show the truth.

The nominees record as a prosecutor is absolutely worth exploring, but its not the disqualifier that some critics seem to believe. A principled and functioning system of criminal justice is meant to be adversarial. If LaSalles critics in the Senate have evidence that he misused his position  either as a prosecutor or a judge  a fair hearing will give them the opportunity to lay out their case.

But if their complaint is simply that he was a prosecutor, they should tell that to their constituents. Those people may have doubts about automatically rejecting a nominee for having enforced the law.

There can be no honorable course but for the Senate and its Judiciary Committee to give LaSalle a fair and thorough hearing. It will be to his credit if Ryan plays a leading role in ensuring that happens.

  

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.
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.
Indonesian businessman fined over $370 million for stock manipulation Benny Tjokrosaputro during the hearing on the allegation of manipulating investment decisions in Jakarta

By Stefanno Sulaiman

JAKARTA (Reuters) - An Indonesian corruption court on Thursday found businessman Benny Tjokrosaputro guilty in a stock manipulation case involving state insurance firm Asabri and fined him 5.7 trillion rupiah ($371.67 million).

Tjokrosaputro was spared a jail term because he is already serving a life sentence over a separate case in 2020 linked to hundreds of millions of dollars of investment losses at another insurer Asuransi Jiwasraya, Ignatius Eko Purwanto, who led a panel of judges, said.

The businessman denied any wrongdoing during the trial and his lawyer Aditya W. Santoso said there had been no decision yet on whether to appeal.

A statement issued by the Attorney General's Office late on Thursday said prosecutors planned to appeal for a stronger sentence in line with an initial demand for a death penalty.

Tjokrosaputro made international headlines in 2018 when he sued Goldman Sachs for $1 billion over the ownership of shares in an Indonesian company, a case he won at a lower court but lost at the Supreme Court a year later.

The panel of judges on Thursday ruled Tjokrosaputro was guilty of arranging for Asabri to buy overpriced stocks, which later lost their value, for the personal gain of himself and some of his business partners.

His fine was one of the largest in an Indonesian graft case and the judges said the state could seize Tjokrosaputro's assets if he did not pay.

Prosecutors accused Tjokrosaputro of controlling Asabri's investment decisions between 2012 and 2019, leading to 22.78 trillion rupiah of losses for the state.

Asabri, an insurance company that provides services for members of the military, police force and civil servants at the defence ministry, ran into financial trouble in recent years. It has reported negative equity since 2020.

Indonesian media dubbed the cases Tjokrosaputro was implicated in some of the worst corruption scandals in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

Story continues

The cases have also raised concerns about the management and regulatory oversight of the insurance industry.

Last year, Indonesia passed a financial law calling for the Indonesia Deposit Insurance Corporation to protect policyholders if an insurance firm becomes insolvent, a measure intended to shore up public trust in the sector.

($1 = 15,336.0000 rupiah)

(Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; Additional reporting by Ananda Teresia; Writing by Gayatri Suroyo; Editing by Ed Davies)
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 Instead of flights of angels, the death of Cardinal George Pell provoked another roiling culture war to sing the cardinal to his rest. Its what Australias most prominent church figure would have wanted. The only certainty, other than death, is that arguments about Pells ecclesiastic and cultural legacy will rage for years after his remains are interred in the crypt beneath Sydneys St Marys Cathedral. The battleground preferred by Pells supporters, most prominently former prime minister Tony Abbott and Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton, is the ill-fated criminal prosecution of Pell for historical child sex offences which saw him jailed for 14 months before the High Court unanimously set aside his conviction and acquitted him of all charges. From within his solitary confinement cell inside Unit 8 of Melbournes Remand Centre, the cardinal came to see his imprisonment as proof that anti-church sentiment had motivated the charges against him and poisoned his prospects of receiving a fair trial. George Pell and barrister Robert Richter arrive at court under police guard in Melbourne in 2017. Credit:Jason South This is a vexed and difficult business as many priests and teachers feel the pendulum has swung too far against the presumption of innocence, he wrote in his prison diaries. Just as wisdom and discernment are needed, so, too, courage is required of those investigating and judging, so they can be independent of the tidal waves of public opinion. Pells sense of injustice was shared by his barrister Robert Richter, KC. During a jailhouse visit, the self-described Jewish atheist encouraged Pell to read the Book of Job, in which a pious protagonist wrestles with the dilemma of undeserved suffering while maintaining his faith. We came from totally different personal and intellectual backgrounds but over years of working on this matter we developed a mutual respect and, I believe, an admiration, Richter said. Whatever else happened, he was a man of true faith, and he died that way.

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On the day of Pells death, Abbott described Pells incarceration as a form of crucifixion and declared him a saint for our times. Dutton urged the Victorian government and its institutions to reflect on their role in facilitating a political prosecution. Writing in Pells preferred newspaper, The Australian, Australian Catholic University law professor Greg Craven described Pell as the ultimate victim of the churchs child abuse scandal. For Chrissie Foster, the mother of two girls sexually assaulted at primary school by a predatory Catholic priest who had been long protected by church officials, every plaudit was another cut. Both her daughters, as teenagers, resorted to substance abuse to dull the pain from their childhood trauma. Emma suicided. Katie walked in front of a car and now requires life-long care. Foster says anyone seeking to canonise Pell should read the findings of the royal commission into child sex abuse into his time in the Ballarat and Melbourne dioceses. They are denying the truth, she told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. It is not just us whingeing about our stories. Our truth has gone through the Victorian parliamentary inquiry and a forensic examination of documents in a royal commission. If you look at the unredacted part about George Pell, that is what he is about, that is how we get treated. That is the heart of him and the heart of the problem. The rest is just a facade to maintain their power, their glory and their money. Campaigner Chrissie Foster and former prime minister Julia Gillard after the national apology to victims of institutional child sexual abuse. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen John Ellis was sexually assaulted for five years by Father Aidan Duggan, a priest he served as an altar boy at Christ the King Catholic Church in Sydneys Bass Hill. Ellis is synonymous with a cynical defence adopted by lawyers acting for the Sydney Archdiocese, with the approval of then Archbishop Pell, which blocked his avenue to redress through the courts, deterred other abuse survivors from pursuing litigation and protected the assets of the church. Ellis says Pell was an enigmatic figure who, through the priority he gave to protecting the churchs finances and reputation, missed an enormous opportunity to help people who had suffered clerical abuse. Clearly, he was a highly intelligent and competent person. And I have it on good authority that he had a good heart. The only way I can make sense of it is he did understand all this and possibly, in his heart, had compassion for survivors but decided that was a fork in the road. He made a decision to pursue the path that would protect the interests of the church.

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He was a person with an enormous amount of power within the church. There has been very few people, I would imagine, in the Australian church who have wielded that sort of power and influence. Had he used that in a different way, things would have been very different for survivors of abuse. Pell eventually disavowed the Ellis defence and apologised for adopting it. The NSW government abolished it in 2019. Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli agrees Pell is the most influential clergyman Australia has produced. When asked what Pell might have achieved had he directed all his power and influence towards redressing historical sexual abuse, he replies that Pell probably thought he did. He made a decision to pursue the path that would protect the interests of the church. John Ellis Pells incarceration will remain a defining event in his life, but his legacy goes well beyond the sexual assault allegations levelled by a former St Patricks Cathedral choirboy. Francis Sullivan, the former chief executive of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council appointed by the church to facilitate its response to the royal commission, says Pells muscular brand of Catholic orthodoxy was a reaction against the progressive reforms of the second Vatican Council which split the church and led to the conservative papacy of John Paul II. By the time Pell was appointed Archbishop of Melbourne in 1996, and certainly by 2001 when he moved to Sydney, that ecclesiastic schism was receding before a more pressing crisis. The greatest trial of Pell was not the one in the Supreme Court. The young Pell, as a bishop, was a person of his time, which was defensive and managing the issues from a risk management perspective rather than getting to the heart of the problem, which was the toxic nature of the church and its propensity to be self-serving and self-interested towards something that had the propensity to bring it down, Sullivan says. We had a narrative that developed for decades where the scandal was contextualised and minimised, and an attempt made to say it was just a few bad apples in the bunch. The royal commission demonstrated, I think quite clearly, that the Catholic Church abused children at an industrial rate. Over time, Pell became a symbol of the Catholic Church. The whole scandal was reduced to George Pell. He carried that personally and in lots of ways the focus and the attention of the public was concentrated on Pell and a lot of the anger and disillusionment with the Catholic Church and its performance in the whole sex abuse scandal became personified. There was a blurring between Pell the symbol and Pell the person.

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Sullivan says this wasnt fair but it was Pells lot. By the time findings previously redacted by the royal commission could be published without being prejudicial to Pells criminal proceedings, his acquittal by the High Court had already set off another furious public debate. As a result, the royal commission findings were relatively muted, although they screamed to survivors of clerical abuse. Pell by 1973 was not only conscious of child sexual abuse by clergy ... he also had considered measures of avoiding situations which might provoke gossip about it, the royal commission found. By 1982, he was party to a discussion about moving one of Australias most prolific abusers of children, Gerard Ridsdale, from a country Victorian parish to Sydney to protect the Ballarat diocese from further scandal. It found Pells claim that he was deceived about this to be implausible. Abuse victim John Ellis became synonymous with a legal defence used by the church. Credit:Steven Siewert The royal commission found that in 1989, Pell was aware of child sex abuse allegations against another notorious paedophile, Peter Searson, and failed to intervene. It was incumbent on Bishop Pell, as an auxiliary bishop with responsibilities for the welfare of the children in the Catholic community of his region, to take such action as he could. Put bluntly, Pell along with other priests buried his head in the sand about child sex abuse and, by doing so, aided the cover-up. The most jarring line from Pells evidence, when asked what was commonly known about Ridsdale abusing children at another country parish, was his response: I dont know whether it was common knowledge or whether it wasnt. Its a sad story and it wasnt of much interest to me. When asked by counsel assisting to explain what he meant, Pell went on. The suffering, of course, was real and I very much regret that, but I had no reason to turn my mind to the extent of the evils that Ridsdale had perpetrated. In 1993, he accompanied Ridsdale to court. Viv Waller, a lawyer who specialises in historic child abuse cases and represented the St Patricks choirboy, said Pell before his death never properly acknowledged what the royal commission found about his conduct. I sat through all of those royal commission hearings and each occasion when he said he didnt know or hadnt been told. You might think that is a plausible explanation of one or two occasions but the cumulative effect of him saying that again and again, in lots of different circumstances, just wasnt compelling evidence.

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Where does this leave Pells legacy and the church? Loading Central to this question is the Melbourne Response, a pioneering redress scheme which Pell established in 1996, in consultation with leading civic figures such as Victorias then-governor Richard McGarvie and James Gobbo. The scheme appointed an independent commissioner to investigate and determine the claims of historic sex abuse, provided counselling and medical services and made ex-gratia payments to abuse survivors. It also carried an explicit rider that, if survivors preferred litigation, it would be strenuously defended by the church. At the time of the royal commission, the scheme had had upheld 102 cases of abuse from 367 complaints and awarded nearly $10 million in ex-gratia payments. Comensoli says when he arrived in Melbourne from Sydney, there was a poisoned reality in perception about the Melbourne Response, which he scrapped at the start of last year. The initial $50,000 payment cap, increased to $150,000 in 2015, was seen as meagre by survivor advocates and its reparation processes too difficult and legalistic. Was it a failure at the time to set up this scheme as it was? Probably not. It was something that was set up that was better than anything else that was on offer at the time. Was it the best thing that could be set up? No. In hindsight that is clearly the case. Francis Sullivan is less convinced. The church authorities always had the interests of the church at heart, he says. A proper response to victims would have the interests of victims at heart, whatever it took.

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A separate company, of which Eades is the sole shareholder, was allegedly paid $61,512 by Ngalla Maya for mentoring services without any reason given as to why, or for what purpose, this company was established. 110 cash withdrawals since July 1, 2019, totalling $38, 245 were reviewed, the delegate wrote. Of the 110 cash withdrawals tested, there was no documentation in the corporations accounting software for 61 transactions. I also suspect on reasonable grounds that there are other irregularities in the affairs of the corporation. The ORIC alleged the corporation hadnt paid superannuation contributions since May, 2021.

It is trying to pay the Australian Taxation Office more than $500,000 and has other liabilities totalling a similar amount. Eades said an arrangement had been made to pay the ATO back. According to Ngalla Mayas own financial records, it received grants totalling $4.8 million between 2019 and 2022. It also received more than $400,000 in JobKeeper subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite that, ORIC found the corporation has continued to record increased losses for three consecutive financial years. On top of the financial irregularities, Ngalla Maya had not held an annual general meeting since 2019.

The corporations website says it is dedicated to creating positive and meaningful change and opportunities in the lives of Aboriginal ex-offenders and their families. Loading In recent months, Eades has condemned the management of juveniles at Banksia Hill Detention Centre, where a number of riots and damage have resulted in some detainees being sent to an empty unit at Casuarina mens prison. Eades defended his stewardship of the organisation and said it had already come to an arrangement with the tax office to pay back the money. He said the money received by the organisation had 100 per cent been spent correctly, but fine margins to deliver an ambitious program had caught up with them.

I never went and bought a house out of someone elses money, government money and all that, he said. Not to forget our funding was outcome-based. We had to deliver before we got any money. What weve ended up delivering with so little margin is massive for the social return for the community. In our Aboriginal community, it has been massive. It wasnt spending money on myself, because that was never the case.

Eades said he had not been paid anything for his work as chief executive from 2016 to 2019.

He also criticised the claim that the organisation had not held an AGM since 2019. We report to them every year, where theyre getting that from, thats utter bullshit, he said. Finally, he blasted ORIC for not providing enough support to Aboriginal organisations. Eades said when he started Ngalla Maya he didnt have a background running organisations. We understand weve got to be accountable to the tax office, no matter what we do in life, thats not a problem. But you know, these places are meant to be supporting Aboriginal organisations, he said.

Thats where I see a massive flaw. Loading Georgatos said his involvement with Ngalla Maya revolved around writing its submissions to secure federal government funding in 2017 and 2019 and a period of 10 months between 2017 and 2018 when he worked pro bono to manage its finances. Georgatos said the organisation was left in a strong financial position at the end of that period. He said he was disappointed in the predicament Ngalla Maya found itself in and hoped Eades could continue his work.
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).
Kyiv: Russia says 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 Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said in televised remarks on Thursday (Ukraine time).

Ukrainian soldiers fire rockets at Russian positions in the frontline near Soledar, Donetsk region. Credit: AP

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.
ReportLinker

The Global Moist Wound Dressings Market size was estimated at USD 4,691. 22 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 5,253. 22 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 12. 23% to reach USD 9,376.

New York, Dec. 16, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Moist Wound Dressings Market Research Report by Product, Application, End-Use, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06340002/?utm_source=GNW

80 million by 2027.



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across 7 major currencies - USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2018 and 2020 are considered as historical years, 2021 as the base year, 2022 as the estimated year, and years from 2023 to 2027 are considered as the forecast period.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Moist Wound Dressings to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Product, the market was studied across Alginate Dressings, Collagen Dressings, Film Dressings, Foam Dressings, Hydrocolloid Dressings, and Hydrogel Dressings.



Based on Application, the market was studied across Acute Wounds and Chronic Wounds. The Acute Wounds is further studied across Burns and Surgical & Traumatic Wounds. The Chronic Wounds is further studied across Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Pressure Ulcers, and Venous Leg Ulcers.



Based on End-Use, the market was studied across Home Healthcare, Hospitals, and Specialty Clinics.



Based on Region, the market was studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas is further studied across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The United States is further studied across California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. The Asia-Pacific is further studied across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Europe, Middle East & Africa is further studied across Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.



Cumulative Impact of COVID-19:

COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, and the long-term effects are projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report delivers insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecasts, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market.



Cumulative Impact of 2022 Russia Ukraine Conflict:

We continuously monitor and update reports on political and economic uncertainty due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Negative impacts are significantly foreseen globally, especially across Eastern Europe, European Union, Eastern & Central Asia, and the United States. This contention has severely affected lives and livelihoods and represents far-reaching disruptions in trade dynamics. The potential effects of ongoing war and uncertainty in Eastern Europe are expected to have an adverse impact on the world economy, with especially long-term harsh effects on Russia.This report uncovers the impact of demand & supply, pricing variants, strategic uptake of vendors, and recommendations for Moist Wound Dressings market considering the current update on the conflict and its global response.



Competitive Strategic Window:

The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies to help the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. It describes the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth during a forecast period.



FPNV Positioning Matrix:

The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the Moist Wound Dressings Market based on Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape.



Market Share Analysis:

The Market Share Analysis offers the analysis of vendors considering their contribution to the overall market. It provides the idea of its revenue generation into the overall market compared to other vendors in the space. It provides insights into how vendors are performing in terms of revenue generation and customer base compared to others. Knowing market share offers an idea of the size and competitiveness of the vendors for the base year. It reveals the market characteristics in terms of accumulation, fragmentation, dominance, and amalgamation traits.



Competitive Scenario:

The Competitive Scenario provides an outlook analysis of the various business growth strategies adopted by the vendors. The news covered in this section deliver valuable thoughts at the different stage while keeping up-to-date with the business and engage stakeholders in the economic debate. The competitive scenario represents press releases or news of the companies categorized into Merger & Acquisition, Agreement, Collaboration, & Partnership, New Product Launch & Enhancement, Investment & Funding, and Award, Recognition, & Expansion. All the news collected help vendor to understand the gaps in the marketplace and competitors strength and weakness thereby, providing insights to enhance product and service.



Company Usability Profiles:

The report profoundly explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global Moist Wound Dressings Market, including 3M Company, Advanced Medical Solutions Group PLC, Advancis Medical (Brightwake Ltd), Axio Biosolutions Pvt Ltd, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Cardinal Health, Inc., Coloplast A/S, ConvaTec Group PLC, DermaRite Industries, LLC., Essity, Ferris Mfg. Corp., Hollister Incorporated, Integra LifeSciences, MPM Medical, LLC., Molnlycke Health Care AB., Safe n Simple, Smith & Nephew PLC, URGO, Winner Medical Co., Ltd, ZENIMEDICAL., and Zhejiang Top-Medical Medical Dressing Co., Ltd..



The report provides insights on the following pointers:

1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players

2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyze penetration across mature segments of the markets

3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments

4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, certification, regulatory approvals, patent landscape, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players

5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and breakthrough product developments



The report answers questions such as:

1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global Moist Wound Dressings Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Moist Wound Dressings Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Moist Wound Dressings Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Moist Wound Dressings Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Moist Wound Dressings Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Moist Wound Dressings Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Moist Wound Dressings Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06340002/?utm_source=GNW



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ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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As part of the new funding cycle of the United Kingdoms HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) sponsored Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, the WCO conducted a mission in Zambia in November 2022 to further strengthen its partnership with the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA). The objective of the mission was to take stock of the progress made while also looking ahead at areas for further enhancement and WCO collaboration in the coming years. Two representatives of HMRC accompanied the mission. It took place in parallel with a capacity building mission to support ZRA with the validation of the two pilot Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programmes and a mission to further enhance Air Cargo streamlining through the implementation of the WCO Immediate Release Guidelines  leading to the digitalization of clearance for air cargo consignments.

Within the framework of the WCO Mercator Programme for effective implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), the ZRA has been receiving technical assistance since 2018 in selected TFA measures as well as on cross-cutting TFA enablers in the organizational development domain under the auspices of the HMRC Programme  a partnership with UNCTAD.

Orlando Cantell, Head of WTO, Trade Facilitation, and Capacity Building at HMRC, said, It was fantastic to see a great example of the Accelerate Trade Facilitation partnership in action, with the Zambian Government, the WCO and UNCTAD all working together. I was delighted to see first-hand the impacts of the Time Release Study and subsequent recommendations in making the vital Chirundu One-Stop Border Post a more efficient crossing, reducing waiting times for traders. The ongoing work between the Zambian Revenue Authority and the WCO to set up the AEO scheme and support electronic air cargo manifests will also offer further benefits for Zambian businesses. Referring to the synergy between the WCO and UNCTAD support, Mr. Cantell added, We also heard from the Zambia National Trade Facilitation Committee, and how theyve successfully embedded UNCTADs Reform Tracker to drive forward and coordinate sustainable reforms. Were looking forward to seeing what this partnership can continue to deliver over the coming years.

Acting ZRA Commissioner General, Moses Shuko, expressed ZRAs gratitude to the WCO and HMRC for the multi-year strategic partnership, most notably the ongoing support on Integrity, Gender Equality and Diversity (GED), AEO and Air Cargo streamlining. Looking ahead towards the new Mercator Implementation Plan, ZRA reconfirmed its commitment to driving activities forward towards effective and sustainable results. In addition to the aforementioned areas and as part of the Mercator Implementation Plan, the WCO will, among others, render capacity building on Coordinated Border Management, leveraging the NTFC and working in close cooperation with the World Bank Group.

The WCO is looking forward to its continued partnership with ZRA and development partners for sustainable trade facilitation reforms and inclusive economic prosperity.

For more information on WCO capacity building, please contact Capacity.Building@wcoomd.org.
A week after completing his governorship, Pete Ricketts on Thursday was appointed to a seat in the U.S. Senate.

"My task was to find the best person," Gov. Jim Pillen said in making the announcement before dozens of state senators, state officials and Republican stalwarts who filled the Governor's Hearing Room.

Pillen said Ricketts will bring his dedication to "fiscal responsibility" to Washington along with a knowledge of "what drives this state -- agriculture."

After interviewing nine applicants for the job -- there were 111 total -- Pillen said Ricketts was "the very obvious choice."

Ricketts, who completed eight years in the governorship last week, said he expects his priorities and voting record to be very similar to former Sen. Ben Sasse, who resigned from the Senate effective last Sunday to prepare to assume the presidency of the University of Florida early next month.

Ricketts said he shares the dedication that Sasse displayed in seeking confirmation of conservative federal judges along with the former senator's demonstrated respect for the U.S. Constitution, his support for a strong national defense and his concerns about China and the Chinese Communist Party.

Like Sasse, Ricketts said, he would "work to control overspending" by the federal government.

"I can't think of an issue we differ on," he said.

Sen. Deb Fischer, who stood with Pillen and Ricketts during the announcement, said she is "very, very excited to have Pete Ricketts as a colleague" and to have the opportunity to "partner with him."

Ricketts, she said, has demonstrated "a very swift learning ability" during his governorship.

We know that Pete knows the state of Nebraska. And we know Pete loves the state of Nebraska. I know he is going to do a wonderful job in continuing to serve the people of this state, she said.

Questioned about allegations that the appointment might appear to be the result of "backroom dealing" after Ricketts provided strong financial and political support in Pillen's successful battle to win the Republican gubernatorial nomination in a hotly contest GOP primary battle last May, the governor said "that's not part of my DNA."

Pillen said he has "way, way too much respect for the people of Nebraska" to ever engage in that kind of political bargaining and he focused solely on choosing the best person for the job.

Ricketts donated more than $100,000 of his own money directly to Pillens campaign. Ricketts also gave nearly $1.3 million this year to the political action committee Conservative Nebraska, which ran a slew of attack ads against Pillen's primary opponents, including the Trump-backed candidate, Charles Herbster.

Pillen noted that Nebraska voters will have a voice in deciding whether they approve of Ricketts as their new U.S. senator next year when he needs to seek election to complete the final two years of Sasse's unexpired term. Fischer will also be on the ballot for reelection in 2024.

Ricketts would be on the ballot again in 2026 if he then seeks election to a full six-year term.

Ricketts, who was joined at Thursday's announcement by his wife Susanne Shore and son Roscoe, said he was grateful for the "unexpected opportunity to serve Nebraska."

No Democrats were interviewed for the job, Pillen said. Among the Republicans he interviewed were former state Sen. Brett Lindstrom, Nebraska Chamber of Commerce President Bryan Slone, Pinnacle Bank Chairman Sid Dinsdale and Greg Ibach, former director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Pillen said he rejected the alternative of choosing a so-called placeholder for the Senate seat who would not subsequently seek election to the post, thereby opening the field to an array of candidates because that choice would then have "no accountability to the people."

Seniority matters in the Senate, Pillen noted, and that also argues against a so-called placeholder.

"Im a pretty big believer that past performance is a pretty good indicator of future performance, he said.

The Senate reconvenes on Jan. 23.

The Lincoln Journal Star's top photos from 2022
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.
CUMRU TWP., Pa.  It's a unique impact to have on people, providing peace by your mere presence.

"People immediately seem to calm down. They drop that barrier," said Chief Madison Winchester, Cumru Township Police Department. "It's a game changer, really, when you bring a therapy dog into a room."

Say hello to Oliver, Oli for short, a 6-month-old Bernedoodle with deep set eyes that seem to say, "Hey bud, everything's gonna be OK."

"The calming effect that they can have and how people can temporarily put aside that traumatic event or what they're dealing with and relate and be able to be near this animal," Winchester explained.

Oli is on the mend from a recent operation and paired up with Ofc. Shawn Heatley.

"The bond between him and I is just unbreakable at this point," Heatley shared.

Oli is only weeks away from completing therapy dog training and taking to the streets.

"To be able to introduce a dog and to be able to calm that person down and try to help them through that situation that they're going through, I mean, words can't even describe it," Heatley said.

With this latest furry addition to the squad, the police in Cumru Township said they could see this becoming a trend among other departments.

"I think other departments are going to see the effect that he has on people and the effect that he has on the community," Heatley said, "and I think it's definitely going to be a trend-setter at this point."

Many police departments are focusing on de-escalation and mental health help.

"We're constantly dealing with individuals who are in various stages of crisis or emotional stress or whether it's a mental health situation," Winchester said.

Offering up his own special brand of curly, cuddly compassion, Oli is poised to be a "good boy" and a great addition to the Cumru Township Police Department.
EXETER TWP., Pa.  There is a possible development in Berks County related to the case of a missing mother from Montgomery County.

It's the case of 43-year-old Jennifer Brown of Limerick Township, who vanished more than a week ago.

Sources tell our partners at WPVI in Philadelphia that Montgomery County investigators were searching Thursday at a landfill in Berks County, near Birdsboro.

There's no word on what exactly they were searching for.

Police say Brown's car was last parked outside her home, and her car keys, purse and work cell phone were found inside the home.

Our crews were out at the Pioneer Crossing Landfill in Exeter Township, Berks County, Thursday night. There was no police activity to be seen.

Earlier Thursday, though, things were busy at the landfill just south of Route 422 in Exeter Township, off Red Lane Road.

Sources tell WPVI that investigators were searching for clues in the disappearance of Brown.

Exeter Township police and the Berks County District Attorney's Office tell us they are not aware of anything related to the search.

In addition, a spokesperson for the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said there was "no new news" Thursday, and detectives are just following up on leads.

Brown was last seen by a friend and business associate on Jan. 3, at about 2 p.m.

Neighbors have told us that police seized a dumpster at the complex where Brown lives, and they were back there Thursday to take pictures of the shed it was sitting under.

Brown's aunt told 69 News Thursday night she would like everyone to know how grateful the family is for the tremendous amount of love, support and generosity the entire community has shown to Jennifer and her boys.

Anyone who has information that might help police in their investigation is asked to call the Limerick Township Police Department or the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A man from Allentown is accused of scheming to defraud the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

Sergio Jara, 37, along with Duvany Zambrano, 43, of Hamilton, New Jersey, was indicted on Jan. 4 by a federal grand jury, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, the indictment alleges that beginning in 2018, Zambrano, Jara and others began acquiring thousands of E-Z Pass transponders from retailers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The DOJ says they then registered the transponders using false personal information and false credit card information.

They sold the transponders to truckers in the New Jersey area who travelled on the Pennsylvania Turnpike hauling materials, according to the DOJ. In doing so, the indictment alleges that Zambrano, Jara, and others avoided paying approximately $1 million in tolls.

The indictment was unsealed following Zambrano and Jaras initial appearances. They are currently scheduled for trial on March 4 before U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting the case.

If they are found guilty, they face up to 20 years in prison, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - With demand for nurses at an all-time high, Northampton Community College is offering a program designed to get former nurses back into the workforce. It's one of the few schools left in Pennsylvania working to recruit former nurses back into the field.

"We are one of three programs left in the state. Harrisburg Area Community College, Montgomery Community College, and us," said Dr. Judith Rex, the Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Education at NCC.

She says the course generally has around 10 to 12 students.

The program can also help international nurses get state certification.

"It's very rigorous. It's a 200-hour course in 15 weeks and you have 120 hours of clinical," Rex said. "You have 100 hours of lecture lab. There's a clinical skills weekend which is every skill you've ever learned in nursing school we review and get competency-based within two days."

Experts say the pandemic only worsened a nationwide shortage of nurses. The latest example is the four-day strike of more than 7,000 nurses at two of New York City's largest hospitals, with the top concerns among nurses centered on staffing.

Rex says the need is felt locally as well. A study done in 2021 projected the state would be short 300,000 nurses by 2026.

"We have recruiters from all the local hospitals coming in to meet the students right at the beginning of the class and a lot of them offer them jobs when they've completed the program, sat for the boards, completed the program, and got their license back," Rex said.

The program runs From Jan. 30 to May 8. Northampton is also offering expanded phlebotomist courses to meet that need.

There are open houses the 17th and the 18th.

You can enroll online or over the phone.
Bryan Kohberger was back in Latah County Court in Idaho Thursday morning.

He says he's waiving his right to a speedy preliminary hearing in the case of the four slain University of Idaho students.

Scott Curtis, retired FBI Special Agent, says this is a common move, and gives the defense more time to watch things play out.

"In my experience time is on the defense's side, the longer things are drawn out, it benefits the defense," said Curtis.

"Evidence gets lost, destroyed, tainted, witnesses change their story, witnesses change their story and get hesitant to testify."

Kohberger's defense attorney requested that the preliminary hearing not happen until the summer.

The judge agreed, setting that hearing for June 26.

Curtis says it could be then that we hear the reason behind the crime.

"It'll be interesting to see if that motive is presented at the preliminary hearing and what that motive is," said Curtis.

In the meantime, the judge has placed a gag order on the case, forbidding both sides from talking about any details.

However, Curtis says it could be extremely difficult to find a jury who hasn't been influenced by what's online.

"It's gonna be hard for the prosecution to say that there isn't anybody in Idaho that doesn't know about this case and impartially view the case based on what they absorbed or hear. That's going to be the issue down the road," said Curtis.
ALBRIGHTSVILLE, Pa. - Six months is how long America will need to wait for more information about the killings of four University of Idaho students. Bryan Kohberger, the man from the Poconos accused of carrying out the grisly murders, was in court Thursday morning in Idaho.

His next court appearance isn't until next June.

Thursday in court, Kohberger looked as he did the two times before: calm and showing little emotion.

He spoke just four times, responding yes and no to the judge, assuring her he's aware of what's happening.

"State of Idaho versus Bryan Kohberger," said Latah County Judge Megan Marshall.

Kohberger was back in court for a status hearing. His attorney asked the Latah County judge to push a preliminary hearing until the summer.

"Mr. Kohberger understands his right to a timely preliminary hearing," said Anne Taylor, Kohberger's defense attorney. "He's willing to waive the timeliness to allow us time to obtain discovery in this case."

"The state has no objection to that," said Latah County prosecuting attorney Bill Thompson.

The preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 26.

"Do you understand?" asked Judge Marshall.

"Yes," responded Kohberger.

So, it's six months until we may learn about more evidence or hear from witnesses.

Idaho law experts tell us asking for more time is common in complex cases like this, where both sides need to analyze evidence.

Right now, there's limited information available in an affidavit, and since there's a gag order, anyone involved in the case can't discuss it.

Social media, especially the true crime community on Tik Tok, has been following every detail closely.

Kohberger's former classmates from Pleasant Valley, Northampton Community College and DeSales University tell us they're glued to the updates.

That includes Josh Ferraro, who is getting thousands of views on his videos. His Tik Tok handle is psychologicalsleuth.

"I was a criminal justice major at DeSales as well," Ferraro said in one of his videos. "I studied under Katherine Ramsland as well. We took a really interesting class there called psychological sleuthing where you basically enter the mind of a killer, and you have to decipher how that crime happened based off minute clues that Dr. Ramsland gives you."

Ferraro did a project with Kohberger at DeSales, which included a photo of Kohberger.

"My theory on the motive is...he potentially had problems with women," said Ferraro in another video. "I say that based off of analyzing my memories and him in class. He never talked to girls, ever."

In a different video, Ferraro notes, "it's absolutely almost utterly impossible to get away with crimes nowadays in the digital age."

There's still no bail for the case, so Kohberger will remain behind bars in Idaho.
LIMERICK TWP., Pa. - The Limerick Township community is still looking for answers in the disappearance of 43-year-old single-mother Jennifer Brown.

The investigation now appears to be at a standstill. The Montgomery County District Attorney's Office told us detectives are on the case 24-7, but it isn't sharing any updates. Outside Brown's home, people were stopping by a memorial for Brown on Thursday. Neighbors told us police seized a dumpster, and were back on Thursday to take pictures of the shed it was sitting under.

But police don't want people searching for her, and that lack of action has people restless. Meghan McGuffin, who owns Piccolo Boutique in Trappe, Pennsylvania, worries about Brown's 8-year-old son Noah.

"I can't even imagine how she's feeling not being with him, and how he's feeling, and for me it's just something that I wanted to help both of them," said McGuffin.

She's helping with a donation box, a place people can come by her store and drop off gift cards for Noah and his family.

"They're looking for Chick-fil-A gift cards, because her son loves Chick-fil-A. So any gift cards to there. No cash, they do not want any cash, and any type of gift card to a local grocery store," said McGuffin.

They're also accepting gift cards to toy stores for Noah. McGuffin said they'll be collecting the gift cards at her store until 6 p.m. on Saturday, then they'll take them to New Jersey where Noah is staying with family. She said they are incredibly grateful for the support they're getting.

"They did suggest putting your address on the back of the card, because they would love to write thank you notes to everyone," said McGuffin.

More than anything though, she hopes police find a lead on Brown's whereabouts soon.

"We're just hoping for a safe return for her," said McGuffin.

If you want to buy a gift card online, you can send it to caringcommunity1028@gmail.com.

If you know anything you think might help police in their investigation, you're asked to call the Limerick Township Police Department or the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.
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
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - Certain kinds of birth control will no longer require a prescription in New Jersey under a new law Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy has signed.

Self-administered hormonal contraceptives like the pill, patch and ring wont require a prescription from a health care provider under the measure.

The new law goes into effect in May. The state pharmacy board will draw up protocols to direct how it is implemented, including the requirement for a training program.

Seventeen states and the District of Columbia permit pharmacists to offer contraceptives, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.
Woodworking can be a good life lesson.

If you take your time and pay attention to detail, you might end up with a beautiful product, and an Iraq war veteran from Minnesota wanted to share that message with students.

Karl Erickson is teaching students how to make bird feeders, but it's more than just creating the tangible feeder. He's hoping students take what they learned while building these bird feeders and apply it to life.

He teamed up with the nonprofit 'Elpis' to get his woodworking idea off the ground. A local VFW helped fund the project, and local businesses donated wood.

Karl's been busy ever since.

This footage is from his recent visit to a Minneapolis elementary school.

It was his 7th class so far, and at no cost to the schools.

"Because financial barriers for districts, for parents, are not always the best thing. They don't always line up for having extra-curricular things coming into their schools," said Karl. "Kids want to do cool stuff and they want to look forward to things, and if we can help them meet that expectation, it makes for a good school day."

Karl and his group plant to visit ten more schools in Minneapolis over the next few months.

Karl has since branched out from woodworking. Now his group also teaches kids the art of screen printing.
The state Office of Open Records granted an open-records request and ordered Luzerne County to release video footage and surveillance of county buildings related to the Nov. 8 election.

The Dec. 28 decision from the state agency gives the county 30 days to provide the video to the requester, Ben Herring of Duryea. The county is planning an appeal to the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.

Herring is vice president of the Citizens Advisory of Pennsylvania, a group that began monitoring local school boards in 2021 for adherence to the U.S. and Pennsylvania constitutions and to defend the rights of students, parents and the taxpayers.

Other open-records requests to the county from Herring were for paper procurement records for the Nov. 8 election and for contracts and payments related to the transportation of election machines.

A shortage of ballot paper needed for voting machines created chaos and controversy at polling places on Nov. 8. District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce has launched an investigation.

Herring said hes also planning to file an appeal with the Office of Open Records to get Pittston to release video surveillance of the ballot drop box placed at Pittston Memorial Library for the Nov. 8 election.

Confidence in voting has hit an all-time low, Herring said.

Herring filed requests for county records on Nov. 16. After Herring filed appeals, the county provided paper procurement records for the Nov. 8 election and contract and payment records related to the transportation of election machines, the Office of Open Records said.

Based on the county records he received, Herring said the county didnt buy paper for the Nov. 8 election. That was either due to gross negligence or one concerted effort to make a big mistake, Herring said.

Herring said he is concerned with how county employees sorted and tabulated emergency and provisional ballots and hopes video can provide some answers there. The request was for digital recordings, videotaped footage and recorded surveillance of Luzerne County official buildings from Sept. 1 and Nov. 16, and it specifically mentions locations where election equipment is stored, picked up and received and locations where sorting, reviewing, transposing, collecting and counting of official ballots occurred.

The county claimed the video request was denied under the security exemption of the the Right to Know Law. The law exempts the disclosure of records that create a reasonable likelihood of endangering the safety or the physical security of a building, public utility, resource, infrastructure, facility or information storage system.

The Office of Open Records ruled the county failed to provide any evidence that disclosure would cause the alleged harm and noted the county did not provide an attestation to support the exemption.

Voting machines at county polling places print ballots that must be inserted into a scanning machine at each polling place. Nov. 8 voters unable to cast ballots on machines due to the lack of printer paper had to come back later or cast provisional ballots or emergency ballots.

A judge extended the closing time for all polling places in the county from 8 to 10 p.m., and voters had to use provisional ballots during the additional two hours. A total of 758 provisional ballots were cast countywide during the additional two hours, acting Election Director Beth Gilbert McBride said.

Provisional ballots are typically used when a voters registration or qualifications to vote are in question. Emergency ballots are typically used by voters who are registered to vote at a polling place but machines at the polling place are not working.

Emergency ballots are supposed to be counted at polling places on Election Day, but some emergency ballots ended up with the provisional ballots set aside for board scrutiny and were counted as provisional ballots. On Nov. 9, the county had counted 113,143 ballots, and it increased to 117,495 weeks later after provisional ballots were counted.
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 Town and its inhabitants receive the award in recognition of their support for freedom, solidarity and equality



The award was established by the European Committee of the Regions in partnership with the City of Gdansk and the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) and is presented to local leaders  in politics or in civil society  who, like Pawe Adamowicz, act with courage and integrity to help those in need and who fight against intolerance, radicalisation, hate speech, oppression and xenophobia.

The award recognises the life-saving support that Michaowo and its population provided to migrants who found themselves stranded between Poland and Belarus after the Polish government in September 2021 imposed a state of emergency in response to Belarus's sponsorship of illegal migration. The local administration of Michaowo, which lies very close to Poland's border with Belarus, provided clothing, warm meals and overnight accommodation for those in need, with support also from non-governmental organisations. Temporary housing provided by the local administration in Bondary, a village near the border, has also served families from Ukraine since the outbreak of war.

The jury also decided to give a special mention to Oleksandr Babich, Mayor of Hola Prystan in the south of Ukraine, who has been held captive since March 2022 for trying to protect his local community. This special mention is given to Oleksandr Babich as a representative of all Ukrainian mayors who have been kidnapped or tortured since the start of the Russian invasion.

Mayor of Michalowo, Marek Nazarko said: " It is an amazing surprise because it was already a great honour for us just to be nominated for this award. To win the Pawe Adamowicz Award is a great privilege and source of pride for me as the head of the municipality. I would like to thank the award committee and the European Committee of the Regions. I would also like to congratulate all the nominees  we were in highly esteemed company. Above all, I am proud of our local people because we were able put into practice the values that the European Union brings, indeed, that humanity brings, and really bring them to life. As historian Marian Turski said  heed the 11th commandment: thou shalt not be indifferent! And in the words of Mayor Pawe Adamowicz: share the good  that is what's most important. "

The President of the European Committee of the Regions, Vasco Alves Cordeiro, said: "Mayor Pawel Adamowicz lost his life for standing up for the values of freedom, solidarity and equality. Today we honour his memory by awarding the city of Michaowo with the Award that the Committee of the Regions created in his name. As thousands of people were pressed at the border between Poland and Belarus, fleeing oppression and dictatorship, Mayor Marek Nazarko and the people of Michaowo spared no effort to welcome them, especially women and children, providing them with shelter, help and hope. Their actions and courage embody the spirit of Pawel Adamowicz. This year, we also want to give special recognition to Oleksandr Babich, the Mayor of Hola Prystan in Ukraine, as a tribute to his courage and as a signal of hope and solidarity for all Ukrainian mayors and citizens fighting for our European values ."

The Mayor of Gdansk, Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, said : "The Pawe Adamowicz Award is to be a form of a living memorial showing that today, in the world of endangered values, it is worth to actively defend democracy, freedom, solidarity and human rights."

ICORN's board president, Christopher Gribble, said:  ICORN depends on cities stepping up and taking decisive action for freedom of expression, human rights and international solidarity. We congratulate the Municipality of Michalowo with receiving the Mayor Pawel Adamowicz Award for 2022, for their tremendous efforts to support and protect a large amount of refugees, under very trying circumstances, at the Polish border with Belarus. We also stand in deep solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and appreciate that the Award Jury is designating a special mention of honour to Mayor of Hola Prystan Mr. Oleksandr Babich, who have been held captive for more than six months by the Russian aggressors for simply protecting his local community. 

MEP Magdalena Adamowicz said: " The Pawe Adamowicz Award promotes human rights and European values, which were at the heart of Pawe's social and political activity from the very beginning until his tragic death. For Pawe, human rights, unconditional equality, respect for the dignity of every person, openness and help for all people in need, including immigrants and refugees, were the unquestionable foundation of democracy and a benchmark for Europe's future. The winner of this year's award is a defender and promoter of these values. The municipality of Michaowo in Podlaskie offered help to refugees in need at the border between Poland and Belarus. This small municipality with a big heart stood as the first line of defence for democracy and European values against an attack on democracy. If we want to save democracy, we must clearly, strongly and without compromise defend the right of every person to equality, dignity and to live in freedom. The municipality of Michaowo understands this. "

The Mayor Pawe Adamowicz Award Ceremony will take place on the 8 February 2023, during a Plenary Session of the European Committee of the Regions.

The other shortlisted nominees were (in alphabetical order):

Vadym Boichenko , Mayor of Mariupol, for his support for displaced persons after the first Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and his ongoing work in supporting the residents of Mariupol who have left the city following the most recent Russian invasion;

, Mayor of Mariupol, for his support for displaced persons after the first Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014 and his ongoing work in supporting the residents of Mariupol who have left the city following the most recent Russian invasion; Mayors of Ukraine (represented by the Association of Ukrainian cities). The nomination is for all courageous mayors of Ukraine who during the brutal and unjustified military aggression by Russia have promoted freedom, democratic values, solidarity and fight against intolerance and against hate speech;

(represented by the Association of Ukrainian cities). The nomination is for all courageous mayors of Ukraine who during the brutal and unjustified military aggression by Russia have promoted freedom, democratic values, solidarity and fight against intolerance and against hate speech; SOS Mediterranee : European humanitarian organisation, nominated for helping to protect lives of migrants in the Mediterranean, the world's most dangerous migration route.

Background:

Pawe Adamowicz was stabbed on 13 January 2019 while speaking at a charity event. He died from his injuries the following day. He was 53 years old. His murder was preceded by a rise in hate speech directed at him. His last words, uttered just before he was attacked, were: "Gdansk is generous, Gdansk shares its good, Gdansk wants to be a city of solidarity. This is a wonderful time to share the good. You are loved. Gdansk is the most wonderful city in the world. Thank you!"

Mr Adamowicz was committed to promoting the EU's fundamental values, and was an active member of the European Committee of the Regions. In 2016, Mayor Adamowicz launched the Gdansk 'Immigrant Integration Model' after meeting Pope Francis. It has served as a model that has inspired other Polish cities.

The Pawe Adamowicz Award Evaluation Committee includes representatives of UCLG - United Cities and Local Governments, Eurocities, GPM - Global Parliament of Mayors, The Council of European Municipalities and Regions, AER - Assembly of European Regions, CALRE - Conference of European Regional Legislative Assemblies, CPMR - the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions, COE - Council of Europe, City of Gdansk, ICORN, COR European Committee of the Regions.

The first winner of the Pawe Adamowicz Award was Henriette Reker, mayor of Cologne. She was recognised in 2022 for the courage and determination that she has shown over the past 20 years in promoting diversity, solidarity and integration as an integral part of Cologne's identity. In 2015, Mayor Reker survived a knife attack motivated by her commitment for helping migrant communities and their integration.

The European Committee of the Regions, as the political assembly of local and regional politicians in the EU and on the initiative of the Polish delegation, unanimously adopted a resolution on 7 February 2019 condemning hate speech and threats of all kinds against political leaders. The CoR, at its plenary session on 30 November 2022, adopted recommendations in support of the European Commission's proposals to add hate speech and hate crimes to the list of offences recognised in EU policy via opinion on " Extending the list of EU crimes to hate speech and hate crimes "  drafted by Aleksandra Dulkiewicz , who succeeded Pawe Adamowicz as Mayor of Gdansk.

The International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) is an international organisation of 75 cities and regions in Europe and beyond, offering safe haven to persecuted writers and artists, advancing freedom of expression, defending democratic values and promoting international solidarity. More than 250 writers and artists have been offered residency in an ICORN city. In a safe environment, they continue to play a vital role, both in highlighting violations of human rights and free speech in their home countries, and in supporting colleagues in their country of origin. Mayor Pawel Adamowicz brought the City of Gdansk into ICORN on 30 August 2017.

Mayor Pawe Adamowicz Award - website : #AdamowiczAward

Rules and regulations of the award, Eligibility Criteria, Selection Criteria
You've Bought an EV But How Do You Earn the Carbon Credits? This Crypto Will Help - Where to Invest

Disclaimer: The Industry Talk section features insights by crypto industry players and is not a part of the editorial content of Cryptonews.com.

Electric vehicle (EV) earners will soon, for the first time, have the opportunity to earn carbon credits every time they charge their car. Thats thanks to C+Charge, a new start-up that is building a crypto-based electric vehicle charging payments platform designed to democratize the carbon credit markets in favor of EV owners and improve the charging experience.

C+Charge hopes that by rewarding EV owners with carbon credits when they charge, it can bring a new wave of EV buyers to the space. Given the pace of recent growth in the carbon credit market, as countries race to address climate change, C+Charge could be a big hit. According to analysts at Refinitiv, the value of carbon credits traded increased by 164% in 2022, reaching a total trading volume of $851 billion.

Meanwhile, according to analysis from Coherent Market Insights, the market cap of the global carbon credit market was around $211.5 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow to over $2.4 trillion by 2027. But the carbon credit market has a big problem. Its centralization and concentration.

The carbon credit market remains dominated by big players and remains largely inaccessible to individuals. Big manufacturing/industrial sector players get to buy credits on mass. Big sellers, like electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla, get to sell credits on mass. Up until now, technology hasnt been there to democratize access to this rapidly growing market. But C+Charge is looking to change that by harnessing the power of the blockchain.

What is C+Charge?

C+Charge is developing a peer-to-peer blockchain-based payment system designed to open up the carbon credit reward market to the drivers of EVs, like Tesla.

EV drivers will use the C+Charge application to pay to charge their vehicles. They will pay using C+Charges native cryptocurrency CCHG and will be rewarded with carbon credits in the form of Goodness Native Tokens (GNT), which will be stored in their account on the C+Charge app. GNT token represents a verified voluntary carbon credit and is backed by venture capital firms a16z Crypto and Samsung Next as well as fund manager Invesco.

The more EV owners charge and drive and the more CCHG they spend, the more GNT they will earn. CCHG also have an opportunity to earn carbon credits passively. There is a 1% tax on all transactions that C+Charge uses to purchase GNT carbon credits and then distribute them proportionately amongst CCHG token holders.

As well as acting as a payments platform for EV charging and a carbon credit tracker, C+Charges application will also help users easily geolocate nearby charging stations and will offer useful information such as real-time charger wait times and charging station technical diagnosis.

Visit C+Charge Here

Get CCHG in Presale Now

C+Charge, which is currently being touted as one of the best green crypto projects in on the market at the moment, is currently raising funds via a presale of the CCHG token that will power its payment platform. 40% of the tokens maximum supply of 1 billion will be made available to the public over the next few weeks.

At present, tokens are currently on offer for $0.013 each, but will rise to $0.02350 over the course of four different presale stages, with C+Charge eventually planning to raise $2.08 million. Tokens are currently selling for $0.013, but this will rise to $0.02350 over the course of the presale. That means, by the end of the presale, early investors will have already bagged an 80% on-paper gain on their investment.

And investors should move quickly, as tokens are being scooped up quickly. Just around 12 hours ago, a crypto whale bagged a massive $99,177 worth of CCHG tokens in one purchase, as can be verified here on BscScan. That means that C+Charge, in just a few weeks since the launch of its presale at the end of last year, has already now managed to raise over $230,000.

Buy CCHG here

Investors should also be aware that C+Charge is conducting a $50,000 giveaway. Investors must hold at least $100 of CCHG on the day of the draw to be eligible to win the prize.

Some analysts think that C+Charge has the potential to deliver 10x returns for early investors.
The Winona Police Department assisted in a probation search of a residence in the 600 block of Mankato along with members of the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crimes Task Force, a probation officer, and a treatment coordinator.

A total of eight grams of methamphetamine was located along with prescription medication not for the individual living in the house.

The search was conducted on Thursday at 9 a.m. As a result of the search, Dominic Joseph Stanley, 24, of Winona was arrested.

Probation officers had information on Stanley, who was on probation, being involved in recent narcotic activity and asked the Winona PD for assistance with the search, police said. Stanley was arrested for felony fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance.

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
A Mechanicsburg woman is dead after a crash in the Tuscarora Tunnel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Wednesday evening.

Pennsylvania State Police at Newville said the crash occurred at 7:36 p.m. on Interstate 76 west near mile marker 187.2 in Huntingdon County.

The 64-year-old woman, whose identity has not been released, was traveling west in a 2007 Chrysler Town & Country minivan when she approached a crossover construction zone pattern at the Tuscarora Tunnel, police said. Due to an active, long-term construction project at that location, the crossover pattern directs all vehicles to the eastbound tunnel where traffic travels in both directions. The westbound tunnel is closed to traffic.

Police said the woman failed to cross over into the eastbound lane of traffic through the tunnel and instead struck or ran through multiple barricade channelizers. Her minivan then continued to travel around two truck-mounted attenuator barriers with activated arrow boards in each of the two westbound lanes in the tunnel.

Upon entering the tunnel, the vehicle rear-ended a parked high lift loader in the left lane at mile marker 186.5, that was in operation, police said.

The woman died as a result of the crash and her minivan sustained severe damage, police said.

Police said the operator of the high lift loader, a 38-year-old Salisbury man, was not injured and the unit sustained moderate damage.

State police were assisted on the scene by the Huntingdon County Coroner and Fannett Metal Fire & EMS.
Author and Prairie du Chien native Mary Elise Antoine says Wisconsinites are surprised to learn there was slavery in their free state in the years before the Civil War.

In her latest book, Enslaved, Indentured, Free: Five Black Women on the Upper Mississippi 1800-1850, Antoine tells the story of five Black women living in Prairie du Chien and their path to freedom.

Here, in this little community of 350 people, were five women who had quite an impact on enslaved people, she said. Her book, published during the fall of 2022, is Antoines third with the Wisconsin Historical Society Press.

Q: Tell me a little about you. You live in Prairie du Chien, which is also where your book takes place, correct?

A: I was born and raised in Prairie du Chien. ... Ive been around for a bit. I went to Marquette University and went to New York State University at Oneonta, and I have a masters degree in history museum studies. I came back to Prairie du Chien and was curator at Villa Louis. I still do work for the site off and on. My interest has always been early history. When I came back to Prairie du Chien, I wanted to know more about the early history of Prairie du Chien  the late 1700s up to the time of the Civil War.

Q: What inspired you to write Enslaved, Indentured, Free?

A: When you grow up in a small community, there are always history stories that revolve throughout the community. One of the stories was about Marianne, who was a free Black woman that lived in Prairie du Chien in the early 1800s. I thought ... Marianne was an anomaly and I didnt pay much attention. When I returned to Prairie du Chien, I was contacted by a professor who teaches law at the University of Iowa in Iowa City and she wanted to put together an exhibit on Dred and Harriet Scott because that was her area of interest. In the process of doing that, she introduced me to a set of documents (that showed) officers in the U.S. Army were allowed expenses for a private servant and horses. They submitted pay vouchers every month. Many (of the servants) were Black men and women. Some officers (used the term) slave or my slave (on the vouchers). One thing led to another and I started doing research on the enslaved people that were here. Slavery wasnt legal in this part of the U.S., so why were there enslaved people in Prairie du Chien? It proved to be very interesting. I focused on these five women. Marianne was an older woman and free. It became obvious that Marianne had a lot of influence on these four Black women  all of whom were enslaved, and all of whom gained their freedom. (The book) focuses on these five women, one free, two indentured and two enslaved. One purchased her freedom, one was given her freedom and two went to court and filed freedom suits and gained their freedom.

Q: Does that mean the book has a happy ending?

A: In the end, life turned out well for these five women. They gained their freedom. They married, had children. In that respect, it was a happy ending. But then I think of their contemporaries who did not gain their freedom. (These five women) were fortunate, but they had to fight for it.

Q: Are people surprised to learn there were enslaved people in Wisconsin during this time?

A: People are totally floored because we teach in American history ... there were slave states and free states. There was (supposedly) no slavery in the free states. Well, Im sorry, there was. Ive dealt with this so long, you dont realize what a moving history it is. I was surprised going through the pay vouchers at the number of Black men and women, and that doesnt count children, that were enslaved and held here at Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien.

Q: I read you used a lot of primary source materials to write the book. What kind of research did you do and how long did it take?

A: On the whole, (the research took) close to 15 years because it wasnt focused on this directly. But once I sat down and decided to (write the book), it was ... a solid year of research. Its primarily all original documents. Some were filed here in Prairie du Chien in the courthouse. All freedom suits that were filed in St. Louis are now online. I went to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., because the payroll records are located there. Patsey, one of the enslaved women, ended up in Iowa and some of the records are with the Iowa Historical Society.

Q: Are you still finding information about these women even though the books been published?

A: Im still getting information  I never put anything aside. What has happened because of this, more descendants of these women have come in contact with me. In fact, we did a special book opening in Prairie du Chien ... and I had descendants from Courtney, Patsey and Marianne here. I even had descendants of Native American heritage come because Courtney had an older child who ended up living with the Dakota and married a Dakota woman.

Q: Are you working on a new project?

A: I focused on these five (women) because there was so much information I could gather on them. (While doing that) I found there were other people enslaved here in Prairie du Chien so theres other information (about people who were enslaved) in what is now Portage. There might be adjunct information ... possibly an article.

Q: Do you expect to do another project with Wisconsin Historical Society Press?

A: Yes, the Press is looking to do a book on Villa Louis, but from a womans point of view. It was really the women who held the family home together. It was also the women who preserved the house so it could become a historical site.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers will appoint former state Sen. Jon Erpenbach to chair the Wisconsin Parole Commission, Evers spokesperson said Friday.

Erpenbach didnt seek reelection last year after serving six Senate terms, including as Senate Democratic leader from 2003 to 2005. He also sat on the states budget-writing committee.

The Parole Commission plays an incredibly important role in our criminal justice system and in making sure that system is just, fair, and constructive, Erpenbach said in a statement. The success of the Commission depends on our ability to balance the law and public safety while supporting victims, survivors, and their families and keeping dangerous individuals off of our streets.

Erpenbachs role is subject to confirmation by the GOP-controlled Senate, though he can serve in the role without the Senates approval.

Under his new role, Erpenbach will lead the commission as it decides whether to grant discretionary parole or early release from prison to people who committed their crimes before Dec. 31, 1999.

Only 8.6%, or 1,761, of those in prison in Wisconsin were eligible for parole as of Nov. 30, according to the Department of Corrections, although DOC spokesperson John Beard last year said that calculation could include some who are also serving sentences under the current sentencing system and thus would not be eligible for parole for those post-1999 crimes.

I look forward to serving the people of Wisconsin in this new role, and I want to thank Governor Evers for the opportunity to continue public service and for entrusting me with this important responsibility, Erpenbach said.

He will succeed Christopher Blythe, a former assistant attorney general at the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

The parole commission, and specifically its former chair John Tate, came under fire last year over the commissions initial plans to parole Douglas Balsewicz, who served less than 25 years of an 80-year sentence for stabbing his wife, Johanna Balsewicz, to death.

After meeting with the victims family, Evers asked Tate to reconsider Balsewiczs parole. After initial reluctance, Tate rescinded Balsewiczs parole. Despite his change of course, some Republicans called on Evers to remove Tate from office. Tate announced his resignation June 10 at Evers request.

Evers replaced Tate with Blythe.

I am hopeful about former Senator Erpenbachs appointment and look forward to talking with Jon about the parole board, said Sen. Van Wanggaard, R-Racine, who chairs the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

I want to hear his thoughts on how he will enhance public safety, how he intends to ensure victims are included in the process, and how he will follow the open meetings law he championed, all of which of Governor Evers previous appointees failed to do.

A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, had not responded to a request for comment.

Erpenbach was one of 14 Senate Democrats who left Wisconsin in 2011 in what was ultimately a failed effort to stop then-Gov. Scott Walkers Act 10, which drastically limited collective bargaining for the majority of public employees and decimated the number of unions through annual recertification votes and other obstacles.

He also introduced the proposal that eventually led to the states do not call list in 2001, which allows people to opt out of telemarketer calls.

Born in Middleton, Erpenbach went to Middleton High School and UW-Oshkosh. Outside of serving in the Legislature, he held several other jobs, including legislative aide, radio personality, short-order cook, meatpacker and truck driver, according to his legislative bio.
The Senates top Republican on Friday unveiled plans to shift Wisconsins progressive income tax to a 3.25% flat tax rate, a proposal that appears all but certain to be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieus proposal comes amid projections of a nearly $7 billion state surplus, which leaders on both sides of the aisle want to put toward tax cuts in the upcoming 2023-25 biennial budget. In addition to cutting taxes for the middle class, Evers also wants to use a portion of the surplus to boost funding for public education and local government services.

Under LeMahieus proposal, all four of Wisconsins income tax brackets would begin phasing down this year until the state reaches a flat 3.25% income tax for all earners in 2026. The shift would reduce revenues by just shy of $5 billion over the first two years, according to LeMahieus office.

In a co-sponsorship memo for the proposal written by LeMahieu and Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, the lawmakers describe Wisconsins current tax code as uncompetitive and mediocre.

Evers stance

But Evers has opposed a flat tax as one that would largely benefit the states wealthiest residents. He has called for a 10% tax cut for individuals earning $100,000 or less a year and married filers making $150,000 or less.

When we deliver tax relief, it should be targeted to the middle class to give working families a little breathing room  not to give big breaks to millionaires and billionaires who dont need the extra help to afford rising costs, Evers tweeted Friday. Thats just common sense.

Evers proposal also includes a repeal of the states minimum markup law that requires gas station owners to set fuel prices at a certain level above what they pay for it wholesale, which he said would reduce the price of gas by about 30 cents per gallon. The governor also has proposed capping insulin copays at $35 and spending $100 million to create a caregiver tax credit for those caring for a family member.

While Democrats lack the votes to block the measure in the state Legislature, Evers has said he would likely veto a flat tax proposal if one reaches his desk.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, has said hed like to see tax cuts for everybody, though he also has expressed interest in lowering taxes for those in the states highest bracket. Hes also signaled interest in exploring a flat tax option as a means of attracting and retaining more residents to the state.

Its a good plan and something we will certainly discuss in caucus, Vos said Friday of LeMahieus proposal. One of my main priorities this session is to make Wisconsin a more competitive place to attract new talent and keep more of our retirees here. Having a lower tax burden will help accomplish that.

State revenues

LeMahieus proposal would reduce state general fund tax revenues by about $2.1 billion in the first year. That reduction would increase over the three-year period to about $5 billion in 2026, a reduction that would apply to all following years, according to a fiscal estimate from the Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

Its challenging to see how the state could phase in a flat tax at that level and provide inflationary increases for its current programming and spending without either providing some new source of revenue, making cuts or very tight limits to current spending, or dipping into reserves  or some combination of those, said Jason Stein, research director with the Wisconsin Policy Forum, a nonpartisan organization that doesnt endorse specific policies.

A 3.25% flat income tax would bring all tax filers below the states current lowest tax bracket of 3.54%, which applies to individuals earning less than $12,760 per year or married filers earning less than about $17,000. Wisconsins top tax bracket of 7.65% applies to individuals earning more than $280,000 or married filers earning more than $374,600.

About 97% of Wisconsin taxpayers paid 5.3% in income taxes or less in 2021, according to the state Department of Revenue. Just 3% of filers were in the highest tax bracket.

Wisconsin income tax brackets Rate Individuals Joint filers 2021 returns 3.54% $0 - $12,760 0 - $17,010 400,244 4.65% $12,760 - $25,520 $17,010 - $34,030 359,646 5.30% $25,520 - $280,950 $34,030 - $374,600 1,637,783 7.65% $280,950 and over $374,600 and over 72,254

Tax decrease

Under the proposal, those in the lowest bracket would see their tax rate drop by about a quarter of a percentage point, while the tax rate for the states wealthiest residents would be cut roughly in half.

According to the Legislative Fiscal Bureau, individuals earning up to $100,000 represent almost 70% of state taxpayers but would see about 18% of the overall tax decrease under a 3.25% flat tax in 2026. Those earning $500,000 or more, who represent about 1.4% of taxpayers, would receive more than 32% of the tax decrease.

An individual earning between $40,000 and $50,000 annually would see an average tax cut of $290 in 2026, under the flat tax proposal, while those earning $1 million or more would see more than $112,000 in average tax cuts.

So, for those keeping score, thats more money for millionaires and less for our public schools, roads and health care, Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard, D-Madison, said. Senate Democrats will resoundingly reject this flat tax scheme.

In the region

The bills co-sponsors say a flat income tax would make the state more competitive.

With remote work capabilities empowering families and small businesses to relocate with ease like never before, it is critically important Wisconsin have an individual income tax rate that is competitive with our neighbors, the lawmakers wrote. At that new rate, only 11 states will have a top individual income tax rate lower than Wisconsin.

Michigan and Illinois have flat individual income taxes of 4.25% and 4.95%, respectively. Minnesotas top rate is 9.85% for individuals making more than $171,000 and married filers earning more than about $285,000, while Iowas top tax bracket is 8.53% for individuals and married filers making more than $78,435. Iowas Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds last year signed into law a 3.9% flat tax, which will go into effect in 2026.

Speaking with Wisconsin Public Radio earlier this month, Stein said, generally speaking, shifting to a flat income tax rate would provide greater benefits to higher income residents.

There are things that could make a flat tax more progressive or less progressive depending on how you structure it, he said. But its certainly fair to say in general, any kind of flat tax proposal that was passed would be less progressive than our current system and would probably deliver more benefits to people at the upper end of the income scale.

Evers will unveil his 2023-25 biennial budget proposal next month. From there, Republicans, who control the powerful budget committee, will rewrite the document before sending it to the governor.
Information is from police reports and may be incomplete depending on the status of an investigation. Phone numbers are nonemergency.
Two men have been charged in a federal grand jury indictment with defrauding the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission of approximately $1 million in tolls.

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Friday that Duvany Zambrano, 43, of Hamilton, New Jersey, and Sergio Jara, 37, of Allentown, were indicted on Jan. 4. They are scheduled for trial on March 4 before U.S. District Court Judge Christopher C. Conner.

The indictment alleges that beginning in 2018, Zambrano, Jara and others began acquiring thousands of E-Z Pass transponders from retailers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. They then registered the transponders using false personal information and false credit card information, U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam said in a news release.

They sold the transponders to truckers in the New Jersey area who traveled on the Pennsylvania Turnpike hauling materials. In doing so, the indictment alleges that Zambrano, Jara and others avoided paying approximately $1 million in tolls, Karam said.

The indictment was unsealed following Zambrano and Jaras initial appearances. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Consiglio is prosecuting.

The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 20 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment and a fine.
A nurse bathes a newborn at a hospital in Xingtai, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 1, 2022. [Photo by Zhang Chi/Xinhua]

JINAN, Jan. 11 (Xinhua)  Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, began to hand out cash subsidies starting this year to encourage families to have more children.

Couples in the city will be able to receive a monthly allowance of 600 yuan (about 88.6 U.S. dollars) for their second or third child born from Jan. 1 until their child gets to be three years old, according to an implementation plan on optimizing childbirth policy, and promoting long-term and balanced population development released by the local government.

To be eligible for the subsidies, the parents and the second or third child should have their Hukou, or household registration status, in the city.

Amid other policies to support childbirth, women enjoy 158 days of maternity leave, and their spouse enjoys no less than 15 days of paternity leave. Both parents will enjoy no less than 10 days of parental leave each year before their child gets three years old.

Families with second or third child will also receive government support in schooling, medical insurance and public rental housing.

(Source: Xinhua)
The 15th Aerospace Laureate Awards were unveiled in Zhuhai, in South China's Guangdong Province, on November 7. Han Liping, a senior technician in the machining center of Shanxi Aerospace Tsinghua Equipment Co., Ltd, won the Great National Craftsman Award. Han always challenges herself to make breakthroughs, thus making outstanding contributions to China's space industry. Her achievements have won her numerous national awards. She was a delegate to both the 19th and 20th national congresses of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

During a meeting with her colleagues on November 2, Han shared her thoughts about the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress. "The report of the 20th CPC National Congress noted, 'The great achievements of the new era have come from the collective dedication and hard work of our Party and our people.' These words have deeply moved us, and also encouraged us to move on. As skilled workers in the new era, we should work hard in our posts, and make contributions to the great cause of 'Made in China' and 'Created in China'," Han said. Her colleagues agreed with her. Many of her colleagues said they would learn from role models, like Han, and they vowed to continue working hard and pooling their strengths to help build China into a powerful aerospace country.

Being an Expert

Han was born in 1971 into a family that had many members working in the aerospace industry. The company Han works for is affiliated with China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. The company is the first aerospace-ground-equipment manufacturer in China. Its products used in the launch platform for carrier rockets have provided a solid foundation for the success of the Long March series of launch vehicles.

In 1991, Han graduated from high school, and then she became a milling worker in the company. She still remembers what her master, Zhang Jianguo, told her on her first day at work. "You need to make tireless efforts to master the skills, and to make qualified aerospace products," she recalls Zhang saying.

Whenever she had time, Han would read professional books and discuss with her master whenever she didn't understand the materials. One day, an idea struck her  she cut potatoes and radishes into various models and used them to better understand the drawings. Due to her unremitting practice, Han made rapid progress in her work.

In 2000, the company's factories were equipped with CNC (computer numerical control) machine tools. "I was almost 30, and my daughter was just 4. I was wondering whether I should still work on the production line or step back and hold a different post. Finally, I decided to try my best to master the new machine," Han says.

As a green hand with the new machine, Han started to learn by herself, while working with the machine. In the daytime, she would learn carefully, following the guidance of the instruction book; at night, she focused on learning the theoretical knowledge of CNC. It took her several months to master the skills of operating the machine.

During the following years, Han participated in various technical-training courses, and she gradually became a skilled technician proficient in the technology, programming and operation of the machine. In essence, she became an expert in the field of CNC machining.

Thanks to her excellent skills, Han won first prize and the title of the National Technical Expert during a national CNC skills competition in 2007. She was the only woman competitor. "Nothing is impossible as long as one has the courage to pursue the dreams," she says.

Unique Skills

A special kind of four-way valve, a key component on the launch platform, is used to control the leveling accuracy of the support arm during the launch of the new generation of carrier rocket, Long March 5. There are more than 70 valve ports, of various specifications, on the valve's body, and the machining accuracy of each valve port must be within 0.02 millimeter; otherwise, it will result in an error during launch, and that will prevent the rocket from entering orbit accurately.

After repeated analysis and practice, Han realized the best approach to making qualified valves began with sensing the vibration frequency of the machine tool, by listening to the cutting sound. She also observed the changes in the shapes of the iron filings, and she touched the surface of the workpiece regularly, to identify the tool wear and accurately adjust the program parameters. Her efforts guaranteed all of the products met qualifications.

On June 25, 2016, the launch (in South China's Hainan Province) of the new generation carrier rocket, Long March 7, was a success. "I shed tears when I watched the launch on television. The perfect flight of Long March 7 was the highest honor for all the workers in space industry," Han says. One of the key control parts was processed by her team.

After having evaluated dozens of schemes, conducted hundreds of cutting tests and analyzed reams of data, Han and her colleagues finally worked out the right process scheme; as a result, they achieved accurate control of the entire process, and they ensured one-time processing success. "At that moment, I felt, as an ordinary worker, I was closely connected with my great motherland," Han says.

In 2019, the company agreed to process an aluminum-forging product. During the initial stages of research and development, as there wasn't appropriate processing instructions to follow, especially in terms of complex aluminum-forging processing, Han and her colleagues failed to meet qualifications, despite repeated attempts.

Han and several other technicians studied the features of the product, and they listed and analyzed all relevant data. They then used computer-aided-programming software to create the processing program. Finally, they produced the parts, which met required specifications.

From an ordinary milling worker to a technical expert, Han has overcome numerous technical difficulties, and she has achieved personal growth and development.

With her strong sense of responsibility, and her meticulous spirit, Han has made continuous contributions in China's efforts to realize its aerospace dream.

Excellent Teamwork

"My work has not only given me a sense of achievement, but also compelled me to train my apprentices and team members to excel in their own work," Han says.

As the company's lecturer on CNC skills, Han has trained more than 300 operators in the company, and she has helped them master her unique skills. She has also worked with other technicians to compile a series of textbooks on CNC operation and tool application.

Han Liping Technical Expert Studio, named after Han, has become a national-level, technical-expert studio. It is composed of a group of senior technicians, who combined have completed more than 500 innovation projects, won 26 patents in the field of CNC milling, and have contributed to the implementation of national key space projects, such as manned space flights, lunar exploration, BeiDou navigation and the construction of the space station.

Many members of Han's studio have won prizes in national, provincial and/or municipal CNC skills competitions. New Era Craftsman College, established with the help of the studio, has become a cradle for enterprises to train top-level technicians who have the spirit of craftsmanship.

Han and her women colleagues have established the Han Liping Team, and the team has been awarded the title of national women workers' model post for their excellent work. "Women technicians have strong advantages in operation posts, especially in the field of precision machining, because they are dedicated, careful, and resilient," Han says.

She believes, with the transition from traditional manufacturing to digital and intelligent manufacturing, women technicians have become an indispensable work force in CNC and intelligent manufacturing workshops.

Numerous certificates, medals and plaques are displayed in Han's studio, and each reflects the diligence and brilliance of Han, as a Great National Craftsman. "I am just an ordinary worker on the production line who has done my job well. These honors belong to all those who have made contributions to the country in their ordinary work posts," Han says.

Photos Supplied by Shanxi Aerospace Tsinghua Equipment Co., Ltd

(Women of China English Monthly December 2022 issue)
Walking into a Saint Patrick School classroom recently, Antoinette Oliverio said her heart warmed.

The scene before her: students paired up to read together, helping each other sound out words and understand stories. It's exactly what one might expect to see in a classroom setting, and yet a picture too many students were deprived of in recent years by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We couldn't do that two years ago," Oliverio said. "They couldn't sit next to each other. They couldn't have that relationship, helping each other out."

The kindergartners of 2020 did not miss prom when COVID-19 swept through the nation and rocked education.

They did not face the disappointment of canceled senior class trips or the threat of a virtual graduation after 12 years of homework assignments.

But it's clear that elementary school students still bear the brunt of COVID-19's impact, in admittedly different yet undeniable ways.

Staff members at Cumberland County school districts noted the impact the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning had in areas like literacy, building foundational skills and establishing routines at the elementary levels.

Primary challenges

Teachers and administrators from a variety of local schools drew the same conclusion: last year was a tough year.

"I saw a lot of basic skills missing," Oliverio said. "For example first-graders missed all of kindergarten, so they didn't know their letters [or] they didn't know their sounds. Second grade missed first grade and half of kindergarten, so they didn't know how to sit in a circle or raise their hand. A lot of it was not just academic, it was social issues as well."

Malinda Mikesell, Carlisle Area School District's reading supervisor, said that when students first returned to in-person schooling, they mostly used their own individual materials and stayed spaced out from one another. Now they need to learn how to share things like pencils, crayons and other classroom supplies with their fellow students.

At the earlier levels, Amy Sullivan, who teaches first grade at Saint Patrick, said wearing masks impacted learning as well. While the school returned to in-person learning in August 2020, mask use continued into last year.

"I feel like speech was compromised from that," Sullivan said. "As a teacher, we could not necessarily hear as well their sounds that they were making, so I felt like last year that carried over and even into this year there's still a little bit of carryover from that. With some of the quiet kids ... if you said 'What?' it could shut them down very easily."

Oliverio said this also impacted reading because part of learning to read involves watching the mouth form words.

"When you're wearing a mask and you're saying 'thimble' and they're saying 'symbol' and you're like, 'no, thimble,' they can't see that because the mask is on," she said.

This year has been the first full year without masks for the school since the pandemic started, and Sullivan said she's noticed an improvement.

Like Saint Patrick School, other local districts emphasized a focus on literacy at the elementary level.

Big Spring School District and Carlisle highlighted multi-tiered literacy interventions for support involving the development skills like reading, writing, speaking, listening and spelling.

Big Spring Superintendent Kevin Roberts said that while this isn't new for elementary students, the district has seen a recommitment to that measure to help develop literacy as in-person learning continues forward out of virtual and hybrid models.

Mikesell said Carlisle hasn't seen an overwhelming increase in the need for intervention services, but cited the importance developing literacy skills at an early age.

She said a lot of schools emphasize a "learn to read by third grade and then read to learn in fourth grade" and beyond.

While Mikesell said she couldn't speak for subjects like math or science, she said learning about other subjects is typically built from reading.

"The longer it takes to acquire those literacy skills, the more potential there is for just impacting things like their personal beliefs about self worth, self esteem, shame comes into the equation and that can be ... difficult for them," Mikesell said.

WIN for the win

One possible solution Saint Patrick School debuted this year to help address learning gaps is WIN time.

WIN, short for What I Need, is a 50-minute block of time every day during which students in kindergarten through fifth grade can work on whatever they need, be it reinforcement or enrichment in smaller group or even one-on-one settings. Students determined to need enforcement with specific skills across each of the classes per grade might be grouped together to review material.

The 50 minutes is divided into three 15-minute segments that students can rotate to where they need help, sometimes switching classrooms or even moving out to work in the hallway.

"It's not just with reading, it's with numbers, it's with writing," Oliverio said. "Our occupational therapist has pulled all the students that don't know how to hold a pencil and she does a center on holding pencils. So we're trying to find what skills are lacking and during that WIN time ... those kids are pulled."

"In the WIN time, we are ... targeting those skills [and] students are all being pulled and staying in the room but they're not missing any direct instruction," Betsy Reeder, a third-grade teacher at Saint Patrick School, said. "In the past we had that challenge where when in the day can I pull this child, but this child needs pulled another time. So that's been very helpful in trying to minimize or close that gap that we have found."

Specialists and volunteers move from grade to grade throughout the day as each level's WIN is scheduled at a different time. Oliverio said the time came from pulling a little bit of time from each of the subject areas, rather than significantly shortening one.

Sullivan said one of the positive things she's seen about WIN time is that students no longer know why other students are being pulled because it all happens at the same time.

"There used to be, 'Oh, we know why so and so's leaving the room at this time,'" she said. "Now it's just kind of, I want to say a well-oiled machine, so to speak. People just come and take the kids they need and it just kind of all happens very seamlessly, and so there's not as much of a standout of why certain children might be leaving the room."

Since its implementation in August at the start of the year Oliverio believes WIN time is working.

"It's slow and we're finding little things that we have to tweak and fix, but it's working and we're hoping to eventually have the gaps to a much smaller level," she said.

Even as the school sees some learning gaps closing with the implementation of WIN time, Oliverio said students will always have learning gaps, some from the pandemic and others due to outside factors.

Because of this, she doesn't see WIN leaving Saint Patrick School anytime soon.

"In my mind, I would always like to have WIN time because it will always be what that child needs, and every child always needs something, even if its enrichment," Oliverio said. "Ideally, WIN time will always exist. How that will look and how many are actually being pulled out, that might be something that well work on."

i-Ready

Like Saint Patrick School, Big Spring also implements a version of WIN time at the elementary level, something Roberts said existed there before COVID-19 and provides students with an opportunity to get help or enrichment from teachers.

Also like Saint Patrick School, Big Spring Director of Curriculum and Instruction Nicole Donato said gaps always existed in education, whether they were caused by the pandemic or not.

"They are definitely struggling a little bit," she said of elementary school students. "But, again, we're not noticing significant gaps that are bigger than maybe what we saw before."

Something new at the district that began this year though was the switch to i-Ready, a computer-based assessment with individualized pathways forward for students, Donato said.

"Our students in grades one through five did that assessment at the beginning of the year, and they work throughout the week in both their reading and math, personalized pathways," she said "And so those pathways, we're hoping, are going to close those gaps for kids because they're specifically getting what they need individually."

Donato said students are supposed to spend 45 minutes working on reading and 45 minutes working on math skills each week through the program.

For students who missed skills due to the pandemic or other factors, i-Ready's individualized pathways addresses those gaps, she said, adding that students who might not have missed those skills can continue to develop skills at their own pace as well.

Before i-Ready, Donato said the school still utilized a type of assessment, it just didn't have individualized pathways moving forward.

"Our teachers are still looking at scores and still planning small group lessons, but the pathway that kids are on every day that will be the new part," she said.

The question can be raised though, if students are using time during the school day to catch up and close gaps with i-Ready, does that mean they could continue to be behind with less time to cover new material?

Donato said i-Ready indicates a growth measure that students should reach by the end of the school year to close any gaps. It also shows a stretch growth beyond that, and the district aims for that stretch growth to ensure that new gaps aren't opened in the process of closing old ones.

She believes recent gaps that became evident as students returned to in-person learning should be closed in the near future.

"I think for some of our students within a year it (i-Ready) should help us do that," Donato said. "Some of our students that have larger gaps, it may take an additional year. But I think with the help of our teachers implementing lessons in small groups and i-Ready individualizing those pathways, I think there's definitely the potential to do that within two years at the most."

Relearning routines

Other school districts in the area also saw COVID-19's impact at the elementary level through nonacademic concepts like finding and reestablishing school routines.

Carlisle created time in the morning at elementary levels for students to "meet" as a class, allowing for a core value lesson or giving teachers the opportunity to check in with students.

"The first thing that you're doing is not the math worksheet, the first thing we're doing is we're doing a check in on where everybody is," Carlisle Superintendent Colleen Friend said.

While the effort began last year, she said the district built about 15 minutes into the schedule this year.

Friend said the feedback about the change has generally been positive.

"I don't want to speak for the teachers that are working with the kids every day, but we have had a lot of positive feedback from the teachers that it's an important component in our schedule," she said.

Additional staff

To help implement these initiatives or recommitments to prior programming, many local schools turned their attention to staffing.

"At the elementary level, one of the things that we have tried to do is just invest in making sure that we have enough staff to meet all of the needs that we have for working with our students," said Mark Blanchard, assistant superintendent of secondary education at Cumberland Valley School District.

Saint Patrick School and South Middleton School District also said they hired additional staff members.

Oliverio said the school used grant funding to establish contracts this year with a behavior consultant and an occupational therapist. Additionally the Capital Area Intermediate Unit sent several specialists in areas like reading, speech and counseling, she said.

Kevin O'Donnell Jr., South Middleton School District's superintendent, said the district also used government funding to about double the number of specialists at elementary schools.

"We are really kind of targeting those folks at the elementary level, with the idea being to close the gap before it gets a little higher," he said.

O'Donnell said that as grant funding begins to phase out, the district plans to step those positions back into its general fund.

"Our plan is to continue with these positions to meet the needs of our students," he said. "We are not looking to cut positions. We are in the early stages of budgeting for the 2023-2024 school year. Like most districts, we are looking forward to the state and federal budgets to determine next steps."
Funeral arrangements set for mother killed in Carterville shooting, donations being collected for her children
Lawmakers in the Missouri House of Representatives this week adopted a stricter dress code for women in the State House. The Missouri State Capitol is seen here September 16, 2022, in Jefferson City.
HARRISBURG  When Zane Zimmerman was 2 years old, he loved to sit on one of his familys tractors. His first word, uttered when he was less than a year old, was tractor.

Now at the venerable age of 12, this Big Spring Middle School eighth grade student drives a Farmall tractor through the state Farm Show Complex with the confidence of a lifelong farmer. Not surprising, he said, because its in his blood.

These tractors are a part of history, the Upper Mifflin Township boy said pointing to dozens of antique tractors at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show. Theyre also a part of my family heritage. I dont want to see them get thrown away.

Old tractorssmall and large, green, orange and red  dominated the Farm Show Complex Equine Arena on Wednesday. Some tractors were on display, others were in the ring for the tractor square dance and still others were in tractor games.

We have 60 old tractors here ranging from 1918 to 1980, said Landis Zimmerman of Lancaster, who chaired the Farm Show tractor show. People who grew up with these tractors or may have had them in the family want to preserve agriculture history. I have 20 antique tractors myself.

Three generations of Zimmermans from the Newville area (no relation to Landis Zimmerman) attended the show. They brought their 1939 Allis Charmers tractor and their 1942 Farmall H tractor, representing 165 years of tractor history.

When Dave Zimmerman of Hopewell Township was growing up on a farm in Newville, he drove his familys 1942 Farmall H tractor. Hes still driving it.

I grew up with that tractor and used it for field work, he said. It still runs. They built tractors to last back them. Now, we use it to rake hay, pull wagons and go to tractor shows.

He said that when his son, Ryan, was a little boy, he dreamed of becoming a farmer and a carpenter. He became both.

Ryan Zimmerman likes to say that he is living the dream.

I got the 1939 Allis Chalmers from my wifes grandfather in 2012, he said. It was rusty and beat up. I took it to a guy who got it running again.

Zane, Ryan Zimmermans son, inherited the family love of old tractors. By the time he was 5 or 6, he was learning how to drive one. When he was 10, he was driving a tractor and mowing hay in a field as his dad watched.

All three Zimmermans said they like coming to tractor shows for the camaraderie of talking to others who love old tractors and even remember switching from horses and mules to tractors.

Ryan marvels at how tractors have changed over the years. Back in the old days, the fencepost was your GPS, he said. You would look at a fencepost across the field and plow toward it, trying to go straight.

He said driving a tractor isnt difficult once a person gets the hang of it. One time, I hit a mailbox with a hay wagon, he recalled Another time I was pulling two hay wagons behind the tractor and I didnt hit any mailboxes!

He said his family owns six old tractors, ranging from 1939 to 1973.

Randy Kessler of Newport, member of the Perry County Old Iron Collectors, accompanied Charles Lupfer of Shermans Dale to the Farm Show.

My grandpa got a 1938 Oliver tractor, said Lupfer, who will turn 92 in a few weeks. I still have it, steel wheels and all. It runs pretty good. Lupfer, a dairy farmer and retired bus driver, said he loves old tractors.

Kessler, a mechanic, said that he has four tractors, including an old Farmall H tractor in the process of being restored.

Farmers at the show admired each others tractors, including a Minneapolis Moline, an orange Allis-Chalmers and a green John Deere, to name a few. The farmers each extolled his own preferred brand.

Photos: Scenes from the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show Tuesday in Harrisburg
On Saturday, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) held its first election rally in Berlin-Spandau. Top candidate Christoph Vandreier and honorary chairman Ulrich Rippert spoke against tank deliveries to Ukraine and for an international movement against war. Here is a report on the rally.

SGP rally against tank deliveries to Ukraine
US Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Thursday that he was appointing a special counsel to investigate President Joe Bidens handling of classified documents during the period after he had ended his two terms as vice president in the Obama administration.

The appointment of Robert Hur, the US Attorney for Maryland, a career federal prosecutor promoted to his current position by President Donald Trump, has the potential to be a major blow to the Biden administration. Hur is charged with determining how a number of classified documentsat this point reported to be in the dozensended up in at least three unsecured locations where they were in Bidens nominal custody.

Attorney General Merrick Garland [AP Photo/Andrew Harnik]

The locations were Bidens private office at a University of Pennsylvania facility in Washington D.C. where he was a visiting professor from 2017 to 2020; in the garage at his Wilmington, Delaware, home; and in one of the rooms of that residence.

Biden has claimed that he was unaware that the documents were at these locations and that he has no idea what the classified material is or how it got there. Aides, speaking anonymously to the press, have said the materials were transferred inadvertently as part of Bidens moving out of his vice-presidential offices in early 2017.

After the discovery of about a dozen classified documents at the Penn-Biden center in Washington, aides conducted a systematic search of Bidens home in Wilmington, his beach house in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and other locations, and found an undisclosed number of documents in the garage, one document in a room in the adjacent home and nothing at any other location.

The timeline given by Attorney General Garland at a five-minute press briefing Thursday made it clear that the Department of Justice and the White House have been engaged in intense reviews and actions on this matter since the discovery of the classified documents November 2 during the cleanup of Bidens former office at the Penn-Biden Center in D.C. The White House counsels office was notified immediately and the documents were turned over to the National Archives the following day.

According to Garland, the National Archives informed the Justice Department on November 4, and on November 9one day after the US midterm electionsthe FBI began to assess whether classified information had been mishandled. This is a federal offense. It can be a misdemeanor if the mishandling is inadvertent or accidental, and a felony if it is intentional.

On November 14, Garland appointed John Lausch, the US attorney in Chicago and a Trump appointee, to make an initial investigation to inform Garlands decision on whether to appoint a special counsel.

On December 20, Bidens counsel informed Lausch that additional classified documents had been found in the garage of Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware, dating from his vice-presidency. The FBI went there and secured the documents.

On January 5, 2023, Lausch advised Garland that additional investigation was warranted and a special counsel should be appointed. He had already made it clear that he would not want the position because he was leaving the department for the private sector. On January 12, Bidens counsel informed Lausch of another classified document found inside Bidens Wilmington residence.

The same day, Thursday, Garland named Robert Hur as special counsel and informed the congressional leaders of both parties. Hur is a career prosecutor and registered Republican who held positions in the central office of the Department of Justice in both the Obama and Trump administrations before Trump elevated him to his current position.

At the regular press briefing at the White House, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was extraordinarily defensive, refusing to answer questions about the documents or deviate in any way from the language already used by Biden himself in responding to a few shouted questions from the press in previous days.

The appointment of the special counsel demonstrates the deepening crisis and instability of the entire US political structure, with both the current president and his predecessor now being investigated by special counsels appointed by the attorney general in a way that gives them considerable freedom of action.

Garland did not include in his timeline the appointment of Jack Smith as special prosecutor investigating Trump, both for the retention of hundreds of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate and for his role in preparing and instigating the mob attack on Congress on January 6, 2021.

He appointed Smith last November 18 to investigate Trump, only four days after he had appointed Lausch to make a preliminary investigation into Biden and come back with a recommendation on whether a special prosecutor should be appointed in that case.

The appointment of Hur is certain to fuel the attacks on Biden by the fascistic right, which is the driving force in the new Republican majority in control of the House of Representatives. This group already demonstrated its power by blocking the election of Republican leader Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House for nearly a week in order to extract concessions on both the rules of the House and on going as far as possible in attacking federal social programs and cutting taxes on the wealthy.

On Tuesday, the House established a new subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government by a party-line vote. The subcommittee, to be led by arch-right-winger Jim Jordan, the new chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, will be used to attack any federal investigation into the crimes committed by Trump or by other Republicans acting on his behalf. This could include Jordan himself, as well as many of the 20 Republican representatives who participated in the blocking of McCarthys election.

It is not clear whether Jordans subcommittee will have the authority to investigate the activities of either the special counsel examining Trumps actions or the newly appointed special counsel tasked with looking into Bidens handling of classified documents. But the stage is set for a series of increasingly frenzied attacks by the very figures who two years ago helped politically direct the January 6 insurrection.

This is not a spectacle to inspire snickering, as it does in the petty-bourgeois pseudo-left press. It is a demonstration of the uncontrollable decay of bourgeois democracy in the United States, which is headed inexorably towards a violent explosion, far greater than what took place on January 6, 2021.

And if the conflicts between rival factions of the corporate and political elite can no longer be contained within the traditional norms of the capitalist two-party system, what of the far deeper and more substantial conflicts between the financial aristocracy as a whole and the working class?

The Biden administration and both parties in Congress joined forces last month to outlaw a railroad workers strike and impose contract terms on 115,000 workers that many of the workers had already rejected, shredding both their right to vote and their right to strike.

A similar bipartisan effort has plunged the United States into a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, which threatens to escalate into a third world war fought with nuclear weapons, without ever consulting the American people. The war was not even an issue between the two parties in the midterm elections held in Novemberworking people were presented with the choice of two pro-war parties, each backed by billions in spending on advertising and campaigning.

While this pretense of democracy was taking place, as Garlands timeline indicates, the real differences within the US ruling elitewhich relate to tactics and methods, not the fundamental direction of policywere being fought out behind the scenes, through methods of backroom conspiracies, concocted provocations and sudden revelations duly taken up by the corporate media to stampede public opinion.
The following letter was sent by UAW presidential candidate Will Lehman to the court-appointed Monitor overseeing the UAW presidential elections.

On December 19, Lehman filed an official protest over the conduct and results of the first round of the election. We urge workers to share it as widely as possible and submit your statements supporting the challenge to the election results.

Dear Mr. Barofsky,

On December 19, I filed a protest with your office over the entrenched UAW leaderships systematic effort to suppress the vote in the first round of the national officer election. With the help of over 100 UAW members from over 50 locals from every region, I compiled overwhelming evidence that the UAW bureaucracy deliberately refused to give notice to the rank and file about the election in order to deprive us of a chance to kick the bureaucracy out of power.

Three weeks have gone by, and your office has not responded to my protest. Instead, you are proceeding to conduct the second round between Shawn Fain and Ray Curry, two candidates who each failed to receive the votes of 4 percent of the membership in the fraudulent first round. Yesterday, you held a debate between these two candidates, without inviting any of the other presidential candidates to participate, even though the first round has still not been certified. You have also begun sending out ballots in the run-off election.

This is typical of your firms conduct of the election as a whole, in which you have ignored and overridden rank-and-file worker concerns in order to clear the way for officers who come from within the bureaucracy. It is becoming clearer to the rank and file why the UAWs corrupt leadership proposed your firm to oversee the election in the first place.

Here are 10 of the most important facts that my protest revealed:

The 9 percent turnout is among the lowestperhaps the lowestin the history of direct elections for national union officers. The country with the lowest turnout in a national election in the world had double the turnout of the first round (Haiti, 18 percent). Rank-and-file turnout was closer to 6 percent because tens of thousands of votes were cast by UAW officials and former officials, not actual worker-members. There were more ballots marked return to sender (110,000) than there were ballots cast (104,000). The UAW bureaucracy used an internal bureaucratic system (Local Union Information System) to inform the apparatus about the vote but not the membership. Only about 10 percent of locals posted about the election on Facebook or their websites. The UAW sent out mailer after mailer telling workers to vote for Democrats in the midterm election but decided not to send any notice about the UAW election. Graduate student locals on the West Coast comprised of roughly 70,000 members saw turnout between 0 percent and 3 percent. Among 11,000 California State University members, just 29 votes were cast; among 9,000 University of Washington students, just 72 votes were cast, and among 48,000 University of California workers (who were on strike), turnout was 2.6 percent. The UAW bureaucracy lied to temporary part-time (TPT) workers by telling them they could not vote. The UAW.orgs member news page did not make any reference to the election between July 29 and November 29, the four months before the election.

It is clear based on these and other facts in my protest that the first round of the election was not legitimate. As a result, no run off can be conducted unless it involves all of the candidates who ran in the first round as well. I have been excluded from the second round, as have all of the other independent candidates, including Brian Keller and Mark Gibson.

In my protest, I demanded there be a re-vote with all the candidates names on the ballot, combined with a genuine notice to the entire membership. I wrote:

This election was characterized by a deliberate suppression of the vote of the rank and file by the entrenched UAW leadership. The union intentionally failed to provide adequate notice to the rank and file, who are not accustomed to direct elections and would not ordinarily expect to receive ballots. This fact is confirmed by the extremely low 9 percent turnout. Hundreds of thousands of members were simply unaware that an election was taking place and did not vote. In some locals representing tens of thousands of younger academic workers, turnout was less than one percent Under these conditions, the election results cannot be certified. Instead, ballots should be re-issued and a new election should be held. In the alternative, the names of all candidates should be added to the runoff. In either case, this time adequate measures must be taken to prevent the union leadership from suppressing the vote and ensure that the entire membership is aware of the election and able to vote.

I reiterate this demand and request a prompt answer explaining your failure to adjudicate my protest and your decision to press on with the illegitimate runoff between two candidates, who between them won the votes of a tiny sliver of the membership.

Will Lehman
In just over 24 hours between January 2 and January 3, 2023, police officers with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) were involved in three separate use of force incidents that left three men dead. No police were injured in any of the incidents, and none of the men killed by police was armed with a gun.



The frequency of the killings, coupled with the violent actions of officers, forced LAPD Chief Michel Moore to release selectively edited body camera footage on Wednesday in an attempt to tamp down rising popular anger at the unending wave of police violence in the countrys second largest city and across the United States.



While it is the policy of the LAPD to release body camera footage within 45 days, the police decided to release the footage just as Moore was giving his first public press conference on the incidents on Wednesday.



In each deadly encounter, the police are shown refusing to employ, or even discuss bringing in, social workers or mental health units to assist, even though in each incident the eventual victims exhibited clear signs of mental distress.

From left to right: Keenan Anderson, 31, Oscar Leon Sanchez, 35, and Takar Smith, 45 [Photo: Los Angeles Police Department and the Sanchez family]

One of the men killed by police was Keenan Anderson, a 31- year-old teacher and father. Anderson encountered police after he was involved in a traffic accident in Los Angeles on January 3. In the body camera footage released by the LAPD, it begins with Anderson jogging towards a motorcycle cop and motioning to him where the accident had taken place.



The cop, following Andersons direction, arrives at the scene of the accident. As the cop arrives, the other people involved in the accident tell him that Anderson was one of the drivers involved in the incident.



The cop immediately turns around and sees that Anderson is in the crosswalk and tells him to go sit on the sidewalk. Anderson complies, but, in an obvious indication of mental distress, tells the cop that somebody is trying to kill me.



While the next part of the footage is edited, the tape that was released shows Anderson repeatedly apologizing to and being extremely cooperative with the police.



In the edited footage, which covers a span of roughly eight minutes, Anderson remained on his knees or sitting on his rear, with his hands either behind his back, on top of his head or in front of him, talking with police. At no point does Anderson brandish a weapon or threaten the police.



After roughly eight minutes, Anderson appears to become more agitated and eventually stands up and tells the cop he needs to get some water. He continues to exhibit signs of mental distress, telling the police, Somebodys got to see me, sir, while at the same time beginning to walk away from the police.



Even as he begins to walk and eventually, run away from the police, Anderson kept his hands raised with his palms open.



The video shows that at least three police officers, one on a motorcycle, quickly giving chase and apprehending Anderson within 30 seconds of him walking/running away from the scene of the accident. As soon as the motorcycle cop catches up to Anderson, he yells at him to get down on the ground now! which Anderson did, putting his hands behind his head, while saying, Yes, sir, yes, sir.



As one cop continued to yell at Anderson to turn over on his stomach, two other cops arrived, each one grabbing Anderson by the arm. Within five seconds, all three cops grabbed Anderson and forced him onto the pavement.



The tape shows Anderson screaming in distress as the police wrestled him down,Help, help, they are trying to kill me!



As the police continued to grapple with him, at various points twisting his arms while applying pressure to his neck and chest with their knees and elbows, Anderson yells, These are actors!



In response to Andersons cries, one of the cops threatens Anderson that he is going to tase him if he continues to resist. At this time there are three police pinning Anderson down, including an African American officer, who is at various points observed using his elbow to apply pressure to Andersons throat, causing him to choke and yell, Theyre trying to George Floyd me.



As the police continue to wrestle and suffocate him, Anderson pleads, Please, please.



One cop responds, All right, Im a, Im a tase him.



In less than a minute Anderson was tased by the one cop at least four times, for roughly 33 seconds. The first time the cop deployed the taser he shot the metal prongs at Anderson, sending 50,000 volts through the wires and into his skin. The cop then pressed the taser directly against Andersons back, to the left of his spinal column, roughly where his heart would be located.



The cop held the trigger while pressing the taser against Andersons back for approximately 12 seconds, sending painful electric shocks into the screaming man.



As the other police continued to apply pressure on Andersons neck and back, the one cop continued to tase him. After the initially tasing Anderson for 12 seconds, the cop zapped Anderson again for nine seconds, and then again for six more seconds, and again for six more seconds. Each time the cop tased Anderson, he was already on the ground, or on his stomach with his hands behind his back. As he was being tased, Anderson yelled, Help me! and I am not resisting!

Keenan Anderson getting tased by a Los Angeles police officer on January 3. [Photo: Los Angeles Police Department]

With roughly five people surrounding and on top of him, Anderson was handcuffed and his legs hogtied. According to police, after a few minutes the fire department and ambulances arrived, and Anderson was placed in a wheelchair before being transported to a local hospital.



According to police, roughly four hours after Anderson was tased, choked and hogtied, he suffered a cardiac arrest while at the hospital and died. In an attempt to blame Anderson for his own death at the hands of the police, the cops claim that a toxicology test run by the LAPDs Forensic Science Division Toxicology Unit on blood samples obtained from Anderson tested positive for Cocaine Metabolite and Cannabinoids.



Notably, Anderson is the cousin of Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors. Cullors resigned as head of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation in 2021 after it was exposed that Cullors was using the organization as her own personal piggy bank. She paid herself $120,000 in consulting fees and used organization funds to purchase four lavish homes for herself, totaling $3.2 million.



Reflecting the bankrupt and reactionary racialist outlook on police violence that dominates among the upper middle class layers of the BLM movement and the Democratic Party, who seek to obscure the class character of police violence for their own benefit, Melinia Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, told The Guardian that Andersons death was a reminder that when we say Black Lives Matter, we mean our own Black lives, too. Were not fighting for some cause, were fighting for our own lives and for our people.



Even though African Americans and other minorities are killed at a disproportionate rate compared to their share of the population, the fact is that every year, including the over 1,100 that were killed last year, the largest number of police victims are identified as white and nearly all of them are working class, poor, or suffering from a mental health crisis.



This was the case when Shameka Smith called the LAPD on January 2 to report that her estranged husband, Takar Smith, was violating a restraining order and had showed up at her apartment the previous night.



Despite repeatedly telling the police that her husband and father of six children suffered from schizophrenia and was not on his medication, hours after Shameka called police, they arrived at her residence without a Mental Evaluation Unit (MEU).



The LAPD created MEUs to give the veneer of reform. MEUs place a social worker, who is allegedly trained in de-escalation tactics, with a cop.



In the body camera video released by the police, Smith is shown talking with police for roughly 15 minutes. During the back and forth conversation, Smith makes several incoherent statements. The police ignore his statements and chastise the mentally disturbed man to quit playing childish games and act like an adult.



Smith goes into the kitchen and is followed by multiple police with guns and tasers drawn and pointed at him. After Smith picks up a butcher knife that is sitting on the kitchen counter, several police deploy their tasers and at least one cop fires a less lethal bean bag round.



Smith drops the knife and falls on his knees. None of the police move in to secure the knife or tackle Smith. Instead they hang back and continue to tase him. Once Smith reaches for the knife again and raises it above his head, while still on his knees on the ground, at least two police officers, Joseph Zizzo and Nicolas Alejandre, fired seven shots at him.



Smith immediately falls face first into a pool of his own blood. The body camera footage shows that one of the cops continues to tase Smith for roughly five seconds after he is shot. The police then let Smith bleed out on the floor for over three minutes before turning him over and lazily attempting CPR.

Takar Smith lies in a pool of blood after getting shot multiple times by police officers with the Los Angeles Police Department. [Photo: Los Angeles Police Department]

The third person killed by police was Oscar Leon Sanchez. As was the case with Smith and Anderson, despite Sanchez displaying signs of mental illness, the LAPD did not deploy their mental health unit alongside police.



Police were called to the area after multiple people reported a man, matching Sanchezs description, throwing metal objects at cars as they were passing by. By the time police arrived, Sanchez had left the immediate area and was located at an abandoned home, where he apparently had been living.



The body camera footage released by police shows nearly a dozen armed cops confronting Sanchez, who was outside on the second story of the house. Sanchez eventually went inside and shut the door. The police are shown following him with guns drawn and a riot shield.



The body-camera footage is heavily obscured because of the shield. What is clear is that within 10 seconds of opening the door, Sanchez was shot by police, later identified as Diego Bracamontes and Christopher Guerrero, multiple times.

Oscar Leon Sanchez being handcuffed by police after he was shot on January 3. [Photo: Los Angeles Police Department]

At a press conference Sunday, reported by LAis, Ysidro Leon recalled his brothers battles with depression, which intensified after their mother passed three years ago. At the same press conference, Christian Contreras, an attorney for the family, reiterated that Sanchez was going through a mental health crisis and we know this department is ill-equipped ... to respond to mental health crisis and especially when it involves a Spanish speaker.



The string of killings by the department, which killed at least 31 people last year and 37 in 2021, according to department figures, occurred less than a month after former Democratic representative Karen Bass was sworn in as the new mayor of Los Angeles. In her first official day on the job, Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness and pledged to hire 250 more police to get out of desk jobs and into patrols.



Basss declaration was affirmed by the embattled Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday. The council, all Democrats, like Bass, approved the measure 13-0.
The St. Francois County Commission went over a proposed form for remote work requests by county employees when it met Tuesday.

Addressing the commissioners, County Clerk Kevin Engler informed them he had asked Human Resource Director Corey Schrum to come up with a Remote Work Request form for managers to approve employee requests to work at home for a specific and temporary reason. He added that such situations should be rare but explained that a problem had arisen about three weeks ago that proved to him that a request form was needed.

We had a day where you all called off because of the changing weather. And we had several people who were off that day  whether they be sick or taking vacation days or whatever. Well, the time came to claim [their time worked], and four of them were suddenly working that day because they wanted to get the five hours of pay. That presented a problem because after confronting a couple of them  and Ill interject here, one of them said, Yeah, [we] were there, and one of their other coworkers said, No, they werent there  so, I had Corey go back to the video."

Engler explained that county buildings have cameras at every door to keep a record of those entering and leaving the building.

So, for that person to be there that day, they would have had to miraculously appear in their office because they didnt use any of the doors. So, thats a problem. Now, two of the people said they were working from home. Well, we dont have any record [that] these people were supposed to be working from home. If thats going to be the case, then somebody needs to know about it. You all need to know about it that they were authorized [to work] from home. In another case, the person said their elected official said it was OK to take those hours even though they werent in that day  and that is a problem also.

Weve got two or three people that are on salary. If thats the case, we need to know if youre home and continue to know that youre home because youre working or youre home because youre taking a day off or a sick day or something like that. So, I asked them to do a remote work request. Now, I know that Ive talked to you individually about this and at least one of you thinks we shouldnt have any working from home. I dont care. I just would ask that you get them as a clarification. If our people are going to be working from home, and we contact them and say, You claimed hours that you werent here, well, they were working from home. We need to know if they were authorized to do that.

The Remote Work Request asks for the employees name, department, current position title, expected duration and/or dates, and the reason for the request. This is followed by seven bullet points:

 The request for a work remote work arrangement is a privilege and should be limited for rare occasions. Employees are not guaranteed the opportunity to work remotely.

 The employee, department head, or Commission may, at its discretion, discontinue or modify remote work arrangements at any time.

 This policy does not allow flexible arrangements for medical, loss of childcare or any other reasons.

 Employees are expected to clearly communicate when they are working remotely, how to contact them, and be accessible during scheduled work times.

 If a request is changed or discontinued, Human Resources must be notified and provided the updated agreement.

 If you are out of the office and do not have an approved remote arrangement, you will be required to enter either sick or vacation for that time absent.

 This must be approved by the department head, as well as the Commission, and signed before the remote work begins.

At the bottom of the form are blocks in which the employee, supervisor, and county commission can sign their names to the request.

Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher asked for a motion to accept the Remote Work Request form as county policy.

Commissioners Kary Buckley and David Kater requested that the vote be postponed until another meeting to give them more time to look over the form.

Engler said, Thats fine because were going to start working on policy changes. I hope this will be incorporated. This is more of a recognition that some employees may not be truthful with us, and we need to make sure that they know that, if were going to continue [allowing work from home], were probably going to have to see [the form].

Other actions taken by the commission include:

 Hearing the quarterly report for Missouri Extension given by Kendra Graham.

 Approval of a change order for reroofing and HVAC modifications at the county jail was approved. The initial contract amount was $1,311,749.98. Previous reductions dropped that amount by $45,744. Additional savings in the amount of $38,477 has been subtracted from the total cost of the project because not all of the jail shingles had to be removed and replaced, leaving a new balance due of $1,227,528.98. The cost of the project is being paid from ARPA funds.

 An increase in operational cost for the circuit marshal was raised to $3,953.31 from the original amount approved in the county commissions Dec. 27, 2022, meeting of $3,523.84.

 Teresa Bauman was appointed as a trustee on the County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund to replace current trustee Nile Meyer who is no longer able to serve in the position.

 Charlotte Boyer was appointed as a trustee on the County Law Enforcement Restitution Fund to replace current trustee George West who is no longer able to serve in the position.

 The upcoming annual bidding for office supplies and other materials was approved. Each department is to work with the County Clerks Office on their orders. The county clerk will then publish the request for bids.

 An original Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $400,000 received through the Missouri Department of Economic Development for the construction of Mineral Area Colleges welding building for 160 students has been lowered to $320,000 because the number of available students was only 64. MAC is aware of the change and, according to the county commission, is in agreement.

 A request made by Kaitlin Crocker to have the late fees and penalties waived for her late personal property tax payment in 2021 was denied because the county commissioners deemed it not to be the fault of the county.

 A request by Kent Scism to have the late fees and penalties waived for a relatives personal property tax was approved because the county commissioners deemed the county was at fault. Scism serves as the legal representative for his relative.

 The commissioners heard a complaint from County Treasurer Parks Peterson regarding the county paying some of its bills late. Because of a process that requires three signatures of approval before a bill can be paid, some bills are backlogged and have often not been submitted to Peterson for payment before they are already past due. Presiding Commissioner Harold Gallaher said the commission will encourage the departments to submit their bill requests earlier for approval and payment.

 It was announced that county offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 16, for the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.
A recent report by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) revealed that Australia is continuing and expanding a lucrative trade in arms exports to regimes associated with war crimes and human rights abuses, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Indonesia.

Using official government figures, the ABC found more than 200 separate arms sales to the three countries over a period of less than two years.

Houthi detention center destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes that killed at least 60 people in Dhamar province, southwestern Yemen, in September 2019. [AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File]

The overall figure and the breakdowns underscore the extent of the trade. In the 2021 calendar year, there were 17 exports to Saudi Arabia, 36 to the UAE and 52 to Indonesia. Over the ten months of 2022 to November 9, the figures were 21 to Saudi Arabia, 25 to the UAE and 49 to Indonesia.

While the exports are likely primarily from private arms corporations, their dispatch abroad requires government approval, through the issuing of a Defence Department military or dual-use permit.

As the ABC noted, the precise nature of the shipments is shrouded in secrecy, with no details provided on the grounds of commercial sensitivities. This contrasts with the US and a number of European countries, which provide publicly accessible information of officially approved weapons exports.

Previous exposures, however, give a glimpse into the sophisticated weaponry and materiel that may be making its way from Australia to despotic and dictatorial regimes.

In 2018, the ABC reported on a $410 million weapons deal involving Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS). It stated that two sources had told the broadcaster that the weapons were bound for the UAE. This included the RWS, an advanced system involving a platform that could be affixed to a vehicle, with guns, missile launchers or cannons placed inside it. With censors, lasers and remote-control features, this would allow soldiers to fire their munitions from the safety of a military truck or car.

EOS said that it could not confirm or deny the recipient of its systems.

The following year, the ABC reported that the company had signed a letter of intent with the Saudi Arabian government for the sale of 500 RWS units.

Over the preceding period, the then Liberal-National Coalition government had provided EOS with some $36 million in government funding. Its defence minister Christopher Pyne had lobbied in Saudi Arabia for greater Australian arms exports. While EOS denied the reports, the ABC subsequently published photographs of pallets in a factory. Their delivery dockets showed that EOS products were bound for Saudi Arabia, though with an American company as intermediary.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are waging a war against rebels in the impoverished nation of Yemen, that has been condemned as near genocidal by rights organisations and charities. At the end of 2021, the UN estimated that the protracted onslaught had claimed the lives of 377,000 Yemenis, 150,000 as a direct result of the war and the rest through resulting social calamities including famine.

Australian governments have persistently rejected calls from the UN and other international bodies for a ban on arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Indonesian military, with which Australian companies are doing extensive business, is also implicated in major human rights violations, both in West Papua and against domestic opponents.

The Labor government responded to the latest ABC report by making plain that its position is identical to that of its Coalition predecessor.

Labor Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy asserted that all exports were scrutinised closely on a case by case basis This includes careful consideration of a broad range of factors, including Australias international legal obligations, as well as human rights, regional and national security, and foreign policy considerations.

Labor Defence Minister Richard Marles declared: If overriding risks to Australias security, defence, or international relations had been identified, the permits would have been refused.

The permits, however, will not jeopardise security or international relations, because Saudi Arabia and the UAE are allies of the US and its partners, including Australia. The collaboration with such regimes underscores the hypocrisy of claims by Washington and Canberra that they are defending democracy and human rights against China in the Indo-Pacific.

In fact, this bogus campaign against purported Chinese aggression is being used to justify preparations for an aggressive US-led war, aimed at reasserting American imperialist hegemony. Australias continued development of a weapons industry, including exports, is inextricably tied to its central role in these plans.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, released last month, claimed that the defence industry contributed $8.8 billion to the economy last financial year, up $1.8 billion over 12 months.

A 2021 article in the Conversation by University of Queensland academic Megan Price noted that the estimated value of approved arms exports increased from $1.5 billion in 201718 to $5.5 billion in 201920.

Since 2018, Australia has been seeking to become a top ten global defence exporter. Its main exports are products and components that fit into broader global supply chains for weapons and weapons systems. For example, the government boasts there isnt a single F-35 fighter jet production operation that doesnt feature Australian-made components. The government sees further export potential for products and components to be used in armoured vehicles, advanced radar systems, and patrol boats, as well, Price wrote.

In line with the ratcheting up of the US war drive against China under successive administrations, Australian governments have presided over a rapid military build-up. Defence spending is at record levels, with a bipartisan commitment of $575 billion to the sector over the decade, including $270 billion on military hardware.

In reality, the costs will be far-greater, as those figures were agreed before it was announced that Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines, as well as other advanced arms systems such as hypersonic missiles, as part of the militarist AUKUS pact with Britain and the US. A review, commissioned by the current Labor government into military capabilities is due to be completed in March. Media previews of the interim report indicated that it will call for a major expansion of missile systems, the purchase of more fighter jets and other aggressive weaponry.

This program involved major handouts to arms companies. In 2021, the Coalition government announced a $1 billion spend on a Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise, aimed at establishing a domestic missile manufacturing sector. That is part of the broader push, being continued by Labor, to boost domestic production of weapons. Such programs almost invariably involve contracts to the Australian divisions of the largest US-based weapons corporations.

The universities are a central focus of this program, with the aim to harness scientific and technical expertise ever more directly to the war machine. As the WSWS reported last June, all 37 of the countrys public universities are now part of the Defence Science Partnership. It is a program initiated by the Defence Department to provide a uniform model for universities to engage with Defence on research projects.

In January 2021, the WSWS reported, the then Coalition government announced a Defence Trailblazer Concept to Sovereign Capability programa $242 million package aimed at the commercialisation of universities through their partnership with military companies. The programs focus is researching quantum technologies, hypersonics, cyber warfare, robotics, artificial intelligence and space warfare. Virtually every major university in the country is engaged in one or another research or development project with the arms corporations.

That underscores the crucial importance of students and young people taking up the fight to build an international anti-war movement. A December 10 webinar of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality outlined the socialist perspective, based in the working class, upon which such a struggle must be based.
On Martin Luther King Day, which is Monday, all county and state government offices will be closed in observance of the civil rights leader's day of remembrance.

The Daily Journal and Democrat News offices will be closed. The Daily Journal will still publish but mail subscribers will receive their newspapers a day late due to the federal holiday.

On the city level, most offices will be closed.

Bismarck City Hall will be closed.

Bonne Terre City Hall will be closed. Monday's trash will be picked up on Wednesday.

Desloge City Hall will be closed. There will be a double trash route on Tuesday.

Farmington City offices will be closed.

Fredericktown City Hall will be closed. Trash pick up will run its normal schedule.

Leadington City Hall will be closed.

Leadwood City Hall will be open.

Madison County Courthouse will be closed.

Park Hills City Hall will be closed. Monday's trash service will run on Tuesday.
Rep. Jason Smith, a self-proclaimed firebrand preaching a populist image of the GOP, has won the nomination to be chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.

The 42-year-old St. Louis-born Republican, who represents the 8th Congressional District, is set up to gain a powerful gavel overseeing measures that impact federal revenue and spending, from the tax code and trade policy to Medicare and Social Security.

Once the House Republican Conference formally ratifies the steering panel selection, Smith will become the youngest-ever chairman of Ways and Means. Hell break the previous record set by former Rep. Paul D. Ryan, R-Wis., who was just shy of 45 when he became chairman in 2015 before ending that year as speaker.

Smith said Monday that his pitch to Republicans was the record of his work as Budgets top GOP member and that providing for working-class Americans is my focus.

Smiths elevation could prove a boon to the St. Louis metro area where he now represents the eastern half of Jefferson County, including Arnold, Festus and Pevely. The large district, much of it rural, takes in much of south-central and all of southeastern Missouri, including the Bootheel.

Smith got the nod in a secret-ballot vote Monday of the Republican Steering Committee that nominates committee chairs. He pulled it off after being the last candidate to jump into the race and even as he jumps the line in seniority over competitors, Reps. Vern Buchanan of Florida and Adrian Smith of Nebraska.

In a statement after the vote, Smith called it deeply humbling and an honor to be selected.

With our new House Republican majority, we have made a commitment to the American people to build a stronger economy that gives everyone  not just the wealthy and politically-connected  greater opportunity to build a more prosperous future for themselves and their families, Smith said.

The vote went to a second ballot after no candidate won majority support on the first ballot. Adrian Smith, with the least number of first-ballot votes, was eliminated, leaving Jason Smith and Buchanan going head-to-head.

After the vote, Buchanan released a statement congratulating Smith, saying he looks forward to working with him on the panels expansive agenda. But he expressed regret at the big loss for Florida and its large House delegation.

Florida deserves a seat at the leadership table. Our party needs to move forward and show the country that were ready to lead, Buchanan said.

Adrian Smith released his own congratulatory statement after the vote, saying his competitors success means success for the entire (GOP) conference and  more importantly  for the American people.

Fundraising, relationships

Numerous factors likely played into the sixth-term Republican prevailing, including placing himself alongside Buchanan among top fundraisers to help the GOP win the House in November and his involvement in negotiations last week that helped Kevin McCarthy secure the speakers gavel.

Personal relationships, including with McCarthy, and his vision for the role were also likely among factors.

And hell need to use all his skills and relationships to navigate the thicket of fiscal policy coming Republicans way this year. On the top of the agenda is likely to be a nasty debt ceiling battle with conservatives demanding steep spending cuts in domestic programs as their price for raising the national borrowing cap.

Smith was the top Republican on the Budget Committee last Congress and planned to seek that panels top slot again if he didnt win Ways and Means.

Smith is known for animated speeches during committee meetings, and served as a top GOP voice opposing Democrats tax and spending plans over the last two years, helping Republicans hone their messaging against multiple budget reconciliation bills.

Do I bring a firebrand to the committee? Absolutely, Smith said in an interview last fall. But Im reflective of our party.

Cut from a different cloth

Smiths style and record led several Ways and Means Democrats to raise concern about bipartisanship if he won the gavel.

Rep. Dan Kildee of Michigan said last fall that his competitors had the demeanor to facilitate bipartisanship, but that Mr. Smith is cut from a different cloth.

Still, facing a Democrat-controlled Senate and White House, Smith said hes worked with committee Democrats and would continue to as long as it doesnt compromise his values.

Those values include using the panel to execute his vision of the Republican Party as one serving the working class over big corporations.

Hes said that hed pursue tax policies to incentivize domestic energy, food and health care production; hold hearings to review what worked and should be extended from the 2017 GOP tax code overhaul (PL 115-97); reconsider tax breaks for woke corporations; and aim to cut the trade deficit with China and other countries.

Smith said at a Punchbowl News event last year that he believed he could find true agreement with Democrats on issues like expanding the child tax credit.

Hes emphasized the need for work requirements on the benefit for families with children, while Democrats have pressed to open it more broadly, arguing that single mothers and grandparents who serve as primary caregivers might not be able to work, but should still get aid.

Ways and Means ranking member Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., congratulated Smith on his win.

We have worked together for years on some of the most consequential issues, and I look forward to continuing the committees tradition of rising above politics to do whats best for the American people, Neal said in a statement.

Smith has also pledged aggressive oversight as Ways and Means chairman, including of the nearly $80 billion in IRS funding to boost tax enforcement that Democrats delivered last year, leaks of taxpayer data and the Biden administrations efforts to negotiate a 15% global minimum tax on companies earnings.

With the IRS a particular target of Republicans, hes said hell set up a hotline for agency employees to report concerns to Congress.

When I talk about oversight, its going to be aggressive, Smith said in a December interview. The American people deserve answers and the American people deserve their government to be effective and to work for them, not their government to target them.

New precedent

Smith has also signaled he could use the gavel to seek tax records of President Joe Bidens family members, which would likely set up sharp clashes with Democrats.

After Ways and Means Democrats released former President Donald Trumps tax returns just before the last Congress ended, Smith said in a statement that the move would forever change the nature of congressional oversight.

Come January, Democrats will only have themselves to blame for this new precedent, as they have now given the incoming Republican majority the clear authority to use tools at the committees disposal to investigate whether President Biden and his family have enriched themselves off the Washington Democrats agenda, he said.

Biden and first lady Jill Biden have released their tax returns publicly, including their latest 2021 fillings, as have Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff.

Smith has also argued he has relationships throughout the GOPs 222-member conference that will help him navigate a narrow Republican majority  which already proved difficult by complicating McCarthys speaker bid.

To get the Ways and Means gavel, a majority of the House Republican Conference still has to approve Smiths nomination. Its unlikely theyd reject a pick from the steering committee, which is made up of more than 30 members including GOP leadership and representatives of different parts of the conference mostly based on geography. McCarthy and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., have extra votes.

If approved, Smith would succeed former Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas, who retired from Congress after a six-year run atop the GOP side of Ways and Means that included shepherding through the partys 2017 law to cut the corporate tax rate and trim most individual income tax rates. Republicans conference rules limit committee chairs to serving three straight terms, meaning this would likely kick off a six-year run atop Ways and Means.

Smith will become the second Ways and Means chairman to represent Missouri in Congress. The first was Rep. John S. Phelps, a Democrat who held the gavel in 1858-59.

CQ-Roll Call editor Ryan Kelly and the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
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. 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.

In late December, Taylor 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, D-Warrensburg, involved in the legislation.

Unfortunately, that hasnt happened yet, but it will be coming, he said. I'll 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.

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.
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.

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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
After a rocky 2022 that saw Champion Hospitality Group shrink its business operations, the Charlottesville-based business says it still owes money to vendors.

Champion has been working diligently with vendors to settle any issues that resulted from a challenging 2022, spokeswoman Marijean Oldham said in an email to The Daily Progress.

Oldham did not say how much the company owes and who is still waiting on a check, but she did say that Champions remaining businesses are open and that the company even intends to expand existing restaurant operations on the Downtown Mall despite standing in arears with more than one vendor.

Champion Hospitality Group is the parent company of several businesses including its flagship bar and restaurant Champion Brewing Company, the Franco-Belgian restaurant Brasserie Saison and the Latin-inspired eatery Passiflora, all three in downtown Charlottesville. Champion Hospitality Group is also a partner with Siren, a Mediterranean seafood restaurant in downtown Charlottesville, and Champion Ice House, a bar and restaurant in Gordonsville.

Its a large footprint, but it used to be larger.

Last year, Champion Hospitality shut down both the Champion Grill in the Shops at Stonefield north of Charlottesville, the Champion outpost in Lynchburg and Reason Beer in Seminole Place shopping center north of Charlottesville, whose operations merged with Champions in late 2021.

There were 16 people laid off as a result of the closures all together, according to Oldham, who added that the overhead at Stonefield, in particular, made it difficult for the business to turn a profit.

Like many businesses, we were counting on 2022 being a return to pre-pandemic levels of traffic and revenues, and instead we had yet another year of unprecedented challenges in both the hospitality and brewing industries, CEO Hunter Smith said in a statement dated Thursday. These challenges in concert with other factors led to a few closures in the past year, and with those closures, we lost some positions and great people.

There are still 60 people employed today under the Champion Hospitality umbrella, the company said, and it is looking to hire more.

Also, the company is looking to expand more than just its staff. Smith, whose family also owns Afton Mountain Vineyards in Nelson County, said he is planning to expand and renovate his Brasserie Saison and Passiflora operations on Charlottesvilles Downtown Mall.

More news is expected in weeks to come, Smith said.

While were imperfect, we have always aimed to do right by our team members and the city that has supported us, Smith said. The Champion legacy is a stalwart and deep-rooted one that we are eager to continue as we strive for constant improvement.
hotel room

With the cost of living rising and the paychecks of many employers failing to reflect that, Florida resident Diane Thomas recently fell on hard times. In a plea for help, last week, she shared her story with local West Palm Beach news station WPTV 5. To her surprise, a viewer (who has chosen to remain anonymous) went above and beyond to help.

I do work. I work, but its a little over my price [range] right now, Thomas said in last weeks interview. Yesterday (Jan. 12), the news station revealed that the good samaritan who saw her story reached out to WPTV 5 to help. The unnamed person arranged for the working woman to stay in a Royal Palm Beach hotel for a week. A reporter for the Florida station spoke with Thomas to see how things were going so far. For these couple days, I promise you, I have felt better than I have felt in the last six months. I slept for two days. I took a hot shower [Theres] still good people out here, she shared.

The unidentified person has exchanged several emails with the news station, noting that in the meantime, he is working with a relative who is a real estate broker to find an affordable place in the Florida area for Thomas to live. Although she has no clue who is helping her, she remains grateful. Im really in a situation right now. So I need help and I thank yall for everything, the longtime Florida resident said. And its not just rising rents that are causing concern  the price of groceries has skyrocketed as well.

Earlier this month, Cardi B hopped on social media to bring attention to the soaring prices after noticing lettuce was $6 in her neighborhood. The Money rapper said she felt compelled to speak out cause if I think that s**t is crazy, I could only imagine what middle-class people or people in the hood is motherf**king thinking and I have a big platform, so I do want anybody thats responsible [for] these f**king prices to put that s**t the f**k down.
On June 26, 1940, young pilot Lt. Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., was summoned to aid Col. Samuel R. Hopkins, whose wife and son were in a terrible automobile accident near Elmira.

Mrs. Anne Hopkins, and her 17-year-old son, Archie, were traveling en route from Madison Barracks in Sackets Harbor, New York, to Gainesville, Florida. The accident occurred on the Elmira-Ithaca highway (where the roundabout crosses Old Ithaca Road today) during a rainstorm. The car skidded and hit a tree, almost instantly killing Mrs. Hopkins and badly injuring Archie. Archie was not expected to live long, and Col. Hopkins needed to get to Elmira as soon as possible.

Hopkins left on a flight from Fort Benning, Georgia, at 3:30 p.m. and arrived in Elmira at 9:30 p.m., covering 1,000 miles in six hours. He traveled in an Army plane piloted by Tibbets.

In a 1998 letter to Robert Brennan, father of former Chemung County Historical Society director Constance Barone, Mr. Tibbets recalled the story in his own words:

Col. Paul W. Tibbets, Jr., pilot of the Enola Gay, the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, waves from his cockpit before takeoff from Tinian Island in Northern Marianas, Aug. 6, 1945.

I remember being at the hanger at Lawson Field, Ft. Benning, Georgia) and the CO, Maj. Rubin Kyle, called me into his office, where there were two officers, and told me that the Colonels family had just had an accident near Elmira, and he wanted to get there as soon as he could and had come to the field to see if some pilot would take him there. Since I was the only junior one around would I do it: I was more than happy to help, so we got started quickly. Pre-war duty hours were normally 7:30 to 4:00, with some leaving by 3:00 if things were slow.

We were in an 0-47 (O for observation), which was only good for 400 miles before refueling. As I remember, there were thunderstorms and low clouds forecast for the Elmira area. We went to Bolling Air Force Base at Washington D.C., then direct to Elmira. We encountered scattered storms about 50 to 60 miles south of Elmira. I located the Elmira airport by working my way around and through some of the weather. It was a dark field with no boundary lights on the runways, so I resorted to SOP (standard operation procedure) and flew close to their Operations Shack. As I cut the engine, a police car pulled up, then another car arrived. It was someone to pick up the Colonel. He thanked me for the ride and then got in the car and departed.

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The remaining man, I think, was the sheriff. He helped me tie down the plane and then asked me what I wanted to do. My answer was, eat, then sleep. He said he could accommodate me on both if I did not mind sleeping in a cell. He assured me it was clean and comfortable if I was tired enough. By now, it was about 11:00 PM. I accepted the sheriffs offer, and away we went. We went to what I think was the county jail, and he sent for a couple of sandwiches and coffee. After twelve oclock, he bowed out after asking me what time I wanted to go to the airport the next morning. The next morning, the deputy on duty brought coffee as soon as I got up. The sheriff took me to the airport, and I remained until I was airborne.

One of the reasons I remember the incident is the security check question: Have you ever been in jail? And I always answer, Yes. And I tell them the Elmira story.

On August 6, 1945, at 8:15:17 a.m., a B-29 aircraft named the Enola Gay, piloted by Tibbets dropped a four-and-a-half-ton Little Boy atomic bomb over the city of Hiroshima, Japan. Enola Gay was the name of Tibbets mother.

What happened to young Archie Hopkins? He suffered a skull fracture, a broken jaw, and a broken neck. He died three days later at St. Josephs Hospital.

Diane Janowski is the Elmira city historian. Her column appears monthly.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Elmira history includes Enola Gay, Paul Tibbets connection
Julie Chrisley is entering a new decade.

The Chrisley Knows Best star turned 50 on Monday and was surrounded by the love of her family for her milestone birthday just days before she'll head to a Florida prison to serve her seven-year sentence.

Both Julie and her husband Todd Chrisley, have been ordered to report to their respective minimum-security prisons on Jan. 17 after the reality TV couple was found guilty of tax evasion and bank fraud. Julie's seven years are less than Todd's 12 years in prison  though they'll both have an additional 16 months of probation once they're released.

RELATED: Julie Chrisley on What Has Put 'Things into Perspective' About Being 'Separated' from Husband Todd in Prison

Their daughter Savannah candidly spoke about the prison sentence in an Instagram tribute directed to her mom on Thursday, writing in part, "I know this isn't the birthday we had imagined but I'll make it up to you."

The video post shared various sweet clips of Savannah and Julie, which she touched upon in the caption, "Thank you for being the mom that every girl dreams of having. For a lot of peopleyou only exist in fairytales but for meYOU'RE my real life angel. You have a heart that is full of love and kindness."

Later in the post, she praised Julie's character, thanking her for loving her dad "so deeply" and adding that she's shown her "what it means to be a ONE OF A KIND kinda wife." She closed off the birthday tribute by writing: "There's no greater than you mama  let's fight the good fight!"

RELATED: Julie Chrisley Says She's Been 'Praying' There's a 'Reason' for Her Family's Legal Journey

Lindsie Chrisley Campbell, Julie Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley

Tommy Garcia/getty

After Savannah's Instagram post went live, Lindsie, Julie's step-daughter, left a sweet note on the tribute, commenting, "We love you Mimi" and shared the same message alongside a video of Julie walking on her Instagram story.

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The family has maintained their innocence after the guilty verdicts, stating that they believe they had an unfair trial. After filing an appeal in December, court records revealed on Wednesday the couple's motion for bail pending appeal was denied. Records showed that the court also denied their request to extend their surrender date by 21 days.

Julie Chrisley, Savannah Chrisley, Todd Chrisley

Vivian Zink/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Their former accountant, Peter Tarantino, was also sentenced to three years behind bars and three years of supervised release. He'll report to prison on May 1.

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.

As Todd and Julie prepare for their prison time, the fate of their television shows has still not been revealed. Chrisley Knows Best has filmed some never-before-seen season 10 content, which will air as planned sometime this year.

It is unknown whether their children will continue the show without their parents' involvement.
Story at a glance

Roughly 1.6 percent of American adults are now transgender or nonbinary, according to a 2022 survey.

That number is higher still among young adults, with 5 percent of people under 30 now identifying their gender as different from the one assigned them at birth.

The growing visibility of transgender and nonbinary people comes amid rising societal acceptance and new efforts to count the populations.

One young adult in 20 is now nonbinary or transgender, communities that society barely recognized and seldom counted until a few years ago.

Those populations are not new. Only recently, though, have survey-takers thought to ask people about gender identity, invoking terminology that did not exist for prior generations. The word nonbinary did not appear in The New York Times until 2014.

The rising visibility of nonbinary and transgender people reflects the nations growing acceptance of gender fluidity, especially among the young. One landmark study found 1.2 million nonbinary people in the 18-60 age group. Of that total, three-quarters were under 30, which suggests Generation Z has explored gender identity to an extent that older Americans have not.

We have a world in which we are finally counting these groups, said Kay Simon, 28, an assistant professor at the University of Minnesota who studies the experiences of queer youth and their families. You cant identify as something if you dont know what the word is.

Simon grew up in Florida and Texas. From a very young age, I kind of realized I was gay, they said. At the time, I probably could have told you that I felt different about my gender, but I didnt have a word for it.

The word was nonbinary, denoting a person who identifies with neither the male nor female gender.

Simon remembers when the academic community introduced he-she-they pronouns on faculty pages and email salutations, during their grad-school years. Even now, teaching about sexuality and gender identity in the presumptively safe space of a college campus, Simon must decide kind of regularly whether to correct someone who refers to them with the wrong pronoun.

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Ive had students misgender me, they said. And it becomes this joke of, A, youre referring to your professor wrong, and, B, you didnt read the syllabus. So, we have two problems.

The population of young nonbinary and transgender people is clearly large and probably growing.

A 2022 report from the Williams Institute, a research center at the University of California, Los Angeles, estimates that 1.3 percent of adults ages 18-24 and 1.4 percent of 13- to 17-year-olds are transgender, with a gender identity different than the one assigned at birth. Teens and young adults are much more likely to be transgender than older adults.

Five years earlier, in a 2017 report, the Williams Institute had found roughly half as many young transgender people. But the earlier analysis used different methods and drew on comparatively sparse data, so its hard to know how much of the increase is real.

Is the transgender population exploding, or are researchers simply counting better? That is a common quandary, researchers say, in studies of the nonbinary and transgender communities.

I would argue, actually, it is not an increase, said Russ Toomey, a professor of family studies and human development at the University of Arizona. We are seeing the numbers of people disclosing nonbinary and trans identity on a survey because we are asking people in more inclusive ways about their gender.

Perhaps the most expansive tally to date of transgender and nonbinary people comes from the Pew Research Center. In a 2022 survey, Pew found that 1.6 percent of U.S. adults reported a gender different from the one assigned to them at birth.

Pew, too, found that the nonbinary and transgender populations skewed young. Three percent of adults ages 18-29 said they were nonbinary and 2 percent said they were transgender. In the 50-plus population, by contrast, only 0.3 percent of respondents identified themselves as transgender or nonbinary.

I think that Gen-Z individuals are not alone in this, but they are kind of leading the charge, said Rachel Farr, an associate professor of developmental psychology at the University of Kentucky.

Todays young adults have grown up in a society that is gradually recognizing the rights of the LGBTQ community. In 2010, the Senate voted to repeal the Clinton-era Dont Ask, Dont Tell policy, allowing LGBTQ people to serve openly in the military. In 2015, the Supreme Court recognized a legal right for same-sex couples to marry.

Its not that there are more people. Its that there are more people who are open and who are out, said Shoshana Goldberg, director of public education and research at Human Rights Campaign, the LGBTQ rights group. The reality is that when you talk to the average person on the street, theyre going to be more accepting and more affirming than theyve ever been.

The share of American adults who identify as queer doubled from 2012 to 2021, according to a relatively long-running Gallup poll.

Within Generation Z, polling suggests the LGBTQ population doubled in just four years, from 10.5 percent in 2017 to 20.8 percent in 2021.

Bisexuals, and especially bisexual women, populate the majority of the Gen-Z queer community, according to research from Gallup and others. Transgender and nonbinary people constitute a smaller but significant share.

Researchers say social media played a defining role in helping transgender and nonbinary young people define themselves.

Landon Richie, 20, grew up in Texas and came out as transgender at 11. But since I was two, he said, really as early as I could think and express myself with some sort of agency, I understood that I did not fit into the role that I was assigned as a girl.

Richie couldnt fully process his identity until around age 10, when he gained larger access to the internet and saw people who were transgender and who talked about their experiences, he said. And I was able to see myself reflected in their stories and their experiences.

Now that the transgender and nonbinary communities have been identified and counted, researchers say, they need societys support.

Both groups face a heightened risk of physical, emotional and sexual abuse in both childhood and adulthood, the UCLA study found. Depression and suicidal ideation are alarmingly common.

Transgender and nonbinary people often feel under attack, and with good reason. Research shows queer people face a heightened risk of being victims of violent crime. Transgender and nonbinary individuals also face higher rates of workplace harassment and discrimination.

The communities also face legislative attack. GLAAD, an LGBTQ media advocacy group, tracked more than 300 anti-LGBTQ bills across the nation in 2022, many of them targeting transgender persons by seeking to bar them from equal access to sports, restrooms or health care.

Almost for as long as Ive been out, theres been a target placed by the Texas legislature on my back, said Richie, who has been politically active in his state for several years.

Some faith-based and socially conservative groups have argued that influential Instagram posters and overzealous educators seed gender confusion in young people.

Advocates for the queer community counter that social media and progressive curricula help transgender and nonbinary people discover their identities, rather than create them.

Friends and loved ones can play a crucial role, researchers say, simply by honoring the name and pronoun requested by a transgender or nonbinary person.

I think the first thing is just to accept them and listen to them, said Allison Eliscu, M.D., medical director of the adolescent LGBTQ* Care Program at Stony Brook Medicine in Stony Brook, N.Y.

If you make a mistake, because we all do, apologize, say it correctly and then try to do better.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian servicemen from the Volyn Territorial Defence brigade are seen on their positions near the border with Belarus, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Volyn region, Ukraine, on January 12, 2023. Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images/Gleb Garanich/Reuters

Kyiv is bracing for the possibility of Russia opening a new front via the border with Belarus.

But the area is tough to penetrate due to its swampy conditions, Reuters reported.

This is in part because of beavers building dams, with nobody stopping them due to the war.

Local beavers are helping Ukraine defend itself from a potential new front in Russia's invasion, Reuters reported on Thursday.

The animals are unwittingly helping Kyiv by building dams that keep the ground marshy and impassable, a military spokesman told the agency.

This helps Ukraine by making it less likely that an attack could come via Belarus, which borders Ukraine not far north of the capital Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials had warned that Russia may wage an offensive through its ally Belarus into a region of Ukraine called Volyn.

Defense forces there, however, have been reassured by conditions on the ground, left impassable by miles of burst river banks, thick mud, and waterlogged fields.

The swampy conditions have given Ukrainians an advantage, and time to prepare: a local military unit called the Volyn territorial defense has been conducting daily training exercises in the area, according to Reuters.

Its spokesman, Serhiy Khominskyi, praised the beavers, which he told Reuters were more working unimpeded, unlike in other years.

"When [the beavers] 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.

Map showing Volyn and its proximity to the Belarus border with Ukraine. Google Maps

Viktor Rokun, one of the brigade's deputy commanders, told Reuters: "On your own land, everything will help you to defend it  the landscape, lots of rivers, which have burst their banks this year."

Beavers are known to be remarkable builders, using tree branches, vegetation, rocks, and mud to create dams that protect them from predators.

The unusually mild winter has created ideal conditions for Ukrainians to defend their country.

Analyst Konrad Muzyka, who runs the defense consultancy Rochan Consulting, told Reuters that Volyn would be a "horrible place to conduct an offensive operation."

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"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."

Since October, Russia has deployed troops in Belarus for joint military drills, which some observers worry could transform into an invasion effort.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko have remained close allies through the war in Ukraine. Lukashenko previously called Russia "his closest ally and strategic partner."

Read the original article on Business Insider
University of Idaho murder suspect Bryan Kohberger was briefly back in court Thursday to waive his right to a speedy preliminary hearing.

Kohberger, who is facing four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary for the Nov. 13 quadruple homicide of four college students, appeared in the Latah County courtroom Thursday morning wearing an orange prison uniform and shackles, according to CNN.

During the brief hearing, which lasted less than 10 minutes, Kohberger, 28, waived his right to a speedy probable cause hearing through his attorney, which otherwise would have needed to be completed within a 14-day window.

Kootenai County Public Defender Anne Taylor, who is representing Kohberger, said she needed more time to evaluate the evidence in the case, Fox News reports.

RELATED: Serial Killer Leonard Lakes Wife Said She Thought He Was Living This Very Active Fantasy

As a result, Magistrate Judge Megan Marshall set the preliminary hearing date for 9 a.m. on June 26. Its slated to last five days, at the conclusion of which a judge will be tasked with determining whether there is enough evidence against Kohberger to proceed with the criminal charges against him.

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 remained relatively quiet throughout the brief hearing, only answering questions posed to him by the judge.

Taylor requested discovery from the prosecutorsincluding statements made by Kohberger to authorities, evidence in the case, test results, digital media recordings like surveillance footage and a list of potential witnessesin documents filed in court Tuesday and obtained by Oxygen.com.

Kohberger has been accused of breaking into an off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho in the early morning hours of Nov. 13 and fatally stabbing four of the occupants inside the home, in a crime that has stunned the small college community.

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Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen

Moscow Police have said Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, were all stabbed multiple times.

At the time of the murders, Kohberger had been working as a teaching assistant and PhD student in the criminal justice program at nearby Washington State University, which is located approximately 10 miles away from the crime scene.

He was linked to the brutal murders after investigators were able to match him to DNA found on a leather knife sheath left behind on Mogens bed, according to an affidavit obtained by Oxygen.com. Surveillance footage also placed a white Hyundai Elantra, seemingly matching the description of Kohbergers vehicle, in the area at the time of the murders.

Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen, referred to in the affidavit only as D.M., also told police she encountered the alleged killer inside the home just after 4 a.m., after she heard someone say theres someone here and the sound of crying.

Oxy App

Mortensen peered out of her bedroom door and saw a man clad in black, wearing a mask over his nose and mouth, according to the affidavit. As she stood in a frozen shock state, she said the man walked past her and exited out a second-story sliding glass door.

Mortensen locked herself inside her bedroom.

She was able to describe the alleged killer to police as being at least 510 tall with bushy eyebrows and a slender build.

Investigators have said his cell phone was in the area of the 1122 King Road home on at least 12 occasions before the murders, but an attorney representing Goncalves family told Insider that victims did not know Kohberger before the killings.

No one knew this guy at all, attorney Shanon Gray said.

Police have not released a motive in the homicides.

Kohberger was taken into custody late last month at his parents home in Pennsylvania and extradited back to Idaho last week.
Wild Bunch co-founders Vincent Maraval and Brahim Chioua bid farewell to the legendary company name they created in 2002 at a characteristically rebel-rousing party in Paris bannered Forever Wild Whatever The Name! on Thursday night, but have yet to confirm their new name.

Taking place during Unifrances Rendez-Vous in Paris, local and international collaborators flocked to the Annette K barge on the banks of the Seine for the event, featuring a Celine Dion tribute act and a set by DJ Kiddy Smile who appeared in Gaspar Noes Climax.

More from Deadline

The dropping of the name marks the final act in their departure from the pan-European Wild Bunch AG film group, which was created in 2015 out of the merger of their original French company Wild Bunch and Germanys Senator and is now majority owned by German entrepreneur Lars Windhorst.

Maraval and Chioua and their 15-person-strong team struck out as a standalone international sales company under the banner of Wild Bunch International (WBI) in 2019 but maintained the association with their old company for a three-year term.

When we created Wild Bunch International, Wild Bunch took a 20% stake in exchange for us being allowed to use the Wild Bunch brand in our name, which now belongs to the group, under a signed three-year agreement, explained Chioua. This deal came to an end in November 2022, with a get-out clause for both parties.

Alluding to the current trend for consolidation of independent film companies under banners such as Mediawan and Fremantle, Maraval commented wryly. Everybody is selling up. Were buying ourselves back.

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It has been a busy three-and-a-half-years.

The company has continued to handle sales on established A-list festival regulars such as Ken Loach, Claire Denis, Maiwenn, Kore-Eda Hirokazu, Gaspar Noe, Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne and Cristian Mungiu as well as scout breakout works by newcomers such as Julia Ducournaus Cannes Palme dOr winner Titane, Audrey Diwans Venice Golden Lion winner Happening, and Dea Kulumbegashvilis San Sebastian Golden Shell winner Beginning.

At the same time, Maraval and Chioua have also pushed the company into production with the creation of Wild West, a joint venture with Thierry Lounas and his film company Capricci aimed at developing and producing French and European genre fare, as well as Le Collectif 64 with the producer Marc Dujardin.

For many international film biz folk the name Wild Bunch will be forever associated with the original team, their parties and the raft of titles they brought to the market that shook cinemas and festivals throughout the 2000s and 2010s.

To name but a handful, these span provocative pictures such as Virginie Despentess Baise-Moi, Abel Ferraras Dominique Strauss Kahn-drama Welcome To New York and Noes Climax; their 11 Cannes Palme dOr winners including Michael Moores Farenheit 9/11, Cristian Mungius 4 Months, 3 Weeks And 2 Days and Abdellatif Kechiches Blue Is The Warmest Colour; and eight Oscar winners featuring Michel Hazanaviciuss The Artist, Luc Jacquets March of the Penguins and Hayao Miyazakis Spirited Away.

Maraval is phlegmatic about the name change saying many of the directors of these films will continue to work with the rebranded company and that it is time to turn the page onto a new chapter.

The marks the final act of an adventure which ended three years ago when we left to set up Wild Bunch International. For our sake and the sake of the team, its time to move on rather than dragging the Wild Bunch legacy around with us, he said.

The company is still in the process of securing its planned new name.

When Maraval and Chioua created Wild Bunch in 2002 alongside Vincent Grimond (who stepped down as CEO of the Wild Bunch Group in 2021 and Alain de la Mata (who remains a shareholder in the new independent company), they took inspiration from Sam Peckinpahs 1969 classic The Wild Bunch.

The hoped-for-new name is taken from a 1990s classic, but Maraval has contacted its A-list director for permission before officially going ahead with the idea.

Out of courtesy, were asking permission. We dont want him to learn about it in the trades, said Maraval. Well see whether he replies that he is honored or on the contrary, that its out of the question.

As of the small hours of Friday morning in Paris, Maraval was still waiting for a definitive answer. If the director does agree, it will be a reason for a second party, says the irrepressible bon-viveur.

Deadline sat down with Maraval and Chioua to discuss the name change and their longer-term plans for their new company ahead of the party and well post the interview on Friday.

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The appointment of an oil executive as head of the United Nations' COP28 climate conference on Thursday sparked backlash from environmental organizations.

The Office of the United Arab Emirates' Special Envoy for Climate Change announced Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, the head of the state-run Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, as the president-designate for the 2023 climate change conference, which will take place in Dubai over two weeks in November and December.

After two tenures as the Special Envoy for Climate Change, HE Dr. Sultan Al Jaber will serve as the COP28 President-Designate.  HE Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High Level Champion  HE Shamma Al Mazrui, Youth Climate Championhttps://t.co/niER5Y7SBZ #COP28UAE pic.twitter.com/QahDgUfhjb  Office Of The UAE Special Envoy For Climate Change (@uaeclimateenvoy) January 12, 2023

Al Jaber is chair of the UAE government-owned renewable energy company Masdar and has served as the UAE's climate envoy twice, a statement from the special envoy said.

He is the first CEO to ever serve as COP president, "having played a key role in shaping the countrys clean energy path," according to Al Jaber's office.

The president of the conference is confirmed by the delegates to the conference when it begins.

But the announcement Thursday over the appointment of a top oil executive to lead the most important climate conference of the year was quickly met with disapproval by some environmental policy experts and activists who called for the CEO to step down from his role leading one of the biggest oil companies in the world.

Al Jaber's nomination is "devastating blow to the climate negotiations at a critical moment in history," Tzeporah Berman, chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, told ABC News.

Story continues

MORE: UN climate summit COP27 set to gather in Egypt amid year of climate and energy crises

He must resign from the oil company he presides over in order to obtain a seat at COP, not to mention the presidency, Berman said.

"The nomination of Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber is a clear example of the fox watching the hen house," Berman said. "The oil and gas companies are not going to design their own demise."

PHOTO: The headquarters of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC), right, and Etihad Towers, center, surrounded by residential and commercial properties in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, April 10, 2022. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The appointment of Al Jaber to lead COP28 is "egregious" and "could potentially impede the sole purpose of the meeting," Delta Merner, head of the Science Hub for Climate Litigation at the Union for Concerned Scientists, told ABC News.

"During COP27, we saw a 25% increase in fossil fuel interest direct participation in the meeting, this is a trend we need to move away from for meaningful progress, not embrace through leadership choices," Merner said. He agreed that Al Jaber should step down from his role overseeing the production of fossil fuels.

MORE: Biden sends letter to oil refiners blasting high profits amid record gas prices

Catherine Abreu, founder and executive director of environmental nonprofit Destination Zero, told ABC News, "An oil company CEO cannot be the kind of President that COP28 needs."

"A person tasked with making the most profit possible from oil and gas extraction cant be the same person tasked with landing the most ambitious outcome possible from a climate conference," Abreu said.

PHOTO: The United Arab Emirates' minister of state and CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, addresses the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC), Nov. 11, 2019. (AFP via Getty Images)

Al Jaber's appointment "sets a dangerous precedent" and risks the credibility of the UAE, Tracy Carty, global climate politics expert with Greenpeace, said in a statement.

"Greenpeace is deeply alarmed at the appointment of an oil company CEO to lead the global climate negotiations," Carty said.

MORE: 'Big Oil' CEOs testify before Congress amid skyrocketing gas prices

Carty continued, "There is no place for the fossil fuel industry in the global climate negotiations."

Tasneem Essop, executive director for the Climate Action Network International, described Al Jaber's appointment as a "conflict of interest."

"He cannot preside over a process that is tasked to address the climate crisis with such a conflict of interest, heading an industry that is responsible for the crisis itself," Essop said.

Every year, the country hosting the U.N.'s Conference of the Parties, from which COP gets its name, nominates someone -- typically a veteran diplomat -- to chair the talks.

"This will be a critical year in a critical decade for climate action," Al Jaber said in a statement. "The UAE is approaching COP28 with a strong sense of responsibility and the highest possible level of ambition."

"The announcement further highlights the UAEs regional leadership in climate action and its role as a global advocate for clean energy," the Office of the UAE's Special Envoy for Climate Change added. "The UAE is home to three of the largest and lowest-cost solar projects in the world and has 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."

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company pumps about 4 million barrels of crude oil a day and plans to expand to 5 million daily, The Associated Press reported.

Oil company chief's appointment to lead COP28 climate conference sparks backlash originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The White House on Friday continued to refer questions to the Justice Department and White House lawyers about what role President Joe Biden might have played in the mishandling of classified documents.

"Just to be prudent here and just to make sure that we are consistent, I would refer you to anything that is related to this, as it relates to the review, to the Department of Justice or my colleagues at the White House counsel office, and this is -- we see it as the best way to move forward. We want to respect the process, and so that's what I'm going to refer you to the Department of Justice," said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Asked specifically by ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Mary Bruce if she's confident Biden followed protocol for handling classified documents, Jean-Pierre didn't answer directly.

"Again, this is something that he takes very seriously -- the president, when it comes to classified documents," she said. "I'm not going to go into any specifics from here."

PHOTO: White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during a press briefing at the White House, Jan. 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Even if the White House is being transparent in cooperating with the DOJ criminal investigation, the exchange adds to questions about whether Biden has undercut his promise to be transparent with the American people.

The president himself has given incomplete statements, and hasn't gone as far as his special counsel Richard Sauber, who has said the documents were "inadvertently misplaced," calling the mishandling a "mistake."

MORE: Who is special counsel Robert Hur, the Trump appointee overseeing DOJ's Biden probe?

When the White House earlier this week confirmed a Monday news report that there were classified documents found at his former private office at the Penn Center in November, it did so only after the matter became public.

And in their initial comments after the revelation, neither Biden nor his special counsel mentioned additional classified documents had been found in his Wilmington home a month later.

Here's what Biden said this week

A day after a CBS News report that classified documents from Biden's time as vice president were found at the Penn Biden Center, a think tank in Washington, on Nov. 2, Biden said he was "surprised" and didn't know their contents.

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"I was surprised to learn there were any government records that were taken there to that office," Biden said, answering a reporter's question Tuesday at the North American Leaders Summit in Mexico City.

After those 10 or so documents were discovered and given to the National Archives, in the days before the midterm elections, Biden aides launched a search for more documents and found "a small number" of additional records at Biden's Wilmington home, in his garage and an adjacent room. Biden's counsel informed the Justice Department of the discovery on Dec. 20.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks to the press following the 10th North American Leaders Summit, at The National Palace in Mexico City, Jan. 10, 2023. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

But the existence of those additional records wasn't made public until Thursday, when another document was found, just hours before Attorney General Merrick Garland named a special counsel to oversee a criminal investigation into the potential mishandling of classified documents.

"I'm gonna get a chance to speak on all this -- God willing, soon," Biden told reporters after remarks on the economy. "But as I said earlier this week -- people and by the way, my Corvette's in a locked garage. OK, so it's not like it's sitting on the street, but anyway."

"As I said earlier this week, people know I take classified documents and classified materials seriously," he continued, reading from a prepared statement. "I also said we're cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Department's review."

While the White House counsel's office said documents were found in his garage and adjacent room, the president went on to identify "storage areas and file cabinets in my home in my personal library," further muddying up the matter.

Trump responds

The White House says an investigation will show the classified materials were "inadvertently misplaced, and the president and his lawyers acted promptly upon discovery of this mistake."

But it's not as if conversation about classified documents hasn't been surrounding the president.

Just two months ago, Garland appointed a special counsel to look into former President Donald Trump's potential mishandling of classified documents, behavior Biden blasted as "totally irresponsible."

Now, Trump and his Republican allies are taking the chance to bash Biden.

PHOTO: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy and inflation in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Jan. 12, 2023 in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The former president responded to the appointment of a special counsel in Biden's case in a radio interview Thursday evening, defending his own handling of documents while attempting to argue that Biden's potential violations were more severe.

"Mar-a-Lago is a very secure place," Trump said. "You look at where they are finding these documents, in an office with no security, in a garage with absolutely no security," he later added.

MORE: Key events in the Biden classified documents probe: Updated timeline

Notably, the special counsel in Biden's case is limited to looking at how documents ended up in his office and garage, whereas Trump's is broader, including potential crimes related to his mishandling of records, obstruction of justice, and the role he played in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. Trump has also called his special counsel Jack Smith a "terrorist."

Still, Trump said, "It all sort of changed four days ago."

What Biden said about classified document handling before November

The FBI executed a search warrant at Mar-a-Lago on Aug. 8 after Trump allegedly refused to turn over documents to the National Archives. Biden, asked whether it was ever appropriate to take classified documents away from the White House, told reporters at the time, "It depends."

"Depending on the circumstance," Biden said. "For example, I have in my home a, a cabined-off space that is completely secure. I'm taking home with me today, today's PDB [President's Daily Briefing]. It's locked, I have a person with me, military with me. I read it, I lock it back up, and give it to the military."

Pressed further on whether a special, secured area would be needed, Biden repeated, "Depends on the document, and it depends on how secure the room."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden walks on the South Lawn of the White House following an arrival on Marine One after accompanying First Lady Jill Biden to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington, DC, Jan. 11, 2023. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

MORE: AG Garland names Robert Hur as special counsel in Biden classified documents matter

Biden's comments a month later on CBS News program "60 Minutes" went further in admonishing his predecessor.

Asked to recall his thinking when he saw the photograph of the top-secret documents laid out on the floor at Mar-a-Lago, Biden called it "totally irresponsible."

"How that could possibly happen? How anyone could be that irresponsible," Biden said. "And I thought [about] what data was in there that may compromise sources and methods."

ABC News' Jordyn Phelps, Molly Nagle, Justin Gomez, Katherine Faulders and Olivia Rubin contributed to this report.

From 'surprised' to special counsel, comparing Biden's statements on classified documents originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Boys & Girls Club of Central Virginia is set to open its new Albemarle County campus in April, according to CEO Kate Lambert.

The new location was slated to open in August 2022, but supply chain issues delayed construction.

I think anybody who has built a building in the last three years, since the pandemic, has experienced similar delays. So its not a huge shock, Lambert said. The project has cost $21.9 million  about $3 million more than its original estimate. The club still needs to raise another $1 million for the new campus.

Lambert said construction is 86% finished, leaving the Boys and Girls Club of Central Virginia on target for an April opening. The drywall and plumbing is completed, but flooring still needs to be installed and furniture will have to be brought in later.

The facility will be located on the same campus as Albemarle High School, Journey Middle School and Greer Elementary School, which the Boys and Girls Club of Central Virginia identified as an area of unmet need.

We started conversations with Albemarle County Public Schools and law enforcement more than 10 years ago, Lambert said. There were more incidents of police reports in the area, and gang activity.

A 2017 report from the county school division found more than 1,000 students are in need of after-school programming.

The new Boys & Girls facility is scheduled to be open during the school year and all day during the summer, serving at least 300 kids daily, according to Lambert. Albemarle High, Journey and Greer have the option to use the club for professional development and classroom space, among other possibilities.

Families can join the club for an annual fee of $15 for teens and $35 for younger kids.

We rely on our community support to make up the difference, Lambert said.

Shes optimistic that the club can make a difference in kids lives.

The Albemarle campus club is a beacon of hope. Its going to provide opportunities for hundreds of youth every single year to succeed.
After New York City received over 3,100 asylum-seekers in the last week, including a record number 835 last Thursday, Mayor Eric Adams called on the state to provide more resources to deal with the ongoing issue.

Adams is scheduled to visit El Paso, Texas, on Saturday, his office announced Friday evening. Further details about the trip would be revealed later, according to the mayor's office.

The mayor said in a statement the city is "at the breaking point," and may not be able to handle more people coming.

"The absence of sorely needed federal immigration reform should not mean that this humanitarian crisis falls only on the shoulders of cities," he said.

PHOTO: New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a security briefing ahead of New Year's Eve on December 30, 2022 in New York City. (Alexi Rosenfeld/WireImage/Getty Images)

Since the spring, New York City has accepted 40,000 asylum-seekers, and opened 74 emergency shelters and four humanitarian relief centers.

Adams sent a mutual aid request to New York state asking to support additional sheltering.

MORE: Explaining Biden's new border strategy: Expelling some migrants while expanding some asylum claims

"Our initial request is for shelter to accommodate 500 asylum seekers, but, as New York City continues to see numbers balloon, this estimate will increase as well," he said in a statement.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement Saturday pledging support.

"I was in contact with Mayor Adams this morning. This is an issue that is heartbreaking for all of us to see, these individuals who travelled so far, under such difficult circumstances, just in search of the American Dream. And I told the mayor we'll be continuing to help him, we've been helping him for many months, and we'll continue to give him support," the statement read.

PHOTO: Migrants arriving from Del Rio, Texas, get off a bus at Port Authority in Manhattan, Dec. 19, 2022. (Josephine Stratman/New York Daily News/Getty Images)

The Legal Aid Society and Coalition for the Homeless released a joint statement reiterating that the city is legally required to provide a bed to anyone in need of shelter.

MORE: Colorado to stop busing migrants after pleas from NYC and Chicago mayors

"Regardless of the circumstances, these are obligations that no mayor can shirk," the statement said. "That said, Washington and Albany have so far provided only minimal financial assistance for the City to meet this moment, and all levels of government must do their part to ensure that legal obligations are met and all people in need, including asylum seekers, are provided access to safe, decent, and accessible shelter."

Last week, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced he would stop bussing asylum-seekers to New York City and Chicago following conversations with Adams and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

New York City mayor to visit border, seeks emergency aid for influx of asylum-seekers originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska

WARSAW (Reuters) - Polish officials searched wetlands on the border with Belarus on Friday after three bodies were found in an area where thousands of migrants from the Middle East and Africa have been trying to enter the European Union.

The death of a Yemeni doctor near the border, where winter temperatures often fall below zero, was confirmed on Jan 7. The identity of the two others - found on Thursday and Friday - has not yet been confirmed, but they were probably migrants, according to Grupa Granica, a coalition of NGOs helping those struggling on the border.

Anna Michalska, a spokesperson of the Border Guard said soldiers on the border had told them others may have died.

"There may be more bodies so we are searching the area. The police, the border guard and the army are involved in the search," she said.

Migrants have flocked to the border since August 2021, when Belarus, a close Russian ally, opened travel agencies in the Middle East offering a new unofficial route into Europe - a move the EU said was designed to put pressure on it.

While the travel agencies have since been closed, migrants continue heading to Belarus in the hope of crossing into EU-member Poland, which is also housing more than 1.5 million refugees from Russia's almost year-old invasion of Ukraine.

Warsaw erected a 5.5-metre tall steel barrier equipped with electronic sensors at its border with Belarus to try to stem the flow, but it has not stopped people from coming.

The border guard has recorded 530 attempts to cross from Belarus already this year and Grupa Granica has received 121 calls for help and has given aid to 84 people.

For some, the journey has proved deadly.

Since August 2021, 14 people lost their lives on the Polish side of the border, according to the Border Guard. Grupa Granica estimates the number of deaths to be 33.

"In total, we have received 200 missing persons alerts. Sometimes we find people in guarded detention centres run by the Border Guard, sometimes bodies are found," Aleksandra Loboda, spokeswoman for Grupa Granica, told Reuters.

(Reporting by Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska; editing by Philippa Fletcher)
Texas is set to host five-star running back Jerrick Gibson at its junior day event on campus next weekend.

247Sports composite lists Gibson as the No. 1 running back prospect in the nation and the No. 10 overall player in the 2024 cycle. He has 25 offers from some of the premier programs across the country, including Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama.

Gibson is an elite athlete with breakaway speed and strength, making him a tough guy to tackle. He transferred to IMG Academy ahead of his junior season where he found himself the starting running back.

Steve Sarkisian is building a strong resume when it comes to developing running backs. He served as the play-caller for two of the last three Doak Walker Award winners. It is no question Sarkisian values the running back role in his offense.

Texas is looking to land back-to-back five-star running backs from the state of Florida. The Longhorns signed five-star Cedric Baxter as part of their 2023 recruiting class.

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Story originally appeared on Longhorns Wire
By Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Poland and Lithuania want to lower the price cap on Russian oil, and target Russia's nuclear sector under new European Union sanctions against Moscow and Minsk for the war in Ukraine, senior diplomats from the two EU countries said on Friday.

As the first anniversary of Russia's invasion nears, Europe is also starting to roll out 18 billion euros ($19.4 bln) of support for Kyiv and considering giving it German Leopard 2 tanks.

The EU's leading Russia hawks will propose that the bloc bans more "Russian propaganda" media outlets and cuts more Russian banks from the SWIFT global messaging system, the diplomats said, asking not to be identified.

"It is more and more difficult to get the necessary unanimity in the EU for more sanctions. Nonetheless, we will propose an ambitious new package," one of the diplomats added.

They said the 10th EU package of sanctions since Russia attacked Ukraine should be ready in time for the first anniversary of the invasion on Feb. 24.

Russia has both condemned EU sanctions and dismissed their impact since launching what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said its oil producers had had no difficulties in securing export deals despite the penalties and price caps.

On the ground in Ukraine on Friday, Russia claimed the capture of the town of Soledar, but Kyiv said the fighting was going on.

OIL, NUCLEAR, DIAMONDS

The Polish and Lithuanian diplomats said they supported new sanctions against Russia's ally Belarus after an announcement this month by the EU's chief executive that the bloc would punish Minsk for aiding Russia in the war.

Ukraine has already called on the 27-nation EU to include Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom in sanctions, a move that has so far been blocked by Hungary, which has a Russian-built nuclear plant it plans to expand with Rosatom.

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The diplomats proposed that Rosatom and/or its leadership be blacklisted in the EU as a first step. The West has not imposed sanctions on Rosatom since Russia invaded. The agency said in December that its 2022 exports grew.

The two diplomats added they would also try again to end Belgium's diamond trade with Russia, which the Polish diplomat said contributed 4.5 billion euros to the Russian budget, and expand bans on trade in goods that can be used for military purposes.

Belgium has said in the past it would be "huge loss" and the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the industry's lobby, said it would benefit rival trade hubs if the EU stops importing diamonds from Russia.

The diplomats said the bloc was on track to pay Ukraine a first, 3-billion-euro tranche of aid meant to help run the Kyiv government and pay out pensions by the end of the month, followed by 1.5 billion every month from March.

In the coming weeks, the EU is also due to review its price cap on Russian crude oil, which the Polish diplomat said should be lowered from the $60 agreed internationally given that Urals crude has been trading below that level recently.

"The cap should be maintained effective as a tool to reduce Russian budget revenues to finance the war," the Lithuanian diplomat said.

The bloc, together with the United States, the whole of G7 club of the most industrialised global powers and other international allies also aims to agree a new cap from Feb.5, this time on Russian petrochemical products including diesel.

Poland and Lithuania fell under Moscow's orbit following World War Two. Decades later, they drew ire from Russia for joining the EU and NATO, the same aspirations that Ukraine now has.($1 = 0.9264 euros)

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Nick Macfie and Andrew Heavens)
Russias defence ministry today said that its forces had taken control of the Ukrainian salt-mining town of Soledar on Thursday, according to state media reports.

It added that the capture would allow Russian units to cut off Ukrainian forces from the nearby, much larger town of Bakhmut.

However, Ukraine said on Friday its forces were still holding out in Soledar, the site of fierce battle over the past weeks.

Our units are there, the town is not under Russian control, Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for Ukraines eastern military command, told Reuters by telephone.

Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for Ukraines eastern military command, and a Ukrainian officer in the area both told Reuters Soledar had not been captured.

Last night artillery fire was like from hell, both sides.

From what I know, our boys have managed to exit some parts in an orderly manner and now (assault) groups are counterattacking, but we still hold the town, the officer said by telephone.

Key Points

We still hold the town: Ukraine denies Russia has claimed control of Soledar

Russia says it has taken control of Ukraine's Soledar

Fierce battle continues to rage in Soledar after a hot night of fighting

Putin looking for scapegoats as Russian troops suffer weapons shortage

Russia using prison convicts as labour to meet wars demands - MoD

Unexploded grenade removed from chest of Ukrainian soldier

We still hold the town: Ukraine denies Russia has claimed control of Soledar

14:40 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukraine has refuted claims that Russia has taken control of salt-mining town Soledar, the site of fierce battle over the past weeks.

Serhiy Cherevatyi, spokesperson for Ukraines eastern military command, and a Ukrainian officer in the area both told Reuters Soledar had not been captured.

Last night artillery fire was like from hell, both sides.

From what I know, our boys have managed to exit some parts in an orderly manner and now (assault) groups are counterattacking, but we still hold the town, the officer said by telephone.

Story continues

(AP)

Taiwan ready to assist Ukraine with digital reconstruction

14:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Taiwan is ready to help Ukraine upgrade its digital infrastructure in fields such as remote learning as part of rebuilding efforts after the war, the islands Digital Minister Audrey Tang told Reuters.

Tang was visiting Vilnius in her first foreign visit since being appointed as digital minister in August 2022. She pointed to the digitalisation of Taiwans education system as an area where the island could help.

Taiwan has already provided humanitarian aid (to Ukraine) in terms of generators, equipment and so, but we are also thinking about the digital layer, Tang told Reuters on Friday.

We want to provide what has enabled the various people in Taiwan to be a transcultural learning community, despite very different backgrounds.

Tang said there are no official talks with Ukraines government on digital cooperation, but she is in contact with personal connections.

Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year, saying Kyivs ties with the West threatened Russias security. Ukraine and its allies call it an unprovoked war to seize territory.

In Vilnius, Tang laid a wreath on graves of civilians killed in January 1991 at the hands of the Soviet army, during a failed attempt to overthrow the pro-independence government.

Taiwan opened a representative office in Vilnius in November 2021, irking China, which views the self-ruled island as part of its territory.

China downgraded diplomatic ties with Vilnius, prompting the Lithuanian government to withdraw its diplomats from Beijing.

Reuters has reported China was pressuring German companies to stop using components made in Lithuania, which is a member of both the European Union and NATO.

Chinas 2022 trade with Russia hit record $190 billion

13:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Chinas trade with Russia hit a record 1.28 trillion yuan ($190 billion) last year, the government said on Friday, even as Russias imports from the European Union fell on sanctions related to Moscows invasion of Ukraine.

Chinas 2022 exports to and imports from Russia accounted for 3% of Chinas total trade, Lyu Daliang, spokesperson of the General Administration of Customs, told a news briefing.

Shipments of Chinese goods to Russia have grown for six months in a row.

Russia more than doubled its rail exports of liquefied petroleum gas to China in 2022 as part of the Kremlins drive to diversify its energy export sales, a Reuters analysis based on data from industry sources showed on Thursday.

Chinas imports of Russian natural gas through the Power of Siberia pipeline are set to have risen by at least 50% in 2022, according to Russias top producer, Gazprom. Chinas Russian crude oil imports expanded 10% on year in the first 11 months at nearly 80 million tonnes.

Chinas trade with Russia slowed sharply in dollar terms in December, with exports up 8.3% from the same month last year, down from Novembers 17.9% rise, according to Reuters calculations based on Chinese customs data on Wednesday.

Imports from Russia rose 8.3%, slowing from a 28.5% gain in November, as a surge in COVID-19 infections following Chinas abrupt end to severe restrictions weighed on domestic demand.

But with the dismantling of Beijings zero-COVID policy, however, Russia and China are ready to resume mutual travel as soon as possible and deepen their strategic cooperation, Zhang Hanhui, Chinas ambassador to Russia, said this week.

International response to Ukraine exposes double standards of most EU nations, says Human Rights Watch

13:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The international response to the crisis in Ukraine came in for praise by the Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its annual report, but the non-profit also notably accused EU nations of employing double standards.

HRW said in its World Report 2023 released on Thursday that the response to Russias invasion should be widely implemented as European states came together to welcome refugees.

Millions of Ukrainian civilians fled across borders to take refuge in European countries after Vladimir Putins invasion in February 2022.

More than four million refugees from Ukraine  approximately 90 per cent of them women and children crossed the border to seek refugee by September last year.

HRW called on the governments to replicate the best of the international response in Ukraine and scale up the political will to address other crises.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports:

Human Rights Watch says response to Ukraine invasion reveals double standards

Satellite images show devastation to Russian-controlled mining town

12:45 , 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

Russia says it took Soledar in bloody fight in east Ukraine

12:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia claimed Friday that its forces captured a fiercely contested salt mining town, in what would mark a rare victory for the Kremlin after a series of setbacks in its invasion of Ukraine.

There was no immediate confirmation from Ukrainian authorities of Soledars fall. There have been conflicting reports over who controls the town, the site of a monthslong bloody battle in the grinding fight for Ukraines eastern regions.

Given the dangers there, The Associated Press could not confirm Russias claim.Soledar is located in Ukraines Donetsk province, one of four that Moscow illegally annexed in September.

From the outset, Moscow identified Donetsk and neighboring Luhansk province as priorities, and it has treated the areas as Russian territory since their alleged annexation.

The liberation of the town of Soledar was completed in the evening of Jan. 12, Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, the Russian Defense Ministrys spokesman, said, adding that the development was important for the continuation of offensive operations in the Donetsk region.

Taking control of Soledar would allow Russian forces to cut supply lines for the Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut and then block and encircle the Ukrainian units there, Konashenkov said.

Satellite image shows destruction in Soledar after weeks of intense fighting (Satellite image A2022 Maxar Tech)

US Defence Secretary to meet German defence minister in Berlin on Jan 19

11:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin will meet German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht in Berlin on January 19, a spokesperson for Germanys defence ministry told Reuters on Friday.

Washington and Berlin have coordinated sending aid and military hardware to support Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Last week they jointly agreed to send infantry fighting vehicles.

Allies have also proposed sending German-built Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine.

US official says Russian victory in Soledar will not slow Ukraine down

11:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russia has claimed victory in Soledar, a salt-mining town which has been the site of fierce fighting over the past weeks.

However, US officials said a Russian victory in Soledar, or even in Bakhmut, a city ten times larger where the Russians have so far been repelled, would mean little for the overall trajectory of the war.

Even if both Bakhmut and Soledar fall to the Russians, its not going to have a strategic impact on the war itself, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters at the White House, and it certainly isnt going to stop the Ukrainians or slow them down.

Russia says it has taken control of Ukraine's Soledar

10:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russias defence ministry said on Friday that its forces had taken control of the Ukrainian salt-mining town of Soledar on Thursday, state media reported.

It added that Russias capture of the town would allow its troops to cut off Ukrainian forces from the nearby, much larger town of Bakhmut.

Reuters was not able to independently verify Russias claim.

In pictures: Russian troops in action in Ukraine

10:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Russian self-propelled 152.4 mm howitzers Msta fire on a mission at an undisclosed location in Ukraine.

It comes as intense fighting continues in eastern Donetsk with Ukrainian troops still holding on despite relentless attacks.

(AP)

(AP)

(AP)

Finland says it could send small number of tanks to Ukraine

09:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Finland could donate a small number of German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine if a wider group of European nations also decided to do so, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Kyiv has requested heavy military vehicles such as the Leopard 2, which would represent a significant step-up in Western support after Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24 last year.

Finland, which has applied for NATO membership, could only share a limited number of tanks as the countrys arms are needed to guard its long border with Russia, the president told Finnish news agency STT.

If tanks would be sent, that is why Finlands offering could not be very numerous, Niinisto told STT.

Poland has said it would send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine if there was a larger coalition of countries doing so, while Germany has said it has no plans to send any.

If the position would change for the part of the battle tanks and a joint European cooperation would form, Finlands contribution is also needed, the presidents office said in an emailed statement to Reuters on Friday.

Sauli Niinisto, President of Finland (AP)

Ukraine says fighters are still holding out in Soledar after a hot night of fighting

09:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukraine said on Friday its forces were still holding out in the eastern salt mining town of Soledar after a hot night of fighting in what has become one of the bloodiest battlefields of the entire war.

Both sides have endured heavy losses in the battle for the small town. Moscow is seeking what would be its first big battlefield gain after half a year of humiliating retreats. Kyiv says Russia is throwing wave upon wave of soldiers into a pointless fight for a bombed-out wasteland.

The Wagner ultra-nationalist mercenary company run by an ally of President Vladimir Putin has claimed to have taken the town. But Russias defence ministry has so far said little about the situation there, while a Russian-installed local official said on Thursday there were still pockets of resistance.

The night in Soledar was hot, battles continued, Ukraines Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

The enemy threw almost all the main forces in the direction of Donetsk and maintains a high intensity of offensive. Our fighters are bravely trying to maintain the defence, she said, referring to the Donetsk region which includes Soledar.

This is a difficult phase of the war, but we will win. There is no doubt.

(AP)

Outside Soledar, Ukrainian soldiers were dug into well-fortified trenches in the wintry woods. Explosions echoed in the distance.

A 24-year-old soldier using the call-sign BUK, told Reuters the intensity of shelling had risen by around 70 percent, but forces were still holding their positions.

The situation is difficult but stable. Were holding back the enemy ... were fighting back.

Reuters could not verify the situation inside the town, which had around 10,000 residents before the war. Ukrainian officials say more than 500 civilians are trapped inside, including 15 children.

In an overnight video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy thanked two units in Soledar he said were holding their positions and inflicting significant losses on the enemy. He did not give more details.

Putin ally suggests confiscating property of Russian war critics

08:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A close ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin on Friday suggested confiscating property and assets of Russians who discredit the countrys armed forces and oppose the war in Ukraine.

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the Russian Duma, said current measures, such as fines for those who speak out against what Moscow calls a special military operation in Ukraine, were not strict enough.

(SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Russia says military drills with Belarus designed to deter escalation

08:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Russian foreign ministry official said on Friday that a flurry of joint military drills between Russia and its close ally Belarus was designed to deter potential opponents from escalation and provocations.

Russia used Belarus as a springboard to invade Ukraine in February 2022, and the October deployment of a joint troop group to Belarus raised fears in Kyiv that Russia could be preparing to launch a new offensive from its northern neighbour this year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (EPA)

Russia says Belarus may enter Ukraine conflict if 'invaded'

08:03 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Russian foreign ministry official said on Friday that Belarus may enter the conflict in Ukraine if Kyiv decides to invade either country.

Russia used Belarus as a springboard to invade Ukraine in February 2022, and since October has deployed troops in Belarus for joint military drills.

Both countries have since agreed to intensify their military co-operation, raising fears Moscow could use its close ally to launch a new offensive on Ukraine from the north.

In an interview with state media, foreign ministry official Aleksey Polishchuk said that Russias joint drills with Belarus were designed to prevent escalation, but warned that Belarus may join the Ukraine conflict if it or Russia were invaded.

From a legal point of view, the use of military force by the Kyiv regime or the invasion of the territory of Belarus or Russia by the armed forces of Ukraine are sufficient grounds for a collective response, Polishchuk told the TASS news agency.

He added, however, that it was up to the leaders of the two countries whether they would make that decision.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that his country must be ready at its border with Belarus, but that he so far only saw powerful statements coming from his neighbour.

We understand that apart from powerful statements, we do not see anything powerful there, but nevertheless we must be ready both at the border and in the regions, he said.

Russia using prison convicts as labour to meet wars demands - MoD

07:05 , Arpan Rai

The British defence ministry has said that the Russian defence manufacturing sector is highly likely resorting to using convict labour in an effort to meet war-time production demands.

In November 2022, Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), Russias largest tank manufacturer, told local media that it would employ 250 prisoners after meeting with the Federal Penal Service (FSIN), the ministry said today.

The ministry noted that there is a long tradition of prison labour in Russia, but since 2017 forced labour as a specific criminal punishment was reintroduced.

With one of the highest rates of incarceration in the world, FSIN oversees a sprawling empire of over 400,000 inmates and has frequently been accused of extreme brutality and corruption, the MoD said in its latest intelligence update.

The prison population provides a unique human resource to Russian leaders to utilise in support of the special military operation while willing volunteers remain in short supply, according to the ministry.

It added that Russias convict labour will likely be particularly in demand from manufacturers of relatively low-tech weaponry such as UVZ, which are almost certainly under intense pressure from Moscow to increase their production.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 13 January 2023



Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/Jr7a7koW8O



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/s9NzHapWmK  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) January 13, 2023

Ukraine maintains hold over positions in Soledar: Were fighting back

07:01 , Arpan Rai

The situation is difficult but stable. Were holding back the enemy ... were fighting back, said a 24-year-old Ukrainian soldier positioned outside the key mining town.

Soledar  the focus of the Russian offensive as of now  has been dubbed the meat grinder as casualties have racked up in the strategic region less than 10km (6 miles) northeast of the city of Bakhmut.

Zelensky hails fundraising effort to rebuild Ukraine after war

07:01 , Andy Gregory

Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed a new direction in Ukraines state charity effort, United24, with which it hopes to reconstruct the country once Russias invasion is repelled.

This direction is the reconstruction of Ukraine. It is the generation of funds for the restoration, in particular, of housing for Ukrainians in the territories affected by Russian strikes and occupation, Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address.

As of this day, about half a billion hryvnias have already been raised through United24 from people from more than a hundred countries to restore housing. This is a tangible help to both local communities and the state.

In general, more than 10 billion hryvnias have already been raised due to the state fundraising platform. And I thank everyone who joined the United24 fundraising.

In pictures: Ukraines 95th Air Assault Brigade holds positions near Kreminna

06:39 , Arpan Rai

Members of Ukraines 95th Air Assault Brigade defend an area near the front line on Thursday (Getty Images)

Ukraines 95th Air Assault Brigade troops share a light moment in Kreminna. The city is located on the western edge of the Luhansk region, and has seen fierce fighting between Ukraine and the Russian forces who occupy it (Getty Images)

Kreminna was captured by Russian forces last summer after a violent siege and the city lies on a major highway 25km to the northwest of Severodonetsk (Getty Images)

A member of Ukraines 95th Air Assault Brigade sitting inside a makeshift barrage near the frontline of fighting outside Kreminna (Getty Images)

Putin ally suggests confiscating property of Russian war critics

06:08 , Arpan Rai

The speaker of the Russian Duma and a close ally of Vladimir Putin has suggested Moscow could confiscate property and assets of Russians who discredit the countrys armed forces and oppose the war in Ukraine.

Current measures such as fines for those who speak out against what Moscow calls a special military operation in Ukraine are not strict enough, speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said today.

Zelensky discusses Ukraines ascension to EU and Nato with Latvian Speaker

06:01 , Andy Gregory

Volodymyr Zelensky said he has discussed Ukraines ascension to the EU and Nato with Latvias Speaker during a visit by the latter to Kyiv.

Today, I talked about the prospects of the coming weeks and months with the Speaker of the Latvian Saeima, who was on a visit to Kyiv, the president said in his nightly address. We discussed not only defense, but also political prospects. In particular, European and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.

I heard confidence that the day will definitely come when the Ukrainian flag will be absolutely on par with all flags of the EU member states. Latvia will help us in this.

By the way, Latvia is one of those countries whose support for Ukraine in terms of percentage of GDP is one of the largest over the past year. I think that this trend may continue this year.

Russia says military drills with Belarus aimed at deterring escalation

05:55 , Arpan Rai

A flurry of joint military drills between Russian and Belarusian troops was designed to deter potential opponents from escalation and provocations, a Russian foreign ministry official said today.

With the help of its neighbour and ally in the war, Russia used Belarus as a springboard to invade Ukraine in February last year and the October deployment of a joint troop group to Belarus raised fears in Kyiv that Russia could be preparing to launch a new offensive from its northern neighbour this year.

The UKs Ministry of Defence has said recently that its intelligence indicates the drills are genuine, however, and not a cover for a fresh incursion into northern Ukraine.

What the rise of Wagner mercenaries says about Putins Ukraine war

05:29 , Arpan Rai

Three months on, Wagner-led Russian forces have at last made a breakthrough in the Donbas, taking over most of the salt-mining town of Soledar, north of Bakhmut, giving them a strategic leverage as well as a propaganda victory.

While fighting continues, the gains are the Kremlins only battlefield success since the summer.

The arrival of armour for Ukraine  especially tanks  and artillery will have a huge impact in the coming months, and play a significant part in deciding what happens to Vladimir Putins war in the heart of Europe. As well as to those, like Yevgeny Prigozhin, seeking to amass power amid the carnage.

Kim Sengupta has this analysis:

The success of the Wagner group says something about Putins war

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.

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)

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.

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.

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)

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.
Peter Lengkeek, the Hunkpati Oyate Tribal Chairman of the Crow Creek Sioux, told the 98th Session of the South Dakota Legislature on Thursday that without addressing the history of the Oceti Sakowin in state history, it's as if they're erasing a part of the state name.

Peter Lengkeek, the Crow Creek Tribal Chairman, prepares to address the 98th Session of the South Dakota Legislature on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

"It is our indigenous people who put the Dakota in South Dakota," Lengkeek said.

Lengkeek's comments referenced the current discourse surrounding efforts to revise current South Dakota social studies standards, after an initial 2021 Department of Education draft removed more than a dozen references to the Oceti Sakowin. The removal was done without the consent of the majority-educator workgroup who worked on the draft and led to outcry among education and Indigenous communities.

The latest version of the draft, currently making its way around the state for public comment, included Indigenous representation on the workgroup that developed it and more references of Oceti Sakowin history than the first.

However, several Indigenous leaders opposed the draft in November, including Lengkeek; Brian Wagner, an education consultant for the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe and education director for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe; and Kyrie Dunkley, vice president of the Indian Education Parent Committee in Sioux Falls. Wagner also said at the time that all nine tribes in South Dakota opposed the proposed social studies standards.

More:Time for 'truth and reconciliation' in South Dakota social studies standards, opponents say

"The future generations of South Dakota should not be robbed of this incredible story of resilience and rich history that has sustained our state and our territory," Lengkeek said Thursday, adding there are tribal members, educators, scholars and knowledge keepers who can help build social studies standards rather than relying on out-of-state sources who may be politically motivated.

During his 40-minute speech, Lengkeek also spoke to efforts South Dakota's Native American nations took during 2022 to address voter suppression, the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, the number of Native American children entering the foster care system and caring for the future of the Missouri River.

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His comments were juxtaposed with laws passed by the 2022 Legislature banning trans girls from participating in school sports and banning Critical Race Theory, an academic theory that race is a social construction, and a battle over redistricting in Lyman County.

More:MMIP and human trafficking coordinators hired by South Dakota Attorney General's office

"We saw efforts to prioritize issues that we as tribal nations couldn't quite grasp as in meaning or pressing in nature," he said.

Overall, Lengkeek encouraged lawmakers to work together with tribal leaders to make decisions for the next seven generations.

"With all my being. I believe that we can build a more prosperous and meaningful relationship for our intertwined future," he said.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Crow Creek Chairman urges to keep Oceti Sakowin history as part of South Dakota
"Kraken" COVID variant XBB.1.5 has achieved projected dominance in the U.S., comprising an estimated 43% of cases this week, according to an updated forecast from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention released Friday.

BQ.1.1, also known as Cerberus, came in second, fueling an estimated 29% of cases. It was dominant last week. BQ.1, Cerberus parent variant, came in third, at an estimated 16%. All other variants were projected to comprise 3.9% or less of cases.

As Kraken continued on its warpath this week, U.S. COVID deaths rose 44%, with the seven-day average ascending upward from 2,705 last week to 3,907 this week.

Its unclear how much of a role Kraken is playing in the rise. Hospitalizations in the Northeast, where the variant has been dominant, were recently elevated, and New York hospitalizations were at their highest point in nearly a year. But theyre now on the decline. Experts told Fortune that other factors, like holiday gatherings, could be at play.

Still, the worry has been that hospitalizations could rise in other areas of the country, as Kraken begins flooding westward, as U.S. variants tend to do.

The rise in hospitalizations being seen in the Northeast may eventually be seen throughout the U.S., if the XBB.1.5 subvariant is helping fuel this rise and this subvariant continues to spread throughout the rest of the country, Dr. Bruce Y. Lee, professor of health policy and management at the City University of New York School of Public Health, recently told Fortune.

Dr. Michael Merson, visiting professor at New York Universitys School of Global Public Health, told Fortune that Kraken's dominance is unsurprising, and that the country's increase in deaths "can be attributed, at least in part, to Kraken."

Deaths are a lagging indicator of COVID activity due to delays in reporting and are usually reflective of what was going on in the prior two weeks, Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious-disease specialist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told Fortune.

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Thus, the rise in deaths could simply be the result of a rise in cases, irrespective of variants.

Most of the deaths that are occurring in the United States are in high risk people who are not boosted and not receiving Paxlovid, he said. This applies to any variantnot just the latest one making headlines.

European CDC releases new Kraken risk assessment

A combination of two Omicron BA.2 strains, XBB.1.5 was projected to fuel 28% of U.S. COVID cases last week, according to the CDC. A Jan. 5 memo from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) had predicted U.S. dominance in short order. But the variant won't achieve European dominance this month, if at all, due to low levels of circulation, the ECDC said, adding that it may achieve dominance there in a month or two.

Kraken poses a low risk to the general population, and a moderate to high risk to vulnerable individuals like the elderly, immunocompromised, and unvaccinated, the ECDC said in a risk assessment of the new variant, released Friday.

There is currently no evidence that Kraken causes more severe disease than other Omicron variants, the agency said. A risk assessment released earlier this week by the World Health Organization came to the same conclusion, adding that the new variant also doesn't appear to be substantially more immune-evasive.

Kraken is estimated to double the number of people it sickens every nine days, and to have a 12% growth advantage in the U.S., according to the ECDC.

U.S. wastewater levels of COVID had been flirting with a No. 2 all-time high, potentially on track to surpass levels during this summer's BA.5 wave, which currently hold the title. Levels, however, were on a downward trend as of Wednesday, according to Biobot Analytics, a company that performs wastewater surveillance for the CDC.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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Laura Ingraham took irony to the extreme Thursday when she accused President Joe Biden of putting family business before governing, according to critics on social media. (Watch the video below.)

The Fox News host was presenting a segment about a special counsel being assigned to investigate Bidens stowing of classified documents at home and a former office when he was vice president. She accused the Department of Justice of craving an indictment of Trump for his hoarding of top-secret documents at Mar-a-Lago, but not being vigorous in its pursuit of justice with Biden. (Bidens team reported his relatively small number of documents, while Trump stonewalled government attempts to recover his trove before an FBI search.)

If only we had a president who cared more about what was good for the country and less about how to protect his familys corrupt business interests, Ingraham said of Biden.

Ingraham: If only we had a president who cared more about what was good for the country and less about how to protect his familys corrupt business interests. pic.twitter.com/0Ls5R77HPQ  Acyn (@Acyn) January 13, 2023

People on Twitter thought Ingraham was describing previous President Donald Trump to a T. Trumps family business was recently found guilty of fraud and other financial crimes in a 15-year scam that lined the pockets of executives to evade income taxes.

Trump wasnt personally charged, but is named, along with his three oldest children, in a $250 million lawsuit filed by the New York attorney general alleging that the Trumps and Trump Organization deliberately overvalued assets to lenders for better loan terms and lower insurance premiums.

That seemed to have slipped Ingrahams mind. But Twitter didnt forget.

 I know, the irony.  Paul Butterly (@PaulButterly) January 13, 2023

Gulp. Where was she from 2017-2020?            (@andreagail_k) January 13, 2023

Shes about 5 years late with that one  Al Gore Won Florida in 2000 (@gore_won) January 13, 2023

Im so confused; does she think Trump is still president? Duh!  Kyle Spencer (@KyleYSpencer) January 13, 2023

Wow. The gaslighting just dont quit with her. There is no equivalent to Javanka in Joes administration. No patents pending in foreign countries. No excessive fees charged to house the secret service in family owned properties. Grifting is the s family specialty.  Jean Junque Therapy  Vote Blue  (@bmorejean) January 13, 2023

When irony falls off a cliff, bursts into flames, and dies in a smoldering heap.  BruceGoldberg (@bgoldbergpdx) January 13, 2023

Absolutely disgustingly Shameless.. she's describing Trump to a T pic.twitter.com/sVwlhtezDQ  JEFE (@putter1975) January 13, 2023

Irony is dead.  Bang head here. (@stressed_bkwds) January 13, 2023

That's rich.  Anthony D. Jacobson (@andajari) January 13, 2023

Related...
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
Benton County's CEO is leaving for a job in Colorado.

Joe Kerby will return to the state of his birth in March, according to a Jefferson County, Colorado, news release, ending a more than five-year stint as a county administrator in the mid-Willamette Valley.

Mid-Valley Media was unable to reach Kerby for comment.

Kerby will oversee 3,287 employees and the outlay of a $758-million budget as manager of the government near central Colorado, covering part of the southwestern Denver metropolitan area. The county has a population of 583,000 people.

We are confident that he will lead Jefferson County from Day 1, and that makes him the ideal choice, Andy Kerr, chair of that elected board, said in the release.

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners announced in the Wednesday, Jan. 11 release that officials selected Kerby for his more than three decades managing local governments.

County documents show the Colorado job earned a $213,777 salary in 2021.

Kerby will take up post as the top employee March 20, according to the release. Its unclear how much Jefferson County will pay him.

He started November 2017 in Benton County. Last month officials described him as a dedicated public servant. He has overseen a grueling recovery from coronavirus pandemic turnover and the near-$180 million county justice system overhaul.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Corvallis Gazette-Times.

Mid-Valley Media discovered Kerby applied to administrator jobs at cities and counties in Florida as recently as 2022 looking to get closer, he said, to his hobbies of sailing and scuba diving and to his family.

If COVID taught me anything, its that family should be everything, Kerby said in a December interview.

Kerby earns about $220,000 at Benton County, according to applications filed in Florida. The county has a population of about 96,000.

He previously worked as an administrator in cities and counties in Kansas and Colorado, where he grew up and reportedly has family.

Jefferson County announced Dec. 20 that Kerby was the sole finalist in a field of more than 50 applicants.

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Bolstered by a surging oil and gas industry in the state, New Mexico lawmakers and the Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham aligned in recommending $9.4 billion in spending for the next fiscal year for the legislature to consider in the upcoming session starting next week.

Both the executive budget recommendation from Lujan Grisham and the budget proposed by the Legislative Finance Committee entailed a 12 percent spending increase from last year, as oil and gas revenue continued to grow providing largely for an about $3.6 billion funding surplus.

Priorities for the governor and committee included expansions of early childhood education, public schools and for healthcare.

More:New Mexico Democrats hope to pass 'green amendment' to protect rights against pollution

The governor also prioritized a $1 billion appropriation for tax rebates intended to provide economic relief to New Mexico households.

She also proposed about $277 million in childcare investments, along with $220 million to extend in-classroom learning time, according to the announcement of Lujan Grishams recommendation.

Another $200 million would go to establish a Rural Health Care Delivery Fund, should the governors proposal be approved by lawmakers, along with funds to provide rental assistance and mobile homelessness response teams within the Department of Health.

More:Wildfires burned New Mexico last spring, prompting bill to ban burns during season

The LFCs recommendations included $109 million to expand pre-kindergarten, along with $263 million in recurring and $261 million in nonrecurring to fund public schools, with its plan for public education totaling about $4.1 billion  a 6.8 percent bump from the current fiscal year.

The governor planned to maintain reserves of 34.9 percent of spending, while the LFCs had them at 30 percent.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham speaks with attendees at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, June 1, 2022 in Carlsbad.

This budget builds upon the immense progress and success of the last four years, continuing to improve the lives of the people of New Mexico by funding programs, policies and initiatives that we know are working, Lujan Grisham said in a statement following the release of her budget proposal.

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More:Energy storage pushed by New Mexico lawmakers via tax credits to boost renewable power

State Rep. Gail Armstrong (R-49) said in a statement following the committees recommendation that the proposal emphasized support for New Mexicos children.

Its cliche but funding todays children is funding New Mexicos future, she said. This year we have an opportunity to do more than ever to give our kids a strong start.

Caution urged as Permian Basin boom supports New Mexicos spending

But all that spending was tied to the states fossil fuel industry, driven by extraction in the southeast Permian Basin New Mexico shares with West Texas.

More:Feds say oil and gas land sale in New Mexico will not 'noticeably' impact pollution

Its the most active oilfield in the U.S., producing up to 5.5 million barrels per day (bpd)  about half of the nations output.

Due largely to Permian Basin production, New Mexico ranks second in the U.S. for crude oil output, following only Texas.

Throughout 2022, the market for domestic oil grew as the world recovered from the COVID-19 health crisis and nations sought to limit imports from Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

More:New Mexico 'ready' for federal air pollution restrictions, despite oil and gas opposition

That caused U.S. oil prices to soar, and production to boom in the Permian.

An LFC report last month showed New Mexico oil production increased to 1.7 million bpd as of December 2022, compared with 700,000 bpd in 2018.

New Mexico also ranked second only to North Dakota in oil production per capita, the LFC noted, surpassing Alaska, Colorado and Texas, meaning the state was the second-richest in the U.S. for per-person tax revenue from fossil fuel.

More:$3.8B Permian Basin midstream merger reported amid potential decline in oil production

State economists did warn about potentially volatility in the energy market, known for dramatic up and down swings, meaning fiscal discipline was important even during boom times.

New Mexico production, driven by activity in the Permian Basin, is expected to continue to grow, although revenues from oil production continue to be volatile, fueling a boom-and-bust budget cycle, read the LFC report.

George Munoz

LFC Vice Chair Sen. George Munoz (D-4) echoed those concerns but argued investments during the financial windfall could insulate New Mexico from future declines.

More:Oil and gas looks to 'clean up energy' in the Permian Basin amid pollution concerns

Oil and gas are always unpredictable, and a recession is still a threat, he said. However, with this level of income, we have the opportunity to set New Mexico up to never have to ride the oil and gas rollercoaster at the same time we maintain strong reserves.

Lawmakers to consider environmental initiatives, using oil money

The role of oil and gas in providing funds for the added spending should be remembered by lawmakers as they consider bills during the upcoming 60-day session, said Larry Behrens, spokesman for fossil fuel advocacy group Power the Future.

Behrens worried policy makers would introduce measures that could seek to transition New Mexico away from fossil fuels and tighten restrictions on the industry.

More:Federal methane restrictions needed, New Mexicans say, amid growing oil and gas drilling

He was critical of a $4.1 million appropriation in the governors recommendation to fund climate change initiatives at the New Mexico Environment Department, along with another $5.9 million earmarked to aid in the energy transition by providing dollars to fund energy projects alternative to fossil fuels.

The governor also recommended a $2 million special appropriation at NMED the agency requested to fund increases in staffing and administrative worked tied to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys expected action this year to deem the Permian Basin region in violation of federal air quality standards, a move tied to ozone pollution from extraction facilities in the area.

Governor Lujan Grisham has proudly said we need to transition away from fossil fuels, but she sure cant seem to transition away from spending the revenue, Behrens said. Before taxpayers foot the bill for more of the governors green pet projects, its past time for an examination on the Governors past initiatives to see if theyve delivered on her over-hyped promises.

More:New Mexico congressmembers call for federal work to plug abandoned oil and gas wells

Brittany Fallon, western lands policy manager at conservation group Western Resource Advocates commended the governor for seeking to provide $75 million for a Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund that provide funding to environmental restoration projects throughout the state.

New Mexico is home to one of the most diverse landscapes in the U.S., yet the state has no permanent source of conservation funding, Fallon said.

Thanks to dual leadership from the Governor and legislative champions, the fund is poised to infuse a meaningful amount of money into protecting and restoring the lands and waters that are vital to the cultural heritage and economic lives of New Mexicans.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Oil money windfall pushes New Mexico spending proposals to $9.4B
The scene of a shooting and what police said was an organized retail fraud outside the Ulta Beauty store at the Green Oak Village Place mall on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. Police said five suspects were in custody but that no one was injured.

GREEN OAK TWP.  Five women are in custody after a late Thursday night beauty store robbery that ended with police shooting at the suspects at the Green Oak Village Place mall.

Green Oak Township Police Chief Steven Kramer said the incident stemmed from what he described as an organized retail fraud at the Ulta Beauty store in the mall.

Officers "responded to a report of four suspects, later determined to be five, who entered Ulta and were filling a bag with merchandise," at about 8 p.m., the department said.

As officers arrived, one suspect fled on foot and was pursued by officers. Other suspects made it to two separate vehicles and were able to drive away.

One vehicle was stopped in the parking lot by officers, including Michigan State troopers.

While one trooper was attempting to arrest the woman who fled on foot, a vehicle involved drove directly at the trooper, according to Michigan State Police. The trooper fired his weapon at the vehicle and the car was struck, but no one was injured.

Then, the vehicle was stopped in the parking lot after colliding with the back of the Men's Wearhouse store in the mall.

Alexander May, an employee at Men's Wearhouse, said he was working when he heard gunshots outside. He hid in the back of the store, and then heard a loud crash outside of the store and police came in later to tell him that a vehicle had struck the store. On Friday morning, part of the back of the store was boarded up.

"It was scary," May said.

Sophia Jeffords, who works at the Claire's store across the parking lot from Ulta, said Friday that it's scary being so close to where shots were fired.

"I'm just watching the door and who comes in here and, like, what they may have in their hands because, you know, your safety is everything," she said.

A vehicle that fled a robbery scene was stopped after colliding with the back of the Men's Warehouse at the Green Oak Village Place Mall on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

Kramer said one of the vehicles believed to be connected to the suspects at the scene had a New Jersey license plate.

State Police First District Public Information Officer Lt. Rene Gonzalez said there has been a string of incidents across the country at Ulta Beauty stores, but police did not yet know if this incident was connected. Ulta stores sell cosmetics and other beauty products.

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According to the WDIV Channel 4 in Detroit, groups of women have been robbing Ulta Beauty stores across Metro Detroit. It's unclear if this incident was connected to the other robberies.

Ulta Beauty employees at the Green Oak store declined to comment Friday.

"Organized retail crime impacts manufacturers, consumers, employees and communities," Ulta Beauty Director of Public Relations Crystal Carroll said in a statement Friday. "As our assortment, store footprint and brand awareness have grown, Ulta Beauty has increasingly become a target for these criminals. The safety of our guests and associates is always our highest priority. Our policies and practices reflect the ever-evolving retail landscape and include a variety of best practices and trainings to mitigate threats.

"Our loss prevention team continues to partner with law enforcement and other retailers across the country to address this issue and bring criminals to justice."

The women are in the Livingston County Jail awaiting arraignment for multiple charges that police expect will include organized retail fraud and felonious assault.

The scene of a shooting the day after and what police said was an organized retail fraud outside the Ulta Beauty store at the Green Oak Village Place mall on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

Green Oak Township officers were assisted by Michigan State Police troopers and no one was injured in the incident, Kramer said.

The allegations of theft will be investigated by the Green Oak Township Police Department. The MSP 3rd District Special Investigation Section will investigate the shooting by the state trooper. The investigation is ongoing. The trooper involved in the shooting, whose name was not released, is on administrative leave pending the investigation.

The Green Oak Village Place mall is located in the 9600 block of Village Place Boulevard near Brighton, south of Interstate-96 and east of U.S. 23. It includes more than 40 stores and restaurants.

Five suspects are in custody after what police said was an organized retail fraud and a shooting at the Green Oak Village Place mall on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: 5 suspects in custody after 'organized retail fraud' at Brighton area mall
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appears on a large screen as he speaks via video conference during the 68th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Madrid, Spain, Monday, Nov. 21, 2022. AP Photo/Andrea Comas

Ukraine has become a "de facto" NATO member since Russia's invasion, its defence minister said.

Russia used the potential of NATO expanding to Ukraine as an pretense for its invasion.

But this appears to have backfired, instead bringing it closer to the Western military alliance.

Ukraine's defence minister said his country is now a de facto member of NATO, dealing another blow to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, who partly justified his invasion by saying he was trying to stop Ukraine getting closer to the military alliance.

Oleksii Reznikov told the BBC in an interview broadcast on Friday that NATO's support for Ukraine meant "Ukraine as a country, and the armed forces of Ukraine, became [a] member of NATO."

Ukraine formally applied to join NATO in September, and it could take years for it to become an actual member, even if the war ends and existing members agree to it joining. But NATO members have furnished Ukraine with billions of dollars in weaponry and aid, and have embraced the country since the war began.

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov. Volodymyr Tarasov/ Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Reznikov also said that his comments would not be controversial to NATO or Russia: "Why [would it be] controversial? It's true. It's a fact," he said.

Ukraine had been trying to join the military alliance for years before Russia's invasion in February, but had not been accepted to start the process.

Putin partly justified his invasion of Ukraine by saying that he was worried NATO was expanding towards Russia's borders, including into Ukraine.

Putin's invasion has, ironically, pushed Ukraine and NATO closer together, and also led to two other European countries  Sweden and Finland  taking further steps to join the alliance.

Reznikov also noted that Western nations are now giving Ukraine their most advanced weapons yet.

This includes tanks, which Ukraine has requested since the start of the year but that allies had avoided giving until recently, fearing Russian escalation in return.

Reznikov said he was sure that Ukraine would receive more "tanks, fighting aircrafts or jets, and long-range weaponry" because "things were changing" in Western countries.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WELLS, Maine  Authorities arrested an alleged violent fugitive in Wells on Thursday, who was wanted for allegedly committing a domestic assault with a knife on Christmas Day.

Michael Scott, 41, of Wells, was apprehended without incident at an address in Wells, according to the U.S. Marshals Services Maine Violent Offender Task Force. He is charged with elevated aggravated assault and aggravated domestic violence assault as a result of an incident that allegedly occurred in Biddeford on Dec. 25.

The Biddeford Police Department had been looking for Scott since a warrant had been issued for his arrest on Dec. 27. At one point during their investigation, authorities were able to determine that Scott likely was still in southern Maine.

Michael Scott, 41, of Wells, was apprehended without incident at an address in Wells, according to the U.S. Marshals Services Maine Violent Offender Task Force.

On Friday, Scott made his first appearance at Biddeford District Court. Appearing on Zoom, the online videoconferencing platform, Scott could be seen at York County Jail, appearing in an orange clothes, swaying back and forth in his seat and occasionally bowing his head.

Justice Matthew Tice read the felony charges against Scott. The one for elevated aggravated assault is a Class A crime that could carry a sentence of up to 30 years in prison if Scott is convicted. The domestic-violence charge is a Class B matter that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction. Both charges also carry potential fines and probation.

Other holiday attacks:Wells, Maine, man charged in New Year's Eve machete attack faces federal charges

Scott is accused of engaging in a course of conduct that manifested in a depraved indifference to the value of human life and resulted in serious bodily injury for the victim, Tice noted. The incident involved a knife used against a family member or a household member, he added.

Tice described the two charges as serious and said the next step is for a grand jury to review them.

Scott has a previous conviction on a domestic-violence charge, Tice said, adding that he was the one who had sentenced Scott in the matter.

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Lawsuit: Who assaulted whom at Angelina's in Ogunquit?

Scott told Tice that he understood the charges against him. He asked for a court-appointed attorney, and was assigned one: David Mooney, of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

As the courts lawyer for the day, attorney James Gioia represented Scott during his appearance on Friday. Assistant District Attorney Mark Squires represented the state of Maine.

Gioia said he told Scott it would be in his best interest to reserve argument on bail, in order to allow his lawyer, Mooney an opportunity to put together a comprehensive one to present to the court.

Scott is being held at the York County Jail on $250,000 cash bail. Under conditions, he is not allowed to use or possess weapons, including firearms, and will be subject to random searches and testing. He cannot leave Maine and also is not to have contact with two particular individuals.

Scott is slated to appear in court next on April 26.

In addition to the U.S. Marshals task force, Homeland Security Investigations and the Biddeford and Wells police departments all worked together on the case.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Fugitive arrested in Wells, Maine on domestic violence assault charges
Emma Adams, 20, charged with murdering student whose smouldering remains found in backyward firepit (BCJ)

A Missouri woman was charged with murder after she told police she had stabbed a university student to death and smouldering human remains were found in a fire pit.

Emma Adams, 20, was arrested after police carried out a welfare check for the University of Missouri student, who had high-functioning autism.

Authorities say that when officers arrived at the suspects home in Columbia, where the student had taken an Uber, they smelled burning flesh.

Investigators found the remains in a backyard fire pit, along with a bloody knife. Police also say they discovered a phone matching a description of the victims was in a water-filled sink. Officers say that blood was also found in a car, inside the home and in the backyard.

The victims body was burned beyond recognition and police have not publicly identified him, but officials say they have a good idea of the identity.

The suspect, who is not a student at the university, has been charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, tampering with physical evidence and abandonment of a corpse.

Ms Adams denied knowing the missing student when asked by police, according to a probable cause statement. When the officers asked to search the backyard she consented and the remains were visible to the officers in the fire pit.

The human body was smouldering, and an odour of what (was) described to be burning flesh was present, according to the probable cause statement.

When the suspect was asked who was in the fire pit she told officers something to the effect of, he was beating me, the statement added. It also stated that she told officers that she had stabbed the victim in self-defence.

The suspect is being held in Boone County Jail on a $1m cash bond.
In a quick 45-ish minutes and the clack of a gavel, the Lebanon City Council ended its first meeting with its newly elected conservative slate Wednesday night, Jan. 11.

It was an easy one. A good one to get our feet wet, said Lebanon Mayor Kenneth Jackola.

Jackola said hes been meeting weekly with Nancy Brewer, city manager, to hear about city issues.

Lebanons new mayor ran on a platform of reducing city debt, making city business more transparent to constituents and serving as a check on growth rate, recently one of the fastest in the nation.

Jackola said there were no surprises peeking under the hood of the government over which he presides.

He acknowledged that not every decision over the next two years will make everyone happy.

Its hard trying to find the right solution to everything, Jackola said.

Jackola won the Nov. 8 general election for the mayors chair by more than 32 percentage points, taking 4,463 votes or about 66% of returned ballots.

He ran under the auspices of a local political action committee that positioned Jackola along with ticket-mates Carl Mann and Dave Workman as conservative choices for nonpartisan council seats.

Gamael Nassar, appointed in April 2021 to fill the Ward 2 seat vacated by Karin Stauder, also filed to run for mayor and effectively ended his tenure on the council.

Five-time incumbent Paul Aziz did not file to run for a sixth mayoral term.

Its unclear whether Lebanon, which has shifted politically to the right over 15 years, voted based on the conservative branding of Committee to Identify and Support Candidates or Jackolas family name recognition.

Jackola said he believes the conservative contingent is ready to set policy and make decisions coming before the elected body that decides how the city thrives or dies.

They understand the issues the city has, and theyre willing to tackle them, Jackola said.

The conservative PAC also ran a write-in candidate for a Ward 3 council seat against incumbent Michelle Steinhebel.

Steinhebel won that race by more than 51 points.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to the Lebanon Express.

Jackola, Mann, Steinhebel and Workman raised their right hands as candidates-elect in a brief swearing-in ceremony Wednesday night.

They sat down as the citys new elected board.

At the councils December meeting, Aziz spoke to the city the new council will inherit.

He helmed Lebanon through nearly three years of the coronavirus pandemic, including office closures and virtual meetings and state requirements for businesses to enforce social distancing and masking.

Lebanon in 2017 hosted a conference of mayors from around Oregon. A mayor was married in town during the event.

I had visions for certain things, and staff are the people who made these happen, Aziz said.

Aziz also oversaw an era of city-backed economic development and expansion of local employment.

I have never met a bigger champion for a community, Brewer, city manager, said.

Aziz was awarded the gavel he used during his tenure, 2013 to 2022.

I know our city will be in good hands with the new council and mayor elect Ken Jackola, Aziz said.

Aziz presented plaques to two of the outgoing councilors, Wayne Rieskamp, who served intermittently on council or with the councils planning commission for close to two decades, and Nassar.

Rieskamp filed as a Ward 1 incumbent but withdrew from the council race in late 2022.

He reflected on city efforts with county and state to rehabilitate highways 34 and 20.

Had that not been accomplished, we would not be where we are today, Rieskamp said.

Jeremy Salvage, a Ward 3 councilor, nominated Steinhebel to continue in her role as council president. Ward 2 councilor KJ Ullfers seconded.

Steinhebels reappointment passed unanimously.

Turnout in Lebanon typically is low in presidential midterm elections, about 58% of eligible ballots returned in 2022 for the mayors race compared to about 75% in the 2020 general election. Lebanon turnout in the 2018 midterm and 2016 presidential election was similar.

Nassar said in an interview with Mid-Valley Media that he will continue to work in the community as he had for years before, on numerous nonprofit boards, committees and with the citys downtown association and chamber of commerce.

He appeared before city government and his former mayoral race rival, calling on the board during time set aside for comments from the audience to back efforts to increase tourism in Lebanon.

Nassar campaigned in part to represent children shut down by Aziz in the spring when they asked the former mayor for a proclamation declaring June Pride Month in Lebanon.

He said hed like to see more youth involvement in city government.

We could do a better job listening to our various youth groups, he said. From the itty-bitties to the highschoolers.

Related stories:
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins (R) political brand is facing a potential setback after a series of disappointing GOP losses in the commonwealth.

The latest blow came earlier this week, when Democrat Aaron Rouse flipped a GOP seat in Virginias Senate, bringing the Democratic majority to 22-18 in the chamber. Youngkin had thrown his endorsement behind Republican challenger Kevin Adams, who lost the states 7th Senate district, previously held by now-Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) by 348 votes.

That followed the partys underwhelming performance in the state during Novembers midterms.

Hes yet to be successful in transferring his popularity around the state, said veteran Virginia political analyst Bob Holsworth. These last results should focus the Republican mind and have them understand that the Youngkin victory was not necessarily a sign of what was going to come.

For Youngkin, considered a potential White House contender, the defeats threaten to put a damper on his prospects and raise questions about whether his conservative positions on issues like abortion will ultimately hurt the party heading into 2024.

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Youngkins win over former Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) in 2021 sparked Republican optimism up and down the ticket going into 2022 in Virginia and across the country. Youngkin, a first-time politician, was also branded as a rising star within the GOP.

In last years midterms, Republicans took aim at incumbent Virginia Democratic Reps. Abigail Spanberger, Jennifer Wexton and Elaine Luria. Youngkin played a public role on the midterm campaign trail in Virginia, stumping with GOP candidates in hopes of bolstering them on the ballot.

But Republicans were only able to oust Luria, even though she outperformed McAuliffes 2021 performance in the district. The 2nd Congressional District, which encompasses the 7th state Senate district won by Rouse, was redrawn in a way that favored Republicans.

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Its a wakeup call to suggest that the Youngkin election has not been followed by this period of Republican success, Holsworth said.

On top of the political setbacks, Youngkin will also have to contend with a Democratic Senate, which will likely block a number of his key policy proposals, including a 15 week ban on abortion in the state.

They were going to have trouble in the legislative no matter what. I think this now really complicates Youngkin having many sort of victories that will appeal to a Republican base, Holsworth said. The abortion ban is dead. That will go nowhere.

Youngkins allies argue that Rouses win doesnt have that big of an impact on the governor.

Virginia is not Florida; its not another red state, said one Virginia GOP strategist. The governor was always going to have to get one Democrat vote, now hes going to have to get two.

His brand has always been bringing people together to get things done, the strategist continued. Now youre going to see him show off, really, what helped him win in 2021.

The governor echoed this sentiment in his State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday and pushed for a number of initiatives, including lowering taxes, combatting learning loss as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and proposing a 15 week ban on abortion.

For the commonwealth, accelerating means getting more done and doing it faster, and Virginians dont have time for political posturing or foot-dragging, the governor said.

Youngkin continues to enjoy a decent approval rating in Virginia. A Roanoke College poll released last month showed the governor with a 52 percent approval rating  though it also showed his disapproval rating at 41 percent, a notable increase from his 35 percent disapproval rating in the same poll from August.

Youngkins going to have a lot of money. Hes a very successful fundraiser, Holsworth said. Hes going to try to use those resources to flip a few seats in the Senate while keeping the House.

However, the loss could signal a tough road ahead of November for Republicans in the purple state.

Tuesday nights result shows that Virginias state legislative elections will be incredibly challenging in 2023, but Virginia Republicans are no strangers to defying the odds and winning tough fights, said Mason Di Palma, deputy communications director at the Republican State Leadership Committee. Were confident that the voters will reward Virginia Republicans as they continue to deliver on their campaign promises to cut taxes, strengthen their education system, and protect their communities.

And despite what is likely to be a halt on his abortion ban, anti-abortion groups remain staunchly behind Youngkin and Republicans, despite Rouse making abortion rights a central issue in his campaign.

If the Democrats make a choice to block those bills or not allow a vote on those bills, were going to make clear that they were the ones who stopped a protection for a baby that can feel pain from advancing, said Stephen Billy, vice president of state affairs at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

Republicans didnt lose on this issue Tuesday, and they didnt lose on this issue in the midterms, Billy said. Gov. Youngkin should take away the fact that pro-life governors who sign strong laws got reelected.

But Democrats have telegraphed that they plan to hit Republicans on abortion going into November. The White House even congratulated Rouse on his victory this week, citing his stance on abortion access.

He made his campaign clear about the choice Americans across the country have between extreme MAGA Republican policies that will take away womens ability to make their own health care decisions and Democrats focused on expanding access to reproductive care and lowering costs for American families, said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Its not just in Virginia. This was of course a critical issue in the midterm elections.

Ultimately, Virginias General Assembly elections in November could prove to be a significant test for Youngkins political brand.

This is so important to his future that he has to be out there, Holsworth said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Though some local experts say Iowa is likely past the worst of it, Des Moines metro hospitals are still anticipating another rise in seasonal illnesses in the coming weeks.

Beginning in November, hospitals in Iowa and across the country were in the throes of what some described as the worst winter for respiratory viruses in recent memory.

Local health care providers were struggling with extraordinarily high infection rates of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) along with the ongoing burden of other seasonal viruses, including COVID-19 and influenza.

This collision of multiple viruses at once  dubbed the "tripledemic"  overcrowded clinics and emergency rooms, creating long wait times and pushed hospitals to the brink.

Case counts in the metro eased in the weeks heading into the end-of-year holidays. However, influenza infections are continuing to rise, and a new highly contagious coronavirus variant is poised to cause a surge in new infections in the coming weeks. With Iowans returning from indoor holiday celebrations and returning to school or work, local health care providers say they expect another increase in viral activity.

"We could be pleasantly surprised, but I don't think so. I think we will see a bump in illnesses," said Dr. Patricia Newland, a family medicine provider and the CEO of UnityPoint Clinic.

More:XBB.1.5, the latest COVID-19 variant, will probably infect everyone. What you should know.

Even as providers prepare for this new viral wave, preliminary data on the latest coronavirus variant, XBB.1.5., offers a silver lining. Dr. Aneesa Afroze, an infectious disease specialist at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, said this surge in new illnesses may not necessarily lead to overwhelming patient volumes in local hospitals and clinics.

"Transmission and cases in the community might be up, but in terms of hospitalizations at least, health care facilities won't face those surges we had in the past," she said. "If we can control influenza a little bit more, I think we are good."

Story continues

RSV has declined, but other viruses expected to progress

Rates of RSV, which causes serious illness in young children and elderly adults, have dropped significantly since November.

At its peak, nearly 20,000 new cases were diagnosed nationwide in one week in November, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of Dec. 31, federal health officials reported nearly 1,700 new infections.

For now, the "tripledemic" has eased in metro Des Moines, but health care providers expect another bump in illnesses.

In Iowa, nearly 250 new cases of RSV were reported the week ending Dec. 31, public health data shows. That compares with the nearly 1,400 cases reported statewide in the week ending Nov. 26.

Influenza activity in Iowa is high, with hundreds testing positive for the virus as of the last week in December, the most recent data available from state public health officials. To date, 56 Iowans have died and 290 individuals have been hospitalized as a result of the flu.

The latest version of the coronavirus, which has already swept through other parts of the U.S., is also expected to hit Iowa in earnest in the coming weeks.

"We've all been through some of this before, but COVID has thrown a different curveball," Newland said. "To this point, COVID has not been seasonal like many of our other viruses, so it just does add another layer of complexity and illness burden that can make all of our clinics and urgent cares and hospitals and long-term care facilities much busier."

Experts say the omicron offshoot XBB.1.5. is five times more contagious than its earlier omicron version, which was already five times more infectious than the original strain of the virus. Most Americans should expect to be infected, even those who have so far avoided COVID-19, according to public health experts.

This latest version of the coronavirus doesn't appear to cause more severe illnesses. However, at-risk populations, such as individuals who are immunocompromised, continue to face elevated risk.

"If people are at higher risk for illnesses, they may need to make different decisions about what they do and don't do during this time," Newland said.

Local hospitals aren't implementing any additional steps at this time, but Newland said officials will continue to monitor cases to determine whether any strategies need to be employed to prevent clinics and inpatient settings from being overwhelmed.

Last month, UnityPoint Health implemented new scheduling processes for its urgent care clinics to control the flow of patients. Appointments are still recommended at UnityPoint Health clinics to help patients avoid long wait times, Newland said.

MercyOne converted two urgent care clinics in Ankeny and Des Moines to virtual-only visits last month, a measure that remains in effect.

How to stay healthy

Vaccines against influenza and COVID-19 continue to be the best way to prevent severe illnesses and hospitalization, Afroze said.

"We still keep pushing for vaccinations and we have been pushing since the COVID vaccine came out, but the overall rate of bivalent boosters and influenza shots have remained low," she said.

COVID-19 booster shots at the Spurgeon Manor retirement community in Dallas Center, Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.

The bivalent coronavirus booster dose is designed to offer protection against omicron strains of the virus, as well as the original strain of the virus. However, most recent data from the state public health department shows fewer than 1 in 6 Iowans has received that shot, prompting state and local public health officials to renew their emphasis on those vaccines.

As of last week, only 34% of the state population had received a flu vaccine.

Afroze said Iowans should also check themselves with an at-home COVID-19 test early and often if they ever begin experiencing symptoms of a respiratory infection. Individuals should also stay home while they are feeling sick, and should keep children from school or day care if they are infected.

Providers also continue to tout the same public health measures experts have recommended since the beginning of the pandemic, which include frequent hand washing and wearing a mask in crowded, indoor spaces.

Michaela Ramm covers health care for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at mramm@registermedia.com, at (319) 339-7354 or on Twitter at @Michaela_Ramm.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa hospitals expect rise in illnesses, but not in hospitalizations
Efe Ajagba still has some work to do.

The 6-foot-6 heavyweight contender suffered his first professional defeat at the hands of Frank Sanchez in October 2021, when the Cuban won a wide decision to put a sudden halt to Ajagbas momentum.

Ajagba (16-1, 13 KOs) had surgery to repair both of his damaged elbows shortly afterward and then bounced back by stopping unheralded Jozsef Darmos in two rounds this past August, his most recent fight.(

Now comes what appears to be a stiffer test, a scheduled 10-rounder against unbeaten Stephan Shaw on Saturday in Verona, New York (ESPN, ESPN+).

Ajagba was scheduled to fight the more notable Oscar Rivas but Rivas pulled out with an eye injury two weeks ago, after which Shaw (18-0, 13 KOs) jumped at the opportunity to face the powerful Nigerian.

One of Ajagbas goals: fight more often. He fought twice in 2021 and once last year.

Since I came back from my surgery, Ive tried to do everything to fight more, Ajagba said at a news conference Thursday. Thats why I only had one fight last year. Ive been trying to get more fights.

Ajagbas had been preparing for a shorter opponent in Rivas, who is 6 feet,  inch. And the Canada-based Colombian has faced elite opposition, which cant be said for Shaw.

Shaw, 6-4. will be fighting in only his second scheduled 10-rounder on Saturday.

Ajagba said hell be the same fighter weve come to know since he first became a hot prospect a few years ago, pushing the action and seeking to hurt his opponent.

Ive made adjustments for Saturday night, he said. Well see how it goes. Im ready for him.

He went on: Im ready to put on a show. Im going to put more pressure. I cant wait. Im so excited to be here.

Related

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Story originally appeared on Boxing Junkie
A customer talks to sales assistants in an Apple store as Apple Inc's new iPhone 14 models go on sale in Beijing

By Francesco Guarascio

HANOI (Reuters) - Chinese display maker BOE Technology Group Co Ltd, a supplier of both Apple Inc and Samsung Electronics Co Ltd, plans to invest a substantial sum to build two factories in Vietnam, two people familiar with the matter said.

The investment may total up to $400 million, one of them said.

The plan underscores efforts by technology firms led by U.S. iPhone maker Apple and Taiwanese device assembler Foxconn to lower supply chain exposure to China amid trade and geopolitical tension between Beijing and Washington and production disruption caused by China's COVID-19 containment measures.

BOE is in talks to rent dozens of hectares of land in north Vietnam to add to its relatively small plant in the south that supplies mostly television screens to South Korea's Samsung and LG Electronics Inc, the people said, declining to be identified as negotiations were confidential.

BOE declined to comment.

Northern Vietnam has in recent years attracted significant investment from electronics giants, becoming a major hub for the production of smartphones, computers and cameras, including flagship goods from Apple and Samsung.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd (Foxconn) and China's Luxshare Precision Industry also make or plan to assemble a number of Apple products in the area such as laptop and tablet computers.

BOE plans to rent up to 100 hectares and use 20% for a plant making remote control systems at a cost of $150 million, one of the people said.

The rest would be for displays, with BOE spending $250 million to build a plant on 50 hectares while suppliers would use the remaining 30 hectares, all by 2025, the person said.

BOE plans to make the more sophisticated organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) screens at the site rather than liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), the person said.

Apple, which included BOE in its 2021 list of manufacturing partners, uses OLED screens for its latest iPhone smartphones.

Story continues

China's biggest display maker by output is set to become the largest supplier of displays for new iPhones by 2024, analyst Kuo Ming-chi at TF International Securities forecast last week.

The U.S. tech giant, however, plans to start making mobile screens in-house by next year, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

Apple declined to comment.

BOE's Vietnam plan is not specifically aimed at supplying Apple, the person said.

Customer Samsung, the world's largest smartphone maker, produces half of its handsets in Vietnam while LG has a large operation in the country and is planning new investment.

(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio; Additional reporting by Josh Horwitz and Phuong Nguyen; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Jan. 12One of Albuquerque's largest and oldest funeral homes, French Funerals & Cremations, has been sold, the company announced Thursday. Longtime owners Robert Stewart and Chester "Chet" French Stewart retired at the end of December, passing the business onto company executives and longtime employees Tom Antram and Alice Brousseau.

Founded in 1907 by Chet Stewart's grandfather, Chester French, Chet Stewart served as the CEO for 41 years. Antram, born and raised in New Mexico, became president and CEO in 2010.

Brousseau, now an owner, is the vice president and CFO at French Funerals & Cremations.

In a statement, Chet Stewart said that keeping the company locally owned was always the goal.

Antram started working at the company in 1993, after answering an ad in UNM newspaper the Daily Lobo. Although he was studying journalism, hoping to become a sportscaster, free housing above the funeral home  Antram had to answer the phones in exchange  was appealing.

"I've literally done just about every job in the company  short of digging graves at the cemetery," Antram said.

When Chet Stewart approached him and asked if he had considered funeral services as a career, Antram decided to change career paths, completing an internship at French Funerals and attending mortuary school in Dallas.

"Once I discovered how things were done in the funeral business ... I knew that this was my calling," Antram said.
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 siblings have returned to the University of Idaho following the arrest of Bryan Kohberger

The grieving mother went on to fondly remember her sons unwavering foundation

He 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. He touched lives we had no idea existed. Ethan was incredible, she said.

Story continues

An affidavit, released on 5 January, states that investigators believe that Mr Kohberger stalked the victims home at least 12 times prior to the massacre.

Cellphone records show that his phone pinged in the area of the King Road home on at least 12 occasions prior to the time of the murders. The exact dates of these instances were not revealed in the documents but all but 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.

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.

The record shows he was stopped for failing to wear his seatbelt  just a short drive from the home on King Road where the victims were murdered.

Investigators believe that Mr Kohberger turned his cell phone off at the time of the murders 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 the suspect returned to the scene of the crime just hours after allegedly murdering the four victims at around 4am.

Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, took this photo together hours before they died (Instagram/Kaylee Goncalves)

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.

At the time of the murders, two roommates were also in the student home but were left unharmed.

The grim scene went undiscovered for around eight hours after the murders  which police believe occurred between 4am and 4.25am.

It was around midday when a 911 call was finally made to report an unconscious person inside the home. Police officers arrived to find the bloody scene.

The affidavit has now revealed for the first time that one of the surviving roommates came face to face with the masked killer as he left the home after killing her four friends.

In her terrifying account to investigators, the roommate, identified as D.M. in the documents, 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.

Mr Kohberger is accused of the murders

She then had a lucky escape as she opened her door to see what was happening to see a figure clad in black clothing and a mask that covered the persons mouth and nose walking towards her.

The man, who had bushy eyebrows and was around 510 tall walked right past her and headed toward the back sliding glass door of the home, while she stood in a frozen shock phase.

Mr Kohberger, who faces life in prison or the death penalty if convicted, is next scheduled to appear for a status hearing on Thursday morning.
BOGOTA (Reuters) - At least 11 fighters have been killed during clashes in northeast Colombia between dissident former members of the now-demobilized FARC guerrilla movement and National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels, the army said on Thursday.

President Gustavo Petro has pledged to end the country's nearly six-decade conflict between the government, rebels and crime gangs founded by former paramilitaries, which has killed at least 450,000 people.

His government is holding peace talks with the ELN and has declared a bilateral ceasefire with dissidents, who reject a 2016 peace deal signed by the FARC.

The fighting over territorial control in Puerto Rondon municipality in Arauca province, near the border with Venezuela, began on Tuesday, the national army said.

Soldiers were in the area to restore order and allow residents to return to normal activities, it added in a statement.

Confrontations between armed groups competing for territory are not uncommon in Arauca, where past incidents left hundreds dead or displaced, or in neighboring Venezuela, where the groups also operate.

Some 352 people were murdered in Arauca in 2022, according to the human rights ombudsman's office, many as a consequence of combat between the ELN and dissidents.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Mount Union logo

ALLIANCE  University of Mount Union is hosting a new exhibit, entitled All That & More, at the Sally Otto Gallery.

The exhibit features work by Eranah Adorjan and Michelle Droll.

Adorjan is a working visual artist and designer from Cleveland who earned her bachelors degree from Cleveland Institute of Art and a master of fine arts from Kent State University. Adorjan works with several mediums and her work spans from small collages to room installations to wearable and digital art.

Droll, born and raised in upstate New York, now lives in Akron. She received a bachelor of science from Utica College in New York; a bachelor of fine arts from Cleveland Institute of Art and a master of fine arts from Kent State University. Droll has exhibited her work in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania.

The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will run through Feb. 23. An artists reception will be held in the same location from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 26. For more information, contact Mike Schmidt at schmidmi@mountunion.edu.

Other Mount Union arts events in January

Jan. 13  Music education major Lance Tomasko will present his senior recital at 7:30 p.m. in Presser Recital Hall.

Jan. 29  A guest artist performance by Timothy Ledger, on piano, will be held at 3 p.m. in Presser Recital Hall.

These events are free and open to the public. More information can be found at www.mountunion.edu/events or by calling the Visual and Performing Arts Office at 330-823-2180.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Mount Union features work of regional artists
Hong Kong: Supply of paracetamol drugs stable

The Government today said the supply of medicines containing paracetamol in Hong Kong remains stable and urged the public not to stockpile relevant medicines.

In addition to monitoring the local supply of medicines containing paracetamol, the Government noted that it has been closely communicating with suppliers, local manufacturers and community pharmacy associations.

In view of the surge in demand for such medicines in late December 2022, the Department of Health met pharmaceutical and pharmacy associations early this month to discuss measures to maintain the steady supply of the medicines in the retail sector.

Pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors have been monitoring the stock situation and will continue to step up the manufacturing or importation of medicines containing paracetamol to meet the demand.

The Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy (HKGCP) will also urge its members to only supply a reasonable quantity of medicines with paracetamol to customers in accordance with their medical need.

The Government explained that paracetamol is used for the symptomatic relief of pain and fever and an overdose of paracetamol may cause serious liver injury. A normal adult should not consume more than 4,000mg of paracetamol within 24 hours, while children and people with certain medical conditions should reduce the dosage.

As such, unless otherwise advised by a doctor, the supply of paracetamol products at the retail level to customers for pain and fever relief not exceeding 60 tablets or 300ml of liquid preparations for each user is considered reasonable.

The Department of Health understands that medicine retailers, including HKGCP members and major chain stores, will take into consideration this reasonable quantity when supplying the medicine.

Currently, there are a total of 756 pharmaceutical products containing paracetamol registered in Hong Kong. Among them, 684 products are over-the-counter medicines which could be purchased without a doctor's prescription.

The Government has stepped up public education on the use of paracetamol and uploaded a list of such products on the Drug Office's website to assist the public to differentiate these registered products.

It also stressed that the public healthcare system has a sufficient stock of medicines containing paracetamol. Citizens are advised to avoid stockpiling any medicines, including those with paracetamol, and panic buying certain brands of medicine.

Separately, the Government said that the two types of registered COVID-19 oral drugs can only be supplied to healthcare institutions and doctors in public and private sectors.

Patients can only be prescribed such drugs by registered medical practitioners when needed, while drug retail outlets cannot procure relevant oral drugs from suppliers nor sell them to the public.

It is an offence to illegally possess, sell or resell COVID-19 oral drugs, including supply without payment. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

This story has been published on: 2023-01-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and to increase recreational access to public land, the Bureau of Land Management is waiving recreation standard amenity and day-use fees for visitors on Monday, Jan. 16. The BLM invites the public to visit the unique, diverse natural landscapes and visitor facilities on BLM-managed lands to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This marks the first of the BLMs fee-free days of 2023. Fee-free days refer to the waiver of standard amenity fees and day-use fees, such as at visitor centers, picnic/day-use areas, and National Conservation Lands units where fees are charged. Expanded amenity fees and other fees, such as group day use, overnight camping, cabin rentals and individual special recreation permits, will remain in effect unless the authorized officer determines it is appropriate to waive them. For more information about the BLMs recreation fee program, visit www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-fees.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service will waive fees at day-use recreation sites in Oregon on Monday, Jan. 16, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Forest Service honors Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a fee-free day to encourage Americans to get outside and visit their public lands. The fee waiver includes many Forest Service picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads and visitor centers. Fees for camping, cabin rentals or other permits still apply. Fees will continue to be charged at recreation sites operated by concessionaires unless the individual manager chooses to participate. Visit www.fs.usda.gov/willamette, and follow the Forest Service on Twitter and Facebook @willamettenf for the latest updates.

MLK Commemoration Peace March, 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16, starts at CH2M Hill Alumni Center, 725 SW 26th St., Corvallis. An Oregon State University tradition, the Peace March provides an opportunity to join in solidarity with community members and reflect on Dr. Kings legacy of creating transformative change through nonviolence. Participants are led across the Corvallis campus on a one-mile route, concluding at the Memorial Union for speakers and community. This event is free and open to the public. Participants are invited to bring signs enforcing Kings messages of nonviolence.
FILE - A woman holds a European Union flag outside the Constitutional Tribunal, background, in Warsaw, Poland, on April 28, 2021. Polands legislators voted Friday Jan. 13, 2023 to approve a new law on judicial accountability that the government hopes will meet European Union expectations and help unfreeze billions of euros in pandemic recovery funds for the country. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Polands legislators voted Friday to approve a new law on judicial accountability that the government hopes will meet European Union expectations and help unfreeze billions of euros in pandemic recovery funds for the country.

Brussels suspended the aid for Poland, saying the government's policies of exerting control over the judiciary are in violation of democratic principles. The EU has called for essential changes to be made before Poland can be granted access to the money.

The right-wing coalition government says that the provisions of the new law have been agreed on with Brussels and should lead to the release of more than 35 billion euros ($37 billion) of EU grants and loans. Some previous changes made by Poland didn't go far enough for the EU.

But the justice minister, who introduced the measures to wield political control over the judiciary, opposes the changes, threatening the government's future, and President Andrzej Duda says he hasn't been consulted on the new law.

Adding weight to the matter is the fact that a general election is scheduled for the autumn, and surveys suggest that the governing coalition might lose control of the parliament. The government, therefore, is seeking success in obtaining the EU funds, which could boost its voter support.

The lower house of parliament voted 203-52 with 189 abstentions to approve the new legislation, a vote that reflects the divisions inside the ruling coalition and the opposition's skepticism.

The head of an opposition agrarian party, Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, was among those who abstained.

This bill doesn't restore the rule of law," Kosiniak-Kamysz said before the vote in parliament. "That will only be possible after we (opposition) win the elections. 

But if this bill is a chance for the unblocking of the European funds, it is really important, he said.

The leader of the Lewiatan confederation of business people, Henryka Bochniarz, noted that Poland urgently needs the EU funds for further development, but said that the new bill didn't really address the issues.

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We cannot agree to another pseudo-mending of Poland's court system being processed in the parliament, but which  in the opinion of law experts  offers no guarantees of judicial independence, does not mend the system, but is only to pretend that it meets the European Commission's expectations, Bochniarz said in a statement.

The new regulations move the divisive disciplinary procedures regarding judges from the Supreme Court to the main administrative court. They also broaden the possibility for the sides in a court trial of vetting judicial independence and authority. Duda, whose authority includes appointing judges, has said he won't accept any provisions that undermine judicial appointments.

It wasn't immediately clear if the EU would be satisfied with the changes, but a European Commission spokesman told Polish state news agency PAP that the law was an important step towards meeting EU criteria.

We will continue to follow closely the next steps of the ongoing adoption process and then review the final law adopted, Christian Wigand told PAP.

The new law now goes to the opposition-controlled Senate for assessment and then requires approval from Duda.
A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect more than 30 counties in Central and South Central Kentucky on Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service's local office, including in the Louisville area, and at least three EF1 tornadoes were reported in the state.

Heavy rain and loud thunder and lightning rolled through Jefferson County and the region, with a flood advisory was also in effect until 11:15 a.m.

Up to one inch of rain was expected in Jefferson County in total and up to two inches in localized parts of the state, the weather service said.

More headlines:What you need to know about the bill to cut Kentucky's income tax

A tornado warning was put in place south of Louisville until 9 a.m. as well, in portions of Nelson, Spencer, Anderson and Washington counties. That threat had moved east as of 9:30 a.m., but the weather service's local office confirmed later in the afternoon that three EF1 tornadoes had been confirmed throughout the day - in Mercer, Boyle and Henry counties - with surveys underway in Madison County as well.

Preliminary EF1, 100 mph tornado in West Harrodsburg in Mercer County Kentucky. Survey is still in progress. #KYwx  NWS Louisville (@NWSLouisville) January 12, 2023

What's the weekend forecast?

Thursday night: A chance of rain showers before 3 a.m. then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Cloudy with a low around 35. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: A 20% chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy with a high near 36. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Friday night: A chance of flurries before 3 a.m.. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy with a low around 27. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph with gusts as high as 24 mph.

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Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind 3 to 6 mph. Low around 28 on Saturday night.

Sunday: Mostly sunny with a high near 50.

For subscribers:This Louisville father manages some of music's biggest acts, including Bailey Zimmerman

Contact reporter Rae Johnson at RNJohnson@gannett.com. Follow them on Twitter at @RaeJ_33.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville weather: Severe thunderstorm watch, flood advisory in effect
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.

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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.
Photo Illustration by Elizabeth Brockway/The Daily Beast/Getty

Attorney General Merrick Garland probably did not need to appoint a special counsel to investigate the discovery of a small number of classified documents dating from President Bidens tenure as vice presidentbut his decision will ultimately frustrate Republican efforts to weaponize Congressional oversight hearings.

The Justice Departments special counsel regulations require the Attorney General to first determine that a criminal investigation of a person or matter is warranted before appointing a special counseland such a determination would seem unjustified, at least from publicly known facts.

Garland also reminded the American public today that he fully believes DOJ would be capable of investigating any matter with independence and integrity, but this is the second time in less than two months that Garland has appointed a special counsel.

The facts surrounding Garlands appointment of Jack Smith to investigate Trumps classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago and his ties to Jan. 6 seem so different from the discovery of a small number of classified documents at President Bidens former private office (and also at his Wilmington, Delaware residence) that the appointment of Robert Hur to investigate the Biden matter seems hard to justifyat least from the outside looking in, without the benefit of what Garland may have learned from the preliminary investigation that had been conducted by a Trump hold-over prosecutor.

But Garlands decision may have also been influenced by his time as a top DOJ official during the tenure of Attorney General Janet Reno, when a different law existed for appointing special counsels  known under the law then as Independent Counsels  that expired in 1999.

Recall that Reno ultimately appointed seven independent counsels to investigate various officials and cases during the Clinton administration, including the notorious one led by Ken Starr that fueled impeachment proceedings against President Clinton.

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Under the law in effect during Renos tenure, the Attorney General was tasked to do a preliminary investigation to determine whether appointment of an Independent Counsel was necessary. These investigations could be extensive. The preliminary investigation conducted into campaign finance laws Vice President Gore had potentially violated required an appointment of an Independent Counsel and took thousands of hours.

Could This Former Trump Appointee Become Bidens Ken Starr?

No such preliminary investigation is specified under the current DOJ regulations, but Garland had appointed a Trump hold-over United States Attorney  John Lausch  to conduct an initial investigation, and referenced Lauschs recommendation as the basis for his decision to appoint a special counsel to investigate the actions of a sitting President.

Ironically, the Clinton era law had been championed by President Clinton  and initially supported by Reno  because Clinton believed the law would be a foundation stone for the trust between the Government and our citizens. He dismissed notions that the law had been a tool of partisan attack and a waste of taxpayer funds  words Clinton no doubt rued later in his Presidency.

AG Reno ultimately withdrew her support for the law, testifying to Congress that the law had been destroyed by being plunged into the political process.

AG Garlands two back-to-back decisions to appoint special counsel must be viewed with the context of his formative experience at the Clinton-era DOJ under Reno, who was the only attorney general throughout Clintons presidency. Garland would have seen both the heady idealism underlying the old law, as well as how far off the rails it would go when wielded by partisan personalities like Ken Starr.

Then as now, Republican members of Congress sought to attack a Democratic administration calling the failure to prosecute such issues as Vice President Gores fundraising actions a cover-up and calling for Congressional investigations.

But the legion of Independent Counsels during the Clinton era also served as a bulwark against partisan abuse of Congressional oversight, because the investigations shielded the work of prosecutors from Congress.

Joe Biden and Donald Trumps Classified Doc Scandals Are Worlds Apart

Certainly, Garlands decision to appoint a special counsel to investigate the Biden document matter can be second-guessed by those of us who do not have knowledge of what the preliminary investigation showed. And many will rightfully criticize the parallel this sets up between Trumps actions and Bidens actions. But what cannot be debated is that by appointing a special counsel Garland has provided the best protection possible from partisan weaponized use of Congressional investigations that are promised by the new Republican led House of Representatives.

The newly formed Select Committee under the House Judiciary Committee will find its efforts to overseeread: interfere withactive criminal investigations thwarted by the existence of an active Special Counsel investigation given DOJs historic resistance to speaking about active investigations.

Grand jury work  typically a part of almost every criminal investigation  will provide further protection since it is governed by rules of secrecy that prevent the government from speaking about the matters before it.

In contrast, if Garland had simply exercised his authority and determined that no special counsel criminal investigation was warranted, then House Republican investigations would have had greater leverage, since they would have been seeking to investigate a closed matter.

Now those House members will be left only with such legitimate oversight questions, like whether there is proper classification of documents and just how up-to-date the National Security apparatus is at tracking the massive amounts of classified information it generates. Important questions for sure, but hardly as attractive to a Republican House more interested in accusations than governance.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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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.
Santokh Gill is the president and CEO of LifeCenter Northwest, the federally designated organ procurement organization serving Washington, Alaska, Montana and North Idaho. For more information about organ, eye and tissue donation and to register to be an organ donor, visit www.lcnw.org.
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program will again provide free, in-person tax preparation and filing service for residents in Benton and Linn counties during the upcoming tax season.

Individual appointments will be scheduled starting Tuesday, Jan. 17. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides in-person, IRS-certified tax preparation to anyone, free of charge, with a special focus on taxpayers over age 50 with low to moderate income.

Federal and Oregon personal tax returns for taxpayers in Benton and Linn counties will be prepared February through mid-April at locations in Albany, Corvallis and Philomath.

Appointments are required. Residents are encouraged to call for an appointment as soon as possible next week and leave a message for a call-back. For appointments in Corvallis and Philomath, call 541-602-5829; in Albany, call 541-497-7194.

Last year the nonprofit Tax-Aide program prepared more than 1,000 tax returns for those in need, despite the limitations caused by COVID-19. This year service will be back to normal, and organizers expect to assist many more people.
Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business.
The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below.
The Netherlands will be the guest of honour at the 28th Budapest International Book Festival held between September 28 and October 1 at the Millenaris Park, organisers said.

Katalin Gal, head of the association of Hungarian publishers and book sellers (MKKE), meanwhile said this years Book Week would be held between June 8 and 11 in Vorosmarty Square and on the embankment of the Danube on the citys Pest side.



Both events were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.



Click here for more about the Book Festival
Hungarians have good abilities to cope with crises, President Katalin Novak said at a reception held in honour of foreign ambassadors accredited to Hungary, late on Wednesday.

Novak said 2022 had been one of the most difficult years but the country could cope with the challenges on a basis of respect and pragmatism.



Referring to the challenges, the president said the coronavirus pandemic was hopefully over but added that its economic and social ramifications were still to be faced.



She mentioned the war in Ukraine, as well as an energy shortage hitting many European countries. She noted an increasing migratory pressure on Hungarys southern borders.



She also referred to uncertainty in society and uncompetitive salaries in certain sectors, as well as incessant fights with the European Unions institutions.



On the other hand, she said the Hungarian economy was strong and the political system was stable, while the government had a strategic philosophy.



Hungarians, she added, were proud of being Hungarians and Europeans at the same time, while they were ready to explore other countries.



Addressing the diplomats, Novak said cultures were different and decisions made in each were different, too, but Hungary respected all of them. In turn, the country expects other countries to respect its decisions.



Concerning the war in Ukraine, Novak called for pragmatism, but warned that Europes survival should also be considered.



NATO must stay out of the war and avoid getting involved in the conflict, she said, adding she wished 2023 brought peace.
In case the matter of Hungarys Erasmus funding is not resolved, Hungary will file a lawsuit at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) over the resolution suspending the programme, the head of the Prime Ministers Office said.

This years Erasmus grants have already been approved and are not impacted by any council resolution or commission opinion, Gergely Gulyas said, adding that the decision applies to the 2024 grants.



Hungary wants to find a calm solution to the matter, he said, adding there may be little room for one given that the government had consulted with the EC and fulfilled its requests.



Meanwhile, Gulyas said the number of academic publications by universities that have adopted the foundational model increased by 18% over a single year.



Higher education admissions increased by 9% in 2021 and a further 7.5% in 2022 compared with 2020 despite there not having been more secondary school graduates in 2022 than in 2020, he said.



There are currently around 40,000 international students studying at Hungarian universities and colleges, up by 65% since 2013, he said.



Hungarian higher education institutions received applications from 11,300 international students between 2020 and 2021 despite the coronavirus pandemic, most of which went to universities run by foundations, Gulyas said.



Hungarian universities have also moved up significantly in international rankings, he said, noting that there were 11 institutions ranked in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings this year, compared with nine two years ago and seven four years ago.



Also, government funding for higher education is now double what it had been in 2020 despite the difficult economic situation, Gulyas said.



Asked about the conditions of the Erasmus programme, Gulyas said the government would have been prepared to accept any EU request not to have politicians serving on the boards of trustees of universities, but no such request had been made.



The ECs only requirement regarding conflicts of interest was that government officials should not be involved in decisions on EU funds, he said.



The government is unable to recall anyone from university boards of trustees; rather, it can only draft conflict-of-interest rules that prohibit members of government and state secretaries from sitting on university boards, he added.



Gov to Cover Erasmus if EU Talks Fail



The government will cover students' 2024 Erasmus grants if it fails to reach an agreement with the EU on Erasmus funding for universities run by foundations, the head of the Prime Minister's Office said.

At a government press briefing, Gergely Gulyas called it unacceptable that universities run by foundations would become ineligible for funding as part of the EUs Erasmus programme, under which students from Hungary can study abroad.



He said there were numerous examples of universities in western Europe that had active politicians sitting on their boards of trustees.



He said the matter was also outrageous because when Hungary reached an agreement with the European Commission, the government had followed the executive bodys rules on conflicts of interest.



Hungary would have been open to adopting even stricter rules, but Brussels did not require it, he added.

Gulyas said the EC had not put forward clear requirements regarding higher education institutions.



He said Tibor Navracsics, the regional development minister, will consult with the EU on the matter.



The government hopes that this is just a misunderstanding and the matter can be resolved quickly, he added. If no agreement is reached, Hungary will cover the costs of next years Erasmus grants, Gulyas said.



Student Federation Urges Gov't-EU Deal to Ensure Continued Funding Under Erasmus Program



Higher education without the Erasmus programme is inconceivable, the federation of Hungarian student governments (HOOK) said on Wednesday, urging an early agreement between the Hungarian government and the European Union to ensure that Hungarian universities run by foundations should continue receiving EU funds under the programme in 2024.



A press report on Monday suggested that universities run by foundations would not receive fresh funding as part of the EUs Erasmus programme  under which students from Hungary can study abroad  and Horizon Europe research and innovation schemes.



In a statement, HOOK said Hungarys foundation-based higher education model allows room for criticism but added that students access to services such as exchange programmes cannot be subjected to disputes aimed at correcting defects of the system.



Ensuring access to such opportunities is an issue outside politics, HOOK said, insisting that all players that can do something in the interest of a settlement should work hard to find a solution for students as soon as possible.



HOOK has contacted the European Students Union and will also approach the European Commissions office in Budapest.
YORK  The York Chamber of Commerce held its annual York Ag Conference at the Holthus Convention Center on Thursday featuring keynote speakers, vendors showcasing their products and services, and pesticide training.

York Chamber Director Madonna Mogul said there were 43 vendors and well over 400 attendees before the lunch hour. Mogul said this year they adjusted the schedule, making it one day rather than two days in response to vendor and attendee feedback.

We wanted to get it down to one full day, a day that would leave an impact, said Mogul.

There was also a slight change of the event name. In previous years, the event was called the York Ag Expo; this year it is the York Ag Conference. Mogul said the change of name communicates to the public that they are focusing on the educational piece, which is then enhanced by the vendors.

The morning kicked off with farmers coffee and chat followed by revolving expert Kim Slezak from the Nebraska Forest Service. She presented issues on wind, soil erosion, odors from confinement operations and snow blowing. She gave management recommendations for tree plantings and other tips to address the issues.

The second speaker of the day was Marissa Mann from Verdesian Life Sciences who visited with area farmers about regenerative agriculture.

The Holthus Convention Center was packed after the noon hour, as Channel 1011 News meteorologist Brad Anderson came to discuss weather in Nebraska and answer questions about this years drier climate.

Its great to be here in York County, said Anderson. Being involved with Pure Nebraska, Ive been to York County many times, and its always been a great place. Its more than just a stop on the interstate and its more than just a water tower.

Anderson has provided daily forecasts and news for 1011 for over 27 years. Hes been involved with Pure Nebraska since 2012 when it first began and has reported daily forecasts and weather for that. The Iowa native said he never grew up on a farm, but his grandparents were farmers south of Storm Lake Iowa.

What inspired me to enjoy weather and meteorology was my grandparents, said Anderson. They were always talking about the weather and always wondering what the weather was going to be, so thats what got me involved at a young age. I just fell in love with it and Ive been doing exactly what Ive always wanted to do since I was 10 years old. 

Dry conditions have been a major concern for folks in the area within the last year, said Anderson. He answered questions such as will there ever be an end to the drought, how long will it last and are there other parts of the state dryer than others. What Nebraska is experiencing this year is a La Nina season, which is a weather pattern resulting from the cooling of ocean water off the coast of Peru. Anderson refers to it as a cold pool of air below average sea surface temperatures whereas El Nino is the opposite and has above average temperatures. The phenomena can give us different weather conditions and allows meteorologists to track and predict weather conditions.

Anderson said this La Nina season began in 2020. This is Nebraskas third winter with the pattern, which is unusual. La Nina normally lasts one or even two years, not three, Anderson said. He presented weather patterns dating back to the 1930s Dust Bowl. The most recent La Nina was between 2010 and 2012 when Nebraska experienced what meteorologists like to call a flash drought, meaning the drought comes abruptly. Before that, from 1998 to 2002 there was extreme drought across the state of Nebraska. 1988 and 1989 was another dry season, with shorter droughts before that.

Anderson stressed that not all droughts are caused by La Nina, these patterns are just signals for what is to come in the following years. Weather patterns can be unpredictable and flip dramatically in the coming months.

There is hope that the La Nina weather could end late this winter or this spring, and then maybe we will get back into that normal precipitation pattern during the summer and the fall, said Anderson. Weve had some relief especially in the north and northwest parts of Nebraska where theyve had a lot of snow, so there have been some improvements there. Next week is looking a little more active where all of us could see a chance for rain or snow.

Other revolving expert discussions were led by Dan Leininger with the Upper Big Blue Natural Resource District who spoke about the importance of soil health and water conservation, and Rural Networks Chad Moyer who visited with commodity brokers about the trends and factors that influence commodity trade.

Producers also had a couple of opportunities to take the certification recertification training for chemical and pesticide applications presented by the University of Nebraska Extension in partnership with the Pesticide Safety Education Program. The goal of the Pesticide Safety Education Program is to reduce the quantity and toxicity of pesticides used and promotes safer, more effective pesticide applications in order to: to protect human health, water, and the environment, and to reduce costs for communities, farms, ranches, and businesses. Producers were presented with educational materials and scientific information.

Jenny Rees from UNL Extension said the training was well attended with close to 105 attendees in the morning and 75 attendees in the afternoon.

Throughout the day, farmers, producers, and other attendees enjoyed agricultural discussion.

Mogul said, The chamber is thankful for our fantastic sponsors including Cornerstone Bank, Central Valley Ag, Rural Radio Network, York County Visitors Bureau, Nebraska Extension York County, Midwest Bank, the York News-Times, York County Corn Growers, and Kroeker and Kroeker Insurance and Real Estate. My team also crushed it working with our speakers and collaborating with our vendors. This would not have been possible without all of them.
DENVER  Earth's fever persisted last year, not quite spiking to a record high but still in the top five or six warmest on record, government agencies reported Thursday.

But expect record-shattering hot years soon, likely in the next couple years because of "relentless" climate change from the burning of coal, oil and gas, U.S. government scientists said.

Despite a La Nina, a cooling of the equatorial Pacific that slightly reduces global average temperatures, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration calculates 2022's global average temperature was 58.55 degrees (14.76 degrees Celsius), ranking sixth hottest on record. NOAA doesn't include the polar regions because of data concerns, but soon will.

If the Arctic  which is warming three to four times faster than the rest of the world  and Antarctic are factored in, NOAA said it would be fifth warmest. NASA, which has long factored the Arctic in its global calculations, said 2022 is essentially tied for fifth warmest with 2015. Four other scientific agencies or science groups around the world put the year as either fifth or sixth hottest.

NOAA and NASA records go back to 1880.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said global temperature is "pretty alarming  What we're seeing is our warming climate, it's warning all of us. Forest fires are intensifying. Hurricanes are getting stronger. Droughts are wreaking havoc. Sea levels are rising. Extreme weather patterns threaten our well-being across this planet."

Berkeley Earth, a nonprofit group of independent scientists, said it was the fifth warmest on record and noted that for 28 countries it was the hottest year on record, including China, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany and New Zealand.

Another group, whose satellite-based calculations tend to run cooler than other science teams, said it was the seventh hottest year.

Last year was slightly toastier than 2021, but overall the science teams say the big issue is that the last eight years, from 2015 on, have been a step above the higher temperatures the globe had been going through. All eight years are more than 1.8 degrees (1 degree Celsius) warmer than pre-industrial times, NOAA and NASA said. Last year was 2 degrees (1.1 degrees Celsius) warmer than the mid-19th century, NASA said.

"The last eight years have clearly been warmer than the years before," said NOAA analysis branch chief Russ Vose.

In a human body an extra 2 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a fever, but University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Renee McPherson, who wasn't part of any of the study teams, said the global warmth is actually worse than the equivalent of a planetary fever because fevers can be treated to go down quickly.

"You can't take a pill for it so the fixes aren't easy," McPherson said. "It's more what you consider a chronic illness like cancer."

Like a fever, "every tenth of a degree matters and things break down and that's what we're seeing," Climate Central Chief Meteorologist Bernadette Woods Placky.

The likelihood of the world shooting past the 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) warming threshold that the world adopted in 2015 is increasing with every year, said the World Meteorological Organization. The United Nations weather agency said the last 10 years average 1.14 degrees Celsius warmer than pre-industrial times. Vose said there's a 50-50 chance of hitting 1.5 degrees Celsius temporarily in the 2020s.

Vose and NASA Goddard Institute of Space Studies Director Gavin Schmidt both said there are hints of an acceleration of warming but the data isn't quite solid enough to be sure. But the overall trend of warming is rock solid, they said.

"Since the mid-1970s you've seen this relentless increase in temperature and that's totally robust to all the different methodologies," Schmidt said.

The La Nina, a natural process that alters weather worldwide, is in its third straight year. Schmidt calculated that last year the La Nina cooled the overall temperature by about a tenth of a degree (.06 degrees Celsius) and that last year was the hottest La Nina year on record.

"The La Nina years of today aren't the La Nina years of yesterday," said North Carolina state climatologist Kathie Dello. "Historically, we could rely on La Nina turning down the global thermostat. Now, heat-trapping gases are keeping the temperature cranked up, and handing us another top-10 warmest year on record."

With La Nina likely dissipating and a possible El Nino on the way  which adds to warming  Schmidt said this year will likely be warmer than 2022. And next year, he said, watch out if there's an El Nino.

"That would suggest that 2024 would be the record warmest year by quite a large amount," Schmidt said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Scientists say about 90% of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases goes into the upper 6,561 feet of the ocean (2000 meters), and figures released Wednesday show 2022 was another record year for ocean heat.

"There's a real good connection between the patterns of ocean warming, the stratification, and then the weather that we experience in our daily lives on land," including stronger hurricanes and rising seas, said study co-author John Abraham of the University of St. Thomas.

In the United States, global warming first grabbed headlines when Schmidt's predecessor, climate scientist James Hansen, testified about worsening warming in 1988. That year would go on to be the record warmest at the time.

Now, 1988 is the 28th hottest year on record.

The last year that the Earth was cooler than the 20th century average was 1976, according to NOAA.

But scientists say average temperatures aren't what really affects people. What hits and hurts people are how the warming makes extreme weather events, such as heat waves, floods, droughts and storms worse or more frequent or both, they said.

"These trends should concern everyone," said Cornell University climate scientist Natalie Mahowald, who wasn't part of the study teams.

WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said in 2022 those extremes "undermined health, food, energy and water security and infrastructure. Large areas of Pakistan were flooded, with major economic losses and human casualties. Record breaking heat waves have been observed in China, Europe, North and South America. The long-lasting drought in the Horn of Africa threatens a humanitarian catastrophe."
YORK  Mackenzie Blankenship, 29, of York, has been formally charged with first degree assault, assault by strangulation and first degree false imprisonment.

This week, in York County District Court, he pleaded not guilty to all three charges, as he appeared for arraignment before Judge James Stecker.

According to court documents, officers with the York Police Department were dispatched to a house in the 1600 Block of North Iowa Avenue, on the report of a possible assault in progress.

When officers arrived, they heard sounds coming from an apartment including a womans voice as she was pleading, let me go and stop. The officers affidavit filed with the court says her voice was hoarse and distressed. Due to the repeated pleas and the nature of the call, officers immediately entered the residence and found Blankenship on top of a woman with his hands around her neck. The officers indicate in their affidavit the woman was red in the face and appeared to be gasping for air.

The officers identified themselves and ordered Blankenship to show his hands. The affidavit says he raised his hands and was immediately taken into custody.

The officers saw numerous abrasions and red marks on both sides and the front of her neck, and finger/hand marks could be seen in the swelling of the skin on her neck. They said she was short of breath, distraught and an ambulance was called.

Court documents indicate she stopped breathing several times and had to be provided with manual breathing. She was taken to York General Hospital.

Officers spoke with a witness who said he had gone to retrieve a ball near the apartment in question when he heard a man say, You are going to die and there were signs/sounds of some sort of altercation inside. He then made sure the police were called.

Blankenship has been charged with a Class 2 felony and two Class 3A felonies.

A jury trial has been set for late spring.
The 2023 Auto Expo did not have a lot of manufacturers participating, but Tata Motors pavilion is sure to keep the visitors enthralled with 4 concept vehicles in total. One that caught our attention and made us stare at it all day with enthusiasm was the Tata Curvv Concept. Yes, the company showcased it a few months back, but the Curvv Concept now comes in a near-production avatar with some practical bits. Of course, it still is a concept vehicle as of now. But what are the top 5 things that will keep us waiting for its production guise with enthusiasm? Well, read on to know about them.

Tata Curvv Concept: Launch Date

As revealed by Tata Motors, the Curvv Concept will hit the Indian market by the year 2024. The production model of the Tata Curvv will be first unveiled by sometime in 2024, and then it will go on sale with its coupe-like styling. That being said, not a lot of time it for a concept vehicle to gain its production form.

Also read - Maruti Suzuki Jimny vs Mahindra Thar comparison: Design, features, engine and more

Tata Curvv Concept: Powertrain

Under the hood of the Tata Curvv, there will be two types of powertrain choices - turbo-petrol engine and electric motor. The Curvv will first go on sale with two turbo-petrol engine choices - 1.2L turbo-petrol and 1.5L turbo-petrol. In fact, the Tata Curvv Concept is being showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo with a turbo-petrol engine. An electric powertrain of the Curvv will also come to the market in due course of time.

The most appealing attribute of the Tata Curvv Concept remains its design. It will be a mid-size SUV that will go against the likes of the Creta, Seltos, Hector and more. However, it will have a coupe-like silhouette, much like the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe. The concept showcases a vertically-split headlamp architecture and connected theme for LED DRLs and tail lamps is used. The alloy wheels here are 20 inches in dia, but the production model could do with 18 inches.

Tata Curvv Concept: Interior

With a seating space for five adults, the Curvv will be spacious on the inside. Although, Tata Motors did not allow access to the Concepts interior. Nevertheless, the interior of the concept showed some insert around the seats and steering wheel. Also, the seat belts were finished in a shade of red, just the exterior. A large infotainment screen with an all-digital instrument cluster were also visible. Thus, we can say that the Curvv will come with a futuristic and appealing interior.

Tata Curvv Concept: Features

Like other Tata Motors products, the Curvv will be a feature-loaded car. It will get powered door handles like the Mahindra XUV700. Also, the feature list is likely to include a 360-parking camera, ADAS, 6 or more airbags, various passive safety devices, a large touchscreen of up to 10-inch, a panoramic sunroof and more.
Indian airlines Alliance Air's pilot has recently landed in trouble with the Indian Air Force. The pilot got caught taking pictures at one of the airbases in India on 9 January, which got him detained for hours by the IAF officials. This resulted in a delay in the Indian airline's flight. The incident occurred at Port Blair airport, and action was taken against the pilot as the airport also acts as Navy Airfield. Civilian flights are permitted from IAF bases. However, specific guidelines and procedures must be followed.

Although the flight on January 9th received all the necessary authorizations, it appears that the pilot broke one of the IAF regulations that forbids aerial or ground photography from the aircraft. The update was later shared by Port Blair Airport, warning the passengers that the same airport also acts as Navy Airfield.

Also read: 'Flying on Air India...' Shark Tank's Anupam Mittal takes a jibe at Air India 'urination' incident

Authorities and military personnel are also on high alert as January 26th, India's Republic Day approaches. The IAF questioned the pilot as a result of the incident's time and location. The only public airport in the area is Port Blair, and it provides excellent connections. It is 1255 kilometres from Kolkatta, 1200 kilometres from Visakapatnam, and 1190 kilometres from Chennai away. The stunning beaches and fascinating local flora and fauna of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are well-known. Ninety-three percent of all visitors were tourists from within the nation, while only 7 percent came from abroad.

Alliance Air pilot was detained for a few hours by the Indian Air Force after they found him taking photographs and videos of one of their stations. Portblair Airport advising all its users to be more cautious while taking photograph, as Portblair Airport is Navy Airfield. pic.twitter.com/Wldg1UbPTk  Port Blair Airport (@aaipblairport) January 13, 2023

Alliance Air issued a statement on the issue, "Safety for Alliance Air is of paramount importance, and such occurrences are viewed seriously by Alliance Air. The said pilot has been a de-rostered pending investigation. We ensure that all required corrective actions are in place." They added, "We would like to reiterate that Alliance Air as an airline adheres to the laid down procedures/policies. We sincerely regret the inconvenience to our esteemed guests on-board."
The Indian Government has now issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) in the view of Republic Day, making airlines cancel/reschedule their flights during the Republic Day week. Air India has also announced that some of its domestic and international flights have been cancelled or rescheduled, as the airspace will be closed for over three hours every day for the entire week in the run-up to the 74th Republic Day. Considering this, Air India has taken appropriate measures to cancel as well as reschedule flights while minimising disruptions. For 2023, the NOTAM has been issued for January 19-24 and January 26 from 10.30 to 12.45 p.m.

To adhere to NOTAM, Air India will be cancelling all flights operating to and from Delhi across the seven-day period during the time range as mentioned above. This has been done without causing disruptions on other routes. Flights operating earlier or later than the prescribed time range will continue to operate as usual.

As far as international operations are concerned, Air India will be realigning the same with either a one-hour delay or advancement. Due to this, ultra-long haul, long-haul and short haul international operations from five stations, namely LHR (London), IAD (Dulles), EWR (Newark), KTM (Kathmandu) and BKK (Bangkok), will be impacted due to advancement or delay by one hour. There are no cancellations of international operations during this period, said the airline on Friday.

Officials said that domestic or international passengers arriving at and departing from IGI Airport, New Delhi, are requested to check their flight status to avoid any further inconvenience.

With inputs from IANS
New Delhi: Pathaan has become one of the most anticipated films to release in India in a long, long time. Touted as one of the biggest ever action spectacles that audiences have seen in theatres, the visually spectacular Yash Raj Films action extravaganza, Pathaan, is part of Aditya Chopras ambitious spy universe and has the biggest superstars of the country Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in it.



The hype around Pathaan is unprecedented and Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently in the Middle East for the International League T20, will witness the showcasing of his Pathaan trailer on the iconic Burj Khalifa, YRF confirmed.

Nelson DSouza, Vice President, International Distribution says, Pathaan is one of the most eagerly awaited films of our times and a film like this deserves to be mounted in the grandest manner when it comes to presenting it to audiences. We are thrilled to announce that Dubai will be celebrating Shah Rakh Khan and Pathaan as the trailer of the film will be showcased on the iconic Burj Khalifa!



He adds, We are delighted that Shah Rukh Khan, who is currently in UAE for the International League T20, will make time to be present when the trailer plays out on one of the most significant architectural marvels of the world. SRK has unprecedented fan following in the UAE and we feel this activity befits the hype that Pathaan carries today, thanks to the overwhelming love that is being showered on it by his fans and audiences alike.



YRFs adrenaline-pumping film, Pathaan, is set to release on Jan 25, 2023 in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. All the assets of the film that YRF has released so far have turned out to be super-hits right from the teaser, the two songs - Besharam Rang & Jhoome Jo Pathaan - and the recently dropped trailer that has caused an internet meltdown!
New Delhi: Pathaan has become one of the most anticipated films to release in India in a long, long time. Touted as one of the biggest ever action spectacles that audiences have seen in theatres, the visually spectacular Yash Raj Films action extravaganza, Pathaan, is part of Aditya Chopras ambitious spy universe and has the biggest superstars of the country Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone and John Abraham in it.

Director Siddharth Anand revealed several secrets about Pathaan via a Rapid Fire video which YRF has dropped today!

Siddharth also informed that SRK and Deepika learnt jujutsu, a deadly Japanese martial arts form, to pull off brutal action sequences in the film!

YRFs adrenaline pumping film, Pathaan, is set to release on Jan 25, 2023 in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. All the assets of the film that YRF has released so far have turned out to be super-hits right from the teaser, the two songs - Besharam Rang & Jhoome Jo Pathaan - and the recently dropped trailer that has caused an internet meltdown!
New Delhi: After the Bombay High Court threatened harsh punishment, Rapido declared that it will suspend all of its operations in Maharashtra. Rapido was instructed to stop operating all of its two-wheeler passenger, two-wheeler parcel, and vehicle services in Maharashtra by Friday at 1:00 p.m. According to a report, the corporation was given a court order after failing to reveal important information and demonstrate authorization.

The state government's decision to deny bike taxi aggregators a taxi aggregator licence was being contested by Rapido in court. The Karnataka government requested that three-wheeler services be discontinued in Bengaluru in October 2022, citing Uber, Ola, and Rapidoall of which are supported by SoftBankfor overcharging and harassing its patrons. (Also Read: No more WFH! IT firm TCS calls its employees to office)

Rapido debuted its bike-taxi service in Mumbai in October and stated that it intended to add two lakh bike drivers to its team in order to grow its business. Rapido received a notification from the Mumbai RTO in November of last year demanding it to cease operations immediately since the state government had not yet granted it permission to do so. (Also Read: 1% of the US population, Indian-Americans pay 6% of taxes: Congressman)

The bike taxis, which the auto-rickshaw union in Pune said were operating "illegally" and hurting their business, sparked a strike last month near the city's RTO. The RTO department was required to put a permanent halt to the bike taxis by the auto union.

In order for the case to be considered, the petitioner must stop offering its services, according to Advocate General Dr. Birendra Saraf. Additionally, the Advocate General informed the court that a committee had been constituted to investigate the possibility of creating regulations for bike taxis in Maharashtra.
New Delhi: 2023 begins on an exciting note with the trailer release of its next original series, Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke. Directed by national award-winning director Srijit Mukherji, the show stars Regina Cassandra as a strong and dedicated IPS officer, alongside Sumeet Vyas, Barun Sobti, Chandan Roy, Mita Vashisht Deepika Amin, and Sandeep Dhabale. A tribute to the IPS officers of India and their selfless work, Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke streams on ZEE5 from 26th January 2023 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.

As seen in the trailer, the thriller series narrates the tale of a courageous IPS officer Kavya Iyer who battles against the militants and re-establishes the faith of the common man in law. Produced by Juggernaut Productions, the show is spread across 8 episodes and is centred around real heroes in uniform who tirelessly work towards the betterment of the country. Inspired by true events, the show sheds light on the complexities officers must face in order to fulfil their duties for the country. Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke showcases Kavyas fight for the nation.

The action-packed thriller blends realism with nuanced storytelling and gives the audience a glimpse of the true grit and heroism possessed by todays women officers. The show will compel the audience to introspect and reinstate their love for the nation. This Republic Day dont forget to watch the true spirit of officers in Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke which will stream on ZEE5 from 26th January 2023 across 190+ countries.

National award-winning director Srijit Mukherji said, Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke is an unfettered creation of bravery and valour of female officers. They say police or the army is an unforgiving place for any officer, and the thought behind this show was to capture that. Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke is an ode to innumerable officers in the police force who have shown courage, resolve and leadership in equal measure. Bringing together a talented cast, this is my sincere attempt towards shattering the mindset of those who belittle women or cast doubts on their courage or capabilities. I am glad ZEE5 is platforming our series and looking forward to the response.

Regina Cassandra said, Getting under the skin of Kavya was an enriching experience. From emoting the character of a tough IPS officer and getting the body language correct to playing a mother and daughter was demanding but exciting. Kavya is a strong headed individual who manages to navigate through difficult situations and finds her way which really inspired me. While our society continues to grapple with gender discrimination, a series like Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke, draws parallels and showcases what women are capable of. Kavyas determination, empowering spirit and humanitarian side underlines the true essence of a hero. She is the epitome of a warrior. Despite being a mother, a wife and a daughter, an IPS officer will go beyond her call for duty and serve her nation.

Sumeet Vyas said, Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke is a tale that speaks volumes about IPS women officers who have been relentlessly serving our country. My respect for them has just increased after this show. Their commitment is unmatched.

He adds, My character has a shade of grey so getting the nuances right was very important of me. I enjoyed preparing and making that switch from a sweet innocent man to Tauriq in Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke. The show will immerse the audience in a world of suspense, deceit and exhilaration. I am hoping that it will lead a societal evolution and encourage gender neutrality for officers in Uniform.

Jaanbaaz Hindustan Ke is all set to premiere exclusively on ZEE5 from 26th January 2023
Agra: Two American tourists, who visited the Taj Mahal on Tuesday, have tested Covid-19 positive, a senior health official said. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Agra, Dr Arun Srivastava, said on Thursday that the two American tourists were part of a group that came here from Varanasi and was staying at a hotel here. He said that samples of everyone in the group were taken but only the two Americans tested Covid positive.

"They reached Agra on January 9 via Varanasi and visited the Taj Mahal the next day. Samples of the tourists were taken by the team of the health department of Agra at the east gate of the Taj Mahal," Dr Srivastava said.

He said that samples of the tourists have been sent for genome sequencing in Lucknow. Dr. Srivastava said the health department of Jaipur has been alerted as the group of tourists was next headed to Rajasthan.

Till now two residents of Agra - one who returned from China and another one from the USA - tested Covid positive.

In the last week of December, one tourist from Argentina, who visited the Taj Mahal, tested positive. However, health officials of the district could not trace him later as the details given by him were found to be incorrect.
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday urged the ruling BJP dispensation at the Centre to allow elected government in Indian states to function smoothly amid his ongoing power tussle with Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. the AAP chief took to Twitter and tweeted,"Elected govts should be allowed to function.". Along with his tweet, the Delhi CM also shared a newspaper report and noted that "obstructing elected governments from doing their job for petty partisan gains is bad for the people, democracy and the Constitution."

Elected govts should be allowed to function. pic.twitter.com/nkjdGfdnkO  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 13, 2023

L-G Vs AAP over Constitutional supremacy

Kejriwal is scheduled to meet Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Friday, amidst a tussle between the two over the control of power in the national capital. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the LG Secretariat this afternoon. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday alleged that the BJP has "unconstitutional control" over the officers of the Delhi Government through the Centre. He also cited as "unconstitutional control" the notice sent by the Directorate of Information and Publicity (DIP) to Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal for recovery of Rs 163.61 crore from his party.

The DIP had on Wednesday served the recovery notice on AAP national convenor giving it a total of 10 days to deposit Rs 163.61 crore for violating the Supreme Court-mandated guidelines in publishing political advertisements and thus costing the public exchequer.

Sisodia said that according to the notice, Rs 163.61 crore will be recovered for advertisements given by the AAP government in 2016-17. Earlier on Thursday, L-G Saxena declined to give approval to the proposed training of primary teaching in-charges and educators of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) in Finland and asked the department to provide a cost-benefit analysis in tangible terms.

Row over AAP political advertisements

Delhi Government has condemned this move and urged the LG to give approval. The SCERT has planned to send two groups of 30 primary in-charges at Jyvaskyla University in Finland in December 2022 and March 2023. It is a 5-day training program for primary in-charges of Delhi government schools and teacher educators of SCERT.

Deputy CM Sisodia said that the restrictions on such training by the Lieutenant Governor is an attack on education. While tweeting about the refusal, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "We have been sending Delhi government school teachers abroad for training, it has contributed greatly to Delhi Education Revolution; it is not right to stop them from going for training abroad. "This week the LG and Chief Minister have been writing to each other with various allegations and counter-allegations. On Monday LG Saxena wrote to Kejriwal stating that he appreciates the fact that the chief minister has started taking governance in the city seriously.

The L-G wrote, "I am in receipt of several letters from you over the past few days. At the outset, I would like to express my appreciation for the fact that you have started taking governance in the city seriously and getting into the intricacies of Constitutional provisions, Statutes and Acts that outline the multi-layered scheme of administration in the National Capital Territory of Delhi."

He further said that the provisions governing administration in Delhi emanate out of severe deliberations in the Constituent Assembly, State Reorganization Commission and the Parliament of India, apart from having been clearly interpreted by the Supreme Court of India on several occasions.

"While the same is amply clear for any practitioner of Statecraft, lawyer, scholar as indeed a common citizen concerned with it, for the sake of ample clarity, I would like to invite you for a meeting where we could discuss issues threadbare," LG further wrote.

Kejriwal had after the clash at the first meeting of the newly elected House of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi on January 7, questioned LG over the `conflict of powers` and sought clarification over his official position on the term "LG/Administrator" used in the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act and said that the elected government (PM, CMs )across India will become irrelevant if `Administrator` is defined as the president or governor.

To discuss all these issues, LG invited chief minister to a meeting. LG Saxena wrote, "We used to meet regularly till October 2022, when you expressed your inability to meet due to your preoccupation with State Assembly and Municipal Elections. Now, that the same is over, it will be in the fitness of things that such meetings are resumed in the interest of consciously deliberative and conflict-free governance of the City, in the interest of its people. Your office may accordingly fix up any mutually convenient meeting date, which I am sure will lead to broader clarity."

While accepting the meeting invitation, CM Kejriwal wrote, "thank you for inviting me for discussions. I will definitely come. I will fix up a convenient time with your office."

"An important discussion has started in the last few days, which has critical bearings on Indian democracy. I would urge you to kindly make your stand on those issues public. When your good self unilaterally appointed 10 aldermen, presiding officer and the Haj Committee bypassing elected govt. and directly getting the officers to issues necessary notifications, there was strong public criticism, CM wrote reiterating the previous issues."

"A statement was issued by your office on January 7 in which you admitted having taken all those actions unilaterally bypassing the govt. However, you justified your actions by saying that in all those Acts and provisions, it was written that "Administrator/LG shall appoint...." or the Act defined govt. as "Administrator/LG", therefore, those Acts gave you the powers to act eo- nominee," CM wrote.

He further added, "In my letter on the same date, which was made public to take this debate forward, I had requested you to kindly make you stand public whether this was your position that from now onwards, on all those subjects where the law uses the words "Administrator/LG", elected govt. would be bypassed/ignored and Hon`ble LG would directly deal with the officers and directly run those departments? " The CM in his letter demanded a public discussion on several issues.

For instance, all laws and Acts related to electricity, health, water, education etc - define govt. as "Administrator/LG". So, does it mean that from now on, the power department, education department, health department, water department etc - all these will be directly run by you? Then what would the elected govt? do sir? Won`t that be contrary to all SC judgements where it has been repeatedly said that LG is bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers on all transferred subjects?" Kejriwal wrote.

He wrote, "Whereas we could discuss all these issues privately over tea, however, these questions are very critical for the future of Delhi and the whole country. Therefore, a public discussion on this issue will be useful".

(With ANI Inputs)
JAMMU: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday chaired a high-level meeting with officials in Jammu, over security-related issues in the Union Territory. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha also attended the meeting. Shah arrived in Jammu this noon to meet the families of those killed in the twin terror attacks in Rajouri's Dhangri village. However, Shah couldn't visit the border district in the wake of bad weather conditions. Addressing the media after a high-level meeting in Jammu, Shah said, "I have spoken to all the seven families of the deceased over the phone. I was about to go there myself to meet them but today we could not go there due to the weather. I have listened to their words very carefully and I have also spoken to Lieutenant Governor Manoj ji. The courage of those who lost their lives is an example for the country". He further assured that all the incidents that have happened in the last one and a half years will be investigated. The twin terror attacks had left seven people of the minority community, including two children, dead and fourteen others injured in the Dhangri hamlet.

"Government of India has given the investigation of both incidents which took place over the course of 2 days, to NIA. NIA and Jammu Police will together investigate it. All the incidents that have happened in the last one and a half years will be investigated," he said."

"A detailed discussion has been held with all the aspects of the security agencies and all kinds of agencies involved in the security of Jammu and Kashmir. Preparations will be made to make a very secure grid in the coming days. Be it BSF, CRPF, Army or Jammu and Kashmir Police, all are ready," he added. He asserted that the creation of forming 360 security cycle was discussed at the meeting.

Also Read: Congress has big contribution in India's freedom but...' says Amit Shah - Watch

"All aspects ranging from the support system of terrorist groups were discussed. Creating a complete 360 security cycle was discussed. All our information agencies have also been talked to," he said. The high-level meeting held at Raj Bhawan included officers of civil administration and security establishment. Senior officers of different forces and intelligence agencies were also present in it.

Govt of India has given the investigation of both the incidents (terror attack in Dhangri in Jan 1st week), that took place over the course of 2 days, to NIA. The NIA & Jammu Police will together investigate it: Union Home Minister Amit Shah after a high-level meeting in Jammu pic.twitter.com/62ZRS1fKkz  ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2023

Home Minister talked to the familes of the terror victims over a phone call. Talking to ANI, Saroj Bala, Mother of attack victims said,"Union HM Amit Shah interacted with us over a phone call. He assured to visit us on his next visit. I lost my both sons during the Dhangri attack (1st week of Jan,2023) & I urged him to provide us justice & tight answer to their killers."

J&K | Union HM Amit Shah interacted with us over a phone call. He assured to visit us on his next visit. I lost my both sons during the Dhangri attack (1st week of Jan,2023) & I urged him to provide us justice & tight answer to their killers: Saroj Bala, Mother of attack victims pic.twitter.com/ujXNlCvUHi  ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2023

(with agency inputs)
New Delhi: Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav on Friday condoled the demise of former Union Minister and socialist leader Sharad Yadav in a video message from Singapore. Posting a video message for the deceased leader on Twitter, Lalu Yadav from his hospital bed in Singapore where he is recuperating from a kidney transplant surgery, said, "I am saddened to hear the news of big brother Sharad Yadav`s death. He, besides late Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish Kumar and myself learnt politics of socialism from Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur."

"On many an occasion, Sharad Yadav and I fought with each other. But our disagreements never led to any bitterness," Lalu Yadav added.

                                         



 ...      ! pic.twitter.com/t17VHO24Rg January 12, 2023

Sharad Yadav passed away on Thursday, informed his daughter Subhashini Sharad Yadav through a social media post. Yadav who had launched his own party Loktantrik Janata Dal merged with Lalu Yadav`s outfit RJD in March 2020 which he said was the "first step towards a united opposition".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed condolences over the demise of veteran politician and founder-member of Bihar`s ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) Sharad Yadav. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr Lohia`s ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."

The condolence messages also came from Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge."I am saddened by the demise of Sharad Yadav, a senior leader of the socialist stream of the country, former JDU president. Serving the country as a former Union Minister and an outstanding Parliamentarian for decades, he strengthened the politics of equality. My deepest condolences to his family and supporters," Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted in Hindi.

"Deeply saddened by the demise of my friend, veteran leader and our colleague in Parliament Sharad Yadav. He was a distinguished student leader who rose to the highest heights in public life. He was an outspoken leader and deeply committed to an inclusive India," Congress Rajya Sabha MP Anand Sharma said on his official Twitter handle.

Sharad Yadav was a former union minister in various governments. Sharad Yadav had formed Loktantrik Janata Dal in 2018 miffed with Janata Dal (United) returning to an alliance with the BJP in Bihar.
PATNA: The Bihar government on Friday dismissed 64 doctors from service for remaining absent from duty without authorisation for over five years, officials said. The decision to this effect was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday, following a proposal by the health department.

The doctors were posted in different districts, including Araria, Aurangabad, Banka, Bhagalpur, Bhojpur and Darbhanga.

"Sixty-four erring medical officers (doctors), who remained absent from duty without authorisation, have been dismissed from service...Before taking this step, employees concerned were given several opportunities to clear the reason for their absence, but they did not submit their replies. Government officials cannot remain absent from duty for more than five years in an unauthorised manner," said S Siddharth, Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet Secretariat).
New Delhi: A central team will visit West Bengal this month to review the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) Scheme. "Ministry of Education has constituted a Joint Review Mission to visit the State of West Bengal to review the implementation of the centrally sponsored scheme, Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) in the month of January," an official statement said. The Joint Review Mission comprises of members drawn from Nutrition experts, Officers from the Government of India and the State Government.

The team would review the fund flow from State to Schools/implementing agencies, the coverage of the Scheme, the availability of Management Structure at State, District, Block level, the delivery mechanism of food grains from State to Schools, the smooth implementation of the Scheme with particular reference to interruptions among other objectives.

It would also review the Construction of Kitchen-cum-stores, Procurement/Replacement of Kitchen Devices, the involvement of NGO`s/Trust/Centralized kitchens in the Scheme, the payment of Cost of Food grains to Food Corporation of India etc.
After a gap of two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, people celebrated Lohri with their loved ones with full pomp and show. Lohri, the harvest festival celebrated on January 13 every year, marks the end of winter and the time to harvest rabi crops. To make the Lohri celebration even more special for people Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to extend Lohri greetings. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Have a wonderful Lohri! May this festival deepen the spirit of harmony in our society. May there be happiness all around." The Punjabi festival of Lohri falls in the chilly month of January.

Have a wonderful Lohri! May this festival deepen the spirit of harmony in our society. May there be happiness all around. pic.twitter.com/s7tzg0puVX  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 13, 2023

Lohri is celebrated in many Indian states. People gathered with their family and friends for the Lohri festivities. They were seen singing, dancing, and enjoying games. One of the people celebrating the festival at the event said, "Lohri is being celebrated with much favour in Mela ground in Mathura. We all are enjoying this festival with bhangra and giddha. Here mimicry and other artists are also performing." "After a gap of two years, the festival is being celebrated with such grandeur," said another person.

Also read: Happy Lohri 2022: Interesting facts about the harvest festival!

People across the country light the bonfire, and whirl around it singing Punjabi folk songs and pop sesame seeds, popcorn, jaggery, and rewaris. But, before you wish a happy Lohri to your close ones, here are the significant and interesting facts about the joyous festival. The occasion holds excellent significance among farmers, as they thank the almighty for a bountiful harvest of crops and forth on the event. Traditionally, Lohri is also called `Lohi` in Punjabi.

In houses that have recently had a marriage or childbirth, the celebrations of the festival are observed at a grand scale, otherwise, people usually have private Lohri celebrations in their houses. The major part of the festival is its folk songs. While whirling around the bonfire ladies perform `gidda` and sing the `Sundar Mundariye` song which has words to express gratitude to `Dulla Bhatti.` The tale behind the main song is known by very few.

(With inputs from ANI)
Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has cautioned people that communal hatred may turn the country into Afghanistan, saying development is possible only with peace. He said people should be alert to the "attempts being made" to whip up emotions and divide them along religious and caste lines. He warned that the attempts to spread communal hatred will create hell.

KCR, as Rao is popularly known, was speaking after inaugurating the integrated district collectorate and the office of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in Mahabubabad on Thursday. The BRS leader said the youth should be alert and discuss what is happening in the country.

"Comprehensive development is possible when there is peace and tolerance in the country and when there is a government at the Centre which works without any bias," he said. KCR claimed that Telangana with its model of development is showing the way to the entire country and called upon people to participate in the effort being undertaken by BRS.

He pointed out that when Telangana was formed, the per capita income was Rs 62,000 lakh and it has now gone up to Rs 1.85 lakh. Slamming the Central government for its "inefficiency", he said Telangana suffered a loss of Rs 3 lakh crore in GSDP in the last eight years.

He pointed out that Telangana`s GSDP increased from Rs 5 lakh crore to Rs 11.5 lakh crore in the last eight years. "If only the Centre had performed at par with Telangana, our GSDP would have been Rs 14.5 lakh crore," he said.

KCR said the government at the Centre failed to address basic problems like water and electricity. He said that the country has water to meet its needs but it was unable to supply the same. He pointed out that the Krishna tribunal was constituted almost 20 years ago but it was yet to allocate the water. He said this was delaying the construction of projects.

KCR announced Rs 50 crore for the development of Mahabubabad municipality and Rs 25 crore each for other municipalities in the district. He also announced an engineering college for the district.
Dehradun: The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released satellite images of Joshimath and a preliminary report on land subsidence which shows that the entire town may sink. The pictures are taken from the Cartosat-2S satellite.



Hyderabad-based NRSC has released the satellite images of areas that are sinking. In images, the entire town, including the Army`s helipad and the Narasimha temple, has been marked as sensitive zone.



On the basis of ISRO`s preliminary report, Uttarakhand government is conducting rescue operation in danger-prone areas and the people in these areas are being shifted to safer places on priority.



(Image credit: ISRO)

According to the report, the land subsidence was slow between April and November 2022, during which Joshimath had sunk by 8.9 cm. But between December 27, 2022 and January 8, 2023, the intensity of land subsidence increased and the town sank by 5.4 cm in these 12 days.



(Image credit: ISRO)

The satellite images show that the Joshimath-Auli road is also going to collapse due to the land subsidence.



Although scientists are still studying the cracks that appeared in the houses and roads after the land subsidence in the town, the findings in the primary report of ISRO are frightening.
Lucknow: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that Prime Minister is personally distressed about the land subsidence in Uttarakhand`s Joshimath and has assured all possible help to the Uttarakhand government in bringing the situation under control and helping the affected people. Singh further added that the Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is working tirelessly to bring the situation under control. "Uttarakhand government is working to find a solution to the issue of land subsidence. The central government is very concerned and is providing all possible assistance to the state. If required, I will visit Joshimath. Yesterday, MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt visited the town."

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also enquired about the situation in Joshimath over the phone from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday.

According to the Chief Minister`s Office, the Home Minister assured all possible assistance to the Uttarakhand government for Joshimath. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday chaired a meeting with all stakeholders on the Joshimath land subsidence issue.

During the meeting, the chief minister interacted with the Army, ITBP, NDRF and scientists from various establishments engaged in landslide investigation, district administration, police and district-level officers associated with essential services at Sunil ITBP camp.

The CM said that the safety of the citizens is our biggest responsibility. He instructed everyone to ensure all arrangements for the safety of the people, a release from the chief minister`s office said.

The Chief Minister also interacted with the scientists of various establishments engaged in the investigation of landslides and inquired about the ongoing studies and research into the causes of landslides in Joshimath.

During the meeting, scientists informed the chief minister about the investigation so far. "I have met with everyone and assured people that state administration is with the people of Joshimath. we will help everyone," CM Pushkar Dhami told the media after the meeting. He said it is our priority to lay the way forward for those affected while protecting their lives and property, an official statement added.

Later, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting with local public representatives and eminent citizens. He asked everyone to work in coordination with the administration in times of disaster.

CM said, that 1.50 lakhs are being given immediately as interim assistance to all those whose houses, shops, and businesses have been affected.
New Delhi: The state-owned National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has told the Union Power Ministry that its 12-kilometer long tunnel, which is connected to the Tapovan Vishnugad hydroelectric project is 1 kilometer away from Joshimath town, has no role in the land subsidence in the region. It further stated that the tunnel is at least a kilometer beneath the ground. On January 10, the Union Power Ministry summoned NTPC officials to review the subsidence incident in Joshimath town. A day later, India's largest electricity-generating company wrote to the ministry explaining its position.

An apparent sinking of land is being blamed for cracks developing in hundreds of houses and buildings in Uttarakhand's Joshimath -- a town of 17,000 people which is a gateway to Hindu and Sikh shrines and also draws trekkers in parts of the Himalayas.

A head trace tunnel (HRT), which connects water intake at the dam site to the powerhouse for generation of the Tapovan Vishnugad hydro electricity project," is not passing under Joshimath town," it wrote.

"The tunnel is at a horizontal distance of around 1.1 km away from the outer boundary of Joshimath town and vertically around 1.1 km below the ground level," NPTC wrote in the letter, according to news agency PTI.

NTPC on Joshimath land sinking

Stating that land subsidence in Joshimath is a very old issue with first observance dating back to 1976, NTPC citing a state government-appointed M C Mishra Committee of that year blaming "hill wash, the natural angle of repose, cultivation area because of seepage and soil erosion" for the subsidence/cracks.

The construction work of the 4x130 MW Tapovan Vishnugad project started in November 2006. The project includes the construction of a concrete barrage at Tapovan (15 km upstream of Joshimath town).

The project was to be completed in March 2013 but almost 10 years later, it is still 'under construction'. The project has also undergone a major cost escalation from the initial approved investment of Rs 2,978.5 crore to now an anticipated Rs 7,103 crore. "Construction of the tunnel in this stretch has been done through Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) which causes no disturbance to the surrounding rock mass," NTPC said.

The company said during the construction of the tunnel, locals had raised concerns about the drying of the water table in the future in the Selong area, which is about 6 km away from Joshimath Town.

An expert committee was constituted by DM Chamoli which in August 2010 concluded that "there is no ground evidence of any instability induced by HRT excavation using TBM." "Construction of the tunnel in this stretch (more than 1 km away from Joshimath town) was completed in August 2011," NTPC said adding construction of the tunnel in rock mass at a depth of around 1 km causes no impact on the surface ground including flora and fauna.

"There are no signs of sinking around the tunnel alignment at the overground surface," it said, adding pictures of the region. Due to continuing subsidence in Joshimath town, another committee was constituted by DM (Chamoli) in August 2022.

The panel, NPTC said, stated power sewerage, rain and household wastewater seeping below ground, erosion due to floods and subsurface seepage were possible causes of subsidence in Joshimath town and the surrounding area.

NTPC also told the power ministry that there was no active construction work happening in the area for about two years. The state government has begun demolishing unsafe buildings in the town and some residents have been relocated to safe places.
New Delhi: In a new development in Delhi's Kanjhawala accident case, the Forensic Science Laboratory's (Rohini) report on Friday revealed that all four accused sitting inside the car had consumed alcohol, news agency ANI reported. The FSL today handed over the blood sample report of the accused persons in the Kanjhawala case to the Delhi police. It has also submitted the crime scene report to the police and will hand over the viscera report of the victim by Friday evening, news agency PTI reported. 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 kilometres 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. She was cremated on Tuesday (January 3) amid tight security. The five accused who were present in the vehicle that caused the accident were sent to three-day police custody on Monday (January 2).

Delhi Police constituted a total of 18 teams for tracing the accused and investigating the case. Initially, police arrested Deepak Khanna (26), Amit Khanna (25), Krishan (27), Mithun (26), and Manoj Mittal in connection with the accident. Later, two more persons -- Ashutosh and Ankush Khanna -- were arrested for allegedly shielding the accused.

Also Read: Kanjhawala Case: Delhi Police suspends 11 cops on duty in PCR vans, at pickets on fateful night

Delhi Police on Friday suspended 11 of its personnel who were on PCR and picket duty on the route the woman was killed, officials said.

Kanjhawala death case | FSL Rohini hands over the blood sample report of accused to Delhi Police, this will reveal if they had consumed alcohol that night. FSL also submitted the crime scene report to the Police.



By 5 pm today,the FSL will hand over the deceased's viscera report  ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2023

(with agency inputs)
Kanjhawala death case: After the Delhi Police suspended 11 of their police personnel for their alleged negligence while being on duty on January 1, the mother of Delhi girl Anjali, who died in the horrific hit-and-drag incident at Kanjhawala on New Year's night, on Friday said that she will not be satisfied until all the culprits are hanged. She further demanded to take action against the culprits and help them financially.

Speaking to ANI, she said, "We will not be satisfied until they all are hanged, I demand to take action on the case and help us financially and government should soon fulfil the promises made for my family."

The victim's maternal grandmother said Nidhi should be hanged too since she plotted everything against Anjali. "The policemen`s suspension was done because of their fault but I want all accused to be hanged as soon as possible. We will never be happy until they all are hanged. Nidhi should be hanged too since she plotted everything against Anjali," said the maternal grandmother.

On the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recommendation, the Delhi Police on Friday suspended 11 police personnel for their alleged negligence while being on duty, when the gruesome accident occurred in the city's Kanjhawala on January 1. The case pertains to the gruesome January 1 incident in which 20-year-old Anjali Singh, who was riding a scooter, was found dead on the street after being allegedly hit and dragged for several kilometres by a car driven by five youths in Outer Delhi`s Kanjhawala area.

"As approved by the competent authority, a total of 11 Policemen of Rohini District deployed enroute at PCRs and pickets have been suspended," the Delhi Police said. Notably, among the suspended police personnel, five were on two pickets and six personnel were on three PCRs who have been suspended.

Earlier on Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) took cognizance of the detailed Delhi Police report prepared by Special Commissioner of Police Shalini Singh, the ministry recommended suspending police personnel deployed in three PCR vans and at two police pickets. These police personnel were on duty at the time of the incident.

Besides, the MHA recommended that Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora take disciplinary action against these police personnel deployed in the three Police Control Room (PCR) patrolling vans of Delhi Police and at the two police pickets. The MHA also suggested that the Delhi Police Commissioner issue a show cause notice against the supervisory officers considering dereliction of investigation in the case, the officials privy to the investigation told ANI.

The Ministry also suggested the Delhi Police file a chargesheet against the culprits in the court at the earliest and take all necessary steps so that they should be punished. The MHA's recommendation came after it received a detailed report of Delhi Police in the incident that took place on New Year`s morning in the Kanjhawla area in outer Delhi.
Bengaluru: The University of Bangalore issued a circular on Thursday warning its staff and students living on the campus to restrict their movement at night amid the sighting of a leopard in the campus. The videos of the leopard were being circulated on social media after which the notification was issued.

Concern at Bangalore Univesity after alleged leopard sighting

The notice read, "In view of reports appearing in the media and social media platforms about the leopard sighting on the campus, all the students of the university, especially those staying in the university hostels, teaching faculties, and other staff are hereby directed that they should be cautious and avoid moving around in the night."

Also Read: Watch: Leopard enters house in UP's Aligarh, rescued

Students, staff asked to be cautious at night amid leopard scare

The notification also directed all the students and staff of the University to inform their superiors as soon as they noticed the leopard roaming on the campus anywhere. The forest department has been informed regarding the sighting of the wild animal and has been asked to take appropriate action to capture the leopard, said the circular.

In December, the Andhra Pradesh forest department captured a leopard at the Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University in Andhra Pradesh`s Tirupati after setting up traps including two cages in the jungle.

The leopard was reportedly roaming in the university premises, following which the forest officials used six cameras and traps along with two cages at two different places to capture the leopard.
Mumbai: The Mumbai police have issued a ban on the use, sale, and storage of 'manja' or nylon kite strings, which are often coated with powdered glass, in light of the risks they pose to both humans and birds. The ban, which will be in effect from January 12 to February 10, is timed to coincide with Makar Sankranti, a festival that traditionally includes flying kites. Anyone found in violation of the ban will face charges under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to disobeying a lawful order of a public servant.

The dangers of 'manjha' kite strings

The use of 'manja' kite strings has been a longstanding concern for the safety of both humans and animals. The strings, which are often coated with powdered glass, can cause serious injuries and even death if they come into contact with people or animals. The danger is particularly high during kite-flying festivals, such as Makar Sankranti, when large numbers of kites are flown simultaneously.

Birds may get entangled in kite strings

The order cites the use of non-biodegradable synthetic thread as kite string as a cause of accidents, injuries to wildlife, and damage to the environment. It also notes the importance of protecting birds, many of which are becoming extinct and are classified as rare and endangered species. Many birds, particularly those that fly at low altitudes, are at risk of getting entangled in the kite strings, which can cause injury or death.

Mumbai cops ban nylon kite strings

The ban is being implemented with the goal of protecting public safety and preserving wildlife. The Mumbai police have urged citizens to use only biodegradable kite strings and to be mindful of the risks associated with kite-flying. The police have also urged the public to report any violations of the ban to the nearest police station.

In August last year, a biker died after his throat was slit by a glass-coated kite string in Delhi. Many such tragic deaths have occurred owing to these dangerous, glass-coated kites in the past few years.

(With PTI inputs)
Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off the world`s longest river Cruise, MV Ganga Vilas, in Varanasi via video link on Friday and inaugurate and lay foundation stones for several other projects here. An official of Port, Shipping and Waterways told ANI that World`s longest River Cruise MV Ganga Vilas is the first-ever cruise vessel to be made in India. This is the symbol of Self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in the River Cruise Sector.

MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and travel 3,200 km, in 51 days, to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh. The flag-off ceremony will be in the presence of Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways - Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, besides other Ministers and senior officials from various Ministries & Departments.

Union Minister for Port Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal told ANI that on its maiden voyage, MV Ganga Vilas will carry 32 tourists from Switzerland across 27 river systems and will cruise through various prominent destinations located along the river banks in Varanasi, Patna, Kolkata, Bangladesh, Guwahati and Sibsagar/Dibrugarh.

"The journey will give the foreign tourists an opportunity to embark upon an experiential voyage and indulge in the art, culture, history, and spirituality of India and Bangladesh," Sonowal said. Union Minister further said that this cruise is a culmination of PM Narendra Modi`s vision of making waterways a source of development for the nation.

More than 100 waterways are being developed at various locations across India to facilitate the development of the waterway`s ecosystem which will lead to more cruise tourism, boost local businesses along the river banks and lead to the growth of the local economies.

Built to cherish Indian and international design, the modernist ship is 62 meters in length and 12 meters wide and requires a draft of 1.4 meters. With 18 suites and all associated amenities, the vessel has a total carrying capacity of 36 passengers.

PM will release a document - "River Cruise Vision Document 2047" which encapsulates the vision of the progress and growth of River cruise by 2047.

During the event, the PM will also inaugurate Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal, 4 floating community jetties in Uttar Pradesh, the Skill Development Centre at Guwahati in Assam in order to facilitate the growth of Water Transport in India, IWAI has undertaken several projects, one of which is the Haldia MMT.

Haldia is an industrial port city located on the confluence of River Hoogly and the Bay of Bengal in the state of West Bengal. The geographical advantage of Haldia provides a competitive logistics edge with the waterways. It provides the opportunity to export and import the products at quite affordable rates.

Developed over an area of 61 acres in the Purba Medinipur District of West Bengal under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, the Haldia Multi-Modal Terminal (MMT) has a cargo handling capacity of 3.08 MMTPA.

The berths are designed to handle vessels up to 3000 DWT "Floating community jetties will be inaugurated at Saidpur (Ghazipur), Chochakpur (Ghazipur), Zamania (Ghazipur), and Kanpur (Ballia) in Uttar Pradesh. More than 60 community jetties is being constructed along river Ganga across the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal to boost the economic activities and improve the livelihoods of the local community," the Ministry official said.

An official of Port, Shipping and Waterways further said that the community jetties aim at inclusive growth and would play a key role in improving the livelihoods of people by providing simple logistics solutions for small farmers, fishery units, an unorganised farm-producing unit, horticulturists, florists and artisans focussing on economic activities in & around the hinterland of river Ganga.

With the rapid development & growth of the IWT sector, skilled manpower is the need in the industry. As skill development is one of the major aspects of the growth of any sector, a skill development centre has been developed in Guwahati for Inland Vessels`s Navigation and Engineering Personnel. This centre will provide courses on I.V. Master, I.V. Engineer, fairway development, safety etc. - with the help of IIT, Guwahati and National Inland Navigation Institute (NINI), Patna.

The skill centre at Guwahati will help people of the North-eastern Region to increase their proficiency and employability in the IWT sector. In addition to this, PM will also lay the foundation stone for a ship repair facility and an elevated road at Pandu Terminal. The elevated road will provide direct connectivity to NH 27.

The Ship Repair will save a lot of valuable time as it takes more than a month for a ship to be transported to the Kolkata Repair facility and back. Moreover, it will also mean a lot of savings in terms of money as the transportation cost of the ship will also be saved.

"In line with the vision of PM to make Waterways a source of the development of the Nation, IWAI is and will continue to contribute towards developing the National Waterways and making them more and more efficient," the official added.
Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (January 13) inaugurated the MV Ganga Vilas, the world's longest river cruise through a video link. The cruise vessel, MV Ganga Vilas, is the first-ever to be made in India and is a symbol of self-reliance in the River Cruise sector. Speaking on the same, he said, "I want to tell passengers onboard river cruise liner MV Ganga Vilas that India has everything you can imagine. It also has lot beyond your imagination. India can't be defined in words. India can only be experienced from the heart because India has opened her heart for everyone."

PM Modi also stated that the commencement of the cruise is a testimony to the vast development of the inland waterways in the country. As quoted by ANI, he said, "Work is being done on the development of 111 national water highways across 24 States."

Also Read: PM Modi flags off MV Ganga Vilas; peek inside luxurious, triple-deck cruise: PICS

I want to tell passengers onboard river cruise liner MV Ganga Vilas that India has everything you can imagine. It also has lot beyond your imagination.India can't be defined in words. India can only be experienced from the heart because India has opened her heart for everyone: PM pic.twitter.com/qiyYZr7rui  ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2023

The commencement of MV Ganga Vilas river cruise which will sail over 3200 km is a living example of the development of inland waterways in the country. Work is being done on the development of 111 national water highways across 24 States: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/am9laEJXMF  ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2023

The cruise will cover a distance of nearly 4,000 km in 50 days. It will pass through the rivers of India and Bangladesh to reach Dibrugarh in Assam. It will have halts near important cities like Patna, Kolkata, and Dhaka, officials said.

The cruise will have a capacity of 80 passengers with 18 suits. The cruise will set off from Varanasi and reach Patna and Kolkata. Following this, it will set off for Bangladesh, re-enter India, and end its journey in Dibrugarh of Assam. The Cruise through its journey of 50 days, will be stopping at more than 50 places including several world heritage sites, according to officials. It will also pass through several national parks and sanctuaries during the stretch of its journey.
SHILLONG: Registered voters living in villages along the disputed border with Assam can participate in the upcoming assembly elections in Meghalaya, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said on Friday. Kumar led an Election Commission of India (ECI) team in a two-day review of poll preparedness in Meghalaya. The visit concluded during the day.

"People living in villages along the disputed border can participate in the elections despite what has happened. Both sides have held joint meetings and discussions are taking place at the senior level as well. We are alive to the situation and there is nothing to worry," Kumar said.

"There is no problem. We have reviewed the situation at our end and district officials from both sides have had detailed meetings," he said.

The CEC said the commission has instructed 16 central agencies to work in a coordinated manner in expenditure-sensitive constituencies.

"Agencies were asked to follow standard operating procedures in doing proper checks of planes and helicopters coming to the state to avoid any political party or candidate trying to induce voters with cash," he said.

Also Read: Meghalaya Assembly Election 2023: NPP stuns ally BJP to go solo; fields 58 candidates out of 60 seats

Political parties have to publish at least thrice in local newspapers and TV channels publicising cases pending against candidates with a criminal background and also explain why such people were nominated.

Kumar said all steps will be taken to ensure that the elections are free, fair and participative.

He said 21 lakh voters in the state are eligible to exercise their franchise in 55 reserved seats for Scheduled Tribes and five unreserved constituencies.

There would be a total of 3,482 polling stations with an average of 620 voters in each, the official said, adding 120 booths will be managed by women teams.

A total of 81,443 electors will be eligible to cast their votes for the first time.

At least six people, including five tribal villagers from Meghalaya and an Assam forest guard, were killed in a violent clash along the disputed border in November last year.

Assam and Meghalaya have a long-standing dispute in 12 areas along the 884.9-km-long inter-state border, and the location where the violence took place is one of those.

The two states had signed a memorandum of understanding in March last year towards ending the dispute in six of the areas.

Meghalaya was carved out of Assam in 1972 and had since then challenged the Assam Reorganisation Act, 1971, which demarcated the border between the two states. Elections to the 60-member assembly in Meghalaya are due this year.
Hubballi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's roadshow in Hubballi witnessed a security breach during his visit to Karnataka for the inauguration of the 26th National Youth Festival. A young man breached the security cover of PM Modi while trying to put on a garland during the roadshow. However, the youth who breached security to garland PM Modi described the Prime Minister as God. He further said that he is a big fan of PM Modi and is inspired by his speeches. "He is not an ordinary human being. I am his fan and want to meet him" he said. Stating that he is in love with PM Modi and wants to take a closer look at him, Kunal Dhongadi said.

"I want to invite him home. I am inspired by his speeches. I had come to see PM Modi with my grandfather, uncle, and a two-and-half-year-old child. We had got the RSS dress for the kid," he said.

Also read: Security breach in PM Narendra Modi's roadshow in Karnataka, man with garland intercepted - Watch

"We wanted the child to garland the PM. But, it did not happen. So, I initiated to garland PM Modi and I also wanted to shake hands with him. But, police prevented me," he said. "PM Modi`s left hand touched me. He took the garland. I had seen him two years ago. I am his diehard fan and I want to talk to him," he reiterated.

Former legislator Ashok Katawe stated that the youngster was an energetic person. There is no violation of PM Modi`s security due to his act. He is a die-hard fan of PM Modi. However, he made a mistake by breaching the security of PM Modi.

He should be pardoned. The boy doesn't have an idea about police security, the sensitivity of the issue, and the consequences, he added.

Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi stated that there will be huge security cover for the PM. "The boy had breached the security to garland PM Modi. According to our information, he did it out of love for PM Modi. The investigation in this regard is on."

(With inputs from IANS)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today pitched for human-centric globalisation during his opening remarks on day 2 of the Voice of Global South Summit. PM Modi said that India wants globalisation that brings prosperity and well-being to humanity as a whole. "We want globalisation that does not lead to unequal distribution of vaccines or over-concentrated global supply chains. Developing countries desire globalisation that does not create climate crisis or debt crisis," said PM Modi.

PM Narendra Modi also said that the world today needs reforms at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). "We developing countries are also concerned about the increasing fragmentation of the international landscape. These geopolitical tensions distract us from focusing on our development priorities. To address this geopolitical fragmentation, we urgently need a fundamental reform of the major international organisations including the United Nations Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions. These reforms should focus on giving voice to the concerns of the developing world and reflect the realities of the 21st century," said PM Modi.

PM Modi said that the last 3 years have been difficult, especially for developing nations as the challenges of the COVID pandemic, rising prices of fuel, fertiliser and foodgrains and increasing geo-political tensions have impacted development efforts.

PM Modi also announced to set up a global south centre. "Happy to announce that India will establish a global south centre - Centre of Excellence. This institution will undertake research on development solutions or best practices of any of our countries which can be scaled & implemented in other members of the global south," said the prime minister.

PM Modi said that India will also launch a Global South Science and Technology initiative to share its expertise with other developing nations.

"I would like to announce a new Aarogya Maitri project. Under this project, India will provide essential medical supplies to any developing country affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises...For synergising our diplomatic voice, I propose a Global South Young Diplomats Forum to connect youthful officers to our Foreign Ministries. India will also institute Global South scholarships for students from developing countries to pursue higher education in India," said PM Modi.
Gurugram: After the demise of former Union Minister Sharad Yadav, Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurugram, wherein the deceased leader counted his last breath, released a statement saying that he was brought to the hospital in an unconscious and unresponsive state. "Sharad Yadav was brought to the emergency at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram in an unconscious and unresponsive state. On examination, he did not have any pulse or recordable blood pressure," Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram said, releasing a statement.

"He underwent Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) as per Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) protocols. He could not be revived despite best efforts and was declared dead at 10.19 pm. We want to convey our deepest condolences to his family," it added. Sharad Yadav passed away on Thursday, informed his daughter Subhashini Sharad Yadav through a social media post. Raj Kamal Rao, Son in Law of Sharad Yadav told ANI that he was rushed to the hospital following cardiac arrest."He had a cardiac arrest, we took him to the hospital. After reaching there, doctors declared him dead. He had kidney issues and was on dialysis. His body will be taken to his native village in Madhya Pradesh where last rights will be performed," Rao said. Yadav who had launched his own party Loktantrik Janata Dal merged with Lalu Yadav`s outfit RJD in March 2020 which he said was the "first step towards a united opposition".

Former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav condoled the demise of former Union Minister and socialist leader Sharad Yadav in a video message from Singapore. Posting a video message for the deceased leader on Twitter, Lalu Yadav from his hospital bed in Singapore where he is recuperating from a kidney transplant surgery, said, "I am saddened to hear the news of big brother Sharad Yadav`s death. He, besides late Mulayam Singh Yadav, Nitish Kumar and myself learnt politics of socialism from Ram Manohar Lohia and Karpoori Thakur."On many an occasion, Sharad Yadav and I fought with each other. But our disagreements never led to any bitterness," Lalu Yadav added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences over the demise of veteran politician and founder-member of Bihar`s ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) Sharad Yadav. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. Dr Lohia`s ideals greatly inspired him. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."Sharad Yadav was a former union minister in various governments. Sharad Yadav had formed Loktantrik Janata Dal in 2018 miffed with Janata Dal (United) returning to an alliance with the BJP in Bihar.
New Delhi: As the cold wave continues to sweep through parts of North India, including the national capital, New Delhi, shelter homes have been opened to provide aid to the homeless population. The shelter homes, known as Rain Basera, offer beds, blankets, breakfast, and ample space for homeless individuals.

Amjad Khan, a resident of Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal, expressed his gratitude towards the government for opening the shelter homes. "The government has done good management for homeless people here. We used to sleep outside, but since the administration has made these temporary houses, we are shifted here. Tea and breakfast are available in the morning, and blankets are also available," he said.

Delhi | Due to the increasing cold wave in the national capital, shelter homes opened for homeless people.



Visuals from a shelter home near Lodhi Road pic.twitter.com/7t9ZKUVOf7  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2023

'Rain Basera has proper arrangements for bed, breakfast, water, toilet,' says caretaker

Nihal Hussain, the caretaker of the Rain Basera shelter on Lodhi Road, stated that they have proper arrangements for bed, breakfast, water, and toilet for those in need. "There are a total of eight caretakers, who are deployed in different shifts on a rotation basis," he said.

Also Read: Delhi witnesses 3rd worst cold wave in 23 years, another expected from January 14, says IMD

However, despite these efforts, there are still individuals facing extreme cold conditions with only a single-layered blanket to protect them. Roshan, a homeless person resorting to a bonfire at Delhi's Kashmere gate area, stated, "We are facing a lot of trouble, there is no place in Rain Basera, night shelters for homeless people in Delhi, we do not have a single blanket, we are left with no food and drink."

Delhi | Cold wave grips the national capital, people sit around bonfires to get relief.



Visuals from Kashmere Gate and Yamuna Bazar pic.twitter.com/xSZ6LSeEWP  ANI (@ANI) January 12, 2023

Lack of space in existing shelters

Many of the homeless who were rejected from the Rain Basera due to overcrowding have demanded for more night shelters from the government. "It is cold at night, they shun me when I go to the Rain Basera," said another homeless person who was rejected due to overcrowding, adding that more night shelters should be made.

Cold wave expected again from Jan 15 in North India

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that cold wave conditions are likely to re-emerge over North-West India and peak around January 15-16 with minimum temperatures expected to dip after two days from January 12. IMD scientist Roy stated, "We are expecting these western disturbances to move eastwards from tomorrow. So, temperatures will start to fall after 48 hours. Correspondingly, there is a chance that cold wave conditions will re-emerge over entire North-West India from January 15 and 16."

Despite the efforts of the government and the opening of shelter homes, it is clear that more needs to be done to aid the homeless population during this cold wave. It is imperative that the government takes action to provide more night shelters and aid to those facing extreme cold conditions.

(With ANI inputs)
New Delhi: Actor Aayush Sharma is currently shooting for his upcoming actioner AS04 which requires him to perform some heavy-duty stunts. Since the actor is filming his action stunts himself instead of a body double, Aayush sustained bruises on his back and shared the picture on IG Story.

Building anticipation and excitement for his action entertainer AS04, Aayush Sharma has been offering regular insights into the shoot of the film. Unfolding yet another glimpse, Aayush Sharma revealed the injury that he sustained during an action sequence. It is not the first time Aayush has borne injuries at the shoot. Earlier, the actor fractured his arm on the sets of Antim: The Final Truth, proving his dedication and commitment to his craft.

Aayush Sharma unveiled a glimpse into AS04, which marks his fourth film in Bollywood, on his birthday. With his unmatchable swag and enigmatically charming persona, Aayush Sharma packed a punch with his stylized action in the teaser. Followed by the announcement, was the unveiling of his co-actors, Former Miss India United Continents 2015, debutante Sushrii Mishraa and veteran South Indian star Jagapathi Babu. Aayush is not only making headlines for his back-to-back projects but also the style of his announcements, as the actor adapted the South Indian style of title reveal for the tentatively unnamed films.

Produced by KK Radhamohan, under the banner of Sri Sathya Sai Arts, the yet untitled action entertainer AS04 stars Aayush Sharma as the lead, co-starring debutante Sushrii Mishraa. Directed by Katyayan Shivpuri, the film is slated for release in 2023.
New Delhi: Industry's youngest producer Jackky Bhagnani recently graced the cover of a leading magazine, which has created waves across the tinsel town. Showering love on the cover, actress Rakul Preet Singh took to her social media and wrote and sweet message for Jackky Bhagnani.

Sharing the cover, Rakul wrote, "Wohooo my dark horse!!!! Here is to creating history in Indian cinema sky is the limit"

Looking dapper and suave like never before, the leading magazine described Jackky Bhagnani as "The Dark Horse of the Emerging New order in the Industry". The young producer is working on some big-scale content pieces for the masses to enjoy - from 'Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan' to 'Ganapath' and many others.

Rakul on the other hand, who has had a blockbuster 2022, with 5 releases is gearing up for the release of 'Chhatriwali'.
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 convinced to calm down.

U.S. District Court Judge Christina Arguello gave him life in prison anyway.

Mr. Holder, I have spent 100s of hours on your case, said Arguello. She explained 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 Colorado case. 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 Denver 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-lock 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 which 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 which 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.

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 at 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 which 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 glassed. 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 which was given under a week ago. Nathaniel Corser, 23, of Colorado Springs, received a 20 year federal prison sentence last Thursday 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 which he thought were Percocet.

The point was not lost on U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, 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."
New Delhi: 20-year-old TV actress Tunisha Sharma committed suicide and it has shaken everyone. The actress was found dead in her co-actor and alleged boyfriend Sheezan Khan's make-up room on the sets of their show 'Dastaan-E-Kabul.'

The actress' mother accused Sheezan of her daughter's murder and the actor is currently in jail. In a recent development, the bail plea of Sheezan has been rejected by the Vasai court.

Tunisha's lawyer Advocate Tarun Sharma told the media that the judge has rejected the bail application of Sheezan Khan. He further accused his family of creating 'different theories' to stop the truth from coming out. Sheezan or his lawyer did not speak to the media after their exit from the court.

Tunisha's lawyer said, "When Sheezan was arrested on 24th December, they started with different theories of fake chacha, fake mama, fake mother and then they got in Ali. This was rejected by the court today. They wanted to tarnish the family's image and not let them get any support from the media or police. Court observed that they had no evidence for their arguments."

Tunisha and Sheezan were earlier in a relationship and are said to have broken up recently.

Tunisha was found dead on December 24 on the sets of the show 'Alibaba: Dastaan-e-Kabul'. She was said to be in a relationship with Sheezan, her co-actor. On the basis of a complaint filed by her mother, he has been arrested under Section 306 of the IPC.
In a praiseworthy incident, IRCTC acted swiftly after a Twitter complaint against a tea vendor and returned the money back to a journalist after he narrated his ordeal of getting conned while taking a train journey. As per a tweet, a journalist was travelling on an Indian Railways train when he asked for a cup of tea from a vendor. While the cup of tea costs Rs 10, the man paid the vendor a Rs 20 note. The tea seller said he doesn't have change and will return Rs 10 in a while, but failed to return back the money to the journalist. When chased for money, the journalist was informed by other vendors that this tea seller has a habit of conning people on the trains in the name of returning back the money. Since it's a small amount, travellers usually give up the chase.

@IRCTCofficial @IRCTCofficial IRCTC Tea Vender looting people?

Purchased tea for 10. Paid 20. The vender said will return and pay back the change. But it didn't happen. The question is not only getting back the money. The question is how many Rs 10 are going into his pocket?  pritam saha (@Pritam_Journo) January 13, 2023

One of the tea vendors then asked the journalist to involve RPF and complain to the IRCTC about the incident. Following which, he narrated the matter of Twitter, "The question is not only getting back the money. The question is how many Rs 10 are going into his pocket?" Basically, the journalist pointed out the lack of ethics of the tea seller, stating, IRCTC Tea Vender looting people?" He further stated that other tea vendors are also aware of misdeeds done by the tea seller.

When contacted, Pritam Saha, said, "Other vendors insisted that I should share a tweet mentioning the whole incident tagging IRCTC. They even followed up with me three to four times till I finally tweeted. They said, due to this person, they are facing the anger of passengers everyday, but can't do anything."

He was travelling on train no. 12312 Netaji Express from Ghaziabad to Howrah and the incident happened just ahead of Prayagraj Junction. After posting the incident on Twitter, IRCTCs official Twitter handle asked for his mobile number and PNR details. Upon sharing them, Pritam did receive his money back in a short time.

Not only did IRCTC take prompt action and returned the remaining amount to the journalist at his seat itself, a manager of the IRCTC personally came to meet Pritam Saha, the journalist and brought the said tea vendor with him, asking Saha to identify him.

The vendor then accepted his fault in front of the IRCTC manager, RPF and other passengers, following which, he was asked to get down from the train at the Prayagaraj Junction.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two metro lines, Metro 2A and Metro 7, during his visit to Mumbai on January 19, according to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday. The new metro lines are expected to reduce traffic congestion in the city. Besides, the Mumbai Metro lines PM will also inaugurate multiple other projects, including STPs, Hospitals, concrete roads, and a metro line.

Talking to reporters here in Mumbai, CM Shinde said, "Ahead of PM Narendra Modi`s Mumbai visit on January 19, we are here to do an inspection of this metro line, collectively the metro lines 2A (Andheri-west to Dahisar), Metro 7 (Andheri East to Dahisar)."

Also read: Vande Bharat Stone-pelting: Police arrests accused for vandalising train in Visakhapatnam

"It will greatly relieve Mumbaikars residing in Western suburbs and reduce traffic too," he added. He said that PM Modi will also inaugurate several other important projects."Also, prime minister Narendra Modi will inaugurated important Mumbai-based projects pertaining to STPs, Hospitals, concrete roads, and metro lines. That`s why We (DCM & Me) are here to oversee all the preparations," he said.

Mumbai is so looking forward to most popular global leader Hon PM @narendramodi ji inaugurate the 35 km long phase 2 of #MumbaiMetro2a - yellow line & #MumbaiMetro7 - red line, bringing about huge relief in the lives of millions of Mumbaikars, especially in Western Mumbai! pic.twitter.com/h1DoYf5rKT  Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) January 12, 2023

He further said that the state government is working towards filling up the potholes and concreting the roads."The earlier government should have done the work of filling the potholes they didn`t. After our (Fadnavis - Shinde) government came, we took up the task of filling it and concreting the roads. There will be cemented roads in Mumbai in the upcoming next 2 years," he said.

Talking about his upcoming visit to Davos, CM Shinde said, "No need to worry, I am going to Davos and will bring huge investments for Maharashtra and Mumbai. Davos and PM visit will take place smoothly, and no problem will come with our projects and PM Modi`s visit.

"Both these Metro lines pass through Link Road and Western Express Highway (WEH) and are expected to reduce traffic from these major roads as well as help reduce crowding in existing suburban local train services. In April 2022, then Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray flagged off the first phase of the 2A and 7 lines, the 20-km stretch from Dhanukarwadi (Kamran Nagar) to Aarey Colony in the western suburbs of Mumbai. On average, this stretch draws a ridership of 25,000 daily.

(With ANI Inputs)
Chennai: There were rumours aswirl since Wednesday that the noted Malayalam actress Aishwarya Lekshmi, who has become popular across India after appearing in 'Ponniyin Selvan-1' is in a relationship with Tamil star Arjun Das. The rumour mills worked overnight after Aishwarya shared a photo of hers with Arjun along with a love emoji. The photo of the actors became viral, with fans of both Aishwarya 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 playing a major role in the movie.
videoDetails

Home Minister Amit Shah's 'Mission Kashmir', big 'action' on terror!

Yashwant Bhaskar | Updated: Jan 13, 2023, 10:38 AM IST

Home Minister Amit Shah will visit Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district today and meet the victims of the terror attack. Recently, seven people were killed in two terrorist attacks in Rajouri.
New Delhi: The Pakistani government has announced that it is investigating reports of inappropriate conduct by one of its officials at its consulate in Delhi. A woman has come forward accusing staff members of making unwanted sexual advances towards her during her visit to the consulate in 2022 to apply for a visa. According to the woman's statement to News18, she wanted to travel to Pakistan as she was invited by a varsity to deliver a lecture. When she first arrived at the embassy for a visa, she was told to come in May after Eid. However, another official at the consulate told the woman that he can process her visa application.

Woman claims she was asked questions on marital status, sex life

She further told the media outlet that she was taken to another room and asked general questions first and then the conversation crossed a line as she was asked about her marital status and sex life. "He then asked me about my sex life. I found that uncomfortable," she said as quoted by News18.

She also alleged that the two Pakistan officials began talking about the Khalistan movement and the Kashmir resolution, completely steering the conversation from the matter.

Pak diplomats allegedly asked her to criticise PM Modi in articles

Approximately one month after the initial incident, the woman reported receiving WhatsApp messages from the officials involved. According to her, the two men were offering her money in exchange for writing articles critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The woman stated that the men were messaging and deleting their messages simultaneously, but she was able to capture screenshots.

Pakistan foreign ministry takes cognizance of incident

In a statement, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of proper behavior and etiquette towards visa and consular applicants, and that all diplomatic staff are instructed to conduct themselves professionally. The ministry also stated that there is zero tolerance for any mistreatment or misconduct towards individuals visiting Pakistani Missions.

Also Read: Pakistan crisis: 'Shoe Attack' on Home Minister Rana Sanaullah outside Punjab assembly - WATCH

The ministry spokesperson expressed surprise at the timing and manner in which the allegations were made and highlighted that there are established procedures in place to address public grievances. The incident has caused tension between the two countries, and the investigation is ongoing. Any misconduct must be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated to ensure justice for the victims and accountability for any wrongdoings.
Nika Gvaramia, the founder of the Mtavari Arkhi Channel, who is currently in prison, issued a statement in which he called on the Supreme Court to issue a "verdict known in advance to everyone" in a timely manner.His statement was published on his social page on behalf of the imprisoned "Mtavari Arkhi" director. Nika Gvaramia thanked the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch for the "clear and unambiguous conclusion made with great precision".Gvaramia also thanked Georgian non-governmental organizations, the public defender, his lawyers and family members and noted that he does not hope to win the case in the Supreme Court."I am patiently and steadfastly waiting for the consideration of my case at the European Court of Human Rights. I call on the Supreme Court of Georgia to finish the consideration of my case in a timely manner. Obviously, I do not expect to be acquitted and I will not be able to. The only thing I ask is that they issue a verdict known to everyone in advance so that I can apply to the Strasbourg Court. And I will fight there to prove my truth," the statement reads.According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilia Darchiashvili, the Prime Ministers of Georgia and Armenia signed a document to further simplify the already existing visa-free travel regime between the two countries, as a result of which citizens of the Republic of Armenia and citizens of Georgia will be able to cross the border of the two countries with ID cards."Within the framework of the visit, the Prime Minister of Georgia and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia signed a document to further simplify the existing visa-free travel regime between the two countries. After signing this document, citizens of the Republic of Armenia and citizens of Georgia will be able to cross the border of the two countries with simplified ID cards. What will further contribute to the rapprochement of the population of the two countries and the deepening of people-to-people relations," said Darchiashvili.
More than 100 motorcycle riders turned out for a fundraising ride from Geneva to Enterprise, hosted by Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Chapter 28-3. The ride last weekend was a success, according to organizers.

The riders, all members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, met up in Geneva and rode to Santa Fe Cattle Company in Enterprise for some great food and comradery, said CVMA Public Information Officer Michael Weatherholtz. Riders came from all over Florida, Alabama, Georgia and as far away as South Carolina to participate.

The event generated more than $1,000 in donations from the riders, which went towards the CVMA Auxiliary scholarship fund, Weatherholtz said. All scholarship funds generated locally are given to local students, said CVMA rider Bill Baker. Its been my experience that motorcycle riders are the most generous group there is.

We have one large fundraiser a year, on Armed Forces Day, Weatherholtz said. To prepare for that we ask area businesses to donate anything that can be auctioned off.

In addition to the scholarship fund, funds generated through ride participation fees, donations and auctions also go to help veterans in emergency situations, according to Weatherholtz.

For instance, a veteran in the area had his trailer burn down last year, and we were able to relocate him and provide him with necessities.

The CVMA Chapter 28-3 most recently participated in a food drive at the Enterprise Walmart Store. We also have contributed to the construction of a wheelchair accessible dock at the lake on Fort Rucker for handicapped veterans to use.

The CVMA is an association of combat veterans from all branches of the United States Armed Forces who ride motorcycles as a hobby, Weatherholtz said. Our mission is to support and protect those who have defended our country and our freedoms. In that capacity, we sponsor and participate in veteran-related motorcycle and other charity events each year, and as a non-profit organization, we donate to various veteran causes.

Weatherholtz said CVMA membership is made up of those with verified combat service, who are full members, supporter members, who are those with non-combat military service and have a strong dedication to helping veterans; and auxiliary member, who are spouses of full and support members, Weatherholtz said. We have members from all 50 states and numerous countries abroad, including those in combat areas.
The third Monday of each January is set aside to recognize the contributions and legacy of the slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative events in Coffee and Dale counties will be held Sunday and Monday this year.

Two MLK Day events are planned in Enterprise on Sunday. A MLK Day Walk and Celebration will begin on the steps of Enterprise City Hall at 2 p.m. Speakers are Sgt. Randy Terry, Harolyn Benjamin, Enterprise Mayor William Cooper, Enterprise City Council member Sonya Rich, Coffee County Commissioner Jimmy Jones and Enterprise School Board member Rod Caldwell. The event is from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. The public is invited.

Also Sunday in Enterprise, the Enterprise Community Awareness Organization is hosting the Enterprise City-Wide Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The last service was held in January 2020. Archbishop Carl McComb, pastor of Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center, will serve as keynote speaker at the celebration on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Enterprise Civic Center, 2401 Neil Metcalf Road (Highway 167 North). Music will be provided by the City-Wide King Mass Choir, under the direction of Yolanda Milton-Daniels and Joe Merida, organist.

The Annual Youth Celebration has been postponed and will be rescheduled in 2024. The public is invited to attend. For more information, contact Essie DuBose, program chairperson, at (334) 464-8428, or Marge Simmons, publicity chairman at (334) 477-1962.

In Elba, the MLK celebration is Monday, according to Timothy Williams, event organizer. A parade begins at 10 a.m. at 802 Newton St. and will end at the Elba Theater at 231 Court St., followed by brunch and a program at 10:30 a.m. For more information contact Williams at (334) 447-7995.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Ozark will be commemorated with a program at Greater Sardis Missionary Baptist Church located at 707 West Reynolds St. at 11 a.m. Monday. Enterprise Mayor William Cooper is the keynote speaker at the event and Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship will present a proclamation from the city declaring Jan. 16 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the city, urging all citizens to Remember, Celebrate and Act in appreciation and gratitude for the ideals of King.

The theme of this years event is Keeping the Dream Alive, said Rev. Boyd Fuller, president of the Ozark-Dale County Ministerial Alliance. We want to thank Mayor William Cooper, our guest speaker from the city of Enterprise and past president of the Ozark-Dale County Ministerial Alliance Rev. Dr. Fred Flowers. The MLK Ozark Community Mass Choir will perform at the event hosted by Rev. Dr. S.C. Hudson and the Greater Sardis Missionary Baptist Church and organized by the Ozark-Dale County Ministerial Alliance pastors and churches.

The New Brockton Martin Luther King Jr. march and program, paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, will return in 2024, according to organizers.

In Daleville, the annual Peace Parade hosted by the Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center is scheduled for Jan. 28. Details will be forthcoming.
An 11-year-old boy was shot in the hand in a drive-by shooting into an occupied Dothan residence on East Selma Street early Wednesday evening.

Police responded to the 900 block of East Selma at about 6:45 p.m. where a residence with several people inside was fired upon multiple times by unknown suspects driving a dark vehicle described as a Dodge Charger with blue camouflage on the sides.

The injured child was taken to the hospital, where medical evaluation will be conducted to determine if the victim will lose a finger from the injury, according to a police news release.

The Dothan Police Department is seeking help from the local community in identifying the person or persons responsible for this incident. Anyone with information related to this incident should call the Dothan Police Department at 334-615-3000. Anyone wanting to provide information anonymously can call Crime Stoppers at 334-793-7000. The Dothan Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of all those who wish to help in an anonymous capacity.
Wiregrass cities are preparing a number of activities planned for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday to commemorate the life and legacy of the slain civil right leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In Dothan, Sunday, a Martin Luther King Mass Rally is set for at 7 p.m. at North Highland Baptist Church with the Bishop Russell Gordon as keynote speaker.

Monday from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. the North Highland Baptist Church Fellowship Hall on Houston Street is the site of an MLK Memorial Breakfast, hosted by the Dothan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Also in Dothan Monday, a Martin Luther King Memorial Parade begins at the Montgomery Highway Piggly Wiggly parking lot at 9:45 a.m. and ends at the Dothan Civic Center. The parade will be followed by an MLK Memorial Program at the Dothan Civic Center at 11 a.m. with Dr. Charles Lewis as keynote speaker.

The Wiregrass Area Pan Hellenic Council and the city of Dothan are hosting the Ninth Annual MLK Classic Step Show, featuring step teams from colleges and high schools, Monday at 5 p.m. at the Dothan Civic Center. The event is a fundraiser for the Wiregrass Area Pan Hellenic Councils community service projects. For instance, we provided 400 backpacks last year for area children, said Mackroyce Corbitt Jr., executive director of the local Pan Hellenic council. Advance tickets are available at www.dothanciviccenter.org.

College representatives from Alabama A&M, Allen University, Cumberland University, Alabama State University, Tuskegee University, Stillman College, and Howard University will also be available at the Dothan Civic Center to talk with those interested, Corbitt said. The college fair is from 9:45 a.m. until 2 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. until the step show begins.

Saturday in Enterprise, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Rho Upsilon Lambda Chapter presents the inaugural Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast at Union Grove Baptist Church on Coppinville Road Enterprise Mayor William Cooper as keynote speaker. The event is free and those interested in more information should call Wiley Brooks at (334) 494-3323, Dr. Dennis Brand Sr. at (334) 726-0758.

Also in Enterprise, on Sunday, is a Martin Luther King Jr Day Walk and Celebration on the steps of Enterprise City Hall. Speakers are Sgt. Randy Terry, Harolyn Benjamin, Mayor William Cooper, Enterprise City Council member Sonya Rich, Coffee County Commissioner Jimmy Jones, and Enterprise School Board member Rod Caldwell. The event is from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. The public is invited.

The Enterprise Community Awareness Organization is preparing for the return of the Enterprise City-Wide Celebration of the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The last service was held in January 2020. Archbishop Carl McComb, pastor of Daleville Christian Fellowship Worship Center will serve as keynote speaker at the celebration on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 4 p.m. at the Enterprise Civic Center, 2401 Neil Metcalf Rd. (Highway 167 North). Music will be provided by the City-Wide King Mass Choir, under the direction of Yolanda Milton-Daniels and Joe Merida, organist. Rehearsals are set for Jan. 2 and Jan. 9 at 6 p.m., and Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. at St. Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, 121 South Carroll St., Enterprise. The Annual Youth Celebration has been postponed and will be rescheduled in 2024. The Community Awareness Organization will not sponsor a memorial march in 2023. The public is invited to attend. For more information, please contact Essie DuBose, program chairperson, at (334) 464-8428, or Marge Simmons, publicity.

In Elba, the Dr. Martin Luther King Day Celebration is Monday, according to Timothy Williams, event organizer. A parade begins at 10 a.m. at 802 Newton Street and will end at the Elba Theater at231 Court Street, followed by brunch and a program at 10:30 a.m. For more information contact Williams at (334)447-7995.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Ozark will be commemorated with a program at Greater Sardis Missionary Baptist Church located at 707 West Reynolds St. at 11 a.m. Monday.

Enterprise Mayor William Cooper is the keynote speaker at the event and Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship will present a proclamation from the city declaring Jan. 16 as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the city, urging all citizens to Remember, Celebrate and Act in appreciation and gratitude for the ideals of King.

The theme of this years event is Keeping the Dream Alive, said Rev. Boyd Fuller, president of the Ozark-Dale County Ministerial Alliance. The MLK Ozark Community Mass Choir will perform at the event hosted by Rev. Dr. S.C. Hudson and the Greater Sardis Missionary Baptist Church and organized by the Ozark-Dale County Ministerial Alliance pastors and churches.

The New Brockton Martin Luther King Jr. march and program, paused during the COVID-19 Pandemic will return next year, according to organizers.
Are prices headed up or down? Where are the hotspots for buyers and sellers? Find out with these charts and graphs, updated weekly.
Grammy award-winning, multi-platinum recording artist Lee Greenwood will be performing at Cowboys of Dothan (4657 S. Oates St.) on Friday, Jan. 20.

Greenwood, who is best known for his hit God Bless The USA, will be appearing for one night only as part of his American Spirit TourOnce And For All.

Tickets for the event start at $50 for advanced general admission. To purchase tickets, to reserve a table, or for more information, visit CowboysofDothan.com.

With hits such as IOU, It Turns Me Inside Out, Ring On Her Finger Time On Her Hands, I Dont Mind the Thorns If Youre The Rose, Dixie Road, and more, Greenwood has charted 32 singles over his four-decade career.

He has won numerous industry awards including, Male Vocalist of the Year from the Academy of Country Music in 1983, two Male Vocalist of the Year awards from the Country Music Association in 1983 and 1984 and a Grammy for Top Male Vocal Performance in 1985 for I.O.U..

The CMA also named God Bless The U.S.A. Song of the Year in 1985. God Bless the USA went far beyond what Greenwood expected when he wrote it in the back of his tour bus in 1983. The song has been in the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001 and 2003), giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It was also #1 on the pop charts after 9/11/01.

In addition, CBS News voted God Bless The U.S.A. the most recognizable patriotic song in America.
MIDLAND CITY  The future of emergency medical services in south Dale County is uncertain as the board of directors of South Dale EMS said Thursday that they plan to shut down operations Saturday at 7 p.m. and are talking with the city of Ozarks mayor to see if that citys EMS would provide service the citizens of Newton, Midland City, Napier Field, Grimes, and Pinckard.

The rescue services severe financial problems made the decision to shut down the best thing to do, but the board is completely committed to having emergency medical services available to residents on the south end of the county, said South Dale EMS board member and Pinckard Mayor Bobby Borland.

That is true, said South Dale EMS Board Chairman Bobby Pruitt. If, for some reason, the city of Ozark cannot provide EMS to our citizens by Saturday at 7 p.m., South Dale EMS will continue providing ambulance service until such time as Ozark can. We will not leave our citizens without ambulance service.

Many EMS services across the area, state, and nation struggle to maintain financial fitness, but South Dale EMSs problems were compounded by unpaid state and federal employee taxes from previous administrators, Pruitt said previously.

When he assumed the board chairmans role at the first of this year, Pruitt discovered South Dale EMS owed some $27,000 in state employee taxes and $63,000 in federal employee taxes. We have gotten better off financially than when I took over but were still trying to catch up, he said, adding that each of the participating municipalities have contributed financially to the EMS.

Both Borland and Pruitt stress that the South Dale EMS boards of directors are strongly committed to providing emergency medical service to the citizens of South Dale County and meetings have been in the process for some time with the respective municipalities and Ozark Mayor Mark Blankenship. At a previous Ozark City Council meeting, Blankenship said he would like to see one EMS service in the part of the county that is not served by Daleville EMS for Daleville and Enterprise Rescue for the citizens of Level Plains.

The Dale County Commission received approximately $9.3 million from the American Rescue Plan Act based upon the total population of the county and this year allocated approximately $1.6 million of those funds to assist county EMS providers. The ARPA funds will be distributed to the EMS providers in 10 planned quarterly distributions, the first of which has been given, and are required to be spent by December 2024.

The manner of distribution selected by the commission, which is based on the square foot of county outside police jurisdiction served, continues to be an issue of disagreement with the municipalities in Dale County.
After multiple upward adjustments to teacher pay over the past few years, a north Alabama lawmaker is hoping to do the same for school principals.

Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, said school leaders, teachers and parents have asked him to help better support principals and create a strong pipeline for building-level administrators.

Theyre managing people, managing classes, managing the culture of the school, Orr said.

No specific legislation or budget mechanism has been proposed for the 2023 session.

The goal would be to raise the bar of the management and the culture in our schools which will ultimately benefit children and improve their educational environment, Orr said. And thats certainly what we would like to see.

Alabama has improved teacher pay in recent years and has $2.7 billion in additional funding to allocate  and potentially invest in principals.

Orr said he is considering a proposal to give principals a stipend or bump in pay if they complete additional training or professional development.

If they receive the initial training and recurring continuing professional development, Orr explained, theyll be eligible for the enhancement on their salary. So the salary increase would be tied to receiving the [required] professional development.

There are about 1,440 school-level principals in the state.

An AL.com analysis of principal salaries during the 2021-22 school year showed a wide range statewide, from $61,153 in Hale County to $158,300 in Hoover City Schools.

The average public school principal salary statewide was $97,635 for the same time period. That includes county, city and charter schools at all grade levels.

Thats an increase of 11% from five years ago, when the average Alabama principals salary was $88,200. Average Alabama teachers salary has increased 6% in the same time period, from $49,835 to $53,903.

That average varies widely by district, subject and experience. Some districts are paying $95,000 for highly experienced and educated teachers. In some districts, a teachers pay, when factoring in stipends and bonuses, could theoretically be higher than a local principals.

Orr projects a first-year cost to improve principal pay to be around $20 million, but that could grow as the program is fully implemented over the next few years.

Vic Wilson, who leads the statewide professional organization for school leaders, has worked with Orr on the issue. He said strengthening the pipeline and increasing principal pay is important as the role of the school principal continues to change over time and the duties during the school day continue to expand.

There are 1,440 school-level principals, Wilson said, and the needs of each principal and their school can differ greatly.

People often say a principal is either a building manager or an instructional leader, Wilson said.

Its not either-or. Its both-and.

They also typically have human resources, community engagement and finance responsibilities.

The legislative session starts March 7.
Germany's weekly Die Zeit (The Times) has ran an article spotlighting Vietnam's prosperous economy and its open-door policy to investors, affirming that these has helped attract more German firms to the country.

The article emphasized the economic and social changes in Vietnam in recent years, especially the sharp decrease of the poverty rate.

It cited data of the World Bank, noting that per capita income in Vietnam has doubled in the past 10 years and Vietnam aims to become an industrialized and high-income country by 2045. This means that Vietnam will become one of the 45 countries with an annual per capita income of over $12,695.

The article quoted Torben Minko, CEO of B. Braun Vietnam  a subsidiary of B. Braun Group of Germany, -as saying that Vietnam's development leads to the firms development which is hiring a total of 1,600 employees.

B. Braun Vietnam is constructing its third factory in the southwestern area of Hanoi, which is expected to create jobs for about 200 laborers, he said.

According to Minko, Vietnam has opened its door, therefore more and more Western corporations are looking to the Southeast Asian nation compared to just a handful of European companies in the past.

Vietnam's economy is growing faster than any other country in Asia, the article said, stressing that it still achieved impressive economic achievements even during the Covid-19 crisis.

In 2022, despite the crises and armed conflicts in the world, Vietnam's economy still grown by 8.02%, while prices did not increase as strongly as in many other countries, it noted.

The newspaper added that Vietnam is drawing companies from all over the world, and new factories are springing up almost everywhere in the country.

Chief Representative of the German Industry and Commerce Vietnam (AHK Vietnam) Marko Wald said that he receives many requests for assistance to inquire about Vietnam.

Hundreds of German businesses are seeking to expand their operation to Vietnam, especially since Vietnam lifted entire Covid-19 restrictions

Meanwhile, Till Gartner, Director of Mgm  an IT firm of Germany, spoke highly of Vietnams reliability, and said that many companies are considering investing in the country.
HCMC healthcare authorities have 10,000 hospital beds on standby as a precaution amid the appearance of new Covid-19 variants.

The Department of Health said that of the 10,000 beds 1,000 would be for intensive care.

As the highly infectious XBB subvariant of Omicron has been detected in the southern metropolis, and a lot of travel takes place during the holidays, the chance of variants entering Vietnam is high, which could trigger new outbreaks, it warned.

If required, one field hospital in the city would be reactivated, it said.

The department has called on all hospitals, medical centers and the HCMC Center for Disease Control (HCDC) to stand by 24/24 to diagnose and treat infections.

Preventive measures will also be ramped up at border gates and ports. The HCDC will be on duty 24/7 at Tan Son Nhat Airport and check temperatures of arrivals. Those with possible symptoms will be taken to a temporary quarantine area for quick tests.

Anyone testing positive will be transferred to the HCMC Hospital for Tropical Diseases to undergo RT-PCR tests and viral genetic sequencing.

The same protocol will be in place at ports.

The city will continue with its Covid vaccination efforts throughout Tet to make sure people get enough doses.

The Ministry of Health has recently been calling for vigilance against Covid during Tet, which will come next week. Nguyen Luong Tam, deputy head of the General Department of Preventive Medicine, said immunity would wane over time while new variants would keep showing up, meaning the trajectory of the disease would be hard to predict.
Custom officers in Quang Tri Province check packages they suspect to contain drugs inside, January 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quang Ha

Officers found a total of 6kg of drugs on four passenger buses entering Vietnam at the Lao Bao border gate in the central province of Quang Tri this week.

Customs and police forces have arrested eight Vietnamese people, whose identities are still unclear, for smuggling the drugs from Laos.

On Wednesday morning, officers at the Lao Bao border gate performed luggage inspections on two passenger buses that had just entered Vietnam, both of which carried Vietnamese license plates. They found one package of drugs each on both busses. The drugs were not confiscated and instead placed back on the bus and seemingly no action was taken.

But the customs officers then teamed up with local police and border patrol to follow the two buses.

Later that day, three people were caught as they received the two packages in Thua ThienHue Province, which borders Quang Tri.

Police found 0.5kg of drug in one package and 1.3kg of drug in the other.

An inspection of the house at which the three people had arrived uncovered another 40 pills of synthetic drugs and 100 grams of ketamine.

Previously, on the morning January 8, customs officers at Lao Bao had engaged in a similar operation in which they found drugs on two buses entering Vietnam.

One bus was registered in Vietnam and the other in Laos.

On the evening of that day, police arrested five people who received the packages in the central city of Da Nang. They found 4.4kg of drugs hidden inside the suitcases.

Vietnam is a key trafficking hub for narcotics, despite having some of the worlds toughest drug laws.

Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or more than 2.5 kilograms of meth face the death penalty.

The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death.
Dang Viet Ha, director of the Vietnam Register, has been arrested for allegedly taking bribes from registration centers across the country to ignore violations.

Police arrested the 51-year-old on Wednesday when he was visiting Ho Chi Minh City following a raid on the Vietnam Registers headquarters in Hanoi last week.

They have also detained Tran Anh Quan, acting head of the motor vehicle inspection department, deputy head Dang Tran Khanh and registrar Pham Duc Ngoc.

Senior Colonel Tran Thi Kim Ly, head of investigation at the HCMC Police Department, said local police and officers from the Ministry of Public Security have inspected a number of registration centers in the city and the nearby provinces of Long An, Tien Giang, Soc Trang, Dong Thap, Ben Tre, and the northern provinces of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh.

They have seized documents and electronic data on suspicion of violations related to certification, technical safety inspection and emissions control.

Eighty four people, including 80 officials and registrars, have been taken in for "bribery" and "forgery of documents" and 29 centers have been closed pending investigation.

Preliminary investigation has found that anyone seeking to set up a registration center has to bribe officials at the Vietnam Register.

Then, to operate without being fear of inspections by authorities, the centers have to bribe Ha and other officials "every month and every quarter," according to the police.

It is not known how much these regular bribes run into.

In turn, the centers take bribes from vehicle owners to overlook violations of regulations.

Before 2019 all vehicle registration centers were state agencies. Then the government allowed private operators to set them up if they met certain conditions imposed by the Ministry of Transport.

Police estimated that owners of around 70,000 vehicles have paid bribes.

The centers have issued 52,300 emissions control certificates without properly inspecting vehicles, they said, adding they have pocketed tens of billions of dong in bribes (VND1 billion = US$43,000).
New Siem Reap airport to be completed in 4th quarter

Cambodia is set to open a new airport near UNESCO-listed Angkor Archeological Park in October this year.

The 700-hectare Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is coming up in Soutr Nikom District, around 50 km from Siem Reap Town, Khmer Times reported.

It will have the capability to handle of all kinds of aircraft.

"As of December 31, 2022, the airport construction was 63% complete and the airport developer company is committed to achieving 90% by the end of March 2023," Khmer Times reported.

Construction of the $880-million airport began in early 2020 to replace Siem Reap International Airport, which is now the second busiest airport in Cambodia after Phnom Penh International Airport.

The new airport, to be Cambodia's largest, is expected to boost tourism and the economy as the country prepares for the return of Chinese tourists.

Siem Reap Province in the northwest is home to Angkor Wat, the country's most popular tourist destination.

Cambodia has reopened its borders and lifted most Covid restrictions.
The desire to work in a burgeoning IT industry and experience a new culture led Mexican national Luis Ruvalcaba, 35, to Vietnam.

He came across a job opening on tech giant FPT's LinkedIn page four years ago. He applied and was interviewed by HR, the Senior Project Manager and the Project Owner before obtaining the position of Project Manager.

Working in an environment with talented people in Vietnam, both local and foreign, at FPT Software, a subsidiary of FPT, has left Ruvalcaba feeling energized and has provided him the opportunity to advance his career. "Working here has helped me enhance my time and task management skills."

Ruvalcaba is one of an increasing number of foreign professionals working in Vietnams booming IT sector.

FPT has 1,888 foreign employees from 55 countries and territories out of the companys current staff of 60,000.

As of 2022, Vietnam was home to 70,000 IT companies, up 9.37% from 2021 and three years ahead of the country's original 2025 objective, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the 2022 Vietnam IT Market Report by recruitment platform TopDev, companies in Vietnam hired 175,370 information technology staff in 2022, up 36.2% year-on-year, as the countrys tech sector continues to boom with rising investment.

Recruitment demand for IT staff is set to exceed 229,000 by 2023 and 290,000 by 2024, said the report.

Gautham Rajkumar, a 29-year-old Indian Senior Developer at FPT Software in Hanoi, said Vietnams IT development far surpassed his expectations when he got here about a year ago. Even though many international IT workers have already worked for various other companies abroad, many have had unexpected experiences in Vietnam. There were more than 93,000 foreigners with work permits in Vietnam as of January 2022, according to data from the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs.

The less strict implementation of work regulations here made many expats surprised.

Having worked for other international corporations in the past, Rajkumar assumed that Vietnamese employers would adhere to rigid working hours, as what hed experienced in other cultures.

"But I was really surprised and happy when I actually arrived in Vietnam to see that not all my expectations were true," he said.

Luis Ruvalcaba, a Project Manager at FPT Software, poses for a photo. Photo courtesy of Ruvalcaba

Meanwhile, Ruvalcaba acknowledged that he initially felt a little lost because he was new to FPT's working methods and had to learn to adjust to how things function here.

He still remembers vividly that he arrived at the office at 7:50 a.m. on his first day because work was supposed to begin at 8 a.m. But by the time the clock had struck 8, no one had arrived yet. They started arriving at around 8:15 a.m., he said.

While its common in Vietnam, taking long siestas is a rare practice for foreign IT workers.

He was taken aback when his coworkers shut off the lights and napped on the floor after they returned after lunch. He remembers asking a coworker: "What time do we start working again?"

"I was surprised because nobody sleeps during office hours in my home country," he said, adding that he likes lunchtime here more than in Mexico, where it only lasts an hour at most.

Now he also takes an afternoon nap, pulling his chair back a bit and resting his head on his arms on the table.

Ruvalcaba said his new habit helps him re-energize both his mind and body and this boosts productivity in the afternoon.

Rajkuma agreed.

"Theres no siesta in India," he said. "But this is a very clever way of increasing work efficiency."

Open source, open culture

Rajkuma also finds the friendly and open culture at work in Vietnam beneficial.

Rajkuma, who spent five years working for an Indian software company back home, where he described the working environment as "stressful" due to the "crushing hustle culture," said that Vietnam has an "amazing" work culture and he finds that people here treat each other like family.

Ruvalcaba concurred, saying that he often hangs out with his colleagues after work for food and drink and often attends company or team parties.

"In Mexico, people can just drink on their own. I like it here that people drink together at the same time and cheer 1,2,3 Vo!"

Rajkuma praises Vietnam for its manageable work schedule, allowing him to maintain a healthy work-life balance while living here.

He said that overtime and weekend hours often go uncounted in India. Meanwhile, in his company in Vietnam, all the overtime work "is recognized and is paid."

After working on short-term projects in Japan and South Korea, Ruvalcaba has found that the work in Vietnam is just as hard but moves forward with far more flexibility and a much more positive and team-oriented culture.

Having a cup of coffee and a chat is a common pastime for many in the workplace here, he said. In addition, he noticed that Vietnamese people are more willing to pitch in and work together on projects.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that workers in Japan and South Korea are less open with one another and the work environment lacks a sense of teamwork because everyone is so focused on their individual tasks.

Found in translation

One of the major challenges for foreign IT workers is connecting with their local counterparts through language barriers.

Lukas Toman, IT Security Manager at Home Credit Vietnam, a local branch of the Czech international consumer finance provider, said learning Vietnamese has been a bit challenging. He has to rely on English and ask for support from his colleagues, "who are really supportive and understanding."

Rajkumar also admitted that Vietnamese was a bit difficult to learn and that it kept him away from making new friends, enjoying jokes, and sharing ideas at work.

"Unfortunately, I have missed out on making friends with some colleagues because we cant speak the same language," he said.

Echoing this sentiment, Ruvalcaba said some of his team members were a bit shy when speaking English, so there was a bit of a language barrier at the beginning.

He and the team overcame this challenge by switching to using messaging apps to liaise with colleagues, allowing them to have more time to think of words or to translate a word if needed.

"I also took Vietnamese classes and picked up quite a lot," he said.

He said he enrolled in Vietnamese classes to communicate better with his team. Though it wasnt easy in the beginning, he is now able to read, understand and follow what coworkers discuss in chat groups.

Meanwhile, Rajkumar has been helping colleagues improve their English by providing speaking lessons outside working hours.

Despite some difficulties adjusting to the Vietnamese workplace, the IT professionals VnExpress International spoke to like working here and plan to stay.

Rajkuma said he has applied for a temporary residence card and plans on "staying here for a long time."

He said anything new he experiences, from going for bia hoi or karaoke parties with Vietnamese friends, is a memorable moment that he will cherish.

"If you get the chance to live and work in Vietnam, go for it!" he said. "Youre not going to regret it  this country has amazing food, beautiful places, interesting history, loving people and a stress-free life."
The United States continues to respond to Haitis insecurity and worsening humanitarian crisis and to support Haitian-led efforts to bring about a political accord that would benefit of all Haitians.

The United States along with Mexico introduced a resolution establishing a sanctions regime as an important step to help the Haitian people. The United States has also placed visa restrictions on parties known to have colluded with criminal gangs in Haiti.

These steps have already begun to have a chilling effect on gang leaders and political and economic elites causing and financing the ongoing crises in Haiti, but we do not plan to stop there, said U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood, Alternate Representative to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs. We will continue to target violent gang leaders and their financiers. We are identifying additional targets to nominate at the United Nations in order to halt funding to those involved in the unrest in Haiti.

We are encouraged that the Haitian National Police were able to reestablish control over the Varreux fuel terminal. Despite this positive development, violence and insecurity remains an everyday concern for Haitians, said Ambassador Wood. Ongoing kidnappings, use of sexual violence and raping by gangs, clashes between gangs, and the blockage of the countrys main roads remain significant challenges. For this reason, we continue to advocate for international security support, including a non-UN multinational force as requested by the Haitian government.

The United States has provided more than $90 million in security support to Haiti in the past 18 months and will continue to provide critical support bilaterally. We also continue to provide lifesaving aid as Haitian people struggle to cope with a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation that includes famine-like conditions in parts of Port-au-Prince and the country-wide spread of cholera, said Ambassador Wood.

The United States is expanding its emergency assistance to respond to growing protection concerns, help to stem the cholera outbreak, and deliver essential food and other commodities to the most vulnerable communities in Port-au-Prince and throughout the country. The United States calls on donors to also increase support during this critical period for Haiti.
Iranian authorities are using executions as a key component of efforts to suppress peaceful protests, said U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price.

His description of executions as a tool of terror came after news that on January 7 Iran executed two more young men in connection with protests that have swept the country following the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini in September.

We are appalled by Irans executions of Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini and the sentencing, I should add, of additional individuals to death for involvement in protests, said Spokesperson Price. These two individuals were put to death following what can only be called sham trials, sham trials that were rushed, that lacked any fair trial guarantees. We condemn these executions in the strongest terms.

Credible human rights groups estimate that more than a dozen people have been issued death sentences in Iran in connection with the protests. In addition, more than 500 people have been killed by Iranian security forces, and over 18,000 arrested.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights deplored the "shocking" executions of Karami and Hosseini following "unfair trials based on forced confessions.

U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Robert Malley said in a tweet, We and others across the globe will continue to hold Irans leadership accountable.

In December, the United States and the European Union imposed sanctions on additional individuals and entities because of their roles in the Iranian regimes violent response to protests. Following the latest executions, Canada announced additional sanctions as well.

Spokesperson Price noted that last year the United States successfully pushed for the UN Human Rights Council to set up a Fact-Finding Mission to investigate Irans human rights abuses, especially regarding women and children since the protests began in September. To see to it that the worlds preeminent body, in many respects, has a standing commission that is solely and exclusively trained on the brutality that the Iranian regime is perpetrating against its own citizens, he said.

The United States will continue to help the Fact-Finding Mission fulfill the mission that was set out for it, declared Spokesperson Price, just as we continue to train the eyes of the UN [and] of our partners on what is happening to the Iranian people.
India embarked on the 'Skill India Mission' to become self-reliant, under which upskilling people is one of the government's key focus areas.Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently chaired the third meeting of the steering committee of the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM), where he highlighted a number of issues such as the convergence of skill development schemes, skill gap analysis, skill mapping, connecting Indian youth to global opportunities, developing curriculum to reflect current trends, and creating synergy between various skill development portals.In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the 'Skill India Mission', which was in accordance with his vision to help India become 'Atmanirbhar' (self-reliant). The initiative was aimed to create and implement comprehensive skill development training programs that would help bridge the gap between industry demands and skill requirements and therefore, develop the country at large.The 'Skill India' programs comprised implementing curriculum-based skill training courses, wherein trainees would gain certifications and endorsements from industry-recognized learning centers. The mission also involved incorporating skill-based learning into the school curriculum, creating opportunities for both long- and short-term skill training and employment.The government is aiming to train one million youth per annum through apprenticeship training. The training is conducted every month since June 2022. The NSDM was launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on July 15, 2015. The 'Skill India Mission' was launched to create convergence across various sectors and different states in terms of activities relating to skill training.The objectives of the mission include:* Implementing the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) which will allow opportunities for long-term, as well as short-term training, leading to productive employment and career improvement.* Using the NSQF module to maintain a balance between the industry-employer demand.* Providing facilities for re-skilling and up-skilling the workforce of the unorganized sectors.* Ensuring high-quality training standards through high-quality teaching and benchmarked institutions according to national and international standards.* Support weaker and disadvantaged sections of society through focused outreach programs.* Enabling pathways for transitioning between the vocational training system and the formal educational system, through a credit transfer system.* Maintaining a national database, known as the Labour Market Information System (LMIS), which will act as a portal for matching the demand and supply of skilled workforce in the country.With India being a 'young' country due to its 75 percent working-age population, the development of a skilled and educated workforce will play a significant role in enhancing its overall economy, according to India Brand Equity Foundation.According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), India is likely to face a shortage of approximately 29 million skilled personnel by 2030. Following this, Accenture in 2019 predicted that if India does not take timely actions - such as investing in new technologies or building industry-required skills-the skill deficit could cost the country $1.97 trillion in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) over the next decade. With the 'Skill India Mission', the government aims to develop those practical skills, which are required by the industry and therefore, improve the employment rate in the country.Since implementation, the mission has helped boost employment. According to data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the unemployment rate dropped to 6.5 percent in January 2021 from 9.1 percent in December 2020, while the employment rate increased to 37.9 percent in January 2021 from 36.9 percent in December 2020.
Velocity Xcelerator adheres to the straightforward formula that asserts effective activities produce dynamic and appealing effects

Through individualized Business Coaching and Consulting, he is on a mission to assist Solopreneurs, SMEs, and MSMEs in creating next level leaders and auto mating their businesses. "Inclining the long term goals of the employees with the vision of the company is one of the most effective ways not only of leadership development, but also of increasing the retention rate at the firms", says Virendra Ingle, Founder, Velocity Xcelerator.With a clear cut mission in his sights, the firm was founded to provide services in Corporate Training, Sales Training, Leadership Training, Communication Skill Training, Personality Development Training, Business Consulting, Sales Consulting, HR Consulting, Marketing Consulting, Franchise Consulting, and Distribution Consulting across the EDP program and Step up Program.One of the most unique propositions of the firm is the methodology used in offering the various services. Clarity, Goal, Challenges, Actions, and Results, or CGCAR, is a component of the CGCAR framework, which is implemented by Velocity Xcelerator in its program of Leadership Training and Consulting. This component has been useful to most clients in increasing their company's growth rate. The firm uses this framework as a step by step guide for curating organizational goals. In a discovery session with customers, the company pinpoints and successfully closes business gaps, which ultimately leads to the creation of a goal centric blueprint.These actions are intended to increase `clarity' within the company and create a path to address any issues that function as a barrier to accomplishing the organizational goal. Designing a set of GOALS and uniting every leader and employee around a single objective is the next step. The resolve to take the ACTION necessary to get over the obstacles is the fourth phase. Results come in at the fifth phase. Velocity Xcelerator adheres to the straight forward formula that asserts effective activities produce dynamic and appealing effects, even though this step won't be in the control of the actual doers. As a result, the firm has been successful in providing intended results and has been efficient in resolving the issue of many businesses.For entrepreneurs and business owners, Velocity serves as a dynamic consultant, advisor, and growth showing torchbearer, guiding organizations to higher levels of development & success.
By Trend

The cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan during the last 30 years can be characterized as a shining example of relations built on trust and respect for mutual interests. Both countries have similar histories, social contexts and values, which assisted Baku and Astana in the process of building a strong foundation for long-term cooperation in many sectors.

In the past, Kazakhstan demonstrated its support during the critical time of Azerbaijans independence, including the approach exhibited by Kazakh thinkers and politicians during the first Karabakh war, such as Olzhas Suleymenov, who openly backed the position of Azerbaijan. To this day, he is held in the highest regard among Azerbaijanis.

Additionally, upon the conclusion of the second Karabakh war, Kazakh officials expressed the willingness of the Central Asian nation to participate in the reconstruction of the liberated areas.

Both countries have always addressed bilateral policy issues transparently. Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on the issue of the Caspian Sea's legal status, and Azerbaijans position on several other issues of importance to Kazakhstan, paved the way for establishing reliable channels of cooperation.

As President Ilham Aliyev said during the meeting with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in August 2022, "our agenda today is quite broad, and we see that the positions of our countries completely overlap in all directions. This once again shows that Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are strategic partners and allies not only in word but also in deed".

While all this sounds good, recent developments suggest that we are on a brink of another breakthrough in relations between the countries. The quality of projects currently in the portfolio of Baku and Astana, as well as the ambitious plans of both nations moving forward, give us valid grounds to suggest that the next stage of cooperation will open new horizons for the nations.

However, to reach these horizons, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan both need each other. The past history of the relations between the nations was merely a taste of things to come. The success of future ventures depends on the element of bilateral cooperation, which will be the cornerstone of future relations.

The future is bright

Transport cooperation

Among the many projects currently in the pipeline, the work on the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), also known as the Middle Corridor, deserves the highest level of attention.

It is not a big secret that Baku and Astana have a significant level of interest in developing transportation. This interest is a part of a broader strategy, aimed to diversify the economic opportunities available to both sides. Economic benefits can be significant, especially considering that such cooperation will pave the way for creating job openings for thousands of people and stimulate local businesses.

Interestingly, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan share and pursue similar interests in the context of the implementation of the Middle Corridor. Both countries are a part of the International NorthSouth Transport Corridor, and both are critical elements of the architecture of the Middle Corridor transport route.

For Baku and Astana, the implementation of the abovementioned projects is critical to ensure long-term economic prosperity and political influence. As the geopolitical turmoil shook the former Soviet countries, the implementation of the Middle Corridor reached the top of the decision makers agenda in Western states.

High-technology communication

Just several days ago, AzerTelecom and Kazakhtelecom, the leading telecommunications companies of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, signed an "Agreement on the terms of cooperation" within the framework of the project on laying a fiber-optic communication line (FOCL) along the bottom of the Caspian Sea.

The Trans-Caspian Fiber-Optic Communication Line project along the bottom of the Caspian Sea on the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan route is part of the large-scale Digital Silk Way project, which envisages the formation of a digital telecommunication corridor between Europe and Asia.

The project is a logical step for both sides, as the cooperation in this sector somewhat lagged behind. Both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are deeply interested in developing a high technological sector, as the benefits of this sector to the general economy are obvious.

Energy cooperation

Some people may consider Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to be rivals in the area of energy. This seems to be perfectly logical and intuitive, should we look at the question through the lens of a zero-sum game. After all, if one country exports its resources to a third side, the other country will be unable to sell the very same resources to the said third country.

Reality is considerably different. However, this matter should be assessed from the perspective of cooperation, rather than rivalry. Baku and Kazakhstan have a unique opportunity to use each others infrastructure and services to boost each others exports while providing much-needed energy security to importers representing other geographic regions.

An integrative approach to the question of energy cooperation is the only way to reach a mutually desirable win-win solution for all parties involved. This is a perfectly rational approach and the right policy to pursue. Historic lessons, as well as more recent developments, suggest that Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan will choose the path of rationality and situational awareness going forward.

The positive spillover effect of political relations on economic relations

The outlined projects are far from being implemented fully, however, the steps taken point to the serious intentions of both Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan to strengthen cooperation in these fields. Some global projects, including the Middle Corridor, simply cannot be finalized without Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

The overall theme that we can observe in Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan relations is that initial solid political relations helped the states to launch cooperation in other fields, such as energy and transport. Meanwhile, improved relations in these fields led to a higher level of political cooperation between the nations.

Considering all the above, sky seems to be the limit for the two Turkic states.
ELKO  An award-winning show dog has been missing in Elko County for nearly a week despite a monumental effort to find him.

Bumble is 3-year-old, 65-pound Berger Picard, a French breed also known as Picardy Shepherd. He was being transported from Minnesota to California when the transporter made a stop at the Flying J truck stop in Wells and he got loose on Jan. 6.

Owner Donna Beadle specializes in the breed from her hobby kennel in Elko, Minnesota. They are very rare here in the U.S., she told the Elko Daily.

Bumble is an AKC champion and was the number one owner-handled dog last year in AKC, she said.

Beadle said she hired a service to drive the dog to its other owner in California because airlines are not as dog-friendly as they once were.

When the transporters assistant let Bumble out to do his business at the truck stop that night, he slipped the leash. Beadle said the assistant then began to chase after him, which frightened him and is not a good procedure to follow in such a situation.

When a dog gets loose, never chase them, she said, because you put them in flight mode and theyre just scared.

Beadle flew out the next day from Minneapolis and employed some serious help searching for the dog.

She spotted Bumble at the Wells airport on Saturday, and others saw him headed west along Interstate 80.

We had a gentleman come out from Wyoming who is a professional tracker, she said. He brought a scent dog and a $50,000 drone with infrared camera.

Beadle also hired a professional trapping group from Boise called Ladies and the Trap. The set up trail cameras and food stations.

A bunch of people saw him on the frontage road on I-80 by Starr Valley and Welcome, she said. They found his footprints at a cattle underpass, but thats where the tracking dog lost his scent.

So they believe either somebody picked him up and took him somewhere, or he was deceased  but there hasnt been any reports of any dogs hit on I-80 in the time frame that hes been gone.

Beadle said she has been in contact with the highway patrol and the state highway department, as well as animal control.

The food stations and trail cameras are still set up, and a volunteer in Wells is making sure they stay stocked with food.

The local people in Wells have been amazing with us, she said.

More searches are planned but Beadle said she is hoping someone who may have picked the dog up will see this article and call her.

The search effort has been well funded through a now-closed GoFundMe account, and Beadle is offering a $2,500 reward.

The biggest thing is we just want people to be on the lookout, she said.

Anyone with information on Bumbles whereabouts is asked to call 612-718-7693.
Officials, businesses welcome return of travelers and goods

At 8 am on Sunday, Yan Feng arrived at the land port of Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on a cross-border bus from Russia. She was traveling to her hometown of Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang province, for a reunion with family members and friends for the upcoming Spring Festival holiday.

Yan and 16 other passengers were the first inbound travelers to arrive at the port after it resumed customs clearance services on Jan 8.

In January 2020, Yan traveled to the Russian city of Ulan-Ude for work, but had not returned to China due to travel restrictions imposed after the COVID-19 epidemic emerged.

"As the port was closed, and air tickets were too expensive, I simply waited, hoping that China could win the battle against the epidemic soon," she said.

With the nation downgrading COVID-19 management measures from Class A to Class B on Jan 8, inbound passengers are only required to present a negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours of travel, and no longer need to quarantine.

Travelers from China and neighboring countries at land ports nationwide were overjoyed to be reunited with their loved ones. Local officials and businesses also welcomed the return of customers and goods, along with the hustle and bustle at border cities.

Yan said: "I am very excited. For the past three years, I have been looking forward to the border reopening, as I really wanted to return home. I have been so sad not to have been with my parents and children."

Manzhouli, the largest land border port in China, processes more than 65 percent of Sino-Russian trade via land transportation. In 2019, the port handled 32.59 million metric tons of cargo and 1.9 million trips by travelers, according to figures from the facility.

At the port of Youyiguan in Pingxiang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, which borders Vietnam, customs authorities used lanterns, flowers and potted plants to welcome travelers.

Some 2,800 passengers and 1,500 trucks passed through the port on Sunday, according to local authorities.

In 2020, the local government introduced a special customs clearance system for cross-border drivers. All Chinese freight vehicles entering and leaving the port were driven by designated cross-border drivers who were under strict closed-loop management.

Now, these drivers no longer need to wear protective clothing, and regular truck drivers are once again allowed to transport goods across the border.

Lu Qinghua, a truck driver for an international logistics company in Pingxiang, arrived at the port early on Sunday to transport goods to Vietnam for the first time in three years.

"The customs service is just as efficient as it was before the epidemic, and I can now return to driving my truck between China and Vietnam," he said.

Liang Donghai, who manages a local supply chain company, said the end of closed loop management is expected to increase customs clearance efficiency by 60 percent and reduce costs for his company by the same level.

"Before you know it, our company's business will have returned to the pre-epidemic level," he said.

Main channel

Youyiguan is an important exit and entry channel for travelers, and a main land channel from China to member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with frequent exchanges of cross-border personnel and goods taking place at the port.

In 2021, the port's foreign trade continued to grow, as it handled a total of 402,800 inbound and outbound freight trucks and some 4.4 million tons of cargo imports and exports.

Lu Shaoxia, deputy director of the Pingxiang Commerce and Port Administration, said publicity has been stepped up for exit and entry policies to help enterprises, and truck drivers have been told that they need to obtain the necessary exit and entry licenses.

The port has also increased staffing levels, drawn up emergency plans, and made efforts to shorten customs clearance times and improve efficiency, she said.

Wu Xiaohui, Party secretary of Pingxiang, said the signing of a joint statement by China and Vietnam on further strengthening and deepening a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and adjusting customs services at the port offers new opportunities for the city to boost its economic development.

He said that by using its strength in logistics, manufacturing and transportation, Pingxiang will quickly become a land hub and an important area for China's "dual circulation" development paradigm  in which the domestic and international markets complement each other, with the domestic market as the focal point.

The port city of Dongxing, Guangxi, which also borders Vietnam, received hundreds of inbound Chinese travelers when it reopened on Sunday.

One of them, surnamed Liu, said: "I'm thrilled. Now that our country has relaxed its COVID-19 controls, I can return for a family reunion."

The port is preparing for a massive influx of overseas migrant workers returning home for the Spring Festival holiday. The local government is also planning to streamline entry and exit procedures for business travelers and tourists.

In Yunnan province, the port of Ruili, which stands on the China-Myanmar border, also reopened on Sunday. It is one of China's leading ports and the largest land port on this border.

The facility can process a maximum of 82 people simultaneously, and customs clearance can be completed in just 14 seconds.

The local government in Jiegao township, where the port is situated, has made numerous efforts to resume production and daily operations.

Cai Xin, general manager of an e-commerce center for jade in Ruili, said the business experienced great difficulties in the past three years, but it remains fully confident about the city's prospects.

He said the company spent 20 million yuan ($2.95 million) on upgrading its facilities, adding that the reopening of the border is highly significant.

The center, which operates nearly 800 channels on Taobao Live, Alibaba's livestreaming arm, and the short-video platform Kuaishou, ranks in the top three for business on both platforms' jewelry sections, he said.

"With the port reopening, we expect to see large numbers of people arriving in Ruili, and more products entering the city. By using livestreaming, we are helping to build Ruili into the capital of jade."

Right direction

Li Zhengjiang, general manager of a furniture company in Ruili, said that before the epidemic emerged, the business hired more than 200 workers from Myanmar, but for the past three years it experienced a shortage of employees.

"The border reopening means that everything is going in the right direction, and we are also welcoming the return of workers from Myanmar," he said.

Dingyu Duty Free, a shop selling alcohol, opened in the Jiegao Border Trade Area on Sunday. Total investment in the business is expected to reach 500 million yuan.

Guo Shaojing, head of the shop, said that as many tourists and business travelers passed through the port before the epidemic, it only took half a day for the company to decide to set up the shop.

"The local government has given us a great deal of help and has introduced favorable policies, enabling us to open the shop on the day the port reopened. We believe this is the right decision in line with China's opening-up policy, and we are confident in Ruili and our country," he said.

Hekou Port, the largest in Yunnan on the China-Vietnam border, resumed services on Sunday, with people from the two countries crossing the China-Vietnam Nanxi River Bridge and exchanging flowers to celebrate.

The port, which has reopened channels for pedestrians and vehicles, is connected to the Vietnamese province of Lao Cai by land and water. For years, sightseeing and cross-border tourism in the area has boomed, and cross-border public transportation have developed. In 2019, some 6.61 million inbound and outbound trips were made through Hekou Port.

Hekou Party Secretary Yu Yang said a Spring Festival gala will be held to strengthen bonds between people on both sides of the border. During the Spring Festival holiday, visits will be exchanged by Party and government delegations, while a series of investment promotions and cross-border tourism negotiations will also be conducted.

In Tibet autonomous region, Gyirong Port has reopened. Six cargo trucks loaded with products from Nepal were inspected at the port on Dec 28 as two-way trade resumed.

Located in the Himalayas, the port is 800 kilometers from the regional capital Lhasa and about 130 km from Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.

One of the biggest land ports between China and Nepal, it handles more than 60 percent of the two countries' trade.

The port went into full operation in 2014. Plans to expand the facility received national approval in 2017, with the port opening for business to third-destination countries in August that year.

Trade at the port was suspended in 2019 and 2020 due to the epidemic, but one-way freight services to Nepal resumed in July 2020 after cautious and strict measures were adopted to minimize any risks.

Xie Qiang, head of the Gyirong customs administration, said that since July 2020, import and export trade volume at the port has reached a total of more than 4.2 billion yuan, with total cargo throughput standing at 97,800 tons.

On Dec 28, imports at the port reached 38.7 tons and were valued at 825,800 yuan, he said.

Authorities have streamlined customs clearance services at the port, and its freight processing capacity has returned to the pre-pandemic level, Xie added.

Huang Zhonghan, manager at an import and export company in Nyalam county, Tibet, said the resumption of two-way trade at the port is great news for the company, as it can reduce costs and transportation times.

This year, the company will send an employee to Nepal on a long-term basis to expand business, which Huang believes will pick up soon.

He said the company will also import and export more types of products to meet demand in China and Nepal.

"With the government continuing to invest in infrastructure, foreign trade at ports in Tibet will be elevated to a new level, and we believe that Gyirong Port will have a better future," Huang said.

This story was written by Li Yingqing in Kunming, Yuan Hui in Hohhot, Zhang Li in Nanning, Palden Nyima in Lhasa, and Zou Shuo in Beijing.
PM Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone before talks (Photo: VNA)

Speaking with the press, Minister Bui Thanh Son said the January 11-12 visit at the invitation of Lao PM Sonexay Siphandone was the first made by the Vietnamese PM, wrapping up the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022.

PM Pham Minh Chinh was also the first foreign leader to visit Laos in 2023 and the first foreign partner welcomed by the Lao PM since he took office.

The Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committees 45th meeting, co-chaired by the two PMs, was also the first to return to Laos after four years of being held in Vietnam.

With a busy schedule of nearly 20 activities in about 30 hours, Minister Bui Thanh Son said PM Pham Minh Chinh had held talks with his Lao counterpart, paid courtesy calls to the Lao Party General Secretary and State President, met the President of National Assembly, received Chairman of the Central Committee of Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association, visited former leaders of the Lao Party and State, co-chaired the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, attended and delivered a speech at the Vietnam-Laos investment conference.

Both sides signed 10 cooperation documents to further boost ties across economic diplomacy, digital partnership, judicial assistance in civil affairs, education-training, finance-banking, health care, waterway transport and training of diplomatic officials.

Son said the visit has brought about comprehensive, substantial and specific results. A highlight of which was the closing ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 co-chaired by the two PMs. It was an important event to review a successful year of bilateral special relationship.

Apart from political, defence and economic ties, both sides also agreed to keep improving the quality of cooperation in education-training, justice, sci-tech, culture, tourism, people-to-people and locality-to-locality cooperation, particularly border provinces.

During the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, they vowed to continue upholding the effectiveness of joint projects last year, fixing obstacles and accelerating key projects.

The two sides also affirmed determination to work closely together and offer mutual support at regional and global multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

The two Government leaders pledged to maintain ASEANs solidarity and central role, as well as ASEANs common stance on strategic issues, including the East Sea issue.

The Vietnamese PM expressed readiness to help Laos successfully take over international tasks in the near future such as ASEAN/AIPA chairmanship in 2024.

Son concluded that with the above achievements, the visit has generated a new impetus for Vietnam-Laos special cooperative ties for the benefit of the two nations and for peace, stability and development in the region./.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Governor of Japan's Niigata prefecture Hanazumi Hideyo (Photo: VNA)

Welcoming the first Japanese local leader to Vietnam in 2023, a special year as Vietnam and Japan celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries is developing strongly and substantially across all fields.

The President spoke highly of Niigata and the Governor's determination, efforts and initiatives to promote cooperation with Vietnam over the years, including the signing of collaboration deals with northern Hai Phong city and the Ministry of Planning and Investment, as well as cultural exchange activities such as the Vietnam Festival in Niigata in 2019.

He thanked Niigata and its leader for supporting the 3,600-strong Vietnamese community in the locality.

For his part, Hanazumi Hideyo highlighted the important role of cooperation among localities in the overall ties between Vietnam and Japan, affirming that Japanese localities are interested in promoting exchange with their Vietnamese peers, especially in economy, trade, and human resources training.

Localities of the two countries are enjoying effective cooperation in investment, he said, proposing that they should further bolster collaboration in trade of strong products of each side.

Agreeing with the Japanese Governor, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc emphasised that Vietnam attaches great importance to ties with Japan and wishes to further boost trade ties among localities. He suggested that Niigata work with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to implement joint projects with Vietnam.

The President said he hopes Niigata will invest more in agriculture, manufacturing, supporting industries, electronic production and food processing in Vietnam, while continuing to implement agreements with Hai Phong city and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. Vietnam is ready to create optimal conditions for businesses from Niigata to invest successfully in Vietnam.

He said the Japanese side should expand cooperation in education-training and the receipt of Vietnamese apprentice and labourers in manufacturing and agro-forestry-fisheries sectors, while strengthening connections among enterprises and universities of Niigata and vocational training facilities and universities of Vietnam.

At the same time, it is necessary to promote cultural, people-to-people exchange and tourism collaboration as well as activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2023.

Hanazumi Hideyo pledged to continue encouraging local companies to invest more in Vietnam and receive more Vietnamese interns and workers.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc extended best wishes to the Niigata Governor, showing his hope that Japanese localities will continue to effectively cooperate with Vietnamese localities, contributing to bolstering ties between the two countries./.
Winners of the competition

The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi organized this nationwide English-speaking competition in conjunction with Hanoi University and Galaxy Education Joint Stock.

Eighty teams from 39 provinces competed in two virtual preliminary rounds, which focused on workforce readiness, social inclusion, economic growth, STEM development, and innovation. The top six teams of 18 students from Vinh Phuc, Thai Binh, Ha Tinh, Nghe An, An Giang and Phu Yen then competed in the final in-person round in Hanoi.

Throughout the competition, high school students demonstrated their English knowledge and public speaking skills through presentations on the role of education in addressing social issues and furthering youth empowerment in Vietnam.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the final round, DCM Bishop congratulated the teams for advancing to the final round of the competition, which she considered a significant achievement given the talent of the competing teams. She emphasized that all of the teams were already winners, as they are an excellent example of Vietnams potential.

I hope the practical experience you have received from this competition will inspire you to continue enhancing your English-language skills and to deepen your knowledge about the powerful role education plays in todays world. You are all bright young leaders who I know will successfully contribute to your communities and help strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Vietnam, which, this year, is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of our comprehensive partnership. English language cooperation plays a key role in that partnership, stated DCM Bishop.

While all teams demonstrated very high levels of ability, the judges panel determined that Phan Boi Chau Highschool for the gifted (Nghe An province) was the winning team of the competition, while Thoai Ngoc Hau Highschool for the gifted (An Giang province) and Ha Tinh Highschool for the gifted (Ha Tinh province) were the 1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively./.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the event (Photo: VNA)

Initiated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the event was one of the first activities within the framework of Indias G20 Presidency with an aim to integrate views and stances of developing countries into the G20 agenda, thereby promoting global solidarity and building a common voice in addressing pressing challenges as well as fulfilling sustainable development goals.

In his remarks, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted the need to join hands to strengthen foundations for global peace and development, specifically reinforcing international solidarity and cooperation and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development, promoting free trade and international investment as a driving force for sustainable economic growth, putting people at the center and "leaving no one behind"; creating new growth engines on the basis of creatively taking advantage of the Industrial Revolution 4.0, reforming the global governance system towards enhancing the position and voice of developing countries.

In order to spread the Voice of the Global South, he suggested raising a common voice and making substantial contributions to promoting multilateralism, reforming the United Nations to be more democratic and effective, strengthening the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at the centre and minimising trade barriers.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc also proposed increasing developed nations preferential financial support for the South countries, waiving and rescheduling debts payment for poor nations, providing support in climate change response, green transition, sustainable development and building post-2025 finance roadmap, strengthening new financial mechanisms and mixed financing with the involvement of the private sector.

In his view, technology, digital transformation and innovation need to have a central position in the development strategy of every country, playing as a driving force of green growth, labour productivity and competitiveness.

Participants at the event urged stakeholders to take immediate actions to meet sustainable development goals on schedule.

Themed Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose, the event saw the attendance of heads of State and Government leaders of Mozambique, Senegal, Guyana, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Thailand.

Initiatives, commitments and recommendations at the event laid an important foundation for G20s agenda in 2023, toward the G20 Summit scheduled for September 2023./.
At the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee. (Photo: VNA)

The meeting, held on January 11-12, saw the attendance of representatives from more than 20 ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries.

The two sides agree to concretise conclusions by the two Politburos as well as the agreement on the 2023 cooperation plan in order 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 with pleasure comprehensive cooperation outcomes recorded in 2022, saying the bilateral trade surpassed the set target to reach 1.73 billion USD, up 24% from the previous year.

Vietnams investment in Laos last year also exceeded 180 million USD, a year-on-year rise of 52.5%.

The two countries agreed to focus on the implementation of 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% in 2023 as compared with 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 Vietnam and invested by Vietnamese firms in Laos, and encourage 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.

The bilateral economic cooperation should be further advanced, he said, calling for joint efforts in improving 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 with 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.

The two sides should facilitate the operations of their businesses, he said, asking ministries, agencies and localities of both sides 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 effectively materialise commitments made at the meeting, 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.

Prior to 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 event was jointly held by the Vietnam News Agency and the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment./.
At the event (Photo: VNA)

The event was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in the Netherlands and the Vietnamese Language Studies in La Haye

Making the food on the occasion of the traditional New Year has gradually become a habit, an activity of many young overseas Vietnamese to help them have a better understanding about their roots, recall old memories in the homeland, and feel the warmth of Tet atmosphere.

All the ingredients for the cake such as glutinous rice, green beans, pork, pepper, and fish sauce have been imported from Vietnam.

Tet will take place from January 21-25 this year (the last day of the last lunar month to the fourth day of the first lunar month of the year)./.
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Honored Artist Nargiz Aliyarova has performed a solo concert in the United States, Azernews reports.

The concert, called "The music of the Silk Road", took place at the Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington.

During the gala night, the pianist talked about Azerbaijani music and its invaluable contributions to world art.

Aliyarova started her solo concert by performing Faig Sujaddinov's ballade Vatan (Fatherland).

She dedicated this composition to the martyrs, who gave their lives for the liberation of Azerbaijani lands.

The Honored Artist mesmerized the audience with music pieces by composers from three countries on the historic Silk Road: Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Iran.

The concert also featured works of famous Azerbaijani composers Gara Garayev, Fikrat Amirov, Lala Jafarova, Frangiz Alizada, and Faig Sujaddinov.

The concert was sold out and brought together music lovers from different countries, who enjoyed the concert with full enthusiasm and passion.

New York-based artist Nargiz Aliyarova is an international pianist and professor. Her repertoire includes music ranging from baroque to contemporary.

In 2010, the piano musician was awarded a diploma for her outstanding contribution to the legacy of Chopin by the government of Poland.

The musician has produced five CDs, three of which were released by the Belgian Recording company Etcetera.

Nargiz Aliyarova is a Doctor of Art and Professor, as well as an author of more than 20 scholarly articles and several books.

She has been teaching piano and chamber music at Baku Music Academy for twenty-five years and has been a member of the Azerbaijani State Piano Trio for 15 years.

Nargiz Aliyarova is the president and founder of the National Music & Global Culture Society, which aims to be the bridge for connecting communities to global and multinational culture through classical music.
People stroll at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A visitor passes by a shop selling Chinese Lunar New Year decorations at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

A child poses for photos with sculptures of Chinese Zodiac animals at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

People take photos with sculptures of Chinese Zodiac animals at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

People stroll at Chinatown in Jakarta, Indonesia, Jan. 12, 2023. As the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Rabbit approaches, the Chinatown in Jakarta is decorated with a variety of decorations, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. (Xinhua/Xu Qin)

Editor: JYZ
An artist displays a rabbit-themed relief to visitors at a cultural studio in Xinhua District of Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023. Cultural activities promoting intangible cultural heritages were held in Xinhua District to greet the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Luo Xuefeng)

An artist shows a rabbit-themed paper-cutting work to a child at a cultural studio in Xinhua District of Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023. Cultural activities promoting intangible cultural heritages were held in Xinhua District to greet the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Luo Xuefeng)

An artist displays a rabbit-themed relief to children at a cultural studio in Xinhua District of Shijiazhuang, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023. Cultural activities promoting intangible cultural heritages were held in Xinhua District to greet the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year. (Xinhua/Luo Xuefeng)

Editor: JYZ
Aerial photo taken on Oct. 12, 2020, shows a view of the Longji terraced fields in Longsheng county, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Wu Shengbin)

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.

Editor: WJH
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has created the State Agency for the Rehabilitation and Infrastructure Development on the basis of the State Agency for Infrastructure Projects and the State Agency of Motor Roads, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.

"Yesterday in Irpin, we announced the restoration of the first 18 apartment buildings, which were damaged during the Russian occupation of part of Kyiv region, at the expense of the United24 platform. This is the beginning of a major work to restore housing, which we will carry out throughout the country," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Friday.

The prime minister said that for these purposes, at today's meeting, the government is creating a new structure on the basis of the State Agency for Infrastructure Projects and the State Agency of Motor Roads, the State Agency for the Rehabilitation and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine.

"This will optimize work processes, avoid chaos in the planning and implementation of projects," he said.
The Cabinet of Ministers has created an interdepartmental working group to revise the instruments of control and regulation of business, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.

"Currently in Ukraine there are almost 1,000 instruments of government regulation for business. A total of 528 permits, 224 licenses, 157 approvals, and dozens of declarations, conclusions, certificates. We have the political will and the political decision to radically reduce all this," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Friday.

The prime minister said that to solve this problem, the Cabinet of Ministers is creating an interdepartmental group that will quickly review all the instruments of control and regulation.

As representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada Taras Melnychuk said in his Telegram channel, the main task of the working group is to consider information from central executive authorities that ensure the shaping of government policy in the relevant areas of economic activity regarding the appropriateness of applying government regulation tools in the relevant areas of economic activity, in particular, in part optimization of procedures for the application of instruments of government regulation of economic activity, replacement of these instruments with other, simpler ones or their abolition, and the expediency of existing instruments.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) conducted large-scale counter-sabotage exercises in the border areas of Rivne region, the SBU said on the Telegram channel on Friday.

During the exercises, the Defense Forces worked out the neutralization of sabotage and reconnaissance groups (DRG) of the enemy, who, according to the legend, tried to break through the northern border. According to the plan of the exercises, one of the hostile DRG tried to break into the city, and the other  took hostage the head and chief engineer of the power facility together with their families.

Using psychological pressure and threats of physical violence, the lawbreakers tried to force the "victims" to cooperate with the enemy, the press service of the SBU reports. Thus, the saboteurs wanted to rebuild the work of the local critical infrastructure facility in favor of the aggressor country.

Law enforcement officers, with the involvement of soldiers of the Center of Special Operations "A" of the SBU, neutralized conditional enemy groups, freed the "hostages" and prevented a possible man-made disaster. Tactical and special events were held in conditions as close to real as possible.

The exercises were attended by units of the SBU, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Police, the State Emergency Service, the National Guard, representatives of executive authorities and local governments.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky spoke via video link to the Lithuanian Parliament on Friday on the occasion of Freedom Day - the 32nd anniversary of the storming of the Vilnius TV Tower by Soviet troops after the proclamation of Lithuania's secession from the USSR.

Addressing the Lithuanian parliamentarians, the President of Ukraine noted that 32 years ago the Lithuanians did not just defend the building of the television center, parliament and other facilities.

"You defended your historical choice then. And now we are also going to win. To the final victory over the empire. Russia will no longer be able to impose anything to the peoples of Europe when we end this war with an unequivocal defeat of the aggressor," Zelensky said.

According to him, now Russia has fewer and fewer forces and desires that were at the beginning of the war, but "this is not enough."

"We must make it so that the aggressor will never even have the opportunity to dream of something like this and encroach on our freedom ... The aggressor must be defeated precisely on the Ukrainian land where he came, so that later he would not have to fight on the lands of other peoples of Europe. What is more, that Russia would not get a respite, nor manage to adapt and regain strength. This year is crucial," he said, adding that now in order to finally end terror, even greater mobilization in the world is needed.

"We need urgent solutions to expel the Russian army from our land. This applies, first of all, to modern tanks and effective artillery. We need new sanctions solutions that will maintain constant and irresistible pressure on the aggressor-state and on all economic entities that ensure the continuation of aggression. And we need an international tribunal that will make it possible to bring to justice those whose evil mind gave rise to this crime, this war," Zelensky said.

He stressed that when revanchists from modern Moscow face a fair trial, it will be a historic punishment for those revanchists who tried to break Lithuania and its freedom a generation ago.

The Head of State also expressed hope that the NATO summit, which will be held in Vilnius in July, will be fateful for the entire Euro-Atlantic community. "We will do everything to make the summit that way. And we will do it together," the president said.

Zelensky also thanked the Lithuanian side for its support.

Freedom Day is celebrated in Lithuania on January 13. Thirty-two years ago, Soviet troops stormed the Vilnius TV Tower, killing 13 people.
Azerbaijan hands over to Ukraine second batch of equipment with 45 power installations with capacity of 94-150 kVA

JSC Azerenergy from the Republic of Azerbaijan has transferred to Ukraine the second part of assistance for Ukraine's energy sector  45 backup power plants with a capacity of 94 kVA to 150 kVA, according to the website of the Ministry of Energy.

"I want to express my gratitude to my colleague, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov for the quick response and effective, timely support. We are grateful for your solidarity with the Ukrainian people," Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Haluschenko was cited in a message.

The first batch of equipment from Azerbaijan, containing 45 power transformers and five backup power plants, has already been distributed among energy companies and transferred to the regions most affected by Russian attacks, the Energy Ministry said.
Issue of Israel's revision of aid to Ukraine not finally resolved yet, but certain progress already underway  Ambassador

The issue of Israel's revision of aid to Ukraine has not yet been finally resolved, but there are already some progress, but not everything can be talked about publicly, said Ambassador of Ukraine to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk.

The issue of revising aid to Ukraine has not yet been definitively determined. But we are taking all necessary measures to resolve this issue in our favor in the near future, he said at a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

The Ambassador recalled that on December 30, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, noting that there were no breakthroughs in the conversation, but the head of the Ukrainian state explained the position on the Ukrainian formula of peace and asked for support, and also noted the need for military-technical cooperation.

Netanyahu had one request related to the UN vote on a resolution critical for Israel on the UN criminal court. Israel has not joined this convention on the court, but they are trying to bring it to justice in this jurisdiction. As a result of this conversation, both sides, unfortunately, were not very satisfied, he added.

At the same time, the ambassador noted that Ukraine did not vote at the UN, which quite satisfied Israel.

According to Korniychuk, consultations are underway with our American colleagues, and expressed confidence that it will be possible to have some success.

Not everything can be talked about publicly, but certain progress is already underway in a positive direction. I hope these developments will be more ambitious, because we emphasize that humanitarian aid is very important, but we will not win the war with bandages and antibiotics. We need more active military-technical cooperation. We especially emphasize that after Iran entered the war, providing the Russian Federation with its drones, the saying was confirmed: The enemy of my enemy is my friend, Korniychuk stressed.

He noted that such a situation should push Israel to more active cooperation with Ukraine.
On the Day of the Defenders of Freedom of Lithuania, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was awarded the Freedom Prize by the Lithuanian Parliament, according to the LRT website.

The award was received on behalf of the President by the Ambassador of Ukraine to Lithuania Petro Beshta, after which Zelensky spoke to the assembled parliamentarians, the Prime Minister and the President remotely from Kyiv.

Congratulating the President of Ukraine on the award, Head of the Republic of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda said he had no doubt that Zelensky's leadership had inspired both Ukrainians and Western leaders to do more to end the war as soon as possible.

"This man has already become a kind of symbol. It is obvious that the man was created for this position at that time. His leadership, his willpower inspired everyone, both those who were directly involved in the war zone and those who stood nearby, to do at least a little more so that this terrible war ends as soon as possible, and Russia learns the lesson for a long time: that evil, dirt, coercion, force will not help Russia to realize its goals, that the desire for freedom is stronger, and freedom will always defeat darkness," Nauseda said after the ceremony.

He also said this award is also intended for the entire Ukrainian people.

As Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte said about the award ceremony: "This is the only possible solution."

The Saeima established the Freedom Prize to reward contributions to the free self-determination and sovereignty of the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe. It is handed over annually at the solemn meeting of the Seimas on January 13, the Day of Defenders of Freedom of Lithuania.

In early December, it became known that they decided to award the award to the President of Ukraine.
By Azernews

Fatima Hasanova

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his ongoing support to flood victims in Pakistan, Azernews reports via Twitter.

"Last but not least, I am grateful to H.E. President Ilham Aliyev @presidentaz for Azerbaijans continuing support for flood victims of Pakistan. Such kind gestures are not only morale boosting for the flood-affected people but also rebuild our faith in the shared humanity," Sharif's tweet said.

To recap, since 2010, about $7 million has been allocated by Azerbaijan to support the elimination of the consequences of floods that occurred in different years in Pakistan.

In August 2022, Azerbaijan provided $2 million in financial aid to Pakistan to help clean up the devastation caused by the recent floods, considered the worst natural disaster in Pakistan's history. Given the scale of the consequences, President Ilham Aliyev instructed the allocation of additional financial assistance for humanitarian purposes to the tune of $2 million to support the initiative.

The natural disaster in 2022 hit a third of the country, killing and injuring 15,000 people and displacing 33 million, making it the most devastating natural disaster in Pakistan's history.

Last year, Pakistan and Azerbaijan marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Over the 30-year-long period of diplomatic relations, the two countries have been able to build strong ties based on partnership in the economic, cultural, and educational spheres.

Pakistan has always supported Azerbaijan in the Karabakh conflict and Azerbaijan backed Islamabad over the Kashmir issue. Azerbaijan has been a consistent advocate for the rights of the Kashmiri people as a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.

The trade turnover between the two countries totaled $20.3 million in January-November 2022.
The Secretary-General of the Danish Red Cross, Anders Ladekarl, visited the city of Mykolaiv and discussed with his colleagues from Ukraine and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) plans to increase assistance in the winter to residents of the region affected by Russian aggression.

"A delegation of the Danish Red Cross in Ukraine headed by Secretary-General Anders Ladekarl, as well as representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross visited the Mykolaiv regional organization of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society [URCS]. During the meeting, issues of support for the war-affected population in the region, especially now during the winter period, were discussed," the URCS said on its Facebook page on Friday.

During the visit, the members of the delegations got acquainted with the work of the hospital and pharmacy of the URCS, a service center for providing psychosocial support to the population, a geriatric center, spots for issuing humanitarian aid and a station for the production of drinking water.

The URCS reminded that the Danish Red Cross actively supports the inhabitants of Mykolaiv region, providing humanitarian assistance to the most affected areas of the region. In particular, the Danish Red Cross recently donated 15,000 kits to insulate and repair damaged houses.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

https://redcross.org.ua/news/2023/01/42748/
Russia issued general recommendations on covering the war in Ukraine, justifying attacks on the Ukrainian energy system and ignoring the successes of the Wagner Primate Military Company (PMC), while pointing to the "outstanding" role in the war of the country's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine has said.

"The military command of the aggressor state has drawn up a special document that determines exactly how Kremlin propagandists must cover the events of the war against Ukraine," it said.

The general recommendations contain eleven points, the main content of which is to focus on information exclusively from sources agreed by the Russian Defense Ministry; place emphasis in informational materials and comments of "independent" experts on the leading and positive role personally of Shoigu and Gerasimov; justifying strikes against Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, emphasizing the "forcedness" of such actions.

In addition, these recommendations also highlight the topics of providing Ukraine with western weapons.

"In this sense, it is especially recommended to focus on the fact that 'Russia is conducting a military operation not against Ukraine, but against the entire NATO'," the intelligence said.

The recommendations also imply a refusal to mention the Wagner PMC in a positive context, as well as an emphasis on excessive human losses and meaningless attacks by Wagner fighters.

The document also implies tracking and citing publications in foreign media about the successes of the Russian Armed Forces and the failure of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It is proposed to focus special attention on the statements of Western and Ukrainian politicians, which can be interpreted in a similar vein.

"In general, the document testifies to a radical change in emphasis on covering the course of events in the war against Ukraine, as well as the aggravation of the political struggle within the aggressor country," the Main Intelligence Directorate said.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal says the heads of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and more than 10 European commissioners will visit Ukraine in the coming weeks.

"We see that our European partners are set for productive cooperation on the issue of integration. The visit of the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in the coming weeks will be a clear evidence of this. We expect that more than 10 European Commissioners will arrive in Ukraine together with Ms. von der Leyen to conduct intergovernmental consultations," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Friday.

According to the prime minister, this visit will not only be an important signal of further support for Ukraine in the war, but will also demonstrate that the European Union is open to the negotiation process on Ukraine's accession.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Lehey says the Board of the European Commission will visit Ukraine in early February.

She said this at a press conference on the transition to Sweden of the presidency of the European Council in Kiruna (Sweden) on Friday, answering a question from Interfax-Ukraine about a possible start this year of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union.

The President of the European Commission said Ukraine is impressively ambitious, strong and quick to achieve results. In order to support this process, the Board will visit Ukraine in early February, it will be a meeting between the Board and the government, von der Leyen said.

She did not give specific dates.

At the same time, von der Leyen said that as of today, there are about 18-20 different files in the joint work of the European Commission and the Ukrainian government. According to her, the forthcoming meeting of the Board with the Government of Ukraine will be a very good point to deepen and intensify work on various topics included to the agenda, the president of the European Commission said.
Ukraine's progress as EU candidate state to be assessed in autumn, then Council to decide on next steps  von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says Ukraine's progress as a candidate country will be assessed in autumn in a so-called "enlargement package" that includes other candidate countries. Based on this assessment, the European Council will take a further decision regarding the next steps for Ukraine's accession to the European Union.

She said this at a press conference dedicated to the Swedish presidency of the European Council in Kiruna (Sweden) on Friday, answering the question of Interfax-Ukraine about the possible start of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union in 2023.

The President of the European Commission said the process of entry is a process that goes step by step. The next important point, an important stage, is the enlargement package in the autumn, which will reflect the progress that has been made since the beginning of the year by each candidate country that wants to join the European Union, she said.
Intl donors' platform for Ukraine's reconstruction to be up and running from Jan  von der Leyen

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says the platform of international donors who will coordinate efforts to rebuild Ukraine will be operational from January 2023.

She said this at a press conference dedicated to the presidency of the European Council of Sweden in Kiruna on Friday.

"We are preparing for Ukraine's reconstruction. The international donor platform that we set up with our G7 partners will be up and running this month. It will help coordinate the different support for Ukraine today and it will be an important tool to ensure that reconstruction combines reform and investment," von der Leyen said.

At the same time, the President of the European Commission expressed confidence that it is reconstruction, combined with reforms, that "paves the way [for Ukraine] towards membership in the European Union."
The third round of talks between Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and the Russian side took place in Turkey, the press service of the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said.

"During the meeting, we discussed an initiative to accelerate and deepen the issue of the return of our prisoners of war and the release of civilian hostages," the agency said.

According to Lubinets, there are the following categories of civilian hostages: those detained by Russia from 2014 to February 24, 2022, including on the territory of Crimea ("captives of the Kremlin," some 158 people); detained on the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (some 373 people); civilian hostages that Russia has detained and is detaining in the territories that were temporarily or are under Russian occupation since February 24, 2022 (for example, in Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Kherson regions). The number of such people, about whom the Coordinating Headquarters was officially contacted, is more than 20,000 people.

"We also agreed that Russia, on the basis of the Geneva Conventions, will consider a proposal to repatriate wounded servicemen," the headquarters said.

It clarifies that the Ukrainian side handed over lists of civilians (out of 20,000) about whom it has no information, where they are, what condition they are in, or in need of medical assistance, and others.

"Mr. Lubinets noted that said the Russian side previously agreed to find out where they are, in what condition and why they are being held. In addition, they discussed the return of children to Ukraine, the restoration of documents and many other issues," the headquarters said.
The terrorist group "Ministry of State Security of Luhansk People's Republic," illegally created by the Russian invaders in the territory of Luhansk region occupied by them, announced the initiation of a criminal case on suspicion of espionage against an employee of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM), a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland by David Orrells.

Orrells is accused of collecting information about the locations of militants of the terrorist organization "LPR" and their equipment, as well as the coordinates of civilian infrastructure objects and transferring them to the "Ukrainian side."
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the allocation of the first tranche to Ukraine from the annual aid package in the amount of EUR 18 billion.

"We need to keep increasing to pressure on Russia. And we will continue, of course, our unwavering support for Ukraine. We will start still in January disbursing the first tranche of an EUR 18 billion support aid package for Ukraine. This is the largest macro-financial assistance package that the European Union has ever delivered to a partner country," von der Leyen said at a press conference in the Swedish city of Kiruna on Friday, where the European Commission was invited on the occasion of the start of the Swedish presidency of the EU Council.

"And we are preparing for Ukraine's restoration," the European Commission's head said.

She said the platform of international donors, which the EU has created together with partners in the G7, will be launched in January.

"It will help coordinate diff support for Ukraine today. It will also be an important tool to ensure that reconstruction combines reform and investment, because this paves the way towards membership in the European Union," von der Leyen said.
The Italian side has already taken a decision to transfer the battery of the SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile system to Ukraine, the Italian defense portal RID said on Friday.

"The green light was given two-three days ago at the behest of the Prime Minister of Georgia, Giorgia Meloni. Until two weeks ago, the problem was on the high seas due to the reluctance of the defense and the military, given that the Italian army has only five SAMP/T batteries in service and one of them is currently deployed in Kuwait... However, strong pressure from Washington  there is also talk of a Biden phone call to Meloni, decisively changed the picture, and Italy said 'yes," the publication said.

The scheme by which the battery is to be transferred is complex and the details are currently classified. It is assumed that the battery will consist of parts of the Italian system and parts of the French, while the SAMP/T anti-aircraft missile system itself is the result of Italian-French cooperation.

According to the statement, SAMP/T based on the ASTER 30 Block 1 interceptor is an effective system, primarily against cruise and anti-radar missiles, large drones, and also has some anti-missile capabilities (against short-range missiles).

"For our industry, the supply of SAMP/T to Ukraine is good news, especially in terms of exports: now we can safely say that the system has been tested in combat conditions," the publication said.
The third meeting of the commission on the implementation of projects in the field of use of renewable energy sources has been held on January 12, 2023, Azernews reports.

The chairman of the commission, Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov, spoke about the work done in the past year and the upcoming tasks in the field of using renewable energy sources in his opening speech. He noted the importance of the "Agreement on strategic partnership in the field of development and transmission of green energy between the governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary" signed in December in terms of realizing the rich renewable energy potential of Azerbaijan.

Javid Abdullayev, the director of the State Agency on Renewable Energy Sources under the ministry, made a presentation about the work done and the results achieved during the period after the 2nd meeting of the commission. He gave information about the progress of the investigation on connecting the areas of renewable energy sources, including determining water areas in the Caspian Sea, to the electric network, and other procedures.

Then a presentation on the legal regulation of the implementation of projects in the field of using renewable energy sources was held. Detailed information about green hydrogen, proposals of international investors in this direction, and the progress of analyzes on the use of offshore wind energy were given. Besides, discussions were held on a number of issues arising from the activity of the commission, and relevant decisions were made.
The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) is evacuating people with limited mobility from territories under constant shelling by Russian invaders.

"The evacuation from Bakhmut, the delivery of humanitarian aid to Sviatohirsk and Siversk communities - the Emergency Response Team of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society continues to help people in Donetsk region," the URCS said on its Facebook page.

Volunteers of the Emergency Response Team evacuate people with limited mobility and persons with disabilities who, for health reasons, cannot independently leave settlements that have become dangerous for living. They also deliver food, hygiene products, medicines to settlements with a difficult humanitarian situation.

The Emergency Response Team of the Mykolaiv regional organization of the Ukrainian Red Cross Society also makes daily evacuation trips to Kherson.
The House Jan. 6 committees final report asserts that Donald Trump criminally engaged in a multi-part conspiracy to overturn the lawful results of the 2020 presidential election and failed to act to stop his supporters from attacking the Capitol, concluding an extraordinary 18-month investigation into the former president and the violent insurrection two years ago.

Trump lit that fire, the committees chairman, Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson, writes.

The 814-page report released Thursday comes after the panel interviewed more than 1,000 witnesses, held 10 hearings, and obtained more than a million pages of documents.

The witnesses - ranging from many of Trumps closest aides to law enforcement to some of the rioters themselves - detailed Trumps premeditated actions in the weeks ahead of the attack and how his wide-ranging efforts to overturn his defeat directly influenced those who brutally pushed past the police and smashed through the windows and doors of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The central cause was one man, the report says: Trump.

The insurrection gravely threatened democracy and put the lives of American lawmakers at risk, the bipartisan nine-member panel concluded, offering so far the most definitive account of a dark chapter in modern American history.

It functions not only as a compendium of the most dramatic moments of testimony from months of hearings but also as a document meant to be preserved for future generations.

In a foreword to the report, outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the findings should be a clarion call to all Americans: to vigilantly guard our Democracy and to give our vote only to those dutiful in their defense of our Constitution.

The reports eight chapters tell the story largely as the panels hearings did this summer  describing the many facets of the remarkable plan that Trump and his advisers devised to try and void President Joe Bidens victory.

The lawmakers described the former presidents pressure on states, federal officials, lawmakers, and Vice President Mike Pence to game the system or break the law.

In the two months between the election and the insurrection, the report says, President Trump or his inner circle engaged in at least 200 apparent acts of public or private outreach, pressure, or condemnation, targeting either State legislators or State or local election administrators, to overturn State election results.

Trumps repeated, false claims of widespread voter fraud resonated with his supporters, the committee said, and were amplified on social media, building on the distrust of government he had fostered for his four years in office. And he did little to stop them when they resorted to violence and stormed the Capitol, interrupting the certification of Bidens victory.

The massive, damning report comes as Trump is running again for the presidency and also facing multiple federal investigations, including probes of his role in the insurrection and the presence of classified documents at his Florida estate.

This week is particularly fraught for him, as a House committee said it will release his tax returns after he has fought for years to keep them private. And Trump has been blamed by Republicans for a worse-than-expected showing in the midterm elections, leaving him in his most politically vulnerable state since he was elected in 2016.

In a series of policy recommendations, the seven Democrats and two Republicans on the committee suggest that Trump should be barred from future office, noting that the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution holds that anyone who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution can be prevented from holding office for engaging in insurrection or rebellion.

He is unfit for any office, writes the committees vice chairwoman, Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming.

Posting on his social media site, Trump called the report highly partisan and falsely claimed it didnt include his statement on Jan. 6 that his supporters should protest peacefully and patriotically.

The committee did include that statement, though, and noted that he followed that comment with election falsehoods and charged language exhorting the crowd to fight like hell.

The report details a multitude of failings by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, noting that many of the rioters came with weapons and had openly planned for violence online. The failure to sufficiently share and act upon that intelligence jeopardized the lives of the police officers defending the Capitol and everyone in it, the report says.

At the same time, the committee makes an emphatic point that security failures are not the primary cause of the insurrection.

The President of the United States inciting a mob to march on the Capitol and impede the work of Congress is not a scenario our intelligence and law enforcement communities envisioned for this country, Thompson wrote.

Donald Trump lit that fire, Thompson writes. But in the weeks beforehand, the kindling he ultimately ignited was amassed in plain sight.

The report details Trumps inaction as his loyalists were storming the building, detailing the hours when he watched the violence on television but did nothing to stop it.

A White House photographer snapped a picture of Trump at 1:21 p.m., learning of the riot from the employee after he returned to the White House after his speech  and after his own security officials had rebuffed his efforts to go to the Capitol himself. By that time, if not sooner, he had been made aware of the violent riot, the report states.

In total, 187 minutes elapsed between the time Trump finished his speech at the Ellipse and his first effort to get the rioters to disperse, through an eventual video message in which he asked his supporters to go home even as he reassured them, We love you, youre very special.

That inaction was a dereliction of duty, the report says, noting that Trump had more power than any other person as the nations commander-in-chief. He willfully remained idle even as others, including his own Vice President, acted.

During those hours, Pence huddled in the Capitol, begging security officials for a quicker National Guard response as rioters outside called for his hanging because he would not illegally try to thwart Bidens win. And inside the White House, dozens of staffers and associates pleaded with Trump to make a forceful statement.

But he did not.

We all look like domestic terrorists now, longtime aide Hope Hicks texted Julie Radford, who served as Ivanka Trumps chief of staff, in the aftermath.

The report says virtually everyone on the White House staff interviewed by the committee condemned a tweet by Trump at 2:24 p.m. that day  just as the rioters were first breaking into the Capitol  that Vice President Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution.

Attacking the VP? Wtf is wrong with him, Hicks texted another colleague that evening.

The investigations release is a final act for House Democrats who are ceding power to Republicans in less than two weeks and have spent much of their four years in power investigating Trump.

Democrats impeached Trump twice, the second time a week after the insurrection. He was acquitted by the Senate both times. Other Democratic-led probes investigated his finances, his businesses, his foreign ties, and his family.

On Monday, the panel officially passed their investigation to the Justice Department, recommending the department investigate the former president on four crimes, including aiding an insurrection.

While the criminal referrals have no legal standing, they are a final statement from the committee after its extensive, year-and-a-half-long probe.

The committee has also begun to release hundreds of transcripts of its interviews. On Thursday, the panel released transcripts of two closed-door interviews with former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson, who testified in person at one of the televised hearings over the summer and described in vivid detail Trumps actions and inaction inside the White House.

In the two interviews, both conducted after her June appearance at the hearing, Hutchinson described how many of Trumps allies, including her lawyer, pressured her not to say too much in her committee interviews.

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The head of Russia's mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said early Wednesday his fighters had taken control of Ukraine's city of Soledar after intense fighting this week, but some "urban battles" continued.

"Wagner units have taken control of the whole territory of Soledar," Prigozhin said through his press service on social media, adding that there was fighting in the centre of the city.

The extent of Wagner's control over the city was unclear and AFP was not able to verify the claim.

The Kremlin-linked businessman said the "number of captives" will be announced Wednesday.

Ukraine has said its army was holding out in Soledar, a salt mining town in the Donetsk region around 15 kilometres (nine miles) from Bakhmut, which Russia has been trying to seize for months.

Both sides have said battles for Soledar have been bloody and intense.

Prigozhin published a photo of himself in military uniform surrounded by posing Wagner fighters, but did not say where it was taken.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti published another photograph of Prigozhin with armed fighters, saying it had been taken in the salt mines of Soledar.

Prigozhin has said that Soledar has been stormed "exclusively" by Wagner units.

His and Wagner's influence in Russia has risen significantly since the Kremlin sent troops to Ukraine in February last year.

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Former Israeli top legal officials spoke out Thursday against sweeping reforms to the country's justice system planned by the new conservative government, lending their voices to a growing outcry against the proposed overhaul.

Seven former attorneys general who has served in the post throughout the last five decades - including two appointed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose justice minister is spearheading the reforms - signed a letter of protest, along with four other former senior legal officials.

The letter, published in Israeli media, denounced the proposed changes, saying they are destructive to the country'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 said.

The former officials said the reforms would turn the Supreme Court, often the last recourse for Israelis and Palestinians seeking to challenge what they see as discriminatory policies, into a ``pseudo-political body that would be suspected of bending the law in favor of the government.''

Israel's new government has made overhauling the country's legal system a centerpiece of its agenda. It wants to weaken the Supreme Court, allowing lawmakers to pass laws the court has struck down with a simple majority in parliament.

Other reforms include politicizing the appointment of judges, reducing the independence of government legal advisors, or ignoring their counsel.

The reforms could help Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, evade conviction, or even make his trial disappear entirely. Since being indicted in 2019, Netanyahu has railed publicly against the justice system, calling it biased against him. He says the legal reforms will be carried out responsibly.

The reforms have prompted an uproar over what critics say is a major threat to the country's democratic fundamentals. The country's current attorney general has already fiercely criticized the reforms and a protest against them last week drew thousands.

Alan Dershowitz, a staunch Israel defender, has also come out against the plan, saying that were he in Israel he would be joining the demonstrations.

Critics accuse the government of declaring war against the legal system, saying the plan will upend Israel's system of checks and balances and undermine its democratic institutions by giving absolute power to the most right-wing coalition in the country's history.

The government says the reforms are a necessary step to streamline governance and correct an imbalance that has granted the legal system too much sway.

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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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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 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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CIA chief William Burns has met Libya's interim premier weeks after the authorities handed the United States a suspect in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, the Tripoli-based government said Thursday.

The meeting in Tripoli, also reported by Libyan media, was part of the first visit by a CIA director to the North African country since the 2012 attack against a US mission in Benghazi that killed the US ambassador and three others.

"Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibeh hosted the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, William Burns" at the cabinet office in Tripoli, along with Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush and Libyan intelligence chief Hussein al-Ayeb, Dbeibah's government said in a Facebook post.

Burns "underlined the need to develop economic and security cooperation between the two countries", it said.

Last month, a Libyan man accused of making the bomb that destroyed a Pan Am flight over Scotland in 1988 appeared in a US court, after being extradited by Dbeibah's government.

The move sparked a public backlash against the Tripoli-based government, which is challenged by a rival government in the war-torn country's east.

Alleged former intelligence agent Abu Agila Mohammad Masud Kheir al-Marimi could face life in prison if convicted of "destruction of an aircraft resulting in death" and two other related charges over the attack, which killed 270 people and was the deadliest-ever terror operation in Britain.

Dbeibah has faced bitter criticism from political rivals, rights groups and relatives of Libyan detainees who fear being handed over themselves. Analysts say the Tripoli-based administration had little option but to adhere to the American request.

Libyan media have reported that Burns would also visit the headquarters of eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar, Dbeibah's key rival.

Burns, CIA chief since March 2021, visited Libya in 2014 as under-secretary of state for the Middle East.

He was the first US official to visit the country when Washington was mending ties with the regime of late ruler Moamer Kadhafi, in 2004.

Kadhafi's overthrow and killing in the 2011 revolt plunged Libya into division and violence.

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Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed hope Friday that diplomatic ties between Tehran and Riyadh can be restored through dialogue between the two regional arch-rivals.

Saudi Arabia cut ties with Iran in January 2016, after its embassy in Tehran and consulate in the second city Mashhad were attacked by protesters following Riyadh's execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Speaking on a visit to Lebanon, Amir-Abdollahian said he hoped "diplomatic missions or embassies in Tehran and Riyadh will reopen within the framework of dialogue that should continue between the two countries."

He also hailed a potential rapprochement between Iranian ally Syria and Turkey, after their defence ministers met last month.

Iran and Saudi Arabia back opposing sides in various conflicts in the region, including in Syria.

Since April 2021, Iraq has hosted a series of fence-mending meetings between the two sides, but the talks have stalled in recent months, and no meetings have been publicly announced since April 2022.

Iran holds influence over political life in Lebanon and Iraq, where it supports armed groups.

Syria's pro-government Al-Watan newspaper said Amir-Abdollahian was also set to visit Damascus on Saturday, at a time of warming ties between Syria and Turkey.

"We are happy with this dialogue that is taking place between Syria and Turkey," he told a news conference in Beirut on Friday.

"We believe that this dialogue should have positive repercussions benefitting these two countries."

Ankara had long backed rebels opposed to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's rule, but after over a decade of war that has seen the government claw back territory with Russian and Iranian support, ties between the two countries have begun to thaw.

In late December the defence ministers of Turkey and Syria held landmark negotiations in Moscow -- the first such meeting since 2011.

Assad had said on Thursday that a Moscow-brokered rapprochement with Turkey should aim for "the end of occupation" by Ankara of parts of Syria.

The defence ministers' meeting would be followed by talks between the three countries' top diplomats, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

The mooted reconciliation has alarmed Syrian opposition leaders and supporters who reside mostly in parts of the war-torn country under Ankara's indirect control.

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Egypt is ready to host a global centre for the supply and storage of grain in cooperation with the international community in a way that helps face the ongoing food crisis worldwide, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry has confirmed.

Related Egypt urges effective G20 role to face global economic conditions

Shoukry made the remarks in a recorded speech on Friday during the Voice of Global South Summit held under the Indian Group of 20 (G20) presidency.

The two-day virtual summit kicked off on Thursday with the participation of 120 countries, including non-G20 countries, to provide a platform for countries of the Global South to express their concerns regarding food and energy security amid the current geopolitical situation.

The Global South includes developing countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania.

In September, Egypt stated at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York its readiness to establish a global grain handling centre given its unique geographical location, stressing that one out of five citizens in Africa suffer from hunger.

In his speech today, Shoukry stressed Egypts support for the goals of the G20 agricultural working group to draw a roadmap for food security and climate-smart agriculture.

Shoukry called for the G20 to take the initiative to require development partners to provide the required support for states of the Global South so that they can recover from the consecutive global challenges in the near future and address their development needs in the long term.

The top Egyptian diplomat stressed the necessity of adopting a comprehensive approach to deal with the global challenges and reach effective and joint solutions.

He highlighted in this regard the challenges facing the countries of the Global South as a result of the global crises, including coronavirus, supply chain crises, food security and climate change.

Shoukry also stressed that access to energy and energy transformation for all countries cannot be achieved unless sufficient funding is secured and technology is transferred to developing countries.

The Egyptian FM called for the G20 to provide the necessary momentum to reformulate the international economic system so that it responds effectively and in a timely manner to the challenges facing the countries of the Global South.

He stressed Egypt's commitment to constructive engagement in the discussions and initiatives that will be put forward within the framework of the G20 in order to reach consensus on the ongoing complex challenges.

Egypt, which participates as a guest country in the G20 meetings this year, has pressed for an effective and a constructive role by the G20 in light of the very complicated global economic conditions.

Ragi El-Etreby, the representative of the Egyptian president to the G20, said Cairo intends to closely cooperate with the Indian presidency of the Group concerning files of mutual priority, a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs read on Sunday.

These files include enhancing global food security and supporting international financing institutions to better face successive crises, he added.

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President Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on increasing the amount of the personal pension of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and amending the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated June 11, 2002, No. 715 "On the establishment of the personal pension of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan".

According to the decree, the amount of the personal pension of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan is set at AZN1,500 ($882.3) from January 1, 2023.




The speaker of the lower house of the Russian parliament on Friday proposed confiscating the property of critics who move abroad and speak out against Moscow's assault on Ukraine.

After President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, Russian authorities introduced long prison terms for people criticising the Kremlin's offensive in the pro-Western country.

On Friday, State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said existing laws were not enough to crack down on critics.

"Some of our fellow citizens consider it possible to insult Russia, its residents, soldiers and officers, and openly support villains, Nazis and murderers," he said on the messaging app Telegram, using Kremlin terms for Ukrainian authorities.

Volodin pointed out that according to Russian legislation, such comments can be considered "rehabilitation of Nazism" and discrediting the armed forces.

He called critics "miscreants" who enjoy life abroad and rent out their Russia-based property.

"They feel like they have impunity, believing that justice cannot reach them," said Volodin, who is a close ally of Putin's and toes the Kremlin line.

He said that in current circumstances, it would be "right" to introduce a criminal law that would allow authorities to seize the property of such people.

He did not provide further details.

If implemented, the new legislation would be a throwback to the darkest days of the Soviet Union.

Separately, a member of the Kremlin's rights council, Kirill Kabanov, pointed to multiple calls from Russian politicians to punish Kremlin critics who have fled.

But he stressed it was important to legally define the term "traitor" first.

"Any form of betrayal must be punished," Kabanov wrote.

"It is necessary to start by defining the very legal concept of 'traitor'," he said, adding that a law on state treason might need to be amended.

He said that members of the Kremlin's rights council planned to discuss the issue with legislators "in the near future".

Asked to comment on Volodin's initiative, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russians who had left the country should not be punished summarily.

"Enemies are enemies, one has to fight them, but the rest are our citizens and they should remain our citizens," he told Life, a pro-Kremlin media outlet.

Peskov said the subject was complex but did not rule out further reprisals against Putin's critics.

"First we need to develop a definition of what is considered a crime," he added.

The start of Moscow's offensive in Ukraine and the subsequent military mobilization have prompted tens of thousands of Russians to flee abroad.

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As Russian troops wage a ferocious house-to-house fight for control of strongholds in eastern Ukraine, a parallel battle is unfolding in the top echelons of military power in Moscow, with President Vladimir Putin reshuffling his top generals while rival camps trying to win his favor.

The fighting for the salt mining town of Soledar and the nearby city of Bakhmut has highlighted a bitter rift between the Russian Defense Ministry leadership and Yevgeny Prigozhin, a rogue millionaire whose private military force known as the Wagner Group has played an increasingly visible role in Ukraine.

Putin's shakeup of the military brass this week was seen as a bid to show that the Defense Ministry still has his support and is in charge as the troubled conflict nears the 11-month mark.

Prigozhin rushed Wednesday to declare that his mercenary force had captured Soledar, arguing that the prize was won exclusively by Wagner.

The Defense Ministry waited until Friday to announce its capture, saying without mentioning Wagner that it became possible thanks to air and artillery strikes and airborne forces' maneuvers. A Ukrainian army spokesman denied that, saying the country's troops were still in Soledar.

Prigozhin fired back at the Defense Ministry, saying ``they are constantly trying to steal Wagner's victory.``

The 61-year-old Prigozhin, who was known as ``Putin's chef'' for his lucrative catering contracts and was indicted in the U.S. for meddling in the 2016 presidential election, has expanded his assets to include Wagner, as well as mining and other spheres.

He has scathingly criticized the military brass for blunders in Ukraine, saying Wagner was more efficient than regular troops.

He has found a powerful ally in Chechnya's leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who has deployed elite troops from his southern Russian region to fight in Ukraine and also assailed the military leadership and the Kremlin for being too soft and indecisive.

While both have pledged loyalty to Putin, their public attacks on his top generals openly challenged the Kremlin's monopoly on such criticism, something that Russia's tightly controlled political system hadn't seen before.

In the reshuffle announced Wednesday, the Defense Ministry said the head of the General Staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, was named the new chief of Russian forces in Ukraine, while the former top commander there, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, was demoted to Gerasimov's deputy after only three months on the job.

The Washington-based Institute of the Study of War saw the reshuffle as an attempt by the Kremlin to ``reassert the primacy of the Russian Ministry of Defense in an internal Russian power struggle,'' weaken the influence of its foes and send a signal to Prigozhin and others to reduce their criticism.

Prigozhin and Kadyrov have repeatedly criticized Gerasimov, the main architect of the Russian operation in Ukraine, and held him responsible for military defeats while praising Surovikin.

Russian troops were forced to retreat from Kyiv after a botched attempt to capture the Ukrainian capital in the opening weeks of the war. In the fall, they hastily pulled back from the northeastern Kharkiv region and the southern city of Kherson under the brunt of a swift Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Surovikin directed the retreat from Kherson, the only regional center captured by Russia, and was credited for shoring up command and increasing discipline in the ranks. But a Ukrainian missile strike on Jan. 1 in the eastern town of Makiivka killed scores of Russian troops and tainted his image.

Political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya observed that Gerasimov's appointment marked yet another attempt by Putin to resolve his military problems by shaking up the brass.

``He is trying to reshuffle the pieces and is therefore giving chances to those who he finds persuasive,`` she wrote. ``But in reality, the problem is not with the people, but with the tasks at hand.''

Stanovaya argued that Gerasimov could have asked for ``carte blanche in the heat of verbal battles against the background of some very tense discussions.'' For Putin, ''this is maneuvering, a tug-of-war between Surovikin (and sympathizers like Prigozhin) and Gerasimov,'' she added.

Gerasimov, who began his military career as a Soviet army tank officer in the 1970s, has been chief of the General Staff since 2012 and was seen at the start of the conflict in February sitting next to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu at a very long table with Putin.

His appointment to directly lead the forces in Ukraine drew stinging comments from some Russian hawks.

Viktor Alksnis, a retired Soviet air force colonel who spearheaded botched attempts to preserve the USSR in 1991, noted that Gerasimov had overseen the action in Ukraine even before his appointment.

``This decision reflects the understanding by our political and military leadership that the special military operation has failed and none of its goals has been fulfilled in nearly a year of fighting,'' Alksnis wrote on his messaging app channel. ``Replacing Surovikin with Gerasimov will change nothing.''

Mark Galeotti, who specializes in the Russian military and security affairs at University College, London, said the appointment handed Gerasimov ``the most poisoned of chalices'' as he now will bear direct responsibility for any more setbacks.

``Gerasimov is hanging by a thread,'' Galeotti said in a commentary on Twitter. ``He needs some kind of win, or a career ends in ignominy. This may well suggest some kind of escalation.''

Galeotti also warned that frequent reshuffling of Russia's generals could erode allegiance in the officer corps.

``If you keep appointing, rotating, burning your (relative) stars, setting unrealistic expectations, arbitrarily demoting them, that's not going to win loyalty,'' he said.

Prigozhin, meanwhile, has taken advantage of military setbacks in Ukraine to expand his clout by making the Wagner Group a pivotal element of the Russian fighting force, augmenting the regular army that has suffered a heavy attrition.

Ukrainian officials alleged Wagner contractors have suffered massive losses in the fighting in Soledar and Bakhmut, advancing ``on the bodies of their own comrades.''

Once convicted of assault and robbery, for which he served time in prison, Prigozhin in recent months went on a tour of Russia's sprawling network of penal colonies to recruit inmates to join Wagner's forces to fight in Ukraine in exchange for pardons.

He recently released a video showing about 20 convicts allowed to leave the ranks of fighters after a half-year on the front line, while also making clear that anyone breaking ranks will face brutal punishment.

Footage posted in the fall showed a Wagner contractor being beaten to death with a sledgehammer after allegedly defecting to the Ukrainian side. Despite public outrage and demands to investigate the incident, authorities have turned a blind eye to it.

Observers have warned that by giving Prigozhin a free hand to run Wagner as a private army governed by medieval-style rules, the government has effectively planted dangerous seeds of possible upheaval.

``In the end, there is chaos and the expansion of violence -- extrajudicial and illegal,'' predicted Andrei Kolesnikov, an analyst with the Carnegie Endowment.

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Both our workplaces will relocate to the New Administrative Capital before April, a husband and his wife, who are among the 30,000 public employees who expect to be moved to the Government District of the new capital, told Al-Ahram Weekly.

The wifes workplace will move to the new capital later this month, while the husband is due to be relocated in March.

The couple have two children, one aged nine, the other 13, and moving in the middle of the school year will be difficult for them, they said.

We cannot shift their schools in the middle of the year, explained the wife. Her husband added that the end of March will coincide with Ramadan, meaning he will have to travel to and from the new capital while fasting.

Khaled Abbas, chairman of the state-owned Administrative Capital for Urban Development Company, said last weekend that 30,000 public employees will have their work relocated to the new capital by March, a move that has been delayed for almost a year.

In November 2021, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi ordered that government offices and state employees be gradually relocated to the Government District of the new city beginning the following month. It was envisaged that the relocation would involve a six-month experimental phase during which government buildings and electronic systems could be tested.

Abbas indicated that the relocation started last week, with employees from two or three ministries being relocated on a weekly basis until the end of April.

The wife said she had been informed that buses will be responsible for transporting her and her colleagues to and from the new capital. The husband has yet to be told whether his department will lay on transport.

According to Abbas, the as yet to be completed monorail, the already operating light rail transit (LRT), and shuttle bus terminals will be available for employees who live outside the new capital.

He noted that 9,000 housing units have been reserved for public employees moving to the new city, and work is currently underway to finalise financing arrangements with banks so they can be handed over to employees. Delivery of the units is expected to begin by March.

The cabinet had earlier announced that the first phase of a housing development for government workers in neighbouring Badr City included 376 residential buildings, comprising nearly 9,000 housing units. The project is being built at a cost of LE3.2 billion.

Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli has promised that state employees whose workplaces are relocated could opt between choosing a transport or housing allowance.

According to official statements, the average cost of constructing an apartment is LE700,000. Employees who are unable to move to Badr city will receive a transport allowance, starting at LE2,000 a month.

The couple said they had both submitted requests to buy a unit in Badr city. The wifes was accepted, on condition of a LE35,000 deposit.

We have a 103 square metre house, though we havent been informed of the timing of delivery or how the rest of the purchase price is to be paid, she said. If it is delivered in March we will face the prospect of moving in the middle of a school year, and during Ramadan, both of which seem insurmountable hurdles, she added.

According to Abbas, the area has 10 fully functioning schools and a further 10 are under construction. Shops have also started operating and all goods are available, he claimed. In addition, there are six universities and new faculties open regularly.

The first phase of the new capital covers 15 per cent of the total area  184,000 feddans (720 sq km)  of the new capital which has been under construction since 2015.

President Al-Sisi has hailed the inauguration of the new capital and relocation of government employees as marking the birth of a new republic and a new era of modern governmental work. The project is an integral component of Egypt Vision 2030 which aims to improve the quality of life of citizens and expand urban areas to cater for Egypts rapidly growing population.

Located between the Cairo-Suez and Cairo-Ain Sokhna roads, 60 km away from downtown Cairo, the new capital will house 6.5 million people when completed and cover twice the area of the current Cairo governorate.

The Government District comprises 10 ministerial complexes that will house 34 ministries, the cabinet headquarters, the House of Representatives and the Senate. Built on 1.5 million square metres, it will host nearly 50,000 employees when fully operational.

In June 2022, the government approved a presidential decree redrawing Cairos eastern border to include 46,000 feddans of the new capital, including the site of the new headquarters of the House of Representatives and Senate. The constitution requires both bodies be located in Cairo.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 12 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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The US has unveiled a $3.75 billion aid package to Ukraine following the $40 billion it provided in mid-2022 to help Kyiv in its war with Moscow, which has lasted for nearly 11 months.

Despite all the aid Ukraine has received, it could not bring Russian advances to a halt nor convince Moscow to sit at the negotiating table to come up with a political solution that would spare the world more suffering.

With the advent of the new year, news outlets and think tanks have written extensive articles about the war which has affected the entire globe, Russia being a main source of food, energy, and arms for the developing world.

The war will not end until Russia achieves its goals  the real ones, not the targets being publicised, said Moddather Al-Tayeb, a professor of political science in Khartoum. The Western media draws a cartoonish picture of a country that did not study the war it ventured into. This is not the case with Russia. In my opinion, it is the Russians who want to prolong the war to exhaust Ukraine and western Europe.

Many observers, including Ahmed Al-Khamisi, an Egyptian expert on Russian affairs, expect Russia will carry out a massive attack in the spring. According to Western reports, 50,000 Russian conscripts will be ready to engage in the near future, while 250,000 others are undergoing training.

This is a huge number for a country such as Ukraine, Al-Khamisi said, adding that Ukraine has a population of 44 million, a quarter of whom are Russian, another quarter of mixed nationality, while a large portion of the population does not want to engage in war with a superpower.

According to the European Unions statistical website, the Ukraine population was estimated at 44 million in 2020, becoming the ninth largest European population.

Some 10 million Ukrainians fled to neighbouring countries when the war broke out, which weakened the Ukrainian resistance front, said Al-Khamisi. If Russian reserve units are engaged in the war, Ukraine will not last long. More importantly, however, the West will not continue to support Ukraine. With the increasing numbers of fleeing Ukrainians, Kyiv will fall into Moscows hands. It will be like going back to the Soviet Union model, but informally.

The West do not wish to see Ukraine defeated in the war, for how long can we all do without Russian gas, oil and coal, considering that Moscow provides the European Union with over 40 per cent of its energy needs?

The country that depends most on Russian oil is Germany, said Al-Khamisi. If the EU has so easily done without Russian energy now, why did it not take this step decades ago to deprive Moscow of hundreds of billions of euros?

Russia has made a fortune exporting energy, food, arms, and raw materials, enabling it to fund its mega projects after it suffered from domestic chaos and international humiliation in the 1990s.

No political solutions can be seen on the horizon. Russia feels that without disarming Ukraine and ending fascism there, it will have completely lost the war, said Al-Tayeb. The power of the nationalist movement in Russia cannot be overlooked. This current supports all the moves of Vladimir Putin. The Russians did announce a period of calm to mark the holiday season, but there is no real mention of peace talks. On the other hand, Ukraine cannot sit down to negotiate after it lost more than 15 per cent of its lands. Meanwhile, the Russians have not said enough about their end goals.

However, the world cannot endure this war for another year. Poor countries import their food primarily from Russia and Ukraine. Moreover, the war has led to skyrocketing prices of food and energy in a world suffering from drought and climate change that may lead to famine, Al-Tayeb went on to say.

It is expected that millions of people in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and South Sudan) will be subject to famine this year, while many poor countries may suffer outages due to soaring energy prices.

These conditions and others are enough to drive the international community to try to end the war.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 12 January, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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China criticized a defense pact signed Wednesday between Britain and Japan that could see troops deployed on each other's 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 Britain's 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, Sunak's 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.
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.


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The government is considering a plan to compensate Koreans who were forced to labor in Japanese mines and factories during World War II through a Korean foundation rather than by forcing Japanese businesses to cough up money. In 2018, the Supreme Court ordered Japanese businesses like Nippon Steel and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to compensate their Korean victims, but the Japanese government protested and imposed economic sanctions, which in turned triggered a boycott on Japanese products here.

Of course the best option for Korea would be to have the Japanese abusers compensate the victims, but Tokyo insists that all compensation claims were settled by lump sum reparations under a 1965 treaty normalizing relations. Even if Korea liquidates the assets of Japanese businesses here, the amount would fall far short of what is needed to compensate the victims, and it would cause bilateral relations to deteriorate rapidly. While the conflict continued, 12 out of the 15 surviving Korean victims have died, and the government questioned whether indefinitely continuing its demands would truly benefit the victims.

The government did not specify which funds will be used to compensate the victims. The most realistic option would be to have Korean businesses, which prospered from the reparations, pay the compensation. It also makes sense to wonder why Korean companies need to compensate victims of Japanese abuses, but there is no other realistic alternative.
President Yoon Suk-yeol in a policy briefing Thursday did not rule out the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea or the country acquiring its own nuclear weapons if the North Korean nuclear threat becomes a lot more serious. Because this was his first mention of Seoul acquiring its own nukes, the remarks were splashed all over the news, but he added that the prospect is "unrealistic." Perhaps the remarks only reflect a determination to consider all options to protect national security at a time when the North has threatened to use tactical nuclear weapons against the South.

The U.S. nuclear umbrella has in some ways always been the foundation of South Korea's national security, but the North Korean nuclear program has become too menacing to entrust the fate of the nation to the U.S. alone. The North is close to developing an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads that can hit two or three U.S. cities simultaneously. That means it would not be easy for the U.S. to extend its nuclear umbrella if it is threatened with the potential loss of millions of American lives. It makes sense to ask which U.S. leader would be willing to do that, which is precisely why North Korea has been so focused on developing ICBMs that are capable of hitting America.

European members of the NATO have either developed their own nukes or come up with a system of sharing them even though they are also under the protection of the American nuclear umbrella. NATO member states also have a say in whether to use nuclear weapons and ensure that such weapons are delivered with their own bombers. But the U.S. has banned any access to nuclear weapons for South Korea.

The U.S.-South Korea alliance is the most successful in the world, but the reality of global politics is that even then nothing can be guaranteed. If North Korea conducts a widespread provocation and threatens to use nuclear weapons, South Korea will be the biggest victim. Since the Korean War, the U.S. has never fought alongside South Korea against North Korean provocation, but recently even U.S. experts have advised South Korea to build up its strength in case the U.S. nuclear umbrella does not open.

The South Korean government has no immediate plans to develop its own nuclear weapons, but Yoon did point out that the technology is more or less in hand already and it would not take very long to do so. But his focus was more on urging the U.S. to find more effective means of suppressing the North Korean nuclear threat. The two allies must first discuss ways to jointly plan for the U.S.' nuclear assets. They need to hold simulations and practice the loading and deployment of those weapons, and discuss a NATO-style sharing of nuclear weapons.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2023 - 13:32 | World, All, Japan

North Korea has criticized Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's ongoing trip to NATO member countries for bringing "security instability" to the Asia-Pacific region, and warned the bloc against expanding its influence in the area, state-run media said Friday.

Japan serves as a guide "introducing NATO, a legacy of the Cold War, into the Asia-Pacific region" and such a behavior is "sowing the seeds of discord" in the region, the Korean Central News Agency said, quoting an article by Kim Tong Myong, an international politics researcher, released Thursday.

Kishida is currently on a weeklong tour of five Group of Seven countries -- Britain, Canada, France, Italy and the United States, which are all NATO members -- ahead of a G-7 summit to be hosted in Hiroshima, western Japan, in May.

NATO has been "stretching its tentacles to the Asia-Pacific region to put pressure on China," the article said, while it highlighted Kishida's assertion during his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region is in "inseparable relationship."

Apparently bearing in mind China's growing military clout in the region, Kishida and Macron also affirmed in their talks the significance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Pyongyang repeated its criticism of Japan's new national security strategy adopted late last year, saying Tokyo has "completely cast away its veil of a 'pacifist state'" through its decision to acquire the capability to strike enemy bases.

The report claimed some Western countries are "actively joining Japan in its moves to become a military giant, bringing the dark clouds of instability to the Asia-Pacific region."

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By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

Armenia has missed a chance to hold another round of peace talks with Azerbaijan, Russia's Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, Azernews reports.

She made the remarks at a weekly briefing.

Unfortunately, Armenia failed to benefit from a regular round of negotiations with Azerbaijan in Moscow on December 23, 2022. Our offer still stands. We're ready to provide a platform for talks between the Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers, she said.

She said it is difficult to assess Armenias position as statements of Yerevan on the same issue differ significantly. She also noted that although everything was prepared for the scheduled meeting in Moscow, the Armenian leadership at the last moment canceled the visit of the countrys Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.

If the Armenian partners are really interested in solving problems in line with the comprehensive implementation of trilateral statements at the highest level, its necessary to continue joint work," she added.

Furthermore, Zakharova stressed that humanitarian convoys pass freely along the Lachin-Khankandi road.

The public attacks and provocations against the Russian peacekeepers are unacceptable to us. Such actions can cause significant harm to the Azerbaijan-Armenia normalization process, she said.

The Russian official pointed out that Armenia creates difficulties for the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

"It is obvious that Armenia keeps acting proceeding from the priorities that its armed forces are facing. Last year as well, the Armenian Defense Ministry did not allocate a military contingent to participate in the CSTO joint exercises in Kazakhstan. This, certainly, creates certain difficulties for the allies, forcing them to redraw the plans already agreed upon by the military departments," she said.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 14, 2023 - 10:20 | All, Japan, World

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden pledged Friday to develop the Asian nation's defense capabilities, a month after Tokyo made a major shift in its defense policy with an eye on China's military provocations against Taiwan.

Kishida, on his first trip to the U.S. capital since he took office in October 2021, and Biden also agreed the two countries will deepen security ties and cooperate to secure semiconductor supply chains to counter China's economic clout in the region.

Biden hailed Japan's decision to bolster its defense capabilities, telling Kishida at the outset of their talks that it was "historic" and the United States is "fully, thoroughly, completely" committed to the bilateral security alliance.

"Rather than figuring out how we can work more closely together, the more difficult job would be trying to figure out where we disagree," Biden added.

China, which has lambasted Japan and the United States for trying to thwart its military and economic ambitions, is expected to react sharply to the agreement between the two democracies.

The meeting in Washington between Kishida, who represents a constituency in Hiroshima, and Biden came around four months ahead of the Group of Seven summit to be held in the western Japan city devastated by a U.S. atomic bombing in August 1945.

The leaders said in a joint statement released after the Japan-U.S. summit, "We emphasize that our basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged," adding, "We encourage the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues."

Kishida and Biden "reiterate the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community," according to the statement.

In December, Japan decided to almost double its defense spending over the next five years and to acquire enemy base strike capabilities under the war-renouncing Constitution to deter attacks on its territory, amid growing threats from its neighbors China and North Korea.

In the wake of the move, Kishida and Biden "instructed their ministers to reinforce cooperation on the development and effective employment of Japan's counterstrike and other capabilities," the statement said.

The Japanese government has already announced that it will allocate 211.3 billion yen ($1.65 billion) in the initial budget for fiscal 2023 to procure U.S.-made long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to enhance its counterstrike capabilities.

Kishida conveyed the plan to Biden, a senior Japanese government official said.

The two leaders also said, "We have aligned our collective force posture and deterrence capabilities to meet new and emerging threats, including in the cyber and space domains," while vowing to boost cooperation on nuclear power for energy security.

Later Friday, Japan and the United States signed a new bilateral space framework pact to accelerate collaboration.

At the White House, Kishida told Biden that Japan and the United States are facing a "complex security environment," adding that Tokyo's latest defense policy shift will contribute to strengthening "deterrence" alongside Washington.

Fears are mounting that Taiwan may become a military flashpoint in the Indo-Pacific region in the near future, as Communist-led China regards the self-ruled democratic island as 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.

Kishida and Biden reaffirmed close cooperation to promote a "free and open Indo-Pacific," a vision seen as a response to China's increasing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Regarding the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea, Biden confirmed the islets are covered by Article 5 of the 1960 Japan-U.S. security treaty, as Tokyo relies heavily on Washington for military protection.

The provision calls for the United States to defend territories under Japanese administration from armed attack.

The uninhabited islands are administrated by Japan, but China has laid claim to them since the early 1970s, calling them Diaoyu, after studies by the United Nations indicated there might be potentially lucrative gas reserves around them.

The Senkakus are also under the jurisdiction of Japan's southern island prefecture of Okinawa -- a geopolitically important region that still hosts the bulk of U.S. bases in the country over 50 years after it reverted to Japan in 1972 following post-World War II U.S. rule.

Among other issues, Biden reaffirmed "U.S. commitment to the immediate resolution" of the unresolved abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s, while seeking the "complete denuclearization" of Pyongyang.

Kishida and Biden, meanwhile, voiced "firm opposition to Russia's unjust and brutal war of aggression against Ukraine," saying Japan and the United States will continue imposing sanctions on Moscow.

As for the COVID-19 pandemic, Kishida and Biden urged China "to report adequate transparent epidemiological and viral genomic sequence data regarding the spread" of the coronavirus, first detected in the nation's central city of Wuhan in late 2019.

Since late last year, China has drastically eased its strict antivirus rules in an abrupt departure from its "zero-COVID" policy involving lockdowns and isolation measures. The shift has been followed by an explosion in cases nationwide.

The United States is the final stop on Kishida's weeklong tour of five of the G-7 countries in Europe and North America in the run-up to the May gathering. He met Biden after having breakfast with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.

Kishida and Biden agreed to keep working "closely toward a successful summit so as to demonstrate the G-7's commitment to upholding the international order based on the rule of law," the statement said.

Related coverage:

Defense chiefs agree to discuss future Japan-U.S. role allocation

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 - 19:56 | All, Japan

A man was indicted on charges of murder and violating the firearms control law for fatally shooting former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during an election campaign speech in July, prosecutors said Friday after months of a psychiatric evaluation.

The prosecutors concluded that Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, is competent to stand trial following mental examinations undertaken since late July. His detention period for the examination expired on Tuesday.

Yamagami has told investigators that he held a grudge against the Unification Church and targeted Abe because he was a grandson of former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, who helped the controversial religious group set up a Japanese chapter, investigative sources said.

He has said his mother's large donations to the organization, established in South Korea by a staunch anti-communist in 1954, left his family in financial ruin, according to the investigative sources.

Yamagami's mother became a believer of the group, known for its mass weddings and aggressive donation solicitations, in the early 1990s and provided donations totaling roughly 100 million yen ($765,000), sources close to him have said.

Abe, Japan's longest-serving leader, died on July 8 after being shot at close range while giving a campaign speech in the western Japan city of Nara two days ahead of the House of Councillors election. Yamagami was arrested on the spot.

Homemade guns were confiscated from the shooting site and Yamagami's residence, the investigative sources said earlier.

Abe was prime minister from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020 before stepping down due to health problems. He remained one of the most influential figures in Japanese politics as the leader of the largest intraparty group within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

In a regular news conference, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno on Friday said Yamagami's "violent act" during an election campaign represents a challenge to the "foundation of democracy."

"We have to take it seriously that Mr. Abe was killed," the top government spokesman said.

Since the incident, the religious group, formally known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, has come under renewed scrutiny.

Links between many LDP lawmakers and the church have been exposed, forcing a minister to step down and dragging down support ratings for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who heads the ruling party.

Amid criticism over the fundraising practices of the group, Japan's parliament enacted a law to ban organizations from maliciously soliciting donations in December.

The government is also investigating the group's activities to assess whether it has systematically solicited massive, financially ruinous donations from its members and their families, with an eye on a court order to remove its status as a religious corporation with tax benefits.

Related coverage:

Psychiatric exam of ex-Japan PM Abe shooter ends, charges to follow
KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2023 - 21:24 | All, Japan

A planned discharge of treated water from the crippled nuclear power plant in Fukushima Prefecture into the sea will start around this spring or summer, some two years after a decision on its release was made, the Japanese government said Friday.

A revised policy on the disposal of the treated water containing low-level concentrations of tritium as well as financial support for affected fishing communities was endorsed during a meeting of relevant Cabinet ministers on Friday.

"We would like to thoroughly explain these measures to fishing communities and other relevant parties while listening to their concerns," Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at the meeting.

The communities and neighboring China remain opposed to the release of water about 1 kilometer off the Pacific coast.

South Korea, which also has opposed to the discharge of treated water, reiterated Friday that the water must be safely disposed of in accordance with international standards from the objective and scientific perspectives.

To ensure the discharge is in line with international safety standards and poses no harm to public health and the environment, the International Atomic Energy Agency has conducted several safety reviews of the plan.

A delegation of IAEA officials and international experts will visit Japan from Monday through Jan. 20 to conduct another review of the regulatory aspects of the discharge plan and hold discussions with Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority.

The IAEA will issue a comprehensive report based on their findings and provide support before, during and after the discharge.

Through its cooperation with the IAEA, the Japanese government is continuing its efforts to enhance international understanding toward the handling of treated water, it said.

According to the revised policy, the government will aid fishermen who fear reputational damage will impact the sales of their catch through a new 50 billion yen ($383 million) fund in addition to previously announced 30 billion yen.

Following the nuclear disaster triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami that struck northeastern Japan in 2011, a vast amount of water is still needed to continually cool the melted fuel and fuel debris at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant.

The water pumped in for this purpose has mixed with groundwater and rainwater, accumulating in storage tanks at Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc.'s crippled complex after being treated with an advanced liquid processing system that removes most radionuclides.

The government decided in April 2021 on its policy to start discharging treated water around two years later.

The plant's operator TEPCO began construction of the discharge facilities in August last year, but it has said that completion of the facilities could be delayed depending on sea and weather conditions.

Most nuclear power plants around the world routinely and safely release treated water containing low-level concentrations of tritium and other radionuclides to the environment as part of normal operations, according to the IAEA.

Related coverage:

New submersion method added as option to aid Fukushima debris cleanup

Fukushima chemical waste moved to Hokkaido for detoxification

Japan court rejects halt of Kansai Electric's aging nuclear reactor
KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2023 - 23:42 | All, Japan

A male employee of East Japan Railway Co. repeatedly made comments deemed to be of a sexually harassing nature to a visually impaired female passenger at a Tokyo station for three months until earlier this month, company officials said Friday.

The railway operator, commonly known as JR East, is considering disciplinary action against the employee, who made comments such as, "Isn't your chest heavy? I can carry it for you," while guiding her to the platform from the ticket gate, the officials said.

The woman asked the JR East station for guidance, and he was put in charge of taking care of her on several occasions beginning in March 2022, but he began making sexually suggestive and other inappropriate comments in October, they said.

"What time are you coming home today? Let's go to a new ramen restaurant," the employee also told her on one occasion, according to the company.

When the woman asked him to guide her to the elevator, the employee said, "I can give you a piggyback ride if you use the stairs," the officials said.

The harassment came to light after the passenger reported it to the station on Wednesday, and JR East launched an investigation.

The employee was quoted as saying he thought he was being "friendly" because he often comes in contact with the women, but now regrets his actions.

The employee has already been removed from customer service duties and will be dealt with strictly, JR East said.

"We sincerely apologize to the customer who was offended. We will ensure that all employees are thoroughly instructed to prevent similar incidents from occurring," a company spokesperson said.
KYODO NEWS - Jan 13, 2023 - 21:50 | All, Japan

The defense ministers of Japan and the United States agreed Thursday to start "intensive discussions" on the allocation of roles in the bilateral alliance after Tokyo obtains the ability to strike enemy bases.

During their meeting at the Pentagon, Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin also signed agreements to speed up cooperation on the development of military equipment and new technologies, and secure defense supply chains, according to both governments.

Hamada and Austin agreed to "promptly have intensive discussions on roles and missions of the alliance" based on the fundamental reinforcement of Japan's defense capabilities and the "effective operation of counterstrike capabilities," the Japanese Defense Ministry said.

In a major shift in its exclusively defense-oriented policy under the pacifist Constitution, Japan revised three key defense documents last month, including the National Security Strategy, vowing to acquire counterstrike capabilities and almost double defense spending in five years.

Japan's acquisition of such capabilities could modify the countries' long-standing allocation of roles, with Washington serving as an offensive "spear" and Tokyo as a "shield" to fend off attacks.

The talks also came a day after a "two-plus-two" security meeting in Washington involving the countries' foreign and defense ministers, at which they agreed that China's increasing military clout "represents the greatest strategic challenge" in the Indo-Pacific region and vowed to bolster deterrence.

On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin expressed firm opposition to the two-plus-two meeting joint statement, saying it is "full of Cold War zero-sum thinking and groundless smear attacks on China."

Wang claimed at a press conference in Beijing that Japan and the United States say they want to maintain a rules-based international order, but "wantonly trample on international law and basic norms governing international relations, and grossly interfere in the internal affairs of other countries."

These actions have become "a real challenge to regional peace, security and stability," he said.

Later Friday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and U.S. President Joe Biden are set to hold a meeting in Washington.

"I expect active discussions at tomorrow's summit so that the solid Japan-U.S. alliance will be further strengthened under the strong leadership" of Kishida and Biden, Hamada told reporters after his talks with Austin.

Austin told Hamada that Washington is concerned about Beijing's "coercive behavior in the Taiwan Strait, and the waters surrounding Japan," as well as the North Korean missile and nuclear threats, the U.S. Defense Department said.

To develop counterstrike capabilities, Japan has decided to procure long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles from the United States until it can deploy domestically developed ones.

But Hamada and Austin did not discuss the matter, according to a Japanese government official.

Related coverage:

Japan, U.S. agree China poses "greatest strategic challenge"
Croatia will not impose restrictive COVID-19 measures on Chinese passengers entering the country, Bernard Kaic, head of the Department for Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ), said on Wednesday.

"Since we do not consider mandatory inspections an efficient method for the prevention of the COVID-19 variants into the country, we do not intend to impose mandatory inspections, as long as it is not a requirement of all EU (European Union) member states," Kaic, authorized by the Croatian Ministry of Health, told Xinhua in an interview.

Croatia will not follow the examples of some Western European countries to take restrictive COVID-19 measures on Chinese passengers, Kaic said, noting that the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said that it is "unjustified" and unnecessary to impose mandatory inspections on passengers from China.

As the COVID-19 virus is already present in Croatia and all over the EU, "it is no big deal if a Chinese passenger with COVID-19 virus enters Croatia," Kaic noted.

Croatia welcomes Chinese tourists and "we look forward to their arrival and there are no obstacles for that," Kaic added.

"We warmly welcome Chinese tourists, because they are our dear guests," said Kristijan Stanicic, director of the Croatian National Tourist Board (CNTB), adding that the CNTB will do everything to facilitate the arrival and stay of Chinese tourists in Croatia.





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"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











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GENEVA, Jan. 12 (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.

"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.

"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 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.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service




This undated photo shows white-shouldered ibis sitting in a tree in the Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary in Stung Treng province, Cambodia. (Vichet/BirdLife in Cambodia/Handout via Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia recorded 792 rare white-shouldered ibis in its 2022 census, an increase of 5 percent from 755 birds in a year earlier, conservationists said on Thursday.

Bou Vorsak, director of BirdLife in Cambodia, said the census, jointly conducted by the members of the Cambodian Ibis Working Group (CIWG), found 377 white-shouldered ibis at Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary, 326 at the Mekong Flooded Forest, and 89 at Koh Srolauv, Kulen Promtep, Lomphat, Srepok and Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuaries.

"The white-shouldered ibis is one of the rarest birds in the world, with the global population of approximately 1,000 birds," he told Xinhua. "Cambodia is the largest habitat for this critically endangered species, accounting for nearly 80 percent of the global population."

Vorsak said BirdLife in Cambodia is delighted to support this species working group to develop and implement the Cambodian ibis conservation action plan to protect the critically endangered birds from extinction.

White-shouldered ibis (Pseudibis davisoni) is classed as critically endangered, the highest category of threat for a species, on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, he said.

Neth Pheaktra, secretary of state and spokesman for the Ministry of Environment, said the government thanked all conservation partners for their efforts to protect and conserve natural resources and wildlife, including white-shouldered ibis.

"The Ministry of Environment and NGO partners will continue their efforts to provide safe habitats to wildlife through law enforcement, local economic supporting, and other education campaigns to change public behavior," he said. "The Ministry of Environment will continue to educate people to stop trapping, hunting, eating and trading wildlife."

World Wide Fund (WWF) Cambodia country director Seng Teak congratulates the rising number of white-shouldered ibis population trends in Cambodia, saying that it is a positive result for the conservation and protection of the species.

"We stand ready to collaborate on the joint conservation action efforts to thrive for stronger survival of this rare species," Teak added. 

This undated photo shows white-shouldered ibis sitting in a tree in the Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary in Stung Treng province, Cambodia. (Vichet/BirdLife in Cambodia/Handout via Xinhua)
Tourists visit the Wat Phnom historic site in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Jan. 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Phearum)

"On behalf of the government and the Ministry of Tourism, I would like to welcome the return of Chinese tourists to Cambodia," said Cambodia's Tourism Minister Thong Khon, noting that China's resumption of outbound tourism is very beneficial not only to Cambodia but also to the whole world.

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 13 (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.

Chinese tourists visit the statue of late Cambodian King Father Norodom Sihanouk in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Jan. 30, 2019. (Xinhua/Phearum)

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. 
The Azerbaijani community of the Netherlands has addressed Speaker of the (Lower) House of Representatives of the Netherlands Parliament Vera Bergkamp with a letter, Azernews reports.

The letter sent on behalf of the Motherland European Azerbaijani Women's Union expresses concerns of the 15,000-strong Azerbaijani community living in the Netherlands about the tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and the one-sided, biased position of the lower house on this matter. The community calls on the lower house to take an impartial, fair, and balanced position in relation to Azerbaijan, and evaluate the events objectively.

We are concerned that the lower house does not react to Armenia's systematic and regular violations of international humanitarian law. Although the Armenian prime minister signed the agreement on the cessation of the war on November 10, 2020, the official Yerevan continues the policy of mining Azerbaijani territories. In August 2022, a total of 2,728 anti-personnel mines, made in 2021, were discovered in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. In other words, while the Dutch parliament passed resolutions supporting Armenia, this country continued its criminal mine policy that resulted in the death of 268 people, including 9 children, a woman, and 3 journalists, the letter reads.

The letter added that only 8 percent of the territory liberated in 2020 after a 28-year-long occupation has been demined and 750,000 IDPs are unable to return to their home yet. This results in socio-economic and humanitarian problems.

Do they not have human rights, or are human rights only the monopoly of the Armenian people?" - the letter questioned.

It added that the failure of the Lower House to react to Armenia's violation of international humanitarian law so far, the transfer of illegal armed groups and weapons to Karabakh through the Lachin corridor by Armenia, which is open only for humanitarian purposes, missing over 4,000 Azerbaijanis in the first Karabakh war, and the transfer of Iranian military experts illegally into Karabakh cause astonishment by the Azerbaijani community in the Netherlands.

"We are watching with horror and pain images of the discovery of mass graves of our compatriots in the territories liberated from occupation. Why does your parliament not put pressure on Armenia to transfer all information about missing people, including the map of mass graves to Azerbaijanis to bury their relatives and friends in accordance with our traditions?" community members asked the speaker.

In addition, it was emphasized that the Dutch MPs turned a blind eye to Armenia's violation of provisions of the agreement dated November 10, 2020, preventing the opening of transport routes between the western regions of Azerbaijan and its Nakhchivan exclave.

For almost 30 years, the Autonomous Republic of Nakhchivan and its 300,000 inhabitants have been under blockade, communication with it is possible only through air transport, the letter concluded.
Photo taken on March 2, 2022 shows a container terminal of Qinzhou Port in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's total goods imports and exports hit record high again in 2022, expanding 7.7 percent year on year to 42.07 trillion yuan (about 6.25 trillion U.S. dollars), official data showed Friday.

Exports rose 10.5 percent year on year, while imports went up 4.3 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs. 
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China urged the Republic of Korea (ROK) to continue to handle and manage the THAAD issue properly to prevent it from becoming a stumbling block impeding bilateral ties, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday.

Spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on the ROK's preparation of a draft report on the assessment of the environmental impact of the THAAD base.

Wang said that China is closely following the ROK's moves on the THAAD issue and is maintaining communication with the ROK at all levels on this issue.

"We hope that the ROK side will continue to handle and manage the THAAD issue properly in accordance with the consensus on THAAD reached between Chinese State Councilor Wang Yi and ROK Foreign Minister Park Jin when they met in Qingdao in August last year, so as to prevent it from becoming a stumbling block impeding bilateral ties," he said. 
This photo taken on Nov. 11, 2022 shows a thermometer displaying real time temperature as 21 degrees Celsius in Rome, Italy. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

According to temperature data gathered by WMO, 2022 was the eighth consecutive year when annual global temperatures reached at least one degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

GENEVA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Soaring greenhouse gas levels and accumulated heat have led to the warmest eight years on record, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said on Thursday.

According to temperature data gathered by WMO, 2022 was the eighth consecutive year when annual global temperatures reached at least one degree Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

The landmark 2015 Paris Agreement pledged to keep global warming "well below" two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and to strive for a lower limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has underlined that global warming should be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius or below.

People spend time at a beach in Faliro, a southern suburb of Athens, Greece, on Jan. 6, 2023. Greece has been experiencing unseasonably warm temperatures this winter, prompting people to head for the beach instead of the ski resorts. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

However, the latest WMO data has shown that the average global temperature in 2022 was around 1.15 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while the ten-year average temperature for the period 2013-2022 was 1.14 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline.

This indicates that long-term warming continues, and the likelihood of temporarily breaching the 1.5 degrees Celsius target is increasing, said WMO.

Global warming and other long-term climate change trends are expected to continue, WMO said, due to record levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Extreme heatwaves, drought and devastating flooding affected millions and cost billions in 2022, according to WMO's provisional State of the Global Climate in 2022 report.

Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2022 shows a view of Cijara reservoir in Extremadura, Spain. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

"There is a need to enhance preparedness for such extreme events and to ensure that we meet the UN target of Early Warnings for All in the next five years," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

"Today only half of 193 (WMO) members have proper early warning services, which leads to much higher economic and human losses. There are also big gaps in basic weather observations in Africa and island states, which has a major negative impact on the quality of weather forecasts," he warned.
by Burak Akinci

ANKARA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- In a sign of detente between Turkiye and Syria, defense ministers of the two countries have met for the first time in more than a decade, which, analysts say, signals their possible normalization of ties through a win-win solution.

Turkish and Syrian ministers, along with their Russian counterpart, met on Dec. 28 in Moscow, in the first ministerial contact between the two countries in 11 years after the two sides had met on an intelligence level.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said more talks are planned for later in January.

"I believe that the ongoing dialogue between Turkiye and Syria has the potential to evolve into a normalization," Tarik Oguzlu, a professor of international relations at Istanbul's Aydin University, told Xinhua.

This is in line with a recent shift in Turkiye's foreign policy to mend ties with regional countries that has already yielded results with Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates, he said.

Turkiye's support for the armed rebels seeking to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the civil war that began in 2011 strained relations between the two neighbors, which cut their diplomatic ties in 2012.

The meeting in Moscow followed Ankara's threat to launch a fresh military incursion against Kurdish militants in northern Syria, an action opposed by Russia, the United States and Iran.

According to Oguzlu, Russia is the most willing country for a Turkish-Syrian reconciliation as it is squeezed in Ukraine and wants the bulk of its military presence in Syria transferred to the Ukrainian theater of conflict.

In November, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said a meeting with al-Assad was a possibility, and in mid-December, he said he could meet with him soon.

"Neither Syria nor Turkiye can walk away from the process. Normalizing with Assad has significant security ramifications for Turkiye," said Batu Coskun, an Ankara-based independent political risk analyst.

A Turkish diplomatic source who wanted to remain anonymous said it is in the interest of Ankara and Damascus to find a common ground to remove Kurdish militants, whom Turkiye sees as a security threat, and suppress any Kurdish bid for autonomy.

"For al-Assad, given the state of the Syrian economy, normalizing with Syria's largest and most economically advanced neighbor will undoubtedly have benefits," Coskun noted.

As Turkiye is heading for general elections planned for June, the Turkish leader is reportedly in favor of a fresh start with Syria.

A poll conducted in December of 2022 by the Metropoll Research Center revealed that 59 percent of Turks supported the idea of a meeting of Turkish and Syrian leaders.

There is a growing anti-refugee sentiment among Turks as their country hosts some 3.5 million Syrians, according to the official data published in December.

"Erdogan believes that he can strike an accord with al-Assad that stipulates the return of Syrian migrants. This will tackle a major electoral issue and could see Erdogan's number in polls rise," Coskun said. 
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official on Friday underlined the importance of fully and faithfully enforcing the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

Xia Baolong, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks at a symposium on ensuring the faithful enforcement of the national security law in the HKSAR.

The enactment and implementation of the law is an important milestone in the development of the practice of the "one country, two systems" policy since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Xia said, noting that it is fully in line with Hong Kong's reality.

Hong Kong has restored order and is set to thrive, Xia said.

A thorough understanding of the legislative essence and original intention of the law is imperative, as is ensuring its implementation in a comprehensive and accurate manner, Xia said.

The legislative purpose of the law is to safeguard national security and the "one country, two systems" policy, he said.

With the aim of filling a legislative vacuum with regard to national security in Hong Kong, the law targets a very small number of people and protects the vast majority of Hong Kong residents, Xia said.

To uphold the "one country, two systems" policy in the long term, it is essential to fully and faithfully enforce the national security law in the HKSAR, he said.

Essential too is ensuring that the central government takes a guiding role and the HKSAR assumes the main responsibility, with the two reinforcing each other, Xia said.

The HKSAR should take the initiative to amend and improve its local laws so that they align with the national security law in the HKSAR, Xia said.

The HKSAR's functional organs should cooperate with the Chief Executive and the Committee for Safeguarding National Security, and respect and implement the decisions of the committee, he added.

It is only by strengthening the shields protecting national security that Hong Kong can gain the confidence and conditions to ensure a higher level of opening-up and successfully practice the "one country, two systems" policy, Xia said.

The symposium, hosted by the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, was attended by approximately 300 people from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao either online or in person, including HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee. 
HONG KONG, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has deplored the so-called "six-monthly report on Hong Kong" released by the British government.

The report smeared the national security law in Hong Kong and Hong Kong's electoral system, slandered Hong Kong's democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law, grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and seriously breached the principles of international law and the basic norms governing international relations, a spokesperson for the office said on Thursday.

In the past 25 years since Hong Kong's return to the motherland, the Chinese government has fully, accurately and resolutely implemented the principles of "one country, two systems," "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and "Hong Kong enjoying a high degree of autonomy," the spokesperson said, adding the practice of "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong has been a globally recognized success.

The spokesperson pointed out that the national security law in Hong Kong and the new electoral system effectively safeguard national security and social stability, and all the lawful rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents are protected.

International investors now have a more safe, stable and predictable business environment, which is a fact that all fair-minded people acknowledge, the spokesperson said.

However, the British report vilified the Chinese central government's policies towards Hong Kong and the law-based governance of the HKSAR, talked down Hong Kong's development prospect, and turned a deaf ear to the mainstream public opinion about stability and development, the spokesperson said.

Also, their whitewash of anti-China forces in Hong Kong only exposes their intention to contain China by disrupting the HKSAR, the spokesperson added.

The spokesperson said that the rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.

Noting that the executive branch of the HKSAR strictly enforces laws and the judiciary handles cases impartially, the spokesperson said they both perform their statutory duties in full accordance with laws and legal procedures and effectively safeguard national security and Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, which brooks no external interference.

The British side claims to uphold the rule of law, but in practice releases a so-called Hong Kong report every six months in which it plays the "judge card," "BNO card" and many other cards to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and damage the rule of law in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson stressed that over the past quarter-century, the legal basis for the governance of the Chinese government in the HKSAR is the Chinese Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

The spokesperson reiterated that Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs.

No matter how grandiose the report looks, it is nothing but a piece of waste paper and can no way stop Hong Kong's transformation from chaos to stability and prosperity, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson urged the British side to put itself in the right position, ditch the double standard, abide by the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations such as non-interference, and refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs including Hong Kong affairs under any pretext. 
GUIYANG, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Guizhou Province registered robust growth in the digital economy in 2022, with its growth rate ranking top in the country for seven consecutive years, local authorities said Friday.

In 2022, Guizhou accelerated the development of the big-data industry and the province's added value of the electronic information manufacturing industry rose by more than 60 percent, according to a government work report delivered by Li Bingjun, governor of the province.

The income from Guizhou's software and information technology service industries surged by 99.7 percent in the year, Li noted.

In 2023, Guizhou's GDP is expected to grow by around 6 percent to reach 2.2 trillion yuan (around 327 billion U.S. dollars), with the digital economy accounting for around 40 percent of its GDP, according to the report.

The province will also vigorously develop the cloud service industry to further boost income and speed up the development of data circulation services. 
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Beijing Daxing International Airport will resume the operation of international passenger flights starting from Jan. 17.

International flights had been suspended at the airport since March 14, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All international flights from Daxing airport had been diverted to the Beijing Capital International Airport.

China Southern Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Beijing Capital Airlines and Himalaya Airlines are among the first carriers to resume international flights to and from Daxing airport. China Southern Airlines will run three flights per week to Hong Kong, while Himalaya Airlines will run one flight per week to Kathmandu.

International transfers at the airport will also be resumed, with the adoption of a 144-hour visa-free policy for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

More international flights to destinations in Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand are planned, according the airport's management.

The first international flight from Daxing airport took off on Oct. 27, 2019. Before the epidemic, the airport ran services to and from 13 countries and regions.

China has downgraded its management of COVID-19 to Class B and canceled quarantine requirements for inbound travelers from Jan. 8. 
TOKYO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Japanese prosecutors on Friday indicted the man suspected of killing former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to local media.

The Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper reported that the Nara District Public Prosecutors Office indicted the assailant, Tetsuya Yamagami, 42, on murder charges.

He was also indicted for violating Japan's gun control laws, the report said.

The formal charges came following Yamagami undergoing an extended six-month psychiatric trial to determine whether he was mentally fit to be held criminally responsible for his actions.

Yamagami was arrested on the spot on July 8 last year after allegedly shooting former prime minister Abe twice at close range with a handmade gun while Abe, 67, was delivering a speech in the western prefecture of Nara, just two days ahead of upper house elections.

Yamagami, an ex-Maritime Self-Defense Force worker, allegedly held a grudge against the controversial Unification Church for financially ruining his family by soliciting huge amounts of money in donations from his mother.

This amounted to around 100 million yen (774,000 U.S. dollars).

The killer reportedly believed Abe had links to and had promoted the dubious organization and claimed this factored in to his reason for assassinating the former prime minister. 
ANKARA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Turkish prosecutors on Friday launched an investigation into a protest against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, semi-official Anadolu Agency reported.

The decision came after the Turkish president filed a criminal complaint with Turkish prosecutors over the protest.

"A criminal complaint has been filed with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, demanding that an investigation be launched into the perpetrators for the criminal acts targeting our president," Erdogan's lawyer Huseyin Aydin said on Twitter.

Ankara believes the recent protest against Erdogan is a criminal provocation by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Syria's Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in Sweden.

The protesters hung a puppet likened to Erdogan in a recent demonstration in Stockholm.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrstrom to protest the "terror propaganda" against Erdogan. The Turkish parliament also cancelled the Swedish parliament speaker's visit to Turkiye.

Sweden has been seeking Turkiye's approval to join NATO but Ankara has said Sweden needs to take a clearer stance against what it sees as terrorists. There is no significant breakthrough yet over this issue. 
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)
By Azernews

Sabina Mammadli

For 33 days in a row, the peaceful protest of the Azerbaijani eco-activists on the Lachin-Khankandi road against the illegal mining of natural resources in areas under the temporary control of the Russian peacekeepers has been going on despite the freezing cold in the area, Azernews reports.

Vehicles constantly pass through the road unhindered in defiance of the ongoing claims of Armenians and their patrons on a "blockade" of the major road by Azerbaijanis.

As has been the case for 33 days, the road remains open for the unhindered passage, and by the time this report was written, four trucks and two passenger cars of the Russian peacekeepers passed along the road from Khankendi toward Lachin.

The failure of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to prevent the illicit exploitation of natural resources in Karabakh has resulted in the ongoing protest on the major road that passes by Shusha. As a result of the December 3 and 7, 2022, talks with the Russian peacekeeping command, a delegation comprising specialists from the Ministries of Economy, Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Property Service under the Ministry of Economy, and AzerGold Company was to conduct a preliminary monitoring of the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits in Karabakh, where peacekeepers are temporarily stationed, as well as related environmental and other problems.

However, due to the inaction of the peacekeepers, the monitoring did not take place and resulted in the continuous protest of the Azerbaijani eco-activists, thus paving the way for the birth of a new movement.
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The China Manned Space Agency on Friday unveiled a detailed list of crop seeds and microbial strains on board the Shenzhou-14 and Shenzhou-15 manned spaceships.

More than 1,300 pieces of crop seeds and microbial strains from 112 contributors, including Chinese universities, research institutes, and grass-root breeding stations, were brought into space for breeding experiments.

China launched the crewed spaceship Shenzhou-14 on June 5, 2022, to dock with its space station combination, and then the Shenzhou-15 on Nov. 29, to render the country's first in-orbit crew rotation.

Astronauts on two missions are tasked with performing breeding experiments in the space station.

Among the seeds are those of staple foods like rice, wheat, and potato, familiar fruits and vegetables, forage grass, and herbal materials used in traditional Chinese medicine. A variety of probiotics are on the experimental list.

Space breeding involves exposing seeds and strains to cosmic radiation and microgravity during a spaceflight mission to mutate their genes.

The space breeding tests have been conducted in all the flight missions during the essential technology verification phase of China's space station project. Thousands of crop seeds and microorganisms were carried into space and brought back to Earth by Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13 crews.

Chinese scientists have completed the 120-day life-cycle growth experiments of rice in its space station, which is for the first time in the world. The experiments were conducted from July 29 to Nov. 25 last year.

In future missions, more experimental samples will be sent into space to ensure China's food security, according to the China Manned Space Agency. 
OTTAWA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- More than 2,000 anomalies and a child's remains were found during radar search of a former residential school site in Canada, local media reported Thursday.

Star Blanket Cree Nation, a First Nations band in Saskatchewan, Canada, said it has located the anomalies after completing phase one of a ground-penetrating radar search at the site of the former Qu'Appelle Indian Residential School, operated from 1884 to 1998 in the village of Lebret, Saskatchewan, about 80 km northeast of Regina, local media CTV News reported.

The anomalies found have not been confirmed to be human remains and could be stones, soil or pieces of wood, however, a jawbone fragment was discovered which was believed to be 125 years old from a child who was five or six years old at the time, the report said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday in a statement that he was "profoundly saddened and disturbed" to learn of the findings.

"Residential schools are part of the historic and ongoing racism, discrimination, and injustice that Indigenous Peoples face. We all have a responsibility to learn from our past to build a better future," Trudeau said.

The school initially opened in 1884 and according to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report, the school had a high death rate.

After its first nine years of operation, the school claimed to have discharged 174 students, 71 of whom had died. The institution closed in 1998 after operating for 114 years, the CTV news reported. 
Children have fun on Dove Lane in Hotan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Sadat)

URUMQI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The rapid development of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region proves that the region is moving in the right direction, said Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the World Muslim Communities Council, during a recent visit to Xinjiang.

From 1990 to the end of 2016, separatists, religious extremists, and terrorists have plotted and carried out thousands of violent terrorist cases and incidents in the Xinjiang region, resulting in the killing of many innocent people.

Al Nuaimi, who also visited Xinjiang in 2019, has a deep memory of the region's history of fighting terrorism and extremism.

He said that terrorist forces do not respect the laws of any country, do not recognize human and civil rights, and kill innocent people as they have done in some other countries.

China is right to do everything it needs to do to protect its national interests and people, the chairman added.

Citizens of a country, regardless of their religious beliefs and ethnicity, should all develop the right concept of national identity, advocate peaceful coexistence, respect the country's constitution and laws, they also have the responsibility to protect their country from terrorism and extremism, Al Nuaimi said.

It is not only the responsibility of the government but also the responsibility of everyone, he said. Muslims in China also need to be loyal to the country, contribute to social development, live in harmony with others, and take pride in being Chinese, he said.

Al Nuaimi said there has not been a single violent terrorist activity in Xinjiang in the past few years, and the region has eradicated absolute poverty, which are great achievements that have brought tangible benefits to the local people.

In January, Al Nuaimi led a delegation of world-renowned Islamic religious figures and scholars to visit Xinjiang again, going into the local bazaars to observe the lives of the people.

Compared with 2019, Xinjiang's social development has reached a new level, and relations among various ethnic groups have become more harmonious, he noted, adding that Xinjiang is going forward in the right direction.

For some time now, the U.S. and the West have been trying to smear China's policy on Xinjiang under the guise of "human rights," while trying to sow discord between China and the Islamic world.

Al Nuaimi said there have never been bad intentions against Muslims or Islamic civilization in the Chinese cultural tradition. He emphasized that Chinese and Islamic civilizations have a long history of relationship, characterized by friendly cooperation and close ties.

The world needs a secure, stable, and prosperous China, and even more so for the vast majority of developing countries, he noted.

He stressed that he led the delegation to Xinjiang again to promote the Islamic world's understanding of the region.

Al Nuaimi called for putting aside political manipulation and ideological differences and respecting each other's differences. "We have to have the courage to speak loudly what we believe," he said. 
SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- South Korean police said Friday that it referred 23 government officials to the prosecution on professional negligence and other charges after wrapping up a 74-day investigation into the deadly crowd crush that occurred in late October at the Itaewon district of Seoul during Halloween celebrations.

The special police investigation team concluded that relevant authorities failed to take preventive measures against possible incidents that could have been predicted ahead of the scheduled event.

The 501-strong team said the authorities took no appropriate measures even after receiving emergency calls alerting danger and urgency at the scene, adding that negligence by the authorities was to blame for numerous casualties.

A total of 159 people, many of them women in their 20s, had been killed from the crowd crush on Oct. 29 when a dense crowd thronged a narrow sloping alley in Itaewon and fell over one another.

Over 100,000 people gathered in the popular nightlife district for the country's biggest no-mask outdoor Halloween festivities since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Four policemen, including a police station chief in Yongsan that administers Itaewon, and two Yongsan Ward Office officials, including the ward office head, were referred to the prosecutors' office with detention on charges of professional negligence resulting in death and so on.

Those referred to the prosecution without detention on similar charges were 17 people, including officials with the police station, the ward office, and the fire station in Yongsan.

The special investigation team decided not to hold any officials from the interior ministry, the Seoul city government and the national police agency criminally liable for the man-made disaster. 
Protesters chant slogans outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, New York, the United States, on Jan. 11, 2023. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

Nurses won enforceable safe staffing ratios at both Montefiore Bronx and Mount Sinai Hospital where nurses went on strike for patient care, said NYSNA on Thursday.

NEW YORK, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of nurses from two hospitals in New York City returned to work on Thursday after tentative agreements were reached, according to a statement by the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) which represents more than 42,000 members in the state.

Nurses won enforceable safe staffing ratios at both Montefiore Bronx and Mount Sinai Hospital where nurses went on strike for patient care, said NYSNA on Thursday.

"We are pleased that the Mount Sinai Hospital reached a tentative agreement with NYSNA and the strike is over," said a notice on the website of the Mount Sinai Health System.

Around 7,000 nurses from the two hospitals went on strike from Monday to Wednesday calling for more nurses and enforcement of safe staffing requirements.

Nurses at Wyckoff hospital also reached a tentative deal in the night and withdrew their 10-day strike notice, said NYSNA.

Moreover, Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West reached a tentative agreement with the state nursing union on a new contract on Sunday with a strike avoided. 
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese commerce minister has called for U.S. efforts to bring bilateral economic and trade ties back on the right track at an early date, according to a statement of the ministry on Friday.

The remarks were made on Thursday when Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with U.S.-China Business Council President Craig Allen via video link.

China and the United States have extensive common interests and space for cooperation, Wang said, adding that bilateral economic and trade cooperation is beneficial to the well-being of the two peoples and plays a pivotal role in global economic growth.

Wang pointed out that the U.S. government has defined China-U.S. relations by "strategic competition" and adopted a series of trade and investment restrictions and protectionist practices against China, which have harmed the interests of businesses and people of both countries.

The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China stressed that China will unswervingly open wider to the outside world and advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization, Wang said.

He hoped that the U.S. side will correctly view the opportunities China's development brings to the United States and the world, saying that the modernization of China, with a population of more than 1.4 billion, means great opportunities for global companies, including U.S. firms.

"China is willing to listen to the views of foreign enterprises, including those from the United States, on a regular basis, and will continue to improve a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment," Wang said.

In his remarks, Allen hoped that the two sides will proceed from some specific issues to enhance communication and cooperation and boost mutual trust, saying that the council will continue to support the cooperation between Chinese and U.S. enterprises and nurture a favorable environment for pragmatic cooperation, according to the statement. 
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye speaks during a press conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on June 14, 2022. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye urged the U.S. government to "exert real pressure" on Israel to stop all violations and release the Palestinian tax revenue dues it had illegally deducted.

RAMALLAH, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Ishtaye on Thursday called on the U.S. government to stop all violations and unilateral measures adopted by Israel against the Palestinians.

An official statement said Ishtaye made the remarks during a meeting with Hady Amr, the U.S. special representative for Palestinian affairs in the State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.

The two sides discussed the unilateral practices taken by the new Israeli government, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, against the Palestinian people as soon as it assumed power.

Mourners carry the body of Awni Aslan, killed early on Thursday during an Israeli raid, during his funeral in the West Bank refugee camp of Qalandia, on Jan. 12, 2023. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

"The U.S. government is required to move urgently to put an end to the unilateral Israeli measures and threats that undermine the national authority and systematically end the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state," Ishtaye told Amr.

He pointed to a need for the upcoming visit of U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to the region to carry a message of hope for the Palestinian people.

"The two U.S. officials should deliver a clear statement to the Israeli government that it is obligated to respect international law and the agreements Israel signed with the Palestinians," Ishtaye said.

Palestinians gather around the body of Ahmad Abu Jneid, killed by Israeli soldiers in clashes, at a hospital in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Jan. 11, 2023. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

He urged the United States "to exert real pressure on the Israeli government to stop all violations and release the Palestinian tax revenue dues it had illegally deducted."

Ishtaye said the Palestinian people and their leadership "will not accept the fait accompli and will move forward in the popular, political, diplomatic and legal struggle in the face of the Israeli measures."

On Friday, the Israeli cabinet for security and political affairs approved punitive measures against the Palestinian Authority for its approach to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Palestinian protesters hurl stones at Israeli military vehicles during clashes in the West Bank city of Nablus, on Jan. 12, 2023. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

The punitive measures included the deduction of 39.6 million U.S. dollars from the Palestinian tax revenue dues and the freezing of building permits in Area C, which is under full Israeli control in the West Bank.

The Palestinians want to establish an independent state on the territories seized by Israel in 1967, including the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 




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.

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 8, 2023 shows the headquarters building of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Photo by Dang Honglai/Xinhua)

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."

Workers transfer medical supplies from China in Cairo, Egypt, on May 10, 2020. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)

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 African 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." 
Devotees take an overcrowded train to attend the annual Muslim congregation Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, Jan. 13, 2023. (Xinhua)

DHAKA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The annual Muslim congregation Bishwa Ijtema started Friday in Tongi on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka with religious sermons for hundreds of thousands of devotees from home and abroad after two years of the COVID-19 hiatus.

This year's edition of the Bishwa Ijtema, or the World Congregation, began with the general sermons of Pakistani Islamic scholar Maulana Ziaul Haque after the morning prayers.

The grand prayer of the three-day congregation will be held on Sunday, seeking divine blessings and the welfare of all mankind.

Local and foreign clerics have been speaking in Bangla, Urdu and other languages during the event. The organizers have put up loudspeakers several kilometers away from the venue so that a large number of devotees could join the grand prayer.

Devotees from countries including India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Britain have joined the event. To ensure security, several thousand members of law enforcement agencies were deployed around the venue. 

Devotees offer prayers during the annual Muslim congregation Bishwa Ijtema in Tongi on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, Jan. 13, 2023. (Xinhua)
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has continued to advance its strict self-governance in all respects at the beginning of the new year.

Party organizations at all levels across China are sparing no effort to promote self-governance, as the report of the Party's 20th national congress said that "full and rigorous self-governance is an unceasing endeavor and that self-reform is a journey to which there is no end."

IMPROVING PARTY CONDUCT

As the practice of formalities for formalities' sake and bureaucratism are recognized as enemies to the cause of the Party and the country, localities across China have this year continued easing their related burdens to increase efficiency.

"With less red tape, and fewer formalities and meetings, we have more time to provide services for the people," said Guo Ying, a community official in Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province.

In the past, Guo said, there were many meetings and they would take half an hour to two hours, consuming both time and energy.

"But now, officials at all levels are keeping in mind the importance of eradicating bureaucratism and the practice of formalities for formalities' sake, and conduct and work performances have been greatly improved," Guo added.

COMBATING CORRUPTION

For Li Ming, a resident of Tongyu County in Baicheng City, northeastern China's Jilin Province, winter used to be unbearable due to the poor heating system in his neighborhood. But this year is different.

"Now my house is perfectly warm, and I finally got my refund for heating failures. Thank you for taking our complaints seriously and solving our problems!" Li, sitting in a cozy, warm living room, told a discipline inspection official from the county during a follow-up visit.

Located in a region that is known for its bitter cold, Baicheng has a six-month winter heating season, two months longer than most Chinese cities with heating systems. For this reason, heating tops the list of livelihood issues of concern for Baicheng residents.

Targeting corruption and malpractices in the heating field, the discipline inspection and supervisory commission of Baicheng has launched multiple campaigns. To date, local authorities have filed cases against 16 individuals for discipline and law violations, and 13 officials have been handed punishments, retrieving economic losses of over 6.6 million yuan (about 1 million U.S. dollars).

"Feeling warm at home gives people warm feelings about the government," said Li Lichun, head of the discipline inspection and supervisory commission of Baicheng City.

Li said that in the near future, the misappropriation of funds aimed at improving the people's well-being, the abuse of judicial and law enforcement power, and other issues infringing upon public interests will be targeted in the commission's work.

INTEGRATING OVERSIGHT EFFORTS

An effective oversight system that brings neglected issues to the table gives people a more concrete feeling of fulfillment, happiness and security.

Lu Ruiying, an elderly man from Deqing County in Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, was delighted to see the changes that have taken place in the county's once neglected home elderly care system. "Now, volunteers pay me visits and chat with me every month."

The need for improved home elderly care services drew the attention of Deqing County's inspection teams. Through the face-to-face inspection feedback mechanism between the inspection and supervisory authorities and the county government, the issue was deliberated and tackled in a timely manner.

Wang Yunxiang, head of the discipline inspection and supervisory commission of Deqing County, said that 16 of the 28 issues deliberated have been addressed over recent years. 
By Trend

Heydar Aliyev's achievements in building modern Azerbaijan are highly appreciated, ex-president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mladen Ivanich, told Trend.

"It is a great honor for me to say a few words about Heydar Aliyev in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of his birthday. This is one of the most significant personalities on a global scale. He laid the foundation of modern Azerbaijan and built a strong nation. We can all learn from his achievements," he said.

In turn, former Serbian President Boris Tadic stressed that the merits of Heydar Aliyev are celebrated both in Azerbaijan and abroad.

"We can imagine how difficult it was for Heydar Aliyev to work on the creation of a new Azerbaijan after the collapse of the USSR when so many challenges and international risks emerged. I personally appreciate what Heydar Aliyev has done during that time. And Serbia is happy to be a friend of Azerbaijan to this day," he added.
Chinese passengers are welcomed by Thai officials at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan, Thailand, Jan. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

"The Thai government and business sectors are getting ready to welcome Chinese tourists," said Thailand's former deputy prime minister Pinij Jarusombat, noting that China's optimized COVID-19 strategy would foster cooperation and exchanges with Thailand and create fresh economic opportunities.

BANGKOK, Jan. 13 (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.

Chinese passengers arrive at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Samut Prakan, Thailand, Jan. 9, 2023. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

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. 
LHASA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The food output of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region surged to a record high in 2022, according to a government work report on Friday.

The region's grain output hit 1.07 million tonnes in 2022, its vegetable output climbed to 930,000 tonnes, and the output of meat, eggs and milk totaled 880,000 tonnes, said the report released at the first session of the 12th People's Congress of Tibet Autonomous Region.

Meanwhile, the region's output of green and organic foods and farm products as well as those with indigenous marks increased by 30 percent year on year in 2022, as the region has attached importance to the security and quality of its farm products.

Tibet allocated subsidies for the protection of cultivated land totaling 172 million yuan (about 25.6 million U.S. dollars) in 2022.

By the end of 2022, Tibet's planting area of improved varieties of highland barley, a long-established Tibetan grain, had grown to about 135,000 hectares, and that of high-yield farmlands totaled 260,000 hectares. 
HAIKOU, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's southernmost island province of Hainan has set a GDP growth target of 9.5 percent for 2023, Feng Fei, governor of Hainan, said on Friday.

Hainan will leverage a tourism revival to boost consumption, Feng said as he delivered a government work report at the annual session of Hainan's provincial people's congress.

The province will this year strive to increase its number of tourists and tourist revenues by 20 percent and 25 percent, respectively, he said.

China in June 2020 released a master plan to build the island province into a globally influential and high-level free trade port by the middle of the century. It aims to build Hainan into an international tourism and consumption center by 2025, and a globally influential tourism and consumption destination by 2035.

Official data shows that during the three-day New Year holiday, Hainan welcomed more than 1 million tourists and achieved a total tourism revenue of 1.5 billion yuan (223 million U.S. dollars), and its duty-free sales hit 422 million yuan.

According to the government work report, Hainan will continue to hold the China International Consumer Products Expo, and it will upgrade the competitiveness and attractiveness of its tourism to build the island into an international tourism and consumption center.

In the past month, Hainan has seen a tourism recovery, with tourist numbers and tourism revenues growing rapidly. It is estimated that sales during the upcoming Spring Festival will increase by 45 percent year on year, up 10 percent from the 2019 figure, said Li Gang, vice general manager of the China Tourism Group.

"We are inspired by the report's development plan and feel confident about the consumption target," Li said, adding that Hainan still needs to improve the quality of its tourism products to make the island more attractive to tourists.

Hainan's tourism and consumption were impacted by COVID-19 last year. As China continues to optimize its COVID-19 policies, tourism and consumption in Hainan have been boosted, said Li Weiming, a professor at the Management School of Hainan University.

"With more convenient logistics and transportation, we are confident that the government's economic targets will be achieved," Li said. 
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)
Customers visit a Spring Festival fair in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023.

A Spring Festival fair themed on intangible cultural heritage was held in Fengrun District of Tangshan, selling chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, sesame seed candies and other traditional foods. Intangible cultural heritages including Pingju Opera, paper cutting, and calabash pyrography were also presented at the fair. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Customers walk out of a Spring Festival fair in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023.

A Spring Festival fair themed on intangible cultural heritage was held in Fengrun District of Tangshan, selling chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, sesame seed candies and other traditional foods. Intangible cultural heritages including Pingju Opera, paper cutting, and calabash pyrography were also presented at the fair. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Customers shop at a Spring Festival fair in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023.

A Spring Festival fair themed on intangible cultural heritage was held in Fengrun District of Tangshan, selling chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, sesame seed candies and other traditional foods. Intangible cultural heritages including Pingju Opera, paper cutting, and calabash pyrography were also presented at the fair. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Customers shop at a Spring Festival fair in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023.

A Spring Festival fair themed on intangible cultural heritage was held in Fengrun District of Tangshan, selling chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, sesame seed candies and other traditional foods. Intangible cultural heritages including Pingju Opera, paper cutting, and calabash pyrography were also presented at the fair. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

A Pingju opera enthusiast performs at a Spring Festival fair in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023.

A Spring Festival fair themed on intangible cultural heritage was held in Fengrun District of Tangshan, selling chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, sesame seed candies and other traditional foods. Intangible cultural heritages including Pingju Opera, paper cutting, and calabash pyrography were also presented at the fair. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Customers visit a Spring Festival fair in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023.

A Spring Festival fair themed on intangible cultural heritage was held in Fengrun District of Tangshan, selling chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, sesame seed candies and other traditional foods. Intangible cultural heritages including Pingju Opera, paper cutting, and calabash pyrography were also presented at the fair. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

An artist demonstrates embroidery skills at a Spring Festival fair in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023.

A Spring Festival fair themed on intangible cultural heritage was held in Fengrun District of Tangshan, selling chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, sesame seed candies and other traditional foods. Intangible cultural heritages including Pingju Opera, paper cutting, and calabash pyrography were also presented at the fair. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Gu Xiaoguang (1st R), an intangible cultural heritage inheritor of the making skills of chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, makes the cakes at a Spring Festival fair in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023.

A Spring Festival fair themed on intangible cultural heritage was held in Fengrun District of Tangshan, selling chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, sesame seed candies and other traditional foods. Intangible cultural heritages including Pingju Opera, paper cutting, and calabash pyrography were also presented at the fair. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)

Customers shop at a Spring Festival fair in Fengrun District of Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Jan. 12, 2023.

A Spring Festival fair themed on intangible cultural heritage was held in Fengrun District of Tangshan, selling chess-shaped sesame seed cakes, sesame seed candies and other traditional foods. Intangible cultural heritages including Pingju Opera, paper cutting, and calabash pyrography were also presented at the fair. (Xinhua/Mu Yu)
This aerial photo taken on Jan. 13, 2023 shows a China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arriving at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)





XI'AN, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arrived at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province on Friday.

This train marks the first inbound China-Europe freight train carrying Chinese Lunar New Year goods to Xi'an. In past years, more and more foreign goods were delivered to China via the China-Europe freight train trips.

This aerial photo taken on Jan. 13, 2023 shows a China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arriving at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A China-Europe freight train loaded with 1,300 tonnes of flour from Kazakhstan arrives at Xi'an International Port in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Customers select flour products from Kazakhstan at a store in Xi'an International Trade and Logistics Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A customer selects imported food at a store in Xi'an International Trade and Logistics Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Customers select food imported from Central Asia at a store in Xi'an International Trade and Logistics Park in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Jan. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
BEIJING, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China urges the UK to respect China's sovereignty and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Friday.

Wang's comment came after the UK government issued a six-monthly report on Hong Kong which contains criticism on Hong Kong affairs.

"We stress again that the UK has been ignoring the fact that Hong Kong has long returned to its motherland. It keeps publishing the so-called six-monthly reports on Hong Kong. This grossly interferes in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, and seriously violates international law and basic norms governing international relations. China firmly rejects it," Wang said at a regular news briefing.

Since Hong Kong's return, the Chinese government has fully, faithfully, and resolutely implemented the policy of one country, two systems, under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. Hong Kong residents enjoy far more rights and freedoms in accordance with the law than they did before 1997, Wang said.

"Anyone unbiased would agree that the national security law and the improved electoral system for Hong Kong has enabled it to enter a new stage in which Hong Kong has restored order and is set to thrive," he said.

This has effectively protected national security and social stability in the region. International investors share the view that Hong Kong's business environment has become safer, more stable and more predictable, Wang said.

"The UK has no sovereignty, no jurisdiction and no right of supervision over Hong Kong after its return to China," Wang said, adding that the legal basis for the Chinese government's governance of Hong Kong is China's Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), not the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

Despite Hong Kong people's shared desire for a safe and stable Hong Kong, the UK continues to smear the central government's governance of Hong Kong, denigrate the SAR government's lawful administration, undermine the rule of law in the SAR and openly endorse illegal anti-China elements who attempt to create chaos in Hong Kong such as Jimmy Lai, all in the name of democracy, freedom, human rights and rule of law, he said.

"Such hypocrisy will lead nowhere. We urge the UK to grasp the historical trend, wake up from its colonial dream, respect China's sovereignty, and stop meddling in Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, otherwise it will only end up shooting itself in the foot," the spokesperson said. 
VIENNA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Friday that it would step up its presence in Ukraine to help prevent a nuclear accident during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement that he would travel to Ukraine next week to "establish a continuous presence of nuclear safety and security experts" at all of Ukraine's nuclear power facilities.

"This is an important step in our work to help Ukraine during these immensely difficult and challenging times," Grossi said. "Our nuclear safety and security experts will monitor the situation at the plants, assess their equipment and other needs, provide technical support and advice, and report their findings to IAEA headquarters."

The UN nuclear watchdog has previously established a permanent presence of up to four experts at the embattled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (NPP), Ukraine's largest such facility, according to the statement.

Ukraine and Russia have traded accusations of strikes on the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which has been controlled by Russian forces since last March.

Grossi also said in the statement that he would meet senior Ukrainian government officials in Kiev next week to discuss setting up a nuclear safety zone around the Zaporizhzhia NPP.

"I remain determined to make the much-needed protection zone a reality as soon as possible. My consultations with Ukraine and Russia are making progress, albeit not as fast as they should," Grossi said, adding that he remains hopeful about reaching an agreement on the issue soon. 
A customer wearing a mask shops at a store in Queens, New York, the United States, Jan. 12, 2023. (Photo by Ziyu Julian Zhu/Xinhua)

The regional rise in hospitalizations is a sign of things to come for the rest of the nation.

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- New York COVID-19 hospitalizations are at their highest level in nearly a year just after a new, ultra-transmissible COVID variant XBB.1.5, known as Kraken, achieved dominance in the northeast United States, reported The Fortune magazine early this week.

Current in-state COVID-19 hospitalizations are near 4,000, the highest level since February, according to the New York State Department of Health.

"It's unlikely that the XBB.1.5 subvariant is solely responsible for the increase in hospitalizations, given recent holiday gatherings and other seasonal factors known to drive up cases each winter," said the report.

But the increase concerns experts given that the new variant was recently declared the most transmissible yet by the World Health Organization, and also due to New York's track record as a bellwether state for the rest of the country when it comes to COVID-19, it said.

It's "certainly possible" that the regional rise in hospitalizations is a sign of things to come for the rest of the nation, Michael Merson, visiting professor at New York University's School of Global Public Health, was quoted as saying. 
ISTANBUL, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Ottoman-era Rami Barracks opened its doors on Friday as the largest library in Istanbul with an initial collection of over 2.5 million volumes and 4,200 person capacity.

Built during the reign of Sultan Mustafa III (1757-1774), the compound served as barracks for centuries until 1971, and as the military and administrative headquarters of Sultan Mahmut II during the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-1829.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated the library, noting that his government was nearing its goal of constructing 100 new libraries by the Turkish republic's 100th anniversary, which will be on Oct. 29, 2023.

The restoration of the compound began in 2014. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering visitors free soup and beverages.

With 36,000 square meters of enclosed space and 51,000 square meters of open area, it ranks as one of the largest libraries in the world in terms of total area, the library's General Coordinator Osman Zorlu told reporters. 
By Trend

Heydar Aliyev brought Azerbaijan from tough times to a different level, reforming the country, Volkan Bozkir, Former Chairman of the UN General Assembly, member of the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC) told Trend Jan.13.

"Heydar Aliyev became Azerbaijans president at a very difficult time when the countrys territories were occupied, Baku was threatened," he said. "I was chief of cabinet of Turkiyes President Suleyman Demirel at that time and witnessed personally the important things Heydar Aliyev was doing for Azerbaijan."

He reformed the country, strengthened democracy, established the legal system, new civil court, Bozkir said.

"Heydar Aliyev was also an example to us and we will keep his legacy. The marvelous leader will never be forgotten," he said.

Bozkir also hailed what President Ilham Aliyev is doing for Azerbaijan.

Every country in the world recognizes the political, economic importance of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has become an important power in the region and in the world, and contributes a lot to peace and stability, Bozkir said.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Thursday urged Turkiye to end its military presence and support for rebels in Syria so that constructive talks between the two sides could move forward.
MACAO, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) on Friday conferred honor on individuals and entities for their achievements, contributions and services to the SAR.

Ho Iat Seng, chief executive of the Macao SAR, presented the decorations, medals and certificates of merit awarded for 2022 to 26 individuals and entities at an award ceremony, including the Macao Tung Sin Tong Charitable Society, Lai Kin Hong, former president of the Macao Court of Second Instance, the Macao Red Cross and the Macao Water Supply Co., Ltd..

The Macao SAR government started to confer such honors in 2001. 
Photo taken on Aug. 8, 2022 shows a makeshift memorial site outside the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, the United States. (Photo by Nick Wagner/Xinhua)

The uptick in school gun violence comes amid a broader increase in active shooter incidents and gun deaths in the United States. Overall, schools are still quite safe.

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Even as U.S. schools spend billions of dollars on security, the number of gun incidents on campus has only grown, reported The New York Times on Thursday.

Last year, more than 330 people were fatally shot or wounded on school grounds, up from 218 in 2018, according to the K-12 School Shooting Database, a research project that tracks instances in which a gun is fired or brandished on school property.

The overall number of incidents, which can include cases where no one was injured, also increased to more than 300, up from about 120 in 2018, and as few as 22 in 1999, according to the report.

"The uptick in school gun violence comes amid a broader increase in active shooter incidents and gun deaths in the United States. Overall, schools are still quite safe," the report noted.

U.S. schools have amped up security over the past five years, with about two-thirds of public schools now controlling 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, according to the report. 
NAIROBI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The March 23 Movement (M23), a rebel group that has taken territory in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has agreed to continue an "orderly withdrawal," a regional peace facilitator said.

Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, now serving as facilitator for the East African Community (EAC) peace process in the eastern DRC, met M23 leaders in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa on Thursday, where the rebel leaders also agreed to adhere to a strict ceasefire.

"They further agreed to continue to respect and cooperate with the East African Regional Force that has now begun to take control of the areas vacated by the M23," Kenyatta said in a statement issued Thursday evening.

The M23 rebel group emerged from inactivity in late 2021 and has since captured swathes of territory in North Kivu province, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing in fear.

M23 rebels have also advanced toward Goma, the provincial capital, in recent months.

On Dec. 23 last year, M23 announced its withdrawal from Kibumba, a town about 20 kilometers from Goma, a commercial hub of over 1 million people, which it had briefly overrun in 2012.

The rebel leaders, in their Mombasa meeting, agreed to continue to respect and cooperate with the East African Regional Force that has now begun to take control of the areas vacated by the M23, a process in line with the decision of an extraordinary meeting of the EAC Chiefs of General Staff on Nov. 8 in Bujumbura, the commercial capital of Burundi.

"The meeting noted that the situation in the North Kivu, which was the most volatile in the conflict in the entire eastern DRC, had achieved progress with increased stability and security over the past four weeks," Kenyatta said, adding that many people who had previously been displaced from their homes have now begun to return.

The M23 leaders urged Kenyatta to help ensure that there is safety in the DRC and that citizen rights are upheld and recognized, and that all the local and foreign armed groups fighting in the eastern DRC also lay down their arms, cease any fighting or attacks on the M23 and seek resolution of the conflict through peaceful means, the statement said. 
Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, a Ghana-based think tank, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Accra, Ghana, Jan. 10, 2023. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

ACCRA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Ghanaian economist has said China's anti-COVID-19 policies are boosting global economic recovery in many respects.

Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, a Ghana-based think tank, told Xinhua in a recent interview that China's recent lifting of some restrictive measures against the virus has sent positive signals to the world and boosted investors' confidence in the world's second-largest economy.

"China is an integral part of the global economy, and tourism is one of the sectors to experience a boom. Not just tourists traveling to China but the Chinese traveling outside as the Chinese are one of the largest groups of tourists in the world," Frimpong said.

He believed the new stage of China's COVID-19 prevention and control would also reignite momentum in the global supply chain and support what the rest of the world has been doing to rebuild the global economy. "The measures have marked economic consequences for the world due to China's role in the global economy."

Frimpong described China's dynamic zero-COVID policy during much of the past three years as a necessary measure to curtail the spread of the virus and protect human lives.

"The wisdom behind it was to eliminate any sign of major shock that we have seen in other parts of the world. Clearly, China wanted to avoid seeing such large numbers of deaths from COVID-19 that have taken place in some other countries," Frimpong told Xinhua. "China needed to reduce the risk of a widespread virus outbreak because, if you look at the dynamics of China, not just the size of the population of about 1.4 billion, but the age demographics of China is also different from Africa's youthful population."

The economist also commented that the lifting of the restrictions by China recently was well-grounded in scientific data, therefore China's shift in its anti-COVID policy would not pose any risk of spreading COVID-19 any further in the world.

He expressed full confidence in China's efforts to handle the breakout, saying "after almost three years in lockdown, they have the experience and expertise, coupled with a strong structure and capacity, with new drugs and new medical solutions. They are now also dealing with a weaker version of the virus, so they have the opportunity to open up and rebuild the economy."

The Ghanaian scholar dismissed some adverse commentaries in western media about the lifting of restrictions in China, describing them as double standards borne out of a quest to demonize China.

"They complained that China had locked down, claiming it would affect global growth, accusing China of intentionally seeking to hijack recovery. China has lifted the restrictions, and they are still complaining," Frimpong observed. "The most important thing is that China has opened up again, meaning the rest of the world can access the Chinese market, and the Chinese can also access the other markets. It is a real boost that will go a long way to help to push the efforts to rebuild the global economy." 

Paul Frimpong, executive director of the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, a Ghana-based think tank, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Accra, Ghana, Jan. 10, 2023. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)
Angolan President Joao Lourenco (R, front) meets with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Luanda, Angola, Jan. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)

LUANDA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Friday met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Luanda, Angola's capital.

Lourenco asked Qin to convey his best wishes to Chinese President Xi Jinping and thanked Xi for his personal commitment to and support for developing Angola-China relations.

Angola and China have always been united and trusted each other, with sound momentum in bilateral cooperation, he said.

The Angolan president said that the airports, hydropower stations, roads, ports, and many other landmark projects built with China's support have progressed smoothly in the country and played an indispensable role in Angola's post-war reconstruction and socio-economic development.

Chinese enterprises have made positive contributions to improving Angola's infrastructure and people's livelihood, Lourenco said, adding that Luanda expects to further deepening cooperation with China and welcomes more Chinese investment in Angola.

He said Angola and China have similar visions for development and that Angola firmly adheres to the one-China policy and will continue to work with China to uphold the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs and safeguard international fairness and justice.

For his part, Qin Gang conveyed President Xi Jinping's cordial greetings to Lourenco, saying that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 40 years ago, China and Angola have always maintained sincere friendship and forged ahead together.

Thanks to the commitment and strategic guidance of the two countries' heads of state, the political mutual trust and traditional friendship between China and Angola have been deepening steadily, and their practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, Qin said, noting that on Thursday, the two heads of state exchanged congratulatory messages on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, charting the course for further developing bilateral relations.

The Chinese foreign minister said that China appreciates Angola's adherence to the one-China policy and its support for China's just proposals, adding that China will as always support Angola in opposing external interference, independently choosing its own development, and safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests.

China stands ready to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, upgrade and elevate practical cooperation so as to bring more benefits to the people of both countries, Qin said.

He said that China appreciates Angola's active mediation efforts in dealing with regional hot issues, and supports a bigger role for Luanda in international and regional affairs.

China will strengthen its coordination with Angola on multilateral affairs, jointly defend genuine multilateralism, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind.

On Friday, Qin also held talks with his Angolan counterpart, Tete Antonio. 
DHAKA, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh's total exports in the first half of the current 2022-23 fiscal year (July 2022-June 2023) reached over 27 billion U.S. dollars, up 10.58 percent year on year, the latest official data showed.

The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data posted on its website showed that Bangladesh earned 27,311.26 million dollars from exports in July-December of 2022, compared to 24,698.55 million dollars a year earlier.

Of the total earnings, the EPB data showed the country's income from ready-made knitwear and woven garment items surged 15.56 percent to nearly 23 billion dollars during the cited period.

In the first half of the current 2022-23 year, the EPB data showed knitwear garment export growth increased 15.42 percent to 12.66 billion dollars while woven garments rose 18.29 percent to 10.34 billion dollars compared with the same period of last fiscal year.

With hefty growth in garment exports, Bangladesh shipped goods of a record high of 5.37 billion U.S. dollars last December, which was 9.33 percent higher than the same month a year ago.

Bangladesh saw exports soar more than 34 percent to 52.08 billion dollars in the 2021-22 fiscal year (July 2021-June 2022), official data showed. 
SYDNEY, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- An enhanced online sexual assault reporting option was unveiled on Friday in the Australia's New South Wales (NSW), which enabled victims of sexual assault to provide information without having to take part in a formal police interview.

The NSW police force said in a statement that while victims of any crime are always encouraged to make a formal report, it is acknowledged that victims of sexual assault often do not wish to speak about their experiences nor speak with police and go through the legal process.

From Friday, the Sexual Assault Reporting Option (SARO), initiated in 2012, is now accessed through the online community portal and is available in 12 languages, making the reporting option more accessible to victims.

The updated option replaced the old process of printing and completing a 14-page document and emailing the State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad, said the state police.

According to their record, the number of SARO reports continues to steadily increase each year, with the monthly average increasing from 64 reports in 2021 to 70 in 2022.

"While trauma affects individuals in different ways, reporting can be therapeutic for those victims who wish to share their experience and do so online from their own home or a safe location. For some victims, this may be their first disclosure of the sexual assault," said State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad Commander Jayne Doherty.

Released in August 2021, a national report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that 2.2 million women and 718,000 men aged 18 years and over in Australia have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime, including childhood sexual abuse and/or sexual assault since the age of 15.

The report also highlighted that between 2010 and 2019, police agencies recorded 221,751 victims of sexual assault, while 83 percent of the victims were female.

In that period, the police-recorded victimisation rate for men rose from 26.1 to 34.8 victims per 100,000 males, while that for women jumped from 143.8 to 174.8 victims per 100,000 females. 
HANOI, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's coffee exports grew strongly in 2022 thanks to a rebound in demand and high coffee prices, in the context of tight global supply due to crop failures and supply chain bottlenecks in large producing countries such as Brazil and Colombia, local media reported on Friday.

Vietnam exported 1.77 million tons of coffee with a total turnover of more than 4 billion U.S. dollars last year, up 13.8 percent in volume and 32 percent in turnover compared to 2021, local newspaper Vietnam News reported.

The European Union (EU) continued to be Vietnam's largest coffee consumption market, accounting for about 39 percent of total export volume, according to the country's General Department of Vietnam Customs.

Along with the EU market, China's opening of its border from Jan. 8 is also an opportunity for Vietnam's coffee exports to regain momentum growth in this market in the near future, the newspaper reported.

Exports at the beginning of the 2022-2023 crop year are still quite favorable, but some forecasts suggest that coffee exports may decrease this year because the supply is not as abundant as the previous year, while the price of coffee tends to decline due to the coffee supply-demand shifts from shortage to surplus.

Last year's coffee export price recorded the highest level in many years with an average of 2,282 dollars per ton, up 16 percent year on year. 
President Ilham Aliyev has signed an order on increasing the salaries of employees of a number of organizations funded from the state budget.

According to the decree, the monthly salaries of managers and other employees of the following organizations funded from the state budget of Azerbaijan have been increased by an average of 15 percent from January 1, 2023:

1. Presidium and Administration of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, Administration of the Ganja Branch;

2. Heydar Aliyev Center;

3. Azerbaijan National Encyclopedia Research Center;

4. Ataturk Center in Azerbaijan;

5. State Archives of Azerbaijan, their branches, district (city) state archives;

6. Permanent working group of the State Commission of Azerbaijan on Combating Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking;

7. Baku International Multiculturalism Center;

8. The staff of the Agrarian Innovation Center of the Ministry of Agriculture of Azerbaijan;

1.9. Financial Scientific and Education Center under the Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan;

10. Center on Scientific Methodology and Training under the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan;

11. Azerbaijan State Film Fund under the Ministry of Culture;

12. Memorial Complex of Genocide in Guba city, subordinated to the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan;

13. Administration of Azerbaijan National Aerospace Agency under the Ministry of Defense Industry;

14. Association of Forensic Medical Examination and Pathological Anatomy under the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan and the Center for Forensic Psychiatric Examination;

15. National Culinary Center under the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan;

16. Foundation for the promotion of moral values under the State Committee for Work with Religious Associations of Azerbaijan;

17. Centralized accounting under the authority of executive authorities.
WARSAW, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Poland's Supreme Court reform bill, which was needed to unlock billions of euros in European Union (EU) post-pandemic recovery funds, was passed by the lower house of the country's Parliament (Sejm) on Friday.

In the 460-member chamber, 203 deputies supported the bill, 52 were against (including 22 members of the ruling caucus) and 189 abstained (opposition parties), the Polish Press Agency (PAP) reported.

The government itself was split over the reform as Solidary Poland, a small Euroskeptic ally in the United Right coalition led by the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) party, strongly opposed any concessions towards the EU and refused to back the prime minister's plan to fast-track the changes in order to gain quick access to the much-needed funding.

According to the new legislation, all disciplinary issues concerning judges should be settled by the top administrative court instead of the Supreme Court's Chamber of Professional Responsibility, a body created to replace a disciplinary chamber considered by the European Commission to be politicized.

The bill will now go to the opposition-dominated Senate.

PAP quoted Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki as calling the bill "a difficult compromise, but the point is to end one dispute" with the Commission.

Commission spokesman Christian Wigand told PAP that the bill is an important step towards meeting the milestones needed to access EU funds. "We will continue to follow closely the next steps of the ongoing adoption process and then review the final law adopted," he said.

Poland is due to receive 23.9 billion euros (25.8 billion U.S. dollars) in grants and 11.5 billion euros in cheap loans from the EU's post-pandemic Recovery and Resilience Facility. The EU has locked Poland out of funding citing its apparent failure to overhaul or reverse changes to its judicial system, which the Commission considers a threat to the rule of law. (1 euro = 1.08 U.S. dollar) 
Budget cars in Nepal 2023. Onlinekhabar collage

A convenient and comfortable way to travel in Nepal, no doubt, is to ride a car. Whatsoever the type of cara hatchback, sedan, SUV, coupe or any other typecars are the best way to travel. In Nepal too, cars have not just been a thing of luxury and status in society but a daily means of transport, nowadays. Everyone is looking for a good car with the best budget prices, style, looks, comfort and features.

But, the biggest problem with cars is the cost; most cars are beyond the purchasing power of middle-class Nepalis. Therefore, auto traders say the search for budget cars in Nepal has been a consistent trend, and they have been unable to satisfy the customers.

So, today, we have a list of the 8 best budget cars in Nepal as of January 2023. We have defined budget cars as the ones that cost less than Rs 3.5 million (Rs 35 lakhs).

SN Models Price 1 Renault Kwid Rs 2,679,000 2 Maruti Suzuki Celerio Rs 2,799,000 3 Tata Tiago XE Rs 2,849,000 4 Ford Figo Rs 3,099,000 5 Volkswagen Polo TL Plus Rs 3,240,000 6 Nissan Magnite Rs 3,399,000 7 Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS Magna Rs 3,496,000 8 Maruti Suzuki Swift Rs 3,499,000 8 best budget cars in Nepal as of January 2023

1. Renault Kwid

The French-origin car company Renault has delivered some budget cars in Nepal over the years. Renault also got widespread fame in Nepal over time. One of the budget cars Renault is providing in Nepal currently is Renault Kwid. The crossover city car has a lot of features provided for the best experience.

Renault Kwid has a 999CC petrol-fuelled engine with three cylinders and 12 valves. It consists of a five-speed manual transmission with 5+1 (reverse) gears. The steering is electric powered and the tyres are radial tubeless. The brakes in the front tyres are discs whereas the brakes in the rear are drums.

The car has an overall height of 1474/1490 (with roof rail)* and a ground clearance of 184mm. It has a total fuel capacity of 28 litres and a seating capacity of five people.

Renault Kwid. Photo: Renault Nepal

Specifications

Engine 1.0 petrol Displacement 999 CC Dimensions Length: 3731mm

Width: 1579mm

Height: 1474/1490(with roof rail)*

Wheelbase: 2422mm

Ground clearance: 184mm Max power 68 PS @ 5500 rpm Max torque 91 Nm @ 4250 rpm Transmission type Manual Number of cylinders 3 Gearbox 5-speed Mileage 22.5 km/l Fuel tank capacity 28 litres Brakes Front: disc

Rear: drum Boot space 279 litres Turning radius 5 metres Weight 775kg

The price of the Renault Kwid 1.0 MT is Rs 2,679,000.

2. Maruti Suzuki Celerio

The Indian company Maruti Suzuki has cars with the best technology, experience and design. The company has some very popular cars for a cheap price. One of the best budget cars in Nepal by Maruti Suzuki is Maruti Suzuki Celerio, a small hatchback city car with the best mileage.

Celerio has a 1.0 K10C petrol engine with a 998CC engine capacity. The engine produces a max power of 67 ps @ 5500 rpm and a max torque of 89 Nm @ 3500 rpm. It has a disc front brake and a drum rear brake. The tyres in the front are 175/60 R15 and the rear are 175/60 R15 as well.

The vehicle has a ground clearance of 165mm and an overall height of 1555mm. It can carry five persons and has a 32-litre fuel capacity overall.

Maruti Suzuki Celerio. Photo: maruti Suzuki

Specifications

Engine 1.0 K10C petrol Displacement 998 CC Dimensions Length: 3695mm

Width: 1655mm

Height: 1555mm

Wheelbase: 2435mm

Ground clearance: 165mm Max power 67 ps @ 5500 rpm Max torque 89 @ 3500 rpm Transmission type Manual/ AMT Number of cylinders 3 Gearbox 5-speed Mileage 26.68 km/l Fuel tank capacity 32 litres Brakes Front: disc

Back: drum Boot space 313 litre Turning radius 4.7 metres Weight 825kg

The price of the Maruti Suzuki Celerio is Rs 2,799,000.

3. TATA Tiago XE

Another Indian car company TATA has been actively providing budget cars in Nepal, which are also stylish, comfortable and reliable. Of them, TATA Tiago has been a favourite since its release and is one of the best budget cars in Nepal currently. The five-seater hatchback has a pretty good design and is named the safest car in its category by Global NCAP in Nepal.

There are a number of variants available of TATA Tiago in Nepal. The car has a 1.2l petrol, three-cylinder BS6 engine with a 1199CC engine capacity. The engine delivers a max power of 86 ps @ 6000 rpm and a max torque of 113 Nm @ 3300 rpm. It has a five-speed manual and AMT five-speed option.

The budget car has a height of 1535mm and a ground clearance of 170mm. It has a boot space of 242 litres and a capacity of 35 litres.

TATA Tiago. Photo TATA Nepal

Specifications

Engine 1.2l petrol Displacement 1199 CC Dimensions Length: 3765mm

Width: 1677mm

Height: 1535mm

Wheelbase: 2400mm

Ground clearance: 170mm Max power 86 PS (63.0 kW)@6000 RPM Max torque 113 Nm @ 3300 RPM Transmission type Manual/ AMT Nnumber of cylinders 3 Gearbox 5-speed Mileage 20.09 km/l Fuel tank capacity 35 litres Brakes Front: disc

Rear: drum Boot space 242 litres Turning radius 4.9 metres Weight MT : 935-982 kgs / AMT: 982-991 kgs

The price of the TATA Tiago XE is Rs 2,849,000.

4. Ford Figo

The American car company Ford has some well-known cars including a few budget cars in Nepal. Ford has recently introduced some of the monsters in the Nepali market. However, there are some budget cars from Ford too. Ford Figo is one of them.

Ford Figo has a 1.2l Ti-VCT petrol, four-cylinder engine with a 1194CC engine capacity. Both manual and automatic transmissions are available with five gears. The engine puts a performance, delivering a max power of 96 ps @ 6500 rpm and max torque of 120 Nm @ 4250 rpm.

As one of the best budget cars in Nepal, Figo has a ground clearance of 174mm and a height of 1525mm. The fuel tank holds 42 litres of petrol and the boot space in it is 257 litres.

Ford Figo. Photo Ford

Specifications

Engine 1.2 Ti-VCT Petrol Displacement 1194 CC Dimensions Length: 3941mm

Width: 1704mm

Height: 1525mm

Wheelbase: 2490mm

Ground clearance: 174mm Max power 96 [email protected] 6500rpm Max torque 120 [email protected] 4250rpm Transmission type Manual/automatic Nnumber of cylinders 4 Gearbox 5-speed Mileage 25.5 km/l Fuel tank capacity 42 litres Brakes Front: ventilated disc

Rear: drum Boot space 257 litres Turning radius 4.9m Weight 1046kg

The price of the Ford Figo is Rs 3,099,00.

5. Volkswagen Polo TL Plus

The German car company Volkswagen has some of the best-looking cars with the best technology fitted into them. Volkswagen is the parent company of many exotic cars such as SKODA, SEAT, CUPRA, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley, and Porsche. Volkswagen has a few models in the Nepali market from hatchbacks and sedans to SUVs. One of the best budget cars in Nepal is Volkswagen Polo Trendline Plus.

Polo TL Plus features a 1.0l MPI, in-line three-cylinder engine with 999 CC engine displacement. The car comes with a five-speed manual transmission. The engine provides a performance of max power of 76 ps @ 6200 rpm and max torque of 95 Nm @ 2950-3800 rpm.

The car has a ground clearance of 172mm and a height of 1469mm. The tank capacity of the car is 45 litres and the boot space is 294 litres.

Volkswagen Polo Trendline Plus. Photo: Volkswagen Nepal

Specifications

Engine 1.0l Displacement 999 CC Dimensions Length: 3971mm

Width: 1682mm

Height: 1469mm

Wheelbase: 2469mm

Ground clearance: 172mm Max power 76 ps @ 6200 rpm Max torque 95 Nm @ 2950-3800rpm Transmission type Manual Number of cylinders 3 Gearbox 5-speed Mileage 18.78km/l Fuel tank capacity 45 litres Brakes Front: disc

Rear: drum Boot space 294 litres Turning radius 4.97 metres Weight 1015kg

The price of the Volkswagen Polo Trendline Plus is Rs 3,240,000.

6. Nissan Magnite

The Japanese automobile company Nissan is known worldwide for its high reliability, outstanding safety ratings, and innovative designs. Nissan has delivered some of the best-looking cars and has lived up to the hype. In Nepal too, Nissan has brought cars of all kinds: SUVs, sedans, hatchbacks, trails and electric. Currently, Nissan Magnite is one of the budget cars in Nepal.

Nissan Magnite comes with a lot of variants. Here, we are going to specify the base variant, i.e. Nissan Magnite XE. It comes with a 1.0l petrol engine with 999CC engine displacement. The engine provides a max power of 72 ps @ 6250 rpm and a max torque of 96 ps @ 3500 rpm.

As one of the best budget cars in Nepal, it has a 40 litres fuel tank and gives about 18.75km/l mileage. The ground clearance is 205mm and the boot space has 336 litres of capacity.

Nissan Magnite. Photo: Nissan Nepal

Specifications

Engine 1.0l petrol Displacement 999 CC Dimensions Length: 3994mm

Width: 1758mm

Height: 1572mm

Wheelbase: 2500mm

Ground clearance: 205mm Max power 72 ps @ 6250 rpm Max torque 96 ps @ 3500 rpm Transmission type Manual No. of cylinders 3 Gearbox 5-speed Mileage 18.75km/l Fuel tank capacity 40 litres Brakes Front: disc

Rear: drum Boot Space 205 litres Turning radius 5 metres Weight 939kg

The price of Nissan Magnite starts from Rs 3,399,000 in Nepal.

7. Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS Magna

The Korean car company Hyundai is one of the most popular car brands all over the world. Hyundai recently has been in the spotlight since the N-line started getting more attention. It has some popular models of budget cars in Nepal, one of them being the Hyundai i10. Among some variants of the i10, the budget car on the list is Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS Magna.

This sporty hatchback comes with a 1.2L Kappa Dual VTVT Petrol engine with 1197 CC engine displacement. The engine delivers a max power of 813 PS @ 6000 rpm and a max torque of 113.75 Nm @ 6000 rpm.

The budget car has a ground clearance of 167mm and a height of 1520mm. The car has a tank of 37 litres and gives about 20.7km/l. The boot space has a capacity of 260 litres.

Hyundai Grand i0 NIOS Magna. Photo: Laxmi Hyundai

Specifications

Engine 1.2L Kappa Dual VTVT Petrol Displacement 1197 CC Dimensions Length: 3805mm

Width: 1680mm

Height: 1520mm

Wheelbase: 2450mm

Ground clearance: 167mm Max power 83 ps @ 6000 rpm Max torque 113.75 Nm @ 6000 rpm Transmission type Manual/smart automatic Number of cylinders 4 Gearbox 5-speed Mileage 20.7km/l Fuel tank capacity 37 litres Brakes Front- disc

Rear- drum Boot space 260 litres Turning radius 4.9 metres Weight 935kg

The price of the Hyundai Grand i10 NIOS Magna is Rs 3,496,000.

8. Maruti Suzuki Swift

Another masterclass and one of the favourite cars from Maruti Suzuki is the Maruti Suzuki Swift. The stylish-looking five-seater hatchback is one of the sportiest cars in the Maruti Suzuki segment with the best handling experience and powerful engine for a smooth riding experience. Swift is one of the most competitive budget cars in Nepal.

Swift comes with a 1197CC 1.2l VVT k series BS6 engine, which delivers a maximum power of 90 kW @ 6000 rpm and a maximum torque of 113 Nm @ 4000 rpm.

The car is 1530mm tall and has a ground clearance of 160mm. The car can hold 37 litres of fuel delivering 22.0 km/l of mileage.

Maruti Suzuki Swift. Photo: Maruti Suzuki Nepal

Specifications

Engine 1.2 lt VVT K series Displacement 1197cc Dimensions Length: 3840mm

Width: 1735mm

Height: 1530mm

Wheelbase: 2450mm

ground-clearance- 160mm Max power 90 kW @ 6000 rpm Max torque 113 Nm @ 4000 rpm Transmission type manual Number of cylinders 4 Gearbox 5-speed Mileage 22.0 km/l Fuel tank capacity 37 litres Brakes front- disc

rear- drum Boot space 268 litres Turning radius 4.8 metres Weight 855  885 kg

The price of the Maruti Suzuki Swift is Rs 3,499,000.
Shankar Raj Pathak

Shankar Raj Pathak, 90, suddenly got a smile on his face after seeing an aeroplane landing at Pokharas new international airport.

The inauguration of the Pokhara Regional International Airport recently made him nostalgic as it took him 40 years back when he used to have conversations with the late King Birendra Shah about having an international airport in Pokhara.

According to Pathak, he still remembers the beauty of Pokhara with a smaller population and limited market areas. The pristine Pokhara could have been considered beautiful, but the unavailability of any infrastructure development would keep him restless.

One day, King Shah, sitting on the bank of Phewa lake, asked Pathak about possibilities to attract more tourists to Pokhara, hyped as Nepals tourism capital today.

Then, Shankar Raj Pathak suggested he establish an international airport in Pokhara.

The king surprisingly asked, International airport?

Yes, Pathak replied.

After the inauguration of the international airport on January 1, Pathak said, It took nearly 50 years to see a dream come true.

It was not only the airport that received Shankar Raj Pathaks contribution as stakeholders say his ideas had an impact on all major sectors of infrastructure development in the city that attracts millions of tourists every year.

Pathaks connection with Pokhara

Pathak was in the education sector before being appointed the head of administration of the then Gandaki zone in 1972.

It was the time when Pathak had just returned to Nepal from the USA, where he worked as a visiting professor. Somehow, he had a meeting with King Birendra Shah around then.

The king asked him about the subject he taught. It was economic development, replied Pathak. Its something that should be done in Nepal, the king said.

After some days, the king asked Shankar Raj Pathak and veteran artist Lain Singh Bangdel to propose necessary plans and policies to establish the Royal Nepal Academy, the predecessor of todays Nepal Academy.

After some days, King Shah asked him to go to Pokhara and run the administration. Back then, Pokhara was a completely different place. It was not urbanised.

Later, Shah appointed Pathak as the president of the town planning committee during his visit to Pokhara. Pathak suggested Shah build an international airport after completing town planning and opening a new road.

Shah asked Shankar Raj Pathak to discuss it with the Transportation Minister Prayag Raj Suwal.

I told Shah about the reason why tourists visit only Kathmandu and not Pokhara. And, the solution to attracting more tourists directly in Pokhara would be having an international airport in Pokhara, Pathak says.

This will increase the number of tourists in Pokhara. It will not just develop Pokhara but also the entire Gandaki zone.

The deferred dream of an international airport

Aircraft lands at Pokhara Regional International Airport

Later, Minister Suwal and engineer Gauri Nath Rimal came to see the land for the airport.

The technical team concluded Majheripatan was an appropriate place to build the airport. For land acquisition, with support from Asian Development Bank (ADB), King Shah sent Rs 10 million. Then, Shankar Raj Pathak went to convince the locals to provide land for acquisition.

They spent the entire day reaching out to people and convincing them that land would be acquired at existing market value. They said that the airport would greatly benefit them and they agreed to the deal. After that, the government started measuring the land and compensating locals.

We also asked the locals to responsibly spend money, he says.

Under the leadership of Pathak, 389 acres of land were acquired in three months in 1975. Yet, the construction plan was not yet clear. According to Shankar Raj Pathak, the king was in a mood to build the airport even by taking loans.

An ADB team was called for the assessment of investment possibilities.

Prithivi Highway, connecting Kathmandu to Pokhara, was already in operation. The bridge between Muglin and Damauli was also ready. The route of Kathmandu-Pokhara started witnessing an active vehicular movement. Hence, the ADB team withdrew from the international airport plan. Hence, the plan was in limbo for nearly 50 years.

But, in recent years, the plan was revived and it has finally been successful although there are doubts over its operational success.

Shankar Raj Pathak reached Pokhara a day before the event.

I am extremely happy to see the airport coming into operation after five decades, he says, I am remembering King Birendra Shah at the moment.

Founding modern Pokhara

Shankar Raj Pathak

While Pathak was working on Pokharas development, he met Padam Bahadur Chhetri, an urban management graduate from the United Kingdom. To make Pokhara more organised, the two joined hands. They also consulted Harka Gurung frequently.

They completed infrastructure development planning for Pokhara, which included building government offices, constitutional offices, industrial areas and heritage sites among others.

If that planning had been implemented well, Pokhara would have been a different place today, Shankar Raj Pathak says.

While the plan did not materialise completely, it laid the foundation of modern Pokhara. Pokhara New Road, the stadium, the industrial area, Begnas street and different offices were developed under the leadership of Pathak.

Pathak is known for his bold personality who understands the needs of the people, envisages the demands of the future and works without pressure or influence. He even demolished the residence of a minister, which was built illegally on the bank of the Phewa lake.

Shankar Raj Pathaks leadership is credited for the wide roads of Pokhara. Under his leadership, the concept of land pooling was implemented for the first time in Nepal.

Everywhere I worked, I have always remained with my duties and responsibilities, says Pathak. I feel proud that I have contributed notable things to the countrys development.

This story was translated from the original Nepali version and edited for clarity and length.
FILE PHOTO: The logo of The Carlyle Group is displayed at the company's office in Tokyo

(Reuters) -Carlyle Group is in discussions with senior Wall Street executives for its top role, according to a Financial Times report on Thursday, citing multiple people familiar with the matter.

The private equity firm is considering Citigroup Inc's chief financial officer Mark Mason and Morgan Stanley's chief operating officer Jonathan Pruzan as contenders for its CEO role, the report said.

Earlier this week, Pruzan, who was once considered among the possible lead for Morgan Stanley, announced his retirement from the bank at the end of the month, according to a memo seen by Reuters.

Washington-based Carlyle has been looking for a permanent chief executive officer "with a sense of urgency" since August after the then chief Kewsong Lee abruptly stepped down. According to a Reuters source, his exit was triggered by negotiations on a new contract over which he clashed with Carlyle's board.

Morgan Stanley declined to comment on the matter while Carlyle and Citigroup did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Mason could not be reached for comment, while Pruzan did not immediately respond to a request for comment on LinkedIn.

(Reporting by Bhanvi Satija in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2023 /CNW/ - CIBC (TSX: CM) (NYSE: CM) today announced that Laura Dottori-Attanasio, Senior Executive Vice-President and Group Head, Personal and Business Banking, Canada, will retire from the bank on February 1, 2023 after 14 years at CIBC and more than two decades in financial services.

CIBC Logo / Logo de CIBC (CNW Group/CIBC)

"Under Laura's leadership, our Personal and Business Banking team has made tremendous progress and truly lived our purpose as they made our clients' ambitions real," said Victor Dodig, President and CEO of CIBC. "Her leadership with our bank has spanned Corporate Banking, Risk Management and most recently our retail bank, and in each role she has brought a clear focus on results, and care for her colleagues, our clients and communities. As Laura retires from financial services, she leaves a lasting legacy and we wish her the very best in her future endeavours as a proud CIBC alumni."

Jon Hountalas, Group Head, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, Canada, has been appointed Senior Executive Vice-President and Group Head, Canadian Banking. With this appointment, Mr. Hountalas will assume the leadership of CIBC's Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management businesses in Canada.

Mr. Hountalas joined CIBC in 2010 and has held progressively senior roles, including leading Business Banking and Corporate Banking before being appointed to his current role in 2017 and becoming a member of the bank's Executive Committee. Before joining CIBC, Mr. Hountalas spent 25 years in client-facing and executive roles at HSBC Canada.

"Jon is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of strong business performance," said Mr. Dodig. "He is incredibly client-focused and is known for building deep and long lasting relationships. This, together with his broad industry experience, sound judgment, and ability to build and lead high performing teams position him well to take on the leadership of our Canadian Banking businesses. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Jon and our leadership team as we execute our strategy, bring the best of our bank to our clients and deliver value to our stakeholders."

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About CIBC

CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 13 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Small Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets businesses, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre.

SOURCE CIBC

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/13/c1753.html
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE: EHC) today announced it plans to build a freestanding, 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Johnston, Rhode Island. The hospital will be located at 2109 Hartford Avenue and is expected to begin serving patients in 2024.

(PRNewsfoto/Encompass Health Corporation)

"We are excited to expand our rehabilitation services in the Northeast through this project, which will serve as Encompass Health's first hospital in the state of Rhode Island," said Pat Tuer, president of Encompass Health's Northeast region. "We look forward to improving access to high-quality, individualized rehabilitative care and allowing more residents to receive specialized care close to home."

Complementing local acute care services, this hospital will serve patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries, including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations and complex orthopedic conditions. In addition to 24hour nursing care, this hospital will offer physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. Care will be provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists and physicians.

The hospital will feature all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym with advanced rehabilitation technologies and an activities of daily living suite, cafeteria, pharmacy and therapy courtyard.

About Encompass Health

Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) is the largest owner and operator of rehabilitation hospitals in the United States. With a national footprint that includes 153 hospitals in 36 states and Puerto Rico, the Company provides high-quality, compassionate rehabilitative care for patients recovering from a major injury or illness, using advanced technology and innovative treatments to maximize recovery. Encompass Health is ranked as one of Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For and Modern Healthcare's Best Places to Work in Healthcare. For more information, visit encompasshealth.com, or follow us on our newsroom, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts, such as those relating to the likelihood, timing and effects of the completion of this hospital project, are forward-looking statements. In addition, Encompass Health may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and Encompass Health undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Encompass Health's actual results or events may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the regulatory review and approval process, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought by or against the Company; the possibility this project will experience unexpected delays; the ability to successfully complete this project consistent with Encompass Health's growth strategy, including realization of anticipated revenues and avoidance of unforeseen exposure to liabilities; disease outbreaks, including the speed, depth, geographic reach and duration of the spread; the actions to be taken by Encompass Health in response to disease outbreaks; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and Encompass Health's response thereto; the hospital's ability to maintain proper local, state and federal licensing; potential disruptions, breaches, or other incidents affecting the proper operation, availability, or security of Encompass Health's information systems; Encompass Health's ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on Encompass Health's labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for Encompass Health's services by governmental or private payors; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in Encompass Health's SEC filings and other public announcements, including Encompass Health's Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2021 and Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2022.

Media contact:

Danielle Hall | 205-970-5912

danielle.hall@encompasshealth.com

Investor Relations contact:

Mark Miller | 205-970-5860

mark.miller@encompasshealth.com

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/encompass-health-announces-plans-to-build-a-50-bed-inpatient-rehabilitation-hospital-in-johnston-rhode-island-301721687.html

SOURCE Encompass Health Corp.
SAN JOSE, Calif., January 13, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Based in Maidstone, Kent, England, the European School of Osteopathy (ESO) has renewed its commitment to providing high-quality osteopathic course content both locally and internationally with the extension of its agreement to license the YuJa Enterprise Video Platform and Video Conference Platform through 2026.

ESO merged with the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM) under the parent company British College of Naturopathy & Osteopathy (BCNO Limited) and each operates at their respective campuses in Kent (ESO) and London (BCOM).

When it first sought a Video Platform, administrators were looking for a solution to live stream osteopathic courses, as well as to manage and distribute content to faculty and students. The institution scaled its use with the Video Conference Platform, which can help create virtual classrooms, and provide webinars, office hours, and tutorials to students no matter where theyre located. Both platforms integrate with the schools Learning Management System, Moodle and Single Sign-On tools used by the school.

"This contract extension speaks to YuJas ease of use and ability to integrate with other tools," said Nathan Arora, Chief Business Officer at YuJa, Inc. "Were excited for instructors to continue using the constantly expanding toolsets to create engaging learning experiences for students."

ABOUT THE EUROPEAN SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHY

Located near Maidstone, Kent, England, the ESO is renowned for the quality and depth of its osteopathic teaching. The ESO is dedicated to the provision of both undergraduate and postgraduate osteopathic training, emphasizing all essential elements of good practice, sound management and quality care. The ESO is closely associated with osteopathic organizations across Europe and is actively involved in improving academic and research standards and in achieving a degree of standardization of osteopathic education.

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ABOUT YUJA, INC.

YuJa is a leader in ed-tech solutions. Our platforms provide organizations of all sizes with the tools to educate, engage, inspire and collaborate. We serve learning enterprises within all sectors, including higher-ed, K-12, government, healthcare, non-profit and corporate. We have legal headquarters in Delaware with primary U.S. offices in Silicon Valley, California, and Canadian offices in Toronto.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230113005461/en/

Contacts

Hannah Johnson

1-888-257-2278
Company Logo

Dublin, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Calibration Services Markets Strategies and Trends With Forecasts by Type of Calibration, By Industry and By Country" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

A growing market. Key growth drivers. An industry protected from economic cycles. An industry-driven forward by increasing global regulations and security.

The report doesn't just look at market size. It examines key operational principles and industry best practices provided by industry veterans. Look at acquisition and divestiture opportunities. Revise pricing and service terms. Develop new service packaging and offerings. Consider integrated marketing programs.

The future of the calibration services industry is explored with detailed market forecasts and strategic analysis. Worldwide Metropolitan Market sizes are included in every report. This latest edition of the industry-standard report provides valuable information and insight.

Key Features

29 companies are profiled in this report.

All report data is available in Excel format on request.

Make investment decisions and valuations with confidence using the latest data.

The report includes five-year market forecasts.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Market Guides

1.1 Calibration Services Market - Strategic Situation Analysis & COVID Impact

1.2 Guide for Executives, Marketing, Sales, and Business Development Staff

1.3 Guide for Management Consultants and Investment Advisors



2. Introduction and Market Definition

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Market Definition

2.3 Important Role of Metrology Institutes



3. Market Overview

3.1 Manufacturer Practices

3.1.1 Difference Between Manufacturer and other Vendors

3.1.2 Difference Between Electronic and Mechanical Segments

3.2 Accreditation

3.2.1 Accreditation Recognition

3.2.2 Two-Tiered Accreditation Standard

3.3 Segments and Capability

3.3.1 An Overview of Segmentation Practice

3.3.2 Segmentation by Company Size

3.3.3 On-site Service as a Segment

3.4 Industry Structure and Participants

3.4.1 The International System of Measurement - A Primer

3.4.2 Current Industry Participants

3.4.3 Industry Structure

3.5 Geographic Influences

3.5.1 Geographic Preference

3.5.2 Implications for Laboratory Management

3.5.3 Growing Demand for On-Site Service



4 . Market Trends

4.1 Factors Driving Growth

4.1.1 Impact of Climate Change

4.2 Factors Inhibiting Growth

4.2.1 Laboratory Automation

4.2.2 Quality Movement Maturity

4.2.3 Measurement Technology

4.2.4 Economic Uncertainty

4.2.5 Equipment Lifecycles

4.2.6 Reliability/Disposability

4.2.7 Recalibrate Versus Replace

4.3 The Changing Role of the Manufacturer

4.3.1 The Position of Trust

4.3.2 Customers Have an Equipment Management Need

4.3.3 Effect on Repair Demand

4.3.4 Manufacturer's Rethink Service and Support

4.4 Services Packaging

4.4.1 Services Packaging Today and Tomorrow

4.4.2 Reduced Services Play a Role

4.4.3 Basic Calibration Changes

4.4.4 The Role of Online Value Added Services

4.4.5 Change in Demand for Accreditation

4.4.6 Pricing for On-Site to Change

4.4.7 Contract Agreements to Change

4.5 Technology Development

4.5.1 Three Important Technology Developments

4.5.2 Calibration Services Look to Installed Base

4.5.3 Calibration Intervals Change

4.5.4 Impact of Self Calibration



5. Pricing and Business Development

5.1 Calibration Service Pricing and Plans

5.1.1 Variable Factors in a Calibration Service

5.1.2 Fee-Based Pricing

5.1.3 Approaches to Pricing

5.1.4 Pricing and Geography

5.1.5 Surcharges

5.1.6 Limited Calibration

5.1.7 Volume Discounts

5.1.8 Mobile Pricing

5.1.9 Service Plans

5.1.10 Asset Management

5.1.11 Customer Commitment

5.1.12 Personnel Rental

5.2 Promotion

5.2.1 Sales Promotion Practice

5.2.2 A Calibration Services Marketing System

5.2.3 Services Marketing Program Tools

5.2.4 Company Website and Marketing Strategy

5.3 Customer Service

5.3.1 Customer Service Measurement

5.3.2 Teamwork in Customer Service

5.3.3 The Role of Leadership

5.4 Merger and Acquisition

5.4.1 Economies of Scale

5.4.2 Caveats and Factors Unfavourable to Merger Activity

5.5 Competition



6. Industry Segmentation Analysis

6.1 Aerospace/Defense

6.2 Agriculture and Food Production

6.3 Automotive

6.4 Biomedical/Pharmaceutical

6.5 Communication

6.6 General Manufacturing

6.7 High Technology

6.8 Material Production

6.9 Other



7. Recent Market Activity

7.1 Recent Developments - Importance and How to Use This Section

7.1.1 Importance of These Developments

7.1.2 How to Use This Section

7.1.3 Trescal Launches Its Single Source Calibration Solution

7.1.4 Pipette.com Adds New Capability

7.1.5 Calibration Technology Ltd Expands Operations

7.1.6 Transcat Expands Reach with Acquisition of Tangent Labs

7.1.7 NMI acquires Young Calibration

7.1.8 Summit Testing and Calibration Laboratory receives BAB certifications

7.1.9 Kaye Earns Accreditation in China Lab

7.1.10 Autel US Expands ADAS Calibration Coverage

7.1.11 New Chairman of the Board at Transcat, Inc.

7.1.12 Vision Engineering's Cal Lab Attains ISO 17025:2017

7.1.13 NMI Metrology is Expanding Calibration Services across Nigeria

7.1.14 Mitutoyo America Corporation Introduces New Processor Package with Profile Projector

7.1.15 Transcat Acquires TTE Laboratories, Inc.

7.1.16 Michigan State Police launch investigation of breathalyzer calibration

7.1.17 Transcat, Inc. Acquires Calibration Software Company

7.1.18 Endress+Hauser builds new Calibration Laboratory

7.1.19 Transcat acquires Infinite Integral Solutions Inc.

7.1.20 Keysight opens new calibration facility

7.1.21 Transcat Acquires Gauge Repair Service

7.1.22 Trescal Announces 3 Aquisitions

7.1.23 Newbow Aerospace Expands Calibration Laboratory

7.1.24 Trescal Acquires Diamond Technical and Acteam

7.1.25 Boonton Electronics and Noisecom Receive ISO 17025:2017 Accreditation

7.1.26 Transcat Acquires Angel's Instrumentation Inc.

7.1.27 Trescal and Stahlwille UK sign partnership agreement

7.1.28 Laboratory Testing Inc. Acquires TAC Technical Instrument

7.1.29 Trescal Acquires Metriccontrol

7.1.30 Keysight Technologies Acquires Thales Calibration Services

7.1.31 Transcat Acquires NBS Calibrations



8. Key Players

8.1 ABB

8.2 Ametek

8.3 Beamex

8.4 Bruel & Kjaer

8.5 Consumers Energy

8.6 e2b calibration Calibration Services Markets

8.7 Emerson

8.8 Endress & Hauser

8.9 ESSCO Calibration Laboratory

8.10 Fluke

8.11 GE Kaye

8.12 Innocal (Cole Parmer)

8.13 Instron

8.14 J. A. King

8.15 Keysight Technologies

8.16 Lockheed Martin

8.17 Mettler-Toledo/Troemner

8.18 Micro Precision Calibration

8.19 Optical Test and Calibration

8.20 Rhode & Schwarz

8.21 SGS

8.22 Siemens

8.23 Simco

8.24 Technical Maintenance Inc.

8.25 Tektronix

8.26 Teseq

8.27 Tradinco Instruments

8.28 Transcat

8.29 Trescal



9. The Global Market for Calibration Services

9.1 Calibration - Global Market Overview by Country

9.2 Calibration - Global Market Overview by Type

9.3 Calibration - Global Market Overview by Industry



10. Global Calibration Markets - By Type of Calibration

10.1 Electrical Calibration

10.2 Dimensional Calibration

10.3 Mechanical Calibration

10.4 Thermal Calibration

10.5 Other Calibration



11. Global Calibration Markets - By Industry

11.1 Calibration Market Aerospace & Defence

11.2 Calibration Market Agro & Biomedical

11.3 Calibration Market Electronic & Communications

11.4 Calibration Market Industry & Manufacturing Calibration Services Markets

11.5 Calibration Market Other Industry



12 Market Sizes and Forecasts World Metropolitan Areas

12.1 World Metropolitan Areas Datatable. 2022 Market Size Forecasts

Story continues

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uuiftj

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By Trend

As the recent dialogue between Turkiye, Russia and Syria yields results, the number of Syrian refugees returning to their homeland will increase, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Jan. 11, Trend reports citing Hurriyet Daily News.

As the security environment in northern Syria improves, the return of Syrians to their homes is accelerating, Erdogan said at the International Ombudsman Conference.

Reminding that Turkiye had started to build briquette houses in northern Syria for returnees, Erdogan said they wanted these people to live humanely in their country.

We wanted to save these people from the tents in snow and winter. We wanted to prepare a humane way of life for them by placing briquettes in houses, he stated.

So far, approximately 550,000 refugees have returned to the regions that Turkiye has cleared of terrorism and made safe, Erdogan emphasized.

These numbers will increase as the diplomatic contacts we, as Turkiye, Russia and Syria, have been carrying out for a while bear fruit. We will continue to fulfill our duty of brotherhood, neighborliness and humanity, he said.

Citing the education ban imposed on females in Afghanistan by the Taliban rule, Erdogan said, We find the recent understanding of preventing head-scarved girls from being educated in universities and schools in Afghanistan inhumane and un-Islamic.

Girls [in Afghanistan] should receive an education. Nobody should define or tell us anything that prevents them from Islam. Islam does not accept such a thing, he said.

The president also expressed criticism of international actors for not taking any steps against those who persecute refugees.

We continue to defend human rights not by word, but by taking responsibility and we will continue to do so. We continue to work with other fields with the same principled attitude, he said.

We contribute to the solution of the food and energy crisis that affects the lives of billions of people by implementing the grain corridor and the prisoner exchange agreement through the Black Sea, Erdogan added.

Underscoring that human rights were one of the leading items on the global agenda, Erdogan noted: Almost everyone, from local politicians to media, from academics to international organizations, talks about human rights and freedoms. Meetings are held, decisions are taken, and statements are made on the preservation and defense of human rights all across the world. That being the case, the fundamental rights of people, including the right to life, are continuously violated.

He emphasized that new violations were being added to the current ones that already ignored human rights, freedoms and dignity in many parts of the world, from Syria to Palestine, Yemen to Arakan, and Turkistan to Africa.

Erdogan continued, Crises that should bring us together and evoke our feeling of mercy can, on the contrary, sometimes draw people away from humanitarian values. The COVID-19 pandemic, immigrants, and conflicts that erupt in our region are the most striking examples of this bitter truth. We remember with embarrassment the selfish acts displayed by countries, considered to be developed, to protect themselves during the pandemic.
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Dublin, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global and China Software-Defined Vehicle Research Report 2022- Architecture Trends and Industry Panorama" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Software-defined vehicle research: 40 arenas, hundreds of suppliers, and rapidly-improved software autonomy



Based on the mass production of AUTOSAR CP, iSoft Infrastructure Software provides AUTOSAR CP+AP integrated solutions for security domain and high-performance computing domain. With its cloud system, it attains intelligent connectivity. The integrated solutions of iSoft Infrastructure Software can be applied to intelligent cockpit domain, vehicle control system domain and ADAS/AD domain.

By standardizing the interfaces and architectures of different operating systems, underlying hardware and protocol software, it forges service-oriented software architectures. As for intelligent cockpit domain and ADAS/AD domain, iSoft Infrastructure Software is developing the corresponding operating system kernels to fully lay out automotive basic software platforms.



In addition, autonomous driving SoC chip vendors are not satisfied with just providing hardware, but also seeking a share in the autonomous driving ecosystem to increase barriers to entry. Nvidia has launched DriveWorks open source platform for autonomous driving, and Horizon Robotics has unveiled - TogetherOST, a real-time automotive operating system with a secure microkernel architecture.



Not to be outdone, OEMs are considering developing their own autonomous driving operating systems, especially the first batch of emerging automakers utilize AUTOSAR Classic Platform +DDS to build autonomous driving operating systems (development platforms). As the technology ecology continues to mature, emerging automakers and OEMs in transition are making efforts to develop autonomous driving operating systems by themselves.



Tesla.OS (Version) is developed by Tesla itself based on underlying Linux. In terms of functional software, it supports PyTorch, a deep learning programming framework.



VW.OS, based on Linux+AUTOSAR Adaptive, features decoupling of software and I/O functions as well as SOA.



Toyota's Woven Planet Group is integrating Apex.OS SDK into its own vehicle development platform, called Arene. The Apex SDK will handle safety-critical applications and aims to speed up autonomous software development and ultimately bring it to production vehicles.



Li Auto is developing its own Li OS and plans to create a cross-domain intelligent operating system platform. Li OS targets autonomous driving, and will be connected with intelligent vehicle control and intelligent cockpits in the future.



In terms of automotive middleware (AUTOSAR, ROS2, Cyber RT), different autonomous driving operating system vendors have different options. For example, Baidu Apollo uses the self-developed CyberRT, Autoware adopts ROS2, and other vendors welcome AUTOSAR Classic and AUTOSAR Adaptive. In recent years, Apex.AI OS (compatible with ROS 2 API) has been widely supported by some European OEMs and Tier1 suppliers. Apex.AI has been invested by many leading enterprises in the automotive industry, such as Continental, Toyota, ZF, Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo, Hella and Daimler Truck.



In the field of autonomous driving, the functions of middleware involve communication, module upgrade, task scheduling and actuation management, but its main function lies in communication. The introduction of communication middleware (DDS, SOME/IP, MQTT) can help developers improve efficiency. At present, communication middleware mainly includes SOME/IP, DDS and MQTT. At present, SOME/IP and DDS are two kinds of communication middleware that are most used in autonomous driving.



SOME/IP communication middleware



SOME/IP middleware providers include AUTOSAR toolchain vendors, like foreign companies such as Vector, ETAS, EB, etc., and domestic companies represented by iSoft Infrastructure Software, Jingwei Hirain Technologies, etc. The GENIVI Alliance provides an open source version of SOME/IP.



DDS communication middleware



The commercial closed-source communication middleware is mainly represented by RTI Connext DDS, which accounts for more than 80% of market share. Xpeng is the first enterprise in China that applies Connext DDS to autonomous vehicles. HoloSAR, the autonomous driving middleware of HoloMatic Technology, also integrates RTI Connext DDS.



Other open source communication middleware includes OPEN DDS, FAST DDS, Cyclone DDS, etc. In recent years, a number of communication middleware products have emerged, including iceoryx from Bosch ETAS, Swift from Greenstone, and MotionWise Cyclone DDS. In addition, the new version of AUTOSAR Adaptive bolster DDS in terms of communication management, and the AP products developed by iSoft Infrastructure Software endorse the integration of third-party DDS.



Autonomous driving data collection and automatic annotation system



According to IDC, by 2025, the market size of China's artificial intelligence data collection and annotation services will hit RMB12.34 billion, mainly driven by the data collection and annotation of autonomous vehicles. Thus, there is demand for data collection, processing, storage, training software and tools.



Xnet, Xpeng's `next-generation perception architecture`, can generate a `HD map` in real time when it is combined with all sensors in the vehicle. Through the dynamic XNet, the speed and intention of dynamic objects can be recognized more accurately. XNet requires massive data collection, annotation, training and deployment. Xpeng has independently developed an automatic annotation system.



However, many other automakers may cooperate with partners in data collection and annotation. Typical vendors include Speechocean (a global AI training data service provider), Huawei Octopus (data collection, training and simulation services), Vector (CANape, a data collection tool), Appen China (AI data collection and annotation services), ExceedData (data collection and annotation platforms), etc.



Autonomous driving training data set



For autonomous driving with deep learning as the main method, training data sets are the most critical. Algorithms are similar (in particular, many of them are open source), so it is impossible to tell which is the best. Deep learning data sets are related to the final results, so that the former plays a decisive role. The wider the coverage of training data sets, the finer the annotation, the more accurate the classification, the more types, the better the final autonomous driving performance.



Many self-driving companies, including Argoverse of Volkswagen-Ford joint venture Argo, Waymo's Open, Baidu's ApolloScape, Nvidia (PilotNet), Honda (H3D), Aptiv(nuScense) have all disclosed some of their training validation datasets, some provides open-source download link. Now the most influential ones are KITTI, Waymo Open and Aptiv nuScenes.



There are few datasets with local characteristics in China, mainly including Huawei `ONCE`, the vehicle-road collaborative autonomous driving dataset `DAIR-V2X`, Jinqiao `JICD` dataset, the large-scale driving behavior dataset DBNet jointly released by Xiamen University and Shanghai Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University and Chang'an University jointly constructed and disclosed DADA dataset.



Autonomous driving data storage and computing center (cloud services)



Data storage and management only embody the basic capabilities of cloud services. The demand of automakers for cloud services has shifted from IaaS and PaaS to SaaS (Software as a Service). Cloud service providers are expected to provide or integrate a unified toolchain, open up upstream and downstream links, and help automakers quickly go through the data closed-loop chain.



Xpeng and Alibaba Cloud have jointly built Fuyao, the largest intelligent computing center for autonomous driving in China, which shortens the time for single-machine full-precision training from 276 days to 32 days. If 80 machines are running simultaneously, it only takes 11 hours, with the processing speed accelerated by 602 times.



Large-scale simulation testing and data training



A simulation system includes a simulation scenario library, a simulation test platform and simulation evaluation, which complement each other.



Here, we take the autonomous driving simulation scenario library as an example. In September 2022, Deqing County, Huzhou City teamed up with Alibaba Cloud and Haomo.AI to release `China's first large-scale autonomous driving scenario library based on CVIS`, which uses real traffic data and meets data compliance requirements. It will further accelerate the maturity of autonomous driving in China and the coordinative development of vehicles, roads and cloud. In addition, CATARC, CAERI, Tencent (TAD Sim), Baidu Apollo, etc. offer autonomous driving scenario libraries.

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Key Topics Covered:



1 Vehicle Basic Software

1.1 Automotive Operating System in Narrow Sense

1.2 Autonomous Driving OS in Broad Sense

1.3 Intelligent Cockpit General Operating System (OS)

1.4 Vehicle-cloud Integrated General Operating System (SOA Platform)

1.5 Communication Middleware (DDS, SOME/IP, MQTT)

1.6 Automotive Middleware (AUTOSAR, ROS2, CyberRT)

1.7 Hypervisor



2 Vehicle Tool Software

2.1 Automotive Electronics Software Development Tool Chain

2.2 AI Deep Learning Software

2.3 Data Training Dataset

2.4 Data Collection &Annotation Tool Software

2.5 Data Closed Loop Tools

2.6 Data Desensitization Software SDK

2.7 Simulation & Testing Software

2.8 Autonomous Driving Typical Scenario Library

2.9 Chip Development Tool Chain

2.10 ADAS Performance Evaluation Software

2.11 ADAS Data Logging Software

2.12 Automotive Software Test System Software



3 Application and Algorithm Software - Autonomous Driving

3.1 Development Trends of Autonomous Driving Algorithms

3.2 Passenger Car Autonomous Driving Algorithm Software

3.3 Commercial Vehicle Autonomous Driving Algorithm Software

3.4 HD Map



4 Application and Algorithm Software - Vehicle Control

4.1 Automotive Energy Management Software

4.2 Vehicle Body and Vehicle Control Software

4.3 Power and Drive Management Software



5 Application and Algorithm Software - Telematics and Cybersecurity

5.1 Roadside Operating System

5.2 Vehicle-Infrastructure-Cloud Cooperation Service



Companies Mentioned

Green Hills

ZTE

UnTouch Technology

HoloMatic

BYD

Li Auto

Thundersoft

Banma Zhixing

Megatronix

ECARX

SAIC Z-ONE

Geely

VolvoCars.OS

Bosch ETAS

iSoft Infrastructure Software

Shanghai HingeTech

ZlingSmart

ETAS

dSPACE

Wind River

NI

Haitian Ruisheng

Xpeng

Waymo

Momenta

Haomo.ai

Horizon

Black Sesame Technologies

SemiDrive

NVIDIA

Tesla

Vector

Valeo

Huawei

AICC

PIX Moving

Eatron Technologies

Tencent

EXCEEDDATA

Luxoft

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ge6zdf

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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Anchor event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2023 will gather world leaders, global CEOs, and international sustainability advocates to identify key sustainability issues for coming year

ADSW Summit speakers to include H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, and UAE and Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC

Summit agenda will cover the upcoming COP28, pathway to net zero, transformative tech, financing climate action, and food and energy security

Other global speakers at ADSW 2023 will include John Kerry, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 13, 2023 /CNW/ -- The ADSW Summit will take place on Monday and Tuesday, January 16 and 17, bringing together heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs from around the world to discuss the most pressing issues and opportunities on the road to net zero.

ADSW Summit

The two-day summit is the flagship event of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) which runs from January 14 to 19. The summit will focus on how to scale up transformative technology, the importance of international partnerships, food security, how to shape the global financial architecture for climate action, and how to secure a stable energy pathway to net zero. It will ensure an ongoing dialogue between key stakeholders and provide opportunities to translate pledges into practical solutions.

The ADSW Summit 2023 also comes in a vital year of climate action for the UAE, with the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) being held in the country from November 30-December 12. COP28, the Emirates Climate Conference, will see the conclusion of the first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement  assessing the progress made by countries on their national climate plans. Also speaking at ADSW will be COP28 President-Designate, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Chairman of Masdar, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber.

Confirmed speakers at the event include H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, Director General, COP28; H.E. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Egypt, COP27 President; H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, UAE; H.E. Agnes Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Energy Transition, France; H.E. Khadheeja Naseem, Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Maldives; H.E. Sarah Ryglewski, Minister of State for Sustainable Development, Federal Government, Germany; Amb. Patricia Espinosa-Cantellano, Former Executive Secretary, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Founding & Managing Partner, Onepoint5; Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary, UNFCCC; Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, World Health Organisation; Dr. Ing. Christian Bruch, CEO, Siemens Energy; Noel Quinn, Group Chief Executive Officer, HSBC; Dr. Andrew Steer, President and CEO, Bezos Earth Fund, among others.

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Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer, Masdar, said, "More than ever, it is critical that the world's leaders across business, government, and civil society come together to address the most pressing issue of our time; climate change. That is why Masdar, as host of ADSW, is bringing together leaders from around the world at the ADSW Summit 2023. We look forward to hosting one of the most impactful and significant ADSW Summits to date, while marking the first physical ADSW since 2020."

Hosted by the UAE's clean energy powerhouse Masdar, in addition to the ADSW Summit, ADSW 2023 features a series of key events throughout the week that seek to engage all sections of society.

These include the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly; the Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum; the ADSW Opening Ceremony and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony; the World Future Energy Summit Exhibition and forums; the inaugural Green Hydrogen Summit; the Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) Forum; Youth 4 Sustainability Forum and Hub; Innovate  A Masdar City Initiative; and the Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum.

Since 2008, ADSW has educated and inspired tens of thousands of participants each year by enabling discussion, debate and action around some of the world's most pressing sustainability challenges. Last year alone 30,000 attendees came to ADSW, some 600 speakers, and representatives of 150 different countries. The event is rooted in the firm belief that global challenges can only be addressed through collaboration.

Key dates for ADSW 2023 include:

14  15 January : IRENA Assembly, Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum

16 January: Opening Ceremony, COP28 Strategy Announcement and Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards Ceremony

16  17 January: ADSW Summit

16  18 January: World Future Energy Summit, Youth 4 Sustainability Hub, Innovate

17 January: WiSER Forum

18 January: Green Hydrogen Summit

19 January: Abu Dhabi Sustainable Finance Forum

To learn more about Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week and to register, please visit https://abudhabisustainabilityweek.com/

For more information please visit: http://www.masdar.ae and connect: facebook.com/masdar.ae and twitter.com/masdar

About Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) is a global initiative established in 2008 by the UAE and its clean energy powerhouse Masdar. For over 15 years, ADSW has brought together heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and youth, to discuss, engage, and debate climate action and innovation that will ensure a sustainable world. By enabling impactful dialogue and providing a platform to translate pledges into practical outcomes for a net-zero future, ADSW 2023 aims to play a crucial role in driving momentum between COP27 and COP28.

About Masdar

Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) is the UAE's clean energy champion and one of the largest companies of its kind in the world, advancing the development and deployment of renewable energy and green hydrogen technologies to address global sustainability challenges. Established in 2006, Masdar is today active in over 40 countries, helping them to achieve their clean energy objectives and advance sustainable development. Masdar is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), and Abu Dhabi National Energy Company (TAQA), and under this ownership the company is targeting a renewable energy portfolio capacity of at least 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and an annual green hydrogen production capacity of up to 1 million tonnes by the same year.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1982897/ADSW_Summit_2020_1.jpg

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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1973444/ADSW_ENG_Logo.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1973446/Masdar_Logo.jpg

ADSW Summit

ADSW Summit

ADSW Summit

ADSW Summit Bilingual

ASDW Summit English

ASDW Summit Arabic

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week English Logo (PRNewsfoto/Daniel J Edelman Ltd)

Masdar Logo (PRNewsfoto/Daniel J Edelman Ltd)

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SOURCE Masdar

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View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/13/c5942.html
WASHINGTON, Jan 12 (Reuters) - A new global sovereign debt "roundtable" that will include China, other creditors and borrowing countries will meet for the first time next month on the sidelines of a Group of 20 finance officials meeting in India, International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday.

Georgieva told reporters that she would travel to Zambia in two weeks, and hoped the African country would become the second nation to complete a debt treatment process under the Common Framework set up by the Group of 20 major economies and the Paris Club of official creditors in October 2020.

She said the new roundtable would not substitute for the Common Framework, but would seek to work on transparency, timing of debt treatments and other unresolved issues. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Kentucky is joining more than 20 U.S. states in banning the popular video app TikTok on government devices citing cybersecurity concerns.

The state said it had updated its employee handbook to bar state employees from using government-managed devices to access the Chinese-owned app "other than for a law enforcement purpose." On Thursday, the governors of Wisconsin and North Carolina signed orders banning TikTok on government devices. Ohio, New Jersey and Arkansas also took similar actions earlier this week.

Some states have gone farther than targeting TikTok. New Jersey and Wisconsin for example also banned vendors, products and services from other Chinese companies including Huawei Technologies, Hikvision, Tencent Holdings - the owner of WeChat, ZTE Corp as well as Russian-based Kaspersky Lab.

TikTok said it was "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."

Most of the states so far to act have Republican governors, but Wisconsin, North Carolina and Kentucky all have Democratic governors.

Calls to ban TikTok from government devices gained steam after U.S. FBI Director Christopher Wray said in November it poses national security risks.

Wray flagged the threat that the Chinese government could harness the app to influence users or control their devices.

For three years, TikTok - which has more than 100 million users - has been seeking to assure Washington that the personal data of U.S. citizens cannot be accessed and its content cannot be manipulated by China's Communist Party or any other entity under Beijing's influence.

Last month, President Joe Biden signed into law a government funding bill that included a ban on federal employees from using or downloading TikTok on government-owned devices.

The law gives the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 60 days "to develop standards and guidelines for executive agencies requiring the removal" of TikTok from federal devices.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Franklin Paul and Diane Craft)
Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, will announce support for the Farquhar Auditorium at the University of Victoria.

VICTORIA, BC, Jan. 13, 2023 /CNW/ - Chris Bittle, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, will announce infrastructure and programming funding for the University of Victoria's Farquhar Auditorium on Monday. He will make this announcement on behalf of the Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez.

Journalists wishing to attend the announcement must confirm their attendance by submitting their full name and the media outlet they represent to media@pch.gc.ca.

Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local

The details are as follows:

DATE:

Monday, January 16, 2023

TIME:

9:40 a.m.

PLACE:

Farquhar Auditorium, Jamie Cassels Centre

University of Victoria

Ring Road B115

Victoria, British Columbia

For more information about parking, click here

SOURCE Canadian Heritage

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View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2023/13/c7823.html
A fintech startup bought by JP Morgan Chase for millions may have been built on a bed of lies, according to a new lawsuit filed by JP Morgan. And if the investment bank is to be believed, it all went wrong with an $18,000 check to a New York City-area data science professor.

On Dec. 22, JP Morgan filed a lawsuit against Charlie Javice, the millennial founder of student aid facilitating platform Frank, and the companys chief growth officer Olivier Amar, claiming the pair fabricated around 4 million nonexistent accounts that they said used their service, which JP Morgan purchased for $175 million in Sep. 2021.

The investment bank shut down Frank on Thursday, weeks after the suit was first filed. The bank maintains in its lawsuit that while it had been expecting to purchase a business deeply engaged with the college-aged market segment with over 4 million users, what it actually received was a customer list containing no more than 300,000 accounts.

Alex Spiro, Javices legal representation, did not reply to Fortunes request for comment, but has denied the allegations against her to other news outlets. Javice sued JP Morgan in December alleging the bank used an investigation into Frank as an excuse to fire her from her job with the company, Bloomberg reported. Spiro told the outlet that the bank's lawsuit was nothing but a cover. Fortune was not able to reach representation for Amar.

JP Morgan is alleging that in 2021, when the bank and Javice first discussed an acquisition, Frank was almost 4 million customer accounts short of its representations to the bank. To make up for the deficit before presenting Franks official customer account data to JP Morgan for due diligence, the bank claims that Javice and Amar turned first to the platforms unnamed director of engineering to create synthetic datafake customer information generated by computer algorithms.

According to JP Morgans lawsuit, the engineer felt uncomfortable, asking whether the request was legal and eventually declined, so Javice and Amar allegedly resorted to an external source, referred to merely as a data science professor at a New York City area college in the lawsuit.

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The professor allegedly agreed, according to the suit, and was willing to provide creative solutions to Javice and Amars data problems. What ensued, according to the lawsuit, was an extraordinary series of email exchanges.

Should I attempt to fabricate them?

The data science professor was tasked with creating data for nearly 4.3 million customers for Frank, including names, emails, and birthdays, according to JP Morgans lawsuit, and it was allegedly made clear from the onset that the professor and Javice were both fully aware that the information would be fictitious.

When crafting the new customers names, the professor allegedly emailed Javice with a proposed model to weed out real peoples names by testing first and last names independently, to ensure none of the sampled names are real.

In another email, the professor allegedly noted how many of the accounts personal information histories were the same, including an unnatural rate of recurrence for high school names and hometowns. Such a list would look fishy to [him] if [he] were to audit it, the professor wrote. When it came to creating phone numbers, Javice allegedly told the professor some duplicated numbers among the accounts was acceptable, as long as no more than 5%-7% were copies, according to the suit.

Physical addresses proved to be one of the biggest sticking points due to the complexity of creating unique addresses, according to the lawsuit, with the professor at one point allegedly telling Javice they were wasting too much time on the address thing. Early on in the process, the professor allegedly told Javice he was having trouble finding believable addresses. Should I attempt to fabricate them? he asked, to which Javice answered: I just wouldnt want the street to not exist in the state.

For his troubles, the data science professor sent Javice a $13,300 invoice, according to JP Morgans lawsuit. But the summary of his work allegedly proved problematic, as the professor had allegedly written down individual line items of each fake information field he had helped create. Javice immediately asked the professor to redo the invoice with a single line reading data analysis, promising him a bigger bonus and increasing the invoice to $18,000, according to the lawsuit, and the professor then allegedly complied with the request.

Pablo Rodriguez, a JP Morgan spokesperson, told Fortune that the disputes between the bank and Javice are set to be ironed out in court.

Our legal claims against Ms. Javice and Mr. Amar are set out in our complaint, along with the key facts. Any dispute will be resolved through the legal process, he said.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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ReportLinker

INTRODUCTION. In recent years, efficient methods for facilitation of intracellular drug delivery have become a prominent need within the modern biopharmaceutical industry. Targeting the delivery of a pharmacological substance to its intended physiological site of action ensures that adequate concentration of the therapeutics is made available, in order to elicit the desired clinical benefits and limit off-target / systemic toxicity.

New York, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Non-Viral / Intracellular Drug Delivery Systems Market by Type of Molecule, Type of Biologics delivered, Type of Vehicle Used, Type of Therapeutic Area, Type of Payments and Key Geographies : Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2023-2035" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380617/?utm_source=GNW

In fact, a study suggests that over 20% of the proteome, including oncogenic proteins, cell metabolism regulators, components of different signal transduction pathways and enzymes, is localized within the cell membrane. Further, considering the fact that only 10% of the human genome can selectively bind to small molecule pharmaceuticals, industry experts believe that intracellular biologics, particularly nucleic acid-based therapeutic interventions, present a promising alternative to conventional therapies. Furthermore, recent advancements in cell biology and intracellular delivery systems have led to the identification of several potential therapeutic targets for a variety of clinical disorders. These targets have been demonstrated to be capable of aiding the treatment of disease indications which were previously considered incurable, as they were localized within the confines of the cell membrane. It is also worth highlighting that majority of the available biopharmaceutical interventions, such as gene therapies, require cell membrane permeabilization in order to mediate their therapeutic effects.



Gene delivery systems are usually based on viral and non-viral vectors and known to enable the entry of pharmacologically active compounds into the matrix of the cytoplasm. Specifically, viral drug delivery systems utilize the ability of viruses to inject their DNA inside host cells. However, such systems are often fraught with several challenges, such as immunogenicity, toxicity and reverse mutation. In order to overcome the aforementioned challenges and enable the delivery of intracellular biologics, researchers have developed various non-viral delivery systems, including exosome-based drug delivery techniques, cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) and nanoparticle-based processes. Further, numerous technology developers have signed several strategic agreements with therapy developers in order to facilitate the development of drug formulations that can be delivered to the intracellular matrix. Additionally, close to 1,300 patents related to such technologies have been filed / granted in the past few years, demonstrating the continued innovation being carried out in this domain. At present, more than 20,000 oligonucleotide-based therapeutics focused studies are being conducted across the globe. In this context, it is also worth mentioning that, recently, Novartis received the USFDA approval for Leqvio (inclisiran), a first-in-class siRNA therapy for lower LDL cholesterol, which is delivered using an intracellular drug delivery technology. Other examples of recently approved gene therapies that are being delivered intracellularly include (alphabetical order) ABECMA (idecabtagene vicleucel; manufactured by Celgene), BREYANZI (lisocabtagene maraleucel; manufactured by Juno Therapeutics) and KYMRIAH (tisagenlecleucel; manufactured by Novartis). Driven by a growing demand for systems that can efficiently deliver therapeutic interventions in intracellular spaces, the non-viral drug delivery systems market is likely to witness significant growth in the short to mid-term.



SCOPE OF THE REPORT

The Non-Viral Drug Delivery Systems Market (2nd Edition), 2023-2035: Distribution by Type of Molecule Delivered (Small Molecules and Biologics), Type of Biologic Delivered (RNAi / mRNA, DNA Oligonucleotides, Antibodies, Proteins / Peptides), Type of Vehicle Used (Cell Penetrating Peptides, Extracellular Vesicles, Oligonucleotides, Nanoparticles and Polymers), Target Therapeutic Area (Infectious Diseases, Oncological Disorders, Genetic Disorders, Neurological Disorders, Hepatic Disorders, Cardiovascular Disorders and Other Disorders), Type of Payment (Upfront Payments and Milestone Payments) and Key Geographies (North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, and Rest of the World): Industry Trends and Global Forecasts report features an extensive study of the current landscape and the likely future opportunities of players engaged in offering intracellular drug delivery technologies in the healthcare domain, over next 12 years. Amongst other elements, the report includes:

An executive summary of the key insights captured during our research, offering a high-level view on the current state of the non-viral drug delivery systems market and its likely evolution in the short to mid and long term.

A brief introduction to important concepts related to non-viral intracellular drug delivery, featuring information on various types of non-viral drug delivery systems and its primary applications in the healthcare domain, along with details related to the recent advancements that have been reported in this market space.

A detailed review of the overall market landscape of non-viral drug delivery systems, featuring an in-depth analysis based on several relevant parameters, such as therapeutic portfolio, type of molecule delivered (small molecules and biologics), type of biologic delivered (antibodies, DNA, RNA and proteins / peptides), type of interaction (co-administration, conjugation, encapsulation and others) and type of vehicle used (cell penetrating peptides, extracellular vesicles, oligonucleotides, nanoparticles, polymers). In addition, it features a list of technology developers and a detailed analysis based on year of establishment, company size, type of company and geographical location.

An in-depth analysis, highlighting the contemporary market trends, using four schematic representations, including a waffle chart representation, (highlighting the distribution of various types of vehicles used for delivering payloads), a heat map representation (based on company size and type of molecule delivered), a vertical stacked column bar chart representation (location of headquarters and type of service provider), a vertical column clustered chart representation (based on company size and location of headquarters).

An insightful company competitiveness analysis of non-viral drug delivery systems providers, taking into consideration various relevant parameters, such as years of experience and portfolio strength (in terms of number of technologies offered, type of biologics delivered and type of linkage) and partnership strength (in terms of number of partnerships, partnership year, partnerships based on geographies, type of partnerships, therapeutic area, payment portfolio and type of biologics delivered).

Elaborate profiles of prominent players engaged in offering non-viral drug delivery technologies, across North America, Europe and Asia. Each company profile features a brief overview of the company (including information on its year of establishment, number of employees, location of headquarters and key members of the executive team), details related to its recent developments and an informed future outlook.

An in-depth analysis of the various patents that have been filed / granted patent related to intracellular drug delivery technologies, based on various parameters, such as type of patent, publication year, granted patents, filed patents, patent publication year and type of players, issuing authority, patent focus, patent age and CPC symbols (in terms of the size of intellectual property portfolio). Further, it features a three-dimensional bubble analysis (based on patent citation count, publication year and extended geographical reach), patent benchmarking analysis and a detailed patent valuation analysis

An insightful analysis of various partnerships inked between stakeholders engaged within the non-viral drug delivery domain, based on several relevant parameters, such as year of partnership, type of partner (industry and non-industry), type of partnership (Research and Development, Research, development and commercialization, product development, product development and commercialization, product development and manufacturing, product development and manufacturing, commercialization, manufacturing, acquisition / merger and others), purpose of partnership (technology licensing agreements, technology evaluation agreements, technology integration agreements, technology utilization agreements, acquisitions / mergers and others), therapeutic area (oncological disorders, infectious diseases, genetic disorders, hepatic disorders, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, ophthalmic diseases, pulmonary diseases, metabolic disorders, immunological disorders and others), type of payment model (upfront payments, milestone payments, royalties and others), type of molecule delivered (small molecules, biologics and both), type of biologic delivered (antibodies, RNA, DNA and proteins / peptides), most active players (in terms of number of deals inked), most popular technologies (in terms of number of deals inked for technologies) and regional distribution of partnership activity that have been undertaken in this domain, during the period 2015-2022.

An insightful framework which provides four zones of evaluation and product portfolio matrix based on various parameters, such as number of drugs in the pipeline, number of companies, deal amount, partnership activity, trends highlighted in number of grants, number of publications, google hits and qualitative scoring. It also provides a Kalbach, Ansoff and BCG matrix for respective non-viral drug delivery technologies currently employed by stakeholders.



One of the key objectives of this report was to estimate the existing market opportunity and the future growth potential of the non-viral drug delivery market over the coming years. We have provided an informed estimate on the likely financial evolution of the market in the short to mid-term and long term, for the period 2022-2035. Additionally, the report features the likely distribution of the current and upcoming opportunity segmented across important parameters, such as type of molecule delivered (small molecules and biologics), type of biologic delivered (antibodies, RNA, DNA and proteins / peptides), type of vehicle used (Cell Penetrating Peptides, Extracellular Vesicles, Oligonucleotides, Nanoparticles and Polymers), target therapeutic area (infectious diseases, oncological disorders, genetic disorders, neurological disorders, hepatic disorders, cardiovascular disorders and other disorders), type of payment model (upfront payments and milestone payments) and key geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa and rest of the world).



All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Financial figures mentioned in this report are in USD, unless otherwise specified.



RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The data presented in this report has been primarily gathered via primary and secondary research. For all our projects, we conduct interviews with experts in the area (academia, industry, medical practice and other associations) to solicit their opinions on emerging trends in the market. This is primarily useful for us to draw out our own opinion on how the market will evolve across different regions and technology segments. Where possible, the available data has been checked for accuracy from multiple sources of information.

The secondary sources of information include

Annual reports

Investor presentations

SEC filings

Industry databases

News releases from company websites

Government policy documents

Industry analysts views



While the focus has been on forecasting the market till 2035 the report also provides our independent view on various non-commercial trends emerging in the industry. This opinion is solely based on our knowledge, research and understanding of the relevant market gathered from various secondary and primary sources of information.



KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Who are the leading players engaged in the development of intracellular drug delivery technologies?

Which partnership models are commonly adopted by stakeholders engaged in this domain?

What type of molecule can be delivered using intracellular drug delivery technologies?

How is the intellectual property landscape related to intracellular drug delivery likely to evolve in the foreseen future?

How is the current and future market opportunity likely to be distributed across key market segments and geographical region?



CHAPTER OUTLINES



Chapter 2 is an executive summary of the insights captured in our report. It offers a high-level view of the current state of the non-viral drug delivery systems market and its likely evolution in the short term, mid-term and long term.



Chapter 3 is an introductory chapter that highlights important concepts related to non-viral intracellular drug delivery. It also features information on various types of non-viral drug delivery systems, primary applications in healthcare domain. This chapter further features details about the recent advancements that have been made related to non-viral drug delivery systems.



Chapter 4 provides an overview of the overall market landscape of non-viral drug delivery systems, featuring a comprehensive list of technologies and analysis based on a number of parameters, such as therapeutic portfolio, type of molecule delivered (small molecules and biologics), type of biologic delivered (antibodies, DNA, RNA and protein / peptides), type of interaction between the vehicle and the payload (co-administration, conjugation, encapsulation and others) and type of vehicle used (cell penetrating peptides, extracellular vesicles, oligonucleotides, nanoparticles, polymers) and a detailed analysis based on year of establishment, company size, type of company and geographical location.



Chapter 5 An in-depth analysis, highlighting the contemporary market trends, using four schematic representations, including a waffle chart representation, (highlighting the distribution of various types of vehicles used for delivering payloads), a heat map representation (based on company size and type of molecule delivered), a vertical stacked column bar chart representation (location of headquarters and type of service provider), a vertical column clustered chart representation (based on company size and location of headquarters).



Chapter 6 presents a detailed competitiveness analysis of non-viral drug delivery systems, based on the portfolio strength (based on number of technologies offered, type of biologics delivered and type of linkage) and partnership strength, (such as number of partnerships, partnership year, partnerships based on geographies, type of partnerships, therapeutic area, payment portfolio and type of biologics delivered)



Chapter 7 features detailed profiles of the prominent companies that offer non-viral drug delivery system across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific (based on their competitive scoring). Each company profile features a brief overview of the company (including information on its year of establishment, number of employees, location of headquarters and key members of the executive team), details related to non-viral drug delivery technology portfolio, recent developments and an informed future outlook.



Chapter 8 provides an in-depth analysis of patents filed / granted for intracellular drug delivery technologies based on the parameters, such as type of patent, publication year, granted patents, filed patents, patent publication year and type of players, issuing authority, patent focus, patent age and CPC symbols (in terms of the size of intellectual property portfolio). Further, it features a three-dimensional bubble analysis (based on patent citation count, publication year and extended geographical reach), patent benchmarking analysis and a detailed patent valuation analysis



Chapter 9 features an elaborate discussion of the various collaborations and partnerships that have been established in the recent past. It includes a brief description of various types of partnership models such as year of partnership, type of partner (industry and non-industry), type of partnership (Research and development, research, development and commercialization, product development, product development and commercialization, product development and manufacturing, product development and manufacturing, commercialization, manufacturing, acquisition / merger and others), purpose of partnership (technology licensing agreements, technology evaluation agreements, technology integration agreements, technology utilization agreements, acquisitions / mergers and others), therapeutic area (oncological disorders, infectious diseases, genetic disorders, hepatic disorders, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disorders, ophthalmic disorders, pulmonary diseases, metabolic disorders, immunological disorders and others), type of payment model (upfront payments, milestone payments, royalties and others), type of molecule delivered (small molecules, biologics and both), type of biologic delivered (antibodies, RNA, DNA and proteins / peptides), most active players (in terms of number of deals inked), most popular technologies (in terms of number of deals inked for technologies) and regional distribution of partnership activity that have been undertaken in this domain, during the period 2015-2022.



Chapter 10 presents an insightful framework which provides four zone of evaluation and product portfolio matrix based on various parameters such as number of drugs in the pipeline, number of companies, deal amount, partnership activity, trends highlighted in number of grants, number of publications, google hits and qualitative scoring. It also provides a Kalbach, Ansoff and BCG matrix for respective non-viral drug delivery technologies currently employed by stakeholders.



Chapter 11 features a comprehensive market forecast analysis, highlighting the likely growth of the non-viral drug delivery market, till 2035. In order to provide details on the future outlook, our projections have been segmented on the basis of type of molecule delivered (small molecules and biologics), type of biologic delivered (antibodies, RNA, DNA and proteins / peptides), type of vehicle used (Cell Penetrating Peptides, Extracellular Vesicles, Oligonucleotides, Nanoparticles and Polymers), target therapeutic area (infectious diseases, oncological disorders, genetic disorders, neurological disorders, hepatic disorders, cardiovascular disorders and other disorders), type of payment model (upfront payments and milestone payments) and key geographical regions (North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa and Rest of the World).



Chapter 12 presents the summary of the overall report. The chapter provides the key takeaways from the report and expresses our independent opinion of the non-viral drug delivery systems market, based on the research and analysis described in the previous chapters.



Chapter 13 is a collection of interview transcripts of the discussions held with key stakeholders in this market. In this chapter, we have presented the details of interviews held with Anders Hgset (Chief Scientific Officer, PCI Biotech), Melissa Wagner (Senior Director, Business Development, SRI International), Tehila Ben-Moshe, and Itay Friedman (Chief Executive Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, Biond Biologics), Don Haut (Chief Executive Officer, Carmine Therapeutics), Thierry Bordet (Chief Scientific Officer, Eyevensys), Maren Killackey (Senior Director, Investor Relations and Communications, Generation Bio).



Chapter 14 is an appendix, which provides tabulated data and numbers for all the figures included in the report.



Chapter 15 is an appendix, which contains a list of companies and organizations mentioned in this report.

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06380617/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




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Dublin, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global TCR Therapy Market, 2022-2035: Distribution by Target Indication, Target Antigen, Key Players and Key Geographies: Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2022-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report features an extensive study of the current market landscape and future potential of TCR-based therapies. The report highlights the efforts of several stakeholders engaged in this rapidly evolving segment of the biopharmaceutical industry.

Modified T-cell receptor therapy (TCR therapy) is an emerging class of adoptive therapy that employs genetically modified lymphocytes to target specific tumor markers. Their tumor-cell killing efficacy may be primarily attributed to the fact that they are pre-sensitized to cancer specific antigens; this enables such interventions to selectively target and eliminate tumor cells from the body of a host with negligible treatment-related side effects.

Ongoing and planned clinical research initiatives in this direction are driven by encouraging results achieved in past trials, which were mostly focused on various hematological cancers and solid tumors. Driven by the ongoing pace of innovation in this field, sufficient financial support from investors and encouraging clinical trial results, the TCR therapy market is likely to witness significant growth in the foreseen future.

Need for TCR Therapies for the Treatment of Various Types of Cancer

Modified T-cell receptor therapy (TCR therapy), an upcoming class of cell-based interventions, is a promising therapeutic modality. Similar to other T-cell based interventions (such as CAR-T cells and TILs), TCR therapies are designed to target the underlying causes (or primary mediators) of a clinical condition.

Additionally, this emerging class of biologics is believed to possess the potential to cater to unmet pharmacological needs across both oncological and non-oncological disorders, even those where small molecule drugs have proven to be inadequate. Although TCR-based immunotherapies are still considered an experimental approach, several clinical studies demonstrate the efficacy and therapeutic superiority of TCR cell products.

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Current Market Landscape of TCR Therapies

Presently, more than 100 industry and non-industry players across the globe are evaluating the potential of over 190 TCR-based immunotherapies for the treatment of various oncological and non-oncological disorders.

It is worth highlighting that, in January 2022, the FDA approved the first TCR-based therapy, Kimmtrak (Immunocore), for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic uveal melanoma. More than 90% of the therapy candidates that are being developed to target a wide range of disease indications are autologous in nature. Further, NY-ESO-1 and MAGE emerged as the most popular target antigens in this domain.

Rising Interest in TCR Therapies

The growing interest in this field is reflected in the notable increase in partnerships inked (close to 140 deals inked in the past decade; CAGR 23%) by several industry players and academic / research institutes. Additionally, various investors, having realized the opportunity within this upcoming segment of T-cell immunotherapy, have invested USD 11 billion across 140 instances, since 2007.

Further, in the last 10 years, close to 110 clinical trials have been registered across different geographies for the evaluation of TCR therapies. Mostly driven by the need for effective treatment options for cancer, the TCR therapy pipeline is expected to steadily grow over the coming years. Moreover, clinical success is likely to draw in investments that are likely to support the ongoing and anticipated therapy development initiatives.

Market Size of the TCR Therapy Market

With a growing focus on the development pipeline and encouraging clinical results, the market is anticipated to witness an annualized growth rate of 51% in the next decade. Specifically, in terms of target indication, the market is anticipated to be driven by nasopharyngeal carcinoma, multiple myeloma, and head and neck carcinoma.

Additionally, more than 80% of the market is anticipated to be captured by players based in Europe and Asia-Pacific in 2035. Overall, we are led to believe that the global TCR therapy market is poised to witness significant growth in the foreseen future.

Who are the Key Players in the TCR Therapy Market

Examples of key players engaged in this domain (which have also been captured in this report) include Adaptimmune Therapeutics, Alaunos Therapeutics, blubird bio, Bristol Myers Squibb, Cellular Biomedicine Group, China Immunotech, Gilead Sciences, GlaxoSmithKline, ImmaticsImmunocore, Intellia Therapeutics, Lion TCR, Takara Bio, TCRCure Biopharma, and Zelluna Immunotherapy.

Key Topics Covered:

1. PREFACE

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3. INTRODUCTION

3.1. Chapter Overview

3.2. Pillars of Cancer Therapy

3.3. Overview of Immunotherapies

3.4. Fundamentals of Cancer Immunotherapy

3.5. Classification of Cancer Immunotherapies

3.6. T-Cell Immunotherapies

3.7. T-Cell Receptor (TCR)-based Cell Therapy

3.8. Concluding Remarks

4. TCR-BASED THERAPIES: MARKET LANDSCAPE

4.1. Chapter Overview

4.2. TCR-based Therapies: Overall Market Landscape

4.3. TCR-based Therapies: Overall Developer Landscape

5. POPULAR TARGET ANTIGEN ANALYSIS

5.1. Chapter Overview

5.2. Competitive Analysis: Popular Target Antigens of TCR-based Therapies

5.2.1. Popular Targets Related to Hematological Malignancies

5.2.2. Popular Targets Related to Solid Tumors

6. CLINICAL TRIAL ANALYSIS

6.1. Chapter Overview

6.2. Scope and Methodology

6.3. TCR-based Therapies: Clinical Trial Analysis

6.3.1. Analysis by Trial Registration Year

6.3.2. Analysis by Trial Registration Year and Enrolled Patient Population

6.3.3. Analysis by Trial Status

6.3.4. Analysis by Trial Registration Year and Trial Status

6.3.5. Analysis by Trial Phase

6.3.6. Analysis of Enrolled Patient Population by Trial Phase

6.3.7. Analysis by Target Patient Segment

6.3.8. Analysis by Type of Sponsor / Collaborator

6.3.9. Analysis by Study Design

6.3.10. Most Active Industry Players: Analysis by Number of Registered Trials

6.3.11. Most Active Non-Industry Players: Analysis by Number of Registered Trials

6.3.12. Word Cloud Representation Analysis: Emerging Focus Areas

6.3.13. Analysis of Clinical Trials by Geography

6.3.14. Analysis of Enrolled Patient Population by Geography

7. KEY OPINION LEADERS

7.1. Chapter Overview

7.2. Assumptions and Key Parameters

7.3. Methodology

7.4. TCR-based Therapies: Key Opinion Leaders

7.4.1. Analysis by Type of Organization

7.4.2. Analysis by Affiliated Organization

7.4.3. Analysis by Qualification

7.4.4. Analysis by Geographical Location of KOLs

7.4.5. KOL Activeness versus KOL Strength

7.4.6. Most Prominent KOLs: Analysis by RA score

7.4.7. Most Prominent KOLs: Comparison of RA Score and Third-Party Score

8. TCR-BASED THERAPY PROFILES

8.1. Chapter Overview

8.2. Kimmtrak / IMCgp100 / Tebentafusp (Immunocore)

8.2.1. Therapy Overview

8.2.2. Clinical Trial Information

8.2.3. Clinical Trial Endpoints

8.2.4. Clinical Trial Results

8.2.5. Estimated Sales Revenues

8.3. GSK3377794 / NY-ESO-1C259 T-cells / Letetresgene Autoleucel (GlaxoSmithKline)

8.3.1. Therapy Overview

8.3.2. Clinical Trial Information

8.3.3. Clinical Trial Endpoints

8.3.4. Clinical Trial Results

8.3.5. Estimated Sales Revenues

8.4. ADP-A2M4 / Afamitresgene Autoleucel / Afami-cel (Adaptimmune Therapeutics)

8.4.1. Therapy Overview

8.4.2. Clinical Trial Information

8.4.3. Clinical Trial Endpoints

8.4.4. Clinical Trial Results

8.4.5. Estimated Sales Revenues

8.5. JTCR016 (Juno Therapeutics)

8.5.1. Therapy Overview

8.5.2. Clinical Trial Information

8.5.3. Clinical Trial Endpoints

8.6. TBI-1301 (Takara Bio)

8.6.1. Therapy Overview

8.6.2. Clinical Trial Information

8.6.3. Clinical Trial Endpoints

8.6.4. Clinical Trial Results

8.6.5. Estimated Sales Revenues

8.7. MDG1011 (Medigene)

8.7.1. Therapy Overview

8.7.2. Clinical Trial Information

8.7.3. Clinical Trial Endpoints

8.7.4. Clinical Trial Results

9. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS

9.1. Chapter Overview

9.2. Partnership Models

9.3. TCR-based Therapies: Partnerships and Collaborations

9.3.1. Analysis by Year of Partnership

9.3.2. Analysis by Type of Partnership

9.3.3. Analysis by Year of Partnership and Type of Partnership

9.3.4. Analysis by Type of Partner

9.3.5. Most Popular Products: Analysis by Number of Partnerships

9.3.6. Most Active Industry Players: Analysis by Number of Partnerships

9.3.7. Most Active Non-Industry Players: Analysis by Number of Partnerships

9.3.8. Analysis by Geography

9.3.8.1. Intercontinental and Intracontinental Deals

9.3.8.2. International and Local Deals

10. FUNDING AND INVESTMENT ANALYSIS

10.1. Chapter Overview

10.2. Types of Funding

10.3. TCR-based Therapies: Funding and Investment Analysis

10.3.1. Analysis of Instances by Year

10.3.2. Analysis of Amount Invested by Year

10.3.3. Analysis by Type of Funding

10.3.4. Analysis by Type of Investor

10.3.5. Most Active Players: Analysis by Number of Instances

10.3.6. Most Active Investors: Analysis by Amount Invested

10.3.7. Analysis of Amount Invested by Geography

10.3.8. Most Active Investors: Analysis by Number of Funding Instances

11. PATENT ANALYSIS

11.1. Chapter Overview

11.2. Scope and Methodology

11.3. TCR-based Therapies: Patent Analysis

11.3.1. Analysis by Patent Publication Year

11.3.2. Analysis By Patent Application Year

11.3.3. Analysis by Geography

11.3.4. Analysis by Type of Player

11.3.5. Analysis by CPC Symbols

11.3.6. Analysis by Key Focus Area

11.3.7. Leading Player: Analysis by Number of Patents

11.3.8. TCR-based Therapies: Patent Benchmarking

11.3.9. Analysis By Patent Characteristics

11.3.10. TCR-based Cell Therapies: Patent Valuation

12. CASE STUDY: CELL THERAPY MANUFACTURING

12.1. Chapter Overview

12.2. Overview of Cell Therapy Manufacturing

12.3. Cell Therapy Manufacturing Models

12.3.1. Centralized Manufacturing Model

12.3.2. Decentralized Manufacturing Model

12.4. Scalability of Cell Therapy Manufacturing Processes

12.4.1. Scale-Up

12.4.2. Scale-Out

12.5. Types of Cell Therapy Manufacturers

12.6. Key Challenges Related to Manufacturing of Cell Therapies

12.7. Important Factors for Cell Therapy Manufacturing

12.7.1. Characterization

12.7.2. Cost of Goods

12.8. Automation of Cell Therapy Manufacturing Processes

12.9. Cell Therapy Manufacturing Supply Chain

12.10. Comparison of Player Having In-House Capabilities and Contract Manufacturers

12.11. Regulatory Landscape

12.12. Future Perspectives

13. COST PRICE ANALYSIS

13.1. Chapter Overview

13.2. Factors Contributing to the High Price of Cell / Gene Therapies

13.3. Pricing Models for T-Cell Immunotherapies

13.3.1. Based on Associated Costs

13.3.2. Based on Availability of Competing Products

13.3.3. Based on Patient Segment

13.3.4. Based on Opinions of Industry Experts

13.4. Reimbursement related Considerations for T-cell Immunotherapies

13.4.1. Case Study: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Appraisal of CAR-T Therapies

14. MARKET FORECAST AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS

14.1. Chapter Overview

14.2. Scope and Limitations

14.3. Key Assumptions and Forecast Methodology

14.4. Global TCR-based Therapies Market, 2022-2035

15. PROMOTIONAL ANALYSIS

16. COMPANY PROFILES

16.1. Chapter Overview

16.2. Adaptimmune Therapeutics

16.3. Alaunos Therapeutics

16.4. Company Profiles

16.5. Bristol Myers Squibb

16.6. Cellular Biomedicine Group

16.7. Gilead Sciences

16.8. Cellular Biomedicine Group

16.9. GlaxoSmithKline

16.10. Immatics

16.11. Immunocore

16.12. Lion TCR

16.13. Takara Bio

16.14. Zelluna immunotherapy

17. CONCLUDING REMARKS

18. EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

19. APPENDIX 1: TABULATED DATA

20. APPENDIX 2: LIST OF COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ei8u4f

CONTACT: CONTACT: 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




Proactive

Sydney, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proactive, provider of real-time news and video interviews on growth companies listed in Australia, has covered the following companies:

Jindalee Resources Ltd (ASX:JRL) has completed a spin-out of Australian battery and precious metal assets, forming Dynamic Metals Ltd (ASX:DYM) with an initial public offering (IPO) drawing $7 million in funding as DYM prepares to list to the ASX. Click here

European Lithium Ltd (ASX:EUR, OTCQB:EULIF) has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saudi-based Obeikan Investment Group to build and operate a hydroxide plant under a joint venture (JV) in Saudi Arabia for EURs Wolfsberg Lithium Project in Austria. Click here

Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX:ALK) is due for an earnings review after the company upgraded its FY 2023 guidance for the Tomingley Gold Operations in Central West New South Wales, according to Edison Investment Research Ltd. Click here

Alchemy Resources Ltd (ASX:ALY) has intersected fertile lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites in reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the Hickory prospect within the Karonie Lithium-Gold Project in Western Australia. Click here

Empire Energy Group Ltd (ASX:EEG) has completed hydraulic stimulation of the Carpentaria-3H (C-3H) well and the drilling of the Carpentaria-4V (C-4V) at Exploration Permit (EP) 187, well within budget. Click here

Galena Mining Ltd (ASX:G1A) welcomes the first concentrate produced at its Abra Base Metals Mine in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia as part of the plant commissioning process. Click here

Lithium Power International Ltd (ASX:LPI)'s 100%-owned subsidiary Western Lithium (TSX:WLC) has set the drills turning on its inaugural drilling program at the East Kirup lithium prospect, part of the companys Greenbushes Project in the south-west of Western Australia. Click here

Animoca Brands Corporation Ltd's Japanese subsidiary has made a strategic investment of JP100 million into Psychic VR Labs JP1 billion fundraising round in December 2022. Click here

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About Proactive



Proactive is a unique tech-enabled platform providing companies globally with a comprehensive investor engagement solution across their business lifecycle.



With six offices on three continents, Proactive works with innovative growth companies quoted on the worlds major stock exchanges, helping executives to engage intelligently with investors.

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Kerby Brings a Successful Track Record of Retail Operations and Revenue-Driving Strategies

LEHI, Utah, Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Purple Innovation, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRPL) ("Purple"), a comfort innovation company known for creating the "World's First No Pressure Mattress," today announced the appointment of Scott Kerby as its Chief of Owned Retail, effective January 16, 2023.

Purple (PRNewsfoto/Purple Innovation, LLC)

Kerby will report to CEO Rob DeMartini and oversee all aspects of Purple's owned retail operations, an integral part of Purple's future growth and long-range plans.

"I am thrilled to welcome Scott Kerby to our senior leadership team where he will oversee our owned showroom channel," said DeMartini. "Scott is an experienced leader who has equal skill in opening stores, leading operations, developing store talent, and using owned retail to help define brands."

Kerby's successful career spans multiple established consumer brands including Old Navy, Bath and Body Works, L Brands, and American Eagle. Most recently, Kerby lead a successful retail team at Sephora as Vice President Head of Stores where he had a critical role in long-term strategic planning and driving revenue across Canada.

"I take pride in building and leading dedicated teams of experts who are committed to improving the lives of customers," said Kerby. "Purple is an amazing brand, and I am excited to join the team at this pivotal moment to help create an industry-defining retail experience."

Kerby earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Washington State University.

About Purple

Purple is a digitally-native vertical brand with a mission to help people feel and live better through innovative comfort solutions. We design and manufacture a variety of innovative, premium, branded comfort products, including mattresses, pillows, cushions, frames, sheets and more. Our products are the result of over 30 years of innovation and investment in proprietary and patented comfort technologies and the development of our own manufacturing processes. Our proprietary gel technology, Hyper-Elastic Polymer, underpins many of our comfort products and provides a range of benefits that differentiate our offerings from other competitors' products. We market and sell our products through our direct-to-consumer online channels, traditional retail partners, third-party online retailers and our owned retail showrooms. For more information on Purple, visit purple.com.

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PR Contact:

Michele Anderson, Ubuntu-One

michele.anderson@ubuntu-one.com

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SOURCE Purple, Inc.
By Trend

On 11 January, Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade of the Republic of Uzbekistan Laziz Kudratov held talks with Minister of Economy and Commerce of the Kyrgyz Republic Daniyar Amangeldiyev, Trend reports citing Kabar.

The parties discussed preparations for bilateral events planned for 2023, including at the highest level, as well as the implementation of ongoing joint projects, including those developed through the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund.

It was noted that thanks to joint efforts, there is stable growth in trade between the two countries. Thus, over the past 5 years, the volume of mutual trade has grown 6 times - from US$167.5 million in 2016 to US$953.6 million in 2021. In 2022, the trade turnover exceeded US$1 billion.

During the talks, the importance of further intensifying cooperation in a number of priority areas was emphasized. In particular, an agreement was reached to accelerate the implementation of construction projects for the Kambarata Hydroelectric Power Plant-1 in Kyrgyzstan and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, in accordance with the signed documents and on the implementation of these projects.

They also discussed projects planned for implementation in Kyrgyzstan to organize the production of cars and commercial vehicles, launch a spinning enterprise in the Jalal-Abad region, introduce and produce ASKUE electricity metering systems and produce calcium carbide.

Following the meeting, the parties outlined specific steps to accelerate the practical implementation of the agreements reached.
Manchester to join dozens of cities nationwide on "School Fair Saturday"

MANCHESTER, N.H., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From a microschool focused on farm and forestry to a public charter school with a business and law track, more than 50 K-12 schools and community vendors will bring information to families at a celebratory school fair next week. More than 700 community members are expected to attend the festivities on Saturday, Jan. 21.

NSCW 2023 (PRNewsfoto/National School Choice Week)

The fair offers families the chance to get a head start on their school search, learn about scholarship opportunities in New Hampshire, and speak directly with public, private, homeschool, and online school representatives. As parents shop schools at the event, children can enjoy face painting, balloon art, a photobooth, snacks, music, and additional fun.

The New Hampshire school fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Armory Room in The DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown.

This fair is planned to coincide with the celebration of National School Choice Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), which will feature tens of thousands of school choice celebrations across all 50 states. As part of the celebration, Jan. 21 will be "School Fair Saturday," and will feature school fairs in more than a dozen U.S. cities, simultaneously with the Manchester event.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown is located at 700 Elm St.

This event is hosted by Children's Scholarship Fund - New Hampshire. Children's Scholarship Fund - New Hampshire provides scholarships to empower low-income New Hampshire families to choose the education that best fit their children's needs, regardless of their income or zip code.

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 home schooling. 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.

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SOURCE National School Choice Week
Industrial Product Supplier Adds FlexRNG Offering from Gas South to its Sustainability Program

DALLAS, N.C., Jan. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Roechling Industrial Gastonia, LP, an industrial product manufacturer specializing in stock shape thermoplastic products, announced a new commitment to sustainability. The company will start to use FlexRNG in 2023 to address their natural gas consumption with the goal to offset their greenhouse gas emission and targeting carbon neutrality by 2030. FlexRNG is a new and accessible energy option from Gas South.

Roechling has set a company-wide goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. By investing in FlexRNG, it will ensure there is no net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when it burns natural gas. FlexRNG is a multifaceted offering that works by offsetting natural gas emissions with verified carbon offsets and by displacing a portion of natural gas consumption with renewable natural gas (RNG). It includes verifying, tracking and retiring renewable thermal credits and carbon offset credits in the company's name.

"We are proud to partner with Gas South on our investment to reduce our environmental impact," said Tim Brown, President of Roechling Industrial North America. "We are making strides with our holistic decarbonization strategy and are energized by the vision of a carbon neutral Roechling Industrial."

Gas South, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb Electric Membership Corporation, is the largest retail natural gas provider in the southeastern United States. In addition to delivering renewable energy products like FlexRNG, the Atlanta-based company has invested $23 million in solar energy projects and plans to invest at least $15 million in renewable energy projects annually over the next three years.

"I applaud Roechling Industrial Gastonia for taking this impactful step towards achieving their carbon neutral goal. Adding FlexRNG to their emissions-reduction strategy will help them meet their targets within their budget," said Luke Nemes, Senior Originator for Renewables at Gas South. "This investment is also a huge step forward for Gas South. We pride ourselves on guiding sustainability-focused customers to emissions-reduction solutions that make a difference. I'm proud to be a part of this business, and I can't wait to see Roechling achieve their objectives."

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For more information on Roechling Industrial, please visit www.roechling.com/us/industrial. For additional information on Gas South and FlexRNG, please visit www.GasSouth.com/Renewables.

About Roechling Industrial Gastonia:

The Rochling Group, made up of Industrial, Medical, and Automotive divisions, employs over 11,000 worldwide at 91 locations in 25 countries. Backed by a global network, Roechling Industrial Gastonia is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-quality semi-finished thermoplastics and engineering products. Featuring what they believe to be the most comprehensive product line within the United States and Canada, Roechling is committed to developing efficient, innovative, and sustainable solutions for their customers.

About Gas South:

Gas South is a leading provider of natural gas in competitive markets throughout the southeastern U.S. Following the acquisition of Infinite Energy in 2020, Gas South now serves more than 425,000 residential, business and governmental customers in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and 10 other states. Gas South offers simple and straightforward rate plans, outstanding local customer service, and a promise to give back 5% of profits to support children in need. Gas South is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, one of the country's largest electric cooperatives. For more information, visit www.GasSouth.com.

Media Contact: Bella Luna bluna@thewilbertgroup.com

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Jan 13 (Reuters) - Russia's defence ministry said on Friday that its forces had taken control of the Ukrainian salt-mining town of Soledar on Thursday, state media reported.

It added that Russia's capture of the town would allow its troops to cut off Ukrainian forces from the nearby, much larger town of Bakhmut.

Reuters was not able to independently verify Russia's claim. (Reporting by Reuters Editing by Gareth Jones)
(Adds Nikolay Zubov and Minerva Chios; shows tankers which have docked; revises arrival dates of Noshu Maru, SM Albatross and LNG Enterprise; removes Rudolf Samoylovic after it leaves the port) Jan 13 (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 Knutsen 180,000 Jan. 12 (A) United States Isle of Grain Nohshu Maru 177,000 Jan. 13 United States South Hook SM Albatross 171,000 Jan. 13 United States Dragon LNG Enterprise 174,000 Jan. 13 United States South Hook Megara 173,000 Jan. 13 Peru Dragon Sonangol Benguela 158,000 Jan. 13 Angola Isle of Grain Castillo De Caldelas 178,000 Jan. 14 United States South Hook Minerva Chios 173,000 Jan. 14 United States Dragon 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 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 Nikolay Zubov 173,000 Jan. 15 Russia 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 Nina Chestney)
Reliable hosting is crucial for ensuring a business website is always operational.

Omaha, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- When it comes to having a business's website up and running at all times, business owners need to look into reliable hosting. Many business owners don't understand what it takes to have a fast and reliable website. But that's why it is important to look into the Omaha web hosting provided by Websnoogie. They help businesses understand the importance of a good web hosting provider. They provide those services to those in the Eastern Iowa and Omaha area. Their team of experts offers not only impeccable Omaha web design but web hosting and SEO services as well. They strive to help their clients have a website that will produce leads 24/7. After all, it's like a salesperson working for businesses around the clock, that businesses don't have to worry about or pay!

They offer some of the best features of any web hosting provider. Websnoogie also offers amazing customer satisfaction and ensures that the business's hosting is managed by qualified personnel.

Websnoogie

To Get Started with Websnoogie's Omaha Web Hosting

Their professional first contacts each hosting account to ensure businesses understand where the control panel is and how to utilize it. They will provide a team of skilled developers and designers to help businesses maintain their websites. Their organization strives for the greatest quality standards, and they are local, so businesses can rely on their work. If there is ever an issue, they are simply a phone call away and are in the business's exact time zone! There is no need to try to communicate over email or get frustrated with people who cannot speak the same language. They are right here in Omaha, servicing our local clients in Nebraska and Eastern Iowa. If a customer is looking for fast, affordable, reliable, and local Omaha web hosting, Websnoogie is where it is at!

Speed

Another component of Omaha web hosting that businesses should look for is the speed of their servers.

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Users expect the business's website to load in less than two seconds. They are highly prone to leaving if it takes too long. Google also uses page speed as a ranking element, so that poor site performance can harm search engine rankings as well as drive customers away. Although various factors influence website speed, having a web hosting company with a fast server and adequate memory and processing capacity to allow lightning-fast page speed is critical for every organization.

Simply stated, businesses don't want those visiting their website sitting too long, waiting for it to load. They want a site that flashes up as soon as they land on a webpage. That's what having a great hosting service can do for their clients. Websnoogie offers fast, reliable Omaha web hosting services to help their clients' Omaha SEO and retain visitors.

Price

The price of Omaha hosting with Websnoogie is really affordable. However, don't be fooled by the price!

Website hosting can range from a few dollars per month to thousands of dollars per month, or it can even be "free." Clients get what they paid for, like with everything else. "Free" hosting is typically provided in exchange for the hosting firm putting advertisements on the site. While free might sound great, think about it. How are they going to offer amazing speed and customer support? They are not.

Meanwhile, their client's website has a bunch of advertising on it. That's not super professional. A low-cost web hosting plan almost always means they'll have restricted flexibility and access to resources, or so it seems. This could result in performance concerns. It is important that businesses understand their web hosting requirements, so they don't end up with a "fantastic offer" that doesn't meet their demands.

Websnoogie's hosting is very affordable. They understand that cost shouldn't be the first factor in their client's decisions. But, it is an important part. Their $99 deal per year includes a wide array of specifications that any business will be impressed with. Not to mention their amazing customer service!

Customized Emails

Some web hosting companies will not allow businesses to use their email platforms without additional costs. However, they understand that businesses are running full-fledged, professional businesses and will need emails that match their URL. This is very common in business, and without proper emails such as sales@ the url.com or info @ the url.com, people would not take them seriously. Some hosting platforms charge extra for this, but Websoogie doesnt. In fact, they will be happy to show their clients how they can check their email on their servers or help them forward emails automatically to their own email. If they use one of the popular online emails, this isn't as difficult as one might think.

This is where having amazing customer service helps. They can offer customers guidance on setting up those emails. Customers can even bring in their computers, and Websnoogie can set them up for clients if it seems too complex to their liking. That's another great reason for getting local Omaha web hosting. They have a local address to be able to help businesses with their web hosting, Omaha web design, and Omaha SEO.

Call Websnoogie Today!

While web hosting is a service that they are proud to offer, Websnoogie also offers other services and do their best to help their clients make the switch to their company. They understand that business owners don't always fully understand what they are getting into. Their team is dedicated to explaining things in layman's terms. They will not speak over their client's heads. They believe in treating everyone as they would want to be treated. This shows in their amazing customer reviews. When businesses are looking for a web design company, hosting, or SEO services, they need to reach out to Websnoogie, LLC. Call 402-813-4034 today.

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Dublin, Jan. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Wi-Fi 6 Market By Component, By Enterprise Size, By Location, By Industry Vertical: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

According to this report the wi-fi 6 market size was valued at $10.9 billion in 2021, and is estimated to reach $64.1 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 19.6% from 2022 to 2031.

Wi-Fi 6, also known as 802.11ax is the newest version of Wi-Fi. It is expected to connect to the internet, in the same basic way, but using a number of new technologies for quick and more effective connection. It is intended to promote efficiency, decrease congestion, and boost speed in instances where a lot of bandwidth is being used. In the same transmission window, a Wi-Fi 6 router can broadcast various signals. This prevents each device from having to wait for a turn as the router distributes data throughout the network, allowing the router to communicate with several devices with a single transfer.



Moreover, the Wi-Fi 6 standard enhances preceding Wi-Fi standards' positive aspects while also increasing productivity, adaptability, and scalability. These improvements increase the speed and capacity of both, new and old networks for next-generation applications. Wi-Fi 6 achieves this by encoding data more effectively, leading to better output. In addition, Wi-Fi 6 doubles the channel width and widens the Wi-Fi range from 80 MHz to 160 MHz, enabling a speedier connection between router and the device.



Factors such as need to manage customer traffic and customer movement to boost productivity have accelerated the need for Wi-Fi 6 globally. In addition, increase on emphasis on customer service across major industry verticals has further boosted the Wi-Fi 6 market growth.

However, high initial set-up cost of Wi-Fi 6s restricted the market growth. On the other hand, with many SMEs entering the market and providing advance solutions for Wi-Fi 6 is expected to create greater opportunities during the forecast period. One of the key factors driving the global Wi-Fi 6 market is the adoption of digital transformation initiatives among companies. When businesses use Wi-Fi 6, it reduces the cost of installing a connection that requires a physical connection. Small businesses can compete with large businesses because flexibility is provided by mobilizing people and corporate processes to compete without sacrificing employee efficiency or productivity.

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Moreover, factors such as increase in the number of smartphones and increase in Wi-Fi enabled devices is also boosting the market growth. However, security issues along with range of Wi-Fi 6, which is less than that of the 5 Ghz network hampers the market growth.



The Wi-Fi 6 market is segmented on the basis of offering, enterprise size, location type, industry vertical, and region. On the basis of offering, the market is segmented into solution and services. On the basis of solutions, the market is segmented into hardware and software. By service, the market is segmented into professional services and managed services. Further, professional services is fragmented into training and education, integration and deployment and support and maintenance.



By location type, the market is fragmented into outdoor and indoor. On the basis of enterprise size, the market is bifurcated into large enterprises and SMEs. Depending on industry vertical, it is segregated into IT & telecom, healthcare, retail & e-commerce, IT & telecom, travel & hospitality, manufacturing, government, and others. Region-wise, it is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.



Some of the major players in the market are Apple Inc., Aruba Networks, Asustek Computer Inc., AT&T, Broadcom, Cisco Systems, Fortinet Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, Huawei Technologies, Intel Corporation, Juniper Networks, Linksys Holdings, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, NXP Semiconductors, Qualcomm Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, and Sterlite Technologies Limited. These players have adopted various strategies to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the industry.



Key Benefits For Stakeholders

This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the wi-fi 6 market analysis from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing wi-fi 6 market opportunities.

The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.

Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.

In-depth analysis of the wi-fi 6 market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.

Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.

Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.

The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global wi-fi 6 market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

Key Topics Covered:



CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION



CHAPTER 2: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



CHAPTER 3: MARKET OVERVIEW

3.1. Market definition and scope

3.2. Key findings

3.2.1. Top investment pockets

3.3. Porter's five forces analysis

3.4. Top player positioning

3.5. Market dynamics

3.5.1. Drivers

3.5.2. Restraints

3.5.3. Opportunities

3.6. COVID-19 Impact Analysis on the market



CHAPTER 4: WI-FI 6 MARKET, BY COMPONENT

4.1 Overview

4.1.1 Market size and forecast

4.2 Solution

4.2.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

4.2.2 Market size and forecast, by region

4.2.3 Market analysis by country

4.3 Service

4.3.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

4.3.2 Market size and forecast, by region

4.3.3 Market analysis by country

4.3.4 Service Wi-Fi 6 Market by Service Type

4.3.4.1 Professional Market size and forecast, by region

4.3.4.2 Professional Market size and forecast, by country

4.3.4.3 Managed Market size and forecast, by region

4.3.4.4 Managed Market size and forecast, by country



CHAPTER 5: WI-FI 6 MARKET, BY ENTERPRISE SIZE

5.1 Overview

5.1.1 Market size and forecast

5.2 Large Enterprises

5.2.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

5.2.2 Market size and forecast, by region

5.2.3 Market analysis by country

5.3 SMEs

5.3.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

5.3.2 Market size and forecast, by region

5.3.3 Market analysis by country



CHAPTER 6: WI-FI 6 MARKET, BY LOCATION

6.1 Overview

6.1.1 Market size and forecast

6.2 Outdoor

6.2.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

6.2.2 Market size and forecast, by region

6.2.3 Market analysis by country

6.3 Indoor

6.3.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

6.3.2 Market size and forecast, by region

6.3.3 Market analysis by country



CHAPTER 7: WI-FI 6 MARKET, BY INDUSTRY VERTICAL

7.1 Overview

7.1.1 Market size and forecast

7.2 IT and Telecom

7.2.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

7.2.2 Market size and forecast, by region

7.2.3 Market analysis by country

7.3 Education

7.3.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

7.3.2 Market size and forecast, by region

7.3.3 Market analysis by country

7.4 Retail and E Commerce

7.4.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

7.4.2 Market size and forecast, by region

7.4.3 Market analysis by country

7.5 Healthcare

7.5.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

7.5.2 Market size and forecast, by region

7.5.3 Market analysis by country

7.6 Government

7.6.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

7.6.2 Market size and forecast, by region

7.6.3 Market analysis by country

7.7 Travel and Hospitality

7.7.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

7.7.2 Market size and forecast, by region

7.7.3 Market analysis by country

7.8 Transportation and Hospitality

7.8.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

7.8.2 Market size and forecast, by region

7.8.3 Market analysis by country

7.9 Manufacturing

7.9.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

7.9.2 Market size and forecast, by region

7.9.3 Market analysis by country

8.0 Other

8.0.1 Key market trends, growth factors and opportunities

8.0.2 Market size and forecast, by region

8.0.3 Market analysis by country



CHAPTER 8: WI-FI 6 MARKET, BY REGION

CHAPTER 9: COMPANY LANDSCAPE

9.1. Introduction

9.2. Top winning strategies

9.3. Product Mapping of Top 10 Player

9.4. Competitive Dashboard

9.5. Competitive Heatmap

9.6. Key developments



CHAPTER 10: COMPANY PROFILES

10.1 Apple Inc.

10.1.1 Company overview

10.1.2 Company snapshot

10.1.3 Operating business segments

10.1.4 Product portfolio

10.1.5 Business performance

10.1.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.2 Aruba Networks

10.2.1 Company overview

10.2.2 Company snapshot

10.2.3 Operating business segments

10.2.4 Product portfolio

10.2.5 Business performance

10.2.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.3 Asustek Computer Inc.

10.3.1 Company overview

10.3.2 Company snapshot

10.3.3 Operating business segments

10.3.4 Product portfolio

10.3.5 Business performance

10.3.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.4 AT&T

10.4.1 Company overview

10.4.2 Company snapshot

10.4.3 Operating business segments

10.4.4 Product portfolio

10.4.5 Business performance

10.4.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.5 Broadcom

10.5.1 Company overview

10.5.2 Company snapshot

10.5.3 Operating business segments

10.5.4 Product portfolio

10.5.5 Business performance

10.5.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.6 Cisco Systems

10.6.1 Company overview

10.6.2 Company snapshot

10.6.3 Operating business segments

10.6.4 Product portfolio

10.6.5 Business performance

10.6.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.7 Fortinet Inc.

10.7.1 Company overview

10.7.2 Company snapshot

10.7.3 Operating business segments

10.7.4 Product portfolio

10.7.5 Business performance

10.7.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.8 Hewlett-Packard Company

10.8.1 Company overview

10.8.2 Company snapshot

10.8.3 Operating business segments

10.8.4 Product portfolio

10.8.5 Business performance

10.8.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.9 Huawei Technologies

10.9.1 Company overview

10.9.2 Company snapshot

10.9.3 Operating business segments

10.9.4 Product portfolio

10.9.5 Business performance

10.9.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.10 Intel Corporation

10.10.1 Company overview

10.10.2 Company snapshot

10.10.3 Operating business segments

10.10.4 Product portfolio

10.10.5 Business performance

10.10.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.11 Juniper Networks

10.11.1 Company overview

10.11.2 Company snapshot

10.11.3 Operating business segments

10.11.4 Product portfolio

10.11.5 Business performance

10.11.6 Key strategic moves and developments

10.12 Linksys Holdings, Inc.

10.13 Microsoft Corporation

10.14 NXP Semiconductors

10.15 Qualcomm Inc.

10.16 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd

10.17 Sterlite Technologies Limited

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6gc0o8

CONTACT: CONTACT: 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




Bills introduced in the General Assembly this month by two local delegates would establish education savings accounts and standardize how school libraries select and review materials.

HB 1448, introduced by Del. Bobby Orrock, RCaroline, would direct the Virginia Department of Education to recommend model policies for the selection and removal of books and other audiovisual materials available to students in public school libraries.

The bill would require the VDOE to consult with local school boards, public school librarians, parents of public school students, and other interested stakeholders in developing the model policies, and to make recommendations to the Board of Education, the General Assembly and local school boards by Nov. 23.

Orrock, whose 54th House District includes parts of Caroline and Spotsylvania counties, said in an interview Thursday that his goal in introducing the bill is to establish a common template across the state for reviewing library materials.

Right now, its my understanding that its a patchwork quilt of processes by which they review books and AV materials, Orrock said. My intent is ... to come up with a model policy  which they can always modify because its not in [Virginia Code], but it does give a model from which to work.

Currently, school libraries in Caroline might have different materials available than those in Spotsylvania, and the two districts might have different methods for selecting and reviewing materials, which Orrock said could be confusing for families.

In my mind, appropriateness is not driven by the boundaries of local jurisdiction, but by the entire student population, he said.

Orrock said he proposed the bill due to ongoing book challenges in Spotsylvania County Public Schools.

What has been happening recently in [Spotsylvania] is what brought to my attention the differences and the fact that when the [review process] is there, the public is not aware of how that process works, he said.

HB 1371, introduced by Phillip Scott, RSpotsylvania  whose 88th House District also includes parts of Stafford County, Fauquier County and Fredericksburg  would allow parents to set up savings accounts funded with state dollars that could be used to cover educational expenses, including tuition at private schools in Virginia.

The accounts would be funded by certain state and local funds and the program would be fully implemented prior to the beginning of the 202324 school year, according to the bill.

Similar bills have been filed by Sen. Amanda Chase and Del. Marie March.

Orrocks bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Scotts bill is pending committee referral.
An investigation that began after multiple complaints from residents in the Partlow and Beaverdam areas of Spotsylvania resulted in a drug charge against a county man and the recovery of 74 capsules of suspected heroin and fentanyl, police said.

Three-locality chase results in three convictions in Spotsylvania A man who led police on a high-speed pursuit through parts of three area localities last year pleaded guilty to three charges Thursday in Spot

Matthew Eugene Jett, 37, is charged with possession of illegal drugs with the intent to distribute. He is being held in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.

Sheriff's Maj. Troy Skebo said the county's Street Crimes Unit was conducting surveillance in the 2900 block of Partlow Road about 6 p.m. Tuesday when detectives noticed suspicious activity. They made contact with the suspect, who initially provided false identifying information, police said.

Police later recovered the narcotics and arrested Jett, who Skebo said was wanted in multiple localities for drug-related offenses.
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.
Listening to Gov. Glenn Youngkins State of the Commonwealth speech before the General Assembly Wednesday night, were guessing hes a fan of the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit.

Thats because Youngkin, like Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed in the movie, is in a hurry. At least eight times in his speech he referenced speed, most notably after claiming Virginia is finally on the right path thanks to his dribbling into town. (An odd position given that Virginias economic growth was outpacing that of much of the nation in the years before his arrival, but OK  politicians are prone to hyperbole.)

In a line apparently borrowed from Reeds song East Bound and Down that he wrote for the film, Youngkin declared: This is no time to set the cruise control, because we have a long way to go and a short time to get there. Its time to press the accelerator.

The question is, wheres he running to, and how does he plan to get us there?

Its no secret that Youngkin is more interested in the residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. than the Governors Mansion in Richmond. And his speech sounded eerily akin to a Republican National Convention acceptance speech  A laundry list of promises; few details (save for the need to use common sense); and an unwavering belief that he is reading the will of the people correctly.

First, lets give credit where its due.

The governor has appropriately worked to secure more funds for mental health care in Virginia. His pitch for $230 million to fund his Right Help, Right Now plan is much appreciated and desperately needed. We love that he sees this as a first step. The states mental health system is going to need more in coming years.

Hes also attracted new business, with Boeing, Raytheon Technologies, and Lego all announcing major moves to the state during his administration.

Finally, he is right to take some credit for improvements made at the Virginia Employment Commission, which was exposed as poorly supported when the pandemic hit.

But many of his points are clearly aimed more at Republican Party leadership and the rest of the nation than Virginia.

This is most obvious with his statements on education, where he continues to distort information about students performance on the NAEP exams. (Yes, scores fell during the pandemic; no, our students are not among the worst performing in the country.)

And his claim that the state is reestablishing Virginias standards from last to first screams for evidence. The Fordham Institute  which was involved in the governors debacle over new history and social studies standards  rates state standards and most recently gave Virginia a B+ in civics and U.S. history.

His push to empower parents rings hollow to people in Spotsylvania County, where Youngkins hand-picked Board of Education members allowed a grossly unqualified Mark Taylor to become superintendent. Hes also said nothing about the countys disastrous School Board  while publicly weighing in on issues in Loudon and Fairfax counties  which has become the butt of national jokes.

He bemoans politics as usual and partisan politics and blames the media for creating divisiveness. Yet no Virginia governor over the past 60 years has done more than Youngkin to stoke racial tension, downplay Black history, and viciously attack liberal-minded citizens.

He cites the Apostle Paul: Always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. At the same time, his new guidelines on transgendered students are nothing short of an assault on their humanity.

And then theres his abortion fight, which he doubled-down on Wednesday night. Most Virginians do not support this policy.

These issues and more are clearly aimed at a national audience, because theyre hurting him here. Many of the extremist candidates he backed in the midterms in Virginia and across the nation were soundly defeated. And Tuesday night, Democrat Aaron Rouse won the seat vacated by Jen Kiggans; a district that Youngkin won handily in 2021.

Our colleague at the Richmond TimesDispatch, Jeff Schapiro, says Youngkin needs to hit the reset button.

Wed settle for his tapping the brakes on his lust for the White House and thinking more about the issues and people in Virginia. Speeds great for running bootleg beer in the movies; Youngkins haste is proving a killer for Virginia and its future.
By Trend

Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov met with the new Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to Turkmenistan Azizbek Madmarov on January 10, 2023, Trend reports citing the Turkmen Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the sides outlined the expediency of increasing contacts between the foreign ministries of the two countries and also considered issues of strengthening relations in various areas of bilateral and multilateral cooperation.

At the same time, they paid attention to the activities of the intergovernmental Turkmen-Kyrgyz Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical, and Humanitarian cooperation in expanding bilateral relations, and also discussed prospects for cooperation in the electric power, transport and logistics industries and the cultural sphere.

Furthermore, Ambassador handed copies of his credentials to the head of the Turkmen Foreign Ministry and stressed that during his diplomatic mission in Turkmenistan, he would make every effort to further expand and strengthen Turkmen-Kyrgyz relations.
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
The end almost came two decades ago.

The fate of Kimball's Twin Peaks Theater in downtown Colorado Spring seemed sealed. "Curtains for Kimball's: Movie theater to close in August," read the headline in The Gazette on July 22, 2000.

"It was when Cinemark came to town," owner Kimball Bayles recalls. "They really hurt us."

But, at the last moment, as three other local theaters closed their doors in the face of the new competition, Bayles decided to hang in there.

And he has done so for the 20 years since, with Kimball's surviving as the only independent movie theater in town; it became Kimball's Peak Three with the addition of a third screen in 2009. It has withstood the arrival of more new theaters and the birth of streaming services.

But 2020 brought even more extreme challenges, thanks to the pandemic, which closed theater doors, drove more people to those streaming services and saw Hollywood grind to a halt for months.

And Bayles isn't sure the magic of movies will be enough to overcome this latest crisis.

"I don't know. It's sketchy," he says of the future of Kimball's and perhaps the future of movie theaters in general.

He's not alone.

Cinemas are an essential industry that represent the best that American talent and creativity have to offer," the National Association of Theater Owners said in a letter to congressional leaders in September pleading for a relief package. "But now we fear for their future.

History of The Peak

The downtown theater was known simply as The Peak when it opened in the summer of 1937 in a former State Bank building at 115 E. Pike Peak Ave.; it was touted as "a fully up-to-date picture house." It survived as other downtown theaters, such as the Ute and the Chief, closed over the years. But the end came in 1989 as The Peak, by then a dollar theater, shut its doors, as well.

Then along came Bayles. A former English professor, Bayles managed and then bought Poor Richard's Cinema, a tiny art house theater that was part of Richard Skorman's complex of businesses on North Tejon Street. In 1994, Bayles moved the operation to The Peak after a major remodel.

"It was in bad disrepair," says Bayles, who has fond memories of watching movies at The Peak as a teenager and, as he recalled in a 2008 interview, "taking high school dates there and trying to get a kiss."

While it has had to contend with competition from larger, newer, shinier theaters, Kimball's has followed its own path. The theater boasts a full bar serving liquor, draft beer and wine by the glass; it was the first in town to get a liquor license. "We kind of broke the ground for that," Bayles says.

Kimball's shows a mix of independent and foreign films and the occasional Hollywood blockbuster in a lineup determined by Bayles.

"I've always done my own theatrical booking," he says.

But independent theaters can find it tough going against goliaths such as Regal, AMC and Cinemark.

"Confronted with aging audiences, competition from streaming services and theater chains boasting recliner seats and other amenities, many of these exhibitors balance precariously on a knife edge between popping more popcorn and being forced to turn off the marquee lights," a Variety article said of indie theaters last year, long before there was even a whisper of coronavirus.

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Now, theaters large and small are in crisis. Regal has closed its U.S. theaters for now; AMC, which warned back in June that it might not survive, continues to struggle to stay in business. Meanwhile, according to the National Association of Theater Owners, "Without relief, almost 69% of our country's small and independent theaters say they will go bankrupt or close entirely by the spring."

'Roll of a dice'

David Lindsay was assistant manager at Kimball's from 2007 to 2012; he returned as general manager in December of last year.

This year did not provide the welcome back that he had envisioned.

"We started hearing about COVID, I think it was around Christmastime, but we didn't think anything of it," Lindsay says. Then came reports of the virus reaching the U.S. And then the governor's stay-at-home order in March.

The theater was closed for 5 months. During that time, Lindsay's full-time job became finding other sources of revenue and funding. The marquee was rented out for $100 a week for people to post birthday wishes and other messages. Kimballs teamed up with several studios to start a virtual cinema, with independent and foreign films available for viewing on the theaters website. Loyal customers bought gift cards in anticipation of the theater reopening. The theater got help through the federal Paycheck Protection Program and grants from the county and elsewhere.

In September, Kimball's reopened.

"It was a roll of a dice whether we should reopen or just stay closed," Bayles says. "Once you open up, you have all the overhead back and payroll and everything else."

Ahead of reopening, he worried whether moviegoers would return or stay at home and continue to watch movies on Netflix and other streaming services.

"The real unknown is whos coming and if theyll come back, Bayles told The Gazette then.

The answer? They didn't  at least not anywhere near full force. Theaters were allowed to open at 50% capacity, but the audiences at Kimball's never approached that level. There was a bit of a surge the first weekend or two, and another in October when Kimball's showed the original "Halloween," Lindsay says, but business overall has been dismal.

"We had one day," he says, "when five people showed up the whole day."

In Colorado, the Rural Theaters COVID-19 Support Initiative is aimed at providing financial assistance to remote theaters in rural areas of Colorado. But that won't help theaters like Kimball's, which is closed again as El Paso County has moved to Level Red. Kimball's is trying to secure a grant from the state; in the meantime, Lindsay is frustrated by the lack of assistance at a higher level.

"Between Congress and the White House, they've got to get off their ass  I don't care what their political standing is. I don't care who they're fighting politically. This pandemic is hurting businesses, it's hurting workers."

Lindsay, though, was worried about the future of movie theaters even before the pandemic. He points to the lure of those streaming services; in the latest blow to the industry, Warner Bros. announced this month it would debut its 2021 releases on HBO Max on the same day they arrive in theaters.

"People have changed," Lindsay says. "People just don't care to to go into a building and watch a movie any more at the level they used to." As a result, he's been looking for ways for theaters to diversify, such as offering live music at the bar at a theater he worked for in Texas.

"We have to figure out other ways to make income that has nothing to do with people coming in to see a movie, because the writing is on the wall."

Bayles is worried that "people get used to a certain way; during this whole COVID period, I think they've just gotten used to just sitting down and streaming."

But that, he says, doesn't capture the magic of watching a movie in a theater with others.

"It's a shared experience. It's so much the fabric of our lives, going to the movies and date night and all that.  There's something larger than life in a movie theater."
Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, Denver Public Schools made small but symbolically significant gains with the school district increasing its four-year graduation rate by 2.5% last year.

But that news was tempered with the dropout rate eking up 1.2%. The dropout rate last year in Denver was still better than 2019, which saw 4.5% of its students withdraw from school.

Denver officials recommend closing STRIVE Prep - Kepner charter school for low test scores

The graduation rate for the class of 2021 was 74.0%, according to data released earlier this week by the Colorado Department of Education. The graduation rate last year was 76.5%.

The 2022 graduating class was the first that had to demonstrate  before receiving a diploma  that they learned enough English and math to be ready for a career or college.

Set by local school boards, high school graduation requirements now must align with the Colorado Graduation Guidelines.

It was not immediately clear whether the states graduation data differs from year-to-year.

This Denver Public Schools increase equates to roughly 200 more graduates in 2021-2022, compared to the previous year, according to the district.

Graduation rates, though, dipped  sometimes significantly  for certain students, illustrating the challenges districts face educating all children.

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The students with the some of the lowest graduation rates include those with disabilities (67.9%), the homeless (55.4%) and foster kids (30%), according to department data.

Colorado's Polis begins second term facing major challenges in housing, public safety, inflation

Students of color fared slightly better than the district average with a graduation rate of 76.8%.

Denver schools Superintendent Alex Marrero said he was pleased with the numbers, saying it shows the hard work staff has been doing.

They display the hard work that our staff and scholars have been doing to ensure that every learner thrives and is ready for a career, college, and life, Marrero said in a news release. In order to keep these numbers rising, it will take all of us.

Statewide, the four-year graduation rate for the class of 2022 was 82.3%, which was 0.6 percentage point higher than the previous year. The dropout rate across the state was 2.2%, a 0.4% increase over the previous year and the first increase in Colorado since 2015.

Graduation is the ultimate goal in K-12 education because its the launch pad for success in a career or with postsecondary education, Katy Anthes, Colorados education commissioner, said in the release. Im so excited that last year more kids than ever graduated from Colorado public schools, with increased graduation expectations and despite the challenges of the pandemic."

Property taxes, guns and education: The big issues of the 2023 legislative session
The State Board of Education voted 5-3 Thursday to deny an appeal from a charter school seeking to open a new high school in Adams 14.

The Adams 14 school board had denied the application from Be the Change Community School for a high school with biliteracy and project-based learning in November.

This was the first charter appeal heard by a State Board of Education with an expanded Democratic majority and two new members who previously served on school boards. Just last month, the State Board unanimously sided with a charter school and against Adams 14 in a different case.

The Be the Change appeal saw both new members and some who had previously ruled against Adams 14 instead side with the district.

State Board members who sided with the district were most swayed by the concern that Be the Change had submitted only around 30 intent-to-enroll forms for its opening ninth grade level. The school wanted to have 100 students to open.

I am not convinced, based on the enrollment numbers, that people are looking for this particular option, said new state board member Kathy Plomer. I dont think its my job to sit here and decide what Adams 14 parents are interested in.

In November, the Adams 14 school board voted unanimously to reject the charter application for the school at a special meeting without public discussion and without public comment. The district had held three community meetings to hear feedback from the public about the charter school but they were not well-attended.

At Thursdays appeal hearing, a lawyer for the charter school argued that if approved, the school would agree to pre-opening conditions laid out in a contract and not open if it didnt ultimately get more students to enroll.

But State Board members who voted to deny the appeal said such conditions could cause other problems for parents, who would be left uncertain if the school would be able to open. If the school did open and then had to close soon afterward, that would also be bad for the community, board members said.

For State Board president Rebecca McClellan and the boards two Republican members Steve Durham and Deb Scheffel, who sided with the charter school, those conditions should have been enough to allow the charter application to proceed.

Its really a non-issue, Durham said. There will be a flight to quality.

An estimated 900 high school students who live in Adams 14 go to schools in other districts, state officials said. District officials, who said they dont know how many students leave, said some students from other districts also choose to enroll in Adams 14 schools.
LAS VEGAS  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 reportedly owns a dentist practice in Aurora.

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 Invenergys 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 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 Mesmarians case pending the mental competency hearing in state court in Las Vegas.

Mesmarians 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.

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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 Mesmarians 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.
Chief Justice Brian D. Boatright on Friday told the legislature the state's judicial branch is making progress on diversity and workplace culture, while warning lawmakers about the need to address low compensation and problematic levels of turnover.

Boatright also threw his endorsement behind two new proposals that would reform the process for disciplining judges, including an amendment to the state constitution.

"The legislation reflects a true bipartisan effort and are good, commonsense changes," he said.

The biennial State of the Judiciary address is Boatright's second since becoming chief justice in 2021. Two years ago, he stood before the legislature to address allegations that his predecessor and others in the Judicial Department were responsible for covering up harassment and other workplace misconduct. Boatright welcomed an investigation and the involvement of the legislative and executive branches in selecting the investigators.

Two separate inquiries ensued, with one acknowledging Judicial Department leaders engaged in misconduct and the existence of "toxic relationships, factionalism, and a lack of accountability for key leaders" in the branch's administrative office. The second investigation found some claims of impropriety were substantiated, and also reported the results of a workplace culture survey. Among the findings: women were less likely to believe their workplace was safe, and more likely than men to experience retaliation.

"That is not acceptable and we will do better," Boatright vowed to lawmakers.

In that vein, the chief justice cited the judicial branch's budget request, which includes a proposal for an organizational ombudsman. The position, according to the branch, would serve to provide "a safe place for employees to discuss concerns and consider options" for resolving workplace issues. While not explicitly mentioned, Boatright also issued a directive in November clarifying the internal reporting protocols for judicial misconduct.

Boatright's address further endorsed a "modernization" of the branch's human resources operation, including a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. He described a listening tour the seven Supreme Court justices embarked on during the last quarter of 2022, in which they visited each judicial district and heard from employees. Low pay was a concern, as were staff turnover and inadequate training.

"In the simplest of terms: Frequent turnover leads to training issues and inadequate training leads to turnover," Boatright said. "Frankly, we heard that its difficult to have a shared mission and culture of excellence when staff are constantly turning over."

Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, said she appreciated hearing about the judicial branch's priorities, which would be "the subject of much discussion and debate."

Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, added that he was pleased about the chief justice's plans for organizational restructuring.

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Boatright "made what is traditionally the most impersonal branch of government very human," Soper said. "While the investigations may have been painful for the court, the changes reported in the ombudsman, HR modernizing, reforming work culture and increased pay for judicial staff hopefully means we won't be reading scandal-laced headlines."

Boatright also endorsed two pending measures, the product of an interim legislative committee, that would establish new protocols for judicial disciplinary investigations in state law and the constitution. He praised voters and lawmakers for helping clear the way for a new judicial district beginning in 2025  the 23rd Judicial District, which will separate Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties from their current attachment to Arapahoe County.

Boatright spoke favorably about efforts to diversify the more-than-300 judges appointed to the trial and appellate courts throughout the state. Gov. Jared Polis has appointed approximately 40% of the bench, Boatright said, and the evolution was apparent during a judicial conference in September.

"The room looked and felt differently. We saw more women and more diverse colleagues among us," he said.

Boatright added: "I imagine you all know the feeling Im describing," a reference to the milestone reached in 2023 of women composing a majority of the legislature for the first time in Colorado's history.

Boatright also boasted of the historic number of Black judges currently serving. Including Denver County Court, whose members are appointed by the mayor, 19 Black trial judges are in office, a dramatic increase from five years ago. The observation prompted the first applause line from the legislature, which had held a commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. immediately prior to Boatright's address.

Finally, the chief justice complimented the state's probation officers, calling them the "unsung heroes" of the criminal justice system. With approximately 70,000 people on probation at a given time in Colorado, Boatright ticked off the drastic cost savings of a probationary sentence. Whereas incarcerating someone will cost $57,000, probation is only $1,900, he said.

Boatright teared up while reading a letter from a woman whose drug issues landed her on probation. The woman's probation officer, Cassie Korse, reportedly persevered in getting the woman to reach sobriety.

"Between you and Child Protective Services, you saved my life," the woman wrote to Korse. "I now get to help others in their addictions and really get to spread the word that recovery is possible."

"I share this story with the hope that it dispels any idea," Boatright said, that probation officers are "anxious to revoke probation and jail their clients." He and the legislature applauded for Korse and other probation officers present in the House chamber.
El Paso County sheriffs deputies on Tuesday arrested a Security-Widefield man accused of attacking and seriously injuring his mother, according to a Thursday news release.

Quinten Abeyta, 45, faces a charge of first-degree attempted murder and is currently in custody at the El Paso County jail, officials said.

At about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, a 911 caller told police that a person was assaulted, injured, and severely bleeding at a residence in the 600 block of Bickley Street in Security-Widefield in unincorporated El Paso County, the release stated. The caller said the victims son was suspected of inflicting the injuries.

When deputies arrived at the home, they found a woman with severe injuries. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she is currently listed in critical condition, police said.

Deputies arrested Abeyta, who was still at the scene, and developed probable cause to charge him with attempted murder. His bond has been set at $300,000.
Colorado Springs police arrested a group of very young juveniles on suspicion of car theft on Thursday, according to a news release from the department.

Officials did not release the names of the suspects due to their age.

At about 5:15 p.m., officers were dispatched in response to a call about a group of youths who allegedly stole a vehicle from the 3600 block of Marion Drive, hitting the owner with the car as they drove off, police said.

Officers found the vehicle, with the suspects inside, near the Citadel Mall. When the suspects tried to get away, they crashed into a squad car, officials said. They were arrested without further incident.

No officers or citizens were injured, police said.
Leading Abu Dhabi developer Aldar Properties has unveiled its Net Zero Plan, with a commitment to becoming a Net Zero carbon business across its Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.

Accessing clean energy is critical to Aldars Net Zero Plan, so the company intends to work with utilities providers to source low-carbon energy as the grid decarbonises in line with the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative.

The Abu Dhabi developer will also work with government entities to develop necessary regulations and foster fair competition for construction partners on decarbonisation pathways.

Aldar has also set science-aligned 2030 interim targets, which will see it achieve Net Zero in its Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions and deliver a 45 percent reduction in the intensity of its Scope 3 GHG emissions relative to the companys 2021 baseline, said a statement from the company.

Aldars Net Zero Plan explains how it will achieve Net Zero in its direct emissions and the embodied carbon of all its developments and projects, as well as emissions associated with its supply chain and tenants.

By launching this plan, Aldar is taking a leading position on the global transition to Net Zero and is underlining its commitment to helping control the effects of climate change, it added.

Group CEO Talal Al Dhiyebi said: "As one of the UAEs largest real estate developers and managers, and with a growing presence across the wider Middle East, Aldar is committed to not only supporting the UAE Net Zero by 2050 Strategic Initiative but also leading climate action in our industry and region."

"Our Net Zero Plan will drive deep and rapid change across all our lines of business and throughout our supply chain. It will transform our approach to design, supply chain management, construction, operations, and asset management," he noted.

Al Dhiyebi said Aldar's plan is comprehensive, ambitious, and based on science  matching leading global real estate industry benchmarks and setting a new standard for the region in its depth and detail.

The nature of Aldars business as a developer and asset manager - with a diversified portfolio spanning retail, residential, commercial, hospitality, logistics, and schools - means Aldar is in a unique position to transform assets across their entire lifecycle, which is why it has taken a whole building approach and incorporated Scope 3 tenant-controlled emissions into its commitment.

Partnerships and engagements will be fundamental to the success of Aldars Net Zero Plan. The Company will work extensively with suppliers to decarbonise materials and operational emissions, while working with commercial tenants and owner associations to drive sustainable asset operation.-TradeArabia News Service
District 49 administration is recommending the school board deny Liberty Tree Academys charter renewal application. The D-49 board must vote on the recommendation by Feb. 1.

Internal conflict between the charter schools administration and board members has plagued Liberty Tree Academy after the board launched an investigation into dozens of allegations last fall, including nepotism, favoritism and creation of a hostile work environment. Critics say the investigation and subsequent disciplinary actions were not handled appropriately.

Liberty Tree Academy operates under its own charter school board, separate from the D-49 board that governs district public schools. However, the D-49 board has the authority to approve or deny a charter schools renewal.

At the request of those who are opposed to the current conduct of the Liberty Tree Academy Board, D-49 is being asked to intervene decisively, the recommendation by D-49 administration and members of the District Accountability Committee reads. Since the evidence collected and observed throughout the renewal application process concludes that the current Liberty Tree Academy Board does not have the ability to govern the school in a way that meets the needs and interests of the students, families, and staff, the D-49 administration recommends that the Board of Education deny the renewal of the charter application until demonstrated commitments and competencies can be provided and approved through a request to reconsider process.

Every charter authorized by D-49 must undergo a renewal process after a set period. Renewal requires two submissions of application documents and school data, interviews with key stakeholders and an observational school visit, according to the recommendation.

Liberty Tree Academy can submit a request to reconsider should the D-49 board deny its initial application. D-49 recommends the request include a proposed governance model that demonstrates the support of at least 51% of the families who attend LTA, a proposed board training strategy, a policy review timeline and process, a board evaluation with input from the board and school stakeholders, and an administrator evaluation with input from the board and the School Accountability Committee.

The fall semester at Liberty Tree Academy was marked by administrative upheaval and alleged mismanagement. The school board hired an outside investigator to look into nearly three dozen allegations leveled at then-principal Shannon Wilson and Dean of Students Andy Killingsworth, among others. Both were terminated earlier this month.

Interviews conducted during the investigation showed a high level of support for a nepotism allegation that people are uneasy about Wilson being related to then-school business administrator Jeanette Hands, her mother-in-law, who also has been terminated.

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Interviewees also supported claims that favoritism and preferential treatment are given to people based on personal relationships and loyalty, and staff are body-shamed and dress-coded based on favoritism.

The December investigation report recommended the charter school board modify or revise its nepotism policy and develop monthly pulse surveys for parents and staff, which board and administrators will review to address areas of concern. The report also recommended the board spend more time visiting the school, because many of the issues may have been diffused [sic] at a much lower level if more relationship building had taken place.

As a disciplinary measure, the board passed a resolution in October that stripped Wilson of her authority, granting some principal responsibilities instead to board President Michelle Morin.

Morin resigned from her board position earlier this year following protests outside Liberty Tree Academy. The board elected Tim Geitner in her place, whom Morin recommended. The board also voted to add two parent-elected positions to its structure.

Parents and staff voiced displeasure over the school boards handling of the investigation during Thursdays D-49 board meeting. In accordance with Liberty Tree Academys charter, board members choose their replacements, unlike public school districts, which hold elections for board members. During public comment, some parents said the school board does not represent them or support their voices since they are not elected by constituents. An equally boisterous crowd showed up in support of the boards current structure.

The D-49 school board did not commit to any action, but individual members urged the charter schools community to work together in solving its disagreements.

You guys are adults. Act like adults. You have a wonderful school. You have wonderful teachers, board President John Graham said. Dont put your kids in the middle of adult arguments, and remember that good and reasonable people can disagree.
Colorados 4th Judicial District Attorneys Office has concluded that while a Colorado Springs police officer was not fully justified in shooting and wounding a murder suspect in May, the office will not pursue criminal charges against the officer, according to a Thursday news release.

Brandon Lowe, who has since resigned from the department, will not be charged in the May 13 shooting of Osemeke Uwadibie, 31, largely because of a conflict in the statutes governing the use of deadly force, according to the DAs office.

One section of the statute dictates that an officer should use deadly force primarily in self-defense or defense of others, a requirement that Lowe did not meet, according to the multiagency Deadly Force Investigation Team that reviews all officer-involved shootings that result in injury or death. However, another section states that an officer is justified in using deadly force if nonviolent means would be ineffective in securing an arrest or preventing an escape.

The lack of probable cause to support criminal charges and coupled with the conflict in the statutory provisions ... create a reality that even if charges were filed there would be no reasonable likelihood of success at a subsequent trial on these facts, the DAs office stated.

Just before 10 p.m. on May 13, 2022, police received calls for service in the 200 block of East Arvada Street. The caller said a man, who was later identified as Uwadibie, approached him and asked for a ride. When the caller refused, Uwadibie reportedly threatened him and his daughter with a knife. The father and daughter were able to get away and lock themselves in their apartment, but the father called police because he feared Uwadibie was still in the area.

As Lowe responded to the call, the dispatch center received additional calls about someone breaking windows and entering an apartment in the same complex, according to the release.

When Lowe pulled into the apartment complex parking lot, he saw several people running, one of whom was being chased by Uwadibie. Lowe called out to Uwadibie, who stopped chasing the civilian and walked toward the officer with his hands raised. When Uwadibie got closer to Lowe, he lashed out with a cane and struck the officer in the face.

A struggle ensued between Lowe and Uwadibie before the officer pulled his weapon. Ignoring Lowes commands to stop, Uwadibie walked to the officers unlocked cruiser, got in, and closed the door. Lowe called for backup as Uwadibie started the squad car and began to drive away.

Lowe then fired three rounds at the vehicle, hitting Uwadibie in the hand and shoulder, the DAs office said.

Uwadibie drove away from the apartment complex and headed south on Interstate 25, crashing into several vehicles before stopping on the median. Colorado Springs police officers caught up to Uwadibie and arrested him.

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Uwadibie is alleged to have fatally stabbed a man before Lowe arrived. Charles Slabaugh, 59, was found in an apartment, dead from multiple sharp force injuries, according to a Police Department report. Uwadibie had broken a window to gain entry.

From a thorough review of the CSPD radio traffic, body-worn camera, and statements of Officer Lowe, it is clear that Officer Lowe did not know that Osemeke Uwadibie had committed a homicide shortly before Officer Lowes arrival on scene, the DAs office concluded.

Lowe didnt know about the killing when he fired his weapon, and there was a lack of immediate danger to Lowe or anyone else at the moment he fired  which constitutes one side of the statutory conflict, according to the review. On the other side was the fact that none of the nonlethal means at Lowes disposal  Taser, pepper spray and a flashlight  would have stopped Uwadibie from driving off in his cruiser.

Officer Lowe could arguably claim that he was attempting to prevent Mr. Uwadibie from escaping the scene in his cruiser, the release stated.

Also, the wording of the statutory definition of deadly force  force, the intended, natural and probable consequence of which is to produce death, and which does, in fact, produce death  could exclude Lowes shooting from the deadly physical force category because Uwadibie wasnt killed.

Based on the definition  and the fact that Mr. Uwadibie did not die, Officer Lowes use of force would not qualify as deadly physical force, the DAs office said.

After reviewing the relevant facts of the case  which did not include the murder Uwadibie allegedly committed before Lowes arrival at the scene  the DAs office decided not to file charges against Lowe.

While the facts present in this case are troubling, there is insufficient evidence to establish probable cause that a crime was committed, the DAs office concluded.

In early December, a judge found Uwadibie incompetent to stand trial in Slabaughs murder.
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.
Masdar, one of the worlds leading clean energy companies, Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam and Zenith Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a green hydrogen supply chain between Abu Dhabi and Amsterdam to support Dutch and European markets.

The MoU was signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, Gert-Jan Nieuwenhuizen, Managing Director for the Port of Amsterdam, Maarten van Dijk, Chief Development Officer of SkyNRG, Bart van der Meer, Business Development Manager, Evos, and Ellen Ruhotas, Managing Director New Energies for Zenith Energy.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, COP28 President-Designate, and Chairman of Masdar, and Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands.

Dr Al Jaber said: This agreement builds upon the existing relationship between the UAE and the Netherlands and demonstrates our mutual commitment to exploring low- and zero-carbon energy solutions. The UAE aims to play a central role in the emerging green hydrogen economy and this partnership with the Port of Amsterdam and associated players in the green hydrogen space would help position Abu Dhabi as a key hub for green hydrogen development.

Wopke Hoekstra, Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Netherlands, said: "The Netherlands is keen on developing green hydrogen corridors with major future exporting countries like the UAE. Our country is well positioned to become a hydrogen hub for the Northwestern European market. I welcome the collaboration between Dutch and UAE businesses in the field of hydrogen and look forward to further intensifying the cooperation between our two countries.

Under this MoU, the parties will join their efforts to develop a green hydrogen supply chain, focusing on production in Abu Dhabi and export to the Netherlands through the port of Amsterdam. The exported green hydrogen will be delivered to key European sectors  sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), steelmaking, and bunkering for shipping  and will also be supplied to new, emerging European offtakers, via pipeline, truck and barge. Together, the parties will explore several hydrogen transportation methods, with a focus on liquid organic hydrogen carriers and liquid hydrogen.

Mohammed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: Masdar believes green hydrogen to be a promising energy source for hard-to-abate sectors in support of global decarbonization, which is why we launched our dedicated green hydrogen business last month. We are pleased to partner with Port of Amsterdam, SkyNRG, Evos Amsterdam, and Zenith Energy to leverage our synergies in the fuel and logistics sectors to see how green hydrogen can help us achieve our shared goals for decarbonization and sustainable economic growth.

Port of Amsterdam, the operator of Europes fourth-largest port, is committed to scaling up green hydrogen capabilities and is working closely with commercial parties active in its port on green hydrogen development. SkyNRG, a global leader in SAF, is developing a network of SAF production facilities that require green hydrogen as input. Zenith Energy and Evos Amsterdam are the operators of some of the most prominent blending and storage terminals in the port, with Zenith developing a liquid hydrogen supply chain, while Evos Amsterdam is working on a liquid organic hydrogen carrier supply chain.

Koen Overtoom, CEO, Port of Amsterdam, said: We are very pleased with this new collaboration. SkyNRG, Evos and Zenith Energy are driving forces behind the hydrogen developments in the port of Amsterdam and they are key in our goal of importing at least one million tonnes of green hydrogen annually. Joining forces with a party as renowned as Masdar, will bring this goal that much closer to realization. Together, we can bring the envisioned Abu Dhabi-Amsterdam connection to fruition.

Green hydrogen is produced with green electricity from renewables like wind or solar, in a process that separates water into oxygen and hydrogen via electrolysis. The International Renewable Energy Agency has stated that hydrogen will be an essential component of a net-zero energy system and has a key role to play in decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy industry and long-haul transport. The global green hydrogen market is projected to reach $72 billion by 2030, while PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), has estimated that by 2050, hydrogen demand could be between 150 to 500 million metric tonnes per year.

Last December, Masdar announced its new shareholding structure and green hydrogen business unit, with a goal of achieving 100 GW renewable energy capacity and green hydrogen production of 1 million tonnes per annum annually by 2030. Masdar is actively involved in a number of projects related to green hydrogen production. Last year, Masdar signed agreements with leading Egyptian state-backed organizations to cooperate on the development of green hydrogen production plants in the country, targeting an electrolyzer capacity of 4 gigawatts by 2030, and output of up to 480,000 tonnes of green hydrogen per year. - TradeArabia News Service
Despite significant changes in the past decade weakening our juvenile justice system, things are about to get even easier on violent juvenile criminals.

If the early bills of the heavily progressive 2023 General Assembly are a harbinger of what is to come, this legislative session will be as offender friendly as any Colorado has seen. At a time when Colorado faces surging and historic crime, particular focus appears to be on how to make it harder to investigate, prosecute and hold accountable juvenile offenders.

House Bill 1042 would make the confessions of violent juvenile offenders inadmissible against them, if the detectives questioning the young criminal had the temerity to engage in any deception in cracking the it wasnt me, I didnt do it mantra that follows every reading of Miranda rights. Any deception.

That includes such a statement as we found your fingerprints in the car (when they really hadnt). Or, your friend in the next room just gave you up. Of course, none of that could convince an innocent person to confess to being in a car they had not been in, or having been involved in a crime in which they never participated.

The law provides significant guidance to our judges through voluminous case law on how to evaluate whether the statement or confession of a defendant  either juvenile or adult  is constitutionally sound. Instead, this offender-friendly legislation creates a presumption that any such statement is presumptively inadmissible. This law would apply whether the juvenile is a 13-year-old shoplifter, or a 17-year-old murderer being prosecuted as an adult.

This is an unnecessary gift to a criminal defense bar that continues to be confounded in trying to protect their juvenile clients from the consequences of their confessed criminal conduct.

HB 1012 is another plumb to juvenile offenders. Each person accused of criminal conduct has a constitutional right to understand the court proceedings and meaningfully participate in their own defense.

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The inability to do that is called incompetence and it has caused significant delay in numerous cases, including the Boulder King Soopers mass murder and the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood mass murder. Currently, and appropriately, when there is a challenge to an accuseds competence, the court appoints a mental health professional (usually from the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo) to conduct the evaluation. That sounds fair  an independent evaluator. Paid for by our tax money.

This proposed law requires the court to pick a competency evaluator of the juveniles own choice. Keep in mind, it is not the actual juvenile  whose ability to understand the proceedings and participate in them is being challenged  who is picking the person who will decide whether the case can proceed.

That decision will be made by an attorney, most likely a public defender. The obvious conflict and problem this creates is highlighted by this question: if you were facing serious, liberty-losing charges, would you pick an evaluator who will evaluate your case neutrally, or one who will more likely help delay the proceedings against you indefinitely?

In 2021, the Legislature expanded the eligibility for early parole for juveniles convicted as adults to include adults up to age 21. That was after lawmakers flirted with the idea of extending to age 24. This year, there is talk that the Legislature intends to shrink the age at which an offender can be brought into the juvenile justice system. The Legislature intends to immunize from the juvenile justice system any offender below the age of 13.

Those are 7th- and 8th-graders, and many of them commit serious crimes, including burglary, robbery, assaults, rapes and murder. The upcoming law appears poised to preclude even entry into the much-weakened juvenile justice system. Such a move is reckless and serves to protect offenders, not victims or our community.

Each year for the past decade, the General Assembly has proven that their focus is on minimizing the impact of the criminal justice system on offenders, instead of minimizing the impact of criminals on us. 2023 is shaping up to be more of the same.

George Brauchler is the former district attorney for the 18th Judicial District. He also is president of the Advance Colorado Academy, which identifies, trains and connects conservative leaders in Colorado. He hosts The George Brauchler Show on 710KNUS Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Follow him on Twitter: @GeorgeBrauchler.


Chief Justice of India agreed to issue a notice in the matter and tag it along with the earlier similar petitions filed by the NCPCR against other high court judgments.

Huneza Khan | TwoCircles.net

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NEW DELHI  The Supreme Court on Friday said that the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling that a minor Muslim girl can enter into a legal and valid marriage as per personal law should not be relied upon as a precedent in any other case.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha passed this interim order while issuing notice in a special leave petition filed by the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights challenging the high court ruling on the ground that it goes against the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act which prescribes 18 years as the age for sexual consent.

The girl in question is 15 years old.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the NCPCR, expressed concerns about using personal law as a defence for crimes under POCSO.

Girls who are 14, 15, 16 are getting married. Can there be a defence of personal law? Can you plead custom or personal law for a criminal offence?, the SG submitted. We are on the question if the marriage will be valid at all in the face of criminal law existing and the POCSO Act, media reports quoted Mehta as saying.

The Chief Justice agreed to issue a notice in the matter and tag it along with the earlier similar petitions filed by the NCPCR against other high court judgments which have taken the same view. The SG requested the bench to stay the judgment in the meanwhile.

The bench also appointed senior advocate Rajshekhar Rao as amicus curiae in the matter to assist the court.

We are inclined to entertain these writ petitions. Issue notice. Pending further orders, impugned judgment (of HC) shall not be relied upon as precedent, the bench said.

Huneza Khan is a journalist from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. She tweets @KhanHuneza
Reliability of fiber

So in the last 10 days we have two full-day outages with Comcast. Here is my theory which is worth a story:

When Comcast put in all this fiber, they forgot about the fact that it takes 12-14 hours to patch a fiber break, where the old coaxial cable takes about 30 minutes. Patching fiber takes a special trailer with high temp fusion equipment and a clean room. You cant patch fiber up on the pole, you have to take it down and run it into the trailer, patch in an extension and put it back up on the pole. Even if you locate the break quickly (the equipment exists) it is still a 10-14 hour job. If you have multiple breaks and one trailer, it could be days. This is a huge inconvenience to those of us that office at home and small businesses with their online systems.

Since there are now two outages in wind storms, the engineering of the fiber routing is not proving reliable. Also, a reliable network is designed with nodes, so taking out one node doesnt take out half the city, like we have seen in the last 10 days.

Please call Comcast and rake them over the coals. I am not affiliated with any cable or telcom operation, I just want to access my files on the cloud without hanging out all day at Panera Bread.

Michael Lowery

Colorado Springs

Ingenuity to earn a living

Once upon a time, long, long ago, every trip to a gas station would involve a squeegee worker. While you sat comfortably inside your car, an attendant would fill your tank with gasoline, another attendant would check the air pressure in your tires, and another would squeegee your windshield  and maybe also your rear window  all at no cost other than what rolled up on the gas pump meter.

This was during the 1930s Depression, and gasoline was about 14 to 18 cents per gallon. It provided gainful employment for many families. And yes, a family could have lived off of government handouts, but you had to work for them (WPA, PWA, Civilian Conservation Corp, etc).

Lets applaud the Baltimore squeegee workers [at intersections] for their ingenuity to earn a living this way.

J.E.Strub

Colorado Springs

Chaos in the House

Everyone should be concerned about the new House majority, which couldnt even select a speaker without historic chaos.

The House of Representatives is now controlled by MAGA Republicans. According to the Washington Post, over 70% of House Republicans are election deniers, and they will use their power to enrich their corporate donors and advance their extreme agenda  including threatening our freedom to vote, criminalizing abortion and cutting Social Security and Medicaid.

Judging by how the election went to select Kevin McCarthy as the speaker of the House, we should be concerned about their ability to govern. Theyve shown their cards  in their first act, the MAGA House majority approved a rules package that gutted the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics.

Thats just the beginning. MAGA cronies like House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Jim Jordan, Steve Scalise and Marjorie Taylor Greene have indicated that their top priority in 2023 will be sham investigations into the Biden administration and other democracy defenders, including those charged with investigating the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6.

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We must call out their lies at every turn and combat their far-right agenda to protect our freedoms and our democracy in 2023.

Carol Myers

Colorado Springs

Under McCarthys new gavel

So, now that they finally drug Kevin McCarthy over the goal line by his hair, word is out that what the GOP likes to call entitlements are back on the table, or on the chopping block. Yep, folks, that means that once again theyre talking about cutting or outright killing our Social Security and Medicare benefits to save money. But logically, doesnt it seem to make more sense to cut stuff like Donald Trumps permanent tax cuts for the rich  instead? And I still cant figure out how Social Security and Medicare are somehow deemed to be entitlements when we earned those benefits by paying into Social Security through our employment for our entire working lives.

What do they plan to do with all the grannies who will end up living in a cardboard box under every bridge in this nation? You can bet that if they try anything like that, I plan to join one of the thousands of battalions of wheelchair grannies motoring their way to D.C. to hunt down McCarthy and The 20 for tea and a little chat.

Those lawmakers get hefty salaries; plus paid health insurance; plus 239 days off per year; plus enough stock tips and connections to make many of them millionaires; and so many other perks. Everybody better start paying attention to whats going on under McCarthys new gavel. Personally, Im gonna bombard my congresspersons with Dont you dare! calls and letters, and start praying for some common sense to prevail  cuz Im allergic to cardboard.

Maggie Mae Stone

Black Forest

How powerful a word can be

I just returned from a 33-day cruise around South America, along with approximately 2,400 other passengers and 1,000 crew members on the ship. Aside from the excitement a cruise provides, the inevitable minor setbacks ranged from strict COVID regulations to political insurrections along the way, such as the ones in Peru, which led to cancellation of excursions to Machu Picchu, for example.

The farther south in the Antarctic area, weather conditions mandated more excursion cancellations. Days before, another cruise line in the same area was hit by a rogue wave which took the life of one passenger and injured several.

Several times a day throughout the cruise, the overhead announcements ranged from galvanizing tones of voice from the activities director, to location and weather updates from the ship captain.

As weather deteriorated, with strong winds causing major turbulence throughout the ship, the tone of voice and words the captain chose to convey information were carefully expressed, as he explained the reason for changing the route, as needed, for the safety of all.

During those announcements, the momentary silence permeated across the entire ship. It was then when I realized how fear could have turned into panic, depending on the captains ability to convey vital information. This realization reminded me of how powerful a word can be, depending on how it is used; it can easily bring people together just as much as separate them.

Under the circumstances I describe above, facial expression for visual effect was not needed. It was the choice of words and tone of voice that really mattered. How often have we been hurt by others, or hurt others, even our loved ones inadvertently as a result of taking the power of the word for granted?

Marcela Gaumer

Colorado Springs
For the first time in six years, both of Colorado's major political parties will have new leadership after this spring's party elections.

The state's Democrats and Republicans are scheduled to begin reorganization meetings starting next month at the county and district levels, culminating in statewide meetings in late March and early April, when they'll pick state party chairs and other officers to serve two-year terms.

On the Republican side, it's shaping up to be a heated battle for the direction of the party on the heels of a string of thumpings across the last four general elections after voters have dealt the GOP losing hands statewide, leaving the party with less power in Colorado than at any time since the 1930s.

For Democrats, the contest so far promises to be less contentious, though no less consequential. The party grapples with holding all the reins  every statewide elected official in Colorado is a Democrat, and the party commands historic majorities in both chambers of the legislature  while also pivoting toward an uncertain future, since the current slate of incumbent Democrats occupying every statewide executive office will be term limited in three years.

Colorado Republicans will be choosing their seventh chair in eight cycles  the last GOP state chair to serve two terms lost a bid for a third term in 2015  and Democrats will be electing only their fourth state chair in the same duration.

Last month, Colorado Democratic Party chair Morgan Carroll, a former state Senate president from Aurora, announced that she's stepping aside after three terms  having won the last two uncontested  and state GOP chair Kristi Burton Brown, an activist who made her name in state politics leading the charge for a ballot initiative that would have banned abortion, said she's passing on a run for a second term.

Carroll's three terms followed fellow three-termers Rick Palacio, the former legislative and congressional aide who ran the party from 2011 to 2017, and Pat Waak, the former congressional nominee who had the job from 2005 to 2011.

Over the same stretch, Republicans have traded leaders more often, with longtime strategist Dick Wadhams serving two terms from 2007 to 2011, followed by Ryan Call, who was the party's attorney before he ran the show, from 2011 to 2015. Call was denied a third term in 2013 by former Adams County chair and unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Steve House  the first time in state history a GOP chair lost a bid for re-election.

House, who didn't seek a second term, was succeeded after a single term in 2017 by former El Paso County chair Jeff Hayes, who also declined to run again. In 2019, Republicans elected U.S. Rep. Ken Buck, who split his duties between Congress and heading the party. At the same party meeting, Burton Brown won election as the state GOP's vice chair.

After Buck announced he wouldn't seek a second term, five candidates sought the job  Burton Brown, election law attorney and former Secretary of State Scott Gessler, communications consultant Jonathan Lockwood, perennial congressional nominee Casper Stockham and retired businessman and history teacher Rich Mancuso.

It took three rounds of balloting for Burton Brown to win a majority at the GOP's state central committee meeting two years ago, after three of the candidates  Stockham, Mancuso and Lockwood  withdrew before the final round and threw their support behind her.

When she was elected, Burton Brown was the youngest Republican to head the state GOP and only the second woman to win the job, following Colorado Springs Republican Marian Carter's one-term stint in the late 1970s. For the first time, Colorado Republicans elected women to all three of their statewide officer two years ago, also including vice chair Priscilla Rahn, a former University of Colorado regent candidate, and secretary Marilyn Harris, an Archuleta County GOP chair and unsuccessful legislative candidate.

The Democrats' state party offices have proliferated in recent years, at this point including 1st and 2nd vice chairs, a secretary and a treasurer, and a slew of additional vice chairs devoted to various party activities, from operations and public relations to geographic, cultural and demographic outreach.

At this point, four candidates have emerged for this spring's GOP chair election, while three Democrats are bidding to helm their state party for the next two years.

Republicans seeking the state GOP's top job include two failed congressional nominees, a controversial county party chair and an activist who wants to tear up the party by its roots. Three of the Republican chair contenders have vowed to cancel the party's participation in Colorado's semi-open primary system, which allows unaffiliated voters to cast ballots in either major party's primaries.

The Democrats, meanwhile, will be facing a choice between a state party officer, a seasoned political operative and a longtime party volunteer.

After some jockeying and shuffling  with more likely to come before the state reorg  the Republicans seeking the office at this point are Stockham, who ran unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. House in the 1st, 6th and 7th congressional district; last year's 7th Congressional nominee Erik Aadland, a West Point graduate and former project manager in the energy industry; two-term El Paso County GOP chair Vickie Tonkins; and Aaron Wood, founder of the conservative Freedom Fathers group and an organizer behind a heated press conference held on Nov. 30 across the street from state GOP headquarters in Greenwood Village.

Republicans who considered running for chair but have decided against it include Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams and two-time gubernatorial nominee Greg Lopez, who threw his hat in the ring in December but withdrew earlier this month.

Potential chair candidates include former state Rep. Dave Williams, who lost a primary challenge last summer aimed at unseating nine-term U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, and former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who faces trial in March on felony charges related to allegations she helped breach her county's voting equipment in an attempt to find evidence that Colorado elections are rigged.

In a candidate questionnaire, Stockham, Tonkins and Wood all expressed support for closing Colorado's primary elections to prohibit unaffiliated voters from participating.

Things are quieter on the Democratic side, with two-term 1st vice chair Howard Chou, veteran political1s operative Shad Murib and Larimer County party stalwart Tim Kubik in the running for chair.

Both parties' county organizations hold meetings from Feb. 1-15 to elect officers and bonus members to their state central committees, with the latter apportioned based on the parties top-ticket vote totals in recent elections in larger counties.

The two parties handle the meetings  dubbed "reorgs"  differently, with any registered Democrat allowed to participate in their county elections, while Republicans restrict the proceedings to members of their respective central committees, including precinct leaders and Republican elected officials.

Once those reorgs have taken place, the campaigning begins in earnest for the statewide offices, with Republicans set to convene in late March to pick theirs and Democrats planning to meet on April 1.

Ernest Luning has covered politics for Colorado Politics and its predecessor publication, The Colorado Statesman, since 2009. He's analyzed the exploits, foibles and history of state campaigns and politicians since 2018 in the weekly Trail Mix column.
The El Paso County delegation to the General Assembly has a new look in 2023: eight Republicans and four Democrats, compared to 10 Republicans and two Democrats in 2021-22.

Sen. Tony Exum became only the fourth Democrat to represent El Paso County in the state Senate, following Sens. Pete Lee, Michael Merrifield and John Wesley Henry, who represented El Paso, Fremont, Huerfano and Pueblo counties in the 1865 territorial Senate.

Exum, who is still considering ideas for Senate-sponsored legislation in 2023, has signed onto two House bills, including one that would extend from three months to 12 months the amount of a time a biological family has to "get their act together" in order to get their kids back.

As for his own legislation, Exum is looking at a measure to provide more time for release of information on the death of a minor, tied to the murder of a Colorado Springs teen last June.

Exum said he has spoken to the mother of Riley Whitelaw, who was stabbed to death allegedly by a co-worker at a Colorado Springs Walgreens. Information on Whitelaw, who was just 16 when she was murdered, was publicly released before her school or other relatives could be notified, Exum said. His bill would ensure schools and other pertinent parties are notified before the identity of a murdered minor is released.

Exum will serve as vice-chair of the local government housing committee, as well as on the transportation energy committee.

Assistant Senate Minority Leader Bob Gardner said his priorities include restoring Colorado's economy and public safety. He intends to carry legislation with Sen. Joann Ginal, D-Fort Collins, to extend and expand the office of public guardianship. He also intends to sponsor a bill increasing penalties for motor vehicle theft.

Gardner, who is vice-chair of the joint committee on legal services, will serve on the appropriations and judiciary committees, as well as on the joint legislative council committee.

Republican Sen. Larry Liston will bring back a bill from 2022 on raising the amount for the senior homestead exemption up to $400,000 (currently set at $200,00), as well as preserving the exemption when a senior has to downsize. He said Ginal will be a co-sponsor. A second bill focuses on elections. Currently, when individuals petitions onto the ballot, they're automatically relegated to the second slot on the ballot. Under his bill, the name of a petition candidate would be included when lots are drawn to determine name order on the ballot.

Liston will serve on the committees on appropriations; business, labor technology; and state veterans military affairs.

Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen of Monument intends to focus on education, his longtime passion, and affordability in the 2023 session. His first two bills will deal with the former: expand a 2021 program on high-quality career credentials that drew Lundeen and Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village together.

Lundeen told Colorado Politics the bill would add more money to the program that has been successful with business and industry struggling with worker shortages in areas ranging from computer coding to pipefitters. Lundeen said he hopes the bill will draw some of the money Gov. Jared Polis talked about on Jan. 3 for the same area: $70 million to help with the workforce shortage, including a target on "high-demand high-wage credentials."

Lundeen also wants to take a look at the problems of transportation for public schools. Chalkbeat reported in October that nationwide, 86% of schools say they don't have enough bus drivers applicants. There are also districts in Colorado that have ended bus service because of lack of drivers.

Lundeen said the solution could rest in the gig economy and he's interested in exploring options to solve those transportation issues.

Lundeen will serve on the education committee; the joint executive committee of the legislative council; joint legislative council; and, on the joint legislative interim committee on school finance.

Republican Rep. Scott Bottoms said his priorities include standing strong on Republican principles and making sure those principles are grounded in conservative values.

"That will guide everything else  legislation, caucus relationships, everything," he said.

He plans bills to include lowering the state income tax from 4.4% to 3.5%; another on limiting executive power in times of emergencies; and, an "individual persons" bill to ensure every individual  from the womb to the oldest person  has equal protection under the law.

Bottoms will serve on the appropriations and state, civic, military and veterans affairs committees.

Republican Rep. Mary Bradfield, chair of the minority caucus, said her priorities for the session include public safety, affordable housing, and behavioral and mental health. While her specific bills arent ready to go public yet, Bradfield said she is anxious to make quick progress addressing the states ongoing behavioral and mental health crisis.

Bradfield will serve on the education, and public and behavioral health and human services committees.

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Republican Rep. Kenneth DeGraaf said his priorities include influencing the government to return to its "just powers" and to "secure the rights on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for individual citizens and as created in the image of God."

He has a bill on a "Second Amendment preservation act," which he said would preclude local and state law enforcement from being used as enforcement agencies for federal law that infringes on the right to bear arms. It does not overstep the sovereignty clause, DeGraaf said. The proposal should apply more broadly than just on the Second Amendment, DeGraaf told Colorado Politics.

He also plans to introduce a bill on "educational autonomy," which he described as a way of tuning into economies of scale. His bill would permit schools to keep the overhead portion of per-pupil funding and allow the academic portion, which he estimates at a 40/60 split, to travel with the student and as a way to revitalize older neighborhoods and their public schools, which he said could also reduce traffic.

DeGraaf will serve on the energy and environment, and state, civil, military and veterans affairs committees.

Democrat Rep. Regina English said she is prioritizing education this session. One of her bills would prohibit the use of corporal punishment against students in Colorado schools. Another bill would allow grandparents to seek court-ordered visitation rights for their grandchildren during or following child custody cases.

I have 10 grandchildren and I can't see two of them, English said. That breaks my heart, and I've met so many other grandparents on this campaign trail who are going through the same exact thing. I believe that's why I was put in this space. God put me in this space to change this narrative for grandparents."

English will serve on the business affairs and labor, and the public and behavioral health and human services committees.

Republican Rep. Rose Pugliese, the new assistant minority leader, said her top priorities include protecting TABOR and ensuring that Coloradans continue to get refunds from TABOR, in addition to protecting victims of crime and rolling back housing development regulations. Puglieses own bills include expanding kinship placements of children in the foster care system and finding a long-term replacement for the Gallagher Amendment.

Pugliese is assigned to the education committee.

Democratic Rep. Marc Snyder of Manitou Springs said his bills will continue his focus on preventing wildfires, particularly around homes. One bill would work on evacuation times and evacuation modeling and another would create an incentive program to "harden" homes built in the highest two categories of wildfire risk.

Snyder has also filed a bill on expanding the state's authority to embargo medical or retail marijuana when the state licensing authority finds grounds to believe that the health, safety, or welfare of the public imperatively requires emergency action.

As finance chair, he believes there will be big bills, such as on property taxes, coming his way.

"We're waiting for the governor to be more specific," Snyder said.

And now that the Gallagher amendment, which set a ratio between commercial and home property taxes, has been gone for two years, "there's evidence to back a rational and fair and equitable property tax situation," Snyder said.

He's also looking forward to legislation on increasing both the earned income tax and child credits, also likely to pass through his committee.

In addition to chairing House finance, Snyder will also serve on the judiciary committee.

Democratic Rep. Stephanie Vigil said she wants to focus on housing and environmental actions and that her committee assignments align with those issues. Vigil said she will sponsor a renter's rights legislation and a measure on air quality, and  because it's near and dear to her heart  legislation on suicide prevention.

Vigil will serve on the energy and environment, and transportation, housing and local government committees.

Republican Rep. Don Wilson of Monument said his priorities include local government and water. His first bill focuses on updating tax breaks tied to education. Couples who file jointly get one tax break, while those who file separately get another. He's looking to even that out, Wilson said. He has also filed a bill on special district construction contracts.

Wilson will serve on the joint committee on legal services, and on education, finance, and transportation, housing local government committees.
The 2023 version of the annual General Assembly resolution honoring the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. featured several firsts.

Among them, the resolution for the first time recognized the largest Black caucus in legislative history, while the occasion marked the first time the resolution has been done in a joint session of the Legislature.

The Black caucus has a record 11 members in the 2023 General Assembly: seven women in the House and two women and two men in the Senate, all Democrats. While she does not identify as Black, Rep. Iman Jodeh of Aurora is a member and the first Muslim to serve in the Legislature.

The commemoration included a tribute to the two lawmakers who worked for years to make the resolution and accompanying state holiday a reality. That started with then-Rep. Wellington Webb from House District 8, who tried for three years to get the General Assembly to recognize King through passing the resolution. Those attempts did not succeed. Webb went on to become Denver's first Black mayor.

Rep. Leslie Herod, who hopes to become the next Democratic state lawmaker representing Denver to become the city's mayor, explained that the resolution succeeded with someone "who was a little more tenacious and convincing, and who followed Wellington Webb." That was his wife, Rep. Wilma Webb, later Denver's first lady.

Rep. Wilma Webb fought for four years to make sure King was acknowledged by the Legislature, Herod said. She was denied for three years, received death threats and was removed from her seat on the Joint Budget Committee. Herod later became only the second Black woman on the JBC.

The resolution finally passed in her fourth attempt, in 1984.

Webb also was the first to sponsor legislation to create the state holiday that bears King's name. Gov. Dick Lamm signed into law the legislation making King's birth date the state holiday roughly a year after Webb's resolution passed.

"The dream is not yet realized. We still have fight and work to do," Herod added, asking her colleagues to remember King's words so that his legacy is not just one day.

Rep. Scott Bottoms, R-Colorado Springs, spoke about King's life as a pastor. Bottoms, who is also a pastor, said King has been his hero.

Sen. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, spoke at length about the gun violence that took King's life.

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"It shocked me as a young girl," she said, adding others took up where King left off.

"You are the legacy and the champions of Martin's dream," she said to her fellow Black caucus members. "We're not trying to get something that no one else has. We want parity, we want fairness ... and we want to do it peacefully and in love."

Voting rights, a cause King championed, was the mantle taken up by Sen. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs. He noted that the Supreme Court in 2013 gutted the Voting Rights Act, and that states have taken advantage of it to make it harder for people to vote: eliminating polling locations, reducing voting hours and cutting back on polling stations. Thirty-four new voter suppression laws have been passed, including one that criminalizes people for giving food and water to people standing in voting lines, Exum pointed out. Were King alive today he would be very upset to see that, Exum said.

"We should commit ourselves to protecting" everyone's right to vote and making it as easy as possible, he added.

Colorado has taken big steps in achieving equity, noted President Pro tem Sen. James Coleman, D-Denver, including recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday. But there is much work to be done: racism and discrimination still exists in the nation, and lawmakers must also work on the underlying symptoms of oppression, Coleman said.

The House adopted the resolution on a voice vote, but with only 43 co-sponsors out of 65 members (two Democrats were excused and a third Democratic seat is vacant). Minority Leader Mike Lynch, while praising King's legacy and the work of the Webbs, said his caucus had "issue with some of the words of the resolution." He did not elaborate at that time, and no Republican House member signed on as a co-sponsor.

According to Rep. Matt Soper, R-Delta, the section of the resolution that House Republicans took issue with was what he called "critical race theory."

The resolution stated "[t]hat in light of the rising tide of violence in our state and nation, the legislature commends the Colorado state board of education for their leadership in adding the teaching of Dr. King's legacy and the nonviolent principles to Colorado's seventh grade social studies standards. The legislature also calls upon Colorado public schools to honor the legacy of Dr. King by embracing these new educational standards and actively teaching Dr. King's cause for leadership and nonviolent principles as a response to the forces of hatred, racism, and violence in our society."

The General Assembly is closed Monday to allow members to participate in local Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorations.

Gov. Jared Polis will give his fifth State of the State address on Jan. 17.
For older adults and their families, aging poses the question: Where will I spend the later years of my life? Often that question is a tug of war between the choice of a senior living facility or aging in place, also known as staying in ones own home.

In the U.S., the population of people 65-and older grew by over a third over the past decade. More than 55 million Americans are 65 or older, U.S. Census Bureau data showed.

The options of senior housing facilities contain a spectrum of home types from independent living, where there is minimal oversight, and there are often daily activities available, to the other end of the continuum  skilled nursing homes where 24-hour-a-day medical care is provided.

But for older adults, the independence and familiarity of staying in ones home can be an attractive outcome.

Obie Pilkington, a franchisee of TruBlue Total House Care, started with the company that makes safety modifications to homes for older adults and performs house upkeep and chores for them.

The option of aging in place became even more enticing for older people during the pandemic when social distancing and the ability to quarantine became a vital need, Pilkington said.

Pilkington is a retired Army veteran with 20 years of military service. As a cancer survivor and a father of a child with disabilities, Pilkington knew he wanted the next stage of his career after the Army to be one dedicated to the service of others.

A major impetus for Pilkington to franchise with TruBlue came after he and his wife moved his mother-in-law from Texas to Colorado Springs 11/2 years ago.

We tried doing that in the middle of COVID at the beginning ...(with) no one there to coordinate everything, Pilkington said. I was like, Theres got to be a better way to do this.

After the move, his mother-in-law was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, a type of memory loss that has a rapid onset.

Pilkington and his wife worked with a social worker and brought his mother-in-law home from the hospital. When they realized they could not manage the situation on their own, they called back the social worker.

Not my problem, you picked her up from the hospital, Pilkington said the social worker told him.

Pilkington said he was devastated.

Wheres the passion of taking care of our seniors? Pilkington asked himself.

Thats why he now spends his working days devoted to helping seniors. He strives to make it possible for them to stay in their home as long as possible.

Pilkington opened the first TruBlue in Colorado Springs and the second overall in Colorado, a TruBlue spokeswoman said.

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The company visits customers homes and provides a safety assessment inside and out, recommends modifications and helps carry out those changes.

Its a pretty unique offering from a traditional handyman-service, Sean Fitzgerald, TruBlues president, said. There is a big challenge with aging in place and that is the home environment.

Features as simple as area rugs can be hazards.

Thats why the company also offers a subscription model for home upkeep or chores with personal visits each month or every several months to help change furnace filters, put heavy boxes on shelves or install a grab bar in bathrooms and other high-risk fall areas.

The ultimate goal is keeping people in their home longer, Fitzgerald said. ... At the end of the day its providing peace of mind.

Pilkington launched his Colorado Springs branch of the business in October with a handful of workers.

He tries to hire veterans and wants to work on scaling up his business, Pilkington said.

Pilkington is not alone in his effort to help seniors. Other community programs seek to make sure seniors stay safe in their homes, too.

Lori Morgan, a trauma outreach and injury prevention specialist with UCHealth Memorial Injury Prevention and Research Institute, conducts safety inspections of homes to help older adults avoid ending up in the hospital. The effort is part of UCHealths free Aging with Independence and Mobility program.

By far falls are the top mechanism of injury and that continues to grow every year as our population ages, Morgan said.

UCHealth also offers Stepping On, a free seven-week class designed to help reduce falls in older people with lectures and balance and strength-training classes.

But aging in place has more dimensions than home safety and physical mobility, Erin Maruzzella, executive director for Innovations in Aging Collaborative, said.

The local nonprofit seeks to bring the community together to creatively address the challenges and opportunities of aging, the organizations website states.

There are many reasons that go into deciding to age in place including transportation, community support, health care access, internet access and workforce, Maruzzella said.

I would encourage older adults and their families to consider the whole network of the factors that will increase peoples success aging in place, Maruzzella said

Pilkington believes he is a piece of that network.

By doing the simple stuff that gets neglected we can keep homes safer, Pilkington said. It gives them (older residents) more freedom.
Colorado's Supreme Court justices on Wednesday spent three hours pondering a pair of questions that could open the door to widespread, perhaps even perpetual, property revaluations across the state: Did COVID-19 and the accompanying public health orders in 2020 constitute "unusual conditions" necessitating a reexamination of property values?

And did those revaluations need to happen outside of the seemingly-fixed calendar in state law?

The members of the court appeared reluctant during oral arguments to deviate from a property tax methodology that, by design, is not based on real time changes to land and building value.

"Isnt that sort of how the whole scheme works? That youre always paying your property taxes on a value that is lagging?" asked Justice Melissa Hart. "Were always looking back."

Late last year  and at the unusual behest of the state's Court of Appeals  the Supreme Court took up four appeals directly from the trial courts in which dozens of commercial property owners sought to have county assessors revalue their properties for 2020.

In total, 11 virtually-identical lawsuits were filed across Colorado.

Under state law, Jan. 1 is the assessment date for property values each year. Assessments happen in two-year cycles, based on data from Jan. 1 of an odd-numbered year through June 30 of an even-numbered year. Assessors use the information to set the property value on Jan. 1 of the ensuing odd-numbered year for the next cycle.

There is an exception, however, for "unusual conditions" that occur between valuations.

Assessors must revalue properties in the event of remodeling, onsite improvements or fire. Unusual conditions also include "detrimental acts of nature" and "any new regulations restricting or increasing the use of the land."

The property owners argued COVID-19 was a detrimental act of nature and the public health orders that closed or limited operations at many businesses in 2020 were regulations that restricted the use of their property. They sought to trigger a revaluation, and reduction, of their property values for 2020.

"The regulations that completely closed a business is obviously a regulation that prohibits you, at least temporarily, from operating it for any purpose. So, youre not allowed to use the land," argued lawyer James P. Bick Jr. to the Supreme Court. "I think that qualifies as a regulation that restricts the use of the land upon which the business is on."

To date, trial judges reached varying conclusions about whether unusual conditions existed and whether a revaluation could even happen for 2020 after Jan. 1.

The parties acknowledged to the Supreme Court that, if the justices ruled against the property owners on either issue, the lawsuits would be doomed.

Lawyers for the counties argued that events in 2020 affecting property values would be properly accounted for with the next property tax cycle beginning in 2021, and local governments need stability in their budgets based around the Jan. 1 cutoff date.

In that vein, Hart read off the timeline of various COVID-19 health orders in 2020 to illustrate how many potential revaluations could occur if the Jan. 1 cutoff did not apply.

"March 25 was the Larimer County stay-at-home order. May 18, Larimer got a variance and relaxed mask mandates and opened up again," she said. "March 25  they would have needed a revaluation. And May 18  they would have needed to have a property value increase."

Deputy County Attorney David Ayraud agreed the implications were untenable for local governments.

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"A hotel of 120 rooms, if they remodel at a rate of two to three days per room, the assessor would have to go out every two to three days for the next 240 to 360 days and issue new assessments," he said.

In October, the Court of Appeals decided the first of the 11 cases, arising from Weld County. While the court declined to say whether COVID-19 and the public health orders were unusual conditions, it did agree assessors must consider unusual conditions that happen beyond Jan. 1 of each year. Therefore, the property owners could seek a revaluation in 2020 based on pandemic-related developments.

In weighing the implications of a mid-cycle change to property values, some members of the court turned to another recent, disruptive event: the Marshall fire in Boulder County.

"My house is destroyed on Dec. 30," said Justice Maria E. Berkenkotter hypothetically to Ayraud. "Justice Harts house is taken out three days later, let's say on Jan. 2. Under your interpretation of the statute  that could not be considered for two more years, correct?"

Hart took the analogy in a different direction. Suppose, she said, the Marshall fire did not touch a dry cleaner shop but caused affected homeowners to cease coming to the store, negatively affecting the business.

Was that a detrimental act of nature affecting the use of the land?

"I think that might pose a closer call than what we have in this case," said plaintiffs' attorney Matthew A. Simonsen.

"Its a detrimental act of nature without any debate," Hart interjected. "Why isnt it either exactly the same or, actually, a stronger case" than COVID-19?

The justices also questioned how severe a governmental regulation must be in order to qualify as an unusual condition. They asked if, under the plaintiffs' interpretation of the law, a health inspector shutting down a restaurant for code violations would entitle the restaurant owner to a property tax revaluation.

"I think, technically, yes," Bick responded.

Berkenkotter noted that some of the property owners in the litigation, at face value, did not appear to have suffered from the public health orders. She pointed out that the plaintiffs included at least one funeral home  an essential business allowed to operate during the early pandemic.

Ultimately, the law did not provide a definitive answer about whether a deadly virus that infects humans also falls into the category of conditions restricting the use of property.

"Zoning clearly affects the use of land. An impact on a person? Not so clear," said Justice Richard L. Gabriel.

Quoting a famous line from a U.S. Supreme Court case about obscenity, Justice William W. Hood III mused that it appeared difficult to define an unusual condition affecting land.

"It sort of sounds like a pornography test right now. You know it when you see it, right?"

The appeals arose from Larimer, Douglas, Jefferson and Broomfield counties.
Marie Richard wanted to give the ladies a reason to put their high heels on.

So when the downtown space that last housed Epiphany, a Latin-American fusion restaurant and club that closed in June, came available, she grabbed it up. Prior to Epiphany, the space housed Thirsty Parrot and 32 Bleu.

The new Studio 32 Discotheque, designed to pay homage to the iconic nightclub Studio 54 in New York City, is now open for all your drinking and dancing needs.

I see every age and every demographic coming in, said the Studio 32 founder. Theyre like this is so up my alley  finally something to dress up for. I love seeing everyones individuality. That sticks out how I remember the era of Studio 54  creative people, actors, actresses. They came together and thats what made the energy of the space.

Richard roams around her 5,000-square-foot space a few hours before the doors open to night crawlers on the Friday night before Christmas. The evenings visitors will climb a long, red carpeted staircase and emerge into a room soaked in soft pinks and glittery silver colors. And theyll notice the details: Versace wallpaper, a bowl of Italian chocolates that will surely be empty well before midnight, fresh flowers, red and white tufted valances, pink tufted velvet bar chairs, damask carpet, heavy chandeliers, satin sofas, a clawfoot tub to hold Champagne or use as a photo prop.

The stage, which used to hold the likes of Gillian Welch, Cowboy Junkies, G. Love and Special Sauce and Modest Mouse in the 32 Bleu days, is now done out in soft shag carpet. A bedroom set, featuring a giant bed adorned with a pink comforter and stacks of pink pillows, is available for dancing, pillow fights and photo opportunities. And you cant miss the giant pink teddy bear.

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Black and white photos of Freddie Mercury, David Bowie, Olivia Newton-John, Cher and others from their Studio 54 days gaze down upon the floating dance floor. And the mezzanine holds tables heavy enough to withstand inspired dancers.

I like pretty interiors, good music and hostessing people, Richard said. This feels intimate, like a house party. Its like having people over to your house  thats the feel of the space.

Richard has a longtime affinity for old buildings. She spearheaded the design of the now defunct Club Eden, a nightclub resurrected in an old Episcopal church from the late 1800s on Pikes Peak Avenue, and Copperhead Road Bar on Academy Boulevard, formerly Black Angus Steakhouse decades ago.

I look at the building and let the building tell me what it needs to be, Richard said. Id drive by that building (32 S. Tejon St.), before the building was rehabilitated, and it reminded me of Studio 54 days. I said that place needs to be a discotheque.

Studio 32 opens at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, with rotating DJs playing remixes of music from the 70s through today. Admission is $10. Bottle service is available and set up in 10 areas around the club.

People like to celebrate and theres lot of things to celebrate: birthdays, divorce parties, promotion parties, going away parties, Richard said.

People dont have anywhere to do that. In the last 10 years this has been a microbrewery and AstroTurf and overhead garage town. How much cornhole can one town take?

Contact the writer: 636-0270
An El Paso County courtroom was tense on Friday afternoon when an attorney representing the alleged Club Q nightclub shooter, Anderson Aldrich, got into it with Judge Michael McHenry regarding a request to continue Aldrich's preliminary hearing.

Joseph Archambault, one of Aldrich's defense attorneys, told McHenry that he and his legal team wouldn't be ready for the preliminary hearing date of Feb. 22, due to the "voluminous" amount of discovery and a very busy schedule between now and the hearing date.

"We just aren't going to be ready on that Feb. 22 day," Archambault said. "We will not have time to review all of the discovery materials."

Archambault said that he had just received the majority of the discovery within the last two weeks, and the volume of it would be impossible for the defense team to review in time.

Archambault claimed that the discovery at this point totals over 5,000 pages and over 1.3 terabytes of data.

McHenry was not very receptive to the arguments presented by Archambault, and ultimately refused to grant a continuance, asking Archambault why this busy schedule was not brought up at a previous hearing.

McHenry went as far as to say if Archambault is too busy between now and Feb. 22 to review the discovery, that perhaps he should "ask his supervisors" if a different attorney can be put on the case.

"You're going to be here on Feb. 22," McHenry said to Archambault. "You aren't entitled to review every page of discovery for a preliminary hearing ... and I know you're fully aware of that."

District Attorney Michael Allen said that his office, as well as all victims his office has spoken with, do not want to see a continuance on Aldrich's preliminary hearing. Additionally, Allen said that the "fight on this case won't be at preliminary hearing," where Allen said he intends to show extensive surveillance footage of Aldrich committing the shooting.

After McHenry denied the request for a continuance, Archambault asked for McHenry to order Allen to send over any evidence to back up the bias-motivated crime charges, as he had not seen any evidence to suggest that those charge should be in play.

Allen said he "wasn't sure" what to say to that request as he insisted evidence to prove probable cause of the bias-motivated crime charges were within the discovery that had been sent to the defense already.

McHenry made no ruling on that request from Archambault, but did ask for the prosecution to provide copies of the exhibits it plans to use at preliminary hearing as well as a witness list to the defense prior to the hearing. Allen did not object to the request, stating his office will send all the required materials to the defense by Friday, Feb. 3.

Twelve new criminal charges were also added to Aldrich's case after a motion from Allen was approved by McHenry.

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 now faces 317 charges for allegedly killing five patrons of Club Q, an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, and injuring nearly two dozen more on Nov. 19, 2022.

Aldrich appeared in Colorado's 4th Judicial District Court on Wednesday as well, where Judge Robin Chittum dismissed a request from the defense to hold former El Paso County Sheriff Bill Elder in contempt for allegedly leaking sealed documents to the media.

Aldrich will have their preliminary hearing for the Club Q shooting on Feb. 22. Aldrich is in the El Paso County jail with no possibility of posting bond.
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's natural rubber production decreased by 11.8 percent to 28,048 tonnes in November 2022 from 31,795 tonnes in the previous month, official data showed Friday.

The year-on-year comparison also showed that the production of natural rubber fell 8 percent from 30,493 tonnes a year ago, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said in a statement.

Exports of Malaysia's natural rubber amounted to 51,104 tonnes in November, an increase of 23 percent as against 41,548 tonnes in October 2022.

China remained the main destination for Malaysia's natural rubber exports.

The export performance was contributed by natural rubber-based products such as gloves, tires, tubes, and rubber threads, etc.

Gloves, which were the main exports of rubber-based products, saw its export value decrease by 5 percent from 1.13 billion ringgit (260 million U.S. dollars) in October to 1.1 billion ringgit (253 million dollars) in November.

Total stocks of natural rubber in November dropped by 1.4 percent to 195,353 tonnes as compared to 198,181 tonnes in October. 


Ayodhya seer Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya had 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.

Sana Ejaz | TwoCircles.net

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PATNA (BIHAR)  Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar Yadav has refused to withdraw his controversial statement on Ramcharitmanas.

Yadav, who represents Maddhepura in the state assembly, had on Wednesday claimed that Manu Smriti in the first era, Ramcharitmanas in the second era and MS Golwalkars Bunch of Thoughts spread hatred in the third era in society.

His statement sparked controversy with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding an FIR against him.

There are five to six Chand of Ramcharitmanass Sundar Kand and Uttar Kand which are objectionable and I have an objection to it. Thats 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 society. It stops Dalits, 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. Golwarkars Bunch of Thoughts in the 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 the opposition in the 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 for it. Chandrashekhar Yadav has hurt the sentiments of lakhs of people. CM Nitish Kumar is dividing the communities through the caste-based census. Hence, what can we expect from his minister, said Chirag Paswan, MP and LJPR president.

Meanwhile, Vijay Sinha, the leader of the opposition in the Bihar Assembly demanded that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar immediately register an FIR against the minister for creating differences in the society.

Sinha asked Yadav to apologise for his comment and also demanded that Tejashwi Yadav should clear his stand on this issue.

As per the Indian Penal Code (IPC), there are provisions to register FIR under the relevant IPC sections of religious criticism and criticising God. The way he has given the statement in the public domain, he is liable to face action under the IPC section of 295A. Nitish Kumar should take action against him and direct the police to register FIR against him. He should also sack the education minister from the cabinet, Sinha said.

The statement of Chandrashekhar Yadav has hurt the sentiments of crores of Hindu community who believe in Lord Ram. Tejashwi Yadav should also clarify his stand whether he is standing by him or not. Leaders like him can go to any extent to stay in power, Sinha said. (With IANS inputs)

Sana Ejaz is an independent journalist from Bihar. She tweets @SanaEjaz_


The Hindutva event where hate speech against Muslims was made took place on December 19, 2021, in New Delhi, and an FIR was registered nearly five months later on May 4, 2022.

TCN News

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NEW DELHI  Delhi Police has made no palpable progress in its investigation of hate speech made at a Hindutva event under the leadership of Sudarshan News TV editor Suresh Chavhanke in the national capital New Delhi in 2021, the Supreme Court observed on Friday, the LiveLaw reported.

Suresh Chavhanke, the editor-in-chief of the television channel Sudarshan News, at an event organised by the Hindu Yuva Vahini on December 19, 2021, had administered an oath to a group of people to die for and kill to make India a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation).

Nearly five months later on May 4, 2022, the first information report in the case was filed after police examined the footage. The police had earlier claimed that no anti-Muslim hate speech was made at the religious conclave.

On Friday, a division bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha directed the investigating officer to file an affidavit detailing steps taken in the inquiry within two weeks.

The bench was hearing a contempt petition filed by activist Tushar Gandhi against senior police officials for not taking action according to the guidelines laid down to curb hate speech and lynching.

The chief justice questioned Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, representing the Delhi Police, about the delay in filing the FIR.

What are you doing in terms of the investigation? The incident takes place on the 19th of December 2021. The FIR is registered 5 months later in May 2022. Why do you require 5 months to register an FIR?, CJI Chandrachud asked the ASG.

Chandrachud added that after the 4th of May, it has been eight months. What progress has been made? If you register an FIR five months later, and eight months after that there is no substantial progressYou tell us.

In response, the ASG said that the delay was not deliberate and that the police was doing the verification.

Advocate Shadan Farasat, representing Gandhi, submitted that it is a very serious matter and requested the bench to read the transcripts of the speeches made at the event, where statements against the Muslim community were allegedly made.

It is a call for action for violence of a certain kind. This is not just one person, one person is leading and everybody is taking an oath behind him, Farasat submitted.

They have not arrested anyone, no chargesheet has been filed, Advocate Shadan Farasat told the judges.

In an affidavit filed on April 14 last year, the Delhi Police had told the Supreme Court that no anti-Muslim speech had been made at the Hindu Yuva Vahini event. However, the court had directed the Delhi Police to file a better affidavit.

Between December 17 and December 19 in 2021, during a dharam sansad (religious parliament) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Hindutva seers called for violence against Muslims.

Just like Myanmar, the police, the army and every Hindu must pick up arms and organise a cleansing [of Muslims], one of the organisers, Swami Prabodhanand from the Hindu Raksha Sena, had said.

On November 11 last year, the Supreme Court bench discharged the Uttarakhand government and the police chief from a list of parties in the contempt plea, PTI reported.

In October last year, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy had directed the police to immediately lodge cases against hate speech makers without waiting for a complaint to be filed.

The Constitution envisages Bharat as a secular nation, and fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and unity and the integrity of the country is the guiding principle enshrined in the Preamble, the bench had said, adding, We feel that this court is charged with the duty to protect these fundamental rights and also protect and preserve the constitutional values and the secular, democratic character of the nation and in particular the rule of law.
Mason City is among five communities receiving grants from the state for housing-rehabilitation projects.

According to a press release, Mason City, Burlington, Washington, Grinnell, and Keokuk will be splitting grants totaling $4 million through the Home Rehabilitation Block Grant Pilot Program, with Mason City claiming $1 million of the funds.

A total of 131 owner-occupied and rental houses across the five cities will be rehabilitated as part of the project.

Ive been steadfast in my commitment to advancing housing opportunities to ensure that every Iowan can live near their work, said Gov. Reynolds in the release. To meet that goal, we must not only build new housing but we also must preserve our existing housing stock. Todays investments will give new life to more than 130 aging homes so that Iowa families can be proud to call them home for many years to come.

In a statement, Mason City Mayor Schickel also weighed in:

The City of Mason City anticipates preserving a total of nearly 50 owner-occupied and rental homes through this investment. One of our top goals for 2023 is neighborhood flourishing and this award will give that goal a huge boost, said Schickel. "I commend Gov. Reynolds for her transformational investment in housing that supports our efforts to make our communities the choice for Iowans to live, work and thrive.
Visit Mason City recognized several businesses, organizations and groups during its annual meeting Thursday evening at The Music Man Square.

According to a press release, awards were given for both contributions to tourism and visitor's choice in hospitality.

During fiscal year 2021-2022, Visit Mason City fulfilled over 55,000 visitor requests from all 50 states and 32 countries and welcomed more than 4,000 guests to the Mason City Visitor Center.

The 2022 Spirit of Tourism Award was presented to Fat Hill Brewing for its exemplary contributions to the Mason City tourism industry and stimulating the development of tourism opportunities.

The 2022 Friend of Tourism Award was presented to Team Trouble in River City for its enthusiastic support of tourism in Mason City.

The 2022 Tourism Excellence Award was presented to the Mason City Historic Preservation Commission (for the Preserve Iowa Summit) for drawing visitors to town and contributing to a significant economic impact to the Mason City tourism industry.

For a fourth year, Visit Mason City also gave a voice to visitors with its Golden Pineapple Awards.

Throughout the year, visitors are encouraged to vote for locations that made their visit memorable in categories of hotel, attraction and restaurant. Ballots are inserted into the Mason City Experience Guide and collected at ballot boxes throughout the community, the statement said.

Recipients of the Golden Pineapple Awards include:

2022 Visitors Choice Hotel: Country Inn & Suites





2022 Visitors Choice Attraction: Historic Park Inn Hotel





2022 Visitors Choice Restaurant: Prime N Wine
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.
GREENSBORO  A Greensboro police officer was fired after he was charged with sexual battery, assault on a female and giving alcohol to an underage person, according to a news release from Greensboro police.

Officer Kenneth Eugene Adams was fired Thursday after police Chief John Thompson learned the details of the investigation, which was conducted by the Guilford County Sheriff's Office.

On Dec. 19, the sheriff's office notified the police department of criminal allegations against Adams. The allegations were reported to the sheriff's office on Dec. 19 for an incident that occurred the previous day.

The allegation involved a possible sexual assault that occurred outside of the city limits. It did not occur while Adams was working in his official capacity as a police officer, Greensboro police said.

As is standard protocol, the police department immediately placed Adams on administrative duty and began an internal investigation, according to the release.

The sheriff's office completed its investigation on Tuesday, and presented its findings to the district attorney on Thursday, the release said.

In a statement, Thompson said: "As always, if an allegation is made against an officer, it is thoroughly investigated. If in the course of the investigation, evidence emerges that is so egregious that it erodes public trust, I feel swift action is necessary as not to negatively impact or interfere with the day to day operations of the Department.

"We cannot effectively operate if we dont have the support of the public and to continue to maintain that support, it involves a commitment to transparency. As is true for all victims of sexual assault, the Department asks that the privacy of the victim and family members is respected as they process and heal," the statement said.


January 13, 2023

Media Contact:

Chase Cook, Acting Director of Communications, 410-767-3536

Maryland Department of Health to distribute at-home tests at gubernatorial inauguration to keep Marylanders COVIDReady

Baltimore, MD The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) will hand out more than 14,000 free at-home COVID tests during the inauguration of Gov.-elect Wes Moore and Lt. Gov.-elect Aruna Miller to encourage Marylanders attending the event to stay COVIDReady through the winter.

Our Annapolis test site is an important continuity of government service offering legislators and the general public convenient access to both rapid and PCR testing, said MDH Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. We are taking this opportunity to get at-home tests in the hands of as many Marylanders as possible and emphasizing the importance of being COVIDReady by testing early and treating quickly to avoid severe COVID.

MDH will also offer free rapid antigen and PCR COVID testing at its Annapolis test site on the corner of Calvert and Bladen Streets from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Tuesday for attendees who want free testing before Wednesdays event.

The official swearing-in will take place at noon inside the State House, followed by a public ceremony on the northwest side of the State House (facing Lawyers Mall). MDH will have a table set up outside the Annapolis test site from morning until the end of the event to provide free at-home COVID tests to anyone who wants them.

The Annapolis test site has administered more than 119,000 COVID tests since they opened in November, 2020. Beginning Jan. 16, the site will be open Mondays from 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. to accommodate legislative sessions, offering PCR testing, rapid antigen tests and KN95 masks.

Distributing at-home COVID tests statewide, through local health departments and local community partners, is an important part of COVIDReady principles. Marylanders are urged to stay up-to-date on COVID vaccinations and boosters, keep at-home tests handy to use at the first sign of symptoms, and talk to their provider about treatment or visit a Test to Treat Center if they are sick. Marylanders are also urged to practice good hand hygiene, cover their coughs and sneezes, and stay home if they are sick to avoid spreading not only COVID but other respiratory illnesses this winter.

There are more than 300 testing locations and 89 Test to Treat sites listed statewide on CovidTEST.maryland.gov. For more information on vaccination, boosters, testing and treatment for COVID visit covidLINK.maryland.gov or call the GoVAX Call Center at 1-855-MD-GOVAX (1-855-634-6829).

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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management, and community engagement.

Follow us at

http://www.twitter.com/MDHealthDept

and at

Facebook.com/MDHealthDept

.
A 27-year-old man living in Helena has been charged with felony tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and felony theft.

On Jan. 8, an officer was dispatched to investigate a report of a theft of cash between roommates.

One roommate said $7,000 in cash was missing from their room, and they suspected their roommate Andres Camilo Pedraza-Bojaca was responsible. The roommate installed a security camera the night before the theft, according to court reports.

In footage from the camera, Pedraza-Bojaca enters the room and starts to rummage through it before he sees the camera and disables it, court documents say.

Pedraza-Bojaca told the officer that he had taken $1,200 from his roommate as a practical joke but returned it. He said he only entered the room to put a bottle of cleaning spray inside.

Pedraza-Bojaca allowed the officer to search his room, stating there were no other significant amounts of currency hidden in it. No currency was located but a debit card belonging to someone else was located inside, according to court reports.

The officer noticed that all the clocks in the residence were flashing and realized that after Pedraza-Bojaca was captured on the security camera, power to the residence was cut for a little over five minutes in a presumed attempt to disable or erase the surveillance footage.

Pedraza-Bojaca is a Colombian national, and his employer informed authorities that he was set to quit and leave town in about a week. His bank account had recently been frozen for trying to transfer too much money back to Columbia, according to another roommate.

Pedraza-Bojaca was arrested.
MCF artist grants available

The Montana Community Foundation, Inc. announces its annual grant cycle from the William B. Pratt Fund to benefit Montana Indigenous, Folk, Traditional, and Media Arts.

Applicants are eligible to apply in one of two funding areas, including Media Arts and Montanas Indigenous, Traditional, and Folk Arts. Grants will range in size from $500 to $2,000. Grant applications will be accepted from Jan. 13 to March 17, 2023.

Montana 501(c)(3) organizations and local, state, and tribal governments are eligible to apply. Individual artists and other entities may apply under a fiscal sponsorship. Apply at https://mtcf.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/william-b-pratt-fund.

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the grant guidelines to determine eligibility for funding, and contact Elisa Fiaschetti, Program Director at 406-441-4953 or elisa@mtcf.org with any questions.

Postpartum Recovery topic of parenting class

Join a St. Peters womens health physical therapist and a maternal mental health specialist on Thursday, Jan. 26, for a 2-hour virtual class to discuss useful tips and education to remedy discomforts and guard against pain and dysfunction during and after pregnancy.

Also learn to prepare for any perinatal mood or anxiety disorders such as postpartum depression. Registration is required at www.sphealth.org/community-health/community-education/prepared-parenting.

This class is part of an eight-week Prepared Parenting series taught by a variety of specialists and professionals to help parents with all preparations, expectations and details surrounding a new baby.

City of Helena has board openings

The City of Helena is currently accepting applications for several commission boards and committees. The deadline for all board applications is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

Business Improvement District (BID): Per Resolution 19766 the BID was created to promote the health, safety, prosperity, security, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Helena and the proposed district.

One citizen to serve as an interim Board Trustee. The interim term will expire Oct. 31, 2025.

Citizen Conservation Board: The Citizen Conservation Board was reestablished by a Resolution, passed by the Helena City Commission on 1/9/2023. The board will recommend, report on and monitor sustainability measures undertaken by the City of Helena.

Four citizens to serve as a citizen-at-large. The first term expires at one year. Previous members of the CCB are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. Should a citizen be granted appointment who has not been previously appointed to the CCB, terms thereafter are three years.

Three citizens to serve as a citizen-at-large. Terms are three years.

Two citizens under the age of 18 to serve as a Youth Representative. Terms are two years.

Downtown Urban Renewal District / Tax Increment Financing Advisory Board: The Downtown Urban Renewal Area Tax Increment Financing Advisory Board serves only in advisory capacity to the City Commission. The Advisory Board will provide advice only with respect to the following topics related to the Downtown Urban Renewal Area: annual work-plans, reports, evaluations, and budgets; allocation of TIF funds for projects; and amendments to the Downtown Urban Renewal District. Terms for the Downtown Urban Renewal District/Tax Increment Financing Advisory Board are non-expiring.

One citizen to serve as a representative of an historic preservation organization

One citizen to serve as a representative of Helena School District No. 1

One citizen to serve as a non-owner resident of the Downtown Urban Renewal District

One citizen to serve as a Lewis & Clark County resident representative

Helena Citizens Council (HCC): The HCC is an elected body composed of four representatives from each of seven neighborhood districts. Established by

City Charter, the HCC reviews and recommends actions relating to the annual budget and makes recommendations relating to the future development of the city.

One citizen to serve as a resident representative of District 4

Helena Housing Authority: This non-profit organization, established in 1938, manages and sets policy for all public housing in Helena.

One citizen to serve as an HHA Resident Representative. The term will expire Aug. 1, 2024. Thereafter terms are five years.

Helena Public Art Commission: On Aug. 4, 2014 the Helena City Commission adopted Resolution 20110, which amended Resolution 11316 adopted on Nov. 16, 1998 establishing a Public Art Committee for the City of Helena. The Committee will assist in promoting the concept of community awareness of an involvement in providing Public Art in Helena.

One citizen to serve as a Helena Housing Authority Resident Representative. This member must live within an HHA dwelling. The term will expire Aug. 1, 2027.

Helena Open Lands Management Advisory Committee: The Helena Open Lands Management Advisory Committee (HOLMAC) performs various functions for the city related to the management of Helenas open lands. Open lands have been acquired through purchase with open space bond funds and donations and is maintained by a voter-passed maintenance district.

One citizen to serve as a City Resident. The term will expire June 30, 2025. Thereafter terms are three years.

City-County Consolidated Parks Board: A 1999 interlocal agreement between Helena and Lewis and Clark County established the City-County Consolidated Parks Board as recommended in the city and county parks, recreation and open spaces plan. The board serves in an advisory capacity to the city and county commissions in parks, recreation and open lands matters.

One citizen to serve as a city representative. The appointee must reside within Helena city limits. The term will expire Sept. 30, 2025. Thereafter terms are three years.

City-County Consolidated Planning Board: The Board shall perform planning functions for the City and County and shall be the sole Planning Board to serve either or both governmental entities. Duties of this Board will be to ensure the promotion of public health, safety, morals, convenience, order, and the general welfare, and for the sake of efficiency and economy in the process of community development, the Board shall prepare a growth policy and serve in an advisory capacity to the local governing bodies establishing said Board.

One citizen to serve as a Conservation District Representative. The appointee must reside within Helena city limits. The term will expire Sept. 1, 2025. Thereafter terms are three years.

Railroad TIF Advisory Board: Pursuant to 7-15-4828, MCA and Resolution 20374 that established the urban renewal plan for the Railroad Urban Renewal Area, the City of Helena is empowered to conduct redevelopment activities in urban renewal areas, which activities may be paid for by tax increment financing. The Railroad Urban Renewal Area Tax Increment Financing Advisory Board has no assigned powers and shall only advise the Helena City Commission on the following related to the Railroad Urban Renewal Area: annual work-plans, reports, evaluations, and budgets; allocation of TIF funds for projects; and amendments to the Railroad Urban Renewal Plan.

One citizen to serve as a resident of the Railroad Improvement District. The term is non-expiring.

Tourism Business Improvement District Board of Trustees (TBID): Resolution No. 19644, adopted April 20, 2009, created a Tourism Business Improvement District in the City of Helena. Per the resolution, the Board of Trustees is appointed by the City Commission and comprised of five to seven owners or managers of property within the District or their assignees

One citizen to serve as an owner or manager of property within the Business Improvement District or their assignees. The term will expire April 20, 2026. Thereafter terms are four years.

Zoning Commission: The City Zoning Commission was re-established by the Helena City Commission on June 4, 2001. The Zoning Commission shall have five members and one alternate, all of whom must be residents of the City of Helena.

One citizen to serve as an alternate member. The alternate member will serve only if a regular member is unable to attend a meeting. Term will expire Sept. 30, 2025. Thereafter terms are three years.

Those individuals who have previously applied for any of the listed board vacancies are encouraged to reapply.

Paper applications can be requested by email to amontiel@helenamt.gov or by calling 406-447-8410 and can be submitted electronically or mailed to: City Clerks Office 316 N. Park Ave., Room 323, Helena, MT 59623.

The deadline for all board applications is 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

Red Cross seeks blood donations

The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to help end the ongoing critical need for blood with a blood donation. The Red Cross needs donors of all blood types to give now and help ensure lifesaving transfusions are on the sidelines for those who rely on them.

Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Student news

Tyler Cummings and Eleanor Stiffler, both of Helena, have earned placement on the Gonzaga University Dean's List for fall semester 2022. Students must earn a 3.5 to 3.84 grade-point average to be listed.

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Jason Mell, of Helena, has been named to the President's Honor Roll for the fall 2022 semester at Bismarck State College.

Students must maintain at least a 3.50 grade point on a 4.0 scale while enrolled in at least 12 semester hours of classes to qualify for the BSC President's Honor Roll.

***

Carlie Gross and Madeline McNeil, both of Helena, residents have earned placement on the Gonzaga University President's List for fall semester 2022. Students must earn a 3.85 to 4.0 grade-point average to be listed.

***

Isabel Gilbert, of Clancy, has been named to the fall 2022 Dean's List at Angelo State University in San Angelo, Texas.

To be eligible for the ASU Dean's List, full-time undergraduate students must maintain a 3.25 or better grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Gilbert is majoring in biology.

***

Gavin Thennis, of Clancy, has earned a place on the Spokane Falls Community College honor roll for fall quarter 2022. Students must earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be on the honor roll.

Helena College releases honor roll

Helena College University of Montana recently released the fall 2022 semester Deans List. A student must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average in at least 12 credits to be named to the Deans List. An asterisk (*) beside a students name indicates a 4.0 grade point average or straight As.

Boulder: Jessica Chapman*; Meadow Grace; Virginia Schaub*; Rutger Shultz; Judah Walker

Clancy: Shawn Dunn; McKinsey Smith*; Bethany White; Jessica Willcut; Brennan Woolley; Columbia Falls Alexandra Wright*; East Helena Anna Anderson; Carley Bostrom; Norma Brooks; Ben Clark*; Kourage Craig*; Jaelynne Harlan; Taylor Hayes; April Jackson*; Tavia Lewis; Frederick Maw; Mikayla Moore; Jordan Perkins; Joseph Pitassy*; Jacquelyn Putchat*; Luc Ronan*; Hayden Smerker*; Kendyll Sommers; William Weickum; Jamar West*

Helena: Robert Asher; Darby Boespflug; Maedyn Bogy*; Megan Bouchard*; Krista Boutilier*; McKayla Bridges-Payne; Ashley Brown; Michael Carlson; Hailey Carpenter; Carrie Caves; Jaela Crete*; Kira Crete; Dylan Cunningham; Eric Dunn; Abigail Falcon*; James Feiss; Katlynn Fladland; Ethan Frear; Daniel Gardiner*; Heather Halsey; Anne Harman*; Tara Harrington*; Kira Hartford; Cassandra Hughes*; Carson Jenner; Hayleigh Johnson*; Deetra Knutson; Lukas Kopczuk; Chase Kriedeman; Kiana Lamere; Sierra Laskowski; Gina Leveque-Zapata; Brendan Lloyd*; Scott Loman; Aidan Marvin*; Robbie Mattson; Galen McAllister*; Kaleb McKay; Justin Montgomery; Ashley Moody; Cecelia Newman*; Shellene Nielsen; Mariah Olson; William Ownby; Daniel Porter*; Derek Reich; Joslyn Rose*; Zachary Sanders; Leah Schwabauer*; Seann Sichelstiel; Kaitlynn Sowers; Matthew Springett; Shawn Strandberg; Keira Sumner; Megan Taylor; Thomas Taylor; Alan Terry; Veronica Terry; Angelique Tetrault*; Sandra Tirrell*; Makayla Vanwinkle*; Sophia Webb; Rebecca Wells*; Tucker Wendland*; Gavin Wheeler; Jacqueline Whitley-Layton; Nicholas Worsley; Joshua Wright

Jefferson City: Gabriel Gillmore; Aubrey McMaster

Townsend: Julia Masolo

Whitehall: Stephanie Ellis

Wolf Creek: Elon Moffett*; Yowel Moffett
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Valerie Hellermann of Helena told members of a grassroots citizens group Thursday that Ukrainians know they dont have a perfect democracy.

But it was their democracy and they would fight to keep it she said.

The 72-year-old executive director of nonprofit Hands On Global told members of Hometown Helena about her recent trips delivering aid to Ukraine and efforts she and others are making to provide medical supplies and equipment to residents of the war-torn country that has been fighting a Russian invasion for nearly a year.

The fighting has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and maiming of Ukrainian citizens.

Helena-based Hands On Global Inc. provides basic health care, mostly in remote underserved areas and refugee camps. Hellermann has made two trips to the region since the fighting began, spending several weeks there in March and again in December. Several emails from her visits were printed in the Helena Independent Record and posted online.

She said she has never been under a missile attack during her visits, just a warning.

She said the equipment Hands On Global is bringing to Ukraine is critical to saving limbs.

Hands On Global crossed the border daily into Ukraine from Romania where it worked with the department of public health in western Ukraine, Hellmermann said. She added that in March and April there were 5,000-8,000 people coming across the border where there was a lot of help, and they could be bused out to another country.

There were many volunteers there, she said. That was very different than any other refugee work I have ever done.

And these refugees were welcomed, Hellermann said. That is not always the case with refugees around the world.

She said when they started out there were about 12,000 internally displaced people in Chernivtsi and there are now about 80,000.

Hellermann said her team started with primary care and by the end of her visit they were doing wound care. She said part of the daily routine was to go down into bomb shelters when air raid sirens went off. She said they spent a lot of time in those shelters.

It was kind of shocking the first time we were in there, Hellermann said.

She showed the audience a photo of a Ukrainian man crossing into Romania while carrying his cat.

I have to say there were so many Ukrainian people bringing in their pets, Hellermann said. That was an important thing to them.

She said they are now working with SIGN Fracture Care International and delivering limb-saving equipment. She said it is expensive and has to be hand-delivered.

"There is a tremendous amount of amputations" because of the bombings, she said.

Hellermann spoke of a Ukrainian military doctor who they delivered supplies to on a day in which he had performed six amputations.

The equipment we are bringing over there is really critical for these people, she said.

Hellermann showed the Hometown Helena crowd a photo of Chernivtsi at night and talked about power outages.

Its kind of eerie, its a huge city and its dark, she said.

And she talked of things to come as she fielded questions from the audience.

When this war is over, and I hope it is soon, there is going to be a tremendous need for rehabilitation and mental health and physical therapists for the region, Hellermann said.

She said she will be returning in March for 3-1/2 weeks and go to a childrens trauma hospital in western Ukraine to deliver supplies, then go to a rehabilitation center they plan on supporting and then to Kyiv to a military hospital.

Hellermann said war for the Ukrainians has become normalized, which I found really amazing.

People are having coffee in a cafe and fighting can be heard in the background. They will then go into an air raid shelter.

You go, you come back and you just go back into your life, Hellermann said. You go to the grocery store. You go finish your coffee. You work around the electric and it just becomes normal for them.

It has to almost because you have to keep living, she said. But to normalize this situation is really terrifying.

Hellermann said most Ukrainians she has talked to have told her it is their country, they will fight to the death and will not live under Russia.

Hellermann said Hands On Global gets its medications at a discounted rate, but is not allowed to use them in the United States. Their airfare is paid for but they do have to pay to have the equipment transported. She said sometimes they are able to get that cost reduced or waived.

Prior to starting Hands On Global, Hellermann spent nearly 10 years as the project manager for the Tibetan Childrens Education Foundation, a Montana-based nonprofit. She said she was in India and had an audience with the Dali Lama, who asked her to take on a project to help people in Zanskar, India. The nonprofit Hands On Global was founded in 2016.

According to the Hands On Global website, Hellermann now organizes the yearly Zanskar Medical Camp working in collaboration with the Zanskar Health Committee in Northern India.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte on Thursday ordered state wildlife officials to develop a new wolf management plan.

Officials completed environmental analysis on wolves in the early 2000s in anticipation of federal delisting, releasing the states management plan in 2002. Wolves were first delisted in 2009, only to be returned to federal protections the following year by a federal judge. In 2011, wolves were delisted by Congress, and have remained under state management, which has included hunting and trapping.

Wolves have been a hot-button issue in Montana for more than two decades, but debate amplified during the 2021 Legislature when Republicans pushed through multiple bills aimed at reducing the states wolf population. Contentious legislative and wildlife commission hearings, national media attention and petitions to relist wolves under the Endangered Species Act have marked the debate over the animals management.

FWPs most recent population model estimated a relatively stable population of more than 1,100 wolves in Montana.

In a letter to FWP Director Hank Worsech on Thursday, Gianforte directed the agency to write a new wolf management plan to replace the current plan.

Given the public and legislatures engagement in wolf management, it is an appropriate time to revisit the wolf plan, Gianforte wrote. Accordingly, I am directing FWP to collaborate with the citizens of Montana to form a new wolf plan.

A management plan is considered a guiding document for future decisions and regulations. For example, the current plan talks about managing wolves as a native species and managed adaptively and more conservatively at lower populations. It does not prescribe specific regulations.

The Montana Trappers Association supports the decision.

"Considering the population has tripled since the last plan, as well as numerous other changes, its probably for the best," said Christ Morgan, the association's vice president west.

A recent lawsuit by environmental groups took aim at the states 2002 wolf management plan, arguing that it is outdated and that the population estimate model used by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks was never contemplated in the plan and has not been properly vetted.

While the governor does make mention of the high public interest in wolves, he does not specifically point to the arguments in the lawsuit as a reason for directive.

Lizzy Pennock with the organization WildEarth Guardians is one of the groups that brought the lawsuit. She alluded on Thursday to a provision in the plan and highlighted in the litigation that the plan be revisited and potentially updated every five years.

"We are pleased to see the state finally complying with its legal obligation to update the 2002 Wolf Plan as we alleged in our lawsuit, she wrote in an email. We look forward to working together with the state through the robust public participation process governing agency rulemaking in Montana to ensure that wolves are managed based on the best available science and as a public trust resource for all Montanans. We are evaluating the impact of this order on our lawsuit."

FWP has not yet determined a timeline for developing a new plan, but agency spokesperson Greg Lemon said the initial target will be the end of the year. Current staff and possibly some temporary staff will be involved in the process, he said.

"While its a large task, we believe that the process here will be relatively straightforward with scoping, draft plan development, public input and final decision," Lemon wrote in an email. "Additionally, the successful state-management to date based upon the tested content of the current plan represents a solid foundation from which to start the new plan and its development process. Well look to engage the public as soon as possible."

The agency is also in the process of updating the states elk and grizzly management plans.

Lemon declined to comment on potential impacts to the litigation.

Wolves were again a topic at the Capitol on Thursday. Sen. Bob Brown, R-Thompson Falls, brought Senate Bill 84 to codify in law prohibitions on using drones for spotting or pushing animals while hunting, which would put them in line with manned-aircraft. Drones are currently banned via regulations passed by the commission.

Because of how wolves are classified, they were not included in the bill. Wolves are classified as a species in need of management, which puts them in a category separate from big game animals such as elk or mountain lions or furbearers such as bobcats or beavers.

The use of aircraft for hunting is prohibited by federal law, although some hunting of animals such as coyotes and foxes from the air is allowed through livestock protection programs.

Wolf advocates argued that the animals should be included under fair chase principles.

In response to a question from a lawmaker on the committee, Worsech said FWP would not oppose including wolves and that the agency would like to see wolves classified as a furbearer. That classification would offer a broad stroke solution to issues where due to their current classification, wolves are left out of some hunting laws, he said.

Brown said he would resist any amendments to the bill, adding that there was time to bring additional legislation.
More than two dozen people spoke against a rule proposed by the state health department that would require those seeking abortions covered by Medicaid to get pre-authorization to show the procedure is medically necessary and limit who can provide abortions that would be covered by Medicaid.

Only one person supported the policy, which was created by the state Department of Public Health and Human Services.

While the department in a statement last month said it was bringing the rule to ensure that abortions paid for by Montana taxpayers under Medicaid are truly medically necessary, in accordance with the law, those opposed to it said it would cause serious harm to women by delaying or making inaccessible necessary medical care."

Simply put, the proposed rule is an abortion ban for the most vulnerable of Montanans with no medical justification, said Akilah Deernose, staff attorney with ACLU of Montana. It is not constitutionally permissible for the state to subject low-income people to greater hardships simply because they are unable to afford a course of care with which the state does not agree.

Several of those who spoke against the rule during a meeting held over Zoom had to pause during their testimony to process their emotions.

The federal Hyde Amendment limits federal money from paying for abortions covered by Medicaid, except in the case of rape, incest or if the life of a mother is at risk. But a 1995 court ruling in Montana found the state must use its own funds to cover abortions deemed medically necessary for Medicaid patients. The state has long defined what counts as medically necessary in administrative rule.

Pre-viability abortions are legal in Montana under a state Supreme Court order dating back to 1999. In 2021, the states Republican-majority Legislature used the budget process to create a study of abortions for those covered by Medicaid. That came in addition to several other bills that limited access to abortion care around the state. Several of those laws are on hold in court challenges.

Dr. Leah Miller, a physician in Missoula speaking on behalf of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, said that the process of and delays in care caused by having to get preauthorization increases both the physical and mental health risks for pregnant people.

These changes would allow the decision of whether an abortion is medically necessary to be determined not by a medical provider, but by a Medicaid review board," Miller said

Miller also said that theres no that evidence limiting the types of providers who can perform abortions would improve patient safety or quality of care.

That rule would result in decreased access for those that live in certain areas of the state or those in lower economic status that cannot afford to travel. This results in inadequate health care for vulnerable populations and can increase risk associated with abortions even if the case meets current or proposed funding approval," Miller said.

Dr. Timothy Mitchell, a physician in Missoula who specializes in maternal-fetal medicine, said that in a state that already has the sixth-highest rate of pregnancy deaths overall and a rate seven times higher than the national average for American Indians, the proposed rule would mean delayed abortion care, which makes a persons health situation both more expensive and dangerous.

For patients who have chronic conditions that worsened during pregnancy, or developed dangerous medical conditions during pregnancy, abortion is often the best way to preserve their health and life, Mitchell said, adding that in situations like hypertension a few hours can mean the difference between life and death.

Mitchell also raised concerns the rule could force women with fetal anomalies to carry to term because the rule does not clarify otherwise. The rule would allow for an abortion, if pre-authorized, in the case of if a woman suffers from a life-treating condition and would be in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, or has a physical or psychological condition that would be aggravated by pregnancy, among other conditions, though preauthorizations would be subject to approval by a review team. The rule has provisions to require post-procedure reviews in the case of an emergency and a review would be required before payment.

Helen Weems, a nurse practitioner and owner of All Families Healthcare is a plaintiff in separate legal challenge to allow advance practice nurses to provide abortion care. Weems also spoke against the rule Thursday.

I implore you to recognize abortion care for what it is: essential pregnancy care, just like obstetric care and miscarriage management care. Singling abortion care out of pregnancy care and thereby denying this essential service to Medicaid members will result in multiple generations of physical, mental and emotional harm, Weems said.

The one supporter, Derek Oestreicher, is chief legal counsel and director of government affairs for the Montana Family Foundation, which advocates against abortion.

Oestreicher said he felt the rule did not conflict with previous case law.

This proposed (rule) is not an assault on the Montana Supreme Court's decision in the Armstrong case, Oestreicher said, referencing the 1999 ruling that found Montanas Constitutional right to privacy ensure access to pre-viability abortions. This amendment ensures good financial stewardship and faithfulness for the administration of Montana's Medicaid programs. Requiring health care providers to provide greater specificity with respect to medically necessary health care services is not a hindrance to health care. Instead, it serves as an important verification that general fund dollars are not being used to fund unnecessary medical procedures.

Deernose testified that in its Armstrong ruling, the court found Montanans have a constitutional right to obtain an abortion from the qualified health provider of their choosing.

This cannot be limited to physicians, Deernose said. The department openly flouts Armstrong by attempting to limit the provision of Medicaid-funded abortions to physicians only.

She said the department pushes for the proposed rule changes knowing well that it will lead to litigation and that its actions are not defensible and will be enjoined, ultimately opening the state to even more financial liability.

Erin Schweber, a licensed psychotherapist in Whitefish, said that abortion care is critical for both physical and emotional health.

There's no question that abortion is a necessary health care (service) and placing undue burdens on a specific set of patients to be able to access this vital health care not only risks their physical health, but their long-term mental health, which has far reaching impacts throughout their lives and throughout our communities, Schweber said.

Anna Kostka testified that she received an abortion while covered by Medicaid five years ago and that it benefited her greatly.

My abortion ultimately saved my life, Kostka said.
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.
DECATUR  A coroners jury decided Thursday the hit-and-run-death of pedestrian Norman D. Nicholas was a homicide after hearing the driver accused of killing him had been drinking at a bar and had even stopped off to buy more drinks on his way home after fleeing the scene.

Police told the Macon County jury that the body of 59-year-old Nicholas had been found around 7 a.m. Dec. 15 lying alongside U.S. 36 near Salem School Road in Long Creek.

But State Police Special Agent Dustin Hoffmeier said video surveillance and medical evidence showed Nicholas was killed the evening before around 6 p.m..

Hoffmeier said that video evidence, pulled from various nearby businesses, helped police identify and find Decatur driver Carey P. Floyd, 61, who was later arrested and booked on preliminary charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

Hoffmeier told jurors he was due to meet with Macon County States Attorney Scott Rueter Thursday to present information to support filing more charges, although he did not specify what they would be.

The special agent said the video clearly showed Nicholas walking eastbound and then disappearing after a silver vehicle, identified as a Toyota FJ Cruiser sport utility registered to Floyd, sweeps by and the driver makes no attempt to stop.

Hoffmeier said more video footage pulled from a nearby bar showed Floyd consuming three beers and two shots of whisky before the accident. Then he pulled in at a Caseys convenience store a short distance  barely a quarter of mile  from the spot where Nicholas had been rundown.

And he did buy a 12-pack of Bud Light and a dozen shots of Fireball Whisky at the Caseys, we saw that, Hoffmeier added.

And, in a strange twist, he said the manager of the Caseys remembered seeing Nicholas herself shortly before he was killed: ...She said all this struck home for her because she said she had to swerve to miss him herself, said Hoffmeier.

When troopers came calling at Floyds home the evening of Dec. 15, they found his vehicle parked around the back, out of sight.

I would say a normal person would park in the driveway, and maybe he does park in the back everyday, but the damage to the front end of the FJ Cruiser matched the damage (broken headlight and other debris) found on scene, said Hoffmeier.

He described Floyd as intoxicated and uncooperative when police arrived to question him, and a search of his home turned up the clothing that matched images police had seen on the various surveillance tapes. Floyd has yet to be arraigned and is free after posting a $10,000 bond on bail set at $100,000.

And while Hoffmeier said police now have their suspect, much mystery still surrounds the death of Nicholas. Hoffmeier said investigators dont know why the victim was walking along this stretch of road which is many miles from his home in the 900 block of East Harrison Avenue in Decatur.

Nicholas owned a vehicle but hadnt used it to get out there. Macon County Coroner Michael E. Day, responding to jurors questions, said there was no evidence Nicholas had been drinking at any of the bars along that stretch of road. All he had in his system were traces of caffeine and tobacco.

In other words, folks, he had no intoxicants, he had no narcotics, no alcohol in his system whatsoever, said Day. He was cold sober at the time he was struck and killed on Route 36.

All preliminary charges are subject to review by the office of the state's attorney.

Updated mugshots from the Herald & Review Joseph A. Williams William A. Hosea Randolph Hayes Byron D. Theus Jetrevius O. Jarrett Phillip Gehrken Emmanuel White Aaron L. Hand
DECATUR  Students at St. Teresa High School took part in the schools first Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration on Thursday, and it was their peers who made it happen.

St. Teresa senior Lexi Smith, 18, was one of multiple students who helped plan, organize and run the assembly.

Smith said the event was desperately needed for inclusion and diversity at the school.

I just really hope that they just get educated and learn new things that I didn't know, Smith said of her fellow students. We all learn things about each other and learn about different histories and everything so they can become more aware and more familiar with Black history than just a black and white version.

The event started with a featured speaker and ended with students divided into breakout rooms where they learned more about MLKs legacy. In one room students watched videos about MLKs life; in another, they heard a presentation made by their peers on Black leaders from Decatur. Students also got the chance to listen and dance to music by Black artists.

The celebration came after some community leaders expressed concern about racial representation at the school.

Anthony Corey Walker, founder and CEO of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, said it was unacceptable for St. Teresa to not celebrate MLK Day, considering the large population of Black students at the school.

Walker said representatives from both the Black Chambers of Commerce of Illinois and of Decatur first approached the school about improving representation and inclusion efforts for the student body back in September.

Among the Chambers requests were to include more Black students in the schools multicultural club and to honor MLK Day, Walker said. Walker called St. Teresa Principal Larry Daly amazing for his leadership and said all faculty at the school were open to hearing suggestions for how to better represent the student body.

Most importantly, he said, Black students at St. Teresa did everything to put the assembly together.

Tamarra Fuller, co-founder of the Inc. Spot and president of the Greater Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce, said she hoped the assembly would provide students a chance to learn the history behind a day they spend outside of the classroom.

We just wanted to implement something that can help bridge gaps in the school, Fuller said.

Lawrence Trimble, Thursdays featured speaker, said he wants more people to see MLK Day as a chance to learn and not just take a break from work.

Dr. King, for me, shows us that we have a responsibility to engage in helping mankind move forward, Trimble said. And I think that it is imperative that we use that day not only as a day off of relaxation, but it needs to be a day of reflection where we look at how we can engage in society, to look at how we can improve the quality of life for all mankind.

Fuller said the Greater Decatur Black Chamber of Commerce is already planning to help St. Teresa students plan the event again next year.

Were looking for it to get bigger and better each year, she said.

Close Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Allie Walker responds to a performance from the Unity Gospel Singers during the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. service at St. Patrick Catholic Church after the 27th Annual Freedom March Monday. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Members of the Decatur Power Drillers head north on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive during the march. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Leaders of the group leaving from Hess Park, facing, sing a unity chant as they meet marchers from Mueller Park to finish the final portion of the route together. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Pastor Jack Greenwood, left, greets Dell Leggions on the St. Patrick Catholic Church grounds at the end of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March Monday. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Rochelle Tyus, foreground, and Demetrius Thomas stay close for warmth while waiting on East Marion Street to start walking in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March Monday. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 PHOTOS:MLK Freedom March and Service Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Allie Walker responds to a performance from the Unity Gospel Singers during the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. service at St. Patrick Catholic Church after the 27th Annual Freedom March Monday. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Members of the Decatur Power Drillers head north on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive during the march. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013 Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Leaders of the group leaving from Hess Park, facing, sing a unity chant as they meet marchers from Mueller Park to finish the final portion of the route together. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Pastor Jack Greenwood, left, greets Dell Leggions on the St. Patrick Catholic Church grounds at the end of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March Monday. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling Rochelle Tyus, foreground, and Demetrius Thomas stay close for warmth while waiting on East Marion Street to start walking in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March Monday. Herald & Review/Jim Bowling The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 27th Annual Freedom March and church service in Decatur, Ill., Monday January 21, 2013
DECATUR  During the two years of COVID limitations, show choir was a different experience.

Performers thrive on the presence of an audience, said Isabella Karunas, a senior at MacArthur High School who is part of Elite Energy, and competitions were held via video instead of in person. Singing and dancing, in a mask, to a camera, just wasn't the same. Performers even had to re-learn their stage expressions after being behind masks so long.

Without having an audience, the performing aspect wasn't the same, Harunas said. We feed off the audience, and with no audience, you have to perform like there is an audience there. Honestly, I think COVID, even though it hurt us a lot, there were a lot of negative things, the group kind of came together. So we would have to feed off our own energy and kind of hype ourselves up and be the audience and the performers at the same time.

This year, show choir is back to normal, and Elite Energy will be part of the Mount Zion Midwest Show Choir Invitational, held at Mount Zion High School this Friday and Saturday. The middle school groups begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with high school groups, including unisex, small groups and large groups, from 8 a.m. Saturday. Tickets are available at the door at $15 for Friday, $20 for Saturday or $30 for both days. High school finals begin at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Concerns for safety took up a lot of their attention during the COVID years, Harunas said, because even as they were able to return to in-person competitions, they had to take precautions. The positive side of all that, though, was that they became a tighter group and learned how to give their best performance no matter what the challenges were.

Erik Taylor, director of Mount Zion Swingsations, who are hosting the invitational, said this will be the 41st event, and groups are coming from throughout Illinois as well as nearby states.

These kids are great leaders in the school and in their communities, Taylor said. We have athletes, we have poms, we have honor scholars, and they spend a lot of their time with show choir. It speaks volumes for them that they can do all this and still maintain their grades.

Besides rehearsals and competitions, show choirs have to raise their own funds for entry fees, costumes and other expenses, which means parents have to pitch in, Taylor said. Families work at Majestic Bingo to raise money and until the last couple of years, also had a booth at Decatur Celebration that provided significant funding. When that ended, it meant they had to find other ways to raise money.

Elite Energy used to be affiliated with Eisenhower High School, but Decatur Public Schools did not fund it, said Chan Smalley, board president of the show choir. The school provided a space for rehearsals, but all funding had to be raised by participants and their families. Now the show choir has its own space in a strip mall on North Main Street in Decatur and draws students from schools throughout the area.

It's the same at Mount Zion, Taylor said. All funding must be raised by Swingsations and it can be daunting, but commitment is a hallmark of show choir.

The reason I do this is because I love performing, said Alex Current, a junior at Mount Zion High School. I have a lot of fun with it and nothing makes me happier than being on stage and seeing the crowd, and being up there with my friends. There's a big social aspect to it with all the people in the group, and laughing and making memories.

It is a lot of work, said Kolbi Allen, also a junior at Mount Zion. But she has learned to organize her time around show choir, and it's worth it to her.

I've grown up with a lot of people in the group and when they started doing it, I thought, maybe I'll like that, too, Allen said. It was something I immediately grew attached to. If I quit show choir today, I don't know what I'd do. You get in such a habit of coming to practice every Tuesday and Thursday from 5 to 9, and then you come to the point where it becomes habit and it becomes a big part of your life.

History photos: Mount Zion Swingsations through the years 1976-1977 Swingsations 1977 - 1978 Swingsations 1978 - 1979 Swingsations 1978 -1979 Swingsations Watseka Competition 1979 - 1980 Swingsations 1980 Swingsations Rehearsa 1983-1984 Swingsations 1985 Swingsations Mt. Zion Midwest Invitational 1990 Swingsations Dinner Theatre 2012-2013 Swingsations 2012-2013 Swingsations 2013-2014 Swingsations 2015-2016 Swingsations Swingsations Swingsations Seniors Winning tradition Mount Zion Swingsations In step Rehearsals Showing off Exuberance Strutting their stuff Mount Zion Swingsations Members celebrate With A Song 1993 Seniors More Seniors Seniors Shanna See Tanner Keller
DECATUR  Kids walking through the "Ninja Path" hallway at South Shores School generally pause long enough to do a few of the activities along the way.

The path, put in place over the summer thanks to Young Leaders in Action thanks to their funding from the Community Foundation of Macon County, has decals on the floor and on one wall. Kids jump from one decal to another, or follow a zigzag path, put their hands on the wall and recite encouraging sayings like, I can relax. I can focus. I can think. I can learn, and jump as high as they can to high-five a hand print higher up.

I thought it was fun and I'm 17 years old, said Abi Tertocha, a senior at Maroa-Forsyth High School. She wasn't on the grant team last year when the decision was made to provide the Ninja Path for South Shores, but she was part of a group of Young Leaders who visited the school on Wednesday to see it.

I think it would be super fun to have this to get the wiggles out before going to class, said Lucy Rauch, a senior at Eisenhower High School.

South Shores Principal Kristi Mullinix said the staff uses the Ninja Path for that, but also for kids who are having trouble settling in for the day or who are upset. Bouncing from decal to deal, twisting and following the directions is a good distraction. On a recent day, she said, the breakfast cart ran out of granola bars, and to a small child, something like that can be a big enough disaster to derail their whole morning.

We do a lot of redirecting, Mullinix said.

So, rather than let the kids dwell on having no granola bars and having to settle for something they like less, they nudged them toward the Ninja Path, and in the fun of using it, the students forgot all about the granola bars. Other times, a child who is acting out can be calmed and redirected with a trip through the Ninja Path.

St. Teresa High School senior Lexi Smith said the Young Leaders in Action try to affect their community in positive ways, and often that means doing something for kids. Some of their recent activities include wrapping gifts, helping Santa when kids were visiting to present their lists, and working with Northeast Community Fund.

The group is open to students in their sophomore, junior and senior years of high school throughout Macon County, and applications will open in the spring.

We took $5,000 of our money that we wanted to give to a program that would impact young people, said Temethia Joyner, program facilitator. We had 24 applications for a grant, and they all provided us with a project they'd like to implement, and we chose this one because we thought it would get the most use, and it was right here in our own community.

Mullinix said when the maintenance department prepared the floor for the path last summer, she told them she wanted to ensure the Ninja Path would be usable for years. Several coats of wax protect the decals, which Mullinix joked were not easy to place, since she and her secretary had to get down on the floor and measure the distance between them for the acrobatics required of some of the sections, to make sure they were the right spacing for little feet.

Mrs. Mullinix is 61 years old, Mullinix said, laughing. Getting up and down all the way down there (the length of the hall) was quite a job.
DECATUR  The Macon County Board on Thursday voted to keep cannabis dispensaries out of unincorporated parts of the county and to formally oppose Illinois assault weapons ban, measures that reflected the Republican majoritys dominance.

Board members voted along party lines to modify the sunset date of the cannabis business establishment ordinance of the Macon County Code, meaning all facilities for cannabis except for dispensaries are allowed in the countys unincorporated areas until 2024.

District 1 board member Karl Coleman called the measure unproductive.

As we know, there is not likely to be a cannabis dispensary put in an unincorporated part of the county, Coleman said.

Extending the ban on dispensaries means taking away economic opportunities, he said.

Among other actions, the board also approved a resolution formally stating the countys opposition to HB5471, also known as the Protect Illinois Communities Act, which Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law this week. The law requires current owners of assault weapons to register their firearms with the state and bans future sales of various semi-automatic firearms classified as assault weapons.

Earlier on Thursday, Macon County Sheriff Jim Root released a statement in which he declared he would not enforce the law.

I, along with many others, believe HB5471 is a clear violation of my oath and both Constitutions Im sworn to protect, Roots statement read.

Macon County Board members voted along party lines to state their opposition to the assault weapons ban, with all Republicans voting in favor of the resolution and Democrats Coleman and Vivian Goodman voting present and no, respectively.

State politics arose more than once during Thursdays meeting, with newly elected member Edward Yoder of District 4 at one point commenting on Pritzkers inaugural address earlier this week.

He used the word hope 11 times, but then he used his divisive words such as fascism, extremist, right-winger, anti-vaxxer, or hate, Yoder said. To me, these words only create separation, fear and conflict.

Among other appointments, the board voted to approve Marsha Webb, an EMS instructor with experience working for Decatur ambulances, to an open position on the Macon County Board of Health.

The Macon County Board is set to convene for its next full meeting on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m.

Photos: Rallies across US demand gun law changes
URBANA  A federal jury has found in favor of a former University of Illinois professor in a lawsuit two women filed accusing him of sexually and emotionally exploiting them when they were his students.

The jury in Urbana decided in Thursday's verdict that the two plaintiffs had not proven their federal claims of gender violence, forced labor, sex trafficking and involuntary servitude against Gary Xu.

The jurors also ordered one of the women and another plaintiff, who published online allegations of Xu's alleged misdeeds, to pay Xu a total of $800,000 in damages, The News-Gazette reported.

The suit filed in 2019 accused Xu, who had been an associate professor on Asian cultures at the University of Illinois, of sexually and emotionally exploiting his Chinese students, who depended on him for their visas.

Attorney Jon Little represents one of the plaintiffs, a 28-year-old Chinese woman who alleged that Xu raped, beat and controlled her during a two-year relationship that began when she was a 19-year-old undergraduate student. He said the jury's verdict "sends the wrong message."

"We have emboldened a man who was having sex with a student," Little said.

Xu, who never admitted a consensual sexual relationship with the woman and denied all the lawsuit's allegations, wept and hugged his attorney, Jim Martinkus, after the verdict.

"The jury has spoken. We're very grateful," Martinkus said.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. High 81F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds for later at night. Low 59F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
Note to readers: The following Editorial Comment expresses the editorial opinions of the Hoards Dairyman editorial team.

For the second year in a row, a Wisconsin county has looked to limit milk truck traffic on its roads during the spring thaw. In last years saga, the county backed down from its plan after a public outpouring. This time around, it appears a different county is forging ahead with its plan. The last time we checked, milk moved far past county lines, and we believe its time the Wisconsin legislature and the governor look deeper into this matter before a mishmash of road rules from 72 counties cut Americas Dairylands leading rural economic engine into metal fragments destined for the scrapheap.

Last year, Price County officials wanted to enforce the temporary 55,000-pound weight limit rather than allow milk trucks carrying 75,000 pounds of weight to travel its county roads. Those in the dairy community thought the position was excessive and voiced a multitude of concerns, including a shortage of people holding commercial driver licenses (CDL), the high cost of fuel, the long distance to haul milk, and the potential for farmers to even lose their milk markets.

With some nudging, cooler heads prevailed in Price County two days prior to the enforcement deadline. The parties ironed out their differences and developed a plan to ensure milk rolled down county roads and made it to market.

This year, Chippewa County is looking to take a similar stance. At least this time around, this Wisconsin Northwoods county formed a working group and met on two occasions to gather input.



While we applaud this effort, it appears the final ruling came from the Chippewa Countys highway commissioner, not elected officials. The Chippewa County Highway Commissioner decreed that all milk haulers must attend a mandatory meeting to work through the countys new permitting procedures and pay $100 for a permit to haul milk this spring. Hauling loads above the spring road ban weight limits without a permit may result in costly citations.

Just like the Price County situation, we fear if Chippewa Countys action goes unchecked, this playbook could proliferate throughout the Badger State. Why is the dairy industry being singled out in Chippewa County? Could spot scale checks on roadways have been a more effective approach? Could this be a back-door action against large farms? Could weight limits reduce milk hauler's interest in making multiple stops on small- and mid-sized farms? Could Wisconsin-based milk truckers one day be required to have unique permits for every county? Those are just the first of a multitude of questions we raise on this matter.

Specific to Chippewa Countys action, whats the sunset plan for this permit process  or shall we say, tax  on milk haulers who work for dairy farmers and dairy processors? As we all know, seldom does a permit fee or tax go away  just the opposite occurs as government agencies often raise those fees.

We are also concerned that farmers have become pawns in a larger road game. While some have suggested that officials are concerned about who will pay for the damage caused by milk trucks, others have inferred that some county leaders are trying to send a message to the state capital that more money is needed to support local roads.

While the intentions may be pure, our periscope of concern has been raised sky-high. Its time state officials delve deeper into this matter because the hodgepodge proliferation of 72 sets of county road rules could deliver irreversible harm to the namesake industry in Americas Dairyland. Lastly, we also know that once businesses and markets shutter, its a rare occasion that resuscitation and revival efforts bring them back to life. How will Wisconsin replace those rural jobs when milk fails to reach markets?

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023

January 12, 2023
Nepal Gem and Jewellery Association holds international trade show in Kathmandu By



Isabelle Crossley Published

Jan 13, 2023

The Nepal Gem and Jewellery Association has launched international trade show Fashion Runway Expo 2023 in . The event is designed to showcase jewellery from across the country to an international audience.





Kathmandu celebrates Nepal's jewellery businesses at a jewellery focused trade show and shopping event - NEGJA- Facebook



The trade show launched at Kathmandus Hotel Yak and Yeti on January 13 and runs until January 15 in partnership with consulting firm Aecc Consultants, the NEGJA announced on Facebook. Ahead of the events launch, on the evening of January 12, Bollywood celebrity Malaika Arora traveled from India to Nepal to model a selection of traditional and contemporary Nepalese jewellery on the runway at the Fashion Runway portion of the event.



Arora wore a large Tilhari gold pendant on a thick string of green potay (beads), slung over the shoulder in traditional style. The jewellery, worn by married women, is one of the most distinctive styles of Nepalese jewellery. The fashion show was broadcast live on Kantipur and Kantipur Cineplex television services.

The trade show is sponsored by Superior Vodka with mobility partner Arete International Limited. With free entry for both industry professionals and shoppers, the trade show is designed to give Nepalese jewellery brands a platform from which to promote their latest designs and link up with retailers and wholesales from a wide range of locations.



The event is also open for business-to-customer commerce and will feature an array of wedding themed jewellery options. You'll have the opportunity to meet jewellers, and stylists who will share their knowledge and insights on the latest trends and techniques, wrote the NEGJA on Facebook.
Friday, January 13

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Heavenly Hot Dogs at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 301 Mount Olivet Road, will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free delivery for orders of more than $15, and takeout is available. Homemade desserts and chicken noodle soup are available. For more information, visit www.mtochurch.com or call 704-782-8846.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, January 14

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot Dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union Street S, are offered on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call in orders are welcomed. 704-782-1785.

Sunday, January 15

A Red Cross blood drive will be held at Harrisburg Presbyterian Church, 4815 NC-49, Noon to 4 p.m. Harrisburg Presbyterian Church, 4815 NC-49, Noon to 4 p.m. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Monday, January 16

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

A Red Cross Cabarrus VIP blood drive will be held at First Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, 65 North Church Street, 2:30 to 7 .p.m. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Tuesday, January 17

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St. Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

A Red Cross blood drive will be held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Parkway South, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Wednesday, January 18

The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome.

Thursday, January 19

Epworth UMCs famous hot dogs and taco soup, 9:30 a.m. -2 p.m. 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. For free delivery call 704-786-5500.

Friday, January 20

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Heavenly Hot Dogs at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 301 Mount Olivet Road, will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free delivery for orders of more than $15, and takeout is available. Homemade desserts and chicken noodle soup are available. For more information, visit www.mtochurch.com or call 704-782-8846.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, January 21

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Monday, January 23

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Tuesday, January 24

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St. Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

A Red Cross blood drive will be held at Rocky River Presbyterian Church, 7940 Rocky River Road, 2 to 6:30 p.m. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Wednesday, January 25

A Red Cross blood drive will be held at Elevation Church - Concord, 545 Concord Pkwy. N, Noon to 4:30 p.m. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Thursday, January 26

Epworth UMCs famous hot dogs and taco soup, 9:30 a.m. -2 p.m. 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. For free delivery call 704-786-5500.

Friday, January 27

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Heavenly Hot Dogs at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 301 Mount Olivet Road, will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free delivery for orders of more than $15, and takeout is available. Homemade desserts and chicken noodle soup are available. For more information, visit www.mtochurch.com or call 704-782-8846.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A Red Cross blood drive will be held at Unity United Methodist Church - Kannapolis, 8605 Unity Church Road, 2 to 6:30 p.m. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Saturday, January 28

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot Dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union Street S, are offered on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call in orders are welcomed. 704-782-1785.

Monday, January 30

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Tuesday, January 31

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St. Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

A Red Cross blood drive will be held at Lowe's of Concord-#2981, 8670 Concord Mills Blvd., 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Wednesday, February 1

The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome.

Thursday, February 2

Epworth UMCs famous hot dogs and taco soup, 9:30 a.m. -2 p.m. 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. For free delivery call 704-786-5500.

Friday, February 3

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Heavenly Hot Dogs at Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 301 Mount Olivet Road, will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free delivery for orders of more than $15, and takeout is available. Homemade desserts and chicken noodle soup are available. For more information, visit www.mtochurch.com or call 704-782-8846.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, February 4

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Got news or events?

Does your community group or nonprofit agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to the public? Email it to mplemmons@independenttribune.com.
CHARLOTTE  Discovery Place Science invites you to go undercover and enter a world of coded messages and satellite surveillance when you step into Top Secret: License to Spy and take on the role of a secret agent. Featuring life-like sets and activities based on a James Bond-style fantasy of exotic locations and high-tech equipment, the exhibition challenges guests with a mystery to solve. By the end, will they be able to determine which suspect can be implicated in the crime?

Whats unique about this exhibition is its cooperative nature, said Catherine Wilson Horne, president & CEO of Discovery Place. Top Secret is designed to encourage group participation, and we look forward to welcoming a new class of spies-in-training to fulfill missions packed with hands-on science learning.

Tom Zaller, CEO of Imagine Exhibitions shared, Imagine Exhibitions is proud to partner with Scitech to bring Top Secret to Discovery Place Science. Diving into the mind of a secret agent to learn about the world of spies and espionage is a creative way to engage visitors and encourage them to learn about fascinating, cutting-edge technologies being used today.

Visitors to Top Secret: License to Spy will gather the intelligence needed to achieve their mission by breaking codes, uncovering microdots, using spy satellites and creating elusive disguises. This secret science adventure will amaze adults and children alike with its behind-the-scenes glimpse of the undercover world.

Heres a look at some of the science guests will explore during their mission while putting their observation and problem-solving skills to the test:

Uncovering a radio bug with an oscilloscope

Using lasers to monitor conversations

Positioning a satellite correctly to receive a message

Top Secret: License to Spy will open Jan. 28 and run through April 16. Focusing on the science and technology of espionage, Top Secret lets you play the role of secret agent and learn how espionage-related technologies can be used in the wider world. Top Secret: License to Spy is created by Scitech Discovery Centre, Perth, Australia, and produced by Imagine Exhibitions, Inc.
include_once "/home/jwreview/public_html/$theme/includes/sidebar.php"; ?> Newly elected Speaker Kevin McCarthy has started to shake things up in the House. I know, I know. Because the Democrats hold the majority in the Senate and Biden is in the White House there is very little chance that Republicans can actually get anything meaningful legislated. That is true.

However, having a say as to who sits on important national committees is vital and sends a signal out to the country that all is not lost.

Towards that end, McCarthy has kicked out three nasty, lying, Democrats from their committee positions this week. Number one: Repulsive liar Adam Schiff has been removed from the House Intelligence Committee.

Schiff, who made it his business to stick his face into any camera he could, consistently lied about President Trump and what he claimed were "indisputable ties to the Russian government."

Schiff became a constant guest on far-left cable news networks during the Mueller probe of former President Trump, insisting he had personally seen classified evidence that linked Trump to the Kremlin. Schiff pushed the Trump-Russia collusion hoax for years (knowing full well that they were nothing but lies) and was at the forefront of the impeachment hearings against the president.

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So this piece of human waste gets tossed out on his ear. Good riddance, but too bad he isn't prosecuted for the torture he put the Trump family and the country through for all that time. Not to mention the millions of dollars that were wasted on these false claims.

Also thrown the hell off of the House Intelligence Committee is Eric Swalwell, another lying twerp who had an ongoing affair with a Chinese spy for years. The communist spy, Fang Fang, posed as a political supporter (but you can bet Swalwell knew damn well who she was all the time). When her true identity eventually became public, he denied it of course. That's what liars do.

Last November McCarthy said, "Eric Swalwell cannot get a security clearance in the public sector. Why would we ever give him a security clearance in the secrets to America? So, I will not allow him to be on Intel." So now he's gone. Good.

The third Democrat to be ousted is anti-Semite and race baiter Ilhan Omar, the representative from Minnesota who also happens to embrace radical Islam. Up until now she had been sitting on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Not anymore. Boot! Now she can sit on her thumbs.

Omar, a Somali refugee and member of the so-called "Squad," has repeatedly beenEaccused of anti-Semitism, including for a 2019 tweet in which she suggested Jews buy political clout.

More recently she and "the Squad" have been accused of inciting anti-Semitic attacks comparing the US and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban.

It has been alleged that Omar married her own brother to get around US immigration laws. Secret DNA tests on her and her second husband have asserted that there is a 99.999998 chance that they are siblings. She is currently married to her third husband, who was her chief fundraiser. Shady, disgusting and dangerous.

Thankfully she is no longer on the Foreign Relations Committee.

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Along with the ousters, a Republican steering committee has assigned chairmanships, with several of the House's more conservative members landing key roles. Missouri Rep. Jason Smith will chair the powerful House Ways and Means Committee; Tennessee Rep. Mark Green the Homeland Security Committee; and Texas Rep. Jodey Arrington the Budget Committee.

In addition, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan is widely expected to chair the Judiciary Committee.

Although I'm not completely happy with McCarthy for many reasons, so far he has lived up to his promises to rid the committees of these lying crooked Dems. It's a start.

I hate the war between the Republican factions and wish the Republicans could somehow come together as a body with one voice and a solid conservative agenda. The Democrats have certainly found the way to do it for their side, pushing the country ever leftward.

Republicans need to coalesce in the same way before it's too late.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
MATTOON  Four Coles County healthcare providers took part in an annual medical mission trip Honduras that resumed in November after a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ophthalmologist Dr. Ron Miller of Mattoon, family practice doctor Dr. Gary Mikel of Charleston, and nurses Dorothy Moyers and Eileen Preston, both of Charleston, joined several other providers on this Health Caring Services trip, which was last held in fall 2019.

"It was good to be back," Miller said of his 17th medical mission trip to Honduras. He added that they needed to replace some stored medical supplies that had expired since 2019. "There was a lot of materials we had to take down with us, but it worked out fine. We had a very nice crew."

Miller said he met with patients at rural clinics in the mountains of western Honduras and then spent three days performing eye surgeries, such as uncrossing eyes, in the regional hospital in Sula alongside other providers.

"We had a large percentage of patients who needed surgery, like they had saved up in wait for us," Miller said, adding that there is another trip in the works for March to meet this demand.

Despite the busy schedule, he said the providers were also able to visit the Mayan ruins in Copan and a Caribbean beach during the trip.
MATTOON  A dispute within the Mattoon school board regarding Illinois Open Meetings Act provisions and related legal opinions has continued into its fourth month.

The dispute continued at the board meeting Tuesday night with discussion of the Illinois Attorney Generals Offices Dec. 12 opinion that board member Heidi Larsons Oct. 4 email to three other members did not violate the act, which includes provisions aimed at ensuring local government meetings are open to the public whenever possible.

Available information does not reflect contemporaneous interactive communications among a majority of a quorum of the board, and, therefore, does not suggest that the board held an improper private meeting, the opinion stated. It noted a prior opinion from this office saying, a single e-mail from one member of a public body to the (rest) did not violate OMA where no other members replied.

Concerned Taxpayers of Coles County member James DiNaso raised the issue Tuesday when he said in light of the Dec. 12 opinion, Dale Righter and other board members should apologize for publicly accusing Larson at the Oct. 11 meeting of violating the act.

I think the board members that said she did something wrong, you owe her an apology publicly because you brought it out publicly and accused her, said DiNaso, who had requested that the Attorney Generals Office review the matter.

Board President Michelle Skinlo said when she expressed her concern to Larson about a possible violation, this was done via a private correspondence between them and not at a public meeting.

I did not accuse her publicly. She brought it forward at our meeting, I believe in October. My intentions were never, ever to bring it up publicly or do anything with it, Skinlo said. I am sorry it has gone this far and I believe it is time we get back to the business of what we are here for  our children, our families, our community and our district.

Larson said the Oct. 4 email was prompted by her seeing some of her requests to place items on the boards meeting agendas be denied or reworded. Larson said she wanted to put an item regarding the districts sex education curriculum on the agenda, so she emailed three other members about this request.

After getting a text from Skinlo about her Open Meetings Act concern, Larson said she requested information in writing about how her email may have been a violation. Larson said she did not receive a written response, so she brought the question up on Oct. 11 and asked for an opinion from the school districts attorney.

Larson said she felt that Righter accused her on Oct. 11 of violating the act. She said she subsequently received the Oct. 23 written opinion of the districts attorney, Brandon Wright, and requested that the board release this opinion at the Dec. 13 meeting, which it did.

Wrights opinion stated that Larson likely violated the Open Meetings Act when she sent an email on Oct. 4 and that she created a gathering via electronic communication with a total of four board members in an attempt to discuss school district business.

On the night before their Dec. 13 meeting, Larson said board members received the Attorney Generals opinion that a violation did not occur.

I have not heard a retraction nor an apology from President Skinlo or Mr. Righter. The accusation was improper and my integrity, credibility and character were called into question without merit, Larson said, adding that she believes Righter and Wright did not read the act closely enough.

Righter said he decided to offer a verbal legal opinion on Oct. 11 after Larson asked the board, no less than five times, how her email could have been in violation.

I did not do so in an accusatory fashion or a demeaning fashion, Righter said. He added that, I was not at the time nor am I now under the illusion that my opinion is the only opinion on the Open Meetings Act.

Righter said he appreciates the different opinion from the Attorney Generals Office, but that office is not a court of law and does not have the final say on whether a violation of the act as occurred. He said the district could ask a dozen different attorneys and get a variety of opinions.

I think we are walking down a dangerous road in our ability to publicly discuss issues when we say every time we disagree with someones opinion they owe you an apology, Righter said. I gave my opinion in an objective and informed matter. I understand that people disagree with it, but I gave my opinion in that matter. Im not going to apologize for some thing that I said is my opinion and I believe in it.

Larson said brought up the issue on Oct. 11 because she was seeking board members assistance in figuring out the appropriate way to send emails among them. Larson also said she was inquiring about getting a legal opinion from the school districts attorney, not from within the board.

I didnt ask you for your (legal) opinion, Larson said.

PHOTOS: Mattoon celebrates during the annual homecoming parade
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC said Thursday it has submitted  as expected  a formal protest of the State Health Plans decision to award the 2025-2027 contract for third-party administrative services to Aetna.

The SHP is North Carolinas largest purchaser of medical and pharmaceutical services. It covers nearly 740,000 teachers, state employees, legislators, retirees and their dependents,

State treasurer Dale Folwell announced Jan. 4 the awarding of a three-year contract to Aetna that has a renewal option for two, one-year terms.

According to the SHP's request for proposal, its board can accept the protest and scheduled a meeting with Blue Cross BC within a 30-day period, or take up to 10 days to reject the protest.

Blue Cross NC has held the administrative contract with the SHP since the early 1980s.

UMR Inc. also submitted a proposal. On Jan. 13, UMR also filed a protest of the decision, according to Folwell.

Blue Cross NC said the SHP and Folwell informed the insurer of its decision on Dec. 14 following the unanimous vote by the SHPs Board of Trustees, A meeting to discuss the decision was held by Blue Cross NC and the SHP on Dec. 16.

The simplistic request for proposal, or bid process, represented a significant departure from the State Health Plans previous procurement and contracting process, Blue Cross NC said.

Blue Cross NC said it submitted public records requests on Dec. 15 and Dec. 20. It said the SHP has not committed to a specific timeline for response.

The protest highlights the limited information and distorted scoring system used during the decision-making process. Additionally, Blue Cross NC bid the lowest administrative fee of any bidder.

State Health Plan members are more than customers; they are our neighbors, our friends and our family, said Dr. Tunde Sotunde, president and chief executive of Blue Cross NC.

We have filed this protest to ensure the best outcome for them, for taxpayers and for our state.

Folwell responded to the Blue Cross NC protest by saying in a statement that we welcome the opportunity to engage in a factual, thoughtful and transparent review of the State Health Plans contracting process for third-party administration services going into effect two years from now.

Just like Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina has the right to point fingers at everyone else for losing the contract after 44 years, the State Health Plan, (its) board of trustees, professional staff and I all have a duty to seek the best financial value and member service for those that teach, protect and serve, as well as taxpayers like them.

Aetna response

Aetna said it will have nearly 600 employees assigned to work on this transition with SHP Director Sam Watts.

Jim Bostian, Aetnas president for N.C., said the insurer submitted an aggressive proposal affirming the State Health Plans commitment to high-quality and affordable health benefits.

The people who teach, protect and serve North Carolina deserve a health benefits administrator that leads with customer service, quality care and affordability. Aetna intends to deliver it to them.

The hundreds of Aetna employees dedicated to this seamless transition will continue their work without distraction.

Bostian said in an op-ed submission to the News & Observer of Raleigh that Aetna analyzed millions of provider claims processed over a full year by Blue Cross NC and matched them to Aetnas provider network.

The result? More than 98% of BCBS claims came from providers currently in Aetnas network.

Still, that doesnt satisfy me. On Jan. 4, we began communicating with additional N.C. providers to expand Aetnas network even further.

We will continue to work to bring more providers into the network that can offer the high-quality care that state employees deserve.

Whats at stake

Blue Cross NC said that since the SHPs announcement of the 2025 switch to Aetna, members have expressed concerns about maintaining access to their doctors.

Yet, the request for proposal process did not score each proposed vendors network of providers, and the process did not consider the possible disruption to members access to health care providers.

For example, Blue Cross NC said that based on a preliminary review of publicly available information, Blue Cross NCs statewide network of total provider locations appears to be 38% larger than Aetnas.

A smaller network could result in a significant number of teachers and state employees across the state to change doctors theyve built relationships with for years and travel farther for in-network care.

Blue Cross NC said the request for proposals relied on simplistic yes/no questions and prohibiting explanations of capabilities or the ability to provide helpful context.

The SHP is accused of oversimplifying the criteria used to assess the technical expertise of each company.

Blue Cross NC stressed the employment component of the decision, saying the request for proposals was altered to remove any preference for companies that have resources in North Carolina.

Blue Cross NC has not disclosed how many employees could be affected by the ending of the SHP contract in 2025. It said it employs hundreds of North Carolinians directly serving the State Health Plan.

Blue Cross NCs focus will remain on providing the highest level of service to the State Health Plan members it is honored to serve, Sotunde said.

SHP motives

The treasurers office said that the administrative contract oversees health care spending of more than $17.5 billion over five years.

The new contract reflects a partnership that focuses on transparency and lower costs, with the potential administrative cost savings over the course of the contract equaling $140 million, according to the news release.

Folwell said in announcing the transition that Blue Cross NCs chairman Ned Curran and Sotunde have assured me that they will finish strong for the next two years.

Their comments this morning (Jan. 4) is evidence that statements and promises dont matter.

Folwell said that partnering with Aetna, which already employs more than 10,000 people in North Carolina, will create a lot of new opportunities for the (SHP) and the members we serve.

A change of this magnitude is a great opportunity for a fresh perspective, and we look forward to working closely with Aetna to create new ways to provide price transparency, increase access and quality, while lowering the cost of health care for those who teach, protect and serve, and taxpayers like them.

SHP members are expected to begin receiving more information regarding the changes in 2024 prior to open enrollment for the 2025 benefit year.

With nearly 170 years of expertise and experience, we are ready to serve these members through our comprehensive, local network of primary care physicians, mental health providers, specialists and hospitals that State of North Carolina employees know and trust, Jim Bostian, Aetnas N.C. market president, said in a statement.

We will also provide greater value for members by connecting them to the services and support they need for every type of health care moment, simply and affordably.
Wells Fargo & Co. is opposing the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection motion of United Furniture Industries Inc., saying it is an exercise in revisionist history and only benefits the manufacturers majority owner David Belford.

Wells Fargo is Uniteds largest creditor. It said in a Dec. 30 court filing requesting the Chapter 7 liquidation of United that it is owed $99.21 million in secured debt.

However, the bank acknowledged it estimates that any recoveries from liquidation of (Uniteds) collateral will result in a recovery equal to a fraction of this amount.

Wednesdays filing comes as federal bankruptcy Judge Selene Maddox set a Friday hearing on the Chapter 11 corporate restructuring motion. Maddox did not conduct a hearing Jan. 6 into the Chapter 7 liquidating motion.

On Friday, Maddox conducted the hearing and took the presentations "under advisement" pending issuing a bench ruling at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Maddox chose to reset Wells Fargo's motion for an interim trustee pending her ruling on United motion.

United made promotional- to mid-priced upholstered furniture in the U.S. under its brand and the Lane Home Furnishings brand. The manufacturer also imported wooden bedroom and dining furniture.

The bank listed that United was a $600 million annual revenue business before the abrupt Nov. 22 shutdown that immediately ended the employment and health insurance benefits of about 530 Triad workers and about 2,700 overall in three states.

Wells Fargo has pulled no punches in its court filings.

It claims United has performed post-shutdown various instances of conduct found to establish a lack of integrity, gross mismanagement, ongoing incompetence, and conflicts of interest involving Belford, and lack of credibility and creditor confidence.

Belford made the decision to shut down United. Wells Fargo said Belford has not been made available for deposition as of Wednesday.

The other creditors participating in the bankruptcy petition are: Security Associates of Mississippi/Alabama, claiming it is owed $265,000; and V&B International Inc., which claims it is owed $30,486 for purchase orders.

In bad faith

Uniteds Jan. 6 motion for Chapter 11 protection was its first formal legal response.

Also on Jan. 6, United filed its response to Wells Fargos petition, saying it is founded upon false and misleading statements and is premised on inaccurate and grossly misleading allegation.

Wells Fargo said Uniteds Chapter 11 motion is premised on a misleading assertion ... and contains gaping factual holes. It also claims United is acting in bad faith legally since the shutdown.

United said it has hired a new chief financial officer, chief restructuring officer and outside professionals to help lead the Chapter 11 process.

Wells Fargo claims the management team United formed is being paid by, and works at the direction of Belford.

According to a court filing, United has committed at least $10 million toward the Chapter 11 process, which Wells Fargo said is insufficient.

Wells Fargo said that immediate steps must be taken to install an (interim bankruptcy) trustee to immediately take control of, and with Wells Fargos assistance, liquidate the alleged debtors assets in order to preserve and maximize the value of UFIs assets for the benefit of all creditors.

Moreover, the magnitude of claims and issues are accelerating and that a Chapter 11 process is impossible in this case with UFI having been shut down for more than 50 days, irrevocably damaging the value of any going concern sale prospects.

The bank claims none of those hired officials have taken any material action to preserve and protect UFIs assets, or to address the myriad of claims asserted by numerous creditors arising in the seven weeks since UFIs closure.

Beneficiaries

Wells Fargo said Belfords family trust would be a beneficiary of UFIs proposed plan should its bankruptcy case be converted to a proceeding under Chapter 11 ... to the detriment of all creditors.

None of these individuals were provided the financial support and resources to undertake any of the necessary tasks for Chapter 11.

In its own words, UFIs main goal in bankruptcy is to run a sale process for the companys real-estate portfolio which UFI claims to potentially have in excess of $50 million in unencumbered value. Wells Fargo disputes that value assessment.

That includes the 850,000-square-foot production facility at 401 W. Hanes Mill Road in Winston-Salem.

It is unclear who this proposed sale process would benefit other than UFIs real-estate secured creditors and UFIs largest equity holder (Belford), the bank said.

Wells Fargo said a bankruptcy trustee is necessary to ensure that the assets of UFI are properly marshaled, protected and liquidated in accordance with the mandates of the (federal) Bankruptcy Code, and that the claims and concerns of creditors are addressed in an orderly fashion.

To be sure, creditors can have no assurance that UFI will about-face and do the right thing given that UFI is still being controlled by the same equity holder that caused the situation the parties find themselves in in the first instance.

United claims

United claims Wells Fargos motion for an interim trustee was filed solely to hinder the companys liquidation plan and that there is zero proof whatsoever of fraud, dishonesty or gross management by Uniteds owner, board of directors or executive team.

United said it hired Kimberly Harper as chief financial officer on Dec. 1 to lead its attempt to wind down the company ... to preserve the companys assets, prevent loss to the estate and develop a strategy to maximize the companys value to all stakeholders.

Those steps involve Harper negotiating with creditors and handling human resources issues. United cited the hiring of a chief restructuring officer and an outside general counsel.

As such, United claimed the Wells Fargo motion for an interim trustee was unnecessary.

This opposition will establish beyond any clear and convincing evidence that the company already is preserving the property of the estate and preventing any potential loss, the manufacturer said.

United said its effort shows that Wells Fargos self-serving narrative that no other party has taken any initiative to preserve value is false.

Wells Fargos actions may have already caused a diminution in the value of the companys real estate, which the company believes holds substantial value.

Wells Fargo claims

Wells Fargo said it was given little prior notice on Nov. 21 from United officials that they needed substantial capital immediately, over and above amounts that would be in compliance with the credit facility between the parties, or it would not be able to fund continued operations.

Bank officials told United they could not agree to the request ... on such short notice without additional information, including a budget for restructuring purposes and internal credit committee approval at Wells Fargo.

The bank said that by United shutting operations immediately, it completely abandoned all of its properties, leaving those facilities without security and without insurance after Nov. 30.

Wells Fargo said it has taken on those duties at a cost of $1.5 million through Wednesday.

Wells Fargo officials began the process of liquidating Uniteds assets upon the resignations of Uniteds top executives. That included fielding inquiries from other United creditors who also have claims for United properties.

While Wells Fargo has worked with creditors as they have come forward to resolve claims, Wells Fargo has no duties to such creditors, according to the filing.

All creditors (could) thus be best served by an orderly liquidation (of United) by a Chapter 7 trustee in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy case.

Our hope is that with court supervision, everyone impacted will be treated fairly.
The driver of a box truck that collided Tuesday with a Yadkin County school bus carrying 11 students is facing charges in the incident, authorities said Friday.

Sylvia Marie Grice, 53, of Thomasville is charged with a stop light violation and an unsafe movement violation, Yadkinville police said.

Grice is scheduled to appear March 31 in Yadkin District Court.

The school bus collided with the box truck near the intersection of U.S. 601 and North Lee Avenue, police said. The bus driver sustained a minor injury, but no students were injured.

The incident happened about 8 a.m., with the impact causing the bus driver to lose control of the bus, police said.

The bus then struck a parked and unoccupied food truck, police said. The food truck was pushed into an unoccupied building.

The bus came to rest against an unoccupied apartment building, police said. Grice wasn't injured.

The bus driver suffered cuts and scraps to his hand, and was treated at the scene by Yadkin County emergency medical technicians, said Todd Martin, the superintendent of the Yadkin County Schools.

The bus was taking 11 students to Yadkin Early College, Martin said. Another school bus came to the scene and took the students to the school.

Martin declined to identify the bus driver.
Its Friday the 13th, traditionally a day when superstitious folks get even more worried than normal.

Friday the 13th is a confluence of two superstitions, the fear of Fridays and the fear of the number 13.

Though Fridays are often looked on well, since thats the end of the work week for many people, that day of the week has been associated with bad fortune at least as far back as the 14th century, when, in The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer wrote, And on a Friday fell all this mischance.

References to Friday being an ominous day became even more popular in the 17th century. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Superstitions, you shouldnt marry, leave for a trip, move into a new house or begin a new project on a Friday.

The number 13, meanwhile, has also been associated with trouble for centuries. The theories why that number is so bad include that there were 13 people at the Last Supper; that, in numerology, 12 is considered a number of completeness and 13 is therefore one past it; and that in Norse mythology, the god Loki caused mayhem as an uninvited 13th guest at a gathering. Some buildings even skip from the 12th to the 14th floors in the official naming.

So, you combine those two superstitions and youve got a double whammy. Theres even a name for the fear of Friday the 13th, paraskevidekatriaphobia. It was coined in the 1980s by Donald Dossey, a behavioral scientist from Asheville. The more straightforward fear of the number 13 by itself is called triskaidekaphobia.

Dossey, who died in 2016, told SAM back in 2009 that the symptoms of paraskevidekatriaphobia range from a nagging sense of doom all the way to not getting out of bed that day, and joked that once people learn how to pronounce the word, they are cured of it. He also joked that a Friday the 13th falling on a full moon in a month with a blue moon (two full moons in the same month) is super-duper unlucky.

The next full moon on a Friday the 13th will be Aug. 13, 2049.

From History.com, one reason Friday the 13th may be unlucky. On Oct. 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered hundreds of the Knights Templar arrested. The knights were a powerful and wealthy religious and military order that was formed in the 12th century to defend the Holy Land. The knights were jailed on various charges, and some were executed. Many believe that the real reason that King Philip had the knights arrested was to confiscate their money.

Also, on Friday the 13th:

On Sept. 13, 1940, Buckingham Palace was damaged by Nazi bombing during the Blitzkrieg.

On Sept. 13, 1996, rapper Tupac Shakur died after being shot six days earlier.

Here is additional Friday the 13th trivia from timeanddate.com:

If Jan. 1 of a non-leap year is on Thursday, then there will be three Friday the 13ths that year, in February, March and November. The next time that will happen is 2026.

If Jan. 1 of a leap year falls on Sunday, there will be three Friday the 13ths that year, January, April, and July.

So happy Friday the 13th and please stay away from ladders, dont break any mirrorsand if you see a penny, pick it up.

Mark your calendars now, the next Friday the 13th will be in October.

Hawthorne Road detourThe southbound lanes of Hawthorne Road will be detoured to the left and to the right onto Academy Street on Monday and Tuesday to remove trees for the City of Winston-Salem.
Winston-Salem and Forsyth County have approved new spending related to the American Rescue Plan Act, signed into law by Congress to provide stimulus money in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city at its most recent meeting approved $4.4 million to distribute among 10 community groups or agencies, while the county approved $3.1 million distributed for seven entities.

The city money was distributed from a pool of $10.5 million set aside to carry out what are called transformational grants, grants designed to provide social and economic assistance especially directed to low-income communities.

The city granted money to the following organizations:

*Imprints Cares is receiving $500,000 in support of the Family Resource Center for Children with Exceptional Needs, for an expanded learning program directed at children to age 5.

*Que Pasa is receiving $386,150 for Project Butterfly, an online information hub for the Hispanic community.

*Goler Community Development Corporation and the Black Chamber of Commerce are getting $500,926 for workforce programs to increase employment in the information and technology sector.

*IBF Solutions is receiving $300,000 for job training and employment for the blind.

*Piedmont Environmental Alliance is getting $195,000 to encourage the growth of green jobs in the local economy.

*Senior Services is getting $450,000 toward programs in the Intergenerational Center for Arts and Wellness.

*Smart Start of Forsyth County is getting $$660,000 to help child care centers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

*Union Community Development Corporation is getting $750,000 for a variety of programs including after-school enrichment, life skills, family development, job skills and personal development. Theres also an anti-gang component.

*Crosby Scholars is getting $116,573 for data analytics software for parents and students.

*United Health Centers is getting $500,000 toward putting a clinic at Southside Plaza Shopping Center.

County ARPA grants are being made to the following:

*Habitat for Humanity is receiving $110,000 to provide $10,000 in down payment assistance to 11 families purchasing homes. The down payment helps lowers the loan amount that the families owe to Habitat and in turn lowers the monthly mortgage payment.

*Forsyth County Emergency Services is receiving $149,250 to buy 75 sets of protective rescue gear to protect workers at car wrecks, rescue scenes, industrial incidents and hazardous materials incidents.

County officials said the money would allow the replacement of worn-out gear and provide gear to new employees. Officials also said the move would allow the county to get back on track purchasing just a few sets each year through the normal budgeting process. The sets cost $1,990 each.

*Four rural fire departments that have aging fire engines and a limited tax base would share in a $2.8 million ARPA allocation to buy four engines at $700,000 apiece, allowing each department to have one new engine.

The departments getting the fire engines are Horneytown, Mineral Springs, Salem Chapel and Union Cross.

*Triangle Residential Options for Substance Abusers Inc. (TROSA) is receiving $60,701 to provide 21,000 meals to residential clients who have substance abuse disorders.
A Winston-Salem juvenile was shot and wounded Thursday in the city's southeastern section, authorities said.

Winston-Salem police were dispatched at 4:27 p.m. to a reported shooting in the 3500 block of Lambeth Street, police said. Shortly after the call was dispatched, a gunshot victim arrived at a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to the ankle and arm.

Investigators determined that the victim was shot by unknown suspects inside a car in the 3500 block of Lambeth, police said.

Police didn't identify the victim, who was initially taken to another location, police said. The victim then received a ride to the hospital.

Anyone with information about this shooting can Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County is on Facebook.

The Text-A-Tip program at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police.
A Forsyth County jury acquitted a Winston-Salem man on charges that he caused a crash four years ago off University Parkway that killed a 74-year-old woman and a couple from Mount Airy.

Gabriel Lopez-Cruz, 37, of West Meadow Drive, was facing three counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and one traffic infraction for exceeding the posted speed of 45 mph. The jury reached a verdict at 11 a.m. Thursday after deliberating for close to three hours over two days.

The jury found Lopez-Cruz not guilty on all three counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and found that Lopez-Cruz was responsible for the traffic infraction of exceeding the posted speed limit.

Assistant District Attorney Jane Garrity who prosecuted the case along with Assistant District Attorney Kevin Olson argued that Lopez-Cruz get the maximum fine allowed under the law for the traffic infraction.

It is our sincere hope that the defendant will abide by the law going forward and recognize that three people lost their lives, Garrity said in court Thursday.

But Alan Doorasamy, Lopez-Cruzs attorney, urged Judge Eric Morgan of Forsyth Superior Court to not punish Lopez-Cruz for crimes of which the jury acquitted him.

The jury found him not guilty (on the three counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle), Doorasamy said.

Morgan ultimately ordered Lopez-Cruz to pay a $250 fine. If Lopez-Cruz had been convicted of the three counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, he could have faced up to 180 days in jail.

The crash happened at 1:48 p.m. on Aug. 29, 2018, on University Parkway at the entrance ramp to northbound U.S. 52. Florence Boothe, 74, was driving a 2013 Nissan Rouge and was turning left from northbound University Parkway onto the on-ramp. Authorities said Cruz was driving a 2016 Ford Transit van and hit Boothes SUV on the right passenger side, killing Pamela June Akers, 59, who was in the front passenger seat, and her husband, Eddie Dean Akers, 64, who was in the back.

Boothe was taken to a hospital with injuries that authorities initially said were not life-threatening. But she died Sept. 1, 2018 at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

The main issue during the trial was whether Lopez-Cruz was speeding when the crash happened.

Doorasamy said after the trial that Forsyth County prosecutors failed to prove definitively that Lopez-Cruz was speeding. Prosecutors argued that Lopez-Cruz was going 63 mph in a 45-mph zone.

They got this information that he was doing 63 miles per hour, he said. They never said where they got (that information from) or put a document in front of the jury that this is where we got it from.

Before the trial started, Doorasamy filed a motion to suppress evidence obtained from the black box in the car Lopez-Cruz was driving. Doorasamy argued Lopez-Cruz did not own the van he was driving, and because he didnt own the van, Lopez-Cruz was in no position to consent to law-enforcement officers searching the van and downloading data from the black box.

Doorasamy argued that under the federal privacy law, crash data from a black box is the property of the vehicles owner.

Morgan denied the motion to suppress.

Garrity issued a statement Thursday saying that while prosecutors believe that Lopez-Cruzs excessive speed caused the crash, they understand that the jury did not agree.

Today our thoughts remain with the families of seventy-four year old Florence Boothe, Pamela June Akers, and her husband Eddie, Garrity said. Three innocent people lose their lives to unsafe driving on August 29, 2018 driving home from a doctors visit.

Unsafe and reckless driving in this county, that leads to the deaths of innocent victims, will continue to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
COVID-19 pandemic food assistance benefits will end in March as part of a national expiration, the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services said.

Households that have been receiving extra food-and-nutrition benefits, also known as emergency allotments, each month since March 2020 will see a reduction in benefits because of a federal change affecting all states.

Participating families have been receiving at least $95 extra per month.

With the end of emergency allotments, the average benefit per person per day will decrease from $8.12 to $5.45.

Since March 2020, an average of 900,000 North Carolina households received food-and-nutrition emergency allotments. North Carolina gained $150 million in federal funding each month.

Families needed these additional benefits to get healthy and nutritious food throughout the pandemic, Susan Gale Perry, DHHS chief deputy secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being, said in a statement.

While FNS emergency payments are ending, the need is not. We will continue to prioritize food security for all North Carolinians.

Beneficiaries will continue to receive their regular monthly benefit amounts based on a persons or households current eligibility, income, household size and other federal eligibility requirements.

Recipients can view their regular monthly benefit amount and their emergency allotment amount online at www.ebtedge.com.

The state Medicaid Healthy Opportunities Pilot program is connecting people in certain counties with food vouchers and other services to boost their overall health.

North Carolinians in need of additional food assistance can learn more about additional food and nutrition resources at www.ncdhhs.gov/foodresources

Residents can apply for food-and-nutrition benefits online with ePass, or by filling out a paper application and mailing it to or dropping it off at their county Department of Social Services.

North Carolina has had the nations largest increase in participation in federal healthy food-nutrition programs during the pandemic, according to a report released in October by the Food Research & Action Center.

The group reported last week that North Carolinas WIC participation rate increased by 21% between February 2020 and February 2022. WIC is an acronym for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.

WIC participation by children  who make up half of those enrolled in WIC  increased by nearly 36% in the state.

The program provides nutritious food, breastfeeding support, health care referrals and nutrition education for low-income pregnant and postpartum women and to children up to age 5.

DHHS administers WIC in partnership with local health departments, health districts and federally qualified health centers in the state.

According to the U.S. Agriculture Department, about 10% of North Carolina households experience food insecurity, meaning their ability to access enough food is limited by money or other resources.
Winston-Salems oldest radio station, WSJS at 600 on the AM dial, has been off the air since earlier this week after vandals destroyed the last of three working radio towers on a 44-acre tract off Robinhood Road, according to Stu Epperson Jr., the president of the Christian broadcasting company that owns the station.

Winston-Salem police are investigating the vandalism of the towers operated by Truth Broadcasting Co. and located in the 4800 block of Robinhood Road, Epperson said.

Epperson said the first of the three towers fell days before Christmas, taking out 101.5 FM. Another tower was destroyed late last week, taking out WSJS. Epperson said staffers were able to execute a patch to put the 600 AM signal onto the last of the remaining towers on the property, but vandals took down that one earlier this week, he said.

We are working on a couple band-aid solutions to get back on the air, Epperson said Thursday. We are a 24-7 service that people depend on for news, talk, weather and inspiration. We are getting calls from everyone. The ones who cant hear us want their AM radio back.

WSJS began broadcasting in April 1930. The Truth Network, which was founded in 2000, is owned and operated by the Truth Broadcasting Corp., according to its website. It broadcasts predominantly preaching and teaching on Christian and Bible based topics in North Carolina, Virginia, Iowa and Utah.

On Tuesday, Epperson posted a picture on his Facebook page showing him with his head down as he sat on a fallen radio antenna frame. He called it one of the toughest days of my broadcasting life, noting that law enforcement authorities are working on the case, and asking people to pray for the conversion of the person responsible for the damage.

At first Epperson thought the damage was weather-related, but as the towers kept falling he realized it was actually criminal activity, Epperson said.

During all of my years, we have never had this type of attack and violent action taken against us, he said. They destroyed FCC-licensed towers. Its a major federal crime. Its very bad.

Kira Boyd, a spokeswoman for the Winston-Salem Police Department, said the vandalism case is an active, ongoing investigation, but added that police would not be revealing further information at present.

Epperson said he doesnt know how much the towers were worth or how much money it will take to replace them, but determining that cost is one of the tasks ahead, he said. The towers were insured, Epperson said.

The FBI is aware of a radio station tower vandalism investigation in Winston-Salem, said Shelley Lynch, a FBI spokeswoman in Charlotte.

If during the course of the local investigation by the Winston-Salem Police Department, a federal crime comes to light, the FBI is prepared to investigate, she said.

Under federal law, anyone convicted of damaging or destroying the property of any radio station can be fined or imprisoned for 10 years.

Truth Broadcasting acquired WSJS from Curtis Media Group last year. Epperson said that there was a fourth tower on the site when it was owned by Curtis Media, but that it came down before the sale. Now, Epperson is wondering if that, too, was an earlier act of vandalism.

The property off Robinhood Road is owned by 4870 Robinhood Road TRTORV LLC, a company formed by Truth Broadcasting, Roanoke Vinton Radio Inc. and TOV Corporation. Eppersons father, Stuart Epperson Sr., is president of Roanoke Vinton, and Todd DeNeui is president of TOV Corporation.

On Jan. 3, the owners of the towers property obtained a rezoning of the property for a residential mix of 156 apartments, 14 twin homes and 178 units of senior housing. While the plans called for the eventual removal of the three towers as the new development took shape, Epperson said that would have happened in an orderly way.

We needed those towers to broadcast, he said. If and when they would come down, that is a controlled process, handled very deliberately, safely and legally, under the authorization of the FCC.

Two opponents of the rezoning spoke during the public hearing but said their objection was not to the development as such but to city requirements that the new development connect to other nearby developments.

One speaker, Cliff Orgnon whose house is near the towers property, told council members during the hearing that he had personally watched one of the towers falling down on Dec. 21.

Listeners can still access Truth Broadcastings radio signal at 103.FM in Winston-Salem, 104.9 FM in High Point and 93.7 FM in Greensboro, Epperson said.

The local vandalism doesnt affect his companys operations outside of Winston-Salem, he said.

The radio station is evaluating how the loss of its broadcast signal is affecting its advertising revenue, Epperson said. No layoffs have occurred among the companys 40 employees in Winston-Salem, Raleigh and Greensboro, he said.

However, the vandalism has prevented the radio station from a making a positive difference in our community, Epperson said. This is our hometown, and this is a big hit. We have a couple challenges.

Epperson and the staff at the radio station are grateful for the support and prayers that they have receive from the community, he said.

Epperson is urging anyone with information about the vandalism to call the Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700.
Wheezing, sputtering and gasping for air, but we made it. Happy Friday.

A friend, a hand-on banker-turned-septic-tank company owner, had this to say about his unorthodox, abrupt career change: For sure theres money in it, he said. But you have to reach in to get it.

Why, you might be wondering, would that come up? Solid question.

The answer can be found in  community COVID-19 transmission rates.

Make no mistake, COVID remains a big problem. But instead of daily death counts and hospitalizations, it seems that the focus has shifted to lost work days as scientists have learned more about the virus and vaccination rates have leveled off.

(As of Thursday afternoon, per the state Department of Health and Human Services, 20 percent of adults in North Carolina have the full regimen including an updated booster; 59 percent have at least one of the original boosters; 78 percent had the first vaccinations; and 30 percent of kids and teens have had their shots. Not great, but better than bupkis.)

Anyhow, we started thinking about COVID-19 again after the neighbors and several friends were laid low by it.

That in turn led us to the state Department of Health and Human Services to look for data. There, we stumbled across information which shows that one of the leading indicators/predictors about an uptick in the spread of COVID-19 can be found in what actual adults call wastewater.

The thought train naturally led to friend Daves sloshing truck osewage and a wide range of joke possibilities that were trying to resist in the giddy first light of the weekend.

So here we are.

Were not sure who first thought to mine those depths for clues - and maybe we dont want to know - but, as the science says, it works.

Samples are collected at various municipal wastewater plants and rushed to state labs to test. (We imagine collections involve multiple layers of latex, a ladle with a very long handle and a topshelf set of nose plugs. Note to the state: whatever youre paying those people, its not enough.)

In wastewater, according to state scientists who would know, virus particles in the wastewater are no longer infectious - perhaps they gagged - and that allows them to be tracked.

The research suggests that the virus particles appear in wastewater 4-6 days before cases are identified, data which should set off alarms.

Virus particles, we learned while fooling around on the DHHS website, had increased this week to 82.4 million per person. Thats up from 49.1 million parts per person Dec. 28 and way up from 1.6 million parts per person recorded July 7.

So it seems to check out that more people we know have been felled by COVID-19 in recent days.

Weird. The more you know, though.

Now, Two Things.

Back to school already?

GREENSBORO - To the collective relief of countless parents, the kiddies have recently returned to school after the sugar-fueled, high-adrenaline holiday break.

And yet Guilford County parents awakened today to the news that its already time to think about next year.

The application period for the Guilford County Schools 47 magnet-school options opens today and runs through Feb. 20. Parents (or grandparents for that matter) interested in magnet options ranging from arts to STEM should begin exploring them.

To help, a magnet school showcase is scheduled for Feb. 1 at the Greensboro Coliseum complex.

A new honor for an old honor, your honor

WINSTON-SALEM - Old Salem, per a notice from city government, has been awarded a state Highway Historical Marker to celebrate its designation as the states first local historic district in 1948.

Were not quite sure exactly what that means. It seems as if were getting a new sign to celebrate being the first locality to get a  historic district sign.

It seems odd, but looked at another way, the new marker will underscore the fact that by extension, Winston-Salem and Forsyth County are being honored for being among the first to try and preserve key parts of its history.

Always nice to be recognized for forward thinking  by looking back. Old Salem, too, is a nice day trip tourist attraction that injects cash into the local economy.

The more you know.
When Winston-Salem son Richard Burr ran for a third Senate term back in 2016, he promised that if he won, that would be his last term and hed leave at the end of 2022.

We can debate the merits of term limits  they decentralize power, which is good, but they also eliminate institutional memory, which is bad  but Burr was true to his word.

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson, who broke his 2016 promise to serve only two terms, is more like what we expect these days.

We prefer the Burr model.

We also appreciate that Burr served, first in the U.S. House, then the Senate, with distinction and, with rare exception, in a manner that made us proud.

In 2020, he co-sponsored the Great American Outdoors Act, a historic bill that funded national preservation efforts, made permanent the Land and Water Conservation Fund and created a projected 100,000 jobs.

Its important in Winston-Salem, especially, to know that this bill never, ever would have passed had Sen. Burr not kept it alive. He did so much carrying of this over the last five or six years, Kevin Redding, the executive director of the Piedmont Land Conservancy, told the Journal at the time.

This, we said at the time, should be recognized as a legacy accomplishment.

He also served, beginning in 2015, as chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee with sobriety and prudence, using the facts to which he was privy for the nations benefit rather than personal or political grandstanding. Lost in the shuffle sometimes is the no-nonsense conclusion of his committees report that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

His friendship with Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the Democrat who served as the Intelligence Committees ranking member, also set an example in civility that seems lost on too many firebrand politicians today.

And Burr stood against the Trump monster, condemning his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection: The president bears responsibility for todays events, Burr said following the violent attack, by promoting the unfounded conspiracy theories that have led to this point.

Burr voted guilty following the disgraced presidents second impeachment trial on Feb. 13, 2021. That the N.C. GOP then voted to censure Burr afterward is a badge of honor for Burr; he remained true to his convictions rather than following the cult-like lemmings who could find no fault in this most flawed man.

Despite Burrs achievements  moral and political  some will always remember a handful of times when he stumbled:

One was the 2020 Securities and Exchange Commission investigation following allegations of insider trading  the result of the beneficial sale of stocks during the early months of the COVID pandemic. Though charges were never filed, many feel bitterly disappointed in Burr for what seems an open-and-shut case.

Another is similar: His assurance to the public, in a 2020 co-authored op-ed published by FoxNews.com, that COVID was not to be feared  even while he warned a private group, the Tar Heel Club, that the pandemic would be more akin to the 1918 pandemic. The public might have been better prepared had Burr been consistent in his warnings.

And some will also remember Burr for his opposition to NCAA provisions that finally allowed student-athletes to profit from their own name, image and likeness. Burr suggested taxing their scholarships in addition to their likeness earnings.

Its rare for anyone to conclude a political career unscathed these days. And, indeed, it may be too soon to look at Burrs career as concluded. Burr has a taste for public service and a talent for finding consensus across political divides. He could still make significant contributions to the public good  and we hope he will.
The Nebraska Supreme Court is considering a case that will determine whether tenants have a constitutional right to a jury trial when they're being evicted.

Legal Aid of Nebraska and Nebraska Appleseed call NP Dodge Management v. Teresa Holcomb a landmark case.

In it, they are jointly representing Holcomb, an Omaha tenant fighting eviction, and asking the state Supreme Court to find unconstitutional state statute 76-1446, which outlines the procedure for trials in such cases.

Holcomb asked for, but was denied, a jury trial when NP Dodge sought to evict her. She appealed.

Kasey Ogle, a senior staff attorney for Collective Impact Lincoln, a partnership between Nebraska Appleseed and Civic Nebraska, said eviction court proceedings are a legal process unlike any other in the state.

"Its an extremely fast process that deprives tenants of a legitimate opportunity to raise a defense, she said.

Ogle said ensuring jury trials in Nebraska eviction courts would create a fair chance for tenants in the courtroom to present a meaningful defense before potentially losing their homes.

In criminal cases, the court now looks to the seriousness of the offense to determine whether a defendant is entitled to a trial by jury, she and her counterpart at Legal Aid of Nebraska, Caitlin Cedfeldt, wrote in a brief to the court.

Orders in eviction cases could result in the removal of a family from its home, or a business losing its operating space, or a farmer losing access to their crops, they said.

"If someone was being evicted in 1875, they were entitled to a trial by jury. The Nebraska Constitution mandates that the same must be true today," the two argued.

The Nebraska Attorney General's Office, though not a party to the case, filed a brief asking the high court to affirm the denial of a jury trial, saying the right to a jury trial doesn't attach to landlord-tenant actions.

Solicitor General James Campbell said Nebraska courts never have directly addressed whether special or summary proceedings, like an eviction, fall within the constitutional right to a jury trial.

"But many other states' Supreme Courts have, and they widely accept that the right to a jury trial does not attach to special or summary proceedings. This Court should follow suit," he wrote in his brief.

Campbell said the kind of proceeding in this case didn't exit in 1875, when the state constitution was adopted.

It was not created until 1974, when the legislature modernized landlord-tenant law.

The case brought a number of so-called friend-of-the-court briefs by groups not party to the case but potentially affected by the outcome. Among them, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Law School Civil Clinic, the National Housing Law Project, the ACLU of Nebraska and the NAACP.

The state Supreme Court took the case under advisement after arguments Wednesday.

Top Journal Star photos for January 2023
The white, frame house on South 17th Street  built in 1905 for the son of a banker who lived in the bigger, more imposing home next door  has had a colorful history, including its near destruction seven years ago.

It survived a fraternitys plans to turn it into a parking lot, thanks in part to a one-man protester and the Near South Neighborhood Association that opposed razing the home.

Now  with a new owner and a pilot rental rehabilitation program announced Thursday by city officials  the house will be among 130 getting a much-needed face-lift.

The pilot program is designed to increase the number of safe and affordable homes in Lincoln, a priority of Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and part of the citys Affordable Housing Coordinated Action Plans goal to create 5,000 new or rehabilitated affordable housing units by 2030.

As part of the program, 130 rental housing units have been selected to get grants up to $15,000 for upgrades such as energy-efficient windows and doors, additional insulation, heating-and-air systems, roofing and foundation repairs, and other structural improvements.

The homes are in the Near South and Everett neighborhoods in an area bounded by Lincoln Mall, A Street, South Ninth and South 17th streets.

This new initiative to improve the quality and increase the affordability of our older housing stock in Lincoln will make life better for over 100 families in our community during this first phase, Gaylor Baird said.

Theres about $2 million available for the properties involved in the program, which comes from tax-increment financing for the South of Downtown district, as well as $285,000 from developers who renovated Sky Park Apartments at 13th Street and Lincoln Mall, said Dan Marvin, the citys urban development director.

The developers contributed the money to the rehab fund rather than include affordable units in the high-rise. That money subsidized revenue from district TIF, in which the increase in property values goes to projects to help revitalize the area included in the district.

There may not be as much as $2 million each year, but the citys goal is to be able to rehab 1,000 units over the next decade, Marvin said.

City officials interviewed both tenants and landlords in creating the program, Marvin said, and both wanted essentially the same kinds of improvements.

Landlords of more than 1,200 apartments expressed interest, Marvin said, so officials established certain criteria, including the age of the building and maintaining rents at or below Housing and Urban Development fair market rent standards.

For homes in Lincoln, those rates range from $684 for a studio apartment and $773 for a one-bedroom apartment to $1,546 for a four-bedroom apartment.

Marvin said officials are still working out how long landlords will be required to keep the rents at that amount, but its likely to be for about a decade.

Many of the apartments now rent for less than those standards and he said the grant contracts will include language so landlords dont raise them substantially.

The grantees include landlords who own single-family homes, those with two to four renters, and one that include 40 rental units.

Helping extend the life of some of Lincolns most affordable housing for the next 30 years is a good investment in the future of Lincoln, Marvin said. Losing an affordable housing unit is a permanent loss to this community.

NeighborWorks Lincoln, a nonprofit community housing development organization, will administer and monitor grant use, and will help coordinate grant recipients with existing programs such as lead paint remediation provided by the city, and energy efficiency programs offered by Lincoln Electric System and Black Hills Energy.

The pilot will allow the city to explore how to expand the rental rehab program outside the core of the city, Marvin said.

Greg Baker, a member of the Everett Neighborhood Association, said more than 90% of the homes in his neighborhood are rental units, which means there are many homes that could benefit.

One of the advantages, Marvin said, is that if the homes are more energy-efficient it will not only increase the value of the property for the landlords, but will lower utilities for tenants.

Thats one of the things that piqued the interest of Jake Griess, who bought the house at 1143 S. 17th St. and knows how high utilities can be in older homes.

It just allows some necessary improvements to be made, he said. Windows are the biggest one. It will improve the value on my end and lower utilities for the tenants.

He also hopes to use the grant money for a new heating-and-air system, and if he qualifies for the citys lead removal program it could free up money for other repairs.

A lover of old homes  Griess lives in one himself in the same part of town  he was intrigued by the history of the home on 17th Street.

I love old houses, he said. Just the history and the character. Im kind of a history nerd, he said.

There was plenty of character on display at 17th and D streets. Morris Weil built the big house on the corner, then built the smaller one next door for his son. For decades, the two lived next to each other and worked at National Bank of Commerce, which Weil started so his son would have a job after graduating from college.

Many years later, a fraternity bought the big house and refurbished it for its members, and in 2015 bought the smaller house next door. After the neighborhood association objected to tearing the smaller home down, the fraternity came up with plans to refurbish it as a second home for members.

That never happened, and the fraternity sold both homes to Oakmont LLC in 2019, and Griess bought the smaller one the next year. The previous owner had rented the apartments in the home, and Griess continued doing so.

He not only appreciates what the program will do for him and his renters, but the potential long-term benefits.

If this program does go on for 10 years, it will increase the value of many homes in the neighborhood, he said. Its a compound effect ... its good for the city, too. Its nice to see the tax money being used to revitalize these neighborhoods.

The Lincoln Journal Star's top photos from 2022
WASHINGTON  In naming a special counsel to investigate the presence of classified documents at President Joe Biden's Delaware home and former Washington office, Attorney General Merrick Garland described the appointment as underscoring the Justice Department's commitment to independence and accountability in particularly sensitive investigations.

Garland used identical phrasing in November in appointing a different special counsel for a different politically explosive investigation into different classified documents for a different political figure: the retention of top secret records at former President Donald Trump's Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago.

The Justice Department is confronting a unique phenomenon: simultaneous special counsel probes  albeit with dramatically distinct fact sets  involving two presidents and jostling for time, attention and perhaps funding as well. Still another special counsel appointed during the Trump administration to investigate the origins of the FBI's Trump-Russia probe also remains at work.

The special counsel confluence underscores how a Justice Department that for nearly two centuries has had a mandate of prosecuting without fear or favor has found itself entangled in presidential politics. Even as Garland made a point Thursday of saying the department's own "normal processes" can handle all investigations with integrity, the appointment seemed to nod to a reality that probes that involve a president  in this case, Garland's boss  are different.

It places Garland under pressure to reassure the public that both investigations, though factually different, are handled in similar manners.

Brandon Van Grack, a former Justice Department prosecutor who served on then-special counsel Robert Mueller's team as it investigated ties between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, said appointing a special counsel can help expedite an investigation, ensure it has appropriate resources and create "at least the perception of impartiality and fairness."

The appointment was announced hours after the White House disclosed that a document with classified markings from Biden's time as vice president was found in his personal library, along with other classified documents found in his garage.

The White House earlier this week acknowledged that the president's personal lawyers found a "small number" of classified documents at the office of his former institute in Washington. That discovery led Garland to ask the U.S. attorney in Chicago, John Lausch, a Trump administration holdover, to investigate the matter, though Lausch is now preparing to leave the Justice Department.

On Thursday, Garland named Robert Hur, a former senior Justice Department official in the Trump administration who served as U.S. attorney in Maryland, to serve as special counsel.

Hur joins Jack Smith, a former public corruption prosecutor who is investigating the documents found at Mar-a-Lago and efforts to undo the 2020 election, and John Durham, who's secured one guilty plea and lost two criminal trials in three and a half years investigating the Trump-Russia probe.

There's a long history of specially appointed prosecutors being tasked with investigating political scandals, including Iran-Contra during Ronald Reagan's presidency and Whitewater during Clinton's. But a statute that allowed for the appointment of an independent counsel outside the Justice Department expired in 1999 following a bruising and politically divisive investigation that resulted in Clinton's impeachment by the House but acquittal in the Senate.

In its place came new Justice Department regulations that authorized the attorney general to appoint a "special counsel" like Smith and Hur. The purpose of the new system was to ensure ultimate Justice Department oversight of sensitive investigations rather than an independent prosecutor who could operate unchecked and without supervision.

Though the attorney general retains final authority over a special counsel's decisions, special counsels do have the latitude to bring whatever cases they see fit. They are funded by the Justice Department, can bring on their own prosecutors, are entitled to office space and are often expensive. The Mueller probe, for instance, rang up more than $25 million in costs in its first year and a half.

How much detailed interaction Garland will have with his special counsels is unclear, though he said Thursday that Hur "will not be subject to the day-to-day supervision of any official" at the Justice Department. Officials have noted that they are expected to accept a special counsel's recommended course of action unless it's far outside the department's normal process.

It also remains unclear whether either classified documents investigation will result in criminal charges or how, if at all, the two special counsel probes might affect each other. Though the Biden probe is much newer than the Trump one, there's been no hint of the same allegations already leveled publicly in the Mar-a-Lago matter. The Justice Department has also long held the belief that a sitting president cannot be indicted.

Timeline: Key dates in discovery of classified records tied to Biden Jan. 20, 2017 Mid-2017-2019 Jan. 20, 2021 Nov. 2-4, 2022 Nov. 8, 2022 November-December 2022 Nov. 9, 2022 Nov. 14, 2022 Dec. 20, 2022 Dec. 20, 2022: Biden's personal counsel informs Lausch that a second batch of classified documents has been discovered in the garage at Biden's Wilmington home. The FBI goes to Biden's home in Wilmington and secures the documents. Jan. 5, 2023 Jan. 9, 2023 Jan. 10-11: 2023 Jan. 12-14, 2023 Jan. 19, 2023 Jan. 20-21, 2023 Feb. 1, 2023
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
Nebraska school districts would be required to make learning materials available for public inspection and create a process for parents to object to books in the school library under a bill introduced at the Legislature on Thursday.

The Parents Bill of Rights and Academic Transparency Act (LB374) from Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil would also prohibit teachers from telling students they are inherently responsible for past actions because they belong to a certain race.

Sponsored by the new Education Committee chairman, the bill addresses grievances raised against Nebraskas public schools in recent years.

Last fall, several school districts were accused of making alleged inappropriate books available to children in school libraries, and state senators  including Murman  accused the Nebraska Department of Education of providing teachers with materials teaching critical race theory.

Murman, who said he was aware of reports of inappropriate materials being taught in Nebraska schools but did not provide specifics, said the bill was introduced to build greater transparency in schools.

It makes it more clear whats being taught in the classroom and also ensures that access parents are asking for, he said.

The bill would require school districts to develop and adopt policies outlining how parents can inspect curriculum materials in an online portal and object to any learning materials they believe harm their firmly held beliefs, values, or principles, and withdraw their children from those classes or activities.

School districts would also have to inform parents how they could review books in school libraries and challenge them, and outlines a process that includes the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education in the final say.

Parents are the ultimate decision-makers for their children, Murman said. Part of this bill is to guarantee they know whats in the curriculum and the library.

Murman, who said the bill was modeled on similar legislation in Kansas, Missouri and Florida, said while parents could still contact their local school boards or administrators, his intention for the bill was to provide a more clear avenue to do that in order to keep parents engaged.

The bill also prohibits teachers from discussing that individuals, by virtue of their race, ethnicity, color, or national origin, bear collective guilt and are inherently responsible for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race, ethnicity, color, or national origin.

Although critical race theory isnt explicitly stated in the text of the bill, its similar to a bill introduced last year that would have banned the teaching of the academic and legal theory, which examines systemic inequities stemming from race and racism.

Critical race theory is typically taught at the graduate school level and not in K-12 schools.

Murman said he didnt think the bill would have a chilling effect on how teachers approach  or perhaps avoid  difficult topics.

I look at it as liberating teachers, he said. There could be pressure on them to teach a certain way. This liberates them to teach what I think the general public accepts.

Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, the states largest teacher union representing 26,000 teachers, said family involvement in education is critically important to a childs success in school.

While the NSEA supports addressing concerns parents have by fostering communications with schools, Benson said Murmans bill could hamper Nebraska public schools attempts to recruit and retain teachers and staff.

Those shortages are exacerbated when teachers feel they are facing relentless attacks by some elected officials, she said.

There were 83 bills and one resolution introduced Thursday, Day 7 of the Legislature:

ISRAEL: Sen. Julie Slama of Dunbar introduced a bill (LB343) that would bar the state from contracting with any companies that take part in a boycott of Israel.

MAIL-IN ELECTIONS: Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt sponsored a bill (LB365) that would allow all 93 counties in Nebraska to conduct all-mail elections.

PROCUREMENT: Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh introduced a measure (LB360) creating an inspector general to investigate and review state government contracts.

BODY CAMS: Body-worn cameras would be subject to the Nebraska Public Records Statutes under a bill (LB366) brought by Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad.

TAX CREDITS: Elkhorn Sen. Lou Ann Linehans bill (LB370) would require county treasurers to mail a notice to property owners that they were eligible to claim a Nebraska Property Tax Incentive Credit.

DRAG SHOWS: Anyone under the age of 19 would be barred from attending a drag show, under a bill (LB371) from Murman. Businesses or organizations that host a drag show that allows individuals under 19 to be admitted would be fined $10,000 for each violation.

TEACHER RECRUITMENT: Linehan also sponsored a bill (LB385) appropriating $10 million to the Nebraska Teacher Recruitment and Retention Act for $5,000 grants to individual teachers.

PREGNANCY IMMUNITY: Pregnant women could not be cited, arrested or prosecuted for any pregnancy outcome that does not result in a live birth, under a bill (LB391) from Sen. Jen Day of Gretna.

MESONET: Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams brought a bill (LB401) to appropriate $550,000 to the Nebraska Mesonet system, which is an automated state weather network.

Photos: Opening day of the 2023 Legislature
Omaha and Lincoln would have to create citizen police oversight boards with staff investigators under a bill introduced in the Legislature.

The bill (LB284) 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.

Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha said he introduced the bill Wednesday 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, LB284 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.

Photos: Opening day of the 2023 Legislature
Recently Congress passed and President Biden signed an $858 billion defense budget. In 2015, while troops were still in Afghanistan, the military budget was $585 billion. The current military budget is more than the next 10 nations' military spending combined.

Domestic spending is financed by budget cuts or increased taxes. Military spending is not, thus it contributes to deficit spending and increased debt. Members of Congress offer little if any debate regarding military spending and frame it as an act of patriotism.

Half the defense budget goes to military contractors. The S&P 500 index declined 19.4% in 2022; the stock of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman increased more than 35%. Over the last 20 years five defense contractors spent $1.2 billion lobbying and contributing to congressional election campaigns.

The military budget continues to increase even though the Pentagon cannot provide an accurate accounting of monies spent. The U.S. military is globally the largest institutional source of greenhouse gases that contributes to an unlivable planet.

History shows that empires fall when they become narcissistic, fearful and paranoid of the other. It is time for citizens to tell Congress "no" to this wasteful destructive spending.

Ron Todd-Meyer, Lincoln
BURLINGTON  The place where Don Vande Sand devoted much of his life to documenting Burlington history will now bear his name.

The Burlington Historical Society has renamed its user-friendly public access space the Don Vande Sand History Research Center.

It is the space carved out on the historical museums second floor where members of the public can use the organizations archives to research their genealogy or other local historical subjects.

Vande Sand, a volunteer who ran the historical societys day-to-day operations, spent about 30 years tirelessly gathering and chronicling thousands of artifacts and records related to local history.

When he died unexpectedly last year, colleagues in the historical society decided to honor him by permanently naming the research center after him.

Hes not been forgotten, board member Jackie Heiligenthal said. He wont be forgotten.

The organization is planning a public dedication ceremony and open house from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the historical societys headquarters, 232 N. Perkins Boulevard.

The ceremony also will mark the unofficial reopening of the historical society to regular public operating hours for the first time since Vande Sands death, which left the group a little shaken, uncertain of how to replace him.

Starting Jan. 28, the historical society plans public hours from 9 a.m. to noon on two Saturdays each month, in addition to being available by appointment. Located in an old church, the group maintains museum exhibits on the first floor and the research center on the second floor.

He left such a void

Julie ONeill, the societys board president, said she and others decided that making Vande Sands archives available to the public was the best way to honor his memory.

It took us a while to regroup, ONeill said. He left such a void.

Vande Sand, who was 82 when he died, was a Burlington native who enjoyed a successful career as a government accountant in Washington, D.C., before returning and spending his retirement years immersed in the history of his hometown.

Scouring mountains of old records, he assembled countless historical facts, built a searchable archive and created the historical societys website. Although he worked as a volunteer getting paid nothing, he logged hours nearly every day, and welcomed visitors eager to learn more about a historic photo, a particular piece of property or their own family genealogy.

The nonprofit historical society receives some city funding, but it operates on financial support from its estimated 140 members, who pay dues of $10 a year.

Vande Sand became a vice president of the group and served on the 11-member board of directors.

When he died, colleagues were overwhelmed by the immense collection he left behind that still needed to be recorded and organized. Officials estimate that 10,000 individual artifacts have been processed since his death, with much more still to go.

Community help

The Burlington Community Fund Ltd. has donated $8,000 so the society can purchase shelving and file cabinets.

Deronica Bulger, a volunteer helping to manage the archives, said the collection has been sorted and pulled together in a way that will make it relatively easy for the general public to do research, with assistance from a representative of the historical society.

Its very well organized, Bulger said. Its definitely a useable place.

The society also welcomes donations of new artifacts from the general public, if anyone has historically valuable materials or collectibles in their homes.

While work continues inside the research center, officials decided to hold the dedication and open house because Jan. 17 marks the one-year anniversary of Vande Sands death.

Colleagues say Vande Sand was a private, quiet person who preferred to remain in the background. A small group gathered Wednesday and hung a modest plaque marking the Don Vande Sand History Research Center.

ONeill said Vande Sand devoted so many years to the historical society, it is fitting that his name will remain part of the organization for future generations to recognize.

Don was a special guy, she said. This is a huge legacy.

Ice sculptors compete Saturday for state championship during Burlington festival, in photos Defending champion Joshua Jakubowski at work at Burlington Ice Festival Donna Bartelson warms her hands at a fire during the Burlington Ice Festival Competitor Jim Malkowski works on his Grinch-themed ice sculpture in Burlington Mike Austin of Burlington works on his entry in state ice sculpting championship Ice carver Kate Rambo-Fons gathers a crowd while working at Burlington event Sign stretched across Pine Street in Downtown Burlington for 2022 ice festival Gingerbread houses lined up for contest during the Burlington Ice Festival Edwin Monfero carves an ice sculpture in state championship event in Burlington Ice sculptor Dan Ingebrigtson battles the elements during Burlington championship event Competitor Krista Gustafson carves a giraffe head at ice festival in Burlington Burlington High School choir performs in Kris Kringle Market during ice festival Phyllis Hartwick looks over gingerbread house contest entries in Burlington ice festival Spectators Christine Coleman and her son John watch ice sculptors Ice sculptor Kate Rambo-Fons shown through her block of ice in Burlington
The doctor and medical expert who conducted the autopsy of Julie Jensen the day after her death in 1998 testified in Kenosha County Circuit Court Thursday evening at the end of the second day of the jury re-trial of Mark D. Jensen.

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 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.

Dr. Michael Chambliss, a highly respected forensic pathologist, testified Thursday evening about the state of Julie Jensens corpse. He's conducted thousands of autopsies during his respected career throughout Wisconsin and other states.

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 had been positioning into something long enough."

The examination into Julie Jensens internal organs and rib cage also showed evidence of hemorrhages, he testified. Photos of such reported things were shown on three television screens to the jury.

Prosecutors allege Mark Jensen turned Julie Jensen over in their bed and shoved her face into a pillow and suffocated her. They allege he traumatized her over many years because of an affair she engaged in and marital strife.

Photos shown to the jury Thursday included Julie Jensen turned over and dead in her bed, her distorted face and nose, and autopsy photos of her ribs and heart.

Special Prosecutor Robert Jambois, who successfully prosecuted Mark Jensen in 2008, warned the nine men and seven women of the jury Thursday they would see upsetting images of Julie Jensen's body before and after the autopsy was conducted. None of these images were shared on the live stream television and internet feed used for broadcasters.

UPDATED: Mark Jensen homicide re-trial Day 2: Forensic pathologist, friend of Julie Jensen testify in court 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.

Re-trial of Mark Jensen begins with opening statements after jury sworn in 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.

Jury selected in Mark Jensen homicide re-trial A jury has been selected in the re-trial of Mark D. Jensen, the Pleasant Prairie man accused of poisoning and suffocating his wife to death in December 1998.

Jury selection underway for high-profile Mark Jensen trial in Kenosha County Jury selection got underway Monday in the new homicide trial of the man accused of killing his wife at their Pleasant Prairie home in 1998.

Jury selection in Mark Jensen re-trial enters second day in Kenosha Jury selection in the re-trial of the Pleasant Prairie man accused of poisoning and suffocating his wife to death in December 1998 continued Tuesday.
A former co-worker of Mark Jensen, the former stockbroker accused of poisoning and suffocating his wife to death in Pleasant Prairie in 1998, said Mark told him he had researched how to kill his wife on the internet.

Edward Klug testified about their conversation in court during the third day of the jury re-trial of Mark Jensen Friday morning. Klug said Mark Jensen, now 63, told him about how to get rid of the problem while the two were enjoying drinks together near the end of a business conference about a month before the death of Julie Jensen.

I couldnt believe that someone would talk about killing their wife, Edward Klug said. It was kind of out of the blue.

Mark Jensen, who was convicted in February 2008 for the murder of 40-year-old Julie Jensen 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 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, has returned 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.

On Friday morning, Klug said both he and Mark Jensen were facing marital troubles in 1998, and that they began discussing their wives after dinner and drinks in a hotel lobby in St. Louis, Mo.

Klug said Mark Jensen would talk about the strangest things and I had never heard anybody talk like that.

It was really weird, he added. He was looking up poison. ... He said you could put it in drinks, have them drink it.

Klug, who testified during the first trial of Mark Jensen some 15 years ago, said Mark Jensen told him he researched poisons and items that would be non-detectable in a normal autopsy.

Edward Klug said he called his then-wife, JoAnne Klug, in the hotel after speaking with Mark Jensen and told her the troubling things he had heard from Mark Jensen.

I was scared of Mark, Edward Klug said after learning of Julie Jensens death. If he killed his wife what could happen to me?

Video testimony

Testimony from Pleasant Prairie Police officer Ronald Kosman, who is now deceased, was also shown to the jury Friday afternoon.

Kosman helped Julie Jensen investigate the troubling messages and the pornography prosecutors allege Mark Jensen sent her.

Forensic pathologist

The doctor and medical expert who conducted the autopsy of Julie Jensen the day after her death in 1998 testified Thursday evening.

Dr. Michael Chambliss, a forensic pathologist, testified about the state of Julie Jensens corpse. Hes conducted thousands of autopsies during his career throughout Wisconsin and other states.

Chambliss, who conducted the autopsy 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 had been positioning into something long enough.

The examination into Julie Jensens internal organs and rib cage also showed evidence of hemorrhages, he testified. Photos of such reported things were shown on three television screens to the jury.

Prosecutors allege Mark Jensen turned Julie Jensen over in their bed and shoved her face into a pillow and suffocated her. They allege he traumatized her over many years because of an affair she engaged in and marital strife.

Photos shown to the jury Thursday included Julie Jensen turned over and dead in her bed, her distorted face and nose, and autopsy photos of her ribs and heart.

Special Prosecutor Robert Jambois, who successfully prosecuted Mark Jensen in 2008, warned the nine men and seven women of the jury Thursday they would see upsetting images of Julie Jensens body before and after the autopsy was conducted. None of these images were shared on the live stream television and internet feed used for broadcasters.
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
A U.S. congressman is a step closer to opening an office at the Kenosha County Center in Bristol.

The countys Finance and Administration Committee voted 5-1 approving a lease with U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., who represents Wisconsins First Congressional District that includes Kenosha County. Voting in favor of the lease were supervisors David Geertsen, Brian Bashaw, Erin Decker, Tim Stocker and Terry Rose, the committee chair. Supervisor William Grady cast the dissenting vote.

Under an agreement with the county and required by the U.S. House of Representatives, Steil would lease a 120-square-foot office at the center located at 19600 75th St., over a two-year period through Jan. 2, 2025. Via the chief administrative officer for the U.S. House, Steil would rent the office for $350 per month.

Focus on federal issues

Rich Zipperer, Steils Wisconsin chief of staff, said the office would be staffed by Teresa Mora, the congressmans outreach and member services director. Zipperer said there would be regular office hours for constituents to meet with her to discuss issues of federal relevance. Depending on the congressmans schedule, the office would also serve constituents by appointment only.

Our focus is generally on Social Security, Medicare, people that are having dealing with federal issues. A lot focuses on veterans benefits. So, these are people seeking help on individual issues, Zipperer said. We kind of like to have a closed, private office because, sometimes, those are very personal, private matters. And, we try to assist them in that way.

Zipperer said that its also a space for individuals who want to comment on something going on in Congress, such as legislation, and they can contact staff, who will then relay the message to Steil.

We will use it as a place where individual constituents can meet with the congressman in person and that will be done on occasion, but not with the regular hours there, he said.

Not all in favor

While most of the committee favored the lease for Steils satellite office in the County Center, Grady said it didnt pass muster with him because it encouraged political divisiveness.

Although it may be legal, it doesnt pass the sniff test. It doesnt pass the sniff test for me. Because then, youre down the slippery road of, well, the next person wants to come along and its the Democratic Party, its the Green Party and then, were obliged to lease space for them to give them equal time, he said.

Grady said that despite the services the office could provide, allowing a sitting member of congress affiliated with a political party opens the door to political divisiveness.

So, I dont think the benefits of doing that outweigh the downside, he said. Grady said he did not have an issue with Steil, rather the perception that the county would be opening itself to partisan politics as the offer for office space wasnt opened to elected officials of other political parties.

Supervisor Brian Bashaw said when he saw the lease proposal, his initial reaction was to say no. However, he recalled examples in which the elected officials had office space in municipal government buildings, including his hometown of Manitowoc. He was also assured that Steils proposed office space would not be used for political campaign purposes.

It would be a violation of federal law to engage in political activity using federal resources. Our staff is all made aware of that. We are very diligent about that. Thats not allowed in any of our official offices locations and certainly would not be permitted (at the County Center site), said Zipperer.

Decker said partisan politics had hindered the leasing of county office space to Steil earlier.

This is great for Kenosha County residents, but because of partisan politics and because we had a Republican for Congress, the previous county executive (Jim Kreuser) refused, she said.

Not a partisan issue

If either of Wisconsins senators, Tammy Baldwin, a Democrat, or Ron Johnson, a Republican, requested to rent office space at the County Center, Decker said neither of them would be turned down.

Because this is not a partisan issue. This has to do with helping our constituents and making it easier for our constituents to get the services they need, she said.

Geertsen, who previously served on the Somers Village Board, which had approved office space for Steil at the Village Hall, said there was no divisiveness.

I saw it not as being a divisive issue. I saw it as being an issue that helped bring the community together, he said. It went very well. When I was at the village, it was great to have the resource there immediately, boots on the ground. Right here.

County Executive Samantha Kerkman said Steils office reached out to her a few months ago after Somers officials indicated they were undergoing a number of changes that affected their space needs. She said she looked around for spaces countywide and within the County Center there were three empty offices across from her own that were not being used.

Kerkman said having an office there for the congressman offers a location for constituents not only in Kenosha County, but for those who live in western Racine County and in Walworth County. Kerkman said the congressmans office would also serve to help educate residents who may not know the difference among federal, state and local issues.

Its just a valuable service to our constituents, she said.

Images of 2022 Veterans Day in Kenosha County Kenosha County Veterans Day 2022 Kenosha County Veterans Day 2022 Kenosha County Veterans Day 2022 Kenosha County Veterans Day 2022 Kenosha County Veterans Day 2022 Kenosha County Veterans Day 2022 Kenosha County Veterans Day 2022 Kenosha County honors those who served on Veterans Day WATCH NOW: Kenosha County honors those who served on Veterans Days Veterans Day 2022 3 Veterans Day 2022 1 Veterans Day 2022 2 Kenosha County Veterans Day 2022 Brookside Veterans Day 2022 Brookside Veterans Day 2022 Brookside Veterans Day 2022 Brookside Veterans Day 2022 Brookside Veterans Day 2022 Veterans Day 2022 in Kenosha Veterans Day
SOMERS  Grace Stankes father told her not to go into nuclear engineering, saying there was no future in that field. But, almost through spite, Stanke went into it anyway.

Now, as she is anticipating her bachelors degree in nuclear engineering, and holding the title of Miss America 2023, she hopes to inspire young women across the country to go into STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields themselves.

A total of 450 girls from Racine Unified School District middle schools attended the 10th annual Girls Empowered by Math and Science conference Thursday and were joined by Stanke, in her first appearance since winning the title.

The girls, students from Gifford School, Walden III, Gilmore Fine Arts, Jersted-Agerholm school, Mitchell School, Starbuck Middle School and The R.E.A.L School  spent the day living like college students at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, 900 Wood Road, and attended a keynote speech by Stanke as well as a panel discussion moderated by her, and were assigned to attend different workshops that all focused on different STEM disciplines.

Science isnt limited to just one thing, Stanke said. For me, I focus on nuclear energy, but there are so many ways it can affect society and continue to improve.

In her speech, Stanke, 20, told a story of how she was first attracted to STEM, specifically engineering, and started competing in Miss America scholarship events as a necessity for financing after her father was diagnosed with cancer.

Stanke is from Wausau and will be graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelors in nuclear engineering this spring.

Jody Bloyer, RUSD chief of schools, also spoke at the event.

What were going to embark on today is an event, Bloyer said. The importance of an event is what you do with it after. So make sure what you learn today, make sure what you hear today, make sure that the information that is given to you, you take and you apply it.

The GEMS Conference is an inspiring event that gives middle school girls the chance to dream big and explore their passions in science, technology, engineering and math, Jeanette Brown, CEO of Girls Inc. of Southeast Wisconsin, wrote in an email. We are particularly proud to provide this opportunity to middle school girls, who are at a crucial stage in their development and decision-making process  We are grateful to our sponsors and partners for their support in making this 10th year a success and empowering these girls to believe in themselves, pursue their dreams, and make a positive impact in the world.

The workshop events the girls attended covered many different disciplines of STEM, from creating constellations with astrology, to making their own ice cream using chemistry.

Kamiah Brown, one of the students in attendance, did an activity based on thermodynamics in a workshop she attended. Brown wants to be an architect and didnt realize how much fun she would have learning about thermodynamics.

From what I saw, it was very cool, Brown said. It might be one of my (career) options. I wanna see whats out there before I choose what I want.

Maria Cervantes, an eighth grader from Gifford, was assigned to a math workshop to determine if a burrito is a sandwich. Cervantes would like to study biology one day and was excited to be a part of a program like this. Cervantes also said she thinks the answer is no when asked if a burrito is a sandwich.

I didnt have many female role models to look up to when I was in seventh and eighth grade, like the young girls that are here today. So having this opportunity to be that role model, to direct them to incredible role models in this community are volunteers and here today to help out, thats a powerful resource, Stanke said. I like to say the women before me that are holding c-suite positions right now removed boulders, right now Im removing rocks. Hopefully the young girls here today only have to remove pebbles as they are pursuing a career in STEM.

13 photos from the 2023 Girls Empowered by Math and Science Conference Sitting with the girls A little break Always time for a selfie Miss America 2023, Grace Stanke Young ladies Crowd shot Crowd shot Grace Stanke, Miss America 2023, speaks at the Girls Empowered by Math and Science Conference Jody Bloyer, RUSD Chief of Schools Miss America 2023 Sweet treats Checking in on a workshop Stanke and Brown Maria Castillo
UW-Plattevilles Richland campus would lose all in-person programming under a draft plan Platteville administrators drew up at the request of University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman.

If implemented, the plan would be another blow for Richland Center officials and residents who are trying to save some version of the campus, which has been part of their community for 56 years.

Rothman announced in November that the Richland Center campus would stop holding in-person classes for degree programs starting July 1, but he kept open the possibility of having some in-person programs, such as adult enrichment classes. He asked Platteville to draft a plan for the campus and gave administrators a Jan. 15 deadline.

The draft document, which was shared with UW-Platteville faculty and staff in mid-December, said any programs through Richland Center going forward will be online only, potentially rendering the campus unnecessary.

With the online focus, the need for campus facilities at Richland would be minimal, the draft document states.

The final plan is due to Rothman no later than Sunday, and System spokesperson Mark Pitsch declined to comment. But the Wisconsin State Journal reviewed the mid-December version of the plan.

While Richland County officials say theyve seen the draft plan, many of them had no role in developing it.

I feel that were being disrespected, Richland County Board education committee chair Linda Gentes said. I dont know ... why there isnt some sort of civility and some sort of respect shown to our community and understanding that a rural community should not just be sideswiped.

Fewer students

Enrollment at the Richland campus has dropped 90% since 2014, when enrollment was 567 students.

Richlands enrollment was just 60 students this fall, the lowest of all campuses in the System, with UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County not far behind with a head count of 179 this fall.

The UW Board of Regents and Richland County have a 75-year lease agreement that allows the university to use the seven buildings on the county-owned 135-acre, farmland-rich campus however it chooses, in return for $1 annually. The lease runs through 2042 and can be terminated if the state Legislature makes any changes to the branch campus program or its funding.

But on Nov. 14, just over a week before Rothmans announcement, UW-Platteville asked the county if they could take several buildings off the lease, including the student union, the gymnasium and the library.

In his November letter to UW-Platteville Interim Chancellor Tammy Evetovich, Rothman also directed UW-Platteville to consider working with Richland County governmental officials, who have jurisdiction over the buildings, and community leaders.

However, Richland Center and county government officials say they havent received any communication from the university about its plan.

The draft plan was shared with an email list of current and former UW-Platteville faculty and staff, and at least two open meetings were held for feedback on the plan.

Communication between the university and Richland County officials broke down, though, with the County Board passing a resolution in December requiring a third-party mediator to be present during communication with UW-Platteville administrators, Gentes said.

Assistant Provost for Branch Campuses Michael Compton had reached out in early January to present their transition plan with Richland Center Mayor Todd Coppernoll and county officials, which didnt happen after board members said a mediator needed to be present, Coppernoll said.

The countys resolution offered to take some of the campus farmland off the lease, but also requested that the campus be given an employee dedicated to recruiting students.

More dialogue?

Within the last year, UW-Platteville was developing plans to keep in-person education at the Richland campus, even if in a modified version.

It all ended with Rothmans directive, but records show former Chancellor Dennis Shields pledging to continue conversations with Richland County Executive Clint Langreck on how to best use the campus.

We hope to continue to provide a higher education presence in the Richland area that meets the needs of the community and promotes degree attainment, Shields said in a May 2022 letter.

In branch campus proposal documents from last year, UW-Platteville calls Richland an access point for regional rural populations.

Branch proposal documents show UW-Platteville administrators were creating plans on how to differentiate the offerings at Richland and Baraboo Sauk Countys campuses because of how they compete with one another for enrollment.

At Richland, there were plans to start a Bachelor of Professional Studies degree, while Baraboo now has a four-year degree in business administration management available. Other aspects of Baraboos plan included pathways to other degree programs within the System.

Plattevilles draft plan also includes a roadmap for transitioning Richland Center students who have not completed their degrees to either UW-Plattevilles main campus, its Baraboo Sauk County campus or an online format. Students would be able to take up to 30 credits at Richland Centers tuition rate, get a $1,500 stipend to live in the residence halls during the 2023-24 academic year and receive free parking at the main campus.

UW-Platteville spokesperson Paul Erickson declined to answer additional questions about the draft plan and instead said he would share the final version.

Feeling left out

Richland County Board member Shaun Murphy-Lopez said he saw the draft plans by attending faculty meetings at UW-Platteville.

He said the plan lacked substance.

They dont really know our community that well, and so for them to be making all these decisions without coming and meeting with the people (is hard), he said.

Board chair Marty Brewer has also seen the draft copy and doesnt believe the county should accept the proposal.

If the System has no intent in keeping an in-person presence at the Richland Center campus, hed like to explore other possibilities, such as seeing if Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, based in Fennimore, would have any interest in renting space.

Coppernoll said earlier this week he had no idea what might have been in the draft plan UW-Platteville administrators planned to present to the board before that meeting was scrapped. Regardless, having an empty campus isnt a viable solution for Richland Center or the county, he said.

What I wanted was for the campus to remain in a smaller footprint using some of the buildings and to make it more viable again, Coppernoll said. Well, obviously they have chosen not to do that.

[Editor's note: This article has been altered to reflect a correction. Michael Compton reached out to Todd Coppernoll in early January. A previous version stated the wrong time frame.]
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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.

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KEARNEY  Stan Dart wants to give seniors a second chance.

If you slept through some interesting classes in high school, this is an opportunity to learn something new, he said.

The chair of the board of directors for Senior College of Central Nebraska detailed some of the classes offered during Senior College Winterim beginning on Tuesday and continuing through Feb. 15. All but one of the eight free classes will be held at the Kearney Public Library.

Ready to learn something? What: Senior College of Central Nebraska Winterium When: Tuesday through Feb. 15 Where: Kearney Public Library and Trails & Rails Museum Admission: Free Contact: SeniorCollegeNE.org  Tuesday  9:30 a.m.  Kearney Public Library  Touring Ancient Greece with Myths, Tales & Word Origins, Marva Bieber, instructor  Jan. 19  9:30 a.m.  Kearney Public Library  Assessing 101: What Property Owners Need to Know, Roy Meusch, instructor  Jan. 31  1 p.m.  Kearney Public Library  Find Corns Roots, Stan Dart, instructor  Feb. 1  1 p.m.  Kearney Public Library  Whiskeys fer drinking; Waters fer fighting: Hydropolitical Megatrends, Nathan Eidem, instructor  Feb. 8 and Feb. 15  3:30 p.m.  Trails & Rails Museum  History of Kearney: All 150 Years, Broc Anderson, instructor  Feb. 9  9:30 a.m.  Kearney Public Library  Arrest to Disposition: The Nuts and Bolts of Criminal Litigation, Jeff Ensz, instructor  Feb. 13  9:30 a.m.  Kearney Public Library  The Next Arms Race: Weaponizing Behavioral Economics for Political Campaigns, Allan Jenkins, instructor  Feb. 13  9:30 a.m.  Kearney Public Library  Six Proposed Amendments to the US Constitution John Icenogle Sr., instructor

We are extremely fortunate to have these activities at our library, which is an absolutely precious gift to the community, Dart said. They are wonderful to work with, and they have a great facility. We appreciate them working with us. The same thing is true with Trails & Rails Museum. They are wonderful partners to have as we try to bring information and knowledge to folks in the area.

Broc Anderson, community outreach coordinator for Trails & Rails, will present a class on the history of Kearney on Feb. 8 and Feb. 15 at the museum.

The Winterim session offers a diverse list of classes that highlight topics from myths of ancient Greece to the politics of water to lessons on the U.S. Constitution. Dart said the board often gets class suggestions from participants as well as ideas from individuals interested in sharing their expertise and knowledge on a particular field.

Ill be teaching a class called Finding Corns Roots, said the former professor of geography who taught at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Ill be tracing the history of corn, where it came from and how it spread through North America and finally into Europe.

Dart said that looking at one element, like corn, can reveal a great deal of information about the past 10,000 years of human history and development. He likened the idea to the quote by naturalist John Muir: When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.

In a previous interview Dart said, Senior College is a lifelong learning program, generally for people over 50 years of age, but any age is acceptable. We look at the idea that curiosity doesnt retire. As you move on down the path of life, sometimes you have opportunities to learn things you didnt really think you needed to know  but you also can catch up on a lot of stuff that you do know.

Senior College offers classes throughout the year. The Winterim schedule helps to introduce participants to the informal educational opportunities by offering classes at no charge. The organizations website describes it as a health club for the mind with no prerequisites, exams or grades. Members of Senior College come from Amherst, Axtell, Bertrand, Central City, Cozad, Elm Creek, Elwood, Franklin, Funk, Gibbon, Grand Island, Henderson, Holdrege, Kearney, Miller, Minden, Naponee, Overton, Pleasanton, Ravenna, Riverdale, Shelton and Wilcox.

The board of directors schedule more in depth classes with semester blocks in fall, spring and summer. Most of those classes meet for two hours, six times a week. The Winterim classes feature shorter instructional periods with more variety.

For more information and to find a complete description of classes, call 308-234-1616 or visit SeniorCollegeNE.org.
FAVE 5: Kearney Hub's Ashley Bebensee shares her memorable stories from 2022

The most memorable stories from any year are the tales of people, or animals, who leave a positive impact on those around them. In 2022, it was heartwarming when volunteers from across the country came to Pioneer Village in Minden to breathe life back into the small-town museum. Also memorable was when the residents of Bertrand rallied behind a local family after a tragic car accident critically injured their son.

Animals will always make it to the top of any of my lists, so I couldn't help but include the story of a senior dog who was reunited with her owners after 10 years apart and a mini therapy horse who is making a difference for people of all ages.

These are the five stories I enjoyed the most in 2022.

ashley.bebensee@kearneyhub.com
MENOMONIE  Suzanne Wittman believes that building relationships is the foundation for building a community. As the new executive director of the Shawano County Chamber of Commerce, covering Shawano and Menominee counties in eastern Wisconsin, she is helping to highlight the areas natural resources, its people and to create a better quality of life.

Wittman, a University of Wisconsin-Stout retail merchandising and management alum, recently was named one of Wisconsins 34 Most Influential Asian American Leaders by Madison 365, a nonprofit online news outlet that covers communities of color and issues important to those communities.

She was recognized for her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion, while working with Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in the Green Bay, Madison and Milwaukee areas, and for aiming to empower womens voices  especially women of color.

Its humbling to be recognized, but more importantly it was an opportunity to highlight the work I was doing at the time. Bringing to light the needs of marginalized people is a great undertaking, said Wittman, the former Womens Empowerment Center director of the YWCA Greater Green Bay.

She remembers wanting to empower womens voices after reading a book about how women dont apply for jobs that they dont feel 100% qualified for, how they rarely ask for raises and miss promotional opportunities.

I found that absurd. I refused to fall under that stereotype and knew that if I didnt raise my own voice, no one would do it for me, she said. Yet when you look for Asian representation in respect to leadership, youll see that its not as strong as it could be.

I hope to help pave the way for other Asian and Asian-American women to seek out positions in leadership and utilize their diverse experience and skills to better the businesses and organizations they serve.

Wittmans parents were born in the Philippines and immigrated to Canada, where they met. Wittman was born in Montreal, Quebec, and with the exception of living in Buenos Aires for two years as a child, spent most of her life in Canada. She never witnessed racism until she moved to the United States.

Unfortunately, it was here in the U.S. where I felt that seismic shift, whether I was overlooked or intimidated because of the color of my skin. And Im saddened that my three children have had to feel the effects of this as well, as mixed-race individuals, she said.

But as a mother of three children, Wittman feels that its incumbent on her to be a role model, especially to her two daughters.

What greater legacy could I leave than to have raised two independently strong, well-versed and insightful young women? They are now my cheerleaders, and no mom could ask for anything more, she said. Maybe my role on this earth is to show resilience. Maybe its to just be authentically human and caring. Im still figuring it out but certainly embracing the challenges and the connections Ive made along the way.
A joint meeting of the Tainter Creek, Bad Axe River, Coon Creek Community and Rush Creek watershed councils is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Eagles Club in Viroqua. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a meal provided by the Coon Creek Community Watershed Council.

To reserve a dinner, please RSVP to CCCWC at kevin-maggie@mwt.net by noon on Monday, Jan. 16.

Following dinner, a business meeting will be conducted from 7-8 p.m.. The agenda for that meeting will be as follows:

Presentation from Brandon Larson, Vernon County Emergency Management Director  watershed council involvement in the Vernon County Integrated Preparedness Plan;

Presentation from Michael Tiboris, Policy Director and Clear Water Farms Director with the River Alliance of Wisconsin;

Sub-committee break out sessions to discuss 2023 plans, crossover topics and combined efforts.
The town of Campbell was just one of many Wisconsin municipalities to receive money from the federal governments 2023 spending bill.

The Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2023 passed both the Senate and House of Representatives and was signed by the president on Dec. 23. The nearly $1.7 trillion appropriations bill averted a government shutdown and funds the federal government through Sept. 30.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, secured more than $8.3 million for Wisconsin communities to address PFAS contamination, as part of the $255 million worth of Wisconsin projects she fought for. The PFAS projects include remediation projects and new water systems in Wausau, Eau Claire and Peshtigo.

Campbell was allocated $1,666,000 to support a new municipal water system. But before it can build a new system, they must find a safe water source. Later this month, construction for a water test well will begin.

We are very excited and very appreciative, said Lee Donahue, a Campbell supervisor. Every dollar will make a difference in the long run.

Residents of Campbell have been drinking and using bottled water since over 500 private and public wells were found with high concentrations of PFAS  a group of toxic forever chemicals that can result in adverse health effects in large concentrations.

Last May, Baldwin visited with town residents to discuss how she could be helpful.

Ive heard firsthand from the residents ... who have had to rely on bottled water for basic tasks most people dont think twice about, like brushing their teeth or preparing food, Baldwin said. I am proud to have delivered direct federal support to tackle this issue head on, and will continue to work with the Town of Campbell until every resident can turn on their faucet and be sure their water is safe.

Donahue said that the $1.6 million is not enough on its own to fund a water system. But the town has begun the process of applying for more federal dollars from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law via the states Department of Natural Resources.

Its all pieces of the puzzle and every piece is building upon itself so that we can reach a point where we will have enough funding ... to pay for a system where everyone is going to have access to safe water, Donahue said.

The federal money from both the budget bill and infrastructure law will come from the Environmental Protection Agencys Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, so the project will need to comply with associated rules and regulations.

The town is in the process of constructing a test well that will drill down to the deeper aquifer to test the water source for PFAS contamination. The deep aquifer is separated with a bedrock layer from the shallow, contaminated aquifer.

Nelson Plumbing and Electrical, the company that was awarded the bid for the drilling and construction of the test well, will begin drilling at the end of this month. Donahue said it will take place between Jan. 23 and Jan. 30.

It will take one to two days for the drill to reach the bedrock that separates the two aquifers. Once it reaches the bedrock, core rock samples will be collected and tested by a member of the Wisconsin Geological Survey.

After that, it will take between three to seven days to drill through the bedrock to reach the deep aquifer. Water samples will be collected and pumping tests will be completed to insure the quality of the water.

If the water in the deeper aquifer is uncontaminated, then the town can use it as a water source.

Additionally, Campbell, in partnership with La Crosse County, the Wisconsin Geological Survey and the U.S Geological Survey, will survey the groundwater flow to mitigate future PFAS contaminations.

As a town supervisor, I am very proud that being a small community like Campbell, that we have really become the peak of activity on PFAS research, Donahue said. That makes me very proud to be a part of the most scientific research thats taking place in the state of Wisconsin right now.
In the aftermath of a shocking incident in which a first grader shot and seriously injured a teacher at a school in Newport News, Virginia, the citys mayor asked the question: How did this happen?

The shooting of an elementary school teacher by one of her students is a shocking example of gun violence. Jay Paul/Getty Images

Some details are now known: The child took the gun from his home, and the firearm was legally purchased by his mother.

Many other aspects of the incident have yet to be established  not least, the likely many factors that resulted in the boy shooting his teacher. But as experts in media use and its connections to violence, we have reported some disturbing findings about how children are influenced by gun violence depicted in media like television, movies and video games. What makes this more troubling is the fact that millions of children in the U.S. have easy access to firearms in their homes, increasing the risk of gun deaths, including suicides.

The effect of media violence on children

Research has shown that the depiction of gun violence is increasing in both movies and on TV. Our research found that acts of gun violence in PG-13 movies has nearly tripled in the 30 years since the rating was introduced in 1984. And PG-13 movies are not exclusively watched by teens and above. A survey of adults in 2019 found that 12% said they were allowed to watch PG-13 movies between the ages of 6 and 9, with 6% saying they watched such films aged even younger.

Although some skeptics say violent media do not lead children to become more aggressive, a large survey conducted in 2015 found that most pediatricians and media scholars agree that there is a link.

Violent media can also lead children to engage in more dangerous behavior if they find a real gun. In studies one of us conducted, exposure to both movies and video games with guns was found to encourage children ages 8-12 years old to pick up a real gun that had been hidden in a drawer and pull the trigger, including while pointing the gun at themselves or their friend. This behavior was observed by a hidden camera.

This is what can happen if parents do not store a gun in a secure location in the home.

The child in the Virginia shooting was younger than 8 years old, but there is no reason to believe the effects we found would differ in a younger child. In fact, the effects might be stronger in younger children because those younger than about 8 can have more difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy.

Violence in the media can desensitize or numb children to violence. In one study, researchers found that children exposed to multiple sources of violence may become desensitized, increasing the possibility of them imitating the aggressive behaviors they watch and considering such behavior as normal.

Movies containing gun violence that are rated PG-13 portray the use of guns in ways that are unrealistic. The effects of gun use in such films are often sanitized so that one rarely sees much blood or serious harm, unlike what is typically shown in movies that are rated R. This could give a child the sense that using a gun to harm someone is not as dangerous as it actually could be.

What concerns us about these findings is that they come at a time of increased media consumption by younger children. A 2021 report by Common Sense Media found that media use by children has risen faster in the two years since the pandemic than the four years before. Research has found that children ranging in age from 5 to 11 years old spent an average of more than three hours a day on screens and consuming media during the pandemic.

Guns in the home

Children are naturally curious, and adults often underestimate their ability to find guns hidden in the home. As one firearms expert noted, Their brains are developing. That same curiosity that can inspire them to pick up a book and want to learn how to read can inspire them to go looking for a parents gun.

And the U.S. has far more civilian-owned guns per capita than any country in the world, with 120.5 guns per 100 residents  the next highest country is Yemen, with 52.8 guns per 100 residents.

The U.S. is also an outlier when it comes to gun-related violence, with rates about 23 times higher than in other developed countries.

Figures from the nonprofit organization Everytown for Gun Safety show that every year more than 300 people are either wounded or killed in unintentional shootings by children. Data on the number of people shot by children intentionally is not, to our knowledge, available.

It is vital for gun owners to lock away firearms, unloaded, with ammunition stored separately  especially if there are children in the home. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all guns be secured to decrease the risk of both unintentional gun injuries and intentional shootings. Roughly a third of U.S. homes with children have guns, but less than half of gun owners secure their guns. As of 2022, an estimated 4.6 million children in the U.S. live in a home with unlocked, loaded guns.

What drove the child at an elementary school in Virginia to shoot his teacher is something that is not publicly known. But what the research clearly shows is that exposure to gun violence in media and easy access to firearms around the home all serve to increase the risks of any child picking up a gun.

Dan Romer, research director, Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, receives funding from the National Institutes of Health and from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Brad Bushman, professor of communication and Rinehart Chair of Mass Communication, The Ohio State University, does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

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
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 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 womens 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 states 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.

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, R-Green Bay, 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 contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Brad Finstad on Friday announced the introduction of two pieces of legislation to honor the life and legacy of the late U.S. Congressman Jim Hagedorn, who served as the U.S. Representative for the First District from 2019 until his death from stage IV kidney cancer in 2022.

The first would rename the post office in Blue Earth, Minnesota, after Hagedorn, who was born in Blue Earth and lived there during his time in Congress. It was Blue Earth and southern Minnesota that Hagedorn truly loved and chose to make his home.

Jim was a true public servant, a commonsense conservative with an unparalleled work ethic, said Finstad. He fought tirelessly for the people of Minnesotas First District and worked every day to represent the southern Minnesota views and values of his constituents, supporting the districts agriculture, small businesses, transportation, and world-class healthcare system. Jim loved few things more than his Minnesota roots, and I am proud to honor him by preserving his legacy in the Blue Earth community.

Finstad introduced the legislation and is joined by six members of the Minnesota delegation.

Jim was a dear friend, a treasured colleague and a lifelong servant to the people of Minnesota, said Majority Whip Emmer (MN-06). His joyful presence is missed in our home state and in the halls of Congress. Today, we join Representative Finstads effort to recognize Jim by renaming his hometown post office in Blue Earth.

Jim was a dear friend who wanted nothing more than to represent the people of Minnesotas First District in Congress. He did so every day with an unwavering passion and unshakable joy that brightened the halls of Congress, bringing the best of Blue Earth to Washington, said Congresswoman Fischbach (MN-07). He is deeply missed and I am glad we are able to memorialize his life in the community he so dearly loved.

Jim was a dear friend who wanted nothing more than to represent the people of Minnesotas First Congressional District in Congress, said Congressman Stauber (MN-08). I got to see Jims hard-work and passion for southern Minnesota up close while serving with him on the Small Business Committee. I am proud to join this legislation to rename the Blue Earth Post Office in Jims honor so many generations will remember his legacy.

Jim was a fierce advocate for southern Minnesota who made a lasting impact on our state and his constituents. Im glad to join Rep. Finstad and the rest of the Minnesota delegation to introduce this legislation and commemorate Jims service to our country, said Congresswoman Craig (MN-02).

Jim and I had different political views but a respectful friendship and a shared love for Minnesota and our country, said Congressman Phillips (MN-03). I thank Representative Finstad for leading this fitting tribute and look forward to working together for our state in a spirit that honors Jims memory.

Public service played a prominent role in Congressman Hagedorns life, said Congresswoman McCollum (MN-04), Dean of the Minnesota delegation. Renaming the Blue Earth post office in his honor is a way for the community to remember him and for us to pay tribute to our late colleague.

Additionally, Finstad re-introduced the American Workforce Empowerment Act, which was one of Congressman Hagedorns top legislative priorities during his time in office.

The bill would allow 529 savings accounts to be used for non-degree technical training certificate programs, apprenticeships, tools, and any tests that are required to obtain and maintain certifications. The bill was introduced by Congressman Finstad with 26 original cosponsors.

As I talk with employers in the district, I hear repeatedly about the increased need for skilled labor, said Finstad. The American Workforce Empowerment Act will reduce the cost of obtaining advanced technical certifications, while also helping to grow the workforce.

I am proud to honor Jim by re-introducing this important legislation, which will open job opportunities for many individuals by allowing 529 savings plans to be used for non-degree technical training certificate programs and apprenticeships, giving them the same access to vocational training as those enrolled in degree programs.

Touring the River Valley: Houston County Water Water Hills Hills Landscape Hill Water Houston artwork International Owl Center Houston sign Cows Road Farm Creek Playground Hills Driving through Beaver Creek Valley State Park
An 85-year-old Pleasant Prairie man who left his home in the village during the lunch hour Thursday and didnt come home was located safe in Monroe County early Friday, according to authorities.

Willie Smoot Willie Smoot, a retired military veteran who reportedly suffers from dementia, had left to go to a restaurant Thursday. He was ultimately loca

Willie Smoot, a retired military veteran who reportedly suffers from dementia, had left to go to a restaurant Thursday. When he didnt return and the family could not reach him, Smoots wife contacted the Pleasant Prairie Police Department at about 7:30 p.m. over concerns that he hadnt come home. The department worked to locate Smoots cellphone, ultimately finding it in the Monroe County area.

During earlier attempts to locate Smoot, Pleasant Prairie Police spoke to him on his phone, but Smoot apparently did not know where he was, Sgt. Zach Dutter said. According to police, Smoot was driving a dark blue 2015 Chevy Impala with the license plate AFX7709, which had been spotted at 12:51 p.m. Thursday by an automated license plate reader camera in Racine.

Willie Smoot vehicle This image of Willie Smoots 2015 Chevy Impala was captured by a license plate reader at 12:51 p.m. Thursday in Racine, according to Pleasant 

We were in contact with him earlier on the phone, but he has no idea where he is, said Dutter, who added Smoots phone was pinging from a location in Onalaska in western Wisconsin. Onalaska is approximately 240 miles from Pleasant Prairie. Police were in contact with him around 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Police Chief David Smetana praised the systems in place to help locate missing persons like Smoot, like the Silver Alert.

Police canceled the Silver Alert, shortly after 1:30 a.m. The Silver Alert is a statewide alert for missing adults with cognitive difficulties.

With the help of Monroe County law enforcement, Smoot was located during a traffic stop, and has since been reunited with his family.

Its thanks to these systems, it allows us to get this information out quickly and over a wide area, Smetana said.

Smetana thanked the help of the other law enforcement agencies, as well as the Pleasant Prairie staff that worked quickly to respond to the issue.

We know time is of the essence, Smetana said.
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.
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.
Japan, US, Australia to assist Vietnam in decarbonisation

Government-backed financial institutions from Japan, the US, and Australia have pledged to support Vietnam's efforts to cut carbon emissions, according to the chairman of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).





Illustrative photo



JBIC Chairman Tadashi Maeda revealed the plan at an Indo-Pacific business forum in Tokyo on January 12, NHK reported.



JBIC, together with the US International Development Finance Corporation, and Export Finance Australia, will launch a new framework for support.



In consultation with the Vietnamese Government, they will help the Southeast Asian nation switch to thermal plants fueled by liquefied natural gas and expand the use of renewable energy.



They also aim to create business opportunities by introducing technologies for decarbonisation.



Vietnam has set a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. However, it faces the difficult challenge of maintaining economic growth while reducing its reliance on coal for power generation, according to NHK.
U.S. Promises To Defend Japan with Nuclear Weapons if Need Be

Jan. 12, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)The joint statement released, following the 2+2 2023 U.S.-Japan Consultative Committee meetings of the U.S. and Japanese defense and foreign ministers yesterday, includes a commitment by the U.S. to defend Japan with nuclear weapons if necessary. The United States restated its unwavering commitment to the defense of Japan under Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, using its full range of capabilities, including nuclear, the statement said. The ministers held an in-depth discussion on U.S. extended deterrence for Japan, as well as on the recently released U.S. Nuclear Posture Review, and reaffirmed the critical importance of ensuring U.S. extended deterrence remains credible and resilient, bolstered by Japans capabilities.

Another point stressed in the document is the unprecedented alignment of their vision, priorities, and goals expressed in the two governments national security and national defense strategies. This forms a solid foundation for their efforts to constantly modernize the Alliance in order to address the increasingly severe security environment, it says.

Naturally, it included the usual nonsense about U.S.-Japan commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and hailed the U.S.-Japan Alliance as the cornerstone of regional peace, security, and prosperity.

All of this is aimed against China, of course. The four ministers reiterated their strong opposition to Chinas intensified attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East China Sea, including through actions that seek to undermine Japans longstanding administration of the Senkaku Islands, the statement says. The United States reaffirmed that Article V of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty applies to the Senkaku Islands. The Ministers condemned Chinas dangerous and provocative military activities around Japan, including Chinas ballistic missile launches in August 2022, during which some missiles landed in waters near Japans Sakishima Islands. They shared their continuing concerns regarding Chinas ongoing and accelerating expansion of its nuclear arsenal, which is also characterized by its lack of transparency.

The islands are known as Diaoyu Dao by China, which were seized by Japan in 1895, and recognized by the Allies in 1943 (Cairo Declaration) and again in 1945 (Potsdam Proclamation) as being Chinese territory, and also including Taiwan and other territories that Japan had occupied.

The 2+2 statement was welcomed by Taipei. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou said that Taiwan welcomes the support from Japan and the United States, reported Radio Taiwan International. She said that Taiwan will work with these like-minded countries to defend universal values such as democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law.

Theres not much response, yet, from Beijing to yesterdays events in Washington. We have noted the reports, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin responded to AFP about the U.S.-Japan statement. Military cooperation between the U.S. and Japan must not harm the interests of third parties or undermine the peace and stability in the region.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR FRIDAY JANUARY 13, 2023

Did You Vote for the Present War with Russia, and the Next War with China? Who Authorized NATO and EU To Organize World War III?

Jan. 12, 2023, 2022 (EIRNS)EVENT: Resurrect the True Mission of Dr. Martin Luther King: Stop NATOs World War, and Dismantle the International Assassination Bureau

DATE: Saturday, January 14, 2023

TIME: 10 a.m. EST

Whatever you may have been told, Russia, perhaps now the worlds leading thermonuclear weapons power, believes that it is fighting the United States, Great Britain, and NATO in a proxy war, one that only foolish, uninformed people in the West refer to as the war between Ukraine and Russia. Considering that the United States has, in one year, directly deployed an acknowledged $112 billion of weapons and materiel into Ukraine, an amount larger than the entire annual military budget of Russia, and that all other NATO military, logistical, and financial aid has been in addition to that, that belief seems more than justified.

With the signing this week by Japan and Great Britain of the Reciprocal Access Agreement, touted as the most significant military agreement between those two countries since 1902, and corresponding agreements in the United States at the U.S./Japan 2+2 ministerial talks, the stage is now being set for a conflict with China, to begin as soon as possible, as the next expansion of Global NATO. The old, evil dreams buried by FDR and the Allieswhich included Russiain 1945, are rising again. Is Global NATO a new Allgemeine SS with thermonuclear weapons?

Who is authorizing these wars, being carried out in the name of the people of the United States and Europe? Since those populations are being impoverished, not enriched, by the wars, what is their actual purpose? Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushevs January 10 interview (in Russian) with the Russian weekly newspaper Argumenti i Fakti (aif.ru) called the Ukraine proxy war a cover for a conglomerate of huge corporations that rule the country and try to dominate the world.... The U.S. authorities, allied to big business, serve the interests of trans-national corporations, including the military-industrial complex. The assertive policy of the White House, the unbridled aggressiveness of NATO, the emergence of the AUKUS military bloc and othersare also a consequence of corporate influence, Patrushev stated.

Without a condition of trust between adversaries perceived or real, in a world dominated by ultimate, final thermonuclear warfarea sheer cliff, to whose edge we are inching ever closera mere lapse of judgment could be enough to hurtle humanity over the abyss. We will not reverse that mistake, once it is made. The ever-increasing chance that thermonuclear war could be launched by miscalculation, or by the madness or folly of an individual, nation, or even conglomerate, means that extraordinary leadership of the highest calibertrusted and trustworthy leadershipmust become available to deliberate among nations otherwise committed to war.

Patrushev elaborated: Amid the fundamental changes in the world, the corporations have one goalto preserve the system of global exploitation. It is headed by an elite of businessmen that do not tie themselves to any states. Beneath it are the so-called developed countries and the golden billion. And further below is the rest of humanity, contemptuously referred to as the Third World. 

Certainly, population reduction, including the dramatic reduction of the potential population density of whole regions of the globe, has been the result of wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, and various theaters in Africa over the past 30 years or more. Certainly, Britains late Prince Philip as well as other members of British royal family-affiliated institutions, have proposed in various documents and formats over the years that it were desirable that the Earths population be no more than 1-2 billion people. Promoting that policy in itself would, however, lead to thermonuclear war well before its completion.

States and people need to negotiate their futures and destiny, and to do that, they need to listen to the words of international leaders and references, such as the Pope, intellectual and local actors, civil society, diplomats, and all peace actors, one person has recommended. This week, Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and head of the international Schiller Institute, is appearing in three different symposia, for two purposes: first, as part of an international public awareness campaign, designed to propose a solution to reverse direction from an otherwise-inevitable species extinction war; second, for the establishment of a higher global peace and development architecture that allows for not only durable human survival, but durable prosperity as well.

Zepp-LaRouche reported that in her Jan. 10 Schiller Institute symposium, First of all, we discussed the implication of [former German Chancellor Angela] Merkels lying, either lying in the beginning, in the period where they pretended still to try to implement the Minsk agreement; or lying now, saying that she never meant it, and it was all just to give time for Ukraine to rebuild or go for rearmament. So, we discussed that, and in that context, I made the point that, as a consequence of that and many other aspects, we are now at an extremely dangerous point, because the Russians have lost all trust in the West, that one can negotiate. Zelenskyy naturally doesnt want to negotiate either, and supposedly there is even a law which forbids Ukrainians to negotiate as long as Putin is in office. In any case, there were many arguments coming also from Scott Ritter, from French General Delawarde (ret.), from French Colonel Corvez (ret.) that basically the time for negotiation is not there and the Russians will force a military solution on the battlefield. And they were of the opinion that Russia will win this battle. I was making the point that, given the fact that NATO is saying Russia can absolutely not win, Ukraine must win, that this implies too many dangers, and that we absolutely have to have an international mobilization to take up the offer of Pope Francis, who offered the venue of the Vatican for unconditional negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.

For her efforts, Helga Zepp-LaRouche has for six months been placed at the head of a kill list issued by the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation. That list, however, is not a product of Ukraine, but of the international assassination bureau that has, at least since the President John F. Kennedy assassination, eliminated or neutralized people, including Enrico Mattei and Aldo Moro of Italy; Patrice Lumumba of Congo; Malcolm X, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King of the United States; Jurgen Ponto, Hanns Martin Schleyer, Alfred Herrhausen, and Detlev Rohwedder of Germany. The apparatus carried out over 30 assassination attempts against President Charles de Gaulle of France. That apparatus now seeks to intimidate anyone who has the moral fortitude to point out the injustice of the Global NATO plan for World War III against China, Russia, and anyone not considered to be a member of the Anglosphere.

Now, therefore, this assassination and intimidation bureau must be not only exposed, but dismantled. The continuing existence of nations, and perhaps the planet itself, could depend on it. It takes only the summoning of the true spirit of freedom and independence that Dr. Martin Luther King exemplified, looking at humanity from the mountaintop, to walk away from war, by walking away from fear.

This Saturday join Ray McGovern, Garland Nixon, Cliff Kiracofe, Helga Zepp-LaRouche, and others for the Schiller Institute symposium, Resurrect the True Mission of Dr. Martin Luther King: Stop NATOs World War, and Dismantle the JFK International Assassination Bureau,  Saturday, January 14 at 10 a.m.
An American woman is suing several companies in connection with her husbands COVID-19 infection and death.

Patricia Woodward accused companies involved in the 2021 production of a television series of ignoring safety measures. The measures were designed to prevent the spread of the virus among workers.

Woodward began the action in January at a federal court in Boston, Massachusetts. Her husband, Paul Woodward, worked as a passenger vehicle driver for the production group in the town of Provincetown, Massachusetts. He transported crew to and from their hotel to places where filming was to be done. He had tested negative when he began working on the project in February of 2021. He left the project to go to the hospital in mid-March after experiencing signs of COVID-19 infection. He died of COVID-19 on April 18. He was 67.

He passed away on the morning of our 25th anniversary, wife Patricia Woodward said in an interview with NBC10 Boston, a local television station. So that day, instead of going out to dinner or having champagne, I had to go to the funeral home, she said.

The lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful death, recklessness and gross negligence, pain and suffering, and loss. The companies did not immediately answer requests for comment.

Patricia Woodward said that the filming in Provincetown happened before the widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines and during a period of strong COVID-19 restrictions.

During the filming, the production companies brought in hundreds of workers who stayed in hotels.

The legal case noted that the defendants' COVID-19 measures were supposed to include exact and frequent testing, safe distancing, safe transport between filming sites and work areas, and the use of masks and protective equipment.

The legal case also said crew, actors, contractors, and other employees openly flouted and violated the COVID-19 safety" rules. And it said the companies failed to take the necessary corrective action about that situation.

For example, legal documents in the case say that Paul Woodward was ordered to drive a vehicle that did not have a protective barrier in place. Barriers separate the driver from the passengers to prevent possible passage of the virus. The legal case said other vehicles used in the production did have protective barriers.

In addition, the lawsuit noted there were also supposed to be safe distancing, occupancy limits and masking requirements in the automobile, but that the rule was ignored by passengers and not enforced by the defendants.

Im Caty Weaver.

The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

sue  v. to seek justice or right from (a person) by legal process

test negative phrase to take a test that shows that a disease is not present

interview  n. a meeting at which information is obtained (as by a reporter) from a person

champagne n. a bubbly alcoholic drink served at special events

recklessness  n. showing lack of caution: IRRESPONSIBLE, WILD

gross negligence  n. carelessness to the point of reckless disregard for the safety or lives of others, and is so great it appears to be a conscious violation of other people's rights to safety

frequent  adj. often

flout  n. to ignore in a disrespectful way

occupancy n. related to the number of people permitted in a place at one time
Some Ukrainian soldiers are spending time at a recovery center designed to help them deal with the harmful effects of war.

A Ukrainian military commander created the recovery center in Kharkiv. The building served as a long-term rehabilitation hospital when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union.

Army commander Oleksander Vasylkovskyi said the recovery center is able to treat both physical and mental conditions. This rehabilitation is helping soldiers, at least for a week, to put themselves together," he told The Associated Press.

Vasylkovskyi remembers how soldiers suffered silently after returning home from fighting Russia in Ukraine's Donbas area in 2014. Suicide rates among veterans increased in the following years, with many untreated cases of post-traumatic stress disorder. Vasylkovskyi says he hopes such centers can raise awareness of the need for mental health care and prevent suicides in the future.

Soldiers visiting the center are offered a series of different treatments. These include water therapy in a hot pool to heal muscle pain, red light therapy to improve heart and blood circulation and a salt room to improve breathing. Some also receive electrosleep therapy  a method of electrotherapy that some believe can calm the nervous system and cause sleep.

Psychologists are also available at the center to advise soldiers and their families.

Vasylkovskyi says visitors also have full medical examinations. Its the most important thing because a person develops several illnesses from the stress of fighting.

If someone has trauma and cannot walk, my department will put them back on their feet, said Artem. He is a physical therapist working at the center who only wanted to give his first name for security reasons.

More than 2,000 soldiers have been treated at the center since it opened in June. It receives support from international partners in Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Poland, the United States and Spain. The cost of one day of rehabilitation for one soldier is around 20 euros, Vasylkovskyi said. But more financing is needed, he said, because (the war) is not over.

One soldier treated at the center spoke to the AP. He only wanted his first name, Viktor, to be used. He said he worked as a miner before joining the army. He took part in the military operation that pushed Russian occupying forces out of the Kharkiv area.

For months, he said he slept in cold, wet trenches. We worked in conditions that were bad for our health, Viktor said. We have back pain, leg pain, we carry heavy equipment.

But after four days at the rehabilitation center, Viktor said he felt reenergized. I'm already determined to go further, continue my work, destroy the enemy, and bring us each day closer to victory," Viktor said.

One of the most desirable things about the center might be the fact that soldiers have the ability to bring family members along to spend a few days with them.

Maksym, who, like Viktor, did not want to give a last name for security reasons, had not seen his wife and son in five months. One of the hardest parts of the war, he said, is when you cannot connect and speak to your loved ones.

He was able to spend a few days with family at the center. I can see that men are returning to the unit after a week, rested and gaining more strength, Maksym said about time spent at the center. And the thoughts that they had before go away."

When asked how many soldiers he served with were lost in the war, Maksym lowered his eyes and said, Too many.

Im Bryan Lynn.

The Associated Press reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the report for VOA Learning English.

___________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

rehabilitate  v. help someone live a normal life again after they had a serious illness of spent time in prison

post-traumatic stress disorder  n. a mental condition in which a person suffers severe anxiety and depression after a very frightening or shocking experience

therapy  n. a treatment that helps someone feel better or grow stronger

stress  n. great worry caused by a difficult situation

trauma  n. severe and lasting emotional shock and pain caused by an extremely upsetting experience

illness  n. sickness

trench  n. a narrow hold dug in the ground

damp  adj. slightly wet in a way that is not pleasant or comfortable

determined  adj. wanting to do something very much and not permitting anyone to stop you

unit  n. a group of people living or working together, especially for a particular purpose

__________________________________________________________________

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Seven Acre Dairy Company is a boutique hotel, a restaurant, a soon-to-be butter maker and a lifeline for local farmers looking to sell their milk, meat and vegetables. It has modern touches, but features that honor the long history of Paoli and agriculture in Wisconsin.

You can read all about Seven Acre Dairy Company, how it came to be and what it means to the region in this story. And here are seven fun facts about the new establishment.

1. They made art out of milk bottles

An Andy Warhol-like glass wall of art that includes photos of vintage milk bottles. The bottles were collected by founder Nic Mink who scoured antique and resale shops while the photos were taken by Nicole Hansen, a Madison-based food photographer.

2. You can see hints of the past

In one of the seating areas for the Dairy Cafe and The Kitchen, which share the space, faded round circles remain on the floor from when starting in the 1930s the dairy plant made 400 pound wheels of Swiss cheese.

3. Butter and milk comes from local farms

Seven Acre Dairy Company in Paoli The Kitchen, is the open concept restaurant at Seven Acre Dairy Company in Paoli. It has been holding chef's tastings that have been sold out 

Much of the food is being sourced from local farms. The milk for soft serve ice cream and butter comes from a farm that can be seen from the dairy while beef and greens from other farms are also being used.

4. And you'll soon see them making their own butter

At one time the building that houses Seven Acre Dairy Company was home to some of the best butter production in the country. Seven Acre is reviving butter production and its first 200 pound batch, made off-site, nearly sold out within a few weeks, despite its $26 per pound price. In March, butter production will move to Seven Acre and be produced by the cheesemakers at Landmark Creamery.

5. You can gather on the river

Located along the Sugar River in a community known for its small shops, artisans and restored grist mill, Seven Acre Dairy Company fits right in. A restored oak savanna and social gathering spaces along the river help add to the ambience.

6. The headboards are locally made, too

Some of the furniture and all of the headboards for the beds in the eight-room inn have been made with wood reclaimed from the property.

7. The decor tells the history of cheese and life in Paoli

The 21,000-square-foot building is home to a hotel, restaurant and cafe but is also a history museum. The hallways and rooms are decorated with photos of cheesemakers and life in Paoli while in the Milk Haulers Lounge, just off the lobby, a historic timeline runs the length of a wall and tells the story of the building and the businesses.

Photos: A tour of the $11.2 million Seven Acre Dairy Company in Paoli
A man whose alleged partner in a pair of Madison armed robberies was wounded during a shootout with police a year ago was sentenced Friday to 6 years in prison.

Cameron X. Smith, 24, pleaded guilty in October to taking part in the robberies of a cab driver and a convenience store on Madisons North Side in January 2022.

Smith surrendered when police located him and Syngleton J. Smith-Harston, the man accused of carrying out the robberies with Smith. But Smith-Harston jumped from an apartment building balcony and fired at police before he was shot, court documents state.

Smith-Harston, 24, who in addition to armed robbery is charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, is set for a trial starting on Jan. 23.

Dane County Circuit Judge David Conway said the robberies, of a cab driver on Jan. 9, 2022, and at a Mobil gas station on Jan. 10, 2022, were premeditated, despite a claim by Smith that they were impulsive acts. And the use of a gun during the robberies increased their dangerousness, even though the gun was not used, he said.

Smith had previously been convicted of armed robbery and was on state Department of Corrections supervision at the time of the robberies. His supervision has been revoked and he was sentenced to three years in prison, which he will serve at the same time as his new sentence.

Conway also ordered Smith to serve five years of extended supervision after his release from prison.

Assistant District Attorney Dan Hess sought a prison sentence of seven to eight years, while Smiths attorney, Payal Khandhar, asked for a four- to five-year prison term. Khandhar said a longer prison sentence would make Smith more of a risk to re-offend after he is released.

Neither of the robbery victims appeared in court, but in a statement filed in court last year, the cab driver wrote that he didnt want to believe he was about to be robbed, and when it happened, I was both angry and sad they were throwing away their lives for the $50 in my wallet.

I hope one day they can get their lives together and back on track, he wrote, and want them to know I have forgiven them. We all have done things we regret.

In court, Smith apologized to the victims and said he understands that what he did was wrong. He said he felt he lacked acceptance in his home and in the community, and made poor choices out of boredom.

Theres no excuse for what I did those nights, he said.

See the Wisconsin State Journal photo staff's favorites of 2022
One person was taken to a hospital after a fire Wednesday afternoon that did an estimated $55,000 damage at a Janesville residence, the Janesville Fire Department reported.

At about 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, Janesville fire and police personnel responded to 832 Prairie Avenue for a possible fire with smoke showing from the rear of the structure, Battalion Chief Ryan Murphy said in a statement.

The first fire crews at the scene saw smoke coming from the second-floor apartment of the two-unit multi-family residence, and they quickly extinguished a fire that had engulfed the kitchen. While the fire was kept to the upper apartment, the entire structure sustained smoke and water damage, Murphy said.

The resident of the upper apartment was treated and taken to Mercy Hospital with injuries that werent considered life threatening, Murphy said.

The cause is undetermined, and all occupants were staying with family or friends, Murphy said.
A former co-worker of Mark Jensen, the former stockbroker accused of poisoning and suffocating his wife to death in Pleasant Prairie in 1998, said Mark told him he had researched how to kill his wife on the internet.

Edward Klug testified about their conversation in court during the third day of the jury re-trial of Mark Jensen Friday morning. Klug said Mark Jensen, now 63, told him about "how to get rid of the problem" while the two were enjoying drinks together near the end of a business conference about a month before the death of Julie Jensen.

"I couldn't believe that someone would talk about killing their wife," Edward Klug said. "It was kind of out of the blue."

Mark Jensen, who was convicted in February 2008 for the murder of 40-year-old Julie Jensen 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 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, has returned 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.

On Friday morning, Klug said both he and Mark Jensen were facing marital troubles in 1998, and that they began discussing their wives after dinner and drinks in a hotel lobby in St. Louis, Mo.

Klug said Mark Jensen would talk about the "strangest things" and "I had never heard anybody talk like that."

"It was really weird," he added. "He was looking up poison. ... He said you could put it in drinks, have them drink it."

Klug, who testified during the first trial of Mark Jensen some 15 years ago, said Mark Jensen told him he researched poisons and "items that would be non-detectable in a normal autopsy."

Edward Klug said he called his then-wife, JoAnne Klug, in the hotel after speaking with Mark Jensen and told her the troubling things he had heard from Mark Jensen.

"I was scared of Mark," Edward Klug said after learning of Julie Jensen's death. "If he killed his wife what could happen to me?"

Forensic pathologist

The doctor and medical expert who conducted the autopsy of Julie Jensen the day after her death in 1998 testified Thursday evening.

Dr. Michael Chambliss, a forensic pathologist, testified about the state of Julie Jensens corpse. He's conducted thousands of autopsies during his career throughout Wisconsin and other states.

Chambliss, who conducted the autopsy 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 had been positioning into something long enough."

The examination into Julie Jensens internal organs and rib cage also showed evidence of hemorrhages, he testified. Photos of such reported things were shown on three television screens to the jury.

Prosecutors allege Mark Jensen turned Julie Jensen over in their bed and shoved her face into a pillow and suffocated her. They allege he traumatized her over many years because of an affair she engaged in and marital strife.

Photos shown to the jury Thursday included Julie Jensen turned over and dead in her bed, her distorted face and nose, and autopsy photos of her ribs and heart.

Special Prosecutor Robert Jambois, who successfully prosecuted Mark Jensen in 2008, warned the nine men and seven women of the jury Thursday they would see upsetting images of Julie Jensen's body before and after the autopsy was conducted. None of these images were shared on the live stream television and internet feed used for broadcasters.
The fight for civil and human rights has been an ongoing struggle for Black Americans since they were first enslaved on what is now U.S. soil by Spanish (1526), French (1685) and British (1619) colonizers. One of the tools of liberation typically denied these enslaved people of African descent was education, due to its potential to transform social, political and economic understandings of the innate and inherent rights of personhood.

Controlling the enslaved populations access to information was critical to colonizers maintaining control of a geographically widespread system of labor exploitation, which extended coast to coast, and both north and south of the Mason-Dixon Line. As the U.S. moved from being a series of colonial territories to a sovereign nation, it made sure education was largely unavailable to Black people, which assisted in the young nations ability to grow economically. Extracting nearly all the value of Black labor and Indigenous land benefitted the agricultural and industrial development of the emerging empire.

This historical overview illustrates the system of chattel slavery in colonial America having extensive and global roots based on a need for economic exploitation. To preserve key remnants of this system, during and after slavery, it was necessary to dehumanize Black people and other groups with darker pigmentation worldwide, using a psychological approach that solidified various caste systems.

Therefore, President Abraham Lincolns 1863 executive order, which freed slaves in states rebelling against the U.S., was a political, economic and military move to weaken the resolve of Confederate states seeking to stay outside of the Union. This tactical maneuver played on moral sentiments around the abolition of slavery. But it would take winning the Civil War and passing the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments to give the formerly enslaved any semblance of U.S. citizenship.

The 14th amendment is particularly important in the interplay between education, civil rights and human rights.

Thats because the language in its first section requires equal protection under the law. Many scholars have argued for the importance of a well-educated citizenry if all Americans are to enjoy equal protection in the form of not being deprived of life, liberty and property. Hence, the 1896 Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson, which denied Black people access to the educational and other resources needed to give them equal protection under the law, was eventually overturned based on the 14th amendment in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision.

Unfortunately, the promise of the Brown decision has never been fully realized due to the persistence of discrimination throughout the U.S., which has been adept at changing forms and resistant to being eliminated. Today, many school districts across the nation are just as segregated as they were in 1954, while other seemingly integrated districts have implemented tracking and other systems of segregation, often under the guise of providing instruction at students supposed level of understanding.

In the aftermath of the Brown decision, additional judicial and legislative guidance was needed to establish the parameters for truly integrated schooling. As such, the Supreme Court ruling in Green v. County School Board of New Kent County (1968) identified six areas required for desegregation: facilities; student, faculty, and staff assignments; transportation; and extracurricular activities.

Many of todays advocacy discussions are connected to these factors, including:

Adequate public funding for full-day early childhood programming.

Criteria for arts, honors and cocurricular participation.

Tracking in courses.

The cost of remedial college courses.

The role of standardized testing in access to college, high-demand majors and graduate/professional study.

Moreover, our debates over education vouchers, public funding for private as well as charter schools, and the diversion of resources are directly related to society navigating the post-Brown landscape.

Today, we stand at the crossroads between progress and regression, often without modern versions of Harriett Tubman and Frederick Douglass to help us navigate new routes to liberation. The challenge we face on our watch is whether we will honor the sacrifices of our ancestors who boldly proclaimed Americas promise of building a more perfect union. Bloodshed, anguish and economic devastation were necessary to affirm the importance of human decency in the struggle toward adoption of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments.

If we are unable to muster the intestinal fortitude and empathy needed to move our nation into the next phase of its liberation, the economic, psychological and social justice costs will be staggering. Perhaps we should reinvest some of the money spent to maintain the prison-industrial complex, which has an extremely higher cost per person than the publics per-student expenditures in education.
BURLEY  During a special meeting on Thursday to approve zoning ordinance changes after a Monday public hearing, the Cassia County commissioners amended the agenda to remove one section that was hotly opposed.

The commissioners removed a section that would have changed the acres used to calculate animal-unit density for special-use permits to only irrigable acres in any zone.

David Heida with MillenKamp East Valley Cattle, which employs 500 people, testified against the change.

I think it was the appropriate action for the commissioners to take under the circumstances, Heida said after the Thursday session.

Heida said Cassia County is already the most restrictive county in the valley in regard to special use permit requirements on the number of animal units allowed per acre.

The change would have made it harder for confined animal feeding operations to grow, he said, because they would have to purchase more expensive irrigated land to get their permits and it would have prevented new companies from locating here.

The commissioners unanimously approved the remainder of the ordinance changes, which included subdivision changes and another section that repealed language authorizing the zoning administrator to interpret a zoning chart for uses not specifically listed and adding that uses not listed on the zoning chart would not be eligible for special-use permits.

They just did Cassia County a great disservice, Don Pickett with Pickett Ranch & Sheep Co. of Oakley, said Thursday during a phone interview with the Times-News.

Pickett, who is an attorney, testified on Monday against the change and submitted a letter in opposition to the commissioners. He did not attend the Thursday meeting.

The Idaho Right to Farm Act in Idaho Code trumps Cassia County code, Pickett said.

There are agricultural land uses listed in the Right to Farm Act that are not on the countys zoning chart, he said.

One example, he said, is beekeeping.

And if it goes to court, thats what the argument is going to be, Pickett said.

Idaho law states a board of county commissioners does not have the power to enact any ordinance or resolution depriving an agricultural landowner of the full and complete use of the land for the production of any agricultural product.

The commissioners removed the zoning administrators ability to broadly construe activities listed on the zoning chart and did not include agricultural activities listed in the Right to Farm Act, Pickett said.

That failure, he said, will likely mean Cassia County citizens will pay attorney fees to get that portion of the ordinance overturned.

During the Thursday meeting, the agenda said the commissioners would deliberate and consider the adoption of the zoning amendments with the noted exclusions, but several citizens in attendance were allowed to continue testifying.

After receiving a private notification, Chairman Leonard Beck said that portion of the meeting had been conducted illegally because the hearing had closed on Monday.

A motion was then made to conclude the hearing and the commissioners then called for comments before proceeding with the stated agenda.
First-term Republican Rep. Jack Nelsen of Jerome apologized Thursday night after he drew a stinging rebuke from the Idaho Statesman Editorial Board for his introductory remarks to the House Agriculture Committee.

Nelsen, who narrowly won election last November in District 26, which includes Jerome, Lincoln and Blaine counties, described his comments about womens reproductive care as inappropriate in an emailed apology about seven hours after online publication of the Boise newspapers editorial.

The women in my life have taught me strength, resilience, integrity, hard work, joy, and love. I absolutely respect women, and the right to choose their own healthcare, Nelsen said. The way I phrased my statement about women and reproductive rights yesterday completely missed the mark. Im embarrassed, and I offended others in the process. I am deeply sorry. I recognize the mistake and commit to doing better in the future.

He added, I have always operated and will continue to operate under the standard that the government does not belong in the doctors office.

In its editorial headlined, When Idaho legislator likens womens reproductive rights to cows, its no laughing matter, the Statesman wrote that Nelsens comments were embarrassing and could make Idaho a laughingstock of the nation.

The board also questioned why Nelsen, a former partner in a Jerome dairy and farming operation for more than four decades, would compare milking cows with womens health care.

In meeting the House ag committee for the first time on Wednesday, Nelsen said, Ive milked a few cows, spent most of my time walking behind lines of cows, so if you want some ideas on repro and the womens health thing, I have some definite opinions.

The Statesman wrote, After making his comments, Nelsen gave a chuckle, as if it were a laughing matter. Its not.

Prior to heading to Boise, Nelsen told the Idaho Mountain Express of Ketchum that water rights and property tax relief would be among his priorities during the 2023 legislative session. He also said he intended to work across the aisle with his Democratic colleagues from the district, Sen. Ron Taylor of Hailey and Rep. Ned Burns of Bellevue.

Ideology needs to be checked at the door, Nelsen said. To me, the driver is my community and doing my best to serve them.
The University of Idaho Extension will highlight the latest in news and research affecting the states most famous crop during the 55th Annual Idaho Potato Conference and Trade Show, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in the Pond Student Union Building on the Idaho State University campus.

In addition, a trade show featuring more than 70 booths and displays from agricultural vendors and service providers will take place in the Student Union Buildings ballroom, and the Eastern Idaho Ag Expo, featuring the latest in potato farming equipment and innovations, will fill ISUs Holt Arena.

Co-chairs of the conferences organizing committee include Kasia Duellman, UI Extension seed potato specialist; Rhett Spear, UI Extension potato variety development specialist; and Justin Hatch, UI Extension educator in Caribou County.

The educational sessions, known informally as potato school within the industry, are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday and from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday. Registration will also be available onsite during the event for $50.

Nearly 40 sessions, including a slate of discussions in Spanish, will be offered over the course of a day and a half. Some presentations will be recorded and will be available on the conference website for participants to view after the event.

Its an opportunity for the industry to get updated information on important issues, earn pesticide credits and network, Duellman said.

One session will focus on new diseases affecting Idaho potatoes, as well as updates on diseases that havent been detected in the state but could pose a threat.

Duellman will offer participants an overview of rubbery rot, which UI Extension plant pathologist James Woodhalls laboratory confirmed in collaboration with Duellmans team for the first time in Idaho in 2019. Duellman said the tuber samples, taken from an eastern Idaho potato storage, had symptoms somewhat like pink rot or pythium leak, though they tested negative for both diseases.

Rubbery rot has also been confirmed in Michigan, North Dakota and Minnesota in recent years.

It seems to be associated with wounding, like some other storage diseases, as well as warmer or wetter-than-normal soils around harvest time, Duellman said.

In the same session, Woodhall will discuss a few highly regulated diseases the industry would like to keep out of Idaho, including potato wart and Ralstonia brown rot.

Also on the agenda, leaders with major potato organizations will speak before participating in a panel discussion. They include Idaho Potato Commission President and CEO Jamey Higham, National Potato Council COO Mike Wenkel and Potatoes USA CEO Blair Richardson.

Spear will speak about an opportunity for growers to receive financial compensation to experiment with environmentally friendly agronomic practices. Spear is a participant in a USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Outcomes grant led by Oregon State University. The project, with potential funding of up to $50 million, will build climate-smart markets and advance adoption of climate-smart management systems in Idaho, Washington and Oregon. Potatoes will be among the primary commodities investigated.

Spear said the grant should entice growers to diversify crop rotations and familiarize themselves with planting cover crops  which are raised primarily for soil health benefits. Many acres are already enrolled but program funding is still available. Spear anticipates about 2,000 Idaho potato acres will be included.

We want to look at some of these farms before they start practices. In a few years, well see how it improves the soil, Spear said.

Additional talks will focus on general farming topics such as succession planning, farm stress awareness, leasing land, irrigation and managing weeds and voles.
It did not take long for newly-elected Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador to be confronted by two troubling conflict of interest situations. He mishandled the first case and will soon have to act on the second.

The two cases will give Idahoans a flavor of the manner in which he will operate the AGs office during his tenure.

During his first week, Labrador moved to dismiss a misdemeanor trespassing charge against Sara Brady, a prominent supporter of his campaign. Brady was charged with trespassing by the City of Meridian for allegedly refusing to leave a playground the city had closed to curb the spread of COVID-19. Because the citys contract prosecutor had a conflict of interest concern, the AGs office agreed to handle prosecution.

Labradors office presented some feeble grounds to justify the dismissal, but there was certainly enough evidence for a jury to convict Brady. The elements of the charge were documented on video. Brady had unsuccessfully sought dismissal of the charge in lengthy court proceedings. Fortuitously for Brady, the trial was scheduled for after the change of administration, partly because of COVID and partly because of delays occasioned by Bradys attorneys.

City officials were caught off-guard by the dismissal. Meridian Mayor Roger Simison said Labradors apparent philosophy to selectively dismiss cases of his choosing and endorse illegal behavior is abhorrent. Police Chief Tracy Basterrechia expressed concern about the appearance of political grandstanding.

Labrador had a clear conflict in handling the case because of Bradys prominent support for his election and because of his widely-publicized opposition to COVID restrictions. He should have advised the city of his conflict and its need to secure other prosecution counsel, instead of unilaterally seeking to dismiss the charge.

An equally troubling decision awaits Labradors action in Bonneville County.

Idaho Falls lawyers Bryan Smith and Bryan Zollinger filed suit against an individual to collect a $777 medical debt. The defendant, David Lyon, claimed the suit violated Idahos Patient Protection Act (Act), which is designed to curb debt collection abuses for medical indebtedness. The attorneys, whose abusive practices caused Melaleuca CEO Frank VanderSloot to propose the Act, then challenged the constitutionality of the Act in the lawsuit. They were able to get a ruling in their favor on some of their constitutional claims.

Upon learning of the ruling, former AG Lawrence Wasden filed a motion to intervene in the action, claiming the Act was constitutional and that the debt-collecting lawyers had failed to comply with a statute requiring notification of their constitutional challenge.

Wasden sought to join the action in order to uphold the constitutionality of the Act. A hearing on the motion is set for February, unless Labrador decides to withdraw it.

The case puts Labrador smack on the horns of a dilemma. Smith and Zollinger are big wheels in the far-right Bonneville County GOP, plus Smith is vice chair of the Idaho Freedom Foundation. The lawyers greatly benefitted from excessive attorney fee awards in medical debt cases before the Act went into effect and would love to have the judges ruling remain in effect.

VanderSloot, on the other hand, has no use for these lawyers who prey on medical debtors and is dedicated to keeping the Act intact. He is also a major contributor to GOP candidates, having given $15,000 to Labrador in the general election.

If Labrador drops the motion to uphold the Act, it will be a sign that having the support of extremist Republicans is more important to him than standing up for the law and for the interests of people plagued by abusive medical debt collectors.
Teresa Bragg, a teacher at Albert Harris Elementary School (AHES), was presented with two plaques, a bountiful bouquet of flowers, a candy bar bouquet and the use of a Nelson Automotive car for being chosen as Martinsville City Public Schools District Teacher of the Year.

MCPS Superintendent Zeb Talley traveled from school to school with MCPS director of human resources Yani Smith, MCPS Communications and Community Outreach Coordinator Callie Hietala, MCPS Executive Director of Special Education and Student Services Dr. Cynthia Tarpley and MCPS Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Angilee Downing to congratulate her and other top teachers on Friday.

The group presented awards to the Teachers of the Year for each school in the form of a plaque with their name on it and a bouquet of flowers. These teachers had been selected by their colleagues through a school ballot. The district winner was chose by an anonymous review team.

Bragg has been teaching with MCPS for 32 years and has 37 years teaching experience in total. She teaches K-5th grade special education at AHES. Bragg was also selected as AHESs Teacher of the Year for the 2014-15 school year.

This is a well-deserved honor for her. She goes above and beyond for all of her students, AHES Assistant Principal Jill Holder said. If I had a student who needed advocating for, Id definitely want her on my side advocating.

She loves the kids here at Albert Harris and does everything in her power to see that they get everything that they need to have equitable services here, Holder added.

I love my kids, Bragg said. They touch my heart  I love creating activities on their level so that they can progress and see their smile when they do what Im asking them to do  Theyre so proud when they accomplish something.

Ever since Ive been an administrator, your reputation precedes you, Talley said. I dont know of any supervisor, especially at the central office level, who does not brag on Ms. Bragg because of what youre able to do with the young people.

Autos By Nelson Owner Barry Nelson presented Bragg with a Ford EcoSport that she will be able to drive for part of the year.

Congratulations, Nelson said. That is an honor right there. Nelson handed Bragg the keys and showed her to the car. She hopped in the drivers seat and honked the horn in celebration.

Were just very proud and I can say to you, outside of family, I think its the greatest recognition that you can have to be recognized by your peers, Talley added.

Other Martinsville Teachers of the Year are Keona Walton, Jessica Clervoi, Kimberly Ramirez and Melissa McNeill.

Walton, a City teacher for six years, is a special education teacher at Martinsville High School. She also co-teaches English 11 and Algebra 1.

Clervoi has been teaching in MCPS for eight years and she is an eighth-grade Algebra 1 teacher at Martinsville Middle School.

Ramirez has been with MCPS for three years and is a third- through fifth-grade special education teacher at Patrick Henry Elementary School.

McNeill has been teaching for MCPS for five and a half years and is an early childhood education teacher at Clearview Early Learning Center.
The Martinsville Police Department has been awarded $568,906 for equipment to develop a real-time crime center (RTCC).

In October, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Attorney General Jason Miyares and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears announced their administrations plans to provide local law enforcement agencies with the means to combat violent crime.

Operation Bold Blue Line was created, and it included $30 million to recruit new officers and $75 million for training and equipment. Of that amount, $60 million was set aside to go to local departments throughout the state.

As part of the initiative, the Martinsville Police Department will get equipment to develop a RTCC, forensic science equipment to aid in criminal investigations and equipment to aid in police response and increase officer safety, and there will also be an increase of Virginia State Police troopers assisting with traffic safety, a release from the City stated.

We are excited for not only this partnership with our friends at the Virginia State Police, but also for the prospect of making Martinsville even safer, said Chief Rob Fincher in the release.

The U.S. Department of Justice (USDoJ)states the mission of a RTCC is to provide law enforcement with the ability to capitalize on a wide and expanding range of technologies for efficient and effective policing resulting in officers being able to respond quickly, if not immediately, to crimes in progress or to those that recently occurred.

In theory, as evolving technologies increase and make more information available to law enforcement, the management of that information may become overwhelming. The USDoJ says agencies may struggle with filtering out what is immediately important versus what can be useful later along with delivering more critical and timely information to the officers on the scene.

This is a beginning, Youngkin said at the announcement in October. I fully expect we will add programs and initiatives that work all around the commonwealth.
Blue Cross NC, a Durham-based insurance company that has long administered North Carolinas State Health Plan, filed a protest Thursday appealing the states decision to replace it with Aetna.

The decision affects health care for teachers, state workers, their families and state retirees in McDowell and across North Carolina.

The protest claims North Carolinas request for proposals, or RFP, represented a significant departure from the State Health Plans previous procurement and contracting process, Sara Lang, Blue Cross NCs principal communications advisor, said in a news release.

The company further accused the state of making its decision based on limited information and arbitrary scoring.

Blue Cross NC is proud of our long record of serving North Carolinas teachers, state employees, first responders, county and city employees, and their families, said Dr. Tunde Sotunde, Blue Cross NCs president and CEO, in the release. State Health Plan members are more than customers, they are our neighbors, our friends and our family, and we have filed this protest to ensure the best outcome for them, for taxpayers, and for our state.

North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell announced the State Health Boards decision Jan. 4 to replace Blue Cross with Aetna. The decision evoked immediate consternation and speculation from many state employees as to whether the move was in their best interests.

But Folwell argued the shift would save money and improve health care access for state workers.

Partnering with Aetna, which already employs over 10,000 people in North Carolina, will create a lot of new opportunities for the Plan and the members we serve, he said in a release. A change of this magnitude is a great opportunity for a fresh perspective, and we look forward to working closely with Aetna to create new ways to provide price transparency, increase access and quality while lowering the cost of health care for those who teach, protect and serve, and taxpayers like them.

Following Blue Cross NCs formal protest, the state can either choose to accept the companys request for a meeting, or deny the appeal within 10 days, according to the RFP.

If the protest meeting is granted, the Executive Administrator will attempt to schedule the meeting within 30 calendar days after receipt of the letter, or as soon as possible thereafter, the RFP says. Within 10 calendar days from the date of the protest meeting, the Executive Administrator will respond to Vendor in writing with the Executive Administrators decision.
The rats are coming! The rats are coming!

No, its not a tagline from a cheap nature-run-amok movie currently playing on Pluto (the streaming service, not the dwarf planet on the edge of our solar system), but a terrifying forewarning I received by email.

The subject line read Experts warning for North Carolina households over rat invasion, as cold period drives them into homes.

If true, I suspect readers in neighboring South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia arent off the hook when it comes to the Great Southeastern Rat Invasion. Rodents tend not to respect state lines.

The frightening email came from The Pest Dude, which sounds like the guy no one wanted to sit behind in high school math class.

I swear, Ronnie, if you hit the back of my chair once more, I am going to beat the absolute $#@& out of you in study hall.

Instead, The Pest Dude (pestdude.com) is Zachary Smith from California, not Ronnie from 10th grade. According to his website, he is the trusted source for DIY pest control rather than an annoying punk who is going to get whats coming to him in study hall.

Rodents, above all other pests, are a public health concern as they can cause considerable damage to both residential and business premises, Smith/Pest Dude said. Not only can they damage the structures of both residential and business properties, but they can also significantly affect a business reputation.

That is true. No one wants to stop by Mamaw Berties House of Hotcakes and Travel Plaza for a late breakfast only to see an 8-pound Norway rat stuffing a dollar in the jukebox to play another Eric Church song.

Thats sure to get a bad Yelp review.

As temperatures continue to drop, were seeing an increase in service calls as rats continue looking for somewhere warm to spend the winter, The Pest Dude said. While most of us may associate rats with sewers and holes in the ground, brown rats are very nimble climbers, and can be found in attics and inside walls.

What can we do to stop this plague upon our homes and businesses? The Pest Dude offers seven tips, plus I have some added advice.

1. Seal entry points to your home. (In fact, I advise including doors and windows, covering them with thick, plastic sheeting and industrial-grade caulk, entering and exiting only through the chimney. In case there is no chimney, seal the house completely and move away.)

2. Trim all trees at least 3 feet away from the roof line. (Trees more than 3 feet away provide perfect sniper cover to pick off the rats one at a time as they try to enter the house.)

3. Check your vents. (Especially to make sure neighbors you have angered have not placed Welcome Rats signs above them.)

4. Clean up debris piles. (Who dumped all that trash in my yard? Ronnie, you son-of-a...)

5. Clean up rats favorite food such as fruits. (I was surprised to learn rats liked fruit. Years of watching cheap nature-run-amok movies suggested they preferred human flesh, especially those that escaped from clandestine government labs after growth serum experiments.)

6. Introduce natural predators. (A pack of rabid wolverines should do the trick. They may not get rid of the rats, but youll have a lot more to worry about than something skittering around the attic chewing on those old Billy Joel albums in the milk crate.)

7. Try repellents/hazing. (Hazing works well. Make the rats chug beer then paddle them and send them running through the quad in their underwear. Theyll either stay out of your house or join the frat.)

So, in conclusion, the rats are coming. Good luck, everyone (except you, Ronnie.)
The United States announced Thursday it is offering up to $10 million for information leading to the capture of a man touted as the terrorist mastermind of a 2019 hotel attack in Kenya that killed at least 21 people, including an American.

The U.S. is looking for Mohamoud Abdi Aden, whom it portrays as a leader of the Somalia-based Islamist group Shebab that has carried out several bloody attacks in neighboring Kenya.

The Shebab, an al-Qaeda affiliated group, had claimed responsibility for the Jan. 15, 2019 attack on the upscale DusitD2 hotel in the capital Nairobi, during a siege that lasted about 20 hours. At least 21 people had been killed, including a U.S. citizen, and many others injured.

Kenyan authorities said at the time that all the attackers had been killed. Mohamoud Abdi Aden, a Shebab leader, was part of the cell that planned the attack on the DusitD2 hotel, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman told journalists in Nairobi.

She said the United States was offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the arrest of the man, believed to be a Kenyan national, and others involved in the hotel siege.

The head of Kenyas Criminal Investigation Department, Amin Mohamed Ibrahim, called Aden the terrorist mastermind of the attack. The Shebab have carried out several attacks in Kenya since the country sent its military into Somalia in October 2011 to fight the radical Islamist group.

The Shebab, an al-Qaeda affiliated group, has been fighting the internationally backed federal government since 2007. They have been considered a terrorist group by Washington since 2008.

In November, the United States announced it was offering up to $10 million for information leading to the identification of three radical Islamist Shebab leaders in Somalia, Ahmed Diriye, Mahad Karate and Jehad Mostafa.
Workers at the port of Sao Tome suspended activities today and accused the new administration of the company managed by the Safebond consortium of misusing 40.7 million euros from the workers social fund, an accusation rejected by the company.

The president of the fund says that there is a debt from Safebond to the social fund, so it was not possible for the `plafond that the workers stipulated to be fulfilled, so that is the revolt and the workers are asking Safebond to return the money immediately which is 1,000,234,734 dobras (40.7 million euros), said the vice president of the Enaport workers union, Luis D`Alva.

A worker, Elcio Barros said that Safebond has been using the monies from the workers social fund to do the day-to-day management of the port.

Basically they are stealing from us here. Even when they took the company they took money from Enaport that was in the account, they ate all the money, now they are eating money from the workers social fund. This is unacceptable. If the company aim is to invest, not use workers money to do the day-to-day management, said Elcio Barros.

The employees ask for the intervention of the Government and affirm that they will not resume work until the money from the social fund is reinstated.

When we took over the port there were many difficulties. Speaking of the fund, there was a lot of debt and liabilities that we are dealing with that [] This morning we had a meeting and we saw the total debts that we found at Enaport and that debt was 118,965,182 dobras [4.85 million euros] and for the social fund debt we found 5,762,415 dobras [235,000 euros], said Samuel Ntow-Kummi, general manager of Safebond Consortium STP.

The official assured that he will settle the workers social fund amounts on Friday.

The previous government of Sao Tome and Principe, led by Jorge Bom Jesus (Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe/Social Democratic Party), signed a 30-year concession contract in August last year with the Safebond consortium, which involves the privatization of the ports of Ana Chaves, in Sao Tome, the port of Santo Antonio, on the island of Principe, and also the rights to build and operate the deepwater port in Fernao Dias, Sao Tome.

The deal was formalized on October 14, after the legislative elections that the Independent Democratic Action (ADI) won with an absolute majority.

Principes regional authorities have disputed the deal, saying they were not informed of the agreement, which grossly violates the political status of the island.
The President of China, Xi Jinping, and the President of Angola, Joao Lourenco, yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations, highlighting the advantages for economic development and the sharing of values and interests.

Xi Jinping pointed out in his message that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 40 years ago, China and Angola have always been sincere and friendly, worked together and understood and supported each other on issues involving their strategic interests and major concerns, a statement from the Chinese government read.

Relations between the two countries are at a good moment of development, and bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of the two countries, the Chinese leader added in the statement.

The president of the Asian giant is ready to work with Joao Lourenco and take advantage of the 40th anniversary celebrations to create an opportunity to deepen mutual political trust, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, improve friendship between the peoples, and write a new chapter in the development of the robust strategic partnership between the two countries.

In the statement, the President of Angola is quoted as recalling that the establishment of bilateral ties has contributed to development and that mutually beneficial cooperation in various sectors has ensured great achievements, with satisfactory results.

Angola, he concluded, wants to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with China, build a win-win future, and achieve common progress, prosperity and development to ensure more benefits for the citizens of both countries.

The Chinese Foreign Minister arrives in Luanda on Thursday for a short visit integrated in his African itinerary and that coincides with the date of the beginning of diplomatic relations between China and Angola, 40 years ago.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

For people with paralysis caused by neurologic injury or diseasesuch as ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease), stroke, or spinal cord injurybrain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have the potential to restore communication, mobility, and independence by transmitting information directly from the brain to a computer or other assistive technology.

Although implanted brain sensors, the core component of many brain-computer interfaces, have been used in neuroscientific studies with animals for decades and have been approved for short term use (<30 days) in humans, the long-term safety of this technology in humans is unknown.

New results from the prospective, open-label, non-randomized BrainGate feasibility study, the largest and longest-running clinical trial of an implanted BCI, suggests that these sensors' safety is similar to other chronically implanted neurologic devices.

The BrainGate clinical trial is run by a collaborative consortium of investigators at multiple institutions, including Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), who are working to develop BCIs for people affected by paralysis caused by neurologic disease or injury.

This new report, which is published in Neurology by an MGH-led team, examined data from 14 adults with quadriparesis (weakness in all four limbs) from spinal cord injury, brainstem stroke, or ALS who were enrolled in the BrainGate trial from 2004 to 2021 through seven clinical sites in the United States.

Participants underwent surgical implantation of one or two microelectrode arrays in a part of the brain responsible for generating the electrical signals that control limb movement. With these "Utah" microelectrode arrays, the brain signals associated with the intent to move a limb can then be sent to a nearby computer that decodes the signal in real-time and allows the user to control an external device simply by thinking about moving a part of their body.

The authors of the study report that across the 14 enrolled research participants, the average duration of device implantation was 872 days, yielding a total of 12,203 days for safety analyses. There were 68 device-related adverse events, including 6 device-related serious adverse events.

The most common device-related adverse event was skin irritation around the portion of the device that connects the implanted sensor to the external computer system. Importantly, they report that there were no safety events that required removal of the device, no infections of the brain or nervous system, and no adverse events resulting in permanently increased disability related to the investigational device.

"This interim report demonstrates that the investigational BrainGate Neural Interface system, which is still in ongoing clinical trials, thus far has a safety profile comparable to that of many approved implanted neurologic devices, such as deep brain stimulators and responsive neurostimulators," says lead author Daniel Rubin, MD, Ph.D., a physician investigator in the Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery (CTNR) in the Department of Neurology at MGH and an instructor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School.

"Given the rapid recent advances in this technology and continued performance gains, these data suggest a favorable risk/benefit ratio in appropriately selected individuals to support ongoing research and development," says Rubin.

Leigh Hochberg, MD, Ph.D., director of the BrainGate consortium and clinical trials and the article's senior author emphasized the importance of ongoing safety analyses as surgically placed brain-computer interfaces advance through clinical studies.

"While our consortium has published more than 60 articles detailing the ever-advancing ability to harness neural signals for the intuitive control of devices for communication and mobility, safety is the sine qua non of any potentially useful medical technology," says Hochberg, who also co-directs CNTR, and is the L. Herbert Ballou University Professor of Engineering at Brown University, director of the VA RR&D Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology at VA Providence Healthcare System, and senior lecturer on Neurology at Harvard Medical School.

"The extraordinary people who enroll in our ongoing BrainGate clinical trials, and in early trials of any neurotechnology, deserve tremendous credit. They are enrolling not to gain personal benefit, but because they want to help," says Hochberg.

Merit Cudkowicz, MD, MSc, chief of MGH's Department of Neurology, director of the Sean M. Healey & AMD Center for ALS, and Julianne Dorn Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School applauded the BrainGate study. "Clinical trials of innovative neurotechnologies and BCIs are incredibly exciting, especially with respect to diseases like ALS or spinal cord injury, where there is still no cure," she says.

"Alongside platform trials of novel medications, our Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery continues to lead in directing, performing, and growing the clinical trials that are providing promising new methods to improve the quality of life for people with neurologic disease."

More information: Daniel Rubin et al, Interim Safety Profile From the Feasibility Study of the BrainGate Neural Interface System, Neurology (2023). DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000201707 Journal information: Neurology
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A sign informs people to cover their mouth and nose with a face mask on a train platform in Munich.

Germany will end the requirement to wear face masks on long-distance trains and buses from February 2 as the coronavirus pandemic loosened its grip on the country, authorities announced Friday.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach made the announcement after consultations with ministers from Germany's 16 federal states, saying "the infection situation has stabilised."

Lauterbach, however, encouraged people to continue wearing masks voluntarily "on the basis of personal responsibility", adding "the virus should not be trivialised" and warning of potential longer-term impacts.

Several factors contributed to the policy change, Lauterbach said, including a higher level of immunity in the public and a reduced chance of new mutations, which meant a winter resurgence of the virus was unlikely.

The situation is "tense but manageable" in hospitals, Lauterbach added.

The requirement, which has been in place since the early stages of the pandemic, had been scheduled to expire on April 7 but will now end sooner.

A number of German states had already relaxed mask rules in regional public transport, but rules on the country's long-distance train and bus network remain the central government's responsibility.

Germany was one of the few remaining countries in Europe to keep a mask requirement, with many having scrapped rules or downgraded them to recommendations in 2022.

Alongside Germany, Spain is the only other large European country to maintain mask rules on long-distance trains and public transport, with the Spanish government announcing in October that these will remain in place until at least March 2023.

 2023 AFP
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Last year, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a speech on global geopolitics popularized the German word "zeitenwende," which refers to a "turning point" and time for change.

The COVID-19 pandemic has likewise brought about seismic change in how the world looks at global health security and brought to the forefront the critical need for public health capabilities nationally and globally. "Never Again" has been the rallying cry of communities, businesses and public officials the world over and this momentum offers opportunities to fundamentally redefine pandemic preparedness and response.

What have we learned in the last three years?

There are numerous lessons cutting across all sectors of life. We summarize them in five key insights: pre-emptive investment in health security, nimbleness, trust, global cooperation and commitment to equity.

1. Pre-emptive investment

COVID-19 has shown that proactive preparedness remains key to managing future pandemics. Many countries challenged with lesser outbreaks in recent years, preserved the responding infrastructure which positioned them well for the initial containment of COVID-19.

South Korea and Senegal, with prior lessons from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Ebola respectively, were able to manage well whilst geographies in Asia affected by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) such as Hong Kong and Singapore all had regularly rehearsed response plans in place which could be adapted quickly for COVID-19.

2. Nimbleness

No country can afford to maintain standing resources to deal with Disease X (a term popularized by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to describe the next pandemic) but creativity and nimbleness in adapting and re-purposing existing infrastructure can go a long way. Project Warp Speed harnessed decades of research into mRNA vaccines intended for cancer care and adapted these for SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19.

Contact tracing systems deployed globally leveraged geospatial technologies used in ride-hailing and other consumer applications. Locally, physical infrastructure such as hotels, holiday chalets, military camps and convention halls were quickly configured to house thousands of COVID-19 patients to mitigate transmission and prevent overwhelming the healthcare system.

The setting up of a community wastewater surveillance program by the NUS Environmental Research Institute is another example, harnessing existing resources to set up a quick system of detection and enabling rapid ringfencing of infections.

3. Trust

Mahatma Gandhi, India's independence leader, exhorted the world: "The moment there is suspicion about a person's motives, everything he does becomes tainted." The pandemic has richly illustrated how corrosive mistrust can be, manifesting in multiple forms such as misinformation campaigns, conspiracy theories and the like.

Open communication and collaborative partnerships built on trust between government agencies, public health entities, religious and community groups, and the public are necessary conditions for successfully combating a pandemic. Sadly, many countries did poorly on this front with delays in vaccinations and inappropriate public health interventions all too common. Even more perniciously, some actors "politically weaponized" public health for their own nefarious purposes, worsening the trust deficit.

The reality of fast-spreading disease is that coordinated responses across all fronts are critical, and "trust is the glue." Trust and the community that trust builds cannot be achieved overnight or only in crises. As Stephen Covey, author of the best-selling The Speed of Trust drily notes, "The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second-best time is today." Trust barometers show we are, as a world, moving in the wrong direction and this has to be reversed.

4. Global cooperation

Pandemics can no longer be left to individual nations to handle. Widespread migration and travel mean diseases now spread much more quickly across borders, demanding a collective response internationally. Supranational public health agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) need to have larger roles and responsibilities as well as resources in pandemic surveillance and response.

The International Health Regulations, the only legally binding health-related legislation was shown to be woefully inadequate and a new order is needed. That said, international organizations are only as strong as their members want them to be, and member states have to determine they are better together under the central collective leadership and direction of a strong WHO than isolated and apart with an enfeebled WHO whose pronouncements are routinely disregarded.

Beyond strengthening the global peak public health body, public health networks should be developed regionally. Resource sharing among existing regional associations is a good start and it is encouraging that within our region, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has agreed to establish the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).

At the people-to-people level, the Building Alliances for Pandemic Response (Public Health) Asia [ALPHA] program hosted by NUS will facilitate greater cooperation amongst leaders in the region, allowing an intersection of public health leadership, strong partnerships, and cross-country collaboration.

5. Commitment to equity

Moving forward, to truly achieve global health security, we must ensure equitable health development. Poignantly in Singapore, despite early laudations of stellar pandemic control, we saw an unprecedented outbreak within the migrant worker dormitories.

This reinforced a sobering truthwe are only as secure as the most vulnerable groups among us. United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed reminded us, "Remember, we are in this together. No one will ever be truly safe until everyone is safe." And this truism holds at the local, national, regional and global levels.

Operationally, Universal Health Coverage or UHC for short is the right overarching framework to steer towards equitable health for all and all countries should be supported to realize this for their citizens. Globally for health security, the Microsoft co-founder turned philanthropist Bill Gates has proposed a global governance framework.

This framework would include establishing a permanent organization of experts to mount a coordinated response to a dangerous outbreak at any time in any country, conducting resilience and preparedness drills in between, a Global Epidemic Response and Mobilization (GERM) team, as well as mechanisms to accelerate vaccine and diagnostics developments and availability particularly in low and middle income countries.

The great American epidemiologist Larry Brilliant has said "outbreaks are inevitable, but pandemics are optional." Early in 2020, a group of public health academics gathered in NUS to discuss whether a two-week global lockdown would avoid the worsts of COVID-19. We decided that it would be highly effective from a public health perspective but that narrow national interests and partisan politics would not permit this reality. We have as a human species learned so many painful lessons these last three years. Will we do better with the next outbreak?
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When people are in a negative mood, they may be quicker to spot inconsistencies in things they read, a new University of Arizona-led study suggests.

The study, published in Frontiers in Communication, builds on existing research on how the brain processes language.

Vicky Lai, a UArizona assistant professor of psychology and cognitive science, worked with collaborators in the Netherlands to explore how people's brains react to language when they are in a happy mood versus a negative mood.

"Mood and language seem to be supported by different brain networks. But we have one brain, and the two are processed in the same brain, so there is a lot of interaction going on," Lai said. "We show that when people are in a negative mood, they are more careful and analytical. They scrutinize what's actually stated in a text, and they don't just fall back on their default world knowledge."

Lai and her study co-authors researcher Jos van Berkum of the Netherlands' Utrecht University and Peter Hagoort of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in the Netherlands set out to manipulate study participants' moods by showing them clips from a sad movie"Sophie's Choice"or a funny television show"Friends." A computerized survey was used to evaluate participants' moods before and after watching the clips. While the funny clips did not impact participants' moods, the sad clips succeeded in putting participants in a more negative mood, the researchers found.

The participants then listened to a series of emotionally neutral audio recordings of four-sentence stories that each contained a "critical sentence" that either supported or violated default, or familiar, word knowledge. That sentence was displayed one word at a time on a computer screen, while participants' brain waves were monitored by EEG, a test that measures brain waves.

For example, the researchers presented study participants with a story about driving at night that ended with the critical sentence "With the lights on, you can see more." In a separate story about stargazing, the same critical sentence was altered to read "With the lights on, you can see less." Although that statement is accurate in the context of stargazing, the idea that turning on the lights would cause a person to see less is a much less familiar concept that defies default knowledge.

The researchers also presented versions of the stories in which the critical sentences were swapped so that they did not fit the context of the story. For example, the story about driving at night would include the sentence "With the lights on, you can see less."

They then looked at how the brain reacted to the inconsistencies, depending on mood.

They found that when participants were in a negative mood, based on their survey responses, they showed a type of brain activity closely associated with re-analysis.

"We show that mood matters, and perhaps when we do some tasks we should pay attention to our mood," Lai said. "If we're in a bad mood, maybe we should do things that are more detail-oriented, such as proofreading."

Study participants completed the experiment twiceonce in the negative mood condition and once in the happy mood condition. Each trial took place one week apart, with the same stories presented each time.

"These are the same stories, but in different moods, the brain sees them differently, with the sad mood being the more analytical mood," Lai said.

The study was conducted in the Netherlands; participants were native Dutch speakers, and the study was conducted in Dutch. But Lai believes their findings translate across languages and cultures.

By design, the study participants were all women, because Lai and her colleagues wanted to align their study with existing literature that was limited to female participants. Lai said future studies should include more diverse gender representation.

In the meantime, Lai and her colleagues say mood may affect us in more ways than we previously realized.

"When thinking about how mood affects them, many people just consider things like being grumpy, eating more ice cream, orat bestinterpreting somebody else's talk in a biased way," van Berkum said.

"But there's much more going on, also in unexpected corners of our minds. That's really interesting. Imagine your laptop being more or less precise as a function of its battery levelthat's unthinkable. But in human information processing, and presumably also in (information processing) of related species, something like that seems to be going on."

More information: Vicky Tzuyin Lai et al, Negative affect increases reanalysis of conflicts between discourse context and world knowledge, Frontiers in Communication (2022). DOI: 10.3389/fcomm.2022.910482
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The time people spent with family over the festive period could have improved their health, according to new research which examined how social bonds with close social circles and extended groups relate to health and psychological well-being.

The study, led by researchers at the University of Kent, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and Coventry University, used self-reported data from more than 13,000 people across 122 countries, gathered during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Surveys assessed people's strength of bonding with close social circles, such as family and friends, as well as with extended groups, such as country, government and humanity. People's pandemic-related health behaviors and mental health and well-being were also measured.

Results show that only bonding with family, rather than other groups, is linked to engaging positively with behavior which can improve health; in this case, examples included washing hands, wearing a mask and social distancing.

For example, 46% of people who had strong family bonds washed hands at least "a lot," compared to 32% who were not strongly bonded with their family. Moreover, 54% of people not bonded with their family reported they never wore a mask. Bonded people were vastly over-represented among those who engaged in health behaviors. Despite people with strong family bonds constituting only 27% of the entire sample, they constituted 73% of those who engaged in social distancing, 35% of those who washed hands, and 36% of those who wore a mask "a lot" or more. Credit: Bahar Tuncgenc, Valerie van Mulukom, Martha Newson via Canva

The study also found that having strong bonds with both close social circles and extended groups is associated with better mental health and well-being. Importantly, the greater number of groups people had strong bonds with, the higher their engagement in health behaviors and the better their reported psychological well-being was, with less anxiety and depression.

The research recommends that public health messaging focus on smaller networks as well as multiple groups, particularly in times of crisis when individuals should be encouraged to share their positive health behaviors with their close social circles.

It is also suggested that health care systems can reduce the reliance on pharmaceutical treatments by using social prescribing to support individuals who do not have these bonds in their life.

The results of the study, which included a broad range of countries such as Bangladesh, Brazil and Peru, have implications for tackling negative physical and mental health effects from a global perspective. The study goes beyond the remit of traditional approaches in psychology by reaching so much of the global population.

Anthropologist at the University of Kent, Dr. Martha Newson, said, "This research speaks to the universal need to belongthis is one of the reasons we felt it was so important to include a truly diverse sample from across the globe. Wherever you are in the world, other people matter to you.

"We found that having lots of groups was important to encourage better health behaviors, including bonding to abstract groups like your country or government, but most important of all are our closest friends and familygroups that we have likely recognized as being important since the beginning of human history."

Senior Lecturer in Psychology at NTU's School of Social Sciences, Dr. Bahar Tuncgenc, added, "At times of turmoil, such as during disasters, social crises, or pandemics, our social bonds can be key to receiving support. We look out to people we trust and identify with as we decide what course of action to take. That's why our close bonds with familythe people many of us share significant life events with and learn fromcan promote healthy behaviors.

"At the same time, having strong social connectionsno matter how abstract or distant these might beis crucial for promoting mental health. Our research shows that close and extended social bonds offer different sources of support and direction."

Assistant Professor at the Center for Trust, Peace, and Social Relations at Coventry University, Dr. Valerie van Mulukom, said, "In the West, we tend to think of ourselves as individuals who have to survive and conquer the world on our own. Our research demonstrates that in fact, humans are very much social animals, who benefit from, and rely on, their communities in more ways than one. In challenging times this is even more pronounced. It is advisable for government policies to consider these psychological needs and mechanisms and involve local authorities and grassroots organizations for maximum efficiency and well-being in times of disaster."

The paper is published in the journal Science Advances.

More information: Bahar Tuncgenc et al, Social bonds are related to health behaviours and positive wellbeing globally, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add3715. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.add3715 Journal information: Science Advances
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The Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5, the most transmissible COVID-19 subvariant so far, is spreading quickly across the United States and was predicted on Friday to become Europe's dominant strain in a matter of weeks.

Here's what we know about XBB.1.5.

Where and what

The subvariant was first detected in the US in October and now represents more than 27 percent of the country's infections, according to the CDC's variant tracker.

Thirty-eight countries have reported XBB.1.5 cases, of which 82 percent have been reported in the US, eight percent in Britain and two percent in Denmark, the World Health Organization said in a rapid risk assessment on Wednesday.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said Friday that its modelling indicates XBB.1.5 could become the dominant strain in Europe in one or two months.

The surge would reflect the current low level of XBB.1.5it currently accounts for just 2.5 percent of European casesand its estimated growth rate, the agency said.

The subvariant is very similar to its predecessor XBB.1 but has an additional mutation to its spike proteinthe key that allows the virus into the body's cellssaid Grace Roberts, a virologist at Leeds University in Britain.

Contagiousness and severity

Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO's technical lead on COVID, said this week that XBB.1.5 was the most transmissible form of COVID and clearly had a "growth advantage" over other forms of the virus.

The subvariant is currently spreading 12.5 percent faster than other variants in the US, according to the ECDC.

But Roberts told AFP "there's no data to suggest XBB.1.5 is any more harmfulin terms of severe disease and deaththan previous variants".

The WHO is still assessing data on the subject but said XBB.1.5 did not carry any mutations that were known to increase severity.

Resistance to antibodies

Omicron's XBB variants, alongside BQ.1, are the most resistant to antibodies built up from vaccination and previous infections, according to the WHO.

A study published in the journal Cell last month found that XBB.1 is 63 times less likely to be neutralised by existing antibodies than the BA.2 subvariant.

It is also 49 times more resistant than the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants, which are currently dominant in Britain and several other countries.

Roberts pointed to a recent preprint study, which has not been peer-reviewed, that suggests XBB.1.5 has a similar antibody resistance to XBB.1 but is more transmissible.

But it is "important to remember that antibodies are only one part of our immune systems," she said.

US expert Eric Topol said new research suggested that bivalent COVID vaccines targeting the BA.5 subvariant were also more effective in neutralising antibody response to XBB.1.5 than previous jabs.

That is because "the spike protein of the BA.5 bivalent more closely resembles XBB.1.5 than the Wuhan ancestral spike," Topol wrote on Substack this week.

How concerning?

The ECDC said the subvariants' overall risk level remains low for the general population.

However the risk is moderate to high for vulnerable people like the elderly or unvaccinated, it added, calling for more testing and vaccination uptake.

Roberts said there was "no cause to panic" about XBB.1.5.

"I don't think we need to take any drastic action at present," she said, adding that it remained important for countries to monitor the subvariant's progress.

The number of total COVID cases worldwide dropped by nine percent last week compared to the previous seven days, while deaths fell by 12 percent, according to the WHO, following a surge over the holiday period.

The 'Kraken'

Unlike with major variants, the WHO has decided not to name any of the Omicron subvariants after letters of the Greek alphabet, since for now most are similar in terms of transmissibility and severity.

But Twitter users have been unofficially giving the various subvariants nicknames based on mythology, with XBB.1.5 dubbed the "Kraken", Roberts said.

"I personally think this may cause unnecessary concernespecially naming viruses after mythical giant sea creatures!" she added.

 2023 AFP
For judging purposes, this dancer was identified only as Competitor 218 when he stepped on the stage.

The competitor was in the Dennison Theatre on Thursday for a solo competition, professional age division, at Ballet Beyond Borders, the annual dance and diplomacy event.

Using his full wingspan, Karmil Suliman executed a portion of Chroma, by Wayne McGregor of the Royal Ballet. He enacted some of the required moves slowly and deliberately, demonstrating graceful, patient strength, even placing his hands on the ground in a prone position, then raising his left leg in the air, and tilting across his back before flipping entirely.

IF YOU GO Ballet Beyond Borders continues through Saturday, Jan. 14, in Missoula. BBB Gala: Friday, Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m.: See dancers from around the world and highlights from the competition. Dennison Theatre, UM campus. Tickets available at GrizTix.com. Diplomacy Conference, Saturday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m.-noon: Panels and performances about "dance as activism, impact and global diplomacy." UC Ballroom, free. Go to rmbt.org for more information.

Suliman can dance in many styles, including contemporary, jazz and hip-hop. Ballet, though, conjures up a special energy. Making those moves, he said, feels like flying.

Suliman, 22, is a Palestinian dancer who was born in a refugee camp in Syria. Now hes a student at Dance Area, an academy in Geneva, Switzerland.

It took three years of pulling strings and working through COVID-related delays to bring Suliman to Missoula for the 2023 Ballet Beyond Borders, the four-day dance competition and diplomacy conference here in town.

Those efforts finally paid off for Charlene Campbell Carey, the director of the BBBs organizing nonprofit, the Rocky Mountain Ballet Theatre. She called Suliman a gifted dancer, with a natural intelligence for movement.

She first heard of him through Ahmad Joudeh, another guest, who grew up a stateless refugee in Syria and became a successful dancer in the Netherlands, eventually teaching Suliman.

***

Suliman started studying ballet when he was 9 with a Russian expert. When the civil war broke out in 2011, he was left without any outlets.

Its like nine years without anything, he said. Undeterred, he went to YouTube and watched lessons online.

I dont want anything to stop me, he said. Despite all the things happening with me and the circumstances around me.

Sulimans skills and commitment brought him to Rome, then Switzerland. He hopes to find a scholarship to pursue dance in the United States.

Hes one of many dancers from Montana and countries around the world in town for Ballet Beyond Borders this year. After a few years of hybrid events since the pandemic started, this is its first normal event in Missoula since 2020.

There were competitions on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday, theres the Gala and on Saturday, a diplomacy conference at the University Center Ballroom. (See box for more information.)

The talks and panels add an element of cultural exchange, such as the story behind the choreography.

One visitor is Khaled Barghouthi, a Palestinian dancer and choreographer whos worked in New York and Los Angeles.

For the past five years, he worked with his alma mater, the National Academy of Dance in Rome, and a European Union program called Erasmus, to bring Palestinians to Europe for education. Suliman was one such student.

The two Palestinians didnt meet until they were pursuing dance in Europe. Suliman showed such progress after one year that they helped him continue his artistic path in Switzerland.

He said the cultural exchange makes this Missoula competition unique compared with many others, where often dancers are focused solely on performance.

Its exciting that a community can be created  a dialogue in different cultures or backgrounds somehow becomes the center, he said. Such events can contribute to everyday social and economic awareness.

The dancers have a chance to showcase who they are, and why theyre here, he said.

Carey said the online elements from the pandemic and guests like Joudeh contribute to a growing community, as dancers see the success of prior participants and reach out.

During the gala, theyll have a portion dedicated to her late husband, Donald Carey.

Carey, who died in September 2022 at age 91, was a professor emeritus at the UM School of Music who brought a love of choral work to campus and the broader community as director of the Missoula Mendelssohn Club, the Missoula Symphony Chorale, and as a founder of the International Choral Festival.

Charlene Carey said the last part of Donald's artistic legacy was working with the Ballet Theatre and Ballet Beyond Borders, helping a generation of Montana dancers in their pursuits.

Theyve created a RMBT scholarship fund in his name.
Heres some business news in the Missoula area:

Summit Beverage is acquiring Fun Beverage and expanding its footprint to serve the Kalispell and Whitefish areas in northwest Montana.

Summit acquired the assets of Fun Beverage and began operations in the new region on Monday, according to a press release.

"On behalf of Paul, Gary , Kim, and I, after 41 years its time to pass the torch, and we could not be more pleased and confident in the knowledge that Summit Beverage and the Markovich Family will carry on our traditions of People First  Mission Always, a commitment to community, responsible alcohol distribution and operational excellence throughout northwest Montana. said Brian Clark, president and chief operating officer of Fun Beverage.

Fun Beverage served Lincoln, Flathead and Glacier counties since 1981.

The Markovich family has owned Summit Beverage since 1968. The company employs 165 people and operates in 13 counties in western Montana. Summit facilities in Butte and Missoula will continue to operate, as well as the distribution facility in Kalispell.

Were thrilled to be acquiring an incredibly well-run business that has an excellent reputation with its employees, customers, and supplier partners. said Greg Markovich, president of Summit Beverage. We look forward to continuing on the legacy of the organization that has been built over the last 41 years.

The Montana Community Foundation, Inc. (MCF) is offering grants through the William B. Pratt Fund for Montana Indigenous, folk, traditional and media arts.

Applicants cans apply in two categories: Media Arts and Montana's Indigenous, Traditional, and Folk Arts, according to a press release. Grants range between $500 and $2,000 and will be accepted from Jan. 13 through March 17.

Nonprofits and local, state and tribal governments are eligible, and individual artists or other entities can apply under a fiscal sponsorship at mtcf.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/william-b-pratt-fund.

"I'm pleased to be working with the Montana Community Foundation to offer this opportunity to help support public programs presenting Montana's Traditional Arts and the development of documentary media production about our state's arts, culture, and history, as well as media education programs in school and community settings, said Bill Pratt, fundholder. I encourage organizations with eligible projects in these areas, whether small or large, to consider applying for this grant program."

For more information, contact Elisa Fiaschetti, program director, at 406-441-4953 or elisa@mtcf.org.

The Montana Department of Revenue recently notified business owners with a business equipment reporting requirement, that it is time to report for Tax Year 2023.

Businesses with a statewide market value greater than $300,000 in business equipment are required to report the equipment they own as of Jan. 1, 2023, by March 1, 2023 to avoid a 20 percent penalty.

Business owners can report online using the departments TransAction Portal (TAP) at https: tap.dor.mt.gov. Online reporting forms are pre-populated with the business equipment reported in 2022. Owners need to review the previously reported assets and make any needed additions and deletions. An immediate confirmation receipt will be sent after the report is submitted.

Businesses whose statewide market value of equipment is $300,000 or less are exempt from the business equipment tax. These businesses do not have a reporting requirement in 2023 unless: (1) they have acquired new personal property that would increase their equipments aggregate market value above the exemption amount; or, (2) the department requests a personal property reporting form be completed.

For more information, visit MTRevenue.gov or contact us at 406-444-6900 or DORCustomerAssistance@mt.gov.
A Missoula city committee took a step toward enabling greater flexibility with paid parental leave for city employees during a meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The committee voted unanimously to rescind an earlier motion that provided only paid pregnancy-related leave to people who are pregnant or recently gave birth to a child. Calling that provision inequitable, city councilors endeavored to broaden the applicability of paid parental leave.

Councilors Heidi West in Ward 1, Stacie Anderson in Ward 5 and Mike Nugent in Ward 4 spearheaded the paid parental leave effort.

Families come in all shapes and sizes, Anderson said.

Rescinding the earlier motion creates an avenue to provide paid parental leave to parents who dont give birth to their child or those who adopt. Council members on Wednesday asked about flexibility in the future parental leave policy, and staff assured them there could be considerable versatility in the program.

Every parent, every new child deserve the opportunity to bond, asserted Nugent. He cited the example of a same-sex couple that was not eligible for paid parental leave because neither parent gave birth to their child.

Chief Human Resources Officer Angela Simonson explained the Missoula Police Department and the Missoula Fire Department have had the most parental leave events in the past five years, yet only five of the 31 people who experienced these events qualified under the citys current policy.

One city employee who works in the Fire Department said he would have relished a paid parental leave policy when he welcomed his first child in 2016.

It wouldve had a big impact on my life in a positive way, he said.

Simonson added the average number of paid parental leave hours taken by these employees was just 122 hours, not the total available 240 hours.

She also explained 30% of employers nationwide provide paid parental leave, in addition to mandated leave required in 13 states and the District of Columbia.

Parents who receive paid parental leave tend to remain in the workforce at higher numbers than those who do not receive such paid leave, she noted.

Simonson also informed the committee there would be no budget amendment associated with this policy change.

The true costs are difficult to predict as we never know how many staff will welcome a new child into their home or how much leave theyre going to elect to take off when such a child does come, she pointed out.
A new Chief Earl Old Person Memorial Highway could be established on the Blackfeet Reservation through a bill introduced by Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning on Thursday.

Senate Bill 120 directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to install two signs  one where U.S. Hwy 89 intersects with U.S. Hwy 2 and one where Hwy 89 intersects with Border Road. The bill also directs DOT to include the memorial highway on the next publication of the state map. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $4,437. The bill was introduced in the Highways and Transportation Committee.

Beloved chief, advocate, orator and elder, Old Person died in October 2021 at 92. Serving as a tribal councilman for 10 years and as chairman for 34, he was the longest-serving elected tribal leader in the country and one of the longest-serving elected officials in the world. Old Person became chief of the Blackfeet Nation in 1978 and delivered the first State of the Tribes address to the Montana Legislature in 1993.

In her introduction, Webber said the bill was brought on behalf of the 17,000 members of the Blackfeet Nation in Montana. Webber spoke of Old Persons accomplishments, advocacy and humility. She quoted dignitaries, including Sen. Jon Tester, Sen. Steve Daines and Gov. Greg Gianforte, in their praise of Old Person. Webber also joked that Old Person was a Republican.

Webber said Old Person was an advocate for education, and she attributed her own success to his leadership.

I went to school because he and all the elders said, This is the way we have to go now  through education. Education is now our tool, she recalled. All my lifetime, I knew no other leader than Earl Old Person.

Many in the room and on Zoom spoke in support of the bill.

Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning, served on the Blackfeet Tribal Council with Old Person. When he addressed the committee, he likened Old Person to Mike Mansfield and encouraged others to support the legislation.

Its a small token, he said, referencing the bill. But to us, its a big token to pass this unanimously through all the floors and Gianforte will sign it no problem.

Sharen Kickingwoman, who is Blackfeet and the organizing associate director of the ACLU Montana, called Old Person a physical manifestation of Blackfeet knowledge and ways of knowing.

He was unabashedly proud to be Blackfeet, she said. He was not ashamed of who he was despite living in a world that demanded the opposite.  Our chief loved us, and the memories I have with him I will treasure for a lifetime.

Kevin Kickingwoman, Sharens father, also spoke in support of the bill. Kevin teaches language and culture at Browning High School and joked, I better do good because my students are watching.

Kevin spoke of the importance of songs in Blackfeet culture and ceremony.

(Old Person) saved our songs, he said. Not once has he ever turned you down if you wanted to know a song.

Kickingwoman sang Old Persons chieftain song at the hearing.

Arlan Edwards, Old Persons grandson, also supported the bill.

If this bill is passed, its not only going to let the outside world see our culture and identity, but who we are as Blackfeet people, he said. Edwards sang a warrior song in closing.

No one spoke in opposition to the bill. Sen. Shelley Vance, a Republican from Belgrade, raised questions to Webber.

Vance asked if Old Person was a member of law enforcement, and Webber explained that while he was not in law enforcement, as chief and chairman, he supervised Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and other tribal entities.

Vance conceded that she is very unfamiliar with any of the reservations and asked if Old Person would enforce laws within the reservation.

Were not another world, Webber explained. We do have protocols, but our tribal leaders are head of all law enforcement services.  He was the head of state for us.  He was a true traditional leader; he was our ambassador; he was our president.

Webber thanked the committee for listening and thanked those who traveled from the reservation to speak in support of the bill.

The music is to honor you, she said to the committee, referencing the songs Edwards and Kickingwoman sang. When they sang that, they sang it to you.

After reconvening later Thursday evening, Sen. Barry Usher, a Republican from Billings, motioned to table the bill without debate. Tabling a bill means the legislation will not advance out of committee. Bills need to clear committees to go to the floor for a second reading.

The senators voted across party lines, with seven Republicans voting to table the bill and five Democrats voting not to table it.
A duo from Missoula was sentenced on Thursday after a law enforcement investigation recovered firearms and over 7 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Carlos G. Aguirre, 36, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Co-defendant Savannah S. Smith, 38, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison, to be followed by four years of supervised release.

Aguirre pleaded guilty in May 2022 to possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl and to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, according to federal court filings. Smith pleaded guilty in May 2022 to possession with intent to distribute meth and fentanyl and to being a drug user or addict in possession of firearms and ammunition.

U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen presided at Thursdays sentencing.

On Aug. 6, 2021, authorities served a search warrant on a house shared by Aguirre and Smith. They also searched a car driven by Aguirre and found a quarter pound of meth packaged for sale and a 9 mm handgun, court documents state.

In the house, authorities found about 6.9 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl pills. Seven pounds of meth is the equivalent of about 25,368 doses, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. They also found 21 guns in the residence.

Smith reportedly told officers that Aguirre would give her meth and she would trade the meth for opiate pills, the U.S. Attorneys Office stated. Aguirre made multiple money transfers totaling roughly $22,000 from August 2019 to September 2021. Transfers went to addresses in Billings, Fresno, California; Las Vegas; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Aguirre traveled to Fresno on multiple occasions, where the U.S. Attorneys Office stated he had active links to gangs. He also traveled to Sacramento, California; and Spokane.

Three of the firearms, all 9 mm pistols, that Smith purchased in Montana were recovered in Fresno in three separate criminal investigations that had gang associations, the U.S. Attorneys Office reported.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer S. Clark prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations and the Missoula Police Department.
The Montana Senate on Friday approved a blast motion to hold a second reading for a bill that would establish a Chief Earl Old Person Memorial Highway on the Blackfeet Reservation.

The second reading, where senators will debate the bill, will occur on Monday, Jan. 16.

Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning, motioned on Friday to blast Senate Bill 120 from committee, where it was tabled. A "blast motion" allows a bill that was tabled in committee to reach the floor for a full vote.

Senate Bill 120 directs the Department of Transportation to install two signs along U.S. Hwy 89 and to include the memorial highway name on the next publication of the state map. The cost of the project is estimated to be $4,437.

Old Person, who died in 2021 at 92, was the longest-serving elected tribal leader in the nation. Lawmakers, tribal members and others spoke in support of the bill Thursday, citing Old Persons advocacy, humility and leadership.

The Highways and Transportation Committee on Thursday tabled Webbers bill, citing an unwritten rule that memorial highways can only be named for members of law enforcement that have died in the line of duty.

What happened?

In her address on the Senate floor Friday, Webber said she was unaware of the rule stating that highways must only be named for fallen law enforcement officers.

There shouldve been a little respect to bring me that information beforehand, before I even presented the bill that there was such a rule, she said, adding that there is no such formal rule about memorial highways. To me, (it is) a weakness of our statutes  we should have voted on that rule. This is where the weakness is in our policies. So with that, I guess I take offense that I was not notified beforehand that such a policy existed.

Webber said she was asked by the 17,000 members of the Blackfeet Nation to bring Senate Bill 120 forward and added, I think we should have a little bit of respect, a little bit of acknowledgment for  a true Montanan and the 17,000 people that want this.

Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton who is the chair of the committee that tabled the bill, said that the fairgrounds in Browning are named after Old Person, though Webber noted the fairgrounds use his Indian name, Charging Home.

Manzella said the committee dedicated over an hour of our time to the bill and asked the question, Should we be dedicating highways to whomever is asked? She added that highway memorial bills are coming up more now than they have in years past.

(The signs) are $4,700 a piece, Manzella said. And you might think thats not much money, but where do we draw the line?

Sen. Jason Small, R-Busby and a member of the American Indian Caucus, spoke in support of the bill.

This was a spectacular gentleman who spent 62 years in public service, he said of Old Person. Its phenomenal the feat that he accomplished in the state of Montana, and ... to name a piece of asphalt and some rocks after him, thats not a big ask at all.

Thirty-one senators voted in support of Webbers motion and 18 voted against it. The Senate will hold a second hearing of the bill on Monday.

Sharen Kickingwoman, who is Blackfeet and the organizing associate director for ACLU Montana, provided testimony supporting the bill when it was in committee. She said the Legislature made the right decision in passing Webbers motion.

The naming of a memorial highway is the least Montana can do to honor Chief Earl Old Person, she said. This decision should not be made into a political spectacle and should instead be an easy decision reflecting on the life and impact of Old Persons work on behalf of Indigenous communities in Montana.

What exactly happened in committee?

The Highways and Transportation Committee had tabled SB 120 on Thursday.

Sen. Barry Usher, R-Billings, said the committee gets a lot of requests for highway memorial names.

We had a lot of these bills in the House, and we came to the conclusion that we would only pass (them) if someone died in the line of duty in the military or in law enforcement, he said at Thursdays hearing. And thats because we ended up with tens, maybe 20 or more of these.  I apologize. I dont want to disrespect (Old Persons) memorial and honor, but thats my core belief.

During the hearing, Sen. Shelley Vance, R-Belgrade, asked Webber whether Old Person served in law enforcement. Webber answered that while he was not in law enforcement, Old Person did supervise Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services as head of the tribe.

Manzella said she agreed with Usher. She said there is a similar unwritten rule in the Senate regarding highway memorials.

Sen. Kathy Kelker, D-Billings, said she wanted to know how well people understand the unwritten rule that highways must be named after an officer who died in the line of duty.

Ive been in the Legislature for four sessions, eight years, and there were a lot of memorial things, and if that is known to people, I think that would be very helpful, she said.

Manzella responded that there have been conversations about writing a rule, but at this point, I guess it is an individual decision.

Sen. Mary Ann Dunwell, D-Helena, said she was disappointed by the vote to table the bill. She encouraged the committee to reconsider taking it off the table at a later date.

Sen. Andrea Olsen, D-Missoula, asked the committee to reconsider the decision.

(Old Person) was in charge of the law enforcement for the Blackfeet Nation, she argued. He helped write the rules.  and he literally died in the line of duty, never stopping his commitment to public service.

Olsen also noted that the Legislature passed a bill to establish a Jeannette Rankin Memorial Highway to honor the first woman elected to Congress.

(Rankin) was not a police officer, Olson said. So this unspoken rule that has been created is not the way weve done these highway resolutions in the past.
It could be difficult to attribute any decline in the upper Madison Rivers trout fishery to an accidental dewatering that occurred in November 2021 when a Hebgen Dam gate failed.

In general, sampling conditions, normal fluctuations in abundances, and the lack of baseline data could confound our ability to attribute future changes in the trout populations to the gate failure, according to a report by a Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks crew.

Matt Jaeger, a Region 3 fisheries biologist for FWP, said the survey proved the dewatering didn't wipe out an entire year class of fish, which was encouraging.

"We definitely observed affects to the redds and to a lesser degree fish" following the dewatering, he noted. "We know there was some level of effect, but we're relying on future years to figure out what that was."

The conclusion was part of the information filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Dec. 20, 2022, that also documented information from summer fish and spawning bed surveys. The report is part of the follow-up undertaken by NorthWestern Energy in the wake of the dewatering, as required by FERC as part of the energy companys license.

Survey

Fish surveys by the FWP crew found brown trout numbers were lower than the 20-year average on the Pine Butte section of the upper Madison River, but that wasnt anything new.

Age 2 Brown Trout have been below the 20-year average since 2018, indicating other factors may also affect brown trout abundance in the upper Madison River, the crew reported.

The Pine Butte section of the river runs from below Raynolds Bridge to Lyons Bridge. This section includes where the Westfork Madison joins the main river.

Lower brown trout populations have been on FWP's radar. The agency and the U.S. Geological Survey collaborated on a study two years ago, looking at 14 rivers over the past 30 years, and found that declining streamflows were likely the primary driver for the fishs declining population. On the Madison River, the main concern for brown trout is downstream from Ennis Lake, Jaeger said.

Rainbows

With fewer brown trout in the river, rainbow trout have filled in.

Brown and Rainbow Trout are typically found in similar abundances in the Pine Butte Section; however, 73% of the trout captured in 2022 were Rainbow Trout, the report says. Age-1 Rainbow Trout made up 53% of the total trout captured, age-2 9%, and age-3+ 10%. Age-1 Brown Trout comprised 14%, age-2 5%, and age-3+ 9%.

FWP conducted backpack electrofishing surveys in the side channels and margins of the mainstem Madison River between Hebgen Dam and Lyons Bridge to determine the presence or absence of (young of year), age-1, and age-2 salmonids during the summer of 2022, the report noted.

Shallow water side channels provide important rearing habitat for young fish, helping them avoid predacious adults in the main river.

Fish were quick to return to side channels that suffered dewatering during the Hebgen Dam gate failure once water returned. While electrofishing  which temporarily stuns fish so they can be gathered, measured, weighed and marked  FWP crews found young brown trout and rainbows utilizing the habitat.

Redds

Trout spawning beds are called redds. Rainbow trout spawn in the springtime, when water flows are typically higher during runoff, whereas brown trout lay their eggs in the fall.

FWP counted brown trout redds between Hebgen Dam and Quake Lake on Nov. 15, 2022, to identify and document key spawning areas in the area most heavily affected by the dewatering event. Most of the redds were found in side channels, the habitat most impacted by gate failure. Of the 165 redds identified, 151 were located in side channels and 14 were located within the main river channel, FWP found.

The agency estimated the drop in water during the 2021 gate failure dewatered an estimated 3.4 acres of nearshore mainstem habitat.

Trout produce a lot of eggs  from 400 to 5,000 for rainbows compared to 500 to 1,000 for browns, depending on their age. Because of this, Jaeger said trout can absorb setbacks like a temporary dewatering.

Feds

Under its licensing agreement with FERC, NorthWestern is required to keep a minimum flow of 600 cfs in the river, based on a gauge near Kirby Ranch.

Within 15 minutes of the (November 2021) failure, Madison River flows between Hebgen Dam and Quake Lake declined 370 (cubic feet per second), from 648 cfs to 278 cfs, the report noted. From Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge (a 13-mile reach), the decline was more protracted with flows decreasing 381 cfs, from 780 cfs to 399 cfs in roughly a 48-hour period.

The survey conducted by FWP is the first of what will be a four-year monitoring project to assess if there was an ill effect on the fishery downstream of Hebgen Lake. In the immediate aftermath of the accident, dead fish were found stranded as well as spawning beds left dry or partially dewatered.

In general, the first year monitoring supports the preliminary conclusion that the gate failure did not eliminate an entire year class of salmonids and that there was documented survival of age 1, 2, and 0 young-of the-year brown and rainbow trout located throughout the upper river, wrote Mary Gail Sullivan, director of Environmental and Lands for NorthWestern, in a letter to FERC that was attached to the FWP survey.

In conjunction with the monitoring, a literature review to evaluate the hypothesis that the impact from this flow deviation did not result in a total loss of the population or individual age class is being completed, Sullivan wrote.

Other work

In addition to the survey, NorthWestern is considering work to improve an upper tributary to the river to reduce sedimentation, improve spawning habitat and reduce grazing impacts. The tributary is on private land, and NorthWestern is working with a consulting firm to develop a proposal.

The Butte-based company is also planning to contract work early this spring to improve spawning habitat, gravel recruitment and embryo survival in the Madison River, according to Sullivans letter to FERC.

The monitoring and mitigation work will continue through 2025.
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."
Democracy needs people to engage in debates on issues using agreed-upon facts, knowledge and principles. Honest disagreements over values, choices and appropriate trade-offs understandably exist. Personal attacks, half-truths, distortions and outright lies destroy trust, civic dialogue and the exchange of competing ideas, the life blood of democracy.

Michael Garrity, Mike Bader and their cohorts continuously gaslight the public around public land management. Before Christmas (Dec. 14 guest view) Garrity attacked Tracy Stone-Manning, Director of the Bureau of Land Management and Erin Carey the local Missoula Field Office manager, with trumped-up lies, distortions and deceit. The gaslighting continued in the Jan. 8 article of the Missoulian. The sad irony is they use the same tactics as Trump, whos name Garrity used to try and smear these dedicated public servants and their staffs.

They claim the BLM did not follow the National Environmental Policy Act rules for scoping a project, that they are attempting to dodge required public comment and review. Actually, the BLM is asking for comments on a draft Environmental Assessment that was scoped back in March of 2021 as the Missoulian article clearly demonstrated. Neither Garrity or Bader attended the open houses or submitted any comments. As a result of their own failure to participate they are blaming the BLM with contrived controversy. The BLM regulations were followed and when asked to extend the comment period by members of the public (not Garrity) they did so, as reported by the Missoulian.

Their claim that this is a massive 16,066-acre clearcutting and burning project is false. They repeated the lie, including that the cutting was old growth, when asked by the Missoulian. The vast majority of the mechanical treatments are pre-commercial and commercial thinning, along with Individual Tree and Group Selection silvicultural systems. The regeneration harvests are in the higher elevation lodgepole pine forest and those are seed tree harvests, not clearcuts, a subtle but important differentiation. There is NO old growth harvest proposed.

They fail to point out that one of the purposes is restoration of forest health and resilience by harvesting and burning combined on many of the acres and by using fire alone on about 30% of the acres where harvest was not needed to achieve the desired habitat conditions. The treatments will create more larger, older forests as the forest grows after the treatments.

They also falsely claim the BLM needs to conduct an EIS rather than an EA because of effects on grizzly bear and lynx habitat. They fail to acknowledge the fact that the BLM did an EIS and consulted with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for their Resource Management Plan in 2020 which provides for an Incidental Take in order to achieve the goals of wildfire mitigation management. Apparently, they failed to participate during that planning process to express their views.

They also make claims of a whistleblower and make numerous allegations. This is a serious charge, IF it were true. It is not! The BLM office is not aware of any whistleblower complaint being filed. It appears to be more fabrication and gaslighting.

Montana has at least 21 collaborative groups in the Montana Forest Collaborative Network. These are people with differing opinions on public land management who come together to share their perspectives, avoid personal attacks, and work to find socially, environmentally and economically viable solutions. They do the hard, challenging and rewarding work of democracy at the local level. Garrity and Bader refuse to engage because they would rather sow distrust and animosity between neighbors and civil servants. They arent interested in constructively helping design projects that restore resilient, healthy forests in the face of drought, wildfires and insect outbreaks, while also providing abundant habitat diversity for native plants and animals, simultaneously producing renewable, sustainable wood products. Such efforts require civil discourse instead of mudslinging. Put down the mud and join a collaborative. Engage in democracy.
Helmets on and golden shovels in hand, local officials and business leaders broke ground Thursday on the first project to call the Burke Business Park home.

Leaders from Unix Packaging, Burke Development Inc., Burke County and nearly all of its municipalities came out to the business park on Kathy Road, right by Interstate 40, for the groundbreaking nearly a year after officials first considered economic development incentives for the project.

Unix officials had scoured the East Coast for a location to build their East Coast headquarters for their beverage manufacturing business when they decided to plant their roots in a property on Ceramic Tile Drive in Morganton. That project was expected to create more than 150 new jobs by the end of last year.

Unix has made a tremendous commitment to us in Burke County when they came here during COVID, it was 2020, said Scott Mulwee, chairman of the Burke County Board of Commissioners. They are bursting at the seams, so they are making another tremendous commitment to Burke County.

The second leap of faith came when Unix selected the Burke Business Park to house its distribution facility, promising an investment of about $35 million and an estimated 100 new jobs to be created when all is said and done.

(BDI President and CEO) Alan Wood is somebody that really opened our eyes to Morganton, said Baze Melamed, chief commercial officer of Unix Packaging. Wed been wanting to expand to the East Coast. Our customers had really demanded it. And once we met Alan and kind of met the different people that were involved in helping us make that decision, it was clear to us.

Melamed said the company, whose West Coast headquarters is in Montebello, California, about 11 miles southeast of Los Angeles, likes to be part of a smaller community.

I was humbled by the gratitude and the fact that everybodys so involved in it, Melamed said. We want to grow, and wed like to grow in an area where we can have these types of relationships and you dont have to go through so much of the bureaucracy in getting things done, and I think thats what we found in Morganton and in Burke County.

Dreams come to fruition

Thursdays groundbreaking has been a longtime coming for more than just Unix.

The 83-acre property was first purchased in 2005 in a collaboration between Burke County, the city of Morganton and the towns of Valdese, Drexel and Rutherford College with the goal of supporting economic development in the county.

About 18 years later, that dream is coming to fruition.

This opens the door for everything that comes after it, Wood said. Its a wonderful feeling. To see the level of partnership that it takes to get something like this is amazing, truly amazing.

For leaders like Morganton City Manager Sally Sandy, a great portion of her managerial career has been spent with the Burke Business Park.

It is one of the most gratifying things in the last 20 years because you finally realize all the work, all the investment, all the waiting paid off, Sandy said. I think one of the best things about it is that our first business here is an expansion of an existing business, so were growing our own, and the fact that its Unix, which is a super family oriented business, just fits our community.

Morganton Mayor Ronnie Thompson doubled down on the importance of bolstering existing jobs in a press release from BDI.

We are grateful for the hard work of all the partners in this project, striving to keep our county competitive, Thompson said. Their efforts have ensured the companys continued growth and we are very excited to announce the project.

Sherri Bradshaw, chair of BDIs board of directors and the Drexel town manager, spoke to attendees of the groundbreaking about how exciting it is to see a vision become reality.

Its exciting to see Unix grow and expand here to see the park  theyre breaking the mold for the other parts of the park and we just are excited about that as well, Bradshaw said.

It was such a milestone it even drew some familiar faces out of retirement  like Bryan Steen, who retired from his post as county manager in late December.

This was in existence before I came here and so it is really a wonderful thing to see this happening and to hopefully be starting the process for others to come, Steen said. Were fortunate to have Alan (Wood) here. I had Alan working with me when I was in Stokes County, and miraculously, things happened here to open the door and he came to us here. When you get to see what all hes done over his time here, thats a nice list.

BDIs work to bring economic development projects to the county received nods from nearly every leader in attendance, including Valdese Mayor Charlie Watts.

One thing that we can be thankful for is the hard work that BDI puts in because they go out and they find these companies that want to expand, that want to grow, and they bring them here to our county, Watts said. The second thing we need to be thankful for is how well our agencies, our municipalities and the county work together to bring these things to Burke County.

Future of the business park

Unix Packaging is just the beginning for the business park, where about 60 acres of land still sits waiting for development.

Wood said he received an inquiry from another business about the property Thursday morning before heading out to the groundbreaking.

We are being proactive and getting product out there, Wood said. That puts us in a really good place. Thats why we do all this pre-work. People say, why do you do all this? Its because this process is ongoing. This project here, even with a company that you know, this project here has taken 12 months to get to this point.

All of the projects BDI works with, whether theyre looking at building in the business park or anywhere else in the county, must pay more than $41,000 and offer health care benefits.

He said the area still needs more workforce affordable housing for residents working with companies like Unix to call home.

These are living wage kinds of jobs, and we try to keep recruiting that kind of business, Wood said.

For Unix Packaging, Melamed said it was the hospitality and ease of access that made the business park an appealing location.

Burke County has been extremely forthcoming with working with us and helping us through some of the challenges of building a new plant, he said. The area that were in right now is great. Its right off the freeway so you have access for logistics and freight, and I would just say that the people here are eager to have some development and some growth.

If they want to come to a place thatll definitely open the doors with open arms, I think itd be great.
Three California men appeared before a judge Thursday in Butte-Silver Bow Justice Court, each charged with the felony offense of criminal possession with the intent to sell cocaine.

Eric Ramirez, 37, Martin Topete Garcia, 31, and Jonathan Topete, 27, all appeared before Judge Ben Pezdark. It is alleged that this past Tuesday, while in the 3500 block of Whiteway, the trio had cocaine in their possession, with the intent to distribute.

The maximum penalty for felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to sell is a prison sentence of up to 20 years and a fine not to exceed $50,000.

Each man has been jailed on $750,000 bonds.
A Democrat governor appointed Brad Newman to an overhauled Montana Board of Pardons and Parole four years ago and now a Republican governor has reappointed him for another six years.

Newman, a former prosecutor, legislator and state judge in Butte, says hes honored but doesnt know if Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has the power to keep me upright and taking air for six years.

Hes battling the calendar and gravity in my case, Newman said with a dose of his self-deprecating humor. Im approaching my 65th birthday and getting a six-year term. Theres no guarantees.

Newman was finishing a second term as a Montana District Court judge in Butte in May 2018 when then Democrat Gov. Steve Bullock appointed him to the Parole Board. Newman wasnt running for re-election that year but left the bench six months early to take the job.

The Legislature made numerous changes to the board in 2015 and 2017, including one that cut board membership from seven to five. They are now full-time positions and appointees must have backgrounds in corrections or criminal justice.

They now review cases by themselves and all parole board hearings must be recorded and made available to the public. Newman said in 2018 that the changes stressed uniformity, fairness and transparency.

He said Wednesday that theyre paying off.

Based on my experience here, the board is definitely making significant strides in being consistent in decision-making, being transparent in our proceedings, encouraging input from quality, interested parties, while at the same time keeping in mind what our statutory mission is.

Its primary mission is to oversee a pardon and parole system that promotes fair and consistent decisions based on public safety, victim concerns, successful inmate re-entry and sensible use of state resources.

Judges and prosecutors are supposed to set partisan politics aside. In the Legislature, Newman was a Democrat who represented a Butte district in the House from 2001 to 2004.

Still, Gianforte re-appointed him to the board, effective now through January 2029, saying he had extensive experience in the criminal justice system.

Congratulations on your reappointment and thank you for your service, Gianforte said in a letter to Newman.

He accepted.

I certainly appreciate the confidence that Gov. Gianforte has placed in my contributions to the board during my first term because obviously, politics being what it is, there were certainly no guarantees I would be asked to stick around.

Newman says he appreciates the opportunity to work for the governors administration.

Hes made public safety a priority, Newman said. You see a series of community roundtables and other contacts that hes made with all kinds of local officials and corrections and law enforcement. And obviously, the first mission of the board, the first priority is still public safety.

At the same time, Im encouraged to see individual offenders whove taken accountability for their own intentional choices and conduct and demanded changes from themselves, he said. Too many offenders blame the system, blame the victim, blame the circumstances.

Overall, Newman likes the work.

Its a challenging job, its an interesting job and I really enjoy it, he said. Lord willing and the creek dont rise, I intend to continue that work.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Taylor James Leyden, 30, of Riverside, was sentenced on Tuesday, Jan. 10, to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin.

According to a press release from the United States Attorneys Office from the Northern District of Iowa, Leyden pleaded guilty on July 5, 2022. At the guilty plea he admitted he conspired with others to distribute heroin. Evidence at prior hearings and information presented at the sentencing hearing showed that in 2021, the Cedar Rapids DEA conducted a wiretap investigation of several heroin and fentanyl traffickers in the Cedar Rapids area. In March 2021, based on intercepted communications from the wiretap, a vehicle in which Leyden was riding was stopped. During a search, he was found in possession of over 10 grams of a mixture containing heroin, fentanyl and synthetic opioids acetyl fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl and metonitazene. About two months later, Leyden was again stopped by law enforcement and found to be in possession of about 3.5 grams of a substance that contained heroin, fentanyl and metonitazene.

He was sentenced in Cedar Rapids by United States District Court Judge C.J. Williams. After completing his sentence, he must also serve a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. He is being held in the United States Marshals custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

Seven other subjects, Cody Scott Deklotz, Andrew James Lehman, Ryan Rick Schlittor, Melinda Salvatora Werning, Jerry Dwayne Banghart, Thomas Nathaniel May, and DeMarco Demon Irwin previously pleaded guilty in the heroin conspiracy and have been sentenced.

The case was investigated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program of the United States Department of Justice through a cooperative effort of the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force consisting of the DEA, the Linn County Sheriffs Office, the Cedar Rapids Police Department, the Marion Police Department, and the Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Asst. United States Attorney Dan Chatham.
DAVENPORT  Two Muscatine residents were arrested Tuesday, Jan. 10 after a police K9 alerted on both of their vehicles during the serving of a search warrant.

According to court records, Hannah Sue Lorraine Millett, 29, and Tanner Haines Esmoil, 25, were arrested at 815 E. 13th St. in Davenport as Davenport Police Department detectives were executing a search warrant on the residence. Millett is charged with failure to affix a drug tax stamp, conspiracy to commit and nonforcible felony, and controlled substance violation. Esmoil is charged with felon in possession of a firearm and conspiracy to commit a nonforcible felony.

The charge report says Millett began advising the detectives on the scene that her family owned the complex the search warrant was taking place at. Millett had previously been seen prior driving a black Chevrolet Impala and leaving the residence just prior to detectives executing the warrant, and she was detained. The vehicle had been parked to the north of the residence. A K9 handler on the scene had the K9 perform a free air sniff around the vehicle. The K9 alerted. A search was conducted and officers located about nine grams of meth; about 27.65 grams of meth in a different location inside the vehicle that was prepackaged for sale; and $389 cash. The larger bag reportedly did not have a tax stamp affixed.

Esmoil was reportedly located driving a black Porsche Cayenne. Behind the passenger seat officers located a loaded Beretta handgun in the floorboard area with the muzzle facing outward toward the rear passenger door making it accessible. Esmoil had a prior conviction in Scott County for conspiracy to commit and nonviolent forcible felony with court tracking. Officers also located $5,000 cash.

The records said that Esmoils phone contained text messages between him and Millett indicating they were conspiring to sell meth.

Both have preliminary hearings set for Jan. 20 and remain in the Scott County Jail. Millett has a $35,000 bond and Esmoil has a $10,000 bond.
CENTRAL CITY  A Central City woman was arrested Wednesday after she was reportedly caught on surveillance footage lighting her own restaurant on fire. She made a fraudulent insurance claim two days later, according to a criminal complaint.

Heidi Renee Liegl, 43, is charged with first-degree arson and insurance fraud, both felonies. Liegl is the owner of the Stove House Restaurant at 2 Al Waterhouse Ave. in Central City.

The Linn County Sheriff's Office responded to a fire at the restaurant on Saturday at about 11:30 a.m. The Central City Fire Department, Coggon Fire Department, Alburnett Fire Department, Center Point Ambulance Service and Marion Fire Department responded, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety and the State Fire Marshal's Division assisted the Linn County Sheriff's Office with the investigation of the fire, which determined the fire was set intentionally by Liegl.

According to the criminal complaint, Liegl was going through financial difficulties and owed the property owners two months of rent. She had reportedly been served eviction notices the day before the fire.

Photos: Casino Assault, Jan. 3, 2021 010321ho-casino-still-1 010321ho-casino-still-2 010321ho-casino-still-3 010321ho-casino-still-4
Fewer Iowans are interested in joining the Iowa National Guard than in past years, creating concerns over readiness and strength, the guards top general told the Iowa Legislature Thursday.

Maj. Gen. Ben Corell, the adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, said in the annual Condition of the Guard address that the guard would recommit to connecting with the community and making its pitch to young Iowans in the coming year.

The motto of the Iowa National Guard is Always ready, he said. As an organization, we face increased pressure and challenges over readiness, both at home and abroad. Here at home, the number one challenge to readiness has become strength and our ability to recruit and retain quality soldiers and airmen.

The guard employs 6,500 part-time service members and 2,200 full-time members and civilians. Corell said other opportunities, such as attending college, had decreased overall interest in the guard.

New recruits to the guard were around 60% of normal recruitment in the past year, he told reporters after the address. Iowas National Guard membership fell slightly in the past year, with the Army National Guard at 98% of its target and the Air National Guard at 97%.

Corell asked the Legislature to continue supporting the guards service scholarship program, which provides annual scholarships to Army and Air National Guard members to attend college.

In the past year, demand for the scholarships increased and outpaced the money appropriated for the program, which is administered through Iowa College Student Aid Commission. Corell told reporters the commission would request an additional $1.5 million for the scholarships.

Its important for Iowa, its important for our communities to get these young people with a college education, he said. And then weve got to balance their requirements in the Iowa National Guard with their ability to go to school.

Corell also said the guard was looking to reorganize its facilities to provide drilling locations closer to home for soldiers and airmen. Most members travel more than an hour to get to their duty location.

Part of that project is to build a new $20 million armory in West Des Moines, which he said is expected to be completed by 2026. The project received 75% of its funding from the federal government and 25% from the state. The guard will also look to maintain its presence in rural communities, he said.

As we move forward, we must carefully balance the need to station and build in growing communities with the need to maintain and invest in our rural communities where we have historically established our Iowa National Guard facilities, Corell said.

State Auditor Rob Sand formally sworn in for second term

Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand was sworn into a second term Thursday at the Iowa Capitol.

The Decorah native narrowly held onto his seat in the November election, becoming the only Democrat elected statewide in Iowa.

Sand, a lawyer, served in the Iowa Attorney Generals Office from 2010 to 2017 as a prosecutor of public corruption cases before being elected state auditor in 2018.

The office is responsible for auditing the financial operations of Iowas state and local governments and provides guidance to CPA firms performing such audits.

In his first term, Sand said his office identified a record amount of misspent funds and created an efficiency program to help public entities find new ways to save money, a program his office said is being replicated by Mississippis Republican state auditor.

Im excited to continue the work that we have gotten started on, and Im excited to do it in the same way, Sand said.

He pledged to continue to manage his office in a nonpartisan manner. Sand appointed a Republican, an independent and a Democrat to his senior leadership team when he first assumed the role.

He also thanked and recognized Republican statewide office holders who attended his swearing-in. They included Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and State Treasurer Roby Smith.

He also thanked his family, friends, colleagues and lawmakers, including his former boss, Tom Miller.

Miller, a Democrat, served a record-setting 40 years in office as the longest-serving state attorney general in U.S. history. Miller left office at the start of the year after being defeated by Bird in the November election, a victory that was marked by a large swing toward Republicans statewide and heavy support from Gov. Kim Reynolds.

One of the things I learned from Tom that I brought here was a willingness to work with people from any party, Sand said. The only thing we want to promise to the people of Iowa is truth.  We are going to continue to ignore, as we have before, the party affiliation of whoever it is we are auditing and look at the facts and look at the truth.

 And what matters is that we are working day and night to reduce waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer money in the state of Iowa.

Reynolds devotes $4 million in federal funds to home rehabilitation

Gov. Kim Reynolds announced $4 million in grants to rehabilitate 131 homes in Burlington, Grinnell, Keokuk, Mason City and Washington.

The funds come from the Home Rehabilitation Block Grant pilot program, part of a $100 million initiative to increase the supply of housing in the state. That money was made available through the federal American Rescue Plans State and Local Fiscal Relief Funds.

The program received applications totaling nearly $4.5 million, and applications were weighed based on need, impact, community readiness and other criteria. Another $3.3 million in funding is being used by the communities for the projects.

Ive been steadfast in my commitment to advancing housing opportunities to ensure that every Iowan can live near their work, Reynolds said in a news release. To meet that goal, we must not only build new housing but we also must preserve our existing housing stock. Todays investments will give new life to more than 130 aging homes so that Iowa families can be proud to call them home for many years to come.

The homes being rehabilitated include both owner-occupied and rental homes. Mason City Mayor Bill Schickel said in the news release the improvements would boost neighborhood flourishing in the city.

The amount awarded to each city is:

 Burlington: $1 million

 Grinnell: $1 million

 Keokuk: $600,000

 Mason City: $1 million

 Washington: $400,000

Secretary of state presents awards for combating human trafficking

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate awarded five Iowans and a business with awards on behalf of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking on Thursday in the Capitol.

The awards were given on the basis of the recipients' role in leading the fight to end human trafficking, according to Pate's office.

Pate has led several initiatives against human trafficking and has partnered with Iowa businesses to combat it.

It was a pleasure to recognize these individuals and businesses for their support combating human trafficking across the state, Pate said in a news release. I appreciate the work theyve done so far and thank them for their service working to put an end to this horrible crime.

The recipients of the awards are:

Alka Khanolkar of Keokuk.

Leland Schipper of Des Moines.

Tish Young of Cedar Rapids.

IMT Insurance Company.

Melody Stone of Mason City.

Sister Shirley Fineran of Sioux City.

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.
Citing growing concern about Chinese investment in U.S. agriculture, Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson announced a renewed push Thursday to more closely monitor foreign ownership of farmland across the country.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is charged with monitoring foreign investment in farmland under the 1978 Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act. The law requires all foreign holders of agricultural land to report those holdings to the USDA.

Each year, the USDAs Farm Service Agency releases that information in an annual report. However, the agency largely relies on volunteer reporting, according to a report by Investigate Midwest.

An investigation by the independent, nonprofit newsroom found significant gaps in the USDA database detailing all the land in the annual report. Investigate Midwest found more than 3.1 million acres without an owner listed. Its investigation also found many parcels listed were no longer controlled by the owner in the database. It was unclear if the land was removed from the database after it sold or a lease was terminated.

Hinson co-sponsored a bill led by Republican Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York and Rick Crawford of Arkansas to increase oversight of these acquisitions and require the Secretary of Agriculture to publicly disclose all new and existing Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act reports online.

The bill also would expand the scope of reporting to include security interests and land leases of any period, including idle agricultural land, and all interest acquired, transferred or held by a foreign person.

Hinson said the legislation would increase transparency for foreign land acquisition and help U.S. officials better understand the threat posed by Chinese efforts to control U.S. farmland.

Its hugely concerning to us, Hinson said during a conference call with reporters. So we are looking at what mechanisms we can put in place to make sure were able to adequately track who is buying that, and make sure we are ensuring that the Chinese Communist Party is not able purchase that land.

According to the USDA, Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland increased from $81 million in 2010 to $1.8 billion in 2020. And reports have shown that Chinese investors are buying farmland near military bases and other critical U.S. infrastructure.

As of December 2020, Chinese investors owned 352,140 acres, just less than 1% of all foreign-held farmland, according to the USDA.

Thats up from 13,720 acres owned by Chinese investors in 2010, but pales in comparison to Canada investors, which owned 32% (or 12.4 million acres) of all land in the United States and Netherlands buyers, which owns 13% (or 4.9 million acres).

In all, foreign investors owned about 37.6 million acres of land worth about $67.6 billion and equal to almost 3% of all U.S. farmland, USDA data shows. That is an area slightly larger than the size of the state of Iowa.

Texas has the largest amount of foreign-held U.S. agricultural land with more than 4.7 million acres.

Foreign investors held about 550,000 acres, or roughly 1.8% of all Iowa farmland. Iowa is among at least a dozen states that have limits on foreign ownership.

Allowing Chinese investors to strengthen their presence and control over U.S. food production poses a national security risk, Hinson said.

We dont want to completely block international land ownership, she said. Thats not what we want to see happen. We have a lot of international investment in Iowa in our district. But, we need to be very clear, the Chinese Communist Party is the greatest threat to this county. And we cannot allow them to buy another acre. Not another acre by the CCP.

The U.S. House last year unanimously passed by voice vote an amendment to an appropriations bill that would require the USDA to take actions to prohibit the purchase of agricultural land by companies owned, in full or in part, by China, Russia, Iran or North Korea. Similar provisions were not taken up in the Senate.

The debate over farm ownership has intensified as Chinese firms over the past decade have purchased major agribusinesses, like pork processing giant Smithfield Foods. It also comes amid broader efforts by Congress and the Biden administration to curb the United States reliance on China in key industries critical to the nations supply chain.

The issue has been bipartisan, with advocates for stricter monitoring in the U.S. Senate including Democrats Jon Tester of Montana, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Republican Chuck Grassley of Iowa.

China is one of Iowa's largest trading partners, a relationship forged and strengthened by former Iowa Republican governors Robert Ray and Terry Branstad. Branstad served as U.S. ambassador to China under former President Donald Trump.

The U.S. House this week also voted to establish a select committee to assess the myriad military, economic and technological challenges posed by China.

Taking proper action against China is long overdue, Hinson said of that countrys posturing against Taiwan, to buying up U.S. farmland at an alarming rate, to its theft of U.S. intellectual property and human rights abuses against Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority.

I believe we have been asleep at the wheel, she said. But I am confident we will be able to take meaningful action to combat Communist China, not as Republicans or Democrats, but as Americans.

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.
The hits from Californias chain of winter storms will keep on coming  and drench the Napa Valley again over the weekend.

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Forecasters with the National Weather Service predicted rain totals in Napa up to 1 inches Friday, followed by 1 to 2 inches on Saturday.

The agency also issued another flood watch for Napa County and the rest of the Bay Area from 4 a.m. Saturday until 4 p.m. on Monday, based on the risk of flooding on streams and low-lying areas  although authorities did not expect to close the flood gates of downtown Napas river bypass channel this week.

Following an interlude of mixed clouds and sun Thursday, rain was expected to return to Napa on Friday, possibly mixed with thunderstorms and small hail. The weather service is forecasting daytime rainfall of  to  inch during day at Napa County Airport, followed by another  to  inch overnight.

The heaviest rain is expected to fall on Saturday before 10 p.m., with another storm pattern in the forecast for late Sunday and Monday.

IRS extends tax deadline in Napa, other California counties after emergency declarations The IRS has extended its tax return due date to May 15 for people in Napa and other counties who live in areas impacted by the California storms.

Flooding may occur on smaller streams and in urban areas, with potential rising on the main stems of rivers, the weather said Thursday in issuing its flood alert  the North Bays third this week. Soils already saturated by a series of rain patterns since late December will be less able to absorb water from future storms, forecasters said.

The Napa River will rise to its next peak that night following the rains but should remain below the 22-foot flood monitoring level, according to a forecast by the California Nevada River Forecast Center. Waters north of the city of Napa, where flood stage is 25 feet, are predicted to reach 20.1 feet at 10 p.m.

The Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District closed the gates to the Oxbow Commons bypass from Saturday to Tuesday, but manager Rick Thomasser on Wednesday said more closures are unlikely this week due to the lower peak river levels expected. The Napa River reached a high of 21.4 feet Monday night at Oak Knoll Avenue, north of the bypass.

Unlike the storms Sunday and Monday that featured wind gusts over 50 mph and caused power outages across much of Northern California, the weekend forecast did not immediately include any wind advisory in Napa County. Wind speeds on Saturday, when the heaviest rainfall is forecast, are expected to measure 11 to 13 mph from the south-southwest.

Photos: Scenes from around Napa Valley as storms continue to batter the area Storm Coverage 2 Storm Coverage 1 Storm Coverage 3 Storm Coverage 4 Storm Coverage 5 Storm Coverage 6 Storm Coverage 7 Storm Coverage 8 Storm Coverage 11 Storm Coverage 10 Storm 1 Storm 2 Storm 4 Storm 3 Storm 5 Storm 6 Napa Storm 1 Napa Storm 2 Napa Storm 3 Napa Storm 4 Napa Storm 5 Napa Storm 6 Napa Storm 9 Storm Storm Kennedy Park encampment Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm Storm
Michael Martini, who was the head winemaker for his familys Napa Valley winery for 40 years and the grandson of the founder, died Tuesday of lung cancer at age 73 only three weeks after being diagnosed with the disease.

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A talented wine strategist who revamped the Louis M. Martini winery in the 1980s, Mike was a jocular and popular winemaker in the Napa Valley, and it was he who guided Martini through a tricky period in the 1990s when many other wineries were delving into bigger, richer, more opulent red wines.

Martinis style of wines had always been perfectly balanced, and although that soon became a style that others abandoned, Mike always said that his wines were made to go with food and that without good structure and equilibrium, wine had no particular purpose.

My first encounter with Mike occurred in 1982 while I was researching a story for my wine column in the San Diego Union. I called Mike on the phone, though I had never spoken with him, to ask some questions. Without warning, our chat turned contentious.

At one point he began to growl at me, implying that I was one of those guys (critics) who wanted to give him a lesson in winemaking. I assured him I had no such strategy.

A half hour after that phone call ended Mikes sister Carolyn, the winerys president, called me to ask if I had just been chewed out by her brother. I said Mike had been a little aggressive. She asked me to ignore all of it. He can be a little straightforward in his remarks, she said.

A year later on a visit to the Napa Valley, I got to know Mike and we became the best of friends. I learned more from him about winemaking than any other person, and soon I began to understand the style of wine Martini made, which predated the high-alcohol, oaky style that soon populated Napas high-end Cabernet culture.

Over the years, Mike loved judging my wine competition in Riverside and we saw each other at numerous industry functions.

The more we saw each other, the more he opened up ancient wines that had been made by his grandfather, Louis Michael, and his father Louis Peter, dating back to the 1940s, and it allowed me to understand much about Californias post-Prohibition wine culture.

Among the places where we consumed such classic old wines were at New Years Eve parties (with homemade pizza) that Mike and his wife, Jacque, staged for friends at their home in Dillon Beach on the Sonoma Coast. Because of the remote location, guests were expected to stay overnight, several of us sleeping on the floor.

The amazing thing about most of the older Martini red wines, including wines made from grapes like Barbera, was that almost regardless of how old they were, most of them easily passed the test of time.

Mike must have told me a dozen times that the secret to making wines that age well is balance. I cant drink that stuff with 15% alcohol, he said more than once.

Mike worked with his grandfather and father making wines from an extremely young age, and eventually got to know all there was to know about the winemaking process, but his father, Louis P., asked him to get a college degree in the subject; and he was proudest of the fact that he learned a lot while he was at Fresno State University before he was asked to leave because he declined to do certain projects that had been required.

But he persisted, ending up at UC Davis enology program, where he again struggled by trying to advise the professors what the real world of winemaking was all about. Mike was proud of the fact that he ended up getting his degree, but not without opposition from some of the instructors and professors.

Once, he told me, I told them (Davis professors), Just give me the diploma, I have a winemaking job waiting for me in Napa.

Making wine was never a problem for Mike, but marketing and sales both constituted challenges that he really did not appreciate. In 2002, the family sold the winery and its vineyards to E&G Gallo of Modesto, which has done exceptional work in maintaining the historic Martini style of wine  balanced.

Mike stayed on to assist in the Gallo transition, but soon he was semi-retired. After his formal retirement in 2014, he and Jacque began to travel the world and they continuously spread the message of Napa Valleys wine greatness wherever he went, usually in a booming voice, wearing an enormous grin. And usually wearing an open-collar short-sleeve shirt.

Part of his world travels was as guitarist with his semi-pro rock band, Private Reserve, which also included several friends and winemakers including Ed Sbragia, now the retired head winemaker for Beringer Vineyards.

Mike also was past president of the Napa Valley Vintners, and served on the boards of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture and the California Wine Institute.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Shana and Larkin.
Napa County has a lot more red on the proposed update of Cal Fires statewide fire hazard severity zone map, and some rural residents fear that could unfairly affect already skyrocketing insurance rates.

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The map has three code colors: red, orange and yellow. More than 265,000 acres in Napa County are proposed for the red very high hazard zone, or slightly more than half of the county. Thats a 32.5% jump from the existing map, released in 2007.

Another 78,296 acres of rural land are proposed for the orange high hazard zone, up 1.3%. The yellow moderate zone would decrease by 33.8%, to 17,583 acres.

The bottom line is something Napa County has already learned from hard experience in the 2017 and 2020 wildfires  much of the county is primed to burn.

These are threats weve determined based on data. Its not our opinion, said Napa County Deputy Fire Chief Jason Martin, who is a Cal Fire employee.

Cal Fire officials said its unlikely insurance risk models specifically use Cal Fire hazard severity zones as a factor, though they likely use much of the same data. Insurance companies also use other factors.

But some rural residents suspect proposed Cal Fire map changes could add to their insurance woes. They expressed frustration that the hazard map doesnt recognize local efforts to lower wildfire risk.

Top 10 Stories of 2022 - No. 9 - Napa County continues wildfire avoidance efforts 2022 saw Napa County voters reject a wildfire prevention sales tax and fire officials scrambled to find other funding sources.

One major proposed change would affect Circle Oaks along Highway 121 between the city of Napa and Lake Berryessa. This rural community of about 180 homes would go from the yellow moderate rating on the 2007 map to the red very high rating.

David Heitzman built his Circle Oaks home almost four decades ago. He doesnt perceive the fire danger there as growing worse over that period.

For one thing, fire officials in 2021 created a $550,000 shaded fuel break 2 1/2 miles long and up to 100 feet wide around the community, effectively circling Circle Oaks.

If anything, we should be more secure, Heitzman said.

Hes concerned an increased hazard rating would affect home insurance rates. His insurance carrier last year wouldnt renew his policy and he had to turn to the California FAIR safety net plan, driving up his annual cost from about $1,000 to $5,000.

Sue Wagner said Circle Oaks is being lumped in with adjacent wildlands that havent had fire risk factors cleaned up.

We are cleaning up our brush and our downed trees. We are raking our leaves. We are doing all the right things. So please dont punish us by putting us in with the rest of the wildlands around us, she said.

Her premiums using the FAIR plan rose from about $2,500 annually to about $10,000 with a higher deductible and less coverage, she said.

I feel like Im being priced out of my own home, said Wagner.

She was among the 40 or so people attending a Cal Fire meeting on Monday at the Napa County Library. One person there said he has 30 acres near Silverado Trail that are proposed to change from a moderate to very high fire hazard, even though 25 acres are vineyards.

He spent more than $400,000 over three years on generators, well pumps, water storage and 25 new hydrants. Still, his insurance costs rose from $65,000 in 2018 to more than $270,000 for less coverage, he said.

All of this adds up to the fact that its not sustainable in this state to be a property owner, he said.

Napa Valley Vintners raise money for wildfire prevention With Measure L  the sales tax measure that would have funded wildfire prevention efforts  falling at the ballot box in June, the Napa Valley Vintners have launched a fundraiser to help fill that gap.

Cal Fire officials repeatedly said that the maps required by state legislation are hazard maps, not risk maps.

It will sound like Im playing word games a little bit with those definitions, said Scott Witt of Cal Fire. But they truly are different things.

Hazards are long-lasting, slow-changing factors such as topography, what the fuels evolve into and what long-term weather and climate models are predicting. A hazard is the likelihood of a damaging event occurring, he said.

By contrast, risk is how much damage will occur when theres an event, Witt said. That can be influenced by such things as the design of a house.

Ive been in your subdivision, Witt told the Circle Oaks residents. Ive been there during fires. Ive been there after fires  I know that your fuel treatment has reduced that damage and that bends the curve on the risk side.

Cal Fire officials pointed out that risk reduction work isnt permanent, such as vegetation that is cut back and regrows in subsequent years. Meanwhile, the wildfire hazard remains.

Youve got to look at the purpose of this model, said Marshall Turbeville of Cal Fire. Its primarily for the building code. Its not for risk reduction, not for insurance.

Napa County is hardly unique in seeing the very high fire hazard acreage grow with the proposed map. Across California, the number of acres is proposed to increase 14.6%, to almost 17 million acres.

Ensuring Californians know the wildfire hazard in their area is critical to ensuring we all take the appropriate steps to prepare for wildfires, said Daniel Berlant of Cal Fire in a news release.

Cal Fire fire scientists and wildfire mitigation experts developed the map after looking at such factors as fire history, potential fuel, predicted flame length and blowing embers. They used a model to assign hazard scores.

One reason the proposed statewide map shows increased fire hazard is because of climate change, Cal Fire officials said.

Go to https://bit.ly/3GXremB to learn more about the proposed Cal Fire fire hazard severity zone changes. Cal Fire will hold another meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Solano County Event Center, 601 Texas St. in Fairfield.
Napa Valley College is becoming a showcase for a longtime Bay Area artist's life work, nearly two decades after his death.

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Jack Wright, who was born in 1919 and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, moved to the Bay Area with his wife, where they raised their four children. Of the body of work he produced in a prolific career that spanned six decades, most pieces were created at his home studio in Inverness, overlooking Tomales Bay in Marin County.

When Wright died in 2003, he left his lifes work  more than 2,000 pieces of catalogued art, much of it large-scale  to his family. Ted Wright, one of his four sons, now oversees his fathers estate and is working to share that art with the public and to increase exposure to the work.

The younger Wright had been talking with his friend David Cauble, vice president of the Napa Valley College Foundation board, about his hopes for his fathers art.

I had told (David) that I had thought (of) a really wonderful place to exhibit Jacks really large paintings, I could picture those up in winery lobby walls, said Ted Wright.

So last February, when NVC's then-interim president Rob Frost suggested in a Zoom meeting that the school look into displaying some local art on its walls, Cauble said, I have just the art we might look at.

Soon after Frosts proposal, he and Cauble drove to Novato, where the Wright family keeps Jacks art catalogued in a climate-controlled storage unit. Cauble and Frost moved the smaller pieces back to Napa in the back of Caubles Toyota Prius, while Ted Wright brought the rest to Napa in a U-Haul truck.

We were like a couple teenagers, giggling that we had all of this amazing art stashed in the back of the car, said Cauble.

NVC is, of course, not a winery, but the Wright family is happy to have loaned the art to the college.

Davids association with the college is a great way to help an educational institution in the Bay Area have something good to show those who work there and those who study there, maybe inspire their artists, said Wright. It also seemed like a natural steppingstone to getting more visibility in the valley itself.

This is the first time NVC has coordinated an art installation of this scale, but the college hopes to bring more art onto its campus in the future. For now, the school is still working to get all 15 of Jack Wrights pieces mounted.

Its been a process of getting the correct hardware and ordering appropriate supplies to hang it, said Jessica Thomason, executive director of the NVC foundation. It's a tribute to Jack's work and we're happy to showcase it on his behalf.

While the art loaned to NVC is providing an opportunity for the college to engage local artists and for Jack Wrights family to showcase his work, Ted Wright is hopeful this exposure will add momentum to his larger effort.

He is currently in the middle of publishing a coffee-table book showcasing his fathers art, Luminous Visions. He hopes the book will bring opportunities to display his dads paintings in Napa Valley wineries and tasting rooms, as well as at the San Francisco International Airport.

While Jack worked in many media, most of the paintings on display at NVC showcase the pointillist technique he began practicing in the early 1950s. In this style, popularized in the 1880s by Georges Seurat and his Neo-Impressionist contemporaries, artists apply optical and color theory by painting strategically spaced and hued dots to form texture, shape and a sense of movement.

The art is being displayed indefinitely on campus, in buildings including the administrative building and the McCarthy Library, through the colleges open-ended loan agreement with Jack Wrights family.

In a statement provided by Wrights estate, the family wrote: We are excited by the opportunity to share (Jack Wrights) artistic vision with new communities, and hope that his works will engage and inspire the faculty, students, staff and visitors.

More information To learn more about Jack Wrights life and to view selections of his art, visit jackwrightvisions.com.
An audit of narcotics smuggling in four California prisons found drug-sniffing dogs are not used enough to search inmates, visitors, mail and staff as dope continues to get into these detention facilities.

The California Office of the Inspector General on Wednesday released its audit report, which indicated that drugs were smuggled into the prisons even after COVID-19 restrictions in March 2020 suspended visits and limited access to prevent further spread of the virus.

In a letter to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Jeffrey Macomber, Inspector General Amarik K. Singh said its clear inmates were not smuggling the drugs into the prison.

The avenues for drugs entering prisons during the first year of the pandemic with visiting restrictions in place at primary entry points, Singh said, remained staff, contractors, official visitors and mail."

The Inspector Generals Office recommended the department develop procedures to require the use of drug-sniffing dogs to search visitors and prison staff and correctional officers, use canine teams to conduct frequent searches of inmates and their property and determine whether funding is needed for additional canines to conduct searches effectively throughout prison grounds.

Prison officials on Wednesday said the department strongly believes in a multilayered-approach is the most effective way to reduce contraband activity.

This approach includes providing substance use disorder treatment, heightened physical security, dismantling drug distribution systems, disrupting gang activity, and closing avenues of entry for contraband, according to a written statement emailed to The Sacramento Bee. This approach enables CDCR to reduce the amount of contraband entering institutions, minimizing its availability to incarcerated individuals.

Audit focused on 4 California prisons

The audit focused on the four prisons from March 1, 2019, through Jan. 7, 2022. The prisons in the report were referenced as Prisons A, B, C and D. Inspector Generals Office did not include the names of the prisons to protect the safety and security of the institutions selected, according to the report.

The review of these prisons found that entrance screening generally consisted of a cursory visual search that was unlikely to discover drugs.

Routine searches of employees, contractors, and official visitors at three of the prisons involved officers taking glances lasting one or two seconds or permitting large bags to be carried into prisons without checking for identification or opening the bags. At times, officers failed to conduct searches at all.

The audit found at one prisons minimum support facility entrance all assigned officers were given a key that allowed them to come and go as needed without identification confirmation or bag checks. None of the prisons subjected employees to pat-down searches.

Searches of visitors and their bags were more robust than routine searches of employees, according to the report. But the officers performing the searches did not have the necessary tools to detect drugs, and they were not allowed to perform pat-down searches.

The Inspector Generals Office recommended that CDCR department look into the costs of using electronic detection devices that can find drugs, including in searches of prison staff, visitors, contractors, inmates, vehicles, mail and prison cells.

Prison employee searches inadequate

The audit found the prisons periodic enhanced searches of employees, which are comprehensive and unannounced, also were inadequate to detect drugs. These searches are mandated to occur at least once a month at each prison. Employees are required to empty their pockets and open containers, but the employees do not receive a pat-down search.

Drugs can be hidden on the bodies of staff who are not physically searched, or searched by electronic drug detection devices or drug-sniffing dogs, according to the report. The audit also found the corrections department does not consistently or adequately conduct investigations to determine the sources of drugs discovered in these prisons.

CDCR officials said the department continues to evaluate ways to improve consistent statewide application of these detection and intervention techniques. They also said the department acknowledges the importance of maximizing limited available staffing and other resources as an effective method of interdicting drugs and will consider process improvements outlined in this report.

Contraband interdiction and focus on curbing overdose deaths as a result of illegal contraband is, CDCR officials said, and will continue to be a top priority for the department.

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For nearly 10 years, the cascade of lights along the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge has illuminated the San Francisco Bay. The public art installation, expected to be removed after just a few years, has become a fixture.

Now the bridge may go dark for good. That is, unless Ben Davis can persuade enough millionaires to donate $10 million to keep, expand and upgrade the display.

"We have to try," said Davis, founder of Illuminate. "It's important to the city, and it's beautiful."

The nonprofit, which launches public works of art, teamed up with New York-based light artist Leo Villareal to create "Bay Lights" in 2013. The 1.8-mile project uses 25,000 LED lights across 300 cables on the western side of the bridge.

Though the display was initially intended as a temporary installment to commemorate the bridge's 75th anniversary, the Bay Area Toll Authority agreed in 2014 to make it a permanent installation and fund the maintenance of the lights.

The agency agreed to bear the maintenance cost of $250,000 a year, while Illuminate at the time announced that it had raised $2 million from philanthropist Tad Taube to help make the project permanent.

SFist reported in 2014 that the entire cost for the project, expected to last 10 to 12 years, was estimated to be $12 million. Davis said the actual cost was about $6 million, although the lifespan of the lights ended up being three years less than expected.

The lights have now taken a beating. The harsh environment of the bay, including strong winds, fog, salty air, lightning strikes and vehicle exhaust, has taken a toll, leaving dark patches among the lights where bulbs need replacement.

The expansion of the cables and constant vibration also make it an environment where electronics are "unwelcome," Davis said, which means that the project will have to come down by March.

"The current set of LEDs that are there are failing at a cost that is faster than we can repair," he said, "and they need to come down."

But instead of giving up on the project, Davis said he was looking to raise $11 million by March 5, not to keep the lights  but to replace them with others that can endure the environment better. He's also hoping to expand the display to both sides of the bridge.

The entire project would consist of 50,000 lights and would have an expected lifespan of about 10 years, he said.

The lights would be visible to drivers, to people flying over the bay, and to those viewing the bridge in San Francisco as well as from across the water in Oakland.

He's already secured an Iowa-based company to make new lights specially designed for the bay's environment.

To see the project through, however, requires $11 million, he says. He's looking for 10 wealthy donors to contribute $1 million apiece. Another $1 million would be raised through smaller donations and crowdfunding, he said.

In the age of online viral fundraisers, why not just open up the entire financing of the project to crowdfunding?

"Anyone who has done fundraising, in particular crowdfunding, understands you might get to seven figures," he said, "but it's a very challenging and consuming process."

As to concerns that the money spent on the art installation could be better spent on other projects, Davis says he stands by the effort and sees the value in public art, especially a work that reaches as many people as the Bay Bridge.

"There's no piece of art that's as radically accessible and touches so many lives as the 'Bay Lights,'" he said. "There's no charge. ... All you have to do is get close enough to see it."

He said he believed the project was worthwhile but also a philanthropic choice. He hopes donors also "find another pocket" to fund other essential projects.

"This is a way to really touch everybody and bring the joy and beauty and power of art into everyone's life," he said, "and there's a great gift in that as well."

Davis added that although he's eager to fund the project however possible, he's excited about the idea of 10 benefactors helping to revive a Bay Area icon, a symbol of hope and beauty not just for the cities it connects but also the rest of the state.

"At the end of the day, what matters is to keep the work shining," he said. "If we don't raise the money, the project goes away."

So far, Davis said, Matt Mullenweg, the developer of WordPress, has committed $1 million. And Davis said he'd been contacted about other possible donations.

The deadline is fast approaching, but he said he was hopeful the entire amount could be raised in time.

"There's the option that (the lights) don't have to be there," Davis said. "But they're beautiful, and they make our world a better place."

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After over two years of debate, the Fresno County community of Squaw Valley will be renamed. The new name for the census-designated place is Yokuts Valley.

The decision was made Thursday morning in a vote by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and was chosen based on feedback during the public comment period, according to a press release.

Yokuts translates to people.

In September, the Department of the Interior announced new names for nearly 650 places that featured the term squaw, which is widely considered to be an offensive slur against Native American/Indigenous women.

The country-wide name changes were prompted by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland  a member of the Laguna Pueblo and the first Native American woman to serve in the position  who in November 2021 formally declared the term squaw to be derogatory and ordered to have the name removed from federal lands.

However, the board took additional time to review seven populated locations, such as the Fresno County town. The BGN sought additional feedback from tribes, local communities and other stakeholders before the final vote.

I am grateful to the members of the Derogatory Geographic Names Task Force and the Board on Geographic Names for their efforts to finalize the removal of this harmful word, Haaland said in a press release on Thursday. Together, we are showing why representation matters and charting a path for an inclusive America.

Efforts to change the name of the Fresno County town of Squaw Valley picked up steam in recent years, led primarily by local Native American activists, some Squaw Valley residents, and groups such as the ACLU Northern California.

In January 2022, the Change S Valley coalition, led by local Roman Rain Tree, a member of the local Dunlap Band of Mono Indians and Choinumni tribes, submitted a formal name change proposal to the USBGN to request changing the name of Squaw Valley.

Similarly, in September, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring the term be removed from California places by 2025.

Other populated placed that will see name changes following Thursdays vote include Squaw Hill, California, which will be changed to Loybas Hill. The name was proposed by the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, the name translates to Young Lady and honors the past, present and future Native women from and living in the area.

Meanwhile, Squaw Gap in North Dakota will be Homesteaders Gap, Squawberry, Tenn., will be Partridgeberry, and Squaw Mountain, Texas, will be called Lynn Creek.

Not everyone was on board with name change.

Fresno County Board of Supervisor Nathan Magsig, whose district includes Squaw Valley, has long argued that any name change should come from the local community, rather than via a state or federal mandate.

Many residents of Squaw Valley and local mountain communities  including some Native American individuals  gathered last September in a meeting organized by Magsig to voice their opposition to the proposed name change. The meeting was marked by anger and frustration.

The following month, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted in favor of a resolution to formally oppose the name change. The resolution served as the countys official response to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names request for feedback regarding the proposed name change of Squaw Valley.

Were proud of our community, were proud of our community name, Lonnie Work, a resident of Squaw Valley and chairman of the Save Squaw Valley committee, said during public comment of the October meeting.

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Most wine books sell a few thousand copies. Karen MacNeils The Wine Bible has sold more than 1 million. Last fall the St. Helena author released its third edition, and the 728-page book is sure to continue that success.

Why is the book so popular?

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There are many reasons. For one, it is comprehensive. The first 100 pages explain virtually everything you might want to know about grape growing and winemaking, then about wine tastes and pairing, faults, storage and aging.

Much of the rest of the book is a look at the wine-growing regions of the word, including her clever tasting notes on top wines. The book also contains an extensive glossary.

If you read and truly absorbed the material in The Wine Bible (and tasted wines as you went), youd be an expert. That would be a Herculean task, however. Just reading a few pages will teach you things you dont know, even if you are very knowledgeable.

The Wine Bible is also very interesting. Many wine books strip out the culture and background, the food and the people from their wine writing. MacNeil put it back in.

The book is a treasury of wine and related topics. Reading it is sort of like surfing the internet. On almost every page, it seems, sidebars call to be read, and youll find fascinating sections on tops like saffron or whether chocolate is a good match for Cabernet. You definitely dont want to play Trivia with MacNeil.

But a major reason the book is so popular is MacNeils clear and precise writing. In Alices Adventures Through the Looking Glass, Humpty Dumpty said, when I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean  neither more nor less.

MacNeils writing is the opposite. Her words are precisely right, as well as clear and imaginatively descriptive. Wine writers famously get carried away describing wine, but none match her for evoking precise images of tastes.

Shes even taken some flak for describing wines as feminine and masculine, though we know exactly what she means even if that isnt politically correct.

An unlikely beginning for a wine writer

MacNeil became an unlikely wine expert and consummate writer. She grew up in a poor, uneducated Irish Catholic family. Born in Boston, she grew up in rural Northern Nevada before she ran away from home at 15 and supported herself, working before and after school and two jobs on the weekends through high school.

Unexpectedly, however, she did her homework while drinking a glass of wine each night.

In the forward to the book, she relates how she started with a Bulgarian red that cost 89 cents a bottle, then graduated to German Liebfraumilch at $1, then Lancers rose and eventually cheap Chianti in straw-covered bottles. I loved every one of them, she claims.

In 1966, she moved to New York at 19 to become a writer without even taken a writing class. She was a voracious reader, however, and taught herself the craft though, she collected 324 rejection slips during the first two years.

Her luck changed when she wrote about artisanal Hudson Valley butters, an article the Village Voice bought for $30.

She was soon writing about food for a dozen publications. In the process, she found her voice, an inviting conversational style that was easy to read but authoritative.

She really wanted to write about fine wine, not food  even though she had barely tasted any. She needed to find a way to learn more. In those days, there were few wine classes or tastings.

Most wine columns were written by a handful of men. Wine companies from all over the world traveled to New York to pour their wines for them.

Fortunately, one was a friend of MacNeils, and talked them into letting her taste  as long as she didnt talk. That continued for six years, and she learned a great deal about wine in the process while also visiting wine regions.

Eventually, publisher Peter Workman saw a piece shed written on New England lobster rolls for the New York Times Magazine. He liked her writing style and asked if shed write a book on food. She convinced him to accept one on wine instead, and they agreed it would take a year.

It took 10 years instead. The first edition of The Wine Bible appeared in 2001.

Ironically, she didnt like the title, but her contract gave him the right to name it, and the name obviously worked.

MacNeil moved to Napa Valley in 1994. Besides winning many awards, she was host of the PBS series Wine, Food & Friends with Karen MacNeil and was the founding head of the Rudd Center for Professional Wine Studies of the Culinary Institute of America in St. Helena.

Changes in the valley

Since she moved to Napa Valley in the early 90s, MacNeil has observed many changes. Winemakers are more willing to rely on their instincts, she said. The 80s were the great decade of UC Davis. The winemakers ran the numbers. They made wine according to the science and analytics. The winemakers didnt get sunburn! she noted.

One result was the rise of Chardonnay, with winemakers showing their manipulative skills.

Then the 90s were the decade of dirt, she continued. It all starts in the vineyard. Thats not something you heard in the 80s. Now we see a healthier balance, a foot in science and the vineyard but trust in the winemakers own artistic instincts.

Were post-Parker, too, and thats healthier, she added. The influence of critics has lessened. Thats a good thing for Napa Valley.

Napa Valley no longer needs to compare itself with Bordeaux, too.

She believes that were entering a period of experimentation and expansion. Worldwide, she sees an appreciation for indigenous varieties and terroir in Spain, Greece, Italy and Portugal, partly due to climate change. Some varieties got down to a few vines, but they could contain valuable genetic material that could help as the climate changes.

MacNeil finds Portugal most interesting as they endure sustained temperatures above 105 degrees. If vines have months of heat, they adapt, she said. They maintain freshness and acidity.

For decades, winemakers have talked about making wines fresher and less alcoholic with better balance. Now many are really doing that.

She does lament the influence of a half-dozen consulting winemakers. Theyre standardizing Cabernet a bit. It blurs the individuality of the vineyard and the winemaker and it lessens the opportunities for young winemakers to become known for their style.

She can empathize with them from her own history as a writer to appreciate developing a style.

As for her, while shes recovering from the third edition of the The Wine Bible, MacNeil publishes Wine Speed, a digital newsletter effort with 40,000 subscribers, and leads corporate seminars and tours to wine regions while advising people about wine.

Recently UC Davis requested her notes for a project funded by Warren Winiarski to preserve papers of wine writers. They took 100 transfer boxes of research from the first Wine Bible.

The Wine Bible, third edition in paperback, was published Oct. 11, 2022, by Workman Publishing Company. The cost is $39.99.

Upcoming classes and events

Karen MacNeil will be discussing and signing The Wine Bible at Napa Valley Wine Academy, 2501 Oak St., Napa. on Jan. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m. The price is $40 and includes the book and a glass of sparkling wine. https://napavalleywineacademy.com/special-events-at-nvwa.

She also will teach an online class for Stanfords continuing education called Wines Connection to Place and CultureStories in a Bottle. Its six Wednesday evenings starting Jan. 18. They taste wines every session, and students can buy the wines as a package from Garys. The cost is $420 per student.

Sign up at continuingstudies.stanford.edu/courses/liberal-arts-and-sciences/exploring-wine-s-connection-to-place-and-culture-stories-in-a-bottle/20222_FD-96-W.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated from the original to correct a mistake about the UC Davis Wine Library. In addition to Karen MacNeil, other writers from Napa Valley have been invited to donate their papers to the library including veteran writer Bob Thompson.

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Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan will travel to Estonia next week on a working visit, according to The Baltic Times, Armenpress reported.

President Khachaturyan will meet with Estonian President Alar Karis on January 16. Topics to be discussed at the meeting of the two heads of state include relations between the two countries, especially cooperation in technology and e-government services, and the security situation in Europe in general.

The Armenian head of state will then meet with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and parliamentary foreign affairs committee chairman Andres Sutt.

In the afternoon, Khachaturyan will visit the Tallinn University of Technology and the e-Estonia Briefing Center.

In the evening, the Estonian head of state will host a dinner in honor of his Armenian counterpart.

On January 17, Khachaturyan will meet with Estonian parliament speaker Juri Ratas and Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu and pay a visit to the e-Governance Academy (eGA).
Immediately ensure the access of the Armenian side to the accident zone to restore the electricity supply to Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). Nonpartisan Taguhi Tovmasyan, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights and Public Affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia, noted about this on Facebook. She added as follows:

I have sent new letters to all of my international colleagues.

It is more than a month Turkish-Azerbaijani tandem has continued with its policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide in Artsakh holding 120 000 people, including 30 000 children, 20 000 elderly and 9000 people with disabilities as de facto captives.

Azerbaijan has caused a Humanitarian Emergency in Artsakh, as a consequence of which:

Artsakh has remained without electricity: An accident has occurred in the Aghavno-Berdzor section of the only high voltage line feeding Artsakh from Armenia. Because of the destructive position of the Azerbaijani side, it is impossible to carry out a tour and organize emergency restoration works in the mentioned section,

The Azerbaijani side has cut the Internet communication cables entering Artsakh and hinders repairing works,

Azerbaijan has blocked food, medicine and generally all types of supplies to Artsakh,

Thousands of children are deprived of the right to education, more than 100 education institutions were closed as a consequence of the lack of food,

Thousands of families are separated, hundreds of children are hundreds of kilometers far away from their parents.

In the conditions of impunity of Azerbaijan problems in Artsakh are increasing day by day. The goal of such a criminal policy of Azerbaijan is to dearmenianize Artsakh. As an evidence one can mention [Azerbaijani president] Alievs last statement that if Armenians would not like to be citizens of Azerbaijan, the corridor is open, they can go away.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill to ban the sale of oil from strategic reserves (SPR) to entities owned, controlled or influenced by the Communist Party of China.

The decision was supported by 331 members of the House, against 97 members, the U.S. media noted.

Last year, nearly 1 million barrels of oil from the SPR went to Unipec America, a "subsidiary" of China's state oil company Sinopec, which drew sharp criticism from Republicans, S&P Global noted.

Republicans accuse the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden of depleting strategic oil reserves because of political motives after an unprecedented 180 million barrels were sold from SPR over several months to combat rising energy prices caused by the situation in Ukraine and anti-Russian sanctions.

As of Jan. 6, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the volume of oil in SPR was 371.58 million barrels, the lowest level since December 1983.

Now the bill to prohibit the sale of oil to the PRC must be considered and approved by the Senate; if approved, it will go to the president for signing. At the same time, analysts are doubtful that the Democrat-controlled Senate will support this initiative.




It is a great obligation for the visiting French delegation to be in Armenia because there are tensions that are intensifying and making the country vulnerable. She speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of France, Yael Braun-Pivet, said this Friday during her joint news press conference in Yerevan with speaker Alen Simonyan of the Armenian NA.

"France shall stand with the fraternal peoples, fraternal countries that are under threat, whose territorial integrity is under threat and attack. As you know, the September [2022] events [in Armenia] raised a lot of uproar in France. The [French] National Assembly reacted to this, we adopted a resolution demanding the cessation of [military] aggression by Azerbaijan and the establishment of peace in the South Caucasus. Also, we appealed to the French government, demanding to continue its mediation activities, to strengthen support to Armenia, to re-establish the discussion process between Armenia and Azerbaijan, so that a certain solution can finally be worked out," said Braun-Pivet.

The head of the French NA emphasized that France has always been by Armenia's side to strengthen its sovereignty and independence.

"The vigilance of the [French] government and President Macron, as well as the vigilance of our country in general, are complete. At the moment when the principles of international law are violated in Ukraine where the democratic values of Europe are threatened, we reaffirm that these values should be our compass, that France stands in solidarity with Armenia.

We are very worried about the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. It worries us because the ongoing [Azerbaijani] blockade of the Lachin corridor [that links Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia] creates a humanitarian situation that is getting worse. It is very important to reopen the road, restore open traffic between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as electricity and internet connections. We will do everything to avoid a humanitarian disaster," said the speaker of the French NA.

Also, she expressed her concern about the historical and cultural Armenian heritage that is endangered.

"About 1,500 samples of Armenian historical and cultural heritage can be destroyed today. France will make efforts in that regard with UNESCO. Heritage is the life of an entire people, we are convinced that it is necessary to restore the dialogue between all parties to establish a stable and peaceful solution," said Yael Braun-Pivet.
France does not recognize the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh; this is in accordance with the international law to which France is subject. The speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of France, Yael Braun-Pivet, said this Friday during her joint news press conference in Yerevan with speaker Alen Simonyan of the Armenian NAand answering the question whether it is time for France to recognize the independence of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

According to her, both the French Senate and the National Assembly have adopted a resolution condemning Azerbaijan's military aggression on the border of Armenia, also condemning the Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin corridorthat links Artsakh to Armenia.

To a reporters remark that Azerbaijan says the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has been resolved, thus rejecting the existence of the OSCE Minsk Group, and asking Braun-Pivets opinion on this issue and what specific steps should the OSCE take regarding the reopening of the Lachin corridor, the speaker of the French NA responded: "I believe that today it is important for the parties to return to the dialogue. The Minsk Group is one of the existing [respective] platforms. Of course, it is not the only one, but it is a very important platform. Today, it is important that each side participates in it, accepts the need to return to dialogue."

"We, the parliamentarians, call for a return to dialogue within the framework of the Minsk Group. But this is not the only way. All means should be tried so that the tension of the situation stops as much as possible. I believe it is also very important, naturally, the role of Armenia to tell us what are the conditions that will enable to return to the dialogue," Braun-Pivet added.
France is playing the role of a mediator in the conflict, France is extremely active, it twice appealed to the UN Security Council to discuss the issue, it was the initiator of the meeting in Prague, and it implements a number of initiatives so that the EU also plays a big role in settlement of the conflict. The speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of France, Yael Braun-Pivet, said this Friday during her joint news press conference in Yerevan with speaker Alen Simonyan of the Armenian NAand addressing the question of what else Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev should do so that the West and France take clear actionsin particular, sanctionsagainst Azerbaijan.

"France is active, it is not limited to statements alone. I believe this is the right way. The path of active mediation and unequivocal support, which is expressed even today by my presence in Armenia," she said.

Armenian NA speaker Alen Simonyan, in turn, added: "Armenia is more than satisfied and grateful for France's actions."

And when asked if Aliyev resorts to military action, will France turn from a mediator into a supporter of Armenia, Braun-Pivet responded: "I don't answer questions that are speculative. There is enough to be done with the facts available today; it is pointless to imagine hypothetical situations."
It is not France that should decide what status Nagorno-Karabakh can have in the region. The speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of France, Yael Braun-Pivet, said this Friday during her joint news press conference in Yerevan with speaker Alen Simonyan of the Armenian NAand answering a French reporter's question on what status is foreseeable for Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), from France's point of view, for a peaceful settlement of this conflict.

"Our [i.e., Frances] position is clear [on this matter]. We have not recognized the independence of Nagorno-Karabakh, and the status should not be defined by France. It should be defined within the framework of international law, by various peoples; and in particular, by various parties to the conflict," she said.

To the clarifying question on what the international law says when 120,000 people are under a blockade in Karabakh, the speaker of the French NA responded: "International law says that there is a corridor that must be [re]opened and that the movement of people must be restored."

And when asked whether political negotiations can continue in a state of blockade, Braun-Pivet said: "Yes. I am a person who believes in dialogue. And I believe that one should never give up on dialogue; one should always try to find a peaceful solution."
Artsakh Minister of State, Head of Operational Headquarters Ruben Vardanyan on Friday chaired a meeting of the headquarters, informed the Information and Public Relations Department of the State Minister's Office.

In the conditions of the current energy crisis in Artsakh, issues related to the continued meeting of the minimum energy needs of the population and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of vital facilities were discussed at the talk.

Since Monday, the power supply from Armenia to Artsakh has been cut off from the territory under Azerbaijani control. The Azerbaijani side does not allow specialists to approach and understand the reasons in order to carry out emergency repair work if necessary. The 120,000 population of Artsakh is practically deprived of uninterrupted energy supply. Currently, the demand for electricity in Artsakh is met only domestically, at the expense of very limited resources. And since Tuesday, planned power outages have been implemented in Artsakh.

Ruben Vardanyan noted that a rather complicated situation has arisen in relation to energy supply and such steps must be taken that will enable to provide the minimum energy needs of the Artsakh population as long as possible.

The Minister of State instructed the officials of the sector to submit proposals on switching to the energy saving mode and reducing electricity consumption as soon as possible.

During the meeting, the issue of Artsakh residents who have lost their jobs due to the economic situation and the suspension of the activity of enterprises, and matters related to their employment were discussed. The Minister of State instructed to submit more recommendations related to this issue.

The process of technical and organizational work of introducing a coupon system for a group of food products was also reported. It was noted that they are carried out according to the established schedule.

Accordingly, the coupon system for several primary products is planned to enter into force on January 20.
Turkish prosecutors are investigating an "incident" in Stockholm involving a suspended effigy of President Tayyip Erdogan, Reuters reports.

The footage, first posted on Twitter by the Swedish Solidarity Committee in Rustavi, shows an effigy of Erdogan suspended at his feet outside Stockholm City Hall, with several people standing next to him.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told TV4 on Friday that the act was extremely serious and he considered it sabotage against the country's bid for NATO membership. The police said they knew nothing about the incident.

Turkey summoned the Swedish ambassador in connection with the incident.

Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported that the investigation was launched after Erdogan's lawyer filed a lawsuit.

Echoing pro-government Turkish media that broadcast footage of the incident, Aydn noted that the incident is believed to have been organized by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Last year, Sweden and Finland signed a trilateral agreement with Turkey aimed at overcoming Ankara's objections to their NATO membership applications, which require the approval of all 30 NATO member states.

A diplomatic source said Turkey conveyed its reaction to Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrstrom at the Foreign Ministry. Stockholm confirmed that he had been summoned.
Finland may expand its military aid to Ukraine by sending Leopard 2 battle tanks. In a commentary to the news agency STT, the country's President Sauli Niinisto said that Finland is also ready to contribute if a joint European defense assistance package is created for Ukraine, Politico reported.

The number of tanks [to be sent to Ukraine] cannot be large because Finland borders Russia and is not part of NATO. Finland has about 200 Leopard 2 main battle tanks, about a tenth of all such tanks in Europe.

There are certain restrictions on the re-export of German-made Leopard 2 tanks. Berlin has so far been reluctant to send heavy German armor to Kyiv, even if it comes from another EU member state, but its position on this issue may soften.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said earlier that Warsaw would transfer Leopard tanks to Ukraine as part of building an international coalition, adding that such a decision has already been made in Poland.

In response to Duda's comments, German Vice Chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck, who also oversees arms export controls, dismissed fears that Germany might not allow this to happen. He said that "Germany should not stand in the way when other countries make decisions in support of Ukraine, no matter what Germany decides.

However, Germany itself is still hesitant to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Germany should closely coordinate such steps with partners, primarily the United States.




US official congratulates Vietnamese students at English speaking competition

Deputy Chief of the US Mission to Vietnam (DCM) Melissa Bishop praised the potential of Vietnamese youth to serve as a positive force in their country and the region at the final round of the Speak to Lead English Speaking competition on January 12, 2023.













Contestants at the Speak To Lead Speech Contest 2022.





The US Embassy in Hanoi organised this nationwide English-speaking competition in conjunction with Hanoi University and Galaxy Education Joint Stock.



Eighty teams from 39 provinces competed in two virtual preliminary rounds, which focused on workforce readiness, social inclusion, economic growth, STEM development, and innovation. The top six teams of 18 students from Vinh Phuc, Thai Binh, Ha Tinh, Nghe An, An Giang and Phu Yen then competed in the final in-person round in Hanoi.



Throughout the competition, high school students demonstrated their English knowledge and public speaking skills through presentations on the role of education in addressing social issues and furthering youth empowerment in Vietnam.



Speaking at the opening ceremony of the final round, DCM Bishop congratulated the teams for advancing to the final round of the competition, which she considered a significant achievement given the talent of the competing teams. She emphasized that all of the teams were already winners as they are an excellent example of Vietnams potential.



I hope the practical experience you have received from this competition will inspire you to continue enhancing your English-language skills and to deepen your knowledge about the powerful role education plays in todays world. You are all bright young leaders who I know will successfully contribute to your communities and help strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Vietnam, which, this year, is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of our comprehensive partnership. English language cooperation plays a key role in that partnership. stated DCM Bishop.



While all teams demonstrated very high levels of ability, the judges panel determined that Phan Boi Chau Highschool for the gifted in Nghe An Province was the winning team of the competition, while Thoai Ngoc Hau Highschool for the gifted in An Giang province and Ha Tinh Highschool for the gifted in Ha Tinh province were the1st and 2nd runners-up, respectively.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Czech Republics presidential election this weekend is the first of several political showdowns in Central Europe this year that could either stem the tide of populism or turn it into a flood.

As Czechs prepare to replace longtime populist President Milos Zeman, Gallup surveys in 2022 suggest many are ready for some type of change.

The data show Czechs are more aligned with the European Union and NATO than they have been in years and view Russia with disdain. Further, Czechs are largely dissatisfied with their countrys leadership and view their government as rife with corruption.

Quick Summary: Three candidates have a good chance of becoming the countrys second popularly elected president, which is largely a ceremonial role: Andrej Babis, Danuse Nerudova and Petr Pavel. None of the three is expected to garner enough votes in the first round of the election, so the top two vote-getters are likely to face each other in a runoff later in January.

Media owner and former Prime Minister Babis is a familiar face to Czech voters. Like his political ally Zeman, Babis is a populist politician. While the controversial oligarch was acquitted of fraud mere days before the election, Babis still carries the baggage of being ousted as prime minister in the 2021 general election.

Babis main two opponents, Nerudova and Pavel, represent vastly different views on foreign policy, are pro-EU and are anti-authoritarian. Pavel, a career soldier and former chairman of NATOs military committee, is promising to restore order and peace to his country. Economist Nerudova has been campaigning for her vision of change, modernization and capitalism.

Czechs Warm to EU, Grow Cold on Russia: Months before protests erupted last fall, with thousands of Czechs rallying both for and against the EU, NATO and their governments support for Ukraine, Czechs approval of EU leadership was at one of its highest levels to date, and the majority approved of NATO.

Czechs have been gradually warming to EU leadership since 2018. In 2022, nearly half of Czechs (49%) approved of the leadership of the EU, likely nudged slightly higher last year, given that the Czech Republic held the six-month rotating presidency of the EU. Czechs viewed NATO even more positively, with 61% approving of the alliances leadership.

Although far-right protesters rallied against NATO and the EU and appealed for direct talks with Russia about gas supplies, a scant few Czechs approve of Russias leadership. In the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Czechs approval of Russias leadership dropped to a record low of 5%.

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High Corruption, Low Confidence in Leadership: While Babis fraud acquittal may help him in the election, for years, the majority of Czechs have viewed corruption as widespread throughout their government -- including under his previous watch.

In 2022, nearly three in four (74%) Czechs said corruption is endemic in their government -- which is fairly typical for attitudes over the past decade. Since 2009, the percentage of Czechs who have viewed government graft as widespread has dropped below 70% just once: in 2018, when it fell to 67%.

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While Czechs were slightly more approving of their countrys leadership in 2022 than they were in 2020 or 2021, the 33% who approved last year is not a ringing endorsement, and suggests the public is primed for change.

Despite their low confidence in their leadership and belief that there is widespread corruption, most Czechs still believe in the overall political process. When asked about the honesty of elections, nearly two in three (65%) said they are confident in their countrys electoral process.

Bottom Line

The presidential election in the Czech Republic will allow Czechs to make a statement for their government to move toward maturing European liberal democratic politics or, if they prefer, populist, nationalist and authoritarian politics. Additionally, while the Czech president does not hold executive powers, the president can help or hurt the current governments agenda -- in particular, the Czech Republics pro-Ukrainian stance after the Russian invasion.

To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.

For complete methodology and specific survey dates, please review Gallup's Country Data Set details.

Learn more about how the Gallup World Poll works.
Story Highlights Anti-refugee sentiment highest in Hungary, Macedonia

Nearly half in Greece would accept a limited number

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Though the flow of Syrian refugees into Europe has slowed since 2015, hundreds of thousands of Syrians were still seeking asylum there last year. If many in Eastern Europe had their way, however, the number would be zero. In nine out of 15 Eastern European countries and areas surveyed in 2016, at least half the population believed their country should not accept any Syrian refugees.

Many in Eastern Europe Would Bar Syrian Refugees Which opinion is closest to yours? Our country  % Should accept ALL Syrian refugees % Should accept ONLY a limited number % Should NOT accept any Hungary 3 22 70 Macedonia 2 16 66 Montenegro 2 27 65 Slovakia 1 32 61 Latvia 2 33 57 Bulgaria 1 33 56 Czech Republic 2 34 56 Romania 2 35 56 Poland 2 42 50 Serbia 3 39 49 Greece 4 47 47 Albania 7 45 44 Bosnia and Herzegovina 8 35 42 Croatia 5 39 40 Kosovo 6 49 38 Gallup World Poll, 2016

Many of the countries with the strongest opposition to allowing Syrian refugees are located along the Balkan route that once channeled asylum seekers from Greece to Germany. European leaders effectively closed the route last March and signed a deal with Turkey to send migrants back if they did not apply for asylum or if their claim was rejected. All of Gallup's surveys in Eastern Europe took place after the agreement with Turkey. Per the agreement, for every Syrian migrant sent back to Turkey, one already in Turkey needs to relocate to the European Union.

Anti-refugee sentiment is highest in EU member states such as Hungary, which has erected border fences to keep migrants out and, just last month, passed new controversial laws that would confine asylum seekers to camps constructed from shipping containers. Seven in 10 Hungarians in 2016 said their country should not accept any Syrian refugees. Sentiment was similarly high (66%) in non-EU member state Macedonia, which was on the front lines of the migrant wave in 2015 and sealed its border with Greece to keep them out.

No more than 8% of residents in any country or area surveyed in 2016 said their country should accept all Syrian refugees. Residents of countries or areas with larger Muslim populations -- such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, and Kosovo -- tended to be the most open to allowing refugees from majority-Muslim Syria. Kosovo was the most open to accepting a limited number of Syrian refugees (49%).

Greeks, however, closely trailed behind Kosovo residents in believing that a limited number of Syrian refugees should be accepted (47%). This is notable because even if it is not the final destination for migrants, Greece has been an entry point to Europe for hundreds of thousands in the recent crisis. Overall, Greeks are divided on the matter, leaning slightly toward accepting all Syrian refugees (4%) or a limited number of refugees (47%), than not wanting to accept any (47%).

Religious Affiliation Shapes Views Toward Refugees

Although people assume that young adults are typically more accepting of individuals from different backgrounds, there are no differences in attitudes toward refugees by age or, for that matter, by gender or several other demographic factors. Religious affiliation actually emerges as the strongest predictor of people's attitudes toward these refugees. Overall, those identifying themselves as Muslim were the least likely to say their countries should not accept any Syrian refugees (36%). Self-identified Muslims were more likely than members of other religious groups to favor allowing a limited number of (44%) or all (8%) Syrian refugees in their countries.

Attitudes Toward Syrian Refugees Vary by Religious Affiliation Eastern Europe overall % Should accept ALL Syrian refugees % Should accept ONLY a limited number % Should NOT accept any Syrian refugees Christian 2 38 54 Islam/Muslim 8 44 36 Atheist 1 32 63 Gallup World Poll, 2016

Those who identified themselves as atheists or secular (63%) were more likely than those who identified with a particular faith to say their countries should not accept Syrian refugees. Among Christians, similar percentages of orthodox (54%), Protestant (57%) or Catholic (53%) adherents said their countries should not accept any Syrian refugees.

Bottom Line

Fewer migrants or asylum seekers have been arriving in Europe since Turkey and the EU signed their agreement more than a year ago. But as Syria's civil war continues, Syrians remain among the top three citizenships of asylum seekers in the EU; the refugee crisis is far from being declared over.

The quandary now, and likely going forward, is how to deal with the division in Europe about what to do with the refugees who are already there and those who may still come. Leaders from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic -- where public opinion is firmly against accepting refugees -- have openly rejected the EU policy that calls for member states to take in a quota of refugees, drawing warnings from the EU's leadership. The leaders of these countries, in turn, have said the EU is trying to blackmail them into accepting refugees.

While charges like this threaten the bloc's unity, not everyone -- even in these four countries -- is opposed to the EU's current policy. More than one in three in EU member states and non-EU member states in Eastern Europe say their countries should accept a limited number of Syrian refugees, and this percentage is even higher among residents who also approve of the EU's leadership. At the same time, even among the EU leadership's support base in the region, about half also say that their countries should not allow any Syrian refugees.
Special counsel named over Biden documents saga

US Attorney General Merrick Garland, right, announces the appointment of a special counsel to look into the discovery of classified documents involving Joe Biden outside official premises. Photo: AP

US Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appointed a special counsel to investigate the presence of classified documents found at President Joe Bidens home in Wilmington, Delaware, and at an unsecured office in Washington dating from his time as vice president.



Robert Hur, a onetime US attorney appointed by former president Donald Trump, will lead the investigation and plans to begin his work soon.



His appointment marks the second time in a few months that Garland has appointed a special counsel, an extraordinary fact that reflects the Justice Departments efforts to independently conduct high-profile probes in an exceedingly heated political environment.



Both of those investigations, the earlier one involving Trump and documents recovered from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, relate to the handling of classified information, though there are notable differences between those cases.



Garlands decision caps a tumultuous week at the White House, where Biden and his team opened the year hoping to celebrate stronger economic news ahead of launching an expected re-election campaign.



But the administration faced a new challenge on Monday, when it acknowledged that sensitive documents were found at the office of Bidens former institute in Washington. The situation intensified by Thursday morning, when Bidens attorney said an additional classified document was found at a room in his Wilmington home  later revealed by Biden to be his personal library  along with other classified documents in his garage.



The attorney general revealed that Bidens lawyers informed the Justice Department of the latest discovery at the presidents home on Thursday morning, after FBI agents first retrieved documents from the garage in December.



Biden told reporters at the White House that he was cooperating fully and completely with the Justice Department's 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, a lawyer for 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.



Garland said the extraordinary circumstances of the matter required Hur's appointment, adding that the special counsel is authorised to investigate whether any person or entity violated the law.



Federal law requires strict handling procedures for classified information, and official records from Biden's time as vice president are considered government property under the Presidential Records Act.



While Garland said the Justice Department received timely notifications from Biden's personal attorneys after each set of classified documents was identified, the White House provided delayed and incomplete notification to the American public about the discoveries.



Biden's personal attorneys found the first set of classified and official documents on November 2 in a locked closet as they cleared out his office at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, where he worked after he left the vice presidency in 2017 until he launched his presidential campaign in 2019.



The attorneys notified the National Archives, which retrieved the documents the next day and referred the matter to the Justice Department.



Sauber said Biden's attorneys then underwent a search of other locations where documents could have been transferred after Biden left the vice presidency, including his homes in Wilmington and Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Garland said that on December 20, the Justice Department was informed that classified documents and official records were located in Biden's Wilmington garage, near his Corvette, and that FBI agents took custody of them shortly thereafter.



A search on Wednesday evening turned up the most recently discovered classified document in Bidens personal library at his home, and the Justice Department was notified on Thursday, Garland revealed.



The White House only confirmed the discovery of the Penn Biden Center documents in response to news inquiries on Monday and remained silent on the subsequent search of Biden's homes and the discovery of the garage tranche until Thursday morning, shortly before Garland announced Hur's appointment.



Biden, when he first addressed the matter Tuesday while in Mexico City, also didn't let on about the subsequent document discoveries.



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 Trump of more than 300 documents with classification markings found at the former presidents 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.



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... 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, however, he said, We don't think there needs to be a special prosecutor. (AP)
Pakistani police bust organ trafficking ring

A Pakistani man displays a scar from having his kidney removed in Rawalpindi. File photo: AFP

Police in Pakistan said on Friday that they had busted an organ trafficking ring after a missing 14-year-old boy was found in an underground lab after having his kidney removed.



The ring was responsible for luring young, vulnerable victims with promises of lucrative jobs and large payouts before removing their organs  mainly kidneys  to sell for up to $4,000.



"It was only after we followed the evidence and leads that we discovered that there was an organ trafficking operation behind the boy's disappearance," Rehan Anjum, a spokesman for Punjab police, said.



Six people were arrested.



"The boy told us that when he woke up there was an Arab man on the stretcher next to him, so we think that most of the clients were foreigners," Anjum said.



The gang's victims were taken to a medical testing lab used for clandestine organ transplant operations in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad.



Facilities for such operations in Pakistan often lack proper medical equipment and standards, and patients are known to die from complications as result.



"I'm just grateful that the police found him alive, otherwise they had left him for dead," the boy's father said in Lahore, from where the boy went missing.



Police said the doctors and surgeons involved in the operation had not been tracked down.



Pakistan outlawed the commercial trade in human organs in 2010, imposing a jail term of up to 10 years and fines in the hope of curbing the sale of organs to rich overseas clients by middlemen through exploitative means. (AFP)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 13 (ANI/PNN): Bespokewala By HimaliRaj, a well-known wedding designer label for over a decade, stole the show with its exclusive designs and collections at the Couture Fashion Week, organised in conjunction with Season 3 of Global India Couture Week (GICW) at New Delhi recently. Bespokewala by HimaliRaj showcased its stunning and innovative collections at the star-studded show, which also featured other well-known national and international fashion designers, on Sunday. Bespokewala by HimaliRaj wowed the audience with its elegant and ethereal bridal collection made with unmatched craftsmanship. The power couple of stunningly beautiful Amrita Rao and RJ Anmol was the showstopper at the event and walked the ramp in fine dresses designed by Bespokewala by HimaliRaj. The actor set the ramp on fire with an elegant light purple lehenga dress with a matching net chunni. Her other half RJ Anmol walked the ramp wearing a chocolate brown coloured lungi and a matching sleeveless shrug along with a black & white stole. "The response to our collection was simply amazing. Everyone in the audience loved our designs and the special collection. Dressing up Amrita Rao and RJ Anmol and seeing them do the ramp walk in outfits created by me and my partners Imran Shaikh and RutuRaj was like a dream come true," said Hemali Patil of Bespokewala by Himali Raj. Bespokewala by HimaliRaj's latest collection is named Izhaar, which means expression. The collection features elegantly and richly designed new trends in ethnic apparel and includes a wide range of sarees, lehengas, gowns, Indo-western outfits, sherwanis, tuxedos, and kurta bundi sets that are perfect for any occasion. Bespokewala By HimaliRaj has developed a style that explores infinite permutations and possibilities. It creates the most spectacular trends in Indian fashion and represents the pinnacle of modern luxury for both men and women. This story is provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PNN)
According to the statement from the probe agency, Mahesh B Ojha was arrested on January 10. Booked under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the PMLA Special Court has granted 10-day ED custody to the accused.

The agency said multiple first information reports (FIRs) related to fraud and cheating in the name of investment in real estate projects were registered by the Karnataka Police.

PMLA investigation revealed that the complainant in the case 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, ED added.

According to the statement, this amount received for real estate project was rotated through various entities and subsequently diverted by Mahesh Bhupatkumar Oza through another network of entities and people.

It also added Mahesh Kumar Oza was earlier arrested by CID, Bengaluru.

The probe agency said further investigation was underway. (ANI)
On National Startup Day, it is indeed a moment to celebrate that roughly half of all recognised startups in India are now based in Tier II and Tier III cities. This demonstrates that startups are here to stay, despite a brief pause in funding. It may be noted that the government recently announced a USD 200 million investment in startups that design code, tools, or devices. Calling the startup ecosystem a matter of pride, Vidushi Kapoor, Co-Founder, Process9, said, "We should take immense pride in our startup ecosystem, which is today, the third largest in the world. For this, we should recognise not only our ambitious entrepreneurs, but also investors, incubators, and our government, for nurturing this flame into a blazing fireball. In addition to solving problems innovatively, the ecosystem is also a formidable engine for employment generation, that is fuelling the growth of our economy." Shruti Jain, CSO, Arihant Capital, is also hopeful that 2023 will be a year of recovery for Indian startups. "With the Indian economy showing resilience despite all the global headwinds, 2023 will be a good year for startups. The focus will be on companies with a clear roadmap to profitability, that have strong unit economics and strong corporate governance, and that is driving innovation. However, it will be the survival of the fittest," she says. Similarly, travel startups have prepared themselves to meet the increasing demand for travel in a post-Covid world. "As the industry continues to recover, we anticipate a resurgence in both domestic and international travel, as well as a shift towards sustainable and responsible tourism. To achieve this, there is a pressing need for collaboration between the government and private sector, including stimulus for the industry, streamlined visa processes, improved infrastructure and a coordinated approach," says Chirag Gupta, Founder and CEO, Deyor. Gupta said, "As a leader in the travel industry, we at Deyor remain fully committed to providing innovative solutions, while meeting the evolving needs of consumers. We believe that with focused effort and collaboration, the travel industry will not only bounce back but will be better than before." On National Startup Day, Prashant Gupta, Founder and CEO, Caerus3 Advisors and think tank, noted that the startup ecosystem is a rapidly growing and dynamic sector, with new companies and ideas emerging regularly. "Starting a business can be a challenging and daunting task, with many obstacles to overcome along the way like funding, competitors, lack of experience, time constraints, scalability and the high risks involved. To overcome these challenges, startups must be innovative, persistent, and willing to adapt to changing market conditions," he said. "They should also seek out mentorship and guidance from more experienced entrepreneurs, as well as networking opportunities to connect with potential investors, partners, and customers," Gupta said. Talking about the perfect plan for a startup to succeed, Raj Kantak, Founder, Petzzco, said "Successful business will happen only with a perfect business plan and marketing strategy involving finances, funding, (angel investors, crowdfunding, invoice financing, incubators) budget, skills, and availability of time involved. Finding the right equipment to work with in terms of accounting, payroll, website building, and your visible presence on social media can make or break a start in the initial phases." Now that Covid is almost gone, some startups are already tackling real-world issues. Consider the app Unilife, which caters to the needs of college students. "When I studied in London, I had access to student discounts on almost every product or service. I realised from my experience what Indian college students were missing out on. So, looking at the untapped student market, Anuja and I founded Unilife. The biggest challenge was to identify what students in India required, to make their college life fun and affordable. To combat this challenge Unilife was made into an off-campus lifestyle app. We wanted to make sure that through Unilife, students are easily able to navigate their off-campus life," said Ali Ishaq, Co-founder and CMO, Unilife. (ANI)
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. --IANS aal/srb ( 245 Words) 2023-01-12-22:34:03 (IANS)
The deceased writer was admitted to the hospital for 10 days, where he battled his ailment before passing away.

Sanjay is survived by his wife Sarita and daughter Sara. Chouhan took an active part in defending the rights of the writing community as well. Chouhan received many honours throughout his career, including a Filmfare Award for Best Story for his subliminal film I Am Kalam (2011). Among Chouhan's notable films are Dhoop and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Maara. Not just this, the late writer also has co-written Saheb Biwi Gangster films with Tigmanshu Dhulia.

Chouhan was born and raised in Bhopal, according to online reports. His mother was a teacher, and his father was employed by the Indian Railways.

Sanjay Chauhan began his career as a journalist in Delhi before relocating to Mumbai after penning the 1990s crime drama Bhanwar for Sony television. Chouhan also wrote the dialogue for Sudhir Mishra's acclaimed 2003 film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, which is another one of his noteworthy accomplishments.

The funeral will take place at Mumbai's Oshiwara crematorium today at 12.30 p.m. (ANI)
Makers of the upcoming action thriller web series 'Farzi' unveiled the official trailer on Friday. Taking to Instagram, the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video shared the trailer and wrote, "Sab Farzi hai... par yeh trailer asli hai." https://www.instagram.com/p/CnWRdSNgO8N/ Helmed by the acclaimed director duo, Raj and DK, the crime thriller marks the digital debut of Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi and is all set to stream exclusively on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video from February 10, 2023. The series also stars Kay Kay Menon, Raashii Khanna, Amol Palekar, Regina Cassandra, and Bhuvan Arora in pivotal roles. The trailer gives us a glimpse into the life of a small-time con artist Sunny (played by Shahid), who finds himself drawn into the dark while creating a perfect con. However, a fiery and unconventional task force officer (played by Vijay Sethupathi) has made it his mission to rid the nation of the threat he poses. Spanning eight episodes, 'Farzi' is a fast-paced, edgy, one-of-a-kind crime thriller, with the director duo's trademark humour, stiched around a clever underdog street artist's pursuit to con the system that favours the rich. Speaking about the series, Shahid said, "This Amazon Original Series, Farzi has a special corner in my heart. Kehne ko toh this is my digital debut, but working with Raj and DK, felt like home. And working with such brilliant co-actors like Vijay Sethupathi, Nanu (Amolji), Kay Kay Menon, Raashii had its own charm. Playing Artist aka Sunny wasn't simple, the character is quite complex, his situations and his greed for a better life makes him take some decisions, which he has not necessarily thought through. I am quite sure, that the audience will love the show, they will enjoy the humour, the grit and the overall story, it will keep them at the edge of their seats. And of course, Prime Video will be taking this series to a worldwide audience, usse better kya hi ho sakta hai, that people around the world get to watch this amazing content." Actor Vijay Sethupathi said, "It has been an absolute pleasure working with the dynamic duo Raj and DK and alongside Shahid Kapoor, who is both a talented actor and a wonderful person. It was incredible to work with such a brilliant team and create something as mind blowing as Farzi. I can't think of a better digital debut, and I'm excited for the series' global release." (ANI)
Taking to Instagram, Kartik shared a picture and wrote, "Thank you for the spectacular response to Shehzada."

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnWieX5PtFB/

In the picture, Kartik could be seen standing in front of the 'Shehzada' poster facing his fans.

Makers of the upcoming masala entertainer film unveiled the official trailer on Thursday.

The 3-minute trailer showcases the 'Luka Chuppi' actor in a never seen avatar. Action-packed scenes, quirky dialogues and power-packed performances from the complete star cast of the film increases the excitement level among the fans.

Helmed by Rohit Dhawan the film stars Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon, Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal, Ronit Roy, and Sachin Khedekar in the lead roles and is all set to hit the theatres on February 10, 2023.

'Shehzada' also marks the debut of Kartik as a producer.

Talking about the film, director Rohit Dhawan said, "The trailer just gives a small taste of what the audiences are in for! A great family entertainer, Shehzada is a grand cinematic experience for all generations."

Producer Bhushan Kumar said, "It was a great time working on Shehzada, we wanted to launch the trailer in mass way to connect to the larger audiences, I'm super ecstatic with the response the trailer has got!"

'Shehzada' is an official Hindi remake of the Telugu film 'Ala Vaikunthapurramloo' which starred actor Allu Arjun in the lead role.

Kartik will also be seen in director Kabir Khan's upcoming untitled film and Hansal Mehta's next 'Captain India'. (ANI)
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. --IANS avr/arm ( 255 Words) 2023-01-12-23:12:03 (IANS)
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. --IANS arc/vd ( 751 Words) 2023-01-12-22:28:02 (IANS)
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. --IANS sg/vd ( 358 Words) 2023-01-12-22:40:03 (IANS)
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.

--IANS smita/pgh

( 211 Words)

2023-01-12-22:50:05 (IANS)
In a meeting with Revenue Authorities, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta on Thursday directed the district administration to fill all the vacant positions of Numberdars and Chowkidars before the 26th of this month. He also told them to identify those whose performance is not up to mark and replace them with young and enthusiastic persons as per the relevant rules and acts, read a statement from the Department of information and public relations Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised on the need for strengthening of traditional and vital village institutions like Numberdar and Chowkidar throughout J&K saying that the positions of Numberdar and Chowkidar are very significant in terms of better coordination at the grassroot levels and can't be kept vacant at the peril of common masses. He termed them as a link between the people and administration therefore the instruments of empowering rural population. The Chief Secretary further directed the District Administrations to work in close coordination with them so that the requisite flow of information from villages is prompt and hassle free. He even suggested they create a WhatsApp group of all of these basic field workers so they can bring their suggestions/grievances directly to the administration. Putting emphasis on the cleanliness of all villages, the Chief Secretary enquired from DCs about the measures taken by them to ensure door-to-door collection of waste and removal of legacy waste in each of them. He said that each village should look substantially cleaner than before. He asked them to include the locals and Panchayati Raj Institutions in these activities for their sustainability. (ANI)
With an aim to facilitate devotees, visiting Gangasagar Mela-- largest fair after Kumbh Mela, the district administration has deployed police personnel to water ambulances at Sagardwip, District Magistrate of South 24 Parganas said on Thursday. Taking note of the preparations ahead of the Gangasagar Mela, the District Magistrate of South 24 Parganas, Sumit Gupta told ANI that everything has been taken into consideration regarding safety and security ahead of the second-largest fair in India. "Gangasagar fair is the biggest fair in the Eastern part of India, where lakhs of devotees and seers come every year. All the activities of the fair are being monitored from the mega control room for monitoring all the areas. CCTV cameras have been mounted and drones are being used to monitor each and every activity of the fair. We are well prepared," Sumit Gupta said. He said that a heavy deployment of security personnel is also done. "Police, Navy, Disaster Management teams and Civil Defence Force have been in the line of duty to keep an eye on crowd management, as well as arrangements have been made to transport people in buses, vessels, etc.," he said, adding that arrangements have been made from transportation to boats, and vessels to cater for lakhs of devotees, visiting the fair crossing the ocean." South 24 Parganas District Magistrate told ANI that earlier, Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee has also visited the spot to review preparations. "CCTV cameras and drones are installed, and an integrated control room has been set up, overseen by police, civil defence, and civil administration. Monitoring is also being done by State Secretariat, Nabanna. Complete monitoring is being done by senior cops," DM said. As per Sumit Gupta, water ambulance and air ambulance are available at the Mela ground for medical purposes. "We have deployed doctors, police, and volunteers on a massive scale and we are able to manage all the people, planning to visit," he said. Gangasagar Mela, the second largest fair after Kumbh Mela, is returning after two years of hiatus due to covid restrictions. Around 30 lakh pilgrims are expected at the mela and the government has made all the necessary preparations for the same. Though around 1100 CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure a smooth flow of events in the mela and to maintain security at the site, the government has not issued any guidelines to be followed during the mela. Earlier, the Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while speaking to the press informed about the preparations for the Mela. She stated that three helipads had been inaugurated at Gangasagar and a Detail Report Project (DRP) is being prepared for Mourigram bridge as the Gangasagar journey is tough. She also mentioned that they will provide Rs 5 lakh insurance if any untoward incident takes place between January 8 to 17 in the mela as the holy dip is planned for January 14 to 15. It is observed on the pious day of 'Makar Sankranti', a festival to mark the beginning of the harvesting season, the Gangasagar Mela witnesses many spiritual devotees every year who visit, especially to take a dip in the sacred waters of the river Ganga at Sagardwip, from where it finally merges into the Bay of Bengal. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that proposals worth Rs 15,42,500 crores have been received from industrialists and investors to set-up industries in the state through the Global Investors Summit (GIS). CM Chouhan made the above remark while addressing the closing session of the GIS on Thursday. He also said that with these investments, the possibilities of providing employment to 29 lakh people would be realised. As a result of intention to invest, implementation would add an important chapter in the progress of the state. "Proposals have been received for an investment of Rs 6,09,478 crore in the renewable energy sector. Similarly, Rs 2,80,753 crore in urban infrastructure, Rs 1,06,149 crore in food processing and agriculture sector, Rs 98,305 in mining and related industries, Rs 78,778 crore in information technology sector, Rs 76,769 crore in chemical and petroleum industry, Rs 71,351 crore in various services sector, Rs 42,254 crore in automobile and electric vehicle sector, Rs 17,991 crore in pharmaceutical and health sector, Rs 17,916 crore in logistics and warehousing sector, Rs 16,914 crore in textile and garment sector and Rs 1,25,853 crore in other sectors," Chouhan informed. He said, "All the ministers of the state, central ministers, ambassadors of different countries, business leaders and officers-employees deserve thanks for the success of the Global Investors Summit. Everyone was very enthusiastic about the summit. The people of Indore gave an overwhelming traditional welcome. Keeping in view the future need of such programmes, a new convention centre with a capacity of 10,000 people will be built in Indore." Giving details of the summit, he said, "Business delegates from 84 countries took part in the summit. There were a total of 10 partner countries. Apart from this, representatives of embassies of 35 countries took part. Over 2600 meetings were held in two days. More than 5000 businessmen took part. Agreements were signed with a total of 36 foreign business organisations. G-20 partners and many business delegates joined the summit. Twenty sectoral presentations were noteworthy in the summit." (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday exuded confidence in a fruitful visit to Switzerland's Davos to participate in World Economic Forum (WEF) by saying that he will bring huge returns for the State and India's financial capital Mumbai. Earlier, some reports surfaced, alleging Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis have decided to cut short his visit to Davos for the WEF gathering as PM Modi would be in Mumbai on January 19. Reacting to the 'reports', Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut took a dig at the ruling alliance in Maharashtra and alleged that the government was concerned about BMC elections. "The government is not serious. They can request the Prime Minister to give another date but Davos dates won't change... This is being done for BMC (Bombay municipal corporation) elections and nothing else. Our Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are not serious about investments in Maharashtra," Raut alleged. Reacting to the developments, CM Shinde said, "No need to worry, I am going to Davos and will bring huge investments for Maharashtra and Mumbai. Davos visit and the Prime Minister's visit will be done smoothly and no hindrances came between our projects and PM Modi's visit." However, sources said that heeding the PM's visit, CM Shinde has decided to curtail his Davos visit. "PM Modi is set to launch a number of infrastructure projects for Mumbai. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has decided to cut short his trip to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, because Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Mumbai on January 19. Industrial Minister Uday Samant will also be joining CM Eknath Shinde in Davos. Uday Samant will be leaving for Davos on Thursday," sources told ANI. This will be PM Modi's first visit to Mumbai after the Shinde-Fadnavis government took over the reins of the state. His visit is likely to kick-start the campaign for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Balsahebanchi Shiv Sena, led by Shinde. While the PM's Office is yet to convey the official schedule of his visit, the programme is likely to take place at the MMRDA ground in Bandra-Kurla Complex on January 19. The visit will be marked by the inauguration of a slew of infrastructure projects focused on Mumbai. A delegation of Maharashtra visited Davos in June last year for World Economic Forum Annual Meeting to seek investments. (ANI)
The deceased is identified as Rajesh Poojary, a resident of Sajipa in the district.

According to the officials, the deceased is a Goraksha Pramukh of the Bajarang Dal local unit.

Immediately locals informed the Bantwal Town police after a two-wheeler was also found abandoned on the bridge of Panemangaluru in the morning.

As per police, prima facie, it is suspected that Rajesh Poojary was riding his two-wheeler in Sajipa when a vehicle collided with his two-wheeler leading him to fall into the Netravati river.

"Police have registered a case at Bantwala town Police Station regarding the matter," said police Superintendent, Rishikesh Sonawane.

Police's investigation into this matter is underway.

Further information is awaited. (ANI)
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday sent a proposal to Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena urging him to conduct mayoral polls for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi before January 30. Citing the long delay in the elections for the office of MCD Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the Delhi Deputy CM sent a proposal to conduct the elections on January 18, 20, 21 or 24. "A proposal has been sent to the LG to hold the mayoral elections in Delhi on 18, 20, 21 or 24 January. Requested that MCD is working without a mayor for the last 8 months. Therefore, it is not good to delay further. The MCD officials had sent the proposal of the meeting to the Delhi government on January 30," Sisodia tweeted in Hindi. The proposal was sent after MCD officers sought the Delhi government's nod to conduct elections on January 30. The new date for the mayoral polls in MCD was decided after the maiden meeting of the MCD house in the Civic Centre witnessed a ruckus over the swearing-in of the alderman, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sloganeering against each other High drama ensued in the house for over an hour as Delhi was all set to elect its first single mayor in 10 years after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was unified last year. High pitched ruckus was heard in the MCD House as the presiding officer invited alderman Manoj Kumar to take oath first. The presiding officer, MCD commissioner and other officials left the House after the ruckus. Aam Aadmi Party, which won the MCD polls, with 134 seats has fielded two candidates - Shelly Oberoi along with Ashu Thakur. While Rekha Gupta, a three-term councillor from Shalimar Bagh, is the BJP's nominee for the mayor poll. (ANI)
Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has successfully concluded the pre-bid Conference for leasing the 1,24,000 Square metres of land adjacent to the Dwarka Sector 21 Metro station in New Delhi. The conference was held both online as well as offline mode. As per the official note, among the developers who attended the pre-bid meeting and expressed interest in this land parcel were DLF Ltd., Omaxe Ltd., Godrej Properties, Bharti Realty, GMR Group, Unity Group, Pacific Group, Raheja Group, ELDECO Group, Balaji Properties, ATS Homekraft, Birla Estates, Young Builders (P) Ltd, Welspun Enterprises Ltd., Jindal Realty, Birla Estates, etc. Talking about this meeting, the Vice Chairman of RLDA Ved Parkash Dudeja informed, "we are pleased to note the participation of leading developers at the pre-bid meeting for this land parcel. The land parcel is adjacent to the Dwarka Sector 21 Metro station and is surrounded by well-developed physical and social infrastructure, making it ideal for a mix-use development. This land represents a lucrative opportunity for developers to build a residential or commercial project to meet New Delhi's rising demand for premium real estate property." According to the official statement, the proposed 124,000-square-meter Railway Land parcel is available for a 99-year lease in well-developed Sector 21, Dwarka, Delhi. The reserve price for the land parcel is INR 1193.00 Crores, which is for mixed-use (55 per cent Residential and 45 per cent Commercial) on Combined Plot MU4+MU5+MU6 Railway Land Parcel. The site is strategically located near IGI airport in New Delhi's southwest. The site has two clear frontages and is accessible from the main Sector-22 Road on the west and the Urban Extension Road (UER-II) on the south. The site is bounded to the north by the Dwarka Sector 21 Metro Station and Pacific D21 Mall, to the east by the proposed Bijwasan Railway Station, and to the west by the proposed Dwarka ISBT. Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) is a statutory authority with the Ministry of Railways responsible for railway land development. As part of its development strategy, RLDA has four key mandates, i.e. leasing of commercial sites and multi-functional complexes, colony redevelopment and station redevelopment. During the current Financial Year, RLDA has leased out 22 sites across the country. (ANI)
The scenario was that at about 3.05 PM, a PCR call was received about a terrorist attack as part of the mock drill, officials said.

Immediately, a message was flashed to all concerned agencies including the Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), and Primary Counter Assault teams of Delhi Police.

Within minutes of the incident, a Command Post was set up at Suneheri Masjid opposite Tikona Park. Local Staff within the North District Police were pooled in with complete bulletproof jackets and firepower to act as first responders.

"First of all, complete access control was established within minutes and the incident site was cordoned off to avoid any further damage. All agencies responded swiftly. The terrorists were challenged by the team of North District," a press note read.

"During the mock drill, two terrorists were shot and one terrorist was neutralized and overpowered by the SWAT Team of Delhi Police. Moreover, three injured persons were immediately rushed to the Aruna Asif Ali Govt Hospital, Shrusuta Trauma Centre and LNJP Hospital well in time and three hostages were released from the captive of terrorists and evacuated safely," the press note added.

Red Fort is one of the vital installations and also a Historical Monument of India. Various historical monuments and busy shopping market areas are also located in the vicinity of the Red Fort.

In the run-up to forthcoming Republic Day 2023 celebrations, North District will be regularly organizing such mock drills at important Vital Installations as well as in market areas in order to augment Anti-Terror measures and to sensitize the general public to remain alert. (ANI)
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed condolences over the demise of socialist leader and former Union Minister Sharad Yadav. "Saddened by the demise of former Union Minister Sharad Yadav. I had a very deep relationship with Sharad Yadav ji. I am shocked and saddened by the news of his demise. He was a strong socialist leader. His demise has caused an irreparable loss in the social and political field. May his soul rest in peace," tweeted the Bihar Chief Minister. Yadav breathed his last on Thursday at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram where he was rushed after he collapsed at his residence in Delhi. The veteran leader was suffering from kidney-related issues for a long time and regularly underwent dialysis. The family members paid respects to the former Union Minister at his residence in Delhi's Chhatarpur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the demise of the veteran politician and founder-member of Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U). Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr Lohia's ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti." Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati also condoled the demise of Sharad Yadav. "The news of the demise of Sharad Yadav, a prominent face in the country's politics, who was a member of both houses of Parliament and a former minister for a long time, is very sad. My deepest condolences to his family and all his loved ones. May nature gives them all the strength to bear this sorrow," tweeted Mayawati. Sharad Yadav was born on July 1, 1947, in Babai Village in Madhya Pradesh's Hoshangabad. A socialist leader who remained a prominent figure for a large part of his political life, especially in the peak era of coalitions, Sharad Yadav forged several alliances and turns of the journey saw friends turning into foes and then again returning back to forge partnerships. In his political life spanning nearly five decades, Sharad Yadav served as a Union Minister, convenor of the National Democratic Alliance and the president of Janata Dal-United. He was a prominent leader from the socialist block in parallel with other socialist leaders like the late Mulayam Singh Yadav and George Fernandes. Sharad Yadav's political career rose during the anti-Congress movement in the 70s. The year was 1974, it was his Lok Sabha by-poll win from Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur as the opposition candidate against the Congress which boosted its political fight against the then prime minister Indira Gandhi. After Emergency, he won again in 1977 and marked himself counted among several leaders to have come out of the anti-Emergency movement. In 1979 Yadav became the national general secretary of the Lok Dal. Eight years later, in 1987, he was involved in the events that led to the founding of the Janata Dal (JD) in 1988, under the leadership of V.P. Singh. When Singh became prime minister of a short-lived coalition government (1989-90), Yadav was inducted into the cabinet as head of the Textiles and Food Processing Industries Ministry. Sharad Yadav served as a minister in the VP Singh government in 1989, but his highpoint came after a decade in the late 1990s, when he was in the fray against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in Madhepura, a parliamentary seat dominated by voters from the Yadav caste, and drubbed the latter which earned him a ministerial berth in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. In 1997 Yadav became president of the Janata Dal. However, in 1999 a spilt happened in the party when he chose to make the Janata Dal a component of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government. A faction led by H.D. Deve Gowda strongly opposed that move and left the Janata Dal to form a new party that became known as Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S). Yadav remained the head of his own faction, which took the name Janata Dal-United (JD-U). He served in the NDA cabinet as the minister of civil aviation, labour, and consumer affairs, food, and public distribution. The JD(U) was reconstituted as a new party in 2003 after smaller parties merged with it.In 2006, Yadav was elected party president. He was again elected to the Lok Sabha from Madhepura in 2009. But after the JD(U)'s defeat in the 2014 general elections, Sharad Yadav's relations with Nitish Kumar saw a change. In the Bihar assembly elections of 2017, when the JD(U) under Nitish Kumar realigned with the BJP (the two parties had been partners in the 2004 and 2009 general elections), Sharad Yadav refused to follow. Yadav who had launched his own party Loktantrik Janata Dal, merged with Lalu Yadav's outfit RJD in March 2020 which he said was the "first step towards a united opposition". (ANI)
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday paid tribute to socialist leader and former Union minister Sharad Yadav, who passed away last night. The Wayanad MP reached Yadav's Delhi residence and met the family members of the late leader. "I have learnt a lot about politics from Sharad Yadav Ji. His passing away today has left me saddened. He shared a relationship of respect with my 'dadi' (Indira Gandhi)," Rahul Gandhi told reporters while leaving Yadav's residence. Sharad Yadav breathed his last on Thursday at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram where he was rushed after he collapsed at his residence in Delhi. The veteran leader was suffering from kidney-related issues for a long time and regularly underwent dialysis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences over the demise of the veteran politician and founder-member of Bihar's ruling Janata Dal-United (JDU). Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "Pained by the passing away of Shri Sharad Yadav Ji. In his long years in public life, he distinguished himself as MP and Minister. He was greatly inspired by Dr Lohia's ideals. I will always cherish our interactions. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti." A condolence message also came from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. "I am saddened by the demise of Sharad Yadav, a senior leader of the socialist stream of the country, former JDU president. Serving the country as a former Union Minister and an outstanding Parliamentarian for decades, he strengthened the politics of equality. My deepest condolences to his family and supporters," Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted in Hindi. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar too expressed condolences over the demise of socialist leader and former Union Minister Sharad Yadav. "Saddened by the demise of former Union Minister Sharad Yadav. I had a very deep relationship with Sharad Yadav ji. I am shocked and saddened by the news of his demise. He was a strong socialist leader. His demise has caused an irreparable loss in the social and political field. May his soul rest in peace," tweeted the Bihar Chief Minister. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati also condoled the demise of Sharad Yadav. "The news of the demise of Sharad Yadav, a prominent face in the country's politics, who was a member of both houses of Parliament and a former minister for a long time, is very sad. My deepest condolences to his family and all his loved ones. May nature gives them all the strength to bear this sorrow," tweeted Mayawati. Sharad Yadav was born on July 1, 1947, in Babai Village in Madhya Pradesh's Hoshangabad. A socialist leader who remained a prominent figure for a large part of his political life, especially in the peak era of coalitions, Sharad Yadav forged several alliances and turns of the journey saw friends turning into foes and then again returning back to forge partnerships. In his political life spanning nearly five decades, Sharad Yadav served as a Union Minister, convenor of the National Democratic Alliance and the president of Janata Dal-United.He was a prominent leader from the socialist block in parallel with other socialist leaders like the late Mulayam Singh Yadav and George Fernandes. Sharad Yadav's political career rose during the anti-Congress movement in the 70s.The year was 1974, it was his Lok Sabha by-poll win from Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur as the opposition candidate against the Congress which boosted its political fight against the then prime minister Indira Gandhi. After Emergency, he won again in 1977 and marked himself counted among several leaders to have come out of the anti-Emergency movement. In 1979 Yadav became the national general secretary of the Lok Dal. Eight years later, in 1987, he was involved in the events that led to the founding of the Janata Dal (JD) in 1988, under the leadership of V.P. Singh. When Singh became prime minister of a short-lived coalition government (1989-90), Yadav was inducted into the cabinet as head of the Textiles and Food Processing Industries Ministry. Sharad Yadav served as a minister in the VP Singh government in 1989, but his highpoint came after a decade in the late 1990s, when he was in the fray against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in Madhepura, a parliamentary seat dominated by voters from the Yadav caste, and drubbed the latter which earned him a ministerial berth in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. In 1997 Yadav became president of the Janata Dal. However, in 1999 a spilt happened in the party when he chose to make the Janata Dal a component of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government. A faction led by H.D. Deve Gowda strongly opposed that move and left the Janata Dal to form a new party that became known as Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S). Yadav remained the head of his own faction, which took the name Janata Dal-United (JD-U). He served in the NDA cabinet as the minister of civil aviation, labour, and consumer affairs, food, and public distribution. The JD(U) was reconstituted as a new party in 2003 after smaller parties merged with it.In 2006, Yadav was elected party president. He was again elected to the Lok Sabha from Madhepura in 2009. But after the JD(U)'s defeat in the 2014 general elections, Sharad Yadav's relations with Nitish Kumar saw a change. In the Bihar assembly elections of 2017, when the JD(U) under Nitish Kumar realigned with the BJP (the two parties had been partners in the 2004 and 2009 general elections), Sharad Yadav refused to follow. Yadav who had launched his own party Loktantrik Janata Dal, merged with Lalu Yadav's outfit RJD in March 2020 which he said was the "first step towards a united opposition". (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a meeting with economists at NITI Aayog on Friday, sources said. As per information, Prime Minister in the meeting will seek the opinions and suggestions of the economists and will also assess the state of the Indian economy and its challenges, ahead of the Union Budget. The Budget Session of Parliament is likely to begin on January 31 and is expected to conclude on April 6 with a recess in between, government sources had said on January 2. The session will start with an address by President Droupadi Murmu to the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in the Central Hall of Parliament. This will be the first address to the two Houses of Parliament by President Murmu since her elevation to the top post in July last year. On the first day of the budget session, the Economic Survey will also be tabled in both Houses, the sources said. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is likely to present the Union Budget in Parliament on February 1 and the first part of the session is expected to continue till February 10, the sources said. They said that after a recess during which the standing committees examine the demands of grants of various ministries, the second part of the Budget Session is likely to start on March 6 and conclude on April 6. During the first part of the Budget Session, the two Houses have a detailed discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address followed by a discussion on the Union Budget. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reply to the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, the Finance Minister will also reply to the debate on the union budget. During the second part of the Budget Session, the major focus would be the discussion on the demands for grants for various ministries apart from the government's legislative agenda. The Union Budget, a money bill, is passed during this part of the session. (ANI)
The luxury bus with 50 passengers was on its way to Shirdi at the time of the accident.According to the Wavi Police, the accident occurred near Pathare village of Nashik when a luxury bus going towards Shirdi collided with a truck on the Sinnar Shirdi Highway.

"Ten people including seven women lost their lives in the accident whereas several others who suffered serious injuries have been shifted to the Sinnar Rural Hospital and a private hospital in Sinnar," the police said.

Police further said that the bus had departed from Ambernath in the Thane district and was carrying around 50 people to Shirdi.

Chief minister Eknath Shinde has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the deceased.

Shinde also ordered authorities to conduct an investigation into the incident. (ANI)
Highlighting the country's development strides and cultural heritage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India cannot be defined in words and can only be experienced from the heart. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the world's longest river cruise MV Ganga Vilas in Varanasi via video conferencing on Friday. He also inaugurated the Tent City at Varanasi and laid the foundation stones for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1,000 crore. Addressing the ceremony via video conferencing, PM Modi said, "This is the decade of transforming India's infrastructure. India has everything that one can imagine. It also has a lot beyond your imagination. India cannot be defined in words. India can only be experienced from the heart because India it always opened her heart for everyone, irrespective of region or religion, creed or country." He said the beginning of the world's longest river cruise service on river Ganga is a landmark moment. It will herald a new age of tourism in India. "Wherever the cruise passes through, it will create a new line of development. Today, foundation stones have been laid for several other inland waterways projects worth more than Rs 1000 crores. This will expand trade and tourism and employment opportunities in eastern India," Prime Minister said. PM said Ganga is not just a stream for the people of the country but is the symbol of India's penance. PM Modi said the commencement of MV Ganga Vilas river cruise which will sail over 3,200 km is a living example of the development of inland waterways in the country. He said work is being done on the development of 111 national water highways across 24 States. An official of Port, Shipping and Waterways told ANI that the world's longest River Cruise MV Ganga Vilas is the first-ever cruise vessel to be made in India. MV Ganga Vilas will begin its journey from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and travel around 3,200 km in 51 days to reach Dibrugarh in Assam via Bangladesh, sailing across 27 river systems in India and Bangladesh. MV Ganga Vilas has three decks, 18 suites on board with a capacity of 36 tourists, with all the luxury amenities. The maiden voyage has 32 tourists from Switzerland signing up for the entire length of the journey. The MV Ganga Vilas cruise is curated to bring out the best of the country to be showcased to the world. The 51 days cruise is planned with visits to 50 tourist spots including World Heritage Sites, National Parks, River Ghats, and major cities like Patna in Bihar, Sahibganj in Jharkhand, Kolkata in West Bengal, Dhaka in Bangladesh, and Guwahati in Assam. The journey will give the tourists an opportunity to embark upon an experiential voyage and indulge in the art, culture, history, and spirituality of India and Bangladesh. Further, Tent City has been conceptualized on the banks of the River Ganga to tap the potential of tourism in the region. The project has been developed opposite to city ghats which will provide accommodation facilities and cater to the increased tourist influx in Varanasi, especially since the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham. It has been developed by Varanasi Development Authority. The tourists will reach the Tent City by boats from different Ghats situated in the vicinity. The tent city will be operational from October to June every year and will be dismantled for three months due to rise in river water level in the rainy season. (ANI)
The student, identified as Amit Nayak, was studying at Ram Manohar Lohia Institute. His body was found in Sector 14 of the Indiranagar area of Lucknow, DCP North Qasim Abdi said.

"After receiving no response from Nayak's room, his fellow doctor colleagues broke the door and retrieved his body," the DCP added.

"As per the preliminary investigation, the case appears to be a case of suicide. The case is being further investigated," Qasim Abdi said.

The body has been sent for postmortem. Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI)
Slow subsidence up to 9 cm is recorded in Joshimath town over a period of seven months, between April and November 2022, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) satellite-based report. National Remote Sensing Centre, ISRO said several reports over the last few days highlighted the subsidence occurring in Joshimath. Due to landslide-related creep, cracks have appeared in around 700 houses. Roads along with the hotels and hospitals present there have developed cracks, said NRSC. ISRO, in its observation, said, "Slow subsidence up to 9 cm within the Joshimath town is recorded over a period of 7 months, between April and November 2022. Between December 27, 2022 and January 8, 2023 a rapid subsidence event was triggered." The region subsided around 5 cm within a span of a few days and the areal extent ofsubsidence has also increased. But it is confined to the central part of Joshimath town, said the space agency of India. A subsidence zone resembling a generic landslide shape was identified (tapered top andfanning out at base). The Crown of the subsidence is located near Joshimath-Auli road at aheight of 2,180 metre, said ISRO report. The identified subsidence zone was correlated with new Cartosat-2S satellite data acquired by ISRO. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday said that the Prime Minister is personally distressed about the land subsidence in Uttarakhand's Joshimath.He further added that the Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is constantly working to bring the situation under control. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also enquired about the situation in Joshimath over the phone from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday. According to the Chief Minister's Office, the Home Minister assured all possible assistance to the Uttarakhand government for Joshimath. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday chaired a meeting with all stakeholders on the Joshimath land subsidence issue. During the meeting, the chief minister interacted with the Army, ITBP, NDRF and scientists from various establishments engaged in landslide investigation, district administration, police and district-level officers associated with essential services at Sunil ITBP camp. The CM said that the safety of the citizens is our biggest responsibility. He instructed everyone to ensure all arrangements for the safety of the people, a release from the chief minister's office said. The Chief Minister also interacted with the scientists of various establishments engaged in the investigation of landslides and inquired about the ongoing studies and research into the causes of landslides in Joshimath. During the meeting, scientists informed the chief minister about the investigation so far. "I have met with everyone and assured people that state administration is with the people of Joshimath. We will help everyone," CM Pushkar Dhami told the media after the meeting. He said it is our priority to lay the way forward for those affected while protecting their lives and property, an official statement added. Later, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting with local public representatives and eminent citizens. He asked everyone to work in coordination with the administration in times of disaster. CM said, that 1.50 lakhs are being given immediately as interim assistance to all those whose houses, shops, and businesses have been affected. (ANI)
The pilot has been de-rostered, the airline said in a statement.

"Safety for Alliance Air is paramount and such occurrences are viewed seriously by Alliance Air. The said pilot has been de-rostered pending investigation. We ensure that all required corrective actions are in place," stated the Alliance airline.

"We would like to reiterate that Alliance Air as an airline adheres to the procedures/policies. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our esteemed guests on board," the statement further added.

Alliance Air operated a charter flight from Delhi to Uttarlai Air Force Station on 9 January. After landing, the pilot clicked several pictures and made videos following which the IAF detained him.

IAF has lodged a complaint with the regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). (ANI)
The world is going through multifarious crisis and India is not an exception. India's current presidency at the G20 is going to offer it the platform to resolve many such issues at the global level. United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, Shombi Sharp, discussed the role of India in the present multilateralism situation in an exclusive interview with DD India. At present, the world is going through a polycrisis. Food, fuel, and fertilizers shortage has engulfed various countries and led to the disruption of supply chains. He highlighted that India and the G20 are uniquely positioned in this time of crisis and are capable enough to bring the countries back together, reported NewsonAir. India's presidency is based on the guiding principles of inclusiveness, ambition, and decisiveness, and is action-oriented. This is the first time G20 will have the highest participation from the non-member countries and international organizations which will further give a boost to collective action towards global issues. Further, India's guiding principle of women-led development is going to be a key factor in inspiring other countries towards gender equality. Calling India's G20 Presidency 'incredibly important, Sharp said that the world is looking to the G20 and to India's presidency to try to come up with some solutions, both short and immediate. "India and every country in the world right now is reeling from the impact, and recovering from the covid pandemic. Now, the war in Ukraine has led to food and fuel and leading to a rapid increase in the cost of living for everybody and impacting developing countries and poor communities the most. So, the timing of the G20 that the timing of India's presidency of the G20 really is incredibly important. The world is looking out to the G20 and to India's presidency to try to come up with some solutions, both short and immediate, you know, shock absorbers and as well as to regain and maintain our focus on medium and longer-term issues of climate change, for example," said Shombi as reported by Business Standard. India's G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant stressed on India's belief that every crisis is an opportunity and leadership is about finding path-breaking solutions in the midst of crisis. He focused on the onerous responsibility of all G20 sherpas to give shape to a new future. India on December 1 officially assumed the year-long G20 Presidency of the influential group during which more than 200 meetings will be held in the country across 55 locations. The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world's major developed and developing economies. It comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US, and the European Union, reported Business Standard. Drawing inspiration from its G20 Presidency theme of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - 'One Earth One Family One Future', India will host over 200 meetings in over 50 cities across 32 different workstreams and would have the opportunity to offer G20 delegates and guests a glimpse of India's rich cultural heritage and provide them with a unique Indian experience. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president JP Nadda will embark on his visit to West Bengal on January 19 under the party's Lok Sabha Pravas campaign. The day-long visit is being planned for the party president to Krishnanagar city in Nadia district. "We are still in the process of finalising the detailed schedule but as of now he is to visit the ISCKON Temple in the vicinity and will address a public meeting and hold an organisation meeting amongst other things," a top BJP functionary told ANI. The BJP leader from West Bengal said that the party will focus on booth strengthening. "He will also connect with our booth workers and we expect that close to 30000 people will connect with him through it. Booth strengthening is the one thing that our party will focus on," the BJP leader from Bengal told ANI. Trinamool Congress (TMC) had won the Krishnanagar seat in the last Lok Sabha polls and Mahua Moitra is the sitting MP from the constituency. Recently the party's top brass had under the party's Lok sabha Pravas Yojana expanded the number of "difficult" constituencies from 144 to 160 seats. Interestingly, out of these seats, a maximum of 24 seats are from Bengal. Under the Yojana, party leaders have been entrusted with handling weak constituencies for the upcoming general elections 2024, where the party had finished as runner-up or third in the 2019 general elections or won with a slim margin. Nadia, Serampore, Calcutta urban seats, Barasat and Arambagh are among the weak Lok Sabha seats identified by the party. The party, which won just two seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, saw a stunning performance in the next general elections with BJP winning 18 seats under the then-party president Amit Shah. Since then the party's strength is 16 in parliament with the resignation of former Union Minister Babul Surpiyo and Arjun Singh both of whom are now in the TMC fold. Nadda who is all set to get his presidency term extended next week at the party's national executive meeting has been busy all along. Late in December last year, Nadda had launched 2.0 of the BJP Lok Sabha Pravas campaign. As part of the BJP's focus on weak Lok Sabha seats, the party's national president JP Nadda went on a two-day tour to two states- Tamil Nadu and Odisha. He has also travelled to Maharashtra and Bihar. Sixty-two-year-old JP Nadda who has held multiple organisation portfolios with the party was made the party's national president in January 2020 taking over from Amit Shah. Nadda was made working president of the party in June 2019. From 2014 to 2019 Nadda was the Union Health Minister in the first term of the Modi government. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said that the Centre has handed over the case of a twin terror attack in Rajouri on the first week of January to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Shah, who is on a day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, was not able to visit Rajouri to meet the families of the victims, who were killed in the Rajouri terror attack but he spoke to them over the phone. The Home Minister held a high-level meeting with officials in Jammu over security-related issues in the Union Territory. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also attended the meeting. Addressing the media after a high-level meeting in Jammu, Shah said, "I have spoken to all the seven families of the deceased over the phone. I was about to go there myself to meet them but today we could not go there due to the weather. I have listened to their words very carefully and I have also spoken to Lieutenant Governor Manoj ji. The courage of those who lost their lives is an example for the country". He further assured that all the incidents that have happened in the last one and a half years will be investigated. "Government of India has given the investigation of both incidents which took place over the course of 2 days, to NIA. NIA and Jammu Police will together investigate it. All the incidents that have happened in the last one and a half years will be investigated," he said. "A detailed discussion has been held with all the aspects of the security agencies and all kinds of agencies involved in the security of Jammu and Kashmir. Preparations will be made to make a very secure grid in the coming days. Be it BSF, CRPF, Army or Jammu and Kashmir Police, all are ready," he added. He asserted that the creation of forming 360 security cycle was discussed at the meeting. "All aspects ranging from the support system of terrorist groups were discussed. Creating a complete 360 security cycle was discussed. All our information agencies have also been talked to," he said. Saroj Bala, Mother of the attack victims said that Amit Shah spoke to her over the phone and the Union Home Minister assured to visit them on his next visit. "Union HM Amit Shah interacted with us over a phone call. He assured to visit us during his next visit. I lost my both sons during the Dhangri attack and I urged him to provide us justice and a tight answer to their killers," she said. Notably, seven civilians including two children were killed and many more injured in two terror attacks in Upper Dangri village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district on January 1 and 2. While four people were gunned down on January 1 evening, two children were killed and several others injured after a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast occurred in the same vicinity in Rajouri's Upper Dhangri village on January 2 morning. Reaching Rajouri, Shah will then go to Dhangri to inspect the site of the terror attacks and interact with the families of the victims. Earlier on January 9, the Home Minister held a crucial meeting with top leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party at his residence in the national capital. The meeting was in the wake of the recent terror attacks in the Kashmir valley. (ANI)
The police saw CCTV footage from a camera installed in the neighbourhood following a complaint by the affected family. The incident occurred on January 8 night.

Police officials said a case has been registered against three unidentified people who set a motorcycle and bicycle on fire outside the house and fled away.

"We received a complaint from Nafees, a resident of Vinay Park in Bhajanpura, about fire engulfing the outside area of the house. We registered a case on the basis of the victim's statement," the official said.

They said the complaint was received on Thursday.

Nafees told the police that on January 8 night he was sleeping with his family when suddenly they noticed fire outside the house and they fled to safety.

The victim said the next day he saw footage from a CCTV camera installed in the neighbourhood and was shocked to see that three youth "poured some flammable liquid" on a motorcycle and bicycle, setting them on fire.

Police officials said they are trying to identify the accused on the basis of CCTV footage and further investigation is being carried out. (ANI)
Bihar Education Minister Chandrashekhar on Friday refused to budge from his controversial statement on "Ramcharitmanas" and said that he stands by his statement. The remarks made by Chandrashekhar on Ramcharitmanas have stirred outrage among Hindu religious leaders and BJP. They have demanded his dismissal from the government. Speaking to media persons, the Bihar Minister said, "How many times do I say the same thing? I spoke the truth, I stand by it. What do I have to do with whatever anyone says?..." Bihar Minister on Wednesday stoked the controversy after he claimed that Ramcharitmanas, an epic Hindu religious book which is based on Ramayana, "spreads hatred in the society". While addressing the students at the 15th convocation ceremony of Nalanda Open University, 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." He has 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," added Chandrashekhar. Earlier on Thursday, BJP leader Sushil Modi condemned the 'controversial' statement made by Bihar Education Minister on 'Ramcharitmanas', saying that BJP won't tolerate the insult of the sacred book. "In the first yug, Manusmriti, in the second yug Ramcharitmanas, and in the third yug Guru Golwalkar's 'Bunch of Thoughts' have been the books for spreading hate," he said. He further claimed, "In a portion of Ramcharitmanas, it is written that people of lower castes don't have the right to take education, and they can be as "dangerous" as "snakes" after getting educated." Reacting to Chandrashekhar's statement, in an interview with ANI, Sushil Modi said, "BJP won't tolerate any insult to the Ramcharitmanas. This is a highly objectionable and inciteful statement." He further demanded Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to 'sack' the Bihar minister from his post. Poet Kumar Vishwas also demanded the sacking of the Education Minister from the Bihar government for his "indecent" remark on Ramcharitmanas. Chandrashekhar's language was indecent. Nitish Kumar and Tejashwi Yadav should sack such minister from their organization and cabinet, Vishwas said at the Udaipur airport here. "Can the minister say this for any other religion? He does not have the knowledge of Ramcharitmanas," Vishwas added. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar refused to comment on the matter, saying, "I don't know anything about it." Ayodhya seer Jagadguru Paramhans Acharya also 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. He said that such remarks will not be tolerated at all. 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. (ANI)
The case pertains to the arrest of 10 active cadres of a proscribed terrorist organisation, including 6 illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, in March 2022.

"National Investigation Agency today filed a supplementary charge sheet in a special court in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh against an accused in Jamaat-Ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh case pertaining to the arrest of 10 active cadres of the proscribed terrorist organization, including 6 illegal immigrants of Bangladesh, in March, 2022," NIA said.

The JMB, which carried out a terror attack at a popular cafe in Dhaka in 2016 in which 22 people, including 17 foreigners, were killed, is trying to spread its tentacles in India, the NIA had said in 2019. (ANI)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday after meeting with Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena advised him to keep at least one good constitutional advisor who can advise him that the orders of the Supreme Court are binding. Kejriwal alleged that Lieutenant Governor Saxena told him that he can ask for any file since he is the "administrator" and enjoys the supreme authority." Citing the 2018 Supreme Court judgment on transferred subjects, Kejriwal said "various orders of the L-G are illegal". Delhi Lieutenant-Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal met on Friday, amidst a tussle between the two over the control of power in the city. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal said, "We observed that in the past months, LG has started interfering in the government bypassing the elected ministers. And this increased a lot in recent weeks. To discuss things for clarity, I met LG and my intention was that if there is some misunderstanding or differences in understanding our law and constitution, then it can be sorted out. I even took books on the Constitution, Supreme Court judgements, Motor Vehicles Act and School Education Act. We had a very long discussion." "There are two kinds of subjects in Delhi - 'reserved subjects' that include police, land, and public order on which LG can only take decisions, and all the other things like electricity health and others come under the elected government, known as 'transferred subjects'," he added. Quoting the Supreme Court Bench order, Kejriwal said that LG does not have the power to take independent decisions in matters of the transferred subject. On July 4, the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court had passed a judgement that said the LG has not been entrusted with any independent decision-making power in terms of transferred subjects," he said. "There is no independent authority vested in LG to take decisions. In some matters, he can act as a judicial authority," he added. He further said that the LG's order to seal Dialogue and Development Commission Vice Chairman Jasmine Shah's office, nominations of 10 aldermen, recovery of Rs 164 crore and trying to stop the teachers of Delhi to Finland and stop the Yoga classes were illegal and unconstitutional. "However, he said that he has been referred to as the 'Administrator' and enjoys supreme authority," Kejriwal said. In response to this, Kejriwal claimed that Saxena said, "This might be SC's advise but I am the administrator and I can do anything." "I asked what do you mean sir, LG said, if anything is going wrong in the government, I have the power to issue direct orders and take decisions as an administrator I have this power," Kejriwal added. "It was shocking to see that despite showing Supreme Court and High court orders, LG was adamant that he is the administrator and he has the power to take decisions. . I showed him various court decisions but he said his power is supreme," said the Chief Minister. Kejriwal further said he has requested several times to work together because the people of Delhi are suffering from these fights. Kejriwal further alleged that several departments stopped payments to the Delhi government three months ahead of the MCD polls. Kejriwal also urged Saxena to keep politics aside and said that he wants to work with LG. "I would again request LG to keep at least one good constitutional advisor who can advise him that the orders of the Supreme Court are binding and not advise. If SC is saying he cannot take independent decisions then he can and he should respect the SC order and the Constitution," Kejriwal added. (ANI)
The Cabinet also cleared a proposal to waive the electricity bill of all those affected for six months starting from November 2022. Also, it approved the proposal for providing employment under MNREGA to two members of each of the affected families.

The cabinet meeting was led by CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, and discussions on key issues including relief for the people of affected areas were discussed.

"We have shifted 99 families from Joshimath so far and Rs 1.5 Lakh ex-gratia is being given. Assessment for rehabilitation is underway and we're making key decisions for the future," Dhami said after the meeting.

Affected people will be provided with a room or Rs 950 daily for accommodation Rs 450 shall be given for food. The cabinet also cleared a proposal to prepare a final package proposal and send the same to the union government within a week.

The cabinet has also approved the proposal for a geological survey to be conducted in the affected areas. Also, for assessing carrying capacity in hill stations in different phases.

Earlier today, former Union Minister Uma Bharti met CM Dhami and discussed the security arrangements made for the affected families in Joshimath. (ANI)
The footage shows that after being threatened, the custodians got scared and handed him the bag with cash.

The unidentified miscreant shot 55-year-old Udaypal Singh who was on duty as a security guard in the CMS company van, which was the cash van operating service.

The security guard died while he was being taken to the hospital, confirmed the sources.

The accused took away nearly Rs 10.78 lakh in cash, claimed Dharmendra, a CMS official. He said, "An ATM in Wazirabad was looted. The gunman was shot by unidentified people and he died while being taken to the hospital. An inquiry is being carried out and the currency notes looted in the incident are being checked." (ANI)
The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh on Friday decided to provide Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for all government employees who are presently covered under the defined contributory pension scheme, referred to as NPS, with the move expected to benefit about 1.36 lakh employees in the state. The decision was taken ahead of Makar Sakranti at the first meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Implementing OPS was one of the major election guarantees of Congress and the party had said a decision to implement it will be taken in the first meeting of the state cabinet. The state cabinet also took some other decisions relating to the party's election guarantees. It decided to constitute a cabinet sub committee for finalizing the roadmap for implementing promise of creating one lakh employment opportunities in the state. The sub-committee comprises Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan, Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Education Minister Rohit Thakur. The state cabinet also decided to constitute a sub-committee for finalizing the roadmap for implementation the promise of giving Rs 1500 to the women in the age group of 18 to 60 years. The sub-committee comprises Health Minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh. The cabinet decided to adopt election manifesto of Congress "as policy document of the government" and all concerned ministers, secretaries and heads of the departments will implement the same in letter and spirit, an official release said. The state cabinet also passed a resolution thanking the people of Himachal Pradesh for "reposing their faith and confidence in the policies and programmes of Congress party". The release said the cabinet also expressed deep gratitude to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for their dynamic leadership that resulted in the party's victory in the assembly polls. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said that the state government has decided "to provide OPS to all its NPS (National Pension Scheme) employees to ensure that they live a respectable life after retirement". Sukhu said the aim of the government is to provide social security to all. He said that the state government has decided to implement OPS "from the point of view of social security and humanity" and the government had fulfilled a poll promise of Congress. "Affordability of OPS expenditure will be achieved through financial discipline and cutting down on expenses and the government believes that there is no such thing that cannot be done," he said. The chief minister said that the two sub-committees set up to implement poll promises of the party will submit their reports within a month. He accused the previous BJP government for "a heavy debt trap of over Rs 75000 crore". The Chief Minister said that "due to the financial mismanagement and wasteful expenditure by the previous BJP Government the state has inherited financial liabilities of Rs 4430 crore as salary arrears to its employees and Rs 5226 crore has liabilities of pensioners as pension arrears". "In addition to this, liabilities of about Rs 1000 crore as DA of employees and pensioners on the present state government have been left by the previous state government. In this way, the previous state government has left total financial burden of about Rs. 11,000 crore on the state exchequer." Sukhu said that the Centre has over Rs 8000 crore as share of NPS employees. He said that despite all these odds, the state government has decided to provide old pension scheme to NPS employees so as to secure their retired life. The Chief Minister said that the previous BJP government at the fag-end of its tenure announced opening and upgrading of about 900 institutions in the state with an eye on the general elections. He said that all these institutions were opened and upgraded with the "sole motive to woo voters without any budget provision and irrational thinking". The Chief Minister said that the state government has decided to wind up such institutions and all these would be reviewed and if found to be viable and required would be opened after making proper budgetary provisions. He said that it would require another Rs 5000 crore if all these institutions were to be made functional. (ANI)
The former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Modi on Friday stated in a press interaction that he will visit Buxar, Bihar to review the situation after an alleged assault on protesting farmers by the police. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader claimed that the Centre is ready to give whatever the state government demands to compensate the farmers in Buxar. He added, "I will review the situation and the incident myself. The compensation has to be decided by the state government. Though the project is an initiative of the Central government but the land acquisition is done by the state." The farmers in Buxar have been protesting against the alleged 'insufficient' compensation given to them for acquiring their land for a thermal power plant. Earlier, Modi stated, "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," This week during the protest, the BJP leader condemned an alleged attack by the police at midnight at farmer's houses. Criticising the state government, Modi said, "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." According to reports, for over two months, farmers in Buxar 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)
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav on Friday said paid tribute to socialist leader and former Union minister Sharad Yadav at his residence in the national capital and said that the country has lost a great leader. Sharad Yadav breathed his last on Thursday at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram where he was rushed after he collapsed at his residence in Delhi. Speaking to the media persons outside Sharad Yadav's residence, the SP chief said, "He was the person who went to every village and made everyone come together. He stood with people who had nothing. We have lost a great leader." Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav also visited the former Union minister's residence to pay his tribute and said that it is hard to believe that he isn't with us anymore. "He always stood with people who wanted social justice. Even during his last days, we used to meet, he always said that all socialists must come together. It is hard to believe that he isn't with us anymore," said the Deputy Chief Minister. In his political life spanning nearly five decades, Sharad Yadav served as a Union Minister, convenor of the National Democratic Alliance and the president of Janata Dal-United. He was a prominent leader from the socialist block in parallel with other socialist leaders like the late Mulayam Singh Yadav and George Fernandes. Sharad Yadav's political career rose during the anti-Congress movement in the 70s. The year was 1974, it was his Lok Sabha by-poll win from Madhya Pradesh's Jabalpur as the opposition candidate against the Congress which boosted its political fight against the then prime minister Indira Gandhi. After Emergency, he won again in 1977 and marked himself counted among several leaders to have come out of the anti-Emergency movement. In 1979 Yadav became the national general secretary of the Lok Dal. Eight years later, in 1987, he was involved in the events that led to the founding of the Janata Dal (JD) in 1988, under the leadership of V.P. Singh. When Singh became prime minister of a short-lived coalition government (1989-90), Yadav was inducted into the cabinet as head of the Textiles and Food Processing Industries Ministry. Sharad Yadav served as a minister in the VP Singh government in 1989, but his highpoint came after a decade in the late 1990s, when he was in the fray against former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav in Madhepura, a parliamentary seat dominated by voters from the Yadav caste, and drubbed the latter which earned him a ministerial berth in Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. In 1997 Yadav became president of the Janata Dal. However, in 1999 a spilt happened in the party when he chose to make the Janata Dal a component of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government. A faction led by H.D. Deve Gowda strongly opposed that move and left the Janata Dal to form a new party that became known as Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S). Yadav remained the head of his own faction, which took the name Janata Dal-United (JD-U). He served in the NDA cabinet as the minister of civil aviation, labour, and consumer affairs, food, and public distribution. The JD(U) was reconstituted as a new party in 2003 after smaller parties merged with it. In 2006, Yadav was elected party president. He was again elected to the Lok Sabha from Madhepura in 2009. But after the JD(U)'s defeat in the 2014 general elections, Sharad Yadav's relations with Nitish Kumar saw a change. In the Bihar assembly elections of 2017, when the JD(U) under Nitish Kumar realigned with the BJP (the two parties had been partners in the 2004 and 2009 general elections), Sharad Yadav refused to follow. Yadav who had launched his own party Loktantrik Janata Dal, merged with Lalu Yadav's outfit RJD in March 2020 which he said was the "first step towards a united opposition". (ANI)
Farmers are protesting for the last 49 days under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) for their various demands.

"We want to ask Punjab and the central governments why we farmers have to protest whenever there is a festival. Why are our demands not being met yet?" asked KMSC general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandayer.

"We appeal to them that our pending demands should be accepted so that farmers can also celebrate every festival with their families," he said.

The KMSC had launched a protest against the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab pushing for their demands, including farm debt waiver, remunerative prices for their crops and compensation for damage to crops. (ANI)
A day after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin adopted a resolution in the Assembly on the Sethusamudram project, Hindu saints across the country are calling out the DMK government and claiming the project to be against the "Sanatan Dharam". Saint Diwakar Acharya, while speaking to ANI said, "We (Sanatanis) will take a bullet on our chest if they (government) try to harm the Ram Setu bridge. It is a pride of our country." He claimed that the Ram Setu bridge is a "tight slap" for those who think Lord Ram is fictional. "If they try to damage the bridge, saints across the country will reach the sacred site to stop them from demolishing," he added. Another saint from Ayodhya, Mahant Chandrabhushan, also protested against the Sethusamudram project and said, "the government is playing vote-bank politics to appease few people of the country." "We belong to a peaceful community. They should be ashamed of demolishing the structure which holds great value to us sanatanis," he added. Earlier on Thursday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin adopted a resolution in the Assembly on the Sethusamudram project. "If the Sethusamudram project is accomplished, more than 50,000 people will 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 to 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 a 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 upcoming Assembly elections. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Friday granted permission to two foreign nationals from Canada and the US, working in the national capital, to have their official wedding ceremony and register their marriage here. A bench of Justice Prathiba M. Singhm, dealing with a plea filed by a Hindu-Christian couple seeking registration of their marriage in India, suggested the pair approach the Sub-Divisional Magistrate on January 17 to submit the form for solemnisation of marriage. The couple, who has been living in India for six months, wants to marry and continue living here. The couple was shown an error message and barred from proceeding further on submitting their particulars on the Delhi government's official website as under the Special Marriage Act, 1954, they were needed to register their marriage. The message read: "At least one party should be Indian". The couple, however, questioned the authority concerned at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate's office and said that no bar for foreign citizens to solemnise their marriage in India, especially when they have been residing in India. The couple was told that if they apply for the same offline, there is no such procedure. Meanwhile, the department's counsel submitted that it is considering making changes in the portal for the registration of the marriage. The bench, moreover, directed the city government to place on record a status report on what steps are being taken to amend the guidelines and make changes to the e-portal. As the guidelines and the e-portal had not been changed post 2019, the court directed the Secretary of the department to appear in court on January 19. --IANS spr/vd ( 283 Words) 2023-01-13-20:44:03 (IANS)
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. "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. (ANI)
Even though countries like the United States and Russia (then USSR) have been the nations that forayed the space race during the latter half of the 20th century, India, a developing nation gradually made a name for itself and Rakesh Sharma a boy born on January 13, 1949, in Patiala, played a vital role in it by becoming the first Indian to go to space. So on this Punjabi cosmonaut's 74th birthday let's have a look at some interesting facts about his journey. - He joined the National Defence Academy as an air force plebe in July 1966 and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a pilot in 1970. - Sharma went on to become the first Indian citizen to reach outer space on April 2, 1984, when he flew aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. - He spent 7 days, 21 hours and 40 minutes in space and took India to become the 14th nation to travel to outer space. Sharma's work was mainly in the fields of bio-medicine and remote sensing. - The Soyuz T-11 spacecraft carrying cosmonauts including Sharma docked and transferred the three-member Soviet-Indian international crew, consisting of the ship's commander, Yury Malyshev, and flight engineer, Gennadi Strekalov, to the Salyut 7 Orbital Station. - Sharma conducted several scientific studies and experiments, his work including remote sensing and bio-medicine. The crew even held a conference with officials from space. When the then PM of India, Indira Gandhi asked Sharma how does India look from outer space, Sharma said "Saare Jahaan se Achcha". He said that the most beautiful moments in space were of sunrise and sunset. - Interestingly, Sharma reportedly had taken Indian food to space with the help of the Defense Food Research Lab situated in Mysore. As per reports, they had packed suji halwa, aloo chole and veg pulao which Sharma shared with fellow astronauts. - Sharma has been conferred the honour of the Hero of the Soviet Union upon his return from space. He remains to date the only Indian to have been conferred this honour. India also conferred its highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra. (ANI)
The people of Afghanistan have faced endless difficulties since the Taliban's takeover on August 15, 2021. The imposition of repressive policies by the hard-line Islamic regime has led to food insufficiency, repeated violations against women, and rising insecurity. The Taliban administration's recent order to stop female employees from working has resulted in four international aid agencies - Save the Children, Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE International and the International Rescue Committee, suspending their humanitarian programmes in the country. The Taliban has said that their newest policy, which was condemned globally, was justified because some women had not adhered to the Taliban's interpretation of the Islamic dress code for women. The suspension of some aid programmes comes at a time when more than half the population relies on humanitarian aid. David Wright, Chief Operating Officer of Save the Children International recently stated," Essentially, we're just asking the Taliban to rescind this decision because ultimately, if they don't, the consequences will be borne by the mothers and children of Afghanistan." The world was left stunned by the Taliban's dictum of banning and restricting women from universities and amusement parks, and not even allowing them to leave their homes without a male relative and face covers. "I urge the international community not to abandon and forget Afghan women. Afghan women must not be sanctioned anymore; they must not be sentenced to imprisonment. When you talk about human rights, then please support them, and do not abandon them", says Bakhshi, a university lecturer who wishes only to be identified by her surname for security reasons, According to the United Nations, 97 per cent of Afghans live in poverty, two-thirds of the population need aid to survive, and 20 million people face acute hunger. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Humanitarian Aid Coordinator in Afghanistan, recently stated, "The commitment which we have is very strong to Afghanistan, we are committed to stay and deliver, we are committed to the people, and we are committed to gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls." Be it the invasion of foreign forces or diktats by Islamic regimes - the people of Afghanistan have faced incessant challenges for decades. Afghans desire to live a normal life with dignity. However, it seems they will have to continue to fight many wars to fulfil their dreams. (ANI)
In one of the several videos that have gone viral in Pakistan following the outbreak of an unprecedented food crisis, a man recording the video showing the purported stacks of wheat sacks, has accused the ruling dispensation of opacity and said the current crisis was a 'state-manufactured crisis'. He accused all Pakistani politicians across the board of utter incompetence for he believed the current crisis could have been prevented with timely action. A massive food shortage has descended in the country amidst an already fragile political situation. The man in the video said the government had adequate grains but the leadership failed in pre-empting the crisis and everything that was in storage was rotten before they came to senses. Pakistani social media is flooded with a number of videos where the citizens are either seen accusing the government or are seen jostling for food, including staples. One of those, which has gone viral across the globe, shows how people in the country's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were fighting for flour as some armed men distributed wheat packets from mini-trucks. Incidents of chaos and stampede were also reported from other parts of the country. The price of wheat has skyrocketed in recent days with 1kg of grain costing 160 PKR. Pakistan has been seeking global assistance for rebuilding the country that is still reeling under the trail of destruction of massive floods that struck the country last year. Around 40 countries and some private players recently pledged over USD 9 billion at the donor conference organized by Pakistan in collaboration with the United Nations in Geneva. Earlier, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres had called on for 16 billion USD assistance to rebuild Pakistan which is still reeling under the trail of destruction left by unprecedented floods last year. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is visiting different countries to ask for more funds. (ANI)
Major roads connecting Pakistan's South Waziristan region were kept blocked by the protesters as the sit-in continued for the sixth consecutive day despite the chilling winter. The protesters blocked vital roads to protest the rising incidents of militancy and other crimes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in general, The News International reported on Thursday. The Pakistani daily said thousands of residents, workers and activists of almost all the political parties, activists, civil society members, and students of South Waziristan are participating in the sit-in to demand the restoration of lasting peace in the region. According to The News, the organisers threatened to expand the protest sit-in to other areas if the government did not accept their 10-point agenda of demands forthwith. The protest comes with the deteriorating security situation in the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, with the growing presence of the outlawed TTP in Pakistan. Over the past few months, Pakistan's law and order situation has worsened, with terrorist groups like the outlawed TTP and the Islamic State group executing attacks with near impunity. 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. In its annual report, the Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS) said Pakistan security forces lost at least 282 personnel during 2022 in attacks that included IED ambushes, suicide attacks, and raids on security posts, mostly in the Pakistan-Afghan border regions. (ANI)
Over 1,000 Indian peacekeepers, including five female Army personnel, have been honoured with UN medals for their vital work in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). "Take a bow, #India. Exactly 1,171 of your finest sons and daughters have received UN medals for their vital UNMISS work in Upper Nile, South Sudan. Major Jasmine Chattha and a couple of her female colleagues tell us more about their experiences," the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said in a tweet on Thursday. There was something distinctly different about this year's medal award ceremony for the Indian peacekeepers in Upper Nile. For the first time, the parade of the large contingent, consisting of infantry, engineers and medical staff, was led by a woman, Major Jasmine Chattha. "It has been an honour to represent my regiment on this special day. By positioning women as leaders, we are sending a strong message to the citizens of South Sudan in general and its women in particular. In our work, for example when we repair roads or try to mitigate floods, we are in contact with the local population and they can see that we, women, are leading a team and we are both respected and listened to," she was quoted as saying by UNMISS in a press release. While it is true that India's peacekeeping contingent in Upper Nile is almost all male, Major Chattha was not the only woman to receive a medal for the outstanding work of her compatriots: five out of the 1,171 troops awarded the shiny pieces of metal were females. Captain Karishma Kathayat, an engineer, was one of them. Like Major Chattha, she hails from a military family. "It is a great feeling to contribute to a better standard of living for people. We are here to serve. We take great pride in our engineering work," she said. According to the UN, the Indian contingent serving with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) may be best known for its efforts to build and repair critical infrastructure, but protecting civilians is of course also a vital and sometimes dangerous part of their mandate. Deadly violence in Adhidiang and Kodok, where some 11,000 displaced persons are still gathered adjacent to an UNMISS military base, has caused untold suffering and injuries. Since September last year, Indian medical staff have performed critical emergency surgeries that have saved the lives of five children. (ANI)
The United States on Thursday condemned in the strongest terms the latest attack in the capital city of Afghanistan which was claimed by the terrorist group Islamic State - Khorasan Province. "We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack that took place in Kabul. We have seen the claim of responsibility by ISIS-K. If ISIS-K was indeed behind this, (this is) the latest horrific example of the brutal group perpetrating senseless violence on the people of Afghanistan," US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said during a press briefing. "We send our deepest condolence to the loved ones and family members of those who were killed in this senseless attack. We condemn terrorism everywhere and of course, that is the case in Afghanistan as well," he added. The blast that took place on Wednesday killed at least 5 and injured many others, Afghanistan's TOLOnews reported. It has received widespread condemnations at international levels. In an earlier statement, United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) 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." 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." On Thursday, India also condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul that took place outside the Taliban Foreign Ministry and extended its deepest condolences to the bereaved families. "India strongly condemns yesterday's terrorist attack in Kabul, which has claimed the lives of several innocent civilians and injured many. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the early recovery of those injured," the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi tweeted. 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)
Chinese embassy in London has lodged "stern representations" with the United Kingdom after the UK government published a report that slammed Beijing for human rights abuses in Hong Kong. "China's position on Hong Kong-related affairs is consistent and clear. In disregard of China's solemn stance, the UK went ahead to publish the so-called Six-monthly report on Hong Kong. ...We are strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to it, and have lodged stern representations with the British side," the Chinese embassy said in a statement published on its website on Thursday. On Thursday, the UK foreign office published a six-monthly report on Hong Kong, stating that "the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities are undermining the rights and freedoms promised to Hong Kongers under the Sino-British Joint Declaration." The UK report said freedoms in Hong Kong "are being systematically eroded by Beijing on multiple fronts, tightening the restrictions on the lives of ordinary Hong Kongers," while claiming that Hong Kong's autonomy "is declining, and the pervasive, chilling effect of the National Security Law seeps into all aspects of society." Prior to Hong Kong's transfer from the UK to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, people in the territory were promised that rights and freedoms would be ensured under Hong Kong and international law, according to Human Rights Watch. In February 2019, Hong Kong authorities proposed legal revisions allowing criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China, where due process rights are routinely violated. This prompted massive, largely peaceful protests starting in June. While authorities scrapped the revisions, they have ignored other demands, including an investigation into excessive use of force by the police, while imposing new restrictions on expression and assembly. On June 30, 2020, China adopted the Hong Kong National Security Law in response to massive pro-democracy protests that swept through the special administrative region in 2019. Since then, human rights groups have been slamming China for undermining Hong Kong's autonomy and using the law to restrict the freedoms of Hong Kong's residents. Beijing denies all the accusations. (ANI)
Expressing concerns about the current developments in Afghanistan, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has called on the Taliban to reconsider the decision to ban women from working for NGOs. OIC called the ban on women from working in NGOs and education is "in violation of the purposes of Islamic law and the methodology of the Messenger of Allah", TOLOnews reported. The statement was issued by OIC in its final communique of the Extraordinary Meeting of the OIC Executive Committee on "The Recent Developments and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan." The 57-member states group also expressed grave concerns over "the worsening humanitarian and human rights situation in Afghanistan" and called on Islamic Emirate to respect human rights, including the rights of women and children. In an earlier statement, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim stressed that the OIC has been following with deep concern the developments of the "unfortunate events" in Afghanistan. He noted that "we conveyed, through my special envoy, messages to the de facto authority in which we emphasized the importance of the government's fulfilment of its previous promises to open schools for girls in light of the solid and clear foundations of the Islamic religion that encourage education." These remarks came in the speech of the OIC Secretary-General before the emergency meeting of the open-ended Executive Committee, which convened on January 11 in Jeddah, to discuss developments and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. This meeting was convened in light of the recent measures imposed by the de facto authority in Afghanistan to close schools and universities to girls and women in addition to the suspension of women's work in national and international NGOs. On December 24, the Taliban issued a decree banning women from working in NGOs. This came after they had already suspended university education for women and secondary schooling for girls until what they termed further notice. In a press statement this month, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Tur called on the Taliban to revoke a raft of policies that target the rights of women and girls, noting both the "terrible, cascading effects" on their lives and the destabilizing risks such policies pose to Afghan society. The Taliban took over Afghanistan in August 2021 and imposed policies severely restricting basic rights--particularly those of women and girls, according to Human Rights Watch. (ANI)
India on Thursday (local time) emphasized on peaceful settlement of disputes, application and strengthening of the rule of law at the United Nations Security Council. Speaking at the UNSC open debate on 'the promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security: the Rule of Law among Nations,' Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ruchira Kamboj said, "Rule of Law is the foundational edifice of modern nation States. This foundation is underpinned by the UN Charter, where the principle of the sovereign equality of States is the basis for our collective actions. In the face of interconnected challenges that we face today, the UN represents our collective recognition that only cooperative and effective multilateralism can ensure peace and stability. " She said that the principles of multilateralism and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with principles of international law can succeed only if the interaction between States is based on rules that aspire for greater collective welfare. Calling out for a peaceful settlement of disputes, Kamboj said, "Rule of Law necessitates that countries respect each others' sovereignty and territorial integrity, as they would expect their own sovereignty to be respected. Since the pacta sunt servanda ["agreements must be kept"] is a binding norm of the rule of law, it requires that countries must respect agreements signed with others, bilateral or multilateral, and do not take unilateral measures to undermine or nullify those very arrangements." Underscoring the importance of the application of rule of law, the Indian envoy said, "the international level should protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States from aggression, including terrorism, and including cross border terrorism. States that use cross-border terror to serve narrow political purposes must be held accountable. This is only feasible when all countries stand together against common threats such as terrorism and do not engage in double standards for political expediency." Kamboj also underlined the strengthening of the rule of law and advised reforming international institutions of global governance. "Strengthening the rule of law would also necessitate reforming international institutions of global governance, including those charged with the responsibility of maintenance of international peace and security. Debates on strengthening rule of law while holding on to anachronistic structures that lack representative legitimacy would serve little purpose in our endeavour to strengthen the rule of law," she said. She also highlighted the purpose and relevance of multilateral organizations which is increasingly being put into question. "We have a collective responsibility and obligation to enhance the credibility and legitimacy of the international order. Let us strive to achieve this, before it is too late," she added. Challenges to the rule of law among nations remain on almost every front, especially regarding adherence to the Charter. This open debate gives Member States an opportunity to have a deeper discussion on how to take action, under the United Nations framework, to ensure international peace and security through the promotion of the rule of law. The objective of the meeting was to reaffirm the meaning and role of the rule of law among nations and the common understanding that the rules to which all Member States have agreed must be observed by all. It was chaired by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Hayashi Yoshimasa as Japan is the Chair of the Security Council this month. (ANI)
Top American lawmaker Rich McCormick heaped praise on Indian-Americans noting that the community which constitutes about one per cent of the US population pay about six per cent of the taxes. In his first speech in the US House of Representatives, the Congressman from Georgia urged for a streamlined immigration process. He also paid special tribute to Swati Vijay Kulkarni who is set to return to India after serving as the third consul general in Atlanta. "I rise to this occasion to just appreciate my constituents, especially those who have immigrated from India. We have a very large portion of my community that's made up of almost 100,000 People who have immigrated directly from India. One out of every five doctors in my community is from India. They represent some of the best citizens we have in America, we should make sure that we streamline the immigration process for those who come here to obey the law and pay their taxes." McCormick, who represents the 6th Congressional District of Georgia, further said that although the Indian-American community makes up only 1 per cent of American society, they pay about 6 per cent of the taxes. He lauded the community for their productiveness and for being the law-abiding citizens of the country. "Although they make up about 1 per cent of American society, they pay about 6 per cent of the taxes. They are amongst the top producers, and they do not cause problems. They follow laws. They don't have the problems that we see other people have when they come to the emergency room for overdoses and depression anxiety because they're the most productive, most family oriented and the best of what represents American citizens. God bless my Indian constituents," said the US Congressman. McCormick, a physician by profession, also stated he looked forward to meeting with Dr Swati Vijay Kulkarni, Consul General of India in Atlanta as her term ends. "We look forward to meeting with Ambassador and God bless Dr Kulkarni and as she finishes her appointment as Indian consulate general to Atlanta," he said. "As Dr Swati Vijay Kulkarni returns to India from her position as Consul General in Atlanta (@CGI_Atlanta) I wanted to give a quick tribute to her and our amazing Indian-American community in Georgia, who are great patriots, upstanding citizens, and good friends," tweeted McCormick. Notably, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has requested the United States to speed up the issuance of business visas so that people can undertake short trips to pursue their business and trade interests. "We found very good resonance to our request that issuance of business visas which is taking a long time back home in India is an area which needs to be expedited, so that business persons interested on both sides, need to have faster processing of business visas so that trade, investment does not suffer," Piyush Goyal said during a press conference after participating in the 13th India-US Trade Policy Forum in Washington. "India has made the request to the US that they may speed up the issuance of regular business visas where people come in for short trips to pursue their trade and business interest," he added. Goyal underlined that the movement of professionals, students, skilled workers, investors, and business travellers is expanding between the two countries. "And that has helped increase our bilateral relations. We are grateful that the US was able to process the student visas on an expedited basis so that in the post covid scenario our students would come to the US to pursue their studies in the fall of 2022 semester," he added. Goyal was on an official visit to New York and Washington DC from 9-11 January to participate in India-US Trade Policy Forum. His visit included delegation-level talks and a one-to-one meeting with US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai. About 4.2 million Indian-Americans/Indian-origin people reside in the US. Indian Americans constitute the third largest Asian ethnic group in the US. There are a number of Indian-American community organizations as well as several professional organizations of Indian-Americans. Indian Americans are one of the most successful immigrant communities in the US and are excelling in diverse fields, including politics. The Indian diaspora has been a catalyst in cementing closer ties between India and the US. The nearly 200,000 Indian students in the United States contribute USD 7.7 billion annually to the US economy. It accounted for 23 per cent of total remittances in 2020-21. (ANI)
42-year-old Yamagami was indicted on murder charges as well as for violating gun laws after concluding a roughly six-month psychiatric evaluation.

Nara prosecutors' office said in a statement it had indicted Tetsuya Yamagami on murder and firearms charges after Abe was shot dead on July 8 while giving a campaign speech on a street in the central city, reported CNN.

In a crime that shocked the world, Yamagami had been arrested on the spot on July 8 after allegedly shooting Abe with a handmade gun while the former premier was giving a speech at an election campaign in the western city of Nara.

He reportedly held a grudge against the controversial Unification Church for impoverishing his family as it persuaded his mother to donate around 100 million yen (USD 774,700) and blamed Abe for promoting the religious organization.

The Unification Church was founded in South Korea in 1954 and is famous for its mass weddings, relying on its Japanese followers as a key source of income.

Yamagami has been undergoing psychiatric evaluation in Nara since his arrest last year to determine whether he is mentally fit to stand trial, public broadcaster NHK reported. His detention period evaluation expired on Tuesday, NHK added.

Yamagami was detained at the scene and admitted to shooting the former prime minister, according to Nara Nishi police.

The killing shed light on evidence to reveal deep and longstanding relations between the church and Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) lawmakers.

The LDP has denied any organizational link to the church but has acknowledged that many lawmakers have ties to the religious group.

Abe, 67, the former Liberal Democratic Party leader and Japan's longest-serving prime minister, held office from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020, before resigning due to health reasons. (ANI)
Muhammed Ali Wazir, who heads the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) has become the icon of the non-violent movement in Pakistan and is identified as one who speaks for the people of the tribal areas and fights for their rights, reported International Forum for Right and Security (IFFRAS). However, Wazir spends most of his time-fighting court battles because the deep state has filed a number of cases against him to try and minimize his popularity. While one court after another has acquitted Ali Wazir, legal proceedings against him keep coming, showing the malafide intent of the Pakistani state, reported IFFRAS. PTM leader Wazir, first lost as an independent candidate from South Waziristan in the 2013 general election, was later elected in the National Assembly as a member of the lower house of the Parliament in the next general election in 2018. Wazir was imprisoned four years ago on sedition charges in connection with a controversial speech he made at a Karachi rally. Several cases along the same lines have been filed against him, and continue to be filed, to ensure that liberty for Wazir remains out of reach. He continues to be stifled politically by the Pakistani state which signals the weakness of Pakistan's polity, reported IFFRAS. An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Karachi cleared him of the original charge in November 2022. However, he is still facing trial in three similar cases in Karachi, as well as one in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is yet to be released. Wazir, who is diabetic, has faced considerable health problems while imprisoned and was reportedly hospitalized on 10 September 2022. Wazir has been consistently targeted for his unequivocal criticism of the Pakistani Army and the human rights abuses that the Pashtun ethnic minority face in Waziristan and neighbouring border areas in the former Federally Administered Tribal Area (FATA), now a part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reported IFFRAS. An activist and Member of the National Assembly (MNA), Ali Wazir is a resident of Wana, South Waziristan, and was first imprisoned while he was still a student in 2005, under the colonial-era Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) law. While in prison, his father, his brothers, and an uncle were killed in an ambush. Wazir is one of the main leaders of the PTM, which represents the accumulated grievances of Pakistani Pashtuns over the last four and a half decades of imperial and civil warfare in the former FATA region. Its main demands are the recovery of more than a thousand 'missing' or 'disappeared' persons from the region and an end to the humiliating ethnic profiling of Pashtuns across the country. Pashtuns are often considered "Taliban sympathizers" by the security state and are persecuted for this reason. The PTM has demanded justice and accountability for the economic devastation brought into the lives of Pashtun families, thousands of whom have been internally displaced by the state's military actions, reported IFFRAS. Wazir has been consistently targeted by both state and non-state forces for his vocal criticism of the Pakistan army's involvement in the former FATA region. In recent years, Wazir has also faced continuous attacks on his life. Despite the courts clearing him, the deep state is fearful of his popularity among the Pashtuns in the tribal areas of Pakistan. That is why it has chosen to black out all media coverage of the activities of the PTM. Greater international support for the likes of Ali Wazir is the first step towards the full restoration of democracy in Pakistan, reported IFFRAS. (ANI)
A female academician from Punjab accused some senior staff of the Pakistan High Commission in the visa section in Delhi of indecent behaviour and sexual harassment. She had applied for a visa to travel to Pakistan and had booked an online visa appointment with the Pakistan High Commission. The female professor alleged that during this time another employee came and started asking her personal questions, which made her uncomfortable. The employee asked me, "Why am I not married? How do I live without marriage? What do I do for my sexual desire?" "It was also asked whether I support Khalistan. Or can write on Kashmir issues?" she told ANI. "He began asking me why I wasn't married. How do I live without marriage? What do I do for my sexual desires?" The female academician was uncomfortable with the questions and tried to divert the topic. However, the Pak official still insisted on asking the same questions and began telling her of some sect of Muslims where they can marry for a few hours adding, "it's basically for this purpose only." The Pak visa official also stated that it was easy for them as Muslims to marry four times. "It is easy for us Muslims as we have a choice to marry 4 times. Even if we get bored by one, we can marry another. Does your religion allow the same? Does your religion allow extra-marital affairs?" said the Pak official. Narrating her horrible experience to ANI, the female academician further said that the Pak High Commission official directly asked her, "do you have someone you can have sex with or not? How are you living comfortably without having a partner?" The academician was aghast with such lewd talks and became very uncomfortable and started looking at the watch and asked him to go get the visa officer, she narrated. However, the official said that there is still time and some meeting is going on so he shall go at 2 pm only and cannot go earlier. "I continued to be polite and tolerated him as I wanted the visa. 45 minutes of this torture continued in which he narrated stories of war and how men who come back after a long gap need sex etc," she narrated the entire incident to ANI. According to a WhatsApp chat screenshot which the victim has sent to ANI, it is alleged that he (Pak diplomats) asked her to write against the Government of India and was offered handsome remuneration. Although she refused to do so. The victim has written a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs and authorities concerned about the harassment and seeking justice, she approached media houses after she is not getting proper responses. In her complaint to External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, she demanded that the matter be taken up. She also sent screenshots of the WhatsApp chat with the Pak High Commission staffer to the EAM. "I wish to inform the indecent and objectionable behaviour of officials of the High Commission of Pakistan, New Delhi during my visit for obtaining a visit visa and also a month later over the phone and chat on my personal number," the female academician told ANI. Describing her horrific experience to ANI over the phone, she said, " "On March 15, 2022, I had a visa appointment at the High Commission which I had booked online over the website. I reached around 9:45 am and entered the complex around 10:00 am. I was asked to wait for an hour and a half in the waiting lounge inside the High Commission. I was asked a few general questions about my visit and then later asked to go to a room where I waited along with some officials for another few minutes before the visa officer arrived. He asked me the purpose of my visit and some other questions wherein I explained that I wish to visit Lahore, photograph the monuments and write on them (my hobby) and then visit Abbottabad University for a lecture at the University (I was sponsored by Professor of University as both of us are academics in the same area). In less than 2 minutes he told me that the visa cannot be granted." During chats for visa approval, the Pakistan High Commission officials asked her to come for dinner and stay with them. "Their behaviour was rude and uncouth, unlike my earlier experience in Dec 2019 wherein I was treated with great respect and dignity," she told ANI. The female professor said, "no one paid attention to her case. All I want is justice and punishment for them as per law." Meanwhile, Pakistan said that it is looking into Indian Woman allegations over 'indecent behaviour' at their High Commission in Delhi. On being asked about sexual harassment case Pakistan High Commissioner said in a statement, "In response to media queries regarding reports in sections of Indian media, the following is attributable to Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "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. 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 the redressal of all public grievances. There is zero tolerance for misbehaviour and mistreatment of individuals visiting our Missions." (ANI)
An improvised explosive device (IED) exploded at a private clinic at Lunda Sharif bus stand in the Dera Ismail Khan region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday night. No casualty was reported, however, the clinic was destroyed while nearby shops were partially damaged in the IED explosion, Dawn reported citing police as saying on Thursday. The official said that a heavy contingent of police and bomb disposal squad immediately arrived at the site. The bomb disposal squad's preliminary investigations have revealed that it was an IED explosion. A police official said that unknown people had planted an explosive device outside the private clinic of Dr Rehmatullah Baloch at Lunda Sharif Adda which exploded on Wednesday night. According to a police official, the clinic was destroyed while nearby shops were partially damaged, as per the Dawn report. Earlier on Sunday, terrorists carried out a gun and 'missile' attack on a police station in the Dera Ismail Khan region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dawn reported, adding that no casualty has been reported in the attack. Speaking to Dawn, a police spokesperson Syed Yaqoob Shah said the terrorists surrounded the Yarik police station at around 1 am (local time) and fired missiles at the building. He said the police responded to the attack and an exchange of fire took place between the police force and the attackers. According to a police spokesperson, the police station was partially damaged. He further claimed that it was the first gun-and-missile attack on a police station in Dera Ismail Khan, as per the news report. The attack comes at a time when Pakistan has been seeing a rise in terrorist attacks across the country. The attacks have been reported after Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its months-long ceasefire with the Pakistan government on November 28. As per the Dawn report, a resurgence of terrorism has been witnessed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with an increase in attacks on law enforcement personnel. (ANI)
Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav on Thursday talked about the role of India in supporting and raising the voice of Global South for dealing with the issues of climate change and environment at various international fora. Bhupender Yadav during the Environment Ministers' Session of 'Voice of Global South Summit' "mentioned the role of India in supporting and raising the voice of Global South in dealing with the issue of climate change and environment at various international fora," according to a press release issued by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The Environment Ministers' Session was held virtually as part of the two-day long 'Voice of Global South Summit'. Participating in the session were ministers from fourteen countries of the Global South. Bhupender Yadav during his address at the session said that there is a need for developing policies that are inclusive and sustainable to reduce inequality and contribute to the empowerment and improvement of the quality of people's lives, according to the press release issued by the Ministry of Environment. Yadav during the session highlighted the role of the developed world in providing financial and technological assistance to developing countries. Also mentioned were the problems faced by the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) countries due to climate change and the initiatives taken by India in this regard such as Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS), International Solar Alliance (ISA), etc. The Environment Minister highlighted India's role in tackling natural disasters through the institutional mechanism. The G20 presidency and the topics of the blue economy, circular economy, and land restoration were mentioned to the ministers of the Global South. According to the press release, the Union Environment Minister stressed that environment-friendly actions (LiFE Actions), on a mass scale across the globe, can be a significant positive contributor to saving our common and only world. He highlighted the importance of the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) in tackling the global issue of climate change. The problems faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) were mentioned by various ministers from the Global South. Food security, sea level rise, coastal erosion, and economic downturn due to the COVID pandemic were some of the common issues raised by them. The developing coastal countries also stated the catastrophic impacts of climate change, according to the ministry release. All participant countries congratulated India for its G-20 presidency and expected positive outcomes on the topics of blue economy, circular economy, and land degradation. The problem of climate change was also mentioned. (ANI)
Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon today inaugurated the pavilion set up by IOC Phinergy Private Limited at Auto Expo Motor Show in Greater Noida, according to an Israeli Embassy press release. IOC Phinergy Private Limited's pavilion will showcase aluminium-air technology and applications in e-mobility. Formed in 2021, IOC Phinergy Private Limited is a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Israeli start-up company Phinergy, as per the press release by the Israeli Embassy. The joint venture aims to create and manufacture aluminium-air batteries for various applications like powering electric vehicles, material handling equipment and stationary storage. Naor Gilon attended the Auto Expo 2023 edition in Greater Noida and New Delhi, where he was happy to see joint ventures of both nations in these fields. As India and Israel mark 30 years of bilateral ties, private sectors from India and Israel have started working together in various sectors. One of the key sectors of the partnership between the two nations is in smart mobility, electric vehicles and sustainable transportation sector. The joint venture between Indian company Steel Strip Wheels and Israeli company Redler Technologies was also unveiled today. The ceremony took place at Auto Expo Components event in New Delhi. The joint venture will focus on research, production and India market sales of motion controllers for electric vehicles. The two companies had announced their joint venture just a few months after they were first introduced by the Israel Economic and Commercial Mission at the Embassy of Israel in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion, Naor Gilon said that the synergy between Israeli technology and the Indian automotive sector has the potential to bring benefits for both nations. Gilon stressed that the two nations can leverage their strengths to create advanced technology to provide a boost to green mobility and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in India, according to Israel Embassy's press release. According to the press release, Naor Gilon said, "The synergy between Israeli technology and the Indian automotive sector has the potential to bring significant benefits to both countries. By working together, the two countries can leverage their strengths to develop advanced technologies to provide a boost to green mobility and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in India." He further said, "I am confident that such joint ventures will lead to great success and give a further boost to the 'Make in India' initiative, which will not only benefit our two countries but the entire world as well." (ANI)
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said that the Global South needs to forge new partnerships and mechanisms so that its voice is reflected on the decision-making table. "We need to forge new partnerships and mechanisms so that the voice of the global south is reflected on the decision-making table," Goyal said at the Commerce and Trade Ministers' Session of The Voice of Global South Summit. Ministers from 13 countries joined Goyal for the session under the theme of 'Developing Synergies in Global South: Trade, Technology, Tourism, Resources'. The commerce minister said that: "'Developing Synergies in Global South: Trade, Technology, Tourism, Resources', is an apt theme in the circumstances we find ourselves in at this juncture. These are the key pillars for the development of the countries of the south." The minister said that the south is faced with various challenges including the consequences of geopolitical tensions. "We are faced with various challenges including the consequences of geopolitical tensions. The global economic recovery is fragile and weak and the growth rate of global trade has slowed down. A sustainable recovery in this scenario is possible only if we all work together," Goyal said. According to the minister, the COVID pandemic has shown that we need to build resilient supply chains. "During the pandemic, India provided free wheat and rice to 800 million people across the country and also supplied food grains to several other countries in need," Goyal said. "In India, for sustainable food security, we are promoting traditional food grains like millet which are rich in nutrition," he added. He also said that the global south contributes to more than half of the world's economic growth. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday said that India believes in value-based health care and is continuously striving to provide high-quality and cost-effective health care to everyone. "India believes in value-based health care and is continuously striving to provide high quality and cost-effective health care to everyone," Mandaviya said during the health ministers' virtual session of Voice of Global South Summit, 2023 titled 'Cooperation to build resilient healthcare systems'. "Aligning with India's philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India has offered Co-WIN as a digital public health good to the world," the health minister said while addressing the virtual session. Mandaviya said it is the need of the hour to focus on long-term measures to build stronger, more resilient health systems. "It is the need of the hour to focus on long-term measures to build stronger, more resilient health systems that can prevent, prepare for, and respond to future health-related challenges while maintaining essential health services," he said. (ANI)
India and the UAE have reached an agreement on green hydrogen development and the laying of under sea cable connecting India to the UAE under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'One Sun, One World, One Grid initiative.' Union Minister of Power and New and Renewable Energy RK Singh and UAE's Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Al Mazrouei signed the agreement, according to the Ministery of External Affairs. The two leaders held a meeting and discussed vast opportunities between the two nations in the field of power and renewable energy. Both sides discussed the launch of a feasibility study on the sub-sea cable between India and the UAE under the Mission announced by PM Narendra Modi on 'ONE SUN, ONE WORLD, ONE GRID INITIATIVE'. Notably, RK Singh is on a three-day visit to Abu Dhabi and is accompanied by a strong delegation of Indian corporates in the renewable energy sector. "The two ministers also signed an MoU on cooperation in the field of Green Hydrogen Development and Investment. The Ministers also discussed the launch of a feasibility study on sub-sea cable between India and the UAE under the Mission announced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 'ONE SUN, ONE WORLD, ONE GRID INITIATIVE," The Ministry of External Affairs said in the press release. The Ministry of External Affairs in the press release said, "India and the UAE have both taken a lead in the development of renewables at low costs. While the bilateral energy relationship has historically centred around the oil and gas sector, the two countries are moving towards a strong relationship in the field of power as well as renewables." During his visit, RK Singh held a meeting with COP28 President designate and UAE's Special Envoy for Climate Change Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber. During the meeting, Singh congratulated Sultan Ahmed Jaber Jaber on becoming the presiding of COP 28. He expressed confidence that Jaber's experience of energy and climate change will work well for COP 28. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the priorities of the two nations in the area of energy and how India and the UAE could cooperate to make India's G20 Presidency. RK Singh spoke about India's priorities on G20 in the field of energy while Dr Sultan Al Jaber highlighted the priorities of the UAE for COP28 scheduled to be held in November in Dubai. On January 14, RK Singh will preside over the 13th Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). IRENA is a 168-country International organisation dedicated to renewable energy. According to the press release, India has played a leading role in IRENA and will continue to lead in global efforts to promote and facilitate a timely global energy transition. "India as the President of the IRENA Assembly will continue to lead in global efforts to promote and facilitate a timely global energy transition that is citizen-centric, just, inclusive and equitable and leaves no one behind. India will shape and align the global discourse in a positive way that encourages countries the world over to ensure that this objective is achieved," the MEA said in the press release. India has also undertaken the goal of becoming net zero by 2070 and is working on its way to fulfilling other commitments underlined under the Paris Climate Agreement, the MEA said in the press release. India had pledged to achieve about 40 per cent accumulative electric power generation capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030 and has been able to achieve this target 9 years ahead of schedule in November 2021. It further said, "India is also moving towards the Mission announced by Prime Minister Modi and the UN Secretary-General in October last year, called Mission LiFE - Lifestyle for Environment. Mission Life is an approach of propagating a healthy and sustainable way of living based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation, essential to combating climate change." (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday that during its G20 presidency, India will articulate an agenda that will prioritize a new globalization paradigm focused on vulnerable populations and decentralization and bringing down walls in accessing opportunities around the world. Speaking at the Foreign Ministers Session on G20 of the Voice of Global South Summit, Jaishankar said India's G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just its G20 partners, but also our fellow citizens in the Global South. "This is an opportunity for India to articulate an agenda and for the Global South to show the way," he said. The minister said India and the Global South not only have a common future but also a common past. "We shoulder burdens of a colonial past,even as we face inequities of the current world order." Jaishankar said challenges of unsustainable debt, unviable projects, trade barriers, contracting financial flows and climate pressure have been compounded by the COVID pandemic and knock-on effects of the Ukraine conflict. "While we promote faster rebalancing, more multipolarity and reformed multilateralism, it is imperative that key global conversations of our times reflect our concerns and challenges. In our G20 Presidency, India will articulate an agenda that will prioritize: - a new globalization paradigm focused on vulnerable populations and decentralization; bringing down walls in accessing opportunities around the world," he said. "Taking collective efforts to address challenges of food and energy security; driving consensus on Green Development Pact of G20 Leaders, discussions on data for development; strengthening efforts to share resources, development templates, our unique experiences and knowledge base," he added. Referring to Russia-Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared that this is not an era of war. "He has spoken about the imperative to give up the 'us vs them' mindset and to work collectively as one human family," the minister said. Jaishankar said from decolonization to resisting alignment, the Global South has always chosen the middle path, where diplomacy, dialogue and cooperation take primacy over competition, conflict and divisions. "The path of peace, cooperation and multilateralism is a patient endeavour that requires enormous bridge building. It is the course that the world must take if the interests of the Global South are kept at its core." He said India will make reformed multilateralism and Institutions for 21st century a priority during its Presidency with focus on decision, strong collective actions to accelerate progress on the SDGs. "India will take a LiFE approach to climate action while keeping the complementarities of development agenda and our climate goals at the centre. India would focus on strengthening international cooperation in addressing the challenges relating to the increasing threat of terrorism faced by many countries which has only increased in the face of emerging technologies," Jaishankar said. "We would commit to drive a consensus on a Green Development Pact of the G20 Leaders, which will be a blueprint of strong actions for the next decade powering Green Development all over the world. This will be through investments in sustainable lifestyle, leveraging green hydrogen for climate action, and accelerating progress on SDGs." Jaishankar called for international cooperation on data-related capacities, innovations, and technologies, especially for the Global South, to further progress on SDGs and create opportunities for all. He said that India aims to bridge the digital divide among countries through a multi-stakeholder approach. The minister called for strengthening efforts to share resources, development templates, experience and knowledge base with each other and showcase strong solidarity as partners from the Global South. (ANI)
Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National President Jagat Prakash Nadda met at the BJP Headquarters on Friday, and talked about the contribution of the diaspora, according to a press release by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "Hon'ble President of Suriname, H.E. Shri Chandrikapersad Santokhi met Bharatiya Janata Party National President Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda at the BJP HQ the in the evening on January 13, i.e. Friday," the BJP press release read. According to the release, the BJP National President welcomed the Suriname President, Minister of Foreign Affairs and other delegates to the party office. Vijay Chauthaiwale, BJP's foreign affairs department in-charge and Shri Anil Baluni, National Media Head of BJP were also present during the meeting between Chandrikapersad Santokhi and BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda. Both leaders talked about the contribution of the diaspora. Nadda explained in detail how the coordination of the party and the government takes place. Further, he explained how the cascade of communication from top to booth level and from booth to national leadership is functioning in the party. Suriname's President emphasized that different countries should focus on learning the Hindi language, Indian traditions and culture, according to the BJP release. "Suriname's President explained the challenges to his country due to COVID and how he has brought out his country from the crisis. He also said that his party can take several messages from the world's largest party on how to run a pro-people ruling party," the release read. Santokhi is the second Indian-origin person to be elected as the president of Suriname. He is the Chairman of the Progressive Reform Party of Suriname and has earlier served as minister of Justice and police from 2005-10. He has also served as Chairman of The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) in the year 2022. He was the special guest of Honour for the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held at Indore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held wide-ranging discussions with Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Suriname President Santokhi on the margins of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention. At the 17th PBD convention held in Indore to honour persons of Indian origin for their outstanding achievements, Guyana President was the chief guest while Suriname President was the special guest of honour. President Droupadi Murmu met the President of the Republic of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi at Indore, Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. President Murmu said that it is heartening to see his participation in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention as she happily noted that the Indian community in Suriname has maintained its cultural identity even after 150 years of leaving India, an official statement read. (ANI)
Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Friday said that India has robust cooperation with the other countries of the G20 across all the agenda items that are focused priorities of the G20, in response to a question on why India informed China about the Voice of Global South Summit. "India has robust cooperation with the other countries of the G20 across all the agenda items that are focused priorities of the G20 and it is under that rubric that we consulted every G20 developing country with whom we have strong development partnership," Kwatra said during a special briefing on Voice of Global South Summit. Kwatra said that the focus of the global summit was on those countries that do not have the benefit of having a presence in the G20 proceedings but there is still a critical need to pick up their voices, to channel their voices. On the Centre for Excellence for Global South Scholarship, Kwatra said that India already does a considerable amount of capacity-building operations, and India does it with the whole host of developing countries. "This is one of our strong areas and it is the prime minister's decision to enlarge the scope of these schemes to include and encompass the entire global south," Kwatra said. Kwatra said that the Voice of Global South Summit received a strong and positive response from across the world. "The overall theme of the summit was unity of voice, unity of purpose. A total of 125 countries participated in the initiative. This includes 29 countries from the Caribbean and Latin America, 47 countries from Africa, seven countries from Europe, and 31 countries from Asia, clearly a strong and positive response across the whole world through the summit," Kwatra said during a special online briefing on Voice of Global South Summit. Kwatra showed infographics of the global participation in the summit. He said that India has been in close contact with the countries that are G20 members. India's G20 presidency will be the first G20 presidency that can claim to have captured the sentiments and views of the entire developing world, not just limit itself to the large economy's perspective, Kwatra said during the session. He said that almost all countries accepted India's invitation and participated in the summit. "Participants thanked Narendra Modi for his personal leadership which was instrumental in conceptualising and crystalising the voice of the global south at a time which is particularly difficult for the developing world facing numerous challenges across the political and economic domain," the Foreign Secretary said. (ANI)
Ashraf Shikhaliyev, the ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to India on Friday said that he is glad that India's Voice of Global South Summit is the first step to discussing issues on the global agenda. "I am glad that the Voice of the South Summit is the first step to discussing the issues on the global agenda. Our honorable minister of energy is participating on the panel on energy security and I am glad that Azerbaijan which is currently chairing the non-alignment movement will be contributing to developing the common vision of the developing world, of the world in a whole," Shikhaliyev said while speaking on the Voice of Global South Summit. The Azerbaijan ambassador to India congratulated India for its G-20 presidency and said: "The topic of chairmanship "One Earth, One Family, One Future," shows the role of the developing world in shaping the global agenda." "I wish every success to India's chairmanship in the G-20," he said. India's Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra on Friday said that the Voice of Global South Summit received a strong and positive response from across the world. "The overall theme of the summit was the unity of voice, unity of purpose. A total of 125 countries participated in the initiative. This includes 29 countries from the Caribbean and Latin America, 47 countries from Africa, seven countries from Europe, and 31 countries from Asia, clearly a strong and positive response across the whole world through the summit," Kwatra said during a special online briefing on Voice of Global South Summit. Kwatra showed infographics of the global participation in the summit. He said that India has been in close contact with the countries that are G-20 members. India's G-20 presidency will be the first G-20 presidency that can claim to have captured the sentiments and views of the entire developing world, not just limit itself to the large economy's perspective, Kwatra said during the session. (ANI)
The World Health Organization has urged all nations in South-East Asia to take urgent and accelerated measures against measles which is on the rise with nearly nine million children having missed vaccination against the disease in the past two years. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director, WHO South-East Asia, in a press release said, "The strong political commitment, determination, focused and concerted efforts, and community support, that marked our efforts for polio elimination, are now urgently needed to stop and prevent measles outbreaks and accelerate efforts to eliminate the disease." She made the remarks on the 12th anniversary of the last case of poliovirus in the South-East Asia region. According to the press release issued by World Health Organization, measles vaccination coverage has reached an all-time high of 94 per cent coverage for the first dose and 83 per cent coverage for the second dose by 2019. It had reduced to 86 per cent and 76 per cent respectively in 2021, leaving nine million children unvaccinated for measles and around 5.3 million children partially vaccinated against the disease. Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh stressed that the world needs to close immunity gaps for higher impact. She stressed that nations must ensure adequate investment in laboratory-supported case-based surveillance for timely detection of measles cases and outbreaks to have an appropriate response against the disease. She lauded the nations in the region for their continued efforts against polio. According to the press release, the region reported the last case of poliovirus from Howrah in West Bengal. She stressed that all nations have been taking several initiatives to revive and resume childhood immunization coverage and surveillance activities affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Poonam Kheterpal Singh said that nations need to sustain the efforts and further strengthen to maintain the polio-free status of the region. "The decline in vaccine coverage, and interruptions and delays in immunization and surveillance activities due to COVID-19, leaves the Region susceptible to large outbreaks, and off track for the 2023 target of measles and rubella elimination," Dr Khetrapal said. "We need to urgently close immunity gaps with tailored approaches for the highest impact, such as through catch-up campaigns, and strengthening routine immunization with better microplanning," she added. (ANI)
Sam Bankman-Fried's lawyers have argued his bail backers should stay private. Insider and other media organizations have asked a judge to reveal their identities. Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

News organizations, including Insider, are asking a court to unveil Sam Bankman-Fried's bail backers.

Bankman-Fried has argued that his sponsors should stay private for their safety.

The media companies say fraud charges and billions of dollars in potential losses call for transparency.

A group of media organizations, including Insider, have asked a federal judge to reveal the identities of two anonymous sponsors of Sam Bankman-Fried's bail package that includes a $250 million bond.

The letter  filed to court Thursday on behalf of news organizations including Insider, the Associated Press, Bloomberg, the Financial Times, CNBC, Reuters, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post  argues there is "no dispute" that the identities of these sponsors should be made public.

Bankman-Fried's lawyers told the court earlier this month that the backers of his release should stay secret for their "privacy and safety." They said Bankman Fried's parents, Stanford law professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried  who sponsored his $250 million bond  are already being harassed and threatened.

The media organizations argued there is a legitimate need for transparency about who might be bankrolling Bankman-Fried's relative freedom from custody while awaiting trial, especially in light of his high-level network of "prominent Silicon Valley billionaires, and elected representatives."

"Given Mr. Bankman-Fried's relationships and access to some of the most wealthy, powerful, and politically connected individuals, including elected officials, access to the identity of the bond sureties will bolster trust in the judicial process here," the news organizations, represented by Jeremy A. Chase and Alexandra Settelmayer at the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, argued in a filing.

A representative for Bankman-Fried declined to comment.

Bankman-Fried is under house arrest in his parents' home after pleading not guilty earlier this month to eight criminal counts. Government investigators alleged he and his associates liberally dipped into customer funds to make risky investments and political donations, and that some $8 billion in customer funds are missing.

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While he awaits trial, which is scheduled for October at a federal court in Manhattan, US District Judge Lewis Kaplan released Bankman-Fried on a controversial bail package that requires him to don an ankle monitor and stay largely house-bound. In the meantime, Bankman-Fried is still tweeting and posting on Substack about what went wrong.

His parents backed the $250 million bond using their Palo Alto home as security. The two other backers sponsored "separate bonds in lesser amounts," according to a court filing earlier this month by Bankman-Fried's lawyers.

The news organizations argued in their letter Thursday that the public has a right to know who those backers are.

At Bankman-Fried's January 3 arraignment hearing, Kaplan had granted a request from Bankman-Fried's lawyers to keep the names and addresses of those two people under seal. Making public the identities of the two people would expose them to the same threats and harassment that Bankman-Fried's parents have experienced, his lawyers argued.

Bankman-Fried's lawyers compared the situation to the criminal case of Ghislaine Maxwell, an associate of Jeffrey Epstein who was found guilty of sex-trafficking girls in December 2021. In that case, Maxwell's proposed bail guarantors were permitted to remain anonymous. Christian Everdell, one of Bankman-Fried's lawyers, also represented Maxwell in her criminal case.

But lawyers representing the media organizations said the cases were significantly different. For one, Maxwell was ultimately denied bail, while Bankman-Fried is living with his parents.

"The unique stigma of association with Epstein, Maxwell, and their ring of pedophilia, sexual abuse of minors, and sex trafficking no doubt animated the Court's decision to permit the names of those proposing to post her bail  which was ultimately denied  a secret," lawyers for the media organizations wrote. "None of these concerns are present here. While Mr. Bankman-Fried is accused of serious financial crimes, a public association with him does not carry nearly the same stigma as with the Jeffrey Epstein child sex trafficking scandal."

Although Kaplan initially sealed the names and addresses of the two bail sponsors at the January 3 court conference, he left open the possibility of revising his decision, welcoming members of the media and the public to file letters arguing otherwise. The New York Times and the independent journalist Matthew Russell Lee at Inner City Press previously filed letters asking Kaplan to unseal the names.

Read the full letter below:

Read the original article on Business Insider
Seven vehicles, a 34-foot trailer and a $100,000 collection of artifacts and fossils are part of a stash of stolen property found recently in Franklin County.

Prosecutors charged five people in connection with what began with fleeing car near Eltopia West Road. It turned into the discovery of a cache of stolen property at a home and in two trailers littered with drug paraphernalia.

Eduardo Munoz, 30, allegedly led deputies to the property at 7809 Road 44 in Franklin County when he tried running from a sheriffs deputy, according to court records.

Now, Munoz is facing the most charges, including attempting to elude police, vehicle theft and illegal gun possession.

His two roommates in the main home on the property, Jerome Wright, 36, and Sasha Brianna Betzen, 35, are also charged with having stolen property.

Wright faces an additional charge of possessing a stolen car.

Two others living on the property  Jaclyn R. Israel-Peterson, 33, and Amanda Rene Vogel, 32,  also are accused of having stolen property.

While its unclear if the items were taken by the suspects living there, court documents claim stolen items were often arriving and being taken from the site.

The list of pilfered property includes five vehicles, a 34-foot enclosed trailer, a sixth vehicle in a rural part of Franklin County and another vehicle at a Richland home, according to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office.

And a collection of artifacts and fossils valued at $100,000 was found at the Road 44 property.

Stolen car chase

The investigation began on Jan. 7 when the driver  later identified as Munoz  tried to elude Connell police. He was in a stolen Honda Civic Coupe last seen heading south on Highway 395, said court documents.

A Franklin County deputy reported seeing the car pass him on the highway near Eltopia West Road. Then the car appeared to stop on East Elm Street, before taking off again.

Deputies chased him on the highway and then on West Sagemoor, Glade North and Selph Landing roads at speeds of 50 to 65 mph, including times when Munoz crossed into the oncoming lane, said investigators.

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Officers used a spike strip to flatten at least one of his tires and continued to follow him as it swerved erratically. Munoz finally stopped on Road 44, got out of the car and ran toward 7809 Road 44, showed court documents.

He was later found inside a Dodge pickup and was arrested.

Deputies also reported finding a sawed-off shotgun in the Honda Civic.

Search for stolen items

Police had already been keeping the property on Road 44 under surveillance because of its connection to multiple suspected vehicle thefts.

When police began looking around the property, they discovered the stolen vehicles and the collection of artifacts and fossils worth $100,000 reported stolen in Kennewick.

Part of the collection was stored in boxes that were in the backyard, exposed to the elements. Another portion was discovered inside a box in one of the trailers.

While court documents dont say where the collection was stolen from, it said parts of the collection were found around the home. Several items were displayed in the master bedroom and in the entryway of the house.

Other pieces of the collection have yet to be found, said investigators.

Deputies also seized some drug paraphernalia scattered throughout the house and inside the RV trailers, including foil with burned residue, straws and narcotics packaging. They also discovered methamphetamine and counterfeit oxycodone pills suspected of containing fentanyl.

As deputies continued to investigate, they found another stolen car in northern Franklin County and one at a home in Richland connected to the case.

Sheriffs officials said this week that it has been working with several people the Tri-Cities in an effort to return the property to its owners.
Mirel Kipioro / iStock.com

The new year gives us the chance to explore free trial offerings on everything from movie and TV streaming services to retail shopping subscriptions. Did we mention these trials are free and can last anywhere between seven to 30 days?

Explore: GOBankingRates' Best Credit Cards for 2023

Discover: How To Get Free Gift Cards From Your Everyday Purchases

Read More: 11 Grocery Items To Buy at Dollar Tree

We won't keep you in suspense any longer. Keep reading to find out which free trials you should start taking advantage of right now.

bgwalker / iStock.com

Walmart+

If other e-commerce memberships have been hitting your wallet hard and you're looking for a shopping alternative, it's worth checking out a trial period of Walmart+.

Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews.com, said the free trial period for Walmart+ lasts for 30 days. This gives potential subscribers plenty of time to test the service out and see if it's a good replacement.

Walmart+ also comes with additional perks including a Paramount+ subscription, six months free of Spotify Premium and much more. Those who ultimately decide to purchase Walmart+ will pay $98 per year.

Take Our Poll: How Do You Think the Economy Will Perform in 2023?

Drazen_ / Getty Images

Visible Wireless

Thinking about changing your wireless carrier this year? Try a free trial of Visible Wireless without quitting your current carrier. As outlined on the Visible Wireless free trial page, trying out the carrier only takes three steps.

First, make sure you have a compatible iPhone (an iPhone XS/XR or higher) and are connected to Wi-Fi. Then, follow the steps from Visible to receive a trial phone number and try their unlimited talk, text, data and mobile hotspot over the next 15 days. If you like what you see and hear, you can sign up for one of their plans. Any questions before you begin, and how the free trial works, may be answered in the carrier's FAQ section.

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Showtime

Stream award-winning original series and blockbuster movies by signing up for Showtime's limited-time free trial run offer.

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Showtime's limited-time offer allows you to watch Showtime for free for 30 days. If you choose to subscribe afterward, you'll pay just $3.99 a month for your first six months. Watch anywhere, anytime and always ad-free. You can cancel anytime, too.

Inside Creative House / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Spotify Premium

Music enthusiasts can leverage the premium tier of Spotify to download music for ad-free listening and unlimited skips. Typically, a free trial lasts for a month. However, Ramhold said if you sign up for Spotify, you may receive periodic efforts for even longer trials.

"This is when you may start seeing emails for Premium trials lasting two to three months, so it's worth using the free tier of Spotify to get on their radar for these special offers," Ramhold recommends.

chee gin tan / iStock.com

Shudder

This streaming service is perfect for horror movie fans to stream horror, thriller and suspense genre films.

Keep in mind, unlike some of the other streaming platforms mentioned, the free trial for Shudder lasts for seven days. If this is just enough time for you to binge all your spooky favorites, plans for subscribing start at $4.75/month and you have the ability to cancel anytime.

Shutterstock.com

Panera Bread Unlimited Sip Club

If you live or work near a Panera Bread, why not consider a tasty trial run of their Unlimited Sip Club?

Panera Bread's Unlimited Sip Club allows MyPanera members to enjoy endless Charged Lemonades, coffees, teas and fountain drinks with the first month completely free. Join monthly at $11.99 a month or yearly at $119.99 (saving 17%) and redeem your subscription like a MyPanera Reward at checkout.

Not a MyPanera member? It's free to sign up and start receiving rewards and benefits through the free membership.

fizkes / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Where Else Can I Find Free Trials and Deals?

Throughout the year, there will be even more free trials and deals ahead. Worried you might miss out on some? Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at TrueTrae.com, recommends googling "Slickdeals free trials" for extra intel.

Slickdeals.net, Bodge said, is a community-powered deal site. "By conducting this Google search, you'll find a slew of community forums with information on free trials, free trial hacks and the like!"

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 6 Free Trials You Should Be Taking Advantage Of
Another military echelon, consisting of 15 passenger and 10 cargo cars, as well as 15 platform cars with wheeled and tracked equipment, arrived from Russia at the Chepino railway station in the Vitebsk Oblast of Belarus.

Source: Belaruski Hajun,an independent Belarusian military monitoring media outlet

Quote: "Another echelon of the Russian Armed Forces arrived at the Chepino railway station (city of Vitebsk, Vitebsk Oblast). In total, it consisted of 40 wagons, including 15 passenger cars (about 750 people), 10 freight cars (in which equipment and ammunition were brought) and 15 platform wagons with wheeled and tracked equipment."

Details: Belaruski Hajun reported that the echelon was departing from Moskovka railway station in Omsk, Russia, from where it was dispatched on 3 January.

In addition, on 10 January, echelons of the Russian Federation were spotted on the Stovtsi-Baranovichi rail line, as well as in Gomel (two echelons), Baranovichi (two echelons), Yosypovychy, Orsha and Minsk.

Belaruski Hajun concludes that the nature of the movements of Russians indicates, firstly, the regrouping of the Russian troops in Belarus and, secondly, the rotation of a part of the Russian Federation's personnel that was trained at Belarusian training grounds. At the same time, currently the Russian Federation is not accumulating troops near the border with Ukraine.

Background:

In its latest review, Britain's intelligence agency said that while Russia was maintaining a large number of forces in Belarus, they were unlikely to constitute a credible offensive force, and the new deployment of Russian aircraft was not in preparation for any additional offensive operations against Ukraine.

On 11 January, the Ministry of Defense of Belarus said that it has increased air defence forces together with the Russian military, with units moving to assigned areas.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Act nowpre-order the latest Samsung Galaxy S23 devices and save up to $100 in Samsung credits for free.

 Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

Are you ready for the latest Samsung Galaxy devices? Samsung has announced a new collection of gadgets that will drop in February and we have the inside scoop on how to pre-order them. Right now, you can reserve your spot to pre-order the newest devices and get up to $100 in Samsung credit for free! Keep scrolling for all the details.

Pre-order the new Samsung Galaxy S23 devices

The newest Samsung Galaxy devices include the Samsung Galaxy Smartphone and Samsung Galaxy Book, and both are packed with top-of-the-line features. Now through Tuesday, February 1, sign up with your name, email and phone number and Samsung will reserve your spot to pre-order the newest addition to the Galaxy family. You can also expect text messages and emails around the upcoming Galaxy launch. By entering your info, you're automatically eligible for a $50 Samsung credit when you pre-order one device, and $100 Samsung credit when you pre-order two devices. That $50 could go toward a pair of the Samsung Galaxy Buds2, knocking them down to just $59.99 right now. We ranked the Galaxy Buds2 as one of the best wireless earbuds we've ever tested for their light and stylish design, good sound and solid active noise-canceling technology.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday: Shop the best sales at Amazon, Athleta and Kate Spade

Related: Samsung debuts its SmartThings Station at Ces 2023

Along with free Samsung credit, you'll score many other perks when you buy directly from Samsung. You'll receive guaranteed trade-in credit when you purchase multiple Samsung Galaxy smartphones, including trade-in credit for phones with cracked screens. Snag Samsung Care+ extended coverage for unexpected spills, drops or broken screens, and you'll get your replacement as soon as the next business day. From Samsung expert support available 24/7 to special discounts for eligible students, military and first responders, Samsung offers perks and benefits galore.

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If you're in the market to upgrade your essential tech in 2023, you don't want to sleep on these Samsung deals. You'll get regular updates on your pre-order and get up to $100 to spend on tricking out the next Samsung Galaxy gadgets. It's really a win-win for tech junkies everywhere.

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

This article originally appeared on Reviewed: Samsung Galaxy S23: Pre-order to save up to $100 on latest Samsung devices
LONDON (AP)  Actor Kevin Spacey has pleaded innocent to seven further sex offenses in Britain, which bring the number of charges the Hollywood star faces in the U.K. to 12.

Spacey, a double Academy Award winner, has already pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually assaulted three men between 2004 and 2015 when he was the artistic director at the Old Vic theater in London. He appeared via video-link in a London courtroom on Friday.

He now faces a dozen charges relating to four men between 2001 and 2013.

His trial is due to start on June 6 and last for three to four weeks. It is likely to be at the Old Bailey, the venue for Britains highest-profile criminal trials.

Spacey, who has addresses in London and the U.S., was granted bail and allowed to return to the United States after a preliminary hearing in June.
Thom Browne, second from right, prevailed in a trademark lawsuit against Adidas. Seth Wenig/AP

Thom Browne prevailed in a trademark lawsuit filed by Adidas.

Adidas argued the company's stripe designs confused consumers.

The sportswear giant told Insider it plans to appeal the ruling.

It took a Manhattan jury less than three hours to come back with a ruling in favor of fashion company Thom Browne in a legal dispute with Adidas.

In 2021, Adidas sued Thom Browne and alleged its designs infringed on Adidas trademarks, specifically how the German sportswear company uses stripes. It claimed Thom Browne used stripes on a line of sportswear in order to imitate the company's logo "in a manner that is likely to cause consumer confusion and deceive the public."

Thom Browne had already agreed to add a fourth stripe in order to avoid confusion. Adidas is known for its three-stripes logo.

The lawsuit went to trial last week, with Adidas seeking $867,225 in damages and another $7 million that it claimed was equivalent to Thom Browne's ill-gotten profits. Founder Thom Browne arrived at the courthouse last week wearing a shorts suit and a sock with four stripes.

In his closing argument, Thom Browne's attorney argued consumers don't confuse the two brands: Adidas is a sportswear company. Thom Browne is a fashion house.

"The notion of Thom Browne wanting to trade on the reputation of Adidas offends him. He is not Adidas," Robert Maldonado said in his closing statement, according to WWD.

A Thom Browne spokesperson said the company was pleased with the verdict.

"For over 20 years now, Thom Browne has been a pioneering force in luxury fashion, bringing a wholly unique and distinctive design aesthetic that combines classic tailoring with American sportswear sensibilities," the spokesperson said in a statement. "We look forward to continuing to design and provide the creative products that have become the hallmark of the Thom Browne label."

In a statement to Insider, Adidas said it plans to appeal the ruling.

"We are disappointed with the verdict and will continue to vigilantly enforce our intellectual property, including filing any appropriate appeals," a spokesman said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  A strong majority of the U.N. Security Council urged Afghanistans Taliban rulers Friday to immediately reverse all oppressive restrictions on girls and women including the latest ban on women working for aid organizations which is exacerbating the already critical humanitarian crisis in the country.

The joint statement from 11 of the 15 council members said female aid workers are crucial to addressing Afghanistans dire humanitarian situation because they provide critical life-saving support to women and girls that men cant reach. It reiterated the councils demand for unhindered access for humanitarian actors regardless of gender.

Japanese Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane, the current council president, delivered the statement to reporters before a closed council meeting, surrounded by diplomats from the 10 other countries -- Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Malta, Switzerland, Britain, United States and United Arab Emirates. The four council nations that didnt support the statement were Russia, China, Ghana and Mozambique.

United Arab Emirates Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, who called for the meeting with Japan, told reporters afterward that the key takeaways from the closed discussion were the unity from humanitarian actors that the work they are doing is essential -- and the unity in the Security Council to remain engaged, not only to express solidarity but practically to try and help move the situation on the ground towards a better trajectory.

Nusseibeh said another takeaway is that engagement with the Taliban has to continue, that there are different ministries mandated to regulate different sectors of humanitarian work.

Diplomats said that some countries are pushing for a Security Council resolution demanding the Taliban reverse all its edicts on women and girls, but it was too early to say if that would happen. Nusseibeh said council members are discussing next steps.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the U.N. special envoy for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, told the council in a video briefing that the Talibans restrictions on women and girls violate fundamental human rights and contradict assurances that the Taliban gave prior to taking power about the role of women in their country.

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She outlined the potential negative impact of such decisions, including immediately on the delivery of humanitarian assistance, Dujarric said.

The 11 council members also urged the immediate reversal of the Talibans ban on girls attending secondary school and girls and women attending university as well as restrictions on womens human rights and freedoms.

Britains U.N. ambassador, Barbara Woodward, tweeted that as a result of the ban on women working for humanitarian groups, as of Thursday, 15% of NGOs had paused all work in Afghanistan, 68% had significantly reduced operations. She added: Humanitarian aid cant happen without women.

David Miliband, CEO of the International Rescue Committee, a group that has worked in Afghanistan since 1988, said that last year its 8,000 staff, including 3,000 women, served 5.3 million Afghans across the country including 2.7 million women and girls.

But the group has been forced to pause most operations because of the decree banning female NGO staff from working, Miliband said in a prepared briefing to the council obtained by The Associated Press.

He outlined a twin-track approach for getting women back to work, saying: We have a chance of preventing further calamity for the Afghan people, but only if the international community is decisive, practical and disciplined.

On one track, he said, it must be made clear to the Taliban that there can be no business as usual without women workers. On another track, Miliband said, when Taliban decision-makers in ministries or localities support reopening services we will quickly move to restart services and build momentum for a return to our operating model.

The International Rescue Committee said in a statement Friday that earlier this week, the Ministry of Public Health offered assurances that female health staff, and those working in office support roles, can resume working. Based on this clarity, IRC said it has restarted health and nutrition services in four provinces.

Miliband called for a united international response across the humanitarian movement, led by the U.N., to re-establish the right of NGOs to employ women.

The IRC urged the U.N. to remain engaged with the Taliban to restore the previous situation where male and female workers can safely and effectively work to help all needy Afghans.

In another prepared briefing, also obtained by AP, Catherine Russell, executive director of the U.N. childrens agency UNICEF, said the decree banning women from working for NGOs is both wrong and dangerous and stands to deepen the countrys devastating humanitarian crisis.

She said UNICEF projects that this year 13.5 million Afghan children will need humanitarian assistance and 20 million Afghans will be at crisis or emergency levels of needing food by March, including upwards of 875,000 severely wasted children under 5.
Robert Houston posted a video on Youtube.com proclaiming his innocence, more than a month after Sarasota police had opened a criminal investigation into claims of fraud against the Parrish man.

He had been accused last August by a Sarasota real estate company of hijacking the business through the state's insecure online records filing system that allowed him to remove and replace the firm's legitimate officers. The owners of Glenco Properties Group Corp. said Houston then mortgaged their properties for about $1 million.

Previous coverage:Stranger accused of using website flaw to hijack Sarasota man's real estate business

More:Man accused of hijacking Sarasota business countersues company he allegedly stole

In the video titled "How to become Hard as Steel #HAM," Houston said he had done nothing wrong and accused other people of being jealous of his success.

"You the fools," Houston said in the video. "Not me. I know what I'm doing. I ain't in jail. Clearly, I know something, but I'm not going to share with you."

"Now you need to pay me for what I know," he continued.

Meanwhile, Sarasota Police had already subpoenaed his and accused accomplice Linda Lukas' bank account information, according to an arrest report released Friday morning.

When the Herald-Tribune became aware of the Youtube video this past fall, a reporter spoke with Houston and scheduled an interview. Houston did not attend or return phone calls seeking to reschedule the interview Houston missed.

Robert Houston, left, bragged on Facebook about a "20 SFR (single-family residential) Package" deal three days before the first mortgage on Glenco's properties was taken out. Houston has since been sued by the owners of Glenco Properties Group, accusing him of fraud. The person on the right is unidentified and has been blurred.

On Tuesday, Manatee County deputies arrested Houston and Lukas on charges stemming from the Sarasota Police department investigation that began late last summer. Houston has been charged with money laundering, scheme to defraud, criminal use of personal identification information, unlawful filing of false documents and obtaining property under false pretenses, according to a Sarasota Police report.

Lukas, who shares an address and bank accounts with Houston, has also been charged with money laundering, scheme to defraud and criminal use of personal identification information.

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A phone call to Lukas seeking comment was not immediately returned. Houston remained in the Manatee County jail on Friday afternoon on a $50,000 bond for each charge.

Court documents that would detail future court dates in the criminal case had not been uploaded as of the Herald-Tribune's publication deadline. A Bradenton attorney representing Houston in a civil lawsuit brought by Glenco declined comment on Houston's arrest.

Authorities accused Houston and Lukas of scheming to defraud the Sarasota real estate company after Houston reportedly removed Jim Glenn, 51, and his 77-year-old mother as officers of their company and named himself the chief executive through the state's online system.

The Florida Division of Corporations manages Sunbiz.org, which is the state's business records filing system. However, it accepts all documents submitted to it at face value, according to its website, and has no responsibility to verify the authenticity of documents submitted to it.

Police said Houston then fraudulently obtained two mortgages on the 21 properties owned by Glenco, totaling more than $1 million. Investigators noted that several lease agreements for Glenco properties were signed by Lukas listing her as the landlord. Those agreements were provided to the mortgage companies during the initial loan process.

"The tenant names on these lease agreements did not match up with searches on multiple law enforcement databases regarding the actual individuals who resided at the properties," the affidavit said, adding that "six of the names of the supposed 'tenants' of the properties had the same names of friends with Houston on his Facebook."

Police also said that Lukas and Houston made "numerous" deposits multiple times a day in various bank accounts controlled by Houston, Lukas or both in an "effort to disguise the source of the funds" after two large wire transfers from the two mortgage companies.

"The majority of the TD Bank accounts were depleted to a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars at the time that banking information was obtained," officers noted.

Houston's social media accounts also detail apparent spending on exotic fruits, clothing and frequent trips throughout the state, as well as an apparent purchase of a new Ford F-150 Raptor after he's accused of fraudulently mortgaging Glenco's properties.

Jim Glenn thanked detectives for "their diligent work" in a written statement from his attorney.

Glenn and his mother have sued Houston and companies associated with Houston in an attempt to clear up the title issues that resulted after Houston reportedly mortgaged their properties.

Glenn has spent thousands of dollars on attorneys clearing the title. He's accused Houston of civil theft and is seeking $8.7 million from Houston. Houston has countersued claiming his actions "conferred a monetary benefit upon Glenco" and that the properties' equity will increase because of his actions.

Both mortgage companies have also sued Houston, although they have filed court documents indicating they do not agree with Glenco's attorneys that their mortgages are invalid.

"We are pleased to see (the Sarasota Police Department) uncover the facts and we are optimistic this will help our client move forward and put this whole ordeal behind them," said Don Scarlett, an attorney with Ulrich, Scarlett, Watts & Dean representing Glenco Properties.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Details released in arrest of man accused of hijacking Sarasota business
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - European planemaker Airbus said it had withdrawn from a U.S. government-named panel reviewing Boeings safety processes and how they influence Boeing safety culture after two fatal 737 MAX crashes in recent years killed 346 people.

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) panel named last week includes MIT lecturer and aerospace engineer Javier de Luis whose sister was killed in a MAX crash, as well as experts from NASA, the FAA, labor unions, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, United Airlines, GE Aviation and FedEx Express.

Among those named was James Tidball, head of certification for Airbus Americas. Airbus said in a statement to Reuters it appreciated the FAA's recognition of Tidball's impartiality concerning safety but given "the panels focus on a particular (Original Equipment Manufacturer, Tidball)... has decided to recuse himself from this working group."

The panel, which Congress required under a 2020 lawto reform how the FAA certifies new airplanes, has ninemonths to complete its review and issue findings andrecommendations. Congress directed the agency toappoint a panel by early 2021, but the FAA missed that deadline.

A 2020 U.S. House report said the MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 "were the horrific culmination of a series of faulty technical assumptions by Boeing's engineers, a lack of transparency on the part of Boeing's management, and grossly insufficient oversight by the FAA."

Boeing last week declined to comment on the panel, but previously emphasized it has significantly reformed its safety culture after the MAX crashes cost it more than $20 billion.

Last month, Congress voted to lift a Dec. 27 deadlineimposing a new safety standard for modern cockpit alerts for twonew versions of the 737 MAX aircraft that could have put thefuture of those new models at risk.

In May, the FAA opted to renew Boeing's OrganizationDesignation Authorization (ODA) program for three years ratherthan the five years Boeing sought.

The FAA continues to subject Boeing to enhanced oversight,inspecting all new Boeing 737 MAXs and 787s before they can be delivered.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Josie Kao)
A new It Girl has entered the TikTok chat. What's causing her to be compared to the reigning stars of the platform like Charli D'Amelio and Addison Rae? Being herself.

Alix Earle, 22, is a University of Miami senior marketing major  and a TikTok influencer with a millions-strong army of fans waiting to watch her next Get Ready With Me (often abbreviated GRWM) video.

Earle has been posting on TikTok since 2020. But if she seems to be everywhere right now, that's because of her follower count's recent exponential rise.

According to influencer marketer Amanda, the founder of @letstalkpopculture on TikTok, in early December, Earle had 627k Instagram followers and 1.2 million on TikTok. As of today, Earle has 1.5 million Instagram followers and 3.7 million on TikTok.

The seemingly overnight sensation works with the ingredients that have defined the lifestyle influencer game for years: Introducing viewers to new hair and makeup products, showing off her recent purchases out of the bag and as glamorous outfits and being a pocket-sized advisor for an aspirational life.

But according to her fans, her influence is more than surface level. Earle's appeal, fans say, is in her approachable and relatable storytelling demeanor.

Earle made her TikTok debut in February 2020, by posting a video of her and her friends showing off their outfits made from trash bags. Fast forward two years later, her content now reflects life with an elevated platform  she recently posted about attending Miley Cyruss New Years Eve party, for example.

Through it all, her candid approach has remained, whether she's talking about her experiences with plastic surgery, her struggles with acne or simply getting mascara all over her eyelids as she applies makeup and recounts the previous night's misadventures.

From the start, I decided I was going to be open with this, especially on social media, Earle said in a recent TikTok posted on the one-year anniversary of her breast augmentation (her "boobaversary," as she puts it).

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If youre paying to get something done, wouldnt you want people to notice? Like, I paid all that money for a surgery and no one noticed anything different about me, Id be pissed, she continued.

This "openness" has worked, as Earles following only keeps growing (as do her partnership with brands like Tarte, Rare Beauty, GrubHub and White House Boutique).

Her big sister attitude sets her apart from other influencers on the platform, as LaPaglia mentions on her podcast, PlainBriUncut.

If you look at when Addison (Rae) and Charli (DAmelio) blew up, all of their fans were like fandoms of little kids, LaPaglia said on her podcast. Theyre just like, Oh, shes so pretty! Who is she dating? But people are an army behind Alix Earle already. Its like they actually care about what shes saying.

Tiktok influencer Samantha Tannor (@samanthatannor), who focuses on business, brands and social media, chalks Earle's rise up to the cool best friend effect. This, she explained in a TikTok of her own, is achieved in a fine balance being both glamorous and self-deprecating. Simply put, she lives an aspirational life but somehow remains relatable.

A lot of influencers are doing it, but I think Alix Earle does the best job at it, Samantha said. Because she genuinely feels like your cool best friend. You feel like you know her, which then means that youre loyal to her and when her videos come up on your 'For You' page, youre going to like them and probably comment too.

The Alix Earle effect has worked on followers like 28-year-old Gabrielle DiDato of Connecticut, tells TODAY.com she discovered Earle by scrolling through the For You page on TikTok.

I instantly followed her, wanting to see more, DiDato says. Alix is appealing because you can tell she is being her authentic self. I think a lot of us are tired of seeing picture perfect Instagram posts. People are keeping it real on TikTok. Its relatable when someone doesnt try to act perfect 24/7.

Earle has seemingly adjusted to the spotlight  perhaps because she's no stranger to it.

Her father, Thomas Earle, 49, runs a lucrative New Jersey asphalt and road construction business and is now married to Ashley Dupre, a former escort who was the target of intense media scrutiny that eventually led to New York Governor Eliot Spitzers resignation from public office. Earle's father and mother, Alisa Earle, previously divorced.

Earle's personal life also makes headlines, thanks to an on-again, off-again relationship with Yankees player Tyler Wade.

And as devoted as her fans are, Earle is not without controversy. Some commentators point out the wealth she flaunts in videos (like her decision to buy a second Dyson Air Wrap, a hair accessory product that costs $600). Creator Diana Melstrad added up the products in Earle's beauty routine, finding it amounted to $497.

She also most recently faced criticism for promoting a $10 hair oil from Mielle Organics, a company whose products are intended for Black hair.

The Black-owned hair brand's Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil quickly sold out after Earle told followers a month of usage led to tremendous hair growth," leaving Black women with fewer hair care options.

Our black section is already small, one TikTok user commented. Dont sell out our stuff and our makeup as well.

Mielle Organics announced Wednesday, Jan. 10 that it will join P&G Beauty to expand access to the brand in Black communities and fund research and innovation in hair care for underserved communities.

Despite these controversies, Earle will continue to dominate TikTok  at least thats what fans like 23-year-old Nicole King of Florida believe.

I think shes a young girl that has seemingly blown up overnight and is navigating such a new massive set of eyes on her in the best way she can. I think shes been doing a good job at it, King told TODAY.

King became a fan of Alix after she came across one of her Day In the Life videos.

I watched that video and was hooked, King said. Now Im a loyal follower.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Ana Walshe, a 39-year-old Massachusetts mother of three, was last seen New Year's Day in her home in the wealthy Boston suburb of Cohasset, according to police, who have asked for the public's help in their search for her.

Her husband, Brian Walshe, 47, was arrested and accused of misleading officials and lying about his whereabouts on Jan. 1 and 2.

Prosecutors have said that officials found blood and a damaged, bloodstained knife in the couple's basement and that Brian Walshe is alleged to have spent $450 on cleaning supplies, mops, tape and other items the day after his wife was last seen.

Brian Walshes attorney is not commenting. Her focus is on defending Mr. Walshe in court, an assistant for attorney Tracy Miner has said by email.

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families said the Walshes three children are in state custody and declined to provide more information, citing state and federal privacy laws.

On Monday, Ana Walshes sister told NBC Boston from Serbia that the family is trying to get to the U.S. and that relatives are concerned for the couples three children.

Ana Walshe was born in Belgrade and holds dual citizenship in Serbia and the U.S., said Olgica Vlacic, Serbias acting consul general in New York.

We are all joined in praying for Anas safe return, despite the latest grim developments indicating otherwise, Vlacic said. Our hearts go out to her family and especially to her young children, who deserve to be reunited with their mother.

Ana Walshe. (via Cohasset Police)

Key moments in the case:

Jan. 1: Ana Walshe reportedly headed to airport

Cohasset police say Ana Walshe was at her home on Chief Justice Cushing Highway shortly after midnight before she took a ride share to Bostons Logan Airport for a flight to Washington, D.C., to attend to a work emergency.

It is unclear who reported the alleged details, and police have said they had not been able to independently confirm them  although they had confirmed she had a Jan. 3 flight booked to Washington.

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She often traveled to Washington for work, police said; her LinkedIn page lists her title as regional general manager at the real estate company Tishman Speyer.

Police did not specify who reported last seeing Ana Walshe at home that night, other than to say it was a family member. Officials have said her husband was sleeping at the time she was said to have left.

A probable cause affidavit says Brian Walshe told police that the couple went to bed after a friend left around 1 a.m. and that Ana Walshe left for the airport between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m.

Brian Walshe also told police he spent New Year's afternoon doing errands for his mother at Whole Foods and CVS  but he was not seen on security video from either store, according to the affidavit.

Jan. 2: Police say husband bought cleaning items

According to a police log, Ana Walshes phone connected to a cellphone tower for the last time at 3:14 a.m. Jan. 2, within a quarter-mile of the area of Reservoir Road, which is 0.7 miles from the family's home. Her phone was then turned off, the log says.

Brian Walshe has told police that he visited a juice bar in the nearby town of Norwell early Jan. 2, officials have said.

Police discovered video evidence that Brian Walshe visited Home Depot in Rockland, about 10 miles southwest of the home, on Jan. 2. He was wearing a surgical mask and gloves and bought $450 worth of goods, including cleaning supplies, mops and tape, according to prosecutors.

Jan. 4: Employer asks for a well-being check

The head of security for Ana Walshe's employer, Tishman Speyer, called Cohasset police around 11:45 a.m. Jan. 4 to request a well-being check, reporting that her car was in Washington, that she was last seen days earlier and that the company had contacted her husband, who had not filed a missing person report, according to the police log.

The company's head of security told police the company knew nothing about Ana Walshe but had "no reason to think she is in danger or ill," the police log states.

Police interviewed Brian Walshe at his home shortly after 6:30 p.m., according to the affidavit. He said his wife left for work in Washington at 6:30 a.m. New Year's Day "and he hasn't heard from her since," according to the police log.

Jan. 5: Search for Ana Walshe goes public

Police announced their search for Ana Walshe, urging the public to contact them if they have any information on her whereabouts.

Jan. 6: Fire at former home

At a news conference, Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley said Ana Walshe's husband, family and friends had been "fully cooperative" with the investigation.

On Jan. 6, the Walshes' former residence, on Jerusalem Road, caught fire, according to the police log. Four occupants  three adults and a young child  escaped before first responders arrived and were uninjured, police said.

Quigley characterized it as a crime scene, and state police arrived, the police log says.

Police later characterized the blaze as a two-alarm fire whose cause was unknown, "though it does not appear to be suspicious."

Jake Wark, the public information officer for the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, said that "state police, fire investigators and local officials identified the cause as some damage to piping that was connected to a natural gas fireplace insert and determined that it was accidental."

Jan. 7: Ground search suspended

Local and state police announced they were suspending their two-day ground search in the woods near the Walshe home.

As news of Ana Walshe's disappearance roiled the small town of Cohasset  which, according to Crime Grade, is safer than 98% of cities in the country and boasts a median home value of $875,000, according to Census Bureau data  residents phoned in tips to police.

A spokesperson for the district attorney's office said police were "aggressively following up" on all leads.

Jan. 8: Brian Walshe arrested

Police returned to the Walshe home on Chief Justice Cushing Highway to execute a search warrant just after 9:20 a.m., according to the police log.

Authorities arrested Brian Walshe, saying he misled their investigation.

An assistant to Miner, Brian Walshe's attorney, declined to comment on her behalf Thursday.

Jan. 9: A court appearance, but not the first

Brian Walshe was arraigned in Quincy District Court. He pleaded not guilty to a single charge and was ordered held on $500,000 bail. He is next due in court Feb. 9.

Image: Brian Walshe, of Cohasset, Mass., faces a Quincy Court judge charged with impeding the investigation into his wife Ana' disappearance from their home, on Jan. 9, 2023. (Greg Derr / The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool)

It was not Brian Walshe's first time in court: In 2021, he pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts, including wire fraud, after he stole Andy Warhol paintings from a college classmate and commissioned forgeries, Reuters reported. Court documents show that he was ordered to forfeit $225,000 and does not appear to have been sentenced to any prison time in that case.

In a letter submitted to the judge in June, Ana Walshe wrote: "Brian has been working consistently on breaking the past habits of his family, and we are all looking forward to the new chapter of his life."

Following the 2018 death of Brian Walshe's father, from whom he was estranged over allegations of missing money, there was a legal battle over his father's estate, according to court documents and NBC Boston. He was described as a violent liar in affidavits from relatives and friends.

A nephew of Brian Walshe's father prevailed in the inheritance case, court documents show.

Jan. 10: The search for evidence

The Norfolk County District Attorneys Office said investigators removed "a number of items" for testing in a search north of Boston.

The testing of the unspecified items will "determine if they are of evidentiary value" in Ana Walshe's disappearance, the DA's office said.

NBC Boston reported that investigators spent hours Monday combing through trash at a transfer station in Peabody, a city 20 miles north of Boston, after they dug through a dumpster at the apartment complex where Brian Walshe's mother lives.

Brian Walshe's mother could not be reached for comment.

A spokesperson said Republic Services, the company that operates the Peabody waste transfer station, is cooperating with law enforcement.

A spokesperson for Covanta, which operates a waste transfer station in West Wareham, a town about 65 miles south of Boston, confirmed that authorities also visited its facility Monday.

Jan. 17: A murder warrant for Brian Walshe

More than a week after Brian Walshe was first arrested, Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey announced his office issued a murder warrant in the case.

Brian Walshe is accused of assaulting and beating his wife with the intent to murder her, as well as with moving her body or remains, according to the criminal complaint.

Details on what led prosecutors to pursue a murder charge against Brian Walshe weren't outlined until Brian Walshe's arraignment the next day, where he entered a plea of not guilty.

Investigators found more than a dozen disturbing Google searches allegedly made by Brian Walshe minutes before he had originally told police he last saw his wife. Searches included 10 ways to dispose of a dead body if you really need to and how to stop a body from decomposing," prosecutors said in court.

On Jan. 2, Walshes Internet searches included hacksaw best tool to dismember, can you be charged with murder without a body and can you identify a body with broken teeth, prosecutors said.

Defense attorney Tracy Miner requested the court release Brian Walshe from custody, but the judge ordered him to be held without bail pending indictment.

The judge also issued a court order to seal the probable cause affidavit and arrest warrant until March 10. Impoundment prevents the public, but not the parties, from gaining access to the records.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The only thing that was really going through my head was that Ive got to save my family, said Cadet 2nd Lt. Kaheem Bailey-Taylor.

A military academy student from Philadelphia is making headlines after receiving a JROTC Medal of Heroism from the U.S. Army Cadet Command for helping save the life of a classmate.

Cadet 2nd Lt. Kaheem Bailey-Taylor, 17, was leaving his cousins birthday party in North Philadelphia on Aug. 17 when shots rang out and he sprang into action, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The brave teenager raced back to the house and found four people shot; three were his cousins and one was a fellow student at Philadelphia Military Academy.

I ran in there, started assessing, started doing triaging, and I felt as though one of the people that I saved had the most injuries that could be fatal, said Bailey-Taylor, according to 6abc Action News.

Army JROTC Cadet Kaheem Bailey-Taylor was awarded the Medal of Heroism during a ceremony held at Philadelphia Military Academy on January 6, 2023, in Philadelphia, PA. This award is the highest Department of the Army medal exclusively awarded to Army ROTC and JROTC Cadets. The medal is presented to those who perform an act of heroism where the acceptance of danger and extraordinary responsibilities, exemplifying praiseworthy fortitude and courage are involved. | Photo by Amy Turner, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs

Bailey-Taylor focused on his classmates injuries, as they were potentially fatal, and he needed to be rushed to the hospital ASAP, he said. His cousins wounds were not life-threatening.

Everybody calls me crazy for going back, but I dont know what it was. Something in me told me that I had to go and get them, Bailey-Taylor said, according to the Army website.

The only thing that was really going through my head was that Ive got to save my family, he said.

Bailey-Taylor had learned basic emergency care as part of his JROTC training, and he immediately rendered aid to the injured. The teen used his hoodie to apply pressure to his classmates stomach wound.

I put my fingers inside his wound to stop him from bleeding out, Bailey-Taylor said.

As the victim lay bleeding and fading in and out of consciousness, Bailey-Taylor kept talking to keep him alert.

Army JROTC Cadet 2nd Lt.Kaheem Bailey-Taylor addresses the audience after receiving the Army Medal of Heroism. (Photo: Amy Turner, U.S. Army Cadet Command Public Affairs / flickr)

He said, Bailey-Taylor, please dont let me die. That message will always stay with me, the cadet recalled of the harrowing moment. It was somebody that I look at as an older brother.

According to The Inquirer, his fellow student survived the shooting and is back at school, on track to graduate.

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A 17-year-old male was arrested in December in connection with the shooting, according to news reports.

Bailey-Taylors swift action led to the honor he received for potentially saving his friends life. He was presented with the Medal of Heroism last Friday. The award recognizes JROTC cadets who demonstrate acts of heroism, according to the Army.

The act must result in an accomplishment so exceptional/outstanding as to set a Cadet apart, its press release states, and involve acceptance of danger or extraordinary responsibilities.

Its the highest award given in JROTC, said Commandant LTC Russell Gallagher, the Philadelphia Military Academy instructor who nominated Bailey-Taylor for the honor, according to 6abc Action News.

Even if he had not earned this medal, Gallagher said of the teen, The Inquirer reports, he would still be a rare student.

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The post Army honors 17-year-old from Philly with Medal of Heroism appeared first on TheGrio.
An arrest has been made in a March 11, 2022, shooting in Salisbury, according to the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office.

Rusaan Raymond Holland, 20, was arrested Dec. 30 after the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office Community Action Team executed a search warrant for unrelated crimes and arrested him on firearm and controlled dangerous substance-related charges, a press release said Friday. While in custody for the unrelated arrest, police say, Holland admitted to shooting the victim on March 11.

After meeting in March with a 40-year-old gunshot wound victim at TidalHealth, the Wicomico County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division assumed the investigation and determined the shooting occurred in the roadway in the 1200 block of Flamingo Drive. Further investigation resulted in identifying Holland as a suspect.

The Criminal Investigation Division completed an application for charges and the District Court Commissioner issued an arrest warrant for Holland for first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm by a minor, and loaded handgun on person. On Jan. 5, the arrest warrant was served on Holland, who was being held at the Wicomico County Detention Center for the previous arrest.

In June 2022, another man was also arrested in connection with a March 11, 2022, incident in the 1200 block of Flamingo Drive. The 40-year-old in that case had been shot at a party and was initially charged with attempted murder, according to previous Delmarva Now reports.

Multiple people had fired shots at a large party, the Sheriff's Office had said at the time.

MORE: Salisbury man sentenced in rape, sexual abuse of child

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Arrest made in Salisbury shooting that happened March 2022: Police
An arson suspect, who authorities say confessed to 13 arson-related cases, was arrested Wednesday after starting a grass fire in Celina, the police department said.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 11, Celina Police and Fire Departments were sent to a small grass fire near County Road and North Preston Road (Texas 289.) After putting out the fire, investigators found evidence linking Jonathan Hughes, a Melissa resident, to the fire, CPD said.

Detectives collected more evidence related to the arson case throughout the day, issued a warrant and took Hughes into custody in the evening.

During an interview, Hughes said he had set 12 additional grass fires since October 2022, according to police.

One of these cases, police said, put a nearby Celina neighborhood under threat of being taken over by the fire and initiated response from the Celina and Prosper Fire Departments.

Hughes has a criminal history that includes arson, burglary and narcotic charges, police said. He is currently on parole for arson and burglary of a vehicle.

The investigation remains ongoing, police said.
An Artesia woman faced child prostitution charges after a female child family member told police the woman accepted payments from her boyfriend to repeatedly sexually assault the girl about four years ago.

Karyn Estrada, 50, was arrested Monday and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of children by prostitution, a first-degree felony, and conspiracy to commit sexual exploitation of children by prostitution, entering no plea in Artesia Magistrate Court.

The abuse was believed to go on between November 2018 and May 2019 at the home of the assailant, court records show, when the girl was 10 and 11.

More:'You took our brother' family says as Carlsbad man gets 18 years in prison for murder

Records show the girl, now 14, told investigators Jan. 5. that during the assaults, Estrada received payments from her then-boyfriend Kevin Clements to allow the assaults to occur.

Clements was arrested in 2020, records show, and charged with two counts of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree of a child younger than 13, along with kidnapping and assault charges.

He was bound over from Artesia Magistrate Court to Fifth Judicial District Court and faces a jury trial Feb. 13, with no plea yet entered, records show.

More:Jury finds Carlsbad man guilty of killing 8-year-old daughter

Police said the survivor of the attacks came forward to investigators, testifying Clements would give Estrada money before or after the assaults, after negotiating sums of up to $500, read the criminal complaint.

The girl told police the assaults started when Clements allegedly attempt to assault another relative of the survivor, but she interfered.

She said Estrada was aware of the assaults and did nothing, police said, and that she witnessed Estrada and Clements exchanging money after the attacks.

More:Police seeking leads, family hopes for answers after Carlsbad man found dead

Estrada was released from custody on a $100,000 bond during court proceedings and banned from having contact with the survivor or anyone younger than 18.

Story continues

The attacks occurred a few times a month, according to the girl's testimony to police, for about six months, and she said Estrada and Clements would talk about money after every incident.

Clements threatened the girl with a knife to comply during the assaults, the girl told police, and allegedly said he would kill her.

More:'Justice for Samantha,' prosecutor says as Carlsbad man gets life in prison for killing daughter

Police said the survivor testified the attacks stopped after she ran away from home.

She was first interviewed in January 2020 at the Artesia Advocate Center.

Records show the girl said the attacks were at Clements house at the Poderosa Trailer Park in the 3200 block of West Main Street in Artesia, where Clements served as manager and lived onsite.

She said during the attacks he would restrain her with duct tape and rope, threatening her with a knife and a gun in various incidents, records show.

According to the girls initial testimony, Estrada was asleep during the incidents.

After she ran away in May 2019, temporary custody of the girl was granted to her parents, who urged the survivor to come forward to police about the attacks and later about the payments, the girl said according to court records.

The parents also reported the incidents to the Eddy County Sheriffs Office in 2020, records show.

Another witness, James Burchett of Artesia was also interviewed by detectives, records show, testifying Clements admitted to having relations with the girl and told Burchett These young girls look 10 years older than they are, records show.

Clements denied the allegations and any sexual contact with the girl.

He was held in pretrial detention while awaiting trial.

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 575-628-5516, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Artesia woman accused of prostituting child to boyfriend
An orphaned elephant calf discovered recently that nagging its foster mom can bring about unpleasant consequences.

The accompanying footage, shared Wednesday by Wild is Life, shows the baby male elephant, Elliot, trying to wake mom to play, and reacting to her not-so-subtle hint to leave her alone.

Watch until the end  with sound on, Wild is Life advised followers on Facebook. Kadiki has a very clever way to tell Elliot once shes had enough.

Kadiki is the 3-year-old foster mom. Elliot, only a few weeks old, is the latest orphaned elephant to arrive at the Wild is Life Panda Masuie Elephant Release Project in Zimbabwe.

ALSO: Yellowstone elk has perfect response to taunts from tourist

Elliots family of six elephants was killed and the case is under investigation (poaching is not suspected).

According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Elliot was rescued after wandering into a community on Dec. 26, while being harassed by holiday revelers.

Elliot and Kadiki. Photo: IFAW

Elliot is currently in good health at the WIL Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery (ZEN) in Harare, which cares for young orphaned elephants. Elliot shares a stable with Kadiki and the two have developed a close bond.

Elliot is drinking voraciouslyconsuming 21 liters a day of special neonate milk formulaand he is partial to having fun by chasing ducks and other large birds, WIL ZEN founder Roxy Danckwerts told the IFAW. He has so much energy, and its a joy to see such a tiny elephant having such a good time.

The WIL ZEN nursery has rescued more than 50 orphaned elephants. At present, 30 elephants are undergoing rehabilitation at the Panda Masuie facility, and 12 are close to being released back in to the wild.

List

The 50 best movies streaming on Netflix (January 2023)

Story originally appeared on For The Win
Media titan Barry Diller is exploring a potential sale of The Daily Beast, one of his top media properties, according to a new report.

IAC, Dillers holding company, which includes several other media brands like People and Southern Living, has hired Whisper Advisors to explore a sale of The Daily Beast, The New York Times reported, citing two people with knowledge of the decision.

Diller launched the site in 2008 and has grown its online audience to several million a month, relying on digital subscriptions and online advertising to grow the business, the Times noted.

The Daily Beast has over the last 14 years become a well-known force in media for its splashy headlines and aggressive reporting on politics, media and culture, particularly on conservative and right-wing figures.

Last fall, it published a series of stories on Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker that revealed he was the father of children he had not previously acknowledged publicly.

In 2021, Tracy Connor, took over as The Daily Beasts executive editor, replacing Noah Shachtman, who left to take over as editor of Rolling Stone.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (SOF) have shown footage of a battle in Luhansk Oblast where a group of Russian military manpower has been eliminated.

Source: SOF press service

Details: It is reported that a Ukrainian Special Operations Forces group detected a section of Russian soldiers, a machine gun unit and established observation posts belonging to the occupiers while performing one of their tasks.

The SOF soldiers decided to take the opportunity to attack the Russians by surprise.

A sniper hit a Russian observer; machine gunners destroyed a Russian machine gun unit and started picking off the soldiers, and their dugout was hit with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.

Having dealt enough damage to the hostile force, the group retreated.

The SOF press service has told Ukrainska Pravda that the fighting took place near Kreminna in Luhansk Oblast.

The video, posted on 13 January, shows corpses of the occupiers that remained after previous confrontations and which the Russians did not remove from the battlefield.

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Belarus prepares to host a joint military aviation exercise with Russia as echelons of Moscows military personnel continue to move into the country.

Belarus claims that such efforts are not directed against third parties.

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko signed an amendment to the countrys citizenship law, allowing the stripping of citizenship from Belarusians living abroad that are accused of so-called extremist activities.

Belarusian authorities continue to crackdown on Belarusian culture, as a leaked government document exposes the decision to ban the use of the Latin variant of the Belarusian language for geographic locations.